Larchmont Chronicle
VOL. 58, NO. 11 • DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
IN THIS ISSUE
Homeless housing set to open
Contested local seats on Nov. 3 ballot n 12 state propositions, one county measure, one LAUSD measure
n Built to last, and move
DINING GUIDE 13-21
KIP’S TOYLAND celebrates 75th year! 3
GALAS raise funds and new interest. 6
DAYS of yore.
14
For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
By Suzan Filipek Two homeless housing facilities designed with prefabricated steel modules and constructed relatively quickly, yet with comfort in mind, are readying to open. Hope on Lafayette, a 70-bed dormitory-style bridge housing project, has an end-ofNovember target opening date. A certificate of occupancy for this project is expected by Oct. 31. “The opening would be 30 days later,” said Michael Tonetti, communications deputy for Council District 10, in which the project, at Wilshire Blvd. between Hoover St. and Lafayette Park Pl., is situated. Hope on Alvarado, an 84-unit permanent supportive project, expects to have residents move See Homeless housing, p 29
Larchmont Blvd. Holiday Open House Nov. 28
By Rachel Olivier Hear live holiday music while strolling the boulevard or see Santa come by in a fire truck at the Larchmont Boulevard Association’s annual Holiday Open House and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be no trolley to take people between the open house and the Wilshire Rotary tree lot this year, but the tree lot will be open. Participating stores will have seasonal sales. Food, drink and raffle tickets will also be available for purchase. This event is in conjunction with American Express’ Small Business Saturday to encourage shopping at small, local businesses and to keep communities strong and vibrant.
Holidays on Larchmont
Light up your holidays with the Larchmont Chronicle! Our annual holiday edition is featured in the December issue. Advertising deadline is Thurs., Nov. 12. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241, ext. 11.
NOVEMBER 2020
VILLAGE PIZZERIA has been serving pizza pies in a colorful atmosphere on Larchmont Boulevard for more than 24 years.
Larchmont stores struggle, seek help from community n Chevalier’s Books, Village Pizzeria need support By Billy Taylor As pandemic-related pain continues for many small businesses, several beloved shops on Larchmont Boulevard have reached out to the community to share their struggles. Here’s what Chevalier’s Books, Village Pizzeria and YogaWorks are saying. Chevalier’s Books Supporters of Chevalier’s Books, the oldest independent bookstore in Los Angeles, received an Oct. 5 email asking for their support as the bookstore faces an existential question of whether to close or move to a more expensive location, after the shop’s current lease ends next month. Signed by co-owners Bert Deixler and Darryl Holter, the message explained that due to the pandemic, sales had fallen
by about 40 percent, and then their landlord, Christina Development, announced that it would not extend the lease. “We’ve located a vacant space on Larchmont that could be a new home for us, but the rent there will be more than double what we currently pay,” the email read. “We are now asking you to help keep Chevalier’s Books a part of the Larchmont community. As the holiday season approaches, we ask you to consider making us your one-stop-shop for all your bookish needs. … If we are all in it together, we can continue to have a first-class independent bookstore in our neighborhood.” Two weeks later, Deixler told the Chronicle that the response from residents has See Stores struggle, p 28
By John Welborne Incumbent Fourth District City Councilmember David Ryu is facing a challenge from newcomer Nithya Raman. The district includes most of Larchmont, Hancock Park and surrounding Larchmont Chronicle readership areas. See the map of local political districts on page 8. Other local candidates in highly contested elections on the Nov. 3 ballot are Holly Mitchell, who is running against Herb Wesson to represent the Second District on the County Board of Supervisors, and Mark Ridley-Thomas, who is competing with Grace Yoo to represent Council District 10. This year, our four incumbent members of the U.S. See Election, p 9
‘Destination’ vote centers open till Nov. 3 By Rachel Olivier Instead of being limited to a specific polling place for the Nov. 3 election, voters can pick from any Vote Center in the county to cast or drop off their ballots. Whether it’s a “destination” Vote Center like the Hollywood Bowl, or simply the center most convenient for the day’s errands, there are more See Vote centers, p 30
Safer alternatives to trick-or-treating advised n Wear a costume and enjoy a safe, spooky holiday By Talia Abrahamson Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic does not need to mean “all dressed up and nowhere to go.” Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offer suggestions for how to enjoy a low-risk spooky holiday. Although not explicitly banned, traditional trick-ortreating and the modern spinoff “trunk-or-treating,” where children receive treats from
car-to-car instead of door-todoor, are not recommended. County-wide Halloween gatherings with non-household members are also not permitted, even if they take place outside and have fewer than the three-household maximum allowed by the state. Keep it online County officials say that the safest Halloween celebrations include spending time with household members and celebrating virtually. Online See Safer alternatives, p 25
COSTUMED. Bardot Montoya (left), Sycamore Ave., a third grader, is Mal of “The Descendants.” Her younger brother, Viper, is a pirate. Or is he a ninja?
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