Larchmont Chronicle
presort standard u.s. postage
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south gate ca. permit no. 294
OCTOBER 2011
vol. 48, no. 10 • delivered to the 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • park labrea • larchmont village • Miracle Mile
SECTION ONE
New committee to weigh area traffic safety issues Bike lanes solution sought
PETS OF LARCHMONT 21 - 24 BUNGALOW civil case goes to court. 4 CRIME down.
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PUMPKINS on Larchmont.
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COSTUME SWAP at Park La Brea. 8 HOPE NET's $1,000 10 winner. HALLOWEEN mixer at Wilshire Park. 10 FALL fundraiser at Las Campuenas. 20 VAN NESS' scores skyrocket. 25 PRECIOUS BLOOD turns 85. 38
Residents’ protests about a city proposal to add traffic signals at Fourth St. on Highland and Rossmore avenues has resulted in cancellation of the plan. Councilman Tom LaBonge said he will seek other solutions to make bicycle lanes compatible through Windsor Square, Hancock Park and La Brea Hancock neighborhoods. The signals were part of a $624,390 plan for Fourth St. and part of the Los Angeles Bike Plan. The plan also includes the removal of stop signs where Fourth St. intersects with all streets between La Brea Ave. and Wilton Place. A survey of residents in Hancock Park and La Brea Hancock revealed an overwhelming majority opposed the installation of traffic signals at Fourth Street. and presented LaBonge’s office and the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council with a petition requesting cancellation of the proposed signals. Residents also wanted all stop signs to remain in place
on Fourth St. as well as Arden, Oakwood, June and Rosewood and other streets affected by the Bike plan. In an effort to continue community dialogue with the City, a new Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Safety Committee has been formed. “Fourth St. is already the best performing “Sharrow” or bicycle/ car compatible street by the city Dept. of Transportation standards,” said committee chairman, Gerda McDonough. “Our goal is to look at all problem areas in our neighborhood, and to work with the Councilman’s office to calm traffic and make our streets safe for all users,” McDonough See New committee, p. 17
Where to Dine
Restaurant and entertainment news will be featured in our annual Dining Guide in the November issue. Call 323-462-2241 x 11 to reserve ad space.
CHILDREN are donning their costumes in anticipation of the Larchmont Family Fair on Sun., Oct.23. In front row, from left, Julia and Michael Hanna, Oliver and Chloe Tostado and Julia Wolf. In back row, costume contest co-chairmen Michelle Hanna and Peggy Bartenetti and Jake Juno-Kasofsky with mother Jill. Story on page 5
Bike plan official, police to speak at HPHA annual meeting Oct. 18 The city’s bike plan representative and a traffic officer will be among the speakers at the Hancock Park Homeowners Association annual meeting Tues., Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. The meeting, at Third Street School, 201 S. June St., will also hear from Councilman
District cuts close public school libraries Friends of Third St. hire a teacher, Burroughs shuts doors
SECTION TWO Real Estate Home & Garden
BLACKWELL'S final resting place on tour. 4 DUPLEX DEEMED historic. 7 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11
Lack of funding is resulting in the closure of elementary and middle public school libraries. However, one local school group is coming to the rescue. Friends of Third Street School has agreed to fund a certified teacher to staff the library for three to six hours a day through the end of the school year, said Friends president Jennifer Rissier, Plymouth Blvd. Helena Yoon, vice principal at John Burroughs Middle School, said its library will be closed until funding is available. Sherri Whitham, president of the Los Angeles School Library Association, said high school libraries are still funded, although there was a threat last year to lay off staff. Whitham, the library media teacher at Hollywood High
School, said libraries provide students with the opportunity to read books some of them can’t afford to buy. Students learn research and
computer skills, and libraries are a place for students to complete homework. “Libraries foster a love of learning,” she added.
Tom LaBonge, L.A.P.D. senior lead officer Dave Cordova and private security firm representatives, said Cindy Chvatal, president of the Hancock Park Homeowners Association. Tim Fremaux of the city Dept. of Transportation, will discuss the bike plan proposals, and Sgt. Christopher Kunz of West Bureau Traffic will talk on safety issues in the area. The following have been nominated to serve on the board of directors: Rudy Gintel, Greg Glasser, Sheldon Goodkind, Peter Gorelick, Susan Grossman; Also, John Rolf, Cami Taylor, Ben Thompson and James Wolf.
On the Boulevard Glimpses by Jane
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY honoring victims of 9/11 at the Page Museum was Brad Burlingame whose brother Charles was a pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
For more photos, see page 37
Fall has arrived, school is open and the calendar is crowded with upcoming events. One event you shouldn’t miss—though it’s off the boulevard—is the sale of David statues. Yes, the 19 David statues on the lawn on Murifield Road are being sold Oct. 15 and 16. It’s a chance to get a bit of Hancock Park history. See BLVD., p. 17
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