Mark Newman-Kuzel, president of the Atwater Griffith Park Chamber of Commerce, takes down the signs advertising the tree-lighting ceremony his group organized.

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Tree towers over a village divided

Mark Newman-Kuzel, president of the Atwater Griffith Park Chamber of Commerce, takes down the signs advertising the tree-lighting ceremony his group organized. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Lourdes Rivas, who owns an exotic bird shop in Atwater Village, is a member of the area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber recently voted to eject one of its members after she made controversial statements at a public meeting. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Visual artists Anders Nilsen, right, and James Gulliver Hancock, second from right, talk about Nilsen’s art opening in front of the Little Bird gallery on Glendale Boulevard in Atwater Village. Tensions between longtime residents and their new, younger neighbors are on the rise. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Samba dancer Kara Gibson of the Fransini group practices some moves on the sidewalk during a holiday party at the Heart Beat House dance studio. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

About 1,400 people gathered on Glendale Boulevard last week to watch the lighting of Atwater Village’s holiday tree. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)