Volume 20 No. 23 Serving the West Hollywood,...
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“We are a small school that has always set out to do something different in terms of including families and knowing students’ names and creating real communi- ty,” Guerrero said. “Be safe, be respectful, be O n Tuesday, California vot- ers chose a Democratic former governor and a Republican billionaire business- woman to duke it out in the race for governor in November. California Attorney General Jerry Brown easily took the Democratic nomination in the primary election, garnering 84 percent of the votes in his party against six other candidates who received between one percent and four percent of the total votes. Former e-Bay CEO, Meg Whitman, received 64 percent of the votes on the Republican side, beating the second highest vote- getter on the Republican slate, Steve Poizner, a former Insurance Commissioner of California. In the United States Senate race, voters elected Democrat Barbara Boxer, who got 80 per- cent of the votes for her party, and Republican Carly Fiorina, who took 56 percent of the votes. In other major statewide races, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Volume 20 No. 23 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities June 10, 2010 INSIDE • Pride comes to WeHo. pg. 3 • Pot dispensaries close. pg. 4 Partly cloudy, with temps around 71º n Center Named Distinguished School After Four Years WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM O n June 22, Hayoun Cho will graduate from Hollywood High School with a 4.1 GPA — better than an A average. He’s been accepted to the University of California, San Diego — the school he dreamed of attend- ing. Except, he can’t attend, because he’s not a United States citizen. Though his family emigrated legal- ly from South Korea and remains on the path toward citizenship, he cannot apply for any government financial aid. His parents, who run a small restaurant downtown, are currently paying for his sister to attend UCSD, and simply cannot afford to send both their children to four-year colleges at once. Next year, he’ll enroll at Los Angeles Community College. And in two years, after his sister graduates, Cho hopes to transfer to a UC school. “I’m trying to transfer in a year and a half,” Cho said. “At first, I thought it wasn’t fair that my sister got to go and I didn’t. But when the fall semester starts, I just have to focus on my classes.” It is a testament to Cho’s focus, work ethic, and talent that he can even talk about going to college. When he enrolled at Pico Middle School in 2004, he didn’t speak a word of English. Cho had grown up in Seoul, South Korea, and moved with his parents to Koreatown. He could have attended a school with a large Korean population, but, because his parents wanted him to learn English, they sent him to Pico Middle School, where 90 percent of the students were Latino. “When I heard students speak Spanish, I thought it was English,” Cho said. “I couldn’t distinguish O n Tuesday morning, Hollywood Boulevard buzzed with camera flash- es, as tourists snapped photographs of stars on the Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, or a new wax sculpture of Judy Garland that had just been unveiled outside of Madame Tussauds. Notably absent from the scene, however, were any of the masked performers, dressed up as movie characters, that have become a hall- mark of the boulevard. Last Friday and Saturday, offi- cers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division arrested many of the characters on the boulevard, and warned others to leave. The crackdown has left the area in front of the Chinese Theatre almost entirely character-free on Tuesday, except for a lone Spiderman, perched atop a set of newspaper racks. Increasingly, as the number of characters on Hollywood Boulevard has grown, local organi- zations, including law enforcement, have come to see the characters as a public safety hazard, impediment to business, and a nuisance for tourists. Capt. Beatrice Girmala, of the LAPD’s Hollywood Division, said a number of characters have been involved in violent confrontations. “We’ve seen an escalation in aggressive and violent confronta- tions,” Girmala said. “We see it with tourists who don’t pay the sug- See Voters page 22 See Crackdown page 20 BY AMY LYONS See Center page 20 BY AMY LYONS See Graduate page 22 BY IAN LOVETT BY IAN LOVETT photo by Ian Lovett Hollywood High School senior Hayoun Cho will graduate with a grade point average that is better than 4.0, and hopes to attend a university. photo by Amy Lyons Students at the Hollywood Primary Center celebrated the award Tuesday at an end-of-school year party. n Senior is Looking Forward to College School Attains Academic Excellence A fter only four years serv- ing children from the greater Hollywood area in pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade, Hollywood Primary Center was named a 2010 California Distinguished School, an award that recognizes improved perfor- mance. The school won the award after raising its 2009 Academic Performance Index (API) by 45 points to 868, surpassing the state’s goal of 800. The API is a scale that ranges from 200 to 1,000, and is calculated from the school’s performance in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. With 100 percent of its stu- dents qualifying for the free and reduced lunch program, Hollywood Primary Center has designed after-school groups in which four students work with one teacher to review and improve various skills. Principal Megan Guerrero credits the school’s instruction and inter- vention programs, and the school’s culture of safety and responsibility, for its success. Caped Crusaders Corralled n LAPD Cracks Down on Costumed Characters Voters Choose Candidates to Face Off in November photo by Amy Lyons Christopher Loomis was the only costumed character on Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday after police made arrests over the weekend. Grad Reaches the Top Despite Rough Start n LAUSD Funding Measure Defeated
Transcript of Volume 20 No. 23 Serving the West Hollywood,...
“We are a small school that hasalways set out to do somethingdifferent in terms of includingfamilies and knowing students’
names and creating real communi-ty,” Guerrero said.
“Be safe, be respectful, be
On Tuesday, California vot-ers chose a Democraticformer governor and a
Republican billionaire business-woman to duke it out in the racefor governor in November.California Attorney General JerryBrown easily took theDemocratic nomination in theprimary election, garnering 84percent of the votes in his partyagainst six other candidates whoreceived between one percent andfour percent of the total votes.
Former e-Bay CEO, MegWhitman, received 64 percent ofthe votes on the Republican side,beating the second highest vote-getter on the Republican slate,Steve Poizner, a former InsuranceCommissioner of California.
In the United States Senaterace, voters elected DemocratBarbara Boxer, who got 80 per-cent of the votes for her party, andRepublican Carly Fiorina, whotook 56 percent of the votes.
In other major statewide races,San Francisco Mayor Gavin
Volume 20 No. 23 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities June 10, 2010
INSIDE• Pride comes to
WeHo. pg. 3
• Pot dispensariesclose. pg. 4
Partly cloudy,with tempsaround 71º
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n Center NamedDistinguished SchoolAfter Four Years
WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM
On June 22, Hayoun Cho willgraduate from HollywoodHigh School with a 4.1
GPA — better than an A average.He’s been accepted to theUniversity of California, San Diego— the school he dreamed of attend-
ing. Except, he can’t attend, because
he’s not a United States citizen.Though his family emigrated legal-ly from South Korea and remainson the path toward citizenship, hecannot apply for any governmentfinancial aid. His parents, who run asmall restaurant downtown, arecurrently paying for his sister toattend UCSD, and simply cannotafford to send both their children to
four-year colleges at once. Nextyear, he’ll enroll at Los AngelesCommunity College. And in twoyears, after his sister graduates, Chohopes to transfer to a UC school.
“I’m trying to transfer in a yearand a half,” Cho said. “At first, Ithought it wasn’t fair that my sistergot to go and I didn’t. But when thefall semester starts, I just have tofocus on my classes.”
It is a testament to Cho’s focus,work ethic, and talent that he caneven talk about going to college.When he enrolled at Pico MiddleSchool in 2004, he didn’t speak aword of English.
Cho had grown up in Seoul,South Korea, and moved with hisparents to Koreatown. He couldhave attended a school with a largeKorean population, but, because hisparents wanted him to learnEnglish, they sent him to PicoMiddle School, where 90 percent ofthe students were Latino.
“When I heard students speakSpanish, I thought it was English,”Cho said. “I couldn’t distinguish
On Tuesday morning,Hollywood Boulevardbuzzed with camera flash-
es, as tourists snapped photographsof stars on the Walk of Fame,Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, or anew wax sculpture of Judy Garlandthat had just been unveiled outsideof Madame Tussauds.
Notably absent from the scene,however, were any of the maskedperformers, dressed up as moviecharacters, that have become a hall-mark of the boulevard.
Last Friday and Saturday, offi-cers from the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment’s Hollywood Divisionarrested many of the characters onthe boulevard, and warned others toleave. The crackdown has left the
area in front of the Chinese Theatrealmost entirely character-free onTuesday, except for a loneSpiderman, perched atop a set ofnewspaper racks.
Increasingly, as the number ofcharacters on HollywoodBoulevard has grown, local organi-zations, including law enforcement,have come to see the characters as apublic safety hazard, impediment tobusiness, and a nuisance fortourists.
Capt. Beatrice Girmala, of theLAPD’s Hollywood Division, saida number of characters have beeninvolved in violent confrontations.
“We’ve seen an escalation inaggressive and violent confronta-tions,” Girmala said. “We see itwith tourists who don’t pay the sug-
See Voters page 22
See Crackdown page 20
BY AMY LYONS
See Center page 20
BY AMY LYONS
See Graduate page 22
BY IAN LOVETT
BY IAN LOVETT
photo by Ian Lovett
Hollywood High School senior Hayoun Cho will graduate with a gradepoint average that is better than 4.0, and hopes to attend a university.
photo by Amy Lyons
Students at the Hollywood Primary Center celebrated the awardTuesday at an end-of-school year party.
n Senior is LookingForward to College
School Attains Academic Excellence
After only four years serv-ing children from thegreater Hollywood area
in pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade,Hollywood Primary Center wasnamed a 2010 CaliforniaDistinguished School, an awardthat recognizes improved perfor-mance.
The school won the awardafter raising its 2009 AcademicPerformance Index (API) by 45points to 868, surpassing thestate’s goal of 800. The API is ascale that ranges from 200 to1,000, and is calculated from theschool’s performance in theStandardized Testing andReporting (STAR) Program.
With 100 percent of its stu-dents qualifying for the free andreduced lunch program,Hollywood Primary Center hasdesigned after-school groups inwhich four students work withone teacher to review andimprove various skills. PrincipalMegan Guerrero credits theschool’s instruction and inter-vention programs, and theschool’s culture of safety andresponsibility, for its success.
Caped CrusadersCorralledn LAPD Cracks Down on Costumed Characters
Voters Choose Candidatesto Face Off in November
photo by Amy Lyons
Christopher Loomis was the only costumed character on HollywoodBoulevard on Tuesday after police made arrests over the weekend.
Grad Reaches the Top Despite Rough Start
n LAUSD Funding Measure Defeated
11 ContemporaryCrafts Market
More than 250 artists will displayjewelry, glassware, ceramics,
hand-painted textiles and more at theContemporary Crafts Market, whichwill be held Friday, June 11- Sunday,June 13 at Santa Monica CivicAuditorium. The event has been ashowcase for burgeoning and estab-lished artists since its inception.Visitors will have the chance to meetthe artists behind some of the nation’sfinest crafts. Hours are 10:00am -6:00pm, both days. Admission is $8for adults, free for children under 12.Call (310)285-3655. Santa MonicaCivic Auditorium, 1855 Main St.
The Spirit of Rhythm and Jazz
The Ebell of Los Angeles will pre-sen a concert, “The Spirit of
Rhythm and Jazz”, on Friday, June 11,at 7:30pm. Starring vocalist NicolasBeard and his quartet, the event fea-tures free hors d'oeuvres with theprice of admission. Tickets are $25 formembers; $30 for non-members. 4400Wilshire Blvd.; (323)931-1277.
12 Summer Guitar Grooves
Two-time Emmy-winning gui-tarist, Laurence Juber, will give a
concert at Boulevard Music in CulverCity on Saturday, June 12 at 8:00pm.Fusing folk, jazz, pop and classicalstyles, Juber creates a multifacetedperformance that is the stuff of a sea-soned, one-man band. The former leadguitarist for Paul McCartney’s“Wings”, Juber has developed a repu-tation as a world-class guitar soloartist. Tickets are $17.50. 4316Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City;(310)398-2583.
Tenants’ Rights
The Beverly Hills Bar Association(BHBA) will host a free public
workshop to provide information ontenants’ rights and obligations onSaturday, June 12 at 11:00am at theRoxbury Park CommunityCenter. The guest speaker is DoronEghbali, a member of the Beverly
Hills Bar Association and partner atthe Beverly Hills offices of LawAdvocate Group, LLP. The workshopis free and reservations are notrequired. The Roxbury ParkCommunity Center is located at 471S. Roxbury Dr., in Beverly Hills. Forinformation, visit www.bhba.org.
Brahms’ Requiem
The Pasadena Master Chorale(PMC), will perform Brahms’
“Requiem” on Saturday June 12 at7:30pm at Altadena CommunityChurch. Joining the 75-voice ensem-
ble at the performance are sopranoClaire Fedoruk and baritone AbdielGonzalez. Additionally, five studentsfrom a variety of local schools whorecently competed in PMC’s firstannual solo vocal competition willperform as well. The requiem hasbeen alternately praised and criticizedsince it was first performed in 1867.Tickets to the concert are $15 and maybe purchased at the web site,www.pasadenamasterchorale.org or atthe door. For more information, call(626)208-0009. Altadena CommunityChurch is located at 943 East AltadenaDr.
Contemporary ArtConversations
Lawrence Asher Gallery will host“Contemporary Art
Conversations #5” on Saturday, June12, from 3:00pm – 5:00pm. The eventis the fifth in a series of panel discus-sions on issues and exhibitions in theSouthern California art world.Participating speakers includeart historian, critic and curator BettyAnn Brown, critic Peter Frank andmore. 5820 Wilshire Blvd.; (323)935-9100.
13 Open Studios at Redcat
On Sunday, June 13 and MondayJune 14, Roy and Edna
Disney/CalArts Theater(Redcat) will present “Studio:Summer 2010”, an ongoing series fornew works and works-in-progress thatoffers audiences the opportunity toexperience original performances byan interdisciplinary mix of experi-mental artists in Los Angeles. Thisedition of Studio features six originalworks. The show begins at 8:30pmboth evenings. Tickets are $12. 631W Second St.; (213)237-2800.
Corky Hale atCatalina Bar
Corky Hale will perform at theCatalina Bar & Grill on Sunday,
June 13 at 7:30pm. Hale will performromantic ballads from her new CD,“Corky Hale And Friends, I’m GladThere is You”. A renowned Jazzpianist, harpist and singer, Hale willperform with her friends SallyKellerman, Freda Payne, ArianaSavalas, Tricia Tahara and BrennaWhitaker. Tickets are $20. CatalinaBar & Grill; 6725 West Sunset Blvd.;(323)466-2210.
California LutheranUniversity Sunday
On Sunday, June 13 at 10:30am,Hope Lutheran Church will
honor California Lutheran Universitypresident, Chris Kimball, at mass ser-vices. The church will also honorJeffrey Seymour for helping Hopewith parking issues. A receptioncatered by Mozza will follow the ser-vices. 6720 Melrose Ave.; (323)938-9135.
14 The Songs of Our Lives
On Monday, June 14, a benefitconcert for the Fulfillment Fund,
“Songs of Our Lives”, will take placeat the Wadsworth Theatre. The con-cert will feature a multi-award win-ning artist lineup including StephenBishop, L. Russell Brown, Mac Davisand more. Paul Reiser will host andperform with British singer song-writer Julia Fordham. The showbegins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $150and VIP packages are available. Call(310)201-5033 or [email protected].
15 Insights IntoCancer
Medical professionals fromUCLA will host an informa-
tional workshop for cancer patientsand survivors on Tuesday, June 15 at7:00pm at the Ronald Reagan MedicalCenter Auditorium, UCLA. Doctorswill discuss what to expect whentreatment ends and survivorshipbegins. Topics discussed includelong-term psychological and physicalissues that can continue after cancertreatment, developing a treatmentsummary and care plan and plans forfollow-up surveillance. No reserva-tions are required. Call (310)794-6644; 757 Westwood Plaza.
17 Angelos atStudio Stage
Anew comedy, “Angelos”, willopen at Studio Stage Theatre on
Thursday, June 17 at 8:00pm. Theplay is set in a neighborhood barber-shop named after its Greek owner.Angelos shop is situated in a bustling,ethnically diverse city and the peoplethere have fun tales to tell. Tickets are$20-$25. 520 N. Western Ave.; (323)463-3900.
2 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
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All for One!Clockwise from left, Jim LeFavre, Kelly C. Henton, Melora Marshall andJackson McCord Thompson star in the Will Geer TheatricumBotanicumʼs new adaptation of “The Three Musketeers”, openingSaturday, June 12 at 8:00pm. When a young dreamer named dʼArtagnanleaves home for Paris to become a member of the famed royal guard,The Musketeers, he encounters a trio of comrades who embody themotto, “All for one and one for all”. The production is adapted and direct-ed by Ellen Geer, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas. Tickets are$20-$32. 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga; (310)455-3723.
Santa Monica Boulevard will bepacked with revelers this week-
end, as the 2010 Los AngelesLGBT Pride Festival celebrates its40th year.
Produced by Christopher StreetWest (CSW) in partnership with theCity of West Hollywood, the annu-al three-day event is one of thelargest Pride celebrations in theUnited States.
“Through struggles, painfulfights and achievements, our com-munity has come a long way andmatured into a political power-house,” said West HollywoodMayor Pro Tempore, John J Duran.“The fight is far from over andmuch remains to be done but prideis a great time to pause, take stock,
remember those are no longer withus, and re-commit ourselves to keepfighting.”
The Pride Festival will take placeon Saturday, June 12, from noon to11:00pm at the corner of SantaMonica and San VicenteBoulevards. The Pride Parade isfree to attend and will travel westalong Santa Monica Boulevardfrom Crescent Heights Boulevardto Robertson Boulevard on Sunday,June 13, starting at 11:00am. Thisyear’s theme is “Pride 365: Power.Passion. Purpose.”
Street and facility closuresinclude West Hollywood Park,closed from Thursday, June 10 –Wednesday, June 16; WestHollywood Library, closedThursday, June 10 – Monday, June14. The Parade route closure is onSanta Monica Boulevard fromFairfax to Doheny Avenue, includ-ing all side streets, from 6:00am -5:00pm.
For information, call (323)969-8302 or visit www.lapride.org.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 3 June 10, 2010
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If you’d like to know more, please call us at 1.800.464.2111, or visit metro.net.
Many Options Today, More Tomorrow From MetroIn the 20 years since rail transit returned to LA, the Metro Rail
system has grown to nearly 80 miles throughout the county. Many
more transit projects are currently in the works thanks to Measure
R with the proposed “30/10 Initiative” seeking to complete 12 of
them, scheduled over the next 30 years, in just 10 years. Find out
more at metro.net.
Outsmart Tra;c, Dial 511 Call 511 or visit Go511.com for free up-to-the minute traffic updates
and transit planning. The toll-free 511 number can help improve
your commute and keep you informed about travel conditions
before leaving the house and while on the road. And you can call
511 and say “Trip Planner” to schedule your bus or train trip 24/7.
Sunset Bridge Restructuring To Begin In Sepulveda Pass Expect delays and detours on the I-405 Freeway in the Sepulveda
Pass as work begins this month to restructure the Sunset Boulevard
Bridge as part of the freeway widening project. For the latest on
road closures and construction delays, as well as project updates,
go to metro.net/405.
Westside Subway Extension Updates PresentedFind out the latest on the Westside Subway Extension of the
Metro Red or Purple lines. Five community update meetings
are being held through July 1 prior to formal public hearings
on the alternatives being proposed for the extension. Visit
metro.net/westside or call 213.922.6934 for times and locations.
New Venice Metro Rapid Line Debuts Look for faster service between Downtown LA and Santa Monica
as Metro Rapid 733 begins June 27 on Venice Boulevard.
Destinations on Line 733 include Mid-City, Culver City, Venice
and Santa Monica with connections to seven other Metro Rapid
lines, Metro Rail and the Metro Silver Line. Check at metro.net after June 27 for the timetable.
metro.net
Metro BriefsWESTSIDE/CENTRAL
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Bid to Designate Theatre as Historic Rejectedn Developer Plans toMove Forward WithHousing Project
photo by Edwin Folven
The Fairfax Theatre has been vacant since January after the roof andceiling was damaged.
See Bid page 21
BY EDWIN FOLVEN
The Los Angeles CulturalHeritage Commission voted 3-
1 on June 3 to deny an applicationseeking to designate the FairfaxTheatre as a cultural historicresource.
The Fairfax Theatre, which islocated at the corner of FairfaxAvenue and Beverly Boulevard,has been closed since January afterrain caused damage to the roof andceiling. The owner, Alex Gorby,plans to convert the theatre andsome adjacent retail shops into a71-unit housing complex, withground level retail space.
Several preservation groupsformed the Friends of the FairfaxTheatre last year to fight the pro-ject, and applied to have the citydesignate the structure as a historicresource. The groups contendedthat the theatre, which was built in1930, is one of the last remainingexamples of a neighborhood movietheatre; its art deco architecture isunique, and the theatre was at thecenter of the development of theFairfax District and the local
Jewish community. In addition toshowing films, the theatre hostedmusical presentations and stageperformances during its early days,and was a gathering place for theJewish community during WorldWar II.
Prior to its closure, the theatrehad been operated by RegencyTheatres, and mostly showed inde-pendent films. The auditorium had
photo courtesy of Joshua Barash
An exhibit titled “The Making of our Pre-Stonewall LGBT Movement” ison display in the lobby of West Hollywood City Hall as part of the PrideMonth festivities.
Thousands to Gather With Prideat Annual LGBT FestivalBY AMY LYONS
“They just didn’tfeel it met thecriteria for a
cultural heritagemonument.”
-Edgar Garcia, preservation planner for theOffice of Historic Resources
The City of Los Angeles’ long-anticipated medical marijuana
ordinance went into effect Monday,and several dispensaries that wereoperating illegally in the Melrosearea appear to have closed.
Paul Lerner, co-founder of theMelrose Action NeighborhoodWatch, said his group conducted asurvey Monday evening of the ninedispensaries that were still operat-ing in the area as of last week, andfound that all had been shuttered.While he said the group will contin-ue to monitor the dispensaries toensure they remain shuttered, theclosures are a big step in the rightdirection. The Melrose ActionNeighborhood Watch had beenfighting to force the dispensaries toclose for more than a year. At onepoint earlier this year, 15 were oper-ating in the stretch of MelroseAvenue between Fairfax andHighland Avenues.
“Everything went great. Wefound that basically, all of the potstores on Melrose are now closed,”Lerner said. “We were pleased,relieved and a little surprised. Wehad been told that some of theseplaces were making $10,000 a day,and thought some might try to fightit out in the courts. But it seems likethe threat of jail time and finesmight have been more significant tothem.”
Officer Arthur Gallegos, of theLos Angeles Police Department’sWilshire Division, also confirmedthat the dispensaries were closed.Gallegos, a senior lead officer rep-resenting the Melrose area, addedthat he was pleased with the volun-tary compliance.
“It looks like they are all closed,we haven’t had any problems,”Gallegos said. “We will be check-
ing to see if they stay closed, but sofar things are going well.”
Frank Mateljan, a spokesman forthe Los Angeles City Attorney’sOffice, said officials are hoping forvoluntary compliance, and that thedispensaries appear to be closingcitywide. He did not know howmany remained open, but said theLAPD and inspectors with thecity’s Building and SafetyDepartment would be checkingduring the next couple of weeks tosee if any of the illegal dispensariesremain open. Last month, the cityattorney’s office sent letters to theowners of 439 dispensaries inform-ing them they must close. The oper-ators of those that remain open aresubject to fines of $2,500 per day,as well as potential jail time.Property owners who allow illegal
Regarding the article titled“The Delights of Delice” in
the June 3 issue, I have to relatethat as the president of theMovable Minyan, a Jewish con-gregation that meets at theInstitute for Jewish Education on3rd Street, our members taketurns setting up for services onthe Sabbath by bringing flowersand buying a couple of challahbreads at a place of the member’schoosing. I remember the firsttime someone brought challahfrom Delice, and everyone want-ed to know where it came frombecause it was so good.
In the spirit of full disclosure,as the Movable Minyan, we havenever hit up Delice for a dona-tion, but there have not been verymany local community eventswhere I have not seen a generousdonation of baked goods or a din-ing certificate from Delice pre-
sented. Their generosity is trulyremarkable and should be noted,especially in these difficult eco-nomic times.
Pini Herman
4 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
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The Park Labrea Newsand Beverly Press encour-ages our readers to submitLetters to the Editor via e-mail at: [email protected] must be signed bythe author. Readers mayalso submit comments forpublication as letters to edi-tor via postings on thewebsite at: www.beverlypress.com, orwww.parklabreanews.com.
Have an Opinion?Sound Off!
Delice is Generous and Delicious
Pot Dispensaries on Melrose Close Their Doors n Most Appear toComply With NewOrdinance
photo by Edwin Folven
The Better Alternative Treatment dispensary on Melrose Avenue hadclosed by Monday, the day the ordinance took effect.
Assembly Passes Bill to LimitDangers Posed by Paparazzi The State Assembly on June 3
passed Assembly Bill 2479, abill that strengthens current lawsdealing with paparazzi. The bill,which was authored by AssemblySpeaker Emeritus Karen Bass,47th District, cre-ates harsherpenalties to pre-vent the stalkingof celebrities forphotographs orvideo recordingswhile celebritiesare engaged inprivate personaland family activi-ties.
“Out of controlpaparazzi create dangerous situa-tions when they stalk artists andtheir families,” Bass said. “Thislegislation will curtail theseactions by enforcing stiffer penal-ties by reining in the out of controlpaparazzi who go to such lengthsas circling artists’ cars and pre-venting them from entering their
homes in the name of photos-for-profit.”
AB 2479 targets individualswho commit a physical trespass or“constructive invasion of privacy”with the intent to take a photo-
graph or image ofa person, if theinvasion occursin a manner thatis offensive to areasonable per-son. The bill alsoaddresses casesof false imprison-ment, whenartists are pre-vented from exit-ing their vehicles
by paparazzi. Additionally, the billprovides enhanced monetarypenalties up to three times theamount of any general and specialdamages, punitive damages, andthe repayment of any proceedsobtained, if the invasion of priva-cy was committed in order to sellthe photos for commercial use.
“Out of controlpaparazzi
create dangerous situations.”
-State Assembly SpeakerEmeritus Karen Bass
See Dispensaries page 21
BY EDWIN FOLVEN
6 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
“MEET ME AT THIRD & FAIRFAX”
SummerFamily Funat the Original Farmers Market
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photo courtesy of the Fourth Council District Office
Councilman Launches ʻTour LaBongeʼCity Councilmember Tom LaBonge, 4th
District, will lead a series of summerevening bike rides known as “TourLaBonge” beginning on Wednesday, June16 at 5:30pm.
The first ride will be held in DowntownLos Angeles, and begins on the south lawnof Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St.Police will escort the group along a 10-mileroute, and the event concludes at 8:00pm.
“Bike riding is great exercise and there’sno better way to enjoy the beautiful sights ofLos Angeles than to be on the open road,”LaBonge said. “I look forward to these ridesevery year because I am given the opportu-nity to show people the city that I love.”
Five additional bicycle rides will be heldon Wednesday evenings in different portionsof the Fourth Council District. On June 23, atrip around 4th Street will showcase theheart of the Wilshire area. Additional rideswill be held in Toluca Lake and NorthHollywood, the Miracle Mile, the L.A. Riverand Griffith Park. Each ride will have abreak mid-way for ice cream provided byLaBonge.
All riders are required to wear helmets andsign liability waivers. Participants must be atleast 12 years of age, and children must beaccompanied by adults.
For information and routes, visitwww.tomlabonge.com.
WeHo TeensRecognized forCommunityService
Annual Job FairScheduled atPlummer Park
The City of West Hollywoodhonored four Youth Scholarship
Award recipients on June 2 at the2nd Annual “Volunteen” Awards.All Youth Scholarship honorees areWest Hollywood residents whohave completed community servicehours and will be attending col-leges, universities or vocationalschools after graduation.
The honorees includedAleksandra Boychenko, who willgraduate Palisades Charter HighSchool. Boychenko plans to attendSanta Monica College this summerand fall, with the goal of transfer-ring to Boston University.Boychenko was recognized for vol-unteering at Camp Max Straus, asummer camp for at-risk children.
Honoree Gabriel Kuzmin willgraduate from Fairfax High Schoolon June 18 and plans to attend SantaMonica College before transferringto a university. He was honored forvolunteering with the city’s YouthLeadership Program at PlummerPark.
Additional honorees includedLawrence Liberman, who will grad-uate from Palisades Charter HighSchool and plans to attend SantaMonica College, with the goal oftransfering to UCLA. Libermanalso provided community servicethrough the city’s Youth LeadershipProgram.
Honoree Alina Neyman who willalso graduate from PalisadesCharter High School plans to attendthe University of CaliforniaRiverside. Neyman also volun-teered at Camp Max Straus.
For information, contact CraigRhea at (323) 848-6430, or visitwww.weho.org.
The West Hollywood Chamberof Commerce and City of West
Hollywood are holding their annu-al Job fair on Thursday, June 17from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
More than 25 chamber membersand employers will participate, Thejob fair will be held in Fiesta Hallin Plummer Park, 7377 SantaMonica Blvd. For information, call(323)650-2688 or visitwww.wehochamber.com.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 7 June 10, 2010
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosahelped launch a public
awareness program on June 7designed to educate the public ofthe dangers of texting while dri-ving.
The mayor was joined for theannouncement by Los AngelesPolice Chief Charlie Beck, LosAngeles Fire Chief Millage Peaks,Los Angeles Unified School Boardmember Nury Martinez, andKenneth P. McNeely, CaliforniaPresident of AT&T.
“Trust exists in our bond asAngelenos. We may not share thesame blood or the same beliefs, butwe share the roads that connect usall from city hall to the Hollywoodsign, to the beaches and the thrivingneighborhoods in between,”Villaraigosa said. “That is why
when driving, it is essential that wetrust each other to not text.Nothing, especially a text, is moreimportant than the safety of ourcity.”
The City of Los Angeles andAT&T have partnered to educatethe public about the consequences
and risks of texting while driving.A recent study showed that a driveris 23 times more likely to get in anaccident if texting while driving.
The Los Angeles City Councilhas adopted a resolution to supportthe no texting program.Villaraigosa underscored the effortby urging all city workers not totext while driving.
The Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict is also joining the cam-paign, asking its students to takethe pledge not to text and drive.According to a recent study by thePew Internet & American LifeProject, teens are a group that ismost likely to text while driving.
The study found that twenty-sixpercent of teens of driving age saythey have texted while driving, and48 percent of teens 12 to 17 yearsold indicate they have been a pas-senger in a vehicle where a driverhas sent a text message while dri-ving.
“As stewards of this technology,we feel compelled to raise aware-ness through education that it is notOK to text and drive,” McNeelysaid. “From inexperienced youngdrivers to those who think they’rechampion multi-taskers, it’s notOK.”
For more information, visitwww.att.com/txtingcanwait.
“Nothing, especially atext, is more
important thanthe safety of
our city.”
- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
photo by Tyrone Washington
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief, Charlie Beck, recentlywarned the public about the dangers of texting while driving.
City Officials Warn Against Texting While Driving
Approximately 3,000demonstrators gathered on
Wilshire Boulevard on June 6to show support for the State of
Israel. Jay Sanderson, presidentof the Jewish Federation ofGreater Los Angeles, led the
rally, which also includedremarks by Gov. ArnoldSchwarzenegger. The governorcalled for the release of GiladShalit, the Israeli soldier whohas been a prisoner of Hamasfor four years, and answered acall from Noam Shalit, the sol-dier’s father.
“We have gathered herefrom all over, Democrats,Republicans, Jews, Christians,Latinos, Armenians, from theRussian community to theFrench community to theIranian community…to say toIsrael that we support you,”Israel Consul General JacobDayan said. “We are behindyou. We are proud of yourwonderful and brave soldiers.”
Supporters of Israel Unite at Local Rally
photo courtesy of Linda Kasian
“We are behindyou. We are
proud of yourwonderful and brave soldiers.”
- Jacob Dayan, IsraelConsul General
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8 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Marconda’s Meats6333 W. Third St. • Farmers Market
323.938.5131Family Owned at the Farmers Market for 65 Years
Delicious Flat Iron Steaks�����
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Gourmet Food To Go!photo courtesy of the Original Farmers Market
Market OffersFamily Fun AllSummer LongThe Original Farmers Market,
corner of 3rd and Fairfax, pre-sents “Summer Family Fun”, aseries of family events runningfrom Sunday, June 13 throughAugust 22. The Sunday afternoonprograms generally begin at noonfeature free entertainment, work-shops and activities designed espe-cially for children.
“Summer Family Fun is one ofthe most popular programs weoffer,” said Ilysha Buss, MarketingManager for the Original FarmersMarket. “Summer vacation is theperfect time for families to enjoyadventures together, and we under-stand that a lot of parents are eagerto share activities with their chil-dren which don’t require a gameconsole and a TV screen. SummerFamily Fun is an ideal, close-to-home way for parents and kids to betogether and just have fun.”
The fun begins on June 13 with aperformance by “The Conductors”,a children’s folk rock group, and aFather’s Day mug-making work-shop presented by Sticker Planet.The Radio Disney Road Crew willalso visit the Market at 11:00am,offering entertainment, games andprizes.
The fun continues on June 27with “Birdie’s Playhouse”, a musi-cal wildlife show, and “Art 2 Go”,an animal craft workshop with face-painting. Several other events arealso planned through August 22.
Summer Family Fun takes placeon the Market’s Plaza. The OriginalFarmers Market is located at 6333W. 3rd St. For information, call(323)933-9211, or visit www.farm-ersmarketla.com.
‘Wizard of Oz’ StarHonored in Wax
photo by Ian Lovett
Madame Tussauds Museum in Hollywood unveiled a wax figure ofactress Judy Garland on June 8 at a ceremony attended byGarlandʼs only son, Joey Luft, and Jerry Maren, one of the lastremaining members of “The Munchkins” from “The Wizard of Oz”.The figure commemorated the late actressʼ 88th birthday.
Students Recognized for Exploring Asian HeritageMayor Antonio Villaraigosa
recently announced the win-ners of the 2010 Asian and Pacific-Islander American Heritage MonthCreative Writing Competition.
“Asian and Pacific IslanderAmerican Heritage Month payshomage to the rich cultural imprintof the Asian and Pacific Islandercommunity on the city’s identity, andthe competition winners reflect theintercultural appreciation of theAsian and Pacific Islander communi-ty.”
The theme for this year’s contestwas “the rich history and culture ofthe Los Angeles Asian & PacificIslander community and what itmeans to you.”
Panelists reviewing the competi-tion included ABC 7 JournalistSubha Ravindran; Janice D. Tanaka,manager of Diversity Developmentfor Fox; Nushin Arbabzadah, anAfghan author, journalist, analystand translator; Japanese-Americanscreenwriter Iris Yamashita; and ThaiAmerican playwright PrinceGomolvilas. Three hundred middle
and high school students participatedin the competition. The studentsattend public, charter and privateschools, as well as community recre-ation centers and Boys and GirlsClubs.
The winners for the 6th-8th Gradecategory included KimberlyMorales, first place; Rebecca Chen,
second place; and Aia TeresaIntrepido, third place.
The 9th-10th grade winners wereJason Yang, first place; Sally Hye-RiNa, second place; and Kevin Dang,third place. The 11th-12th gradewinners included Adan Aguirre, firstplace; Karen Lee, second place; andEdith Rivas, third place.
City Hosts Youth Fishing DerbyThe Los Angeles Department of
Recreation and Parks is hostinga youth fishing derby on Saturday,June 12 at MacArthur Park Lake,located near Alvarado and 7thstreets. The free event is open tochildren ages 5-15, and is designedto introduce youths from urbanareas to fishing. The lake will bestocked with catfish for the derby,which runs from 9:00am to1:00pm, and all participants willreceive a free lunch.
The event is sponsored by theDepartment of Recreation and
Parks, the office of CouncilmemberEd P. Reyes, 1st District, and theDaniel Hernandez YouthFoundation. Equipment and assis-tance will be provided. In addition,the Science, Education andAdventure Laboratory will have amobile aquarium with marine dis-plays, and members of the LosAngeles Police Department and theLos Angeles Fire Department willbe present. Registration will beginat 7:00am on the day of the event.For information, call (213)368-0520, or visit www.laparks.org.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 9 June 10, 2010
One month in, summer moviemagic finally gets a
spokesperson in spin-off “GetHim to the Greek”. Sex, drugs androck ‘n’ roll are on trial in a com-edy that keeps the laughs comingwith enough genuine concern forcharacter to make this one worthmultiple viewings.
Producer Judd Apatow provesonce more he knows just whatmovies he should back. In thisspin-off on “Forgetting SarahMarshall”, our favorite rock starAldous Snow (Russell Brand)finds a film role center stage, andthis time he’s off the wagon afterseven years of sobriety. Get readyfor fantastic chemistry betweenEngland’s greatest star and lowly
intern Aaron Green (Jonah Hill).Once a rock god, Aldous Snow
is lost in the undertow of musicfame with an ill-received albumand an ex with custody of hischild. As he drowns in a self-cre-ated sea of sex, drugs and isola-tion, there’s one man who thinksSnow’s past charisma and discog-raphy is just what PinnacleRecords needs to save their fallingrevenue stream. With a green-litidea and a head full of hopes forthe future of rock, intern AaronGreen heads to England with threedays to get wild- child Aldous toLos Angeles to perform at theGreek Theatre, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his last perfor-mance at the legendary venue.
This ain’t “The Hangover” or“Superbad” but a film with itsown style of humor. We’ve gotphysical comedy, dry jokes,uncomfortable situations, and atouch of the crass. Comingnowhere near the quirk and wit of“Sarah Marshall”, “Get Him to theGreek” still finds a place of honor,keeping the jokes fresh and thecircumstances unique.
Jason Segel’s “Forgetting SarahMarshall” was an unlikely gemthat stole the show in 2008, andnow director Nicholas Stollerreturns without the man behindthe original, providing his owntake on the characters. There areplenty of familiar faces with greatcameos, but don’t compare JonahHill as Aaron Green to Matthewthe waiter in “Sarah Marshall”.Take the film for what it is – astand-alone story based on a suc-cessful character from anotherfilm.
What this one lacks in fast dia-logue and originality it makes upfor in a constant stream of songsand music videos featuring Snowand former girlfriend Jackie Q(Rose Byrne). Expect an album byAldous and Jackie when this onehits video stores. It’s sure to givethe iconic gag musicians the
Lonely Island, responsible for“SNL” music videos “LazySunday” and “I’m on a Boat”, abit of competition in the farcemusic scene. The blokes from“This is Spinal Tap” would beproud.
Staying true to his reputation,Apatow throws in moments ofraunch coupled with sincerity. Buthere, Snow is humanized, tran-scending his oversexed, druggedup character in “Sarah Marshall”.He’s hurting and in need of morethan an endless string of one-night-stands.
Cue our hero, Aaron, who
learns a valuable lesson aboutrock ‘n’ roll’s less savory side inthe process of helping Snow.
Brand knows how to personifyrock ‘n’ roll and Hill holds hisown as the fanboy in the presenceof his idol, but the real surpriseshere are Byrne and Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs. Byrne, who oftenplays the mother figure, trans-forms into an eccentric pop starfor “Greek”. She provides a hys-terical bit part that’s wildly over-the-top.
The big surprise here is hip-hopartist Diddy’s side-splitting role asSergio Roma, head of PinnacleRecords.
He steals all the one-liners andjoins the physical comedy.
“Get Him to the Greek” leadsthe race for funniest comedy ofthe year.
This isn’t bust-your-gut laugh-ter but a solid story that’ll haveyou laughing and caring…whenyou’re not cringing at the awk-wardness of some scenes.
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Aldous (Russell Brand) performs at the Greek Theatre in “Get Him tothe Greek”, a hilarious new romp backed by Judd Apatow.
photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
(L to R) Aaron (Jonah Hill) and Aldous (Russell Brand) panic in “Get Himto the Greek”, the story of a record company executive with three daysto drag an uncooperative rock legend to Hollywood for a comeback concert.
Brand knowshow to
personify rock‘n’ roll and Hillholds his own
as the fanboy inthe presence of
his idol.
Get to Theaters for ʻGet Him to the Greekʼ
On ScreenWITH
TIM POSADA
The State Assembly haspassed the Unemployment
Benefits Act — AB 2055 —which was introduced byAssembly Member Hector DeLa Torre, 50th District. The billseeks to ensure that same-sexcouples in California haveaccess to unemployment bene-fits.
Currently, heterosexual cou-ples who are planning to marryare eligible for unemploymentbenefits if one of the partnersloses his or her job. If passed,the bill would extend the samerights to same-sex couples plan-ning to enter into a domesticpartnership.
“Two adults who have cho-sen to share one another’s livesin a committed relationshipwhether registered or not needthis protection. Providing themwith the same benefit is the rightthing to do,” De La Torre said.
“This bill helps preserve familyunity and continues our commit-ment to treat all families equal-ly.”
The bill was also sponsoredby Equality California (EQCA),an advocacy organization for theLGBT community.
“The Unemployment BenefitsAct will end one of the wayssame-sex couples are still dis-criminated against in Californiaas a result of being denied theright to civil marriage,” saidGeoff Kors, executive directorof EQCA. “This bill will ensurethat same-sex couples in com-mitted relationships who plan toenter into a registered domesticpartnership have the sameaccess to benefits that affect thewellbeing and security of theirfamilies that heterosexual cou-ples presently have.”
For information, visitwww.eqca.org/legislation.
Assembly Passes BenefitsLegislation for Same-Sex Couples
10 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
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Aworld premiere production atElephant Theatre Company,
“Supernova” is an absolute gem,full of good things, even thoughdramatically doomed in the hopedepartment as things go from bad toworse in the Davies householdwhere Mabel (a gorgeous BonnieMcNeil) presides as the sweetestand lovingest Queen of the House,with immortal longings, but only onthe sufferance of her loutish, disen-chanted, irascible husband, John (asplendid Tony Gatto), and their
sullen, teenage rebel son, Kip, rev-eled in by a brilliantly awfulEdward Tournier. Spoiled andshowing it, Kip’s about to be 18 andfar more interested in the screaminghormones of neighbor Fran (playedto the beautiful hilt by GinaGarrison - a sexy Ava Gardnerlook-alike), booze and pills, than heis in cake and candles and theexpensive Supernova watch hismom has picked out for his birth-
day present. Dad’s also licking Franon the side, which doesn’t bodewell for inter-family harmony.
McNeil is the heart and soul ofthe play, a sad, beautiful soul, a bitplump and a little stodgy by cellu-loid standards, but real, true andwarm, scarred by her loneliness inthe middle of a crowd, but oozingwarmth and love from all her con-stricted pores. The Supernovawatch is her gift of love to her unap-preciative son, but it just so happensthat at the other end of the line atthe Barton Watch Company, wherethat Supernova watch was birthed,there’s another lonely soul, JoeStrong, solidly played by TimothyMcNeil, Bonnie’s real-life husband,and just incidentally, the smartplaywright responsible for thiseventually moving play). Andguess what? You’re right….butcruel fate has the last word.
James Pippi alternates efficientlywith Micah Cohen in the straight-arrow role of Ethan, the up-tight
boss at the Barton Watch Company;Joe Wiebe is obnoxious fun asKip’s scruffpot buddy; KellyElizabeth is right in character asTricia, Kip’s size zero – dress sizeand brain - teen girlfriend.
Lindsay Allbaugh’s direction isextra-sensitive to the material andto the players, but needs to do itspart to move the play along aswifter path. “Supernova” startsslowly and takes a while to pick upan interesting pace; it’s not untilworlds start falling apart that webegin to feel involved. The play isvaguely reminiscent of earlieryearning plays of the 1950s’ Inge-y,Williams-y, Gilroy-y variety, butsomewhat sadder, and not alwayswiser. Despite its rueful subjectmatter, every performance is a gem,providing an audience incentive totake them in our hearts and givethem great big hugs…or whackthem on their stubborn behinds.
Elephant Theatre Company,6322 Santa Monica Blvd.,Hollywood. Through June 20,Friday, Saturday 8:00pm, Sunday7:00pm. (323)960-4410.
ʻSupernova ̓Shines Bright
Mad About Theater
by Madeleine Shaner
McNeil is theheart and soul
of the play, a sad,
beautiful soul.photo by Joel Daavid
Bonnie McNeil and Tim McNeil share stage time in “Supernova”.
photo by Joel Daavid
L to R: Kelly Elizabeth, Tony Gatto, Edward Tournier, Bonnie McNeil,Gina Garrison and Joe Wiebe comprise the talented ensemble in“Supernova”.
EB’s Beer and Wine, one of thebars at the Original Farmers
Market, is inviting soccer fans towatch the FIFA World Cup gameslive on their big screen television.The FIFA World Cup tournamentruns from Friday, June 11 throughJuly 11 in South Africa, and toaccommodate the time difference,EB’s will open at 7:00am every dayof the competition. The manage-ment of EB’s is expecting a bigturnout for the first game on June11, which will be between Mexicoand South Africa. On Saturday,June 12, the United States facesEngland. The bar will featuremimosas and Bloody Marys, alongwith EB’s regular selection of beerand wine. For a schedule of thesoccer matches and informationabout the wine tastings, visitwww.farmersmarketbars.com.
World Cup Fun atFarmers Market
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 11 June 10, 2010
Monday, June 146pm-8pmLACMA West – Terrace Room, 5th Floor 5905 Wilshire Bl, Los AngelesKorean and Spanish interpretation will be available.
Thursday, June 176pm-8pmPlummer Park – Great Hall7377 Santa Monica Bl, West HollywoodRussian interpretation will be available.
Monday, June 28 6pm-8pmWestwood United Methodist Church – Fellowship Hall, 3rd Floor 10497 Wilshire Bl, Los AngelesThis meeting will be webcast live at metro.net/westside. Spanish interpretation will be available.
Westside Subway Extension
metro.net/westside
Final round of community update meetings prior to release of the Draft EIS/EIR
Tuesday, June 296pm-8pmBeverly Hills Library Auditorium – 2nd Floor444 N Rexford Dr, Beverly HillsSpanish interpretation will be available.
Thursday, July 16pm-8pmSanta Monica Public Library – Multi-Purpose Room601 Santa Monica Bl, Santa MonicaSpanish interpretation will be available.
Content at each meeting will be identical. For more information about the Metro Westside Subway Extension, go to metro.net/westside.
find us on facebook Facebook.com/westsidesubwayextension follow us on twitter Twitter.com/westsidesubway 10
-217
7bd
©20
10 L
AC
MTA
Future Doctors Receive Washington Awards
photo courtesy Susan Goldman
Approximately 2,500 cyclists began the AIDS LifeCycle on June 6.The seven-day, 545-mile bicycle ride from San Francisco to LosAngeles raises money for HIV/AIDS services provided through theSan Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.The closing ceremonies take place on June 12 at the VeteranAdministration grounds in West Los Angeles. The riders are expect-ed to raise $11 million. For information, visit www.aidslifecycle.org.
Thousands Hit The Roadin Fight Against AIDS
Los Angeles CityCouncilmember Tom
LaBonge, 4th District, accompa-nied his wife, Brigid, and membersof the Griffith Park community at avigil to raise awareness and fundsfor cancer research and education.The overnight event began onSaturday, June 5 at 9:00am andincluded a Luminaria Ceremony at9:00pm at the Mulholland Fountainon Los Feliz Boulevard, at theentrance to Griffith Park.
Brigid LaBonge, the Relay forLife Griffith Park Communitieschair, is a cancer survivor. She wasdiagnosed with breast cancer in2006 and has worked since then toeducate the public about the dis-ease.
“Despite the economic strugglewe’re all dealing with, we mustremember that people are still get-
ting sick,” Brigid LaBonge said.“Those of us who are healthy needto continue to work to help raisemoney for education, advocacy andresearch to end the scourge of thishorrible disease.”
Participants enjoyed food, gamesand music, and the AmericanCancer Society provided informa-tion on cancer prevention.
“I thank God every day for mywife, and I pray for everyone whohas lost their loved ones to this hor-rible disease,” LaBonge said. “TheAmerican Cancer Society estimatesnearly 1.5 million people will bediagnosed with cancer this year. It’stime we found a cure.”
The event raised $21,000 for can-cer research. Donations will beaccepted through August 31 atwww.RelayForLife.org/Griffith-ParkCA.
photo courtesy of the Fourth Council District Office
Brigid (right) and May Cate LaBonge, the wife and daughter of CityCouncilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, helped organize an event onJune 5 to raise money for the fight against cancer.
Overnight Fundraiser RaisesFunds for Cancer Research
photo courtesy of Stuart Ramson/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
The seventh annual Pauletta andDenzel Washington Family
Gifted Scholars in NeuroscienceProgram awards were presented onJune 7 at the Harlem VillageAcademies in New York City.Award recipients will spend thesummer working with neurosur-geons and scientists at Cedars-SinaiMedical Center.
Dr. Keith L. Black (left), chair-man of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai, was joined at the ceremonyby Pauletta Washington; undergrad-uate scholarship recipient Joseph H.McAbee; graduate-level scholarshiprecipient George K. Hanna; andDenzel Washington.
Scholarship recipients are expect-ed to prepare a scientific abstract orpaper to submit to a national neuro-science, cancer or neurosurgeryorganization. Several past recipientsare currently practicing medicinearound the country.
12 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
A HOLLYWOODLANDMARKSINCE 1919
Finest Cuisine
11AM to 11PMClosed Sunday
& Monday(323) 467-5123 • (323)467-7788
6667 Hollywood Blvd.Available for Private Parties Mondays
Award-Winning Restaurant
Walking up to the front door ofthe newly opened Firenze
Osteria, I read a saying on the wall“In order to get a good hug, youhave to give one first.” This is amantra that the owners FabioViviani, Jacopo Falleni and LisaLong, teach their staff daily.
Fabio Viviana is living a dreamcome true and enjoying a wonder-ful new chapter in his life. No won-der he won Fan Favorite on the
EmmyAward-winning show, “TopChef”. He exudes charm.
Born and raised in the Tuscanyregion, Fabio became passionateabout food and cooking at the ageof twelve. He loved hangingaround a popular restaurant near hishome. One night, when the headchef cut himself badly, he allowedFabio to finish cooking the eveningmeals. It was his chance to provehimself as a creative chef, andimpress every diner that evening.
He succeeded. Fabio knew thenthat being a chef was his destiny.
After attending the CulinaryInstitute in Florence, Italy, he spentmonths working for free alongsidemaster chefs. Using cutting edgetechnology, he perfected hisNorthern Italian comfort-stylecooking.
Friends since they were twelve,Jacopo Falleni, the famed mixolo-gist (makes an incredible strawber-ry-balsamic martini), trained at aSommelier school in Italy, andmoved to New York City. After9/11, he traveled to California andworked at Café Fiore in Ventura.When the restaurant needed a newHead Chef, Jacopo encouragedFabio to fly across the Atlantic andstart a new life in America. Thisdynamic-duo spent sixteen hours aday working in the restaurant.When an opportunity to open a newrestaurant in Moorpark, wasoffered to them, they happilyaccepted the invitation and made ita success. Their restaurant, CaféFirenze brought a dining sensationinto the sleepy family communityof Moorpark. The city embracedthese two talented young men andCafé Firenze was an overnight sen-sation. William Shatner dined thereoften, as did others from all aroundSouthern California.
After filming Top Chef, Fabiobecame a superstar. Bravo invitedhim to star in another show.Executives from the “Today” show
and “Ellen” extended invitations toappear on their shows. Fabiobecame a celebrity chef in demand.
When Lisa Long met Fabio andJacopo, she realized they were theperfect team to revamp her restau-rant in Universal City and offeredthem an opportunity they couldn’tpass up.
As we sat inside the warm andromantic dining room talking aboutFabio and Jacopo’s journey, westarted with Pancetta wrappedJumbo Prawns filled with ItalianSharp Gorgonzola on a bed of baby
spinach. It was superb. Next wetried the crispy duck salad, withshredded duck, wild mushrooms,sun-dried tomatoes, and toastedpine-nuts served on mixed greens.Another favorite is ravioli dibrasato - braised short bibs raviolicovered in a Taleggio sauce and 25-year aged balsamic vinegar.
The Los Angeles area has longedfor a place like Firenze Osteria -Good food, a fun atmosphere and agreat hug.
4241 Lankershim Blvd.Universal City; (818) 760-7081.
Home to Top Chefʼs Fan Favorite:
Firenze Osteria
WORLD CUP 2010ON
THE TAVERN’S H.D. TV’sFOR
ALL 7 AND 11:30 A.M. GAMES
FRI. JUNE 11 TO SAT. JULY 3
BREAKFAST6:30 TO 11:30 A.M.
LUNCHAFTER 11:30 A.M.
FULL BAR 6:30 A.M. TO 2 A.M.
323-936-7151 840 South Fairfax Ave.
(Between Wilshire & Olympic Blvds.)
FREE PARKING IN OUR LOT
©LC
0610
BY JILL WEINLEIN
Summer Specials atKetchup Ketchup, the Dolce
Group’s classic Americangrill with an upscale twist, isoffering summer specials thatsizzle. The restaurant is serv-ing up all food on Sunday at50 percent off. Monday-Friday, from 6:00pm –8:00pm, it’s happy hour timeat Ketchup, with $4 dollarbeers, $8 specialty martinisand half off appetizers. OnTuesdays only, get 2 for 1cocktails all night. The culi-nary philosophy at Ketchup issimple – they use fresh sea-sonal ingredients purchaseddaily from the farmer’s marketto recreate classic Americandishes with a modern twist.8590 West Sunset Blvd., WestHollywood; (310)289-8590.
photo by Jill Weinlein
The crispy duck salad, with shredded duck, wild mushrooms, sun-driedtomatoes, and toasted pine-nuts is a sumptuous dish.
photo by Jill Weinlein
Firenze Osteria is a dream come true for owners Fabio Viviani, JacopoFalleni and Lisa Long.
World Cup at HotelShangri-La
Soccer fans and foodies will uniteat Hotel Shangri-La beginning
Friday, June 11, when the hotel willbegin hosting viewing parties for theworld’s largest sporting and culturalevent; the World Cup 2010. Billionswill tune in throughout the course ofthe month-long tournament beingplayed in South Africa, and Shangri-La gives viewers in Los Angeles theperfect gathering place to watch all64 games. Sit in a poolside cabanaand sample custom menus based onthe nationalities of the teams play-ing. Silver dollar pancakes will befeatured when the US takes onEngland. Favala eggs and sweetpotatoes will be available whenBrazil takes on Portugal. The funstarts at 7:00am on June 11, whenopening ceremonies precede amatch between South Africa andMexico. On June 12, USA will takeon England at 11:30am. $15 perperson, includes specialty cocktail(Bloody Mary or cocktail of theday) and specialty breakfast entree.Check in throughout the summer foradditional game times. HotelShangri-La, Pool Side Cabanas1301 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica;(310)394-2791.
Cecconiʼs for theWorld Cup
Looking for World Cup specials?Stop by Cecconi’s for a morning
match and pair either a sweet orsavory pizzette with a Bloody Maryfor $18. Or, view the afternoongames in the café with a lunchtimepairing of a pint of Peroni and aspicy salami pizza for $25. 8764Melrose Ave., West Hollywood;(310) 432-2000.
The Cup at Culina
Whether you have soccer orpizza on your mind, kick off
the world cup season in style atCulina with a handmade margheritapizza and an artisan, Milanese beerfor just $15 in the Culina Lounge.The games will be shown on 3-Dscreens, so don’t miss the action.300 South Doheny Dr.; (310)860-4000.
Lakers and WorldCup at Lillyʼs
Lilly’s French Cafe & Bar is giv-ing sports fans two reasons to
cheer. A widescreen television isbeing installed and will be up andrunning in the restaurant onThursday, June 10, for Lakersgames and World Cup watching.Starting Friday, June 11 Lilly’s willbe opening at 11:00am for WorldCup fans to eat, drink and cheer fortheir favorite team. 1031 AbbotKinney Blvd.; (310)314-0004.
5 at 5: BLT Steak
BLT Steak in Los Angeles is nowoffering a “5 at 5” menu, featur-
ing five food items, a specialtycocktail, draught beer and red/whitewine for $5. From 5:00pm-7:00pmnightly, menu selections are avail-able. Try BBQ shortrib gnocci withpomodoro and pea tendrils, Gruyeremac & cheese with bacon and truf-fle, steak sliders with red wineonions and aged cheddar, crispyFanny Bay oysters with fennel slawand yuzu aioli, and braised lambcheeks with parmesan polenta andmint chimichurri. 8720 SunsetBlvd., West Hollywood; (310)360-1950.
Wine and Sunsets
William Hill Estate, a NapaValley winery tucked away in
the rolling hills of Napa’s SilveradoBench, will again host its annual“Sunsets on the Bench” on fourthFriday of every month now throughSeptember. This will be the thirdsummer that William Hill Estatehas opened the property to neigh-bors, wine club members and thecommunity. The free events areopen to the public and offer guestsa picturesque setting to view thesunset over Napa Valley. Guests areencouraged to bring a picnic dinnerand will have the opportunity topurchase William Hill Estate winewhile enjoying theview. Reservations are required.The event goes from 5:30pm –dusk. 1761 Atlas Peak Road, off theSilverado Trail in Napa Valley;(888)909-6493.
Ice Cream MakingClass
On Saturday, June 12, from9:00am – 12:00pm, pastry
chef Mariah Swan will lead an icecream making class at GraceRestaurant. Learn the craft of mak-ing America’s favorite cold treat,then stay and play at Mariah’s sun-dae and milkshake bar. The cost is$75 per person. 7360 BeverlyBlvd.; (323)934-4400.
Yatai Ramen atBreadbar
Now through Saturday, July 24,Breadbar, known for its arti-
sanal hand-crafted breads and pas-tries, is offering a new limited-engagement pop-up series, “YataiRamen”, presented by Chefs KazuoShimamura and Noriyuki Sugie ofIronnori Concepts. Available exclu-sively at the West Third location ofBreadbar every Monday –Saturday from 5:00pm-10:00 pm,this concept is a contemporary takeon traditional street fare such as hotramen dishes, typically sold atsmall mobile Japanese “yatai”(shop stands). The “Yatai Ramen” series will fea-ture a variety of classic Ramensoups and “twist ramen” creationssuch as oxtail ramen with truffle oiland marine poached egg, and foiegras ramen with rich consomméand chopped chives. Ramen dishesstart at $10. Breadbar West Third,8718 W. 3rd St.; (310)205-0124.
A Little Lunch andSushi Sundays atChaya
Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hillshas introduced a new “La Petite
Lunch” menu, allowing busyAngelenos to enjoy a quick and deli-cious midday meal, or small bitesavailable in the bar and lounge areaonly from 11:30am – 2:30pm.Offered weekly Monday – Friday,all items on the La Petite Lunchmenu will be under $12, and featuresushi and appetizers in addition toentrées and a soft drink or iced tea.Selections vary from the crunchyshrimp roll ($5) and Maine lobsterand shrimp ravioli ($12), to Chaya’sbento box ($12) and sautéed shrimpwith chopped salad ($10). StartingSunday, June 13, bistro guests willalso be able to enjoy Sushi Sundays,a new weekly dinner promotion fea-turing expertly crafted sushi for thesummer season. From 5:00pm –9:00pm every Sunday, the SushiSundays bar menu will feature arotating selection of à la carte sushirolls for $3.50 or two-for-one rollsfor $5. 8741 Alden Dr., BeverlyHills; Call (310)859-8833.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 13 June 10, 2010
© Christopher Street West, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
• KELIS • EN VOGUE • MARTHA DAVIS & THE MOTELS • KELLY ROWLAND
HEADLINERSHEADLINERS
PARADE GRAND MARSHALSSHARON & KELLY OSBOURNE
RESTAURANT NEWS
Skybar is bringing back its popular “Summer Sips” series withthree new cocktails sure to quench your thirst and cool your
mood. Each month through the end of August, a new Skybaroriginal cocktail will be debuted and offered at half price. Thefirst, appropriately coined the “June Gloom,” is a refreshing mix-ture of Svedka Clementine, Funkin mango puree, bitters andsimple syrup - available for only $8 through the end of themonth. Check out the cool new cocktails at Skybar at theMondrian Hotel, 8440 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood;(323)848-6025.
Summer Cocktails at Skybar
14 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
The following information was reported to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Stationbetween May 28 and June 3, 2010. If you are a victim of a crime, here are thetelephone numbers of local law enforcement agencies; Los Angeles PoliceDepartment, Wilshire Division (323)485-4022 and Los Angeles County Sheriff’sDepartment West Hollywood Station (310)855-8850.
POLICE BLOTTER
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WEST HOLLYWOODPROPERTY CRIME
May 28
During the night, an unknown thiefstole a locked bicycle with lights,valued at $400, from a bike rack inthe 1200 block of Havenhurst.
At 2:22pm, a man reported thatunknown thieves had recentlystolen two hubcaps, valued atabout $180, from his vehicleparked in his driveway in the 9000block of Ashcroft.
May 29
An unknown thief stole a carstereo, valued at $700, from a con-vertible with the top down parked ina subgarage in the 900 block ofWest Knoll at 2:00pm.
At 11:45pm, as she walked on thesidewalk in the 1200 block of Olive,a woman was forcibly robbed by anunknown Hispanic male suspectwho snatched her clutch purse andfled on foot. The purse contained acellular phone, valued at $100, andidentification.
glar broke into an apartment in the1200 block of Crescent Heightsand stole a laptop computer, purse,watches and a ring. The loss wasestimated at about $6,250.
June 2
At 4:00am, while in a store in the7900 block of Santa Monica, aman was forcibly robbed by anunknown male suspect who tookthe victimʼs wallet, containing creditcards, identification and about$400.
During the day, an unknown thiefstole a locked bicycle, valued at$150, from the front of a residencein the 1300 block of Fairfax.
June 3
At 2:00pm, an unknown burglarbroke into a storage closet in asub-garage in the 1200 block ofLaurel and stole a black canvassuitcase valued at about $150.
During the week, following twoseparate traffic collisions, two maledrivers were arrested for drivingunder the influence of alcohol.
During the week, six suspectswere arrested for theft or burglaryafter being observed shoplifting atlocal retail businesses.
During the week, three vehicleswere burglarized by unknown sus-pects. Total estimate of damageand articles taken was $2,532.
During the week, five reportedstolen vehicles were recoveredand the owners notified.
May 30
During the night, an unknown thiefstole both halogen headlights froma vehicle parked on the street inthe 900 block of Doheny. The losswas estimated at about $3,600.
May 31
During the weekend, an unknownthief stole a laptop computer andbag from an unlocked vehicle inthe parking garage of an apartmentbuilding in the 900 block of Palm.The loss was estimated at about$1,600.
At 6:20pm, a man reported thatwhile at a spa in the 9000 block ofSanta Monica, an unknown thiefstole $44 from his wallet that wason a table, and left on foot.
June 1
Three Hispanic thieves entered aretail store in the 7600 block ofSanta Monica at 1:30am, stoleseveral packages of beer, valuedat about $41, and fled on foot.
During the day, an unknown bur-
LAPD Nabs Weapons FugitiveOn June 3 at 8:30am, the Los
Angeles Police Department’sMajor Crimes Division (MCD)apprehended a suspect wanted forpossession of illegal weapons,manufacturing of weapon parts,counterfeit currency and nar-cotics.
Brian Alexik, 34, had eludedpolice on April 19, when the LosAngeles City Fire Departmentresponded to a call at an apart-ment in the 400 block of WestOlympic Boulevard. When fire-fighters entered the apartment,the discovered a cache ofweapons.
A search warrant was obtainedresulting in the recovery of illegalfirearms (including an AK47),ammunition, narcotics, fraudu-lent identification cards and$15,000 in counterfeit US curren-cy.
Based on the evidence recov-ered at the location it was appar-ent that the resident, identified asAlexik, was illegally manufactur-ing weapon parts for illegalweapons, and printing counterfeitcurrency. He had escapedthrough a rear window of theapartment complex prior to offi-cers’ arrival.
Last Wednesday, the MCDconducted a follow up investiga-tion at a possible location where
Alexik, was hiding. Detectivesarrived at an apartment at the 300block of Hewitt Street in LosAngeles and heard a man andwoman talking within the apart-ment. After announcing theirpresence, the detectives asked thecouple to come out of the apart-ment for questioning. Both par-ties refused to come out.
The detectives made anotherrequest when the female suspect,Alexik’s girlfriend, came out.She was detained for questioning.
Numerous attempts were madeto talk the suspect out of thehouse and after no response,LAPD SWAT along with otherdepartment resources wererequested. After a period of time,the suspect agreed to come outand surrender.
Alexik pled not guilty on June4 to three felony weaponscharges. A preliminary hearingwas scheduled for June 17 andAlexik was ordered held on $1million bail.
Alexik was charged in a felonycomplaint for arrest warrant filedon April 22 with one count eachof possession of an assaultweapon, an AK 47; possession ofan illegal shotgun; and possessionof a firearm by a felon. The com-plaint listed two felony convic-tions – sale of heroin and theft –in New Jersey in 1996 and 2001.
Deputy District AttorneyRonald Goudy, assistant headdeputy of the Organized CrimeDivision and the prosecutor, saidan investigation has continuedinto alleged counterfeit moneyand counterfeiting equipmentfound when the weapons wererecovered from a downtown LosAngeles high-rise apartment inApril.
He told the court late today thathe expected to be filing anamended felony complaint priorto the scheduled preliminaryhearing.
Man Arrested for Shooting GirlfriendOn Friday, June 3, at 8:30pm,
Los Angeles PoliceDepartment Rampart Area patrolofficers responded to a radio call ofa man harassing a woman in the100 block of Mountain ViewAvenue. Upon arriving, the officersfound a woman lying in the road-way bleeding.
The woman was later identifiedas Deborah Alvarado, a 37-year-old
resident of South Los Angeles. Los Angeles City paramedics
responded to the scene and trans-ported the victim to USC MedicalCenter where she was treated formultiple stab wounds but was laterpronounced dead.
Acting on several tips and leads,officers detained 26-year-oldSimon Vega.
After establishing probable cause
to believe that Vega was responsi-ble for Alvarado’s death,
Vega was arrested and bookedfor murder.
During the investigation, a blad-ed instrument was recovered at thescene by detectives. The recovereditem is believed to be the weaponVega used.
During subsequent interviewswith witnesses and the suspect,detectives learned that Vega andAlvarado had been dating for thepast year.
Alexik plednot guilty on
June 4 tothree felony
weaponscharges...andwas held on
$1 million bail.
Murder VictimDiscovered in CarOn June 6, at 5:35am, Los
Angeles Police DepartmentWilshire Area patrol officersresponded to a radio call at a resi-dence in the 2100 block of South2nd Avenue after Otto Paiz, a 54-year-old resident of the Mid-cityarea, was found shot to death in hiscar.
When officers arrived, they foundPaiz in the car with a gunshotwound. Los Angeles FireDepartment paramedics respondedand pronounced Paiz dead at thescene.
According to detectives, Paiz wasshot while seated in the driver’s seatof his car.
The motive for this homicide isunknown.
Anyone with information on thiscrime is asked to call (213) 473-0446.
When officersarrived, theyfound Paiz inthe car with a
gunshot wound.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 15 June 10, 2010
Costume designer and Ogden Gardens resident Emily Santiagowas pictured on the cover of the June 10, 1982 issue of the ParkLabrea News with actor Victor Mature, as she showed him some ofthe designs she was creating for him for the film “The Robe”, whichwas released in 1953. The photo of was taken prior to release of“The Robe”, for which Santiago won an Academy Award for BestCostume Design. Santiago said she had been designing and mak-ing clothes her entire life, and had first worked with Mature for hisrole in “A Million Years B.C.” She also designed the outfits for thefilms “Wells Fargo”, “The Prince and the Pauper”, “Robin Hood” and“The Great Garrick”. “I loved every minute of my work-a-day life, which was rough in myfield for a woman,” Santiago said. “Some of the male designers hadcreative ideas and would delegate the work and supervision to sub-ordinates who sometimes turned out costumes that werenʼt work-able, wouldnʼt photograph well or didnʼt fit the picture. Then Iʼd getcalled in to do them over. The original male designers would usual-ly get the credit for my work, but I had an inner security nothingcould shake. Since I loved what I was doing, nothing was too muchtrouble.”
Oscar-Winning CostumesDesigned at Park La Brea
ʻForgotten War ̓Remembered at Korean Cultural Center
The Korean Cultural Center, LosAngeles (KCCLA) presents a
special exhibition titled “ForgottenWar, 6.25 War” running Friday,June 11 through 25.
The exhibition is presented byKCCLA and the Korean AmericanHistory Museum, and commemo-rates the 60th anniversary ofKorean War. It includes a photogra-phy exhibit depicting the strugglesof the war, and honors those whoserved.
The exhibit has three goals,including educating Americans andKorean Americans about Koreanhistory; expressing gratitude to theUnited States and the soldiers whofought in the Korean War and reaf-firming the American/Koreanalliance; and to show how theRepublic of Korea has become the10th strongest economic power inthe world after suffering devastat-ing losses during the war.
The Korean Cultural Center, LosAngeles is located at 5505 WilshireBlvd. For information, visitwww.kccla.org.
photo courtesy of KCCLA
The Korean Cultural Center will offer a special exhibition on the“Forgotten War” from June 11 - 25.
Hollywood Temple Beth El,West Hollywood’s progressive
conservative synagogue, presentsits first musical Friday nightKabbalat Shabbat service in yearson June 11 at 7:00pm.
The event will include Rabbi IraRosenfeld, Cantor Harris Shore andspecial guest pianist and singer,Marissa Steingold, and will be fol-lowed by a Kiddush. Additionally,visitors will be treated to a “Taste ofthe High Holy Days” with the intro-duction of a professional choir-quartet that will be featured duringthis year’s services. Rosenfeld andShore also hold Shabbat services inthe Temple Beth El chapel everySaturday morning at 9:00am.
For information, visit www.hol-lywoodtemplebethel.com.
Temple Beth El Holds Musical Service
photo courtesy of Hollywood Temple Beth El
Cantor Harris Shore will join themusical service.
16 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
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#$��$�������������Answers on page 22
Mad Musings
by Madeleine Shaner
A Sort of Ghost Story
“I never nap. I hate naps.Naps are such a waste oftime. Since I’m a bit of an
insomniac, I’ve been told Ishouldn’t take naps, becausethey steal healthy sleep from thenight time regimen. But onSunday this latest Holidayweekend, I was overcome bybone weariness and just had tostow the breakfast dishes and liedown. “I won’t sleep,” I insist-ed.
Three hours later, I woke andfound my younger sister at myside. I half-turned to her andreassured her, “It was just a baddream.” She didn’t answer,which sort of made me thinkshe’d left the building. Andwhen I realized I was alone,under a blanket on a quiet holi-day afternoon, I shuffled lazilyback to some sort of conscious-ness and told myself I’d notonly been sleeping – somethingI never did, especially duringthe day – I’d been dreaming.My sister (uva sholem - sheshould rest in peace) passed
away four years ago. From timeto time, we hear, or read aboutghosts appearing in people’slives, usually to warn them ofdanger, or save them from diffi-culties, or to look out for themin general, and of course,they’re wonderful stories andwe believe them because wewant to. And, heaven knows,fiction has utilized ghosts for aslong as there’s been fiction,which is quite a bit longer thanI’ve been around. But they’renot really real, are they?Sometimes they’re scary –those are the hobgoblins of themind that come to taunt us andhaunt us and often are just man-ifestations of our own negativethoughts, or maybe just emotionrecollected in tranquility, seenfrom an obtuse angle, or possi-bly from a movie screen.Sometimes they’re just wishfulthinking – something we’d liketo happen, or something we’refearful might occur if we let upour guard. When they’re baddreams, we’re likely to say,
“Oh, it was just a dream” andtry to get it out of our system. Ifwe’re lucky, real life gets in theway and sweeps away the shad-ows.
Writers, philosophers, psy-chologists of all colors andstripes have been writing andphilosophizing and psycholo-gizing about the nature ofdreams as long as people havebeen dreaming. Dreams areabout imagination, or imitationof life, the product of an over-loaded brain, a warning, aprophecy, a re-enactment of amemory, a foretelling of thefuture or a remembrance of thepast. Are dreams about the
wannabe life, memories of thepast, the lost, the future, or justthe product of a particularlyredolent cheese scarfed at bed-time.
My Memorial Day dreamcame at a particularly apt time.I dreamed I had been workingon this paper – Park LabreaNews/Beverly Press – and waslooking for my bicycle (Ihaven’t ridden a bicycle sincethe ‘80s) – where I had stashedmy earnings (huge), preparatoryto riding over the hill from theValley to WeHo. I couldn’t findthe bicycle and was offered areluctant ride by someone I sortof knew, but who would only
take me to the Trader Joe’sparking lot (Laurel Canyon -Valley side), where he hadstashed a bike/car with a con-vertible top (?) that I could bor-row to ride over the hill. I was-n’t convinced I could handlethat, but I was desperate. Mykid sister suddenly drove intothe parking lot; she’d beenlooking for me and had broughther bicycle along for me to rideover the canyon. She assuredme I shouldn’t worry about mymoney in my bike bag – didn’t Iremember I was always paid bycheck?
That was when I woke up. My younger sister, after a
rocky start – who needed anoth-er baby in the family? – hadbecome my best friend longbefore she passed away. Herhusband and I never really saweye to eye and rarely communi-cated. On Monday, the morningafter The Dream, I received ane-mail from him: “ I just real-ized yesterday,” he wrote, “itwas 55 years to the day since Imet (your sister)”. He wasabout to light a (Yahrzeit) can-dle in memory of her onTuesday, the anniversary of herpassing.
I had an attack of Bronchitis,or something equally debilitat-ing, a few months ago. MyAncient Aunt (AA), with whomI lived as a child for manyyears, stopped by to check mytemperature and offer me a cupof tea. It wasn’t a surprise –I’ve often felt her presence inmy house, where she’s neverbeen, in a country she nevervisited, many, many years aftershe died. She was one of mychief authority figures as I wasgrowing up.
My current authority figure (Iguess we all need one) hasreplaced the old ones, but theold familiar ones often step upto the plate when they’re need-ed. Channels and rivers andoceans and great landmasseshave little or no effect ondreams and memories.
We dream of what we haveseen, said, desired or done.“All that we see or seem, is justa dream within a dream,” wrote
Edgar Allan Poe.Several years ago, I woke one
morning, choking, the bed sheetpulled tightly against my throat.I tried to scream, but couldn’t,because of the constrainingsheet, and from fear. I yelled formy husband, “My mother’s sit-ting on the bed, I can’t breathe.I think she’s trying to chokeme!!” (Mom had gained a lot ofweight before she died almost ayear earlier.) OH (Other Half)woke up fully and checked thebed clothes…nothing, he reas-sured me. The cup of tea hemade me helped my equilibri-um.
When it happened again, afterI had drifted back to sleep, Ipanicked. I had been Mom’sprimary care-giver during herlast months, and although mysisters and I had taken care ofeverything after she passed, wehadn’t yet had a gravestoneinstalled – a custom that shouldtake place 11 months after thedeath. Mother’s ‘sit-on’ was justa timely reminder that it wastime to attend to business.
That’s what mothers are for.
Several yearsago, I woke onemorning, chok-
ing, the bedsheet pulled
tightly againstmy throat. I
tried to scream,but couldn’t,
because of theconstraining
sheet, and fromfear.
StandWithUs, a non-profit Israeleducation organization, pre-
sents an exhibit titled “Heroes ofHaiti” on display Thursday, June 17at 7:15pm at the Skirball CulturalCenter.
StandWithUs sent photojournal-ist Joe Shalmoni to Port-au-Prince,Haiti to record the work of Israel’smedical and rescue corps in theaftermath of the devastating earth-quake. Israel dispatched 250 med-ical and rescue workers to thescene, who constructed a fully-equipped mobile hospital. Shalmoni’s photos will be on dis-play, and the photographer will leadvisitors on a tour of the exhibit at8:15pm. Also included will be apresentation titled “Impact of Israelon Humanity” by Rabbi EdFeinstein, of Valley Beth Shalom,and Pastor Kevin Dieckilman, ofSimi Valley Christian Church.Shalmoni’s photos were distributedworldwide by Associated Press,Reuters and the Jewish TelegraphicAgency (JTA), and appeared indozens of international print publi-cations and on numerous broadcastmedia outlets. Shalmoni is a Los
Angeles resident andemergency medicaltechnician. The pho-tographer document-ed the hospitaldepartments, the res-cue efforts, and theIsraeli team buildinga water cistern in asmall Haitian village.Approximately 400people had beentreated at the Israelifield hospital in thethree weeks thatShalmoni was inHaiti, includingdozens of children.
“The proudestmoment in my life todate as a photojour-nalist was the timethat I spent with thestate of Israel’s med-ical and rescue corpsin Haiti,” Shalmonisaid.
The exhibit is alsoopen to the public on Wednesday,June 16 from noon to 3:30pm;Thursday, June 17 from 10:00am to
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 17 June 10, 2010
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A Feast Fit for the Gorillas
The gorillas at the Los AngelesZoo were treated to a gourmetlunch on Thursday, June 3, whenthe Greater Los Angeles ZooAssociation (GLAZA) held apreview for its June 19 BeastlyBall fundraiser.
Chefs from El Cholo,Yamashiro, Michael’s, LaPoubelle, Maison Akira, Maloand other local restaurants creat-ed vegetarian food baskets in thegorilla enclosure, treating them towatermelon, fresh greens andmore. The same group of chefswill donate their cuisine forguests at the Beastly Ball.
“We can’t believe it, but thisyear marks the fortieth anniver-sary of the Beastly Ball,” saidConnie Morgan, GLAZA presi-dent. “The highlight of theevening is the dinner that ourguests enjoy from top chefs inLos Angeles.”
The Beastly Ball raises more
than $1 million annually for zooprograms, Morgan added. Thisyear’s honoree is Betty White,who Morgan said is a huge zoosupporter and “someone weabsolutely love.”
After the gorillas ate lunch onThursday, Pink’s FamousHotdogs served lunch to eventattendees. Los Angeles CityCouncilmember Tom LaBonge,4th District, said the Los AngelesZoo and Pink’s are two of hisfavorite Los Angeles institutions.
“For forty years, the zoo asso-ciation has stepped up and saidwe want to help this public insti-tution and there is no better pub-lic private partnership in the city,”LaBonge said. “And all the chefsthat cater the Beastly Ball aregreat people, but if I only had oneplace to choose from, I would goto the corner of Melrose and LaBrea to Pink’s.”
For more information about theBeastly Ball or the Los AngelesZoo, visit www.lazoo.org.
BY AMY LYONS
photo by Amy Lyons
A gorrilla at the L.A. Zoo eats a vegetarian feast provided by localchefs.
Skirball Center Shows ʻHeroes of Haiti ̓on Film
photo courtesy of Skirball Cultural Center
“Heroes of Haiti” will open Wednesday, June 16at noon.
3:30pm; and Friday, June 18 from10am to noon. For more infomra-tion, visit www.standwithus.com.
18 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
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Dodger News
The Los Angeles Dodgershave selected right-handed
pitcher Zach Lee with their first-round pick in the 2010 First-YearPlayer Draft. Lee, who played forMcKinney High School in Texas,was a two-sport athlete in bothfootball and baseball. The 18-year-old pitcher won 11 gamesduring his senior season, with a2.15 ERA and 90 strikeouts. Hethrows three different pitches forstrikes, including an effectivebreaking pitch and changeup. Asa quarterback, Lee passed for2,565 yards and 31 touchdownslast fall, and has committed toplay both sports at LouisianaState University.“We are happy to have selectedsuch a fine competitive youngman and athlete such as Zach,”said Dodgers assistant generalmanager for scouting, Logan
White. “He has a chance to be aquality Major League pitcher.”Lee entered the draft as the 14th-best right-handed pitcher, andranked 29th overall among draft-eligible prospects. The Dodgershave selected a pitcher with theirfirst pick in each of the last eightseasons, including Aaron Miller,Ethan Martin, ChrisWithrow, Clayton Kershaw, LukeHochevar, Scott Elbert and ChadBillingsley.
In total, the Dodgers selected13 pitchers, 11 outfielders, fourinfielders and two catchers dur-ing the first two days of the draft.They included right-handedpitcher Ralston Cash, outfieldersLeon Landry and James BaldwinIII, shortstop Jake Lemmerman,and pitcher Kevin Gausman.
For information, visitwww.dodgers.com.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ thirdannual “ThinkCure! Weekend” willtake place from Friday, June 11 toSaturday, June 12 on Prime Ticket,KABC 790 AM, 95.5 KLOS FM,KHJ 930 AM, KCAL 9, and atwww.dodgers.com. The event pro-motes awareness and raises fundsfor cancer research, and fans canmake donations to the Dodgers’official charity online atthinkcure.org, by calling (866) 554-CURE or by texting CURE to90999 to make a $10 donationthrough a mobile phone bill. Lastseason, the radio and telethonsraised more than $240,000.
The ThinkCure! events includecontinuous programming on theDodgers’ broadcast partnersthroughout the weekend, an onlineauction, Dodger player and coachparticipation, testimonials from can-cer survivors, celebrity involvementand in-stadium entertainment.
Dodgers Pick Lee in Amateur DraftDodgers Take Swingfor Cancer Cure
Pop Luck Club Holds ʻKidʼs Fun Fairʼ
photo courtesy of the Pop Luck Club
The Pop Luck Club, an organization of same-sex fathers and theirchildren, held a “Kidʼs Fun Fair” on June 6 at the Fountain DaySchool in Hollywood. The event included games and prizes for chil-dren, raffles and online auctions. Participating organizations includedthe Leo Baeck Temple, Congregation Kol Ami, the Department ofChildren & Family Services, the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center andseveral others. The Pop Luck Club (PLC) has blossomed into the largest known gayfathers organization in the world, with hundreds of families. PLC pro-duces special community events and co-sponsors other events, suchas “Families In The Desert” with The Family Equality Council. Themission of The Pop Luck Club is to advance the well being of gayprospective parents, gay parents and their children through mutualsupport, community collaboration, and public understanding. Forinformation, visit www.popluckclub.org.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 19 June 10, 2010
LACMA Holds 15th Annual ArtWalk
The Los Angeles CountyMuseum of Art’s (LACMA)
Muse program presents the 15thannual “ArtWalk” on Saturday,June 12 from noon to 8:00pm.The event offers free admissionto five museums located in theMiracle Mile, includingLACMA, the George C. PageMuseum at the La Brea Tar Pits,the Petersen AutomotiveMuseum, the California Craft &Folk Art Museum, and theArchitecture and DesignMuseum. Several programs willbe held, including artist discus-sions, musical performances,interactive workshops, live paint-ing, and more. In addition, sever-al gourmet food trucks will beparked on Wilshire Boulevard forthe event, with a portion of allproceeds benefiting LACMA.
Muse will also hold a pair ofticketed events, including “TheArt of the Rivalry: U.S. vs.England World Cup Match”,which begins at 10:00am in theSpecial Events Tent at thePetersen Automotive Museum.Soccer fans can view a livescreening of the World Cup soc-cer game. In addition, theArtWalk After Party will takeplace from 9:00pm to midnight atthe Petersen Museum’s
Penthouse, featuring art displays,an interactive musical perfor-mance, and a live DJ.
The ArtWalk will also feature“BUA’s Urban Art Studio” atLACMA, where urban artistJustin BUA will conduct a seriesof interviews to explore thedevelopment of urban art. SelectBUA originals will provide thebackdrop for conversations withleading figures from graffiti art,music, dance and more.
BUA and several other artistswill also take the stage atLACMA’s BP Grand Entrancefor an urban art performance.
In addition, “Latin Sounds”featuring the Scott Martin LatinSoul Band with Juliana Munozwill be held in the Hancock ParkAmphitheater. The park will alsobe the site of “Mural Paintingwith Gustavo Alberto GarciaVaca and Friends”, which willfeature visual artist and writerGustavo Alberto Garcia conduct-ing painting demonstrations andhelping guests create large-scale,mural-sized paintings inspired byLACMA’s Latin American col-lection.
LACMA is located at 5905Wilshire Blvd. For information,call (323)857-6000 or visitwww.lacma.org.
pgoto courtesy of LACMA
LACMAʼs annual “ArtWalk” will be held on Saturday, June 12.
Music Center Seeks Bravo Award Nominees
The Music Center of LosAngeles County is seeking
nominations for its annual BravoAward, which honor teachers andschools for exemplary arts educa-tion.
The nomination acknowledgesthe hard work and dedication edu-cators have provided to students,their profession and communities.Teachers and schools can be nomi-nated in four categories, includingSchool, School Arts Program,
Generalist Teacher, and ArtsSpecialist Teacher. The BravoAwards is a two-step processinvolving the completion of a nom-ination form and an applicationform.
In order to be considered for aBravo Award, arts educators mustfirst be nominated by principals,faculty committees, superinten-dents, parents or through self-nom-ination. Nominations are open toLos Angeles County educators and
schools that provide arts educationprograms as part of the regular cur-riculum.
All nominees will be invited toattend an information meeting toassist in the completion of the appli-cations, which will be reviewed bya judging committee of educatorsand artists. The nomination dead-line is October 15, and completedapplications are due November 1.
All Bravo Awards applicants willbe recognized at the Music Centerat an event next spring.For a nomination form, call(213)972-3387, or visit www.mus-iccenter.org/education.
BHBA Holds 56th Annual Luncheon
photo courtesy of Lee Salem
The Beverly Hills Bar Association held its 56th Annual CaliforniaSupreme Court Luncheon and Presentation of 2010 Beverly Hills BarFoundation Scholarship Awards on June 1, 2010, at the Beverly HillsHotel. The event included California Supreme Court AssociateJustices Carlos Moreno (left) and Kathryn M. Werdegar; CaliforniaSupreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George; California SupremeCourt Associate Justices Marvin R. Baxter and Ming W. Chin; andBeverly Hills Bar Association President Marc Poster.
gested donations, and betweencharacters who get territorial withstreet vendors. We’ve also receivedcomplaints that characters arestanding on Walk of Fame stars andextorting people for money, refus-ing to move so tourists can take pic-tures.”
Girmala said most of the arrestshad been for aggressive solicitation.She also noted the jam-up of pedes-trian traffic along the sidewalk,which forced some people to walkin the street, and has led to acci-dents and injuries.
“If you’re not simply asking for adonation, that’s something thatwould require a business license.”Girmala said. “Our hope is to bringcivility back to that stretch ofHollywood Boulevard, make ituser-friendly, tourist-friendly, andlocal resident-friendly, so peoplefeel they can come to the area. Ithink we have to get some form ofregulation, so we know who’s outthere under those costumes.”
Kerry Morrison, executive direc-tor of the Hollywood BusinessImprovement District (BID), saidthe characters have been a hot but-ton issue on the boulevard for thepast five years.
“The best description of what itwas like to walk from Highland toOrange on Hollywood Boulevardwas a gauntlet,” Morrison said.“Tour companies cropped up out ofnowhere, there were CD vendors,hot dog vendors, and street charac-ters. The situation was just cryingfor enforcement.”
For the past year, Morrison hasworked with other local organiza-tions as part of a CommunityImpact Team, which was convenedby the 13th Council District Office,in hopes of coming up with longterm solutions to the problems.
“Different agencies have lookedvery closely at what the laws are,”Morrison said. “We’ve looked atthe tools we have and we’re tryingto determine if we need a specialdistrict. I’m not convinced that wedo, but we have to create a sustain-able environment. The arrests give
us a breather, and a chance to expe-rience what it’s like without all thecharacters out there.”
Even some veteran charactersacknowledge the need for somekind of regulation. Christopher
Loomis, the lone Spiderman onTuesday, has been working onHollywood Boulevard for 10 years.He said the atmosphere began to getmore aggressive five years ago.
“When I first started it was a lotdifferent,” Loomis said. “Thereweren’t nearly as many characters,and back then there was only oneperson I would consider aggressive.But then a few people started beingmore aggressive charging for pic-tures, and that makes it more diffi-cult for those of us trying to do itright, because tourists have alreadyhad a bad experience. I used towonder, where are the police? I’dcome to work and just be fightingpeople the whole time, because thepolice had left it unchecked.”
Still, Loomis asserted that lawenforcement had no right to banpeople in costumes from the board-walk.
“The police were just arrestingeveryone in costume the othernight,” he said. “That’s unconstitu-tional. We have the same right to beon the street as anyone else. Theycan come get the ones who aredoing something wrong, I’m all forthat. But you can’t just arrest every-one. They were just taking peopledown to the station to scare them,then releasing them because theyhad nothing to charge them with.”
For the time being, last week’sarrests have thinned the numbers ofcharacters on the boulevard. Itremains unclear, however, whatoptions are available for regulatingthe situation over the long term.Morrison said the CommunityImpact Team had discussed the ideaof a registry for masked characters,so law enforcement could keeptrack of who was out there andmake sure they paid taxes on theirincome.
However, Gordon Smith, com-munication director for theAmerican Civil Liberties Union ofSouthern California, said thatmasked characters had as muchright to be on the sidewalk as any-one.
“Solicitation is a first amend-ment-protected right,” Smith said.“Annoying tourists is not a punish-able act. If there is a safety issuethen that’s a legitimate issue andshould be addressed through thecity’s existing laws.”
However, Morrison insistedsome kind of regulation of the char-acters was necessary. She said char-acters can make from $250 to morethan $1,000 in a single day on theboardwalk.
“If there are twenty charactersmaking $250 every day, that’s$5,000 a day and $1.8 million ayear. Word is out that you can puton a costume with a mask and makea couple hundred dollars tax-free. Ithink those days are over. We needit to be safe, and for people to feellike they can see everything theywant to see in Hollywood, and arefree to walk on the boulevard with-out being harassed.”
20 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Crackdown Focuses on CharactersFrom page 1
Center Credited With MakingMajor ImprovementsFrom page 1
photo by Amy Lyons
Los Angeles Unified School District Board member Steve Zimmer,4th District, congratulated the students during a celebration onTuesday.
responsible…this is what we tellour kids. We reward students ofthe month and try our best torecognize attendance, achieve-ment, behavior and all of thethings that make students suc-cessful.”
In celebration of the award,the school had an end-of-yearparty on Tuesday, at which stu-dents danced, sang and flauntedtheir talents. Approximately 100parents were in attendance, aswas Los Angeles UnifiedSchool District Board memberSteve Zimmer, 4th District.
“This award shows what hap-pens when we put great leader-ship and great teachers into thefacilities that kids deserve,”Zimmer said. “In this neighbor-hood, for three generations, kids
had to ride on a bus for an hour-and-a-half to go to kindergarten.When kids go to school in theirneighborhood and you have theright program and the right lead-ership, they will excel…it does-n’t matter what the zip code is,excellence can happen any-where.”
Zimmer cited a focus on liter-acy at the classroom and familylevels as one of the most notableaspects of the school.
“The parents and teachers areso involved, as you can see bythe parental turnout today,”Zimmer said.
Hollywood Primary Centerserves 199 students and is locat-ed at 1115 Tamarind Ave. Formore information about theschool, call (323)464-0331.
photo by Ian Lovett
Costumed characters on Hollywood Boulevard have been accused ofbeing too aggressive with visitors. The city is currently looking in to waysto regulate the situation
“We need it tobe safe, and forpeople to feellike they can
see everythingthey want to
see inHollywood,”
-Kerry Morrison, executive director of the
Hollywood BusinessImprovement District
LAUSD Names School After Chicano LeaderThe Los Angeles Unified School
District (LAUSD) has named amiddle school on the Belmont HighSchool campus as the Salvador“Sal” Castro Middle School.
Castro is best known for his rolein the 1968 East Los Angeles highschool “Blowouts”, a series of stu-dent walkouts protesting inequitable
conditions in LAUSD schools. In2006, the HBO film “Walkout” por-trayed Castro’s role in improvingpublic education. The Blowoutseventually led to significant changesin the city’s educational system, anda Chicano civil rights movement.
Castro continues to lecture andhelp run leadership conferences for
high school students across thecountry. He is a leader of theChicano Youth LeadershipConference (CYLC), which enablesstudents to advocate for educationalequality, bilingual and culturally-rel-evant education, and systemicreforms that improve college atten-dance rates.
Officials Applaud New BodyArmor LegislationLos Angeles County District
Attorney Steve Cooley joinedGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger onJune 2 as he signed legislationrestricting the possession of bodyarmor by violent felons.
Senate Bill 408, which prohibitsviolent felons from possessingbody armor such as bullet proofvests, was authored by State Sen.Alex Padilla.
A law prohibiting violent felonsfrom possessing body armor waschallenged in the 2nd District Courtof Appeals by Ethan Saleem, a
felon convicted of voluntarymanslaughter who was on parolewhen he was found in possession ofa 10-pound, military-style vestcommonly worn by combat troops.Late last year, the state court ofappeals overturned the ban, callingit “unconstitutional.”
In response to the ruling, Padillaauthored SB 408, with Cooley asthe bill’s principal sponsor. The lawadditionally makes it possible tocharge any person convicted of aviolent offense with a felony iffound in possession of body armor.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 21 June 10, 2010
Dispensaries Close DownFrom page 4
photo by Edwin Folven
The La Luna dispensary is one of the locations that closed.
been subdivided into three theatersduring the 1980s, but still retains alarge stage and some of the behind-the-scenes equipment for movingstage props.
Edgar Garcia, preservation plan-ner for the City of Los AngelesOffice of Historic Resources, saidofficials toured the theatre in Mayto analyze whether it should be des-ignated as a historic resource, and astaff report recommended the com-mission approve the Friends ofFairfax’s application. The commis-sion voted against the designation,however, based on the findings thatthe auditorium had been divided,and that the façade had been alteredsignificantly when windows wereinstalled, according to Garcia. Thecommission also found that therewas not enough evidence to showthat the theatre played a pivotal rolein the development of the FairfaxDistrict or the growth of the localJewish community.
“The commission didn’t feel thatit rose to that level. The exterior hashad some window change-outs, andsome of the storefronts are in vari-ous levels of renovation. There isbillboard signage on top, and alter-ations to the interior as well,”Garcia said. “They just didn’t feel itmet the criteria for a cultural her-itage monument.”
Members of the Friends of theFairfax Theatre strongly disagree,
and have vowed to continue to fightfor the theatre’s preservation whenthe project is considered by the cityplanning department. Mitzi Mogul,president of the Los AngelesHistorical Theatre Foundation, oneof the groups comprising the
Friends of the Fairfax Theatre, saidthe structure is architecturally sig-nificant and that it does representthe history of the surrounding area.
“I think it is an excellent exampleof art deco, and I think we made ourcase,” Mogul said. “The Fairfaxwas the first theatre in Los Angeleswired to show sound films, so pure-ly from a film history point of view,it more than meets the standard.From a cultural historical point ofview, I think we introduced anoverwhelming amount of evidence
that this theatre was intrinsic to thedevelopment of what we now knowas the Fairfax District.”
Ira Handelman, a consultant whorepresents the developer, said theproject will now continue to moveforward. An environmental impactreport is currently being conducted,and Handelman said it will likely becompleted within two to fourmonths. He said the next step is forthe project to be considered by theplanning commission, but a datehas not yet been scheduled.
“We presented our case and weagree with their decision,”Handelman said. “They didn’tmake the finding that it was archi-tecturally significant and they did-n’t make the finding that it had any-thing to do with the cultural historyof Fairfax, and that is what we con-tended all along.”
Handelman said the project willgo forward as originally planned,but the developer will seek to createapartments instead of condomini-ums, as was previously announced.He added, however, that the build-ing will be constructed to condo-minium standards, and the develop-er may change the project back tocondominiums in the future.
“This was a fair process, and nowwe are moving ahead,” Handelmanadded. “This was a step we had togo through, but there are still manyother steps.”
Bid for Theatre’s Historic Status RejectedFrom page 3
photo by Edwin Folven
Plans for a housing development at the Fairfax Theatre will move for-ward after the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission refused todesignate the theatre as a cultural historic monument.
“I think it is anexcellent
example of artdeco, and I
think we madeour case.”
-Mitzi Mogul, president of theLos Angeles Historical
Theatre Foundation
dispensaries to continue operat-ing in their buildings are alsosubject to criminal prosecution.
“We are moving as methodi-cally and effectively as we can,”Mateljan said. “It may takesome time, but that shouldn’tgive any dispensaries any com-fort or relief. We will check onthe 439 we sent letters to, andthen we can figure out whatmight be the most appropriatecourse of action for enforce-ment.”
The ordinance allows dispen-saries that registered with thecity before a 2007 moratoriumtook effect to stay open, and it isestimated that approximately140 will qualify under the provi-sion. Two of the dispensaries —the La Brea Collective in the800 block of La Brea Avenue,and Grateful Meds, in the 400block of N. La Brea Avenue —were open prior to the moratori-um and will be allowed to stayopen, pending the review of anew application for a permit.The pre-existing dispensarieswill have until December toclose if they are not approved.They must comply with provi-sions under the new ordinance,which stipulates that dispen-saries cannot be located next to
residences or sensitive uses suchas schools, religious institutions,community centers and libraries.
Lerner said he expects the clo-sure of the Melrose Avenue dis-pensaries to have a positiveeffect on business, and hopes itwill also improve safety in thesurrounding neighborhoods.Some of the dispensaries in thearea had been targeted for rob-beries during the past two years,and some residents felt intimi-dated by the operators and theirclientele.
“It will bring some peace tothis neighborhood, and it willbring a lot of peace of mind tothe residents and the businessowners,” Lerner added. “It willactually make the Melrose com-mercial strip more attractive tonew businesses coming in. A lotof people looked at Melrose anddidn’t want to locate herebecause it looked so trashy withall the dispensaries and theirstoned customers. We hope thatwill all change now.”
The Los Angeles CityAttorney’s Office has establishedan e-mail address where peoplecan report dispensaries that con-tinue to operate in violation ofthe ordinance at [email protected].
Senate Passes Pavley Bill on WiretappingThe State Senate recently passed
a bill that would updateCalifornia’s wiretapping law toinclude communications by e-mail,blackberry, text messaging and anyform of two-way, electronic com-munication. SB 1428, which wasauthored by Senator Fran Pavley,23rd District, will now be consid-ered by the State Assembly.
California’s current wiretap law,which only allows wiretapping oftelephones and digital pages, isscheduled to expire on January 1,2012. SB 1428 re-enacts the basicprovisions of the current wiretapstatute, but also includes updates toreflect current and future electroniccommunication technologies.
“The digital age has offeredtremendous opportunities intelecommunications for both con-sumers and businesses alike, butunfortunately it has also providednew options for today’s criminals tocoordinate their illicit activities,”Pavley said. “The reality is manycrooks and predators have moved toelectronic communications to easilyescape law enforcement’s reach.”
California currently has one ofthe most stringent wiretap laws inthe country. It requires that eachwiretap application be made by adesignated prosecutorial official,who must provide evidence that allother avenues of conventionalinvestigation have been exhausted.
All wiretap applications must becourt approved and reported to theCalifornia Attorney General. Awiretap can only be used to investi-gate major narcotic offenses andviolent crime. Current law makes ita felony to conduct any wiretappingthat violates the civil liberty and pri-vacy protections of the wiretappingstatute. SB 1428 is sponsored by theLos Angeles District Attorney’sOffice.
“Although California’s wiretaplaw is used in a relatively smallnumber of criminal cases, it is a toolparticularly effective in fightingorganized crime and drug traffick-ing,” said Los Angeles DistrictAttorney Steve Cooley.
Newsom beat Los Angeles CityCouncilmember Janice Hahn, 15thDistrict, for the lieutenant governornomination on the Democrat side,while incumbent Abel Maldonadowon the Republican nomination.Democrat Kamala Harris, DistrictAttorney of San Francisco, will runagainst Republican Los AngelesDistrict Attorney, Steve Cooley, inthe race for attorney general. Of thefive statewide ballot initiatives,Propositions 13 and 14 passed,while Propositions 15, 16 and 17did not. Proposition 13 dictates thatconstruction to seismically retrofitexisting buildings will not triggerreassessment of property tax value,while Proposition 14 gives votersincreased options in the primary byallowing all voters to choose anycandidate regardless of the candi-date’s, or voter’s, political party.
On the local level, Measure E didnot pass. The measure was a $100-per-parcel property tax to help theLos Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict (LAUSD) bridge its budgetdeficit. Dean Logan, Los AngelesCounty Registrar-Recorder,announced semi-final electionresults on Tuesday night, with 100percent of the precincts reporting.According to Logan, 19.57 percentof eligible registered voters cast bal-lots in Los Angeles County. A totalof 852,153 ballots were processedand counted on election night. Thisincluded 239,769 vote by mail bal-lots and 612,384 polling place bal-lots cast at the 4,822 votingprecincts throughout the county.
The official election canvass willtake place beginning Thursday,June 10 through Monday, July 1.The first supplemental resultsupdate will be posted Friday, June11. The final official election resultswill be posted on Tuesday, July 6 atwww.lavote.net.
who speak English as a second lan-guage (ESL).
This year, however, Cho readclassics like “The Great Gatsby”and “The Invisible Man” in hisAdvanced Placement English class.
“I got an A in that class,” he said.“I’m really proud of that.”
At Hollywood High, where themajority of students don’t speakEnglish at home, Cho’s situation isrelatively common. Though theschool is not allowed to ask stu-dents about immigration status,Judy Campbell, a college counselorwho has worked at HollywoodHigh for 38 years, said that manystudents start off in ESL classes,and end up in AP English.
His predicament with paying forcollege is common as well.Campbell estimated that more than50 percent of the students are notUnited States citizens, while 15 per-cent of the students are undocu-mented immigrants. Three-quartersof the students, based on their fam-ily incomes, receive subsidized orfree lunch.
Campbell said she is very carefulto counsel non-citizens against fill-ing out the Free Application forFederal Student Aid (FAFSA).
“Hayoun has a social securitynumber, but he can’t file a FAFSA,”Campbell said. “Lots of kids don’tknow any better, and they use theirtemporary social security numbersto file. Then when it comes time fortheir final green card interview, theyget sent back to the end of the line,so to speak, because they did some-thing illegal. I’ve heard several sto-ries about kids getting royallyscrewed by applying for theFAFSA.”
Cho remains eligible for non-government financial aid, like the$1,000 scholarship he won from theHollywood High School AlumniAssociation.
“Every scholarship that comesacross my desk that doesn’t say it’sfor citizens only, I give to him,”Campbell said. “But it’s hard for a
lot of families without the federalaid. They get good grades, workedreally hard, do everything right. It’sdifficult, seeing them have to giveup on that opportunity that they’veworked so hard for.”
At both the state and federallevel, legislation called theDREAM Act has been proposedthat would allow students like Chothe opportunity to apply for govern-ment financial aid, as well as offer-ing undocumented immigrants whohave spent most of their lives in theUnited States a path towards citi-zenship. Last week, the CaliforniaState Senate passed the CaliforniaDREAM Act, which will now go tothe State Assembly. However, Gov.Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoedthree similar bills in the past, citingthe potential costs.
For Cho, the delay of theDREAM Act means that in additionto the obstacles he has already sur-mounted — getting good gradeswhile learning a new language andadapting to a new culture — he willalso have to figure out how to payfor college himself. While manyhigh school graduates get summerjobs to earn spending money, sothey can go to the movies or buythemselves clothes, Cho is hopingto save money for school, so he cantransfer as soon as possible.
Still, Cho remains confident thathe can achieve the same dreams hehad when he came to the UnitedStates. After he transfers to theUniversity of California, LosAngeles (UCLA), he wants tomajor in biochemistry or physics,so he can become a physical thera-pist.
“It’s a little bit different than whatI dreamed about, when I thoughtabout the college years,” Cho said.“I wasn’t sure if I could do well incommunity college, but I have spo-ken to people who have done thesame thing, and now I am confidentabout it. I think the difficult situa-tion I am in makes a person moremature. If I was living in Beverly
Hills like rich kids, I wouldn’t eventhink about getting a job or have toworry about college tuition. Allthose harsh environments I’m expe-riencing now will help me developmy personality.””
Yet, despite the difficulties thatface him, Cho is glad to have hadthe opportunity to go to school inthe U.S.
“I miss Korea a lot,” he said. “ButI don’t want to live there. It’s reallyhard to live without money. I wantto live with people of different eth-nicities and different cultures andexchange different ideas. Here, I’vemet different people, exchangeddifferent ideas, learned differentlanguages. I’ve even learned someSpanish.”
22 June 10, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Voters DecidePrimary RacesFrom page 1
between those two languages.” It was difficult at first. Cho sat in
class, trying to pay attention, butwas unable to understand what theteacher was saying. He tried to hangout with the other kids in his class,just to get used to hearing English.He’d go straight home from schooland study English. As a break fromstudying, he would watch TV inEnglish. All his time, he said, wenttowards learning the new language.
“Activities helped a lot,” he said.“Even though I couldn’t speak thelanguage fluently, while I was play-ing basketball, we found other waysto communicate.”
By the time he started atHollywood High School, Chocould understand what his teacherssaid in class, and had even pickedup some slang from other kids. Still,he started off in classes for students
Graduate Faces Some ChallengesFrom page 1
photo by Ian Lovett
Graduating Hollywood High School senio,r Hayoun Cho, who is origi-nally from South Korea, said he is glad to have attended high school inthe United States because he was exposed to tremendous diversity.
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