WAHA E-News 8-17-2005

Rally Round A Fire House, Paint A House, and More!

By Laura Meyers

1). OLD FIRE HOUSE NO. 18 - COMMUNITY MEETING
Wednesday (TONIGHT), August 17 5:30 p.m. Tour, 6:30 p.m. Meeting 2616 South Hobart (just south of Adams, one block east of Western)

Don't forget to attend this important community "charette" that will help determine the fate of the historic "Olde Engine House No. 18." This firehouse was designed by architect John Parkinson and was built between 1904-1906. 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. Old Fire House No. 18 is a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and is a National Register landmark as well. In the mid-1980s it was transferred to the CRA to be utilized for art classes, as a graphic arts training center, gallery, and other "public uses." Many of our neighbors and WAHA members attended classes and events in the firehouse when it was a lively venue.
Now, the Community Redevelopment Agency is exploring the possibility of selling the building outright, while several community-based organizations, including WAHA, have expressed interest in its remaining in public community use. The meeting tonight will provide an opportunity for West Adams residents (as well as potential developers) to voice their views.

(NOTE: WAHA's previously scheduled new members event will still be held tonight, despite this unavoidable conflict.)

2). ANOTHER "PAINT A HOUSE" EVENT
Saturday, August 20 8 a.m. - noon 3645 2nd Ave, in Jefferson Park
Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services (LA NHS) and friends would like to invite you to join us in a last minute project on 2nd Ave. Please call your friends, e-mail your contacts, and come paint next Saturday, August 20th. Neighbors and USC student volunteers will also be on hand to help. * Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m. * Work begin at 9:00 a.m. * Volunteers should be finished by noon
Call to register at 213-381-2862 Ext. 111

3). JAZZ IN THE AVENUES
Sunday, September 4 7 - 11 p.m. Seventh Avenue (between Adams and 25th Street)
West Adams Avenues invites everyone to the neighborhood's Annual Free "Jazz In the Avenues" event on the Sunday before Labor Day. Bring your own tables, chairs, and/or blankets to sit on - plus a packed meal (or you can purchase tacos from a neighbor). The Avenues will provide some water, soda, lemonade. Questions? Call Donna Jones, 323-734-6473

4). 'TEERS FOR TUT
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art seeks volunteers for its blockbuster exhibit, "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," to help with the crowds swarming to see the boy king. Contact LACMA's Museum Service Council at 323-857-6101 or e-mail volunteer@lacma.org.

5). 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