Committees

A list of all committee email addresses is found at the bottom of this page.

The PARKS COMMITTEE, chaired by Chris Laib and Angela Stewart, is fighting to preserve Griffith Park and protect it from those who view it as a vast vacant land that somehow needs to be “improved.” Griffith Park, a de facto preserve within the limits of Los Angeles, is one of the few places where people can readily experience nature. It is the habitat to a variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds rarely seen in other parts of the city. It is also home to world-class cultural institutions, as well as abundant recreational facilities. Balancing all of these within the Park is a delicate matter, which is being addressed by the Griffith Park Master Plan Working Group. Our representative, and the other Working Group members, have been rewriting the current Draft Master Plan for the past 18 months, so that the final plan will reflect the views and needs of all Park users, while at the same time assuring that the Park remains a haven for future generations.

LFIA spent two years working with the City and Friends of the Observatory to devise the Observatory’s reopening plans, which included the shuttle and timed-entry system that caused minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhood while minimizing frustration on the part of Observatory visitors. Reach the Parks Committee at parks@lfia.org.

The POLICE, FIRE and SAFETY COMMITTEE, chaired by Mary Rodriguez and Mark Stong, will continue our successful communication and partnering with the LAPD and LA Fire Department, exchanging neighborhood concerns. Our distinguished Senior Lead Officer Gina Choven is the key to crime alerts and crime prevention techniques. This year we will concentrate on helping to organize neighborhood watches. Email this committee at police-fire-safety@lfia.org.

The ZONING COMMITTEE’S battles are non-stop. Chaired by Juliet Kiperman and Donna Kolb, countless hours are spent meeting with City Planning and the Department of Building and Safety. We consistently monitor ongoing violations as well as address new problems that arise. From new commercial developments, over-height walls, illegal structures, to a lack of parking spaces for restaurants, we fight to to see that the city’s building codes are upheld. The Zoning Committee can be reached at zoning@lfia.org.

The HISTORY COMMITTEE’S mission is to document and preserve the history of our community from collecting old photos to surveying homes in the neighborhood. This committee can be reached at history@lfia.org.

The committee, chaired by Lynne Jewell and Norman Mennes, continues to collect old photos taken by residents over the half-century. This past year the committee produced note cards featuring Los Feliz landmarks. The cards are now on sale at Skylight Books, or if you buy a gift membership for someone, we will send you a complimentary pack. If you are interested in the history of your house and its architect, you can find the information compiled in the Committee’s Los Feliz Historical Survey available at the Reference Desk at the Los Feliz Library.

The OBSERVER Newsletter, edited by Don Seligman and published three times yearly, is our most important means of communication with our membership and one that has been long cherished by our members. The magazine format delves into subjects focusing on diverse areas of local interest such as Griffith park, traffic, education, crime, local history, and other community and LFIA issues impacting Los Feliz. The Observer can be emailed by request at observer@lfia.org, and the website also has past issues available for viewing.

The BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE, chaired by Tom Ford, is dedicated to maintaining the beauty of  our neighborhood.  On a regular basis board members, along with neighbors, homeowners and friends clean up trash from problem areas, remove illegally posted signs and paint out graffiti. Each year we utilize dues money to purchase, plant and maintain the historic Deodar Cedar trees which line Los Feliz Blvd. The committee can be reached at beautification@lfia.org. more...

The HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE orchestrates the refreshments served at the LFIA’s public meetings and events. To add to the LFIA program, hearty refreshments are served before the meetings, which gives our members an opportunity to visit with neighbors as well as enjoy something to eat before the 7:00 meeting.

The SCHOOLS COMMITTEE, chaired by Mary Beth Sorenson and Marilyn Bush, continues its significant efforts to address the concerns and needs of our neighborhood campuses. Our hardworking group has fought to keep Los Feliz on the list of neighborhoods to get a new school that will relieve severe crowding at King Middle and Marshall High schools. The committee also assists with campus beautification efforts, supports specialized academic opportunities (FAME night at Franklin Elementary and the Academic Decathlon at Marshall High) and liaisons with administrators and elected officials regarding traffic and safety issues around neighborhood campuses. In addition, we were one of the first groups in the city to host a “Meet and Greet” for our new Superintendent. The Schools Committee can be reached at schools@lfia.org.

The STREETS AND TRAFFIC COMMITTEE, chaired by Dennis Chew, has a never ending job. Traffic and parking is an ongoing issue and we are constantly searching for new solutions. New street lights have been installed and numerous roads repaved. Dangerous potholes can be reported by calling 311, 213-473-8410, and/or 800-996-CITY (800-996-2489). Contact this committee at streets-traffic-parking@lfia.org.

The PROGRAM COMMITTEE’S function is to provide the content for LFIA General Membership Meetings held at the Wells Fargo Theater of the Autry National Center. The committee is chaired by Christy Barrett and Sharon Hallett. Our goal is produce programs which educate, enrich, and entertain our members. In 2007, we will kick off the year on February 12 with “A Night at the Movies,” a retrospective look at world famous films shot in Los Feliz and Griffith Park. In May, in addition to electing new board members, we will examine “The Architecture of Los Feliz” and hand out our annual Meliora Awards honoring excellence in the restoration and remodeling of homes and buildings in our neighborhood. Send and email to this committee at program@lfia.org.

MEMBERSHIP, chaired by Denise Wingate, is responsible for soliciting membership in our association, collecting dues, keeping track of members who move away. Membership dues help finance our various projects such as planting trees, materials for graffiti and trash removal, printing costs of the Los Feliz Observer and the supporting of projects at the various schools in the Los Feliz area. Email this committee at membership@lfia.org.

Committee email addresses:

beautification@lfia.org
budget-finance@lfia.org
history@lfia.org
hospitality@lfia.org
membership@lfia.org
observer@lfia.org
parks@lfia.org
police-fire-safety@lfia.org
program@lfia.org
schools@lfia.org
streets-traffic-parking@lfia.org
zoning@lfia.org

Calendar
Griffith Park Master Plan Working Group
Monday, September 22nd, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Friendship Hall, 3201 Riverside Dr. (south of Los Feliz Blvd.)

Sunnynook River Park: Design Discussion
Thursday, September 4, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Griffith Park Ranger Station, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive
Councilman LaBonge invites you to join him and the River Project Office as we discuss design plans for the new 3.4 acre Sunnynook River Park, as they reveal the current design plans and solicit comments from attendees. The flyer is here.
Griffith Park Master Plan Working Group
Ususally on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m., Griffith Park Ranger Station Community Room
4730 Crystal Springs Drive

LAPD Community Police Academy
10 Thursday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting September 4th
Learn about Laws of Arrest, Homicide Investigation, Identity Theft, Narcotics Enforcement, Domestic Violence, Role of Internal Affairs, Traffic Enforcement / DUI, Gang Enforcement and take a tour of Air Support. Enroll by August 27, 2008, call (213) 485-2548. More info here.
Barnsdall Art Park Foundation - Annual Gala
Saturday, September 6, 2008 Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd.
An Evening of Art & Architecture. The Barnsdall Art Park Foundation will be honoring Architect Brenda Levin at their Annual Gala. For further information visit www.barnsdall.org, email bapf2008@yahoo.com or call (323) 661-7299
Symphony In The Glen 2009 Fundraiser: “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly”
Saturday, September 20, 2008. Reception at 5:30 pm, Dinner at 6:30 pm, Show at 8:00pm. Upstairs Room at Vitello’s Restaurant, 4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” is featuring an homage to the Shelley Manne jazz version of “My Fair Lady”. This production of Mr. Manne’s highly–original version is unusual, imaginative and brings the great score of “My Fair Lady” into a new jazz focus. Fundraiser for the non-profit Symphony in the Glen. See the invite here.
Architecture & Beyond: Bret Parson
Thursday, September 18th at 6:45pm , Los Feliz Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library at 1874 Hillhurst Ave. on the corner of Franklin Ave.
Author and real estate consultant Bret Parson will delve into the work of architect Gerard Colcord who designed a wide variety of homes in Los Angeles of the 1960s, many that are prominently featured in motion pictures of the time. Mr. Parsons has written “Colcord – Home” on the architect’s life.

The lecture is free and open to the public.
LFIA Photoday
Saturday, November 1, 2 pm to 5 pm, at the Los Feliz Library, 1874 Hillhurst Av.
The LFIA's History Committee asks you to share your photos of Los Feliz and and its people. A sample of such photos has been used the our recent multi-media presentation at the Autry.
Friends of the Los Feliz Library - Used Book Sale
4th Saturday of each month
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Los Feliz Library
1874 Hillhurst Av.

Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC)
Third Tuesday of every month at 7pm at the Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 Hillhurst, Los Angeles CA 90027