LC 03 2023

Tent dwellers on Sixth St. get housing

By John Welborne

Last month in the Miracle Mile, Mayor Karen Bass and Fifth District Councilmember Katy Young Yaroslavsky implemented a local project under the mayor‘s citywide “Inside Safe” initiative. The program was a collaboration between Council District 5, the Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles departments of Sanitation, Transportation, and Police, LAHSA (the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority), The People Concern and Fairfax Mutual Aid.

The city arranged for approximately 40 people living in approximately 15 tents — which had been erected illegally on the Sixth Street sidewalk, just east of Fair-

See Sixth Street, p 9

Rabbi to speak on hate crimes

By Suzan Filipek

A spate of hate crimes targeting Jews is a painful reminder of the stubborn survival of antisemitism and has prompted the local Holocaust Museum LA to hold a public conversation Sun., March 12 at 10 a.m.

“We invite our friends throughout Los Angeles to join us for an important See Rabbi to speak, p 9

‘Everybody’s favorites’ are selling on the Boulevard

By Casey Russell

The Girl Scouts are satisfying cookie cravings in the neighborhood with their booth sales through Sun., March 12.  St. James’ School Troop #625 was granted a sought-after spot on Larchmont Boulevard. Troop member Hanna Koh of Sycamore Square told us she sold 150 boxes on the Boulevard during the season’s first Sunday of sales in February. “Everybody’s favorites were the Samoas and the Thin Mints. We made lots of money,” she said.

Hanna’s mom, Jenny O’Brian, told us this is her daughter Hanna’s first year

Ladies pro golf to return to Wilshire Country Club April 27

Country Club Thurs., April 27, to Sun., April 30, with the inaugural JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro.

The 72-hole tournament will feature 144 golf professionals competing over for a share of the $3 million purse — one of the largest prize funds on the LPGA Tour outside of major championships. It is double the size of the purse at the LPGA tournaments at Wilshire in previous years. “Los Angeles

selling, though Phoebe, her fourth-grade daughter, has been selling for a few years.

“It’s been exciting to watch the girls set goals and reach them, and then, next year, set them higher. I think that’s a good confidence builder and a good experience,” O’Brian said.

To buy a box from Scouts selling on Larchmont Boulevard, you’ll find booths open at these locations:

Peet’s Coffee, 124 N. Larchmont: Fri., March 3, Mon., March 6, and Fri., March 10,

its move-in date, plans

By Casey Russell

Having long had their eyes on Chan Dara Restaurant’s former location on Larchmont Boulevard, famed restaurateurs and local residents, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, told us they “jumped right on it” when the spot at 310 N. Larchmont Blvd. became available.

We spoke over Zoom recently with the two Hancock Park residents, who have owned the small Cookbook Market business since 2020. They acquired the neighborhood market chain from co-founders Marta Teegan and Robert Stelzner knowing that the former owners hoped more locations would be added. “We were fans of Cookbook and loved what Marta and Robert [had done]. It was always an admired place. We didn’t want to see it go away. They thought we’d handle the place well, and we were honored to get the call,” Dotolo said. When the partners took over the locations in Echo Park and Highland Park, there was some clarity, they told us, on where things could be tightened up, and they did so. They also said, “We’re cool with a little more sugar in here.”

Ninety years of service

COOKIES ARRIVE. Troop #625 members Phoebe Koh (10) and Hannah Koh (7) sell boxes of cookies outside of The Shade Store on Larchmont Boulevard.

n Players will compete for $3 million purse

Editorial

By John Welborne

SAD NEWS

So many local residents were rightly shocked and saddened at the news of the heartless murder of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell. Long a friend of many in our neighborhoods, the Irish priest who was born in County Cork enlivened many a local gathering.

One memorable time, Bishop O’Connell was the featured entertainment at a fundraising event, “Catholic Comedy Night,” one of whose beneficiaries was St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. As a flyer said in advance of the event, held at the Hancock Park home of Yvonne Cazier, “We have a great lineup of stars, an optional Mass with Bishop Dave O’Connell (America’s funniest Bishop) and great food, fine wine and craft beer.” See the photo at right.

Bishop O’Connell’s Vigil Mass is being held downtown at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 7 p.m. on the day that this March issue of the Larchmont Chronicle is distributed. The Funeral Mass will be the next day, Fri., March 3, at 11 a.m., also at the Cathedral. Both will be live-streamed. Details are at: tinyurl.com/3aw36vkb.

Calendar

Wed., March 8 — Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom; maybe in person. See greaterwilshire.org for details.

Sun., March 12 — Daylight Saving Time begins. Move your clock ahead one hour at 2 a.m.

Tues., March 14 — Mid City West Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom; maybe in person. See midcitywest.org for details.

Fri., March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day.

Thurs., March 23 — First day of Ramadan.

Mon., March 27 — César

Chávez Day.

Thurs., March 30 — Delivery of the April issue of the Larchmont Chronicle

‘Have you tried any of the new stores on the Boulevard?’

That’s the question inquiring photographer Casey Russell asked locals.

Letter to the Editor

Contempo Casuals link

So interested to read your article about Contempo Casuals [Dec. 2020, “21-year-old makes fashion-forward twist for 1960s Contempo Casu-

Larchmont Chronicle

Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin Publisher and Editor

Managing Editor

Suzan Filipek

Contributing Editor

Jane Gilman

Staff Writers

Talia Abrahamson

Casey Russell

Helene Seifer

Advertising Director

Pam Rudy

Advertising Sales including Classifieds

Caroline Tracy

Art Director Tom Hofer

Circulation Manager

Nona Sue Friedman

Accounting

Jill Miyamoto

606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103 Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241

larchmontchronicle.com

als”]. I was the owner of the store fitting company (Associated Wood Products Inc.), responsible for each of the 200+ store original interior fittings, décor and furnishings and also the subsequent remodeling of the stores. My company had over 20 years working with the Friedmans and their construction head, Syd Pinoos.

I currently live in Mexico and in my ‘cantina’ I have the Mexican style furniture made for their personal office during the early Contempo years.

Chris Hall

Alamos, Mexico

“Our favorite is Clark Street. We just moved from Echo Park, and we were sad to leave [the bakery] behind. So, we were so glad to find it here! We were there on the first day. Our favorite thing to get is the cardamom bun.”

Jack

CORRECTION

Nyakio and David Grieco

The article, “Nyakio and David Grieco: a couple that was meant to be,” Feb. 2023, should have described Nyakio as a founding parent of Larchmont Charter School – Fairfax, not of Larchmont Charter School. Also, the Griecos’ son Rocco was born in 2010, not in 2008.

“I really like Midland. We are excited about the new things opening, especially Credo. And we’re looking forward to Jon and Vinny’s Cookbook.”

“I love Flannel. I’m coveting Flannel’s beautiful silk slips, but I need a good excuse to buy them.”

Susan Arena and Andrea Nevins Windsor Square

“I love Corridor. In fact, I’m wearing a shirt from there right now. Miles likes it, too, as it’s one of the many places on Larchmont that gives him a biscuit.”

Abe Greenwald and Miles Larchmont Village

Hawkins, Camilla Arfwedson and Auro La Brea-Hancock

Requiescat in pace and suaimhneas síoraí air, Bishop Dave.

BISHOP DAVID O’CONNELL visited the Hancock Park back yard of Yvonne Cazier (front) on June 21, 2018, shown here with Bill Ahmanson and Daryl Twerdahl, also of Hancock Park.

Wilshire Rotary 90th, Larchmont Charter fundraiser, teepee, more

Ninety years ago, the average cost of lunch was 75 cents and a movie ticket just 35 cents. The year 1932 also was when the Wilshire Rotary Club gained its charter and began serving our neighborhood through its charitable works and other support for our community.

Meetings took place at the Wilshire Country Club and then moved to the Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel, where lunches got a bit more expensive ($1 — the horror!!!). On Jan. 28, 2023, the exquisite Jonathan Club downtown played host to a jubilant 90-year luncheon celebration where 75 members enjoyed canapés and tables overflowing with cheeses, meats, breads, vegetables and other delights that quickly vanished. Some guests donned carnival glasses, silly hats and boas if they were feeling fancy enough to mug for the camera of the Snap Yourself photo booth donat-

SECTION ONE

Around the Town with Sondi Toll Sepenuk

ed by Rotary President Joyce Kleifield’s son, Adam.

Of course, this being Rotary, the event was also a fundraiser. More than $10,000 was raised through a silent auction and raffle. Although Rotary is mainly known locally for its annual Larchmont pumpkin patch and Christmas tree lot (and don’t forget the Larchmont clock!), longtime member John Miron recounted the international nature of Rotary’s mission, including the Japanese student exchange program and hosting educators from Ber-

lin, doctors from Prague and Russian judges who came to see and explore Los Angeles.

Most recently, Rotary collaborated with the Bill Gates Foundation to raise funds to fight polio around the globe, and the World Health Organization tapped into Rotary’s

worldwide web of networks to help distribute COVID-19 vaccinations to the most hard-to-reach places.

In her 90th celebration toast, President Kleifield added a sentiment that echoed with all in attendance. “I’ve found a home in Rotary, and I

couldn’t ask for better friends. If there was an experience we were put on earth for, we were put on earth for Rotary.” Enjoying the 90th anniversary mid-afternoon were party organizers Amy Cuomo, Wendy Clifford and Elizabeth Watts-Russell, along with members Zabrina Schultz, Don Robertson, Elsa Gillham, John Miron, Peter Smyth, Tim Stoller and Pam Rudy. Screening fundraiser

An ultra-private screening room on the edge of Beverly Hills was the scene Feb. 2 of food, film and fundraising for Larchmont Charter School. Twenty-five guests joined the evening of laughter and connection in support of the local Pre-K-12. The event was catered by former Larchmont Charter Edible Schoolyard Program’s own Kori Bernards of Ricca Kitchen, who

(Please turn to page 4)

TWO

SECTION THREE

90TH ANNIVERSARY celebrants, left to right, Amy Cuomo, Joyce Kleifield, Dan Yukelson, Wendy Clifford, Janice Prior and John Miron.

Around the Town

(Continued from page 3) presented an incredible visual spread of fresh cheeses, vegetables, charcuterie, olives, cookies, mini pastries and more. Guests drank and dined surrounded by framed movie posters to get them into the movie magic mood. Windsor Square’s Danny Corwin manned the popcorn machine as guests made their way to every adult’s inner-child fantasy come true: an endless snack bar of king-sized movie candy boxes. When the lights dimmed for the screening in the ultra-plush, 30-seat private movie theater, M. Night Shyamalan’s highly anticipated “Knock at the Cabin” was the big reveal. Enjoying an evening of traditional moviegoing bliss were AJ and Julie Johnson, Zoe and Danny Corwin, Daphne Brogdon, Lisa O’Malley, Pete Sepenuk, Susan and Stephen Matloff, Kori Bernards and Tom

Eisenhauer, Jennifer Enani and Hayley and Chris Stott.

Teepee time

A private estate in Malibu, a gargantuan teepee, and several hours of meditation and reflection all added up to a much-needed afternoon of sisterhood, wellness and rejuvenation for several Larchmont women Jan. 29. Hancock Park area resident Irene Abbou, organizer and founder of

the Happiness Within Reach Coaching Program, led the afternoon of thought and reflection. Guests were welcomed into an oversized teepee where they were surrounded by warm blankets, candles, incense and crystals. Facilitator Fiona Emley led an exercise used in Eastern medicine to unblock channels on the body’s meridian system points, getting rid of negative energy and inviting healing. The women then enjoyed a sound bath of singing bowls led by Body & Soul Creek Wellness founder Brooke Burke, which uses the bowls’ restorative sounds to fill the room, inviting therapeutic wellness and relief. Enjoying the relaxing mini-escape were Lisa O’Malley, Manon Abbou and Melissa Staum.

CHLA as beneficiary

Evan Listi, a Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Junior Ambassador, partnered with Jeni’s Ice Cream to raise funds for CHLA last month.

The Beauty of Experience

Larchmont 's own Rebecca Fitzgerald MD, a board-certified derma tologic surgeon, brings extensive experience and up-to-the-minute expertise to the convenience of your own neigh borhood

Jeni’s donated 25 percent of sales on Valentine’s Day from 4 to 7 p.m. to CHLA to help the Junior Ambassadors reach their goal of raising $1 million for CHLA this year.

And, speaking of CHLA, local favorite restaurant El Cholo — celebrating its centennial in 2023 — has just announced a program to benefit that pediatric hospital and another one to our southwest, CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County). Donors of $100 can receive an El Cholo Nacho VIP Card and enjoy Carmen’s Nachos for free all this year — while helping fund El Cholo’s own $1 million pledge for funding

pediatric cancer research at the two hospitals.

Chronicle fans

People out partying saluted our local paper a couple of times in recent weeks. On Sat., Jan. 21, former residents Sally and Van Dyke Parks proudly displayed the January Larchmont Chronicle at an art opening featuring a dozen of Sally’s latest paintings.

A few weeks later, the February issue got a shout-out (Please turn to page 6)

EXCITED GUESTS ready to watch “Knock at the Cabin” at Larchmont Charter School movie night fundraiser.

ATTENDEES enjoy conversation, reflection and meditation in a teepee.

CHLA FUNDRAISER at Jeni’s ice cream: Evan (12) and River (7) Listi.

MANNING the popcorn machine is Danny Corwin.

VAN DYKE PARKS and his wife, Sally, saluted their beloved former neighborhood newspaper at the recent opening of a show of her latest paintings.

Michael Christopher Kristoff and vice president and ball chairman Tyler Alexander Bibbins. Both were in Museum of Natural History security guard uniforms.

As is traditional at the annual party given by these unmarried men, not to exceed 75 in number, several gracious ladies welcomed all the guests as Patronesses of the Ball. The ladies honored as Patronesses this year were Mrs. Sam Bakhshandepour, Ms. Mari Snyder Johnson, Mrs. Charles Stuart Nelson and Mrs. Andrew Elmore Witt. As also is tradition, there was dancing until 4 a.m.

Society annual tea

A sold-out gathering of fans of local history gathered at

Around the Town

(Continued from page 4) from a leprechaun and Wilma and Fred Flintstone! Spotted at the 118th Anniversary Bachelors Ball on Fri., Feb. 10 — getting a head start on St. Patrick’s Day — was former president of The Bachelors, Alex Lynn. For dinner, he sat at the table of Michael Kezirian, temporarily back in town from Germany and Houston just for the Ball. Complementing his Fred Flintstone costume was vivacious redhead Wilma, Susanna Kise, also here from Houston for the party.

As was the case with the approximately 800 people in the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom that night, the costumes of Kezirian’s other guests ran the gamut. For the club’s first seven years preceding 1912, “The Bachelor Cotillions” were white tie. As always, since 1912, when the party evolved to “fancy dress” (costume), the decorating theme for the Ball is kept secret until the ballroom doors open. This year, guests arrived to find themselves at a “Night at the Museum.” Two Bachelors who did know the theme were current president

the Wilshire Country Club on Sun., Feb 26, for the Annual Tea arranged by the venerable Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society. As a guest speaker, photographer and author Tom Zimmerman,

who specializes in recording history with his camera, shared fascinating tales with Society members and their guests.

And now you’re in the Larchmont know!

Operation School Bell takes aim at poverty

By Suzan Filipek

Some  300 underprivileged students at Sixth Avenue Elementary School were supplied with brand-new backpacks and more through a recent partnership with Wilshire Rotary Club and the Assistance League of Los Angeles’s Oper-

ation School Bell.

Members of both groups manned stations and, from a 48-foot trailer, doled out toiletries, school supplies, shoes, jackets, games and books.

“Wilshire Rotary Club loves participating in Operation School Bell (OSB) as it directly coincides with our mission of supporting children and education. It is so rewarding to see the children’s huge smiles. They receive so much more than new items from Operation School Bell; they have a heightened sense of self-esteem, joy and hope,” said Joyce Kleifield, Wilshire Rotary president.

The partnership came about at the request of Assistance League member Karla Ahmanson, the wife of Wilshire Rotary honorary member Bill Ahmanson.

Operation School Bell is an ongoing project of the Assistance League that provides new clothes and school supplies to underprivileged children in area public schools who might not be able to afford them otherwise.

According to Kleifield, Operation School Bell understands it’s difficult to “wear your poverty,” and for many impoverished children, attending school is painful and so they drop out. Others attend irregularly, or never enroll because their parents can’t afford even the most basic necessities such as shoes and socks.

Operation School Bell helps children get to school and stay

in school, said Kleifield, adding education is the best defense against poverty, illiteracy, substance abuse and crime.

skin deep

by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald

While you might take comfort in knowing that approximately 90 percent of women have cellulite, you also still might want it gone. We are here with good news: Aveli for Cellulite is a (it’s tempting to use all caps here) long-term single visit solution to address those not so scenic hills and valleys on your thighs and rear.

Cellulite treatments have traditionally taken an outside-in approach. Aveli does the opposite with a minimally invasive handheld device to address the connective tissue responsible for your divots. Clinical study results show diminished dimpling after a month, with results lasting up to a year. What’s the catch? The most common side effects are mild discomfort for the first 24 hours after treatment and some tenderness and bruising. A small price to pay for a smooth appearance you never thought possible. Contact our office for an Aveli consultation or appointment and consider wishing no ill will to that pesky 10 percent.

an international Training Physician for Dermik, the makers of the injectable Sculptra. She is also among a select group of physicians chosen to teach proper injection techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing filler, around the world. Dr. Fitzgerald is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA. Visit online at www.RebeccaFitzgeraldMD. com or call (323) 464-8046 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certified Dermatologist located in Larchmont Village with a special focus on anti-aging technology. She is a member of the Botox Cosmetic National Education Faculty and is

STUDENTS pick out clothes and supplies with help from staff and volunteers.

WILSHIRE ROTARIANS Jane Gilman, Rob Barnes and Amy Cuomo.

BACHELORS BALL partiers at the 118th Anniversary fancy dress event at The Beverly Hilton included a leprechaun (Bachelor Alex Lynn) and Wilma and Fred Flintstone (Susanna Kise and Bachelor Michael Kezirian), evidently all fans of the Larchmont Chronicle

HISTORICAL SOCIETY TEA attracted a crowd at the Wilshire Country Club on a cloudy Sunday afternoon.

This

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Loida Umipig, Registered Nurse, Mother-Baby department

JOURNALISTS VISITING the offices of the Larchmont Chronicle from Türkiye were, left to right: Kenan Sener, S. Hazal Ocak, Tulay Octen and Didem Ozel Tumer.

By John Welborne

The end of January saw international travelers visit our local Larchmont newspaper, and our paper also was represented at a major conference in Sacramento.

Neighborhood council election day is Sun., April 30

n 39 Greater Wilshire candidates are certified

By John Welborne

Every two years, local residents, workers or property owners, plus individuals who are a member of, or participate in, a community organization (such as a local business, school, or religious or other nonprofit organization) within the boundaries of our neighborhood council may help elect 21 people to serve as Directors of the Greater Wilshire Neighbor-

hood Council (GWNC) for the following two years.

The Bylaws of the GWNC provide that people who document their eligibility to vote in specific categories must vote in person at the polling place on election day. This year, that is at The Barking Lot on Larchmont Boulevard on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At that time, voters must bring their driver licenses (or other photo ID showing birthday, address) and, if you also are voting for one of the

special interest board seats in addition to the geographic area where you live, work or own property, you also must bring some sort of evidence of your participation in that special interest constituency. Therefore, as has been the case since the initial founding of the local neighborhood council in 2001 and the official certification of GWNC in 2003, an individual voter may cast up to two votes. Although the adopted GWNC Bylaws also provide

(Please turn to page 13)

Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Candidates for April 30, 2023 Election

State once again sent foreign visitors to Larchmont Boulevard to learn our views on how an independent small local paper is significant to the democratic process. Each of the four journalists from

(Please turn to page 9)

Geographic Areas:

1 — Brookside

Owen Smith

2 — Citrus Square

Jeffry Carpenter

3 — Country Club Heights

Selene Betancourt

4 — Fremont Place

Mark McQueen

5 —Hancock Park

David Trainer

Jennifer Devore

6 — La Brea-Hancock

Sixto J Sicilia

7 — Larchmont Village

Charles D’atri

Vincent Cox

8 — Melrose

Neighborhood

Craig Au

Jesseca Harvey

Jason Wood

9 — Oakwood-Maplewood- St. Andrews Sq.

Tess Paige

Alex Nava

10 — Ridgewood-Wilton/St. Andrews Square

Patricia (Patti) Carroll

11— Sycamore Square

Conrad Starr

12 — Western-Wilton

(“We-Wil” Neighborhood)

(None)

13 — Wilshire Park

John Gresham

14 — Windsor Square

David Meister

Gary Gilbert

15 — Windsor Village

Bianca Sparks Rojas

Claire Ortiz

Julie Kim

Special Interest Categories:

At-Large

Lucy Pinkwater

Cindy Chvatal-Keane

Diran Yanikian

Business

Michael Knowles

Romi Cortier

John Winther

Education

Scott Appel

Other Nonprofit

Mark Alpers

Brian Curran

Religious

Benjamin Rosenberg

Suzana Kim

John Halbert

Renter

Lourdes Gomez

Tommy Atlee

Annah Rose Verderame

Mj Anderson

John Marchesini

NEW PROGRAM in fetal surgery launched at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.

Life-saving fetal surgery program launched at CHA Medical Center

As a joint venture between USC and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the new Los Angeles Fetal Surgery Program offers minimally invasive fetal treatments to cure or reduce adverse outcomes resulting from conditions that may otherwise result in death or irreversible organ damage to the baby, said Dr. Ramen Chmait, program director. “The goal of the Los

Angeles Fetal Surgery Program at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian is to treat unborn babies with innovative treatments while providing families with emotional support,” said Dr. Chmait, who also serves as an OB-GYN with Keck Medicine of USC.

In addition, CHA HPMC was recently ranked as the second best hospital in California for coronary interventional procedures, according to Healthgrades, an online resource. And, it was recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention for 2022-2023 and as America’s Best for Spine Surgery, 20212023.

A new program to provide innovative and life-saving fetal surgery to pregnant women and their unborn babies with birth defects has been launched at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (CHA HPMC).

DEE DEE MYERS participated in a Sacramento discussion of misinformation with investigative reporter Tony Biasotti from the Ventura County Star.

A Chronicle focus in January was on journalism, international and statewide

Sixth Street

(Continued from page 1)

fax Avenue and next to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures — to move to interim housing and to embark upon the path to securing

Rabbi to speak

(Continued from page 1)

conversation addressing contemporary antisemitism,” museum officials said in a statement released following the Pico-Robertson area shootings of two Jewish men and other incidents in Los Angeles.

Rabbi Moshe Cohn will speak about antisemitism today, how

permanent housing.

Accounts of tent dwellers camping in this area go back to November. Councilmember Yaroslavsky told us that this is one of the locations her new constituents first pointed to as needing help. Working closely with the mayor and her team,

to talk about it, and tools to respond. He is head of the Jewish World Section, International Seminars and Jewish World Department of the International School for Holocaust Studies at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

“We commend the quick and steadfast support of the LAPD and our local leaders,” the

which had identified available, interim housing in a hotel in Silver Lake, council office staff and others spent two weeks approaching the tent dwellers and encouraging them to accept the offers of housing. By Feb. 18, all of the tent occupants had agreed to move to

release continued. “We will continue to work with all in our community to spread our beacon of truth, education, forebearance and dedication in seeking to root out hatred in all its ugly forms.”

Jaime Tran, 28, was charged Feb. 17 with federal hate crimes. He admitted to police he searched for a kosher market on Yelp before the shootings,

offered housing and the city Bureau of Sanitation had removed remaining debris and cleaned the area.

Temporary fences erected along both sides of the sidewalk were placed there by LACMA in anticipation of installing landscaping, Yaroslavsky said in news reports.

according to a court filings. He is being held without bail.

The two victims allegedly attacked by Tran were shot Feb. 16 leaving religious services wearing Jewish head coverings. Both men survived the shootings.

To RSVP and for more information about the March 10 event, visit holocaustmuseumla.org. Free.

Journalism

(Continued from page 8)

the Republic of Türkiye — Kenan Sener, from Ankara; Sidret Hazal Ocak, from Istanbul; Tulay Octen, from Ankara; and Didem Ozel Tumer, also from Ankara — has a very big reputation in Europe. For each of them, as a guest of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the State Dept., it was a first visit to the United States (and the Chronicle was just one of their many stops).

Four days later, the Chronicle was represented among the nearly 200 California publishers, editors and reporters who gathered in Sacramento for “CapCon,” an annual conference of the California News Publishers Association.

The Association, founded in 1888, not only represents the interests of its news media members, it also works to foster the highest ideals of a free press and the news profession. The conference in Sacramento, not held since 2019 because of the pandemic, provides an opportunity to remind lawmakers of the importance to their constituents and to the State of California of strong laws relating to open meetings, public records, court access and more.

(Please turn to page 11)

TEMPORARY FENCE held in place by sandbags replaced illegal tents on the sidewalk behind LACMA and the Academy Museum. Landscaping is said to be coming.

CITY SANITATION trucks and staff join elected leaders and their staffs in helping street dwellers on a sidewalk next to LACMA move from Sixth Street to inside housing.

Donuts’ second coming on the Boulevard

By Casey Russell

After many years without a dedicated donut shop, Larchmont Boulevard is now home to Holey Grail Donuts.

Many in the area may remember all the years that Winchell’s Donuts occupied the first-floor corner of the building at the southwest corner of Beverly and Larchmont boulevards. (That’s the

Coldwell Banker Realty office today.)

Duke Fenady, whose father

Andrew Fenady bought the building in 1968, has fond memories of the old donut store. “I remember going up and visiting my dad in his upstairs office. Between his cigar smoke and pipe smoke, you could still smell the donuts,” said Fenady. “It was definitely popular. It was the go-to place to go to after church.”

In mid-1977, Coldwell Banker took over the spot where Winchell’s once resided.  Donut-lovers had to stray further for the tasty treats until Erin McKenna Bakery opened at  236 N. Larchmont Blvd. in 2012. The vegan bakery is not dedicated solely to the halo-shaped treats, but it does carry them.

Now, a branch of Holey Grail Donuts finds itself on Larchmont Boulevard. (The store was scheduled to open Mon.,

325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 windsorsquare.org

Take Care of Our Trees

Here’s a simple way to increase your home’s value: add mature trees (or take good care of the ones you already have)! Research has shown that houses on streets with healthy parkway trees — especially if they trees are of the same variety and size — can sell for as much as 20 percent more than those on less shady streets.

Trees work hard for us: they keep us cooler, absorb sound, fight pollution, provide privacy, produce oxygen, and offer beauty, among other things. In exchange, trees need proper care, and this is particularly true now, with the stresses of drought and high temperatures.

Although it has been raining recently, here are some tips for caring for your valuable trees:

1. Most important of all: do not stop or cut back on watering your street trees, even if you’ve replaced your parkway lawn with drought-tolerant plants or decomposed granite. Mature trees need more water than they will get from a drip irrigation system. The best practice is to modify your sprinkler system so that the trees have their own dedicated sprinkler valve. Second best is to run an inexpensive soaker hose under the canopy. In either case, let the trees have a deep drink every month or so (more often during hot spells). Run the soaker hose at a very slow rate for several hours, in early morning or evening.

2. Do not prune trees during hot weather. Most trees should only be pruned when they are dormant, in late fall or early winter. And don’t over-prune them. Harsh pruning can permanently damage trees, especially when they are already stressed by several years of drought. Always use certified arborists, even though they may cost a little more.

3. Don’t plant under the tree. Leave a wide area of mulch underneath it. This will help protect the tree from disease and damage from lawn mowers and weed whackers.

4. Definitely leave a wide area of mulch around your trees if you have replaced your lawn with artificial turf. Fake grass heats up the soil beneath it, kills beneficial microbes and doesn’t allow the tree to breathe.

Our trees deserve special treatment. Let lawns go brown and thirsty shrubs wilt, but protect our hard-toreplace trees. Windsor Square depends on them! For more tips on tree care, go to our website: windsorsquare.org.

The Windsor Square Association, an all-volunteer group of residents from 1100 households between Beverly and Wilshire and Van Ness and Arden, works to preserve and enhance our beautiful neighborhood. Join with us! Drop us a line at 325 N. Larchmont Blvd., #158, Los Angeles, CA 90004, or visit our website at windsorsquare.org.

Feb. 27, after the Chronicle went to press.) The company was co-founded by siblings Nile and Hana Dreiling five years ago, starting out as a food truck in Hanalei, Hawaii.

We spoke with Nile Dreiling by telephone recently. When asked why the spot at 148 N. Larchmont Blvd. was chosen, he said, “Larchmont seems to have a demographic of individuals and families who really care about the ingre-

(Please turn to page 19)

Cookbook

(Continued from page 1)

But they didn’t want to change the original model too much. “There are many longtime fans of the market,” said Dotolo.

Larchmont

In deciding what to do with their newest location on our Boulevard, Shook said, “We try to look at it from a consumer’s perspective… A lot of people use [the market] to get food to make for dinner while also stopping to get some lunch. That’s how we use [the other Cookbooks] and we want to do that at the Larchmont location.”

Customers will be able to grab what strikes their fancy from the fresh selections at the market. Then they can enjoy a glass of wine and a meal. “It’s really like a café,” said Dotolo. The duo told us seating will predominantly be outside, but there will be some eight to 14 spots for inside dining as well. In total, 30 to 40 seats will be available.

We are told the product itself will shape the décor. “Once [items] are on the shelves, it starts to look very decorative. The produce and the flowers bring in a lot of colors,” said Shook. The team said flowers are a big seller at their other locations, and they expect the same to be true on the Boulevard.

Besides carrying produce and flowers, Larchmont’s new market will carry specialty items and a wide variety of baked goods made in-house and outsourced from different bakeries. Wine, fish, ice cream, an ever-changing assortment of prepared foods and high-quality meats will also be sold. The team plans to curate the inventory to what is selling. “I’m so curious to see what Larchmont gravitates toward and what they ask of us,” said Dotolo.

Faves

When asked what some of their favorite products are, Shook said, “My favorites change all the time… Right now, I’m really into the chickpea miso... My wife is super into the oat milk we sell…

and I love the diversity in the baked goods.”

Dotolo said, “I guess I’m kind of a normal shopper here. 70 percent of my buy is usually produce… I buy wine sometimes… I maybe grab a sandwich and a cookie, and then I fill in on what I need in my house. I’m always interested in trying the new things we’re bringing in. I love just being part of it.”

The two told us they’re hoping to open this May, but they know well that construction

in Los Angeles often faces delays.

As to the notion of opening other locations after Larchmont’s Cookbook Market is up and running, Shook said, “We’ll wait and see how this one goes and then go from there.” Dotolo added, “We’re looking to provide a service for this neighborhood and make people happy. That’s kind of always been our goal. To be able to keep doing that has been awesome.”

Visit: cookbookla.com.

*Please visit www.greaterwilshire.org for updates on the transition from Zoom to in-person

Board of Directors

Second Wednesday each month 6:30 p.m.

Land Use Committee

Fourth Tuesday each month, 6:30 p.m.

Outreach Committee

Third Tuesday each month, 6:30 p.m.

Transportation Committee

It’s Election Season! Vote by mail or inperson voting (your choice)! For info, visit: greaterwilshire.org/election

Election Day: April 30th

Third Thursday of odd-numbered months, 6:30p.m. (NEW DAY & TIME)

Environmental & Sustainability Committee

First Tuesday of even -numbered months, 6:30 p.m. (NEW TIME)

Qualit y of Life Committee

Fourth Wednesday of the 2nd month of each quarter, 5:00 p.m.

Resilience Committee

First Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m.

Ecclesia

Gnostica Gnostic Christian Church

Bishop Dr. Stephan Hoeller

157 N. Larchmont Boulevard

WINCHELL’S DONUT HOUSE circa 1977.

HOLEY GRAIL’S Sunrise Shack donut includes strawberries, coconut and spirulina.

OPENING in Chan Dara’s former spot is Cookbook Market.

New approach to Los Angeles homelessness

With Los Angeles welcoming a new mayor and city council this year, it’s clear that the city is ready to move in a new, more efficient and effective direction when it comes to our homelessness crisis.

Citywide, Mayor Bass has taken immediate action and responsibility for this issue. Her new Inside Safe program has already connected unhoused folks from across the city with hotel and motel rooms as they are on the pathway to permanent housing.

Here in District 13, we are also tackling this issue head-on. We now have three full-time team members dedicated to homelessness — the biggest crisis facing our city. These staff members have decades of combined experience treating homelessness and coordinating with trusted service providers.

With this structure, we will be able to tackle this crisis with the sophistication, efficiency and compassion all residents of this city deserve — instead of wasting our tax dollars by pushing folks from block to block.

Progress and hope, one street at a time

CD 13 Council Report

by Hugo Soto-Martinez

We actually have more than 30 different organizations dealing with homeless services across our district. After taking office, we found that some providers were repeating work, while other important work was not being handled at all.

Now, our homelessness team is coordinating with every service provider in CD13. We are also mapping out every single encampment in the district. We believe coordination and a comprehensive look at the scope of the problem is necessary to be able to solve this issue.

We are looking forward to bringing urgency and nuanced solutions to the biggest crisis facing our city.

To get in touch with our office, please reach out to me at councilmember.soto-martinez@lacity.org.

It’s been over a hundred years since A. W. Ross turned a stretch of farmland in the middle of the Los Angeles basin into what would become the iconic Miracle Mile. In that time, the neighborhood has become one of the most visited in the world, with renowned museums, thriving businesses and exemplary architecture. It has also been challenged by a tremendous amount of human suffering on our streets. But last month, Miracle Mile lived up to its name, as we were able to move more than 40 individuals living on Sixth Street, just east of Fairfax Avenue, into a nearby motel. There is no question that we have more work to do, but I am reminded that for many of the people that were liv-

CD 5 Council Report

by Katy Young Yaroslavsky

ing in that encampment, this was life-changing. There was a woman at the encampment who had been afraid to open her tent and talk to my team in advance of move-in day, fearful that she would lose custody of her 2-year-old child. Another woman was eight months pregnant. There was also a man living with his adult son and a brother and sister, all taking care of one another. For the first time in years, they all have real beds, a door that

locks, and a roof that doesn’t leak during winter storms. It is important in this work to stay connected to the individual lives that are impacted by homelessness. I am hopeful that we will replicate this success very soon in several more locations across Council District 5. At the same time, my team is working hard to create new interim and permanent supportive housing so that we have places for folks to go other than just motels. I will keep you updated on our progress.

Journalism

(Continued from page 9)

Rebuilding trust

The theme of this year’s conference was “Rebuilding Trust in an Age of Disinformation.” It focused on possible ways to restore the public’s faith in what the press is reporting. Joining conference presenters such as former U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr and political strategist David Axelrod was Windsor Square’s own Dee Dee Myers. Currently the director of Gov. Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Myers discussed “Misinformation and State Business” with the Ventura County Star’s reporter Tony Biasotti.

LIGHTS OUT! was the word in parts of the community over the rainy Feb. 24-26 weekend. A car crash on the corner of Beverly may, or may not, have contributed.

Photo by Alan Wolovitch

Olympic sport cycling talent identification program now on!

By Casey Russell

Between now and June, the Search for Speed is on. USA Cycling is restructuring and looking locally for new talent, according to Sterling Magnell, talent identification manager for USA cycling.

“The Search for Speed is a talent identification program focused on youth (14 to 25) in Los Angeles County from traditionally underserved communities. The goal is to get 700 to 1000 kids to try out,” said the cycling representative.

Designed to develop an

interest in the sport, the program will move young people into the pipeline that’s been created to develop talent. Organizers hope to find people with an incredible amount of raw ability and then help them develop that with an eye to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “We want to develop hometown kids for the hometown games,” Magnell said.

The tryout process is relatively simple. A couple of Wattbikes, which measure the amount of watts kids create by pushing hard on the pedals, are set up. Anyone who hits a certain number will be invited to a three-day session to see the velodrome in Carson and try riding on the banked track. Those who like it and do well will be introduced to the national team and its coaches. Some will continue to work with the national team with the goal of earning a spot on the squad and representing the U.S. in international competition.

The program is free to par-

ticipants and is friendly to crossover athletes. Sprinters, hockey players, volleyball players, BMXers — people involved in compound-movement sports — can excel at this. According to Magnell, if someone is strong, he or she can be taught the science and knowledge of racing on a velodrome in a couple of years. Then it’s improving and getting nuances. The search aims to democratize bike racing by introducing it to underserved communities. With the Wattbike technology, those who have potential can be identified and the numbers can’t be argued with. Tryouts were held at the end of February at Larchmont Charter’s Lafayette Park high school. Other opportunities to try out include: Sat., March 25, at Alpha Uno Athletics in Inglewood; the first Friday of each month at the Velo Sports Center in Carson; and the second Saturday of every month at the Los Angeles Bicycle Academy in Jefferson Park.

Visit searchforspeed.com.

Big Sunday gala returns to ‘new normal’ March 23

Big Sunday’s eighth annual fundraising gala is set for Thurs., March 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at a new Mexican restaurant and bar, Mirate, at 1712 N. Vermont Ave.

“This year’s gala will be a wonderful way to celebrate a huge and very impactful year for Big Sunday, a new space, and a return to normal (well, the new normal), while kicking us off for the many things we plan to do in the coming year,” Big Sunday executive director and founder, Hancock Park’s David Levinson, tells us.

Honorees are Marc Canter of Canter’s Deli, actress / writers Elizabeth Higgins Clark and

ART EXHIBIT AT THE EBELL

The Power of the Female Lens

Opening Reception:

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

5-8pm X Free Admission

Exhibit ends Sunday, April 23

Viewing by appointment after March 22

Please call 323-931-1277 x131

For more information visit www.EbellofLA.org/FemaleLens

Lauren Pomerantz and entertainment company Live Nation. While all of the honorees are treasured supporters of the locally based nonprofit, “Marc and Canter’s have a very longtime connection in the neighborhood,” Levinson reminded us.

“He and the deli have been great supporters of, and help to, Big Sunday for many years. He’s hosted Bingo ‘n Bagels many times (a special event benefitting, among others, the women of Downtown Women’s Center), as well as catered countless events, including our recent Thanksgiving and MLK Day events.”

Visit gala@bigsunday.org.

Enjoy shenanigans and help local Irish Import Shop

Wear something green, and come laugh with Bill Devlin and a lineup of other comedians at the Wren Theater at the Irish Import Shop, 742 Vine St., Fri., March 10, and Sat., March 11, at 9 p.m.

All proceeds from the events will support the Irish Import Shop, which is under threat of closure after 60 years.

“The Wren Theater is becoming a favorite of comedians and audiences alike,” Devlin told us. “Several of the country’s hottest comedians have chosen the Wren to tape their live stand-up comedy specials. As an Irish American, I feel very strongly about keeping this shop open; it’s the only one of its kind left in Los Angeles.” Performance tickets are

available on Eventbrite and billdevlin.com. If you want to help the shop, its GoFundMe page is at tinyurl.com/2p88w5ew

More shenanigans will be at Bill Devlin’s Comedy and Cocktails event Fri., March 17, at the Hollywood Improv Lab, 8162 Melrose Ave. Doors open at 9:15 p.m. It’s the 19th show, Devlin tells us — the first since the pandemic, and the first to be held in the intimate room at the Lab. Tickets are available at improv.com.

BILL DEVLIN

ATHLETES participating in the Search for Speed at the Velo Sports Center in Carson.

an all-female fine art photography exhibit featuring Janna Ireland, Johanna Siegmann and Jane Szabo.

John Irving’s new book echoes his own youth as an athlete

I have read John Irving, and he has read me.

Mr. Irving has been a subscriber to Amateur Wrestling News since the early 1970s. I’ve been writing 20 years for the publication and am presently the managing editor.

“Wherever I’ve lived, Amateur Wrestling News has reached me,” he said.

Mr. Irving, who won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1999 for “The Cider House Rules,” has woven athletics — especially wrestling and skiing — into much of his fiction. He was raised in New Hampshire, and he grew up skiing. He also wrestled, then later coached.

Irving is back with “The Last Chairlift,” which he insists is his final long novel. The book, his 15th, is supposedly more autobiographical than any of his previous novels, though it isn’t autobiographical fiction. He has frequently populated his books with gay and transgender characters, and his latest is no exception. His life ultimately is not mirrored within the book, but many elements are more than coincidence. Even the novel’s title is a direct reference to his past.

“I’ve lived more of my life in skiing places — in New Hampshire and Vermont, and in Austria,” he said.

The first sentence of “The Last Chairlift” made me laugh outright.

“My mother named me Adam, after you know who.” I love that.

Oh, and maybe I didn’t mention; this book is funny How could it not be, with an opening line like that!

The book chronicles Adam Brewster and his peculiar family. It begins in the 1940s and schusses almost to the present. Adam’s mother, a ski instructor who had aspirations to ski competitively on the world stage when she was younger, is secretive about Adam’s father’s identity, and this is a prominent thread throughout the story. She marries Mr. Barlow and, along with Coach Dearborn, another great character who was an All American wrestler from Illinois, wrestling becomes one of the novel’s central elements.

Coach Dearborn wasn’t very enthusiastic about lifting weights. “You want to lift, just wrestle more,” he would say.

Adam prefers wrestling, and tells Mr. Barlow:

‘“I hate skiing,’ I told him. Every ski season, it’s what my mom does instead of being my mother. She keeps trying to teach me to ski, but I refuse to learn.”

Ultimately, “The Last Chair-

Youth

Sports by Jim Kalin

lift” is not about wrestling, though it isn’t really about skiing either; it’s about the characters and their stories.

“Good storytelling is directed to an outcome, one that’s been set up,” said Irving. “A good story isn’t a haphazard journey. An athletic endeavor is similarly determined; training for a sport is specific, not random.”

Irving believes that writers and athletes have much in common, especially when it comes to the process. Writing and training must be efficient and economic, and in order

for that to happen, an objective must first be realized.

“I don’t begin a novel until I know the ending,” said Irving.

I believe we sometimes need to give up things that make us happy for things that, surprisingly, will make us happier. Many of Irving’s characters

fall under that category (at least the most interesting ones) and there are lots of them in this new novel.

Writers tell us through story something about ourselves. Irving does that well, but he also reveals an awful lot about himself. And this is probably

the closest he’ll ever come to writing about John Irving. An autobiography later? Unlikely, if he’s honest about not beginning a work until he knows the ending.

I think Mr. Irving secretly wants to write for Amateur Wrestling News.

Council election

(Continued from page 8) that there shall be no absentee voting, including but not limited to voting by mail or proxy, the city, as part of its COVID-19 regulating, has allowed vote-by-mail in neighborhood council elections. Information about that is at: tinyurl.com/5n7hevr4.

Detailed information about 2023’s GWNC election is at: greaterwilshire.org/2023elections.

Candidate registration has closed, and information about the certified candidates for the GWNC seats is at: tinyurl.com/824npp2j.

JOHN IRVING

Photo by Nina Cochran

Helping kids keep themselves safe while they’re out in the world

By Casey Russell

This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about how parents can keep kids safe. Having a child to usher through this world is an awesome gift, but it’s also a huge responsibility. And while there’s a lot that we adults do daily to ensure our kids’ safety, there are ways we can empower our children to help keep themselves safe as well.

Very young children can be taught key information to help them reconnect with you if they become lost. Make sure your child knows your full name. Most of us don’t want our kids to call us, “Martha” or “Daniel” on a regular basis, but it is important for our children to know our full names.

Kids should also be taught at least one parent’s phone number and their own address.  Make a game out of it by creating a song or shouting out your address every time you pull in the driveway for a week or two. If you have a partner, let your child dial his or her number on your phone while you say it aloud. Teach the basics in a fun way and then review them once in a while to ensure they stay fresh.

It’s important to make sure children know who they can safely go to for help if they get separated from you while out in the world. Fifty years ago, it may have been fine to advise seeking out a policeman. But, there are lots of uniformed people these days. I tell my daughter that if she ever finds herself lost, she should look for a woman with a child and ask for help from her.

Helping kids understand the importance of staying where a caretaker can see them is also important. Let your child know what boundaries to stay within when you go to a park or to a new area to play. Make sure you let him know that

Tips on Parenting by

Casey Russell

he needs to come tell you if he wants to change areas. Yes, we parents need to be vigilant in knowing where our kids are. But, children need to be taught not to wander, too.

Stranger safety

And though it can be uncomfortable to talk about strangers, it’s a good idea to teach children early about stranger safety. Kids need to know that strangers are people we don’t know well. We can teach our children that most strangers are safe, but some are not. We should talk with our kids about never going with anyone, even if we know the person, without first asking the adult taking care of the child if it is ok.

I think it’s a good idea to give kids examples of scenarios they might run into. What could these be? Someone telling a child there are puppies a little way off and offering to show him. Someone saying they have money, toys or candy. Someone saying he has been sent by the parent to take the child home. Someone saying he needs help with something, making the child feel like it’s important to help. Kids don’t like to be tricked. They should be told that a stranger asking a child for help could be trying to trick them. If that happens, the child needs to go to her caretaker. If the person really needs help, the caretaker and child can help together.

Trust their instincts

Kids should also know to trust the feeling in their tum-

mies. If they get a bad feeling in their tummies in any situation, they should trust that feeling and get out of the situation. And, kids should know that if someone tries to grab them, they should use their loudest outside voices and shout, “No! I don’t know you!” while going bananas. This means wiggling around as much as possible, trying to get away while screaming, “No, I don’t know you!!” Let your child know this would be an instance where it’s OK to stamp as hard as possible on someone’s foot, to bite and to

THIRD STREET SCHOOL

By Ren Stoppani Brown 5th Grade

To celebrate Black History

Month in February, students at Third Street School were encouraged to submit written or artistic projects. The projects were on display in the auditorium on Feb. 21 and 22. Classes and families were invited to see the exhibition.

Also, to encourage better attendance, students with perfect attendance will be recognized each month at a school assembly.

Coming up in March, the last Prospective Parents Open House and Tour of the year will take place on Fri., March. 24, at 9 a.m. Any one wishing to participate will need to RSVP at tinyurl.com/3rd-StTour. During the tour, Principal Lee will answer questions and show parents around the school.

There will be an Open House for parents and children already attending Third Street on Wed., March. 29, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Parents will be able to visit their students’ classrooms to see their kids’ work. Parents can also meet the teachers their children might have in the coming year.

Spring break will be from Mon., April 3, through Fri., April 7 — only one week because we got three for Winter Break.

Happy Spring!

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE

Miles Hoffman

6th Grade

Hello again!

My sixth grade class and I have been doing lots of exciting things this month. With other schools, we have been collaborating with the University of Michigan for a project called Place Out of Time (POOT.) With POOT, students portray great women and men from across the range of human history, and gather to decide the outcome of a trial that is linked to a controversial

hit hard.

This can lead into talking about the fact that each person is in charge of her own body. If anyone wants her to do something with her body that the child is uncomfortable with, she can — and should — say no. This is true whether she knows the person or not. Children need to clearly know they are the bosses of their own bodies. Kids should also be told by the parents they love that they will never get in trouble for telling a secret if it is something that is worrying them. They never

issue of our time.

I was lucky enough to be assigned Julius Erving, basketball superstar and role model of many current and past players. We researched and found out so many interesting facts. Right now, we are working on a biography for our figures, and I can’t wait to see where this project goes next.

We also visited the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple. I had never been to a temple like that before, and it was a great experience. We even witnessed a short ceremony. In the temple, there were three giant statues of Buddha, which, I learned, were all different Buddhas.

In science class, we’ve been learning about limb differences. We even learned about a company called E-nable that is using 3-D printers to make low priced, efficient prosthetic limbs. In class, we used cardboard, string and other materials to make our own prosthetic hands. Then, we tried lifting random objects to see if they worked.

We’re excited to continue learning new and interesting things such as this.

have to keep a secret that an adult has asked them to keep if it makes them uncomfortable.

It may not be fun to think about topics like these. But it is necessary to talk about them. Giving your child some tools she can use, and permission to trust her gut and say no, may give her the knowledge she needs to keep herself safe. For more parenting tips, check out my book, “The Handbook for Life With Little Ones: Information, ideas and tips for birth to age five,” on Amazon.

and lined up. After all, this was our last Jog-A-Thon, and for many, it brought back memories of years past.

The Jog-A-Thon has always been a reminder of how our community comes together — students, teachers, parents and administrators alike. It brings a smile to our faces as we see the kindergarteners standing on the side lines to give us high-fives as we jog past.

MARLBOROUGH

By Avery Gough 11th Grade

This month is a very exciting and full month for Marlborough students.

First, the Winter Athletics Recognition ceremony will be held on Wed., March 1. Student athletes in sports such as water polo, soccer and basketball will be celebrated during an evening event that parents of the athletes are invited to.

Meltzer

THE WILLOWS Simone

8th Grade

At The Willows, we celebrated a time-honored tradition Feb. 10, the annual Jog-a-thon. It has been one of our community’s most anticipated events for as long as I’ve been at the school.

A t-shirt table is set up and the annual design — this year grey fabric printed with blue Jordans — is worn proudly throughout the day. Leading up to the event, students are encouraged to call friends and family members to ask for pledges. The money is donated to the school. This year, laps were counted by rubber bracelets collected each pass. In years past, we earned stamps that left inky smiley faces covering our arms.

Grades run at staggered times throughout the day, and there was a sentimentality in the air as the 8th grade runners stretched

Furthermore, Marlborough will offer the SAT to juniors and seniors on Sat., March 11.  In arts news, Marlborough Ensemble Theatre (MET) will perform “Lord of the Flies” on the Thur., March 9, Sat., March 11, and March 16 through 18. Additionally, Yale’s improvisational troupe, Just Add Water, will put on a showcase of interactive games and an improvised musical for Marlborough students on Tues., March 21. During the first semester, Marlborough brought Brown University’s a cappella groups to our campus to perform for our students.

In the last week of March, the sophomore class will visit colleges in Northern California in order to start the college touring process early. The trip spans the first week of spring break only. The junior class also takes a weeklong college tour trip, but theirs goes to the East Coast. The juniors will tour Georgetown, NYU, Columbia, John Hopkins, Vassar, UPenn and more. These trips are such a great opportunity to bond with peers and get a good sense of a wide variety of schools.

OAKWOOD SCHOOL Scarlett Saldaña 12th Grade

This month, Oakwood’s beloved Immersion finally begins!

Two weeks before Spring Break, students are given the opportunity to venture outside of the school curriculum to explore specific interests and learn more about unfamiliar topics.

Immersion has always been a favorite time of the school year for me because I learn about subjects I never knew I’d be interested in. “Computer Animation” was my first Immersion experience. I not only learned how to use Adobe Animate, but my group was able to visit Marvel Studios to speak with animators who explained their process in creating films.

This year, I’ve been enrolled in “The Pad Project at the UN Commission.” My group will visit New York City to attend the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. We’ll study the impact of the lack of reproductive and menstrual rights in society.

Other students will participate in Immersions like “Exploring and Debunking the Myths of the Spanish Conquest,” where they’ll travel to Mexico to visit historical sites. One local Immersion is “Migrant Foodways.” Students are given the chance to study the culinary patterns in Los Angeles, as well as how culture impacts our entire community. It’s exciting to know that we have all of these opportunities.

By Casey Russell

Members of the Ebell have long valued education. More than 100 years ago, a scholarship was launched to give a helping hand to deserving undergraduates. Since the program’s inception, in excess of $6 million has been awarded. In 2022 / 2023, there have been 54 recipients who received the Ebell / Flint Scholarship.

On Feb. 11, the scholars gathered with Ebell members including Scholarship Chair

Anne Lynch to celebrate with a breakfast and discussion at the historic campus at Lucerne and Wilshire boulevards. Because the interview process took place over Zoom, the celebration was the first opportunity for organization members to meet the recipients in person. It was a welcome chance for members of The Ebell to hear firsthand about the scholars’ journeys and goals.

Undergraduates of any major who reside in and who attend private or public nonprofit colleges or universities

NEW COVENANT ACADEMY Sue Jung Pak 10th Grade

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the middle and high school student councils held fundraisers selling Valentine’s grams and themed cupcakes. All students had the opportunity to give close friends a small present.

The school’s annual winter camp also took place from Feb. 15 to 17 in the mountains of Yucapia, California. Students in middle and high school were able to spend time getting closer with each other and the teachers. This time also served as a great opportunity for younger classmen to reach out and spend time with older classmen, and others in different grades. This camp brought school members closer together and was a memorable trip for all!

Math Olympics took place for students in grades three through eight. NCA teachers were asked to select students based on the recent Math Olympics mock exam, exemplary academic student achievement, classroom conduct and personal qualities throughout the school year. The students were able to apply what they have practiced and learned and got to celebrate their accomplishments.

As the boys’ basketball season came to an end, the boys’ volleyball season started off strong! Come out and support them as they put in their hard work to play hard! Go Huskies!

Student Visionaries raise funds for cancer research

By Emily Rissier

I and Keira McLain have the honor to be Student Visionaries of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), the largest and oldest nonprofit funder of blood cancer treatment. As visionaries, we are leading a seven-week campaign to raise funds for blood cancer research through March 10. Our goal is to raise $85,000.

Keira and I have recruited 11 other local high school teens to help us with this effort as well as my godfather, Brian Gattas, and grandmother, Susan Ingram. Each team member has heartfelt connections for participating in our fight to cure cancer and advocate for cancer research.

Keira and I are so impressed by how LLS underwrites cutting-edge research that leads to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine. This work is improving and saving the lives of patients. In just the past five years, LLS

has advanced 75 percent of FDA-approved blood cancer treatments. The organization strives to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloma and improve patients’ and families’ quality of life. Keira, our team and I are working to raise as much money as possible to help achieve LLS’s mission.

We seek to reach a larger

MELROSE ELEMENTARY

By Stella Coppola 5th Grade

The exercise we’d all been waiting for finally arrived at Melrose — The Jog-AThon! We ran and ran and defined what it means to be a Melrose Star!  There was fun and fitness for all.  This year’s event was probably the best one in my four years at Melrose.

Now for the biggest news of

part of the community, and as a former School News reporter at the Larchmont Chronicle , I am aware of its audience and believe that we can make a bigger change for good by expanding our network.

To reach Team LAStrong to help in the fight to cure cancer, visit tinyurl.com/55khj8z3.

Emily Rissier is a junior at Marlborough School.

all — the 5th-grade trip to Catalina! We took a three-hour trip (think “Gilligan’s island”) on a very cool ship to the coolest island ever.  We stayed in an old-fashioned cabin near a light house. We also learned about marine life while we hunted for sand crabs, snorkeled and hung out on the beach.

Speaking of the sea, the 20222023 yearbook themed, “Under the Sea,” is coming along well! The photographers are gathering the photos that best showcase the year and the graphic designers are making the yearbook look fabulous and fishy.

in Los Angeles County are encouraged to submit applications for the 2023 / 2024 scholarships by Mon., April 3. To do so, visit ebellofla.org/ membership/philanthropy/ scholarship.

VISIONARIES TEAM members. Top row, left to right: Niko Plavoukos (New Roads), Oscar Trevino (Loyola), Ty Malloy (Loyola), Emily Rissier (Marlborough), Sophia Wegann-Gatarz (Immaculate Heart), Keira McLain (Marlborough) and Charlie Zien (Marlborough); Bottom row, left to right: Georgie Goodman (New Roads), Eloise Perfitt (Marlborough) and Delaney Paul (ESLA). Additional members not pictured are Clara Gerber (Buckley), David Miller (Loyola), Brian Gattas and Susan Ingram.

SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR Anne Lynch with scholar Alexis Mendez, a senior at Loyola Marymount majoring in mechanical engineering.

PAGE ACADEMY

Isabella Argiropoulos 7th Grade

Hello, my Larchmont neighbors! Page Academy went all out on Feb. 14 with a pancake breakfast for our families, Valentine’s Grams, a Valentine’s themed scavenger hunt. Students and staff dressed in red, pink, purple and white in celebration of Valentine’s Day! We hope that you and your loved ones were also able to celebrate.

Our students completed many informative projects for Black History Month, focusing on many outstanding Black and African Americans and their achievements. Our students also learned about the importance of healthy teeth and bright smiles for Dental Health Month (especially after all those pancakes and Valentine’s candy)!

With our winter break behind us, we look forward to the end of the third quarter in March and more educational, creative and fun activities. Students will be hard at work completing their science fair projects and their fantastic Art to Remember creations will be available for order. Pj’s and reading will be in store for Read Across America Day, and student council will have some exciting events for St. Patrick’s Day. Could green outfits along with a few shamrocks and leprechauns be springing up around the campus?

All of us at Page are looking forward to the official start of spring, longer days and warmer weather. I wish everyone a great month!

CAMPBELL HALL

Claire “Cal” Lesher 10th Grade

February

brought a plethora of activities and sweet events to our school.

First, the Vikings Robotics team went to state finals and did an amazing job. The high school Speech & Debate team competed at the Peninsula Invitational, and placed first out of 54 teams. Go teams!

Our annual Hands 4 Haiti Community Event raised money for our sister schools. We had delicious Haitian food, live performances by our students in the World Drumming Ensemble, Jazz Band and Choir and remarkable art on display in the CH Gallery.

Our Varsity Girls’ Soccer team made it to the first round of playoffs of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIFSS). Also the Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball teams made it to the CIF play offs!

The sweet Valentine Choral Concert was performed by the high school Choir. CH also celebrated Valentine’s Day by handing out donuts to everyone. Additionally, our middle school students did a live performance called, Scenes, Songs, Symphonies, Sautes, Sambas & Sketches. Rehearsals are in full swing with the musical “Into the Woods”, and our fun Gospel Choir.

Lastly, our incredible Campbell Hall School turned 79 this month! Happy Birthday! Stay tuned until next month.

GALA hosted women leaders at conference

By Casey Russell

The Girls’ Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) held its sixth annual Young Women’s Career Conference on Feb. 24. Students in grades six through 12 attended speaker panels and had a chance to connect with women leaders working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers.

The day was dedicated to helping GALA students hear from women in a variety of occupations including environmental science, criminology, architecture, aerospace, engineering, gaming and more.

Verizon, a “Top Companies for Women Technologists” award recipient, sponsored the conference. GALA, located on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles High School campus, currently is the

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from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sat., March 4, and Sat., March 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Shade Store, 216 N. Larchmont: Fri., March 3 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sat., March 4, Sun., March 5, Sat., March 11 and Sun., March 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

U.S. Bank, 157 N. Larchmont: Sun., March 5, and Sun., March 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To find more booth locations, visit girlscouts.org.

only STEM focused all-girls public school in California. For more information, visit galacademy.org.

Girls’ basketball league readies for new season

By Casey Russell Goldie’s

Youth Sports

All

Girls’ Basketball League will be starting its new season Mon., April 3. The recreational league will play through Sun., June 11, and is open to girls aged 6 through 16.

Registration is available through Sun., March 5 to players of all skill levels. Games will begin the weekend of Sat., April 15, and most

will be held at the St. Brendan School gym (238 S. Manhattan Pl.).

Team assignments, according to the website, are based on age, skill, scheduling requests and availability. The program’s fee is $265, not including the uniform, and $320 with uniform. Scholarships are available. For more, visit goldiesyouthsports.com.

Plymouth School

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT GALA who attended the Law & Order panel heard speakers (left to right) deputy district attorney Tal Kahana, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission senior counsel Tamar Braz (standing) and Sidley lawyer Monica Candiff.

GOLDIE’S Youth Sports players (left to right) June Wilner, Marni Taylor, Viveka Patel and Alana Lurie.

Gnomes, art mingle at Giving Tree in Wilshire Park

By Casey Russell

Neighbors gathered in the yard of Felice Pappas recently to attend The Gnome Gallery’s first art opening. The gallery, located in Wilshire Park at The Giving Tree, on 5th Avenue’s parkway, presented a collection of artist Charlotte Tarantola’s fantastical oil paintings.

The opening was entitled “Go Big or Go Gnome” and, along with Tarantola’s larger art, featured some 1- to 2-inch paintings. These minute works of art were installed in a vintage wine box housed in a tree outside Felice Pappas’ yard. Inspired by Shell Silverstein’s book, the tree was dubbed “The Giving Tree” and has become a neighborhood sensation.

CHRIST

THE KING

Joshua Lo 8th Grade

Our Academic Decathlon team placed second overall in the Academic Quiz Bowl, which was held at Cathedral High School on Feb. 4. The team is now working hard to compete in the upcoming Academic Decathlon, which will take place on Sat., March 4.

All students celebrated St. Valentine’s Day and wore red, white and pink accessories. They had fun sharing singing telegrams for friendship.

Our basketball teams are practicing regularly and competing in games against other schools. The 5th and 7th grade students went on a field trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and enjoyed the exhibits.

Our Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders are looking forward to

lery version of a little free library in her tree during the pandemic. “I was feeling pretty low, and I needed some kind of creative outlet. It’s a bit like a Japanese zen garden, but kitsch,” said Pappas. “It’s

become a destination for lots of parent and child walks. It’s sort of a giving exchange and is a great way to break the ice and get to know neighbors.”

Pappas curates little gnome vignettes on and around the tree. There’s a miniature mailbox where people leave tiny toys. There have been painted light switch plates, tile paintings, portraits by professional

seeing Cinderella at the Assistance League at the end of the month.

Students celebrated Mardi Gras by wearing purple, green, and gold. Ash Wednesday marked the first day of Lent. Students will gather every Friday during the Lenten season for Stations of the Cross to recognize Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

E.S.L.A.

Isabel Viola 12th grade

The ESLA community has a lot going on as winter slowly melts away and the warmth of spring is breathed back into Los Angeles. Last week, the Community Life Council hosted the Lights Out Dance and invited upper school students to have fun with friends and classmates.

To celebrate the Valentine’s season, ESLA’s literary magazine, the Lillian, asked

artists and lots of art by children. It’s always a mystery as to what will be there.

“Sometimes I leave little miniature canvases in the

community members to leave notes of endearment to others as a way to spread love throughout our school. Following this event, they published their second issue of the year and so did the newspaper, the Bowtie Bulletin.

The theater department put on a spectacular rendition of the classic play “Clue.” The actors produced a hilarious performance that was heightened by the clever set design, stage direction and epic costumes. What made this play even more impressive was the fact that it was directed by an ESLA senior!

Basketball season has just ended with both boys’ and girls’ teams playing hard and putting in their best efforts. With the boys’ volleyball season around

mailbox so that people can be inspired.” Pappas likes to make changes to the Gnome’s community frequently and loves that passersby can see

the corner and practices starting up, everyone is excited to see what they have in store.

PILGRIM SCHOOL

By Allison Pak

9th Grade Pilgrim High School started the new semester by celebrating together. The Association of Student Body (ASB) put together a fun party with games, bouncers and a taco truck. We had a pep rally where the pom team performed fun dance routines, the winter sports teams were acknowledged and games were played.

art and be inspired by this magical place.

The first official art opening at The Giving Tree was quite a success in the eyes of both the artist and the curator. All of Tarantola’s work was sold, and many neighbors attended the Gnome-inspired event.

Pilgrim School won the soccer league championship! We also recently had Spirit Week. Kids dressed up for this Pilgrim tradition. We had Pajama Day, Superhero Day, Olympic Day, Denim Day and Share the Love Day. There was an admissions day during which applicants spent half a day at Pilgrim. We got to learn more about the applicants and the applicants and their families got to know more about Pilgrim.

On Feb. 24, the Pilgrim School community celebrated Black History Month with music, soul food, games and books. All items were from black-owned businesses. For more information about Pilgrim School, visit pilgrim-school.org.

Dentistry for Children and Young Adults

FELICE PAPPAS (curator) and Charlotte Tarantola (artist) in front of the giving tree.

ARTWORK by Charlotte Tarantola.

NEIGHBORS gathered at art opening.

LARCHMONT CHARTER HOLLYGROVE

By Yena Rhee and Alastair Ayandele 4th Grade

March is going to be a very convivial month. We have Saint Patrick’s Day, “Larch Radness,” and Cesar Chavez Day! It can’t get better!

Let’s start with Music. For St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish band known as Paddy’s Pig will play. The band includes the parents of one of our very own 4th graders! They’ll be playing bass, acoustic guitar and will use tin whistles. Of course, vocals are another thing they will be using!

There is a new student role at Larchmont. Students in the new role are called, “Kindness Ambassadors.” They wear blue vests (so you can see them) almost every day. The 4th graders who have taken on this position help solve problems for other kids in 4th grade. The Kindness Ambassadors’ goal is to be as helpful as they can be, solving common problems that come up. Turn taking, for example, is one of them. Solving conflicts that include their peers and friends is another example. And their biggest objective is to spread kindness.

We’ve mentioned Larch Radness. But, what is it you ask?

It’s a public event at Larchmont Charter’s Selma campus that

will take place on Sat., March 4. Students will try to run as many laps as they can. Teachers and parents will cheer and give highfives! Larch Radness is dedicated to feeling healthy, active, and strong.

We hope you receive kindness and the luck of the Irish in the month of March!

IMMACULATE HEART

By Kellyn Lanza 12th Grade

Our school recently honored the start of spring sports and recognized all of our senior athletes with the final pep rally of the year featuring the theme Surf’s Up. The rally celebrated spring teams in softball, track and field, swim, and our newest addition to IH Sports, beach volleyball.

Early in February, the entire school community participated in valuable discussions guided by representatives of Prevention Solutions (formerly Freedom from Chemical Dependency), who offered advice on healthy, substance-free living and answered questions. The month ended with our community-building event, the 76th Annual Spring Luncheon, as well as the Spring Kairos retreat for members of the Class of 2023.

March’s arrival means acceptances will soon be mailed, and we look forward to welcoming the newest members of our school community on campus. Current IH students are also

looking forward to the Genesian Players’ production of “Alice in Wonderland,” which will open for four performances starting on March 16!

SAINT BRENDAN

By Jack Byrne

8th Grade

Hello, Larchmont. St. Brendan celebrated its 100th school day! Students either dressed up as if they were 100 years old or attached 100 things to themselves! So many people dressed up and I saw some really funny costumes. Someone wore 100 stickers.

The 100 Day celebration was not the only time we got to dress up. It was also red, white, and pink day on Valentine’s Day. Classes dressed in those colors and got to pass out candy to each other and eat cupcakes at recess!

In sports, St. Brendan’s basketball team is getting ready for the playoffs after a great season. Finally, 2nd through 8th graders got to meet the famous author Stuart Gibbs and were able to receive a signed copy of his new book, “Whale Done.”

Thank you for reading the St. Brendan section in the Larchmont Chronicle

CATHEDRAL CHAPEL

By Olivia Sherman

6th Grade

We have been busy here at CCS. Our boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are ending their first season back after a two-year hiatus. Our decathletes proud-

ly represented us at the Quiz Bowl and won first place overall! Go Direwolves! Without missing a beat, our decathletes continue to prepare diligently for the OLA Regional Decathlon taking place on Sat., March 4.

Can you believe the season of Lent is upon us? We began the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 22.

In March, CCS will also host its annual jog-a-thon — a fun way to exercise, show school spirit and raise funds for school programs. The 2nd graders will make their First Confessions on Sat., March 18.

Kindergarten through 8th grade kids will be participating in our annual Science Fair during the last week of March. Students will present their projects for judging. Happy Spring to all!

THE OAKS

By Amelia Goldberg

6th Grade

For Black History Month, the 6th grade class set up a display. The display had three segments: historical and contemporary Black figures, books by Black writers about Black figures and a teacher interview about the meaning of Black History Month.

The famous Black people we highlighted were: Langston Hughes, Harriet Tubman, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Phillip Freelon. Each of the featured people got his or her own mini-biography with a short description of his or her triumphs and struggles.

The books we included were; “Through My Eyes,” “Ablaze

With Color,” “The Day You Begin,” “Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer,” “Dream Builder,” “She Was the First!,” “The Undefeated,” “Hair Love,” “When Aiden Became a Brother,” “Each Kindness,” “Heart and Soul,” “Josephine,” “Story Painter,” “Schomburg,” “Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History” and “Boys Dance!”

I’ll admit, it’s hard to walk by the wall without wanting to take a few down and read them! We wanted to show that Black history is American history and celebrate Black contributions.

ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL

By Evan Listi

6th Grade

Hello! It was quite a busy February at St. James’. From field trips to author visits, we did it all. March is also filled with some very exciting events! It is Women’s History Month and, to celebrate, we will be having special speakers during Commons, as well as cultural events.

The highly anticipated Spring Dance is Fri., March 10 for students in grades four through six. It’s a really fun night benefitting the 6th Grade Graduation Fund.

On Sat., March 18, at 2:30 p.m., we will have our school production of “Honk! Jr.” at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. I’m in the musical and play the role of Ida, the Ugly Duckling’s mother.  The cast and crew have been having a blast rehearsing and we can’t wait to perform.  I encourage you to come to the theater and buy tickets on the day of show.

Our family conferences are also this month.  Parents get to check in with teachers, and students present a personal slideshow.  On Fri., March 24, we will have our annual Husky Games, which will kick off spring break!

Local kids’ theater performs ‘Newsies’ under the stars

By Caroline Tracy

During the late stages of the pandemic (think January ’22), Larchmont mom Jillian Bach was in search of outdoor activities for her family. While many businesses and classes for kids were open to the public, Bach still felt some trepidation about going indoors. Armed with her theater background, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Bach’s first order of business was to construct an outdoor theater for her children at her Beachwood Drive home. Bach’s hand-drawn renderings were transformed into a professional looking stage within days with the help of a capable friend.

With such a formidable podium in place and a babysitter who directed children’s theater, the Beachwood Backyard Theater (BBT) was born.

“Shrek Jr.,” BBT’s first official production, debuted in the spring of ’22. The show featured 10 children, all school friends of Bach’s two children.

Donuts

(Continued from page 10) dients they consume. They seem to have an appreciation for culinary artistry. And, there happens to be a farmers’ market [down the street] from our shop.”

Holey Grail Donuts draws inspiration from farmers’ markets, said Dreiling. He added that the new store will always highlight and support their Hawaiian taro farmer network but, “the goal is to make [our donuts] with local stuff. We want people to experience a seasonal local product.”

The siblings are devoted to impacting the food industry in a positive way. The donut, they believe, is the perfect vehicle to showcase their mission of creating food with a sustainable approach. In addition to striving to support local farmers with the rotating ingredients, they also use custom-made packaging — straws, cups, donut boxes — that is compostable and is mostly made from recycled paper products.

Made to order

The donuts are made to order so they come out hot and crispy on the outside while the inside is pillowy and fluffy with a little bit of chew to it. “We don’t use a ton of sugar. The rotating flavors — the garnishes — are where the flavor really comes from. We rotate these every week,” said Dreiling.

The four rotating weekly flavors also are featured in the shop’s “tasting box,” he said. “Our most popular

When it came time for the next show, “Newsies,” the babysitter-director was no longer available. Bach took on the role herself.

“I was a theater major and an actor, but I’ve never directed,” shared Bach.

“I really didn’t want to disappoint the kids, though. Everyone was so looking forward to working and playing together, so I just went for it.”

Bach had a few ideas she wanted to implement with “Newsies” — the first being that she didn’t want to operate on a strict timeline.

“We had a roundabout date, but the idea was to focus on the means instead of the ends,” Bach explained. “What this translated into was the kids being dropped off on Saturdays for a mixture of rehearsal and play. This allowed the kids to really connect and have fun, something that can become compromised if it’s all about meeting a very specific show deadline.”

Bach was also committed to involving the kids in every aspect of the show, from de-

order is at least one tasting box with some beverages. Most of our guests want to try all the [weekly] flavors. [But] there are some that we never take off. The main one is our Reincarnated Donut. It’s a real organic maple glaze with smoked coconut and Hawaiian sea salt. Also, our hot, single donut. That’s kind of the purest donut, as it’s very simple. It’s a hot taro donut dipped in local honey and garnished with flakey sea salt.”

Drinks

Holey Grail’s beverage program is just as unique as its donuts. Homemade cashew coconut milk is made daily and is served on tap with coffee, matcha or chai tea. “It’s like the building block for our beverage menu. We kind of serve everything on draft so our nut milk comes out frothy and creamy — almost like Guinness.”

The store has an open kitchen island in the middle of the space, which allows the whole donut-making process to be showcased. “We wanted it to be a really personal experience,” said Dreiling.

The siblings also have made giving back a priority. Each month, as part of the store’s Breaking Bread program, the Dreilings collaborate with a personality or chef they admire. Together they develop a new flavor. Each month, 20 percent of the money earned from sales of that flavor goes to the charitable organization of the collaborator’s choice.

In February, the duo joined forces with skateboarding pro Tony Hawk.

signing and making their own costumes to painting sets.

“Jillian has created an amazing space for kids to im-

merse themselves in not only the craft of theater, but the joy and camaraderie of it too,” said Hancock Park parent

Claire Markus. “My daughter Alice loved the experience.”

When the musical debuted after four months of rehearsals, this writer had a chance to view the performance. It was a magical scene, with string lights set over a backyard filled with community members and families. The young thespians were both technically adept and jubilant as they lit up the night stage.

While Bach considers the next production, “likely another musical with lots of meaty roles for all levels,” at least one participant is ready to sign on again.

“This was so memorable, and I really enjoyed it and would love to do it again,” enthused 9-year-old Alice Markus.

Award-winning food writer passes away

By Helene Seifer

A cclaimed Los Angeles Times food writer Barbara Hansen died Jan. 29 at the age of 90. She lived in her childhood home in the La Brea-Hancock neighborhood. Hansen highlighted international flavors in her newspaper articles and four cookbooks, including “Mexican Cookery,” in which she revealed her great love of the rich and varied cuisine of Mexico. In it she said, “Mexican food is as exciting and colorful as its art and music, as dramatic as its history and as appealing as its lively, warm-hearted people.”

Although she retired from

the Los Angeles Times in 2006, Hansen remained an active member of the Los Angeles food scene. In November 2022 she celebrated her 90th birthday at San Antonio Winery. As recently as Jan. 13, she posted about attending a tequila pairing dinner, and her last Instagram post as @tableconversation was on Jan. 19, where she touted the healthy food in Vasudha Viswanath’s cookbook, “The Vegetarian Reset.”

Barbara Hansen, who wrote her first story for the Los Angeles Times in 1969, is admired as one of the first woman food journalists and one of the earliest writers to

focus on ethnic foods. She won a James Beard Award in 2004 for her article “Mezcal: Good Drink, Bad Rap.”

In honor of Hansen’s love of Mexican food and drink, enjoy this classic margarita recipe adapted from “Mexican Cookery,” in which she said, “Mexico is a wonderful place to be thirsty.”

For one margarita, rub the rim of a glass with a lime wedge, then swirl in salt to coat rim. Combine two ounces tequila, three-quarters ounce triple sec, one tablespoon lime juice and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Shake, then strain into prepared glass.

OUTDOOR THEATER constructed behind a Beachwood Drive home was the setting for “Newsies,” above.

Local theater today: the good, the bad and the indifferent

According to Yahoo News (2/15/23), California’s population dropped by 500,000 during the last two years. Yet Los Angeles is flooded with transplants in the theater. Shows that bring their directors, design teams, stars etc., from Chicago, New York or Paris fill our houses at the moment. Neither touring production nor revival, these hybrid re-mountings range from good to bad to indifferent.

First the good — very good — is the Pasadena Playhouse’s staging of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George” (through March 19; pasadenaplayhouse.org or 626-356-7529). The production is a re-mounting of the 2017 New York production that starred Jake Gyllenhall and Annaleigh Ashford. The production’s director, Sarna Lapine, and design team recreate their Broadway values here, with Graham Phillips as the Post-Impressionist painter Georges Seurat and Krystina Alabado as his muse. The play builds around the creation of Seurat’s late-1880s painting, “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” but the play also leaps a century ahead (in the problematic second act) to Seurat’s great-grandson, a modern artist who creates installations.

Sondheim’s theme is the power of art to connect — in life and love. I saw neither the 2017 nor 2008 revivals, having seen the original 1984 Broadway production with Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Pe-

ters, which has stuck with me ever since. If this production doesn’t quite replace that one for me, it is nevertheless firstrate and not to be missed.

The bad: Coming from Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater, Lee Edward Colston

II’s “The First Deep Breath” aspires to epic proportions in the vein of Ibsen, O’Neill, Miller and — more recently — August Wilson and Tracy Letts. Running at nearly four hours, Mr. Colston and his director and design team are to be commended for their chutzpah, but someone should have told the talented Mr. Colston (who plays one of the leads) to cut two hours and focus the play.

Set during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in the predominantly Black neighborhood of North Philadelphia, the Jones family saga includes a prodigal son returning from prison who would rather be known as a rapist than gay; a younger brother who wants to be a dancer but is afraid to tell that to his rigid preacher father (who is having a brief affair with his wife’s sister); the wife suffering from dementia; the daughter pregnant out of wedlock; and more. The stories get laid out, and the stories get wrapped up, in language that aspires to poetic loftiness but falls flat more often than not. The play has good moments — two hours worth of them — but is not helped by the set, which in Chicago seemed suffocatingly mid-

Theater Review by Louis Fantasia

dle-class, while at the Geffen comes across as a sprawling mansion that doesn’t so much trap its residents in American Dream toxicity (Black or white) as allow them to wallow in it. (Through March 5; 310-208-2028 or geffenplayhouse.org).

Indifferent (which is worse than bad): Los Angeles Opera has announced its 2023-24 season. Included are a “Don Giovanni” from London’s Covent Garden via the Houston Grand Opera, and a “Barber of Seville” from Chicago’s Lyric Opera. Despite what appeared to be a generally engaged audience around me, I found LA Opera’s recent “Marriage of Figaro” from the Champs Elysée Theatre in Paris to be sluggishly paced, sloppily staged and underwhelmingly sung. I hurried home to find the film of the 1973 Glyndebourne production — staged by Peter Hall with Kiri Te Kanawa and Frederica von Stade — to remind myself how sharp and sparkling Mozart (let alone dramatist Beaumarchais) can be. Let’s hope the opera transplants next season up their games.

Finally, I want to pay tribute to my colleague, the

What to watch for

April 23 is Shakespeare’s Birthday, so...

Venice’s City Garage Theatre is presenting “Cardenio,” Shakespeare’s “lost” play (he really didn’t write it, but...) Feb. 24 - Mar. 26; 310-319-9939; citygarage.org

“King Lear” plays at the Long Beach Shakespeare Company through Mar. 11; lbshakespeare.org

Much Ado About Nothing runs at A Noise Within through Mar. 12; anoisewithin.org

critic, playwright and novelist Willard Manus, who died in January. One of the most decent people I’ve ever worked with, I last saw Will and his wife Mavis at the opening of a Justin Tanner play, but for

some reason — that seemed important to me then — had to race out without saying hello… or goodbye.

The Los Angeles theater scene will be a little lesser without Will Manus.

Former Chronicle publisher, Jane Gilman, to talk on entrepreneurship at The Ebell

Jane Gilman, founder of the Larchmont Chronicle, will be interviewed at The Ebell of Los Angeles on Wed., March 8, at 3

p.m. Laura Foti Cohen  will question Gilman on the road to starting a business. Ebell members and their guests are welcome.

Women’s History Month benefit set

Look What She Did is holding a Women’s History Month benefit Sun., March 26 at 11 a.m. at The Ebell of Los Angeles. The local nonprofit’s annual fundraiser features guest speakers, awards, film premieres and conversations celebrating women past and present.

The 2023 Women’s History Month Honoree is Lilly Ledbetter (namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act of 2009). A brunch reception follows. The in-person event at The Ebell will also be livestreamed.

For information, visit lookwhatshedid.com.

Debussy April 4 at The Ebell Wilshire Theatre

The Ebell of Los Angeles is among venues participating in “Discovering Debussy,” a citywide celebration of Claude Debussy in March and April.

“Impressions of Pelléas,” an abbreviated version of Debussy’s opera “Pelléas and Mélisande,” will be performed in a salon setting on the stage at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre on Tues., April 4.

LA Opera Music Director James Conlon will give a pre-performance talk at 6:30 p.m. and pick up the baton for the performance at 7:30 p.m.

Artists from LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program and the Colburn School will perform. Learn more at ebellofla.org.

The citywide event honoring the French composer — considered the founder of

Impressionist music and one of the most influential composers of the 20th century — is through April 16. It features intimate conversations and performances hosted by several cultural destinations, in addition to The Ebell, including the Colburn School, The Hammer Museum, LA Opera, Norton Simon Museum and The Opera League of Los Angeles.

For a complete schedule of related events, visit c olburnschool.edu/discovering-debussy/

“Discovering Debussy” is directed and curated by Conlon in time for LA Opera’s full productions of  Debussy’s only opera, “Pelléas et Mélisande,” in five acts. Beginning March 25 and continuing to April 16, there will be six performances of the opera at The Music Center.

‘Discover’

Larchmont Chronicle MARCH 2023 SECTION ONE 21

Navalny (10/10): 92 minutes. R. A plane from Siberia to Moscow in August 2020 was diverted to Omsk when passenger Alexei Navalny became seriously sick. Navalny just happened to be Vladimir Putin’s worst nightmare and most voluble critic and was leader of the opposition. Navalny’s wife and virtually everyone else were certain he had been poisoned. Christo Grozev of Bellingcat, a Netherlands-based investigative journalism group that specializes in fact-checking and open-source intelligence (OSINT), contacted the recovering Navalny and told him he thought he knew the men who tried to kill him. Navalny invited Christo and his team to the German town where he was recovering, and Christo recorded their investigation in real time as Navalny continued his opposition to Putin, despite the threat on his life. This is Cinéma

vérité in the truest sense of the term, a can’t-miss film of a man of enormous patriotism and courage, full of tension, better than any fictional thriller from Hollywood, and a testament to a man now in a Russian prison being brutally tortured, according to Christo in a Q&A after the screening.

Full Time (9/10): 85 minutes. NR. Laure Calamy gives a bravura performance as a single mother of two young children working as a chambermaid in a five-star Paris hotel, but still trying to get a better job and get out of debt. She commutes to Paris from a small town when a transit strike hits and the fit hits the shan. Hard as it might be to believe, this is full of tension as she juggles her life and tries to survive. One of the best films of the year. In French.

The Playboy Murders (7/10):

At the Movies with Tony Medley

six-part series. It’s all coming out now — the depravity surrounding Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, an exclusive Los Angeles enclave. A previous multi-part documentary, “Secrets of Playboy” (2022), told the tawdry truth about how the “Bunnies” were manipulated and taken advantage of. This series deals with six murders. I’ve seen the first, “Bunny Meets Bachelor.” It emphasizes the low-class people involved in Hefner’s “home.” These women who flaunted nudity and free sex were not the kind you would take home to mother,

(As an aside, I played lots of tennis with the late Keith Hefner, Hugh’s brother, and he was a soft-spoken gentleman when I was with him, but he lived in his brother’s mansion and is seen in some of these clips.)

Marlowe (6/10): 102 minutes without credits. R. A gorgeous heiress (Diane Kruger), the daughter of a big movie star (Jessica Lange), hires PI Philip Marlowe to find her former lover and, naturally, a lot of nefariousness is uncovered. Writers William Monahan and Neil Jordan (who also

directed) and actor Liam Neeson give an interpretation of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye as morally casuistic, of which I doubt Chandler would approve. Although the leaden story drags, I was watching something else. The eagle-eyed will notice posters in the background of some scenes for 1940 movies like “Mexican Spitfire” and “Dance, Girl, Dance” (which starred Lucille Ball) among others. Is this a roman à clef about a real studio in 1940? These were real movies, and all the posters were of films made by RKO. But in one of the final scenes set in an office, there’s a poster on the wall for a film entitled “The Black-Eyed Blonde.” There never was a movie made with that title, but it just so happens that it is the title of the book upon which this film is based. Cute.

WINTER @ THE WALLIS

The documentary “Ink & Linda” has been picked up by PBS for nationwide distribution.

Windsor Square resident Linda Lack, Ph.D., co-stars in the 2022 documentary, which chronicles the friendship between a dancer in her 70s and a 20-something urban artist, Inksap, as they make street art in Los Angeles.

The documentary premiered in Los Angeles last year on March 5, as reported in the April 2022 Larchmont Chronicle.

Lack, a movement therapist, heads The Thinking BodyThe Feeling Mind at her studio at 1637 S. La Cienega Blvd.

LPGA

(Continued from page 1)

and Wilshire Country Club have a rich history in professional golf, and we look forward to working with our partners at JM Eagle, Plastpro and the LPGA Tour in delivering a best-in-class experience for our fans, players and tournament partners,” said Tim Erensen, managing partner for Outlyr, tournament operator for the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro.

JM Eagle is the world’s largest plastic pipe manufacturer and is headed by CEO Walter Wang. Plastpro, founded by Shirley Wang, is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass entry doors. Since 2018, the LPGA Tour has staged its signature Los Angeles event at Wilshire Country Club. Visit wilshirecountryclub.com/ lpga for more information.

SINGLE TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

SHANGHAI SONATAS

MAR 4

An Evening with Isaac Mizrahi

MAR 5

SUNDAY FUNDAY:

Parker Bent, Spring Groove, Dance Sunday with Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Hip Hop

MAR 9

Seth Parker Woods, Cello

MAR 16-18

Shanghai Sonatas

MAR 30

Lillias White with Seth Rudetsky HOST & PIANIST

APR 9

SUNDAY FUNDAY:

Mostly Kosher, Dance Sunday with Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Salsa

APR 13-16

Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone

APR 22-23

Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie: Starring Indigo Blume

APR 27

Ulysses Owens, Jr. & J’nai Bridges: Notes On Hope

ACOUSTIC ROOSTER’S BARNYARD BOOGIE: STARRING INDIGO BLUME

ISAAC MIZRAHI DANCE THEATER FAMILY MUSIC THE WALLIS IS THE PROUD RECIPIENT OF GENEROUS SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION FROM:

MAR 3

The Last Sorcerer (LE DERNIER SORCIER)

but they still had the right to be respected as human beings, and they weren’t. While it’s not unexpected that these women and the men who took advantage of them, all of whom were of a low moral tone, would live such lives, it is still surprising to learn that they were killers and victims.

Dinner without an axe to grind; ambitious menu and tasty food

I would hazard a guess that not many dining establishments come with a senior axe supervisor.

I also believe that anyone contemplating a fun night out throwing axes (and who isn’t?) wouldn’t expect victuals that include $27 rainbow trout with poblano Romesco or a $13 tempura cauliflower flavor bomb with curry and fish sauce.

All are true at Mo’s House of Axe, which offers a warm, rustic, wood-paneled environment lined with bull’s-eyes, axes and tables heaped with very tasty food.

The brainchild of Monique “Mo” Caulfield, who was formerly in the film business, the entertaining restaurant opened five weeks before the pandemic shutdown and managed to survive on government small business loans.

On the Menu

by Helene Seifer

I went to Mo’s House of Axe with my husband, grown daughter, grown son and his girlfriend. None of us had tried axe throwing before, but we had an exhilarating time.

Each of the partially separated axe throwing bays has a couch, tables to hold food and drink and two identical targets. Each bay can handle groups of up to 12 people for one-and-a-quarter hour sessions, $38.32 per person or $20 per person for two hours during happy hour. After checking in and signing the requisite waiver, we were

taken to our axe bay and introduced to our axe maven, who would teach us how to throw safely, divide us into teams and lead us through a variety of axe throwing competitions.

Our expert was Mo’s senior axe supervisor, Lyndon Laveaux, and he did a fantastic job of teaching us and keeping us engaged and laughing. When my throw landed with a thud on the faux Turkish carpet, missing the target by a foot, he kept my ego intact.

I stopped throwing to concentrate on cheerleading the rest in my group and their multiple bullseyes and equally plentiful clunkers (while sipping my $14 spicy pineapple margarita). Otherwise Laveaux would have made it his mission to teach me to hit the target. Apparently, Mo’s axe experts have successfully taught blind people, a woman who had paralyzed arms and therefore used her feet to throw and numerous octogenarians.

In between throwing, we ordered food.

The two-story space recently hired a new chef and launched his ambitious menu in early February.

Executive Chef Nofal “Dave” Kahwaji experienced the food world equivalent of a “meet cute” which led to his hiring at Mo’s House of Axe. He came as a patron and complained that his chicken was raw. He left his resume, which included stints at Redbird and MessHall Kitchen. Within days, the first chef was gone and Kahwaji was hired.

Chef Kahwaji also has local ties. As a child, he was in a Boy Scout troop in the Larchmont area and remembers photographs of his troop being featured from time to time in the Larchmont Chronicle

In keeping with the general “camping-in-the-woods” theme, Kahwaji’s menu features cheeky titles such as “lumber jack mac” (a bowl of fusilli with four cheeses for $12) and “glamping greens” (an arugula salad with fennel and avocado, $15). “Mo’s magic mountain” is an $85 sampler (for four) of assorted sliders, chicken wings, fries and excellent Brussels sprouts which have been treated to a bourbon maple sriracha bath with bacon.

The choices include very good takes on expected bar food, such as $13 house-made tater tots stuffed with blue cheese. At the other end of the extensive menu, one finds a 32-ounce tomahawk chop for two with chorizo smash potatoes and parmesan roasted broccolini, $85, and a $39

‘Cinderella: The True Story’ opens March 5

Nine O’Clock Players will re-open its Assistance League Theatre with its production of “Cinderella; The True Story,” on Sun., March 5, at 2 p.m.

The 92-year old theater company, which closed during COVID-19, reopens in the newly renovated 330-seat auditorium with a new take on the classic fairy tale.

Performances continue Sundays March 12, 19 and 26 and April 2, all at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $15. Call 323-545-6153 or visit ninoclockplayers.com.

The musical production features singing, dancing,

tender and flavorful venison rack with candied carrots, whipped smoked potatoes and wild berry demi-glace that rivals the plates I’ve had at the bastion of wild game, the Saddle Peak Lodge.

The pièce de resistance, however, is do-it-yourself s’mores featuring a mini-campfire in a small fire-safe container, giant marshmallows, graham crackers and house-made chocolate squares. Chef Kahwaji says that, as a Southern California boy, he wanted to create the candy equivalent of chocolate molé and, indeed, the dark chocolate has a complex flavor and pleasant jolt of chile. Cue the memories of backyard barbecues and camping weekends. No axe to grind here. Mo’s House of Axe., 611 S. Western Ave., 213-908-0808.

IT’S ALMOST midnight in Nine O’Clock Players’ new production.

princes in disguise and a fairy godmother who doesn’t always get things right.

The Assistance League Theatre is at 1367 N. St. Andrews Place in Hollywood.

FATHER-SON BULL’S-EYES: Zach and Gary Grossman throw axes together at Mo’s House of Axe.

Still Creating MEmories

For Now 100 years

"I was first introduced to El Cholo by Jack Nicholson in 1969. He told me stories about how struggling actors would come to El Cholo and buy a bowl of Frijoles a la Hoja (beans in a pot) for 35-cents, and how the waitresses would bring a side of warm tortillas and salsa at no ex tra charge. This was how Jack survived for many years. As for me, well I've never left the place! We have celebrated every birthday of mine, as well as the birthdays of my various boyfriends and all of my children at El Cholo for half a century, including my famous 40th birthday party. Ron and I have been friends for an eternity, and I have also been close to many members of the staff. I will never find a more fun and delicious place!

Michelle Phillips, The Mamas & The Papas, 2022

Wilcox Ave. Hancock Park | $950,000

SOLD. Represented Buyer. Charming 2 beds, 2.5 baths remodeled townhouse with private patios & gardens.

Maria Gomez 323.460.7614 CalRE# 01206447

1353 N. Orange Grove Ave. West Hollywood| $12,000

FOR LEASE. 3 beds 5 baths Craftsman bungalow. Formal entry, living rm, beautiful kitchen. Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101

641 Wilcox Ave. #2E Hancock Park | $860,000

JUST LISTED. Spacious, updated 1BD + 1.5BA unit in recently renovated, Hancock Park Terrace. 641Wilcox.com

Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

1645 Vine St. #703 Hollywood | $899,000

Historic loft at Hollywood & Vine, Full service. Rooftop pool/cabanas/firepit. Gym.

Barbara Allen 323.610.1781 CalRE #01487763

585 N. Rossmore Ave. #401 Hancock Park | $822,000

SOLD. Represented Seller. 2 Beds 2 baths condo. Corner unit, living rm with fireplace, private balcony.

Maria Gomez 323.460.7614 CalRE# 01206447

327 S. La Jolla Miracle Mile| $5,000/MO

LEASED. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath townhouse with shared gardens & parking. Close to trendy shops and dining.

Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101

COMING SOON Highland | TBD

Contemporary 2 story, renovated 6 beds/ 3 + family room. 3600sq ft. Fabulous kitchen. Close to places of worship. Move-in condition.

Cecille Cohen

213.810.9949 CalRE #00884530

Citrus Square: paradise planned next to Hancock Park

George Allan Hancock was truly one of the great aristocrats of his day. Scion of the Gilded Age, he was the son of Major Henry Hancock (the owner of the Rancho La Brea) and Ida Haraszthy Hancock, the daughter of Hungarian count Agoston Haraszthy, aka “the Father of California Viticulture.”

George Allan Hancock abandoned the life of a rancher in 1900 with the discovery of the Salt Lake Oil Field on his property, much of it leased to be worked by the Gilmore family and later by Hancock himself with the founding of his own oil concern, making the Hancocks very rich. George Allan “Captain” Hancock then pursued a life of cultural philanthropy and oceanographic study, even building three yachts for research and exploration, as well as donating 23 acres for a county park and the protection of the fossil-rich tar pits.

With the rapid decline of oil revenues and the skyrocketing of land prices due to a rapidly expanding Los Angeles, Hancock shifted his attentions to the development of his rancho’s real estate. His ambition was to see a Greater Hancock Park residential neighborhood along Wilshire Boulevard bounded by Fairfax Avenue to

by Brian Curran

the west, Rossmore Avenue to the east and Santa Monica Boulevard to the north. He began with the establishment of the original Hancock Park subdivision along Rossmore Avenue in 1920. He slowly developed west of the Wilshire Country Club. It was not until 1924 that Tract 8320, the main body of Hancock Park, bounded by the Wilshire Country Club on the east and Highland Avenue on the west, would be laid out.

At the same time, however, Hancock began laying out additional streets to the west between Highland and La Brea avenues, bounded by Wilshire Boulevard on the south and Rosewood Avenue on the north. This area, Tract 8498, which we know today as Citrus Square and a portion of Melrose Neighborhood, has been identified by SurveyLA as the Sycamore - Citrus North Multi-Family Residential Historic District. As with Ridgewood Place [see the January 2023 Larchmont Chronicle], a clear hierarchy

of streets, lot sizes and density can be observed.

In Hancock Park, there are large lots and estates to the

east decreasing in size as the neighborhood moves west across Highland Avenue. On Highland, homes and lots are

generous, getting smaller on Citrus Avenue to the west with a mix of one- and two-story (Please turn to page 3)

SYCAMORE-CITRUS NORTH MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT has been identified by the City Planning Department as eligible for designation and is the area highlighted in orange, just west of Hancock Park and its existing HPOZ. Map data © 2022 Imagery © 2022, CNES / Airbus, Maxar Technologies, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA/FPAC/GEO

On Preservation

(Continued from page 2) single-family houses. Density increases further on Mansfield (originally Milton) Avenue, and Orange Drive — with the appearance of large luxurious duplexes — and culminates along Sycamore Avenue with blocks of apartment buildings of various sizes. Hancock clearly designed this street’s density to take advantage of its close proximity to the business district on adjoining La Brea Avenue. The neighborhoods across La Brea to the west were also laid out in 1924, mirroring, to a lesser extent, the patterns established to the east. Who’s who While ostensibly designed

for different lifestyles, the Citrus Square district was no poor relation to its cousin Hancock Park. Its houses and buildings were designed by a who’s who of residential architects, and the construction of its residences shows significant detail and quality comprising a mix of Spanish Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival styles, with a few in the Mediterranean Revival style. Citrus Square also shared the same cast stone streetlamps, concrete streets and tree canopy as Hancock Park to the east.

Over time, the Citrus Square neighborhood would develop its own personality while still retaining its real estate cachet of being “part” of Hancock Park. As fate, or shall we say

kismet, would have it, the distinctive characteristics of the district have made it attractive to the large and dynamic ultra-Orthodox Jewish community established around La Brea Avenue. The substantial duplexes and houses of Citrus Square are perfect for the large and growing families of the community but, more importantly, they are within walking distances of the area’s synagogues and Jewish schools.

Today, Citrus Square continues to retain its historic character without official historic protections like those of its neighbors in Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Windsor Village, Wilshire Park, Miracle Mile and Miracle Mile North — each of which is designat-

ed as an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ). There have been relatively few Citrus Square demolitions in recent years, with the most notable being the well-publicized demolition of the beautiful home at 361 North Citrus Ave. by Reuven Gradon in 2019. SurveyLA was able to identify 408 contributors to the potential Citrus Square historic district. But this is still an uneasy peace. La Brea-Hancock to the south of Citrus Square has seen significant demolitions and loss of cohesion as a potential historic district.

To prevent this in Citrus Square and avoid the contentious issues that intersect around land use and preservation in the neighborhood, the

creation of a National Register district would be ideal, allowing for review prior to demolition — but, unfortunately, lacking the layered protection of an HPOZ. While admittedly a heavy lift, a potential Sycamore - Citrus North Multi-Family Residential Historic District would finally help protect, preserve and honor Captain Hancock’s entire planned paradise of Hancock Park.

In November 2022, “On Preservation” columnist Brian Curran began a series of periodic reports on the possible creation of additional historic districts in the Greater Wilshire area — (“Room to Grow?: Preserving not-yet-designated historic districts”).

361 N. CITRUS AVE. was a beautiful Tudor Revival home (tinyurl.com/y57e4a48) that had been lovingly maintained since 1927. It was sold to developer Reuven Gradon and his wife, Shevy, on Sept. 18, 2019, after they praised its “incredibly rich character” and promised to preserve it.

REUVEN GRADON applied for a demolition permit the day he closed the purchase of the historic house, and he did not post required notice of the proposed demolition. Then, 30 days after closing, he demolished the house on Oct. 18, 2019. This photo was taken Oct. 23, 2019.

THE BIG NEW HOUSE of Reuven and Shevy Gradon at 361 N. Citrus Ave. The massive structure definitely is not a contributor to the neighborhood that SurveyLA calls the Sycamore - Citrus North Multi-Family Residential Historic District. This photo was taken on Feb. 21, 2023.

Larchmont area kids take on environmental issues

By Nona Sue Friedman

If you’re ever on Larchmont Boulevard in the early morning on the first Saturday of each month, you might see a gaggle of elementary school kids picking up trash. These are the Future Fighters, 9and 10-year-olds comprising a local organization that wants to make an impact on how we treat our planet.

The group started in the summer of 2021 when Lulu Homer, then 7 years old, came home from a local day-camp upset that they were serving lunch to everyone in multiple

individual plastic containers. She didn’t eat the camp’s lunch that day or any day that summer. That evening, she wrote a letter to the camp director and explained how plastic is bad for people and the environment. She brought the letter to camp the next day with an extra page attached for potential signatures.

Was anyone else disturbed by the plastic and interested in signing her letter?

She finished the day with a page full of signatures.

From this interaction, Homer’s mother, Larissa

Dooley, an environmental psychologist, realized that her daughter and like-minded peers needed an outlet to help them make an impact on their surroundings. And that is how Future Fighters was born.

The group concentrates on environmental activism, interacting with nature and education about climate and the environment.

Dooley, the group’s leader, says members “focus on giving back directly to the local community,” which is one of the reasons they clean up the Boulevard and hold their fundraisers there. They concentrate on solutions, how to be a good citizen of the planet and the different levels of impact people and products have on the environment.

In the short time they’ve been in existence, Future Fighters members were asked to speak in front of hundreds at the Youth Global Climate Strike at Los Angeles City Hall. They planted a garden and composting station in the closed alley behind one of their homes, and their fundraising on Larchmont Boulevard supports agencies that align with their beliefs, such as 4Ocean, Sunrise Movement and Tree People.

The kids come from all different schools but almost all live in the Hancock Park and Windsor Square neighborhoods. Dooley’s goal is to model it like a Girl Scout troop. She plans to apply for grants to further support their projects.

Future Fighters is looking for more eager members. Although it has a mailing

list of about 60 people, all through word of mouth, the average gathering has about

six to 15 participants. To get involved and find out more, check out futurefighters.org.

Real Estate Sales*

Single family homes

FUTURE FIGHTERS Byrdie Howe, Betty Dentler, Jo Thomas, Eve Jacobs, Lulu Homer and Edie Matloff, cleaning up Larchmont Boulevard and its alleyways in February.

Photo courtesy Susan Matloff

SOLD: This home at 122 S. Norton Ave. in Windsor Square was sold in mid-January for $5.4 million.

Laurel Canyon Dog Park gets a new leash on life

By Suzan Filipek

Hot dog!

Laurel Canyon Dog Park, the city’s oldest off-leash dog park, got a makeover thanks to the efforts of the Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks, the LA Parks Foundation and City National Bank.

District 4 City Councilmember Nithya Raman joined the bank and parks foundation officials at the grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony last month. The newly renovated park features new benches, a dog wash station and a pergola

that provides shade. The enhancements also feature new wheelchair-accessible seating, making it easier for pet owners with disabilities to enjoy the park.

Prior to the refurbishment, the Laurel Canyon Dog Park, established in 1988, featured

Incredible New Price! | Open Sundays 1-4

limited shade and seating.

415 South June Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020

5 BR | 7 BA | 7,378 SF | 18,988

SF LOT

This breathtaking estate, situated on one of Hancock Park's most beautiful and prestigious streets, takes you back to the Golden Age Hollywood glamour with much modern appeal. The home boasts a magnificent 2 -story foyer, open layout entertaining rooms, sunroom, study, and state-of-the-art remodeled chef's kitchen. Step outside to a very private and verdant garden, with ample room for pool/spa. A guesthouse with 2 rooms, bathroom and kitchenette, and a garage with gated driveway.

Naomi Hartman & Leah Brenner 323.860.4259 / 4245

info@naomiandleah.com

www.naomiandleah.com

CalRE #: 00769979 | 00917665

251 N. Larchmont Blvd. LA 90004

“Supporting our community is a big part of who we are at City National Bank, and we are honored to work with the Los Angeles Parks Foundation to help restore such a historic park,” said Larchmont area resident Debora Vrana, senior

vice president and chief communications officer of City National Bank. She also is a board member of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, which is overseen by Windsor Square resident Carolyn Ramsay, executive director of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation.

New office building on Upper Larchmont

By John Welborne

Renderings from Plus

Deena Blau 323.533.2212

deena@homesbuydeena.com

CalRE#: 01320286

9000 Sunset Blvd. WH 90069

©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker R eal Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of th e Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. CalRE #00616212.

Congratulations to The Naomi Hartman & Leah Brenner Team

on receiving the International Diamond Society Award placing them at the Top 2% of all Coldwell Banker Agents Worldwide

JUST SOL

Your passion, dedication, and professionalism continue to win you Top Producer awards and very happy clients

Design Studio show an airy four-story building planned to become the new headquarters of Plus Development Group, Plus Design Studio and Plus Real Estate Group. Plus Development is a partner in the restoration and current marketing of the elegant Windsor Square home at 425 S. Plymouth Blvd.

The design of the proposed 15,000-square-foot Larchmont office building seeks to integrate vegetation

and nature into the workplace. The project’s sponsor describes the building’s front facade as acting “as a filter to shield the workspaces from noise and overexposure, giving way for ambient natural light, and allowing a serene and quiet work environment, while providing a green backdrop for the neighborhood.” The project is in its entitlement phase, with the developer working with city departments to obtain a permit to start construction soon.

Naomi Hartman & Leah Brenner

323.860.4259 / 4245

info@naomiandleah.com

www.naomiandleah.com

CalRE #: 00769979 | 00917665

251 N. Larchmont Blvd. LA 90004

©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker R eal Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage G roup LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles o f the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. CalRE #00616212.

BEFORE AND AFTER: A new office building is planned for 523 North Larchmont Boulevard, now the site of a two-story building with the “Starlight Ink & More” pole sign in front, located just north of Muto-Little Costumes. Rendering by Plus Design Studios

HONOREES Debora Vrana and friend at the dog park’s grand opening, where Vrana received a proclamation.

Showcase House preview portends fascination for April and May

By Sondi Toll Sepenuk

Guests were asked to dress warmly to attend the exclusive Empty House Party for 2023’s Pasadena Showcase House of Design preview. Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t your traditional preview. This is the PRE preview. A Georgian staircase and French-inspired walls of the grand 1933 Colonial (built for what now seems like a bargain — $13,000!) beckoned guests into the brightly lit, unheated empty rooms. There, this year’s 32 designers showed off their vision boards and bathed in the excitement of the media attention, plus that of the patrons, members

and other guests.

Two specialty cocktails, the French 75 and the Sidecar, plus an endless array of finger foods, along with Art Deco Entertainment’s live band, helped to warm the attendees as they moved from empty room to empty room, imagining what life must have been like in this 1933 Pasadena architectural gem surrounded by extensive grounds.

World traveler

Many designers wanted to honor the home’s original owner, Ruth Nicholson Stewart, who travelled the world with her husband, Arthur,

to Hawaii, Japan, Tahiti and Italy and returned to Los Angeles with a love of design and a desire to help the community philanthropically. Arthur Stewart was the grandson of Civil War veteran and co-founder of Union Oil Company of California, Lyman Stewart. The house was a wedding present to Arthur and Ruth from his father, William L. Stewart (also CEO of Union Oil). Arthur retired as a vice president and director of the company (now UNOCAL). Designer Dona Dockendorf was ready to transform the grand living room in muted

neutral colors and eye-catching Southeastern Asian patterns, while designer Stephanie Leese geared up to plunge into the pool cabana and its adjoining dressing rooms.

Ashley Marie Design will convert a pass-through space into a boys’ bedroom that will be the envy of every child, while Meredith Green Design will tackle the outdoor upstairs terrace, leaving original blackand-white checkerboard floors intact as she offsets them with an impressive, traffic-stopping, palm tree-shaped brass chandelier.

Lovers of architecture and design should mark their cal-

endars. The Showcase House will be open from April 23 to May 21.

SHOWCASE HOUSE in Pasadena also was on display as the Showcase House 40 years ago.

COLONIAL-style entry to the Showcase House.

Photos by Sondi Sepenuk

DESIGNER Dona Dockendorf presents her vision board for the showcase house living room.

BROOKSIDER Laura Siegel explores the soon-to-be-transformed bathroom of the Pasadena Showcase House of Design.

DESIGNER Stephanie Leese shows off her transformative ideas.

2947 GRACELAND WAY - $2,900,000

Mediterranean Estate in Chevy Chase Canyon Grand Foyer, Lofty Ceilings, Mature Lush Landscaping

Dare Doubles swing victory to advance to Sectionals

Suzan Filipek

For the first time that anyone can remember, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Women’s 3.0 team from the Los Angeles Tennis Club (LATC) advanced to Sectional competition.

“After two days of great tennis and close matches in Rancho Mirage that ended in third-set tiebreakers, the Dare Doubles placed fifth in the tournament,” team member Debora Vrana told us.

The local players competed against teams throughout Southern California during the weekend of Jan. 28-29, after having an undefeated record in the fall.

“The LATC could not be prouder of our USTA Women’s 3.0 team, who went a perfect 11-0 in local league play during the fall season to become the Club’s first 3.0 team in recent memory to reach Sectionals,” said Zach Gilbert, tennis director at LATC. “Against the best teams in Southern California, they fought their hearts out and nearly reached the finals of the entire competition. Congrats to captains Karen Chou and Annie Dang and the entire roster. Truly a season to remember!”

Team’s origins

The team came together in the fall of 2015 at the storied 103-year-old Los Angeles Ten-

nis Club in Hancock Park, long considered the showcase for tennis in Southern California.

“The participation of LATC over the past few years in USTA has been great. LATC has become so active with so many teams and players. It is really wonderful for Southern California. You have both men’s and women’s teams going to Nationals and Sectionals,” said Michelle Kramer, USTA Los Angeles Area League Coordinator.

“We all love going to LATC; it is such a beautiful club with so much history. I’ve seen new players who visit there pull out their cameras. We all just go, ‘Wow!’ Everyone there has been so welcoming.”

Team captains Karen Chou and Annie Dang attributed the team’s success to their “fantastic” coach, Godwin Omuta, and the team’s hard work. They also credited support from spouses and higher-level women players who practiced with them and helped them improve.

“What an amazing experience we had,” said Chou. “Now that we have a taste of Sectionals, we need to get back!”

Also on the Dare Doubles team, but who did not go to the Sectionals, are: Betsy Malloy, Alex Dionne, Liz Rosman, Michaela Burschinger, Michele Sanchez, Eleanor DeMartino,

Nicki Jaeger, Lizzie Rosman,  Claudia Walraven, Natasha Kerek, Elena Howell, Michele Sanchez, Lynn Loeb, Corinna Cherian and Keleigh Thomas Morgan.

Dare Doubles team member Debora Vrana contributed to this article.

DARE DOUBLES, clockwise from top left: Stefanie Hall, Hilary Marx, Jenny Foley, Renee Mochkatel, Devin O’Fallon, Kara Smith, Capt. Annie Dang, Janina Morrison, Capt. Karen Chou, Debora Vrana, May Lin Tao and Dorothy Kim.

Ba ck Yard

abounds in this truly special, architecturally designed beauty! Offers warm woods, hardwood floors, large marble fireplaces in the living room, family room and upstairs bedroom, and natural light throughout from an expanse of French doors and windows. The gourmet kitchen has stone floors, marble countertops, coffered ceilings, beveled stained glass windows, with built -in subzero refrigerator, microwave oven, double oven, double dishwashers, double clay sinks and coffee station. The kitchen door leads to the side back yard with built -in BBQ, limestone fireplace and limestone table which seats 12. 3 kingsize master bedroom suites with en -suite full bathrooms, and a library room upstairs. French doors from the second floor and master open to a terrace with circular stairs down to a second patio and lush backyard. The maid's room/office has a bathroom and shower. Laundry inside, breakfast room, dining room, family room leading to the beautiful and expansive backyard with mature trees and swimming pool with jetted spa. Guest house over the garage. Parking spaces available for nearly 20 cars on the private street owned by the subject property.

LIBRARY CALENDAR

Watch a movie, celebrate Women’s Heritage, mess with paint

FAIRFAX LIBRARY

Adults

Movie viewing: Come see a new movie hosted by Friends of the Fairfax Library on Thurs., March 2 at 1 p.m. This month is “The Banshees of Inisherin.”

Adult literacy: Get questions answered about English spelling, pronunciation and conversation. First come, first served, Mondays from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

All ages

Book Sale: Browse used books every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. All sales support the library branch.

FREMONT LIBRARY

Babies & Toddlers

Story time: Every Wednesday this month from 10:30 to 11 a.m. listen to stories and sing songs with your friends.

All ages

Book Sale: Find your next great read at this library sale from noon to 4 p.m. on Fri., March 3, and Sat., March 4.

MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Toddlers

Story time in the park: Drop in to listen to stories and sing songs in Memorial Park adjoining the library every

UCLA GLUCK VOCAL Ensemble will give a live performance on Sat., March 11, featuring female composers for Women’s Heritage Month.

Wednesday this month from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Preschool painters: Budding artists can get messy with paint at 11 a.m. on Mon., March 20.

Kids

Reading to the rescue: Is your child in love with dogs?

Do you want your child to read more? She can read aloud to an adorable rescue dog on Wed., March 8, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Crafts: Celebrate spring with a colorful craft on Sat., March 11, at 1 p.m.

Kids & Teens Drop-in tutoring with

Steve: Need a refresher on some academics? Stop by Thursdays this month from 3 to 5 p.m. for one-on-one assistance with any subject, or drop in to make a future appointment.

Teens

Teen program: Thursdays teens gather to partake in different activities from 4 to 5 p.m. March 2 is craft day, March 9 is anime club, March 16 is tea time and March 23 is game day.

Teen council: Get involved with the community and learn leadership skills on Sat., March 11, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Adults

First Friday book club: Discuss “The Night Ship” by Jess Kidd on Fri., March 3, at 1 p.m. “Big Read” is the book for April, but the group will meet on Fri., March 31, at 1 p.m.

Art class: Color or paint with peers every Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m.

B.Y.O. needle arts: Bring your own needlecraft to work on while sitting with others every Monday at 1 p.m.

All ages

Chef talk about turmeric: Chef Komal Savaria, who hails from Mumbai and worked at Father’s Office, will talk about turmeric on Sat., March 25, at 1 p.m.

Chess club: Every Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., play chess or learn how.

Book sale: Buy your next favorite read every Tuesday, 12:30 to 5 p.m. and every Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. All proceeds support the library.

WILSHIRE LIBRARY

Babies, Kids & Teens

Storytelling and reading (STAR): Beloved STAR volunteer Frances will be at the library to read to you or to be

read to every Saturday this month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Babies

Story time: Stories and songs for the littlest ones on Fri., March 10, at 4 p.m.

Toddlers

Story time: Listen to sto(Please turn to page 11)

LIBRARIES

FAIRFAX 161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191

JOHN C. FREMONT 6121 Melrose Ave. 323-962-3521

MEMORIAL 4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2732

WILSHIRE 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. 323-957-4550

HOURS

Mon. and Wed., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tues. and Thurs., noon to 8 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Mon., March 27 for Cesar Chavez day.

Hike April 29 in Park to End Homelessness

A Hollywood Hike to End Homelessness will take place Sat., April 29, at Griffith Park. The annual fundraiser, run by The Center, located in Hollywood behind the Crossroads of the World and Blessed Sacrament Church, aims to raise $60,000 to assist in its work to create safe spaces where people connect to a community fully invested in their physical, emotional and mental health. The focus is on healthcare and housing, plus on friendship and support.

Sponsorship and donation money will go to supporting privately funded programs that were hit hard during the pandemic. These include housing retention case management, primary care at the site’s clinic, day center staffing and mail service for many unhoused people.

Starting at 9 a.m., hikers will walk together up the Griffith Park Boy Scout Trail. Participants will then gather for an after-party at Franklin’s Café in the park.

To register or to find out more about the many levels of sponsorship, visit tinyurl.com/5x89r5md.

Thousands pay tribute to area mountain lion P-22

Thousands celebrated the life of the mountain lion that roamed Griffith Park for a decade at a memorial in his honor Feb. 4 at the Greek Theatre. Fans, politicians and scientists remembered the wild cat during the service. His worldwide fame was sealed when his image was captured prowling by the Hollywood sign, and, ultimately, because of his lasting legacy: a nonprofit foundation to help fund construction of the world’s largest wildlife bridge across the 101 Freeway. While P-22, as he was called — he was the 22nd in an ongoing puma study — reportedly crossed the 405 and 101 freeways before settling in his Los Feliz-area home, most mountain lions who attempt to cross busy highways and freeways are hit by cars. RIP P-22.

Libraries

(Continued from page 10)

ries, sing songs and stretch with Sybil on Fridays, March 3 and 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Kids

North American desert quiz game: Guess desert animals and plant names to get a prize. Additionally, you’ll get a desert plant to take home anytime between Tues., March 21, and Fri., March 31.

Kids & Teens

Make a mask: Emmy Lam will help participants create Mardi Gras-style masks at 4 p.m. on Tues., March 28.

Origami: Guest artist Emmy Lam will teach participants the ancient art of origami using recycled paper on Thurs., March 30, from 4 to 5 p.m. Teens & Adults

Songwriting workshop: Indie musician Kiazi Halpern will discuss the various as-

pects of songwriting and how to craft your own on Wed., March 8, at 6:30 p.m.

CORE Center visits: Staff from Connecting to Opportunities for Recovery and Engagement (CORE) will provide information and resources to help families talk about drug and alcohol abuse. The organization will be here the first and third Tuesday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. No appointment necessary.

All ages

In-person vocal ensemble: The quartet of UCLA Gluck Vocal Music Ensemble will perform classical and Broadway show tunes on Sat., March 11, from 1 to 2 p.m. Female composers will be featured for Women’s Heritage Month.

DIY St. Patrick’s cards: Swing by on Fri., March 17, to create a holiday card with leprechauns and shamrocks. All supplies provided.

Photo by Gary Leonard

By Nona Sue Friedman

Wilshire Division LAPD hosted Coffee with a Cop outside Peet’s on Larchmont Boulevard in mid-February. The gathering lasted two hours on a chilly morning.

About 20 residents stopped by to meet and talk to representatives of their local

police force.

Wilshire Division covers about 14 1/2 square miles and is divided into nine Senior Lead Officer (SLO) areas. Most of the SLOs along with some detectives from the division attended the coffee.

According to SLO Tim

Estevez, “This is a community event to humanize the badge and ingratiate ourselves into the community.” It’s also an opportunity for neighbors to see old friends, meet new ones or meet some they only know electronically.

This is what happened to Sam Uretsky and Kristin Burr, who have been part of the same neighborhood text chain, but hadn’t met in person until this event.

Residents also had the opportunity to ask questions in a very informal setting. One resident asked an officer the best way to deal with homelessness on sidewalks in his neighborhood.

Another talked about a restaurant trying to get a liquor license to stay open until 2 a.m. And someone else asked if the bulletproof vests were comfortable. They are not!

Vinyl,

a lot cheaper than other stud finders.

“Frog Tape.” The most advanced tape to give you absolutely sharp paint lines with no color bleed. You can use them up to 21 days indoors.

The “Curious Chef” real kitchen tools for kids. There are “Measuring and prepping kits,” “Cupcake and Decorating” kits, “Cookie” kits, even “Pizza” kits. Think of the fun you can have shopping here!

Larchmont customers, be sure to say “Hello!”

LOCAL RESIDENTS Keith Johnson and Sam Uretsky pose with interim CD13 Field Deputy Anais Gonzalez and Senior Lead Officer Tim Estevez.

WEST TRAFFIC OFFICER Ryan Connell and Officer Robert Figueroa greet local residents at Coffee with a Cop.

Neighbors on Lucerne, Arden walk with their local LAPD

By Nona Sue Friedman

About 30 residents from Lucerne and Arden boulevards between Melrose Avenue and Beverly Boulevard walked their streets with officers from the Wilshire Division LAPD in early February. This was the first in-person event for the group informally known as Lucerne Arden United (LAU). According to Sam Uretsky, one of the organizers, it was a very successful event.

The area of six blocks has seen a dramatic uptick in crime during the last year, says Uretsky. The residents have noticed that the criminals are much more aggressive and are using multiple techniques to break into residences. Stopping illegal activity in their neighborhood is why the group started organizing a couple of years ago.

“The best part of the walk was being able to talk to and ask questions to LAPD in a non-emergency situation,” commented Uretsky. He also said that, since the group formed, they have worked hard to nurture a good relationship with Wilshire Division. Uretsky was very complimentary toward the division and said “Its officers and personnel always make themselves available.” Seven LAPD officers participated in the February neighborhood walk.

At present, there are about 130 residents involved in the LAU group, with new inquiries always coming. They communicate via text, email and Google Docs. Because of the group’s popularity, members are looking into alternate ways to keep everyone abreast of situations. One of the nicest

aspects of the group forming is having a closer bond with neighbors, says Uretsky.

Thanksgiving day burglar awaits court hearing

By Nona Sue Friedman

FIRST-IN-FIRE and Miracle Mile Civic Coalition have adopted Fire Station 61 as the model of their Adopt-a-Fire Station program. Here, firefighters show off pies provided by Du-par’s and organic ice cream from Local Ice, both at the Original Farmers Market. Left to right: Firefighters Jesse Gonzalez, Manny Zepeda, Doug Noonan, Jesse Contreras; Lyn MacEwen Cohen, president, First-in Fire Foundation; firefighters Tony Verdecia and Luke Peterman; Greg Martayan, Director of Public Safety, CD5; and firefighter Mike Oeser.

The Thanksgiving Day burglary on the 300 South block of Irving Blvd. is still an ongoing investigation, according to Det. Matthew Burrola of the LAPD Olympic Division. Of the three burglars seen on security videotape, only one has been caught. Anthonee Banks was arrested at the scene. He was arraigned in late December and is currently out on bail. His next court hearing date is set for Thurs., March 30.

RESIDENTS ASSEMBLE to walk their neighborhood with LAPD. Photo courtesy of Keith Johnson

Successful, as well as failed, burglaries reported in area

OLYMPIC DIVISION

According to Senior Lead Officer Pelayo, residential burglaries continue to be the main

crime for the Larchmont Village area and Windsor Square. Olympic Division has added extra patrol cars in this area to

LIPSON Plumbing, Inc.

focus on this crime trend.

BURGLARY: Four male suspects pried open the rear bedroom window of a home on the 700 block of South Gramercy Place on Feb. 3 between 1 and 3:30 p.m. They ransacked the interior and fled out the front door with money and valuable jewelry. The homeowner would not allow the officers inside.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARIES: A suspect forced open the side gate of a home on the 100 block of North Van Ness Avenue on Feb. 7 at 2 a.m. After gaining access to the yard, the suspect attempted to pry open the garage door. The suspect fled on a bicycle.

A suspect smashed the rear door of a home on the 100 block of North Norton Avenue on Feb. 7 at 6:45 p.m. The home’s alarm went off and caused the suspect to flee.

A tool was used to jimmy open a locked door at a home on the 600 block of South Plymouth Boulevard on Feb. 10 between 1 and 6:30 a.m.

GRAND THEFTS AUTO: A white Kia Sol was stolen

from the garage / carport of a home on the 800 block of South St. Andrews Place on Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m.

On Feb. 5, between 1 and 10 a.m., a black Kia Sol was taken from a parking lot on the 900 block of South Wilton Place.

WILSHIRE DIVISION

B URGLARY: A suspect smashed the rear door of a

residence on the 300 block of South Hudson Avenue on Feb. 1 between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Money was stolen from the home.

BURGLARIES FROM

VEHICLES: Catalytic converters were taken from two different cars on Feb. 1. The first one was taken (Please turn to page 15)

Profanity through the ages has had varied meanings

In January, an employment judge in the United Kingdom presiding over a case of unfair dismissal ruled that using the F-word in the workplace was now “commonplace” and that its use in a particularly “tense” meeting did not “carry the shock value [it] might have done in another time.” Indeed, many have observed this generational gap in the use of profanity — a 2016 Reuters poll found only 14 percent of Americans “never” swear in conversation, while 64 percent of respondents thought that people use swear words “more often” than 20 years ago. The term “profane” comes from the Latin profanus, meaning “outside the temple,” and it was used for centuries simply to describe things of a secular nature. Its synonyms “swear” and “curse” also trace their origins to ideas about evil and impiety, which were the main cultural taboos for god-fearing Europeans during the Middle Ages. It was a time when privacy was a privilege enjoyed only by the upper classes; with the majority of society living in close quarters, it was customary to bathe, sleep and relieve oneself in group settings and often in the nude. Nudity, therefore, was not taboo. It was only un-

Police Beat

(Continued from page 14) from a green Toyota Prius on the 700 block of North Sycamore Avenue around 12:45 p.m. The second one was stolen from the 500 block of North Sycamore Avenue at 7:15 a.m. from a black Toyota Prius. A brown Nissan Pathfinder was broken into on Feb. 2 at 3:45 a.m. on the 600 block of South McCadden Place. The suspect stole a computer, backpack and wallet.

til later, with the emergence of a middle class in Europe, that nudity became a source of embarrassment, and in turn, words that had previously been used inoffensively to describe certain anatomical parts and bodily functions took on the indecent inflections many of them hold today.

Despite it being deemed rude or offensive in certain contexts, even some of the most civil-tongued among us may find cathartic or defiant pleasure in using profanity every now and then. Seductive and dangerous, profane words inspire impish young adults to try out their first words in a foreign language. As intensifiers, they can convey the sheer force of an emotion or opinion. And they’re just what the doctor ordered after stubbing one’s toe. (Quite literally — a 2009 study by researchers Stephens, Atkins and Kingston found that swearing actually helps relieve the effects of physical pain.)

Though the use of profanity is generally not penalized by law, a foulmouthed utterance may cost you fines up to $500 and potentially jail time on the beachfront boardwalks of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The city raked in over $22,000 in 2017 by issuing citations for the use of “lewd, obscene or profane” language in public.

Larchmont Charter School kindergarten teaching assistant (+ sister) seek housing or reduced rent with local family in exchange for after-school / evening / weekend child care.

Claudia (661) 974-3417

One Morning Per Month: Administrative assistance from one person — needed at the Larchmont Chronicle, 606 N. Larchmont Boulevard. Manual Work; Not Digital!  Inquire with John at 323-462-2241, ext. 15.

The concealment of profanity is a considered art unto itself, from a solitary, well-placed asterisk to the instantly recognizable 1 kilohertz “bleep” tone used to replace offensive remarks on radio and TV. Grawlixes are another means to insinuate foul language while staying within the confines of common decency. Predominantly used in cartoons, a grawlix is a combination of typographic symbols — like the at symbol (@), dollar sign ($), amper-

sand (&), percent sign (%) and exclamation point (!) — that form an unpronounceable word or phrase (such as “@$&%!”) used liberally by some of comic books’ more short-tempered characters.

“Minced oaths” are useful proxies to avoid potentially blasphemous language; including euphemistic expressions like “gosh,” “heck” and “darn,” they sanitize some of the most prevalent curses in our lexicon. One of my favorites, “’snails,” was coined in the 14th century by John Hayward to imply the vulgarity “God’s nails,” referring to the nails on Christ’s cross.

Some measures that have been implemented to censor “bad words” are effective to a fault: In 1996, residents of the town of Scunthorpe, England,

were prevented from creating AOL accounts because the internet provider’s indecency filter flagged the obscenity contained in the town’s name. The accidental blocking of innocuous phrases in digital spaces is so common even today that it’s been designated the “Scunthorpe problem.”

With the inherent allure of that which society deems off-limits, some fear what may come to replace our current swear words if they lose their taboo status. Steering clear of derogatory slurs and epithets based on race, gender, disability or economic status, I propose we get creative and sensationalize life’s more quotidian no-nos. With any luck, 20 years from now, “bad tipper” and “parking spot thief” will be spelled with asterisks.

Word Café by Mara Fisher

Science and community come together at La Brea Tar Pits

By Casey Russell

There’s a lot going on at the La Brea Tar Pits.

We recently talked with Dr. Emily Lindsey, associate curator and excavation site director at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Said Lindsey, “Because of its location, [the site] really has the power to bring its story to millions of people. We can take a world-class fossil site and actually share both the science of the site, and also the process of that scientific enterprise, with the public at a scale that is hard to do anywhere else.”

Lindsey told us, “We have an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start demystifying [the scientific] process and to help people understand how it’s done, how it relates to their daily life — or to things that they do in their daily life — and why science is a trustable endeavor; why it is a trustable way of getting information that allows us to make valuable, reliable predictions about the future.”

As noted, news and planning activity are emanating from the Tar Pits on a regular basis.

President and Director of

MIRACLE MILE 2023

Published by the Larchmont Chronicle 323-462-2241

larchmontchronicle.com

This annual special section is delivered to residents, businesses and employees in the greater Miracle Mile area. It also is delivered to residents in Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Fremont Place, Park LaBrea and Larchmont Village, bringing the total readership to 100,000.

Front page photos by Casey Russell (top) and courtesy of Metro (bottom).

the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga recently was named a 2022 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Recognition by the AAAS is one of the most prestigious distinctions that can be bestowed upon a scientist. Bettison-Varga is also helming an expansion of the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Architectural firm Weiss/ Manfredi was chosen to lead the conceptual design of the project. The firm was selected because of its approach to unifying the many parts of the 13-acre site, which includes the park, the George C. Page Building, the excavation pits and the Lake Pit.

The design firm chosen to focus on the interior of the museum — on storytelling and exhibit designs — is Kossmanndejong.

In a beautiful video produced by Weiss/Manfredi on the La Brea Tar Pits website, (tarpits.org/transformation), people can glimpse a vision for a museum “20 million years in the making… a living museum for a community.”

The planned design will expand visitors’ ability to observe the scientific research that happens daily at La Brea Tar Pits. There will be a shaded outdoor classroom, improved excavation visibility and a new public terrace that will provide a view from the rooftop. A new exhibi-

tion building will be built and will include a theater, a multipurpose room and more exhibition space. A restaurant will also be included in the renovation.

As residents know, the open green space the Tar Pits now have is a wonderful place for families to enjoy time outside. Kids have long loved rolling down the big green hill. Kids on field trips, youth sports groups and picnickers take advantage of the fields. Couples, families and joggers enjoy the path around the park.

Museum leaders and Weiss/ Manfredi see this existing space as a vital part of the community and the museum area. Plans will preserve the grassy slopes and enhance the recreation areas while incorporating climate-appropriate native plants.

More shade will be provided by canopies and entry plazas and a pedestrian walkway will loop through the site taking visitors on a “journey from prehistoric time to today,” as the website states.

Through the redesign, the team hopes to expand on the site’s ability to teach people about the science of the past, the science of climate change and global change, extinction, survival and also the scientific process in general.

The site is home to a vast quantity and variety of fossils, and the time period the site covers is the past

60 thousand years. Because of this, paleontologists are able to actually document the kinds of changes that happened in response to climate changes, like warming and

droughts, to human arrival on the landscape and the loss by extinction of about twothirds of the large mammals from the terrestrial ecosys(Please turn to page 4)

FIELD TRIP kids playing and rolling on the grass outside the George C. Page Building.

PRESTIGIOUS distinction was awarded to Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga.

DR. EMILY LINDSEY

THE PARK in Hancock Park that adjoins the Tar Pits Museum is popular with families.

TO BE PRESERVED and restored as part of reimagining the La Brea Tar Pits campus is the 10-foot-high, four-sided fiberglass frieze of Ice Age landscapes, plants, and mammals that was created in 1977 by sculptor Manuel Paz.

Metro incites action both above and below ground

By Suzan Filipek

Whether you build under ground or above, the issues facing the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) are formidable, which is why we were gladdened when just-elected mayor Karen Bass told us she was looking forward to joining the board of Metro to help tackle some of the challenges (many of the most current ones involving cleanliness and safety on buses and trains).

Miracle Mile

While denizens of the Miracle Mile and surroundings are looking forward to the “D” (formerly Purple) Line subway opening its Wilshire Boulevard stations at La Brea Avenue and at Fairfax Avenue in 2024, with the full extension to Westwood and the Veterans Administration site in Brentwood scheduled for completion in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics, other parts of town are still having debates about transit planning and whether rail transit should be above or below ground.

Tar Pits

(Continued from page 3) tem, which happened in a very short time and was the biggest extinction event since that of the dinosaurs.

Scientists at the site are now partnering with local organizations involved in policy and land management. The Nature Conservancy, the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Recreation and Parks are interested in information garnered from fossil records that can help inform conservation planning in and around the Los Angeles area today. “We look for what characteristics make a species resilient in the face of dramatic changes. Knowing this can help inform restoration efforts,” said Lindsey.

She told us she believes that now, more than ever, what is being done at the Tar Pits is important. “We’ve

Bel Air

A widely circulated Valentine’s Day letter to elected officials and others, subsequently published as a guest commentary in the online “City Watch,” is titled “Facts about Tunnels Metro Doesn’t Want You to Know.”

Written by Fred Rosen, a prominent retired businessman who lives in Bel Air and is active with the local residents’ group the Bel Air Association,

the letter and article outline what he believes are issues facing the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project. This is Metro’s long-range planning project for a transit line to extend north from the D Line in Westwood and through or under the Sepulveda Pass to Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley. Metro suggests that this might be a project that could open in 2033-2035; Rosen says the mid-2040s is

more realistic and still not likely. Options include an underground tunnel and an aboveground monorail.

“Believe it or not,” Rosen writes, the project “was conceived of in 2014 and a decision on the solution is not expected until 2025 — 11 years in the planning.”

He adds, “To be clear, the current CEO has been dealt a very difficult hand — it’s an entrenched bureaucracy seriously deep rooted and lost in 19th century technology — with no fear of being fired, held accountable or losing their job. To date — and I hope it changes — political oversight has meant that each politician’s district gets taken care of — and there has been little to no oversight of what an independent Board of Directors duties are in public companies — which is desperately needed here.”

To learn more of Rosen’s views about transit in the Westside, read the full article, published Feb. 13 on City Watch at tinyurl.com/y4s3t9u3.

‘What do you like to do at the park at the La Brea Tar Pits?’

That’s the question inquiring photographer Casey Russell asked locals.

just gone through this very difficult several-year period where it’s become very clear that there is a lot of distrust of science and scientists and

The Crown Jewel of Los Angeles Landmark Towers & Garden Apartments

a lot of misunderstanding of what science is — what scientific methodology entails.”

Lindsey concluded that she is excited to be involved

in the redesign and expansion and in helping make the scientific process more accessible to, and understandable for, the public.

“I love to play with friends at the Tar Pits because we can be around nature and we can also learn about history and the cool Ice Age animals.”

“It’s a good place to just be in the sun when the weather is nice. It’s nice to be able to come and work and be calm.”

Briana

“When my son was a toddler, we used to walk here all the time. I love the sculptures around here. They start great discussions with my kids.”

Mira and MaryAnne Napierala Miracle Mile

LONE SCIENTIST is hard at work in view of park visitors to the La Brea Tar Pits.

METRO MINERS carve out a cross-passage to connect the twin tunnels as the D-Line subway continues expanding west toward Brentwood.

Photo courtesy of Metro

Olivia Gutierrez (right, with Mirabelle Burlinson) Park La Brea

Singleton Miracle Mile

Jordan Nassar, The Pink Column, 2022. Hand embroidered cotton on cotton over canvas. 50 1⁄₂ x 32 1⁄₂ x 1 inches. Courtesy the artist; Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles; James Cohan, New York; and The Third Line, Dubai. Photo by Mason Kuehler.

Neighbors oppose ‘regional center’ and question entitlements

By Suzan Filipek

Not too far from the Miracle Mile, on Crescent Heights and Sunset boulevards, is an empty lot that now is for sale. It had been planned to be home to a residential-and-retail complex designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.

The backstory to this vacant piece of land is a cautionary tale that includes preservationists pitted against developers, the California Supreme Court and the mid-century modern Lytton Savings building designed by the late Los Angeles architect Kurt Meyer.

In the end, the historic bank was demolished, and the much-touted Gehry project has been abandoned.

But the entitlements and the property are now available to the highest bidder.

“Who is to say that won’t happen here?” a caller to the

Chronicle asked in regard to a project closer to home, the TVC 2050 Project at the historic Television City studio on Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard.

TVC 2050 developer Hackman Capital Partners now seeks City of Los Angeles adoption of a Specific Plan for the property that it purchased from CBS Corporation in late 2018. The request includes allowing buildings with heights up to approximately 20 stories on the 25-acre site. The request would allow 1.9 million square feet of sound stage, office and other uses, plus 1.6 million square feet of additional development.

The developer says the project will create jobs and modernize and expand the aging TV studio, originally developed in 1952.

“We know that the TVC

Project will benefit not only studio workers…but local businesses and neighbors…”

Zach Sokoloff, senior vice president, Hackman Capital Partners, told us in an earlier statement.

Another World The Transcendental Painting Group,

Vague plans

Opponents of the project as currently presented argue that the plans are vague and, if approved, would allow developments twice the size of the Crypto.com Arena (the former Staples Center).

“While the developer’s rhetoric is all about building a studio… the developer is not promising to build a studio at all!” Danielle Peters, co-chair of Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development, said in a recent statement.

“The developer also seeks for the property to become a ‘Regional Center,’ allowing the same density as the Century City shopping and business district, as well as a Sign District, in a primarily residential and low-rise neighborhood,” Peters continued.

But Sokoloff, of Hackman Capital, claims “‘Regional Center’ is a technical term used by the City for sites that ‘contain a diversity of uses such as offices, retail and major entertainment facilities and supporting services,’ which ‘typically provide a significant number of jobs,’ per the City’s General Plan Framework Element. For example, The Academy Museum property, located a few blocks away, is designated as a ‘Regional Center,’” he said.

[In actuality, the Miracle Mile, with its two long-planned subway stations, has been designated a “Regional Center” since 1972, more than three decades pri-

or to the Academy leasing and moving its new Museum onto the remodeled May Co. department store site. – Ed.]

Local community groups opposing the current version of the proposed TVC 2050 project are gaining members. Some 50 people attended the Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development’s second meeting held recently at the Gilmore Adobe at the Original Farmers Market, adjoining the proposed development.

“The last thing our neighborhood needs is this monster 20-story project towering over our neighborhood, bringing more traffic, more pollution and much higher rents,” said the group’s co-chair Shelley Wagers. Both Wagers and Peters are longtime Beverly Grove residents.

(Please turn to page 8)

EXISTING TELEVISION CITY property at the southeast corner of Beverly and Fairfax is the subject of great controversy because of a developer’s “TVC 2050” up-zoning proposal.

Imagery ©2023 Google, Imagery ©2023 CNES / Airbus, Maxar Technologies, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA/FPAC/GEO, Map data ©2023 Google

EXPANSIVE FRANK GEHRY PROJECT was approved for Crescent Heights and Sunset boulevards, and the historic Lytton Savings and other buildings were demolished, but the vacant land now is for sale.

NEIGHBORS for Responsible TVC Development co-chairs Danielle Peters, left, and Shelley Wagers, right.

TVC 2050

(Continued from page 6)

Another community-based group that opposes the scale and scope of the development, Beverly Fairfax Community Alliance, formed itself last year after the project’s current plans were revealed.

The Miracle Mile Residential Association also is sounding the alarm.

“Every neighborhood group is working very, very hard to rein that [project] in,” said MMRA president Greg Goldin.

The request for a “regional center; that’s a blank check to do whatever you want for 25 years,” Goldin said.

The City of Los Angeles Planning Dept. staff is reviewing hundreds of letters submitted last fall during the public comment phase of the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) preparation.

To receive notification of project publications and hearing and meeting notices, write to Paul Caporaso (paul.caporaso@lacity.org) with “TVC 2050” in the subject line. Also entitled, not under construction Nearby, in the Miracle Mile and not unlike the abandoned Frank Gehry project at Crescent Heights and Sunset, is a parcel of land on La Brea

Avenue that adjoins the nearly finished subway station at Wilshire and La Brea.

That project also has received full entitlements — for an eight-story hoteland-multifamily mixed-use complex. Known in recent years by its tentative name of 639 La Brea, the project was set to start construction in the last quarter of 2022. By then, all of the parcel’s one-story retail buildings on La Brea had been demolished, leaving a large vacant lot.

A spokesman for the developer told us recently that the project is “on hold” pending a better understanding of the present inflationary economy.

“The project has been delayed due to rising construction costs,” he added.

The developer, CGI+ Real Estate Investments, acquired the property in 2017. The nearly

Third & Fairfax project targeted to open in 2025

By Suzan Filipek

Construction continues at the Town & Country shopping center, tentatively renamed “Third & Fairfax.”

half-city block property has been cleared and now is available for lease (visit: tinyurl. com/mpyrbfju), and advertising apparently may be sold on the construction fences.

The project was approved under the city’s Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) housing incentive program that permits a larger development than zoning allows because of its proximity to the subway and because the developer agreed to set aside 14 residential units as subsidized affordable housing.

The design for the now on-hold project, designed by Morris Adjmi Architects and AC Martin, has 121 multifamily residences on one side and 125 hotel rooms on the other. Both are located above 13,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and a below-ground, 200-space parking garage.

The longtime shopping destination on the south side of Third Street across from the Original Farmers Market is undergoing a major change. The property soon will include a new eight-story mixed-use complex of 331 housing units over 84,000 square feet of retail space. A pedestrian paseo will run east to west on the ground floor of the project.

The western part of the property, home to a Whole Foods Market and CVS, will remain, and Citibank has just reopened its branch on the Third and Fairfax corner following nine months of renovations. A flagship location for the bank, the branch now includes a Citibank Lounge for some of the bank’s best customers.

George Elum, managing director for the Los Angeles Region of real estate developer Holland Partner Group, told us in an email, “The construction of the project has continued to progress.”

The removal of the above-

grade portion of a former Kmart building is complete.  Next up, “The team will be moving toward mass excavation and removal of the basement of the former Kmart.”

While the project’s entitlements were approved in 2022, the applicant will need to get full building permits before proceeding with construction of the building itself, city planning officials said.

Elum said he anticipates receiving the building permits this month.

The final design is a long way from the original proposal for a 26-story tower that was significantly reduced after community outcry including from Hancock Park Elementary School, which is directly south of the project.

In 2020, the owners of the Third and Fairfax property erected a 10-foot-high masonry block wall between the school and the service areas of Whole Foods Market and CVS Pharmacy to address noise concerns.

Demolition of the buildings that were east of the Whole Foods Market occurred during

(Please turn to page 22)

HOTEL AND APARTMENTS were approved at 639 S. La Brea, and existing buildings were demolished, but construction is on hold, with the land available for lease.

Sky’s the limit with plans for high-rise buildings

By Suzan Filipek

Several large-scale high-rise buildings are in the planning stages for the Miracle Mile, which is nothing new in the popular area. In days gone by, when the overall height limit in the City of Los Angeles (except for City Hall) was 13 stories, a number of such height-limit buildings appeared in the Miracle Mile, including: Wilshire Tower (Desmond’s), Dominguez Building and, at Wilshire and La Brea, the E. Clem Wilson Building (previous location of the Samsung sign).

Not too many years later, those buildings were followed, in 1960, by Lee Tower (5455 Wilshire Blvd., the city’s first building higher than the previous 13-story height limit. Soon came the 27-story Cal Fed Building and the 31-story tower across from Hancock Park at 5900 Wilshire Blvd.

More high-rises

Now, with the combination of subway and museum construction already underway, the newest tower projects will reach even further into the sky. For some people, the proposals add to the stress of an already stressed-out community.

“We feel like a target is drawn on our backs. Certainly we’re not alone in that. But there are characteristics that make the Mile a laboratory for the worst planning policies you can possibly implement in the city,” Greg Goldin, president of the Miracle Mile Residents Association, told us. Given its proximity to mu-

seums, DTLA, Hollywood, restaurants and shopping, it’s no wonder the Mile is a popular place to be.

Whether you welcome the changing skyline or not, policymakers have agreed, since the city’s early days, to build up on Wilshire Boulevard. The sky’s the limit.

Developer of the proposed Mirabel at 5411 Wilshire, Wally Marks, is excited about the new developments.

“We’re pleased to see the subway is closer to becoming a reality,” Marks said.

Also, Sony Pictures Entertainment coming to the Wilshire Courtyard is seen as good news. “People will be living closer to where they work.”

Projects moving forward at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the La Brea Tar Pits will also add new energy to the neighborhood, Marks said.

708 Cloverdale

The newest development to be announced is Onni Group’s 708 Cloverdale Project, as it is called, at 5350-5374 Wilshire Blvd. The mixed-use apartment complex is projected to reach 43 stories.

According to city records, the proposed apartment tower includes 419 housing units, including 47 affordable units, above 2,700 square feet of retail space. A five-story podium at the base of the apartment tower and subterranean levels

will serve 443 cars.

The developer has asked for entitlements to include Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) benefits. The project is close to the Wilshire / La Brea subway station set to open in 2024.

The developer, who did not return calls and emails before publication, seeks TOC bonuses to allow for a larger building on account of the inclusion of

the affordable housing units.

The 530-foot-tall Art Deco-style glass building is designed by Downtown-based MVE + Partners.

At the northern edge of its property, Onni intends to preserve 42,000 square feet of existing commercial buildings along Wilshire Boulevard, including one that houses a U.S. Post Office and that inspired the new design.

An initial study for the project is being prepared by the city Planning Dept. Wilshire Courtyard

Onni also is working to seriously revamp the Wilshire Courtyard complex of offices at 5700 and 5750 Wilshire Boulevard.

Onni’s proposed 2.3-million-square-foot complex on that site features two interconnected glass-clad office towers, 35- and 41-stories high. The latter tower will reach 655 feet and face Masselin Avenue to the east. The shorter of the two buildings will face Curson Avenue to the west.

The towers will stand atop a seven-story parking podium. Two floors can be turned into office space in the future,

(Please turn to page 12)

Dr. Jonathan Engel

MIRACLE MILE VIEW WEST on Wilshire shows, from foreground, the proposed new towers: 708 Cloverdale, then Mirabel on the right, and then Wilshire Courtyard.

PLOT PLAN shows Onni Group’s proposed 43-story “708 Cloverdale Project” at 5350-5374 Wilshire Blvd. Note that existing buildings on Wilshire will remain.

Museum Row 2023: Oscar Week debut, Green Gala, varied exhibits

It’s Academy Award season, and a week of films and more is planned at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., between Wed., March 8, and Sun., March 12.

Oscar Week will feature screenings and panel discussions of nominees in several categories to be presented at this year’s 95th annual Oscars on Sun., March 12. Purchase of general admission grants access to all same-day Oscar Week screenings and panels.

Oscars Night at the Museum on Sun., March 12, from 3 to 10 p.m., includes a walk on the red carpet and viewing the ceremony livestream on ABC in the David Geffen Theater. Visit academymuseum.org for more information.

Just across the Boulevard from the Academy Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., hosts a Green Pre-Oscar Gala on Thurs., March 9. Arrivals on the green carpet start at 6 p.m. Energy Independence Now will showcase cars and offer a glimpse into a more sustainable future at the cocktail attire, eco-conscious Oscar party.

Take a walk through “Strings of Desire,” on exhibit at Craft Contemporary, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., with Suzanne Isken, museum executive director and curator of the show, on Sun., March 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The exhibit features 13 artists working in embroidery, painting, sculpture and architecture to connect their non-Western cultural heritage, queer identities and fantasies. Ends May 7, 2023.

Exhibits are open at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), 5905 Wilshire Blvd., during construction. Take a gallery tour of “Afro-Atlantic Histories” with a LACMA docent on Sat., March 25, at 2 p.m. in the Resnick Pavilion. The exhibit charts the slave trade and its legacies through artworks produced in Africa,

Europe and the Americas in the last four centuries.

Kids of all ages are wel-

come

witness a life-size saber-tooth cat (puppet) in Ice Age Encounters at the La

Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd. Shows are Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30 and 11:30

a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Entrance is $6 per person.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE DAVID GEFFEN GALLERIES at LACMA continues. Shown is the elaborate scaffolding system supporting the falsework for casting the concrete base of the new galleries that will span Wilshire Boulevard.

Photo by Bill Devlin

High-rises

(Continued from page 10) should conditions warrant. Features include “flexible office space,” landscaped bridges, terraces and, at street-level, a restaurant, and grocery and retail tenants in the design envisioned by Chicago architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz.

The project preserves the southern sections of the existing terraced six-story office structure, abutting the residential area of this part of the Mile, and also preserves the park space on 8th Street. A portion of the existing building’s three subterranean parking levels will be removed, while 2,901 of its parking spots will be retained, for a total of 4,650 auto stalls.

The project is expected to break ground in 2025 and complete construction by 2028, pending approvals by the City of Los Angeles, including a zone change and a master conditional use permit.

Mirabel

Also on the horizon is Wally Marks’ 42-story Mirabel residential tower — designed by Keating Architecture — at 5411 Wilshire Blvd., once the home of the Staples store (now moved further west on Wilshire).

This tower features a glass

exterior and has a curvilinear form. There is a rooftop deck and common open space above a parking podium.

If approved, the building will soar to 530 feet. The 477,000-square-foot building is to have 348 apartments, including 38 affordable units. Its design includes 14,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space and total parking for 477 cars.

Under the design, the façade of the historic 1936 Streamline Moderne Sontag Drug Store building at the corner of Wilshire and Cloverdale Avenue will be preserved.

The project’s parking includes an automated, three-level, underground garage modeled after a similar facility at Marks’ Helms Bakery property on Venice Boulevard.

Three vehicle elevators and seven loading bays will keep cars rolling up and down the three levels.

But Marks says many of his new tenants will walk the one block to and from the new subway station. “We think it’s a big deal,” he said of the D (formerly Purple) Line extension.

Marks expects the city to release the Draft Environmental Impact Report this spring, with community hearings to follow. If approved by the city in 2023, the Mirabel could open in 2026.

WILSHIRE COURTYARD new towers will be along Wilshire, leaving the existing six-story buildings (and park) on the south (Eighth Street) side of the block.

Sony moving divisions to Wilshire Courtyard

By Suzan Filipek

Sony Pictures Entertainment is moving some of its divisions and relocating 700 of its employees to four floors of the Wilshire Courtyard building at 5750 Wilshire Blvd.

The long-term lease totals 225,239 square feet, according to Cushman & Wakefield, which represented the landlord Onni Group.

The select divisions relocating from Sony’s longtime space at The Culver Studios include Sony Pictures Animation, visual effects firm Imageworks

and anime streaming service Crunchyroll.

The term of the lease is reported to begin in April 2024, according to The Real Deal.

The 8.7-acre Wilshire Courtyard is comprised of two six-story buildings located at 5700 and 5750 Wilshire Blvd. totaling approximately one million square feet. The buildings were originally developed in the late 1980s by Jerry Snyder, who also repurposed the former Prudential Insurance headquarters across Wilshire Blvd. (now the SAG-AFTRA

building). Before he died, Snyder also got the development of the high-rise Museum Tower apartment building on Curson Avenue (across from the Tar Pits Museum’s George C. Page Building) underway.

The Wilshire Courtyard underwent significant interior and exterior renovations in 2015 by then owner Tishman Speyer.

Wilshire Courtyard amenities include tiered balconies, a gym on site, newly renovated common areas and plazas, and a park with a jogging trail.

Katy

Yaroslavsky — a new leader for the Miracle Mile

By Casey Russell

For this month’s issue, we talked with new councilwoman Katy Young Yaroslavsky. She now represents the city’s Council District 5, which encompasses the Miracle Mile area in its entirety.

Her office is now fully staffed. The councilwoman told us in a recent interview that staffing was a big focus during her first weeks in office, saying, “I will only be as good as the strength of my team.”

Homelessness Team

And what is the team’s main focus currently? Homelessness. “We need to slow the rate at which people are falling in [to homelessness],” she said.

The councilwoman has put together a solid team of people who, daily, are making connections with the unhoused in District 5. Accompanied by Perla Urza and Loren Jackson, Yaroslavsky’s homelessness programs manager, Matthew Tenchavez, goes out into local neighborhoods to speak with people living on the streets. Tenchavez and his colleagues work to discover what will be required to get individuals off the streets. Tenchavez then collaborates with Zachary Warma, the office’s housing and homeless policy director, to make sure beds are available, ensuring the outreach can lead to people actually being connected with a place indoors.

Yaroslavsky and her outreach group began speaking, in December, with a gathering of people camping on the sidewalk behind the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Academy Museum — on Sixth Street. “Working with the mayor’s team,” Yaroslavsky told us on Feb. 6, “we’re hoping to be able to announce something soon and move all those folks into housing.” (By Feb. 18, all of those street dwellers had been moved to temporary housing. See story on Page 1 of Section 1.)

Working with the mayor

The councilwoman told us she has been incredibly impressed with the council / mayor relationship so far. Mayor Bass is “very much interested in making sure each of the 15 council members is part of the solution and that there is not an ‘us’ and a ‘them.’ It’s a partnership,” she said. She went on to say that the mayor “has it in her power, and is willing, to acknowledge what’s not working and to find a way to fix it… She understands it’s a regional solution.”

Yaroslavsky’s biggest priority going forward is to increase the number of interim shelters and permanent supportive housing sites and to help people access already existing

housing with vouchers. The councilwoman told us she will measure her success by how many people are moved from the streets to beds.

Prior to now, said Yaroslavsky, there hasn’t been a strategy for getting large numbers of longterm lease buildings. The city has been acquiring places ad hoc. “We need to flip the tables and have a lot more to choose from. It will drive down costs,” she said.

The councilwoman also believes the mandate for having affordable workforce housing is even more pronounced now that more rapid transit stations are coming online. She is looking into setting aside, for affordable housing, land Metro has been using as staging areas.

The environment

As to other items on her agenda, Yaroslavsky told us she is excited to be chairing

the city council’s Energy and Environment Committee. The councilwoman has a lot of experience in this area. She is an environmental attorney who, for the past six years, worked as senior policy director for the environment and the arts in

Mirabel

put together a system that allows constituents to get a response to queries within 48 hours. The system tracks the hundreds of calls and emails her office receives daily. This enables the team to make sure concerns are addressed or resolved before any query is marked as closed.

the office of former Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Yaroslavsky hopes to shut down the oil wells in the district and help Los Angeles become more energy-efficient.

Rapid response

She told us her team has

Yaroslavsky told us her office is also working to get out ahead of what’s happening relating to government or other construction works on local streets. The goal is to be able to give advance notice and solutions to residents in order to stave off people’s annoyance when street closures, parking disturbances, power outages and the like occur.

Local office

Part of the CD 5 team will be moving to a new field office near the Metro station at La Brea Avenue and

(Please turn to page 14)

FOLLOWING TWO SHOOTINGS of local area Jewish men, Councilmember Yaroslavsky joined other area leaders at a town hall addressing antisemitism and violence.

Photo by Gary Leonard

Following is a list of elected officials who serve the Miracle Mile and surrounding areas.

Councilmember

Katy Yaroslavsky

5th District

6380 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 800, 90048

323-866-1828 councildistrict5.lacity.gov

Mayor Karen Bass 200 N. Spring St. 13th Floor, 90012

213-978-0600 mayor.lacity.gov

County Supervisor Holly Mitchell

2nd District

500 W. Temple St. Ste. 866, 90012 213-974-2222 mitchell.lacounty.gov

County Supervisor

Lindsey Horvath

Miracle Mile Elected Officials

3rd District 500 W. Temple St. Ste. 821, 90012 213-974-3333 lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur

51st District 2800 28th St., Ste. 105 Santa Monica, 90405 310-450-0041

a51.asmdc.org

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan

55th District 5601 W. Slauson Ave., Ste. 200, Culver City, 90230 310-641-5410

a55.asmdc.org

State Sen. Ben Allen 24th District 2512 Artesia Blvd., Ste. 320 Redondo Beach, 90278 310-318-6994 sd24.senate.ca.gov

State Sen. María Elena Durazo

26th District 1808 W. Sunset Blvd., 90026 213-483-9300 sd26.senate.ca.gov

State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas 28th District 700 Exposition Park Dr., 90037 213-745-6656 sd28.senate.ca.gov

Gov. Gavin Newsom 1021 O Street Ste. 9000 Sacramento, 95814 916-445-2841 gov.ca.gov

Rep. Adam Schiff 30th District 245 E. Olive Ave. Ste. 200, 91502 323-315-5555 818-450-2900 schiff.house.gov

Rep. Jimmy Gomez 34th District 350 S. Bixel St. Ste. 120, 90017 213-481-1425 gomez.house.gov

Rep. Ted Lieu 36th District 1645 Corinth Ave. Ste. 101, 90025 323-651-1040 lieu.house.gov

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove 37th District 4929 Wilshire Blvd.

Ste. 650, 90010 (202) 225-7084 kamlager-dove.house.gov

Sen. Dianne Feinstein 11111 Santa Monica Blvd. Ste. 915, 90025 310-914-7300 feinstein.senate.gov

Sen. Alex Padilla 255 E. Temple St. Ste. 1860, 90012 310-231-4494 202-224-0357 padilla.senate.gov

Real Estate Sales*

Single family homes

6407 Moore Dr. $2,100,000 503 N. Formosa Ave. $1,399,000 116 N. Sycamore Ave. $1,157,500

Condominium

*Sale prices for January.

Yaroslavsky

(Continued from page 13)

Wilshire Boulevard. (It likely will be in the Dominguez Building that houses a Bank of America branch and, soon, the relocated Andre’s Italian Restaurant.)

Yaroslavsky ran on a platform of constituent services and believes having more people on the ground and having places accessible to constituents for community gatherings and meetings are

important parts of her being the councilmember she ran to be.

When asked about the CBS Television City project — TVC 2050 — at the corner of Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, Yaroslavsky told us she is meeting with concerned neighborhood groups and touring the site. “Everything is a balance,” she said. “Finding a balance between the good paying jobs it will provide and the scale… it will be a negotiation.”

Friendship is the First Step Toward Partners in Preparedness.”

KATY YOUNG YAROSLAVSKY is sworn in for her first term as City Councilmember for the Fifth District by Los Angeles City Clerk Holly L. Wolcott (right) in the John Ferraro Council Chambers in City Hall. Accompanying the councilmember, from left to right, are her husband, Superior Court Judge David Yaroslavsky, and their children, Gabriel, Joshua, and Yael.

SOLD: A condominium at 116 N. Sycamore Ave. in Citrus Square was sold in January for $1,157,500.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Cathedral Chapel School

755 S. Cochran Ave.

Ph: 323-938-9976

Co-principals: Tina Kipp and Danielle Mitchell

Grades: K to 8

Miracle Mile School Directory

cathedralchapelschool.org

Hancock Park Elementary 408 S. Fairfax Ave. Ph: 323-935-5272

Principal: Robin WynneDavis Grades: TK to 5 hancockparkes-lausd-ca.

schoolloop.com

Third St. Elementary

201 S. June St. Ph: 323-939-8337

Principal: Helen Lee Grades: TK to 5 thirdstreetschool.com

INTHE♥OF THEMIRACLEMILE

Cathedral Chapel School

Archdiocesan & State Academic Decathlon Champions 2017!

• Fully Accredited WASC & WCEA

• Schoolwide 4G Internet Access

• 36 MAC Computer Lab

• Spanish & Music Programs

• K-8 iPads

• Honors Math Program

Wilshire Crest Elementary

5241 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 323-938-5291

Principal: Gayle Robinson

Grades: ETK to 5 wce-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Yavneh Hebrew Academy

5353 W. Third St.

Ph: 323-931-5808

Principal: Paul Ghiglieri

Grades: K to 8 yha.org

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Fusion Miracle Mile

5757 Wilshire Blvd.

Promenade One

Ph: 323-692-0603

Principal: Jaime Porras

Grades: 6 to 12 fusionacademy.com

John Burroughs

600 S. McCadden Pl.

Ph: 323-549-5000

Principal: Steve Martinez

Grades: 6 to 8 burroughsms.org

Grades: 6 to 12 galacademy.org

Fairfax High, Visual Arts

Magnet, Police Academy Magnet

7850 Melrose Ave.

Ph: 323-370-1200

Principal: Leonard Choi Grades: 9 to 12 fairfaxhs.org

Los Angeles High School

4650 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 323-900-2700

Principal: Marguerette Gladden Grades: 9 to 12 lahigh.org

Machon Los Angeles 5870 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 424-274-0955

Principal: Shifra Revah Grades: 9 to 12 machonla.org

Shalhevet School 910 S. Fairfax Ave.

Ph: 323-930-9333

• Outreach Concern Counseling

• Extended Day Care

• Junior High Academic Decathlon

• Science Lab / Art Center

Cathedral High School Quiz Bowl Champions 2023 Registration

• CYO Sports

• Hot Lunch Program

Now Open for Grades K-8. Call us or email office@cathedralchapel.org for more info or to schedule a tour

755 South Cochran Ave., L.A. 90036

For Information (323) 938-9976 or cathedralchapelschool.org

New Los Angeles Charter 1919 S. Burnside Ave.

Ph: 323-939-6400

Principal: Gabrielle Brayton

Grades: 6 to 8 newlamiddle.org

HIGH SCHOOLS

Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA)

1067 West Blvd.

Ph: 323-900-4532

Principal: Elizabeth Hicks

Principal: Rabbi David Block Grades: 9 to 12 shalhevet.org

Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles/Michael Diller High School 5444 W. Olympic Blvd. Ph: 323-938-2071

Principal: Rabbi Shmuel Baruch Manne Grades: 9 to 12 ygla.org

Crime is down overall, but car thefts are a challenge

By Nona Sue Friedman

According to Senior Lead Officer (SLO) Anna Schube of Wilshire Division LAPD, the overall crime statistics for the Miracle Mile area are down 29 percent for violent crime, and burglaries are down 30 percent compared to 2022.

But crimes involving automobiles are up. She advises not leaving anything of value visible in your car. She notes that thieves are opportunists who will smash a $500 window to get two dollars worth of change. Don’t be an easy target.

Grand thefts auto are up a whopping 108 percent, and burglaries from a car are up 40 percent from last year.

The most susceptible cars for theft are Kias and Hyundais made between 2010 and 2021.

There is a TikTok challenge informing people about how to easily steal these cars without a key, Schube said. If you own one of these cars, LAPD advises using a steering wheel lock to help prevent theft. She also encourages owners to have their driver’s license numbers engraved on their

catalytic converters. Schube patrols the Miracle Mile area from Beverly Boulevard to San Vicente Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue to La Brea Avenue. The residents there are mostly concerned with the unhoused and their encampments, she said. A great resource for dealing with this situation is to contact the city through the phone application MyLA311 or by calling 311, she added. This phone app is also useful for reporting graffiti, illegal dumping and having bulky items picked up.

Schube can be reached at 32825@lapd.online.

The following is a list of apartment buildings in the Miracle Mile neighborhood. All of the zip codes are 90036 unless otherwise noted. If there are any changes or corrections, please contact circulation@ larchmontchronicle.com.

Avalon Wilshire 5115 Wilshire Blvd. 323-894-9430 avaloncommunities.com

Babylon Apartments 360 S. Detroit St. 323-930-2213 hpgmanagement.com

Belcrest Apartments

637 S. Hauser Blvd. 323-525-1953 belcrestapartments.com

Boulevard on Wilshire 5353 Wilshire Blvd. 833-268-5984 liveboulevard.com

Brighton Villas 318 S. Detroit St. 323-930-2213

Miracle Mile Apartments

hpgmanagement.com

Broadcast Center Apartments 7660 Beverly Blvd. 424-353-2739 broadcastcenterapts.com

Burnside Residences 600 S. Burnside Ave. 323-497-4803 burnside-living.com

Burnside Apartments

616 S. Burnside Ave. 323-937-4359 hpgmanagement.com

Burnside Villas 649 S. Burnside Ave. 323-940-5213 liveatburnsidelofts.com

Carthay Circle Apartments 6209-6226 Olympic Blvd., 90048 323-936-3793 carthaycircleapartments.com

Cloverdale Apartments 600 S. Cloverdale Ave. 323-965-1565

Cloverdale Properties, LLC 660 S. Cloverdale Ave. cloverdale.optimuspropertiesllc.com

Cloverdale Towers 340 S. Cloverdale Ave. 323-936-0322 cloverdaletowers.bhprop.com

Cochran Apartments 657–665 S. Cochran Ave. 310-710-9361 derekcusack.com

Cochran Apartments

442 S. Cochran Ave. 323-642-6556 cochranavenue.com

Cochran Island Apartments

342 S. Cochran Ave. 323-932-0450

Cochran House 740 S. Cochran Ave. 310-826-2466 fredleedproperties.com

Curson Apartments 315-323 N. Curson Ave. 323-289-2374 cursonapts.com

The Desmond 5520 Wilshire Blvd. 310-602-4204 livedesmond.com

Essex at Miracle Mile 400 S. Detroit St. 323-342-5520 essexapartmenthomes.com

The Fairfax 105 S. Fairfax Ave. 424-317-6749 thefairfaxla.com

Hauser Apartments 625 Hauser Blvd. 323-937-0930 hpgmanagement.com

Linda Manor Apartments 456 S. Cochran Ave. 323-934-3760

The Mansfield at Miracle Mile 5100 Wilshire Blvd. 323-634-0290 themansfieldapartments.com

Masselin Park West 5700 6th St. 323-617-4856 masselinparkwestapts.com

mResidences Miracle Mile 5659 W. 8th St. 88-979-7561 mresidencesmm.com

Museum Terrace 600 S. Curson Ave. 323-745-1251 museumterraceapts.com

One Museum Square 640 S. Curson Ave. 833-772-5220 omsapts.com

Palazzo East 348 S. Hauser Blvd. 424-532-8801 palazzo-east.com

Palazzo West 6220 W. 3rd St. 424-532-9123 palazzo-west.com

Palm Court Apartments 740 S. Burnside Ave. 323-930-2564 harrison-properties.net

Park La Brea 6200 W. 3rd St. 323-927-7505 parklabrea.com

The Preston Miracle Mile 630 S. Masselin Ave.

844-817-3199 theprestonapts.com

Redwood Urban 345 Cloverdale Ave. 435 S. Detroit St. 630 Hauser Blvd. 323-938-5653 redwoodurban.com

Tiffany Court 616 Masselin Ave. 323-342-5516 essexapartmenthomes.com

Villas at Park La Brea 5555 W. 6th St. 424-532-8948 thevillasapts.com

Vinz on Fairfax 950 S. Fairfax Ave. 323-673-2216 vinzonfairfax.com

Vision on Wilshire 6245 Wilshire Blvd., 90048 323-684-3110 udr.com

Wilshire Embassy 5805 W. 8th St. 323-615-1348

Wilshire La Brea 5200 Wilshire Blvd. 323-342-5515 essexapartmenthomes.com

162/164 N. Detroit St. rent@detroitla.com

Portia Park

REALTOR ®

Navigating the lifespan of a real estate transaction can be an overwhelming process. However, with over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, my passion for helping clients with their real estate goals continues to grow every year. Setting the tone for a successful partnership is carefully listening to my client’s wants and needs in a confidential, supportive, and collaborative environment. From the initial client consultation to preparing and marketing a property for sale to negotiating the best price and terms, I give the highest level of service without compromise.

Serving Greater L.A., I specialize in our lovely Miracle Mile and adjacent areas, representing homeowners of single-family homes, condominiums, income properties, and leases. Ask about concierge services for home improvement projects paid through escrow.

“From day one your guidance on selling our 95 year old home in the heart of Los Angeles helped us get top dollar with multiple offers in less than a week. You and your team were always professional and responsive. Your personal attention to detail in every aspect of the process made all the difference in successfully navigating multiple escrows simultaneously.”

La Brea Hancock Seller

“Portia was so helpful and her ideas helped to make our home presentation both online and in person very lovely. She was always available to discuss concerns and communicated very well with us along the way. Once we got our home on the market, we had lots of interest due to her marketing and our home sold in a little over a week. Portia was helpful during the escrow process and everything went smoothly. She was consistently there for us every step of the way.” Miracle Mile Seller

Considering Selling or Buying?

CALL or EMAIL ME. Portia@PortiaPark.com

3 310 801 6873 www.PortiaPark.com

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Los Angeles embraces St. Patrick’s Day as celebrations abound

By Helene Seifer

March 17 has been designated as St. Patrick’s Day since 1631, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that drinking beer became associated with the holiday. Beer, of course, along with Irish whiskey and corned beef and cabbage, is central to the celebration these days, and there are myriad places to indulge in our area. For those who would like to start the day a wee bit Irish before leaving the house, a traditional Irish breakfast is the perfect fortification before joining the crowds. Most of us have eggs, tomatoes and beans in stock, but a visit to the MacNamara Irish Import Shop will provide the key elements of black-and-white pudding, blood sausage and Irish bangers. The store is a good source of “Kiss me, I’m Irish” T-shirts, as well.

MacNamara Irish Import Shop, 742 Vine St., 323-4984445.

Although The Cat & Fiddle styles itself as an English pub, it embraces the green for St. Patrick’s Day. From noon to midnight they will serve the requisite corned beef and cabbage, along with corned beef sliders, and will feature Harp and Guinness beer. Their crowd-pleasing entertain-

ment will feature burlesque by Miss Marquez.

The Cat & Fiddle, 742 N. Highland Ave., 323-468-3800. Fairfax Avenue is crowned “Green for a Day” when crowds descend on the Original Farmers Market, Molly Malone’s and Tom Bergin’s for lively Paddy’s Day festivities up and down the street.

At the Original Farmers Market, strolling bagpipers, the Merry Minstrels, will provide the ambiance. Bar 326 and E.B.’s Beer & Wine will offer spirits and green beer. Both Magee’s Kitchen and Dupar’s Restaurant and Bakery will fuel the day with corned beef platters and sandwiches.

The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., 323933-9211. Open from 9 a.m.

to 9 p.m.

Just a hop down Fairfax Avenue is a watering hole that will be throwing its 54th St. Patrick’s Day party; Molly Malone’s Irish Pub. Owner Damian Hanlon says that their St. Patrick’s Day hours will be 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Starting at 10

a.m., provisions will include Irish stew in addition to corned beef options. The Margaret Cleary Dance Company takes the stage at 11:30 a.m. with 7- to 19-year-old Irish step dancers. Bagpipers will play intermittently until 7 p.m., when five different bands lead the transition to a nighttime vibe.

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, 575 S. Fairfax Ave., 323-9351577.

Further south on Fairfax, just south of Wilshire, Tom Bergin’s has been operating only four days a week, but that won’t stop its offering another St. Patrick’s Day to remember. As co-owner Francis Castegnetti states, “My brother [co-owner David Castegnetti] and I are excited to celebrate! There’s not a square inch of space here you won’t have fun

in.” The action starts at 6 a.m. with a breakfast of corned beef, roast potatoes, eggs and toast. A corned beef and cabbage plate and sandwich will appear later. Three bars outside and two inside will serve Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Lost Irish Whiskey, Irish Coffee, beer and special Irish Mule cocktails to the day’s expected 12,000-person crowd. DJs will spin a mix of rock and traditional Irish music. Castegnetti teases that there might be some last-minute surprises.

Tom Bergin’s, 840 S. Fairfax Ave., 323-936-7151.

Whichever way you choose to mark St. Patrick’s Day, may this Irish proverb rule your fortunes: May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.

Community block festival set for Spring

A community-wide, allblocks party is set to take place this spring on Ninth Street between Hauser Boulevard and Cochran Avenue.

“It’s a block party for all blocks,” said Greg Goldin, president of the Miracle Mile Residential Association (MMRA).

A date has yet to be set for the four-block-long event.

“We want to renew and bring a couple of things on the horizon,” Goldin added.

Also upcoming is the annual MMRA meeting. Check the website for a date and time.

Additionally in the planning stages is Operation Sparkle, where volunteers show up to clean a portion of the streets in Miracle Mile. This year, the street frontages of businesses

along Wilshire Boulevard will be made to sparkle. The event takes place on a weekend morning, and everyone is invited.

“Businesses on the street have had a very hard time the last decade,” Goldin said. “We’re trying to come out of the fog of the pandemic, which has made it very hard for everybody.”

For more information, visit miraclemilela.com.

From Breakfast … to Lunch … to Dinner

ST. PATRICK’S DAY celebrants at Tom Bergin’s in 2022.

Photo courtesy of Tom Bergin’s

Meyers Manx Cafe expands its offerings at Petersen Museum

By Helene Seifer

As befitting a restaurant in the Petersen Automotive Museum, the new café there pays tribute to the “Manx,” the original dune buggy designed by Bruce F. Meyers. The new Meyers Manx Cafe is stepping on the gas to bring expanded

offerings to satisfy both car collectors and families who visit the museum.

Currently open for breakfast and lunch, restaurant operations director Greg Scarborough reveals that it is expanding its healthy eating options and is developing

a dinner program for implementation in April or May 2023.

Having received its liquor license in January, a bar program is expected to launch by the beginning of March featuring such mixers as grapefruit and lavender house-made syr-

ups, cocktails flavored with their bespoke roasted coffees (for example, an espresso-infused mezcal Negroni), and a robust “zero-proof” cocktail

menu.

Meyers Manx Cafe in the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., 323-999-3242.

Third & Fairfax

(Continued from page 8)

the school’s summer break in 2022. Among the buildings that came down was the one that was the longtime home to Andre’s Italian Restaurant. A new location for Andre’s at the historic Dominguez Building at 5400 Wilshire Blvd. is in the works.

The design for the

490,682-square-foot new development by architects MVE + Partners includes studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units above three levels of aboveground parking and two levels of subterranean parking for a total of 996 car spots. The Whole Foods Market, CVS and the Citi branch will remain open during construction. The project is expected to be complete in late 2025.

ANDRE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT, formerly a longtime fixture in the Town & Country shopping center, will be opening at its new location — 5400 Wilshire Boulevard — this year.

THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM.

Photo courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum

NOW ON VIEW AT THE ACADEMY MUSEUM

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Top Image: Race films, Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Photo by Joshua White, JW Pictures/ © Academy Museum Foundation.

Bottom Image: The Art of Moviemaking: The Godfather, Stories of Cinema 2, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Photo by Joshua White, JW Pictures/ © Academy Museum Foundation.

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