August - September 2011Issue 19

3RD YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE3RD YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Publisher/Executive Editor/ReporterDianne V. Lawrence

Associate Editor/ReporterRenee Montgomery

Staff ReporterCarla Pineda

Contributing WritersDeborah Charles, Laura Meyers

Jean Frost, John Jakes Layout & Design/Executive Ad Sales

Dianne V. LawrenceTO ADVERTISE OR SUBMIT IDEAS

Contact us at: 323.871.8580

theneighborhoodnews@yahoo.com

Content Carla Pineda Renee Montgomery

5 Olympic Park Neighborhood Council Celebrates.

6 The Leow’s Wall 8 Restaurant Review: The Cork

9 Theatre Review: Come Together. A Beatles Cabaret

10 MINC Wins Effort to Add New Community

12 Jefferson Park Finally Gets HPOZ 13 Art In the Corridor: Edgar Tagle 14 Real Estate: Short Sale Versus Foreclosure 15 In Memory of Gladys Wesson-Strickland Featured Resident: Eric Bronson

16 WAHA’s Annual Living History Tour 18 Community Reports 19 Pet Pause: How to Handle Foster Kittens

20 Your Council Offi ce Contact Crime Watch

COVER PHOTO D.V. Lawrence

Thank you Thank you Thank you for your readership, com-

pliments, support, advice, sugges-tions, and ideas that have brought us to the beginning of our 4th year! There are many aspects of this magazine that I utterly enjoy but my greatest pleasure is in the interaction with my community. I have lived in three differernt neighborhoods in Council Dis-trict 10 for over 30 years. Years of walking the many dogs I’ve owned in the different communities I’ve lived in, gave me a taste for neighborhood contact and yibber yabber. So this is a dream job for me. The warmth and support I have been met with while working on this has given me the strength I’ve needed to over-come the daunting obstacles met along the way. But even the obstacles must be met with gratitude as they have truly provided an opportunity to sharpen and strengthen. I have such enormous respect and understanding now for anyone brave enough to stick their neck out to start something, especially if they can get it past that critical fi rst year.

We have a few new changes as we move into the 4th year. During a recent survey of reader’s likes and dislikes we discovered an amazing variety of preferences. There was an interest in Real Es-tate information and OPNC member John Jakes had expressed an interest in writing a column helping our readers sort through the sometimes confusing world of real estate. His fi rst efforts ap-pear in this issue. We are also looking for a writer for School Issues. If you have some writing experience and are familiar with local school issues please contact us.

We want to welcome Deborah Charles to our team. A long time resident expressed interest in writing for us and we welcome her. Her fi rst piece is about her experience going to our local histori-cal watering hole, The Cork.

Word has been getting back about spotty delivery so I let our delivery boys go and good fortune sent a football team! Their school funding had been cut and they were in dire need of sup-plies so they will be delivering for us now and we will be funding their team. I do want to thank our ex delivery boys especially Louis who helped me organize the information for delivery. He fi nally got a full time job so it was time for a change.

We also have to face the economic reality of keeping a 24 page, 15,000 copy, door delivery magazine in our community. If you believe what we are doing is important and valuable, I would love it if you took a moment to read the following page and consider becoming a community partner in The Neighborhood News.Now sit back, put up your feet and have a cuppa joe while you take a little stroll around your community.

Dear Neighbors and Advertisers

FRIENDS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Sean BurkeLeonard Cohen

Bernadette CottonRobert Cronkrite

Brian & Ruth EklundMargaret Gasciogne

Buck Henry & Irene RampRoger Janeway

Ralph & Starr JohnsonHilary Lentini & Lentini Designs

Walter MatsuraMartin Ross & Linda Ottobre

The Neighborhood News would like to extend gratitude and thanks to the above people for

their important and generous financial contributions to this issue.

Do you believe we add

Then you might want to read the following information!

Our readers are always impressed with the number of ads we are able to generate. Some even complain there are too many

ads (although the number of articles remain the same). In a re-cent survey of our readers, fully 80% of responders were inspired to use our advertisers. But the truth is our businesses struggle so we keep our rates affordable. This is why as many ads as we generate, our costs (which are minimal) are barely covered but raising our rates shuts the door on our businesses.

TNN is committed to keeping this publication free and on the community’s doorstep not just at local outlets. The enthusias-tic and positive feedback from you, our readers indicate that it may be possible for us to partner with you and our businesses. We are aligned with the Community Media Project, a non-profi t organization created by Jay Levin who started and ran the LA Weekly for many years. A seasoned journalist, he has been a mentor and supporter of The Neighborhood News since our inception. His organizaiton supports community media proj-ects, so we can accept tax deductible donations through them. We would receive 100% of donations sent to them. TNN pays the taxes on the money received, you get the write off. We publish 15,000 copies and it would take only $25 from 100 of you to make the critical difference.

Become a Friend of The Neighborhood NewsWrite your Tax-Deductible donation out to

The Community Media Projectand mail to

2223 1/2 W. 21st St. L.A. 90018 CA

Any Amount is Important and Welcome!!!

important value to your community?

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It Takes Community Support To Grow Community Resources

Show Your SupportBecome a Friend of

The Neighborhood News

AUG/SEPT 2011 w w w.thene ighborhoodne wson l ine .ne t span ish/kore an op t ions4

5AUG/SEPT 2011Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services!

Olympic Park Neighborhood CouncilCelebrates a Year of Successes

John Jake, OPNC’s Outreach Chair organized a celebra-tion of a year of accomplishment at PIPS Pizza, Pasta

and Salad. Approximately 65 local residents showed up and were treated to an evening of socializing, speechifying and great food. President Peter Schulberg was acknowledged for his successful efforts in helping to pull OPNC around to a produc-tive and eventful year. He also created an entertaining video that illustrated some of the years accomplishments which included assistance with the creation of the Country Club Park and Oxford Square HPOZ, the Queen Anne Halloween Event and Winter Wonderland, Movies In the Park, the Longwood Block Party and coming up; a pocket park along San Vicente, a tree planting project at the Koreatown Youth Club, and new furniture and t-shirts for the kids basketball clinic at the Wilshire Police Division.

D. V. Lawrence

It Takes Community Support To Grow Community Resources

Show Your SupportBecome a Friend of

The Neighborhood News See pg 3

AUG/SEPT 20116 Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services!

The Wall

???!!!Carla Pineda

A group of Mid City residents living atop the hill on 16th Place above Venice and San Vicente, woke up

one morning to once again enjoy their amazing view of the Hollywood Hills. What they found instead was The Wall. Local residents using the Venice link to San Vicente also realized the wonderful view they took for granted, was now replaced by….The Wall.

The Wall is the south side of the Lowe’s store in the Mid-town Crossing shopping center and runs along Venice as it merges with San Vicente. A long-awaited project by CIM Group Inc. (an urban development investment organiza-tion) it will fi ll the void left by the demolition of the for-mer Sears building on Pico Boulevard. The community had been looking forward to this new development but many were shocked when they drove by The Wall. It wasn’t quite what they expected.

Estella Holeman said her purchase of a 16th Place home was strongly infl uenced by the property’s 180-degree view of Los Angeles. She is a member of the 16th Place Neigh-borhood Association who have taken on the task of fi nding out why the wall had been allowed to change the stunning view they once enjoyed, clearly violating the instructions in the original controlling document for the project. Holeman said all the neighbors were blindsided when the tilt-up wall

was assembled on a June morning.

Mayor Richard Riordan chose the site in 1999 as one of 21 projects to stimulate economic growth in neglected neighborhoods. At the time, the site was owned by Kital-Pico and LCOR. By the time CIM took over the project in 2003, the entitlement process was done and according to CIM’s Kathleen Kim, the project has been subject to rig-orous inspections during construction ever since.

“I am the project manager and I’m building to what’s been approved and permitted,” Kim told stakeholders at a Mid City Neighborhood Council meeting August 8.

Councilmember Herb Wesson, city planner Patricia Die-fenderfer, and city agency signatures on project plans seem to back CIM’s compliance claims but residents are fi nding it diffi cult to get answers as to how their required scenic views slipped through the cracks. When the wall rose, all eyes descended on the June 2001 city planning commission approval, which became the site’s controlling document for the project and which included an environmental study in-dicating there would be no signifi cant impact on the aes-thetics of the community, including the loss of views. Resi-dents then wondered at what point changes in the height of

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7span ish/kore an op t ions w w w.thene ighborhoodne wson l ine .ne t AUG/SEPT 2011

the wall, obstructing those views, were allowed, apparently unaware that the fl aw lay in the contradictions of the origi-nal determining document.

The conditional use permits, zone variances and site plan review in this 2001 determination were approved by six of the nine commissioners but their decision went to a city council vote because it had received four appeals, none of which debated the building height at Venice. The city council, which included Eric Garcetti and Nate Holden, reviewed the project through the spectrum of the four ap-peals, resulting in additional traffi c safety requirements.Robert Portillo, a 16th Place resident who fi led a traffi c safety appeal, said nobody contested the height because the determination assured scenic views would be protected.

However, the measurements found in the original con-trolling document seem to contradict this promise. The commission approved a height of 68 feet, just 2 feet lower than the former 70-foot Sears building. This decision to allow for 68 feet was an exception to the required com-mercial building height limit of 40 feet. It was approved because it would “not cast shadows on, or adversely af-fect the privacy, views, or aesthetics of, any residential property,” the document stated. Portillo who remembers the former building said there is no way the new structure could be shorter than the Sears building and it is clearly not in the same site location. In looking at photographs of the old building one can understand his claim. The 70 foot height did not refer to the majority of the building but

included the smaller structure sitting on top of the main building. Sears also sat well away from Venice Boulevard with a parking lot separating the building and the street. The current Lowe’s extends from Pico all the way to Venice and the 68 foot height corresponds to the whole building, not just a portion, thus…The Wall. In addition, the measurement of the ground elevations (the measurements above sea level) were exaggerated in the determination’s fi ndings:

“The dwellings on the south side of Venice Boulevard [the homes on the hill] are constructed on a grade elevation which is approximately 25 to 30 feet above the Venice street elevation. Also, the Venice street elevation is approximately 30 feet above the Pico street elevation. Thus, the roof of

Continued on Pg. 17

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+tax

The CorkDeborah Charles

The Cork Bar & Grill has been a community gathering place since the 1940’s. Jazz and blues musicians making

their way to Los Angeles found many social venues closed to them but legends such as Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Black and the athlete Hank Robinson found a welcome home at the Cork which continues to be a unique part of the rich history of the West Adams District,

I didn’t know what to expect when I walked through the door but immediately felt relaxed and welcomed. The friendly staff directed me to a charming young man, William Villegas who is the Business Manager for the owner, Seth Cartwright. William and I engaged in conversation about the wonderfully diverse global staff, composed of people from South America to Europe. Jupiter, the bartender, is an exotic beauty and musician from Columbia and loves listening to the jukebox selections made by the musically savvy customers, everything from classic R&B to Miles and Coltrane. The clientele are are also eclectic and diverse – from the local

neighborhood woman who shows up every day, to the third generation daughter, who followed her father and grandfather to this popular watering hole. The grandfather exclaimed “what are you doing showing up at my spot!?” Athletes and entertainers have remained constant customers. The extra bonus is the food. The popular fi sh tacos, did not disappoint, offering a burst of satisfying fl avors. They recently introduced their fi rst-time appetizer menu featuring Louisiana style dirty rice and Jupiter’s stuffed avocado. Some of the more popular drinks are the Cadillac Margarita and the Long Island Ice Tea (sip at your own risk). The signifi cance of The Cork is it’s staying power, it’s embrace of diversity which is so L.A., as well as its’ cultural and histori-cal signifi cance. In the world of dream interpretation, “to dream of Cork, signi-fi es that you will soon enter a state of prosperity in which you will revel in happiness of the most select kind.” I have already planned a “girls night out”. I want to share the positive community and cultural experience. Jupiter’s words of bartender wisdom rang true – “if you want your friends from other places to experience the true taste of L.A., bring them to The Cork.”

For more information on this historical landmark icon, visit their website www.thecorkbarandgrill.com – even better, stop and go 4771 West Adams Blvd. 90016 323-731-2030

JL S

edan

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Owner Seth Cartwright gazes at the 60 year old sign.

Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services! 9 AUG/SEPT 2011

Neither TV, movies on demand, 3D blockbusters nor comput-er addiction can hold a candle to the pleasures of a satisfy-

ing evening at the theater. The Attic Theatre on Washington at Hauser has been serving up satisfaction to Los Angeles theatergo-ers since 1987 and in our community since 2003. They continue the tradition with the revival of their previously successful run of “The Beatles”. For those of us whose hormones were kicking in as the Beatles ascended the starry constellations, this music is like mother’s milk. The cast generously encourages us to sing along as we revisit the Lennon and McCartney team, arguably one of the most brilliant songwriting partnerships of the 20th Century. Using a simple set, effective lighting and these appealing songs, three couples represent the different facets of youthful, adult and mature romance, revealing all the different stages, joys and dif-fi culties of this thing called love. Passionate entreaties, loving caress, teasing fl irtations and mournful memories are served up in imaginative vignettes by a talented and appealing cast. This is a wonderful reason for letting go of the mouse, grabbing your honey and surprising him or her with this sure fi re love inducer. It’s also a wonderful way to introduce these classic tunes to your musically minded kids.THE ATTIC THEATER August 5 – 27th Friday/Saturday 8 pm - Sunday 3 pm Call 323.525.0661

Come TogetherA Beatles Cabaret

D.V. Lawrence

10 AUG/SEPT 2011 Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services!

Mid City Neighborhood Council (MINC) has emerged the victor in a territory tussle with South

Robertson Neighborhood Council (SORO).

In 2009 when the Department of Neighborhood Councils (DONE) discovered various Neighborhood Council (NC) boundaries did not include some local neighborhoods, they alerted the appropriate NC’s and gave them an opportunity to claim them. SORO and MINC were alerted to a commu-nity that included the popular arts district and high end gal-leries along La Cienaga, south of Washington Boulevard, right in the middle of the two council districts. MINC re-sponded with interest and in March of 2010, Karen Mack from DONE presented the opportunity to the MINC Board who then voted to approve the adoption.

DONE began working on an expedited process that would not require formal petitioning. Over the next year while

MINC followed up with DONE, SORO began to express interest, unaware that MINC had accepted the offer and that the ball had begun rolling. SORO submitted a petition in April of 2011 putting MINC in the position of having to do the same. This generated a Board of Neighborhood Council (BONC) hearing to consider both sides and render a decision.

The fi rst meeting in early July ended in a tie of 2 -2. All parties met again August 2 where approximately 35 MINC members easily outnumbered SORO representation. Both sides were required to present separately with SORO pre-senting fi rst. The Board rejected their presentation 5 – 1. One would imagine this gave MINC the greenlight but after their presentation, people were surprised to see the Board split 3-3 in their decision to award the area to MINC. Lora Davis, a MINC member was impressed with the level of ci-vility in the discussion between Board members regardless of their frustration, as they continued to debate the issue. They voted and discussed the issue three more times before a dissenting member fi nally relented, generating a 4 – 2 vote to approve the awarding of the area to MINC.

Mid City Neighborhood Council versusSouth Robertson Neighborhood Council

D.V. Lawrencewith assistance from

Jo Schaeffer, Lora Davis, Michael Sonntag

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Jefferson Park Is Now an HPOZ!After 9 years of persistance and hard work the residents of Jefferson Park have been recognized by the City of Los Angeles as a culturally and historically signifi cant neigh-borhood. They have been granted an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) and the Preservation Plan was also adopted. Congratulations Jefferson Park!

13AUG/SEPT 2011Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services!

in 2008. A local treasure under our nose, Tagle competes and moves on the international level, attracting fans from around the world including many big Mexican artists. Body art is just one of the stars in Tagle’s constellation of talents. Also a painter, sculptor, carver, and muralist, his hip gallery is richly decorated with multi-media work. His Aztec dance group Xipe-Totoc appears regularly around the city. “I love to repre-sent my heritage” proclaims Tagle who was raised in an artisans’ village in Acapulco, Guerrero. “I grew up where tents were set up every morning, where the people met their basic survival through the sale of their art.” A childhood surrounded by vivid art forms is amplifi ed in the universality of Tagle’s current art vision. Today he has a near religious-awe for other artists’ work. “I learn so much from other artists. This morning I was listen-ing to some music and went down on my knees to say ‘Thank you for letting me feel this.’ Everywhere I go surrounded by art, I try to answer with my eyes. Everything is my inspiration.” This universality of spirit is clear in the wide variety of Tagle’s subject matter – from decorative motifs to iconic pop images to realistic portraits of family members and friends that his clients request. “Because my mother died when I was four years old, I had to survive from place to place. Wherever I lived everyone remembers me from my art – from always having a pencil in my hand” – a trait that has today resulted in Tagle’s expert ability to work freehand. Tagle attributes the popularity of body art to a growing connec-tion with ancient cultures and family history, like local resident Brenda Leonardo who is having shooting stars inked on her ab-domen in honor of her daughters named after stars in the Mayan constellation. Mid-City is fortunate to benefi t from the amazing talent and world view of current artist-in-residence Edgar Tagle. Check out his studio at 2032 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. (323) 730-7205; (323) 440-1273.

Edgar TagleBody Artist, Painter, Sculptor, Dancer

Renee Montgomery

photo: D.V. Lawrence

Today in artist Edgar Tagle’s studio gal-

lery, client Miguel Men-dez-Ruiz displays the tat-too images of his family and Mexican heroes that earned Tagle two fi rst-place awards at recent Body Art Expos. Awards line Tagle’s gallery called “Iguanas Arte” which opened on Washington Boulevard near Harvard

14 AUG/SEPT 2011 Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services!

Depending on how soon you want to purchase an-other home there are several factors involved. To

let a bank take your home, sell it and leave you stuck with the bill might not be the wisest thing to do. A lot of peo-ple don’t understand the difference between a short sale versus a foreclosure so let me give you a heads up before you move out. By the way, you can be upside down, cur-rent on your payments and still attempt a short sale. Short Sale Defi ciency Judgments: are frequently negoti-ated between you the seller and the institution that owns your mortgage. If your home is your personal residence and was fi nanced through a purchase money loan, there is no defi ciency judgment. A Foreclosure Defi ciency Judgment: Banks don’t want to negotiate defi ciency judgments with the homeowner after a foreclosure and ninety nine percent of the time, are unwilling. You can fi le a defi ciency judgment in Califor-nia, regarding a hard-money loan if the lender forecloses

SHORT SALE VERSUS FORECLOSURE

John Jakes

under a judicial foreclosure versus trustee sale or if the second loan is a hard money loan and the sale takes place as a trustee’s sale.Effect On Your Credit Reports: Short Sale: Different lenders report short sales in various ways, some say, “paid in full for less than agreed,” and some report it as a charge off. And just like any bill you default on, it will stay on your report for 7 years. Foreclosure: This will stay on your report for 7 years as well, but as a Foreclosure. Also, if you’re up for that dream job and your prospective company runs a credit check on you and a Foreclosure comes up your job ap-plication may be denied. When do you have to move: Short Sale: If you’ve been receiving notices from your bank, saying your home is going towards or in foreclo-sure, you may be able to persuade the bank to allow you to sell your property as a short sale and postpone the banks action of foreclosing on you. The wait for a short sale approval can be as little as 2 months. Foreclosure: The bank may want you to vacate the prem-ises immediately and be able to commence the eviction proceedings.www.john-jake.com

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On June 29, 2011, Coun-cilman Wesson’s mother, Gladys Wesson-Strickland passed away at Cedars Sinai Hospital after a lin-gering illness. She had a lifelong passion for com-munity involvement and engaged in a variety of social and professional organizations throughout her life. The Neighborhood News sends heartfelt con-dolences to Councilman Wesson.

Gladys Wesson-Strickland1931 - 2011

West Adams Heritage Association (WAHA) pre-sented its annual Martin Weil Historic Preserva-

tion Award to longtime preservation activist Eric Bron-son of Harvard Heights. Eric approaches historic preservation in a low key but effective manner. He is always there when someone has a question whether it is the WAHA Board, the Historic Preservation Committee or a member. For many years he, with Tom Florio, headed the WAHA Zoning and Planning Committee. He has rehabilitated many homes in West Ad-ams and lead numerous “how to” workshops. He was a key fi gure in getting a house painted “barn raising style” in Harvard Heights. He tracks changes to the California Environmental Quality Act and circulates court cases to the Historic Preservation Committee. The fact that “Chef Eric” also cooks at the main dinner house for the WAHA Holiday Tour is simply another side of a family man who manages to balance family, preservation, time and work. His guidance and input is always valued comments are made on environmental documents whether they be Miti-gated Negative Declarations (MNDs) or Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).Bronson’s low key, calm and effective leadership is very welcome when preservation and planning emergency heats up and situations become tense. WAHA has trea-sured his guidance and the organization’s Historic Preser-vation Committee of which he is a part truly is enabled by his presence.

Eric BronsonJean Frost

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The marble angels at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery watch over many of Los Angeles’s earliest settlers and later in-

novators alike, along with politicians, war heroes, more than a few scurrilous entrepreneurs, trendsetters, women’s rights advocates, and a long list of famed entertainers. And, at this cemetery, History really does come to life each year, as West Ad-ams Heritage Association (WAHA) presents its annual Living History Tour. Portrayals this year include a Civil War Confeder-ate naval offi cer, a leading suffragette, a gold seeker, a “Speeder-ette,” a judge, a pioneering black historian, and a descendant of one of L.A.’s early rancho families.

Angelus Rosedale Cemetery is one of the city’s oldest, most historically signifi cant cemeteries. It was founded in 1884, and is now home to many generations of Los Angeles’s citizens, representing every race, faith, and creed. Every year, WAHA fo-cuses on some of their life stories by presenting a Living History Tour at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, featuring actor portrayals, graveside, recounting the lives of some of the individuals buried at the cemetery. This year’s event commemorates several seminal moments in local and national history: the 150th anniversary of the Civil War; the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in Califor-nia, and Los Angeles’s 230th birthday. And, along with bold adventurers, this year’s tour includes founding families who have left their mark on L.A.’s history: Glassell, O’Melveny and Dominguez.This year’s portrayals include:

Lt. William T. Glassell, Confederate Naval offi cer who com-manded the submarine that torpedoed the Union frigate New Ironsides during the Charleston blockade in 1863; Glassell was the co-founder of the City of Orange

Nina Vitagliano Torre, Italian-American female racecar driver who raced with fellow women Speederettes during World War I until a fatal crash in 1918 ended her life, and their careers on the track; it was decades before women were again behind the wheel on speedways. This photo was taken the day before she died.

Fanny Stenhouse, famed lecturer and Suffragette who exposed Mormon polygamy to the world in 1872, and who campaigned for women’s rights with Harriett Beecher Stowe and Elizabeth Cady StantonVisitors will be greeted by Francisca Dominguez Alexander, Queen of the Fiesta de Los Angeles of 1897, whose family owned the great Rancho San Pedro beginning in 1784. Her fore-bear, Juan Jose Dominguez, arrived in California in 1769, serv-ing with Gaspar de Portolà and Juniperro Serra, witnessing the founding of Los Angeles pueblo in September, 1781.The Living History Tour is a three-hour docent-led walk through the cemetery, over uneven terrain; visitors are advised to wear appropriate clothing and walking shoes. Tours depart approxi-mately every 25 minutes, beginning at 9 a.m., with the last tour at noon. Tickets are by advance reservation only; each tour has a limited number of spaces. Advance Ticket Sales Only -- No Walk-ins!Tickets are by reservation only. $25 in advance. $30 on day of tour, space available. (Children under 10 attend free.) Purchase tickets at www.WestAdamsHeritage.org or send a check made payable to “WAHA” to:WAHA Living History Tour2280 West 21st St.Los Angeles, CA 90018or 323-732-4223, or tours@westadamsheritage.org, or log onto WAHA’s website, www.WestAdamsHeritage.org.

It’s Here Again!WAHA’S ANNUAL

LIVING HISTORY TOURLaura Meyers

17Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services! AUG/SEPT 2011

the proposed Costco/Home Depot building would be at ap-proximately the same elevation as the grade of the residen-tial lots to its south [top of the hill]. “Bu the ground elevation maps on the Bureau of Engineer-ing’s mapping application contradict these infl ated mea-surements. The 16th Place homes are actually built 20 feet above Venice, not 25-30 feet. The Venice elevation is 24 feet above the lowest point on Pico, rather than the 30 feet stated in the determination. Given these numbers, the Lowe’s wall would then have to measure a maximum of 44 feet, (24+20) from the Pico grade, to comply with the determination that the roof would go no higher than the top of the hill. Fluffed up numbers went a long way, as they allowed a wall that could tower up 68 (instead of stopping at 44) feet putting the wall at 24 feet above the top of the hill along 16th place. Robert Portillo estimated his home is approxi-mately 16 feet high. Fact-fi nding has been diffi cult for the group as they seek answers. Councilman Herb Wesson’s offi ce researched the issue but they have worked hard to make the project move for-ward and punted the issue over to CIM.CIM punted it back to Wesson’s offi ce saying they were

“discussing’ the issue.The Community Redevelopment Agency, CRA of Los Angeles said they cannot infl uence the height aspect of the project.When residents had a chance to speak directly to an other-wise tight-lipped CIM Group at the MINC meeting, nearly a dozen 16th Place residents wanted questions answered about the height of the Lowe’s wall. Unfortunately CIM sent representative Kathleen Kim who claimed she was not familiar enough with the project entitlement document to answer questions effectively. Edgar Arroyo, MINC board member and planner at San Fernando’s Community Development Department, attempted to explain the planning process to residents and pointed out “scenic view” could be open to interpretation.

According to the Los Angeles thresholds guide for environ-mental review, the city has recognized the value of access to visual resources that merit protection. Any interruption of such view by a development would result in an expanded environmental study. This guide, however, did not come into effect until August 2001, two months after the June 2001 determination was adopted.Some residents are unsympathetic to 16th Place residents:“A view for a handful of neighbors does not outweigh the value of the project for the whole community,” “They should have been more diligent in their oversite of the project.”An attorney hired by the 16th Place Neighborhood Associ-ation is reviewing the project’s land use issues and whether the community’s reaction is a decade too late or if it is only the beginning of a legal battle. As of press time, the attor-ney was in the midst of the due diligence process.Mid City Neighborhood Council has offered assistance.

Continued from Pg. 7

18 AUG/SEPT 2011 Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services!

Each month, Koreatown Youth Center re-moves over 50,000 square feet of graffi ti. Most graffi ti is removed within a 24-hour time frame from both public and private lo-cations. However, due to the City’s budget shortfall, KYCC is in dire need of support from the community to purchase paint in order to continue it’s program. They sought support for purchase of paint in the amount $1,997.45. $2,000 approved.

PAVA (Pacifi c American Volunteers Asso-ciation) asked support for their volunteer-ism in cleaning various locations such as the LA River and Griffi th Park. The funds will go directly to the payment of a t-shirt vendor and the clean-up of Hollywood on August 27th, 2011. $2,000 approved.

The Korean Community Lawyers Associa-tion needed to purchase a camera, camcord-er, and projector for their history keeping. KCLA provides monthly free legal clinic to the general public and annual Law School Admission Seminars. $2,000 approved.

KACCLA (Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles) is outreaching and networking with prominent communi-ty organizations. Funds needed for the pur-chase of a copier. Up to $2,000 approved.

Reports by Justin Kim and David Ryu will provide an update on the CD4 meeting on the prostitution problem on Western Avenue from Melrose to 6th Avenue. The neighbor-hood/LAPD discussion took place on June 24th at City Hall. Mike Russell of Public Safety Committee discusses the solutions developed regarding the situation including better lighting. Main issue was regarding leud acts being performed west of Western and prostitution seen be residents.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is an agreement between NC’s and the DWP for the purpose of increased transparency, accountability and advocacy between the community and DWP. Jack Humphreville from the Greater Wilshire

WILSHIRE CENTER - KOREATOWN NC UNITED NEIGHBORS NC (UNNC) Norman Gilmore presented a funding re-quest for up to $600 to rent a webserver for a year. Passed

Roy Amemiya made arequest for up to $125 to provide refreshments to an upcom-ing Wilshire Community Police Advisory Board. Passed

Brian Jett for Western Heights Neigh-borhood Association presented a fund-ing request for $3,500 for completion of the beautifi cation and greening of three City-approved traffi c easements being constructed on Arlington and Manhattan Place. Western Heights was approved for these funds in the previous fi scal year, but were unable to complete the funding with the city credit card due to mis-communi-cation with the vendor. UNNC had previ-ously asked for additional information from Western Heights, specifi cally, a list of pledged amounts from the community. Board member Chris Carlson presented this information for Western Heights. The list had 33 pledges totaling $20,946. Laura Meyers was concerned that the list should have included a full accounting of all the funds raised, as requested. (ed. note - the project costs $90,000) Chris Carlson listed various fundraisers that have provided the additional funds and pointed out that the-UNNC funds are a capital improvement to the community with a permanent ben-efi t. She noted that Western Heights had reduced its funding request by $1000. She stated that the barriers will be going in, but without funding for the landscaping, she cannot state when the landscaping will be completed. Stevie Stern stated that she was concerned that this amount had not been spent previosly, however, she acknowl-edged that volunteers navigating a diffi cult city process makes it understandable. Di-anne Lawrence expressed concern that the group had told the Building Permit Board they had all the money to complete the project and wondered why they were com-ing to UNNC for funding if this were true and why neighbors couldn’t donate plants and planting time. She presented letters

from Cecilia Uribe expressing opposition to the project and concern that the group was asking for city tax payers to fund bar-ricades that would prevent them from ac-cessing the street and from Brian Eklund who did not support a barricaded commu-nity. Luis South stated that he thought the above reasons were not compelling reasons to prevent funding the project and that com-munity efforts should be supported. Laura Myers moved to fund $900 which was seconded. She said they could come back later for more if need be. Chris Carlson re-quested the motion be amended to $3,500. Request was denied. Motion to approve $900 passed.

Luis South requested $900 for painting supplies for the Inter-Faith Alley Murals Project to beautify the alleys and increase pride of ownership. The city gated off many local alleys several years ago at the request of the neighbors to eliminate the prostitution, vagrancy, dumping and other problems that occurred in the valley. Only residents have keys to their local alley. The community will gather to paint murals at the 2000 block of 30th and 31st St on July 23rd. Several board members wondered if the murals are accessible to the public since the alley is gated and kept locked. Motion to fund up to $200 failed by one vote.

Jeff Camp moved that UNNC support the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition and join PushBackTheTax.com (a grass roots effort supported by Los Angeles Neighborhood Council); and advocate that no rate increase be made until the voter approved Rate Payer Advocate has been selected by the City Council and has had the opportunity to thoroughly review the DWP’s rate increase request. Steve Wallis noted that DWP is not currently required to pay property owners for excess solar power put back on the DWP grid. Laura Meyers made a friendly amendment that was accepted by the movant and second, that additional letters be written to all city council members that have stakeholders in UNNC, refl ecting the above position.Motion Passed.

Neighborhood Council Report items are se-lected and edited from meeting minutes

Neighborhood Council did a presentation requesting Wilshire/Koreatown to join. 76 NC’s are already certifi ed. Approval was granted at the following Board meeting.

MID CITY NC (MINC)

See Reports on Page 6 & 10New Website is www.mincla.org

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OLYMPIC PARK NC (OPNC)

Sam Joo was accepted as a Board Member. Mr. Yoo is also currently with the KYCC Youth Center (LA).

The LAPD Offi cers presented OPNC Board with a plaque regarding the Boards continued support of Wilshire’s Youth Pro-grams and donations to the LAPD Com-munity.

OPNC Postcards: Peter Schulberg led the discussion of OPNC Postcards as a useful outreach tool. Authorization up to $140 for 5,000 units; and print-set completed. Mo-tion to approve passed.

Request to authorize up to $600 for com-puter software/antivirus for the new OPNC Computers. Passed.

Queen Anne Rec Center, “Movies In The Park” activity held July 8 (6:00 PM). Councilman Wesson request OPNC to co-sponsor the event. Request for funding for food and supplies up to $2,000.00. Passed

LAPDs National Night Out: Presentation by Offi cers Frank Ciezaldo to allocate up to $1000 (Wilshire, $750; Olympic, $250) towards food, supplies, and printing of fl y-ers for the event. Passed

Wilshire Police Dept. Open House (Aug 14, Noon – 4PM): Discussion. The Board agreed that OPNC should have a high pres-ence and booth at the event. OPNC Flyers will be distributed. LADWP is requesting NC input on pri-orities, policies, and water and power rate hikes. A NC Group is being formed www.PushBackTheTax.com to counter balance future rate hikes. A request for OPNC support and presence at future meetings and workshops.

We Need Homes! We were 4 weeks old when these pics were taken August 11. Call TNN at 323.871.8580 if you are interested. Would love to stay together but not necessary.

It’s kitten season! What to do if you res-cue some kittens? This is helpful infor-mation fom Stray Cat Alliance:That cute, cuddly ball of fl uff is irresistible but what to do when they show up unwant-ed in our garden or under the house? Can we help? At Stray Cat Alliance, we know it’s worse to simply do nothing. Cats beget cats and so on and so on. We believe it is moral and ethical to fi x kittens and put them back if having them put down at the pound is not an option for you. Trap, Neuter and Re-lease. Kittens in a safe, well-fed colony can have quality of life. Cats have com-plex family systems and their mothers will teach them to stay safe. If kittens are sick, then of course we must help. Don’t let the worry of “What in the world am I going to do with the kittens?” stop you from trap-ping. Please get out there and “fi x away!” If you trap kittens weighing approximately two pounds or less, make sure your veteri-narian (See Animal Rescue Services ad) is knowledgeable about early-age spay and neuter. Do get them fi xed—for the greater good of cats. What You Need to Know if you foster or adopt some abandoned kitties - Kittens

are usually fully weaned at around four to fi ve weeks, a good time to start socializing them, which takes a few days. Kittens not exposed to humans early on, learn from their mothers and quickly become feral. If their mothers are tame, the kittens are usu-ally easier to socialize but still require hu-man touch to be completely comfortable. Socializing is harder if they still live in their colonies.How Old Are They?Under one week: Eyes are shut, ears fl at to head and skin appears “pinkish.” Part of umbilical cord may still be attached.One week to ten days: Eyes begin to open but ears are still fl at. A kitten this age is smaller than an adult hand.Three weeks: Eyes are fully open, ears are erect and teeth are visible. Kittens are just learning to walk and very wobbly.Four to fi ve weeks: Eyes have changed from blue to another color. Kittens have begun to pounce and leap and to eat solid food.Eight weeks: Kittens this age weigh ap-proximately two pounds. If they have not been exposed to humans, they will likely be feral.Confi ne kittens initially in a dog crate or cage for more space or try a bathroom with toilet seat down and cabinets closed. Don’t let feral kittens run loose in your house! They will hide. Food is your incentive for taming. Start by feeding the kitten baby food or “wet” cat food on a spoon, delivered through the cage. No cows milk. Use goats milk but best kit-ten formula found at pet stores. Next, offer baby food or wet food on your fi nger. If the kitten doesn’t accept it, then dab a tiny bit on the end of its nose. Leave a television or radio on a few hours a day, but not too loud, so kittens get used to human voices.If kitten is fl ea infested dip kitten in warm water and wash with Dawn dish soap. Rinse well. Pick fl eas off and return to clean dry and draft free environment.

For More Helpful info on what to do with found kittens go to http://www.straycatalliance.org/ .310.281.6973Stray Cat Alliance does NOT take in your found kittens

ALSO CONTACT WWW.FIXNATION.ORG INFO@FIXNATION.ORG 818.524.2287FOR FREE SPAY AND NEUTER FOR FOUND CATS

DO NOT DROP KITTENS ON SOMEONE ELSES DOORSTEP !

20 w w w.thene ighborhoodne wson l ine .ne t span ish/kore an op t ionsAUG/SEPT 2011

TEAR THIS OUT AND USE FOR REFERENCE

This is a map of Council District 10 indicating which CouncilDistrict Deputy represents your area. If you have any community concerns, these Deputies will be your liaison to Councilman Wesson your City Coun-cil Representative.

Community Crime CountBetween July 28 and Aug. 3

Koreatown is experiencing a surge in crime which has awarded it top honors in most signifi cant crime in-crease in the city and a startling 2 con-secutive alerts. A whopping 23 violent crimes and 35 property crimes. Over the last three months it was averaging 9.8 violent crimes a week.

Harvard Heights has seen an increase in violent crimes but a decrease in property crimes with 5 violent crimes and 5 property crimes.

Jefferson Parks averages have re-mained steady with only 2 violent crimes but saw an increase with 17 property crimes.

Carthay has seen no increase with only 1 violent crime and 5 property crimes.

Wounded Boy Dies after being Dropped off at Fire Station 26 on Western & 10,On Thursday July 7, Melvin Childs of Gardena, a 16 year old boy, was fatally shot. He was still alive when two men in their 20’s dumped him at 9:45 pm at the fi re station #26 on 2009 S. Western just north of the 10 freeway. He died of a single gun shot wound after arriving at the hospital. Anyone with information about the two men who left without identifying themselves are ask to call Detective Herman Frettlohr at (213) 382-9470 or the department’s 24-hour tip line at (877) LAPD-247

ANSWER TO RIDDLE: LUNCH AND DINNER

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