Volume 26 No. 2 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park...

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Big Sunday, a nonprofit organi- zation headquartered on Melrose Avenue that assists disadvantaged individuals throughout Los Angeles, is seeking volunteers on Monday, Jan. 18 to perform com- munity service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Big Sunday is holding its fourth annual MLK Day Clothing Collection and Community Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon, and volunteers are needed to sort and distribute clothing. Big Sunday founder and executive director David Levinson said the need for clothing assistance remains high, particularly with predicted El Niño rain and a rise in homelessness. Big Sunday is also seeking clothing donations, which can be made Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the organization’s headquarters, 6111 Melrose Ave. “So many places need clothing,” Levinson said. “It’s not just shel- ters. It’s many organizations that are helping people. We donate to half a dozen places helping disad- vantaged people.” Levinson said approximately 20,000 articles of clothing were Approximately 60 community members and business owners gathered at the Korean Cultural Center on Monday to hear Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) plans to ease the effects of the Purple Line extension road clo- sures, expected to start in April. Metro will complete decking at street-level at Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Avenue over a future subway station and start under- ground construction and tunneling. To complete the work, Metro pro- posed a full closure of Wilshire Boulevard between La Brea and Highland avenues for seven weeks or 16 weekends. Wilshire Boulevard from Detroit Street to La Brea Avenue will be closed for six See Metro page 22 See MLK page 21 Los Angeles took a major step toward designing a strategy to end the region’s growing homeless crisis when county and city lead- ers released nearly 100 recom- mendations for large-scale policy changes and project proposals. The city’s report will act as a blueprint and hopefully serve as a wakeup call to the gravity of the problem “that continues to plague our communities.” On the first page of the report, the authors put into stark perspective what it will take to end the crisis. “Today’s homeless crisis did not develop overnight, nor will it be eliminated any time soon. The city must be committed to multi- year goals, strategies and funding sources as there are no panaceas or easy answers to solve home- lessness,” the report reads. It would take more than $1.85 billion over 10 years to build and lease the units needed to house the current homeless population in Los Angeles, the city estimates, not including services and case management. There were an esti- mated 44,400 homeless people in Los Angeles County last year, 25,700 of whom were in the city. The city’s draft Homeless Volume 26 No. 2 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities January 14, 2016 INSIDE • LAPD gives lessons on policing p. 4 • Free-for-all at L.A. museums p. 6 Sunny with temps in the high 50s See homeless page 22 WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM n Big Sunday, WeHo host days of service n Ryu’s decision on closures expected this month n It could cost billions to house city’s homeless, officials say photo by Edwin Folven Most of the city and county recommendations on homelessness deal are aimed at adding and preserving affordable housing. Report states stark perspective to end L.A.’s homeless crisis Projects celebrate MLK’s legacy Metro presents game plan to ease Purple Line construction photo by Gregory Cornfield Councilman David Ryu talks about the mitigation measures Metro pro- posed on Monday. The councilman, with city departments, will make a decision on the closure schedule this month. It’s not often a community park gets a generous donation from a professional basketball player, especially one who seems to have has no ties to the area. But, some- times the stars align and surpris- ing things happen. Such was the case Tuesday night at Pan Pacific Park, located at 7600 Beverly Blvd., when Miami Heat player Amar’e Stoudemire and local Los Angeles artist Marquis Lewis, better known as Retna, came together for the first installment of “In the Paint,” a series of events at which kids join artists and basket- ball players to paint and play. In addition to his “In the Paint” series, Stoudemire also donated $20,000 to the park, the largest in history from an NBA player to Pan Pacific Park. According to Annamaria Galbraith, a supervisor with the city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the money will go toward sports pro- grams for the park. “[In the Paint] is all working together for the community,” Galbraith said. “The kids are very excited to paint, and [Stoudemire’s] donation will help the park tremendously.” The event came together in a very “unusual” way, noted Galbraith. Local lawyer and Pan Pacific Park Advisory Board member Michael Goldstein, who has been coaching basketball at Pan Pacific Park for the past eight years, is a longtime friend of Retna’s, who just happens to n NBA star joins artist during road trip to L.A. photo by Patricia Sanchez Amar’e Stoudemire, center, paints with children at the “In the Paint” event at Pan Pacific Park on Tuesday. The NBA star donated $20,000 for sports programs. Art and basketball score ‘In the Paint’ By edwin folven By PatriCia SanChez By GreGory Cornfield By GreGory Cornfield See paint page 21 photo courtesy of Big Sunday Volunteers distributed more than 20,000 articles of clothing during its MLK Day event in 2015. The organization is seeking volunteers for its fourth annual MLK Day clothing distribution on Monday.

Transcript of Volume 26 No. 2 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park...

Page 1: Volume 26 No. 2 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park ...beverlypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1.14-issue1.pdfJan 01, 2016  · the Walt Disney Concert Hall for perfo rmances

Big Sunday, a nonprofit organi-zation headquartered on MelroseAvenue that assists disadvantagedindividuals throughout LosAngeles, is seeking volunteers onMonday, Jan. 18 to perform com-munity service in honor of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Day.Big Sunday is holding its fourth

annual MLK Day ClothingCollection and CommunityBreakfast from 9 a.m. to noon, andvolunteers are needed to sort anddistribute clothing. Big Sunday

founder and executive directorDavid Levinson said the need forclothing assistance remains high,particularly with predicted El Niñorain and a rise in homelessness. BigSunday is also seeking clothingdonations, which can be madeMonday through Friday from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. at the organization’sheadquarters, 6111 Melrose Ave.“So many places need clothing,”

Levinson said. “It’s not just shel-ters. It’s many organizations thatare helping people. We donate tohalf a dozen places helping disad-vantaged people.”Levinson said approximately

20,000 articles of clothing were

Approximately 60 communitymembers and business ownersgathered at the Korean CulturalCenter on Monday to hear LosAngeles County MetropolitanTransportation Authority (Metro)plans to ease the effects of thePurple Line extension road clo-sures, expected to start in April.Metro will complete decking at

street-level at Wilshire Boulevardand La Brea Avenue over a futuresubway station and start under-ground construction and tunneling.To complete the work, Metro pro-posed a full closure of WilshireBoulevard between La Brea andHighland avenues for seven weeksor 16 weekends. WilshireBoulevard from Detroit Street to LaBrea Avenue will be closed for six

See Metro page 22

See MLK page 21

Los Angeles took a major steptoward designing a strategy to endthe region’s growing homelesscrisis when county and city lead-ers released nearly 100 recom-mendations for large-scale policychanges and project proposals. The city’s report will act as a

blueprint and hopefully serve as awakeup call to the gravity of theproblem “that continues to plagueour communities.” On the firstpage of the report, the authors putinto stark perspective what it willtake to end the crisis. “Today’s homeless crisis did

not develop overnight, nor will itbe eliminated any time soon. Thecity must be committed to multi-year goals, strategies and fundingsources as there are no panaceasor easy answers to solve home-lessness,” the report reads.It would take more than $1.85

billion over 10 years to build andlease the units needed to house thecurrent homeless population inLos Angeles, the city estimates,not including services and casemanagement. There were an esti-

mated 44,400 homeless people inLos Angeles County last year,25,700 of whom were in the city.The city’s draft Homeless

Volume 26 No. 2 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities January 14, 2016

INSIDE• LAPD giveslessons onpolicing p. 4

• Free-for-all atL.A. museums p. 6

Sunny withtemps in thehigh 50s

See homeless page 22

WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM

n Big Sunday, WeHohost days of service

n Ryu’s decision on closures expected this monthn It could cost billions tohouse city’s homeless,officials say

photo by Edwin FolvenMost of the city and county recommendations on homelessness dealare aimed at adding and preserving affordable housing.

Report states stark perspectiveto end L.A.’s homeless crisis

Projects celebrate MLK’s legacy

Metro presents game plan toease Purple Line construction

photo by Gregory Cornfield Councilman David Ryu talks about the mitigation measures Metro pro-posed on Monday. The councilman, with city departments, will make adecision on the closure schedule this month.

It’s not often a community parkgets a generous donation from aprofessional basketball player,especially one who seems to havehas no ties to the area. But, some-times the stars align and surpris-ing things happen.Such was the case Tuesday

night at Pan Pacific Park, locatedat 7600 Beverly Blvd., whenMiami Heat player Amar’eStoudemire and local LosAngeles artist Marquis Lewis,better known as Retna, cametogether for the first installment of“In the Paint,” a series of events atwhich kids join artists and basket-ball players to paint and play.In addition to his “In the Paint”

series, Stoudemire also donated$20,000 to the park, the largest inhistory from an NBA player toPan Pacific Park.According to Annamaria

Galbraith, a supervisor with thecity of Los Angeles Departmentof Recreation and Parks, themoney will go toward sports pro-

grams for the park.“[In the Paint] is all working

together for the community,”Galbraith said. “The kids are veryexcited to paint, and[Stoudemire’s] donation will helpthe park tremendously.”The event came together in a

very “unusual” way, noted

Galbraith. Local lawyer and PanPacific Park Advisory Boardmember Michael Goldstein, whohas been coaching basketball atPan Pacific Park for the past eightyears, is a longtime friend ofRetna’s, who just happens to

n NBA star joins artistduring road trip to L.A.

photo by Patricia SanchezAmar’e Stoudemire, center, paints with children at the “In the Paint”event at Pan Pacific Park on Tuesday. The NBA star donated$20,000 for sports programs.

Art and basketball score ‘In the Paint’By edwin folven

By PatriCia SanChez

By GreGory Cornfield

By GreGory Cornfield

See paint page 21

photo courtesy of Big SundayVolunteers distributed more than 20,000 articles of clothing during itsMLK Day event in 2015. The organization is seeking volunteers for itsfourth annual MLK Day clothing distribution on Monday.

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14 Job FairJob seekers are encouraged to attenda hiring fair on Thursday, Jan. 14

from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at theDoubletree Hotel, downtown. Jobopportunities include sales reps,account executives, retail managers,human resources employees and more.120 S. Los Angeles St.www.HireLive.com.

‘She’s BeautifulWhen She’s Angry’The Ebell of Los Angeles presents a

screening of the film “She’sBeautiful When She’s Angry” onThursday, Jan. 14 in the Wilshire EbellTheatre. The film is a documentaryabout the birth of the women’s libera-tion movement in the 1960s and tellsthe stories of iconic women such asGloria Steinem, Eleanor HolmesNorton and Rita Mae Brown. A cock-tail reception begins at 6:30; film startsat 7:30 p.m. 4401 W. 8th St. (323)939-1128, www.ebellla.org.

Classical ConcertViolinist Itzhak Perlman returns tothe Walt Disney Concert Hall for

performances with the LA Phil onThursday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan.15 at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 16 at 8p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. TheJan. 12 program includes works byMozart, Fauré and Strauss. The Jan.14-17 programs include works byMozart and Tchaikovsky. 111 S. GrandAve. (323)850-2000, www.laphil.com.

15 African ArtLectureCurator Erika Dalya Massaquoi will

lead a free discussion titled“Electrocultures and Disguise” onFriday, Jan. 15 at noon at the FowlerMuseum at UCLA. Massaquoi is con-sultant curator of the exhibit “Disguise:Masks and Global African Art” at themuseum. She will discuss the work ofmultimedia artists from the Africandiaspora and explore how the artistsuse disguise in their work. 308 CharlesE. Young Drive North.www.fowler.ucla.edu.

Art LectureArtist Liz Glynn will discuss herexhibit “Myth of Singularity” on

Friday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the LosAngeles County Museum of Art’sBrown Auditorium. Glynn’s exhibitincludes eight bronze sculpturesinstalled at locations throughout theLACMA campus. 5905 Wilshire Blvd.(323)857-6000, www.lacma.org.

‘Intruders’Adam Schindler’s new film“Intruders” runs Friday, Jan. 15

through Thursday, Jan. 21 at ArenaScreen in Hollywood. The film fol-lows an agoraphobic, newly wealthywoman who finds her house invadedby petty criminals looking for cash.She may find it impossible to leave thehouse, but the crooks may discoverthat she isn’t exactly helpless.Showtimes on Jan. 15 are 9 and 10p.m.; check schedule for additional

showtimes. Admission is $12. 1625 N.Las Palmas Blvd. (323)306-0676, www.arenascreen.com.

16 Writing SeminarAspiring writers are invited to aseminar titled “Method Writing:

An Organic Approach to Writing” onSaturday, Jan. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at theVeterans Memorial Building in CulverCity. Author Jack Grapes will offer anoverview of the creative process,focusing on his book “MethodWriting” and the technique he hasdeveloped. General admission is $35.4117 Overland Ave. www.iwosc.org.

‘Last of the Knotts’Performance poet and stage per-former Doug Knott brings his

award-winning solo show “Last of the

Knotts” to the Santa Monica Playhouseon Saturday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. The com-edy-tragedy is set in 1980s LosAngeles and follows Knotts’ search forredemptive love. Tickets are $25. 12114th St. (310)394-9779 ext. 1,www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.

18 Silver SnakesThe Los Angeles rock band SilverSnakes will perform during a

hometown residency on Mondays, Jan.18 and 25, and Feb. 1, at the SilverlakeLounge. The band is performing priorto the release on Feb. 5 of its forthcom-ing recording “Saboteur.” Doors openat 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m. Ticketsare $8. www.thesilverlakelounge.tick-etfly.com.

19 Kabuki LectureLearn about the art and history ofJapanese kabuki theatre during a

lecture on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. atJapan Foundation Los Angeles. USCprofessor Satoko Shimazaki will tracekabuki’s roots to the 17th century andprovide an introduction to its aesthet-ics. 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 100.(323)761-7510, www.jflalc.org.

‘CraigslistMonologues’Join hosts Natalie Lander and

Brittany Ross for the “CraigslistMonologues,” an evening of missedconnections, casual encounters andother stories taken from Craiglist, onTuesday, Jan. 19 at 8:30 p.m. at theUCB Sunset Theater. Ross and Landerplay high school cheerleaders onABC’s hit series “The Middle.” 5419W. Sunset Blvd. Tickets are $5.www.sunset.ucbtheatre.com.

20 ‘Calendar Girls’Enjoy a screening of the 2003British comedy “Calendar Girls”

on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. in thePlummer Park Senior Center. ActressesHelen Mirren and Julie Walters star inthe film based on the true story of agroup of housewives in England whoposed for a nude calendar to raisemoney for leukemia research. Morna

Murphy Martell, former TV, film andtheater critic for The HollywoodReporter will moderate the screening.Suggested donation is $2. 7377 SantaMonica Blvd. (323)876-1717.

Europa GalanteFabio Biondi leads Europa Galante,an ensemble of Italian period

instrument in a performance onWednesday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. at theWalt Disney Concert Hall. Ticketsstart at $26.50. 111 S. Grand Ave.(323)850-2000, www.laphil.org.

21 Roe vs. Wade ForumThe National Council of JewishWomen, Los Angeles

(NCJW/LA) is holding a forum titled“In Our Own Words: StandingTogether for Reproductive Rights,Health & Justice” on Thursday, Jan.21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at theNCJW/LA council house. The eventcelebrates the 43rd anniversary ofRoe vs. Wade, the landmark decisionthat ensured the right to abortion inthe United States. The event includesstorytelling and advocacy for repro-ductive rights. 543 N. Fairfax Ave.RSVP requested to Maya Paley at(323)852-8536, or [email protected].

22 Tobey C. MossGallery to display at L.A. Fine Print FairThe Tobey C. Moss Gallery is par-

ticipating in the Los Angeles FinePrint Fair running Friday, Jan. 22through Sunday, Jan. 24 at theBonhams auction showroom inHollywood. The gallery will be among18 dealers – all members of theInternational Fine Print DealersAssociation – that will have booths inthe fair. The gallery will offer 17thcentury to 21st century prints anddrawings. The hours are 6 to 8:30p.m., Jan. 22; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Jan. 23and noon to 6 p.m., Jan. 24. Admissionon Jan. 22 is $25, and proceeds willbenefit Self Help Graphics. Attendeeson Friday will have a chance to win aspecial Frank Romero “Going to theOlympics” color screen print.Admission is free on Jan. 23 and 24.7601 Sunset Blvd. (323)933-5523,www.TobeyCMossGallery.com.

2 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

C a l e n d a r

photo by Noah UlinAuthor David L. Ulin will discuss his literary career and his newest book“Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles” on Friday, Jan. 15 at7 p.m. in the West Hollywood City Council Chambers at the WestHollywood Library. Author and journalist Samantha Dunn will join Ulin forthe discussion, which will be followed by a reception and book signing.Part personal narrative and part investigation of the city as idea andenvironment, “Sidewalking” examines the evolving Los Angeles land-scape. Friends of the West Hollywood Library is co-sponsoring the eventas part of the WeHo Reads series. 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. (323)929-2359, or email [email protected].

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

The Park Labrea News and Beverly Press are weekly newspapers, published on Thursdays. Mailsubscription is $120 annually. Decreed newspa-pers of general circulation, entitled to publish legaladvertising, Feb. 10, 1960 by Superior CourtOrder No 736637.

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Fearing that their landlords maysoon impose the Ellis Act to evictthem, a tenants’ association at TheCove apartments in Los Feliz metwith the Coalition for EconomicSurvival on Monday to learn abouttheir options and rights moving for-ward.Larry Gross, the director of the

Coalition for Economic Survival,and the tenants aren’t sure what thebuilding owners have planned fortheir rent-controlled units at 2401N. Commonwealth Ave. after man-agement posted notices on doorsand made offers to pay tenants toleave the building.“This is their home and they

want to stay there,” Gross said.“We’re not quite sure what thisowner is doing … but the tenantscan oppose it and stop it. We havestopped it in the past.”J.P. Lavin, a nine-year tenant at

The Cove apartments, said thenotices were posted in August indi-cating that the owners planned toturn the units into condos and thattenants had to vacate in 90 days.Some residents thought it was aneviction notice. Landlords haveapplied only to turn 22 of the one-bedroom units into two-bedroomunits.Steven Taylor, a representative

with Ness management, the build-ing managers, said he is surprisedto hear that tenants were confusedabout their situation. Although it’san option that landlords are analyz-ing, Taylor said there are no plansto convert the building into condosand that he has told tenants thesame thing.After the notices were posted on

doors, Lavin claimed landlordsintentionally delayed maintenancerequests to persuade tenants to takeoffers to leave.

Councilman David Ryu, 4thDistrict, wrote a letter to buildingmanagement saying he was“extremely alarmed” to learn aboutthe letters and text messages sent totenants. Ryu explained in the letterthat state and city law requires land-lords provide 120 days notice whenunits are to be withdrawn from therental market under the Ellis Act,which would require relocationpayments. “Attempts to persuade tenants to

accept a voluntary move-out orderbecause of an alleged pending ille-gal condo conversion amounts to

tenant intimidation,” the letter read.“This includes lapses in buildingmaintenance or failure to performany other duty under the terms ofthe rental agreement.”Ryu said he was also aware that

older tenants seem to have been tar-geted first with relocation offers.Landlords must apply for permitsfrom city departments before noti-fying tenants. Taylor said the Ellis Act is only

an option right now, and no deci-sions to use it have been made.Management explained soon

The Los Angeles PoliceDepartment is conducting itsCommunity Police Academy, an11-week course covering every-thing from patrols and constitution-al policing to the use of force,investigations and firearms train-ing.The free academy is hosted by

the LAPD’s Operations WestBureau, which oversees five policestations – the Wilshire, Hollywood,Olympic, Pacific and West LosAngeles Divisions. The academyruns from Jan. 26-April 5 onTuesday evenings from 6:30 to9:30 p.m. at the Jewish Federationof Greater Los Angeles, 6505Wilshire Blvd.Sgt. A.J. Kirby, with the Wilshire

Division said the LAPD holds theacademy annually in differentpolice divisions, and it has not beenheld in the Wilshire Division forthree or four years. Approximately40 people have registered already,and he encouraged other membersof the community to sign up. Noconvicted felons or people withwarrants or outstanding criminal

court cases pending are allowed.Otherwise, the only requirement isthat participants be 18 and olderwith a desire to learn more aboutbeing a police officer.“We are looking for more people

who live or work in the division toparticipate,” said Kirby, who pro-vides an overview of communitypolicing in the academy. “In light ofwhat’s going on with crime, it’s agood way for people to familiarizethemselves with the department andwhat officers go through. The thingis to educate the public about policeprocedures. It shows people whatgoes into being a police officer.”The academy begins with an

overview of department operationsand procedures, and approaches toaddressing crimes, such as drivingunder the influence and domesticviolence. Participants will learnhow the department collects anduses crime statistics, as well as itsprofessional standards and use offorce policies that must be followedto ensure the constitutional rights ofthe public are protected.Participants also learn about

crime scene investigation, homi-cides, sexual assault cases and viceoperations. Gang enforcement,counter terrorism and SWAT teamoperations are also covered.The academy takes participants

on field trips, touring the LAPD’s

Communications Division down-town and the department’s AirSupport Division. Kirby said the airsupport component is particularlyimportant because it addresses acommon concern many peoplehave about helicopter noise.“One of the common questions is

‘Why does the helicopter fly overour neighborhood?’” Kirby added.“We also get a lot of questionsabout specialized units. It’s an edu-cational tool that answers a lot ofquestions.”Officer Ryan Fox, with the

LAPD’s Operations West Bureau,stressed that the academy promotesbetter partnerships between thecommunity and the department.The hope is to reduce problemsresulting from misunderstandingsabout why incidents occur, such asofficer-involved shootings and useof force incidents.During one of the field trips, par-

ticipants use the department’s useof force and firearms training simu-lator. Participants will experiencethe challenges officers face in han-dling situations involving armedsuspects and the split-second deci-sions they must make.South Carthay resident Larry

Bogatz attended the CommunityPolice Academy in 2010 and said itprovided a wealth of knowledge.Bogatz is a coordinator for the Los

Angeles Fire Department’sBattalion 18 CommunityEmergency Response Team, and hesaid having knowledge of how theLAPD operates benefits citizensinterested in serving as first respon-ders.“It’s up to the community to

work with the department, and Ithink there are more citizensinvolved and more citizens partici-pating in community policing,”Bogatz said. “I felt I would be bet-ter served to know the process theygo through and to have familiaritywith police divisions and the func-tion of policing. It was valuable atthis point in my life and my careerto get that kind of exposure.”Kirby said attending the academy

does not qualify participants tobecome police officers, but there isa recruitment element.“A lot of people become volun-

teers, and I’m sure some peoplehave gone on to become policeofficers,” Kirby said. “Some joinour Community Policing AdvisoryBoard. There is a recruitment ele-ment and we do have a gradua-tion.”Anyone interested in enrolling

in the Community PolicingAcademy is encouraged to contactthe Wilshire Division communityrelations office at (213)473-0200.Prospective participants can alsocontact Officer Ryan Fox at(213)473-0277 or [email protected].

Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 3 January 14, 2016

See Cove page 21

Academy teaches what it takes to be a police officer

By edwin folven

n Community PoliceAcademy hosted atWilshire for first in years

Los Feliz tenants team up to ease eviction fears

photo by Edwin FolvenThe Community Police Academy is for people who desire to learn moreabout being a police officer.

n Tenants’ rights teamhelps group understandrights, optionsBy GreGory Cornfield

courtesy of J.P. Lavin The Cove Apartments in Los Feliz on N. Commonwealth Ave.

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A motorcyclist who collidedwith a vehicle making a left turnat Western and OakwoodAvenues on Jan. 3 was one of twopeople who died in the crash,according to investigators withthe Los Angeles PoliceDepartment’s West TrafficDivision.The motorcyclist, Jose

Concepcion Ramirez, 28, of LosAngeles, was taken to LosAngeles County USC MedicalCenter in critical condition fol-lowing the 3:30 p.m. collision.Ramirez’s family made a decisionto take him off life support laterthat day, according to Det. OlinOsborne with the West TrafficDivision.Detectives and coroner’s office

officials were unaware he dieduntil late last week because of adelay in the hospital reporting thedeath. Police and coroner’s offi-cials confirmed the death onMonday.Osborne said investigation into

the collision is not complete, butit is evident the unidentified dri-ver of a Toyota Prius turned left infront of the motorcyclist. Ramirezstruck the passenger door of thePrius, killing an 83-year-old pas-senger in the vehicle. Osborneidentified the victim as AvraMarie Moloney, of Los Angeles.The detective said surveillance

camera footage has beenreviewed that shows the motor-cycle traveling at a higher rate of

speed than other traffic, andinvestigators believe unsafespeed was a factor. Osborne saidhe could not estimate how fastRamirez was going at the time ofthe collision but said the speedlimit on Western Avenue is 35mph.“From witness accounts and

what we have seen in the video,the light was green for both par-ties on Western Avenue,”Osborne said. “The motorcyclewas coming northbound and T-boned the car. Just from thevideo, it appears there was somespeed involved on the part of themotorcycle.”Osborne added that Ramirez

was wearing a helmet but wasejected from the motorcycle ontothe pavement. There was no evi-dence of drugs or alcohol being afactor in the collision.The female driver of the vehi-

cle sustained minor injuries andwas treated at a hospital and laterreleased. She has not been citedor charged, Osborne said.He described the incident as a

tragedy that illustrates the impor-tance of motorcycle safety.“We are seeing more motorcy-

cle-involved fatalities, but we areseeing more motorcycles on theroad,” Osborne added. “I don’tknow if it’s gas prices and peopleare switching to less expensivemodes of transportation, but wehave a lot of inexperienced rid-ers. The vehicle was turning leftand [the driver] didn’t see therider.”

4 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

A $50,000 reward has beenoffered for information leading tothe arrest and conviction of a driverresponsible for a fatal hit-and-runcollision on Dec. 6 in Hollywood.Detectives with the Los Angeles

Police Department’s West TrafficDivision said they have few leads inthe collision, which claimed the lifeof pedestrian Robert John Ryan, 24,of Hollywood. Authorities surmisethat Ryan was crossing Ivar Avenuejust south of Hollywood Boulevardwhen he was struck by a vehicletraveling southbound on IvarAvenue.An Uber driver saw Ryan lying

unresponsive in the street at approx-imately 4 a.m. and called police.Det. Olin Osborne, with theLAPD’s West Traffic Division, saidthe collision likely occurredbetween 3 and 4 a.m.“We have reviewed surveillance

camera footage from multiple cam-eras in the area. Unfortunately, as itstands right now, we don’t havemuch to go on,” he said. “We arestill working on it. We are hopingthe reward encourages someone tocome forward.”Councilman Mitch O’Farrell,

13th District, introduced the reward.“Councilmember O’Farrell is

very pleased with the reward offerand he hopes a witness with a con-science steps forward,” said TonyArranaga, communications directorfor O’Farrell.Ryan was originally from Oxnard

and was living in Hollywood.Osborne said the incident has beendevastating for Ryan’s family.“There was a lot of foot traffic.

Somebody had to have seen some-thing,” Osborne added. “At thispoint, we really need the public’shelp.”Anyone who may have witnessed

the hit-and-run or has information isurged to call West Traffic Divisiondetectives at (213)473-0234.During weekends and off-hours,call (213)473-0222.

Reward offered for leads to help solve hit-and-run

photo by Edwin FolvenRobert John Ryan, 24, was struck and killed on Ivar Avenue on Dec. 6as he crossed the street just south of Hollywood Boulevard.

n Police hope someonewill provide informationin death of pedestrian

The Los Angeles FireDepartment recorded a 54 percentdecrease in structure fire-relatedfatalities in 2015 and will continueto implement new community riskreduction initiatives.During 2015, 11 civilians died in

structure fires in Los Angeles,compared to 24 deaths in 2014.Two of the 11 deaths are confirmedsuicides, further reducing the unde-termined and accidental death tolltotal to nine. During the previousfour-years there were 20 structurefire-related deaths annually, onaverage.During the same period, the

LAFD’s average number of weeklyemergency incidents increased

nearly 8 percent, from 8,260 in2014 to 8,904 last year.As a result of a series of structure

fire fatalities, the LAFD developedthe Smoke Alarm Field Education(SAFE) Program in March 2014.The SAFE program is deployedimmediately following structurefires resultin in a serious injury orfatality. Teams of LAFD firefight-ers canvas homes in the surround-ing neighborhood, providing safetyinformation, checking existingsmoke alarms and distributing newsmoke alarms and batteries tohouseholds in need. In 2015, theLAFD was joined in the effort byMySafe:LA, a nonprofit fire andsafety organization.

LAFD reports fewer fire deaths

By edwin folven

By edwin folven

By edwin folven

Western Avenue motorcyclecollision claimed two lives

photo by Edwin FolvenFlowers and candles were placed at Western and Oakwood Avenuesin memory of motorcyclist Jose Ramirez, who died in the collision.

Driver in fatalBeverly Blvd. collision arrested for DUIPolice have identified a pedestri-

an who was killed in a traffic colli-sion at Beverly Boulevard andFormosa Avenue at approximately2:30 a.m. on Jan. 6 as Yasir Haif B.Almotaire, 29, of Los Angeles.Investigators also identified the

driver of the vehicle who hitAlmotaire and two other pedestri-ans as Bethany Anderson, 26 of LosAngeles. Anderson was arrested forsuspicion of driving under the influ-ence after being treated at a hospitalfor minor injuries.Det. Olin Osborne, of the Los

Angeles Police Department’s WestTraffic Division said formal chargesagainst Anderson are pending whilean investigation is conducted. Shewill likely face a vehicularmanslaughter or second-degreemurder charge, he said.The detective said he is uncertain

of where the driver was comingfrom prior to the accident andAnderson declined to provide astatement. He said she lives inKoreatown, and police surmise shewas on her way home because shewas traveling eastbound on BeverlyBoulevard.The collision occurred at approx-

imately 2:30 a.m. Almotaire wasstanding with two other individualsbehind a vehicle that was allegedlystruck by Anderson, Osborne said.The two other victims sustainednon-life threatening injuries and arerecovering. Anyone with informa-tion about the collision is urged tocall (213)473-0234.

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Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 5  January 14, 2016

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Cityline, the city of WestHollywood’s free mini-bus service,is offering a new service beginningJanuary 2016.CitylineX will connect West

Hollywood and the Hollywood andHighland Metro Red Line Station.The service began its soft launch

on Monday, Jan. 4 and launchesofficially on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 5p.m. at the West HollywoodLibrary Auto Court, located at 625N. San Vicente Blvd. The launchwill offer “tacos and transit” withsnacks and refreshments.“The City of West Hollywood is

always looking for innovative waysto provide transportation alterna-tives that give people an opportuni-ty to move around without cars,”said West Hollywood MayorLindsey P. Horvath. “CitylineXwill provide a more direct linkbetween West Hollywood andMetro Red Line service atHollywood & Highland, and thiswill improve regional connectivi-ty.”

CitylineX will operate duringmorning and evening commutinghours on weekdays, Mondaythrough Friday from 7 a.m. to 9a.m. and from approximately 5:30p.m. to 7 p.m.

It will offer seven trips in themorning and five trips in theevening with mini-bus shuttles pro-viding service at approximately 15to 20 minute intervals.Several promotional pop-ups

along Santa Monica Boulevardwere held during the week of Jan.11 to inform community membersabout the new service. The last of the pop-ups will be

held on Thursday, Jan. 14 from7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. adjacent toStarbucks located at 8595 SantaMonica Blvd. (in case of rain, Pop-

Up will move to West HollywoodCity Hall) and 9:30 a.m. to 10:30a.m. adjacent to Plummer Parklocated at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd.(in case of rain, Pop-Up will moveindoors at the Community Center).Both CitylineX and Cityline are

free. For information, visitwww.weho.org/cityline.

Los Angeles County boasts morethan 100 diverse and expansivemuseums, and while some are free,most charge small entry fees. OnSaturday, Jan. 30, however, morethan two-dozen cultural institutionswill open their doors free of chargeas part of the 11th annual MuseumsFree-for-All.For over a decade, SoCal

Museums, a group of marketingand communications professionalsfrom museums in SouthernCalifornia, has organized the annu-al event during which individualscan visit some of the region’s muse-ums free of charge.The group is made up of employ-

ees from museums who collaboratewith each other to celebrate art andculture and promote the vast selec-tion in the area.This year, participants include

the Los Angeles County Museumof Art (LACMA), located at 5905Wilshire Blvd.; the Museum ofContemporary Art, Los Angeles(MOCA), located at 152 N. CentralAve.; the Craft and Folk ArtMuseum, located at 5814 WilshireBlvd.; The Broad, located at 221 S.Grand Ave; and many more.“Many locals and tourists aren’t

aware of the number of museumsavailable to them around SouthernCalifornia,” said Alex Capriotti,SoCal Museums’ president and TheBroad’s director of marketing andcommunications. “By highlightingall of the participating museumstogether for this one day, we areable to shine a spotlight on thediverse and numerous museumsavailable to the public all aroundthe southland.”

Several of the participatingmuseums are also free on the daysleading up to the end of the month,and Capriotti said the organizationuses the event as a way to let peopleknow about those days.“The Museums Free-for-All

aims to highlight free days offeredby museums in Southern Californiathroughout the year,” Capriotti said.“Visitors can check out ourMuseum Free Days chart to see allof our free days throughout theyear.”On Jan. 14, 21 and 28, the

Japanese American NationalMuseum and MOCA Grand andMOCA Geffen will open theirdoors for free from 5-8 p.m.Skirball Curtural Center will alsooffer free admission on these days.On Jan. 15, 22 and 29, the Long

Beach Museum of Art will be free.On Jan. 17 and 24, the Craft andFolk Art Museum will have “paywhat you can” days, and the

Museum of Latin American Art(MOLAA) will offer free admis-sion. MOLAA will also open itsdoors free of charge on Jan. 22from 5-9 p.m.On Jan. 19, Descanso Gardens,

the Los Angeles County Arboretumand the South Coast BotanicGarden will be free. The PasadenaMuseum of California Art will offerfree admission from 5-9 p.m.Miranda Carroll, director of

communications at LACMA saidMuseums Free-for-All is a greatway to reach out, not just to thecommunity, but to all who visit theregion.“The annual Museums Free-For-

All is a great example of the unifieddesire of Southern California’s cul-tural institutions to be as accessibleas possible for both locals and visi-tors,” Carroll said. “LACMA’sthrilled as always to participate, andwe strive to sustain this accessibili-ty by offering ample opportunities

for free general admission year-round.”SoCal Museums is also partner-

ing with Metro to encourage visi-tors to use public transportation tohelp reduce traffic when visit muse-ums throughout the city. For infor-mation, visit metro.net/discounts.“Each year, we see that more and

more people are aware of the eventand the participating museums,”

Capriotti said. “We recommendvisitors give themselves time tovisit participating museums asmany museums may have lines dueto increased demand.”Museums participating in the

free-for-all day that are regularlyclosed on Saturday will be free onSunday, Jan. 31.For more information, visit

socalmuseums.org.

6 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

PREVIEW!of our offerings at the

LOS ANGELES PRINT FAIRSaturday and Sunday, January 23 and 24

with a benefit opening onFirday, January 22, 6-8:30 p.m.

$25 Admission includes special chance to win FRANK ROMERO

“Giong to the Olympics” coor creenprint 2012

LORSER FEITELSONDouble White Flip LInes on Red

CLINTON ADAMSRequiem

WERNER DREWESMirror Lake, Yosemite

photo by Patricia Sanchez Museums across Los Angeles joined together to offer free entry to someof the city’s top destinations.

Participating museums in Museums Free-for-All:Autry Museum of the American West (Includes free admission to the Autryin Griffith Park and the Autry’s historic Southwest Museum Mt. Washingtoncampus)Annenberg Space for PhotographyArmory Space for PhotographyThe BroadCalifornia African American MuseumCalifornia Science Center (valid for general admission only, and does notapply to specially ticketed exhibitions or IMAX films. Timed reservations arerequired for space shuttle Endeavour.)Craft & Folk Art MuseumDescanso GardensFowler Museum at UCLAThe GettyThe Getty Villa (timed tickets are required. Visit www.getty.edu.)Hammer MuseumLaguna Art MuseumLA Plaza de Cultura y ArtesLos Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) (offer valid for general admis-sion only)Japanese American National MuseumThe Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA)Museum of Latin American ArtNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyOrange County Museum of ArtThe Page Museum at the La Brea Tar PitsThe Paley Center for MediaPasadena Museum of California ArtSanta Barbara Museum of ArtSunnylandsUSC Pacific Asia MuseumWilliam S. Hart MuseumOffering free admission on Sunday, Jan. 31Museum of ToleranceSkirball Cultural Center (Noah’s Ark timed one-hour entry only, tickets arelimited and distributed first-come, first-served)Zimmer Children’s Museum

Museums Free-for-All returns to Los Angeles in Jan.By Patricia Sanchez

WeHo offers new means of transportation for commuters

“West Hollywoodis always looking

for innovativeways to providetransportation

alternatives thatgive people anopportunity tomove around

without cars.”

- Lindsey P. HorvathMayor, West Hollywood

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Following the closure of theFrench Market restaurant last year,the city of West Hollywood andFaring Capitol, the building’s currentowners, are in the midst of planninga project for the space, as well as get-ting community feedback.The French Market hosted many

LGBTQ clubs, political events andsocial gatherings, and many resi-dents see it as an iconic landmarktied to the LGBTQ history in thecommunity.Many are unsure about the future

of the building, so city officials andFaring Capitol are engaging the pub-lic to get their feedback.“We’re basically introducing the

project to the community,” saidRachel Dimond, West Hollywoodsenior planner. “We’re in the earlystages of figuring out what to do withthe building and how we are going todevelop it.”Darren Embry, Faring Capitol’s

director of community development,said the company is proposing amixed-use development at the loca-tion.“Most are asking for neighbor-

hood-serving restaurants, bars andretail at the ground level in combina-tion with creative offices above,”Embry said. “Quality creative officespace is desperately needed to helpestablish the area as a true live-work-play district.”By utilizing the space as a mixed-

use building, he said, it will allow formore efficient parking and that willbenefit surrounding businesses.Dimond said they are making sure

the community is able to providefeedback, and on Wednesday, thecity hosted a neighborhood meetingto introduce the mixed-use project.According to Dimond, the city is

also reviewing and surveying thebuilding in compliance with theCalifornia Environmental QualityAct (CEQA), a law requiring stateand local agencies to identify signif-icant environmental impacts andavoid or mitigate those impacts, iffeasible.After Faring Capitol acquired the

building last year, the French Marketbuilding served as temporary officespace for nonprofits such as For theSocial Good. Tai Sunnanon, founderof For the Social Good, said he feelsas though he has been caught in themiddle of a conversation about thebuilding. Because his business occu-pies the space for the time being,many people are asking his opinion.“I understand the concern over the

building,” Sunnanon said. “Honestlygetting my business going is my toppriority, but I do hope that whatevercomes here is socially conscious andworks to service the community,because then businesses like [mine]and others can work together tomake this area thrive.”Krisy Gosney, co-founder of the

West Hollywood Heritage Project,said while community members donot oppose revitalizing the building,many, if not most, are adamant aboutthe developers doing so in a way thatpreserves the building.“West Hollywood has two official

preservation groups … and bothgroups are against any proposeddemolition,” Gosney said. “Also, theLGBTQ Historic Sites Coalition ofLos Angeles County is against anydemolition … I can’t stress enoughthat we had not seen one single per-son even hesitant in saying the build-ing should not be demolished.”Gosney said it’s imperative that

the community get involved and dis-cuss the future plans for the FrenchMarket building, and she stressed it’snot a discussion of “us vs. them,” butrather an open platform to make surea historic building is not lost.

“I can’t speak for every person inthe community but it seems likewhat most [people] want is for thebuilding to remain in service to theLGBTQ community,” Gosney said.“Most everyone seems to think thebuilding has great style, and they likethe art deco-ness of it.”Embry said Faring Capitol under-

stands the community doesn’t wantthe building to lose its “charm,” andthe company will pay attention tosuggestions from surrounding neigh-borhoods.“We have submitted our prelimi-

nary plans and will refine and modi-fy them based on input from citystaff and our neighbors,” Embrysaid. “The project will evolvethroughout the public process.”

Wednesday’s meeting, he said,was an essential step in the processof making the French Market build-ing beneficial to the community.“We have held a series of neigh-

borhood meetings with neighborsand local businesses to collectinput,” Embry said. “We also lookfor opportunities to improve theneighborhood beyond our property.”Gosney said now is the time for

the community to get involved toensure the French Market building ispreserved.“What [West Hollywood Heritage

Project] has been doing is just gettingthe word out so the process is notushered through in relative dark-ness,” said Gosney.

Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 7 January 14, 2016

photo by Patricia Sanchez The owners of the French Markel propose a mixed-use development forthe site and wants public feedback.

French Market building project open for discussionBy Patricia Sanchez

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Domestic violence crimeincreased by 15 percent for childand spousal abuse citywide in 2015.Two mothers, Erica Fisher andMelanie Neumann, recognized thateffects on children are often over-looked when domestic violence sta-tistics are considered. They areseeking donations to continue tobring joy to the victims affected bythe growing crime.Fisher said more than 50 percent

of women involved in domesticviolence have children. The twomothers founded a nonprofit thatserves children affected by domes-tic crimes in the Miracle Mile,Hancock Park, West Hollywoodand throughout Los AngelesCounty. They launched PresentNow to provide gifts to children

entering and living in transitionaland crisis domestic violence shel-ters on their birthdays, onValentine’s Day and when they starta new school year. Since the launch,they have given close to 1,000 gifts.

“[Children] come to the shelterand they leave and come back,” shesaid. “These kids are subjected toyears and years of cycling throughshelters.”Neumann said there were over

496,000 reports of child abuse andneglect in California in 2014.Neumann and Fisher wanted to pro-vide joy to the children when theirmother isn’t able to. “We had known we wanted to do

something to help children,”Neumann said. “And I don’t think alot of people realize what is hap-pening.”Present Now had the opportunity

of getting to know a mother whosesituation with her husband involvedboth physical and verbal abuse. “He would come home from

work and the kids would run to

their rooms and hide,” Neumannexplained. Neumann said the woman would

go to a family or friends’ place tostay, but after a few days her hus-band would find her and she wouldmove back. She wasn’t financiallystable without her husband. She didnot know what to do with her threechildren and did not know whatoptions she had. Neumann said Present Now

gives gifts to people like that victimso they do not feel forgotten. One ofthe reasons they give gifts onValentine’s Day is because it’s theholiday for love, and most womenand children who are victims mightnot know what that means. ButNeumann said Present Now contin-ues to choose that holiday after theylearned the day after Valentine’sDay is one of the busiest for domes-tic abuse phone lines. Neumann said they have also

dealt with victims who livedwealthy lives. One mother didn’twant to leave the abusive situation

because her kids were used to a cer-tain lifestyle. “That’s such a testament that it

can happen in any demographicwith the poorest of the poor and the

After previously allocating $1.5million to The Center at BlessedSacrament, Los Angeles city coun-cilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13thDistrict, seeks to increase theamount to $1,924,356.In February 2014, the Los

Angeles city council authorized theEconomic and WorkforceDevelopment Department(EWDD) to negotiate an agreementwith Social Services at BlessedSacrament, Inc.

The $1.5 million is designatedfor the rehabilitation and construc-tion of The Center at BlessedSacrament and is funded throughthe Community ImprovementFee/Urban Development ActionGrant (UDAG) loan repaymentfrom the Hollywood and Highlandproject.Over the past five years, The

Center at Blessed Sacrament, locat-ed at 6636 Selma Ave., has beenundergoing renovations to coincide

with its mission of providing a safe-haven for the homeless and includ-ing other programs such as 12-stepprograms, writing, art and supportgroups to help struggling individu-als.They went through a competi-

tive bidding process and accepteda $2 million renovation budgetand have received funding andsupport from various communityorganizations and members suchas O’Farrell.

“In Hollywood and throughoutour city, there is a great need to pro-vide supportive services to lift ourhomeless population out of hope-lessness,” O’Farrell said. “Thisfunding will help renovate TheCenter’s facilities, and provideeverything from food, showers,computer literacy, support groupsand connections to other key ser-vices that are so desperately neededfor those living on the street.”The proposed increase supple-

ments prevailing wages, somethingthe project’s original budget did not

anticipate, increasing the budget by$371,203. Additional lead andasbestos removal has also beenidentified at a cost of $53,153, leav-ing the budget $424,356 short.O’Farrell moved to authorize the

EWDD to negotiate an amendmentto the original contract with TheCenter at Blessed Sacramentincreasing the budget to $1,924,356subject to approval by the city attor-ney. The motion also includes cre-ating a new account within theUDAG Revenue Fund called TheCenter at Blessed Sacrament.

8 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

Mothers work to help child victims of domestic violence

photo courtesy of Present NowLilly, left, Bella and Wesley Neumann deliver presents to one of the shel-ters serving victims of domestic violence. Their mother, Melanie, startedthe nonprofit Present Now with Erica Fisher.

n Nonprofit buys anddelivers presents forfamilies in shelter cycleBy GreGory Cornfield

O’Farrell proposes budget increase for The Center at Blessed Sacrament

See Present Now page 22

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Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 9 January 14, 2016

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. lastweek proposed a $122.6 billionGeneral Fund budget plan for 2016-17 that significantly increases fund-ing for education, healthcare andstate infrastructure while bolsteringthe state’s Rainy Day Fund and pay-ing down state debts and liabilities.

“Relative to years past, the statebudget is in good shape,” Brownsaid in a letter to the state senate andassembly. “Education funding is atits highest level ever, 15 millionCalifornians are covered by Medi-Cal or Covered California, the mini-mum wage has risen to $10 an hour,and for the first time, the state willprovide almost $400 million to low-wage working families through anearned income tax credit.”

The proposal deposits $2 billioninto the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” –boosting the balance from 37 percentto 65 percent of its constitutional tar-get. The governor warned that histo-ry shows that another drop in rev-enue from personal income taxescould be “not too far off.”

The governor also said that heexpects many proposals to fund dif-ferent “worthwhile” programs, but

instead wants to yield now instead ofmaking cuts if another recession hitssoon.

“It is clear that fiscal restraint mustbe the order of the day,” he said. “Italso goes without saying that weshould be chipping away at the $72billion unfunded liability that weighsdown our retiree health system.”

The budget boosts school spend-ing per student to $10,591 in 2016-17 – an increase of nearly $3,600compared to 2011-12 levels. The

budget provides a fourth-year invest-ment of more than $2.8 billion in theLocal Control Funding Formula,which focuses on students with thegreatest challenges. The budget alsoproposes a $1.6 billion early educa-tion block grant that combines threeexisting programs that focus on dis-advantaged students and improvedaccountability.   

“We thank Gov. Jerry Brown forcontinuing to provide stability andfinancial support for our children,our schools and our community,”said LAUSD board president SteveZimmer. “We appreciate theGovernor’s continued commitmentto paying off the ‘wall of debt,’accelerating funding for the LocalControl Funding Formula and thestreamlining of education programswith greater local flexibility.”

Brown’s proposal also keepstuition at 2011-12 levels for anotheryear for the University of Californiaand California State University.

The proposed transportation pack-age will provide $36 billion over adecade to improve highways androads, expand public transit andimprove critical trade routes.

Governor Brown proposes 2016-17 budgetCity council recognizesKorean American leaders

photo courtesy of the Fourth District Council OfficeThe Los Angeles City Council observed Korean American Day on

Wednesday at city hall and honored Korean American civic leaders.Councilman David Ryu (fifth from left, back row), led the obser-vance and was joined by councilmen Mitch O’Farrell, Gil Cedilloand Paul Koretz, as well as members of the Korean AmericanFoundation of USA, Korean American Foundation of Los Angelesand the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles. In 2005, theU.S. Senate and House of Representatives approved resolutions insupport of Korean American Day. Korean Americans have long beenpart of the fabric of Los Angeles, contributing to the city’s history,heritage, economic strength and cultural diversity, Ryu said.

Korean American DemocraticCommittee (KADC) will install itsnew Executive Board during a din-ner on Thursday, Jan. 14 from 6 to9 p.m. at Yong Su San Restaurant inKoreatown.

Gene Kim will be sworn in aspresident, Steve Kang, will besworn in as vice president, and JohnYi, will be sworn in as the board’snew controller and secretary.

Speakers at the dinner includeCalifornia State Treasurer JohnChiang; Congresswoman JudyChu, chair of the CongressionalAsian Pacific American Caucus;Los Angeles City CouncilmemberDavid Ryu, 4th District; Los

Angeles County Democratic PartyChair Eric Bauman; and formerIrvine Mayor Sukhee Kang.

This event will honor the legacyof the late Richard Choi Bertsch, apast president of KADC and one ofthe organization’s founding mem-bers. KADC will announce thelaunch of the  “Richard ChoiBertsch Legacy Fund” to supportyoung people interested in pursuinga career in public service, commu-nity advocacy and politics.

The free event is open to the pub-lic. Yong Su San Restaurant islocated at 950 S. Vermont Ave. Forinformation and to RSVP, visitwww.kadems.org/2016dinner.

Korean American DemocraticCommittee to install board

“We thank Gov. Jerry Brownfor continuing toprovide stability

and financial support for ourchildren, our

schools and ourcommunity.”-LAUSD board president

Steve Zimmer

Mayor Eric Garcetti has appoint-ed former city councilwoman andcity controller Wendy Greuel to theLos Angeles Homeless ServicesAuthority Board of Commissioners(LAHSA).

“Wendy’s longtime advocacy forL.A.’s most vulnerable citizensmakes her the ideal choice for thisposition,” Garcetti said. “Shebrings in-depth expertise, a strongwork ethic and life-long dedicationto public service and homelessnessto the LAHSA board. I know she isuniquely qualified to help us effec-tively and urgently address thehomelessness crisis and implementthe sustainable strategies we needto get people off the streets, con-nected to services and into homes.”

The LAHSA Commission cre-ates budgetary, funding, planningand program policies for federalfunding allocated to homelessnessprograms in Los Angeles County.Garcetti said Greuel is a veteranhousing and homelessness policyexpert. She represented the 2ndDistrict on the Los Angeles CityCouncil, and later served as Los

Angeles City Controller, from2002 through 2013. She also previ-ously served as a member of theClinton Administration as thedeputy director of the InteragencyCouncil on Homelessness at theDepartment of Housing and UrbanDevelopment.

Greuel also served in the officeof Mayor Tom Bradley for 10 yearsas a liaison to elected officials, citydepartments and the community.She was a key advisor on publicpolicy issues including education,housing and homelessness.

“Today, Los Angeles is acting onthe homelessness crisis withunprecedented coordination at alllevels of government,” Greuel said.“Thanks to the strength of MayorGarcetti’s commitment and electedleaders across the region, we havean unparalleled opportunity toreduce homelessness in LosAngeles. My career in public ser-vices has centered on this issue andI am proud to have contributed tothe continuum of care system, theLos Angeles Homeless Initiativeand the creation of LAHSA itself.”

Garcetti appoints Greuel to LAHSA Commission

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Los Angeles City Attorney MikeFeuer was joined by national andstate gun violence prevention lead-ers on Jan. 7 to outline comprehen-sive efforts to implementCalifornia’s new Gun ViolenceRestraining Order (GVRO) law.

The efforts include training pro-bono attorneys to help familymembers and intimate partners toobtain from the court an order totemporarily disarm individualswho are known to be at increasedrisk of violence.

“Gun Violence RestrainingOrders will save lives,” Feuer said.“As California becomes the firststate to put this landmark law inplace, we will do everything possi-ble to make sure it is effective, herein Los Angeles, and throughout thestate.”

GVROs restrict firearm accesson a case-by-case basis. A familymember or law enforcement offi-cer may request that a judge issue aGVRO based on the facts present-ed in a written application and dur-ing a formal hearing. It allows forthe removal of a firearm in avolatile situation even when nocrime has been committed or whenan individual doesn’t meet the cri-teria for an involuntary civil com-mitment for mental health treat-ment.

The GVRO is intentionally mod-eled after Domestic ViolenceRestraining Orders to assure everysubject full due process of the law.Feuer’s office is organizing train-ing for pro-bono attorneys so theycan assist family members seekinga GVRO. Feuer is also workingwith law enforcement, includingthe Los Angeles PoliceDepartment, to develop and imple-ment protocols on GVROs.

More than eight firearm-relateddeaths occur in California everyday on average, which accountedfor 2,942 total deaths in 2014. TheGVRO law will allow familymembers to work with lawenforcement and the courts to pre-vent many of these tragedies from

taking place, Feuer said.As in many of the high-profile

shootings that have become all toofamiliar — family members andintimate partners are often the firstwho know their loved ones are at-risk of dangerous behavior, butlack a mechanism to separate themfrom firearms while in periods ofcrisis. One of the driving forcesbehind the law’s passage was a2014 Memorial Day weekendmass shooting in Isla Vista,California. The gunman’s parentscalled law enforcement prior to theshooting because they were fearfultheir son was a risk to himself andothers, but authorities were unableto prevent the man from obtainingthe guns he used to kill six peopleand wound seven others.

Similarly, Jan. 8 marked thefive-year anniversary of the shoot-

ing in Tucson, Arizona that wound-ed 13 people, includingCongresswoman GabrieleGiffords, and left six individualsdead. It was yet another instance inwhich family members desperatelysearched for ways to separate theirson from firearms, but lacked themeans to do so, Feuer added.

“When lives are at risk, boththose of potential victims and thepossible perpetrator, we need alegal method that will quicklyassist family members and closelyassociated people a way to preventdeaths or injuries,” said PatriciaMaisch, who at the Tucson massshooting kicked the ammunitionmagazine out of the shooter’shands as he was re-loading. “Whata difference this law might havemade to the innocent victims inTucson.”

10 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

Leaders applaud Gun Violence Restraining Order law

photo courtesy of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s OfficeLos Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer was joined by advocates of gun vio-lence prevention at a press conference to announce efforts to implementCalifornia’s new Gun Violence Restraining Order law.

U.S. National Park Service(NPS) researchers recaptured amountain lion living in GriffithPark known as P-22 in Decemberand report that it appears healthyand has recovered from a seriousbout with mange.

“He’s gained some weight, histail has filled out and he nolonger has skin lesions and scabsacross his body and face,” saidJeff Sikich, a biologist with theSanta Monica MountainsNational Recreation Area. “It’shighly likely that he continues tobe exposed to rat poison, but fornow he seems to be managing.”

Though trail cameras had cap-tured images that appeared toshow the male mountain liondoing well, this is the first timebiologists have examined P-22up close since they captured it inApril 2014, when he was thinnerand suffering from mange.Biologists re-captured the animalto replace the battery in his GPScollar.

Now approximately six yearsold, P-22 weighed 123 pounds,approximately 15 pounds heavierthan his weight when he was lastcaptured.

Researchers believe themange, a parasitic disease of the

hair and skin, may have beenbecause of exposure to anticoag-ulant rodenticides, commonlyknown as rat poisons. The con-nection between the two is stillnot fully understood byresearchers, but previous NPSresearch determined that bobcatsthat have ingested rat poison aremuch more likely to suffer fromsevere mange.

A blood sample taken from P-22 at his April 2014 capture test-ed positive for exposure to dipha-cinone and chlorophacinone, twopoisons. NPS researchers treatedP-22 with selamectin, a topicaltreatment for ectoparasitic dis-eases such as mange, fleas andticks.

After being detected by biolo-gists with the Griffith ParkConnectivity Study, P-22 wascaptured by NPS biologists andoutfitted with a GPS collar inMarch 2012. Genetic testingfrom UCLA and UC Davisrevealed that he was likely bornin the Santa Monica Mountainsand therefore would have had tocross both the 405 and 101Freeways to gain access toGriffith Park.

For information, visitwww.nps.gov/samo.

Researchers optimistic aboutmountain lion’s recovery

photo courtesy of the National Park ServiceBefore and after photographs of a mountain lion in Griffith Park knownas P-22 showed the animal when he suffered from mange in 2014,and how he appeared in December.

Supervisors callfor more fundingof programs fordisabled people

The Los Angeles County Board ofSupervisors unanimously approveda motion on Jan. 12 authored bySupervisor Michael D. Antonovich,5th District, urging state legislativeleaders to address the needs of themore than 80,000 California resi-dents who are developmentally dis-abled.

“Over the past 20 years, serviceproviders for the developmentallydisabled have seen reductions andstate funding cuts while costs haverisen, significantly eroding develop-mental services and the quality andaccess to care provided,”Antonovich said. “If the funding cutsare not restored, vital services willdisappear.”  

In a letter signed by all five super-visors, the board is asking the gover-nor and state legislative leaders toboost and effectively allocate fund-ing for developmentally disabledindividuals. The board is calling forfund sources to be decentralized tocounties and cities to maximize theavailability of resources to the con-tract organizations that serve theclients.

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The Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict Board of Education sworein an eighth member on Jan. 12 – a16-year old high school junior whowill provide a student voice on theissues and challenges facing thedistrict.

Leon Popa is the board’s newstudent representative. He attendsthe STEM Academy at Bernstein

High School in Hollywood. He ispictured with Board secretaryJefferson Crain (left) and boardpresident Steve Zimmer.

“I have the passion and will tohelp all students claim the educa-tion they need and deserve,” Popasaid. “I want all students to havetheir voices heard.”

Popa will serve a one-year term

and the position is unpaid. He willparticipate in public discussions,but will not attend closed-sessionmeetings or have access to confi-dential materials.

The seat was created after morethan 3,000 students signed petitionslast year seeking representation onthe LAUSD Board of Education.California Education Code permitsone non-voting student member tobe elected or appointed to a schooldistrict’s governing board.

Popa was selected by studentgovernment leaders from highschools throughout the district in anelection with five other candidates.Taylor Hanes, a senior at VerdugoHills High School, was chosen asthe student alternate on the board.

“I am thrilled to welcome LeonPopa to the board,” Zimmer added.“This is an important and signifi-cant moment for Los Angeles.Student voice finally has its properplace in the dialogue about the pol-icy decisions that affect the lives ofour students.”

Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 11 January 14, 2016

How does my diet affect my dental

health?Diet is one of the 5 majorcontributing factors to thedental decay cycle. Thereare several aspects of dietthat have to be understood.

It is about what you eat; ofcourse, the more availablethe sugar is in the food themore the bacteria in yourmouth can react with it tostart the decay process.And once you eat food ittakes about 20-30 minutesfor the mouth to get the bal-ance back with saliva to re-duce the risk of cavities fromthat meal.

But it is also about the fre-quency in which you eat.Putting a life saver in yourmouth and sucking on ituntil its gone and you placeanother one in your mouthis plenty of exposures, putthe whole roll in your mouthat once (gross as it mayseem) and it is only onesugar exposure.

At SCDHA we advocate 5exposures a day 3 mealsand 2 snacks.

Jonathan Engel, DDSEstella Goldman, DDS

5901 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 205Los Angeles, CA 90036

323.934.3341www.socaldentalhealth.com

PLBRA welcomes Bloomat annual meeting

photo courtesy of Bernie ClinchThe Park La Brea Residents Association (PLBRA) held its annual

meeting on Jan. 10. State Assemblyman Richard Bloom (right), pic-tured with PLBRA president Bernie Clinch, was the guest speaker atthe meeting. Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief MichaelThomas also addressed members on fire safety and emergency pre-paredness. For information, visit www.plbra.org.

The Board of Education onTuesday unanimously approved theappointment of Michelle King asthe next superintendent of the LosAngeles Unified School District(LAUSD), along with a contractthat will pay the veteran educator$350,000 annually.

The contract, which runs throughJune 30, 2018, also provides a dis-trict-owned car and driver for King.There is no buyout clause.

King’s selection was announcedon Monday, culminating a nation-wide search for a successor to retir-ing Superintendent Ramon C.Cortines. King is the first woman inmore than 80 years, and the firstAfrican-American woman, to headthe nation’s second-largest schooldistrict.

“Ms. King’s dedication to thisdistrict and her commitment to stu-dent achievement is second tonone,” said board president SteveZimmer. “The board looks forwardto working with her in reaching ourgoal of academic success for all.”

King has been a teacher atLAUSD for her entire 31-yearcareer. She most recently was chiefdeputy superintendent. She startedas a science and math teacher atPorter Middle School in GranadaHills. She became the coordinatorfor the math, science and aerospacemagnet at Wright Middle School inWestchester, and subsequentlyserved as assistant principal andprincipal at Hamilton High Schoolin Cheviot Hills. She headed the

Division of Student Health andHuman Services, served as interimchief instructional officer forSecondary Education, and wassuperintendent of a western andsouthwestern region of LAUSDbefore being tapped by Cortines ashis chief of staff. She served asdeputy superintendent under for-mer Superintendent John Deasyand was then named chief deputyby Cortines when he returned inOctober 2014.

“I love the energy of students inthe classroom – their passion forlearning and their desire to

achieve,” King said. “I want toensure that the enthusiasm forteaching and learning that I experi-enced in LAUSD – and that mythree daughters experienced whenthey were in school – is the realityfor all of our students.”

During her career, King ledinstructional reform plans thataddress graduation requirementsand the need to improve studentachievement. She also championedthe LAUSD’s restorative justiceinitiative, which reduced studentsuspensions and expulsions. Shewas recently honored as the 2015Woman of the Year by the nonprofitorganization Women on Target.

District 2 board member MónicaGarcía praised King for her com-mitment to keeping kids in school. 

“I have confidence thatSuperintendent Michelle King willinspire a team of leaders to move ustoward 100 percent graduation,”Ms. García said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti applaudedLAUSD for the selection.

“A product of LAUSD schoolsand a reflection of our City, Kinghas dedicated her entire profession-al career to the students and fami-lies of the district. Over the courseof more than 30 years, she has ledreform efforts to increase gradua-tion rates, strengthen academicrigor, and promote restorative jus-tice,” Garcetti said. “I am eager topartner with her in this new role aswe work to improve outcomes forall students in Los Angeles.”

LAUSD Board selects new superintendent

The Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict (LAUSD) Board ofEducation has approved a landmarkresolution to help keep the nearly200,000 middle grade students inthe district on the path to gradua-tion.

The resolution, “Creating aCollaborative to Focus on theMiddle Grades,” was spearheadedby board member Ref Rodriguez. Itwill bring together parents, stu-dents, educators, school leaders,researchers, district staff and otherexperts to create a framework byJune that will reimagine the middlegrades in Los Angeles.

The resolution is rooted in a deepunderstanding that the middle

grades, generally defined as 5ththrough 8th grades, need to beviewed as the launching pad for ahigh school and college educationsystem that enables students to con-tribute to California.

“The middle grades will play adecisive role in enabling LAUSD toreach its goal of graduating all stu-dents from high school prepared forcollege and beyond,” Rodriguezsaid. “Students’ middle grade expe-riences have a monumental impacton the extent to which they willclose achievement gaps, graduatefrom high school and be prepared toenter the 21st century workforce.”

In the middle grades, students areeither steered onto the path to high

school graduation or knocked off-track, Rodriguez said.

“Middle schools are the bridgefrom reading and writing in elemen-tary, to graduation in high school,”said board member Mónica García,who co-sponsored the resolution.“This policy helps youth get a headstart on their A-G college entrancerequirements. Our district is alwaysopen to solutions, like this one, thatstrengthen a student’s path to grad-uation.”

A collaborative team will beformed by the end of January tobegin implementing the programand is expected to present a frame-work to the LAUSD Board ofEducation by June.

District strives to keep middle school students on track

photo courtesy of LAUSDMichelle King has been with theLAUSD for her entire career, first asa teacher and later as an admin-strator and deputy superintendent.

History instructornominated asnational teacherof the year

The Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict (LAUSD) has announcedthat Daniel Jocz, a social studiesteacher at Downtown Magnets HighSchool (DMHS), has been selectedas one of four finalists for the 2016National Teacher of the Year.

If he is selected for the award inApril, he will spend a year travelingthe nation to represent educators andadvocate on behalf of teachers andstudents.

He was chosen as a nationalteacher of the year nominee in dis-trict, county and state competitions.

“This excellent teacher inspireshis students and pushes them toexcel,” newly appointed LAUSDsuperintendent Michelle King said.“He deserves congratulations andalso appreciation for his creative andvery effective work in the class-room.”

Jocz is a teacher, department chair,associated student body advisor andmember of the DMHS InstructionalLeadership Team. The passage rateof his advanced placement studentson U.S. History exams is among thehighest in the district.

“I could not be the teacher that Iam without the support of my fami-ly, friends, students, parents and col-leagues at Downtown Magnets HighSchool. It feels great to have the hardwork we do at DMHS beingacknowledged at the national level,”Jocz said. “I strive every day to cap-ture the magic, complexity and won-der of history for my students fromacross Los Angeles’ inner-cityneighborhoods. My students fromneighborhoods as diverse as Southand East Los Angeles andChinatown rarely see themselves asbeing part of American history.”

Jocz’s use of YouTube and 21stcentury technology to complementhis lessons has been recognizednationally, and his classroom is agathering place for students.

“My regular use of popular cultureand music in my lessons has allowedme to create a curriculum that is rig-orous, relevant and engaging, andhelps my students develop media lit-eracy skills,” he said.

The president will recognize theNational Teacher of the Year in a cer-emony at the White House in thespring.

Board of Education swears-in student member

photo courtesy of LAUSDLAUSD board secretary Jefferson Crain (left) and board president SteveZimmer swore in new student board member Leon Popa.

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12 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

Farmers MarketLAX

Santa Monica

www.mrmarcel.com323.939.7792

Foie gras and cocktails

Terrine will host specially curat-ed dinners on Sunday, Jan. 17

with executive chef/partner KrisMorningstar and award-winninghead bartender Ryan Wainwright.In honor of the historic January2015 repeal of California’s foiegras ban, Morningstar will preparea dynamic five-course dinner for$95 per person with foie gras

poached, baked in puff pastry andwhipped into cream. The regularmenu with à la carte selections willalso be available. Wine director andmanaging partner François Renaudwill offer pairing suggestions suitedto each foie gras course and willpour a five-glass flight for an addi-tional $35. Wainwright will bejoined by Moet’s Golden Globecocktail winner Karen Grill for a“His & Hers” collaborative cocktailmenu. Dinner is served from 5:30to 11 p.m. 8265 Beverly Blvd.,(323)746-5130.

Ditch Your NewYear’s ResolutionsDayPlan Check Kitchen + Barchef/partner Ernesto Uchimura

serves dishes prepared with indul-gent condiments such as “kim-cheese,” pastrami bits, smoked milkgravy and sunny fried eggs. OnNational Ditch Your New Year’sResolutions Day on Jan. 17, stopstruggling to go vegan and eat fewercarbs, and bite into a K-BBQ Burger;pastrami nosh made with double-smoked pastrami, melted Swisscheese, kimchi mustard, pickles and

a sunny-side up fried egg; and smokyfried chicken with yam preserves andspicy pickled okra. Order a side ofbeef tallow French fries with pastra-mi bits, pastrami gravy, melted Swisscheese and chopped pickles. Finishwith cruller donuts fried to order andtopped with cream and fruit, and agolden milk porter float made withSanta Monica Brew Works porterand vanilla bean ice cream. PlanCheck also offers a Dine & Dashlunch combo for $15 with a signatureburger in a lunch pack with fries, akombi pickle spear and a drink. 351N. Fairfax Ave., (323)591-0094;1800 Sawtelle Blvd., (310)444-1411; 1111 Wilshire Blvd.,(213)403-1616.

dineLA Jan. 18-31The Premier Rewards Gold Card

from American Express pre-sents an exclusive dining series dur-ing dineLA Restaurant Week atselect upscale culinary restaurants.Chefs throughout Los Angeles willpresent unique menus starting at$95. Participating restaurantsinclude CUT by Wolfgang Puck,Girasol, Hinoki & the Bird,mar’sel, Melisse, Orsa & Winston,Redbird, Spago Beverly Hills,Steak & Whisky, The Arthur J, TheBazaar by José Andrés andValentino Restaurant. For reserva-tions, visit www.opentable.com.

RREESSTTAAUURRAANNTT NNEEWWSSBy Jill Weinlein

See Restaurant News page 13

Tender Pork Loin Chops

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Farmers Market for 72 Years

Bone-In or Boneless. Center Cut. Perfect for grilling.MUST SHOW AD FOR THIS AMAZING PRICE!

Price good through Wed., Jan. 20

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Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 13 January 14, 2016

Biting into a lobster roll atKnuckle & Claw, you can almostsmell the salty air and hear thesplashing of waves at this uncom-plicated small seafood spot inSilverlake. The lobster is flown infresh from Maine, and the rolls arefilled with a quarter pound of meatfrom the knuckle and claws, hencethe name of this casual dining des-tination. Not only do they offerreally good lobster rolls, but alsoblue crab and shrimp rolls.

What helps to make their lobsterrolls perfect is the RockenwagnerBakery bread made exclusively forKnuckle & Claw. The soft, slightlysweet rolls are put into a paninipress with a little bit of butter,adding to the special flavor. They

do offer gluten free split top bunsand raw collard green wrap uponrequest.

The restaurant, which is thebrainchild of Chloe Dahl and NikkiBooth, has a sense of humor. Theowners and staff call themselves“knuckleheads.” Dahl is the grand-daughter of “James and The GiantPeach” author Roald Dahl. One ofher fondest childhood memories isspending time in Martha’sVineyard eating lobster rolls. Shemet Booth in New York City, andthey decided to come to Californiato bring authentic New Englandfare to Angelenos.

Their French bulldog, namedBonnie, comes to work with them.They rescued her from a puppy

mill, and she enjoys welcomingguests and napping near the frontdoor in her plush doggie bed with ared lobster toy by her side.

The night we dined, “knuckle-heads” Calen, Miguel and Selaserved guests sitting outside, alongthe white subway tiled wall. Heatlamps on the patio keep gueststoasty on the front and side patios.

Since we were newbies toKnuckle & Claw, Sela suggestedwe order from the special tastingmenu to sample a variety of items.At the counter, we ordered TheWhite Dog and two cups of soupand then looked for a table. Sinceseating is limited inside, we wentout front. Be aware that it can get alittle loud, as the cars on Sunsetwhiz by.

Our food was delivered on a bak-ing sheet lined with white paper.There was a mini lobster roll, amini blue crab roll and a minishrimp roll, and a cup of healthyDijon slaw. We ordered two cups ofsoup – a New England clam chow-der and a Chipotle corn chowder.The soups are not made in house,but come from an outside supplier.They were thick in consistency andcomforting.

What goes well with a lobsterroll? Beer. So we ordered a flight ofthree half pint beer tastings. Wesipped a golden hue AllagashSaison, a Scrimshaw Pilsner withsubtle hop character and a crisp andclean finish, and a smooth darkamber Shipwrecked Double IPAwhich had a big sweet malt noteand a citrus finish.

For those who prefer a glass ofwine, there is The Girls SauvignonBlanc. It’s easy to swallow and hasa lovely bouquet of summer flow-ers with ripe apricot, honey andtouch of spice.

Recently, two items were intro-duced on the menu - a lobster potpie and oysters. We ordered both.Knuckle & Claw makes their ownpuffed pastry for the top of the pie,and the idea is to break off some ofthe puffed pastry and dip it into thelobster goodness underneath. It’snot your typical pot pie, but ahealthier variation of the familiarrecipe. I only wished for morepuffed pastry on top, because it wasdelicious.

Oysters are shipped in from dif-ferent locations. The night wedined, there were three differenttypes: Mattaki from Fanny BayB.C.; Kumamoto from PugetSound, WA and Misty Point fromPope’s Bay, VA.

Those who don’t enjoy seafoodcan order a plain grilled Cotswold

cheddar cheese on sourdoughbread. The cheese is from TheCheese Store just down the streetand the bread is fromRockenwagner Bakery. The cheeseis flavored with chives and meltsbeautifully.

Want to try the quintessentiallobster roll? The “knuckleheads”make The Knuckle sandwich withfour ounces of Cotswold Cheddarmelted on top of 1/4 lb. of freshMaine lobster. It’s a little pricey, butit will leave you with the feeling ofsummer on the eastern shore.

Open daily starting at 11 a.m. forlunch and until 10 p.m. Sundaythrough Thursday and 11 p.m. onFriday and Saturday evenings. $$-$$$ Parking is free in the evening.3112 W. Sunset Blvd. (702)239-0090.

dineLA RestaurantWeek at Mr. CMr. C executive chef Giuseppe

Manco is preparing a three-course, prix fixe Venetian lunchand dinner menu for dineLARestaurant Week from Monday,Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 31.The lunch menu highlights includetuna tartare with avocado andcrispy frisee, baked green taglioliniwith ragu of veal, and chickenspezzatino with marsala sauce andmashed potatoes for $25. The $49dinner menu includes octopus andpotato tartar with chives and citrusdressing, linguine pasta with zuc-chini pesto and crispy walnuts, andsea bass with cherry tomatoes.Optional wine pairings are avail-able for $20 per person. 1224Beverwil Drive, (310)226-6245.

Elegant dineLAMelisseOwner and executive chef

Josiah Citrin of the 16-year-old, two Michelin-star Santa

Monica restaurant Melisse is offer-ing a fine dining five-course menufor $95 during dineLA RestaurantWeek. Highlights include SantaBarbara ridgeback prawns withturnip, mustard and pea tendrilbroth; caramelized Chatham Baycod with salsify, white mushroomsand chestnut emulsion; and lambshank ravioli with braised shellingbeans, charred onion and rosemaryscented lamb jus. 1104 WilshireBlvd., (310)395-0881.

dineLA at Catch atHotel Casa del MarExecutive chef Alberico

Nunziata at Catch is offeringtwo- and three-course lunch anddinner menus during dineLARestaurant Week. Lunch menuhighlights include pumpkin soupwith wild mushrooms and trufflecrostini; cioppino with roasted gar-lic ciabatta; and Mary’s chickenwith spicy kale salad for $25.Dinner is $49 per person and high-lights include lobster cake with saf-fron aioli and watercress salad; andMorro Bay black cod with sautéedkale, Himeji mushrooms and yel-low tomato coulis. Diners canchoose from three seasonal desserts,such as fruit cobbler with vanilla

gelato, chocolate espresso tart withwarm salted caramel sauce andSicilian pistachio cake with straw-berries, amaretto and honey gelato.1910 Ocean Ave., (310)581-5533.

Día de CampodineLADía de Campo, Hermosa

Beach’s Baja surf lodge-inspired eatery with reimaginedMexican specialties, will feature athree-course dinner during dineLARestaurant Week. Dishes includeplancha pork belly with smokedyogurt, roasted beets, nopales,crispy okra and chicharron; salmontostadas with avocado, jicama,pickled jalapeño, grapefruit androe; and chocolate duck quesadillaswith Oaxacan cheese, salsa negraand tamarind. The special dinnermenu is $49 per person. 1238Hermosa Ave., (310)379-1829.

Beverly Garland DayVisit the Garland Hotel on

Tuesday, Jan. 19 to celebrateBeverly Garland Day with $15burgers and martinis in The FrontYard and Lobby Bar. Guests willreceive a 25 percent discount on allmerchandise at The Store. 4222Vineland Ave., (818)255-7290.

Cooking class withAndreas Nieto Save the date on Saturday, Jan.

23 at 1 p.m., when AndreasNieto and executive sous chefRaymond Nicasio will offer “Ataste of Valentine’s Day LA PrimeStyle” cooking class featuringitems from the sweethearts menufrom LA Prime. Start with a pinkkiss cocktail made with chilledpomegranate infused vodka andfresh raspberries. The chefs willteach participants how to prepare athree-course meal with blue fintataki, cast iron seared Mary’s freerange chicken, and vanilla beanand white chocolate ganache tortesand pink champagne sorbet withpassion fruit puree and candiedviolet petals. Seating is limited to30 participants 21 and over. Thecost of class is $65. 404 S.Figueroa St. RSVP atClaudia .Lambaren@west in-bonaventure.com.

Executive lunch atBOA SteakhouseMeet clients or friends for an

elegant three-course lunch atBOA Steakhouse that includessoup or salad; an entrée choice of

brick chicken, salmon or spaghettiand American Kobe meatballs, anda scoop of ice cream with warmfreshly baked cookies for $26. 101Santa Monica Blvd., (310)899-4466; 9200 W. Sunset Blvd.,(310)278-2050.

New chef atPetrossian The luxury West Hollywood hot

spot Petrossian Restaurant andBoutique has welcomed AlexAgeneau as its new executive chef.During dineL.A. Restaurant Week,Ageneau will prepare a two-courselunch menu for $25 per person, aswell as a $49 three-course dinner.Ageneau developed hisFrench/Californian style of cook-ing at Aestus, The Royce andPatina before coming to Petrossian.The dineLA menu options includesunchoke and leek velouté, andbuckwheat blinis with pike roe,trout roe, salmon roe and crèmefraiche. Entrées include red seabream, seared duck breast and veg-etarian porcini mushroom risotto.Wine pairings are offered for anadditional charge. Finish withvanilla panna cotta and darkchocolate ganache with cranberrysauce and candied orange. 321 N.Robertson Blvd., (310)271-0576.

Authentic New Englandfare at Knuckle & Claw

By Jill Weinlein

photo by Jill WeinleinSeafood rolls of lobster, blue crab and shrimp are the main attractions atKnuckle & Claw, a casual eatery offering authentic New England fare.Order a cold IPA and have yourself the perfect weekend lunch.

photo by Jill Weinlein“Knuckleheads,” as the waitstaff call themselves, deliver service with asmile at Knuckle and Claw in Silverlake.

Restaurant NewsFrom page 12

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14 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

POLICE BLOTTERThe following crimes occurred in West Hollywood and the areas patrolledby the LAPD’s Wilshire and Hollywood divisions between Jan. 4 and Jan.10, and were compiled from www.crimemapping.com. To report a crime,call local law enforcement agencies: Los Angeles Police Department,Wilshire Division (213)473-0489 and Los Angeles County Sheriff’sDepartment West Hollywood Station (310)855-8850.

Jan. 4At 1 a.m., an unknown suspectsnatched a purse from a victim inthe 6800 block of Hollywood.

A suspect assaulted a victim duringa domestic violence incident in the1100 block of Alta Loma at 1:10a.m.

At 1:24 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 8800block of Santa Monica.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 8000 block ofW. Fourth at 2 a.m.

At 6 a.m., an unknown suspect bur-glarized a vehicle parked in the 800block of Huntley.

An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 800 block of S.Oxford at 8 a.m.

At 9 a.m., a petty theft was reportedin the 6700 block of Hollywood.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked near the corner ofFranklin and Hillcrest at 1 p.m.

At 4:30 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 7800block of Beverly.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 7800 block ofW. Sunset at 10 p.m.

At 10 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the100 block of S. Poinsettia.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 600 block of S.Cochran at 10 p.m.

Jan. 5At 3 a.m., an attempted robberywas reported in the 7100 block ofMelrose.

An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 900 block of Vine at4 a.m.

At 4:15 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 800block of N. Fairfax.

An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 400 block of Orlandoat 8:40 a.m.

At 10:31 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 1100block of Gramercy.

An attempted robbery was reportedin the 1000 block of S. Fairfax at12:40 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the800 block of N. La Cienega.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 6000 block ofW. Third at 2:30 p.m.

At 3 p.m., an unknown suspect bur-glarized a vehicle parked in the4600 block of Oakwood.

An unknown suspect committed atheft in the 6000 block of W. Sunsetat 3:15 p.m.

At 3:25 p.m., an unknown suspectsnatched a purse from a victim nearthe corner of Sunset and Detroit.

An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 300 block of N.Harper at 4:20 p.m.

At 4:49 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 100block of Cahuenga.

An unknown suspect assaulted avictim near the corner of Argyleand Hollywood at 5:45 p.m.

At 6 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a theft in the 8500 blockof Santa Monica.

An unknown suspect committed agrand theft in the 7100 block ofBeverly at 6 p.m.

At 8 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the5200 block of Marathon.

A suspect robbed a victim in the6000 block of Wilshire at 8:10 p.m.

At 9 p.m., an unknown suspectstole a vehicle parked in the 800block of Larrabee.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 300 block ofN. Citrus at 9:30 p.m.

At 11 p.m., an unknown suspectstole a bicycle in the 1400 block ofN. McCadden.

Jan. 6At 12:05 a.m., an unknown sus-pect robbed a victim near the cor-ner of Wilton Place and First.

An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 6700 block ofSanta Monica at 12:45 a.m.

At 1:40 a.m., an unknown suspectassaulted a victim in the 9000block of Sunset.

An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 300 block of N.Harvard at 11 a.m.

At noon, an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 1100block of Manhattan.

A suspect assaulted a victim duringa domestic violence incident in the1000 block of Sierra Bonita at 2:33p.m.

At 6:45 p.m., an unknown suspectstole a bicycle in the 1300 block ofLaurel.

Jan. 7At 12:01 a.m., an unknown sus-pect committed a petty theft in the8500 block of Holloway.

An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 8400 block ofMelrose Place at 4:50 a.m.

At 7:30 a.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the1100 block of Hacienda.

An unknown suspect committed atheft in the 1000 block of SaintAndrews at 7:30 a.m.

At 7:30 a.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the1300 block of S. Cochran.

An unknown suspect robbed a vic-tim in the 300 block of S. Fairfax at8:30 a.m.

At 8:30 a.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the1500 block of Vine.

An unknown suspect assaulted avictim near the corner of Vine andSanta Monica at 1:30 p.m.

At 3:25 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 2000block of Gramercy Place.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 200 block ofN. Irving at 6:30 p.m.

At 8 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked nearthe corner of El Centro andSunset.

An unknown suspect assaulted avictim in the 1000 block ofLarrabee at 11 p.m.

Jan. 8At 4:20 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 9000block of Keith.

An unknown suspect committed atheft in the 400 block of S. Westernat 9 p.m.

At 12:10 p.m., an unknown sus-pect committed a grand theft in the8400 block of Beverly.

An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 7200 block ofFranklin at 2:45 p.m.

At 3 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the400 block of N. Sycamore.

An unknown suspect robbed a vic-tim near the corner of Beverly and

Saint Andrews Place at 3 p.m.

At 5 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the6600 block of W. Sunset.

An unknown suspect committed agrand theft in the 6700 block ofHollywood at 5:15 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked inthe 400 block of S. Sherbourne.

An unknown suspect burglarizeda vehicle parked in the 6500block of Willoughby at 7 p.m.

At 7 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked inthe 700 block of S. Burnside.

An unknown suspect burglarizeda vehicle parked in the 6300block of Lexington at 10 p.m.

At 10:55 p.m., an unknown sus-pect committed a petty theft in the900 block of N. Van Ness.

Jan. 9At 1:55 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 600block of Robertson.

An unknown suspect burglarizeda vehicle parked in the 100 blockof S. Rossmore at 2 a.m.

At 12:25 p.m., an attempted bur-glary was reported in the 1100block of Cloverdale.

An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 5500 block of W.Pico at 2 p.m.

At 6:20 p.m., an unknown suspect

burglarized a vehicle parked in the100 block of S. Gardner.

An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 5500 block ofHollywood at 6:20 p.m.

At 7:45 p.m., an unknown suspectrobbed a victim in the in the 200block of N. La Brea.

An unknown suspect robbed a vic-tim in the 1800 block of Whitley at8:21 p.m.

At 8:55 p.m., an unknown suspectrobbed a victim in the 1300 blockof N. Highland.

An attempted robbery was report-ed near the corner of Sycamoreand Lexington at 9 p.m.

At 9:20 p.m., an unknown suspectassaulted a victim during adomestic violence incident nearthe corner of Cahuenga andSycamore.

A theft was reported in the 400block of Wilton Place at 10:30p.m.

Jan. 10At 12:30 a.m., an unknown sus-pect committed a petty theft in the1400 block of N. Ivar.

An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 6100 block of AftonPlace at 12:30 a.m.

At 1:30 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a grand theft in the1400 block of N. Ivar.

An unknown suspect burglarizeda vehicle parked in the 700 blockof Edinburgh at 6 p.m.

A doctor convicted of a conspir-acy linked to a fake medical clinicin Glendale was sentenced on Jan.6 to nine years in federal prison forhis role in a $20 million scheme todefraud the Medicare and Medi-Cal programs.Dr. Kenneth Johnson, 49, was

sentenced by United States DistrictJudge S. James Otero for his role ina scheme in which the perpetratorsfraudulently prescribed expensiveanti-psychotic medications andthen re-billed the government forthe drugs multiple times. Johnsonpre-signed thousands of prescrip-tions that were later used to fill mil-lions of dollars in fraudulent pre-scriptions for anti-psychotic drugs.Stating that Johnson caused “sig-

nificant loss by any measure,”Otero said the sentence was neces-sary to “deter others from engagingin this type of conduct, especiallyphysicians.”Johnson is one of three people

found guilty after a trial in 2014 –and one of 16 defendants convictedfor their part in a scheme run out ofManor Medical Imaging. Thescheme generated fraudulentbillings amounting to more than$20 million, of which Medi-Cal

and Medicare actually paid morethan $9 million.Using prescriptions that were

pre-signed by Johnson, employeesof Manor Medical generated thou-sands of prescriptions for identifytheft victims, including elderlyVietnamese beneficiaries ofMedicare and Medi-Cal, militaryveterans who were recruited fromdrug rehab programs and skid rowresidents. Members of the conspir-acy created or altered patient filesto make it falsely appear the drugswere necessary and the patientswere legitimately treated. After theprescriptions were filled at pharma-cies and paid for by Medicare andMedi-Cal, they were then sold onthe black market and redistributedto pharmacies, where the drugswould be subject to new claimsmade to Medicare and Medi-Cal asthough they were new bottles ofdrugs.“Dr. Johnson essentially sold his

prescription pad when he becamepart of the conspiracy that defraud-ed the government out of millionsof dollars,” said United StatesAttorney Eileen M. Decker.“Johnson played a crucial role inthis scheme, which could not have

functioned without his medicallicense lending an air of legitimacyto the clinic.”The case was the first in the

nation involving an organizedscheme to defraud governmenthealth care programs throughfraudulent claims for expensiveanti-psychotic medications. At aprior hearing, Otero noted that theconspiracy targeted “under-the-radar” drugs in an effort to not todraw the attention of law enforce-ment.Previously convicted in the case

were Lianna “Lili” Ovsepian, 35,the manager and owner of ManorMedical, who was sentenced toeight years in prison after pleadingguilty to health care fraud charges.Her brother Artak Ovsepian, 34,received a 15-year prison term inAugust. The third person convicted at

trial – Nuritsa Grigoryan, 51 – hasan Armenian medical license andpretended to be an American doc-tor when she consulted with home-less patients and wrote bogus pre-scriptions pre-signed by Johnson.She fled the United States afterbeing found guilty and remains afugitive.

Doctor sentenced for Medicare fraud scheme

A 35-year-old man who authori-ties said was a transient was sen-tenced on Jan. 8 to two consecu-tive terms of life in state prisonwithout the possibility of parolefor the special circumstance mur-ders of two people more than fouryears ago, the Los Angeles CountyDistrict Attorney’s Office hasannounced.A jury convicted defendant

Zackariah Timothy Lehnan on

Nov. 24 of two counts of first-degree murder with the special cir-cumstance of multiple murders. Ajury also found to be true a specialallegation that a knife was used tocommit the murder.On May 3, 2011, a housekeeper

for victim Lucien Bergez, 89, dis-covered his body and the body ofErica Escobar, 27, at Bergez’sCulver City home, according tocourt testimony. Lehnan had beat-

en, stabbed and stomped onEscobar. He then stabbed and beatBergez with a knife and screw-driver, prosecutors said.According to court testimony,

the elderly victim sometimes hiredthe defendant to work around thehouse. On the day of the murders,Lehnen made sexual advancestoward Escobar and when sherejected him, he killed her andBergez, prosecutors added.

Man receives two life sentences for double murder

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Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 15 January 14, 2016

Project Angel Food volunteer and students makebirthdays special for people in needProject Angel Food and Vine

Street Elementary School are part-nering in the Birthday BagProject, which provides bags fullof donated items to people strug-gling with serious illnesses ontheir birthdays.Susan West, a volunteer at

Project Angel Food since 1993,started the Birthday Bag Project toensure the agency’s 2,000 clientsare not forgotten on their specialday. “Somebody is remembering

you,” West said. “It’s a happything just to be remembered andfeel a little special at the moment.”Students from Vine Street

Elementary School decorate thebags with birthday wishes andWest fills them with donated itemsin her home.“The beauty of the birthday bag

[is] I don’t need all the samethings,” West added. “Whateverwe get donated from differentplaces – books from HarperCollins, T-shirts, DVDs, Deltatravel kits, samples from show-rooms, [it comes from] all differ-ent sources.”The bags are delivered to

Project Angel Food clients withtheir weekly meals. Otto P., aProject Angel Food client who isblind and suffering from end stagerenal failure, said the birthday bagbrightened his day.“I can’t tell you what that means

to me. I don’t get gifts anymore soI wasn’t expecting anything,” hesaid. “When I got home from mydoctor’s appointment and saw thata birthday gift was waiting for me,well it brought tears to my eyes.”The 50-year-old West has con-

gestive heart failure and qualifiesfor Project Angel Food’s deliveryservice, but she has never missedfilling a bag.“I understand how the clients

feel because sometimes I don’t

feel well,” West added. “But Ihave a husband who will makefood and do the dishes. Some ofthese people don’t have that luxu-ry.”Project Angel Food serves

10,000 meals weekly to criticallyill clients living with HIV/AIDS,cancer, heart disease, kidney fail-ure and lung disease. For information and to support

the Birthday Bag Project, visitwww.angelfood.org.

photo courtesy of Project Angel FoodStudents from Vine Street Elementary decorate birthday bags for ProjectAngel Food clients, an exercise good for both students and recipients.

NCJW/LA seeks volunteers infight against human traffickingThe National Council of Jewish

Women, Los Angeles (NCJW/LA)is seeking volunteers for the out-reach event “Eyes on Trafficking”in Los Angeles, West Hollywoodand Pasadena on Sunday, Jan. 24from 5 to 10 p.m., and in LongBeach on Sunday, Jan. 31 from 3 to9 p.m.Participants in the Jan. 24 event

will meet a the NCJW/LA councilhouse at 543 N. Fairfax Ave. OnJan. 31, participants will meet at theAlpert Jewish Community Centerof Long Beach, 3801 E. Willow St.NCJW/LA will provide training

for volunteers, who will meet withteam leaders and participate in arally before conducting outreach inpairs. The program is part of the

Human Trafficking OutreachProject, which is included in theimplementation of Senate Bill 1193in Los Angeles County. NCJW/LAis training volunteers to visit busi-nesses and inform them about amandate under SB 1193 to displayposters with human trafficking hot-line numbers. Businesses under themandate include bars, urgent carecenters and emergency rooms.According to NCJW/LA, there

has been a 250 percent increase inthe number of calls to the local hot-line since the organization startedthe project.For information and to sign up to

volunteer, visit www.ncjwla.org,call Maya Paley at (323)852-8536,or email [email protected].

Page Private School of HancockPark welcomes new principalPage Private School of Hancock

Park has welcomed RedeelynSunga as its new principal. Sungahas been involved in education formore than 10 years and has beenpart of the Page School staff forseven years. She joined the admin-istration last summer and has nowbeen given the opportunity to leadthe Page School team.“I look forward to continue

building on the legacy that PagePrivate School has set for 108years,” she said.Sunga added that she is excited

about the upcoming school yearand is honored to continue workingwith the Page Private School staff.She invites prospective families toattend the school’s open house nextweek from January 18-22, from 9to 11 a.m.Page Private School has campus-

es located in Hancock Park at 565N. Larchmont Blvd., and inBeverly Hills at 419 S. RobertsonBlvd. For information, special pro-motions and to register for a tour,visit www.pageschool.com.

photo courtesy of Page Private SchoolPrincipal Redeelyn Sunga

The Linked Learning Allianceand the California Chamber ofCommerce have formed a partner-ship with the U.S. Chamber ofCommerce Foundation (USCCF) toexpand opportunities for teenagersand young adults to obtain workexperience that can lead to collegeand career advancement.By joining USCCF’s national

youth employment network, theLinked Learning Alliance andCalifornia Chamber will collabo-rate with national leaders instrengthening workforce develop-ment and focusing on employer-driven, work-based learningemployment strategies for peopleages 16 to 24.“With youth employment at an

historic low and the projectedworkforce skills gap growing inmany industry sectors across thenation over the coming decades, werealize now is a critical time to acti-vate a network of champion cham-bers who are tackling this issue,”said Cheryl Oldham, vice presidentof the USCCF Center for Educationand Workforce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Foundation’s recent study titledMaking Youth Employment Workdetermined there are 6 million peo-ple ages 16-24 that are out of schooland unemployed. The under-employment rate for recent collegegraduates with at least a bachelor’sdegree has steadily increased since2001, while at the same time thereare more than 5 million positionsemployers are struggling to fill.California’s unemployment rate forthe 16-19 age group is 21.5 percent,and 11.4 percent for people ages20-24, compared with the overallstatewide unemployment rate of 5.8percent.

The research concluded thatimproving youth employmentopportunities and closing the skillsgap requires employers to imple-ment strategies that meet their busi-ness needs as well as accommodat-ing high school and communitycollege students.“One of California’s key compet-

itive advantages is a skilled work-force,” said Loren Kaye, presidentof the California Foundation forCommerce and Education. “We canmaintain that advantage only byensuring a steady pipeline of well-trained and highly motivated youngworkers who can obtain the experi-

Groups partner to promote jobopportunities for youth

Neighborhood councils nowaccepting candidate applicationsCity Clerk Holly L. Wolcott

announced tthe 2016 neighbor-hood council elections and thelaunch of the online candidate fil-ing portal.Candidates can now file online

at empowerla.org/nccr.The neighborhood council elec-

tions are a collaboration betweenthe city clerk and the Departmentof Neighborhood Empowerment(Empower LA).Out of 96 neighborhood coun-

cils, 88 will be holding elections.These are clustered to form 12regions, and each region has itsown applicable deadlines andunique election day. The requirements for stakehold-

ers to participate in neighborhoodcouncils vary, but individuals inter-ested in running can visit empow-erla.org to learn more about qualifi-cations for stakeholders, neighbor-

hood councils or regional maps.The office of the city clerk

administers elections for the city ofLos Angeles, the Los AngelesUnified School District and theLos Angeles Community CollegeDistrict. More information can befound on the city clerk’s electionwebsite at clerk.lacity.org/elec-tions/ or contact the ElectionDivision at (213) 978-0444.The Greater Wilshire

Neighborhood Council (GWNC)will hold its registration onlinethrough March 2. In person regis-tration will be available on Feb. 10at the GWNC meeting at 7 p.m. atThe Ebell of Los Angeles locatedat 743 South Lucerne Blvd.Elections for GWNC are May 1

from noon to 4 p.m. at TheBarking Lot located at 366 N.Larchmont Blvd. For information,visit www.greaterwilshire.org.

ence needed to succeed in ourdiverse economy.”For information, visit

www.uschamberfoundation.org.

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Across1. ___ Four4. Earl of Gloucester’s son, in“King Lear”10. Sandwich filler14. Fertility clinic stock15. Marketplace16. “The Last of the Mohicans”girl17. Cheating, in a way

20. Chimera21. It contains rods and cones22. Isaac’s eldest24. Smoother27. Suitable for a certain noble28. Chair crosspieces30. Immaculate32. City in Arizona33. Ornamental Chinese tree35. Resting on

37. Remained knowledgeable43. Prefix with scope or meter44. Cassandra, e.g.45. Water collector49. Exude51. ___ Sam52. In any way54. Picnic dish56. Kind of income57. Very generous59. Give a buzz61. Possessing advanced skills66. “Buddenbrooks” author67. Straw hat68. Cat’s-___69. In the present month70. Imitation gold71. Some forensic evidence

Down1. Watch chain2. Fifth, e.g.: abbr.3. Kerchief4. Keystone State port5. Void6. Molten rocks7. Last: abbr.8. Maximum9. No layabout10. Small constellation11. “___ Academy”12. Combat zones

13. Garam ___ (Indian spicemixture)18. Addict19. Sunburned22. Work units23. Something to follow25. Sporting dog26. Big East team29. Wicker basket31. Small salmon34. Keatsian works36. Lima’s land38. Chafes39. Covered carriage40. Took place41. Pot over a fire42. Rind45. Tubular food46. Jazz fan, most likely47. Hotshots48. Flexible50. Iranian language53. Hallucinogen55. Cart part58. King of the road60. Neutral shade62. Part of FWIW63. Topper64. Johnson or Morrison65. Prohibition ___

Answers on page 22

16 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

WHAT IS A REVOCABLE

TRUST?This week’s column will begin a

two-part series on the use ofRevocable Trusts (Living Trusts).A revocable trust (sometimesreferred to as a “living trust”) is awritten agreement between theperson creating the trust and theperson creating the trust and theperson named to manage theassets of the trust (typically your-self during your lifetime). Therevocable trust will also namethe person and/or financial insti-tution who would handle yourassets in the event of your dis-ability and their distribution inthe event of your death. A revocable trust may be amend-ed or revoked by you at any timeduring your life, as long as youare competent. The terms ofyour trust become irrevocable(not subject to change) after yourdeath. Because a revocable trustcontains provisions which directthe distribution of your assets onor after your death, the trust actsas a “will substitute”. In so acting as a “will substi-tute”, the use of a revocable trustcan, if implemented properly,eliminate the need for the pro-bate of your assets held in thename of your trust, thus avoidingadditional legal and probate feesand perhaps, unnecessary delaysin the administration and distri-bution of your estate.

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Crossword Puzzle by Myles Mellor

A photograph in the Feb. 19, 1998 issue of the Park Labrea News andBeverly Press showed a view of Hollywood and downtown Los Angelesfrom Runyon Canyon, which was at the center of a plan to run acrossover tunnel under the Santa Monica Mountains as part of Red Linesubway construction. The crossover tunnel was to augment the existingRed Line subway tunnels between the Hollywood and Highland andNorth Hollywood subway stations, and would have allowed faster ser-vice, storage of trains and a detour route in case of emergencies, accord-ing to the accompanying article. Then-Los Angeles County SupervisorZev Yaroslavksy opposed a plan to spend $27 million on the tunnelunder Runyon Canyon and the plan was eventually dropped.The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

(Metro) is currently preparing to build a tunnel under WilshireBoulevard as part of the Purple Line subway extension. Metro held ameeting Monday on a potential 7-week or 22-weekend closure of theboulevard for station construction at Wilshire Boulevard and La BreaAvenue. See story page 1.

Dennys Ilic’s exhibit“Retrospective” will be on displayat The Leica Gallery Los Angelesfrom Jan. 21-Feb.26.For the past 13 years, Ilic, who

has a background in cinematogra-phy, has pursued professional pho-tography and is now permanentlybased in Los Angeles where he hasbecome best known for edgy andsoulful images that capture the trueessence of his subjects.His photography has been com-

missioned by a number of majorfilm studios and musicians. Ilic’s exhibit showcases portrai-

ture of actors, actresses and musi-cians.

“It is this desire to connect withhumans on an intimate level thatdrives my work,” Ilic said. “I havea strong desire to tap onto the beau-tiful sadness that haunts each andevery one of us.”Actor and artist Billy Zane will

also have his exhibit featured at TheLeica Gallery Los Angeles fromJan. 21-Feb. 26.“Rock, Parchment, Scissors” is

his first photographic exhibition.Zane is best known for his achieve-ments as an actor in more than 120films.“‘Rock, Parchment, Scissors” at

the Leica gallery Los Angelesmarks the first official exhibition of

my photographic work as a visualartist,” Zane said. “The irony of theEgyptian subject matter as it relatesto excavated history is not lost

either, I assume.”An opening reception for both

exhibits will be held on Jan. 23from 6-9 p.m.

Two new exhibits at The Leica

Photo courtesy of The Leica Gallery

Jazz pianist Justin Kauflin willkick off Next Generation at TheWallis Annenberg Center for thePerforming Arts on Friday, Jan. 22

at 8 p.m.Kauflin’s performance is the first

in a series that focuses on risingartists across the performing artsspectrum. Two additional artists,Sean Chen and Steven Lin, willcontinue the series in February andMarch.“Next Generation at The Wallis

seeks out and shines a light on sev-eral exciting up-and-comingartists,” said Paul Crewes, theWallis Annenberg Center for thePerforming Arts’ new artisticdirector. “We realize the impor-tance of acknowledging emergingperformers who have already madeincredible strides in the performingarts and to introduce them to newaudiences by showcasing them onthe Bram Goldsmith stage. Justin,whose contributions to the evolu-tion of jazz are already quitenotable, is an inspiration and theperfect artist to launch this pro-gram.”The evening will begin with a

screening of the 2014 award-win-ning film “Keep on Keepin’ On”with a performance by Kauflin on

piano immediately following. Kauflin began playing music at

the age of 4. By age 6, he was per-forming professionally. espite losing his sight at the age

of 11, he continued to play musicand began performing jazz at theage of 15.He has gone on to garner top

honors and recognition at jazz fes-tivals across the U.S. Chen, recent winner of UPenn’s

eminent 2015 Annenberg arts fel-lowship for artists, will perform onFeb. 19.Lin, a Taiwanese-American

pianist recognized at the 2012Concert Artists Guild VictorElmaleh Competition, will performon March 11.Tickets, ranging from $29-$59,

are available at thewallis.org, bycalling (310)746-4000 or in personat the Wallis Annenberg Center forthe Performing Arts TicketServices. The Wallis Annenberg Center

for the Performing Arts is locatedat 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. Forinformation, visit thewallis.org.

Next generation of musicians to be showcased

Photo courtesy of The Wallis Annenberg Centerfor the Performing Art

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Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 17 January 14, 2016

“The Revenant” is like shootingPatron tequila for three daysstraight: exhausting with a side ofcringing.But we all know you’ll be talking

about the experience for the next 10years. No film is as visceral, brutaland well acted.If Leo doesn’t win this year, it’s

never gonna happen.“Based on a true story” – never

have words been more looselyapplied. The short of it: Hugh Glasswas an actual 18th century explorerin the U.S. mauled by a grizzly bearand left for dead. Bones protrudingand skin rotting, he crawled 200miles across what should’ve beenan icy tomb.The long of it: “The Revenant’s”

Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) ismotivated by more than just adesire to live, according to MichaelPunke’s novel by the same name.The dude wants revenge.Fellow frontiersman John

Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) did himwrong, and the piper needs payin’.No freezing temperatures in theLouisiana Purchase wilderness orimpending attacks by an Arikarachief (Anthony Starlight) in searchof his daughter Powaqa (MelawNakehk’o) will keep an angrygringo down.The story and themes should feel

familiar to any fan of westerns. Ican just see Clint Eastwood in thisrole 30 years ago. But in DiCaprio’s

hands, what results is a spectacularperformance incomparable to any-thing else this year (2015, that is).Granted, I contend he out-actedeveryone else with his last role tooin “The Wolf of Wall Street.”I stand by it: Leo’s competition

that year, Matthew McConaughey,didn’t actually perform any differ-ently or better. His rather carica-tured charm in “The Dallas BuyersClub” just served a greater purpose,which speaks more to writing thanhis acting.DiCaprio commits more to this

role than anything he’s ever donebefore. All the celebrity gossipseems to support that, but moreimportantly it’s all over his face.That ain’t makeup; it’s becoming acharacter. This isn’t your clean-shaven Gatsby, pretty-boy Romeoor heartthrob Jack. This guy, thisHugh Glass, he’s crazy. He’ll doanything to fend off the elementsand escape the reaper’s scythe. Ibuy it completely.His character does unthinkable

things, and so too does DiCaprio.His facial expressions alone couldhaunt the most hardened of souls.And when he attempts to screamfor help, unable to do so followinga grizzly claw to the throat, thesounds erupting from his painedbody don’t sound fake.I implore you Oscar, it’s time. He

ate actual raw bison liver, filmed ingrueling Canadian locales and slept

in animal carcasses (apparentlymore than one).He’s suffered enough, so just

give him that golden white whaleso he can finally do a superheromovie without fear of critical repri-mand.This is DiCaprio at his best, but

don’t forget the other half of Leo’sadventure in the snow, directorAlejandro González Iñárritu.Fresh off writing, directing and

best picture wins for “Birdman”(let’s not forget the 2007 best picnom for “Babel”), it’s not difficultto imagine him sweeping again.But unlike “Birdman” – an acid tripof avant-garde cinema, with its sin-gle tracking shot and imaginaryfriend haunting the protagonist.“The Revenant” feels completelydifferent.It’s not funny at all. The cine-

matography is spectacular, butthat’s more a credit to picturesquelandscape and incredibly framedshots, not excessive tracking.And while “Birdman” moves

well at a two-hour runtime, “TheRevenant” tacks on an extra halfhour. Luckily Iñárritu’s films,sometimes slow, are never dull, andalways move the story forward.And let’s not forget the gore – it

just adds to anxiety of it all in thebest possible way.I also must applaud Iñárritu and

co-writer Mark L. Smith for doingmore than relying on stereotypes ofNative Americans. They don’t shyaway from the horrors of the time,but no one group is vilified (onlyHardy’s Fitzgerald). It’s all just the

backdrop of our story.As for the headline, remember

when Luke Skywalker spent timeon the ice planet Hoth in “TheEmpire Strikes Back”? He fendedoff a creature with his trustylightsaber, and then Han Soloarrived just in time to warm himwith the insides of a tauntaun.Try not to think of that when you

watch “The Revenant.” I’ve saidtoo much. If you can handle thestress, this might be an incredibleride. If not, I hear there’s a new“Star Wars.”

‘The Revenant’ pays homageto ‘The Empire Strikes Back’

photo courtesy of Fox PicturesLeonardo DiCaprio, as Hugh Glass, endures a hostile wilderness in “TheRevenant.”

photo courtesy of Fox PicturesLeonardo DiCaprio stars as frontiersman Hugh Glass in “The Revenant.”

Fowler Museum at UCLA pre-sents “Fowler in Focus: Spirits inthe Loom: Lao-Tai Textiles.” Theexhibition runs through May 1 andfeatures 30 ceremonial and domes-tic textiles that showcase the diver-sity of imagery, interpretations anduses of weavings from the region.On display are curtains and

shaman head cloths that incorporatenaturalistic and mythologizedmotifs, as well as tube skirts andshoulder cloths that feature skilledweaving and unique regional dyetechniques. The exhibition includesthree examples of large funeral ban-ners.The textiles were collected in

northern and central Laos and inneighboring areas across the borderin Vietnam.The region’s weaving traditions

incorporate imagery from Buddhist

and Hindu mythology and shaman-ic spiritualism. These motifs oftenwork in tandem to imbue Tai tex-tiles with protective powers, whichare believed to shield those whoown or wear them. Ellison Banks Findly, a professor

of comparative religion at TrinityCollege in Hartford, Connecticutcollected the textiles and alsorecorded the stories and interpreta-tions of the women who wove thecloths.Findly donated the textiles to the

Fowler Museum in 2014.The Fowler Museum, part of

UCLA Arts, is located in the northpart of the UCLA campus.Admission is free. Parking is avail-able for a maximum of $12 in Lot4. For information, call (310)825-4361 or visit fowler.ucla.edu.

‘Fowler in Focus’ exhibitsLao-Tai textiles at UCLAFowler Museum

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18 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

Tuesday, February 16, 2016Presentation and Tour at 8:30AM

Hundreds of fans of the LosAngeles Football Club (LAFC) gath-ered at Union Station with WillFerrell, U.S. World Cup superstarMia Hamm, Nomar Garciaparra andcity leaders for the official unveilingof the new team’s crest and colors onJan. 7.

“Soccer is a universal languageand there is no doubt in my mind thatthe excitement we are seeing, hear-ing and feeling today is only thebeginning of what’s to come,” saidLos Angeles City CouncilmanCurren D. Price, 9th District. “Soccerfever has hit Los Angeles and it ishere to stay.” 

The design of the official crestincorporates an “LA” symbol and awing that represents the “city ofangels.” The club colors, black andgold, were chosen to represent thesuccess, urban texture and glamourof Los Angeles, with a “flash” of redfor heart.  

“We were influenced by the city’senergy and creativity when weworked to design the crest,” saidexecutive chairman and owner, PeterGuber. “It was a thoughtful processand I am passionate about our designand deep connection it has to LosAngeles and its people.” 

Earlier this year, LAFC announcedits intent to build a new stadium at

the site of the current Los AngelesSports Arena. LAFC plans to build a22,000-seat soccer venue, bring-ing  $250 million in private invest-ments to South Los Angeles. Nomoney from the city’s general fundwill be used for the proposed project.

The construction is expected tocreate 1,200 new jobs that will beboth union and local, as well as 1,800new full-time operations jobs. Theplans are dependent upon govern-ment and public reviewprocesses.  LAFC hopes to start theinaugural season in the new soccerstadium by 2018.

Plans for the stadium are still in theconceptual stages. However, the clubhas a series of renderings that will besubmitted for public feedback.

To see the latest renderings, visitlafc.com. Fans and neighbors cansubmit comments and suggestions tothe club via email [email protected].

LAFC’s 25-member ownershipgroup includes businessman andClub Managing Partner HenryNguyen, international soccer clubowners Vincent Tan and RubenGnanalingam, Hamm, Garciaparra,NBA and Los Angeles legend Earvin“Magic” Johnson, Ferrell, sports andentertainment mogul Peter Guber,and club president Tom Penn. 

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Open House Sun. Jan. 31, 11:30am -1 pmThurs. Feb. 4, 8am - Noon

photo by Gregory Cornfield Mayor Eric Garcetti (left), Will Ferrell, Nomar Garciaparra, Mia Hamm andCouncilman Curren Price unveiled the soccer team’s crest and colors.

The Hollywood Historic Trustplaced a floral wreath on the starof music icon David Bowie onMonday at 11:30 a.m. after hisdeath on Jan. 10.

Bowie, born David RobertJones, passed away just two daysafter releasing his latest album“Blackstar” on his 69th birthday.

“David Bowie died peacefullytoday surrounded by his familyafter a courageous 18-month bat-

tle with cancer. While many ofyou will share in this loss, we askthat you respect the family’s pri-vacy during their time of grief,”said a representative of Bowie ina public statement late Sundaynight.

He was first honored with hisstar, located at 7021 HollywoodBlvd., on Feb. 12, 1997.

He released 27 albumsthroughout his career and first

gained major notoriety for“Space Oddity,” released 1969.He won two Grammy awards,one for Best Video, short form in1985 and a LifetimeAchievement award in 2008.

In 1996, Bowie was inductedinto the Rock and Roll Hall ofFame.

Bowie also appeared in severalmotion pictures including a lead-ing role as Thomas JeromeNewton in the 1976 science fic-tion film, “The Man Who Fell toEarth,” for which he won aSaturn award for Best Actor, andas the Goblin King in the movie“Labyrinth.”

Fans remember Bowie for hisstriking style, larger-than-life per-sonality and many musical hitsincluding “Starman,” and “Let’sDance.”

“He’s been a big part of my lifesince I was 11 years old,” saidHollywood resident LisaCousins. “He stood as a friendly,lovely intelligence that I leanedon for many years.”

Fans celebrated Bowie’s lifethroughout the week by placingflowers and mementos on his star.

Iconic musician honored by fans on walk of fame

Photo by Patricia SanchezFans honored musician David Bowie throughout the week after theEnglish musician passed away on Jan. 10 from cancer.

Betty Wilson, 79 years old, aDemocrat from Los Angeles, hasbeen reappointed to the CaliforniaCommission on Disability Access,where she has served since 2010.Wilson has been owner and con-sultant at Betty R.Wilson andAssociates since 2012.

She served multiple positions atthe Los Angeles Department onDisability from 1989 to 2012,including director of communityservices and assistant director andadministrative coordinator.

Wilson was also executive direc-tor at the Los Angeles Mayor’sOffice for the Disabled from 1981to 1989.

This position requires Senateconfirmation and the compensa-tion is $100 per diem.

DisabilitycommissionreappointsWilson

On Thursday, Jan. 7, Children’sHospital Los Angeles (CHLA)announced Los Angeles financierand philanthropist Tom Gores andhis wife Holly have made a $5 mil-lion commitment to establish a newpediatric allergy treatment center atCHLA.

The Gores Family Allergy Centerwill be the first of its kind in LosAngeles, filling an important needin a city where thousands of chil-dren suffering from severe and life-threatening allergies.

This donation will help CHLAbroaden its treatment and care forchildren with such conditions, inparticular allergies to food.

“It’s rare to have a multi-discipli-nary clinic that can take care of apatient 360 degrees. Being able toget a gift like this from the Goresfamily really changes the way weare able to provide care,” said

Jonathan Tam, the medical directorof the Gores Family Allergy Center.“Not only can we take care ofpatients from different disciplinesof medicine ... but we also canaddress other parts of care thataren't always taken care of in amedical clinic ... and then having annurse that can follow patients for along period of time.”

Expanded services of the newcenter include evaluation and diag-nosis, follow-up care, educationand outreach, dietary consultation,mental health counseling and clini-cal trial participation.

“With the organization of theGores Family Allergy Center, wecan implement new technologyfaster and get kids into the researchpipeline faster because patients arescreened by different specialties assoon as they come through the clin-ic,” Tam said.

Children’s Hospital LA granted new allergy center

Photo courtesy CHLAJonathan Tam will be the medicaldirector for the new Gores FamilyAllergy Center.

Celebrities help unveil newsoccer team in Los Angeles

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Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 19 January 14, 2016

The Groundlings Theatreannounced the opening of its brandnew school facility known as TheGroundlings School.The state of the art teaching facil-

ity will be the new home to the

training program that has usheredhundreds of notable actors and writ-ers into the television and filmindustry.The opening date is set for Jan

30. The training facility contains

seven spacious classrooms and astudent performance space withadvanced sound and light system.“We are very excited to unveil

the brand new GroundlingsSchool,” said Heather de Michele,managing director for TheGroundlings Theatre. “Our studentsare the future of comedy and thefoundation of our organization, andwe want to give them the best pos-sible facility to nurture their growthas performers. Also, as a non-profittheatre, owning our building is amilestone for our program and animportant step in maintaining ourfinancial stability.”The opening of the school coin-

cides with the launch of new stu-dent programming where everyTuesday night, students will per-form in teams and act in short formimprovisation sets directed by aGroundlings director.Additionally, The Groundlings

Theatre announced theGroundlings’ Diversity Initiativeaimed at bringing its unique come-dy training to new and diverse audi-ences.The annual initiative includes

scholarship awards, communityoutreach training and perfor-mances, specialty classes and pan-els throughout the year.On Saturday, Jan. 30, the theatre

will host a daylong celebration thatwill include a series of one-hourspecialty workshops for past andpresent Groundlings students from11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., as well asnew sketch and improv shows thatwill be free and open to the public,featuring students, SundayCompany, Teachers, MainCompany and alumni, from 3:00p.m.-11:30 p.m.The Groundlings Theatre is

located at 7307 Melrose Ave. Forinformation, visitwww.groundlings.com.

Groundlings School ready to teach aspiring actors

Photo courtesy of The Groundlings TheatreIn addition to opening its new school, The Groundlings Theatre will alsolaunch a new student program. Every Tuesday night, students will per-form in teams to perform short form improvisation sets directed by aGroundlings director.

Artist Dwora Fried will have herwork on display at the Los AngelesArt Association until Feb. 19 withan opening on Jan. 16 from 6-9p.m.Dwora showcases tiny displays

inside glass fronted boxes and largeinteractive experiences with herexhibition, “BIG BOX little box.”She filled her smaller displays

with vintage dolls, toys and furni-ture from the 1950s along with pho-tographs, fabrics, plastic, wood andmetal. These small rooms reflecther experience growing up as anoutsider in postwar Vienna.As a Jewish lesbian and child of

holocaust survivors, Fried learnedto see everything through the prismof loss, danger and secrecy.In addition to the small mixed

media dioramas, the artist built alife-size replica of one of the smallboxes allowing viewers to engagewith and become part of the art-work.

“The diorama box recalls thatmost universal of middle school

assignments — to build a model ofthe solar system, for example, oryour family portrait, a book report,the signing of the Declaration,”wrote art critic Shana NysDambrot. “But for an adult such asmixed media assemblagist andpainter Dwora Fried, this childlike,not to be confused with childish,exercise offers the perfect way tore-examine issues and memoriessurfacing from childhood as a per-sonal matter, as well as to decon-struct the context of those experi-ences in a more historical or cultur-al mode.”Fried is a Los Angeles artist

working with assemblage andinstallation. She was born inVienna, Austria and lived thereuntil moving to Israel to go to col-lege. In 1978, she moved to LosAngeles, CA and became anAmerican citizen.The Los Angeles Art Association

is located at 825 N. La CienegaBlvd. For information, visitwww.laaa.org.

Los Angeles Art Associationdisplays diorama art in exhibit

Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Art Association

Mayor Eric Garcetti andcelebrity cake artist DuffGoldman helped Tom LaBongehonor the 2016 Real Stars ofHollywood at the Friends ofHollywood Central Park’s annu-al gala, For the Love ofHollywood, on Jan. 7 at theTaglyan Cultural Center.This year’s honors went to

Mike Sullivan, owner of

LAcarGUY, Paul Viviano ofChildren’s Hospital LA, and PaulHirsh, principal of the STEMAcademy at Helen BernsteinHigh School.The three honorees were com-

mended for their work to helpshape the park’s progress andhelp transform the dream into areality.The event, now in its seventh

year, is the principal fund-raiserfor the Friends of HollywoodCentral Park, who are working tocreate a 38-acre street-level parkover the Hollywood Freewaybetween Santa MonicaBoulevard and HollywoodBoulevard.The Hollywood Central Park

is a landmark infrastructure pro-ject that will reunite communi-ties separated for more than 60years by the freeway, create40,000 jobs, provide economicstimulus and long-term econom-ic security, build healthy com-munities and provide childrenwith open green space in whichto grow and thrive.The park began as an idea

more than 30 years ago and hasgained substantial momentumsince 2009 when the Friends ofHollywood Central Park formed.In that time, the park has

achieved a number of mile-stones, and a major achievementis expected later this year whenthe LA Department ofRecreation and Parks releasesthe Draft Environmental ImpactReport on the HollywoodCentral Park.For the Love of Hollywood

was made possible through thesupport of multiple sponsors.For more information, visit

www.hollywoodcentralpark.org

Hollywood friends of the park honored

Photo by William KidstonFormer LA City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Duff Goldman, MayorEric Garcetti, LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell,Assemblymember Richard Bloom and Laurie Goldman of the Friendsof Hollywood Central Park with Duff Goldman’s specially createdcake depicting Hollywood and Hollywood Central Park.

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20 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

Best Friends applaudsefforts to close puppy mills

photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal SocietyBest Friends Animal Society has announced that more than 100

communities throughout the United States have enacted legislationbanning the retail sale of commercially bred puppies at facilities com-monly known as “puppy mills.”Las Vegas is the most recent city to join the fast-growing trend, fol-

lowing cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Beverly Hills, andVentura County; Salt Lake County, Utah; and Camden County, NewJersey.“Best Friends has worked tirelessly for years to create and lobby

for humane legislation,” said Elizabeth Oreck, national manager ofpuppy mill initiatives for Best Friends Animal Society. “Through ourpuppy mill initiatives, we encourage pet stores to offer shelter andrescue animals for adoption instead of mill-bred pets, and to educateconsumers about the link between pet stores, Internet pet sales andpuppy mills.”Puppy mills are high-volume dog breeding facilities that Best

Friends Animal Society refers to as “factory farms” for dogs. Theysupply nearly 100 percent of U.S. pet stores and online puppy retail-ers.Best Friends representatives said many of the “factories” offer

inadequate medical care and human socialization, with dogs living insmall cages, often in the minimum legal size allowed – six inches onall sides – and female dogs being bred as frequently as possible. Thesubstandard factories prioritize profit and maximum productivityover the health and welfare of the animals, and they churn out an esti-mated 2 million animals each year, according to Best Friends. At thesame time, 4 million pets are killed in shelters annually. There are anestimated 10,000 licensed and unlicensed puppy mills in the UnitedStates, according to Best Friends.“Taking a stand against puppy mills by passing humane laws, and

consumers’ decision to avoid pet shops and online retailers will makethis inhumane industry a thing of the past,” Oreck added.For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org/our-work/puppy-

mill-initiatives.

The Los Angeles CountyMuseum of Art presents the exhibit“New Objectivity: ModernGerman Art in the WeimarRepublic, 1919-1933” runningthrough Monday, Jan. 18 in theBroad Contemporary Art Museumat LACMA.As part of the exhibit, Michael

Mortilla will perform improvisedlive scores for five silent films to bescreened in the exhibit’s gallerieson Sunday, Jan.17 from 10:30 a.m.to 6:50 p.m. Their will be five to 10minute breaks between films.Mirroring the central themes of

“New Objectivity,” the films depictthe social realities of the WeimarRepublic, ranging from the miseryof the lower class – as portrayed in“Slums of Berlin” (1925) – to newforms of mass consumer cultureand a fascination with new tech-nologies, architecture and machin-ery, as shown in Walter Ruttmann’smasterpiece “Berlin, Symphony ofa Great City” (1927). The renewedinterest in everyday scenarios isdepicted in Robert Siodmak’s“People on Sunday” (1930), whileGeorg Wilhelm’s “Pabst’sPandora’s Box” (1929), based onFrank Wedekind’s play, expressesthe destabilization of traditionalidentities and gender roles, withAmerican actress Louise Brooks as

the personification of the “newwoman.”Mortilla is an award-winning

pianist, composer and sounddesigner who has produced morethan 1,000 works for film, TV,radio, theater, dance and orchestra.He has accompanied countlessiconic American and German silent

films and has been commissionedby the Academy of Motion PictureArts and Sciences to composenumerous scores for restored silentfilms.LACMA is located at 5905

Wilshire Blvd. For information,call (323)857-6000, or visitwww.lacma.org.

LACMA spotlights German film exhibit with music

photo by Lon Casler BixbyPianist Michael Mortilla will accompany films shown as part of the “NewObjectivity” exhibit at LACMA.

The State of the Bay 2015(SOTB) report, produced by theSanta Monica Bay NationalEstuary Program (SMBNEP) overa five-year period, was released onJan. 7.The SOTB report is a science-

based, comprehensive assessmentof the environmental conditions ofSanta Monica Bay and its water-shed. The report’s primary goalsare to measure progress in restor-ing the bay’s natural habitats andresources, educate the public aboutthe bay’s valuable naturalresources and identify the chal-lenges facing scientists and man-agers who protect the bay and itswatershed.The report celebrates progress in

water resources management andimproving habitat conditions as aresult of restoration efforts. It alsoexamines the work still to be donein those areas and identifies emerg-ing issues that need to be addressedin the next five years.The report was primarily pre-

pared by SMBNEP’s TechnicalAdvisory Committee (TAC), a

group of experts in their respectivefields who apply the best availablescience and management strate-gies.They determined that most habi-

tats in most areas of the bay and itswatershed are degraded to varyingdegrees due to human disturbance.With a continuously growing pop-ulation, it would be nearly impossi-ble for that not to be the case,according to the report, which cov-ers freshwater aquatic and riparianhabitats, coastal wetlands, sandyshores, rocky intertidal zones,rocky reefs, soft-bottom benthos,and coastal pelagic habitats.Key findings of the report deter-

mined that restoration efforts inhabitats such as Malibu Lagoonand Palos Verdes Kelp Forest haveresulted in marked improvementsin ecosystem structure and func-tion. Levels of harmful bacteriafound on beaches in Santa MonicaBay have been greatly reducedduring dry weather conditions dueto efforts to reduce runoff andimprove water quality.Agencies and organizations

working in the bay are increasinglycoordinating to improve waterresources management. Beaches ashabitats are greatly affected byhuman traffic and beach grooming,and man-made barriers providelimited protection for beaches inthe face of rising seas andincreased storms, leaving privateand public infrastructure vulnera-ble.“Thanks to the tremendous

efforts of TAC members and manylocal experts, this SOTB report isour clearest view yet of the condi-tion of the natural resources inSanta Monica Bay,” said ProfessorRichard Ambrose, of the UCLAInstitute of the Environment andSustainability and Department ofEnvironmental Health Science,who chaired the TAC. “This latestreport uses more data and a clearerprocess for determining the condi-tion of the bay’s habitats, and pro-vides a scientific foundation forongoing and future efforts to pro-tect and enhance the bay.”For information, visit

www.urbancoast.org.

Report outlines condition of bay ecosystem

The Didi Hirsch Mental HealthServices Suicide Prevention Center– one of only three in the nation thathas 24-hour English- and Spanish-speaking crisis counselors – hasreceived a federal grant to continueoperating the national DisasterDistress Helpline.The free, confidential helpline

provides 24-hour crisis support ser-vices for people struggling emo-tionally because of natural or man-made disasters, including earth-quakes, wildfires, floods and inci-dents of violence.“After tragedies like the mass

shooting in San Bernardino, sur-vivors, family, friends, witnessesand community members are oftentraumatized and may show signs ofdistress such as feeling easilyangered, increased anxiety or fear-fulness or behavioral changes suchas having trouble sleeping or drink-ing more alcohol than usual,” saidDidi Hirsch president and CEOKita S. Curry. “By calling thehelpline, they can get help dealingwith their feelings and learn how touse healthy coping skills to avoiddeveloping long-term problems.”Callers can receive immediate

crisis support and referrals to localresources for additional care andsupport. A texting service is alsoavailable. Didi Hirsch, which hasbeen administering the helplinelocally since January 2014, was oneof three call centers to receive$137,500 grants. The other call cen-ters receiving grants are located inMiami and New York. The disasterdistress helpline can be reached at(800)985-5990. For information,call www.didihirsch.org.

Grant will maintain crisis supportprovided by the Didi Hirsch Center

“By calling thehelpline, they canget help dealing

with their feelingsand learn how to

use healthy copingskills to avoid

developing long-term problems.”

-Didi Hirsch president andCEO Kita S. Curry

DODGERS NEWSDodgers name new VP of baseball operationsThe Los Angeles Dodgers have

hired Alex Anthopoulos, vice presi-dent of baseball operations.Anthopoulos, 38, will assist in allaspects of operations.“We are thrilled to be bringing

Alex on board,” said Dodger presi-dent of baseball operations AndrewFriedman. “Farhan [Zaidi], Josh[Byrnes], and myself all have long-standing relationships with him andbelieve his experience and perspec-tive will be a tremendous asset to ourorganization.”Anthopoulos spent the past six sea-

sons as the Toronto Blue Jays’ generalmanager, culminating in a selection asSporting News’ MLB Executive of

the Year in 2015, when his trade-deadline acquisitions helped spur theBlue Jays to an American LeagueEast title and their first postseasonappearance in 22 years.Anthopoulos joined Toronto fol-

lowing the 2003 season as a scoutingcoordinator and was promoted tovice president of baseball operationsand assistant general manager in2006 before becoming general man-ager.

Tickets available for spring trainingSingle-game tickets for the

Dodgers’ 2016 Spring Training sea-son at Camelback Ranch-Glendale,the spring home of the ChicagoWhite Sox and Los AngelesDodgers, are available online andby phone. Season, mini-plan, group

and single game presale ticket salesare at an all-time high, according tothe Dodgers. Single-game ticketsstart at $9 per game.For information and to purchase

tickets, call (800)905-3315, or visitwww.dodgers.com/spring.

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after that the notices were a misun-derstanding, and complaints aboutmaintenance response were resolvedby December after tenants threatenedto file claims with the city. But Lavinclaimed management continues tomeet with tenants to make offers andthreatens that they will invoke theEllis Act if tenants don’t leave.Taylor said the buyout discussionshave been suspended.Lavin said management pressed

him with what he called threats thatthey would raise rents, but he passedon the new offer to leave.“It felt so oppressive and unneces-

sary,” he said. “They said, ‘It’s agrand slam for us to Ellis it and sellit.’”

Taylor said a meeting like thatnever happened.The association members agreed

that they would refuse the buyouts.Members of the Los FelizNeighborhood Association andGross have offered support andinformation to help tenants under-stand their rights during evictionspeculation, mainly that tenants donot have to take the offers.Lavin said approximately 16 ten-

ants accepted offers to leave. Grosssaid the money that tenants areoffered, $20,000 according to onenotice, won’t go far when the rentalmarket rate in the area has grownquickly. “[The tenants] are all committed to

taking on the owner to take whateveraction they need to do to stop theirdisplacement,” he said.Lavin said the group is still figur-

ing out specifically what measuresthey can take. He hopes their storyhelps other tenants in similar situa-tions understand their rights. He saidthe tenant intimidation is part of alarger problem across the city inwhich real estate firms target rent-controlled buildings and flip them forprofit through loopholes in the law. “It’s happening all over, and it’s a

disaster,” he said. “Maybe if it hap-pens enough and they have enoughinfo people can fight it and protectthemselves.

know Stoudemire, a Florida native.When the NBA player came totown for a Miami Heat vs. LosAngeles Clippers game, Goldsteinreached out to Retna andStoudemire to organize an event togive back to the park.“I’m a huge fan of Pan Pacific

Park,” Goldstein said. “Retna is adear friend and also my client. Hehimself has come here for years andyears. This is where he came toplay as a child and he and Amar’eStoudemire wanted to do an art pro-ject together … and Amar’e justhappened to be in town … so Ithought it’d be a perfect opportuni-ty to raise money for Pan PacificPark, a park that’s very near anddear to my heart.”After reaching out, the Pan

Pacific Park Advisory Board wasable to coordinate with the artistand NBA player to create an eventthat allowed local youth to shoothoops and to paint with the twocelebrities. “We just thought we’d do some-

thing wonderful for the parks,”Goldstein said. “The idea was tohave an amazing time and let thekids experience an amazing artist

and an amazing athlete and bring itall together into one project.”During the event, children excit-

edly lined up to paint and to playbasketball. Six-year-old TabbyGathman said she was excited tocreate art with other children, andher brother Logan was excited tomeet Stoudemire.“I like to paint and use a lot of

colors,” Tabby said. “I’m a littlenervous but I can’t wait.”Their father, Justin Gathman,

said it’s great to see the park hostsuch events.“We live down the street from

this park and we come here at leasta couple times a week,” Gathmansaid. “My kids love this park, andit’s exciting to be able to take themto something like this.”Retna said he was happy to be a

part of the event and saw it not justas a service to the area and PanPacific Park, but to multiple com-munities.“What we’re doing is bringing

together two different things – bas-ketball and art,” Retna said. “A lotof people know Stoudemire, andI’m sure there are people here fromdifferent places. So, it gives back to

the community, but it also unitespeople from all over.”Stoudemire said he is a big sup-

porter of art, and he and Retna hadbeen looking to find a place to startthe “In the Paint” series. When hewas approached by Goldstein, hesaw it as the perfect opportunity.Giving back to different communi-ties, he said, is always something hestrives for.“It’s beautiful,” said Stoudemire.

“You know what I do with theMelech Collection is going to besomething that we can all enjoybecause it gives back to the com-munity and it brings art and basket-ball together.”“In the Paint” will continue, and

Pan Pacific Advisory Board mem-bers said they are grateful for thedonation and event.“The Pan Pacific Park Advisory

Board was established 27 years ago… we’ve been here for so longbecause of the unique dedicationwe have to this park and this com-munity,” said Reggie Turner, PanPacific Park Advisory Board presi-dent. “Tonight is another exampleof the outreach programs we do tobenefit the community.”

Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 21 January 14, 2016

Tenants offered $20,000 to vacate unitsFrom Cove page 3

CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOODPUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the West HollywoodHistoric Preservation Commission will hold a PublicHearing to consider the following item:

LOCATION: 972 N. SAN VICENTE BOULEVARD,West Hollywood, California

REQUEST: Pursuant to West Hollywood MunicipalCode (W.H.M.C.) Section §19.58.070,the applicant is requesting the HistoricPreservation Commission consider andmake a recommendation to the CityCouncil on the potential designation of aresidential property as a culturalresource.

PERMIT(S): Cultural Resource Designation, and anyother required permits.

APPLICANT: Nasim Kablan

TIME/PLACE Monday, January 25, 2016 OF HEARING: at 7:00 p.m.

Plummer Park Community Center;Rooms 5 & 67377 Santa Monica BoulevardWest Hollywood, California

ZONE: R4B (Residential, Multi-Family HighDensity)

ENVIRONMENTALSTATUS: Categorically exempt from the provisions

of the California Environmental QualityAct (CEQA), pursuant to Section §15331(Historical ResourceRestoration/Rehabilitation – Class 31).

The staff report will be available on Thursday, January21, 2016 at City Hall, 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard,the W.H. Library, 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard, andon-line at www.weho.org

IF YOU CHALLENGE this item in court, you may belimited to raising only those issues you or someone elseraised at the Public Hearing described in this notice, orin the written correspondence delivered to the WestHollywood Historic Preservation Commission, via theCommunity Development Department at, or prior to, thePublic Hearing.

To comply with the American with Disabilities Act of1990, Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) will be avail-able for checkout at the meeting. If you require specialassistance to participate in this meeting (e.g., a signerfor the hearing impaired), you must call, or submit yourrequest in writing to the Office of the City Clerk at (323)848-6409 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. TheCity TDD line for the hearing impaired is (323) 848-6496.

Special meeting related accommodations (e.g., trans-portation) may be provided upon written request to theOffice of the City Clerk at least 48 hours prior to themeeting. For information on public transportation, call1-323-GO-METRO (323/466-3876) or go towww.mta.net.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are invited to attend saidPublic Hearing to express their opinion in this matter.

For further information contact Rachel Dimond, AICP,Senior Planner, in the Community DevelopmentDepartment at (323) 848-6475; or via email at:[email protected]

Yvonne Quarker, City Clerk

Мы сообщаем вам об обсуждении про-екта. Для дополнительной информациина русском языке звоните: 323-848-6826.

distributed last year on MLK Day,and he is hopeful more clothing willbe distributed Monday. In additionto sorting clothing and preparingthe apparel for distribution, volun-teers will enjoy breakfast and musicperformed by a band at BigSunday’s headquarters.“It’s very much in the spirit of Dr.

Martin Luther King’s legacy and BigSunday’s spirit of everybody pitch-ing in,” Levinson added. “It’s thefirst big event of the year. Anybodywho wants to come down or donateclothing, we would love to havethem.”Levinson said people who want to

volunteer or donate clothing shouldcall (323)549-9944, or [email protected] Hollywood is also hosting a

day of service in honor of Dr. Kingon Saturday, Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3p.m. at West Hollywood ElementarySchool, 970 N. Hammond St.Participants are needed for beautifi-cation projects including landscapingand painting.Joshua Schare, public information

officer for West Hollywood, said theday of service is being held on theSaturday after MLK Day so morepeople can participate. Volunteersmust be 12 or older and will work

six-hour shifts. They will receive acommemorative t-shirt and lunch.The day of service at West

Hollywood Elementary school alsoincludes a food drive to benefit theSOVA Food and CommunityResource Program and a clothingdrive for the Los Angeles LGBTCenter’s Youth Center on HighlandAvenue. People are asked to drop-offnon-perishable food, new and usedclothing and shoes from 10 a.m. to 2p.m.Schare said the day of service

exemplifies King’s legacy and coin-cides with the city’s core values.“The city unites with communities

across the country for a day of ser-vice, and volunteers help the city getinvolved in West HollywoodElementary School’s beautificationeach year,” he said. “It’s a very fes-tive outdoor event.”Volunteers are asked to register by

calling (323)848-6885, or [email protected] Temple Beth El will

also honor King’s legacy at an eventled by Rev. G. Mansfield Collins onSaturday, Jan. 19 at 11:45 a.m.Collins, an associate of King, led theWestern Christian LeadershipConference in the 1960s and wasfounding pastor of the All Saints

Communi tyChurch, nowthe BryantTemple AMEChurch. Hehelped orga-nize people inLos Angeles,i n c l u d i n gHo l l ywoodcelebrities, tofly to Alabama and march with King.He also helped bring King to LosAngeles to help calm the public dur-ing the Watts riots, said RabbiNorbert Weinberg, of HollywoodTemple Beth El.“While great strides have been

made in race relations in the UnitedStates, core issues that Rev. Kingbegan to address before his assassi-nation have yet to be resolved, suchas the issues of poverty, failingschools and job opportunities thatplague not only the black communitybut all sectors of American society,”Weinberg said. “That was the issueof his last campaign, the PoorPeople’s Campaign, before his tragicassassination.”Hollywood Temple Beth El is

located at 1317 Crescent HeightsBlvd. For information, call (323)656-3150, or visit www.htbel.org.

Art projects support area communitiesFrom paint page 1

King’s associate, Collins, to lead eventFrom MLK page 1

Rev. Collins

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The previously affluent motherloved the restaurant gift cards she

received from Present Nowbecause the family could go out todinner without their abusivefather.At the Alexandria House, at 426

S. Alexandria Ave., directors at theshelter raved to Present Now

about the cake ingredients that theorganization sent to a boy and hismother on a birthday. “[Mothers] don’t always have

the means to celebrate with chil-dren,” Neumann said. “The cakeis great for the children and the

mothers get to make it for them.”Neumann said Present Now is

always looking for donations, andvolunteers can help at each quar-terly packing day when they wrapthe presents and gifts for the vic-tims.

For more information, or todonate, visit presentnow.org.For more information about

domestic violence in Los Angeles,shelters and agencies that providemedical help and counseling, visitlapdonline.org.

additional weekends regardless ofthe alternative options.Councilman David Ryu, 4th

District, in conjunction with multiplecity departments, is expected tochoose the closure option before theend of January. Soon after, Metrowill begin work with the LosAngeles Department ofTransportation (LADOT) to get nec-essary city approvals and conductcommunity outreach.The weekend closures would not

require a traffic management plan(TMP). Construction workers wouldstart at 9 p.m. each Friday and workuntil 6 a.m. on Monday.On Monday, Metro representa-

tives presented the required TMP forthe seven-week closure. If thatoption is selected, constructionwould start above ground at 7 a.m.every day, and below ground at 11p.m. The TMP was designed to manage

traffic during construction. It usescurrent traffic counts and patterns tocreate detour routes, mitigation andcontingency plans. Metro studied the traffic on a

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday inNovember at 22 heavily used inter-sections near the construction site.They monitored daily volume andmovement, such as how long it takesto get through an intersection. Metrorepresentatives cited project trip dis-tribution – a measure using trafficcounts and Level of Service (LOS)analysis to estimate what vehicles

will go where when roads close. Mitigation measures include sig-

nal timing coordination improve-ments, street striping to add orlengthen turn pockets, traffic offi-cers, additional surveillance cam-eras, parking restrictions and publicinformation strategies. For example,proposed mitigation includes extend-ing left turn pockets and modifyingsignal timing at Fairfax Avenue andWilshire Boulevard. Motorists dri-ving westbound on WilshireBoulevard will be encouraged to uti-lize alternate routes starting atWestern Avenue. Intersections andstreets along the alternative detourroutes will also require mitigationmeasures and signage. Metro will seek TMP approval

from Los Angeles’ departments oftransportation, engineering, streetservices and the Board of PublicWorks to pursue the seven-week clo-sure.After final plans are approved and

implemented, Metro will monitor themitigation plans for the first twoweeks and study their efficiency tomake adjustments if needed.Metro and contractor representa-

tives said that they are neutral on thedecision between full or weekendclosures.“We’re here to serve you,” said

Metro construction relations manag-er Kasey Shuda. “We know this isdifficult.”Renee Jacobson lives at Las

Palmas Avenue and Sixth Street and

works at an office La Cienega andWilshire Boulevards.“I’m in Metro hell,” she said. “My

concern is my business. Our patientsare not appreciating coming into ahigh-density, high-traffic area tobegin with. And now with what’sgoing on at La Cienega and Wilshire,people are late to their appointmentsor canceling. What are you going todo for businesses in this area? If youclose for seven weeks straight, wemay have to declare bankruptcy.”Shuda said Metro will work with

affected businesses directly and pro-duce fliers and marketing materialsto inform customers how to get tostorefronts during closures. “We’ll have signage in place to tell

people that businesses are open,”Shuda said. “There’s also the busi-ness interruption fund for any busi-nesses that are impacted by construc-tion.”Metro designates $10 million

annually to be used for the businessinterruption fund to cover certainoperation expenses. Business ownerscan apply for $50,000 or 60 percentof annual revenue losses. To apply, orfor information, visit pcrcorp.org, orcall (213)739-2999 ext. 223.Shuda said the number one con-

cern Metro received was about night-time noise. Residents at the meetingsaid they are concerned that soundwalls won’t be enough to mitigatethe construction noise for a 24-hour-per-day operation. Jim O’Sullivan,president of the Miracle Mile

Residential Association, said Metrohas improved mitigation efforts overthe years. But he added that evenwith sound walls and coordinatedwork schedules, the continuous con-struction noise can be like “torture.”O’Sullivan also questioned the

validity of the traffic studies that onlyincluded one weekday.“Typically traffic studies have two

days during the week,” he said. “It’susually a Tuesday and a Thursday. Idon’t think you have enough infor-mation just doing one day during theweek. Tuesday is going to be totallydifferent from a Thursday. We’vebeen doing this for years, looking athow LOS goes down and goes upand it’s never what you think it willbe.”Mid-City West Community

Council chairman Scott Epstein saidhe was concerned that safety didn’tappear to be on the top of Metro’s listof priorities. “Level of Service we know quite

frankly is a best guess,” he said.“This city’s new transportation poli-cy is safety first. If you were to go forthe seven-week full closure, some ofthese [mitigations] could potentiallyhave safety impacts when you’readding capacity to roads or addingnew turn pockets.”Mike Aparicio, a representative

for the contractors, said safety iscarefully studied but it wasn’t asmuch of a factor at this stage of theplanning. He said Monday’s meetingwas just about presenting theoptions.“Each intersection will be looked

at in terms of pedestrian safety, interms of vehicle movements and turnradiuses so they will be meticulously

studied,” he said. “DOT, our trafficdesigners, the contractor and Metrowill carefully consider each intersec-tion and each modification, includ-ing pedestrian safety. If we elect togo with the full closure there willprobably be at least about a two andhalf month period to make sure it ismethodically studied and imple-mented safely.”Others were generally critical of

Metro’s outreach efforts, citing busi-nesses that didn’t know about theclosures, and neighborhood councilswho have not received alerts aboutthe closure plans or meetings.To reduce the impact of cut-

through traffic, Shuda said Metro isworking with the popular mobile appWaze – which directs drivers throughneighborhoods to avoid congestionon major roads – to ensure neighbor-hoods are not overwhelmed.Ryu said the meeting was impor-

tant because the community inputwill be used to help make his deci-sion.“You do have approval and you do

have a voice and it’s through me,” hetold the residents.Metro and LADOT representa-

tives recorded concerns about specif-ic intersections and said they willconsider all input before making afinal decision.Metro will host a larger construc-

tion community meeting on Jan. 21at Los Angeles High School from 6-8 p.m. For information, visitmetro.net/purplelineext, or call(213)922-6934. Concerns about theTMP can be directed to Ryu’s officeor Metro’s office at [email protected].

Strategy Report aligns with and is anextension of the county’s recommen-dations. Both reports explain how theregion failed to execute this level ofcoordination in the past, and how itwill play a major role in the new poli-cies’ level of success.And despite the report’s frankness,

the release of the recommendationsgives hope that progress is comingsoon. Molly Rysman, housing andhomelessness deputy for SupervisorSheila Kuehl, 3rd District, said thecounty has moved further in the lastsix months to reduce homelessnessthan it has in the last 10 years. LosAngeles city officials share similaroptimism.“For the first time, Los Angeles is

creating a sustainable strategy to helpour most vulnerable residents andaffirm our identity as a city of oppor-tunity,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.“… I am pleased to see that [thereport] incorporates the three pillarsof my homelessness strategy: scalingup the Coordinated Entry System;preventing people at-risk for home-lessness from landing on the streets;and balancing health and safety con-cerns with the rights and needs ofpeople who are living in unaccept-able conditions.”Councilman Jose Huizar, co-chair

of the Homeless and PovertyCommittee, said the report representsmonths of work during which thecity “literally began building a strat-egy from the ground up.”Recommendations range from

short-term shelters, staff and serviceexpansions and employment help,with additional housing as the pre-dominant target. The plans recognize

that each person’s specific needs areresolved on an individual basisthrough consistent intervention. Bothplans call for additional services andcase management workers to helpcreate coordinated management sys-tems. Since homeless people areoften involved with multiple depart-ments, agencies and providers, thereports stress the importance of bet-ter coordinating those services.The recommendations also serve

as a “blueprint for a comprehensivestrategy” to address homelessness inthe short and long term. Since veter-an homelessness is expected to beeliminated soon, the city directed theCAO and CLA to focus more closelyon youth, LGBTQ and homeless petowners. Identifying land for housingand facilities will also be an impor-tant first step. Other recommenda-tions include a mobile shower pro-gram that travels to encampments.Some proposed recommendations

are will be launched this year, includ-ing homeless prevention programs,rapid rehousing, outreach and emer-gency shelters.The county’s recommendations

aim at the “extraordinarily complexproblem” of preventing homeless-ness from occurring in the first place.Strategies include developing home-lessness prevention programs forfamilies, and initiatives to ensure fos-ter youth are not emancipated intohomelessness. Plans also focus on housing avail-

ability and affordability, and theycomplement existing programs.The city is also expected to estab-

lish the Homeless StrategyCommittee and a Homelessness

Coordinator, with a likely countycounterpart.The city’s administrative officer

and legislative analysts were direct-ed to identify $100 million in fund-ing priorities for the initiatives. Thereport explains that the $100 millionwill need to be “magnified” signifi-cantly to end homelessness in LosAngeles, but that the cost of inactionwill continue to grow. The estimat-ed costs will play a major role whenthe city constructs the 2016-17 bud-get, as the city council figures outhow to pay for new initiatives. Thecity’s report explains that fundingsources will require time to developand it included proposals to raisemoney by leveraging state and fed-eral grants.Councilman Mitch O’Farrell,

13th District, said he and his col-leagues are concerned about findingfunding to build the new housingwith wrap-around services, as wellas finding to preserve existingaffordable housing.One possibility that has garnered

a lot of attention is the proposal thata city initiative to raise taxes mightbe included on the next ballot.O’Farrell said he is open to it, butthat city leadership still needs towork on creating new revenue.Rysman said the details about

how to pay for future strategies arestill being worked out. The countyalready has $50 million committedto existing programs and close to$100 million for new programs,which is enough to implement all 47proposed strategies. The county isalso looking at additional resourcesto continue the programs for yearsto come, as “the current level ofavailable funds is far less than thefunding needed to eliminate home-lessness in Los Angeles County,”the report read.

The Los Angeles County Boardof Supervisors is expected to voteon final recommendations at its Feb.9 hearing. Rysman said it is verypossible all 47 recommendationswill be approved and that Kuehlsupports most of them. The city’s recommendations are

expected to be considered by thefull city council in a similar time-frame. After the supervisors

approve plans, staff will reach out tocities across the county to join theimplementation process. The public is invited to give feed-

back on the Homelessness StrategyReport at lamayor.org/homeless-ness-strategy-feedback.City departments are still consid-

ering many aspects of the root caus-es of homelessness. O’Farrell saidit’s important to look at the rootcauses before looking at allocatingmoney and services. For example,O’Farrell said with thousands ofshelter beds available, he would bet

that the city does not fill them all upbecause homeless people are often“service resistant.” The councilmanintroduced a motion in December tofurther examine mental factors suchas the effects excessive storage hason the issue in regards hoarding. “I want to make sure we’re not

enabling a disability by openingstorage and having tax payers payfor it,” O’Farrell said.

22 January 14, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press

Present NowFrom page 8

L.A. constructs massive effortFrom homeless page 1

Answers From Page 16

Metro will help businesses make up lossesFrom page Metro 1

photo by Edwin FolvenThe city’s recommendations to curb homelessness will serve as a blue-print for a comprehensive strategy

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