Larchmont Chronicle
Larchmont Chronicle The Voice of the Community since 1963
presort standard u.s. postage
paid
south gate ca. permit no. 294
MAY 2013
vol. 50, no. 5 • delivered to the 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • park labrea • larchmont village • Miracle Mile
Groups rally to stop high-rise 'Millenium'
Design for Living Larchmont chronicLe maY 2013
Schools, kids benefit
Next vote in June
R
eturning a 1923 Spanish home to its original glory, adding light and modern touches, was an ambitious undertaking. Dennis Smith took on the challenge.
(Turn to page 22)
B
ullocks department store founder would be amazed to see the kitchen designed by Morgan Brown in his former Plymouth home. (Turn to page 18)
SPECIAL SECTION Pages 17 to 28
SECTION ONE BIG SUNDAY. It's here.
3
NEWCOMERS on the Blvd.
4
LARCHMONT median history.
6
GARAGE sale for area youth.
9
BEST FRIENDS to wag at Page. 11 MOMS share pros and cons.
16
HANDBAG handcuffs?
16
BULLOCK House gets an update. 18 GARDENING grows on her.
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SECTION TWO Real Estate
Neighborhood associations are registering their concern about the impact of the proposed two-tower high rise Millenium project in Hollywood. Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Land Use Committee has joined close to 50 other organizations in opposing construction of the 1.1 million square foot, 54-story tall twin towers on Vine St. The height of the project and impacts on traffic and the environment are among reasons for the opposition. Developers are Millenium Partners and Argent Ventures. The Los Angeles Conservancy stated that the project could potentially cause adverse impacts to the landmark Capitol Records tower that the proposed buildings surround. Although opposed by Councilman Tom LaBonge, the project won the approval of the city Planning Commission at a recent meeting. It is expected to come before the city Land Use and Planning Management (PLUM) Committee in June. A group, StopthemilleniumHollywood.org, is raising funds to hire traffic experts to evaluate and report the impacts on the Hollywood community and greater Los Angeles. The results will be sent to PLUM committee members.
Event aids restoration
PARAMOUNT PICTURES employees rolled up their sleeves at area schools for annual Viacom Community Day. See story in Section 2, page 6
Van Ness Avenue School to merge with Frances Blend All students to gain, says principal A merger of Van Ness Avenue School and its adjacent neighbor, the Frances Blend School on Clinton Ave., has been proposed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Combining the two schools is a result of a LAUSD decree to increase graduation rates of students in special education. It promotes integrating students with special needs into general classrooms, said Katty Iriarte, Van Ness principal.
Speakers to weigh city’s challenges at Miracle Mile Chamber forum Event at El Rey
HERE TO HELP, really, says parking officer. 3 NATURAL History centennial. 2 SNEAK PEEK at Movie Museum. 5
For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11
“The name will be Larchmont Village Learning Complex, home of Van Ness Avenue and Frances Blend Schools,” said Iriarte. Blend educates children with learning disabilities See MERGER, p 29
What does the mayor of L.A. do? Election watch
Home & Garden
Rick Caruso, owner and developer of The Grove, will speak on challenges facing Los Angeles at the Economic Forum on Thurs., May 9 starting at 11:30 a.m. at the El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd. Other speakers at the Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event include Jeff McNutt of BRE apartment complexes, Ron Bowdoin of Park La Brea and Mathew Friedman, Desmond property developer. Neal Perkey, property man-
Headliners at Chronicle 50th at Ebell May 17
DEVELOPER Rick Caruso
ager, will lead a panel discussion on Miracle Mile’s appeal to both residential and commercial developers. See FORUM, p 4
By Robin M. Kramer Guest columnist Robin Kramer, Windsor Square, has served as chief of staff in the administrations of Richard Riordan and Antonio Villaraigosa. It may seem obvious that the Mayor of Los Angeles is the city’s chief executive and leads a complex public enterprise with a $7 billion annual operating budget. What is less well understood is that, by local law and history, LA’s top leader lacks the broad executive authority of the Mayor of Chicago or San Francisco. Power and accountability are spread, See MAYOR, p 7
Local talent will be performing at the Larchmont Chronicle’s Golden Jubilee on Fri., May 17 at the Ebell Club of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. Jan Daley will headline a “Thanks for the memories” program, named after the songstress' stint on the Bob Hope USO tours. Peggy Bartenetti will provide comic relief during the evening which benefits The Ebell’s Preservation & Restoration Fund. Highlights of the early days of the 50-year old community paper and its publisher and co-founder Jane Gilman will be featured in a video presentation. The evening will include cocktails and dinner and a live auction. A weekend getaway at a home in Palm Springs, a police ride-a-long and a tour of Paramount Studios are among auction items.
Salute to graduates Annual section tosses our hats to this year's graduates. Advertising deadline is Wed., May 15. To reserve space, call Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241 x 11.
On the Boulevard Glimpses by Jane Boulevardeers are welcoming May, having survived tax season. Gardens are in full bloom and a plethora of white roses is adorning many a front lawn. *** We ran into PJ Clark at Peet’s Coffee and learned she celebrated her birthday with a friend, touring southern mansions on the Natchez Trace. Meanwhile, husband Jim hosted a reception at their home for accepted students to
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
See BLVD., p 29