Architect Arrested on
Anniversary of Allen's Death
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Fire Department last week announced the arrest of architect Gerhard A. Becker, who has been charged in the death of firefighter Glenn Allen one day shy of the first anniversary of Allen's tragic death in the line of duty.
Becker pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter Feb. 15 in connection with the fatal 2011 incident, in which Allen was killed when a water-saturated ceiling collapsed on him as he was fighting a blaze. Six other firefighters were also injured.
Becker designed the Hollywood Hills mansion that he also owned. Authorities said Becker's shoddy construction, including putting a fireplace on the third floor that was designed only for outside use, caused the fire. He was jailed on $2 million bail and ordered to return to court March 1 for a preliminary hearing.
Allen, 61, had been with the LAFD for nearly four decades and was less than a year away from retirement. He was the first city firefighter to be killed in the line of duty since March 2008.
"Glenn Allen was a hero to our community and to the City of Los Angeles, and we will never forget him," Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. "I know that his family and his brothers and sisters in the fire department still feel the pain of his loss, and so does everyone in our area whose lives were made safer because of his service. Glenn Allen will always hold a place in our collective hearts - not just because of how he died, but because of how he lived."
"This arrest should serve as a reminder to everyone that our building codes exist to keep us safe. Those who attempt to shortcut these vital rules expose themselves and the public, as well as our courageous first responders, to potentially disastrous consequences."
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New Signs at Tujunga Wash
Mark Preservation of Open Space
LAKE VIEW TERRACE - Two months after the long-awaited completion of a complex transaction to save nearly 300 acres of open space, signs delineating Big Tujunga Wash Preserve have sprouted up as the park begins to take shape.
 Park rangers with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, who now operate the land, have fanned out across the 277.5 acres, ensuring public safety and trails are soon to come in the wake of the land transfer. "The hard part is making sure it stays clean and safe," said Dash Stolarz, director of public affairs for the conservation authority.
In November, Councilmember Paul Krekorian - with the community at his side - announced the transfer of land from the Angeles National Golf Club to the MRCA. As part of the deal, owners of the golf club agreed to spend $42,000 each year for 25 years for trail maintenance, $15,000 for the MCRA to develop signage for the area and $250,000 to create and maintain equestrian trails in the Foothills. The MRCA assumed control of the land in January and immediately placed signs around the area advising against littering, dumping, smoking and more. Rangers patrolling the area also discourage homeless encampments, and are working with the LAPD Foothill Division to step up certain aspects of enforcement as needed. Permanently protected from development, the acreage will act as a preserve and habitat for the widely diverse flora and fauna of the area. Coyotes, rabbits, mountain lions, deer and even an occasional black bear roam the area, while hawks and various species of water fowl fly the landscape. Trail development is the next step in the park process, though officials have yet to say when that process will be in place. "The continued evolvement of this precious open space is a testament to the dedication of so many in our community," Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. "These new signs are the first steps in what will be a permanent improvement in these 277 acres that will leave a lasting legacy of environmental protection, recreational enhancements and an improved quality of life." Jump to top |
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Verdugo Hills High School Marks 75 Years
VERDUGO HILLS - In 1937, FDR assumed the presidency, Walt Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' the world's first full-length animated feature, premiered and Verdugo Hills High School opened its doors to students.
Three quarters of a century later, Verdugo Hills High School is still going strong and will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year with a series of light post banners and Homecoming events to herald its landmark year.
 | | The original building in 1937 |
"We are excited to celebrate our 75th Anniversary this Fall," Principal Dr. Edward Trimis said.
On October 12, the school will welcome back alumnae and open up the school to community members and friends for a weekend of activities - all of which will be advertised by a series of banners near the school during the months approaching the anniversary.
The weekend kicks off with a parade leading into the Homecoming game. Tentative plans include a time capsule burial, luncheon, and golf tournament. Complete plans will be available on www.verdugohs.org.
Part of the weekend's activities will focus on Verdugo's contributions to the community. Today, it schools more than 2,000 children. But before Verdugo Hills High opened its doors, students in the region looking to attend 8th grade and up took long bus rides to Glendale High School or Star Fernando High. At the time, a comparatively small student population in the North Valley did not justify construction of a new school.
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Detail of a plaque still embedded in the stone bleachers on Kersey Field. It reads, "Built by United States Works Progress Administration 1938."
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That changed in 1933, when a magnitude 6.4 earthquake epicentered close to Long Beach forced many to relocate to more structurally sound areas. Suddenly, the bedrock-laden Verdugo Hills experienced a population boom, as dreams for a local high school became a reality.
The school officially opened for classes Sept. 13, 1937, with 437 students enrolled in grades seven through 11. Originally, it was to be called Calvin Coolidge High School, though Congressman John Steven McGroarty and others lobbied successfully to change the name to its current moniker to reflect the "green Verdugo hills" that the campus overlooks.
Through the years, Verdugo Hills High has grown exponentially. Its first graduating class featured just 51 students as students learned in three rows of bungalows throughout 20 classrooms. Two shop buildings, a stone cottage student store, the cafeteria and a few outbuildings finished the complex.
Today, a sprawling state-of-the-art campus attracts thousands of students each year, boasts championship sports teams and features more than 50 academic courses across multiple disciplines.
"Verdugo Hills High School is a reflection of the community it serves: proud, smart and wonderfully persistent in striving for excellence," Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. "I look forward to celebrating their 75th birthday in October and many more milestones in the years ahead."
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Students Lead Aid Effort
to Help East African Orphans
LOS ANGELES - Students of North Hollywood and Oakwood high schools are leading a campaign to give educational supplies to orphans in Kenya. And they need your help.
From now until the end of April, bring vitamin supplements, first aid kits, writing utensils, school supplies, and spare sports equipment to the North Hollywood High School campus, 5231 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood 91601. Classroom 186 or the Parent Center are the prime drop-off spots during school hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The mission is to fill a 40 ft. shipping container with donations for five orphanages and four schools in Kenya, East Africa. The empty container will then be used to build a library for one of the orphanages. The students will also have the opportunity to go on a trip to Africa in July to distribute the donations.
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"Welcome to Van Nuys" Gets A Clean Up
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Not new, but improved
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The 'welcome' is back in Van Nuys.
After graffiti vandals tagged the concrete salutation on Van Nuys Boulevard earlier this year, a community coalition worked to clean up the tarnished sign.
Councilmember Paul Krekorian's office led a multi-pronged effort that included Keyes auto dealership, nearby residents and New Directions for Youth, a nonprofit group dedicated to eradicating graffiti.
First, the group scrubbed the sign of the tag, then the Sherman Oaks Beautification Committee touched up the fading paint to restore its luster at the foot of Auto Row.
"Once again, our community has come together to stamp out graffiti," Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. "I want to especially thank Keyes auto dealership and New Directions for Youth, whose dedication to making our community better is evident in so many things they do. Together, we'll continue improving our neighborhood and working to make it graffiti-free."
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Ride the New Foothill Bike Lanes
LAKE VIEW TERRACE - This Saturday, clip in with the Councilmember as neighbors inaugurate new bike lanes along Foothill Boulevard. The freshly painted paths that run from Wheatland Avenue to Wentworth Street will be the center of attention when neighbors, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the Valley Bikery and officials with the Los Angeles Dept of Transportation herald the improvements with an inaugural ride this Saturday.
The celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of All Nations Church, 10000 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace 91342. Helmets are a must, though water and snacks will be provided. To RSVP or get more information visit us on Facebook or call or email District Director Damian Carroll at (818) 755-7676.
[See a map of the route here]
The additions on Foothill are part of a larger city bike plan that helped lay about a half-dozen miles of new bike lanes across Council District 2 last year with more planned in 2012.
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