Silver Lake Improvement Association Celebrates 20 Years

I had the good fortune to attend the Annual Meeting of the Silver Lake Improvement Association last evening, held at Silver Lake's Holy Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Cathedral. SLIA President Genelle LeVin has done an outstanding job in revitalizing the organization; a near-capacity crowd was on hand to celebrate the organizations' 20th anniversary.

Headline speakers, Los Angeles Council Member Tom LaBonge (CD-4) and Council President Eric Garcetti (CD-13)extolled the crowd for their community activism, and reported on council matters, especially the effects of the budget crisis. Long-time SLIA Board Member Ruth Faydich was honored for serving the organization for 17 years as the group's Treasurer.

A highlight of the evening, Councilmember LaBonge led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to long-time community activist Lucy Jones, who turns 92 this month.

Silver Lakers Dedicate the New Pathway Circumventing SL Reservoir

Saturday, December 20, 2008 marked an historic happening in Silver Lake, the Ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the pathway circling Silver Lake Reservoir. A host of dignitaries, neighbors and reservoir advocates were on hand for the long-awaited path to finally open.

I arrived just before 10 a.m., and already there were a lot of familiar faces in the crowd. I spotted Bea Gold, along with L.A. Councilmembers Tom LaBonge and Council President Eric Garcetti, who were definitely pumped for the occasion. Bea was greeting CA. Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (43rd Dist.) while LaBonge was introducing Assemblymember Curran Price (51st Dist.).

Fine speeches by Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge were followed by addresses from Paul Krekorian, LADWP CEO H. David Nahai, L.A. City Engineer Gary Moore, Board of Public Works Board Member Julie Gutman and Committee to Save Silver Lake's Reservoirs President Shelley Marks. It was a special day for many of us who have been advocating for Silver Lake's open reservoirs.