FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA OCTOBER 2012
FALL
ARTS LIFE ATOP THE PASADENA MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA ART WOMEN AND WAR THE REDOUBTABLE EVA FENYES
arroyo VOLUME 8 | NUMBER 10 | OCTOBER 2012
13 46 11 50 FALL ARTS 13 VIEW FROM THE TOP PMCA founders Bob and Arlene Oltman live above the museum amid their eclectic art collection. —By Nancy Spiller
19 WAR FROM A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE South Pasadena photojournalist Marissa Roth reveals an underreported side of war in an exhibition at the Museum of Tolerance. —By Scarlet Cheng
28 THE FABULOUS FENYES MANSION
PHOTOS: Top, Nancy Spiller; center right, Jamie Pham; bottom right, Nelda Costner
The 1906 Beaux Arts gem housing the Pasadena Museum of History reopens this month after a $1.7 million renovation. —By Bettijane Levine
41 PAST PERFECT Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott's A Noise Within celebrates a smashing inaugural season in Pasadena. —By Lynne Heffley
DEPARTMENTS 11
FESTIVITIES Los Angeles Opera, Pasadena Museum of California Art and more
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ARROYO HOME SALES INDEX
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KITCHEN CONFESSIONS The top 10 things you can't do anymore at Halloween because you're all grown up
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WINING AND DINING The Royce's chef, David Féau, harvests seasonal produce from his new garden at The Langham.
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THE LIST The Folk Tree celebrates the Day of the Dead, Muse/Ique rocks to the Beatles and more
ABOUT THE COVER: Mark Ryden, Yoshi, 2010 Limited Edition Lithograph #951/1000, 19 x 23 inches
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EDITOR’S NOTE
DEVOTEES OF PASADENA’S ANNUAL ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT CULTURE BANQUET, otherwise known as ArtsNight, know that the city’s breadth of offerings far exceeds what you’re likely to find in other towns of similar size (138,000 or so at last count). When you ride ArtsNight’s free shuttles between venues on Oct. 12, you might want to hop off at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with an art auction, one of whose offerings—Mark Ryden’s Pop Surrealist lithograph of a fanciful woodland creature named Yoshi—graces this month’s cover. As Arroyo welcomes the fall arts season with a look at some of the folk we can thank for our embarrassment of cultural riches, Nancy Spiller talks with PMCA founders Bob and Arlene Oltman. Spiller, herself a visual artist, asked to tour their private art collection, which covers the walls of their home atop the museum. “As a journalist I’ve made a habit of going into people’s private spaces,” Spiller says. “I always find surprises there.” Theater aficionado Lynne Heffley sits down with A Noise Within founders Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott to find out how the repertory company fared this past year—the first in its new Pasadena home—and why they chose the fairly unusual route of mining the classics for the stage. And Bettijane Levine delves into the past to bring you the story of one of Pasadena’s earliest arts advocates: Eva Fenyes, whose splendid 1906 mansion—now occupied by the Pasadena Museum of History—has just reopened to the public after a $1.7 million renovation. Of course, Arroyoland virtually teems with creative folk who are making work for the 21st century. Scarlet Cheng profiles South Pasadena photojournalist Marissa Roth, whose moving portraits of women scarred by war are on view at L.A.’s Museum of Tolerance through Oct. 18. —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, JJ Weiland 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
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FESTIVITIES Breaking Bad ’s Anna Gunn
Sue Wong with models
Plácido Domingo and Stana Katic of Castle
Eli and Edythe Broad
Greiman with her work
Cher Pendarvis and Marilyn Kay Austin
Brad King, Brenda and Bill Galloway
The Los Angeles Opera didn't merely launch its 2012-13 season with a fall gala on Sept. 15—it ignited it, with a pre-opera dinner setting on the Music
Ashwin and Sushma Adarkar
Center Plaza cloaked in red and actual fire-eaters at the party after the opening performance of Verdi's The Two Foscaris, starring the company’s general director, Plácido Domingo. Indeed, “Ignite!” was the event's theme, and temps PHOTOS: Steve Cohn Photography (LA Opera Opening Season Gala); Don Milici (PMCA 10th Anniversary Dinner); Jamie Pham (Huntington Ball 2012)
tickling the 100°-mark were right in tune with the evening, which raised $1.5 million...Also on Sept. 15, the Pasadena Museum of California Art celebrated its 10th anniversary with a benefit and auction of work by artists who have exhibited there, such as Kenton Nelson, Rob and Christian Clayton and Jason Situ, who partied with supporters. The event raised $154,000...Some 380 guests converged on the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens for its annual black-tie gala on Sept. 8.
Artists Rob and Christian Clayton with Christian’s son
Kristy Peters, Maria Gaskill, Ann Voyer-Colbath and Craig Colbath
Brad King, Pam King, artist Kenton Nelson and Jim Heimann
PMCA board member Jeff Moran and wife Maranda Moran
Jean Stern, Jan Hilbert and PMCA founder and board member Bob Oltman
Edward Engs, Jakie Engs, PMCA Chairman of the Board David Partridge and PMCA Executive Director Jenkins Shannon 10.12 | ARROYO | 11
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VIEW FROM THE TOP PMCA founders Bob and Arlene Oltman live above the museum amid their eclectic, rarely seen art collection.
VISITORS TO ROBERT AND ARLENE OLTMAN’S HOME ATOP THE PASADENA MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA ART PASS DRAMATICALLY FRAMED VIEWS OF THE SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS AND DOWNTOWN’S CITY HALL DOME BORDERING A WIDE, SUNSWEPT PATIO, BEFORE ARRIVING AT A FROSTED GLASS DOOR DISCREETLY LABELED “PRIVATE RESIDENCE.” THE EN-
STORY AND PHOTOS BY NANCY SPILLER
TRANCE OPENS ONTO AN UNPRETENTIOUS, COMFORTABLY CLUTTERED INTERIOR THAT MIGHT BE FOUND ON ANY OF PASADENA’S RESIDENTIAL STREETS. –continued on page 15 10.12 | ARROYO | 13
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–continued from page 13
Indeed, before moving into their architecturally forward, 2,500-square-foot penthouse atop the PMCA, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last month, the Oltmans—the museum’s founders and recovering art collectors—lived in an older, 5,000-square-foot home in the Oak Knoll section of Pasadena. Set on two-thirds of an acre, that property included a swimming pool, fountains and a grove of fruit trees, with neighbors nestled behind rolling lawns and mature, manicured gardens. Now their neighbors include the Fuller Theological Seminary across the street, the Pacific Asia Museum next door, a 24 Hour Fitness down the block and the Paseo Colorado Mall a block away. Motorcycle-riding gym rats arriving for post-midnight workouts interrupt the Oltmans’ sleep, while museum guests amble on the plaza outside their door to enjoy the views. Until the city recently put a stop to public events there, the space was a popular venue for weddings, live jazz performances and museum galas. Bob, 75, enjoyed chatting up the crowd and downing the occasional free cocktail, Arlene and Bob Oltman in their art-bedecked penthouse while Arlene, 74, befriended the caterers, who might “make us up a plate of food,” she says with a demure smile. affordable acrylics have been seen on such television shows as Roseanne and 90210. “He Even more unusual than the urban adventures life atop the PMCA offers, though, is said, ‘This is nice,’” Bob continues, “‘but I think we should go in another direction.’” the tremendous volume of art filling the walls of their two-bedroom designer digs, floor to Jessup proposed focusing on temporary exhibits rather than a permanent collection. He ceiling, cheek by jowl, a collection originally intended to be housed in the museum below. also suggested the museum concentrate on California art and design. Now, a decade later, The eclectic holdings, heavy on landscapes and figures, light on abstracts, run the gamut the cultural institution says it’s financially solid and boasts 600 members and 20,000 visifrom museum-quality blue-chip artists in baroque gold-leaf frames to dumpster-dive tors a year who come to view its dual program of historic survey shows and cutting-edge treasures salvaged by Bob over the course of his 50 years of collecting. (Much of his booty contemporary installations. Featured artists have included such stalwarts of the California from the first 30 years was lost in an early ’80s home fire.) art world as Millard Sheets, Maynard Dixon, Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn, While Bob started the collection six years before their marriage, the museum was often juxtaposed against more avant-garde efforts. Such multifarious programming attracts Arlene’s idea, something that just “popped into my head one day,” she says. That day diverse audiences, like the tattooed hipsters drawn to 2010’s graffiti-centric L.A. River came in the late ’90s, when the newly hatched empty-nesters were looking to build a show, who rubbed elbows with the more staid visitors at Millard Sheets’ retrospective. home downtown on property they owned in the Playhouse District. The Oltmans had Meanwhile, the Oltmans share their work only with those invited into their home. made their fortune in personal storage units; Bob is still a general partner of Space Bank Bob, a Pasadena native, and Arlene, Riverside-born and Southern California–raised, met Mini Storage, which he co-founded 35 years ago. “We’ve been to small museums in this while they both worked at Disney—Arlene in finance and Bob in amusement park design. country and others where people share what they have,” Arlene says. “So I said, ‘Let’s His most notable effort for the Anaheim park is the singing tropical bird–filled Tiki Room open a museum and put our art in it.’” attraction. “We went there two weeks ago with our grandkids,” he says, dressed in a faded Bob was enthusiastic, but Arlene’s proposal came with one condition: “If we do,” she said, tiki-print shirt and chinos, “and it’s still there, I am happy to say.” “no more art collecting.” Bob agreed. “My art collecting sort of boiled over,” he confesses. Bob, who has a B.S. degree in architectural engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Bob found a greater challenge in developing the museum. “They had a clear vision of Obispo, acknowledges, “My own [art] collecting has always been kind of impulsive.” what they wanted to start,” says Jenkins Shannon, PMCA’s executive director and an early “They go after what appeals to them,” Jessup says of the Oltmans’ atypical collecting museum volunteer, “and the determination to make it a reality.” The Oltmans hired the style. “They have big names in their collection, and unknown artists. Their taste ranges all Culver City architectural firm MDA Johnson Favaro Architecture and Urban Design over the map. It really comes from their heart.” (creators of the acclaimed new West Hollywood Library) to design the building, and WesThe tour begins in the no-frills kitchen. Arlene pulls out a prized bud vase by the ley Jessup, formerly in charge of international programs at New York’s Guggenheim, to prominent ceramicist Doyle Lane. “He’s a friend of mine,” she says. An abstract watercolor direct the museum. Jessup, who remained with PMCA until 2007 and is currently director done in grammar school by one of the Oltmans’ granddaughters hangs in a wall grouping of the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center in Longmont, Colorado, is an Alaska just inside their front entrance amidst an assortment of small plein-air paintings. This is a native who says he found Bob and Arlene to be “down-to-earth people. They were not out truly egalitarian collection. No single piece trumps any others in presentation. Amidst the to totally impress people and show off.” throng of offerings on the far living room wall hangs a work Bob bought at auction 20 The Oltmans paid in the mid-seven figures for the building, which is currently held in years ago—a handsome painting of June Lake in the Eastern Sierras, done by no less than a trust and will be bequeathed to the nonprofit museum when the Oltmans pass away. The Edgar Payne, one of the state’s early plein-air painters, whose work is featured in the museum’s annual operating budget, currently around $1.2 million dollars, is raised from museum’s main gallery until Oct. 14. private donations, including foundation grants and what Jessup calls a “significant” yearly On the opposite wall is a photorealist painting by Bob’s cousin, the painter Carol gift from the Oltmans. Lindemulder, depicting sky and palm treetops above a San Diego train station. Next to It was Jessup who suggested the Oltmans keep their art holdings private. “He visited us that is a charming pastel of a moon rising in trees by Theodore Lukits (1897–1992), a and saw the collection,” Bob recalls, sitting in a persimmon-colored leather loveseat beneath a whimsical work by Tony Cacalano, a Pittsburgh-based artist whose vividly colored and –continued on page 16 10.12 | ARROYO | 15
–continued from page 15
Romanian-born California impressionist whose estate collection was bequeathed to the Jonathan Club, where Bob, a former member, bought it at a “de-acquisitioning” auction. Around the corner is a densely hung hallway with a Sargent-like portrait of a rakish man whose pale face emerges from a dark background to light up the canvas like a fire in its midst. The artist’s name escapes Bob. “It’s a really important artist, too” he says, recalling later that it is the work of William Merritt Chase (1849–1916), a European-trained grand master and pioneer of American impressionism, who founded New York’s Chase School of Art (the forerunner of Parsons School of Design). On the opposite wall a small graphic pencil drawing stands out from the rest. Bob received it from a homeless artist and father he met in the late ’80s while volunteering at Pasadena’s Door of Hope family shelter, whose name—John Grazier—he remembers without hesitation. “They are angels,” Grazier says of the Oltmans, speaking by phone from his rural Pennsylvania studio. He stayed with them in their Pasadena home, mowing their lawn and gifting them the drawing. Trained at Washington, D.C.’s Corcoran School of Art, Gra-
“THEY HAVE BIG NAMES IN THEIR COLLECTION, AND UNKNOWN ARTISTS. THEIR TASTE RANGES ALL OVER THE MAP. IT REALLY COMES FROM THEIR HEART.” –WESLEY JESSUP, PMCA MUSEUM DIRECTOR
zier returned to D. C. and major painting commissions that put him back on his feet. He is now in the collections of the National Gallery of Art and the Chicago Art Institute. Hanging above this drawing are some of Bob’s favorite found pieces. “That’s trash,” he says, pointing to several small landscapes he found in dumpsters—the locations of which “I don’t dare say,” he jokes—assuring, “I don’t do it anymore.” The paintings, most likely by amateurs, don’t “look like this when I find them,” Bob says. “They’re all brown, yucky, they’re not framed.” “He drags these things home,” Arlene offers as a weary aside. A sizable group of framed charcoal portraits was rescued from the castoffs of Rosemead artist Walter Youngblood, which resurfaced in his estate sale. Bob even salvaged Youngblood’s jettisoned minor award certificates. The artist’s work now hangs in the same collection as that of William Merritt Chase and Edgar Payne, achieving a form of elevation by association exclusive to the art world. Bob’s attraction to such a wide variety of work goes back to his struggles with required art classes when he was an architectural student. “Painting the human form was really hard,” he says. “I never got it. I’m challenged by color.” He’s perpetually amazed at the degree to which artists “got” what he could not. “I wish I had greater ability.” Both Oltmans still sit on the museum’s board, which Bob headed for PMCA’s first three years, before stepping down when his term was finished. The current board president is San Marino businessman and art collector David Partridge. Asked how living above the museum has changed their lives, Bob offers, “I’m not interested in collecting anymore.” As for Arlene’s life atop the PMCA, “My interest in art has expanded. I’ve been exposed to a much more rich experience. I would not have taken a second look at art if it hadn’t been for Bob, but it’s been a nice thing.” The couple, though living literally in the midst of Southern California’s exploding art scene, remain humble and quite without pretension. “My father always told me you can judge a man by his shoes,” Bob says with a big smile, pointing to his feet clad in tattered white leather sneakers, toes wrapped in wide swaths of white gaffers’ tape. The interview over, the Oltmans gather their things to head out for some grocery shopping. Their destination is not Gelson’s, the upscale supermarket just down the street, but the Super King, a low-price ethnic haven off Lincoln and the 210, which they adore. Bob Oltman doesn’t change his shoes for the outing and Arlene doesn’t ask him to. |||| 16 | ARROYO | 10.12
Beckie Dixon, whose son Christopher was the youngest Marine killed in Iraq in August 2005. He had just turned 18 a few months earlier. Photographed on Veteran's Day, with his memorial flag, in Columbus, Ohio.
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WAR FROM A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE Photojournalist Marissa Roth reveals an underreported side of war in an exhibition at the Museum of Tolerance. BY SCARLET CHENG –continued on page 21
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Documentary photographer Marissa Roth at home in Los Angeles.
TOP: Doan Ngoc Tram places an incense stick by a shrine to her daughter, a doctor killed during the American War. Hanoi, Vietnam, 2012
PHOTO: Iris Schneider
BOTTOM: Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor Eva Brown received this tattoo while she was a prisoner in Auschwitz.
–continued from page 19
MARISSA ROTH TRACES THE BEGINNING OF HER 28-YEAR PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH WAR TO 1984, WHEN SHE TOOK A TRIP TO NOVI SAD, SERBIA (THEN PART OF YUGOSLAVIA), THE TOWN WHERE HER GRANDPARENTS HAD LIVED---AND DIED, MURDERED ON THEIR DOORSTEP BY ANTI-SEMITIC FASCISTS DURING WORLD WAR II. SHE HAD GONE THERE WITH HER FATHER, GEORGE ROTH, WHO HAD HAD THE FORESIGHT AND LUCK TO LEAVE EUROPE BEFORE THE WAR BEGAN AND EVENTUALLY SETTLE IN LOS ANGELES. "We went back as a family—my father, my stepmother, my two brothers and I,” the South Pasadena–based photographer says during a recent interview, “and we found the house. My father remembered the address. It had become a children’s daycare center; we knocked on the door and somehow we got inside. I was shooting color positive film.” As a photojournalist, she took her camera everywhere. As the years passed, this visit continued to haunt her. Roth also had assignments in other places where war had wreaked its devastation. In 1988 she was working in Karachi when the Associated Press bureau chief, a woman, told her about a story no one was covering—the refugee camps still filled with thousands of Afghan women and children who had fled into Pakistan to escape the 1979 Soviet invasion of their country. Afghanistan was not on the Western world’s radar at the time but, with a nose for a good story, Roth went to the border areas of Thal and Peshawar on her own, without a translator. Thal was “this dusty place with mud and straw buildings,” she recalls. “I couldn’t talk to the women, but I gestured and raised my camera and from their body language I knew it was okay.” Roth began to take photograph after photograph of the women in their grim living conditions. “I remember thinking it was so desolate, their life.” When she returned –continued on page 23 10.12 | ARROYO | 21
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ABOVE: Sebanate Berisha, a Kosovar Albanian refugee who lost all of her children in a nighttime bombing raid in Kosovo, at a refugee center with an unidentified boy
BELOW: Quilt of grief made by families from both Catholic and Protestant communities in memory of family members killed during the decades of sectarian violence in Belfast
–continued from page 21
to Los Angeles, she showed her photographs to the foreign desk at the Los Angeles Times, and they recognized a good story, too. They dispatched Mark Fineman to do the reporting, and the words and photos came together as a page one story. “It was a watershed moment for me,” says Roth, who went on to win a Pulitzer Prize as part of the LA Times photo team honored for coverage of the 1992 riots. “I think this project germinated in that moment.” Still, it took another 11 years for her to fully conceptualize what she wanted to do. In May 1999, while reporting on the refugee crisis triggered by NATO bombings of Kosovo, she also interviewed the women she photographed. “It was after the Albania trip that I thought, this is a recurring theme for me, and I should formalize it as a project.” Photographs from these and other trips have been culled into a powerful exhibition: “One Person Crying: Women and War” at L.A.’s Museum of Tolerance, which runs through Oct. 18. It’s a deeply felt, personal photo essay, her attempt, as she has said, “to reflect on war from what I consider to be an underreported perspective”: While women may not be soldiers fighting on the front lines, they can suffer the effects of war no less than men, and sometimes more. They lose children and husbands and loved ones. Their homes are destroyed and they become refugees and targets of violence, imprisonment and rape. Yet some are able to rise above it all and work for peace. Telling their story became important to Roth. “I don’t like to use the word mission, but yes, it felt that way.” She assembled the show with Howard Spector, an independent curator and director of the South Pasadena Arts Council. “What’s important is that they’re photographed from a woman’s perspective,” he says. Furthermore, these are not typical war photographs, he continues. “People shoot all sorts of gruesome body counts and things that are destroyed. In these photographs, it’s about the inner psychic damage, and the perseverance and survivorship of these women.” –continued on page 25 10.12 | ARROYO | 23
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ABOVE: Sara Duvall, whose son Aaron Reed was a Marine killed in Iraq on August 3, 2005
ABOVE: Le Thi Thu, born with Agent Orange disease, and her children—daughter Nguyen Thy Ly, with severe Agent Orange disease, and son Nguyen Quong Mung, who is healthy
BELOW: Born in Satu Mare, Romania, to a Jewish-Hungarian family that was forcibly taken to the concentration camp at Auschwitz, Cathy Weiss stood face to face with Dr. Josef Mengele
–continued from page 23
Born in L.A., Roth has lived in South Pasadena for the past seven years. “I’ve lived here longer than anywhere but my parents’ home,” she says. “I just love it here. It feels gentle, and it’s really a community.” She likes the fact that amenities such as good coffee shops and restaurants are nearby, and she regularly drops by the Thursday farmers market near the Gold Line station. For the past two decades, Roth has also been on the road for her project, finding time between jobs and piggybacking her own destinations onto assignments. She has traveled to Northern Ireland to photograph women who were involved in “The Troubles,” as the past century’s decades of sectarian conflict is known; to Hiroshima in search of survivors of the atomic bomb and its aftermath; to Columbus, Ohio, to meet with women who lost husbands and sons in the Iraq War. Last spring she traveled to Vietnam to photograph people who had lived through what they call “the American War.” In Southern California she photographed Holocaust survivors for the Museum of Tolerance, and a few of those portraits are included in the show. Exhibition captions and text tell us who these women are. There’s a portrait of Cathy Weiss, a poised elderly woman smiling at the camera, her fingers clasped before her. The text says that at 16 she came face to face at Auschwitz with Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor notorious for his cruel experiments—and lived. In another photograph a grieving Sara Duvall stands outside amid fall foliage, hugging a framed photograph of her son Aaron Reed, a Marine killed in Iraq a few months before. On the other side of the world, we see a hand holding a small vintage photograph of a man in a suit: It is the hand of Hatsuko Suzuki, whose husband was killed during World War II. She remained single the rest of her life, because that was the Japanese custom for war widows. From Vietnam comes one of the most disturbing photographs. A woman sits around a table with her young daughter and son, a quiet enough domestic scene. Yet a closer look reveals that something has happened to her face—her eyes are unusually wide apart, as are those of her daughter. They are victims of Agent Orange, a defoliating chemical the U. S. dumped on Vietnam during the war. The photograph reminds us that Agent Orange is still causing birth defects in the population. “For me Vietnam was the hardest,” Roth admits. “As an American, I felt a certain sense of responsibility for what we did there.” Indeed, the project took a toll on her psyche, but she didn’t express it till she was working on the show this summer, when she broke down and wept. Still, Roth says, “I’m very adamant that the women not be called victims. They’re survivors, they’re heroic.” |||| The Museum of Tolerance is located at 9786 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Call (310) 553-8403 or visit museumoftolerance.com. 10.12 | ARROYO | 25
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THE FABULOUS FENYES MANSION The 1906 Beaux Arts gem housing the Pasadena Museum of History reopens this month after a $1.7 million renovation.
PHTOOTO
BY BETTIJANE LEVINE
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IT HAS TAKEN THREE YEARS, $1.7 MILLION AND MANY HOURS OF FORENSIC INVESTIGATION, BUT THE FABULOUS 1906 FENYES MANSION HAS FINALLY BEEN RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY. THIS GENUINE JEWEL OF PASADENA HISTORY REOPENS TO THE PUBLIC THIS MONTH UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE PASADENA MUSEUM OF HISTORY, WHICH IS BASED ON THE PROPERTY. IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.
PHOTOS: Opposite, Thomas Holaday; this page, courtesy of the Pasadena Museum of History
The adventure begins as you leave your car, lift your eyes to the house on the hill and absorb the dignity of its Beaux Arts architecture. Sited on Orange Grove Boulevard, once known as “Millionaire’s Row” for the tycoons whose mansions lined the street, the Fenyes home is one of only two mansions that survive intact. The other is the Greene brothers’ famous Gamble House, built for an heir to the Procter & Gamble fortune. The neoclassical Fenyes home, with its sensuous symmetry, arched windows and imposing pillars indoors and out, was commissioned by the redoubtable Eva Scott Fenyes, an artist and philanthropist, for use by herself and her second husband, Dr. Adalbert Fenyes, a physician she’d met while traveling in Egypt. Eva’s house was so well conceived that three successive Fenyes generations chose to live there until 1970, when Eva’s heirs donated the mansion and its contents to the Pasadena Museum of History. The building, originally on five acres, is listed on both the National and California Registers of Historic Places. It is a monument of sorts to the woman, way ahead of her time, who built it in an era when women were not usually in charge of managing family fortunes, as she was. Her wealth came not from her husband but from her parents, and she used it exceedingly well. The house is also an homage to the contributions she made to arts and culture in Pasadena and beyond. And it is a bit of living history, its original furnishings and décor now fully restored to show the way life was lived by the one-percenters more than a century ago. “It’s been an exciting project,” says the museum’s executive director, Jeannette O’Malley, crediting the support of the Paloheimo Foundation
Early shot of the mansion
Film shoot by D.W. Griffith on the mansion grounds
run by the Fenyeses’ heirs. “The house is unlike anything built today, with its separate servants’ staircase and unusual decorative elements. The three-stage restoration revived the exterior to its original state, including a balustrade around the roofline that had been removed in the ’90s for safety reasons, due to damage by age and the elements. We also restored interior floors, walls and ceilings to their turn-of-the century condition, including colors and fabrics like those chosen by Mrs. Fenyes. In her era, before air conditioning, families of wealth summered elsewhere. Pasadena was too hot. We’ve now installed an HVAC system so the house can remain open to the public year round, and the art can be better preserved.” Eva Scott Fenyes, born in 1849, chose Robert D. Farquhar as her architect because they shared the same aesthetic. He was an Easterner trained at Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and l’École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Fenyes was the only child of a a wealthy New York publishing family, who had traveled the globe studying history, art and culture. By the time she and Adalbert (she had divorced her first husband, an unusual move in those days) settled in Pasadena for its balmy climate, she was an accomplished watercolor artist, linguist and businesswoman—and a major landowner who continued to maximize her investments throughout her life. Together, architect Farquhar and millionaire Eva Fenyes created a house so magisterial that it has been cast as a stand-in for the White House in TV series such as The West Wing, and in films such as Being There with Peter Sellers. And yet, the house, at 10,000 square feet, is not exactly huge by mansion standards. It might even be considered –continued on page 30 10.12 | ARROYO | 29
Interior of the studio
Family on the lawn of the Fenyes Mansion in 1911 (l to r) Eva Scott Fenyes (age 62), Leonora Curtin (32),“Babsie” (8) and Dr.Adalbert Fenyes (48).
Early exterior of Fenyes Mansion
cozy. Fenyes, in one of her many futuristic moves, had decided to downsize. She was middle-aged by the time she built this house, and a larger previous home had burned down. Her only daughter was married and living elsewhere, her arthritis was beginning to bother her and she wanted someplace comfortable where she, her husband and the servants wouldn’t have to be constantly running up and down stairs. The house has separate ground-floor bed-and-bath suites for Eva and her husband, a medical doctor and entomologist. Four bed-and-bath suites are upstairs for use by visiting family and guests. Servants’ quarters adjoin the kitchen on the main floor, and an additional house for the chauffeur and gardener are also on the grounds. When it reopens, all the original furnishings will be in place. Walls have been recovered in fabric. The mahogany and other woods on walls and floors have been refinished. After forensic analysis, the original deep shades of green and blue paint chosen by Eva Fenyes at the turn of the century have been deciphered, and the rooms have been repainted in those precise shades. Heavy draperies will cover the windows, as they did in 1906 when she first furnished the home. Arroyo Monthly’s tour of the house took place just before all these furnishings were reinstalled, and the house, without its period furnishings, seems quite appropriate for contemporary living. It has great “bones,” with spaces that are large but not cavernous, a practical floor plan and graceful oversize windows that cast cheerful light in every room. When Eva’s only child, Leonora, became a young widow, she moved back into her mother’s Pasadena home with her own small daughter, also named Leonora. Eva built them a separate house, still standing, on the grounds. Eva continued her travels, investments, philanthropy and painting right up until her death in 1930. She painted for pleasure and did not exhibit her work, but her faithful images cataloguing the Southwest’s early structures apparently had more than amateur significance. More than 300 of Eva Scott Fenyes’ watercolors depicting California adobes and missions are housed in The Braun Research Library Collection of the Autry National Center. The museum’s website states: “Many of these adobes are no longer standing, and in the case of some historic buildings, a Fenyes painting is the only image that still exists.” 30 | ARROYO | 10.12
Fenyes’ interests included music, literature and theater. She befriended and supported Pasadena’s burgeoning cadre of artists and writers, hosted musicales and salons in her home and was active in Pasadena’s philanthropic life. A close friend of Charles Lummis, who founded the Southwest Museum, she served on its board of trustees, as did her daughter and granddaughter in later years. (Her daughter, Leonora Curtin, and her granddaughter, Leonora Curtin Paloheimo, continued on the board through the 1980s.) Eva left her entire estate to her widowed daughter, Leonora Curtin, who inherited her mother’s appetite for knowledge and philanthropy. An avid naturalist, she studied the medicinal and nutritional values of plants used by Native Americans and early Spanish settlers. The Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve in New Mexico, where the family has extensive land holdings, is named for her. Eva’s granddaughter, the younger Leonora (called “Babsie” as a child), also carried on the matriarch’s tradition of good works. She married Finnish diplomat Yrjo Paloheimo and they lived with their four children in Eva Fenyes’ Pasadena mansion, where they also established the first Finnish consulate in the Western U.S. She and her husband continued to expand the family’s holdings in New Mexico, where they founded a 700-acre living museum, El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Yrjo Paloheimo died in 1986 and his wife in 1999, but the Paloheimo Foundation continues to support various museums and cultural institutions in Southern California and New Mexico, including the Pasadena Museum of History and the Southwest Museum. Eva’s journals, ledgers, letters, sketchbooks and all sorts of personal paraphernalia are curated by the Pasadena Museum of History, headquartered on the grounds of the Fenyes mansion. It is here that one can reimagine, for just a little while, the Pasadena that once was, and the life of Eva Fenyes, who helped shape the city’s history more than a century ago. |||| The Pasadena Museum of History is located at 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena. Call (626) 577-1660 or visit pasadenahistory.org.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of the Pasadena Museum of History
–continued from page 29
™
arroyo ~HOME SALES INDEX~ JULY 2012
+2.0% 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.
JULY ’12 29 $465,000 1547 JULY ’12 27 $745,000 1678 JULY ’12 24 $468,500 1312 JULY ’12 113 $500,000 1458 JULY ’12 17 $917,000 2231 JULY ’12 145 $530,000 1390 JULY ’12 20 $1,774,500 2992 JULY ’12 7 $878,000 1836 JULY ’12 24 $722,500 1774 JULY ’12 406 $399
RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE ARROYO FOOTPRINT CLOSE DATE PRICE
BDRMS.
SOURCE: CalREsource SQ. FT.
YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE
PREV. SOLD
ALTADENA
406 394
AVG. PRICE/SQ. FT.
2012
HOME SALES ABOVE $750,000 ADDRESS
HOMES SOLD
-3.0%
aug HOMES SOLD
HOME SALES
SPONSORED BY
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
S
2101 Roosevelt Avenue
08/08/12
$789,000
3
2254
1952
$855,000
06/26/2006
21
3115 Maiden Lane
08/17/12
$970,000
4
2477
1926
$335,000
03/06/1998
31
1218 East Mendocino Street
08/07/12
$1,090,000
4
2148
1927
$765,000
02/28/2002
12
3917 Lilac Canyon Lane
08/09/12
$1,450,000
6
5128
2001
$1,620,000
03/21/2007
39
400 East Las Flores Avenue
08/17/12
$770,000
5
2303
1950
$270,000
10/27/1995
17
1755 Claridge Street
08/17/12
$795,000
6
$780,000
09/21/2006
40
400 Coyle Avenue
08/01/12
$824,000
3
1745
1956
$760,000
10/01/2009
17
1706 La Ramada Avenue
08/27/12
$848,000
3
1759
1958
$815,000
06/24/2005
11
1120 Greenfield Avenue
08/01/12
$855,000
3
2006
1955
1031 Don Diablo Drive
08/10/12
$860,000
5
3015
1969
$510,000
07/16/2002
10
10 Ontare Road
08/22/12
$938,000
3
1726
1954
$385,000
02/24/1995
14
143 Eldorado Street
08/15/12
$950,000
5
3107
1957
24
246 Angelo Place
08/28/12
$1,180,000
4
3200
1960
18
1835 Wilson Avenue
08/23/12
$1,200,000
3
2266
1954
2331 South 2nd Avenue
08/09/12
$1,230,000
3
2255
1948
1770 Oakwood Avenue
08/29/12
$1,250,000
3
2542
1948
2121 South Santa Anita Avenue
08/08/12
$1,280,000
3
2406
1941
1101 San Carlos Road
08/13/12
$1,320,000
3
2592
1956
$1,500,000
11/15/2011
13
1301 San Carlos Road
08/06/12
$1,600,000
5
3926
1951
$830,000
07/27/1989
7
7 Bishop Court
08/03/12
$1,630,000
5
4917
1995
$1,600,000
11/27/2007
16
1646 Perkins Drive
08/15/12
$1,800,000
5
4573
1999
$820,000
09/28/2000
16
1618 Rodeo Road
08/10/12
$2,678,000
4
4998
2006
$2,900,000
08/07/2009
15
1511 Glenmont Drive
08/15/12
$750,000
4
2934
1949
$360,000
04/06/1994
1385 Greenmont Drive
08/07/12
$759,500
3
2118
1958
3619 Las Palmas Avenue
08/27/12
$760,000
3
1998
1925
$490,000
11/05/2002
14
1629 Country Club Drive
08/09/12
$769,000
2
2315
1932
$587,000
02/12/2002
14
1420 El Rito Avenue
08/22/12
$782,000
2
1771
1940
$198,500
06/20/1988
62
1462 Belleau Road
08/14/12
$790,000
4
2862
1960
626 Robin Glen Drive
08/08/12
$811,000
2
2683
1963
$1,300,000
10/13/2006
27
2154 Ashington Drive
08/03/12
$830,000
5
3422
1967
$815,000
10/01/2002
14
2737 Valle Vista Drive
08/03/12
$835,000
3
2548
1971
$338,000
05/04/1987
11
1471 Royal Boulevard
08/07/12
$860,000
3
2370
1949
$335,000
02/18/1987
26
1138 Irving Avenue
08/23/12
$863,000
7
3821
1978
$850,000
04/21/2004
18
2617 Hollister Terrace
08/08/12
$864,000
3
2774
1931
$1,075,000
10/23/2006
31
1860 Maginn Drive
08/09/12
$875,000
4
2457
1961
$100,000
05/28/1976
33
3100 Buckingham Road
08/13/12
$910,500
6
$515,000
04/20/2012
35
3391 Oakmont View Drive
08/01/12
$924,500
5
4802
1981
$1,600,000
10/30/2007
21
3505 Fallenleaf Place
08/23/12
$965,000
4
3070
1986
$649,000
04/29/2002
74
2131 Rimcrest Drive
08/07/12
$1,050,000
5
5522
1986
740 Faircourt Lane
08/14/12
$1,150,000
3111 Paddington Road
08/17/12
$1,180,000
5
3384
1967
1973 Calafia Street
08/16/12
$1,250,000
5
4236
2001
$812,000
06/12/2002
56
1800 Cielito Drive
08/09/12
$1,375,000
3
3041
1961
$1,000,000
06/16/2009
48
5633 Stardust Road
08/22/12
$865,000
4
1944
1958
$835,000
06/22/2012
4859 Oakwood Avenue
08/14/12
$1,790,000
3
3502
1947
$1,550,000
07/24/2003
4809 Hillard Avenue
08/07/12
$1,910,000
4
3047
1951
4808 Burgoyne Lane
08/10/12
$750,000
3
1124
1950
$295,000
08/14/1987
4528 El Camino Corto
08/24/12
$775,000
4
1616 Leycross Drive
08/10/12
$785,000
3
1598
1951
$200,000
08/22/1986
383 Santa Inez Way
08/28/12
$833,000
5
$850,000
02/28/2008
2220 Los Amigos Street
08/15/12
$892,000
2
40
ARCADIA
10
23 $1,260,000
06/03/2011
17
21
11
13
GLENDALE
36
16
21
31
19
18
48
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE
48
45
16
38
22
1840
52
57
21
1953
52
continued on page 32
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.
46
51
10
49
42
52
88
38
31
50
95
86
66
10.12 | ARROYO | 31
continued from page 31
HOME SALES ABOVE $750,000 RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE ARROYO FOOTPRINT ADDRESS
CLOSE DATE PRICE
BDRMS.
SOURCE: CalREsource SQ. FT.
YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE
PREV. SOLD
LA CAĂ‘ADA FLINTRIDGE 5259 Castle Road
08/24/12
$910,000
3
2211
1953
5702 Catherwood Drive
08/17/12
$1,035,000
3
2261
1966
$135,000
05/19/1978
2110 Chimneysmoke Road
08/09/12
$1,057,000
3
2306
1954
5222 Stardust Road
08/08/12
$1,090,000
3
2287
1957
4639 El Camino Corto
08/22/12
$1,120,000
4
2269
1961
$1,015,000
10/29/2004
5180 Princess Anne Road
08/13/12
$1,125,000
4
2431
1951
$1,125,000
04/14/2011
1012 Wiladonda Drive
08/02/12
$1,185,000
3
2254
1947
$470,000
04/22/1994
4958 Alta Canyada Road
08/07/12
$1,340,000
7
4258 Shepherds Lane
08/03/12
$1,650,000
4
3458
1950
$1,650,000
08/02/2012
5211 Harter Lane
08/17/12
$1,650,000
4
3816
1995
887 Monarch Drive
08/03/12
$1,725,000
3
5520
1986
$1,995,000
11/28/2006
3889 Hampstead Road
08/29/12
$1,760,000
9
314 Oriole Road
08/28/12
$1,912,500
5
5036 Walmar Avenue
08/23/12
$2,150,000
6
951 Descanso Drive
08/28/12
$2,575,000
5
860 Greenridge Drive
08/17/12
$3,100,000
4
$1,195,000
03/19/2001
$1,850,000
07/26/2011
4301
1949
$880,000
12/10/2003
5120
2008
$2,775,000
01/06/2009
2000
$4,250,000
07/11/2007
PASADENA 480 South Orange Grove Blvd #10
08/28/12
$760,000
2
2020
1972
$450,000
07/25/2003
2175 East Orange Grove Blvd
08/10/12
$765,000
3
2142
1938
$415,000
02/25/2000
$107,500
04/25/1986
6
3045
1937
$115,000
01/17/1985
1613 Bellford Avenue
08/29/12
$770,000
1415 Bresee Avenue
08/09/12
$775,000
437 South Orange Grove Blvd #1
08/10/12
$800,000
2
2102
1970
$300,000
09/09/1996
108 South El Molino Avenue #302
08/21/12
$800,000
3
1811
2004
$590,000
06/07/2004
1460 Cheviotdale Drive
08/29/12
$800,000
2
1992
1949
$483,000
04/06/1999
459 Juniper Drive
08/23/12
$815,000
5
541 Avon Avenue
08/13/12
$820,000
3
1597
1923
2
1726
1962
1199 Romney Drive
08/21/12
$828,000
1144 Avoca Avenue
08/10/12
$879,000
$818,500
03/16/2012
$213,000
06/06/2001
$790,000
06/18/2008
$741,000
06/30/2004
3855 Greenhill Road
08/13/12
$900,000
2
2288
1949
$569,500
11/08/2002
1424 Linda Vista Avenue
08/07/12
$908,000
2
1803
1946
$810,500
03/21/2011
635 Cliff Drive
08/03/12
$925,000
3
2259
1948
$385,000
04/20/2001
1484 Arroyo View Drive
08/15/12
$950,000
8
619 South Grand Avenue
08/23/12
$951,000
4
3246
1907
537 California Terrace
08/17/12
$995,000
3
1359
1908
$693,000
12/16/2004
3180 Orlando Road
08/10/12
$998,000
2
1879
1948
$329,000
08/16/1995
657 South Lake Avenue
08/16/12
$1,125,000
4
2829
1923
875 South Grand Avenue
08/28/12
$1,128,500
8
$595,000
01/05/2000
1488 Rose Villa Street
08/03/12
$1,210,000
5
2764
1919
1089 Prospect Boulevard
08/07/12
$1,350,000
4
3491
1923
$1,740,000
04/10/2007
1422 El Mirador Drive
08/09/12
$1,462,500
5
3902
1987
$800,000
11/09/1990
748 Laguna Road
08/24/12
$1,475,000
8
$730,000
03/30/2000
817 South Oakland Avenue
08/14/12
$1,480,000
4
2486
1922
$1,250,000
04/28/2004
1099 Prospect Boulevard
08/23/12
$1,550,000
4
2866
1923
$791,500
04/27/2000
1705 Winding Way
08/01/12
$1,570,000
0
1
393 South Sierra Bonita Ave
08/03/12
$1,880,000
5
3126
1926
$540,000
02/02/1995
534 Palmetto Drive
08/20/12
$2,000,000
4
4315
1902
$1,243,500
04/13/1994
775 Holladay Road
08/10/12
$4,125,000
7
5905
1926
SAN MARINO 485 Plymouth Road
08/09/12
$998,000
3
1726
1931
$1,100,000
05/07/2008
1380 Lorain Road
08/17/12
$1,030,000
4
1932
1941
$156,000
09/19/1978
1975 Robin Road
08/29/12
$1,077,000
2
1528
1938
$1,052,000
03/31/2010
2520 Cumberland Road
08/14/12
$1,100,000
3
1937
1930
$1,080,000
09/18/2009
1886 Alpine Drive
08/28/12
$1,150,000
4
2141
1934
$280,000
01/09/1986
$1,100,000
04/30/2004
2765 Ardmore Road
08/17/12
$1,232,000
4
2306
1928
2570 Wetherby Road
08/27/12
$1,260,000
2
2024
1948
1418 Wilson Avenue
08/22/12
$1,275,000
8
0
1210 Huntington Drive
08/10/12
$1,280,000
3
1682
1949
1330 Belhaven Road
08/17/12
$1,320,000
4
2636
1950
$615,000
07/15/1997
1290 Winston Avenue
08/03/12
$1,390,000
3
2693
1938
$275,000
12/19/1983
1260 Lorain Road
08/27/12
$1,490,000
4
2374
1932
$620,000
08/19/1992
2371 Cumberland Road
08/20/12
$1,590,000
3
2422
1930
$730,000
11/30/2001
2112 Adair Street
08/06/12
$1,625,000
4
3146
1933 $1,350,000
06/29/2004
2175 Homet Road
08/29/12
$1,720,000
3
3039
1929
1057 Roanoke Road
08/15/12
$1,775,000
5
3534
1937
3237
1957
2197 East California Blvd
08/24/12
$1,938,000
3
635 Winston Avenue
08/06/12
$2,150,000
9
1190 Lorain Road
08/24/12
$2,379,000
4
3375
625 Chester Avenue
08/27/12
$2,398,000
4
3387
1420 Wilson Avenue
08/01/12
$2,700,000
9
1348 Waverly Road
08/24/12
$3,400,000
4
4686
$1,800,000
06/08/2007
$1,900,000
02/04/2010
1940
$2,325,000
05/18/2006
1952
$1,298,000
01/29/2002
$1,200,000
04/05/2001
$2,665,000
04/29/2005
1931
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
3980
1905
571 Sierra Meadows Drive
08/27/12
$1,253,000
5
435 Fairview Avenue
08/14/12
$1,925,000
6
$1,300,000
09/02/2004
$950,000
06/09/2009
SOUTH PASADENA
32 | ARROYO | 10.12
813 Oneonta Drive
08/24/12
$760,000
4
2066
1988
805 Garfield Avenue
08/17/12
$865,000
3
1669
1923
1633 Maple Street
08/28/12
$950,000
3
2023
1965
$452,000
12/20/2000
1525 Ramona Avenue
08/03/12
$1,200,000
4
2474
1908
$1,300,000
08/01/2006
2048 Edgewood Drive
08/01/12
$1,695,000
6
3218
1925
$218,000
06/22/1979
arroyo HOME & DESIGN SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
JUST PASSING THROUGH AN ANECDOTAL GUIDE TO DOOR AND WINDOW DESIGN
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: My first impression, walking up to her house, was the door. It was the grass, too, that spread away from the winding path, and the tall purple and small golden flowers that were waving in the wind, but all these led me to the door and the door seemed to trail them out like ribbons, so everything was a part of that door. First impressions are never wrong, they say. I don’t know if that’s invariably true, but it was true for me on this approach and entrance into an unfamiliar home. “Look at this wood,” I said to a friend, who accompanied me. I put my hand on the surface while he rang the bell. The wood was stained a deep brown like the deepest darkest earth and from the shadowy creases in that texture I thought I could smell and feel old mossy forests. The copper cladding around the door handle had grown a mottled green patina. “Do you like it?” asked the owner, as she invited us in and noticed my hungry eyes on that wood.“The wood’s from an old forest in Poland, near where my husband used to live, a hundred years ago must have been! We found it before we moved in here and sent it back to a millworker. He added the hardware. It’s from Germany, I think. Very, very old.”
BY JOANNA DEHN BERESFORD
I visited Mrs. Z- because I had discovered that she knew my father when he was young, which to me is like knowing God from way back. My visit was familial – I wanted to learn more –continued on page 35 10.12 | ARROYO | 33
34 | ARROYO | 10.12
—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—
–continued from page 33 about my dad, his youth, etc. – but it was also professional, because I wanted to examine her vast and storied collection of artwork and design. Particularly the doors and windows in her home, due to the nature of this article. BEYOND WALLS: Mrs. Z’s foothills home demonstrates an unassailable truth for homeowners: while it’s important to establish strong walls and a sturdy roof over your head, some of the most important aspects of your residence lie in the details. Doors and windows, specifically, provide the interface between you and the exterior world, serve essential practical and aesthetic purposes, and often represent symbolic notions related to the home and to life itself. But, like most elements of residential design, doors and windows don’t manifest themselves. Mrs. Z- and her husband collected many of the materials that substantiate their home, and cultivated the (sporadically deliberate) leitmotif that defines the place. Ultimately however, they relied on –continued on page 37
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–continued from page 35 collaboration with skilled craftspeople and designers to realize their visions. Because it takes a village, often a global village, to raise a home. Whether you scavenge the world for sacred materials, or seek fresh stores from suppliers; whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one; whether you develop your own design theme or engage an expert decorator to assist you; whether patching a screen or producing a complex, domestic drama of exits, entrances and points of view – you will most likely rely upon some assistance from professionals when making choices about the doors and windows in your home. The best collaboration begins with questions and you should ask yourself and your colleagues these: • How and by whom is each area of your home used? • How should doors and windows function in these areas? • What kind of design aesthetic do you want to create in these spaces? • What environmental concerns (light, temperature, energy efficiency) will you consider? • What’s your budget? CLARITY OF VISION Mrs. Z- led us through a sitting room spilling over with books, potted ferns, ornately framed paintings and photographs, cushions and tasseled pillows and candelabra - a flea market of the western world, essentially. A painted bird perched on a pedestal between a pair of French doors. Afternoon light poured through the glass, illuminating the room. “Be careful,” she whispered, reaching for a golden handle.“These doors open inward. Why do doors always open inward? Makes it so hard to get out.” She’s right. Exterior doors typically open into the house, leading from public to private space. But Mrs. Z- said that given the choice she’d rather burst out upon a garden than into a living room or entryway. She tried to convince her husband and the guy who hung the doors thirty years ago to reverse the hinging mechanism but they both refused. She didn’t –continued on page 39
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—ADVERTISING —ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT— SUPPLEMENT—
–continued from page 37 say why. Actually, French doors usually swing both ways (which statement demands a wink and a nod) but I didn’t tell her this because it seemed disrespectful toward Mr. Z- and his installer. Anyway, she said, she didn’t care about the doors; she just wanted lots of windows in their house, a clear view of the yard and the mountains beyond. Several years ago the Z-‘s son had all the windows in the house replaced with energy smart glass. Something like 20 billion square feet of flat glass is manufactured globally every year, and much of the production involves new light- and energy-efficient technologies. Suspended particles, electrochromics, and conductive coating materials take traditional ideas of storm windows, double panes and sealants to new levels of efficiency. Some alternatives require extensive retrofitting or replacement; others can enhance existing glass. Prices vary, of course, depending on the scope of the project. Mrs. Z’s son lives in the desert, she says, and his whole house is made of glass. Windows from floor to ceiling and some of them disappear into the walls so there aren’t any walls to be seen, just the desert flowing down from the house into the valley. I tell her that’s common now, disappearing glass walls. She says they could have used those disappearing walls –continued on page 40
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—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—
–continued from page 39 years ago when her parents were taken away to a concentration camp. Bergen-Belsen, where Anne Frank died. We drink coffee and talk about our families, past and present, and Mrs. Z shares old photos with me. Later we stand at the old, Polish wood door again, and I promise to return soon and to send her a copy of my article. What’s it about again, she asks, and I tell her: doors and windows. She smiles and says that’s very good, doors and windows, because we pass through so many of them in our lives. AMHD
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PAST PERFECT Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott's A Noise Within repertory theater company celebrates a smashing inaugural season in Pasadena.
JULIA RODRIGUEZ-ELLIOTT AND GEOFF ELLIOTT, FOUNDERS AND CO--PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTORS OF THE MUCH-LAUDED A NOISE WITHIN THEATER COMPANY, MAKE AN ATTRACTIVE COUPLE. RODRIGUEZ-ELLIOTT—DARK HAIR, DARK EYES,VIVID RED LIPSTICK— IS PETITE,VIVACIOUS AND QUICK OF SPEECH, HER WORDS SHAPED BY A TRAINED ACTOR’S ENUNCIATION AND JUST A HINT OF HER FAMILY’S CUBAN HERITAGE. HER HUSBAND,TALL, BLUE-
BY LYNNE HEFFLEY
EYED BLOND ELLIOTT, HAS THE SAME CLEAR ACTOR’S DELIVERY, BUT THE FORMER KENTUCKIAN SPEAKS AT A MORE LEISURELY
PHOTO: Daniel Reichert Photography
PACE, WITH THE BAREST SUGGESTION OF A SOUTHERN DRAWL. Amid a smattering of unpacked boxes and stacks of books awaiting shelving, the Elliotts sit at a rustic wooden table in the sunny dining room of their new Pasadena home, a lightfilled 1924 California bungalow in the Historic Highlands Landmark District. With shared laughter and obvious mutual respect, they are discussing their lives together and A Noise Within’s recent and triumphant rebirth in their adopted city. Widely considered to be the region’s leading professional classical theater company, and among just a handful of such resident repertory theaters in the country dedicated to classic literature for the stage, A Noise Within—an allusion to a stage direction in Hamlet—is an unlikely success story. The company, which now proudly bills itself as “California’s home for the classics,” began in 1991 as a 99-seat theater in a historic and cavernous Masonic temple in Glendale. “When we started,” Rodriguez-Elliott said, “everybody thought we would fail, because of the classics and the repertory rotation, but I think from the very beginning we struck a chord with the community.” The Elliotts were theater majors in 1980 at the University of Florida in Gainesville when they met. It was home turf for then-sophomore Rodriguez-Elliott, who had grown up in Miami. Geoff Elliott had transferred as a junior from the University of Kentucky. After graduation, the couple earned MFAs from San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre, where repertory theater and classic literature were “so much a part of our training,” Rodriguez-Elliott said, “and we both felt such a deep connection with it, that it was hard to imagine doing anything else.” Still, classical repertory theater isn’t the norm, and for good reason: “It’s difficult to do, there’s no doubt about it,” Elliott said. “You’re multiplying your efforts in terms of intensity and difficulty, and that demands a lot of an institution,” Rodriguez-Elliott said, “everything from scheduling to building shows and opening them every two weeks. There’s no rest.” “But we find that it’s so worth it,” her husband said. “I believe that collaboration is inherent in the arts, but particularly in theater,” continued Rodriguez-Elliott. “With repertory, it’s really like collaboration on steroids. It’s never about one single show. It’s about what we’re trying to do with any given season, and that extends to the actors, the directors and the designers. Everybody is engaged in that collaborative process.” The challenge is making the work relevant, taking classic material and making it speak to today’s audiences, whether you set it in a modern context or not, she noted. The company’s emphasis on the classics doesn’t preclude contemporary works. Sarah Ruhl’s modern take on Eurydice opens in March. Last season’s presentation of The Illusion, –continued on page 42 10.12 | ARROYO | 41
Tony Kushner’s free adaptation of a work by 17thcentury playwright Pierre Corneille, may become a “permanent fixture of the repertoire,” Rodriguez-Elliott said. Even A Noise Within’s popular production of Michael Frayn’s 1982 backstage farce, Noises Off, which the company reprised last season, fits into the mix “because it’s the essence of the spirit of the artist and of the spirit of theater,” she said. In a way, Elliott said, A Noise Within may owe its record of financial stability partly to the very repertory format so many producers avoid. With multiple productions, staggered openings and a roL-R: Diana Gonzalez-Morret, Susan Angelo, Geoff Elliott, tating performance schedule, he said, engaged audiand Jill Hill in ence members can return to see the next offering on Antony and Cleopatra the schedule before their interest has waned, even if a title is unfamiliar. Audience members can also become invested in actors they see on stage year after year. For instance, Rodriguez-Elliott said, some of the company’s patrons have followed veteran A Noise Within resident actor Deborah Strang for 20 years. That kind of audience interest “is not nearly as inherent in organizations where you just go show by show,” she said. A Noise Within’s resident company consists of 18 actors and designers, a few, like Strang, there from the beginning. Others have racked up 12 years and counting, Elliott said. “And there’s a strength in that,” his wife observed. “We get into rehearsal and we all have the vocabulary, we know each other and we can get to the work. People who come in as guest artists, I think and hope, immediately feel that embrace. They bring their own energy and ideas, and they feel a sense of comfort and safety in this creative environment. That’s what we’re always shooting for anyway.” The Elliotts took their first leap of faith in 1996 when they turned their small operation into a 148-seat midsize Equity theater. But their Glendale venue was leased property and, bolstered by an enthusiastic subscribership and frequent critical acclaim, the couple began to dream of the next step: a permanent home for their theater. In October 2011, after a successful capital campaign had defied the faltering economy and raised nearly $13.5 million for construction, that improbable dream came true: The Elliotts launched their 20th-anniversary season in their spanking new, 33,000-square-foot, three-story A Noise Within facility on Foothill Boulevard in East Pasadena. Situated in the former Stuart Pharmaceutical building—a landmark 1950s design by architect Edward Durell Stone—the theater kept intact the building’s original façade of lattice-like decorative concrete, fronted by a Thomas Church–designed landscape garden and pool. Inside, patrons take stairs or an elevator from an expansive lobby down to the state-of-the art theater, which features a generous thrust stage, a 40-foot-wide, 20-foot-tall proscenium and raked seating for 283. There is rehearsal space, a costume room, offices, a classroom, library, storage space for props and scenery, plus ample free parking behind the theater in the Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line Metro parking structure. By any measure, A Noise Within’s inaugural season in Pasadena was a success. It
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played to 90 percent capacity. Subscriptions nearly doubled. Single ticket sales jumped by 42 percent. The company’s substantial educational programs, too, continue to complement classroom curricula for middle and high school students with resident artist programs, study guides and professional development for teachers. In July, A Noise Within’s “Classics Live!” programs bringing students to the theater received a $50,000 grant from the Pasadena-based Rose Hills Foundation and a $25,000 Shakespeare for a New Generation grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with Arts Midwest. “It was a great first year,” Rodriguez-Elliott said, “but it was an incredibly stressful first year. There’s a muscle memory to being in a facility for a really long time. You know its strengths and weaknesses. All of a sudden, it’s all new and you’re trying to have artistic output while you’re trying to understand technically how it all works.” “That fall was a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride for all of us,” her husband agreed. In March, with a new production of Antony and Cleopatra that the couple co-directed and Elliott headlined in, “we began to feel at home,” Elliott said. “It was that feeling of oxygen getting back into the body, and feeling anchored.” Now, they say, their mission is to continue growing the audience and keep the momentum going. A Noise Within’s second season in Pasadena recently opened with Shakespeare’s Cymbeline and George Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilemma playing in repertory. Elliott’s adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol rounds out the year in December. The season picks up again in March with an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, followed by Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice and Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of George Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Stratagem. The theater the couple founded with $3,000 from their savings account “has meant incredible joys and difficulties and everything in between,” Elliott said. Yes, both husband and wife acknowledge that they have artistic differences, “but not as often as one might think,” he noted. “We’ve been with each other long enough, and perhaps we know ourselves well enough, to know when our egos are getting in the way,” Elliott continued. “It’s great to have a relationship in which you both care passionately about something that is always a work in progress. It’s something that you’re always working on, thinking about and deepening and allowing to grow. I think that helps the relationship to deepen and grow.” “If you say that these people work together 24/7 and they’re married,” RodriguezElliott added, “it sounds like a nightmare. But we met in the theater and it’s always been part of the mix.” |||| A Noise Within is located at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 356-3100 or visit anoisewithin.org for tickets and information.
PHOTO: Top, Craig Schwartz; bottom, Michael Gutstadt
–continued from page 41
KITCHEN CONFESSIONS
BOOOOOO! You want to see something scary? How about middle-aged revelers in sexy Halloween costumes? STORY BY LESLIE BILDERBACK | PHOTOS BY CLAIRE BILDERBACK
I miss Halloween. I know it’s still on the calendar, but the kids are
fat!?” Gone are the days of clever costumes, spooky decorations
too “mature” for trick-or-treating now, and buying a bag of candy
and cheesy crafts. Sure, I could still participate as an adult, but
is scarier than any haunted house, inevitably unleashing the horri-
the magic is lost with the first eyeball roll. Being a grown-up really
fying fury of the teenage girl. “Mom! Are you trying to make me
blows at this time of year. Which leads me to: THE TOP 10 THINGS YOU CAN’T DO ANYMORE AT HALLOWEEN BECAUSE YOU’RE ALL GROWN UP 1. Trick or Treat There is something magical about ringing a stranger’s doorbell. It’s the one time of year snooping is tolerated, and value judgments are the order of the day. We get to see who lives where, how they decorate their foyer and what they consider appropriate dooropening attire. If you’re good and keep careful records, you’ll know which houses are worth the trouble. You can avoid the raisin boxes and Dum Dums (the bait-and-switch of all Halloween candy—a lollipop too small to be of any use other than to taunt your tastebuds into wanting a Tootsie Roll) and head straight for the house with mini Snickers. But now that I have figured this out, I am out of the trick-or-treating business. And apparently kids these days are just too cool. I trick-or-treated all four years of high school. Of course we did it on the local college campus’ fraternity row, which yielded more phone numbers than candy bars. This is not something I encourage, except to say that in my day we still embraced the occasion. 2. Eat Candy Of course, it’s still possible to do so, but ill-advised. The sugar buzz--crash is much worse for me now—candy quickly produces an undeniable urge to nap. It’s clearly an age thing. In college I relied on a bag of Jolly Ranchers to get me through the most boring lectures, thwarting the inevitable doze that would result in my handwritten notes dribbling off the page in an incoherent trail. If I tried that today I would be the one dribbling, face down on the desk, sawing logs in a puddle of my own drool. I have learned to avoid such concentrated doses of sugar, even at the movies, where a handful of Junior Mints, in combination with the dark room and comfy chairs, means I’m going to sleep through half the show. If someone wanted to torture information out of me, they need only feed me a cup of Whoppers and force me to sit up straight, until the glucose coursing through my veins peters out, and my eyelids feel heavy. At that point I will say anything for a pillow. 3. Dress Up As a kid I repeatedly tried to win the annual costume contest, with the help of my mom and her superior sewing skills. But I always lost out to the kid who climbed into a cardboard box painted to look like a TV. So unfair. When my kids were trick or treating, adults in costume for the neighborhood promenade were de rigueur. Parents who stood on the sidewalk in their chinos and Members Only jackets had clearly accepted their role –continued on page 45 10.12 | ARROYO | 43
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KITCHEN CONFESSIONS
–continued from page 43 as bystander. Not me. I was an active participant. Sure, there were years when my costume was thrown together at the last minute, usually consisting of my chef coat, which, now that I think about it, was pretty lame. 4. Egg a House This is, of course, an illegal act and, accordingly, something I do not condone. Still, in my youth it was considered a socially acceptable, anonymous way to voice opposition. As a kid my wrath was focused on the neighborhood bullies. Meek and cowardly, my friends and I used Halloween as an annual opportunity to exact revenge for routine harassment. Relatively harmless, a well-thrown egg is the strongest statement a good citizen can make against local ne’er-do-wells. No Internet campaign can compete with a conspicuously placed, slowly drying yolk on the front window. 5. TP a House Though superficially similar to egging, TPing was intended to bestow honor, rather than disapproval. Indeed, when I was a teenager a toilet-papered house was the most coveted indicator of high social status. It meant that not only were other kids thinking about you, but they were willing to spend money and brave the midnight fog, police cruisers and insomniac parents to tell you just how important you were. Sure, parents hated it. Especially after the morning dew effectively plastered toilet paper to the driveway like a bad papier-mâché project. I tried unsuccessfully to instill this idea in my kids and their friends, but it never sold. Apparently they were either too timid—or too responsible—to buy in. It seems that such events are frowned upon in their circles. I can’t believe they never recognized the publicity potential of a well-hung TP canopy. 6. A Good Scare Jumping out from behind bushes was hilarious as a kid. Screams turned into giggles, followed by admiration for well-timed terror. Now, of course, I run the risk of tears, assault or indictment. Still, there is nothing funnier. 7. The Monster Mash Today the standard Halloween song is Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” I must admit it is apt, as the guy was pretty creepy. But “The Monster Mash,” Bobby Pickett’s 1962 novelty song, actually made it to the Billboard Hot 100 and was played endlessly on the radio every October for the next 20 years. Kids these days fail to appreciate the cheese and find it annoying. You know what I find annoying? Lack of musical taste. 8. Bob for Apples The deeper you are willing to dunk your head, the cooler you are. The trick is to jam the apple down against the bottom of the bucket to get a good lock on it. But kids today are too worried about their Bieber Bangs to give it the necessary effort. 9. Eat Caramel Apples
Caramel Dipping Sauce for the Orthodontically Challenged When the prospect of biting into a caramel apple seems juvenile (or ill-advised), use this recipe to sate your Halloween sweet tooth (and keep said tooth in your head).
Apples coated in gooey caramel are a culinary match made in heaven—and a boon for orthodontists. If I chewed a chunk off of one of these sweet treats now, I could help put my dentist’s kids through college. The only way for me to enjoy this taste sensation is to make a caramel dipping sauce, and slice the apples into bite-size wedges. It won’t be long before I’ll have to just purée it all together in a blender. 10. Dress Like a Skanky Ho When you’ve got a hot young body, it’s your duty to display it in the annual donning of the sexy costume. And there are sexy versions of every conceivable costume—the sexy witch, the sexy cat, the sexy pirate, the sexy mummy. Even the guys used to tart it up. The Chippendale dancer was a popular costume in the ’80s, and I knew a group of guys who dressed as condoms, in wet suits with Ziploc bags on their heads. Adult-themed costumes were fun when being an adult was new. The only reason to try that now would be to terrify the neighborhood. Not that I’m ruling it out. It is Halloween, after all. Keep your eyes peeled for the middle-aged “sexy chef.” ||||
Leslie Bilderback is a certified master baker, chef and cookbook author. A South
INGREDIENTS 2 cups granulated sugar ¼ cup water, plus more as needed 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1½ cups cream 2 ounces (½ stick) unsalted butter METHOD 1. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and the water. Use your fingers to mix it together, then use a little extra water to wipe all stray sugar crystals off the sides of pan. Place the pan over high heat, and cook, without moving or stirring. 2. When the mixture reaches a rolling boil, add the lemon juice into the center of the pot. Do not stir it at all—the bubbles will do that for you. Continue cooking, without stirring, until the sugar is dark golden amber. 3. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the cream. When the cream goes in it will erupt like a volcano. Stand back, and watch out for the steam. (Some people like to wear a big oven mitt for this step.) Whisking will quickly cool it and calm it down. If there are lumps after the cream is added, take it back to the stove and stir it over low heat until they dissolve. 4. Add the butter and whisk the sauce until it is smooth. Cool it to room temperature before serving or storing it. 5. Any number of flavor additions can be made when the caramel sauce is complete.The amount you add will depend on the strength of your flavors. It's always best to start small and add more as needed. Classic additions include vanilla extract, vanilla bean, espresso, instant coffee powder, peanut butter, Nutella, melted chocolate, Scotch whiskey (for butterscotch sauce) and balsamic vinegar and sea salt.
Pasadena resident, she teaches her techniques online at culinarymasterclass.com. 10.12 | ARROYO | 45
WINING & DINING Chef David Féau’s garden
The Royce at The Langham 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave. Pasadena (626) 585-6410 roycela.com Tuesday through Friday, 6–9:30 p.m., Saturday, 5:30–10 p.m.
Garden of Eating Chef David Féau harvests seasonal produce from his new garden for special dinners at The Royce at The Langham. BY BRADLEY TUCK
AMONG THE MANY WONDERFUL QUOTES ONE CAN FIND ABOUT THE GENTLE ART OF GARDENING, THIS ONE, BY THE LATE AUTHOR GLADYS TABER, IS PARTICULARLY POIGNANT: “A GARDEN IS EVIDENCE OF FAITH. IT LINKS US WITH ALL THE MISTY FIGURES OF THE PAST WHO ALSO PLANTED AND WERE NOURISHED BY THE FRUITS OF THEIR PLANTING.”
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Chef David Féau
WINING & DINING
Peach Passion
The Royce restaurant at The Langham Huntington Hotel recently held a “Gastronomy in the Garden” dinner to celebrate the produce and herbs grown in its own vegetable garden, planted earlier this year in a small area on the grounds formerly occupied by humble shrubbery. Diners were to be nourished by the fruits of Chef David Féau’s planting. The phenomenon of the restaurant garden is a trend that has been hard to ignore these past few years. Govind Armstrong has one at Post & Beam in L.A., as does Kris Morningstar at Ray’s at LACMA. It’s a logical progression from sourcing the freshest, most seasonal produce at the farmers market to growing vegetables and herbs onsite. Bearing in mind, however, the turnover in diners that a restaurant experiences, it would be unrealistic to expect that a chef would grow everything for the kitchen. And indeed, at The Royce, the vegetable garden is there to provide produce to be used at one-off dinners, and for specials when there’s an overabundance of certain vegetables. The herbs are also used in the fresh teas served at The Royce, and in The Tap Room’s handcrafted cocktails. The garden came about in collaboration between Chef Féau and the engineering director, Steve Landon. A section of the grounds was being dug up for some infrastructure work and, rather than return the grounds to the original state, the chef took the op-
Chicken
portunity to lay out a vegetable garden, something he’d been contemplating since starting his tenure at the restaurant. Says Féau, “I’m passionate about food and farming. Our goal at The Royce is to create exceptional food and respect the environment in the making.” Small raised beds support an array of fragrant herbs: cilantro, bergamot, chamomile, sweet basil, curly parsley. Other beds nurture heirloom tomatoes, artichokes, radishes, pumpkins and English peas. An unlikely byproduct of this foliage is snails. While most gardeners are waging war on the gastropods, Chef Féau is raising them as escargots. At pre-dinner cocktails for the recent dinner, they were swaddled in zucchini blossoms as passed appetizers. For the squeamish it’s a good way to enjoy them, a little like the cauliflower mashed into the potatoes for a vegetable-averse child. Radishes dipped in butter and pressed into desiccated black olive were a real standout, the salty crunch that normally comes from sea salt highlighting the crisp pop of radish. The Royce holds these special dinners, in various guises, once a month. Nov. 13–17 sees the venue’s anniversary dinner, and in the spring, there’ll be another garden dinner. Presumably the artichokes and English peas---two of spring's brightest stars---will play a strong role in that feast. At this last dinner, the brightest star was a terrific fish soup, of kinki (a type of rockfish) in a vivid orange-hued broth with candied carrot and roasted tomatillo. Féau’s cooking is precise and elegant. There are no loud flourishes or strenuous pairings. That’s not to say it’s not full of flavor. It’s delicious. But if his cuisine were a car,
Tomato, radish and escargot appetizers
it would be a vintage Aston Martin, purring assuredly next to the shrieking Lamborghini of some other chefs’ bacon-loaded flavor rampages. Like the man himself, it’s bright, refined and quietly powerful.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• On the subject of seasonal dinners, Auntie Em’s Kitchen, that funky Eagle Rock favorite, is running a series of Farmers Market Dinners to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. They began in August and run monthly through November, with Oct. 24 and Nov. 14 next up on the calendar. There are two seatings, at 6 and 8:30 p.m., and each dinner features five courses and a very reasonable tab of $45. Additionally, children under 10 years old can dine for just $10 from a special kids’ menu during the first seating. The menu is finalized close to the event, as it depends on what’s best in the market at the time, but if words like “slow-roasted smoked pork shoulder with mashed fingerling potatoes and tomato confit” sound to you like Karen Carpenter singing the money note, you might want to get in on this. Visit auntieem'skitchen.com for more info. |||| 10.12 | ARROYO | 47
arroyo
RESOURCE GUIDE ARCHITECTS 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 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 48 | ARROYO | 10.12
ZUGO’S CAFÉ Owners, Chez and Sherry Grossi have built their menus and food preparation using Chez's mother Palmira's ethos: fresh, quality ingredients prepared from scratch. All entrees are served with a side salad and fresh bread which is baked throughout the day. Their wine list is extensive featuring award winning wines from around the world. While dining at Zugo’s you feel like you’re in a café in Italy. Lunch and dinner Tuesday- Sunday and breakfast on the weekends. Zugo’s Café 74 Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. (626)836-5700 Fax (626)836-5723 www.zugoscafe.com
GIFT BOUTIQUES FANCY THAT! Unwary visitors will be whisked inside Fancy That! by a coven of wicked witches, ready to turn your All Hallows Eve into a memorable moment in time. Within you’ll find a bewitching batch of creepy crawlers, inspired web works and tasty tricks and treats. Whether shopping or simply celebrating this most unique season, Fancy That! is a spellbinding, not-to-be missed spot to experience with your family and friends. See you there, if you dare! Fancy That! 2575 + 2529 Mission St. San Marino (626)403 2577 www.fancythat.us.com
HEALTH & BEAUTY ARCADIA EYE CENTER Arcadia Eye Center is a practice providing medical and surgical care of the eyes. We emphasize eyelid cosmetic surgery, and facial cosmetic procedures, including facial laser, photoderm treatments, Botox, and facial fillers. An in-office surgical facility provides convenience for our patients. In addition, the practice provides traditional cataract and glaucoma care, as well as refractive care, including lasik, contacts and prescription eyewear. Free Consultation at our Arcadia Office Call Maria, or office Coordinator for an Appointment. 622 W. Duarte Rd. Suite #103. (626)445-4873 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. MARILYN MEHLMAUER Having smooth, youthful skin is the first step to feeling great about your appearance. Dr. Marilyn Mehlmauer offers a wide variety of solutions for any problem areas on your face. Whether you have lines, wrinkles or acne, we have a remedy to restore the elasticity and refine the appearance of your skin. Visit us and explore our facial rejuvenation treatment options. Call and schedule your consultation today, (626)585-9474. 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
HOME DECOR & ACCESSORIES 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. DAY OF DESIGN WITH TERRI JULIO Day of Design with Terri Julio — Imagine the opportunity to consult with a professional designer for an entire day. Now you can for a fixed flat fee. Let Terri’s expertise be the first thing you call upon when considering any project. It is a worthwhile investment and a good dose of prevention considering valuable dollars and time can be lost when improvements go awry. Call (626)447-5370 or visit www.terrijulio.com.
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 products 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 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 estimate, please call 323850-7500. 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 con-
signing, purchasing at auction, estate services, appraisals, and free walk-in Valuation Days, please call (626)793-1833 or visit johnmoran.com. 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)3034043. 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 OLD CALIFORNIA LANTERN Recognized as one of the leading companies in the historical lighting business, Old California Lantern Company’s focus is decorative lighting inspired by the rich history and architecture of California. There are over 1,400 items in the Old California Lantern
product line (including mailboxes, portable lamps, desk accessories and garden lighting) with many born through the company’s extensive experience in custom commercial and residential lighting projects. Their goal is to create lighting and accessories that will live for years as family heirlooms. (800)5776679,(714)771-5223 www.ldcalifornia.com TEAK WAREHOUSE Today’s hottest outdoor trend is the outdoor living room ... a favorite for hotels & resorts for years and now available for residential settings. Why go to an expensive resort for the weekend when you can turn your back yard into one? Invest in 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. VEGA+BERNIER DESIGN GROUP Bringing Design to Life is our mantra for every landscape project. With your needs and desires in mind, our design team creates diverse landscapes, outdoor living spaces, container gardens, green roofs and living walls that allow you to escape the distractions of modern life and return home to heart of who you are. Specializing in Mediterranean, California native and drought-tolerant landscape design, Vega+Bernier uses sustainable design/build practices that are both budget-friendly and minimally invasive to our environment. Please visit us at www.vegabernier.com/land or call (626)795-5494 for a personal design consultation.
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 her-
self will meet with you once, or as often as you like. Be it an intimate dinner party at home, a lavish celebration 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 PODLEY PROPERTIES 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. 1800-MONTROSE (800)666-8767, MontroseTravel.com 10.12 | ARROYO | 49
THE LIST
A SELECTIVE PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EVENTS COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER
“STUDIES IN DESPERATION” OPENS AT NORTON SIMON Oct. 5—The Norton Simon Museum presents “Studies in Desperation,” a landmark 1963 litho-
ARTIST MICHAEL QUEENLAND REIGNS AT SMMOA
program of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, Beethoven’s Violin Concert in D Major, Op. 61, and the West Coast premieres of LACO Composer-in-Residence and Pulitzer Prize finalist Andrew Norman’s “The Great Swiftness” and Charles Ives Living Award--winner James Matheson’s “True South.” Tickets cost $25 to $110.
graphic suite by Connor Everts, a founder of the Los Angeles
The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N.
Printmaking Society. The “Desperation”
Brand Blvd., Glendale. Call (213) 622-
series consists of nine lithographs in
7001, ext. 1, or visit laco.org.
which mangled and malformed figures
CONCERT CELEBRATES SGT. PEPPER MILESTONE
are confined in a womb-like space, in part as a response to President Kennedy’s assassination in late 1963. This is the first
Oct. 8—Muse/Ique,
time all nine lithographs, donated in 2003
Pasadena’s new
by Robin C. Park and D. Robert Park, will
cutting-edge orches-
be on view together. The exhibition contin-
tra, presents another
ues through Feb. 11.
“Uncorked” concert
The Norton Simon Museum is located at
at 7 p.m. at Phoenix
411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call
Design in Pasadena: “Hey, Hey, My, My,
(626) 449-6840 or visit nortonsimon.org.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Will Never Die,” a mash-up of Beatles music, honors the 45th anniversary
HONORING THE DEAD AT FOLK TREE
of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Steven Page, Grammy-nominated former lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, will be
Oct. 6—The Folk Tree
joined by Muse/Ique musicians as well as
opens its 29th anRudy’s Ramp of Remainders (detail), 2012
nual “Day of the Dead Altars &
Charlie Greene and The Coals, a local sixpiece folk band mixing bluegrass with
Ephemera” exhibition
Through Dec. 22—Pasadena-born artist Michael Queenland’s exhibition,“Rudy's
ballads. Tickets cost $60, half-price for
with a reception from
Ramp of Remainders,” continues at the Santa Monica Museum of Art. The show is a
children 9 to 17.
2 to 6 p.m., featuring a musical perform-
new sculptural installation inspired by Rudis Resterampe, a German discount store
Phoenix Design is located at 835 S. Ray-
ance by Poetas de la Cultura. The exhibi-
filled with surplus scraps of textile and discarded cultural items the conceptual artist
mond Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 539-
tion includes work in various media by
discovered during his 2009 fellowship at the American Academy in Berlin.
7085 or visit muse-ique.com.
Mexican and local artists and continues
The Santa Monica Museum of Art is located at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan
through Nov. 4.
Ave., Santa Monica. Call (310) 586-6488 or visit smmoa.org.
The Folk Tree is located at 217 S. Fair Oaks
ALL THINGS ART CELEBRATED IN PASADENA
Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 795-8733 or
ropean interpretations of the Arts and
well as car- and snake-themed children’s
Oct. 12—ArtNight
visit folktree.com.
Crafts movement.Tickets cost $20 ($15 for
activities. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6
Pasadena returns
Friends of the Gamble House members).
for seniors and students and $3 for chil-
from 6 to 10 p.m.,
Oct. 6—The 2012--
The Neighborhood Church is located at
dren ages 5 to 12; free for Arboretum
with numerous local
301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. Visit
members and children under 5.
cultural institutions
gamblehouse.org for tickets.
The L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic
2013 Sidney D. Gamble Lecture Series
“SERPENTS” INVADE THE ARBORETUM
opens with “Dard
Oct. 6 and 7—The
Hunter and His
L.A. County Arbore-
Graphic Works.”
tum and Botanic
open for a free
Garden is located at 301 N. Baldwin Ave.,
evening of art exhibitions, dance, theater,
Arcadia. Call (626) 821-3222 or visit ar-
performance art, storytelling and live
boretum.org.
music. Venues include Art Center College of Design, Norton Simon Museum, Pacific
Lawrence Kreisman, program director of
Garden hosts “Ser-
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OPENS SEASON
Historic Seattle and author of Dard Hunter:
pents in the Garden”
Oct. 6—The L.A. Chamber Orchestra
Museum of History, Pasadena Museum of
The Graphic Works, discusses the Ohio
to celebrate the
opens the fall season at 8 p.m. with “Ravel
California Art and more. Free shuttles are available between venues.
Asia Museum, Boston Court, Armory Center for the Arts, Lineage Dance, Pasadena
artist at 6 p.m. at Pasadena’s Neighbor-
debut of the classic Carroll Shelby muscle
and Beethoven” at Glendale’s Alex The-
hood Church. The lecture explores Hunter’s
car, the Cobra, 50 years ago. The event,
atre, repeating at 7 p.m. Sunday at
Call (626) 744-7887 or visit artnight-
graphic designs, prints, typography and
from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days, fea-
UCLA’s Royce Hall. Conductor and pianist
pasadena.org.
handmade paper works, influenced by Eu-
tures 30 Cobras including five originals, as
Jeffrey Kahane performs as soloist in a
50 | ARROYO | 10.12
–continued on page 52
PHOTO: Center left, Nelda Costner
EUROPE’S IMPACT ON ARTS AND CRAFTS GRAPHICS
10.12 | ARROYO | 51
THE LIST
PHOTO: Daniel Kitayama
Michael Prichard and Tanya Mironowski in “The Unnamable.”
SCARY LITERATURE SPRINGS TO LIFE Oct. 12 through 31—Unbound Productions celebrates Halloween with its annual “Wicked Lit” series---staged enactments of literary works from the dark side at Altadena’s Mountain View Mausoleum.This year’s program features “Count Magnus” by M.R. James, adapted by Jonathan Josephson and directed by Paul Millet; “The Dead Smile” by F. Marion Crawford, adapted and directed by Jeff G. Rack; and “Wake Not the Dead” by Johann Ludwig Tieck, adapted by Paul Millet and directed by Douglas Clayton. Performances start at 7:30 p.m.Tickets cost $39 to $49, depending on the date.
Mountain View Mausoleum is located in Mountain View Cemetery, 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena. Call (818) 242-7910 or visit wickedlit.org. –continued from page 50 the story of an evolutionary biologist who
GOLDEN CALIFORNIA ON DISPLAY
is struck by lightning, suffers a near-death
Oct. 13 and 14—
experience and develops an obsession
Shop for treasures of
with music. Performances are at 8 p.m.
pre--World War II Cali-
Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m.
fornia design from
Sundays through Nov. 11. Tickets cost $34,
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat-
$29 for students and seniors.
urday and 10 a.m. to
Boston Court is located at 70 N. Mentor
4 p.m. Sunday during the Golden Califor-
Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 683-6883 or
nia Antiques Show at the Glendale Civic
visit bostoncourt.org.
Auditorium. On display will be antiques and fine and decorative art, including Monterey, California Rancho, Spanish
LATINO SELF-HELP GROUP HOSTS FUNDRAISER
Colonial and Revival, Mission Arts and
Oct. 18—El Centro de
Crafts, Old Mexico, American Indian, Cali-
Acción Social, a
fornia and Southwestern fine and folk art,
Pasadena commu-
Americana, furnishings, accessories and
nity organization that
more. Admission costs $12.
helps low-income
The Glendale Civic Auditorium is located
people become self-
at 1401 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale. Call
sufficient, hosts its annual fundraiser at
(626) 437-6275 or visit goldencaliforni-
6 p.m. at the Westin Pasadena Hotel. The
ashow.com.
event honors Monica C. Lozano, chief executive officer of Hispanic news and in-
AN ACT OF CREATION
formation company impreMedia; U.S. Rep.
Oct. 13—The Theatre @ Boston Court ends
Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank); Manny Con-
its season with Creation by Kathryn Walat,
treras, president of the Pasadena Mexi–continued on page 54
52 | ARROYO | 10.12
10.12 | ARROYO | 53
THE LIST
–continued from page 52 can American History Association; Bob
nine-piece chamber orchestra. Show-
Baderian, executive director, The First Tee
times are 8 p.m. Oct. 20, 26 and 27 and
of Pasadena; and Cynthia Kurtz, president
4 p.m. Oct. 21 and 28. Tickets cost $30, $20
and CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Eco-
for students and seniors.
nomic Partnership. Keynote speaker is Dr.
Porticoes Theatre is located at 2033 E.
Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock
Washington Blvd., Pasadena. Call (323)
Nine, the first group of students to deseg-
739-6122 or visit pacificoperaproject.com.
regate schools in that Arkansas city in 1957. Tickets cost $175.
The Westin Pasadena is located at 191 N.
DEATH AND MOURNING ETIQUETTE AT HERITAGE SQUARE
Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 792-
Oct. 27 and 28—The
3148 or visit elcentropasadena.org.
Heritage Square Museum celebrates Hal-
CRAFTSMAN WEEKEND RETURNS TO PASADENA
loween with a look at death and mourning during the Victorian
Oct. 19–21--Pasadena Heritage
era in the eighth annual “Halloween and
presents the 21st
Mourning Tours” program, which runs from
annual Craftsman
noon to 4 p.m. both days. Guests can
Weekend, the largest
learn about 19th-century death and
salute to the Arts and
mourning etiquette, participate in a fu-
Crafts movement in the Western U.S. The
neral inside one of the museum’s historic
event opens on Friday with a reception
homes, learn about the Spiritualism move-
from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the historic Blinn
ment and its followers, get their fortunes
House, which will be open for tours and
told and see how other cultures celebrate
hung with drawings of Pasadena land-
their deceased loved ones. In addition,
marks by architect Russell Hobbs, who will
the role of clothing in Victorian mourning
speak. Other weekend events include
is explored. Friday features games, crafts
tours of the Woolworth Speculative House,
and spooky stories for children 2 to 12. The
the 1912 Lindley House, historic Glendora
Greasy Weiner food truck will be on hand.
and more. Also scheduled are artisan
Admission costs $10 for adults, $8 for sen-
workshops, lectures and the Craftsman
iors and $5 for children 6 to 12; free for
Exposition and Silent Auction, from
members and children under 6.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at
Heritage Square Museum is located at
the Pasadena Convention Center.
3800 Homer St., L.A.
For schedules and tickets, call (626) 441-
Visit heritagesquare.org.
6333 or visit pasadenaheritage.org.
WALKING TO END EPILEPSY
SWEENEY TODD GIVES NEW MEANING TO “BAD HAIR DAY”
Foundation of Greater
Oct. 20, 21, 26, 27
Los Angeles presents
and 28—Pacific
the annual Walk to
Opera Project pre-
End Epilepsy
sents Stephen Sond-
54 | ARROYO | 10.12
Oct. 28—The Epilepsy
fundraiser at the Rose
heim’s musical thriller,
Bowl in Pasadena.The event, from 7:30 a.m.
Sweeney Todd: The
to 2 p.m., includes a 5K run/walk, a one-mile
Demon Barber of Fleet Street, at Porticoes
stroll, arts and crafts, food trucks, a photo
Theatre in Pasadena. The play is about a
booth, prizes and more. Registration costs
19th-century barber, Sweeney Todd, who
$25. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m., the opening
seeks vengeance after being framed and
ceremony at 8:30 a.m., the 5K run/walk at
imprisoned by a corrupt judge, returning
9 a.m. and the one-mile stroll at 10 a.m.
to his barbering profession where his razor
Rose Bowl Stadium is located at 1001 Rose
is at the throats of his enemies. Josh Shaw
Bowl Dr., Pasadena. Call (800) 564-0445 or
directs, and Stephen Karr conducts the
visit walktoendepilepsy.org to register.