area newsletter MAY 2018 • SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
20 18 TM
Community News House in Studio City nominated for landmark protection
A Studio City residence designed by architects Arthur and Nina Zwebell has been declared a historic landmark by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission. The matter is now pending before the city’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee, where it may be referred to the full City Council for inclusion on the city’s list of Historic-Cultural Monuments. Located at 4221 N. Agnes Ave. the house was built in 1937-1938 and is one of three adjacent houses built by the Zwebells for themselves and for Arthur’s two brothers. The Zwebells were successful architects in the 1920’s, known for designing several courtyard complexes in Los Angeles, before the Great Depression forced them to seek work designing film sets and furniture. After purchasing the Zwebell House in October, the owner of the property filed papers with the city in January to demolish the structure, leading Councilmember Paul Krekorian to initiate the effort to protect the house. If approved by the full council, landmark designation will require the owner to seek approval of the Cultural Heritage Commission before undertaking any significant alterations to the property.
Van Nuys apartments sell for $22.7 million
A portfolio of 9 apartment buildings in the San Fernando Valley, including 6 buildings in Van Nuys, was recently sold for $22.7 million. Universe Holdings, a company based in Century City, closed the deal in March, acquiring 123 residential units in the process. The Van Nuys properties include buildings at 6935 Woodman Ave.; 6461 Kester Ave.; 5840 Hazeltine Ave.; and 14108, 14129, and 14133 Gilmore St. The other three buildings included in the deal are at 8924 Van Nuys Blvd. and 3182 Langdon Ave., in Panorama City; and 6502 Vineland Ave. in North Hollywood. The new owners plan to undertake significant renovations to the properties, both interior and exterior. Officials with the company indicate that the average rent of the apartments is $1100, well below the market rate, so they expect to increase rents over time, as improvements are made.
Community News Transit oriented apartments proposed for Lankershim
Developers have filed plans to build a five-story building in North Hollywood through the City of Los Angeles’ Transit Oriented Communities Program. Located at 7401 N. Lankershim Blvd., the project calls for 108 residential units, ground floor commercial space, and subterranean parking. The Transit Oriented Communities Program was created after the passage of Measure JJJ in 2016, a local initiative that sought to incentivize affordable housing. Through the program, developers can seek to build denser residential projects than would ordinarily be permitted, if the buildings are located close to public transit, and are available to low-income residents. The Lankershim project would set aside 9 units for extremely-low-income households and be 35% denser than standard zoning allows.
Arrests made in scam targeting SFV residents Federal authorities recently filed charges against five people accused of defrauding local residents of $17 million, in a scam that often targeted elderly residents. The defendants are alleged to have approached distressed homeowners and offered to help delay foreclosures in exchange for equity in their property, but then extorted rent
and other fees from the victims, and in some cases fraudulently took possession of their homes. The Department of Justice charged Michael “Mickey” Henschel of Van Nuys, Camerino “Mino” Islas of North Hollywood, Claudia “Jessica” Islas of Reseda, Juan Carlos Velasquez of Sylmar, and Eugene “Gene” Fulmer of Encino. According to officials, Henschel has a long history of foreclosure and bankruptcy fraud, and is alleged to have continued this particular scheme while on bail for earlier charges.
Doughnut shop hosts weddings
Voodoo Doughnut sells more than just crullers and coffee. The quirky shop also offers wedding services to interested parties at its Universal City Walk location. Voodoo’s wedding package includes a legal wedding ceremony (the couple must get their own marriage license), custom bride and groom doughnuts, a doughnut heart centerpiece, and a dozen doughnuts and coffee for 13 guests. Voodoo Doughnut is a Portland-based operation known for its unusual doughnuts and its eccentric décor. Their Universal City location opened in March 2017.
Restaurant
Spotlight
Oi Asian Fusion
Frida
Chio’s Peruvian Grill
7242 Canoga Avenue Canoga Park
15301 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks
19960 Ventura Boulevard Woodland Hills
If you love Filipino food, you’ll enjoy this fast-casual restaurant. The bulk of its menu is made up of rice bowls. Two examples that distinguish Oi from just any rice bowl eatery is the adobo bowl piled with braised pork belly and the chicken longanisa bowl. Los Angeles Magazine refers to this place as the Valley’s best-kept Asian soul food secret. Aside from the rice bowls, their umami gravy, Japanese fried chicken, and dynamite sauce are all a must-try. Oi Asian Fusion is open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. everyday.
Frida is expanding across Los Angeles and is now available in a prime ground floor spot at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, right across from The Cheesecake Factory. Some items on the menu include the Tacos de Rib Eye, a juicy steak put on house-made corn tortillas topped with cilantro and onions with a side of rice and beans; the Arrachera Norteña comes with a charbroiled skirt steak, guacamole, a chicken enchilada with rice and beans; their Camarones al Ajillo has five large prawns sautéed with dried chile strip, garlic, white wine, butter, lemon, and a side of rice. The indoor-outdoor space features an open kitchen, Sunday Mariachi brunch, and some unique dishes specifically made for this location. Frida is open Monday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Chio’s Peruvian Grill now has a third location—Woodland Hills. The Peruvian restaurant cooks a number of proteins on the grill; one example is their parilla for two, which comes with traditional beef hearts marinated in panca sauce and Peruvian spices, top sirloin, rotisserie chicken, rib eye, and served with two sides and house-made sauces. Chio’s also prepares seafood ceviches, salads, soup, and wok-fired dishes. Their popular Peruvian- Chinese fried rice, chaufa, comes with beef, chicken, shrimp, and BBQ pork. Another dish to try: Piqueo Criollo which combines three Peruvian hits, shredded chicken and potatoes in creamy cheese sauce with hard boiled egg, lamb shank slow-cooked in cilantro beer sauce, and halved potatoes blanketed in cheese sauce. Chio’s is open Monday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS in LOS ANGELES
Annenberg Space for Photography 2000 Avenue of the Stars #10 Los Angeles, CA 90067 CURRENT EXHIBITION: Not An Ostrich: and Other Images From America’s Library April 21 - September 9, 2018 Noted curator Anne Wilkes Tucker has displays nearly 500 images selected from the archives of the U.S. Library of Congress including photos that are rarely seen by the public as well as iconic portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Cesar Chavez, and Elizabeth Taylor. The exhibit shows a vivid cross-section of the history the United States in photographic form.
LACMA
MOCA Grand Avenue
5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036
152 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
A Universal History of Infamy: Those of This America January 27 - October 6, 2018
Jackson Pollock’s Number 1, 1949: A Conservation Treatment March 4 - September 7, 2018
As part of LACMA’s community art education program, this exhibition is presented at their satellite gallery at Charles White Elementary School, featuring the work of contemporary Latino artists, writers, and activists, alongside pieces from LACMA’s permanent collection. Public hours are on Saturdays, 1-4 pm.
In collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute, MOCA is undertaking an extensive restoration of a Jackson Pollock painting in a gallery that will be open to the public. Three other Pollocks from the MOCA collection will also be displayed.
RodeoRE.com