Arroyo Monthly April 2011 by Southland Publishing

FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA APRIL 2011

Design Pasadena 2011

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arroyo VOLUME 7 | NUMBER 4 | APRIL 2011

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DESIGN PASADENA 2011 10 PASADENA PRACTITIONERS WITH A GLOBAL VIEW Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists are helping to shape cityscapes around the world.

— By David Gadd

17 SHOWCASING THE DESIGNERS A look at a few Arroyoland participants — veterans and a newcomer — in this month’s Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts.

— By Bettijane Levine

25 A LOOM OF ONE’S OWN Ten Thousand Villages’ first annual Pakistani Rug Sale in Pasadena promises artisans a fair wage and buyers below-market prices.

— By Noela Hueso

40 THE PWP GOES GREEN The new Pasadena Water and Power building reflects the latest in environmental and humanistic design.

— By Bettijane Levine

DEPARTMENTS 7

FESTIVITIES Rodarte: States of Matter opens at MOCA’s Pacific Design Center, the Junior League of Pasadena’s Community Expo and more

9 55

STYLE SPY Season your wardrobe with warm-weather coral. KITCHEN CONFESSIONS Beef before brutality: a Western fantasy

DINING The new a/k/a bistro has that American je ne sais quoi.

THE LIST The California Art Club’s centennial exhibition, Creative Arts Group’s “Art of the Garden” tour, Ionesco at A Noise Within

ABOUT THE COVER: Pasadena Water and Power photo by Heliphoto

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Leslie Lamm

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING (SO FORGIVE ME FOR SAYING IT) that design is a key element of Arroyoland’s allure. So it’s no surprise that this year’s edition of Design Pasadena illustrates just how outsize the area’s accomplishments are in comparison to the humble size of its population. David Gadd covers Pasadena’s Moule & Polyzoides Architects & Urbanists, whose partners are co-founders of an influential global movement known as New Urbanism. Bettijane Levine explores the striking new award-winning Pasadena Water & Power Building designed by Gonzalez Goodale Architects here. And Noela Hueso writes about Ten Thousand Villages’ first Pasadena sale of rugs crafted by Pakistani artisans paid fair wages. Looking through the other end of the telescope, from a global perspective to the everyday, the 2011 Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (running from April 17 to May 15) holds a very personal association for one member of Arroyo’s ad sales team — account executive Leslie Lamm. Lamm fondly remembers her 1993 wedding and family celebrations at the Paul Williams estate in La Cañada Flintridge currently undergoing its extreme makeover by Showcase designers. Attending the “empty house party” beforehand “was surreal,” she says. “Going back after spending so many holidays there and seeing it empty was bittersweet.” This issue also marks the launch of our fashion shopping column, Style Spy, by two trend-surfers and recent graduates of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising: writer Rachel Padilla and photographer Mani O’Brien. Their report on the color that splashed spring 2011 runways is on page 9. — Irene Lacher

EDITOR IN CHIEF Irene Lacher PRODUCTION MANAGER Yvonne Guerrero ART DIRECTOR Joel Vendette JUNIOR DESIGNER Eisen Nepomuceno WEB DESIGNER Carla Cortez COPY EDITOR John Seeley CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Bilderback, Michael Burr, Michael Cervin, Scarlet Cheng, Mandalit del Barco, Patt Diroll, David Gadd, Jenn Garbee, Lynne Heffley, Noela Hueso, Katie Klapper, Bettijane Levine, Ilsa Setziol, Kirk Silsbee, John Sollenberger, Nancy Spiller, Bradley Tuck PHOTOGRAPHERS Teri Lyn Fisher, Gabriel Goldberg, Melissa Valladares ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Dina Stegon ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Fred Bankston, Leslie Lamm, Takowa Patterson, Heidi Peterson, Cynthia Vazquez ADVERTISING DESIGNER Carla Cortez VP OF FINANCE Michael Nagami HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Andrea Baker BUSINESS MANAGER Angela Wang ACCOUNTING Alysia Chavez, Monica MacCree OFFICE ASSISTANT Claudia Solano PUBLISHER Jon Guynn

arroyo FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA

CONTACT US ADVERTISING dinas@pasadenaweekly.com EDITORIAL arroyoeditor@pasadenaweekly.com PHONE (626) 584-1500 FAX (626) 795-0149 MAILING ADDRESS 50 S. De Lacey Ave., Ste. 200, Pasadena, CA 91105 ArroyoMonthly.com ©2011 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

FOR THE RECORD: Two stories in March Arroyo ran with incorrect bylines:“A Lost Tale” about John Frame’s exhibition at the Huntington was written by Lynne Heffley; “Returning to the Huntington’s Roots” about the new Huntington Ranch was by Noela Hueso.

6 | ARROYO | 04.11

FESTIVITIES

Paige Powell and Andre Balazs Laura and Kate Mulleavy

Fashion and costume designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Pasadena were feted on Feb. 23 at a preview of the first solo West Coast exhibition of their label's cutting-edge couture: Rodarte: States of Matter, at MOCA Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The soiree, hosted by MOCA Director Jeffrey Deitch, InStyle and Swarovski, moved to Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills for

Cora Sue Collins

a celebration dinner. Guests perusing the sisters' designs for the runway and the film Black Swan included such stars of the art, fashion and film worlds Diane von Furstenberg

as John Baldessari, Catherine Opie, Ann Philbin, Diane von Furstenberg, Cameron Silver and Elijah Wood. The exhibition runs through June 5. At its 16th annual King & Queen of Hearts Celebration on Feb. 24, Glendale Memorial Hospital's Fitness Center honored the Glendale Fire Department and patients dedicated to heart health. The fire department aided the hospital in its quest to establish the region's first accredited Chest Pain Center.

Shala Monroque

The Junior League of Pasadena cheered on voluntarism and fitness on Feb. 27 at its second annual Community Expo and 10K/5K/Kids K at the Rose Bowl. The event included a network of booths for local nonprofit organizations, such as the Pasadena Humane Society and Young and Healthy, so Aria Crescendo and Stephane Emeret

they could spread the word and sign up volunteers. Some 280 participants in the various K's ran around the Rose Bowl and Brookside Golf Course.

Nicole Weaver-Goller, Anthony Portantino and Marah Lyvers

PHOTOS: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com (MOCA); courtesy Junior League of Pasadena

Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; K runners, including winner Colby Roberts of Pasadena (center) in white and black

Ron Gulli, Michelle Galanti, Mark Meyers and Harold Scoggins

Michael James, Rita Khatchatourian, Karl Kniseley, Consuleo (Connie) Andonegui and Bill Tharp 04.11 | ARROYO | 7

8 | ARROYO | 04.11

STYLE SPY

In Living Color Season your warm-weather wardrobe with tropical coral. BY RACHEL PADILLA | PHOTOS BY MANI O’BRIEN This season, step out in coral. Designers such as Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs and Elie Saab embraced the hot hue, which, not surprisingly, invaded spring 2011 runways. From peachy to punchy, coral is ultra-flattering on all skin tones. Be bold and go head-to-toe coral — in apparel, handbags, shoes, accessories and cosmetics — or pair with a neutral for a fresh and easy look. Since this trend can easily transition into summer, head out to these local stores and “coral-ate” your wardrobe with the warm days ahead.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Loop stack cardigan, Anthropologie, $98, Americana at Brand, Glendale Pom pom cami dress, Rebecca Taylor, $345, Elisa B., Old Pasadena Silk dress, Hapiru, $145; belt, So Charlotte, call for price, in SoHo, Old Pasadena Polka-dot drop-waist shorts, Tucker by Gaby Basora, $195, Elisa B., Old Pasadena Rainy day ballet flats, J. Crew, $58, Pasadena Charm necklace, Brenda Henriques, $1,298, Koi Loungewear, South Pasadena 04.11 | ARROYO | 9

URBAN RENEWAL (Left) Stefanos Polyzoides and Elizabeth Moule help make cities more livable; (Right) Del Mar Station on the Metro Gold Line is a Moule & Polyzoides project.

PASADENA PRACTITIONERS WITH A GLOBAL VIEW Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists is helping to shape cityscapes in Pasadena and around the world.

The spirit of Wallace Neff --- Pasadena’s most celebrated architect, credited with fathering “California style” --- looms large over Arroyoland, from St. Elizabeth of Hungary church in Altadena to the mansions of San Marino. While Neff’s houses are collector’s items, prized by moguls and movie stars, it’s easy to overlook the discreet stucco building on California Boulevard near the corner

“We didn’t set up shop here to become Pasadena architects, as much as we love it,” Elizabeth Moule said in an interview conducted in Neff ’s former private study. “Obviously we like to make a positive contribution to the place we live in, but the gravitas of what needs to happen goes well beyond Pasadena.” Moule is referring to the cause to which she and Stefanos Polyzoides, her husband and partner, have devoted the past two decades of their working lives: the movement known as New Urbanism. As co-founders in 1993 (with four other like-minded architects) of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), thinking about the nature of cities and towns is part and parcel of what the couple is all about. Simply put, these theorists and practitioners want to radically change the way people think about place and how builders create the human habitat. The 4,000-member organization has since expanded to Europe, Australia and Central and South America. Concepts such as mixed-used development, walkable streets, accessible public transit, human-scaled public spaces, minimizing automobile use, preservation of green space and traditional construction methods are just a few of the many elements promoted in the CNU’s Charter for the New Urbanism. The document (available at cnu.org) has become

of South Arroyo Parkway that served as the architect’s studio. Those who venture through the cornflower blue door of Neff’s former offices today will find it occupied by Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists, a firm that reaffirms the Mediterranean-influenced aesthetic of Neff’s work, as you might expect. But it’s also recognized for provocative ideas of its own that impact urban landscapes far beyond Southern California. 10 | ARROYO | 04.11

PHOTOS:© Moule & Polyzoides, Architects and Urbanists; © Tom Bonner Photography (Del Mar Station)

BY DAVID GADD

a clarion call to a new generation of architects and planners reacting to what Polyzoides calls the “abstract and dehumanizing built environment of the recent past.” Indeed, the tenets of New Urbanism are gaining ground as oil prices continue to rise, drawing residents closer to city centers. If all of this sounds overly theoretical, Moule and Polyzoides can quickly present a lengthy roster of brick-and-mortar projects — from Pasadena to Panama and beyond — to back up and solidify their academic arguments. One is just a quick stroll from their office: Del Mar Station, the 3.4-acre transit-oriented development on the Metro Gold Line, completed in 2006 and incorporating Pasadena’s historic Santa Fe railroad depot as a central feature. The project features hallmark New Urbanist strategies such as high density to minimize sprawl, adaptive reuse of abandoned structures, infill of underused urban space and sensitivity to the aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhood. A similar project on the Gold Line in South Pasadena — Mission Meridian Village, completed in 2003 — provided 5,000 square feet of retail space as well as courtyard dwellings, single-family houses, duplexes and mixed-use lofts. “Moule and Polyzoides are some of the smartest designers working on urban issues today,” says Dana Cuff, professor of architecture and urban design at UCLA. “They

wrangle the full gamut of issues — from transit to housing to public space — and produce places that make cities more livable.” Critics of the New Urbanism sometimes consider the movement’s anti-suburbia, antiautomobile, pro-density agenda tantamount to socialism, if not downright communism. “We’ve gotten that for years,” Moule says with a shrug. “It’s not communism; it’s not even socialism. It’s totally market-driven. What we’re saying is, in a democracy people can decide where they want to be, and here is an alternative. If people want an alternative that’s suburbia, someone else can design that for them — we’re not going to do it.” In projects ranging from Southern California to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, where Moule & Polyzoides is currently developing resort towns and hotels, New Urbanism’s principles are always at the theoretical center of the firm’s work. And aesthetic value is a fundamental plank in its platform. As Polyzoides puts it, “Beautiful buildings have the advantage of being claimed. Like children, they’re being loved and they’re being grown. They’re being endowed with energy and with care, and when places are meaningful to people, they end up being permanent.” –continued on page 12

04.11 | ARROYO | 11

URBAN RENEWAL (Left) Stefanos Polyzoides and Elizabeth Moule help make cities more livable; (Right) Del Mar Station on the Metro Gold Line is a Moule & Polyzoides project.

PASADENA PRACTITIONERS WITH A GLOBAL VIEW Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists is helping to shape cityscapes in Pasadena and around the world.

PHOTOS:© Moule & Polyzoides, Architects and Urbanists; © Tom Bonner Photography (Del Mar Station)

BY DAVID GADD

04.11 | ARROYO | 11

(From left) Moule & Polyzoides’ office; two of the architects’ Pasadena projets: Meridian Court and Vista Grand Court

On their own home front, the busy architects live with their three children, ages nine, 14 and 15 (“You might want to underline that they’re teenagers,” jokes Polyzoides), on the Back in Pasadena, one of the firm’s most visible local projects is the Vista del Arroyo grounds of one of Pasadena’s most notable historic structures, the Hale Solar Laboratory. Bungalows, just under the iconic Colorado Street Bridge. “This was a very difficult project Built by astronomer and early Caltech trustee George Ellery Hale in 1924 and designed on very difficult terrain and with a very strict relationship with the city in terms of requireby important architecture firm Johnson, Coate and Kaufmann, the laboratory became ments,” Polyzoides says. The firm restored eight nationally registered historic bungalows, Hale’s private research facility and library after he retired as founding director of Mount originally designed between 1920 and 1938 by architects Myron Hunt, Sylvanus Marston Wilson Observatory. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. and Garrett Van Pelt, and constructed three new condominium buildings of its own design. “We had our eye on that building for a long, long time,” says Moule. “We said if it Much closer to the architects’ office is Meridian Court on South Marengo Avenue. Its was the last thing we did, we were going to buy it. When it came up for sale in the mid10 townhouses, each with a unique floor plan, are wrapped around a central tiled courtyard 1990s, we were fortunate enough to be able and gently burbling fountain. The style, “WE FELT THAT SINCE THERE WAS SUCH A HUGE NUMBER to purchase it.” with its whitewashed walls, shady balconies Their extensive architecture book and generous fenestration, was inspired by OF ARCHITECTS ON THE WESTSIDE, ALL OF THEM PURSUthe same Andalusian models that resonated collection is housed in the former Hale ING A VIEW OF THIS REGION THAT WE DISAGREED WITH, library, and the laboratory is opened to with Neff and is a seamless match for the 1929 building just around the corner where the public for occasional events. The couIT WAS MUCH BETTER FOR US TO BE WORKING HERE IN Moule and Polyzoides ply their trade. A ple lives in a house on the grounds that PASADENA, WHERE THERE IS A HISTORY, A CONTEXT, A similar structure, Granada Court, graces the boasts a landscape scheme by noted garden Pasadena Playhouse District. designer Beatrix Ferrand. But, as one MEANING IN THE EXISTING CITY.” –STEFANOS POLYZOIDES Moule & Polyzoides’ Pasadena projects would expect with Moule and Polyzoides, also reflect the social awareness that is a key element of the firm’s ethos. “We’ve been comambitions don’t stop there: “One of our long-term dreams is to build a house on that mitted to developing high-quality housing for every income bracket,” Moule says of Fair property,” says Moule. Oaks Court, a housing development completed in 2008 in a once-deteriorating section of The couple’s commitment to Pasadena as a place to live and work runs as deep as northwest Pasadena. Funded by Heritage Housing Partners, the plan included four new their social and aesthetic convictions. “We felt that since there was such a huge number buildings adjacent to rehabilitated historic bungalows, providing homes for 33 low- and of architects on the Westside, all of them pursuing a view of this region that we dismoderate-income families. Moule and Polyzoides are equally adept at academic architecagreed with, it was much better for us to be working here in Pasadena, where there is a ture and are currently working on multiple projects for Scripps College in Claremont. history, a context, a meaning in the existing city,” says Polyzoides. “Culturally, Los Angeles has been hijacked by forces — in the universities, in the press and elsewhere — Born in Athens, Greece, Polyzoides came to the U.S. in the 1960s to study at Princeton that argue that this is a rootless place: a place that has no past, no history, no quality of University, earning both a BFA and an MA in architecture and urban planning. In 1973, place and that every architect’s work is construction from scratch. We discarded that he moved to Southern California, where he taught at USC and co-authored the still inview of the world decades ago, and the best place to practice the alternative in peace and fluential book Courtyard Housing in Los Angeles in 1982. He and Moule married in 1988 quiet is right here. For 20 years, we’ve practiced in virtual quarantine and isolation. It’s a and started their joint practice two years later. wonderful feeling.” |||| 12 | ARROYO | 04.11

PHOTOS: © Moule & Polyzoides, Architects and Urbanists

–continued from page 11

Showcasing the Designers A few Arroyoland participants in this year’s Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts reflect the wide range of styles, from contemporary to classic, that will utterly transform a 1927 Paul Williams estate. BY BETTIJANE LEVINE

This year’s Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, perhaps more than most of its 46 predecessors, reflects the glories of tradition along with the benefits of change. Designed by renowned Los Angeles architect Paul Revere Williams in 1927, it is an elegant English Revival–style manor, once described as “architecturally perfect” in the Los Angeles Times. The home was surrounded by wooded acres, stables, bridle paths, tennis courts, picnic grounds, a pool and poolhouse and other amenities rare even in that over-the-top era of huge fortunes and minuscule taxes. Williams (1894–1980) designed more than 3,000 elegant homes and public structures that helped define the architectural character of Los Angeles. He was brilliant at interpreting Modern, Mediterranean, Colonial, Tudor and European residential styles. It was Williams’ stately mansions that first established the residential character and prestige of Hancock Park and added caché to enclaves in Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Beverly Hills, Bel Air and areas of the San Gabriel Valley. Known as the “architect to the stars,” Williams reportedly designed homes for Cary Grant, Groucho Marx, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Frank Sinatra, Danny Thomas and Humphrey Bogart, to name just a few. He was just as prominent as the architect of dozens of Los Angeles churches, schools, corporate headquarters and resorts. Notable projects include the iconic spaceship-style “theme building” at Los Angeles International Airport, the Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue store and the acclaimed 1947 remodel of the Beverly Hills Hotel and Polo Lounge. Williams also designed the Los Angeles County Courthouse as well as upscale restaurants, such as the now-demolished Perino’s. The irony of it all was that Williams, an African American, was not allowed to dine in many restaurants he designed, nor could he spend a night at any of his hotels. Due to restrictive covenants of the era, he could not even buy a home in neighborhoods where his structures were (and still are) considered status symbols. He succeeded in spite of all that and raised a large, loving family who did likewise. Distinguished, erudite and soft-spoken, Williams became the first African-American member and fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles. His legacy endures, while change continues to alter the architectural and social landscape in which he once plied his trade. This year’s Paul Williams Showcase House reflects that change, blending the sensibilities of interior designers relatively new to the area along with those whose families have been here for generations. It contains rooms of contemporary whimsy alongside those steeped in classical tradition. It is a potpourri of what Arroyoland once was and what it is becoming. Here, we spotlight a few young designers from this year’s Showcase House class of 27, who’ve arrived on the scene to fulfill their varied fantasies of what “home” is all about. 04.11 | ARROYO | 17

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Tamara Kaye-Honey came to interior design from the world of fashion. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, she attended the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and started her career as a clothing buyer for high-end Manhattan emporium Bergdorf Goodman. Married and pregnant with her first child in 2001, KayeHoney was on the subway when the World Trade Center was attacked.“That was a turning point for my husband and me,” she says. The couple moved west with their baby in 2003 and bought a mid-century modern fixer in Los Angeles, which she proceeded to remodel in her inimitable style. “People would visit and ask, ’Who’s your designer, who did your house?’ I’d say it was me, and things just took off from there.” Kaye-Honey has been designing interiors ever since and last year opened the House of Honey, a design shop and studio on Mission Street in South Pasadena. She calls her style “modern eclectic — a mix of pieces from different eras,” often refurbished to add wit, drama or a bit of lacquered glitz and gloss. “Maybe an Art Deco piece teamed with an ornate period piece to give the space a unique personality,” she says. Kaye-Honey’s special gift, evident at houseofhoney.la, is creating simple,

“MY AUNT HAD A

contemporary rooms that look clean and fresh, yet also echo Old World quality and comfort.

DESIGN SHOP IN

For fun, she designs and sells custom chairs, using vintage pieces she upholsters with fabrics from her personal

NOVA SCOTIA AND

collection of designer gowns and vintage fake-fur coats. “I collected these clothes when I lived in New York and

MY MOM FLIPPED

had no use for them here. So I use them as upholstery, and I always attach the item’s designer label to the back

HOUSES THERE. SHE

of the chair, with a Polaroid of what the item looked like when it was a dress or a coat.”

FIXED THEM UP AND

For this year’s Showcase House, Kaye-Honey was asked to design a rumpus room for two sisters, ages 6

THEN SOLD THEM AS

and 16. “That was a challenge, because of the divergent ages,” she says. She chose bold, playful colors “to inspire

A HOBBY. SO I GUESS

their imaginations,” with a brown-orange-and-goldpatterned wallpaper, a ceiling of gold metallic paper

INTERIOR DESIGN

and a wood floor stained a dark chocolate.“The room has pops of bright color thoughout. I have a Chinoiserie

RUNS IN MY BLOOD.”

gaming table lacquered bright orange, a vintage Murano orange glass fixture above it, two mini-rockers for the little ones and two Danish modern high-back chairs, in brown and beige polka dots, for the older girls.” In short, a room fit for mini-Pasadenans. “Pasadena has changed, even since I’ve been here,” she says.“I think there’s a new sensibility; people are embracing the adventurous, they’re more open-minded. I’m delighted they’ve embraced my work and my shop.” 04.11 | ARROYO | 21

Joshua Cain and Jeff Godbold, partners in Saxony Design Build, have ties to both California’s old and new settlers. Godbold, a third-generation general contractor, is also a third-generation Californian, born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. Cain, the newcomer, arrived here 10 years ago after a childhood in Bruce, Mississippi (population 3,000), and design school in Denver. Cain says he and Godbold created a formal partnership in 2005, after meeting on a Pasadena Showcase project. “I was designing, Jeff was the contractor for the home’s owner,” he says.“It just made sense.” They began offering full design and construction services to clients wanting new luxury homes and remodels in California, Hawaii, Colorado and Costa Rica. The partnership works particularly well for the duo’s latest Pasadena Showcase assignment: to build and design a guest house where a stable, potting shed and caretaker’s digs once stood. “The stable had eight horse stalls and a dirt floor. We took it down to the studs and pretty much had to build the guest house from scratch.” What the team came up with is a 1,700-square-foot guest house with a great room, kitchen, two bedrooms and two baths.“We created the great room with its vaulted ceiling from two of the horse stalls,” Cain says. “I used the old barn wood from the stalls to create a wood ceiling, then had the big beams distressed and aged to match the ceiling wood.” Floors are antiqued Portuguese limestone and European oak that’s been distressed.“We wanted the guest house to echo the antiquity and history of Paul Williams’ original,” Cain says. And a look at the firm’s website (saxonydesignbuild.com) reveals that Cain has always been a devotee of the gracious comfort that marked so many fine homes of Williams’ era, as well as the Southern mansions he remembers from childhood. “My taste is traditional,” Cain says.“I strive to make things comfortable and easy to live with, which is what I think most people want.” His mellow interiors tend to

“MY TASTE IS TRADITIONAL. I STRIVE TO MAKE THINGS

feature classic pieces in fine wood and upholstery, with elegant accessories. And he is not a fan of the seem-

COMFORTABLE AND EASY TO LIVE WITH, WHICH IS

ingly ubiquitous painted drywall, favoring walls with wood paneling, or fabric covering, or tile or stonework.

WHAT I THINK MOST PEOPLE WANT.” –JOSHUA CAIN

His walls in the Pasadena great room are plaster with grass cloth. Furnishings include antiques, hand-carved woods, Tibetan rugs and comfortable seating, which includes a pair of dark chocolate-brown sofas.“This is the biggest project we’ve ever done for the Pasadena Showcase,” Cain says.“It’s also the most fun.” 22 | ARROYO | 04.11

Jeff Godbold (left) and Joshua Cain

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–continued from page 23 tivities include adventurous camping & day trips to the beach, aquarium, Imax, Greyhound Rescue, Castaic Lake, a wild animal show, hiking, sports, cultural theme weeks, movie making, urban outdoor survival week, music cafe and more. A wide range of challenging courses include study skills, science, math, literature, and SAT & college prep. Call (818) 583-1070. Drucker School of Management The Drucker School of Management in Claremont offers a world-class graduate management education through our MBA, Executive MBA, Financial Engineering, and Arts Management degree programs. Our programs infuse Peter Drucker’s principle of management as a liberal art along with our core strengths in strategy and leadership. We offer individualized, flexible course scheduling, an innovative curriculum focusing on values-based management, and the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty. To learn more, visit us at drucker.cgu.edu. High Point Academy Summer is particularly exciting because of the wide range of classes this year. We will be offering a number of enrichment classes including mock trial, woodworking, water games, computer games, movie making, and cinematography. Sports include golf, bowling, basketball and volleyball. Arts and crafts will include painting, jewelry making, and mini-soldier painting. We have expanded the options for incoming kindergarteners this summer as well. Call (626) 798-8989 or visit highpointacademy.org. Renaissance Academy Renaissance Academy is located in La Canada. We are fully accredited by WASC. We provide a safe and loving environment where children can grow into self-reliant, competent individuals. We create a customized educational program that embraces the child’s own goals. We give them ONE ON ONE attention and guide them through their education. Students learn study skills that ensure they can learn anything they desire enabling them to be successful individuals contributing to a better society. renaissanceacademy.com Summer Art Academy Cooking Camp comes to La Cañada High School this Summer! Starting June 20th, the Cooking Academy invites your child to take an exciting culinary journey during our various, one-week summer Cooking Camp sessions, each taught by experienced Le Cordon Bleu trained chefs. Don’t wait, classes will fill quickly as it is our first year in La Cañada! Enroll online at summerartacademy.com and create a freshly baked family memory today! Call us at 866-507-COOK for more information! ■

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A Loom of One’s Own PHOTO: Courtesy Ten Thousand Villages

At Ten Thousand Villages’ annual Pakistani Rug Sale, artisans earn a fair wage for handmade heirloom pieces offered at below-market prices. BY NOELA HUESSO

04.11 | ARROYO | 25

When floods ravaged much of Pakistan’s Indus River Basin last summer, Abdul Majeed’s humble home was one of the casualties — completely destroyed by waters that killed nearly 2,000, wiped out 1.89 million homes and cost 5.3 million people their jobs. For months, the Oriental-rug maker and his family managed with makeshift housing. But with the help of Bunyaad, the artisan group to which he belongs, hope was not lost. His simple brick home was rebuilt, and in December, he and his family were able to move in. Just as important, Bunyaad gave Majeed a new loom so that he could continue to make his intri-

FROM LEFT: 1. This mother-daughter pair sells rugs through Bunyaard’s distribution network. 2. Stylized floral motifs typify intricate carpet borders. 3. Bunyaard members Halwan Flak Sheir (left) and Shafique Ahmad 4. Parveen, a rug maker PREVIOUS PAGE: Darianwala Shaheen with husband and children 26 | ARROYO | 04.11

Majeed’s house, among seven that Bunyaad (“foundation” in Urdu) rebuilt after the floods, is just one recent example of how the organization has helped artisans in more than 100 Pakistani villages live self-sufficiently for more than 30 years. Not only does it support members on the home front, but by exporting rugs through its long-term partnership with fair trade movement founder Ten Thousand Villages — a retail network of 120 U.S. and Canadian stores that sell products from global artisans paid fair wages — Bunyaad is also creating job security. Since 1990, Ten Thousand Villages has been spotlighting rugs with its annual rug sales in North America, and now the event is coming to Pasadena for the first time, from May 19 to 27. Because Ten Thousand Villages’ stores are typically small — the Pasadena venue is just 1,400 square feet — the rugs (ranging in size from 2' x 3' to 10' x 14') and runners (6 feet to 15 feet) aren’t usual in-store items. Rug events are special occasions, where buyers can expect to find about 350 items to choose from — including Persian, Bokhara and tribal rugs — at favorable prices. A 500-knot per square-inch 9' x 12' rug, for example, goes for $7,000, still less than the typical retail price, which may be marked up from 100 to 200 percent to compensate import middlemen. There are no middlemen between Bunyaad and Ten Thousand Villages, and augmenting store staff with volunteers also helps keep prices down. Even more satisfying is the knowledge that 60 percent of each rug sale goes directly back to the artisan. (The rest covers shipping costs and operational fees incurred in North America.) Spearheading the events is Rug Program Director Yousaf Chaman, 41, who was hired by Ten Thousand Villages in 1992 to spread the word about the Bunyaad program, work with the artisans and tell their stories through seminars and other educational opportunities. He’s a natural fit for the job. Decades before he graduated with a business degree from India’s Punjabi University, Chaman learned the art of making Bokhara-style rugs — known for their geometric patterns, hand-spun wool and dark reddish dyes — from his father and uncle in his hometown of Darianwala, a 1,000-year-old village in northeastern Pakistan. –continued on page 39

PHOTOS: Courtesy Ten Thousand Villages

cately patterned rugs — a family tradition for generations — and resume the craft that supports his wife and children.

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THE 2011 PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE OF DESIGN, AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ESTABLISHED BY THE PASADENA SHOWCASE FOR THE ARTS, OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE VISITING PUBLIC APRIL 17 AND FEATURES THE WORK OF AS MANY AS 25 DESIGNERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHLAND. EACH ROOM OR SPACE HAS BEEN RENOVATED AND REDESIGNED ACCORDING TO THE AESTHETIC OF THE DESIGN COMPANY OR TEAM IN CHARGE. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1965, THE SHOWCASE HAS CHARMED AUDIENCES, ILLUSTRATING HOW A HOME AND ITS ARCHITECTURE GUIDES THE HANDS OF THE ARTISTS INVOLVED. THIS YEAR PROMISES TO DELIGHT NOT ONLY FANS OF DESIGN, ART AND ARCHITECTURE, BUT LOCAL HISTORIANS AS WELL. “The 2011 Showcase home is a 1927 English Country Manor located in La Cañada Flintridge that was designed by renowned LA architect Paul Williams. His designs include the LA County Courthouse, Union Station, the Beverly Hills Hotel and an estimated 2,000 homes throughout Southern California. A famed architect to the stars, Williams designed

PHOTO: Courtesy The Paul R. Williams Collection

homes for Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Cary Grant, among other showbiz celebrities. This 7,200-square-foot residence was commissioned by John Bishop Green, a painting contractor, rancher and real estate broker for the sum of $36,525 and stands today as an exquisite example of English Period Revival. Though the house was likely planned to be a country retreat, it boasts 14 rooms, five tiled bathrooms and an inter-room telephone system. The property features a landscaped glen and was outfitted with horse stables, bridle trails, a swimming pool and picnic area as well as a concrete tennis court. Sold in the 1930s, the house had several different owners throughout the next decade and a half. In 1949, it was purchased by the family that has held it since. Not since it was –continued on page 30 04.11 | ARROYO | 29

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Sierra Custom Kitchens, Inc., Pasadena Founded in 2000 by designer Eileen Atwood, Pasadena’s Sierra Custom Kitchens designs not only kitchens, but bathrooms, laundry rooms, entertainment centers, wardrobe systems and home offices. With years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry, designers help clients see a project through from start to finish. This isn’t Atwood’s first time as a featured designer in the Showcase—Sierra Custom Kitchens led the kitchen makeover of the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens in 2007. For this year’s home, Atwood wanted to tackle a different kind of project, so she selected the Maiden’s Bath, a room intended for a young girl in the family. Originally, this space –continued on page 34

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side of the tub, Atwood installed vintage-finished cabinets for storing clothing and linens. Sierra Custom Kitchens drew on the original hand-carved crown molding that has been preserved in areas throughout the home by repeating the motif in ceramic glazed tiles in the Maiden’s Bath. The room’s countertops, tub deck and flooring feature a rich French Vanilla marble that, with the room’s rich pink and green accents, conspires to create an old-fashioned storybook feel. “Everything else is on a neutral scale,” Atwood said, explaining how a quick change of light fixtures and paint would allow the room to grow over the years as the family’s young daughter grew up. RUMPUS ROOM

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–continued from page 34 patterns, shapes and colors, I provide a playfully modern approach to design,” she says of her design philosophy. For the Rumpus Room, KayeHoney envisioned a space where young ladies of the house could engage in a wide array of social activities. Modern and vintage objects display a bold color palette that is fun but sophisticated. The design pays homage to several different eras at once,

House of Honey

creating a unique and timeless playroom. “More is more in this space,” Kaye-Honey explains. “The many layers and texture and pattern and pops of gold are meant to convey a youthful, girly glamour.” One challenge in this design project was the original gabled ceilings, which made the usable area feel a bit small. Kaye-Honey compensated for this by creating several stylish

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yet practical nooks in the space that remove the need for storage units that clutter up floor space. Adding some vintage Italian Murano glass Venini lighting, along with diamond-patterned walls and dramatic metallic paper on the ceiling, completed the look and brought the room into the 21st century. –continued on page 47

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1,4 Whether geometric and angular or full of sinuous curves, symmetry is a must. 2 Artisan Mohammad Mushtaq at work on a floral carpet 3 Abdul Majeed and family in flood-damaged home

–continued from page 26

Ten Thousand Villages, 567 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 229-9892,

These days, he heads back to Pakistan twice a year from Ten Thousand Villages’ Ephrata, Penn., headquarters to meet with new and veteran village artisans. For Chaman, improving the artisans’ lives and living conditions through the rug sales is paramount. “Our goal is to sell more to create more jobs,” he says. “When we go into a village, we don’t just go and pick five families and leave the other 20 that might be also making rugs. We make sure that every family in that village has the opportunity [to work with Bunyaad] before we move to the next.” And the process isn’t just men’s work. “Having a loom in the village family home gives equal opportunity to the men and women participating in the design effort,” Chaman notes. Rug-making is a family affair that often includes husband and wife, siblings and cousins working side by side on ornate floral patterns or complex geometric shapes. “The Oriental rug industry traditionally has worked with the idea that you make a rug using your own resources, bring it to the market and wait for it to sell, which might be six months to a year, depending on its size,” Chaman says. Revolutionizing the process, Bunyaad gives artisans all the materials they need — loom, wool, dyes — as well as an advance to get started. They are paid the balance of their wages when their rugs are completed, before they’re exported to North America. “People find great dignity in the process,” Chaman says.

pasadena.tenthousandvillages.com Rug Event hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Learn what to look for when shopping for an Oriental rug, why fairly traded rugs are heirloom quality and how knotting rugs for a living is changing the lives of Pakistani rug artisans at Ten Thousand Villages’ free Oriental rug seminar on Thursday, May 19, at 7 p.m.

RUG LITERACY 101 Warps are the parallel strings stretched from loom beam to loom beam upon which

PHOTOS: Courtesy Ten Thousand Villages

rows of knots are tied. Most weavers use cotton for warp material if it is available be-

The creation of a 9' x 12' hand-knotted Bokhara rug — which takes four artisans working on a loom five to six hours a day about 10 months to complete — begins with designers graphing and painting elaborate patterns on paper. From that initial artwork, instructions are written for the artisans to follow. Meanwhile, wool from Karakul sheep is spun — either by hand or machine — and dyed in copper pots. “Because it has so much lanolin, it only absorbs dye at a very high temperature,” Chaman says. “Some of the copper comes off during the process and forms a protective coating on the wool as well.” Natural dyes — from such sources as dried orange peels, plant roots, tree bark and walnut and pomegranate shells — tend to be used with hand-spun wool, while commercial dyes like carmine and indigo are often paired with rugs made of machine-spun wool. Warp thread, the backbone of the rug, is installed on wooden and steel looms called khadis; artisans tie individual knots of yarn across the warp; once a row is completed, weft thread is laced through it to keep it in place and then it’s pushed down with combs. After the knotting has been completed, the rug is cut from the loom, tied, washed, dried, trimmed and preserved. The prep and post work adds another four months to the rugmaking process; in all, an average of 15 people are involved. The rugs are durable and maintenance is easy, Chaman says. The wool’s high lanolin content makes even stubborn substances such as ink easy to remove. Vacuuming is necessary only every five to 10 days. “I’ve never seen a rug come back with a major problem,” he says. “That, to me, shows what quality these rugs are.” ||||

cause it is easier to weave a flat, straight rug on cotton warps than on wool. Wefts run across the width of the rug, over and under the warp strings and between rows of knots. Wefts help hold rows of knots in place and strengthen the rug’s structure. Knots are tied by looping yarn around pairs of warps and cutting off the standing end. The ends of the knot become the pile or nap of the rug. Edge bindings are made by wrapping several warps at the edge of the rug with yarn for reinforcement. End finishes hold knots and wefts from slipping off the rug’s warp strings. Many rug types have a flat-woven selvedge at both ends. Fringes are formed by gathering and knotting together bundles of warp strings at both ends of the rug after it has been cut from the loom. The knots in these bundles of warp strings keep pile knots and end finishes tight at the rug’s ends.

Source: jacobsenrugs.com/terms.htm

04.11 | ARROYO | 39

PUTTING ON A NEW FACE Perforated steel panels over the windows deflect heat and light.

THE PWP GOES GREEN

Pasadena’s new Water and Power building reflects the latest in environmental and humanistic design. BY BETTIJANE LEVINE

It’s a pity that Pasadena’s new Water and Power building is hidden from public view in the utility’s gated yard at 245 Mountain St. The award-winning structure, designed to meet Gold LEED standards, is a paragon of civic virtues, a beacon of environmental and humanistic design. It’s a workplace conceived to enhance the wellbeing of those who work there — and to promote “Everything about this building is meant to add productivity and pleasure to the lives of the men and women who keep Pasadena running smoothly,” said David L. Goodale of Gonzalez Goodale, the project’s Pasadena-based architects. “It’s about the sustainability of human energy.” That’s a noble goal for an office building, where all too often (in our humble opinion) the ambience stifles joy and productivity. Windows don’t open, light is artificial and unfriendly and air conditioning is temperamental and often environmentally unsound. –continued on page 43 40 | ARROYO | 04.11

PHOTO: Heliphoto

harmony with nature instead of stealing from it.

04.11 | ARROYO | 41

PUTTING ON A NEW FACE Perforated steel panels over the windows deflect heat and light.

THE PWP GOES GREEN

Pasadena’s new Water and Power building reflects the latest in environmental and humanistic design. BY BETTIJANE LEVINE

PHOTO: Heliphoto

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PHOTOS: Heliphoto

–continued from page 40

Gonzalez Goodale’s success in realizing its lofty ambitions earned the complex a merit award from the Pasadena Foothill chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Indeed, the PWP’s new $10 million building is green in the extreme, employing every available technique to eliminate environmental ills, using non-toxic recycled materials to provide healthful air and natural light. Built as the new headquarters for PWP’s operations and maintenance crews as well as supervisors and executives, the steel-framed structure has a highly reflective roof and two experimental green-roof gardens, planted with sedum and Mexican feather grass, to cool it naturally from above. On the three sides where sunlight hits, windows are sheltered with perforated, powder-coated steel — panels that appear purely ornamental but help deflect heat and glare. The north side, not exposed to direct sun, is a two-story, floor-toceiling curtain of glare-and-shatter-proof glass, offering an unobstructed view of the San Gabriel Mountains and ever-changing sky. All workspaces in the loft-like structure face this inspiring view. Every window opens wide — even those embedded in the wall of glass. The naturally cooled interior uses less air conditioning than other buildings the same size (31,400 square feet), and the cooling system itself is “advanced and enhanced,” says architect Dennis Smith, the building’s project manager. The need for artificial lighting is reduced by the Solatube system, in which roof domes capture sunlight and distribute it indoors through highly reflective tubes. These illuminate much of the building’s balcony-like second-level workspace, which overlooks the ground floor and the mountain vista beyond. The railing on this second level and the stair risers leading up to it utilize the same perforated metal as the building’s exterior, a decorative theme that unifies inside and out. All countertops in the offices and restrooms are formed of recycled plastic milk containers. Even the parking lot is environmentally friendly, surfaced with permeable concrete that allow rain to seep back into the ground.

INTERNAL GEOMETRY (From top) The second-level balcony overlooks the ground floor and a view of the mountains; the first-floor lobby.

–continued on page 44 04.11 | ARROYO | 43

AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND EXTERIOR (From top) The two-story glass curtain wall helps manage the building’s temperature. The front façade is cooled by “rain” from an evaporative water feature.

44 | ARROYO | 04.11

The new headquarters replaces the original PWP building across the street, a stolid and chunky 1930s red brick structure now outdated and seismically unsafe. The old building will soon be rehabbed for continued use as a warehouse and storage space. The old PWP facility’s proximity presented the architects with a challenge: to design a contemporary building that harmonizes with a historic one — and to unify both ina single aesthetically pleasing compound. What they came up with is a kind of fraternal twin, born 80 years after its sibling, but with all the family characteristics intact. Both buildings share a similar size and boxy shape, architecturally echoing each other. But while the old one exhibits clunky industrial-era roots, the new addition seems to sit lightly on the land, its identity clearly stamped by the 21st century. A wide pedestrian path connecting the buildings will be planted with trees to form a shaded bower where employees can relax on breaks. And the PWP yard’s entire perimeter will be similarly planted, so that when the trees mature the whole space will resemble a park, says Smith. There’s also an auxiliary function for this building which everyone hopes will never be needed: It is designated as Pasadena’s new Emergency Operations Center. If a major fire, flood, quake or plague of parrots hits the city, the mayor and chiefs of essential services will convene here in safety. The building has backup generators and advanced technology of many sorts, Smith says. Two huge conference rooms, ordinarily used for training and meetings, have walls equipped with multiple screens that can instantly transmit live feeds from air or land transport from police, fire and medical personnel. This will allow the chiefs to assess conditions and deploy aid where it’s most needed. Gonzalez Goodale, established in 1979, designs only for public, institutional and corporate clients. The firm does not build homes. But if its architects could miniaturize the PWP building and create a community of similar loft-like, energy-efficient, safe and sustainable steel-frame dwellings, they could make an impressive imprint on Pasadena’s residential future. ||||

PHOTOS: Heliphoto

–continued from page 43

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04.11 | ARROYO | 45

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–continued from page 36 CARRIAGE HOUSE

Garage Envy, Inc., Sun Valley In past showcases, garages have been used as impromptu kitchens, storage areas or prep spaces for the house’s many designers — this is the first year that the garage itself is a feature of the showcase. Enter Garage Envy, a successful Sun Valley company founded by Jaime Dietenhofer and Scott Siler in 2002. Recognized by such media outlets as the Wall Street Journal, Time, Busi-

ness Week, E! Network and the Los Angeles Business Journal, Garage Envy prides itself on its cutting-edge remodeling designs. Even before the company’s founding, Dietenhofer and Siler dreamed of having their work featured in the Pasadena Showcase, but there was never an opportunity to do a garage remodel. “This is the first year in 46 years they’ve ever (featured) a garage,” Dietenhofer says. “Before, the garage was never thought of as having design potential.” When Dietenhofer first saw the original 600-square-foot garage, he was stunned.“It was a disaster. The garage doors were falling off the hinges—it was just a mess.” For the redesign, Dietenhofer elected to stay true to Paul Williams’s architecture, updating the space without over-modernizing it. Matching the look of the Carriage House with the overall esthetic of the main house was a priority, so Garage Envy incorporated custom lighting made from welding takes with raised-panel wood cabinet doors, hearty work surfaces and recessed shelving.

WE DO IT ALL

Two lofts above, which can be used as storage or office space, are accessible by steel ladders, painted antique red, to match the room’s original steel girders and I-beams. To bring the space more into the modern era, the group installed a flat-panel television and a –continued on page 48

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–continued from page 47 working beer tap and wine refrigerator, creating one of the few showcase projects specifically done with the man of the house in mind. “We wanted this to be the kind of place where you could put a game on (the television) and entertain,” Dietenhofer said. KITCHEN, BUTLER’S PANTRY AND LAUNDRY ROOM Chelsea Construction, a full-service design and construction company, was founded in 1996 by expert Mark Snashall, whose professional education has taken him across the globe.Today, the La Cañada Flintridge company specializes in luxury home remodels and custom homes throughout Southern California, though most of its clients come from Pasadena, La Cañada and San Marino. Chelsea’s work has been featured before in the Showcase; this year, the company was invited by designer Jan Ledgard of Yorkshire Kitchens to restore the Kitchen, Butler’s Pantry and Laundry Room in their historic spirit while updating the spaces to meet needs of the –continued on page 50

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–continued from page 48 home’s current family. The original rooms were stripped to the studs, says Chelsea owner Kathleen Snashall, and all electrical and plumbing was replaced to accommodate modern appliances. The original wall separating the kitchen and the butler’s pantry was removed to open the space up and walls were insulated to diffuse sound and reduce heating and cooling costs. The scope of the rebuild made the project quite complex. “Our biggest challenge was taking the lead in managing the relationship with city inspectors and the Department of Building and Safety staff to ensure the project was completed with full documentation and adherence to local and national construction codes,” Snashall added. When the work was finished, Snashall achieved an authentic, rustic feel that will take visitors back to the home’s origins while surprising them with new and innovative technologies that make the space convenient and livable.“We want them to be aware of how a kitchen in an English Tudor–style home built in the 1920s can still be functional and effective today,” Snashall said. AMHD The 2011 Pasadena Showcase House will be open to the public from April 17 to May 15. For more information, including ticket prices and hours, visit pasadenashowcase.org.

50 | ARROYO | 04.11

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RESOURCE GUIDE ARCHITECTS BLUE SKY STUDIO Are you planning a remodel or addition to your home? Maybe a new kitchen, master suite, or guest quarters? Are you ready to build your custom home from the ground up? Welcome to Blue Sky Studio...You’ve come to the right place. Blue Sky Studio started in 1994 and has enjoyed working with homeowners who are ready to raise their quality of life and increase the value of their property. They are known for listening to their clients and understanding their budgets. Call 626-584-6889 to turn imagination into reality or visit blueskystudio.net JAMES COANE & ASSOCIATES Since 1994, James V. Coane, has specialized in: custom residences, estates, historic renovations and expansions, residential and apartment interiors, multi-family residential, corporate interiors, retail and small commercial building design. American Institute of Architects award winners, and named Best Architect by Pasadena Weekly, their projects have been in Architectural Digest and other magazines and used as locations for filming and fashion shoots. Well-versed in historical and modern architecture and design and known for attention to detail on all projects. Visit jvca.com or call (626) 584-6922. HARTMANBALDWIN DESIGN/BUILD HartmanBaldwin Design/Build is a fully integrated Architecture, Construction and Interior Design Company specializing in upscale remodels, additions, historic restorations and new custom homes for highly discerning individuals that are passionate about their home and lifestyle. We pride ourselves in being chosen by clients who look for a full service firm that will provide them with outstanding design services, cutting-edge materials and products, quality construction that is sustainable and energy-efficient, as well as a relationship that goes beyond the duration of a project. Call 626.486.0510 to schedule your complimentary design consultation. HartmanBaldwin.com. MARK HOUSTON ASSOCIATES, INC. Mark Houston Associates Inc. provides residential planning and design services in San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and surrounding areas. With Mark Houston Associates Inc. you are an integral part of the design process. We work with you to create a residential environment that expresses your personality, values and vision. This collaboration begins with discerning your needs and flows through to the completion of construction. Call (626) 357-7858 NOTT & ASSOCIATES The “Design/Build” team of Tom and Jeffrey Nott specializes in custom homes in

Pasadena. Tom Nott received his Bachelor of Architecture at USC, and has worked for decades on major projects. His work includes projects including for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the L.A.Subway and countless commercial parks. Jeff began in the field at age 12, attended UCLA and UCSB and has built custom homes with distinguished designers in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air. Together they have completed over 130 projects in South Pasadena alone. Nott and Associates provides complete design through construction services, fulfilling your vision and appreciating your budget. Visit NOTTASSOCIATES.com or call (626) 403-0844.

BUILDERS & REMODELERS ALPHA STRUCTURAL, INC. With more than 30 years of experience, Alpha Structural, Inc. is a recognized leader in the engineering and construction of foundation and hillside repairs. Our goal is to engineer and build the most precise, practical and responsible repair for our customer’s property, so that they may realize their goals concerning the correction of their property. Contact Alpha Structural Inc. today for your construction needs. (323) 258-5482 alphastructural.com. GARAGE ENVY Garage Envy transforms garages into storage, work and play spaces with style...and plenty of room for cars! We designed Garage Envy’s storage and organization products, including our cabinets, just for the garage. Our system gets everything off the ground and organized. It’s built tough and features an array of flexible components. The options are limitless. Call 888248-8544 for a free design consultation. We’ll create a custom garage that meets your needs, and adds enduring value to your home. J. HARRINGTON CONSTRUCTION CORP. Jan & Co.’s high standards and small, friendly staff specialize in designing and constructing custom kitchens, baths and room additions.You’ll find examples of beautiful remodels and renovations in homes throughout San Gabriel Valley. The business is built around three components: Project Management, Trades and Office Management. Harrington and her project manager coordinate logistics and staffing amidst the hustle and bustle of multiple worksites. 3579 E. Foothill Blvd. #596, Pasadena 626-791-5556 JanEcoConsruction.com ROMANI CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT Whether your dream home is traditional or modern, a mansion or a cottage, Romani Construction will work with you from design to completion. Since 1984, Jim Romani has worked to create a reputation of

excellence in building custom homes, with the added personal touch of being on-site daily to ensure a smooth process. Call for a complimentary consultation or brochure (626) 442-2292, find us on facebook, or visit romaniconstruction.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY CHRISTINE WON, M.D. What is Concierge Medicine? It’s a type of practice that allows you to spend 30 minutes for office visits (rather than 8 minutes in a traditional practice).You’ll be treated like a person instead of a number. We’ll focus on preventive care to maintain your good health through a comprehensive annual physical that includes extensive blood tests, EKG, metabolic test and much more. Call us for info and how to join at (626) 793-8455. DR. MARILYN MEHLMAUER Having smooth, youthful skin is the first step to feeling great about your appearance. Dr. Marilyn Mehlmauer offers a wide variety of solutions for any problem areas on your face. Whether you have lines, wrinkles or acne, we have a remedy to restore the elasticity and refine the appearance of your skin. Visit us and explore our facial rejuvenation treatment options. Call and schedule your consultation today, (626) 585-9474.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS CAROL COBABE With a philosophy of “good design resulting in the creation of harmony in one’s environment,” Carol’s work has been published in countless publications. She has participated in several showcase houses, the Los Angeles Assistance League Design House, the Venice Family Clinic Design House and Little Company of Mary Design House in Palos Verdes. Carol is also a winner of the coveted First Place Award of the L.A. Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. Call (626) 441-6052. CYNTHIA BENNETT Cynthia Bennett & Associates has been a celebrated design and build firm for almost 30 years. They specialize in innovative kitchen and bath design, general construction, historical renovation, project management and interior design. With all areas of residential design and construction being taken care of by Cynthia Bennett and Associates, Inc., each detail will be thought of and coordinated. Call for a consultation at (626) 799-9701. DAY OF DESIGN WITH TERRI JULIO Day of Design with Terri Julio — Imagine the opportunity to consult with a professional designer for an entire day. Now you can for a fixed flat fee. Let Terri’s expertise be the first thing you call upon when considering any project. It is a worthwhile in-

vestment and a good dose of prevention considering valuable dollars and time can be lost when improvements go awry. Call (626) 447-5370 or visit terrijulio.com. SIERRA CUSTOM KITCHENS Sierra Custom Kitchens is a full service design firm that specializes in kitchens and bathrooms. We also design fine furniture cabinetry by Wood-Mode, one of the premier cabinetry companies in the industry. We have a 1,800 square foot showroom located on the east side of Pasadena and we feature traditional, transitional and contemporary displays. No matter what style you are looking for, we will be able to accommodate your design with a plethora of different styles and finishes. 2534 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-7928080 sierracustomkitchens.com

INTERIOR SPACES HOUSE OF HONEY House of Honey is a home decor shop and interior design studio featuring the unique voice of Tamara Kaye-Honey. She carries an eclectic mix of re-invented furnishings & accessories, art, lighting, jewelry & handbags, progressive design pieces, arts-oriented books as well as wallpaper and fabric. Design services are offered, ranging from re-covering a special chair to complete residential and commercial renovations. 1518A Mission St. in South Pasadena. 626-441-2454. houseofhoney.la MAUDE WOODS Stepping into Maude Woods: Artful Living, shoppers may feel they’ve entered someone’s beautiful home. Owner Carrie Davich mixes new upscale furnishings with vintage and renovated second-hand treasures. Within this “home” shoppers can find a unique hostess gift for $25, a $5,000 table and a variety of beautiful items in between. 55 E. Holly St., Pasadena. Call (626) 577-3400 or visit maudewoods.com MISSION FRAMNG Mission Framing has earned a reputation as a professional custom framing company. As such, it enjoys a longstanding and loyal customer base, ranging from individual and family accounts to commercial clients in the greater LA area. Services include custom and standard framing, restoration and repairs, custom staining of raw moulding, mat cutting, glass replacement, and dry mounting. It is Mission Framing’s philosophy that “no job is too small” to deserve their expert care and professionalism. Mission Framing, 1501 Mission St., South Pasadena. Call (626) 799-3445 (626) 585-8853 MODERN LIGHTING Modern Lighting has been serving Southern California’s lighting needs since 1946. With all –continued on page 54 04.11 | ARROYO | 53

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RESOURCE GUIDE –continued from page 53 types of fixtures in every price range, you’ll find what you want. If not, we do custom design. We have stocks of light bulbs to compliment your fixture and we continually watch the marketplace for the best buys. Our staff has decades of lighting experience.. Feel free to contact us if our service is what you are looking for: call (626) 286-3262. PASADENA PILLOW TALK The family-owned business began over 15 years ago. On a tree-lined street in a quaint town in So. Californiz, the partners tried out their pillow cover ideas at a local art fair. They were a hit and so was born the PILLOW TALK company. The Pillow Talk Home Collection is a complete line of decorative pillows, luxurious bedding and designer upholstery pieces, designed to give comfort, style and attitude to today’s sophisticated living. pillowtalkonline.com RELAX THE BACK STORE Relax the Back is for people seeking relief and prevention of back and neck pain. We offer posture and back support products and self care solutions because we are the most innovative, medically-driven nationwide back care retailer. Relax The Back Corporation has a proven track record of sales, customer satisfaction, and success. Our stores offer excellent products and trained, knowledgeable experts to help you get the most out of your ergonomic chairs, mattresses, zero gravity recliners, and more. 240 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, 626793-1966 relaxtheback.com WALLBEDS “N” MORE We are proud of our reputation for meeting and exceeding customers’ expectations. We have the largest display of Murphy Wallbeds in California. We are your Murphy Wallbed specialists and will take you through every step of the purchasing process to ensure you choose a bed that matches all your requirements. We will work with you, from beginning, organizing the room layout, choosing the bed style, wood and added features, to final delivery and installation. Call (626)233-8544 or visit wallbedsnmore.com WALLBEDS FACTORY DIRECT Since 1980 we have been producing quality, hand crafted work to suit the needs of hundreds of satisfied Southern California customers. Until now, we have only produced our fine furnishings for a select group of stores. We would now like to invite you to enjoy the convenience of coming to us directly for your bedroom, office, and custom cabinetry needs. All of our products are hand crafted with American hardwoods such as Maple, Birch, Alder, Cherry and Oak and have a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee. 626.303.5264 or wallbedsfactorydirect.com. 54 | ARROYO | 04.11

JEWELRY, ART & ANTIQUES ARNOLD’S FINE JEWELRY Celebrating their 100th year in Pasadena are inviting shoppers to help blow out the birthday candles. On Dec. 10 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., third generation gemologist and jewelry design expert Bruce Arnold and his knowledgeable staff will be raffling off a string of 100 Pearls, one for each year in the crown city. Entries may be taken in the store starting Nov. 2 through Dec. 10. One per household only. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. 350 Lake Ave., Pasadena. (626) 795-8647 arnoldsfinejewelry.com. BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS With resident Specialists well versed in the fields of European and American Furniture and Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Hollywood Memorabilia, Jewelry, Books and Manuscripts, Asian Art, California Painting, Prints and Wine, Bonhams & Butterfields Los Angeles is well equipped to appraise individual items, diverse collections and entire estates. To make a private appointment to receive an auction estimate, please call 323-850-7500. Forthcoming Auctions: California and Western Paintings and Sculpture, April 6, 2011. Preview in Los Angeles March 25-27. Inquiries please call Scot Levit at 323-426-5425. FANCY THAT! At Fancy That! we love all the soft, fluffy, bright and bouncing things of Spring. We have Easter bunnies, chicks, wreathes, floral and table top decorations to warm your nest. Our inspired Willow Tree Angels & Figurines, Blessing Bowls and delicate, lit cherry blossom stems, spring garlands and florals will bring the promise of the season into your heart and home. It’s blossom time at Fancy That! Come share the joy. Fancy That! 2575 Mission St. San Marino 403.2577 fancythat.us.com JOHN MORAN AUCTIONEERS A full-service auction house for over 40 years, John Moran Auctioneers is internationally recognized as a leader in sales of exceptional antiques, fine art, jewelry and eclectic estate items. In addition to monthly Estate Auctions, Moran’s conducts tri-annual California and American Art auctions featuring top 19th and 20th century Impressionist and Western artists. Clients value Moran’s for expertise and dedication to top-quality personalized service. For information about consigning, purchasing at auction, estate services, appraisals, and free walk-in Valuation Days, please call (626) 793-1833 or visit johnmoran.com.

MORTGAGE LENDERS WELLS FARGO The Patsy Grant Team at Wells Fargo Home Financing meets your needs. Because your

home is one of your biggest investments, it’s important to ensure that your mortgage fits you. This is our specialty — helping you find mortgage solutions that meet your current situation while complementing your long-term financial goals. We will help you determine what mortgage options work for you, guide you through the loan process and answer your questions. Patsy: (626) 577-3721; Jim: (626) 577-3703

OUTDOOR LIVING GARDEN VIEW LANDSCAPE Specializing in landscaping, nurseries and pools, Garden View Inc. can take you from a design idea to a finished, detail-oriented garden. Garden View & their clientele are recipients of 60 awards from the California Landscape Contractors Association. The intent of the company is to provide highquality interrelated outdoor services. The synergy between having their own designer/project managers, in-house crews, their own large nursery, and being a licensed pool builder provides for efficiency, competitive pricing, quality and schedule control. Call (626) 303-4043. GAROCCO POOLS Plan for your new pool or pool remodel. The time is now to start the process of building your new pool. Your family and friends will thank you at the beginning of the summer as you start to enjoy the beautiful new addition to your home and yard. Garocco, Inc. is well known for their outstanding pool design and construction. Call now to set up an appointment for a design consultation: (626) 359-5050 or visit garocco.com MOTHER MAGNOLIA A private residential landscape design and construction firm operating here since 1999, Mother Magnolia’s passion is creating an outdoor space for you to enjoy. Your outdoor space should be your refuge, a place with power to rejuvenate. Our reliable and dedicated in-house designers, experienced masons, irrigation specialists, and landscape technicians will make your landscape vision a reality. Or, if you have a design prepared, we will provide construction bids. Fully bonded and insured, 3-time winner of HGTV’s “Landscaper’s Challenge,” and a member of the California Landscape Contractors’ Association, Angie’s List, and the Better Business Bureau. Call (626) 296-2617, or visit mothermagnolia.com. TEAK WAREHOUSE Today’s hottest outdoor trend is the outdoor living room ... a favorite for hotels & resorts for years and now available for residential settings. Why go to an expensive resort for the weekend when you can turn your back yard into one? Invest in some-

thing that will bring comfort and style for the long run! Teak Warehouse boasts over 16 varied collections of deep seating, offering teak and wicker at the best prices in California. 133 E. Maple Ave., Monrovia. Call (626) 305-8325 or visit teakwarehouse.com

REAL ESTATE LIN VLACICH-SOTHEBY’S Lin Vlacich of Sotheby’s, a 25-year veteran in the real estate profession, is known for her reputation and success as a leader in the San Gabriel Valley brokerage community, as well as for high professional ethics, superior negotiating skills, innovative marketing plans and extensive knowledge of real estate sales. Committed to excellence in representing buyers and sellers throughout Pasadena, San Marino, South Pasadena and the surrounding communities. Call (626) 688-6464 or (626) 396-3975 or email vlacichs@aol.com

SOLAR SUNGREEN SYSTEMS SunGreen Systems is a solar developer that integrates solar technology, architectural design and real estate development skills to deliver customized optimal solar solutions. Our systems and designs are cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and friendly to the environment and enhance asset value. Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals from the fields of architecture and energy, focused on building a business that leverages the best of photovoltaic technology to address some of the greatest challenges facing our society – from energy independence, to global warming. 626.851.0008 sungreensystems.com

KITCHEN CONFESSIONS

It seems that lately I can’t get enough of cowboy movies. I’ve also taken to wearing boots, and I find myself using words like “howdy” and “yup.” I think I should have been born in the olden days. (No, kids, I am not referring to the 1980s.) Oh, how I long for the Old West, before Sigalerts and TSA agents and high fructose corn syrup, when a fresh orange or a pretty ribbon was worth celebrating. Yes, life was harder in the 19th century, but compared to the

Happy Trails

18th century, it was a piece of cake! Even if I had ventured west in the 1870s, the chances I would have become a cowgirl are slim (although I am the Calamity Jane type, and I do like me some pants). Most girls who came to the Wild West ended up in prostitution, which is not the kind of romance I’m looking for. Yes, it was a lawless time of gunslingers, muddy streets and the subjugation of women. But it can’t all have been like that. After all, it was also the time of Darwin, Tchaikovsky and the Brooklyn Bridge. Yup, I would definitely have followed the hordes west in search of my fortune, although the thought of being knee-deep in a Sierra creekbed with a gold pan is about

Beef before brutality: a Western fantasy

as appealing as the prostitute thing. You see, I am a woman who likes to be in charge.

BY LESLIE BILDERBACK | PHOTOS TERI LYN FISHER

you wanted absolute power in the Old West you had two choices: become a railroad

I need control. I need to be the master of my domain, and, from what I can gather, if tycoon or a chuck wagon cook. Now we’re talkin’. –continued on page 56 04.11 | ARROYO | 55

KITCHEN CONFESSIONS

–continued from page 55 Chuck wagons were used by people on the move — folks on wagon trains, loggers, miners — but they were first created for cowboys. The chuck wagon cook was the king of the cattle drive. They called him “Cookie” or “Cousie,” after the Spanish word for kitchen, cocina. In addition to meals, Cookie was the go-to barber, doctor, dentist, banker, mediator, postmaster, morale officer and referee. Responsible for the smooth functioning of the camp, he ruled with an absolute hand. (Sounds a lot like what I do now. They should have called him Trail Mom.) An average cattle drive moved 2,000 to 3,000 head from 500 to 1,000 miles. To keep the cows at optimal weight, they were never rushed, traveling a leisurely 10 or so miles a day. The entire drive could take upwards of five months. In 1866 an enterprising cowman named Charles Goodnight, while preparing to drive 2,000 head of cattle from Texas to Denver, realized his cowboys couldn’t carry everything they needed in their saddlebags. So he bought an iron-axle army-surplus Studebaker wagon and converted it into a rolling kitchen. He added a box to the back with a sloping lid that opened up on two hinged legs to become the kitchen counter. There were cubbyholes and drawers to hold supplies, and the canvas top could be rigged overhead as an awning. Another canvas was slung under the wagon to hold fuel (otherwise known as cow pies). On the trail, Cookie ranked second only to the trail boss. He got up before the sun to start the fire and make breakfast, including a three-gallon pot of coffee (a.k.a. cowboy crack). After the meal was cleaned up, the chuck wagon rolled ahead to set up for lunch, and after lunch, he would ride ahead again to find the night’s camp. It was a grueling job. (To accurately gauge the importance of Cookie, watch Roscoe Lee Brown’s performance as Mr. Nightlinger in perhaps the greatest Western ever, The Cowboys.) Every cattle drive followed the same set of strict rules, known as the Cowboy Code, which emphasized courtesy to others, especially around the chuck wagon. There was no riding, saddling or tying up horses near the wagon, no warming oneself at Cookie’s stove. Any cowboy who refilled his coffee was obliged to pour it for everybody. Guns had to be removed before eating. One never complained about the food, and one never shot at a woman, no matter what. (I’m going to use this code as the centerpiece on my next Thanksgiving table.) A good Cookie kept the menu interesting. The main protein on the cattle drive was beef, and all the parts were served, usually chicken-fried. (Grease was the most popular flavor, so I think we can safely blame Texas for America’s love of all things fried. Like Texas needed another strike against it.) Enterprising Cookies thought ahead, planting herbs and chiles along the trail, nestled in patches of prickly mesquite to discourage foraging animals. They were used in the original chili con carne. Dried beef, fat, herbs and chile pods were pounded into a paste and formed into chili bricks that kept well and could be reconstituted into a stew. Nerdy historians (redundant?) call it “Southwest pemmican,” which was similar to a dried trail food used by Native Americans.

Chuck Wagon Chili INGREDIENTS 4 to 6 dried red chiles (pasilla or guajillo) 3 tablespoons bacon fat 1 large yellow onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 large carrot, chopped 3 or 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon whole dried cumin seed, toasted and ground 2 or 3 stale corn tortillas, ripped into pieces 2 pounds grass-fed beef (chuck roast works nicely), diced small or ground 1 large can stewed tomatoes, chopped, with juice 2 cups cooked beans (your choice — black, kidney, pinto, etc.) Salt and pepper to taste Water as needed

METHOD 1. Roast chile pods in a 400º oven until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Cool until crisp, then remove seeds and stems. (Wear gloves to prevent capsicum from touching your hands.) Place in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. At the boil, remove from heat and let sit 30 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, set a large stew pot over high heat, add bacon fat, onion, celery and carrot and cook until tender. Reduce heat and add garlic, oregano and cumin. Add tortilla pieces and stir to moisten. Add meat and cook until browned, about 30 minutes. 3. Remove chiles from water and puree in a blender. (Add chile water as needed to create a fine puree.) Add puree to the pot, along with tomatoes and beans. Cook for 30 minutes on low heat, adding water as needed to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper before serving with a dollop of sour cream and sourdough biscuits.

Chuck wagons in mining or logging camps got the bulk of their protein from salt pork and the beloved bean (a.k.a. Pecos strawberries — perhaps the most disappoint-

And what a taste it was! Those animals were grass-fed and free-range, with no

ing food slang ever). They had corn meal, spices and sourdough growing in a barrel for

added hormones, antibiotics or corn. Plus, they lived happy cow lives.(There is nothing

biscuits, which appeared at every meal (dipped in grease). Canned foods had been in

more delicious than a happy cow.)

production for decades, and most chuck wagons carried an assortment, including

And this, my beef-loving friends, is where the romance of the trail ends, and the long

canned fruit that would be mixed into an eggless cake or cobbler, sweetened with mo-

and disturbing history of American meat processing begins. Refrigerated cars, pickup

lasses and botulism.

trucks and barbed wire took over. Brutal feedlots replaced the ranch, and 100 years after

It sounds simple enough, but the chuck wagon revolutionized the cattle business. Texas had a lot of beef, but not a lot of people, so cows were herded north to the railheads for transport. From the end of the Civil War until the mid-1880s, 10 million head hit the trail. Cow towns sprang up where the trail met the trains, in places like St. Louis,

Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle, meatpacking is still widely considered the most dangerous factory job in America. So you’ll indulge me my little Western fantasy. It beats the reality of the shrinkwrapped anony-meat at my local supermarket. ||||

Denver and Dodge City, Kansas. There, trail-weary cowboys lived it up as the cattle were loaded onto boxcars and shipped to the stockyards of Chicago or boomtowns out west

Leslie Bilderback is a certified master baker, chef and cookbook author. A South

that had a taste for beef and the gold to pay for it.

Pasadena resident, she teaches her techniques online at culinarymasterclass.com.

56 | ARROYO | 04.11

DINING a/k/a (An American Bistro) 41 Hugus Alley Pasadena (626) 564-8111 akabistro.com Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

A Star-Spangled Bistro At Pasadena’s airy new a/k/a, a bistro-style menu gets that American je ne sais quoi. BY BRADLEY TUCK

One of the great things about living in a vibrant city is the bustle of people dashing from shop to shop, chatting over coffee in sidewalk cafes and perusing menus in busy restaurants. The hum of human activity is something so often lacking in Los Angeles, save for certain walkable neighborhoods. Perhaps one of the most attractive hives here is One Colorado Plaza, with its brick façades surrounding a welcoming patio that feels like a stage for street theater in an old European town. Of course, no old European town is complete without a great neighborhood

PHOTO: Courtesy Media Boutique

bistro that serves delicious, unpretentious fare, with an owner who remembers customers’ names and perhaps big French doors opening onto a bustling piazza. Well, now Pasadena has just that, in the form of a/k/a (An American Bistro). Beef tartare with pickled mustardseed, caramelized onion and four-minute egg yolk

–continued on page 58 04.11 | ARROYO | 57

DINING CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Risotto Crispy Portobello fries with truffle aïoli Cassoulet with duck confit Crispy Scottish salmon with leek fondue

–continued from page 57 Opened on Feb. 9 in a former Gordon Biersch space, a/k/a is a new venture from seasoned restaurateurs Deborah and Robert Simon, both natives of the area. Their other Pasadena establishment, Bistro 45, has been feeding people well for more than 20 years. They opened a/k/a in the quaint Napa Valley town of St. Helena in October 2008 and garnered a Michelin recommendation. It was famously the location for Chelsea Clinton’s bachelorette dinner until the Simons closed it last month, packed up the chef and equipment and moved them here for the new restaurant. A/k/a’s latest incarnation features a huge wall of folding doors that open onto the plaza in front, transforming the dining room into an indoor-outdoor space. Lighting is kind, the walls are painted a deep warm brown, and seating is mostly in high-backed booths that ensconce you in comfort and privacy. There’s a glass-walled wine room at the rear holding more than 2,000 bottles, and the patio in the front is sure to be a major Pasadena destination when the balmy summer evenings kick in. Your table is a two-inch-thick slab of wood that at first feels a little too high, but you quickly get used to it. It’s also easy to adjust to the friendliness of the staff, the relaxed ambience and Robert darting from table to table, carrying plates to diners and chatting convivially. At one point, a server stood looking bemused at the elegant plates balanced on her forearm, clearly trying to remember their destination. She summoned Simon’s attention and pointed to the plates. “Yes, beautiful aren’t they?” he replied, while steering her in the right direction. The menu is classic bistro with some California twists. Produce is largely local, and Chef Jonathan Wiener, formerly of the Michelin-starred Étoile at Napa’s Domaine Chandon winery, does a terrific job of making

2009 Belle Glos Meiomi California Pinot Noir. The cherry cola, spice and even a touch of

these classics come alive with fresh flavors and mouthwatering presentation. God is in

almond essence were just what the duck — and I — needed. A double-cut “prairie-fresh”

the details, as they say, so a roasted winter beet salad comes with crisps of lotus root,

pork chop had been brined for three days prior to being carefully grilled to medium rare

fennel pollen and a little cube of an intensely rich Fourme d’Ambert bleu cheese. The

in one of the tastiest incarnations of “the other white meat” I’ve come across. Heirloom

beets’ earthiness and texture plays perfectly against the funky tang of the cheese. The

carrots were sweet and chewy, and I thought I spied a little parsnip but forgot to ask.

David against the beet Goliaths. A charcuterie plate featured some marvelous house-

If, after all this pleasure, you still have room for more, I would recommend caramel ice cream profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce. There’s something defiantly ’70s about

made pâté, a tiny torchon of foie gras with a port-poached pear, Italian prosciutto,

profiteroles that makes me think they belong in the same sentence as vol-au-vents,

house-pickled vegetables (the baby fennel bulb being particularly good) and a bright,

those other triumphs of ‘70s middle-class hostessry. Balls of choux pastry stuffed with ice

tangy, house-made grain mustard. A couple of pieces of bread, a glass of wine and that

cream can be called whatever you please. Under any alias they are utterly delicious.

plate alone could make a satisfying diner-tout-seul on a summer evening. The cassoulet was rich and hearty, everything French comfort food should be, with pieces of crisped confit of duck nestled among the beans, washed down with a lovely 58 | ARROYO | 04.11

After dining, I suddenly realized why the tables were just that bit too high — they are designed to make the journey from the plate to your mouth a little less time-consuming. God is indeed in the details. ||||

PHOTOS: Courtesy Media Boutique

cheese looked a little meager at first but was certainly able to hold its own, a lactose

THE LIST

A SELECTIVE PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EVENTS COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER

CURTAIN RISES ON PASADENA PLAYHOUSE GALA

Corelli, Handel, Pergolesi and Telemann.

CALIFORNIA GOLD ON CANVAS

Tickets cost $15 to $45.

April 3 — The California Art Club celebrates

HISTORIC MUSIC, HISTORIC LOCALE

April 1 — The Pasadena Playhouse hosts

April 17 — Winners of the Coleman

its centennial with the 100th annual Gold

April 3 — The Da

its annual benefit gala,“Opening Night,”

Chamber Ensemble Competition perform

Medal Juried Exhibition, opening today at

Camera Society’s

at 7 p.m. The theater will be transformed

at 3:30 p.m. in Ramo Auditorium. Admis-

the Pasadena Museum of California Art

Chamber Music in

into a grand ballroom for cocktails, dinner,

sion is $10 to $20.

and running through April 24. An artists’ re-

Historic Sites series

dancing, live entertainment and general

continues with a

merriment. Tickets cost $250.

1:30 p.m. concert at

The Pasadena Playhouse is located

the Mission-style Flintridge Sacred Heart

at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena.

Academy, featuring baroque cellist Tanya

Call (626) 921-1156 or visit

Tomkins performing Bach’s six cello suites.

pasadenaplayhouse.org.

Tickets cost $75.

The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is

CELEBRATING WOMEN AUTHORS

located at 440 St. Katherine Drive, La

April 2 — The 2011

Cañada Flintridge. Call (213) 477-2929 or

Pasadena Festival of

visit dacamera.org.

Women Authors

LA OPERA CELEBRATES YOUNG ARTISTS

sponsors discussions and signings at the

PHOTOS: Sonia Machanda (Nrityagram Dance Ensemble);Andrew Eccles (Alvin Ailey); Jeanette Yu (Tanya Tomkins); Robert Millard (LA Opera); Nick Boswell Photography (Junior League of Pasadena)

Pasadena Senior

L.A. Opera presents

Center from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This

“25 Recitals for 25

year’s lineup includes Naomi Hirahara

Seasons: L.A. Opera’s

(Mas Arai mystery series), Attica Locke

Young Artist Celebra-

(pictured) (Black Water Rising), Maile

tion” around the

Meloy (Both Ways is the Only Way I Want

greater L.A. area from

It) and Marianne Wiggins (Evidence of

April 4 through May 15, including these

Things Unseen). The moderator is novelist

free public performances:

Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. Tickets (includ-

April 10 — 2 p.m. at the Autry National Cen-

ing lunch) cost $80 per person and ben-

ter, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park.

efit the Senior Center.

A HALF-CENTURY OF REVELATIONS AT MUSIC CENTER

Call (323) 667-2000 or visit theautry.org.

April 8 through 17 — Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center brings

For additional information, visit

Caltech’s arts per-

the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The en-

laopera.com.

formances this

gagement celebrates 50 years of Ailey’s Revelations, considered a modern

month are in Beck-

dance masterpiece and tribute to African-American heritage and Ailey’s genius.

man Auditorium un-

Tickets cost $25 to $105. Performance times and dates vary.

April 9 — The Junior

less otherwise noted.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is located at 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Call

League of Pasadena,

April 2 — The Nritya-

(213) 972-0711 or visit musiccenter.org/events/dance.html.

Inc. presents its third

The Pasadena Senior Center is located at 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena. Call (626) 6856760 or visit pasadenafestivalofwomenauthors.org.

SATIRE, SARIS AND CHAMBER MUSIC AT CALTECH

April 17 — 2 p.m. at Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Call (626)

449-2742 or visit pacificasiamuseum.org. April 20 — 12:30 p.m. at Occidental College’s Bird Studio, 1600 Campus Rd., Eagle Rock. Call (323) 259-2785.

CHOCOLATE FOR CHARITY

annual “Chocolate

gram Dance Ensemble blends the classical Indian dance form of Odissi with

April 29, 30 and May 1 — The Capitol

ception from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday costs $75

contemporary dance concepts, at

Steps, a satirical troupe of former Con-

per person, $100 at the door.The exhibition

8 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $26.

gressional staffers, performs song paro-

of some 200 works creating a visual jour-

Pasadena. The black-tie dinner and

April 8 — Aquila Theatre, described as “a

dies and pokes fun at politicians and

ney through California coincides with the

chocolate tasting celebrating the group’s

classically trained, modernly hip troupe”

other newsmakers in three shows: at 8

publication of California Light: A Century

85th anniversary starts at 6:30 p.m. with

by the New York Times, presents an inven-

p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3:30 p.m.

of Landscapes/Paintings of the California

cocktails. Local artisan chocolatiers offer

tive production of Shakespeare’s A Mid-

Sunday. Admission costs $10 to $38.

Art Club by Skira Rizzoli. A lecture and book-

their wares as judges vote one of them

summer Night’s Dream at 8 p.m.

Caltech is located at 1200 E. California

signing is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. April 10.

the 2011 Chocolatier of the Year. Tickets

April 10 — In a Coleman Chamber Music

Blvd., Pasadena. Parking is located at 332

The Pasadena Museum of California Art is

cost $150 each.

Concert, the Dutch group Rebel performs

S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. Call (626)

located at 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. Call

Call (626) 796-0244 or visit myjlp.com.

music by Leclair, Purcell, Rossi, Marini, Fux,

395-4652 or visit events.caltech.edu.

(626) 568-3665 or visit pmcaonline.org.

Chip Ball” at a private club in

–continued on page 60 04.11 | ARROYO | 59

e t tas the flavors of arroyo

THE LIST

–continued from page 59

for children ages 4 to 12. Brunch is free for

IONESCO’S THE CHAIRS OPENS AT A NOISE WITHIN

kids ages 3 and under.

April 9 — A Noise Within stages Ionesco's

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418

Call (818) 790-3663 for reservations.

rarely performed The Chairs, opening

Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Call

today at 8 p.m. and continuing through

(818) 949-4200 or visit descansogar-

May 21. The surreal play focuses on the

dens.org.

couple Semiramis and General Factotum, as the general prepares for an evening

ART OF THE GARDEN ON DISPLAY

event to deliver a message that has

April 17 — Sierra Madre’s Creative Arts

taken a lifetime to complete. Julia Rod-

Group presents its annual “Art of the Gar-

riguez-Elliott directs. Tickets cost $46 for Fri-

den” tour of four private estate gardens in

day and Saturday evening and Sunday

the Pasadena area, from 10:30 a.m. to

matinee performances, $42 for Wednes-

4:30 p.m. Stops include a 1929 Italian Re-

day, Thursday and Sunday evenings and

vival home, a Mediterranean dwelling, a

Saturday matinees.

post-and-beam structure and a Greene

A Noise Within is located at 234 S. Brand

and Greene home. Tickets cost $25 in ad-

Blvd., Glendale. Call (818) 240-0910 or visit

vance, $30 the day of the tour.

anoisewithin.org.

The Creative Arts Group is located at 108 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre. Call (626)

AUTISM MOM TELLS OF TRIALS

355-8350 or visit creativeartsgroup.org.

April 15 — Author,

YESTERDAY’S UGO’S STILL THE PLACE TO DINE AND SHINE

AUCTION BENEFITS ARTS CENTER

mother of three autis-

April 17 — Eagle Rock’s Center for the

tic daughters Kim

Arts hosts its annual art auction from 2 to

Stagliano discusses

5 p.m., featuring works by more than 100

and signs her book,

artists.Tickets cost $25 before April 8, $30

All I Can Handle: I’m No Mother Teresa, at

after and at the door.

7 p.m. at Vroman’s Bookstore as part of

Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is located

Autism Awareness Month. Her memoir re-

at 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock.

lates the trials of raising her children and

Call (323) 226-1617 or visit

the added stress of loss --- of her hus-

centerartseaglerock.org.

band’s job and the family home.

Vroman’s Bookstore is located at 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 449-

BY DAN O’HERON

ART MEETS SCIENCE AT NORTON SIMON

5320 or visit vromansbookstore.com. That “Z” which has been put at the head of its original name, Ugo’s, is not a “Z” as in “zany” but rather “Z” as in “ zoom”: a speedy drive upward by the restaurant to clear an obstacle and keep ahead of the competition.But why would one change a name that had developed value in setting out to prove that it’s Italian cookery, not French, that is the standard by which all cuisines should be measured? “Apparently, after articles in SUNSET and ARROYO magazines, which made some noise about us beyond Sierra Madre, the owner of another Ugo’s in Culver City got worried,” said Cesare Grossi, who owns and operates Zugo’s with his wife, Sherry.“He threatened us with a cease and desist order. Adding a “Z” to our sign was easier than ZUGO’S CAFÉ going to court. Our name has changed but we haven’t.” 74 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Vivid evidence of their traditional high standards is found in Sierra Madre dishes like Zugo’s famous lasagne Bolognese. Stratified by six (626) 836-5700 tiers of rich semolina — the best pasta in Italy is made from this zugoscafe.com coarsely grained wheat — it is interspersed with layers of sweet ricotta, buttery mozzarella and aged parmigiana, all enrobed in a meaty Bolognese sauce. Complete with salad and house-baked bread for $15.99, it melts in your mouth without wrinkling your wallet. And, acting on the Grossis’ belief that when ideal reciprocal flavors of food and wine are brought together, the two combine for more delicious taste perceptions than either alone could provide— they may suggest an irresistible pairing of the New York strip steak with a glass of Jinetes 2006, Mendocino, Syrah. Created by top jockeys, Mike Smith and Alex Solis, along with thoroughbred owner Tom Lenner, the wine gallops with aplomb alongside its mate. It shouldn’t surprise that cheerleaders at the restaurant now cry out,“Gimme a Z.” I —ADVERTISEMENT—

60 | ARROYO | 04.11

April 22 — “Where Art Meets Science:

CELEBRATING THE EARTH AND EASTER AT DESCANSO

Ancient Sculpture

April 16 — Descanso Gardens cele-

Buddhist World”

from the Hinduopens and continues

brates Earth Day with a daylong festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local country, rock,

through Aug. 1. The exhibition explores

roots and bluegrass band the Mobile

ways the trained art historian, aided by

Homeboys performs at 1 p.m., and

evidence from technical examinations by

nature-themed activities for children

conservators and conservation scientists,

run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Moo Doo

can unveil an object’s history. The exhibi-

Puppets perform at 11 a.m., and local

tion includes items not normally on view

artists sell their wares from 9 a.m. to 5

at the museum.

p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free with

April 23 — Dr. Donald Stadtner, author of

Descanso admission.

Ancient Pagan and Sacred Sites of

April 29 and 30 — Patina Group chefs

Burma, presents an illustrated lecture,“An-

prepare an Easter brunch, with seatings

cient Forms, Modern Copies: The Limits of

at 10 and 11:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and

Connoisseurship” at 4 p.m. He discusses

Easter egg hunts for children both days.

forgeries produced by workshops in India

The cost is $50, $42 for members and $19

–continued on page 62

PHOTOS: Courtesy of The Norton Simon Foundation (“Where Art Meets Science”)

Zugo’s Cafe: Only the Name has Changed

autism activist and

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MALBEC NEW ARGENTINEAN CUISINE 1001 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 683-0550 10151 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake (818) 762-4860 Malbeccuisine.com

THE LIST

DREAMS OF THE SKY

April 29 — Fantasy meets historical reality in “Skydreamers,” the Autry National Center’s new exhibition on the impact of aviation throughout history, continuing through Aug. 21. Some 150 items --- including works by Alfred Stieglitz, Margaret Bourke-White, Aaron Siskind, Sharon Harper, Michael Light and David Malin --trace flight in the popular imagination, from the 1780s, when the Montgolfier brothers developed a balloon that could carry people over the city of Paris, to

Argentina is world famous for its cuisine, and Malbec Argentinean Bistro brings that cuisine to Pasadena with their homemade salads, pastas, fish and an abundant selection of their signature free range meats prepared on a wood-fire grill.

DINERS’ FAVORITES 1. Costa Patagonia ($9.95) 2. Homemade Sorrentinos ($15.95) 3. Ojo de Bife al ajo (rib eye) ($25.95)

VIBE

images of space exploration.

Elegant, yet casual, Malbec offers the perfect dining experience. From its warm and inviting lighting, to its rustic, yet charming decor, you'll feel the essence of the Argentinean pampa, while dining in a modern atmosphere.

The Autry National Center is located at 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park.

PRICE $$$$$

RADHIKA 966 Mission St., South Pasadena (626) 799-2200 radhikarestaurant.com

CUISINE Radhika Modern Indian Bistro, formerly Radhika’s in Pasadena, is now in South Pasadena, directly across from the Gold Line Mission Station. Radhika adds fresh twists to Northern India traditional favorites, offering delicious vegetarian and nonvegetarian options.

“Pan American Clipper at sunrise over Cape Florida and the old Spanish lighthouse,” 1935, by Robert Hoyt

–continued from page 60

Twichell (pictured),

and Southeast Asia and ways that collec-

and the $10,000

tors can spot modern copies. Free with

Kate Tufts Discovery

museum admission.

Award goes to At-

Norton Simon Museum is located at 411

suro Riley. The cere-

W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626)

mony is free and

VIBE

449-6840 or visit nortonsimon.org.

Adjacent to Radhika’s is Radha Room, with its enticing décor. It’s a lively wine lounge with an exotic menu with an attitude including Indian-influenced tapas, and features live entertainment and Bollywood music.

DANCE MINI-DRAMAS FROM THE MIDDLE KINGDOM

Garrison Theatre is located at 231 E. Tenth

April 28 through 30 — The Shen Yun Per-

RSVP for the ceremony or to purchase

forming Arts Show --- a classical Chinese

dinner tickets. For information, call (909)

dance performance incorporating story-

621-8974 or visit cgu.edu/tufts.

PRICE

DINERS’ FAVORITES

Call (323) 667-2000 or visit theautry.org.

$$$$$

1. Chicken Tikka Masala ($13) 2. Lamb Shank Kashmiri ($16) 3. Tandoori Chicken Half ($10/ Full $17)

lowing the ceremony cost $150.

and an orchestra of Chinese and Western

Z SUSHI AND GRILL 1132 N. Garfield Ave. Alhambra (626) 282-5636 Zsushi.com A modern take on Japanese Cuisine. Fresh seafood from the sushi bar. Abundant selection from the kitchen/grill, a full bar and fine wines. Japanese Sushi, Tapas and grill to satisfy your taste buds for lunch or dinner.

DINERS’ FAVORITES 1. Salmon Carpaccio ($10.00) 2. Chilean Sea Bass ($20.00) 3. Filet Mignon ($18.00)

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62 | ARROYO | 04.11

St., Claremont. Call (909) 621-8612 to

telling, choreography, lavish costumes instruments --- returns to the Pasadena

CUISINE

open to the public. Tickets for dinner fol-

HISTORIC INTERIORS IN PUBLIC SPACES

Civic Auditorium for four shows. Each

April 30 — The

dance piece is a five-minute mini-drama,

Pasadena Chapter

telling a story from China’s legends or its

of the American

5,000-year history. Showtimes are 7:30

Society of Interior

p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 and 7:30

Designers (ASID)

p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $60 to $180.

presents the “Historic

The Pasadena Civic Auditorium is located

Pasadena Tour: Stunning Historic Interiors

at 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Call (800)

in Public Places” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

880-0188 or visit laspectacular.com.

The self-guided tour visits early 20thcentury historic interiors in some of

AT AWARDS BASH, POETS SCORE CASH, AND IT’S NO TRASH

Pasadena’s signature public spaces.

April 28 — The 19th annual Kingsley and

ements of the buildings visited and styles

Kate Tufts Poetry Awards are scheduled

that defined interiors of the period. Tickets

for 6:30 p.m. at Claremont College’s Gar-

cost $15, including all workshops.

rison Theatre. The winner of this year’s

Call (626) 795-6898 or visit asid-

$100,000 Kingsley Tufts Award is Chase

pasadena.org for tickets. ||||

Workshops focus on various decorative el-

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Stephen White (Dreams of the Sky)

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