Larchmont Chronicle
VOL. 58, NO. 5
• DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
IN THIS ISSUE
MAY 2020
Neighborhood families find new ways to be upbeat
DESIGN FOR LIVING Sec. 2, p. 7
TAKEOUTS.
12 PAINTED EGG artworks decorate windows in local homes.
Meeting challenges of staying home AROUND THE TOWN and on the frontlines. 22
GARDENING grows exponentially. 2-10
By John Welborne A blog message went out to neighbors early last month: “I would love to invite any and all inclined neighbors to post drawings of Easter eggs on their windows, for the neighborhood kids to spot and ‘hunt’ while on their walks in the coming days!” Among the nearly 40 resulting blog comments were: “Such a great idea! Will do.” “Our decorations are up.” “My kids are doing it today.” “Love this idea! Ours will be up on Westminster!” “I saw bunnies
Note to our readers: DONATIONS at Olympia. 2-14 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
As with the “Los Angeles Times” and other hard-copy newspapers, the Larchmont Chronicle is safe to read! The World Health Organization has stated that it is safe to receive packages, including in areas affected by the coronavirus. Our production process is fully automated, which minimizes human contact with the newspapers. In addition, the Chronicle has asked our distributors to take the recommended precautions during this period, including requiring newspaper carriers to practice social distancing and personal hygiene, or stay home if they are sick. Please enjoy this issue (as well as the periodicals still available at the Larchmont and Original Farmers Market newsstands, two other essential businesses allowed to stay in operation).
on S. Norton!” The colorful drawings also appeared on windows in Brookside and many other local neighborhoods, adding a bit of brightness and adventure to help families, especially children, get through the challenges of staying at home.
Playground is postponed n Sunday market continues during Safer at Home By Caroline Tracy The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact local construction and shopping, along with all the other daily activities of our lives. With respect to the planned construction of a small playground in the city’s parking lot on Larchmont, that has been postponed indefinitely. See Larchmont, p 4
COLORFUL drawings greet children on their daily walks.
Restaurants find ways to serve n Delivery or pickups provide options for customers By Helene Seifer When coronavirus restrictions were implemented, Carol Holtiwanger moved her sidewalk popup Calabama into her fourth floor East LA apartment for maximum social distancing. Prepaid breakfast sammies are lowered in a rope-tied red bucket to customers below. Few restaurants can go that far, but those that decided to stay open in some form are struggling to adapt in these novel times. All are practicing safe sanitary precautions. All have increased food safety by sanitizing more often, wearing gloves and masks, and trying to enforce distancing in the kitchen. Most offer nocontact delivery or pickup. Larchmont’s own Le Petit Greek takes the new protocols very seriously. Dimitris Houndalas, proprietor and
general manager, emphasizes that they offer curbside pickup — just call when you arrive See Take out, p 10
Tales told of local students homeschooling n Juggling act; Part II By Caroline Tracy Our April 2020 story “With social distancing decree, families begin work-from-home, homeschooling juggling act,” resonated with families in the neighborhood — many have written to share their own experiences. So, we shall continue the story as a series. Should you wish to have your child’s / family’s experience of homeschool featured, please reach out to: See Homeschooling, p 20
Rhodes School of Music is continuing, online n Beat goes on with piano, voice lessons By Talia Abrahamson The beat goes on at Rhodes School of Music, the allages music school overlooking Larchmont Boulevard — just not within its walls. In compliance with local and state-wide coronavirus measures, owner David Rhodes transitioned the school on March 15 from in-person to online music lessons. The school did not previously offer any online classes. The facility had nine music studios with multiple lessons happening concurrently, but now, instructors use video See Rhodes School, p 15
RAMONA BILLMEIER during her virtual lesson. Photo by Mary Rhodes
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
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Editorial By John Welborne
Community, together Local people are meeting the common challenges that we face as a community. (Com = “with,” “together,” from Latin.) Neighbors work with compatriots to comfort one another, to commiserate with compassion with seniors alone or with companions, to communicate through gestures like children’s drawings in windows, and to use comedy to help maintain our composure when we otherwise might be miserable or just complacent. Government leaders and commissions command and compel commitments from private companies that now are combining their resources to find solutions to the complex scientific questions that comprise the challenges facing the country and the world. Commerce is complicated for local retail shop owners, but loyal customers find ways to help. In normal times, we gather and communicate in person; but, now, we avoid contact to prevent transmission of a highly communicable disease with many components that doctors still seek to comprehend. Complacency does not serve us; vigilance does. All of us must continue to help combat the coronavirus. We are succeeding. We just have to stay committed to working — together — for the common good.
The Coronavirus, the City Budget and Hancock Park The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus has not only hurt the health and safety of our city, but has been devastating to our city’s fiscal health. The City has committed to maintaining the LAPD, LAFP, Sanitation Services, DWP and other critical services. However, the budget contains major cuts to services such as trees, sidewalk repair, and graffiti removal. Your Homeowners Association is committed to maintaining our tree canopy, to removing graffiti and working with the city on a solution for sidewalk repairs. Since tree maintenance and graffiti removal services will most likely not be paid for by the City, the Association will use your dues money to make up the difference. In difficult times like this your dues will help keep Hancock Park free of graffiti, maintain our beautiful urban forest and many other benefits. So, if you haven’t already, please pay your dues. While the City has committed to maintaining the physical security of Los Angeles, by supporting the LAPD and LAFD, this crisis puts a great strain on these services. If you don’t have a private security service please consider obtaining one. These services augment the public services and release resources for those parts of the city suffering even greater crime. The Association has started its annual tree planting and maintenance cycles. If you need a tree, contact the Association. If you have questions about tree maintenance, the website contains a lot of information - https://www. hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/Parkway-Trees Don’t forget to maintain the social distancing guidelines, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and check with your neighbors to be sure they are OK. For more information please visit our website: hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ page-18054/8843518. If you’re planning to make any changes to the streetvisible portion of your house, including hardscaping and windows, check with our HPOZ Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org) before starting. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ, can be found at preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process — the Initial Screening Checklist (preservation. lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System: laocb.org/programs/graffiti-abatement and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180. Adv.
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MAY 2020
Calendar Sun., May 10 – Mother’s Day. Wed., May 13 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting, tentative. Check greaterwilshire.org to confirm and for online login. Fri., May 15 – Tentative reopening of City of Los Angeles. Mon., May 25 – Memorial Day. Thurs., June 4 – Delivery of the June issue of the Larchmont Chronicle.
‘For you, personally, what has been the most challenging aspect of staying ‘Safer at Home’ during the past weeks?’
That’s the question inquiring photographer John Welborne asked Windsor Square locals during a Zoom board of directors meeting of the Windsor Square Association last month.
Letter to the Editor Tribute to fallen LACMA
When I was in elementary school in the ’60s, our class went on a yellow bus field trip to explore the brand new Los Angeles County Museum of Art. As we lumbered down Wilshire Blvd toward our destination, our teacher, standing at the front of the bus next to the driver, enthralled us with the improbable fact that the museum was designed to “float” like a giant barge upon underground prehistoric pools of tar that had swallowed up less enterprising mammoths and sabertooth tigers just next door at the La Brea Tar Pits. As we disembarked onto the sidewalk in some semblance of order, I looked up at the vast museum complex in unexpected awe. The stately arrangement of three structures around terraced pools had a monumental presence, like the Acropolis or the Roman Forum (which we had also just been introduced to in a school slide show). The entrance plaza was wide and awake in the morning light. A captivating kinetic sculpture emerging from one of the pools had long steel blades that moved like fingers in the breeze, (with added assistance from intermittent blasts of water aimed to propel its motion).
We eventually formed a line, “single file,” at the foot of this new urban monument rising above its mid-city neighbors of two-bedroom bungalows and two-story apartments. The generous space was open and ready to welcome our unwieldy assembly of young eyes to a world of art and culture. Sorry to see it fade into
“I miss my weekly hikes! It is hard to get out with so many nearby trails closed.” Jason Greenman Lorraine Blvd.
(Please turn to page 8) “The most challenging aspect of ‘Safer at Home’ has been keeping up with all the dishes. My wife is an amazing cook and there is no office to escape to.” Gary Duff Lorraine Blvd.
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING from the “Los Angeles Times” tells of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art opening March 31, 1965.
Write us at letters@larchmontchronicle.com. Include your name, contact information and where you live. We reserve the right to edit for space and grammar.
“Many more dishes to do under quarantine ... incorporating a banner year’s worth of citrus and using odd pans that used to be stored up high out of reach.” Caroline Moser Irving Blvd.
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
Operational adjustments made due to COVID-19 In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau now has an “adjusted 2020 Census operational plan.” Field activities are set to resume after June 1, 2020, as Area Census Offices begin returning to full staff capacity. In-person activities, including enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance from authorities to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public. The self-response phase (online, phone and mail) deadline has been further extended to October 31. Updates are at: tinyurl.com/thmmrfq.
“I miss being able to play golf and being with my grandkids and playing board games with them.” Mike Genewick Van Ness Ave.
“I feel frantic seeing so many of our cultural institutions struggle to stay alive. ... How will The Ebell, the Hollywood Bowl, our theaters and our museums survive?” June Bilgore Windsor Blvd.
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Larchmont bake sale in Pablove’s honor continues virtually n Order cookies by May 5! By Suzan Filipek Normally at this time of year, Lilly Roth-Shapiro hosts a bake sale on Larchmont Boulevard to raise money for the Pablove Foundation, which works to fight childhood cancer. “This year, things are a little different,” Roth-Shapiro told us. “In light of the coronavirus pandemic, an in-person bake sale is not feasible.” So, along with her friends, the Brookside resident is cohosting a virtual bake sale. Roth-Shapiro will be baking batches of chocolate chip cookies in her Brookside kitchen, and along with fellow co-hosts who have sewing machines, she will also be making masks. Other local co-hosts are Zoe
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WORKING from home. 1 COUNCIL REPORT POLICE BEAT DINING & ENTERTAINMENT On the Menu At the Movies Theater Review SCHOOL NEWS AROUND THE TOWN BRIDGE MATTERS
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SECTION TWO VIEW:
Real Estate, Libraries Design for Living Home & Garden
VICTORY GARDENS. 10 ON BOOKS, PLACES 3 ON PRESERVATION 4 HOME GROUND 5 REAL ESTATE SALES 5 LIBRARIES 6 DESIGN FOR LIVING 7 BEEZWAX 15 PROFESSOR 15 CLASSIFIED ADS 15
Gittelson of Brookside, and Teva Corwin and Ava Eisendrath of Windsor Square. Cookie orders will Lilly be accepted Roth-Shapiro until Tues., May 5, and fulfilled orders will include a free Pablove face mask (while supplies last). “Pablove Foundation was founded by the parents of my preschool friend Pablo [Castellaz], who passed away from a rare pediatric cancer when we were six years old,” said RothShapiro, who turns 17 this month. “We’ve hosted an annual bake sale on Larchmont Boulevard each year since. “There is a really critical overlap between the two [diseases — cancer and COVID-19],” she added, “as Pablove
families and people with cancer are at much higher risk of contracting the coronavirus (i.e. lower immune systems / spending time in healthcare facilities to receive treatment), and they are also at higher risk of developing complications if they become infected.” The Pablove Foundation supports the pediatric cancer community nationwide as well as at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “People can make additional donations on top of their cookie orders, or they can simply make a donation and forego the cookies and mask, if they wish!” Roth-Shapiro said. “We can only take cookie / mask orders from people in the Los Angeles area, but if people hear about it from out of town, they’re welcome to make donations via our website!” Pick-up day for the cookies (“Bake Sale Day”) will be Sun.,
MASKS are sewn from repurposed Pablove T-shirts and tote bags.
May 24 at the various host sites citywide and in Brookside and Windsor Square locally. Doorstep drop-offs will be available for those who are unable to make it to the pick-up sites. The cookies are sold by the half dozen for $15. Additional masks can be purchased for $5 each, while supplies last. Visit pablove.org/bakesale to order.
Salute to grads!
Our annual section honoring local graduates is in the June issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Mon., May 18. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-4622241, ext. 11.
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Private security companies on the job during coronavirus By Billy Taylor In these uncertain times — with storefronts closed and inmates being released from prisons — private security and alarm companies are still on the job, working to ease residents’ concerns. To find out what companies are saying to clients during coronavirus, the Chronicle reached out to three of the most popular providers in the neighborhood: SSA, ADT and Post Alarm. ADT ADT Branch Patrol Manager Mike Ball says that there’s been an increase in local resi-
dents seeking to improve their home security systems. To properly serve those clients during a viral pandemic, Ball says that his company is adapting how they do business. For new clients, for example, Ball can now use email and electronic signatures to set up new contracts. In addition, call center agents are having deeper conversations with residential customers to try and resolve issues without an in-home appointment, but if a visit to the home is needed, agents are equipped. “My office is packed with PPE
Access Larchmont Shops and Services Online by going to: www.larchmont.com
[personal protective equipment] for field agents,” said Ball. “We’ve got more than 15,000 gallons of hand santizer and 15,000 masks right now.” According to Ball, local ADT patrol officers assigned to the Windsor Square and Hancock Park community are on the job “24/7 to provide security and peace of mind” to its clients. “We hold a daily conference call to talk about local developments and review crime reports,” said Ball. Post Alarm Based in Arcadia, Post Alarm Systems is a family-owned, full-service security company that offers both alarm and patrol services. Its local patrol service area is for homes north of Beverly Blvd. To serve residents during the lockdown, Post Alarm has rolled out a new safety package with virtual installation to comply with social distancing. “This is about protecting our
customers and our employees,” says owner Rob Post. The new safety package includes 24/7 monitoring, intuitive keypad, motion sensor, three door or window sensors, smartphone control and virtual installation assistance. All systems are disinfected and sanitized during delivery by Post agents. SSA Founded in 1991, SSA Security Group is a locally owned and operated, full-service security agency with many clients in Greater Wilshire. SSA co-founder Terry Seagraves told the Chronicle that he’s advised his clients to be diligent. “As the pandemic crisis heightens, the possibility of burglaries, car break-ins and crimes can occur,” he warns. That being said, Seagraves admits that the crime picture has been relatively light thus far: “LAPD reports crime has dropped by at least 25 percent
over recent weeks.” Nevertheless, Seagraves offered some tips to avoid becoming a victim of a crime. “When you’re home (or away), ensure that your doors and windows are shut and locked. Keep your driveway gates shut and locked. It’s a good idea to keep the perimeter alarm on while you’re in the home, and set the alarms on your home when away. Don’t forget to ensure your security cameras are functioning, and if someone knocks at your door and you don’t know them, do not open the door!” As far as your vehicle is concerned, try to keep it parked in the driveway or behind a gate, and ensure it is locked with no valuables left on the inside, advises Seagraves. Most importantly, Seagraves says that SSA is here “24/7/365” for all its clients: “Remember, officers are just a phone call away.”
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(Continued from page 1) But the Sunday farmers’ market is continuing as usual — except with required health safety modifications like those found at other grocery outlets. Playground postponed Early last month, Councilmember David Ryu issued the following statement: “Following our teleconference town hall [March14] and the many conversations I’ve had with the Larchmont community over the past few weeks, I have
321 N. Larchmont Blvd. Suite 906 323.464.8046 rebeccafitzgeraldmd.com
SUNDAY MARKET on Larchmont continues with controlled access and social distancing.
decided to postpone construction of the pocket playground indefinitely. Open discussion and direct dialogue with the community are things I value most in public service. I’m thankful for the years of open communication I have had with the community to improve the Larchmont Boulevard’s vibrancy — and I’m even more thank-
ful today to have new voices engaged on the ongoing issues. Once we get through this coronavirus pandemic, we will revisit the playground issue in a broader, community-wide discussion so all options and ideas can be brought to the table. But for now, I urge everyone to focus on their health, their families, (Please turn to page 5)
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In times of darkness, city’s character has shined brightly We know that we are strong, we are adaptable, and we are resilient. We know that Angelenos snapped into action as soon as things got tough, and they stepped up to help their neighbors. Every day I’m heartened to see the amount of kindness and generosity that surrounds us. We’ve seen community members form mask sewing groups and outreach programs to make sure that all of their neighbors have what they need to shelter in place. Restaurants have opened their doors to workers in need of food, and volunteers have worked tirelessly to distribute produce bags to vulnerable seniors. And in the true spirit of Los Angeles, we’ve seen unexpected partnerships and innovations take shape.
Larchmont
including the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District, Windsor Square Association, Hancock Park Homeowners Association and Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. The “Buzz” also reported comments supporting Ryu’s action from playground supporter John Welborne and playground opponents Gary Gilbert and Suzanne Buhai. Sunday market carries on On March 30, Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered all Los Angeles farmers markets suspended until social distancing plans could be submitted to the city and approved for each market. The operator of the Larchmont Sunday market took immediate action and was one of about a dozen markets approved to reopen within days of the mayor’s action. On Sunday, April 5, the Larchmont farmer’s market was open for business as usual, but without non-food vendors and with limitations on the
(Continued from page 4) and supporting one another through this crisis.” Comments supporting Ryu’s April 4 decision, reported by the “Larchmont Buzz” immediately following the announcement, came from representatives of various associations
MASKS AND OFTEN A LINE up Larchmont toward Beverly Blvd. are new features of the Sunday farmers’ market.
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Council Report by
David E. Ryu
I’m proud to support a partnership between the Original Farmers Market and the First-in-Fire Foundation, a local nonprofit supporting the Los Angeles Fire Department. Through this partnership, the Original Farmers Market is providing fresh cooked meals to our local first responders, who have been working around the clock to keep us safe during this pandemic. We need to ensure that no one is left behind during this emergency. We know that our number of shoppers who can be within the parking lot at any one time. Everyone, vendors and customers alike, now must wear masks, and vendors now handle the selected merchandise and hand it to the buyers. Every subsequent Sunday, loyal customers have been returning to support their favorite merchants. At various times, the line of masked shoppers waiting to enter extends up the boulevard’s west sidewalk toward Beverly Blvd. The market’s shopping guidelines during the COVID-19 restrictions are available online at tinyurl.com/y7cesox8. The Sunday farmers’ market hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
seniors are vulnerable not just to COVID-19, but to isolation and the inability to get the basic essentials. Older adults are often sheltering at home alone, and may not have any family nearby. We also know that loneliness can be as dangerous to our health as major risk factors like obesity and smoking. We may be apart during this challenging time, but no one should feel alone. I was thrilled this week to announce the launch of a Senior Outreach Program that pairs local volunteers with seniors who have asked for assistance get-
ting essentials, or for virtual social calls. If you’d like to get involved, you can learn more at: davidryu.lacity.org/senior_ resources or give us a call at 213-473-7004. I know you’ve heard a million people say this, but we are in this together. It’s only by standing together that we’ll beat this pandemic, and we’re strongest when we lift each other up. They say that character is what you are in the dark, and I think we can all agree that in this time of darkness, Los Angeles’ character has shined brightly.
Kramer Law Group IMPORTANT NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DIRECTVE National, state and community organizations are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of Advance Healthcare decision-making. In California, the growing importance of every adult Stephen having an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) has W. Kramer been addressed by the Secretary of State who has established a state-wide AHCD Registry. Should you become injured, ill, or otherwise unable to speak for yourself, your healthcare provider or legal representative may request information from the statewide Registry regarding your healthcare decisions. In an AHCD, you designate an individual whom you direct to carry out your wishes regarding choice of hospital, doctor, support staff, treatment, and end-of-life issues if you become unable to speak for yourself. Healthcare providers MUST follow your Agent’s instructions. The significance of having an AHCD cannot be overstated. Privacy laws and liability issues have made it increasingly difficult for doctors and hospitals to discuss medical matters with family members … even a spouse or parent! Consequently, without an AHCD, it may be the courts or hospital administrators determining your care. Call today to discuss your AHCD health decisions.
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This week we passed the onemonth mark on our Safer at Home mandate, and I know that many are wondering if we’ll ever be able to return to some form of normalcy. These have been incredibly challenging times, both for those who have tragically lost loved ones, and for those who have lost jobs, income, or fear that they’ll lose their homes. Even the smaller losses that we experience every day feel significant — missing the friendly faces of our neighbors, or the routines we’ve lost, like going to the movies or grabbing dinner with friends. We long for the world we knew, and it can often feel like this time apart will never end. But this difficult time will pass. We might not know when, but there are some things we know for certain.
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Help and need are in abundance at Karsh Center Home order in mid-March, the Center staff packed 600 bags of food and distributed them with smiles, all from a safe, six-foot distance. Guirguis was joined by a lean staff, few volunteers and LAPD Olympic Division officers, who packed a squad car with surplus bags they distributed to more neighbors in need. Since mid-March, and by April 20, the center had served more than 2,498 bags of food to families and individuals (representing over 14,988 meals) and distributed more than 18,000 individual diapers and 150 hygiene kits. They do it with a Herculean amount of support from their 30 collaborators, plus years of experience and support from The Karsh Center’s sponsor and neighbor, Wilshire Boulevard Temple (WBT).
VOLUNTEERS at Korean Youth and Community Center deliver much-needed food and smiles to seniors. Photo by Darwin D. Smith
“As difficult as this is, there are heartwarming stories every day, from volunteers and in-kind donors stepping up, to working with our dedicated collaborators that enable us to leverage our supplies and reach, to families and individuals who have shared beautiful messages of thanks, to interfaith efforts coming together, and more,” said Dena Bloom, president of the Karsh Board of Trustees and a Windsor Square resident. The Center opened in its new and expanded premises in 2016. Located in the densest part of the city, it is part of the Erika J. Glazer Family Campus at WBT, a stalwart in the community since the temple opened its doors in 1929. Paycheck to paycheck Many area residents were already living paycheck to paycheck when the city ordered them to stay home and stores were shuttered and many services stopped. To respond to the financial and public health crisis, many of the Center’s services — legal aid, English-as-asecond-language courses and counseling — moved online. The Center’s dental and vision clinics pared down to essential surgeries. Parenting classes for families with children under the age of five continue online. But there are technical challenges. Many of the thousands of children that live near the Karsh Center are enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District, which has moved to online classes. “We’re very concerned about what children are learning or not learning,” Guirguis said. Many area residents do not have wifi to connect to the internet and are about to lose their cell phone services. Choosing among food, clothes or wifi or a cellphone: “These are decisions families are going to be making in the next few weeks or months,” Guirguis said. Hope-Net food pantry The Karsh Center site serves as one of HopeNet’s 13 local food pantries. Supplies
are offered to residents each Sunday, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Appointments also can be made to come in during the week to pick up groceries, toiletries and diapers. HopeNet, which holds its annual Taste of Larchmont at restaurants and take-outs along Larchmont Boulevard
each August, is among the Center’s many collaborators. Others include the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Koreatown Youth + Community Center and Baby2Baby. Since COVID-19, the Center has served residents from 50 Zip Codes. “With other social service collaborators, we are working together to provide home delivery to seniors, disabled people and others that are housebound,” Bloom said. Each bag of groceries includes canned vegetables, fruits and beans, rice, cereal and two meats. Some are tailor made: USC students termedout of foster care receive care packages with pasta, tuna, trail mix, popcorn and other foods plus toiletries. Leaders of the Ready to Succeed LA program at USC write on the Karsh website: (Please turn to page 22)
325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 www.windsorsquare.org 157 N. Larchmont Boulevard
Silver Linings in COVID-19 Cloud In this stressful time of social distancing, forced home schooling, artificial toilet paper shortages and other more difficult issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Windsor Square Association wants to express our gratitude to the dedicated people who are keeping the neighborhood running, often at their own personal risk. Please take the time to smile and personally thank your mail carriers, delivery people, grocery store clerks, police and fire personnel, doctors, nurses and other essential workers when you see them. We’re also grateful for hard-working educators who have had to create on-line learning programs on short notice. Give your thanks and support, as well, to the local restaurants that are providing wonderful take-out meals. There are some silver linings coming out of the stay-athome order: The gorgeous spring air is fresher than usual; the city seems quieter and cleaner; and the neighborhood streets are filled with friendly, masked walkers, joggers and cyclists — all at least six feet apart, of course.
Playground Pilot Construction Postponed Councilmember David Ryu’s April 4 announcement that he has decided to postpone construction of the Larchmont Village playground pilot program makes sense. Even though approximately 100 people participated in the March 14 teleconference town hall, it was not the same as a public meeting. An open gathering (when that’s again possible) might help for stating the facts again: The playground will not affect the operation of the Sunday Farmers’ Market; and this small pilot project, and ultimately a full Village Green, if feasible, will improve the vibrancy of the Larchmont shopping district. That is why the neighborhood associations and the merchants’ association proposed the playground in the first place. We hope that full information, including that the Sunday market is not now, nor ever has been, threatened by the playground, will allow neighbors to understand the benefits that the project will bring. 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.
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By Suzan Filipek After a recent early-morning fire at Alexandria House, several moms and their children were moved to a nearby motel. They needed supplies and food fast. The transitional home for women and children reached out to a trusted friend, Karsh Family Social Services Center. “Within 45 minutes, we sent baby bags, diapers, toothbrushes and bags of food,” recalled Lila Guirguis, executive director of the Karsh Center at 3750 W. Sixth Street. The Center, which offers a weekly food pantry and a host of social services, is no stranger to emergencies. But no one saw coming the surge in requests that have deluged the facility since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The first week, after Mayor Eric Garcetti gave the Safer at
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deep by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald
(Continued from page 2) history, but hoping for the best with a new LACMA, once again designed to “float” but this time in the air spanning Wilshire Boulevard. Haines Wilkerson Lucerne Boulevard
WILSHIRE BOULEVARD will pass under the new David Geffen Galleries building as the street makes its way west to the sea. In the foreground is the Pavilion for Japanese Art. It will remain, as will the two newest gallery buildings with the white roofs, designed by Renzo Piano (Broad Contemporary Art Museum and Reznick Exhibition Pavilion).
POLICE BEAT WILSHIRE DIVISION Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova 213-793-0650 31646@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdwilshire
OLYMPIC DIVISION Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo 213-793-0709 31762@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdolympic
We hope that with the many challenges there are infinite silver linings and stories of generosity, kindness and courage. We look forward to once again coming together again as a community. 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 an appointment. Adv.
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©LC0520
Letter
WIDE OPEN SPACE, on April 21, 2020, represents the spot formerly occupied by the Leo S. Bing Center. That eastern portion of the current LACMA campus will house a café and education facility with a public gallery on the ground floor beneath the central portion of the new building designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor to span Wilshire Boulevard. Photos by Gary Leonard
©LC1219
EAST BUILDINGS of LACMA on February 21, 2020. Included is the Leo S. Bing Center, one of three original buildings designed by William L. Pereira that opened in 1965. Directly across Wilshire Boulevard is the Spaulding Avenue parking lot that is the future location of the southern portion of the new David Geffen Galleries building (that will include a café and a new theater at ground level).
This month, we simply wish to share a quote that resonated with many of us in the office. “Envision yourself in the days to come. See how much more rich and purposeful your life will be. In the days to come, you’ll be stronger. You’re already feeling that strength as it continues to grow. Experience will have given you a far greater appreciation for the good things you have. As a result, your life will encompass more joy, value, meaning, and fulfillment. In the days to come, life will not always be easy. Yet in spite of that, and indeed because of that, your experiences will be increasingly worthwhile, and good. Look forward, and see how much more you’ll be focused on all you love, on all that truly matters. You’ll live with more kindness, compassion, understanding, and generosity. Every victory, every setback, every challenge, every effort, moves you ahead. Everything you’re living through now is adding to the richness of life in the days to come.” — Ralph Marston
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
9
Missing camaraderie of in-restaurant dining, takeout has a charm of its own Dateline: Day 31 of the COVID-19 hostage crisis. If I have to continue the twice-daily sanitizing of every knob on my kitchen cabinets for much longer I may just leave the damn things open all the time for touch-free access. I miss hugging my friends and family. I miss crowds. I miss the five-second rule. But one of the things I miss the most is eating in an actual restaurant rather than a virtual one. I love restaurants. Not just the luxury of having someone else cook and clean up for me, but the atmosphere, the friendly wait staff, the sounds of other diners laughing, talking, snapping Instagrams of their food. But here we are. Stuck at home. Restaurants are barely hanging on, barely able to feed and comfort the bored and hungry. I order from them and try to create, at home, the restaurant atmosphere of eating out with friends. Italy What fills the comfort void more than Italian food? I turned to local favorite Osteria Mamma and made a virtual dinner date with friends in Beverly Hills. Our food was a little cool by the time Postmates delivered it, but zapping it in the microwave did not diminish the flavor. Squid ink bigoli pasta with cherry tomatoes, shrimp and bottarga was as delicious as I remembered from past in-restaurant dining experiences. The pasta was perfectly al dente; the black ink and bottarga balanced the bright shrimp and tomatoes with some sea funk. A lovely dish. Tagliatelle alla bolognese served as a counterpoint with its deeply comforting beef, veal, and pork red sauce. Since it’s my favorite fish, I order branzino whenever it appears on a menu, so of course I had theirs. Butterflied and grilled, the sweet, flaky fish was served with nicely seasoned broccoli and carrots. Gnocchi with porcini cream sauce was the least interesting, but was spiced up by proximity to the bolognese. The four dishes easily served three and were a perfect meal to munch while Zooming with friends. Greece For our next virtual dinner party, we chose friends sheltering in place with their two grown daughters in Thousand Oaks. One of the last meals we had shared together was a feast at Le Petit Greek, so in their honor, we decided on the Larchmont stalwart’s homey cuisine. Is anything more comforting than lemon potatoes? We ordered extra, and we served them with every
meal for the rest of the week, including our Passover Seder (virtual, of course!). Potatoes alone would have been enough for me, but what’s a Greek meal without fluffy pita and hummus? We usually get a skewered something, but for COVID-comfort we opted for moussaka, a crunchy feta salad and a lamb gyro, which to me is the essence of Middle Eastern food. Our meal arrived hot enough to eat without rewarming, was more than enough for at least three, if not four, and was delicious. Sharing dinner virtually with friends is a wonderful way to keep in touch and feel vaguely “normal” during this distinctly not normal time, but sometimes it’s nice to pretend we’re not spending every waking moment together … and let someone else cook a meal for the family.
On the Menu by
Helene Seifer U. S. of A. Since we are hunkering down with our grown son and his girlfriend, that’s four mouths to consider, and it just so happens that Du-par’s is offering Blue Plate Specials for four. Diner cuisine is hardly elegant, but it can’t be beat for pure comfort, plus each of their five Blue Plate specials costs $40 total (for four people). Offerings include meatloaf and chicken pot pie, all with sides and a choice of one whole fruit pie or a stack of buttermilk pancakes. We opted for the hot tur-
Filomena D’Amore
PATSY’S PIZZA
Paul Sobel
FARMERS MARKET NEWSSTAND & POSTAL CENTER
!
EEING R F K R PA
key dinner and apple pie. The servings came in separate containers and contained sliced white meat turkey and gravy over a very simple, fluffy white bread stuffing, with mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. Rolls, cranberry sauce and the pie were packaged separately. We also ordered macaroni and cheese, because, well, we’re in the middle of a crisis, so why not? This generously portioned turkey dinner, which actually provided seven meals, cannot compete with your succulent roast turkey Thanksgiving feast, but it gave me a Proustian moment. Nearly every Saturday when I was a child my mother and I went to the shopping center to pick up some fabric, maybe a new blouse or shoes, and we’d always end the morning with lunch at Woolworth’s Five and Dime. My
Jim Cascone
mom would order scallops and I would get the open-faced hot turkey sandwich plate, which tasted almost exactly like Dupar’s Blue Plate Special. My déjà vu moment wasn’t as meaningful as the madeleineinduced reverie in “Remembrance of Things Past,” but for a brief moment I wasn’t staring at the same walls I’d been bound by for six weeks. Instead, I was 10 years old. In my bobby socks and Keds. Having a grownup meal-onthe-town with my mom. Osteria Mamma, 323-2847060 osteriamamma.com. Le Petit Greek, 323-3970925 lepetitgreek.com. Du-par’s Restaurant & Bakery, 323-933-8446 dupars.net. Or order via a food delivery service, such as Postmates. Contact Helene at onthemenu@larchmontchronicle.com
Neal Fraser
HUNTINGTON MEATS & SAUSAGE, FARMERS MARKET POULTRY
FRITZI COOP
Frances Tario
Armando Puente
DU-PAR’S RESTAURANT, BAKERY & PIE SHOP
FARM FRESH PRODUCE
Thank you, Neighbors! 6333 W. THIRD ST. • LOS ANGELES • 323.933.9211 @ FARMERSMARKETLA FARMERSMARKETLA.COM • Insta
Vincent Benoliel MICHELINA ARTISAN BOULANGER
Stephane Strouk
MONSIEUR MARCEL GOURMET MARKET, SEAFOOD MARKET & BISTRO
Third & Fairfax
Lillian Sears
COFFEE CORNER
SHOP LOCAL!
Lou DeRosa
MARCONDA’S MEATS & PURITAN POULTRY
John Chae
FARM BOY PRODUCE
Bob Tusquellas
BOB’S COFFEE & DOUGHNUTS
10
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
Take out (Continued from page 1) for your order, and they’ll bring it outside to you. Alternatively, they have a pickup table outside, and customers are welcome to get their orders there, as long as crowds don’t form. His wife, Nora, adds, “We have physically taught our employees how to wash hands … in multiple languages and shown them videos as well as posted information.” But cleanliness alone doesn’t address all of a restaurant’s concerns. It’s nearly impossible to make the numbers work without dine-in patrons, especially for higher-end establishments with specialized ingredients and techniques. That’s why Kali and Providence decided to close for the duration. And that’s why Republique tried a modified roast chicken family menu, but the financials weren’t in their favor. However, the Republique bakery is busy fulfilling orders through Postmates and Tock. Dessert purveyors, in fact, are quite popular in times of hardship such as these. Erin McKenna’s Bakery , whose nearly guilt-free vegan and kosher cupcakes and other baked goods are sought-after treats, is open on Larchmont. Order for delivery or in person — only two customers are let in at a time. Blizzard in Boston In the blizzard of 1978, a record-breaking 27.1 inches of snow carpeted Boston within a few hours, effectively shutting
MANY RESTAURANTS on Larchmont Boulevard are offering food-to-go, such as these four in a row: Muraya, Le Petit Greek, Village Pizzeria (sometimes!) and Sweetfin.
NEW NEON-LIKE SIGN lights up the night at the Original Farmers Market. See the market’s many still-open merchants listed on page 12.
ta, Caesar salad, and garlic bread for $15. They also have opened a small market with such things as eggs, pasta, and toilet paper. Restaurants as markets That signifies one of the most exciting innovations in the COVID-influenced restaurant world: specialized markets that are a safer option than a run to a large grocery store. Burger Lounge is one such eatery that added groceries to its offerings. Osteria La Buca features a takeout / pickup menu of salads, pastas, and meats, pizza and $16 bottled cocktails for two, plus a family meal that includes bread, salad, pasta or chicken parmesan and tiramisu. Their special COVID-edition additions are the Buca Marketplace, where one can order fresh uncooked pastas and sauces, and Buca Grocers, which is stocked with a good variety of pantry items, fresh meats, whole Jidori chickens, Alaskan halibut, toilet paper, flour, and bottles of wine, beer and kombucha. Although they haven’t opened a market per se, Auburn offers weekly $55 produce boxes from Girl & Dug Farms. They’ve also adapted their prix fixe menu for our takeaway times. Chef Eric Bost creates a revolving family-style dinner for $39 per person. As of this writing, the Mention meal includes prawn boil with this ad for Mention Mention potatoes, corn and sausage, a special this ad for this ad for grits and berry cobbler. Hungry Angelenos can turn Please treat! and a special a special check our website to Marino Ristorante’s new treat! treat! call (323) 297-0070, ext. 1 pantry for pasta, aged parmesan, prosciutto, veggies, halfor email info@angeliniosteria.com off bottles of wine and vacuum-packed meatballs, $30 per dozen. Chef Sal Marino said the market is a “service to the community.” Concern for their staff is their main focus. “All our kitchen staff members are still here. In addition to the usual food delivery services, Marino’s hostesses and valets are doing no-contact 7313 – 7317 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036 | 323.297.0070 deliveries.” As their website 7313| –323.297.0070 7317 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036 | 323.297.0070 states, “Let’s keep our staff 313 – 7317 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036 www.angelinirestaurantgroup.com employed.” www.angelinirestaurantgroup.com www.angelinirestaurantgroup.com www.angelinirestaurantgroup.com Regarding employees, Open for Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner – Catering Le Petit Greek’s Houndalas Open for Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner – Catering Open for Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner – Catering recounts that, like quite a few down the city. Liquor stores, however, re-opened immediately, serving comfort in a bottle to the thirsty masses: a need many of us can relate to today while stuck inside during COVID-19 isolation. California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) seems to agree that access to booze is one pleasure the quarantined should not have to do without. The ABC temporarily changed the rules so restaurants can sell alcohol to take out, including packaged cocktails, with a food order. This not only makes customers happy, these highmarkup items help defray the food and personnel costs incurred by restaurants trying to survive while serving their communities. Many restaurants stick with bottles of wine and beer, such as Osteria Mamma, Canter’s Delicatessen, the Vietnamese
Nonglá Café and Sugarfish (the latter two also offer sake to go). Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese goes one step further: along with its famous sandwiches and bottles of wine to go, a full selection of liquor is available. Other restaurants have gotten fancy with packaged cocktails. Cassell’s Hamburgers, whose new sign states, “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask, No Service,” mixes up batches of Moscow Mules, Negronis and Old Fashioneds for roughly $5 a glass, alongside its normal diner menu and a “Cook at Home” burger kit for six. Another fine takeout cocktail option is Met Him at a Bar. There is an extensive cocktail selection, and bottles of wine are offered at a 50% discount. In addition to their regular menu items, they’ve added an aptly named Pasta Quarantine, a dinner of pas-
Open for curbside pick-up daily
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from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
other restaurant owners, “We have been shopping for and offering meals to all of our employees, including those laid off, to help them and their families.” A tough time It’s clear that in spite of their own difficulties, restaurant owners and chefs in our neighborhood actively show their love and concern for their staff and the community. Equally obvious is how much the community cares in return. Filippo Cortivo, owner of Osteria Mamma, feels the local support. He observes, “It’s been touching. The community around here is unique. They come in. They order. People buy gift certificates. They don’t want us to go away.” And yet, it is undeniably tough for everyone. Houndalas, whose restaurant has been on the Boulevard for 32 years, summarizes the plight most are experiencing: “While we remain open for takeout, we are not profitable. We continue to remain open for the community and our remaining employees. Truth is we do not know if we will be here in a few months.” Support our local restaurants by ordering takeout or pickup. Le Petit Greek 323397-0925 lepetitgreek.com. Republique Café & Bakery 310-362-6115 republiquela. com. Erin McKenna’s Bakery 855-462-2292 erinmckennasbakery.com. Osteria Mamma 323-284-7060 osteriamamma.com. Canter’s Delicatessen 323-651-2030 cantersdeli.com. Nongla Café 323-938-1188 nonglacaafe. com. Sugarfish 323-488-3636 sugarfishsushi.com. Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese 323-856-8699. Cassell’s Hamburgers 213-3875502 cassellshamburgers. com. Met Him At A Bar 323852-3321 methimatabar.com. Burger Lounge 323-462-2310 burgerlounge.com. Osteria La Buca 323-462-1900 Osterialabuca.com. Auburn 323486-6703 auburnla.com. Marino Ristorante 323-466-8812 marinorestaurant.com.
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
11
October Larchmont Family Fair is cancelled this year, says LBA
LARCHMONT FAMILY FAIR drew large crowds in years past. Above, people watch the “Larchmont’s Got Talent” show, one of many features of the 2019 Family Fair.
The Larchmont Boulevard Association discussed the fate of this fall’s Larchmont Family Fair and announced the following last month: “The Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA) regretfully has decided to cancel this year’s Larchmont Family Fair due to government-mandated requirements for social distancing and maximum gathering sizes on account of the coronavirus. “The Family Fair was created in 1966 by the founders of the Larchmont Chronicle, Dawne Goodwin and Jane Gilman, to provide a venue for local schools and charities to raise
funds for their organizations. The LBA hopes that local residents continue to support these nonprofits during this challenging time. The LBA intends that the Family Fair will be back, bigger and better than ever, around Halloween of 2021. “The Larchmont Family Fair draws over 10,000 residents to the annual fair, which takes place the Sunday before Halloween over a two-block stretch of Larchmont Boulevard. The Fair features a talent show, costume contest, pie-eating contest, games and activities, with educational
institutions and nonprofits hosting promotional booths.” The Boulevard Association also announced that its members are considering ways to more “remotely” assist Fairparticipant schools and charities later this year — around the time previously scheduled for the 2020 Family Fair. If you have ideas about what could be done during this temporary hiatus, and/or if you would like to join a local committee to discuss such ideas, contact: larchmontblvd@gmail.com or vgueler@pacifictrustgroup.com.
For more than 25 years, August, or it may be the year for now, the group needs extra HopeNet, 760 S. Westmore- with an event that is markedly support while demand at food land Ave., has produced “Taste different from the past. pantries is especially high beof Larchmont,” the major HopeNet leaders will keep us cause of the virus. To reach out fundraiser for the organiza- updated as to their plans. But, and help, visit hopenetla.org. tion that operates 13 food pantries at local congregations. This year, with thousands of people across the city — many in our neighborhood — needing help from those food pantries, the support raised by one of Larchmont’s favorite events is required more than ever. However, 2020 may also be the year without a Taste of Larchmont, tradi- TASTE OF LARCHMONT likely will be missed for the first time in its 26-year tionally held in late history. The popular fundraiser supports HopeNet’s food pantries.
©LC0520
HopeNet’s annual Taste of Larchmont unlikely this year
Celebrate Moms With A Taste of Greece Open for Takeout Tuesday - Sunday • 3:30-8:00pm Order at www.lepetitgreek.com or call 323-464-5160 FINE WINE & BEER AVAILABLE
127 North Larchmont Boulevard
Let us do the cooking!
Blue Plate Specials dinners for 4 - $40
Take Out - Curb Side Pick Up #1 Blue Plate EXPRESS
Chicken Pot Pies -moist chicken, green peas, carrots, potatoes and gravy topped with buttery crust. Mixed green salad with choice of dressing Choice of whole fruit pie or a Full Stack Hotcakes
#2 Blue Plate EXPRESS
Meatloaf – Topped with brown mushroom gravy. Creamy Mashed potatoes Fresh Seasonal Vegetables Choice of whole fruit pie or a Full Stack Hotcakes
#3 Blue Plate EXPRESS
Turkey Dinner – hand carved with all the trimmings. Creamy Mashed Potatoes Fresh Seasonal Vegetables Choice of whole fruit pie or a Full Stack Hotcakes
#4 Blue Plate EXPRESS
Macaroni & Cheese Casserole Bacon Garnish Garlic Bread Choice of soup du jour (cups) Choice of fruit pie or a Full Stack Hotcakes
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(2) Full Stacks – Buttermilk Hotcakes Scrambled Eggs Hash Browns Bacon or Sausage Freshly brewed Coffee Add 5.00 for any Specialty Hotcakes
In the Original Farmers Market 3rd & Fairfax (323) 933-8446 (323) 933-8447
12
Larchmont Chro
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
Many options available for dinin By Rachel Olivier The situation with the novel coronavirus remains fluid and so does our access to prepared meals, groceries and household necessities. Guidance from city and state officials changes from week to week, and business owners do their best to adapt to the needs of employees as well as customers, with access to supply chains that are not necessarily as dependable as they have been previously. At the time that this list was compiled, the following restaurants and cafés were accommodating customers by being available for takeout and/or delivery, sometimes using popular delivery services, such as Doordash.com, Grubhub. com, Postmates.com, Seamless. com, Trycaviar.com, or Ubereats. com. Some restaurants are offering fresh produce and other foodstuffs for sale. If you know a place we have missed, please email us at info@larchmontchronicle.com. Many of these eateries have truncated hours, and delivery times and methods vary from place to place. However, once again, many of these businesses have adapted with contactless delivery and call-ahead ordering for curbside delivery. Some eateries include wine, beer and cocktails in their offerings. Call the business or check the website to confirm hours and methods of delivery. Village Pizzeria Village Pizzeria remains closed, but a brief “pop-up” sales event took place over the April 17 weekend. To find out if there will be more pop-ups, see facebook.com/ villagepizzala or instagram.com/villagepizza_
CHARLIE’S COFFEE SHOP
Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., has a nice big friendly “open merchants” button on its website’s home page for customers looking for what is available at this time. The 86-year-old Los Angeles tradition uses Mercato to deliver fresh produce, and several merchants offer curbside delivery if you call and order ahead. See the list below, but check for updates. Call 323-933-9211 or visit farmersmarketla.com.
The grocers and specialty food vendors at the Original Farmers Market use Mercato.com as a system for grocery delivery, but other systems are available in our neighborhood, including Instacart.com for such grocers as Ralph’s, Vons, Pavilions and Sprouts; Amazon. com for Whole Foods (as a Prime member); Yummy.com, Butcherbox.com, Farmfreshtoyou.com, and Purplecarrot.com.
Restaurants and cafés that offer takeout or delivery along Larchmont Boulevard or very close by include: Astroburger 323-469-1924 astroburger.com. Burger Lounge 217 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-462-2310 burgerlounge.com Chipotle Mexican Grill 301 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-978-2047 chipotle.com Coffee + Food Larchmont Café 5630 Melrose Ave. 323-962-3390 coffeeplusfood.wordpress.com Erin McKenna’s Bakery 236 N. Larchmont Blvd. 855-462-2292 erinmckennasbakery.com Good Goose Café 5210 Beverly Blvd. 323-378-5272 goodgoosecafe.com Groundwork 150 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-843-4920 groundworkcoffee.com
Go Get Em Tiger 230 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-543-4321 gget.com Jamba Juice 122 N. Larchmont Blvd. (323) 378-5720 jamba.com Kiku Sushi 246 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-464-1323 Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese 223 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-856-8699 larchmontvillagewine.com Le Petit Greek 127 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-464-5160 lepetitgreek.com Lemonade 626 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-464-0700 lemonadela.com Louise’s Trattoria 232 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-962-9510 louises.com Muraya 125 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-856-0369 Osteria Mamma 5732 Melrose Ave. 323-284-7060 osteriamamma.com Peet’s Coffee 124 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-978-1003 peets.com Pressed Juicery 201 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-464-5800 pressedjuicery.com Sam’s Bagels 154 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-469-1249
DU-PAR’S RESTAURANT & PIES
Groceries and specialty foods: Bennett’s Ice Cream 323-939-6786
Bob’s Donuts 323-933-8929 The Dog Bakery 323-935-7512 thedogbakery.com Farm Boy Produce (323) 936-6363 Farm Fresh Produce (323) 931-3773 Farmers Market Poultry (323) 936-8158
FRITZI COOP
Green Maya Coffee 323-433-4010 greenmayacoffee.com Huntington Meats & Sausage 323-433-4010 huntingtonmeats.com Kaylin & Hobbs Pickles 323-933-9211 kaylinandhobbs.com Littlejohn’s English Toffee 323-936-5379 littlejohnscandies.com Magic Nut & Candy Co. 323-936-1383 themagicnut.com
Sweetfin 135 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-465-6040 sweetfin.com Tacos Tu Madre 203 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-499-1143 tacostumadre.com Vernetti 225 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-798-5886 vernetti.la Village Pizzeria 131 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-465-5566 villagepizzeria.net
MEATBALLS, sel ziti pasta were ited “pop-up” item only) at Village Piz
Beyond Larchmont Boulevard, you can find other open restaurants and cafés here: Angelini Alimentari 7317 Beverly Blvd. Angelini Osteria 7313 Beverly Blvd. 323-297-0070 angelinirestaurantgroup.com Antonio’s 7470 Melrose Ave. 323-658-9060 antoniosonmelrose.com Berri’s Café 8412 W. 3rd St. 323-852-0642 berrisla.com
LONG LINES fo April 17 by those Village Pizzeria’s par-baked food t at home.
Canter’s Deli 419 N. Fairfax Ave. 323-651-2030 cantersdeli.com
El Coyo 7312 Beve 323-93 elcoyotec
The Cat and the Fiddle 742 N. Highland Ave. 323-468-3800 thecatandfiddle.com
Escuela T 7615 Beve 323-932 escuelataq
GREEN MAYA COFFEE
Marconda’s Meats 323 938-5131 marcondas.com Marconda’s Puritan Poultry 323-938-0312 marcondas.com Michelina Artisan Boulanger 323-329-4000 michelinala.com M. Marcel Gourmet Market 323-939-7792 mrmarcel.com M. Marcel Seafood Market 323-938-1919 mrmarcel.com
Original Farm restau
Blaze 323-931 www.blaze Buca di 323) 37 www.bucadi Charlie’s C 323-933 Chip 323-857 chipotl
onicle
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
13
ng while staying safer at home Fancifull Gift Baskets 5617 Melrose Ave. 800-350-4437 fancifullgiftbaskets.com Jon & Vinny’s 412 N. Fairfax Ave. 323-334-3369 jonandvinnys.com Marino Ristorante 6001 Melrose Ave. 323-466-8812 marinorestaurant.com
lected pizzas and among the limms available (cash zzeria.
Papa Cristo’s 2771 W. Pico Blvd. 323-737-2970 papacristos.com Petrossian 321 N. Robertson Blvd. 310-271-6300 petrossianrestaurants.com Tart Restaurant 115 N. Fairfax Ave. 323-556-2608 tartrestaurant.com Tsujita & Co. 109 N. Fairfax Ave. 323-591-0470 tsujita-usa.com
ormed on Friday e who learned of “pop-up” sale of to take and bake
ote Café erly Blvd. 39 2255 cafe.com
Taqueria erly Blvd. 2-6178 queria.com
La Brea Avenue neighborhood eateries include: All About the Bread 7111 Melrose Ave. 323-930-8989 allaboutthebread.com Anarkali Indian Restaurant 7013 Melrose Ave. 323-934-6488 anarkalilosangeles.com Bludso’s Bar + Que 609 N. La Brea Ave. 323-931-2583 barandque.com
LITTLEJOHN’S ENGLISH TOFFEE
mers Market urants:
Pizza 31-1197 epizza.com i Beppo 70-6560 ibeppo.com Coffee Shop 33-0616 potle 57-0608 le.com
Chipotle Mexican Grill 7101 Melrose Ave. 323-297-0334 chipotle.com Eatz Cooking School 612 N. La Brea Ave. 323-935-3289 eatzla.com. Hot Wings Café 7011 Melrose Ave. 323-930-1233 hotwingscafe.net Isa Japanese Restaurant 916 S. La Brea Ave. 323-879-9536 isajapanese.com La Brea Bakery Café 468 S. La Brea Ave. 323-939-6813 labreabakery.com Lucifer’s Pizza 7123 Melrose Ave. 323-424-4230 luciferspizza.com M Café 7119 Melrose Ave. 323-525-0588 mcafedechaya.com/menus Met Her at a Bar 759 S. La Brea Ave. 323-847-5013 metheratabar.com Met Him at a Bar 801 S. La Brea Ave. 323-852-3321 methimatabar.com Milk Bar 7150 Melrose Ave. 347-577-9504, ext. 15 milkbarstore.com République 624 S. La Brea Ave. 310-362-6115 republiquela.com
M. MARCEL GOURMET MARKET
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 323-857-0461 coffeebean.com
Nonna’s Empanadas 323-934-3724 nonnasempanadas.com
Coffee Corner 323-938-0278
Patsy’s Pizza 323-938-4938 patsydamore.com
Du-par’s Restaurant & Pies 323-933-8446 dupars.net
Phil’s Deli and Grill 323-936-3704
Fritzi Coop 323-936-9436 fritzicoop.com
Sushi A Go Go 323-930-7874
M. Marcel Bistro 323-605-9020 mrmarcel.com
Veggie Grill 323-933-3997 veggiegrill.com
Roji Bakery 807 S. La Brea Ave. 323-852-3311 roji-bakery.business.site
The Counter 5779 Wilshire Blvd. 323-932-8900 thecounterburger.com
Standing’s Butchery 7016 Melrose Ave. 323-413-2212 standingsbutchery.com
Einstein Bros. Bagels 5550 Wilshire Blvd. 323-330-9501 einsteinbros.com
Supremo Ristorante 901 S. La Brea Ave. 323-852-3192 supremoristorante.com
Fatburger 5001 Wilshire Blvd., #103 323-939-9593 fatburger.com
Tatsu Ramen 7111 Melrose Ave. 323-747-1388 tatsuramen.com
Five Guys Burgers and Fries 5550 Wilshire Blvd., #101D 323-939-2360 fiveguys.com
Trejo’s Tacos 1048 S. La Brea Ave. 323-938-8226 trejostacos.com
India’s Tandoori 5468 Wilshire Blvd. 323-936-2050 indiastandoori.net
Tsuri Sushi and Sake Bar 7015 Melrose Ave. 323-935-1517
International House of Pancakes 5655 Wilshire Blvd. 323-297-4467 ihop.com
Wirtshaus 345 N. La Brea Ave. 323-931-9291 wirtshausla.com
Miracle Mile restaurants that are delivering or offering takeout include: Apollonia’s Pizzeria 5176 Wilshire Blvd. 323-937-2823 apolloniaspizzeria.com Black Dog Coffee 5657 Wilshire Blvd. 323-933-1976 blackdogcoffee.com Chipotle Mexican Grill 5550 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 101B 323-272-6661 chipotle.com
NONNA’S EMPANADAS
Restaurants at The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., that are open for delivery or takeout include: Cheesecake Factory 323-634-0511 cheesecakefactory.com Maggiano’s Little Italy 323-965-9665 maggianos.com
Mixt Greens 5757 Wilshire Blvd. hello@mixt.com mixt.com Ono Hawaiian BBQ 5550 Wilshire Blvd. 323-525-1688 onohawaiianbbq.com The Pop on Wilshire 6317 Wilshire Blvd. 323-852-6002 hotelwilshire.com Rocco’s Pizza 6335 Wilshire Blvd. 323-655-0058 roccospizza.la Yuko Kitchen 5484 Wilshire Blvd. 323-933-4020 yukokitchen.com
PHIL’S DELI AND GRILL
Pressed Juicery 323-549-9811 pressedjuicery.com Sprinkles Cupcakes 323-931-4498 sprinkles.com Umami Burger 323-954-8626 umamiburger.com Call 323-900-8080 or visit thegrovela.com/dining to get updates on restaurant availability.
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
th century movies can watch over and over and over again With the shutdown of the movie industry and theaters, old movies are becoming more important. Lots of movies are well made and enjoyable, but don’t have the appeal to view more than once. I would estimate that takes in more than 90 percent of the films made. But there are films that are so entertaining that watching them a second or third
time (or 10th!) is often as, and sometimes more (the case with “Casablanca”), entertaining than the first. Here is my list of 30 films from the last century that I can watch again and again and still enjoy. Maybe they all aren’t award winners, but they are winners in the best category there is: They can continue to entertain! They are listed
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Tony Medley time I watch it, it gets better, but I pretty much like anything with both Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet. As an aside, years ago I played tennis with a lawyer named Epstein never knowing he was the son of one of the twins who wrote the script until after he moved away; opportunity lost. Singin’ in the Rain (1952): The best musical ever made, bar none, highlighting Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor and a terrific comic song: Moses supposes his toeses are roses But Moses supposes e-ron-eous-ly. Now Moses he knowses his toeses aren’t roses As Moses supposes his toeses to be! The Final Countdown
(1980): About a modern nuclear aircraft carrier captained by Kirk Douglas with DOD (U.S. Dept. of Defense) observer Martin Sheen along for the ride that suddenly finds itself transported back to the Pacific on December 6, 1941. Charles Durning gives a good supporting performance. The best time warp movie ever made, by a long shot. A Walk in the Sun (1945): Classic WWII war movie with Dana Andrews and Richard Conte that has been remade several times without any accreditation, like Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan.” The Maltese Falcon (1941): Sometimes credited with starting film noir, John Huston’s directorial debut made Bogey a star with a terrific cast, including the aforesaid Lorre and Greenstreet, making his film debut at age 61. An American in Paris (1951): Gershwin & Gene Kelly; how could it go wrong? The Sound of Music (1965): Magic with Julie Andrews, (Please turn to page 19)
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in no particular order. Also, there probably are others, but these are the ones that come to mind as I write this: The Firm (1993): Although Tom Cruise was miscast (in the book he’s a former star quarterback), he gives a good performance along with Gene Hackman, Gary Busey, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Holly Hunter in this crackling John Grisham thriller directed by Sydney Pollack. A Few Good Men (1992): Tom Cruise again, with Jack Nicholson, making Aaron Sorkin’s script sparkle. From Here to Eternity (1953): Director Fred Zinneman makes James Jones’ wonderful WWII novel come to life with Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra and Ernest Borgnine; lotsa Oscars. The Caine Mutiny (1954): Another great cast; Bogey, Jose Ferrer, Van Johnson, Fred McMurray and an unheralded but terrific short performance by Tom Tully. Casablanca (1942): Every
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Plague and virulenceinspired fiction dates back at least to Boccaccio’s “Decameron” (1348), where 10 of Florence’s 1 percenters flee to Fiesole, the Hamptons of the day, for 10 days of self-isolated story telling. Other notable, similar works include Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” (bats), the Gothic stories of Edgar Allan Poe (red death), Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ 1985 “Love in the Time of Cholera,” and, of course Camus’ “The Plague” (1947). Cinema’s contributions include Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (1922) and various apocalypses, zombie and otherwise, including Wolfgang Petersen’s “Outbreak” (1995) and Steven Soderbergh’s “Contagion” (2011), among others. Theater’s viral pedigree goes back even further, starting in 429 B.C. with Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex.” The young king’s job is to find the source of the plague devastating his city. It is, of course, himself, and Thebes will be cleansed only after he plucks his eyes out. Shakespeare, who was born in a plague year and possibly wrote “King Lear” and the sonnets while theaters were closed, knew a good plot device when he saw one. Romeo returns too late to Verona because Friar John, sent by Friar Laurence, cannot enter Mantua as he has violated social distancing. The local authorities, “Suspecting that we both were in a house / Where the infectious pestilence did reign, / Sealed up the doors and would not let us forth, / So that my speed to Mantua there was stayed.” Other dramatizations include
Theater Review by
Louis Fantasia Sidney Howard’s 1934 “Yellow Jacket,” about the conquest of yellow fever (after centuries of epidemics), and British playwright Peter Barnes’ 1985 “Red Noses,” about monks in 1348 who turn to slapstick as a cure for God’s curse. The great writer on the plague is the Frenchman Antonin Artaud, who, in his “Theater of Cruelty” manifestos (see “The Theater and Its Double,” 1958, Grove Press), longed for a theater of such “frenzy” and “ferocity” that it overtakes “the very organs of the body” (of both actor and audience) and “releases conflicts, disengages powers, liberates possibilities…” and “drains… collective abscess” as an “avenging scourge.” Theater’s survival Excessive, perhaps, but essential. Artaud is crying out for a theater that means something. As theaters (as well as restaurants, shops, concert halls, etc.) struggle to survive and plan some sort of comeback, that meaning of why are we here, why are we gathering, will come under greater and greater scrutiny. Why, in the forthcoming new normal, should theater exist? Every artist will have to find an answer for him- or herself, and it will not be found in YouTube playlets or Instagram monologues,
but in a shared collective space, using the bare elements of venue, voice and time. Oberammergau In 1633 the Bavarian village of Oberammergau promised God that if He spared their village from the plague, they would put on a show celebrating Christ’s Passion. It’s interesting that they didn’t vow to build a cathedral or fund some monastery, but to put on a play. And they have, 41 times since 1634; once a decade, cancelled only twice; honored by Hitler once (1934); fairly anti-Semitic until script revisions beginning in the 1980s took a more enlightened approach; always performed by locals (2000 people on stage at a time); directed, since 1990, by Christian Stuckle, the award-winning artistic director of the Munich Kammerspiel Theater, whose father and grandfather grew up performing in the play, as he himself did. The Passion Playhouse seats over 4500, putting on over 100 performances a season, and generating millions of Euros in local revenue. (See 2022-oberammergau. com/the-passion-play/) Covid-19 has pushed this decade’s production from 2020 to 2022, and I think that indicates the long lead time society and the arts will need to recover. In the meantime, rather than Zooming audition monologues and TikTok dances to our friends, we might want to think about what we will really have to say when the theater doors finally reopen, the house lights dim, and the curtain rises. Artaud will be watching!
Larchmont Chronicle
Rhodes School (Continued from page 1) conferencing platforms like Zoom and FaceTime to continue meeting with students from the safety of their homes. “I have a great front desk staff, and they really stepped up to make sure all of the things were happening when they need to,” Rhodes said. “Having a good staff has really made the transition doable and better and successful.” Rhodes was able to keep all of his staff, about 40 faculty members in total. Under California’s new AB-5 employment law, which went into effect this January and reclassified some contract workers as employees eligible for benefits, Rhodes instructors are entitled to sick days and unemployment insurance. Piano instructor Philip Rankin credits the smooth transition to virtual classes, in part, to Rhodes’ dedication to fostering a technology-forward institution. With automated scheduling and monthly payments, the school had existing infrastructure to ease at-home instruction. “Teaching out of my house feels way less stressful, probably because if a student isn’t here or I’m not teaching, I can do whatever I want,” Rankin said. “I’m really fortunate to be able to do this job. My girlfriend works for Trader Joe’s, and it’s way more challenging. It’s really hard to see her have to go in there every day because grocery workers are not doctors. They did not sign up for this. I’m really fortunate, and it’s simply because I’m at the school.” In addition to overseeing the school, Rhodes teaches piano lessons to students like Julia Wolf, 11, who has been learning piano since she was five-and-ahalf. She studied at the Rhodes School back when it was located in upper Larchmont, before its summer 2016 move to the current location, and she continues to learn during this change to online classes. “I like them because, before, I was always a little bit late to class,” Wolf said. “Now I’m not late. I always log on early, and he just lets me in. I do everything he assigns, and I think it’s really helpful because I’m still learning my piano, and it’s basically the same kind of lesson.” Wolf’s mother, Marisa Wolf, recalled her own experiences as a child taking piano lessons in her home and decided to send her daughter to Rhodes School so she could learn in a less distracting environment. “I was kind of concerned about it at first,” Wolf said. “We’re still paying the same amount of money, and it’s going to be on the computer, and is this going to be worth it? And it’s actually been fantastic.
MAY 2020
In a way, she practices more now because we’re at home and we can’t go anywhere. It’s been better in a lot of ways.” Karen Gilchrist’s son, Alexander, 6, takes piano lessons with instructor Chris Lee. Gilchrist wanted to ensure that despite having at-home piano lessons, Alexander could have direct interactions with adults beyond his parents and schoolteachers. “I set it up so Mr. Chris can see his hands and his posture and the piano keys, and then I leave them alone, so they still have that one-on-one, and it’s not me overseeing it,” Gilchrist said. “I hear my son running down the hall to go get a sticker for himself, and it’s just so lovely, especially when every day blends into each other and he’s not seeing his friends.” An unexpected outcome of social distancing practice is that students now have more time to practice. Instructor Rankin said some of his students have even begun to add
SECTION ONE
GRACE KAZANIJIAN takes her voice lesson online with instructor Sara Sinclair Gomez. Photo by Sara Sinclair Gomez more weekly lessons to make up for lost extracurriculars, but alternatively, the economic downturn has taken away others. “I’ve lost a couple of adult students because they lost work,” Rankin said. “You keep thinking, once things get started again, then people will come back, which I think they will, but the longer our economy is in a coma, the less we’ll be able to come back and sustain.” Online music lessons look
different for students playing instruments. Instead of correcting students’ hand placement on the piano, Rankin has turned to using two devices — one to see his student’s hands and the other to show music books or blank manuscript paper on which he writes virtual ink. Voice lessons too Voice instructor Sara Sinclair Gomez said that her lessons have not had to change much, and in fact, technology offers singers even greater opportu-
nities than in-person classes. She has students record lessons so that they can practice warm-ups throughout the week, and she has been able to teach students who have them how to use microphones. Conferencing platforms also allow her students to see themselves during their lessons, which Gomez tries to do in-person with mirrors, so students can now monitor unconventional mannerisms in real time. “When I’m in a regular voice lesson, the students are to the side of me or behind me, but it’s giving me more of a connection seeing the student in the screen, me staring at them and them staring at me,” Gomez said. “It’s almost better because they’re also able to look at themselves. Since we’re all stuck to screens, we’re basically singing into the mirror the whole time.” Live music In addition to lessons, Rhodes School has begun (Please turn to page 19)
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
HARVARD WESTLAKE By Celine Park 11th Grade
I received a campus-wide email from Harvard Westlake’s President on March 11 that we would officially be resuming school via Zoom online learning starting the next Monday, Mar. 16. As I scoured the lengthy message, word for word, around me on the campus, kids began to cheer, running around in circles and making victory laps. During my last few classes of the day, all everyone could talk about was
the school closure, COVID-19, and future brunch plans for that Sunday morning. Although the events that led to our school closing down, to some students, seem to be a stroke of luck, to many others it was the exact opposite. Seniors wandered around the quad in a daze, wondering how their senior retreat, prom, and grad night were stripped from them. Juniors stressed about how they were going to make up their SATs or ACTs, let alone study for their AP exams. Teachers were worried sick if Zoom would crash during their lessons or if their students would show up late to online classes as a result of snoozing
their alarm. After that five-minute honeymoon phase of chanting and celebrating, our heads that were soaring high up in the clouds quickly were drenched in the never-ending rain. These feelings of confusion and worry stuck with many in our community in the first beginning days. When all seemed bleak, most of the confusion cleared, and together we adjusted quickly to our online schedules and classes. My deans sent the Junior Class of 2021 an email reporting a 99 percent attendance rate. The very teachers stressed about Zoom were ecstatic about the successes and benefits of the app, using its features such as breakout rooms, sharing screens
and the raising hand feature to simulate real-life classes. For me, personally, the notoriously extreme workload of Harvard Westlake, reduced to a relatively manageable amount, of which I could relax during my lunch break but still be productive during the rest of the day. Social distancing was difficult at first, but a routine of FaceTiming and Zooming friends took away most feelings of loneliness and boredom. Online school, for the most part, has exceeded my and many others’ expectations. Currently, I am enjoying my two-week-long spring break, but surprisingly I am not dying of
boredom or feeling trapped inside my house. Quarantining has given me time to watch a few movies, catch up on some leisurely reading, and of course, continue the HW grind by studying for three AP tests and writing two research papers, The school has also utilized Zoom in a creative fashion with online tutorials hosted by students and teachers on topics ranging from book readings to coffee making. All in all, our administration and school community have done a wonderful job of allowing its students, teachers and faculty to assimilate into the unusual world of digital learning.
BUCKLEY
at school in the classroom. We take notes from a shared video or an online blackboard. We continue to have debates or discussions on topics relating to current events or past history. A big difference in our school schedules is the time frames. School now starts an hour later than before and ends an hour earlier than if we were at school. This is because all classes are now an hour rather than an hour and 15 minutes. The way students and teachers meet for online classes is by using an app called Zoom. Zoom creates private online rooms that require a code to access. The Teachers are in control of these rooms and the students check their school page or email to get the code to get in. As soon as everyone is in the online room the teacher can start the class.
By Jasper Gough 10th Grade As with most schools in Los Angeles, the Buckley School has transitioned to online schooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All teachers have postponed assessments like quizzes, tests, midterms, and final exams until we return to school. Along with this, all in-person campus and school-wide activities such as Spirit Week will be postponed until further notice. During an online class session, each student is supposed to put their phones in a place where it wouldn’t distract them which is the same as if we were physically
Spring sounds: Tame Impala, Wand, Denzel Curry By Elijah Small Three recent album releases for you to consider this spring.
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The Slow Rush Out with their fourth studio album in February, Tame Impala, and lead singer Kevin Parker, do not disappoint. The album consists of vibing, head-bopping, pop-ish rock tunes (like songs Borderline and Lost in Yesterday) and also includes more dreamy psych-rock tracks (like the song Tomorrow’s Dust). Every song relates to each other, but the album never feels repetitive. This album, in my opinion, is as good as the group’s first major success, Lonerism. Review: 8 out of 10.
Ganglion Reef This is the debut album from Los Angeles psych-rock band Wand. The album consists of fuzz guitar licks and revolv-
ing effects, which produces a hypnotic sound that takes the listener to another way of life. Overall, the sound is beautiful, complete with simple guitar chords throughout the album. In fact, the guitar is not the driving force behind the sound, but it does provide an effect that pulls the listener in, like a hug. I think this band deserves more credit. Review: 8.5 out of 10.
Unlocked American rapper Denzel Curry released in February his third album, a collaboration with record producer Kenny Beats. Both men are very talented musically, so going into this, I had no doubt it would be good. The hard-hitting bombastic beats by Kenny Beats complement Denzel and his rapping style. The brief, eight-track, 18-minute album creates a fast-paced tempo that seems to get more intense with each new song. Overall this is a great drop. Review: 7 out of 10. Elijah Small is a student at Pilgrim School.
By Samantha Hutchinson 12th Grade
After spring break, Oakwood School started Remote Learning classes on March 31. Ever since then, students have been getting used to the style of online classes using various technology tools, including the video conferencing app, Zoom. Although these online classes are much different from life in a classroom, the overall class learning experience has been very similar, and Oakwood has been very accommodating to all students. The day after the online orientation, students started visiting classes through Zoom, and using our school website, teachers assigned classwork and homework like any regular school day. While doing this, each teacher created class schedules stating the times to video chat, what their office hours were, and when we’d have independent classwork. Since teaching classes online is fairly new to Oakwood, Zoom meetings from administration and counselors have given students a place to go for support and mental health check-ins, ensuring each student is doing well during this time. Overall, even though we have shifted away from our usual learning styles, Oakwood School has done their very best at giving continuous support through the screens, especially with making this experience as normal as possible.
Immaculate Heart students started distance learning on March 18 and it has been a resounding success. Although the situation is definitely not ideal, teachers and students alike are working hard to make sure that the environment feels a little bit like regular school with different activities and new class assignments that accommodate our new circumstances. For example, teachers continue to give students the opportunity to work in groups with other students and make creative projects with the resources they have at the time. In addition, our student council and administration have been hard at work to create fun activities to improve the normalcy of our school days, like submitting a haiku or a picture for spirit points. These little things seem to help students feel like they still belong to the Immaculate Heart school community despite being far away. In other news, a number of students that I have talked to have said that they have actually enjoyed the distanced learning, although they, of course, miss regular classes. Our school day now starts at 9 a.m. and each
ST. BRENDAN
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Middle School Summer Program June 15 — July 10, 2020 One, Two and Four-Week Classes For Girls Entering Grades 4 - 8
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As we complete our first month of remote learning in mid-April, Saint Brendan is ready to take on our next month with just as much preparation and enthusiasm. Online learning was a large adjustment for the students and teachers, however the faculty did an excellent job at making this new experience as conventional as possible. Teaching methods for younger grades and older grades are slightly different. Kindergarten students are doing one on one Zoom meetings with their teachers, and first and second graders are learning from videos of their teachers explaining lessons. Grades third through eighth are doing class Zooms, assessments on Google Forms, watching videos of their teachers’ lessons, and assignments posted to Google Classroom. While it can be hard to stay home during this time, Saint Brendan students are doing their part in keeping the community safe by staying connected with their friends through FaceTime or Zoom!
Join us for exciting summer day camp programs for students entering grades K-7 at our expanded campus in West Hollywood
MARLBOROUGH The Marlborough School campus is closed until May 11, but that could change if necessary, for our health and safety. During this time, every precaution has been taken without lessening the amount of learning being done online. Marlborough, like many other schools, is using Zoom, which is an online learning program that allows students and teachers to meet as if we were still in a classroom. Depending on the class we are either having interactive lessons, where we ask questions and have conversations with our classmates and teachers, or watching pre-filmed lectures and doing solitary work. We also have not stopped taking tests or quizzes; we take them online, or they are sent to us in a PDF and we print it. Everything we do still is governed by our pledge of honor to ensure that we are still following the rules and being honest during our tests. Online school has taught me how fortunate I am to be able to go to school and see my friends every day because in quarantine it is lonely. It is much harder because of the minimum amount of time we get to spend one-onone with our teachers.
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TRUMPET SOUNDS: Local photographer Zaydee Sanchez last month followed the sound of music, which led her to Los Angeles High School where she found Carlos Guerrero, alone, playing the trumpet outside of an empty school campus. When asked why, Guerrero replied: “I don’t really know. I just remember all the beautiful times I’ve had here with my marching band. I graduated about three years ago, but these current days really have me reflecting.”
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By Scarlett Saldaña 9th Grade
class period is only one hour long, as opposed to the usual 7:45 a.m. start time with 85-minute classes. Students have claimed that because of this new schedule, they feel a lot less stressed about the distance learning since they know they will have more time to sleep and also do activities with their families after online learning is over. All of us students here are extremely appreciative of the immense time and effort that teachers have put in to make the distance learning work for us, at Immaculate Heart and every other school. Here at Immaculate Heart, we hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy in these unusual times we are having.
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IMMACULATE HEART
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OAKWOOD SCHOOL
MAY 2020
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Larchmont Chronicle
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“Educating the Hearts & Minds of Young Women Since 1906”
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5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028 ♥ (323) 461-3651 ♥ www.immaculateheart.org
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CHRIST THE KING By Scarlett Gonsalves 7th Grade
With COVID-19 affecting the lives of many, and with the closure of our schools, teachers have become more innovative in their teaching methods. Here at Christ the King, students are still hard at work with their studies in their home environments.
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION ONE
In TK, students use a website called Bloomz to communicate with their teacher, and to post and share their work. Students in kindergarten through 5th grade use a variety of apps, and meet online daily
with their teachers to learn their lessons. Not only do they learn, they get to read fun short stories together, gather for show-andtell, do all types of projects, and even do presentations. Middle school students use Zoom, Google Classroom and other apps to connect with their teachers and keep up with their academic subjects. To stay positive throughout the
pandemic, the middle school students have completed six random acts of kindness over the course of two weeks to raise spirits. We have also kept active with regular exercise, which we do through our Full Focus program. On Holy Thursday, Father Juan and Mrs.
Anderson gathered the whole school together on Zoom for a prayer service in preparation for Easter. Despite limitations due to the coronavirus, students at Christ the King School are working hard and staying happy and healthy!
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE
those who are affected by life threatening illness in the Los Angeles area. This month, in our English and art classes, the sixth grade is working on a project about an artist we have chosen to study. Essentially, we do research and write an essay on them in English class. Then, in art class, we create an art piece inspired by their style of work. I chose Trevor Paglen, who is an artist that tackles the issue of mass surveillance and data collection through his work in photography. Another project the sixth grade has been working on is a cross curricular one in our core classes. The project is based off of the popular reality TV show, Shark Tank. For the assignment, groups of two will be creating a product or service in our science class, writing a pitch for it in English class, and doing the numbers for our idea in math. Once we have finalized all of our work, we will be pitching it to five teachers at school with our asking price, just as it is done on Shark Tank. My partner and I have been working on our service for a little while now, and we really enjoyed collaborating on such a grand project that spans across so many different subjects.
By Nikhil George 6th Grade
Recently at Hollywood Schoolhouse, we have transitioned over into remote learning. This experience is a good opportunity for students to work at their own pace. I enjoy it because I have been able to finish my work for one class and immediately move on to my assignments for my next class. It also allows for students to take breaks as needed during work times. Remote learning has also provided many opportunities for oneon-one conversations with teachers about your work. I would say that this form of learning is definitely newly discovered for elementary grades, but it has a lot of bonuses to offer. In early March, HSH families and faculty have volunteered for an organization called Project Angel Food. Volunteers got together to help pack food and fruit bags, as well as decorate birthday cards for those member without family. Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity to help
THIRD STREET By Sofia Kirilov 4th Grade
IMMACULATE HEART
A Catholic, Independent, College Preparatory School For Girls Grades 6-12
“Educating the Hearts & Minds of Young Women Since 1906”
5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028 ♥ (323) 461-3651 ♥ www.immaculateheart.org
Like all other schools in Los Angeles, Third Street Elementary has closed and transitioned to online learning because of the coronavirus. We now interact with our teachers through Zoom meetings and Google Classroom. It’s strange and unusual to learn this way but our school is trying to make the best of it. Our teachers have been quick to adapt to online learning, and our principal has created a central instructional resources webpage to keep everyone on track. Our school also lent out Chromebooks to students who needed them so everyone can keep learning from home. Each week, my teacher sends me a weekly schedule with specific assignments for each day. Many of my assignments are on apps and websites like Zearn, Freckle, Khan Academy, ReadWorks, and Studies Weekly. My teacher then gets my test scores directly and is able to keep track of my work. I submit my writing assignments (usually at least two assignments per day) directly to my teacher, who reviews them and gives me comments. We are
keeping busy and learning a lot but I still miss daily activities at school. In my free time, I read books by Rick Riordan, Chris Colfer, and some of my other favorite writers. To keep active, I ride my bike and do yoga with my mom. I also do arts and crafts — everything from drawing to jewelry making — with my friend Elexis over FaceTime. I keep in touch with my friends and family through texts, video chats and virtual playdates. My friend Erin even had a virtual birthday party on Zoom! Hope you all stay healthy and safe! #stayhome #staysafe
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At the Movies (Continued from page 14) Christopher Plummer, Rodgers & Hammerstein and fantastic Austrian scenery. Gigi (1958): The best musical written solely for the silver screen by Lerner & Lowe (who wrote “My Fair Lady”), with a boffo performance by Maurice Chevalier. The Godfather I & II (1972 & 1974): Can’t beat ’em. Bullitt (1968): Steve McQueen and the best car chase ever filmed with a scintillating Oscar-nominated supporting performance by Robert Vaughn, along with the gorgeous Jacqueline Bissett. My Dinner With Andre (1981): With Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory (who cowrote the script), directed by Louis Malle. Dinner conversation has never been more captivating. Oklahoma! (1955): Changed Broadway musicals forever, and the movie with Gordon MacRae as Curly was better than the stage play. West Side Story (1961): Even questionable casting couldn’t harm this magnificent music. The Music Man (1962): Robert Preston steals the show and the music is terrific. My Fair Lady (1964) (the absence of Julie Andrews notwithstanding): The lyrics are amazing, example: Tonight old man you did it, You did it, you did it. You said that you would do it And indeed you did. I thought that you would
MAY 2020
rue it; I doubted you’d do it. But now I must admit it That succeed you did! North by Northwest (1959): Two giants, Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant, reached their pinnacle, highlighted by the classic crop duster scene. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) (the second one with Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day): After trying once in the ’30s, Hitch finally got it right, brightened by the Oscar-winning diegetic song “Que Sera, Sera” that Doris apparently felt was wrong for the movie and didn’t want to sing. The Pelican Brief (1993): Although I was disenchanted by Julia Roberts’ performance, this is a thriller I enjoy. Command Decision (1948): Clark Gable’s best post-war film. Stellar cast. Although no credit was given to it, 2016’s “Eye in the Sky” is so similar in format it can’t be a coincidence. Battleground (1949): William Wellman directs Van Johnson and others fighting the Battle of the Bulge in one of the best war movies to come out of WWII. “That’s for sure, that’s for dang sure!” Twelve O’Clock High (1949): Gregory Peck in a role similar to Gable’s, supra. High Society (1956): Crosby, Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Cole Porter in Newport; what could be better, especially the Crosby/Sinatra duet to the rewritten “Well, Did You Evah” from “Du Barry Was a Lady:”
Rhodes School (Continued from page 1)
DOWNLOAD a coloring book.
At home with marionettes The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, which first opened in 1963, rolled out a new digital program to keep kids (and their parents) busy, called “At Home Happiness.” The program includes a series of podcasts, puppet shows, playlists, archived films, how-to videos on making puppets, and downloadable activity books and coloring sheets. Most activities are free. In addition, gift certificates, memberships and “adopting a puppet” offer opportunities to help support the theater until it can open back up to the public. To see what’s available, visit bobbakermarionettetheater. com/at-home-happiness
offering free Zoom classes so that its greater community can have the opportunity to listen to live music. Among others, “Songs and Stories” caters to kids under the age of three, and “Free Faculty Concert Fridays” is a weekly mini concert performed by a Rhodes instructor that is open for all ages. Rankin hosts “Phil Makes Crazy Noises!” where he plays on modular synthesizers and an oscilloscope to show how sound waves can be warped into creating music. Rhodes said the free classes were a product of wanting to offer parents and kids more programming, and he expects to continue offering online classes even once restrictions are lifted. “It challenged us to reevaluate our position in the community, and I got closer to understanding the value and importance that we are, not just as a business, but also as an integral part of the community,” Rhodes said. “We needed to ensure we are still providing what we were providing, just in a whole different way.” Talia Abrahamson is a senior at Marlborough School.
I have heard among this clan You are called the forgotten man. Is that what they’re sayin’? Well, Did you evah, What a swell party this is! Dr. Strangelove (1964): Peter Sellers (playing three roles) as Dr. Strangelove, the only person who can save
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the world, but his right hand keeps trying to kill him. Seller’s sterling performance is challenged by George C. Scott’s equally stellar turn. A Touch of Class (1973): As George Segal tries to seduce Glenda Jackson, the first third of this is as funny as any movie I’ve ever seen, but then it runs out of gas.
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Young Frankenstein (1974): Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder at their best. South Pacific (1958): Director Josh Logan really botched this transformation to film but it’s my favorite musical and I love Mitzi Gaynor. Ray Walston’s performance as Luther Billis is as memorable for me as Gable’s Rhett Butler.
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Homeschooling (Continued from page 1) caroline@larchmontchronicle.com
As a mom to a 6- and an 8-year old, I can attest that sharing anecdotes about the experience of homeschooling, or “distance learning,” is vitally important (from a mental health perspective). This feels truer than ever since those of us in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) received the latest official word: schools are closed for the remainder of 2019-2020 school year. LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner delivered that message on April 13, whereas some private schools may have received such an edict even earlier or are still awaiting word. Knowing that we likely are in this for the long haul, here are this month’s interviews to offer some solidarity. The questions asked 1) What are the names, ages, and grades of your children? 2) How are you structuring your days? 3) What remote learning strategies are you employing, and what (if any) materials / resources did the school provide? 4) How are YOU coping (as parents)? and — new this month! — 5) How is everyone handling the news that school (likely) will not resume this year? Jill Coppola, S. Lucerne Blvd., wrote: 1) Stella Coppola, 2nd grade at Melrose Avenue Mathematics / Science / Technology Magnet 2) First of all, it’s a luxury to even have the ability to shelter in our home, and I am beyond grateful that we are all healthy and safe. Obviously, no one was prepared for a worldwide pandemic, least of all the children, so I’m trying to frame this in a way that puts more of the focus on being helpers than on panic. So far, most
STELLA COPPOLA, 2nd grader at Melrose Magnet, participates in an online class via Zoom with her teacher.
BLAKE JENKINS, 5th grader at Van Ness Elementary, participates in online learning.
of our days at home, which began for us on March 13th, have felt more like crisis management than the mindful experience I’d hoped to create for my daughter. This is not easy. I was trying to structure our days at home intuitively. By that I mean, beginning the day with activities that she gravitates to in the morning, like reading, and saving trickier subjects for when we are all more awake. But, in actuality, we are getting a late start, ending schoolwork late, going to bed late. Everything is out of whack. Everything! I had hoped to look at homeschool as an opportunity to go more deeply into subjects. I had hoped to work with her and that we’d read together and copy down lines of poetry and, in general, be more thoughtful about all of her school subjects. I feel frazzled and scared and filled with sorrow for all the loss of life in the world. I haven’t had the time I’d like with her because I’m working so much. I’m so grateful for the work, not only for the simple fact of economics but also for the distraction. I’m like a busy beaver and staying busy has helped me personally. Still, it can
Her sweet friends drove by on her 8th birthday with beautiful homemade signs wishing her a happy birthday. Surprise visits at our front window just to say hello. These moments, and more like them, offer such intense beauty that it makes my heart ache. That’s how the world feels to me right now, a heart-wrenching mixture of sorrow and deep, deep beauty. 5) She is so sad that she won’t be going back to school this year. I am glad that she will be home and safe with me. I try to comfort her with the fact that one day our lives will be back to normal. I remind her that she’ll be back in school and going to play with friends, but right now we have this gift of time together, which will be over before we know it. But she is an only child with only her parents to play with so it is a small comfort. Shelby Lee Jenkins, who lives in Larchmont Village Neighborhood, reported: 1) Sawyer, 1st grade; Blake, 5th grade, both at Van Ness Elementary. 2) The first week we had no structure as schools were not prepared for this. But by the second week, I had made a schedule that complements the daily online school tasks and assignments. Once I had that agenda and it was taped to the wall, it was respected. My 7-year-old really needed it and gets annoyed if we are not on schedule. We start with a morning walk. Then they both do their online learning, then lunch, followed by an hour of creative time. Then it’s on to an hour of reading to me (my 7-year-old) or by himself (my 10-year-old) and, finally, to end the school day, they
contribute to my feeling frazzled and disconnected. It can also show up in my daughter acting out if we don’t have enough quality connection every day. 3) We are finding our rhythm little by little — some days are more successful than others. Her school, Melrose Magnet, and her teachers, namely Mr. Gaffield, are incredible and we were up and running in less than two weeks! She has a full school day now, and she can do some of her work at my desk with me while I work. My husband is unbelievably helpful through all this! He is lovely with our daughter — they cook meals together and play basketball and soccer. He brings laughter to the situation. 4) [How are we coping?] A few moments of grace and beauty have sustained us. Stella’s sweet friend dropped a letter off on our doorstep on St. Patrick’s Day, and it brought me to tears. A fairy camp she did last summer, “Melissa and Sue,” emailed a letter and checklist from the fairies for moments of outside magic. Hearing her laugh with friends on phone calls. Walks with our dog around the block, masks on.
both get 30 minutes of their own device time. In the evening, we either go for another walk or they participate in an online PE class. I have them finish their day with writing in their daily journals while I prepare and cook dinner. If we accidentally skip a day in the journal, it is hard to figure out what we did as the days have now all blended into each other. 3) They are using tons of platforms. Way too many in my opinion. No one was prepared, and I really feel for the teachers who are trying to figure this all out on the go. What challenges me as a parent is both kids are using different platforms, and each week there are new ones. I feel a rhythm has started to take shape as to what platforms each teacher prefers, so having new ones each week will settle down eventually. But to name the main ones … we have been using Zoom, Google Classroom, BrainPop, Epic Books, Newsela, Zearn, etc. 4) How am I coping? It really is an hour-by-hour moment. I am a single parent who is now unemployed, so I am trying to keep as much normalcy for my kids as I can. Keeping on schedule helps. My kids don’t really talk about their feelings, as I don’t think they have the words, and I am trying to figure out how to teach them to communicate with me. And to add to this, we need to decide on which middle school we would like to attend by this Friday. I have settled on the one that I think will be the best, but it is hard to for me to say “yes” to a school for 6th (Please turn to page 21)
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MAY 2020
Homeschooling
certainly stay home for as long as we need to in support of keeping our family and others safe. 5) Right now, the school will only confirm “distance learning” through May 15 since that is the date to which stayat-home currently extends. However, I am not expecting school to open again. As I said, I am good with doing whatever needs to be done to keep everyone safe. I am just sorry to see the kids
FIREHOUSE DINNERS need provisions. Left to right: L.A. Fire Dept. Engineer Clark Hills; Ausencia Salas, manager, Farm Boy roduce ire ghter le is u man and ire ghter Paramedic Steven Spriggs. ire ghters rom ire tation 61, Battalion 18, South Bureau, pick up vegetables at Farm Boy Produce, compliments of the Chae Family, at the Original Farmers Market in partnership with First-In Fire Foundation and the ce o ouncilmember David Ryu.
LUCAS SZENTGYORGYI, Junior at Campbell Hall, studies at home.
This is their school schedule Monday through Thursday. Friday is less structured, with the day reserved for a meeting of their advisory group and scheduled meetings with teachers or groups they may be working in. The boys are responsible for knowing where and when they need to be somewhere virtually. They manage their own schedules and homework. There is much more free time now, and they each use it differently. With the change in start times (previously, we would usually leave at 7:30 a.m. for the bus) and the teenager preference for late nights, we do check in with them in the morning to be sure they are up! But that is all we need to do. We make them breakfast many mornings, but they are self-sufficient and handle most of their own meals during the day. We have a family dinner every night and sometimes gather for a TV show. At midnight, phones and laptops are put away in a charging station outside their rooms. Both of them use social media to stay in touch with friends during the time they are not “in” school. Evan is a musician and spends much of his time in his room or on the piano practicing or composing. This is not a big change from how he would spend his day when he was at school except now he has more time to devote to music. During school days he would not get home until 4:30. Lucas is a baseball player and spends time running, hitting in the backyard or throwing. His schedule has been changed considerably by not attending school, as he would often be at practice or games and not get home until later in the evening. One big change for Lucas has been preparing for the coming senior year and college applications. His SAT was cancelled in March, and they just cancelled the June tests. Most juniors take the test in
the spring with a second try in the summer. He and his classmates may not be able to take it at all. There is discussion that there may be an online version in late August, but so far we don’t know what that will look like. We had planned our first college tours for spring break, and now we aren’t sure if he will visit any of the schools where he will be applying. As part of our weekly schedule, he and I meet frequently and do virtual college campus tours. 3) At this point, the kids already have been running their own schedules for years, so there is not much added work for either me or my husband due to the boys not attending school. There are certainly more dishes! Having them at home means more time cooking and cleaning (we have a once-a-week housekeeper who we are paying, but she is not working here now). I have been able to split much of that house cleaning with my husband as well as using it as an opportunity to teach the kids how to use a mop. Despite the added domestic duties, my husband and I still have enough time to get our work done and fit in some downtime. I do occasionally miss having time to myself at home, but honestly, it has been nice to have a full house. The most difficult thing has been having to say no to them seeing friends right now. Some of their friends have parents who are letting their teenagers get together with other kids daily. It is not much fun to be the “strict” parents. Oh well. 4) [We parents coping?] I think stay-at-home is necessary for everyone’s safety and to ensure that we can get back to work as soon as possible. I am sorry my kids are missing out on so much — performances, seeing friends, baseball season and college prep, but, in the scope of everything, we feel fortunate for all that we have. We can
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miss out on all the school activities. Both had been preparing for performances, and Lucas is missing most of the baseball season. Write to us To continue this series about the homeschooling juggling act, feel free to send us you own answers to our informal poll about what you and your children are doing while staying “safer at home.” The contact information for us is in the first line on page 20.
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(Continued from page 20) grade when we really don’t get to finish 5th and 1st grade (emotionally and physically). 5) I had to ask my kids directly about their feelings on school being closed for the rest of the year, as I am not sure they grasp the length of time they are in with Teacher Mommy. My 5th grader says he is sad because it is not the same as if he was in the classroom with his schoolmates. My 1st grader says he is fine, but his actions are that he is clearly frustrated with Teacher Mommy. And I know he would not have those same frustrations with his actual 1st grade teacher. It’s hard to be Mommy and Teacher … and living with each other 24/7 nearing 40 days. Angie Szentgyorgyi, Windsor Square, tells us: 1) Evan, 9th grade; Lucas, 11th, both at Campbell Hall. 2) We just finished spring break, where there was not much structure! Now that school is back in session, as of April 13, both of them share the same school structure, although they use their free time differently. At 9:30 a.m., they have their first class, and they run through four classes until 2:30 p.m., with breaks in between. The school is using a combination of Zoom class where attendance is taken, and reading — assignments and quizzes to be done on their own time, although some of the tests are administered during Zoom sessions.
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
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Fund-raising events have been impacted by pandemic
with
Patty Hill ticipate in the California Science Center’s weeklong summer day camps. Learn more at: CaliforniaScienceCenter.org Operation School Bell An auxiliary of the Assistance League of Los Angeles, these volunteers have funded trucks equipped with dressing rooms and new school apparel, shoes, socks, jackets, underwear, school supplies, books and hygiene kits for Los Angeles Unified School District homeless and needy children. All apparel is brand new. The volunteers also provide services to children at their home facility on Cole Avenue, to complement the truck’s work performed at school sites. The auxiliary’s mission is carried out by member-volunteers and members of the Police Reserves and Wilshire Rotary. After all, a child is unlikely to attend school if he or she is ashamed of his or her appearance. “This is the best day of my life!” is a child’s most often heard declaration upon receiving clothes from Operation School Bell. See: operationschoolbell.org Alexandria House This is a transitional home
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11th benefit had been postponed until Sept. 16th. Same time, same place! Also, the author graciously offered to sign 75 books now, and the books immediately were delivered to her Los Angeles home. Hospital supporters currently are personally delivering the signed books to their purchasers. (Social distancing observed.) Many books have been mailed to supporters all over California, Idaho and the East Coast. The committee has placed another order with Edie Frère at Landis … for a clever, reasonable second invitation that will be sent out in July. Hopefully reservations will continue to roll in, as will orders for the beautiful coffee table book. This is just another example of local volunteers who are determined to continue their never-ending mission to raise needed funds for local children — the heck with changed circumstances. The two support groups are online at: lasmadrinas.org and childrenschain.org Give support Please consider giving a contribution to any of these very deserving organizations whose members have been thwarted in their usual spring activities to raise funds for needy children. Or to any of the hundreds of similar groups that need our help, especially now. On a more personal note: Like you, I have been reaching out to relatives while staying at home. My nephew and his wife and daughter moved to our sister village, Larchmont,
Karsh Center (Continued from page 6) “I know those students, who have no family to look after them during these hard times, saw angels when you appeared with food, caring and toilet paper too!” In time for Easter, Karsh teamed up with Faithful Central Bible Church to provide Boxes of Love, filled with food,
Photo by Dr. Paul Johnston
New York. I’d been unable to reach them so I called his mom, my sister, and asked how they were. He, an emergency room doctor, had been re-assigned. “Where?” I asked. “Elmhurst in Queens,” my sister replied. I put the phone down and burst into tears. I had encouraged him to go into medicine while he was growing up, not imagining it could land him at the apex of a pandemic. I texted him that his 18-month-old daughter will learn one day about his bravery. He texted back “We have some new advances in protective equipment that are helping,” and he sent the accompanying photo of his daughter, Ruby, who before she said goodbye, modeled what she thought he could wear while working. An innocent and wise gesture — and a time to be good to each other. And that’s the chat. to students and others facing homelessless in Inglewood. At Karsh during the pandemic, Guirguis has been joined by her staff and a handful of volunteers. Recruiting volunteers during a pandemic is tricky, she notes. Families who live together are an option, such as one family of four, who recently packed 70 bags, (Please turn to page 23)
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ON THE FRONT LINES: Eighteen-month-old Ruby Johnston gives personal protection advice to her doctor dad.
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Around the Town
for women and their children. Food is always a struggle. To counter the even-worse situation because of the COVID-19 sheltering-at-home, The Ebell of Los Angeles partnered with Larchmont Wine, Spirits & Cheese to provide Alexandria House’s meal on April 29th. Learn about Alexandria House at: aleaxandriahouse.org Children’s Hospital Back in December, a native Angeleno, also a friend and supporter of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), received lovely, unsolicited publicity in a national shelter magazine for her new book. Reading about the book, several devoted CHLA volunteers from the neighborhood came up with an idea for an exciting fundraising event to benefit the child patients and the hospital that takes care of them. Two long-time CHLA support groups jumped at the opportunity to host a book signing, informative talk and luncheon benefiting the 119-year-old children’s hospital. An elegant venue, florist and colorful rental linens were picked. Landis Gifts & Stationery created a “Save the Date” bookmark and designed a chic invitation. Over 300 supporters were invited to join in the fun. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit the world. This global tragedy did not stop the creative CHLA volunteers. A clever e-blast was quickly sent to inform all on the guest list that the May
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Every spring, the ladies of Larchmont lunch and bid on donated extravagant safaris and trips, art, and jewelry. It sounds frivolous, but for children’s charities, these events provide a financial lifeline that makes their various missions possible. All of these events have been cancelled or postponed. The marginalized youth of our city are going to need services more than ever once we come out on the other side of this coronavirus calamity. I’ll just take a little of your time, dear readers, to tell you about these organizations and the work they do (and how some are coping): The Colleagues This group is comprised of active and sustaining members who support and raise funds solely to benefit Children’s Institute Inc. (CII) in its efforts (since 1906) to end child abuse and neglect. Visit: thecolleagues.com The Muses They support and promote the California Science Center Foundation and its educational programs for youth. The Annual California Science and Engineering Fair recognizes the achievements of 1,000 science scholars in grades 6-12. The Muses contribute funds and volunteer time at this two-day event. They also fund scholarships that provide families of pre-K through 10th grade children, with demonstrated financial need, the opportunity to par-
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
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Two-suited minor suit response Here’s your hand sitting South:
Bridge Matters
Void J AKQJ94 JT9754
by
Grand Slam
Your partner, North, opens 1C. Here’s the bidding to you: West
North East 1C 3H
South ?
You’ve got a terrific diamond suit, and for all you know, your partner might only have three little clubs and the AKQ are held by opponents, so you could lose two clubs and a heart, so a jump to 5C is not the best bid for two reasons: you might not make 5C, and you might miss a slam. But a simple raise to four clubs doesn’t do justice to this hand. And to bid your diamond suit, which would be forcing, puts your partner in a bind if she opened with, let’s say, distribution of 4-3-2-4. So what’s your call? You have a perfect call, 4H! This is a cooperating call because you are a partnership and you should make decisions together, not unilaterally. This bid tells partner that you have a good hand with support for her suit. And if she goes to 5C, you have an easy call to six, thinking that you certainly won’t lose anything but
Karsh Center (Continued from page 22) working closely together, wearing masks and gloves provided by the Center. Donations of all kinds also are welcome. Marlborough School, for instance, gave boxes of toilet paper, a much-celebrated commodity these days. Food comes from a variety of sources, including Costco and restaurant suppliers, and volunteers pick up excess produce from farmers’ markets. “We’ve seen a lot of generosity come through for those who are most impacted,” Guirguis said. “We are here especially to help those who need it the most.” For more information and to donate, visit karshcenter. org.
a heart. You just have to hope that she’s got the AK of clubs. Sometimes you have to rely on instinct and take a chance. Here’s the four-hand layout:
This hand was played 13 times in a club game. Five played it in 5C. Four played it in 3N. Two played it in 5D. Two pairs found the club slam and played it in 6. All pairs made seven except one who somehow lost a trick and only made 6N. 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.
WORKERS FORM wall details of the new Audrey Irmas Pavilion at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Photo by Gary Leonard, April 16, 2020
North AJ84 A6 76 AK862 West KQ752 Q98 T83 Q3
East T963 KT75432 52 Void
South Void J AKQJ94 JT9754
Lemons? Help make lemonade
Dena Bloom, vice president of the board of trustees of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, and her husband, Robert, have started a very local effort during the pandemic. “On our now-daily walk, we dropped off letters around the neighborhood at homes that have beautiful, bountiful citrus trees. If they reach out to me, we’ll figure out a way (either we can pick the fruit or they can and then we’ll pick it up) to have some of that beautiful fruit go to feed so many at Karsh! “Let’s see what happens. And if you know anyone who may be interested, pass it along!” Bloom, who lives on South Irving Blvd., also serves as president of the Karsh Center Board of Trustees. To donate citrus and other fruits and vegetables write to Dena@BloomKlyman.com.
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Larchmont Chronicle
MEMORIAL
HOME PROJECTS
GARDENING
Remembering the fallen at Memorial Library. In On Books and Places.
Quarantine inspires spring cleaning, and residents tackle at-home projects.
“Victory” gardens are flourishing during the pandemic.
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REAL ESTATE DESIGN FOR LIVING, HOME & GARDEN
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VIEW
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LARCHMONT CHRONICLE
MAY 2020
HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • GREATER WILSHIRE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT
444 S. Sycamore Ave.| Hancock Park | $2,150,000 1928 Art Deco delight. 3Bd + 3Ba + pool. 3rd St Elementary. 444Sycamore.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
623 N. Lucerne Blvd. | Hancock Park | $1,500,000 3 Bd + 2 Ba. 1920's California Bungalow, renovated June Ahn 323.855.5558 CalRE #01188513
2017 S. Orange Dr.| Mid City | $749,000 Great opportunity to remodel. R2. One block from La Brea Ave. and W. Washington Blvd. Barbara Allen 323.610.1781 CalRE # 01487763
109 S Kilkea Dr | Miracle Mile | $1,900,000 SOLD. Represented Seller. Charming courtyard Spanish w/ 3 bed, 2 baths Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
408 S. Highland Ave | Hancock Park | $1,325,000 Great opportunity in Hancock Park! 2+den -story looking for TLC. 408Highland.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
251 S. Citrus Ave. | Hancock Park | $8,000/MO Charming 1920's Spanish home 3 Beds, 3 Baths & Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
825 S. Muir eld Rd | Hancock Park in nearly 50 years. 3Bed/2Bath, pool & spa. Sandy Boeck 323.860.4240 CalRE #01005153
531 N Rossmore PH B | Hancock Park | $1,739,000 Contemporary penthouse near Larchmont Village. Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
606 N. Lucerne Blvd. | Hancock Park | $1,300,000 SOLD. Represented Seller. Contemporary open oorplan 4 Bed + 3.5 Bath June Ahn 323.855.5558 CalRE# 01188513
633 N. Cahuenga Blvd. | Hancock Park | $1,250,000 COMING SOON. Charming xer next to LA Tennis Club. 2bed+tandem/1.5 baths. HP Proper! Lisa Hutchins 323.216.6938 CalRE# 01018644
449 N Highland Ave| Hancock Park | $7,995/MO
5717 W. 2nd St | Hancock Park | $5,500/MO + balcony, new
bedrooms, 4 baths, gourmet kitchen & pool. Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
Kathy Gless & Rick Llanos 323.460.7622, 323.810.0828 CalRE# 00626174, CalRE# 01123101
the Service, and it may include Although the inforis believed to be th Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker Realty. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalDRE #: 00616212
2
SECTION TWO
MAY 2020
Quarantine inspires spring cleaning
By Sondi Toll Sepenuk Looking for something productive to do during quarantine? Why not tackle all of those items on your at-home todo list? Spring cleaning is an annual tradition that people simultaneously dread and relish. It’s easy to dread the thought of attacking a huge mess, but it’s exhilarating once that mess is cleaned up, organized, and vanquished from sight! Jane Stuecken, a mid-city resident, decided to get the ball rolling with her freezer first. “The freezer was just a huge cluttered mess of half-eaten tubs of ice cream and expired Trader Joe’s frozen foods,” realized Stuecken. “I decided to organize it in a way that made sense.” After throwing out the old and expired food, Stuecken organized the shelves from top to bottom. “The top shelf is now reserved for frozen and pre-made meals,” she explains. “The second shelf is vegetables and meats, the third shelf is frozen breads and bagels, the fourth shelf is fruits for smoothies, and the door holds the ice creams and sorbets.” To Stuecken, the restructuring doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but she does admit one thing: “To look inside and see it so organized is exhilarating!” she laughs. Inspired by the success of the freezer purge, Stuecken moved on to the refrigerator and the pantry. “I cleaned out the vegetable drawers and ‘suds’ them all down, so now
IT WAS FREEZER FIRST for Jane Stuecken.
there’s no more melting vegetables and herbs hiding in there anymore!” The pantry sorting was so successful that it motivated her two marooned teenage daughters to take a whack at an unfamiliar recipe with “new-found” ingredients. “I tossed some ancient stuff from the pantry so now we can finally see everything,” declares Stuecken. “We found some almond flour, and the girls were suddenly inspired to make macaroons!” Wildflowers in Wilshire Park Over in Wilshire Park, Goldie D’Annunzio is quarantined at home with her family of six. She also works from home and has found that quarantine hasn’t slowed her down as much as she predicted. Always looking for a (Please turn to page 8)
Larchmont Chronicle
Sequestered neighbors turn to housework By Helene Seifer There’s a joke going around the internet attesting that, by the end of COVID-19 isolation, we shall all emerge as either gourmet cooks or have a drinking problem. A third option might be the most relevant: we’ll all become COVID-cleaners. Not just the required sanitizing of every surface, every roll of toilet paper, every can of chicken broth we bring into our homes, but the creative attack of the organizer within us to help fill our suddenly empty days. Some residents focus on a single project, such as redoing a grown child’s former bedroom, as Joyce Davidson is attempting now that she’s in her Hancock Park home 24/7. “I’m retaking my daughter’s room!” she declares. Armed with a staple remover, Davidson is slowly, painstakingly detaching each poster, ad, postcard, musical group publicity photo and magazine page that Melena had affixed to every available surface, including the ceiling. Can things ever be the same without that poster of the swimming goggleswearing, super-hero costume-clad band, the Aquabats? Cleaning Others take a completely different approach to spring cleaning in the coronavirus age. Robin Jameson, who lives with her husband and 98 year-old mother, did most of her cleaning before COVID hit. Now, she’s using puppy power to finish the job. Her young Doberman pokes his nose into out-of-theway places where lost socks and forgotten clothes tend to hide. Whenever he
KAY BALUE uses her time in isolation to wash every window, inside and out.
unearths something, Jameson assesses it. When he pulled out shoes the other day, she realized that “I haven’t worn these in a long time.” So they went into the give-away pile. Kay Balue also had finished her yearly cleaning, and she’s been searching for other home projects to keep her busy. “I washed all the windows inside and out and then it rained. I’ll have to do it again.” There’s one task she continues to put off. “I haven’t done the cobweb(Please turn to page 9)
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
3
Remembering 20 students and soldiers of WWI at Memorial Library In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, war has been routinely invoked as a metaphor. We’re in a “war economy” or we’re “at war with an unseen enemy.” The month of May, though, is one that demands that we think of war in a more straightforward sense: as a conflict among nations that leads to death of many. More specifically, Memorial Day prompts us to remember and honor the individual men and women who constitute those “many.” If we allow abstract thoughts of justice or right to intrude, memorializing becomes complicated. Our current state of perpetual war, for example, began in 2003 with colossal mistakes and misrepresentations. People, American soldiers among them, have died for — or because of — those essential wrongs. Such reflection may leave us trying on Memorial Day to disentangle politics from the dead we wish to honor. War and words The problem isn’t a new one. Paul Fussell’s “The Great War and Modern Memory” (still compelling nearly 50 years after its publication) argues that the English language changed as a result of the prolonged horrors of trench warfare that marked the First World War. How could one who has seen
On Books and Places by
Bruce Beiderwell so many dead on a battlefield write or speak of the “fallen?” Or refer to young men killed as “lads” who “fell,” “perished,” or “met their fates?” Fussell, who was himself severely wounded in WWII, shows how major post-WWI novelists, poets, and memoirists chose to resist lofty abstractions in favor of plain words and stark images. The writers Fussell surveys certainly make his point, but writers don’t constitute the whole culture. After WWI, traditional images, words, and gestures would often be invoked to deal with the enormity of public grief. The Memorial Branch Library on Olympic Boulevard serves as an example. Stained glass Opened April 29, 1930, the library building itself is in an English revival style that complemented the original design of Los Angeles High School just across the street. Its most striking feature is the beautifully set stained-glass windows made to commemorate
those from Los Angeles High who “fell” in WWI. Students and alumni of Los Angeles High commissioned the work. Designed and built by the Judson Art Studio (still operating 123 years after its founding), the panels display conventional symbols of military honor and strength, national as well as state government, and religious faith. Also woven into the design are conventional emblems of learning in the arts and sciences. These dead were, after all, students for more years than they were soldiers. All things together — the symbols, the stained glass, the scale and the idyllic Englishness — frame the central lower panels. Those panels are devoted to name and graduation dates of the 20 who died. Lester D. Havens and John Hamilton Erwin (both class of 1918) had only months, not years, of life beyond high school. Walter A. Ellis (class of 1899) did have some time, although he must have expected far more than he got. Not all the deaths were in distant battles. J. Clyde Collison died of the flu at Camp Kearney in San Diego. Harry I. Schwannecke suffered through miserable conditions stateside at Camp Meade, Maryland, and
WINDOW in Memorial Branch Library on Olympic Boulevard.
Photo by Deborah Matthews
succumbed to spinal meningitis. John Wigmore died at 20 very shortly after the war in a plane crash. The Memorial Library’s stained-glass panels make no distinctions. The leveling forces are two: all 20 served; all 20 died. Power from names The gracefulness of the design disregards modern trends that Fussell finds ascendant in most war remembrances after WWI. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall represents that newer, starker strain. But different as they are, both memorials draw power from names. Whether we think of those listed as the “fallen” or “the dead,” their names conjure the sense of lives led and lost — of stories cut short. As I write this column, the Memorial Library is closed and will likely remain so for some time. I hope you’ll
visit in the future, when the opportunity is again available. For now, pause to read the 20 names you’ll find there and the very many more they have come to represent: Robert J. Bokenkrager Greayer Clover J. Clyde Collison Robert L. Curl Walter A. Ellis John Hamilton Erwin Leon S. Francis Lester D. Havens Joseph L. Kauffman J. Noel Kerr Harry M. Lockwood Harold F. Maxson Elwyn C. McKinnon Edward G. North Cecil H. Phillips Harry I. Schwannecke Charles H. Setchel Harvey L. Thorpe Harry C. Turner John Wigmore
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
Be Vigilant! Join virtual meetings and submit comments While the coronavirus restrictions remain in place as we enter the month of May, I want to remind our readers that City Planning committees, the Cultural Heritage Commission, Neighborhood Council Land Use Committees and Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) boards are currently unable to hold public meetings to review pending project applications,
ask questions of developers, and hear stakeholder input. The City Planning Department, however, throughout the Stay-At-Home order, has continued to process applications and move forward with project entitlements. Although assurances have been given that Planning and Office of Historic Resources staff will be thoroughly reviewing and signing off on projects, vigi-
On Preservation by
Brian Curran
lance is still required for the protection of our HPOZs and historic resources. It behooves concerned res-
Multiple sales so far in 2020 and still ready to help you sell your property now. 125 South Hobart Blvd. 7 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths, 95% Renovated. $1,295,000
Day — A trusted name in Los Angeles since 1879 Bob Day’s tradition of service began with his great grandfather’s music store at First & Spring Streets. Bob continues that legacy of service as a top Realtor with Coldwell Banker Hancock Park.
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Use Committee at: landuse@greaterwilshire.org. The Land Use Committee also maintains an online document folder with the most recent case filing and appeal reports, which is available on request. Good news A little good news to help brighten this gloomy time is that the City of West Hollywood has signed a lease-to-purchase agreement with the City of Beverly Hills to acquire the threatened Log Cabin, which was reported on in the Chronicle’s February and March issues. Formerly the home of the West Hollywood Lion’s Club, the Log Cabin became a revered center for 12-Step Recovery meetings on Robertson Blvd. With the City of West Hollywood taking over the lease, the Log Cabin will now be managed by the West Hollywood Recovery Center based across the street, to allow the building to continue as a gathering place for those seeking recovery and fellowship. Bad news Speaking of vigilance, during one of my city approved walks around the neighbor(Please turn to page 6)
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Bob Day 323-821-4820
idents and homeowners to ensure that all projects affecting our neighborhoods are properly vetted and that stakeholder input is heard. A recent City Planning development has been the introduction of teleconferencing with public participation. The first of such planning meetings was for the Cultural Heritage Commission on April 16, followed by the City Planning Commission on April 23. Reports were that the meetings were a success and easy to access. Interested parties can find dial-in instructions on the City Planning website or posted at the top of every meeting agenda. Sign up for notices I would strongly encourage all concerned residents in the neighborhoods comprising the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council to sign up for the bi-weekly case filings from City Planning and to join the virtual meetings, including submitting comments on cases affecting our area. You may wish to copy your emailed comments to our councilmember, David Ryu, at cd4.issues@lacity.org as well as to the GWNC Land
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
Good against melancholy: the Countess of Kent’s spice cake
Astonishing that a book of cookery and medicinal recipes would stay in print for threequarters of a century. Fashions in food change; medicine is subject to ongoing research; yet an English book first pub-
lished in 1653 and attributed to Elizabeth Grey, Countess of Kent, has been passionately consumed by readers through 22 editions, the last in 1726. The Countess of Kent and her husband served the new
Real Estate Sales
SOLD: This home at 606 N. Lucerne Blvd., in the Larchmont Village neighborhood, was sold in March for $1,300,000.
Single-family homes 325 N. Las Palmas Ave. 439 S. Orange Dr. 631 N. Martel Ave. 631 N. Curson Ave. 337 N. Alta Vista 348 N. Citrus Ave. 327 N. Beachwood Dr. 4016 Wilshire Blvd. 136 S. Martel Ave. 570 Lillian Way 830 S. Burnside Ave. 4711 Wilshire Blvd. 624 N. Highland Ave. 955 Keniston Ave. 234 N. Ridgewood Pl. 4719 Wilshire Blvd. 132 S. Arden Blvd. 743 S. Citrus Ave. 425 N. Gower St. 355 N. Wilton Pl. 950 S. Highland Ave. 4529 W. 8th St. 338 N. Irving Blvd. 606 N. Lucerne Blvd. 512 N. Arden Blvd.
$4,850,000 3,566,000 3,250,000 3,025,000 2,700,000 2,350,000 2,249,000 2,200,000 2,120,000 1,999,000 1,891,000 1,700,000 1,675,000 1,660,000 1,642,000 1,623,000 1,605,000 1,575,000 1,463,000 1,438,900 1,435,000 1,420,000 1,310,000 1,300,000 1,300,000
King James I upon the death of Queen Elizabeth. “Few moments in history,” writes the historian Adam Nicholson, “have been more hungry for the future, its mercurial possibilities and its hope of richness, than the spring of 1603.” A new king meant a new world. But what was also brewing among these possibilities was the bubonic plague. By the end of the king’s first year, 30,000 Londoners died. (In 1625, the number lost was 35,000; in 1636, ten thousand succumbed.) Elizabeth Grey was known for her erudition, generosity, elegance and hospitality. She fed the poor from her house at Whitefriars, and she tended the sick. She watched, and no doubt feared, these terrible scourges of her time. “A Choice Manual, or Rare and Select Secrets in Physick and Chirurgery,” the medicinal section of her book, was likely composed during these plague years. Powder against pestilence Her most famous and popular medicinal “receipt,” as recipes were called, is known as “The Countess of Kent’s Powder: good against all malignant and Pestilent diseases, French pox, Small Pox, Measles, Plague, Pestilence, malignant or Scarlet Fevers, [and] good against Melancholy.” It was published and republished in other medicinal tomes for a good century. The “Powder” contained from seven to 15 ingredients,
Home Ground by
Paula Panich
depending on the version, and because most were expensive and exotic, was consumed no doubt exclusively by the
aristocracy. Here are a few: “crab’s eyes,” according to one researcher, actually small pulverized limestones found in the stomach of crayfish and used as an antacid; powdered pearls, thought to strengthen the heart; white coral for the “bloody fluxes,” hartshorne, the horn of a red male deer, to repel poison; saffron “to defend against frenzies and (Please turn to page 6)
SOLD!
Condominiums 308 N. Sycamore Ave., #306 4460 Wilshire Blvd., #708 114 1/2 N. Sycamore Ave. 4661 Wilshire Blvd., #1010 861 S. Windsor Blvd., #304 109 N. Sycamore Ave., #505 624 Wilcox Ave., #28 421 S. Van Ness Ave., #49 871 Crenshaw Blvd., #406 616 S. Wilton Pl., #203 811 S. Lucerne Blvd., #201 326 Westminster Ave., #402 5037 Rosewood Ave., #114 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #433 358 S. Gramercy Pl., #210 532 N. Rossmore Ave., #203 532 N. Rossmore Ave., #206 4255 W. 5th St., #309 5025 Maplewood Ave., #15
$1,995,000 1,400,000 1,226,000 1,010,000 880,000 875,000 869,000 849,000 831,000 825,000 785,000 747,000 610,000 551,000 525,000 466,500 435,000 386,000 375,000
Correction: In last month’s single-family homes sales listings, the address for the home sold off-market on South Hudson Avenue in January for $19 million was transposed. The correct address is 356 S. Hudson Ave.
825 S Muirfield Rd | List Price $1,825,000 converted garage w/full plumbing for ADU conversion/private entry/enclosed parking. Original plaster detailing/leaded bay window in living rm. French doors to balcony o dining rm. Eat-in kitchen w/ample cabinets, stainless appliances, hard surface counters. Master bdrm w/en suite & walk-in throughout, including garage.
5
Sandy Boeck 323.687.6552 CalDRE: 01005153
251 N. Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004
6
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
Need a good quarantine read? Chevalier’s Books has your back By Rachel Olivier While you might think access to books is essential, bookstores are not on those lists of essential businesses that are allowed to be open during the Safer at Home directive that is in place until (at this time) Fri., May 15. But if
LIBRARIES FAIRFAX 161 S. Gardner St. JOHN C. FREMONT 6121 Melrose Ave.
Home Ground
MEMORIAL 4625 W. Olympic Blvd.
(Continued from page 5)
WILSHIRE 149 N. Saint Andrews Pl. HOURS All branches are temporarily closed. ASK A LIBRARIAN 213-228-7272 infonow@lapl.org
you’re looking for something to read during your quarantine, Chevalier’s Books, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., still has you covered. And there are a variety of ways to support Los Angeles’ oldest independent bookstore while it is temporarily closed. Free delivery For locals who live in the 90004, 90020 and 90038 ZIP Codes, you can get same-day or next-day free deliveries if you order a book in stock at the store. You can ask about the book online, but you need to call the store to purchase the item and
weakness of sight;” and, among other things, ambergris for strengthening, as was believed then, the nerves and brain. (A little hard to procure, ambergris is expelled from sperm whales only when they suffer indigestion. But don’t turn up your nose — it is used in some perfume manufacture, including, traditionally, Chanel No. 5.)
FLAUNT your love for your favorite local bookstore with a Tshirt from Chevalier’s.
arrange for delivery. Temporary hours for calling the store at 323465-1334 are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. So, would one take the Powder against the plague — as a preventative — or to cure the plague upon, God forbid, infection? Atavistic? But here we are, 367 years later in our own plague, that of COVID-19, and I don’t know about you, but I am exhibiting some atavistic behaviors. I knew I shouldn’t have grabbed the little bottle, but I did, on the shelf where the zinc throat lozenges (just in
Jill Galloway
323.842.1980 | jill@jillgalloway.com | jillgalloway.com | DRE 01357870
Estates Director, Sunset Strip
At the end of quarantine, if you decide you can’t stand the people you live with, remember, I’m your Realtor® Until then, stay home and breath
If you would like to order a book that Chevalier’s currently doesn’t have in stock, or if you live outside the delivery area, there’s a $6 shipping fee for USPS ground, and it will take two to five days. In addition, Chevalier’s is now using Bookshop.org to sell books. Standard shipping is six to 11 days and costs $3.50, but a portion of the proceeds helps raise money to support local bookstores, such as Chevalier’s. Visit bookshop.org/shop/chevaliersbooks to use this option. If you don’t need any books
right now, consider getting a gift card or joining the membership program, which offers a 10 percent discount on future purchases for the next 12 months, which begin when the store is able to reopen its doors. You also get a free tote with this option. Customers of Chevalier’s Books also can tell the world they support the store by purchasing a T-shirt, sweatshirt or hoodie! Visit chevaliersbooks.com or email chevaliersbooks@gmail. com for more information.
case) should have been, but weren’t. It was an expensive bottle, too — of black elderberry syrup. “IMMUNE SUPPORT,” the label attests. Why did I buy that syrup? In the deep background of my mind, absorbed from the elders, is a quilt of nonsense, seemingly indestructible. I never think of it, but it seems to think of me. My mother was convinced that a raw potato, freshly cut in half and applied to the arm, was a cure for headache. My beloved grandmothers refused to let me sew on Sundays, convinced I would be forced to remove each stitch with my teeth in hell. This admonition, as you can imagine, caught the attention of an eight-year-old girl. I never learned to sew, but these grandmothers taught me to bake with love and generosity, a useful skill here in lockdown. As soon as I type the last word here, I will make the
Countess of Kent’s spice cake. Some pepper, no ambergris. Baking: good against melancholy.
On Preservation
Milalya Properties LLC, the house has been over the past year “modernized” and thoroughly debased. On the façade, several of the character defining features of the home, delicate ironwork, wrought iron grills, original balustrades and grand entry lanterns have been removed and replaced. On the inside, original fireplace mantels have been removed, historic murals painted over, pristine deco bathrooms torn out, and all paneling either painted over or removed. HPOZ rules may be silent about interiors, but the rules are quite clear about what changes to exteriors are allowed, particularly to the exterior elevations that can be seen from the street. These rules clearly were ignored with regard to the changes that were made. It is however heartening to see that other properties are being treated with respect such as the Elmer Grey-designed 355 S. Muirfield Road that is being returned to its original Italianate splendor. As for 184 S. Hudson Avenue, in the words of Catherine Aird, “If you can’t serve as a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.”
(Continued from page 4) hood, I happened to pass by and see the nearly complete renovations at 184 S. Hudson Ave. Designed by architect John P. Pedersen in 1930 for heiress Louise P. Hill, the villa was an exuberant and sophisticated example of Mediterranean revival. Purchased in September 2018 by Kaya
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ELEVENTH EDITION of a book first published in 1653 that offers recipes for potions against pestilence, and more.
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
Design for Living Time for ‘spring clearing’? Call a pro Create rooms you love with Eyewondrous By Suzan Filipek The first clue you might need help is that you have a junk drawer. It might be in the kitchen, or maybe it’s in the laundry room. “Everyone who calls has a junk drawer, maybe two or three,” says Regina Lark, a de-clutter expert and professional organizer and speaker — she spoke on “Spring Clearing” at the Ebell of Los Angeles last month via Zoom. She is also an author —“Psychic Debris: Crowded Closets: The Relationship Between the Stuff in Your Head and What’s Under Your Bed” is in its third edition — and she is a productivity coach. She was helping a client move when COVID-19 stopped us all in our tracks in mid-March. While moving is an “essential business,” and her business specializes in residential, estate and corporate moves, the virtual organizing side of her business has risen exponentially. Prefrontal cortex Clients are often busy professionals or stay-at-home types, but regard-
Regina Lark
less of their lifestyle they all seem to share common characteristics. These center on a critical part of the brain that deals with clutter and time and emotional management. It’s the prefrontal cortex, Lark explains. “If your brain isn’t wired to do these functions, it isn’t impossible [to do them], but they might create another frustration.” Then there are clients who have been organized for years until they are challenged after a divorce or death or other life crisis or health issue that throws them off balance. (Please turn to page 11)
Helping You Stay Safer at Home During this uncertain time with the coronavirus, LADWP wants you to know that we are working 24/7 to keep your power on and water flowing.
Our crews will respond to water and power outages. Call us or report an outage online at ladwp.com/outages. Your tap water is safe to drink. There is no need to buy bottled water. The coronavirus does not affect your drinking water.
Our team members are essential city workers continuing to work hard while taking safety measures.
Need help paying your bill? We can help. Visit LADWP.com/financialassistance or call us at 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
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By Suzan Filipek Suzanne Smith has been helping friends pick a paint color or an upholstery fabric or suggest how best to arrange artwork, well, “forever.” In 2017, she turned her keen eye and passion into a business. She is “chief organizational officer” at Eyewondrous. It was a natural transformation from design to decor, as the same COLOR, proportion and style are key elelements apply — color, propor- ements in decor, says Suzanne Smith. tion and style. “I walk in with the hope that in some significant or small way I can make somebody’s life happier… I just want to add a little joy and a little beauty,” says the Manhattan Place resident. Of course these days she visits clients’ spaces mostly via FaceTime. In her former life, the San Francisco native was a buyer and worked in product and fabric development at companies such as Levi Strauss and Co., The Limited and Urban Outfitters; her work in the fashion industry took her on many trips to China, and she lived in Hong Kong. While hers is a clean and modern style, she can adapt to any format, as the same rules apply to ORGANIZING closets can (Please turn to page 8) be soothing.
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8
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
DESIGN FOR LIVING
oldie
nnun io is s routing
Spring Cleaning (Continued from page 2) new project, D’Annunzio decided to tackle the great outdoors. “I’m about to plant parsley and ‘save the bee’ flowers,” says D’Annunzio. “I bought five different wildflowers and I’m just waiting for them to start sprouting so that I can replant them.” D’Annunzio has other areas she’d like to take on as well. “I want to organize the bathroom drawers, because there’s loads of junk in there that we just don’t need, and clean underneath the kitchen sink.” Longwood Highlands resident Daphne Brogdon is facing down the quarantine by cleaning her house and broadening her mind. “This week I am signing up for extension classes and webinars involving social media marketing, sales, profession-
ildflo ers.
al development and I’m even hoping to come out of this thing semi-fluent in Spanish,” she laughs. Though her two children, who are now homeschooling, are keeping her fully engaged, Brogdon has still found time to de-clutter her home office, clean out the pantry, power wash the patio, and compost the soil in her garden. “I’m planting a variety of lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, parsley and broccoli,” she reveals. “And lots of arugula for pesto.” Longwood’s Got Talent Brogdon is also the vice president of the Longwood Highlands Area Neighborhood Association. During the quarantine, she has helped create the “Longwood’s Got Talent Virtual Talent Show.” “We’ve asked neighbors to do 90-second performances. People can sing, dance, read poetry, do magic tricks, dog
tricks — anything they want,” Brogdon explains. “We do it live on Zoom, and the judges have avatars so no one knows who they are.” For the first contest, which took place April 11, two grand prizes were awarded, a youth prize and an adult prize. Eleven-year-old Nicholas Day won for his soccer skills (bouncing the ball on one leg) to AC/ DC’s “Back in Black,” while Angelique Anderson won for her karaoke Motown song. “We’re hoping to see the talent show grow. We’d love to challenge Sycamore Square, Brookside and others nearby!” enthuses Brogdon. The quarantine has definitely brought out the creative and “neat freak” sides of many local Angelenos. So whether you’re planning to attack that chaotic closet, re-stain an old chair, plant a garden or coordinate a virtual neighborhood talent
RESIDENTS o ong ood ighlands com ete in rst ever on line virtual” neighborhood talent sho .
show, de-cluttering your home and your mind can help you achieve these isolation goals. “Life is still so busy but
in a different way,” concludes D’Annunzio. “It’s the simple things that make us happy now, right?”
Eyewondrous
never used it. “I would say it’s okay to have treasures but not every treasure has to be out.” Cleaning out a client’s closet often results in a new wardrobe and a shopping spree. Sadly, that part of her job description is on hold pending the termination of this pandemic. She finds solace in simple tasks. “My file cabinet is a work of art,” she says, having recently changed all the folders to one color. “Everyone should own a label maker,” she adds. Her closet is museum quality, she says with satisfaction. “For the price of new hangers, you can transform your closet… and by putting all the pants and tops together,” she adds. Being borderline OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) doesn’t hurt in her line of work, she notes. Seasonal work Seasonal work, decorating trees and wrapping gifts during the holidays, is also part of her expertise. And, year round, she sets party tables, and will do so again — once the parties resume! But for now, she is meeting with clients on Face Time to rethink living rooms, consider (Please turn to page 15)
(Continued from page 7) modern and Old World alike. You wouldn’t place a teeny tiny chair next to an oversized settee, for instance, she advises. And most people hang art way too high, whether it’s a Rembrandt or a Pollock. Then there’s the mismatched look, which sometimes works and sometimes not so much. “Sometimes people just buy what they like, and they’re all different styles, so much so that their house will look like a furniture warehouse… “Antique crystal or an old chair can warm up a space, but when it doesn’t fit together, then it becomes a problem. I would take the essentials and get rid of the rest… no matter how much you love it, put it in storage…” Organizing closets She finds organizing closets “peaceful and soothing… It brings me great joy to have everything as tidy as possible. For others, it makes them very agitated,” especially when it involves letting go of possessions. Sentimental stuff can be cared for in treasure boxes. Maybe you never liked the present from a friend for your 40th birthday. Maybe you’ve
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
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DESIGN FOR LIVING Housework (Continued from page 2) bing and sweeping of the basement,” she admits. “Eventually, when I get desperate for something to do, I will.” Organizing Other COVID-captives take a more rigorous approach. Windsor Blvd. resident Suzanne Wilton is an avid jewelry lover. She organized her turquoise pieces in fishing tackle boxes and then tackled her home’s period-perfect pottery collections. Wilton explains that her 1915 Craftsman “was moved from Wilshire Blvd. to its current location in the 1920s when Bullocks Wilshire was built on its former site.” She continues, “Being an architect, I was very interested in having furniture and decorations appropriate to the era of our home.” She organized her Frankoma Pottery, a stunning celadon- and turquoisetinted collection from Oklahoma ceramicist John Frank. Wilton also arranged her anthropomorphic pottery, noting, “This was fun to put together because there are so many cheerful faces gathered together. … I think that my grandkids will enjoy it when they are able to come and visit again.” The ever-together Geraldine Hurley has raised the bar on organization during this time. “I reorganized all my closets, all my dresser drawers. I even changed all the batteries in my clocks and fire alarms.” She stocks up on batteries all year long and stores them in her freezer, so she’s always ready to keep things ticking. It’s daunting to face isolation and household tasks all alone, as Hurley explains, “My husband’s been dead for five years and I think, ‘Where are you
GERALDINE HURLEY’S closet organization includes labeling shoe boxes with photos of her footwear inside.
JOYCE DAVIDSON on a mission to remove posters papering her daughter’s old room. SUZANNE WILTON, resplendent in turquoise, with matching jewelry and pottery.
when I need you?’” But she presses on. “I just reorganized my blouses and skirts. When you’re working — and I was working part time — you organize the closet differently from when you aren’t working.” Since she only buys clothes in a particular color scheme so that everything matches everything else, Hurley doesn’t arrange her clothes by color. “I do them in fabric order. Cottons together. Silk blouses together. What I consider dressy blouses together. I divide my tennis clothes from my yoga clothes.” She’s ruthless when assessing her clothing, tossing anything she hasn’t worn in a year — except shoes. “I am a real shoe horse,” she admits. Hurley keeps footwear dustfree by storing them in their boxes, then she takes a photo of each and affixes it to the appropriate shoe box for ease of identification. Polishing Things are gleaming over in Kathleen Losey’s house. “I’ve just polished a bunch of silver!” she exclaims. “Some silver trays. A lot of silver picture
frames.” The Windsor Square resident also decided to take stock of her two-dozen cashmere sweaters. “I took them all out. I mended them — lots of moth holes. I washed them all by hand, and steamed them.” Losey turned to eBay to help clean out extraneous items from her closet. “I sold a really great 1940s dress.” Disposing eBay is also helping in the Miracle Mile, where Melynda Bissmeyer is cataloguing things she no longer wants and putting them up on different online sales forums. “I collected a bunch of seat belt purses over the years and I’ve sold a ton of them. I sold an octopus candelabra for $60!” Bissmeyer thinks people are seeking activities and things that bring them comfort. After
KATHLEEN LOSEY polished silver and repaired cashmere while practicing Safe at Home.
all, she reminds us, “In WWII, lipstick sales went through the roof.” Her mom recently settled in Mid-Wilshire, having left a huge home in Kentucky, and Bissmeyer is helping sort through storage boxes in her garage. “She [her mom] has 60 boxes of Christmas decorations, most for outside,” Bissmeyer recounts. “And I’m not sure she’s even allowed to put things up outside where she lives now.” For both of them, she follows the rule of three, dividing possessions into “Definitely Keep,” “Sell” and “Toss.” Bissmeyer summarizes
MELYNDA BISSMEYER surrounded by boxes and boxes of her mother’s Christmas decorations.
the zeitgeist of the times, “A trend I’ve noticed amongst people is we’re taking stock of what we truly need and what we don’t. There are a few things that really bring us joy. … During this time you need those little things in life that help you de-stress. Quick things that spark joy.”
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Larchmont Chronicle
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DESIGN FOR LIVING
hether for comfort or sustenance, victory gardens are ourishing By Helene Seifer In both World Wars I and II, Americans were encouraged to plant gardens as an act of patriotism. These “war gardens” or “victory gardens” were meant to supplement the food supply and leave more for the soldiers valiantly fighting abroad. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture estimates that more than 20 million victory gardens were planted in WWII, providing one third of all vegetables produced in the U.S. during the war years. Now that we are at war with COVID-19, victory gardens have made a comeback. “Business is exploding. It’s the return of the victory garden,” explains Two Dog Organic Nursery co-owner Jo Anne Trigo. “People are anxious for some horticultural therapy. Some people are bored; some are fearful.” The Miracle Mile edibles nursery wants to assuage fears about the spreading virus, so they eliminated in-person browsing and initiated a drive-up protocol. Emailed orders are brought curbside by masked and gloved nursery staff. Laurie Shechter purchased herbs from Two Dogs as part of her expanding garden effort. Shechter is sheltering in place with her husband Dr. Patrick Lydon and her 89-year-old mother. Planting a garden helps her stay closer to home. “I planted a little window herb garden,” Shechter explains. “I have a bay window in the kitchen that’s deep and hard to reach. I never knew what to do with it.” She also planted vegetables from Rolling Greens in two raised planters in her backyard. Rolling Greens on Beverly Blvd. temporarily shuttered when social distancing was first mandated to decrease corona-
JULIEN, JULIE, Astrid, Leo and Winston Stromberg with their flourishing lettuce, ale and Swiss chard
virus exposure risk. The newly opened space is airier, with windows and doors thrown open. Gardeners are free to enter or opt for curbside pickup. “People are grateful to us for having the opportunity to roam around surrounded by plants, because they feel so confined,” explains co-owner Greg Salmeri. “People had fantasies about what they’d do if they had time, and it turns out gardening was one of them. It gives them pleasure at a time when there aren’t many pleasures.” Edibles on the menu And what are they buying? “Edibles are way up. That trend has been growing for years, but this year it skyrocketed. Especially organic edibles,” says Salmeri. Windsor Village is particularly fertile ground for avid gardeners. Julie and Winston Stromberg’s garden is a fullfamily affair, with 7-year-old Julien and 4-year-old Leo raking, watering and helping with the planting while 9-monthold Astrid watches. Stromberg notes, “They like to get dirty, so we have them help with the garden beds and the soil.” They plant what they like to eat, such as cherry tomatoes and watermelon. Stromberg laughs, “Leo loves watermelon!” When the pandemic arrived, Stromberg started a Whats-
CHRIS CORDONE and son ulien ith egg carton tamarind seeds.
App for the Windsor Village community so everyone could help each other get what they needed, including garden supplies. One post about a run to Sunset Blvd. Nursery resulted in four neighbors’ receiving plants without having to leave their homes. Sunset Blvd. Nursery lists available fruits and vegetables on their website and takes phone orders for curbside pickup. Manager Greg Kuga said that, this year, there’s more demand than ever for vegetables, especially fast-growing crops. “Lettuces and kales are popular,” Kuga states. “They grow really fast; they can be harvested sooner. People don’t want to go to the store anymore.” Filmmaker Chris Cordone and his 5-year-old son, Julien, take care of the family’s food crop while mom Elizabeth is busy making our lives sweeter at her dessert shop, Cake Monkey. In addition to the lemon, fig and kumquat trees in their Windsor Village home’s yard, Cordone and his son filled their garden with such things as bean sprouts and herbs. He and Julien scooped out squash seeds to plant and started tamarind seeds in an egg carton. Unfortunately, their blueberry bush didn’t thrive. “That was heartbreaking for Julien,” Cordone reveals. “He loves blueberries.” Cordone believes there’s a huge
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JIM HARRIS tends his Hancock Park backyard garden.
educational benefit to gardening with a child. “It teaches him about the cycle of life.” Jim and Janna Harris are a gardening team: he sows, they both reap, and she cooks. The Hancock Park residents have been growers for years, but this year is different, as Jim Harris explains, “I started more things early this year. Usually you stagger them to have them come up at different times. I have just been planting as much as I possibly can to have as much food as I possibly can.” He shops at Anawalt Lumber because their garden center is outside and not crowded. Kale chips His crop includes a variety of greens, as Harris attests, “I’m growing a lot of kale because Janna likes to make kale chips.” She shared her recipe: steam the kale, dry it, toss with olive oil and salt, spread the leaves apart on a cookie sheet and place in a 400-degree oven. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn; the kale should be crispy
in around 10 minutes. Greens are flying off the shelves, confirms Sandy, a longtime garden expert at Anawalt Lumber. “People are buying up plants faster than we can ready them.” The demand for vegetables is so high that they are selling younger and smaller specimens than they normally would. In order to limit grocery runs, many home gardeners emphasize eliminating as much food waste as possible. Cookbook author Sherri Brooks Vinton supports this philosophy. “My focus has always been cooking sustainably, using up everything. Green tops from carrots. The stems of Swiss chard.” Pickled and canned Pickling salvages older vegetables, she shares. “When you have vegetables that are starting to wilt, I like to chop these up, load them into any jar and quick pickle them.” Then all one needs to do, she advises, is (Please turn to page 11)
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
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DESIGN FOR LIVING
Victory Gardens (Continued from page 10) mix some salt and sugar into a solution of 50/50 water and vinegar and pour over your veggies. Vinton adds, “It keeps for three weeks in the refrigerator.” The Brookside resident concentrates on growing herbs and is amazed how much she can grow in a 2-foot by 4-foot space. A state-certified Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver, Susan Nickels recommends canning foods to extend the life of one’s homegrown or purchased fruits and vegetables. She maintains an herb garden in the Crenshaw community garden, but she wanted to be more prepared for possible food shortages this year. For ready protein, Nickels cooked dried beans and legumes and canned them, and she turned her attention to vegetables. “Now, because of COVID, I want to have my own source of vegetables.” In case the virus protocols start limiting our movements even more, she wanted a garden closer to her home. Her Windsor Village property is too shaded for successful growing, but her neighbor’s yard is sunny. They joined forc-
SUSAN NICKELS in her kitchen.
SHERRI BROOKS VINTON harvests lemons from her backyard garden.
es for mutual benefit. Nickels relates, “I did a day of panic buying. I went to Anawalt to get some seedlings. I got three of four types of spinach, chard, kale, summer squash, sweet peppers.” Her goal is to grow plenty of food for both of them and have extra for anyone else in the neighborhood who might run out during this time of uncertainty. Beauty and solace too Although many gardeners are developing their plots to rely less on markets, many also remember that gardens provide beauty and solace at a time that desperately needs some. Hancock Park Garden Club member Ivna Guzman and her husband, Bruce Beiderwell (Chronicle “Books and Places”
columnist), moved to Windsor Village a few years ago, and their backyard was completely dead. Beiderwell does the heavy lifting, but Guzman is the main gardener, and she
Call a pro (Continued from page 7) In all, Lark counts hundreds she has guided to clean out closets, throw out stuff and create a better life for themselves the past 11 years. Simple suggestions She starts by offering simple suggestions to her clients: “Put everything away once you’re done using it” at the end of the day, be it a work or crafts project or cooking a meal. If there’s no room in the cupboard or drawer, “do the best you can,” Lark said over the phone last month. De-cluttering came naturally to the former adjunct college professor of history and
proudly states, “We revived the garden and planted roses and lavender and camellias. It’s becoming quite beautiful.” Lately she’s turned to vegetables, too. “I’m growing lettuces and beets and carrots and peas. I have been having fun eating out of the garden, especially now that we’re confined.” Guzman reflects, “I’m very grateful every day for the environment we have, because so many people around the world do not have the luxury of having a home and a garden. It
becomes our refuge.” Resources: Two Dog Organic Nursery 323-422-3835 Twodognursery.com; Rolling Greens 323-934-4500 rghomeandgarden.com; Sunset Blvd. Nursery 323-6621642 sunsetblvdnursery.com; Anawalt Lumber 323-4641600 anawaltlumber.com. Food preserving and canning information: National Center for Home Food Preservation nchfp.uga.edu; or email Susan Nickels at susan_nickels@hotmail.com.
women’s studies before working in administrative management at UCLA and director of programs at UCLA Extension. She has a Ph.D. in women’s history from USC. The 2008 recession changed her course, and today with a team of 12 — she calls ninjas — she helps everyone from the chronically disorganized and those with hoarding disorders (some clients are referred through the courts) to retirees and do-it-yourselfers. When working with a client, Lark often starts with something benign and unemotional, which is where the junk drawer comes in. Other matters tug at the heartstrings. One woman
who stored her grandmother’s never-used dishes would, after some encouragement, clear out her mismatched, not-sonice ones, and now she dines on the beautiful set inherited from her grandmother. “I don’t believe in lazy.” “Often when people can’t start, can’t continue or can’t finish a project, they think they’re lazy. “I don’t believe in lazy,” says Lark, who instructs new clients to throw out their Marie Kondo-type books, which she says are written for people who are already on their time-management game. Often Lark takes the client on a “deep dive” to investigate, (Please turn to page 15)
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Larchmont Chronicle
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DESIGN FOR LIVING
Trees still need care during stay-at-home
LVBID trims Larchmont trees quickly this year By John Welborne The association of Larchmont Village landlords, the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (LVBID) took advantage of the near-empty streets to conduct its annual trimming of the Larchmont ficus trees. The work, between First St. and Beverly Blvd., commenced April 15 and was completed in two days. Commenting on the COVID-19 closures, local resident Heather Duffy Boylston, who also is the LVBID’s co-executive director and its director of public relations and marketing, told us: “We are all very concerned about our Larchmont businesses. This is a bit of a nightmare.” She indicated that the LVBID had written to the merchants, in advance of the tree trimming, to update them on that and also to
offer them marketing support through the LVBID’s website (larchmontvillagebid.com) and social media. Boylston reminded merchants that the “Larchmont Buzz” (larchmontbuzz.com) is offering free online advertising during the Stay-at-Home period. The merchants’ group, the Larchmont Boulevard Association, also has its website that promotes member merchants (larchmont.com). In her letter to merchants, Boylston reported: “We are working with our street services company to make sure trash cans are wiped down, and we have also noticed more trash that has been thrown on the ground — we are making sure that it is handled as well.” She added: “When this is over, we will plan and publicize a big day of shopping and dining to celebrate our return to the Village!”
While trees are not susceptible to the same diseases humans are, they still have issues with insects, age, neglect, root systems that attack leaky pipes, branches that grow through power lines, and some of the diseases that attack plant life. In all these instances, specialists, or arborists, are needed to determine the proper care for a tree and/or to carry out that care safely. Arborists can range from an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arbor-
ist 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, albeit not exhaustive, of arborists available to care for your trees.
Arborist companies
Glendale, CA 91208 818-426-2432 mckinleyarborists.com PTS Tree Service Kelly Lewis ASCA, RCA #669 ISA Certified Arborist Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 818-512-5625 ptstreeservice.com Tree Care LA Nick Araya: Owner, ASCA member, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA TRAQ* and six other certified arborists on staff Inglewood, CA 90302 323-327-1611 treecarela.com The Urban Lumberjack, LLC Steve Marshall: Owner, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA TRAQ*
Los Angeles, CA 90042 323-664-9473 theurbanlumberjack.com
Bartlett Tree Experts Pasadena ISA Certified Arborists on staff: Bryan Locke, Rod Mann, Richard McLeod, Dan Thacker San Gabriel, CA 91778 626-286-2716 Santa Monica Andrew Schiavone Los Angeles, CA 90034 310-454-2033 bartlett.com Carlberg Associates Cy Carlberg, Principal, ASCA, RCA#405, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA TRAQ*, Certified Urban Forester (#013) and five other certified arborists on staff Santa Monica, CA 90403 310-451-4804 cycarlberg.com Evergreen Arborist Consultants Michael Green, RCA #602 Ruben Green, RCA #559 ASCA, ISA Certified Arborists 213-293-2444 • 310-913-5203 greenarborists.com McKinley and Associates William McKinley ASCA member, ISA Certified Arborist * Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
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(in addition to those above) Ryan Allen ISA Certified Arborist, ISA TRAQ* Los Angeles, CA 90020 626-658-0070 dudek.com Dave Aviram Thrifty Tree Service ISA Certified Arborist Tarzana, CA 91335 818-996-4577 thriftytreeservice.com Brian Baldauf ISA Certified Arborist, ISA TRAQ* (Please turn to page 13)
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By Rachel Olivier Recently, I read an article where the Icelandic Forestry Service was encouraging people to “hug a tree” while in quarantine as a way to get that connection with another living thing. Considering how much we are currently limiting human contact, it behooves us to care for any living things with which we can safely be in physical contact. Trees, like other living things, require water, sunshine, oxygen, food (good soil), and enough physical space to grow.
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
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DESIGN FOR LIVING Arborists (Continued from page 12) 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 Arsen Margossian Bardez Landscape Services ASCA member, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA TRAQ*, State of California Pest Control Adviser and Applicator Glendale, CA 91208 818-957-7175 bardezlandscape.com Patricia Smith ISA Certified Arborist, ISA TRAQ* Los Angeles, CA 90027 323-665-1940 patlsmith.com
Consulting arborists
Greg Ainsworth Senior Arborist, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA TRAQ* Ventura, CA 93003 gainsworth@esassoc.com 818-564-5544 Cris Falco Tree Path, LLC ASCA, RCA #557, ISA Board
Certified Master Arborist, ISA TRAQ* West Covina, CA 91709 619-313-3939 treepath.com Kay Greeley Seven Elk Ranch Design, Inc. ASCA member, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA TRAQ* Woodland Hills, CA 91364 805-577-8432 sevenelkranchdesign.com Carl Mellinger Mellinger Tree and Landscape Service, LLC ASCA, RCA # 620, ISA Certified Arborist Santa Monica, CA 90402 ginkgoone@aol.com 310-454-2033 Greg Monfette Tree Case Management ASCA, RCA #481, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist, ISA TRAQ* Culver City, CA 90230 310-902-6581 treecasemanagement.com Kerry Norman Arbor Essence ASCA, RCA #471, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA TRAQ* Glendale, CA 91203 310-592-1104 arboressence.net Mark Porter Marks Tree Service and
Consulting ASCA member, ISA Certified Arborist Riverside, CA 92505 markstree@charter.net 951-354-8733 Jan C. Scow Allison Lancaster Jan C. Scow Consulting Arborists, LLC ASCA, RCA #382, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA TRAQ* Santa Monica, CA 90404 Ojai, CA 93023 818-789-9127 janscow.com Jerome Smith Jerome Smith Arboriculture, LLC ASCA, RCA #644, ISA Certified Arborist Culver City, CA 90231 jsmith67@mac.com 310-877-0227 Lisa Smith The Tree Resource ASCA, RCA #464 ISA Certified Arborist Los Angeles, CA 90049 310-663-2290 thetreeresource.com Frank Spina Salco Landscaping Services, Inc. ASCA member Lakewood, CA 90713 franks@salcolsg.com 562-925-0266
LIPSON PLUMBING is as busy as before the pandemic.
Essential services available in the neighborhood still By Suzan Filipek Some local businesses (repairs, construction, newspapers, among others) are on government lists of essential enterprises that need to keep operating while most businesses, including retail, are prohibited from being open for dropin customers. Some companies with manufacturing capacity are finding ways to help during the pandemic while keeping some workers employed. Lipson Plumbing, for one, is as busy as before the pandemic.
“We haven’t stopped at all,” said company owner Bob Vacca. “We protect the health of the nation, through all of the proper connections and delivering potable water; it’s an ongoing thing since the 1920s,” he adds. The company actually opened on Larchmont Blvd. in 1931. Vacca bought the business in 1976, and it’s been at its present location 44 years but will move by the end of the year. (Please turn to page 14)
Larchmont Chronicle
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SECTION TWO
Essential (Continued from page 13) Vacca is looking to open a new home on Larchmont for his 10-member team. “It’s done well for us all these years,” he said of his spot in the heart of Larchmont. But new owners are bringing changes to the brick
and mortar site. (The plumbing firm is in two of 14 spaces in what’s known as the Lipson Building, after the late Charlotte LaBonte Lipson, the daughter of one of the original developers of Larchmont Village, Julius LaBonte.) Lipson’s employees arrive at their job sites wearing all the required personal protective
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equipment (PPE). “We’re all gowned up with boots and gloves and masks and eyeglasses. Everything.” He’s hopeful about his quest to find new digs in the neighborhood. “I think we’re going to land on Larchmont [again] soon.” Lipson Plumbing, 323-4692395. Crews of plumbers leave from the Red Lilly Plumbing headquarters rain or shine, coronavirus threat or not. “They know [the pandemic] is a serious thing, but if they follow the protocols, they know they’ll be safe,” says manager Alexandra Torreschico at Red Lilly Plumbing, Rooter, Sewer & Drain Service. They also know their customers will be safe. Good hygiene and safety procedures come with the job, only more so now. Tools are cleaned and disinfected before and after each use. “We have a dirty job anyways, but during this time, we’re making sure,” said Torreschico. Calls are fewer than before the COVID-19 crisis, with mostly emergencies called in. And when the phone rings, the company’s plumbers are prepared. “We have all the equipment, masks and special covers; it’s required they wear them all the time, and mostly when in front of customers,” Torreschico said. Serving Los Angeles since 1924, redlillyplumbing.com. Brian Brady has been busy keeping in touch with many of his clients who have become friends over the years, helping with groceries and just checking in on them. His gutter-cleaning business and handyman services took a back seat last month after many residents postponed jobs. “Everyone’s scared,” he noted. He’s never seen anything like it in his 35 years working on homes, inside and out, in Hancock Park and the surrounding area. “People don’t want people around their house unless it’s something really critical…. “This is just unprecedented.” When the calls come, however, he is prepared with masks,
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gloves and hand sanitizer wipes. Gutter cleaning and repair, Brian Brady, 213-910-0980. “This is our 95th anniversary,” Supreme Roofing Co. controller Carylyn Clifford tells us. “During this global pandemic we are still keeping customers’ roofs serviced and are scheduling free estimates while using proper PPE and keeping a safe distance.” Company President Doug
Ratliff is the fourth owner of the company, and he also hails from a family of four generations in the roofing business. He oversees 10 employees and is the estimator and job supervisor. He is proud of his company earning the respect of homeowners and businesses in the Larchmont area and beyond. Supreme Roofing is still based at the company’s original location. Supreme Roofing, 1051 N. Gower St., 323-469-2981, supremeroofing.net. “As a construction business we are essential, so we are up and running,” said Greg Roth, an interior designer at Home Front Build. About half a dozen projects are in the works out in the field, while design and planning continues in the office, and client calls continue via Zoom and other virtual means. Every office and every work site is fully protected with protective gear, he noted. Another 12 or so projects — about six are in the Larch(Please turn to page 15)
Masks from Buck Mason for you, frontline workers By Billy Taylor The Larchmont-based menswear brand Buck Mason has launched a new initiative to help both residents who need to find a face mask and essential personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis. Masks for America is a onefor-one initiative to create and distribute free masks to the brave medical and essential personnel. For every one of the brand’s non-medicalgrade masks purchased, a second mask will be donated to those who need them most. The program started with the goal to donate 100,000 masks, but after an overwhelming customer response, Buck Mason has now upped its goal to 1,000,000. “Our goal in launching Masks for America is threefold,” said Buck Mason co-founder Sasha Koehn. “First, by producing non-medical-grade masks, we can help preserve the supply of medical-grade masks for healthcare workers. Second,
OLYMPIA MEDICAL Center receives 1,000 protective masks from Buck Mason. hoto y e rey dams
along with donating our masks to medical facilities, we’ll also be giving them to the many essential workers out there that are keeping this country going. And third, the more masks we produce, the more factories we can put back to work.” The machine-washable masks, which are being made by both Buck Mason’s domestic and international manufacturing partners, are made from heavyweight cotton jersey and feature an antimicrobial layer. Recipients of the donated masks thus far include Olym(Please turn to page 15)
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
Essential
(Continued from page 14) mont area — are on pause because of the pandemic. “It’s hard, obviously, and a little disconcerting, to work in a city that’s shut down,” Roth said. “But we’re very grateful to be continuing the work and getting people into their homes that need to be safe and sound.” Visit homefrontbuild.com. Liz Gordon of Liz’s Antique Hardware is answering calls and emails and shipping and offering curbside pick-up of her vast stock of vintage and new hardware and lighting fixtures. Peruse the website and send photos and descriptions, and she’ll match items from her inventory of doorknobs, hooks
Call a pro (Continued from page 11) say, a Crock-Pot that you “may need some day.” It’s true, but when? And, is it part of the overall goal? “Most people have a goal to get to a physical point in their physical environment.” It sounds like a better alternative than adding to the ubiquitous world of storage units around the country, which she calls, “The land of indecision.” A free consultation includes a walk through (or these days more likely includes video and photos) of areas you want to tackle. Visit aclearpath.net, and, for moving and packing, visit, silktouchmoves.com, or call 310-710-3379.
and lighting from 1860 to the present. Once the pandemic subsides, her staff of 12 will rejoin her. In the meantime, she’s managing the business. “We’re not open for foot traffic, but we’re open for business,” she said. In a show of gratitude to her valuable customers, she’s offering a 20 percent discount on all vintage items. Visit lahardware.com Garret and Garage Interior Design co-principals, who hail from Madrid and the plains of the Midwest, enjoy mixing different cultures and a love of fashion, history and film in their design. “We prefer authentic homes that speak to the character of the homeowner… A home provides an antidote to the noise of the outside world, as well as a bridge to the outside world,” says co-principal Beatrice Novoa. In lieu of person-to-person meetings and house calls, these days the two-person design team is providing video tours. “As we shelter in place, we have a deeper understanding and appreciation of our home. “We would love to hear from you during these quarantine times,” Novoa said. Email them at info@garretandgarage.com. Garretandgarage.com. Diamond Foam & Fabric has gone into the mask-making business. The company’s renowned fabrics from Europe’s original artisan mills are still sought by designers and homeowners alike during the pandemic. But a large percentage of the store’s
SECTION TWO
workload, these COVID-19 days, includes donating fabrics for masks for first responders. “We’ve donated 200 yards of fabric to three organizations,” store manager Gabrielle Moser told us. One yard can make up to 15 to 30 masks, depending on the size of the mask. The fabric has been shipped to costume designers at Set Decorators of America, among others, who are sewing face coverings for doctors and nurses at UCLA, USC and Kaiser among other first-responder hot spots. The design and the cotton blend fabrics follow Center for Disease Control guidelines, though “quite frankly I think they’ll take whatever they can get right now,” Moser said. The store has also made some test masks which may be available to the public at a later date. “Masks will be part of our everyday accessory. People will probably want a variety,” notes Moser. For now, they are not selling to the market, but that could change. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, from the heavily sanitized work production space, the crew is sporting gloves and keeping social distancing by working six feet apart to send samples of fabrics and shipping orders of its large inventory of linens (one of the world’s original fabrics), velvets and bouclé for upholstery orders. “A lot of people are working to get projects done or getting them ready to start,” Moser said. Diamond Foam & Fabric, info@diamondfoamandfabric. com, 323-931-8148.
15
This Greek word translates into a pitfall for an enemy Why is something disgraceful that happens often referred to as a “scandal”? ponders Tom Dibblee. Scandal is from the Greek skandalon, which is literally a pitfall or snare laid out for an enemy. Down the centuries it has morphed into a description of moral aspersion. • • • How come the bump at the front of our throat is called the “Adam’s apple”? asks Joseph Benedetto. This protuberance is so named because legend has it that a piece of the forbidden fruit stuck in Adam’s throat. • • • Why is a conspiracy also known as a “cabal”? queries Tom Stratton. Cabal derives from the Medieval Latin cabala, which is a transliteration of the Hebrew qabbalah and refers to any closely guarded secret or belief. The evolution from secret tradition to secret groups or plotters was a natural. • • • What’s the origin of the “Mansard” roof? wonders
Buck Mason
(Continued from page 14) pia Medical Center, Philippine Nurses Association, Scripps Health, Sutter Hospital, UCI Health and UCLA Health. “The customer response so far has been incredible,” said Buck Mason’s other co-
ProfessorKnowIt-All Bill Bentley Toby March. Originally called a curb roof, it was named after the French architect Francois Mansart (1598-1666), although used in the design of the Louvre a half century before. Instead of the rafters forming an inverted V, they are broken and the lower slope is almost perpendicular, the upper more nearly flat. It was in use in America during the old colonial days, and there, the term denotes a double-pitched roof, sloping up from the four sides of a building. Where it ends in two gables, it then is called a gambrel roof. Professor Know-It-All is the nom de plume of Bill Bentley, who invites readers to try and stump him. Send your questions to willbent@prodigy.net founder, Erik Allen Ford. “It’s inspiring to see so many people stepping up to help those risking their lives to help us. And it’s also great to see our factories get back to it.” The company offers a pack of five non-medical, reusable cotton face masks for $20. Visit buckmason.com.
Eyewondrous (Continued from page 8) kitchen spaces and more. “They bring me to their wall of artwork and ask what I would do differently. I’ve been doing a lot of that.” She’s busy online shopping for clients, curating to find the right accessories. Some stores, she admits, including a few at The Grove, bring her to a “state of nirvana.” Village Heights and Landis are favorites among favorites on Larchmont. For a free consultation or more information, visit eyewondrous.com.
DeaDline For the June 2020 iSSue iS fri., May 22, 2020.
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2020
SECTION TWO
Coming Soon!
The Magnificent Merry Norris Modern Bird Streets, Los Angeles
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310.497.5832 bret@bretparsons.com DRE 01418010 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. DRE 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 footages are approximate.