Trutanich Takes Direct Approach As City Atty
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WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Vine Street project reviewed. pg. 3 Clear and • Wilshire Forum warm, with assesses areaʼs temps around future. pg. 4 72º Volume 20 No. 30 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities July 29, 2010 Trutanich Takes Direct Has Life Improved for the Disabled? n 20 Years Since the Approach as City Atty. Signing of the ADA, Access, Services n Plans for Second Year Include Still Needed Aggressive Prosecution BY IAN LOVETT BY EDWIN FOLVEN against illegal billboards. He said he received a lot of criticism earlier os Angeles City Attorney this year when he secured an arrest hen the phone rang in Carmen Trutanich has made warrant and a $1 million bail for Michael Arrigo’s a name for himself during businessman Kayvan Seterah, the Whouse, a talking caller L ID read out the phone number. his first year in office through an owner of a building at Hollywood outspoken, no-nonsense approach, Boulevard and Highland Avenue, “It’s Dennis,” Arrigo said. “Tell and said it sometimes takes “step- who allowed an illegal supergraph- him I’ll call him back.” ping on toes” to get things done. ic to be placed on its façade. “People call here, because they Part of the approach includes Trutanich asked for the high bail know I’ll help them find services, continuing his aggressive position and I’m not afraid to give out my See City Attorney page 22 phone number.” In the summer of 1978, right after Arrigo graduated from high school, he lost his eyesight. He suffered from a rare condition called Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, a condition which causes the optic nerve to deterio- rate. Arrigo lost most of his cen- tral vision. Suddenly, he couldn’t photo by Ian Lovett drive, couldn’t read small print, Michael Arrigo said many improvements have come about since the and couldn’t see over long dis- ADA became law, but added that more work needs to be done. tances. “It’s the opposite of tunnel “The ADA is probably the most Radio production, and then vision,” Arrigo said. “I had to important piece of legislation per- worked for a radio station, and learn how to navigate and live like taining to people with disabilities then for the Arsenio Hall Show. a blind person.” that’s ever been written,” Arrigo In the mid-‘90s, however, after This week marked the 20th said. “It’s hard to believe it’s only Arrigo’s eyesight deteriorated fur- anniversary of the signing of the been 20 years since it was ther, he began to concentrate on Americans with Disabilities Act signed.” advocacy work. In 1999, he began (ADA), which guarantees protec- Now 52 years old, Arrigo has serving on the City of West tions against discrimination for lived in West Hollywood for most Hollywood’s Disability Advisory photo by Edwin Folven people with disabilities, and of his adult life. He received a Board, and in 2007 received the City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said he will continue to aggressively pur- access to public buildings and degree from California State Board’s individual award. sue people who violate the law in Los Angeles. transportation. University, Northridge in TV and See ADA page 20 Survey Seeks Out City’s Historic Gems 99 Cents Shoppers n Neighborhood Canvassing Begins Are Penny Wise in Hollywood BY IAN LOVETT BY TIM POSADA or many people, pennies have become a nuisance. rchitecture specialists are FVending machines and preparing to categorize the parking meters will not accept Ahistorical significance of them, and in the last decade, two structures in Los Angeles in the bills were introduced in the largest building survey to date. United States House of With a substantial grant from the Representatives to do away with Getty Foundation’s J. Paul Getty the nation’s smallest currency. Trust, the city will be analyzing all For the 99 Cents Only Store, buildings in the city, residential and however, a penny could cost a business, to determine historic sta- pretty penny. tus over the next three years. For 26 years, the 99 Cents “The purpose of the survey is not Only Store never charged more to designate areas, but to use the than 99 cents for any product. survey as a planning tool to give But in the summer of 2008, the photo by Ian Lovett policy makers, planners and devel- City of Commerce-based chain A sign posted at the 99 Cents opers upfront and objective infor- raised its prices by almost a Only store on Wilshire mation on potential historic photo by Tim Posada penny to 99.99 cents, which cash Boulevard clearly states that the resources in every community,” The Hollywood Independent Church is an example of structures in Los registers round up to $1. prices have increased by a said Ken Bernstein, manager of the Angeles that could be considered as historical resources under See Stores page 21 penny. See Survey page 21 SurveyLA. (&&43(("&2" (&&43((" #)2%!# )10 333 $(&&43(("1(4(1 !(' 2 July 29, 2010 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 29 Another All- $17 and groups are $15. For informa- Calendar tion, call (818)700-4878 or visit Beethoven Night www.thegrouprep.com. f you missed French pianist David IFray at the Hollywood Bowl on p.m. Spiritual and meditative works Tuesday, try again tonight as the 28- by Michel Pascal will be on display National Dance Day year-old prodigy performs his final all- inside and outside the gallery, and a usic Center at the Performance Beethoven set at the Bowl. Fray is meditation hour will be held during MArts Center of Los Angeles joined by the Los Angeles the event, followed by a film viewing. County will spend Saturday dancing Philharmonic with conductor Pablo Admission is free. Basement 35 in the streets, celebrating National Heras-Casado. The concert begins at 8 Gallery is located in the basement of Dance Day, from 10 a.m. to noon, in p.m. For information, visit www.hol- Building 35 in the Park La Brea the Biggest Dance Ever Festival. The lywoodbowl.com. Apartment Complex at 351 S. Fuller Music Center Plaza will be shut down Ave. For information, call (323)549- for traffic, as the street is turned into a 5498. free dance extravaganza open to the Griffith Hosts ‘A public. National Dance Day, a grass- Village Lost’ 31 Parlor Hollywood roots movement to promote better strophysicist Dr. Brian May, gui- health, will be recognized with an Atarist and songwriter of Queen, Hosts Flip Cup official act of Congress. Created by and Elena Vidal, photographic histori- he Parlor Hollywood will host a Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer an and conservator, will present a 3D Tcharity flip cup tournament with and co-creator of “So You Think You presentation on their recent book pro- top local companies to benefit the MS Can Dance”, the event will officially ject, “A Village Lost and Found”, at Society on Saturday, July 31 at 2 be introduced by Congresswoman the Griffith Observatory. A product of p.m. The Parlor Hollywood is located Eleanor Holmes Norton at a press over 30 years of research, the book at 7250 Melrose Ave. and admission is conference on Saturday in presents a set of stereo photographs $5 donation at the door. Teams in Washington, D.C. For information, showing the life of an Oxfordshire vil- attendance include Parlor Hollywood, visit www.musiccenter.org. lage 150 years ago. The reproduced photo courtesy of Rob Bailey Communications, Inc. Kid D, 944 Magazine, Drai’s photographs by stereographer, T.R. Do a Jig with the Wiggles Hollywood, Creative Recreation, 1 WeHo Jazz Fest Williams, reveal a rural idyll fast dis- The Fab Four from down under are back with their family event, “The William Rast, The Parlor Santa lezmer Juice will represent a appearing. The co-authors also will Wiggle Circus Live!” Join Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Monica, Kitson, 901 Tequila, Revolve Knew generation of Jewish soul discuss Williams’ work and the chal- Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and all the Wiggly Dancers as they Clothing and Cohesive Apparel. For musicians on Sunday, August 1 as part lenging process of presenting the bring the excitement of the big top with a wiggly twist to Los Angeles. The information, call (323)930-2100 or of the ongoing 2010 Summer Sounds images in 3D. The Griffith “Wiggly Circus Live!” tour will feature their interactive and educational visit www.theparlorsm.com . Series in West Hollywood, featuring Observatory is located at 2800 East message with audience participation, including wiggly pals singing and jazz, fusion and world music. Playing Observatory Rd. The first presentation dancing through the audience and yelling, “Wake up, Jeff!” whenever the Group Rep at 3 p.m. at Kings Road Park, located will take place at 6:30 p.m. and 7:40 Purple Wiggle falls asleep onstage. The wiggling commences at Gibson Premieres ‘Walk in at 1000 N. Kings Rd., Klezmer Juice p.m. on Thursday, July 29 and admis- Amphitheatre, located at 100 Universal City Plz., on Sunday, August 1, will provide fresh interpretations of sion is $7; the second presentation will with shows at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $90 and the Woods’ traditional tunes. Chairs will be avail- take place at 8:30pm and 9:40pm and can be purchased at the venue or from Ticketmaster. For information, he Group Rep will present Lee able for the free concert and guests are admission is $5. For information, visit visit www.wiggletime.com.