Richard Kassebaum passed away Wednesday, August 27th, 2008. While not mentioned in news articles Richard was a long time Atwater Village resident. He will be missed by many in Atwater Village.
Click here to download Los Feliz Ledger, Oct 2008 (pdf file, large file)
Article found on front page and continues on page 14.
A new solar water-heating program in Southern California, administered by Davis Energy Group (DEG), gives free solar water heating (SWH) systems to qualifying projects, along with $500/system toward installation costs.
DEG has secured funding from the California Air Resources Board to install 80 residential SunCache SWH systems. To qualify for the demonstration project, homes must be customers of either Southern California Gas Company or San Diego Gas and Electric. Both new construction and retrofit qualify, as do low-income projects. Multi-unit projects qualify only if each unit has its own water heater.
To learn more about this incentive, visit:
http://www.harpiris.com/learnmore/icatprogram.html
If you have any questions, please call Council President Garcetti’s office at (323) 957-4500.
Graffiti abatement murals throughout Atwater Village got a much needed “facelift” with funding from the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC), the volunteer efforts from Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) and the artistic talents of Rafael Escamilla and Tom Hinds.
The mural restoration effort happened over a two week period in July 2008. Artists Rafael Escamilla and Tom Hinds restored graffiti abatement murals originally commissioned by FAV starting in 2000. The restored murals include “Atwater Ranch Market” mural at 3111 Glendale Blvd next to Starbucks, the “Blot the Blight” mural at 2707 Fletcher Dr at the corner of Larga Ave and Fletcher Drive, the “Trains Shaping History” mural at the corner of Casitas Ave and Fletcher Dr., and the “Past, Present and Future” at 3250 Silver Lake Blvd on the historic Vince’s Market building.The “Blot the Blight” mural at the corner of Fletcher Dr and Larga Ave was the most damaged and required the most time and effort to restore. Rafael and Tom used photos taken of the mural when it was first completed in 2001 to stay true to the original design.
In addition to the “facelift” all four murals received anti-graffiti coating to help preserve them for many more years.
These and other graffiti abatement murals commissioned by FAV have served Atwater Village well over the years in both helping abate continuous tagging that these sites were experiencing before the murals were painted and by beautifying our community with art and Atwater Village history.Over the years FAV has worked to maintain these community assets by painting off or removing graffiti quickly however the original grants used to commission the murals do not include funds for maintenance.
FAV continues its commitment to maintain these wonderful pieces of art thru donations from our members and Atwater Village residents, as well as generous funding and support of other community groups such as the AVNC, the Atwater / Griffith Park Chamber of Commerce, Atwater Village Residents Association, and the Atwater Rotary and Lions Clubs.
Friends of Atwater Village expresses its heartfelt thanks to the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council for its’ current mural restoration funding and for recognizing that the murals are an import community asset that are worthy of maintenance. The FAV Board also gives a special thanks to AVNC Co-Chairs Tim Warner and Roberta Javier and AVNC Treasurer Leonora Gershman for their continued support and guidance thru the AVNC funding process.For more information about the murals or to make a generous donation to help maintain the murals please visit FAV’s website at www.friendsofatwatervillage.org or call at 323.913.2999
Click here to download conceptual plan (pdf file)
For more information contact the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council Land Use Committee at llopez@atwatervillage.org
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The Atwater Village Voice is a quarterly publication by the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC). For more information about the AVNC visit them on-line at www.atwatervillage.org
April 1, 2008 thru December 31, 2008
As you stroll the Foundation’s grounds this summer, you may notice a woman intently sketching a plant part – or, more precisely, the shadow of that plant part. The woman you’re watching is Pamela Burgess, TPF’s first Artist-in-Residence.
Pamela’s residency at Theodore Payne covers a nine-month period from April 1 through December 31, 2008. During this time, she will produce a body of work in various media based on California native plants found in the Foundation’s gardens and nursery. She will also teach classes, the first of which, “An Introduction to Field Journals,” was held in April. Her residency culminates with an exhibition of “shadow drawings,” journals and sculpture running October through December in the Theodore Payne Art Gallery.
Pamela’s career spans the graphic and fine arts. Her sculptures in steel and stone, and found natural materials led to a fine furniture line, a large-scale sculpture commission in downtown Los Angeles, and exhibitions at Occidental College and the Los Angeles County Museum Rental Gallery. Recent exhibitions include Metro Gallery in Los Angeles and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson.
In addition to working with nature and art, Pamela is active in the community. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park (since 1996), and in 2007, she was appointed to the City of Los Angeles Elysian Park Master Plan Oversight Committee. She is a member of the Southern California Horticultural Society, and the Sierra Club Camera Committee (Angeles Chapter).
Pamela’s work is motivated by a fascination with nature and its materials, and a reverence for craftsmanship. Each of her drawings represents the shadow cast by a botanical and captures a moment in time - the transitory nature of life. They are intended to express a kind of serenity similar to a direct experience of nature.
We’re delighted to have her at the Foundation!
Theodore Payne Foundation
10459 Tuxford Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352-2116
(818) 768-1802
Hours:
Summer (July 1 - October 13)
Thurs- Sat, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Closed: Sunday – Wednesday
Regular (October 14 - June 30)
Tues - Sat, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Closed Sunday - Monday
Approximately 9,000 people attended events at Lummis Home, Casa de Adobe and Sycamore Grove Park on Sunday June 1 for the 3rd annual Lummis Day Festival. The peak crowd of over 6,000 that gathered as Jackson Browne took the Sycamore Grove stage set a record for an event at that venue.
Scores of community volunteers, including students from local high schools, local church groups and the members of the Native American group, Changing Spirits, kept the event running smoothly. Despite the large numbers of Festivalgoers, police reported no incidents.
The fourth annual Lummis Day Festival will be held on Sunday, June 7, it was announced by the Lummis Day Community Foundation.
The Lummis Day Festival was presented by the Annenberg Foundation and the Autry National Center. Sponsors included the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Arroyo Seco, Eagle Rock, Greater Cypress Park and Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Councils, KMEX Univision 34, Fox KTTV 11, public radio station KPFK 90.7, the Arroyo Seco Journal, Poets & Writers, Inc, SIPA, the North Figueroa Association, Ed Reyes and Council District 1, Jose Huizar and Los Angeles City Council District 14, Red Bull, Modern Image Business Design, the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the Mount Washington Association and the L.A. Poetry Festival.
The Barnes and Noble bookstore on Glendale Avenue in Glendale closed its doors just as its new bookstore located in the Americana in Glendale opened its doors. In a conversation with Irma Golovina, Manager of the now-closed store, Marie Conte, volunteer at the Library and Board member of Friends of Atwater Village Library learned that the new store was opening with all new books and that the books at the closed store would be returned to the publishers or sent to storage. With the proposed budget cuts for the library system in mind, Marie asked Ms. Golovina if it would be possible for Barnes and Noble to donate some books to the Friends of Atwater Library to be used by the Library. As a result of Ms. Golovina checking with senior management, Friends of Atwater Library became the recipient of a very generous donation of books from Barnes and Noble! Marie, Christine Anthony and Netty Carr caravanned to the book store and picked up the boxes of donated books.
Stella Nahapetian, Atwater Village Library’s senior librarian, will now look through the books to determine which ones will go on the library shelves for circulation within the system. Those books that don’t make it onto the shelves will be fed into the monthly book sales held every third Saturday by the Friends of Atwater Library. The proceeds from the book sales go to the Atwater Village Library to supplement its budget and/or to purchase items for which there are no funds.
The Friends of Atwater Village Library whole-heartedly thank Barnes and Noble for its very generous donation of books!
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Friends of Atwater Library Monthly Book Sale – Saturday May 17, 2008 from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. We have great books at great prices. Help support your local library!
Cover page features the "Trains Shaping History" Mural on Fletcher Drive. For more information about the mural go to www.fletcherdrive.com
Assistant Majority Leader Kevin de León is proud to announce his choice for the California State Legislature “Woman of the Year”, Carol Jacques.
The California State Assembly hosts the Woman of the Year ceremony annually to recognize outstanding women who have made significant contributions to communities across California.
Once an uprooted resident, “Una desterrada” of Chavez Ravine, Carol is now a powerful community voice for Los Angeles. Carol retired from Los Angeles County, in 2002, after 33 years of service. At retirement, she was the head of the Civil Service Advocacy Unit of the Probation Department. During her Career with the county, Carol was a founding member and co-chair of the Los Angeles County Health Alliance, a Founding member and the first elected woman president of Los Angeles County Chicano Employees’ Association.Continue reading "Assemblymember Kevin de Leon Recognizes Woman of the Year" »
MTA - Metro / Doug Massoth, L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti (CD13), Clean & Green Youth Team, L.A. Public Works / Gerry Valido, Dept. of Sanitation (North Central Bulky Item), Boy's Republic Volunteers, Luis Lopez Automotive, Marie Conte, Leonora Gershman (AVNC), and Joe Caravella
Click here for larger size photo
Commissioner Diane Middleton resigns from her position on the Board of Neighborhood Commission citing considerable challenges in the Neighborhood Council system.
The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners ("Commission" or "Board") is comprised of seven members, each from a different background and a different part of the city. They are appointed by the Mayor, and confirmed by the City Council. The Commission is responsible for setting and overseeing policy. That includes approval of contracts, leases, and rules and regulations. The Commission holds regular public meetings every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, and may hold special meetings to conduct business.
http://www.lacityneighborhoods.com/commissioners.htm
--- Diane Middleton Resignation Letter ---
January 16, 2008
Deputy Mayor Larry Frank
Office of the Mayor
200 North Spring Street, Suite 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RE: Resignation as Commissioner
Dear Larry:
I wish to express my thanks to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for the opportunity to serve in his administration as a Commissioner on the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners.
As you know, our Commission meets in the evening at various locations throughout the city. This has provided the opportunity to learn about many of the 89 Neighborhood Councils and their communities.
Some of these Neighborhood Councils are vibrant, diverse, and truly committed to making their neighborhood a better place for all residents. Seeing the well functioning neighborhood councils has been the most positive aspect of serving as a commissioner.
Additionally, I truly appreciated the opportunity to work with the other BONC Commissioners who are intelligent, committed, and politically astute. Likewise, many of the DONE staff are truly outstanding and could make a terrific contribution to improving the Neighborhood Council system if given the chance.
The challenges have been considerable. Foremost among these is that in the 27 months I served as a Commissioner there were 4 general managers at DONE.Continue reading "DIANE MIDDLETON RESIGNS FROM BOARD OF NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION" »
Friends of Atwater Village (FAV), with volunteers from the Boys Republic, held a “mini” clean-up on Glendale Blvd and the Los Angeles River (by the Red Car River Park) on Saturday, January 19, 2008.
FAV holds regular neighborhood wide clean-up events; the next clean-up is tentatively scheduled for March 8th, 2008.
Click here to sign-up for next clean-up event.
For more information about the Atwater Griffth Park Chamber of Commerce visit them online at www.atwaterchamber.org
Don't forget to turn on your Christmas lights on Sunday, Dec. 16th after 5pm. The contest judges will be driving around the neighborhood and selecting our 2007 winners. They will choose one winner per area: South, Central, and North.
Winners will be notified, and info will be provided to where to pick up their prizes.
This contest is organized by the Atwater Village Residents Association (AVRA) with help from local merchants, who donate gift certificates for our contest winners. The contest is free, and there is no need to fill out entries.
From the No Home Depot Coalition - Northeast Los Angeles
"Home Depot has reportedly abandoned its efforts to open another store in Fletcher Square at the old Kmart site. Los Angeles Council District 13 released the information that the leasehold on the old Kmart site (3150 San Fernando Rd), which Home Depot purchased several years ago, is up for sale.
This latest update is welcomed news to the No Home Depot Coalition (NHDC); and many community activists in both the Atwater Village and Glassell Park communities who vigorously protested against Home Depot installing a 3rd store on a four mile stretch of San Fernando Road.
The NHDC continues to believe that a Home Depot in this location is contrary to the spirit and intent of the Northeast Community Plan and the recently adopted Fletcher Square Community Design Overlay. With the lease on the site reportedly for sale the NHDC hopes that community efforts will focus on attracting a development that satisfies the community's desires and needs."
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION-779-07-PL; ENV-2007-4598.
3234-3274 West Casitas Avenue; Northeast Los Angeles. Council District 13. Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 69268 to permit the construction of 27 new single-family homes in accordance with the Small Lot Ordinance No. 176,354 on a 60,075 net square foot site in the RD3-1 Zone with 54 parking spaces. The maximum permitted density on this site is 20 units. However, the applicant is utilizing a 35% Density Bonus, Pursuant to Government Code 65915 to provide seven additional units, of which 7%, two dwelling units, will be set aside for very low income purposes. The subject site is located within a 1,500-foot radius from a major bus route. Also, a Zoning Administrator's Adjustment to permit a reduced horizontal open space dimension of 8.5 and 10 foot in lieu of the required 15-foor for common open space; an eight-foot encroachment into a 15-foot building line for the construction, use and maintenance of front yard private patios (A Building Line Removal is proposed under a separate application); An eight-foot encroachment into the 15-foot front yard setback of a RD3 Zone Lot for the construction use and maintenance of porches and patios (If the Building Line is removed under separate application prior to the issuance of a building permit); Reduced spaces between buildings and passageways allowing four inches between buildings in lieu of the 20-foot required and 12-foot passageways; and to allow more than 50% paving in the front yard.
Friends of Central High School #13, a new grassroots group, held a demonstration on Sunday, October 28, 2007 to rally community support for a much needed new high school in the Northeast Los Angeles area. The demonstration was held at intersection of San Fernando Rd and Cazador St, in front of the proposed 23-acre site for the new high school – Taylor Yard, Parcel F.
"The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has been outreaching to, and working with, our local communities since 2001 in order to locate a much needed high school in [Northeast L.A. area]. Currently, the children from [Atwater Village, Elysian Valley], Glassell Park and Cypress Park are sent to Eagle Rock, Franklin, or Marshall High. Those 3 schools all suffer with overcrowding which would be proportionally relieved if a new high school is built at Taylor Yards."
"There were numerous community meetings to locate and identify a preferred site for the high school. Despite a few drawbacks, the only area large enough where no homes or businesses would be disturbed and which was centrally located to [serve various Northeast communities], was Parcel F in Taylor Yard."
"While LAUSD was engaged in negotiations to acquire the property, developer Richard Meruelo, [of MerueloMaddux Properties], swooped in to buy it. Currently Mr. Meruelo is trying to negotiate a diminished and compromised school" under his so called “Riversedge Village” plan that includes high density housing, retail development and the high school.
For more information about Friends of Central High School #13 and how you can help please call: 323.270.2734 or email Roberta_Trotman@hotmail.com
Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) has completed another graffiti abatement mural, this time at the historic Vince’s Market building, located at the corner of Silver Lake Blvd. and Atwater Avenue.
The mural’s theme, “Past, Present and Future”, recreates the Vince’s Market building as it was prior to 1946. What is now Vince's Market was originally three separate businesses -- a beauty shop, a barber shop, and the market. In 1946 the beauty shop and barber shop were moved across the street and the market was expanded.
The mural shows images of the everyday items and products that were found at a “superette” market, barber shop and beauty salon in the 1940’s.
Muralist Rafael Escamilla who created and painted this wonderful piece of art, worked closely with the original owners of Vince’s Market, the Caravellas, and other long time residents so that he could keep all the images historically accurate for the 1940’s. They relied on old Atwater Village pictures and good memories of a bygone era. Come by and view this wonderful recreation of a bygone era and sit a moment on the “bench” to take it all in.
This mural project was funded by a Community Beautification Grant from the L.A. Board of Public Works.
Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) is a "hands on" group of volunteers working to improve and beautify our neighborhood, from neighborhood clean-ups to mural projects and more. At our core, we are a group of friends dedicated to improving Atwater Village. For more information about FAV you can contact them at 323.913.2999 or visit them online at www.FriendsofAtwaterVillage.org
For more Atwater Village pictures go Flickr group "Atwater Village, 90039"
To sign up for the next Friends of Atwater Village Cleanup event click here
The Los Angeles Community College (LACC) Northeast “Van de Kamp’s” satellite campus (2930 Fletcher Drive) project continues to endure ongoing building design hold ups and an almost 12 million dollar budget shortfall.
Best wishes to the L.A. Department of Public Works / Community Beautification Grant for reaching their 10 year mark of helping make LA greener, cleaner, happier and better. Atwater Village, thru Friends of Atwater Village spearheaded community projects, has received a total of 8 beautification grants.
by Sandra Caravella
It was the year 2000
And a few understood
There were things we should do
To beautify the hood
We formed a non- profit
Let’s call it FAV
And started to plan
What projects to have
Now ideas were plentiful
And poured out with no end
But where to start, how to start
And just where to begin.
Money the road block
Without it we can’t
Then Netty said, “I have this app
For a city funded grant”
Neighborhood Matching Funds sounds good
A dollar for dollar source
But fill out forms and write a grant
Can we do it? Yes of course
Grant #1 was a great success
A mural replaces tagging
Neighbors helped and kids came out
To volunteer, no lagging
We scrapped, we primed we painted
To add to our creation
And when the mural reached its end
Made time for celebration
Wow we did it
Let’s try once again
Then another grant funded
And again and again
There have been rough spots
Along the way
Months and months for permits
Not another delay…
You must add insurance
There are more forms to sign
Meetings to make
Do we really have time?
We have now proudly reached project # 8
Thanks Board of Public Works
You had a fabulous plan
To use city funds
A great helping hand
Whether called NMF
Or CB Grant
Without it our dreams
Would not had a chance
The city shines brighter
Because of CB
As we send our wishes
Happy Anniversary
On July 11th, at its annual general meeting, and summer mixer, the Atwater Griffith Park Chamber of Commerce (AGPCC) celebrated 60 years of community service. The AGPCC is dedicated to promoting the civic and economic wellbeing of the Atwater Village community and its member merchants and is also one of the oldest continuous community groups in Atwater Village. The celebration was held at the Tam O’Shanter Inn, where current, new members and guests help celebrate the occasion.
The annual general meeting was also the occasion for the election of the chamber governing board for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The following individuals (in alphabetical order) were unanimously elected by the eligible chamber members present:
Betty Bartlotta, longtime resident and owner of Atwater’s Club Tee Gee. Veronika Caballero, co-owner of Dave’s Accordion/Caballero Dance. Andy Hasroun, commercial property owner (owner of the former Ranch Market) and owner of Atwater’s first wine tasting establishment opening soon. Bryan Lytle, General Manager of the historical landmark, Tam O’Shanter Inn. Mark Newman-Kuzel, resident and owner of Maid in the USA. Andy Paylan, owner of the independent service station at Glendale and Glenfeliz BoulevardsThe new board will elect its officers at an upcoming meeting
Continue reading "Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 60 Years of Community Service!" »
Need to get rid of some Bulky Items around the house and garage??? Forgot to call 311???
The Glassell Park Improvement Association with the help of SLO Red Falconer is having their, BULKY ITEM DROP OFF EVENT
PLEASE NO HAZARDOUS WASTE, TIRES, OR ELECTRONICS.
Laura Gutierrez
GPIA President
*To drop off hazardous waste, tires, or electronics, the nearest S.A.F.E. Center is located at 4600 Colorado Blvd at San Fernando Road.
The July issue includes:
* SurveyLA -- the Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey Project: How Can You Participate?
* State Awards Los Angeles Its First Preservation Grant
* Mia Lehrer Joins Cultural Heritage Commission
* Profiles of Los Angeles' 10 Newest Landmarks
Ken Bernstein
Manager, Office of Historic Resources
Department of City Planning, City of Los Angeles
Kathy Cerra & Associates (KCA) and L.A. City Council District 13 (Eric Garcetti / CD13) unveiled the preliminary streetscape concept for Fletcher Drive in Atwater Village.
Atwater’s section of the Fletcher Drive streetscape master plan encompasses Fletcher Drive from the Los Angeles River (Fletcher Drive Bridge) to San Fernando Road. The preliminary streetscape concept consists of four traffic lane plan with various elements to increase pedestrian safety, regulate traffic flow and improve street level landscape.
Click here for Fletcher Drive Preliminary Streetscape Concept – Atwater Village (large pdf file).
For more information about the Fletcher Drive Streetscape Concept contact: Kathy Cerra (KCA) at kathy@kcala.net or Mitch O'Farrell (CD13) at MOfarrel@COUNCIL.LACITY.ORG
The funding application submitted by the L.A. Bureau of Street Services (BSS) to implement remaining portions of the Glendale Blvd Streetscape Master Plan failed to get a preliminarily recommendation for funding from the MTA 2007 Call for Projects review staff.
The Glendale Blvd Streetscape Master Plan funding request scored 66 points out of a possible 100. The funding request received notably low scores in evaluation criteria categories of “Project Need & Benefit to Trans. System” (22 points), “Local Match” (0 points) and “Land Use & Environmental Compatibility” (17 points).
The BSS is seeking approximately 3 million dollars of MTA funding to implement unfinished portions of the Glendale Blvd Streetscape Master Plan which was formulated in 2002. The funding would be used to widen sidewalks, add bump-outs at corners to shorten pedestrian crossing distances, address traffic flow issues in various ways, provide new median landscaping and irrigation, and slow vehicular traffic on Glendale Blvd by reducing traffic lanes from 6 to 4.
The MTA Board of Directors, the governing body of the MTA, is expected to adopt the staff’s preliminarily recommendation for funding from the MTA 2007 Call for Projects at their July 26th Board Meeting.
For MTA Board meeting agendas go to:
http://www.metro.net/board/mtgsched.htm
For more information about the 2007 MTA Call for Project go to:
http://www.metro.net/projects_programs/call_projects/default.htm
Also see Atwater Village News blog article “L.A. Bureau of Street Services Applies for MTA “Call for Projects” go to:
http://friendsofatwatervillage.org/blog/2007/01/la_bureau_of_street_services_a.html
by Cathie Chavez
The City of Los Angeles is among the growing number of cities committed to reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills. With a goal of diverting 70% of its trash from landfills by the year 2015, the city has developed specialized programs aimed at providing residents with enhanced recycling opportunities. One such program, the Multifamily Residential Recycling Program, is Los Angeles’ first attempt at providing citywide recycling services to multifamily residential properties. Starting in 2007, multifamily residential pro
