Los Feliz Ledger Read by 100,000+ Residents and Business Owners in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Vol 9. No. 10 April 2014 Atwater Village, Echo Park & Hollywood Hills Commissioners Few Tips for to Decide On Gatto Murder Park Baseball Investigation & Performance Even After Stage $50,000 Reward By Hayley Fox LOS ANGELES —The city’s Ledger Senior Contributing Recreation and Park’s Com- Writer missioners will decide on con- struction of two youth base- More than four months ball fields at Griffith Park’s after the Silver Lake murder of Crystal Springs, April 2nd as Joseph Gatto, police still have well as a permanent stage at little new to report even after the Old Zoo for Symphony in a $50,000 reward was offered the Glen and the Independent for information leading to the Shakespeare Co. arrest and conviction of Gat- The hearing was moved to’s killer. from March 5th to provide According to the Los An- more time for public comment. geles Police Dept. (LAPD) At the commissioner’s, Robbery-Homicide Det. Chris March 19th, Los Feliz Ledger Gable fewer than 25 tips have publisher Allison B. Cohen been received since the reward and Los Feliz Neighborhood was offered in January. Council Recreation Represen- EMERSON IN L.A.—Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell were This may be, Gable said, tative Mark F. Mauceri spoke on hand March 8th to celebrate the grand opening of the Emerson Los Angeles College. Located on Sunset because law enforcement had in favor of the Crystal Springs Boulevard near the Hollywood Palladium, the 10-story building, designed by award winning Los Angeles architect Thom Payne was designed “to expand the interactive, social aspect of education.” The building already spoken to many—such ballfields; Barbara Ferris and exterior features a sun shading system that adapts to changing weather to maintain indoor temperature as Gatto’s neighbors—imme- Arthur Rubenstein—both of and natural light levels among other sustainable, and beautiful, features. Photo: Charles H. Cohen diately following the Novem- see PARK page 2 see MURDER page 12 Airbnb Debate City Council Renews LFVBID Take Me Out to the Ballgame Spawns SLNC Meanwhile, No 2014 Street Fair Just Not By Way of Scott Avenue Election Slate By Jessica Ogilvie, Ledger Contributing Writer By Marla Schevker By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—The Los Ange- those services have historically Ledger Senior les City Council, in March, included tree trimming and ECHO PARK—A group of being able to access our home Contributing Writer passed an ordi- staging the an- Echo Park residents has begun on a regular basis shouldn’t SILVER LAKE—The Los An- nance to renew nual Street Fair. a petition protesting the Los be one of them,” the petition geles Dept. of City Planning the Los Feliz Vil- Local busi- Angeles Dodgers’ plan to re- reads. “Every baseball season, has declared, via a long-awaited lage Business Im- nesses pay man- open the Scott Avenue Gate residents of the communities memo, short-term rentals in Los provement Dis- datory taxes to that would route thousands surrounding Dodger Stadium Angeles are illegal in most of the trict (LFVBID). the LFVBID of cars throughout residen- are subject to an onslaught of city’s residential zones, includ- The ordinance each year in or- tial roads for the Dodgers’ 81 not only traffic, but trash, -ha ing most of Silver Lake where has been ap- der to fund activ- home games scheduled this rassment and illicit activities the issue has been intensely de- proved by Mayor ities and services season. The Scott Avenue Gate brought on by fans traveling bated since last summer. Eric Garcetti and provided. Called was closed off for Dodger traf- to and from Dodger Stadium.” For some local leaders, will go into effect LFVBID President Chris Serrano assessments, fic 20 years ago. The petition, created by this is the end of a discussion April 13th. The they range from A petition, which began a group called “Concerned that’s been actively debated process of renewing the LFV- approximately $250 to $500, on March 11, to stop the gate’s Citizens of Echo Park,” will throughout the area since BID occurs every year. depending on the business’s reopening currently has 397 be sent to Los Angeles Mayor last August when the Silver The LFVBID was created number of employees. signatures and points out both Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Lake Neighborhood Council to provide services to local busi- But some in the neighbor- imminent traffic and safety is- City councilmembers Mitch (SLNC) considered pursuing nesses that, according to city hood may not be happy about sues if the gate is reopened. O’Farrell and Gil Cedillo. a potential ban against short- documents, go “’above and be- the LFVBID’s renewal. In “We realize that living O’Farrell said in a March term rentals throughout the yond’ the services provided by the recent years, merchants have near a stadium comes with sev- 14th Facebook post that he see AIRBNB page 7 City of Los Angeles. In Los Feliz, see LFVBID page 17 eral concessions, but actually see DODGERS page 6 Open Mike: Reader letters about Community News: Hit-and-Run Community News: Los Feliz’s Su Casa Real Estate: Local real Neighborhood Council “Field of Screams” and Old Zoo victim Damian Kevitt to finally own Barbara Ferris honored as estate market sizzles while Elections: Profiles of candidates Stage, page 3 finish his bike ride, page 5 “Woman of the Year,” page 11 inventory is low, page 15 in local races, page 21 Los Feliz Ledger [LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER] My son, nance managers, grant writers, are brand new.) Hopefully, one month television executives, educa- clarity on the issue of youth Available at these locations: FOUNDED 2005 shy of his tors, filmmakers, lawyers… baseball fields in Griffith Park Delivered the last Thursday of 17th birth- you get the picture. and for a permanent perfor- LOS FELIZ each month to 34,500 homes and day, is in They want to give their mance stage at the Old Zoo Citibank businesses in the Los Feliz, his second time to help make your com- for Symphony in the Glen 1965 Hillhurst Avenue Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park and Hollywood Hills year sitting munity better. Now give them and the Independent Shake- Dresden Restaurant communities. on a neighborhood council as a a few minutes of your time by speare Co. will come forth at 1760 N. Vermont Avenue student representative. As such going out to vote. (It’s fun and their April 2nd hearing. House of Pies PUBLISHER/EDITOR he is unable to vote—which 1869 N. Vermont Allison B. Cohen greatly frustrates him—but he Los Feliz Public Library ADVERTISING SALES often comes home with some 1874 Hillhurst Avenue Libby Butler-Gluck amazing doodles on his coun- If you read through the profiles, and I hope Los Feliz 3 Theaters 323-644-5536 cil paperwork. That’s because you do, you’ll notice an amazing pool of 1822 N. Vermont [email protected] the meetings are often long Newsstand GRAPHIC DESIGN and often very tedious. Still, talented professionals, passionate about our Vermont and Melbourne & LAYOUT he agrees they are important. area and ready to voluntarily serve. They are Palermo Brigid LaBonge On his neighborhood 1858 N. Vermont Tiffany Sims council there are only two or entrepreneurs, finance managers, grant writers, Skylight Books three people running for elec- television executives, educators, filmmakers, 1818 N. Vermont tion. Compare that to the SILVER LAKE candidates running in our lawyers… you get the picture. four neighborhood councils Casita del Campo (see our profiles of candidates 1920 Hyperion Ave starting on page 21—and see Silver Lake Chamber photos of each profiled at los- you’ll see all your neighbors Last item: the Ledger has of Commerce 1724 W. Silver Lake Drive felizledger.com). there!) Information: emplow- applied for press passes to If you read through the erla.org. Coachella Weekend and we profiles, and I hope you do, The Rec and Parks Board should hear soon. We’d very you’ll notice an amazing pool of Commissioners sure pulled much like to write and pho- of talented professionals, pas- a doozy as one of its first tograph our many local bands sionate about our area and projects to either give the go- playing—including once-local ready to voluntarily serve. ahead or deny, see page 1. Beck—at this year’s festival. They are entrepreneurs, -fi (Four of the five-panel board Keeping our fingers crossed. PARK from page 1 19th, instead lodging com- Story ideas, submissions, Symphony in the Glen—and ment against the “Haunted advertising rates the Independent Shakespeare Halloween Hayride,” calling & inquiries contact: Company’s David Melville, it “privatization” of Griffith Allison Cohen Park. 4459 Avocado St. spoke in favor of the Old Zoo Los Angeles, CA 90027 stage. Phone: 323-667-9897 Some who have previous- Expo Center, 3980 So. Bill Fax: 323-667-1816 ly opposed both projects, did Robertson Lane, April 2nd, [email protected] not speak on either March 9:30 a.m. www. losfelizledger.com DELICIOUS MEXICAN FOOD HAPPY HOUR 3 pm - 7 pm EVERY DAY "Best Margaritas in Town with Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice" Beautiful Patios • Gorgeous Artwork 1920 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake Open Daily from 11 am 323•662•4255 - AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES - Page 2 www.losfelizledger.com April 2014 Los Feliz Ledger [LETTER TO THE EDITOR] LFNC Candidate Forum, April 8th Regarding “Performance Google, I know Mr. Hans Advertise Stage for Arts at the Old Zoo is neither a civil planner nor The Los Feliz Neighbor- answer questions.