Around the Blog-LA-Sphere

(Left: Pic by Carmyarmyofme. Right: Pic by Will Campbell.)

Will Campbell at blogging.la discovers that the paddleboats at MacArthur Park and Echo Park are in danger, even as City Councilman Eric Garcetti attempts to save them:

"We were told a few months ago that the paddleboat operations at MacAurthur Park and Echo Park run at a deficit," (Garcetti field deputy Kabira Stokes)Hochberg said. "They've never been a sustainable operation. It costs about $104,000 a year to operate both programs and here at Echo Park they make $19,000."
...
Recreation and Parks Deparment budget cuts torpedoed any chance of funding the operations, and thus the paddleboats at both lakes are slated to be drydocked indefinitely at the end of this month.
...
"There are some monies that we have out in other parks in Council District 13 that won't actually be used this year so we're looking to transfer those," she said.

Which means the boats will most likely float on, for now. But as to their long-term future, that's pretty much adrift.

Great reporting by Will. I can't imagine those parks without their signature paddle boats -- surely there must be a way to keep them going. It's odd that this is happening just as both parks have grown much more safe -- for activities like paddle boating.

Curbed L.A. discovers possibly the creepiest Craigslist room-for-rent posting of all times. A sample:

So, if you're stuck with no place to go and don't mind a creative, attractive male vs. a refrigerator carton as a companion, please email me. I'm a writer and artist. Former model years ago. Intelligent, sane, in shape and considerate. Please send a photo and describe yourself. Tell me what you want/need... Please be serious and reliable. In return, shall make you the most special person in my life.

All together now: Ewww.

The LA City Nerd emailed us today, to spread the word about plans to tear down Van Nuys' oldest surviving house. Sadly, it was already too late. According to the Daily News, developers tore it down this morning in spite of (or more likely, because of) protests from preservationists:

The home was built in 1911 prior to a land auction to boost the original settlement of Van Nuys. It's status as a possible landmark was to have been considered by the Cultural Heritage Commission on July 12.

Real estate developer Merabi & Sons of Van Nuys bought the property for $1 million with plans to build condominiums. Three days after the house was nominated as a landmark, the developer obtained a permit to demolish the home.

Here in Van Nuys has the sad, sad pictures.

An overdue congrats to Pat Saperstein and EatingLA for winning the L.A. Press Club award for Best Individual Blog. Delicious!