Larchmont Chronicle
presort standard u.s. postage
paid
south gate ca. permit no. 294
MAY 2011
vol. 48, no. 5 • delivered to the 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • park labrea • larchmont village • Miracle Mile
‘Friends’ recruit neighbors to view Van Ness
Design for Living Larchmont chronicLe maY 2011
School tour is May 9
S
tep into the master bedroom at the Pasadena Showcase House to view the broad collection of reproduced antique furniture, textiles and art accessories. They combine to create a blend of traditional and casual. Designers Hall Swanson and Dan Ollis are at left.
A
(See page 20)
ntiques, ranging from silver to furniture, reside side by side with modern art at Randy Esada's Thrive
Decor. The new store recently opened in the Heinsbergen Building at 7427 Beverly Blvd. (See page 18)
SPECIAL SECTION Pages 17-28
SECTION ONE STAFF changes at LaBonge office. 3 SPRING FLING is in the air.
6
ON consignment on Larchmont. 8 BiG SUNDAY opportunities.
9
REMEMBERING the Holocaust. 10 ZOMBIES emerge in the Village. 11 MOMMYHOOD. 13 SOCCER, Olympic style. 15 'GYPSY' marks Caitlin's debut.
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'PRAGUE' inspired Cloth & Paper. 23
SECTION TWO Real Estate Home & Garden
FIREMEN flip on their Day. 7 PRESERVATION program awarded. 2
For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11
By Laura Eversz A sign-up table at a recent open house netted 40 potential “Friends of Van Ness” interested in helping the local elementary school at 501 N. Van Ness Ave. generate more community involvement. Manning the table were Larchmont Village residents Annie Chow and Nona Friedman, who spearheaded the campaign after becoming acquainted through their interest in the kindergarten through fifth grade school. Chow, a product of public education and a former Los Angeles Unified School District teacher, said her preference was to send daughter, Olivia, to a public school. But because of its past reputation, “we did not give much thought to Van Ness, nor did we place much focus on Larchmont Charter since admission is through lottery and therefore out of our hands.” But Chow said she really See Friends recruit, p. 5
Civil hearing for Bungalow set May 19
RESIDENTS HEAR Ron Lorenzen, Urban Forestry department, explain options to tree removal, right, at a recent meeting.
Demolition of Hancock Park tree meets resistance Camphor is protected in historic zone When Suzanna Funston turned the corner onto 4th St. at Las Palmas Ave., she did a doubletake. A tree service was cutting down the limbs of a stately 80-year-old camphor. A member of the Hancock Park Homeowners Assoc. tree committee, she put in a frantic call to Councilman Tom LaBonge’s office. LaBonge contacted Ron Lorenzen of the Urban Forestry Dept. immediately, and in a matter of hours, the tree demolition stopped. Temporarily. Some 30 people gathered at
the site on April 18 at a meeting arranged by LaBonge to hear Lorenzen discuss tree removal and options to save the tree. The trees in Hancock Park are protected by the Historical Preservation Overlay Zone. The Bureau of Engineering did not notify Urban Forestry that the tree was in an HPOZ area. “There was a disconnect,” said Lorenzen. Lorenzen said his department wants to retain every tree possible. But, when a tree has dry areas or other signs of decay, it usually is removed.
Criminal case to follow The owners of Larchmont Bungalow will seek to re-obtain a certificate of occupancy for the restaurant at 107 N. Larchmont Blvd. in civil court on Thurs., May 19. The hearing is with Judge Soussan Bruguera at 10:30 a.m. in L.A. Superior Court, Dept. 71 at 111 N. Hill St. It is a petition for a writ of mandate to overturn the city’s earlier ruling, said city attorney Kim Westoff. Soon after the eatery opened in the fall 2009, the city Dept. of Building and Safety revoked its certificate of occupancy because it operated on a broader scale than its take-out license allowed, city officials said. Criminal charges were set to be heard Tues., May 17 in See Bungalow, p. 3
“Each case is different,” he explained. Under the city ordinance’s guidelines, the homeowner should have been given options that might have saved the tree. These include a ramping over the roots, or a meandering path around the roots. If the decision is to remove the tree, then the city requires two trees be planted in nearby locations. In the case of the camphor tree on 4th St., a ramp would See Demolition, p. 6
Graduate salute! Our annual special section highlights local graduates, published in the June Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Mon., May 16. To reserve space, call Pam Rudy, 323462-2241 x11.
On the Boulevard Glimpses by Jane
LARCHMONT CHARTER principal Dolores Patten, left, committee chair Kelly Cooper and students display bicycles donated at Garage-a-rama fundraiser. Photo by Mark Didia
What’s the dress code on the boulevard? The “uniform” is casual among the Y generation—T-shirts and flip flops lead the pack, especially when the weather cooperates. *** Jo Anne Clark celebrated her role as cupid when she took Bliss Maginnis and Alex Penfold to dinner at Louise’s Trattoria. Exactly one year earlier she had taken the two to Louise’s on an introductory See BLVD., p. 16
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