February 2011 by Mid-City Press

mid-city press

.com

Vol 1. No. 11

February 2011

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

City Presents Proposal For Washington Blvd. Medians

Immigration, Economy and Communication: Key Issues at CD 10 Candidate Forum By Erik Derr, Mid-City Press Contributing Writer

By Caitlin M. Foyt Mid-City Press Contributing Writer WASHINGTON BLVD—Plans are developing for the installation of a pair of medians along Washington Boulevard, a project that was approved by Los Angeles City Council District 10 two years ago. Robert Gutierrez of the city’s Bureau of Street Services attended last month’s regular Mid City Neighborhood Council (MINC) meeting to present the initial plans, which would place one median between Alsace Avenue and LaBrea Avenue and the other between Redondo Boulevard and Cloverdale Avenue. “These plans are very preliminary, they’re very schematic,” Gutierrez told MINC boardmembers. “The point in coming out and reaching out to the community at this time is to see if you like the location or if you want to relocate them. We realize that we’re impacting your community and we’re impacting your living conditions as well so that’s why we’re here.” Thirteen people, including board members and members of the public at the meeting, expressed their opinions and asked questions about the proposed installation locations. The majority of the speakers seemed positive and enthusiastic about the city’s current plan. Lorraine Genovese, an At-Large Representative for MINC was one who had concerns, however. Genovese said she lives on Cloverdale Avenue and because the median blocks her street, she said she would have to create a new detour around the block, which see MEDIANS page 7

Los Angeles City Council incumbent Herb Wesson arrived late to the Jan. 23rd CD 10 Candidate’s Forum and soon thereafter, was forced to defend himself on many fronts including his “lack of communication,” being soft on illegal immigration and not taking a pay cut during the city’s current budget crisis. Photo credit: Allison Ferraro

[city council elections]

Candidate Profile: Luis Montoya By Allison Ferraro

the annual USC versus UCLA football game. M o n t o y a ’s family owns the seasonal Christmas tree lot at Crenshaw and Pico boulevards. After my family picked a nice Noble Fir, we went to check out. Montoya, clad in a UCLA Bruins t-shirt, handled our transaction. As a Trojan fan, I Luis Montoya, one of five challenging Wesson. made a snide remark about his Bruin afMID-CITY—I first met Luis filiation. We exchanged bragMontoya was Dec. 4th, 2010 ging rights and then before I the day my family bought our could tell him I own and edit Christmas tree and the day of

two newspapers he told me he hopes to run against incumbent Herb Wesson for his Los Angeles City Council seat (CD10). Montoya, 25, qualified later in December for the March ballot after collecting the prerequisite 500 signatures. Since then, he said, he’s been going door to door to garner support for his campaign, currently funded by only $300 out of his pocket. “Hey. I am Louis,” he said he tells those who open their doors. “And I am your neighbor next door. I am running for city council.” With no prior political experience, he knows it’s a long shot to beat Wesson, who has held the office since 2005. “Do I have a chance?” he said. “Why not? I just want to go out there and get noticed and hopefully give Wesson a run for his money.” Montoya said he feels that

WASHINGTON BLVD—While many in Los Angeles watched pro football’s conference championship games January 23rd, about 70 civicminded residents met inside Vintage Hollywood Sports Bar and Grill—located at the northeast corner of Washington Square Plaza—to hear six candidates vying to be Council District 10’s next city councilmember. Based on the crowd’s outbursts at times, it could have been a football game. Candidate Althea Rae Shaw—who’s earned national headlines for her fight against illegal immigration in the name of her 17-year-old nephew, Jamiel Shaw, murdered by an illegal gang member—earned the event’s bigsee FORUM page 6

Wesson has been off the mark in his voting record regarding issues that affect his district and the city. “I have been looking over Wesson’s [city council] voting records,” he said, “and what he has been doing has not benefited our community.” Of note, Montoya said that Wesson abstained in December on how public notices of city business are posted. He also claimed he has reviewed contributions to Wesson’s campaigns and that “a proportional amount are from developers. He has unfortunately lost his focus.” He also said that even though Wesson has brought in new development to the area, “for whatever reason,” he said, “those developments have not calculated into jobs for our community,” and especially a lack of quality jobs, he said. He is also concerned there is see MONTOYA page 7

at www.midcitypress.com

Herb Wesson, L.A. City Councilmember, page 4

Restaurant Review: Papa Cristo’s, page 5

Real Estate, page 6 Editorial: Metro Fair?

Out and About: Fink

mid-city press [letter from the publisher]

Look for these stories only at mid-city press Online Visit midcitypress.com For these additional stories: Editorial: Our West Adams Correspondent questions is Metro has treated all members of the community fairly in its decision making regarding placement of the new EXPO line. Family Matters: Anita Saunders: Magnet for Stray Pets. One family’s story on how they found their missing dog. Out and About: Events Calendar for February

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Pick up the Mid-City Press at these locations: Vees Café 5418 West Adams Blvd. Washington Irving Library 4117 W. Washington Blvd. Pasquale’s Café and Pizza 5616 San Vicente Blvd. Boulevard Vacuum 5086 W. Pico Blvd. Maria’s Café 4645 Venice Blvd. Olson’s Deli and Gift Shop 5660 W. Pico

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.

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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. OLYMPIC BLVD

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which was sponsored by the Neighborhood News, important is that all candidates were put on equal footing, asked the same questions and were each given equal time to express themselves. None of the five candidates has any formal political experience, so the chance they will beat out an incumbent like Wesson—with a long history and great name recognition— is a long shot. But they each have been given a fair chance. Do they have a shot? In candidate Luis Montoya’s words: “Why not?”

LA CIENEGA BLVD

Herb Wesson was an expected no-show at a recent candidates’ forum for the upcoming March 8th city elections for Council District seat 10. His lonely chair sat empty for few minutes, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, he ran through the audience and leaped into place on the stage. It’s good that Wesson came. The five candidates running against him are all smart, articulate and have a pointof-view: mostly that the way the city is running now is not working and change is needed. What made the forum,

ADAMS BLVD

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February 2011

mid-city press [Crenshaw correspondent]

Fresh and Easy Market To Open In Crenshaw District By Shirley Hawkins

CRENSHAW—Crenshaw area residents will soon herald the arrival of a new supermarket at the corner of 52nd Street and Crenshaw Boulevard. The Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market chain has entered into an agreement with the city to open a store at the site in late 2011 or 2012. The store, the third to open in Los Angeles, will break ground on the vacant lot once occupied by a Ford car dealership. “The development process is still in the early stages, but we received approval to build at the site from the Los Angeles City Council in December,” said Fresh and Easy Communications Director Brendan Wonnacott. Wonnacott said that two busloads of residents arrived and filled the city council chambers in December to show their support for the market. He added that the Fresh and Easy management was heartened by the show of community support. The new Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market will provide an alternative in an area sprinkled with fast food outlets. Recent studies indicate that the proliferation of fast food establishments in South Los Angeles have contributed to a rise in obesity, diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure. Eighth district Los Angeles city councilmember Bernard Parks said that the market will be a much needed addition. “The store will be concentrating on fresh fruit and vegetables that will contribute to the health and well-being of our community,” he said. He added that the new Fresh and Easy store will also generate new jobs. “Management will be hiring 20 new employees from the local community,” said Parks, adding that the arrival of Fresh and Easy will herald the first supermarket to be built in the area in 25 years. Management will soon be interviewing to fill positions for store managers, team leaders and cashiers. The store will also stock its own brand of products and will offer 4,500 items to choose from. “We have a line of products called Eat Well whose contents have no trans fats or artificial preservatives and will offer healthier options for the community,” said Wonnacott. “Frozen prod-

ucts will range from $1.99 to $4.99 and include such items as stir fry vegetables, steak and spinach salad and a variety of pasta dishes. The store will also have a meat section

February 2011

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announce an opening date, Wonnacott said that the store’s grand opening promises to be very exciting. “We’ll have product samplings and a ribbon cutting

“We have a line of products called Eat Well whose contents have no trans fats or artificial preservatives and will offer healthier options for the community.” — Fresh and Easy Communications Director Brendan Wonnacott that will offer a variety of deli meats.” Although the store is still in the development process and management has yet to

ceremony. A check presentation will be made to a local charity. We anticipate thousands of customers on grand opening day,” he said.

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

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

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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

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mid-city press [herb wesson councilmember]

Soccer Field: Another CD10 Improvement By Herb Wesson, Councilmember, CD 10

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tion 40 funds, this new soccer field, along with the recently completed Charmette Bonpua Skate Plaza, and a new artificial turf and running track improvements at the Jackie Robinson Stadium, represent an important step forward in improving the Rancho Cienega facility. Work is already underway on a renovation of

It was a special pleasure the technology of soccer field to be joined by community design. Stanley H. Green residents and young soccer designed the field, which enthusiasts at the recent Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the new soccer field at the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex. We need more recreational resources. For much too long, there has been a lack of recreational and parks facilities in our community. This project is one of several that have been completed, or are now under construction, that will improve the situation. This soccer field is the third major improvement Los Angeles City Councilmember Herb Wesson with members of the girls soccer teams the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Region #1031 at the grand openat Rancho Cienega that from ing and ribbon cutting for the new soccer field at the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex. we have delivered for the community since I have been was constructed by his firm, the tennis courts at the sports on the City Council, and Sprint Turf Synthetics. The complex. we have more planned. I’m inaugural soccer game was Also under construction proud that my office has been played by girls soccer teams is the new Westside Park, loable to marshal the funding from the American Youth cated near La Cienega Bouleto make this happen. Soccer Organization (AYSO), vard. It will be opening in the This new state-of-the-art Region #1031. next few months. However, I soccer field features artificial Funded by approximately be sharing more information turf and offers the latest in $500,000 of state Proposiabout that later.

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February 2011

mid-city press

This holistic approach makes First Unitarian’s programs successful. Services are bilingual, and after-school programs range from tutoring to graffiti art. with people seven days a week. There are free classes and events held at the church that cater to just about any interest. Guitar lessons are offered, space in the garden is available, and a women’s empowerment group meets regularly. And these groups have a spiral effect: as reported in LA Weekly, it was that women’s group that campaigned for a twice-weekly aerobics class. This class is now one of the most popular community of-

to graffiti art. The church also hires employees in roles with names like Community Organizer and Neighborhood Partner. (In fact, they’ve got a want ad up on Craigslist right now.) Involvement, be it as an employee of a beneficiary of its programs, isn’t dependent on officially aligning yourself with Unitarianism. Religiosity aside, the programs are just a force for good in this urban neighborhood.

Whatever Chrys Chrys’ secret power is, he is known as “Papa Cristo,” and he never fails his community. O u t- o f - t o w n friends dropped by recently. I called Papa Cristo’s and ordered a fish dinner for seven that I could pick up in an hour. I had time to get everyone settled, and the table set before dashing off to the free valet and through the back door and then back out with a heavenly array of impressive fresh whole grilled fish (sole, tilapia, tsipoura and barbounia) with potatoes, salad, tzatziki sauce and pita bread. We had a stress-free and totally affordable impromptu dinner party that had been grilled on a campfire. I also belong to a lunch club at my office and it was my turn to bring the vegetable side dishes. I called ahead and swung by Papa Cristo’s for Macaronia (Greek Spaghetti) with burnt butter and Kefalotiri

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

cheese, veggie moussaka and spanakopeta. Now, I am suddenly the most complimented woman in the whole company. Finally, my brother visited and he’s a meat-lover through and through. I walked him over to Papa’s and watching his expression of sheer pleasure as he enjoyed his lamb dinner was something to behold. For the rest of the week,

little brother kept wandering off and coming back with lovely kebabs and sauces or jars of tender gigante beans and other Mediterranean imports. For great food just say these simple Greek words: “Kalimera!” (good day) “Pinow!” (I’m hungry). 2771 West Pico Blvd. (323) 737-2970.

To advertise, call (323) 667-1329 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)

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ferings. And its popularity is aided by the free childcare available to aerobicizers. This holistic approach makes First Unitarian’s programs successful. Services are bilingual, and after-school programs range from tutoring

By Anna Eriksson, Mid-City Press Restaurant Critic

CRE N

KOREATOWN—Koreatown’s First Unitarian Church is one of those wonderful old buildings on and around Wilshire Boulevard that looks European in its stateliness. But inside it’s anything but formal: it’s a warm, active place buzzing

Papa Cristo’s: “Kalimera Pinow!”

By Katherine Spiers, Mid-City Press Religion Columnist

[restaurant review]

LA BR

First Unitarian Caters To All Interests

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.

February 2011

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Page 5

mid-city press [real estate]

2011 Reasons to Buy By Nick Mercado Mid-City Press Real Estate Columnist

The end of 2010 saw some pensive consideration from buyers who seemed uncertain of their next move. Sellers were also speculative as to whether or not to put their home up for sale. This combination resulted in a bit of a slower market than most of what was seen during 2010. As we look to our recent 2011 activity, we see that buyers are realizing that they shouldn’t be hesitant. There seems to be a buzz in the market, and I’d say there is good reason for it. I’d like to give you the top three reasons now is the ideal time to buy a home: Home prices are on the rise, albeit slowly, but on the rise none-the-less. While we certainly saw prices drop considerably since the peak in the market a few years ago, we have also seen buyers aggressively take advantage of this situation by not only buying but also making immediate improvements to their purchase, adding equity. With these improvements, homeowners can expect to see an increase in value in their home and their surrounding community. It is not expected that homes prices will increase as dramatically as the most recent highs, but it is a safe assumption to speculate a home purchase is still a smart investment. Interest rates are at historic lows. The last time interest rates were this low was

over 50 years ago. During the 1980s when interest rate were in the double digits, no one could have dreamed that we would see interest rates in the single digits let alone below 5%. Generally, one can expect that higher home prices go hand-in-hand with lower interest rates. Higher interest rates, conversely, go steady with lower home prices. We are experiencing an anomaly in this market. That is to say, home prices are low and so are interest rates. How long this will remain is difficult to say. Take full advantage of it. Then there is the tax advantage. Earners who itemize their income tax deductions can deduct the interest they pay on their home loan. Those who do not itemize, may certainly want to consider doing so. We all can use a little extra money in our pockets and the home interest deduction certainly helps to contribute to that scenario. Of course, consult with your tax advisor as to your own personal tax situation. Now, here’s a bonus reason to take advantage of the current market—or any market for that matter! Your own home is exactly that, your own! You may, pretty much, do as you please with your own home. No more asking a landlord permission to paint or have a pet. You can have a home that is really to your liking. Good luck!

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FORUM from page 1

gest cheers with her views on how undocumented residents hurt the district. She decried a recent media report that the County of Los Angeles annually spends $600 million on services for undocumented immigrants. “It’s the big elephant in the room,” she said. Shaw differed on little else from the four other nonincumbents: business owner Chris Brown; attorney Andrew Kim, business owner Andrew Dragon; and 25-year-old

business owner Luis Montoya, one of the youngest candidates ever to run for city council. All the challengers favored creating safer neighborhoods and re-energize the local economy through small businesses incentives. The five were also highly critical of what they said was the inaccessibility of the district’s current councilmember, Herb Wesson. “Our past voting choices haven’t gotten us anywhere,” Dragon said. “Communication is key,”

said Montoya, “and you just don’t see it from City Hall.” Wesson, who was an expected no-show to the forum—an empty chair set up for him with his name affixed to a table—showed up about 15 minutes into the debate and ended up defending his record several times. He touted his gang intervention programs, public safety initiatives and economic development, which has led to 23,000 new area jobs, he said. see FORUM page 7

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February 2011

mid-city press MONTOYA from page 1

no institute for higher learning in the CD10 area. Montoya graduated from Los Angeles High School in 2003, spent two years at the California State University Northridge and then transferred to UCLA where he graduated in 2007 with a degree in political science, specializing in American government. UCLA went on to hire him as a program manager with the university’s Anderson School of Management. He left the position last May to focus on an unsuccessful congressional bid.

MEDIANS from page 1

will lengthen her regular commute home. She’ said she is also concerned about safety and the potential for an increase in traffic that’s already heavy on Redondo Boulevard.

“I always wanted to jump into politics,” he said. More locally, he said he is also concerned about the city’s current budget crisis and feels city offices are over staffed. “When the city is running at a deficit and you have the amount of staffers [city councilmembers] have, it’s completely unaccounted for. There is one city council member,” he said, “that has 25 staffers. It’s ridiculous. If elected, Montoya said he wants to first address the city’s budget issues; try to make Los Angeles a more business-friendly place and take a long-term look at the

adjacent streets.” There were no representatives from the Dept. of Transportation at the meeting. Vegetation that will be planted on the medians is still to be determined. The city has

city’s aging infrastructure. “I am willing to face strong issues,” he said, “and make some unpopular choices, like cutting city services, but we have to do it for the betterment of our entire community.” In his free time, Montoya

said he is a live music enthusiast—he said he loves the Whisky A Go-Go—and he is a self described “astronomy geek.” But right now, his only view is on Wesson. “You need to lead by example,” he said. “It’s an idealistic goal of mine to be forth-

coming and direct with my constituents as much as I can and you don’t see that with Herb Wesson.”

FORUM from page 6

the killer’s illegal immigration status in public. When Kim accused Wesson of not taking a pay cut to help the city’s fiscal woes, Wesson shot back “that’s not true.” However, a story from the Los

Angeles Daily News in March 2010 reported councilors Wesson, Bill Rosendahl, Richard Alarcon, Bernard Parks and Greig Smith all refused to cut their salaries. The election is March 8th.

When he said he offered support to Shaw after her nephew was killed, Shaw retorted the councilman had actually sent an assistant who asked her family to refrain from talking about

Next month we profile the other candidates: Andrew Kim, Althea Rae Shaw, Austin Dragon and Chris Brown.

To advertise, call (323) 667-1329

“The traffic counts show that these are the streets that receive the (lightest) traffic load,” he said. “That’s why we’re recommending these intersections, compared to the adjacent streets.” – Robert Gutierrez, Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services

“In order for me to get home from Washington,” she said, “I’m going to have to now be on Cochran so Cochran’s traffic is going to increase a ton—and I’m not sure that the residents of Cochran will like that.” Gutierrez reassured Genovese that while it may be inconvenient to change her daily route, these exact locations were chosen by the Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation based on studies that have shown the proposed locations would have the least impact on overall traffic. “The traffic counts show that these are the streets that receive the (lightest) traffic load,” he said. “That’s why we’re recommending these intersections, compared to the

a list of 30 different kinds of plants that various residents of the Mid City neighborhood have expressed that they would like to see along Washington Boulevard. Gutierrez said each median will be limited to 10 plants and one or two trees. He suggested the board name a chairperson to act as the voice of the community regarding all aspects of the project. “If you all agree, we would later like to work with somebody from the neighborhood council that would be able to represent [input],” he said. Gutierrez said the new medians won’t cost local homeowners an increase in property taxes, but the community will be responsible for the medians regular upkeep.

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