MCP_Dec10 by Mid-City Press

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Vol 1. No. 9

December 2010

Distributed monthly to 25,000 homes in Mid-City, Olympic Park, Country Club Park, Layfayette Square, Victoria Park, Arlington Heights, Angelus Vista, Harvard Heights, Oxford Square, West Adams, South Carthay, PicFair Village and the areas of Carthay Square, Wilshire Vista, Western Heights, Wellington Square and Jefferson Park

Bass Hears “Economy, Economy, Economy” in “Listening Tour”

MINC Board Hears CIM’s Troubles In Finding Retailers By Caitlin M. Foyt Mid City Press Contributing Writer MID-CITY—During last month’s Mid City Neighborhood Council (MINC) meeting mention was made that the CIM Group may be having difficulty finding tenants for the new Midtown Crossing shopping center currently under construction at the intersections of Pico, Venice and San Vicente boulevards. “[The development manager for the CIM Midtown Crossing project] said now that the construction is starting, they’re hoping that will bring some interest,” said Bruce Durbin, chairman of MINC’s Land Use Management committee and vice-president of MINC, at the meeting. According to Durbin, the new shopping center’s layout is see CIM page 5

By Erik Derr Mid-City Press Contributing Writer

TIS’ THE SEASON—LA Downtown On Ice, at Pershing Square, is open every day for skating fun now through Jan. 17, 2011. Admission is $6 and skate rentals are $2. The rink, now in its 13th season, is made possible by the City of Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks and Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry. Show your Metro transit receipt or pass and receive a $1 skating session discount. Extended holiday hours: through Jan 9th, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Thanksgiving Day: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Christmas Day, 12 noon to 10 p.m. For information, www.laparks.org and click on Pershing Square or call (213) 847-4970. 532 South Olive.

Local Teen to Play Lead Role in Nutcracker By Karen Jordan, Mid-City Press Contributing Writer LA BREA AVENUE—She is poised and has a spark in her eyes that lights up when she talks about the love of her life, ballet. Devin-Alexus Marin, 14, of Mid City, is set to grace the stage this month as the Sugarplum Fairy, the principal role in The Nutcracker. The production is presented by the Marat Daukeyev Ballet Theatre located on La Brea Avenue. “Although Devin is young to be dancing the role of Sugarplum Fairy, she has a beautiful artistry and exceptional technical skill,” said Artistic Direc-

Calendar: Margaret Cho at the Wiltern, Dec. 3rd

tor, Marat Daukeyev. “She is dedicated to dancing and her passion is evident as she works in class 20 hours each week. Devin is undoubtedly ready for this role.” The ballet school has become Devin’s home of late. Although at her young age, she seems to have the dedication and aptitude of a seasoned professional, spending up to eight hours a day, six days a week working on her craft. She admits the practices

West Adams Correspondent: Starbucks Art, 6

MID-CITY—Before former Assembly Speaker Karen Bass was elected to Congress last month, she visited four neighborhoods in the 33rd Congressional District—Culver City, Los Feliz/ Silver Lake, Koreatown and Mid-City—during what she called her “Listening Tour.” A primary goal of the stops was in fact to rally supporters and spread the word about Bass’ campaign. But the stories people shared with her along the way impressed Bass—a former physician’s assistant and mother—how much Los Angeles has changed over the last several years. She was surprised how many people complained to see BASS page 10

Officials Crack Down on Illegal Food Vendors By Caitlin M. Foyt, Mid-City Press Contributing Writer

are challenging, but Devin wouldn’t have it any other way. see NUTCRACKER page 5

Real Estate, 8

MID-CITY—As many as 17 different food vehicle vendors were cited with violations during a recent nighttime illegal food vending sweep through the area, including areas surrounding Pico Boulevard and Norton Avenue; Venice and La Cienaga boulevards; Crenshaw Boulevard and Washington Boulevard near Redondo Boulevard. During the Sept. 17th sweep, the County of Los Angeles Dept. of Public Health, Environmental Health Street Vending Program found that

Herb Wesson, L.A. City Councilmember, 9

four were operating without a permit and were ordered closed. Additionally, nine pieces of equipment were impounded and three were condemned. One pound of food was impounded and 656 pounds condemned. “These numbers are out of 17 (vendors), though [officials] went to 18 locations,” said Terrance Powell, director of specialized surveillance and enforcement at the Los Angeles Dept. of Public Health’s see VENDORS page 4

We Focus On: Wilshire Blvd. Temple, 11

mid-city press [letter from the publisher] Ve t e r a n’s Day, 2010, has long passed. But I wanted to tell you about a brief encounter I had with a young vet in November. I was near Sunset Boulevard to have a meeting with one of my clients. I had parked my car and was walking on an adjacent street to get to my meeting. Suddenly, a man darted from across the small side street and was walking in lockstep, very close to me. For a moment, as a woman walking in Hollywood, I felt concerned. He was just too close. I looked over my shoulder at him. And he said, in a slight southern drawl, “Oh, Ma’am, I’m not trying to scare you. I’m sorry. I am just late getting to a job interview.” The man, actually upon further review, was only a young man, maybe in his early 20s. He had hair, once cropped short that was now

growing out, and was wearing a shirt and tie with black pants, topped off with colored tennis shoes. “Oh,” I said. “Are you nervous for your interview?” “I am Ma’am,” he replied. “I just got home from duty. I’ve been in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s been a while since I held a job.” He went on to say he was applying for a waiter’s position at a nearby restaurant. “You’re going to do just fine,” I said, as I reached my final destination. “You’re going to do just fine.” I watched him walk on, in a brisk fashion, and wished him luck. The encounter reminded me of the Vets that are coming home from duty and for those that did not come home or for those that came home with themselves and their lives changed. Please remember these Vets when they apply for jobs or need a hand.

Pick up the Mid-City Press at these locations: Atomic Café 5001 W. Washington Blvd. Washington Irving Library 4117 W. Washington Blvd. Pasquale’s Café and Pizza 5616 San Vicente Blvd.

FOUNDED 2010 Delivered the last Thursday of the month to 25,000 homes and businesses in the Mid-City neighorhoods of: Mid-City, Olympic Park, Country Club Park, Layfayette Square, Victoria Park, Arlington Heights, Harvard Heights, Oxford Square, West Adams, Angelus Vista and the areas of Carthay Square and Wilshire Vista.

PUBLISHER /EDITOR Allison C. Ferraro, M.A.

Splendid Cleaners 1226 S. Cochran Ave. Maria’s Café 4645 Venice Blvd. Olson’s Deli and Gift Shop 5660 W. Pico

ADVERTISING SALES Olga Measures and Betsy Hall

GR APHIC DESIGN & L AYOUT

Griffin Oliver Cohen Charles H. Cohen

For editorial consideration, send story ideas to: allisonferraro@ midcitypress.com For advertising inquiries, call: (323) 667-1329 For more stories and updates: Midcitypress.com

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Visit our sister publication online at LosFelizLedger.com

The Mid-City Press will be professionally delivered the last Thursday of each month (the first Thursday in April, July and September) in recyclable plastic bags between Normandie Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard and Olympic and Adams boulevards. If you’ve missed your paper, call (323) 667-1529.

Thank you to these “Founder’s Circle” advertisers. Their ads make this community newspaper possible:

–Allison

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AB Fuzzy Babies Blessed Sacrament School Chulada Grill Dr. Randall Niederkohr EB Plumbing Farmer’s Cart Jackie Valenzuela, Coldwell Banker John Dickey, Coldwell Banker JK Muller, Farmer’s Insurance Keller Williams Larchmont Kent Spa Consulting Marat Dukayev Ballet Mid City Neighborhood Council Mt. St. Mary’s Nick Mercado, Keller Williams Olympic Park Neighborhood Council Pinky Rose Boutique PIPs Restaurant Royal Thai Massage St. James School Terre Steinbeck, Keller Williams Beverly Hills United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council Vees Café

NORMANDIE AVE

LA CIENEGA BLVD

GENER AL OFFICE A SSISTANTS

delivery area ADAMS BLVD

Corrections & Amplifications In our November story “Charter System Cost Cuts Affect Local Students,” we spelled Mike Piscal’s name incorrectly as Miscal Piscal. We regret the error.

[ OUT AND ABOUT: DECEMBER 2010 ] Compiled by Oliver Gettell BOOKS Tanya Wright New York-born, L.A.-based writer and actress Tanya Wright will sign and discuss her debut novel, Butterfly Rising, a story about two women who form an unlikely lasting friendship. Eso Won Bookstore, Tues., Dec. 14th, 7 p.m. 4331 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park. Information: (323) 290-1048. www.esowonbookstore.com

COMEDY Margaret Cho Comedian Margaret Cho has been making audiences laugh onstage and on screen for years, and more recently she has branched out into making music. She stops by the Wiltern this month to perform material from her new album, Cho Dependent, a collection of witty, catchy comedy songs she created

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with help from Ben Lee, Tegan and Sara, Fiona Apple, Jon Brion, and others. Fellow funny person John Roberts will open. Tickets are $40.50-$69.50. The Wiltern, Fri., Dec. 3rd, 7 p.m. 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown. Information: (213) 388-1400; www.wiltern.com

DANCE The Nutcracker Swings This adaptation on the classic story of The Nutcracker sets the tale in 1942 Los Angeles, in the midst of World War II. The production, by the City Ballet of Los Angeles, incorporates the sounds of Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington alike. Tickets $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, Fri., Dec. 4th, 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 5th, 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. 4718 W. Washington Blvd., Mid-City. Information: (323) 292-1932; www.cityballetofla.org

ENTERTAINMENT Moscow Circus on Stage Daring feats and delightful performances will entertain children and adults when this circus rolls into town. The show, Stars of the Russian Circus, includes aerialists, clowns, gymnasts, jugglers, musicians and more. Tickets: $40-$60. Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Sat., Dec. 11th, 3 p.m. 4401 W. 8th St., Mid-Wilshire. Information: (818) 377-2103; www.ticketsr.com

HOLIDAY Festival Navideño en la Calle Ocho Now in its 13th year, this multicultural community festival promotes togetherness and celebrates the holiday season. Featuring carnival rides, food booths, merchants, live entertainment and a toy drive. Free. Sat., Dec. 18th, and Sun., Dec. 19th, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eighth St. between Vermont

Ave. and Irolo St., Koreatown. Information: (213) 388-8291; www.calleochola.com Queen Anne Winter Wonderland Queen Anne park will transform into a winter wonderland of snow for one special Saturday. Pony rides, a petting zoo and a visit from Santa. Free. Queen Anne Recreation Center, Sat., Dec. 11th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1240 West Blvd., Mid-Wilshire. Information: (323) 857-1180.

MUSIC Oh What Fun The Angel City Chorale rings in the season with this holiday concert and singalong. The program will include gospel and jazz, classical and Renaissance music, and Christmas and Hanukkah favorites. Tickets are $17-$40. Wilshire United Methodist Church, Sat., Dec. 4th, 7:30 p.m., Sun., Dec. 5th, 7 p.m. 4350 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire. Info: www.angelcitychorale.org

Margaret Cho stops by the Wiltern with her Cho Dependent Tour this month. Photo credit: Lindsey Byrnes

www.midcitypress.com

Phil Ranelin Phil Ranelin will perform two sets as part of the World Stage’s weekend concert series. Other performers include Richard Grant, Herman Jackson, Jeff Littleton and Evan Greer. $10 donation requested. The World Stage, Fri., Dec. 10th, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 4344 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park. Info: www.theworldstage.org

December 2010

mid-city press

MINC

Mid-City Neighborhood Council Become a Positive Force In Your Community & Let Your Voice Be Heard Monthly Meeting Schedule Held at LAPD Wilshire Community Room 4849 Venice Blvd. 2nd Monday 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Stakeholder Meeting 2nd Tuesday 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Budget Committee for community projects funding 3rd Monday 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Board Meeting. All Welcome. 2nd Thursday 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. PLUM Meeting (for Land Use issues) Ad Hoc Saturdays Check our posting sites for conﬁrmation 1st Saturday 10 a.m. - 12 noon Outreach Committee: Reaching into the Community 10 a.m. - 12 noon: Washington Blvd. Community Economic Development Committee 10 a.m. - 12 noon: Design Advisory Committee: Improving the facades of local businesses and beautiﬁcation of the area

Information and to sign up: (866) 899-VOTE (8683) or (213) 978-0363.

MINC Serves the People, Places and Businesses from: Fairfax Avenue to west side of Crenshaw Boulevard & Venice Boulevard to the 10 Freeway Plus, the south side of Pico Boulevard (between La Brea and Crenshaw Boulevard)

ICE

VEN

10 FREEWAY

PICO

SHA W

The renovations will cost $10 sports-themed family resCRENSHAW BOULEVARD— million. taurant that will feature big Capri Urban Investors has One highlight of the renoscreens and wall-to-wall HD announced that Rave Movation will be the addition of TVs. The restaurant is extion Pictures has been named two restaurants, the Post and pected to be open for busias the new theater operaBeam and Buffalo Wild Wings. ness by the end of 2011. tor for the Baldwin Hills The Post and Beam will be Residents in Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza theaters. opened by restaurateur Brad and the Crenshaw area are The theaters, which have Johnson, who has opened excited about news of the been closed since the sumr e nov a t i on s . mer of 2010, will Janet Mitchfeature a state-ofell, 59, said she the-art, 15 screen “I hear they’re going to have was a regular multiplex with 3D movie screens. patron at the digital projecBaldwin Hills tion and sound, That’s going to be really cool.” Theatres before stadium seatit closed down. ing, 3-D screens —Brian Lemmons, 16 “My famand new decor ily and I drove throughout. such popular restaurants as to the South Bay or Holly The theaters are scheduled to The Sunset Room, BLT Steak, wood to watch a movie, so I open by Memorial Day, 2011. Georgia and Roxbury and am really excited to hear about Renovation plans are also will be located in the building all the improvements,” she underway for the Baldwin adjacent to the Debbie Allen said. Hills Crenshaw Mall that will Dance Academy. Brian Lemmons, 16, said include new flooring, light“Brad Johnson and [the] that he and his friends will be ing, a dining terrace and a live Buffalo Wild Wings franchise among the first moviegoers entertainment performance have a fantastic track record, standing in line when the thearea. Also slated are landscape and I believe both will be very ater reopens. improvements and extensive well-received in the communi“I hear they’re going to interior building throughout ty,” said Ken Lombard, presihave 3D movie screens,” he the 43-acre property. The dent of Capri Urban Investors. said. “That’s going to be really mall will be completed be Buffalo Wild Wings is a cool.” fore the 2011 holiday season.

on Election Day. Those who speak, read and write in English are needed as are bilingual pollworkers in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog or Vietnamese.

CRE N

By Shirley Hawkins, Mid-City Press Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES—The City of Los Angeles is seeking 6,476 pollworkers to staff the 2011 Municipal Elections. Pollworkers earn stipends of up to $125 for each Election Day they work. To volunteer, you must be a U.S. citizen and registered voter, at least 18 years old

$10 Million in Renovations Set for Baldwin Hills/ Crenshaw Plaza

Pollworkers Needed For Upcoming Elections

LA BR

[Crenshaw correspondent]

MINC President: Allan DiCastro allanminc@yahoo.com (323) 732-5085

Posting Sites for Meetings and Agenda Items: (Posted 72 Hours Prior to Meetings) • • • • • •

Washington-Irving Library Shell Gas Station on Southwest corner of Redondo & Washington boulevards Arco Gas Station on Southeast corner of Venice & Hauser boulevards Ralph’s Grocery Store at Midtown Shopping Center Swimming Pool near Pico and West boulevards Starbucks at Midtown Crossing, 4700B Pico Blvd.

December 2010

www.midcitypress.com

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mid-city press VENDORS from page 1

division of environmental health. “Three of those entities were a lunch truck, one was a fruit cart and one was a hot dog cart. The rest of those were illegal and all were cited.” Unauthorized vendors, Powell said, pose a health threat to the community. Food trucks and carts that operate without public health permits don’t have safety standards, and therefore often lack adequate food preparation and storage facilities and don’t always keep their food prep areas clean. In a report on the sweep, the health department found cases where employees did not wash their hands and food was at risk for contamination, based on both poor sanitation practices and storing foods at unsafe temperatures. Many of these facilities did not have restrooms or areas where employees could wash their hands. [See a list of the cited vendors at www.midcitypress. com] In terms of the mobile vending industry, Powell said there are probably 6,000 units of various kinds of mobile vendors operating illegally in Los Angeles County. As a result, sweeps have become routine in Los Angeles County. The Street Vending Program sends teams out during daytime hours and three or four times a month in the evening. However, because a large percentage of illegal vending takes place at night and on the weekends, paying for the overtime for such sweeps is ex-

pensive. “It runs around $3,000 to $3,500 to do this,” said Powell, referring to the night sweeps. Additionally, part of that expense is that now officers from the Street Vending Program be paired with local law enforcement officials because customers and operators can sometimes become unruly, he said. Still, even with enforcement, those vendors that have been illegally shut down or their food or equipment impounded, often start up business again on another night, in a different location. “A lot of guys feel that this is just the price of doing business,” said John Harmon, deputy of Code Enforcement for City District 10, during last month’s MidCity Neighborhood Council meeting. “We can catch them one month, but they know that they won’t see us again for awhile.” The public is often unaware—or don’t care—they are buying food from illegal vendors. “There are people who don’t recognize legality, they recognize food that’s near and dear to their hearts, from the country they come from,” said Harmon. “If they’re serving empanadas, then these people are getting a taste of home and that overshadows reason and knowledge.” Powell said to help the problem, starting in 2011, every licensed vendor in Los Angeles County will be given a letter grade to display—as restaurants do—clearly visible for the public.

A gift card is a

Mini Billboard

Wesson Challenged for City Council Seat Los Angeles City Councilmember Herb Wesson currently has eight challengers for his Council District 10 (CD10) seat, according to the final “Declaration of Intention” filing report issued by the City of Los Angeles’ Office of the Clerk, Election Division, Nov. 13th. Those candidates that have filed to run in the March 8th election against incumbent Wesson are: Chris Brown, a private business owner; Mike

J. Manley, an author/retired sergeant; Andrew “Andy” Kim, an attorney; T. Rodgers, a consultant; Luis Montoya a small business owner; Gavin Glynn, a children’s education advocate; Ausin Dragon, an employment specialist/ businessman and Althea Rae Shaw, a victim’s advocate. Wesson initially took office on Nov. 29, 2005 when he was elected in a special election to complete the unexpired term ending in June 2007, of Martin

Ludlow, who resigned to become head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. In that election, Wesson received 79.54% of the vote. Other candidates were Robert Serrano with 12.86% of the vote and Barry Levine, with 7.6% In 2007, Wesson ran unopposed and received 100% of the vote and is now serving the first of three four-year terms available to him. The city primary election will be held March 8, 2011.

Donations Needed For 12th Annual St. Elmo Children’s Book Giveaway ST. ELMO VILLAGE—St. Elmo Village will host its 12th Annual Children’s Book Giveaway, Sat., Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The community is invited to participate by donating a new hardcover or paperback; providing a monetary donation to be used to purchase new book titles or to volunteer time the day of the event.

Organizers suggest the following themes by age: 0-3 years: board books, pop-up books, colors, numbers, animals, vehicles, for example. For children ages 4 – 8, they suggest bilingual English/ Spanish and picture dictionaries and PBS Television inspired books. For children ages 9 to 12, they recommend Classics, biographies, reference, Fantasy

and Fiction and Bilingual dictionaries, to name a few. For 13 year olds to young adults: Classics, biographies, reference, Fantasy Fiction and a complete Author/Character series. Donations are needed by Tuesday, Dec. 7th. For information, call Jacqueline Alexander-Sykes at (323) 9313409.

ry! r u H 50% Off Advertising Rates Expires December 31, 2010 To advertise, call (323) 667-1329

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april barnett Owner/Operator

Saturday December 11th at 2:00pm & 7:00pm Sunday December 12th at noon & 4:00pm Aratani Japan America Theatre (Downtown) Tickets: $30 • Reserved seating Box office: 213.680.3700 Tues–Sat 12-5pm maratdaukayev.com • 323.965.0333

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December 2010

mid-city press in the top 12 in the Junior Age Division of the Youth America Grand Prix competition earlier this year, is looking forward to her spin in The Nutcracker. “Just getting up there and

December 2010

p.m. Sun., Dec. 12th, at the Japan America Theater in Little Tokyo. Tickets are $30 for reserved seats. For information, call (213) 680-3700, or visit www.maratdaukayev.com.

her first ballet as a child when a friend bought her a ticket. Nothing could have inspired her more. “It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen,” she said. “I thought, ‘I want to do that.’ That’s going to be me one day.” Now Devin, who placed

United Neighborhoods NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

CIM from page 1

If you live, work, own property, or belong to any organization in this area UNNC is your voice!

WASHINGTON

I-10 FREEWAY

ADAMS

ARLINGTON

Economic Development Historic Preservation Outreach Planning & Zoning Public Safety Public Works Recreation & Parks Youth Activities

NORMANDIE

Work with us on:

WESTERN

PICO

JEFFERSON RODEO

NEIGHBORHOOD MAP

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unique: a three-story shopping complex, rather than the typical “big box” format so typical in Los Angeles communities. Some retailers, he told the board, may be having difficulty envisioning the shopping center’s different configuration, especially now in its early stages of excavation and construction. “…[R]etailers have been a little bit hesitant,” Durbin said. “It’s an urban lot so to speak.” According to Durbin, the top floor of the center will have different configurations of space where some areas for lease will offer either 5,000 square feet or 16,000 square feet. “The feedback [CIM has] gotten is that retailers can’t envision it at this point. When people start looking at the center, though,” he said, “it will start making more sense.” Midtown Crossing is on schedule for the anticipated opening of Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in 2012. A special press release issued to the Mid City Press read that they don’t anticipate making any more leasing announcements until mid-year 2011. “For the remaining space, CIM is actively engaged in the recruitment of tenants for spaces ranging from 2,500 to over 100,000 square feet and as a matter of policy does not discuss prospective tenant negotiations or announce pending leases,” the statement said.

dancing my heart out,” she said. “That will be the most exciting thing.” The Nutcracker is scheduled at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sat., Dec. 11th, and at noon and 4

NSH

“I really do enjoy it,” Devin said. “It’s a lot. I’m enjoying being there, so it’s not like work. It’s more fun for me.” The flexibility of being home schooled, coupled with a scholarship from the ballet school, has helped fuel her dreams. Devin’s mother, Annamarie Marin, stumbled upon the school six years ago when she and Devin relocated to Los Angeles from Northern California. Marin even has a second job working at the ballet school. She is proud of her daughter and says Devin was immediately infatuated with performing. “I don’t know where she got it from,” Marin said. “It’s like she’s more at home on stage than when she doesn’t perform. When she performs, she just explodes.” Devin said she has always loved performing in front of an audience. “For me, performing is just like the ultimate,” said

Devin who plans to become a professional ballerina. “When I get on stage and see the audience, it makes me want to dance even better.” Being cast as the lead in The Nutcracker is a dream come true for Devin who saw

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NUTCRACKER from page 1

MONTHLY MEETING First Thursday of the month, 6:30 PM

Council District 10 field office 1819 S. Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90006

Enter on S. Manhattan Place just one block west of Western Avenue.

The United Neighborhoods of the Historic Arlington Heights, West Adams & Jefferson Park Communities is a Certified Neighborhood Council of the City of Los Angeles. OUR VOICE OUR CITY OF NEIGHBORS BY NEIGHBORS FOR NEIGHBORS

WWW.UNNC.ORG

www.midcitypress.com

•

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mid-city press [west adams correspondent]

Transforming Starbucks One Wall at a Time By Chalon Washington, West Adams Correspondent Historic West Adams is a new hotbed for fine art, with established and emerging artists who live or work in the community. Among the artists is Patrick H. Johnson, whose work has been exhibited on walls throughout Los Angeles. He has recently completed his latest mural on the drive-thru wall of Starbucks at Crenshaw and Washington. While at Ozzimo & Associates he did the prep work for murals starting with water colors and sketches and transferring them from small to large scale. After 13 years there, he started painting murals for elementary and high schools. “The kids were brutally honest,” he said. “You could tell instantly by looking at their face whether or not they liked the paintings.” The first Starbucks Johnson painted was on Crenshaw Boulevard and Vernon Avenue which was later closed. Why Starbucks? “There was really no plan, just sorta happened that way. I was walking to Starbucks one day to grab a coffee and past

by a wall marred with graffiti and a voice said to me to paint that particular wall. So I went to find the guy who owns the building and asked if I could paint it and he said ‘go for it.’” Johnson bought six gallons of throw-away paint at $5 a gallon. He borrowed an electrical outlet from the tattoo parlor next door to play his music: Sinatra, Beethoven, Hendrix, Portishead and the Isley Brothers, among others. When finished, he called the mural “The Gift” stemming from a dream he had of flying over the ocean with dolphins following him. Most of Johnson’s works come from controlled, lucid dreams that he records on the Spot. Later Johnson met the global marketing coordinator of Starbucks, who gave him an entrée to talk with Starbuck’s

CEO, Howard Schultz. Fascinated with Johnson’s enthusiasm and talent Schultz asked how he could change the appearance or image of Starbucks. Johnson suggested taking off the preprinted graphics and, instead, paint original art that would in turn create a whole new experience for the consumer. He then started on the artistic conversion to a more personal Starbucks at Crenshaw Blvd. and Coliseum St. “I haven’t touched the ground since,” said Johnson.

City Restores Median Maintenance By Caitlin M. Foyt, Mid-City Press Contributing Writer Clean up of litter strewn and overgrown medians across Mid-City is finally underway. After budget cuts, the city’s Bureau of Street Services had all but eliminated regular median maintenance earlier this year. This transformed medians into massive eyesores for the community. Now, the L.A. City Council has found a way to fund the clean up of the unkempt street medians across the city.

“…The long over-due maintenance work on the medians in our area is finally underway, beginning on San Vicente and Venice Boulevards,” wrote Councilman Herb J. Wesson, Jr. in a recent e-mail to Mid-City residents. Until June 2011, Council members representing districts 1, 5, 9,13 and 10 will provide funds from their individual council accounts for median maintenance in Mid-City.

Personalized Boutique Shopping In Mid-City Quality Fashion for Less For Those Who Seek Uniqueness with Flair for Style Casual and Evening Wear Your Favorite New Store! 5370 West Pico Blvd. (323) 936-9213 Pinkyroseboutique.com

“ Winter Wonderland”

at Queen Anne Recreation Center Sponsored by: The Olympic Park Neighborhood Council

Saturday, December 11, 2010 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Queen Anne Park Snow, Pony Rides & Petting Zoo

We strongly urge you to work with the OPNC because they’re your voice at City Hall. OutreaCH COmmittee PubliC Safety COmmittee fiNaNCe COmmittee eduCatiON COmmittee ruleS aNd eleCtiONS COmmittee

Councilman Herb Wesson Cd10

“ Winter Wonderland Toy Giveaway”

Sponsored by: The Olympic Park Neighborhood Council

Saturday, December 18th, 2010 10 AM to 2 PM @ The District Office 1819 S. Western Avenue Toy Giveaway, Snow, Food and Much More! Page 6

The OPNC Board meets at the LAPD West Bureau Community Room the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m. 4849 Venice Blvd. The Outreach Committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Queen Anne Park Conference Room at 6:30 p.m. Rules and Election Committee meets the 1st Thursday of the month at Starbucks Pico & San Vicente - 4700 West Pico Blvd at 7 p.m.

For information on specific committee meeting dates, times and places, visit: www.opnc.org The OPNC - P.O. Box 19348 LA, CA 90019

www.midcitypress.com

December 2010

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$895,000 960 N. Doheny Dr. #301 Beautiful, elegant, light filled, 2 Bd/ 2.5 Bath, Expansive city views, Romantic, Private Balconies off LR & Master bd, Laundry inside. Lynn LeGlaire 323.219.4480

$799,000 1416 Nadeau Los Angeles 90019 1915 Craftsman 4 beds, 2 baths + den & 2 sunrooms. Newer Guest house above garage. Eileen Lanza 323.810.7935

$799,000 2213 Holly Dr., 90068 Www.2213holly.com. 2Bd/2Ba+Den+Large Backyard in the Hollywood Hills. Peaceful. Hardwoods, New systems. Excellent value! Imraan Ali 323.547.0330

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mid-city press [real estate]

Preparing The Home for Holiday Guests

[ SELECT HOME SALES DECEMBER 2010 ]

By Nick Mercado, Mid-City Press Columnist

90006 Condominimums 1049 1042 1049 906

And, so, ing will go a long way. Check good lime cleaner will take the holiyour walls for any hand or fincare of any water spots or soap days have ger prints. A sponge dipped build-up on shower doors. If arrived again whether we are in some warm water can work you don’t have shower doors, ready for them or not. It seems wonders. So can a quick onceconsider buying a new showlike the Labor Day holiday is over with a fresh coat of paint, er curtain to brighten up the the best marker of the holiif all else fails. space. Put out some fresh towday season’s kick-off. Most of Living areas. If you have els. Check the grout around us would like to think that carpeting in your living and the tile and re grout if neceswe have plenty of time to get dining rooms, it might be a sary. Re grouting can be done ready for the peak of the seagood idea to schedule a profesin a very short time, so don’t son and are allet the prospect ways surprised of it overwhelm Fear not, however, as there are some simple when it is upon you. things you can do to get your home ready us and we have G u e s t not even begun room. Imagfor the onslaught of company that will be our preparaine you yourtraversing your threshold in the coming weeks. self will be tions. Fear not, staying in however, as there are some sional carpet cleaner to steam this room and consider what simple things you can do to clean them. Generally, for a would make you the most get your home ready for the nominal up charge, they can comfortable. Make sure the onslaught of company that also clean the upholstery of linens are fresh and the room will be traversing your threshyour furniture. Make sure is clean. Make a little space old in the coming weeks. to give your carpets at least 3 in the closet to accommodate Do a quick light check. days to adequately dry before your guests belongings, but Make sure all your light bulbs entertaining. A carpet that is not so much that your guest inside and out are functionnot completely dry before havare so inclined to stay for too ing. Check your exterior path ing company may find itself in long a visit. lights as well as any other exworse condition with people In all, these tips should terior lights and replace any tracking in dirt and embedmake the holiday season a bulbs that have burned out. ding it into the carpet. So, little brighter for you, your This will certainly help preplease be mindful of drying guests and your home! vent your guests from losing times. Also, be sure to give all their footing. surfaces a good dusting. Entry. Keep in mind the Bathroom. Again, a good first thing your guests will see cleaning will go a long way. upon entering your home is Use a pumice stone to remove your entryway. A good cleanany stains from the toilet. A

Cell 323-251-3763

1727 S ARDMORE AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350,000 1673 ROOSEVELT AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310,000 2884 W 12TH ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90018 Single Family Homes

FRee eStimateS License Number #930662

Sell phone in the business

3779 3790 2943 3721 3035 1759

HEPBURN AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $400,000 OLMSTED AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360,000 S BRONSON AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325,000 EDGEHILL DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300,000 9TH AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230,000 W 35TH ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225,500

1651 1803 1040 1521 1208

S VICTORIA AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $769,000 WELLINGTON RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580,000 S BRONSON AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550,000 S CURSON AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425,000 S MULLEN AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415,000

90019 Single Family Homes

90034 Condominimums 9808 REGENT ST 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $465,000

90034 Single Family Homes

2400 S BEVERLY DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,767,500 9619 BOLTON RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,100,000 3243 CASTLE HEIGHTS AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970,500 3455 S BENTLEY AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777,000 9415 KRAMERWOOD PL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 689,000 9317 KINCARDINE AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655,000

90035 Condominimums

1318 ROXBURY DR 215 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $925,000 1137 S SHENANDOAH ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645,000 1220 ROXBURY DR 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525,000

90035 Single Family Homes 9515 9412 1480 1454

SAWYER ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,600,000 OAKMORE RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,166,500 S DURANGO AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900,000 BEVERWIL DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865,000

Sales are from the previous month. Source: Great American Real Estate Solutions

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S HOBART BLVD 403 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $360,000 S KINGSLEY DR 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300,000 S HOBART BLVD 103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295,000 S SERRANO AVE 303 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290,000

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www.midcitypress.com

December 2010

mid-city press [restaurant review]

Harold and Belle’s By Anna Ericksson

There is an old bit of Creole humor that goes like this: Question: “How does a Creole repair a front porch?” Answer: “Well, you start by making a roux…” The truth is that Creole cuisine almost always starts with a roux—the magical mixture of fat and flour which serves as the foundation of flavor, luxury and just downhome goodness to Creole cooking. Not to be confused with Cajun, Creole is more refined cooking and from back in 1969, the owners of Harold and Belle’s are absolutely true to their heritage. The staff is fun, gracious and aimed to please dressed in crisp uniforms—they had no problem with my wearing jeans—but next time I’ll dress up properly. Right inside the front door is a lively full service bar where diners without reservations can relax waiting for a table. While not inexpensive for dinner, it is the perfect local establishment for a special occasion or when you want to treat yourself to a crazy-good

meal. If on a budget don’t miss their lunch offerings with specials ranging from $13 to $23. Most meals come with fresh corn on the cob, and either salad or clam chowder plus your choice of mashed potatoes and gravy, red beans and rice, cole slaw, potato salad or fries. The clam chowder is certainly not New England style: it’s 100% New Orleans and positively divine. Shrimp and Crawfish Étouffée is complex and memorable with integrity—nothing mushy about it with plump whole shrimp and chunks of crawfish tails. The Fried Crawfish was a mountain of a dinner and more sides that made a symphony of combinations on our table. Diners were raving over the bread pudding, but the peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream was spectacular. This definitely isn’t spa food; it’s real Big Easy food and it’s right here in our neighborhood.

December 2010

www.midcitypress.com

Harold & Belle’s, 2920 W. Jefferson Blvd. www.HaroldandBellesRestaurant.com

[herb wesson councilmember]

Protecting Our Historic Neighborhoods By Herb Wesson, Councilmember, CD 10 In conjunction with the residents of Country Club Park Neighborhood Association and the Windsor Village Association, my staff and I have been working over the past three years to adopt needed Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs) for both neighborhoods. Following approval from the City Planning Dept., the Cultural Heritage Commission and the City Planning Commission, the Los Angeles City Council by a unanimous vote recently approved the HPOZ ordinances for both communities. These ordinances are now in effect. Country Club Park and Windsor Village are unique and historic neighborhoods dating back over 100 years. Together, they constitute a significant cultural and architectural resource for our community and the City of Los Angeles. In the past, unique historic neighborhoods such as Bunker Hill downtown were never afforded the protection of an HPOZ. As a result, poorly planned development destroyed the Bunker Hill community, and our city lost an incredible cultural asset and much of the history of downtown. Among the benefits of the HPOZ are that these communities will be able to assert more control over inappropri-

ate alterations, and develop an enhanced sense of community which will also protect property values. Throughout my tenure on the City Council, protecting single-family neighborhoods in Council District 10 from encroachment by over zealous developers has been an important priority because of the unique historic and residential character of Council District 10.

My office is continuing these efforts in the Jefferson Park community with the help and collaboration of the United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council and the West Adams Heritage Association. Other neighborhoods in Council District 10 now covered by HPOZs include Harvard Heights (2000), Western Heights (2001), and Wilshire Park (2008). A special thanks to the residents and leaders in the Country Club Park, Windsor Village and Wilshire Park neighborhoods for their valuable help and collaboration in these efforts.

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mid-city press BASS from page 1

her about the economy and how none addressed racial issues—a notable change, she said, from when she first ran for the state house in 2005. “The main point is, people are desperately in need of work,” said Bass, citing the case of one audience member in the Mid-City meeting— held at the Little Ethiopia Community Center—who

Los Feliz, home to many of those in California’s arts and entertainment community. But whereas finding jobs and work-related education dominated the Mid-City meeting, participants were focused on protecting their work during the Los Feliz gathering, held at the home of neighborhood councilmember Tomas O’Grady, who himself is running for a seat on the Los

year,” 2006, “that’s when the economy had an uptick. And then it’s been downhill ever since.” Then again, she said, “We’ve stabilized some. We’re at least not going broke. . . I didn’t come in to office thinking the economy would be the number one issue for my entire six years, but it [has been]…Officially, economists have declared

the recession over and they declared that many months ago. But the job numbers have not caught up,” she said. Analysts with whom Bass consults with, she said, have told her recovery will likely take another one to two years. But, “until the job numbers catch up, I don’t think the average person cares whether or not the recession has been declared over.”

Bass said the “listening tour” left her with a firm belief that those in her new district can bounce back from the recession, as long as they don’t give up. “We are in tough economic times and all of us are feeling it one way or the other,” she said, “but we cannot fall into a period of demoralization where we stop participating.”

www.midcitypress.com

December 2010

Karen Bass, the former state assembly speaker who ran and was elected the Congress in November, invited people from the community to tell her what was on their minds during a pre-election “Listening Tour.”

stood up and complained she hadn’t been able to find work for two years, even though she was a schoolteacher with a master’s degree. Such pain, Bass said, shows her “we are in this recession and we haven’t come out of it yet.” Concerns over the economy were strikingly similar in Mid-City, historically populated by newer immigrants and lower income families and

Angeles City Council. “What came up in Los Feliz was the artist community,” said Bass. Before the dialogue, she admitted, she hadn’t realized that many artists are indeed small business owners or that “when the economy is in a recession, arts are the first things that are cut.” Since being elected to the state assembly, Bass said, the economy has seen “one good

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mid-city press [editorial]

Ode to Mid-City

By Tara Marshall The economy brought eled like prunes. me home. The death of my All of us neighbors: the life sadly coincided with the Hayashis, the Marshalls, the deaths of my beloved mother Maxwells, the Douets, the closely followed by that of my Batistas, the Chongs, the Gaeequally beloved grandmother tas and the Lopezes—one big leaving me with the ghosts of Mid-City melting pot. The pot my childhood. bubbled with camaraderie and I often sit out on the little rivalry and industry and love. porch of the house down the With list and money in driveway where I grew up and hand, mother would often reflect on times spent under send me out to shop. I close our still vital lemon tree; tastmy eyes and trace the route ing the sweet-tart flavor of the past Mr. Mailman’s store at magenta-colored fruit of our the corner of Pico and Kinglong-gone plum tree; rememsley. I can see his kind, smilber climbing to the heights of ing face and the old-style soda our eternally bountiful avofountain that always put a cado tree and feeling my legs smile on mine! tremble as I gingerly made my Dash across Pico and look way back down again. up at the statue of Bishop Before the days of rationConaty. An all-girls Catholic ing and even/odd, when water High School then, it’s expandflowed for dimes on the doled and merged now (Bishop lar, grandmother would allow Conaty-Our Lady of Lorreto), us kids to frolic on the front but in my mind’s eye it’s still lawn, drenching each other a single red brick building in with buckets and balloons, the middle of a wide expanse scrambling and tumbling in of green with a big shady tree the spray of the water hose unat its front. til our fingers and toes shrivI continue skipping down [religion and spirituality]

Wilshire Boulevard Temple By Katherine Spiers, Mid-City Press Religion Writer It’s a structure that anyone driving down Wilshire Boulevard has noticed and gaped at: Wilshire Boulevard Temple, the oldest Jewish congregation in Los Angeles. It is an impressive structure by any definition, built in 1929 and topped with a dome in the Byzantine revival style. Before the building was completed that year, it was housed in a couple different Downtown temples, and before that services were held in private homes, records of which exist

dating back to 1851. The rabbi that oversaw construction of the temple was Edgar Magnin, a scion on the I. Magnin empire based out of San Francisco—as unlikely as it seems now, San Francisco once had the largest Jewish community on the west coast. The temple exterior draws eyes initially, but the inside is even more special. Though representations of humans are not traditionally part of Jewish art, this temple is full of murals originally commissioned by the Warner brothers—yes, those Warner brothers. It is thought that the temple’s willingness to incorporate representative art

Pico to Normandie on my errand to fill mother’s list at our local market called Peter Pan (still there today). I walk straight to the back of the store, stand on tiptoe and hand the list to the butcher who would slice fresh chops and round steak to order. At the edge of Normandie, two doors past the C&K Greek deli, was Reliable, a mom and pop department store where the lovely old couple would measure your foot on one of those ancient slide rule contraptions and fit you with the most perfect pair of Mary-Jane’s! A few steps from Reliable sits the venerable old St. Thomas’s Catholic Church, where my sister had her first communion, just a stone’s throw away from St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral on whose steps I would often sit (before the current fence was erected) and listen to the stillness. I open my eyes and realize that it’s all just memories now, ghosts. I’m tempted to lament the passing of a bygone era, the death of my childis twofold: first, it speaks to its progressive, Reform roots. Secondly, it’s representative of the temple’s movie industry-related growth: it moved west from downtown partly due to the congregation’s spread toward Hollywood. Now the temple is almost a regular religious house, with a neighborhood congregation and plenty of study groups and charity organizations. But it’s one that’s also on the National Register of Historic Places, with some of the bestknown examples of stained glass in the U.S.—donated by Louis B. Mayer. It also hosts people like the Dalai Lama, on occasion. Open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call (213) 388-2401 for a tour.

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hood, then I remember that there’s a time and a season for everything. Though the names have changed and the rhythms of my childhood Mid-City are different, it still thrives. The place of my death will be the place of my revival, just as the neighborhood has

been revived. Mid-City lives! Tara Marshall grew up on Kingsley Drive, graduated from Hobart Elementary, Berendo Jr. High, LA High and UC Santa Cruz. She’s lived all over the world, but still loves MidCity best.

[family matters]

School Choices Anxiety for Parents By Anita Saunders, Mid-City Press Columnist Ah, almost winter. The weather should be getting cooler (any day now), kids are back in school, and parents have settled back into their regular routines. For those parents whose child is moving up the next rung of the school ladder, this is a time of some anxiety. It’s time for them to get serious about selecting that perfect school for their child. For many families, gone are the days when you simply walked to your local school and enrolled your child. Today we have more choices There are a myriad of private schools in the greater Los Angeles area and they range as greatly in cost as they do in philosophy. Of course, public schools are an option even if your neighborhood school doesn’t impress you. A number of Los Angeles Unified schools have room for children from outside their area via an open enrollment program. Another option are the charter schools, of which we have many. Charter schools are attended by choice, not based on one’s home address. They receive public money but have greater autonomy than do regular LAUSD schools.

Both charter and magnet schools are currently offering tours so do your research and visit them. The more you see, the easier it will be to decide which school is best for your child. You’ll also come to realize that you will need to apply to many schools as admission for both charters and magnets is usually determined by lottery (with the magnet program employing a points system based on your ethnicity and other criteria). If all this sounds daunting and confusing, you’re right—it does seem that way until you get started on your research. Last year, it seemed that all my mom-friends and I would do was compare notes on the schools we’d seen, rumors we’d heard, what our wait list number was and who got into what school. But the parent chatter serves a purpose. It’s important to talk to your neighbors, fellow parents whom you see at your local park and the parents of your child’s current classmates. With their firsthand accounts, the school tours and your own Internet research, you’re bound to find several viable options for your family.

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