Larchmont Chronicle H
VOL. 59, NO. 12 • DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
IN THIS ISSUE
New building is on very top of Alexandria House wish list
ON THE BOULEVARD
Season is looking bright
n Donations sought to purchase 39-unit site
HOLIDAY issue.
LOCAL politics, fiction, area lanterns. 8
WINTER wonderland, twice nightly. 11
NEW TREE on the Boulevard. 2-4 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
By Suzan Filipek Sister Judy Vaughan, executive director of Alexandria House, is hopeful she will have enough donations by the end of the month to purchase an adjacent building for low-cost, permanent, supportive housing. The nun, who is with the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet, has managed Alexandria House transitional shelter for 25 years on prayers, communal meals and largely private donations. Her goal of raising $12 million to buy and renovate the 39-unit apartment building directly behind Alexandria House is not a pipe dream. “We’ve been really lucky. We’ve been really blessed. We’ve had a lot of miracles. … See Alexandria House, p 15
Christmas trees are on Larchmont The Wilshire Rotary tree lot, at 568 N. Larchmont Blvd., was scheduled to be open and add joy to the season by the time we went to press. “We will have noble and Douglas firs along with wreaths and garlands,” Rotarian Wendy Clifford told us. “Fresh trees will be delivered in each of the two following weeks (never sure of the exact days they arrive).” However, if you want a noble fir, call ahead to get the delivery date, as they may run short, Clifford said. The tree lot is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Health, Fitness & Beauty
Feel and look your best in 2022! Read the annual Health, Fitness & Beauty section in the January issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Thurs., Dec. 9. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241, ext. 11.
DECEMBER 2021
n Holiday shopping
FAMILIES SOCIALIZING at the Alexandria House holiday party.
Mix good deeds with fun for a holiday cocktail n Events are online and some are back in-person By Nona Sue Friedman Now that the holidays are upon us and we are able to leave our homes, it’s a wonderful feeling to help others. Sometimes helping means attending a festive event to raise funds for an organization, and sometimes it’s volunteering to create fun for someone else. Whichever you prefer, here are some opportunities. Even adults want to feel special, particularly over the holidays. Help make that happen by participating in the Alexandria House annual Holiday Toy Drive. This drive benefits more than 100 families. Alexandria House is looking
DIGGING DEEP for treasure from Alexandria House.
for new, unused toys for kids of all ages and gift cards for teenagers and adults. Check out alexandriahouse.org/holiSee Mix good deeds, p 13
By Billy Taylor Things are looking bright in Larchmont Village, and it’s not just the holiday lights. In recent weeks, several new businesses have opened, or announced openings, in the beloved shopping district. On the southwest end of the block, urban sportswear label Corridor is now open in a permanent space at 141 N. Larchmont Blvd. Store manager Orly Menachem told us that the NYC-based menswear line by designer Dan Snyder picked Larchmont as one of two Los Angeles locations, the brand’s first expansion outside of NYC. “We are happy to be a part of the Larchmont community,” See On the Blvd., p 6
New year, new councilmember, new districts Meet your new, and your continuing, councilmembers, and see drafts of the redistricting maps scheduled for a final vote on Dec. 1. See Sec. 2, pp 10 and 11
Families celebrate the holidays, together n Joy to the World! Locals cautiously plan celebrations near and far By Helene Seifer After a bleak year of missed celebrations, are we able to safely gather for seasonal festivities again? Local families mix caution with optimism for holiday gatherings. Careful mingling with friends “I’m all about Christmas,” declares Simone Young Smith. “It’s such a great family time. I get out the Rat Pack Christmas CD.” First, a tree is selected and “decorations go up outside straight away.” Getting in the holiday spirit often includes a trip to Century City to enjoy the mall’s decorations and get a little shopping started. The Windsor Square resident (who owns her own public relations company), her husband, actor Mark Smith,
turned to their former homeland, England. After quarantining for five days, they spent the remainder of their two-week visit with family for Christmas. This year, they plan a mixture of family-only time and careful mingling with friends. See Families, p 25
Summer Camps & Programs
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING pre-pandemic are Mark Smith, son Brodie, 17, Simone Young Smith. In front, son Stirling, 10.
and sons Brodie, 17, and Stirling, 10, were lucky last year. While many hunkered down in household units, they re-
Summer will be here before you know it. Sign up early to get the best camp for your family. Camps will be featured in the January issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Thurs., Dec. 9. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241, ext. 11.
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