CD2 News Vol. 4 Issue 16

North Hollywood Monument

to be Considered for Historical Designation

The iconic building in North Hollywood awaits consideration for historical status.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The Masonic Temple in North Hollywood is up for consideration as the city's newest cultural monument after Councilmember Paul Krekorian introduced a motion last week calling on officials to include the 64-year-old building in the city's list of Historic-Cultural Monuments.

The city's Cultural Heritage Commission will now consider the matter before sending it to the Planning and Land Use Management Committee and back to the City Council for final review.

The Masonic Temple, built in 1949 at 5122 Tujunga Ave., is "one of the few remaining examples of Exotic Revival architecture with elements of Mayan Revival and exhibits high quality of design," the Councilmember wrote in his motion, which you can see here.

"It is also a grandly scaled example of a Masonic lodge in Los Angeles, representing the prominence of the North Hollywood chapter from the immediate post-World War II era."

For some, the Masonic Temple is already a part of living history. The Museum of the San Fernando Valley includes it on its North Hollywood walking tour, which also includes stops at the Lankershim Arts Center, built in 1939, and the So. Pacific Railroad Depot, built in 1886.

If you support including the Masonic Temple on the city's registry of historic buildings, let us know by emailing [email protected].

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Hearing Scheduled on

Low-Cost Phone Service Program

LOS ANGELES - The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing tomorrow, June 18, to gather input and recommendations on whether the state administered Federal LifeLine program should expand to offer low-cost wireless service to low income customers.

California's LifeLine program was designed to keep residential telephone service - land lines - affordable for eligible residents. As consumers move away from traditional communications platforms, the Commission will consider making wireless providers and their services available to program participants.

The Tuesday hearing will discuss barriers LifeLine customer now face and what the program could look like in the future, based on updates in the telecommunications industry. The Commission also plans to establish a LifeLine rates program for mobile phone services, should it be expanded.

The hearing is scheduled for June 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Caltrans District 7 Headquarters, located on 100 South Main Street [map].

To read the Commission's memo on the LifeLine program's proposed expansion and revisions to define the basic services telephone carriers must provide to participants, click here.

For information on how you can enroll in the California LifeLine Program, visit the www.californialifeline.com.

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Filmmakers to Showcase L.A.

Councilmember Krekorian with designer Raymundo Baltazar; Jonathan Weedman, SVP of Wells Fargo Foundation; Larry Laboe, Co-founder and Executive Director of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles; and Rosalind Helfand CFO & Organizational Development Adviser of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES - Are you a filmmaker? Love Los Angeles? NewFilmmakers L.A.'s On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project is looking for you.

The 2013 On Location Program, hosted annually by non-profit NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, celebrates and highlights the talent of L.A.'s emerging filmmakers and the beauty of the creative capitol of the world. In its third year, the NFMLA program is accepting submissions and calling all filmmakers to share a different side of the city through their eyes. Filmmakers have until September 7 to submit their work prior to the October 19 festival premier event.

Last year, NFMLA screened 22 short films by up-and-coming directors, each spotlighting their creative vision of Los Angeles. This year, one grand prize winner will receive a production package valued at $25,000 and a $1,000 cash prize.

For official rules, submission guidelines and deadline, prizes and information about the On Location project, visit the program's website at www.newfilmmakersla.com/onlocation.

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Slash into Summer with Operation Splash

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - City pools are open for swimmers as the city-wide swim program kicks off its 2013 summer schedule.

Operation Splash, a partnership between the Dept. of Recreation and Parks and Kaiser Permanente, offers free and low-cost swim programs and aquatic training to children and families across Los Angeles during the summer. The program, in its eighth year, teaches basic water safety and swimming skills to prevent drowning, including free and low-cost swim lessons and junior lifeguard training.

Since 2006, Operation Splash has reached more than 100,000 kids and served 47 pools across the city. This year, a $265,000 grant from Kaiser to the Department of Recreation and Parks Aquatics Division will help fund the summer program and extended pool hours.

In Council District 2, Operation Splash will provide support to the North Hollywood and Valley Plaza swimming pools. Regular admission to the pool is free for seniors and children 17 and under, and a $2.50 fee applies to adults. The cost for swimming lessons is $20 for youth and $40 for adults.

For the summer schedule of pools hours, registration information and available summer programs at the North Hollywood and Valley Plaza swimming pools, visit our Tumblr page. You can also visit the L.A. Parks website for additional information at www.laparks.org or call Citywide Aquatics at (323)906-7953.

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LADWP Issues Scam Alert for Energy Program

LOS ANGELES - The Department and Water and Power is asking customers to be on the lookout for scam artists posing as officials with the department's energy efficiency programs.

The LADWP recently reported accounts of impostors approaching businesses with applications for the department's Commercial Lighting Efficiency Offer, asking for cash up front to perform lighting retrofit work. After money was exchanged, the impostors never returned to perform promised installations.

The LADWP does not charge for energy efficiency rebates or direct installation of efficiency upgrades.

Officials urge that customers verify an employee or contractor with the department if they are suspicious of their activity. Customers who have questions about an in-person contact with an LADWP employee may call (800) 342-5397 to confirm employment and purpose of contact. Anyone wishing to report a crime, or if you think you may be a victim of fraud, contact the LAPD by calling (877) 275-5273.

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Photos From Around the District