Issue 4 February - March 2009

AND LOTS MORE....

THE ORIGIN OF VALENTINES

BACKYARD DOGS

NEIGHBORS IN LOVE

THE CLARKLIBRARY

Happy Valentines

Community Events

Politics

Greening the Neighborhood

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Editors Note

Hi Neighbors!“The joint is jumpin! It’s really Jumpin!” Fats Waller could have been talking about our neighborhood! The TNN and the neighborhood is growing and we have some (as Steve Wallis would say) OUTSTANDING contributers this issue. Bob Ferber is the Deputy City Attorney who prosecutes animal abuse issues and is an avidanimal activist. He writes about backyard dogs and the legal requirements for their care. Bruce Whiteman is Head librarian for the Clark Library, that mysterious building behind those walls along Adams by Gramercy. The grounds are open to the public during the day and they are incredibly peaceful with lovely statuary. He gives us some history about this rare books library. We also welcome Gavin Glynn, West Coast consultant to George Stephanopoulis. Gavin will be writ-ing a regular column on the local political scene, giving you the lowdown on what’s up. And of course we can’t forget all the wonderful neighbors who have sent in reports and written articles...Bernie Oliver reports on a community’s push to help the library get a camera security system and the strange push back from authorities. Dessie Reese writes about Brent Green the man responsible for planting alot of the new trees in the area. Carla Weber is starting a new feature that focuses on local artists and Judith Hawkins writes about her beautiful home.

Some great new businesses have joined us. We have local affordable or free computer classes so no excuses to be afraid of that computer anymore. We also discovered the friendliest 24/7 plumber in town and a home repairman that has been fixing anything and everything for 40 years. The beautiful new Royal Thai Massage has a Valentines Special and I review two local places that serve first class sweets so you don’t need to leave the neighborhood to get the treats your sweetie deserves. We also picked up the amazing Vintage Hollywood a local theater that is presenting an incredible FREE FILM FESTIVAL as well as performances about Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker.

I get 10 lashes with a wet noodle for errors in last months publication.... Judith HAWKINS wrote the wonderful piece of history about Kinney and Western Heights not Judith Walker. I mashed up Carla Webers story (whoops!) and apologies to Joy Williams for forgetting her report on the Alsace Block club! Livin and learnin.

So sit back, grab a coffee, put your feet up and take a walk around your neighborhood!

SPECIAL THANKS to: Peeta Torokvei, Todd Hunter, Quesi and all the distributors!!

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4 Community Events

5 Astronomy Martin Ross Professor of Astronomy and Physics

6 Brent Green Dessie Reese

7 Apple Fairfax Cactus Garden

8 History of the Clark Library Bruce Whiteman Head Librarian

9 Hawkins Residence

10 Neighbors in Love

11 Origin of Valentines and Neighbor Love Poems

12 Helping the Library Bernie Oliver

13 Politics as Usual Gavin Glynn, West Coast

16 Reviews: Gelaco, Rictoria

17 The Backyard Dog, Illegal Tethering Bob Ferber, Deputy City Attorney. animal abuse issues.

18 Natriliart Recipe: Beans n Rice

19 Mark Dutcher, artist Carla Weber

21 Retailer Locater Map

index

theneighborhoodnews@yahoo.com

2951 West 15th StreetLos Angeles, CA 90006323.373.9483 rap.southseashouse@lacity.org

FEBRUARYOpening Of Newly Constructed

Basketball Courtsat Benny H. Potter Park.

When construction of the brand new outdoor Basketball Courts is completed South Seas House will kick off the celebration with a Community Basketball Tournament and bar-b-que for all entrants.

The Tom Bradley Youth and Family Center

5213 W. Pico BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90019

http://www.fsstech.org/BradleyCenter.html323.687.4662

The Tom Bradley Youth and Family Center is a comprehensive information and referral service center, servicing the Mid-City and West Los Angeles communities. The Center offers an array of services which deal with the immediate needs of the surrounding community.

For those community organizations and businesses that need a place to host meetings, the TBYFC offers free use of its conference room. Usage is based on availability. Please contact the Center for detailed information and scheduling.

The Hodari After-Schooland Mentoring Program

has collaborated with Alternative Services for Youth (Foster Care) Program providing

services to adolescents ages 14-18 in the foster care system

CAHSEE-California High School Exit Exam Stepping into your future, offered at the Tom Bradley Youth and Family Center beginning January 12, 2009 on Tuesdays to Thursday afternoons from 3:00pm – 6:00pm. This program is especially for teens ages 17 – 19.

The Alternative Services for Youth program is a countywide effort to prepare adolescents to meet the challenges of becoming responsible, produc-tive and healthy adults by assisting them through the transition from childhood to adulthood. Activities include Assessment of the needs of youth, Orientation for caregiver and youth, Mentoring, Life Skill Workshops, GED Prep, Sup-port Services and Field Trips. For further questions please contact Candis Rayfield at (323) 934-9159.

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Washington Irving Library4117 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles 90018323.734.6303

Saturday, Feb 07How to Publish Your Book Seminar 11am-4pm.

Pre-Registration required.Friday, Feb

13 Valentine’s Day Family Program 4pm.Saturday, Feb 21

African American Heritage Family Program 4pm.Saturday, Mar 07

How to Publish Your Book Seminar 11am-4pm.Pre-Registration required.

Saturday, Mar 21 Book Club 10am.

Soldier by June Jordan will be discussed.Book available for check-out.

Saturday, Mar 21 Hire LA’s Youth.

Job Skills Workshop for ages 16-24.

All adults welcome to participate.

Mondays @ 11am Pre-school Storytime.Thursdays @ 4pm Family Storytime.

Westside Jewish Community CenterAnnual Tu B’Shevat Festival

Free AdmissionSunday, February 8, 2009

Noon- 4 pmActivities include: Silent Auction, Family Art,

Games, Food,Entertainment, and a Moon Bounce. All proceeds benefit WJCC educational programs.

5870 W. Olympic Blvd., 90036Contact: 323-938-2531 ext. 2250

www.westsidejcc.org

less than the historical average so we tend to forget what a “historicaly normal” February and March is like….more rainy days than not! Something we have not experienced for some time. During February you will notice days getting longer again and by mid-March we will notice several minutes more sunlight than the day before. The Spring Equinox - one of the two days in the year when sunlight equals darkness - is on March 20. After this, daylight once again becomes longer than darkness. For a few days around February 22 if you happen to be out-side about 30 minutes before sunrise (which is at 6:30 AM) look to the east and you will see a grouping of three bright “stars” that are really the planets Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury! Finally during early and mid March the planet Saturn will be a very bright yellowish “star” in the eastern night sky all evening long.

February and March is the rainy season

for Los Angeles. The average rainfall during these two months used to be about 4 inches, one third of the annual rainfall. However, rainfall in southern California during the last decade or so has been much

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Brent Green is Vice-president of 20th St. Neighborhood Block Club in the area between

La Brea Ave and Hauser Ave. south of Washington Blvd. He is also responsible for the greening of Mid-City. Very seldom do you meet someone whose love for nature matches his heart, intellect and soul. Brent Green’s love for plants began at the tender age of 6 when his mother cut the branch off of a philodendron plant from a pot in the kitchen window, to demonstrate to her son how nature takes its course and would soon produce another. She would pay him 25 cents take care of it. The philodendron plant did indeed produce another, and another, and so Brent took it upon himself to produce even more plants through cuttings. He thought it was a good idea to put them in Dixie cups and give them to the older women in his neighborhood as Christmas gifts. The accolades and support he received from his friends, family and neighbors inspired him to continue his devotion to plants and even-tually obtained a degree in Horticulture from Cal Poly Santa Luis Obispo College. Brent’s adventures through life and nature always centered around his love for plants. Brent continued to beautify his entire childhood neighborhood everychance he got. After high school football

His generosity has now led him to renew the Mid-City area with bountiful trees along every street from La Brea Ave to Hauser Avenue. In addition he will be designing and landscaping the La Brea Median project this Spring 2009 near the 10 Fwy. Eventually all the streets throughout Region 7 will be lined with beautiful and lavish California Peppers; Elm, California Sycamore, Tipu, Purple Plums, Jacaranda, and Eucalyptus Trees. Brent, along with wife Cheryl Green and daughter Grace, has built an outstanding landscaping and design company, known as Green Art Landscaping and Design. His client list includes neighborhoods such as Hancock Park, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Hollywood Hills, Hombly Hills, Greenstone Mansion, West Adams Historical District and the Venice Canals to name just a few.

Feel free to view his website at greenartlandscape.com .

This is a man who proves that to change a nation you start with one man, one community, one neighborhood at a time.

Brent GreenGreens the Neighborhood

- Dessie Reese

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and baseball practice, or running to Paul Revere Horticultural Unit after school, Brent would hurry home again to complete a new gardening project in his parent’s garden.Over the past 10 years, Brent has personally donated and planted over 400 trees along San Vincente Blvd. from Pico to Wilshire Blvd.

CONTEST!WIN $25

Collect receipts from our advertisers.The receipts from the most places wins.

Email me with the number of receipts you have collected. I will verify with the winner.

Deadline March 25theneighborhoodnews@yahoo.com

At the intersection of Apple Street and Fairfax Avenue, across the street from the Fairfax entrance and exit to the 10 Freeway, on the border between

Culver City and Mid-City, stands a tall electrical tower. What was once an ignored pocket of wasteland under the tower has now become a living cactus garden thanks to theApple Fairfax Planter Project. The project began in 2005 when Allen DiCastro, our current Mid-City Neighborhood Council (MINC) president, asked for volunteers to beautify and change a weed and garbage filled plot of land into a garden. David Marks, Liz Dietl, and Lorraine Genovese volunteered, seeing it as an opportunity to show neighborhood pride.

This project created the opportunity for MINC, the Councilman Herb Wesson’s Office, DWP, City Services, and local businesses like OSH to work together for the common good of the community. It involved a commitment of personal time and vision that would take threeyears to complete. Initially a tree service was hired to remove and clear the errant palms growing at the planter. Next a core group of community volunteers broke the hardened soil and spread about 1 ton of soil and soil conditioner donated by OSH.

The city provided about 20 tons of sand and 12 tons of mulch which was spread over the planter by volunteers. Finally the plants, cacti, because of their drought tolerance were purchased and plant-ed. This project took about 3 years from conception to completion.

Personal satisfaction is derived when someone tells you how much they like looking at the plants while waiting at the intersection on their way to work. Come visit the planter and watch it grow in the coming years - Liz Dietl

L - RDavid MarksLiz DietlJoy WilliamsAllan DiCastroSylvia LaceyNorwood Clark

GROwING COMMUNITYGARDENS AND PRIDE

At the beginning of World War II, many neighborhood gardens emerged as depression relief. They were grown in vacant lots, backyards and

city parks. The War Food Administration created a National Victory Garden Program which set five main goals: 1. Lessen demand on commercial vegetable supplies and thus make more available to the Armed Forces.2. Reduce demand on strategic materials used in food processing and canning.3. Ease the burden on railroad transporting war munitions by releasing produce carriers.4. Maintain the vitality and morale of Americans on the home front through the production of nutritious vegetables.5. Preserve fruit and vegetables for future use when shortages might become worse.Gardening became popular not only for food security but also for health and community benefits. Garden plots were much more useful, productive and important than a vacant lot or lawn. Gardens gave a feeling of productivity to citizens, their morale was increased and fear and anxiety decreased. In 1942 about 5.5 million gardeners participated and seed package sales rose 300%. The USDA estimated over 20 million garden plots with an estimated 9 – 10 million pounds of fruit and vegetables were grown a year, 44% of the fresh vegetables in the USA at that time. In 1943 American families bought 315,000 pressure cookers for canning vegetables up from 66,000 in 1942.However, once the war ended there was an overall decline in interest in gardening, life returned to “normal” and the baby boomer era began. I have fond memories from the 1950’s of home and landowners sharing their abundant harvest from their fruit trees with their neighbors. The produce was delicious and nutritious unlike todays genetically altered and hybridized fruit and vegetables from corporate and city fruit tree giveaways. Excellent tasting mandarin oranges, peaches, plums, nectarines, apples etc. have had their traits changed to better accommodate pesticides, shipping, shelf life and to become larger. We owe it to ourselves and the new generation to bring back high quality. Before buying your fruit trees from corporate stores, consider family owned nurseries, seed catalogs and farmers markets. - James, Uhuru Bros. Gardening

BRING BACK VICTORY GARDENS!

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The William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, located on the full block bounded by Adams, 25th, Cimarron, and St. Andrews, is

a rare book and manuscript library that has been part of UCLA since 1926 (on paper) or 1934 (in fact). The Clark was founded by William Andrews Clark, Jr. (1877-1934), the son of a wealthy miner who was one of the so-called “copper kings” and among the richest men in the trans-Mississippi West. Junior(as the Clark staff refers to him) was born in Butte, Montana but sent as a child to France to live with relatives. He learned to speak French fluently, and as a result was a lifelong Francophile. After he returned to the United States to go to school, Clark eventually took a law degree at the University of Virginia, where he developed a love for Edgar Allan Poe, who also attended the University. Clark went to Montana to start his law practice in 1900, but he apparently tired of the law relatively quickly, and soon moved to Los Angeles where he bought a house that used to stand on the west side of the current Clark property. (The address was actually on Adams Boulevard, and was only later moved to the Cimarron Street side.) Over the ensuing twenty years, he gradually bought up other houses on the block and tore them down, until by the end of the 1920s his property consisted of a block of almost five acres. The one house that remains, which is called the Gate House, was actually moved from the middle of 25th Street to the northwest corner. Clark saved it to house staff, gardening equipment and the like. William Andrews Clark, Jr. was married twice and had one son. His first wife died in childbirth, and Clark’s move to California came shortly after he married his second wife. She died of cancer in 1918, and it was around that time that Clark began seriously to collect books. Most of Clark’s book bills have been saved, and apart from one rather long one dating from 1911, most of the books were acquired in 1918 and later. Why Clark became a serious bibliophile is something of a mystery, although his brother Charleswho was a major collector, no doubt influenced him. Clark did not remarry, and his son, William Andrews Clark III (Tertius to the family) died in an airplane crash in 1932. There are therefore no direct descendants alive today, although the Library is in touch

with somewhat more distant relatives and associates. Clark was collecting his rare books during a frenzied and exciting period for American book collectors. Beginning with a big bang in 1911-12 at the sale of the collection of Robert Hoe, a New York bibliophile, where Henry Huntington bought his Gutenberg Bible. The period from the early part of the century until the Crash in 1929 saw the growth of many important private book collec-tions in America. One historian has said that at that time, no millionaire would have been caught dead (so to speak) without a library to leave in his will. Clark wisely restricted his collecting to areas where he would not be competing with Huntington: literature of the period from roughly 1640-1725, the work of Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), and, later, fine print-ing and some French books. By the time of his death, he had amassed something like 13,000 rare books and manuscripts. By 1924, Clark’s collection had grown large enough to demand its own building, and he undertook to build a library for it. The building was completed in 1926, and at that time included two book rooms, a large room for mu-sic and socializing (the Drawing Room), office space, and a small working area in the basement. Further stack areas were added underground in the 1950s and 1970s. Clark signed a deed of gift in 1926, giving the entire property to the Southern Branch of the University of California (as it was then called), although he retained a lifetime interest and the transfer to UCLA only took place in 1934 after Clark died of a heart attack at his summer place in Montana. Today, the Clark Library holds some 110,000 rare and scholarly books, as well as maps, prints, and manuscripts. Scholars come from all around the world to use the collections, and a wide variety of scholarly and public programming takes place every academic year. As Clark was a trained violinist, the Clark Library and the Center for Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Studies (our administrative body) also sponsor an annual series of chamber music concerts in the Drawing Room. The staff at the Clark consists of six people, and tours of the Library are available on request.

A Brief History of the Clark LibraryBruce whiteman

Bruce Whiteman is Head Librarian at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library

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This Transitional style was built in 1911 and purchased in 1955 by Judy’s grandparents Shannon and Sullivan Lewis, the 3rd owners of the property,

. Twenty years ago they passed it on to Judy and Wilbert Hawkins who blended the family names and christened the residence The Lewhawk. The house has many features that set it apart including two sets of pocket doors that help residents stay warm in the winter, a tile fire place with detailed scenes from Holland, a small basement area that can be accessed from inside the house and outside access from three of the five bedrooms. One bedroom has a screen and glassed sun porch and 2 bedrooms have access to a common balcony that have tree top views, along with a view of distant hillsides and the downtown skyline. Cement walkways around the yard are still in excellent condition after 70 years of use and fruit trees line the perimeter of the back yard. The house has recently been painted with beautiful vivid colors that accent the architecture. The Hawkins look forward to the spring where they will start landscaping with herbs and roses, refresh their koi pond and enjoy theresults of their labors. - Judy Hawkins

Judy & WilbertHawkins

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The Origins of Valentine’s Day

Through these eyes of mineI behold you, love you.

Because of this love I am a shield for you.

Love me today and foreverIt will turn back to you.

Alyson Wilson

Wild Elementsby Ariel Climer

We all experience and love wild elements in our belovedsI see one friend soaking up the hard strums of her girlfriends’ guitarAnother man whirls around the room while his love cooks up jamShe pulls focus as he deftly pans the cumbersome cameraIn her favorite shoes, she opens at her loves’ intense discoveriesHe rumbles the keys in all sincerity for herShe interprets those who don’t immediately make senseThey dance only with each otherHe balances backwards on bicyclesThe scent of the masaHis rhyming flowTwo drinks preparedOne last Corona at 3am

And you, my antAlways exploringSailing further and further out into dark gray wavesI fall and catch myself again and again in the air above you

See those Northern LightsDancing through the night

They say that it’s a cosmic windBlowing into sight

Darling you are that windWhenever you come nearA thousand angels dancing

In my atmosphere. Dianne

The origin of Valentines Day is shrouded in mystery but most likely has its roots in early Roman pa-gan celebrations and the activities of early Roman Chris-

tians. Valentinus was a popular Roman name and the Church claimed at least three saints by that name. One story has it that in the 3rd century Emperor Claudius II felt soldiers should not be married. It tends to put a damper on the willingness to die. But a Christian priest named Valentine performed secret marriages for young lovers and was put to death for his kindness. Another story has the young imprisoned Valentine falling in love with the jailors daughter and sending her a letter signed “from your Valentine”. By the middle ages, the romantic appeal of this early Christian figure appealed to the people of England

and France and he became one of their more popular saints. The early Romans also celebrated the Lupercalia Festival on February 15. As part of the celebration, the young single women would place their names in a large urn. The bachelors then drew a name out. These couples would stay together for a year and the attachments often ended in marriage. Around 498 AD, Pope Gelasius decided to declare February 14 St. Valentines day and eventually the Roman practice of the Love Lottery was considered un-Christian and outlawed. Valentines Day began to hit its stride in 17th Century Britain, when friends and lovers began to exchange written notes and tokens of affection. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass produced valentines in America. - Dianne Lawrence

Neighbor Poems

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Do you dispute, Disagree or have different information? Questions? Opinions?Your own issue?Email us at theneighborhoodnews@yahoo.com

The Washington Irving Library located at 4117 W. Washington Blvd. has the proud distinction of being the City’s first modern

state of the art library built in the new millennium. With its multi- media computer workstations and spacious community meeting room, the library truly is a resource for quality learning and cultural events.

Unfortunately, for the past few years, the library has been challenged by thefts, vandalism and disorderly conduct from juveniles. The Friends of the Washington Irving Library and Public Safety Committee for the lOth District have responded by coming together to form a committee to address these serious problems. The senior librarian expressed her concerns at communitymeetings and asked the Office of Public Safety, School Police and LAPD to intervene and control the situation. Our group felt it was critical to provide a safe environment for patrons and employees of the library.On April 12th, 2007, our committee concluded that with security cameras, the library would have an important tool for deterring criminal activity. We went into action and began toresearch various security surveillance systems, look for available funding and determine the City’s protocol for the procurement and installation of security cameras. After many meetings with the Senior Librarian, City library administrators and telephone conversations with the Office of Public Safety, we were told that the solution would be a temporary increase of public safety officers stationed at the library. Although they had no plans nor a budget to install security cameras, they said they would be willing to accept a donation or review a security system proposal from the community. Our committee was not satisfied with this vague response and proceeded with our own plan to obtain funding for the procurement and installation of a security system for both the LAPD Stop-In Center located at 4012 Washington Blvd. and the Washington Irving Library.On September 6th, 2007, our committee, with letters of support from LAPD Wilshire Division and the community, presented a funding request proposal to the lOth District’s United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council (UNNC) for $4600.00 for both cameras. We installed the first cameras at the Stop-In Center to not only deter criminal activity at that location but to study the quality and reliability of the system and make modifications, if necessary, for the library system. The council unanimously voted to approve the funding for both security systems and on October 24th, 2007, the installation of a four camera system was complet-ed at the Stop-In Center and is currently working flawlessly 24/7.

However, although we have the money and we have the proposal for the library security system, we have been unable to move forward with our effort to help the library. The committee made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the library administration to present our proposed gift. Finally, on December 14th, 2007, with growing concerns from parents in the community, a meeting titled “Better Security At Our Public Library” was held at the Johnny Cochran Middle School where I had an opportunity to present our proposal directly to the Director of Library Branches Ms. Cecilia Riddle. Ms. Riddle responded by sending me an e-mail saying that she and her staff would review our proposal and get back to me as soon as possible. As of today, I have not received a direct response from her or the library administration. Undaunted, the committee continued to research, refine and update the proposal and push to have a formal meeting. On June 13th, 2008 a meeting was held with Office of Public Safety personnel to discuss the feasibility of our proposal with the option of using the system on a temporary basis until the City could come up with the financing for their more expensive “dream system”. It is now January, 2009 and we have yet to receive a response or recommendation to our proposal.

Why, in a time when the City is facing economic uncertainties and limited resources, won’t the CityGovernment show the courtesy of responding to proactive community members who are willing to step-up and provide not only the time and resources but the financial wherewithal to help maintain public safety at the Washington Irving Library? Why are they ignoring this very serious issue? It just doesn’t make sense.

Want to send emails of support for our project? Send them to…..Director of Branch Library Services Ms. Cecilia Riddle criddle@lapl.orgOffice of Public Safety Technology/ Administration Mr. Frank Pazasis frank.pazasis@lacity.org

Residents step up to help Library, Met with unreturned calls

Editorial byBernie Oliver

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March Madness is our Mayoral Primary and May Day (19th) is our citywide elections for Angelenos. Antonio Villaraigos is up for

re-election in what appears to be a virtually “uncontested race.” V is a charming gent you could easily invite to your backyard barbecue or serve as godparent to your child. But personality aside, do you have the information you need to judge him accurately for his merits or qualifications to continue at the helm? He has served us as Speaker of the House for California and Mayor of the second largest metropolis in America but can you list any substantial changes he has brought to your neighborhoods? Did the salacious scandal make the mayor appear more vulnerable and human or did it make us more callous towards him for his demonstration of poor judgment in moral and ethical decisions? Can the million trees he covered the city with, sway you or are you wondering where the money he promised to give to LAPD by tripling the trash tax, went? Is he Savvy Sam for preventing a strike from

the city unions or Slick Rick for allowing his staff to ride atax, went? Is he Savvy Sam for preventing a strike from the city unions or Slick Rick for allowing his staff to ride aPrius filled up at the city pump on weekends. Does it bother you LA Weekly reported that according to the city’s own records, Villaraigosa spent 11% of his time actually doing City business and the rest traveling and raising funds for his continued political ambitions? Do we take the bad with the good or is it good for the bad to take?

I want my candidates to tutor a “high risk” (ex-juvie) youth once a week, a school board member to visit Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Middle School every Friday until they achieve an 800 API score, a controller to reveal their FICO score and a mayor who’s greener than my lawn. I want a Fly-Away bus at the Mid-town Crossing to get out of Dodge, a Trader Joe’s instead of shady Joe’s, a sushi bar on the Boulevard, then West Adams will become the destination not the hesitation. Does your candidate see your neighborhood as the ghetto or the “get to” or the “get through” on their way to higher planes.

The hired guns of political campaigns would like to bully you into thinking it will be an “uncontested race” a “shoo in” for the big seats such as Mayor, Councilperson, or City Controller and they’re banking on your apathy to keep you away so they can stay. Obama has made it clear... voters no longer select people by “who you know” but rather “what you know.” Educate yourself on ALL the candidates then TAKE NOTE AND VOTE!! No one is allowed to complain about toxic traffic, angry grafitti, Whole Foods out of reach, or finding a safe park to play in unless they have made educated votes in every election. It will be duly noted that “I Voted”. Go tohttp://thepolicyreport.net/city-of-la-elections/candidates/

March Mayoral PrimaryVillaraigosa....a Shoo-in

or a Shoe At?

by Gavin GlynnWest Coast Consultant forThis Week with George Stephanopoulos@ABCNEWS (8am Sundays)

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West Adams Avenues Association.

Petitions have been collected to create restricted overnight parking in order to limit the taking over of Avenue(s) parking by the apartment dwellers along West Adams Blvd. The apartments were built with garages but are currently utilized as storage spaces.

Dogs signs regarding leashing and cleaning-up after your dogs have to be purchased from Triple A Signs at neighbor’s expense.

A bike rack at the South Seas House is needed to support the green movement.

The recently acquired Isadore home requires much needed fundraising to restore it through a green process.

Garbage cans are coming for pedestrian use from citybut WAAA residences are to maintain (paint) them ourselves.

“No Turn” Signs during Rush Hours for 24th street and Ad-ams Blvd for child safety protection are pending with Sylvia Lacy at CD 10.

WAAA Chairperson, Donna Jones, voiced appreciation to Sylvia Lacy for responding expeditiously to our requests at our last meeting at CD 10. Also, Gavin Glynn gave kudos to Albert Lord and SSH Director Pete Nishimura for facilitating the new basketball courts renovations and extending it to the sidewalks, too. Grand Opening to be approaching this winter. Gavin Glynn & Derek Japha clarified the dinstinction betwee HPOZ (existing structures) and CCR (new construction moratoriums) ordinances.

Donna Jones requested Windsor Square’s HPOZ/CCR (a model business plan) from Derek Japha.

Rosa Parks Assisted Living Condos under construction on Crenshaw & 1020FWY.

Toyota Prius can park at LA Meters for time limits post-ed on signs for free.

Pio Pico k thru 8 will only house 6th-8th grades when elementary school #13 opens on 3rd & Washington. This will appease the overcrowding of our home middle school Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. by 50%. Over 450 children attended the SSH Winter Carnival (tripled from last year) and many thanks to LAFD and “My Babies Are Crying Ministries” for their generous donations of toys.

- Gavin Glynn WAAA Reporter

(Ekeout@aol.com)

Harvard Heights Neighborhood Association

SIGNSAfter a 15-month journey, the new Historic Harvard Heights Signs are up in most intersections! Many hours, many meetings, and one big street party went into the suc-cessful completion of the signs. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and especially to Gary, who spearhead-ed the project and performed service above and beyond!

RESTRICTED PARKING/PERMITSThe restricted overnight parking in North Har-vard Heights is expected to be in place by January or early February of 2009. Parking will be restrict-ed to permit only between the hours of 2:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m. Major streets, with the exception of Nor-mandy Avenue will not be part of the restriction. Gary noted that the process took the support of the DOT, CD1, and the majority of residents in the area to move forward. The DOT first surveyed the requested area during the hours of 2-6:00 a.m. and found a high enough percentage of cars not locally registered to allow the process to proceed. During the signature drive, 234 signatures, from single-family homes and multiple unit buildings, were collected, showing a strong support from the community. A meeting with the current DOT rep, Brian Gallagher, was held to explain the process and answer questions. Again, with over 125 residents in atten-dance and supportive, CD1 confirmed their support and the permits should be approved and in place by early next year. Parking permits will each cost $22.50 per year. Single-family homes will be allowed 3 permits and each unit in an apartment building will be allowed 2 per unit. DOT has stated that during the first few months of the re-striction, they will be out to enforce it on a regular basis.

CLUB LATINOClub Latino on Pico between Oxford and Western is cur-rently under an LAPD investigation. The club has been a real issue for local residents highlighted by a couple of re-cent shootings and reports of other illegal and problematic behaviors. The LAPD is building a case so that they can have conditional use permits imposed on Club Latino. If these conditions are then not followed, the club may be shut down.

TREES Gary reported that KYCC has started cement cuts to finish the last few trees that have not yet been planted in the park-ways north of Venice. In the last year, over 90 new trees have been planted. The trees are being mulched every 3 months and watered on a regular basis with the help of the water tank purchased with UNNC funds. As a reminder, the water tank is available for all to use; please contact Gary if you would to use it.

- STEVE WALLIS

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Although WHNA has not had a regular meeting for several months, residents have been getting together in a friendly effort to fine tune amendments to their By-laws. A date was set for the community to vote on them but the meeting was just shy of the required quorum needed to take a vote. . Neighbors met again and voted to go ahead with who showed up and proceeded to have an enjoyableevening thinking about, clarifying and voting on the amendments. The effort continues. WHNA recently submitted plans for permanent traffic barriers, to the Permit Office. According to Greg Vandergriff who runs the office, the Association was sent a request to provide proof that the requirements, according to the State codes, had been met. As reported in the last issue of The Neighborhood News, none of the requirements had been met. A request to the Association for clarity about this, the status of the project and plans to raise the required money, have been submitted to them. -Dianne Lawrence

WESTERN HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Councilman Herb Wesson attended a meeting to listen to concerns about dirty crime ridden alleys,illegal dumping and homes for the homeless. Committees were formed to address various issues confronting each block. Councilman Wesson also attended a successful Walk Through Region 7 with the neighbors on Jan 24. Results of that walk-through will be reported in the next issue. Upcoming issues: New name for the Block club, motel redevelopment project, La Brea median project, safe and clean alley ways, spaying stray cats. Completed Projects: 109 Trees planted

west 20th Street block club

15

RICTORIA is the custom made vegan specialties and desert business of Richard Cryer the chef at Vegan Village on Pico. “Cryer” is the correct last name for this remarkable chef because his deserts put me in TEARS they are so foot stomping delicious! My past experience with “vegan” was ho-hum but Richard kicksthat notion to the wall. I tried a chocolate cake (made with carob instead of chocolate) that was deep chocolate rich, moist and thick creamy icing. His chocolate (carob) covered oatmeal cookies were the perfect crunchy chewy texture. There is no dairy and the sweetener is either agava or organic sugar. Rick is also a master of Cajun creole and Mississippi soul food learning the kitchen arts at his grandmothers knee. Rick started his own catering business 10 years ago and has catered the homes of Mark Ridley-Thomas, Marla Gibb, Bernard Parks, Barry Gordy and Maxine Walters among others. Stop in the Vegan Village for a taste of desert or call and order your own. Some of his Cakes: Pineapple Coconut, White Lemon, Vanilla Lemon, Chocolate Vanilla, Two Pound, Apple Walnut Pound, Red Velvet, Strawberry Layer, Soy Milk Pound and lots more!4067 W. Pico just west of Crenshaw corner door in Pink Building 323-766-9773

cakemakerrick@yahoo.com - Dianne Lawrence

GELACO, is a clean, cosy oasis of all things sweet and creamy. The name is a combination of Gelato and Coffee. Typical American ice cream is about 50% air whipped while Gelato, an Italian ice cream, has no air, creating a dense rich and creamy, taffy like consistency. Made with fresh fruit or whole pistachios or crunchy pecans this is, bar none, the most delicious ice cream in town. If chocolate makes you throw all caution to the wind, drop everything and get over there for the Dark Chocolate gelato. I’m weak for Butter Pecan and I was embarrassed at the moans I couldn’t hold back during the taste test. Crème Brulee, Green Tea, Double Espresso Bean, Fresh Banana Walnut Light, Fresh Ginger, Strawberry Fresca….are you out the door yet? Their sorbets are just as outstanding. Made with 80 – 90% real fruit, no dairy and only 108 calories in a small serving, the diet crowd can’t go wrong. Both these products are devoid of artificial colors or flavors. Gelaco also serves all the designer coffees and their teas have names like Japanese Cherry, blended with rose petals and the essence of cherry. Free internet access allows you to sit, have coffee, ice cream and get some work done.3600 Olympic just west of Arlington (in the small mall next to the car wash. 323-737-0097

No longer will you have to take a long drive out of the neighborhood to Larchmont or Culver City to satisfy your sweet cravings. In fact, once word gets out about these two local sources, our neighborhood will become the destination.

SWEEEEEET!

16

Everyday as you look out your kitchen window or go into your yard you are forced to witness

your neighbors dog tied to a dog house or stake while the family is inside or away. Or maybe the dog or dogs are left isolated in the yard with little human contact other than being fed. He or she may be causing a nuisance as it barks at any movement including yours when you are in your yard. If it’s a puppy it may constantly whine especially in bad weather and at night. Chained or ignored, dogs isolated from human contact, contradicts their breeding needs and natural instincts. If constantly tethered the dog can actually become an aggressive danger.

Both California and Los Angeles now have laws that make it a crime to tether (or tie) your dog to something without a specific temporary cause such as a gardener in the yard or construction. http://www.laanimalservices.com/abou-tani_tethering.htm Thanks to a handful of people including the critical efforts by the editor of this paper, the L.A. City Council outlawed unsupervised tethering punishable by 6 months in jail or longer, along with a hefty fine. If there’s evidence the dog actually suffered, was without food or water or was injured while i l legally tethered, the owners can face years in jail.

A dog tied up 24/7 can suffer from the elements, become aggressive, antisocial, pose a serious danger to children, friends or strangers if the dog escapes. Even with so-called “safe” tethering methods liketying the dog to a clothesline-type rope

or with a body harness, they can become entangled and unable to reach their food and water, a serious matter in 90 degree weather. Often tethered dogs are ignored for long periods of time and the owners come out to find the dog has strangled itself to death.

Another serious consequence of tethering or isolating dogs to backyard life is the cruel emotional impact it has on the dog. Dogs are by instinct and nature, active pack animals. That means they are “family-loving” beings with an an instinctive need to be an active part of a family/pack where they receive and give both love, attention, play and have an opportunity to act out the qualities bred into them. If it’s a retriever, chasing something and bringing it back is as essential to its well being as mothering is to a child. It isn’t optional, it’s what dogs need to be healthy, happy and safe. Every dog has been bred for a purpose and activity. Because of the modernization of the 20th century, dogs jobs have been taken away….but not their instinct to perform. A dog tied up on a regular basis or isolated from pack contact and instinctive activity is like a child kept in a locked room with no toys. It will either become aggressive… or resigned, depressed and desperate for company. Contrary to the myths, tethered dogs are not good watchdogs. They tend to bark at everything and owners and neighbors often learn to ignore the barks. Dogs left in yards to deter break-ins are easily let out of unlocked gates or given poison by a determined intruder. Even worse…they are often stolen as bait for dog fight training or by thieves waiting for the reward signs.

The effective and safe dog deterrents are dogs living inside the home they are to protect.

So if you know of a dog in your neighborhood that is chained or tethered, for more than a short period for a specific temporary purpose or hasinadequate shelter or water and food, a fece’s filled yard (also against the law) for the sake of the dog and everyone, call L.A. City Animal Services and report it. Your name will be kept confidential. Animal Reg. will give the owners time to comply and in most cases a little education is all it takes. But while our goal is to educate and help people be responsible for their pets, make no mistake about it…if someone is intent on leaving their dog consistently tied up without supervision for hours or more at a time or all day and night or are not providing a clean environment and adequate shelter.. that person risks criminal prosecution, fines and jail time. I know …because I’m a Deputy City Attorney and my job is to prosecute those crimes. For your own peace of mind and to help a suffering animal make the call.

If you have any questions or are not sure if you or someone you know is breaking the law, feel free to contact me directly .Bob FerberSupervising AttorneyL.A. City Attorney Animal Protection Unit 310-202-3839Robert.Ferber@lacity.org.To find your nearest Animal Services:w w w. l a a n i m a l s e r v i c e s . c o m . To report other abuse against animals, call the L.A. City Animal Cruelty Task Force at 213-847-1417 or your nearest shelter.

The Backyard Dogillegal tethering and Isolation

by Bob FerberSupervising Attorney

L.A. City Animal Protection Unit

17

Here is an incredible rice and beans recipe from Charles, owner and Chef at Natraliart, our neighborhood Jamaican restaurant see ad on backpage (for 12 -15 people)1 Grace of Coconut Cream (this is like butter and can be purchased at the Jamaican market next to Natraliart)1 scotch Bonnet pepper (purchased at the Jamaican market)6 oz of dried Red Kidney Beans1 small onion2 green onions½ teaspoon Black pepper6 whole all spice 3 stalks of green thyme1 teaspoon of salt½ cup olive oil2 lbs of rice.DirectionsIn a large pot, cook dry kidney beans in 6 cups of water until the water has been absorbed and beans are soft. Add coconut cream & 8 cups of water to a boil on medium heat. Add diced onion and green onion, add along with scotch bonnet pepper, black pepper, all spice, thyme, salt and olive oil. Let cook for about 15 minutes. With a large fork (not spoon) stir, taste liquid to see if suitable.

Add rice and stir with fork, contents should not be too watery but also not too tight, should be free flowing. Cover with aluminum foil and pot cover, reduce heat and let cook for 30 – 45 minutes occasionally lifting cover and stir with fork, turning rice over from bottom to top while turning pot around a full circle until rice is soft and shelly but not mushy.Remove cover and taste. Call Charles if you have any questions!

Beans and Rice di Jamaican Way

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Western Heights and the neighborhood south of Adams have recently experienced a number of daytime burglaries. Some have happened

while people have been at home. Neighbor Perry got broken into twice by thieves using the gated alleys to jump over back fences. They broke a back window to gain access and steal valuables. Last year we had three daytime break-ins on our street alone. A neighbor on 21st and Manhattan got broken into during the day by thieves who opened up the gate, let the dogs out of the yard and gained access through a rear broken window. (Dogs are more effective deterrents if they are IN the house ready to attack anyone aggressively entering a residence.)

You can help by keeping a sharp eye and ear out. Do you see someone carrying tvs, computers down the street, or loading them into a van or car? Grab your camera and take a picture. Get a license plate number. Make sure they don’t see you. Call police immediately if you hear glass breaking in your neighbor’s backyard. Better safe than sorry. Immedately write down any descriptions while it’s still fresh in your head. It’s helpful to have your neighbors contactphone numbers so you can call and ask if people should be moving things out of their house into a truck or van.

It makes it more difficult for thieves if we are all payting attention.

Here is a number directly to the police dispatch 213 – 928 – 8223.

Use it if you are directly witnessing a burglary or other crimes.

Be a Neighborhood News Crime Reporter. Send reports of crimes that have happened in your neighborhood to

theneighborhoodnews@yahoo.com

Rise In Daytime Burglaries

answer to riddle: NOTHING

After the Watts riots in the mid-60’s and into the 70’s, no one in their right mind moved south of Olympic; okay, maybe Pico, but

never further south. Back then there were a few artists looking for cheap, large, alternative spaces and urban outsider gratification. Yet in the last decade, artists have begun flocking to the corridors as if by gravitational pull. Now, drive down Jefferson Boulevard and you’ll notice signs proclaiming the area, “ARTIST DISTICT’! Mark Dutcher, a resident artist who has braved Exposition Boulevard for the last five years, made mention of this fact upon my recent visit to his studio. Mark Dutcher’s studioswath of industrial to the 1940’s, whenhoused small industrial furniture makers, garmentIn the very near future,running tracks rightDowntown all the way tohim even closer to thegallery scene. Mark has embraced thehas grown around me,”reflect the neighborhoodfrom Desert Shades,Jefferson Blvd.. He isfor his upcoming show

is tucked in between abuildings that go backExposition Boulevardbusinesses ranging fromplants and machine shops.the Metro Link will beacross the street, from-Culver City, connectinghubbub of the downtown

area, “the neighborhoodand his art has come toresources, like the armature a small lamp factory onusing it to create a pieceFeb 14.

“I am opposed to the idea of preciousness in painting. I am all for decay and disintegration. I want the painting to be weathered and layered. I usually go into my studio and destroy or paint out what I had painted the day before. I have an urge toward self-destruction. Most days I act that out in the studio. I am very interested in the melancholic idea of beauty - that nothing lasts. I want the viewer to be a part of the painting rather than reading it as a novel or story. I think that is why I paint so large, so people can enter the work.” artslant.com

You can catch his upcoming show from February 14th through March 20th at the Steve Turner Contemporary Gallery, located at 6020 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036. You can also check Mark’s work at http://markdutcher.com

Mark Dutcher

By Carla Weber

19

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Vintage Hollywood presentsFree Film Festival!

SEE FILMS THE WAY THEY WERE MEANT TO BE SEEN...

ON A BIG SCREEN

ALL FILMS STARTAT 7 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30

Check website for dates of specific films

vintagehollywoodprivateclub.com

A theatre Cabaret based onthe life of Josephine Baker

Performed by Sloan RobinsonSundays cocktails at 1:30

Performance at 3:00

and

call for Reservations 323-812-04474000 W. Washington Blvd across from Eureka

vintagehollywoodprivateclub.com

AD INFO - 323-871-8580 or theneighborhoodnews@yahoo.com