LC Section One 01 2018 by Larchmont Chronicle

Larchmont Chronicle

vol. 55, no. 1

• delivered to 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • miracle mile • park la Brea • larchmont •

In THIS ISSuE

Hancock Park plants trees to reforest the urban canopy

FITNESS AND HEALTH:

Local physician’s road to a winning physique n Accidental champion

n Dues fund project

HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY. 13 - 22

ACTING SCHOOL on the Blvd. 20 years. 22

BROOKSIDE subzone debate.

Hancock Park Home Owners Association ’48 recently planted 12 jacaranda trees at the corner of Fourth St. and Hudson Ave. in a continuing effort to reforest and maintain the community’s urban canopy. “More new trees for the neighborhood are on the way and will be planted throughout the winter months,” said Association President Cindy Chvatal-Keane. The trees were planted by area resident and arborist Sabine Hoppner and her crew. Hoppner selected the young trees to plant in the parkway, in locations the city had marked for trees to be added. “She feels the new jacarandas will grow quickly, and since there are lawns planted See Hancock Park trees, p 4

Whirlwind year for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

n 40th year celebrations

GOURMET market readies to open. 2-9 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:

By John Welborne Since 1977, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels (MOW) has served homebound seniors in Los Angeles. The organization spent much of 2017 celebrating its 40th anniversary. Celebratory (and financially supportive) events were presented all last year. Spearheaded by MOW’s locally based support group, Cuisine à Roulettes, which was founded by Nelly Llanos Kilroy and other area women, the anniversary events were fun and fiscally rewarding. In early April, a kickoff Culinary Cause Brunch was hosted by actor and musician LL Cool J with special guest Magic See 40 years, p 8

Miracle Mile 2018

Our year-round guide to lifestyle, entertainment and business news, “Miracle Mile 2018” will be published with the March issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. To reserve advertising space call 323-462-2241, ext. 11. Deadline is Mon., Feb. 12.

January 2018

CELEBRATING its 90th year, the Wilshire Ebell had 3,000 members in its earlier days. Photo by John Hough

Saving theaters one historic site at a time through photography By Sondi Toll Sepenuk Mark Mulhall and John Hough are two photographers on a mission. They may not be trying to save the world, but they are doing everything in their power to save historic theaters throughout the United States and beyond.

But how can two photographers, armed with nothing more than talent, a camera, and bold intentions, succeed in such a mission? One photograph at a time. “I want to shoot as many theaters as I can,” explains See Theaters, Sec. 2 p 2

Ring in 2018 in a classic spot with a classic drink

n ‘Countdown New Year's Eve’ celebration in DTLA

By Amy and Jim martinis. As of yet Cuomo (our studies into this When in doubt, will continue, do not order a martini. This fear), we have not much-mentioned been able to pinpoint beverage is a classic exact reasons for for many reasons, this, and it may be one of which being that the atmosphere the simplicity of the of the old-school ingredients. Gin or venues adds to the vodka, vermouth, ice. essence of the drink. Not much room for MUSSO & Frank To shake or stir? error. It is surpris- wins for longevity. Is it the numing, however, that the quality ber of shakes (provided you are of martinis varies considerably going for a Bond “shaken, not by bar. And, just as the classic stirred” style), the amount of drinks are often the best, our ice used (solely to keep it cold, research (and difficult research not to remain in the drink), it is) shows that the classic res- the exact ratio of vodka or gin taurants tend to serve the best See Ring in 2018, p 10

By Rachel Olivier A year ago, if anyone had asked Dr. Valerie Ulene (Windsor Square) if she were a fan of weight lifting, she would have answered in the negative. Last month, however, after six months of training, she competed in the open amateur division for the Organization of Competition Bodies (OCB) in Hollywood. How it all began A physician herself (curSee Physique, p 21

Area residents say crime is getting worse n Seek police patrol

By Billy Taylor Last month the Chronicle received an email from a Larchmont Village resident who was alarmed to hear that three homes on his street, Lucerne Blvd., had been burglarized in the preceding 45 days. The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, hoped some media attention would “spur the police to patrol” the See Crime, p 5

Vacation planning

Adventure awaits. Read all about exotic trips and staycations in our February issue. To reserve advertising space call 323-4622241, ext. 11. Deadline is Mon., Jan. 8. Valentines, tell us how you met. Send stories and photos to info@larchmontchronicle.com by Jan. 12.

Boutique wins holiday storefront contest n Dual holidays featured in display

The lifestyle boutique Pickett Fences took first prize in the annual holiday storefront decoration contest of the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (BID). “Their dual Christmas and Hanukkah windows and entryway decorations topped the block,” said BID spokesperson Heather Duffy Boylston. The winner, at 219 N. Larchmont Blvd., was awarded $500 and a feature story on the BID’s SANTA was complemented by Hanukkah décor in the winning storefront window. website larchmontvillagebid.com.

www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!

Community Comment By John Welborne

55-Year reflections It was in 1963 that two young women, Jane Gilman and Dawne Goodwin, founded a community newspaper. The Larchmont Chronicle has been in continuous, monthly publication ever since. This January 2018 issue is the first issue in our 55th year. The Chronicle truly remains a “community” newspaper, for three main reasons: First, of course, the focus of our reporting is on the people who live and work in our immediate community. We also provide news of opportunities (schools, entertainment, dining, etc.) readily available to our readers and their families. Our paper is dropped off

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monthly on doorsteps of residences and businesses generally bounded by Fairfax and Western avenues, from Olympic Blvd. to Melrose Ave. Clearly, our readers are in the center of the city, where we have just about everything conveniently available. That is why the paper is largely able to support itself through advertising. Businesses and institutions — that have products and services to share — use our pages to communicate efficiently and economically with our local readers (and, through our online presence, with readers around the world). Second, the vast majority of our staff and columnists live in the area. We know the com-

Greening Hancock Park in the New Year One of the many things funded by your dues is keeping the parkways of Hancock Park green. In 2018 the Association will be doing a survey and inventory of our parkway trees and then developing a plan for replacing dead or missing trees. If you have what you think is a dying tree or a tree that has torn up the sidewalk, contact the Association and our HPOZ City Planner before proceeding with any removal or replacement plans. Parkways are managed by City regulations and our HPOZ Preservation Plan. In order to remove a tree, a qualified arborist and the HPOZ Board must approve. The Association will help with replacing the tree if it is determined that the tree needs to be removed. Remember that front yard landscaping also is governed by our HPOZ Preservation Plan. The yard must contain at least 60% live plant materials, and the rest should be plantlike materials such as mulch and bark. In order to install hardscape, which includes paths, stairs and concrete, the HPOZ Board must review the plans and, at this point, new hardscape is very rarely approved. The Hancock Park Garden Club has put together a wonderful pamphlet that can help you if you plan on relandscaping your front yard. You can find the booklet at: hancockparkgardenclub.com/your-next-front-yard. Remember to lock your home’s doors and your car doors. Keep the outdoor lights on after dark. If you are the unfortunate victim of a crime, be sure to file a police report by contacting Officer Dave Cordova. Call his cell phone, 213-793-0650 or send him an email, 31646@lapd. lacity.org with all the information, including your name and telephone number. If you plan to change your landscaping or make changes to the exterior of your house, please contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) before starting to make sure your plans comply with our Preservation Plan. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ, can be found at preservation.lacity. org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. There also is an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process: preservation. lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System: tinyurl.com/yaus34cg and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180. Adv.

munity, and we care about it. Third, the community financially supports the Chronicle. Advertising, alone, has not kept this paper serving our neighborhoods for 55 years. You — our readers today and your predecessors — always have played a part in insuring this paper’s continued existence. Each November and each February, the Chronicle encloses a reply envelope and requests our readers to help support the cost of producing their local paper. It is through the generous responses of so many of you that we are able to continue to publish. Plus, the comments we receive on many of those reply envelopes (some of which are

recounted in the “Letters” column this month) provide mostly-positive feedback that is greatly appreciated by our staff! So, if you still have the envelope from our November issue sitting on your desk, please consider using that envelope to send a check to the Larchmont Chronicle. If you don’t have the envelope, our mailing address is below (and we’ll save a dollarplus on the return postage!). Or … keep an eye out for the February issue which will distribute on January 25. We plan to enclose our usual follow-up envelope in that issue (the second issue of our Fifty-Fifth Year!). Thank you, readers and advertisers, for your continued support of your local newspaper.

Calendar Mon., Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day. Rose Bowl parade and game day. Tues., Jan. 9 – Town hall with Councilman Paul Koretz, Freda Mohr Multipurpose Senior Center, 6310 San Vicente Blvd., Ste. 275, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 10 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting, The Ebell, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 7 p.m. Sun., Jan. 14 – Annual meeting of Park La Brea Residents Association, activity center at noon. Mon., Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Reader feedback

We only pick up an occasional copy when we go to Peet’s in Larchmont. Always enjoy the paper. Hope this helps a bit. Tom Gilles Hollyridge Dr.

Thank you for keeping the paper great! Tom Brandlin S. Orange Grove Ave.

Thank you! We really enjoy our Larch Chron. It is a real bargain at $2 a month. Suzanne Chase Lorraine Blvd.

Larchmont Chronicle

I enjoy the local stuff! Georgianna Gingold Wilcox Ave.

Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Associate Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Advertising Director Pam Rudy Art Director Tom Hofer Classified and Circulation Manager Rachel Olivier Accounting Jill Miyamoto 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103

Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com

That's the question inquiring photographer Sondi Toll Sepenuk asked locals along Larchmont Blvd.

“To save money and not to spend it!” and (referring to biceps) “To get massive gains!” Grace Gallagher and Jack Lancaster Larchmont

Thurs., Jan. 25 – Delivery of the February issue of the Larchmont Chronicle.

Letters to the Editor Notes from readers who have sent us checks to help defray Chronicle delivery costs included these:

'What is your New Year’s resolution for 2018?'

Thank you for a great hometown newspaper. Helga Kasimoff and family Larchmont Blvd.

“To dance more!” Elliott Donnelley (with Sir T Thomas) Windsor Square

“Not to over-think things.” Grace Goldberg Larchmont

Love the paper! Edward and Julie Valfre Elmwood Ave. We’re declining to make the full payment this year as a “symbolic” statement of the one-sided coverage of the Bungalow issue. Here’s to next year! Patrick Kelly Jim Nicolay S. Irving Blvd. (Please turn to page 30) Write us at letters@larchmontchronicle.com. Include your name, contact information and where you live. We reserve the right to edit for space and grammar.

“To get better with my left hand at basketball.” Matthew Otero Hollywood

Larchmont Chronicle

January 2018

SECTIOn OnE

Residents seek answers to dry brook By Billy Taylor Brookside is perhaps best known for its namesake, a natural stream that flows through the neighborhood. But in recent months, local residents have raised an alarm about the brook’s health. “Something is up,” says local real estate agent Richard Battaglia. “Within the past year the brook has dried up in places. Someone turned off the water.” Originating from sources in the Hollywood Hills, the El Rio del Jardin de las Flores travels south, underground at times, until it reaches Brookside backyards along Longwood Ave. on its way to Ballona Creek and the ocean. The waterway behind the houses has been a home to crawfish, frogs and koi for nearly a century, until now. Among residents, opinions vary in regard to the severity of the problem. “At the present time, I don’t

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know if the stream is healthy or not,” says longtime Longwood Ave. resident Sandy Boeck. “We are seeking answers.” According to Boeck, the situation is different for each homeowner; for some, the water ebbs and flows; for others, the water is completely gone. To get answers, Boeck and other residents have invited city officials to investigate. Among those who recently made a site visit were staff from the Los Angeles Dept. of Public Works and Councilman David Ryu’s office. “My neighbors on the stream and I are very concerned about the health hazard due to mosquito infestation in our stream beds, which are nearly all dried, and eagerly await a report from you,” read a Nov. 6 email to Ryu’s staff from Boeck on behalf of a group of concerned residents. Speaking to the Chronicle, Ryu spokesperson Estevan

Montemayor confirmed that council staff made a site visit. And they did notice low water levels at some homes. “It might be debris blocking the water, but more information is needed,” he said. Moving forward, Ryu’s office has suggested that neighbors map out which properties have the worst water issues to help investigators localize the issue. (Please turn to page 29)

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

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Hancock Park trees

various tree species that create beautiful canopies and that are drought tolerant and disease (Continued from page 1) resistant so we can maintain around them, the new trees are our vibrant urban tree canopy,” likely to get lots of water which Chvatal-Keane said. The HPHOA has been rewill help them get established planting parkway trees for quickly,” Chvatal added. The HPHOA draws on its several years and has also reannual membership dues and placed many palms in the hisdonations to buy, plant and toric Highland Median. If a homeowner has a missing maintain new parkway trees. parkway tree, the association This year, the association also contracted with an arborist to will help the resident determine conduct a detailed neighbor- the type of tree to plant. Chvatal-Keane elaborated hood tree survey. The HPHOA on the planting program in a will use the information from report to the Chronicle: the survey to plan for future tree “We use the Hancock Park planting, removal and maintenance. “We will be looking at Historic Preservation Overlay

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

©LC0118

Building friendships & tackling community challenges Wilshirerotary.org

RESIDENT and his dog enjoy the new jacarandas.

JACARANDAS take root on Fourth St. and Hudson Ave.

tagged six mature trees for removal at Fourth and June because of a planned Americans with Disabilities Act curb installation. The HPHOA was able to work with the HPOZ Board and Council Office to

save three of the six trees and develop alternative designs for the sidewalk.” Visit the new HPHOA website for more information about the neighborhood tree/ reforesting projects.

PLANNING DEPUTIES, present and past, Julia Duncan and Renée Weitzer, at David Ryu’s constituent holiday party.

ASSEMBLYMEMBER Laura Friedman, Los Feliz and points north, and her daughter attend Councilmember David Ryu’s holiday party in Hollywood.

Holiday happenings in the ‘hood

This winter, we honor First Responders and begin a Vocational Scholarship program.

JOIN US!

Zone and a city-approved list of tree species to make the selection. The HPHOA will replace any parkway tree that has been removed. “Our mission is not only to replace trees but also to preserve and protect the healthy mature parkway trees. The Hancock Park HPOZ Board must approve the removal of any parkway tree, as the trees are protected by our HPOZ. “Mature trees are only removed if they are dead, diseased or in severe decline, or pose a serious safety hazard that cannot be corrected. The Association feels strongly that there are multiple ways to repair sidewalks/curbs and preserve the trees and that every effort must be made to that end. “For example, the city had

HANCOCK PARK residents Dr. George Stoneman, standing, and Jamie Bennett were among locals at the Men’s Garden Club of Los Angeles Christmas luncheon at The California Club.

CHRONICLE columnists and staff gathered for a holiday party at El Coyote Café. At this table were Associate Editor Billy Taylor with, clockwise, Patricia Foster Rye, Jane Gilman, Christy McAvoy, and Helene Seifer.

WINDSOR SQUARE holiday party given by Bill and Jennifer (on left) Fain had helping hands from daughter, Elizabeth LaBombard, also of Windsor Square.

THAILAND Consul-General (and Windsor Square residents) Tanee and Mrs. Cholatip Sangrat presided at the country’s National Day celebration in Los Angeles in December.

Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

NEW YEAR NEW YOU!

Crime

(Continued from page 1)

erase the holiday stresses with… SPA, spin, DMH , m

LOCAL RESIDENT Allison Kelly is worried about property crime.

for private patrol security for Larchmont Village,” read Listi’s Nov. 16 request to Ryu. “Crime in the neighborhood is at a beyond-unacceptable level. Bold action is needed. If we don’t do something, someone is going to get hurt or killed,” wrote Listi. According to Ryu’s director of policy Nicholas Greif, the request will need to be reviewed by the Community Discretionary Funds Task Force, which next meets on Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Will & Ariel Durant Library on Sunset Blvd.

To confirm the number of burglaries on Lucerne Blvd., the Chronicle contacted Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Division senior lead officer Dave Cordova. According to Cordova, there have been six burglaries on Lucerne Blvd, between Wilshire Blvd. and Melrose Ave., from Oct. 23 to Dec. 18. Concerned that that number is “a little bit higher than normal,” Cordova says he is working with the Wilshire Division burglaries supervisor to pull the reports to look for similarities or patterns in the incidents.

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neighborhood. In an effort to measure local concern, we asked Larchmont residents to give their take on what some feel is an alarming increase in property crime. “What can I tell you? I’ve never seen anything like what I’m seeing around town these days,” says Lucerne resident Allison Kelly. “It makes me nervous because it feels like it is organized crime, teams of people. I don’t want to be paranoid and think everybody is a potential burglar, but you just don’t know.” Kelly has lived in the neighborhood since 1990, but she says that property crime is worse now than ever before. “I never see the police. That’s the truth,” says Kelly. “I sometimes see private security companies on patrol, but that’s it. It’s disheartening to think that you have to pay for your security.” In addition, Kelly notes that it is frightening to see a growing number of vagrant people in the area: “I see them sleeping now at Rossmore and Clinton. I can’t imagine that it’s the homeless breaking into houses, but they could’ve been responsible for breaking into my car and rummaging through it. I don’t know.” Rosewood Ave. resident Keith Johnson echoed Kelly’s concerns: “There’s definitely been an uptick in crime around the Larchmont area.” Johnson, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, says that there is rarely a day that goes by without a report of package theft, or an auto or home burglary. “I know since neighbors are now more connected via Nextdoor [an online social network service], we sure hear about crime often enough.” According to Johnson, some of the issues could be addressed with more resident awareness “especially for these little Mickey Mouse crimes.” Johnson says that too often bikes are stored unlocked or packages are left sitting on front porches. “The other issue is all the empty houses waiting to be demolished and developed are quickly filled with squatters. It’s my best guess they’re likely to be part of the crime wave,” he says. Johnson agrees that it would be helpful to have more law enforcement in the area. “More patrols would be great,” says Johnson, “but talking with our senior lead officer, I gather they’re really understaffed.” In an effort to increase patrols in the area, Gower St. resident Brad Listi has asked Councilmember David Ryu to spend discretionary funds on safety patrols. “I’m respectfully submitting an urgent request for discretionary funds to provide

, r a e Y w e N ew You! N

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

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POLiCe beaT

Keep doors locked and house alarms turned on in the new year

WILSHIRE DIVISION RObbeRY: Two elderly victims were in their home on the 400 block of N. June St. when multiple suspects entered the residence, attacking one of the victims and holding down the other. The suspects ransacked the property and stole jewelry and money before fleeing the location on Dec. 8 at 6 a.m. bURGLaRieS: A laptop computer was stolen from the front porch of a residence on the 400 block of S. Arden Blvd. after the owner briefly left it unattended on Dec. 4 at 5:55 p.m. Tools and building supplies were stolen from inside a home being remodeled on the 500 block of N. Lucerne Blvd. after suspects used a tool to cut open the lock between Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m. and Dec. 9

WILSHIRE DIVISION

Blvd. between Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 7:20 a.m. OLYMPIC DIVISION bURGLaRieS: Jewelry was stolen from a residence on the 400 block of N. Windsor Blvd. after a suspect entered the home and ransacked the interior on Dec. 4 at 5:50 p.m. A suspect attempted to gain entry to a residence by opening the front door on the 300 block of N. Wilton Pl. on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. An occupant was home and the suspect fled. Jewelry, bags and gift cards were stolen from a residence on the 500 block of S. Van Ness Ave. after a suspect smashed a

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova 213-793-0650 31646@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdwilshire at 8 a.m. GRaND THeFTS aUTO: A 2017 Jaguar FTY was stolen while parked on the 100 block of N. Orange Dr. between Dec. 4 at 10:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. The owner was later able to use tracking software to locate the vehicle, but suspects stole credit cards and documents. A gold 1969 Chevy pickup truck was stolen while parked on the 500 block of Lucerne

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Marjorie Gilberg is the new executive director of the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles. She replaces Hillary Selvin, who moved to Montana at the end of last year after providing 13 years of leadership. “Hillary has been instrumental in the growth of NCJW / LA and leaves an impressive legacy of accomplishments,” said Board President Helen Davidov. “The board enthusiastically welcomes Marjorie to NCJW / LA and looks forward to working together to continue to grow our vital work in community services and social justice.” Gilberg’s experience at nonprofits includes working at House of Blues Music Forward Foundation and at Break the Cycle. “The Council’s commitment to action, advocacy and activism on behalf of women and families is unparalleled. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to impact a tremendous organization at such a pivotal time,” said Gilberg. Gilberg earned a Nathan Cummings Social Justice Fellowship while receiving her bachelor of arts degree in American Studies and Ethnicities, with a minor in Bioethics, from USC.

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OLYMPIC DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo 213-793-0709 31762@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdolympic rear kitchen window to gain access on Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. bURGLaRY THeFTS FROM VeHiCLeS: Money, electronics and sunglasses were stolen from a 2011 Honda CRV parked in an underground garage on the 400 block of S. Gramercy Pl. after a suspect forced a window down on Dec. 2 between 12:20 and 7 a.m. Electronics and documents were stolen from a 2010 Toyota Prius parked near the cor-

ner of Third St. and Wilton Pl. after a suspect smashed a car window to gain entry on Dec. 3 between 12:01 and 6 a.m. Cameras and documents were stolen from a 2014 Porsche 911 parked on the 200 block of S. Windsor Blvd. on Dec. 4 between 6:30 and 10:30 p.m. Cameras were stolen from a 2017 Toyota Rav4 parked in an underground garage on the 300 block of S. Gramercy Pl. on Dec. 5 at 1:45 a.m.

911 is for emergencies only. To report non-emergencies, call 877-275-5273.

Graffiti Removal Operation Clean Sweep .............................. 311 Hollywood Beautification ............. 323-463-5180 myla311.lacity.org

Neighborhood Purpose Grants taking applications for its 2018 Neighborhood Purposes Grants. Grants with a maximum award of $1,000 each will be awarded to two groups serving the GWNC community and stakeholders. Applications are due on Friday, March 23, 2018, by 5:00 p.m. (PST). Finalists will be selected at the April 2018 GWNC Board meeting. Visit: http://www. greaterwilshire.org/npg to learn more and to download application materials, or email NPG@greaterwilshire.org.

Meeting Schedule All GWNC meetings are open to the public. Meeting agendas are posted on the GWNC website and elsewhere in the Greater Wilshire community at least 72 business hours before our meetings. Board of Directors meeting: Wednesday, January 10, 7:00 p.m. Ebell of Los Angeles - Dining Room 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 90005 Land Use Committee meetings: Fourth Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Location TBA Outreach Committee meetings: First Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. Bricks & Scones Cafe 403 N. Larchmont Blvd., 90004 Sustainability Committee meeting: Tuesday, February 13th, 7:00 p.m. Marlborough School Collins Room – D200 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 90004 Transportation Committee meeting: TBD Marlborough School Collins Room – D200 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 90004

www.greaterwilshire.org info@greaterwilshire.org (323) 539-GWNC (4962)

Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

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A new year begins, but the work in CD4 continues building affordable housing in Los Angeles — providing good paying jobs and cooling off the red-hot housing market. The work I have done on this landmark piece of legislation has been to expand the pool of those applicable to include working and middle-class Angelenos. I was honored to work on this legislation and was thrilled to see it passed. When fully in place, this linkage fee will change the face of affordable housing in Los Angeles. • • • When I was growing up, college was far from a sure thing. I had hard-working immigrant parents who had little time

Council Report by

David E. Ryu to think about their children’s college education, and even less money to start saving for it. That’s why I was so pleased to see last month’s adoption by the City Council of my motion to partner with Prosperity Now to develop a College Savings Account program in Los Angeles. My office has been working on developing a College Sav-

Why you sometimes have to go to the station By Billy Taylor Last November, a local resident called the Chronicle about an unfortunate incident on Larchmont Blvd. The woman, who asked to

remain anonymous, said she returned to her vehicle, parked between Rosewood Ave. and Clinton St., where she found it to be one of six cars that had been burglarized. As she

Selection of Parkway Trees Requires Careful Consideration

The Windsor Square Association, an all-volunteer group of residents from 1100 households between Beverly and Wilshire and Van Ness and Arden, works to preserve and enhance our beautiful neighborhood. Join with us! Drop us a line at 157 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004, or visit our website at windsorsquare.org. ADV.

©LC0118

In the early 2000s, the Windsor Square Association oversaw the planting of approximately eleven hundred parkway trees in the neighborhood. In addition to obtaining the trees, the WSA hired landscapers to plant them properly and water trucks to deep-water them twice a week during the first several hot summers. Of those original trees, perhaps eighty percent have survived and thrived, and they now form part of our signature green canopy. But times have changed. The extended drought and aggressive new pests, such as the shot-hole borer, are killing many formerly dependable varieties of street trees. Sycamores, Liquidambars, Palms and Magnolias, among others, are no longer recommended, and municipalities all over Southern California are struggling to come up with lists of replacement trees tough enough for these changing conditions. Under these circumstances, the WSA is working to update the list of designated street trees for our neighborhood, and the Association hopes to have the list approved by early this year. New varieties must be drought-tolerant, preferably evergreen, and appropriately sized for different parkway widths (ranging from 4 to 18 feet). Some candidates include Toyon for small spaces, Australian Willow and ‘Saratoga’ Laurel for medium areas, and Camphor and African Fern Pine for the widest parkways. Trees add greatly to our property values, our health and the environment, so it’s important to “give back” to the trees. This means supplying them with deep watering — not just lawn sprinklers — every few months, even if this requires modifying your sprinkler system. Surround them with wide circles of mulch to prevent lawn mowers and weed whackers from damaging their trunks. Once a new tree is approved for a given space, the WSA plans to provide care guidelines along with it. Remember, the parkways may be city property, but the parkway trees are our responsibility.

assessed the damage, four other victims returned to the scene. When she called 911, she says she was told that each victim would need to go to the Wilshire Community Police Station, on Venice Blvd., just east of Highland Ave., to individually file a crime report. The victim confessed to the Chronicle that she had not yet made the trip to the police station, but that she planned to file a report when she had the time. A month after the November car break-ins, this reporter reviewed the neighborhood’s crime maps and found that only one of the victims of the alleged six vehicles, burglaries went on to file a report (and that report wasn’t even filed by the woman who called the Chronicle). This got us thinking. How much crime goes unreported? Why are victims required to visit a police station to report vehicle burglaries? Why can’t the reports be filed online? For answers, we turned to Public Information Officer Tony Im at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). According to Im, the LAPD has an online reporting service, but it can only be used for three types of crime: Harassing phone calls, lost property and vandalism. Im says that crime in these three categories is considered less severe than crime that directly involves a person, so it’s appropriate to report online. Okay. That makes sense when comparing vandalism to violent crime, but what about vehicle burglary, which doesn’t directly involve a person? Why can’t you report that online? “The reason is that we want to be able to see the damage, get fingerprints and then note what we find on the crime report,” says Im. “Also because we want to keep better track of vehicle burglaries so that we can dispatch officers to where they are needed.” Reader comments are invited. Visit lapdonline.org for more information.

ings Account, or CSA, program to give every student in LAUSD a dedicated savings account focused on making dreams of higher education a reality. These accounts, even with just a few dollars in them, can get students thinking and planning for higher education, and have proven to boost high school completion and college enrollment rates. Prosperity Now will consult with my office on how to develop the framework, the fundraising strategy and the rollout of a CSA program so that families can invest in students’ futures and put dreams of higher education within reach for all kids — no matter their family income or background. • • • My community survey on 6th St. was completed in November, and the results are in. With the majority of respondents calling for traffic safety solutions like left-hand turn pockets and con-

tinental crosswalks, my office will begin right away on a long list of traffic safety improvements for 6th Street between Fairfax and La Brea avenues. Repaving of 6th St. to install these changes should begin this month. Safety is my top concern, and hearing directly from residents about their concerns is central to finding the right solutions. The safety improvements we are implementing reflect the overwhelming opinion of those who took our survey and voiced their concerns to my office; these improvements also address the cause of the accidents which have occurred on 6th St. in recent years. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to build affordable housing, longer-range vision of education and safer streets in Los Angeles. There’s still so much work to be done — and I look forward to another year of progress with you.

By Heather Duffy Boylston & Rebecca Hutchinson Larchmont Village BID Co-Executive Directors Happy New Year! The Larchmont Village Business Improvement District, which runs on Larchmont Boulevard between Beverly Boulevard and 1st Street, has been working since 1998 to maintain our village and its unique charm and sense of community. Here are highlights of the BID’s 2017 work: Holidays. The illuminated snowflakes, garland, gift boxes and the rotating snowflake lights on Rite Aid’s exterior continue to make our village festive for the holidays. To encourage merchants to decorate their storefronts, the BID organized the 5th annual merchant holiday storefront decoration contest. Once again, we worked with the Larchmont Boulevard Association to promote Small Business Saturday. PR/Marketing. We have kept the local media outlets up-to-date on all news within the BID. Some of the media outlets that have included Larchmont businesses this year are: The Larchmont Chronicle, Larchmont Buzz, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles Times, Eater, LA Magazine and Food & Wine. The BID is also putting out our own news on our new website. The site features a full directory of all businesses within the BID and special events and offerings. We are publishing articles of our own and those written by local residents. Please let us know if you are interested in contributing. Visit us at www.larchmontvillagebid.com Communication with Merchants and Property Owners. The BID is in regular communication with the 80+ businesses and 25 property owners on Larchmont. We welcome new businesses and make sure they are fully informed about our village, and stay abreast of legislation and political issues affecting the BID and our stakeholders. BID Consortium. The BID Consortium is a group representing the 43 BIDs throughout LA that meets monthly to discuss issues, opportunities and legislation affecting BIDs. Big topics last year: street vending, tree and sidewalk maintenance, homelessness, and economic development. We created a subcommittee within the Consortium that advocated strongly for BIDs’ unique needs as the City created its historic Safe Sidewalks LA policy. (Learn more at http://sidewalks.lacity.org/) CD-4. We are in regular with contact with City Councilmember David Ryu and his deputy for our area, Catherine Landers. We worked with them this year to have EV chargers installed in one of our two City parking lots. Trees and Sidewalks. Councilmember Ryu gave the BID a grant last year, which was used to commission an independent specialist in arboriculture and urban forestry to survey our BID and propose a sustainable master plan. The issues that will drive all decisions moving forward are: sidewalk safety, maintaining our canopy of trees, and alleviating massive plumbing costs and business disruptions to merchants and property owners, which are caused by the aging and aggressive ficus trees and their roots. The bulk of the BID’s budget goes to street-level upkeep and maintenance: Sidewalk Washing and Tree Trimming. The BID budgets each year for sidewalk cleaning by a group called CleanStreets, litter pick-up, cleaning landscape wells and planters, and trimming the trees. Street and gutter cleaning responsibilities are held by the City. Big Belly Solar Trash/Recycling. We maintain and empty the Big Belly solar trash and recycling containers. www.larchmontvillagebid.com info@larchmontvillagebid.com larchmontvillagebid

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Over the last year, my office has been hard at work on traffic and safety issues and much more in District Four — and I look forward to more progress in the New Year. A “linkage fee” was approved by City Council and signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti on Dec. 13, the final day Council was in session. This linkage fee — which is charged to developers of large commercial and residential projects — will raise crucial funding to build affordable housing in Los Angeles. The Housing Impact Trust Fund created by this ordinance will have approximately $100 million solely focused on

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MEALS ON WHEELS supporters at the Petrossian event included Neville, Betsy and Carl Anderson of Hancock Park and Windsor Square.

40 years

(Continued from page 1) Johnson. Paula Marcus, Ann Brunner and other neighbors raised over $100,000 for MOW. Later that same month, the Beach Walk/Bike-a-Thon was emceed by Hancock Park neighbor Fred Savage,

and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams of Larchmont provided treats for all participants. Then, in June, Sister Alice Marie (Sister SAM), the program’s beloved founder and executive director, died unexpectedly at age 82. In her honor, the staff recommitted to her mission of bringing food and love to home-

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SANTA was joined by Meals on Wheels acting executive director Daryl Twerdahl (left) and party hostess Brenda Cooke, both of Hancock Park.

bound seniors. Friends and supporters of MOW gathered at Spago in July to toast MOW and Sister SAM at the official 40th anniversary celebration. According to Sister SAM’s interim successor as executive director, Hancock Park resident Daryl Twerdahl, “It was a fitting tribute to a woman who was unstoppable and determined to make the world a better place.” MOW’s autumn was highlighted by Evening on the Beach, featuring some of the best chefs and winemakers in California. More than 650 guests enjoyed food, wine and music while watching the sun set over the Pacific at the Jonathan Beach Club. December brought donors together for Cocktails and Caviar, hosted by Petrossian West Hollywood. The evening began with a special VIP caviar and smoked salmon tasting and continued with a cocktail party attended by numerous local supporters, including Brenda and Bob Cooke, Barbara and Steve Allen, and Betsy, Carl and Neville Anderson. The 40th anniversary year for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels wrapped up with a holiday party at the Hancock Park home of Brenda and Bob Cooke. MOW thanked its many friends who keep the mission going strong and who stand tall with the organization as it begins its 41st year. Learn more about MOW at stvincentmow.org.

CAVIAR SAMPLES to be enjoyed at the VIP pre-party of the Petrossian benefit for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.

Something in common: help sort clothes and dine

Big Sunday’s sixth annual MLK Day Clothing Drive & Community Breakfast is Mon., Jan. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to count, sort, fold and pack clothes. Big Sunday will also be adding to its popular “Something in Common” project — a photo op with a stranger with whom you have at least one thing in common — and all participants will enjoy a community breakfast together. New and gently used work, casual and athletic clothes are needed, as well as new underwear and socks. All ages are welcome. Visit bigsunday.org for more information or call 323-549-9944.

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Ebell celebrates the season, plus nights of caviar, wine and art

The Ebell of Los Angeles Holiday Ball ushered in the local hood’s celebratory season last year. The magnificent Italianate complex at Wilshire and Lucerne welcomed over 200 members, guests and friends Dec. 9. The beautiful event featured towering trees, splendidly decked halls and French Medieval music. A gourmet dinner of beef Wellington was culminated with a confectioner’s chocolate box of mousse. The partiers returned to the Grand Lounge for dancing to the Esquires Orchestra into the wee hours. Leading the way were event co-chairs Gerri Apostle with husband Jim and Suz Landay with husband Peter. Following that lead were others including Ebell President Loyce Braun with husband Joe, Wilshire Rotary President Patrick MacKellan and Sharon Lawrence-Apostle with husband Dr. Tom Apostle. • • • American Ballet Theatre (ABT) hosted its annual Holiday Benefit Dinner and Performance at the Beverly Hilton on Dec. 11. The event, sponsored by Harry Winston Inc., honored Judy Moor, executive VP of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The stunning, one-nightonly performance by ABT artists including principal dancers Stella Abrera, Misty Copeland and Daniil Simkin was followed by a post-performance dinner and dessert with the dancers. • • • General manager of West Hollywood’s Petrossian, Chris-

topher Knapp, hosted an evening of caviar, smoked fish, fois gras, vodka, and champagne to raise funds to help feed hungry, homebound seniors served by St. Vincent Meals on Wheels on Sunday, Dec. 3. Among the 80 participants were Daryl and Jim Twerdahl, Brenda and Bob Cooke, Barbara and Steve Allen and Paula Marcus. • • • Art, real estate and a great party were the excuses for the 7th annual Keller Williams pop-up gallery benefiting Larchmont Charter School Dec. 2. The Larchmont Blvd. real estate office was transformed into a gallery of works by noted local artists and musicians with 50 percent of sale proceeds going to the school. Neighbor eateries Le Pain Quotidien, Salt and Straw and Pressed Juicery provided food and drinks. Organizer Dragana Popovic greeted Dia and Ray Schuldenfrei, Joey Sacavitch, Vernissage’s Chelsea Petronko, Charmaine Felix-Meyer, artist D.J. Kami and Raydan Popovic. • • • The new playground project for the Jeffrey Foundation is well underway thanks to funds raised Nov. 16. The event was filled with wine, nibbles and musical entertainment at Room and Board Furnishings in Culver City’s Helms Bakery Building. The night ended with the unveiling of Georgia Tolliver’s sculpture of Jeffrey Foundation founder Alyce Morris Winston and her son, for whom the

Around the Town with

Patty Hill foundation was named. Among the guests were Bunny Amber, Elaine Bernard, Beverly Cohen, Suz Landay and former Member of Congress Diane Watson. • • • About the same time, Wilde Wine Bar on La Brea was the destination for a “Friends Giving” party appropriately held on Thanksgiving Eve. Wine cocktails and harvest bites were served. Jardesca Aperitiva hosted a “Garden Fresh Mixology” do-it-yourself bar where everyone learned techniques for making holiday wine cocktails including “zesting and spanking” — yes, all good mixologists know how to spank basil. Jardesca and Wilde Wine Bar donated part of the proceeds from the night to North

HOLIDAY BALL celebrants at The Ebell included Dr. Tom Apostle and Sharon LawrenceApostle.

OTHERS CELEBRATING at The Ebell were event co-chair Gerri Apostle and husband Jim.

Bay Relief Fund, which works with local charities in affected areas to assist families in need. Roger and Lisa Morrison, along with son Charlie, presided over the festivities that included friends Kiel FitzGerald and Jeff Reuben, Oona and Don Kanner, Carrington and Carlos Goodman, Irene Anderson and Jamie Somes with daughter Caroline, Stephen Anderson and Gillian McGuire. And that’s the chat!

MISTY COPELAND was a welcome guest (and principal dancer) at ABT Holiday Benefit.

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(Continued from page 1) to vermouth, and/or olive versus twist? The mind staggers at the possibilities of what should be an easy equation to deduce. We have, however, been able to narrow down the options to a few of our favorite establishments to savor these tasty creatures. For one of the longest established (pre-dating the Hollywood sign) and most famous of the list, we offer Musso & Frank, which has been serving celebrities, and the rest of us, prized martinis (extra on the side) for years. Another favorite, Taylor’s Steakhouse, which opened in 1953, remains a staple in the now-Koreatown area. We love sitting at the bar for dinner, and Taylor’s martinis, regardless of the bartender, are always the perfect level of dry for our tastes. Pacific Dining Car, established in 1921, and serving food 24 hours, can also pro-

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vide an excellent martini, until 2 a.m. at least. Very few luxury trains remain, but at least someone can experience the parlor car ambiance in this historic setting. Completing our short list of our favorite martini-sipping spots is the HMS Bounty, established in the early 1960s. The nautical theme may scream rum, but the menu is better suited for a martini. For those who insist on the Winston Churchill favorite, the gin martini, stirred lest one bruise the gin (so we hear), we have yet to begin research on that. We actually may continue our craft cocktail quest first. Musso & Frank, 6667 Hollywood Blvd., 323-467-7788 Taylor’s Steakhouse, 3361 W 8th St., 213-382-8449 Pacific Dining Car, 1310 West 6th St., 213-382-8449 HMS Bounty, 3357 Wilshire Blvd., 213-385-7275

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Grand Park Count down to midnight while dancing and celebrating with an estimated 50,000 attendees at 2017’s “Grand Park and Music Center New Year’s Eve the Pride of Los Angeles” party at 200 N. Grand Ave., Sat., Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.

The free, family-friendly event will include a “digital dance zone” where the moves of dancers are brought to life and projected through interactive motion-graphic activation. Along with the countdown,

there will be a 3-D digital video on the side of City Hall, 60 food trucks, and two stages providing live and DJ music. For more information, visit grandparkla.org/nyela. Access the event using public transit. Visit metro.net.

Christmas tree sales, prices up from years past

By Rachel Olivier By now the family Christmas tree may be on its way to being recycled or packed away until next year — and, like the end of the Hans Christian Andersen story — we all get a bit teary when saying goodbye to the cheerful holiday tradition until next year. The vacant lot at 568 N. Larchmont — which Wilshire Rotary turned into a wilderness of trees and an ersatz neighborhood park for a brief month — is now empty once more. However, at the end of last November, the now familiar

tree lot that has set up shop since 2007 was a hive of activity as families from within and outside of the neighborhood purchased their trees, wreaths and boughs for holiday decorating. Children ran through the temporary forest, getting lost amidst the firs, looking for that one perfect tree. Parents followed, possibly noting the increased prices, but buying the trees anyway. And buying, and buying, and buying. Both the “New York Times” and “Los Angeles Times” noted a shortage of trees in the Christmas tree market, along with an increase in prices due in part to the shortage and a hike in gasoline prices. Many tree lot owners have reportedly had problems finding enough trees to fill their lots, though David Hundley, spokesman for the National Christmas Tree

Association said, “everybody looking for a real tree will be able to find one,” but the prices were higher. The national tree shortage was not the problem at the Wilshire Rotary Christmas tree lot, said Wendy Clifford, who runs it with her husband Scott. (Son-in-law James Gips manages it.) It was the increased demand. Even though the Wilshire Rotary increased its order of Oregon trees from last year, typically receiving 420 weekly, the lot still ran out the second Sunday it was open. Sandy Campbell of Citrus Ave. saw the December Larchmont Chronicle article and planned on getting a silvertip. There weren’t any available the Friday he dropped by, but the lot’s operators said they were getting a delivery the (Please turn to page 12)

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Ryu paves way for safety improvements on Sixth St. in new year

By Suzan Filipek White-striped continental crosswalks and left-hand turn pockets are among safety measures being implemented in the new year on bustling Sixth St., between Fairfax and La Brea avenues. Increased traffic and a “Renaissance” in the Fairfax and Wilshire areas have turned the nine-block strip into a major artery, said Estevan Montemayor, director of communications for Councilman David Ryu. This section of Sixth St. also passes the La Brea Tar Pits and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), centerpieces of a neighborhood that “has become a very attractive place to live, to eat, to shop and to work,” adds Montemayor. While increased traffic and population growth have taken their toll — and Sixth St. has been a major east-west artery between our neighborhoods and Beverly Hills for decades — the data shows speed was not the major factor. According to a letter from

Masselin Ave. held its ‘37th’ holiday party

By Carrie Muller Masselin Avenue’s 37th annual Holiday Block Party Dec. 19 hosted residents of the 800 and 900 blocks of Masselin. Ellen and Alan Ehrlich were our gracious hosts. Since this is a potluck party, we never know what treasures await us at the beautifully decorated tables. Tasty appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and desserts were in abundance. We have home cooks who rise to the level of top chefs when they prepare food for this annual party as well as our July 4th Block Party. From the initial toast welcoming everyone to their home, to the singing of carols and Hanukkah songs, we once again celebrated the season with all of our neighbors who were in town. A few residents were traveling on this date, so they sent their wishes electronically. They were Seth Reed our Block Captain, Elinor Bardach, Rodger Cunningham & Katsu Miyata. We send holiday wishes to the residents of all blocks in the area and we hope each of you have similar activities with your neighbors. Whether you have a small get-together for coffee and dessert, a July 4th Block Party or a holiday dinner party in December, the more you get to know your neighbors, the safer your block will be.

Ryu released in early December, “Based on an evaluation of the collisions that have taken place over the last 10 years, 34 percent, including two of the three fatal collisions that occurred, were caused by unsafe left turns.” In addition, “unsafe vehicle speeds were determined to be a factor in less than 10 percent of accidents, compared to roughly 25 percent for the city as a whole. Based on this data, intersection- and incidentspecific improvements — including the installation of left-turn pockets at 6th Street and Hauser Avenue, continental crosswalks, and leading pedestrian interval phasing — will have the greatest impact on pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety.” “We didn’t want to use a broad-brush approach. Instead we chose to address what happens here, especially when there is a traffic plan in

place, with the Metro Purple Line, LACMA’s building project and the Academy Museum. We didn’t want to worsen traffic on other streets,” Montemayor said. “We think it’s a more balanced approach… We will continue to monitor the data and see how Sixth St. traffic develops. Our hope is that this helps.” Councilman Ryu, with the city Dept. of Transportation and community stakeholders, reviewed the road’s configuration, crash data and a recent survey to address the collisions and develop the safety features. There have been nearly 250 accidents reported on the street the last 10 years, including the three fatalities (of two pedestrians and a cyclist). Sixty percent of the 712 responses to the survey supported several road improvements, including the wide,

white-striped continental crosswalks, left-hand turn pockets at Hauser Ave., and peak-hour turn restrictions. Only 37 percent supported a proposed “road diet,” which in this case would reduce vehicle lanes from four to two and install bicycle lanes. Besides being unpopular among constituents, the “road diet” approach targets speed, which is not so much a factor on Sixth St., according to Montemayor. In the survey, the largest concern (352 respondents) was congestion, with pedestrian safety (109) and bicycle safety (107) to follow. Continental crosswalks were supported at several intersections. The early safety improvements, expected to be implemented in the coming weeks, include street resurfacing to address potholes, along with painting continental cross-

walks at several intersections including Fairfax, Curson, Hauser, Cochran, Detroit and La Brea. Also planned are eastbound and westbound left-turn pockets at Hauser, extension of a single eastbound vehicle lane from Fairfax to Curson, and 18 new parking spaces. A westbound left-turn pocket also will be extended at Ogden, among other improvements. Other changes being considered include “leading pedestrian interval phasing,” which gives pedestrians a head start before the light turns green for drivers. Such changes will require further study once the initial road improvements have been made. The improvements result from two years of study and a town hall meeting in October, followed by the public survey regarding proposed traffic safety improvement options.

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Reduce trash, recycle and save money with recycLA?

By Suzan Filipek A new trash and recycling program — recycLA — works best if you don’t have any, or very little, trash. At least, that is what we have heard from several Larchmont merchants and property owners. One merchant on Larchmont Blvd. expects lower fees, as her shop has mostly recyclable waste. In December, new rules in the city established area trash hauling monopolies for businesses, which previous-

ly selected from competitive vendors, most of which did not separate recyclables. Athens Services is the new, sole commercial trash company for this part of town. One Athens Services customer wasn’t exactly sure about the new price because the first invoice received was incorrect. After a company rep reviewed the bill, “he said my bill would be going down,” said the merchant, who asked to remain anonymous. Another customer said her

fees were definitely lower. “Our fees went down,” said Zuzanna Mackiewicz, who manages the four-story Clinton Development Co. building at 606 N. Larchmont Blvd. She opted to reduce trash pick-up from five to three times a week. Athens added a recyclable bin under the program that has introduced recycling to commercial and multiresidential buildings citywide. “We used to have a waste management company and we paid much higher. We’ll see…

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if it’s not working, we’ll go back to five times a week,” said Mackiewicz. The City of Los Angeles’ new trash and reycycle collection program for large apartments (five or more units) and all businesses, called recycLA, rolled out on Larchmont Blvd. and surrounding areas last month. The program aims to trim trash in city landfills by 97 percent by 2030 as it brings recycling service to 80,000 commercial enterprises that did not have the option before. In recent months, representatives for Athens Services met with customers on Larchmont Blvd., the Farmers Market and other local areas to assess their waste needs. “If folks have not heard from us, call 1-800-773-2489 to set up a waste assessment,” said Wendy Bruget, director of government affairs at Athens Services. The goal is to “stabilize” the fee and find adequate space for bins, said Bruget. A food waste program will be added in late 2018, she said.

Athens’ North Central zone that includes Larchmont stretches from Olympic Blvd. to the Hollywood Fwy. and Mulholland Dr., between Beverly Hills and the 110 Fwy. North Central is one of 11 new monopoly zones throughout the city, each served by one of seven service providers. Previously, commercial entities had 45 different companies from which to choose with those companies’ trucks crisscrossing the city, contributing to traffic congestion and air pollution, say proponents of the new program. Skeptics say that so many different companies meant lower prices. Rising rates While the city claims there is a cap on the fees, officials acknowledge that prices indeed are rising to pay for the recycling costs and a new fleet of natural gas, clean-fuel trucks. Graffiti removal, yearly bin cleaning and outreach and education are also included in the fees. The new rates start at $216.72 monthly for weekly service.

Christmas trees

(Continued from page 10) next day. Campbell decided to skip the crowds and wait until Monday to come back for a tree, but when he got to the lot around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, there weren’t any trees left. Walking to work the Tuesday morning after that weekend, I saw one lone tree in the lot. The shortage was quickly remedied, says Clifford, who said they upped their usual weekly order by 200, asking for delivery as fast as possible. By Tuesday night, following the sold-out weekend, just before midnight, a truck with a full trailer of trees pulled into the lot and parked. At 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, 600 trees were being offloaded. By Wednesday afternoon, as I walked home from work, I saw that the temporary forest was once again filled with families looking for the perfect tree, and I was told that another partial load of wreaths and boughs was on the way, to be delivered later in the week. A week later, 900 more trees were delivered. Numbers were approximate when we spoke, but Clifford said that the first Saturday in December had a 43 percent increase in sales over the same period last year. When asked what she thought was the reason for the increase, she pointed out the decrease in local neighborhood tree lots. This year, the only other choices for people to get real trees seem to have been places such as Home Depot, Pavilions, OSH and Whole Foods (though this year there was a “Mr. Jingles” tree lot in the for-

VISUALLY IMPAIRED students from Van Ness Elementary get to know a silvertip fir on a field trip to the Wilshire Rotary Christmas tree lot.

mer Johnny Rockets space at the Original Farmers Market). Delancey Street only had seven lots open this year, down from 10 they used to have (which previously included a Windsor Square lot at Wilshire and Irving Blvds.). When asked why they had fewer lots, the reply at Delancey was that they didn’t have enough labor to service all the lots. Other private tree lot proprietors may have lost access to vacant lots that are now being developed with housing. Whatever the reason, there was a marked increase in sales at the Wilshire Rotary tree lot this past Christmas season. The weekend the lot ran out was just one instance where demand exceeded supply. Clifford pointed out that the community is very supportive of the tree lot. Proceeds from the sale of the trees go to charities supported by both Wilshire Rotary and Rotary International. So, people know their money is going to a good cause as they return each year for the fresh trees. It has become a neighborhood tradition. Rachel Olivier’s apartment windows look out on the Wilshire Rotary lot.

Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

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New year, new you. Get gorgeous locks on Larchmont

By Suzan Filipek Romi Cortier mixes fine art with style at his salon Romi Cortier Design, 425 N. Larchmont Blvd., where his original paintings adorn the walls and clients are treated to private rooms and a top-notch team. “The most important thing to consider, regardless of trend, is does it look good on you, working with your skin tone?” says Cortier, who opened his local salon in 2001. “Going lighter as you get older is sometimes a fallacy, and can often wash you out. For some of my clients who’ve chosen to let their hair go gray, we often find that adding black lowlights gives their skin the contrast that they need.” Extensions, hairpieces and wigs are also bigger than ever. “We see versatility as the key component for spring. It’s how celebrities that we see on the red carpet and in magazines achieve so many different looks.” Wigs and hairpieces are also popular with the Orthodox

ACTRESS Sharon Lawrence shows off her new hairdo by Romi Cortier.

Jewish community. “These wigs frequently need to be washed, colored and blown out.” Hair products at the salon include Enjoy, HBL and Formula 18. “One of my ‘must-have’ products is the leave-in conditioner by Formula 18. “All of the shampoos in these three lines are sulfate free, which helps protect the hair from color fading and is compatible with Keratin treatments to straighten the hair.”

One client who appreciates his skills is Windsor Square resident and actress Sharon Lawrence. “I’ve been doing Sharon’s hair since her days on ‘NYPD Blue,’” long before her four Emmy nominations. She’s also very active in The Ebell and Heal the Bay, and she is an advocate for women’s rights and women’s empowerment. “Dare I say she’s been one of my best clients over the last 20-plus years. Loyal. Support-

HAIR STYLES have changed at the Julius La Bonte building since 1921, now home to Vincent Hair Artistry.

ive. Beautiful, both inside and out.... She’s part of my L.A. family,” said Cortier. • • • Stylist Amy Robinson has seen many trends come and go in her 35-year career, which is why she pretty much ignores most of them. “Each person is an individual,” says the stylist at Jessica from Sunset, 124 N. Larchmont Blvd., where she has cut and styled hair for the past 13 years.

“If spandex is in style and you’re 350 pounds, you should not wear it, whether it’s in style or not,” she smiles. After a bad cut on her curly locks in high school, Robinson vowed to make her clients look fabulous when they leave the salon and keep looking good long afterwards with manageable cuts. “If you have super straight hair, you can do almost anything.” Curly hair can be worn (Please turn to page 14)

321 N. Larchmont Blvd. Suite 906 323.464.8046 rebeccafitzgeraldmd.com

BUZZ CUTS, and styles from TV shows are popular, says Omar Alarcon at the Larchmont Barber Shop, successor to barber shops on the boulevard since the 1920s.

Hair salons

(Continued from page 13) long and managed with a wand brush. Some styles are simply not for “wash-and-go” types. Highlights are her favorite and, with the different chemicals and colors involved, she draws on skills she learned in her higher math classes. The result is worth it. “There’s no

Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

COLORIST and stylist Amy Robinson has been at Jessica from Sunset on the boulevard the past 13 of her 35-year career.

one better at doing hair color than me,” she says proudly. • • • Haircuts and styling have been taking place on Larchmont Blvd., since the dawn of time, or at least since 1921, when Julius La Bonte built most of the brick building on the east side of Larchmont Blvd., north of First St. Legend has it that women

(and men) have been visiting establishments at 136 N. Larchmont ever since 1921, as that address has been home to on (and men) have been visiting establishments at 136 N. Larchmont ever since 1921, as that address has been home to one salon after another, including Haas & Co., which closed last year after 30 years on the Boulevard.

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A MULTI-STEP process results in Amy Robinson’s caramel-colored highlights. It draws on math skills, says the stylist.

New tenants of the space, Vincent De Marco and Jurgen Sauer, opened Vincent Hair Artistry, at 136 N. Larchmont, last spring and have assembled a team that Vincent describes as “hair artists.” “When you walk out of our space, we are confident you’ll feel the best you have ever felt about your hair. I’ll stake my name on it,” said Vincent. “The hair industry, like fashion, is constantly evolving with hairstyles morphing into the next version of their former selves... “‘It’s all been done before’ is an old adage but still rings true, only this time there have been some fresh takes on seen-before styles,” he added. Blunt cuts resting on the shoulder or just below the collarbone with textured layers sparingly placed are popular, with one, maybe two, rotations around a closed curling iron or wand with the ends left out, explains Vincent. “Hair trends appear to be led by the Japanese right now — hair that looks sun-drenched and like you surf regularly.” Vibrant colors inspired by Japanese animé are in vogue. “I really like the pastels like pale pink or dusty rose; lilac is also hot right now,” adds Vincent. Brunettes do well with caramel accents, he says, also ob-

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serving that “natural-looking blondes also have a place at the table. Bombshell blondes are timeless, and we love to see it for the drama!” Highlighting techniques at the salon include balayage and two-step, and products here are dedicated to preserving the integrity of the hair. “Olaplex is a game changer in that the technological breakthrough allows for zero breakage when applying bleach or hi–lift tint. Keratin treatment is for smoothing and reversing volume on overly thick hair,” notes Vincent. ••• Unlike other parts of the city, “people here tend to have a clear picture of what they want,” says Omar Alarcon at Larchmont Barber Shop, 142 ½ N. Larchmont Blvd. “They often bring in pictures of a character in a TV show. Popular styles are from the 1950s, and from the 1919, England, gangster era of ‘Peaky Blinders.’” Buzz cuts are popular, says Alcaron, who also trims beards and goatees along with standard cuts. Women stop in to have a side of their head shaved, a style originated by musicians. “Now it’s mainstream.” Owner Jorge Hilario took over the reins from Jerry Cottone, who called it quits after 40 years. Jerry’s father, Vince, preceded him as a Larchmont barber. Hilario says he believes that his space, which also is in a La Bonte building, has — like the space of Vincent Hair Artistry — been providing hair care continuously since the building’s construction in the 1920s. Hot-towel shaves are still on the old-school menu. • • • Larchmont Beauty Center, 208 N. Larchmont Blvd., has it all, and then some. Walk past counters of make up, rows of candles, moisturizers, soaps, shampoos and jewelry, and you will find the salon. Two stylists are available. Salon Provence, 417 N. Larchmont Blvd., opened in the Village in 1999 and has been serving customers for “close to” 20 years, says one happy patron.

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Larchmont Chronicle

January T:10.25” 2018

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

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Forbes Magazine includes Devin Jameson in its ‘30 under 30’ list By Rachel Olivier A few short years ago, when Devin Jameson was growing up in Windsor Square, who knew he’d be in the “Forbes Magazine” “30 under 30” list for consumer technology leaders? He and co-founders Jake Reisch and Matt Reiners are included for providing wireless headphones to senior communities, creating something high-tech that serves people often claiming to like low-tech. The Echo Horizon and Windward School alumnus was recently profiled in the November 2017 issue of “Forbes” for designing ergonomic headphones for those 75 years old and up. The headphones help combat social isolation and improve their quality of life. The project grew out of the eLab Accelerator program, a four-day workshop at Cornell University for innovative

EVERSOUND HEADPHONES were designed to be worn with hearing aids.

DEViN JAmESON, center, with co-founders Jake Reisch and Matt Reiners.

electrical and technological startups. Previously, the trio had started the company Party Headphones, a silent disco rental company that focused on excellent customer service. Their products were fancy

headphones that had three channels with different music choices provided by a DJ. The wearer could choose which disco to “join” and play the music as loud as he or she wanted without disturbing anyone. Events and parties can be

unpredictable and undependable from a sales standpoint. So, when they were look- HEADPHONE CREATORS made something high ing for a tech to serve people who often like low-tech. more consistent market, one idea that came up was the possibility of using headphones in senior communities. “We all have grandparents who have been impacted by hearing loss,” says Devin, who by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald grew up with his grandmother Q: According to my mirliving with his family, which ror this morning, it appears I’ve he credits for his desire to help been rather busy not taking care older adults. of my neck! Is it aging faster than It wasn’t a far jump to rede- my face? signing the fancy disco headA: While people take great phones to have easily manipu- care of the skin on their faces lated dials and a single chan- (moisturizer, sunscreen, Retinol nel for the activities director et. al), they often neglect the skin to make announcements, plus just south of it. Which is why I that can work in conjunction advise treating the skin on your neck and chest like an extension with hearing aids and allow of your face. seniors to fully participate in This month we’re running a special for all of you neck neglectors events. According to Jameson, the and anyone else who wants to turn “Eversound” wireless head- back the clock. We’re teaming Xeomin and Ultherapy to lift and phones work better than hear- tighten those vertical bands and ing aids when it comes to help- the not so beloved turkey wattle. ing those with hearing loss hear Here’s how this dream team perclearly in a group environment. forms: Xeomin, which is similar to Botox and Dysport, is applied “After running an initial test to the platysma, otherwise known with a senior community near as the major neck muscle, to relax Cornell and seeing the impact it and smooth overlying wrinkles. on the residents, we realized Ultherapy, the first treatment of its there was an opportunity to kind to use ultrasound technology, lifts and smooths skin and offers design a specialized wireless the lasting effects of stimulating headphone system that would your body’s natural production of help millions of older adults collagen and elastin. What you’ll see is the smoothing of those verhear clearly again,” he says. Since Eversound launched tical bands within a few days to a week from Xeomin, and in apin November 2016, it has proximately three months you’ll helped improve the quality also see additional lifting, as well of life among seniors and has as tightening of the skin around provided more than 30,000 your chin and jaw from Ultherapy. Contact our office to schedule a adults, ages 75 and up, with Xeomin/Ultherapy consultation and the opportunity to hear more get busy extending your skin care clearly at group events. routine south to the delicate skin of It wasn’t long before the your neck and décolletage. company was featured in “The Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board CertiBoston Globe” and “The Wall fied Dermatologist located in Larchmont Street Journal,” and from Village with a special focus on anti-aging She is a member of the Bothere “Forbes” got wind of the technology. tox Cosmetic National Education Faculty impact that the headphones and is an international Training Physician were making at senior com- for Dermik, the makers of the injectable Sculptra. She is also among a select group munities. Hence, the national of physicians chosen to teach proper injec“under 30” kudos for Devin tion techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing filler, around the world. Dr. Fitzgerald Jameson! is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA. For more information, visit Visit online at www.RebeccaFitzgeraldMD. eversoundhq.com or devinja- com or call (323) 464-8046 to schedule Adv. an appointment. jameson.com.

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Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

SECTION ONE

UnWINE at annual NGA-Hancock Park annual fundraiser Relax and be “UnWINEd” with NGA-Hancock Park at its annual fundraiser Fri., Feb. 23 from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Taglyan Complex on Vine and Lexington in Hollywood. A wine tasting, as well as an

open bar, auction, dinner and dancing will be featured at the event, and, of course, “our fabulous community” will be in attendance, said Beverly Brown, president NGA-Hancock Park.

“We have many sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, and we are always open to auction item donations,” she added. Event chairs are Kiel FitzGerald, Olivia Kazanjian,

and Kathleen MacComber. Money raised at the event pays for clothing, linens and personal care items for seven local charities that NGA supports: Alexandria House, Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, Aviva, Uplift Family Services at Hollygrove, Imagine LA and McIntyre House.

Early bird tickets are available through Feb. 10. Visit ngahancockpark.org/gala. Started in England in 1882 following a mining disaster, the guild has evolved into 33 chapters, including in Los Angeles, which has been providing new clothing, linens, and personal care items to those less fortunate since 1895.

Over 70 Years of Focusing on You.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council meets monthly at The Ebell. Owen Smith, at center, left of the microphone, is chair.

Citizen participation ongoing in Greater Wilshire

ENVIRONMENT and Sustainability Committee chair, Julie Stromberg, introduced the LADWP’s Marvin Moon.

MARVIN MOON, director of power engineering at the Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power, spoke to a GWNC committee about electric vehicles and chargers on Dec. 12 at Marlborough School.

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

Rev. Boyle’s Homeboy Industries: past, future and weathered the recession? Boyle says, that when the recession happened in 2008, Homeboy had just moved to larger facilities, and then suddenly lost a lot of funding, but then donors appeared. Homeboy has lasted as long as it has

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because of word of mouth, says Boyle. “Gang members go there and then tell other gang members, ‘you’ll get help there.’” Getting gang members into Homeboy has never been an issue. To survive the recession, Homeboy initially scaled back, “as painful as that was, given the demand,” said Boyle. It then established a process for trainees to enter the program that included a drug test, orientation and an election committee. He pointed out that having CEO, Tom Vozzo, has made a big difference. How are “Barking” and “Tattoos” different? Boyle says that “Barking to the Choir” was similar to “Tattoos on the Heart,” in that he organized stories and parables from homies into essays. What is next for you? He says he plans to write a third book, and also hopes to expand the Homeboy campus to include a residential facility to serve more people. In the meantime, he continues to work for change in people’s hearts and minds. For more information, visit homeboyindustries.org.

For over 20 years

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Five-term mayor Tom Bradley’s 100th celebrated

The Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Community College District honored the life and contributions of the late Mayor Tom Bradley at a 100th birthday celebration at Los Angeles Trade Technical College in December. The Board of Trustees named a facility at the college in honor of Mayor Bradley. The five-term mayor is known for opening City Hall and city commissions to women, minorities and people with disabilities, and for bringing the 1984 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles. Born in Texas, Mayor Bradley moved to Los Angeles when he was seven years old. He grew up in South Los Angeles and attended Polytechnic High School (now Los Angeles Trade Technical College), becoming a track star before moving on to UCLA. After graduating, Mayor Bradley served in the Los Angeles Police Department for 21 years,

attaining the rank of lieutenant. He later attended Southwestern Law School, passed the bar, and became an attorney. In 1963, he was elected to represent the 10th district on the Los Angeles City Council, and he served as mayor of Los Angeles from 1973 to 1993.

Councilman Koretz at town hall Jan. 9

A town hall gathering with Councilman Paul Koretz will take place Tues., Jan. 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Freda Mohr Multipurpose Senior Center, 6310 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 275. Koretz will discuss community issues at the event sponsored by the Current Events Discussion Group of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles. A Q&A will follow. The event is free but registration is required. Call 323937-5900.

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MAYOR TOM BRADLEY with Larchmont Chronicle founders Jane Gilman and Dawne Goodwin at Getty House, 1976.

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We caught up with Rev. Greg Boyle between book signings to answer some questions about Homeboy Industries in downtown Los Angeles and his books, “Tattoos on the Heart” and “Barking to the Choir.” How has Homeboy lasted

Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

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Larchmont Pediatrics assists new Health Network with reform

PEDIATRICIAN Dr. Neville Anderson grew up in Windsor Square; lives in Hancock Park.

DOCTOR Alexandra McCollum is a pediatrician who also has a special interest in pediatric dermatology.

A 2017 ADDITION to the Larchmont Pediatrics office is Valerie Jespersen-Wheat.

By John Welborne Larchmont Pediatrics, located right here on Larchmont Blvd. (on the top floor of the 10-story Larchmont Medical Building, 321 N. Larchmont Blvd.) is one of the five founding medical practices that early last year created the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Health Network. Larchmont Pediatrics’ Dr. Neville Anderson also is one of the 10 pediatricians serving on the Health Network’s Board of Managers. The CHLA Health Network is the only physician-led association in Los Angeles County that “supports the health of children in the Los Angeles basin by organizing primary care pediatricians and pediatric specialists in the delivery of innovative, seamless care for infants, children and young adults.” Dr. Anderson completed her internship and residency at CHLA and is a board certified pediatrician who has been recognized as a Super Doctor by “Los Angeles Magazine.” Her colleague at Larchmont Pediatrics, Dr. Alexandra McCollum, completed her pediatric residence at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center in New York. McCollum also has a special interest in pediatric dermatology, having completed a post-doctoral fellowship in that subject at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. The office’s clinical staff is rounded out by Valerie Jespersen-Wheat, a lactation consultant who joined Larchmont Pediatrics last year after serving at Cedars-Sinai as the program coordinator for lactation services in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit there.

Health Network The CHLA Health Network was created to bring together pediatric community general practice pediatricians with those who provide secondary, tertiary and quaternary care, such as in specialty clinics and at Children’s Hospital. Consisting of more than 100 general pediatricians in 26 practices throughout Southern Cali-

fornia when the program was announced last spring, the network has three reform-oriented goals: to improve the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); to improve the health of populations; and to reduce the percapita cost of health care. When the Health Network program was announced at CHLA last spring, Dr. Anderson

said: “By partnering with the CHLA Health Network, patients at our affiliate practices will have ready access to the specialty care, protocols, treatment and leading-edge research.” She concluded: “This access to care will benefit families throughout the region, especially as affiliates integrate their electronic medical records systems with CHLA.”

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

Relaxation, mental health on laRchmont:

Multiple techniques, including massage, at Healing Hands

Healing Hands Wellness Center, 414 N. Larchmont Blvd., is your go-to place for massage, acupuncture, chiropractor treatments, andâ&#x20AC;Ś reiki? Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. It is said to promote healing in its â&#x20AC;&#x153;laying on of handsâ&#x20AC;? technique. If oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;life force energyâ&#x20AC;? is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy, according to secondgeneration reiki practitioner Edward Ormandy. New to the center is The Art of Ayurveda with Ananda De Martini. The holistic-based technique originated in India over 5,000 years ago, and it keeps

ART OF Ayurveda with Ananda De Martini joins Healing Hands

up-to-date with nutrition and lifestyle management. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are multi-dimensional yet subtle beings. In the modern world, our senses are overstimulated. Through this ancient healing system, we can

apply it to the modern world and be our own advocates for the mind, body and soul,â&#x20AC;? says De Martini. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I give simple suggestions based on your established routine. Change is never easy. And though Ayurveda is certainly a lifestyle change, my goal is to make it an easier transition. Furthermore, I believe living an Ayurvedic life just means living a more balanced life based on your true nature, and together we can identify it.â&#x20AC;? In addition, acupressure and Swedish massage are among the many styles of massage offered at Healthy Hands. Unwind on Larchmont: Stones at multiple places Hot stone and other types of massage, facials and more are at Radiance of Life, 215 N.

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tuary Spa, 331 N. Larchmont. A full menu is offered for singles, groups and couples at this urban retreat.

Rewrite your script or find someone to talk to

Need someone to talk to? Or do you want to implement major changes in your life? Either way, there is no shortage of help to be found on Larchmont Blvd., which is home to a bevy of psychologists, psychiatrists and marriage and family counselors. Eating disorders, self-defeating attitudes, grief and loss, addiction, counseling for couples or adolescents, and infertility issues are a few of their areas of expertise. Narrative Counseling Center, at 205 Â˝ N. Larchmont Blvd., is among the oldest on the boulevard, serving area communities for the past 20 years, co-founder Charley Lang said. Individual and group therapy, parenting support and couples group therapy are available, said Lang, who is also co-director of the Psychology and Addiction Studies Concentrations at Antioch University. Co-founder Lucy Cotter has a master of arts degree in child/marriage counseling

and a master of fine arts degree from Otis College of Art. The center provides â&#x20AC;&#x153;strength-based psychotherapy servicesâ&#x20AC;? for individuals, couples, families and teens, Lang said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All individuals, couples and families have the ability to overcome problems and achieve more fulfilling stories for the future,â&#x20AC;? according to the website. Online therapy is also offered, and sliding-scale services are available with interns. Psychotherapist Julie Michaelson, at 321 N. Larchmont Blvd., Ste. 421, has been helping patients heal from emotional wounds for 20 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Patients I work with are often interested in emotional healing with a focus on an indepth exploration of emotional and relational issues, gaining insight into the underlying root causes of symptoms and concerns and finding more adaptive ways of going through the world,â&#x20AC;? according to her website.

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Align Physical Therapy has much more than Pilates on its menu. The studio, at 562 N. Larchmont Blvd., also offers boxing, martial arts and more by Align staff. Co-founder and owner Dr. Paula Gelbart Sauer is a physical therapist with a doctorate from Mount St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College. Besides Pilates, she is certified in yoga, cranial sacral manipulation and more. At That Pilates Place, 564 N. Larchmont, owner and instructor Erin Daffern offers a fully equipped studio where Joseph Pilates would feel right at home. Daffern is also Pink Ribbon Program certified, making her an expert at patients recovering from post mastectomies. Reformer classes for all levels are on the calendar at DR Pilates, 418 N. Larchmont, where owner Doug Riccio brings his 20 years of experience. A full roster of teachers is available in the intimate boulevard setting. The Pilates technique is the most effective form of exercise out there, says Pilates with Jen, 403 N. Larchmont, owner Jen Phegley. She gave up a nursing career after she saw the results when getting back into shape after the birth of her second child. Britta Morgan Pilates, 403 N. Larchmont, has taught 13 years and says the technique â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which in its early days impressed the likes of Martha Graham â&#x20AC;&#x201D; has lasted because it works.

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JANuAry 2018

In the meantime, Johnson upped her training to approximately five days a week at the gym, with a schedule that varied days on and off for weightlifting and toning. Part of professional bodybuilding is posing to show off the muscles. The OCB group judges contestants based on good leanness and conditioning with full, healthy and shapely muscularity, good balance, proportion, and symmetry of both muscularity and conditioning, and then, of course, presentation. So, Johnson put Ulene in contact with professional bodybuilder Jodi Miller, who PHYSIQUE WINNER in the women’s open division was Windsor Square’s Dr. Valerie Ulene, pictured going through her poses.

Physique

(Continued from page 1) rently medical director and co-founder of Clear Health Advisors, and former health columnist at the “Los Angeles Times”), married to orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Skaggs, and the daughter of noted television celebrity Dr. Art Ulene, she would have gravitated to the positive aspects of exercise in general, but weight lifting was not for her. “My workouts had been very cardiocentric — lots of spin classes and such,” Ulene says. Everyone else in her immediate family — husband, two daughters (23 and 21), son (16), and parents (Priscilla and Art, ages 79 and 81) — had all jumped on the weightlifting bandwagon. She was the last holdout. Ulene is no stranger to hard work and helping others make choices for their health. That is her business, after all. Cardiovascular exercise and a healthy diet were already a part of her lifestyle, but she had tried weight lifting when she went with her family to the gym and didn’t like how it made her feel. “I think the thing I struggled most with was working to failure — lifting until I was literally unable to move the weight,” says Ulene. She felt weak when she wanted to feel strong. Then one day she went to the gym with her mom. Her parents had been working with trainer Toby Johnson, owner and operator of Easton Gym, 8053 Beverly Blvd., for five to six years. It was his training that prepared her father for his trek up Kilimanjaro this past summer at the age of 81. “If it hadn’t been for all the work they put in at the gym, they never would have made it to the top,” Ulene noted. She went to the gym that day because Ulene wanted some time with her mother, maybe meet some of her mother’s friends. Instead, she ended up talk-

ing with Johnson about how much she disliked lifting weights. Johnson challenged her to give it three or four weeks, saying it took that long to see the benefits of weight lifting. Ulene accepted the challenge, and over the course of four weeks felt her body changing, becoming strong. She felt more physically capable — and she was hooked. The road to bodybuilding competition Ulene developed a steady exercise routine of two days training with Johnson and two days on her own. Then, in July, while at a friend’s birthday party, Ulene met a woman who had entered her first bodybuilding competition shortly after turning 50. The woman described it as an incredible experience and proposed that Ulene join her in participating in a bodybuilding competition. Ulene, thinking the other women would never follow up, said “sure.” The woman contacted Ulene the very next day to hold her to her commitment. Ulene — who had begun the year trying something she thought she would never do — thought, well, why not? The competition became her “capstone project into fearlessness” for 2017. But, bodybuilding contests, even at the amateur level, take some work. Ulene knew she needed help, so she contacted Johnson, who had been a collegiate wrestler at Columbia University. (Ulene, coincidently, graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.) He helped her develop a diet and exercise program to train for the OCB group’s competition. When it came to her diet, Ulene kept her rules simple. “Eat less bread, rice and pasta. Consume more protein. Cut out desserts,” she planned. She added that sweets were the hardest to give up, although she’s learned to grab some yogurt or dried fruit to satisfy that craving.

SECTION ONE

lives in Texas. Miller was going to help Ulene with the presentation. The two women connected over Skype, where Miller coached Ulene on how to pose for the upcoming competition. “She was a very exacting coach,” says Ulene. She would tell Ulene to “Move your foot five degrees this way” or “Move your shoulder a quarter of an inch.” How did it turn out? Ulene won the Women’s Physique Open division at the Hollywood competition in December, although she explained that she was the only person in her age group com-

Love is in the air Love

peting. Family and friends, not sure at first why she had entered the bodybuilding competition, are all very proud of her, and also are more understanding of bodybuilding as a sport . . . after watching her go through her regime. Would she do it again? Ulene turned 53 in December, and the competition was only supposed to be a one-time thing to show herself how fearless she could be. But — “It was an amazing, incredible journey in so many different ways,” Ulene says. And yes, she would consider doing it again.

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

Making it in Hollywood, with a little help from Larchmont

By Billy Taylor Scott Sedita and his eponymously named acting school this month celebrate two decades on Larchmont Blvd. You know the spot. On any given night, you can find a group of young, eager act-

ing students standing outside the nondescript white office building — located at 526 N. Larchmont Blvd. — learning lines and rehearsing scenes. “I opened this studio with 10 students,” says Sedita. “My mantra was, ‘if you build it,

they will come.’” Twenty years on, The Scott Sedita Acting Studios has grown to take over the entire floor of his building and has had hundreds of students pass through on their way to becoming working actors. A graduate of Boston University’s film and television program, Sedita began his career in New York as a talent agent. At the age of 22, Sedita says he was one of the youngest working talent agents in the city: “It was the first job I could get out of school, but I was very successful at it.” As an agent, Sedita helped launch the careers of household names such as Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Christopher Meloni and Jerry O’Connell, to name a few. “I believe we all have talent, and one of my talents is spotting talent,” says Sedita. Soon, Sedita set his eyes on Hollywood, where he would spend years working as a comedy writer and then later as a casting director. It wasn’t long before he realized he had a knack for coaching actors. “I was working in casting during the day, and then coaching at night,” says Sed-

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ACTING COACH Scott Sedita celebrates 20 years in the neighborhood.

ita, who quickly found that it was helpful to take on a kind of “Ma-gent” (manager and agent) role with his actors. A love for Larchmont In January of 1998, Sedita took his mother — who was visiting from the east coast for the holidays — to visit one of his favorite neighborhoods: Larchmont Village. “I drove her down Larchmont Blvd., which was a very sweet, non-congested place. I told her, this is where I want to have a studio. As we were driving, we passed a ‘for lease’ sign, so I thought ‘let’s look at it,’” says Sedita. Keep in mind that his dream of opening an acting school was, well, just that, still a dream. “I wasn’t interested right then and there.” But when he walked into the space, Sedita says it instantly felt right. “So I said, ‘yes, I’m doing this’ and I signed a lease.” And he hasn’t looked back since. For Sedita, his love for Larchmont has always been based on the neighborhood’s strong sense of community. “I wanted a space — a place — that was safe. That these young actors would feel safe leaving my studio at night. “What I love the most about

Larchmont is the small town feel. It’s quaint,” he explains. Making the most of it As a small business owner, Sedita has never taken his students for granted. In the years since he opened his acting school, Sedita has expanded his class offerings, written two books and developed an iTunes app. “I’m a worker,” he says. When he started classes, Sedita says that he was the first acting coach to put a camera in the studio. “I got flak for it because people said that there shouldn’t be a camera in an acting school.” But Sedita had come from a casting background, so he realized the importance of marketing oneself. “My approach was to help students with their craft as well as their careers.” After noticing that there wasn’t an official “technique” for teaching actors multi- or single-camera comedy scenes, Sedita developed his own sitcom technique. “I identified eight specific character archetypes in situation comedy, and I did that by understanding the different essences of actors.” He (Please turn to page 29)

Larchmont Chronicle

January 2018

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

Dvořák for youth at Disney Concert Hall Parents are focus of new In programs designed to World” at Walt Disney Con- Wing” composed by Esa-PeMoney Mammals book introduce children ages 5 to cert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave., kka Salonen Saturdays, Feb. 11 to classical music through experiencing live orchestra performance combined with the fantasy of theater, the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New

Saturdays, Jan. 13 and 20 at 11 a.m. Each concert is preceded by art, dance and storytelling workshops at 10 a.m. Future concerts in the series will include “Wing on

24 and March 10, and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Saturdays, March 24 and 31. For more information, visit laphil.com or call 323-8502000.

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By Sondi Toll Sepenuk In his first three Money Mammals books, “Joe the Monkey Saves for a Goal,” “Joe the Monkey Learns to Share,” and “Joe the Monkey and Friends Learn About Spending Smart,” Larchmont resident and author John Lanza focused on teaching children how to make smart choices about saving and spending their money. In his latest release, “The Art of Allowance,” Lanza is aiming his financial wisdom at parents and adults. “I wrote this book to help parents implement a plan,” says Lanza. “The first three books are aimed directly at getting children excited about handling their money wisely and saving for a goal, while this book helps parents set out a plan for their children’s real-world learning.” Knowing that parents don’t have a lot of extra time on their hands, Lanza made the book as parent-friendly as possible: It’s brief, laid out in a step-by-step narrative and divided into easyto-read sections. The three core skills that Lanza emphasizes are saving for goals, distinguishing needs from wants and making smart money choices. “This book is written as a guide, not a rule book,” stresses Lanza. “It is written for parents so they can take it and write their own rules about what works for them, as long as they follow those core three principles.” Lanza hopes his book will help encourage parents who struggle with varying systems

BucklEy

By Jasper Gough 8th Grade This is giving season. Buckley ran a drive this year from Nov. 27 through Dec. 8 to provide children in need with toys so they don’t miss out during the upcoming holidays. Spanning the entire month of December people donated to Buckley to help fund classes for students in need. On Dec. 2, the Parents Association hosted a holiday boutique, which included vendors of novelties and crafts. On Dec. 11, eighth graders had English mid-terms, which are worth a lot of our total grade. On Dec. 13, there was a study day for Middle and Upper School; we did not have classes. This coincides with the same day that our Kindergarten, 1st-3rd grades were scheduled to have their Winter Concerts. Finally, on Dec. 19 we had early dismissal to start off winter break. Students return to school on Jan. 3. I hope everyone had a very happy New Year!

AUTHOR John Lanza displays his newest publication, “The Art of Allowance, A Short, Practical Guide to Raising Money-Smart, Money-Empowered Kids.”

of allowance for their children, which often seem to fail. “Allowance programs fizzle because there is no ‘why’ behind the ‘how.’ This book gives you the ‘why’ so that you can create your own ‘how.’” The book is available at themoneymammals.com.

THIRD STREET By Oliver Barnes 5th Grade

Every year, Third Street School has a Book Fair. It’s in the library and it lasts for a week. It’s probably the busiest week of the school year. Parents and children go inside to see the enormous amount of Scholastic books spread out on tables and shelves for them to buy for themselves or family members for the holidays. They don’t only have books though, they also have pens, pencils, and erasers. Friends of Third and the PTA run the Book Fair to help make money for the school, and we ended up raising $20,000 for Third Street! This year my friends and I helped my mom work in the Book Fair. We helped her with bagging and organizing the books. It was a lot of fun. The money that Third Street earned will go to Tech Lab, the Library, PE, and a lot of other important school projects. The Book Fair is a really important fundraiser for Third Street!

Children learn computer language from Scratch

Kids ages eight to 11 can sign up to learn about computer programming at Wilshire Branch library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. The four-part series uses “Scratch,” a block-based programming language for kids developed at MIT. The classes are Saturdays Jan. 13 and 27, and Feb. 10 and 24, noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call 323-957-4550.

Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

SECTION ONE

Search begins for new head of Episcopal school SAT prep series at Memorial library By Billy Taylor The Episcopal School of Los Angeles (ESLA) this month begins a search for a new head of school to start in the fall. The ESLA Board of Trustees announced in late 2017 that the school’s founder and head of school, the Rev. Maryetta Anschutz, has stepped down after ten years spent establishing and leading the school, which found a home in Hollywood in 2012. “The growth of the school suggests a new head of school be recruited,” a letter from the Trustees read. Enclosed was a Thanksgiving letter from Rev. Anschutz,

concurring from her home in Massachusetts. For the remaining months of the 2017/18 school year, Anschutz’s role as head of school will be filled by ESLA staff members Jason Brooks and Jay Johnson. According to Rebecca Torrey, chair of the ESLA Board of Trustees, Anschutz will continue as an advisor on the school’s board: “We feel that this will be the best way for Maryetta to serve the school with her vision and energy as we move forward.” Torrey said that ESLA has retained the services of search firm Independent Thinking to

help find its new leader. The relatively new school, located at 6325 Santa Monica Blvd., opened its doors five years ago and now boasts more than 170 students in grades six through 12. Visit es-la.com for more information.

College-prep high school students can hone their testtaking skills and get ready to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with the free help of a Princeton Review tutor at Memorial Branch library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd. Reading and math skills are

covered Sat., Jan. 27, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The practice test is Sat., Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. The post-test review session is Sat., Feb. 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Sign up at the branch or call 323-938-2732 to reserve a spot.

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SIXTH GRADERS at Turning Point School participate in a December choral performance.

turning point

memorabilia representing their chosen state. From Oregon to Florida, students and parents had a wonderful time learning about December was the diversity and makeup of our a month of gratUnited States. itude, reflection During the magical and movand celebration ing 6th grade choral perforat Turning Point mance, students entertained us School. with songs from past generations Throughabout our country’s hardships. out the month, families generously donated new The powerful message was congifts from a wish list for our veyed through beautiful music holiday toy drive that benefited including instrumental and solo the Y.E.S. Academy, which stands performances from several stufor Young Empowered Scholars. dents. On the last day before Winter Our school community collected, wrapped, and delivered over 600 Break, students celebrated with gifts to children for the holidays. classmates during their class After months of preparation holiday lunches, complete with and learning about our country, a Secret Santa exchange and the the 5th graders eagerly trans- beloved “Ugly Sweater” contest. formed the Turning Point The- While there were many good conater into a State Fair. Students tenders for the Ugliest Sweater, dressed in costumes and creat- the winner shall remain anonyed booths filled with items and mous.

By Jack Beiley 8th Grade

curtis

By Avery Gough 6th Grade This month has been full of activity. First, many 6th graders have been taking the ISEEs for secondary school. The ISEEs is a standardized test to show your skill level to the schools you are applying to. It’s important to show what you have learned and show what you can bring to another school.

Although the holidays are over, students at Curtis are happy to have completed our community service project and achieve our goal to raise canned goods for needy families. In December, our 5th and 6th graders had the second Breaking Bread meeting, where we discussed culture and our backgrounds. We talked about creating compassionate hearts. Parent-teacher conferences are also behind us and our teachers attended a conference of their own. I hope that everyone had an amazing and joy-filled winter break!

Discover More

Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

IMMACULATE HEART By Lena Mizrahi 11th Grade

Immaculate Heart ended the year with its annual Christmas Program, which featured a version of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and lots of good cheer. Following that festive morning, many students attended the evening’s Winter Formal and then rose early

the next day to distribute food and other items to needy families downtown as part of the Adopt-aFamily program. Now back from break, students are busy preparing for the school’s first Cumulative Assessment Period in January.

Spread out over nearly a two-week period, “CAP” replaces days devoted solely to traditional finals. Instead, the program will focus on projects and other in-class final assessments. Meanwhile, IH encourages prospective students to take advantage of upcoming entrance exams on campus. Good luck to our test-takers and a Happy New Year to all!

Christ the King CatholiC sChool

617 N. Arden Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004

Montessori Transitional Kindergarten – 8th Grade Open House is Sunday, Jan. 28 following the 10:30 Mass until 1:30 pm

H BOOK FAIR OPEN H Call the office for a tour of our school. Check out our facebook page: www.facebook.com/cksla/photos

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FAIRFAX HIGH

Happy 2018! I hope everyone had an awesome 2017! Anyway, Miss Lester’s got some extra, extra, for you! On Jan. 8 everyone’s remembering their multiplication, studying their sight words, and reciting their ABCs in the mirror again because it’s back to school we go! Happily, winter break is over. Kids are filling their backpacks, packing their lunch boxes, and waking up early again. There will be an honor assembly on Jan. 12. Page Academy will be honoring the elementary students for their good grades. January 15, attendance will be optional to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This month we are focusing on who he was, all his good deeds, and why he is important to history. The 22nd of this month is also a special day because it’s our 100th day of school! We will celebrate with various projects and activities geared around the number 100. It will be great. Last but not least, on Jan. 26 we will go to Xlanes bowling alley — one of the best field trips ever because I love to bowl! I hope everyone has a sweet new year and a happy month!

Happy New Year! This past semester, Fairfax celebrated some note-worthy events! During the football playoffs, we were featured on ABC 7 Eyewitness News! Congratulations to Fairfax’s Basketball Team The Lions ranking seventh on the top B-Ball teams in the Southland. The team is preparing to go to Wahiawa, HI to compete at a neutral tournament. Meanwhile, “Conflict and Compromise” was the theme of National History Day this year. Fairfax students researched, analyzed, prepared and presented an entry based off of World and US History. The first EVER Girls Team wrapped up this Golf Season with some significant accomplishments: a student won the Section Girl’s Golf Title at the LA City Golf Championship. Now inspired, boys are starting a golf team. Our very own ASB Leadership class shared their “best practices” on organizing and fundraising with high schools from all across Los Angeles. Here’s to 2018 — with hopes for positive change in our school, our city, our country and our world.

By Sasha Lester 4th Grade

GALA

Call for Information (323) 462-4753 or go to www.cksla.org

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By Eleanor Renfrew 7th Grade Our first semester has ended at GALA. After the holidays and the New Year, a new semester of school will resume with more learning, teaching and challenges to come. I remember when I put on my GALA uniform and headed into my first year of middle school. But to get an idea of how some other students handled the semester, I interviewed two new sixth graders. The first sixth grader is Maya Henry, who loved her old school, but was interested with coming to an “academically challenging” middle school. During our interview I asked her about the teachers and what she thought about them. “I really love all my teachers because they all have such unique teaching styles, like my English, history, and journalism teacher, Mrs Agamegwa, who is going back to the basics, teaching us how to take notes and think in terms of learning and remembering. I know that I can come to all of my teachers anytime,” said Henry. I also interviewed another sixth grader named Riley Medina on making new friends; she said: ”I have definitely made a lot of new friends who I love a lot because they are really there for me and always so supportive, and I also have made friends with people who are not in my same advisory, but people who I share common interests with.”

By Lily Larsen 12th Grade

The two girls have great opinions on their time at GALA, which made me think about how similar all of our experiences were this semester.

I’m with her “The challenge is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible.” Last month GALA got to meet the voice of that quote from a familiar woman named Hillary Clinton! Yes, that Hillary Clinton, was who we saw speak at the Girls Build L.A. field trip in December. I am very proud to say that last year I was in this program and that it gave a selection of girls at GALA the opportunity to see Hillary Clinton and many others speak at the LA convention center. Girls Build LA is a program where a selection of girls from various schools are chosen to be a part of a project that they can create to better their community. It is also a competition with schools competing with one another to receive scholarship money. Speakers like a former First Lady to female entrepreneurs who have global businesses spoke to us about success, equality and diversity. The Girls Build LA team at GALA has a great team leader who is an amazing teacher and person named Mrs. Agamegwa who conducted this program for our school and we couldn’t have been able to go to the trip without her. Overall the field trip and speakers were very amusing, interesting and very motivating to young women.

JANuAry 2018

In December, Christ the King School fully embraced the Christmas spirit with cheerful attitudes and numerous events. Our toy drive which ended on the 15th would make this season of giving much brighter for the less fortunate families and their children. During the two weeks of toy drive promotions, our school was preparing for the shoe drive as well. You can currently see flyers about the upcoming effort posted on the auditorium entrance. Our T.K. class then went on an adventurous field trip to Knott’s Berry Farm on Dec. 12. Basketball season has started, and both our varsity and b-teams are currently working on reigning victorious in their matches. The choir held an Advent concert with the

professional choir Nova Vocal Ensemble, singing a part dedicated to “Carol of the Bells,” on Dec. 9. Everyone was also preparing for our ongoing, annual Christmas pageant. We spent several hours a day to perfect our concert, which represents what the Christmas story means to us. Our eighth-grade students participated in not only singing but acting as the roles in the Nativity. Our eighth-grade girls dressed up as the angels, making a procession with glowing candles, while our boys dressed up as the shepherds and the three Magi following the star to where baby Jesus was born. We even had a Mary and Joseph! In the end, our fantastic audience and students left the church with joyful, excited spirits. Our winter break officially started on Dec. 13, with all grades celebrating with parties and movie-watching. May I, on the behalf our school, wish you happy holidays and a stellar New Year!

PILGRIM

LOYOLA

CHRIST THE KING By Pearl An 8th Grade

15 students will show us what they have been working on in their wonderful music classes. My little sister will be singing about ugly sweaters with her 2nd Grade classmates. It will be a lot of fun. Yippee, we are finally on a field! After three LONG years we now have a home field. We have been passing the ball, playing soccer and even some rugby. Everyone has been celebrating. Basketball season has now begun. Boys Varsity, Girls Varsity, and Middle School Boys teams are all ready to bounce that ball. We shoot, we score, we play as a team. I like basketball. Last year the MS Boys lost by one point in the finals, but this is our year, hopefully. Happy New Year and GO PATRIOTS!

December proved to be an exciting month for Loyola Cubs. Seniors received their early decision and early action notifications from many of the top colleges in the country before taking their final exams, completing seven semesters at Loyola. In January, every single senior will spend three weeks working at service sites throughout the Los Angeles area, contributing to the community and truly fulfilling the mantra of “Men for Others.” On Dec. 16, fathers and sons participated in the Father-Son Day of Service, helping out the local communities surrounding Loyola. As Christmas Break approaches, every single Loyola student is ready for a relaxing, reinvigorating respite from the hectic school year.

YAVNEH

graders participated in the annual Learnathon to raise money for their senior trip to Israel. The students remained after school one evening to hear various speakers who taught lessons about true friendship. Each speaker brought his/her own reflections about friendship and truly inspired the students. Finally, the 8th grade students went to see the new film production, “Wonder.” After returning from the movie, we discussed the film and the importance of friendship, kindness and loyalty. Watching the emotional story of Auggie blossoming from a quiet, selfconscious young boy to a confident proud young man greatly moved the students. December was a month of tremendous growth for Yavneh students.

By Daniella Zisblatt 8th Grade D e c e m ber at Yavneh was fun-filled, with the motif of friendship recurring throughout our school activities. Yavneh launched the father-son and mother-daughter learning nights. Most Saturday nights, parents and their children come to school to learn together and to enjoy a delicious dinner and raffle prizes with their friends. This bonding experience truly connects the parents with their children in a unique way. In addition, last month the 8th

Children in grades kindergarten through fifth can learn about paleolithic art and ancient ecosystems at two oneday camps from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, 5801 Wilshire Blvd. The camp on Wed., Jan. 3 will offer students a chance to

during spring break on Wed., March 28 and Thurs., March 29. Summer day camps will run from Mon., June 18 through Fri., Aug. 3. For more information, call 213-763-3499 or email educate@nhm.org.

use museum research and collections to explore mammals that lived during the Ice Age. The camp on Thurs., Jan. 4 will use art to bring the mega fauna (large animals) of the past to life. Two one-day camps will be offered in the coming year

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IL F O LEE E M I TH L E EINM AC TH CL MIR IN RA I M

By Christopher Woods 8th Grade

SECTION ONE

Open House

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Cathedral Chapel

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

Brookside neighbors focus on where to add mass to houses and La Brea avenues. This article deals with the proposals for Brookside, which has vastly more singlefamily lots that will be affected by the proposed subzone adoption. Preservation efforts Protecting the traditional homes in Brookside, the area generally bounded by Muirfield Rd., Olympic Blvd., Highland Ave., and Wilshire Blvd., has been an ongoing effort in recent years. Initial efforts began in the era of Councilman Tom LaBonge and included a proliferation

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of “Save Beautiful Brookside” lawn signs advocating that the city adopt an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) designation for Brookside. After taking office in June of 2015, and after listening to considerable debate on the subject, Councilman David Ryu and his staff, in early 2017, proposed adoption of a Zone Change Ordinance that would implement new subzones designed by the Dept. of City Planning to provide protections for historic houses without the complications and time delay involved in adopting an HPOZ. A Larchmont Chronicle map published in the November 2017 issue shows the many adopted HPOZs and adopted and proposed “variation zones” in the local community, including for Sycamore Square and Brookside. Councilman Ryu and the City Planning Dept. say that the available variation zones apply tailored form and scale regulations to single-family areas to help ensure that future house development is compatible with, and enhances the existing character of, a neighborhood. Variable mass vs. rear mass At the formal public hearing on December 19, there was testimony in favor of different versions of the new subzones, with some speakers favoring the mass of new construction being allowed all over a lot, some favoring the front of a lot, but most favoring

CITY PLANNING staff members hear testimony from Sycamore Square and Brookside property owners.

want the designation to be “R3,” the rear mass. This is the variation zone that was adopted for nearby Larchmont Heights, La Brea Hancock, Wilshire Vista and South Hollywood. R1-R3 – rear mass An argument in favor of this R1-R3-RG approach was given by resident Jan Wieringa, one of the originators of the move to preserve the historic Brookside neighborhoods. Wieringa presented three explanatory photographs, and they are included as illustrations here. One photo shows the front (Please turn to page 29)

what the Councilman recommends — the R3 subzone that provides that the taller building mass is restricted to the rear of a lot. The proposal for Brookside also includes the addition of an “RG” (Rear Detached Garage District) designation that requires the required covered off-street parking to be detached from the main building and located at the rear of the lot. City staff had suggested the “V3” designation that allows for the taller new construction to be all over a lot. However, most Brookside community members who testified

BROOKSIDE addition of 1,500 square feet on Tremaine Ave. is less visible from the street, akin to an R1-R3 subzone house. Photo by G. Taylor Louden, AIA

REAR MASS addition to the house on Tremaine Ave. — seen from the side. Photo by G. Taylor Louden, AIA

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By John Welborne Nearly 50 Sycamore Square and Brookside property owners attended a December 19 public hearing about rezoning single-family parts of their neighborhoods to curb what many describe as “McMansionization.” The term refers to the construction of large modern houses on small lots in traditional single-family neighborhoods. Examples of such structures are obvious to drivers or walkers on the stretch of Sixth St. passing through the La Brea-Hancock community between Highland

Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

Dry brook

(Continued from page 3)

THE BROOK at 1037 S. Longwood Ave. has dried up, leaving leaves and mud in its place.

As to the findings of the Dept. of Public Works, spokeswoman Diana Bulnes said: “An initial investigation was conducted by Los Angeles Sanitation that did not reveal any issues that would cause the water to be diverted away. This information points to a natural occurrence. Los Angeles Sanitation is continuing to review the information and to monitor this area.” Longwood Ave. homeowner Ethlie Ann Vare says she doubts that the issue is related to drought. “The brook was fine during four years of the drought. Then it dried up suddenly, after the drought ended. It feels like it was some kind of an event, as if someone turned off the spigot,” says Vare. Having owned her home since 1999, Vare says she has

Brookside

Scott Sedita

(Continued from page 28) of a Brookside house on Tremaine Ave. that recently was remodeled with a 1,500 square-foot addition that was placed at the rear of the lot, leaving the traditional, streetfacing façade as it has been. Wieringa also showed an angled view of this new addition, viewed from the side-yard, noting that the remodeled house is an excellent example of what will result from the R1-R3-RG sub-zoning that she and many of her neighbors advocate for Brookside. In stark contrast, Wieringa also showed a photograph of recent new construction in Brookside, on Mullen Ave.,

that places the two-story massing all over the lot, with the new bulk being very noticeable from the front, although there is a “rear garage” off of the alley. Wieringa said this example is similar to the results that would come from adopting the “V3” subzone advocate instead of the “R3” subzone. Following public testimony, the hearing officer said the comments and any written communication received would be included in the report being prepared by the Department of City Planning for consideration by the City Planning Commission. The proposed zone change ordinance ultimately requires approval by the City Council.

MASSIVE remodels like this house on Mullen Ave. are more likely with an R1-V3 subzone designation, neighbors fear.

Photo by G. Taylor Louden, AIA

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SECTION ONE

learned that the brook has flowed through these backyards for 100 years, during many periods of drought, “but this is the first time that the water has dried up,” she says. As to possible low-water culprits, rumors that have swirled among neighbors range from deliberate blockage by a developer, to the flow being diverted by a city agency, to the Wilshire Country Club interrupting the flow. In its journey to Brookside, the Rio del Jardin de las Flores first flows aboveground through the Wilshire Country Club golf course before the water returns underground

via a concrete culvert near the intersection of Third St. and Hudson Ave. To find out how the urban stream has performed recently on Hancock Park’s tony golf course, we turned to Doug Martin, director of agronomy at the Wilshire Country Club. “We haven’t seen any change. The water ebbs and flows, but that’s normal,” says Martin. “When there first were water restrictions put in place by the mayor a few years back, levels dropped. But as far as this year goes, the water level is unchanged.” The mystery continues. Watch this space.

(Continued from page 22) teaches the technique in a one-day comedy intensive, but after hearing people reference his work, he wrote his first book, “The Eight Characters of Comedy.” Having sold nearly 200,000 copies, now in a second edition. Sedita says that the book has taken him around the world teaching the technique. What’s next? “I want to keep helping actors pursue their purpose of being successful.” Visit scottseditaacting.com for more information.

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Larchmont Chronicle

JaNuary 2018

SECTION ONE

Control your entries as declarer, and do count your tricks Here’s your hand, sitting south in third seat:

♠ K4 ♥ 5 ♦ 987642 ♣ AT93

Partner opens 1H in first seat. Regardless of what system you play, Standard American or 2/1, you can only respond 1N here, even though you have a six card suit and a singleton. You have 7 High Card Points (HCP), so you must bid. You’re too weak to

bid your deplorably bad diamond suit. Partner reverses with 2S (which promises at least 17 HCP and 5-4 distribution, or 6-5 with opening hand values). You have to bid again. But the value of a reverse is that it promises at least 17 HCP, so some of the values you know for bids are now less. For instance, normally a second bid by responder of 2N promises 11-12 HCP. But since you know partner has at least 17 HCP instead of a max-

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Grand Slam imum of 14 HCP with a normal response, your bid of 2N will now only need 8-9 HCP. Even though you only have 7 HCP, you do have a six-card suit. And, anyway, you don’t have any other response. You can’t raise spades since partner probably only has 4, and you clearly can't raise hearts with a singleton. Really your only bid with this hand is 2N. If your diamonds were better, like AQxxxx, then you could bid 3D, which would generally be a drop-dead bid that partner should pass. But you do have clubs stopped, and your diamond suit, weak as it is, is long enough that it is stopped enough so that opponents shouldn't take more than three tricks in it, if that. So your only bid is 2N, even though you only have seven HCP. Partner, with a huge hand containing 19 HCP, bids 3N. Here’s the four-hand layout:

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North ♠ AJT6 ♥ KQT74 ♦ A3 ♣ KQ West ♠ 852 ♥ AJ92 ♦ JT ♣ J862

East ♠ Q97 ♥ 863 ♦ KQ5 ♣ 754

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12:15 pm • The Holy Eucharist Korean Language (Rite II)

Great Music at St. James’ • 4:30 pm Evensong with the Choir of St James’ Pipe Organ Recital • 6:00 pm Featuring Juilliard-trained organist David La’O Ball David serves as Organist and Assistant Director of Music at Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, California (formerly Crystal Cathedral). Free admission.

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307

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©LC0216

Bishop Dr. Stephan Hoeller

East South P 1N P 2N All Pass

Opening lead from West would be 2C. Before I comment on declarer play, I want to say that even though it's standard to lead fourth from your longest suit as an opening lead against no-trump, leading low from a Jack-high four-card suit is generally a destructive lead because the Jack will stop a suit and, if you lead from it, declarer often wins the trick with the 10. If the dummy in this hand had KQx instead of KQ tight, it's a perfect example of how a lead from Jxxx gives declarer a trick she wouldn't get otherwise. Playing low from dummy, she takes the trick with her Ten in her hand. She'd never get that

trick if the lead from Jxxx isn't made. As to declarer play, you count your tricks. You've got: three club tricks (because the King Queen is tight on the board, you can’t take the opening lead with your 10, so West’s Jack will end up taking a trick if you try to take all three club tricks); one diamond trick; three spade tricks; and one or two heart tricks. But as the hearts actually lay, you're only going to take one heart trick because if you lead your singleton and West plays low, you have to lead the hearts from the board and you’re doomed to lose to the Ace and the Jack, at least. So your only hope to make three no-trump on this hand is to hope for a 3-2 split in diamonds. It doesn’t matter where the honors are. What is important, however, is that you keep two entries to your hand, because you have to lead diamonds three times to set up three diamond tricks, which means you have to get to your hand twice, and you only have two entries. So you take the opening lead on the board with the Queen of clubs, lead the Ace of diamonds and a low diamond, ridding the board of diamonds, which is won by East’s Queen. Now there is only one diamond out. East returns a club to the singleton King on the board. But you must take this in your hand with the Ace, even though you have to drop the singleton King on the board under it, because if you play low so that the King wins on the board, you only have one entry to

your hand, the King of spades. Here's the layout at the point East leads his second club:

Letters

that we still fall prey to people like Mr. Quigg. Guess we need to get a whole lot smarter. They never really win. Crystal J. Lardner

(Continued from page 2)

Tree lot a success

Your front page article was a huge success. I dropped by the Rotary Larchmont lot on Friday to look for a Silver Tip tree. There were none, but they expected some in on Saturday. I decided to let the crowds visit over the weekend and went by about 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning. The lot was CLOSED. Everything sold out. Not a thing left. Sandy Campbell Citrus Ave. [Ed. note: See story on p. 10, initiated by this reader’s comment.]

Online comments

The paper receives comments on our website throughout the year, even on articles published some time ago. This comment was left recently concerning our Jan. 2017 story “Quigg files bankruptcy.” It’s a shame that with all the knowledge we have about everything in this walk on earth

North ♠ AJT6 ♥ KQT74 ♦ ♣K

West ♠ 852 ♥ AJ92 ♦ ♣ J86

East ♠ Q973 ♥ 863 ♦K ♣ 75 South ♠ K4 ♥5 ♦ 9876 ♣ AT9

If you use the King of spades to get to your hand to play another diamond to get the last diamond out, you can't get back to your hand to play the three good diamonds that you set up because you don't have another entry. So you have to play the Ace and drop the King under it. You lead your third diamond. East takes it and returns a club. West wins the Jack and returns a spade, which you win in your hand with the King over East’s 9. You've made your contract; four diamonds, three clubs (your 9 held up for the last club trick), and two spades without ever touching dummy's beautiful hearts. Grand Slam is the nom de plume for an author of a bestselling book on bridge, an ACBL accredited director and a Silver Life Master.

Holocaust Rememberance Day observed

Events this month at Congregation Shaarei Tefila, 7269 Beverly Blvd., include the Ohr Eliyahu Boys Choir under direction of Rabbi Golbart Tues., Jan. 2. Emergency Preparedness is presented by the city Dept. of Aging with Erica Brown on Tues., Jan. 9. Tzmoret A Cappella Choir under the direction of Thalia Sharon, coming from Hillel House Queens College, performs Tues., Jan. 16. Holocaust Remembrance Day is Tues., Jan. 23. Tu B’Shevat Celebration with Dept. of Water and Power, Trees for Planting event, is Tues., Jan. 30. For more information visit the temple’s website shaareitefila.org.

Larchmont Chronicle

JANuAry 2018

SECTION ONE

Miracle Mile HPOZ board expected to be in place in early 2018

sion maker, guided by an adviBy Suzan Filipek Now that most of the Mira- sory recommendation from the cle Mile residential area south HPOZ Board,” said Bernstein. The remaining appointments of Wilshire Blvd. has been declared a Historic Preservation will be made by the mayor to Overlay Zone, the next order select someone with real estate of business is getting a five- or construction experience. The Cultural Heritage Commember board. “We’re hoping to have a mission will choose both an board up and running in early architect and a renter or owner 2018,” said Ken Bernstein, who lives in the Miracle Mile. “Our office will be comprincipal city planner, Dept. of City Planning, Office of His- pleting interviews with those toric Resources and Citywide who’ve applied to be the Cultural Heritage Commission Policy Planning. appointees, and our Councilman David office will be making Ryu has appointed recommendations to architect Lisa Landthe Commission in worth DeBolske as its the coming weeks,” first member. A USC Bernstein added. graduate and head Once in place, the of her own firm, she four board members is an HPOZ veteran; will appoint the fifth she was on the initial board of the Miracle INITIAL board member from a pool Lisa of renters or owners Mile North HPOZ and member Landworth De- and with input from served as chairperson Bolske. the area’s Neighborand also served on the Westwood Design Review hood Council. The city council approved Board. She will be joined by four the preservation ordinance last more members who will re- year to protect the character of view residents’ applications the neighborhood and the arfor remodels and renovations. chitecture of the area’s many “The board and City Planning Period Revival-style homes. HPOZ effective 5/1/17 staff work in tandem to oversee While the interim review the HPOZ,” said Bernstein. “On some types of smaller process has been running ‘conforming work’ approvals, smoothly, “a few developers the board is the decision mak- had put in applications beer; other types of conforming tween the time the Interim work requests are delegated to Control Ordinance protection Planning staff for approval. On expired and the HPOZ took larger additions or more sub- effect on May 1, so there will stantial changes requiring a be a few more developments ‘Certificate of Appropriateness’ that don’t fall under the new or ‘Certificate of Compatibility,’ guidelines,” said Mark Zecca, Planning staff is the final deci- a member of the Miracle Mile

Park La Brea Residents annual meeting is Jan. 14

By Gregory Cornfield The Park La Brea Residents Association will host its annual meeting at noon on Sun., Jan. 14, at the Park La Brea Activity Center. Association leaders will discuss plans for 2018, review finances, and hold a vote to elect board members for the next year. Park La Brea residents are encouraged to attend and present any issues regarding the quality of life at the 4,224unit apartment complex. Residents are welcome to organize new activities or propose new advocacy issues. For example,

the residential association supports the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance, and the association is taking a survey regarding the post office’s policy about delivering to residents’ front doors. Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-50) also will speak at the meeting. The Park La Brea Residents Association aims to protect residents’ rights, act as a liaison with management, and enhance quality of life in the community. For information, visit PLBRA.org.

Neighborhood grant application deadline is March 23

The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council is now accepting applications for its 2017-2018 Neighborhood Purposes Grant Awards. The awards assist permanent neighborhood improvements that are cooperative ventures among community groups. This year the GWNC will be awarding

two grants of up to $1,000 each. The grants can be used by either 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or public schools for community improvement projects. Applications are due Fri., March 23 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced Wed., April 11. For more information, visit greaterwilshire.org/npg.

Residential Association. Large, out-of-scale, boxy homes prompted the yearslong effort in the first place. It can take “two years to get an area acquainted with the new overlay procedures. There will always be some property owners that need to be brought on board before they make arrangements with contractors for work,” Zecca added. Among the communication efforts was a city mailing of postcards to all property owners alerting them to the change and the weblinks to follow for proper procedure

and to get requests cleared. The MMRA posted an “ABC’s of HPOZ” on its website. As new property owners buy into the area, they get a welcome packet informing them of their City Planning HPOZ staff member, Christina Park, christina.park@lacity.org. “We urge all property owners to go to the city’s website for the Miracle Mile HPOZ, https://preservation.lacity. org/miracle-mile. It is important for them to look up their property by street address and to study the new guidelines,” says Zecca.

Paint exempt, roof is not Before any work is done, it is best to send Christina Park an email stating the nature of the project. She will guide the residents through the process. Some items like paint color are exempt from review. Zecca recounted that “a new neighbor of mine applied for a permit for a new roof recently. Christina cleared it within three business days, and the permit was issued on the fourth business day. Pretty efficient, I would say, as long as property owners follow the procedure.”

Linda Key Biro

January 22, 1940 – November 29, 2017 Born in Encino, among the orange groves of the San Fernando Valley. At the age of nine her family moved to the thriving artists’ colony of Carmel-by-the-Sea, where Linda finished grade school and attended Carmel High School. Her father, Donald Teague, was a famous artist and illustrator, his work appearing in Colliers and The Saturday Evening Post. Her family travelled extensively in Europe during her young years and later, when she attended Mills College. A drama major at Mills, she worked as a stage manager at the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop, as executive secretary to one of the producers at KGO television in San Francisco, and at the famous design firm of Logan, Carey & Rehag. She was aide, curator and adviser to her father in dealing with various museums and galleries, and in 2013 was the spokeswoman at a major Donald Teague show at the Bohemian Club in San Francisco. Prior to this event, a woman had never been asked to address a general meeting at the Bohemian Club. Linda was active in Junior League and was a longtime member of the Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. She owned and lived in a gabled Paul Williams house in Hancock Park for over thirty years, still her family home. Linda died suddenly and unexpectedly, after a startlingly brief illness. We remember her, from girlhood to her final days, as a person who made you feel very special. One of hers. Included. Important. Loved. Linda is survived by her husband, Pete Biro, whom she had met many years before at Logan Carey, and by her sons Robert M. Key, Michael Scott Key and Scott Gale. Adv.

Katherine Kage Bennett April 14, 1944 - October 27, 2017

Kathy was born on April 14, 1944 to Gordon and Marijane Kage in Fresno California, where her father was stationed with the Air Force. A selfdescribed “Air Force Brat”, she grew up in Tokyo and Honolulu before attending Chapel Hill High School in North Carolina, where she was a Junior Olympic swimmer and Homecoming queen. After attending Peace College in Raleigh, NC, she met her husband, Bob Bennett, a basketball player from nearby University of North Carolina. The two soon married. Both work and their mutual adventuresome spirits brought them to Los Angeles. There she raised her two boys and gave her time generously, always helping at her children’s schools, Hancock Park events, and local charities. An avid photographer, her pictures captured the lives of friends and family and are still cherished. She loved tennis and found time to play often with the “tennis gang.” She also enjoyed needlepoint, spending time with friends while creating Christmas stockings and ornaments for the family. She was vivacious, thoughtful and loving - and also

tough as nails! Cancer was no match for her, and twice she came home to find a burglar in the house … both times she chased him out! Kathy is survived by her husband Bob of San Antonio, two sons Lee of Los Angeles and Bob of San Diego, brother Gordon of Virginia, and sisters Barbara of Raleigh, NC and Elizabeth of Hurdle Mills, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Adv.

SECTION ONE

JaNuary 2018

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