tnn issue#24 june2012

JUNE - JULY 2012Issue 24

Connecting Community Dots Since 2008

Willie Middlebrook R.I.P.Willie Middlebrook R.I.P.

SATURN ELEMENTARY & ALTA LOMA ELEMENTARY SATURN ELEMENTARY & ALTA LOMA ELEMENTARY GO GREENGO GREEN

MAXIE FLOYDMAXIE FLOYD THE AUTHENTIC DUDESGUIDE TO DATING

and so much more

Publisher/Executive Editor/ReporterDianne V. Lawrence

Associate Editor/ReporterRenee Montgomery

Staff ReportersCarla Pineda, Deborah Charles,

Contributing WritersScott McNeely, Toma O’Grady, Brian Eklund

Copy Editor/Proof ReaderHannah Sim

Layout & Design/Executive Ad SalesDianne V. Lawrence

TO ADVERTISE OR SUBMIT IDEASContact us at: 323.871.8580

[email protected]

CONTENT

4 Saturn Elementary Community Park

6 Alta Loma Elementary Garden

7 Neighborhood Green Projects

8 James Carey, Local Director in Zimbabwe

9 Authentic Dudes Dating Guide

10 Wilshire Ward Chapel in Country Club

11 In Memory Of: Willie Middlebrook; Mel Cannel

12 Featured Resident; Maxie Floyd, Famed Photographer Talks Jazz 14 Restaurant Review; Vien Cafe 16 Play Me, I’m Yours. Public Piano Project Eye On Wesson: 16th Place Follow Up20 “Congratulations To” - a new column Seen on the Scene Neighborhood Council Reports

L - R Carla Pineda, Deborah Charles, Dianne V. Lawrence, Renee Montgomery

Special Thanks to The Friends of the Neighborhood News

Sponsorship: John Baldessari Donations: Denise Domergue,

Lynn Pearl, Regina Jones, Steve & Lisa Vasquez,

Linda Ottobre & Martin RossTax deductible donations help keep us in your hands.

Love TNN? Become a “Friend Of”.Email us and put ‘contribution inquiry’ in the subject

and we will contact you. We take credit cards, checks or money orders.

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Cover photo of Willie Middlebrooks art at Expo Line’s Crenshaw Station. Photo by D.V. Lawrence

Issue #24, 14,000 copies!! Four full years and we are still here thanks to hard work and one little miracle after another and of course the incredible support of the friends, businesses and readers who share our vision of connecting, informing and celebrating our amazing community. This seems to be the greening of CD10 issue as several articles came our way revealing numerous efforts by local residents throughout our area, to create greener communities. Something is in the air! For those of you who make a game of counting all the little errors in the articles you will either be happy or sad to know we have found a wonderful copy editor and proof reader, Hannah Sim. Our idea of a fun evening is talking on Skype and discussing the fi ner points of word usage and comma placement. Sister Wonks! In our ongoing efforts to keep the bills paid I have created some new opportunities for readers to contribute and have fun. TNN now offers a CONGRATULATIONS column, (pg.20). For $20 you can give a shout out in the magazine to some deserving friend or family member. Just email us with your info and I will contact you about payment. Speaking of Congratulations, I want to give myself a shout out. I am delighted to announce I have been offered the opportunity to become a regular blogger for the Huffi ngton Post. You will fi nd me in the 50 and Over category. This should be interesting. Now I will let the magazine speak for itself so put your feet up, grab a cuppa joe and take a little stroll around your community

4 w w w.thene ighborhoodne wson l ine .ne t span ish/kore an op t ions JUNE/JULY 2012

Rings of Saturn Inc, a non-profi t corporation formed by community members for the benefi t of Saturn

Elementary School (located between Pico and Venice, east of Hauser), will be the benefi ciaries of a $458,998.00 award from the state’s Strategic Growth Council as part of the Urban Greening Program, utilizing Prop 84 funding. The award will be used for the construction of a Community School Park (CSP), an innovative concept that transforms asphalt school campuses into park-like settings for use by schools as well as members of the community after school hours. The award represents approximately 50% of the projected budget and is expected to be matched by Measure Q funding through Los Angeles County as part of a joint use relationship between the Rings of Saturn, L.A. Unifi ed School District and Beyond The Bell. The project will be managed by Rings of Saturn Inc in collaboration with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, which will play a vital role in guiding the non-profi t through the process. The Community School Park concept was set in motion 20 months ago when the City Council and L.A. Unifi ed School District approved four schools-- Calvert Street, Beethoven Street, Vine Street and Trinity Street-- to launch the pilot program. Saturn Elementary School now joins the ranks of this trail-blazing group and will more than likely be the fi rst of the schools to be fully funded by late spring and begin construction at the summer break. The pilot program is a timely and sorely needed response to the current harsh economic conditions. Local government and public agencies will be struggling for years to provide basic human services, especially in communities that need them the most. CSPs offer a model of how public agencies can share expertise and resources with the private sector, nonprofi ts like Rings of Saturn Inc and community organizations, to improve education and expand green space to the benefi t of not only the school but to the community as a whole. The success of this project and others like it will set a precedent and instill confi dence in further developing public/private relationships. With input from the community, Rings of Saturn Inc’s Advisory

Saturn Elementary School Blazes Trail for New Community School Park

Scott McNeely

Continued on Pg. 18


Site of new garden at Alta Loma Elementary

Alta Loma ElementaryHow Does Your Garden Grow?

Tomas O’Grady

Enrich LA is an environmental non-profi t organization focused on incorporating edible gardens into public

schools. Their school gardens are inexpensive, promote community involvement, encourage respect for our delicate planet, act as outdoor classrooms, cheer up school campuses, help students build a good work ethic, and promote environmentally conscious and healthy eating habits. Enrich LA has a signifi cant track record of building new gardens on a shoe-string budget in Los Angeles Unifi ed School District (LAUSD) schools. Their motto is, “A garden in every school” and to date they have completed 23 individual school gardens with 18 gardens in the pipeline. At Alta Loma Elementary School, Enrich LA plans to remove

asphalt and install an edible garden and outdoor kitchen The garden will consist of thirteen 4' x 8' x 18" raised edible beds with a permeable surface path around each bed. An old shed that exists will be converted into a garden storage shed and outdoor kitchen. The outdoor kitchen will consist of a small sink and faucets with running water, a barbecue and a prep area. Partners in this project are the Mid-City Neighborhood Council (MINC) who’ve committed $4,600 to the project and Search Light Films, who in addition to providing $5,000 for the project, will fl y in a group of about 30 of their employees from New York in August to help build this garden. To fi nd out more visit;http://enrichla.org/2011/08/gardenplanning-alta-loma-elementary-school/Tomas O’Grady is the executive director of Enrich LA, the environmental non-profi t that he co-founded in 2010 to bring edible school gardens to public schools in the City of Los Angeles.

7Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services! JUNE/JULY 2012

Did You Know Your Neighborhood Council Funds Neighborhood Beautifi cation Projects?

Moisha Closson from 4th Ave. secured funding from the United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council (UNNC) to fi x up this community sore spot. Thanks to Norman Gilmore for his report.Go to Pg. 20 for links to your Neighborhood Council.

PICO SHOPPING DISTRICTDESIGN DESTINATION

Do you have a spot in your community that needs some

TLC? Your local Neighborhood Council has funds to help you clean up your neighborhood. Peter Schulberg, President of the Olympic Park Neighborhood Council (OPNC), approached the Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC) about a tree planting project along Olympic Blvd. OPNC then agreed to fund the project for a planting this spring. In April of this year, the Koreatown Youth & Community Center planted 24” box size Brisbane Box street trees along the south side of Olympic Blvd, between La Brea

Ave and Crenshaw Blvd. The 17 Brisbane Box street trees will be watered and maintained by KYCC on a bi-monthly basis for the next two years. Thanks to Irma Garcia from KYCC for this report.

BEFORE AFTER

JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSEMAIL LIST. Get local updates & businessspecials, your own desktop copy of TNNemail [email protected] to join

8 w w w.thene ighborhoodne wson l ine .ne t span ish/kore an op t ionsKee

JUNE/JULY 2012

Local Theater Director Gets PrestigiousOpportunity in Zimbabwe

Renee Montgomery

West Adams resident James Carey is taking his show on the road. Actor-director Carey is founder of the

nearby Attic Theatre & Film Center. Located on Washington Blvd at Hauser, the Attic is a year-round, full-service theatre with a complete season of plays. With a mission to present West Coast premiers of original works and innovative productions of classical plays, the playhouse also serves as an important venue for local artists-- featuring everything from dramatic readings to rap

music. Last year Carey presented the hit musical “Come Together: A Beatles Cabaret,” which will now travel to Rome’s Abarico Theatre where Carey will direct it with Italian singers in August. Last year the theatre initiated a regular program of charming children’s plays, and this year they will be offering a weekly children’s acting workshop for

ages 6 - 10 starting June 1st. The Attic’s 2012 season includes “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Musical Valentine,” and their national recognized One Act Festival now entering it 21st year.

Raised in Georgia and Tennessee, Carey has lived in the 10th Council district since 2001 and currently resides near Arlington and 25th streets. He has had extensive training that includes a BFA in theatre, and two MFA’s – in Acting and Directing from UNC Chapel Hill and in Arts Management from CSULB. Along with his late wife Denise Ragan, Carey founded the Attic Theatre in 1987 which enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest producing organization on the Hollywood Theatre Row until 2003. But Carey’s scope is international and he is currently preparing to bring his prodigious talents to Zimbabwe‘s annual Speech and Drama Festival of the National Institute of Allied Arts. Encouraged to apply for inclusion in the festival by a local Zimbabwean ex-patriot, Carey is the fi rst American to be accepted in the event’s 97-year history. Over 17 days the festival provides 150 workshops in drama, poetry, storytelling, choral speaking, improv, monologues, sketches and plays for 5,000-6,000 students from Zimbabwean elementary, middle and high schools. During the course of the festival, students are trained, then perform in 20 different categories, and are judged on whether they may advance to higher levels of the competitive event. “There’s nothing like it in the US,” Carey explains. Carey will serve as an instructor and adjudicator, giving approximately 1,500 students critical feedback and coaching. “The festival’s purpose is to encourage kids to read, get involved, do public speaking, and build themselves as individuals,” Carey informed TNN. Native Zimbabwean teachers will also pick up important training at the event as most of the country’s experienced teachers have been driven out by the

Continued on Pg. 18

ep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services! 9 JUNE/JULY 2012

Dates at the multiplex? Clubs? Beach? Done, done, done! Get real! Want to prove you are a hip guy with creative

ideas of your own? What better place to impress your date than West Adams with its unexpected treasures. Here’s a suggested dating itinerary from TNN designed to show you’re a happenin’ urban insider: What better place to start off your date than at William Andrews Clark Library, the hidden trove of English literature, located

The Authentic Dudes Guideto Dating in West Adams

Renee Montgomery

on Cimmaron and Adams. Impress your date with your knowledge of the Clark’s Chrzanowski collection of 72 texts that Shakespeare likely read (or could have read in some form), including source books used to write his plays. Plenty of other dudes have read Shakespeare, but you know what Shakespeare read. You art awesome, dude.

Coming out of the Clark estate, visit the grounds of the Durfee Mansion at 2425 S. Western near Adams on the St. John of God Retirement Home grounds. Explain that when William Durfee passed away, his widow Nellie mourned his death for 50 years, leaving his possessions untouched and sleeping with his key around her neck every night till her death at age 99. You’re all about true love and devotion, man. Now that you’ve established your romantic side, prove your domestic side by cruising down the adjacent 2100 block of 24th St just east of Arlington and comment on the exquisitely restored Arts and Crafts bungalows. Who doesn’t love a guy who knows

Continued on Pg. 18

PICO SHOPPING DISTRICTSTYLE DESTINATION

10 Keep our Local Businesses in Business. Use local Services! JUNE/JULY 2012

During this election year, focus has been on famous Mormons, church history and practice. The metropolitan

Latter Day Saints (LDS) center for Los Angeles is located in the Country Club neighborhood at 1209 S. Manhattan Pl, between Olympic and Pico. The Wilshire Ward Chapel (previously known as the Hollywood Stake Tabernacle) functions as the “Stake Center” for the Los Angeles Stake. A Mormon “stake” is a regional unit comprised of a number of different “wards” or neighborhood parishes. Eight wards (ranging from the Santa Monica borders to the L.A. River) make up the L.A. Stake. When church-members from different wards come together for general meetings, they convene at the Manhattan Pl building. The offi ces of the L.A. Stake leaders (all volunteer lay clergy) are also located here. In addition to serving as a regional center, the Wilshire building also houses three smaller wards: two wards comprised of the local Mormon

Church of the Latter Day SaintsThe Wilshire Ward Chapel

Renee Montgomery

Continued on Pg. 18

11 JUNE/JULY 2012spanish/kore an op t ions w w w.thene ighborhoodne wson l ine .ne t

Considering Willie Middlebrook’s imposing appearance, his powerful artwork and his deep infl uence on local art, it’s

diffi cult to imagine Los Angeles without Willie. The artist passed away at Brotman Medical Center on May 5th from complications following a stroke-– just a week after the opening of the Metro Expo Line, featuring Middlebrook’s artwork at the Expo/Crenshaw Station. He was 54 years old. Middlebrook was a well-known photographer/painter whose work has been exhibited in more than 200 solo exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, Cleveland Museum of Art, LACMA, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Studio Museum of Harlem, and the California African-American Museum to cite a few. He received numerous awards including two Visual Artist Fellowships in photography from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Getty Trust Visual Artist Fellowship,

Willie Middlebrook Art Star1957 - 2012

Continued on Pg.19

Renee Montgomery

The poet Robert Frost proclaimed, “Good fences good neighbors make”. But in a time when we’ve taken fence

building to extremes, our family was blessed with a neighbor who took them down. From the time we moved into the Western Heights neighborhood in 1994, Mel Cannel gave meaning to the word “neighbor.” His memorial service on April 27th was testament to this as neighbors, past and present, shared their memories of Mel. Born of immigrant parents in Arizona, Mel could share the stories of his very humble beginnings in English, Spanish, and even Greek. It was through Mel’s service in the Navy during World War II, where he helped transport soldiers to shore in the invasion of Iwa Jima, that Mel met his wife, Alice, at a USO dance. She must have swept him off his feet for they soon tied a knot that bound together for 60 plus years. When Mel returned from his military service he found work with MGM studios where he was affectionately known as “the tin man” because of his work with sheet metal. Many of our Western Heights homes, including my own, are benefi ciaries of

Mel Cannel A Great Neighbor1921 - 2012Brian Eklund

Continued on Pg.19

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Maxie Floyd has lived and owned property in Mid City for over forty years. A jazz enthusiast and historian, Max

is known for his fi ne art photography of iconic photos of great jazz musicians and for his knowledge of the history of jazz in our community.

When jazz greats such as Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker came to perform in Hollywood they were not invited to stay in the hotels located there. The musicians would have to come to the black community to fi nd a decent hotel such as the Dunbar Hotel on Central Avenue and 42nd. As the racial divide became more relaxed, African American families began moving to Inglewood, Baldwin Hills and Mid-City which was considered the Westside. Hotels and jazz clubs began to emerge, such as the Watkins Hotel located on Manhattan Pl and Adams Blvd and the Clark Hotel located on Washington Blvd and Central Ave, were considered top-notch. With the exception of the Dunbar Hotel, which has become an historical landmark and museum, the Clark and Watkins Hotel no longer exists. Inside the Watkins Hotel was a well-known barbershop that Nat King Cole patronized. When Maxie would pick up his sister who worked as a secretary to the owner of the hotel he recalled seeing Nat in the barber shop several times. There was also a jazz lounge inside the hotel called the Rubiot Room that had a separate entrance on Manhattan Pl. Nate King Cole lived on W. 29th St, the exact same street as Maxie’s grandmother, until he moved to June St in Hancock Park, which created a huge controversy in that community. Mid City soon became a hot bed for jazz. As we traveled in conversation down Washington Blvd through Maxie’s recollection, he talked about the famed Parisian Room at Washington Blvd and La Brea, which is now the Ray Charles Post Offi ce. Jazz

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Noted African American PhotographersMaxie Floyd, Gordon Parks, Roland Charles

artists such as Nancy Wilson who lived on Cochran Pl, Joe Williams, Esther Phillips, Arthur Prysock and Art Blakey would appear at the Parisian Room on a regular basis. The musical director of the house band was Red Holloway who recently passed away. Further down on Washington Blvd going east was another iconic jazz spot, Tommy Tucker’s Play Room located at 4907 W. Washington Blvd (no longer there) featuring jazz, blues and other performing artists. It was one of the fi rst restaurants to popularize chicken

and waffl es. Tommy Tucker was a restaurant owner, bail bondsman and philanthropist who had connections and friendships with Hollywood stars and musicians like Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Sam Cook, O.C. Smith, Ernie Andrews, Carmen McRae and Abby Lincoln to name a few, all of whom use to hang out frequently at Tommy Tucker’s Play Room.

Jazz great Nancy Wilson lived on Cochran Pl. and performed at the Parisian Room on Washington Blvd

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Continued on Pg. 18

Maxie Floyd and All That Jazz

Deborah Charles


Pico and La Cienega has gradually transitioned

from dull intersection to urban destination for creative individuals. First there was the opening of the beautiful Pearl Art & Craft Supplies store, then Mood Designer

Fabrics (made famous by Project Runway) and now the sublime Vien Cafe, created by co-owners Helen Kim and Paul Kim who also own the popular Indochine Vien in Atwater Village. Yes, the famous-but-hard-to-fi nd Bahn Mi has arrived in Mid-City with this chic Vietnamese restaurant, galvanizing the area as an essential L.A. destination. It ensures that Mid-City residents no longer have to travel to San Gabriel Valley or Orange County for authentic Vietnamese fare. For the uninitiated Bahn Mi is a unique French-Indo sandwich served on large, soft homemade baguettes, with a base of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, marinated carrots, radish and your choice of

Vien Cafe Authentic, Light, Affordable, Filling

Renee Montgomery

15span ish/kore an op t ions w w w.thene ighborhoodne wson l ine .ne t JUNE/JULY 2012

marinated meat. Bahn Mi is just the beginning of Vien Café’s many virtues. Afi cionados know the country’s cuisine has its own distinct fl avors stemming from a blend of native and French cultures. In sitting down at the café’s pet-friendly outdoor tables with the late afternoon sun streaming down Pico, my party found taste-treat after taste-treat. We started with shrimp and fresh veg-etable spring rolls delicately wrapped in Vietnamese rice paper and followed it with Banh Xeo a crepe made from mung bean and coconut batter fi lled with chick-en, shrimp, sautéed onions all wrapped around bean sprouts. Helen showed us how to take portions of the crepe, wrap them in the lettuce and mint and dip in the sour dipping sauce. Soooo good! I fol-lowed this with the simple, classic, hearty Pho Tai a delicious beef broth with rice noodles and slivers of rare steak while my dining partner went with the Vegetarian Pho, thin rice noodles served in a vegetable broth and loaded with strips of fried tofu, black mushrooms and carrots, garnished with green onions, bean sprouts, jalapeno peppers, lime and aromatic Vietnamese basil. She took half of it home and called me the next day just to tell me how deli-cious it was cold. Everything was perfectly prepared and available in several fragrant variations. There were many other spe-cial ingredients too, such as jasmine rice plates with beef, pork or chicken. Veg-ans will be delighted by the very health-conscious menu, including stir-fried brown rice noodle dishes and tofu spring rolls (Goi Cuon). The killer-on-my-plate though was the Crispy Vietnamese Apple Fritter with vanilla ice cream. I will grow old gladly knowing a free serving is available on birth-days. Over 35 fi ne entrees and appetizers appear on the extensive menu, all cooked to order, substitutes possible and all based on traditional Vietnamese recipes from Paul and Helen’s respective families. The phrase “Blissful eating” came to mind as we savored the elegant tastes and visual delights at this fi ne cafe. “Like” the Vien Café on Facebook for a 10% discount coupon.Vien CafÈ, 6118 W. Pico Blvd (just east of La Cienaga on the south side), 323.651.2888 Sun -Thu, 11:30 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm Closed Mondays


Mid-City was the locale for not one, but two pianos in the “Play Me, I’m Yours” program. Sponsored by the L.A.

Chamber Orchestra, the PMIY program furnished 30 pianos in public spaces throughout L.A. County from April 12th to May 3rd.

In this exciting outreach program, that has been staged in 20 cities around the world, pianos are made available in spaces freely accessible to the community. All ages are encouraged to visit the pianos, plunk out a few notes or a whole concerto, arrange a duo, an elaborate concert or a sing-along-- whatever the music spirits inspire one to do. With the 30 pianos spread out from San Pedro to Claremont to

Panorama, Mid-City was fortunate to have PMIY pianos installed on the front porch of the William Grant Still Art Center, and on the sidewalk outside the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center on the Washington Blvd. The pianos were fi rst decorated by local artists, with the event kicked-off by a simultaneous concert of Bach’s Preludes at the same time on April 12th on all 30 pianos. The PMIY program is the brainchild of British artist Luke Jerram.

Play Me, I’m YoursRenee Montgomery

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Eye On Wesson“I Am Committed To Delivering”

TNN continues to follow up on the interaction between 16th Pl residents and Councilman Wesson. Dedicated

readers will remember our article about the plight of the residents who woke up one morning to discover their pristine views of the Hollywood Hills had been replaced with a concrete wall erected overnight by the CIM development on San Vicente/Venice/Pico. Views the residents had negotiated with the city to keep intact and which the city and developers ignored in the end. Although Councilman Wesson claimed there was little he could do to help, the residents felt differently and kept pushing. Councilman Wesson fi nally agreed to the following list of actions he claimed he was “committed to delivering”. This was back in Nov. 30, 2011. Since then Councilman Wesson has not found the time to personally respond to the residents despite persistant emails asking for follow up and to date he has not delivered on any of the actions he was “committed to delivering” to them. Since this promise, there has been one meeting--in February-- between the residents, John Harmon from CD10 and Jamie Potter taking notes for CIM who failed to send a member. At this meeting they discussed the planting of trees on the Venice Blvd median. Residents hoped the trees would absorb some of the noise and pollution that has resulted from the canyon effect of the development. To date, other than a claim by John Harmon that he is trying to “get concessions” from CIM, nothing has happened and ongoing appeals to Councilman Wesson for a response remain unanswered.

Response to 16 Place Neighborhood Association from Councilman Wesson Nov. 30 2011.RE: Construction at 4550 -4650 W. Pico Boulevard - Midtown CrossingsDear Members of the 16th Place Neighborhood AssociationThank you for your letter daed October 24, 2011 in which you gave me a comprehensive assessment of your concerns regarding the Midtown Crossings project. As I have stated in the past, the entitlement process for this project was completed long before I became your Councilmember, and I have been working with the developer, CIM and my staff to identify practical solutions to help alleviate your concerns.While there are some suggestions made in your letter that I’m unable to deliver due to legal or practical concerns, I want to assure you that I am committeed to addressing many of your concerns and help mitigate the impacts of the project.Below are the mitigations and measures I am committed to delivering for you:1. Writing a letter to Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez to request a reassessment of property values fo the purpose of assessing property taxes on the 4500 block of 16th Place.


2 Ensuring that there is a public hearing process and public comment period for the proposed supplemental use district for the Midtown Crossings project3 Working with CIM to provide landscaping and foliage along the Venice Boulevard side of the project.4 In consultation with the Department of Transportation and Bureau of Street Services, identifying funding to beautify the medians along Venice Blvd.5 In consultation with the Department of Transportation, identifying funding for a traffi c study to look at vehicle and pedestrian risks at the intersection of San Vicente Blvd. and

16th Place Residents do enjoy support for their efforts from their local Neighborhood Council who voted to send this letter of support to the appropriate agencies:

MID-CITY NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL May 29, 2012 To: CIM (John Givens, Kathleen Kim) & CD10,

The Mid City Neighborhood Council (MINC) represents as an area of approximately 70,000 residents or 15,000 doors. MINC has been in existence and working in and with the MINC community for over 10 years. The CIM development that brought a Lowes into Mid Town is 100% within the MINC boundaries.

This letter serves to re-iterate the strongest desire of the Mid City Neighborhood Council to see (continued) mitigation efforts made by CIM (& CD 10) in regards to the CIM wall now facing 16th place, the median island on Venice Blvd, associated landscaping, noise abatement and all other related matters including but not limited to billboards, fl atboards or the like facing their homes and as otherwise detailed by 16th Place.

Thank you in advance for your (continued) efforts. On behalf of the MINC Board, Allan DiCastro MINC President www.mincla.org [email protected]

cc: 16th place: in care of Robert Portillo CD10: Herb Wesson, Deron Williams, John Harmon Mayor’s offi ce: Larry Frank, Fabiola Vilchez Controller’s Offi ce: Wendy Greuehl, Marisol Espinoza City Attorney: Carmen Trutanich

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Tommy Tucker on the leftFrom the California Eagle 1961

Gerald Miller

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Team delivered an extensive list of elements to be included in the overall vision. Rogerio Carvlaheiro, the principal and founder of the RD Design Federation, who offered his services pro bono, then crafted the impressive master design plan for the Saturn Elementary School Park. Mr. Carvalheiro’s recent endeavors include serving as Senior Project Manager for the renovation of the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa, and Project Director for the inspirational restoration of the famed Los Angeles Union Station. To fi nd out more about the remarkable community members who brought this project to fruition visit the Pico Neighborhood Council website at www.piconc.com

Rings Of Saturn cont. from Pg. 4

Maxie Floyd cont. from Pg. 12

James Carey cont. from Pg. 8

Authentic Dudes Guide cont. from Pg. 9

The Wilshire Ward Chapel cont. from Pg. 10

his way around a house? Next, drive by the site of Ray Charles’ old studio at 2107 W. Washington Blvd, east of Western. On your car sound system you’re playing Chiddy Bang’s new tribute called “Ray Charles.” “I got my shades on, feelin’ so home, lookin’ so fl y”. That’s you! By this time your date is thinking, in Ray’s words, “You got the right one babe”. End your day at Papa Christo’s Taverna at Pico and Normandie. Enter through the backdoor past the meat lockers and bags of produce. Of course you’re on fi rst-name basis with owner Chrys (he’s the short guy). Climax your date by ordering the octapodakia (grilled octopus), a Greek aphrodisiac, and head home. You can fi nd out all about these places and more on our website www.theneighborhoodnewsonline.net.

populace from the immediate area, plus a congregation for Korean-speaking people. Mormons originally entered Los Angeles in early 1847 as part of the Mormon Battalion fi ghting in the Mexican-American war, followed in 1851 by Mormon settlements in San Bernardino. The Wilshire Ward building, commissioned in late 1927, was designed by architects Hyrum Pope and Harold W. Burton in Art Deco and Modern style. The cornerstone was laid in 1928 and the building was completed in 1929 at a cost of $250,000. The construction was supported by the LDS church headquarters in Salt Lake City but was matched 1:1 by local church members, with many local Mormons providing volunteer labor. Seating 2,100, the building contains a chapel and the auxiliary rooms customary of all LDS church buildings: a large kitchen and recreation hall for activities ranging from banquets to basketball games, Sunday school classrooms and a baptismal font. The Wilshire building is noted architecturally for its art deco façade, and interiorly, for its large span of stained glass windows, impressive pipe organ, extensive woodwork, and faux-painted tile. Beginning in the 1950s, church policy changed so that all new ward houses and stake centers were designed along a common plan. The aging Wilshire building was recommended for discontinuation for use in 1970, however local leaders fought to preserve the building and its location because of its history and as a symbolic gesture in support of Los Angeles’ diversity. Major renovations were completed in 2003, including seismic upgrades. Per church policy, Mormon construction downplays ostentatiousness or elaborate symbolism in favor of a simple functionality affordable in any of its 2,946 stakes worldwide. The Wilshire Ward building is open to the public during all regular meeting hours, generally from 8 am to 3 pm on Sundays, Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings. The Wilshire Ward is also listed on the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation registry.

Across the street from what is now Nate Holden’s Performing Arts Center was a jazz club called the IT Club where people like Aretha Franklin performed. Continuing on Washington at West Blvd was a club owned by a former musical director and disc jockey for KJLH radio, Hank Stewart who also owned a record store on La

Brea and Venice and sold records at a discount. An ex-boxer by the name of Dynamite Jackson owned a jazz club on Adams Blvd featuring organist Groove Holmes. Groove Holmes established recognition within the community of jazz organists such as Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff and Jimmy McGriff. Many jazz greats past and present began their careers and lived right here in our community. Maxie Floyd has said that he “captured the musical souls in photographs” of those jazz musicians who have contributed to the history of jazz-- not only in our community, but the world.

former Mugabe government. UNICEF has declared the country’s educational system a “national disaster.” http://www.indiegogo.com/Teaching-in-Africa-Directing-in-Roma. Visit Attic’s website for its call for writers to participate in its an-nual One-Act Festival at www.attictheatre.org. The Attic Theatre is located at 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A., 323.525.0661.


Willie Middlebrook cont. from Pg. 11

Mel Canel cont. from Pg. 11

Mel’s skills as he both welded and attached our rain gutters. His little white truck would always be seen driving back forth to one of his favorite hang outs, St. Agnes Catholic Church, as he rounded up food for their food distribution program. When his health wouldn’t allow him to make the rounds himself we would see various church members coming by the house to borrow the truck in order to continue the distribution; and when they couldn’t do it any more, Mel just gave the truck to the church. If he was on the front porch, it would be impossible to walk by without his shouting out a warm greeting, accompanied by a smile that went from ear to ear. Mel left us on Monday, April 23, 2012, at the age of 93, leaving his wife Alice, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many neighbors and friends, all much richer for having known him. Thanks Mel, for being a neighbor who took the fences down.

a Brody Individual Artist Fellowship from the California Community Foundation and a city of Los Angeles Individual Artist Fellowship. His works were most recently shown at the Institute for Arts and Media at Cal State Northridge, in connection with the region-wide Pacifi c Standard Time exhibition series sponsored by the Getty Trust. Born in Detroit in 1957, Middlebrook relocated to Los Angeles with his family at age three in 1960. After studying at Compton College, Art Center College of Design and the Communicative Arts Academy, the artist went on to teach at California State University Los Angeles and Compton Community College where he infl uenced a generation of photo-documentary artists. Middlebrook served as an art administrator at several L.A. organizations, including the Los Angeles Photography Center, the Children’s Gallery at Barnsdall Park in Hollywood and the Watts Towers Art Center. Middlebrook’s 24 mosaic artworks now accessible at the newly opened Expo/Crenshaw Station on the Expo Line show his distinctive style of magnifi ed naturalistic portraits illustrating the African-American experience. Additional public art commissions can be enjoyed at Avalon Station on the Metro Green Line and the L.A. County Florence-Firestone Service Center. Middlebrook, who resided in Inglewood, is survived by three brothers, fi ve children and seven grandchildren. His daughter Jessica: “I have endless memories of my dad. I remember telling all my friends that my father is an art superhero. I remember being saddened that so many in the urban communities had no knowledge of the accomplishments Black artists were making in their own communities. Only rappers or singers get that kind of recognition. But in my eyes my father walked in all his glory. He knew so much about everything. But what lives inside of me is his passion and his need to communicate. My father will live on and he will be heard.”To view his images from the Metro Line and read our article about Willie go to www.theneighborhoodnewsonline.net then click on ART.

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OLYMPIC PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

President Peter Schulberg and artist Chan Plett in front of the OPNC sponsored mural

at the Queen Anne Easter event.

DARREN’S UNIQUE GIFTS owners Debby Matsushita and Ellen Love make unique bookends to singer/author Bob White during his CD and book signing, one of their

many festive events.

MINC CELEBRATES 10 YEARSwith swag and free burgers at the Wellington Sq. Farmers Market.

L-R Tom Washington MINC member, Smyrna Church Pastor Lawrence Klutse, MINC board

members Mike Maloney and Ernest Dominguez

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL What’s Goin On?

This information is edited from NC meeting minutes. To get more info

Check out their websites!

PICO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILPICONC

APRIL: Mr. Joe Gathier informed the board of his desire to volunteer for a vacancy on the Pico Neighborhood Council. Mr. Gathier has lived on Hayworth for 8 years in Carthy Square. There were no positions available for his area.- Ms. Liz Carlin reported on the new Farmers Market at New Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Other local Farmers Market in the area: 18th & LaCienega on Thursday, and Pico Square from 9:00-2:00pm. She also informed the Board of an upcoming volunteer Neighborhood Clean-Up on Saturday, April 28. It will start at Washington to Crenshaw and end on LaBrea. - Claudia Bayard reported on the success of the 1st Annual Mid City Eggstavaganza, that was held on Saturday, April 7. Over 1,500 children participated. Mr. Kevin Browne had an Easter Egg Hunt with 300 in attendance and had only 3 volunteers. Funding Requests Approved$306.00 Neighbors United Tree Care Event, $1,000.00 PicFair Village Annual Event$750.00 PicFair Village LAPD Event$1,500.00 for Wilshire Highlands Annual Event$100.00 for C.H.A.P.S. Organization $1600 for Wilshire Vista Spring Mixer$1,640.00 for Grayson Awareness Outreach, Computers$687.32 Kiosk Panels, Anti-Graffi ti PlexiglassFunding Requests Denied$5,500.00 Wilshire Youth Athletic Football Program20 Children @ $490 or $9,800.00 Enrichment Summer Camp$1,800.00 Larry Boghetz (emergency training)MAY: Mary Ann Yurkonis and Scott McNeely informed the Board of the sudden passing of fellow Board member Larry Batiste. Flowers were sent to the family. Larry will be truly missed.Funding Request Approved$1,800.00 funding request for Pic Fair Village event to take place before the close of the fi scal year ($600.00 for AAA rentals and $1,200.00 for food truck);Land Use CommitteeMarilouise Morgan introduced an application for a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ). Motion to send a letter of support, if the residents approved, passed.For more info, borders , meeting times and place

www.piconc.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Jett Loe for getting all of his funding for his iBook concept celebrating the architectural heritage of Historic West Adams through his UntoldLA.com project. Thank you for your enthusiasm Joe!!! From West Adams Heritage Association & Love, Lizzie

Forrest Hong for starting his own new business, Your Care Manager which provides long term care consultation and elder mediation. Love, Paula

Joy Williams for 28 years of Service to the Mid-City Community! Love, Your Neighbor.

Selma Darlene Cortez for winning the MVP award. We wish you all the best in your future. we love you! -your family

Manny Garcia I Love you!HAPPY 13th ANNIVERSARY!! You’re a great Father, Husband and Business partner. Love Johanna

Jordan Johnson for graduating from Magnolia Science Academy 6 and Delano Oppong for graduating from First Flight Development Center. Love Tracie

Jamal Yeldell for graduating from Fairfax High School. We are so proud of you! Love, Your Family, from Cheryl

The Volunteer Staff at South Seas House: Jennifer Hill, Todd Hightower, Edroy Flowers, Alexis Roberts, Kalii Robinson, Leslie Gordon, Daylon Polk, Itanza Lawrence. From Carlton Stubbs.

For $20 you can submit up to three sentences. Just email us with your entry and we will email you back an invoice for $20 with mailing address. Credit Cards also accepted. Over 25,00 readers!

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Who Do You Want to Congratulate?


Gus Harris, Jr.- At Large United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council (UNNC) rep and Ed Turner (Region 6 rep Seat 2 Jefferson Park) chillin at Benny Potter Park Easter event.

APRIL: There was a presentation from Offi cer Redd of LAPD Traffi c Division on the proposed speed increase on Washington Blvd. DOT is proposing the increase of speed from 35 to 40 mph. Offi cer Redd gave pros and cons from LAPD’s perspective, and shared a survey that had been conducted previously on the same issue. He indicated LAPD was not in favor of the increase.- John Harmon from CD 10 was asked about Washington Blvd medians; he did not know the start date. He indicated there was no update on the auto repair at 5300 Washington Blvd. John also stated a meeting is scheduled to review what can be done to enforce law relating to monitoring of medical marijuana dispensaries.PLUM- Bruce Durbin distributed a letter drafted by his committee that addressed the concerns of the community with the drastic increase of medical marijuana dispensaries in the MINC area. Bruce suggested the Board read the draft and send any feedback or additional input to him via email by April 23rd at midnight.BUDGET - Allan DiCastro stated that if everything that was approved by budget committee gets processed, MINC will have about $600. left to spend.OUTREACH: Michael Sonntag asked the Board to consider expanding and/or replacing posting spots for the meeting agendas to be placed. He also mentioned recommendation from previous outreach meeting to have block clubs cohost next regional meeting.DAC- Lorraine Genovese stated she is still following up on the process to trademark the MINC logo.- The 16th Place Taskforce met with CIM and an agreement is supposed to be reached on work to be done on wall around LOWES and the median islands. [ed: see Eye On Wesson]- MINC Board Call for Candidates. Laura Davis spoke to the group; she is interested in being an At Large Business rep. Laura lives in region 3, runs the Wellington Square Farmers’ Market, and is interested in helping get things done. Shai who lives in region 11 may be interested in becoming an At Large-General rep.- Thom Washington stated he had a meeting on April 7th regarding the Rehab for the West Blvd Bridge. WAHA will designate the bridge for MINC; another meeting is planned. The Monument that is proposed to be placed near the Apple St. Planter is still being considered. Thom is working on getting a response from Mr. Wu of DWP.- Edgar Arroyo indicated he will probably be resigning from the board at the end of this fi scal year because of additional responsibilities he has at work.For more info, borders , meeting times and place:

www.mincla.org

MID CITY NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILMINC

UNITED NEIGHBORHOODSNEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

UNNC

APRIL: Funding Requests Approved:- $1,450 to South Seas House to bring out the Long Beach Aquarium Mobile unit on two separate days, tentatively July 21st and August 10th. It will be coinciding with the opening of the Benny Potter Park Annex. 80 to 100 kids per hour can go through the mobile unit. - $809.34 for a large bulletin board with locking glass doors to place on the front of the new utility/bathroom building at Benny Potter Park. This bulletin board would be used for UNNC agendas and information. and for anti-graffi tti fi lm- $564 for the design and printing of 1000 UNNC promotional magnets. Motions Approved:- UNNC support the application for the sale of beer and wine at the 3060 S. Crenshaw Blvd Fresh n Easy uprovided, however; that the same conditions for security be applied as at the Fresh ‘n’ Easy at Central and Adams.Announcements: Carlton Stubbs said that the Mayor’s Summer Night Lights program from 6am to midnight is starting up soon. Kids from 17-22 can apply for jobs with this program. It pays $3500 for the summer.MAY - Bong Hwan Kim and the Neighborhood Council Commissioners sent a certifi cate of appreciation and Mark Ridley-Thomas and the County Board of Supervisors acknowledged UNC10th Anniversary.FUNDING APPROVED- $4,000 for Project Restore from Ecological Art Gallery for the creation of 4 artworks to be installed and rotated in public locations within the UNNC boundaries.- $2,500 to Kitty Bungalow for a cat trap/spay/neuter program within the UNNC neighborhoods- $2,697 for four historic decorative posts and installation materials for Western Heights traffi c barriers. - $1,248 for UNNC pop-up tent with logo for outreach events.

OLYMPIC PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OPNC

APRIL: --San Vicente Medium Project – CRA disbanded, funds made available for the project can’t be touched because there is no entity to receive funds. It is unknown if the project will be completed.--Queen Anne Recreation Center Easter event scheduled April 7, 2012 --Eastside board member absences – we need to work harder recruiting eastside members. Laura suggested we make fl yers to help recruit new people.Motions Approved:- a letter in support of PIPS obtaining a full liquor license and change in operating hours, Monday through Wednesday 11:30 AM to 12 AM. Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 1:30 AM. - retreat at PIPS – spend up to $2,000 = $22.00 per person. Schedule mid June, 2012. Peter indicated the retreat could be at another restaurant if approved by Board, this vote is not contingent on the retreat being at PIPS.MAY: - Joseph Hancock – sent a letter resigning from the board affective 5/7/2012.Chris O’Mailey - just moved out of the OPNC area and has resigned from the board affective June 2012. Motions Approved:- West Seat Representative; Orletha Anderson approved to replace Chris O’Malley. Just moved into the area about a year ago, is involved with Queen Anne Park. Her experience is in banking and real estate.- Letter of support for Wingstop Restaurant in Midtown Plaza: for beer/wine license – CB license – beer/wine served from 11am to 12 pm. Tap beer (2) tabs. People will have to order food in order to have beer/wine. Owner Danny Sonenshine. We conditioned they stop serving at 11:30, required employee training, no beer/wine without food, sales from 11am to 11:30pm and no offsite sales.- CRA project review hearing May 17, 9am. Peter to draft a letter in support of funding CRA San Vicente project.Funding Approved:- $4,320 Koreatown Youth Community Center KYCC tree maintenance program for 18 trees east of Western on Pico Blvd.- $350 for a full page ad in The Neighborhood News regarding the retreat dinner For more info, borders , meeting times and place:

www.opnc.org

www.unnc.orgAnswer to Riddle: The outside

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tnn issue#24 june2012

Documents

willie middlebrook r

congratulations column

deborah charles

neighborhood newssponsorship

r carla pineda

new column

connecting community

amazing community