Larchmont Chronicle
PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SOUTH GATE CA. PERMIT NO. 294
JUNE 2009
VOL. 46, NO. 6 • DELIVERED TO THE 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • PARK LABREA • LARCHMONT VILLAGE • MIRACLE MILE
SECTION ONE
GWNC passes motion to ban marijuana sites Melrose site ordered to close
SCOUTS cook.
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SWING at Historical Society meeting. 8 TOY DRIVE sparks Larchmont Charter youth. 10 GRADUATES' college picks.
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HANCOCK PARK— the novel—by local teen. 20 SOCCER buff heads to camp. 26 PATTY HILL covers the party front. 34
SECTION TWO Real Estate
By Chris H. Sieroty Contributing Writer The recent opening of a Melrose Ave. marijuana dispensary near Fremont Library prompted the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council to pass a motion last month directing the City Council to order its immediate closure. The motion, approved May 13 at a meeting at the Ebell, applied to the Bull Dog Café and any dispensary not in compliance of the city’s Interim Control Ordinance or without a hardship exemption. The GWNC also wants the City Council to prevent the over-concentration of marijuana dispensaries near schools, youth centers, public libraries and religious institutions. “This is nothing short of shameful,” Jane Usher, an atlarge member of the GWNC board of directors, said of the proliferation of dispensaries. About 300 have opened in the L.A. area. Operators of the Bulldog Café, 6105 Melrose Ave., atSee Marijuana, p. 18
Home & Garden
City administrator hears BRE plans for development At Wilshire/LaBrea
VOLUNTEER SurveysLA.
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CURBSIDE COLOR on Beachwood. 8 CONDOMINIUMS sell. See Real Estate sales. 12
For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11
By Jane Gilman BRE Properties outlined its request for zoning changes for its block-long development at a hearing on May 27 before Maya Zaitzevsky, city Zoning Administrator. The firm is also seeking a plan amendment and variance for its multi-story, 562unit apartment complex at Wilshire Blvd. and La Brea Ave., adjacent townhomes and ground floor commercial/ retail space. Residents of Sycamore Square and Miracle Mile spoke at the hearing about their issues with the project at 5200 Wilshire Blvd. “Our concerns,” said Liz Fuller, Sycamore Square resident, “are traffic, density and See BRE Properties p. 7
VOLUNTEERS made paper mache flower pots at Wilshire Crest School for local nursing home residents as part of Big Sunday, a two-day community service event. Story page 33
Western facelift on agenda Crime, marijuana also discussed by LVNA By Laura Eversz Crime, including a recent spate of graffiti incidents, medical marijuana dispensaries and a facelift for Western Ave. were on the agenda of the Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association’s semi-annual meeting in May at Van Ness Avenue Elementary School. L.A.P.D. Olympic Division Senior Lead Officer Joe Pelayo and two gang detail officers updated residents on a rash of graffiti in the northeast corner
of the neighborhood. Vandals from STA 13 and MS 13 gangs have been arrested, Pelayo said. Residents were encouraged to report graffiti to 311 for paint-outs, and to call 911 if they witness a crime in progress, noting descriptions of perpetrators, vehicles and license plates. Pelayo told residents there were no unusual levels of crime surrounding registered medical marijuana dispensaSee LVNA, p. 5
Special edition celebrates 75 years of Farmers Market Farmer Market’s 75th anniversary events, its history, and its merchants are the subject of a special issue out Thurs., July 2. Added circulation will bring distribution to 60,000 families. For information on advertising, call Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241 x 11.
On the Boulevard Glimpses by Jane
COUNSEL GENERAL Bob Peirce and “Austin Powers” mingle at the British Consul General’s residence in Hancock Park during the launch of BritWeek 2009. See story page 18
Dozens of reasons are bringing shoppers to the boulevard… graduations, new babies, showers, weddings and Father’s Day. Another incentive: the sales tax hike, goes into effect July 1. *** Speaking of new babies, we met Jennifer Becker and her daughter Elisabeth, eight months old, on their way to Peet’s Coffee. *** Longwood Avenue residents joined forces to host a goodbye dinner for Martha and Bill Harmon (41-year residents) and Samantha Colbert who See BLVD., p. 5
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