P22 - LA's Most Famous Mountain Lion

In the northern end of Los Feliz lies Griffith Park, the second largest urban park in California with over 4,000 acres of land. The park is home to only one mountain lion known as P-22 and it was originally spotted in the surrounding park area around February 2012. The lion is suspected to have arrived from nearby Santa Monica Mountains, which meant it would have had to travel over 20 miles with some of that distance across highways 101 and 405.

Within the last four months the lion has been struggling against mange, a parasitic skin disease that causes hair loss and infections. Scientists used trail cameras located in areas across the park to investigate how P-22 contracted the illness, and it turns out the mountain lion was living with an infestation of mites. Scientists treated the lion for mange as well as rodenticide poisoning, as rodenticide can travel within a food chain and build up within top predators.

P-22 is still able to successfully hunt and gather food on its own, but it will require attention to make sure a relapse of the illnesses do not occur. Scientists and park rangers are keeping tabs on his location with a GPS tracker as well as using park cameras to observe the lion’s fur growth and movement. Due to the potential dangers to wildlife, consumers will no longer be able to purchase higher doses of rodenticide starting in July. Scientists have even suspected that the chemicals found in rodenticide can increase the vulnerability of animals to mange or other illnesses.

 The mountain lion, P-22, is providing scientists with data on how a lion species survives within Griffith park, but at the same time, P-22 is reminding the community of Los Feliz the delicate balance of wildlife living within the middle of Los Angeles. Los Feliz and nearby cities, such as Glendale, understand the importance of protecting wildlife environments. With P-22 recovering from its illnesses, the community can set this event as a precedent for future improvements upon ensuring the safety of natural habitats for both humans and animals.

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Los Feliz Says Goodbye to Dr Paul Fleiss, a Logo Hero

One of the most prestigious pediatricians in Los Feliz and of the greater Los Angeles area has passed away on Saturday July 19th, 2014.

Paul Fleiss was known in the community as a respected doctor that treated many children and families, some of whom were Hollywood celebrities. Fleiss was born on September 8th, 1933, he went to school originally to train as a pharmacist and osteopath. He earned his B.S. from Wayne State University, then went to the University of California at Irvine for his D.O., and finally got his MPH from UCLA.

He relocated his practice from Detroit to California after the passage of a 1962 act that allowed an osteopath to convert his degree to an M.D. Dr. Fleiss will be remembered for his generosity towards the community as well as his passion for taking care of children and providing support to families. Even when families did not have insurance or means to afford his care, Dr. Fleiss would gift his services to them. Not only did he provide his services to a diverse number of people in Los Angeles, but he truly cared about the quality of the experiences to clients and that is how he made an impact on many in the community.

With a career spanning decades, Dr. Fleiss has taken care of generations of families in the Los Angeles area. At one point, he was one of my children’s doctors. Many clients even detail their experiences with Fleiss, saying he “simply treated children with respect, kindness, empathy, and love.” Dr. Fleiss clearly went above and beyond what many average pediatricians would do for their clients. Another client recalls that the doctor “gained their trust by taking his time -- always overshooting the standard 15 minutes allotted for an appointment”. The fact that he wouldn’t rush his clients demonstrates how deeply he cared about providing a great experience.    

Although Dr. Fleiss is well-respected within the community, he does have some controversies that make him the unique man that he has become. Dr. Fleiss has supported unconventional medical practices, such as preventing colds and infections “by putting breast milk up the nose, treating allergic reactions with water and conjunctivitis with chamomile tea bags”. Fleiss would also recommend vaccinations for clients, but would not require them to have the vaccination. He also was a breastfeeding and anti-circumcision advocate. His practices may seem different, but it’s kept many people in Los Feliz happy and healthy. The community is deeply saddened by his loss, and the families within the community will remember how he taught them to care for and love their children.

July 20th is the 2014 Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay in Los Feliz

On July 20th, hundreds of runners and their supporters will turn out for the 2014 Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay in Los Feliz. The annual race, now in its second year, begins and ends at the site of the Old Zoo in Griffith Park, on the east side. It has already become so popular that registration is full with 90 teams.

The challenging course takes runners through 26.25 miles of terrain, which consists mostly of packed dirt and fire road. Fire roads are wider than typical trails, and are large enough for a vehicle to drive through. The relay calls for teams of five to split the race, with each member running 5.25 miles. The picturesque route will take teams through Old Zoo Trail, Ranas Hill, Vista Del Valle Dr. and Bill Eckert Trail.

The pace requirement for each team member is 13:44 per mile, due to both time limitations and safety measures. The Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay is broken down into three decisions: open, masters, and competitive. The open division is designed to be non-competitive and fun, with each team receiving a medal and trophy upon completion. The masters division will play home to runners who are 40 years of age and older, with each men’s, women’s and co-team with the fast times receiving a trophy and medal. The elite division is the most competitive, and will award $500 cash prizes to the men’s, women’s and co-ed teams with the fastest time, along with a medal and trophy.

Teams can arrive as early at 6:00am on race day, and are encouraged to bring friends and family. However, participants should be aware that they and their supporters are allotted a 10x10 space. Teams can bring their own canopies and portable shelters, as well as chairs, so long as they fit within the space. Check-in will also begin at 6:00am, with the race officially kicking off at 7:30am.

For more information about the 2014 Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay, visit griffithparktrailmarathonrelay.com. Hope to see you on race day!