LC Real Estate 02 2023

About color: It’s a power that ‘directly influences the soul’

Kandinsky wrote the headline above, more or less. When I think of the artist (1866-1944) though, I think of his book “Concerning the Spiritual in Art.” The young Georgia O’Keeffe restlessly awaited the English translation of that book; it finally was published in 1914.

Kandinsky writes about color and form and music and literature. His book had an outsize influence on modern art, and its brilliance shines yet today.

Since antiquity, people have thought and written about color and/or cooked up color systems. Sir Isaac Newton devised the first color wheel; the philosophers Goethe and Wittgenstein wrote about color; the American painter Alfred Munsell developed a system where color was definable and measurable.

Colors are rooted in science but also in ideas and sociocultural constructs.

The color green

The Western world’s bestknown living painter, former Anglo-Angeleno (and now resident of France) David Hockney, writes in defense of olive green: “I don’t believe there are ‘off-putting’ colors.”

And neither does the English writer Kassia St. Clair, author of the delightfully writ-

ten and beautifully designed book, “The Secret Lives of Color” (2017, Penguin Books).

St. Clair’s book, though, deals less with the spiritual and more with the corporeal.

To wit, the color mummy. Here is St. Clair’s first full paragraph on the origins of the color:

“On July 30, 1904, [color manufacturers] O’Hara and Hoar placed an unusual advertisement in the Daily Mail. What they wanted — ‘at a suitable price’ — was an Egyptian mummy. ‘It may appear strange to you,’ the notice read, ‘but we require our mummy for making color.’ Then, to stave off any pricks of public conscience, they continued: ‘Surely a 2,000-year-old mummy of an Egyptian monarch may be used for adorning a noble fresco in Westminster Hall or elsewhere without giving offense to the ghost of the departed gentleman or his descendants.’”

This book is catnip. (Catnip is grayish-green. Using two points

of reference in St. Clair’s book, it might be a cross between celadon and avocado flesh.)

St. Clair’s book is the story of 75 “shades” that have intrigued her the most. Just a little reading in the morning can set one up for delight and wonder for the day. (But tackling her bibliography may take a decade.) Reds

Take the reds, as examples: scarlet, cochineal, vermilion, rosso corsa, hematite, madder, dragon’s blood.

On February 8, 1587, just before Mary, Queen of Scots was executed, she removed her dun-colored outer dress to reveal a “bright scarlet undergown.” To her supporters, the scarlet represented her

Catholic faith; to her enemies, it meant she was a scarlet woman.

The subject of color

The subject of color in reality, history and folklore is never-ending.

Orange?

Kandinsky writes, “Orange is like a man convinced of his own powers.”

St. Clair’s orange choices: Dutch orange, saffron, amber, ginger, minium, nude.

Minium! It was lead tetroxide. It was used in the delicate labor of illuminated manuscripts in the 14th century near where Armenia is now. “First,” St. Clair writes, “scribes would have copied the text, carefully leaving space for the paintings, and then a team of artists would have begun their work. If the team that worked on the volume was large enough, it would have been the sole responsibility of one person to add the capitals, headings, and pilcrows (¶) in a particular shade of orange-red so bright that they leapt off the page.

“The person who worked with it was called a miniator, and his work, an eye-catching symbol or heading in a manuscript, was called a ‘miniatura.’”

From the 11th century on, vermilion made minium

old-fashioned. N.B. The author would like to thank Cheryl Lerner for giving her this book.

Ed. Note: The Larchmont Chronicle would like to thank “Home Ground” writer Paula Panich for six years of columns as she commences a sabbatical to write a book about the Takach Press (see September and October 2019 “Home Ground” columns).

COLORS also are the subject of this month’s “Word Café” column on page 11 of this section.

BOOK explores 75 shades that most intrigued the author.

Home Ground by Paula Panich

SOME OF THE SHADES noted in the book.

Wilshire Rotary Club celebrates first responders

By Suzan Filipek

A police officer, firefighter and an emergency room doctor were honored at the Wilshire Rotary Club’s First Responders Appreciation luncheon Jan. 11 at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

“Our annual recognition and awards event gives us an opportunity to extend our gratitude to these deserving women and men who serve us bravely and are an integral part of our community,” Wilshire Rotary President Joyce Kleifield said in a press release.

“Our Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of more than 25 years paying tribute to those individuals

who serve the Wilshire area.”

Honorees at this year’s event include: Engineer Manny Zepeda of the Los Angeles Fire Dept. Station 61; Police Officer Edgar Bacilio of the LAPD Wilshire Community Police Station; and Dr. Steven Rudd, Cedars-Sinai Emergency Room.

“These uncertain times are especially challenging for our first responders, so it is wonderful to be able to honor them in this small way,” continues Kleifield.

Wilshire Rotary, founded in 1932, is one of the oldest Rotary groups in Los Angeles with a rich history rooted in service. All proceeds of their fundraising efforts go back to

Antiquarian Book Fair is Feb. 10-12 in Pasadena

For the weekend of Feb. 10 to 12, book lovers and those just curious have a chance to experience large rooms wall-to-wall with books. Being held at the Pasadena Convention Center and celebrating its 55th year, the California International Antiquarian Book Fair will feature dealers of rare and collectible books, manuscripts, letters, maps, photographs, original artwork and “all manner of paper ephemera from booksellers around the world,” according to the poster for the event. This year, there also will be special exhibits of items owned by four important California collectors.

Tickets range from $10

to $25 depending upon the number of days a person wants to attend. Students are free. More information and event tickets are available at: tinyurl.com/5ex52mcm.

Career fair is Jan. 29 at House of Lebanon

Network with business career representatives from various fields at a career fair at the House of Lebanon, 4800 Wilshire Blvd., on Sun., Jan. 29, from 2 to 5 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Young Leaders Committee at the Lebanese American Cultural Center. RSVP at tinyurl.com/228ptap2.

the community and support Operation School Bell, Van Ness School for the Visually Impaired, Larchmont Charter, ImagineLA, HopeNet, Alexandria House and others.

At right (left to right): CEDARS E.R. DEPT. co-chair Dr. Sam Torbati, Joyce Kleifield, president Wilshire Rotary Club, and Dr. Steven Rudd with his wife, Jennifer.

DTLA park to host puppets, performances

Bob Baker Marionette Theater is hosting Bob Baker Day. The free outdoor carnival at Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., is on Sat., Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a one-of-a-kind birthday party that pays tribute to the magical man who created his namesake theater and wanted to inspire wonder in everyone.

Enjoy time outdoors with crafts, food, art, music and, of course, puppets. There also will be special guest performances and maybe even a clown. Specific acts will be

announced closer to the event.

Reservations are required

for entrance at bobbakerday. com. Donations to offset the cost are appreciated.

layout entertaining rooms, sunroom, study, and state-of-the-art remodeled chef's kitchen. Step outside to a very private and verdant garden, with ample room for pool/spa. A guesthouse with 2 rooms, bathroom and kitchenette, and a garage with gated driveway. Deena Blau 323.533.2212 deena@homesbuydeena.com CalRE#: 01320286 9000 Sunset Blvd. WH 90069

SOLD: A one-bedroom condo at 651 Wilcox Avenue in Hancock Park was sold in December for $530,000.

Real Estate Sales*

Single family homes

120 N. McCadden Pl. $7,675,000 409 N. June St. $5,925,000 612 N. McCadden Pl. $2,732,000 623 N. Fuller Ave. $2,575,000 140 N. Gramercy Pl. $1,900,000 176 S. Citrus Ave. $1,870,000 520 N. Citrus Ave. $1,849,000 829 S. Longwood Ave. $1,831,000 143 N. Ridgewood Pl. $1,800,000 608 S. Mansfield Ave. $1,550,000 632 N. Gramercy Pl. $1,165,000

Condominiums

624 1/2 Wilcox Ave. $950,000 585 N. Rossmore Ave., #401 $822,000 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #419 $689,000 443 1/2 N. Sierra Bonita Ave. $552,500 433 S. Manhattan Pl., #316 $550,000 651 Wilcox Ave., #3B $530,000 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #427 $480,000

Photo courtesy of Bob Baker Marionette Theater

Councilman Soto-Martinez: Use preservation to protect our treasures

The historic upset victory over incumbent Councilman Mitch O’Farrell by political newcomer Hugo Soto-Martinez reverberated not only throughout Council District 13, but in City Hall and the historic preservation community as well.

A changing of the guard at City Hall always is concerning to those of us who work to preserve and protect the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Los Angeles.

Like Councilman O’Farrell before him, Hugo Soto-Martinez comes to office with professional experience and a progressive agenda which at first glance wouldn’t seem to align with the goals of preservationists; however, the new councilman (as well as many preservation supporters) may be surprised at the parallels.

Let me begin, however, by congratulating and welcoming the new councilman and his new planning deputy, Emma Howard, not only for their political success but also for their good fortune to assume the stewardship of the most culturally and architecturally significant portion of Los Angeles outside of Downtown. CD 13 has more than 125 individual Historic Cultural Monuments, four Historic Preservation Overlay

On Preservation

Zones and four National Historic Districts including the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District and Los Angeles’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House estate in Barnsdall Park. This doesn’t even include the handful of California Register historic districts and potential districts identified by Survey LA and the historic movie studio lots such as Paramount, plus Hollywood Forever and Forest Lawn cemeteries, legacy restaurants and the ethnic enclaves of Thai Town, Little Armenia, Little Bangladesh and Historic Filipinotown, as well as natural resources like the Los Angeles Riverfront.

This treasure trove of CD 13 was not always appreciated nor cared for. Years of decline as the city moved west caused the communities of CD 13 to face such threats as highway construction, urban decay, poverty, crime, community flight or dispersal, demolition

and neglectful landlords. It took a phalanx of homeowners, residents, immigrants, activists and, later, businesses and politicians to recognize the bounty of resources in the neighborhoods of CD13 and to take up the work of organizing, protesting, negotiating and legislating that started the turnaround that began more than 40 years ago. These determined citizens preserved and stabilized historic neighborhoods such as our own Windsor Square, brought life and tourism back to Hollywood and made Silver Lake cool and Echo Park safe for families.

Success has not been without its challenges and, at times, it seemed progress might kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Popularity had its price as new development, gentrification, loss of rent-stabilized housing and rising rents and home prices put strains on established communities, pricing out younger generations and families and contributing to our crisis of homelessness.

During the last two decades, central Los Angeles, including CD 13, has lost tens of thousands of naturally occurring affordable housing units, i.e. historic housing (the majority of which is rent-controlled), through Ellis Act evictions.

The Los Angeles Conservancy in its 2020 report, “Preservation Positive Los Angeles,” states that “Today, older, smaller, and mixed-use buildings represent the largest share of affordable housing in the city, from quaint bungalow courts to large garden apartment developments.” This is true for Los Angeles as a whole, as it is true for CD 13. The preservation of historic housing is a crucial component to solving the housing crunch and the homelessness crisis, and — as an added benefit — preservation is climate friendly.

In the words of architect and climate activist Carl Elefante, “The most sustainable building is the one that is already built!”

It is my hope that Councilman Soto-Martinez, a union organizer and community advocate himself, will see the preservation of the district’s architectural and cultural heritage as a powerful tool to not only confront the issues that he was elected to address, but also as a way to bond with the denizens of CD 13’s many neighborhoods. Protecting existing historic and natural resources, as well as growing their number through the identification and designation of new landmarks, honors the tradition of community organizing and activism that came before, while continuing to add to that legacy that has made CD 13 the historic and culturally rich district it is today.

HOLLYHOCK HOUSE, designed by Frank Loyd Wright, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Council District 13. Photo courtesy of Barnsdall Art Park Foundation

by Brian Curran

Sticker Planet celebrates at Farmers Market

By Casey Russell

Sticker Planet, the go-to place for stickers that has been located inside the Original Farmers Market (6333 W. 3rd St.) for more than 30 years, celebrated National Sticker Day on Jan. 13.

The day, which is also the birthday of R. Stanton Avery, who lived in Pasadena and was known for creating the modern sticker, was celebrated at Sticker Planet with discounts and freebies for customers.

Park La Brea residents meet in person once again

By John Welborne

Park La Brea Residents Association (PLBRA) President Bob Shore oversaw the group’s first in-person annual meeting in several years on Jan. 8. Approximately 45 people attended the Sunday meeting, held in the Activity Center Theater of the sprawling apartment complex — the largest west of the Mississippi. The meeting included a presentation by, and a question-and-answer session with, newly elected Los Angeles City Councilmember for the Fifth District, Katy Young Yaroslavsky. It was just three weeks since she had taken office.

The election for PLBRA directors for the coming year commenced at the meeting and was expected to conclude near the end of January, after the Chronicle went to press. Officers will be elected from among the new directors at the board meeting scheduled for Feb. 7.

In her remarks at the meeting, Councilmember Yaroslavsky emphasized service to her Fifth District constituents: “For me, it’s very important, if you call, that someone calls you back; you e-mail, someone calls you back; the problem gets solved,

and if we can’t solve it, we are at least communicating on a regular basis about what’s happening and why, so you don’t feel like it’s a black hole. It’s really important.”

Later in the meeting, after the Q&A session with the Councilmember, the vice president for operations for the Park La Brea residential complex, Aryn Thomez, also fielded questions from the tenants.

STICKER PLANET opened at the Original Farmers Market 30 years ago.

FIFTH COUNCIL DISTRICT representative Katy Yaroslavsky answers constituent questions at Park La Brea Residents Association annual meeting.

Pan Pac boys win 13-and-under flag football city championship

If flag football isn’t America’s fastest growing sport, it sure has to be up there along with women’s wrestling, indoor bouldering and skateboarding, all of which are recent additions to the Olympic Games.

In early 2022, the NFL announced its intention to grow its international business to $1 billion annually. To help achieve this, the league lobbied to get flag football included in the upcoming 2028 Olympics, which happen to be here in Los Angeles.

The NFL knows a winning combination when it sees one. Ten-hut Ten boys represented Pan Pacific Park Recreation Center last month in the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Flag Football Championships, which they won.

The team consisted of players chosen from Pan Pacific’s four-team league. The season was 10 games long and, afterward, each coach nominated players from his team to represent Pan Pacific in the city tournament. Park director

Eric Calhoun made the final selection for the All Star squad that competed against the city’s other Recreation and Parks teams.

Youth Sports

by Jim Kalin

Youth flag football is a seven-against-seven format, which is smaller than the standard 11-man squads of tackle football. A typical flag football offense consists of a quarterback, one running back, two wide receivers, two guards and a center. Speed trumps size, and a quarterback who is an accurate passer is tough to beat.

“We averaged 40 points per game in the playoffs leading up to the finals,” said Head Coach Fred Ragsdale.

That didn’t mean those early games weren’t competitive. In Pan Pacific’s second playoff game — the Metro Region semifinals — Pan Pacific defeated a tough Silver Lake team 28-20.

Champs

Nothing was as thrilling as the title game against Valley Region champions, Northridge.

“These [Pan Pacific and Northridge] were two physi-

cal teams, and it came down to a slugfest and great defense,” said Coach Ragsdale, whose son Coltrane was the team’s quarterback. Coltrane and wide receiver Reece Luna were a combination that opponents just couldn’t stop. Reece’s father Rick was the team’s other coach.

“Our defense was led by Jude Lehrer, who had the most flags pulled on the team,” said Ragsdale. “Ronan Schugren played weak-side defensive tackle and got the most sacks.”

The score was 7-6 late in the second half. Both teams had scored a touchdown, but Northridge failed to convert for extra points. Pan Pacific was able to stop Northridge behind the goal line for a safety in the last two minutes, and the final score ended 9-6.

Growing pains

The largest youth flag football league in the country was established by the NFL in 2012 and is open to boys and girls ages 5-17. In the next year, the NFL plans to launch a men’s professional division. How timely, especially with career-ending injuries and more and more evidence linking chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) to the tackle version of (American)

football. Parents and their young athletes might view flag football as a safer alternative.

“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?” said Ragsdale. “I won’t be pushing tackle football, and my wife is adamantly against it.”

But is flag football really that much safer? It is full-contact — with blocking — and when two full-grown teenagers slam into each other without pads or helmets,

serious injuries could occur.

“That’ll have to be worked out, or maybe it’ll just become passing-style flag football, without blocking,” said Ragsdale.

Growing pains are good if the result is fewer injuries.

Save the accompanying team photo. I’m betting that some of these young men might one day represent the U.S. on the Olympic flag football team.

Get their autographs now!

WINNING TEAM (left to right): Sam Stefan, Coach Fred Ragsdale, Aaron Shin, Ethan Hollis, Coltrane Ragsdale, David Ortega, Tru Casas, Teddy Barringer, Reece Luna, Ronan Schugren, Coach Rick Luna, Miles Dubin, Jude Lehrer and Park Director Eric Calhoun.

This year’s LA Art Show is both ‘nuanced and bold’

By Suzan Filipek

The city’s largest and longest-running art fair returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center Wed., Feb 15, to Sun., Feb. 19.

The LA Art Show will showcase paintings, sculpture and more at its 28th annual edition. Modern and contemporary works make up the largest section at the show, with works from galleries in Los Angeles, the Pacific Rim and around the world.

The European Pavilion showcases curated exhibitions, and, new this year, the Japanese Pavilion introduces more than 10 galleries from Japan. Works from North and Latin America and South Korea as well as contemporary digital

FALLING ANGELS from artist Dain Yoon and LP Gallery is among works in the show.

art will also be showcased.

The fair’s signature program, DIVERSEartLA, will continue its curatorial focus

on the global climate crisis through a variety of installations, immersive experiences and performances.

“One of the most powerful things about art is that it brings people together, and ignites transformative conversations about what it means to be human, which feels particularly relevant in a world that’s forever shifting,” says LA Art Show producer and director Kassandra Voyagis. “At the LA Art Show this year, we are thrilled to have a larger international presence than ever, ensuring conversations are expansive and inclusive, nuanced and bold.”

For tickets and more information visit laartshow.com.

Computers come of age in ‘Coded’

By Suzan Filipek

Before smartphones and laptops, there were roomsized computers glowing with electronic wizardry. Their rise from use as elite military machines to everyday technology also gave birth to digital art. Learn more about this “overlooked”

art form at the exhibit “Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952-1982.”

The exhibit opens Sun., Feb. 12, at the Broad Contemporary Art Museum at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd.

It begins with 1952, the earliest time an aesthetic image

Koontz

It’s February and Valentine’s Day. We have Heartshaped cookie cutter sets. We have “heart” baking pans. We have the most beautiful “Waechtersbach” plates and bowls and serving pieces in brilliant red, from Germany.

February is also a great month for cleaning. You know about the new “E” cloths with 1.6 million cleaning fibers per square inch. They clean with no chemicals needed. We have over 10 different kinds for cleaning everything from stainless steel to glass to electronics. We have 50 different kinds of the new “led” bulbs in different wattages and styles, including low voltage bulbs and dimmable bulbs. Plus, we have the new faucet filter which fits in the palm of your hand and just screws onto the faucet. Come visit us and take 20% off any one item as our good, loyal Larchmont customer. Happy February!

8914 Santa Monica Blvd.• 310-652-0123 www.koontz.com

Hours:

M-F: 8am - 7pm, Sat: 8am - 5:30pm, Sun: 10am - 5pm

made on a computer (an analog) can be traced, and it ends with 1982, when the personal computer replaced the very large mainframe.

Works by more than 75 artists will be on display.

“‘Coded’ brings to light early digital or computer art that has long been overlooked, recontextualizing it to encourage a new way of looking at mainstream art of the period,” said Leslie Jones, curator, prints and drawings at LACMA.

The exhibit ends July 2. •

A Ferrari Tour Day and Evening Reception is Sat., Feb. 25

(Please turn to page 9)

Kathleen Losey’s ‘Feminine Mystique’ will be on exhibit

By Talia Abrahamson

For the next month at TAG Gallery, local artist Kathleen Losey is sharing a little bit of beauty. From her home studio in Windsor Square, Losey has selected two dozen pieces on femininity for her first large solo exhibition.

“I love beauty and things of beauty,” Losey said. “A lot of these reflect the beauty of women.”

Her exhibition “Feminine Mystique” will be in the front exhibition space of TAG Gallery at 5458 Wilshire Blvd. from Wed., Feb. 8 to Sat., March 4.

Composed of canvas oil paintings and framed watercolors from the past decade of Losey’s career, the exhibition draws together the aesthetics of female empowerment.

“I started painting women and feeling very connected to their strength,” Losey said. “I feel pretty strong myself. I feel that I can pretty much handle anything with grace and strength. Maybe that is where it came from.”

Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Losey said she developed that sense from her interior design career, having lived and worked in the neighborhood for four decades.

Her next project will be filling her home with more works of beauty. For the exhibition, she ended up pulling many paintings off her own walls.

“I would love to think that other people will enjoy them in their home or that they can be enjoyed by someone else,” Losey said. “It’s time to move them on.”

Opening receptions

A cocktail reception for a soft opening of “Feminine Mystique” will be held on Wed., Feb. 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. at TAG Gallery.

The opening reception is set for Sat., Feb. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m.

EDWARD KIENHOLZ’S “The Friendly Grey Computer… 1965” includes a rocking chair, metal case and doll’s legs.

WORKS FROM AROUND the world will be showcased.

Photo: LA Art Show

“EN POINTE,” paintings by local artist Kathleen Losey, are on display at her exhibition “Feminine Mystique” at TAG Gallery. Photo by Piper Scheifele

LIBRARY CALENDAR

Stories in the park, anime talk, teatime and make magnets

FAIRFAX LIBRARY

Adults

Adult literacy: Come get questions answered about English spelling, pronunciation and conversation. First come, first served, Mondays from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

All ages Book Sale: Browse used books every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. All sales support the library branch.

FREMONT LIBRARY

Babies & Toddlers

Story time: Every Wednesday this month from 10:30 to 11 a.m., listen to stories and sing songs with your friends.

MEMORIAL LIBRARY Toddlers

Global art coming to Frieze at Santa Monica Airport

By Suzan Filipek

“Frieze Los Angeles” returns, from Fri., Feb. 17, to Sun., Feb. 19, at a new location at Santa Monica Airport.

More than 120 galleries from 22 countries will be featured at the art fair, including, in a first, 20th-century art.

An invitation-only preview day is Thurs., Feb. 16.

The art fair will include a signature bespoke tent designed by Kulapat Yantrasast’s WHY Architects. Restaurant pop-ups also will be at the event.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Because of limited parking, visitors are encouraged to take public transportation, taxis and rideshares.

Visit frieze.com for tickets and more information.

Story time in the park: Drop in to listen to stories and sing songs in Memorial Park adjoining the library every Wednesday this month from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Preschool painters: Budding artists can get messy with paint at 11 a.m. on Mon., Feb. 27.

Kids

Reading to the rescue: Is your child in love with dogs? Do you want your child to read more? She can read aloud to an adorable rescue dog on Wed., Feb. 8, from 4 to 5 p.m.

SnookNuk and the Robot Puppet Show: Watch a singing, dancing robot puppet perform next to a colorful LED rocket ship on Tues., Jan.

‘Coded’

(Continued from page 8)

from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd.

View sports cars in private collections, from the 250 GTO to the F40. While the tour-and-dinner combo is sold out, tickets for dinner only and tour only were still available at press time. Visit Petersen.org.

31, at 4 p.m.

Kids & Teens

Drop-in tutoring with Steve: Need a refresher on some academics? Stop by Thursdays this month from 3 to 5 p.m. for one-on-one assistance with any subject or drop in to make a future appointment.

Teens

Game day: Bring your friends for some fun with board games on Thursdays, Jan 26 and Feb. 23, at 4 p.m.

Crafty Thursday: Start your month off creatively with a fun afternoon of crafting on Feb. 2, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Anime club: Swing by Thurs., Feb. 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. to watch and talk about anime. Japanese snacks will be available.

Teatime: Take time to relax with a cup of tea and chat about trendy topics on Thurs., Feb. 16, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Teen council: Get involved with the community and learn leadership skills on Sat., Feb. 11, from 2 to 3 p.m.

FAFSA workshop: Calling all high school seniors! Need help from a professional filling out your free application for federal student aid (FAFSA)? Or just need a quiet place without distractions? Come here Sat., Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. Bring your paperwork and a laptop if possible.

Adults

First Friday book club: Discuss “Movie Land” by Lee Goldberg on Fri., Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. Get ready to read “The Night Ship” by Jess Kidd.

Art class: Color or paint with peers every Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m.

B.Y.O. needle arts: Bring your own needlecraft to work on while sitting with others every Monday at 1 p.m.

All ages Chess club: Every Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m., play chess or learn how.

Book sale: Buy your next favorite read at this sale every Tuesday, 12:30 to 5 p.m. The last Tuesday of each month, hours are 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The sale is also every Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. All proceeds support the library.

WILSHIRE LIBRARY Babies, Kids & Teens Storytelling

and reading

(STAR): Beloved STAR volunteer Frances will be at the library to read to you or to be read to every Saturday this month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Toddlers

Story time: Listen to stories, sing songs and stretch with Sybil on Fri., Feb. 3, at 10:30 and Fri., Feb. 10, at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Toddlers & Kids

Author reading: Author Oliver Chin will read his book

LIBRARIES

FAIRFAX

161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191

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

MEMORIAL 4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2732

WILSHIRE

149 N. St. Andrews Pl. 323-957-4550

HOURS

Mon. and Wed., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tues. and Thurs., noon to 8 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Mon., Feb. 20, for Presidents’ Day.

Two businesses burglarized on Larchmont; more elder abuse POLICE BEAT

BRANDISHING: On the sidewalk near the intersection of Wilshire and Crenshaw Boulevards on Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m., a hispanic male moved the trash of a white male. The latter became upset and pointed a stick with a knife attached to it at the hispanic male. The victim walked away and called the police.

ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON: Two male suspects confronted a man in the lobby of an apartment building on the 600 block of South Gramercy Place on Jan. 15 at 4 a.m. One of

the suspects said to the victim, “You don’t live here,” and he fired bb gun pellets at him. Then the other suspect sprayed the victim with pepper spray. Both of the suspects fled the building.

BURGLARIES: A suspect pried open the front door of a residence on the 600 block of South Plymouth Boulevard on Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. and stole wine bottles.

On Jan. 18 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. a male suspect pried open the rear door of a residence on the 100 block of North Manhattan Place. He took jewelry and a backpack

OLYMPIC DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Joseph Pelayo

213-793-0709 31762@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdolympic

before he fled the scene.

ELDER ABUSE: A 76-yearold tenant was pushed into a planter during an altercation with his building’s 30-year-old manager. The victim sustained possible broken ribs. The manager was arrested, and the victim was admitted to an emergency room.

GRAND THEFTS AUTO: On Jan. 16 between 1 and 8:30 a.m., a white Ford van was taken from the street on the 600 block of South Norton Avenue.

Later that day, at 9:30 p.m., a gray Toyota Corolla was taken from the street on the 4500 block of West First.

Between 8 p.m. on Jan. 17 and noon on Jan. 18, a black Honda CRV was stolen from the 200 block of North Van Ness Avenue.

THEFT FROM A MOTOR

WILSHIRE DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Dave Cordova

213-793-0650 31646@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdwilshire

VEHICLE: On Jan. 15 at 3:30 p.m. a hispanic-Black male stole property from a black Cadillac Escalade that was parked in the driveway of a residence on the 400 block of North Plymouth Boulevard.

WILSHIRE DIVISION

BURGLARIES: Three suspects smashed a rear window at a home on the 500 block of North Arden Boulevard at 6:15 p.m. on Jan. 5. They stole cash and a watch and then fled.

Also on Jan. 5, one male suspect used a tool to smash and pry open the rear window of a home on the 400 bock of North Lucerne Boulevard. The suspect fled on foot with numerous handbags between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

A suspect broke into a home on the 100 block of South Lucerne Boulevard using an object to smash a rear

window door on Jan. 6. The suspect ransacked the home but did not take any property.

Buck Mason, the clothing store at 107 N. Larchmont Blvd., was burglarized between 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 5:25 a.m. on Jan. 7. The suspect used a tool to smash the back door of the building, took clothing, and fled on foot.

Also on Jan. 7 at 5:13 a.m., the Rothy’s store at 248 N. Larchmont Blvd. was burglarized. A white male suspect used a hard object to break the back door handle and enter the store from the parking lot in the rear. He fled with a wallet and clothing.

BURGLARIES FROM

VEHICLES: A catalytic converter was stolen from a white Toyota Prius parked in the driveway of a home on the 100 block of North Lucerne Boulevard at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 3.

A blue Honda CRV was burglarized while parked in a home’s carport on the 400 block of South Detroit Street. The suspect shattered the passenger side window, ransacked the car and removed its contents before fleeing the location between 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 and 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 6.

Street attacker held for elder abuse, battery

By Nona Sue Friedman

A man named Ever Martinez is the person detained by Wilshire Division police on Dec. 10 for attacking a 72-year-old woman on the sidewalk near Plymouth Boulevard and Eighth Street at 7:30 in the morning. Martinez was arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Dec. 13, and he remains in custody.

Martinez is charged with one count of elder abuse under California Penal Code Section 368(b)(1) and one count of battery causing serious bodily injury, Penal Code 243(d). Both are charged as felonies. Conviction on the elder abuse charge can lead to a sentence of up to four years

in prison, and conviction on the aggravated battery charge also can result in a sentence of up to four years.

In this case, the assailant tackled the Windsor Village walker to the ground, where she hit her head, and he punched her multiple times in the face and stomach. She got away, but the attacker chased her. She could not outrun him, and he caught her again and punched her

some more. After neighbors and Good Samaritans driving by intervened, police cars and an ambulance arrived. The woman was taken to the hospital, where she received 15 stitches to her face.

At his late December preliminary hearing, Martinez was referred for a mental competency review, and trial is on hold until the review is completed.

One burglar arraigned after Thanksgiving break-in on Irving

By Nona Sue Friedman

One of three thieves was arrested for the well-videotaped burglary that occurred on Thanksgiving Day on the 300 block of South Irving Boulevard.

Anthonee Banks was arrested at the scene. He remains released on bail, but he was arraigned on Fri., Dec. 23, and pled not guilty to California Penal Code Section 459, entering a structure with the intent to commit a felony, also known as breaking and entering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wed., Feb. 1.

According to LAPD Olympic Division Detective Matthew Burrola, police are still actively working the case to find the other sus-

pects. They have not yet been able to connect this incident with any of the other, similar crimes in the Windsor Square and surrounding neighborhoods. Because of gloves and masks, the police were not able to collect any DNA, according to Det. Burrola.

In addition to looking for the two other burglars, the police also are trying to recover the stolen property. As Detective Burrola told us, “Thieves usually sell the property very quickly and do it person-to-person.”

Detective Burrola suggests everyone “be vigilant; lock doors and gates.” If you have any information, please contact him at 213-382-9448.

Evolution of colors and their names creatively explored

Over the holidays, a friend of mine was gifted two new baking pans — one red and one blue. “I’ll make a dessert in the blue one, maybe brownies,” he contemplated aloud. “And the red one is clearly meant for savory dishes, so I’ll make a lasagna with that one.” I stood by, listening, both amused and charmed by his matterof-fact assertions. Indeed, the marketing departments of fast food companies have applied these same rules of color psychology to whet the appetites of their customers for decades, with many chains opting for “savory” warm hues like red and yellow in their branding. The influence of colors can be as subliminal yet pervasive as the allure of the names we ascribe to them — think “mocha” vs “brown,” or “chartreuse” as opposed to something like, say, “bile.”

Dark, light, red

In 1969, researchers Brent Berlin and Paul Kay established a hierarchy to describe the various stages of basic color-naming as observed in different languages throughout the world. In the model, the first distinction made by each culture is that of dark and light. The next term to materialize was invariably for the color red. From here, basic

Libraries

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“Year of the Rabbit” with tales from the Chinese zodiac on Tues., Feb. 7 at 4 p.m.

Kids & Teens

Make magnets: Create magnets that mimic the popular conversation heart candies to display on your refrigerator or in your locker on Thurs., Feb. 9, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Teens & Adults

color terminology continued to expand in a sequence that Berlin and Kay found was more or less universal across cultures: yellow/green, blue, brown and then purple/pink/ orange/gray.

Just as the evolution of linguistic distinctions for colors is thought to be informed by the abundance of each in the natural environment, the words for colors as we use them today are often borrowed directly from elements observed in nature. Muses for color nomenclature come in the form of flowers (such as lilac and violet); fruits (like orange — the name of the citrus preceded that of the color, which was designated “yellow-red” until as recently as the 20th century); and animals (for instance, the spiny dye-murex sea snail — called pupura by the ancient Romans — whose mucus produces a rich pigment in the hue we now call “purple”). A more humdrum matter provides the inspiration for the color name “khaki” — describing a light yellow-tan used to outfit militaries around the world, the term originally derives from the Urdu word for “dust.”

Turkish, “turquoise’ People and places have lent their titles to some of

CORE Center visits: Staff from Connecting to Opportunities for Recovery and Engagement (CORE) will provide information to help families talk about drug and alcohol abuse with loved ones the first and third Tuesday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. No appointment necessary.

All ages

DIY Valentine cards: Make your own card for that special someone. Paper, envelopes and stickers are available Wed. Feb. 1 through Tues., Feb. 14.

DIY watercolor painting: Impressionist art will be your inspiration Wed., Feb. 15 through Tues., Feb. 28.

the color wheel’s more distinctive shades. The name “turquoise” — dubbed in the 17th century from the French turquois, or “Turkish” — is a misnomer based on the fallacy that the bluegreen gemstone for which it was named was brought to Europe through the Ottoman Empire. (It actually came from Iran.) Similarly, the color indigo derives its naming from the Greek indikon, meaning “blue dye from

India.” Celadon — both the pottery which originated in China in the 10th century and the misty gray-green color that typifies it — receives its English name from Honoré d’Urfé’s 1627 French pastoral romance, “L’Astrée.” The book’s eponymous heroine falls in love with the shepherd Céladon, who dons a coat and ribbons of a pale green hue. Most prominent The acronym used to describe the most prominent colors visible to the human eye — ROYGBIV* — has also had its fair share of creative renderings. In addition to the illustrious Mr. Roy G. Biv himself, the sentence “Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain” is a commonly used mnemonic said to refer to the defeat of

Richard, Duke of York at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460. Perhaps more prevalent in religious circles is “Read Out Your Good Book In Verse.” In 2020, the Irish campaign Remember The Rainbow proposed replacing these traditional — and somewhat arbitrary — mnemonics with a phrase that would foster a more inclusive climate for students: “Respect Others. You Grow By Including Variety.”

Though I didn’t glimpse any rainbows myself during the torrential rains of January, the weather did inspire a hopeful phrase for the coming spring season: “Rejoice Of Your Garden; Buckets Induce Verdure.”

* Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Word Café by Mara Fisher