Arroyo November 2012

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FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA NOVEMBER 2012

Pasadena Inc.

INNOVATORS

PIONEERING UNMANNED FLIGHT AeroVironment's Dr. Paul MacCready

YOU THINK IT'S EASY BEING GREEN? Help is on the way

BLOODY SCOTLAND The mystery is revealed







arroyo VOLUME 8 | NUMBER 11 | NOVEMBER 2012

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PASADENA INC 11 UPPING THE ANTE ON GREEN LIVING Christine Lenches-Hinkel of Waste Less Living takes sustainable lifestyles a step further with detailed advice on recycling and composting. —By Carole Jacobs

15 TRACKING TASTES 4.0 Pasadena’s fast-growing RateSpecial Interactive is making waves in the super-hot online advertising sector. —By Kathleen Kelleher

PHOTOS: Top, Gary Winterboer; bottom left, Glasgow: Scotland with style; bottom right, Nelda Costner

21 IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S SUPERDRONE! Pasadena's late Dr. Paul Macready helped chart the future of unmanned flight as the founder of AeroVironment Inc. in Monrovia. —By Bettijane Levine

39 GREAT SCOT! A crime-fiction aficionado investigates Bloody Scotland, the country's first festival for mystery writers and fans, and discovers gorgeous Glasgow and Stirling along the way. —By Nancie Clare

DEPARTMENTS 11

FESTIVITIES Pasadena Museum of History, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Pacific Oaks College and Children's School

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ARROYO HOME SALES INDEX

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KITCHEN CONFESSIONS Much-maligned butter is back, so you might as well enjoy it.

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WINING AND DINING Burger Haven is a new pop-up lunchtime eatery for busy foodies

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THE LIST Costume designer Edith Head is resurrected at the Pasadena Playhouse, Descanso presents its Japanese Garden Festival and more

ABOUT THE COVER: Photo of Nano Humming Bird courtesy of AeroVironment, Inc.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

IT’S UNLIKELY THAT WHOEVER COINED THE SAYING “A BIRD IN THE HAND” MEANT the tiny spy drone on this month’s cover. Incredibly nimble at a mere 19 grams, the nanotech hummingbird, armed with a camera, is just one of the wonders created by AeroVironment Inc., founded by Pasadena’s late Dr. Paul MacCready. The pioneer in unmanned flight, as well as electric cars and other marvels of the age, was so influential that Time magazine named him one of the 100 “greatest minds” of the 20th century. The use of military drones is currently controversial, but as contributor Bettijane Levine was heartened to discover, Dr. MacCready’s brainchildren have the potential to benefit humankind in myriad ways. With MacCready’s alma mater Caltech in Pasadena’s corner, you’d expect the town to be a hotbed of innovation, and it is. For our Pasadena Inc. business issue, we also looked at “civilians” who are helping to expand the city’s impact beyond its borders. Kathy Kelleher introduces the folks behind RateSpecial Interactive, an online marketing company whose efforts to stay ahead of the curve helped it land the No. 14 ranking on Inc. magazine’s 2012 list of the country’s 500 fastest-growing companies. And Carole Jacobs talks to Christine Lenches-Hinkel, founder of Waste Less Living, a “zero-waste consultant” who lights the way for eco-friendly souls when they discover it’s not so easy being green. Ergo, Pasadena’s Janus-like identity as metro Los Angeles’ link to its future as well as its past — an intellectual Petri dish, helping to shape the new century, while savoring the fruits of the city’s dedication to historic preservation. —Irene Lacher

EDITOR IN CHIEF Irene Lacher ART DIRECTOR Kent Bancroft JUNIOR DESIGNER Carla Cortez PRODUCTION Richard Garcia, Rochelle Bassarear

arroyo FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA

COPY EDITOR John Seeley CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Bilderback, Michael Cervin, Scarlet Cheng, Mandalit del Barco, Lynne Heffley, Noela Hueso, Carole Jacobs, Kathy Kelleher, Carl Kozlowski, Bettijane Levine, Brenda Rees, Margery L. Schwartz, John Sollenberger, Nancy Spiller, Bradley Tuck PHOTOGRAPHERS Claire Bilderback, Gabriel Goldberg, Christie Hemm, Melissa Valladares ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Dina Stegon ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Brenda Clarke, Joseluis Correa, Leslie Lamm ADVERTORIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Joanna Dehn Beresford ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Richard Garcia, Rochelle Bassarear

SOUTHLAND PUBLISHING V.P. OF FINANCE Michael Nagami V.P. OF OPERATIONS David Comden PRESIDENT Bruce Bolkin CONTACT US ADVERTISING dinas@pasadenaweekly.com EDITORIAL arroyoeditor@pasadenaweekly.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

BUSINESS MANAGER Angela Wang

ArroyoMonthly.com

ACCOUNTING Alysia Chavez, Monica MacCree OFFICE ASSISTANT Ann Weathersbee PUBLISHER Jon Guynn 8 | ARROYO | 11.12

©2012 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.



FESTIVITIES Mayor Bill and Claire Bogaard with Deborah and Police Chief Philip Sanchez

(First row, 3rd from left) Mayor Bill Bogaard, Laura Thompson and Paul Halme cut the ribbon

George Martin, Fran Shellgren and Jim Watterson

Greiman with her work

Wielding golden scissors, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena Museum of History President Laura Thompson and Paloheimo Trust President Paul Halme cut the red ribbon stretched across the entrance of the Beaux Artsstyle Fenyes Mansion on Sept. 29 in a salute to the Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark's reopening after a $1.7 billion renovation. The ribbon-cutting also kicked off the museum's black-tie dinner gala, which raised $130,000 for PMH's

Adbellatif Moufakkir, Sue Toigo, Derek Schearer and Kirsti Westphalen

education programs. Honored at the 2012 Contemporary History Makers dinActress Jane Kaczmarek with Brian and Virginia Brooks

ner were Thompson, Karen Craig, Don Fedde, Janet Kadin, William F. Kruse, Randolph G. Wilson, and Fred G. Zepeda... The Los Angeles Master Chorale,

Parnia’s wife, Lisa Boucher, son Max and daughter Yasmin Parnia

led by Music Director Grant Gershon of Eagle Rock, celebrated its 49th season on Oct. 21 with a post-concert dinner gala at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The event, which also included an eclectic concert that showcased the venue's grams... Dr. Ezat Parnia was inaugurated as the ninth president of Pacific Oaks College and Children's School during a ceremony outside Pasadena City Hall on Sept. 8.

Dr. Ezat Parnia

Patrick Fitzgerald, Steve Kanter and Michael Fitzgerald

LAMC Music Director Grant Gershon

Phil Swan and his daughter, Audrey 10 | ARROYO | 11.12

Keynote speaker Dr. Jack Scott

PHOTOS: James Staub (Fenyes Mansion); Alex Berliner (LA Master Chorale); Bryony Shearmur (Pacific Oaks College Inauguration Ceremony)

pipe organ, raised $275,000 for the chorale's artistic and education pro-


UPPING THE ANTE ON GREEN LIVING Christine Lenches-Hinkel of Waste Less Living offers her recycling expertise to businesses and nonprofits that want to minimize their carbon footprint.

Christine Lenches-Hinkel leading an employee training workshop

BY CAROLE JACOBS

BUSINESSES GENERATE MOUNTAINS OF TRASH EVERY DAY. TWO-THIRDS OF THAT TRASH IS ORGANIC AND,

POLLUTION OF LOCAL WATER SOURCES, SAYS

IN THE RIGHT HANDS, COULD BE CONVERTED TO

CHRISTINE LENCHES-HINKEL, AN ENVIRONMENTAL

COMPOST. YET IT USUALLY WINDS UP IN LANDFILLS, PLANNER, WASTE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST AND WHERE IT BREAKS DOWN INTO DANGEROUS METHANE GASES AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE

OWNER OF WASTE LESS LIVING IN PASADENA. 窶田ontinued on page 13 11.12 | ARROYO | 11


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–continued from page 11

Lenches-Hinkel is on a mission to reverse that trend by teaching local schools and businesses the ABCs of safe and efficient recycling. Since its inception in 2007, Waste Less Living estimates it has prevented more than 43,000 pounds of organic waste from reaching landfills, diverting it instead to commercial composting facilities where specialized equipment and high temperatures transform it into much-needed compost. “Even eco-friendly businesses who think they’re doing everything right dispose of things in the trash or recycling bins under the misconception that it will break down in the landfill,” says Lenches-Hinkel. “There’s a huge difference between recycling and composting. People don’t realize that when you put eco-friendly organic trash in a landfill, it doesn’t biodegrade. It becomes toxic.” Fortunately, Lenches-Hinkel has a simple, sure-fire approach to recycling that has turned some aspiring eco-friendly businesses and community organizations into virtual green giants. Consider Waste Less Living client Robert Shahnazarian, Jr., general manager and co-owner of Noor, an upscale event space located in Pasadena’s Paseo Colorado. For the past two years, Noor has been recycling leftover food from weddings, banquets and other events to Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena. “It doesn’t just feel like a humane thing to do, it feels like my duty,” says Shahnazarian. Noor was already using Waste Less Living for recycling compostable trash at all its events when Lenches-Hinkel approached the company about a year ago about a complete eco-overhaul — from its trash to its lighting fixtures. Noor jumped at the chance to help Pasadena become more eco-friendly, says Shahnazarian. Lenches-Hinkel analyzed the company’s waste management system, trained the kitchen staff to recycle and installed color-coded bins around the facilities. Then she inspected the company’s two indoor ballrooms and large outdoor facility for some fast and easy energy fixes. “At Christine’s suggestion, we switched to energy-efficient light bulbs and replaced a carpet in the main ballroom [which had to be cleaned regularly] with a wood floor that our clients absolutely love,” says Shahnazarian. “We’re still in the planning stages as there are so many levels to recycling and saving energy, but we expect to be fully with the program by Jan. 1.” So why aren’t more local businesses following suit? “Going green is initially quite expensive,” says Shahnazarian. “Fortunately, even in this economy, people still need to get married and corporations still need to have con-

Lenches-Hinkel bagging some finished compost

Waste Less Living educates clients on how to sort trash three ways. For example, organic trash should be composted, not sent to a landfill because it won’t biodegrade there — it actually becomes toxic.

ventions, so Noor is doing really well.” While Lenches-Hinkel is finding some companies reluctant to be partners, several nonprofits and schools have jumped on the eco-train. One success story is Flintridge Center, a nonprofit Pasadena organization well known for its community programs in Northwest Pasadena and Altadena, such as the Mustangs on the Move after-school program, apprenticeship preparation classes and educational services for nonprofit organizations. While this big-hearted group has helped countless youth, its administrators had a hunch it was doing wrong by its trash. “Our president, Jane Moseley, has always been interested in the environment and wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could,” says the center’s Karen Gerst. In January, 2011, Lenches-Hinkel came in to provide the organization with a complete waste management overhaul, starting with an analysis of the environmental impact of Flintridge’s current waste-generating practices. How much “good trash” did the company produce which could, in turn, be recycled into compost? After investigating the refuse, Lenches-Hinkel turned to the employees, offering them a crash course in recycling and composting. “We thought we knew the difference between them, but Christine really opened our eyes,” says Gerst. From Lenches-Hinkel’s primer on trash: “Good trash” includes food waste, biodegradable tableware, paper towels, juice and milk cartons, paper, cardboard and yard waste, as well as recyclables like plastic and metal containers and utensils, aluminum soda cans and Styrofoam. “Bad trash” — the kind that should be sent to a landfill — includes everything else, from bottle caps, plastic baggies, used candy wrappers, plastic plates and utensils to headless dolls and toy airplanes without wings. Gerst said Lenches-Hinkel also taught them everything they ever wanted to know about compost. More than mere dirt, compost is a valuable but rapidly diminishing resource that reduces the need for pesticides and irrigation and increases crop yields while improving the soil, Lenches-Hinkel said. The U.S. is losing soil 10 times faster than it can be naturally replenished and paying a steep price for it — about $37.6 billion a year in lost soil productivity, she said. Thoroughly versed in recycling and compost, Flintridge Center employees were ready to take a stab at managing their trash. To ensure good and bad trash didn’t get mixed up, Lenches-Hinkel installed color-coded bins (one color for each type of trash) at key locations throughout the center, including the lunch and meeting rooms. To spread the word about recycling, instructions and bins were also placed in Flintridge’s Retreat Center, a meeting/convention room the nonprofit rents out to local businesses. (The results were mixed, acknowledges Yvonne Taylor, director of administration. “Some businesses really got with the program, but we could tell when businesses didn’t try or didn’t care,” she said. “People have to care about the environment for the system to work.”) Finally, Lenches-Hinkel worked with trucking firms to coordinate regular trash pickup and ensure that compostable items went to a commercial composting facility –continued on page 14 11.12 | ARROYO | 13


–continued from page 13

and bad trash went to landfills. A year into the program, the results are encouraging, says Gerst. “It’s been a learning curve and it was confusing at first what to put where, but I think we finally have the hang of it, although I think there’s room for improvement,” she says. The organization’s goal is an 80 percent waste-diversion rate, leaving only 20 percent for landfills. In addition to overhauling waste management systems, Lenches-Hinkel offers an eco-event-planning service for businesses interested in staging a green party, convention or banquet. So far she has helped organize zero-waste parties for big clients like Warner Brothers, the Audubon Society, the Boy and Girl Scouts of America and the Jet Propulsion Lab, as well as for local caterers whose customers want to hold a sustainable dinner party but don’t want to set the table — or take out the trash. Talk about the hostess with the mostest: LenchesHinkel comes in before the party to set the table with her own product line of biodegradable and 100 percent compostable plates, cups, utensils, napkins and trash bags. When the party’s over, she handles the cleanup and arranges to have all the waste, including tableware and scraps, trucked to a commercial composting facility. “Whenever we have catering clients who want to go green, I call Christine,” says Patty Fallahee, co-owner of The Spot Gourmet catering company in Pasadena. “When the party is over, she comes in and takes over. We don’t have to deal with the trash and we also know that what we’re doing is good for the environment.” Waste Less client Rickey Smith, founder of Urban Green, also brings in LenchesHinkel to reduce the company’s footprint after catering events and parties. Urban Green, headquartered in Pasadena, restores green space in the Los Angeles area and runs a small organic farm in Alta Loma that supplies its two culinary outlets, The Sweet Spot and Urban Green Cuisine. While more people are interested in sustainability, Smith says, they may need a company like Waste Less to give them the tools to accomplish it. “So many people want to do the right thing, but they use biodegradable utensils that end up in the landfill anyway because they don’t understand how to recycle,” he says. “With Christine, we never have to worry about anything going into the wrong bin.” Beyond good stewardship of the planet, Shahnazarian says it’s too soon to tell if going green will save Noor money or generate more business. “It will take about a year to see if we realize any savings on things like electric bills,” he says. “From a marketing perspective, I don’t think it will help business much, unless it’s important to a client to have a green wedding or event.” That said, “The real value for Noor [when it comes to going greener] isn’t economical but philosophical,” says Shahnazarian. “Recycling is the right thing to do. Pasadena will be cleaner and we’ll be able to better our city and community. When it came to going green, that was our first decision-maker.”|||| 14 | ARROYO | 11.12


TRACKING TASTES 4.0 Pasadena’s fast-growing RateSpecial Interactive is making waves in the super-hot online advertising sector. BY KATHLEEN KELLEHER

RateSpecial Interactive’s Bertrand Seow, David Tam and Tom McErlane 11.12 | ARROYO | 15


NOTHING ABOUT THESE PEOPLE HINTS AT THEIR COMPANY’S RECENT TURN IN THE SPOTLIGHT. THEY ARE NOT

MAD MEN CHIC OR THIRTYSOMETHING BIG-KID CREATIVES.

Tom McErland

THEY WEAR JEANS, PLAID BUTTON-DOWN SHIRTS AND UNREMARKABLE TENNIS SHOES. THEIR OLD PASADENA OFFICE IS UNASSUMING — A MINIMALIST INDUSTRIAL DESIGN WITH VINEGAR-STAINED WOOD CUBICLES, ALL TEMPERED BY WARM EARTH TONES. THE OPEN-FLOOR ENVIRONMENT HUMS AS EMPLOYEES TALK INTO HEADSETS AND TAP COMPUTER KEYBOARDS.

Bertrand Seow

A SIZABLE WHITE SCREEN MONITOR, CORNER-MOUNTED HIGH IN THE ROOM, TRACKS TOP SALES PERFORMERS, AD CAMPAIGN REVENUE AND EACH EXECUTIVE’S CALLS.

Inconspicuousness may be a condition of the past, for this online-advertising boutique is shooting upward at an attention-getting rate. RateSpecial Interactive is the 14th-fastest-growing company in the nation, so named in Inc. 500/5000, the magazine’s 2012 rankings. RateSpecial earned its spot for its staggering 8,593-percent growth over three years (earnings for 2011 were $15.5 million, up from $178K in 2008). This year the Los Angeles Business Journal ranked RateSpecial No. 1 in growth among companies in L. A. County, , and Pasadena Weekly (by popular vote) last month named it the 2012 best place to work in Pasadena. But success was neither easy nor swift. “It has definitely been a challenge,” said Bertrand Seow, co-founder, chief financial officer and chief technology officer. “We did get our start at the beginning of the financial crisis in 2007, and we did have a number of years of not paying ourselves, self-funding and not paying our first employees. We drained all our personal resources. I was living on credit cards. So this has been a really great moment for every member of our team. Our ability to execute, being both flexible and directed, has really contributed to our success.” If ever the time was right for online advertising, it is now. Internet advertising revenues for the first half of 2012 spiked to an unprecedented high of $17 billion, marking a 14 percent increase year over year, according to an October report from the Internet Advertising Bureau and the professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. By comparison, Internet ad revenue for the first six months of 2011 was $14.9 billion. Mobile advertising almost doubled in growth for the year, increasing 95 percent to $1.2 billion for the first half of 2012, up from $636 million in the comparable period of 2011. “The growth trend in Internet advertising is here to stay,” said Kirk Snyder, assistant professor of business management communication at USC’s Marshall School of Busi16 | ARROYO | 11.12

David Tam

ness. “Global Internet traffic has increased eight-fold over the past five years. The conduit we increasingly prefer to use to connect to each other, to our entertainment and to goods and services is technology. So the increase in online advertising makes sense because we are increasingly living our lives online.” With the online marketplace seemingly flush with banner ads, interactive video ads, irritating pop-ups and intrusive promotional text messages that seem to stalk us, what makes RateSpecial special? “Our whole approach is putting relevant products in front of online users based on the context of what they are interested in,” said Thomas McErlane, co-founder and president, adding that a consumer searching for an auto loan would see ads for auto insurance, auto loans and credit reports during their search. “Typically, the consumer is bypassing ads on Yahoo and the web. So what we do is advertise on the article itself where we have the user for a period of time on that page.” Personalizing ads to reach people based on their expressed interests is considered more profitable and effective, a longtime practice of traditional advertising based on demographics and consumer behavior. Still, despite those tactical placement efforts, some advertising in newspapers, magazines and television has employed the so-called “spray and pray” approach. In the online world, ads can move and follow someone down the rabbit-hole equivalent of an interactive Internet search. Though many of us complain about this transparency (called “see-through marketing” by USC’s Snyder), which allows every move we make online to be tracked and collected in some data pool and exploited by marketers and advertisers, Snyder says it plays on a deep human desire to be understood and cared for. –continued on page 18


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–continued from page 16

“We have an increasing demand for it,” says Snyder. “It is like when Amazon suggests readings and purchases based on what you have bought before. Personalization plays into a need to be catered to. Technology is meeting that need in spades.” The rapid pace of technological change makes staying relevant and adaptable a challenge. The founders agree that their different strengths give the company a robust depth and flexibility to accomplish that. Both McErlane and CEO David Tam, also a co-founder, are seasoned online businessmen with managerial and executive experience. McErlane and Tam actually knew of each other as competitors in the online business world first, then eventually became friends when they shared a tiny office working for an online mortgage loan company. Tam and Seow — the technological master of the three, with a computer science degree and experience working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the ionosphere department — were college roommates at UCLA. They launched an online mortgage company in early 2007, but it faltered in the stumbling economy. Seeing the promise of online advertising and opting to take another chance, Tam and Seow, now joined by McErlane, pivoted that early failure into a new company, RateSpecial Interactive. “The model we were using for the mortgage company is the one we are still using today,” said Tam. “We had an understanding of what worked and what didn’t work from our past experiences, but we are still running with that original concept.” To keep pace, Seow said, RateSpecial expanded upon that original program by developing technology in a “responsive design” to interact with seemingly ubiquitous cellphones and tablets. “Our platform/framework will detect the browser, device and resolution of the consumer and dynamically adjust the ‘look and feel’ of our sites to match accordingly,” Seow explained in an email. “Our platform is also optimized for speed and deliverability, which is essential for the wireless world.” The three men, all now 34, launched the business in an L.A. office with no employees. Currently housed next to the Paseo Colorado shopping center in a 1925 bank building, the company has 34 employees and 15 clients, including Experian, RealtyStore.com, Lexington Law and KidsLive (which presents cultural events for families), to name a few. RateSpecial also runs a “secondary revenue platform,” which includes an exhaustive array of still more online advertising opportunities, such as email marketing, call centers, direct email, SMS texting, “cross-selling” and something called “exit traffic optimization” — that last-chance opportunity to hit the consumers with one more ad as they exit a search. The co-founders recently returned from an advertising technology conference in London where they sized up the international online marketplace. “I can’t go into detail as to our next steps in that market,” said Tam, who added that the company goal is to grow 100 percent every year. “But I can say there’s plenty of opportunity for growth there.” Throughout the explosive growth of RateSpecial, the co-founders’ personal lives also expanded. All three are married now, and both Seow and McErlane have children. Seow was a groomsman at Tam’s wedding last April. Seow’s wife, Stacy Seow, designed the interiors of RateSpecial’s headquarters, even making a modern light fixture that hangs on a wall near the entryway. Three of the original employees, one of whom was not paid for almost a year, are still with the company. “It is really about taking care of the people who are here in the trenches with us day in and day out,” says Seow. “We have a mutual respect for each other and we know that some of the people we hire are smarter than us. There is definitely a common purpose and ownership here.” |||| 18 | ARROYO | 11.12


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IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S SUPERDRONE!

The future of flight is unmanned, and that can be a good thing for all of us, say some in the business of making the pilotless aircraft known as drones. BY BETTIJANE LEVINE

THE ADORABLE TOY-LIKE AVIAN YOU SEE HERE IS ACTUALLY AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, KNOWN TO MOST OF US AS A DRONE. IT WEIGHS 19 GRAMS, LESS THAN AN AA BATTERY. PAINTED TO LOOK LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD, IT HAS TWO FLAPPING WINGS THAT PROVIDE PROPULSION AND CONTROL. IT CAN HOVER, SWOOP AND CLIMB, WHILE CARRYING ITS OWN BATTERY AND A TINY WIRELESS CAMERA TO TRANSMIT VIDEO. IT CAN DART IN AND OUT OF WINDOWS AND DOORS — AND WE WON’T EVEN GUESS ITS POTENTIAL USES. RIGHT NOW IT’S SIMPLY A “NANOTECHPHOTOS: Courtesy of AeroVironment, Inc.

NOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR” DEVELOPED FOR DARPA, THE DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT AGENCY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. –continued on page 23

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Paul MacCready at 25 years old

–continued from page 21

We bring you this bit of aeronautical information because this is our business issue, and the Nano Hummingbird was born right here in our happy valley at AeroVironment in Monrovia — currently the country’s largest producer of drones and one of most interesting businesses around. Dr. Paul MacCready, AeroVironment’s founder in 1971 and its leader until his death in 2007, was one of aviation’s most original thinkers and one of Pasadena’s most illustrious residents. His wife, Judy, still lives here. Dr. MacCready, named one of the 20th century’s 100 “greatest minds” by Time magazine, is known worldwide as a visionary whose untethered imagination helped lead to such inventions as the electric car and the drone. Obsessed with aerodynamics from childhood, he studied the flight of birds, butterflies, vultures and moths. Armed with a B.S. in physics from Yale, he segued into gliders. He designed them, flew them, won multiple soaring contests and in 1956 was the first American to become International Soaring Champion. Along the way, he invented the airspeed selector still used by glider pilots worldwide to determine optimum flight speed, now known as the MacCready Speed. That was just the start of many firsts comprising MacCready’s saga. He earned a Ph.D. in aeronautics from Caltech in 1952, then founded a meteorology research firm that became a leader in weather modification and atmospheric research. MacCready pioneered the use of small aircraft (which he piloted himself ) to study storm interiors. He became known as “the father of human-powered flight” after founding AeroVironment, where he designed the first heavier-than-air craft to be powered solely by human muscle — i.e., a man pedaling the plane as if it were a bicycle. This was the first human-powered craft ever to cross the English Channel. –continued on page 24

In 1985, MacCready was commissioned to build a half-scale, remote-controlled flying replica of the pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus for the Smithsonian Institution.

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The Puma AE is hand-launched.

–continued from page 23

Such a device may seem impractical, but then MacCready was not a practical man. In his obituary, The New York Times wrote, “MacCready believed daydreaming was his most productive activity. Practical results mattered little to him, although many of his breakthroughs led to practical expression.” Indeed, they did. Every one of his creations taught him more about the theory and practice of flight and alternative energy transport. His human-powered plane led to a solar-powered plane, which led to a solar-powered car, which led to an electric automobile and then to the nanotech hummingbird spy drone that weighs less than a newborn baby. Each “impractical” success became a platform for something practical, although he could not have predicted that. He enjoyed the journey, ignored the destination (although his Gossamer Condor, the first human-powered plane to accomplish sustained flight, made a final “landing” at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). MacCready’s solar-powered plane was the first to fly powered solely by sunbeams. Decades ahead of the curve, he had decided to help demonstrate the benefits of photovoltaic cells as a potential source of non-polluting, renewable energy for homes and industry. Later, with NASA support, he built an unmanned solar-powered plane that could climb to 96,358 feet — more than two miles higher than any plane had ever sustained level flight. And in 1985, MacCready proposed to General Motors the creation of a battery-operated automobile according to his design. The company released it in 1990 as the Impact, which led to their further collaboration on the EV-1, the first mass-produced electric car from a major automaker. Today, the firm he founded focuses on two principal projects — infrastructure for electric vehicles and drones. The company’s newest rapid-charging system for electric cars can fully recharge an automobile in less than 30 minutes, says Steve Gitlin, vice president of marketing strategy at AeroVironment. “We’ve already installed them in Houston and Dallas and along Interstate 5 in Washington and Oregon,” Gitlin says. The biggest part of the business right now is drones, Gitlin says, although he would never use the D-word. “We don’t make drones. We make unmanned aircraft systems. Only the media uses the word ‘drone,’” Gitlin explains. But MacCready himself did, in fact, use the word “drone” in a talk accessible on the Internet, in which he described the firm’s development of unmanned aircraft. AeroVironment has produced about 85 percent of the 7,500 unmanned aircraft used today by the U.S. military, Gitlin says. The firm, which went public in 2007, produces six unmanned aircraft models, ranging in size from one to 13 pounds, most of which carry cameras rather than weapons. These can fly from just a few hundred feet off the ground to 24 | ARROYO | 11.12


about 10,000 feet above sea level. And not all customers are military. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently purchased AeroVironment’s Puma model to monitor wildlife and other ecological concerns, Gitlin says. “The U.S. Geological Survey uses our four-pound Raven quite extensively for such things as monitoring wildlife, soil erosion along rivers, inspecting fences on public land,” he adds. (Both the Puma and Raven are portable and silent. They can be hand-launched and can operate autonomously. Both carry infra-red and electro-optic cameras along with other equipment. The Puma, which can land on ground or water, weighs 13 pounds. The Raven The Raven gets launched in Iraq.

comes in at 4.8 pounds and delivers real-time imagery day or night.) In fact, there seems to be no end to the beneficial possibilities of these little craft in civilian life. They transmit precise and critical information in real time and can be equipped with sensors to detect or monitor radiation and chemicals. They can track criminals, find lost children and fallen hikers. They can give early warnings and close-ups on floods, hurricanes and other disasters. And they can fly where piloted planes cannot. For example, an unmanned aircraft made by Honeywell was used at Fukushima to help get radiation readings and images of Japan’s recent nuclear disaster. Three of AeroVironment’s unmanned aircraft models can be hand-launched by an individual as easily as you’d fly a kite or a child’s model airplane. Most have handheld controls with a full color screen and buttons, much like a video game, Gitlin says. It’s understandable that police and fire departments would like to investigate the use of these craft. And some day, unmanned aircraft may be considered essential in private industry, for such tasks as monitoring livestock and agricultural property. Although AeroVironment is one success story, there are dozens of other entrants now in the field. Right now, federal restrictions limit the use of unmanned aircraft for non-military purposes. “But the government’s latest reauthorization bill to fund the FAA had a requirement to integrate unmanned aircraft into the national airspace by 2015,” Gitlin says. It’s clear that drones (oops, unmanned aircraft) may one day benefit humanity in ways that would make MacCready very proud. He was a passionate environmentalist, says his son, Parker MacCready, a physical oceanographer and professor at the University of Washington. And, in a written memorial tribute to MacCready from a former colleague, Catherine Mohr, he was remembered thusly: “I was lucky to work with Paul for nine years… I learned an awful lot about youthful idealism from a man so many years my senior. Paul believed in education and the power of ideas to inspire. He was also very afraid that mankind’s ability to effect change far exceeded our collective understanding of the consequences.” She concluded that all who wish to honor MacCready’s legacy should “resist the creeping cynicism that leads us to abandon what we believe is right for what we believe is possible.” |||| 11.12 | ARROYO | 25


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BUSINESS PROFILE PROFILE

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILES MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS AT LOCAL BUSINESSES WHOSE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO YOU!

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Pasadena is designed to be a major

tions are new, effective and designed to

player in the real estate field.

benefit the consumer in every way.”

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Jenny Liu, a successful broker in her 30s

account with real-time search so the

determined to modernize the industry.

process is easier and, more importantly, transparent. “We are not here to protect a commission, we are here to earn it,” says Liu.“And we don’t mind buyers working with other agents. We have the market data and that’s what gives us an edge.” Access to the newest market data is one way Liu is modernizing the industry. It is available to agents in-house to help them give consumers current, accurate

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Liu says she seized the franchise opportu-

design and printing services.

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Liu is a second-generation broker and her

“As a business owner, Pasadena’s di-

parents are still in the business. She says

verse demographic excited me. It’s a

the most dramatic change in the industry

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26 | ARROYO | 11.12

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The Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center Regenerative Cell Center for Aesthetics –The Future The Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Med-

“My practice is one of listening to

ical Center is a university-affiliated pri-

the concerns of patients,” explains Dr.

vate practice center that serves

Sasaki. “My staff and I are educators

individual patients, the local commu-

first. We provide patients with knowl-

nity and an international association

edge of evidence-based treatments

of professionals, academia, and inno-

that range from non-surgical to mini-

vators. Established in 1985 by Dr. Gor-

mally-invasive and invasive proce-

don Sasaki, a Board Certified Plastic

dures. We’re interested in building

Surgeon and Clinical Professor, the

trusting, caring, long-lasting relation-

Center has become a dynamic insti-

ships with our patients.”

tution in the aesthetic field-at-large,

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and unique among regional prac-

nized, medically-based, integrated di-

tices. For decades, Dr. Sasaki has dis-

visions: the InnoVessence Skin Care

tinguished himself and his practice

Center, the Advanced Nurse Injection

through an unrelenting pursuit of safe

and Device Center, and the

and effective techniques, procedures

renowned Surgical Center. Each cen-

and treatments. His contributions to

ter provides exclusive treatments and

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gery have enhanced the practice of

contributed to in development.

the specialty throughout the world –

Dr. Sasaki serves as lead investiga-

and in his own facility. These accom-

tor in the development of Cellulaze™,

plishments, however, serve a single

an FDA-approved laser device, for

and simple purpose: to meet the

the safe, effective treatment of cel-

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lulite. He is also one of the lead clin-

through the Medical Center doors.

ical investigators for CoolScupting™, the first FDA-approved cooling device that non-invasively reduces body fat. He leads the investigation in the development of Ulthera™, the first noninvasive, FDA-cleared device for lifting and tightening of the skin and subdermal tissues with precise ultrasonic energy. Ultherapy demonstrates a remarkably high response rate within three months, with results lasting up to 1 ½ years. miraDry™, the first FDA-approved de-

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vice for axillary perspiration with mi-

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crowave energy, provides tremendous

delivers topical skin agents and pa-

international aesthetic medical commu-

relief to patients who suffer from exces-

tients’ regenerative cells into the skin for

nity, serving as Visiting Professor to over 32

sive sweating to the underarms. Cur-

improvement of large pores, fine lines,

countries. When asked about the future

rently Dr. Sasaki’s Medical Center is the

wrinkles, stretch marks, crepey skin,

of Aesthetic Medicine, he replies with

only facility in the San Gabriel Valley

acne scars, and selected hair thinning.

characteristic humility, “I will continue to

that offers this non-invasive treatment.

Dr. Sasaki and his team have provided

be involved in providing evidence-based

The Medical Center is also the first in

state-of-the-art, patient-driven services to

information about safe and effective

the Valley to offer Dermapen, an FDA-

the San Gabriel Valley for over twenty-

techniques for my patients in a caring en-

approved microneedling device that

seven years. Dr. Sasaki contributes to the

vironment.” 11.12 | ARROYO | 27


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28 | ARROYO | 11.12

significantly reduces healing time, swelling and the number of surgeries

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A different Kind of Realtor

“To move the memories of a lifetime… you’ll need my years of experience.” Mikki Porretta Dilbeck Realty

Chip and Crystal Reibel attended

olive oils at the tasting bar, where

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an often unreliable and misunderstood industry, Chip and Crystal have developed an informed pas-

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describing Mikki as the most hands-on, conscientious real estate agent they have ever encountered. Her approach to her business is

because we know we can guaranBEYOND THE OLIVE 10 N. Raymond Ave. Pasadena 626.844.3866 www.beyondtheolive.com

simple, and it’s all about

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relationship. From the moment she

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clients.

sample a rich variety of regional

www.beyondtheolive.com 11.12 | ARROYO | 29


arroyo ~HOME SALES INDEX~ HOME SALES

aug

sept

2012

2012

-2.5% 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 CANADA 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.

AUG ’12 32 $423,000 1384 AUG ’12 32 $809,500 1974 AUG ’12 8 $472,500 1370 AUG ’12 122 $477,500 1510 AUG ’12 26 $1,122,500 2287 AUG ’12 127 $515,000 1474 AUG ’12 22 $1,440,000 2422 AUG ’12 12 $644,500 1647 AUG ’12 13 $730,000 1660 AUG ’12 394 $407

RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE ARROYO FOOTPRINT CLOSE DATEPRICE

BDRMS.

SOURCE: CalREsource SQ. FT.

YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE

3348

1999

PREV. SOLD

HOMES SOLD

ALTADENA

394 407

AVG. PRICE/SQ. FT.

HOME SALES ABOVE $750,000 ADDRESS

HOMES SOLD

+3.0%

SPONSORED BY

SEPT ’12 36 $422,500 1478 SEPT ’12 39 $790,000 1861 SEPT ’12 19 $500,000 1606 SEPT ’12 117 $430,000 1510 SEPT ’12 26 $1,099,000 2379 SEPT ’12 125 $465,000 1354 SEPT ’12 11 $1,160,000 2149 SEPT ’12 13 $710,000 1805 SEPT ’12 21 $795,500 1532 SEPT ‘12 407 $397

3332 Camp Huntington Road

09/10/12

$828,000

8

608 Chaparral Court

09/28/12

$885,000

5

$465,000

07/21/1998

$482,000

10/29/1999

3455 Rubio Crest Drive

09/13/12

$940,000

5

3207

1965

$1,200,000

06/08/2007

3687 Giddings Ranch Road

09/17/12

$950,000

4

2844

1998

$388,000

08/28/1998

2150 Holliston Avenue

09/21/12

$1,100,000

6

2794

1911

$965,000

07/17/2012

34 East Floral Avenue

08/31/12

$790,000

4

2948

1989

$500,000

04/05/1991

129 East Magna Vista Avenue

09/10/12

$809,000

3

1692

1955 $785,000

09/21/2010

ARCADIA

54 Eldorado Street

08/31/12

$826,000

4

2656

1959

2121 South 2nd Avenue

09/14/12

$828,000

4

1861

1950

312 East Camino Real Avenue

09/17/12

$848,000

2

1183

1940

1734 Oakwood Avenue

09/26/12

$880,000

2

1544

1949

$585,000

11/14/1989

2409 South Santa Anita Avenue

09/19/12

$900,000

4

2144

1964

$800,000

06/17/2008

2124 Highland Oaks Drive

09/04/12

$950,000

7

312 East Longden Avenue

09/14/12

$1,010,000

2

1732

1923

2301 South 4th Avenue

09/21/12

$1,014,000

4

2217

1949

$380,000

09/06/2000

1667 Oakwood Avenue

09/12/12

$1,050,000

3

2123

1951

1845 El Vista Circle

09/07/12

$1,096,000

4

2452

1967

$670,000

09/06/2002

1009 South 8th Avenue

09/14/12

$1,110,000

5

2530

1911

4

3535

1998

$700,000

05/17/2002

$585,000

11/23/2009

1628 South 10th Avenue

08/30/12

$1,280,000

319 East Haven Avenue

09/19/12

$1,520,000

1130 West Orange Grove Avenue 08/31/12

$1,610,000

3

3371

1947

$1,500,000

12/13/2011

1228 Magnolia Court

09/26/12

$1,715,000

5

4080

2011

$1,630,000

10/18/2011

20 East Las Flores Avenue

09/19/12

$1,790,000

5

4790

1997

$1,080,000

08/16/2002

1400 Highland Oaks Drive

09/28/12

$1,878,000

6

1601 Rodeo Road

09/19/12

$2,260,000

4

$265,000

03/14/1980 11/16/2005

3552

1946

$2,048,000

EAGLE ROCK 5240 La Roda Avenue

09/27/12

$750,000

6

$200,000

03/20/1997

5213 Townsend Avenue

09/19/12

$755,000

3

1580

1925

$436,000

02/27/2012

5320 Vincent Avenue

08/31/12

$1,165,000

4

3861

1938

$1,100,000

11/19/2003

GLENDALE 3837 Cedarbend Drive

09/19/12

$765,000

3

2352

1959

$426,000

04/29/1991

2412 Bywood Drive

09/04/12

$770,000

4

2352

1930

$770,000

08/18/2008

3612 Las Palmas Avenue

09/27/12

$780,000

3

1606

1923

$243,000

11/08/1988

3836 Markridge Road

09/27/12

$780,000

4

2062

1956

$248,000

06/20/1997

3502 St. Elizabeth Road

09/17/12

$792,500

3

1960

1960

$830,000

07/14/2006

990 Calle Del Pacifico

09/26/12

$810,000

3

2397

1989

$658,000

09/27/2002

3530 Foxglove Road

09/19/12

$820,000

3

2665

1987

$284,500

03/14/1988

3530 Foxglove Road

09/27/12

$820,000

3

2665

1987

$820,000

09/19/2012

1620 Allen Avenue

08/30/12

$831,000

3

2053

1951

3637 Sierra Vista Avenue

09/06/12

$860,000

5

2736

1926

$488,000

08/23/2000

3411 Oakmont View Drive

09/17/12

$870,000

5

4176

1981

1966 Calle Sirena

09/07/12

$920,000

4

3272

1993

$950,000

08/25/2004

3967 San Augustine Drive

09/07/12

$970,000

4

2123

1968

1462 Andenes Drive

09/11/12

$1,040,000

5

3305

1922

$150,000

09/05/1986

463 Myrtle Street

09/07/12

$1,100,000

2

1184

1920

$810,000

01/04/2002

1542 North Columbus Avenue

09/19/12

$1,105,000

4

2377

1927

$575,000

11/24/1998

2126 Rimcrest Drive

08/31/12

$1,675,000

6

5696

1990

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 2012.

30 | ARROYO | 11.12


HOME SALES ABOVE $750,000 RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE ARROYO FOOTPRINT ADDRESS

CLOSE DATEPRICE

BDRMS.

SOURCE: CalREsource SQ. FT.

YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE

PREV. SOLD

LA CAĂ‘ADA FLINTRIDGE 940 De Linda Lane

09/17/12

$800,000

5

$877,000

04/29/2009

1352 Salisbury Road

09/05/12

$808,000

3

1721

1937

$325,000

08/23/1994

2097

1957

$960,000

09/24/2007

$106,000

09/08/1977

5214 Crown Avenue

09/06/12

$906,000

3

5233 Bubbling Well Lane

09/11/12

$975,000

6

325 Knight Way

09/14/12

$1,068,000

3

2379

1952

1005 White Deer Drive

09/26/12

$1,130,000

4

2427

1967

4931 Ocean View Boulevard

09/21/12

$1,145,000

7

1307 Flanders Road

09/10/12

$1,185,000

3

2185

1949

$1,259,000

11/01/2006

5155 Oakwood Avenue

09/06/12

$1,340,000

4

3033

1950

$625,000

08/09/1993

5029 Indianola Way

09/25/12

$1,349,000

4

2326

1971

$1,565,000

05/31/2007

4322 Bel Aire Drive

08/31/12

$1,499,000

3

3484

1979

$1,375,000

08/29/2003

804 Chehalem Road

09/07/12

$1,540,000

4

3317

1951

$1,375,000

01/11/2011

4434 Chevy Chase Drive

08/30/12

$1,689,000

4

3733

1921

$925,000

05/05/2000

1018 Wiladonda Drive

09/27/12

$1,750,000

4

4416

1948

$820,000

06/07/1991

306 Oriole Road

08/31/12

$1,758,000

5

4050

1948

$580,000

06/01/1987

66 Normandy Court

09/13/12

$2,000,000

5

4682

1998

$1,150,000

06/25/1999

4293 Chevy Chase Drive

09/12/12

$2,300,000

8

$1,185,000

01/19/1996

181 Normandy Lane

08/31/12

$2,310,000

5

$1,775,000

07/16/2003

6362

1994

PASADENA 776 South Orange Grove Blvd #7 08/30/12

$759,000

2

2292

1982

$615,000

08/30/2002

3300 Grayburn Road

09/24/12

$760,000

3

1915

1931

$325,000

09/16/1996

1274 La Loma Road

09/14/12

$790,000

6

$805,000

04/20/2004

1339 Riviera Drive

09/28/12

$825,000

3

1929

1955

$900,000

05/17/2006

1270 Cresthaven Drive

09/12/12

$832,500

4

1836

1958

$925,000

08/30/2005

1793 North El Molino Avenue

09/05/12

$859,000

4

2030

1912

$268,000

07/17/1996

378 Virginia Avenue

09/07/12

$860,000

5

1836

1926

$757,000

09/09/2008

1580 Glen Oaks Boulevard

09/27/12

$895,000

5

3673

1987

$500,000

02/01/1988

3775 Fairmeade Road

09/05/12

$958,500

3

2049

1948

$349,000

02/19/1997

160 California Terrace

09/18/12

$1,013,000

4

4332

1905

670 South Oak Knoll Avenue

09/12/12

$1,018,000

4

2277

1994

$420,000

04/24/1998

621 Alpine Street

09/20/12

$1,185,000

6

2698

1914

$1,255,000

07/30/2004

1488 Oakdale Street

09/13/12

$1,370,000

4

2885

1925

3597

1999

$205,000

08/10/1988

$987,000

12/12/1996

$1,751,000

06/30/2005

2958 San Pasqual Street

09/11/12

$1,375,000

5

1237 Rancheros Road

09/06/12

$1,500,000

3

3625 Lombardy Road

09/25/12

$1,510,000

9

1419 Wellington Avenue

08/30/12

$1,775,000

5

3340

1937

500 South San Rafael Avenue

09/28/12

$2,950,000

6

4338

1928

SAN MARINO 572 La Paz Drive

09/17/12

$929,000

3

1741

1927

$1,080,000

05/30/2006

1355 Winston Avenue

09/12/12

$938,000

2

1148

1928

$375,000

08/22/1995

1869 McFarlane Street

09/19/12

$980,000

2

1561

1953

1386 Bradbury Road

09/18/12

$985,000

2

1791

1948

2925 Somerset Place

08/30/12

$1,080,000

3

2149

1961

2784 Fleur Drive

09/18/12

$1,160,000

4

2773

1927

2320 Adair Street

09/21/12

$1,388,000

4

2662

1937

$1,300,000

05/05/2009

1519 Wilson Avenue

09/20/12

$1,450,000

3

1856

1931

$665,000

12/26/2001

$1,520,000

05/28/2009

$1,900,000

12/02/2009

2325 Brentford Road

09/18/12

$1,590,000

5

2892

1938

2850 Canterbury Road

09/05/12

$1,775,000

5

3584

1950

1423 Wembley Road

09/25/12

$3,070,000

5

2911

1948

SIERRA MADRE 215 South Mountain Trail

08/03/12

$892,000

3

1686

1951

60 South Michillinda Avenue

08/29/12

$899,000

2

2137

1942

571 Sierra Meadows Drive

08/27/12

$1,253,000

5

$1,300,000

09/02/2004

435 Fairview Avenue

08/14/12

$1,925,000

6

3980

1905

$950,000

06/09/2009

1927 Meridian Avenue

09/11/12

$781,000

3

1471

1923

$275,000

02/20/2002

1000 Arroyo Drive #A

09/26/12

$795,500

815 Garfield Avenue

08/31/12

$851,000

3

1280

1915

$685,000

09/16/2009

533 Grand Avenue

08/31/12

$875,000

6

$855,500

09/24/2009

56 Oak Hill Lane

09/12/12

$890,000

3

3029

1991

1957 Fletcher Avenue

09/24/12

$975,000

3

1946

1912

$848,000

06/01/2004

1730 Hanscom Drive

09/27/12

$980,000

3

2503

1987

$275,000

01/29/1988

2041 Amherst Drive

09/21/12

$1,100,000

4

1997

1925

$270,000

09/03/1986

1121 Buena Vista Street

09/28/12

$1,150,000

3

1699

1956

$315,000

02/16/1996

2324

1915

SOUTH PASADENA

804 Stratford Avenue

09/07/12

$1,190,000

3

540 Alta Vista Avenue

09/28/12

$1,200,000

7

425 El Coronado Street

09/12/12

$1,650,500

4

4078

$804,000

08/08/2002

$262,000

05/28/1986

1969

11.12 | ARROYO | 31


arroyo HOME & DESIGN

PHOTO: Courtesy of P.E. Deans

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BEAUTY WITHOUT BORDERS DESIGN IDEAS THAT TRANSCEND TIME AND PLACE

WHEN JOHN KEATS WROTE “A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER,” HE PROBABLY WASN’T THINKING OF INTERIOR DESIGN. BUT THE SUMPTUOUS, LAYERED LOOK OF AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY SITTING ROOM MAY OFFER A RENEWED APPEAL, AT LEAST IN BITS AND PIECES, TO DESIGNERS AND HOMEOWNERS TODAY. MAKING THE OLD LOOK NEW, AND VICE VERSA, IS A TREND WHICH WE CANNOT OVERLOOK IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT MAKING A BEAUTIFUL HOME. AND THE ACQUISITION OF DIVERSE AND EXOTIC FURNISHINGS, DESIGN AND ACCESSORIES HAS TRANSFORMED THE ART OF HOMEMAKING INTO SOMETHING OF AN UPSCALE SCAVENGER HUNT - AN EXCURSION THROUGH ATTICS, SHOWROOMS, ESTATE SALES, STUDIOS, WEBSITES, VIRTUAL AND REAL-LIFE TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD. INDEED, THE PURSUIT OF BEAUTY AND JOY IS AS ETERNAL AS KEATS SUGGESTS, AND WHILE IT MAY LEAD US AROUND THE GLOBE, IT STARTS AT HOME. LITTLE MISS MUFFET SAT ON A TUFFET What exactly is a tuffet, you may ask, and until recently I myself had no idea. It rhymes with Muffet, so who cares, it belongs in the dreamlike realm of a children’s tale. But a tuffet isn’t an enchanted toad stool or tree stump. It’s actually a low stool, or a foot rest. In fact, given recent trends in furnishing and décor you might expect to stumble upon a tuffet in a showroom or your neighbor’s living room, especially if it’s been refurbished, because then it tells a story.

BY JOANNA DEHN BERESFORD

Angela Dickerson-Lee, owner of Bonita Interiors, knows all about furniture that tells a story. She’s been discovering and –continued on page 35

32 | ARROYO | 11.12


11.12 | ARROYO | 33


34 | ARROYO | 11.12


PHOTO: Courtesy of Bonita Interiors

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–continued from page 32 rehabilitating interesting furniture for years. Her boutique in the Pasadena Antique Center features a marvelous assortment of artwork and interiors, all of which resonate with quality and character. “A home is more interesting when there are items you don’t expect there,” says Angela. She encourages clients to explore relationships among objects, to mix eras and styles, and to establish spaces that truly reflect the people who inhabit them. Her design philosophy is echoed among many homeowners and professionals, including Brad Cloepfil, founding principal architect of Portland’s Allied Works Architecture.“I’m struck by rooms formed by a strong personal viewpoint. They’re like a visual labyrinth of intensity,” Cloepfil says in a recent Wall Street Journal Design and Decorating article.“Designing a house is not unlike designing a museum. You’re creating a superstructure of beautiful rooms with beautiful light, which are then curated by whoever lives there.” In other words, says Angela Dickerson-Lee,“The days of the bedroom set are well over.” For the moment, most of us hunger for interior design that kindles our senses and imaginations in unpredictable ways. TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH… A hundred years ago when an ardent suitor pledged to search the world for his lover’s most coveted treasure – a gem, a blade of grass, a magic potion – that was a pretty huge –continued on page 37

11.12 | ARROYO | 35


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–continued from page 35 promise, the fulfillment of which would undoubtedly involve a lot of travel, expense and effort. These days it’s a little simpler. Clearly we’re no longer confined to the geographical raWebsites like Etsy and Custom Made provide homeowners with access to vintage and handmade items that would have been difficult or impossible to find even a decade ago. In fact, the number of visitors to Custommade.com tripled between 2009 and 2010, and has inspired numerous, similar sites. Artists, collectors and craftspeople increasingly connect with a global clientele through the web, which means that an 18th century, gilded bronze end table, or a rich Peruvian tapestry fresh off the loom may be just a few finger taps away. Still, many of us like to actually see and touch items without having to make a road trip or

PHOTO: Courtesy of Teak Warehouse

dius of a physical, daytime commute.

jump on a plane to reach them.The Southern California region offers homeowners thousands of outlets that often represent the finest and freshest design ideas from around the world. Carrie Farrow and her colleagues from Teak Warehouse in Monrovia, for example, re-

No one celebrates the season more magnificently than the staff of Aldik Home, who dedicate half of their showroom to Christmas decorations: thousands of ornaments, and a

cently returned from an excursion among this season’s European Furniture trade shows,

magical forest of trees.“It’s the most spectacular thing you’ve ever seen,” says Michael Perez,

where they discovered emerging trends for 2013.

store manager.“I couldn’t possibly build it up enough to capture the experience.”

“Furniture expos are exhibited in huge venues as large as shopping malls,” Ms. Farrow

Among recent favorite accessories are reclaimed plant roots, repurposed and used as

says.“They’re full of new designs and furniture trends from European and worldwide manufac-

organic bases for flowers and décor. Like the reclaimed teak that distinguishes furnishings at

turers and designers. We travel the world annually to do these shows and visit our factories.”

The Teak Warehouse, these roots have a raw, ageless beauty.

Farrow and her team encountered the kind of free spirited diversity that Brad Cloepfil and Angela Dickerson-Lee espouse.“Mixing materials to create an eclectic look is a major

“The end result,” says Carole Farrow, describing reclaimed teak products,“gives the effect of being a family heirloom from many generations before.”

trend in the new seasons, and something we at Teak Warehouse have been promoting for a long time. The ‘matching’ look is a thing of the past, as designers are embracing a new direc- IN THE END… tion of styling materials together to create a fun and interesting aesthetic. No more rules!”

The aforementioned Keats, who died of tuberculosis at 25, knew as much about the power of objects and stories as anyone. In his “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” written in the last years of his life,

THE ETERNAL RETURN…

he concludes with one of the most famous lines in the English language: “’Beauty is truth,

Soon the old year will pass and a new one will begin. During the autumn and winter holidays truth beauty.’ – that is all/Ye know on earth, and ye need to know.” From which I will draw a we revel in traditions and renewals with a breathlessness that makes us feel reborn and an-

new application from old words for the purpose of this article. If your home is beautiful, at

cient at once, creating a sort of narrative vertigo.

least to you, then it is a true home, to you and to all who enter it. AMHD

11.12 | ARROYO | 37


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GREAT SCOT! A harmonic convergence of atmosphere and crime fiction makes Bloody Scotland in Stirling, called the gateway to the Highlands, the perfect destination for mystery fiction lovers. BY NANCIE CLARE

Zaha Hadid’s Riverside Museum

TRAVELERS SEEM TO FALL INTO TWO PHILOSOPHICAL CAMPS, MORE OR LESS: THOSE WHO GO PLACES “JUST BECAUSE,” AND THOSE WHO LIKE TO BUILD THEIR GLOBAL PERAMBULATIONS AROUND A GOAL. THIS PIECE IS

PHOTO: Glasgow: © HUFTON & CROW

ABOUT THE LATTER. Fans of cultural festivals of all stripes — sports, science, comedy, theater, literature, music, art and combinations thereof — have long found Scotland, with its 370 or so annual gatherings, a logical destination. But in spite of the abundance of choices, it turns out that until 2012, the year of Creative Scotland —- the campaign to spotlight Scottish arts offerings — the country was short one particular festival: crime writing. And so Bloody Scotland was born, organized by some of Scotland’s best-known crime fiction writers — Alex Grey and Lin Anderson — and aided and abetted by Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Craig Robertson, Denise Mina and many others. “Bloody brilliant,” said fans from as far away as Australia. Chances are that your Scottish life of crime is going to commence in either Glasgow or Edinburgh; I had been to Edinburgh a number of times, but never to Glasgow. My friend, Scottish crime writer Denise Mina, sealed the deal by offering to take me on a tour of her hometown if I chose Glasgow as my gateway to Scotland.

Getting to Glasgow by air from Southern California involves a minimum of two flights. There are non-stops to Glasgow from New Jersey and Philadelphia, but the easiest way from SoCal is via London’s Heathrow, transfering to a Glasgow flight. Among the airlines that fly to London, Virgin Atlantic happens to be my favorite. I like the cheeky attitude and the mind-boggling array of in-flight entertainment choices. I also like that they have a late afternoon return flight to Los Angeles, which translates into less of a nail-biting race against the clock to make your plane. Changing airlines for the short flight to Glasgow will mean a bus ride between terminals, but Heathrow has that nailed with frequent dedicated transport. Or you could opt to spend some time in London and take a train between cities. Trains to Glasgow leave from London’s Euston Station often and, depending on the train, take from fourand-a-half to just over five hours. Glasgow is a vibrant city, a mash-up of the old (including reminders of its Georgian and Victorian past as one of the primary commercial ports of the British Empire) and the new, such as Sir Norman Foster’s Clyde Auditorium, affectionately called the “Armadillo,” and, nearby, the visual treat of the “Squinty” bridge (official name: the Clyde Arc) over the River Clyde. It’s a walking city with pedestrian malls such as Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets, with outposts of brands from across the globe (Hermes, Chanel, Gap) and around Great Britain ( John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Monsoon). There’s the dazzling (literally) Argyll Arcade (102 Argyle St.; argyll-arcade.com), a collection of jewelry shops in one of Britain’s oldest covered streets. –continued on page 40 11.12 | ARROYO | 39


–continued from page 39

Museums run the gamut from starchitect Zaha Hadid’s Riverside Museum: Scotland’s Museum of Transport and Travel (100 Pointhouse Pl.; 0141 287 2660; glasgowlife.org.uk) to St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, adjacent to the splendid, medieval Glasgow Cathedral (Cathedral Square, Castle Street; 0141 552 6891; glasgowcathedral.org.uk), which has had a continuous active congregation for more than 800 years. (According to Denise, the cathedral did not suffer the fate of so many sacked Catholic churches during the Reformation because the residents of Glasgow surrounded it and prevented its destruction.) There’s GoMA, Gallery of Modern Art (Royal Exchange Square; 0141 287 3050; glasgowlife.org.uk), which was featuring “Tales of the City,” demonstrating how urban spaces impact various artists; The Burrell Collection (2060 Pollokshaws Rd.; 0141 287 2550; glasgowlife.org.uk), which had a fascinating exploration of the works of French artist Jean-Francois Millet; and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (Argyle Street; 0141 276 9599; museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk), presenting an examination of furniture designed in the wake of natural resources rationing during World War II, “Utility: Rationalizing Furniture Design.” Denise Mina took me to some spots off the beaten track. Fans of her mysteries would recognize our first stop: the neighborhood of Garnethill, so named, Mina informed me, because garnets had been mined there. Now it’s a hilly section of town with lovely terrace houses, the mother synagogue of Glasgow — Garnethill Synagogue (129 Hill St.; 0141 332 4911; garnethillsynagogue.com) — and The Glasgow School of Art (167 Renfrew St.; 0141 353 4526; gsa.ac.uk), whose Mackintosh Museum was showing “Studio 58: Women Artists in Glasgow since World War II.” Accommodations in Glasgow are plentiful and reasonably priced. In fact, I found everything in Great Britain’s second largest city refreshingly reasonable compared to London. The most centrally located neighborhood, City Centre, offers quite a few op40 | ARROYO | 11.12

tions. A wonderful full-service, luxurious choice is the Radisson Blu Hotel (0141 204 3333; radissonblu.com) on Argyle Street, an excellent location. I opted for the citizenM Hotel (0141 404 9485; citizenm.com) on Renfrew Street, which can only be described as a modern, minimalist luxury space: teeny, tiny rooms with a remote control that manages everything from the TV and mood lighting to window shades. CitizenM’s rooms are narrow slices the width of the extra-long king-size bed that occupies the space under the window, with a bathroom module that is enclosed in an oval sheath of Plexiglass. However, there is luxury where it’s important, at least for me: The floors are bamboo (no icky carpets), the bed sheets, pillows and lovely duvet are Frette and the shower is terrific. Rates depend on demand and run from £55 ($88.77) to £93 ($150.10) a night. There is a bar area with full breakfast, served buffet style. Purchased ahead it’s about £8 ($12.91). It’s a perfect nest for a single traveler and it’s also 100 percent non-smoking. To get in the mood for my Bloody Scotland weekend, I walked over to the Glasgow Necropolis, just east of Glasgow Cathedral. It’s a marvelously atmospheric cemetery modeled after Paris’ Pére Lachaise, with lots of Victorian funereal iconography. It reminded me of the macabre illustrations of Edward Gorey. The walk up to the monument to John Knox, the leader of Scotland’s religious Reformation, is steep, but there are lots of interesting tombs to contemplate along the way. It’s worth the hike, as the view west over Glasgow from the top is breathtaking. Fortified with my trip to the graveyard, it was time to get to Bloody Scotland. Travel to Stirling is easy. Trains leave frequently from the Queen Street Station, and the one-way ticket costs £7.70 ($12.46). The journey takes about 40 minutes through really beautiful countryside. Once in Stirling, I took a cab (my first in Scotland — getting into town from the airport had been a very reasonable £5 [$8.09] bus ride that deposited me two short blocks from my Glasgow hotel) — for £2.50 ($4.04) to the festival’s headquarters in the

PHOTO: Glasgow: Scotland with style

Gallery of Modern Art


PHOTOS: Glasgow: Scotland with style

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Stirling Highland Hotel. The hotel has an interesting provenance; it was formerly the town’s high school. And the public rooms retain some of that secondary education vibe. Fortunately, I wasn’t in Stirling for the hotel facilities. They were clean and comfortable but lacked the really comfy mattresses and high-thread-count sheets offered even by hotel chains catering to businesspeople. Nevertheless, any mystery fan who had traveled this far wanted to be at the center of the action, and that was the Stirling Highland Hotel (Spittal Street; 01786 272727; pumahotels.co.uk). The next two-and-a-half days were a whirl of author dinners (banquets where there is an author at each table — mine were Peter James on Friday night and Karen Campbell on Saturday) and panels chock-a-block with some of my favorite writers from Scotland, England and Scandinavia, including my friend Denise, Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Lin Anderson, William McIlvanney (the founding father of the modern Scottish mystery novel), Alex Grey, Icelandic writer Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Norwegian Karin Fossum, Ann Cleeves, Peter May, Craig Robertson, Anne Perry and many, many more. I attended panel discussions on “Touching Evil,” “Fascinating Forensics: Blood and Guts,” “Would you kill to win the Man Bloody Booker?,” “Deadlier Than the Male,” “Island Crime,” “Victorian Crime” and “Wild Girls.” The writers discussed motivation, character development, sense of scene, the regard in which crime fiction is held (low, but getting better), verisimilitude and suspension of disbelief. They answered questions, engaged in open dialogue and signed books. The weekend’s capper was a dramatic reading by festival writers of “The Red Headed League,” by Arthur Conan Doyle. (The festival celebrated many milestones, one of which was the 125th anniversary of Sherlock Holmes’ print debut. Conan Doyle was born in Scotland and Holmes is said to be based on a professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Medicine.) Then two awards were given out, one for a short story and one for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year, which was won by London-based — but Scottish-born — Charles Cumming for his thriller A Foreign Country. The conference straddled the hotel and the Albert Halls just down the hill. There was a shuttle between the two locations, but I preferred walking. No chance of getting lost because pointing the way were stylized chalk outlines of bodies, like those immortalized by TV police procedurals. (The next chapter of Bloody Scotland will be held Sept. 11 through 13, 2013, in Stirling. Visit bloodyscottland.com for details.) The town of Stirling got behind the festival with a series of companion events, most at the city’s Old Town Jail. There were auctions (proceeds benefiting the University of Dundee’s “Million for A Morgue” campaign to build a new forensic center), a screening of a Sherlock Holmes movie and special “Bloody Cocktails” at Katie’s Bar. Then there is Stirling itself, often termed the gateway to the Highlands. It’s a hilly town with steep cobbled streets. At some of its impossibly sharp corners are statues to the rebel warriors William

Wallace (Braveheart) and Rob Roy. It’s certainly worth a visit to the brilliantly restored and presented Stirling Castle (Castle Court; 0178 645 0000; stirlingcastle.gov.uk) at the top of the town, once the home of the Stuart monarchy (Mary, Queen of Scots was born there). There are guided tours or you can opt for a recorded tour as part of the £13 ($20.74) admission. It’s worth every shilling to walk the battlements that overlook the site of some of the country’s most significant conflicts. The recording gives you a feel for how the royal household was run and how politics and jockeying for position permeated every aspect of life. Especially fascinating: the re-creation of the kitchens and the Unicorn Tapestries project, where a group of master weavers are recreating the famous tapestries, based on the set at the Metropolitan Museum’s Cloisters in New York. King James V of Scotland was known to own a set when he occupied the castle. I haven’t mentioned food. I know that Glasgow, like many cities in the U.K., is enjoying an expanding foodie scene with fine restaurants bearing the names of well-known chef-epreneurs ( Jamie Oliver’s Italian on Buchanan Street is one), along with chains such as Pret a Manger (34 Sauchiehall St.; 020 7932 5299; pret.com) and Costa (several locations; costa.co.uk). Glasgow has some marvelous bakeries with tempting cakes and tarts. One in particular, Vanilla Black Coffee House (0141 332 9453) on Sauchiehall Street, is quite phenomenal — exactly what a footsore tourist with a sweet tooth is looking for; a bit funky with comfy couches and food and beverages served in mismatched vintage cups and plates. I’m told Vanilla Black has wonderful sandwiches and soups; my eyes fell immediately on the tarts, buns and cakes. Denise had told me that Glasgow was the British Empire’s port of entry for sugar grown in the colonies, so maybe that accounts for the city’s baking proficiency. When I like a place — and I really liked Glasgow and environs — I do my best to save something for my next trip. And so I postponed tours of the distilleries that produce my favorite single malts. But that doesn’t mean I eschewed Scotch while I was there. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to the source to sample the product. Bars throughout Glasgow have staggering selections of single malts, offering numerous variations for each label. The best one-stop single-malt watering hole has to be The Pot Still Pub (0141 333 0980; thepotstill.co.uk), conveniently located on Hope Street, just around the corner from my hotel in Glasgow (no, not a coincidence), where I made more than one pilgrimage to worship at the altar of Scotch. There are more than 300 different Scotches there; I sampled perhaps eight (they were small) over two visits. The remaining 292 are more than enough reason for many return trips. |||| Nancie Clare, formerly the editor of LA: Los Angeles Times Magazine, plans to launch Noir — a new tablet magazine devoted to the mystery, thriller and true crime genres — on Dec. 1. 11.12 | ARROYO | 41


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11.12 | ARROYO | 43


arroyo

RESOURCE GUIDE ARCHITECTS ARCHITECTURE PLUS Architecture Plus is a full service A&E firm established in 2000 in La Canada. We specialize in Custom Residential, Commercial and Architectural Interiors. Our services begin with initial concepts through occupancy, working with you and your contractor or ours to ensure your project is properly executed as well as delivered in a timely and cost effective manner. 1045 Foothill Boulevard La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 (818)952-8143 HARTMAN BALDWIN 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 www.HartmanBaldwin.com. 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.

CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS CHELSEA CONSTRUCTION Chelsea Construction is a full service design and construction company, specializing in luxury home remodels, custom homes and commercial construction. Our full time staff provides one stop comprehensive contracting services with cost efficient solutions and quick turnaround for our clients. Since the company’s proud beginnings in finish carpentry, window installations and crown moldings our precision and craftsmanship has evolved into an award winning team that focuses on detail, quality and service. Call us at (818)949-4595 and visit us online at www.chelseaconstructioncorp.com

DINING & NIGHTLIFE BEYOND THE OLIVE We are the premier source for the education, tasting and purchasing of California’s highquality, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet vinegars, specialty food products and merchandise. Our olive oils and vinegars are almost exclusively produced and bottled in California — not shipped from Europe. In this economy, why not support your local economy? We are located in the heart of Old Pasadena at Raymond and Colorado. 10 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena(626)844EVOO(3866) Beyondtheolive.com NEW MOON The popular, award-winning New Moon is Zagat listed with locations in Montrose, Downtown L.A., and Valencia. Our families' recipes have been developed over three generations, and continue the philosophy of food as a dynamic and evolving art form. We've updated and re-imagined Chinese

classics for contemporary tastes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Nestled in quaint Montrose, we also feature an inviting lounge with a full bar and an extensive wine list. 2138 Verdugo Blvd., Montrose. (818) 2494393 newmoonresaurant.com THE VOL. 94 Our goal at Vol. 94 is to make sure your night is memorable we strive to be the best in all of Pasadena with our modern cuisine and eclectic wines. Our menu consists of our variations on familiar dishes such as X.O Risotto, Fauxsagna, Melon & Prosciutto Soup , and SGV Duck. Our forte is our Seoul food since Chef Phil is Korean and most of our kitchen staff. The Food is served in small plate portions to keep the palate excited. Our wines come from all over the world including South America, France, and the Napa Valley. A small number of craft beer is also an option of one does not favor wine. We hope to fulfill and please everyone who walks in our door. 239 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 91104. (626)356-9494

GIFT BOUTIQUES FANCY THAT! OPENS HOLIDAY POP UP STORE The award-winning gift shop and boutique Fancy That!,for the 3rd year in a row has opened a neighboring Holiday pop up location. But this time it’s bigger, better and offers an even more amazing selection of wonderful and unique items. Known for their elaborate and whimsical displays and selections, Fancy That! has become a traditional destination for holiday shoppers far and wide. Fancy That! 2575 and 2529 Mission St. San Marino (626)403-2577 www.fancythat.us.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY ARCADIA HEALTH CARE CENTER Finding the right skilled nursing community can be a very difficult and sometimes painful experience. The staff at Arcadia Health Care Center works hard to assist in transitioning a patient from hospital to home. We take pride in offering a gentle transitioning program allowing residents the support and assistance they deserve to make the transition as easy and acceptable as possible. AHCC is a 99 bed skilled nursing facility providing both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. Our beautiful property and caring, professional staff make you feel at home as a resident or a visiting family member. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (626)445-2170. www.arcadiahealthcarecenter.com AMERICAN DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER Dr. Leon Chen and Dr. Jennifer Cha have over 20 years of implant experience. We are equipped with a State-if-the-Art CT Scan, ImplantNavigation, and RoboticGuide to insure the highest possible success rate. Dr. Chen has patented numerous dental techniques and instruments which have helped shape the future of dental implantology. We have eliminated referrals, numerous billings, and multiple trips in order to complete your treatment. 3007 Huntington Dr. #201 Pasadena, Ca 91107 (626)577-7770 www.diiworld.com AURORA LAS ENCINAS HOSPITAL Behavioral health care treatment options are offered for patients with psychiatric, chemical dependency, or co-occurring disorders. Psychiatric services include inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. has remained committed to quality care and service to the community for over 100 years, and grown to include 118 licensed acute care beds, plus 38 residential treatment beds. Please call (626)795-9901 or

(800)792-2345 and ask for the Assessment & Referral Department. 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. 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. DR. JACKLIN POLADIAN, M.D. You don’t have to pay a fortune to receive the medical care that you deserve. With Dr. Jacklin Poladian, your every medical need is thoroughly addressed in a timely manner. Whether you have a chronic condition that requires continual management or you have an acute illness and want to be seen immediately, you will be taken care of like it should be. Make an appointment and start taking care of your health today. (626) 200-4500. 301 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite 403, Pasadena, CA 91214. (626)200-4500 Fax (626)795-0704 healthcare@drjacklinpoladian.com HUNTINGTON ORTHOPEDICS Our board certified physicians have aligned our practice for the last 38 years with the regional healthcare leader, Huntington Memorial Hospital. We have a variety of specialist's to accommodate all the orthopedic and spine needs of our adult and pediatric patients. For an appointment please call (626)7950282 or visit our website at www.huntingtonorthopedics.com 10 Congress Street Suite 103 Pasadena, CA 91105 LOS ANGELES CENTER FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH You have unique healthcare concerns, and we have a comprehensive set of services. We offer you world-class treatment and management of health conditions, from the most common to the most complex. Plus screenings, risk assessments, wellness and health education. Timely, thoughtful guidance by our care coordinator – appointment scheduling, follow-up care and help in researching the answers you need – defines our mission of creating healthcare designed with you in mind. Please visit www.lacwh.org or call (213)742-6400 to schedule an appointment. MASSAGE ENVY As noteworthy studies continue to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of massage, more and more people seek the restorative and preventative results of regular massage practice. In the same way that people from all walks of life seek the healthy advantages of routine exercise, proper diet and spiritual or meditative alignment, they also turn to the kinds of treatments offered at Massage Envy, in order to maintain a balanced and productive lifestyle. Massage Envy, 3707 E. Foothill Blvd., Hastings Ranch, Pasadena, CA 91107 (626)351-9100. 333 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818)246-ENVY. 345 S. Lake Ave., #205, Pasadena (626)240-1060. VANITY MEDICAL AESTHETICS

“Thinking about cosmetic surgery, but concerned about the cost and possible complications? Disappointed by expensive department store skin care, touted to eliminate wrinkles and clear blemishes? We at Vanity Medical Aesthetics promise affordable medical aesthetics and great service. As the premier Med Spa, we have the reputation, experience, technology, training, and focus on safety to create the red carpet experience you deserve. Not only will you look your best, you will feel your best.” (626)2849589 www.vanitydoc.com

HOBBIES & CRAFTS ALDIK HOME For over 40 years, Aldik Home has been beautifying Southern California with beautiful silk floral and trees. Aldik Home's talented designers can create spectacular custom floral arrangements in your own container or one of the many on display. For Christmas, Aldik Home's showroom becomes a winter wonderland with over 50 decorated Christmas trees and a huge tree lot of artificial Christmas trees. It is truly one of the most spectacular Christmas displays in the country. 7651 Sepulveda Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91405 www.aldikhome.com

INTERIOR DESIGNERS BONITA INTERIORS Bonita Interiors believes in living comfortably chic. Perfection is not something we strive for. We strive for interesting, eclectic and individual interiors. Our environments reflect the people who live there. Everything and anything goes as long as there is a certain "sense" to it all. Our furniture brings the “designer” into your home at an affordable price. Visit Bonita Interiors at the Pasadena Antique Center. We’re the largest retail space on the 2nd Floor. Ask for Angela DickersonLee. 480 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena, CA 91105. (626)975-2714 angela@bonita-interiors.com www.bonita-interiors.com CYNTHIA BENNETT & ASSOCIATES, INC. 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. VONDERAHE DESIGN Blending value, design and inspiration is the phrase we live by at Carolyn Von Der Ahe Interiors & Exteriors. Carolyn is adept at mixing high-end, custom, and value-added design for each client's needs, all the while creating beautiful, classic, livable space. Carolyn's design always stays true to the client's lifestyle, personality, and interests. She styles a home to be current but still classic. Carolyn draws her inspiration from years of worldwide travel and has established relationships with the best of artisans. Supporting charitable causes is an integral part of her business beliefs. www.vonderaheinteriors.com (818)952-7470

INTERIOR SPACES LBC LIGHTING LBCLighting offers you with the easiest and most convenient way to purchase contemporary lighting for your home or business. Our website is dedicated to assist you with your lighting requirements. We offer you the widest range of contemporary lighting prod–continued on page 50

44 | ARROYO | 11.12


KITCHEN CONFESSIONS

Butter Me Up The “b” word is back, so you might as well enjoy it. STORY BY LESLIE BILDERBACK | PHOTOS BY CLAIRE BILDERBACK

Perhaps you’ve noticed a culinary trend in which bad-boy foods

fried” booth at the county fair, its time has come. Who could resist

are touted as the epitome of culinary cool. Our devil-may-care

an order of deep-fried butter? (Oh yeah… I can.)

culture is embracing foods widely known to be unhealthy and

is still considered a naughty ingredient. A saturated fat, butter has long been vilified by

Despite being championed by Julia Child (and every chef I have ever known), butter modern science and blamed for decades of clogged arteries and high cholesterol,

raising them to hipster heights. Bacon, for instance, has appar-

even though fats in any form are equally to blame. Saturated fat is animal-based and solid at room temperature (think butter, lard and that juicy hunk of fat on the edge of

ently hired a publicist, because it is popping up on everything

your steak). This gave rise to the swift acceptance of the dreaded margarine.

from cupcakes to Band-Aids. No self-respecting gourmet donut

spawned a wave of experimentation with beef fats, the hardening of liquid oils and the

In the 1860s, a challenge by Napoleon III to develop a butter substitute for his troops development of oleomargarine. Early forms were made with the combination of whale

shop is worth its salt without the ubiquitous maple-bacon flavor,

and plant oils. Crisco, first cleverly marketed in 1911 with recipe books, was the first made exclusively from plant oil. The rationing of animal fats during World War II increased the

adding insult to injury. Butter is getting into the act, too. Embracing

popularity of hydrogenated vegetable fats (unsaturated liquid plant oils made thicker by delicious hydrogen) and quickly turned butter into a splurge item. Housewives

the mantra “It’s so bad it’s good,” foods made with “real butter” are

kneaded yellow food color into white oleomargarine and passed it off as butter, the difference in flavor apparently negligible to the mid-century palate. After the war, mar-

all the rage. You know when a food finds its way to the “totally

garine was promoted as a healthier alternative to increase sales. Today, despite a better –continued on page 46 11.12 | ARROYO | 45


KITCHEN CONFESSIONS

–continued from page 45 understanding of the health “benefits” of margarine and the dangers of trans-fat, margarine is still considered the frugal choice. (We’ll happily spend a fortune on phones that can play Angry Birds, but we won’t spend an extra buck for real butter.) The mass production of food quickly jumped on the hydrogenated bandwagon because it was cheaper than butter, and most prepared foods today are still made with these artificial fats. You easily detect these fats when you eat them (which is why foods with real butter are so much better), because animal fats have a lower melting point than plant fats. Butter melts in your mouth, at body temperature, but margarine, which needs significantly more heat than your palate can generate, leaves a film in your mouth even after it’s eaten. The tell-tale aftertaste and feel is far from pleasant. Thus, I have set out on a one-woman mission to bring back butter, not as the latest “it” food, but in its natural role as a superior ingredient. Butter has many incarnations in culinary art. For the professional chef the unequivocal choice is unsalted. It is my job to salt a dish, not the Land o’ Lakes guy. That's only one of many variations among butters. European butter is typically made with less water, making it richer than most American brands. I tend to reserve it for the table or for recipes that are butter-focused, like hollandaise, or puff pastry, where the butter flavor will be noticed and impact the final outcome of a dish. Wonderful butter has a plethora of uses. Clarified butter, also called drawn butter, is made using a classic chef’s technique of slowly melting butter, then removing its salty foam and milk solids. The pure butterfat allows the butter flavor to be present in highheat sautéing and frying, eliminating the brown or burnt solids. Browned butter, or beurre

noisette in the classical nomenclature, is the opposite of clarified butter. Here the solids are encouraged to brown, adding a nutty flavor to everything from blanched vegetables to pastry custards. Ghee is the staple fat of Indian cuisine and is essentially clarified

The King of Compound Butters: Beurre Maître d’Hôtel

butter that has been cooked a little longer and allowed to develop a nutty flavor from the browned solids before it is strained. Compound butters are a nifty trick.They sound super-snooty, but are ridiculously easy to make. Assorted herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables and aromatics are whipped into softened

I had to go to culinary school to learn this, so… you’re welcome. Beurre maître d’hôtel or, as we Americans call it (preferably with a Southern twang), maître de butter, is a holdover from the glory days of food service, when the maître d’hôtel was the leader of the dining room, responsible for the many dishes finished tableside.This butter was the final preparation for dishes such as sautéed fish or, most famously, entrecôte, a filet of beef, similar to the rib eye, Delmonico or New York strip. (You haven’t lived until you’ve slathered herby butter over a properly cooked steak.) See the variations following the recipe for some more compound butter ideas. Enterprising home cooks will, I’m sure, come up with buttery creations of their own.

butter, which is then rolled into a log, like refrigerator cookie dough. Once chilled, butter coins are sliced off the log and used to dress up a piece of meat, fish, veggies or whatever. With all that butter has to offer, the most intriguing aspect, in my mind, is its carvability. The first documented lard-tastic renderings appeared in the Renaissance as an edible tableau on the table of Pope Pius V, with butter sculptures of elephants, camels and lions. The first butter sculpture presented as public art was a bas-relief woman’s portrait made for the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 by dairy farm woman Caroline Brooks. Her creations were so successful that she left the dairy business to study sculpture in France

INGREDIENTS 1 pound unsalted butter, room temperature ½ cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, washed, dried and chopped fine ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper Zest of 1 lemon, plus 1 tablespoon of the juice

VARIATIONS: To a pound of unsalted butter add: 2 tablespoons each of chopped fresh chives sage, rosemary, thyme, 2 minced cloves of garlic and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Use this for meat, fish, veggies, potatoes and warm French bread.

and Italy. When refrigeration became widespread, butter carving was harnessed as a marketing tool. Forced to compete with the new artificial butter (margarine), the Beatrice Creamery Company commissioned a butter cow from sculptor John K. Daniels for the 1911 Iowa State Fair. It was such a hit that the butter cow tradition spread (not a pun) throughout the Midwest, and the official Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptor became a coveted position. Norma “Duffy” Lyon was the first woman with the title and held the post

METHOD 1. In a mixer with a paddle attachment (or in a bowl with a sturdy spoon), beat the butter until it is soft and turns lighter in color, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add parsley, salt, pepper and lemon zest, and beat for another 1 to 2 minutes. Slow down the mixer to add the lemon juice, and continue mixing another minute, until it is all well combined. 2. Scrape the butter out onto a wide piece of parchment paper. Press it to the edge into a 1-to-2-inch diameter log, and roll the paper around it, tightening it like a sausage. Chill completely before serving on top of beef, fish or vegetables. 46 | ARROYO | 11.12

One entire head of roasted garlic and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. This one is great on roasted root vegetables.

from 1960 to 2005. She was known affectionately as the “Butter Cow Lady,” although her most notable piece was the butter Last Supper, re-created in the recent movie Butter. In Minnesota they forgo the butter cow in favor of butter teenagers. Contenders for the title

The zest and juice of one lime, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons roasted green chiles and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Try it on grilled tilapia or roasted corn. ¼ cup of your favorite blue cheese and ¼ teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper. This is delicious on a good steak or over sautéed mushrooms. Add 3 tablespoons of honey, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, the zest of one orange and ½ teaspoon kosher salt for a delicious breakfast butter to top biscuits, scones, pancakes or muffins.

of Dairy Princess are each painstakingly carved in butter, giving new meaning to the phrase “butter her up.” The lucky girls get to take themselves home afterwards. In the age of Cupcake Wars and Food Network Challenge, I am shocked that we have yet to see competitive butter carving on the national stage. How about America’s

Butter-Cow Wars, or Butter-Cow Rodeo Challenge? We can ask the American Heart Association to be the sponsor. |||| Leslie Bilderback is a certified master baker, chef and cookbook author. A South Pasadena resident, she teaches her techniques online at culinarymasterclass.com.


WINING & DINING Three Burgers

Burger Haven at Haven Gastropub + Brewery McCormick Alley entrance 42 S. DeLacey Ave. Pasadena (626) 768-9555 Seven days, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pop (Up) Goes the Burger Burger Haven, Haven Gastropub's new pop-up restaurant-within-a-restaurant, offers quick lunches for busy foodies. BY BRADLEY TUCK

FORTUNATE AS I AM TO WORK FROM HOME ON PRETTY MUCH MY

CAFÉ WHERE WE WOULD TAKE ORDERS ALL THE WAY DOWN THE

OWN SCHEDULE, IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE I’VE HAD TO CRAM

LINE, FIGURING THAT ONCE PEOPLE HAD ORDERED THEY WERE LESS

LUNCH INTO A MANDATED 30- OR 60-MINUTE WINDOW OR BE OR-

LIKELY TO LEAVE, EVEN IF IT MEANT THAT HALF THEIR LUNCH BREAK

GANIZED ENOUGH TO BROWN BAG IT BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE

WAS SPENT WAITING FOR THEIR MEAL.

OFFICE. I REMEMBER WELL THE ANXIOUS WATCH-GLANCING OF THE

up, Burger Haven, is all about. I really enjoyed Haven Executive Chef Greg Daniels'

I’m wondering if the lunchtime crowd is what the Haven Gastropub + Brewery popfood when I visited shortly after the opening last year. It was far from traditional gasPHOTO: Courtesy of Burger Haven

PAST, AS I WAITED IN LINE TO ORDER COFFEE AND A SANDWICH,

tropub comfort fodder, deftly executed and beautifully presented. So I was interested to see what was in store. Pop-ups have been around for a while now. The idea is that a

WHILE SOMEBODY AHEAD ASKED TO HAVE THE MENU OPTIONS RE-

chef takes over a space for a limited time and creates a menu that’s a departure from what the venue usually serves. The one with the highest profile and most coveted tem-

PEATED TO THEM AGAIN. I ONCE WORKED AT AN EXTREMELY BUSY

porary tables, Ludovic LeFebvre’s LudoBites, sold out within seconds of the reservation –continued on page 49

11.12 | ARROYO | 47


48 | ARROYO | 11.12


WINING & DINING Here's the Kicker

Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake

Shake N Bake

–continued from page 47

juicy, rich, a nice slather of sweet onion jam and cool tzatziki, and a bun dense

ing room (entered from McCormick Alley) and created a simple menu of burgers,

enough to hold it all together without becoming the proverbial lead balloon. My lunch

sides, sauces and milkshakes. Instead of the usual table service, you’re greeted at the

partner buried her face in her bun and announced that it was “the best burger I’ve

door by a host and a cash register. The concise menu of six burgers is on a menu in

had in a very long time.” She scraped out the bacon-stout jam, as she doesn’t like

front of you; you order, pay and seat yourself at a table. What you might not expect is

onions, and proclaimed it “still amazing.” And the fries didn’t go untroubled by us ei-

that next to the host, sitting in a tub of ice, is a beer keg. That, my friends, is the daily

ther. Some restaurants’ fries are so obviously frozen, but these seemed like the real

tap, a special $3 beer that is poured into a red plastic disposable cup, such as you

deal. Skinny-cut and a deep golden brown, with a dusting of crack, sorry, sea salt, they

might take on a picnic or find at a backyard barbecue. The beer that day was Up-

were exceptionally good.

RYEsing, brewed by Haven, so I added that to my order and took my place. Soon enough, out came the burgers. I’d ordered a lamb burger ($12), buoyed by PHOTOS: Courtesy of Burger Haven

I’m a big fan of a well-constructed burger. And of lamb. It did not disappoint. It was

lines being open. In the case of Burger Haven, they’ve taken the back area of the din-

If I had anything else to say, I’d say the restaurant-within-a-restaurant concept was a little confusing. The food definitely held up its end of the show. If I am in Pasadena any

the sentence on the menu: NO WELL DONE PLEASE. No, you can’t have it your way, and

time from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when Burger Haven is open, this would be my first choice

very wise too. Sonoma lamb, onion jam, tzatziki and onion sprouts, all crammed into a

for a burger. And ordering on the way in definitely speeds up your lunch, so it’s great for

rosemary bun. My lunch partner got the McCormick Alley ($10) --- Paso prime grass-

anyone on a clock. But both my pal and I thought that the concept could have been

fed beef, Grafton two-year aged cheddar, bacon-stout jam, shaved red onion, butter

taken to its logical conclusion --- maybe some bright tablecloths to differentiate it from

lettuce and house sauce on a roasted-shallot potato bun. Because there was not al-

the rest of the restaurant. Pop-ups are fun, and this needed just a bit more fun injected

ready enough going on there, we ordered a side of fries too.

into it. But I’m still thinking about that burger, so they’re doing something right. ||||

11.12 | ARROYO | 49


arroyo

RESOURCE GUIDE –continued from page 44 ucts and we are committed to help you find products that will fit your needs and meet your budget requirement Celebrating our 21 year in 2012 . LBC lighting continues to offer practical lighting solutions for designers and architects to help accomplish their lighting projects. We carry over 200 brands of lighting products and have been serving the local community for over 21 years. LBCLighting.com LBCmoder.com 18-20 E. Duarte Rd., Arcadia 91006. (626)574-1298 MODERN LIGHTING Modern Lighting has been serving Southern California’s lighting needs since 1946. With all 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 P.E. DEANS P. E. Deans is predominantly a furniture and decorative accessory consignment store. The mix is eclectic and ranges from traditional to modern. Art and mirrors are also prevalent as these are so important to the personality and beauty of any room. Pricing is important and our objective is value. The mix ranges from high end offerings such as Baker Furniture and Kreiss Collection. If you have quality items that you would like to sell please contact Sherry Grossi at (626)355-0400. 49 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 91024 RAGERS ABBEY FLOORING If you're looking for the best value on floor and window coverings plus the national buying power of more than 800 stores, look no further! Rager's Abbey Flooring & Window Covering is a locally owned store offering the best personal service and expert installation. Our friendly staff specializes in residential, commercial, and insurance restoration work. We are also a proud industry partner of the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). Discover our huge selection of top quality and fashionable carpet, hardwood (including bamboo), cork, laminate, sheet vinyl, tile, and window fashions. Don't forget to ask about our environmentally friendly products. Visit our showroom today! Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm Saturday 10:00am4:00pm. Serving the Southern California area for over 20 years! 52 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia. (626)446-6753

JEWELRY, ART & ANTIQUES ARNOLD’S FINE JEWELRY It’s a busy time at Arnold’s Fine Jewelry. Bruce Arnold and his seasoned staff work with patrons in choosing just the right gifts from diamond heart pendants to watches and rings. They also personalize jewelry by engraving graduation gifts sure to please lucky high school and college grads. If you have something special in mind or an estate piece that needs updating, Bruce will custom design a piece of jewelry. 350 S. Lake Avenue. Hours are 10-6 Tuesday-Saturday. (626)795-8647. 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 esti50 | ARROYO | 11.12

mate, please call (323)850-7500. Please check our website for forthcoming auctions at www.bonhams.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. 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. POSH ACCESSORIES Posh Accessories is your holiday headquarters for all your shopping needs and holiday parties! Find the perfect dress, an evening bag, bracelets that sparkle and cocktail rings to die for! Choose from Trina Turk jewelry, Lockheart handbags, Lollia perfumes and candles, Charlotte sweaters, cozy pajamas by P.J. Salvage and so much more! Enjoy complimentary Posh gift wrapping for all your holiday purchases. At Posh Accessories you'll find gifts that are sure to entice! Located at 2537 Mission Street, San Marino, Ca. 91108 WAYNE JASON JEWELRY DESIGNS Wayne Jason Jewelry Designs has been in business since 1987, in the same location in the city of Pasadena, California. Wayne designs most of his own jewelry and manufactures it on the premises, eliminating a middleman. Wayne Jason Jewelry Designs offers unique, often one of a kind, top quality jewelry pieces at a value well below the competition. Most of our designs can be made in any color gold, 18-karat or 14karat, with any stones. 105 W. California Blvd., Pasadena (626)795-9215

OUTDOOR LIVING A.SARIAN POOL CONSTRUCTION A pool builder that stays with you after the pool is built. There are many pool builders; however there is only one that backs up the pool after it is complete. With over 30 years of experience the Sarian brothers know how to construct a pool so it is not only superior in design but will ensure form will follow the function. With the help of their father Gary, Andy and John started a company that is based on three solid principles: high quality product, fair price and they deliver what they say. In the words of one customer,“I had no idea you guys were so good at such a reasonable price.” (818)625-2219 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 high-quality 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. HUNTINGTON POOLS & SPAS Huntington Pools & Spas designs and builds custom pools, spas, and outdoor spaces. We create spaces that complement your home’s overall landscape and architecture using a combination of engineering, form, and fit. Our philosophy is that each project

should have a unique balance and connection to the property's overall landscape and architecture. We view each of our waterscapes as a unique work of art and use only top industry professionals, select finish products, and proven technologies. (626)3321527 www.huntingtonpools.com JEFF KERBER POOLS Fully licensed since 1989, we are the "OneStop-Shopping" resource when it comes to remodeling your swimming pool. While many of the pool plastering companies only carry a C-35 contractor’s license Jeff Kerber Pool Plastering, Inc. has a C-53 & C-8 contractor’s license. We are licensed the same as a pool builder allowing us to satisfy ALL of your pool remodeling needs (not just re-plaster and repair tile). Our goal is to make your swimming pool look like new. 10735 Kadota Avenue Montclair, CA 91763 (800)560-7946 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 something 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 www.teakwarehouse.com TOM’S PICTURE PERFECT LANDSCAPE We accommodate all size projects from the small backdoor patio to the estate garden. Your go to company for all jobs such as construction, water, lighting, stone layout and irrigation. You will receive hands on customer service that includes daily visits to your project by Tom for optimum communication. Our goal is to ensure that the final project is exactly what you expect. No subs ever. All work is done from start to finish by Tom’s certified landscape professionals. Call (626)443-3131 for more information.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BOW HAUS Welcome to the Bowhaus Pet Company! We offer a full service doggy day care, full or selfservice grooming, and a complete line of today's best pet products and foods. Whether you are dropping Buster off, picking up food, or stopping by for a quick wash, we aim to ensure that you are worry free and confident that Bowhaus will take care of Buster here at our facility or with one of our products back at home. Feel welcomed to come in and enjoy your stay at Bowhaus!" 2472 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 91107 (626)229-9835. www.bowhauspets.com GROOM FOR LESS Groom for Less goes beyond mobile pet grooming to create the ultimate experience for your pet. Our experienced groomers will give your pet their undivided attention and will have him/her looking and smelling great. We offer a calm and safe environment which reduces stress and separation anxiety. Our mobile spa comes to you (home or office). Call us at (323)244-3307 to set an appointment. Groomforless.com JORDI & CO Jordan Stringfellow, of Jordi & CO, invents and executes celebrations of all sizes, occasions…and budgets. Parties are invented and executed with reliability, creativity, precision and uncommon detail. Jordi herself will meet with you once, or as often as you like. Be it an intimate dinner party at home, a lavish cele-

bration at a destination, or simply changing the décor of your living space to match the season, Jordi personally wraps her heart around your desire to entertain with style. Jordi & CO brings out the soul of events. www.jordiandco.com or call (626)665-4222 .

REAL ESTATE

DICKSON PODLEY Richard Langstaff is an effective Realtor who works hard for his clients. Representing clients in the sale of their Architectural and character homes for over 20 years in the Pasadena area. Richard Langstaff states "The greatest satisfaction in my Business comes from getting results for my clients. I believe that the client’s goals and needs are always the key and the first priority. Podley Properties Richard Langstaff (818)949-5750 SOTHEBY’S, LIN VLACICHLin 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

SENIOR RESOURCES FAIR OAKS BY REGENCY PARK Regency Park Senior Living, with over 40 years’ experience, is renowned in Pasadena for its luxurious, beautifully-appointed senior communities. The Fair Oaks by Regency Park is Pasadena’s most luxurious independent and assisted living senior community. Here residents enjoy a lifestyle of relaxed elegance and the opportunity to select from a broad array of services and activities—from fine dining and daily housekeeping to assistance with any of the activities of daily living. 951 S. Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena. (626)921-4108. Visit us at www.regencypk.com for more information PROVIDENCE ST. ELIZABETH (PROVIDENCE ST. JOSEPH’S) Providence St. Elizabeth Care Center is a 52 bed skilled nursing facility. We offer an array of health care services for residents to enjoy themselves with family and friends. To complement our reputation for caring, our specially trained staff works in partnership with residents, families, doctors, referring hospitals, and health professionals to make sure residents' needs are met. As a skilled nursing facility, Providence St. Elizabeth is staffed 24 hours a day by licensed professionals specially trained in geriatric medicine. For more information or to tour Providence St. Elizabeth Care Center, please call (818)980-3872.

TRAVEL MONTROSE TRAVEL Celebrating 53 years in business, Montrose Travel, a family-owned travel management company, has grown from 14 employees in 1990 to more than 150 today. Firmly established as a Top 50 Travel Management Company and a Top 5 Host Agency nationwide, Montrose Travel strives to provide the highest quality services and most complete vacation, corporate travel, loyalty and group travel management solutions for its customers and home-based travel agents. 1-800-MONTROSE (800)666-8767, MontroseTravel.com


THE LIST

A SELECTIVE PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EVENTS COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER

A 20TH-CENTURY RENAISSANCE MAN

(free for Autry members) and $8 for stuTony Peters: Bruin Theater Nocturne

Nov. 3 — The Sidney D. Gamble Lecture

dents, seniors and children. Nov. 3 and 4 — The Autry’s American In-

Series features artist Tim Solliday exploring

dian Arts Marketplace runs from 10 a.m. to

the works of Frank Brangwyn at 6 p.m. at

5 p.m. both days, featuring more than 185

the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena.

Native American artists selling baskets,

Brangwyn, considered one of England’s

pottery, textiles and jewelry as well as the

most talented; versatile artists of the early

exhibition “Katsina in Hopi Life.” The event

20th century, identified with the Arts and

also includes performances, children’s

Crafts movement; his paintings cele-

activities, talks and more.

brated the common working man. Tickets

The Autry National Center is located at

cost $20 ($15 for Friends of the Gamble

4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park.

House members).

Call (323) 667-2000 or visit nativevoice-

The Neighborhood Church is located at

sattheautry.org.

301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. Visit

LACO CELEBRATES BEETHOVEN, CHINA

gamblehouse.org for tickets.

SHINING FOR RONALD MCDONALD

Nov. 10 — The Los Angeles Chamber Or-

Nov. 3 — The

chestra, with

Pasadena Ronald

composer Benjamin

McDonald House

Wallfisch as guest

hosts its annual Shine Gala,“An Evening of Wine and Roses,” at 6 p.m. at the Langham Huntington Hotel

ECLECTIC LA ON DISPLAY

conductor, presents the world premiere of Wallfisch’s own violin concerto written for LACO Assistant Concertmaster Tereza Stanislav.

in Pasadena. The evening includes a re-

Nov. 8 — American Legacy Fine Arts’ exhibition “Eclectic L.A. — Four Perspec-

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 D major, Op.

ception, dinner, live and silent auction

tives,” showcasing more than 30 urban landscape paintings of the city’s fa-

36, and Elgar’s “Introduction and Allegro

and an appearance by Ronald McDon-

mous and not-so-famous buildings and façades, opens today and runs through

for Strings, Op. 47” complete the 8 p.m.

ald. Honorees are donors Sindee and

Dec. 8. Artists include Eric Merrell, Alexander V. Orlov, Tony Peters and Scott W.

program at Glendale’s Alex Theatre. Tick-

Steve Riboli. Tickets cost $200 per person.

Prior. An opening reception will be held Nov. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Gallery hours

ets cost $25 to $110. The concert repeats

The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House

are by appointment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and

at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

provides housing and support to families

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Nov. 17 — The orchestra’s final “LACO à la

with children receiving treatment for seri-

American Legacy Fine Arts is located in a residential neighborhood near the

carte” fundraiser of the season will be

ous or life-threatening illnesses.

Rose Bowl. To schedule an appointment, call (626) 577-7733 or email info@ameri-

held at 7 p.m. at a private estate in

The Langham Huntington Hotel is located

canlegacyfinearts.com. Visit americanlegacyfinearts.com for information.

Pasadena.“China à la carte,” hosted by

at 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 204-0400 or visit pasadenarmh.org.

East West Bank, features music and dinner arranging. The Camellia Lounge offers Patina’s Japanese cuisine, sake and

JAPANESE GARDEN FESTIVAL, THANKSGIVING AT DESCANSO

THE AUTRY SALUTES NATIVE AMERICAN ATHLETES

other beverages for sale from 11 a.m. to

Nov. 3 — The Autry

inspired by Chinese culture and cuisine. Tickets cost $250 per person. Location is provided with ticket purchase.

3 p.m. A concert of contemporary Japan-

National Center pres-

The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N.

Nov. 3 and 4 — Des-

ese music runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30

ents “Indians in Amer-

Brand Blvd., Glendale. Call (213) 622-7001

canso Gardens’

p.m. Free with Descanso admission.

ica: Native American

or visit laco.org.

Japanese Garden

Nov. 22—Celebrate Thanksgiving with

Athletes Take the

Festival opens several

Patina Restaurant Group’s traditional

windows on Japan’s

turkey dinner; seatings are at noon and

festival starting at 3 p.m. alongside the

INTIMATE APPAREL ON DISPLAY AT THE PLAYHOUSE

culture, with the

Field,” a short play

2 p.m. in Van de Kamp Hall. The cost is $53

Autry American Indian Arts Marketplace.

Nov. 11 — Intimate Apparel by Pulitzer

same schedule both days: The Descanso

($45 for members) and $19 for kids ages

The Native Voices at the Autry festival cel-

Prize-winner Lynn Nottage opens at 8 p.m.

Chrysanthemum Society Show celebrates

4 to 12; free for children 3 and younger.

ebrates the 100th anniversary of Jim

at the Pasadena Playhouse and contin-

the iconic flower in its 80th annual show

Visit patinagroup.com/descanso for

Thorpe’s Olympics achievements in 1912,

ues through Dec. 2. The play tells the story

from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. An ikebana display

reservations; deadline is Nov. 18.

when he won gold medals for the pen-

of Esther, a black seamstress in 1905 New

runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the So-

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418

tathlon and decathlon, as well as his later

York City who makes her living sewing for

getsu School of ikebana offering a

Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Call

career in professional baseball, football

the city’s wealthy elite but dreams of using

contemporary and international interpre-

(818) 949-4200 or visit descansogar-

and basketball. Free with admission to the

her savings to open a beauty parlor for

tation of the traditional art of flower

dens.org.

marketplace, which costs $12 for adults

–continued on page 53 11.12 | ARROYO | 51


52 | ARROYO | 11.12


THE LIST

Susan Claassen

OSCAR-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER CAPTURES CENTER STAGE Nov. 9 — A Conversation with Edith Head opens at 8 p.m. at the Pasadena Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton Theatre and runs through Dec. 1. The one-woman play stars Susan Claassen, who co-wrote it with Paddy Calistro, based on the book

Edith Head’s Hollywood by Calistro and Head herself. One of the top costume designers in Hollywood history, Head worked on more than 1,100 films during her 60year career and was nominated 35 times for Academy Awards, winning the top honor eight times. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, with an additional 7 p.m. performance on Nov. 25. Tickets cost $40.

The Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 356-7529 or visit pasadenaplayhouse.org. –continued from page 51 black women. Esther is torn between two

County through its creative writing pro-

suitors, a mysterious Caribbean man who

grams and workshops. The event features

writes her beautiful love letters and a Ha-

performances by local schoolchildren, a

sidic shopkeeper from whom she buys her

silent auction, a raffle and presentations

cloth. She learns that all choices come

of new fall releases. Speakers include

with a price. Artistic Director Sheldon Epps

poet Dana Gioia, novelist and essayist

directs. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. Tuesdays

Jane Smiley and poet Kay Ryan, with re-

through Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays

marks by Managing Editor Kate Gale.

and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 2.

Tickets cost $110 each.

Tickets cost $22 to $100.

The Westin Pasadena is located at 191 N.

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39

Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Visit

S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Call (626)

redhen.org/events.

356-7529 or visit pasadenaplayhouse.org.

PHOTO:Tim Fuller ( A Conversation with Edith Head)

RED HEN PRESS CELEBRATES 18TH ANNIVERSARY

WATER-WISE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN DEDICATION Nov. 11 — Mayor Bill Bogaard and Coun-

Nov. 11 — Red Hen

cilman Terry Tornek join 100-plus volunteer

Press hosts its 18th

gardeners at the dedication of an inno-

Anniversary Cham-

vative urban agriculture demonstration

pagne Luncheon,

project on the grounds of Pasadena’s

benefiting its school

Throop Unitarian Universalist Church. The

programs, from

Throop Learning Garden, a year in the

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Westin Pasadena.

making, converted water-greedy lawns

The independent literary publisher has

into a bountiful vegetable, fruit and native

produced more than 300 titles, created

plant garden, with plants selected for

prestigious literary awards and assisted

drought-tolerance, rainwater catchment

numerous underserved schools in L.A.

–continued on page 54

11.12 | ARROYO | 53


THE LIST

–continued from page 53 basins and other conservation elements

works of art, fashions, home accessories

embedded in the design. The dedication

and culinary products from artisans se-

ceremony runs from 9 to 11 a.m.

lected through a juried process. The Bon-

Throop Unitarian Universalist Church is

jour Boutique Spa will provide spa

located at 300 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena.

services, a healthy living pavilion will offer

PASADENA AUTHOR TO GIVE CHILLING READING IN LOS FELIZ

master crafters will demonstrate stained

free sessions of yoga and qigong and glass, beading, jewelry making and other

Nov. 14 — Pasadena

crafts. Santa Anita chefs will operate a

author Carla Tomaso

food court. Admission is free. A VIP pack-

reads from her new

age is available for $50 with early shop-

novel, Frozen, at 7:30

ping both days, a light breakfast

p.m. at Skylight Books.

reception, a mimosa brunch, concierge

The page-turner tells

service and more.

the story of Elizabeth, who is tasked with re-

Santa Anita Park is located at 285 W. Hunt-

animating her cryonically frozen, narcissis-

ington Dr., Arcadia. Call (626) 683-8243 or

tic mother Helen and raising her from

visit woweventproductions.com.

childhood. Elizabeth is determined to reshe deserves, but do-overs aren’t guaran-

SANTA CECILIA ORCHESTRA BRINGS BRAHMS, BEETHOVEN

raise the child to be the mother she feels teed to be improvements.

Nov. 18 — Maestra Sonia De Léon de

Skylight Books is located at 1818 N. Ver-

Vega conducts the Santa Cecilia Orches-

mont Ave., L.A. Call (323) 660-1175 or visit

tra at 4 p.m. in Occidental College’s

skylightbooks.com.

Thorne Hall. The concert, titled “Triumph,” features piano master Robert Thies per-

SHOPPING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

forming Beethoven’s “Emperor" Concerto

Nov. 15, 29 — Shop for holiday decora-

and Brahms’ First Symphony. Santa Cecilia

tions and support good causes from 5:30

is the nation’s only orchestra with the mis-

to 8 p.m. at Jacob Maarse Florists.Twenty

sion of sharing classical music with Latino

per cent of proceeds will benefit local

communities. Tickets cost $20 to $26 for

charities: Hillsides, Children’s Hospital Los

adults, $7 for children.

Angeles and Five Acres. Guests also re-

Thorne Hall at Occidental College is lo-

ceive 10 percent off purchases. For admis-

cated at 1600 Campus Rd., Eagle Rock.

sion, bring a $25 unwrapped gift to

Call (323) 259-3011 or visit

donate. RSVP by Nov. 12 via email at mari-

scorchestra.org.

nasantos@jacobmaarse.com. The Junior League of Pasadena follows that up on Nov. 29 with its Annual Holiday

SCROOGE AND CRATCHIT BACK FOR CHRISTMAS

Shopping Event from 7 to 9 p.m., which

Nov. 23 — The Sierra

features live music, drinks and edibles.

Madre Playhouse

Tickets benefiting the league’s commu-

marks the holiday

nity service projects cost $30 each or

season with a pro-

$100 for four.

duction of Charles

Jacob Maarse Florists is located at 655 E.

Dickens’ A Christmas

Green St., Pasadena. Visit

Carol, opening at 8 p.m. and continuing

jacobmaarse.com. For Junior League

through Dec. 23. The show continues at

tickets, visit myjlp.com.

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, with additional performances at

CRAFTS, CHEFS AND MORE AT SANTA ANITA ARTISAN FARE

54 | ARROYO | 11.12

8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23. Tickets cost $25.

Nov. 17 and 18 — The inaugural Artisan

The Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at

Faire runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre.

and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Santa

Call (626) 355-4318 or

Anita Park, with an array of handcrafted

visit sierramadreplayhouse.org.




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