A Life in the Canyon CHICK HARRIS by Rodney Kemerer

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Benedict Canyon Spring/Summer 2003Benedict Canyon Association Newsletter Volume IV Issue 6 A Life in the Canyon CHICK HARRIS By Rodney Kemerer

ast December Chick Harris in their home and Chick was dragged the Board into the new drove down the Canyon for encouraging everyone, including century. Lthe last time. None of us me, to get BCA organized in the I was happy to call Chick my knew it was for the last time, not computer age. It wasn’t long before friend, and as friends we frequently even Chick. we had databases, links to city sites, spoke of issues other than BCA A few years ago Chick and his e-mail and phone lists, while at the business. One afternoon while talk- wife Nancy came to a same time he ing, we realized that we had both BCA Board Meeting. just completed whole body scans Chick said he had recently as a preventive health measure. My retired and was interested results were okay; his were not. Yet in helping the community. from that day until the day he left I was immediately taken the Canyon, Chick never stopped with this generous and working for the Association. No warm man. His smile and one on the Board would have perfect “ski-slope tan” thought any less of Chick if he invited you into his had said he had to give up vol- friendship. Chick jumped unteer work while he dealt into BCA activities exact- with his medical problems. He ly like everything else in never did. Instead, Chick con- his life—full throttle and tinued every day to help with the top down. Later CHICK HARRIS 1940-2002 Benedict Canyon accomplish when I saw him in his top- its agenda. I’ve never seen down Porsche, the image was per- never lost sight of our common such unselfishness in my life. When fect. For more than two years I had goals. In short, Chick was all the Chick finally left the Canyon, he the absolute pleasure of helping this things you want in a community left behind a legacy for all who had man fulfill part of his retirement leader. He knew how to talk to city the pleasure of knowing how kind plan, namely giving back to his officials and get what he wanted, and generous a person can truly be. community. And give he did, like but never in an abrasive manner. As While there may be one less top- no one I’ve ever met. Soon Chick President of BCA, Chick organized, down Porsche in the canyon, there and Nancy were hosting meetings inspired, led and sometimes are many broken hearts.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Life in the Canyon, pg. 1. . . .Keep Your Eye Open, pg. 2. . . .Mulholland Overlook Dedicated to Long- Time Benedict Resident, pg. 3. . . .New Board Member Linda Shokrian, pg. 3. . . .Here’s to You, Mrs. Robinson, pg. 4. . . .Outdoor Room, pg. 5. . . . “I Think I’m Having a Heart Attack!”, pg. 6. . . .BCA 2003 Membership Application, pg. 7. . . .BCA 2003 “Trees of Support” Donor Roster, pg. 8. . . .The Check is in the Mail, pg. 9. . . .BCA Needs Your Help!, pg. 9. . . . “Our Hills Are Alive”, pg. 10. . . .Down With Retaining Walls, pg. 11. . . .One Person Can Make a Difference, pg. 11. . . .President’s Letter, pg. 12. . . BCA Presents SafetyNET, pg. 12. . . .2003 BCA Annual Meeting, pg. 13. . . .The Future is Getting Greener, pg. 13. . . . “Got Milk? Or Bottled Water?”, pg. 14. . . .Meet Claire Carafello, pg. 15. . . . BCA Newsletter (310) 553-4BCA benedictcanyon.org

KEEP YOUR EYE OPEN FOR. . . .

GREEN CORNER - TIPS usually occur. By now you should improvements to the documentation ON YOUR CANYON have received the Fire Departments of non-injury traffic accidents. color brochure outlining the details. “Too many streets in my district LANDSCAPING Mary Ann Musico are frequent accident sites, but EUCALYPTUS TREES without a complete file of accident Historians tell us that eucalyp- I’M NOT A LAWN reports it is difficult to document tus trees were brought to California ORNAMENT where these streets are,” said Weiss. by Australians to be used as fence “We shouldn’t wait for someone to Los Angeles City Ordinances be hurt before we take action to posts and railroad ties. When the state that residents may not place wood was found to be unsuitable, improve safety on our streets.” their Trash Bins in the street on The frequency and severity of the trees were then used for land- non-collection days. Containers scaping. They have been criticized accidents are key criteria in the may be placed out at 6:00 PM on decision about placement of traffic because of their high oil content the day before Trash pick-up and and shallow root system. calming measures, such as signals, must be put away by 6:00 PM on stop signs, speed bumps, and speed Many of these trees have the day of pick-up. matured in the canyon. If you have tables. Typically, accident reports Our Canyon is being “uglified” filed by the LAPD are used by the them on your property, you should by residents who leave their Trash do the following: Department of Transportation to Bins out all week long! Not only demonstrate dangerous streets and 1) Thin them out in the winter are the bins an unsightly addition to and make sure the weight leans intersections and prioritize certain the environment, but they are also roadways for traffic calming meas- toward the hillside—not downhill if creating a dangerous nuisance to the they are on a slope. Do not “top” ures. Reports are only taken by the walkers and drivers on our streets. LAPD when someone is injured. the tree. A wire line will help if the Please instruct your gardeners tree needs to be supported or that IT IS NOT OK to put the con- straightened. tainers out earlier than the specified WE NEED POLLING 2) Keep the trees watered as time. This Ordinance might mean PLACES they will retain moisture and in case that you will need to put out and of fire they will survive, even if The Los Angeles City Clerk is take in your containers yourselves. asking your assistance in locating adjacent vegetation burns. Dry (Imagine!) Consider this a small branches should be removed. new polling places in the Benedict sacrifice to keep the canyon beauti- Canyon area for future elections. EROSION AND FIRE ful. Suitable locations may include CONTROL If you need more information garages, guest houses or the living If you have bare hills it isn’t too regarding this problem, please call room/den of a residence. Locations late to plant native, drought and fire (800) 773-2489 and the Bureau that are accessible to the handi- resistant vegetation. A well-estab- of Sanitation will answer your capped will be given priority con- lished root system is also impera- questions. sideration. tive for erosion control during Sandy Margolis Property owners will be paid a heavy rains. Remember that a sprin- stipend of $50 for the use of their kler system is a very good invest- “ACCIDENT REPORTS” residence. Residents interested in ment—moist plants resist fire. Concerned that a lack of com- contributing their property for The Los Angeles Fire plete information about the frequen- upcoming election should call Department tells us that our slopes cy of traffic accidents prevents the Harry Jacobs, Assistant Chief, must be cleared of unacceptable dry City from taking action to improve Operations at (213) 978-0402. It’s brush etc. all year long—not just in safety in neighborhoods, Council a great way to meet your neighbors the spring when the inspections member Jack Weiss has called for and make $50!

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MULHOLLAND OVERLOOK DEDICATED New Board TO LONG-TIME BENEDICT RESIDENT Member Profile Linda Shokrian

lose to one hundred people Barbara joined BCA shortly y family and I have lived gathered on a warm, sunny after moving to Benedict Canyon in in Benedict Canyon since Cmorning April 26, 2003 to 1967. She became a driving force in M1987. What attracts me dedicate the Barbara A. Fine the Federation of Hillside and most about the canyon is its peace- Overlook at the Summit. Canyon Associations, eventually ful, country like atmosphere. In the Barbara dedicated much of her serving as vice president. Her repu- early morning, I can see deer and life to protecting the Santa Monica tation as an expert in all aspects of coyotes, listen to birds sing and in Mountains from development. In the environment including geology, the evenings, hear crickets chirp. It more than 30 years of effort, her seismology, water quality, flood calms me after a day of being extraordinary perseverance and control, construction, grading and “down the vision contributed to the preserva- many other related subjects earned hill” among tion of hundreds of acres of open her the respect of officials in City the hustle space in the eastern part of the Hall. and bustle mountain range. She was instru- Residents remember Barbara’s of one of mental in creating the citywide involvement in the ongoing struggle the largest Hillside Ordinance, and was the to maintain the quality of life in the cities in the crucial force behind the creation of Canyon, but many people do not world. the Mulholland Scenic Parkway realize that Barbara’s civic involve- While Specific Plan. ment extended beyond the hills. She being a All those who attended the ded- served as a County Commissioner supporter ication knew and worked with on the Building Rehabilitation for many Barbara Fine and expressed their Appeals Board and the Water years, it is only admiration and gratitude for all she Quality Board. She headed a com- Linda Shokrian had done to preserve the open space mittee in City Hall that supervised recently in the hills. Present were officials the creation of the City’s recycling that I have from the city of Los Angeles, the program. taken a more active role in the county and the state were present, Barbara passed away unexpect- Benedict Canyon Association. I together with community leaders edly three years ago, and is sorely want to help preserve our island of and activists, BCA members, missed by all who came into con- peace. I believe it has become ever friends and relatives. Among those tact with her. Her legacy will enrich more important in our world today, who spoke at the dedication were: the quality of life for residents of to become involved in our commu- Joseph Edmiston, Executive Los Angeles for generations to nities and to help look out for Director of the Santa Monica come. one another. For that reason, I Mountains Conservancy; Jerry We urge residents to take time am now serving as the Chairperson Daniel, Chairman of the to visit the Barbara A. Fine of the Emergency Preparedness Conservancy; County Supervisor Overlook at the Summit, located at Committee as well as being a mem- Zev Yaroslavsky; L.A. City 8901 Mulholland Drive, between ber of the Newsletter Committee. I Planning Director Con Howe and Coldwater and Laurel Canyons, and have met some wonderful, dedicat- Stephen Lukasik, President of enjoy its beauty and also to remem- ed people in BCA and look forward the Bel Air-Beverly Crest ber a most remarkable lady. to serving our community for many Neighborhood Council. Alan Fine years to come.

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Here’s to You, Mrs. Robinson By M.G. Lord

on’t expect to see busloads of star-map-clutch- merchant, who founded the retail chain. The house is one ing tourists at the Virginia Robinson Gardens of only six structures (four houses, two public buildings) in Benedict Canyon. It is an insiders’ destina- in Beverly Hills on the National Register of Historic tion.D Although it has been owned and operated as a Places, where it was placed in 1979. museum by the County of Los Angeles since 1982, its More striking, and completely invisible from Elden, existence still surprises many Angelenos, including some is the Renaissance Revival Pool Pavilion, built in 1923 who reside within the canyon. Even more startling, the and designed by William Richards. It is modeled on the 6.2-acre residence, which was built for Virginia Villa Pasani in Stra, Italy. The complex features an Robinson, chairman of entrance embellished the board of the directors with angels blowing of the J.W. Robinson trumpets and contains the department store chain oldest pool in Beverly from 1933 to 1962, still Hills, where Mrs. feels like a private home. Robinson swam daily for As you enter its sprawl- most of her life. Today ing grounds, you get the the pool’s function is sense that she has principally decorative, stepped out for a spin in and the pavilion is fre- one of her Duesenbergs quently rented to corpora- and will return shortly. tions for conclaves. Or perhaps she is check- Gardens branch out to ing out the chain’s flag- the east and west of the ship store (now called formal garden on the Robinsons-May) on the corner of Whittier Avenue and mall. To the east, beneath a loggia, is a tropical forest of Wilshire Boulevard. king palms from Australia. To the west is the Italian gar- This is pure fantasy, of course, because Mrs. den, ornamented with fountains and treasures from Mrs. Robinson died in 1977, just 48 days short of her 100th Robinson’s Florentine sculpture collection, including two birthday. But her memory is very much alive through the lions and a statue of Neptune. Behind the kitchen—or, influence of her philanthropy on the cultural identity of more accurately, behind the quarters once occupied by Los Angeles. She held the patrons party for the Mrs. Robinson’s unmarried servants—is the kitchen gar- Hollywood Bowl at her house and, with another depart- den. It features herbs, citrus trees, and soapote plants, ment-store heiress, Dorothy Buffum Chandler, helped which produce an exotic, mango-like fruit. found the Los Angeles Music Center. Her memory is also Because Mrs. Robinson knew everyone who was alive in her gardens, whose central lawn, or “mall,” is anyone in her day, her plants and possessions often have dominated by three sculpted cranes, symbols of immor- associations to other historic Californians. The cersus tality. cactus, for example, that dominates the view from her If you aren’t looking for the Robinson Gardens, dressing room, was not always sprawling and taller than you’re not likely to find them by accident. They are her house. In 1920, Mrs. Henry Edwards Huntington, located well off the beaten track, at 1008 Elden Way, whose husband established the Huntington Library, gave behind a wall that conceals their vastness. From the street the plant to Mrs. Robinson in a one-gallon pot. you can, however, see the house. It’s a modified Beaux A cercus cactus is a night-blooming plant, pollinated Arts structure that Mrs. Robinson’s father, the architect by moths and bats. Docents share such important botani- Nathaniel Dryden, designed for her as a wedding present cal lore with third graders every Friday at one o’clock in 1911. Born in St. Louis and brought up in Los when special child-oriented tours take place. Grown-ups Angeles, she married Henry Winchester Robinson, son of can explore the gardens by appointment only, Tuesday Joseph Winchester Robinson, the Massachusetts-born Cont. pg. 5

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Here’ s to You, Mrs. Robinson Cont. from Pg. 8 that experience of sleeping on the Outdoor Room rooftop with my friend, remember- By Susan Moses ing that we are creatures whose through Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1 souls respond to nature. We are so p.m. and on Fridays at 10 a.m. only. much a part of it in fact, that any- Visitors will also want to tour time and anyway we can return to I have stopped sleeping inside. A the house, whose master bedroom it, it restores us. house is too small, too confining. I and bathroom have been recently After all we have created, is it want the whole world, and the restored. Although brought up as a any wonder that we are heading stars too.” Roman Catholic, Mrs. Robinson back toward nature’ s milieu of sim- Sue Hubbell, became interested in Eastern reli- plicity? We are drawn, I believe, A Country Year (1986) gions in later life, and the books in almost magnetically to these out- her library reflect these interests. In door spaces places where we can he first time I slept outdoors the hall near her bedroom there is embrace our ancestral DNA and in Benedict Canyon, it was also a tabletop model of the Taj while gazing at the constellations, with a friend on the roof of a Mahal, which belonged to her hus- T awaken in ourselves visions of still- house under a big oak and some band as a child. It is 100 years old ness and calm. More essential to sycamore trees. A concoction of a and conspicuously damaged or, as a this feeling is an outdoor room or tented structurea tarp attached to wag on a recent tour remarked of screened porch, than the confining, the trees and angled toward a single the department store heir, He was enclosed structures where we carry stickkept us dry when it drizzled hard on his toys.” out the multi-tasking activities that or rained. A new sense of mystery I had the pleasure recently of consume our daily lives. Since the and magic of doing normal every- being shown around by Timothy long, hot days of summer are day activities such as cooking, read- Lindsay, director of the Robinson approaching, I know that sometime ing and eating, began right there in Gardens, who used to work at the soon I will be blowing up my that outdoor space. Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia. inflatable bed and pitching it out on During my first trip to Italy, For him, the pleasure of heading the the deck to lie stretched and wide- while tipping a glass of Tiziano Robinson Gardens has to do not eyed with a friend gazing up at the alfresco on the terrace of the Villa only with the attractions of its flora stars. The sheer notion of it excites dEste overlooking the enchanting but also with the absence of certain and moves me. Arboretum fauna. I finally got shores of Lake Como with its away from the peacocks, he con- ancient gardens in the background, fesses. profoundly changed me. It personi- After visiting the estate, you fied the sensuality and elegance of might want to join the Friends of what an outdoor space surrounded the Robinson Gardens, a non-profit by nature could be. It evoked in me organization that, along with the images of the poets Shelley, county, contributes to the estates’ Tenneyson, Longfellow, who all at preservation and upkeep. This one time walked the shores of the group organizes two major annual Lake. fundraisers: a garden benefit tour, Living in Benedict Canyon which provides an opportunity for affords one the luxury of dining contributors to visit six distinctive outside and sleeping with the win- local gardens, and a patron’ s ball, dows open almost year round, and modeled on the elegant galas on those extraordinary nights when thrown by Mrs. Robinson herself. It the full moon casts its magic light also hosts a Christmas Party for across the patio, I open the French children from Maryvale and doors and let the special glow and Hathaway Children’ s Services. the smell of jasmine and the sounds of the night spill inside. Cont. pg. 6 On nights like these, I return to

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care was immediate. My husband had an emergency angioplasty. No more pasta, very few carbs and six months later, he is 20 pounds thinner, healthier than ever and on the treadmill a lot. Without the paramedics and their instant response, he might not be alive today. Many times in the past I have worried that it might not be so wonderful to live in a canyon in case of an emergency. How wrong I was! In fact, how lucky we “I Think I’m Having a Heart Attack!” are to live in Benedict Canyon and know that we are protected by the By Arlene Ruby-Leviton best. I have been active in the We take so many things for granted when we feel well and don’t even think Benedict Canyon Association about them. But what happens when you suddenly need help? Let me tell you almost since we moved here three about Engine Company 99 on the morning of September 14, 2002. and a half years ago. The BCA is responsible for insuring that para- medic emergency care is provided y husband and I had gone breathing easily. I did, however, to the entire canyon. In the age of out to dinner the night forget the importance of an aspirin citywide budget cutbacks, that is Mbefore and had a very until later. quite an accomplishment. I hope pleasant and filling Italian meal. Despite the fact that we live on that I have motivated you to join Since what I am about to relate the top of a hill, two miles above with us and get involved in an wasn’t their fault, I won’t name the Benedict Canyon, with no access organization that has been helping restaurant. from the top, it was amazing that people, and most recently my hus- We had gone to sleep around the paramedics from Engine # 99 band, in our wonderful canyon for midnight and I was sleeping very were there in 6 to 7 minutes. Four over 50 years. In these troubled soundly when about 1:30 a.m. I felt strapping gentlemen, kind and times, we must make time to help a nudge on my shoulder. “Honey,” calm, ascended the stairs to our each other. Come to our next meet- my husband said (and I thought, bedroom and proceeded to take ing, meet your neighbors and feel “Not tonight,”) “I think you better charge. safe. get up.” Despite my former experience, I am a very good sleeper so it as a nurse and how much I care took me awhile to realize that he about my husband, nothing comes Here’s to You, Mrs. Robinson was in distress and needed me to close to the help these professional Cont. from Pg. 5 wake up. “I think I’m having a gentlemen provided. heart attack,” he said quietly, and I They hoisted my rather large You can also volunteer for lay there, immobilized for a few husband into the ambulance, after hands-on work, either outdoors (say, seconds until I realized that he was having given him nitroglycerin and pruning roses or planting annuals) serious. the aspirin I had forgotten, and told or indoors (cataloging books or Being the good telephone per- me that Cedar Sinai Hospital organizing archival material). “We son that I am, and a former nurse, I Emergency Room was closed can always find a place for people,” didn’t have much trouble dialing because of an overflow of patients. Lindsay assures, “depending on 911. I was told that help was on the A wonderful alternative turned out their ability or mobility.” way. The most important thing was to be UCLA where the Emergency For an appointment, call 310- that my husband was calm and room was virtually empty and the 276-5367.

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THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL By Lorraine Gallacher

hred ‘em, burn ‘em, line your the people who run the stop signs name, address and what’s left in cat tray with ‘em, but make around here have something to do their account that month. You don’t Ssure you destroy those unused with it. know when they’re coming so you “convenience checks” from your Thankfully, I’m not responsible don’t know when they’re missing. credit card company. Your credit for the three grand. I am, Keep an eye on your mail. If providers are hoping you’ll use however, responsible anything goes missing report it to those balance transfer checks to for my iden- the Postal Service shift all your little debts into one immediately. Get a big whopping debt, at a reduced locking mailbox if rate of interest. I get them. I look you want added secu- at them. I think about how caring rity. Invest in a the world of revolving debt is. shredder, or risk the Then I rip them up. paper cuts and tear Gone, or so I up your checks and thought. But other financial mail recently I was told my manually. Most checks were in Delaware importantly, guard racking up a your Social Security number cool $3000. with your life. Never give it An investi- out over the phone, even to gation a customer service person began, but from Adelphia if you’re no one knows where in calling about yet another service their lifespan my checks tity, go interruption. were stolen. They may figure, and want I have no idea how or why have been pilfered from my to make sure it’s not out there party- those checks were stolen from me, mailbox, if they ever made it there, ing without my approval. Identity but I now pray daily to the god of or just landed in an opportunist’s theft is an increasing problem and good credit. With her help my hands after recycling. I’ll never balance transfer checks provide identity will stay in the canyon, not know, but on a bad day I imagine automatic access to someone’s out there living large in Delaware. BCA needs your help! • Board of Directors: BCA needs canyon residents interested in being actively involved in serving on the board of directors. • Land Use: if you are interested in saving our ridgelines, please join our Land Use Task Force. • The BCA Newsletter: Volunteers are needed to help keep this vital forum of information flowing. Articles are always appreciated. • Canyon Beautification: Enjoy our lovely canyon? Please come help on projects devoted to the beautification of the canyon. • Emergency Preparedness: A Committee is now forming. Let’s help each other in case of an emergency. CALL BCA HOTLINE TO HELP 310-553-4222

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recent months, there have been “Our Hills are Alive. . . ” numerous victories in blocking vari- ances that would circumvent restric- And It May Not Be Music tions on height allowances. Under proposal are revisions to the exist- By Kathryn Scott Miller ing ordinances that would plug loopholes regarding height restric- tions, grading and retaining walls. Year after year driving north or even south on Benedict Canyon, we could mar- It’s not too late to effect change! vel at the pristine, undefiled splendor of our hillsides. Yes, there was the occa- You may look up at the ridges and sional blight in the bosom of the canyon, but we took pride that our ridges, at think the canyon is ruined beyond least, were still at one with nature. repair, but continued unrestricted construction could make matters far ow our hills are alive with the wholesale destruction of the worse. In order to continue as a the sound of bulldozers and landscape and the erection of vast watchdog force and to effectively Njackhammers reshaping our slabs of concrete to provide a suit- safeguard our canyon against further precious ridgelines. We’re witness- able site. over-development, the Land Use ing the rise of virtual fortified hill My growing ire was enough to Task Force needs to hear about vio- towns atop concrete embankments. rouse me to activism or, at least, to lations of hillside ordinances. In a canyon free of commercial attend a BCA meeting to see what I What is also needed to fight the enterprise, we are suddenly being could do to help preserve as much further tragic destruction of our pre- looked down on by what appear to of our canyon’s natural beauty as cious ridgelines and wooded hill- be commercial size buildings. possible from further mutilation. In sides are more volunteers willing to What’s going on? Frankly, after its 56 years, the BCA has tradition- contribute their time and talents to decades of living in the canyon and ally been involved in the planning BCA. of every major devel- As individuals we can accom- O’er the ramparts we watched. . . opment in the canyon. plish only so much. As a group Or are the ramparts In response to viola- we can make a big difference. tions of height restric- Please call the BCA hotline at overlooking us? tions, most notably (310) 553-4222 or e-mail us at with the notorious [email protected] to offer your enjoying my “Gorillas In the Mist” Mark Hughes property, the Land services and ask what you can do to view, I took it for granted that our Use Task Force was established, help. All it takes is a passion to gloriously verdant ridgelines were composed of a diverse, skilled, preserve the green hills of Benedict protected by a conservation order. highly motivated group of neigh- Canyon. I’d also assumed that the hillside bors, including architects, realtors, Hey, someone’s got to do it. land was too steep and precarious to attorneys and others with a back- build on. I was wrong in both cases. ground in land use regulations. As hilltops were bulldozed flat and Currently, these dedicated profes- great vertical walls of concrete sionals are working with began appearing, I took it personal- Councilman Jack ly, becoming ever more alarmed by Weiss and the City the encroachment of these looming Council to amend McMansions. the Grading and No one wants to prevent anyone Building from building their dream home on Regulations and property they own. However, it is change the existing objectionable if the building of that Hillside Ordinance to structure, a single family dwelling limit the size of the size of a major hotel, requires retaining walls. In

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Davies Drive retaining walls Down With Retaining Walls featured. The Los Angeles Times also covered the press conference and ou can’t miss retaining wall issues in an article in seeing the Sunday Real Estate section, Feb. them...the mas- Y 16, 2003. sive retaining walls of Your association works closely three large residential with our elected representatives and projects being built in the media to further the interests of Benedict Canyon. Two our community. We will prevail on of these projects are on this issue. Davies Drive and one Barbara Nichols on Cielo. If you think these walls are massive, you One Person Can are right. The walls on one project are 42 feet Make a Difference high by 2080 feet long—I am told that pproximately five years they can be seen from ago, Babette Bloomgarden, the space shuttle! Aboard member of BCA, We have been asked started a one-person campaign to by residents “why did- get a passing lane or a stop light at n’t BCA do something Mulholland and Roscomare Drives. to stop these projects, or Babs shares transportation chores force a reduction in the for her grandchildren who attend height of the retaining the Mirman School, on Mulholland BCA Board Member Sandy Margolis walls?” The answer is Drive. There are six other schools we could not stop these inspects new wall in Benedict Canyon in this corridor. massive retaining walls from being high, Jack announced to the press Babette single-handedly started built, because there is no height and the public, his intention to pro- her campaign to convince the City limit for retaining walls in the Los pose to the L.A. City Council the of Los Angeles to install a sign that Angeles Building Code. creation of a working group read “Watch for Stopped Traffic” This subject was addressed at (Planning Dept., City Attorney, after noting that every morning at our Annual Meeting by City Dept. of Building and Safety, Office least 6-9 cars were lined up beyond Councilman Jack Weiss, and by of the CLA, along with Council a blind curve waiting to drop off Michael Chasteen of BCA. offices representing hillside areas) children at school. “This was an Working together with our council to develop recommendations for accident waiting to happen,” said office, BCA is resolved to change legislation to limit the height, size Babette. She contacted our the city building code to limit the and visual impact of retaining Councilman, Jack Weiss, alerted height of retaining walls in all the walls, and to present its findings to him to the dangerous situation and Hillside canyons of Los Angeles. the City Council Planning and Land with his help a much needed pass- On Feb 6, 2003 we joined Jack Use Management committee within ing lane and a traffic signal at Weiss, local residents and represen- 60 days. Roscomare and Mulholland Drives tatives from many other homeown- The BCA strongly commends has been installed. er associations and our and supports our Councilman Jack Now, all of the children will be Neighborhood Council at 1740 Weiss for his stand on this issue. safe when transported to and from Viewmont Drive in the Hollywood The press conference was cov- the schools along this corridor. Hills. Standing in front of a gray ered on Channel 7 news Thursday Not bad Babette! cement retaining wall some 80 feet evening, Feb 6, with pictures of the Babette Bloomgarden

Volume IV Issue 6 11 Spring/Summer 2003 BCA Newsletter (310) 553-4BCA benedictcanyon.org

BCA PRESIDENT’S LETTER CANYON EMERGENCY: Are You Ready? WHAT? BCA has an extensive agenda for 2003, but will focus our efforts on A SafetyNET emergency pre- four major areas: paredness presentation; part of We are anticipating a July 1, 2003 start date for the reconstruction of the City of Los Angeles’ the roadway in upper Benedict Canyon from Hutton to MuIholland. We Neighborhood Emergency Train- will continue to communicate with our Council Office and City/County ing program. It empowers you to agencies to assure a smooth start for the project. All effort will be made take appropriate action quickly, to keep Benedict Canyon residents informed of schedules and how when and where it is needed access will be handled for residents in the construction area. We are before, during, and after an emer- working with the Department of Transportation to discourage commuter gency or disaster. traffic rerouting through Deep Canyon and Hutton Drive, and avoid further congestion of Benedict Canyon to Hutton. WHEN? We will support our Council Office efforts to enact new building Thursday, June 26, 2003 at 7:00 codes limiting the height of retaining walls. Many PM other communities limit retaining wall height, and WHERE? require retaining walls to be terraced, with Beverly Hills Women’s Club setbacks, and obscured with adequate land- 1700 Chevy Chase Dr. scaping. (corner of Benedict Canyon) Traffic and safety issues are a continu- Beverly Hills ing concern of BCA and our residents. We (parking in rear off alley) have had several major accidents along the WHY? canyon, as a result of excessive speed During a crisis, there is much and passing over double yellow cen- competition for City resources. ter lines. Better signage, road mark- Unfortunately, that means that ings and enforcement are needed. police and fire personnel, ambu- For our own protection we lance and water services may not need to develop an emergency response be immediately available. City and disaster preparedness program officials recommend everyone be within our canyon. When city serv- prepared to do without City services cannot help us, we must be pre- ices for at least 72 hours. pared to help our neighbors and SafetyNet discusses the basic ele- ourselves. BCA will work with our ments of an emergency prepared- Neighborhood Council to develop ness plan including evacuation such a plan. procedures, water and food stor- Please contact BCA at 310- age, emergency kits, fire and utili- 553-4222 with your ideas and concerns. Remember you are BCA. We ty safety, basic first aid and CPR. need your help as volunteers working to achieve these goals. We also BCA urges all canyon residents to need your membership in BCA. Please respond to our 2003 be prepared. Membership/Donor Program. It is convenient to say, “I’m busy, let HOW? someone else do it.” We are all busy, but we must do what needs to be done together, and we need all the talents of our community. To attend this free, one-hour presentation and to make sure there are enough handouts and materials for all, please RSVP to Linda Barbara Nichols Shokrian 310-278-7861 or e-mail President BCA her at [email protected].

Spring/Summer 2003 12 Volume IV Issue 6 BCA Newsletter (310) 553-4BCA benedictcanyon.org

2003 BCA Annual Meeting THE FUTURE IS GETTING Beverly Hills Hotel GREENER.... he Benedict Canyon will reduce the allowable height by Irma Munoz, TreePeople Association Annual Meeting limit on retaining walls in new resi- Twas held Jan. 27, 2003 at the dential construction in the canyon. f you have visited Coldwater Beverly Hills Hotel. We were glad BCA has a very active Land Use Canyon Park recently, you may to see so many of our residents Committee that monitors all appli- Ihave noticed that it resembles a attending to hear speakers on three cations for new home construction ghost town and not the home of topics of current interest. requiring extensive grading and/or TreePeople. The old buildings have The Department of Public retaining walls. We also monitor been torn down in preparation for Works and the Department of variance applications for exemp- TreePeople’s new home—The Transportation gave presentations tions to the Hillside Ordinance, Center for Community Forestry. on the reconstruction plan for the which limits construction height to Structures will be built of mate- upper Benedict Canyon roadway, 36 feet. rials that are reused, recycled or from Hutton to Mulholland. The Steven Lukasik, President of come from renewable resources. project is finally scheduled to get the Bel Air Beverly Crest Gardens and landscaping will use underway July 1, 2003. The road- Neighborhood Council, gave a pres- recycled rainwater. People will way will be closed to through traffic entation on their projects. BCA is a come here to experience up close for 18-24 months. member of this group with four rep- how a healthy urban eco-system can Residents, service people, fami- resentatives. The Neighborhood thrive like a forest. ly and friends will have access dur- Council area extends from the San The completed Center will ing construction. Otherwise, upper Diego Freeway through Laurel serve as the headquarters for Benedict Canyon will be closed to Canyon, and from Mulholland TreePeople’s staff and will also be the public. While we know that this Drive to Sunset. The Neighborhood the primary site for the organiza- will be an inconvenience, we also Council is addressing such issues as tion’s world-class educational pro- know how much we need these cell phone usage, traffic congestion, grams. The new facility will house improvements. construction and emergency pre- TreePeople’s specialized nursery The Public Works Department paredness, among other topics. and will coordinate extensive tree will meet with residents immediate- The Benedict Canyon planting efforts. ly adjacent to the construction area Association is here for you. Please TreePeople staff built their tem- to answer specific questions before fill out and mail in your member- porary offices in two days just 500 the project begins. Please call ship/Donor application for 2003. feet from the parking lot. They Kendrick Okuda at 213-847-6302 We need everyone’s support. actually assembled seven yurts (cir- and give him your name and phone Barbara Nichols cular tents) and have named their number, so that you will be contact- temporary home, “New Yurt City.” ed at that time. This project has It resembles a village surrounded by been in the planning stages for a fruit orchard. During your next many years. It has finally come trip to Coldwater Canyon Park, fol- about as a result of hard work by low the signs to “New Yurt City” many members of BCA, our and visit TreePeople. Councilman Jack Weiss, County Construction is scheduled to Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and start this fall. The park will remain Commissioner of Public Works, open to the public during construc- Ellen Stein. tion. For more information about Michael Chasteen, a BCA this exciting new center and to learn board member, gave a presentation how you can participate, please call on our efforts to pass new laws that (818) 753-4600.

Volume IV Issue 6 13 Spring/Summer 2003 BCA Newsletter (310) 553-4BCA benedictcanyon.org

“Got Milk?” . . . .Or Bottled Water? By Don Farkas

y name is Don Farkas and response in the event of a major I am the chairman of the disaster in which normal MPublic Safety Committee emergency services were of the Bel Air-Beverly Crest to become either severe- Neighborhood Council. I recently ly delayed or were made a presentation asking for the unavailable. The Public adoption of a proposed Community Safety Committee of the Emergency Plan by the Benedict Bel Air-Beverly Crest Canyon Association. The proposed Neighborhood Council has Community Emergency Plan was developed a sample Community primarily designed to help commu- Emergency Plan that can be used by nities organize themselves to deal community groups to provide such with foreseeable natural disasters a basic framework. A summary of such as major earthquakes, large the Community Emergency Plan brush fires, or landslides. However, can be seen on the Los Angeles the basic organization and commu- Community Policing website at communication will be necessary nications preparations called for by www.lacp.com. such as two-way radios, battery the Plan could also conceivably be The Los Angeles City Mayor’s powered CB radios and trained, adapted for use even in the possible Office of Emergency Preparedness licensed amateur short wave radio event of a man-made disaster such offers community groups a one- operators (“Hams”). The LAFD is as a terrorist attack hour “SafetyNet” training program sponsoring a volunteer organi- Officials of the City of Los that covers essential basic skills. zation called the Auxiliary Angeles and other governmental The Benedict Canyon Association Communications Services (ACS) authorities recommend that, as a will be sponsoring a “SafetyNet” that is made up of licensed Ham wise precaution, every individual meeting June 26, 2003 at 7 PM at radio operators who have agreed to and household have an emergency the Beverly Hills Women’s Club, work as an integral part of the plan in case of a disaster. Such per- 1700 Chevy Chase Drive in Beverly LAFD’s communications infra- sonal plans should include Hills. In addition, the Los Angeles structure in the event of a disaster. •a means to allow family mem- Fire Department (LAFD) also pro- Anyone who is interested in finding bers to communicate via out-of- vides an excellent 17 1/2 hour out more about ACS can view their state phone contacts Community Emergency Response website at www.lafd.org/acs.htm. • agreed upon alternative meeting Team (CERT) training course for One of the published goals of places community volunteers who would the Bel Air-Beverly Crest • provisions for safely maintain- like to receive more instruction and Neighborhood Council Public ing necessary emergency items practice opportunities. I highly rec- Safety Committee has been to (such as water, food, shelter and ommend that residents of the hill- reduce the risk of fires occurring sanitary supplies, medicines, side communities obtain or update after an earthquake. This is espe- cash in small denominations, their CERT certification training. cially vital in the Santa Monica emergency tools, can openers, Persons who are interested in find- Mountains area since the LAFD has fire extinguishers, extra eye- ing out more about CERT training previously stated that there might glasses, etc.) can call the LAFD’s Disaster be insufficient resources immedi- Many community groups, such as Preparedness Unit at (818) 756- ately available to fight a large brush BCA, have realized that it would be 9674. fire in the area if one broke out after a good idea to have in place a com- In the event that telephone serv- a large earthquake. Depending on munity-wide plan for organizing a ices were to become interrupted the circumstances, emergency more effective, coordinated after a disaster, alternative modes of Cont. pg. 7

Spring/Summer 2003 14 Volume IV Issue 6 BCA Newsletter (310) 553-4BCA benedictcanyon.org

“Got Milk?” . . . .Or Bottled Water? By Don Farkas

Spring/Summer 2003 14 Volume IV Issue 6 HELP PROTECT BENEDICT CANYON

BECOME A BCA MEMBER JOIN TODAY

Put Down “Roots” in Your Own Garden. Select a Donor Tree ands Grow in Your Own Community. - Detailss inside this issue - ENJOY YOUR SUMMER IN THE CANYON

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