Arroyo December 2013

FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA DECEMBER 2013

Holiday Feasts How to Entertain Like a Diva

JOHN LEE HANCOCK On Bringing Mary Poppins’ Backstory to the Screen BILLY THE MIME A Cult Hit Born in Glendale HOLIDAY GIFT AND EVENTS GUIDES

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arroyo VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 12 | DECEMBER 2013

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ENTERTAINMENT AND ENTERTAINING 11 SAVING MARY POPPINS The Blind Side director John Lee Hancock brings the tragic true story behind Mary Poppins to the screen with Saving Mr. Banks.

—By Noela Hueso

19 A HOLIDAY GIFT GRAB BAG Cool gift ideas for your peeps, whether they’ve been naughty or nice.

—By Irene Lacher

25 BILLY THE MIME Also known as Steven Banks, Billy puts a unique twist on the much-maligned art form.

—By Bettijane Levine

39 A FALSTAFFIAN FEAST Tips on throwing a holiday banquet with all the pizzazz of a Verdi opera —By Bradley Tuck

DEPARTMENTS 9

FESTIVITIES Pasadena Weekly, California Art Club, Red Hen Press and more

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ARROYO HOME SALES INDEX

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KITCHEN CONFESSIONS Carb-load Norwegian-style with our columnist’s family holiday treat — lefse — and don’t hold the butter.

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WINING AND DINING The Flintridge Proper, La Cañada Flintridge’s neighborhood gastropub, serves up hearty traditional breakfasts with a twist.

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THE LIST “A Rockapella Christmas” at Caltech, Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the Castle Green opens its doors

ABOUT THE COVER: Arcimboldo’s Rudolf II of Habsburg as Vertumnus

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EDITOR’S NOTE

’TIS THE SEASON TO RUSH AROUND BRAVING PACKED STORES, DECORATING YOUR HOME, DRAWING UP GUEST LISTS, PLANNING CHRISTMASY THEATER OUTINGS, shopping for festive dinners and then cooking them, yadda yadda yadda.

So here at Arroyo, we’d like to help relieve a bit of your holiday stress. Still trying to figure out what to give? How about a virtual keyboard, a smashing St. Emilion Grand Cru, Kim Dower’s latest poetry book published by Pasadena’s Red Hen Press or something else from our Holiday Gift Grab Bag? Gearing up for a holiday feast? Surprise your guests with columnist Leslie Bilderback’s Christmas treat handed down for generations in her Norwegian family. Or make a splash with Bradley Tuck’s party tips inspired by the fabulous banquet staged by L.A. Opera in its recent production of Falstaff.

Our December issue also celebrates Arroyoland’s world-class entertainment community. Noela Hueso talks to Pasadena’s John Lee Hancock, director of one of the season’s big movies: Saving Mr. Banks, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, about the behind-the-scenes difficulties – both professional and personal – involved in bringing the Disney classic Mary Poppins to the screen. And Bettijane Levine introduces you to Billy the Mime (a.k.a. Glendale native and former Spongebob Squarepants head writer Steven Banks), whose unique take on the ridiculed art form has attracted a cult following around the world. Hate mimes? Fear not. Billy does too.

—Irene Lacher

EDITOR IN CHIEF Irene Lacher CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kent Bancroft ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Carla Cortez PRODUCTION MANAGER Richard Garcia PRODUCTION DESIGNER Rochelle Bassarear COPY EDITOR John Seeley CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Bilderback, Michael Cervin, Scarlet Cheng, Carole Dixon, Lynne Heffley, Noela Hueso, Carole Jacobs, Tariq Kamal, Kathy Kelleher, Rebecca Kuzins, Bettijane Levine, Elizabeth McMillian, Brenda Rees, John Sollenberger, Nancy Spiller ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Dina Stegon ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Brenda Clarke, Joseluis Correa, Leslie Lamm ADVERTORIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Joanna Dehn Beresford ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Richard Garcia, Rochelle Bassarear

arroyo FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA

SOUTHLAND PUBLISHING V.P. OF FINANCE Michael Nagami V.P. OF OPERATIONS David Comden PRESIDENT Bruce Bolkin CONTACT US ADVERTISING dinas@pasadenaweekly.com EDITORIAL editor@arroyomonthly.com PHONE (626) 584-1500 FAX (626) 795-0149

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Andrea Baker

MAILING ADDRESS 50 S. De Lacey Ave., Ste. 200, Pasadena, CA 91105

PAYROLL Linda Lam

ArroyoMonthly.com

ACCOUNTING Alysia Chavez, Kacie Sturek OFFICE ASSISTANT Ann Weathersbee PUBLISHER Jon Guynn 8 | ARROYO | 12.13

©2013 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

FESTIVITIES Pasadena Weekly’s Best of Pasadena Party

Red Hen Gala Luncheon

Poet C.D. Wright

Alice Sebold Pasadena Weely Publisher Jon Guynn, Best Teacher winner Yvonne Davis and Deputy Editor André Coleman

Muse/ique President Tom and Joyce Leddy with Ellen and Harvey Knell

Pasadena Weekly, Arroyo’s sister publication, celebrated its “Best of Pasadena”

issue with an Oct. 25 bash at Noor, where guests sipped specialty cocktails and sampled dishes from 19 local eateries representing cuisines around the world… Pasadena’s literary Red Hen Press toasted its 19th anniversary on Nov. 10 at a gala Champagne brunch at the Westin Pasadena, where more than 200 guests listened to readings by Caltech’s Sean Carroll, poet C.D. Wright and novelist/memoirist Alice Sebold… The California Art Club celebrated the 20th anniversary of its revival and the Pasadena couple who led it — artist Andrew, Mimi and Phil Lachini

Peter and Elaine Adams — at a plein air painting and sculpting party at the

Peter and Elaine Adams

Old Mill in San Marino on Nov. 3… Pasadena assisted living community The Fair Oaks at Regency Park marked its 10th anniversary with an Oct. 25 party, where speakers included U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, Assemblymember Chris Holden and Regency Park Senior Living officials Emil Fish and Richard Kale… Snyder Diamond feted the book launch of 50 Years of Pasadena Showcase Design Houses: Supporting the Arts Through Design with cocktails, Actor Bradley Whitford and daughter Marydining Whitford and dancing

PHOTO: Danny Liao (Best of Pasadena); Jamie Clifford (Red Hen Gala); Leslie Rockitter (Snyder Diamond)

at its Pasadena location on Nov. 4.

Cathy Brown, executive director of The Old Mill, with Peter and Elaine Adams

Fair Oaks at Regency Park’s 10th anniversary party

Snyder Diamond’s book launch

Richard Kale (right) with a representative from State Sen. Carol Liu’s office.

Pasadena Councilman Steve Madison 12.13 | ARROYO | 9

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Saving Mary Poppins The Blind Side director John Lee Hancock brings the tragic true story behind Mary Poppins to the screen with Saving Mr. Banks.

BY NOELA HUESO

GROWING UP IN TEXAS CITY, TEXAS, JOHN LEE HANCOCK WAS AN AVID READER: MARK TWAIN, FLANNERY O’CONNOR AND WILLIAM FAULKNER WERE A FEW OF HIS FAVORITE SCRIBES. NOT ON THAT LIST WAS P.L. TRAVERS, THE AUTHOR OF THE ACCLAIMED MARY POPPINS BOOKS. INDEED, IT WASN’T UNTIL YEARS LATER THAT HANCOCK BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH THE STORY OF THE MAGICAL NANNY WHO FLIES IN TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT FOR THE BANKS FAMILY — AND THAT HAPPENED ONLY WHEN HE SAW THE EPONYMOUS 1964 DISNEY FILM STARRING JULIE ANDREWS AND DICK VAN DYKE. –continued on page 13 12.13 | ARROYO | 11

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Director John Lee Hancock, Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson behind the scenes of Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks.

PHOTO: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

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But it wasn’t the Pasadena resident’s affinity for the movie that made him pursue his most recent directing assignment — Walt Disney Studios’ Saving Mr. Banks. “I remember liking certain parts of Poppins very much but it wasn’t going to make my top 10 list or anything,” he says. Rather, it was the story behind the story of Mary Poppins that piqued his interest and convinced him to make Banks, which opens Dec. 13.

As detailed in screenwriter Kelly Marcel’s script (adapted from Valerie Lawson’s book Mary Poppins, She Wrote: The Life of P.L. Travers), Banks depicts two weeks in 1961 when Walt Disney, in an attempt to keep a 20-year-old promise to his two daughters, pulled out all the stops to secure the movie rights for Mary Poppins from the cantankerous and uncompromising Travers, an Australian native who reinvented herself as a proper British doyenne, whose emotional ties to her books were deeper than anyone had imagined. “It was an amazing story that I didn’t know anything about,” says Hancock, 56. “I certainly wasn’t familiar with the tragic origin story [behind] the books.” The film takes audiences back to the author’s early years with her beloved but alcoholic father, who inspired the George Banks character — the patriarch who goes toe-to-toe with Mary Poppins.

Banks — which IndieWire calls “witty, well-crafted and well-performed” and Variety labels “an unapologetically retro valentine Disney himself might have made” — is Hancock’s

follow-up to his wildly successful last film, 2009’s The Blind Side, which raked in $309.2 million worldwide and gave star Sandra Bullock her first Oscar. Industry expectations are already running high for leads Emma Thompson, who plays Travers, and Tom Hanks, who portrays Disney, as well as for the film itself. “I guess if you’re in the conversation that’s a good thing, because that means people will be more aware of the movie,” Hancock says of all the awards-season chatter. “I just want people to see it. We’re all very proud of it.”

Hancock likes stories about people. If his track record is any indication, he particularly likes stories about real people. Like Banks, his last three films — The Blind Side, The Alamo (2004) and The Rookie (2002) — were based on true stories.

It’s often a challenge to get such adult dramas made by a big studio, Hancock says, citing his four-year quest to get The Blind Side to the big screen, though it was ultimately financed by Alcon Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros. “Big tentpoles, [stories about] superheroes… those are the movies studios make money with,” Hancock says. “They very carefully choose when — and if — they will do an adult drama. We’re very fortunate Saving Mr. Banks was done by Disney.”

Hancock has a longstanding relationship with Disney, having directed both The Rookie and The Alamo for the studio. He was recently brought in to rewrite some early scenes for Maleficent, the company’s upcoming live-action tale about the witch (played by Angelina –continued on page 14 12.13 | ARROYO | 13

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Jolie) who terrorizes Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. That seems logical, considering that Hancock was one of the writers who penned the script for Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman, but much was made in the press about Hancock’s involvement, particularly since he was on set while additional photography was shot. The stories intimated that the more experienced writer/director’s arrival meant first-time director Robert Stromberg was struggling, but Hancock insists it was much ado about nothing. “I was just a writer who wrote some scenes for them,” he says. “A lot of times when you’ve got these big tentpole movies, the writer is on the set. I went over and watched them film the scenes. It wasn’t true in the least that I was overseeing the director. It was embarrassing [that the press construed my involvement in that way].”

What isn’t embarrassing is the fact that Hancock fell in love with movies during his years at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he was an undergraduate English major and later attended law school (“We didn’t go to the movies a lot when I was a little kid,” he says). During that time he wrote short fiction, progressing to plays and screenplays a few years later, after he moved to Houston to practice law. “I just enjoyed the two mediums,” he says of his former hobby.

Hancock’s career path changed course when one of his scripts was accepted into a Sundance Institute satellite screenwriting program in Austin, Texas. The invigorating curriculum gave him the confidence to try making his living as a screenwriter. “So after practicing law for three years I loaded up the car and moved to California,” Hancock recalls, “and did the starving-to-death-for-three-years bit.”

Why the sudden about-face?

“I enjoyed practicing law, as jobs go, but I thought if there were some way to have a job that’s actually a hobby and get paid for it, then that would be fantastic,” Hancock says.

He didn’t know anyone in Los Angeles when he arrived but eventually landed work as a production assistant, mostly on commercials. The length of a commercial shoot meant that in a typical month he could work for two weeks, generating enough income to pay the bills, and then have two weeks off to write. Over time, he made connections and started the nowdefunct Legal Aliens Theatre Company in Hollywood, a small operation that showcased scripts he’d written. Meanwhile, Hancock continued to write screenplays. His agent, Ronda Gomez, sent one of those screenplays, A Perfect World, to producer Mark Johnson, who 14 | ARROYO | 12.13

optioned it, a game-changer for Hancock. Before long, the crime-drama script reached the desks of Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner and was made into a 1993 film, with Eastwood directing and co-starring. Hancock’s next script, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, was also directed by Eastwood, in 1997. He dabbled in TV with the short-lived 1998 dramatic series L.A. Doctors, which he helped write, direct and produce, and Falcone, in 2000.

It was around that time that Hancock, his wife, Holly Jones, a licensed psychotherapist and interior designer, and their newborn twins, Henry and Willa, moved from the Hollywood Hills to Pasadena. “We loved our place in the Outpost area of the hills, but there weren’t any sidewalks up there, no place for kids to ride their bikes… so we started looking around. We bought a Colonial-style home in Pasadena and haven’t looked back.

“The thing about Pasadena is that it’s a small town but it feels bigger in terms of entertainment and restaurants,” he continues. “It has a lot more than a town of 150,000 should or usually does [have].”

Favorite haunts include Vroman’s Bookstore, which Hancock calls “a gift to this city,” the Arclight Pasadena and the Laemmle Playhouse 7. “We’re really blessed to have the Laemmle here so that we can see great indie and foreign films without having to drive to Santa Monica,” he says. “Pasadena is a really cultured city.”

Hancock was happy to be close to home when filming Banks, which was shot primarily around Los Angeles, including on the Disney lot in Burbank and at Disneyland in Anaheim. His next film, The Highwaymen, will be shot in Louisiana. Starring Liam Neeson and Woody Harrelson, it’s the true story (another true story!) about the retired Texas Rangers who were brought out of retirement to hunt down and kill Bonnie and Clyde.

They start filming in September 2014.

“I’m not the guy who goes from one picture straight to the next, directing-wise,” Hancock says. “There are some people who are in post-production on one movie while they’re in pre-production on another. It doesn’t appeal to me. I need to recharge my battery and, more importantly, [having time between fi lms] gives me more time at home, which is great. I’ve got 13-year-old twins and a lovely wife and I don’t want to be gone all the time. The most important thing is, [when I do shoot on location] I want to be able to say to my kids, ‘Yeah, I missed some of your sporting events, I wasn’t there to help you study for that test, but here’s what I was doing. Hopefully, you’ll think it was worthwhile.’” ||||

PHOTO: François Duhamel, Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Hanks as Walt Disney and Thompson as P.L. Travers in Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks.

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HOLIDAY FROM

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GIFT GIVING A TO Z

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A HOLIDAY GIFT GRAB BAG

BY IRENE LACHER

Arroyoland Books Slice of Moon by Kim Dower (Red Hen Press), $18.95 “Poetry set in the dressing room of Loehmann’s or inspired by a school cafeteria menu: unexpected and sublime.” — O Magazine Who Wants Seconds? Sociable Suppers for Vegans, Omnivores & Everyone in Between by Jennie Cook (Prospect Park Press), $24.95 “Jennie has a great talent for building relationships around delicious food,” says Food Network chef-host Jamie Oliver of the Glassell Park caterer.

San Marino: A Centennial History by Elizabeth Pomeroy (San Marino Historical Society), $55 An illustrated portrait of this exclusive city of 13,000 from the San Gabriel Mission days to its rarefied present.

All books are available at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 449-5320, vromansbookstore.com.

Holiday Wines Here are a few of Mission Wines President Chris Meeske’s best bets, from $36 to $190 ($50 to $200 including wooden gift boxes): A two-bottle gift pack of The Prisoner Wine Company’s 2012 “Blindfold” White Blend This boxed duo scored 93 points in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, which said it “bursts with honeyed, caramelized white fruits, rose petals and pineapple.”

2010 Chateau Canon–La Gaffelière, St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe This beauty scored No. 2 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List for 2013 — a must for serious oenophiles.

A two-bottle gift pack of Wenzlau Vineyard’s 2011 Estate Pinot Noir Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave this Pinot 92 points, praising its “masculine profile of pepper, smoke and mineral that’s balanced by … sweet fruit.”

Mission Wines is located at 1114 Mission St., South Pasadena.

Call (626) 403-9463 or visit missionwines.com.

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Cyber Gifts Lumosity.com’s scientific brain games are said to enhance memory and attention. An extended version goes for $14.95 a month for a web-browser version, $80 for the iPhone and iPad app.

RootsMagic.com won About.com’s top readers’ choice prize for best genealogy software. Pick up the latest version, RootsMagic 6, for $29.95 and bundle that with Personal Historian 2 ($29.95), software for writing personal and family histories.

Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X: Gold Edition turns computers into cockpits for the pilot wannabe. Let him/her take off for $29.95; visit microsoftstore.com.

Luxury Beauty Scoop up a handful of Illamasqua’s truly stunning nail varnishes — with 55 colors including Scarce, Bacterium and Scarab, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Just $17 each at Bloomingdale’s, Glendale Galleria.

A Clear Clinic Kit from New York’s Clear Clinic Acne Treatment Center, founded

by Dr. Eric Schweiger, includes a customized two-month supply of zit-zapping products and two virtual consults with a Personal Acne Coach, all for $175. Clear Clinic Online (clearclinic.com) launches Dec. 3.

Kjaer Weis is a refillable makeup system with sleek silver compacts designed by Marc Atlan (Helmut Lang and Tom Ford’s art director), for organic eye shadow, lip tint, blush and foundation. Choose from among KW’s gift sets — an Essentials Trio for eyes, lips and cheeks for $125 or an Essentials Duo with a lip tint and eye shadow for $75. Visit kjaerweis.com.

Tech Gifts The Livescribe 3 Smart Pen also uses Bluetooth as it translates your scrawls into type on your tablet or smartphone. $149.95 at livescribe.com.

The Virtual Keyboard uses Bluetooth technology to enable you to type on your smartphone; a laser projects a keyboard on any flat surface, and advanced optics track your fingers’ motions. $99.99 at Brookstone, 340 E. Colorado Blvd., #109, Pasadena, (626) 568-1410, brookstone.com.

Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLab 12–3 speakers offer more than top-ofthe-line sound quality; their clean sculptural lines designed by David Lewis mimic the mathematical curve of a sine wave. $4,710 a pair at Bang & Olufsen, 169 W. Green St., Pasadena, (626) 449-5172, bang-olufsen.com.

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Art pottery by Victoria Morris

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NEW EMPORIUMS At long last, Bloomingdale’s has come to Arroyoland as part of Glendale Galleria’s expansion. (And while you’re cruising the new 114,000-square-foot store for gifts, you might want to pick up something for the holiday party rush at one of the new shops nearby, like Silver Jeans or Kitson.) Also new is the Pasadena branch of Kevin and Bo Carney’s fashion-forward Mohawk General Store in Silver Lake, which carries überdesigners like Dries van Noten as well as up-and-comers such as Pasadena’s Black Crane.

Look for giftable ceramics by Highland Park’s Kat and Roger Lee and luxurious candles from Cire Trudon, which supplied Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV. Swing by Mohawk’s fifth anniversary party at 24 Smith Alley, Pasadena, on Dec. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. for Escuela tacos, mezcal, beer, photo prints and collages by Vacation Days and art pottery by Victoria Morris. ||||

PHOTO, Bottom: John Michael Fulton

Mohawk General Store

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Billy the Mime Also known as Steven Banks, Billy puts a unique twist on the much-maligned art form.

BY BETTIJANE LEVINE

PHOTO: Andrew Overtoom

窶田ontinued on page 27

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PHOTO: Left, Steve Durgin

You may not have heard of Billy the Mime because he doesn’t perform on a regular basis.

What he does perform is politically incorrect and definitely not a mass market commodity. We’re talking about him here because Billy the Mime is one of Arroyoland’s fabulously talented residents who make the area so artistically vibrant and diverse. His routines are conceptually unique. He wrings laughter and tears from audiences, using classically elegant mime techniques in material that is edgy, offbeat, irreverent and audacious. Critics say he has singlehandedly revived an art form that was never really in favor long enough to go out of favor.

The New York Times, reviewing Billy’s act, called him “a savvy artist [who can] shock an audience into gales of laughter and then stun it into silence — all without saying a word.”

Magician-musician-comedian Penn Jillette devotes a 10-minute Youtube video to the art of Billy the Mime, whose act he says you should see because it is “compassionate, an inspiration. It will destroy you. He will break your heart and then make your heart soar.” His stage partner,Teller,told Arroyo Monthly, “I think that Billy the Mime is the perfect piece of entertainment. I will go to Billy the Mime any time I can possibly make it. It’s funny, it’s scary, it’s disturbing, it’s fun, it’s virtuosic.” Variety said: “The most disturbing thing about Billy the Mime’s work is that it’s beautiful. With just a few movements of his hands… he creates an old-fashioned waistcoat. With an upward tilt of his white-painted face, he communicates the respect a young boy feels for an adult… But how do we forgive him for making us imagine the worst” when he turns “some of America’s most trenchant scandals and tragedies into charming entertainment?”

Just the titles of some of Billy’s 48 routines hint at what’s to come: “A Day Called 9/11” depicts that horrendous event from the viewpoint of attackers and victims, all in wordless horror. “The Priest and the Altar Boy” elegantly evokes the tragedy of church scandals. “Thomas [Jefferson] & Sally [Hemmings] — A Night at Monticello,” succinctly, and hilariously, depicts the ironic dichotomy between the public and private lives of America’s third president, who authored the Declaration of Independence while owning slaves and making one of them his mistress.

Billy takes on “World War II,” “The History of Art” (from cavemen to Banksy) and “The African American Experience.” And he looks at JFK’s last plane ride and Whitney Houston’s last bath. He roams through centuries, plucks out momentous events and iconic individuals and portrays them — men, women, children — all silently caught in historic (or histrionic) acts. With an incredibly flexible, Slinky-like physique and exquisitely controlled, evocative gestures, he communicates the appetites and attitudes that are timeless hallmarks of humanity (or inhumanity, as the case may be).

Billy the Mime is actually Steven Banks, a lifelong Glendale resident with a wife, two children and a multifaceted career that, on paper, seems conventionally successful (if you ignore his miming sideline). Emmy-nominated during his six-year stint as head writer for the animated megahit Spongebob Squarepants, he also writes plays, novels, TV sitcoms and music, and collaborated with the renowned Pilobolus dance company on a performance piece. He also acts on TV and stage, sings, writes music, plays guitar and does his mime routines in select venues here and across the globe when the mood strikes and free time permits.

Banks spoke with Arroyo Monthly from an office at Chuck Lorre Productions, where he’s currently writing a one-hour comedy-drama pilot for Lorre, the driving force behind a slew of hit TV series, including two of the country’s highest-rated comedies, Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory.

You recently told an audience that you hate mimes. Do you mean that?

I do hate mimes. Because 99 percent of them are pretentious. There’s no content to their shows. They’re all doing the same thing, like pulling at a balloon, or trying to climb out of a box; they’re all trying and failing to imitate Marcel Marceau. It’s very annoying. What I do is classical mime, but in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Where did this start, how did you get the idea for it?

At Hoover High School in Glendale. My drama teacher there, Robert Baker, was a tremendous influence on me. I can’t overemphasize his impact on me as an actor and writer, and we are still very good friends. He comes to a lot of my shows and we see other performances together.

Did you study performance art in college?

I dropped out of L.A. City College after a year. I went to clown school at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Then, for much of my life I [wrote and performed] assembly shows in junior highs, high schools and colleges around the country.

The shows were mime and musical comedy.

How did you learn to mime?

I’m 95 percent self-taught. There’s a book by Richmond Shepard called [Mime:] The Technique of Silence, which I studied intensely. I also saw Marcel Marceau many times.

Whenever he came to town I saw him.

What propelled you from doing school performances into legit show business?

I wrote a one-person play [as Steven Banks] called Home Entertainment Center, which played in L.A. and San Francisco. Then Showtime came and shot it as a comedy special and it aired 20 times. Then people in TV saw me and were interested.

Your career seems to have branched out in many different directions.

I was head writer on Spongebob Squarepants for six years and also did a show called Jimmy Neutron. And I had a half-hour sitcom on national PBS, called The Steven Banks Show, based on the character in Home Entertainment Center — a guy who dreamed of being a rock-and-roller but was easily distracted. It was produced by Brandon Tartikoff. I also did some acting on shows like Dharma & Greg and Caroline in the City. I’ve written a few plays done here, in Chicago and New York. One play, called Looking at Christmas, ran in New York, and PBS there shot it and has aired it the last two Christmases. I wrote a young-adult novel called King of the Creeps, published by Random House/Knopf, and I wrote a show called Love Tapes with Penn Jillette that will be in Chicago next year. I’m doing a pilot now for Chuck Lorre, called A Beautiful Mess. A lot of different things, plus the mime shows.

You have such diverse credits. When people ask what you Steven Banks do for a living, what do you tell them?

It depends on who’s asking, and in what way I want to impress them. Could be writer, actor, TV, mime — any of the things I do.

How often do you perform as Billy the Mime?

It depends. Sometimes I do Billy eight times a year, some years I do it 30 times.

Changes all the time. I did the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year and I did 25 shows in 26 days. Then I do shows in L.A., usually at the Upright Citizens Brigade, which gets a good, hip, smart crowd, both young and older people. I also did a sixweek run in New York at The Flea Theater in 2007.

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Steven Banks at Marcel Marceu’s grave site

How did the mime part of your career evolve?

I did one routine as part of a show at a small comedy theatre. The strongest thing in the show was my segment about JFK. Then in 2005 my friend Penn Jillette asked me to do [a mime segment] in his [documentary], called The Aristocrats [about various ways to tell a single dirty joke]. It made me think it would be interesting to do a show about a mime who had no idea his routines were in very bad taste. I knew I had to do it technically really well, and it had to have substance. After The Aristocrats came out, I did my first show, which had 12 routines, including “A Night in Monticello,” “World War II” and “San Francisco Nights,” which takes place in 1979, about a gay man going to gay bars, getting AIDS and dying. I’d known people this happened to. The routine was very moving.

So you began writing and developing more routines?

Yes. I’d known mime could be very funny. I was surprised it could also be so very powerful and moving — audience members gasping and crying.

How many routines do you have?

I have 48 routines. I write them all out, just like a script. Then I rehearse and videotape each one, and I do it dozens of times until it is very clear and it makes sense, and there’s a beginning, middle and end. If done correctly, the audience really gets it. No words needed.

What’s your favorite thing about miming?

I get to play all the parts. Women, men and kids. In the routine called “World War II,” for example, I play Roosevelt, Hitler, a German soldier, a Japanese pilot, a hula dancer at Pearl Harbor, the pilot of the Enola Gay dropping the bomb on Hiroshima.

Do you have favorites?

I like Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings, because it’s historical, takes on one of the greatest, most brilliant Americans, who wrote the Declaration of Independence but at the same time was having sex with one of his slaves, a person he owned. That routine is very graphic and explicit when I show him with Sally, and then I contrast it with his public image, playing the violin, pouring wine, entertaining guests at Monticello. My show is not for kids. Another favorite is “The History of Art.” I get to play Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Picasso, Andy Warhol.

Are there audience favorites?

They seem to like “The History of Art.” And one called “The African American Experience,” which literally covers slavery to Obama. Also, David Carradine’s last night gets a strong reaction.

What’s next?

I am just finishing a new play I will send to the Flea. And I just wrote a low-budget horror film set in World War I, which features a vampire. That was a unique war because of the gassing, the trenches, the tunnels between the trenches. No one has done that yet. |||| For upcoming performance dates, visit billythemime.net.

28 | ARROYO | 12.13

PHOTO: Annette Troller

–continued from page 27

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—

Education OPEN HOUSE & ADMISSION DAYS

Crescenta Valley Adventist School The Crescenta Valley Seventh-Day Adventist School (CVAS) was established in 1924 with the intent of inspiring leaders though academic excellence in a Christian environment.

We continue this pledge with the belief that true education develops the spiritual, mental, and physical powers of each student, ensuring they are holistically prepared for their future. Now enrolling - Kindgergarten is 50% off! Crescenta Valley Adventist School - 6245 Honolulu Avenue, La Crescenta 91214 (818) 249-1504 www.cvas.net Open House Extravangza Jan. 26, 2014 from 11 – 4pm Food Trucks, Bouncer, Games Crestview Preparatory School Crestview Preparatory School, established in 1986, is a not-for-profit, coeducational, nonsectarian day school for grades kindergarten through sixth grade. With over 25 years of graduating classes, Crestview has established a strong reputation in the community for preparing our graduates with an excellent foundation for success in academics and life. The program balances academic challenge with a respect for childhood, creating an environment where everyone is known and kids can be kids. Crestview Preparatory School - 140 Foothill Blvd., La Canada, CA 91011 (818) 952-0925 www.crestviewprep.org Admissions Open House Kindergarten through Sixth Grade, Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 12:30-2:30 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 worldrenowned faculty. To learn more, visit us at www.drucker.cgu.edu Information Sessions: Dec.7, 9:30-11:30am at Drucker School of Management, Claremont Dec. 13, 5-7pm Happy Hour at Luminarias Restaurant, Monterey Park

Aa Bb Cc Flintridge Montessori Preschool We offer one of the most outstanding Preschool and Kindergarten Montessori programs within the Los Angeles area. We serve ages 2-6 with a student capacity of 120.

Our Mission is to provide children with quality education and attentive care in an atmosphere of love, which promotes learning and successful socialization. In addition to encouraging academic achievement, we strive to help the children develop joy in sharing and take pride in self-reliance. Visit us today and take a tour.

1739 Foothill Blvd. La Canada (818) 790-8844 www.Flintridge-montessori.com High Point Academy High Point Academy has been dedicated to its mission of awakening the joy of learning in each child since 1965. We feature a balanced approach to education focused on developing the whole child. Emphasis is placed on core subjects, with service, technology, athletics, arts, music, foreign language and green living embedded in the curriculum. High Point Academy is both WASC and CAIS accredited, is located in the foothills of Pasadena and serves students in kindergarten through eighth grades. High Point Academy – 1720 Kinneloa Canyon, Pasadena 91107 (626) 798-8989 – www.HighPointAcademy.com Admissions Events Tours – Dec 3, 5, 10, 12 – Jan. 9, 21, Open Houses – Jan. 16 Pasadena Christian School Pasadena Christian School provides students K-8th grade an exceptional academic program which includes specialized and credentialed teachers in the areas of art, science, Spanish, computers, speech, music and theater. This specialized instruction complements the core classroom subjects and is an advantage that families embrace. Our preschool nurtures our youngest learners with experience and curriculum that builds a strong foundation for Kindergarten. Pasadena Christian School is shaping hearts and minds for life and where academic excellence is just the beginning.

Pasadena Christian School - 1485 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91104 (626) 791-1214 ext. 242 – www.pasadenachristian.org – admissions@pasadenachristian.org Open House: Dec. 10, 2013, Jan. 23, 2014, Sixth Grade Student Visitation: Jan. 17, 2014

12.13 | ARROYO | 29

arroyo

™

SPONSORED BY

~HOME SALES INDEX~ HOME SALES

oct

oct

2012

2013

+21.8% ALTADENA HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. ARCADIA HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. EAGLE ROCK HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. GLENDALE HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. LA CAÑADA HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. PASADENA HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. SAN MARINO HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. SIERRA MADRE HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. SOUTH PASADENA HOMES SOLD MEDIAN PRICE MEDIAN SQ. FT. TOTAL HOMES SOLD AVG PRICE/SQ. FT.

OCT ’12 33 $489,000 1551 OCT ’12 33 $832,000 2394 OCT ’12 18 $460,000 1388 OCT ’12 119 $525,000 1513 OCT ’12 19 $845,000 1828 OCT ’12 127 $550,000 1524 OCT ’12 15 $1,700,000 3011 OCT ’12 5 $496,500 1429 OCT ’12 20 $845,000 1823 OCT ’12 389 $413

HOMES SOLD

389 556

AVG. PRICE/SQ. FT.

RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE ARROYO FOOTPRINT

HOMES SOLD

+42.9%

HOME SALES ABOVE $900,000

OCT ’13 47 $550,000 1509 OCT ’13 46 $877,500 2025 OCT ’13 30 $599,250 1324 OCT ’13 127 $509,000 1330 OCT ’13 26 $1,145,500 1996 OCT ’13 209 $610,000 1430 OCT ’13 17 $1,725,000 2706 OCT ’13 20 $825,500 1873 OCT ’13 34 $867,500 1774 OCT ’13 556 $503

ADDRESS ALTADENA 1958 Pepper Drive 1274 East Mendocino Street 2523 Holliston Avenue 2869 Winterhaven Lane 1600 Homewood Drive 2310 Midlothian Drive ARCADIA 301 Altern Street 1029 North Old Ranch Road 1045 San Carlos Road 11 Andrea Lane 2420 El Capitan Avenue 2241 Highland Vista Drive 1235 Oakhaven Lane 230 East Camino Real Avenue 1705 South 2nd Avenue 1717 Wilson Avenue 1300 Oak Meadow Road 1810 Wilson Avenue 1530 Rodeo Road 910 Fallen Leaf Road 280 Arbolada Drive 816 Singing Wood Drive 735 Hampton Road 323 Whispering Pines Drive 830 Singing Wood Drive EAGLE ROCK 2451 Norwalk Avenue 4567 Alumni Avenue GLENDALE 1441 Greenbriar Road 1533 Highland Avenue 1901 Hampton Lane 2420 North Verdugo Road 2107 Oak Valley Road 2959 Hermosita Drive 753 East Doran Street 905 Calle Simpatico 2645 Olympic Drive 145 South Verdugo Road 1019 Calle Azul 539 East Mountain Street 2038 Montecito Drive 1119 Sonora Avenue #D LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE 4820 Del Monte Road 2265 Laughlin Street 4850 Commonwealth Avenue 1231 Fernside Drive 4639 Lasheart Drive 4956 Revlon Drive 5385 Haskell Street 458 Knight Way 516 Venado Vista Drive 4824 Viro Road 5061 Angeles Crest Highway 2110 Cross Street 4210 Hampstead Road 4940 Revlon Drive 1219 Olive Lane 1229 Lanterman Lane 4224 Beresford Way 762 Greenridge Drive 383 Flintridge Oaks Drive 1830 Earlmont Avenue 4245 Beulah Drive

CLOSE DATE

SOURCE: CalREsource

PRICE BDRMS. SQ. FT.

YR. BUILT

PREV. PRICE

PREV. SOLD

$818,000

01/25/2007

$415,000 $680,000 $450,000 $1,835,000

08/04/1992 09/08/2003 04/08/1994 09/21/2007

$575,000 $950,000

06/30/2010 05/15/2007

$889,000 $874,000 $452,500

05/26/2005 07/14/2005 01/25/2002

$350,000 $1,113,000

07/03/2001 04/04/2007

$485,000 $605,000 $1,600,000 $2,500,000

11/08/1988 07/09/1993 02/28/2011 05/03/2013

$780,000

03/15/2002

10/07/13 09/27/13 10/04/13 10/23/13 10/02/13 10/30/13

$913,000 $1,015,000 $1,200,000 $1,425,000 $1,435,000 $1,975,000

3 4 3 3 5 5

1754 2142 2391 2541 3112 3210

1940 1924 1923 1956 1918 1925

10/31/13 10/17/13 10/31/13 10/08/13 10/22/13 09/26/13 10/29/13 10/22/13 10/08/13 10/04/13 10/01/13 09/30/13 09/27/13 10/30/13 10/21/13 09/30/13 10/01/13 10/01/13 09/30/13

$900,000 $950,000 $955,000 $1,060,000 $1,150,000 $1,198,000 $1,318,000 $1,498,000 $1,568,000 $1,750,000 $1,800,000 $2,338,000 $2,720,000 $2,750,000 $3,188,000 $4,100,000 $5,780,000 $5,800,000 $6,550,000

2 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 7 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 5 5 5

1715 2720 2017 2357 2304 2033 3471 2444 3267 2623 2435 3959 2150 2755 4748 5869 7264 7127 9942

1955 1966 1959 1952 1951 1959 1958 1967 1941 1949 1948 1950 1953 1950 1950 1954 2004 2004 2008

$1,905,000

08/15/2005

10/31/13 10/24/13

$920,000 $1,063,500

4 9

3781 4034

1991 1923

$260,000 $260,000

12/29/1989 06/30/1989

10/11/13 09/30/13 09/27/13 10/17/13 10/01/13 10/23/13 10/11/13 10/03/13 09/26/13 10/18/13 09/27/13 10/30/13 10/01/13 09/30/13

$900,000 $935,000 $955,000 $960,000 $975,000 $1,028,000 $1,032,500 $1,050,000 $1,075,000 $1,162,000 $1,200,000 $1,205,000 $1,289,000 $1,500,000

3 2 3 4 3 3 8 4 3 6 4 5 4 8

2270 2141 2574 2212 2057 2495 4989 2618 3362 4102 2984 3413 4011 3840

1968 1948 1926 1958 1961 1933 1932 1990 1982 1948 1989 1925 1988 1964

$476,000 $1,030,000 $970,000 $665,000 $965,000 $89,000 $725,000 $920,000 $750,000 $1,100,000 $540,000 $550,000 $630,000 $261,000

06/04/2001 03/29/2007 09/05/2006 03/22/2013 05/25/2006 07/15/1976 10/24/2003 10/09/2008 04/30/2003 12/21/2006 10/01/1996 06/25/1992 02/15/2002 10/23/1997

10/03/13 10/30/13 09/27/13 10/04/13 09/27/13 09/30/13 10/28/13 10/11/13 10/25/13 10/01/13 10/08/13 10/01/13 10/17/13 10/25/13 10/02/13 09/30/13 10/25/13 10/11/13 10/22/13 10/09/13 10/18/13

$937,500 $948,000 $950,000 $970,000 $990,000 $992,000 $1,042,000 $1,120,000 $1,170,000 $1,177,000 $1,180,000 $1,310,000 $1,435,000 $1,600,000 $1,638,000 $1,815,000 $2,180,000 $2,700,000 $2,950,000 $3,073,000 $4,663,000

3 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 5 4 4 3 4 6 4 5 6 5 6 5

1650 1996 2004 1554 1835 1656 1994 1723 1793 2151 2301 2796 2794 3042 0 2949 0 4540 5307 0 6746

1938 1963 1961 1948 1941 1947 1967 1951 1958 1950 1965 1948 1980 1947

$740,000 $1,240,000 $385,000 $330,000 $555,000

09/09/2004 11/29/2006 05/28/1999 02/14/1997 03/15/2002

$1,075,000

02/13/2006

$1,267,500 $447,500 $610,000 $478,000 $929,000 $2,556,000 $1,540,000 $2,595,000 $1,400,000

08/22/2008 11/05/1999 10/31/2012 06/02/1994 07/19/2004 03/01/2006 07/10/1998 11/21/2008 06/27/2003

1960 1986 1948 2006

The Arroyo Home Sales Index is calculated from residential home sales in Pasadena and the surrounding communities of South Pasadena, San Marino, La Canada Flintridge, Eagle Rock, Glendale (including Montrose), Altadena, Sierra Madre and Arcadia. Individual home sales data provided by CalREsource. Arroyo Home Sales Index © Arroyo 2013. Complete home sales listings appear each week in Pasadena Weekly.

30 | ARROYO | 12.13

HOME SALES ABOVE $900,000 RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE ARROYO FOOTPRINT ADDRESS PASADENA 417 South Craig Avenue 155 Cordova Street #205 3417 Yorkshire Road 446 Redwood Drive 1235 North Craig Avenue 920 Granite Drive #202 920 Granite Drive #402 3620 Fairmeade Road 1907 San Pasqual Street 320 Anita Drive 3600 Grayburn Road 3870 Hampton Road 743 South Mentor Avenue 142 Marion Avenue 40 Arroyo Drive #102 425 Woodward Boulevard 401 South Parkwood Avenue 1409 Linda Vista Avenue 1415 Wicks Road 268 South Orange Grove Boulevard 736 Linda Vista Avenue 1326 Marianna Road 3633 Yorkshire Road 263 San Miguel Road 233 North Grand Avenue #2 675 Elliott Drive 1343 Wellington Avenue 325 West Bellevue Drive 155 Cordova Street #506 3255 Lombardy Road 1185 Banyan Street 1865 Windover Road 835 Linda Vista Avenue 555 Madeline Drive 1053 South San Rafael Avenue 3464 San Pasqual Street 1075 Lagunita Road 495 Orange Grove Circle 888 El Campo Drive 870 El Campo Drive SAN MARINO 465 Winthrop Road 2875 Sheffield Road 1906 Wellesley Road 2115 El Molino Place 2755 Lorain Road 1766 Lorain Road 1880 Alhambra Road 2335 Cumberland Road 757 Plymouth Road 445 Pilgrim Place 825 Winthrop Road 1335 Old Mill Road 2014 Courtland Avenue 2854 Gainsborough Drive 1512 Virginia Road 1995 Lombardy Road 1327 Oak View Avenue SIERRA MADRE 255 Grove Street 130 Colony Drive 350 Olive Tree Lane 1970 Liliano Drive 211 North Lima Street 681 West Orange Grove Avenue 409 East Orange Grove Avenue 440 West Highland Avenue 335 North Baldwin Avenue SOUTH PASADENA 855 Oneonta Drive 2016 Fletcher Avenue 1478 Indiana Avenue 602 Meridian Avenue 1734 Hanscom Drive 1628 Wayne Avenue 544 Garfield Avenue 1002 Palm Avenue 1035 Stratford Avenue 1216 Lyndon Street 354 Camino Del Sol 252 St. Albans Avenue 918 Braewood Court 2016 Edgewood Drive 751 La Portada Street 1610 Marengo Avenue

CLOSE DATE

SOURCE: CalREsource

PRICE BDRMS. SQ. FT.

YR. BUILT

10/31/13 10/28/13 10/25/13 10/16/13 10/02/13 10/02/13 09/27/13 09/27/13 10/10/13 10/28/13 09/25/13 09/26/13 10/02/13 10/02/13 10/25/13 10/15/13 10/31/13 09/27/13 10/11/13 10/11/13 09/25/13 09/26/13 10/28/13 10/04/13 10/11/13 10/24/13 10/24/13 09/30/13 10/31/13 10/24/13 10/18/13 10/29/13 10/25/13 10/09/13 10/17/13 09/26/13 10/16/13 10/08/13 10/01/13 10/24/13

$902,000 $905,000 $905,000 $929,000 $945,000 $950,000 $965,000 $965,000 $1,000,000 $1,015,000 $1,025,000 $1,029,000 $1,040,000 $1,044,000 $1,068,000 $1,100,000 $1,110,000 $1,176,000 $1,193,000 $1,215,000 $1,225,000 $1,255,000 $1,255,000 $1,275,000 $1,350,000 $1,460,000 $1,475,000 $1,500,000 $1,520,000 $1,540,000 $1,585,000 $1,655,000 $1,658,500 $1,710,000 $2,193,500 $2,198,000 $2,400,000 $2,600,000 $3,083,000 $3,300,000

2 2 3 3 4 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 4 3

1430 1750 1864 1523 2204 1860 1860 2206 2276 3106 2226 1998 1979 2174 2500 3088 2242 1883

1926 2010 1938 1959 1979 2009 2009 1949 1946 1962 1938 1951 1915 1930 2007 1950 1928 1924

5 7 3 5 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 5 7 3 5 2 4 8 9 5 4

4482

1892

2117 2273 2240 2559 2081 2955 2953 2250 2223 2976

1958 1936 1926 1990 1941 1980 1948 2010 1950 1929

2426 3151 3160

1957 1956 1991 1952

5443 3808

1946 1929

10/15/13 10/16/13 10/25/13 10/04/13 10/30/13 10/01/13 10/15/13 09/26/13 10/15/13 10/04/13 10/16/13 10/02/13 10/18/13 09/27/13 10/25/13 10/04/13 10/30/13

$1,150,000 $1,210,000 $1,280,000 $1,397,000 $1,440,000 $1,500,000 $1,680,000 $1,688,000 $1,725,000 $1,738,000 $1,818,000 $2,517,500 $2,750,000 $2,900,000 $3,730,000 $4,116,000 $4,270,000

3 2 3 4 3 2 3 3 5 3 6 3 3 7 4 3 5

1480 1931 1596 2214 2324 2642 1842 2141 2993 2770

1924 1948 1942 1927 1939 1929 1951 1958 1936 1959

3542 2783 4297 3733 3702 4770

1963 1959 1936 1949 1947 1978

10/24/13 09/30/13 10/16/13 10/11/13 10/15/13 10/30/13 10/11/13 09/30/13 10/23/13

$910,000 $922,000 $950,000 $1,028,000 $1,299,000 $1,350,000 $1,980,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000

4 3 5 3 4 3 5 4 8

1874 1608 2353 1945 3379 1814 4458 3774 3555

2001 1955 1950 1956 1989 1936 1983 2002 1955

10/01/13 10/29/13 09/27/13 09/25/13 10/04/13 10/04/13 10/25/13 10/22/13 10/04/13 10/16/13 10/31/13 10/22/13 10/01/13 10/16/13 10/21/13 10/01/13

$910,000 $915,000 $952,000 $981,000 $1,038,000 $1,080,000 $1,100,000 $1,110,000 $1,150,000 $1,200,000 $1,207,500 $1,875,000 $1,950,000 $2,310,000 $2,550,000 $2,600,000

3 2 3 3 3 5 3 3 6 3 4 4 4 5 5 5

1674 1300 2905 1786 2678 2171 1852 2376 2673 2344 2214 2775 4016 4309 5213 4316

1925 1921 1982 1914 1987 1921 1953 2000 1909 1915 1964 2008 2001 1914 1975 1910

PREV. PRICE

PREV. SOLD

$420,000

04/26/2001

$875,000 $277,000 $800,000

07/20/2010 10/14/1997 03/19/2004

$330,000 $525,000

09/27/1991 06/27/1988

$266,000 $640,000 $555,000 $730,000 $701,000 $109,000

02/27/1997 01/20/2011 12/23/2010 03/21/2013 09/23/2010 04/01/1980

$1,205,000 $405,000

01/09/2004 04/28/1998

$1,040,000 $665,000

06/30/2005 03/28/2000

$720,000

07/15/1999

$900,000

02/18/2004

$1,680,000

02/18/2010

$675,000 $2,050,000

09/28/1988 06/04/2004

$933,000 $525,000 $820,000

09/26/2005 08/31/1988 09/07/2004

$425,000

06/05/1987

$1,069,000 $819,810 $1,450,000

07/31/2003 09/19/1988 08/10/2005

$1,400,000

09/08/2011

$1,658,000 $3,268,000

06/02/2004 09/28/2010

$488,000 $845,000

11/16/2001 06/21/2007

$480,000 $975,000 $875,000 $989,000 $1,250,000 $2,300,000

05/01/2002 05/01/2013 11/20/2007 11/18/2003 07/02/2002 10/18/2006

$890,000

09/01/2009

$319,000 $560,000 $820,000

09/09/1986 08/25/2011 02/14/2008

$225,000

12/31/1996

$237,000

07/17/1987

$1,355,000 $1,600,000

05/08/2009 12/02/2008

$816,000

11/08/1993

12.13 | ARROYO | 31

ARROYO HOME & DESIGN SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

CONTINUITY, HUMILITY AND LOVE Why Your Home May Already Be the Smartest Home in America

BY JOANNA DEHN BERESFORD

32 | ARROYO | 12.13

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Jordi & CO

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—

“WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF SUCH PARADOX AND WEIRDNESS?” — Brian Greene - physicist, cosmologist, author, on the theoretical possibility of time travel In 1971 Gene Wilder, aka Willy Wonka, led his houseguests through a door into the rich, ripe, redolent center of his factorial existence: The Chocolate Room. Where rivers of chocolate flow and tress of abundance grow like the rivers and trees of life and wisdom themselves. And as they entered, he sang to them: “Hold your breath, Make a wish, Count to three, Come with me, And you’ll be, In a world of pure imagination.”

He had to keep them there with a swipe of his cane and a glance from his immeasurably sad and gentle and omnipotent trademark eyes. And most of them failed the test, which it was after all, that glimpse of the magical world of pure imagination.

A test of character and self-control. Most of them wound up in cyberspace, or swollen to the size of a giant berry, or lost down the chute of bad eggs. But those of pure heart (Charlie Bucket and his grandfather) survived. How did they do that? How did they encounter and even taste of the temptations of paradise, and yet, remain pure of heart, enough to inherit the kingdom? We might ask the same thing of ourselves, as we survey our own kingdoms of technological ease and comfort, and we may find that the answer, for us as for Charlie, is surprisingly simple.

FIVE FACTORS THAT HAVE TRANSFORMED THE ‘SMART HOME’: Larry Weiss is a brilliant guy. President, Founder, and Chief System Engineer for MONACO Audio Video & Automation Specialist, he’s a recognized and award-winning expert in design and engineering, and a 16-year veteran of the industry. According to Larry, there are five factors which, over the last five years, have propelled us into the Jetson-esque residential reality that we now occupy: 1.

The increase in internet speed, which has become standard in the majority

of homes: Customers have a multitude of choices regarding live streaming media for music, movies, information and other forms of communication and entertainment.

2.

The development in display (Flat Panel viewing) technology: Since the HDTV

became a standard in 2006, the display manufacturers have dramatically expanded the possibilities in terms of quality, size and price for flat panel displays.

3.

The popularity and proliferation of Tablets and Smart Phones: Since the intro-

duction of the first Apple iPad in 2010, having a central controller to manage systems throughout the home has become the norm.

4.

The increased cost of electricity and gas: Now more than ever, customers

are faced with the obligation, especially in California, to conserve the use of electricity –continued on page 35

12.13 | ARROYO | 33

34 | ARROYO | 12.13

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Jordi & CO

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—

–continued from page 33 and gas. Consequently, home lighting and climate control has become more crucial.

5.

The busy lifestyle: Customers prefer an increasingly convenient means of

controlling their homes through the touch of a button, and from a central (and not necessarily specified) location. From music, movies, lighting, climate, shades, to alarm security and camera surveillance, homeowners rely upon alternate and distance management of these elements.

“Because of these developments,” explains Larry, “having an Integrated Home Entertainment and Technology design is a must for our clients. Like the introduction of color TV changed the American lifestyle years ago, so does this form of technology. In fact, now something that we have seen only in science fiction movies has become reality.”

Larry maintains that in spite of advances in technology, universal principles of home design collaboration still apply. “The most important aspect to building integrated home entertainment and automation is to understand the customer’s vision, lifestyle and needs. During the initial discovery and interview process, we ask many questions regarding how the customers live their lives. Each solution, then, is very unique and personalized, because each individual family is unique.”

Above all, Larry stresses the importance of simplicity. “When clients mention that they would like to get a simple system, actually what most want is a simple-to-use system. A small, seemingly simple system with five remote controls could be very cumbersome to use. However, a well-planned simple-to-use system may be very complex in the background, but very user-friendly with a single remote control device in the foreground for the homeowner to use easily.”

And ultimately, all of the solutions that Larry and his team at Monaco recommend today are what he calls “future-proof”; in other words, they are designed to expand or evolve with technology. Says Larry, ““What we have now, is only the beginning.”

THE REALLY, REALLY SMART HOME In his book, The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time and the Texture of Reality, physicist Brian Greene explores the theoretical possibility of teleportation and time travel. He seems to support the notion that quantum mechanics makes such physical and temporal journeys more or less likely (and by ‘more or less’, I mean: either more likely or less likely; and by ‘likely’ I mean likely in either a forward or backward fashion; although there’s really no distinction between forward and backward in quantum mechanics, since the quantum world is described as being more akin to a loaf of bread than a trajectory; meaning, I have no idea what Greene actually means. But his point is, that he thinks it might be possible, and my point is that if that’s true, then the REALLY smart home would –continued on page 37

12.13 | ARROYO | 35

36 | ARROYO | 12.13

PHOTO: Courtesy of Aldik Home

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—

–continued from page 35 ultimately include pods or lasers that could transport us through time and space in ways we can barely imagine. And maybe they would have those orgasmatrons, too, like Woody Allen introduced in The Sleeper. All of which possibilities, concedes Greene, are “positively weird.”)

Maybe almost as weird as Gene Wilder and his glass tower, and his chocolate river, and his staff of orange munchkins. What isn’t so weird is the way that we encounter and engage with all of this stuff. Like children, really. Like Charlie and his Grandpa. I could be totally wrong here, but I think what sustains Charlie and his grandfather, and what will ultimately sustain us through the myriad shifts that technology will impose upon our landscape, is this adherence to what Larry Weiss describes as simplicity, and what might be interpreted in the Willy Wonka fable as humility, continuity and love.

That’s what Charlie and his grandfather bring to the Chocolate Factory, and that’s what may redeem us. No matter what buttons we push, if we have those, then we may very well already and always be living in paradise.||||

12.13 | ARROYO | 37

38 | ARROYO | 12.13

A Falstaffian Feast Do make a production out of holiday entertaining this year.

BY BRADLEY TUCK 窶田ontinued on page 41

12.13 | ARROYO | 39

40 | ARROYO | 12.13

Music Director James Conlon (right) works with soprano Ekaterina Sadovnikova (Nannetta) and tenor Juan Francisco Gatell (Fenton) during a rehearsal for Falstaff at L.A. Opera.

PHOTOS: Robert Millard

–continued from page 39

If you’re feeling stressed out about preparing your turkey for the holidays, spare a thought for Allen Tate. He has to make six. You see, Tate is the prop master at L.A. Opera. To celebrate the 200th birthday of composer Giuseppe Verdi, the opera staged his comedy Falstaff. Sadly, Verdi couldn’t be there, but the opera did invite a group of foodie media folks to view the food props that were part of the production, so I had a tour backstage and learned a few things about how to create a feast of operatic stature for my own holiday celebrations.

There are six performances of Falstaff, and for each performance, Tate was required to cook a large turkey to be used as a prop onstage. Given Falstaff ’s setting in Shakespearean England, I expected something quite Elizabethan in theme, over the top, perhaps bejeweled with pearls, but it turns out I was incorrect. You see, turkey itself was quite the fancy bird in that era, being a newcomer from the New World. So what Tate had resting golden and plump on a platter was a simply dressed bird, with some slices of orange laid in a circle around it. It was almost ascetic in its simplicity. Perhaps, I ventured, “there’s something exotic in the stuffing?” as I pointed at the parson’s nose (more prosaically known as the bird’s tail), which seemed fit to burst with something. “Just apple and celery for flavor,” Tate replied, adding that he would never cook stuffing inside the bird.

“Good to know,” I said, wondering if, over the years, various older family members had been playing some kind of gastronomic Russian roulette with us all, my grandmothers’ birds always stuffed both internally and with a separate dish of bread stuffing cooked separately. I always preferred the stuffing from inside the turkey, finding it to be moist and full of flavor but, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, my grans were indeed playing a dangerous game because the optimal temperature for cooking the bird also creates a cozy nursery for bacteria in the stuffing. The CDC suggests cooking stuffing separately or, if stuffing it internally, said stuffing must reach a minimum temperature of 165 degrees to be safe. Seeing as one would also have to cook the turkey to that point, it’s clear that in the process of avoiding harm, it’s quite possible to end up with 18 pounds of turkey jerky. So, outside stuffing it is, with just some seasoning and a mix of apples and celery in the cavity, to be discarded later.

In the Falstaff production, Mistress Quickly tears off a turkey leg, takes a bite and promptly exits the stage. Thankfully, said leg is pre-severed, so there’s no risk of her grabbing the drumstick only to haul an entire bird onto her slippers. Which brings me neatly to carving. This is most important: You must rest the bird. The main reason for this is to allow the meat’s fibers to loosen up and become tender. The minimum resting time is 20 minutes, and a big bird can be left for up to 40. Cover the turkey with foil, but whatever you do, don’t cover it too tightly. That way lies a steamed skin, not the savory crispness for which you’ve been basting and watching like a turkey hawk.

The other reason for resting the bird is to allow you to find among your guests the best candidate for the duty of carving. It’s a good idea to get someone else to do the honors for a couple of reasons: It gives you a chance to pour yourself a well-earned glass of wine — the –continued on page 42

Director Lee Blakeley rehearses with baritone Marco Caria (Ford).

12.13 | ARROYO | 41

–continued from page 41

On my visit to the opera, what intrigued me were the fabulous masks created for a few chorus members. Based on the vegetable and fruit paintings of Giuseppe Arcimboldo, they were quite stunning. Arcimboldo was famous for his depictions of the human face using vegetables and fruits to compose the features of his subjects. The masks for Falstaff, created

by Hallie Dufresne, featured all manner of produce and led me to wonder if, perhaps this year, I could be a little more inspired in the presentation of my sides. How about some beautiful roasted baby squash nestling up against a fan of rainbow-colored braised whole young carrots? Perhaps there’s room for a cloud of gorgeous cauliflower there too, roasted with spices like vadouvan, its delicate curry fragrance a perfect companion to a savory bird and a glass of Pinot Noir. And in addition to the traditional mashed potatoes, could room be found perhaps for a selection of Weiser Farms’ delicious fingerlings — blue, red and white, glistening from the roasting pan and flecked with fresh herbs? I think so.

And now to the guests. Inasmuch as an opera relies on a cast of many voices to create a single wonderful spectacle, so too does dinner. And your guests are your ensemble. It’s not always possible to be terribly selective about guests during the holidays. An ordinary dinner party allows one the knife of selectivity, but holidays bring with them social expectations. Living in a big city, we have many friends who are transplants, and sometimes they’re unable to make it home to spend the holidays with family. And this is where we become family instead. Careful seating of guests, especially at large gatherings, is vital to a dinner’s success. I always try to mix it up, seating together people who don’t know each other well, with one gregarious guest for every two less forthcoming. The noisy one helps to get the two quieter ones talking and drives the conversation so that one isn’t just left with the sound of silverware, china and chewing. I also try to triangulate good friends up and down the table, so that conversation bounces effortlessly from one end to the other, with familiarity and funny reminiscences being the fuel for a back-and-forth as lively as a Dame Joan Sutherland and Huguette Tourangeau duet.

Before you know it, it will be time for the curtain to fall, and you can graciously step forward, sporting a veil of light modesty, to receive your company’s adulation. “Oh really, it was nothing,” you say, before seeing them off into the night and retiring, spent, to your dressing room — to do the dishes. Happy holidays. |||| 42 | ARROYO | 12.13

PHOTO: Bottom right, Robert Millard

“chef’s privilege,” as it’s called in my home. Entertaining is stressful, no matter how good one is at it. A glass of wine will allow you to at least come out of the kitchen and have a chat with guests so that, come serving time, you’re not a red-faced sweaty mess. If you are stressed, your guests will be too. The art of hospitality and entertaining is in making it look effortless, even if the actual preparation involves tears, cursing and broken china. As in an opera, whatever goes on backstage must remain undetectable in “the front of house,” so that your audience members are entertained and will rise to their feet with admiration and applause at the virtuoso coloratura of your gravy.

KITCHEN CONFESSIONS

You say Potato, I Say Potato Lefse

Carb load Norwegian-style with this holiday treat and family tradition.

BY LESLIE BILDERBACK Lefse

My holiday traditions are very special.Yours are just okay.

This is what I imagine to be the first holiday disagreement for every couple, and the subsequent inner monologues for years to come.You come into a marriage with historical references that are dear to your heart.They link you to your family and ancestors, and have given this time of year special meaning ever since you were a kid. But your spouse doesn't give two hoots, because they have nothing to do with his/her side of the family.

Such is the case in our household, where grand pronouncements of sacrifice were made to keep the holiday peace.

There are a number of ways our family traditions morphed into what my children now know as Christmas. We eat our feast on Christmas Eve, which is a Scandinavian thing (my people). We also exchanged presents on Christmas Eve when I was a kid. We would have to wait until the dishes were done and the kitchen was clean — an excruciating task, as the adults prolonged the chore in a hilarious attempt to torture me. I hated that then, but wholeheartedly approve of it now, as currently most of my days are spent thinking of ways to annoy my kids. Unfortunately, "Christmas Eve presents" sounded a little too greedy for my husband, and the thought of no presents on Christmas morning was too much for him to bear. So I gave that up as my part of our marital Christmas compromise. Now our Christmas

(or snotty, as we say in my family) texture. It makes Polynesian poi look like foie gras. Luckily

morning looks a lot like the rest of America's — hyperactive kids who haven't slept, adults ex-

the meal also included lefse, the manna from Valhalla. Lefse is a wondrous flat bread, similar

hausted from the shopping for, and staging of, this elaborate ritual.Thank God my husband

to the tortilla, but 100 times better because it is made with potatoes.

wasn't one of those "Santa magically brought the tree, set it up and decorated it in the middle of the night" people.That might have been a game-changer.

In exchange, I have done away with turkey and ham in favor of the Christmas dinner I really want. (I believe that large meat should stay with its appropriate holiday. Don't be

Oh, the joy of potatoes. I have given them up for the most part because, as we all know by now, they have the glycemic index of chocolate cake. But it's Christmas, dammit! So let's go ahead and spike my blood-sugar level with the force of Thor's hammer.

Some Scandinavians eat their lefse as a sweet bread, adding jam or cinnamon sugar.

cruising across the calendar to test the waters in December.You don't see candy canes

I'm sure that is fine — for them. I'm a lefse purist. A salty butter girl. (That is no double enten-

sneaking into Halloween buckets or Easter baskets do you? It's not natural.) I have instead

dre.) I wait all year for that first piece of lefse, hot off the griddle, slathered in butter, which

opted for a mostly Anglo-Saxon carb-fest of all my favorite foods in one ginormous feast.

drips down my chin and into the sink over which I am undoubtedly standing. It is my happy

This usually includes, but is not limited to, prime rib of beef and Yorkshire pudding — not

place.Thanks be to Odin.

because we have any Brit blood, but because I want the Yorkshire pudding, and prime rib is

My mom let the gross stuff slide when she made her Norwegian Christmas dinner. But

its wingman.The meal has variations from time to time. Occasionally an increased interest

she kept the lefse, as I do. And I bet my kids will too, because there is a mystical link to the

in vegetarianism has resulted in more grains and veggies on the table. And on the opposite

past that we create by mashing, mixing, rolling and cooking those potatoes.The effort is

end of the animal rights scale, lobsters have made a few appearances, sent from friends on

appreciated in the world beyond, our Viking ancestors smiling down on us, relieved I didn't

the East Coast. (FYI –- the bibs are important.)

sacrifice the lefse in favor of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls.

||||

I come from a family with a hearty Norwegian heritage. My grandparents were especially Nordic at Christmas, when the table would be laden with lutefisk and boiled potatoes.

Leslie Bilderback is a certified master baker, chef and cookbook author. She can be

For those of you who have never tried lutefisk (and congratulations for that), it is dried salt

found in the kitchen of Heirloom Bakery in South Pasadena, tweeting @lbilderback and

cod (or other dried white fish) that has been treated with lye until it takes on a gelatinous

teaching techniques online at culinarymasterclass.com –continued on page 44 12.13 | ARROYO | 43

PHOTO: Leslie Bilderback

KITCHEN CONFESSIONS

–continued from page 43

Norwegian Lefse There is nothing fancy about this recipe. It is bare-bones Old World comfort food. Be sure you’re not wearing a shirt you care about, as there will be the dripping of butter.

Vær så god! Luftputebåten min er full av ål. (Here you are! My hovercraft is full of eels. — Monty Python’s Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook.)

INGREDIENTS 2 pounds russet potatoes Water as needed 2 teaspoons kosher salt 3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

METHOD 1. Peel and halve potatoes. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and cool.

2. Pass the cooled potatoes through a ricer or mesh strainer. (Or use a potato masher, but be forewarned — there will be lumps.) Combine in a large bowl with salt and enough flour to create a firm dough. Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead for 3 to 5 minutes, until smooth. Add flour only as needed to reduce stickiness. Cover and rest 20 minutes.

3. Preheat a cast iron griddle or skillet over medium heat. Pinch off egg-size pieces of dough and roll into balls.

With floured fingers, flatten into thin discs; then use a rolling pin to roll them out into quarter-inch thick circles.

Use plenty of flour on the table to keep the dough from sticking as you roll. Cook each piece of lefse on the hot, dry griddle until lightly golden, but still pliable — about 1 to 2 minutes per side. If you detect the essence of burnt flour in the air, you’re doing it right. Serve warm with your best butter.

44 | ARROYO | 12.13

WINING & DINING The Proper’s brunch starts with frersh crusty bread, housemade jam and cheese.

Bellinis for Brunch The Flintridge Proper, La Cañada Flintridge’s neighborhood gastropub, serves up hearty traditional breakfasts with a twist.

STORY BY IRENE LACHER

Locals Brady and Mary Elizabeth Caverly opened their temple to American comfort

Sunday is popularly known as a day of rest, but for foodies and

food to help fill La Cañada’s relative void of upscale dining establishments, surprising given the affluence of its inhabitants who must often drive to surrounding burgs if they

many others, it’s also known as the day of morning Mimosas. Or

want more than burgers. The Proper’s brunch offerings reflect Chef Kevin Napier’s locavore philosophy and high-end orientation, even including a chef’s five-course tasting

PHOTOS: Rick Cunningham; inset, Amanda Laskin

Bellinis, if you have the good fortune to start your Sunday at The

menu, which on my visit included a bowl of fresh berries and chicken-fried steak (better shared by two).

Flintridge Proper, a neighborhood gastropub that opened in La Ca-

The brunch menu is pretty extensive, with sandwiches and salads accompanying the requisite selection of omelets and pancakes. Light eaters can make a meal of squeezed-

ñada Flintridge in April and launched its brunch in early fall. And not

to-order orange or grapefruit juice ($3) and housemade brioche donuts with strawberries ($8). But my crew was up for some serious brunching, so we zeroed in on the break-

just the prosaic peach variety — The Proper offers an eclectic Bellini

fast plates. Full breakfasts start with a lovely platter of fresh crusty bread, housemade jam and mild cheese curls. The Real American Breakfast ($11) seemed in order, and while

Bar, with such exotic infusions as elderberry syrup.

it consisted of the usual suspects, it was quite flavorful. The scrambled free-range eggs –continued on page 46 12.13 | ARROYO | 45

PHOTO: Rick Cunningham

WINING & DINING

Berry-full Bellinis

–continued from page 45 came with meaty artisanal bacon and “smooshed potatoes” — really home fries nicely crisped. The Housemade Biscuit & Gravy ($6), while a generous portion with two large biscuits smothered in white gravy, was rather bland, although the housemade breakfast sausage and bacon added some welcome snap.

Something else to savor is the diverse collection of La Cañada memorabilia collected by the Caverlys — from local high-school yearbooks and vintage hurricane lamps to horse statuettes and tack in honor of the area’s equestrian heritage. If you visit later in the day, you’ll want to belly up to the bar — crowned with a reproduction of the carved wooden sign that topped the gateway to the Flintridge Bridle Paths — and check out The Proper’s claim to being the world’s largest gin bar. All in the interest of science, of course.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• In other brunch news, The Royce at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena, recently launched a Sunday Market Brunch with such imaginative offerings as Wood-Grilled Skirt Steak with Pomme Purée and Chimichurri as well as Eggs Benedict with Cotto Ham, Bernaise and a Petite Salad. Oh, yes, and plenty of Mimosas and Bloody Marys. Served Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $58 per person, $29 per child under 12.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• And on the lunch front comes good news for foodies hungering for some serious Italian pasta. Pasadena’s Contessa Chocolate has just started serving Giovanni Fabbri’s GMO-free pasta made in Chianti, Italy, for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations must be made by the day before by calling (626) 793-7761.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Altadena Farmers Market Manager Joseph Shuldiner has begun offering free tours at 4 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month. Shuldiner will introduce you to farmers and food makers and offer a mini-tutorial on such market-savvy info as the meaning of “certified market” vs.“certified organic.” And yes, he promises plenty of samples and tastings.

RSVP at info@altadenafarmersmarket.com. |||| The Flintridge Proper |464 Foothill Blvd. |La Cañada Flintridge (818) 790-4888| Theproper.com Restaurant: Monday–Saturday, 7:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m Bar and café: Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–midnight; Friday, 7 a.m.–1 a.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.–1 a.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

46 | ARROYO | 12.13

THE LIST

A SELECTIVE PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EVENTS COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER

A Baroque Conversation

Rockapella

based community chorus Towne Singers performs its “Yuletide! Holiday 2013”

Dec. 5 — The Los

concert of traditional and contemporary

Angeles Chamber

seasonal songs — including several sing-

Orchestra launches

alongs — at the First United Methodist

its “Baroque Conversations” series, led

Church of Pasadena. Santa Claus will

by Concertmaster Margaret Batjer, at

appear for the younger guests. Pre-sale

Zipper Concert Hall in downtown Los

tickets for the 4:30 p.m. concert cost $20,

Angeles at 7 p.m. The series explores

or $15 per ticket for groups of 10 or more;

the genesis of orchestral repertoire, from

$10 for children under 11. At the door,

early Baroque schools through the pre-

tickets cost $25, $12 for kids.

classical period, through performances

The First United Methodist Church of Pasa-

and conversations. Participating

dena is located at 500 E. Colorado Blvd.,

musicians share their insights and field

Pasadena. Call (626) 275-4117 for informa-

audience questions about the evening’s

tion and visit townesingers.org for tickets.

program, which begins with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception. Today’s perfor-

L.A. Master Chorale Lights up Disney Hall for the Holidays

mance features works by Weiss, Kohaut, Cazzati, Corelli, Schmelzer and Scarlatti.

Tickets cost $55.

Zipper Concert Hall is located at 200 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Call (213) 6227001 or visit laco.org.

A Dickens Classic and Holiday Tea

A CAPPELLA CHRISTMAS

Dec. 7 and 14 — The Festival of Carols features such favorites as “Joy to the World,”“Deck the Halls” and “Carol of the Bells,” with Disney Hall’s pipe organ adding a musical flourish. Performances start at 2 p.m. both days. Tickets

Dec. 7 — Rockapella takes a cappella music to new heights with “A Rockapella Christ-

cost $29 to $99, $22 to $74 for children 6

Noise Within’s

mas” at Caltech.The five-man ensemble uses nothing but voice power to perform

to 12. Children under 6 are not admitted.

stage adaptation

Dec. 7 and 8 — A

holiday tunes at 8 p.m. in the Beckman Auditorium.Ticket prices range from $22 to $32,

Dec. 8 — “Rejoice! Ceremony of Carols”

of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

$10 for youth high school age and younger.

features seasonal classics including

opens at 2 p.m. today and continues

Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium is located on Michigan Avenue south of Del Mar Boule-

Respighi’s “Laud to the Nativity,” Britten’s

through Dec. 22. In conjunction with the

vard in Pasadena. Call (626) 395-3841 or visit events.caltech.edu.

“A Ceremony of Carols” and Stephen

production, the company hosts “Fezzi-

Paulus’“Christmas Dances,” starting at

wig’s Festive Holiday Tea,” a family-friendly

7 p.m. Tickets cost $29 to $119.

fundraiser starting at 2 p.m. Sunday. The

Mouse King and travel to the Land of

Shakespeare Ensemble presents Dickens’

Dec. 11 — The chorale presents its an-

classic tea menu includes sweet and

Snow and the Palace of Dolls, where

holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, at

nual “Messiah Sing-Along,” where the

savory treats, Champagne and a large

Clara’s favorite dolls come to life. Show-

1:30 and 3:30 p.m. on three Saturdays

audience sings Handel’s score with a

selection of teas. The event includes a

times are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m.

this month. Tickets, available only at

chamber orchestra and four professional

3:30 p.m. auction, hosted by NBC4’s Fritz

Sunday. Tickets cost $30 to $95.

ticketweb.com, cost $15.

soloists, starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost

Coleman, followed by a 4:30 p.m. per-

The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N. Brand

Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22 — Families can

$39 to $79.

formance. Tickets to A Christmas Carol

Blvd., Glendale. Call (818) 243-2539 or visit

enjoy a Patina gourmet breakfast with

Dec. 15 and 22 — Topping off the cel-

start at $60. Tea tickets cost $200, $100 for

alextheatre.org.

Santa, while children decorate cookies.

ebratory season, Music Director Grant

children ages 6 to 17.

Bring a camera for photo opportunities.

Gershon conducts 48 chorus members,

A Noise Within is located at 3352 E. Foothill

Hillside Holidays

Seatings are at 10 and 11:30 a.m. each

a chamber orchestra and four soloists in

Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 356-3100 or visit

Descanso Gardens

day. The cost is $46, $39 for members and

a concert version of Handel’s Messiah at

anoisewithin.org.

gears up for the

$19 for children 4 to 12; free for children 3

7 p.m. each night. Tickets cost $29 to $119.

holidays:

and younger. The reservation deadline for

Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111

Dec. 7 and 8 — The

Dec. 14 and 15 seatings is Dec. 9; for Dec.

S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Call (213) 9727282 or visit lamc.org.

Nutcracker Visits Glendale

“Botanic Bling” sale offers a jump on

21 and 22 dining, it’s Dec. 16.

Dec. 7 and 8 — The

holiday shopping with a trunk show of

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Des-

Los Angeles Ballet

botanic-themed jewelry and accessories

canso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Call (818)

comes to the Alex

made by independent craftspeople,

949-4200 or visit descansogardens.org.

Theatre to dance The Nutcracker, the

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Free

classic Christmas fantasy story of Clara

with Descanso admission.

Yuletide in Song

dena’s 1898-vintage

and her nutcracker, who battle the

Dec. 7, 14 and 21 — The California

Dec. 8 — The La Cañada Flintridge--

–continued on page 49

A Castle Christmas Tour Dec. 8 — Pasa-

12.13 | ARROYO | 47

48 | ARROYO | 12.13

THE LIST

PHOTO: Bruce Bennett

Aladdin And His Winter Wish

MIDDLE EAST MAGIC AND MUSIC IN ALADDIN

Dec. 11 — Ben Vereen and Bruce Vilanch star in the Pasadena Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Productions presentation of Aladdin and His Winter Wish.The updated version of the classic Arabian Nights story is a singing, soaring, family-friendly adventure featuring magic with a comedic twist, dancing and contemporary music.The show opens at 7 p.m. today and continues at 3 and 7 p.m.Thursdays and Fridays; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sundays, with an additional performance at 3 p.m. Dec. 24.Tickets cost $34 to $101. Golden Tickets for a special onstage experience during the show are available only for children for an additional $100 each.

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 3567529 or visit pasadenaplayhouse.org.

–continued from page 46

with its annual “Holiday Candlelight”

architectural masterpiece, the Castle

concert at Pasadena’s All Saints Church.

Green, opens its doors to visitors in a tour

Soprano Lisa Vroman joins L.A. Children’s

recreating Victorian Christmas splen-

Chorus, the Donald Brinegar Singers and

dor. The seven-story Moorish Colonial

L.A. Bronze in festive candlelit perfor-

and Spanish-style building of private

mances of traditional and diverse holi-

apartments, built as an annex to the

day songs. Performances start at 4 and

Hotel Green — a lavish resort for wealthy

7 p.m. Tickets start at $30.

Easterners — will be decked out in turn-

All Saints Church is located at 132 N. Euclid

of-the-20th-century décor, with holiday

Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 793-7172 or visit

music and other entertainment inspired

pasadenasymphony-pops.org.

by Dickens’ era. Guests are invited to take self-guided tours of 30 apartments, normally not open to the public. Food of

Dinner Donors Bring Holiday Help

the Victorian period will be available for

Dec. 14 — The Foothill

purchase. The tour runs from 1 to 5 p.m.

Unity Center, which

Tickets cost $20, available at the door or

works to help families

at castlegreen.com/tour.

in crisis, hosts its annual holiday season

The Castle Green is located at 99 S. Ray-

benefit dinner at The Lodge at Sierra

mond Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 385-7774

Madre, with music by Mercy and the

or visit castlegreen.com.

Merkettes, from 5 to 9 p.m. Bring a cash or check donation and/or unwrapped

Candlelight and Song

gift for a child of any age.

Dec. 14 — The

33 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Call

Pasadena Symphony

(626) 358-3486 or visit foothillunitycenter.org.

lights up the holidays

–continued on page 50

The Lodge at Sierra Madre is located at

12.13 | ARROYO | 49

THE LIST

–continued from page 49

Arts Fest at the Paseo

chased. Gates open at 11 a.m.

Dec. 14 and 15 — At

reserved-seating packages, which

the “Paseo Arts &

include early entrance at 10:30 a.m., a

Holly Fest,” guests can

souvenir seat cushion, a goody bag and

Tickets cost $15, or $35 for limited VIP

shop for fine art and handcrafted items

more. Tickets are available at the venue

for holiday gift-giving, while enjoying food

or through Sharp Seating.

and music, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

The Los Angeles Equestrian Center is

and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Paseo

located at 480 Riverside Dr., Burbank. Call

Colorado. Admission is free.

Sharp Seating at (626) 795-4171 or visit

Paseo Colorado is located at 260 E.

sharpseating.com.

Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Visit paseohollyfest.com.

Beat the Crowd to Hear Parade Beats

Sneak a Peek at Float Progress

Dec. 29 and 30 — “Bandfest” at Pasa-

The floats are the real stars of the 2014

dena City College offers a preview of

Tournament of Roses

the marching bands that will perform in

Parade and guests can view them while

the Jan. 1 Tournament of Roses Parade.

they’re being decorated at three loca-

“Bandfest I” runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

tions before the New Year’s extravaganza.

Sunday,“Bandfest II” runs from 9:30 a.m.

Tickets cost $10 and are available at the

to 12:30 p.m. Monday and “Bandfest

door or through Sharp Seating.

III” runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Dec. 28 through 31 — View the transfor-

Tickets to each session cost $15 and are

mations at Rosemont and Brookside pa-

available through Sharp Seating.

vilions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and

Pasadena City College is located at 1570

Sunday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday

E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call Sharp

and Tuesday.

Seating at (626) 795-4171 or visit

Rosemont Pavilion is located at 700 Seco

sharpseating.com.

St., Pasadena. Brookside Pavilion is located at Lot I, south side of Rose Bowl Stadium, Dec. 28 through 31 — Watch floats being

Walk a Block Through Architecture History

decorated from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Dec. 30 — Pasadena

through Monday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Heritage offers two

1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena.

Tuesday at the Rose Palace.

architectural legacy walking tours, both

The Rose Palace is located at 835 S.

at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., illuminating

Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Call Sharp

how Pasadena developed from a simple

Seating at (626) 795-4171 or visit sharp-

farm colony founded by a group of Indi-

seating.com.

ana immigrants into the country’s wealthiest resort community in the 1920s. The

50 | ARROYO | 12.13

“Equestfest” Showcases Rose Riders

Old Pasadena walking tour explores the

Dec. 29 — Get an

original downtown; the Pasadena Hillcrest

early look at equestri-

Neighborhood tour explores various archi-

an units in this year’s

tectural styles of grand estate mansions.

historic architectural detail of Pasadena’s

parade at “Equestfest,” a family-friendly

The cost is $20, $15 for members.

showcase of horses and riders perform-

The Old Pasadena tour meets in the

ing drills, dances, trick riding and roping

lobby of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 180

at the L.A. Equestrian Center. Guests can

N. Fair Oaks Ave.; the Hillcrest neigh-

stroll through the stables, talk to the riders

borhood tour meets at the Langham,

and learn about equipment and various

Huntington, Pasadena, 1401 S. Oak Knoll

breeds of horses. Live music is included,

Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 441-6333 or

and food and beverages can be pur-

visit pasadenaheritage.org.

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