One Local Fixture near Oakwood is the Crossing Guard

When Arthur Abelson retired as an actor, his wife Linda suggested he do something to get out of the house. 

For five years now he has been a fixture on the corner of Moorpark Avenue and Elmer Street. 

He says, "The kids are the main reason I stand outside for three hours a day."

A current resident of Studio City, Abelson was born in 1934 in Cleveland Ohio where his father was a musician.

Abelson works for the Oakwood School next to Woodbridge Park and says " I wouldn't do it for any other school but Oakwood because the parents are great."  He also subs for the crossing guard at the other Oakwood school on Magnolia Boulevard and Vineland Avenue in the summer. 

The Oakwood School sent out a letter asking the community if anyone was interested in being a crossing guard and he answered it, of course after his wife encouraged him. He didn't think the school was too interested in him but they called immediately. 

"I really likes how nice everyone is," he says.

Maya Dillon is a student at Oakwood and her mother said, "He always has something nice to say and even knows the children's names." 

According to parents that see him daily, " Arthur is definately worth doing a story about because he is the best." 

Look for Arthur on a re-run of  The Mary Tyler Moore Show or MASH or That Girl, or as a person that is in your community every day.