Larchmont Chronicle
VOL. 57, NO. 11 • DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
NOVEMBER 2019
Larchmont loses two large ficus trees
IN THIS ISSUE
n Replacements do not block signage
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT 9
PHOTO ABOVE shows Ronald Simms building after Oct. 11 demolition of ficus trees. Two replacement African fern pines are visible.
LACMA on the move. 14
By Billy Taylor Two healthy and mature ficus trees on Larchmont Boulevard, located in front of the Rite Aid store, got the axe last month despite efforts by the local neighborhood association to save the side-by-side trees. Work to remove the two trees began Oct. 7 followed by removal and replacement of 90 linear feet of sidewalk. African fern pine trees, from 24See Trees, p 29
Larchmont to celebrate the season n Good cheer Nov. 30
GONE but not forgotten on Citrus. 29
BRIDGE housing gets warm opening. 2-20 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
Hear live holiday music, take a free trolley and see Santa at the Larchmont Boulevard Association’s annual Holiday Open House and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Santa will arrive at the tree lot by a fire truck, and the free trolley will transport shoppers between Melrose Avenue and First Street. Live music along the boulevard will be provided by musicians from Rhodes School of Music. Small Business Saturday This event is in conjunction with American Express’ Small Business Saturday to encourage shopping at small, local businesses and to keep communities strong and vibrant. Locally, authors, screen writers and other authors will be at Chevalier’s Books to answer questions. At Landis Stationery, Sally Jacobs will autograph her artwork. Mae See Larchmont, p 8
Holidays on Larchmont
Merriment and good cheer will be enjoyed by all in the Larchmont Chronicle annual Holiday Edition in the December issue. Advertising deadline is Thurs., Nov. 14. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241, ext. 11.
LARCHMONT FICUS TREES one week preceding their demolition.
A little giving can go a long way n St. Anne’s 80th Boutique; food drives and gift lists among opportunities By Rachel Olivier Giving a little time, attention or resources can have a ripple effect in people’s lives, doing more good than we can imagine. The holiday season provides ample opportunities for
helping others in the community and making a difference. The following local charities would love help and donations. Often events are available throughout the year, so check for chances to give back
year-round.
• • • St. Anne’s Guild, 155 N. Occidental Blvd., will hold its 80th annual Christmas Boutique Sat., Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 See Giving, p 5
Marat Ballet leaps to its next stage in life n Light-filled studios welcome students By Suzan Filipek Marat Daukayev School of Ballet has found a new home, after a full-out search that included parents and students and was supported partly by a gofundme.com campaign. Scheduled to open as we went to press, the muchbeloved area school signed a five-year lease for a 10,000-square foot space on the second floor of the Equitable Plaza building, at 3435 Wilshire Blvd. “It’s a 12-minute drive from Wilshire / La Brea,” COSTUMES from the school’s huge collecSee Marat Ballet, p 25 tion are stored on site at the new location.
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
Editorial
Calendar
By John Welborne
The Demolition Issue Can this November Larchmont Chronicle be called the “demolition issue”? Demolition of trees on Larchmont. Demolition of an historic house on Citrus. Well, at least the prospect of demolition of two healthy ficus trees — that were blocking the bright Rite Aid sign at the Ronald Simms buildings on Larchmont Boulevard — was the subject of community debate during the past several years. While there may be differences of opinion still, there was a process that allowed the community to get involved and that ultimately led to the planting of two slightly larger size (24-inch boxes) replacement trees. But as to the beautiful home designed in 1927 by architects Henry Knauer and Clarence Smale, at 361 N. Citrus on the corner of Oakwood, that was a sneaky, surprise demolition on Oct. 23. People with knowledge say the legally required notice of demolition was not posted for thirty days. As you will read in the Letter to the Editor from the disappointed sellers, who believe they were lied to by the purchaser, the seller’s goal was to have the house preserved. You will have to judge about the ethics, or lack thereof, involved in this transaction. But stewards of beautiful homes, when selling, should adopt this slightly altered old adage: “Seller beware.”
Sun., Nov. 3 – Daylight Savings time ends at 2 a.m. Turn clocks back one hour. Mon., Nov. 11 – Veterans Day. Wed., Nov. 13 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council meeting, The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 7 p.m. greaterwilshire.org. Wed., Nov. 13 – Brookside meeting, Memorial Library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., 6:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 14 – Windsor Square Association annual “Town Hall” meeting, The Ebell, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 7 p.m. Sun., Nov. 17 – “Ebell Voices 125 Years,” The Ebell of Los Angeles, 741 S. Lucerne Blvd., 4 p.m. ebellofla.com/club. Thurs., Nov. 21 – John Burroughs Middle School meeting on modernization draft environmental impact report, 600 S. McCadden Pl., 6 p.m. Visit achieve.lausd.net/CEQA.
Thanks for Joining Us and Take a Look at the Trees on the Website The HPHOA annual meeting was a big success and we thank all of our members who attended. We also thank Councilman Ryu for discussing the homeless situation and the steps being taken to help people into housing. We thank representatives of the LAPD and private security services who were there and we especially thank Marlborough School for hosting the meeting. Remember, if there was an issue discussed that you’d like to be more involved with, contact us via the website and we’ll get you on a committee - https://www. hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ The Tree Committee has recently updated the HPHOA website section on ‘Trees’ and invites you to take a look. In addition to helpful information about taking care of our parkway trees and how to get a new one if you’re missing a tree, there are pictures of new trees that will ultimately replace some of the original species. Due to drought conditions, insect infestation, and pollution, a number of the tree species, including sycamores, are no longer viable in our parkways. The Tree Committee has worked with the City’s Department of Urban Forestry and our arborist, Sabine Hoppner, to develop a list of replacement species. Take a look and let us know what you think! As the Annual Meeting and the work on our parkway trees shows, Hancock Park is lucky to have people who, while not living in Hancock Park, care enough to dedicate time and attention to our neighborhood. We want to particularly thank Sabine for her constant attention to our trees. She finds saplings to nurture, plants them, waters them (to get them established), and checks to see that they’re doing well.
If you’re planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, including hardscaping and windows, don’t forget that Hancock Park is an HPOZ. Be sure to check with our City Planner, Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@ lacity.org), before starting. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ, can be found at http://www.preservation. lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation. lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System — tinyurl.com/yyr3unhc — and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180. Adv.
That’s the question inquiring photographer Talia Abrahamson asked locals along Larchmont Blvd.
Thurs., Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Day. Sat., Nov. 30 – Small Business Saturday and Holiday Open House on Larchmont Boulevard, noon to 5 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1 – Hollywood Christmas Parade on Hollywood Blvd., 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 5 – Delivery of the Larchmont Chronicle.
Letters to the Editor Tree vandalism and hypocrisy on Larchmont
So in one afternoon, decades and decades of tree growth was destroyed to the wishes of one landlord (acquiesced to by the Larchmont Boulevard Association and Councilman Ryu). The benefits of urban canopy are gone. The newsstand is now blasted by light so that the employees have to jerry-rig umbrellas and shade, since it’s basically too hot to stand there after 1 p.m. The tree bed to the north was moved further north, so that there is now a large space, breaking the rhythm of the trees and of course leaving the Rite-Aid sign in full view. The sidewalk work is incorrectly done, with no effort to match earlier scoring or texture of earlier paving, and of course there are no new trees.
‘What are your Thanksgiving plans?’
The Larchmont Boulevard Association and Councilman Ryu have ignored the desire — and work — of a community that has been asking for a PLAN to deal with the trees, and they bear responsibility for vandalism of the street. And Ryu’s office has the nerve to send a letter out today trumpeting support for tree care and conservation. Shame on him for this blatant hypocrisy. Further, one can laugh at Larchmont and its 25 coffee shops and its various pretentions, but it is a street that has supported a bookstore and a (Please turn to page 26) 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.
“We are hosting a big Thanksgiving meal with lots of family and friends. Probably 17 people are coming over.” Michael Peter and McClane Peter (3) Larchmont Village
“Likely we will visit my inlaws in Torrance. My wife has three other siblings, and they all have their families, so that’s a really big gathering down there.” James Standish Hancock Park
Larchmont Chronicle Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Associate Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Advertising Director Pam Rudy Advertising Sales Caroline Tracy 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
2020 Census: now hiring workers The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a national recruitment effort to hire approximately 500,000 temporary workers to help conduct the 2020 Census. Pay rates vary depending on where the job is located, from $13.50 to $30 per hour. The selection process for census taker positions begins in January 2020, with paid training occurring in March and April. The mailed census arrives in March. Door-to-door enumeration of households that do not respond begins in May and goes through early July. More information is at 2020census.gov.
“Have a huge dinner at my house with lots of people.” Amy Semmel Windsor Square
“Traditional family dinner. We’re going to go to family and show up with sweets.” Stefan and Wilma Novak with Thor the Frenchie Larchmont Village
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
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Japan honors Dr. Takei for promoting modern dentistry By Suzan Filipek Dr. Henry Takei was honored last month at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan for bringing cutting-edge periodontic dentistry to Japan. The Hancock Park resident was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for also promoting academic exchange between Japan and the U.S. Many of Takei’s UCLA clinical professors and colleagues attended the Oct. 15 ceremony at the consular residence on Hudson Avenue in Hancock Park. “It is my honor to welcome many UCLA faculty members as well as celebrate the many accomplishments of Dr. Takei. Mr. Takei is a formidable figure within his profession,” Consul
SECTION ONE
OUR MAN IN BLUE.
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POLICE BEAT 4 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE 9 On the Menu 15 Theater Review 18 At the Movies 19
SECTION TWO VIEW:
Real Estate, Around the Town, Schools, Libraries, Museums, Home & Garden
BRIDGE HOUSE.
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AROUND THE TOWN 2 REAL ESTATE SALES 6 HOME GROUND 9 ON BOOKS AND PLACES 10 SCHOOL NEWS 11 COUNCIL REPORT 17 LIBRARIES 19 MUSEUM ROW 19 BRIDGE MATTERS 22 PROFESSOR 23 CLASSIFIED ADS 23
General Akira Muto said in the opening remarks. Born to a Japanese American family, Takei grew up in internment camps during World War II. He would later travel to Japan as part of a medical journey but also as a cultural and personal one. “I wanted in some way to give back to the land of my ancestors,” he told the audience. What started as small study groups has grown to a national symposium with the help and support of his colleagues, his mentors and his friends on both sides of the Pacific. “These collaborations allowed me to succeed. Education is a fundamental right and requires constant upgrade… I’m very grateful to each and every one of you,” Takei said. “He is passionate about his teaching, his patients, his students. He’s an amazing mentor. He does this for
other people, not for himself,” said Dr. Paul Krebsbach, dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry. Takei has won many awards in his long career at UCLA, including being named Outstanding Professor eight times. And, added Krebsbach, he treats people with great respect and kindness from the highest offices of government to the night crew. He also likes to tell jokes. “It doesn’t matter that he has more than 50 years of service to UCLA, or that he’s a HONOREE Dr. Henry Takei and his wife une last month at the O cial Resiworld renowned masdence of the onsul eneral of apan. ter technician. He loves to teach a new get to the root of the probstudent [how to do a root ca- lem,’” Krebsbach said. nal] and say, ‘We’re going to As a clinical professor at the
Section of Periodontics, UCLA School of Dentistry, Takei collaborated with Meikai University and Asahi University, and they established a Cultural Student Exchange Program. A total of 385 students and lecturers have participated since its beginnings in 1993. Since 1973, Takei has lectured at several educational institutes and universities in Japan. These lectures have provided leading-edge education to thousands of dentists throughout Japan and have contributed to the development of the field of periodontics, especially in periodontology and implant therapy. Takei also is an editor of “Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology,” and he wrote “Periodontics and Implant Therapy,” published in Japan, which is considered a must-read for young dentists.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
New leadership at Wilshire Division police station By Billy Taylor There’s a new commanding officer at the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Wilshire Division station. Capt. Timothy Nordquist — who succeeded Capt. Anthony Oddo in May — brings with him nearly three decades of experience in public service. Last month, Nordquist invited the Chronicle to the Wilshire station to chat about crime in the community. Originally from Minnesota, Nordquist began his career in 1990 as a firefighter at a local
fire department, but after a few years transitioned into law enforcement, working as an officer at Circle Pine (Minnesota) and Dearborn (Michigan) departments. Then, in 1999, Nordquist headed west after being hired by the LAPD. “I used to come out to Los Angeles on vacation because I had family here,” explained Nordquist. “I loved it here so much, and I was tired of the Michigan winters,” he says with a laugh. “In all honesty, I was drawn
to the LAPD because of its reputation for professionalism, and for its immense capabilities and resources,” said Nordquist, who noted that the LAPD is the third largest police department in the nation. Was the move from a small department in Michigan to the LAPD a big change? I asked. “I was looking for a big change,” said Nordquist. “But one of the good things about the LAPD is that we have all of these resources, but at the same time, we bring it all back to the communities.
POLICE BEAT
Vehicles a target for smash and grab WILSHIRE DIVISION ASSAULT: A woman walking near the corner of June Street and Wilshire Boulevard was punched by a man suspected to be a transient after she refused to hand over her purse to the suspect on Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m. BURGLARY THEFTS FROM VEHICLES: A vehicle parked on the 500 block of N. Rossmore Ave. had its passenger window smashed and money was removed between Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. The rear glass window was removed from a vehicle parked in a garage of an apartment building on the 700 block of S. Sycamore Ave. and computer equipment was stolen between Oct. 6 at 9:45 p.m.
WILSHIRE DIVISION
OLYMPIC DIVISION
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo
213-793-0650 31646@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdwilshire
213-793-0709 31762@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdolympic
and Oct. 7 at 1:30 a.m. A laptop computer, iPad and mobile phone were among the items stolen from inside a car parked in the garage of an apartment building on the 400 block of S. Detroit St. between Oct. 12 at 11:30 p.m. and Oct. 13 at 10:30 a.m. OLYMPIC DIVISION BURGLARY: A suspect entered a home on the 700 block of S. Bronson Ave.
through a front window while the homeowner was inside. After hearing a noise from the victim, the suspect fled the property empty-handed on Oct. 18 at 8:45 a.m. Unknown property was taken from inside a home on the 100 block of N. Gramercy Pl. after a suspect pried open a rear window and ransacked the interior between Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 8:50 p.m.
“So, in reality, one LAPD station, like the one here at Wilshire, is no different than a typical police station in other parts of the country.” Nordquist holds a bachelor of arts from North Central University as well as a masters of science in emergency services administration from Cal State Long Beach. Wilshire crime Turning to challenges specific to Wilshire, Nordquist said that he was happy to report that violent crime in the community has gone down across the board. (Wilshire Division includes local neighborhoods primarily west of Gower Street, Plymouth Blvd. and Crenshaw Blvd.) Violent crime in Wilshire is down nine percent this year compared to last, according to Nordquist, who notes that there were no murders in the area, rapes were down 45 percent, and there was a 60 percent reduction in shooting victims this year. Still, there’s work to be done: Car break-ins are up 32 percent. “This area, in Wilshire, is leading the entire city in car breakins,” said Nordquist. “Drivers leave bags in their cars, and suspects are watching them. We try to keep educating the community of the importance of not
POLICE Capt. Timothy Nordquist has served with the LAPD since 1999.
leaving anything in the car.” Perhaps more alarmingly, Nordquist said that they have identified organized crews from Northern California who are coming down in groups of four or five in rented cars for the weekend to break into as many cars as possible before fleeing back north. “We really need the public’s help in reporting suspicious people. If you see someone walking down the street looking into cars, that’s not normal! If you see someone doing that, we want you to call the police,” urged Nordquist. The number to call is 213473-0476.
SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 30TH 11:30AM - 4:30PM
Join us for the
AMERICAN EXPRESS SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY #SHOPSMALL
FOOD LIVE MUSIC 321 N. Larchmont Blvd. Suite 906 323.464.8046 rebeccafitzgeraldmd.com
TROLLEY SANTA
RAFFLES & MORE
SANTA IS COMING TO LARCHMONT BLVD! PRESENTED BY THE LARCHMONT BLVD. ASSOCIATION
Larchmont Chronicle
Giving (Continued from page 1) p.m. Enjoy hearing Christmas carols played on the piano and listen to the Christ the King choir while shopping. Santa is also scheduled to make an appearance. Besides holiday décor, there will be thrift shop finds, independent vendors selling their wares, and baked goods available for purchase. Proceeds benefit St. Anne’s home. St. Anne’s is collecting gifts for babies ages newborn to three and teenage girls ages 13 to 18. Gift cards from major retailers and grocers are also welcome. Deadline for the drive is Sat., Dec. 21. Bring wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors and tape to wrap gifts for residents Tues., Dec. 17 and Wed., Dec. 18. Contact Ardriono “Oge” Aldridge at aaldridge@stannes.org or call 213-381-2931, ext. 341. • • • Get to know Alexandria
NOVEMBER 2019
House, 426 S. Alexandria Ave., at a free “Tea and Tour” event Sun., Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn what the transitional home provides while enjoying tea, finger sandwiches and desserts. Hear stories from current and past residents, and then take a tour. In December, help Alexandria House launch #GivingTuesday Tues., Dec. 3 and come back for the neighborhood holiday party Sat., Dec. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. Donations of gifts or gift cards are also greatly appreciated. Contact Michele Richards at 213-381-2649 or michele@alexandriahouse.org. • • • Celebrating 100 years, Assistance League of Los Angeles, 826 Cole Ave., which includes Operation School Bell, the Nine O’Clock Players, the Assisteens, and other groups, has many opportunities for giving back. In November, there is a family day of service at the Assistance League Theatre, 1367 N. St. Andrews Pl., Sat., Nov. 16, 10 a.m.
skin
deep
to 1 p.m. Participants make “nosew blankets” for foster youth. Call 323-545-4847 or email events@assistanceleaguela.org. • • • Aviva Family and Children’s Services, 7120 Franklin Ave., is looking for people to participate in the Adopt-a-Family-and/ or-Foster-Child holiday drive. Participants contribute to the family or foster child’s holiday using a wish list of wants and needs. Provided with the wish list is the family or child’s story to give the adopter a better idea of how to shop for them. Gifts must be unwrapped. Deadline is Fri., Nov. 29. Contact Azucena Navarrete at 323-876-0550, ext. 1122 or anavarrete@aviva.org. • • • Big Sunday, 6111 Melrose Ave., has a complete list of ways to volunteer over the holidays, including helping to pack dinners at the Thanksgiving Stuffing Event Wed., Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to noon. A sing-along with seniors for
Q: How do I choose between Ultherapy and Thermage? A: While both popular FDAapproved options have become modern day alternatives to a face lift, your best choice really comes down to how you age. Both devices use heat to stimulate collagen production in the deep layers of the skin: radiofrequency (FR) energy from Thermage, and ultrasound technology from Ultherapy. Here’s where it gets specific to you. We can generally categorize the way faces age into what some call “sinkers” and “saggers.” While we’re all a combo of both types, we tend to lean toward one over the other. If you’ve had a fairly angular face through the years and volume loss and thin creepy skin are what you’re looking to improve, you’re a sinker. If you started off with a fuller face and are now eyeing folds and jowls in the mirror, yes, you’re a sagger. I promise the news gets better. A sinker will reap greater benefit from the skin-tightening skills of Thermage. The treatment is superb at smoothing lines and wrinkles. So much so that Thermage can function as a Botox alternative for brow lines. Ulthera’s deep tissuelifting capability is ideal for saggers. Imagine a restored smooth jawline, lifted jowls and improved facial contours. And if you’re truly a combination of both facial aging types, we can customize our approach for you with both Thermage and Ulthera. Contact our office for your face lift alternative consultation and let’s get started.
Hanukkah is Wed., Dec. 11, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hear holiday music by singers and musicians in the Big Sunday community Sat., Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Have more holiday fun Sun., Dec. 15, 3 to 5 p.m. at the annual holiday party. Donations of food, clothing and other items are also welcome. Call 323-549-9944 or visit bigsunday.org. • • • Spend a night on the street with Covenant House of California at its Executive Sleep Out, Thurs., Nov. 21, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Participants pledge to stay out-
side overnight for 12 hours to help raise money for the youth homeless shelter for people ages 18 to 24 at 1325 N. Western Ave. Covenant House also appreciates donations of gift cards, items such as towels, blankets, books, clothes and portable chargers. A wish list is available on the charity’s website. Celebrate Thanksgiving Tuesday, Tues., Nov. 26, 6 to 8 p.m. Guests and volunteers are encouraged to donate $10 to $25 gift cards, new blankets, twin sheet sets or bath towels. (Please turn to page 25)
WINDSOR SQUARE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. Ebell Club of Los Angeles 743 S. Lucerne Boulevard (at Wilshire) (parking lot entrance on Eighth Street)
• Larchmont Street Trees and Sidewalks • Historic Preservation • Public Safety • Squeaky Wheel Award • Election of WSA 2019-2020 Directors
• Panel Discussion on Homeless Issues —— David Ryu, Fourth District Councilmember —— Tammy Rosato, Midtown Los Angeles Homeless Coalition, —— La Brea Hancock Homeowners Association President —— John Welborne, Windsor Square, Moderator
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THANKSGIVING “TURKEY” volunteer Dave Cooper leads kids in a tur e dance at ig Sunda s Than sgi ing Stu ng ent last year.
You are cordially invited to the
by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certified Dermatologist located in Larchmont Village with a special focus on anti-aging technology. She is a member of the Botox Cosmetic National Education Faculty and is an international Training Physician for Dermik, the makers of the injectable Sculptra. She is also among a select group of physicians chosen to teach proper injection techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing filler, around the world. Dr. Fitzgerald is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA. Visit online at www.RebeccaFitzgeraldMD. com or call (323) 464-8046 to schedule an appointment. Adv.
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Refreshments will be served
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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Dream catcher, veteran TV writer has some tips for the Chronicle know that person…” It was with Rabbi William Cutter that he dreamed up the story idea on walks in the neighborhood when the two discuss everything from “Moses to Donald Trump…. It’s been a long, wonderful relationship. I ended up reading the Torah a couple of times...” Donley tells us.
LARCHMONT OPTOMETRICS
(323) 465-9682 317 NORTH LARCHMONT BLVD
©LC1119
By Suzan Filipek Television and film writer John Donley visited the Larchmont Chronicle office recently to pitch an idea: “I love this community, but there are many people here you don’t know who they are… each month you should profile someone in the neighborhood in which we’d get to
Cutter returns the compliment. “He’s a wonderful human being,” the rabbi said of Donley. “People want to have something to look forward to…” Donley told us. Profiles of local people “would increase readership.” But, the point, he added, would be to uplift the community. “There’s so much division in the world. I love finding ways to bring people together. We’re so caught up in our tribal beliefs… “I like to believe there’s something within us that we can transcend.” We agreed. Here’s our profile of John Donley: John Donley’s local career dates back to the groundbreaking Norman Lear TV shows of the 1970s, almost as long as he has been enamored with his Larchmont neighborhood. “I walk everywhere, and so I’ve gotten to know a lot of people,” he tells us. He’s heard plenty of rumors and stories over the years, even one involving a murder(!). A tale that particularly fascinates him is about Babe Ruth, who had dated a woman who had lived next door to his home. “There should be a televi-
John Donley
sion show made” on the community, he muses. “What an incredible neighborhood.” His most recent endeavor is a film script that time travels to slavery in the south, a subject he knows a bit about. A descendant of slaves — Donley’s great-great grandfather inherited 40 acres and a mule after the Civil War, the appropriated amount for former slaves, but which few ever received. His relative was among the lucky ones, Donley tell us. His youthful looks and upbeat disposition aren’t from a life of leisure. “I spent countless grueling hours and endless days picking and chopping cotton on a farm outside Gould, Arkansas, laboring beneath the hot Delta sun beside
my sharecropping parents.” It was there that he dreamed of baseball. “My body may have been present in those fields, but my heart and mind were always far, far away… turning plays with the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team and hanging out with my idols Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays… “To say that I hated farming then and hate it now is a grave understatement.” When he graduated from Gould High School, he headed to Chicago and tried out for the Chicago Cubs. “Like all the other young dreamers there, I was trying to put one over the wall. The home run didn’t happen, but my single fired up enough hope and imagination in me that all I saw were fluttering green dollar bills falling from the sky.” The coach was not impressed, but an undeterred Donley next tried out for the Chicago White Sox. While his dreams of baseball never materialized, another would come into view: “While stationed with the United States Army in Germany, I watched a production of Anton Chekhov’s play, ‘A Marriage Proposal.’ I was fascinated. I would become an actor!” (Please turn to page 8)
Special thanks to Betsy Malloy and Vivian Gueler, co-chairs, for their continuing efforts in organizing the 2019 Larchmont Family Fair.
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The Larchmont Boulevard Association Thanks Our 2019 Fair Sponsors!
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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John Donley
(Continued from page 6) And, so, like countless others before him, he headed to Los Angeles to follow his new dream. Eventually he turned to writing, having learned from acting classes what makes for a good story, and he brushed up on his grammar — segregated schools of his youth left
Larchmont Chronicle
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him unprepared for the world of syntax, he said. “I poured my heart and love for my people into comedic scripts and materials that tackled significant issues in Black culture…” He sold pilots and spec scripts for “Sanford and Son” and “The Flip Wilson Show,” and one day he received “the call” from legendary television writer and producer Norman
Lear. “He invited me to pitch ideas for a new TV show. This and other attention to my work led to the success of my dreams — a career of writing material for some of television’s most popular shows of all time, and some of the entertainment industry’s most beloved legends and icons.” Donley’s credits include “Good Times,” “The Jeffersons,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Benson,” and “Who’s the Boss.” He won the NAACP Image Award for best situation comedy in 1984. More recently he was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Oct. 26 in Little Rock, which, he said, “is beyond humbling.” He has taught writing in South Los Angeles and Watts, and he’s proud of his daughters, who, after he moved to Larchmont Blvd. in 1980, he dreamed of sending to Marlborough School. And he did. Jonako went on to Columbia University and holds a master’s from USC School of Cinematic Arts and is a film producer. Sachiko is a Yale gradu-
Larchmont (Continued from page 1) Hirota of Faux Sweets will show her Christmas tree ornaments. Pickett Fences will have a jewelry trunk show.
ate who has a Ph.D. degree in developmental psychology from UC Irvine. She is Director of Studies at Wilson College at Princeton University. But back to the point, Donley continues: “I’m convinced that there’s a plethora of great stories right under our noses, in our neighborhood, that would not only make for fascinating reading, with the built-in capacity to
hook the reader into looking forward to the next monthly story — which, by the way, would better serve the newspaper’s objective of increased readership and increased ad placement…” He just didn’t expect to be the subject of his story pitch. “I just never thought it would be of me… This is a wonderful community. I feel so blessed.”
RUDY AND ERNEST
Family Owned and Operated
After 40 years,
Brothers will be closing! Come in today and leave happy with items all at SALE prices! FREE PARKING LIC#1942-0959
5901 Melrose (corner of Cahuenga) 323.462.5599
Black Dog Coffee Black Dog Coffee has been serving Miracle Mile since 1998! Gather your friends or pups at this cozy spot and enjoy the delightful selection of coffee, drinks, pastries and sandwiches. 5657 Wilshire Bl Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.933.1976
Cafe Latte
MIRACLE MILE Support local businesses as we build the Metro Purple Line Extension. Discover more businesses at metro.net/eatshopplay.
Open M–Sat 10–5 Closed Sunday
Choose from a variety of delicious options including spinach and romaine salads, meatloaf, pasta and burgers. Vegan and vegetarian options available. 6254 Wilshire Bl Los Angeles, CA 90048 323.936.5213
Roccoʼs Neighborhood Pizza Rocco's Neighborhood Pizza on Wilshire opened in 2000. Pizzas are hand-tossed using homemade dough, made fresh all day, every day! Rocco's does the east coast style here in the west coast! 6335 Wilshire Bl Los Angeles, CA 90048 323.655.0058
©LC0919
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Larchmont Chronicle 2019
Dining & Entertainment Guide No time to cook a holiday turkey? No problem! By Sondi Toll Sepenuk Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be quite a chore. Of course, with all the wonderful restaurants that abound in our com-
R ORDER YOU AY HOLIDARLY! E BIRDPSPLIES ARE SU
LI M I T
ED
munity, you always can go out for the feast — if the restaurants are open on the holiday. But eating at a home is the most likely Thanksgiving scenario for most of us, and that usually involves much time spent planning, shopping, preparing, cooking and baking. As an alternative, you can just as easily pick up the phone and call one of these local grocers or restaurants who have conveniently prepared everything for you! So, if you find yourself just wanting to relax and leave the cooking to someone else, here are a few local ideas: Opened just five months ago, Sprouts at 1302 S. La Brea Ave. and San Vicente Blvd. is offering several different dinner selections that will appeal to every hungry family member’s tummy. As of press time, prices were still being finalized, but based on previous years’ pricing, here’s what you can expect: Dinner for
two ($29.99) includes a cooked turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread, a vegetable, stuffing, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. The family meal, which serves six to eight people, includes a 10- to 12-pound precooked turkey, plus all the same sides as the two-person order ($59.99). For those who want something a little different, Sprouts also offers a Thanksgiving feast with ham or prime rib ($69.99). For dessert, don’t forget to snatch up the fresh pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie! Jenny Mendez, Sprout’s deli manager at the S. La Brea location, has ordered the feasts for over a decade. “I’ve been working here for 12 years, and I buy one of these meals for my family every year,” she reveals. To order, go online to Sprouts. com, or call the store directly at 323-801-7510. (Please turn to page 12)
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
GROCERY STORE
& THANKSGIVING HEADQUARTERS
JIM CASCONE FARMERS MARKET POULTRY OFFERING A HOST OF FRESH, ALL-NATURAL TURKEYS INCLUDING DIESTEL. STALL #216 • (323)936-8158
CODY & THOMAS DEROSA MARCONDA’S PURITAN POULTRY OFFERING A WIDE VARIETY OF FRESH, ALL-NATURAL TURKEYS INCLUDING WILLIE BIRD. STALL #226 • (323)938-0312
S
ince 1934, The Original Farmers Market has been serving our local neighborhoods with the finest groceries available. Our artisan grocers are the best in the business, offering the absolute freshest meats, seafood, produce, pies and baked goods imaginable. Plus, we’ve recently added new gourmet olive oil, California cheese and floral shops to complete your shopping list. Visit us soon at Third and Fairfax or at farmersmarketla.com to learn more about our delivery options.
HOME TO
L.A.’s BEST LOCAL GROCERS 2 HOURS COMPLIMENTARY PARKING with purchase validation at either poultry purveyor.
6333 W. THIRD ST. • LOS ANGELES • 323.933.9211 FARMERSMARKETLA.COM /FARMERSMARKETLA Insta
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Sip and shop at JLLA’s Harvest Boutique Dec. 8 Tickets are on sale now for the Junior League of Los Angeles 20th annual Harvest Boutique, which will be held on Sun., Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Montage Beverly Hills. A VIP shopping hour, from
9 to 10 a.m., will be followed by Sip and Shop, brunch and the program at this “2019 Emerald Anniversary Celebration.” A silent auction closes at 2 p.m. This year’s honorees are philanthropists Ginger Barnard,
Lucia Diaz and Alex Morales. Tickets start at $25 for Sip and Shop, which includes admission to a curated boutique with 30 vendors and a champagne reception. Tickets can be purchased at jlla.org. Visit JLLA.org.
Angelini
Pink’s Hot Dogs, at historic Pink’s Square, 709 N. La Brea Ave., will celebrate its 80th year beginning Fri., Nov. 8 through Fri., Nov. 15. To help celebrate, customers can purchase “Chili Dogs for Charity” for 80 cents
Yoga is on the menu at JFLA
TM
O S T E R I A by Gino Angelini
Stretch your body and mind in Bilingual Yoga at Lunchtime Wed., Nov. 6 at 12:30 adn 1 p.m. at the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, 5700 Wilshire Blvd. No reservations required. All are welcome. Learn a few Japanese phrases during the class, which will take place in a chair; no yoga mat or change of clothes necessary. Other events this month include: “Samurai Spirit Alive” Tues., Nov. 12 at 7 p.m., and “Spirit of Japan: Shinto & Gagaku” Mon., Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Both lectures and demonstrations are free but reservations are required. Visit jflalc.org.
Book your
with us!
Angelini A L I M E N TA R I
Pink’s Hot Dogs turns 80 Nov. 8 during an 80-minute window each day of the anniversary week. Limits are eight hot dogs per customer. Each of those days, the historic hot dog stand will donate the proceeds from the chili dog sales to a different charity, designated by a different celebrity each night. For more information, visit pinkshollywood. com.
OCT. 27 FAMILY FAIR pie baking contest, adult division, was won by Adena and Jonathan Goldstein (holding Rockstar), shown with son Samson and the winning apple crumble pie.
TM
7313— 7317 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036 | 323.297.0070
Open for Breakfast — Lunch — Dinner — Catering
©LC1119
www.angeliniosteria.com & www.angelinialementari.com catering@angeliniosteria.com
Book Your Holiday Celebrations Now! We Cater, Too! All of our best dishes
Available for 88 years!
Taste the best of Italian cuisine in Los Angeles inside the Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd. at Fairfax Ave.
“The Oldest Mexican Restaurant in Hollywood”
RISTORANTE
www.elcoyotecafe.com
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7312 Beverly Blvd. • 323-939-2255
Reserve: (310) 323-800-2244 dragoristorante.com
Sunday – Thursday: 11 AM -10 PM Friday – Saturday: 11 AM - 11 PM
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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12
No time to cook? No problem (Continued from page 9) • • • Not far up the road, you’ll find Trader Joe’s at 263 S. La Brea Ave. Instead of pre-orders, the grocery will be offering “grab and go” items. All of the mains and sides you would expect will be offered throughout the month: Pre-cooked turkeys, creamed cauliflower,
macaroni & cheese, corn pudding, mashed sweet potatoes, four-cheese scalloped potatoes, fresh turkey gravy and several holiday pies, as well as kosher turkeys (big birds and little birds). “Most turkeys don’t come pre-brined, but ours do,” says store manager Garrett Williamson. “We’re known for that.”
For All Your Holiday Needs! All our turkeys are California grown … Free-Range, Steroid & Hormone Free, Vegetarian- Fed. We proudly feature Diestel Farm Free Range Turkeys. Organic and Heritage Diestel are also available.
323-936-8158
6333 W. 3rd St., Stall # 216 (near Starbucks)
Pre-Order Your Favorite
PIES!
©LC1115
We also carry Shelton, & Harvest Gold brands. You’ll find any kind of poultry from Pheasant to Ducks, Geese, Guinea and Cornish Hens and more!
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
• • • Directly across the street at 260 S. La Brea Ave. is Ralphs grocery, which will be offering a slew of holiday choices. Shoppers can choose from a boneless ham or turkey dinner for four to six people, which includes stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato soufflé, mashed potatoes, gravy, Kings Hawaiian Rolls and a 10-inch pumpkin pie. For parties of six to eight, Ralphs will be offering a prime rib dinner or bone-in choices of a seven to nine pound ham, 10- to 12-pound turkey or 10to 12-pound smoked turkey with all of the aforementioned sides and desserts. • • • At the time the Chronicle went to press, prices had not yet been published. Stop by the store or go online (Ralphs. com) to order. • • • The Fairfax Whole Foods Market at 6350 W. Third Street will be selling a traditional Thanksgiving meal as well. As of press time, details were unavailable, but we’re told that Sat., Nov. 16 will be the date customers can begin ordering online (wholefoodsmarket. com). Then, starting Thurs., Nov. 21, customers can walk into the store to place in-person orders at the holiday table,
usually toward the meat section. • • • In addition to grocery stores, Du-Par’s Restaurant and Bakery at the Original Farmers Market, as well as Wilshire Blvd.’s new Eleven City Diner, also will be offering Thanksgiving options for cookingaverse customers. • • • At Du-Par’s, the mouth-watering options are abundant. Both dine-in and take-out orders include fresh roasted turkey, served with house-made butternut squash soup, homemade garlic mashed potatoes and stuffing, glazed carrots, green beans amandine, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. The Whole Turkey Feast ($225), serving eight to 10 people, comes with two pies, while the Small Turkey Feast ($155), serving four to six people, includes one pie. Guests can also order individual Thanksgiving dinner plates for $29.50 or a child’s plate (three to 11 yrs.) for $17.95. Individual holiday pies include cherry, blueberry, pumpkin, peach, boysenberry, apple, raspberry, mincemeat, sweet potato and pecan, ranging in price from $14.95 to $15.95. Du-Par’s Thanksgiving feasts, both for dine-in and
take-out, are incredibly popular, so if you want to order or make a dine-in reservation, don’t wait! “We sell out and start distributing on the Monday of Thanksgiving week,” reminds Frances Tario, president and CEO of Du-Par’s Restaurants and Bakeries. To order, email Frances at frances@dupars-psr.com or call 323-933-8446, 323-9338447 or 323-933-8440. • • • Eleven City Diner, one of the Miracle Mile’s newest eating establishments (5400 Wilshire Blvd.) will be closed for Thanksgiving, but is offering three spectacular preorder dessert options for pick up. “We will be taking orders for three cakes, which have been a super hit, for pick up the day before the holiday, on Wed., Nov. 27,” says owner Bradley Rubin. The three cakes available are the To-Die-For Chocolate Three Layer Cake for $60, the Juniors NYC Cheesecake (14 slices) for $75, and the Crazy Delish Carrot Cake, a threelayer extravaganza with cream cheese frosting for $60. All orders must be placed no later than Mon., Nov. 25. Call 323761-1211 to place your order. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and bon appétit!
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
LACMA is packing, preparing for construction in early 2020 By Suzan Filipek Statues and portraits are being packed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in preparation for construction of the David Geffen Galleries, set to start in early 2020. The 347,500-square-foot permanent collection building, which will span Wilshire Blvd., replaces four buildings: Ahmanson, Art of the Americas, Bing and Hammer. The latter have already mostly closed pending demolition, and the 31-year-old Pavilion for Japanese Art — in the middle of a two-year renovation — is temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) and the Resnick Pavilion will remain open throughout construction. Visitors also can continue to eat and drink at Ray’s and Stark Bar. Also
god of wine, es,” perhaps the most popular Bacchus, and painting at the Getty, accordthe princess are ing to getty.edu. depicted on the Six sculptures are on loan to Greek island of the South Coast Botanic GarNaxos in the den in Palos Verdes and other painting dating objects are at The Huntington from 1619-20. and at Cedars Sinai Medical Another at the Center. Getty is RemOn view in an original buildbrandt’s com- ing at LACMA is the SnapchatGEFFEN GALLERIES, view east from BCAM. Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner / The Boundary manding “Por- inspired exhibition, “Christrait of Marten tian Marclay: Sound Stories,” open is LACMA Café, located committee is scheduled to reLooten,” a wealthy merchant through Mon., Nov. 11 in the in an Airstream trailer on the view the project Nov. 6. plaza outside of Ray’s. The museum’s holdings con- in 1632. J. Paul Getty pur- Art of the Americas building. “Building LACMA,” feaThe Geffen Galleries build- tinue to be accessible as part of chased the painting in 1938 and gave it to LACMA in 1953, turing renderings of Peter ing is expected to be com- its active traveling program. pleted by the end of 2023 and Seven European paintings a year before he opened his Zumthor’s Geffen Galleries project, is in the Ahmanson open in early 2024, a museum are on display at the Getty Cen- own museum in Malibu. Cezanne’s “Sous-Bois” until the end of the year. Free. spokesperson said. ter, 1200 Getty Center Dr. The $650 million project Guido Reni’s mythological hangs next to Van Gogh’s “Iris- Visit lacma.org. was approved by the Los An- “Bacchus and Ariadne” is “one geles County Board of Super- of the great masterpieces in Brooklyn flavor visors in April and is pending LACMA’s collection,” accordCalifornia“FRESH” approval by City Council for ing to Getty senior curator of the museum’s use of air rights paintings Davide Gasparotto – since 1997. above Wilshire Blvd. A city on the blog Un Framed. The The go-to stop on the Boulevard for pizza, pasta, salad, sandwiches and people watching. Enjoy watching our local sports teams with a beer or beverage.... and let’s not forget those delicious homemade meatballs! Village Pizzeria has been your Larchmont Pizzeria for 23 years now! Cheers to you all!
Steve & Nancy
All we are saying is … “Give a Piece a Chance”
A TASTE OF GREECE
“Stin y yassas!” … To Your Health!
Dimitris & Thomas
Your Hosts Dimitris & Thomas Houndalas
Reservations Recommended • 323-464-5160
Fresh dough hand-spun As seen on Ellen Degeneres, Entourage, HBO, KCAL News Fresh Produce and visiting with Huell Howser The best Wisconsin cheese Homemade meats, sauces & dressings Gluten-free and vegan options available Catering & Party needs • Delivery
131 N. Larchmont Blvd.
323-465-5566
©LC01119
Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week
• • • • • •
©LC1119
Celebrating 31 Years in Larchmont Village!
Our healthy, delicious, Greek Mediterranean cuisine comes from the Peloponnese region. Our recipes are those of our forefathers and we delight in sharing our philosophy of conscious, healthy living with our guests, because we truly care about your health and well being.
www.villagepizzeria.net
127 North Larchmont Boulevard • www.lepetitgreek.com
Ristorante
Serving Hancock Park for 36 years Healthy, home-made and seasonal
Party Time! Host your private or company party here, for up to 75 people. Elegant holiday décor.
323-284-7060 www.OsteriaMamma.com
5732 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038
Catering Available
Want to enjoy our food at your home or work place? We’ll come to you! Pick up, delivery or full catering service
323-466-8812 • www.marinorestaurant.com 6001 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 email: sal@marinorestaurant.com
©LC1118
Experience the true taste of the Veneto region.
The private room delivers an intimate setting for your gatherings.
omage to
NOVEMBER 2019
orth African
It would be easy to overlook the small cottage restaurant on a nondescript section of Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s equally easy to ignore it because neither its façade nor its name, Bowery Bungalow, indicates what one might find inside. On this particular night, we crawled through rush hour traffic to Silver Lake because the eatery could accommodate the 10 people in our mini-family reunion at the last minute and it satisfied our various requirements: it was reasonably convenient to the various neighborhoods from which we were all coming (Pasadena, Echo Park, Beverly Grove, Hollywood Hills, Larchmont), and there were plenty of options for those who were vegetarian, dairy-free, lowcarb or suffered from celiac disease. (Such is the state of modern dining!) It turned out to be a very good choice. Large parties are seated on the charming back patio since the interior is quite small. We had asked for — and got — a conventional table and chairs with backs; the more casual counter-height tables with backless stools appeared mostly filled with friends sharing appetizers and drinks after work. Unlike most restaurants these days, the considerable laughter and chatting never reached a cacophonous level. Ample heaters kept us warm on the chilly night, and string lights and plants created a lovely atmosphere. One of restaurateur George Abou-Daoud’s establishments, it exempifies his tradition of crafting a different cuisine for each of his restaurants, from Italian to gastropub, Mexican to deli. The Bowery Bungalow menu notes that dishes pay homage to the flavors of North Africa and the Middle East, including Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Crete, Palestine and Israel. The menu is divided into four sections: vegetables, meat, fish and sweet. By all means, share. For a change, everything is truly sized for sharing, unlike the puny plate concept that has swept the industry. The vegetable dishes, ranging from $12-14, ruled the night. Babaganoush presented a wonderfully smoky and creamy eggplant dip topped with crunchy roasted shishito peppers and served with pita (they brought cucumber slices for the carb- and glutenfree among us). Potatoes were tossed with the North African spice paste harissa, and served with feta cream on the side to accommodate dairy-free eaters. It’s difficult to resist potatoes in any form; these, with their hint of heat, are addicting. Also satisfying were large florets of fried cauliflower. The normally neutral vegetable was ably enhanced with dukkah, a cumin- and coriander-scented seed and nut-spice mixture,
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
iddle ast avors
Children’s Tea
but the abundance of Moroccan Ras El Hanout seasoning and Middle Eastern Za’atar strangely did not elevate the dish beyond the expected flavor profile. $28 scallops were slightly overcooked and the Aleppo-turmeric cream and dreary parsnip fries did not rescue the dish. $24 cast iron Mideast chicken on a fragrant bed of rice with dried fruit, cinnamon and almonds tasted like chicken. Nothing more, nothing less. $29 pan-seared branzino made up for those disappointments, however. A generous fillet rested on perfectly seasoned mashed cauliflower, with herb-roasted beets on the side. We were all too stuffed to try any of the three desserts on offer, but fans of rosewater, cardamom, chocolate or sesame paste will find a satisfying ending to their meal. Bowery Bungalow, 4156 Santa Monica Blvd., Silverlake, 323-663-1500.
On the Menu by
Helene Seifer and served with tahini. Roasted beets were a table favorite. Multi-colored beet quarters are showered with roasted pistachios and crispy beet chips, alongside herbed chevre and medjool dates. The earthy root vegetables, crunchy nuts, sweet fruit, and savory soft cheese make a perfect combo. The protein plates were less successful. Although the hangar steak with urfa pepper was perfectly tasty, the sweet and sour Brussels sprouts, flavored with pomegranate molasses, were cloying and acidic and did nothing to enhance the $32 meat. $29 slow-cooked lamb was a larger format bowl,
assorted mini muffins, fresh fruit skewers assorted tea sandwiches Peanut Butter & Jelly • Chicken Salad Mini Cheese Sandwich Milk, Hot Chocolate, Kids Champagne (apple juice with sparkling water)
$19.50 per person Please Call for Reservations Every Saturday from 2pm to 4pm
All ages welcomed (323) 933-8446 • (323) 933-8440 Frances@dupars-psr.com
Cal Pre- l and Your Order Holi day
PIES
!
In the Original Farmers Market 3rd & Fairfax • Open 24 Hours
November
MERCHANT of the
MONTH HUNTINGTON MEATS & SAUSAGE
15
Ji m Ca sc on e
An old-fashioned butcher shop with a modern edge, Huntington Meats carries a wide variety of all-natural Harris Ranch meats including traditional roasts, steaks, chops, premium ground beef and the city’s best selection of handmade sausages. Exotic meats and game, too!
STALL 350 - in the East Patio
This Month's Special: Spend $40 or more and get a
–pound Freeof–
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A $5 value! *Offer expires 11/30/19.
Limit one per offer with mention of this ad.
Your Neighborhood Grocery Store Since 1934. 6333 W. THIRD ST. • LOS ANGELES 323.933.9211 • FARMERSMARKETLA.COM 2 HOURS FREE PARKING IN FARMERS MARKET LOTS WITH PURCHASE VALIDATION FROM HUNTINGTON MEATS & SAUSAGE.
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©LC1119
Larchmont Chronicle
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Larchmont.Chronicle.
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Larchmont Chronicle’s Eateries abound in and around the neighborhood The following list is a mere sample of the dining options available in and around our neighborhood. (If you find that a favorite was overlooked, please let us know at info@larchmontchronicle.com.) Note: The Original Farmers Market is at 6333 W. Third St. The Grove is next door at 189 The Grove Dr.
VERNETTI
BERRI’S CAFÉ
225 N. Larchmont Blvd. 8412 W. 3rd St. 323-798-5886 323-852-0642 vernetti.la berrisla.com Hours: Tues. to Thurs., 11:30 Hours: 10 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. daily. a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m.; Sat. and CANTER’S DELI Sun., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 419 N. Fairfax Ave. to 11 p.m. 323-651-2030 cantersdeli.com Larchmont Boulevard Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 6 a.m. to 3 VILLAGE PIZZERIA a.m.; Fri. and Sat., open 24 hours. 131 N. Larchmont Blvd. BURGER LOUNGE 323-465-5566 217 N. Larchmont Blvd. villagepizzeria.net 323-462-2310 THE CAT AND THE Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. burgerlounge.com FIDDLE Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11:30 PUB AND RESTAURANT to 9:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun., noon to 9 742 N. Highland Ave. p.m. a.m. to 10 p.m. 323-468-3800
LARCHMONT VILLAGE WINE, SPIRITS & CHEESE 223 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-856-8699 larchmontvillagewine.com Hours: Mon. to Sat., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
LE PETIT GREEK 127 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-464-5160 lepetitgreek.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
LOUISE’S TRATTORIA
Beyond the Boulevard
DU-PAR’S
FABIOLUS CUCINA
Farmers Market 6270 Sunset Blvd. 323-933-8446 323-467-2882 dupars.net fabiolus.com Du-Par’s Restaurant is open 24 Hours: Tues., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 hours a day, 365 days a year. p.m. to 10 p.m.; Weds., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thurs., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. EAST INDIA GRILL to 10 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; 1245 S. Fairfax Ave. Sun. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 323-936-8844 eastindiagrillla.com Hours: Sun. to Wed., 10:30 a.m. FARMERS MARKET to 10:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 10:30 323-933-9211 a.m. to 11 p.m. farmersmarketla.com Hours: Mon. to Fri., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. THE EDMON
5168 Melrose Ave. 323-645-5225 FIN ASIAN TAPAS thecatandfiddle.com theedmon.com 5750 Melrose Ave. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 5 p.m. to 323-579-1501 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Fri., 11:30 midnight. Fri. and Sat., 5 p.m. to finasiantapas.com a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m. 1 a.m. Hours: Tues. to Sat., 5 to 11 p.m.; to 1 a.m.; Sun., 10:30 a.m. to Sun. and Mon., 5 to 10 p.m. midnight.
ANGELINI OSTERIA 7313 Beverly Blvd. DRAGO RISTORANTE 323-297-0070 6060 Wilshire Blvd. angeliniosteria.com 323-800-2244 Hours: Mon. to Thurs., noon to dragoristorante.com 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Fri. from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m., Sat., 5 to 11 p.m.; Sun., 5 to 10:30 p.m.
DRESDEN ROOM
EL CHOLO
FRENCH CREPE
1121 S. Western Ave. COMPANY 323-734-2773 Farmers Market elcholo.com 323-934-3113 Hours: Sun. and Mon., 11 a.m. to frenchcrepe.com 9 p.m., Tues. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 7:30 a.m. 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to to 9 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30 a.m. 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun., 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
1760 Vermont Ave. 323-665-4294 EL COYOTE CAFÉ ANTONIO’S 232 N. Larchmont Blvd. thedresden.com 7312 Beverly Blvd. 7470 Melrose Ave. THE GROVE 323-962-9510 Hours: Tues. to Sat., 5 p.m. to 2 323-9392255 323-658-9060 323-900-8080 louises.com a.m.; Sun. to Mon., 5 p.m. to 12:30 elcoyotecafe.com antoniosonmelrose.com thegrovela.com Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to Hours: Tues. to Fri., 11 a.m. to p.m. Dining room open until 10 Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 11p.m.; Sat., noon to 11 p.m. and p.m. Sun. to Thurs., and until 11 to 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 11:30 a.m. 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri. to Sat. to 11 p.m. Sun., noon to 10 p.m. p.m. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
Love Dogs?
La Brea & Melrose
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
17
Dining Guide - Fall 2019 HMS BOUNTY
MAGEE’S KITCHEN
MUSSO AND FRANK GRILL
PAPA CRISTO’S
RAY’S AND STARK BAR LACMA
3357 Wilshire Blvd. Farmers Market 2771 W. Pico Blvd. 213-385-7275 323-938-4127 323-737-2970 6667 Hollywood Blvd. 5905 Wilshire Blvd. thehmsbounty.com mageeskitchen.com papacristos.com 323-467-7788 323-857-6180 Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Sat., 9 a.m. to 9 Hours: Tues., 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; mussoandfrank.com raysandstarkbar.com 1 a.m.; Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours: Tues. to Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 Wed. to Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Hours: Mon., Tues. and Thurs., a.m.; Sun., noon to 1 a.m. Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. p.m. and Sun., 4 to 9 p.m. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 LA BREA BAKERY CAFÉ a.m. to 8 p.m. MAGGIANO’S 468 S. La Brea Ave. LITTLE ITALY PETROSSIAN 323-939-6813 OFF VINE RESTAURANT The Grove ROCCO’S PIZZA 321 N. Robertson Blvd. labreabakery.com 6263 Leland Way 323-965-9665 6335 Wilshire Blvd. 310-271-6300 Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 323-962-1900 maggianos.com 323-655-0058 petrossianrestaurants.com Grilled cheese night Thurs., 5:30 offvine.com Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. roccospizza.la to 8:30 p.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 10 a.m. to Hours: Tues. to Fri., 11 a.m. to to 10 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 11 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fri., 10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; LE PETITE MARCHÉ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 Sun., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Mon., 11 Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 5665 Melrose Ave. p.m. Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. a.m. to 3 p.m. SPARE TIRE 323-380-6557 and 5 to 9 p.m. Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 5370 Wilshire Blvd. lepetitemarche.com 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. 323-823-4890 Hours: Supposedly opening again MARINO RISTORANTE sparetirepub.com PINKS HOT DOGS in the near future. 6001 Melrose Ave. Hours: Mon. to Wed., 11:30 a.m. 709 N. La Brea Ave. 323-466-8812 to 1 a.m.; Thurs. and Fri., 11:30 323-931-4223 OSTERIA MAMMA LITTLE BAR LOUNGE marinorestaurant.com a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 pinkshollywood.com 5732 Melrose Ave. 757 S. La Brea Ave. Hours: Mon. to Fri., 11:30 a.m. to a.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 9:30 a.m. 323-284-7060 323-937-9210 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; Sat., 5 to to 2 a.m.; Fri. and Sat., 9:30 a.m. osteriamamma.com littlebarlounge.com 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 5:30 p.m. TART to 10:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 11:30 to 2 a.m.; Fri. to Sun., 5 p.m. to 2 115 N. Fairfax Ave. a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sun., 5 to 10 a.m. daily. 323-556-2608 MARMALADE CAFE p.m. tartrestaurant.com PROVIDENCE Farmers Market LUCY’S EL ADOBE Hours: Mon. to Thur., 7 a.m. to 3 5955 Melrose Ave. 323-954-0088 5536 Melrose Ave. p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m. 323-460-4170 marmaladecafe.com 323-462-9421 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat., providencela.com PACIFIC DINING CAR Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 9 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 6 to 10 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 10:30 1310 W. 6th St. 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 9 a.m. to 11 to 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11:30 p.m.; Fri., 12:30 to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 213-483-6000 p.m. a.m. to 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat., 5:30 to 10 p.m.; 5 to 10 p.m. pacificdiningcar.com Sun., 5:30 to 9 p.m. Hours: 24 hours daily.
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THE MEXICAN VILLAGE 3668 Beverly Blvd. 213-385-0479 RALEIGH STUDIOS CAFÉ PAMPAS GRILL themexicanvillage.com 650 N. Bronson Ave. Farmers Market Hours: Tues., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 323-871-5660 323-931-1928 Weds. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; raleighstudios.com pampas-grill.com Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat., 5 p.m. Hours: Mon. to Sat., 10:30 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 3 to 2 a.m. 9 p.m.; Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. p.m.
TAYLOR’S STEAKHOUSE 3361 W. Eighth St. 213-382-8449 taylorssteakhouse.com Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sat., 4 to 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 4 to 9:30 p.m.
ThinkPink's.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Neil Simon’s Musical; ‘Penny Dreadful’ farce on the moors Neil Simon’s Musical Fools is an adaptation of the Simon play “Fools,” with book and lyrics by Neil Simon, and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West. Yes, we’re talking about that Neil Simon. There are several apocryphal tales as to why he chose to write this play. The time is 1893, the place the Ukraine. In the opening scene, we are traveling by train to the small town of Kulyenchikov, bringing the new tutor Leon Tolchinsky (the engaging James Byous) to the town. Kudos to scenic designer Jan Munroe, whose scenic art was inspired by the visual tradition of Ukrainian pysanky eggs (wooden decorated Easter eggs). We soon learn that the village’s population is a parade of stupid — every kind possible. This allows the puns, double entendres, misdirec-
tions and funny malaprops full reign in the dialogue. It seems the town of Kulyenchikov is cursed. Two hundred years ago, all townspeople and their domestic animals (plus future ancestors of same), were cursed with stupidity — no more intelligence than a bump on a log. Dr. Nikolai Zubrinski (Derek Manson) and his wife Lenya Zubrinski (Robyn Roth) hope that the new tutor will find a way to deliver them from the curse. On a personal level, the doctor hopes that he’ll be able to open jars. Leon vows to break the curse by education. As the curse started with Sophia Zubrinski in 1696, Leon feels the Sophia of 1893 (Clare Snodgrass), a direct descendant, is key to the cure. When he meets her, he falls instantly and deeply in love. Enter Count Gregor
Theater Review by
Patricia Foster Rye Yousekevitch (Jason Paige), the villain. What ensues is not so much divine intervention, as several cases of mistaken identity, that wrap the evening perfectly. This is a whimsical two acts filled with lots of laughs, some very hummable music and the inevitable happy ending. The timely and lively choreography is by Louisa Kendrick Burton. The cast is excellent. An onstage band is led by musical director Jan Roper. Director Ron West has kept the fairy tale feeling and the comedic pace perfectly. Through Sun., Nov. 17. Open Fist Theatre Company at the Atwater Village Theatre,
3269 Casitas Ave., 323-8826912, openfist.org. 4 Stars • • • The Mystery of Irma Vep, A Penny Dreadful, by Charles Ludlam, was first performed in 1987. A word about penny dreadfuls; originally, they were cheap, sensationalist, serial books produced circa late 1800s and they included characters such as Sweeney Todd, Dick Turpin and Varney the Vampire. The various lurid subjects have always appealed to audiences, and in 1991, “The Mystery of Irma Vep, A Penny Dreadful,” was the most produced play in the United States. With deep bows to Gothic literature like “Rebecca” by Daphne DuMaurier and “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte, plus the horror films of Hollywood in the 1930s, this two-actor many, many character play leaves no stone unturned in pursuing their quest. The first act takes place at
Mandacrest on the moors, complete with fog, howling wolves, dead wolves, creepy portraits and more. Jane, the prickly servant (my favorite character played by John Allee) and a groundskeeper Nicodemus (Isaac Wade) are stressing over Lord Edgar’s (Allee) new wife Lady Enid (Wade). John Allee and Isaac Wade play all the gender fluid characters — their talent and stamina are amazing. Mind-blowing quick changes plus carefully delineated characters, plus off-stage voices, abound and have you swearing there are two of each of the actors. Act two takes place in Egypt — same actors, some new characters. This is funny, fun and worth seeing. Through Sun., Nov. 10. Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1760 N. Gower St., 323-462-8460, actorscoop.org. 4 Stars
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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Shocking dictator, some assassins and zombies too
The Kingmaker (8/10): 100 minutes. NR. Imelda Marcos was a beautiful young woman when she married Ferdinand Marcos 11 days after they met. Eventually he became the president of the Philippines and it slowly morphed into a brutal, corrupt dictatorship that often resulted in the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of opponents and made the Marcos billionaires. This will be shocking to most Americans who don’t think or know much about the Philippines, especially what’s going on today. Especially egregious was how they decimated the few hundred peaceful inhabitants of Calauit Island by trying to turn the island into a preserve for African animals. Gemini Man (7/10): 116 minutes. PG-13. The 3-D in this movie is the best I’ve ever seen. Shot at 120 frames per second (standard is 24) and in 4K (resolution) 3-D, it’s far superior to other 3-D films. However, the film is better than just the 3-D. Will Smith is a U.S. government assassin who is targeted by his employers and by an assassin who anticipates his every move. While Smith gives a very good performance in a
dual role, Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives a sterling performance as someone sent by his employers to track him down. The other notable supporting performance is by Clive Owen. I always thought he would make a perfect James Bond, a lot better than the guy they have now. I generally disdain the car and motorcycle chases that are de rigueur now in these types of movies, but the one in this film is eye-popping, mainly due to the exceptional 3-D and cinéma vérité-style filming. Although it tends to drag at the end, this film is an entertaining treat. Zombieland: Double Tap (7/10): 99 minutes. R. While this sequel is in the horror genre, it is totally played for laughs. The four humans trying to survive a zombie apocalypse, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone, are living in the abandoned White House when Emma Stone gets freaked out by Jesse Eisenberg’s proposal of marriage and splits. Up until this point it has gone along without much involvement. But after Emma runs away, Zoey Deutch gets into the picture as another human trying to survive, and the film picks up from moderately entertain-
At the Movies with
Tony Medley ing to very funny. Whenever Deutch is onscreen, the film soars, especially when she’s with Stone. There is a clever plot twist pretty obviously borrowed from a “Seinfeld” episode when Luke Wilson appears on the screen. Don’t leave when you think the end credits are starting to roll, because there is an epilogue that will be meaningful only if you saw the first movie. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (7/10): 100 minutes. PG. Although fantasy, this is a cohesive tale that is gripping, aided by exquisite CIG that creates the characters and the magical land these characters occupy. The CIG alone is worth the price of admission. But the special effects, exceptional as they are, do not overwhelm the story, which is quite good, due in large part to the deliciously evil performance of Michelle Pfeiffer, not discounting the fine performances of Elle Fanning and Angelina Jolie.
Frankie (7/10): 100 minutes. PG-13. Highlighted by the gorgeous location of Sintra, Portugal, Frankie (Isabelle Huppert), an actress, gathers three generations of her family for a vacation. Throughout the day husbands, wives, parents, children, friends and lovers mingle and inspire emotions long hidden. With a fine supporting cast that includes Brendan Gleeson, Marisa Tomei (she doesn’t look the way I remember her) and Greg Kinnear, whose appearance is basically a cameo, for me the star was Sintra and the gorgeous locations and cinematography (Rui Poças). This is a lot of talk, so it’s not for everybody, but I enjoyed it. The Terminator: Dark Fate (7/10): 128 minutes. R. It seems they can keep remaking this movie forever. It’s
the same story and it still has Arnold and it still has the unexplainable bad machines that can be killed in any number of ways but keep coming back to life until the denouement. It’s entertaining enough, but my female assistant hated it, so it might be a male thing. The Current War: Director’s Cut: (6/10) 113 minutes. PG-13. Telling the story of the development of electricity and the battle among Thomas Edison, Nicolas Tesla and George Westinghouse, it certainly has a POV. It shows Edison as prickly and rigid in his defense of Direct Current (DC) vs. Tesla’s Alternating Current (AC). While educational, it is convoluted and necessarily superficial considering the topic. At no time do you really believe you are watching anything but a Hollywood movie.
Art+Film Gala at LACMA Nov. 2 Los Angeles-based artist Betye Saar and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón will be honored at the Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Sat., Nov. 2. The museum’s ninth annual premiere fundraising event will be co-chaired by museum
trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Grammy Award-winning singer Anderson Paak is set to perform at the gala. The event is presented by sponsors Gucci and Audi. For more information and tickets, contact artandfilm@ lacma.org or 323-857-4770.
The Luckman Theatre 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles 90032 Saturday, December 7 at 2pm and 7pm Sunday, December 8 at 11:30am and 4:30pm Saturday December 14 at 2pm and 7pm Sunday, December 15 at 2:00pm For tickets and information please visit: www.maratdaukayev.com
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
NINE O’CLOCK PLAYERS perform in “Jack and the Giant” at the Assistance League Theatre.
‘Jack and the Giant’ launches Nine O’Clock Players 90th season Watch Jack rescue Queen Violet from the Giant as the Nine O’Clock Players launch their 90th anniversary season with performances of “Jack and the Giant” at the Assistance League Theatre, 1367 N. St. Andrews Pl., Sundays Nov. 3, 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. Julia Holland, director of the production, was named “2011 Music Educator of the Year” by Malibu Music Awards, and she also was nominated as best director of
a musical for “Wild Party” by the NAACP in 2011. The Nine O’Clock Players has been producing plays since 1929 and is the oldest children’s theater company in Southern California. Built in 1938, the Assistance League Theatre is the oldest barn theater west of the Mississippi River. The Assistance League of Los Angeles was formed in 1919 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Visit assistanceleaguela.org.
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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Performers, Santa at Hollywood Christmas Parade Dec. 1 Save space in your Thanksgiving holiday weekend schedule for the 88th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Sun., Dec. 1 beginning at 5 p.m.
Hosted by Dean Cain, Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie and Montel Williams, the parade, in partnership with Marine Toys for Tots, will feature
floats, marching bands and performers, as well as the guest of honor, Santa Claus. For more information, visit thehollywoodchristmasparade.org.
Jan Daley to sing ‘Broadway Memories’ at Catalina Jazz Club
SINGER Jan Daley will sing tunes from her latest CD.
Jan Daley celebrates the release of her latest CD, “Broadway Memories,” Tues., Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Catalina Supper Club, 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hancock Park resident Daley’s “Way of a Woman” CD knocked Diana Krall off the Billboard Jazz & Traditional Jazz charts for 22 weeks. The 2017 Global Music Award winner appeared in a Lifetime movie this year, and in the past has appeared in movies with Bruce Willis, Alec
Baldwin and Tom Hanks. Daley broke into television at a young age, after stints as Miss California and Miss Glendale, and she worked with Jimmy Stewart, Jack Benny and Glenn Campbell. Her most treasured career highlight was participating in annual Bob Hope Christmas Tours, singing to 40,000 GIs in Vietnam and around the world. For reservations call 323466-2210 or go to reservations@catalinajazzclub.com.
GUEST OF HONOR Santa Claus waves to spectators at last year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade.
See tree lighting, Santa at Grove See fireworks, a snowfall and the annual tree lighting at The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., Sun., Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Santa also will arrive and children can visit him beginning Mon., Nov. 18 at his house and tell him what they
want for Christmas. The Grove ushered in the holiday season last month with the arrival of a 100-footplus, white fir Christmas treefrom Mt. Shasta. For more information, visit thegrovela. com.
Fresh Christmas trees coming to Blvd.
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Take in the smell of fresh Douglas and Noble firs at the Wilshire Rotary Christmas Tree lot, 568 N. Larchmont Blvd. Scheduled to arrive Fri., Nov. 29, trees and wreaths will be on sale through Sun., Dec. 23 or whenever they run out, says Wendy Clifford, a rotary member and volunteer who manages the lot each year with her family.
New trees arrive each week, so if you don’t find the perfect tree, come back later. Proceeds from sales benefit the Wilshire Rotary Foundation in support of local community service projects. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Delivery is available for a fee. Visit wilshirerotary.org or call 323-464-1935.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
MAGICAL LIGHTS illuminate the Los Angeles Zoo through Jan. 5. Photo by Jamie Pham
6th annual Zoo Lights returns Nov. 15 – Jan. 5 See the “World’s Largest Illuminated Pop-Up Book” and other light creations at Zoo Lights at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 5333 Zoo Dr., beginning Fri., Nov. 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. Running through Sun., Jan. 5, the self-guided 60-to90-minute stroll wanders through wildlife-inspired dis-
plays and past dynamic lights and projections. The show engages visitors in immersive interactive experiences. Cocoa and other holiday treats are available for purchase. Photographs with Santa Claus are also available at select times. Zoo lights will be closed Nov. 28, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Visit lazoolights.org
Tree lighting is Dec. 2 at Music Center Plaza Kick off the holiday season with the Los Angeles County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the newly renovated Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave. Mon., Dec. 2 from 5 to 6 p.m. The celebration will include performances by Brass Pacifica and a local school choir. Hot cocoa will be served at the free event. Visit musiccenter.org.
The Wallis & For The Record’s Biggest, RecordBreaking Hit RETURNS this Holiday Season!
Holidays on ice at Pershing Square Enjoy skating through the holidays at the Bai Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., starting Thurs., Nov. 14 and running through Jan. 20. General admission is $9; skate rental is $5. Visit holidayicerinkdowntownla.com.
N OV 2 7 – D E C 2 9 , 2 0 1 9
Free Dia de los Muertos concert at Grand Park Nov. 1 Celebrate the end of the fall season and Dia de los Muertos and hear music featuring the all-female lineup of Los Angeles-based Latinx at Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Fri., Nov. 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. Set on the park’s Performance Lawn near Hill Street, the concert, “Selena for Sanctuary,” features Empress Of, San Cha, Ceci Bastida, Maya Murillo, August Eve and Loyal Lobos. The house band for the evening will be Selenamos and DJ Zuri Adia. Los Angelesbased Salvadoran poet Yesika Salgado will host. Visit grandparkla.org.
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Timeless. . .
Larchmont Chronicle
Larchmont Chronicle
Giving (Continued from page 5) Call 323-461-3131 or visit covenanthousecalifornia.org.
• • •
Downtown Women’s Center (DWC), which helps homeless women find housing and employment, seeks volunteers for packing and sorting donations. The next training is Sat., Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to noon. Gift cards in $20 amounts to grocery stores or large retail stores, also are appreciated. Shop the online gift store, Home and Gift Collection (madebydwc.org), for soap,
NOVEMBER 2019
candles and greeting cards crafted from upcycled and donated materials by women at the center. Call 213-6800600 or visit downtownwomenscenter.org.
• • •
Visit the Elizabeth Vruwink Gift Shop at Good Samaritan Hospital, 616 S. Witmer St., hosted by the hospital’s auxiliary, for the shop’s annual holiday preview, Mon., Nov. 4. Free gift wrapping will be available. Holiday hours for the gift shop are Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 213-977-2358 or visit goodsam.org for information.
• • •
Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, 1650 Rockwood St., has wish lists for items needed by adults, children, teens and people moving into their own apartments. There is a wish list on Amazon, but gift cards from grocers, retailers and bookstores also are helpful. Call 213-482-1834 or visit gschomeless.org/donate-anitem.
• • •
Hollygrove, 815 N. El Centro Ave., a division of Uplift Fam-
SECTION ONE
ily Services, accepts food care packages or cash donations to help underwrite its programs. Also wanted are unwrapped gifts for children ages infant to 15 for the holiday toy drive. Check the website for a wish list year-round. Contact Camille Guerrero, at 323-7697135 or camille.guerrero@ upliftfs.org.
• • •
Drop off new shoes in bins at the Olympic watch commander’s office by the beginning of December for Operation Shoes from Santa, 1130 S. Vermont Ave., Thurs., Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The winter wonderland event will have real snow, Santa’s workshop, hot chocolate and treats, plus a visit from Santa. Call Eric Mollinedo at 213382-9140 or email him at 31754@lapd.lacity.org.
• • •
Project Angel Food, 922 Vine St., which delivers meals to people with critical illness, needs volunteers to help with meal
BALLET SCHOOL managing director amela au a e in the new studio on ilshire l d.
Marat Ballet
(Continued from page 1) school managing director Pamela Daukayev told us. Finding a space that was close to the school’s former Miracle Mile location and a short drive for parents dropping off young children was key. The new site’s high ceilings, light-filled spaces and room for the school’s extensive wardrobe clinched the deal. “It’s very, very beautiful with the high ceilings. It has a huge expanse,” Pamela told us. After months of holding classes and a summer intensive course in temporary quarters, the new location is a welcoming home. “The kids are so happy after this uncertainty,” said Pamela. Some 300 students, ages 3 to 18, as well as adults, attend the school, founded in 2001 by Pamela and her husband Marat, a former principal dancer with the Kirov Ballet. The school also nurtures already-polished dancers as they ready for bigger stages in ballet companies around the globe. Students hail from Hancock Park and Brookside as well as the Westside and points from around the world. “Nutcracker” in December When news spread that the school would close June 30 because its La Brea Avenue building had sold, some doubted it would pull off its annual “Nutcracker” ballet performances this holiday season. But the costumes already have been fitted, and the hundreds of hours of practice are
DANCERS Grace Tankenson (Windsor Square, at right) and a a O awa ino tr out the new sprung oor partl complete. Original rown erb is in the window iew.
underway for the performances to be held at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15. Helping to move the project forward was a gofundme. com page, which raised nearly $61,000, much in $100 donations. “It was so heartwarming,” Pamela Daukayev said of the many donors’ comments on the fundraising page. “Marat is a fabulous teacher, mentor and human being,” writes student Sydney Simpler. Jed Minoff wrote, “Our daughter has fallen in love with ballet and the process of working hard to achieve a goal.” Natalie Carroll commented, “I was able to observe Marat the year my young granddaughter was in the ‘Nutcracker.’ Such a wonderful experience for a little girl. And over the years, as a mature adult, I have taken his adult class. He never raised his voice, but was able to enter a room and command complete attention just by his presence.” Brown Derby The new school rooms feature city vistas (the original Brown Derby hat is just across Alexandria Ave.), floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of room to lift ballerinas high in the air. The school has four studios, a lobby and administrative space. It features a “very specialized ballet sprung wooden floor” to cushion dancers’ feet and knees as they land en pointe. There is underground and street parking and a Pilates studio for students and parents.
The school’s 6,000-piece wardrobe for its upcoming “Nutcracker” performance and other productions is stored at the 22-story building. Finding a space for a school with room for the wardrobe was a real challenge, added Pamela. Construction of a Metro subway station at Wilshire and La Brea was the beginning of the finale of the ballet school’s longtime location at 731 S. La Brea Ave. First it lost its parking lots due to the construction, then the building was sold to Langdon Street Capital, and it was announced that the building will be repurposed with offices and ground-floor retail. The search The search for a new school involved many of the school’s parents and students, plus their friends and relatives. “Everybody was really looking, and a broker too,” Pamela said. It was a Larchmont Boulevard-based architect and his designer wife, Jay and Diane Park, who suggested the location in the Equitable Building. Jay had wandered into the empty space while on an adjacent job in the building, and he thought the high-ceilinged rooms would lend themselves to the ballet school. “We feel very, very fortunate,” Pamela Daukayev said of the new space. “It’s the next stage.” Visit the website for more information on “Nutcracker” performances in December and classes, which will start in January: maratdaukayev.com.
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prep and delivery year-round. But you can also donate goods to the birthday bag program or unwrapped gifts to be distributed to clients’ children and grandchildren ages infant to 17. Purchase pies or cookies made by Project Angel Food. Every $5 donated pays for one meal. Visit angelfood.org/ ways-to-give or call 323-8451800.
• • •
St. Brendan Church, 310 S. Van Ness Ave., has a food drive that runs through Thanksgiving Day, Thurs., Nov. 28. Nonperishable food items are collected and then caravanned over to Hope Net’s food pantry at Wilshire Presbyterian. Call 323-936-4656.
• • •
St. Brendan School, 238 S. Manhattan Pl., will have its annual holiday boutique Sun., Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 213-382-7401.
• • •
(Please turn to page 26)
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Giving (Continued from page 25) St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, 2303 Miramar St., which delivers hot meals, will be preparing holiday gifts for seniors; donations of small-sized toiletries or funds for the gifts are welcome. A fundraising event at Petrossian in West Hollywood, 321 S. Robertson Blvd. is Sun., Dec. 8. The “Caviar Salon” begins at 5:30 p.m., and Champagne and caviar are served from 7 to 9 p.m. Call Daryl Twerdahl, 213-4847775, or visit stvincentmow.org. • • • Wilshire Boulevard Temple
hosts the Big Give at the Karsh Center, 3750 W. 6th St., giving out complete bags of Thanksgiving dinners for families of four in need Sun., Nov. 24. The community event includes arts and crafts activities, live performances and wellness and resource booths. Donations are welcome to help pay for the dinners. Volunteers are needed to help pack and pass out the food. Email biggive@karshcenter. org or visit karshcenter.org/ biggive. • • • If you would like to see an agency added, contact us at info@larchmontchronicle.com.
Letters (Continued from page 2) newsstand for decades, and these are part of the ecology of the street and the neighborhood too… so the type of vandalism that I’m trying to point out isn’t just about the trees, but about the character of a community. If the neighborhoods surrounding Larchmont are happier with no trees and lots of pavement, sort of like the parking lot of a big-box retail store, then so be it. But lots of those places exist already and Larchmont, with all its flaws, is unique. And if we all stand by and let these
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thoughtless “improvements” happen (at the behest of mostly absentee landlords) then it will all disappear soon. The challenge is how to change the way these decisions are made. I’d love to hear any ideas that anyone may have out there, other than ignoring it or proclaiming it some sort of twisted victory. Lorraine Wild Windsor Village
Save Larchmont
For a neighborhood that takes its HPOZ [Historic Preservation Overlay Zone] seriously, you failed miserably by not including the Larchmont Village shopping district in the zone. It is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Hancock Park-Larchmont community. Last month, I returned to the area only to find Larchmont with a mish-mash of faux shabby-chic, contemporary and fading traditional storefronts. The sidewalks were unsafe and dirty. Although it was wonderful to see the homes so carefully restored, it was so disappointing to walk the Village, which has forsaken its signature quality and traditional character. Larchmont Village has lost its way. Cheryl Armelli Raya San Diego
Residents and street trees
Many months ago, city crews came down the street and, in a matter of a few minutes, cut down a mature Sycamore tree in front of a neighbor’s home, pulverized the stump, and filled the empty site. Months later, in its place, was planted a sad, scrawny sapling with leaves reminiscent of dried bay-leaves, a Brisbane Box, a tree similar to what the City of Los Angeles long had been trying to get the community to install on Larchmont. When I contacted the Han-
cock Park Homeowners’ Association at the time, I was referred to a newsletter that explains what has happened this year. In cooperation with a “certified arborist,” the association’s “Tree Committee and the City” created a plan whereby each block would be assigned a different replacement type of tree based on what today is believed will serve the present agenda, unrelated in any way to the existing tree that will be replaced. To my knowledge, local residents were not queried regarding the choice of the replacement tree-type for this block-by-block diversity. Now, arborists, like physicians, disagree. With limited clinical trial or comparative data, their science consists of observation and empiricism. Apparently, experts at UCLA recently chose the same “London Plane,” our local Sycamore, a tree that is presently off the list for the City of Los Angeles. UCLA planted dozens of them around the campus over the last five years of the drought, including the stately colonnade along Westwood Parkway. Beverly Hills has done the same. What can we residents do as we see our neighborhood aesthetics challenged? Here are a few ideas: 1) Observe your neighboring communities. Although the architecture may be scary, the tree-lined streets of Beverly Hills continue to represent an ideal. No Brisbane Box trees there, except in the industrial area near Beverly and Santa Monica Boulevards, and they are a sad lot. 2) Hire your own “experts.” Certified arborists can service your trees, inject medicine for fungus, remove dead parts and provide care to keep our mature trees healthy in ways that the City of Los Angeles (Please turn to page 28)
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Larchmont Chronicle
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Letters (Continued from page 26)
Planting a Future for the Trees of Larchmont Boulevard By Sheila Lane The ficus trees that line Larchmont Boulevard create a green canopy that has become a signature element of the street, but the reality is that these trees have aggressive roots that cause significant damage to sidewalks and the plumbing that runs underneath them. Last month work began to remove and replace two trees at 226 N. Larchmont Boulevard, in front of the Rite Aid store and to allow for 90 linear feet of sidewalk repair. This sidewalk improvement is part of a longterm plan to ensure the safety of visitors to Larchmont and sustain the canopy of trees for generations to come. Since its inception in 1998, the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (LVBID) has faced the problem of how to maintain the canopy while securing the sidewalk safety of pedestrians and minimizing damage to sewer lines. Tom Kneafsey, president and co-founder of the LVBID, which represents property owners between Beverly Boulevard and First Street, said it’s been an ongoing problem. “The LVBID has a very limited budget, but allocates $15,000 every year to trim the trees to minimize root growth,” said Kneafsey. “We have tried root blockers, sidewalk shaving, widening tree wells—all have been futile to stop the roots from ripping up the sidewalks.”
time, but the goal is to slowly replace the trees in a methodical manner in the coming years. “You can do nothing, but sooner or later, if more claims are made against the city, the city will address the problem,” said Monfette. “And if you haven’t made incremental changes, they could come in and take out a whole lot of trees at once.” Monfette said that steps such as pruning roots can make trees and sidewalks co-exist, but warned that continually doing so over the years can make larger trees structurally unsound, creating an unsafe situation. “Anytime you’re severing roots,” said Monfette, “you’re entering a gray area.” In this case, the cost of the trees and sidewalk is being paid for by the owner of the Rite Aid property. It was important to the owner to be the example of what the street could look like with smooth and safe sidewalks. “Over the past three years, the LVBID and Monfette have discussed the rotational plan in general, and replacing the sidewalk and these two trees specifically, to key stakeholders. John Winther, president of the Larchmont Business Association, said his organization is supportive of the plan. “The trees cause innumerable problems—walking and falling hazards, root damage to the plumbing and
In addition, he said, the tree wells that had to be widened to accommodate the aggressive roots resulted in the narrowing of sidewalks for pedestrians. There have been several “trip and fall” incidents over the years on Larchmont Boulevard that have risen to lawsuits against merchants and property owners. However, far more incidents occur on a weekly basis that never reach that level. Merchants report seeing people of all ages trip on the uneven pavement, and adults struggle with wheelchairs and strollers. In 2016, with a grant from the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu, the LVBID commissioned Greg Monfette, a certified arborist and consultant who formally worked with the city’s Urban Forestry Division, to conduct a formal analysis of the trees. This analysis revealed extensive structural damage, particularly in front of the Rite Aid store. More recently, the current director of the Urban Forestry Division visited the site and confirmed that the trees in front of Rite Aid need to be replaced and that the sidewalk in front of Rite Aid is not ADA compliant because of the root damage. Monfette created a rotational tree management plan for Larchmont Boulevard within the LVBID boundaries. The plan identifies the trees that are most compromised and have caused the most root damage to the sidewalks. There is no immediate plan to replace any other trees at this
structural problems to the buildings,” said Winther. “There is absolutely no reason not to replace these trees with a better [species of] tree.” The Windsor Square Association (WSA), a neighborhood residential group, suggested a policy that withholds tree removal until a tree is “dead, diseased or dangerous.” The LVBID and their expert, Monfette, maintain that this type of approach does not address the pedestrian safety issue, nor the reality of the financial costs involved. “The removal and replacement of these two trees, along with the repair of the surrounding sidewalk, will cost nearly $40K,” said Heather Duffy Boylston, co-executive director of the LVBID. “If several trees were to become diseased or die within a short time frame, neither the city nor the LVBID would have the funds to replace them. The concern is that if we don’t begin to slowly address this, we will leave a future generation with a bare street and a steep price tag to re-plant it.” The city has a limited number of trees that are approved for planting. The LVBID has adopted the WSA’s suggestion of a replacement tree for the boulevard—the African Fern Pine. “At the end of the day,” said Duffy Boylston, “all parties involved in these discussions agree that we all care about safety for our pedestrians, and we also all care deeply about maintaining our green canopy on the boulevard.”
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will never do. 3) Plant on your property what you want. We planted four California Sycamores from 24-inch boxes, and less than five years later, they are all more than two stories high, vigorous and in good health. 4) Discourage damage to our parkways. 5) Consider carefully for whom you vote among our political leadership and our lay leadership. Make sure that they query the residents and homeowners of every block, and represent whatever our — not their — priorities might be. And finally, always put up a good fight, with comparative, not observational, data from multiple sources. You would do the same for your healthcare, I’m sure. Gary Schiller, M.D. Hancock Park
Historic home demolished
My wife and I were the residents of 361 N. Citrus Avenue, on the corner of Oakwood Avenue, one block west of the Hancock Park community. We sold the property on Sept. 18, 2019, less than five weeks ago as I write this. The historic 1927 Tudor Revival home was an Architect’s Show Home, one of the first houses in the area, and it had historical significance given the neighborhood and features like a beautiful, original Batchelder fireplace, hand-carved ornamentation around the front entrance, hand-painted beams, leaded glass diamond-paned windows and more. When we were considering offers to purchase our house, we made it known that it was important to us that the house was not to be torn down due to its aesthetic and historic contribution to the community. We stated that our decision to sell to
someone would hinge on that. According to a former neighbor, a demolition sign went up on October 18, one month after the sale closed. The sign was placed inside the dining room window, behind shrubbery, making it difficult to see. Upon further investigation, we learned that the house was scheduled to be demolished the week after the sign was noticed. I am enclosing the letter sent to us from the ultimate buyers when we were considering multiple offers. The letter writer knew that we had no interest in selling to someone who would tear down the historic house. This house was well maintained, including retrofitting of the foundation, brand new plumbing, new electrical work and responsible landscaping. It was not a “tear down” structure; it was considered a crown jewel in the neighborhood. Our fear of someone purchasing it to tear it down was due to the larger than average lot (Please turn to page 29)
Larchmont Chronicle
(Continued from page 28) size and the disregard we have seen to respecting the aesthetic integrity of the neighborhood. As anyone can see in reading the letter that we received, the buyers completely misrepresented themselves and their intentions. They apparently requested a demolition permit the day they took ownership of the house. But they never clearly posted the notice to inform neighboring residents. We loved the property and took great pride in ownership and in maintaining it while it was in our care, and we are fully aware that once we accepted this offer, anything could potentially happen. However, we were not aware that their letter was full of lies. To our knowledge, there was not even an attempt to salvage any of the architectural elements from the home that they thanked us for preserving. The loss of an exquisite, landmark home leaves a hole in the historic character of this portion of the neighborhood. Here’s a link to our former home, now just rubble: tinyurl.com/y638aqze. Our neighborhoods and our communities deserve better than what happened at 361 North Citrus Avenue. David and Cassidy Cole Formerly of Citrus Ave.
Trees (Continued from page 1) inch boxes, are to be installed as replacements. According to Windsor Square Association (WSA) president Larry Guzin, who provided photographs to the Chronicle, the replacement tree wells have been moved to maximize exposure of the bright Rite Aid sign. “The trees used to be in front of the newsstand and near the store’s door. Now, the landlord has created new tree wells at the northern- and southernmost points of the property. In fact, the tree trunk on the south may pose a traffic hazard because it is so close to the parking lot driveway.” A city official with the Urban Forestry Division confirmed to the Chronicle that a tree of that size should be planted at least eight feet from the nearest driveway, depending on the species of tree used. The request to remove the trees was submitted May 15, 2018 by Beverly Hills developer Ronald Simms, landlord for the drugstore at 226 N. Larchmont Blvd., as well as the newsstand and the stores above the city parking structure (Trina Turk to Starbucks). At that time, the Windsor Square Association (WSA) opposed the trees’ removal, calling the request “unreasonable,” because the trees were not dead, diseased or dangerous. The WSA argued that there was
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Historic Citrus Ave. house quickly demolished By John Welborne Neighbors on Citrus Avenue, just west of Hancock Park, were shocked on Oct. 23 when the historic 1927 home at 361 N. Citrus Ave., at the southwest corner of Oakwood Ave., was summarily demolished in one day, after no effective advance notice. Especially shocked was the couple that sold the house on September 18. As Dave and Cassidy Cole write in an accompanying letter to the editor of the Chronicle, they sold their house to these particular buyers because of the buyers’ clear representations made in a July 29 letter sent to the sellers. “However, we were not aware that their letter was full of lies,” write the sellers. The unannounced demolition generated a citywide reaction. An article appeared on lacurbed.com on the day of the demolition, and the story generated more than 300 comments in just three days. In that Curbed Los Angeles piece (at tinyurl.com/ y2eqopz8), the buyer, Reuven Gradon, a real estate professional, defended his demolition of the “beautifully caredfor home” (his words in the letter he wrote on July 29 to the now-former owners). To convince the sellers to sell, Mr. Gradon had written: “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cole,
never a claim against the city or property owner at that location on account of the slightly raised sidewalk. In an effort to stop such “piecemeal decisions” in the future, the WSA proposed an Orderly Street Tree Replacement (OSTR) plan, which calls for the selective removal of trees over a 20-year period. The OSTR flagged the two trees in front of Rite Aid to not be replaced until 2023 and 2025 respectively. Disregarding the WSA’s proposed plan, Simms and the Larchmont Village BID (Business Improvement District) moved forward with the request to the city to remove the trees. Separate arborists were hired by both the property owners (BID) and local residents (WSA), who submitted contradicting assessments that supported the position of their respective clients. Then, on Oct. 23, 2018, Councilman Ryu signaled support for the trees’ removal, telling the Chronicle: “At my urging the city’s Department of Disability and its Urban Forestry Division both studied the site outside Rite Aid, and both came to the conclusion that the sidewalk was not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, and that further root pruning of the mature ficus trees would not be possible without killing the trees.”
“Thank you for preserving such a beautiful family home, and for taking the time to consider our offer. “When we saw that 361 N Citrus was available, we were immediately excited. This home is exceptional both in character and in location and is the home of our dreams. “I grew up in this neighborhood and love everything about it.… Your home is where we want to continue to deepen our roots. “The character of the home is also something that we love. (Please turn to page 30)
361 N. CITRUS AVE. was designed in 1927 by architects Henry Knauer and Clarence Smale. It featured custom millwork, leaded glass windows an original atchelder tiled fireplace and more.
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Letters
NOVEMBER 2019
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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ALL THAT WAS LEFT, the evening of Oct. 23.
361 N. Citrus (Continued from page 29) … beautiful buildings with that 20’s character and charm have always held a special place in
my heart.… With your home, it is already so beautifully cared for with such incredibly rich character, it gets me even more excited to call it home. “We appreciate your con-
361 N. CITRUS from the air, with Citrus at top and Oakwood at left.
sidering our offer. We look forward to having our family dinners together in the dining room, and hosting Shab-
SELLER David Cole took a goodbye photograph of 361 N. Citrus, having been assured by the buyers, Reuven and Shevy Gradon, that they looked forward to hosting “friends and family for years to come” in the house.
bat meals with friends and family for years to come. We are strong believers in the idea ‘home is where the heart is’ — and would fill this home with much joy and heart. “With great appreciation and warm regards, “Reuven and Shevy Gradon …” And now the house with “such incredibly rich character” is no more. What will replace it remains to be seen.
REUVEN GRADON letter to sellers.
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