LC 05 2019

Larchmont Chronicle

VOL. 57, NO. 5

• DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •

IN THIS ISSUE

Lions arrive at Wilshire police station

Homelessness: Events at Ebell, Wells home n May 10, May 16

DESIGN FOR LIVING Sec. 2, p. 13

FAIRYTALE setting for annual hunt.

17

MARIONETTES move to hip venue.

18

By John Welborne Neighbors Lifting Neighbors is a program created by local residents Marilyn Wells and Allison Schallert. Its purpose is to help our local residents understand and embrace affordable and supportive housing as the most effective solution to end homelessness. The two ladies also have created the speakers’ series, Stories from the Frontline, where people who previously have experienced homelessness describe the programs that addressed their issues and once again got them housed.

This month, the ladies are involved in two local events that will help provide this type of information to any interested local residents.

Alexandria House will host its annual WomenSpeak Luncheon Fri., May 10 at the Ebell of Los Angeles, 741 S. Lucerne See Homeless, p 9

Greater Wilshire directors elected for 2-year terms n Several alternate vacancies available

SUMMER CAMPS & SCHOOLS 19 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:

The election for the board of directors of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC) took place at the end of March at the Barking Lot on Larchmont Blvd.

Stakeholders selected board members and alternates to serve two-year terms in geographic and special interest categories, including renters and members of education, religious, business and other non-profit groups. Several alternate vacancies are still available. Below are the directors and alternates elected.

See Greater Wilshire, p 31

Salute to grads!

Our annual section honoring local graduates is in the June issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Mon. May 13. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-4622241, ext. 11.

MAY 2019

n Fallen Officers Memorial and Garden nearing completion

IN THE ROSE GARDEN. Foundation board member Mark Rios, FAIA, Executive Director Carolyn Ramsay, Council District Four Chief of Staff Nicholas Greif and honoree Judith Kieffer.

Parks Foundation founding executive director honored

By John Welborne Two large and majestic lion sculptures arrived April 11 at the Wilshire Division Police Station, 4861 Venice Blvd.

The lions will become the centerpiece of the “Fallen Officers Memorial and Garden” originally conceived by the See Lions, p 31

n Successor Carolyn Ramsay joins host of dignitaries The Los Angeles Parks Foundation was only an idea in 2008, and now it is an insti-

Preservation update for Windsor Square n Hearing on May 6 In advance of updating the city’s guidelines for the Windsor Square Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ), the first of two open house sessions took place April 29 at Marlborough School.

The second open house will be Mon., May 6, at 6 p.m., also at Marlborough School, 250 N. Rossmore Ave. Following the open house, the Los Angeles Dept. of City Planning will conduct an official Public Hearing on the proposal, commencing at 7 p.m. A Hearing Officer will accept testimony from members of the commuSee Preservation Plan, p 9

tution. It raises funds for, and works with, the city’s Dept. of Recreation and Parks. Since 2010, one of the foundation’s successful fundraising events has been a lovely luncheon and presentation of the annual Rose Award in Exposition Park’s extraordinary Rose Garden. The awards honor women who have made a significant contribution to the See Parks Foundation, p 9

LAPD WILSHIRE DIVISION community relations officer Sgt. A.J. Kirby directs the lowering of a lion sculpture onto the Fallen Officers Memorial.

Plymouth preschool attracts generations of families n Many students are children of former students

By Sondi Toll Sepenuk One of the first big decisions parents make is where to send their child for preschool. The choices can be overwhelming as parents find themselves choosing among Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, project-based, reli-

gious, private, STEM-based, co-op, non-profit preschools and more. Many of these preschools come and go as parental whims ebb and flow.

But locally, there’s a preschool that has stood the test of time, educating generation after See Plymouth, p 25

Turning 20: Big Sunday’s MOBS is here n More than 100 projects are offered in May

By Suzan Filipek Big Sunday is celebrating its 20th anniversary of the very first Big Sunday with a project called “Big Sunday’s Greatest Hits.” The event takes place Sun., May 19 at an under-served Los Angeles Unified School, Lovelia Flournoy Elementary School in South Los Angeles, very close to the Nickerson Gardens housing project.

According to Rachel Schwartz, spokesperson for Big Sunday, volunteers will be painting murals, planting gardens, cleaning, creating a teachers’ lounge, collecting and donating food and clothing, BIG SUNDAY volunteers at its biggest food See Big Sunday, p 29 drive, the 10K in May. Photo by Bill Devlin

www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Editorial

Calendar

By John Welborne

Senate Bill 50 is bad for homeowners In late 2017, the ladies of the Hancock Park Garden Club (founded 57 years ago) published a booklet, “Your Next Front Yard.” The focus of the pamphlet is front yards — the single-family landscape that both separates homes and unifies neighborhoods. (See: hancockparkgardenclub.com/ your-next-front-yard.)

A month or so later, on Jan. 16, 2018, San Francisco lawyer and former San Francisco Supervisor — and now a State Senator from San Francisco — Scott Wiener published on a blog an explanation of what he believes should be in your and your neighbors’ front and back yards.

That would be four- or five-

story apartment buildings.

According to his own words, Sen. Wiener has deeply-held feelings about certain problems in the modern world, in particular relating to some people having single-family homes with private open space, when other people (including some long-dead people who may have lived in California 100 years ago) do, or did, not.

It is instructive to read Sen. Wiener’s own words about the haves and the have-nots.

Residents owning single-family homes in our local communities, and in urban areas throughout the state of California, need to be vigilant. We need to contact elected State representa-

Building a Strong Community: Our Block Captains, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and Concrete Streets According to the LAPD, the most important part of safety and security in your neighborhood is an effective block captain/ neighborhood watch network. Hancock Park is fortunate to have so many community minded residents who volunteer to serve as block captains. To thank our block captains and keep them up to date on security and other issues, the Association is hosting a dinner on May 15th at the Wilshire Country Club. If you are a block captain, you should have received an invitation. If you are a block captain and have not received an invitation, contact the Association. If you aren’t a block captain and your block doesn’t have one, VOLUNTEER! Then you can share a wonderful dinner with your colleagues at the Wilshire Country Club.

The Association is happy to report that Board Member Jen DeVore was elected to the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Board. Jen is a tireless worker for the community, serving not only on the Board of the HPHOA, but also on the HPOZ Board and now the GWNC. Thank you Jen for so generously devoting your time to the benefit of our community.

Councilman David Ryu has announced a targeted repair program for our concrete streets. The City has completed a pilot study from which this repair program has been developed.

After a complete assessment of Hancock Park’s concrete streets (by the Bureau of Street Services), the first phase, which will repair the most hazardous areas, has begun. Portions of 2nd Street and McCadden Place, 4th Street and Rimpau Blvd., June Street and 4th Street, and an uneven pavement at 352 South Las Palmas are the first in line for repairs. The second phase is to develop an ongoing repair priority list and obtain budget financing, including two dedicated concrete crews.

Remember, Hancock Park is an HPOZ, so be sure to check with our City Planner, Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@ lacity.org), before starting any major landscaping or before planning changes to the exterior of your house. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ, can be found at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park.

There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial. screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System — tinyurl.com/ yyr3unhc — and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323463-5180.

Adv.

Wed., May 1 – Big Sunday launches Month of Big Sundays. bigsunday.org.

Mon., May 6 – City Planning Dept. open house and hearing on Windsor Square Preservation Plan update, Marlborough School, 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 6 p.m.

Wed., May 8 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting, The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 7 p.m.

Sun., May 12 – Mother’s Day. Mon., May 27 – Memorial Day. Thurs., May 30 – Delivery of the June issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. tives, and we need to be prepared to vote against those local elected officials who don’t help stop the current Bay Area-led effort to confiscate our single-family residential environments.

Somehow, for a number of activists in California, “single-family neighborhood” has become an evil thing that they oppose.

To be fair, it’s generally only when bus stops or other transit facilities are near the usually older and established residential neighborhoods that these people (now calling themselves “YIMBYs”) vilify and try to undermine singlefamily homes.

“YIMBY” stands for “Yes in My Back Yard,” but I doubt there are many YIMBYs (except real estate developers and apartment builders) who even own singlefamily houses that have front and back yards. YIMBY activists say that they prefer dense urban development. Of course, they are welcome to live in such places.

But, for the millions of Californians who have invested in lower-density neighborhoods that do have yards — and who may have struggled and sac-

Larchmont Chronicle Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Associate Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Advertising Director Pam Rudy Advertising Sales Caroline Tracy Art Director Tom Hofer Classified and Circulation Manager Rachel Olivier Accounting Jill Miyamoto 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103

Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com

‘Do you have spring cleaning or remodel plans?

That’s the question inquiring photographer Talia Abrahamson asked locals along Larchmont Blvd.

rificed for decades to build up their equity in the house they own — having a boxy, modern, five-story apartment building built next door is not a desirable thing. Nor is it desirable for other neighbors, because such a “block-busting” development will start a chain reaction of other neighbors selling out and moving elsewhere. (I’d choose Texas.)

There obviously is a strong, and still unmet, housing demand. Just look at what that demand is doing to former single-family homes on the lots long zoned as multiple-family — north of Melrose on Wilcox and on Cole and the eastwest streets north of Beverly between Wilton and Western.

That cannot yet happen in most of Greater Wilshire or in other large portions of Los Angeles that have single-family neighborhoods long protected by single-family zoning.

But … the state legislation aggressively advocated

by Sen. Wiener and his real estate development and construction industry donors and allies will change that.

Your home is endangered by the bill that Sen. Wiener and his allies are promoting in Sacramento.

If you or anyone in your family owns a single-family residence, whether it is in Northern California near a bus route or virtually anywhere in our central Los Angeles area including “jobs rich” hillsides, you are a part of the problem, according to the State Senator from San Francisco. Sen. Wiener wants 20 of his Sacramento colleagues in the State Senate to address that problem … and put you in your place.

This conclusion is reached from reading Sen. Wiener’s own words. Read them in the Special Supplement in this issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Then, for your own sake, convince state legislators other than Sen. Wiener to vote “no” on his SB 50 or any similar legislative offspring drafted to confiscate our single-family residential environments.

“I think we’re jumping on the Marie Kondo train. It’s amazing, and I’ve done maybe two drawers full, and now I have the rest of my entire house to do including all of my 3-year-old’s toys.”

Beth Crosby (with Gracie) Larchmont Village

“We’re re-doing our dining room. New dining table, new dining chairs, because we had just a bunch of mismatched furniture. But, also mostly cleaning out our closets and making a lot of trips to Goodwill.”

Kaitlin Clark and Coleman Engellenner Mid-Wilshire

“I always do it. There’s a lot of really good websites now that you can just send your stuff to, and they’ll basically take care of it.”

Rachele Lynn (and ex-roommate Lindsay Hannon) Hancock Park

“I keep telling my kids that we’re going to have this big garage sale. The cleaning happened in December, and now it’s April, and we still haven’t had the garage sale.”

Gabrielle Samuels Hancock Park

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

3

LACMA gets a County OK for its sweeping bridge across Wilshire

By Suzan Filipek In true Los Angeles fashion, celebrities joined museum officials and community members at a County Supervisors hearing that cleared the path for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to move forward with its sweeping new design for a gallery to cross Wilshire Blvd.

The County Board unanimously voted April 9 to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the museum’s new building for its permanent collection and approved the project.

The Supervisors also authorized the issuance of $117.5 million, the balance on its $125 million contribution to the $650 million project.

“This is a major milestone in LACMA’s effort to replace four aging structures with the new Peter Zumthor-designed building,” museum CEO Michael Govan announced after the vote.

Zumthor’s elevated main exhibition gallery will reach

SECTION ONE

AROUND THE TOWN 16 COUNCIL REPORT BOOK NEWS POLICE BEAT ENTERTAINMENT On the Menu Theater Review At the Movies HOME GROUND CAMPS & SCHOOLS BRIDGE

6 8 10 11 12 13 15 19 30

SECTION TWO VIEW:

Real Estate, Design for Living Home & Garden

ART DEALER’S exhibit open until May 30.

18 McAVOY ON PRESERVATION 2 LIBRARIES 6 ARBORIST DIRECTORY 8 REAL ESTATE SALES10 DESIGN FOR LIVING 13 PROFESSOR 23 CLASSIFIED ADS 23

RENDERING of the proposed new LACMA building extending over Wilshire Blvd., looking west on Wilshire.

Courtesy of LACMA Image

across Wilshire supported by seven semi-transparent pavilions on the north and south sides of the street. The innovative design was praised by Diane Keaton and Brad Pitt at the hearing, and Govan thanked members of the community for their comments that resulted in the final 347,500-square-foot building being “simpler, more beauti-

ful, more transparent with enhanced access to the park.”

(The four buildings the new building replaces are 387,500 square feet.)

Satellite locations Satellite locations throughout Los Angeles County will add to the museum exhibition space, Govan said.

Also included is a new five-story, above-ground,

260-space parking structure called the Ogden Parking Structure, plus two stories underground. It replaces parking spaces currently on the surface lot at Wilshire and Spaulding.

The design expands and integrates landscaped plazas, sculpture gardens and drought tolerant vegetation with the new museum build-

ing and the existing Hancock Park, home of the La Brea Tar Pits.

Not everyone is in support of the new design and the 575-page FEIR prepared for the County by consultant Eyestone Environmental.

The board of directors of the Miracle Mile Residential Association (MMRA) unanimously voted April 11 to pursue legal action against the County and City of Los Angeles regarding the FEIR. “Neither LACMA nor the County Supervisors have honestly addressed our many concerns and questions. They have taken a damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead approach. We have no choice but to pursue legal action,” MMRA president Jim O’Sullivan said in a written statement.

MMRA’s concerns are spelled out in an 11-page letter. They range from lack of transparen(Please turn to page 6)

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Metro meetings address Purple, Crenshaw lines

By John Welborne Two local Metro meetings on one night! April 25 was a busy evening for those interested in local rapid transit construction and planning. The first meeting took place in the Boardroom of the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) headquarters building east of the La Brea Tar Pits Museum.

About 25 people learned about subway construction under Wilshire Blvd. between Western Avenue and La Cienega Blvd.

Crenshaw line extension There was a larger atten-

dance at the second meeting, which related to preliminary planning for a Crenshaw Line extension north from Exposition Blvd. to Hollywood. In Metro’s long-range plans for construction, this new transit line would open in 2047.

However, a large contingent of Los Angeles rapid transit advocates, led by the City of West Hollywood, is seeking earlier start and opening dates for this new line. (Actually, the line would not be all that “new.” Four of the five suggested routes go north to West Hollywood in the median of

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San Vicente Blvd. — previously the route of the 20th century’s Pacific Electric Railway “Santa Monica Short Line.”) About 85 people, including Metro staff, City of West Hollywood advocates (including two council members) and local residents were packed into a room at the Pan Pacific Recreation Center for the community forum jointly hosted by Metro, the Mid-City West Community Council and the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.

There were presentations about the five alternative routes, station locations, and likely track configurations (underground, at-grade, and/ or aerial). The previous San Vicente tracks were generally at-grade, but there were some aerial bridges over intersections.

West Hollywood advocates In comments from attendees, the arguments from West Hollywood advocates were repeated often. They stress that the Crenshaw extension will create an important (Please turn to page 10) Purple Line Transit Neighborhood Plan (TNP) At the end of April, Fourth District Councilman David Ryu sent a detailed letter to the City Planning Dept., outlining his concerns and vision regarding the Purple Line TNP process and outcomes. The full letter is here: tinyurl. com/y6doxweo.

METRO’S NED RACINE answers community meeting in the SAG AF

ur le ine uestions at a A oardroom.

A FULL HOUSE at an aci c ecreation Center artici ated in a community forum about e tending the Crenshaw light rail line north to ollywood.

Historic marionette yard sale May 19 Take home a part of history from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater yard sale, 1345 W. 1st St., Sun., May 19 beginning at 9 a.m.

See Bob Baker closing party story on p. 18.

Everything from cans of powdered tempera paint from 1950 to Christmas lights, vintage napkins and party supplies (excluding puppets) and more will be for sale.

Proceeds from the sale will help perpetuate the nonprofit

BOB BAKER Marionette he ater is ha ing a yard sale.

Bob Baker Marionette Theater at its new location in Highland Park.

Early admission tickets for those who want to start shopping at 8 a.m. will be available.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/y3thzf8n.

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Greetings to new GWNC board, street repairs underway councils are the direct line of communication between communities and City Hall, and they are the most localized form of representation for our unique neighborhoods.

In a large city, neighborhood councils bring government to the people, and their members volunteer their time to help their neighbors and improve their communities.

For GWNC, that has included traffic safety improvements, workshops and events on sustainability and water conservation, and so much more.

I’m excited to get to know

May has come to Larchmont Village and the surrounding areas, and with it come fresh faces to our communities and exciting developments for our neighborhoods.

First and foremost, I want to congratulate and welcome the new members of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC) board of directors, who were installed last month. Serving on a neighborhood council is one of the most honorable forms of public service, and it is a crucially important resource in our city government. Neighborhood

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the new board members and alternates, and I am honored to serve with them and the returning members.

I’m also excited to welcome the beginning of some longawaited infrastructure repairs to our historic neighborhoods. For the first time ever, concrete streets in Hancock Park will see targeted repairs as part of a unified effort in the community. As many long-time residents know, the historic streets of Hancock

Park have been allowed to fall into disrepair because the city could never find the funding to rebuild or repair them. But together, my office, the Board of Public Works, the Bureau of Street Services and the Hancock Park Homeowners Association not only made concrete street repair possible, but a priority.

In the past three years since I’ve entered office, we’ve completed a successful pilot program for concrete street repair, instituted the street damage restoration fund, which requires whole-slab replacement for damage made to concrete streets, and, most recently, I worked with the Bureau of Street Services to conduct a complete assessment of all concrete streets

Pancakes served on Firefighter Recognition Day

Book talk, spring choral concert at Ebell this month

Council Report by

David E. Ryu

Support your local fire fighter on Fire Service Recognition Day with a pancake breakfast at the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum, 1355 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Sat. May 11 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children, next door to the museum.

The annual fundraiser is in memory of Capt. Barney Nipp this year and features LAFD fire and rescue demonstrations at the adjacent Fire Station 27. Visit lafdmuseum.org.

VOICES OF HISTORY SUMMER WORKSHOPS at Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

NOW ENROLLING!

VISUAL ART WORKSHOP: JUNE 17 - 21 THEATER WORKSHOP: JULY 8 - 26 DOCUMENTARY FILM WORKSHOP: JULY 29 - AUGUST 16 Create art, theater pieces and documentary films about the life experiences of local Holocaust survivors.

All workshops meet Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm.

Open to students entering grades 7-12.

To enroll or for more information visit www.lamoth.org or contact nadia@lamoth.org or (323) 651-3716.

100 The Grove Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90036 | (323) 651-3704

Hear an author’s book talk, the Ebell Chorale’s spring concert and an opera recital this month at The Ebell of Los Angeles, 741 S. Lucerne Blvd.

Author Jo Giese will talk on her memoir, “Never Sit If You Can Dance: Lessons from My Mother,” at the Mon., May 6 luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Ebell Chorale's spring concert, “The Power of Women’s Voices,” is Mon., May 20 at 11:30 a.m. preceding the luncheon. A recital featuring vocalists selected by Los Angeles Opera’s DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artists program is Wed., May 29 at 7:30 p.m., $15 suggested donation.

For tickets and information visit ebellofla.com.

LACMA gets County OK

(Continued from page 3) cy (design development drawings have not been shared with the public) to tar and oil seepage in the area and noise disturbances from nighttime events at the museum.

The final project is expected to cost more than $650 million.

The city, which owns the airspace over Wilshire Blvd. into which the new building will extend, has its own approval process.

Groundbreaking is planned for early 2020, with building completion expected at the end of 2023.

Copies of the FEIR are available online at https://ceo. lacounty.gov/final-environmental-impact-report/.

CD-Rom copies are also available at the Fairfax branch library, 161 S. Gardner St., and Memorial branch library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd.

in Hancock Park. The team developed a list of hazardous areas to begin working on immediately for repair in concrete.

The first phase of work will include portions of 2nd Street and McCadden Place, 4th Street and Rimpau Boulevard, June Street and 4th Street and an uneven street lift at 352 S. Las Palmas Ave. The work began in late March, when crews removed an uneven asphalt patch and replaced it with concrete on 2nd Street.

The Street Services crews have been coming to Hancock Park approximately every two weeks to complete the first phase of work, expected to be completed in June.

With spring comes renewal, rebirth and growth, and it’s exciting to see all the fresh faces and neighborhood improvements bloom in our neighborhood.

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by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald

Anyone living with rosacea or another vascular skin condition on their face knows the drill: the lengthy concealer application, the endless mixing of foundation shades, time and money spent searching for that dream camouflaging product — only to be disappointed.

Vbeam uses laser light at a frequency absorbable by your blood vessels to destroy unsightly veins. The Vbeam laser is one of the safest and most effective treatments for visible vascular skin conditions, such as rosacea, facial veins, red birthmarks, spider veins, angiomas (benign growths of small blood vessels), venous lakes (dark blue to purple papules on face, head and neck), and poikiloderma (red hyperpigmentation typically on the neck or chest).

We are delighted to report that the results we’re able to achieve with Vbeam are nothing short of transformative.

When we address facial redness and achieve beautiful, even skin tone, patients are astounded by both their need for far less makeup and the way their eye color pops without the distraction of red, uneven skin. It’s truly a privilege to help patients look the way they’ve long dreamed to.

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 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 Adv. an appointment.

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

ity officials de ate policy

By Billy Taylor A cannabis business located at the intersection of Larchmont Boulevard and Melrose Avenue continues to operate without a license in violation of state and local laws.

As first reported in the February issue of the Larchmont Chronicle, Melrose Place 25 Cap, which is housed in a unit within the Melrose Gallery and Antiques building at 5635 Melrose Ave., is operating without either temporary approval or a license to engage in cannabis activity. In addition to lacking necessary permits, the shop is located in an area near schools and licensed day-care facilities.

An official complaint on the illegal pot shop was filed with the Los Angeles Dept. of Cannabis Regulation on Jan. 8.

Seeking a status update, the Chronicle turned to the office of City Attorney Mike Feuer: “It is my understanding that that location is still under review at this time,” responded spokesman Frank Mateljan.

Feuer was in the press last month for seeking an injunc-

tion against a single pot shop in South Los Angeles for allegedly operating unlawfully and selling pesticide-laden products. In the suit, Feuer also named a commercial real estate broker and two of its salespeople for allegedly aiding and abetting illegal activity. Between May 2018 and April 2019, the City Attorney’s Office filed 217 cases involving 172 total locations and two delivery services, with 840 defendants. As a result, the office has received verification of closure of 113 locations.

Still, many residents complain that that number is just a drop in the bucket in regard to the problem of illegal pot shops. In the geographic areas of Greater Wilshire and Hollywood, the Dept. of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) has only authorized 21 retail licenses, which means that the majority of green crosses that you see across the city are adorning illegal storefronts.

Many California consumers continue to purchase cannabis at illegal dispensaries to avoid paying taxes that can add between 30 to 50 percent to the retail price, in some

PAN PACIFIC PARK was the setting for the April 28 communitywide Yom HaShoah Remembrance Day.

Community commemorates Yom HaShoah at park The annual Yom HaShoah Remembrance Day event — honoring the memories of victims and survivors of the Holocaust — took place in Pan Pacific Park on April 28.

Attendees listened to the speakers under a broad canopy providing shade from the bright sun. Mayor Eric Garcetti and other elected officials attended.

The event adjoining the facilities of co-sponsor Los Angeles Museum of the Holo-

caust was presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and was also sponsored by numerous other organizations including American Jewish Committee, AntiDefamation League, Jewish Family Service, Jewish World Watch, Mt. Sinai Memorial Parks, Museum of Tolerance, Sinai Temple, Stephen Wise Temple, Theatre Dybbuk, Valley Beth Shalom and Wilshire Boulevard Temple.

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communities. In Los Angeles, taxes include a 15 percent state excise tax, 10 percent city excise tax and a 9.5 percent combined city-state sales tax, which combine to equal a 34.5 percent tax burden.

Why the delay?

Nevertheless, if a business is operating illegally, why does it

take so long to take enforcement action? Why is an official complaint from Jan. 8 still “under review”? Such questions were the subject of a recent special meeting of the Los Angeles Cannabis Regulation Commission.

At the April 4 meeting, Commission president Robert Ahn asked Los Angeles Police Dept.

(LAPD) Narcotics Division Det. Vito Ceccia to report on the status of police enforcement efforts.

“In mid-March, the LAPD started efforts in the Valley Bureau on a list of 34 locations identified for enforcement action,” said Ceccia, adding that

Insuring your life helps protect their future.

LPGA PLAYER Minjee Lee speaks to media after her win.

Minjee ee ins LPGA tournament The Wilshire Country Club opened its gates to women’s professional golf at the second annual “Hugel-Air Premia LA Open,” April 24 to 28.

Taking the top spot, Minjee Lee from Australia finished the final round with a 3-under 68 for a four-stroke victory, leaving her to finish the tournament at 14-under 270.

The 22-year-old golfer collected her fifth career LPGA title and took home $225,000 in winnings from the event.

of those, enforcement action at 22 locations had been completed. Taking a new approach, the LAPD is now working with the Dept. of Water and Power (DWP) and the Los Angeles Fire Dept. to shut off utilities to illegal cannabis businesses. In conjunction with that action, a cease-and-desist letter also is sent to the property owner.

From mid-April, Ceccia said that the narcotics division would shift focus to the South Bureau: “And we will do that, bureau by bureau, until the whole city is done.” The LAPD (Please turn to page 10)

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

usinesses as neigh ors ro

By Bruce Beiderwell Wine lovers know the value of neighbors: a small independent wine store is owned by and employs people who care about wine and who attend to specific questions, interests, and tastes. Customers living nearby will likely return. A give-and-take develops between those who buy and those who sell. Both sides learn as a result. It’s a relationship that bears considering in other contexts, for with the advent of online shopping, the value of a business as a neighbor has been too often

forgotten.

Chevalier’s Books functions in some of the same neighborly ways as Larchmont Village Bruce Wines, Spir- Beiderwell its & Cheese.

Because of their small size, both places must curate their inventory with care. They attend to their clients’ tastes of course, but they also seek to nourish, refine and challenge those tastes. A “wine of the month,” for example,

Don’t Squander Your Legacy!

Admit it — your kids will blow the money you leave them.

Instilling the importance of leadership and service to others stands a better chance of lasting throughout their lifetime, and is more likely to benefit society to boot.

Please join your neighbors and explore all the good that local Rotarians are doing to improve the lives of others in Los Angeles and around the globe.

Parking is free, and the lunch is fantastic, too!

Please join us for lunch this May on the 1st & 8th at 11:55 AM

facebook.com/wilshirerotary wilshirerotary.org

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at the Ebell of Los Angeles 741 S Lucerne Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90005

fine

might gently press customers outside a comfort zone, just as one of the staff member book picks — highlighted above the service counter at Chevalier’s — will occasionally prompt readers to move beyond the algorithms that serve up our “likes” on Amazon.

“Staff pick” I recently read one of those staff picks, Octavia Butler’s “Kindred” — a modern classic of time and space dislocations that I had long heard about but never read. Without the prompting, I may have left this haunting novel, first published in 1979, unread. I’m glad to have been introduced, in part because Dana and Kevin (the two main characters in the novel) are neighbors of a sort, too. These creations of Butler’s imagination had just moved to a house in Altadena. When Dana and Kevin met, though, they lived still closer — Dana on Crenshaw and Kevin nearby just west on Olympic.

While those familiar streets don’t factor into the main story, their mere mention helped me understand that “Kindred” isn’t about a distant time and place the characters enter and exit through some merely fantastic conceit. Rather, their sudden back and forth movements to and from the antebellum South make that painful history both current and compelling. Dana, a black woman, and Kevin, her white husband, become people I live near — even people I sometimes am. “Kindred” is dis-

ines to goo

oo s

comforting in the way great books are often discomforting.

I’m grateful that someone at Chevalier’s thought to recommend it.

Books as neighbors Such a vital exchange about something as LARCHMONT VILLAGE Wine, Spirits personal as a book is Cheese offers counsel on selections. a special benefit of a small independent store. The exchange can continue in conversations with staff, with other customers, in book groups, and over dinner with family and friends. The exchang- CHEVALIER’S BOOKS, the oldest ines can be sustained by dependent bookstore in Los Angeles, events (check Cheva- was established on Larchmont in 1940. lier’s website for those McBride’s “The Good Lord scheduled). And they can lead us to further reading. Bird,” or Colson Whitehead’s After all, books, too, inhabit “The Underground Railroad.” neighborhoods of sorts. If you These neighbors speak to each have read or reread “Kindred,” other and to us. you might ask the staff at Bruce Beiderwell resides Chevalier’s about books that engage related genres, sub- near Larchmont and formerly jects, or territory, say Toni taught at UCLA and directed Morrison’s “Beloved,” James the UCLA Writing Program.

e an o usinesses o en an ans c oses on Larch ont New on the boulevard, opened in March, is Good Goose, 5210 Beverly Blvd., an “Asian inspired café” that specializes in modern Thai dishes and Japanese raw fish rice bowls. The space at the corner of Larchmont Blvd. is formerly the home of Albert’s Mexican Grill and Larchmont Deli before that. Closed Tuesdays. For more information, visit goodgoosecafe.com.

Also new on Larchmont is Dr. Jessica Coote, Larchmont Animal Clinic’s newest vet.

She has a bachelor of science in animal science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a

doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences. She takes a special interest in preventative medicine and obtained a masters in public health from The University of Minnesota.

Old on the boulevard — for at least 25 years — was Hans Custom Optik, formerly at 212 N. Larchmont Blvd. before moving north to 419 3/4 Larchmont Blvd. However, the store closed its doors at the end of April. Hans Fiebig, owner of the store, was the creator of Elvis’s and Sir Elton John’s custom eyeglass designs.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

9

Parks

(Continued from page 1) quality of life in Los Angeles. This year, the foundation’s board selected its founding executive director, lawyer and nonprofit executive, Judith Kieffer, as the awardee.

Present for the ceremony were hundreds of friends, including locals Mayor Eric Garcetti and Kieffer’s successor as executive director, Carolyn Ramsay of Windsor Square.

Former Larchmont Boulevard architect, Mark Rios, FAIA (of Rios Clementi Hale Studios, which moved last year to new quarters along the Expo Line)

SUNNY ROSE GARDEN in Exposition Park was the scene of Los Angeles Parks Foundation Rose Award Luncheon.

is on the foundation board. Also there to celebrate Kieffer was

Councilmember David Ryu’s chief of staff, Nicholas Greif.

Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary Invites you to our

Annual Meeting and Luncheon MAP SHOWS Windsor Square Preservation Overlay Zone. Windsor Square is undergoing an update to its Preservation Plan.

Preservation (Continued from page 1) nity and the public regarding the Preservation Plan Update.

The Dept. of City Planning began updating the Windsor Square Preservation Plan (adopted in 2007) at the request of the Windsor Square community. The updated plan

Homelessness (Continued from page 1)

Blvd., starting with a reception at 11:30 a.m. The event provides a platform for women of accomplishment and compassion to speak about their work as well as past residents of Alexandria House to describe their journeys. This year’s featured speaker is State Sen. María Elena Durazo, whose district includes the area west of Plymouth Blvd.

Additional information about the May 10 luncheon may be obtained via 213-381-2649 or: pam@alexandriahouse.org.

Neighbors Lifting Neighbors will host an intimate living room conversation on Thurs., May 16 from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Hancock Park penthouse home of Marilyn and John Wells. This event will provide information to residents open to exploring sharing a guesthouse or a room in their homes with someone needing housing. Alexandria House representatives will be at this breakfast gathering to share the successes they have experienced with using this model for housing the homeless.

Jazz at LACMA

Jazz at LACMA continues with Sweet Baby J’ai May 3. Greg Reitan performs May 10, and the Cannonball / Coltrane Project is featured May 17. Show times are Fridays 6 to 8 p.m. on the Smidt Welcome Plaza through November. Free.

reflects recent changes to the citywide HPOZ Ordinance and incorporates successful provisions from other recently adopted Preservation Plans, says city planning associate Kimberly Henry, who has been overseeing the project.

Further information: https:// preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/ la/windsor-square.

Wells says of this program, “Inviting someone into your guesthouse or granny flat is a big step. Many organizations working with homeless people offer the services that are necessary to ensure the right fit for the host family by matching tenants and host families, helping to take care of any issues that may arise. These services allow the host family to be the ‘host’ and a friendly, welcoming presence without having to become caregivers and landlords for their new tenants.

“There’s a long list of families and individuals already vetted and ready to move into housing. The need for hosts is great. Seniors, the fastest growing homeless population, are often homeless because of rent increases or other misfortunes and are in desperate need of shared housing opportunities.”

People interested in learning more or attending the May 16 breakfast should contact: allison.jandmwellsff@gmail. com.

Gilmore Auto Show marks 25 years

The 25th annual Gilmore Auto Show comes to the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., Sat., June 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year’s theme is the American muscle car. More than 100 classic cars will be on view at the free event.

Visit farmersmarketla.com.

Featuring

Wayne Ratkovich “Making History by Preserving History” Bringing LA’s Old Buildings Back to Life Tuesday, Thursday, May 16 at 11 a.m.

Wilshire Country Club, 301 N. Rossmore Ave. Complimentary Parking

RSVP by May 11 • (213) 977-2414

Looking for an organic mattress?

mattresses bedding linens

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10

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

POLICE BEAT

crea in

icti s scare off

O ROBBERY: Two male suspects approached a female victim walking on the 300 block of S. Cochran Avenue on April 1 at 12:55 p.m. One suspect tackled the female in an attempt to grab her mobile phone, but after knocking her to the ground, both suspects fled the scene empty-handed.

BURGLARIES: A suspect entered a home through an unlocked front door on the 700 block of S. Citrus Avenue

Pot shops

(Continued from page 7) divides the city into four geographic bureaus.

Agency coordination After several rounds of questions between Det. Ceccia and Commissioners, the biggest

WILSHIRE DIVISION Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova 213-793-0650 31646@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdwilshire and stole property on April 4 at 5:25 p.m.

It is unknown if property was taken from a home on the obstacle to enforcement became painfully clear: coordination efforts between agencies.

Det. Ceccia spoke about the necessity for a “task force” to coordinate efforts among the DCR, LAPD and DWP, among other agencies. At one point, Ceccia suggested that the

325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 www.windsorsquare.org 157 N. Larchmont Boulevard

Urgent! “No” on Senate Bill 50!

Summer is approaching — time to enjoy swimming, or cooking out, or simply the peaceful beauty of our Windsor Square backyards. That could all change drastically, however, if Senate Bill 50, currently wending its way toward consideration by the full State Senate, is finally approved.

If this State legislation passes, it would override local zoning and allow four- and five-story apartment buildings to be built, lot line to lot line, right next door to single-family homes. Now imagine that backyard swim in full view of dozens of new neighbors living in the dense new buildings twice as tall as your home!

SB 50 may have been intended to create more housing near transit lines, but the effect will be to eliminate all local control over affected neighborhoods. The Windsor Square HPOZ protections will no longer exist. There will be few limitations on new buildings, but there definitely will be insufficient parking for them; that’s part of SB 50.

There also will be no increased City budget for necessary infrastructure improvements — water, power, sewage, etc. — to go with new development (over-development) in our older areas of Los Angeles. The result — if SB 50 is adopted by the State — would be the destruction of the character of Windsor Square as it has been since 1912 and as we know and love it. Additional housing is certainly necessary in our state and our city, but a statewide, “one size fits all” mandate like SB 50 is the wrong way to create such housing.

The Los Angeles City Council, including our councilmember, David Ryu, has voted to oppose SB 50. So has the San Francisco City Council. However, the fate of the Bill is in the hands of State Legislators in Sacramento. The Bill, introduced and promoted by State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, still needs to come before the full State Senate, probably in May. Please contact Windsor Square’s locally elected State representatives to urge them to vote “no” on SB 50, to help keep Windsor Square — and surrounding neighborhoods — the beautiful family neighborhoods they are.

600 block of S. June Street after a suspect smashed a rear bedroom door to gain entry on April 4 at 8:08 p.m.

Around the same time as the incident above, a suspect climbed onto a second-floor balcony and smashed a glass door to gain entry to a home on the 300 block of S. June Street and stole jewelry and a purse on April 4 between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

A suspect smashed the front window of a home on the 400 LAPD does not have access to the DCR complaint registry, confusing Commissioners.

“There have been discussions of creating a task force,” said Ceccia. However, after being pressed for details by Commissioners, he added: “That is part of the [enforcement] issue. The task force has not been created, and there is no timeline that I’m aware of.”

Ceccia suggested that such decisions are “above [his] paygrade” and should be taken up by the Mayor’s office and City Council.

Commissioner Misty Wilks said she was confused and frus-

Metro meetings (Continued from page 4)

East of the centerline of Plymouth Boulevard: State Senator Maria Elena Durazo: District Office (213) 483-9300.

State Assembly Member Miguel Santiago: District Office (213) 620-4646.

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West of the centerline of Plymouth Boulevard: State Senator Benjamin Allen: District Office (310) 318-6994.

State Assembly Member Richard Bloom: District Office (310) 450-0041.

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.

ADV.

r lars in

north-south connection from LAX and Inglewood through West Hollywood to Hollywood & Highland, where it will connect with the Red Line, and they say the extension will produce the highest ridership of any light rail line in the country with over 90,000 daily boardings. Learn more at whamrail.com.

The other main theme of the comments and questions generally was Mid-City residents near San Vicente Blvd. expressing concerns about potential train noise and similar matters.

These issues are like the ones raised by Westwood residents, circa 2000, prior to re-establishment of light rail transit in their area (literally adjacent to some residents’ back yards).

There, another old Pacific Electric right-of-way was re-used — for the Expo Line.

Other speakers at Pan Pacific stated that Metro route planning must be coordinated with the City of Los Angeles “Transit Neighborhood Plans” process (described at latnp.org).

Metro staff members reinforced to attendees that these are the very early stages of planning. Based upon community input it will be receiving in coming months, staff hopes to recommend to the Metro Board of Directors, by the end of 2019, a reduced number of alternative routes for detailed environmental study.

ilshire Oly pic

block of N. Highland Avenue on April 5 at 3 a.m., but fled the location after a female resident began screaming.

O M O BURGLARIES: A male suspect entered a female victim’s home while she slept on the 600 block of N. Beachwood Drive.

The suspect fled after the victim awoke and started screaming on March 30 at 3:10 a.m.

A suspect removed a window screen and was caught climbing into the window by the resident who started yelling that he was calling the police on the 500 block of N. Van Ness Avenue on April 10 at 7:50 p.m.

trated by the delay in enforcement: “I used to see police officers stopping brothers to search them for drugs, using police dogs and intimidation tactics, so I know that you guys have the ability to find drugs,” she said. “And here it is 2019, but now that we have

some rich investors running these dispensaries, making all this money, you guys can’t find the illegal sale of drugs!

I’m at a loss how you can’t find these businesses, because they are advertising on Weedmaps,” she concluded to loud applause in the chamber.

OLYMPIC DIVISION Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo 213-793-0709 31762@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdolympic

We are an elected advisory body to the City of Los Angeles, made up of volunteer stakeholders who are devoted to the mission of improving our communities and bringing government closer to us.

Save the Date and Nominate The GWNC Sustainability Committee's Third Water Wise Garden Tour will showcase gardens in the historic neighborhoods of Windsor Square and Ridgewood Wilton. Please submit nominations for gardens to be considered for the tour to sustainability@greaterwilshire.org by Saturday, June 1, 2019.

Photos of the nominated garden(s) will be greatly appreciated.

Join the Conversation All GWNC meetings are open to the public Agenda items may be submitted to info@greaterwilshire.org Board of Directors Wednesday, May 8 , 7:00pm Ebell of Los Angeles – Dining Room 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 90005

Land Use Committee Tuesday, May 28, 6:30pm Marlborough School – Collins Room, D-200 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 90004

Outreach Committee Saturday, May 4, 9:00am Bricks & Scones Café 403 N. Larchmont Blvd., 90004

Environmental & Sustainability Committee Tuesday, May 7, 7:00pm, Marlborough School – Collins Room, D-200, 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 90004

Transportation Committee Monday, July 17, 7:00pm Marlborough School – Collins Room, D-200 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 90004

www.greaterwilshire.org info@greaterwilshire.org

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

11

Rooftop restaurant at The Line Hotel now Openaire The Line Hotel was an early adopter of the hotel as hip hangout in Los Angeles. When it opened in 2013 with a vibey lobby bar and Roy Choi’s food as performance art, the place to be was Choi’s rooftop greenhouse restaurant, Commissary, where mismatched chairs and oversized plastic glassware set the cheeky tone. Suddenly, this past summer, Choi departed to concentrate on a new hotel restaurant concept in Las Vegas, and in moved Chef Josiah Citrin, a two-starred Michelin chef from the fine dining westside stalwart, Melisse. Los Angeles diners got whiplash.

But put on your neck brace and be prepared for some dazzling flavors at Openaire.

The space itself hasn’t changed from its original incarnation, a large glass structure surrounded by outdoor lounge and dining areas, leading to the hotel’s pool. Instead of the previous funky interior decor, cushy chairs and metal- or wood-topped tables nestle under the myriad hanging plants and lend an overlay of sophistication. Bright and airy by day, intimate by night, it’s a comfortable environment in which to settle in for horchata bourbon or lemongrass vodka and some bites.

The menu is, per the current

On the Menu by

Helene Seifer dining trend, seasonal and easy to share. Portions are larger than at many restaurants, so three to four dishes are plenty for two to enjoy. Citrin handles ingredients with respect and impeccable technique. Although foodies will delight in finding plates graced with coconut lemongrass sauce, miso-cured egg, and truffle vinaigrette, the main ingredients are enhanced, not obscured, by the novel treatments. A perfect example is the broccoli, a vegetable I’m never excited to see on a menu.

Steamed to the sweet spot between crunchy and flaccid, the ubiquitous accompaniment at many a rubber chicken dinner is here served with sculptural flourish; florets down, stalks up, mounted in pistachio butter, and dusted with the cuminscented spice blend, dukkah.

The nutty, Middle Eastern flavors transformed the broccoli from a side dish to a star.

Fitting for an eatery encased in a greenhouse, all the vegetables hold particular inter-

est: mashed fingerling potatoes with fermented garlic aioli, caramelized cauliflower with Urfa pepper and golden raisins, maple-glazed carrots with polenta. Smoked beets are served in large chunks, dolloped with a thick almond horseradish cream, crowned by skinny crunchy onions and sluiced with lemon. The smokiness was subtle, and the sweet and pungent combination works.

Our server recommended the tagliatelle with duck ragout, pistachio and pecorino as one of the chef’s standout dishes, and indeed, it must be popular since it comes in two sizes: regular and for four. The housemade

pasta was perfectly al dente and the ground duck and nuts made an earthy, crumbly sauce. The usual rich fattiness of the duck was tamed by the pistachioforward flavor and texture. We finished every strand.

I should learn by now that my least favorite dishes are the mains, and Openaire is no exception. Black cod with spring vegetables showcased the silky, flaky fish in a pool of butter made with koji, a Japanese mold, and scattered with baby greens. A comforting bowl, it just didn’t wow the way the others had. Perhaps the suckling pig with XO sauce would. Next time — and

Le Petit Marché joins Food Bowl Le Petit Marché, 5665 Melrose Ave., joins the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl this month with a dish and cocktail entry in the month-long “Things in a Bowl” program that includes this year’s inspirational ingredient — the artichoke.

Le Petit Marché’s dish, “L’Artichaut,” includes a sunchoke and chickpea purée with a dash of Angostura, red beets, salted chips, artichoke heart confit, za’atar spices (generally a combination of dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds, and salt), topped

with crumbled feta cheese and seasonal pea shoots.

The cocktail, “Artichoke Boulevardier,” combines Four Roses bourbon with Aperol and Cynar liqueur, which includes artichoke among the herbs and plants infused in the liqueur.

Eleven other eateries are participating in the “Things in a Bowl” portion of the Food Bowl this year, including Angelini Osteria, 7313 Beverly Blvd., which will be serving a casserole of braised baby artichokes.

For more information, visit lafoodbowl.com/thingsinabowl.

there’ll definitely be a next time. Dishes are mostly $9 to $24; mains and large plates run $29 to $68.

Openaire, 3515 Wilshire Blvd., The Line Hotel, 213368-3065.

Contact Helene at onthemenu@larchmontchronicle.com

Live the wild life at Beastly Ball Enjoy food, fun and music with the wild things at the 49th annual Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden, 5333 Zoo Dr., Sat., May 18 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The event, sponsored by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), will feature live and silent auctions of trips and other one-of-a-kind experiences, up-close encounters with zoo residents, and food from a variety of restaurants and caterers, including El Cholo, El Coyote and Pink’s Hot Dogs.

This year’s fundraiser honors oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle; first-ever Conservation Hero Award recipient Glen Curado (founder and CEO of the World Harvest Charities and Family Services); and recently retired GLAZA President Connie Morgan (for her 16 years of service to the Los Angeles Zoo).

Treat Mom to a Meal with Us! FRESH, FLAVORFUL INGREDIENTS — JUST FOR MOM!

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12

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Tony-nominated ‘Falsettos’ among thought-provoking openings Theater Review by

Patricia Foster Rye ham) and Cordelia (Audrey Cardwell). The versatile set

by David Rockwell consists of a large cube framed by a stylized city skyline. The cube breaks into modular pieces to form various locations. The entirely sung score takes us through the chapters of Marvin’s life. The music is hummable, some of the numbers outstanding like “Four Jews In a Room Bitching,” and Trina’s hysterical “I’m Breaking Down.” This is an amazing cast, with outstanding vocal and acting abilities. Excellent choreography by Spencer Liff.

James Lapine’s direction is, as always, impeccable. This is a funny, moving, very entertaining evening.

Through Sun., May 19.

Ahmanson Theatre, Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., 213-972-4400, centertheatregroup.org.

4 Stars • • • Duet For One by Tom Kempinski centers on concert violinist Stephanie Abrams (Mia Christou). Forced to retire from a successful musical career by a debilitating disease, she’s feeling “low,” in her limited self-analysis. At the behest of her husband, she seeks help from psychiatrist Dr. Feldman (Howard Leder). What follows, in this two-character play, is a riff on Stephanie’s life and what contributed to her becoming an outstanding artist and her

We’re Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week Reservations Recommended 323-464-5160

127 North Larchmont Boulevard

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Celebrate Mother’s Day With A Taste of Greece

struggles to cope with this latest life tragedy. We learn of her childhood; her relationship with, and love of, music; her consideration of suicide; her physically abusive family; and her caring husband — all masterfully controlled by the intuitive doctor.

What makes this premise and dialogue come alive are the performances. Ms. Christou gives a mercurial and nuanced interpretation of this troubled musician. She ranges from angry to sardonic to stoic and more, in a galvanizing portrayal. Mr. Leder, as Dr. Feldman, is superb as the analytical German therapist, totally in control until the crucial turning point of the play.

Director Allen Barton keeps the balance even and the interest in both characters strong.

The play is long at over two and a half hours, but the audience’s interest is maintained and the dialogue is fascinating, including the thoughtprovoking conclusion.

Through Sun., May 12. The Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 S. Robertson Ave., Beverly Hills, 800-838-3006, duetforonebhp.brownpapertickets. com.

4 Stars • • • We are at an elite university in the Northeast, the setting for The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess. The time is late March 2016. Zoe Reed (Jordan Boatman), a young black student, is meeting with her renowned white history professor Janine Bosko (Lisa Banes). The professor’s office is framed by a severely angled roofline that encloses the room and lends a confined feel to the proceedings. The excellent scenic design is by Cameron Anderson.

Zoe and the professor are discussing Zoe’s paper on the American Revolution. The discussion is polite at first, but slowly builds as their opposing positions on race are stated. The professor wants her to include evidence and stories to back up her positions in the paper and suggests a substantial re-write. Zoe declines.

It’s obvious they are on opposite sides. By the end of the first act, the arguments are volatile and Zoe carries out a

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Falsettos, music and lyrics by William Finn, book by William Finn and James Lapine, opened in 1981 as “March of the Falsettos.” In 1990, a second new musical, “Falsettoland,” opened in New York. In 1992, the two oneact musicals were combined and opened on Broadway as “Falsettos.” That production went on to win the 1992 Tony awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score. This current 2016 Lincoln Center Theater Production was nominated for five Tony Awards.

It’s the story of Marvin (Max Von Essen), a gay man, his lover Whizzer (Nick Adams), Marvin’s wife Trina (Eden Espinosa), about-to-be-barmitzvahed son Jason (Jonah Mussolino), their psychiatrist Mendel (Nick Blaemire) and the lesbians next door, Dr. Charlotte (Bryonha Marie Par-

dangerous undertaking that threatens to take the dispute to a broader stage.

In the second act they meet to discuss the results of Zoe’s action that have been harsh for both of them. The final line of the play is particularly effective and thought provoking.

Both Banes and Boatman are superb and totally attuned to their characters (according to the program, Boatman originated the role of Zoe in New York). Director Kimberly Senior finds the pace and rhythm of this intriguing and sometimes explosive play. This is a timely play for many reasons and shouldn’t be missed.

Through Sun., May 12. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 LeConte Ave. 4 Stars • • • The Things We Do by Grant Woods centers on Bill and Sara and Ted and Alice.

The play is defined as a sex dramedy about middle-aged people. Bill (Blake Boyd) is having an extra-marital affair with Sara (Marlene Galan).

Sara is an enthusiastic participant. Sara’s husband, real estate salesman Ted (Stephen Rockwell), almost surprises their fun and games. Bill and Sara decide to encourage a relationship between Ted and yoga instructor Alice (Liesel Kopp), Bill’s wife, mostly to clear the way for their ongoing affair. Alice isn’t interested in Ted, especially as she misses her children, now living elsewhere. Ted tries to sell a house to Bill. Of all of them, Ted seems the most stable, as he is willing to forgive his wife’s infidelity when it’s finally revealed to him.

The play is a combination of dialogue and positions stated, by the cast, on a variety of subjects (some not necessarily pertinent to the plot) delivered directly to the audience or in scenes. Playwright Woods is the former attorney general of Arizona. This is an excellent cast, and director Elina de Santos has guided them masterfully.

Through Sun., May 12.

Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 310-4772055x2, odysseytheatre.com.

3 Stars

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

reye capt red on l

The White Crow (9/10) Runtime 127 minutes. R. In this story of the defection of Rudolph Nureyev, Oleg Ivenko plays Nureyev and does all the dancing himself, as Ivenko was a Ukrainian dancer from the Tartar State Ballet Company.

Similar in stature to Nureyev, Ivenko carries the movie and captures Nureyev’s haughtiness and confidence. Unlike most films that center on ballet, the film does not concentrate on the dancing, but on the personalities and tension of the situation. Very well done, this is a longish movie, but I never felt it lag.

Teen Spirit (8/10) Runtime 92 minutes. PG-13. Tightly written and directed by Max Minghella and greatly enhanced by inventive cinematography (Autumn Durald).

While it’s a prosaic tale of a teenaged girl, Violet (Elle Fanning), entering a singing contest, it’s the music, production values, and the choreography that serve as the surprises of the film. Fanning sings the songs herself, and their presentation knocks your socks off.

Fanning is buttressed by two scintillating supporting performances. Violet is “managed” by a decrepit-looking but sympathetic Russian, Vlad (Zlatko Buric). Rebecca Hall plays an ambitious music agent. Both are award-quality (as is Fanning) and add immeasurably to the film.

The Chaperone (8/10) Runtime 107 minutes. NR. Louise Brooks (Haley Lu Richardson) was the original “it” girl in 1920s movies. This is the story of her trip from her home in Kansas in 1922 at the age of 16 to take some dancing classes that started her on the road to stardom. Her mother won’t send her unless she has a chaperone, Norma (Elizabeth McGovern). Norma’s relationship with Brooks is mostly a device to tell the fictional story about Norma exploring her past and her involvement with a janitor she meets, Joseph (Géza Röhrig, in a very good performance), resulting in an unrealistic denouement that would have been highly unlikely in the ’20s, especially

At the Movies with

Tony Medley in the Midwest.

The Best of Enemies (8/10) Runtime 127 minutes. PG-13.

This stimulating tale of a simmering, contentious confrontation between a heroic black activist, Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson), and C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell), the Exalted Grand Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan in Durham, N.C., barely scratches the surface of who Atwater really was and where she came from. Henson knocks it out of the park with her performance.

At the end, there are film clips and comments by the real Atwater and Snow, both of whom are now deceased.

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this teen sin in contest sin s Non-Fiction (7/10) Runtime 107 minutes. R. When a writer’s novel blurs the line between fiction and fact and involves his publisher and his publisher’s wife, tension mounts. This picture in time of the bohemian intelligentsia of the Parisian publishing world is filled with convincing, realistic, thoughtprovoking slice-of-life dialogue.

The characters’ incestuous infidelity is treated with a wink and a nod. This is a good one, even though it is all talk. In French. Opens May 10.

J.T. LeRoy (7/10) Runtime 108 minutes. R. In the early 21st century, a writer named Laura Albert (Laura Dern) created a hoax when she wrote “Sarah,” an apparently first person, autobiographical account of a homosexual male inflicted with HIV named J.T. LeRoy and his struggle with life. She got her sister-in-law Savannah Knoop (Kristen Stewart) to be

the avatar of LeRoy and, together for six years, they pulled the wool over the eyes of the public who read the book.

The movie is based on Knoop’s memoir, “Girl Boy Girl.” While Dern’s performance is annoying, maybe that’s what she’s supposed to be. Stewart gives a credible performance, assuming that Savannah really was going along against her better instincts. Since they did it for six years, though, that’s a little hard to swallow, especially when Knoop has made a career out of what she did. Creepy as it is, it doesn’t hurt to repeat here that what they did was blatantly dishonest and reprehensible.

Red Joan (4/10) Runtime 108 minutes. R. This is an astonishingly sympathetic ro man à clef of the story of Melita Norwood, who was a Russian agent in London for 40 years providing the Russians with

the information to make an atomic bomb. While it is factual in what Norwood did, it is 100 percent rubbish in her motives and her background.

It whitewashes a woman who was either a fool or a despicable traitor, or both.

She should have been thrown in jail, if not executed, instead of becoming the subject of a fawning movie. The acting is superb; it moves quickly. If you don’t know anything about what really happened, you feel sympathetic for poor ol’ Melita (renamed Joan). But it’s partisan hokum. As an entertainment, it’s high quality. As history, it’s a disgraceful use of art as a weapon, which is right out of the Communist playbook.

Even if a movie is entertaining and technically well made, if it’s touting a lie, it’s not praiseworthy.

Stockholm (3/10) Runtime 91 minutes. R. A soporific drag.

“Felder’s great

gift of storytelling and virtuoso piano playing transports one to a world of dreams.”

– Broadway World

‘Backstage at Geffen’ fundraiser May 19 Geffen Playhouse will honor Harry Belafonte and Lily Tomlin at the 17th annual “Backstage at the Geffen” fundraiser at Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Sun., May 19.

Honorary co-chairs are Sidney Poitier, Quincy Jones, Cher, Barbra Streisand, Mellody Hobson, George Lucas and Bette Midler.

The event helps raise funds to support artistic and educational initiatives. Visit geffenplayhouse.org/backstage.

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The evening, which will raise funds for the nation’s

Larchmont Chronicle

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ene t on attleship sal te to athers eterans heroes largest, privately funded organization combating senior hunger, features dinner and dancing, with live entertainment as well as a silent auction. Items to be offered include a curated dinner for 10 on a fireboat.

Held the weekend before

Father’s Day from 5 to 9 p.m, the nautical fundraiser, which also benefits San Pedro Meals on Wheels, will pay tribute to “fathers, veterans and heroes.”

There will be a 4 p.m. VIP tour of the historic battleship, first commissioned in 1943.

To purchase advance tick-

ets or for more information on St. Vincent Meals on Wheels programs, visit stvincentmow.org or call 213-484-7112.

Right: WWII BATTLESHIP USS Iowa is dwarfed in Los Angeles harbor by 4,004-passenger Norwegian Bliss cruise ship.

Photo by Jonathan Smith, SVMOW

lac ea ty aris o e tory and li e sic are at he allis Watch the retelling of “Black Beauty,” plus contemporary ballet performances and the life of Claude Debussy are featured this month at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd.

See the story of “Black Beauty” told through puppetry and music Fri., May 3, 7 p.m. and Sat., May 4 and Sun., May 5 at

2 and 5 p.m.

Watch Hershey Felder’s “A Paris Love Story” as he explores the life and music of Claude Debussy in his oneman show beginning Fri., May 24 at 7:30 p.m. Show runs through Sun., June 9 at 7 p.m.

Cellist Amanda Gookin performs Thurs., May 30 and Fri., May 31 at 7:30 p.m. Visit thewallis.org.

ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH hotel in Montecito celebrates its opening with an April 10 ribbon cutting ceremony with (from left) Rosewood president Radha Arora, Caruso founder Rick Caruso and hotel managing director Sean Carney. The resort, which opened its doors on March 1, boasts 161 “ultra-luxury” guestrooms and suites, including beachfront accommodations.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

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15

In Barcelona, newly revealed ancient walls speak of the past (Barcelona) — I was standing at the threshold of what was, until 1391, the Greater Synagogue of Barcelona.

But the synagogue, so to speak, was below street level in the medieval section of Barcelona. I descended stairs into murky light. It felt as if I were stepping down 20 feet.

In reality, it was about six.

Yet I was slipping through millennia. The oldest stones I would see in this subterranean space likely date from Roman Barcelona, in the fifth century C.E. But — the words “greater” and “synagogue” imply a building of rather epic proportions, such as Los Angeles’s Wilshire Boulevard Temple.

Yet, here in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, the larger of the two rooms of this synagogue is 40-by-20 feet. The smaller, where visitors touch down from the stair, is still an archeological site. Early ruins are visible through a glass floor, and some, such as dyeing vats dating from the late 15th century, are tender, visceral reminders of the intimacy of a working family once residing within these stone walls.

The street level of Barcelona is now six feet above the ground floor of the tiny synagogue, now mostly a museum.

A young Israeli woman, fluent in several languages, greets visitors and talks about the history around us.

Part of the palimpsest of stone here are those of the opus africanum style of masonry, known from Roman times — pillars of vertical stone alternating with smaller blocks in between.

But finding this synagogue within Barcelona’s medieval Gothic Quarter was not easy.

A taxi driver had no idea how to find the address I gave him. I got out of the taxi and walked in the narrow mazes of medieval Barcelona, and I stopped people to ask about it. They shrugged.

The next day I tried again.

The new taxi driver was able to place me closer, and I spied a shop selling Jewish religious goods and wine. I was around the corner from the modest exterior marker of the synagogue.

In fairness, the modern world has just been introduced to this ancient site.

A medievalist researching in Roman legal documents in the 1980s began to suspect the existence of a Call — that is, a Jewish Quarter — layered into medieval Barcelona.

That the synagogue ceased to exist in 1391 is a tangled, tragic political story that cannot be unwound here. But the Massacre of Jews in the spring

Muslims on the Iberian Peninsula.

To the brilliant Islamicist Maria Rosa Menocal, this tolerance meant a “liberal and productive understanding of what is called dhimma in Arabic, the covenant that mandates the protection of the other Peoples of the Book, as Christians and Jews are called, when they live under Muslim sovereignty.”

But as is well known throughout history, widely divergent interpretations of covenants and laws are in constant motion around us.

But the three religions have a shared history that is itself part of European history, not separate cultures based on religious differences. The traditions instead were part of a broad, expansive braided culture. Deep inside those ancient walls, visitors, I think, can get a sense of what was.

Home Ground by

Paula Panich

and summer of 1391 in Barcelona and elsewhere on the Iberian Peninsula was a first blow to what would become the expulsion of all Jews from Spain a century later.

But another part of this story is what the culture of Medieval Spain was like for 600 years before what might be called the rise of the expedient and political antisemitism, which set the tone for unleashing the massacres of 1391.

For more than half a millennium, a balanced and nuanced culture of tolerance existed among Christians, Jews, and

BARCELONA’S Gothic Quarter.

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Fashion and philanthropy in r n ay ala sprin l ncheon Around the Town with

Patty Hill pose: giving new and highly gifted designers a platform and raising funds for FIDM’s Scholarship Foundation.

• • • On the following Tuesday afternoon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, at the 31st annual Colleagues Spring Luncheon, The Colleagues and Oscar de la Renta presented actress, author, and philanthropist Marlo Thomas with the Champion of Children Award, which honors those who have made a lasting impact on the lives of children.

Emmy winning actor Henry Winkler gave a rousing introduction of the Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee and National Outreach Director of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“I went to Memphis, and in the hospital lobby, there was a party with cake, balloons. I asked whose birthday is it? I was told it wasn’t a birthday, but an ‘end chemo’ celebration. Parents applauded the recovery of the young patient while hoping for the same outcome for their own children,” said Ms. Thomas during her acceptance speech.

Cara Leonetti Esposito, Col10:09:24 PM leagues president, carries on a

F and Barbara Bundy arrive at FIDM Debut Runway Show.

O attendees Shar Penfold and Susan Kneafsey enjoy the Oscar de la Renta show.

was the bene ciary of the luncheon and fashion show attended by Laura Collins and Michele McMullin.

and honoree Marlo Thomas at The Colleagues 31st annual Spring Luncheon and Oscar de la Renta fashion show.

F O O from Oscar de la Renta was viewed by Dina Phillips, Melanie Boettcher and Mary Jaworski at Colleagues Spring Luncheon.

five-year-old forced to advocate for himself, we are the storm,” said Ms. Esposito, speaking from her heart and gut. She was applauded by a contingent of Hancock Park and Windsor Square ladies including Shar Penfold, Mary Jaworski, Melanie Boettcher, Susan Kneafsey, Karla Ahmanson, Michele McMullin, Jackie Kruse, Laura Collins, Robin Chehrazi, Dina Phillips, Amanda Mansour and Arsine Phillips.

More than 500 guests of The

Colleagues were treated to a runway show of Oscar de la Renta’s up-coming Fall Collection and went home with a bottle of the designer’s Bella Rosa Eau de Parfum. All of the proceeds go to The Colleagues’ sole beneficiary, Children’s Institute, Inc., to serve those who suffer from violence, abuse and neglect in the city’s most vulnerable communities.

Fashion and philanthropy, these ladies make it work!

And that’s the chat!

Photo by Alex J. Berliner

and Susie Goodman enter the FIDM Debut Show.

O , Louie Anchondo and David Paul party at F IDM’s 2019 De but.

Photos above: ABImages

legacy begun by this column’s first writer, Lucy Toberman, who founded Children’s Institute, Inc. in 1950.

“For these children, such as a

Mother’s Day lunch May 19 to ene t ood hepherd Celebrate mom at a luncheon hosted by Gamma Tau Sorority in a Windsor Square home on Sun., May 19 at 1:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit Good Shepherd Shelter for Women & Children in Los Angeles and the Holy Family Orphanage in Lebanon.

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Live entertainment will be featured, and valet parking will be available.

Donations are $35; RSVP by May 13. Call Vickie Bascoy at 323-823-6869.

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Fashion was at the center of charitable giving in April.

The annual Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) Debut Runway Show and Gala, celebrating the creativity of select graduating designers, was presented at Santa Monica Barker Hangar on April 6. The hangar was transformed into a visual and audio feast that was the ultimate launching pad for 26 Advanced Design students of fashion, theater costumes and interior design fabrics and furniture. Leaders in the industry flocked, as they do every year, to this gala to seek new talent. Dinner tables lined either side of the runway and guests enjoyed tenderloin filet, wild mushroom timbale, and a dessert of apple crisp vanilla bean ice cream.

Among the 600 bedazzled and bedecked were Hallie Fisher, FIDM Museum Director Barbara Bundy, Guess, Inc.’s Lausanne Miller, Gustavo Garibay, Christopher Nardi, Claudia Silva, Brooke Merlo and Natali Paziotopoulos, also Center Theatre Group’s Louie Anchondo, fashion designers Kevan Hall with his wife Deborah, Angela Dean and T.J. Walker, (a triple powerhouse partnering on a new label), Sheila Tepper, Susie Goodman, Project Runway star Nick Verreos and husband David Paul, Cindy and Tom Keefer and president of the California Fashion Association Ilse Metchek.

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Brookside children hunt for eggs in annual area tradition

By Sondi Toll Sepenuk On Sunday, April 14, girls and boys dressed in their pretty dresses and buttoned-up collared shirts fanned out over Sandy and Bill Boeck’s expansive Brookside backyard lawn for the annual Brookside Easter egg hunt.

About 75 Brookside families and children showed up, baskets in hand, to joyfully rush the fairytale lawn, complete with rippling brook and fanciful wooden bridge, in search of 300 bright and cheery hidden plastic eggs. This year’s eggs were filled with M&M’s, Tootsie Rolls, stickers, SweeTarts and Jelly Beans. The hunt was aimed at children under the age of seven.

Delilah Rudnick, 11, volunteered to hide the eggs. While hiding them, she reminisced about her own egg hunts as a youngster in Brookside.

“My favorite part of the hunt is eating!” Delilah exclaimed.

“The candy and anticipation are so fun!”

The annual hunt was an idea that Sandy Boeck and a few neighbors cooked up back in 2007.

“It gives me a lot of joy to share our garden with our Brookside neighbors,” says Sandy. “It’s one of the things

ANNUAL EVENT drew Alice Roth, Delilah Rudnick, Jonathan Rudnick, Sandy Boeck, David Ryu, Regina Yoon.

CHILDREN of Brookside celebrate Easter with annual egg hunt and games.

that makes Brookside so special.”

Brookside resident Heather Crossner, who helped organize this year’s event, along

with Jonathan Rudnick and Nick Carreras, was thrilled with the turnout.

“I never expected to have so many community events

when we bought our house in Brookside,” says Crossner, who has three young children, Emmy, Arden and Leif.

“It’s wonderful to get the kids together, and it’s so nice that Sandy and Bill open their house to the community.”

City Councilmember David Ryu, his fiancée Regina Yoon, and his senior deputy Alice Roth all showed their community spirit while socializing with the parents and children. Ryu ran games for the children while a giant Easter bunny delighted the little ones with one-on-one and family photo ops.

“This is our first year to come to this event,” said Brookside

resident Jon Huddle, whose children Hudson and Harper are 3 and 1, respectively. “It’s such a beautiful backyard. The Boecks are so kind to lend their home and yard to the kids, and we enjoyed having Councilmember Ryu as part of the festivities. And of course, the kids absolutely loved it!”

It’s feedback like that that encourages co-organizer Jonathan Rudnick to continue the tradition.

“I love volunteering for this event as a way to give to the Brookside community and to see the smiles on all of the kids faces,” he declares. “Oh… and I love eating all of the Boecks’ kumquats.”

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ei h ors athered or nal are ell precedin p ppets Nearly 100 lucky humans, many from local neighborhoods, enjoyed their special welcome at the original home of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater on Sun., March 31. It was special because the theater and we puppets were being packed up for our move to our new home in Highland Park.

Nevertheless, in the midst of a jumble of boxes and racks of puppets, many of those puppets and their puppeteers managed to put on a wonderful “farewell” show. Dancing cacti, spooky skeletons illuminated with ultraviolet light, prancing bears, cats and birds, and an abundance of clowns delighted the children and adults.

The majority attending, with cocktails in hand, were adults because the “goodbye” party was organized with them in mind. Brookside’s Vivian Gueler recruited Windsor Square’s Martha and John Welborne to join her in inviting friends for this final event at the longtime home of the marionette theater that opened there 55 years ago. Gueler is a board member of the nonprofit organization established to keep the Bob Baker Marionette Theater a thriving institution in perpetuity. The Welbornes have many friends who have brought children to the theater for four decades or more.

Seen at the party were Vivian’s daughter Nikka and mother Laura, Daryl and Jim Twerdahl, Elizabeth DeBreu with her father Judge Richard (Skip) Byrne, Priscilla and Michael Wright, Kevin O’Connell and Mary Adams O’Connell, Carl Anderson, Carolyn and Jamie Bennett, Scott Johnson and Meg Bates, Betsy Anderson, Larchmont’s Bob Day and Monica, Farm-

o e to ne

theater

BOB BAKER Marionette heater s farewell attendees include from left aryl werdahl li abeth e reu riscilla right Michael right Ke in O Connell Mary O Connell Jim werdahl Carl Anderson Carolyn ennett etsy Anderson Meg ates Miles aley Caroline racy and Cynthia mmy ose and hoeni ay.

Stringing Along by

Percy the Birthday Dog

ers Market’s Hank Hilty and Diane, Lorraine Wild and John Kaliski, Patsy Lowry with son Patrick, Amy Forbes, Sally and Van Dyke Parks, Caroline Tracy and children Miles and Anna Paley, Laurie Brown, and Cynthia, Emmy, Rose and Phoenix Lay. More locals attending with children were Carrie and Matt Alling, Stephanie Levine, Neenu Khemlani, Esther Lee and Jordana Stoppani. And lots more not from the imme-

diate Larchmont Chronicle neighborhoods, of course!

Before the parade of puppets, there was a brief welcome by the party hosts and by Executive Director & Head Puppeteer Alex Evans and Director of Development Winona Bechtle, who described their immediate efforts of packing — packing the puppets plus the rest of the contents of Bob Baker’s puppet-designing and puppet-making workshops — and then transporting every-

thing to the not-faraway new home in Highland Park.

That was another of the “good news” items shared during the five minutes of speeches preceding the puppet show.

There now is a wonderful new venue for our revered theater company — on hip York Boulevard in Highland Park.

Until that new home is up and running (tentatively set for this summer), many of us puppets will continue to visit the Miracle Mile Toy Hall,

5464 Wilshire Blvd., at 11 a.m. on the last Sunday of every month. The next show there is May 26. More information is available at: tinyurl.com/ yykjszde.

To learn details about the history of the theater and our new home, visit bobbakermarionettetheater.com.

Columnist photo of an early Bob Baker creation, Percy the Birthday Dog, by Lisa Whiteman.

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Larchmont Chronicle

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Camps & Schools Unplugged, rustic bliss: Camping in the High Sierra

By Nina Adams As summer approaches, every kid has an activity he or she looks forward to most. For some it might be video games; for others it is traveling with family; for me, it was always Gold Arrow Camp.

Gold Arrow is a sleepaway camp located on Lake Huntington in the High Sierra for kids ages six to 15. The camp is a traditional summer camp in the truest sense, offering campers an unplugged (as in no electronic devices!), rustic outdoor experience.

Campers live in cabins for two weeks, and they participate in daily activities including horseback riding, hiking, water skiing, backpacking and rock climbing.

When I left for sleepaway camp at age 10, I had tears in my eyes and an unmatched anxiety. Would I make friends? Would I get homesick? I was beyond nervous concerning the two weeks I was about to have away from home. After my long, five-hour bus

ride to the High Sierra, my feelings instantly changed. No one could have prepared me for the thrill and excitement I would feel when I stepped off the bus onto the campgrounds on Lake Huntington.

As the days went on, I started to make friends through activities like water skiing, archery and horseback riding. As my first year of summer camp came to an end, I was so sad to leave that I cried on the bus ride home. My parents, temporary empty nesters, were excitedly waiting for their kids’ (I went with my brother) returns home. Instead of a joyful reunion, they got two weepy kids begging to go back for another two weeks.

The following years, returning to Gold Arrow Camp was the highlight of every summer. Returning to familiar counselors and friends became a staple in my life, and camp quickly felt like a second home. The experience of

Above: CAMPERS Nicole Isacsen and Nina Adams.

(Please turn to page 20)

Right: A YOUNG Nina Adams boards the bus for camp.

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19

20

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

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CAMPS & SCHOOLS

Teens dig it at La Brea Tar Pits fossil site Curious and motivated teens were invited to join La Brea Tar Pits Teen Program debut season, which ran from last November to this past

March 2019.

Ten 13- to 16-year olds worked behind-the scenes at the Ice Age fossil site with experts from La Brea Tar Pits.

Applications for the 201920 season will be available in the summer on the website, tarpits.org/museum/programming.

PARTICIPANTS sort microfossils.

PAGE ACADEMY Celebrating Our 111th Year

TEENS from the Tar Pits Teen Program work with fossil lab manager Stephany Potze. Applications for 2019-20 will be available in the summer.

TEEN Program participants explore the new “Mammoths and Mastodons” installation.

Have fun, make art, raise money at Hammer Museum

Sleepover with s tter ies dinosaurs at NHM

People of all ages can take part in painting, sculpting and other artistic hands-on workshops, and help fundraise for “Hammer Kids,” at the Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Sun., May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 10th anniversary of the Kids Art Museum Project (K.A.M.P.) will feature art workshops throughout the museum courtyard and terraces, favorite stories read aloud by celebrity guests, and music spun by DJ Chocolatebarbangs.

Guests will take home artworks ranging from ceramics to paper plane sculptures.

Tickets are $150. Visit hammer.ucla.edu/kamp.

Gold Arrow Camp

(Continued from page 19)

SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES Hands-on Projects Swimming & Field Trips Before & After Care Included Computer Science & Technology Camp Hours: 9:00am-3:30pm

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making friends without phones and social media in the beautiful Sierra mountains changed me for the better. My closest friends are still the ones I met at Gold Arrow Camp eight years ago, and my fondest childhood memories are the ones I made waterskiing, sailing and sleeping under the stars.

Since I “graduated” as a camper in 2015, I have taken on other projects to fill my summers.

This summer, I will finally be returning home to Gold Arrow Camp, this time as a counselor.

I am looking forward to reuniting with my friends from several summers ago and reliving my camp childhood memories.

Former intern Nina Adams spent her freshman year at John Cabot American University in Rome.

Kids ages five to 12 years old can have a sleepover with bugs, butterflies and dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd.

Besides access to exhibits, sleepovers feature themed crafts, a scavenger hunt, 3-D movie and performances.

The next sleepovers are with bugs and butterflies Fri., May 31 and with Antarctic dinosaurs Fri., June 21.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Campers need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad, pajamas, toiletries, flashlight and walking shoes, as well as an adult chaperone.

Tickets are $75 for members and $85 for non-members and include admission to the museum the next day.

For more information, visit nhm.org.

Antarctic dinos explored at NHM

Follow the journey of Antarctic scientists and paleontologists when they discovered a new species of dinosaur. See the exhibit at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd.

The new species was discovered at a dig on Mount Kirkpatrick from 2010 to 2011. Featured in the exhibit are full-sized replicas of four species of dinosaurs in their prehistoric habitat, touchable fossils, and gear and equipment belonging to past explorers.

The exhibit is on view through Jan. 5, 2020.

For more information, visit nhm.org.

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

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CAMPS & SCHOOLS

Children’s Tea assorted mini muffins, fresh fruit skewers assorted tea sandwiches Peanut Butter & Jelly • Chicken Salad Mini Cheese Sandwich Milk, Hot Chocolate, Kids Champagne (apple juice with sparkling water)

$19.50 per person DRUMMING at camp is James Thiess.

LEARNING robotics at camp.

Swim, make art, run, play at Page summer camp Kids in kindergarten through 7th grade can swim, make arts and crafts projects, go on field trips, run, play and work on academic enrichment courses at summer day camp at Page Academy, 565 N. Larchmont Blvd., beginning Mon., June 17.

The seven one-week session themes are We Are Family, Space Adventure, Stars and Stripes, Art Antics, Hollywood, Wind and Sea and Music Makers.

The final week, Mon., Aug. 5 to Fri., Aug. 9, is childcare only.

Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but early drop off beginning at 6:30 a.m. and after hours care until 6:30 p.m. are both available.

For more information, call 323-463-5118 or visit pageacademyca.com.

with the same counselors and the best swimming pool in town!” Appel said.

The cost for summer camp is $460 until May 15. After that, the full price is $475 per week. Visit westsidejcc.org.

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Swimming, Hebrew classes at summer camp at JCC A four-week Hebrew immersion camp is launching this summer for kindergarten through third graders at the Westside Jewish Community Center, 5870 Olympic Blvd.

“This is an amazing opportunity to be exposed to all our JCamp program offers with four weeks of added language learning,” said camp director Edana Appel.

This program runs from July 15 to August 9.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

CAMPS & SCHOOLS BUCKLEY

By Jasper Gough 9th Grade ERB testing for grades 6 to 8 is scheduled for May 1. The following day, parents will have the chance to sit down and talk with Buckley’s new Head of School, Alona Scott.

Grades 6 to 11 will pick their class representatives for the next school year on May 3. These representatives will lead meetings and assemblies. On May 4, the 10th and 11th graders will take the SATs. Soon after, middle schoolers will present TED talks that they’ve

been working on all quarter.

The Buckley School Orchestra will hold their spring concert on May 18. The last day of senior classes before finals will be May 20. Later that week on May 23, Buckley will have its annual spring fair. The junior and senior prom will take place on May 25. Finally, on May 29, there will be a party for the Buckley “lifers”. These are students who have been at the school since developmental kindergarten.

MORASHA EDUCATIONAL

By Aryeh Carmel 4th Grade

My name is Aryeh Carmel, and I am a 4th grader at Morasha Hebrew Academy. As to my education, I am convinced that Morasha is a better school than all others I have been to.

We have almost as many adults in this school as students on campus. Teachers really pay attention to everyone, and help us all the time. We have parents who support us, bring their vision to our school.

What makes us unique is that we have zero tolerance for bullying or

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fights. They are stopped at the very beginning thanks to what we had learned from Gabriella Van Rij in person, who brought her heart-warming book, I Can Fight My Might, and shared her own experience with us last year. We also like to discuss issues of proper behavior and respect, and want to be better students.

We are such a small community that everyone knows one another.

It is great to be able to spend a lot of time together on and off campus, take regular field trips with friends and families. We learn a lot by discussing our monthly trips and meet new people. I am grateful that Morasha makes it all possible for me. These are some of the reasons why I would like to stay at this school as many years as possible.

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The 2019 school year is finally coming to an end. Every year, the month of May tends to be very busy. All grades are finishing up schoolwork, getting ready for summer, and the 8th graders are preparing for graduation. The 8th graders take two fun field trips to Magic Mountain and the tide pools. At the end of May, they will take graduation photos and prepare to host their annual Mini Carnival. Saint Brendan’s talent show is happening on May 10. Students from all grades can participate in the show. Finally, at the end of the year, we have our student council elections. Grades 4-7 can run for office for the next school year.

Overall, this school year has been amazing, and we can’t wait to finish it off the right way.

NEW COVENANT

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April was an exciting month for New Covenant Academy as our high school collectively worked on a project for the first time in NCA’s history. Deviating from our usual classes, students took part in an Interdisciplinary Thematic Unit.

This activity was designed to investigate a particular issue while incorporating knowledge from different subject areas.

This year, we focused on gentrification. Since our school is located in the heart of Los Angeles, gentrification is a prominent issue that we experience firsthand. We visited Little Tokyo, Jefferson Park and Echo Park and explored their economic and health concerns.

Six teams filmed, discussed and reported what we found.

PAGE

By Paige Mendiola 5th Grade It’s now the month of May!!

This month MAY be the most exciting month ever! We start the month celebrating our awesome teachers and we also get to appreciate our amazing mothers with our annual spring show and Mother’s Day BBQ on the 10th. It is wonderful to watch the spring show and see each class perform their dance numbers. I can’t wait to show off our dancing skills to everyone and enjoy delicious food together!

Then, we have Spirit Week to show our school spirit! I like that we are able to dress up during the week based on the different themes. Some students (and staff) get really creative...

As the weather is now warmer, we will participate in Heal The Bay’s Beach Clean Up on Saturday, May 18th, a program where volunteers help to collect trash to make the beach a nicer place. This will be my first time participating so I’m excited to help the environment!

Field Day on May 22 is the day to play friendly competitive team games and have fun with the students from our Newport Mesa Campus.

We wrap up the month with our field trip to Kidspace Children’s Museum! Exhibits are outdoors and very exciting to see. I’ve been there and everything you see looks like it’s from another world!!

These are the most of our highlights in May. We may be busy but we always know how to have fun!

CHRIST THE KING

By Curtis Won 7th Grade

The month of April was filled with many activities. Our 8th grade students went on a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance to learn the history of the Holocaust. Our Transitional Kindergarten students enjoyed a day at Underwood Family Farm.

Students throughout the school participated in our annual SpellA-Thon to raise money for our school. During Lent, students participated in a project called Feet the Homelesss, and donated a large quantity of used shoes for homeless people.

CKS is now preparing for its International Festival which will be held on May 4 and 5. Students are practicing their class dances, which they will perform during the Festival. Our Drama Club is meeting regularly after school, and students are memorizing their songs for the upcoming production of Frozen, which they will perform in June. The Track and Field teams are practicing in preparation for their upcoming meets.

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

23

CAMPS & SCHOOLS CATHEDRAL CHAPEL

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE

By Adriana Brady 8th Grade

Happy April everyone!

Spring has sprung and track season has begun at CCS. Coach del Pozo reports that both preliminary meets have gone well, especially the relays.

April began with honors assemblies for all grades. Parents and guests enjoyed the K-4 Spring Concert. Students in grades 3-8 prepared for Easter with a Penance service and confessions at the church. Kindergarten took a field trip on the 10th to our local Ralph’s to learn about ecology and what happens behind the scenes. Second graders traveled to the Star Eco Station and learned about ecosystems and wildlife. Before students, faculty, and staff started their Easter vacation, the eighth grade presented the Living Stations of the Cross to the entire school.

Students were dismissed for Easter vacation on April 17th. Many students will use the vacation to prepare for the Chapel Religion Bee set for April 30th. Cathedral Chapel School sends wishes for peace, love and Easter blessings to all of God’s children.

By Nirel Davies 6th Grade

In sixth grade History class at the Hollywood Schoolhouse, we are learning about Greek Mythology.

Over spring break, my class had an extra credit opportunity where we could make a video, structure, or poster that showcases a lesson we have learned during the trimester. I made a stop-motion video

PILGRIM

By Siobhan Schallert 7th Grade As students came back from Pilgrim School’s spring break, within the first week there were already some exciting things going on. On Thursday, April 4th, we had our annual Headmaster’s Dinner. In the morning, elementary students had a Headmaster’s breakfast, and later at night, the dinner took place for Secondary students.

The dinner was to celebrate students who have achieved academic excellence throughout the year. There was amazing food, and lots of proud students, teachers, and parents.

One of the best things about Pilgrim School is how students

about the Greek myth, “Echo and Narcissus.” The story explains how echoes and vanity came to be. It is quite interesting!

Mrs. Nelson’s Book Fair is back!

The whole school is going to get a chance to purchase the latest novels. Reading is a great way to go on adventures and connect with book characters. If someare acknowledged and celebrated for their hard work in academics, athletics, the arts and in the community. As a middle schooler, I also appreciate how much time we get around the high schoolers, and it was great to see members of this year’s senior class acknowledged at their final Headmaster’s Dinner.

The next week was Spirit Week for our Secondary students, which gave them all a chance to dress up and show school spirit (and creativity) around themes like Luau Day and Meme Day. Each class is awarded spirit points based on how many of their students participate. So far, seventh grade has won two trimesters, which means free dress days, a valuable commodity on campus.

Last month, Ms. Scmalenburg’s Loonies and Toonies beat other teams at the school in a volleyball game that had students screaming.

thing is bothering you in the real world, reading a book can help you get your mind off of it, or you could even learn a life lesson from the story. Even though it is my last book fair, I’m sure it will be the greatest one yet!

My class is anxiously waiting for the day when it is time to go to Astrocamp. Astrocamp is a

sleep-away trip like Outdoor Ed. that lasts for three days and two nights. The trip is for sixth graders only, and I am so excited! The classes are science based, and we get to participate in some thrilling experiments and challenging activities outdoors too. I can’t wait to tell you all about it in my next article!

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

CAMPS & SCHOOLS IMMACULATE HEART

By Lena Mizrahi 12th Grade

Happy May! Mary’s Day, Immaculate Heart’s most beloved tradition day, is timed with May’s arrival. This year’s event features the theme “Sister Through All Seasons” which will be evident through our decorations and student presentations. Student committees, representing all grade levels, have been preparing for this May 3 event. The celebration will allow students to step away from the typical day-today stress of school and enjoy a morning of community that will

include food and entertainment.

Recently, Immaculate Heart honored more than 120 athletes with a 3.5 grade point average or higher at the 30th Annual Scholar Athlete Luncheon. This event celebrates immense academic success and commitment to sports. Family members filled the school auditorium and applauded as students achieved this special recognition.

Last month, Immaculate Heart’s Drama Club — the Genesians — staged the spring show, 67 Cinder-

ellas. The show was a phenomenal success. The production’s ballroom choreography and subtle humor drew a full crowd to each of the four performances. As the drama season concludes, the club prepares for their performances at the upcoming class day, which marks the end of the school year.

Additionally, last month the Spanish Club hosted the Student vs. Faculty soccer game. The game is a favorite of both the students and administration alike.

Many gathered on the field sidelines to cheer during the competition. This year, the students defeated the faculty 4-1!

MARLBOROUGH

By Avery Gough 7th Grade

Hello everybody, this month has been relaxing and busy at the same time. We just got back from a relaxing two-week spring break.

The first day back we had an All School Meeting (ASM), and a representative from Food Forward came to talk to us. We watched a video about Food Forward’s tenyear anniversary and another video about food waste, and what Food Forward is trying to accomplish.

I really enjoyed this ASM because I have volunteered with Food Forward and know first-hand about the good work that they do.

On April 12, there was an Alumnae morning. Each 7th grader was

OAKWOOD SCHOOL

By Scarlett Saldaña 8th Grade

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At the start of the third trimester, students look forward to the week featuring Gorilla Games.

Gorilla Games is the time for students to competitively play against other grades for a prize that honors the entire grade. After that, students experience Arts Festival, a much loved event in which students enjoy supporting visual and

assigned a member of the class of 1969, and we had to write a poem about them and their class.

Lastly, after our spring break, the Marlborough athletes jumped into their sports. On April 8, 9, and 11, the varsity lacrosse team played Notre Dame, El Segundo High School and Louisville High School, respectively. The 7th and 8th grade lacrosse team played Chaminade Middle School and Oaks Christian School. Lastly, on the April 9 and 11, varsity swimming competed against Immaculate Heart High School and Louisville High School. performing arts.

Last year, students set up art exhibits and displayed their talents in a special-all-school showcase.

Then, on April 28, Oakwood 6th graders will have their annual trip to Washington D.C. There, they will visit The United States Supreme Court and take a tour of the White House.

Music roundup: PUP, Chai and Queens of the Stone Age

By Elijah Small Welcome back, music fans!

Before I get to my reviews, I want to share with you some exciting news. A few friends and I are in a band called Research and Development, and we are scheduled to play a set at the Cat and Fiddle, located on Highland just north of Melrose, on Sun., June 2 at 4 p.m. Come check us out, if you’re around. Find us on Instagram @theeresearchdevelopment.

Now to the albums for this month.

Mor id t ff The third album by indiepunk band PUP, released April 5, is not only good, it’s great. The album starts off with the title song “Morbid Stuff,” which hooks the listener with a weird, off-beat sound. The album continues with bombastic choruses and catchy hooks. I can’t really find many bad things to say about this album. Review: 8 out of 10.

Punk This is the second album from the all-female Japanese band, Chai. The Nagoya-based band delivers a light-hearted and over-the-top album that still rocks. When the songs first

dropped, I listened to the opening track and instantly knew it was going to be good — from the first beat, I was hooked and could not stop listening. The album has a lot of charm, and the band members display personalities that are both hilarious and awesome.

My review: 7 out of 10.

Villains Although not a new release, this 2017 album by band Queens of the Stone Age is a classic. In fact, this is one of my favorite bands. And “Villains,” the band’s seventh album, is the most accessible contemporary rock album in years. Band songwriter and lead singer Josh Homme joins with music producer Mark Ronson to create an exciting and unconventional rock sound. Compared to previous albums, Homme’s voice in “Villains” is better suited to his style of singing, but instrumentally, the album is not as complex as others. My review: 8 out of 10.

Elijah Small is a student at Pilgrim School.

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

25

Plymouth

(Continued from page 1) generation of greater Hancock Park area children.

The Plymouth School, founded in 1972 by Penny Cox, Sylvia Johnson, Gayle Smith, Ruth Traub, and Darlene Smolan, lately finds itself in the position of teaching students who are the children of former Plymouth School students.

Whew! Did you get that? So if you find yourself walking down Larchmont Boulevard, there’s a good chance that you’ll bump into someone who sent their children, went as a child or now currently attends this word-of-mouth school.

“Plymouth is special because it is a school with deep roots in our community,” says Windsor Square resident Pamela Wright, who attended the school from 1982 to 1984. Her future husband, Andrew, also attended.

“Yes, I met my husband in preschool!” laughs Pamela.

“My fondest memory of Plymouth was listening to music during nap time. In my day it was records. While the records are now gone, I am happy to see the children still listen to music and stories before nap time.”

Originally located in the United Methodist Church on Wilshire and Plymouth, the

GENERATIONS of local families (here, Pamela, Andrew, Rita and Nico right nd themsel es drawn to a familiar childhood e erience: Plymouth School.

school moved to the Wilshire Presbyterian Church on Oxford and 3rd in 1992. The preschool focuses on play-based developmental education in a loving and nurturing environment, which appeals to the parents who want their children to have the same childhood experiences that they had.

Pamela and Andrew loved their own time at Plymouth so much that they decided to send their two children, Rita and Nico, there as well.

“I love that the school has remained steadfast in its commitment to play-based learning regardless of the trends in early education,” says Pamela.

“Trends come and go.”

Hancock Park area residents Pat Tostado (who attended Plymouth from 1977 to 1980) and his wife Kristen Wallace Tostado, also wanted to keep tradition in the family.

“Pat’s parents chose Plymouth because of the play-based learning in a sweet setting, where the kids and teachers weren’t afraid to get dirty,” says Kristen. “I love that Plymouth is real and authentic. It’s not flashy or fancy.”

Their children Oliver and Chloe attended Plymouth from 2007 to 2010 and 2011 to 2014.

“I like the freedom [the school] encourages and the self-expression,” affirms Kris-

WOLFS: Matt and Marisa Wolf, with children Audrey (left) and Julia right ha e lymouth School connections.

GONZALEZES: Maureen Gonzalez with sons John (left) and Nicholas (right).

TOSTADOS: at Oli er Kristen and Chloe Tostado.

ten. “The families we befriended from Plymouth with our kids are still some of our closest friends… Small town living in a big city!”

Pat’s sister Marisa Wolf also attended Plymouth (1974 to 1977) and sent her own children, Julia and Audrey, from (Please turn to page 26)

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Individual attention is the key to Morasha Center’s approach

By Billy Taylor The Morasha Educational Center is quietly serving a niche community of students thanks, in part, to the vision of the school’s principal, Rabbi Shlomo Harrosh, who lives by the motto of “no Jewish child left behind.”

What makes Morasha unique is its student population.

The all-boys school caters to highly gifted individuals with learning differences. Sometimes the student is on the autism spectrum, or struggles with issues like attention deficit disorder, while other stu-

dents simply failed to thrive in a traditional school setting and require more resources.

Morasha serves both homeschoolers — who can join students a couple of times a week for classes or trips — and full-time students in grades kindergarten to 8th grade in Judaic and secular studies.

Morasha — located on Beverly Boulevard, directly across from Pan Pacific Park — began when Perutz Etz Jacob Hebrew Academy shut its doors in 2016 due to a lack of funding.

As the former principal of Perutz Etz Jacob, Rabbi Har-

rosh says that he worked to find new schools for most of the students. However, for various reasons, there was still a small body of students that was left without a place to transfer. That’s when Harrosh says he called “an emergency meeting” with school stakeholders and local religious leaders. These children cannot be left behind, he urged them.

“Things evolved from there,” Rabbi Harrosh explained.

Tifereth Zvi Synagogue offered Rabbi Harrosh some classroom space, while others volunteered their time, and

STUDENTS review their work with a teacher at Morasha Educational Center.

by 2017, Morasha was serving more than a dozen students with a customized curriculum.

Rabbi Harrosh is passionate in his belief that all of his students can succeed in learning by the school just providing the right environment, one that develops their strengths while giving one-on-one support to any differences in learning.

“The key is individual attention,” Harrosh told me last month at the Morasha campus.

At that exact moment, there was some commotion in the nearby classroom. “For example, that student was getting too upset in class, so one of the teachers took him on a short walk to clear his head,” said Harrosh.

To provide that kind of individual attention, the school tries to maintain a two-to-one student-teacher ratio.

For at least one local student, the school has made all the difference. Fourth grader

Aryeh says that he loves his new school: “I was homeschooled, but didn’t have any friends. Now I can walk to school, and I have many friends,” the Fairfax resident said with a big smile.

Rabbi Harrosh notes that Aryeh, as a homeschooled student, was sitting at home struggling with how to express himself, but now he is a student thriving, both academically and socially.

“We want each child to reach his full potential, and our formula is to utilize the student’s abilities, building off his strengths,” said Harrosh.

While the school is religious-based and offers group prayers and a strong Hebrew education, it also offers a secular curriculum with electives such as computer programming, art and music.

To learn more, visit morashaej.org.

Plymouth

it opened. Her 25-year-old niece, Shelby Upshaw, attended Plymouth in the 1990s. Her brother Rick’s daughter, Adriana, attended Plymouth in the early 2000s, and her own two sons, John and Nicholas, attended from 2011-2015.

“Plymouth is a true neighborhood school,” says Maureen. “I gained an amazing group of mom (and dad) friends who have helped me in times of need and shared this crazy journey of parenthood with me… Plymouth not only gave me a great educational foundation in my early years, but it gave me my village when my kids went there.”

Marisa Wolf agrees. “I love that it is still the same special neighborhood school it has been since the 1970s.”

When all is said and done, though, leave it to current 29-year Plymouth teaching veteran Fran Hentz (her daughter Jeanne graduated from Plymouth’s first class) to best sum up the generational pull of families towards the school: “This school gives people the feeling of being in a small town, rather than smack in the middle of a huge city. The families know each other and they like each other. You really gain a true sense of community and home.”

(Continued from page 25) 2012 to 2017.

“I love that Plymouth is a neighborhood school. I have stayed close over the years with many of the friends I met there,” says Marisa. “Now, 40 years later, my kids are in school with my [Plymouth] friends’ kids.”

Penny Cox retired as director in 2014 after 42 years at the school. The new director, Brookside resident Megan Enright Drynan (whose siblings Michael and Erin Enright attended Plymouth School in the 1970s, as well as Drynan’s three boys, who attended in the last decade), wanted to keep the old-school traditions intact while modernizing the school to meet the changing needs of modern families.

“I wanted to keep the school the exact same way the founders envisioned it,” says Drynan, “but added a few 21stcentury touches, like music, yoga and gymnastics.”

Maureen Gonzalez, a former classmate of Drynan who serves as the Plymouth office manager, attended Plymouth from 1974 to 1976 and has many ties to the school. Her brother, Rick Brady, attended Plymouth the first year that

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Sip and socialize at Children’s Tea parties at Du-par’s

By Julia Stier Get ready for an afternoon tea, fit for a princess or prince!

In February, Du-par’s Restaurant and Bakery (6333 West 3rd Street #210) began its weekly Saturday afternoon Children’s Teas. Fun for the whole family, the tea provides an opportunity to introduce children to the basics of dining etiquette and socialization.

The Du-par’s at Third and Fairfax at the Farmers Market was the first of the Du-par’s locations to open — back in 1938. (A second location later opened in Pasadena, and there also was a Du-par’s in the Miracle Mile and one in the San Fernando Valley). Famous for boysenberry syrup and pancakes (the secret recipe hasn’t changed since the beginning), Du-par’s at the Farmers Market also is loved for its 24-hour service. Slide into the red vi-

FAIRYTALE EVENT. Hancock Park resident Kiel FitzGerald assists a student getting outtted for O eration School ell Prom Day. Photo by Cherie Ditcham

Dreams do come true on League’s OSB Prom Day High school girls who excel in the classroom in spite of homelessness and other hardships were treated like princesses at the annual Operation School Bell Prom Day. Stepping into a pop-up boutique, the girls found dresses, shoes and accessories and had hair styling and makeup.

In all, volunteers from the Assistance League of Los Angeles — many who live in Hancock Park and other nearby neighborhoods — helped dress 200 girls from 58 Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools.

In addition, Assistance League of Los Angeles’ Operation School Bell program annually provides new school clothes and play clothes, shoes, backpacks, hygiene products, undergarments, socks, hoodies, books and school supplies to more than 6,500 underserved and at-risk LAUSD schoolchildren grades K-5.

The League, a member volunteer organization, is marking its 100th year serving the community in 2019. The League also provides live theater experiences to children, (Please turn to page 28)

TREATS are piled high on a three-tier stand at Du-par’s’ Children’s Tea. Photo courtesy of Frances Tario

nyl booths at all hours to enjoy a selection of American diner classics, prepared daily with fresh ingredients.

And now, there’s another thing to love about Du-par’s

— Saturday afternoon Children’s Tea. President and CEO of Dupar’s, Frances Tario, shares that she came up with idea for the tea after noticing a lack of

opportunities for children to learn etiquette and socialization skills. “The custom etiquette classes and children’s cotillions are no longer visible anymore,” Tario observed.

Looking to fill this gap, Tario started up the Children’s Tea. By providing a place for children to hone their social skills, Tario hopes to encourage them “to talk and play and interact with one another without having to play on an iPad or cell phone.”

The tea is fully set up before everyone arrives, with treats piled high on a threetier stand. Guests are given coloring pages, and their very own customizable mugs, which they can color themselves. Before guests begin digging in, the staff gives an introductory lesson on etiquette. However, despite its emphasis on etiquette, the event has no dress code.

27

While enjoying their drinks and treats, children are encouraged to socialize with others in attendance.

Guests may sample an assortment of mini muffins, fresh fruit skewers, and a variety of tea sandwiches — bite-sized kid favorites such as peanut butter and jelly, chicken salad, and cheese.

Drink options include milk, hot chocolate, and kid’s champagne (don’t worry, Mom and Dad — it’s just apple juice with sparkling water!). All of the Du-par’s pastries are prepared fresh daily in the on-site bakery.

To schedule your very own Du-par’s Children’s Tea experience, call 323-933-8446 or 323-933-8440 to make a reservation. The tea takes place on Saturdays, from 2-4 p.m.

All ages are welcome to attend, and the experience costs $19.50 per person.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Third Street unveils murals by renowned street artist

By Vivian Gueler Hancock Park’s Third Street Elementary School unveiled two new murals last month as part of a beautification initiative.

With an idea to add some color to campus, Beautification Committee chairs Esther Lee and Neenu Khemlani recruited Los Angeles-based street artist WRDSMTH (pronounced: Wordsmith) and longtime Disney animator, William Cuna, for the project.

WRDSMTH is best known for his iconic image of a vintage typewriter with different sheets of inspirational text, which have been posted on the sides of buildings, utility closets and public spaces across Los Angeles.

Unsatisfied with his successful career as an advertising copywriter in Chicago, WRDSMTH made his way to Hollywood in search

WRDSMTH (center, back row, under “makes”) sits with Third Street students after installing murals on campus.

PRINCIPAL Kim (left) and parent William Cuna (right) worked with students on the murals.

of a career as a screenwriter. After a stint writing short films, documentaries, and a novel, the artist felt trapped behind his computer and sought another way to express his words, which ultimately became the inspiration for his future street art.

“Initially, there was a sense of intimidation in taking my

talent and time to places that need it most.

Third Street parent William Cuna assisted in installing the campus murals.

Third Street principal Daniel Kim says of the project, “I think it’s fantastic that we are able to expose and foster an appreciation towards the

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words and turning them into street art, but I soon came to realize that the words are the art,” WRDSMTH explained to Third Street students. The street artist, who considers himself both a writer and an artist, told students that the murals are a part of his payit-forward philosophy to lend

visual medium of street art here at Third Street Elementary. It’s also very satisfying to know that for every piece of art that we add to our campus, we’re adding opportunities that spark creativity, stimulate critical thinking and analysis, hone observational skills and inspire children.”

Free admission at Academy Museum for youth under 18 When it opens, probably at the end of this year, the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, in the former May Co. building, will offer free admission to visitors under 18 years old, thanks to a grant from the George Lucas Family Foundation, announced last month.

The museum will use the donation — an unrevealed amount — to create an endowment underwriting free admission in perpetuity for guests ages 17 years old and younger.

The Lucas grant was made in honor of Sid Ganis, former

president and current vice president of the Academy’s board of governors and chair of its Museum Committee.

Also announced in April was that Amy Homma, formerly of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., has been appointed the Academy Museum’s inaugural director of education. Homma will oversee the K-to-12 programming, ranging from lectures and panels to in-gallery talks and online programming.

For more information, visit academymuseum.org.

ACADEMY DONORS George Lucas and Mellody Hobson.

Prom Day

Across their programs, League volunteers will directly support nearly 22,000 of the city’s most impoverished children in 2019.

“With OSB Prom Day, the League proudly acknowledges young women who have maintained a strong academic

standing under extremely adverse circumstances, stayed in school, and are poised to graduate and begin a new chapter in their lives,” said Melanie Merians, Assistance League of Los Angeles CEO. For more information, visit assistanceleaguela.org.

(Continued from page 27) operates a nationally accredited preschool in Hollywood, and provides thousands of Los Angeles children in the foster system with clothes and other needed items.

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SCHOOL USA

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

29

Small Wonders Rocks for cause at Federal Bar May 5

Big Sunday

(Continued from page 1)

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and doing lots more, including hosting various enrichments programs on May 19.

There will also be food and music for all the participants.

And, in classic Big Sunday fashion, the organization is not just doing this for the community, but with the community, too. (Before Big Sunday became a yearround organization, and was still a one-, two- or three-day weekend event, that weekend traditionally was filled with hundreds of projects like the one that will take place at Lovelia Flournoy School on May 19 — hence the “Big Sunday’s Greatest Hits” designation).

Starting small Big Sunday was started 20 years ago by founder, executive director and Hancock Park resident David Levinson as a single day of service known as Mitzvah Day. Volunteers completed 19 different projects helping seniors, homeless, shut-ins, the environment and more. This progressed each year, and continued to grow, engaging thousands of people, and eventually outgrew the one day and became Big Sunday Weekend. Big Sunday Weekend was so popular that the organization outgrew the weekend and became an independent, nondenominational nonprofit offering more than 2,000 ways for people to help 365 days a year. Nevertheless, Big Sunday Weekend in May remained the organization’s largest event.

In 2016, Big Sunday couldn’t fit all the projects into one weekend, so it expanded into MOBS. For a list of projects visit; mobs.bigsunday.org/project/.

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GRADUATING SENIORS from New Covenant Academy explore the Hawaiian Islands last month as part of their graduation trip, a beloved tradition at the Koreatown school. While on the Big sland students en oyed arasailing snor eling sur ng and tra eling the island.

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DR. JOHN REINISCH (center, with baseball cap) and members of the Small Wonders Junior Advisory Council.

Small Wonders Foundation and its Junior Advisory Council will showcase young, talented bands from all over the city at the second annual Small Wonders Rocks on Sun., May 5.

The Music With a Cause event, which will also serve brunch and lunch, is at the Federal Bar, 5305 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Performances will occur throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at www.smallwondersrocks.org.

Last year, Small Wonders Rocks raised $10,000 and hosted a packed house at The Mint.

The line-up included 15 bands performing rock, jazz and pop.

Small Wonders Foundation was formed in 2005 by parents and friends of children born with facial differences that were corrected by the plastic surgery work of worldrenowned surgeon Dr. John Reinisch, of Hancock Park.

For more than 40 years, Reinisch has specialized in treating children with craniofacial deformities and is a leading pediatric plastic surgeon. He regularly travels the globe to meet prospective patients and educate doctors and parents on the latest surgical techniques.

Most recently he was a visiting professor at the University of Tel Aviv, Harvard and the University of Utrecht (Holland).

He also recently lectured in Mexico, Beijing, Moscow and Paris.

• Over 45 years serving the neighborhood

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30

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION ONE

Take the Queen … now what? Careful, or you’ll lose the hand Here’s your hand sitting North, and the bidding:

Bridge Matters

82 AKQ864 96 T97

West North P 2H All Pass

East South 3S P

Partner leads the JH Here’s the dummy (on your right): Q7 53 KQ432 J652 You take the Queen and declarer discards the Ten. What do you return?

If you said that you would take the second heart immediately you probably lost the hand. Partner’s lead of the

by

Grand Slam

Here is the four hand layout:

Jack must be either a singleton or a doubleton because declarer discarded the Ten. That is probably a false card, to keep you from continuing hearts. If partner has a doubleton (probably), that means that declarer has three hearts and will lose all three unless she can trump your third heart lead. There are two trumps on the board. You want to get a third heart trick so you want to get the Queen of trump off the board.

So the answer is that you must lead a trump. Even if declarer has the Ace, she has to lead another heart to be

North 82 AKQ864 96 T97 West Q7 53 KQ432 J652

East KJT9653 T92 A AQ

South A4 53 JT875 K843 This is a real unfortunate

hand for east because she has only one possible entry to the board, and that’s the heart ruff which you denied her.

She can take her Ace of diamonds, then the Ace of clubs, then leading the club Queen to south’s King and she’s got good cards in the minor suits to get rid of her heart loser, but she can’t get there after you take out her trump.

When this was played in a club game, three declarers made either three or four because defenders failed to play trump early to keep declarer from ruffing a heart and discarding her losers on the diamonds. If north never leads a trump, the hand easily makes four. Since partner has the Ace of trump even if north takes both hearts immediately, if partner then leads a trump he can take the Ace and lead another, getting rid of both trumps on the board.

But north should not count on that. The safest and best play is to lead a trump imme-

diately before taking the second heart because if declarer has the trump Ace and takes the return, she still has to lead another heart to get rid of the last heart on the board and north can take that trick and lead the second trump. If he takes the second heart immediately and then leads a trump, it’s too late because the board is now void of hearts and if declarer has the trump Ace (a better than 50% chance), declarer can take the belated trump lead, play the diamond Ace and trump his third heart to get to the diamond King and Queen to rid himself of his club loser.

Played correctly, NS should take three hearts, the spade Ace and the club King, five tricks for down one in a 3S contract.

Grand Slam is the nom de plume for an author of a bestselling book on bridge, an ACBL accredited director and a Silver Life Master.

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able to trump with her Queen and you can take it and lead your last trump to get rid of the last trump on the board, so she’s stuck with a losing heart in her hand and she goes down one.

Larchmont Chronicle

Lions

(Continued from page 1) LAPD commanding officers at Wilshire Division almost three years ago. To honor seven local peace officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving at Wilshire (the last loss being in 1996), execution of the memorial has been led by the First-In Fire Foundation.

Greater Wilshire (Continued from page 1)

Geographic Area Representatives: Area 1, Brookside: Director – Owen Smith Alternate – vacant Area 2, Citrus Square: Director – Jeffry Carpenter Alternate – vacant Area 3, Country Club Heights: Director – Brian Donahoe (appointed 4-10-19) Alternate – vacant Area 4, Fremont Place: Director – Bobbie Kumetz Alternate – vacant Area 5, Hancock Park: Director – Jennifer R. DeVore Alternate – Cindy ChvatalKeane (appointed 4-10-19) Area 6, La Brea / Hancock: Director – Tammy Rosato Alternate – Cathy Roberts Area 7, Larchmont Village: Director – Charles D’Atri Alternate – Vincent Cox Area 8, Melrose Neighborhood: Director – Philip A. Farha Alternate – vacant Area 9, Oakwood-MaplewoodSt. Andrews Neighborhood: Director – Max Kirkham Alternate – vacant Area 10, Ridgewood – Wilton – St. Andrews Square: Director – Patricia Carroll Alternate – vacant Area 11, Sycamore Square: Director – Conrad Starr Alternate – Joshua Kirchmer Area 12, Western-Wilton (“We-Wil”) Neighborhood: Director – Erica Gutierrez

MAY 2019

According to Lyn MacEwen Cohen, president of the foundation and manager for the project, this local memorial was inspired by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Cohen says that featuring the lions is a keystone that is critical to the local monument’s design. She explains that, “The lion is a uniAlternate – Greg Wittmann Area 13, Wilshire Park: Director – John Gresham Alternate – Kim Nortman Area 14, Windsor Square: Director – Caroline Labiner Moser Alternate – vacant Area 15, Windsor Village: Director – Julie Stromberg Alternate – vacant Special Interest Category Representatives: Business: Director – John Winther Alternate – Charlie Rosenberg Renter: Director – Hayden Conner Ashworth Alternate – vacant Education: Director – Scott Appel Alternate – Bridget Bones Religion: Director – Michael Genewick Alternate – vacant Other Nonprofit: Director – Tucker Carney Alternate – Colette Amin At Large: Director – Karen Gilman Alternate – Brian Curran

The Directors met on April 10 and elected officers: Caroline Moser, president; Max Kirkham, vice president; Patricia Carroll, treasurer; Julie Stromberg, secretary; Conrad Starr, assistant secretary.

The GWNC board of directors meets the second Wednesday of each month at The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd.

Visit greaterwilshire.org.

SECTION ONE

versal symbol of strength and protection watching over the community as the wall quote posted says well: ‘the wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.’”

Cohen explained to the Chronicle that, “It took two full years to find the right matched pair — fierce yet calm, wise and stoic, not sleeping but acting as sentinels on-guard protecting this somber space. Ultimately, there will be a very simple marker listing each fallen officer’s name and ‘end-ofwatch’ date.” [“End-of-watch”

indicates an officer’s date of death while on duty – Ed.] Each 200- to 300-pound lion rests upon a six-inch concrete pad that took three days to cure after being poured. Prior to lowering each lion in place, the areas under the lions on the pads were inscribed “United We Stand” and “In God We Trust,” and craftsmen, police officers and onlookers initialed the concrete.

Welcoming the lions to the police station were Wilshire commanding officer Capt. Anthony Oddo, assisted by community relations officer Sgt. A.J. Kirby and Cohen, along

with Marc Cohen, who is chairman of the board of the First-In Fire Foundation.

Funds underwriting the project are private donations and in-kind services. Primary donors to date are Loeb & Loeb LLP, Windsor SquareHancock Park Historical Society, and First-In Fire Foundation.

Capt. Oddo observed: “The lions not only symbolize the strength that officers must have, but the lions also symbolize our role as protectors.

I want to thank all donors for making the lion sentinels possible.”

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32

SECTION ONE

MAY 2019

NOW SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER AT THE GROVE IN THE PARK

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Larchmont Chronicle

LIVING LEGEND

DEVELOPMENT

HOME

Suzanne Rheinstein will be honored at La Cienega Design Quarter’s Icons of Design.

Mixed-use project planned behind Purple Line subway station on La Brea near Wilshire.

On Route 66, the store has covered it best in its 66-plus years.

Page 12

Page 3

Real estate Design foR living

VIEW

Page 22

Section 2

LARCHMONT CHRONICLE

MAY 2019

HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • GREATER WILSHIRE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT

COLDWELL BANKER Hancock Park | $4,999,000 Spectacular English w/Exquisite Detail! 4+3.5+1Bd 1ba gym, gourmet kit, pool. 401Lucerne.com

Hancock Park | $4,449,000 Highly desirable location 5bds + 4.5bas + GH + 3rd floor upper level. Large garden w/pool.

Hancock Park | $4,449,000 3 Sty Windsor Sq Colonial on deep lot! 4+3+1100 sf attic. GR w/3/4ba. Pool, spa. 514Irving.com

Hancock Park | $2,299,000 Traditional w/ 3-4beds, 2.5bas w/lux mstr, sleek kit, 2 bonus rms, lush yard. 635June.com

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Hancock Park | $2,100,000 Updated 4+2.5+pool hse, bath, kit & 2 rms up. backyard, pool, spa. 3rd St Sch. 100Lucerne.com

Hancock Park | $1,799,000 1920’s Spanish close to Larchmont w/3bdrms, den, 2.5 bas & pool. Needs work but good bones.

Hancock Park | $1,759,000 A well located, orig architectural looking for TLC. Bring your own restorative powers & create a GEM!

Miracle Mile | $1,498,000 Orig details combined w/ updated kitch & bath.

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Miracle Mile | $449,000 1+1, Unit #121. Probate. Close to the Grove, LACMA. Roof top pool, gated parking. In Escrow

Hancock Park | $8,000 / MO Close to Larchmont Village, this light filled 5+4 home is move in ready! 116NArden.com LEASED.

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2

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

Google’s Spruce Goose Hangar is among venues celebrated May is National Preservation Month, a time to celebrate our achievements and to continue to address the challenges of maintaining and using historic places. It’s a time to reflect on the power of place and on what kind of environments we want to live in and leave for the next generations. It’s also a time to thank the countless stewards, advocates, and volunteers who own the buildings, fight for their protection, and man the events that keep these icons in the forefront of our collective consciousness. (You know who you are.)

Current this month The Autry and the National Trust have released a Request for Interest for “creative approaches” to reuse the Southwest Museum, one of the first museums in Los Angeles. Created by Charles Fletcher Lummis and devoted to our Native American heritage, the Southwest was named a Treasure by the Trust some years ago, and preservationists have been working hard to find the right partner to rehabilitate the National Register-listed campus and let it continue its role in our cultural heritage.

Everyone’s help is needed:

the private sector, public sector, nonprofit and citizenry should come together to create something very special for the people of Los Angeles in Highland Park. Learn more at theautry.org/swmrfi.

McAvoy on Preservation by

Christy McAvoy Up north, the city of San Francisco and the California Historical Society are working on another such opportunity for the Old Mint, just south of Market Street. This robust building has survived earthquakes, fires, and decades of disuse. Now it may return to public use in a few years as a state of the art exhibit, research, and educational facility. This year’s California Historical Society gala on Thurs., May 9 will honor former Gov. Jerry Brown and celebrate the legislation during his first term which officially acknowledged the organization as the state’s official historical society. If you haven’t seen this monument to money in the

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GOOGLE’S new home in the Spruce Goose Hangar will host an event May 4.

Photo: Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. Conservancy

think of a “special” occasion that warrants a visit. Thanks to Mark Echeverria and his family for their continuing stewardship. Visit mussoandfrankgrill.com.

Rehab in Hollywood More help is needed. Federal tax credits have been renewed by Congress for rehabilitation projects, and several Southern California candidates are waiting. There are half a dozen beautiful buildings on the National Register on Hollywood Boulevard alone that could benefit from creative reuse projects fueled by the tax credit. Boutique hotels?

Creative office space? Hous-

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Closer to home, the Los Angeles Conservancy celebrates the reuse of the Spruce Goose Hangar at Playa Vista on Sat., May 4. This building has to be seen to be believed. Six stories high and longer than two football fields, the Howard Hughes Aircraft Company legacy has been preserved by preservation developer Wayne Ratkovich and his team. The massive wooden building is now occupied by Google. Proceeds from the event go to continue the Conservancy’s good work.

A few tickets are still available. Contact jpope@laconservancy.org.

Restaurateurs do not get enough credit for creating special places for us to relax.

Musso and Frank celebrates 100 years of serving martinis, flannel cakes, and chops this year. When you sit in the comfortable red leather booths, peruse the classic menu or sidle up to the mahogany bar, you’re not just enjoying fine food and great company, you’re part of Hollywood history. How long has it been since you’ve been there?

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Preservation organizations will be doing a lot of “visioning” this month, continuing their role in educating and advocating for resources. The California Preservation Foundation holds its annual conference Wed., May 8 to Sat., May 11 in Palm Springs. Attend an event, or volunteer some time or support. It’s spring and all things are possible.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

3

Hotel / apartments poised for La Brea Ave. at Wilshire A seven-story apartment / hotel / retail complex is slated for La Brea Ave., at Wilshire Blvd. The development is just north of the Purple Line Extension’s Wilshire / La Brea station, set to open by 2023.

The CGI Strategies development includes 121 apartments and 122 hotel rooms. It had formerly been proposed as a 12-story structure.

While plans are still in flux, early reports cite a design by Morris Adjmi Architects (MA) where the hotel will be on the south end of the building, adjacent to the Purple Line station under construction on Wilshire. The apartments would be on the north end of the building.

Two separate pools are planned on the top floor; one for hotel guests and the other

for residents.

A 16,000-square-foot “market-style food hall with opportunity for traditional retail on La Brea” is planned for the ground floor, said project spokesperson Bruce Beck of DB&R Marketing Communications.

The project has not yet been approved by the city’s Planning Dept., and a completion date is not set, Beck added.

The project includes demolition of multiple commercial buildings, a merger of 12 lots and re-subdivision of the land to construct the mixed-use project, according to Agnes Sibal of the Dept. of City Planning.

The architect, Morris Adjmi, established MA in 1997 following a 13-year collaboration with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Aldo Rossi.

RENDERING shows CGI Strategies development planned for La Brea Ave. at Wilshire Blvd.

Chamber hears about proposed Town & Country

RENDERING shows retail portion of proposed Town & Country.

Members of the Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce learned the latest news at their April 11 meeting about the proposed mixed-use project, Town and Country Shopping Center, planned on the old Kmart site at Third St. and Fairfax Ave. John Nahas, vice president

of investments for property owner Regency Centers, spoke on the project, which his firm is developing with Holland Partner Group.

Four stories containing 325 apartments will be above two levels of retail, Nahas said. He added that the retail floors will be double height, making

the six-story project appear to be closer to eight stories tall.

There will also be two levels of underground parking.

An Environmental Impact Report is underway, and public hearings will follow. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2020 and be complete at the end of 2023.

4

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

Coate home on WS-HPHS tour

ROLAND COATE-DESIGNED home on S. Hudson Ave. was the setting for a talk by authors (from left) Bret Parsons, Marc Appleton, and Steve Vaught, shown at the front entrance.

A home designed by Roland E. Coate was featured last month by the Windsor Square – Hancock Park Historical Society. The event at the Regency Revival-style house on April 28 on Hudson Ave. included a slide and speaker presentation as well as a book signing with authors Marc Appleton, Bret Parsons and Steve Vaught.

Four local houses, including this one, are among 36 fea-

229 North Gower St.

tured in the book “Master Architects of Southern California 1920-1940: Roland E. Coate,” published by Tailwater Press.

The 204-page book is the second in a series co-authored by local real estate agent Parsons along with architect Appleton and historian Vaught.

Right: CEILING is a feature of the Roland Coate-designed house’s dining room, where WS-HPHS members and guests gathered for illustrated talk.

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Leased

Spacious 4 bedroom and 3 bath home just around the corner from all that Larchmont has to offer. Leased in the 1st week.

Rick Llanos (C) 323-810-0828 (O) 323-460-7617 rllanos@coldwellbanker.com

157 South Arden Blvd.

CalRE# 01123101

Representing Buyers and Sellers in the Hancock Park/ Windsor Square neighborhoods for the past 26 years

Offered at $1,799,000 Charming fixer just 2 blocks from Larchmont. This 2 story home features 3 well sized bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, den, living room with a fireplace and a pool out back. Bring your ideas to make this your dream home.

2106 Rockledge Rd.

Intimate, global gathering for change

Author and environmentalist Bill McKibben was in the neighborhood April 27. Recently named one of 100 most influential people in climate policy in the world by Apolitical, McKibben was at a Climate Hawks Vote event co-hosted by locals Bill Funderburk and Julie Stromberg.

Offered at $1,349,000 Located near the Hollywood Bowl in the historic neighborhood of Hollywood Heights stands this wonderfully spacious home with bright and airy living and dining rooms, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, newer cooks kitchen and a family room.

ENVIRONMENTALIST Bill McKibben spoke April 27 to about 75 concerned citizens in the La Brea-Hancock back yard of co-host Bill Funderburk (seated, center, with dark glasses).

Coldwell Banker Hancock Park

251 N. Larchmont Blvd.

(323) 464-9272

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification.

Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo service marks are registered or pending registrations owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

Submit nominations for Water Wise tour

Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Sustainability Committee’s third Water Wise Garden Tour is Sat., June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour will showcase gardens in the historic neighborhoods of Windsor Square and Ridgewood Wilton.

Please submit nominations with photos for gardens to be considered to sustainability@greaterwilshire.org by Sat., June 1.

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

Visit a real 1908 mover and shaker at WS-HPHS event May 19 David Silverman of LA House Histories will give a presentation on Sun., May 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the O’Melveny House, 501 S. Plymouth Blvd.

Designed by Sumner Hunt in 1908 and built at the corner of New Hampshire Ave. and Wilshire Blvd., the home was moved in 1930 to its current location.

After Henry O’Melveny’s death, it was purchased by a member of the Rindge family and includes actor David Arquette among recent owners.

Tickets for the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society event are available at the group’s website begin-

classic Hollywood icons such as Shirley Temple, David O. Selznick, Cecil B. DeMille, Marlene Dietrich, and Frank Sinatra.

A native Angeleno, Silver-

man will speak about many of the houses he has researched, showing rare photos of the homes, their residents, and historic Los Angeles.

THE HOME was moved in 1930 to its current location.

ning May 1 at windsorsquarehancockpark.com, president Richard Battaglia said.

Author and architectural historian Silverman writes

custom-made books about the history of Los Angeles homes, commissioned exclusively for homeowners. Many of his works have chronicled the houses of

Robinson Gardens, estate go ‘Oh! Naturale’ May 18 Visitors can view the Virginia Robinson Gardens and estate at the “Oh! Naturale”

garden tour, 1008 Elden Way, Sat., May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

B Gaddy ElEctric since 1978.

Residential • CommeRCial

• Upgrades • Landscape • Pool Lights • Phone & Computer Lines • Security & Emergency Lighting

Call Bill 323-462-1023 Licensed & Insured

Local References

LIC #700914

©LC1010

Service & Repairs

Grand marshals for the events are Eduardo and Elena Baldi of the restaurant E. Baldi. Thirty interior and floral designers will have their work showcased, with a different designer decorating each room on the estate.

Participants can also watch a fashion show, attend a luncheon and shop at the boutique.

Tickets start at $250 for general admission; $75 for children ages 8 to 12.

For more information, visit robinsongardens.org/gardentour-2019.

Searching?

Who is representing you?

Ali Jack

Windsor Square Native & Marlborough Alumna.

213.507.3959 ali.jack@compass.com @thealijack DRE: 01952539

“Ali helped us to find our dream home and we could not be happier with our experience. She was tenacious in her negotiations for us & took time to listen to our needs. We felt like she gave us the “white glove” service and I would highly recommend anyone to use her for your housing needs.”

- M. Alling

501 North Stanley Avenue, Beverly Grove Just Listed 3 Bed | 3 Bath | $2,249,000 Totally Renovated + Pool

3232 Rowena Avenue, Los Feliz (4Plex) Just Sold for $50,000 Under Asking $1,900,000 Represented Buyer

5

402 N Plymouth, Larchmont Village Just Sold with Multiple Offers $1,350,000 Represented Buyer

Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice.

6

LIBRARY CALENDAR Crafts, stories, books at Fairfax Library

Story telling, crafts and book sales are at the Fairfax branch library, 161 S. Gardner St., this month.

Story Telling and Reading (STAR) sessions by volunteers for kids of all ages are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. After three visits, a child can take home a free book.

Teens and tweens ages eight to 18 can participate in a fun art activity Tuesdays at 4 p.m.

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 Place 323-957-4550

Hours

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

Mon., Weds.: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Tues., Thurs.: 12 – 8 p.m.

Fri., Sat.: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Closed Mon., May 27

Pick up used books, DVDs and CDs at bargain prices and help support the library Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 323-936-6191. o o o

Comic books, health classes at Wilshire Library

Learn how to sign up for Medi-Cal or discuss favorite comic books and graphic novels this month at Wilshire branch library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. Learn how to apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal Wed., May 15 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Teens and adults who enjoy reading graphic novels and discussing comic book heroes can share snacks and discuss their favorite stories and characters Tues., May 28 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call 323-957-4550. o o o

Art of paper folding at Fremont Library

All ages seven years and above can learn the art of origami (Japanese paper folding) at John C. Fremont branch library, 6121 Melrose Ave., Tues., May 9 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 323-962-3521, or visit lapl.org.

o o o

Kumihimo taught at Memorial

Teens can learn kumihimo (Japanese braidmaking) this month at Memorial branch library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., Weds., May 15 at 4 p.m.

Kumihimo, which is made by interlacing strands of cords or ribbon, is Japanese for “gathered threads.” At the end of the class, students can bring home a bracelet.

For more information, call 323-938-2732.

‘Dogs! A Science Tail’ explores bond

Learn how dogs are not only lovable companions, but also how they sniff out danger and provide help to people in need at “Dogs! A Science Tail” at the California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Dr. Hands-on exhibits will help visitors explore the science behind the bond between dogs and humans. Displays will show visitors how a dog sees, hears and smells.

Rescue dogs, service dogs and companion dogs will visit occasionally, and a 3-D film, “Superpower Dogs,” will be showing.

For more information, visit californiasciencecenter.org.

Film noir, Laurel & Hardy in Last Remaining Seats line-up

The Los Angeles Bitter Stems) is an Conservancy’s anArgentinian film nual Last Remainnoir directed by Fering Seats summer nando Ayala, one of film program will Argentina’s key discreen classic films rectors. The film will noir and recently screen at the Million restored films in its Dollar Theatre, June Stan Laurel & June line up.

8 at 2 p.m., and is in Oliver Hardy Film noir fans Spanish with Engcan enjoy two remarkable ex- lish subtitles. Alan K. Rode amples of the classic genre on from the Film Noir FoundaSat., June 8. “The Maltese Fal- tion, who was instrumental in con,” at Million Dollar Theatre its restoration, will be part of at 8 p.m., is the directorial the pre-show program. debut of the legendary John In time for Father’s Day, Huston and stars Humphrey “Spartacus” will screen at the Bogart and Mary Astor in what Theatre at Ace Hotel on Sun., is considered by many to be June 16. the first major film noir.

Laurel & Hardy’s silent “Los tallos amargos” (The short, “The Battle of the Century,” will play at the Orpheum Movies under the Theatre Sat., June 22 at 2 stars at Hollywood p.m. For decades, only pieces of short film were known to Forever Cemetery this exist.

However, in 2015, footSee movies under the eveage that was thought to have ning sky at Cinespia’s 18th been lost was rediscovered. season of cinema at HollyLaurel & Hardy fans will enwood Forever Cemetery, 6000 joy live accompaniment on the Santa Monica Blvd.

Movies showing include Orpheum’s Mighty Wurlitzer “Beetlejuice,” Sat., May 11; organ. This silent short is leg“The Matrix,” Sat., May 18; endary for its use of over 3,000 “Legally Blonde,” Sat., May 25 cream pies in its climactic pie and “Rear Window,” Sun., May fight scene! The other Laurel & 26. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.; Hardy film on that day is a talkie considered to be one of their movies begin at 8:30 p.m. best films, “Sons of the Desert.”

Visit cinespia.org.

+COOP

CURATED GIFTS + HOME GOODS

BY JENNA COOPER|LA 654 N. Larchmont Blvd.

JENNA COOPER | LA

LUXURY LOS ANGELES REAL ESTATE

jennacooperla.com

@shopcoopla

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

3033 WILSHIRE 3033Wilshire.com Sophisticated urban dwelling in the heart of LA’s vibrant Koreatown.

717 OLYMPIC 717Olympic.com Iconic and breathtaking, within walking distance to Staples Center in the South Park district.

PENTHOUSE

APARTMENTS

Our luxurious penthouses feature refined finishes, upgraded appliances, private balconies, and sweeping views VISION ON WILSHIRE VisionOnWilshire.com The ultimate luxury lifestyle. Close to the best of Beverly Hills with panoramic views.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

ARBORIST DIRECTORY

Not sure what to do about that tree? Call an arborist

Trees, like many living things, require water, sunshine, oxygen, food (good soil), and enough space to grow. They can live decades, or even centuries, providing us with shade, fruit, bird habitat and more, if they remain healthy and have the proper care.

Sometimes, however, a specialist is needed to determine what is the proper care for a tree and / or to carry out that care. From creeping roots that take over pipes to disease brought on by insects, age, or neglect, trees may need professional help. A pine or cedar will need different care from a live oak or a Japanese maple. A tree care specialist, or an arborist, can help.

Arborists can ran range anywhere from an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist who knows how to properly prune a tree, to a specialist in urban growth, to someone who knows how to work with trees that grow around power lines, to a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) with the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) who can let you know if a tree

is sick or how it is impacting its environment and what the next steps should be.

Following is a list of arborists for the next time you have a tree question. There are many different types of arborists.

This is not a complete list. For more information, see ASCA listings at asca-consultants. org and ISA listings at treesaregood.org.

Arborist companies Bartlett Tree Experts ISA Certified Arborists on staff: Isaac Diaz, Bryan Locke, Roderick Mann, Richard McLeod, Dan Thacker 841 E. Mission Rd. San Gabriel, CA 91778 626-286-2716 bartlett.com Carlberg Associates Cy Carlberg, Principal, ASCA, RCA#450, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Qualification Tree Risk Assessor, Certified Urban Forester Christy Cuba: ASCA, RCA #502, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Qualification Tree Risk Assessor

Scott McAllaster: ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Qualification Tree Risk Assessor Teresa Proscewicz: ISA Certified Arborist, State of California Pest Control Applicator, ISA Qualification Tree Risk Assessor James Sanchez: ISA Certified Arborist, Certified Environmental Horticulturist 828 5th St., #3 Santa Monica, CA 90403 310-451-4804 cycarlberg.com City Forester Luke Midura: Senior Project Manager, ASCA, RCA #639, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Chad Giblin: Chief Science Officer, ISA Certified Arborist Pieter Severynen: Certified Landscap Architect, ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA member 2523 Euclid St. Santa Monica, CA, 90405 424-394-1576

Evergreen Arborist Consultants Michael Green, RCA #602 Ruben Green, RCA #559 ASCA, ISA Certified Arborists 5670 Wilshire Blvd., #1800 213-293-2444

310-913-5203 greenarborists.com

McKinley and Associates William McKinley ASCA member, ISA Certified Arborist 1734 Del Valle Ave. Glendale, CA 91208 williiam@mckinleyarborists.com 818-426-2432 mckinleyarborists.com PTS Tree Service Kelly Lewis ASCA, RCA #669 ISA Certified Arborist 2509 Scott Pl. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 treesurgeonklewis@yahoo.com 818-512-5625 ptstreeservice.com Tree Care LA Nick Araya: Owner, ASCA member, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification ISA Certified Arborists on staff: Pedro Arechiga, Karina Nordbak, Oscar Sanchez, Ben Towers, Ricardo Vasquez Inglewood, CA 90302 323-327-1611 treecarela.com

Certified arborists

(in addition to those above) Ryan Allen ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Los Angeles, CA 90020 rallen@dudek.com 626-658-0070 dudek.com Dave Aviram Thrifty Tree Service ISA Certified Arborist 18625 Topham St. Tarzana, CA 91335 dave@thriftytreeservice.com 818-996-4577 thriftytreeservice.com Brian Baldauf ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Los Angeles, CA 90065 brian.baldauf@mrca.ca.gov 323-221-9944 Henry Bravo Forest Green Tree Service ISA Certified Arborist Culver City, CA 90230 henry@forestgreentreeservice.com 310-717-5423

Shar Penfold Presents. . . . .

PRESTIGIOUS LOCATION 435 S. Lorraine Blvd. | $4,449,000 Highly sought after location and property in Windsor Square, Hancock Park with 3rd floor upper level suitable for gym, media room or nanny quarters. Open the oversized front door to a grand entry and sweeping staircase. Your eyes will be drawn to the large rear garden through the sliding glass doors, at the end of the wide central hallway. Outstanding floor plan has larger scale rooms with high ceilings and ornate moldings. 5 beds and 4.5 baths plus guesthouse. Large grassy back garden with pool. Exceptional opportunity. Property is located the HPOZ - Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. Trust sale no court approval needed.

Shar Penfold 323.356.1311

sharpenfold@gmail.com CalDRE #: 01510192

251 N. Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. Š2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalDRE #:01510192

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

9

ARBORIST DIRECTORY Michael Crane Arbor Care, Inc. ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Pasadena, CA 91115 info@arborcareinc.net 626-737-4007 Kathleen Ferguson Kathleen Ferguson Landscapes ISA Certified Arborist Los Angeles, CA 90065 kf@kathleenferguson.com 323-221-2248 kathleenferguson.com Lynnette Kampe ISA Certified Arborist Los Angeles, CA 90065 lynnette.kampe@gmail.com 323-305-4232 Arsen Margossian Bardez Landscape Services ASCA member, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Qualification, State of California Pest Control Adviser and Applicator 3512 Rosemary Ave. Glendale, CA 91208 arsenm@pacbell.net 818-957-7175 bardezlandscape.com Steve Marshall The Urban Lumberjack, LLC ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree

Risk Assessment Qualification 5937 Great Oak Circle Los Angeles, CA 90042 theurbanlumberjack@sbcglobal.net 323-664-9473 theurbanlumberjack.com Miguel Mendoza M & M Gardens ISA Certified Arborist Los Angeles, CA 90066 mike@mmgardens.com 310-398-4410 Stephanie Reed Pierre Landscape ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification 5455 2nd St. Irwindale, CA 91706 sreed@pierrelandscapt.com 626-873-7971 pierrelandscape.com Patricia Smith ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Qualification Los Angeles, CA 90027 patlsmith@pacbell.net 323-665-1940

Consulting arborists

Greg Ainsworth Senior Arborist, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk As-

sessment Qualification Ventura, CA 93003 gainsworth@esassoc.com 818-564-5544

Mark Porter Marks Tree Service and Consulting ASCA member, ISA Certified Arborist 6111 Alhambra Ave. Riverside, CA 92505 markstree@charter.net 951-354-8733

Riverside, CA 92505 951-688-6043 knappassociates@gmail.com

John Burke L.A. Johnny Landscape Architect, ASCA, RCA #591, ISA Certified Arborist 10880 Del Norte St., #27 Ventura, CA 93004 john@lajohnny.com 805-754-9393

Carl Mellinger Mellinger Tree and Landscape Service, LLC ASCA, RCA # 620, ISA Certified Arborist 760 San Lorenzo St. Santa Monica, CA 90402 ginkgoone@aol.com 310-454-2033

Cris Falco Tree Path, LLC ASCA, RCA #557, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification 1318 E. Walnut Creek Pkwy.

West Covina, CA 91709 cfalco@treepath.com 619-313-3939

Greg Monfette Neighborhood Consulting Arborist ASCA, RCA #481, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification 4617 Purdue Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 ncatree@gmail.com 310-902-6581

Kay Greeley Seven Elk Ranch Design, Inc. ASCA member, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification 5328 Alhama Dr. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 kaygreeley@earthlink.net 805-577-8432

Kerry Norman Arbor Essence ASCA, RCA #471, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification 121 W. Lexington Dr., # 600-A Glendale, CA 91203 arboressence@sbcglobal.net 310-592-1104 arboressence.net

Samuel Knapp 5187 Golden Ave.

Featured Listing for the Month of May by

Jan C. Scow Allison Lancaster Jan C. Scow Consulting Arborists, LLC ASCA, RCA #382, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Santa Monica, CA 90404 Ojai, CA 93023 info@janscow.com 818-789-9127 janscow.com Jerome Smith Jerome Smith Arboriculture, LLC ASCA, RCA #644, ISA Certified Arborist P.O. Box 5186 Culver City, CA 90231 jsmith67@mac.com 310-877-0227 Lisa Smith The Tree Resource ASCA, RCA #464 ISA Certified Arborist (Please turn to page 10)

une

hn

89 Fremont Place - New Listing Open Tuesday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Offered at $5,999,000 | 4 Bedrooms and 5 Baths | Located just South of Wilshire & Rossmore. Go to guard gate.

Charming traditional estate in historic Fremont Pl. 24 hour security guarded and gated. Thoughtfully designed & renovated: two over sized master suites with open patios upstairs as well as a third bedroom with full bath & powder room. Downstairs with large bedroom and attached bath. Some other recent upgrades are: Extended master suites with open patios upstairs, foundation bolted, upgraded plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Open concept layout, entry opens into the huge living room which flows to the piano room and dining room. The gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite marble island and pantry joins together the family room and the breakfast area which leads to the beautifully landscaped backyard. Downstairs laundry room off the kitchen.

June Ahn

International President’s Elite

cell: 323.855.5558

juneahn21@gmail.com CalDRE #: 01188513

251 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004

Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. Š2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalDRE #: 01188513

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

Real Estate Sales

SOLD: This home at 827 S. Mullen Ave in Brookside was sold in March for $1,727,000.

Single-family homes 335 S. Rimpau Blvd.

138 N. Norton Ave. 339 S. Citrus Ave. 824 S. Citrus Ave. 125 S. Plymouth Blvd.

145 S. Van Ness Ave. 634 N. Cherokee Ave. 746 N. Orange Dr. 327 N. Beachwood Dr. 709 Lorraine Blvd.

167 S. Highland Ave. 644 S. Highland Ave. 528 N. Orange Dr. 829 S. Mullen Ave. 222 N. St. Andrews Pl. 743 S. Gramercy Dr. 621 Lillian Way 513 N. Mansfield Ave. 334 S. Orange Dr. 571 N. Arden Blvd.

152 S. Arden Blvd.

537 N. Bronson Ave. 416 N. Irving Blvd.

327 N. Plymouth Blvd.

658 N. Gramercy Pl. 542 N. Serrano Ave. 866 S. Wilton Pl. 119 N. Manhattan Pl. 858 S. Wilton Pl.

Hancock Park New Listing: Stunning 6 Bedroom/7 Bath Mediterranean Estate With Pool, Pool House and Guest House Stunning Mediterranean estate newly listed! Beautifully restored and updated with original details throughout - soaring and meticulously restored living room ceiling, original tiles, fine wrought iron details, original hardwood floors with inlay details, tastefully updated kitchen and baths, paneled study, Juliette balcony, and a gated and private motor court. Beautiful guest house and pool cabana.

JILL GALLOWAY Estates Director, Sunset Strip 323.842.1980 jill@jillgalloway.com jillgalloway.com DRE 01357870

-

Main House ± 6,568 Sq. Ft. Guest House ± 1,200 Sq. Ft. Approx.

Lot Size ± 12,605 Sq. Ft. Listed at $8,399,000

Please contact me for details!

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

$11,347,742 4,350,000 3,550,000 3,360,000 3,345,000 3,325,000 2,815,000 2,230,000 2,125,000 2,000,000 1,950,000 1,940,000 1,763,800 1,727,000 1,687,500 1,676,900 1,665,000 1,580,000 1,500,000 1,499,000 1,415,000 1,374,000 1,110,000 1,100,000 1,090,000 1,050,000 989,000 955,000 880,000

Condominiums

641 Wilcox Ave., #2F 102 S. Manhattan Pl., #107 647 Wilcox Ave., #1H 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #329 4255 W. 5th St., #104

Arborist Directory

(Continued from page 9) PO Box 49314 Los Angeles, CA 90049 lisa@thetreeresource.com 310-663-2290 thetreeresource.com Frank Spina ASCA member 6236 Bellflower Blvd.

Lakewood, CA 90713 franks@salcolsg.com 562-925-0266 Michael B. Ventura Ventura’s Tree Management

$1,055,000 600,000 497,500 360,000 330,000

Tree Risk Assessor ASCA member, Certified Arborist WE-2180A mvtreemgmt@verizon.net 909-944-9777 Michael Wallich Campus Arborist/ Private Full Time Consultant Landscape Specialist University of Southern California ASCA, RCA #609, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Municipal Specialist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification 124 S. Sunset Ave. Azusa, CA 91702 wallich@usc.edu 626-771-6583

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

Our Space is Your Place More of a community outpost than a traditional office, Compass’s innovatively designed space in the 1920s Keystone Building is now available to host your civicminded gatherings, from local charitable organization meetings to philanthropic events.

Interior Design: Tom Boland | Photography: Peter Vitale

Featuring: • •

Indoor & outdoor meeting and event spaces can accommodate up to 50 guests each Outdoor terrace with views of Downtown LA, the Hollywood sign and Griffith Park Observatory

323.880.4815 156 No. Larchmont Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90004 License 01866771 compass.com

• • •

Conference room can accommodate up to 10 guests Use of spaces is complimentary Advance scheduling required

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

Legends being honored at Icons of Design

CHRIS BURDEN, “Exposing the Foundation of the Museum,” 1986. Artwork courtesy of the Chris Burden Estate.

Photo by Squidds and Nunns

Exhibit honors MOCA’s 40th The Museum of Contemporary Art, MOCA, celebrates its 40th with an exhibit opening Sat., May 19 at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. A selection of artworks will be featured in “The Foundation of the Museum: MOCA’s Collection.” The exhibit includes works that speak to the diversity of collecting since 1979 and the social and cultural backdrops that inform the art. (MOCA’s collection numbers 7,000 objects dating from the 1930s to the present.)

The exhibit continues through Jan. 13, 2020.

MOCA Geffen is at 152 N. Central Ave., originally the Larchmont Chronicle publisher’s great-grandfather’s Union

Hardware & Metal Co. in Little Tokyo — renovated into the MOCA Temporary Contemporary by architect Frank Gehry.

Shop at Craft Contemporary

Shop for jewelry, clothing and other items at Article, Craft Contemporary’s oneday fundraising event, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., Sat., May 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Music and complimentary refreshments will also be available.

All proceeds from sales benefit Craft Contemporary.

Admission is free with museum admission.

Visit cafam.org.

GREG MOESSER

Honorees at La Cienega Design Quarter’s (LCDQ) Legends 2019 are East and West Coast designers Bunny Williams and Suzanne Rheinstein.

Both Williams and Rheinstein have four decades of experience sharing their ideas for gracious ways of living and design.

Rheinstein, Windsor Square, opened her antique furniture and one-of-a-kind decor shop, Hollyhock, at 214 N. Larchmont Blvd., in 1988, later moving to West Hollywood and then La Cienega.

(The shop closed in 2018.)

Rheinstein and Williams will be honored at LCDQ’s opening party Tues., May 7 at 6 p.m. at the Fig & Olive, open to VIP registrations only.

This year’s event, “Legendary: Icons of Design,” is May 7 to 9, and features multiple locations and 50 designers. Events will be held in La Cienega Design Quarter shops, showrooms and galleries. Registration fee is $95.

Interior designers from around the country will transform windows of the 50 LCDQ locations and design authors will speak on their books.

The programs celebrate design stars of yesteryear and will honor two Living Legends, Rheinstein and Williams.

Bunny Williams will talk to Whitney Robinson of “Elle De-

Bunny Williams

Suzanne Rheinstein

cor” on Wed., May 8, and Suzanne Rheinstein will be joined

by Jill Waage of “Traditional Home” on Thurs., May 9.

Rheinstein’s best-selling book, “At Home: A Style for Today with Things from the Past,” (Rizzoli, 2010) was followed by “Rooms for Living,” (Rizzoli, 2015).

Gardens are a passion of Rheinstein, who lives in one of Los Angeles’ oldest neighborhoods, in a home built in 1913.

Charities that she supports include the Garden Conservancy and Friends of Robinson Gardens. She and Williams both are on the National Advisory Committee for The Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville, an annual charity event raising funds to improve the lives

of children and families in the greater Nashville area.

Rheinstein also supports LA Opera 90012, a program initiated by her late husband, Frederic Rheinstein, which every year provides free opera tickets to dozens of high school students who have entered an essay contest.

Rheinstein and her work have been featured in numerous lifestyle publications and blogs. She has been part of AD100 and the “Elle Decor” AList. She recently received the Legacy Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture, Southern California, and the NYSID Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

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Design for Living ZABEL HOME, designed by Nick Dean, is included on May 5 Open Day tour.

Landscape designers weave together a variety of elements

By Rachel Olivier Clear sunny skies and balmy breezes have returned, bringing burgeoning gardens and the move to outdoor living that is quintessentially Los Angeles. Read on to learn about local landscape designers who know the neighborhood and the ins and outs of Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) guidelines ... and who can help you whip your outdoor living and gardening spaces into shape.

Patricia Benner has been a landscape designer since “1995-ish,” but came to it by way of her master’s degree in business administration from Boston University. After eventually landing in Los Angeles, she wanted to renovate her garden space, and her mother, who is a landscape designer on the East Coast, sent her a plan. In implementing it, Benner “caught the bug,” she says. Soon after, she had a master’s degree in landscape architecture from USC. Three factors she takes into consideration when assessing a garden are the architectural style of the home, the character of the site, and the cli-

ent’s requests. Elements she takes into account include creating outdoor rooms, shade, and water features.

In addition, having previously been on an HPOZ board, Benner says she is very familiar with the requirements that need to be met for historic homes.

Visit benner-design.com or call 323-933-1091.

Nick Dean, who designed the Zabel garden (which is on the Garden Conservancy’s Open Day tour this month), and who has also had gardens on the Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden tour, started out as a hobbyist gardener. As a teen growing up in a Victorian home in England, he loved creating hidden surprises and secret gardens for people to discover — an element that is still part of his design style to this day.

After planning gardens for himself and for friends for a few years, he decided to go into business as a landscape designer. That was at least 20 years ago, he says.

When he approaches a space, Dean says that, after speaking with clients, (Please turn to page 14)

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Design, build contractors talk the home renovation process

By Billy Taylor The average homeowner might feel overwhelmed at the prospect of taking on a major renovation project. Budgets, timelines and most importantly, design decisions, all need to be made. To learn more about the process, as well as current design trends, I turned to two local design, build contractors.

Home Front Build In the design and construction business for more than 16 years, Home Front Build was founded by Steve Pallrand, who first worked in the movie industry designing and building sets, giving him a unique perspective to the industry.

Speaking last month with the company’s senior designer, Greg Roth, I asked him about how his company approaches the design, build process.

“It all starts with a conversation with the client to go over their vision and requirements,” says Roth. “From there, we can give recommendations, research historic preservation requirements, and then the design and permitting process begins.” In all, Roth says that a homeowner should

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expect the process to take anywhere from three to 18 months.

Most homes in Greater-Wilshire were built in the 1920s. Does that impact the way you approach the job?

“There are a lot of historical restoration projects in Hancock Park and Windsor Square. Sometimes clients want to remodel and be as true to the original design as possible, others want a modern feel, not so concerned about specific styles. That’s where we can help. We look at the house, designed and constructed in one time-period, and find ways to make it a home for a modern lifestyle,” says Roth.

Many older homes were built with private spaces and areas used exclusively for staff, according to Roth, leaving public spaces in the front of the houses completely closed off from the back of the house. “We like to open walls to create light-filled spaces, which improve the flow of a home.

And we pay close attention to structure and finishes, to make the home feel as beautiful as possible,” added Roth.

What are the design trends for 2019?

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DESIGN FOR LIVING Landscape

(Continued from page 13) he also looks for inspiration from the architecture of the home, whether it has colonial, modern, or Spanish aspects.

Other elements he considers include the scale of the space, such as width and heft of the existing plants, as well as texture and fluidity, and also what plants would be appropriate in Southern California’s climate.

Visit nickdeanlandscapedesign.com or call 323-828-3858.

For Sonny Estrada, garden and landscape design is a family affair. Both his father and grandfather were gardeners, albeit more practical in nature.

Estrada says he has always been more creative, even when he was helping his dad back in high school. He took an interest in art and architecture early on, and he began putting that creativity into his gardening

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he says. The “Brilliant Garden,” which is on the Open Day tour this month, is his design.

Some of the elements in his design include using stonework and pots to create texture. Walkways help create a flow through the garden.

He focuses on how to create separate “garden rooms” and a look that’s not too formal, and takes upkeep into consideration. Two of his favorite plants are wisteria and the tababua tree (the latter is related to the jacaranda).

Visit sslandscapedesign.biz or call 323-216-6027.

Jonathan Harnish, who has a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, designed the garden for a 1909 Craftsman home that was on the Theodore Payne tour this year.

Harnish often works with

historic homes and takes HPOZ guidelines into consideration in his designs. After discovering his clients’ ideas and budget, Harnish also looks at the scale of the space with its constraints and opportunities. Texture, shade and sustainability are some of the elements Harnish considers when designing a landscape. He says he likes to use California-friendly and drought tolerant plants to create a naturalistic style, and likes to plan so that there is a variety of interest and color throughout the year, as well as plants that will attract pollinators and provide wildlife habitat. In the garden on the tour, Harnish used decomposed granite and repurposed concrete, which added visual appeal and helped minimize waste.

Visit insitelandscapedesign. com or call 310-962-2789.

Judy Horton, who designed the Rheinstein garden that is on the Open Day tour this month, says she has “been a gardener all her life, but a designer since 1993 or so.” Her career began organically from a love of gardening. She moved from gardening to planning landscapes for herself and her friends. Then she and another local resident landscape designer, Cheryl Lerner, partnered for a few years together, before moving on to separate design careers.

Horton believes that every garden design is a collaboration between the client, the architecture and the neighborhood. And she says she

helps the client articulate what he or she is looking for in a landscape design. Horton also looks at the scale of the garden, how it fits with the architecture, and the strong and weak elements and how to use those to their best advantage.

Visit jmhgardendesign.com or call 323·462·1413.

Marilee Kuhlmann’s name is familiar if you have ever taken a class on sustainability or drought tolerant gardening at places such as The Theodore Payne Foundation or with groups such as the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.

She specializes in using California native and other drought tolerant plants together with sustainable practices, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, to create a rich Southern California landscape that includes shade and shelter and a pleasant space to be in, as well as provide habitat and food for wildlife.

Visit urbanwatergroup.com or call 424-367-1203.

Although Cheryl Lerner has been “gardening since she was a toddler in Oregon,” she became a landscape designer only after first studying in Italy and working on political campaigns and in advertising. When she moved to Los Angeles, she opened a custom floral shop on La Brea Avenue, and her design business grew from there.

Lerner says she approaches designing a space by first (Please turn to page 15)

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DESIGN FOR LIVING Landscape

(Continued from page 14) learning what her clients are looking for, how they will use the space, and how the garden will be cared for after it has been installed.

She likes to use climateappropriate plants, which are not always native to the area. Southern California has a specific Mediterranean climate that can also be found in Central Chile, Southwestern Australia and South Africa, she says. Lerner also considers the architecture of the home, any existing trees and structures, the soil she has to work with, the play of light and shadow in the space, and how it looks at different times of the day.

Email cklerner@ca.rr.com or call 213-458-1529.

To do more research on how you might like to change the look of your own landscape, check out the demonstration garden at the John Ferraro Building (the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power headquarters downtown).

Type “demonstration garden” into the search box at ladwp. com. Locally, you can get inspiration designing a garden space for a historic home from the Hancock Park Garden Club’s leaflet, “Your Next Front Yard” (hancockparkgardenclub.com/your-nextfront-yard).

RHEINSTEIN GARDEN designed by Judy Horton is part of Open Day tour.

‘Open Day’ shows off local gardens

LANDSCAPE AT a residence on 4th and Windsor, designed by Patricia Benner, incorporates scale and architecture of the home.

View local gardens on the Garden Conservancy’s “Open Day” tour Sun., May 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The tour starts at Marlborough School at 250 S. Rossmore Ave., where participants can get day pass or single entry tickets and a map.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/y6o67mtj.

Showcase House is at Descanso Boddy House The 55th Pasadena Showcase House of Design is being held at the Boddy House on the grounds of Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge through May 19.

The Hollywood Regency style, 12,000-square-foot mansion was designed by James E. Dolena and reimagined by 27 designers. Among them is Serena Brosio, a Sycamore Square-based designer. Working with West Hollywood’s Frank Slesinski, she created a blue-and-white guest bedroom suite.

Tickets for the showcase are $35 - $50 and include parking and shuttle service. Shops at Showcase, Showcase design talks, and an art gallery dedicated to California painters are on the site. Maple Restaurant and Camelia Cocktail Lounge are also open. Proceeds benefit arts and music programs throughout Southern California.

Visit PasadenaShowcase. org or call 714-442-3872.

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DESIGN FOR LIVING (Continued from page 13) “People are still interested in pattern tile and bold colors,” says Roth. “But recently there is a trend to maintain a lowcarbon footprint in regards to construction and design.”

Building beautiful homes with minimal impact to the environment can be stylish, too: “I particularly love using hemp, a very durable and malleable textile. And in terms of flooring, bamboo is a highly sustainable product,” says Roth. Another environ-

mentally sustainable approach is the use of “recycled” or “reclaimed” wood, which is removed from old houses for new projects: “It can be a little more costly because of labor costs, but produces some really impressive results.”

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Pobal Construction Originally from Ireland, Pobal Construction owner Neil Donnelly worked as a carpenter on the Emerald Isle until he relocated to San Francisco, where he gained experience working on Victorian and Edwardian home renovations.

In 2013, he moved to Los Angeles and set up shop.

As a carpenter, what are your thoughts on renovating a historical home?

“With homes built in the 1920s, they require a builder

with a deep respect, appreciation and knowledge of the architectural style in order to carefully preserve the home while providing longevity, functionality and value,” said Donnelly.

To begin a new project, Donnelly says that an initial meeting with the client helps to establish the basics, and it helps him “understand how rigid the client wants to be with respect to the property’s architecture.” From there, construction technique, materials used, and cost information are provided to the client.

What design trends are you seeing most in 2019?

“The return of terrazzo!” says Donnelly, who adds that the material can be used on floors and countertops. Other trends include using wallpaper and crown-molding to embellish ceilings, and two-tone cabinetry with a soft color palette.

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MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

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JF Chen offers an eclectic perspective on design

By Billy Taylor Windsor Square resident Joel Chen has spent the last four decades building a reputation as one of the best antique and decorative arts

dealers in Los Angeles. His eponymously-named business, JF Chen, now boasts a collection of museum-quality art and furniture, spread across 30,000 square feet of gallery

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ing Italian and Regency furniture,” says Chen, who soon learned how to visit auction houses and international markets to find special pieces.

Today, Chen presides over a collection of museum-quality furniture, lighting, accessories and art, ranging from period pieces to 20th- and 21st-century masterpieces.

How does he approach the acquisition process? “I don’t look for anything specific,” says Chen. “Whatever fancies me, I buy. That is, with the prerequisite that the object must have some kind of provenance and quality to it.”

LACMA support With a natural eye for good design, Chen has championed designers such as Ray Eames, Ettore Sottsass and Hans Wegner, among many others. In fact, Chen was a major lender to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in 2006 for a retrospective of Sottsass’ work.

As a member of LACMA’s Decorative Arts and Design Council (DADC), Chen says that he is happy to help the museum whenever he can: (Please turn to page 19)

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designs with a selection of fashions from the archives of costume designer Lynn Pickwell. But more on that later.

Humble beginnings Last month, I stopped by JF Chen’s main gallery, located at 1000 N. Highland Ave., to talk with the founder about his passion for good design and his love for Windsor Square.

According to Chen, it all started in the mid-’70s when, after walking by an antique store located on Melrose Place, he tried to enter. “But they wouldn’t let me in, saying it was for trade only,” he says. The Shanghai native sensed the real reason was racially motivated, which both annoyed and inspired him. “I wish it didn’t happen that way, but that was my motivation to open my own store. I had no clue, but just like that, I decided to open an antique shop.”

Chen borrowed $6,000 and traveled to Hong Kong to start buying antiques: “I came back with a whole container full of junk,” he says modestly.

“The first few years, I concentrated on Chinese antiques.

Then, slowly, I started collect-

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DESIGN FOR LIVING

JF Chen

(Continued from page 18) “Being an art dealer, I can help LACMA find certain items they want. Sometimes I help introduce the museum to other dealers,” he explains.

For this work, Chen was honored by LACMA in 2012 with DADC’s Design Leadership Award. At that time, DADC’s department head Wendy Kaplan said: “Joel is legendary for nurturing young designers as well as presenting the best historical work, and we are happy to have the opportunity to recognize his inspiring role in the community as well as his many contributions to LACMA.” Collision On the topic of presenting historical works, on view now through May 30, furniture meets fashion in JF Chen’s newest exhibition, “Collision,” at the company’s C-Project location, 830 N. Highland Ave. Curated by Chen’s oldest daughter, Bianca, the exhibit pairs iconic furniture designs from Chen’s galleries with a selection of pieces from the archives of Lynn Pickwell, a longtime Hollywood costume designer and stylist.

According to Bianca, the idea was sparked after Joel introduced his daughter to Lynn Pickwell, who mentioned she had an archive of over 200 pieces of fashion from a broad range of designers. Bianca says she was instantly interested in viewing the pieces, so they scheduled a time to meet.

“She starts bringing them out and they were amazing,” says Bianca. They needed to be seen by the public, she thought, but the collection was not all one era, or one style.

“So that made me think,” says Bianca. “That’s kind of like our store too, which gave me the idea of a collision of design and fashion.

“What excites me most about the exhibit is that there is so much fast fashion and fast furniture these days. This collection reminds us that craftsmanship matters.”

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JOEL CHEN started his business with a $6,000 loan.

I asked the owner about his clientele. Chen admitted that, in decades past, a lot of his business came from Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, but that in recent years, he has seen a lot more business from Hancock Parkarea homes.

“The younger generation is moving in and renovating their houses,” he guessed.

“Everything is changing, and I want to say for the better,” says Chen, although he did show concern for what will become of the recently purchased Lipson Building on Larchmont Boulevard.

“But thank goodness for the work of the Windsor Square Association and the local historical society,” he says.

“They have kept the neighborhood intact through the HPOZ [Historic Preservation Overlay Zone]. I think that was a godsend.”

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By Rachel Olivier Bill McWhorter, Hancock Park, likes making things look better. From interior flooring and window treatments to the light and landscape of an exterior, McWhorter enjoys updating and sprucing up a building from the inside out, creating a flow out of the entire aesthetic of the space.

Referring to his projects as “façade lifts,” McWhorter says he got into “treating the whole building” rather than just the interior about six years ago. As an interior designer and member ofSummer the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) with 35 Savings! years of experience under his belt, he has a history of improving theSenior spaces he works on. Previously, when engaged on inteDiscounts rior design projects, he would offer to update the landscaping as part of that extra touch he extended to clients. Eventually, he made that part of his process official and began including façade lifts as a regular service available through his website.

He is an award-winning designer, and his first award was as a junior at Ohio State University for the Better Homes

BILL MCWHORTER with some of the updated landscaping at an apartment on 6th Street.

and Gardens Home Improvement Competition for his room in his fraternity house. More recently, he was recognized in 2009 by the Los Angeles Mart Design Center for his service to the design industry.

Typically, he has worked on older mid-century buildings that are structurally sound, but need updating. And McWhorter says he likes the holistic concept of treating the entire building.

One building on Carlton Way in Hollywood he referred to as the “refrigerator” building. It was a big, dirty white (Please turn to page 21)

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EXTERIOR LIGHTING and landscaping are part of the “façade lift” done on this apartment building on 6th Street.

McWhorter

(Continued from page 20) block with a dead rose garden to greet tenants entering and leaving the building. With that building, he used seven shades of gray, including a brushed aluminum for the street numbers, and a red accent. The dead rose garden was replaced by drought-tolerant plants, including a large aloe bainsii berberae tree and an agave attenuata.

An apartment building on 6th Street was a dirty yellow color and had metal screen security doors and miscellaneous potted plants. It felt disjointed and prison-like, he said.

For that building’s update, sage brown was used for the

main color, with white and butter-yellow accents. The wrought iron stair railing was replaced with a stucco “pony wall” that made the over-all look more pulled together, McWhorter ex-

plains. He installed a series of shrubs that will fill in, as well as exterior accent lighting and other elements that opened up the look of the building.

McWhorter says that after the updates to the buildings, he notices a change to the tenants.

They smile more coming and going as the look of their building improves. And when one building gets spruced up, the rest of the neighborhood seems to follow, enhancing the look of the street over all.

For Bill McWhorter, improving life through design is part of why he does interior design.

From volunteering design hours

NEW FENCE and drought-tolerant plants updated the landscaping on this “façade lift.”

and helping organizations such as Project Angel Food, to helping a client revitalize a garden,

he wants to know he’s made a difference.

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By Julia Stier Known for having the largest selection of floor coverings in the country, Linoleum City (4849 Santa Monica Blvd.) has covered it all. From movie

Blvd. — the store finally landed at 4849 Santa Monica Blvd., where it resides today.

In the beginning, in an attempt to capitalize on its proximity to Sears, Linoleum City used to advertise by passing out yardsticks that had its address on it and the slogan “Sears is across from us.”

Later, when Linoleum City relocated to 5657 Santa Monica Blvd., the phrase on the yardsticks changed to “Sears is next to us.” Now, Linoleum City doesn’t need to piggyback on anyone. Its reputation for having the largest selection of flooring makes it stand out.

“Linoleum City has the most diverse offering of floor covering solutions in all of the greater Los Angeles area,” says Justin Landreth, an Armstrong Supplier, whose company frequently does business with Linoleum City.

Linoleum City has now expanded into a 15,000-squarefoot warehouse and showroom. Their large stock includes various options of cork, rubber, solid vinyl / luxury vinyl, vinyl sheet, bamboo, hardwood, carpet, laminate, ceramic, specialty and, of course, linoleum.

“We carry the entire gamut,” says Fred Stifter, current president of Linoleum City, and son of original owner, Bill Stifter.

In fact, in the late ’50s and ’60s, when other companies stopped selling real linoleum (a product made out of cork and linseed oil), Linoleum City was the only place in the United States that still provided it. And now, the company’s namesake is one of the most fashionable trends in flooring. “It’s one of the hottest things with the design community because it’s the friendliest floor that you

PRESIDENT Fred Stifter is son of the original owner.

can put down,” Stifter says of real linoleum. “It’s a green product and it’s recyclable.”

Being in Hollywood, Linoleum City has naturally had its fair share of encounters with the entertainment industry.

Many studios have turned to Linoleum City for sets, especially for decade-specific pieces.

Linoleum City has practically cornered the market on supplying retro-themed flooring for the film industry because “no one else has a red and white checkerboard [floor]. We do,” Stifter says. The company also provides a unique “hexagonal design that we have made special for the studios.”

(Please turn to page 23)

ITS STOCK has covered movie sets to household flooring.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

23

DESIGN FOR LIVING

The origins of May Day date back to Roman youth, Robin Hood I once heard that the daisy is bad luck. Is that true? queries Joan Crenshaw.

The delicate flower is not bad luck, but rather an ancient emblem of deceit due to the traditional and foolhardy practice of pulling its petals one by one — “He loves me, he loves me not.” Ophelia in “Hamlet” gives the queen a daisy to signify “that her light and fickle love ought not to expect constancy in her husband.”

The word is a corruption of the Old English daeges eage or day’s eye, so called because the flower closes its lashes

Linoleum City

(Continued from page 22)

DEaDlinE For thE JunE 2019 iSSuE iS fri., May 17, 2019.

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when the sun sets and opens them in the morning light.

• • • I know the Philistines were a people from the Old Testament, but how did the name come to describe people who only care about material things? asks Conor Bentley.

They were originally people from ancient Palestine (Philistia) who fought the Israelites and were hence dubbed a hea-

then foe. The application to the ill-behaved and ignorant, as well as the base and materialistic, stems from the term Philister which was used by German university students in the city of Jena to describe townspeople > outsiders with whom they were battling on a regular basis in the 1690s.

The word was then popularized in English by Matthew Arnold in his treatise “Culture and Anarchy.”

• • • In London, the horse troops who guard and parade in Whitehall are called “Household Cavalry.” Why? wonders Judy Jameson.

Actually, all soldiers who

attend the sovereign are called “Household” because their duties sometimes take them within the precincts of the private residences of the Queen (or King). The troops who engage in this high and special honor consist of the regiments of Household Cavalry — the Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards (or The Blues) and the Brigade of Guards — five regiments of Foot Guards — Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh.

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The first film that comes to Stifter’s mind that Linoleum City’s floors have appeared in is the 1999 film “The Green Mile,” directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan, for which they provided a mile’s worth of linoleum.

Perhaps the firm’s most recognizable contribution to the entertainment industry is that Linoleum City often has been in charge of the most important flooring in Hollywood history, the Academy Award ceremony’s iconic red carpet.

Stifter says that Linoleum City has rolled out the famed carpet for the ceremony more than once.

For those looking to cover their homes, rather than movie sets, Linoleum City has you covered as well.

The people at Linoleum City understand the impact a floor can have on a home, and they work hard to help homeowners find what they’re looking for. “In some instances flooring can make or break the house,” Stifter notes. Homeowners can either take on a do-it-yourself home renovation project, or the staff can refer customers to an independent licensed flooring installer.

As Linoleum City continues into the next century at

ProfessorKnowIt-All

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What’s the origin of “May Day”? ponders Lou Thames.

The month takes its name from the Latin Maia, the goddess of growth and increase.

In her honor Roman youths used to go into the fields dancing and singing. The English celebrated May Day with games, sports, and dancing around the maypole.

According to legend, Robin Hood and Maid Marian came to preside as Lord and Lady of the May, and by the 16th century, Robin Hood plays became an integral part of the festivities.

• • •

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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SECTION TWO

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Senator Wiener’s Q&A when his original bill was introduced last year. n Text and illustrations on pages 1-2 are from Sen. Wiener’s blog post at extranewsfeed.com/@Scott_Wiener.

Red highlighting has been added by Larchmont Chronicle editors.

My Transit Density Bill (SB 827): Answering Common Questions and Debunking Misinformation

by Scott Wiener Jan 16, 2018 — Our recent announcement of my bill (Senate Bill 827) allowing for more housing near public transportation has drawn a lot of attention, questions, and feedback. Sadly, some have also spread misinformation about the bill. This piece attempts to answer common questions and debunk misinformation.

California is in a deep housing crisis — threatening our state’s environment, economy, diversity, and quality of life — and needs an enormous amount of additional housing at all income levels.

Mid-rise housing (i.e., not single-family homes and not high rises) near public transportation is an equitable, sustainable, and promising source for new housing. SB 827 promotes this kind of housing by prohibiting density restrictions (for example, local ordinances mandating only single-family homes) within a half mile of a major transit station or a quarter mile of a bus stop on a frequent bus line. The bill also sets the maximum zoned height in these areas at 45, 55, or 85 feet — that is, between 4 and 8 stories— depending on the nature of the street.

(Those heights are maximums.

Developers can choose to build shorter, but cities can’t force them to build shorter through restrictive zoning. Cities can allow taller 65-foot tall apartment building heights, howev- at 9th and Judah in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset district er.)

To be clear, in terms of the big picture: • The only way we will make housing more affordable and significantly reduce displace-

TO OUR READERS:

By John H. Welborne Publisher and Editor As a public service to our readers in the Greater Wilshire, Mid-City and other neighborhoods we serve, the Larchmont Chronicle is publishing this Special Supplement. The timing relates to the May 2019 consideration — by the California State Senate — of widereaching legislation proposed

by State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco. The impacts of Sen. Wiener’s proposals on California’s residential neighborhoods will be significant.

The Chronicle believes that the substance of Sen. Wiener’s wishes for Californians should be scrutinized and understood.

We feel it is very important for Californians in general, and Angelenos in particular, to understand the thinking and

motivation behind Sen. Wiener’s proposed new statewide zoning laws.

The best way to understand what is behind this proposed state takeover of local zoning is to read its chief proponent’s own words.

Much of the thinking behind Sen. Wiener’s new approach to state government overreach comes from academia, as you will see within Sen. Wiener’s explanatory 2018 blog posting that we republish here, almost in its entirety. (Web links to omitted sections are provided.)

Sen. Wiener and his pedagogical and real estate developer allies believe that a radical change in Californians’ property rights is appropriate and necessary to correct wrongs emanating from the past. That is clear from reading Sen. Wiener’s own words.

ment is to build a lot more housing and to do so in urbanized areas accessible to public transportation (along with investments in affordable housing and strong anti-displacement protections).

• The only way we will meet our climate and air quality goals is to build a lot more housing and to do so in urbanized areas accessible to public transportation.

• The only way we will continue to grow California’s economy is to build a lot more housing and to do so in urbanized areas accessible to public transportation.

Despite the critical importance of housing accessible to public transportation, many transit hubs and transit-rich areas are surrounded by mandated low-density housing, even strictly limited to single-family homes.

Restricting transit-rich areas to low-density housing has several negative impacts. First, it significantly limits how many people can easily use transit and thus drive less. By severely limiting who can live near transit, we push people farther away, force them to drive, create crushing commutes, and reduce transit ridership, all of which undermine our transit investments. Second, severely limiting density around transit perpetuates an ugly American reality: that restrictive low-density zoning has historically been a tool to exclude

MAY 2019

Therefore, the Larchmont Chronicle offers these “Words from Wiener” so our readers may learn for themselves the background of what the Chronicle has concluded is dictatorial and confiscatory.

Pro and con Sen. Wiener gets the first word — two pages of this Special Supplement. His portion is taken from his writings on the Internet. The reproduced posting relates to his motivations in pushing for last year’s failed SB 827, but his arguments still apply to his current SB 50.

Then, on the other two pages of the Special Supplement is information that the Chronicle believes represents what will be the impacts in our Los Angeles neighborhoods (as well as throughout the State of California) of what Sen. Wiener (Please turn to page 3)

people of color, especially African-Americans, and poor people from neighborhoods.

Indeed, low-density zoning—banning apartment buildings—was invented shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racially restrictive zoning laws were unenforceable.

By removing density limits near public transportation, increasing the allowable height to create a path for mid-rise, multi-family housing, and exempting these transit-oriented projects from parking restrictions, we can encourage equitable, transit-oriented, sustainable, less expensive housing exactly where it makes the most sense.

Marea Alta, a mid-rise affordable housing development built on an old parking lot across the street from the San Leandro BART Station (Bridge Housing)

[For the remainder of this introductory section, see Sen. Wiener’s full posting at extranewsfeed.com/@Scott_Wiener] As we continue to engage with communi-

2

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

ties across the state on SB 827, we will have a healthy debate around housing in California.

Here are a few questions and concerns that have come up already: Will SB 827 cause gentrification or lead to demolition of existing neighborhoods?

Absolutely not. Creating more housing for people does not lead to gentrification, and SB 827 does not make it any easier to demolish housing. To the contrary, SB 827 creates more housing opportunities for more people and tackles head on the ugly reality that mandated low-density zoning excludes poor people and—per the intent when low-density zoning was created 100 years ago—people of color.

“Today’s residential segregation in the North, South, Midwest, and West is not the unintended consequence of individual choices and of otherwise well-meaning law or regulation but of unhidden public policy that explicitly segregated every metropolitan area in the United States.” — Richard Rothstein, The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America Gentrification is fueled by a lack of housing.

When we don’t have enough housing, people compete for limited housing, and prices are pushed up. Moreover, when there isn’t enough housing and rents skyrocket, landlords have an economic incentive to push out long-term renters by raising the rent or evicting them to bring in higher-paying tenants. To fight gentrification we need more housing overall to reduce pressure on existing residents. Combined with that increase in overall housing, we must have strong investment in subsidized affordable housing for low income people, as well as strong protections against evictions and demolition of apartment buildings. More housing overall, combined with low income housing and displacement protections, will lead to a healthier and more affordable housing situation.

By requiring denser housing development near public transportation, SB 827 will help reduce displacement pressures and allow more people to live near transit. The current state of affairs — with major transit hubs surrounded by expensive single-family homes — is anything but equitable. It ensures that only a select few will be able to live near transit and exacerbates gentrification in those neighborhoods and other neighborhoods.

When we are in the depths of a housing crisis, like we are, the few areas rezoned by cities for high-density often see rapid development to accommodate housing demand while wealthier, low-density neighborhoods are left completely intact. SB 827 will spread multifamily zoning opportunities across more neighborhoods with highquality transit access—including wealthier suburbs with strong transit access— rather than concentrating it only in a few areas. SB 827 is an unprecedented action

MAY 2019

*against* restrictive land-use restrictions with origins in racial discrimination and exclusion. So many Californians are reliant on or could benefit from public transportation, but they’re unable to afford a singlefamily home on a spacious lot and therefore are excluded from having reasonable access to this vital urban infrastructure.

Some have stated that SB 827, by allowing more homes to be built, will lead to demolitions and displacement. That is false. SB 827 does *not* in any way change local limits on rent increases or demolitions. If a city has rent control, it will continue to have rent control. If a city has an inclusionary housing ordinance (i.e., requiring a portion of new units to be affordable to low income people), it will continue to have that ordinance. And, if a city restricts demolitions of apartment buildings (as many do, particularly for rentcontrolled buildings), those controls will remain fully in place.

In addition, we are looking at ways to include anti-displacement provisions directly in SB 827, in particular around demolition controls and affordability requirements.

We will solve the housing crisis by having more housing while also protecting existing residents in their housing. I am completely opposed to incentivizing evictions and demolitions of sound housing—these actions have no place in a smart housing plan—and I fully support adding affordable housing for lower-income people. Our communities are stronger when they are stable and families are secure in their housing.

Yet, as we work toward stronger antidisplacement protections, we must not lose sight of the reality that low-density zoning around public transportation is exclusionary. It reduces the number of people who can live near transit and keeps out poor people by ensuring that these homes are extremely expensive. If we are serious about equitable housing access, we will achieve that important goal by increasing density around transit and ensuring strong anti-displacement and affordable housing requirements.

8-story affordable housing project near transit at 7th and H Street in Sacramento (Mercy Housing)

Will SB 827 reduce support for transit investment?

No. [For the remainder of this section relating to transit, see Sen. Wiener’s full posting at extranewsfeed.com/@Scott_Wiener.]

Will SB 827 reduce the amount of affordable housing or prevent communities from asking developers for community benefits?

Larchmont Chronicle No. By increasing housing opportunities near transit, we will create more housing, which will bring down the cost of housing.

Additionally, by allowing heights of 45 feet to 85 feet near transit, we will allow for mid-sized apartment projects, which — unlike single-family homes — are subject to local inclusionary zoning requirements and impact fees. As a result, more projects will be subject to inclusionary zoning, and more affordable units will therefore be built as part of these developments. In addition, by converting more low-density projects into midsize apartment buildings, these projects will become feasible candidates for the state’s affordable housing density bonus program.

With more apartment buildings being built, the density bonus will be invoked more often.

[For the remainder of this section relating to affordable housing and the subsequent section relating to the environment, see Sen. Wiener’s full posting at extranewsfeed.com/@ Scott_Wiener]

Paseo, a mid-rise affordable housing development in San Diego, that is built on a transit line (Bridge Housing)

Will SB 827 quickly change the character and feel of my neighborhood?

No. Adding mid-size apartment buildings (4–8 stories) can modestly change the look of portions of a neighborhood in positive ways.

It’s important to keep in mind that SB 827 does not allow for high rises.

Of course, *not* building housing, and thus escalating housing costs, also changes the character and feel of the neighborhood by changing who can live there. The architectural character of a neighborhood is important, and so is the human character of a neighborhood.

When we push out low income people, young people, and growing families and when we spike homelessness, we absolutely change the character of the neighborhood even if we maintain the architectural character perfectly as is.

[For the remainder of this section relating to neighborhoods and the subsequent section concerning local control over zoning, see Sen. Wiener’s full posting at extranewsfeed.com/@ Scott_Wiener.] o o o SB 827 is an important step toward addressing California’s housing crisis — a crisis that deeply affects us in so many ways. I look forward to a robust discussion about this bill and housing generally. I’m optimistic we will come out of this process with a terrific bill that makes our state stronger.

Larchmont Chronicle

Editor’s note

(Continued from page 1) proposes. On Page 4, there also are references and links to organizations and websites that are concerned about, and opposed to, this state government takeover of local sovereignty.

Time is of the essence Sen. Wiener and his legislative allies and their real estate developer financial backers are pushing hard, and quickly … trying to find tradeoffs for as many special interests as possible to build support for their legislation. The interests being ignored — in fact, punished — are the Californians who have invested in single-family homes in which to live and raise their families.

The Chronicle has assembled this information hastily because of the imminent printing deadline for the May issue of this paper, which distributes May 2. It is our understanding that the State Senate must act on Sen. Wiener’s and his allies’ proposal by the end of May. Last year, Sen. Wiener’s similar bill (SB 827) was defeated when first reviewed in committee. This year, Sen. Wiener was appointed to chair the relevant new committee, and he moved his bill forward from that committee on April 2. Then, on April 24, the bill moved forward from a second committee, on which Sen. Wiener also sits.

Because the State Senate must act before the end of this month, the Larchmont Chronicle has rushed this Special Supplement to the printer.

The Los Angeles City Council, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the American Planning Association’s California Chapter are on record as opposing Sen. Wiener’s legislation for State takeover of local planning and zoning everywhere in California.

We hope you find this May 2019 Special Supplement useful.

MAY 2019

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Call your State Senator; Urge a NO vote on SB 50

3

What you can do, Angelenos!

1. Our city representatives already are on our side.

2. It’s your elected state representatives who need to represent you and us now.

3. Call and say “Vote NO on SB 50”: 24th Dist. State Senator

Maria Elena Durazo: - District Office (213) 483-9300.

State Senate District 26

26th Dist. State Senator

Benjamin Allen: - District Office (310) 318-6994.

30th Dist. State Senator

Holly J. Mitchell: - District Office (213) 745-6656.

District boundaries are shown in the map at right. A main, east-west dividing line is Plymouth Blvd.

State Senate District 24

Please call now!

State Senate District 30

Leaders and academics have written in opposition to these bills

affluent will be able to afford. The need is in affordable, not market rate, housing.

“The second thing Wiener says is that it will help diversify neighborhoods. Not true. The only people who’ll be able to afford these new apartments are affluent people. The growing diverse population is mainly ignored in this legislation.

“Finally, Wiener’s bill largely removes parking requirements from rental housing. A brilliant idea for Los Angeles. Not.” Following are a few excerpts from that 2018 dialogue with (Please turn to page 4)

At a March 2018 community hearing in Los Angeles, Zev Yaroslavsky, former Los Angeles County Supervisor and City Councilmember and presently Director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs opined on how last year’s Wiener bill would radically change Southern California by “eviscerating decades of planning.”

Yaroslavsky has said recently that SB 50 is no improvement, specifically stating that Sen. Wiener says his bill will reduce the cost of housing, “but the opposite is the case. It’s going to insure only the building of market rate housing that only the more

-

ABOVE AND BELOW: The Larchmont Chronicle March 2019 House of the Month at 437 N. Irving Blvd. in Larchmont Village, with the “below” rendering showing what would be allowed by SB 50.

4

Opposition writings

(Continued from page 3) Zev Yaroslavsky, appearing in the “The Planning Report” at: planningreport.com/ 2018/03/15/zev-yaroslavskyscott-wiener-sb-827-tri umph-wimbys “What’s more, historic preservation zones — such as Angelino Heights, which is within a quarter-mile of the Sunset transit corridor, and South Carthay Circle, which is within a quarter-mile from the Pico, Olympic, and La Cienega transit corridors — could be razed in favor of fiveto-eight-story, market-rate

Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2019

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

apartment buildings.

“Is that what we want to do to these neighborhoods? Does Scott Wiener want to take a wrecking ball to most of the retail villages and residential communities in Los Angeles?

It’s nuts. Every responsible planner with whom I’ve spoken about this bill speaks of it with great disdain. It is classic overreach — a “one-size-fitsall” approach to the planning of the largest city in California. That’s why I say this is not a transit-oriented development bill; it’s a real-estate play of the worst kind.

“A San Francisco state sena-

tor cannot possibly understand the complexities and nuances of a city the size of LA — and he really shouldn’t try.

Maybe he should use his own city as a guinea pig; let’s see how this brilliant idea works out in his hometown. ... “This is an arrogant and wrong-headed approach. Landuse policies, and their impacts on a community, must be left to local government — not the State Legislature — to determine. The Legislature cannot possibly know the unintended consequences of a broad-brush bill. And there are hundreds of unintended consequences.”

Zev Yaroslavsky on Scott Wiener’s SB 827: The Triumph of WIMBYs

For another recent and interesting Sen. Scott Wiener bill, see SB 378, where he seeks to reinstate a California estate tax (there is none now) to address the state’s “racial wealth gap.”

Introduced in February, the draft legislation notes the roles of intergenerational wealth transfer and past and present barriers that have kept marginalized families from building wealth. The draft bill asserts that public sector intervention is needed to address wide-scale racial wealth inequality.

The draft bill provides that all taxes collected from reinstating an estate tax would be paid to a new Children’s Wealth and Opportunity Building Fund to counterbalance the uneven effects of intergenerational wealth transfer and “reverse our state’s record level of inequality.” The legislature would appropriate money from this fund to government programs and services that directly address and alleviate socio-economic inequality and that build assets among people that have historically lacked them.

See: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient. xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB378

planningreport.com/2018/03/15/zev-yaroslavsky-scott-wiener-sb-827-triumph-wimbys

Blanket Upzoning—A Blunt Instrument—Won’t Solve the Affordable Housing Crisis planningreport.com/2019/03/15/blanket-upzoning-blunt-instrument-wont-solve-affordable-housing-crisis

“If SB 827 Were Law When LA County’s Measure M Was on the Ballot, It Would Have Failed!” planningreport.com/2018/04/10/if-sb-827-were-law-when-la-countys-measure-m-was-ballot-it-would-have-failed-denny-zane

H

The illustration above is courtesy of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association. tinyurl.com/y44hxpzd

Larchmont Chronicle Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Associate Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Advertising Director Pam Rudy Advertising Sales Caroline Tracy Art Director Tom Hofer Classified and Circulation Manager Rachel Olivier Accounting Jill Miyamoto 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103

Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com

Organizations opposed to SB 50 with websites Livable California: livablecalifornia.org Stop SB 50: stopsb50.net Paul Koretz on 2PreserveLA: tinyurl.com/yylhs536 Sherman Oaks Homeowners: tinyurl.com/y44hxpzd

Letters to the Editor concerning this Special Supplement and topic must be received by May 15 to be considered for our next, June, issue. Write letters@larchmontchronicle.com.

ALMOST ALL SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES in Greater Wilshire and Mid-City are targeted

by SB 50. Image below is from Fairfax to Western, Melrose to Olympic.