WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Gun laws advance in Assembly. pg. 3 Partly cloudy, with temps • Fountain unveiled around 72º at memorial. pg. 4 Volume 21 No. 15 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities April 14, 2011 WeHo Weighs The Show Will Go On at ʻBoystownʼ Hollywood Farmers’ Market Designation n Film School Drops Complaint n District Would Honor BY JOSE MARTINEZ the market will accept the school’s terms, which were not disclosed. Local Gay Community n a surprise move by the L.A. The Hollywood Farmers Market Film School, its official com- would not comment. BY JOSE MARTINEZ Iplaint against the Hollywood “We have been in discussions Farmers Market over access to the with the city and looked at all he City of West Hollywood is school’s parking garage was with- options that would allow the market considering designating a drawn with provisions on Tuesday. to continue to grow,” said Albert Tsection along Santa Monica The move will allow the market to Villalta, vice president of marketing Boulevard, between La Cienega renew its six-month street closure for the L.A. Film School. Boulevard and La Peer Avenue, as city permit, which expired this The market’s permit expired on “Historic Boystown”. With support photo by Jose Martinez week, and continue to operate at the Tuesday and it was granted a one- from the local business community, corner of Selma and Ivar Avenues if See Market page 21 including Block Party store owner Councilmember Tom LaBonge helped young Trevor plant a tree at Larry Block, and Councilmember Frances Blend School. John Duran, the city council is in the introduction stage of the idea, although Block is hoping for an official designation in time for A Tree Grows in Hancock Park June’s gay pride celebration. hildren from the Frances Blend School for the Blind and “Boystown is the name this part CCouncilmember Tom LaBonge, 4th District, planted a lemon tree of town has been known by for Monday in observance of Earth Day. Accepting a challenge from the years,” Block said. “It’s the epicen- Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Sanitation for all schools par- ter of everything gay in Los ticipating in its recycling program, the school took on the responsibility Angeles. That history and diversity of planting and maintaining a tree. A total of 23 schools answered the needs to be recognized.” call, including Laurel Elementary School and Grant Elementary School. So as not to be too exclusive, the “We are thrilled that Frances Blend has stepped forward in this effort city suggested using the term to show the world that everyone can do something positive for the envi- “Historic Boystown.” ronment,” LaBonge said. “Historically, this has been a Frances Blend School for the Blind, located at 5210 Clinton St., is the place where the gay male commu- only public school west of the Mississippi River that serves children in nity has gathered,” Duran said. “We a regular classroom who are legally blind and have other accompany- need to find a balance so it doesn’t ing disabilities. Principal Nancy Cohen, who maintains a garden in the feel exclusive. Most gay men are schoolyard, values the learning tool planting offers her students. highly supportive of the idea, but “This means the world to them,” Cohen said. “Our students learn by some lesbian women are concerned doing, and planting and seeing life grow is the way they learn.” photo courtesy of the Hollywood Farmers’ Market The market will remain open on Ivar, south of Selma Avenue. See Boystown page 20 -By Jose Martinez Survey Says, ‘Clean Up the Streets’ Meth Use Among Gay Men n BID Plans to Give on the Rise, CDC Reports Hollywood Blvd. Facelift n L.A. Gay & Lesbian shown that meth use has increased in the Hollywood and West BY EDWIN FOLVEN Center Launches New Hollywood area, which is at the Online Program center of the local LGBT commu- he Hollywood Property nity. Owners Alliance, which BY RAFAEL GUERRERO Crystal meth is a stimulant that Toversees the Hollywood is typically smoked and directly Business Improvement District ethamphetamine, specif- affects the brain and the spinal (BID), is launching a program to ically crystal meth, is an cord by interfering with the nor- clean up Hollywood Boulevard. illegal drug that reduces mal release and uptake of neuro- Known as ”Hollywood Facelift”, M inhibitions and can cause reckless transmitters, chemicals that nerve the program involves getting prop- behavior. According to the Center cells produce to communicate erty and business owners along the for Disease Control and with each other. Some effects boulevard to commit to painting Prevention (CDC) meth use from using crystal meth include their buildings, clean away grime amongst men who have unsafe sex increased heart rate, blood pres- and dirt from facades, and general- with men is on the rise, and it sure and appetite suppression. ly improve the look of their proper- increases their risk factors for sex- “Crystal meth use has been a ties. The BID is in the process of ually transmitted diseases (STDs), problem for some time,” said Lt. forming a partnership with contrac- including HIV. According to Mike Lawrence Del Mese, of the West tors and building material suppliers Rizzo, manager of the Crystal Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. “A who can work with the business Meth Recovery Services Program large portion of our arrests in and property owners on their pro- (CMRS) at the L.A. Gay and West Hollywood are narcotics jects. BID staff members will be photo by Edwin Folven Lesbian Center (LAGLC), there and crystal meth arrests.” physically visiting the businesses The Hollywood BID wants businesses to consider replacing the roll-up have been recent studies that have See Programs page 20 See Project page 21 security doors that are common along Hollywood Boulevard. (&&43(("&2" (&&43((" #)2%!# )10 333 $(&&43(("1(4(1 !(' 2 April 14, 2011 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 15 Business Tax $89. Guasti Villa, 3500 W. Adams Calendar Blvd. (213)477-292, Seminar www.DaCamera.org. he California State Board of TEqualization is hosting a free the celebrity guest tells the audience. 5K Cancer Benefit small business tax seminar on Friday, Tickets are $10. 6366 Hollywood he 6th annual “Kids 4 Kids” 5K April 15 at 9 a.m. in Glendale. The Blvd. (323)962-7560, www.ioim- run/walk benefiting the event is geared towards new business prov.com. T owners, entrepreneurs, and profes- Children’s Cancer Research Fund sionals currently operating a business will be held on Sunday, April 17 from who have questions about state or fed- 17 Flamenco Show 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at L.A. LIVE. The eral tax laws. Topics will include sales he Fountain Theatre presents an event is open to all ages and features and use tax updates, navigating the Tinstallment of its “Forever a flat course starting at the Staples Internal Revenue Service, forms of Flamenco!” series on Sunday, April Center and ending with an “All Star ownership, Employment 17 at 8 p.m. at the Barnsdall Gallery Carnival”. The run/walk funds cancer Development Department resources, Theatre at Barnsdall Art Park. The research and programs for children and more. Glendale Public Library, dancers will include Vanessa Acosta- undergoing cancer treatment. 222 E. Harvard St. (888)847-9652, Albalos, Jesus Munoz and Mizuho www.ccrf-kids.org. www.boe.ca.gov. Sato, accompanied by vocalist Jesus Montoya and guitarist Chuscales, 20 Book Signing from Spain. Tickets are $25 to $45. r. David Fett and Stephen Classical Concert 4800 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 663- Langford, co-authors of the onductor Vassily Sinaisky leads D 1525, www.Fountain-Theatre.com. book, “White Sleeper”, will sign the Los Angeles Philharmonic in C copies of their book on Wednesday, performances on Friday, April 15 at 8 April 20 at 7 p.m. at the Barnes and p.m., and Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. ‘The Apple Tree’ Noble store at The Grove. Fett and at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The eprise Theatre Company presents Langford explore how America might concerts feature violinist Nikolaj “The Apple Tree” running R respond to a biological attack in their Znaider playing Edward Elgar’s Sunday, April 17 through 29 at debut thriller. 189 Grove Dr. Suite K Violin Concerto. The Saturday con- UCLA’s Freud Playhouse. “The Apple 30. (323)525-0270. An additional cert also features Tchaikovsky’s Tree” was Sheldon Harnick and Jerry book signing will be held on April 25 Symphony No. 4, while the Friday’s Bock’s follow up musical to “Fiddler at 7:30 p.m. at Book Soup, 8818 concert features a free “TalkBack” On The Roof”. Freud Playhouse cor- Sunset Blvd. (310)659-3110. discussion with musicians, held on ner of Sunset Boulevard and Hilgard stage after the performance. Tickets Avenue on the UCLA campus. are $44 to $167. 111 S. Grand Ave. (310)825-2101, www.reprise.org. 21 Design Lecture (323)850-2000, www.laphil.com. he Pacific Design Center is pre- Palm Sunday Service Tsenting a lecture titled “The Rise of Art Deco & Haute Couture” on 16 Safety Seat photo courtesy of Glen Wexler ope Lutheran Church is holding Thursday, April 21 at 11 a.m. in the Mr. Musichead Gallery in Hollywood is holding an exhibit of fine art pho- a Palm Sunday worship service Check-Up H Blue Conference Center B259. 8687 tographs by photographer Glen Wexler running through April 30. Titled on Sunday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m. The he Petersen Automotive Museum Melrose Ave.