LC 09 2023

Larchmont Chronicle

In his words: Franco speaks about his life off the streets

By Helene Seifer

Franco Iervolino, formerly known as Giorgio when his home was a bus bench and his haunt was Larchmont Boulevard, was forcibly removed from the Boulevard on April 20, 2022. A host of county outreach workers made it happen (as first reported in “Giorgio, taken for help by County dept.,” Larchmont Chronicle, May 2022, page 1.)

He was taken to County USC Hospital (now named Los Angeles General Medical Center) for assessment, then moved to Gateway Hospital and Mental Health Center in Echo Park for interim care. In July 2022, Franco, 65, was placed in a senior care facility in the Fairfax neighborhood. He now has a conservator to oversee his financial arrangements and care, a public defender to represent him in court, a team of social workers and free access to medical and mental health care.

At the end of his first year in the senior care facility near Fairfax and Olympic, Franco

Bring

n Rides, costume contest back at local tradition

By Casey Russell

The 58th annual Larchmont Family Fair, produced by the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA), will take place on Sun., Oct. 29, from noon to 5 p.m. The 2023 Family Fair’s theme is: Fun for Everyone!

profit organizations, schools and LBA merchants. A new addition to this year’s fair is a version of the usual Sunday farmers’ market, to be located in the parking lot of Bank of America at First Street.

n HopeNet food pantries’ 31st benefit

By Suzan Filipek

Enjoy the end of summer while sampling sushi, dining on pizza and savoring bakery treats at HopeNet’s 31st annual Taste of Larchmont on Mon., Sept. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Enter under a colorful balloon arch in the parking lot by the clock (209 N. Larchmont Blvd.) to pick up or buy your passport to 19 participating eateries on the Boulevard.

The paper passport is your ticket to sample food from restaurants and sidewalk booths and to enjoy desserts and coffee offered under canopies at the parking lot.

Wilshire Blvd. to close for six weekends

For information on advertising rates, please call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11

Mailing permit:

As in past years, there will be rides for children, a stage with entertainment and food and booths organized by non-

Finding homes, shelter is key to solution, says councilmember

n Street safety is also on Yaroslavsky’s agenda

By Casey Russell

The Chronicle recently spoke with CD5 Councilwoman Katy Young Yaroslavsky about her first eight months in office. Here are excerpts from that interview.

Yaroslavsky told us that she and her team have been hard at work on both homelessness and street safety. The councilwoman said that Mayor Bass’ Inside Safe program is working well for CD5. Inside Safe

See Franco, p 13 Halloween & Harvest

Our annual Halloween & Harvest section will be featured in the October issue of the Larchmont Chronicle . Advertising deadline is Mon., Sept. 11. For more information, contact Pam Rudy, 323462-2241, ext 11.

aims to move people out of homeless encampments and into interim housing while long-term housing is found.

CD5 has benefited from two Inside Safe cleanups this year — on Sixth Street behind the Academy Museum and on San Vicente Boulevard between Third Street and Wilshire Boulevard, plus points south on San Vicente. Yaroslavsky told us that the mayor’s office has been helpful in bringing together all the necessary departments for Inside Safe’s success. Partnering with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the CD5 team was also able to remove an encampment on Jasmine Avenue near Culver City in front of a school and day care center. “We have a lot more work to do,” said Yaroslavsky. But the councilwoman is pleased that there hasn’t been repopulation in the three areas mentioned.

Larchmont, between First and Beverly, will be closed to traffic, and admission to the fair will be free. Rides and food will require payment. The fair serves as a fundraiser for Boulevard gardening, holiday decorations and more.

For more information about the LBA, visit Larchmont.com. To reserve a booth — while they last — contact sharonsweeney@fairwaygroupadv.com prior to Oct. 1.

Wilshire Boulevard will be closed beginning the weekend of Sept. 29 and continuing for up to six weekends as Metro continues its work on the Purple (D) Line Extension project. The design-builder will be removing concrete deck panels on Wilshire between La Brea Avenue and Detroit Street. The work begins on Friday nights at 9 p.m. and continues through 6 a.m. the following Mondays. La Brea will also be closed at Wilshire in both directions.

‘Summer Soiree’ honorees

FOURTH-GRADERS Elsie Mohr and Lola Kessler check out their new school on orientation day at Hollygrove@Selma. See our Back to School Section 3.

YMCA Summer Soiree at the local Anderson Munger Family YMCA featured (from left) honorees Scot Clifford and Jane Gilman, Board Chair Chase Campen, Soiree Co-Chairs Patti Carroll and John Winther, honoree Michael Pak and Executive Director Rae Jin. Learn more in “Around the Town” on Page 8.

Editorial

By John Welborne

Larchmont Chronicle; Larchmont Charter

Your community newspaper is concerned about community issues. A critical issue relates to one of the four campuses of Larchmont Charter School (LCS), whose original campus is just a few blocks from our newspaper office on Larchmont Boulevard.

Larchmont Charter School also has a campus in Hollywood, on Selma and Cherokee avenues, adjoining Schrader Boulevard and the so-called, but useless to families, “Selma Park.” The elementary school and mini-park are located in City Council District 13, now overseen by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez.

On this matter, we hope his oversight is constant and helpful.

Many more details about the recent “Inside Safe” cleanup — for which Mayor Karen Bass, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and the councilmember are sharing credit — are contained in the story on Page 10 of this, our annual “Back to School” edition. It was good to see the Aug.10 all-day mobilization that helped street dwellers find transitional housing while cleaning the neighborhood’s streets, sidewalks and pocket park. For the children, their families and others going back to school this month at the Selma campus, a return of the prior civilized

DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF HANCOCK PARK

Est. 1948

137 N. LARCHMONT BLVD. LOS ANGELES 90004 www.HancockPark.org

Protecting and Rebuilding Streets and Sidewalks

Los Angeles is a City made up of hundreds of neighborhoods. Many of these Los Angeles neighborhoods have been designated historic districts, and these communities protect large numbers of historic resources and preserve the authentic character of our historic Los Angeles.

The Hancock Park Historic Preservation Overlay Zone / Preservation Plan was developed by the community, written by the Planning Department and passed unanimously by the City Council in 2007.

The Hancock Park Preservation Plan has five main goals. The first two are: Goal 1 — Preserve the historic character of the community. Recognize that the maintenance, enhancement, and preservation of the character of the neighborhood, as a whole, takes precedence over the treatment of individual buildings, structures or sites. Goal 2 — Preserve the historic streetscape. Promote the maintenance and enhancement of the traditional streetscape and parkways.  There is an entire chapter dedicated to how we must preserve and maintain our historic streetscape. In Chapter 11 of our Hancock Park Preservation Plan, regarding “Public Realm: Streets, Sidewalks & Public Buildings,” the Plan states: “Public spaces contribute to the unique historic character of our preservation zone.” Clearly, the City understood the importance of preserving the streetscape and the overarching need to make our sidewalks and streets safe!

In past years, we have been able to work with the City to schedule infrastructure repairs as the budget allowed. Thanks are due to former councilmember David Ryu who successfully secured continuing funding for repairs and maintenance by having our infrastructure repair become part of the annual City budget. Until now. We are now told that, due to all the other fiscally challenging situations plaguing the City ... too many to list ... our infrastructure funding has been eliminated. Our infrastructure is at a crisis point, and without proper maintenance, it will totally fail. City leadership must act. We need City leaders to allocate funds fairly across the City. The Association is encouraging our current councilperson and her office to help secure funds for repairs. We hope you will join us and make your support known.

The Association’s Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, October 16th remotely via Zoom.  At that meeting, you’ll hear from our councilperson, LAPD, and the Association’s Committee Chairs. And, most importantly, you’ll learn more about the ongoing and vitally important rezoning program.  Visit our website — HancockPark.org — to find out what’s going on and to learn how you can participate.

Calendar

Mon., Sept. 4 — Labor Day.

Tues., Sept. 12 — Mid City West Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Pan Pacific Park Senior Center, 141 S. Gardner St., midcitywest.org.

Wed., Sept. 13 — Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., greaterwilshire.org.

Fri., Sept. 15 — Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown.

Mon., Sept. 18 — Taste of Larchmont on the Boulevard, 6 to 9 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 22 — First day of autumn.

‘What is your best school memory?’

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

Sun., Sept. 24 — Yom Kippur starts at sundown.

Thurs., Sept. 28 — Delivery of the October issue of the Larchmont Chronicle

sidewalk environment is very welcome.

The previous unacceptable situation along this stretch of Selma Avenue was one where vagrants took over the sidewalk and the park adjacent to the school, creating an extremely hostile environment.

On multiple occasions, the new councilmember (who took office last December) promised that the situation would be addressed and that the sidewalks would be free of vagrant encampments when school started in August. The community — not just the school but residents of many multi-family units within a block or two of the former encampment — is grateful that the crisis was addressed on Aug. 10, a dozen days before LCS students returned to school on Aug. 22.

Now, the community’s charge to its councilmember is to support continuing and vigorous enforcement of the city council-adopted ordinance that prohibits such hazards near schools. Councilmember Soto-Martinez may dislike that ordinance (which has been on the books prior to his taking his oath of office) and its Section 41.18 (e), a point he made during his campaign, but he is obligated to follow the law — as are all the public safety, sanitation and other officials who work for the city. See the ordinance at: bit.ly/3OJrVTl.

Letters to the Editor

Bravo to Chronicle

My August ’23 issue of the Larchmont Chronicle just arrived. I’m so impressed you’re continuing a

Larchmont Chronicle

Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin

Publisher and Editor

John H. Welborne

Managing Editor

Suzan Filipek

Contributing Editor

Jane Gilman

Staff Writers

Talia Abrahamson

Casey Russell

Helene Seifer

Advertising Director

Pam Rudy

Advertising Sales including Classifieds

Caroline Tracy

Art Director Tom Hofer

Circulation Manager

Nona Sue Friedman

Accounting

Jill Miyamoto

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

larchmontchronicle.com

heritage — that is, print journalism — that seems ever on the wane. I’ve read daily newspapers for decades and note, with dismay, their shift in editorial policy (those that remain) and their ever-accelerating demise.

So, the Chronicle is really admirable in its support of such a vital community component. It is informative, contemporary, explores issues in

(Please turn to page 3)

CORRECTION

“We used to play Jeopardy every Friday in my fifth-grade class. The teacher did the game with current events, geography and math. We loved that teacher! We never had a bad day with her — Ms. Munroe. I actually just reconnected with her, so I got to see her 40 years after fifth grade!”

Andy

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE

Museum docent Michael “Dr. Mike” Landau.

CORRECTION

The paper incorrectly named Michael “Dr. Mike” Landau as Martin Landau in last month’s story, “See Los Angeles history through the ‘windshield of the car’.”

“Once, our teacher let us have a party, and one of the students brought Grimace Shakes from McDonald’s, and I loved it!”

Kayla Kim La Brea Hancock

“My favorite memory is my first field trip in second grade because we went to the zoo. A lot of my friends were in my group, and we got to see lots of animals.”

“During my senior year of high school, all my friends and I opened our college admission letters together and, luckily, we all got our first choice!”

Wasif and Parsley Windsor Village

Mason Henderson with mom, Kim Larchmont Village

Letters

(Continued from page 2) depth, and appears as current as a monthly journal can be. And is vibrant. Bravo.

Fritz Kasten Woodside, Calif.

In-home assault and robbery

On the afternoon of Aug. 10, my next-door neighbor answered his door, and three thugs burst in and sprayed him in the face with extremely toxic chemicals, beat him up, breaking multiple ribs, etc., bound and gagged him, and threw him down the basement stairs after having cut all the security and power lines. He somehow managed to crawl headfirst out of a narrow basement window and come broken and bloody to my house for help. I had to call 911 twice, and even then, the police response time was ridiculously slow. Neighbors on either side of us have had their homes broken into multiple times, but this latest is altogether something else and very frightening. There seem to be no con-

sequences for assault and robbery, and if perpetrators are apprehended, they are released in short order. It appears we must all live in fear or decide to leave town (as many have).

I know you care deeply about Hancock Park, as do we. Perhaps you may have ideas (through the Chronicle or otherwise) on how to exert pressure on city officials to make our neighborhood safe again.

Rossmore Ave. Resident Hancock Park

[The editors have forwarded this letter to staff in the offices of Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez and LAPD Chief Michel Moore. – Ed.]

Getting recognition

Thank you for giving Christine [“Christine Meyer: An under-the-radar leader in our community,” Aug. 2023] the recognition she so richly deserves. I have been involved with her in Le Salon Français

de Los Angeles and am so grateful for all the time and energy she gives to Le Salon.

Jan Gabrielson Cheviot Hills

‘The Ants’ is a hit

Regarding your recent review [“An inconvenient truth at the on-pause Mark Taper Forum,” Aug. 2023], please note that “The Ants” played to sold-out houses [at the Geffen Playhouse, June 20 to July 30]. Maybe your columnist didn’t like it, which is fine, but to call it “unsuccessful” is flat out wrong. It’s a hit. Most people have loved it. You’re actually in the minority.

Ramiz Monsef

Playwright of “The Ants”

See additional Letter to the Editor in Section 2, Page 8. 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.

Billboard blight: revenue for governments, vendor?

By John Welborne

Glowing digital ads for new TV shows and personal injury attorneys may soon be at a Metro property near you, if city officials approve a proposed billboard scheme.

A public hearing is set for Thurs., Sept. 14, to consider Metro’s request to display digital signs in certain places throughout the city. The Los Angeles City Planning Commission (CPC) will hear public comment that day on a draft city ordinance to allow Metro’s proposed Transportation Communication Network (TCN) to proceed. Learn more at bit.ly/3QTSHex.

If approved, the ordinance will leave the city uglier, less safe and further from its own clean-energy goals, says national nonprofit advocacy group Scenic America (bit.

ly/3QIXm2I).

Currently there is a citywide ban on off-site digital billboards. In addition to Scenic America, other nonprofit groups oppose this latest proposal to loosen billboard regulation.

According to a July 12, 2023, message from the Coalition for a Beautiful Los Angeles (losangelesbeautiful@gmail. com), City Council President Paul Krekorian is “the driving force behind this effort to monetize and commercialize our visual landscape, attempting to rush the program through as quickly as possible.”

If moved forward by the CPC, the draft ordinance would next go to the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) committee of the city council before heading to the full city council.

Tailwaggers celebrates its 20th with wagging tails and kisses

By Casey Russell

This September, Tailwaggers celebrates its 20th anniversary with a weekend of fun.

At the Larchmont location (147 N. Larchmont Blvd.), the parking lot will be transformed into a carnival-themed atmosphere on Sat., Sept. 16, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pet supply vendors will provide food for pets, while hot dogs, vegan dogs, cotton candy and snow cones will be available for the humans.

Carnival games including a ring toss, flip the (fake) toad, tip the (fake) cat and a ball roll will be played. Pet prizes will be given to winners, and pet treat samples will be given to non-winners.

Customers can expect to find many items discounted during the anniversary weekend and on Saturday, customers will be given one ticket for every $10 spent at the store. Tickets also will be available for purchase

at $3 each. They can be used for games, food, raffle baskets or the grand prize barbecue cooker.

The 20-year milestone of the store and the 10-year anniversary of the reestablished

Tailwaggers Foundation will be marked by an adoption fair on Sun., Sept. 17.

Brian Boulter, regional manager of Tailwaggers, told us that grab bags will be given out to the first 100 customers who come into the store Saturday and Sunday.

Though the Larchmont location opened as recently as 2021, Tailwaggers’ first store debuted at 1929 N. Bronson Ave. in 2003. With a Palm Springs Tailwaggers currently under construction, the store will soon have a total of four locations.

Career Change

We recently spoke with owner Todd Warner. Warner told us that for many years he had volunteered for rescue organizations while working in post-production as an editor. Feeling ready for a change in career, Warner said, “I realized I could open up a store that could at least support the

Grand Opening Sale!

rescues.”

The Tailwaggers stores give discounts to many shelters and rescues. They also collect donations from customers who drop off food, bedding and even medical supplies for rescued animals. Additionally, every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Larchmont Tailwaggers store works in conjunction with rescue organizations to hold pet adoptions.

Foundation

In 2013, Warner went a step further in helping pets by reestablishing the Tailwaggers Foundation — an homage to the Tailwaggers Club founded in 1929 that became well known when actress Bette Davis was elected president of the Southern California branch. Warner told us that Walt Disney, Howard Hughes and Judy Garland were all part of the original foundation.

The revitalized Tailwag-

Taste of Larchmont

(Continued from page 1)

This year’s participating eateries are: Bacio di Latte, El Cholo, Esco’s Pizza, Fancifull Gift Baskets, Great White, Holey Grail Donuts, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Kiku Sushi, Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese, Le Pain Quotidien, Le Petit Greek, Levain Bakery, Louise’s Trattoria, Muraya, Starbucks, Sweet Fin Poke, Sweet Lady Jane, Terroni and Trader Joe’s.

Money raised supports nearly a dozen local food pantries.

HopeNet is celebrating its 35th anniversary of providing free, accessible and healthy food to anyone who wants or needs it, HopeNet Executive Director and local resident, Roya Milder, told us.

“My family and I have

gers Foundation works with approximately 25 local pet rescue organizations each month. Warner explained that shelters don’t have the money to solve medical issues of animals in their care. “We help provide life-saving medical treatments to rescued dogs and cats and this helps them get adopted,” he said. The owner told us it is much more likely for an animal to find a home if his or her medical issues have been resolved.

Warner lived in Brookside for many years and loves the Larchmont area. Though he now lives in Los Feliz, he is at his stores almost every day and regularly walks his two rescue dogs, Henry and Baxter, around Brookside and Larchmont Village.

For more information about the celebratory weekend, or about Tailwaggers itself, email info@tailwaggers.com or visit tailwaggerspets.com.

attended the Taste of Larchmont for years, which makes me particularly pleased to be able to bring the ‘Taste’ to our community this year for the 31st time.”

Milder continues, saying that the Taste of Larchmont event “has really become a mainstay on the annual calendar, and we are exceptionally grateful to all of the restaurants, sponsors and attendees who make this happen. It is so meaningful to generate the funding for HopeNet that helps us relieve food insecurity in Metro Los Angeles. I hope people will continue to support HopeNet so that the work we do will continue.”

Passports for the Taste of Larchmont are $50 each. Raffle tickets are $20 for five and $5 for one ticket. Passports usually sell out before the event. Get yours at hope-net.org.

TREAT-SEEKING pets enjoy their visit to Larchmont’s Tailwaggers.

tloking its U. S. debut, this extraordinary exhibition features "time in a bottle." Teenager • shot rare photographs documenting pre-WWII life in Krakow and the descent into the Holocaust. Rfter his depor tation to Ploszow concentration camp (from "Schindler's List"), ores bur ied a gloss jar containing his photography that he miraculously unear thed ofter the war.

Yaroslavsky

(Continued from page 1)

Need for beds

“The challenge for our district is a lack of interim beds,” said Yaroslavsky. Every neighborhood has concerns about the unhoused, and the councilwoman’s office is methodically working to move across

the district to house the unhoused. Unfortunately, motel beds in the area are priced at a higher per-night rate than the city can spend.

Yaroslavsky is pleased that her team has partnered with council members in other districts for interim housing while CD5 brings on additional beds in its own district.

But the need for beds in CD5 is very real. When the councilwoman gained office, it was for a district that doesn’t yet have any general population adult interim housing units. There are some family units, senior units and senior veteran units — fewer than 100 in total — which is the least of any of the 15 city council

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districts. Because CD5 has no general population adult interim beds, if an unhoused person doesn’t fall within one of the non-general adult population categories, there is not a bed available for him or her. “We can’t move these people until we can move them to a bed,” said Yaroslavsky.

To solve this problem, the councilwoman has been looking to use city parking lots and other city-owned land in the district for interim housing.

“We are proposing approximately 30 units of small interim housing at a site on Pico Boulevard at Midvale Avenue.” It is currently a city-owned parking lot. “We are also looking at other sites across the district onto which we can put other kinds of housing: interim, supportive, 100 percent affordable, domestic violence survivor beds — there’s a need for all of it,” said Yaroslavsky.

A project called The Pointe on La Brea, which should be opening in the next month, will bring online 49 units of adult permanent supportive housing. “It’s a drop in the bucket,” said the councilwoman. “We need lots and lots of drops in the bucket.”

Street safety

When asked about her work on street safety, the councilwoman told us the issue is very personal to her. Yaroslavsky has three young children, and the family walks to school, crossing La Cienega Boulevard each school day.

Last spring, at the same moment a Hancock Park Elementary School mother was struck by a car while walking her first-grader to school, Yaroslavsky was walking her second-grader to school. “All Angelenos deserve to feel safe walking or biking on our streets. We have the obliga-

tion to do that work and find a way to pay for it. We can’t just keep saying there’s no money for it. That’s unacceptable,” said the councilwoman.

In response to the Hancock Park Elementary tragedy, Yaroslavsky’s office partnered with the Department of Transportation to make immediate design changes to streets adjacent to the school. Quickbuild fixes were installed including new paint, reflectors, extra signage, lane delineators and speed bumps. The councilwoman told us that she has received good feedback from parents and from the school on those improvements. But, she said, “We need to do it everywhere.”

Slowing speeders

The CD5 team is looking at possible improvements across the district to prevent drivers from speeding. “We need to fund the things that we say we care about,” said Yaroslavsky. The councilwoman told us she is going to be pushing hard in this year’s budget to get more money allocated for both the staffing and actual improvement work that needs to be done.

Right now, on Rosewood Avenue, a street that many drivers use as a cut-through, Yaroslavsky is piloting a slow street program between Fairfax and La Brea avenues. “We’ve installed one of two roundabouts there to help slow down traffic,” said the councilwoman. She is also working to make sure crosswalks are more visible and has worked to install 30 speed humps around schools. The councilwoman tells us that she aims to work with each school and community in the district to find out what they need from the city and then to get it done. “There is a lot we can do to narrow the lanes and get people to slow down,” said Yaroslavsky.

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YMCA, a luau, Rotary, honoring Mark Peel, galas to come

The Anderson Munger Family YMCA hosted its inaugural Summer Soiree dinner and fundraiser on its rooftop sports deck overlooking the expansive Los Angeles skyline on Aug. 18. The skies were pink, the air was warm, the guests were dressed in their best summer threads and the party was on!

Around the Town with Sondi Toll Sepenuk

Guests including Elsa and Larry Gillham, Pam Rudy and Pierre Debbaudt, June Bilgore, Martha and John Welborne, Richard Battaglia, Debbie and Mark Alpers, Alysoun Higgins, Jeannine Balfour, Laura Foti Cohen, Maria and Abel De Luna, Jennifer Enani, John and Terrill Perfitt, Danielle Reyes, Jennifer Rissier and more, were ushered up to the rooftop welcome reception where they immediately were wowed by the Y’s new and brightly painted rooftop murals. Next, they were drawn to the silent auction area that included lots of tempting purchases for charity. Delicious appetizers, dinner and desserts came from Homeboy Industry’s Homegirl Café.

During the dinner, four awards were presented to civic leaders. At the outset, the Social Impact Award went to Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who told stories of her own son’s attendance at the YMCA’s Camp Whittle near Big Bear — a familiar site described fondly by three teens interviewed just before her award. The Community Impact award went to Michael Pak, who started the Koreatown Run Club.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to the Larchmont Chronicle’s co-founder Jane Gilman, who was recognized

for her years of dedication and community service. Longtime YMCA volunteer Scot Clifford received the Visionary Leadership Award. “I have a long history with the Y,” laughed Clifford. “I started at the Wilshire YMCA, then the Hollywood Y, and now the Anderson Munger YMCA, and it was an honor and privilege to be a part of it, but they gave so much more to me than I gave to them.”

Anderson Munger Executive Director Rae Jin also recognized current board chair Chase Campen and Summer Soiree co-chairs Patti Carroll and John Winther for their service.

• • •

The next night — the Saturday before the not-so-big tropical storm on Aug. 20 — saw 800 members and guests of The Beach Club gathered on the sand for a Centennial Luau to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the venerable Santa Monica institution. Many present and former resi-

dents of our part of town were spotted in the throng, including Bill and Daisy Brookes Spurgin, Chip Stuart, Don Liebig, Jim and Ginny Shelton, Carlotta and Ann Keely, Martha and John Welborne, David and Elita Hotaling Bal-

(Please turn to page 9)

skin deep

by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald

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Adv.

COUNTY SUPERVISOR Holly J. Mitchell told attendees about her own son’s adventures at the YMCA’s Camp Whittle.

LONGTIME FRIENDS Elsa Gillham, left, and June Bilgore join in the YMCA salute to Jane Gilman, center.

SUMMER SOIREE Co-Chair Patti Carroll, left, and YMCA Executive Director Rae Jin review the schedule for the evening’s program.

Around the Town

(Continued from page 8) four and Alyce de Roulet Williamson, whose father was a founding member of the Club in 1923.

• • •

Earlier in the month, at the Wilshire Rotary Club Aug. 2 meeting at the Ebell Club, Jane Gilman transitioned from her longtime status as an honorary member to become a regular member.

• • •

Our “On the Menu” columnist, Helene Seifer, shared this report about an earlier event at the Ebell Club on July 28:

“The club was host to a grilled cheese night in honor of the late acclaimed Campanile chef Mark Peel. His widow, now of two years, Daphne Brogden, planned the dinner as an homage to her late husband and his popular grilled cheese nights at the restaurant. The event officially kicked off an effort to raise funds for the Mark Peel Culinary Scholarship Endow-

ment Fund at his alma mater, the Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University – Pomona.

“The sold-out casual dinner seated 120 people who enjoyed crispy, melty grilled cheese sandwiches prepared by Brogden with help from their children, Vivien Peel, 17, and Rex Peel, 14.

“For more information about the Endowment Fund, go to crowdfund.cpp.edu.”

• • •

Mark your calendar. Several gala fundraising events are on the fall horizon.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic marks the 20th anniversary of Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thurs., Oct. 5, with an homage to the architect of the iconic building, Frank Gehry.

The inaugural fundraising gala for the Paul R. Williams Scholarship and Education Fund will take place Wed., Oct. 11, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Architect Paul Revere Williams, who passed away in 1980, was known to many as the “architect to the stars.” His namesake foundation aims to inspire the creative youth of a new generation.

The dinner fundraising event, entitled, “Strollin’ on the Avenue,” will celebrate Williams’ legacy.

moved longtime honorary member Jane Gilman to official status Aug. 2 at the Ebell Club of Los Angeles.

WILSHIRE

Pam Rudy, WRC co-vocational director; Elsa Gillham, WRC treasurer; Jane Gilman; Makiko Nakasone, District 5280 district governor; WRC President Janice Prior; and Dan Hodgkiss, WRC membership director.

Learn more at thepaulrwilliamscollection.com.

Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Coppola will be honored at the Academy Museum’s third annual gala on Sat., Oct. 14. Co-chairs include Ava Duvernay, Halle Berry and Ryan Murphy.

Mingle with artists and supporters of Craft Contemporary at its annual benefit and auction on Sat., Oct. 21. Museum Executive Director Suzanne Isken will be honored at the event.

This year’s Art+Film Gala at LACMA honors artist Judy Baca and filmmaker David

to

Fincher on Sat., Nov. 4. Museum Trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio will co-chair the 12th annual event.

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be honored at the Holocaust Museum LA’s 15th annual gala, “We Educate to Stop Hate,” Mon., Nov. 6, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Also honored will be philanthropist Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Sandra Gerson Kanengiser, a daughter of Holocaust survivors. Melissa Rivers will host.

And now you’re in the Larchmont know!

ROTARY CLUB of Los Angeles (WRC)

Left

right:

ON THE ROOF, YMCA supporters dine. Left to right: Danielle Reyes, Jennifer Rissier, Jeannine Balfour, Maria and Abel De Luna, John and Terrill Perfitt and Jennifer Enani.

Sighs of relief with Selma encampment gone as students return

By Suzan Filipek

Parents and school officials breathed a big sigh of relief when a seemingly entrenched homeless encampment was cleaned up adjoining Larchmont Charter School’s Selma campus and its surroundings just in time for the first day of school.

“Many parents said, ‘Hallelujah. This is amazing. We’re so happy,’” said school spokesman Dave duMonde. But, he added, “Those who understand the history say it’s better than before, but we don’t hear the long-term plan.”

An army of city and county employees plus social service providers arrived at the threeblock site Aug. 10 as part of the mayor’s 24th action under her Inside Safe program. They provided vouchers to 61 unsheltered people for beds at hotels and shelters, according to Council District 13 Senior Advisor Josh Androsky.

The cleanup continued the next day. Hollywood BID (Business Improvement District) organized steam cleaning of the street and sidewalks. Meanwhile, LAPD has been patrolling the area, and City Recreation and Parks rangers have been locking an adjacent mini-park at night.

“The encampment situation

on Selma Avenue is a work in progress,” Amy Held, executive director of Larchmont Charter School (LCS), said in a recent letter to school families.

“We’ve been at that campus for more than a decade,” she told us in a phone interview.

“The last five years really have been a challenge.”

A change in leadership always adds to the challenge, she said, alluding to last year’s

municipal election.

“I do think it’s such an incredibly challenging issue, and it’s so sad. It’s much bigger than our school.”

The goal going forward, she said, is to ensure regular cleanups are maintained.

“Inside Safe seems like a comprehensive approach and not just about moving people around. I applaud the mayor. I’m glad the councilman

stepped up, and I know LAPD has been there all along. I’m very happy and hopeful,” Held said.

The cleanup happened late by most measures, but in time for when the Selma campus reopened with nearly 200 more pupils than last school year, for a total of 700 students including two new grade levels. The two added grades are part of a restructuring plan for LCS. The

Selma site now has two campuses at that one location: Selma middle school has 515 fifththrough-eighth graders; and Hollygrove@Selma includes third- and fourth-graders. The encampment at Selma was a challenge by anyone’s measure. The Hollywood area has the second largest unhoused population in our city, only behind Skid Row, said

(Please turn to page 11)

BEFORE — The sidewalk for children’s walk to school. AUGUST 22 return to school along a cleared Selma sidewalk.

Encampment

(Continued from page 10)

Councilman Hugo SotoMartinez in a newsletter following the cleanup. Addressing Hollywood’s problems will require still more outreach, more services and more housing, he said.

“There’s currently a long list of folks who want to be off the streets and under a roof,” said Soto-Martinez.

School officials are sensitive to these needs as well.

“We care about the unhoused people there and that they are getting the care and resources they need,” duMonde of LCS said. “But we also want to see law and order enforced in our school.”

Parents had been pleading for months with Councilman Soto-Martinez’s office to remedy the situation. So, when something finally happened, “It was sort of a surprise when we got a notice from the mayor’s office the day before. We knew it was coming but were getting mixed messages,” duMonde said.

Coffee with a Cop

Rumors surfaced of the imminent plan to shelter the Selma unhoused during a Coffee with a Cop meeting Aug. 8 at Mother’s California Market in Hollywood. Several senior lead officers from the Hollywood

Community Police Station and State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo were in attendance. The senator attended the event, she said, as part of her effort to get to know new areas in the district following a recent redistricting.

“The idea is to bring communities together, because so many of these issues have become very hostile and we can’t have that because it’s not going

to solve anything. They affect our kids, our neighborhoods.”

The senator, who said she previously was unaware of the homelessness issue at Selma, was brought up to speed as a group of parents gave reports of discarded needles, feces, fights and shouts they witnessed daily when they took their young children to school last spring.

“You have a lot of parents

very concerned who’ve been trying desperately to get the councilman to help with this, and there has been very little response from the councilman,” said parent Meredith Quill of Windsor Square.

“This is incredibly dangerous. It is unsafe for kids to be at this campus.”

The cramped sidewalks forced parents to walk their young children in the street to get to and from school.

A city mini-park next door to the school, which had once been frequented by students, had evolved into a homeless enclave serving several encampments on both sides of Selma from Schrader Boulevard to Las Palmas Avenue.

In the park, an electric box had been illegally accessed, a security guard had been attacked, fights broke out regularly in front of the school,

and camp residents exposed themselves, the parents said. Hopes were fading that the tents and debris near the school and adjacent park would be cleaned up in time for the first day of school on Aug. 22, as promised last spring by the council office. While CD13 did send its Care Plus cleanup services

(Please turn to page 12)

SELMA PARK denizens before cleaning. Note blue tent.

SELMA PARK closed. Note electric vault in foreground.

ELECTRIC VAULT in the sidewalk vandalized for power.

ELECTRIC BOX was accessed near the children’s play area at the city park adjacent to Larchmont Charter’s Selma Campus.

Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Fire Dept.

STATE SENATOR Maria Elena Durazo speaks with LCS Selma campus parents at a Coffee with a Cop event held at Mother’s California Market in Hollywood in August.

Encampment

(Continued from page 11) again in late July, within hours, the tents and shopping carts returned, jamming the walkway, duMonde told us.

Illegal wiring

When Assistant Chief Dean

Zipperman and Capt. Kory Jackson from the Los Angeles Fire Dept. Operations West Bureau office completed a visit to the site on Aug. 4, they “found a fire / life safety concern and ADA violations at the site with regards to illegal wiring.

“In addition, the entire side-

Colette C. Witt

walk from the fence line to the curb is completely covered with tents, debris and trash. Due to this area being in the direct path of an elementary school access point, this is a safety hazard to children and parents trying to traverse

(Please turn to page 14)

February 19, 1933 — July 21, 2023

Colette Witt called Hancock Park home for more than five decades after moving to South Lucerne Boulevard in Windsor Square, and then to North Rossmore Avenue, where she lived at the time of her passing on July 21, 2023, at the age of 90. She could often be seen walking to her Larchmont Boulevard hair salon or shopping on Larchmont, and she particularly loved stopping at her favorite newsstand, “Above the Fold,” where she frequently bought French language magazines, a throwback to her years growing up in Europe during World War II.

Colette was born in Paris, and she spent her formative years in Bern, Switzerland, before coming to California where she met her husband, Dr. Charles B. Witt, Jr., after college. They were married nearly 63 years before he passed in 2019, also at the age of 90.

She was a formidable conversationalist. It didn’t matter the subject or with whom she was speaking: Colette showed the same respect to everyone, whether it was a formal address or a quick word when passing on Larchmont Boulevard. Thanks to her European education, she spoke French and German, and she maintained an admirable level of fluency all her life. She taught elementary

school French to students at Pilgrim School in the years when two of her children attended the school. She was a fearless and graceful skier, something she loved and learned very young growing up in Switzerland and passed on to her children, teaching them to ski as toddlers.

Among her many passions was philanthropic and volunteer work, and she was recognized by the Larchmont Chronicle in 1992 as a Woman of Larchmont. She was proud of serving as president of the many organizations she joined, including the Junior Philharmonic Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Patronesses, the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary, Le Salon Français de Los Angeles, and as Regent of the Los Angeles chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, among others. But her most important roles in life were that of friend, wife, mother, and grandmother. There was never a more loyal friend, more devoted wife, more inspiring mother, or more loving grandmother. She is dearly missed by all whose lives she touched. Colette leaves behind her children — Charles III, Alexandra and Walter — and seven grandchildren, whose hearts will never be quite the same without their “Mommy Coco” present in all of their lives.

Hugh Maguire

April 22, 1933 - May 18, 2023

Hugh John Maguire, a native Angeleno born on April 22, 1933 to Alfred Leo Maguire and Margaret Boyle Maguire, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2023 of natural causes at home, surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Maryly Roney Maguire, a fellow student at UC Berkeley in the 1950s; the father of Kathleen, Hugh Jr. (Tom Lindblade), Patrick, and Maryly (David Koch); and a mentor to six grandchildren who dubbed him Boppy: Emiley, Molly, Grady, Charlie, Grace, and Jack.

A child actor in the early 1940s, with roles in over thirty films, including Leave Her to Heaven and Going My Way, Hugh grew up on the Paramount lot, throwing a football with Bing Crosby and learning to play chess with Merle Oberon. Hugh went on to athletic success as a quarterback at Loyola High School and CAL, under legendary coach Pappy Waldorf, before receiving his commission in the USAF as a jet flight instructor. After serving his country, Hugh built a successful career as an investment banker, while he and Maryly grew their family.

Well-known in the Los Angeles business and social communities, Hugh was an iconic, well-loved, caring human being who believed in a firm handshake and the importance of helping others. Hugh is deeply missed, and we hope many of his attributes live on in all of us.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life for family and friends took place in Hancock Park on July 11, 2023. For further information, email MaguireUC@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Homeboy Industries, www.homeboyindustries.org. Adv.

SELMA AVENUE approaching Selma Avenue Elementary School, one block south of Hollywood Boulevard.

CLEANUP COMMENCES with placing of traffic cones to close the street to traffic on August 10.

MOBILIZATION — skiploaders and garbage truck on the left; mini-bus transportation to transitional housing on the right.

SKIPLOADER sits ready for cleanup to follow street-dwellers’ departures from the sidewalks and park. ADV.

Franco

(Continued from page 1) called his public defender / lawyer about his upcoming one-year placement assessment before a judge and discovered that his previous lawyer no longer represented him. He had to find out on his own the name of his new public defender, and that lawyer never returned his calls. His conservator informed the court of Franco’s wish to stay in the senior care facility for another year, but the judge wanted to hear directly from Franco. No one from his team came to be with him when he appeared before the judge electronically via Zoom. No public defender, no conservator, no social worker. Franco alone, in front of a monitor, told the judge that he needed to stay where he was for another year because of his health problems. It was approved.

Now that he has spent more than 16 months off the streets, how does Franco feel about his journey? He tells us in his own words.

How Franco became homeless after his divorce

From Franco: “I’ve been solving problems daily for 10 years as I became homeless, non-stop, daily, believe it or not. Consecutive problems created by my goddamn divorce.

“I said [to the manager of my apartment building] I’m going to get the check Monday from Social Security. Can you wait till Monday, and I’ll pay you the rent? She said, ‘No, today is the first. I’m going to file papers against you.’ Can you believe that?

“The apartment is $150, a six-floor building. Western and Santa Monica. Most of the peo-

ple are welfare beneficiaries. They have criminal records, drug addiction records, drug problems. Most are unemployable, they have no job. I have to get up at 5 o’clock in the morning to drive to Arcadia, at least 45 minutes on the freeway to get there by 7 o’clock. My job starts at 7:30. As a beginner in the factory, punctuality is very important.

“I did not have enough money in the bank to rent a better apartment, and I had no security in the job. I didn’t know if they were going to keep me or not. People have been there for 15 years and, if they don’t like you, they let you go.

“When I lost the apartment I had to quit the job. Where am I going to sleep, in the street?

I got unemployment benefits but after nine months benefits expired. And there was a war in Iraq and there was no job opening. In America the economy was kaput, finished.

“So I was stuck. No money in the bank. Divorced. Homeless. Without a job. I ended up in the street, and I had difficulty since then. For 10 years.”

The bureaucracy of medical care

Franco now has access to free medical care. He goes to the Saban Community Clinic in Hollywood for his medical needs, if someone will drive him, and a psychiatrist periodically visits his senior care facility. He says he has medication for chest pain, for his heart, for high blood pressure and for frequent urination. However, as Franco often says, “Bureaucracy takes patience,” and it sometimes takes months to see a doctor or get a referral. He has complained of chest pain for a year and finally got an electrocardiogram in August and an appointment with a cardiologist for October. He had a constant cough and was told to take over-the-counter cough syrup until his appointment scheduled for six weeks from that date.

Says Franco: “My cough is getting better, but Dr. Leon used a stethoscope, listened to the lungs. ‘You sound a lit-

tle wheezy, do you smoke?’ I smoke about five-to-six cigarettes a day. But I don’t have shortness of breath. When I walk, I get tired or fatigued. I breathe deeply because of the fatigue. When you exercise your breath will accelerate. Have you seen someone play soccer or basketball? They pant. For me, walking is an exercise. I make an effort to walk, it’s not easy. I stop, take a big breath, relax, continue. I get a little tired pushing this goddamn walker and every block I stop, take a deep breath. But that is not shortness of breath. Shortness of breath is when you can’t breathe. I never had shortness of breath, like I can’t breathe. But they gave me this inhaler. I haven’t decided whether to use it or not.

“Antibiotics is the answer. They prescribed it for five days. Take two capsules the first day and then one every day. When the pharmacy delivered the medication

yesterday, Mike [the facility’s medicine coordinator] said, ‘Let’s start tomorrow. We’ll take two in the morning.’

“In the morning, the nurse brought one [capsule], not two. I told her it should be two, but she cannot do anything. She’s not in charge of the medication. The person in charge is Mike, who prepares the medication for the next day.”

Franco’s cough did clear up on antibiotics. He’s lucky he could even get to the clinic appointment. Franco’s social worker didn’t want to drive him, and the manager of his facility wanted Franco to pay for his Uber. Finally, approval was given for the county to pay, and Franco made his way to the Saban Clinic. But then, when the appointment was completed, the Saban Clinic called Franco’s place to send a taxi to pick him up and take him back to the facility, but the manager there refused.

(Please turn to page 14)

Joan Catherine Aker Shewfelt

November 14, 1927 – July 8, 2023

Joan Catherine Aker Shewfelt died at home of natural causes, surrounded by her loving children, sons and daughtersin-law and grandchildren. She was 95.

Joan, the eldest of 6 children, was born in 1927 to Maurice and Catherine Green Aker, in Hankinson, North Dakota, a small town in the southeast corner of the state. With the strains of the Depression taking its toll on the town and her family, leadership was thrust upon her at an early age, a mantle she picked up and shouldered throughout her life. A gifted student with tremendous intellectual curiosity, Joan left Hankinson for Mundelein Women’s College in Chicago. A devotee of language and literature, Joan became editor of the school’s literary journal and graduated in 1949 with a BA in English. She moved to Los Angeles in 1952.

Joan met Donald Shewfelt at a Catholic singles function in 1954. Their first date was at Tom Bergin’s, where Joan impressed Don with an order of bourbon on the rocks. They married on July 9, 1955. Don and Joan’s seven children were born between 1956 and 1966. Joan embraced her role as wife, mother and homemaker, and created a household full of love and laughter, family and friends, literature, art and culture, and a commitment to instilling in their children the core values that she and Don shared. They both embraced the beauty of an ordinary life lived extraordinarily well. It is a creed best captured in the finale of George Eliot’s Middlemarch (of all novels perhaps the closest to Joan’s peaceful heart): “for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”

Don and Joan were loyal parishioners at Cathedral Chapel Church for more than 60 years and all 7 children attended Cathedral Chapel School. In addition to her commitments to the parish, Joan became an active volunteer with the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Mothers with Children, participating in both fundraising and community outreach. She found the work very rewarding and remained a supporter of these efforts for the rest of her life.

Joan thoroughly enjoyed meeting people and had a genuine interest in getting to know them better. She made everyone feel welcome and special, a trait she impressed on all her family. Joan’s home was legendary for its well-stocked kitchen, fresh baked goods, a strong sense of order and for welcoming all family and friends. It was always a hub of activity, made all the more important to her when her grandchildren, her treasures, came to swim at Grandma’s pool.

Committed to her literary bucket list, Joan was 40% of the way through The Brothers Karamazov in her 95th year.

Joan was predeceased by Don who died on April 26, 2020, and her grandson, Kyle, who died in 2000. She is survived by her children: Eric (Olga Lucia), Mary Hughes (Kenny), Kristin (Luigi Girotto), John (Layne), Kurt (Jeralee), Ellen Multari (Alfred), and Craig (Maki); 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A funeral mass for Joan and a Celebration of Life for both her and Don will be held on Friday, September 8 at 10:00 at Cathedral Chapel Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Cathedral Chapel Church and School, Loyola High School or the Good Shepherd Center.

Ecclesia Gnostica Gnostic Christian Church Bishop Dr. Stephan Hoeller

SITTING on his walker in the weeds in front of his senior care facility is Franco (“Giorgio”) Iervolino.

Keeping it clean in CD13

We all see bulky items and trash on our streets and sidewalks, but do you ever wonder how those items get picked up?

In addition to working with city departments through the 311 system to keep our streets clean, we partner with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps to make sure we can respond to constituent requests as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Encampment

(Continued from page 12) the school…with the possibility of being exposed to this illegal wiring and other hazards causing immediate hazard of injury or possible electrocution to civilians.”

Residents were equally affected, according to Stephanie, who spoke at the Coffee with a Cop event and asked to not give her last name. She said the problem was made worse since Council District 13 was among the few districts that weren’t following the law, and so the homeless were migrating to this area. “They’re here because they’re allowed,” she said.

Just as the schoolchildren are forced to walk in the street — because the sidewalks are packed with tents and people — residents have to walk in the street there and at Western Avenue and other spots in CD13, she said.

The councilman, who said in his campaign that he was opposed to enforcing Section 41.18 of the City’s Municipal Code, maintains that unless there are beds available, he

will not support moving people from the street, regardless of where they are camped.

(Section 41.18 flatly prohibits homeless encampments within 500 feet of “sensitive facilities” such as schools and day care centers. The ordinance also requires sidewalks be unobstructed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA].)

Further frustrating parents, LAPD officers have said that, without the councilman’s support, their hands were tied.

With an estimated 3,000 homeless individuals on the street in Council District 13 (confirmed by CD13), there will never be enough beds, parents said. (There are 400 temporary housing units and 300 crisis beds in CD13, and all are full, according to CD13’s Androsky.)

While the homelessness issue on Selma has been ongoing for several years, it had gotten worse during COVID-19, when a shelter-in-place order was issued by the former mayor.

Under former Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, weekly maintenance cleanups helped keep the problem in check despite the

shelter-in-place order. Then, regular cleanups stopped soon after Councilman Soto-Martinez came into office, and the problem escalated, Senior Lead Officer Paul Jordan said.

Androsky explained to us that the cleanups can only be done by the Los Angeles sanitation department, which was short-staffed, and that LAPD must be on site.

The councilman doesn’t want to simply shuffle people around, he added, which would probably only result in them losing their case manager and hope of housing in the process.

Speaking of the Aug. 10 Inside Safe action, Androsky told us, “It’s an unfortunate situation” — for the students, parents and everyone involved — but while “this patient, meticulous work we were able to set up did take longer than anybody wanted, we now have this result that I think everybody is happy with.”

By providing housing, you avoid shifting the homeless closer to homes and businesses nearby, Androsky added.

Once sheltered, the transferred individuals are offered

The Los Angeles Conservation Corps provides beautification and cleanup services to our neighborhoods, while at the same time providing paid work experience and educational opportunities to at-risk young adults.

So, if you need something cleaned up in District 13, follow this simple three-step process, and our teams can jump into action.

First, submit a request on the 311 app or at myla311.lac-

a myriad of other complimentary services, including medication and drug treatment plus food and an ID to help find employment, all while on the road to permanent housing. “They can become a part of normal society instead of being outside of

Franco

(Continued from page 13)

Franco continues: “The guy [at the clinic’s front desk] said to me, ‘No worry. I’m going to get you transportation.’ And he called the taxi. Now the bill goes onto the medical bill from the doctor.

“I need a lot of patience here. I don’t know how much patience I have.”

They call this living?

The senior care facility where Franco lives provides a semi-private room with a bathroom, three meals a day, and occasional chair exercise classes and entertainment. But that’s just part of the equation. The interior is dreary, with industrial colors and little decoration except when holiday decorations are hung. The large front room is not used by the residents; it houses a desk for the workers, and I’ve rarely seen it used. The two-story building has a living / dining room on each floor where residents, many in wheelchairs or sitting on their walkers, sit mindlessly in front of the blasting televisions. I’ve never seen anyone reading or playing cards or discussing politics.

Outside, there is a cement patio, steps and a ramp down to the broken sidewalk out front. The parkway where Franco usually sits to get some air is overgrown with weeds. There used to be some furniture on the patio, but it was removed when vagrants began using it. Often when I visit, there’s the unmistakable

CD 13 Council Report by

Hugo Soto-Martinez

ity.org.

Next, if the issue is urgent or if your request hasn’t been taken care of within two weeks, call our office at 213-207-3015. Lastly, when speaking to our team, try to provide: the location of the trash / bulky items / etc., your 311 request number and any other relevant details. Our team is here to work with city departments, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and, most importantly, community members, to help keep the streets of District 13 clean, safe and beautiful for everyone.

it,” Androsky said.

Besides the school staff, students and nearby residents, others affected by the Selma encampment included the newly reopened and recently remodeled Hollywood YMCA and the Kings Los Angeles language school.

smell of marijuana outside, not necessarily from the residents, many of whom smoke cigarettes, but from homeless people and van-dwellers who tend to hang around. For the first few months I visited, I regularly had to step over a man, splayed out and napping, to enter the front door. Meals are served on paper plates; drinks in plastic. Franco complains all the time about the quality of the food.

From Franco: “The food is very lousy. The service is very negligent. You have to beg. I need a glass of water. ‘Later.’ I ask for a glass of milk. ‘There’s no milk and the kitchen is closed.’

“For dinner, 20 grams of meat with potato and one slice of bread. Nothing else. Breakfast, the same as yesterday. Scrambled eggs. Sometimes with sausage. Sometimes without. No toast. It’s detrimental! Today’s lunch? One corn dog with a little bit of beans. Not even hot.

“The food has no nutritional value. You decay in here. When I went to the Saban Clinic they keep saying, ‘You keep losing weight. You’re not eating well.’ I told them many times they don’t have good food, but [Saban Clinic] doesn’t have any control over that.

“You gotta admit this place is completely screwed up. I pray for the people [who live here]. These people are lost. Their life is finished. I don’t have the strength, the courage anymore to see these people who live in this condition.”

BEFORE: Children’s playground in Selma Park on cleanup day, Thursday, Aug. 10.

AFTER: Children’s playground the day following the cleanup.

BOULEVARD

New developments on Larchmont. At right, The Scent Room. Page 6

MUSEUMS Construction continues at LACMA new galleries above park and Wilshire Boulevard. Page 12

WORD CAFÉ

Taking a trip through The Met’s magical medieval world.

Page 15

Who really saved our local, historic Los Altos Apartments?

have to do with it?

And what did celebrity chef Nancy Silverton and Playboy Magazine

By Janet Lever

On a Saturday night in the spring of 1996, through thick synthetic fog, Playboy Playmate Shauna Sand was struggling to walk in her 4-inch heels on uneven cobblestones in the courtyard at the historic Los Altos Apartments at Wilshire Boulevard and Bronson Avenue. She was at the shoot for her Playmate video. Among the few observers allowed on site was actor Lorenzo Lamas, soon to be her husband. I was there, too, invited by my friend co-producer Marsha Hunt to share her dinner break in the lavish 3,300-square-foot, two-story suite designed by San Simeon Hearst Castle’s architect Julia Morgan as the “city flat” for William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies. While Marsha ate, I had fun pushing on wood panels in the regal dining room with hopes one would spin open to reveal cash in a hiding place from an era with no ATMs.

Located at 4121 Wilshire Blvd. — and, since 1999, listed on the National Register of Historic Places — the Spanish Colonial-style 1925 building

with its imposing neon rooftop sign has a checkered past. At the time of the film shoot it was empty — save for a caretaker’s apartment and, it was rumored, one hold-out last tenant, actor Frederick Forrest — after nearly all of its bohemian artist, writer and actor residents were evicted when a renovation failed in the late 1980s. As the first co-op building on the West Coast, its units had been custom designed for each owner, but the Great Depres-

sion bankrupted the building so it transitioned to luxury rental apartments. According to several sources, Los Altos boasted of Hollywood royalty residents like Bette Davis, Douglas Fairbanks and Judy Garland, who could be seen dining next door in the pink booths at legendary Perino’s. Virtually deserted, Los Altos and Perino’s in the 1980s had become popular location sites for film productions seeking iconic Los Angeles settings. Perino’s was torn down

in 2005 for a nondescript apartments project (that has salvaged Perino’s signage and some interiors).

Credit due

The near-vacant Los Altos was also doomed to demolition given the exorbitant price for seismic retrofitting and reversing its decades of decay and disrepair. Credit for saving and restoring this elegant representation of early-20th-century architecture has gone to nonprofit Neighborhood Effort’s Allen Gross

and Arax Harutunian and the M2A Milofsky Michaeli architecture firm. While they deserve their awards for historic preservation, they are not the ones who saved the building from obliteration. That person — entirely missing from the written record — was construction attorney Larry Silverton.

Larry Silverton was the same man who, in the late ’80s, renovated the decaying architectural mishmash (Moorish arches, Gothic tower and Spanish fountain) at 624 S. La Brea Ave., built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin. Larry was on a search for a space for his daughter Nancy Silverton, today a resident of Windsor Square, and her cochef and then husband, the late Mark Peel, for their famed restaurant Campanile and Nancy’s adjacent original, La Brea Bakery. (The space currently is home to French café République.)

An internationally renowned chef (now operating Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, and Chi Spacca locally), Nancy Silverton is perhaps most famous for popularizing artisan breads — La Brea Bakery breads are now sold in 22 countries.

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Expert Service. Exceptional Results.

LOS ALTOS APARTMENTS at the corner of Bronson Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.

Los Altos

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My involvement

How do I know who really saved the Los Altos? It’s like this: After a series of coincidences, I eventually got a small finder’s fee from Larry Silverton for leading him to the abandoned Los Altos Apartments. The same day I went to the Playboy shoot, my oldest friend, Pepper Schwartz, was meeting Larry Silverton in Seattle at a horse event. Pepper, now widely recognized as on-air relationship advisor on Lifetime’s show “Married at First Sight,” was coming to Los Angeles the next day, so Larry invited her to be his guest at Campanile for some of Nancy’s celebrated pastries and a glass of champagne. She said, yes, if she could bring me, her host in Larchmont Village. We met Nancy Silverton after the dinner crowd left and staff was getting ready to

close. Larry explained to us his part in restoring the dramatic dining room we were in. Learning that I lived in the neighborhood, Larry asked if I knew any historic buildings that might be for sale and in need of renovation.

Bingo! Larry couldn’t wait until the next day to see Los Altos Apartments, just five minutes away, and he therefore said we must go see it that late Sunday night. We wandered around in the dark outside the vacant building. All of us being short, we lifted each other to peer in the windows to see the grand lobby with its winding staircase, ornate pillars and oversized fireplace like the ones you see at Hearst Castle. Larry was smitten and said he’d immediately investigate any purchase opportunity.

Righting the record

The reason I feel the need to right the record on the salvation of the Los Altos property is not because Larry bought it first, later agreeing to sell it once he was convinced that the Neighborhood Effort team would more faithfully restore it to its original splendor. I want this story told because I firm-

ly believe no one else would have bought and reunited that building and its nextdoor historic garage, whose high wooden rafters reminded me of the hangar for the Spruce Goose. (The Los Altos tower and garage properties went to separate owners after WWII.) The rub: Larry quickly learned that there was hazardous subsurface methane gas under the garage. To prevent possible explosions, an expensive mitigation plan was

needed at an estimated cost from $25,000 up to millions — the engineers couldn’t determine the cost until they actually started the work.

Contrasting the enormous renovation price against any upside gain from apartment revenues, the whole deal was already iffy. Add the unknowable gas mitigation costs and daunting red tape, and most developers would run, not walk, away from the deal. But Larry Silverton was not an ordinary man. This would be his 20th restoration project since 1957. Providing insight into her late father’s motives, daughter Nancy told me, “Saving some of LA’s precious architectural history had become

his passion project. Besides, that man loved a challenge.” He took the gamble and bought both Los Altos and the parking garage. He was not just gutsy, but also lucky: The price to make the garage safe was close to the low end of the estimates.

I’m not sure of the circumstances of how the Neighborhood Effort team came to make Larry an offer and convince him that their nonprofit would make the better steward to bring Los Altos back to its glory days. Allen Gross is the owner today. But I know that Larry Silverton deserves recognition as the unsung hero whose brave actions were responsible for saving Los Altos from the wrecking ball, thus preserving its heritage for us all.

Janet Lever is a writer, sex researcher and professor emerita of sociology. She has lived in Larchmont Village since 1986.

PERINO’S RESTAURANT circa 2004.

Photo © Terry Guy COURTYARD of Los Altos Apartments.

NANCY SILVERTON in 1991 at Campanile.

Photo by George Rose

Project bubbling at Beverly Hot Springs

n Artesian well to be capped after 113 years?

BREAKING NEWS! Just as this September issue was being readied for the printer, the City of Los Angeles Director of Planning terminated all proceedings relating to the project described here, in response to the developer’s August 22 letter requesting withdrawal of its application.

Teresa Burkett Bourgoise, a leading opponent of the proposal to demolish the Beverly Hot Springs, told us in an e-mail: “For now, the springs are safe and hopefully a devoted coalition of patrons can work with the owners to redevelop the spa and preserve it

OXFORD APARTMENTS development is proposed on Beverly Boulevard about one mile east of Larchmont Boulevard.

for generations to come. There is no explanation given [for the developers dropping the project], but to say we are grateful would be an understatement.”

What follows is the original

Priceless Charmer on Gower

Real Estate Sales*

story, telling of community concerns when the Beverly Hot Springs was being threatened.

By Suzan Filipek

A seven-story, 101-unit multi-family apartment building proposed at the site of the Beverly Hot Springs has many devoted spa-goers on edge.

The natural springs — the last one of its kind in the city — will be capped under the development — proposed by Century City-based Manhattan West Real Estate LLC. The project, called Oxford Apartments, is at 308-320 N. Oxford Ave. and 311-321 N. Serrano Ave. on Beverly Boulevard, about one mile east of Larchmont Village.

Warm alkaline waters that bubble up from an artesian well deep underground have refreshed and relaxed area residents and celebrities here for decades. (Madonna reportedly once rented the entire facility.)

Many spa guests were caught off guard about the pending closure to make way for the proposed development, including Teresa Burkett Bourgoise, who became a “reluctant activ-

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*Sale

NATURAL SPRINGS at the Beverly Hot Springs are the only remaining mineral baths in the city.

Hot Springs

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ist” upon hearing the news.

“It’s a remarkable place. It’s been a sanctuary. I’m such an ardent fan.”

Burkett Bourgoise occasionally has a scrub or a massage at the spa, but it’s the soothing waters that have beckoned her to the spa twice weekly for years. These days, she visits more frequently, mostly to get the word out. One positive note is “my skin is looking very good,” she says.

Others, including an architect who has visited the site since it opened 40 years ago, are equally distressed, Burkett Bourgoise told us.

Some nearby residents and passersby are unaware of the

natural springs. “I think the spa was under the radar. People weren’t familiar there was a springs.” Burkett Bourgoise enjoyed her “well-kept secret,” the quiet surroundings and kitsch décor of a faux rock grotto and dark interiors.

But most everyone is against the size of the proposed multi-story development on an already busy corner, she says.

That was the consensus of a recent canvas of area homes by Anna Lindstrom Constable, a former Hancock Park resident and spa afficionado. She carried flyers and gathered signatures for a petition to help save the 100-year-old hot springs.

“The spring has always been very important to the Korean community as well as many Hancock Park residents,”

Lindstrom Constable of Save Beverly Hot Springs told us.

“Of course it is without saying how the traffic in and out of the community will be impacted. We are not opposed to a building that includes the spring, but this building would be over 50 feet taller than allowed.”

It is odd that the developer didn’t include the mineral springs in its proposal, said attorney Jamie Hall of Channel Law Group, LLP. “You would think [the mineral spa] would be a really cool amenity.”

Burkett Bourgoise only heard about the development on July 3 from a woman who has a lifetime membership at the spa. She told Burkett Bourgoise of a City Planning Commission public hearing May 11, which she attended after receiving a notice. (Spa customers claim there weren’t any flyers posted notifying of the meeting.)

Burkett Bourgoise reached out to a land use attorney who learned the spa was slated for demotion unless an appeal was filed in two days, by July 5.

“If nothing is filed, there’s no recourse,” she was told.

Attorney Hall filed the appeal in record time, on July 5, arguing the proposal is “wildly out of scale with the surrounding community and streetscape.”

The appeal further states, “the City has failed to meaningfully analyze the cultural significance of the hot springs

— especially for the Asian American community. Public baths are an integral part of Korean culture and the last remaining hot springs is being eliminated.” While the project was approved by the City Planning Commission at the May

hearing, pending the outcome of the appeal it next heads to a public hearing with the Planning and Land Use Management Committee of the City Council. The appeal is expected to be heard in late August in time for

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Hot springs and intangible heritage: a neighborhood institution at risk

In the late 19th and early 20th century when Los Angeles was advertised as a winter haven and retirement town, one of the region’s attractions was its plethora of natural hot springs known for their therapeutic and medicinal properties. Like their European counterparts, Angelenos and tourists “took the waters,” but also followed in the ancient footsteps of Native Americans who held the springs as sacred for their healing powers.

Beverly Hot Springs

Today in Los Angeles, a single one of these hot springs remains — the Beverly Hot Springs spa, now threatened with closure if new development is approved as proposed.

It was not until 1984, when Yang Cha Kim, a doctor of Eastern Medicine, and her husband, Chang Bum Huh, a weightlifter in the 1964 Olympics, bought the old “Wonder Water” bottling plant, that it was transformed into the renowned Beverly Hot

Springs at 308 N. Oxford Ave. For four decades, it has operated as full-service Korean style spa offering steam baths, saunas and hot and cold mineral baths, as well as an herbal pharmacy — its pools still fed by the artesian well that continues to produce over a quarter million gallons of hot mineral water daily. From Native Americans, to Victorian Angelenos, to Korean Americans, the hot spring has linked generations of our city’s history.

Housing versus all else?

The plight of the Beverly Hot Springs highlights, once again, the challenge of preservation of heritage in a dynamic and ever-changing urban environment. As the city grows in density and age, it is constantly confronting its history, having to choose what to preserve and what to replace. For some, the construction of new housing trumps all concerns, especially if the new construction includes affordable

by Brian Curran

housing that our city desperately needs. For others, the loss of access to the natural hot springs and a community amenity such as the Beverly Hot Springs is yet another sign of gentrification and the erasure of cultural heritage. Keep the springs?

I, for one, echo the sentiments of some in the community that it is baffling that any new development would not take advantage of this incredible natural resource. However, the cold hard numbers of the developer’s game seemingly do not encourage putting limitations on its use of square footage nor adding to its risk. Having passed review by the City Plan-

ning Commission as well as having survived an appeal, City Council Office 13 has indicated it will not intervene.

So, go bathe in the waters before it is too late; it is likely that

the hot springs will return once more to their earthen slumber until, in a future generation, they are released once more.

BREAKING NEWS: Apartment project withdrawn. See Page 4.

Perfumery opens and Cookbook opening soon

By Casey Russell

A new store, The Scent Room, opened Aug. 17 at 142 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd. The space feels light, earthy and grounding, and co-owner Sam Clark says that a lot of thought went into the design. He wanted it to be a cross between a living room and an art gallery, the opposite of, in his words, “the stuffy department store.”

Co-owners Deborah Turner and Clark own another location in Dallas, Texas, but Clark feels this new Larchmont store was meant to be.

“When I first arrived in Los Angeles, my jeep broke down. I had to push it into the parking

lot of Chipotle,” he said. That’s how he discovered the Boulevard. Smiling, he said, “I feel fate brought me to Larchmont… it has such a personality. I knew we had to do [the store] here.”

Representatives of Cookbook Market told us that they hope to open to the public at the end of September. The new Boulevard market will occupy the space at 310 N. Larchmont Blvd. that previously was the longtime home of Thai restaurant Chan Dara.

Hot Springs

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a Sept. 15 deadline for the City Council to vote on the project.

Density bonus

The developer seeks a density bonus to almost double the allowable 59 units to 101 units by setting aside 15 units for very low income residents. The project would also double the height of the existing 45foot limit to 89 feet.

The project, designed by M3 Architects, includes studio and one- and two-bedroom units and features balconies, glass railings and metal siding and painted metal screens. An elevated pool is on the rooftop deck with a fire pit seating area, according to the 21-page plan submitted to the City Planning Dept.

The new development will include 159 parking spaces above and below ground.

If approved, it would replace an existing triplex, the retail spa and a surface parking lot.

When reaching out to the developers, we were told they do not comment on projects with pending applications.

Historic site

• Formal dining and living room with hardwood floors

• Large master bedroom with sitting area plus two auxiliary bedrooms

• Two marble clad bathrooms: one full, and one 3/4 bath

• 2 parking spaces: one underground, one street level. Your choice to valet or self park

• Gym and in-ground spa

The Beverly Hot Springs is the only remaining of the many mineral baths that once dotted the city landscape, according to a Dec. 28, 2015, Los Angeles Times article by Patt Morrison included in the appeal.

The hot springs was discovered by oil drillers in the late 19th century, and it supplied water to residents before water mains were installed in this part of the city in 1915.

A May, 14, 1972, Los Angeles Times article by Terence M. Green recounts how the water was bottled and sold until World War II. In a 1972 interview with Grant K. MacCoon, a descendant of the 1910 land purchaser whose family still owned the property in the 1970s, MacCoon said the well then produced about 250,000 gallons of fresh water a day.

A simple, terrific little Japanese restaurant with some big ideas

By Helene Seifer Tucked

into a mini-mall in Koreatown, hibi. by Kabuki is a Japanese restaurant with a fresh California spin. Hibi means “day to day” in Japanese, and owner Sol Lee explains, “We’re always here for you, day to day.” The restaurant started as a ghost kitchen (a take-out or delivery food service cooking in either someone else’s existing brick-and-mortar restaurant or in a rental kitchen), but Lee yearned for a dedicated space and searched for investors.

The Kabuki Restaurant Group, which owns Kabuki, a chain of mid-level Japanese restaurants typically found in malls, was interested in establishing a stand-alone city presence and so, a marriage was forged.

When hibi. by Kabuki opened in April 2023, the menu hewed closely to Kabuki’s penchant for fancy rolls along with the usual sushi and sashimi. Lee added a few innovations and soon learned that those gourmet dishes appealed the most to Koreatown diners and on-trend foodies. Slowly the menu is changing to incorporate more of those options, incorporating fresh produce from local farmers’ markets. Guiding the menu

On the Menu

by Helene Seifer

expansion is a Michelin-recognized chef whose name isn’t being released because his own restaurant is being readied for opening.

Owner Sol Lee has a varied and creative background and big ideas about how to incorporate his other interests into the small, serene space in the Olympic Boulevard mini-mall. Although he grew up on Larchmont Wine, Spirits & Cheese

“Number three sandwiches [soppressata salami],” he was a musician in South Korea and spent time in the fashion industry. He wants his restaurant to be an incubator for clothing and merchandising. Music is already a presence, but frankly, was a little too beat-heavy W Hotel lobby for us at the start of our meal. It softened as the evening progressed. Lee also has installed racks for the future unveiling of clothing and “merch.”

As of this writing, food offerings at lunch and dinner are similar, with reasonable

prices ranging from four pieces of salmon sashimi for $15 to the $16 spicy tuna with avocado cut roll wrapped in salmon and the $22 mixed

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On the Menu

(Continued from page 7) sashimi plate. Dinnertime adds the more ambitious $70 tasting menu, which we ordered, resulting in a succession of nine dishes. Our starter was a single bite of octopus. A sliver of cephalopod was grilled and used as a taco-style base, topped with miso butter purée, salmon roe and daikon radish sprouts. Lovely to look at, but the octopus was less succulent than when whole tentacles are gently grilled. However, the next dish was a standout. Tiny crustless katzu chicken sandwiches layered

with a spicy mustardy spread were delicious. The Japanese treatment of breaded chicken results in thin, greaseless, crunchy paillards.

A simple shaved green cabbage in sweet and sour sesame dressing with wonton croutons followed, clearing the way for some fish preparations. Wild hamachi carpaccio and tomatoes marinated in white yuzu (a lemon-like citrus fruit) plus salmon and hamachi nigiri sushi, both perched on a slate slab, were served with spectacular freshchopped wasabi, which has a much brighter flavor than the commonly used wasabi paste. A captivatingly textured

hamachi roll, cut into tiny discs and topped with radish sprouts, fried spring onions and white truffle soy sauce, was a deeply flavorful dish. The last of our sea-centric plates was plump scallops seared in brown butter with corn and flower petals. Simple and terrific.

The parade of savory dishes ended with a bang. A generous mound of purple sweet potato rice formed a base for shishito miso paste, blistered shishitos and succulent strips of 72-hour marinated top blade steak. After so many small, delicate dishes, this one was substantial. We took half home and enjoyed a won-

derful lunch the next day.

Dessert was a refreshing scoop of Korean-style toasted rice-flavored ice cream from Noona’s Ice Cream in New York, a company owned by a friend of Lee’s. The ice cream was dense, creamy and delicious. Liquor options are limited

STUDDED HOT CAKES!

For Our Youngsters, Too!

— Add your favorite — Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Strawberry, S’mores, Banana, Oreo Cookies, Strawberry Banana, Blueberry, Blackberry and Cinnamon Apple, Nutella and Strawberries, Pumpkin (seasonal), Fruity Pebbles, Chocolate Pebbles, Pink Sugared, Reese’s, Strawberry Nutella, Lucky Charms, Summer Berries.

to sake and beer, not unusual for a Japanese eatery. We shared a fruity, flowery $24 300 ml bottle of Born Junsui sake, which complemented the meal perfectly.

hibi. by Kabuki, 3121 W. Olympic Blvd., #103, 213674-7244.

Letter to the Editor

CTG responds to theater columnist

Louis Fantasia is entitled to his theatrical likes and dislikes, but as board members at the Center Theatre Group (CTG) we would like to correct errors and misunderstandings that underlay his mean-spirited August Larchmont Chronicle column “An inconvenient truth at the on-pause Mark Taper Forum.” We are disappointed that rather that join together with theater lovers around Los Angeles to uplift and support the Taper, as it faces an existential crisis, Mr. Fantasia seems more interested in airing a personal gripe about our former artistic director, who retired two years ago.

In June, CTG announced a pause in programming at the Taper in response to financial problems stemming from audience decline post-COVID-19, lapsed subscriptions and the competition of the stay-athome entertainment alternatives, all of which hit as production costs spiraled with inflation. Mr. Fantasia, though, attributes the declining attendance to recent plays from “the last three years” when the Taper offered plays that were “more politically correct than dramatically compelling.”

First, COVID-19 physically closed the Taper for almost two years, from March of 2020 until February of 2022 (so it has only been reopened for 18 months, not three years). Second, the post-COVID-19 eco-

nomic crisis at regional theaters is real at CTG and happening nationwide. Regional American theaters have cut productions, laid off staff and, in some very unhappy cases, closed their doors completely.

The Theatre Communications Group recently estimated that regional theaters mounted 40 percent fewer productions in 2022-23 than in 2019-20. Forty percent! The Public Theater in New York City (home of Free Shakespeare in the Park) recently laid off 19 percent of its staff. The cause nationwide can’t just be Mr. Fantasia’s derided political correctness.

Indeed, the Taper’s recent plays included “Clyde’s” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage and “King James” by Rajiv Joseph, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, as well as a 30th anniversary production of “Twilight, Los Angeles 1992,” originally nominated for a Tony Award. These were highly respected and lauded shows. They just sold fewer tickets than they would have in 2019.

Mr. Fantasia also does not seem to understand that the same company programming the Taper also operates the Ahmanson Theatre, which he commends for bringing “significant Broadway plays” to Los Angeles. But despite our best efforts, ticket sales at the Ahmanson are also significantly below comparative 2019 levels, even for a recent show (“Into

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Theater at its best in ‘Peter Pan’ and Arthur Miller productions

There were supposed to be two more plays reviewed in this column than there are, which points to the fragile, if not ephemeral, nature of theater. One, the premiere of Ron Sossi’s “Elephant Shavings” at the Odyssey, was postponed because of COVID-19. The other, Rogue Machine’s premiere of Will Arbery’s “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” at the Matrix, was postponed due to Hurricane Hilary. Both look like interesting new works, but both are scheduled to close before my next column prints.

The theater landscape has been littered with outdoor performances cancelled because of extreme weather. Current increases in COVID-19 strike performers on Broadway and off. Economic uncertainties have more theaters (especially small ones) closing their doors, while those that remain shrink their runs from six weeks to three or four, cancel

Letter

(Continued from page 8) the Woods”) that, as Mr. Fantasia confirms, “featured perhaps the best cast in a musical I have seen in Los Angeles.”

Ironically, Mr. Fantasia views today’s Taper unfavorably compared to the Taper of founding director Gordon Davidson, who is deservedly honored for fostering outstanding productions like “Angels in America” and “Zoot Suit.” But those shows were controversial and politically daring in their time. In Davidson’s first production, John Whiting’s “The Devils,” about a renegade priest and Catholic repression, half the audience walked out on opening night, offended by what Mr. Fantasia might see as that era’s woke times. The Taper has always taken risks … now those risks are just far more expensive, and fewer folks are willing to leave their homes to come experience the show.

Finally, though he did not mention him, we hope Mr. Fantasia welcomes our new artistic director, Snehal Desai, who began work this summer and is now busily planning new programming at our two operating venues, the Ahmanson Theatre downtown and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, as well as a slate of non-traditional offerings in the Taper such as cabaret nights and readings of new plays. We invite all of Los Angeles, including Mr. Fantasia, to watch out for our exciting new season. If you want to save live theater, buy a ticket and go see a show. Let’s look forward, not back.

Diana Buckhantz

Sarah Clossey

Amy Forbes

Jamie Patricof

Board Members, CTG

Tuesday or midweek matinee performances to save costs, and replace elaborate sets with bare-bones designs or projections. One could gnash one’s teeth and bemoan the state of the art, but… Two recent productions, one large and one small, give reason for hope.

The first is the hilarious Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Ahmanson until Sept. 17, 213628-2772, centertheatregroup. org. This is J.M. Barrie by way of Monty Python; Mary Martin (the TV Peter Pan of my youth) mashed up with Carol Burnett. The premise, flimsy as it is, is that a British university drama club is putting on the play and that everything that can go wrong will. This is the team that, starting from their own college drama days at England’s LAMDA — the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art — put together such previous larks as “The Play That

Theater Review by

Louis Fantasia

Went Wrong.” While they have now built a worldwide empire, their sense of fun — of play — is deeply rooted in the magic innocence of children’s theater and the absurdity of English Christmas pantomime.

The fact that the production has a Broadway-level revolving set and flying rigs does not take away from its fundamental simplicity: Capt. Hook holds the audience in the palm of his one good hand for nearly five minutes as he tries to open a bottle of poison with his piratical prosthesis; Tinkerbell, a fairy too comedically hefty for flight, has the entire audience

clapping and believing, not only in her, but in the magic of theater. This is theater at its best, creating a shared community for the night among actors and audience.

The production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge at the Ruskin Theatre in Santa Monica (through Oct. 8, 310397-3244, ruskingrouptheatre. com) does much the same on a searingly deeper level. Miller’s story, set in the Italian-American world of Brooklyn dockyards of the 1950s, tells of illegal immigrants who come to America for work, the emotions that entangle them and the passions that betray them.

Director Mike Reilly could have, I suppose, “updated” Miller’s melodramatic tale by setting it in, say, El Paso today, or “deconstructed” it along the lines of Ivan van Hove’s recent bare-bones London production. Instead, Reilly takes the radical notion of simply trust-

ing the playwright and staging what Miller wrote: a passionate, operatic story of dreams dashed and love gone wrong.

The production features a first-rate cast led by Ray Abruzzo’s Eddie Carbone, Kim Chase as his long-suffering wife, Aurora Leonard as the young niece at the center of the tragedy, and Sal Viscuso as the lawyer who guides us and tries to make sense of it all. The rest of the cast members inhabit their roles with equal commitment and panache. The tragic events unfold with train-wreck inevitability, and we are reminded why some American playwrights are greater than others.

Catharsis comes in two forms in the theater — the release of emotion through laughter or tears. Aristotle knew that that release was good for us 2,500 years ago. He would have been very happy with either production today.

Monsieur Marcel turns 30? Mais oui!

By Helene Seifer

The Original Farmers Market has always been a great resource for our community, with multiple food stalls, fresh produce and arguably more varieties of hot sauce than anywhere else on the planet. But if one wants a stick of salted French butter, a selection of fine cheeses, a platter of fresh-shucked oysters, a perfectly plated coq au vin or a whole rock fish to grill at home, Monsieur Marcel’s mini-empire, which celebrates its 30th anniversary Sept. 30, has your

back with a gourmet market, French bistro, seafood market and Roxy & Jo’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar. How this French multipronged business came to settle in at the Original Farmers Market involves a complicated journey. Monsieur Marcel owners Katy and Stephane Strouk met in a cafe in Paris when Katy, an American student, was backpacking through Europe the summer after her junior year in college. Stephane, a native of France, raised in both the south of France and Par-

is, had quit his corporate job and planned to travel until his savings ran out, starting in Los Angeles. Katy, who lived in Orange County with her parents, told him to call when he arrived in the U.S. When he did, she invited him and his five travel companions to come crash with her family. Instead of traveling the world, he stayed for months. Instead of finishing college, she moved to Paris with him, where Katy got a job at Ford Models Paris and Stephane worked for his family’s contemporary art gallery. They visited Southern California periodically, most notably for their wedding. During one visit in 1989, the Strouks met a friend for coffee at the Original Farmers Market. The city had always seemed impersonal to Stephane Strouk, but the farmers market reminded him of “a little town in a big town.”

The Strouks started to feel constrained by the lack of opportunities in France and, in 1993, moved back to Los Angeles to pursue the American Dream. Stephane remembered how much the Farmers Market had reminded him of his Paris neighborhood, where people knew each other and talked to one another. They felt at home and decided to put down roots at the corner of Third and Fairfax. They opened a crêperie in 1993, followed by the Mr. Marcel cheese counter in 1994, named ironically for Stephane’s dad, who

absolutely hated cheese. They have overseen many changes in their 30 years of doing business in the market. They no longer run the crêperie (although, several owners later, it still exists) and in, 1995, they took over a failed grocery store, incorporating the cheese counter into the Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market. In 2001-2002, the market was renovated, and the French Bistro opened, the only sit-down, white tablecloth, full-service restaurant within the main Farmers Market area. The gourmet market stocks more than 6,000 products imported from around the world. The Strouks take three buying trips a year, attending fancy food shows and, as Katy Strouk explains, “We work with a lot of artisans who don’t produce enough for big stores.” For example, they stock a rich chocolate bar they discovered in Tahiti and, “We hand carry back strawberry jam made by two women in France’s Normandy region.”

In a nod to Stephane

Strouk’s time eating fresh fish in the South of France, when Tusquellas Sea Foods’ owner Bob Tusquellas was ready to retire, Monsieur Marcel Seafood Market was born. Fresh-caught fish and seafood is delivered there daily, as well as to the Strouks’ newest enterprise, Roxy & Jo’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar, opened in 2020. Named for their daughters Roxanne, 22, and Josephine, 14, customers sit at the counter to enjoy such fare as fish and chips, lobster rolls and oysters. According to Katy Strouk, they shuck more than 2,000 oysters a week. With four successful businesses within arms length of each other at the Original Farmers Market, and even a Monsieur Marcel counter in the Original Farmers Market section in Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport, do Katy and Stephane Strouk plan to celebrate their 30-year anniversary with any new enterprises? “We have no plans,” assures Katy, “But we’re always open. Stephane loves to open businesses.”

STEPHANE AND KATY STROUK at Roxy & Jo’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar.

Mirren shines as ‘Golda,’ racing gamer, Icelandic thriller

Golda (9/10): 93 minutes without credits. PG-13. The always brilliant Helen Mirren (in Oscar-quality makeup that took 3½ hours per day to apply) shines in this traumatic portrayal of heroic Golda Meir, Israel’s Prime Minister through the harrowing Yom Kippur war in 1973. But she must share the limelight with director of photography Jasper Wolf because his cinematography captures her claustrophobic situation battling the war and dealing with her generals and cabinet, Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber) and the U.S. and serious cancer treatments (even though she still smokes incessantly) all cascading down on her at once, with many dark, tight shots and constricted locations, endarkening the ambiance to match her problems.

Gran Turismo (9/10): 135 minutes. PG-13. I’ve seen most of the sports movies made, and this is right up there with the best of them like “Hoosiers” (1986) and “Miracle” (2004). It tells the true story of a former race car driver (David Harbour) and a motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom) who took a gamer (Archie Madekwe) who had never driven a real car and gave him a chance to be a real Grand Prix race car driver. It

is enhanced by Oscar-quality sound and cinematography that capture the speed and danger of racing better than anything I’ve seen, including the televised races themselves.

Operation Napoleon (9/10): 115 minutes. NR. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Arnaldur Indriðason and inspired by Winston Churchill’s “Operation Unthinkable.” Kristen (Vivian Didriksen Ólafsdóttir), an ambitious Icelandic lawyer, receives a text from her brother who is exploring on the Vatnajökull ice cap (the most voluminous in Iceland) that he and his friends have discovered a WWII Nazi plane. He sends her pictures and is then silent. Shortly thereafter, she receives another text from him saying he is in trouble. She thinks he’s joking but quickly discovers that he is serious, and she loses complete communication with him.

Directed by Óskar Thór Axelsson, what follows is a captivating thriller with nonstop tension as she hooks up with her friend, Steve Rush (Jack Fox), to try to find her brother, all the while pursued by nefarious CIA Director Willam Carr (Iain Glen) and his powerful forces.

The locations are cold and

At the Movies with Tony Medley

beautiful, the cinematography (Årni Filippuson) exceptional, and the conducive music (Frank Hall) adds to the tension. With a screenplay by Marteinn Thórisson, and highlighted by fine acting, this is as good a thriller as anyone could want. In Icelandic and English.

Retribution (9/10): 90 minutes. R. This is Liam Neeson’s best thriller since the exceptional “Taken” in 2008. From a brilliant soft start where you suspect you are being set up for danger, he and his two children find themselves trapped by an unknown madman in his inventive and devious scheme. Neeson gives a bravura performance as the tension mounts and his untenable position gets worse and worse. While the car chases border on ludicrous, they are necessary. They usually don’t hand out Oscars for thrillers, but Neeson deserves a nomination, at least.

Madeleine Collins (8/10):

113 minutes. NR. There have been movies before about people living double sexual lives with lovers in different cities, but they are always men. In this one, though, it’s a woman, Margot / Judith (Virginie Efira in a sparkling performance), doing the splitting. In Switzerland, she is Margot and lives with Abdel (Quim Gutierrez) and the little girl they are raising. In France, she is Judith and lives with famous orchestra conductor Melvil (Bruno Salomone) and their two older boys. Brilliantly directed by Antoine Barraud, this is an absorbing tale of lies and deception that tracks her complex life as it slowly, inevitably, falls off the rails. In French.

Between Two Worlds (8/10): 106 minutes: This is another scintillatingly directed story by Emanuelle Carrère based on French journalist Florence Aubenas’s best-selling nonfiction investigative work “Le Quai de Ouistreham,” looking at precarity in French society through her experiences in the port city of Caen. The always special Juliette Binoche goes undercover to report on the lives of women who clean the cross-channel ferry. As she connects with her fellow cleaning women, she becomes aware of the value of the rela-

tionships she is making and struggles to justify her deceit with her friendships. Except for Binoche, all the women playing cleaners in the film are actual cleaners, not actresses, which adds authenticity. In French.

Untold: Hall of Shame (8/10): 78 Minutes. TV-14. Netflix. Athletes using anabolic steroids seriously damaged the integrity of sports, especially baseball and its records. This documentary examines this disgrace with interviews with Victor Conte, the head of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO), the people who investigated him, like Jeff Novitzky of the FDA, and some of the athletes who participated, like sprinter Tim Montgomery, who honestly says, “When you’re doing a crime, you think you are the smartest person who is committing the crime. Then when you look back you say, ‘That was the dumbest thing I ever thought of.’” Conte rationalizes what he did, “If you’ve got the knowledge that that’s what everybody’s doing and those are the real rules of the game, then you’re not cheating.” To its credit, it lays out the case against Barry Bonds, confirming the validity of his absence from the Hall of Fame.

Reinforced concrete: the modern equivalent of stone in art?

n

New exhibit at LACMA

By John Welborne

A new exhibition just opened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). “Eternal Medium: Seeing the World in Stone” includes 125 works from circa 2200–1800 B.C. to recent pieces by contemporary artists. The exhibit curator’s focus is on the role that imagination plays in perceiving images in the natural markings of stone.

Soon to be on view locally is how Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, Hon. FAIA from Switzer-

land, imagines the natural and form-made markings of the modern medium of reinforced concrete. Visitors will be able to examine the product of his imagination when scaffolding, falsework and formwork — now encasing LACMA’s under-construction

David Geffen Galleries building — are removed. The new building is expected to open near the end of 2024.

$750 million goal surpassed

On Aug. 23, the art museum announced that its “Building LACMA” campaign had reached and ex -

GALLERY VISITORS examine stone pictures and carvings.

WESTERN PORTION of the new David Geffen Galleries building under construction in August 2023. Park La Brea and its apartment towers are to the north.

CLOSE-UP VIEW shows roof at the west end, nearly ready for pouring and completion, in August 2023.

(Please turn to page 13)

COMPLETED GALLERIES and their ceilings are beneath the in-process reinforcing bar (rebar) installation that will form the interstitial space separating the gallery ceilings from the building‘s roof. On a single level, there will be 26 “core galleries” — concrete rooms where art generally can be displayed on eight walls (four interior; four exterior) of each room.

ceeded its fundraising goal of $750 million.

Visible from above

It now appears that nearly one half of the 26 planned gallery rooms in the new building have had their walls and ceilings completed, constructed just like the remainder of the massive new building — in reinforced concrete. The museum’s Aug. 23 announcement indicated that the entire project is now more than 65 percent complete.

Materiality of stone

The new exhibition about stone, as described by LACMA, “brings together a wide range of mostly historical European stone carvings and pictures, juxtaposing them with the similar works in other medi-

ums for context and comparison. Organized into nine interrelated displays, the show encourages visitors to appreciate the works’ optical effects and to look more closely at how they are constructed.”

The art on exhibit comes primarily from three collections: LACMA’s own, the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and the V&A’s collection, plus art from public and private collections in California.

The exhibition is in the Resnick Pavilion at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., and it continues through Feb. 11, 2024. Learn more about this and other fall openings, plus the Geffen Galleries construction, at lacma.org.

“Experience does

DRAPED MARBLE (Carrara, St. Laurant, Brown Onyx) by Analia Saban, 2016.

RECTANGULAR GALLERY WALLS are visible to the right of completed galleries whose ceilings will be poured using the tan plywood shown.

BRIDGE FLOOR over Wilshire Boulevard connects to the location of the new building’s galleries that will be above the ceiling of a 300-seat theater on the ground level on the south side.

(Continued from page 12)

Bridge Theater

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

157 N. Larchmont Boulevard

Party House Problems

There is a positive update about the problem-causing party house at 300 North Plymouth Boulevard — the northeast corner of Plymouth and Beverly. Council District 13 Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez spoke with City Attorney Heidi Feldstein Soto and shared with her the incredibly detailed and exhaustive documentation prepared by Sam Uretsky, Delilah Loud and others on behalf of the North Plymouth Coalition (NPC) and the Larchmont Village Neighborhood. The City Attorney has agreed to assign a prosecutor to the case!

Prosecution

The City Attorney seems to be taking this case quite seriously, especially in light of her decision to prosecute the Nightfall Group that operates similar party houses in Hollywood. City Attorney Feldstein Soto (no relation to the councilman) has indicated that her office is addressing the situation as a systemic issue with which the city needs to deal, and she says her office is looking to hold not just the promoters and property owners responsible but also the media outlets that share the invitations.  All good news for the neighbors.

Permanent solutions sought

Working in conjunction with the City Attorney, Councilman Soto-Martinez reported that his office also is looking for more permanent solutions. The WSA is encouraged that the council office is now leading on this issue.

The offices of State Senator Maria Elena Durazo and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur also have been notified about the problem, and they, too, are offering support.

Thanks due

The community’s thanks are due to Councilman Soto Martinez and his CD13 staff members, Alejandra Marroquin and Karla Martinez, as well as to many others who have stayed the course on this problem to produce the tangible results. An especially big shout-out must go to Sam Uretsky, Delilah Loud and the NPC for leading the charge!

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.

POLICE BEAT

Burglaries on rise; take precautions

OLYMPIC

DIVISION

Senior Lead Officer Joe Pelayo reports the area continues to have burglaries from motor vehicles, especially near Beverly Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue.

WILSHIRE DIVISION

The current crime report was not available at press time.

OLYMPIC DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Joseph Pelayo

213-793-0709

31762@lapd.online

Twitter: @lapdolympic

WILSHIRE DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Dave Cordova

213-793-0650

31646@lapd.online

Twitter: @lapdwilshire

Plymouth Boulevard assailant awaits mental evaluation

By Nona Sue Friedman

A homeless man who was arrested for attacking a 72-year-old woman in December 2022 near Eighth Street and Plymouth Boulevard is still in custody awaiting a

License #768437

mental evaluation. The mental health courts will determine his competency to stand trial.

The Larchmont Chronicle reached out to a spokesperson from the public defender’s office to get a comment from

the assailant, but the assailant refused to comment.

The victim, who was attacked twice in the same morning, was punched in the face and stomach multiple times before she was able to escape.

‘The Unicorn Rests in a Garden’ hangs at The Met Cloisters in

Earlier this month, during a visit to New York City, I had the pleasure of visiting The Met Cloisters, a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Situated on four acres overlooking the Hudson River, the museum was originally conceived by American sculptor George Grey Barnard. The artist lived and worked in rural France before World War I and collected most of the medieval sculpture and architectural fragments on view at The Cloisters today.

The word “cloister” describes a covered walk in a convent or monastery bordered by a colonnade that surrounds a central open courtyard. Deriving their name from the Latin claudere meaning “to close or shut,” the cloisters at the museum’s property number four. Each is festooned with lush, elaborate plantings and is named for the location in France from which it came. Starting at the museum’s 15th-century Trie Cloister (named for Trie-surBaïse in the Pyrenees region), I made my way into the Treasury, where I was met with a dimly lit room replete with glass vitrines holding glittering reliquaries and precious works of jewelry and tableware. It’s in this gallery that I came across a close etymological relative of “cloister” — a set of 13th-century embellished plaques from Germany made using the cloisonné technique. In this art form that dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, a decoration is created by affixing gold or silver wire to the face of a metal object to form compartments (called cloisons in French). These partitioned areas are then filled with enamel, gemstones or other richly colored materials to form patterned or pictorial schemes.

Moving further into the gallery, I spotted a display case holding another enameled plaque, this one from Limoges, France, from the 12th century. In the rectangular frame, two mournful winged angels beholding the Crucifixion wave censers that perfume the air and sanctify the event. Resplendent with jewellike color, the angels are illustrated in front of a shining gold background ornamented with swirling flourishes in a style termed vermiculé. The moniker comes from the Latin vermiculus, meaning “little worm,” which also provides the origin for “vermicelli,” a thin pasta popular in both Italian and Vietnamese cuisines. The answer to what makes vermicelli pasta (defined in Italy as having a thickness between 2.08 and 2.30mm) more wormy than other long pastas is anyone’s guess, but the inquiry did have me searching the internet for

“diameter of a worm.”

Exiting the Treasury, I walked up a stone staircase to the museum’s upper level, landing in the Boppard Room. Named after the Carmelite church of Saint Severinus in Boppard, Germany, this gallery is known for its 15th-century stained glass from said church, but it is a carved oak choir stall from France in which I was most interested. The two side-by-side stalls are outfitted with tiny hinged seats that I imagine could only support the smallest of bums. Called misericords from the Latin misericordia, meaning “mercy,” these supports offered a modicum of comfort to clerics and monks who needed a respite after long periods of standing.

Misericordia lends itself to the title of another emblem of clemency present during the Middle Ages. The “misericorde” was a long, narrow knife used to deliver the merciful stroke of death to a knight who had been gravely wounded. Designed with a blade thin enough to strike through a gap in one’s

Word Café

by Mara Fisher

armor, the weapon, along with the hard wooden mini-seat, demonstrates that compassion comes in many forms.

Images of sharp objects abound in the neighboring Unicorn Tapestries Room, which presents exquisitely woven depictions of noblemen hunting an elusive unicorn amid a verdant landscape. Among the most renowned objects in The Met Cloisters’ permanent collection, these late-15th-century tapestries illustrate the bloody clash between the unicorn’s horn and the hunters’ spears, while a smaller, more subtle

“sword” looks on.

In the foreground of the tapestry titled “The Unicorn Rests in a Garden,” the spindly stalks of wild irises extend upward from a millefleur meadow encircling the wounded unicorn. The scientific name for the flower is the Latin Gladiolus, meaning “small sword,” named for the sharp, blade-like leaves from which its vivid purple-blue

blooms protrude. The word is a diminutive of gladius, which simply means “sword,” and the flower shares this antecedent with the famed Roman swordsmen known as gladiators. I descended the trail that leads from The Cloisters through Fort Tryon Park and eventually back to the subway, while visions of unicorns danced in my head.

Back to School 2023

Larchmont Charter welcomes Wilshire and Hollygrove@Selma

By Casey Russell

The beginning of the 2023 / 2024 school year is bringing big changes for Larchmont Charter School’s Hollygrove students and staff.

Last school year ended in June at the Hollygrove campus — the school’s original location when Larchmont Charter School (LCS) opened in 2005. During the ensuing years, LCS expanded to four campuses, with two of them being for elementary grades (transitional kindergarten [TK] through fourth) — one of those being the Fairfax campus and the other being the Hollygrove campus at Vine Street and Waring Avenue.

This year, LCS no longer will have any presence at Hollygrove (the square block of property now owned by Pacific Clinics). That campus’ TK-through-fourth-grade students have been moved to two separate campuses — a new campus (Wilshire) and what’s being called Hollygrove @ Selma.

Amy Held, executive director of LCS, had been notified in the fall of 2021 that Hollygrove’s landlord, Pacific Clinics, planned to redevelop the site, previously the longtime — and final — campus of the Los Angeles Orphans Home Society founded in 1880. Fortunately, Pacific Clinics extended the charter school’s lease through this past July, allowing LCS to search for and prepare a new home.

New

Wilshire campus

Finding a new site was quite

a challenge, as LCS was established in one of the most densely populated and highly priced real estate markets in Los Angeles. Any new property needed to be zoned to allow a school and, ideally, be large enough to accommodate Hollygrove’s population of 350 pupils. LCS found an available site of a former private school near the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Unfortunately, the site is too small to house all of Hollygrove’s faculty and students.

Initially, it was hoped that the lease at Hollygrove could be extended to continue to house the third- and fourthgrade students there, while the TK-through-secondgrade children would move to the new Wilshire property.

LAUSD restrictions

Charter schools in Los Angeles are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The district often provides space and facilities for charter school operators,

and the district also approves (or disapproves) the locating of charter schools. Unfortunately, LAUSD did not approve the LCS request to add an additional site (Wilshire) to its current four-site configuration (Hollygrove, Fairfax, Selma and Lafayette Park). A new solution needed to be found.

A portion of the campus of LAUSD’s Selma Avenue Elementary School (founded in 1910 and located at 6611 Selma Ave. in Hollywood) has, for many years, been home to some LCS students — most recently, fifth through eighth grade.

Rather than allow the addition of a fifth site (by keeping Hollygrove and adding Wilshire), LAUSD made a one-time accommodation to allow Hollygrove’s thirdand fourth-grade students to move into Selma’s empty space for the 2023 / 2024 school year. The other Hollygrove students have moved

to Wilshire.

Two-campus split

When asked about her thoughts regarding the split of the elementary school’s students into two campuses, Held said, “Hollygrove has such a strong team, community and culture that I’m confident it will be vibrant across both sites.” Held knows that it will be a challenge to operate on multiple sites but said, “The flip side is that each community will be a little smaller, providing an even cozier sense of campus community.”

Encampments

There has been much concern from LCS parents regarding the continuous and/or repeated presence of street-dweller encampments around the perimeter of the Selma campus. It already was a concern for the middle school students, and now, with 9- and 10-year-olds joining that campus population, the concern has grown even stronger. “Both parent leaders and school staff are in constant communication with the City Council office and LAPD,” said Held. “We are reaching out through every avenue we can, repeatedly, to improve this situation and we

have been since late spring,” she continued. A recent cleanup as part of the City of Los Angeles’ Inside Safe program cleared the area. Held plans for LCS to continue its outreach to the city and beyond to keep the perimeter clear of people and property impeding passage on the adjacent sidewalks and streets.

Hollygrove @ Selma

Fortunately for the new students at Selma, the public school was built originally as an elementary campus. It has a play structure, some shaded outdoor space and spacious classrooms. Though there is little green space, LCS organized beautification days and work parties over the summer. Parents helped make the space more, as Held put it, “Hollygrove-ish.” The executive director told us that the new Wilshire campus also looks great. It was given a makeover with new paint, flooring and lots of upgrades. It also received a new climbing area and similar facilities for young kids.

When asked how long she thinks the school’s current two-campus configuration will last, Held told us that the goal is to bring the for-

(Please turn to page 3)

LCS CLASSMATES Lucas Kim and Libby Kim study the early version of the garden area at the new Wilshire Campus.

LCS PARENTS and students inspect new campus during an open house in August.

Photos by Rose Kim

Staying connected as a family during the school year

By Casey Russell

As summer comes to a close and the new school year gets into full swing, family life can start to feel a lot busier. We find ourselves rushing to get the kids to school on time before heading off to work. There are sports practices and games. Homework needs to be done, and all of our regular work and home responsibilities remain.

Here are some ideas for staying connected as a family as we all adjust to the school year schedule.

It always feels good to be greeted with a smile and to receive a hug goodbye. But, when we’re rushing from one thing to the next trying to get to everything on time, we can sometimes forget to take the extra moment to meaningfully greet or part with our kids. That smile that lit up our faces when we lifted our little one from her crib in the morning is still great for our kids to see as we and they interact.

Finding a short note tucked into their lunch bags can be a nice little mid-day moment

Larchmont Charter School

(Continued from page 2) mer Hollygrove elementary students back together as soon as possible, which requires more space than is available at the Wilshire (formerly Hankook Academy) site. “We’re in the process of planning for that with the relevant experts,” she said. Held informed us that the adjoining property at 4950 Wilshire Blvd. has been looked at, but that it is not likely a feasible option because the property is priced too high and does not appear to be zoned for school use.

We are told that the LCS

for our kids to know we’re thinking of them. There are tons of jokes online that are easy to jot onto a piece of paper with an “I love you!” after the humor. A simple, “I hope you have fun on the monkey bars at recess today! Love, Mom” or “I am proud of you for helping make your lunch today! See you later, alligator!” can be a subtle way of connecting even when you’re apart.

Asking open-ended questions is a great way to actually find out what went on during your child’s day. “How was your day?” can easily elicit a “fine.” “Did you have fun at school today?” often gets you a yes or no answer. But, asking things like, “What did you do in P.E. today?” or “Did anyone do anything that was nice or that made you laugh today?” or “Did anyone have something in his or her lunch today that you think we should put on our grocery list?” are questions likely to get actual answers. These can often spark bigger conversa tions, and suddenly you have

community has been flexible, open and creative during this process. “They’ve jumped in to help facilitate the moves, beautify both spaces and sup port each other through this transition,” said Held.

Larchmont Charter’s el ementary program was recognized as one of 2023’s 350 California Distinguished Schools by the California De partment of Education.

Tips on Parenting

by Casey Russell

a bit of a window into your child’s school day.

Along those same lines, it’s a great idea to ask about friends. “Who did you eat lunch with today?” or “Which kids do you like to be partnered with in class?” Questions like these help you get to know who your kid’s new friends are. Making an effort to arrange playdates or hang-out-at-your-place opportunities with these people can strengthen your child’s connections at school (which always make school more fun) and, as a bonus, enable you to get to know the people in your child’s life. Knowing your

kid’s friends not only helps you feel connected to her life, it also can be an asset if, and when, your child comes to you for help with friend problems.

Volunteering can be a wonderful way to really get to know the place where your child spends so much of her day. It can also be an opportunity to become familiar with your kid’s teacher. Knowing a bit about the teacher’s personality and style of teaching, and being comfortable reaching out to him or her, can come in handy throughout the year.

Obviously, the tried and true advice for staying connected as a family is to make an effort to eat dinner together as often as possible. But, for some families, it’s really hard to make that happen. It doesn’t really matter when your family connects.

Maybe breakfast time is when everyone is in one place at one time. Perhaps bedtime is when everyone is home and able to relax for a while together. If it’s tough to connect as a family unit on weekdays, you can carve out some time for family togetherness on the weekends. Go for a bike ride or play a game together. Have a make-your-own ice cream sundae night. Whatever way works for you is the right way for your family.

The main thing I like to keep in mind as a new school year starts is to provide the time and space for my daughter to talk with me when she needs to. If bedtime is a little later because a topic that’s important to her comes up while I’m tucking her in, so be it. I want her to know I’m there and I’m really listening. The feeling of connection we’ll both gain is what family is truly for.

PILGRIM SCHOOL

By Allison Pak 10th Grade

Every year, it is so exciting to see old friends and meet new ones when school begins. On Aug. 25, students and parents in Early Education through grade 12 came on campus for orientation. Our international students have moved into the dormitory and the first day of school was Aug. 28.

Elementary students should arrive at school by 8:15 am and secondary by 9:00 am. It is a tradition that on the first Friday of the school year, students in grades 6 through 12 spend a whole day at the beach. We clean the beach for two hours and then relax or play in the ocean.

Sports practices began in early August to allow teams to prepare for the upcoming school year. For more information about Pilgrim School, please visit www. pilgrim-school.org.

THE WILLOWS

By Birdie Reynolds 8th Grade

Starting Sept.

6, The Willows is back! We’re all looking forward to a year full of field trips, sports and classroom activities.

No matter the circumstance or situation The Willows always tries to integrate small things that make the school feel more

like a community. Whether that is a school wide fitness day or a book fair, it is always something that connects the student body as a whole.

Our unique, yearly theme word — one word that is designated as the year’s theme — exemplifies this integration. It shapes our outlook for the upcoming year, and it gives us direction for art projects and ideas. It is also a representation of how the students in particular want to feel, since all the students vote on what it will be. Past theme words have been things like, reach, dream and story. This year our theme is strength. We are excited to see where this will lead us.

CAMPBELL HALL

By Claire “Cal” Lesher 11th Grade

Welcome back from a hot summer that, hopefully, was full of adventures, fun and relaxation. The first day back for Campbell Hall was Aug. 9 for elementary students, and Aug. 31 for middle and high school students.

However, the campus had been buzzing through part of the summer with the Campbell Hall high school girls’ volleyball team and the varsity high school football team practicing for their new seasons. Girls’ volleyball has its first game is on Aug. 22. The varsity football team’s first game is on Aug. 18. Go teams!

Campbell Hall’s robotics team’s season begins the first

week of school, and auditions for the school play will also take place. The season will begin with one of the many writings of Shakespeare.

During the first chapel of the new school year, our Head of School, the Rev. Canon Julian P. Bull, and our principal Ms. Taylor will be giving inspirational opening words to begin the new year on a positive note.

MARLBOROUGH

By Avery Gough 12th Grade

Many fall sports tryouts and practices began over the summer. Cross country, volleyball and tennis practices occurred in August. School dance auditions also took place in late August and extended for two weeks.

The beginning of school is a busy time for Marlborough students, especially for seniors, like myself. Seniors are writing applications, volunteering, working on Capstone projects, and applying to colleges. We take our senior portraits, design yearbook pages and participate in the first day of school Senior Sunrise tradition during which seniors arrive to watch the sunrise together and see the parent-decorated senior lounge for the first time.

The start of September is an exciting month for younger students. The Middle school sleepover takes place on Sept. 14 and allows the 7th, 8th and 9th graders to bond with their class-

mates, which is especially nice for those new students entering Marlborough in the 7th and 9th grades.

Parents will be able to meet their student’s teachers at Backto-School Night on Sept. 28.

NEW COVENANT ACADEMY

By Sue Jung Park 11th Grade Students

and teachers at New Covenant Academy are back to school and learning. All parents and students were invited to join Back-to-School Night. This event allows parents to know what is in store for their child’s school year, and enables students to share something they have already accomplished during the first month of school.

One of New Covenant Academy’s unique traditions is camp. The school’s annual fall camp takes place in mid-September to give students a break and to facilitate the building of closer bonds with friends and teachers. Students will be able to participate in a variety of activities, including swimming, games and sports!

One exciting piece of news is that the girls’ volleyball team is officially in season. Feel free to come watch the games. The team has been working hard!

THIRD STREET

By Benjamin Reino

6th

Grade

School has begun and everyone is excited about the new school year and all the events that are happening in school. There are many fun things that are coming up in September, so let’s talk about a

few of them.

Coming up first is a movie night on Sept. 8. There will be popcorn, cotton candy and candy sales. Next up, on Sept. 11, Third Street’s annual giving event will begin. Anyone can donate money and other things to the school. On Sept. 12, there will be a back to school breakfast for parents to get a general overview of what’s going to happen this school year. And finally, later in the month, the PTA is going to run a lemonade stand as a fundraiser.

That’s pretty much everything happening in September. Thanks for reading and enjoy your day!

ST. BRENDAN SCHOOL

By Harry Jannone Kim 8th Grade

St. Brendan School students returned to school from summer break excited and ready to learn.

We started school on Aug. 30 with our traditional Wednesday Assembly during which we met our new homeroom teachers, caught up with old friends and met new friends who are joining SBS for the first time.

New this year at SBS is the transitional kindergarten program led by Mrs. Gargantiel. It enables students to become part of our school the year before they enter kindergarten. We are all very excited for our littlest Bears!

Our Student Council, led by new president Charles Gargantiel, was introduced and made its announcements, including the mandatory Curriculum Night for parents after Labor Day.

The 8th-graders are excited to meet their kindergarten little buddies, which is always fun for both grades. We’re all looking forward to another great school year with our St. Brendan Bear’s family!

Kids talk — to each other — at cell phone-free Pilgrim School

By Casey Russell

Summer break is over and, like countless other students in our area, kids at Pilgrim School are back in the classroom. But this year, middle and high school students at the private school will not have access to their cell phones during the school day.

Schools have been trying various methods to stem cell phone usage during school hours. Some teachers insist students put their phones in a specific area in the classroom until class is over. Others rule that phones must be on silent and put away. Pilgrim is the first independent school in Los Angeles to take the initiative to sign on with Yondr.

Created by former professional soccer player Graham Dugoni, Yondr is a San Francisco-based company that helps artists, individuals, organizations and educators create a space free of cell phones. Yondr aims to “carve out places where real connection, focus and creativity can flourish.”

Each of Pilgrim’s 200 mid-

dle and high school students will receive a school-supplied $25 Yondr pouch, which he or she will be responsible for. During the first period class each day, teachers will be making sure each student’s device is in its pouch, and the pouches will be locked. They will remain locked from 9 a.m. until 3:40 p.m. when the school day ends. Students arriving late will have their pouches locked at the front office when they check in.

We spoke with Patricia Kong, Pilgrim’s head of school, about the decision to make this move. She told us that, in recent years, even the

Free and inexpensive fun for families this fall

By Casey Russell

Local museums have a lot to offer year-round. This fall, many of these museums have special workshops and programs for kids and families.

At the Craft Contemporary Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., on Fri., Sept. 1 and Fri., Sept 8 from 3 to 5 p.m., families can participate in open clay time. Admission cost is regular museum admission plus $5. RSVP at craftcontemporary.com.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art Boone Chil-

dren’s Gallery, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., is welcoming visitors of all ages to try their hands at the art of brush painting for free, Saturdays in September at 11 a.m.

Los Angeles County kids under age 17 also can become members of NexGenLA. Members can visit the museum free of charge any time and are able to bring one guest free of admission.

Los Angeles County residents can also visit La Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd.,

(Please turn to page 6)

cafeteria had become a quiet place. Instead of chatting with one another, kids were on their phones. “They weren’t looking up from their devices. They would say, ‘Hi Ms. Kong’ — but only because they heard my heels.” In the hallways, they wouldn’t hear others say ‘hi’ because not only were their heads in their phones, they also had their earbuds in.”

Kong added that students

were experiencing something with which many cell phone users can identify — an impulse they couldn’t control. Even if their phones were on silent, the devices would light up or buzz. The notifications were where students’ minds went. With their cell phones in their hands, they were tempted to look.

“I know in their hearts, they want us to do this for them,” said Kong. She told us that in May, when she announced the change, she was nervous. “I thought they were going to be so upset.” After her announcement, however, some kids came up to her and said, “Thank you, Ms. Kong, for doing this for us.”

The head of school knows that kids are already dealing with social pressure, schoolwork, thoughts about appearances and more. She hopes to at least give kids

a break from social media and their phones during the school day. “I feel kids will be happier,” she said.

Without their devices to escape to or hide their heads in, Kong believes students will actually go outside to eat. They’ll talk to one another. She thinks kids will play the school-provided board games and, in her words, “play more on our very expensive soccer field.” She said she expects kids to be more active in a healthy way.

Pilgrim’s head of school is confident that learning will go way up and that students will be more focused. But, she said, “School is about relationships, too.” She’s excited to help give kids the opportunity to converse with each other in the real world. “I think it’s going to help them clear their heads and make more friends,” she said.

LARCHMONT CHARTER SCHOOL

We are thrilled to welcome our students, families, and staff back to school. We can't wait to connect with our community again and continue the work of our mission...

The mission of Larchmont Charter School is to provide a socio-economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students with an exceptional public education.

We foster creativity and academic excellence; our students learn with and from each other in an experiencecentered, inquiry-based learning environment.

With participation from our entire community, we strive to instill in each student a dedication to improving the world we inhabit.

YONDR phone pouch.

Westside JCC renamed ‘J Los Angeles’

By Helene Seifer

What’s in a name? When the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Boyle Heights moved to its current location on Olympic Boulevard near Fairfax Avenue in 1954, the new address was considered the western edge of the Jewish community, hence the name Westside Jewish Community Center. To acknowledge the fact that Mid City is no lon-

ger the west side of anything, and to signal a commitment to serving a greater swath of our city’s population, Westside JCC has morphed into J Los Angeles, aka JLA or more colloquially, The J. JLA campers commemorated the name change with logo-frosted cookies, and the new J Los Angeles signage was installed on the building’s facade July 26.

Executive Director Brian Greene explains, “The new J Los Angeles brand reflects that our programs are drawing participants from all over the city and challenges us to keep that wider, diverse community a priority.”

Its aquatics center and teen programs notably draw participants from outside JLA’s neighborhood, with 50 percent of teen participants living

more than seven miles away and 30 percent of swimmers traveling more than five miles for lessons, water aerobics and free swimming. There are openings in these programs as well as in their basketball programs for babies on up, including an adult league.

Also open to the public is a family-oriented trip to Is-

Family fun

(Continued from page 5) without paying admission Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.

Museum-goers choosing to visit at earlier times will pay the admission cost but can participate in the museum’s daily excavator tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. for free.

The Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., is offering Little Sparks youth workshops on the third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. Kids ages three to six will explore the science, history and art behind the car

(Please turn to page 13)

rael from Dec. 17 to Dec. 27, 2023. Highlights will include visits to the Old City of Jerusalem and the ancient fortress of Masada, overlooking the mineral-rich Dead Sea. Travelers will on occasion share meals with local Israeli families. For further information about JLA programs, call 323-938-2531.

J LOS ANGELES SUMMER CAMPERS (left to right) Nathan Shechtman, Joe Robbins Regenstreif and Mollie Robbins Regenstreif hold cookies frosted with new logo.

Digital work wins first place in Congressional district

Samantha Abrams’ digital photography won first place in her Congressional District for the annual national Congressional Art Competition. The digital photograph by the 12thgrade Marlborough School student, “Emily: an eternal companion permanently fleeting,” will be included in the Congressional Art Competition in Washington, D.C. In addition, the work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

More than 40 students from 18 schools in Congressional District 30 submitted works of art to the local competition. The awards were presented at an award ceremony at the Ebell of Los Angeles. Stacy Brightman, executive director of The Ebell, was among the panel of judges.

Miracle Mile North resident Mathis Abrams shared the news with us: “The fact that she is my granddaughter leaves us extremely excited and proud, of course!”

FIRST PLACE WINNER in the 30th Congressional District, Samantha Abrams (right), with Congressman Adam Schiff.

Directory of private and public schools

Following is a list of private and public schools both in and outside the Larchmont Chronicle’s delivery area. The information was attained by phone, email and the schools’ websites.

Kindergarten key:

K = kindergarten

TK= transitional K

PK = pre-K

DK = developmental K

Nursery Schools

SPARK PRESCHOOL

4679 La Mirada Ave. 323-422-9690

ourccp.com

For children ages 2 1/2 years to PK. Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., with half and full day options and aftercare until 5 p.m.

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN PRESCHOOL

815 N. Alta Vista Blvd. 323-934-6512

christopherrobinpreschool.com

Susan Huber and Elizabeth de Roo, co-directors. For children ages 1 to 5 years including parent and toddler program and TK program. Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

HAPPY BIRCH PRESCHOOL

1423 & 1429 Tamarind Ave. 323-380-7311

happybirch.net

Dr. George and Mali Rand, co-founders. For children ages 1 to 5 years, including parent and toddler and TK programs. Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., with after care until 5 p.m.

IKAR EARLY

CHILDHOOD CENTER

1564 Burnside Ave. 323-634-1870

ikar.org/learn/ecc

Dr. Jane Rosen is director of education. Children ages 2 to 5 years.

PLYMOUTH SCHOOL

315 S. Oxford Ave. 213-387-7381

theplymouthschool.com

Sondi Toll Sepenuk, director. Ages 2 to 5 years. Full days are 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Half days are 8:45 to 11:45 a.m.

ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL PRESCHOOL DIVISION

625 S. Gramercy Pl. 213-382-2315

sjsla.org

Rochelle Rosel, director. Ages 2 to 5 years. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with before and after school care at 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

SUNSET MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL

1432 N. Sycamore Ave. 323-465-8133

sunsetmontessori.com

Liliya Kordon, head of school. Serves ages 2 to 5 years as well as a parent and me class for kids 18 months and up.

SUNSHINE SHACK

1027 N. Cole Ave. 323-466-4381

thesunshineshack.com

Sara Schuelein, founder and director. Ages 2 to 5 years. Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 2:50 p.m., with after care available.

WAGON WHEEL SCHOOL

653 N. Cahuenga Blvd. 323-469-8994

wagonwheelschool.org

Ruth Segal, director. Ages 2 to 5 years, 110 students. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with optional after school to 4:30 p.m.

WESTSIDE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

PRESCHOOL

5870 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2531 ecc-wjcc.flexly.io

Lauren Friedman, director. Ages 6 weeks to 5 years, infant care, preschool and TK. Hours from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WILSHIRE BLVD. TEMPLE

ERIKA J. GLAZER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

3663 Wilshire Blvd., 90010 213-835-2125 wbtecc.org

Carol Bovill, director. Ages 18 months to 5 years and baby and me classes from birth to 2 1/2 years.

Parochial and Private Schools

ARCHER SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

11725 Sunset Blvd. 310-873-7000 archer.org

Elizabeth English, head of school. Grades six to 12; girls only. 500 students. Tuition is $50,475 plus fees.

BAIS YAAKOV SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

7353 Beverly Blvd. 323-938-3231

Joel Bursztyn, director. Girls only, ninth to 12th grade.

BRAWERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WEST 11661 W. Olympic Blvd. 424-208-8934

BRAWERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EAST

3663 Wilshire Blvd. 213-835-2170 brawerman.org

Gillian Feldman, head of school at East. Brandon Cohen, head of school at West. K to sixth grade, co-ed. Cost at East is $29,660 plus fees and cost at West is $38,195 plus fees.

BRISKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF TEMPLE

ISRAEL OF HOLLYWOOD

7300 Hollywood Blvd. 323-876-8330, ext. 4000 briskinelementary.org

Hannah Bennett, head of school. K to sixth grade. After-school enrichment and supervision

Monday to Thursday until 4:15 p.m. Cost is $27,000 plus fees and temple membership.

THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL

3900 Stansbury Ave. 818-783-1610 buckley.org

Alona Scott, head of school. K to 12th grade. Tuition is $43,540 for K to fifth grade and $51,270 for sixth to 12th grade.

CAMPBELL HALL

4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd. 818-980-7280 campbellhall.org

Julian Bull, head of school. K through 12th grade. Cost for K through sixth is $40,770 plus fees and $47,780 plus fees for seventh through 12th.

CATHEDRAL CHAPEL SCHOOL

755 S. Cochran Ave. 323-938-9976 cathedralchapelschool.org

Donielle Mitchell, principal. Founded in 1930. K to eighth grade.

CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION

563 N. Alfred St. 323-651-0707 centerforearlyeducation.org

Damian Jones, head of school. Founded in 1939, 540 students. Two years to sixth grade. Tuition for toddler & early childhood program is $25,935 for half day, $31,175 for full day; elementary is $36,920.

CHRIST THE KING

617 N. Arden Blvd. 323-462-4753 cksla.org

Ruth Anderson, principal. Catholic school that serves TK to eighth. Cost starts at $6,996 per year plus fees.

CURTIS SCHOOL

15871 Mulholland Dr. 310-476-1251, ext. 820 curtisschool.org

Meera Ratnesar, head of school. Founded in 1925. DK to sixth grade. Tuition is $34,568 plus fees.

ECHO HORIZON 3430 McManus Ave. 310-838-2442 echohorizon.org

Peggy Procter, head of school. PK to sixth grade, 180 students. Cost for PK is $30,477 and K to sixth is $38,128 plus fees.

EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES

6325 Santa Monica Blvd. 323-462-3752 es-la.com

Kenneth Rodgers, Jr., head of school. Grades six through 12 with 211 students. Tuition is $36,050 plus fees.

FUSION ACADEMY

5757 Wilshire Blvd., Prom. 1 323-692-0603 fusionacademy.com

Catherine Lynch, campus director. Rolling enrollment for grades six through 12. Live online, customized one-to-one education with full- and parttime options.

HARVARD-WESTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL

700 N. Faring Rd. 310-274-7281

UPPER SCHOOL

3700 Coldwater Canyon 818-980-6692 hw.com

Richard Commons, president; Laura Ross, head of school. Serves grades seven to 12. Tuition is $46,900 plus fees.

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE

1233 N. McCadden Pl. 323-465-1320 hshla.org

Ilise Faye, head of school. Preschool to sixth grade. Tuition annually is $23,700 for presechool, $29,100 for K, $30,300 for first to third grade and $32,300 for fourth to sixth grade.

IMMACULATE HEART HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

5515 Franklin Ave. 323-461-3651 immaculateheart.org

Maureen S. Diekmann, president; Naemah Z. Morris, high school principal. Gina B. Finer, middle school principal. Girls only, Catholic school for sixth through 12th grades, 700 students. Tuition is $22,350 plus fees.

LAURENCE SCHOOL

13639 Victory Blvd. 818-782-4001 laurenceschool.com

Laurie Wolke, head of school. K to sixth grade. Tuition is $36,950 plus fees per year.

LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE LOS ANGELES 3261 Overland Ave. 310-836-3464 lyceela.org

Clara-Lisa Kabbaz, president. French and English curriculums available. Preschool to 12th grade, co-ed. Six campuses throughout Los Angeles. Tuition starts at $25,350.

LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL

1901 Venice Blvd. 213-381-5121 loyolahs.edu

Rev. Gregory M. Goethals, president. Frank Kozakowski, principal. Over 1,270 boys, ninth to 12th grade, Jesuit Catholic. Freshman year is $24,660 and goes up each academic year.

MARLBOROUGH SCHOOL

250 S. Rossmore Ave. 323-935-1147 marlborough.org

Jennifer Ciccarelli, head of school. Girls only, seventh to 12th grade, 530 students. Tuition is $49,950 plus fees.

MARYMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL

10643 Sunset Blvd. 310-472-1205 mhs-la.org

Jacqueline L. Landry, head of school. Catholic, girls only, ninth to 12th grades. Tuition is $41,075 plus fees.

MAYFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL

405 S. Euclid Ave., Pasadena 626-796-2774 mayfieldjs.org

Joe Sciuto, head of school. Founded in 1931, independent, Catholic (Holy Child community), and coed. K to eighth grade, 515 students. Tuition for grades K through fourth, $28,370; grades five through eighth, $29,050.

MAYFIELD SENIOR SCHOOL

500 Bellefontaine St. Pasadena 626-799-9121 mayfieldsenior.org

Laura Farrell, head of school. Girls only, ninth to 12th grade. 330 students. Tuition is $33,800.

MILKEN COMMUNITY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

15900 Mulholland Dr. 310-903-4800

UPPPER SCHOOL

15800 Zeldins’ Way 310-440-3500 milkenschool.org

Head of school is Dr. Sarah Shulkind. Serves grades six through 12, incorporates Jewish values and college prepatory. Tuition is $49,950 plus fees.

NEW COVENANT ACADEMY

3119 W. 6th St. 213-487-5437 e-nca.org

Jason Song, principal. K to 12th grade, Christian and coed. Tuition for K to fifth grade is $16,900; sixth to eighth grades is $18,150; ninth to 12th grade is $19,950 plus fees.

NEW HORIZON SCHOOL

434 S. Vermont Ave. 213-480-3145 newhorizonla.org

Jolanda Hendricks, principal. Islamic education for 75 students. Preschool to fifth grade, co-ed. Preschool and PK costs $8,300 and K to fifth costs $7,500 plus fees.

NEW ROADS

3131 Olympic Blvd. 310-828-5582 newroads.org

Luthern Williams, principal. K to 12th grade, co-ed, 520 students. Tuition K to fifth is $38,600, sixth to 12th is $47,300 plus fees.

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2911 Overland Ave. 310-287-3895

HIGH SCHOOL

2851 Overland Ave. 310-839-5289 ndasla.org

Lilliam Paetzold, president. Elementary school is TK to eighth grade, coed. The high school is girls only, ninth to 12th grade. Tuition for the year ranges from $12,760 to $24,450 plus fees, depending on the grade.

THE OAKS

6817 Franklin Ave. 323-850-3755 oaksschool.org

Ted Hamory, head of school. K to sixth grade, 150 students. Tuition is $33,120 plus fees per year.

OAKWOOD

Elementary Campus

11230 Moorpark St. 818-732-3500

Secondary Campus

11600 Magnolia Blvd. 818-732-3000 oakwoodschool.org

Jaime Dominguez, head of school. K to 12th grade. Tuition is $41,350 plus fees for elementary school and $49,360 plus fees for middle and high school.

PAGE ACADEMY OF HANCOCK PARK

565 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-463-5118 pageacademyca.com

Kristin Dickson, head of school. Age 2 to eighth grade. Tuition is $26,950 plus fees.

PARK CENTURY SCHOOL

3939 Landmark S. 310-840-0500 parkcenturyschool.org

Julie Porter, head of school. Serves grades one to eight with language-based learning differences. Tuition is $65,453 per year.

PILGRIM SCHOOL

540 S. Commonwealth Ave. 213-385-7351 pilgrim-school.org

Patricia Kong, head of school. Parent and me, preschool through to 12th grade. Tuition ranges from $23,891 plus fees for preschool to $41,477 plus fees for high school.

SHALHEVET HIGH SCHOOL

910 S. Fairfax Ave. 323-930-9333 shalhevet.org

Rabbi David Block, head of school; Daniel Weslow, principal. Grades nine to 12, co-ed, Jewish. Tuition is $44,250 plus fees per year.

ST. BRENDAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

238 S. Manhattan Pl. 213-382-7401 stbrendanschoolla.org

Collette Young, principal. K to eighth grade. Tuition starts at $703 per month plus fees.

ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL

625 S. St. Andrews Pl. 213-382-2315 sjsla.org

Peter Reinke, head of school. PK to sixth grade. Tuition is $27,210 for PK, $36,820 for K and first and $34,710 for second to sixth plus fees.

STEM3 ACADEMY

6455 Coldwater Canyon Ave. 877-943-5747 stem3academy.org

Ellis Crasnow, co-founder and director, Megan Davis, principal of elementary and middle shcool, Zaldy Ramirez interim principal for high school. Specializes in STEM (science, technology, engineering and

math) subjects for students with high-functioning autism, ADHD or other social or learning challenges.

TREE ACADEMY

8628 Holloway Dr. 424-204-5165 treeacademy.org

Allison Curry, interim director. For kids sixth to 12th grades. Provides accredited small classes with individualized instruction. Cost is $39,750 plus fees.

TURNING POINT

8780 National Blvd. 310-841-2505 turningpointschool.org

Laura Konigsberg, head of school. Pre-school to eighth grade. Pre-school tuition per year is $30,850 plus fees, $37,675 plus fees for K to fourth grade and $41,975 plus fees for fifth to eighth grade.

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

737 Hawaii St., El Segundo 310-643-7377 vistamarschool.org

Chris Bright, head of school. Ninth to 12th grade. Tuition is $45,468 plus fees.

WESLEY SCHOOL

4832 Tujunga Ave. 818-508-4542 wesleyschool.org

Julie Galles, head of school. Coed. K to eighth grade. Tuition for K to fifth grade is $33,685 per year; sixth to eighth grades is $37,625 per year.

WESTMARK

5461 Louise Ave. 818-986-5045 westmarkschool.org

Marla Yukelson is director of lower shcool, Stephanie Braun is director of middle school and Jay Johnson is director of upper school. For children in grades two to 12 with language-based learning differences. Tuition is $61,080.

WESTRIDGE SCHOOL

324 Madeline Dr. 626-799-1153 westridge.org

Andrea Kassar, head of school. Girls only, fourth to 12th grades. Tuition is $33,920 for grades four to six, $38,350 for grades seven and eight and $44,225 for grades nine through 12.

WILLOWS COMMUNITY

8509 Higuera St. 310-815-0411 thewillows.org

Lisa Rosenstein, head of school. DK to eighth grade. Tuition for DK is $35,525, K to fifth grade is $34,690 and grades sixth to eighth tuition is $39,800 per year.

YAVNEH HEBREW

ACADEMY

5353 W. 3rd St. 323-931-5808 yha.org

Rabbi Schlomo Einhorn, rav and dean. Established in 1958. Co-ed, from 2 years old to eighth grade. Tuition ranges

from $13,500 to $23,800 plus fees depending on grade.

Public Elementary Schools

CHARLES H. KIM

ELEMENTARY

225 S Oxford Ave. 213-368-5600

kim-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Jonathan Paek, principal. K to fifth grade. Special education, gifted and talented, Spanish immersion, maintenance bilingual Korean program and structured English immersion programs.

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD HOLLYWOOD

1316 N. Bronson Ave. 323-464-4292 cwchollywood.org

Jirusha Lopez, principal. TK to fifth grade. Charter school.

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD SILVER LAKE

Grades TK-5

110 N. Coronado St. 323-705-9882

Grades 6-8

221 S. Juanita Ave. 323-462-2840 cwcsilverlake.org

Maureen Lamorena-Tatsui, co-principal for grades TK to five, James Boganey, co-prinicipal for grades six to eight. TK to eighth grade. Charter school.

LARCHMONT CHARTER

FAIRFAX

1265 N. Fairfax Ave. 323-656-6418 larchmontcharter.org

Mersedeh Emrani, principal. Jennifer Santangelo, assistant principal. TK to fourth grade.

LARCHMONT CHARTER

HOLLYGROVE@WILSHIRE

Grades TK - 2 4900 Wilshire Blvd.

Grades 3-4 6611 Slema Ave. 323-836-0860 larchmontcharter.org

Eva Orozco, principal, Domi Miyamoto, assistant principal. TK to fourth grade.

MELROSE

MATHEMATICS/ SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY MAGNET

731 N. Detroit St. 323-938-6275 melrosestars.org

Mathew Needleman, principal. Stacy Bertuccelli, magnet coordinator. K to fifth grade. Gifted and talented program. NEW LOS ANGELES

5421 Obama Rd. 323-556-9500 newlaelementary.org

Jenna Rosenberg, principal. Jessica Fox, assistant principal. K to fifth grade. Charter school. THIRD STREET

ELEMENTARY

201 S. June St. 323-939-8337 thirdstreetschool.com

Hae Lee, principal. Expanded TK to fifth grade.

VAN NESS AVENUE ELEMENTARY

501 N. Van Ness Ave. 323-469-0992 vannesselementary.com

Pauline Hong, principal. TK to fifth grade for general education; PK to fifth grade for visual impairment special education. Science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) program, Mandarin language program,

WILSHIRE CREST ELEMENTARY

5241 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-5291

wce-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Gayle Robinson, principal. TK to fifth grade, PALs (pre-school special education), Spanish immersion program TK to 4.

WILSHIRE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

4063 Ingraham St. 213-739-4760 rockets-lausd-ca.schoolloop. com

LeighAnne Creary, principal. TK to fifth grade. Korean immersion program K to first. WILTON PLACE ELEMENTARY

745 S. Wilton Pl. 213-389-1181 wiltonplacees-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Marie-France Rallion, principal. TK to fifth grade. Dual-language programs for Spanish/ English and Korean/English. School for advanced studies in grades third to fifth.

Public Middle Schools

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD SILVER LAKE

152 N. Vermont Ave. 323-705-9882 cwcsilverlake.org

James Boganey, co-principal. Sixth to eighth grade. Charter school.

JOHN BURROUGHS MIDDLE SCHOOL

600 S. McCadden Pl. 323-549-5000 burroughsms.org

Steve Martinez, principal. Samuel Corral, magnet coordinator. Sixth to eighth grade. National magnet school of excellence, school for advanced studies, Korean and Spanish dual language programs.

LARCHMONT CHARTER AT SELMA 6611 Selma Ave. 323-871-4000 larchmontcharter.org

Yasmin Esmail, principal. Grades five to eight. NEW LA CHARTER

1919 S. Burnside Ave. 323-939-6400 newlamiddle.org

Gabrielle Brayton, principal. Terrence Wright, assistant principal. Grades six to eighth grades.

Public High Schools

7850 Melrose Ave 323-370-1200 fairfaxhs.org

Lorraine Trollinger, principal. Ninth to 12th grade. Programs feature career technical education, visual arts and police academy magnets.

GIRLS

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, DR. MICHELLE KING SCHOOL FOR STEM 1067 West Blvd. 323-900-4532 galacademy.org

Elizabeth Hicks, principal. Sixth to 12th grades. Girls only. Concentrates in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects.

GRAND ARTS

450 N. Grand Ave. 213-217-8600 central-lausd-ca.schoolloop. com/grand_faculty

Lori Gambero, principal. Grades nine through 12. Focuses on the arts.

HAMILTON HIGH 2955 S. Robertson Blvd. 310-280-1400 hamiltonhighschool.net

Jennifer Baxter, principal. Ninth to 12th grade. Includes business and interactive technology academy, communication arts academy, global studies program, and mathematics, science and medicine program. Magnet schools include music and performing arts and humanities.

HOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

1521 N. Highland Ave. hollywoodhighschool.net

Samuel Dovlatian, principal grades nine through 12. Teaching career academy, performing arts magnet, school for advanced studies and new media magnet.

LARCHMONT CHARTER AT LAFAYETTE PARK 2801 W. 6th St. 213-867-6300 larchmontcharter.org

Mike Kang, principal. Lori Lausche and Haydee Garay, assistant principals. Grades nine to 12th grade.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

5151 State University Dr., Bldg. 20 323-343-2550 lachsa.net

John Lawler, principal. Ninth to 12th grade. Specializing in college preparatory and visual and performing arts.

LOS ANGELES HIGH

4650 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-900-2700 lahigh.org

Marguerette Gladden, principal. Ninth to 12th grade. Includes science, technology, engineering and math magnet, career and technical education and gifted and talented program.

Residents paddle to raise most funds for World Wildlife Fund

By Nona Sue Friedman

The World Wide Fund for Nature, (originally the World Wildlife Fund [WWF], the name it still uses in the United States), is an organization dedicated to conserving and protecting natural resources. In mid-August, WWF sponsored its national Panda Paddle fundraiser. Windsor Square resident Stuart Gibbs was the highest personal fundraiser nationally. Also, his team, the Water Bears, raised the most money as a team.

Panda Paddle participants need to paddle five kilometers in any sort of watercraft. Local Water Bears used kayaks and stand up paddleboards in Marina del Rey to complete their portion. Gibbs and his team raised more than $10,000 for WWF.

Libraries: Create puppets, decorate notebooks

FAIRFAX LIBRARY

Babies & Toddlers

Story time: Listen to stories, sing songs and learn rhymes every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Adults

Walk-in tutoring: Every

Wednesday, at 4:30 p.m. and every Thursday, at 2 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

All ages

Book Sale: Big selection Fri., Sept. 8, and Sat., Sept. 9, starting at noon.

MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Toddlers

Story time in the park: Listen to stories and sing songs in Memorial Park Wednesdays, Sept. 6, 13 and 20, at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool painters: Visit the library for potentially messy painting on Mon., Sept. 18, at 11 a.m.

Kids

Puppet workshop: Create a puppet to take home using recycled materials on Sat., Sept. 9, at 11 a.m.

Reading to the rescue: If you love dogs and books, visit Wed., Sept. 13, at 4 p.m. to read to a dog.

Kids & Teens

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

Teens

Surprise: Come by for surprise activities Thursdays, Sept. 7 and 21, at 4 p.m.

Adults

B.Y.O. needle arts: Work on needlecrafts while sitting with others every Monday this month at 1 p.m.

Art class: Color or paint with peers on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

Book club: Meet on Fri., Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. to discuss titles by Sharyn McCrumb. The title for next month (Oct. 6), is “The Spectacular” by Fiona Davis.

All ages

Chess club: Play chess or learn how each Friday in September, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Book sale: Buy your next favorite book every Tuesday this month from 12:30 to 5 p.m. and every Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. All proceeds support the library.

Solar art: Learn about the power of the sun prior to the solar eclipse in October. Make art on cyanotype paper Sat., Sept. 23, at 1 p.m.

WILSHIRE LIBRARY

Kids, Tweens & Teens Decorate notebooks: Decorate your newest backto-school notebook on Thurs., Sept. 28, from 4 to 5 p.m.

LIBRARIES

FAIRFAX

161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191

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

MEMORIAL

4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2732

WILSHIRE

149 N. St. Andrews 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. The library will be closed Mon., Sept. 4 in honor of Labor Day.

MARLBOROUGH STUDENTS Annabelle Johnson (left) and Ellie Birdwell (right) paddle for the winning team.

HIGHEST FUNDRAISER. Stuart Gibbs and his son, Dashiell, paddle in Marina del Rey.

Very few things can match being the parent of an athlete

Change is hard. Don’t I know it.

I’m not the dad who sits in silence when watching his son play sports. Part of the problem, whether he’s competing in basketball, volleyball, soccer, flag football or baseball, is that I’ve sometimes been his coach. Coaches can’t be quiet, at least not all of the time. But that hasn’t been the challenge. What’s difficult is sitting on the sidelines silently when I’m not his coach.

My wife isn’t much better. Sometimes Heidi and I have to yell over one another (maybe we shouldn’t sit together at his sporting events when I’m not coaching). She comes from a family of athletes and competition enthusiasts. She has an older sister who played for the St. Louis Streaks in the short-lived WPBL (Women’s Pro Basketball League) in the early 1980s, her family raised racehorses, and her father was a tight end for the Cleveland Browns. There’s clout when she yells from the sidelines.

X parent

We attended the X Games in Ventura last month. During the women’s skateboard street competition, we stood next to the mother of Brazilian skater Pamela Rosa. The poor woman was so nervous during

Youth Sports

by Jim Kalin

her daughter’s run she could barely watch, and she kept her head buried in her arms.

Skateboarding has been the one activity where we can sit subdued and just watch our son participate. My wife and I have found skate parks relaxing. It’s hard to beat a beachside seat and the ocean breeze at Venice Beach Skatepark. We especially enjoy the inquisitive European tourists.

“Would your son let us take his picture?”

“How many bones has he broken?”

“Do you get nervous watching him skate?”

Admittedly, it is nerve-wracking when he drops into a 13-foot bowl or kickflips a six stair, but he’s not competing against anyone at the skate parks. He’s also sympathetic to our concern and wears a helmet and wrist guards.

I probably wouldn’t be so calm if he was competing in the X Games.

Volleyball

Our son was on Larchmont Charter School’s seventh-toeighth-grade volleyball team this spring. He had never played it before, but he did great and has embraced the sport. We now search out recreation facilities across Greater Los Angeles that offer open-gym summer volleyball sessions so he can get off-season playing time. Our favorites have been Burbank’s McCambridge Rec Center and Terasaki Budokan in Downtown Los Angeles.

Open gyms do not always provide spectator seating, which is fine; it’s about players, not parents. My wife and I don’t mind the gymnasium floor when there are no bleachers. We bring a water bottle that we share and a duffle bag filled with magazines and books we never read.

I can talk to my wife for hours.

On weekends, we sometimes head out to Santa Monica’s beach volleyball courts where our son solicits teams who might be missing a player.

For the spectator, beach volleyball is about dogs and hot sand. I don’t play (they never ask me), so I’m usually off retrieving balls that my son has spiked. I like to help. The

courts are far from the water, so the sand gets hot. I wear

Basketballs start bouncing with Goldie’s girls

By Nona Sue Friedman

Goldie’s Youth Sports (GSY) is filling up its fall season now. GSY is a girls’ basketball league for ages 6 to 16. The season starts Mon., Oct. 2, and continues through Sun., Dec. 10. Players are divided into teams by age. The season comprises one hour-long practice and one game each week in the gym at St. Brendan School, 238 S. Manhattan Pl. Register at goldiesyouthsports.com through Thurs., Sept. 14.

socks — no shoes — which kindles laughter when I’m chugging across the scorching beach after a ball.

Dogs are common at beach volleyball courts. The games are relaxed and acquaintances are made through weekend volleyball. My wife always brings dog treats and volunteers to babysit any pooch whose owner is competing. We don’t get to visit with each other much in Santa Monica. As my son grows older, the coaching opportunities for me are disappearing. And once he starts driving, we won’t be needed for rides. Change. It’s inevitable.

Green eggs and ham on Books ’n Brunch menu

Donors, sorters and more are needed to help out at Big Sunday’s Books ’n Brunch on Sat., Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the group’s headquarters at 4351 Melrose Ave. New and gently used books for kids of all ages are being collected for this annual celebration of reading, and green eggs and ham will be served! Big Sunday, founded in 1999, believes the world is full of the “haves” and the “have mores.” Visit bigsunday.org.

Preschool and Elementary Open Houses

Saturday, November 4, 2023 -9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Saturday, December 9, 2023 -9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Preschool Small Group Tours

Every Wednesday Oct 11 - Nov 15, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Elementary Small Group Tours

Every Tuesday Sept 12 - Nov 14, 2023 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

*Closed the week of Nov 20th for Thanksgiving

For more information, please scan below

HEIDI with new friend Stevie in Santa Monica.

Art students from Larchmont Charter explore France, London

By Avery Owen-Lara

About 40 juniors and seniors from Larchmont Charter High School traveled to Paris and London in July for an art-oriented tour of the two cities. We drove around in a bus, but we did plenty of walking and exploring on our own.

On our first full day in Paris, we went to Musée D’Orsay, which mostly has art from the Impressionist era. This was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip. I was able to see in person all the influential art that my teacher and group leader, Stacey Mahony, had shared with us during our art history lessons. We also visited the Eiffel Tower. The view was breathtaking, and the climb down was very difficult on my legs.

On our second day, we visited the Louvre, which was impossible to navigate but a beautiful place to get lost

in. Afterward, we went to the Luxembourg Gardens. It was very peaceful and serene. We did an art activity there where we looked at perspective and drew our surroundings.

Most of our group went on an excursion to the country-

side while some of us stayed in the city for a free day. My brother, Diego, who was also on the trip, went to the countryside. He said it was his favorite day of the trip. He visited the town of Chartres, which has a massive Gothic cathedral, toured other small, nearby towns and took in the beautiful French countryside.

Our fourth day, we visited the Palace of Versailles. It was by far the most grand and opulent place I have ever been. We also went to a perfume museum and had a history lesson on French perfume. That night, we did a river cruise on the Seine, which was a beautiful way to see the city.

On our last day in Paris, we visited Monet’s home and garden in Giverny. Throughout our stay in Paris, we saw a lot of amazing gardens, but Monet’s water garden was by far my favorite. We also walked through his home and studio, where I learned a lot about him as an artist and as a person.

I am very grateful for the experience of trying to speak and learn a new language. Being familiar with Spanish was sometimes helpful but before I left for the trip I knew very little French. It was often scary but people were accommodating and kind. I always made sure to approach strangers or retail employees with a smile and a “Bonjour.”

When I was able to speak to Parisian locals, it was always really eye-opening. We were able to exchange details of our lives and share certain insights about the places we lived.

London

Our group took the Eurostar train, through the Channel Tunnel to London. As soon as we arrived I had the most

delicious Indian food. London was also a really great place to walk the streets. During our free time, I discovered such cute shops and lots of bookstores.

The next day — our last full day in London — ended up being a free day due to complications with the bus and street closures from the London Pride parade. Although this day was an unplanned free day, everyone had a really great time. I went to the Pride parade with some friends. It was the first time any of us had gone to a Pride parade and it was a really incredible experience.

The food on this trip was fantastic. For dinner, we ate as a group at restaurants that our tour guide took us to, such as one where we had delicious savory crepes made out of buckwheat flour. Lunchtime was free time. Our tour guide would give us restaurant suggestions and then we could explore on our own. This was always fun because it was nice being able to walk around independently. I feel fortunate to have been able to go on this trip. It was so much fun and full of unforgettable experiences.

I appreciate Ms. Mahony and our tour guide for making sure we were all safe but also for giving us the freedom to explore on our own.  Avery Owen-Lara is a senior at Larchmont Charter High School. She lives in Windsor Square.

‘Spooktacular’ is coming to Bob Baker Theater

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is getting into the Halloween spirit early this year. Starting Sat., Sept. 16, and lasting through Sat., Nov. 5, the marionettes will be performing “Halloween Spooktacular!”

More than 100 puppets will be making an appearance in the hour-long, family-friendly show, including Frankenstein’s monster and glow-in-the-dark skeletons. For added fun, all October “Spooktacular” performances will also feature a Halloween costume parade for guests.

Performances will take place Saturdays and Sundays. Visit bobbakermarionettetheater.com for times and more details.

Hancock Park’s neighborhood school since 1924!

Identified by Los Angeles Magazine as a school to know about, 3rd Street provides a rigorous, forward-looking curriculum in a nurturing learning environment. 3rd Street Panthers continue on to higher education and become the distinguished, civic-minded leaders of tomorrow.

We welcome you to join us for one of our upcoming campus tours. For more information visit www.thirdstreetschool.com/enrollment-tours.

This year we are proud to welcome all our new and returning students back to campus, including our home school, Korean Dual Language Program and Gifted Magnet classes.

SACRÉ-COEUR was one of the many sites visited by art students this summer.

LARCHMONT CHARTER High School art students pose in front of Chartres Cathedral.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand raises money, gets love on Boulevard

By Nona Sue Friedman

Kids and chefs opened a lemonade stand in front of Levain Bakery on Aug. 18 to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization that supports cancer research for children. For each donation, the organizers shouted their thanks, making a small scene. This lively reaction attracted quite a crowd to the stand, encouraging additional passersby to purchase homemade lemonade.

The stand’s organizer, Alex Lentz, daughter of chefs Suzanne Goin and David Lentz, is a junior at Polytechnic School in Pasadena.

She said she’s “been making lemonade and raising money for this organization for as long as I can remember.” In fact, she made all of the day’s lemonade herself from scratch. It took the entire previous day and a lot of lemons!

Lentz relayed that the regular Larchmont merchants were “so kind and welcoming, which made the stand so much more fun and enjoyable. We even got free ice cream from Salt & Straw.”

Levain pitched in by contributing a portion of that day’s sales of their lemon loaf to help support the endeavor.

The bakery’s employees were enthusiastic about the stand and donned bandanas from Alex’s.

In total, about $1,200 was raised.

The stand on Larchmont was part of a qualifying event to attend “LA Loves Alex’s

Family fun

(Continued from page 6) through museum collections, crafts and experiments. Workshop admission is included with the child’s admission ticket, but parents are advised to sign up on the website (petersen. org) ahead of time.

The Petersen also runs the Reading Roadsters reading program every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Included with their admission tickets, kids can listen to a

live reading which is followed by some activity sparked by the read-aloud. Books are read by museum staff members or guest authors.

For older kids interested in automobiles, the Petersen is offering a free teen auto workshop on Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The one-day class for middle and high school students will be taught by museum mechanics and will introduce participants to the basics of auto mechanics. Please sign up at petersen.org.

Lemonade: Kids’ Campaign” taking place at UCLA on Sat., Sept. 23. Lentz is a co-chairperson of that event. For more information, visit alexslemonade.org.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand was founded by Alex, age 4, who wanted her doctors to have

money to cure cancer for all children. She started with a single lemonade stand in 2000 that raised $2,000. Four years later, two weeks before her death, she and a network of lemonade stands had raised $1 million, her goal and the seed money for the foundation.

SELLING LEMONADE on Larchmont Boulevard are (left to right) Suzanne Goin, Alex Lentz, Aaliyan Motivala and Avery Eisenbauer.

BELOW, crowds gather to purchase lemonade and support child cancer research. Photo courtesy of Levain

Goal! Fall soccer season set to start

By Suzan Filipek

The AYSO Region 78 Hollywood-Wilshire Fall 2023 season starts Sat., Sept. 9, with games mostly played at Fairfax High School.

Registration is underway and will continue to Tues., Sept. 12, or later for both the 5U and 6U divisions. The 6U Division (2018 birth year) season will start Sat., Sept. 16. The 5U (2019 birth year) will start Sat., Sept. 23. The older divisions (7U-19U) have a waitlist.

Region 78 Hollywood-Wilshire has been the local soccer league since

1976, with lots of Larchmont kids playing in the league. It also draws players from surrounding communities, such as Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, Miracle Mile and Hollywood, Regional Commissioner Kurt Muller tells us.

“While AYSO is open to both boys and girls, the popularity of soccer with girls has never been bigger, especially with this summer’s Women’s World Cup. Popular players

like Alex Morgan got their start in AYSO,” Muller said. Visit ayso.org/ayso-alumni. Keep spring in mind when a small number of teams play in an Area Spring League. “Spring is a unique opportunity for the 7- and 8-year-olds to play a more formal game of soccer with a bigger field and goalkeepers for the first time, which is great prep for when they advance to 10U in the fall season,” Muller said.

Larchmont among local places named in ‘Best of’

By Iona Lee

The votes are in, and the Larchmont area has many winners in the so-called “Westside / Downtown / East Los Angeles” region of the Los Angeles Times 2023 “The Best of The Southland.” Categories ranged from best donuts and Korean restaurants to day spas and charities.

The top local winners are LACMA; Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market, Bistro and Seafood Market; Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese; Canter’s Deli and

BCD Tofu House.

Larchmont Village was among the finalists in the Shopping Destination category along with The Grove.

Other finalists were local museums: the Academy Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum and La Brea Tar Pits.

Local eateries were Met Her at a Bar, Canter’s Deli, Bob’s Coffee, Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee, Le Petit Greek, El Cholo, Guelaguetza Restaurant and Providence.

Others on the list included Larchmont Sanctuary Spa, Project Angel Food, Liz’s Antique Hardware and The Loft at Liz’s and Kip’s Toyland. Other favorites of locals were Bob Baker Marionette Theater, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Hollywood Bowl.

According to a spokesperson at the Los Angeles Times, voting for the “best of the best” from all five regional areas ends Sept. 3. The results will be released on Nov. 5.

To be nominated for the finals, the restaurants and businesses must have been nominated for their regions and won their sections.

Categories include entertainment, food and drink, health and wellness, home and garden and shopping and services. The results can be viewed at latimes.com/ bestofthesouthland.

Iona Lee is a senior at Harvard Westlake School.

LARCHMONT VILLAGE was among finalists in the Shopping Destination category in “The Best of the Southland.” Here, it welcomes the 2018 Larchmont Family Fair.

HOLLYWOOD-WILSHIRE league 8U girls team with Coach Andy Hekimian last spring.

Fairfax High School prepares for its centennial celebrations

By Casey Russell

Fairfax High School’s first day of classes was nearly 100 years ago — on Sept. 8, 1924. To mark the centennial, various celebrations and events will take place, and alumni are busy raising funds to cover the costs.

A committee of Fairfax alums — from the classes of 1965 to 2015 — has raised $100,000, co-chair Beverly Meyer told us. But, with

Left: COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR

Beverly Meyer encourages people to save the date for the Fairfax High School centennial.

Los Angeles High School celebrates its 150th year

The oldest public high school in the city, Los Angeles High School, celebrates its sesquicentennial this year. An event on Aug. 20 was planned to mark the milestone, but it was postponed due to weather.

A new date is being chosen for the celebration. Heather Hutt of the 10th City Council District and Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer are slated to give opening remarks.

Los Angeles High has some

notable alumni including attorney Johnny Cochran, actor / activist George Takei of “Star Trek,” Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman, Magic Castle co-founder Milt Larsen, science fiction author Ray Bradbury, John Welborne’s grandmother Margaret Cornwell Schoder (class of spring 1900) and many others.

The school was originally built in 1873 and moved to its current location at 4650 W. Olympic Blvd. in 1917.

all that the group has in the works, more is needed.

Planned for the spring of 2024 are a golf tournament, a hall of fame induction ceremony and an alumni picnic.

A three-day celebration is being organized for Fri., Sept. 6, to Sun., Sept. 8, 2024. It will include all-day events on campus, carnival games, food

provided by alumni and local vendors, music, a brunch, an alumni concert, designated contact points for each decade of students to get together, a homecoming game and a nostalgically themed alumni homecoming dance.

Many students from years past have already donated, as have some local business-

es whose current owners are alums. Meyer told us that All About the Bread, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Plancha Tacos and Canter’s Deli have generously donated.

Anyone interested in contributing to the fundraising efforts should email the Fairfax High School Alumni Association at fhsaa.1924@gmail.com.