President's Message--

Annual Meeting; DRB Changes

By Peter Fuad
NWGHA President

Will Rogers enlivened our annual meeting held on April 23rd with his wit and wry observations on our community.  At the meeting, Royal Barber was elected to our board.  Thanks to him and our other board members for their hard work.  Thanks also to those of you who attended our meeting.  We will continue the good fight to preserve and improve our neighborhood.

DRB Updates

I can now report from personal experience that DRB hearings have been transformed by new panel members and new direction given by Council to Planning staff and members.  At the hearings before DRBs 1 and 2 that I attended, applicants were given a respectful hearing, and the comments from members were thoughtful and generally spot-on. 

The City Attorney’s office reports that the owners of the house in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue, faced with legal action concerning unpermitted work and code violations dating from 2006, have agreed to return to DRB on July

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Recent Burglaries in Northwest Glendale Raise Concerns

 By Lawrence Kalfayan

A number of our members have inquired about recent burglaries in the area, recently reported in the Glendale News-Press.  We are grateful to Glendale Police Department representatives Albert Mesa, Crime Analyst; and Mary Mijach, Community Policing Officer, who both were responsive to our inquiries.  Mr. Mesa provided detailed information about burglary statistics in our neighborhood, and Ms. Mijach offered assistance to our members including safety tips, and home security checks to evaluate your home for safety and burglary protection.

According to the Glendale Police Department, our Northwest Glendale neighborhood is located in “Patrol Area 1,” which includes not only Northwest Glendale, but also Pelanconi Estates and the Glendale Rancho neighborhoods as well.  

39 Burglaries in NW between March and June

During the nearly four-month period between March 1, 2008 and June 20, 2008, there were an unusually high 64 burglaries in Patrol Area 1.  Of those 64 burglaries, 43 were residential, while 21 were classified as “other types”, which include commercial and business locations, storage facilities, and detached garages. 

Of the 64 total burglaries in Patrol Area 1, 39 occurred in the Northwest Glendale area; while 25 occurred in the Pelanconi Estates and Rancho neighborhoods.  Northwest Glendale however, covers a larger area than the other two neighborhoods.  The incidents are scattered throughout the area.

Matching Fingerprints

Police are comparing fingerprints from two suspects arrested in connection with one burglary with fingerprints taken at other burglary scenes to determine whether they were involved in those, too.

May and June of 2008 have experienced an unusually high number of burglaries in the area.  Most of the incidents have taken place during daytime hours, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

Police note that incidents frequently increase during the summer months, with residents more likely to leave doors and windows open.  One of the reported incidents involved entry through an open or unlocked door.

Safety Tips

Both Mr. Mesa and Community Policing Officer Mary Mijach remind us to keep our doors and windows locked when not at home, as many residents tend to leave windows open during the hotter months. 

Ms. Mijach also encourages us to network with our neighbors, and not to hesitate to report suspicious activity, such as people peering into windows of homes and parked automobiles.

By keeping watch on our neighborhood  we can help to keep break-ins to a minimum.  If you wish to request a home security inspection, please contact Community Policing Officer Mary Mijach at (818) 548-4015.

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By Tammi Relyea

One of the unique attributes of the Northwest Glendale neighborhoods is the large collection of period homes from the 1920’s, 1930’s and early 1940’s.  While well over 70 years old, many of these older homes still retain their charm and distinctive design characteristics, which define our neighborhoods and continues to remain important to the identity of our community.  Certainly, this is one of the reasons why so many residents and visitors enjoy taking a leisurely walk or drive through the area.

As part of NWGHA’s continued efforts to raise the importance of preserving the character of our neighborhoods, The Guardian will now regularly feature a “Home Spotlight” to recognize the many period homes in which homeowners have taken great pride to preserve and restore their home’s unique physical features and historical charm.  “Home Spotlight” will also feature a variety of tastefully remodeled homes that reflect quality design and sensitivity to the established character of the surrounding homes.

It is our hope that this new addition to the newsletter will inspire and cultivate among homeowners a greater appreciation for the many beautiful homes within our neighborhoods.

We also hope it will provide examples that will show that good quality design and compatibility can be achieved while still meeting the needs of the homeowner.

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 By Tammi Relyea

Our first “Home Spotlight” features the lovely Lombardi House, owned by Rob and Joanna Hinkel located at 850 Cumberland Road. 

In 2006, the Lombardi House was recently added to “The City of Glendale Register of Historic Resources.”  In a recent interview with Rob Hinkel, we had the pleasure to learn more about the history of this outstanding Spanish Colonial Revival home and its significance to our City:

Q:  How long have you and your family lived in this home?

Rob: My wife was born and raised in Glendale. Once we were married, we decided to settle in the Northwest area where she grew up and purchased a home on Ben Lomond and lived there for 12 years. A job promotion moved us to Orange County for a few years and as fate would have it, another opportunity emerged back in the area. In August of 2004, we purchased 850 Cumberland Rd.

 Q: When did you realize your home had a unique history?

Rob: The Lombardi house was sold as a pocket listing. With my wife growing up in the area, she knew where to look for period styled homes and always had her eye on the Spanish style.

With a little title research by our Realtor, Margi Simpkins, we took a tour through history and built the thread of titles from the original lot to the present.

Once we had the names, we went Geneology.com and found an amazing amount of material. Armed with dates of birth, death and history, we then went to the Glendale library and used the great resources of books, archives and helpful volunteers working at the library and built the history out for each owner.

Along the way we found that the builder lived in the Spanish-style home on the corner of Highland and Kenneth and many of the features in our home are shared.

Q: Tell us about the historical background of the Lombardi House?

Rob: It was built in 1929 and its architectural style is Spanish Colonial Revival. Our home has a long history of prominent owners that had significant relevance to the contributions of Glendale and its history. Among them:

John Frank Stanford – Mr. Stanford was a prominent building contractor who began his business Glendale in 1910 and built the property on speculation.  It was reported that during the first 15 years of his company’s operation, he built over 500 houses in Glendale; thus contributing to the City’s early development.

Roy & Elizabeth Kent – The Kents were the first owners to occupy the home. In 1922, Roy Kent had a substantial contracting and building firm, which had grown to include a lumberyard and over 100 employees.  The Kent Company was responsible for the construction of many Glendale landmarks, including The Little Church of Flowers located at Forest Lawn, the Elks Temple, The Glendale Theatre, Citizens Building, Glendale State Bank, Oakmont Country Club, Glendale News-Press  and numerous commercial buildings along Brand Boulevard between Broadway and Harvard.

Eugene Weaver - Mr. Weaver purchased the home in 1932.  Mr. Weaver was the inventor of drip coffee system. The Weaver son, C.E. Weaver, became a well-known local landscape contractor.

Louis & Angela Lombardi - The Lombardis purchased the home in 1938 and were very active in the civic, cultural and political affairs in Glendale, which included the American Association of University Women, Women’s Civic League, the Glendale Symphony Orchestra, and Glendale Memorial Hospital Guild and the Glendale Beautiful Committee. Louis Lombardi is best remembered for his participation in starting the civil service commission in Glendale and his long-term involvement with the YMCA, the Kiwanis Club and the Masons.

Don & Denise Hahn- The Hahns purchased the home in 1993 and undertook a sensitive restoration.  Mr. Hahn was the head of the animation department at The Walt Disney Company.

After extensive research, it was determined that Angela Lombardi was the most significant in the history of Glendale and with contributions still noted today.  Therefore, it seemed appropriate by the City of Glendale to officially designate our home as the Lombardi House.

Q: What architectural features stand out most?

Rob: In addition to the significant individuals who have owned this home, the Lombardi house has several character defining features that are consistent with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.   On the exterior, the multi roof lines still retain the original period Spanish tiles, the windows are the original, steel, true-divided light casement windows. The exterior walls are the original smooth style stucco.  The enclosed entry-way door is a magnificent 3” solid mahogany door. 

Not visible from the street is a multi-story, exposed wood beam exterior.  There is also a tranquil courtyard that has been designed with the original Spanish tile paving and decorative fountain. There is a lovely pool house that housed soldiers during WWII in need of sleeping quarters and where the driver lived in the early years of the home.

The interior of the house has been tastefully preserved, updated and restored   The upgraded kitchen was featured in House Beautiful in September 1996. There are many sitting areas throughout the property making it a very desirable entertaining home.

Rob: I have lived in the area since 1991. I certainly can attest to the fact that the state of repair of the homes built in the 30’s 40’s and 50’s has improved significantly.

However, I have seen a challenge in the balance kept between originality and upgrades.

Many properties have been rebuilt, and over built with respect to the neighboring homes and just don’t fit. Some upgrades have been done with inferior quality of replacement items and little care in matching originality.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, we are not doing enough to preserve them. 

Again, this is one person’s opinion who has a keen interest in originality and tasteful match and has restored two homes, both of which are historic.  Unfortunately, these ideals often collide when budgets are in order. With the Lombardi home, we were lucky in that the previous owners shared the same sense of matching taste and quality.

Q: Where would someone start if they believe that their house is eligible for a historical designation?

Rob: I went to the City of Glendale website and reviewed the Cumberland Heights survey.  I found that there were several classes of properties – our home was a contributor.  Subsequently I did a title chain search and did research on each owner.  

I found this part to be most enjoyable as it was an adventure. Once you determine your house status and if the owners had some historical significance, I suggest you enlist the help of a well qualified architectural historian to prepare the report and to assist you in the City’s application process. 

I found this part to be most enjoyable as it was an adventure. Once you determine your house status and if the owners had some historical significance, I suggest you enlist the help of a well qualified architectural historian to prepare the report and to assist you in the City’s application process. 

Lombardi House 850 Cumberland Road

 The Hinkel Family

NWGHA member Elise Kalfayan has begun covering local real estate trends and homeowner issues in the Glendale/Pasadena section of the Los Angeles Sweet Digs Redfin blog. You can read her posts at losangeles.redfin.com/blog/category/glendale_pasadena.

Redfin is an online real estate brokerage that was recently featured in USA Today.  It is now serving seven major markets in the U.S. 

Elise’s aims for her blog are to present market information in an open way, and to provide a place for Glendale and Pasadena homeowners (and prospective homeowners) to follow local real estate trends and connect to their communities.

Elise has published feature articles on new home developments, urban infill projects, and historic structures’ adaptive reuse.   This is her first web-based writing assignment. One of her recent posts covered gridlock on North Pacific Avenue; another one discussed the proposed Glendale Triangle Project.

Elise is the wife of NWGHA Board member Lawrence Kalfayan.

                               Elise Kalfayan

Cleveland Knoll’s Rich Heritage Dates to 1923

 By Mike Fedrick

On February 3, 1923, a local newspaper announced the sale of “twenty of the most beautiful acres of land in the unsurpassable northwest section of Glendale … between Kenneth Road and Glenwood Road, and just east of Grandview Ave., a concrete boulevard.”  This tract was acquired by “a syndicate of Cleveland real estate men and builders.”  At the time, the property was apparently an orchard, as the article reports that each lot contained between “fifteen and twenty orange or grape fruit trees.”

The developers named this tract “Cleveland Knoll,” a name which reflects not only their origins but which was also likely intended to help attract home buyers from the Midwest.  Olmsted Drive, also located in the tract, is likewise named after a community just outside of Cleveland. 

A walk around the neighborhood will reveal its rich architectural heritage.  Virtually all of the homes in this area were built between 1923 and 1941, and reflect three primary architectural styles: Spanish Revival, Tudor (or English Revival), and a style of the 1930's sometimes referred to as Minimal Traditional.  The Spanish and English Revival styles predominated between 1923 and 1934, while Minimal Traditional homes were built primarily between 1935 and 1941.  Homes here are predominantly one-story structures which have now housed several generations of Glendalians. 

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Kenneth Village Spotlight--

Audrey K Boutique Focuses on Fusing Unique Modern and Vintage Fashions 

 By Carol Brusha

One of my pleasures when walking at Kenneth Village is checking out the window display at Audrey K.  It is always fun and interesting to see what new outfit, handbag, or pair of shoes is being put on view.

This is a boutique catering to trendy teens and young adults, modern, career- minded young women, and on-the-go moms who are seeking something fashionable for themselves or for gifts.  Men, looking for something special to give to someone special, will find a peaceful environment with many choices at reasonable prices and a friendly, helpful staff -- and if they cannot make a decision, they can purchase gift cards.

Owner Audrey Robles will mark her two year anniversary in Kenneth Village in July.  Why did she come here?  “I love the quaint atmosphere in Kenneth Village and that all the stores are individually owned, plus it is close to my home,” she replied.

Modern to Retro

Her clothing styles range from modern to retro.  “My customers are your everyday women who know what they like and don’t want to pay a fortune for it.  My focus is to fuse modern and vintage styles from the ‘40s and ‘50s in a very fashion-forward, sophisticated and affordable way,” she explained.

Audrey also makes every effort to support local designers so she offers unique styles.  “It’s the little twists on the trends that make the difference that creates individuality and separates you from the pack,” she said.

So what will you find at Audrey K besides ladies apparel, shoes and a fabulous assortment of handbags?  There’s a nice selection of lingerie, scarves, hats, sunglasses and added to this delightful mix is a variety of handmade jewelry from local artists, body pampering products, and items for the hair, such as hair clips and hair bands.  She also has candles, retro greeting cards and tchotchkes to display in the home or office.

Audrey is a Wardrobe Stylist

Audrey is a wardrobe stylist so she can assist clients in discovering their personal looks by teaching them the fundamentals in how to shop and giving tips on how to gain confidence in dressing.

“The trick to looking fashionable is learning how to put outfits together and wearing pieces that enhance,” she explained.  This is accomplished by finding what works for each individual taking into account personality, body shape, occupation and lifestyle.  Audrey and her staff of two place a lot of attention on good customer service.

Monthly $50 Gift Certificate Drawing

The ambience of the shop is peaceful with retro background music softly playing (no blaring distracting music here) and several comfortable chaises to sit on.  It is open every day except Monday. 

Open Tuesday to Sunday

Hours are: Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Online, her website is www.OnePurseIsNeverEnough.com.  All purses in the store are available for purchase online, as well as some items of clothing.  Within the next few months, she hopes to have her entire inventory available online.

Audrey and her business partner/husband, Rodrigo Robles, hope to make the Kenneth Village shop their flagship store and to expand to other locations.  They have a 13-year old son, Christian.  For those wondering what the “K” stands for, it is Audrey’s middle name, Kay.

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Owner Audrey Robles

(Photo by Ron Brusha)

Glenoaks Garden Project Proposed for Albertsons Store Site

See story below after renderings

Above-- View from Allen Avenue; below-- public court view from Glenoaks Boulevard

 The owners of the property currently occupied by the Albertsons at Glenoaks and Allen have informed us that the lease for the property ends in December of this year.  Albertsons has the option to renew the lease but it is unknown whether the supermarket chain will choose to do so.

In case they don’t, the owners, GL Property Development, are applying to the City of Glendale for permits to develop the property into a mixed use development consisting of retail and residential units. 

Designed by the award-winning architectural firm, Moule and Polyzoides, the development is tentatively named, Glenoaks Gardens.  Owners say that the mixed-use project is intended to create a neighborhood feel with public spaces and front gardens. 

The look of the project is intended to be clean and contemporary, but with a respectful nod to the older buildings in Glendale. 

If Albertsons, bought last year by the Minnesota-based SuperValu, decides to remain in the location, the project will be put on hold.

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The Guardian

Published by the Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association, a non profit organization

 Editor  —  Peter Fuad

Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 3232
Glendale, California 91221-0232 

818.754.8274

www.nwglendaleha.org

© NWGHA. All rights reserved.  Reproduction without written permission prohibited.

NWGHA 2008-2009
Officers and Directors

President — Peter Fuad

Vice President — Lawrence Kalfayan

Treasurer — Carl Moseley

Membership — Tammi Relyea and Mary Rose Grim

Secretary — Mike Fedrick

DRB Representative— Philip Keller

Royal Barber

Carol Brusha

Douglas Johnson