Fall is such a perfect time of year in the Oaks. The scorching heat is over and walking in the neighborhood becomes even more delightful. All sorts of birds like White-Crowned Sparrows, California Thrashers and migrating Warblers start making their appearances. And then there’s Halloween. Angelenos love to dress up and the Oaks Halloween Walk, with hundreds of parents and kids filling Park Oak Drive on October 31st, never disappoints. It’s wonderful seeing all the costumes from the most adorable to the most intricate and creative, but being in the street with my neighbors is what really makes it for me.

The Persian poet Rumi says life is a balance of holding on and letting go. That saying fits autumn so well. We’re letting go of the light in the evenings and the leaves on the sycamores; and we’re letting go of the year that is soon coming to an end. But we’re holding on to family traditions of celebration and end-of-year rituals. We’re holding on to close friends and relatives as we come together during the holidays. It’s an ebb and flow.

Sadly the one thing that’s seems like it’s ebbing is our feeling of safety in the Oaks. The Oaks Board has been bombarded with reports from neighbors whose houses and cars have been broken into over the past year. After our September board meeting one of our board members came home to find her house had just been broken into. This is troubling and unsettling, to say the least.

So, holding on and letting go. I don’t want to let go of my feeling of security in this neighborhood but according to the LAPD officers we’ve spoken to about this problem, a greater police presence is not an option. Manny Sanchez, our Senior Lead Officer suggests holding on. Or better put, coming together. His advice to combat crime is to organize informally street by street. Find out who our neighbors are and reach out to them in case of a break-in. Come together to organize a strategy to become less of a target. Sanchez suggests locking house and car doors all the time. And report even the slightest suspicion of a problem. We won’t get more help from the police unless they are

aware of the scope of the problem.

We may have to let go of the idyllic feeling that the Oaks is neighborhood paradise where nothing bad can happen. But as we approach the holidays and celebrate the season of falling leaves and cool foggy mornings, let’s hold on to each other with a bit more intention and purpose so we can all end the year safely.

Linda Othenin-Girard President Oaks Homeowners Association

OAKS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FALL 2016 NEWSLETTER

Notes from the PRESIDENT

by Gerry Hans

WATER TANK #116

The water tank above Green Oak Drive (#116), visible from a large portion of the Oaks, is slated to be removed in the near future. Apparently it was taken out of service back in the 1960s, but was left at the site. Controlling graffiti and protecting the public from its hazards has been the responsibility of the Department of Recreation and Parks. Yes, that’s correct: once a tank is abandoned by LADWP, it becomes the problem of the Parks Department!

The cost of regular painting of the tank is high and liability risks for the City seem huge, with kids seen “hanging out” on top of abandoned tanks regularly. For this reason, non-profit Friends of Griffith Park will fund the removal of this tank in the hopes of (Continued on page 2)

Safety is the Reason for Two Griffith Park Projects Near the Oaks

Graffitti-ridden tank with kids hanging out.

RESIDENT EXOTICS

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(Continued from page 1)setting a precedent that will lead to the removal of other abandoned tanks within the park. The cost is not insignificant, but the value of the recycled metal makes it more palatable.

There are four other abandoned water tanks in Griffith Park, and an additional five listed to be taken off-line by LADWP in the future. Friends of Griffith Park sees no reason why the City should not eliminate all tanks once it is definitely determined they are of no further use.

The red tape in getting City approvals should be completed by year-end, so say your goodbyes to Ole #116 (and its graffiti) soon!

FERN DELL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

A comprehensive Fern Dell Park revitalization document — developed over several years at a cost of roughly a quarter of a million dollars — is awaiting approval by the City. In the meantime, plans are moving forward to repair the pedestrian bridge that parallels the concrete auto bridge near the Red Oak Drive/Fern Dell Drive intersection. Design and engineering work is being done by non-profit Friends of Griffith Park with guidance from the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The bridge has been closed for about five years because of failing planks and insecure handrails. The closure of the bridge has created a significant public safety issue as pedestrians often walk across the concrete auto bridge which is dangerously

narrow. And, as we all know, there has been a significant increase in traffic in Fern Dell over the last decade! The Oaks Homeowners Association has received emails voicing concern for the public’s safety in this area of the Fern Dell.

A photograph, likely from the 1930s, shows the original version of the pedestrian bridge: a lovely structure whose arched design matched the adjacent concrete auto bridge. City records show the concrete auto bridge was constructed in 1923. No construction drawings for the pedestrian bridge could be found in City archives, but it is thought also to date to the 1920s.

The original cross-membered hand railing complimented by a symmetrical decorative arch will be “recreated” to turn back the clock to the original look — a great improvement over the current “non-historic” and bare-bones appearance. In addition, the bridge will be upgraded to current accessibility and safety standards.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE ATwww.oakshome.org

To find contact information for Oaks Board Members, please click Contact on top of the home page.

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REPORTINGIn an emergency, don’t hesitate to call 911

To report non-emergency suspicious activity, call our Lead Officer Manny Sanchez at (213) 793-0710 or e-mail him at 36190@lapd.lacity.org

Or Call 877-ASK-LAPD

1930s post card of arched pedestrian bridge with cross-hatch railing and the present bare-bones pedestrian

bridge which has been closed for years

As birders can tell you, some of the best birdwatching takes place from the kitchen window. Looking out at the two bird feeders only a few feet away from my kitchen sink allows me endless opportunities to see birds up close. One of my favorites is a bird that, like the parrots that roam in flocks all over Southern California, doesn’t come from anywhere around here. This bird has an unfortunate name but is so stunning that it takes your breath away. When you see it you know immediately that it’s an exotic interloper. The Scaly-Breasted Munia originated in India and East Asia and was probably brought here by the pet trade. Escaped cage-birds have established themselves in the wild in populations throughout the United States but mainly in Florida and California.

The first time I spied one was a few years ago while hiking with my husband in Griffith Park. I heard an unfamiliar bird call — a sort of “puh-TOO, puh-TOO.” I looked up with my binoculars and saw

this odd, chestnut-brown colored bird with brown and white bars on its front and a shiny black finch-like beak (or bill, as birders call it).

We rushed home so I could find the bird online. Back then it was called a Nutmeg Mannikin and I thought I’d found something truly rare and unique. Of course, I soon learned that there was a huge e s t a b l i s h e d population of “mannikins” all over the LA Basin with a large group living at Huntington Central Park where I often go birding. But that didn’t diminish

my excitement or the pleasure of seeing them when they first started coming to my feeders.

Arriving in groups, the Scaly-Breasted Munia wait rather patiently on the nearby fence to get a crack at a place on the feeder. They easily displace the House Finches that are always there, cohabiting agreeably with the their indigenous cousins. Their glossy brown backs contrast well with the white and brown scaled feathers that cover their chests (hence the moniker scaly-breasted).

The head is a redder shade of brown and the face darkens into a pitch-black, very prominent bill, one perfectly adapted to cracking seeds. Of course I’m describing the males. The female Munias are lighter

brown, even drab and lack the scaly-colored chest feathers. Yep, that’s how it mostly is in the bird world.

Sometimes when I’m walking in the Oaks, I don’t see munias but I hear their distinctive high pitched puh-TOO, puh-TOO! Now when you hear it you’ll know it’s the sound of a bird that like many of us comes from afar but has chosen this neighborhood as the perfect place to settle down.

by Linda Othenin-Girard

GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICYFor Short-Term Renters

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by Kathy Richards

One of the most frequent questions the Oaks Homeowners Board receives from residents is about troublesome short-term rentals — loud noise, parties, and general disruption. Right now there’s a lot of controversy about short-term rentals in Los Angeles with a proposal to legalize and regulate home-sharing having been approved by the Planning Commission. Believe it or not, Airbnb and other methods of short-term home-sharing are currently not legal within single-family residential areas of Los Angeles (like the Oaks), but the current regulations prohibiting them are being largely ignored. New regulations must still be approved by the City Council and it is expected that some form of the plan will pass.

The new rules would impose regulations on Airbnb and similar websites that advertise rooms (or whole homes) for short stays and will include limiting the number of days properties may be offered and penalizing platforms that fail to provide key rental information to the city. Under the proposed rules, Angelenos who rent out their primary residence for short stays could do so legally for up to 180 days annually.

It seems inevitable that the new law will pass, so what can you do to keep the peace on your street if the new regulations legalize and sanction home sharing? One good suggestion is to provide your neighbor who is renting his or her home with the following Good Neighbor Policy for Renters. Or, if the owner is out of town, give it directly to the renters and ask them to respect the guidelines. In the case of persistent or continuous loud noise, music or similar issues, call the police at (877) ASK-LAPD and report the issue – and let your neighbor know when and how many times you had to do so. Hopefully that will encourage the owners to impose stronger regulations on their guests.

This home is located in a quiet residential neighborhood with a noise ordinance that is strictly enforced by the local police as well as our property management team.

All guests are required to maintain reasonable and respectful low-noise levels – especially outdoors and in evening hours – in consideration of our neighbors. Violations will result in City fines or loss of lease.

Outdoor amplified music is prohibited by City Ordinance, so we suggest that you bring your personal headphones. No speaker or boom box of any kind is permitted outside the property. Please be aware that the City enforces this policy.

As detailed in your rental agreement, any unreasonable noise disturbances resulting in a call to our office from a neighbor or a visit by the police will result in a minimum $250 charge.

Any Loud or Large Party or over-occupancy of the home is strictly prohibited – and will result in immediate loss of lease and forfeiture of security deposit. Daytime and overnight occupancy limits for the home are specified in your agreement and are strictly enforced.

No outside noise after 10:00pm weekdays and 11:00pm weekends.

Please park your vehicles in the assigned spots. Please do not take up street parking that is meant for residents of the neighborhood.

Thank you.

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by Kathy Richards

No, this isn’t another story about the many hiking trails we have easy access to because we’re so lucky to live in the Oaks. It’s another kind of “Trails” entirely. My favorite trail is the Trails

Café in Fern Dell Park. If you haven’t stopped by before or after a hike (or just to go eat there) you are missing a local treat. Owned by Grammy-winning producer/engineer Mickey Petralia and Pastry Chef Jenny Park, this outdoor café offers painted picnic tables, trees strung with colorful lights, a circle of hay bale seating, and musical accompaniment in the form of chirping birds. The sign says “All goods baked from scratch” and indeed, the pastry offerings are amazing — apple pie with a mouth-watering crust, a variety of scones and lavender shortbread cookies. For breakfast their specialty is Egg in a

Basket, a baked egg wrapped with toast. Another signature dish is a sandwich of fresh avocado, vegan bacon bits, tomato, red onion, sprouts and cheddar cheese, served on dark, sweet wheat bread.

But it’s not all about the food (though the food is terrific), it’s about the atmosphere. ‘‘People come to escape,’’ co-owner Jenny Park says. ‘‘It’s an oasis away from the main city. And one of the only places

in L.A. that doesn’t have parking meters.’’ Kids jump up and down on the bales of hay, joggers stop in to refuel post-hike, and escapees from the city find it a nice place to chill.

Petralia opened Trails in 2005 in what was a tiny, 400 square foot, dilapidated, city-owned concession stand that had been closed for several years. He spent about a year on improvements — repouring the concrete base, installing plumbing and electrical, and creating a new rustic facade.

Now it’s a charming oasis featuring wonderful food, a peaceful atmosphere, and the best café latte in town. So, next time you’ve finished your hike or are looking for a neat place to take guests – try Trails for a truly bucolic experience right here in the big city.

Trails Café, Fern Dell. Hours: 8am – 5pm Daily (usually)

OUR FAVORITE “TRAILS”My Neighbor is Rentingthrough AirbnbHELP!

The Architecture of the Oaksby Sheri Hellard

When Kathy Richards approached me about writing a column on houses and architecture for our newsletter, I thought “What better way than to start with my own house?”

I moved to The Oaks thirteen years ago after an exhaustive home search that lasted nearly a year and a half. I had been looking for something mid-century modern with head-on city views. When my realtor, Boni Bryant, also an Oaks resident, called to tell me “There’s a house that just came on the market that’s nothing like

you asked for, but I think you should take a look,” I did. Before I even walked through the front door I knew this was going to be my home.

Villa Manola was built in 1924 for Marie Martin. In 1919 Marie and her husband John, a rancher, purchased a three-acre parcel of land with the address of 2245 Canyon Drive. At that time, the property encompassed a portion of Canyon Drive, both sides of Canyon Cove, and all of Manola Way. A year later John passed away leaving Marie a widow with two young daughters: Dolly, 13 and Gladys, 12. In

1922 Marie parceled off the land into twenty-three lots but kept 5900 Manola Way for the house she was to build.

In 1923 Mrs. Martin hired a young architect by the name of Paul R. Williams. Born in 1894 in Los Angeles, Williams was orphaned at the age of four and brought up by his godmother Emily P. Clarkson. Williams knew at an early age that he wanted to be an architect, but was concerned that because he was African-American he would not be able to find work in that field. He studied drawing at the Los Angeles School for Art, took evening classes at the Los Angeles Institute of Beaux Arts Design, and studied engineering at USC. He worked in the architecture offices of Wilbur D. Cook, Jr., Reginald D. Johnson, and finally, John C. Austin, before opening his own office in 1922. Also in 1922 Mr. Williams became the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Williams would go on to become one of the most important architects of his era.

Built on a L-shaped plan, Villa Manola is Moorish Revival in style. The residence is situated along the South and West sides of a paved courtyard with a six-sided fountain in the middle of the courtyard. Williams’ design features numerous Moorish elements, including doors, windows, and archways. The main residence includes a large barrel-ceilinged living room with a Moorish fireplace, a vaulted dining room, and large kitchen. Also on the first floor is a bathroom and bedroom. Upstairs there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Sharing a wall with the main house is a guest house which includes a living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Almost every room in the main house opens to a balcony, porch, or patio, making the home true indoor/outdoor living.

Villa Manola is truly a special place. I knew it from the minute I set eyes on it, and I know it now after more than thirteen years of living here. I’m proud to report that in March of 2015 Villa Manola become Los Angeles Historical Cultural Monument #1084.

Photo courtesy Michael Locke

Photo courtesy Michael Locke

LAPD EMERGENCY DISPATCH 911CITY DIRECTORY 311

Hollywood Station Phone ListFront Desk

(213) 972-2971(213) 972-2972(213) 972-2973

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Non-emergency Dispatch

(877) ASK-LAPD 275-5273

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Community Relations Office

(213) 485-4316––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Vice(213) 972-2996

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Narcotics

(213) 485-4318––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Gang Unit(213) 972-2943

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Gang Detectives(213) 957-6805

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Records Unit

(213) 972-2977––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Hollywood Jail(213) 972-2975

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Senior Lead Police Officer, Manny Sanchez

(213) 793-0710

ADDITIONAL CITY PHONE NUMBERS

Council District #4 – David Ryu(213) 473-7004

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Department of Transportation (DOT)

(213) 485-4184––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Parking Violations Bureau3333 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 3337

Los Angeles, CA 90010(866) 561-9742

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––LA Animal Services

(888) 452-7381––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Small Claims Court110 N. Grand Ave., LA 90012

(213) 974-6613––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Hollywood Beautification Team (HBT)(323) 463-5180

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Hollywood Tow Service (OPG)

1015 N. Mansfield Ave., LA 90038(323) 466-8583

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Domestic Violence Hotline

(800) 978-3600http://da.lacounty.gov

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Suicide Hotline(800) 273-8255

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Park Ranger Dispatch

(323) 644-6661

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERSHollywood Community Police Station

1358 Wilcox Avenue, Hollywood CA 90028lapdonline.org/hollywood_community_police_stationCrime Statistics Information: www.lapd.epolicing.org

Hollywood division @lapdhollywood

by Joan Young

Do you remember salmon croquettes from back in the 50’s and 60’s? They were made with canned salmon and held together with a thick white sauce — very unappealing. These are nothing like that. In fact, these are so unlike those antique concoctions that I hesitate even to call them croquettes. When our boys were younger this was the gateway dish that got them to begin to like seafood and to this day they still request them whenever we’re all together. The salsa mayonnaise is a simple combo of salsa and a little mayo.

SALSA

1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped1 small onion, minced1 garlic clove, minced1/4 cup cilantro, chopped2 t lime juice1 jalapeno, diced2 T pickled jalapenos, chopped (optional)2/3 cup mayonnaise

CROQUETTES

4 T butter3 celery ribs, diced4 to 5 shallots, diced1 1/2 lbs. skinless salmon, cut in 1” cubes1 egg lightly beaten2 T dijon mustard1 T Worcestershire sauce1 t salt1/2 t ground pepperSeveral dashes of hot pepper sauce to taste1 cup panko or fine dry bread crumbs1/2 cup flour2 T extra virgin olive oil

1. Make the salsa. Drain the chopped tomatoes on paper towels. In a bowl, combine the onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno, and pickled jalapeno. Stir in the mayonnaise and tomato. Chill.

2. Make the croquettes. Melt 2 T of the butter in a skillet. Add celery and shallots and cook till softened. Transfer to a large bowl. Put the salmon in a food processor and pulse 8 times till coarsely chopped. Transfer to the bowl with the celery and shallots. Stir in the egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and hot sauce till blended. Stir in the panko. The mixture should just hold together.

3. Place flour on a plate and using a 1/3 cup measure, form 3/4” thick mounds of mixture, coating in flour.

4. In a large heavy skillet, melt 2 T butter and the oil and fry the patties till brown and crisp on both sides. Transfer to paper towels to drain and keep warm in the oven. Serve with the salsa mayonnaise.

Salmon Croquettes with Salsa Mayonnaise

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OaksHalloweenWalk 2016

Oaks Homeowners AssociationP.O. Box 29155Los Angeles, CA 90029-0155www.oakshome.org

POSTMASTER: DO NOT FORWARD

Visit our website at www.Oakshome.org

SAVETHE DATE!THE OAKSANNUALHOLIDAYPARTY

Silent Auction to benefit the Oaks HOA, plus a food-drive for the Hollywood Community Food PantrySunday, December 18th 5:30 – 8:30 pmAt the home of Bob & Joan Young2419 Park Oak Drive – rsvp@oakshome.org

Please Support the Oaks Homeowners Association Join or Renew Your Membership for 2017 Today

It’s still only $40 per year and supports all the good work we do!

The OHA is an all-volunteer organization made up of your neighbors in the Oaks. For the last three decades we’ve worked to improve city services and maintain the beauty of our neighborhood.

Traffic Congestion at Bronson and Franklin. The situation at this critical intersection (where most of us enter and leave the neighborhood) will only get worse as new high-rise office and residential towers are being built throughout Hollywood and thousands of new cars attempt to access and exit the Hollywood Freeway. We’re engaged with the Department of Transportation, Council District 4, and local developers to find mitigations for this headache.

Griffith Park. 2016 was a milestone year as we worked with Rec & Parks and other groups to develop a traffic mitigation plan for the Observatory area of the Park. This plan will continue to keep Mt. Hollywood Drive, in the interior of the Park, closed to vehicular traffic for the safety of the many hikers and bicyclists who use it daily. And the plan has resulted in a No Parking Zone for Western Canyon Road from the Fern Dell parking lot to above One Mile Tree to prevent habitat damage and reduce risk of brush fires.

Short-Term Rentals. The increased use of Airbnb and similar sites for short-term rental of homes has given rise to a debate about the competing values of commerce and neighborhood privacy, safety and quiet. As the City of Los Angeles contemplates new regulations on short-term rentals – which are currently illegal in single-family residential neighborhoods like the Oaks – your HOA has developed Good Neighbor Guidelines to help facilitate a constructive dialog between residents who rent and residents who suffer from short-term renters.

Repaved streets. For the last six years we’ve pressed the City to get Oaks streets repaired and repaved. In 2015 and 2016 we saw extensive work done on Bronson Hill Drive, Foothill Drive, Wilton Place, Fern Dell Drive, Aspen Drive, Tuxedo Terrace, and Park Oak Place. On our action list for the next three years are badly deteriorated sections of Live Oak West, Verde Oak Drive, Hill Oak Drive, Wild Oak Drive, Carolus Drive, and Bronholly Drive.

Security. Break-Ins to houses and parked cars in the Oaks in recent months have prompted Oaks residents and the Homeowners Association to call for greater attention from the LAPD. We’ve met with Senior Lead Officers to outline plans and guidelines that will reduce these threats to security and safety in the neighborhood.

Neighborhood Events. It’s always a pleasure to bring the people of our neighborhood together at events planned and funded by the OHA: the June Summer Picnic, the Halloween Walk, the Holiday Party, and – coming in April of 2017 – our third Architectural Tour and Benefit!

Good neighborhoods don’t happen by accident. They happen because people work on their behalf. The OHA is working for you.

Please support your neighborhood. Join or renew your $40 annual membership in the OHA today,

by sending in the enclosed envelope with your check.