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Atwater Village, where progress is tradition. A Quarterly Newsletter

M y F a v o r i t e T h i n g About Atwater VillageEssays from students at Atwater Avenue Elementary School

Ashly Magallon, 5th GradeOh, I love Atwater Village! I think Atwater Village is a good place to be. In Atwater Village we have a strong and helping community. Loving and caring friends and family. Atwater Village has many unique things to do. We have parks and markets, restaurants, stores and so many more. Atwater is a beautiful and safe place to live in. With a school that’s strong we are a very happy community. I love Atwater Village! Do you?

Georgia Ryan, 3rd GradeHere are my favorite things about Atwater Village. I love the wonderful people, school, teachers, library and of course my principal Mr. Smith. What I love about the people is the wonderful neighbor and friends. My neighbors are very nice and generous. They let us walk their dog.

Milo Broms, KindergartenI like my school. It is fun to walk there and see my friends. Atwater rocks!

Andres Lira, 5th GradeMy favorite thing about Atwater Village is the L.A. River. Even though it is polluted, it is filled with a lot of life. It has fish, big ones too, birds like pigeons, crows, and even storks sometimes. There are even more animals. There are a few frogs, and I have heard a few people say they have seen snakes.

But that’s just the animals. What about the plants? I have seen big trees, small trees, little palm trees. Yes! Palm trees. Some tall weeds, some tiny weeds, and some pretty big bushes. You

can also fish there, but you wouldn’t really catch anything. Plus, you can’t really eat it too.

The L.A. River is so cool, nice, relaxing, fun, and beautiful, if you really look at it. The river is small but it has a lot of life. We need to learn to take care of the L.A. River.

Teddy Ryan, 4th GradeMy favorite thing about Atwater Village is the community. I like the community because everybody here is so friendly, nice, and kind. I like how I have made such good friends. I like this town because I have gotten a nice principal and a nice teacher. I love Atwater a lot.

Interview with Atwater A v e n u e P r i n c i p a lPrincipal Charles D. Smith has brought new energy to Atwater Avenue Elementary School in Atwater Village. Coming into the school as its new principal last October, he had the challenging task of starting after school had already been in session for a month and being asked to lead a group of teachers and staff who have been together for many years. By all accounts, he has been a success, especially in forming cohesive relationships with the teachers, staff, parents and students in the school.

On any given day at the school, people will find Mr. Smith greeting students with a smile at the front gate in the morning, walking the school grounds with his walkie talkie, visiting classrooms, and directing traffic while watching for the safety of the students after school. Atwater Elementary had a writing contest in the fall where each participating student wrote a short essay titled “My Favorite Thing About Atwater Village”. Six writers were selected to interview their new principal and cont’d page 2

Issue No 8 – Winter 2010

DAWS UPDATESpay/Neuter Mobile & Annual Fundraiser Save the Dates & InfoPage 3

2010 NC STATEMENTS2010 Atwater Village Neighborhood Council Election Candidate Statements Page 5

ART CENTERInformation on the Atwater Village Art Center on CasitasPage 4

CALENDARWhat’s happening in the village? Coming events...Page 4

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INTERVIEW cont’d have their essays published in the Atwater Village Voice (see essays on page 1). The students ranged from kindergarten to fifth grade and had some very telling questions.The students participating in the interview were Milo Broms, Andres Lira, Georgia Ryan and Teddy Ryan.

Q. Tell me about yourself.A. Well, I am originally from Jasper, TX. We moved when I was a little boy and I grew up in the Los Angeles area. I have four sisters. I am the only boy and the oldest of five. I currently live in Long Beach and I really enjoy my job.Q. Do you like to cook?A. I do like cooking, though I don’t do it as often as I would like. I cook a mean lasagna!Q. What is your favorite book?A. As a child, my favorite book was Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. It was the first chapter book I read that dealt with segregation.Q. What is your favorite board game?A. Scrabble. It’s a game that people of all ages can play together. We always play it in my family.Q. What is your favorite thing about Atwater Elementary School? A. The students. We have a very unique school with bright, articulate students who ask good questions.Q. When you were in the fourth grade, what was your favorite thing to do?A. Math has always been my favorite subject. In high school I wanted to be an accountant but in college I realized that teaching was what I really wanted to do.Q. (Follow up) I meant in your free time.A. Hmm. Video games. I think I had Atari which was not like the games nowadays. I read, and I played kickball and basketball too.Q. What is your greatest achievement?A. So far, being a principal.Q. What did you have to do to become a principal?A. That’s a good question. I had to go to college and be a good student. I went to three different universities for my credential and degrees. My bachelor’s degree took a few years. Then, I continued on and earned my Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration and later another Master’s Degree in Education and Administration. I started school when I was 4 and the last time I was in school I was 34.Q. Why do you like school so much?A. It’s very important to continue learning. Every day I learn something new, from adults and students.Q. What is your least favorite thing about being principal?A. The paperwork! I have to sit as my desk and everyone’s usually gone for the day. That’s the boring stuff. The fun part is visiting the classrooms and talking with students.Q. What was your favorite age?

A. I think my favorite age was 17. It was my first time being independent when I moved into the college dorms.Q. What was your favorite grade?A. As a student, I liked fifth grade best. As a teacher, I like fourth grade best. I taught fourth grade for six years and love the curriculum.Q. What is your favorite breakfast cereal?A. Cinnamon Toast Crunch is my favorite cold cereal, but every morning I eat oatmeal with blueberries.Q. What is your favorite color?A. I would have to say green and orange.Q. What is your favorite food?A. My favorite fast food is pizza, but overall I like shrimp and other seafood.Q. Do you like to sing?A. I love to sing! But only in my car.Q. What is your favorite holiday?A. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the spirit of giving.Q. If you had $100, what would you do with it?A. I would buy another Christmas gift! (This interview was conducted in mid-December.)Q. Do you like to travel?A. I do. I love to travel. Last November I had the opportunity to go to China for two weeks. We went to four major cities.Q. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?A. I would go to Africa and I do hope to go soon.Q. What are your favorite sports?A. Basketball and track and field.Q. Do you play sports?A. I do. In high school, I was on the wrestling team. That is much different from what you see on television now.Q. What do you like to do when it’s hot?A. I like to swim, be in the water.Q. What do you like to do when it’s cold?A. I like to stay at home when it’s cold, sit on the sofa, read a good book or watch a movie.

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S PAY / N E U T E R M O B I L E C O M I N G T O AT WAT E R MARCH 14 ~ SAVE THE DATE!WOOF Dog Boutique/Director of Animal Welfare Services (DAWS!), and a generous source, which wishes to remain anonymous, has obtained a spay/neuter mobile to come into Atwater. DAWS has been trying to get a spay/neuter mobile for years so I am very excited and very grateful for this one time opportunity. If we get our required reservations we will be able to also obtain one for the future as well. For a very low cost you can get your furry friend spayed or neutered. We have ONLY 20 reservations available so reservations ARE REQUIRED IN ADVANCE. In addition DAWS is sponsoring 10 of those reservations for families that do not have the funds to do this on their own. This is on a first come, first serve basis so reserve your slot NOW! To make your reservation please call the WOOF Dog Boutique @ (323) 661-7722 and speak with Diane Serrafino (our neighborhood “Angel”). $110 Spray & Neuter (which includes a free microchip, vaccines, rabies, licensing paperwork).If you go to your local vet then you know the cost for the above is much higher than this. Vaccines alone run about $25/per vaccine. Spay and neuter, depending on the size of your pet can run from $35 to $300.If your pet is already been spayed or neutered but need their vaccines, this is also available to you at a very low cost for $10/per vaccine: Rabies, DHPP, FVRCP (Cats), Microchip, DHHP Parvo/Distemper $10, Bordatella $10.There will also be an adoption event for those of you that are thinking of a furry friend to add to your family. Many vendors will also be on site for free give-a-ways. Hurry while they last!This spay/neuter mobile is going to cost money so any donations from businesses or residents would be greatly appreciated! Please! Please! Please! Please make checks to: JeanMarie Wisniewski c/o DAWS

DAWS 6TH ANNUAL GARAGE! S A L E F U N D R A I S E R !APRIL 10 ~ SAVE THE DATE!It is that time of year again? Gee, already! Time to do your spring-cleaning and get rid of those items cluttering your garage. Bring any items you feel are worth $5 or more to sell. Please folks, no clothes but everything else is welcome! Furniture, bric-a-brac, electronics.Your donations and the proceeds from this and any other event sponsored by the DAWS, helps the spaying and neutering of neighborhood kitties, medical expenses, or the spaying and neutering of pets for those who do not have the funds, as well as food, boarding, home placements! Believe me folks! Every penny is spent and MORE….. so I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!Here are just a few things you can do to help the animals and the environment with such little effort on your part. Such small things can make a huge difference when we all do it.•Wear cruelty free makeup. Some of the finest cosmetics are cruelty free like, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, and Clinique.•Cruelty free cleaning products: Method, Planet Earth or Dr. Myers being sold in select grocery stores or Target make furniture polish, detergents, dryer sheets.•Don’t throw away that bread that has gotten old. Tear it up and leave it for the birds.•You know those plastic ring casings that bind our sodas together? Cut them up before throwing them away. Those rings get in our ocean waters and strangle and cut many fish, seals, dolphins, etc.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS FOR YOU

DAWS CONTACT – JeanMarie Wisniewskijellybeanjr@dslextreme.com – 323.663.2403

L.A. ANIMAL SERVICES213.276.5845 / 888-452-73813201 Lacy St. Los Angeles, CA 90031

FIXNATION – 818.891.4900(traps, spay/neuter, transportation available)

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Atwater Village Art CenterThis article is submitted by Arts & Education Chair Ginger Damon.

Atwater Village Art Center is a new and welcomed addition to our community. It is the vision of Ed and Vivian Flynn. Long time residents of Atwater Village and accomplished artists, they have created an inspirational workshop for Adult and Teen art classes. The Atwater Village Art Center is a workshop space that is designed for drawing, photography and pottery.

Ed has invented an artist workbench that accommodates any budding artist as well it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

True artists, their approach to art is profoundly simple and organic. Vivian has an uncanny eye of spotting out something of artistic value and Ed analyses its creative potential. Between the two it is virtually impossible to not have your creative juices sparked. Both artists have a life’s’ history rich in experience of exhibit showings, teaching credits and awards. Atwater Village Art center is located at 3191 Casitas Ave.

Spring CalendarAVNC Board Meeting – All are welcome!& C A N D I D A T E F O R U MF O R 2 0 1 0 E L E C T I O N S

Thursday, March 11th – 7p.m.Candidate Forum starts at 8p.m.

Christ’s Church at Griffith ParkCommunity Room, 3852 Edenhurst Ave.

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILE L E C T I O N D A Y

Saturday, March 20thChrist’s Church at Griffith Park

Community Room, 3852 Edenhurst Ave.

AVNC Board Meeting – Join us!Thursday, April 8th – 7p.m.

Christ’s Church at Griffith ParkCommunity Room, 3852 Edenhurst Ave.

SPRING SPECIAL EDITION100th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Atwater Village to celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2010

Atwater was annexed to the City of Los Angeles in 1910 under the terms of the law that provided for the aqueduct being built to bring in water from the Owens Valley. Please help us prepare to celebrate! Are you an octogenarian of Atwater? Do you have details or old photos of the village's history you're willing to share? As we prepare a special edition of the Atwater Village Voice in honor of Atwater's 100th, we want to hear your stories (in English OR Spanish)! Please email questions and submissions to recneps@mac.com. Thank you!

Atwater Village celebra su 100 Aniversario en 2010Atwater fue adjuntado a la ciudad de Los Ángeles en 1910 en conformidad con la ley que aprobo el acueducto que se construia para traer agua del Owens Valley. ¡Ayúdenos por favor a prepararnos para celebrar! ¿Es usted un octogenario de Atwater?  ¿Usted tiene detalles o fotos  historicas de Atwater Village que usted está dispuesto a compartir? Estamos preparando una edición especial del Atwater Village Voice en honor del 100 aniversario, queremos oír sus historias (en inglés O en español)! Envíe por correo electrónico por favor las preguntas y las sumisiones a recneps@mac.com. ¡Gracias!

Sundays 10AM - 2PM on Glendale Blvd.The Wells Fargo Bank Parking Lot

get the latest community news from the Friends of Atwater Village at

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Atwater Village Neighborhood Council 2010 ElectionsMeet Your Candidatesat the Candidate Forum

March 11, 2010  Christ's Church - 3852 Edenhurst Ave - 8 pm

Refreshments Will Be Served 

And the candidates are... 

North Atwater:Alex Ventura

Frank Sanchez 

Central Atwater:Robert SmithAmy Honey

Pat Kane 

South Atwater:Leonora Gershman-Pitts

Leslie SchillingReuben Martinez

 Church Representative:

Bruce FleenorNick Warnes

 Merchant Representative:

Lisa Robey 

Community Representative:Ginger Damon

 Schools Representative:

Lara Pranger 

In addition to the elected seats above, there are also three appointed seats that will be filled after the election.  If you are interested in appointment to the AVNC, please contact the Elections Chair, Jenn Hoffman, at jhoffman@atwatervillage.org or

323-573-3667

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! " # " $ % & $ ' ( ) * + , - .Candidate StatementsGinger DamonI moved here a year ago from Hollywood. I was fairly active in my community with neighborhood relations. Once moving to Atwater Village I became immersed in my community. I held a seat on the neighborhood council, CPAB and created Community in Action. I love Atwater Village and the people. This is a wonderful community. I hope to continue my involvement here.

Bruce FleenorI am currently serving as one of the Church / Religious Organization representatives and I am the current treasurer. Serving on the board of the AVNC is a privilege because it is one of the most accessible ways of actually participating in the democratic process. With your help, I’ll serve another term. We currently have a very good board with very committed and passionate people who truly value your participation and input. We all look forward to moving ahead together in the future. Thank you reading our statements, now please come and vote.

Leonora Gershman-PittsServing as the Co-Chair of the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council has been one of the most challenging, rewarding, gratifying, and exciting experiences of my life. We have worked hard to bring you the Fall Festival, the Annual Tree Lighting, The Atwater Village Voice, and many community improvement projects. We support our local schools, our local businesses, and we continue to fund our Farmers’ Market and Director of Animal Welfare Services. We have worked closely with our government representatives and police officers to bring about real change and are happy to see the great reduction in crime in Atwater Village. I hope to continue to serve the community that has given me so much. It has been my honor to be your advocate, and I sincerely hope to be given the opportunity to continue to serve.

Amy HoneyMy name is Amy Honey, and my husband Ryan and I moved to Atwater in August 2007.  We are thrilled to live in this wonderful neighborhood.  Last year we became parents and our daughter, Nyala, is now one.  Becoming a parent has motivated me to get further involved with our community and to do all that I can to make it an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. In addition to caring for Nyala full time I continue to pursue an acting career.  While these two jobs keep me quite busy, I know I have time and energy to devote to the AVNC.  I am particularly interested in school

related projects and in helping Glendale Boulevard become an even more vibrant, pedestrian friendly retail area.

Pat KaneI live in Atwater and think it could be an even better place to live. The reason I decided to run for the AVNC is to try to insure this area starts to move in a more positive and progressive direction. We have lost 2 important businesses / stores up on the Blvd and 4 more will be closing shortly. This is not good. We of Atwater Village need to address this immediately. What we don’t need is more homeless sleeping in vacant doorways. We need more of the current businesses who don’t want trash containers in front of their storefronts, or sweep or hose down their sidewalks to take pride in the outside of their stores as well as the inside of them. Remember, “Eye power is buy power.” We want AV residents to want to be loyal to AV business establishments and not go somewhere else. So, a few small improvements could open the way for larger & better things for all of us. Last but not least, the parking here in AV has to change somehow. It is driving business away and I will work hard to try and change that.

Rueben MartinezIt was once said,"To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'" Hello, I'm Rueben Martinez. From my years of being an Atwater Village resident, I know our community very well. I am a Real Estate Agent and specializes in the Los Feliz, Atwater Village areas. I have lived in AV for over twenty years and have seen it develop into the beautiful city it is today. Though I am the new kid on the block, I feel as though I can bring a new energy and tons of ideas to our neighborhood council. I may not have lots of experience in neighborhood council work, but I have been on boards and event commities at my children's schools. I will try my best to keep the promises I make and make Atwater Village the best it can be.

Lara PrangerI have been a representative of the AVNC since May 2009 and hope to continue my service as Schools Representative. I have actively participated in many neighborhood events, including Movie Nights, Fall Festival and the Tree Lighting. I have lived in Atwater Village with my family for 2 years and really enjoy this community. Last year, I co-founded Friends of Atwater Elementary, a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and enrichment of Atwater Avenue Elementary School. With parents, staff and others, we have gotten off to a good start of what is a long-term investment of time, energy and funds. I believe that our world, our city, and our neighborhood are made better when each of us is an active participant in the community. Atwater Village is a lovely place and needs all of us to work together to keep it and make it what we want it to be.

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Lisa RobeyI have been the proud owner of Violet Willow boutique in Atwater Village for 1 1/2 years. I have a vast retail business knowledge, great organization skills, creative talent and a positive “can do” attitude. I look forward to working with the community to help create a thriving positive Village. There is great potential to move Atwater Village forward and I would like to work together with the merchants and the residents in creating that environment. I have worked in the retail design industry for over 20 years. My creative talents extend from store design and merchandising to jewelry and clothing design. I have mentored youth on the joys of starting your own business and I write a blog (Soul Inspired) to motivate and uplift people in their everyday lives. 

Robert Fixer SmithI have been part of the AVNC since 5/2009 and Co-Chair since 8/2009. I have been involved with management of non-profit volunteer groups before, as well as for-profit businesses, so I have a wide array of experiences to draw on. Our community is only as good as what we collectively put into it, and I am willing to do my part.  I won’t make any lofty promises other than that which I can fully control – that I will do my level best to keep making forward progress in the face of constantly changing challenges. I have been a homeowner and resident in Central Atwater Village since 2007.  I was born & raised in Detroit, and have also lived in SF & Cork City, Ireland (1st generation Irish-American).  I work as the head of Post Production at Live Nation Studios in Hollywood, and am a member of the Producers Guild.

Alex VenturaHello, my name is Alex Ventura. I have a BA from California State University of Northridge in anthropology and run my own business as a licensed residential mason. My wife and I recently purchased our first home here in North Atwater Village in January of 2009. While I had heard good things about Atwater Village, I was surprised to encounter a real sense of community here from the very start. As a representative, my hope is that Atwater Village can become a safer place with strong community bonds, where diversity, creativity and happiness prosper. I believe that participation is the key ingredient to prosperity and human welfare. I see this neighborhood as I see the home I bought: It is classic Los Angeles -- beautiful, charming, and in need of TLC. I hope I can encourage others in North Atwater to participate in improving this unique neighborhood.

Nick WarnesMy wife and I are so excited to be a part of the Atwater community. We are new to the area as we moved in on August 1 from Pasadena, and have loved all that is going on in the neighborhood. Since I am a newbie, I am looking forward to humbly learning, listening, and asking lots of questions to the people that surround me in an attempt to best serve the neighborhood council. I am running as the religious representative as I am in the process of planting a new church in NE Los Angeles. The church is called Northland Village Church and we are working as a church family to create spaces for reconciling relationships. While our public launch isn't until Easter, we are excited to already be participating in joining all of the goodness that is happening in Atwater Village! Thank you for the opportunity. I hope to serve you well.

A big thank you toOpen Air Productions,the Atwater Chamber,

& all the sponsorsfor making the 2009tree lighting a reality

on Glendale Blvd!

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C A N D I D A T E F O R U Mfollowing the 7p.m.

Thursday, March 11thAVNC Board Meeting

Candidate Forum starts at 8p.m.Christ’s Church at Griffith Park

Community Room

3852 Edenhurst Ave.