Opa! A Greek Festival, Firehouse No. 18 Update, Baldwin Hills Conservancy Anniversary, and WAHA's Very Own Reception. And More!

By Laura Meyers

1). WAHA MEMBERS (AND FUTURE MEMBERS) RECEPTION
Saturday, September 9 (TOMORROW!) 2 to 5 p.m. University Religious Center, 835 West 34th Street on the USC campus

Don't forget to join West Adams Heritage Association TOMORROW for a cocktail reception (swell food and beverages), awards, a tour of several historic USC buildings (including Doheny Memorial Library) and, no doubt, some polite arm-twisting to get you more involved with WAHA.

The University Religious Center is located on the north side of the USC campus just west of the intersection of Hoover and Jefferson (south of Jefferson). You may park off campus, or - if you would rather park on campus, enter at Gate 3 or Gate 5 (this will cost $7).

2). OPA! Friday to Sunday, September 8 to 10 5 - 11 p.m. (Friday), 1 - 11 p.m. (Saturday), 12 noon - 10 p.m. (Sunday) 1324 S. Normandie Avenue (corner of Pico)

Experience a festival of food, dancing and all the fabulous fun of the Greek Islands, without having to leave Los Angeles. Presented by Saint Sophia Cathedral in the heart of the Byzantine Latino Quarter! Greek food, live entertainment, Greek dancing, children's arcade, Greek art and imports (including Greek baby items and Mediterranean music). And, not to be missed, tours of the richly-decorated historic church, Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 120, and its Byzantine-style mosaics, antique marble, crystal chandeliers, and gold leaf. Adult admission $3; Children under 12 are free. (NO HOST Greek food and beverages). For more information call 323-737-2424 or visit www.lagreekfest.com.

3). COMMUNITY MEETING ON THE REUSE OF ENGINE HOUSE NO. 18
Tuesday, September 12 6-8 p.m. Fame Renaisance, 1668 West Adams Blvd. (one block east of Western)

It's time for a status report on the upcoming issuancce Request for Proposal (RFP) on the re-use of the building as either residential or community use. Come learn about the process and discuss the issues with CRA staff.

This landmark firehouse was erected in 1904, and is both a City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the few remaining fire stations in the city constructed to accommodate horse-drawn fire engines, and it is the last remaining Mission Style firehouse left in the city. Engine Company No. 18 was designed by the noted architect John Parkinson, who also designed many city landmarks (including City Hall, Union Station, the original Pacific Stock Exchange, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Bullock's Wilshire, The Ansonia Apartments, the original master plan for the University of Southern California, and the first "skyscraper" built in Los Angeles.)

At the first community meeting in August 2005, a community consensus was arrived at to NOT sell the property for residential development. However, at a second community meeting held earlier in 2006, it was clear from the presentation that the Community Redevelopment Agency was still considering options of residential adaptive reuse by a private developer.

The current RFP will consider proposals for either residential or community use. Do come to the meeting to learn more. For additional information, call 213-977-1727.

4). LAST CALL: OPEN SATURDAY AT PEACE AWARENESS LABYRINTH AND GARDENS WITH AFTERNOON TEA
Saturday, September 16 Gardens open, noon to 4 p.m. Afternoon tea, 2-4 p.m. Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens at the Guasti Villa (Busby Berkeley Estate), 3500 West Adams Blvd.

Bring friends and family to enjoy the gardens and walk the labyrinth. Open Saturday is especially designed for people who want to visit the historic villa, walk the labyrinth, and enjoy and afternoon in the gardens. No appointment necessary. Tours on the half hour.

Afternoon Tea DOES require reservations and advance payment. Enjoy fresh-made tea sandwiches and cakes, and organic Urth Caffé teas. Cost for Afternoon Tea: $10.00. RSVP to Zoe Golightly at 323-737-4055 ext 127 or e-mail registrar@peacelabyrinth.org.

ENDINGS: Please note that September 16 is the last Open Saturday with Afternoon Tea at the Guasti Villa. Starting in January, look for a new type of Saturday event -- and there will still be some kind of delectable gourmet spread in which to partake as well.

5). THE BALDWIN HILLS CONSERVANCY'S 5TH ANNIVERSARY
Thursday, September 14 6 p.m. The Foundation for the Junior Blind, 5300 Angeles Vista Blvd.

The Baldwin Hills Conservancy (BHC) is the lead agency and advocate on behalf of the Baldwin Hills Parklands, which includes Kenneth Hahn Park. BHC works diligently for all of us to make sure that we have a world-class park in our community. BHC has helped improve local walking trails, beautiful lakes and creaks, unique natural habitat, clear signage and a soon-to-be driving range right in our own backyard!

This FREE event is open to all L.A. residents, and especially those who live in Baldwin Hills, View Park, Liemert Park. Ladera Heights, Historic West Adams, Culver City, the Crenshaw District, and Inglewood.

There will be refreshments, an awards presentation and updates on parkland improvements, acquisition of more land, and a discussion of new legislation.

To RSVP or of you have questions, please contact Gena Y. Davis at 323-731-3110 or gena@thegenadavisagency.com.

6). PHIL RANELIN'S "WHO IS ERIC DOLPHY?"
Wednesday, September 13 4 to 7 p.m. Washington Irving Branch Library, 4117 W. Washington Blvd.

This is the first of eight Jazz Appreciation Workshops by master trombonist Phil Ranelin. This workshop will feature memorabilia, recordings, videos and oral histories from friends, fans and fellow musicians of the legendary multi-reed virtuoso, Eric Dolphy. This musical event is presented by the Friends of the Washington Irving Library and the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.

Also this month at the Washington Irving location: "Who is Larry Gales?" Wednesday, September 27, 4 to 7 p.m. FREE.

7). HERITAGE SQUARE HEIRLOOM SOCIETY DINNER
Saturday, September 16 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. (Reservation Deadline: September 11) Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer Street (just off the Pasadena Freeway in Northeast L.A.)

You're invited to an elegant evening of cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and special guests at the circa 1875 Perry House in Heritage Square. The Victorians were noted for their elaborate social gatherings with gracious appointments and their pursuit of culture. This event will recall the Golden Era of formal home hospitality.

A living history museum reflecting the settlement and development of Southern California from the Civil War to the early 20th Century, Heritage Square Museum offers visitors a look into the everyday lives of Southern Californians at the close of the 19th Century. With this fundraiser, the museum hopes to raise much-needed funds for general operational support. Details are being finalized. Space for this exclusive event is limited. $150 per person. If you would like to receive an invitation, or reserve a place, please call 323-225-2700, x222. For more information, visit http://www.heritagesquare.org/

8). ESTRELLA PARK REOPENS
Saturday, September 16 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Estrella Park, 1960 Estrella Ave (at 21st Street, west of Figueroa)

Come help celebrate the grand reopening of Estrella Park.

9). 47th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT PEOPLE'S COUNCIL
Sunday, September 17 3 to 5 p.m. Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES), 5931 W. 18th Street (between Fairfax and La Cienega)

Assemblymember Karen Bass invites constituents to the launch event for a "People's Council." Learn how to get involved in districtwide activities and events, including informational fairs, comissions, and town hall meetings on education, the environment, health, small business, and other issues. To RSVP or for more information, contact 323-937-4747.

10) COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION GRANTS WORKSHOP
Thursday, September 28 6 p.m. CD 10 Field Office, 1819 S. Western (enter through rear on Manhattan Place)

Each year, the City of Los Angeles awards matching beautification grants to worthy neighborhood projects. We have many example of successful projects in the West Adams area, including the pocket park on Oxford between Washington and Venice, and some of the improvements to the LAPD Stop-In on Washington at 10th Avenue. If you and your neighbors are considering proposing a project this year, you may wish to attend this workshop, where you can learn more about the process and meet with some of the grant-making staff members. The actual grant application deadline is October 17. For more information, contact 213-978-0226.

11). EXPO LINE DEDICATION
Friday, September 29 8:30 a.m. (refreshments) 9:00 a.m. (program) Exposition median between West Boulevard and Hillcrest Drive (west of Crenshaw)

You are invited to attend the Exposition Construction Authority groundbreaking ceremony for a light rail train that will link Downtown to Culver City - and, eventually, to Santa Monica. RSVP by September 18 to Genetha Eddins at 213-243-5506 or geddins@exporail.net.

12). SUBMIT YOUR NEWS

We welcome your contributions to the WAHA E-News and West Adams Heritage Association's monthly publication, "West Adams Matters." Please understand that we do have deadlines. Material for the print newsletter should be submitted no later than the 1st of the prior month (i.e.: April 1 for the May issue). If your event is scheduled for early in a month, we suggest you request coverage for the prior month (i.e.: May issue for a June 3 event), because it's entirely possible that not all of our members will have received their newsletter by then (we do try hard…). We reserve the right to edit submitted material. For the WAHA E-News, we prefer to only send it out once or twice a month, circa the 5th and the 20th. Please don't wait until two days before an event to let us know about it. It may not be sent out. EXCEPTION: If you suddenly hear of an important city hearing or other public meeting that is important to West Adams, we will endeavor to send out a special bulletin. Submit your material to Laura Meyers, editor, lauramink@aol.com