Larchmont Chronicle
presort standard u.s. postage
paid
south gate ca. permit no. 294
APRIL 2012
vol. 49, no. 4 • delivered to the 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • park labrea • larchmont village • miracle mile
Map keeps Larchmont as historic anchor of district Neighborhoods intact for next 10 years
SUMMER CAMPS Pages 22-29
SECTION ONE LBHA oppose new District map. 3 PRE-TRIAL set for Bungalow.
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GARDENS open on homes tour.
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PARK LA BREA lands knight. 10 BEST FRIENDS visiting Tar Pits. 9 ROTARIANS in Puerto Rico.
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DWP rates are under water.
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ANTIQUE STORE says goodbye. 17 REMEMBRANCE at Museum. 31
SECTION TWO Real Estate Home & Garden
ART, ANTIQUES on home tour. 2 SHOWCASE House opens. 4 NEUTRA celebrated.
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TOMATOMANIA. 13 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11
By John H. Welborne Guest columnist The Los Angeles City Council has confirmed the map that keeps most of the Greater Wilshire area in Council District Four. In mid-March, the City Council approved the map proposed by the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission in February, with a few minor adjustments to Council District Four boundaries, primarily in Hollywood. With that City Council action (and a confirming vote to take place before June after boundary lines are doublechecked by the city engineer), this map becomes final for the next decade, unless successfully challenged in court. Council District Four has always been associated with
Bees, electric cars at Park La Brea on Earth Day 'Green' events also planned at LaCMa Learn the latest on ways to “go green” at Park La Brea’s Earth Day celebration on Sat., April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in and around the Activities Center at 475 Curson Ave. Visitors can commune with nature by meeting a local farmer courtesy of Whole Foods Market or view a beehive exhibit by Backwards Beekeepers. Learn how to save money and get around town without a gas guzzler at the alternative transportation exhibits. They will feature information on electric motorcycles and cars, and the Grand Masters Cycling group. Park La Brea’s Clean and Green Committee will share tips on recycling; the Community Emergency Response Team will offer advice on preparing for the “big one.” Get a jump on spring cleaning by dropping off toxic and electronic waste at a HazardSee Earth Day, p 16
the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. After World War II, and following the 1950 U.S. Census, the Larchmont Boulevard shopping district was just about the exact center of the district, which was shaped like a rectangle and then went from Fairfax Ave. almost to Vermont Ave., and from Olympic Blvd. to Fountain Ave. In those days, each city council district had a population of 131,000 residents. Today, each district has nearly 253,000 residents, and District Four has a gangly geographic shape. Los Angeles is vast, with a population of nearly four million people. Therefore, a single council district serving many single-family neighborhoods will oversee a wide geographic area. That certainly is the case with the latest version of the See MAP, p. 12
‘Design for Living’ in May Annual special section will feature homes, lifestyles and personalities, in the May Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Mon., May 14. To reserve space, call Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241 x 11.
BaSEBaLL SEaSON began for Wilshire Sports League and Wilshire Warriors at Pan Pacific Park on March 16. Among attendees were Pirates team members, from left, Finn Disharoon, Finn O’Brien and Derek Kim.
Metro subway extension is closer to final approval First phase of Westside plan is at La Brea The final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Metro’s Westside subway extension was revealed at community meetings in late March. The first phase of the ninemile extension is planned at La Brea, and continues to Fairfax and La Cienega stations. Construction could start next year after final engineering. The tunnel boring machines will be in the ground at La Brea Ave. and would go east to Western Ave. The first seg-
ment might open around 2020, but timelines could be sped up depending on availability of federal loans. The report will be presented to Metro’s Planning and Programming Committee on Wed., April 18. Metro board of directors will review the final EIR at its meeting Thurs., April 26. The agendas and the staff report will be posted a few days prior to each meeting. The EIR is available in printed form and on DVDs at local libraries.
On the Boulevard Glimpses by Jane
YOUNG STUdENTS donned hardhats for a groundbreaking ceremony that kicked off construction of St. James’ preschool building. Due to open in September, the building, at Gramercy Place just north of Wilshire Blvd., will accommodate 60 preschoolers and a junior kindergarten program.
Our boulevard is popping with new businesses opening right and left. Malin & Goetz skin care and hair products, Growz, a clothing boutique, and, in the works are Hamburger Hamlet and Flywheel Sports, a spinning studio. We say goodbye, regretfully, to our upper Larchmont neighbor Cottage Antiques. *** We learned from Ellen Donaldson in RiteAid that her See BLVD., p 9
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