Larchmont Chronicle
vol. 53, no. 2 • delivered to 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • Miracle Mile • Park La Brea • Larchmont •
IN THIS ISSUE
Community gives Chronicle's Junior League fêtes its 90th year, Focus on Youth Jane Gilman standing ovation Publisher/editor retires after 53 years
Founded in 1925 by area women
VALENTINES. How they met. 12
ROCKY—he's an ambassador and a pig. 3
By John Welborne The organization is based in a headquarters building on Larchmont Blvd., but it was conceived in 1925 in the living room of one of its 34 founders. That group of founding women, whose first project was a 12-bed children’s convalescent home on Ingraham Street (which became part of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles) quickly evolved into the Junior League of Los Angeles (JLLA) in 1926.
According to current JLLA president, Denise Snider Perlstein, the organization remains committed to promoting volunteerism throughout the community while developing leadership skills for women. Current JLLA programs include ones focusing on young people through increasing both literacy and self-esteem. The group’s “Thrive through Literacy” project has League See Junior League, p 17
Metro to deck Wilshire at La Brea for 22 weekends Wilshire to close for subway construction
COOKIE SALE season is upon us. 21
NO MONKEYING around here. 2-4 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11
FEBRUARY 2016
By John Welborne At a meeting jointly sponsored by Councilman David E. Ryu and Metro, held at Los Angeles High School on Jan. 21, no final decision was announced to resolve the La Brea “decking” controversy. However, indications pointed to a 22-weekend approach. Before an audience of approximately 80 neighborhood stakeholders, Metro’s construction relations manager, Kasey Shuda, oversaw the nearly two hours of presentations plus discussion with the audience. Councilman Ryu said at the meeting’s outset that he was leaning toward supporting the 22-weekend approach but still was taking input from constituents and traffic experts.
The day following the community meeting, the Councilman’s office confirmed that Ryu will support the weekendonly approach and that he and his staff will continue to work closely with Metro to ensure that the contractor mitigates potential traffic problems to the maximum extent possible. During the meeting at the high school, Shuda spoke from a long agenda and projected slides explaining details of upcoming construction in and near mid-Wilshire neighborhoods. Representatives of the contractors, Skanska Traylor Shea (STS), also spoke. The Metro slide presentation is online at web address tinyurl.com/hcovspc Most of the questions from See Metro, p 7
Mailing permit:
By Sondra Toll Sepenuk Community leaders, business owners, government representatives and neighborhood friends all gathered at The Ebell of Los Angeles to celebrate both the retirement and birthday (on her actual birthday) of one of the community’s most beloved stalwarts, Larchmont Chronicle co-founder Jane Gilman. “Jane credits luck, timing, ambition, diplomacy, gregariousness, more luck, and fearlessness as the attributes needed to run a newspaper,” said successor Chronicle publisher John Welborne to the
REFLECTING on the paper's early years, Jane Gilman addressed the Ebell audience.
more than 160 people in attendance. “All of these attributes See Jane Gilman, p 16
Petition for construction moratorium moves forward By Billy Taylor The Los Angeles City Clerk’s office announced last month that it had approved for circulation the anti-development initiative sponsored by the California nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization, AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Jill Stewart, campaign director for the Coalition to Preserve L.A. (CPLA)—the political campaign in support of the “Neighborhood Integrity Initiative”—says her group has already begun gathering signatures for the initiative. “It’s going to be a fairly routine process to gather the necessary signatures. We also have a small team of volunteers, which we are planning to tap into shortly.”
The background of the proposed construction moratorium, including “pro” and “con” arguments, was discussed at length in last month’s Larchmont Chronicle. In this See Petition, p 7
Edition to focus on Mile’s future
Articles on museum changes, new buildings and subway construction will be featured in the “Miracle Mile 2016” edition to be delivered to 77,439 readers March 3. Make advertising reservations with Pam Rudy by Feb. 15; 323-4622241 x 11 or pam@larchmontchronicle.com.
Los Angeles High benefits from Harrison Trust's helping hand Greatest missing resources are creativity, imagination
MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION is coming to the Farmers Market. Above, festival goers at the family friendly event last year. Story page 5.
By Billy Taylor The following is the second of a twopart series on the state of Los Angeles High School and its relationship with the communities that surround it. Due to years of funding cutbacks by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and competition from charter schools, Joyce Kleifield, executive director of the Harrison Trust, says Los Angeles High School (LAHS) SITTING at her desk, Joyce Kleifield See Los Angeles High, p 25 talks about the challenges.
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
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SECTION ONE
Community Comment By John Welborne Is the past the future? Last month, this newspaper began coverage of what I described in an editorial as “a really big political issue for 2016.” We introduced our readers to the anti-development petition and ballot measure, and we included arguments “pro” and “con.” As discussion of this proposed citywide moratorium and change in zoning laws continues, we hope that advocates on both sides of the debate will present clearly their views of what should be the future Los Angeles. We certainly cannot return to Los Angeles of the 50s, 60s or 70s, no matter how much some of us old-timers might yearn for those bygone days. The debate about the proposed ballot measure definitely should deal with where (if anywhere) the city should have additional residential and commercial construction . . . and additional density.
Junior League Speaking of looking back to Los Angeles of bygone days, it makes me pause when I think about a then-20-year-old young woman, who decades later became my mother, being one of the founders of a Los Angeles community service organization that now is 90 years old.
The Wilshire Closure – Managing the Disruption The Purple Line subway construction on Wilshire Blvd. from Highland Avenue to LaBrea Blvd will require an extended closure of Wilshire Blvd. this coming year. Metro has provided residents and business owners with two options for this closure: 1) Seven full weeks; or 2) Sixteen weekends. Our new councilman, David Ryu, is asking his district to tell him what they think so he can represent us to Metro. The Association, along with our area schools, many of the surrounding neighborhood associations and many of the business owners on Wilshire, support the Sixteen Weekend Closure option. The choice of sixteen weekend closures is the only option that keeps our streets safe for residents and everyone who lives, works and goes to school in Hancock Park. The traffic management plan Metro has proposed, after little true study, will be to divert traffic to Olympic Blvd. and 3rd Street. This represents an increase in commuter traffic of over 40% on our streets; streets already packed during rush hour. Metro will also do no traffic mitigation for interior residential streets, meaning that desperate drivers will be speeding down all of Hancock Park’s streets. Finally, Metro did not study the impact on the over 2,200 children who attend our neighborhood’s schools, many of whom are driven to school or take the bus. On the bright side there is some good traffic news: The City has approved left-turn arrows in all four directions at the intersection of Melrose and Rossmore/Vine. The first two signals for Rossmore/Vine north and south are budgeted for this coming year. Thanks to our Councilman, David Ryu, and his staff for working on achieving this important milestone. Don’t forget El Niño is just beginning so signup for Emergency Alerts - http://www.elninola.com/; check out the Emergency Management Website for the City - http://emergency.lacity.org/ index.htm and the LA County Preparedness website - https:// www.lacounty.gov/elnino. The Association’s Committees are always looking for help, so visit the website, see if there is a committee that you’d like to work with and contact us. The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancockpark regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening. checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System - http://anti-graffiti. lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180. Adv.
February 2016
Calendar Sun., Feb. 7 – NFL Super Bowl 50, Levi’s Stadium at 3:30 p.m. PST on CBS. Wed., Feb. 10 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council meeting, The Ebell, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 7 p.m. greaterwilshire.org. Sun., Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day. Sun., Feb. 14 – Los Angeles Marathon, runs from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica Pier starting at 6:30 a.m. lamarathon.org. Mon., Feb. 15 – Presidents' Day. Sun., Feb. 28 – La Brea– Hancock Homeowners Association annual meeting, place to be determined, 4 to 6 p.m. Sun., Feb. 28 – 88th Acad-
Congratulations on maintaining the high editorial and publishing standards developed by Jane Gilman. (The “L.A. Times” could take lessons from you.) Concerning your January article by Billy Taylor, “Petitions for ballot initiative pits two visions of future Los Angeles skyline,” there is much on which I could comment. But let me address just one issue here—the ongoing increases in population density. Is more revenue (via more development) for the city more important than the needs and comforts of the residents already here in our city? Rather than continue to build more and more units here in our area, it would make good sense to expend efforts to develop housing and industry/jobs in outlying areas that can easily accommodate
Larchmont Chronicle Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Associate Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Advertising Director Pam Rudy Art Director Dina Nicholaou Classified and Circulation Manager Rachel Olivier Accounting Jill Miyamoto 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103
Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com
'How do you plan to celebrate Valentine's Day?' That's the question
photographer Sondi Toll Sepenuk asked people along Larchmont Blvd.
emy Awards, Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., on ABC beginning at 4 p.m. Thurs., March 3 – Delivery of the March issue of the Larchmont Chronicle.
Letters to the editor Population density
Larchmont Chronicle
higher population density. Has anyone considered the value of birth/population control? I also commend you on introducing the “Chronicle Questions for the Councilman” as an adjunct to the “Council Report” by David E. Ryu. I appreciate his column, and have faith in his integrity and competence. Keep up the good work. Best wishes for the new year. George Epstein Detroit Street
Memorable Oscars
I believe your neighboring Motion Picture Academy should consider seriously this (obvious) concept: news outlets already use the bottom of a TV screen to convey information as it scrolls by. Why not use this same idea for the Academy Awards? The stars waste their historic moment in the spotlight thanking people who already know they have contributed to the star’s career. Instead allow each nominee to pre-submit a certain number of words to be shown at the bottom of the TV screen for all those boring thank yous— while the star says something memorable! Please... for humanity’s sake. It’s gone on long enough; it’s embarrassing to the star, the other stars and the Academy! It’s so easy for the Academy to do. Please! Burt Smiley Lynchburg, VA
"I hope my boyfriend has already planned something. That's what I'm banking on!" Nicolette Vairo Hollywood
"By getting a divorce!" Henry Valesquez Larchmont Village
"I'm going to see the movie 'How to Be Single' with my girlfriends!" Rachel Quinn Pasadena
Chronicle letters Write us at letters@ larchmontchronicle.com. Please submit letters of 300 words or less and include your name, phone number and address (street number will not be published.) We reserve the right to edit for space and grammar.
"I'm going to be celebrating with my husband (John August) receiving the Valentine Davies Award at the WGA awards the night before." Michael August Larchmont Village
February 2016
Rocky is not your ordinary Hancock Park pet pig By Suzan Filipek Rocky is not just any pig sauntering along June St. on his daily walks. At first glance, the 3-year -old might look like a pig with his long snout, thick coat and the grunts he makes as he walks to and from his 1920s Mediterranean-style home. But, he’s so much more. He’s an ambassador for a vegan lifestyle, and he brings awareness to the suffering of factory farm animals, says his owner David Strah. Adopted from a breeder when he was a just a wee piglet, the grey-and-white spotted Juliana pet pig was supposed to grow to about the size of a medium-size dog but is closer to 200 pounds. More intelligent than a dog, he needs a lot of attention and affection, otherwise he gets into trouble, smiles Strah, sounding like a proud parent. Strah moved here from New York City almost four years ago. An author, he penned “Gay Dads: A Celebration of
ROCKY and David Strah are out to change the world—one walk at a time.
Fatherhood”—he has two teens with Barry Miguel. At first, the family settled in a home with a lease requiring they take care of the property’s ducks. They liked them so much, they added some chickens and young Rocky to the mix. (Please turn to page 9)
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SECTION One
Several shops set to close, relocate, according to LBA
Stroll... ...Eat Shop...
valentine central !
Several stores on Larchmont are closing or relocating, according to reports from a board meeting of the Larchmont Boulevard Association. Among them are Boulevard stalwarts Hans Custom Optik, Pickett Fences and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Hans Fiebig lives in Hancock Park and has been in the optometry business 60 years and on the street 30 years. His lenses have graced celebrities and locals alike. Fiebig had planned to retire, even before his landlord Ronald Simms made it difficult to stay, according to one source who asked to remain anonymous. Comparative newcomer Crumbs Bake Shop, which has already closed, shares the same landlord as Hans Cus(Please turn to page 11)
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Larchmont Chronicle
larchmont
Real People, Real Stories
SECTION ONE
FOCUS ON YOUTH. Boy and Girl Scouts featured. 21-23
MOMMY BEAT
13
LIBRARIES
14
MUSEUM ROW
15
ENTERTAINMENT At the Movies Theater Review On the Menu
18 19 20
SCHOOL NEWS
24
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SECTION TWO
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February 2016
SECTION One
Larchmont Chronicle
Discretionary funds and development are on radar Just a few weeks ago, I reached an important milestone, my first six months in office. I made a pledge to put our residents and neighborhoods first and be a strong voice for change, and that is exactly what I’ve done the past six months. The first meeting of Council District Four’s Discretionary Funds Task Force was convened because I want to shed light on how my office spends taxpayer dollars and to prioritize community input on discretionary spending.
My main goal is to refocus these discretionary funds provided by your tax dollars so your dollars will support their intended purpose of Council benefiting the district and Report its neighborby hoods. David E. Ryu I also proposed stricter campaign finance rules for Los Angeles city elections, because I believe we must do more to restore trust in our government. I will always
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have this principal in mind. To this end, we created a web portal to disclose meetings with developers who have active projects in the 4th District. And of course, I have continued my pledge to refuse campaign contributions from developers seeking approvals from the city. One of my proudest moments as your elected advocate was the introduction of the Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) for Sherman Oaks, Brookside and Sycamore Square. The ICO will protect our residential neighborhoods by limiting mansionization. I couldn’t have done it without your help and collaboration. I am happy to report that the ICO was approved unanimously by the City Council on October 28. I also fought for changes in the initial Olympic Games agreement to protect the taxpayers of Los Angeles and to give our residents a meaningful role in the planning of the Games. Public health and safety are top priorities of mine, and I’ve worked hard towards this end: To prevent kids from getting hooked on chewing tobacco by banning athletes from using it at all sports venues in the city and to ban the possession of gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Over the next months and
years, I will continue to deliver on our core values and change the dialogue at City Hall, because that is exactly what I was elected to do. I will continue to strive
everyday to keep your trust and to be a strong advocate for our neighborhoods at City Hall. Please visit my new website at davidryu.lacity.org to join the conversation.
Chronicle questions for the Councilman By Billy Taylor Each month we send our representative in City Hall a question or two. Submit your queries to tips@larchmontchronicle.com.
Q: Are there plans to add electric vehicle parking spots and/or charging stations on Larchmont Blvd.?
A: We are currently looking to expand opportunities to add charging stations around the district. As we enter the 2016-17 budget process, I’m going to advocate for adding charging stations to various public parking lots, like on Larchmont Blvd. Q: According to nearby residents, the safety and quality of Pan Pacific Park has deteriorated in recent months, due to graffiti, trash, skateboarders and overnight encampments. Are the posted park rules and regulations not being enforced?
A: On Dec. 31, a small team of Park Rangers completed removal of eight illegal homeless encampments and counseled with 13 people about the violation, and they offered information about winter shelters and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Several homeless individuals left voluntarily prior to the Rangers' arrival because of required posted notifications by the Rangers. Additional follow-up is planned for chronic homeless individuals in the area. Additionally, we are following-up with Wilshire Division LAPD to request extra patrol after 10:30 pm.
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Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
SECTION One
5
Mayor nominates new planning director for Los Angeles By Billy Taylor Director of the city Planning Dept. Michael LoGrande will step down, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced in January, and a Windsor Square resident was nominated to fill the role. Vince Bertoni, director of Planning and Community Development for the city of Pasadena, was nominated to replace LoGrande, who worked for the department for 18 years, including the last six as its head. Bertoni's nomination must
VINCE BERTONI, Windsor Square, new planning director.
now be approved by the City Council. With more than 25 years of planning experience, Bertoni spent five years in his current position and previously served as the deputy planning director for Los Angeles and as planning director for the cities of Beverly Hills, Santa Clarita and Malibu. “As we work together to shape the future of the Los Angeles cityscape, we need an expert at the helm who brings both fresh ideas and an intricate understanding of our
city’s complex planning process,” said Mayor Garcetti. According to Garcetti, Bertoni will lead the maintenance and execution of the Los Angeles’ General Plan—the comprehensive framework guiding development and infrastructure growth—in his new position.
Love, hope, success, family, security.
Carnivale is coming to Farmers Market Bead throwing, gumbo, beignets, Dixie music and beer will be on the menu at the Mardi Gras Celebration at The Original Farmers Market Sat., Feb. 6 and Fat Tuesday, Feb. 9. The 27th annual festival will see the Market festooned in traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. A jester will stroll the grounds and face painting will be offered at the 27th annual event. A Ranch Party on Saturday will feature Cajun music by
“I am honored to lead this department and its talented staff at such an important moment in its history,” Bertoni said. “I look forward to working with stakeholders across the city to strengthen our neighborhoods and build a prosperous future for Los Angeles.”
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Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros, who will also be performing Fat Tuesday. Other acts include Grammy-nominated Lisa Haley & The Zydekats, T-Lou & His Super Hot Zydeco Band, The Zydeco Mudbugs and Porterhouse Bob’s New Orleans funk and swamp boo-
REVELERS at last year's celebration.
gie. New Orleans-style parade bands will stroll the grounds. “Mardi Gras is one of our most popular and exciting events of the year,” said Ilysha Buss, Farmers Market marketing director.
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February 2016
SECTION One
Larchmont Chronicle
PROPOSED BUILDING MORATORIUM
Ninety years of zoning debates show no signs of ending yet
COUNCILMAN Thomas D. Shepard in 1962. Photo: Jeff Goldwater; Valley Times collection/Los Angeles Public Library.
By Billy Taylor The debate over land use and zoning in Los Angeles is as old as many of the city’s neighborhoods. The Aug. 28, 1925, front page of the “Larchmont Post” (framed on a wall in the offices of the Larchmont Chronicle) boasts the headline, “Zoning of Wilshire will be up to vote at next election.” The article tells of a referendum petition filed to repeal an ordinance adopted by the City Council to rezone residential Wilshire Blvd. from Western Ave. to Rimpau Blvd. as commercial. Proponents of the latest anti-development ballot initiative, targeted for the Nov. 2016 election, have a long list of 22 “findings” in the pream-
Ready for the Downpour? January brought us some much-needed rain, and February promises more of the same. If you have not done so already, it’s a good idea to make sure your home is ready for the downpour. Checking your gutters is a good place to start. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and seep under the roof, which can lead to serious damage to ceilings or rafters, or facilitate the growth of mold and mildew. Installing leaf screens on your gutters will help prevent a lot of clogs, but experts warn that may not be enough. Dust, pollen and grit from the roof, especially from asphalt shingles, may pass through the screens and over time form small blockages. Clean your gutters, or hire professionals to do so, once a year—preferably before the rains, but it’s still not too late! While you’re on gutter patrol, consider adding rain barrels to your downspouts. The city has offered low-cost or free rain barrels from time to time, or $100 rebates on the purchase of qualifying barrels (go to bpw.lacity.org/klab/rainbarrels to find out more, including a helpful video about the simple installation). They are easy to install and are equipped with overflow valves in case they fill up. A reminder: even if we do receive heavy rains in the coming months, the drought is far from over; we still need to do our parts to conserve scarce water. On that note, remember to turn off your sprinklers during rainy periods and don’t turn them back on for at least four days after a good downpour. Or emulate the many knowledgeable gardeners who customarily shut off their sprinklers completely from about December through February.
ble to their petition. The "findings" are the proponents' justification why their requested changes in the planning and zoning laws of 2016 should be made directly by the voters. Five of the proponents’ findings to justify action in 2016 relate to 1966 zoning scandals—40 years following the 1925 “Larchmont Post” article . . . and 50 years ago. 1966 Grand Jury Today’s anti-development petitioners state that a 1966 Civil Grand Jury report from that year found “credible evidence of a corrupted City of Los Angeles planning and zoning process.” That Grand Jury recommended that the city “form a commission” . . . to study and propose comprehensive reform of the planning and zoning process of Los Angeles. As 2016’s anti-development petition states in its 22 "findings," those recommendations from 50 years ago actually were adopted, and a Citizens’ Committee on Zoning Practices and Procedures subsequently presented recommendations for comprehensive city charter and zoning code amendments. Those reforms were adopted. But that 1960s and '70s reform came only after a City Council scandal. As part of the 1966 Grand Jury term, its Criminal Complaints Committee investigated City Councilman Thomas D. Shepard over a complex Planning Dept. case in the San Fernando Valley that involved zoning variances and possibly locating Jack Kent Cooke's proposed Forum basketball arena in the agriculturally-zoned open space of the Sepulveda basin. Valley activists Residential groups in the west San Fernando Valley area led the call for an investigation because they felt Councilman Shepard and the Recreation and Parks Commissioners were failing to protect parkland. "Tom Shepard, that's a name I haven't heard for a while," said one of those former activ-
its, who asked not to be identified. "That controversy was a long time ago." Shepard eventually was convicted of bribery in Nov. 1969 and served a 15-month sentence in state prison.
All are welcome to the GWNC Board Meeting on Wed., Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. Enter from west parking lot Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Needs all Stakeholders! Are you interested in serving the GWNC through the city’s neighborhood council system? Register to run as a CANDIDATE Registration filing ends Mar 2 at www.empowerla.org/nccr/. Or register in person February 10th at the GWNC meeting 7:00 p.m. at The Ebell of Los Angeles. Run as a candidate or volunteer as a poll worker and most importantly don’t forget to Vote! www.greaterwilshire.org or www.empowerla.org. Elections are May 1, 2016; 12-4pm at The Barking Lot, 366 N. Larchmont Blvd.
All GWNC Board and Committee meetings are open to the public Land Use Committee meetings: Fourth Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. in The Assembly Room of Wilshire United Methodist Church 4350 Wilshire Blvd. Transportation Committee meeting: Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at. 7 p.m. in the Youth Chapel parsonage of Wilshire United Methodist Church 4350 Wilshire Blvd. Environmental and Sustainability Committee: Tues., March 1 at 7 p.m. in the Youth Chapel parsonage of Wilshire United Methodist Church 4350 Wilshire Blvd. Outreach Committee meetings: 9:00 a.m. usually the last Saturday of each month, at the Bricks & Scones cafe, 403 N. Larchmont Blvd. Next meeting: Saturday, Jan. 30
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Other wet-weather tips include installing or replacing weather stripping around doors and windows. And if you have doors that open onto terraces or driveways where water accumulates, you might want to lay in a supply of sandbags, just in case. Many local fire stations are offering them free of charge. Learn more at elninola.com. 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 157 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004, or visit our website at windsorsquare.org. ADV.
Proponents of the 2016 antidevelopment ballot initiative offer Shepard’s 1969 conviction as a reason why people should sign their "Neighborhood Intergity Initiative" petition, more than 47 years later.
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Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
SECTION One
7
Design review board to meet on cim-farmers proposal
A neighbor's correspondence seeks Park Mile Plan change rial Branch Public Library. As part of the preparation of an accompanying Environmental Impact Report (EIR), the city sought written comments on the EIR’s “initial study” document. Those comments were due by Jan. 4. In a recent review of submitted comments at City Hall, the Larchmont Chronicle learned that approximately 30 comments were received.
Metro decking to be 22 weekends (Continued from page 1) the audience related to traffic during construction. The next Metro community meeting will be Thurs., March 17, with the main topic to be traffic detours. By sticking with the originally conceived plan of having the street closures take place only on 22 weekends, Wilshire Blvd. generally will stay open Monday mornings through Friday nights. The decking work is scheduled to commence in April. A seven-week alternative scenario had been suggested by STS, the contractor, as a way to alleviate traffic during installation of the temporary Wilshire Blvd. road-
way surface—to be sections of concrete decking—between Orange Dr. and Detroit St. The decking will cover the underground excavation during the years of subway station construction. The Purple Line extension will add nine miles of subway with seven new stations west of Western Ave. and ending at the Westwood/VA Hospital, west of the 405 freeway. The current work is part of the first, 3.9-mile, segment. In addition to La Brea, this segment includes stations at Fairfax and at La Cienega. See details and a video on the project at tinyurl.com/ hcrngx6
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The city file also revealed that one neighbor apparently believes that the Park Mile Specific Plan should be changed . . . at least for the property across the street from her house. “As a homeowner in Brookside for 23 years I would like to see many mitigations made to the development plans that CIM is proposing.” “Please note that with the proposed 87 new residential units our neighborhood of Brookside will increase in size by 25 percent! . . . We believe that this large new multi family development will forever change the character of this charming neighborhood,” stated Jan Wieringa’s cover letter to her submission. The accompanying eightpage submission sets forth concerns with density, traffic, landmarking of the Farmers
Insurance tower, and environmental quality and construction issues. Wieringa’s document also was submitted to the city’s planning staff by 25 other neighbors; only five comments in the file were received from people not using Wieringa’s form document.
More than 30 years ago, the city’s Park Mile Specific Plan established the allowable residential and commercial density for all Wilshire Blvd. property north of Eighth St., between Highland Ave. and Wilton Pl., which includes the vacant parking lots across from Wieringa’s property.
PETITION
(Continued from page 1) month’s issue is a related Letter to the Editor and, on Page six, a story about former City Councilman Thomas D. Shepard.
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By Billy Taylor Review by the Park Mile Design Review Board (DRB) is part of the public process for considering the development project proposed for the former Farmers Insurance property at Wilshire Blvd. and Mullen Ave. The DRB tentatively plans to hold a public “consultation” meeting concerning the project on Thurs., Mar. 3 at 4 p.m. at the Memo-
February 2016
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Marathon racers go from stadium to sea ca Pier. Landmarks along the route include the Chinatown Dragon Gate, Olvera Street, Los Angeles City Hall, Little Tokyo, Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Echo Park Lake, Capitol Records tower, Pantages Theater, Musso and Frank Grill,
Grauman’s Chinese Theater and Whisky a Go Go. Participants must be 16 years or older on race day to enter the Skechers-sponsored marathon. For more information and applications to enter, go to lamarathon.com.
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Save the date. The La BreaHancock Homeowners Association annual meeting is set for Sun., Feb. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. The location was not determined at press time. Topics to be covered include:Â safety and neighborhood watch, Metro construction activities and traffic impacts
and mansionization, according to Cathy Roberts, Association board secretary. Reports will be made from Council District Four and Five offices, and there will an update on Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council elections. For information contact Roberts at CRmaison@gmail.com.
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Anna Gutierrez Tanquary, whose roots date back to early California and its Spanish roots, passed away on Jan. 6. The Park La Brea resident of 29 years was 88. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, her mother was a descendant of the Cota family, and her grandmother was a Sepulveda, according to her daughter Maria Tanquary. Roque Jacinto de Cota accompanied Fra Junipero Serra on the de Portola expedition in 1769 and was one of the four cavalrymen who escorted 44 settlers who founded the Los Angeles pueblo in September of 1781. Francisco Xavier Sepulveda was a member of the Zuniga expedition to Alta California in 1781. His eldest son was Juan JosÊ Sepulveda, Anna’s ancestor. Anna’s father was a descendant of Lt. Don JosÊ Francisco de Ortega, Commandant of the Santa Barbara Presidio and also a member of the de Portola expedition. Anna worked for silversmith Alan Adler as a jewelry designer. She also managed personal finances of dress designer Oleg Cassini in New York, and later Beverly Hills lawyer Jerry Giesler. Conveniently located 5 AnnaVillage married Grafton Tan-
quary, Jr. Besides her daughter, she is survived by son Grafton III and five grandchildren. Anna will be buried on the grounds of the Mission in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick, 2131 W. 27th St., Los Angeles.
Robert Ketch, Five Acres executive Funeral services were held at Hope Lutheran Church for Robert “Bob� Ketch who died Jan. 2 of a stroke. He was 71. Ketch, born in Iowa, received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State and a master’s degree in social work from Tulane University. A Windsor Square resident, he was director of Five Acres, the Los Angeles Boy’s and Girl’s Aid Society, for 28 years. He was active as a volunteer for the Veterans’ Administration, Gabriella School, Windsor Square Association and the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society, where he served as vice president. He is survived by his wife Colleen Friend, daughter Ginny Lindgren, son-in-law Lars Lindgren and brother William. Donations may be made minutes from Larchmont to Five Acres at 5acres.org.
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West Hollywood and Beverly Hills are some of the communities that runners will pass as they compete in the Los Angeles Marathon on Sun., Feb. 14. This year, the Marathon will run north of Greater Wilshire, beginning at Dodger Stadium and ending at the Santa Moni-
Larchmont Chronicle
ŠLC0216
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WINDSOR VILLAGE NEWS
Association board starts New Year
Accolades and an election in Windsor Village include honors and new officers that were elected to the board. ••• Diane Dicksteen’s community service has earned her the Citizen Recognition Award from the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. The award will be presented at the Council’s Wed., March 9 meeting at 7 p.m. at The Ebell, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. Dicksteen serves as president of the Windsor Village Neighborhood Assoc. and is a volunteer at the Los Angeles Zoo. Born in Scotland, she was educated in England and arrived in Los Angeles in 1974. She has been a Windsor Village resident ever since. She has been involved in working on plans for the renovation of Harold Henry
The
Maven arketing
by Pam Rudy
Maintain the Golden Rule in 2016
New concepts are always emerging in marketing but there’s only one strategy that endures ….. Honesty! You can only do so much telling customers and prospective clients about who and what you are but, at some point, you have to show them. Match your customers’ experience with how you present yourself. If their experience in your business place doesn’t match your promises, they will walk away and take others with them. Here are three good marketing strategies: 1. Be honest about what you can do – and what you can’t. Being honest with your clients will maintain your integrity and not disappoint them. 2. Keep your word. Honor your special offers and guarantees that you include in your marketing. Don’t promise more that you can deliver! 3. Remember that there is a fine line between attention getting and trickery. Competition for attention in today’s marketplace is overwhelming. We creatively try to make ourselves “stand out.” That’s fine. Tricking people is not! Some tricks can even amount to fraud. Use the Golden Rule in business: “Do unto your clients and prospects as you would like done unto you. “ Integrity is the most valuable marketing tool in your arsenal.
Contact Pam at The Larchmont Chronicle 323-462-2241 ext. 11
©LC0216
Remember to Market, Market your Business using the Golden Rule and maintaining your business’s integrity!
Park and worked with Metro in solving problems at the Wilshire/Crenshaw construction site. • • • The Windsor Village Assocaition's newly elected board met at its first meeting in early 2016. Members of the board
ELECTION UPDATE
Neighborhood Council member tells advantages Colette Amin had been reading about the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council activities in the Larchmont Chronicle for most of the 19 years she has lived in Windsor Square. “Finally, in 2013, I had time to devote to the Council so I decided to run,” she said. As chairman of the Council’s committee for the 2016 election, Amin is promoting the need for candidates to file by the Wed., March 2 deadline. For information go to empowerla.org. The Council experience has led to many leadership roles. She has served on the Congress of Neighborhood Councils planning committee and is a graduate of the Mayor’s Civic University. The Neighborhood Council provides an opportunity to meet people and to work with city officials, Amin commented. The GWNC volunteer also is a member of the Council’s Outreach and Land Use committees.
are: Diane Dicksteen – president, Julie Stromberg – vice president, Betty Fox – treasurer, Ginner Tanner – secretary and Chris Cordone, Rick Kramer, Laurie Kaufman, Julie Kim and Nathalie Rosen. ••• Leonard (Leo) Magnus Stromberg was born to Winston and Julie Stromberg, Windsor Village, Jan. 4. Both parents are attorneys, and Julie is a board member and geographic area 15 (Windsor Village) director, chair of transportation committee and founder and chair of sustainability committee for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.
Good News?
Send us your good news to: editorial@larchmontchronicle.com.
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(Continued from page 3) Life took a sudden turn when Strah was stricken with a kidney stone. He studied nutrition, and subsequently the treatment of farm animals, and he became a vegan almost overnight. “It dawned on me, these (ducks, chickens and Rocky) had become my pets. How could I eat them? And, I had the serious, very, very painful condition and started doing some research. “My goal is to open people’s eyes to think about what they’re eating,” says Strah, who has also embarked on getting masters degrees in spiritual psychology and political psychology. On their walks around the neighborhood, the pair are stopped daily by passersby. Sometimes two cars will stop at once, holding up traffic, says Strah, who cheerfully introduces everyone to his friend and mentor. “He’s taught me so much about becoming a vegan and the importance of all life.” Follow them at rockythepiginla on instagram and facebook.
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February 2016
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Community group calls for helicopter noise regulation
police beat Olympic armed robberies, vehicle thefts ROBBERIES: A victim was driving near the intersection of Beverly Blvd. and St. Andrews Pl. on Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. when a suspect’s vehicle passed in front and abruptly stopped. A suspect exited the vehicle and pointed a handgun at the victim demanding money. The victim surrendered his wallet, but the suspect struck his face and said, “I know you got more than this.” At this time the victim surrendered an envelope of money that he had just withdrawn from his bank. An 18-year-old victim was walking northbound on S. Wilton Pl. at 1st St. on Jan. 6 at midnight when two suspects approached and put a knife near his face demanding
property. The victim surrendered his mobile phone and the suspects fled. GRAND THEFTS AUTO: A 2000 silver Lexus RX 300, and a 2011 white Nissan Versa were both stolen between Jan. 9 at 11 p.m. to Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. on the 100 block of S. Gramercy Pl. BURGLARY THEFTS FROM VEHICLE: A suspect pried open the door to a victim’s 2015 Fiat 500 and removed a navigation system, clothes and a set of keys for the vehicle between Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. on the 600 block of S. Wilton. The victim filed a police report, however, later in the day on Jan. 5 the suspect returned and stole the vehicle.
OLYMPIC DIVISION
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo 213-793-0709 31762@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdolympic A suspect removed the front license plate of a 2016 Kia Sport between Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. on the 600 block of S. Wilton Pl. A suspect smashed the window of a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon between Jan. 8 at 11:45 p.m. to Jan. 9 at 11:30 a.m. near the corner of 9th St. and S. Wilton Pl. Suspect removed a wallet and credit cards before fleeing. A suspect smashed the window of a 2014 Mazda CX5 on Jan. 9 at 11:30 p.m. near the corner of 8th and S. Wilton Pl. and removed a purse before fleeing. Tools were stolen from inside a 2007 Toyota Tundra truck after a suspect smashed the window on Jan. 10 between 3 p.m. and midnight near the corner of 6th St. and St. Andrews Pl. Wilshire Division crime reports for January 2016 were not available by press time.
©LC0216
911 is for emergencies only. To report non-emergencies, call 877-275-5273.
www.wilshirerotary.org
Larchmont Chronicle
Graffiti Removal Operation Clean Sweep .............................. 311 Hollywood Beautification ............. 323-463-5180 anti-grafitti.lacity.org
By Billy Taylor Following years of negotiations between residents and helicopter operators, community activists say that, with no sign of relief on the horizon, regulations are needed. Taking action, the Los Angeles Area Helicopter Noise Coalition (LAAHNC) filed a petition with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting mandatory regulations for helicopter flights. “The problem of helicopter noise in Los Angeles County has festered for too many years,” said LAAHNC president, Bob Anderson. “At this point, although we are certainly willing to continue the talks on voluntary measures, we can no longer rely on that approach alone,” he added. According to LAAHNC, the coalition has participated in 57 collaborative meetings over the past few years and has proposed more than 30 voluntary practices to reduce noise. The group argues that because there are no specific
minimum altitude requirements for helicopter flights— which often fly as low as 300 feet above homes—noise is a significant problem. “Despite the fact that most residents are unaware it exists and most helicopters don’t show up on its flight tracking system, the initial launch of the FAA’s new Heli-Noise-LA complaint system still logged a complaint on average every seven minutes, with more than 34,000 complaints in the past six months,” said Wayne Williams, LAAHNC board member. In its proposed regulations, LAAHNC calls for the establishment of a minimum altitude for helicopter flights; limitations on hovering by news and tour helicopters; requiring a system of pooling for helicopter news coverage; and establishing offshore routes for helicopters that fly along the coastline. To review a copy of the filed petition, visit LAHelicopterNoise.org/regulation/.
Cyclists can rent Metro lockers online to store bikes, helmets More than 600 bike lockers have been installed throughout the Metro system and can be accessed online. Bike lockers, located at many high-volume rail and bus rapid transit stations, are secure enclosures that allow the storage of a bicycle of typical size and form and are more secure than bike racks. They can also shield the bicycles from the elements to a certain degree and have space for other items such as helmet, bike pump, basic bike tools, etc. Online availability makes it easier for bicyclists to rent, pay, renew, inquire about lockers, and request maintenance or report locker issues. Rental fee is $24 for six months, and a $50 deposit is required for the locker key which will be reimbursed when you no longer use the locker. Visit metro.net/bikes/bikes-metro/rental-info.
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Bungalow set to go back to court, appeal filed One legal case and an administrative appeal are pending for the Larchmont Bungalow, 107 N. Larchmont Blvd. A five years-long criminal prosecution was continued again to Fri., Feb. 5 in Los Angeles Superior Court with Commissioner Elizabeth Harris. The case had been continued from December against the objections of deputy city attorney Serena Christion. Meanwhile, attorneys for Bungalow owner Albert Mizrahi, on behalf of his tenant, Sam's Bagels, filed an appeal to the City Council of a Planning Dept. letter. Back in August, Bungalow attorneys had asked for the letter to explain Larchmont zoning—the Q Condition—in
Stores to close on Larchmont
(Continued from page 3) tom Optik and clothing boutique Pickett Fences, which must relocate. Building owner Simms had planned a high-end food store to replace the three tenants, but the Boulevard’s limitation on a single store’s number of front feet along the sidewalk—in the Q Condition—thwarted the deal, Simms said. The store needed more frontage than is allowed under the measure. While Simms declined to say, rents are rising from $7 and $8 a square foot to $8 and $10, estimated Thomas Kneafsey, president of the Larchmont Business Improvement District. Kneafsey also manages the building next door that houses Jamba Juice. The juicery is closing in June, said Kneafsey. “The competition has been too great. It killed them,” he said. Across the street, Nicole women’s clothing and accessories shop and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf— possibly the street’s first coffee house—are going. Coffee Bean wanted a larger space, said Kneafsey. Alternative Apparel sold its last sweatshirt Dec. 31, and the former Prudential Real Estate office has been empty of tenants for years. Owned by Albert Mizrahi, it is south of the Wells Fargo parking lot, and continues to have graffiti. (See photos top right.)
hopes of validating the Bungalow’s status as a restaurant. City planner Debbie Lawrence, primary author of the letter, said, “The Planning Department letter did not grant any new approvals or actions.” The administriave case is before the Planning and Land Use Management Committee of City Council. A hearing had not been scheduled as the Chronicle went to press. The Bungalow’s legal problems began shortly after it opened in Sept. 2009 when the city revoked the eatery’s certificate of occupancy because it was being operated as a restaurant with tables and chairs. Mizrahi had signed an affidavit promising not to have seating at the permitted take-out. The number of restaurants is limited on Larchmont per the Boulevard’s Q Condition.
THE FAÇADE of the former Prudential real estate offices on Larchmont Blvd. has been tagged with graffiti in recent months. A represenative for the Larchmont Blvd. Assoc. said Albert Mizrahi, owner of the building, told him that “he’s working on some plans” for the vacant building.
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February 2016
Larchmont Chronicle
elebrate Your alentine C V
Couples tell how they met . . . By Georgia Dolenz
Finding love at a college mixer
Bill and Bonnie Flaherty came close to never meeting at all. Bill was attending Loyola University in Westchester, an all-male college at the time, while Bonnie Camero was studying at Marymount University, an all-female college in Palos Verdes. “One evening, my friends and I put on our finest suits and headed to a mixer that was being held at Marymount College,” recalls Bill. They parked their cars outside the college, walked up the school steps, and paused as they reached the doors. The mixer was filled with young Air Force Student Aides dressed in casual attire. “We stood there in our smart pressed suits and couldn’t help but feel out of place.” “I had gone home early from the party,” explains Bonnie. “I’d helped organize the mixer and was tired from the day's activities. However, a friend convinced me to come back to the party and enjoy the evening.” Feeling slightly overdressed, Bill and his friends decided to leave. All of a sudden “a little gal came running down the hallway, asking us to stay,” laughs Bill. Bonnie had just returned to the party and spotted the men hovering at the door in their fine suits and asked them to dance with some of the single girls who needed partners. “And there she was, my wife, standing right in front of me,” smiles Bill. Later that night, he asked for Bonnie’s phone
THE ANDERSONS tied the knot in 1971.
Forgotten typewriter unites pair
FLAHERTYS have 20 grandchildren.
number and the rest is history. They dated for a few years and were married in 1963 at St. Brendan Church in Windsor Square. Bonnie grew up in the Hancock Park (Please turn to page 13)
Carl and Betsy Anderson were both students at Stanford University in 1969. Betsy Neville was from Windsor Square, and Carl had grown up in Ohio. Carl remembers the exact time he first met Betsy on campus. “It was late September in 1969 at 2 p.m. I had an interview for the Overseas Campuses Board, and Betsy was the chair at the time. I walked in and there she was!” It wasn’t until Betsy heard his name that she realized who he was. “Carl’s brother had dated one of the girls in my dorm, so I had heard of him before, but never met him. ‘So you’re Carl Anderson,' I thought!” recalls Betsy. “I knew he’d be a great addition to the committee, so he got the job.” “We spent a lot of time at The Dutch Goose bar,” where the committee meetings were held, and they were dating by the spring. Betsy was a year ahead of Carl and graduated in 1970. (Please turn to page 13)
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elebrate Your alentine C V
COUPLES TELL ANDERSONS (Continued from page 12)
“She moved to Washington D.C. to work in one of Stanford’s summer programs,” recalls Carl. “I watched her go and thought that would be the last time I ever saw her." Later that summer, Carl also got a job in D.C. He packed his bags, jumped on a plane and asked a friend to pick him up in D.C. “When I arrived at the airport, who was there to meet me, but Betsy!” laughs Carl. “The Stanford community was small in D.C. so I knew the friend who was picking him up, and decided I would go instead,” smiles Betsy. They spent the summer together in D.C. attending lectures and exploring the city. When their summer programs ended they would have to part ways again. Betsy moved home to Windsor Square and Carl headed back to Stanford to finish his degree. “Before I left, she called me from California and said she had forgotten her typewriter in D.C. She asked if I could bring it to her on my way back to Stanford,” recalls Carl, “I drove across country with her typewriter and delivered it straight to her parents’ door on Irving Blvd.” They were engaged in 1971 and were married a year later on June 17 in the garden of Betsy’s family home. After a year in Germany, and law school for Carl in Michigan, Carl and Betsy moved to California and started a family, eventually buying a house in 1981 a block from her parents in Windsor Square. They have two children, Neville and Mark. Neville, a physician, founded Larchmont Pediatrics and lives close by. Mark works at Cushman & Wakefield in San Francisco. He and his wife have twins.
True love; it comes in all shapes and sizes
February gets us thinking about love. Romantic love, friendly love, parental love. No doubt about it: Love makes the world a better place. Everyone experiences love differently as no two love-relationships are exactly alike. In my experience, nothing prepared me for the profound love that comes when you have a child. Knowing that you have this little person that you would take a bullet for at any time, without hesitation. Pure love: I asked some friends to tell me something in their life that reflects true love. First friend: “My husband has the word ‘everyday’ engraved in his wedding band to remind himself to be focused on our relationship
every day and to not take our love for granted.” Second friend: “When the kids were little, I got lice from them. My husband Mommy spent hours Beat picking the by bugs out of Danielle my hair.... Avazianwhich was Reyes disgusting and I truly appreciated his nit-picking ability as he was thorough. The next day, he came home with flowers and said, 'You are still beautiful to me.' True love is not flowers, nor special dinners or jewelry, but someone who will pick your hair for hours and then
still tell you that you are beautiful.” Third friend: “One time when she was about four, my daughter Frannie told me she loved me as much as I love her—which was so touching and cute.” Fourth friend: “One Valentine's Day I was coming back to my office from a lunch meeting and in the middle of the sidewalk was a bright, big, potted sunflower. As I came closer, I saw that it had an envelope with my name on it! My boyfriend had placed the flower there at the exact right time.”
When I reflect on true love in my life, a few things come to mind: Although my girls are getting older (10 and 12), I still like to go in and look at them when they are sleeping. Another thought: When my husband and I were dating, I mentioned that I needed a nightstand for the bedroom at my apartment. A few days later, I stopped by his house and found him in the garage working on a project with wood—he didn’t say much about what he was doing. A short time later, he presented me with a beautiful little side table that he had made for me. I still have that table that was made with love. Enjoy all the love in your life this Valentine’s season.
W ED D I N G & G I F T R EG I S T RY
ENTERTAIN BEAUTIFULLY
FLAHERTYS (Continued from page 12) area and has always loved the neighborhood. It wasn’t long before she and Bill bought a home of their own on Irving Blvd. and started a family. Bill and Bonnie have six children and 20 grandchildren. “We love getting the whole family together for Thanksgiving, and we still see some of our friends from that night at the Marymount College mixer.” Bill and Bonnie have been in the area more than 50 years and own a financial planning company downtown.
GEARYS.COM
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Larchmont Chronicle
elebrate Your alentine C V
Celebrate love sipping champagne in beautiful cinema venues Still need date ideas for Valentine’s Day weekend? Cinespia will host two lovethemed motion picture events screened inside Los Angeles’ most historic movie palaces. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind A couple that breaks up undergoes a scientific treatment to erase each other from
their memories. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in this most unusual love story, directed by Michel Gondry. With DJs, full bar and a photo booth inside a gorgeous historic theatre, this will be a night you’ll never forget. To screen on Sat., Feb. 13 at the Palace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway. General admission
is $25; premium seating is $50. Age 21 and over. Moulin Rouge This movie will light up the big screen with Nicole Kidman as a famous Paris nightclub’s top act, and Ewan McGregor as the poet who tries to win her love. Before the movie, variety acts onstage will entertain.
Sip champagne beneath floating chandeliers, wander into the enormous ballroom with a live band and capture a portrait of you and your sweetheart inside a photo booth. Inside one of the city’s most gorgeous movie palaces— complete with soaring ceilings, breath-taking chandeliers, gold leaf angels and a
cascading crystal fountain—it is the perfect place to celebrate love. To screen on Sun., Feb. 14 at the Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S. Broadway. General admission is $33; premium seating is $85. Age 21 and over. Jacket and tie required for men. For more information, visit cinespia.org.
LIBRARY CALENDAR
Make a chocolate bouquet Two local library branches have activities to help observe Valentine's Day. Teens at John C. Fremont Library can make bouquets of roses using Hershey Kisses Tues., Feb. 9 at 3:30 p.m. There will also be a Valentine's Day story and craft time for children Thurs., Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. Fairfax Library will have a Valentine's Day Haters group and book signing for E.J. Bouinatchova's book "Fresh Cut," Sat., Feb. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. Read below for other activities at your local branches or go to lapl.org for more information. FAIRFAX LIBRARY 161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191 Free Film: Thurs., Feb. 4 at 2:30 p.m. Art of Speaking: Saturdays Feb. 6 and 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. Valentine's Day Haters Group and Book Signing: Sat., Feb. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. Blue Submarine Tidepool: Thurs., Feb. 18, 4 p.m. Book Sale: Wednesdays, noon to 4 p.m. FREMONT LIBRARY 6121 Melrose Ave. 323-962-3521 Valentine's Day stories and craft: Thurs., Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. BARK: Read books to therapy dogs Sat., Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Hershey Kisses Roses: Tues., Feb. 9 at 3:30 p.m. Book Sale: Fri., Feb. 5, 12 to 4 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 6, 12 to 5 p.m. MEMORIAL LIBRARY 4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2732 Buttonmaking: Thurs., Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. Family Storytime: Wed., Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. Family Movie Night: Mon., Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. Game day: Thurs., Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. WILSHIRE LIBRARY 149 N. St. Andrews Place 323-957-4550 Baby Sleepy Storytime:
Mon. Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. Preschool Storytime: Thurs., Feb. 11, 3 to 4 p.m. Medi-Cal and CalFresh: Tues., Feb. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m.
skin
deep by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Q: I may sound naive, but how do I begin to decide which anti-aging treatment to choose? A: Not at all! And are you ready for some silver lining? Believe it or not this is a great time to be getting older. With technology advancing rapidly, I can continually offer my patients a wider range of options. Let me narrow your selection - Fractora by Invasix, provides improvements previously only achieved by multiple technologies. Fractora is the most advanced fractional radio frequency system - improving lines, wrinkles, scars, brown spots and redness, including broken blood vessels. Fractora is an ablative treatment, so you can anticipate comprehensive skin resurfacing. Yet the handpiece allows us to apply gentle heat to localized sites, (leaving the untouched skin to accelerate healing), and to choose the depth of penetration. Because of this, we can customize your session more than with any other fractional treatment. Fractora is most commonly used on crows feet, upper and lower eyelids, smile lines, cheeks, jowls and the neck. We will likely recommend three or more sessions spaced several weeks apart. You’ll immediately see smoother, tighter skin, and minimized discoloration. And for even more upside? You can anticipate increased elastin and collagen production well into new year - and beyond. Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certified Dermatologist located in Larchmont Village with a special focus on anti-aging technology. She is a member of the Botox Cosmetic National Education Faculty and is an international Training Physician for Dermik, the makers of the injectable Sculptra. She is also among a select group of physicians chosen to teach proper injection techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing filler, around the world. Dr. Fitzgerald is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA. Visit online at www.RebeccaFitzgeraldMD. com or call (323) 464-8046 to schedule Adv. an appointment.
Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
SECTION One
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elebrate Your alentine C V
Las Madrinas debs honored for service
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with us!
Museum Row: make secret book boxes for Valentines CRAFT AND FOLK ART MUSEUM—A Secret Valentine Book Box Workshop is Thurs., Feb. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. • "All the Flowers Blooming for You," a family workshop is Sun., Feb. 14; drop in between 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. • "Felt Tacos & Beer" an edible crafts event is Thurs., March 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. • "Upcoming Dreams in Glass and Metal: Enameling in America, 1920 to the present." • "Made in China: New Ceramic Works by Keiko Fukazawa." Exhibits end May 8, 2016 5814 Wilshire Blvd., 323937-4230; cafam.org; free on Sundays. LOS ANGELES MUSEUM CAUST— OF THE HOLO "Visas to Freedom: Aristides de Sousa Mendes and the Refugees of World War II" recognizes the Portuguese Consul General who issued visas to an estimated 30,000 people seeking to escape Nazi-occupied Europe. Holocaust survivor speakers
Hearts and songs delivered in person Surprise your loved one with a Singing Valentine delivered in person by barbershop quartet, the Santa Monica Oceanaires. Members include locals Bill Boeck and Pierre Debbaudt, and Patrick Kellogg—longtime former Larchmnont residents). They will sing two old-fashioned love songs and deliver a heart-shaped balloon with a personalized card. Orders are being accepted for Fri., Feb., 12 to Sun., Feb. 14 from Hancock Park to Pacific Palisades and the South Bay. Call 323-247-SING, or visit oceanaires.org.
and tours on Sundays. Pan Pacific Park, 100 S. The Grove Dr., 323-6513704; lamoth.org. Always free. PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM—Movie night: "The Last Great Road Race" from Veracruz to Zacatecas is Wed., Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. • Book signing: "Peter Brock and the Championship BRE Datsun Team" is on Sat., Feb. 20 at 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 6060 Wilshire Blvd., 323903-2277; petersen.org. LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART— "Catherine Opie: O" opens Feb. 13. Ends Sept. 5. • "Islamic Art Now, Part 2: Contemporary Art of the Middle East." Ongoing. •"Senses of Time: Video and Film-based works of Africa" features six works of art. Ends Jan. 2017. LACMA is free the second Tuesday of the month. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 323857-6000; lacma.org. KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER—"Snowpiercer" screens Thurs., Feb. 25. Set in 2031, the entire world is frozen except for those aboard the Snowpiercer. Films, classes and cultural events. 5505 Wilshire Blvd., 323936-7141; kccla.org. ZIMMER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM—Ring in Year of the Monkey Sun., Feb. 7. Make kindness coupons Sun., Feb. 14, 2 to 4 p.m. Honor International Polar Bear Day Sun. Feb. 28, 2 to 4 p.m. 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100; 323-761-8984; zimmermuseum.org. LA BREA TAR PITS & MUSEUM—"Titans of the Ice Age: The La Brea Story in 3D" screens every half hour 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in the 3D theater. • Ice Age Encounters with a (life-size puppet) sabertoothed cat are Fridays at 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m. 5801 Wilshire Blvd., 323934-PAGE; tarpits.org. JAPAN FOUNDATION— "Chromatic Passages," a threeperson exhibit of area-based painters, ends Feb. 27. Japanema: films screen the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. $10. Language classes, performances also offered. 5700 Wilshire Blvd., 323761-7510; jflalc.org.
We’re Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week Reservations Recommended 323-464-5160
©LC0216
DEBUTANTES include Pilar Mae Hoye, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Matthew Hoye; Karalyn Ahmanson daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Howard Ahmanson; Sarane Millie Caratan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton George Caratan; Elizabeth Fitger Shoemaker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Varner Shoemaker; Emma Grace MacEachern, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Thomas MacEachern; Kathryn Ahmanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Howard Ahmanson.
127 North Larchmont Boulevard
Bokka nails are you ready for a romantic valentine's day? come to larchmont’s newest salon for nail care, make-up, eyelash extensions, hair design & waxing Call annie • 323-745-0477 • Cell: 213-434-0929 Open MOn-Sat • 10aM tO 7pM • Sun • 11aM tO 5 pM 500 N. Larchmont Blvd. (NE corner of Larchmont and Rosewood)
321 N. Larchmont Blvd. Suite 906 323.464.8046 rebeccafitzgeraldmd.com
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Twenty-seven families and their daughters were honored for their service to the Southern California community and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles at The Las Madrinas Ball on Dec. 20 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Some 800 guests attended. Established in 1933, Las Madrinas has supported pediatric medicine for 82 years and is the first affiliate group of the hospital.
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEbruary 2016
SECTION ONE
elebrate C O
Beautiful City Council proclamation was one of several.
Larchmont Chronicle staff and guest Patty Casado. Clockwise from Jane: John Welborne, Pam Rudy, Yvonne Auerbach, Rachael Olivier, Suzan Filipek, Dina Nicholaou, Billy Taylor, Sondi Sepunuk, Patty Casado.
Leisha Willis, Ray Schuldenfrei, Jane.
John Winther speaks on behalf of the Larchmont Boulevard Association.
Jane, Greg Gill, Yvonne Auerbach.
Renée Weitzer, Jane, Fernando Morales.
Rotary President Pearl Leeka presents peonies an roses to Jane.
In the center of the Ebell's two-story lounge, Jane Gilman an
Photos by Bill Devlin
Luncheon guests give Chronicle's Jane Gilman a standing ovation and thank her for bein (Continued from page 1) have been, and are, displayed by Jane Gilman.” Hosted by the Wilshire Rotary, the packed luncheon featured multiple speakers, gift presentations and even an impromptu rendition of ”Happy Birthday” to Jane. “We wish you a happy retirement and birthday, and we love you so,” declared Wilshire Rotary President Pearl Leeka, presenting Jane with a bouquet of peonies and roses. A tasty menu Guests nibbled on avocado, pineapple and radish salad, braised beef short ribs and blueberry clafoutis with crème Anglaise as they listened to the line-up of speakers: Pearl Leeka of Wilshire Rotary, John Welborne of the newspaper, John Winther of Coldwell Banker and president of the Larchmont Blvd. Asso-
ciation, John Burney, director of residential services of Park La Brea, Stephen Kramer, co-founder and president of the Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce, and—as an unscheduled surprise—Tom LaBonge, former city councilman for the 4th District. John Welborne and Pam Rudy, the Chronicle’s advertising director, kicked off the presentations by giving Jane, on behalf of her colleagues at the paper, a gold necklace and pendant mounted with a gold key and a garnet birthstone. “Not only has Jane been our team leader,” said Welborne, “she is a community leader as well. Jane is the key to the community and a key to its success, and that is what this little gold key recognizes.” Jane responded, recounting how she and Dawne Goodwin launched the Larchmont
Chronicle in 1963. Their strategy was to get enough advertisers on board to support a local monthly paper. After going door-to-door on Larchmont Blvd., 28 businesses, including Phil’s Fresh Fish, Van de Kamp’s Bakery, and Landis Department Store, decided to jump aboard what Jane and Dawne dubbed the “great experiment.” The paper’s first 12-page issue was the result. Now, 53 years later, the newspaper under Jane’s stewardship has become the envy of neighborhoods across the city. “Jane has always been the real fabric of our community and kept it together,” praised John Winther of Coldwell Banker. “She would always step forward and keep the community active and involved. Jane’s bio
is so impressive that no one deserves to retire more than Jane!” Life before Chronicle For those who don’t know it, Jane actually had a life before launching the newspaper in 1963. She came from Rye, New York, where she worked on her high school paper. After graduating from Beloit College in Wisconsin, she moved to New York City to work for Cosmopolitan Magazine. She met her husband, Irwin, after she joined the military as a civilian recreation director overseas. Eventually, she and Irwin landed in Los Angeles where Jane befriended Dawne Goodwin, and the rest is history. Dawne's den “We worked out of Dawne’s den for the first year,” reminisced Jane. “We are so lucky we chose this community . . .
and I really do have to thank Dawne, because without her, there would be no Larchmont Chronicle.” Dawne Goodwin passed away in 2012. Representing Park La Brea, John Burney took a moment to remember the first time he met Jane. “You were at Tom Bergin’s, doing a sales presentation with some of the staff and playing the kazoo. I thought, ‘these people are crazy and I need to know them!’” Orrefors vase Steve Kramer presented Jane a beautiful Orrefors crystal flower vase on behalf of the Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce, and former Councilman Tom LaBonge stepped up to praise Jane for empowering the community. “Information is knowledge is power,” said LaBonge as he stood by Jane. “Because of you and
Larchmont Chronicle
FEbruary 2016
SECTION ONE
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ur V alentine
d
Pam Rudy presents the gold necklace and pendant to Jane.
A standing ovation.
Jane Gilman recounts the paper's early days.
Stephen Kramer speaks on behalf of the Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce.
John Burney speaks for Park La Brea.
nd John Welborne stand to greet Patty Casado of El Adobe Café.
Kitty Gordilla, Laura Cohen, Jane, Pauline Giscombe.
g the ‘key to the community.’
Junior League fetes its 90th year, Focus on Youth
Dawne, the neighborhood had the power to become an effective community.” Master of Ceremonies Leeka then acknowledged representatives of four elected officials who had sent handsome proclamations that were displayed on a table to the side of the room: Congressman Ted Lieu, state Sen. Ben Allen, state Assemblyman Richard Bloom, and 4th District City Councilman David E. Ryu. Thanks from Jane Jane again rose to thank the paper’s staff, the 4th District city councilmen over the past fifty years, business owners, residents and “the advertisers who have stuck by the Chronicle for the last half-century. “Advertisers, we couldn’t do it without you,” Jane said. “You are the backbone of the paper, and we truly love and appreciate your support.”
Jane revealed that throughout the years, she has been most proud of helping establish multiple local organizations, including the Windsor Square – Hancock Park Historical Society and the Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce, among others. The numerous campaigns for historic preservation also are among Jane’s proudest achievements, she added. “There are many neighborhoods that are continuing to establish their historic status, and I still want to be helpful,” Jane assured the group. As the crowd rose to its feet for a standing ovation, Jane told the appreciative onlookers, “my minute and a half is up, so I again want to say thank you for making it all happen for me.” No, thank you, Jane.
(Continued from page 1) members working with community partner organizations in seven different locations around the city. On a single day, they create an environment with themed decorations and crafts, and they provide snacks for children and parents. Quoting one of her newer members, Perlstein said that the literacy program’s “opportunity to teach children the importance of reading and education was an invaluable experience”—one that the new JLLA member said, “truly helped me grow both personally and professionally.” Perlstein explained that the success of these one-day literacy programs has led the JLLA to embark upon the creation of a “Literacy Toolkit” that will consist of flashcards in both English and Spanish to help
Joyce Kleifield reads the table centerpiece (the 50th Anniversary issue).
parents engage with their children and build language skills. “During this year, we are incubating the project . . . testing out different approaches,” said Perlstein. She explained that the typical JLLA project process takes from three to eight years, with the first year being the discussion of an idea and the second year being to test the idea while seeking potential community partners. The subsequent years of direct League involvement involve growing and strengthening the project so it may be left in the hands of the community partner or partners. For example, another youthoriented JLLA project, “Fostering Independence,” was in the incubating and testing stage last year. Now, working with community partner the Alliance for Children’s Rights,
the two groups are serving needs of young women ages 14-21 who are currently in, or were once in, foster care. Said Perlstein: “The project provides life skills classes for youth transitioning out of foster care. Topics have included interviewing skills, building a resume, money management, safe sex practices, stress management, and beauty/skincare 101.” Perlstein said that the League has a 90-year history of developing, supporting, and launching more than 100 projects into the Los Angeles community. The JLLA “has been a driving force behind the kinds of initiatives and institutions that make our community a healthier, more vital place to live.” Full disclosure: The writer’s mother was one of the founders in 1925.
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February 2016
SECTION One
Larchmont Chronicle
Entertainment
Top 24 — Our movie critic's ‘most-enjoyable’ films of 2015 Here is my list of the most enjoyable films I saw during 2015. This is just how much I enjoyed them, not rated as I would rate an Oscar® winner, but in my rough order of preference. This list doesn’t include two films I haven’t
seen, “Brooklyn” and “Room.” Everyone I’ve spoken with (not critics) say they are both very good. 1. Testament of Youth: Based on the true exploits of an English woman during WWI, if there was ever a better actress
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in Hollywood than Alicia Vikander, I haven’t seen her. 2. The Gift: Hitchcockian brilliance from writer/director/co-star Joel Edgerton; the tension never lets up. 3. Far From the Madding Crowd: Blew me away. 4. Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom: This documentary of the Ukraine Revolution is the most captivating action film you will ever see, and it’s all shot on site as the events are unfolding. 5. Ex Machina: Alicia Vikander shines as a robot. 6. Woman in Gold: Another true story with very little Hollywood added; if it weren’t for Alicia Vikander, Helen Mirren would be the best actress Hollywood has ever seen. 7. Amy: Terrific documentary about Amy Winehouse. 8. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon: Also wonderfully funny. 9. Mad Max: Fury Road: One of the pleasant surprises of the year for me. A more peripatetic, high octane, testosterone-fueled chase film you will rarely see. 10. Spy: After a slow first hour, Melissa McCarthy sparkles in a riotous last hour. 11. Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Much better than I expected with star turns by veteran Harrison Ford and newcomer Daisy Ridley. 12. The Martian: I never dreamed watching a guy stranded on Mars for several hours could be this good. 13. The Salt of the Earth: This is not just a wonderful documentary about one of the greatest social photographers of the generation, Sebastiâo
THE EBELL OF LOS ANGELES
Salgado, it’s a picture of the brutal life of survival in the worlds far beyond our shores. 14. Pitch Perfect 2: Highlighted by outstanding production values and upbeat, entertaining music, this sequel far outpaces the original, which I despised.
At the Movies with
Tony Medley 15. Irrational Man: Hitchcock would have made this story a tense thriller; Woody Allen makes it a light-hearted comedic presentation, despite the dark undertones. 16. The Salvation: A Danish film with an international cast headed by Danish superstar Mads Mikkelson, this is in the grand tradition of Sergio Leone and his Spaghetti Westerns set in the American Old West but shot in Europe. 17. Child 44: A tense thriller set in Soviet Russia in 1953, it’s one of Tom Hardy’s many terrific performances of the year. 18. Jurassic World: How can you go wrong with Spielberg’s dinosaurs? This is better than the original. 19. Cop Car: This one really snuck up on me. I liked just about every minute of it. 20. Run All Night: Nonstop Liam Neeson action highlighted by tension-enhancing music, exceptional cinematography and good dialogue. 21. Deli Man: 160 years of tra-
EVENING LECTURE: ARCHITECT CHAVA DANIELSON Known for award-winning rehab and adaptive reuse projects Tuesday, February 9, 2016 - 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Andrew Fenady has had a huge career as a writer/producer. Today, as he debuts his 19th novel, he has become a seasoned author. The novel, “Black Noon,” is set in a western town built to resemble a New England Village where mysterious happenings occur. The 327-page paperback is published by Pinnacle Books. The Hancock Park resident wrote and produced the television series “The Rebel” with Nick Adams in the title role and “Chisum” starring John Wayne. Other credits include “Hondo,” “Branded” and “Beyond Vengeance.” His books have earned Fenady the Golden Boot Award, the Silver Spur Award, and the Owen Wister Award for his lifetime contribution to westerns.
ot The Nd ry a n i r So O Restaurant Thai In LA LC0905
Thursday Lunch & Book Signing of The Light of The World Thursday, February 4, 2016 - 11:30 am
Cocktails, Dinner & Dancing to Dean Mora’s Swing Band Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Mystery in small town is theme of Fenady’s novel
Chan Dara
CELEBRATED POET & ESSAYIST ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
AS TIME GOES BY, REMEMBERING THE 1940s
dition of the Jewish delicatessen; who knew! 22. Humpback Whales: This exceptional view of these magnificent mammals in IMAX 3D is an exhilarating filmviewing experience you can get nowhere else. I hated to see it end. 23. In the Heart of the Sea: Spellbinding tale of the story of the destruction of the whaling ship, Essex, in 1820, upon which Moby Dick was based; I was rooting for the whale. 24. The Letters: An eye-opening different take on Mother Teresa.
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LARCHMONT 323-467-1052 310 N. Larchmont Blvd.
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH LUNCH
For information on tickets or the Ebell, visit www.EbellEventTickets.com, www.ebelloflosangeles.org or call 323-931-1277 x 131 - 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90005
Restaurant Hours: Mon. - Tues. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wed. - Sat. 11 a.m. to midnight Sun. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bar Open till 1:00 a.m. Mon.-Thurs. ~ 1:30 a.m. Fri., & Sat.
3357 Wilshire Blvd. • 213-385-7275
©LC 0406
Personal Stories of Los Angeles African-American Families Moderated by historian Susan D. Anderson Monday, February 22, 2016 -11:30 am
Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
SECTION One
19
Entertainment
Brilliant sisters in Cabaret-set play, ‘Soprano’–style comedy The time is the early 1930’s, the place Berlin. My Sister by Janet Schlapkohl is set against the growing threat of the National Socialist/Nazi rise to power. The days are growing dark for freedom of expression and for those who don’t fit the Nazi ideal of physical beauty. The story centers on two sis-
PAINTINGS on display include "A Breezy Day" by Charles Courtney Curran.
Impressionist garden paintings at Huntington Learn the relationship between the art of painting and garden design at the Huntington Library exhibit through Mon., May 9. “The Artist’s Garden: American Impressionism and the Garden Movement, 1887–1920” showcases a selection of 17 paintings from an exhibition that originated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The exhibit explores the connections between the American Impressionist movement and the emergence of gardening as a middle-class leisure pursuit. The venue is ideal, said a Huntington spokesman. The museum is renowned for its botanical gardens—many first planted at the turn of the 20th century. The Huntington historic gardens originally were part of the estate of collector and philanthropist Henry E. Huntington (1850-1927).
Sit down at Kali on N. Larchmont Kali restaurant was set to open after press time on 5722 Melrose Ave. at the north end of Larchmont Village. In the former Midtown Bar + Kitchen, the sit-down restaurant is co-owned by chef Kevin Meehan (L'Orangerie) and Drew Langley, who will also serve as the wine director. Langley was previously at the Michelin-starred Providence. The duo previously operated a roving dinner pop-up, Kali Dining.
ters: Magda (Emily Hinkler), a fledgling chanteuse and comedienne at a local cabaret, and Mathilde (Elizabeth Hinkler), her sister suffering with cerebral palsy and housebound in their small apartment. Magda’s cabaret act is accompanied on piano by musical director Barbara Rottman. The music by Christopher Gene Okiishi and lyrics by Janet Schlapkohl help bring the outside world into focus. Played by real-life twins, enough cannot be said about the brilliant performances of these two young actresses. Emily as Magda, trying to hold their crumbling worlds together, relates totally to the accurate and touching performance by Elizabeth, whose
disability cannot hide her wit and intelligence. The director credit is shared by Ron Sossi and Paul David Story who have presented this play with pace and style. This is a wonderful evening at the theatre, not to be missed. Through March 6. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 310-477-2055, OdysseyTheatre.com. 4 Stars • • • Den of Thieves by Stephen Adly Guirgis is an over-the-top farce with a touch of “Sopranos” and a nod to Quentin Tarantino. A couple of hapless addictive types, Paul (Frank Gallegos) and Maggie (Alison Quinn) are in a 12-step program for recovering thieves, among other addictions, when
temptation wanders their way in the form of Flaco (Kevin Herrmann). Flaco has a can’tmiss scheme to rob a disco of 750 big ones. Completing the
Theater Review by
Patricia Foster Rye
gang is Boochie, a willing topless dancer (Paulina Gamiz) and Flaco’s current girlfriend, who joins the group to help plan the heist. What this bickering quartet doesn’t know is it’s a mobowned disco and the thieves
find themselves caught, tied to chairs, and guarded by the manic Sal (Eric Geller). They’re at the mercy of Louie “The Little Tuna” Pescatore (Chris Lanehart), hapless son of Al “The Big Tuna” Pescatore (the wonderful Chris D’Annunzio). The Big Tuna has offered the thieves a break: instead of all of them dying, they need to choose one to die, and the rest will have their thumbs cut off. What ensues is a highoctane verbal battle for survival that leads to some new self-revelations. Director Eric Augusztiny keeps the laughs timed perfectly. Through Feb. 7. Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-960-5770, 2centstheatre.com. 4 Stars
THIS YEAR, FARMERS MARKET LETS THE GOOD TIMES ROLL & ROLL & ROLL ...
MARDI GRAS JANUARY 30 & 31 • FEBRUARY 6 & 9
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30
The Wabash Wailers Lisa Haley & The Zydekats
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31
Mutti Gras Pet Parade & Costume Contest w/ The Dog Bakery Bear Brass Band Kevin the Strolling Jester Shakers for Peace & Joy w/ Kids for Peace T-Lou & His Super Hot Zydeco Band The Zydeco Mudbugs Porterhouse Bob
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February 2016
SECTION One
Larchmont Chronicle
Entertainment
Italian comfort food on Beverly; authentic Thai in Chinatown
Ladies Night Out is a cherished tradition in many friend circles. Some feature wild bars and burlesque shows, but mine always revolve around food. This time, my gal pals and I headed to Market Provisions, a cozy, wineforward Italian place on Beverly. Recently transformed from the well-regarded Cooks County by owners Claudio and Adria Blotta, it now sports a prominent bar, dim lighting,
and dark wood. There’s a nice selection of pastas, charcuterie, and cheeses, as expected. Earthy and creamy chicken liver paté on toast with arugula, date jam and walnuts is probably the best iteration of this homey favorite I’ve had. Charred octopus tentacles are tossed with chorizo vinaigrette, dolloped with saffron aioli, and presented over potatoes and strangely distracting cucumbers. Linguini with
clams in saffron, white wine and garlic tasted mainly of lemon. Good lemon, maybe even great lemon, but not the buttery wine yumminess one probably anticipated. There are only three entrees over $20, including the $21 braised beef cheeks, achingly soft and full-flavored, on celery root puree and greens. This was a definite comfort food star. A lovely bottle of Montepulciano lubricated our
Ulysses Voyage
The Original Flavors are Back! A Culinary Odyssey in Traditional Greek Dining!
Owners Hana & Peter Welcome You!
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everything on the menu was authentic. Of course, what we really wanted to know was, “Is it good?” In fact, it often is. Kaeng hang leh, a pork shoulder and belly curry, was sweet, salty, spicy and satisfying; a dish I would order again. I found the khao soi, a chicken curry noodle soup, bland, even after adding lime wedges and ground chilies, but the rest of my table loved it. A salad special with crispy bits of pork rind was lovely. We ordered both the regular and spicy wings, and the spicy definitely won. Fish sauce flavors, which adds a wonderful umami and salt punch. “Drinking food,” such as deep fried peanuts with chilies and lime leaf, are generally under $10. Almost everything else is in the mid-teens. Specialty cocktails at $12 often feature unusual flavors, such as tamarind and celery drinking vinegar. Pok Pok LA. 978 N. Broadway. 213-613-1831. Full bar.
Dine, dance at 'Rick's Cafe'
Enjoy a romantic Greek dinner on our patio among the olive trees and twinkling lights or at a fireside table inside.
“Remembering the 1940s at Rick’s Café Americain, Casablanca” takes place on Sat., Feb. 6 from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Special guests will be The Art Deco Society at the dinner and dance at The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. A Valentine’s Day Craft Extravaganza is Mon., Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon, with artist Aleka Corwin. Learn how designer Chava
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Brunch on Sat. & Sun. • Lunch & Dinner Daily • Full Bar Live Music Fri. & Sat. Nights
conversation, which, after all, is what ladies night is about. Market Provisions. 8009 Beverly Blvd. 323-653-8009. Wine and beer only. ••• For one of the newest trendy Thai experiences, head to Chinatown’s burgeoning culinary scene and give Pok Pok LA a go. The original Pok Pok in Portland is proudly trumpeted as evidence that foodies can find nirvana in that northwest city. Its chef Andy Ricker—winner of the 2011 James Beard Best Chef, Northwest—has On the opened two Menu eateries withby in blocks of Helene each other on Seifer Broadway in Chinatown. This one is bigger, spreading over two floors and a patio, and has a broader menu than its noodlecentric sister, Pok Pok Phat Thai. Plastic flowered tablecloths and multi-colored ceiling lights are the most visible signs of décor. Our waiter assured us that almost
In the Farmers Market • 3rd & Fairfax 323.939.9728 • www.ulyssesvoyage.com
Romance Your Valentine
Danielson helped transform an insurance building by Welton Becket into the contemporary remade Larchmont Charter School Tues., Feb. 9 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Danielson is a principal of DSH Achitecture. Susan Anderson, author of “Unto the Second and Third Generation: Personal Stories of African American Families in Los Angeles,” will talk at a luncheon on Mon., Feb. 22.
One of 21 Best Under-rated Restaurants in LA According to EaterLa
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Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
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Focus on Youth Village Cadettes are busy on Silver projects ing donation programs from various production companies to shelters and temporary housing facilities. “Our troop is very self-sufficient,” Miller added. The girls raise all the money themselves for trips and adventures and pay to support all their community service activities. “A lot of that money comes from their cookie sales, and speaking of... “Most people think cookies when they hear the words 'Girl Scouts,' and in fact cookie season is coming up,” said Miller. “We will be “boothing” on Larchmont and in neighborhoods surrounding Larchmont starting February 5. "There are at least four troops who have girls in the area, so we hope you take the time to visit with and support all of us! "And, buy cookies!"
Girl Scout cookie season is here; new gluten-free is on the menu It’s that time of year again, when images of chocolatecovered Samoas and Thin Mints dance in our heads. These and more varieties of Girl Scout Cookies are for sale throughout the neighborhood. Cookie sales booths will
be sited all along Larchmont Blvd. beginning Fri., Feb. 5 and many other locations in the area. Girl Scouts kicked off door-to-door sales last month. “Get ready,” warns Melanie Larsen, spokesman for the Girl (Please turn to page 23)
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Lachmont Village Girl Scouts is a Cadette troop of seventh and eighth graders who have been together since the first and second grades. “The 16 girls love to hike, camp, go on adventures and help their community,” said the Troop #495 leader Amy Elvis Kiehl Miller. “The entire troop completed Bronze Awards two years ago, and now the girls have split up to work on their Silver Awards, which are based in completing a community activity that effects a (positive) permanent change in the community.” Some of the Silver Award projects that the girls are working on are: Birthday in a Box for Children’s Hospital; building a local library in a neighborhood where children do not have access to a library; helping to put a program in place to provide helmets for children hoping to learn how to ride a horse; various animal rescue projects; and implementing permanent cloth-
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Boy ScoutS of AmericA AnniversAry Week:
Troop 10 combines outdoor activities with civic service Boy Scout Troop 10 is carrying on the tradition of scouting as the oldest continuoously sponsored troop in the country. Founded in 1914, the troop currently is composed of 77 boys and 14 adult leaders. Sponsored by St. James’ Episcopal Church, the organization has introduced boys in the mid-Wilshire area to life in the outdoors, through hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities aimed at developing young men.
AT JOSHUA TREE National Park were Luke Gil in the foreground, left to right behind him are Oliver Chandler, Nathan Yang and A.J. Rivas.
The scouts have recently had overnight campouts at Malibu Creek State Park and Joshua Tree National Park, attended Camp Cherry Valley on Catalina Island (for the 32nd year) and attended the Log Cabin, a highadventure camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains where they learned survival and outdoor skills. The troop typically conducts six to eight overnight campouts per year, seven to 10 local hikes (including clean-up events at Griffith Park) and one to two summer camps. Led by Matt Rauchberg, who replaced long-time scoutmaster Thomas Fenady, the group also engages in a number of community service projects, including cleanup at Taste of Larchmont and volunteering at the St. James’ Soup Kitchen. They also have handed out presents and food to 300 families in East Los Angeles, at a charity sponsored by One Voice Christmas, and have
BOY SCOUT TROOP 10, top, attended Camp Cherry Valley on Catalina Island last summer.
volunteered at the downtown Midnight Mission. The key to the Boy Scout program, which includes boys in the age group 11 to 17, is weekly repetition of, and adherence to, the Boy Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.” The members represent more than 10 different local public and private schools and
NEW LEADER of Troop 10 is Matt Rauchberg, left, shown with former leader Thomas Fenady.
virtually every ethnic group and income level in the area. Schools that sponsor Boy Scout (and Cub Scout) troops include St. James' Episcopal,
St. Brendan, Loyola, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies magnet, Harvard-Westlake and Los Angeles High, among others.
These supporTers saluTe MeMbers of Boy Scout Troops in our CoMMuniTy Chase Campen The Family RealToR 323-762-2562 www.larchmontliving.com
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Michelle hanna Coldwell Banker South 119 N. Larchmont Blvd.
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Le Petit Greek Thomas & Dimitris Houndalas
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February 2016
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Celebrating 106 Years February 1 Thru 7
Cookie season is here again
Area Boy Scout Troops, Packs Troop 10 Scoutmaster: Matt Rauchberg Meets at St. James Church 3903 Wilshire Blvd. Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. mattr64@yahoo.com
(Continued from page 21) Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. “Some 600 Girl Scouts are signed on to participate in Hancock Park, Larchmont, Beverly Hills and the Hollywood areas.” Priced at $5 a box, the limited quantity gluten-free Toffeetastic sells for $6 a box. Also offered are Tagalongs, Trefoils, Do-si-Dos, Savannah Smiles and Rah-Rah Raisin. Besides enoying a tasty treat, when you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you help girls gain important life skills, said Larsen. By running her own cookie business and working with others, Girl Scouts learn money management, people skills, goal-setting, decision-making, and business ethics. And, purchasers help fund local Girl Scout troop activities and leadership programs— like STE[A]M (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)—plus activities like camp and field trips in which local Girl Scouts participate all year long. Girl Scouts support important community projects at the local level, too, so when you buy Girl Scout Cookies in your neighbor-
Cub Pack 16
Pack 10 Cub Scouts
Cubmaster: Diane Gilmore Meets in basement at St. James Church 3903 Wilshire Blvd. Alternate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. dianegilmorela@gmail.com
Cubmaster: Scott Hanna Meets at St. Brendan School 368 S. Manhattan Pl. Second Friday at 6:30 p.m. 213-973-8097 Pack16cubscouts@yahoo. com
Troop 621
Meets at Third St. Elementary 201 S. June St. Mondays at 7 p.m. bsa-troop621.org
Council merger and new Cub program mean more opportunity PARKING METERS turn into candy canes at holiday time on Larchmont Blvd. Among the Troop 621 members working on the project were Roger Lee, left, and Andrew Kim.
hood, you are keeping your dollars in your community. Customers can also support Girl Scouts by donating money in any amount to go toward the Gift of Caring program, which sends cookies to soldiers overseas and to local nonprofit partners like the LA Food Bank. National Cookie Weekend Girl Scouts will celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie
Weekend Sat., Feb. 27 with a #GoldenTrefoil treasure hunt in which customers can participate. “Golden tickets” will be randomly placed on boxes of Trefoils at cookie sales booths, and if a customer gets one, he or she will win a month’s worth of cookies. Plus, one lucky winner will get the grand prize: an entire year of cookies! Follow @GirlScoutsLA on Twitter to
Pack 10 Cubmaster Diane Gilmore said her group is heading to Pinewood Derby. Scout Sunday is officially Feb. 7—"celebrated around the city," she added. And, many local units will be at Camp Firestone in April for Rocket Academy. Changes in local and nationget clues and increase your chances of finding a #GoldenTrefoil. Cookie sales continue through March 6. To find a cookie booth near you, go to girlscoutcookies.org.
al Boy Scout programs equal more opportunities for local scouts. The Los Angeles Boy Scout Council has merged with San Gabriel Council and is now the “Greater Los Angeles Area Council.” This doubles the number of camps available to scouts at in-council prices, such as the Cherry Valley camp on Catalina. Launched in June was the new Cub Scout Adventure program. Cubs go on a series of “adventures,” individually and as part of their den, while earning their badges of rank. Visit boyscoutsla.org.
These supporTers saluTe MeMbers of Boy Scout Troops in our CoMMuniTy Lester Carpet The Lester Family 7815 Beverly Blvd., L.A. 90036 323-934-7280 lestercarpet@aol.com
Metropolitan Holding Co. Tom Kneafsey 200 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-463-4220
St. Brendan CatholiC ChurCh 310 S. Van Ness Ave. 323-936-4656 www.stbrendanchurch.org
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Bruce Walker Exceptional Real Estate 28 Years Experience 310-623-8722 www.BruceWalker.com
Lipson pLumbing Bob Vacca 148 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-469-2635
Pilgrim School 540 S. Commonwealth Ave. 213-385-5204 www.pilgrim-school.org
Zavala ElEctric Bernie Zavala Your Neighborhood Electrician
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February 2016
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Larchmont Chronicle
school news
Mezzo-Soprano turns attention to nuturing teens in opera By Billy Taylor For fans of opera who don a tuxedo only to lose the plot due to poor foreign language skills, there’s an alternative this spring.
Students from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) will perform a modern adaptation of The Marriage of Figaro, performed completely in
English. And with just seven weeks until the curtain opens, production director, mezzosoprano Stephanie Vlahos, is singing the praises of her young, yet talented cast.
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“These kids are amazing,” up with some contemporary says Vlahos. “They are both language and music. “Students really respond to quick and eager to learn.” The biggest problem with period pieces,” she says. working with adult actors, “I wanted to explore the production this according to Vlahos is the "Above all else, opera year differentword "no." communicates the hu- ly,” says Vlahos, that She adds: man condition and kids adding “But these really understand that." the audience can expect to young people don’t think like that yet, see the lines blurred on stage which allows for a wellspring between the 18th century and today. of the best kind of art." A graduate of Yale and Juil- When it originally preliard, Vlahos performed with miered 1786, The Marriage the Los Angeles Opera in roles of Figaro was controversial such as Nicklausse in "Tales of because it depicted members Hoffmann" and Hermia in "A of the bourgeoisie class outMidsummer Night’s Dream." smarting the established arisHowever, currently, she tocratic order. spends her time promoting “It was a significant turning the classical arts in a fresh, point in opera,” says Vlahos, “that the working class could new way with students. “Above all else, opera com- outwit the upper class—it municates the human condi- represents something importion and kids really under- tant. And that message has a lot of value for kids today.” stand that,” says Vlahos. “So what I try to do is con- The Marriage of Figaro is ceptualize an operatic produc- scheduled for March 18 at tion to meet the interests of 7:30 p.m. and March 19 at 2 young people at this junction and 7:30 p.m. at the Luckman Theatre, 5151 State Univerin their life.” Vlahos says she starts with sity Dr. For more information, a grand opera, and mashes it visit lachsa.net.
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Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
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school news Los Angeles High/Harrison Trust number of students we have. (Continued from page 1) administrators are too depen- So as more charter schools dent on her to fund basic pro- open, it waters down the pot and means we have a smaller gramming. “Schools are increasingly amount of money to serve a under-resourced,” says Klei- higher percentage of a needier population,” says Kleifield. field. “And the greatest of these “With that in mind we realmissing resources is creativity ized there was a need to find and imagination. The ability and bring in more resources, to imagine how to educate which is the community.” Harrison’s heavy load kids differently. That’s the situation Los The stress put on the HarriAngeles High is in right now.” son Trust is wrong according A harsh assessment perhaps, to Curtis Clark, LAHS Combut as the go-to person for munity Representative, who funding requests for every- says “LAUSD needs to be more thing from academic pro- accountable for what’s hapgrams to remodeling of facili- pening here.” ties, she is a canary in the As a member of the community, Clark has worked with coalmine. the school’s leadership counHistory of Harrison The Harrison Trust was cil for three years and has established after alumnus grown frustrated with what Alice G. Harrison (class of he’s seen. 1895) left her entire estate to “LAUSD has a responsibility to properly maintain the camLos Angeles High in 1958. In accordance with her will, pus. It is not the Trust’s job to $2 million was invested and completely fund the school.” the interest used to provide Home prices and demographics “exceptional educational "Schools are increasingly are chango p p o r t u - under-resourced, and the ing, accordnities and greatest of these missing ing to Clark, experiences resources is creativity and who says Los Angeles High which would imagination. The ability to isn’t keeping not otherimagine how to educate pace with the wise be availkids differently." n e i g h b o rable to the hood. Prices students of the Los Angeles High School are going up, and the economic and educational achievethrough public funds.” According to Kleifield, the ments of the surrounding trust was a frontrunner in neighbors are increasing as private support of public edu- well. cation, and it remains a testa- “As a community we need ment to the benefits of com- to rally and come together munity interest in public edu- to help a high school that touches eight neighborhood cation. “The fact is we serve a low- councils,” says Clark. It takes a village er socio-economic class. And our budget is based on the “This isn’t a new concept.
People know it takes a village and all that,” says Kleifield, “But it’s kind of new here. People have felt really disengaged from this school for many years.” There’s a reason to be optimistic, according to Kleifield, who credits a strong and passionate alumni base: “As a part of the neighboring community they feel like we deserve a better school. “I believe in the importance of building strong communities, but my view is if we don’t start in our public schools then everything else we do is useless,” she concludes. For information on how to get involved with Los Angeles High School Community Collaborative (LAHSCC), email alumnus Ken Marsh at kmarsh@ca.rr.com.
First glimpse of Burroughs modernization program By Billy Taylor A group of more than 30 parents and neighbors met in the auditorium of the John Burroughs Middle School on Jan. 20 to hear an overview of a multi-year modernization project of the school’s historic buildings and campus. Scott Singletary, development manager for LAUSD, told audience members that LAUSD intends to maintain the historic integrity of the campus built in 1924, a part of the Hancock Park Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. Singletary says they will recommend replacing only one historic building plus all portable buildings and bun-
galows on campus with modern buildings. Additional upgrades include a new cafeteria, improved vehicle circulation and additional landscaping. A Los Angeles Conservancy representative said the group had not yet seen the school's plans. The LAUSD Board of Education will review its staff recommendations on Feb. 9. The project will be in a design and approval stage for the next two years, according to Singletary, where the project team will work closely with neighborhood stakeholders; followed by four years of construction on campus.
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February 2016
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school news turning point
By Steven Haker 8th Grade Like any other year, after October comes November, and after November, December, and before you know it, a new year has begun. At Turning Point, the end of 2015 was better than any I have ever remembered before (and I’ve been here a very long time). What made the end of the
year so great was not only what we did in school, but what we created for other people around the city. For instance, Level 1 got to have their artwork displayed at Children’s Book World, which not only is great for promoting the school, but also displays the importance of the arts and how they coincide with academic subjects, which is one of Turning Point’s core philosophies. There were also many performances that took place here at Turning Point, most of which were by the middle school. Level
6 students, along with the band elective, performed for the entire middle school. Level 6 had their Choral Performance, which took place after school. Both concerts highlighted music from New Orleans, and were another example of integrated learning. After Winter Break, students came back to school in full spirits and ready to learn, which is exactly what they did. Level 4 started a new unit on the Scientific Method in their science class, and the Level 8 class started to learn about the battles of
the Civil War. In addition, the Turning Point Hoop-A-Thon, an annual fundraiser for the school’s athletic programs, will take place on Feb. 12. It looks to be a good year so far and looking forward at Turning Point School.
CATHEDRAL CHAPEL
By Lea Sung 6th Grade We’ve had a great winter at CCS so far, with several fun events over the Christmas season. St. Nick visited for the Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 6! Kindergartners and Preschoolers came with their families to spend the morning with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Meeting with Santa was fun, but the most popular topic of conversation was the CCS Christmas Program. We had one of the best concerts in years with our wonderful new music teacher, Mr. Stephen Bullard. The program incorporated a diverse selection of styles, including traditional Christmas music and beautiful harmonies. We’ve been eagerly planning activities for Catholic Schools Week. During this week, our students will take a day to learn about and serve our community. We will also take the time to recognize the role of everyone in our school family, specifically the teachers, students and parents. Our school has so much to offer, so we hope you’ll stop by on Feb. 4 for our Open House from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM to see our teachers and students in action!
PILGRIM
By Christopher Woods 6th Grade Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all have had a great Holiday season, I know I did.
Things are back in full swing at Pilgrim. The sixth grade teachers haven’t waited to give us lots of homework and plenty of tests. All other grades seem to be busy as well. We are off to see the Wizard. All grades from kindergarten through high school are preparing for Ms. Miller’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Including my little sister Lauren, who’s going to be a Munchkin, even though she thinks she’s too tall to be one. The annual high school ski trip is coming up soon. Everyone is excited for the first good snow in years. It should be a week of fun and hot chocolate. The rain has helped with the drought, but not hurt the Field of Dreams! We are on target for next year.
NBA star, artist at Pan Pacific
The sports programs and scholarships at Pan Pacific Park received a boost in January from donations from the artist Retna and from Amar’e Stoudemire, a player on the Miami Heat NBA basketball team. Stoudemire was on hand to shoot baskets with the kids at the event. Retna, a contemporary artist, debuted an exhibit of his works at the center. He said it was particularly meaningful since he played at the park when he was young. Stoudemire exhibited artwork from his “In the Paint” series. He told the attendees his goal is to expose youth to art in their communities through a collaboration with leading and emerging artists.
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Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
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school news By Oona Holahan 11th Grade
Students are excited to leap into February and look forward to new classes, new schedules, and many upcoming events following our recent finals and much needed semester break. Currently, the biggest news on campus is the recent arrival of El Niño storms. Voraciously follow-
LA County High School for the Arts By Eliana Estrada 11th Grade
LACHSA students have finally readjusted to school life after winter vacation. With the recent start of the second semester, students face even more challenging assignments and start preparing for exciting performances. Throughout the month, theatre and dance auditions and portfolio reviews will be conducted for prospective students of the 2016-2017 school year. The class of 2016 is anxious to receive their college acceptance letters. Students also plan their schedule for next school year. The following are some noteworthy events at LACHSA: The Fortune Cookie Film Festival on Feb. 5 is a fun event that features student-made films based on phrases found on fortune cookie papers. The music department on Feb. 6 hosts its annual Music Gala. The gospel, jazz, opera, and orchestra classes come together for a fantastic and memorable night of music. Theatre students on Feb. 19 and 20 present the third year culmination performance where juniors showcase their acting prowess.
ing the weather, students discuss the rainy season daily! Meanwhile, IH juniors this month will join the seniors for the annual Ring Ceremony. The event officially recognizes the upper class status of members of the Class of 2017. Juniors will receive their school rings, a rose boutonniere, and a handwritten note from a senior. Parents and families are invited to attend this annual celebration. After the liturgy, many juniors will enjoy an informal lunch or outing with their fellow senior
Local students on dean’s list Two local students have been named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College for the 2015 fall semester. Adeline L. Black, daughter of Deirdre and Christopher Black of St. Andrews Pl., is a junior majoring in English. She is a graduate of Marymount High School. The other student is Hannah H. Cook, daughter of the late Justine and Doug Cook of Windsor Square. Cook, a senior majoring in anthropology, is a graduate of Marlborough School. To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have carried throughout the semester a course load of four or more graded credits with an average of 3.5 or above.
ring sisters. The second week of February is FCD week. From Monday through Friday representatives of the nonprofit organization Freedom from Chemical Dependency will visit theology classes to share
their substance abuse stories as well as to address the importance of making healthy life choices. The end of the month will be filled with many more activities. On Feb. 24, parents and alumnae will visit the campus
to discuss their occupations for Immaculate Heart’s Career Day. Students are also planning skits, writing songs, and practicing their moves for the annual Talent Show, which will take place on Leap Day, Feb. 29.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION FOR MORE INFORMATION Phone: (323) 462-4753 or e-mail ruthcanderson@cksla.org Phone: (323) 462-4753 or e-mail ruthcanderson@cksla.org to schedule a tour of our campus. to schedule a tour of our campus. 617 N. Arden Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004 617 N. Arden Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004 Website: www.cksla.org Website: www.cksla.org
Camp overnight at La Brea Tar Pits
Gooey adventures await at Camp Goo for boys and girls on Fri., March 4 to Sat., March 5 at the La Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd. Learn about the titans that walked the earth during the last Ice Age at Camp Tar Pits Fri., March 18 to Sat., March 19. Visit tarpits.org.
Teen night 'After Dark' at LACMA It’s teens only at After Dark, an art, music and dancing fest at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Sat., Feb. 13 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Visitors can also dine at the mashed potato bar and create a valentine for a special some-
one. DJs from ArTES High School (Arts, Theater Entertainment School) will be spinning dance music. Bring a school ID. The event is free on a first-come, firstserve basis. Teens can start to line up at 5:30 p.m.
SEE WHERE LOVE OF LEARNING LIVES.
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ton, a 5th grade teacher, does an annual black history assembly that depicts brave acts by regular people like Rosa Parks, as an example. Our PTA will recognize all works submitted by Third Street students who “Let Your Imagination Fly,” this year’s theme. It will be busy, but we’ll have fun and learn a lot!
BRAWERMAN EAST
PACIFIC HILLS
At Brawerman East we have a Buddy Program. The oldest students who are in Grade 4 are paired with the youngest students who are in Kindergarten. We get together each month for a special project. In December we read a book about dreidels and then made edible dreidles out of marshmallows, pretzels, and chocolate. I love seeing my buddy Ella around school. We always wave or give hugs. It is like having a little sister. The third graders also have buddies. They work with the Nursery school children. This month we will start our first Brawerman East Basketball Team. The team is part of the new Hollywood-Wilshire League. We have a co-ed Grade 4 team. Some of the other schools have fourth, fifth, and sixth graders on teams. We have a new scoreboard for our rooftop athletic complex, and we will get new team jerseys. We have practice or a game every Tuesday and Thursday. I think it will be a great season. We plan to work hard, have good sportsmanship, have fun, and win.
school news THIRD STREET By Emily Rissier 4th Grade
February is a very busy month at Third Street as we have our annual coin drive, celebrate Black History Month, recognize
all the submissions for the PTA’s reflection competition, and kick off the walkathon. Our coin drive gives
all of our families a chance to clear out their drawers with loose change and throw in some bills to raise money for the students. All donations are welcome if you are looking to get rid of your loose change, too. Dr. Ful-
By Kevin Castillo 12th Grade
in
Rig inhtt M miiRra heh♥ acclle eRoef em Mil ilee! !
With holiday decorations taken down and backpacks picked up, winter break has come to an end. Students from Pacific Hills returned to school to once again undergo the cumbersome trial of homework, tests, projects, etc. Now some may believe that it’s stressful for the average student to go through yet another pile of assignments after a couple weeks of break, however, we found a way to relieve that stress. The Associated Student Body (ASB) has planned a homecoming dance where students can have the chance to eat, dance, and have fun. They have created a carnival theme surrounding this dance so that students will be able to dance into the night with friends while eating cotton candy and playing mini-games in front of those red-and-white striped stalls that we’ve all come to love. Speaking of love, that feeling of passion and affection is certainly roaming the air as the month of February begins. We will celebrate this event by selling Valentine grams in which students can buy packets filled with candy for their sweethearts.
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE By Arun George 6th Grade
Cathedral Chapel School • Honors Math Program • CYO Sports • Hot Lunch Program • Outreach Concern Counseling • Extended Day Care • Junior High Academic Decathlon • Instrumental Music Program
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Happy New Year! It has been 70 years since the Hollywood Schoolhouse was founded. I have spent 10 years at HSH. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much time affects us. If we measure years the way we measure seconds, anyone celebrating their 32nd birthday, would actually be celebrating their 1,000,000,000th (approx.) birthday! Another thing that’s interesting is the time zone differences. Here in the U.S., the ball drops at midnight four times. If I wanted to celebrate the New Year with my buddy in China we would be 15 hours off. Just imagine, “Happy New Year, man! Now you can say the same thing to me in 15 more hours.” Just a little something to think about, Happy New Year!
By Samantha Abrams and Emily Levin 4th Grade
LARCHMONT CHARTER By Ondine Bader and Charlie Hoge 5th Grade
What a new year it was! Miss May enthusiastically jumped straight back into Hollygrove’s groove along with the kids. The first New Year’s resolution for LCS was a big project that would include everybody. What the project is…. nobody knows, not even May. But we are determined and excited about finding out. Instead of doing a huge celebration for Valentine’s Day, we will have a Friendship Day, where we are kind to everybody and focus on giving. A lot of the kids at school are wondering, “What are we going to do about the wi-fi situation? No one can do online projects here because the wi-fi doesn’t work!” But Miss May says that they will put up antennas soon. The student council also had the idea of a charity fundraiser, and working with the Big Sunday project. Also in LCS news, we have our first seniors ever and they are applying to colleges—making this the first class to do that! Your rockin’ and rovin’ reporters, signing off!
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February 2016
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school news YAVNEH
By Yitzi Dear 8th Grade Recently, our middle school went on our fantastic annual Shabbaton, and it was the best yet, thanks to the extra day of fun, sports, and bonding. The excitement began on Thursday, accompanied by fifth grade, to Six Flags, for a great day of roller coasters, water rides, and arcade games. After their departure from the park, they returned to Yavneh, for a delicious dinner of pizza, fries, and salad. This meal was in honor of our dean, Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn, celebrating his finishing his world-record 18-hour shiur. After celebrating, the middle school embarked on a bus for Huntington Beach, where they would remain until Saturday night. After singing, campfire, and, of course, s’mores, everyone retired to their rooms for a good night’s sleep, ready and anxiously awaiting the next day. Finally, it was time for Shabbos. After the final prayer of the day, middle school prepared for the traditional, and highly anticipated, hockey competition, in which every color-war team is divided into two to play an opposing team. Finally, after a long, tiring day, the students ate a dinner of pizza and went on the bus, -tired but happy- and awaiting next year’s Shabbaton.
CHRIST THE KING By Penny Diaz 8th Grade
Christ the King students returned from their Christmas vacation on Jan. 4, eager to begin their new year’s resolutions. Our Transitional kindergarten students through 6th grade enjoyed the Defenders of the Earth assembly, presented by the Department of Public Works. Students were encouraged to take positive environmental action to reduce, reuse and recycle to help save our planet. We had no school on January 18 to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. day. The Renaissance STAR tests were recently administered to all students throughout the school. To celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools’ Week, we will be holding our open house on Jan. 31. Students are busy working on their science projects. Families and visitors will have the opportunity to visit the classrooms, and view the students’ science fair projects, art projects and other work. They will also be able to visit our book fair.
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By Skyla Wilkins 3rd Grade What a new year and a new me! In February, we will be having our class Valentine’s Day Parties, and sending Valen-
tine’s Day Grams, so we can share our love with everybody. President’s Day is after Valentine’s Day, and school will be closed. We will also have enrichment week, where we get to do fun activities and learn about George
Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The students have also been working hard collecting change for Pennies for Patients that helps children and adults with blood cancers like leukemia.
This month is also the grand opening of our school library! Bevin Hamilton, the author of "Riley the Porcupine and His Magic Quills,” will visit and share her book with us. We are going to have a lot of fun!
Erika J. Glazer Early Childhood Center
ECHO HORIZON
By Zander Penn and Lianna Levine 6th Grade
START YOUR JOURNEY
2016 is off to a great start with our Inquiry & Innovation (i2) passion projects! Everyone will be working on this for the next 20 weeks. Students will work in pairs or alone with a facilitator to research and create their projects. USC grad students have even surveyed our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes on how we feel about our i2 time! Another exciting new tradition at Echo Horizon is the 6th grade movie night. The 6th graders are responsible for selecting a movie for the school community, as well as selling snacks and drinks. Everyone in the school, and their guests, are welcome to come in pajamas and bring blankets so they can be comfortable watching the movie. The money raised will be used to purchase the Class of 2016 gift that is voted and selected by the graduating class. Movie night is a blast for everyone!
ST GREGORY
By Su Hyun Park 8th Grade The year 2015 has passed by quickly and another year has come upon us. In a recap of events taking place at St. Gregory this past winter, on Dec. 17, our school’s annual Christmas program took place. The program ended very successfully with an enthusiastic audience enjoying the performances of all grades. Students also collected items for the needy in the month of December and made a donation to the Alexandria House. Every student at St. Gregory helped collect supplies to help support families in need at Alexandria House. There was a bake sale held by the 5th grade parents and the Parent Teacher Organization to help raise funds for the school. As we move into another year, the students, parents, and faculty of our school would like to wish everyone a best 2016.
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February 2016
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Larchmont Chronicle
Big Sunday set to throw its first-ever, fancy gala While usually rolling up their sleeves to help paint a classroom or some other selfless task, Big Sunday staff, volunteers and friends will enjoy fine dining at the group’s firstever gala on Weds., March 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at République Restaurant on La Brea Ave. “This event is a little tonier than usual for us, but it will help us keep all our events and programming free for every-
one, all year ‘round!,” said Big Sunday executive director David Levinson, Hancock Park. “As we’ve grown and expanded our programming so much in the past few years, we’ve been looking for new avenues of funding,” he said. “Sometimes I felt like we were the last nonprofit around who didn’t do a fundraiser!” République was the perfect choice, he added. “It’s a beauti-
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ful restaurant with great food. More than that, it felt right to do it in the neighborhood, since our offices are here.” While Big Sunday has reached out “all over the place—this past fall we did nearly two dozen events in New York City, covering all five boroughs—this part of town is our home, and we’ve hosted countless events large and small at our offices right on Melrose. We’ve enjoyed such great support from so many local people (endless amounts of hard work, generous donations and boundless spirit) that we wanted to do our fundraiser in the neighborhood, too.” Levinson founded the group 17 years ago as a small volunteer effort that grew into a three-day volunteer fest each May plus 1,500 other opportunities, year-round, up and down the coast. Plans are in
the works to expand the upcoming May fest from three days to the entire month. At the gala, Paulette Light of Windsor Square (where she lives with husband Jeff and their four kids) and Melanie Staggs will be honored for their efforts in running Big Sunday’s monthly food drive. The two also have overseen a massive food collection and distribution at “Thanksgiving Stuffing,” which provided bags of food for 2,000 veterans, seniors, working-poor families, the homeless and runaways. Light, who co-founded on-
line support site MomStamp, and Staggs “have reached out to tons of schools, faith groups, businesses, teams and clubs, and collected many thousands of pounds of food for all kinds of grateful and hungry people.” Also being honored on March 9 is Tony Molina, who works at NBC-Universal in the transportation department, “and has helped move about a zillion pounds of stuff over many years, as well as run all kinds of projects for us, rehabbing schools and shelters,” Levinson said. Parsons Corp. will also be honored. Tickets are $250. Visit bigsunday.org.
White to join Tennis Hall of Fame
Rossmore Ave. resident Anne White will be inducted into the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Midwest Section Hall of Fame on Feb. 5 at a ceremony in Chicago. White will be recognized for her accomplishments as a former professional tennis player competing on the Women’s Tennis Association Tour for 11 years, capturing eight doubles titles and one singles title. “It’s mind-blowing to think I’ll be included in the Hall of Fame,” says White. “When I got the call, I thought it was a friend punking me,” she said. White reached the 1984 US Open Doubles Semifinals and the 1985 French Open Doubles Semifinals with partner Betsy Nagelsen. She reached the 1985 Wimbeldon Mixed Doubles Quarterfinals with partner Eliot Teltscher. White won three Gold Balls in one day in 1980 at the US Amateur Clay Court Championship in Pittsburgh by capturing the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles.
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Larchmont Chronicle
February 2016
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SECTION One
Hilarious and festive evenings feature Shakespeare, neighbors The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA) presented its 25th annual “Simply Shakespeare” benefit reading of “Twelfth Night,” directed by Ben Donenberg, Dec. 8 at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. This year’s event honored long-time Shakespeare Center supporters Rita and Tom Hanks for their commitment to bringing works of Shakespeare at no charge to the Los Angeles community and creating programs for young people throughout our city.
The hilarious evening of impromptu Shakespeare and
Around the Town with
Patty Hill song featured a star-studded cast including Hanks, along with Bette Midler, William Shatner, Martin Short, Gil-
lian Jacobs, Jason Alexander, Christina Applegate, Eric Idle and Tessa Thompson with a special appearance by “Hizzoner Larchmonter,” Mayor Eric Garcetti. All proceeds from this event supported the SCLA and its arts-based veterans and youth employment programs and arts education in Los Angeles-area schools. ••• “Be Merry!” read the decorous invite to a most anticipated annual holiday event at the Irving Blvd. home of Suz and Peter Landay. This
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season’s multi-generational celebration took place on the evening of Dec. 26. More than 100 guests mingled in the splendidly festooned reception rooms before the princely couple invited them for a sumptuous repast featuring roasted salmon, beef tenderloin with caramelized shallots, polenta cornbread strata and traditional yuletide trifle. Among the many sipping champagne and reconnecting with friends were Brenda and Bob Cooke, Anne Combs, Gina and David Ribera, Mary Nichols, Fluff and Sandy McLean, Anna and Greg Corbin, Estelita and Lars Roos, Tania Norris, Betsy and Christopher Blakely, Jane Gilman, Robin Blake and Stephen Stewart, Ruth Boldt, Judy Bardugo, Caroline and Frank Moser, Wilhelmina Diener, Juanita Kempe, Kay and Jack Lachter and Beate and Neil McDermott with daughters Hanna and Katie. Also on hand were Jackie Corkill, Lisa and Chris Landay with daughter Gemma, Amy and John White with son Ian and daughter Sadie (who by the way gave a fabulous duo song and dance performance with Talia Celotto) Talia’s mom, Deidre, Shirlee and Harold Haizlip, Sandy and Bill Boeck, and Cathryne and John Macievic. In honor of the New Year and the great work of the Jeffrey Foundation that has served children with special needs for the past 45 years, guests gave donations towards the Foundation’s mission. Many glasses were raised to Jeffrey Foundation founder and director Alyce Morris Winston and husband Edgar. And that’s the chat!
Windsor Square resident (and Mayor of Los Angeles), Eric Garcetti, joined in honoring Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in Santa Monica. Pictured here with Wilson are Shakespeare Center director Ben Donenberg and Bette Midler.
Landay Holiday Party included many neighbors, such as Betsy Blakely, Gina Riberi and Caroline and Frank Moser.
Father and daughter, Chris and Gemma Landay, attended his parents’ festive party.
Dancers Sadie White and Talia Celotto entertained at the Landay party.
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February 2016
Larchmont Chronicle
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