by BCNA President, Missy Kelly 

Meet Steve Salvo. He's the new principal at Cheremoya Avenue Elementary School! We met him and found out that, not only is he a great guy and wonderful addition to the school, but also to our neighborhood.  

The Crowd Gathered to "Hug the Carlotta"

Tenants, former tenants, neighbors and advocates gathered around the Villa Carlotta on Tuesday, April 21 in an effort to save the historic building from developers working feverishly to empty the building of tenants in an effort to "renovate, restore, or remodel" one of the anchor buildings of our neighborhood.

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Simon a story of Tragedy, Triumph and Hope

First of all, I want to say 'Thank You!' from the bottom of my heart to everyone in Beachwood Canyon that reached out to me and stopped by my flower shop at the news of my cat, Simon passing away. Your love and support were what made me feel good during those days of sadness.

But there is a bizarre twist to the story:

After Simon had been missing for 2 days, a girl called and told me she found my cat under a car. I didn't take the time to put my contacts in but went straight down the hill and saw the orange cat dead under a car. My heart was broken as I ran back up the hill. I immediately told my friend Scerra that my cat was dead under a car and she offered to go get him. She was quickly joined by my friend Alexa the neighborhood mobile vet, Steve Smith. These three friends wrapped the cat in a beautiful sarong and had a lovely funeral for him with flowers and a proper burial. Tears and all. At that exact time I had to keep an appointment with movers at my friend's apartment down the street and help her move her stuff. Keeping this promise helped me keep my mind off the tragedy of losing my cat. I was too sad. The burial took place without me.

This sad event followed the passing of my dog, June on Halloween.

It was a sad departure from Beachwood to San Diego where I live and do business part time. I still had my remaining cat, Leon but I couldn't shake the grief I felt looking in the back seat to see only one cat.

After being in San Diego for five days, I started getting calls and texts from friends that they had seen my orange cat around the shop. I tried to ignore it and not get up any hope.  I knew it wasn't him. He was buried and I was trying to be at peace with that.

It had been 11 days and 11 nights and I the possibility of any cat surviving the canyon wildlife would have been slim. 

As Simon's new collar says - he's a "survivor"

I was driving back up to Beachwood Canyon. The night vision camera shots sent to me by my friend Thomas were haunting me. That cat looked just like Simon. Thomas and his wife, Siri had been putting food out for the cat and even even skipped gathering with friends one night so they could look for Simon (one of the nicest things ever, all to look for my precious cat).

I arrived back up at the shop the Thursday before Easter. Scott and I had planned on staying at the shop that night. He would sleep in his car in the driveway and I would sleep in the office. The plan was to go out every morning from 2 to 4 a.m. (when people were saying they saw Simon) and see if we could find the cat. We were determined to find the lost cat before the coyotes did.

Around 9:45 p.m. that night, Thomas ran up to the shop and told their video surveillance had just seen the cat in his yard. We went to Thomas' neighbor, Judy's home to look for the cat in her yard. I looked all around her yard with a flashlight but didn't see anything.  Then, I went right by her front gate, shined my flashlight onto the orange cat.

Simon and I made eye contact! I told him "Papa (his nickname), you better get home. Your brother is so mad at you!" He ran into my arms. He was so very light but it was him. He was really skinny but this was my cat!!

I'd have to say it was one of the best feelings I think I've ever had in my whole life. I thought my cat was dead, in the ground, and then I was holding him 12 days later!

There was just one part missing from the story, who was the cat we had buried? Almost a week after this happened, we start seeing signs around the neighborhood for a missing cat named Lacy. This cat resembled Simon and we started to think it could possibly be Lacy that we had buried. I contacted Sabine, Lacy's owner with the news that the cat we buried may possibly be Lacy.

Lacy is Missing

Everyone is hoping that the cat isn't Lacy and that she will come back to Sabine soon. I still look for her every time I'm driving up Beachwood.

This is a weird story of tragedy, triumph and also hope that Lacy will come back. Thanks so much to the neighborhood. It really made me feel like this is truly a village community. I love Beachwood Canyon and it's become like a second family for me.

Sabine and Lacy

Please come by the shop and say 'Hi' to Simon. He appreciates all the love and support. Simon was my Easter miracle! Thanks, Beachwood canyon! Xoxoxo

Jennifer at My Fair Lady Flowers

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The Comedy Show You Can Bring Your Dog To

...the rescheduled Savannah Greene Master's Recital for the completion of her graduate studies at USC. Admission is FREE and it will be in the acoustically fabulous Jeanette MacDonald Recital Hall on the USC Campus, Thursday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the lobby. She and the wonderful pianist, Jasper Jimenez will be performing works by Bellini, Walton, Berg, Chausson, and Duparc. We truly hope you can join us in this celebration of a great milestone in Savannah's career. 

To get to Jeanette MacDonald Recital Hall, enter at gate 3 off Figueroa St at 35th St. Below Savannah's photo are some clarifications to the directions. 

http://Savannah Greene in The English Cat

Glen Green neighbor, Linda Fuller will be singing at the Gardenia Restaurant and Lounge. To guarantee a seat at a table, the Gardenia wants you to call directly and make a reservation for dinner. You don't have to order a whole dinner; a salad or a potato is fine, plus there is a two-drink minimum and cover at $15. 

Call for reservations: (323) 467-7444

(The Gardenia does not take reservations for the bar. To sit at the bar, you do not have to order dinner, but the cover still applies. Call for inquiries about cover, dinner and drink prices.)

lindaefuller@earthlink.net 323-462-1145