He Painted an L.A. Story

As part of an effort to raise funds to restore and return a vintage trolley car to the streets of Angeleno Heights, the neighborhood is honoring Leo Politi, the late author and artist who documented the changing vistas of early-to-mid-20th century Los Angeles. Politi’s work will be on display in the Craftsman-style home where he lived, a stop on the Angeleno Heights Trolley Line Open House Tour on May 17 and 18. Guests can visit seven of the area’s magnificent private Victorian residences. The Politi tribute, part of a centennial celebration of the artist, continues with dozens of events this year. At the open-house tour, Politi’s son and daughter, Paul Politi and Suzanne Politi Bischof, will discuss their father and his 21 children’s books, as well as his books about Bunker Hill and Angeleno Heights and the homes and the people who lived there. “His is artistic documentary,” says historian Larry Burgess. “The simplicity of his style and the quickness with which he could draw belie the complexity of what he was showing.”

For information, go to www.ahtrolley.org/events.htm or www.leopoliti2008centennial.org.