West LA Utility Box Art Project - Projects Due Nov 17, 2017

Councilmember Mike Bonin, West LA Sawtelle Neighborhood Council, and West LA Community Coalition are joining forces to beautify our community. We love public art, and are bringing the "Utility Box Art Project" to West LA as a way of adding more neighborhood character to local utility boxes with fresh, inspiring designs. Local artists with an idea for a utility box in West LA, should submit a propos al by November 17, 2017. Below are the list of requirements for the design proposal.

All proposals should be submitted by November 17, 2017 to enakamura@wlanc.com. Late submissions will not be considered. 

To get the full details, down the PDF here:

FULL DETAILS HERE

Hi Neighbor - Zel Limenih

My name is Zel Limenih, and I have literally grown up, attending school, playing sports, and spending quality time in West LA for many years.

West LA is an extremely diverse community.  While it borders affluent neighbors such as Beverly Hills/Century City, Venice/Mar Vista, and Santa Monica, it feels like a central hub, bridging the gap between its surrounding communities.  I love that Sawtelle Japantown is in the heart of West LA, and all that it's restaurant and a variety of night life culture brings. 

Also, I have significant life history in West LA.   I graduated from University High School. I have spent countless hours hanging (or picking up my sister who worked at)  the Westside Pavilion Mall, or playing basketball at Westwood Rec. Center, or making music with friends at West LA College.  I have also been invested in various church communities and volunteer efforts throughout West LA.  For the last almost (5) years, I have served as Director of Felicia Mahood MPC, and have tremendously enjoyed working with both our Seniors, and general community at large.       

Housing and homelessness are (2) of the largest concerns that this centralized hub faces most.  As community members, our safety and security must be of utmost concern.  Because of that diversity, I would also be apart of efforts that would allow the members of the WLA  to blossom in its relationships between its varying community members.

Finally, I would like to see renovations made to the Civic Center area, where it can be used as a multi-use, multi-function shared community space that our collective community members can be proud of, and are equally invested into. Part of that vision of beautification would include a Community garden in our FM back patio space

Hi Neighbor - Celia Avila

Name: Celia Avila 

How long have you lived/worked in West LA?  
I've worked in West LA for 14 months as the Senior Librarian of the West Los Angeles Regional Library.  

About me: 
I started with the Los Angeles Public Library system as a teen volunteer 17 years ago and was hired as a messenger clerk when I started college in 2005. I've since worked as a public service librarian, teen librarian, and social media librarian throughout the system. I also co-chair our system's LGBTQIA services committee. In addition to my work with the City library, I've worked with Librarians Without Borders, serve on the American Library Association's Council, and work with several other library organizations like REFORMA and the California Library Association. 

When I'm not at the library or doing library related things, I enjoy playing dodgeball (sometimes at Stoner Park), practicing yoga, and running. I also spend a lot of my time drinking lots of coffee and planning adventures with family and friends.

What is your favorite thing about where you work?
I love our digital content! Your library card gives you free access to thousands of digital materials, including courses from Lynda. I have a long morning commute so I regularly download audiobooks from Hoopla and Overdrive. I've also been streaming documentaries from Kanopy and am finishing a course on cake decorating through Universal Class. 

What do you like most about West LA? 
The Library! Our staff is amazing and we have excellent programs for all ages. I also love the diverse community and the variety of restaurants and entertainment options. The coffee in the area is especially wonderful. I'm particularly jazzed about the almond latte at Balconi.

   
What would you like to see improved in West LA?  
More resources and assistance to our homeless community members and more affordable housing.

Hi Neighbor - Sherry McCoy

Hi! My name is Sherry McCoy, and I am a writer and actress with the Stop Senior Scams ℠ Acting Program, directed by Adrienne Omansky. I also write monthly articles on the wide variety of scams that target seniors for NOT BORN YESTERDAY. I may be “retired,” but I’m happy to say that I’m busier now than I was when I was working full time!

How Long Have You Lived In West LA?
I moved to West LA from Venice shortly after the Northridge earthquake rocked the southland in January of 1994. I did live in Santa Monica and Venice again for a brief time in the early 00’s, but I returned to the same apartment building here in West LA a little over a decade ago. Happily, I’ve been living here with my husband, Robert Swartz, and our cat, Electra, ever since!

About Me
Although I grew up in a small town in Kansas, I spent my early twenties living in New York City, Boston, and San Francisco before settling down in Los Angeles. In 1976, I graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology and a Specialization in Women’s Studies; and in 1985, I received my PhD in Social-Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute Los Angeles. I love creative writing, yoga, painting, art, international cuisine, acting, sewing, and spending time in the company of cats! I also love a great cup of coffee, and feel quite blessed that there are so many wonderful places here in West LA where you can find a good cup of Joe or Jane!

What I Like About West LA
There are so many things I love about West LA, it’s hard to know where to begin. Mostly, I love the fact that I live near the post office, the library, the senior center, and all the shops, markets, and restaurants on Sawtelle and Santa Monica Blvd. I can walk wherever I want to go, and if it’s a little too far to walk, I can take the bus or the new expo line! Some of my favorite places in the neighborhood are -- Coffee Tomo, Balconi Coffee Company, Nijiya Market, Nina’s Mexican Food, Santa Monica Glatt Kosher Market, Blick Art Materials, Cacao Coffee House, Tokyo 99 Plus, and Western Bagel. I could go on, but space is limited!

What I Would Like To See Improved in West LA
I am profoundly grateful for Felicia Mahood Senior Center here in West LA. It provides a multitude of services for seniors in our community, including affordable lunches provided by Jewish Family Services. Sadly, however, the building itself, along with the physical grounds surrounding the senior center, are in dire need of repair and beautification. Some improvements are currently underway, such as the development of a small community garden with art murals, but many more are needed. In addition, the Civic Center buildings stand empty or are underutilized. Why not rent out those buildings to companies that would bring new life to the area, and provide needed income to the community? Or, redesign the Civic Center building into an apartment building, creating affordable housing / assisted living apartments for seniors? The grounds surrounding the Civic Center could use a landscaping upgrade as well. Finally, there’s the issue of traffic. Our streets are clogged with cars. I don’t know what the answer is, except perhaps to create incentives for people to get out of their cars, and spend more time walking, riding bicycles, or taking the bus. Maybe we need to create a walking culture in West LA! Now, there’s a concept!

Art Break Day in West LA

On Friday, September 1, we celebrated Art Break Day at Stoner Park. Thank you to community member Victoria Van Zandt for organizing this for West LA! She had an idea and passion, and did something! Thank you for your great example of how we can all be great neighbors, and share our passions with our community.

Art Break Day, art making spaces pop up in public spaces around the world and everyone is invited to sit down, take a break, connect with their community, and experience the positive impact of art. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Art Break Day is a global art movement created by the non-profit Art is Moving. Visit www.artbreakday.org for more information.