TURNING 100 Assistance League of Los Angeles parties at Paramount in Around the Town.
BOLLYWOOD
GALA 100th
Residents party on Lucerne Boulevard at their annual block party.
Conductors, a premiere and the composer make history.
Page 4
Page 2
REAL ESTATE / AROUND THE TOWN SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS, HOME & GARDEN
Page 18
VIEW
Section 2
LARCHMONT CHRONICLE
NOVEMBER 2019
HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • GREATER WILSHIRE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT
COLDWELL BANKER 226 S Windsor Bl | Hancock Park | $5,395,000 SOLD OFF MARKET. Multiple offers. $5.395M Asking, 6 bed/5.5 baths+1bed apt over 3car gar.
634 S June St | Hancock Park | $4,995,000 Palatial Estate Perched High on a Hill! Grand scale on 3 levels! Character 1926 details throughout.
260 Lorraine Bl | Hancock Park | $4,100,000 A 5+3.5 Traditional in Windsor Square. Patio, pool + room for guest house. 260Lorraine.com
630 N Las Palmas Ave | Hancock Park | $3,299,000 Spectacular 4 bdrm, 3.5 ba Mediterranean renovated w/ finest materials. Great neighborhood.
Lisa Hutchins 323.460.7626 CalRE# 01018644
Lisa Hutchins 323.460.7626 CalRE# 01018644
Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606
Rick Llanos 323.810.0828
CalRE#01467820, #0888374
CalRE# 01123101
522 S Bronson Ave | Hancock Park | $2,495,000 Wonderful remodeled English on picturesque S. Bronson w/ 3 bdrms, 3.5 ba’s & large yard.
236 S Larchmont Blvd | Hancock Park | $2,199,000 Stunning 3+3 w/ lovely architectural details. Larchmont Village locale. 236SLarchmont.com
590 N Cahuenga Blvd | Hancock Park | $2,079,000 Elegant Spanish 4+2.5 w/ vaulted ceilings & great fam. rm. 590NCahuenga.com
177 N Citrus Ave | Hancock Park | $2,099,000 Ultra charming 3 bed, 2.5 bath plus GH. Beautiful kitchen & baths. Full of character.
Rick Llanos | Lisa Hutchins 323.810.0828 | 323.460.7626
Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606
Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606
Rick Llanos 323.810.0828
CalRE#01123101, #01018644
CalRE#01467820, #0888374
CalRE#01467820, #0888374
CalRE# 01123101
545 N Lillian Way | Hancock Park | $2,050,000 SOLD OFF MARKET. Chic, Private 3bed/2ba, pool, garage office.
268 S Arden Blvd | Hancock Park | $1,849,000 Spanish detail. 4BD 4BA’s, large formal living rm w/fpl, family rm/den, outdoor patio & guesthouse.
106 N Lucerne Blvd | Hancock Park | $1,795,000 Windsor Sq Spanish w/high ceilings & French doors. 3 beds 2bath. Near Larchmont. Large lot.
316 N Rossmore Av #100 | Hancock Park | $1,625,000 Exclusive, full-service Country Club Manor. Bright 3+2 Architectural. 316Rossmore.com
Lisa Hutchins 323.460.7626 CalRE# 01018644
Erik Flexner 310.941.3539 CalRE# 01352476
Barbara Allen 323.860.4218 CalRE # 01487763
Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606
850 S Hudson Ave #102 | Hollywood | $675,000 2Bd / 2 Ba, large open living /dining rm area great for entertaining. Hardwood floors. Low HOA dues
6151 S Orange #311 | Miracle Mile | $499,000 1+1, Probate. Close to Grove & LACMA. Balcony. Roof top pool, gated parking.
3630 Roberts View Pl | Studio City | $8,400/MO Jetliner views! Nestled in Private Gated States. 4Bd / 3.5 Ba, family w/fpl, 3 car garage 4 open Pkg spaces.
1515 Beverly Dr #412 | Beverlywood | 3,995/MO 3/2.5 condo. Bvwd adj. Living room w/high ceilings, fpl, din rm area, balcony w/views. Pool, gym, library & etc.
Bob Day 323.821.4820
Cecille Cohen 213.810.9949
Maria Gomez 323.460.7614
Cecille Cohen 213.810.9949
CalRE#00851770
CalRE#00884530
CalRE#01206447
CalRE#01467820, #0888374
CalRE#00884530
COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Hancock Park 323.464.9272 | 251 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004 Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalBRE# 00616212
2
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Assistance League’s 100th celebration dazzles at Paramount “Tree People has had its most successful year with all the innovative and game-changing work we have led with our partners” said Cindy Montanez, Tree People’s CEO at the 32nd annual “An Evening under the Harvest Moon” gala on Oct. 5 at Coldwater Canyon Park. The organization, dedicated to creating climate-ready, water secure communities, hosted a magical event under a canopy of twinkle lights and featured an elegant dinner and music from the Foshay Jazz Band. Honorees were Boeing Company for their investment in Forest Aid, which heals fire-ravaged areas, and Beth Burnam for her statewide leadership in preparing communities before disasters happen. Also there were Founder Andy Lipkis, Phillip Boesch, Robert Hayes and Cassidy and Samuel Page. • • • That same evening, Miracle Mile landmark, Craft Contemporary (formerly Craft and Folk Art Museum) held its annual festive event this year honoring prolific artist Mark Steven Greenfield. The Museum’s newest trustee, Julie Stromberg and her husband Winston, were there congratulating chair and influential art advocate Merry Norris for coordinating such a successful
Around the Town with
Patty Hill night. The silent auction featured 34 works of art, including a piece by Betye Saar. The DJ-led “After Party” held a make-your-own-mask workshop for those who did not bring their dancing shoes. Over $200,000 was raised to support exhibitions and workshops for the coming year. Among the 300 attendees were Wally Marks III, Diane and Henry Hilty, Nancy Adams and Charles Sims, Adam Green, Valerie Ngai and Rich Erickson, Phyllis Green, Ave Pildas, and Museum Executive Director Suzanne Isken. • • • Paramount Studios was transformed into a venue truly worthy of the 100th anniversary of the Assistance League of Los Angeles on Oct. 12. There were 500 supporters, members and guests, for a no-less-thanspectacular celebration. The night kicked off with a champagne reception and silent auction at the beautiful Paramount Theatre. Heated bidding took place for a couture gown
ESCROW WITHIN 3 DAYS $2,995,000
LEAGUE CHAMPION Silvia Marjoram celebrates funds raised at 100 year Assistance League gala.
designed by Kevan Hall, one-ofa-kind dining experiences and trips to exotic destinations. VIP guests were treated to a special appearance by “Transformers” character Optimus Prime while they enjoyed bespoke cocktails. During the alfresco dinner, guests watched a short film highlighting the League’s activities over the last century. The League’s legacy in Los Angeles is closely tied to the entertainment community. Taking the stage, Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos spoke about the triangular partnership between Paramount Pictures, the League, and the event’s honoree, Hasbro. “While we are deeply touched to receive
GALA PATRONS Karla and Bill Ahmanson arrive at Paramount Pictures for 100th Anniversary of Assistance League of Los Angeles.
the Hero Award, the true heroes are the dedicated members of the Assistance League who make the world a better place for L.A.’s children and their families,” said Brian Goldner, chairman and CEO of Hasbro. The incomparable Vanessa Williams took to the stage to give a dazzling performance of her greatest hits. A grateful audience rose to their feet, including event sponsors Karla and Bill Ahmanson, Floran Fowkes, Peggy and Steve Davis, Kiel FitzGerald and Jeff Reuben, Silvia and Ernie Marjoram, NGA Hancock Park (formerly the Needlework Guild) members Mary and Bernie Jaworski, Amy
NEW LISTING
PARAMOUNT CEO Jim Gianopulos with Vanessa Williams.
and Kent Savagian, Danielle and Ron Reyes, Susan and Sean Kneafsey, Jennifer Kim, Robin and Cameron Chehrazi, Mary Woodward, Olivia and Steve Kazanjian, Helen and Eddie Fincher, Stephanie and Dave Johnson, Pam and Eddie Levine, Ellen Bandel and Alex Weber, Pavlina Moskalykova and Matt Solo, Shelagh Callahan, Mary Loftus, Kathleen and Will Macomber, Carolyn Cole, June Bilgore and son Andrew, Kate Corsmeier, NGA President Beverly Brown and husband Jason, League members Sue Cunningham, Kim Shaw and husband Robert, Gerri Kimbrough, Carolyn Layport, and Joanne Clark. Thrilled to announce that $650,000 was raised were Assistance League President (Please turn to page 3)
$2,995,000
531|N.WINDSOR ROSSMORE | HANCOCK 542 N. LAS PALMAS | HANCOCK3300 PARK LARISSA | SILVERLAKE 301 S. LUCERNE SQUARE | 4+3 PARK
NEW LISTING
$1,150,000 NEW LISTING
$645,000
433 N. IRVING | LARCHMONT 358 VILLAGE 850 N. HUDSON #206 N. VAN NESS | LARCHMONT 418 |N.LARCHMONT MANSFIELD ADJACENT | HANCOCK| 2+2 PARK
Larchmont Chronicle
TRANSFORMERS. Robert and Kim Shaw visit with Optimus Prime at Assistance League’s gala at Paramount. Photo by Martin Cohen
Around the Town (Continued from page 2)
Kathy Balzer and event Chair Lisa Wierwille. That represents many new shoes, socks, school uniforms, toys and all that makes a child in need say,
IMAGINE L.A. Chair Teddy Kapur with State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo.
NOVEMBER 2019
CRAFT CONTEMPORARY guest Winston Stromberg with wife and board member Julie. Photo by Reza Allahbakhshi
SECTION TWO
3
GOOD SAMARITAN Luncheon in the Garden was held at June Bilgore’s home in Windsor Square.
EVENING UNDER the Harvest Moon guests Samuel Page and Cassidy Page with son. Photo by Adam Corey Thomas
“This is the best day of my life.” “All for service, service for all,” Anne Banning, the founder of Assistance League in 1919. • • • Guests at the Imagine Ball at the Peppermint Club last month raised $200,000 to help combat homelessness. About 200+ people attended the sixth annual charity concert, including State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo and Teddy Kapur, board chair and an Arden neighbor. Joining him were Jill Bauman, Imagine L.A. CEO and Windsor Village resident, and her mom, Merry Norris. Also attending were George and Dina Phillips — neighbors and Imagine L.A. men-
GALA ATTENDEES to benefit Imagine L.A. include George Phillips, Shannon McIntosh, Dina Phillips and Jody Rath.
tors. George is on the board. Beachwood Drive residents Nilou Panahpour and Chris Mundy were there, too. • • • June Bilgore’s lovely garden was the setting for an October luncheon that featured Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of the Los Angeles County Art Museum (LACMA).
The event was sponsored by the Good Samaritan Hospital and its Auxiliary, many of whose members reside in the neighborhoods surrounding Larchmont. About 60 guests dealt with the warm sun and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Among those hearing Govan answer every question asked were Susan Blumenthal, Daryl Twerdahl, and
MICHAEL GOVAN, CEO and Director of LACMA, spoke at the Good Samaritan Hospital and Auxiliary garden luncheon.
Carolyn Layport. • • • Hundreds explored five historic houses on Rossmore Avenue on Sunday, Oct. 6. Refreshments were available, and a silent auction also helped (Please turn to page 4)
4
HISTORICAL SOCIETY volunteers at the Rossmore Home Tour.
Around the Town (Continued from page 3) raise money for our community’s nonprofit Windsor SquareHancock Park Historical Society. • • • Following a major remodeling effort, a former local bank branch (originally Bank
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
of America, then Broadway Federal Savings) situated in the Brookside portion of the Wilshire Park Mile has been made into a beautiful home for the Lebanese American Foundation. The nonprofit organization has owned the site since 2013, and the event last month marked the dedication of the
LEBANESE AMERICAN Foundation cake presented at the opening of the remodeled House of Lebanon in the Wilshire Park Mile.
remodeled facility, now known as the House of Lebanon. Conceived as a “home away from home” for all Lebanese in Southern California and elsewhere, the building is designed as a gathering place where older generations pass on their traditions and exchange their knowledge and
Fabulous Faubourg St Denis - French Normandy Building 308 N. Sycamore Ave. #402 | Hancock Park 4 BD | 3.5 BA | ±2,154 SQ. FT. Gym, Pool, Spa, & Beautiful Gardens Offered at $2,199,000 Rare opportunity to live in historic Faubourg St Denis. Pre-war, architecturally significant building offers a level of elegant living seldom found. Bright French Normandy condo. Elegant entry with marble floors leads to living room with vaulted & beamed ceilings. Master bedroom with dressing room, walk in closet, and marble bath. Hardwood floors, fireplace, and original details throughout. Newly redone pool and spa, gym, & 2-car tandem covered parking garage.
JILL GALLOWAY | 323.842.1980 | jillgalloway.com jill@jillgalloway.com | DRE 01357870 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
LEADERS of the effort to create the House of Lebanon, from left: Dr. H. John and Najwa Shammas and Judge James and Souad Kaddo.
LUCERNE BLVD. was closed for the block party.
experiences with newer generations of Lebanese Americans. Local leader Judge James Kaddo has been a proponent of the project for many years. • • • The Lucerne Block Party is a neighborhood institution on that street’s blocks between Third and Sixth Streets. This year was the 41st, and the organizers had a theme of “Bollywood” that featured bright colors and Indian music, dance and food — all in the middle of the street between Fourth and Fifth on Sunday, Oct. 20. • • • Hollywood’s legendary Musso & Frank Grill has been much in the news lately, what with its 100th anniversary being celebrated this fall. One of the events was held Oct. 14 at Hollywood’s Arclight Cine-
ma, when two full movie houses were the scenes of screenings of Tina Whatcott-Echeverria’s documentary films about two revered longtime Musso’s employees Ruben Rueda and Sergio Gonzalez. After the first screening, there was a fascinating panel discussion among Whatcott-Echeverria, her hus(Please turn to page 18)
TOM LaBONGE attended the Musso & Frank screening, and he was prominent in both films.
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
Introducing
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323.880.4815 Los Angeles License 01866771 compass.com Rules & Exclusions apply.
SECTION TWO
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Photo study: Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s new building At the end of last year, contractors broke ground for the latest addition to the historic Wilshire Boulevard Temple block between Hobart and Harvard Boulevards. Named the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in honor of its lead donor, the new building is the first building in Los Angeles from Pritzker Prize-winning architect Rem Koolhaas and his OMA partner Shohei Shigematsu (with collaboration by consulting architects Gruen Associates). To monitor construction of this revolutionary new building that will contain a chapel and terrace, a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, performance spaces, a rooftop sky garden and more, the Larchmont Chronicle asked world-famous Los Angeles photographer Gary Leonard to keep a lens on the project. The Chronicle shared Leon-
SOLD: This home at 101 S. Lucerne Blvd. in Windsor Square was sold in September for $1,920,000.
INTERIOR OPEN SPACE will be a feature of the new Audrey Irmas Pavilion at Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
Single-family homes
Photo by Gary Leonard, October 25, 2019
ard’s first image in our September issue. This month’s photo of the new pavilion under construction was taken right after dawn on October 25. Leonard’s iconic images of the 1970s-80s Los Angeles punk scene define the genre and capture the bands, the
people and life around them. Leonard continues documenting the city, creating an historical record of Los Angeles. Among his books is “Symphony in Steel,” a photo study of the erection of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
177 North Citrus Ave. Listed for $2,099,000
Ultra-charming English home on a beautiful tree-lined street within the 3rd Street School District. This wonderful re-done home features a living room with a dramatic living room, formal dining room, cook’s kitchen with breakfast room, large master suite, 2 additional guest rooms and 2.5 re-done bathrooms. Plus a garage converted to playroom/ office and above an inviting guest house. This house oozes charm and character.
421 S. Van Ness Ave., #50 311 S. Gramercy Pl., #406 640 Wilcox Ave. 853 S. Lucerne Blvd., #306 861 S. Windsor Blvd., #302 502 N. Bronson Ave. 502 N. Bronson Ave., #1/2 500 N. Bronson Ave., #1/2 433 S. Manhattan Pl., #101 533 S. St. Andrews Pl., #108 500 N. Bronson Ave. 320 S. Gramercy Pl., #303
Listed for $3,299,000
Stunning character Mediterranean renovated with all the best materials to create a beautiful home for entertaining. Light-filled rooms welcome you as you pass by the living room with fireplace and formal dining room to enter the fantastic open gourmet kitchen and family room space. The whole back of the house opens out to a private garden with a pool and a garage converted to a playroom/office. Luxurious master suite with sumptuous bath, plus 3 additional bedrooms and 2 beautiful bathrooms are upstairs.
522 South Bronson Ave. Listed for $2,495,000
Located on one of the most sought after and charming streets in Windsor Square stands this beautiful remodeled English gem. Step inside and you’ll find a living room with French windows and a fireplace, formal dining with French doors out to the yard, a den also overlooks the private yard, a large eat-in kitchen with attached family room. Upstairs is a charming master suite with lots of closet space and attached bathroom plus two additional bedrooms and another bathroom. One of the larger lots on this quaint block.
Co-Listed
Representing Buyers and Sellers in the Hancock Park/ Windsor Square neighborhoods for the past 26 years Rick Llanos (C) 323-810-0828 (O) 323-460-7617 rllanos@coldwellbanker.com CalRE# 01123101
©LC0819
Hancock Park
251 N. Larchmont Blvd. (323) 464-9272
400 S. Hudson Ave. 525 S. Irving Blvd. 441 S. Lucerne Blvd. 250 S. Plymouth Blvd. 602 S. Lucerne Blvd. 116 S. Arden Blvd. 871 S. Tremaine Ave. 361 N. Citrus Ave. 342 N. Highland Ave. 116 Wilton Dr. 307 N. McCadden Pl. 746 N. Mansfield Ave. 101 S. Lucerne Blvd. 107 S. Larchmont Blvd. 956 S. Plymouth Blvd. 5136 Melrose Ave. 690 N. Gramercy Pl. 244 S. Gramercy Pl.
$7,166,250 6,550,000 5,925,000 4,900,000 3,050,000 2,500,000 2,325,000 2,235,000 2,165,000 2,120,000 2,100,000 2,050,000 1,920,000 1,750,000 1,165,000 1,095,000 905,000 880,000
Condominiums
630 North Las Palmas Ave.
Coldwell Banker
Real Estate Sales
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo service marks are registered or pending registrations owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
$878,000 850,000 730,000 681,000 668,000 620,000 601,100 600,000 580,000 569,000 555,000 375,000
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
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Hancock Park hosts annual homeowners meeting at Marlborough By Billy Taylor The Hancock Park Homeowners Association (HPHOA) hosted its annual meeting last month at Marlborough School, where Councilmember David Ryu addressed the issue of homelessness, and votes were tallied in an election for the association’s board of directors. Keynote speaker Ryu spoke with residents about the seeming increase in homelessness and his threepronged approach to address the crisis: rapid re-housing of the homeless; protection and expansion of our affordable housing stock; and resources to keep people off the streets for good. “We don’t have a housing crisis,” said Ryu, “we have an affordable housing crisis.” Announcing his support for the first time at the meeting, Ryu said that he backs the appointment of a “homeless czar” to be created within the mayor’s office. Speaking to the Chronicle after the meeting, HPHOA President Cindy Chvatal praised the Councilmember’s work in Hancock Park: “David Ryu has kept all of his campaign promises to us. From not taking money from developers, transparency with discretionary funds, continuing
historic preservation efforts and, perhaps most importantly, our concrete streets are getting repaired, and Ryu is responsible for that.” Chvatal told us that, if she were to be optimistic, all of Hancock Park’s major streets would be fixed in the next couple of years. “Ryu’s done an amazing job,” she explained. An update was given on efforts to improve the Highland Avenue Median, recently a designated historic-cultural monument. HPHOA paid for 14 new Highland palm trees to be planted and the group is currently paying for weekly watering, although there is an effort to work with the city to improve irrigation access, and fix leaks, along the median. “It’s been a long process,” Chvatal told us. “But we’re getting there.” Further improvements include painting the utility boxes located in the median, and the installation of a historic-cultural monument designation plaque. The entire slate of board members (half of the board each year) was re-elected, including Tim Allyn, Martin Beck, Greg Glasser, Susan Grossman, William Newby, Cami Taylor, Jon Vein and James Wolf. Opening the Oct. 23 meet-
ing, James O’Sullivan, President of the Miracle Mile Residential Association, spoke to residents about the threats
to single-family neighborhoods coming out of Sacramento, as well as his experience with city land use pro-
posals with possible impacts on the local area. Visit hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org.
Hancock Park Luxury Home Specialists
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www.thekostreycollection.com info@thekostreycollection.com Office: 323.785.7545
1029 South Cloverdale Avenue Coming Soon! Duplex | 6 Bed | 4 Bath | 4,632 Sq Ft Historic charm in Miracle Mile!
Ali Jack Windsor Square Native & Marlborough Alumna 213.507.3959 ali.jack@compass.com @thealijack TheAliJack.com
Get access to inventory not yet on the market. 3434 Floyd Terrace Just Sold in Hollywood Knolls! 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,556 SqFt Won in multiple offers Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
8
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Brookside’s Bridge House unveiled after two years of construction By Billy Taylor Local architect Dan Brunn, AIA, opened up to guests his long-awaited “Bridge House” in Brookside last month at an official unveiling. The 4,500-square-foot home was designed to quite literally bridge 65 feet over the natural brook that gives the neighborhood its name. At the Oct. 22 event, which marked completion of two years of construction, Brunn showcased to guests the realization of his vision to build “something extraordinary with ordinary means.” The result, according to Brunn, is a specific approach to development with a unique use of space: “By and large, the idea for the house was to create a kind of modesty that’s connected to nature,” Brunn told the Chronicle. From the street, only a relatively small garage and motor court are visible, with the rest of the house stretching 210 feet toward the back of the 15,000 square-foot lot. “You can’t really see the house from the front,” said Brunn, who was originally inspired by the elongated motor court of the Vanderbilts’ iconic Breakers property in Newport, R.I. Starting with an idea for a visible
VISIBLE from the street is only a modest motor court behind a corrugated Corten steel fence and gate.
BRIDGE HOUSE extends 210 feet over a 15,000 square foot lot, allowing the structure to “bridge” a natural brook for 65 feet.
motor court, Brunn says that the bridge shape evolved from there: “I could go right over the river instead of basing the whole house on one side.” Brunn told the Chronicle that he has a strong opinion on the debate to adopt an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) in Brookside: “Someone could demolish this house [under HPOZ rules] and build a three-story new build that looks old, but that would be a lot more intrusive to the neighborhood than this house, which is modern and unseen.” In fact, Brunn says that that was part of the challenge for him. Instead of focusing
and they open onto a porch with wide glass doors. Moving deeper, guests enter the “private space” areas of the home, which feature a master suite, an office, two guest bedrooms and a below-grade pool house, complete with a kitchen, music room and outdoor grill area. Canadian furniture company EQ3 furnished the home. It was built by Modaa Construction. Although Brunn plans to use the house as his residence, the property also will be used to showcase a variety of events and art exhibits, including a temporary show during the next “Frieze Los Angeles” in February.
on how big he could build a house, he built something smaller and more interesting: “Again, a kind of modesty that’s connected to nature.” The exterior of the house is clad in a muted cedar outfitted with custom floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the wooded landscape surrounding the home. Upon entering the home, guests first encounter the living room, which features open skylights and a “Living Wall” of plants designed by Habitat Horticulture. The kitchen and dining areas display impressive wooden cabinetry, quartz countertops and Bosch appliances,
“I love this neighborhood, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Brunn told us.
ARCHITECT Dan Brunn unveiled his Bridge House in Brookside at an Oct. 22 event.
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
9
We tell stories to live: Scholar MacGregor investigates ideas about belief Pulling into the Getty Center garage, even after its opening almost 22 years ago, still sets my heart aflutter. I can’t wait to get onto that tram, lifting me into the sky above Los Angeles to land at the foot of architect Richard Meier’s glittering white village on the hill. I am grateful for all I have learned there — about everything from Byzantine icons to video art. Now that I visit less frequently, as I live a few hundred miles away, I am happy to say my Getty-based education — and the education of untold number of others — continues every two weeks through the “Getty Art and Ideas” podcasts.
Home Ground by
Paula Panich
In these podcasts, Jim Cuno, president and CEO of the John Paul Getty Trust, and scholar in his own right, interviews other scholars, writers, artists and curators about their work. In late summer, Cuno interviewed, in front of an audience at the Getty Center, Neil MacGregor, scholar and former director of the British Museum and the National Gallery London, about his newest book,
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“Living with the Gods: On Beliefs and Peoples.” Two years ago, I fell under MacGregor’s spell with his book, “A History of the World in 100 Objects,” irresistible short essays about those eponymous objects, all found in the British Museum. Listeners to the conversation between Cuno and MacGregor may well have the response I did. I ordered “Living with the Gods” immediately, and will likely spend the winter with it. The book is part of the story about the human condition. MacGregor’s new book is about storytelling. This great scholar is also a great and humble storyteller himself. He writes about the human impulse to tell stories — and even quotes Californian Joan Didion: “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” MacGregor shows us how this impulse existed 40,000 years ago. In 1939, two scientists were excavating in a cave in southwest Germany, near Ulm, what turned out to be a sculpture with the head of a lion and the body of a man. It is known as the Lion Man of Ulm, carved from a mammoth tusk. The small sculpture, MacGregor writes, “holds a unique place in human history. It is
THE LION MAN OF ULM carved from mammoth ivory about 40,000 years ago, and considered the earliest representation of the human imagination. Photo Credit: Dagmar Hollmann / Wikimedia Commons
not just a supreme representation of two closely observed species: it is by some margin the oldest evidence yet found of the human mind giving physical form to something which can never have been seen.” The finely wrought sculpture, in other words, is something that could only exist in
Featured Listing for the Month of November by
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the human imagination. The stories told around a fire about the Lion Man, whatever they were, served to bind together a small group of people, and allowed a community to think of itself as an entity that goes on through time. This sets my mind and heart soaring — the links we have as humans to all that came before us. Why this book now? Cuno asks MacGregor. Because, MacGregor says, in the past 30 to 40 years, “contrary to all expectations,” religion has become a dynamic force in politics, a source of “aggression, intolerance, but also solidarity.” He writes to understand the source of stories that later evolved into beliefs. The book considers this storytelling impulse throughout our globe. It looks, according to MacGregor, “at some of the different ways that societies have found of imagining and inhabiting their place in the world.” MacGregor takes us on a “worldwide journey through the material and social manifestations of belief.” The book is a much-needed plea for understanding how our stories contribute to our varied identities, and to their roots in our shared humanity.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Chevalier’s among independents that actually care about books Articles on the death of bookstores have appeared so often over the past decade as to become a kind of genre — complete with a conventional theme, predictable structure, and prevailing tone. But these elegiac notices of passing shouldn’t obscure an important fact: independent bookstores that remain are doing quite well. Of course there is no denying the entire retail landscape has radically changed; there is no going back to days when a single neighborhood could support several excellent and varied bookstores, as Westwood Village did through the ’70s. But that diminishment granted, it seems more accurate to reframe discussions of the bookstore’s current state than to wholly discount its viability. After all, many people still demonstrate a preference for the old ways in book buying. The stubborn survival and even occasional resurgence of the independent bookstore is instructive. As a recent “New York Times” article points out, the last remaining American chain, Barnes and Noble, is trying to rescue itself by acting less big, less corporate and more local.
Their leadership is only now realizing what Vroman’s in Pasadena, Book Soup in West Hollywood, The Last Bookstore downtown, Skylight Books in Los Feliz, Diesel in Brentwood Village, Iliad Bookstore in North Hollywood, Counterpoint Records and Books in Franklin Village and Chevalier’s in Larchmont have long known and never forgotten: books are tactile, distinctive and personal objects. Booksellers who understand that won’t try to be what they are not. And they will always cultivate a staff that cares about books as much as the people who come to buy them. A successful independent bookstore also attends to the particularities of its neighborhood. Because of that, each store has its own character — its own attractions. Counterpoint (a used book and record store now marking its 40th anniversary) has, like most independents, a stable and knowledgeable staff. When those staff members buy used books for re-sale, they do so with a clear sense of what their customers want. Of course, stores that sell new books don’t work from the same purchasing model,
On Books and Places by
Bruce Beiderwell but distinctive patterns still show. Chevalier’s, for example, has obviously paid attention to families that stroll through Larchmont. You’ll find at this, the oldest independent bookstore in Los Angeles, a necessarily small but thoughtfully cultivated collection that plays smartly across generations. Everyone in the family will find engaging displays. While the sheer size of a corporate store has some advantages, its scale and purchasing power too often results in books laid out like sweaters on a sale table. In addition to neighborhood-specific displays and collections, independents proudly foreground their own distinctive passions. A quick walk through any of the area’s independent stores underscores the modifier — independent. The impersonal top-down model of the failed chains was built on the notion that people can
be told what to read. That is to say, customers are incessantly directed to buy what big publishers most need to sell. In contrast, Book Soup’s respectful support of small presses, The Last Bookstore’s impressive collection of used science fiction and fantasy, and Chevalier’s expertly selected offerings of graphic novels stand out as special. And while independents also need to diversify, their focus remains on books — not games, coffee or themed Tshirts. Ultimately, a book centric approach to marketing suggests something about what constitutes a reading culture. Independent stores that both survive and thrive know that people want not just books, but what books offer — that books are experiences as well as objects. That understanding accounts for the popularity of author events and reading groups. Chevalier’s, a small independent, produces events significant for their number and their quality. October, for example, brought to Larchmont no less an author than Ta-Nehisi Coates in conversation with no less a screenwriter / filmmaker than Ryan Coogler.
And Chevalier’s (in keeping with their across-the-generations approach to collections) also schedules ongoing staff-led book discussion groups in four areas: fiction and non-fiction, young adult literature and children’s literature. All such gatherings take books off the shelf and put them in the hands, hearts and minds of readers. “Fahrenheit 451” first appeared 68 years ago; that’s 11 years after Chevalier’s opened in Larchmont, 24 years before Book Soup appeared in West Hollywood. It’s worth remembering that Ray Bradbury’s novel linked reading to talking. And by talking, Bradbury didn’t mean empty chatter; he meant conversation about ideas and feelings. And he then connected that kind of talking to political, social and personal health. His hero Montag turns to books and book readers to battle a sickness that has enveloped his world. Independent bookstores understand that they can endure by offering something people not only want, but need. That’s a great service. While Bradbury’s “what if” retains a disturbing power, it also remains a speculative fiction.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
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OAKWOOD SCHOOL By Scarlett Saldaña 9th Grade
Before students at Oakwood School approach the end of their first trimester, students make the most of the next two months by learning, getting to know each other, and expressing themselves. For example, in October, one of Oakwood’s most impor-
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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tant events is Diversity Week. Each year, there is a theme that enables students to look more into depth about topics about each other or the world. Last year, our theme was Intersecting Identities, in which we
learned about recognizing and respecting each other–whether it was talking about gender or who we saw ourselves as people. This year, our theme was Race Talk 360, where students were taught more about the topic of race and ethnicity, helping them understand what race is, and how it came to be. After Diversity Week, second-
Cathedral Chapel School Invites Preschoolers (ages 3-5) to
ary school students celebrate Halloween at the Halloween Event. At the event, students come dressed in their Halloween costumes, ready to dance and talk with friends and faculty. Last year, there were competitions between the teachers and the students, including a dunk tank, waiting for teachers to get soaked by students. Then, a week after the Halloween Event, the month of November starts, leaving Oakwood students close to celebrating Thanksgiving. However, before their week-long break, middle schoolers have the chance to show the school their artwork, films, and hard work over the past months. Finally, before the week of Thanksgiving Break, students will be given the opportunity to perform at the Thanksgiving Assembly. Whether it’s reciting a poem, singing with your band, or a solo dance, the assembly is always a great way to let students express themselves before heading out for Thanksgiving Break.
BUCKLEY
By Jasper Gough 10th Grade
Breakfast with Santa
Sunday, December 8, 2019 • 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Parents / Guardians are invited. Parking is available in the schoolyard off 8th St.
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IMMACULATE HEART
A Catholic, Independent, College Preparatory School For Girls Grades 6-12
Students in the 11th grade will take their practice ACTs and their actual SATs on Nov. 2. From Wed. Nov. 6 to 9 the school will host our annual fall musical, “Urinetown.” School is closed on Nov. 8 for parent-teacher conferences, and on the 11th in observation of Veterans Day. There will be an open house for the entire school Nov. 16. Later, on Nov. 25 the middle and upper school have their annual Harvest Festival, which is a special lunch party, and the seniors will be the servers. Lastly, from the 27th through the 29th we will get a three-day break for Thanksgiving.
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE By Nikhil George 6th Grade
Hello! It’s Nikhil George here again. Recently for history, the 5th and 6th graders visited Knott’s Berry Farm to tour the Independence Hall replica. The purpose of this field trip for the 6th graders was to extend on our learning about the late 1700s. This trip was also meant to be an introduction to this curriculum for the current 5th grade class. In math class, we are working on ratios and how to use them. Specifically, we have learned about equivalent ratios, values of ratios, unit rates, ratio tables, and graphing. Equivalent ratios are, simply put, ratios that are equivalent, but a value and a unit rate are the simplest form of a ratio. Ratio tables and graphs are visual forms of ratios represented using different columns. In real life, a ratio is a comparison. It is important that we know this so that we use quantities properly and understand things like pricing at a store or measurements. Other events that occurred recently on campus were our annual Harvest Festival, the Scholastic Peace Day Challenge, and multiple secondary school visits. The Harvest Fest is a school festival filled with a variety of activities to participate in, like an animal petting zoo, pie-eating contests, raffles, and Bingo. The Scholastic Peace Day Challenge was a challenge that encouraged our community to help others around them, and also to learn about someone who made peace within their community. Secondary school visits are a time set up for us 6th graders during our lunch. Representatives from other schools come in and tell us more about their academic programming, campus activities and their mission.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
MARLBOROUGH
CHRIST THE KING
First, on Oct. 16 the 10th and 11th graders took their PSATs, which took the entire morning. The 7th and 8th grade dance, planned by 8th graders, was hosted on Oct. 25 and the theme was “neon.” Soon after that, to finish off the month of October was Halloween aka “Pumpkin Day.” This month, the 10th and 11th graders will take the SATs. From Nov. 13-15, the Marlborough production of “Legally Blonde” will be taking place featuring the middle and upper school. Right before we leave for Thanksgiving on Nov. 22, will be Grandparents Day. Grandparents are invited to attend classes and see what we do during the day. Lastly, to finish off the month, Thanksgiving! We have school off from the 25th to Dec. 1.
The months of October and November are full of fun-filled activities here at Christ the King School. The 8th graders have already begun their HSPT practice at Loyola High School on Saturday mornings, and High School Night was a great success. Halloween festivities were so exciting. We started the day with a huge school parade where each of the classes came to flaunt their Halloween attire. Afterwards, the
By Avery Gough 8th Grade
By Joel Lee 8th Grade
ST. BRENDAN
By Olivia Martinez 8th Grade
November is a busy month at Saint Brendan School. As we conclude the first quarter of our school year, stuWILLOWS dents are wrapBy Jesse Nevins ping up homework and projects 8th Grade and taking assessments to finish off This year is the quarter strong. In the beginspecial as it is ning weeks of November, the stuour 25th annidents will participate in our annual versary, so we Penny War. Each class competes wanted to kick it to bring in the most pennies and off with a bang! raises money for A Friendly Manor One of the first in Oakland, which helps less fortuevents, the 25th nate mothers raise their children. Founders Day, honored our faculty The 8th graders are getting excited and staff, who have been with us to watch their little buddies narrate from the very beginning. We also and perform a play about the first honored the ideals, core values, American Thanksgiving. and traditions that have made The Finally, students are preparWillows what it is today. Kids from ing for a week-long Thanksgivkindergarten all the way to 8th ing break, and three half-days for grade will be participating in proj- parent-teacher conferences just ects throughout the year. prior to our vacation. To honor On Oct. 11, we hosted our our veterans, an assembly will be annual “Taste of The Willows” held on Nov. 13 by our girl scout event, in which families of differ- and boy scout troops. The scouts ent nationalities share food and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance culture unique to their heritage. and the school meets the veterThis is only the beginning. I’m ans that are family members or excited to see what comes next. friends of Saint Brendan families.
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teachers showed off their costumes, and the parade ended with our great parents! After our spooktacular parade, we had our annual Halloween Festival where everyone in the school was able to enjoy great fun and games. There were all kinds of carnival games, great food, entertainment, and the centerpiece of the festivities, the 8th grade Haunted House. It definitely sent shivers
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down everyone’s spine. On Nov. 1, we will observe All Saints Day. Many of the students dress up as their favorite saints to honor the saints’ great works. On that same evening, our school will hold our annual fundraiser dinner, The Great Gatsby Gala at the Glendale Hilton. It will be an evening full of entertainment, dancing, prizes, and camaraderie.
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Finally, CKS Vikings will participate in the Thanksgiving Food Drive. All of us Vikings will bring in non-perishable foods for the needy in our community. Next, we Vikings will prepare for the Feast of Christ the King, the end of the liturgical and the feast of our parish, and welcome the time of Advent and Christmas here at our school.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
LOS ANGELES HIGH
IMMACULATE HEART
By Kiara Llaguna 9th Grade
By Samantha Hutchinson 12th Grade
Recently, Los Angeles High School hosted a food festival in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event took place on Sept. 27 during lunch and kicked off with an outstanding performance by the International Dance Club. Students feasted on foods that ranged from tamales to tres leches cake. Parent-teacher conference night was Oct. 14. Students will have the opportuntity to attend “Careers in Film Summit” to learn about occupations in the motion picture industry. This is the perfect chance to hear from Academy members and film professionals to get a good idea of what certain careers have to offer. Students can learn more about visual effects, acting, directing, writing and more.
Immaculate Heart students anticipate our annual WALK on Nov. 8! Students have raised money throughout October, asking families, friends, and neighbors to contribute to our cause. These donations benefit IH students directly. In the past, the Walk money has gone to turf for our field, air conditioning in our auditorium, and most recently, new Smart TVs in all classrooms! To celebrate these donations, students will walk throughout the surrounding neighborhood and return to music and food back on campus. Our first play of the year is “The Crucible,” by Arthur Miller, presented by our dramatic arts club on campus, Nov. 14 to 17. Meanwhile, our tennis, cross country, and volleyball teams have performed extremely well, traveling near and far to face fierce opponents. As their seasons come to a close, the teams will prepare to go into the playoffs. The soccer and basketball teams will soon start competing for the title of league champions. IH will host its annual Academic Playday Nov. 16 for 7th and 8th grade girls. To register, contact our admissions department. We look forward to seeing you there!
PAGE
By Isabella Argiropoulos 4th Grade Hello, my Larchmont neighbors! My name is Isabella Argiropoulos and I would like to tell you about our Page Academy events for the month of November! Heading into the Thanksgiving season, we have a lot going on. Our students will be learning about and commemorating Veteran’s Day. We thank all the veterans who have made sure we are safe and free today! This month, Page will also be hosting its annual Mexican Dinner, Silent Basket Auction and Movie Night. This is always a great night with a fun movie for the whole family and lots of amazing baskets up for auction. This month’s field trip will be to the Natural History Museum with the special exhibition on Antarctic Dinosaurs! Finally, right before we break for Thanksgiving, we will have our annual Thanksgiving pot-luck lunch with food from many of our students’ cultures — from Korean bbq, Filipino lumpia and Persian koobideh, to Southern fried chicken and my Mom’s Greek inspired turkey! We hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and all of us at Page Academy want to thank the community for your continued support!
Larchmont Chronicle YESHIVAT YAVNEH By Shoshana Zisblatt 8th Grade
The school year has continued to inspire students at Yavneh! A couple of weeks after school began, the middle school girls spent the weekend at a retreat in Running Springs. Our teachers planned several activities, including swimming and traditional Challah baking for the first day, Friday. We spent the Shabbat
THIRD STREET By Sofia Kirilov 4th Grade
Hello again from Third Street School. We had another exciting month. Read Around he World, one of my favorite programs at school, has begun. We read books to “travel” around the globe, earn prizes, and celebrate with an ice cream party. Third Street students went on field trips to historical places like the Autry Museum, Olvera Street and the Griffith Observatory. For Hispanic Heritage month, every week we had a “guess who” challenge with a picture of a famous Hispanic American; the
NOVEMBER 2019
(Sabbath) engaged in prayer and activities to build and enhance our friendships. On Sunday, we hiked, played sports, and went ice skating. We left the campsite with new bonds and a special love for Yavneh. The retreat was truly a spiritual and inspirational way to kick off the new academic year. Not only did we begin a new school year, but we also celebrated the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. To mark the holiday, Yavneh took 7th and 8th grades on trips across Los Angeles to hear engaging speakers and also to volunteer at different charity and service organizations. Some students vis-
ited Chai Lifeline, an organization dedicated to helping families who are fighting illness, where we wrote letters and cards to the fam-
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ilies. In addition to learning about the other upcoming Jewish holidays, Yavneh students also began our athletic season with tryouts
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for our JV and varsity basketball teams. Between sports and the holiday activities, there has not been a dull moment at our school.
class that guessed correctly made an announcement to the school, with information about that person. We also had our annual Korean Dual Language Program bowling tournament at XLanes LA, and a family dining night at Koreatown Pizza Co. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and our school potluck parties. Every year, each class has a multi-cultural feast, with families bringing food that represents their cultures. From Korean to Italian, from Mexican to German, to name just a few, our potluck parties show how diverse Third Street is. Our Prospective Student Orientation and Tour is Nov. 8, 9 to 11 a.m. Meet our principal, Mr. Kim, talk with parents, and visit a classroom, the library, science lab and tech lab. Hope you like our school!
@_SJSLA
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Magic, mystery and Yale in Bardugo’s new book, TV series
NINTH HOUSE is Leigh Bardugo’s first non-YA novel.
On the heels of the release of Leigh Bardugo’s first adult novel, “Ninth House,” Amazon Studios announced that it plans to develop the book as a TV series. Bardugo grew up in Windsor Square and attended Marlborough School. Her publisher, Flatiron Books (part of MacMillan), released the book last month. Set in an alternate reality of Yale University, the story tells of Galaxy “Alex” Stern as she negotiates Ivy League life and enters the world of university secret societies.
As a high school dropout from Los Angeles, 20-year-old Alex has made a number of bad choices over the years, including one that almost gets her killed. When she ends up in the hospital, she is given a second chance with a full-ride scholarship to Yale from mysterious benefactors. Once she arrives in New Haven, however, she finds that things are not as they seem, as she investigates the eight secret societies, or “tombs,” that her patrons have asked her to look into. Her book has been praised by several speculative fiction
heavy hitters, such as Lev Grossman (“The Magicians”), Charlaine Harris (“True Blood”), Joe Hill (“Horns”) and Stephen King, among others. According to “Deadline,” the Hollywood media news outlet, Amazon won the rights to the novel in a “competitive situation.” Bardugo will be attached to the project as writer
and executive producer. The writer has written several young adult novels and short stories. Earlier this year it was announced that Netflix would be turning Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, “Shadow and Bones” and “Six of Crows,” into an eight-episode series. For more information, visit leighbardugo.com.
CATHEDRAL CHAPEL
Family Fun Night on Oct. 4 featured fun games and activities, along with tasty food and friendly competitions. Our girls’ volleyball team is on track to make the playoffs. We couldn’t be prouder. Thank you to Mrs. Morris, the team’s incredible coach. Cathedral Chapel School is proud to announce the arrival of brand new Apple computers for our computer lab. School families were very excited to see this upgrade to our computer lab which will definitely enhance the students’ learning opportunities. A huge thanks to everyone involved in the major fundraising campaign. We are blessed at CCS!
By Renae Salonga 8th Grade
September was a month of remembrance and giving. Chapel remembered the tragedy and heroism of 9/11. Students donated over 600 cans of food to the Blessed Sacrament food bank. The Student Council held a sweater/jacket drive to help children in Los Angeles who don’t have anything to keep them warm in winter. Our first bake sale was a huge success, raising over $400.00.
Author crashes One Book Book Club Larchmont resident Corinna Cherian hosted a “One Book Book Club” Oct. 2 with a special guest, local author Lydia Fitzpatrick. Her first book, “Lights All Night Long,” has received rave reviews — it enthralls as both a mystery and a coming of age tale of two brothers split between a remote town in Russia and the bayou of Louisiana, according to local reader Caroline Tracy. Guests discussed the book around the outdoor fire pit of Cherian’s Lillian Way home, and Fitzpatrick, who also resides on Lillian, fielded questions about her process and the book’s origin story. After
AREA residents Melinda Angle and Caroline Tracy join author Lydia Fitzpatrick.
signing copies, Lydia shared that her next novel is in progress, and the “One Book Book Club” officially changed to a Book Club.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
Roundup: Blanck Mass, King Gizzard, Death Grips By Elijah Small Three new albums for your consideration. Happy listening! Animated Violence Mild A new release, electronic artist Benjamin John Power’s fourth album as Blanck Mass, is a very stylistic album with intense bass and drums. In the first track, “Death Drop,” the beginning is loud and almost sounds like a Death Grips instrumental. The album beams when it goes hard, but it dips when it doesn’t. I found that the album seems to fail midway through almost every song. Most songs have attention-grabbing hard electronic sections, but they all start to sound repetitive. This would not be a problem if the songs weren’t so long, but they are. Each song clocks in at 7 minutes of pretty much the same thing over and over and over again until the end. I did really like the piece “Love Is a Parasite” because it managed to not feel as repetitive as the others. Overall the album is very forgettable. Review: 5.5 out of 10. Infested Rats Nest Psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard King comes back shortly after their recent “Fishing for Fishies,” with a hard rock album. With a unique but simple style, this album is great! Every song feels like it belongs, making
the album consistent while still feeling unique. It starts off strongly with the track “Planet B,” which is an all-around metal song. This introductory song is an example of the sound you will find. Songs like “Mars for the Rich” and “Hell” exhibit just enough diversity in sound to make this album amazing. Review: 8 out of 10. The Money Store Sacramento-based hip hop band Death Grips is one of those bands that should not work, but somehow they do. “The Money Store” is a crazy experimental album with some of the weirdest ideas I’ve ever heard. For those who don’t know, Death Grips consists of a poet, rapper, singer MC Ride, drummer Zach Hill and mad scientist keyboardist Andy Morin. The Money Store, released in 2012, has a somewhat stable but hectic sound, including crazy noise glitches. What could otherwise have been a crazy mess, the album keeps me coming back to listen to it again and again. Of course, Death Grips is a bit of an acquired taste because of their experimental sound; my friend and bandmate Riley describes the band as “Nine Inch Nails with a rapper.” Review: 10 out of 10 Elijah Small is a student at Pilgrim School.
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How $50 can change a child’s life for the better For almost four years, I have been working to bring a Children’s Savings Account (CSA) program to every child enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). After years of work between my office, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the LAUSD School Board, the CSA program is being voted on in City Council in early November. If it passes, it would establish the largest CSA program in the nation. So what is a CSA program? It’s simple: A CSA program gives every child enrolled in
Council Report by
David E. Ryu
LAUSD a dedicated savings account, with $50 seed money, starting in the first grade. The students will be able to access the account upon graduating high school for college or postsecondary education. Through a child’s school years, matching funds programs, incentive
programs and donations can help the savings account grow. This program aims to be universal and automatic — giving every child, regardless of zip code, income or immigration status, a savings account in their name, and a path to higher education. CSA programs are already rolling out in San Francisco, St. Louis, Boston, and cities across the nation — and the data they show is remarkable. A low-income child with less than $500 in a dedicated savings account is three times (Please turn to page 20)
MUSSO & FRANK documentary films were discussed at Arclight by, from left, interviewer Marc Summers, restaurant CEO Mark Echeverria, and filmmaker Tina Whatcott-Echeverria.
Around the Town (Continued from page 4) band, and restaurant CEO Mark Echeverria, and moderator Marc Summers. Tom LaBonge was at the screening and the reception, and he also was a prominent interviewee in the documentaries.
• • •
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (LA Phil) on Oct. 24 celebrated 100 years
and featured a world premiere of a composition directed by three conductors, all of whom are LA Phil legends. Each on his own podium, before an ensemble of nearly 100 musicians, Gustavo Dudamel, Zubin Mehta, and Esa-Pekka Salonen did the honors. The composer, Daniel Bjarnason, joined them to thunderous applause and large pieces of confetti showering down from the Walt Disney Concert Hall ceiling. Then, a
HAIR SALON and art gallery owner Romi Cortier, left, and Recio Young in Venice, Italy. GALA 100 for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra featured an historic panel discussion for post-concert dinner attendees. From left, Zubin Mehta, Gustavo Dudamel and Esa-Pekka Salonen are interviewed by the orchestra’s chief executive officer, Chad Smith. Photo by W.H. Fain
gala dinner took place in the warm evening air on the Music Center’s newly remodeled Plaza. Among the dinner revelers were Hancock Park’s Ann and Robert Ronus with guests including Windsor Square’s Pamela and Shannon Clyne and Jennifer and Bill Fain.
• • •
Romi Cortier and Recio Young exchanged vows at a destination wedding in Venice, Italy in September. The couple was introduced at a dinner for a mutual friend in August 2014 and became engaged while traveling in Fiji in June 2016. Cortier is the owner of the hair salon and art gallery, Romi Cortier Design, 425 N. Larchmont Blvd. Young is a TV producer. The nuptials were held at Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal in Venice. They filmed a documentary, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding, based on their experiences planning the event, which will be out soon.
Yoon in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Oct. 5. The mayor pointed to Ryu’s ring finger when he introduced him, and there was much applause. Wrapping up his own dedicatory remarks for the project [described further in Section 2, Page 20 – Ed.], Ryu said of the subject of support: “We all need support in our lives. “We all need a little help along the way to get us to where we’re going. “No one makes it alone. And I am so thankful to Aviva and to this community in Hollywood for being that support system and for being that solution for these families experiencing homelessness.” And that’s the chat.
• • •
Coming soon, on Dec. 8, is this year’s St. Vincent Meals on Wheels caviar extravaganza. To be held again at Petrossian, the affair will raise money for the program while edifying guests about, what else, but Champagne and caviar!
COCKTAILS AND CAVIAR Dec. 8 fundraiser for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels will feature tasty canapés like these from last year’s event, also at Petrossian West Hollywood.
RESIDENTS of Council District Four, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilmember David Ryu, were queried by the press at tour of the new Aviva housing facility for women and children.
• • •
The setting was the dedication event for a just equipped supportive home for women and children on Hollywood Boulevard, in Council District Four. Officiating was Mayor Eric Garcetti. According to the mayor, it was Councilman David Ryu’s first public appearance since he returned from his wedding to Regina
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
19
MUSEUM ROW
Petersen November auto events scheduled for adults, children Professional racing instructor and author Loren Elmer teaches driving safety Sat., Nov. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd. Elmer will sign copies of his book, “Stay Alive While Driving! The Secret of a Race Car
Driver.” Event is free with museum admission. Also this month at the Petersen, “Beyond Driven,” a documentary on Lella Lombardi and the Women of Formula Racing, plus a cocktail hour and Q&A with the filmmakers and drivers, is Fri.,
‘Echoes’ to screen at LAMOTH Nov. 10 “The Last Survivors: Echoes from the Holocaust” screens Sun., Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. in commemoration of the 81st anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, 100 The Grove Dr.
The film includes an awardwinning cast: Edward Asner, Elliot Gould and Valerie Harper. The screening is followed by a Q&A with film director and founder of The Survivor Mitzvah project, Zane Buzby. Admission is free.
Nov. 15 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Lombardi made history as the first and only woman to score in Formula One at the Spanish Grand Prix in 1975, and she sparked a legacy of fe-
Handsome
male racers to follow. Tickets are $25. Museum members are admitted free. “Little Sparks: Behind the Wheel,” for children 5 to 8 years old, is Sat., Nov. 16 from
•
Hand-made
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This inaugural session explores the basic mechanics of cars from the earliest models to modern day. Tickets are $20. Visit Petersen.org.
•
Hands-on
LIBRARIES Catch up with your favorite superheroes at Wilshire library
Mindfulness at Fairfax library Get tips on practicing meditative calm and mindfulness at a class at Fairfax branch library, 161 S. Gardner St., Saturdays Nov. 9 and 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. The live presentation, taught by Cantor Estherleon Schwartz and Ivor Pyres, uses music, poetry and the spoken word. For more information, call 323-933-8146.
Teens age 16 and up and adults are invited to discuss Batman to Deadpool, Vendetta and more. Cookies provided. For more information, call 323-957-4550.
Journalism talk at Memorial Library Hear a talk by Jim Newton, journalist and editor, 25 years at the “Los Angeles Times,” at Memorial branch library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., Sat., Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 323-938-2732.
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Get help and resources on how to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at the John C. Fremont branch library, 6121 Melrose Ave. Learn about resources and get support from others who are also taking care of someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s Mondays Nov. 4 and 21 at 10:15 a.m. For more information, and confirm dates and times, call Yael Wyte, 323-486-6632.
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Teens and adults can discuss their favorite superheroes from graphic novels and beyond at the Cookies and Comics Book Club at Wilshire branch library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. Tues., Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
(Continued from page 17)
more likely to enroll in postsecondary education than a low-income child with no savings. How can even meager savings create such radical results? The answer is more than dollars and cents. More than money CSA programs are about much more than money. They achieve two things: Connecting families to financial literacy programs and funding for higher education, and instilling in children the belief that they, too, can go to college. If you went to college, take a moment to think back. Why did you go? You may be saying “for a better life” or “to get a good job” right about now. But where did you learn that college would get you those
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things? The fact of the matter is, at some point in your life, someone told you that college was important. Whether it was a parent, a teacher or a neighbor, someone instilled in you the belief that college was something to strive for — and something that you could achieve. But for too many kids in Los Angeles, those dinner table conversations are not happening. Los Angeles has one of the highest rates of unbanked and underbanked families in the nation. Many kids lack a parent’s guidance, or don’t have parents who went to college. And far too many kids are implicitly told that they aren’t good enough, smart enough or worthy enough of a college education.
When I was growing up, I wasn’t smarter than any of the other kids on my block. We all worked hard, we all had struggles, and we all were poor. College was non-negotiable But what I did have was the expectation that I would go to college — my parents and grandmother made it clear that this was non-negotiable. That expectation was what got me into UCLA — and got me to change my life. As a city, we can give that expectation to every child in Los Angeles. The kids of our city face incredible challenges — poverty, homelessness and more. I won’t pretend that we can solve them all. But if we can give them hope, and a lifeline to a better life — we can give them a fighting chance.
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Aviva Services gives warm welcome to Wallis House The Wallis House Bridge Home opened its doors last month to about 40 women and their children with city dignitaries and local residents at the ribbon cutting. The new residential program, operated by Aviva Family and Children Services, aims to bring women between 18 and 24 and their children out of homelessness and into housing, services and programs. “You don’t get to be a 104-year-old organization without being responsive to the community. Today, thanks to dedicated city and County leaders, supporters and volunteers, Aviva is poised to help with one of the greatest challenges facing our region
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WALLIS HOUSE, a 42-bed bridge housing center for women and children in Hollywood, opened last month. At the dedication were Regina Bette, president and CEO of Aviva, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilman David Ryu, Robin Chehrazi of NGA Hancock Park, and Aviva supporter and local resident Jennifer Kim.
Celebrate The Huntington Library’s 100th anniversary at a centennial family day at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, Sat., Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Besides art making, there will be concerts and other live performances. For more information, visit huntington.org.
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— homelessness,” said Genevieve Haines, chair of Aviva’s board of directors and a Windsor Square resident. “Getting Wallis House ready for today’s ‘housewarming’ was just the beginning. We welcome the community to join us for the next chapter, as we help house and heal our neighbors experiencing homelessness,” she added.
Homes on view at Craftsman Weekend Nov. 1 Step back in time at Pasadena Heritage: Craftsman Weekend, Fri., Nov. 1 to Sun., Nov. 3. House tours of notable Craftsman properties, along with bus and walking tours of the surrounding neighborhoods, will be featured. An antique and contemporary furniture and decorative arts sale, a silent auction, workshops and presentations will also be at the event. For tickets and information visit pasadenaheritage.org.
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NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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Hollywoodland celebrates 75 years of park land gift
‘Forest of Light’ at Descanso See some of Descanso Gardens’ botanical collections and coast live oaks lined with magical lights at “Enchanted: Forest of Light,” 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, beginning Sun., Nov. 17 through Sun., Jan. 5. Highlights this year include contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin’s “stained glass” creation and “Celestial Shadows” by Hybycozo. Visitors can view the lighted interactive pathway on a onemile stroll through the gardens. Wear comfortable shoes and dress casually for the weather. Special programs will be held Fridays Dec. 6 and 13 and Saturdays. Dec. 7 and 14. Tickets start at $23 for members. Tickets for nonmembers
start at $28. Or purchase tickets that include reservations at the facility’s restaurant, Maple, although the ticket does not include the cost of the meal. For more information, visit enchantedla.com.
Arboretum gift shop holiday open house
Get in the festive mood at the gift shop holiday open house this month at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Enjoy refreshments and pick up cards and gifts for fellow gardeners Thurs., Nov. 7 and Fri., Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit arboretum.org.
LARCHMONT shares a history with Hollywoodland dating back to 1923. Photo by Lynn Shepodd
woodland Tract 6450 includes 560 single-family residential homes, a charming neighborhood and a horse ranch found
at the top of Beachwood Drive (Sunset Stables). There has always been a relationship between Larchmont Village and Hollywoodland, as lots in Tract 6450 were sold on Larchmont Boulevard, possibly through the Western Construction Company located at 127 N. Larchmont Blvd. Sidney Woodruff and L.P. Lechner jointly managed Western Construction Company and went on to become principal players in Hollywoodland. Hollywoodland Realty, built in 1923, was the first building erected in Tract 6450. It continues to operate as a real estate office to this day, with two locations. One in Larchmont and the original in Hollywoodland. Visit hollywoodlandgiftedpark.com
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CELESTIAL SHADOWS by Hybycozo at Descanso’s “Enchanted: Forest of Light.”
By Patricia Carroll and Christine O’Brien Seventy-five years ago the Sherman Company gifted 444 acres of open-space land in northern Beachwood Canyon to the City of Los Angeles. This tract of parkland includes the historic Hollywood Sign, which was created to advertise the lots in Tract 6450 for Hollywoodland, Southern California’s first planned hillside residential community. Residents held a celebration honoring the 75th anniversary Oct. 20 of the largest local park land donation (other than the Griffith Land donation). The celebration allowed Angelenos to share their inspirations and expressions through a multimedia art exhibition. Anne Mansour, a resident of Larchmont Village, shared the 1st prize in the painting competition with Brian Burchfield of Hollywoodland. Best of Show went to George Abbott Clark for his video Hollywoodland Wild Life, showing a compilation of animal images filmed at his hillside residence including star mountain lion Bachelor P-22, reminding us how invaluable our undeveloped land is. Developed in 1923, Holly-
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Wrong bids in bridge, from a toxic source, when playing a game of strategy
Partner opens 2S passed to you. What’s your bid?
West P P
North East P 2C* P 3C P
South 1H 2S ?
by
*Game forcing Another:
Grand Slam
South ♠ Q7 ♥ AKJ43 ♦ void ♣ AKQ874
Here’s another sitting South: South ♠ A753 ♥ AQJ85 ♦ KT8 ♣8
Bidding: West North East
Bidding:
P
1H
Bridge Matters
1S
South 1C ?
Hand 1: You’ve got a huge hand but partner has opened weak. You might have slam but your naked heart King 4th looks very bad and the AJx of diamonds also shows some losers. You might bid 2N asking for an outside feature (Ace or
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King). If partner has the heart Ace you might have a chance, but your diamonds still look bad. The best thing is to forget about slam and bid 4S. Hand 2: Partner’s 2C bid is game forcing, her rebid of 3C invites no trump promising at least a good six card suit. This isn’t even a thinker; bid 3NT because you have diamonds stopped and the lead is into your diamond King instead of through it, which it would be if partner were declarer. Hand 3: You’ve got a huge hand and partner has at least four hearts with you. If she’s got the heart Queen and clubs cooperate, you only have two possible losers, your two spades. You have three choices: 4NT (blackwood asking for Aces), 5D (exclusion blackwood that asks for any Aces except the diamond Ace once trump has been established), or 2S (Western Cue Bid asking partner if she has a spade stopper). In addition to being somewhat ambiguous in this auction since you never acknowledged hearts as trump (an established partnership might agree that this confirms hearts as trump), exclusion blackwood is a little advanced for this column (but it’s the best bid because there is only one Ace in which you are interested, the spade Ace; if she has it she bids 5S, two levels up from 5D, and you can bid the slam; if she doesn’t have it she bids 5H, the cheapest bid, and you pass), so the correct bid is either 4NT or 2S. 4NT is deficient because the response of one Ace will leave you hanging because you won’t know if it’s the diamond or spade Ace; if it’s the diamond Ace, it does you no good. What do you do then? Probably bail out at 5S, but at least you can make a try. If she
has both Aces, you should bid 7H (or 7NT if you are gutsy). As it was, North had both Aces and the heart Queen, so 7 is cold. But the reason I’m writing this column is that I made none of the correct bids. On Hand 1, I just went straight to 6S and it was down as the opening lead was the heart Queen through the naked King and we lost the first two tricks. On Hand 2, I bid 3D instead of 3N, so partner bid 5C, giving us a bad result. She can’t bid no trump because she doesn’t have a diamond stopper; I did. On Hand 3, I just bid 4H because I saw two spade losers off the top. What was wrong with me? These are the bids of a novice, not an experienced player (and I was playing with another highly experienced player)! I made other errors throughout the afternoon and we ended with a very low score. I worried about it all night. Did I have early onset Alzheimers? Should I give up bridge? I don’t want to play like that, and it’s not fair to my partners. The next day, I had a game scheduled with someone else, and just before leaving I went to take an Advil. I had taken one the previous day before the game because I had a bad muscle spasm in my lower back. It was the first Advil I had taken in years. Just before I popped it in my mouth, however, the thought struck me; could the Advil have caused my mental lapses? I had recognized the terrible effects that just one alcoholic drink has had on both me and my partners in playing bridge, and I had told all my partners that I would not play with them if they had had a drink within the previous 24 hours, (Please turn to page 23)
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Happy Thanksgiving to All! Here are some fun things to check out at Koontz Hardware in November. “Vapur” has a lightweight and collapsible water bottle that’s perfect for outdoor activies and it’s made in the U.S.A. Just fill it up, drink it, and then fold it up and stow it away until you need a refill. We have eco lunchboxes for kids that expand and collapse to store bigger food items, and then collapse back down when you’re done with them. Available in assorted sizes and colors. Foldable spoons and forks complete the package and make meals on-the-go more manageable. We still have all the Benjamin Moore colors to match anything your heart desires. November is a great time to touch up the kid’s rooms or add an accent wall color. Our paint professionals can help you find the perfect color. And, of course, we are ready for your every Thanksgiving meal need including enamel roasting pans, brining bags, and oven mitts, so stop on by and say Hi.
LC608
Here’s your hand as South: South ♠ KJ5 ♥ K963 ♦ AJ2 ♣ AKJ
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
23
A dying swan is the inspiration for this centuries-old fable
Bridge Matters (Continued from page 22)
and I also abstained. My terrible reasoning on these hands was similar to the way I have reasoned in my bridge decisions when playing after ingesting an alcoholic drink. Could the Advil have affected me the same way? I didn’t take the Advil, and my playing improved to the way it should be. But I wanted to be sure, so I asked my friend, Admiral Harold Koenig, who was Surgeon Gen-
ProfessorKnowIt-All Bill Bentley • • • If we feel good, we’re in fine “fettle.” What’s the origin? ponders Judy Arbiter. Fettle is from the Middle English fetlen, which means to set in order or gird up and is derivative of the Old English fetel, a girdle which was a belt or cord worn around the waist of men, the hips of women. eral for the U.S. Navy in the ’90s. His response was that one of the side effects of ibuprofen (Advil) is confusion and that he avoids it and naproxen (Aleve), both of which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and he sticks with aspirin and Tylenol, which do not affect reasoning. That made me feel a lot better and calmed my concern about myself. The danger of these drugs and the reason they are pernicious is that you do not feel the slightest bit different when you take them.
• • • My grandfather used to call his evening cocktail a “suck of the monkey.” What did he mean? queries Jody Bernolfo. He must have been a Dutchman. Among the Dutch, drinking is called “sucking the monkey” because the traditional morning appetizer of rum and salt was taken in a monkey spoon. This spoon had a heart on the handle surmounted by a monkey in imitation of spoons that were originally brought back from the Dutch East Indies and were wildly popular as a novelty. The monkey spoon was given in Holland as a favor to relatives at marriages, at
christenings, and funerals. • • • What’s “Drummond Light”? I came across the term in a book about 19th century theater, asks Taylor McKay. “Drummond Light” is both literally and figuratively, limelight — the early form of the-
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ater footlights and the trappings of fame. So named for its inventor, Thomas Drummond (1797-1840). Professor Know-It-All is the nom de plume of Bill Bentley, who invites readers to try and stump him. Send your questions to willbent@prodigy.net.
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How come a performer’s last gig is a “swan song”? wonders Mary Ann Wetzel. There is an ancient fable that a swan sings beautifully just before it dies. The story has been credited to, and referenced at different times by, Plato, Aristotle, Euripides, Cicero, Seneca, but was seriously doubted by Pliny. One Greek legend has it that the soul of Apollo, the god of music, passed into a swan, hence the Pythagorean fable that the souls of all good poets passed into swans. Shakespeare refers to it in Othello. Emilia, just before she dies, says: “I will play the swan, and die in music.”
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employment community faCilitieS admin. aSSt. Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., seeks admin. asst. for part time work. To apply submit cover letter, resume and application to: hr@janm.org. Fax: (213) 830-5673 Position open until filled.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Celebrating 43 Years on Larchmont
24
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
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