Pacific Outdoor Living family celebrates landscape longevity

By John Welborne

For more than 20 years, landscape design-build firm Pacific Outdoor Living (POL) has been serving residents of Los Angeles County. In just our Larchmont Chronicle distribution area, POL has undertaken more than 80 projects for area homeowners. Since beginning the company, founder Terry Morrill and his sons, Trent and Chad, and their large staff of nearly 100 employees have completed in excess of 10,000 outdoor renovation projects.

Terry Morrill told us that he actually lived in our community early on — on Windsor Boulevard — at the time he began the company. He said, “What began as a company run out of my garage is now a flourishing business.” A landscape contractor with a large corporate yard in Sun Valley, POL’s work includes landscape design, swimming

Virginia Robinson

(Continued from page 14) partment stores.

Usually open by appointment only, the six-acre property, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, will be transformed by area designers and florists.

Victoria Kastner, author and historian emeritus of Hearst Castle, will serve as Grand Marshal, and she will be signing copies of her book, “Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect,” now in its third printing.

Co-chairs of the event are past president Betty Goldstein, Elaine Stein and Nicole Antoine. Windsor Square resident Suz Landay is on the committee and Patty Elias Rosenfeld is a donor.

A catered gourmet lunch will be served on the Great Lawn with an array of desserts in the Pool Pavilion. A fashion show, silent auction and popup shops will also be featured. New this year will be a hat contest with prizes.

Visit robinsongardens.org for tickets and more information.

pools, hardscapes, lighting, custom fire features, outdoor kitchens, pergolas and more.

Terry Morrill also told us of the pride he has in his large team. “We have picked up dozens of awards along the way; have been featured on HGTV and the Inc 500 list; we have participated in the Pasadena Showcase House for decades; and we have received hundreds of glowing reviews across Yelp, Google and other home improvement platforms.”

He added that a significant reason for his company’s success and customer satisfaction is that POL is family owned and operated. “I run the company with my two sons. Trent runs our production team, and Chad runs our sister company, California Waterscapes, which handles all pond builds and custom water features. Many of our employees have also been with us for decades and have brought their family members in to work with us as well.”

He also notes that POL’s construction is done by in-house crews. “We have separate crews for every service we offer, from demolition to landscaping to pavers and swimming pools. We do not use subcontractors, the reason being that our quality assurance will always be top priority; we cannot guarantee that other contractors in our industry share the same goal.”

Pacific Outdoor Living also focuses on a design approach that it has instituted in the past five years. Morrill explained: “We have implemented a design process that no other contractor is doing in the industry. It is called the Site Analysis Program. This is the homeowner’s greatest resource. It saves the homeowner and us time and money, and it enables us to always stay within a homeowner’s budget.” Morrill added that videos he made for the company’s website explain POL’s three-step process: site analysis, landscape design and construction. View his videos at tinyurl.com/yua98sdj.

Because of the company’s success, the Morrill family has expanded its service area from Los Angeles to nearly the entire coast of California. The service area now covers San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties. The main website for POL is pacificoutdoorliving.com.

Design For Living

On Preservation

(Continued from page 11) play. The Stewart House’s rear façade was also columned but with a second-story balcony off the primary bedroom suite and above the garden room. This served well as theatrical backdrop to the backyard entertainments and at night must give off a southern “moonlight-and-magnolias” atmosphere.

Favorite rooms

But what of the designs?!

My favorite rooms of the house were the mirrored chinoiserie Living Room by Tocco Finale, the Speakeasy and Hall by Sukeena Homes, the Primary Suite by Courtney Thomas Design, the second floor Terrace by Meredith Green Designs and the Artist’s Wunderkammer by Rosemary Home Design.

This last room was particularly interesting as Rosemary Home Design was the only firm that referenced the original chatelaine of the house, Ruth Nicholson Stewart, who was an avid traveler, artist and collector.

The Art Nouveau-inspired studio with its eclectic collections of flora and fauna as well as handmade furniture by Christopher Grant Ward are particularly worth a look.

The Pasadena Showcase House of Design is open through May 21 daily except Mondays. Tickets can be purchased online at pasadenashowcase.org/events/ tickets/ or by calling 626-6061600. All proceeds from the tour admissions, shops and restaurant go to the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts philanthropic activities. They include gifts and grants for music education, scholarships, concerts and music therapy as well as to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the

Music Mobile program which has introduced orchestral instruments to thousands of third-graders, an Instrumental Competition, awarding monetary prizes to exceptionally talented young musicians, and the Youth Concert, which has brought nearly 250,000 fourth-graders to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for exuberant performances by the LA Phil.

LIBRARIES

FAIRFAX

161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191

JOHN C. FREMONT

6121 Melrose Ave. 323-962-3521

MEMORIAL

4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2732

WILSHIRE

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

HOURS

Mon. and Wed., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tues. and Thurs., noon to 8 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Mon., May 29 for Memorial Day.

Library Calendar

Cowboy trick roping, a comedy about Einstein and live music

FAIRFAX LIBRARY

Kids

Cowboy Ken: His show includes cowboy songs, trick roping, stories and large puppets on Tues., May 2, at 4 p.m.

Adults

English conversation: Every Monday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. practice everyday English with an instructor and peers.

Walk-in tutoring: Every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. come for help with searching the internet, job resumes, applications and filling out forms.

All ages

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

FREMONT LIBRARY

Teens/Adults

The life and times of A. Einstein, a comedy: An off- beat solo comedy show in celebration of Jewish Heritage Month is about the life of Albert Einstein from his secretary’s perspective. The performance takes place Tues., May 9, at 4 p.m.

All ages

UCLA Gluck String Quartet: A live musical performance on Sat., May 20, at 3:30 p.m.

UCLA Gluck Jazz Ensemble: Live horns and strings will fill the community room with music on Sat., May 27, at 3:30 p.m.

MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Toddlers

Story time in the park: Drop in to listen to stories and sing songs in Memorial Park adjoining the library Wednesdays, May 3 and May 31, at 10:30 a.m.

Kids

Día Folkoric Performance: Celebrate Día with art, music and storytelling. The event is capped off with a dance performance in the park on Sat., May 6, at 1 p.m.

Reading to the rescue: Let your child read aloud to an adorable rescue dog on Wed., May 10, at 4 p.m.

Kids & Teens

Drop-in tutoring with Steve: Need a refresher on some academics? Stop by Thurs., May 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. for one-on-one assistance with any subject.

Teens

Miniature plant terrarium: Create a miniature plant terrarium to take home on Thurs., May 4 at 4 p.m.

Adults

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

Art class: Color or paint with peers on Wednesdays, May 3 and 31, at 3 p.m.

Book club: Discuss “Has

(Please turn to page 20)

Craft Contemporary prepares for its next chapter

By Helene Seifer

Suzanne Isken, executive director of the Craft Contemporary, announced that, after more than 12 years at the museum, she is retiring. She pledges to stay with the organization until it finds a replacement.

SPRING @ THE WALLIS

MAY 20

Miró Quartet & Special Guest Kevin Puts

MAY 25

Jeffrey Kahane, Piano: Goldberg Variations

JUNE 1

Jordan Bak, Geneva Lewis & Evren Ozel

JUNE 9-10

Alonzo King LINES Ballet: Deep River

JUNE 11

SUNDAY FUNDAY

Nathalia

Dance Sunday with Debbie Allen

Dance Academy: African

2022/2023 SEASON

GET YOUR TICKETS! TheWallis.org

It won’t be easy to find a new executive director who is as passionate and committed to the presentation of the diversity of contemporary crafts as Isken. Previously the director of education at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Isken used her broad knowledge of contemporary art ideas to oversee the transition of the more limited scope of the Craft and Folk Art Museum into the Craft Contemporary’s embrace of diverse artistic expression.

A board committee has gathered names of potential replacements from its own knowledge base, and Isken also has recommended museum professionals to consider. The board then retained Museum Management Consultants to lead the national search. That firm commenced work in April and hopes to have a new museum executive director in place by May or June.

“Small places like this [the Craft Contemporary] give neighborhoods their flavor,” asserts Isken. “Why do you like a neighborhood? Not the big bank on the corner. Not the CVS. People want convenience, yes, but that’s sterile. It’s the shops and restaurants and small museums.” She concludes, “We have a really important place on the Miracle Mile.”

Craft Contemporary, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., 323-937-4230.

Kids’ games and flowers are at Van Ness this May

Join in the fun at Van Ness Avenue Elementary School on Sat., May 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parents at Van Ness Elementary (PAVE) will hold a Family Fun Fest to raise money for the school. Enjoy an afternoon of kids’ games, food, music, a petting zoo and more.

Entry tickets will be on sale soon for $5 per person or $20 per group.

PAVE is also running a spring flower sale. Pre-order small bouquets in pots ($20), or large bouquets in watering cans ($30), through May 10. The orders (online only) can be picked up on Fri., May 12 in the parent center at Van Ness Elementary. Visit parentsatvanness.org for more information.

Libraries

(Continued from page 20)

Anyone Seen my Toes” by Christopher Buckley on Fri., May 5, at 1 p.m. Book title for June is “Empty Theatre,” by Jac

Jemc.

WILSHIRE LIBRARY

Babies

Story time: The littlest ones

Christ the King School Fun Run

To raise funds for the physical education and sports programs at Christ the King, the school is holding its inaugural Vikings Fun Run Fri., May 5. All TK through 8th grade students will run laps while music plays and teachers and parents cheer. The school aims to raise enough money to update play equipment, team jerseys and the outdoor canopies. If interested in making a donation, email: principal@cksla.org.

listen to stories in the library at 4 p.m. on Fri., May 12.

Toddlers

Story time: Listen to stories, sing songs and stretch with Sybil on Fridays, May 5 and 12, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Kids & Teens

Mexican paper cutting: In celebration of Mexican heritage month learn papel picado, Mexican paper cutting craft, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tues., May 2.

DIY Mother’s Day cards: Make a card for your mom with paper, stickers, envelopes and markers available Mon., May 8 through Sat., May 13.

Teens & Adults

Henna tattoos: Henna artist Manjushree Normulwar will present a brief history of the art and culture of henna and

Wilshire Library’s book and bake sale is May 6

By Nona Sue Friedman

The green light has been given to the Friends of Wilshire Library to once again have its semi-annual book and bake sale. The sale will take place on the sidewalk in front of the library at 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. (at Council Street) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat., May 6.

Given that it has been several years since the last sale, there will be a plethora of hardcover books, kids’ books, art books, DVDs and CDs available for purchase. While you’re there, pick up homemade baked goods to relish while reading your newest novel.

Thank You to all our Larchmont customers

Call 310-652-0123 • At 8914 Santa Monica Blvd. (between San Vicente & Robertson in West Hollywood)

Weekday: 8am-7 pm • Sat: 8am-5:30pm • Sun: 10am-5pm then offer participants a personal henna tattoo on Thurs., May 11, at 4 p.m.

The event features the debut of the group’s “blinddate-with-a-book” program. Staff will curate books ahead of the sale, wrap them in plain paper and mark the genre of the book. These selections will be sold for slightly more than the $1 adult hardcovers.

Adults

Write your own story: Author and journalist Alison Singh Gee will lead a discussion and writing workshop about creating your own Los Angeles life story on Sat., May 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

100 years of Girl Scout photos at Central Library

By Nona Sue Friedman

A photo exhibit at the Los Angeles Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., shows Girl Scouts in Los Angeles during the last 100 years. The exhibit consists of images from the Herald Examiner and Valley Times along with numerous local photographers.

See how the uniforms evolved over the decades, the events participated in by the Scouts and how their cookies have changed. The exhibit is free and runs through Sun., Aug. 13.

If you are a Girl Scout, the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) is offering its own official Girl Scout patch. LAPL has partnered with Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles to help

Scouts understand the importance of LAPL to build strong communities and teach the girls about the services available at all local libraries. To qualify for the patch, there are a few online and in-person projects to complete. Visit lapl.org to learn more.