Larchmont Chronicle
vol. 52, no. 12 • delivered to 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • Miracle Mile • Park La Brea • Larchmont •
IN THIS ISSUE
Holidays Then and Now
See story on page 2. larchmontbuzz.com
The newly-published photographic history of Larchmont Boulevard was written by Larchmont Buzz Publisher and local resident Patricia Lombard. Book signing and celebration with the author at Chevalier's Books Tuesday, December 8, from 7 to 9 p.m.
126 North Larchmont Boulevard • Los Angeles 90004 323-465-1334 • Open Daily: 10am - 6pm chevaliersbooks.com
HOLIDAYS on Larchmont Section 3
LUCERNE threw its 39th block party. 2-8
LARCHMONT immortalized in book. 3-2
Neighbors from Mile to Village meet and greet By John Welborne November and December are busy months for the many neighborhood associations in the Larchmont Chronicle service area. This month, the paper is full of news about community gatherings. In Section 1, there are reports on meetings past and future in Miracle Mile, Windsor Square, Ridgewood-Wilton, Larchmont Village, Hancock Park and Brookside. But meetings and talk are not everything that these communities are about. Parties count, too! Sections 2 and 3 recount progressive dinners in Brookside and nearby West Adams, block parties in Windsor Village and on Lucerne Blvd. and caroling soon to come in Brookside. All of these—whether meet or greet . . . or church, temple, or school—epitomize the vibrant lives of residents in these historic communities.
Metro studies accelerated decking plan Traffic reports expected January
KIP'S is young.
70
years 3-4
For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
decEMBER 2015
Metro’s Purple Line subway contractor seeks to build decks on the streets at record speed—seven weeks plus six weekends—to help neighbors avoid “construction fatigue.” That’s really 14 weekends plus 35 weekdays versus the originally proposed 22 weekends of Wilshire Blvd. closure at and near La Brea Ave. “In response to community concerns about nighttime construction impacts, Metro’s contractor proposed this accelerated plan of construcSee Metro, p 2
MARAT DAUKAYEV’S “NUTCRACKER” features Isabella Franco, Park La Brea, center, as the Snow Queen in the 2014 production. This season she dances the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the local group’s holiday show at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. See story page 3-11.
McMansion law under review at city Public hearings are set to begin this month to review proposed amendments to the city’s Baseline Mansionization Ordinance. Passed in 2008, the law is blamed for having loopholes that have resulted in even more McMansions, towering over neighboring houses, blocking light and robbing privacy. The city Planning Dept., with assistance from the Building and Safety Dept., prepared the proposed amendments based on Councilman Paul Koretz’ motion to “address the counterproductive provisions of the ordinance, to See McMcMansion, p 27
Petersen Museum races to its gala re-opening Miracle Mile venue events featured Dec. 5-7 By Suzan Filipek Love it or hate it, it’s hard to miss the new Petersen Automotive Museum. Racy metal ribbons encircle the red exterior walls at the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. Exhibits inside show off sports cars and legendary models, plus the latest in automotive technology. Visitors can get behind the wheel of racing simulators and explore the Disney/Pixar “Cars” exhibit. The 13-month, $125 million renovation transformed the 20-year-old museum in-
ON THE BLVD. Glimpses by Jane Here we are at holiday time When we greet you in rhyme So we will use these meters to greet our faithful readers. A jolly hello to the Hills, Deans the Johnsons, Picketts, Keanes. Shop for the freshest trees for Wongs, Kruses, Hawleys.
Health & Beauty issue Look younger, feel great! Tips and stories will be featured in our annual Health & Beauty section in the January issue. To reserve ad space, call 323-4622241, ext. 11. Deadline is Mon., Dec. 14.
side and out. Its 95,000 square feet of exhibit space on three floors is devoted to the history, industry and art of the automobile. (The vault in the basement and its stock of priceless historic and legendary vehicles will re-open for tours in January.) See Petersen, p 28
EMERGENCY WATER BARREL is filled by Lucerne Blvd. neighbor Georgia Carrington while her friend, Reese Duff, holds one of the hand pumps that comes with each of the barrels delivered for the Windsor Square Association “test case” provisioning of homes on Lorraine Blvd. See story page 23.
Be sure to send holiday news to Sartiranas, Patels, Andrews. Hang some mistletoe, add bells for the Klaskys, Whiters, Wells. Warble those yuletide songs with the O’Sullivans, Wongs, Kramers, Shewfelts, Bermans, Smiths, Mansours, Hermans.
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See Poem, p 22