August 2020
Fine living in the greater Pasadena area
Viva La
REVOLUCION! MURALIST ALEJANDRO CHAVEZ ADDS COLOR TO THE WORLD
BACK TO SCHOOL 2020 PASADENA HUMANE REFRESHES DURING THE PANDEMIC
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Photo By Ryan Garvin CSLB 653340
Now more than ever, our home is the center of our lives. As we find ourselves negotiating for quiet space to work and study, we also seek spaces in our home that promote wellness, peace and relaxation. Let’s help you find ways to refine and get the most out of your personal sanctuary. Call 626.486.0510 to start the conversation about your home today.
ARCHITECTURE . CONSTRUCTION . INTERIORS HARTMANBALDWIN.COM
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arroyo VOLUME 16 | NUMBER 08 | AUGUST 2020
EDUCATION 06 WELCOME TO PUSD District welcomes new team members this summer
18 A REFRESH Pasadena Humane uses the pandemic break to rebrand —By CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
22 FUNCTION AND INNOVATION This South Pasadena home blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces —By KAMALA KIRK
26 ‘DARE TO DREAM’ Jerry O’Connell visualized a ‘Secret’ role, and landed it —By CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
28 KARAN RAINA The food artist in South Pasadena —BY NIKHIL BHAMBRI
32 VIVA LA REVOLUCION! Muralist Alejandro Chavez adds color to the world —BY NIKHIL BHAMBRI
36 IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS Artist Lita Albuquerque’s ‘Red Earth’ brings calmness —BY KAMALA KIRK
DEPARTMENTS
16 HOME AND DESIGN Passing the Comfort and Focus Tests 34 CULINARY CUPBOARD School Lunch Staple
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fine living in the greater pasadena area
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christina Fuoco -Karasinski ART DIRECTOR Stephanie Torres CONTRIBUTORS Nikhil Bhambri, Connor Dziawura, Kamala Kirk, Annika Tomlin PHOTOGRAPHERS Luis Chavez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Lisa Chase, Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb ADVERTORIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Bruce Haring OFFICE MANAGER Ann Turrietta
ON THE COVER: Alejandro Chavez photographed by Luis Chavez
TIMES MEDIA GROUP PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine V.P. OF OPERATIONS Michael Hiatt ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Zac Reynolds CONTACT US EDITORIAL christina@timespublications.com PHONE (626) 584-1500 FAX (626) 795-0149 MAILING ADDRESS 161 South Pasadena, Ste. B, South Pasadena, CA 91030 ArroyoMonthly.com ©2020 Times Media Group All rights reserved.
Corrections In a June 2020 cover story about Roxie Forbes’ drowning, it should not have said she had a cold or sniffles the day she died. Also, her parents, Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas, administered her antibody infusions. After Roxie drowned, the first time her parents saw her was at Huntington Hospital.
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Welcome TO PUSD
DISTRICT WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBERS THIS SUMMER COURTESY PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
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ew school years bring new staff members and Pasadena Unified School District is no different. Here are a few new faces to PUSD this school year.
Marco Villegas Dr. Marco Villegas is associate superintendent of specialized student support. Villegas is responsible for administering all programs and services for children with disabilities, leading cross-departmental strategic planning, improving standardized procedures and training for staff, strengthening collaborative partnerships with parents, and improving the organizational efficacy of the special education department. With nearly three decades of experience as a teacher, successful principal and regional director, Villegas has provided leadership skills training and coaching, and customized professional development for schools across the state. “I am pleased to welcome Dr. Villegas to PUSD where he will focus on improving the efficacy of systems that serve students with disabilities,” says Superintendent Brian McDonald. “As a teacher, successful principal, district administrator, and mentor to emerging educational leaders across the state, Dr. Villegas is uniquely qualified to lead our district’s special education department in developing effective teams and creating systems that support a culture of learning for all students.” Villegas joins PUSD from the Ontario-Montclair School District in San Bernardino County where he served as regional director of learning and teaching since 2015. In this position, he was the direct supervisor of 16 schools in the region while supporting the general administration of instructional, business and operational functions. “I truly feel honored to join the Pasadena Unified School District family, and I am excited about the level of collaboration and the systems already in place that support students with disabilities,” Villegas says. “I look forward to partnering with general and special education educators and families to provide the best possible educational opportunities for all of our students.”
Villegas earned a Ph.D. in urban educational leadership from Claremont Graduate University and has been an adjunct professor in the educational administration department at Azusa Pacific University and California State University Los Angeles. An experienced educator and leader, he has served as a mentor for aspiring school administrators and leaders through the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators’ (CALSA) mentoring program. He has also presented at numerous state and national educational conferences over the past 10 years. He replaces Dr. Cherilyn Lew, who accepted a position with another district. Ana Maria Apodaca Ana Maria “Ria” Apodaca, director of health programs. Apodaca leads the planning, development, implementation, evaluation and maintenance of all district student health programs, including the delivery of health services, health education, staff development, and assistance pursuing competitive grants. “I am pleased to welcome Ms. Apodaca to PUSD at this crucial time in our history,” McDonald says. “As a proven educational leader with deep ties to our community, non-profit administrator, and devoted advocate for the health and well-being of our students and staff, Ms. Apodaca is a crucial member of the PUSD team as we confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for our district’s return to normal times.” With 25 years of experience as a leader and advocate for student wellness, a trauma-informed practices administrator and coach, school principal and classroom teacher, Apodaca brings a dedication to the academic, physical, social and emotional growth and development of the children of PUSD. She has extensive experience working with nonprofits and has deep ties to the community, having grown up in the area and devoting her professional life to serving the needs of the students of PUSD. “In these challenging times, services that support the health and well-being of our students, teachers, staff, and families have never been more essential and therefore the work of the Health Programs Department is even more valucontinued on page 8
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able,” Apodaca says. “I have been honored to have served PUSD for many years as both a teacher and an administrator and now I am honored to continue to serve our community by joining the health programs team as we continue our vital mission.” A member of the PUSD team since 1995 when she began her career as an educator, Apodaca moves to the director of health programs position from her most recent post as a second- and third-grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. From 2017-2019, she was director and trauma-informed practices coach with the Resilience in School Environments program of the Los Angeles Education Partnership. Apodaca supported the management of Kaiser Permanente national pilot project, designed and implemented professional development focused on trauma-informed practices, collaborated with district and school leadership to ensure that policies and procedures reflected a trauma-informed mindset, and coached school personnel to implement and sustain traumainformed practices. She developed a curriculum for the Resilience in School Environments program funded by Kaiser Permanente. Previously, Apodaca was principal of PUSD’s Altadena Elementary School, where she collaborated on the successful application for a Magnet School Assistance Program grant and the development of an implementation plan for the school’s French Dual Language Immersion program. Prior to Altadena Elementary, Apodaca was principal of Field Elementary School from 2007 to 2016, leading the school’s Mandarin Dual Language Immersion program and implementing a successful Farm-to-School Program, including the development of a 12,000-square-foot vegetable garden and three hydroponic gardens. Under her leadership, Field Elementary won the California Distinguished School Award in 2010 and the Title I Academic Achievement Award in 2007. Apodaca earned a master’s in educational leadership from California State University, Los Angeles, a teaching credential from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a bachelor’s from the University of California, Berkeley. She replaces former Health Programs Director Ann Rector, who retired in June. Leonard Hernandez Leonard Hernandez Jr., director of maintenance, operations, transportation and facilities. Hernandez leads the management of districtwide facilities planning, maintenance and repair functions, custodial services, transportation services, fleet management, utility management, and district safety, recycling, indoor air quality and security programs. Hernandez has served in high levels of school district facilities management, led facilities and operations for a 1,800-student school complex, taught JROTC, and retired from the U.S. Army as a sergeant, first class, after more than two decades of honorable service. “Mr. Hernandez brings a unique blend of leadership, experience, and expertise in school facilities and operations, school site-level administration, classroom instruction, and military service to PUSD,” McDonald says. “His emphasis on excellence in service through delivering campuses that are clean and in good repair is especially important as we prepare for the eventual safe return of students and staff to our schools as public health conditions with the COVID-19 pandemic evolve.” Hernandez joins PUSD from the Pomona Unified School District, where he was director of facilities, maintenance operations, from 2019-2020 and was responsible for directing, coordinating, evaluating, and planning the day-today facilities, maintenance, operations and transportation for the district’s 43 campuses and three sites. From 2003-2007, he was a school site administrator for Pomona Unified’s Pueblo K-8 and Village Academy High School complex that served 1,800 K-12th grade students and hosted an adult education program. In this role, he managed student discipline and student leadership activities, the schools’ operations, maintenance, and facilities, and supervised classified employees. He was subsequently promoted and served as Pomona Unified’s coordinator of civic center permits and operations from 2007-2016. 8 | ARROYO | 08.20
From 2016-2019, he was the chief facilities operations officer of the Inglewood Unified School District, where he supervised the construction, maintenance, and repair of school buildings and facilities, energy management, and facilities planning and operations. “I am honored to join the PUSD team,” Hernandez says. “As a former site administrator and classroom instructor, I know that the role of school facilities and maintenance is to support and serve students, teachers, and staff with clean facilities in good repair. The facilities and maintenance team has a powerful influence on the educational experience of our students, staff, and families. I look forward to working collaboratively to provide excellent and caring service to our students and staff during the challenging times we face now and in the future.” Hernandez has a passion for education and is a life-long learner, obtaining several degrees and professional certificates. He earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a master’s degree in occupational studies in education from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree from Excelsior College in New York. Merian Stewart Dr. Merian Stewart, interim principal of McKinley School. Stewart is the interim principal of McKinley School for the 2020-21 academic year. Stewart brings 29 years of steady experience as an elementary and middle school principal. She has served as principal of Franklin Elementary since 2016, where she ushered in a computer immersion program, and Washington STEAM Middle School from 2008-2016, where she led the school’s transition to a STEAM magnet school. Stewart previously served as principal of Noyes Elementary and as program and services director of D’Veal Family and Youth Services Mental Health Agency. She began her career as an instructional assistant in PUSD. Stewart brings experience with technology and her commitment to family and community partnerships. Dr. Merle Bugarin Dr. Merle Bugarin, interim principal, Don Benito Fundamental Elementary School for the 2020-21 academic year. Bugarin brings 23 years of experience as an elementary and middle school educator and administrator. She successfully served as principal of Roosevelt Elementary for the last five years. Prior to becoming a principal, she was a teacher on special assignment coordinating the K-12 English Learner program for the Pasadena Unified School District for two years, a curriculum coach for 12 years and a classroom teacher for five years. Bugarin has consistently mentored colleagues throughout her career. Her focus while at Roosevelt was to use a growth mindset model to develop learners who are curious, motivated to think critically, innovative in developing solutions, and strong communicators.
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Education
A DIRECTORY OF LEARNING OPTIONS continued on page 12
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Altadena Arts Magnet At Altadena Arts Magnet, the dedicated teachers use evidence-based approaches to instruction, including Balanced Literacy and social-emotional learning, to provide a rigorous and nurturing education for students in grades PreK-5. Visual and performing arts are an integral part of our curriculum, boosting engagement and achievement. We provide weekly instruction in all five art forms—music, dance, visual arts, theater arts, and media arts. Professional teaching artists also collaborate with teachers and a full-time, credentialed arts specialist to integrate arts and academics into every classroom, every day, include during remote learning. Additionally, the campus offers a French dual-language immersion option during which students become bilingual, biliterate, bicognitive, culturally sensitive learners. These amazing opportunities are offered to students for free. Come see how valuable free can be. Sign up for a tour of the school at 743 E. Calaveras Street, Altadena. For more information, contact Benita Scheckel at 626-396-5650, ext.14099, or visit pusd.us/Altadena
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Altadena Children’s Center ekindergarten in five separate classrooms. The center is following the most stringent COVID-19 health protocols, including a comprehensive wellness check each morning and stable, small groups of children. Altadena Children’s Center space for infants in its warm and cozy classroom that serves a maximum of eight infants with three teachers. Families enrolling in the program find the center’s programs meet the needs of the whole child within a high-quality, developmentally appropriate framework, which includes a focus on social/emotional learning and Anti-Bias Education. Its family-centered approach helps to nurture healthy partnerships between teachers and parents as they all work together to support the children in the school family. The staff is eager to help families from diverse backgrounds discover that Altadena Children’s Center is the best place for their child’s early care and learning. continued on page 14
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Emmaus Lutheran School For 78 years, Emmaus Lutheran School has nurtured children from preschool through eighth grade. Rigorous academic standards and Christian-based life skills produce well-rounded students. Graduates go to universities including Johns Hopkins, MIT, West Point, Oxford College, USC, UCLA and other UC campuses. The school is starting with virtual classes in the fall, but the building is CDC compliant in all safety areas. Classroom sizes will remain small and all necessary distance restrictions will be maintained when in class instruction is allowed to begin. Once approved, all enrichments will be available including beforeand after-school care; sports; student government; fieldtrips; music; art; Spanish and technology. Call to tour our campus. Emmaus can issue form I-20 for international students wishing to study in the United States and all our teachers have training in English Language Learning including one full-time dedicated ELL teacher. Learn more at: emmausalhambra.org or visit 840 S. Almansor Street, Alhambra. For more information, call 626289-3664. 14 | ARROYO | 08.20
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John Muir High School Early College Magnet John Muir High School’s Early College partnership with Pasadena City College allows motivated students to earn up to two years of college credits tuition-free along with their high school diploma. Courses are offered in an on-campus PCC satellite building (or online) during the school day. Students also enroll in one of three schoolwide College & Career Academies—arts, entertainment and media; business and entrepreneurship or engineering and environmental science. Each academy provides opportunities for students to learn from leading industry partners who provide job shadows, internships, fieldtrips and guest speakers. Additionally, the school’s renowned athletics programs and student leadership opportunities reflect its core principles of pride, tradition and excellence. Your future begins here. Sign up for a tour today. The school is located at 1905 N. Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena. For more information, contact Gretchen Pinto at 626-396-5600, ext.82020, or visit pusd.us/Muir
The Gooden School The Gooden School has been nurturing students from kindergarten through eighth grade since 1975. It is an independent Episcopal school nestled in the foothills of Sierra Madre, offering an exceptional learning experience with small class sizes and individualized attention. Its strong core academic program is complemented by music classes, visual arts, STEAM, as well as Spanish and Latin. Its commitment to academic excellence continues as the staff adjusts its program for virtual learning. The school is planning for an in-person and hybrid transition as soon it is safe to do so. Its large and flexible campus provides ample outdoor and indoor space for students to experience all that the unique program has to offer. To learn more and to set up a virtual tour of the campus, contact Tricia Xavier, director of admissions and enrollment management, at admissions@goodenschool.org. 08.20 | ARROYO | 15
HOME & DESIGN SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
PASSING THE COMFORT AND FOCUS TESTS For homeschooling, create an atmosphere conducive to success By Bruce Haring
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e don’t have to tell you that these are not normal times. Businesses are closed, activities are curtailed, and even the simple act of going outside requires some thought and preparation. One of the biggest disruptions caused by the pandemic is the education of our children. In the Los Angeles area, the upcoming semester that starts in August will continue the online learning experiment started in the spring. That’s for the foreseeable future. Normally, after a summer spent working, playing and generally relaxing, the young students in your home would be heading back to campuses. They would renew old friendships, prepare for new challenges, and continue on the arc that culminates in high school and college graduations. That is no longer an option. At best, there will be a hybrid program with limited in-person education in place at some point. Which means that homeschooling will be the rule for the foreseeable future. Not every home is set up for quality online education. Like the classroom, a student needs focus and comfort, a great computer connection, and a way to interact with others virtually so as not to feel isolated. That means they will occupy a room that needs to be made livable for studying and relaxing. It all starts with a desk, a computer, good lighting and a strong internet connection. With those essentials, a student is equipped to 16 | ARROYO | 08.20
do the tasks at hand. But as with other things in life, studying is a task made more enjoyable if there are comforts at hand beyond the basics. Presuming the study area will be in an enclosed room, like a bedroom, there needs to be segmented space from playtime and worktime. Some trendy and wealthy college students were actually enlisting interior decorators to come up with dorm room ideas, and there’s no shortage of designer websites that are inspiring students to reach a bit with their budget. The art of room decoration is a highly subjective one, made all the more complicated by the fact that your scholar may be sharing a room with one or more people. Tastes vary, and the space students have is generally small and utilitarian, designed to accommodate the basic necessities of living rather than luxuriating. Statistics on how much people previously spent on dorm décor are hard to come by. The National Retail Federation indicates that around $1,000 was in the ballpark of what the average student spent in 2018, the last year stats are available. But obviously that’s a vested interest in getting you to load up. That figure undoubtedly includes some things that the average student can easily live without. U.S. dorm spending totals more than $50 million per year, though, so someone is digging deep into their pockets.
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WORK WITH THE SPACE
THE LUXURY ITEMS
To take full advantage of limited space, student study rooms need to be organized. You need a space for studying, one for sleeping, and then hopefully there’s room for a comfortable chair or two to make it easier to read or to accommodate the occasional sit-down with you, the teacher. Setting the mood in a study room all starts with light. Most bedrooms have one window that may or may not look out at something appealing or provide proper light. Thus, it’s smart to have a lamp that can bend in several directions. A good desk lamp that can be repositioned is ideal, as the desk will likely adjoin your sleeping space and can serve two purposes if you read laying down. You may also consider a stand-alone pole lamp that can be used for ambient lighting in the room. Posters can also help set a mood. A landscape can provide some calming moments in hectic times, and prints are easily found on websites like Etsy and Society6 that have many thousands of unique art prints. Storage is also at a premium in tight quarters. A three-drawer vertical cart on wheels can be positioned wherever there is space in the room. There are also pieces of furniture that can provide storage options and not take up a lot of room. Consider the unused spaces in the study room as well—places like under the bed or on top of the dresser. Both are ripe for storage containers that can hold various items.
The above are the items that you need to live a basic existence. But a Spartan existence, while budget conscious, isn’t really conducive to enjoyment. There are a few other items to consider that will bring some vibrant qualities to make the room feel more like home. First and foremost, get a dorm-size refrigerator. It helps to have some drinks and snacks in your room for the wee, small hours of the morning, and a dorm room refrigerator is the godsend that will help you get through some of those times. Most small units start below $200, going up from there, depending on what else you want. Keep in mind that space is at a premium and this isn’t a kitchen, so plan for something that will provide a maximum of enjoyment in a minimum of space. In the old days, a television in the dorm was a luxury. Now, thanks to streaming, most students can watch whatever they want on their laptops. Since there are subscription costs for many sites, plan accordingly for what you really, really need to watch. Finally, consider a small area rug to give a touch of warmth to the study area. Small rugs can be found for $100 or less, and they add considerable charm to your living space. Think of all of the above as something of an investment in your life. These are unique times, but they are still a crucial moment for your students, and they need to continue to take their scholarly pursuits seriously, even though the setting is different. By setting up the study space in proper fashion, you’re already on the way to a passing grade.
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A Refresh PASADENA HUMANE USES THE PANDEMIC BREAK TO REBRAND BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
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asadena Humane Society was founded more than 120 years ago, and since then, the organization had various official and unofficial monikers. In July, the nonprofit made it official: It’s now known simply as Pasadena Humane. “In the 1980s, they added SPCA to the name. That was just a lot of words to say, particularly in modern times when it’s human nature for people to shorten names,” says Jack Hagerman, Pasadena Humane’s vice president, community relations. “People were abbreviating us as the Humane Society or the SPCA, but we’re not associated with the national organizations for either.” The nonprofit’s new name is representative of its mission: serving people and animals of the San Gabriel Valley. Plus, Hagerman says, it rolls off the tongue a lot easier. As part of the name change, Pasadena Humane refreshed its brand, redesigning its logo with new typography and graphic standards to give the organization’s presence a bolder and more colorful look. In mid-July, Pasadena Humane launched its new website, which offers enhanced capability. “With the name change, it was time to give our community a whole new version of us,” Hagerman says. “It makes it easier to relate to us and connect with us.” The most commonly visited area of Pasadena Humane’s website is its pet finder. Previously, the section’s capabilities were limited. With the new site, the options are expansive. continued on page 20
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“Before, we could only use one photo and a limited description,” Hagerman says. “We can now showcase multiple photos and a video of an animal within their profile. “It’s big and colorful with all the statistics—age, weight, gender, if they’re spayed, and a narrative description. Having to social distance, the first impression people get of our animals is on our website. Instead of coming into the shelter and perusing the kennels and seeing what friend might jump out at you, they’re shopping online.” Pasadena Humane isn’t affiliated with The Humane Society of the United States or the SPCA, which stands for Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “The Humane Society of the United States is based in Washington, D.C., and they do advocacy work,” he says. “They help with lobbying to create more humane laws that humane societies like us can enforce. We do animal control for 11 cities. “They help in creating better laws we can enforce at the local level— same with SPCA. The SPCA is like the Red Cross for animal welfare. They help with disaster relief and crisis situations and provide grants. Both organizations are wonderful, but they’re not animal shelters like we are.” Like most nonprofits, Pasadena Humane has been struggling through the pandemic. Hagerman, however, sees a bright side to the quarantine. “It challenged us to rewrite our entire operations playbook,” he says. “We did it within a matter of a couple of weeks. We changed our operations to take most of our services online. We’ve redesigned our adoption and foster programs so we can provide foster homes for most of the pets we have in our care. We immediately place them in foster homes.” The pandemic also encouraged folks to step up and volunteer as fosters. Because of social distancing, Pasadena Humane needs to have few people on its property. “We can’t have a houseful of animals and not enough people to take care of them,” he says. “Through research, animals do better in homes than a shelter setting. In a shelter, there are a lot of unfamiliar scents and sounds. It can be a jarring experience for animals. “It’s better for them to be in a home while they await a permanent home. It’s like children going to foster homes until they can find permanent placement. Just like children in orphanages was a bad idea, animals in shelters is a bad idea. You want them to be in loving homes with warm beds and people to care for them.” Hagerman adds Pasadena Humane is going to continue to build on its foster program going forward. For Hagerman, working as Pasadena Humane—as he has for two years—is a dream. He has 20 years of health care experience behind him, and he says that was good preparation for this type of work. “Health care operations are very similar to the way animal shelters function,” Hagerman explains. “It’s just a different species. I used to own and operate a livestock conservation on my farm for critically and endangered animals. Pasadena Humane is a magical place.”
PASADENA HUMANE 361 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena 626-792-7151, pasadenahumane.org 20 | ARROYO | 08.20
Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is now Pasadena Humane.
new look We gave ourselves a makeover. Check us out: pasadenahumane.org
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Function and Innovation
THIS SOUTH PASADENA HOME BLURS THE LINES BETWEEN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES
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BY KAMALA KIRK
hen Anne-Elizabeth and Jamie Sobieski bought their South Pasadena home in 2002, it was a 1940s ranch house tucked away at the end of a long driveway. They knew the property would need a lot of work, but they also saw a lot of opportunity. “When our two sons were younger, they thought the street was the most exciting thing, and it was hard to get them up the stairs into the house at our previous home,” says Anne-Elizabeth. “This place was especially attractive because it was set off the street and we saw it as an open property that was waiting for an idea. It felt really open, private and safe and was a place where we could get creative.” continued on page 24
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As fans of architecture, the Sobieskis had gone on a home tour where they were inspired by The Schnabel House in Brentwood, a multi-building compound designed by architect Frank Gehry that included a main residence, guest house, as well as gym and office buildings in a campus-like setting. “That home served as our inspiration,” she says. “Jamie and I both work from home and loved the idea of being able to walk to our offices in a separate building a few feet away from our house. Our boys also needed places to study, so we wanted to create a free-flowing campus with transitional and autonomous spaces that the home could grow with.” In 2005, the Sobieskis embarked on their multiphase project, which began with the construction of a separate art studio for Anne-Elizabeth, who is a full-time artist and painter. It was designed by architect Warren Techentin and featured a steel-ribbed, vaulted ceiling and French doors that opened an entire wall to the outdoors. Sobieski’s favorite part about her studio is that she can look over the rest of the property. She and Jamie can also see one another from their separate workspaces, then meet up for lunch in the kitchen midday. After the studio was built, the Sobieskis enlisted Koning Eizenberg Architecture of Santa Monica (which also revamped The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles) to build their 650-square-foot guesthouse, which has a kitchen, bedroom, loft area and roof deck. That project took four months from start to finish, and upon its completion in 2008, the couple and their sons moved into the guest house, where they lived for the next two years while the main residence was under construction. “We’d eat dinner on the roof together every night, then the boys would sleep in the loft area while we slept downstairs,” she says. “We added AstroTurf to the rooftop so it feels like a lawn. The guest house is our kids’ favorite spot because they can go up there to hang out with friends and feel like they’re in their own secret hideaway.” During the deconstruction phase of the ranch house, the Sobieskis worked with Habitat for Humanity to save anything of value from the original home they could donate, such as copper piping and sink fixtures. “It took longer than a normal demolition because we did it all by hand in order to be green and resourceful from the beginning,” she points out. “We’re glad we took time for the different phases of our home build, because we got to know the house better and figured out what we wanted as we were living in it. Part of the fun has been doing this project one bit at a time and building what works for us as a family.” The Sobieskis worked with the same architects to build their 3,700-square-foot post-modern main residence, which matches the signature white cube shape and style of the other buildings on the property. Together, they resemble a series of giant milk cartons lined up. “We really loved our architects and completely trusted them,” AnneElizabeth says. “When they interviewed us prior to working with us, they didn’t ask us what we wanted the house to look like. They wanted to know how we lived and what we wanted to grow into. They designed the home based on function and how we wanted to live. While we were talking with them, one of our sons rode his bike in through the living room and out the 24 | ARROYO | 08.20
front door—that’s who we are.” Completed in 2012, the residence is made from wood, concrete and cedar cladding. The walls and roof are white, the concrete floors have radiant heating, and big glass sliding doors take the place of windows. The uneven butterfly roof lines, which resemble origami, tilt at varying degrees and maximize the exposure of the solar panels. Jamie’s office is on the second floor in a loft-like space above the kitchen and living area, which makes it feel like a tree house. “Jamie can keep tabs on everything from his office and open his door to the upper deck,” she says. “If people are talking in the kitchen, he can still be a part of the conversation. Everyone can have autonomous spaces in our home for work and study yet feel close and connected. It’s the best of both worlds.” The main house has two bedrooms and is designed similar to a motel, where each bedroom has two doors—one leading into a private courtyard outside, while the other opens into the main living area of the home. “We wanted everyone to have their own entrance so you’d never be stuck going up and down one hallway,” she says. “I love being able to immediately go outside from my bedroom.” When it comes to art and décor, the Sobieskis opted to keep things minimal to avoid taking away from the home itself. They prefer to let the home’s main features, such as the walls and materials, even the way the light comes through the big glass sliding doors, serve as the main focus. Some of Anne-Elizabeth’s paintings are on display in the home, along with a collection of art mostly by people the couple knows personally or admires in the Los Angeles art scene. Their furniture features an eclectic mix of antiques and pieces from the homes they grew up in, including a set of chairs from Sobieski’s grandparent’s house that have traveled with her to every apartment and home she’s lived in. “I upholstered them three years ago and now they’re at both ends of our dining table,” she says. “We like to mix modern and nostalgic family pieces together. Our goal is that everything in our home is meaningful to us in some way.” Outside, the main residence has a wall that doubles as a projection wall for family movie nights on the lawn or the numerous community events that the Sobieskis have hosted in the past. At the center of the property is a solarheated pool surrounded by grassy lawns. At the front of the house, guests are greeted at the end of the long driveway by a koi pond and a road sign that says “You’ll Never Be the Same,” while another road sign in the backyard says “Don’t You Wish.” “The signs are designed to engage viewers personally and make them think,” Sobieski says. “You feel like the signs are talking to you.” The home has also received numerous awards throughout the years, including the 2014 AIA National Housing Award, for its creativity, innovation, and ability to effortlessly blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. “It’s a very easy and efficient house to live in,” Anne-Elizabeth says. “It’s very user friendly. There aren’t any empty spaces that don’t get used. We really love our home. It almost becomes invisible living because it’s so functional.” 08.20 | ARROYO | 25
Jerry O’Connell, right, jokes that he nearly fell off the roof when he saw Josh Lucas’ blue eyes. The two co-star in “The Secret: Dare to Dream.”
‘Dare to Dream’ JERRY O’CONNELL VISUALIZED A ‘SECRET’ ROLE, AND LANDED IT
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ctor Jerry O’Connell was on a set of a TV show and frequently complaining about his life, when a coworker gave him a copy of the book “The Secret.” “I said, ‘Oh brother. This is going to be like a cult,’” O’Connell recalls. “I read it and it was very helpful. It was a really crazy time in my life professionally. I know it sounds cheesy to say this, but I visualized if they ever made a scripted version of the film, I wanted to be in it.” He is. “The Secret: Dare to Dream” hit premium video on demand outlets on July 31. The film was originally slated for an April 17 theatrical release by Roadside Attractions, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed that. The movie tells the story of Miranda Wells (Katie Holmes), a hard-working young widow struggling to raise three children, when she encounters Bray Johnson (Josh Lucas). He’s carrying—literally—a secret that could change Miranda’s life. Meanwhile, she’s involved with her co-worker, Tucker, played by O’Connell. Written by Rhonda Byrne, “The Secret” was one of 2006’s best-selling self-help books, based on an earlier film of the same name. It is based on the belief of the law of attraction, which claims that thoughts can change a person’s life directly. It sold 30 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 50 languages. “The book has such a fanbase,” O’Connell says. “It has changed so many people’s lives. I’m interested to see what ardent followers of the rules of attraction will think about the scripted version of their beloved book. “It’s an international phenomenon, ‘The Secret.’ This is a dramatic version 26 | ARROYO | 08.20
of that. I think the most challenging part is making sure the secret, this is the dramatic version of that. I think the most challenging part is making sure—I wouldn’t call it the fans—the followers of ‘The Secret’ are happy with what we did.” The movie was directed by Andy Tennant, with whom Lucas fans would be familiar because he helmed “Sweet Home Alabama” as well. “They certainly got the right person when they got Andy Tennant to come do it,” O’Connell says. “He’s our writer/director, and I guess he really is one of the kings of rom-com. It was just so interesting that they went to him with the scripted version of ‘The Secret.’” O’Connell is keeping busy these days. Amazon’s IMDb TV is carrying his show “Carter,” which is about an actor who played a cop on television and has a problem determining the difference between reality and fiction. He also voices Cmdr. Jack Ransom on CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” which premieres on August 10. He describes the 10-episode run as a comedic version of “Star Trek.” During the pandemic, O’Connell says he’s using his “laws of attraction” talents and visualization techniques to get his kids back in school. (He’s kidding.) He’s hoping that fans and followers of “The Secret” have as much fun with the movie as he did. “It was a fun set,” O’Connell says. “Katie Holmes is such a doll. She’s so much fun to work with. “And man, I wasn’t playing his love interest, but that Josh Lucas is so dreamy. I had scenes with him—not to judge him—but I do get lost in his Paul Newman-esque blue eyes.”
Photo courtesy Lionsgate
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
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Karan Raina
THE FOOD ARTIST IN SOUTH PASADENA BY NIKHIL BHAMBRI
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outh Pasadena residents take pride in its peace, tranquility, neighborhood parks and high-quality schools. By and large, South Pasadena residents are happy to leave the dining and nightlife hubbub to Old Town Pasadena and Alhambra’s Main Street. However, in the last few years, an eclectic collection of restaurants and bars have sprung up on Mission Street. This new chapter began slowly when the Metro Stop opened and city leaders started to refurbish Mission Street. It accelerated in 2010 with the arrival of one bold restauranteur who was determined to test his luck in South Pasadena. The man’s success paved the way for other entrepreneurs. Today, the city’s original business district along Mission and El Centro streets is reclaiming its past glory as “Old Town” South Pasadena. The man behind the bustling energy is the enterprising, out-of-the-box thinker Karan Raina. Karan’s business success stems from his eagerness to constantly reinvent himself and his cooking style. His knack for understanding customers has allowed him to expand the culinary horizon of South Pasadena residents while fostering their sense of small-town community. “When you stay in a luxury Indian hotel, you do not need to go anywhere; everything is provided in the hotel,” he says about previous training. “If you want something, they will provide it even if it is not on the menu. You tell them what you want; they will do whatever they need to do to try and get it for you.” Karan brings this attitude of doing anything possible to unite South Pasadena residents around a shared love of food. Originally from New Delhi, Karan entered the restaurant business in 1995 when he opened Radhika Modern Indian in Alhambra. He soon relocated to Pasadena but had to shut the restaurant when his lease ran out in 2008. Two years later, in 2010, Karan opened Radhika Modern Indian at 966 Mission Street, South Pasadena. Most people discouraged Karan from opening his restaurant in South Pasadena because of the city’s relative lack of commercial activity. At that time, Mission Street had very little retail action except for a few family-owned antique stores. “This area was not looked at as a forward-moving kind of vibe,” says Kiran, Karan’s son. “No businesses were looking to jump here and invest a lot of money in starting a project, let alone a family, high-end restaurant.” Karan pioneered in bringing a full-service restaurant to the block, ultimately causing a restaurant ecosystem to gain momentum. “Now more restaurants want to come and get a piece of the pie,” Kiran says. A few years later, Griffin’s of Kinsdale, Simplee Boba, Bluefin Sushi and Roll, and La Monarca Bakery and Cafe opened on the same block. Radhika is housed in the historic Mission Arroyo Hotel. Inside, remnants of India come in contact with Los Angeles’ trendy, hipster culture. “Because my audience is all contemporary Southern Californian, I want to create a SoCal ambiance,” Karan says. “I do not want to overly clam things up with ethnic murals.” The blue painted walls, decorated with wine bottles, Indian paintings and artifacts, surround the smell of Indian spices and racy Bhangra/Bollywood music. Modern-looking blue-and-red-striped lamps hang from the ceiling. The vibe is completely different from most Indian restaurants where customers feel they have been transported to a Mughal Court or ancient temple in India. “India has a lot more than the Taj Mahal; there are many deeper layers, such as the cuisine,” Karan says. “Our decoration is not in-your-face Indian art. Instead, you see a subtle but often underappreciated aspect of Indian life, and we do it just to create the ambiance.” For example, the cloths on the sofas contain old Rajasthani-style icons, while the walls display photographs of Indian street shops.
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In his new location, Karan wanted to create something different by bringing out new elements and style in Indian food. South Pasadena’s largely non-Indian demographic provided the perfect opportunity. Radhika represents a culinary merger of East and West, serving traditional Indian dishes and Latino and Continental delicacies cooked with exotic Indian spices. Nontraditional dishes include Punjabi chicken tacos, paella, shrimp tostada, baby back ribs, lamb shank and Brussels sprouts. The innovative menu allows South Pasadena’s population to eat “comfort American food” while simultaneously enjoying flavorful Indian spices. However, Karan defines his food as modern, not fusion. Everything is cooked only with Indian spices and ingredients. For example, the Punjabi taco contains no Mexican spices. It just looks like a taco, yet everything inside is Indian. “Fusion equals confusion,” Karan says, and contends that using foreign ingredients would not make his food authentically Indian. Nick Vyas, a long-term South Pasadena resident and Karan’s friend, considers Radhika a great local asset. Vyas claims Radhika is the only restaurant where he will eat Indian food, because “the quality is as good as it is at home.” Before Radhika, Vyas frequented Old Town Pasadena, but now he avoids the hassle of driving and parking by enjoying his evening in South Pasadena, where parking is more accessible. In 2014, Karan and his Salvadorian wife, Candy Garcia-Raina, opened ARO Latin, a tequila mezcal bar, across the street from Radhika. Until 2 a.m., the bar is hopping with residents enjoying a drink and late-night snack with their fellow neighbors. The menu serves a wide selection of alcohol and food from Central, South America and Mexico. ARO engages the community by hosting various themed events often featuring live DJs. Some of these include celebrations for New Year’s Eve, Day of the Dead, Wine Wednesday and Margarita Mondays. Bartender Alejandro Chavez lights up ARO with his positive energy and cultivates a personal connection with his clientele. Chavez believes Karan’s presence in South Pasadena has given the town a multicultural identity. “California is one of the most multicultural states, so it is healthy for the community to have businesses that reflect that.” Many of the neighborhood’s residents may have never discovered Indian or Latin cuisine if Radhika and ARO had not come to their backyard. Although well established on Mission Street, Karan still contemplates other ways to bring his passion for food to South Pasadena. He currently plans to start a food truck or stall that would serve Indian-style street food, where customers pick from a variety of ingredients on display that are then assembled and cooked to order very quickly. It is an interactive, immersive experience, reminiscent of the scene in every Indian city. During these turbulent times of post-COVID opening, Karan plans to modify his menu at Radhika and ARO. He predicts that his clientele will become more health conscious and plans to offer more vegetarian and vegan food items. At ARO, he will install a small herb garden on the restaurant’s outside wall to provide fresh herbs for garnishes and cocktails. Peter Giulioni, a longtime South Pasadena resident, is impressed with Karan’s endeavors. “Karan is a very good restaurateur, and it is reflected in the quality of the service and food,” Giulioni says. “Radhika is a delightful restaurant. Food is good, service is solid, prices are reasonable. When ARO opened we were immediately drawn to it. The vibe in there is phenomenal. (Karan) has made himself a South Pasadena institution. He has done a great job of making people like myself cross Fremont Ave on Mission. He has really served as an anchor for that area to flourish.” Karan says that his entrepreneurial success would not be possible without the city’s continued support. “South Pasadena has been extremely supportive bout what my dad has been doing here,” Kiran says. “Big shout out to the mayor and council members. They are very important to this whole thing.” Karan feels South Pasadena has welcomed him with open arms and provided opportunities for him to bond with the community. Looking back to his decade as a restaurateur on Mission Street, he reflects on how frequently he has catered at the many events hosted by South Pasadena Educational Foundation. “South Pasadena businesses that survive have an interpersonal relationship with the community,” Chavez adds. “Radhika and ARO have had a lot of regulars who look forward to coming and have been following us since the beginning. Community support for both restaurants is very strong.”
RADHIKA MODERN INDIAN 966 Mission Street, South Pasadena 626-799-2200, radhikarestaurant.com
ARO LATIN 1019 Mission Street, South Pasadena 626-799-9400, arolatin.com 08.20 | ARROYO | 29
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n the previous installments of this design series, we discussed using the concept of Form Following Function to begin conceiving your design and how to direct the visual journey with the use of void and masses.
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In this article, we will discuss using line and focus to enhance the aesthetics of your yard’s function and further direct the eye to visually important elements with some artistic flare. The illustration above is a take on an actual project Garden View completed. As you can see from the drawing and picture, there is a path that leads physically and visually to the point of interest—the statue with a functional seating area. The lines are bold, distinct and symmetrical, the visual journey is highlighted by the fact that the path and low plants next to it are voids (low and not obstructing a view) that are framed by masses of tallerprofile plants. In doing so, we are creating curved-yet-direct lines, subliminally drawing the viewer more strongly toward the point of interest. The lines in this concept do not all need to be orderly, sharp or symmetrical. A row of lights, a line of trees/shrubs, lawns or annual color beds can be used to direct line of sight. A few of our other favorites like streams, stepping stones, hedges and stone walls can also be used to accomplish this effect as well. Have fun, use your imagination and take inspiration from projects and artists you admire. In our next article, we will explore a deeper level of detail with how to use textures in your landscape.
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VIVA LA
Revolucion! MURALIST ALEJANDRO CHAVEZ ADDS COLOR TO THE WORLD STORY BY NIKHIL BHAMBRI | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ
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n a world of suffering and inequality, South Pasadena resident Alejandro Chavez uses different artistic mediums to encourage social change. Chavez has been using his talents to create art that portrays, in a deeply evocative way, the lives of those affected by political, environmental and social upheaval. It all comes from his belief that shared experiences through meaningful art can break down divisions and unite diverse people in the fight for equality. Chavez’s artistic family, his travels and multifaceted life experiences have shaped him into the artist he is today. In the late 1990s, Chavez’s uncle exposed him to political art, which helped him understand the 9/11 attacks. This inspired him to use muralism and graphic design to raise awareness of current issues. Chavez strives to challenge divisive or limiting paradigms, by creating dialogue that is catalytic to healing. According to him, art—regardless of what it depicts—is a universal language that can be appreciated by all people. His work conveys a message to raise consciousness about social issues and engages people in dialogue. These conversations allow for greater understanding and acceptance of others for who they are. Chavez is galvanized by local and global social and political concerns,
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and his art depicts impactful stories that he believes do not receive enough attention. His themes include environmental issues, women’s and gay rights, and immigration. He emphasizes leaders who have struggled on behalf of their community in the fight for liberation and equality. Chavez began working on murals in 2014 with his cousin, who works on NBC’s “The Voice.” His murals revive the rich tradition of Chicano culture and stories. He says he believes murals bring life to a city’s streets. When street art is censored, it feels as if society has been numbed. The messages expressed through street art highlight something more important than what’s presented on the daily news. Trump’s political measures, such as the border wall and anti-immigration, have inspired Chicano artists to vocalize their views. In Boyle Heights, Chavez painted a wall in which Trump is in a headlock by a famous Mexican wrestler. Despite being a gang-infested neighborhood, community members have shown respect for the piece. In a neighborhood where few things are permanent, the mural has not been defaced many months later. In 2014, Chavez and his father hosted a debut art show, themed “synergy,” in San Fernando. The father-and-son duo collaborated on artwork reflecting the
daily struggles of communities worldwide. Pieces including a portrait of Malala Yousefzai and a painting titled “Peace in the Middle East,” in which children of different religions hug each other while bombs fall in the background. “War is a dark topic to talk about,” Chavez says. “These children of all races embracing each other highlights the power of love, peace and unity, while also capturing my message of turning negativity to positivity.” One of Chavez’s most recent paintings is of Kobe Bryant. Shocked by the Black Mamba’s passing, he painted the image to heal himself. As Chavez grew older, he deeply respected Bryant’s mission to educate underprivileged children through sports. He hopes to follow the superstar’s message of hard work and dedication in his own life by being influential in a positive way. “There are few guarantees in life, which include change, birth and death,” Chavez says. “This conversation can be brought to the table here in LA, and being the international city that it is, it will hopefully spread worldwide.” Travel helps Chavez refresh, reinspire and heal. His experiences overseas have a lasting impact on his art style and themes. “It has exposed me to several mediums of art, and messages from all around the world,” Chavez says. “They have impacted and influenced me to use my artistic skills to speak truth and bring darkness to lightness.” Chavez recently traveled to Japan, Cuba and Belize and brought cultural remnants back to Los Angeles. While painting a mural in Cuba, he modified his style and technique, as he could not buy supplies from an art store. This inspired him to paint more “freestyle art pieces,” in which the wall guides him through the process, while he just uncovers it through paint strokes. In addition to creating art, Chavez works as a bartender at ARO Latin Bar, where his mural titled “The Future is Women” is painted on the bathroom wall. His interactions with his Indian boss, Karan Raina, have broadened his horizon and impacted his artwork. He has become more aware of international politics, and the India/Pakistan conflict was the key influence in his “Peace in the Middle East” painting. Furthermore, he has become fascinated by Indian spirituality, specifically the yogi lifestyle and concept of Karma. Doing yoga regularly helps him feel relaxed and connected, and he has found that it enhances his creativity. “Through spirituality and the mind-and-body connection, I have expanded my consciousness and understanding of how energy works,” Chavez says. “It is through this understanding and in this space where I can create my most authentic and truest work. Art heals. “During the time of COVID, I have been blessed to have many quantum leaps in my mental and spiritual growth. All of (them) have positively impacted me in many aspects of life.” Howard Serrian, Chavez’s friend, describes him as a liberal, anti-establishment revolutionary who is about exploiting change while going against the normal society standards. He finds Chavez’s art to be thought provoking, intriguing and empowering. The color patterns catch viewers’ attention, as they are very easy on the eyes. Serrian believes Chavez’s messages about tolerance and peace are especially important for mid-adolescents, who are still shaping their ideas and trying to grasp reality. Chavez wants to leave a legacy. His exposure to different walks of life has helped him better identify with the marginalized and hence create a realistic portrayal of their plight. He believes that a shared appreciation for art is a strong first step in breaking barriers and engaging people in meaningful dialogue. Chavez has a vision; he dreams of a personal artistic mission that will eventually unite different citizens to fight harder for international peace and equality. 08.20 | ARROYO | 33
Sweet
SCHOOL LUNCH STAPLE
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STORY BY EMILY CHAVEZ | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ
ummer “vacation” is coming to a close, and the return to school is filled with uncertainty. I found two things that help provide stability and comfort in this situation: routine and nostalgia. Whether continuing education in a physical classroom or virtual one, a routine of a prepared and nutritious midday meal provides the energy boost for the afternoon. A fond memory of my school day lunches included a sweet treat made with love. That treat was the traditional and hearty oatmeal cookie. This recipe builds on the happiness of past memories but creates something unique to my life now. Instead of vanilla extract and rolled oats, I use seeds fresh from the vanilla bean and steel cut oats for a fragrant and chewy cookie. And to bring a little summer fun into this back-to-school classic, dried pineapple and coconut subtly weaves its flavors throughout for a crisp texture on the outside and a chewy texture in the center. This modern cookie is the perfect finish to my lunch at work, just like when I was a kid at school.
SUMMER OATMEAL COOKIES HANDS-ON TIME: 20 MINUTES; TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR, 45 MINUTES MAKES: 30 COOKIES
INGREDIENTS 1 CUP BUTTER, SOFTENED 1 CUP WHITE SUGAR 3/4 CUP PACKED BROWN SUGAR 2 EGGS 1/2 VANILLA BEAN SEEDS 2 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR 1 TEASPOON BAKING SODA
1 TEASPOON SALT 1 1/2 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON 2 CUPS STEEL CUT OATS 1/2 CUP DRIED COCONUT, SHREDDED 1/2 CUP DRIED PINEAPPLE, DICED
1. IN A MEDIUM BOWL, CREAM TOGETHER BUTTER, WHITE SUGAR AND BROWN SUGAR. BEAT IN EGGS ONE AT A TIME, THEN STIR IN VANILLA SEEDS. 2. IN A SEPARATE BOWL, COMBINE FLOUR, BAKING SODA, SALT AND CINNAMON. SLOWLY ADD DRY MIXTURE TO THE CREAMED MIXTURE AND BEAT UNTIL INCORPORATED. 3. STIR IN OATS, PINEAPPLE AND COCONUT. COVER AND CHILL DOUGH FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR. 4. PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 375 DEGREES. GREASE COOKIE SHEETS OR LINE WITH PARCHMENT PAPER. 5. ROLL THE DOUGH INTO WALNUT-SIZED BALLS AND PLACE 2 INCHES APART ON COOKIE SHEETS. FLATTEN EACH COOKIE WITH A LARGE FORK DIPPED IN SUGAR. 6. BAKE FOR 7 TO 9 MINUTES. ALLOW COOKIES TO COOL ON THE BAKING SHEET FOR 1 MINUTE BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO A WIRE RACK TO COOL COMPLETELY. 34 | ARROYO | 08.20
Virtually Possible DOG HAUS LEADS CLOUDKITCHEN MOVEMENT BY ANNIKA TOMLIN
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og Haus will celebrate its 10th anniversary on October 20. As it reaches a new milestone, it continues to innovate through the use of virtual kitchens. Kitchen United Mix Chief Financial Officer Michael Montagano introduced virtual or CloudKitchens to Dog Haus’ André Vener. The two met at a parent party for their first-grade children several years ago. “Both of our kids go to Pasadena Polytechnic School, and that’s where we met,” Vener says. “It happened to be two Pasadena Poly dads going to a parent party running into each other.” The two discussed being “kind of in the restaurant business,” and Montagano offered Vener a facility tour to see if he would want to join. “He gave us a tour and then we thought about it for three months,” Vener says. “And then we heard about CloudKitchen and we decided it’s honestly going to be a big trend in our opinion.” Once they investigated a bit further, Dog Haus decided to expand across the country with Kitchen United Mix. “Wherever they open we will open,” Vener says. Dog Haus partnered with Kitchen United Mix first in Chicago, and Pasadena came third. They opened CloudKitchens in Chicago and Hollywood as well. After meeting, Kitchen United Mix and Doug Haus decided to have offices on the same alleyway in Old Pasadena. A virtual kitchen is a shared space for multiple restaurants to make food for delivery and have it available for customers all in one spot. Diners can choose what food from each restaurant they would like and get a whole meal delivered or to go. Dog Haus has its employees and equipment in the facility along with its designated kitchen space but shares a walk-in cooler, freezer and utilities. “The big advantage is because, normally, you will sign a five-year or 10-year lease on a brick-and-mortar. You build it from the ground up and then you’re on the hook and hopefully it works,” Vener says. “This is a little bit more of a conservative approach. We could be (signing a lease for) one or two years long. All you have to do is pay for the equipment, hire five people instead of 30 people, and you give it a go.” Kitchen United Mix or CloudKitchen owners hire the front staff and handle the construction process so restaurants are ready to start selling as soon as possible. “The Pasadena location doesn’t actually serve Dog Haus; it serves our other branch that we have,” Vener says.
Dog Haus’ Pasadena-based The Absolute Brands is a subhead for delivery at the virtual kitchens and primary Dog Haus locations. By using these virtual kitchen spaces, The Absolute Brands cook and deliver its food outside of a traditional restaurant. Dog Haus isn’t listed on Kitchen United Mix’s website, but some of the dishes are like The Freiburger, Bad Mutha Clucka and Plant B as individual companies. “Now when you are in Pasadena and order from one of those companies through one of the third-party deliveries, that will come out of our kitchen with our same products from our talented chefs and go to your house,” Vener says. “We used our same high-end, quality ingredients that are hormone-free, antibiotic-free, never ever added nitrates, clean food that we have there. It’s cool that we can even do this when this pandemic is happening. We were able to quickly pivot and do something differently, and it ended up being a huge success.” The Absolute Brand is available at 35 Dog Haus locations in 10 states for delivery only. Dog Haus has 50 locations in more than 10 states and is continuing to grow throughout the country. “We are excited to be neighbors with Kitchen United and be one of the first pioneers in the space,” Vener says. “We believe that with delivery with them, we can expand our geographical footprint through our premise locations. “We kind of strategically locate them in different parts of the country to test the market and test the cuisines.” Vener says if it’s a hit, they could launch traditional restaurants in the area because they’ve tested the market. The surge of virtual kitchens will continue as long as delivery is the primary way for people to get food during the pandemic. “Delivery and third-party delivery are so important especially now,” Vener says. “I can’t imagine anybody after what happened with this pandemic that at least every household had used a third-party delivery once in their life. I think the third-party delivery space is going to continue to grow, and we got a big boost with COVID-19.”
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Installation view of “Red Earth” by Lita Albuquerque. The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens.
IN THE MIDST OF
Chaos
ARTIST LITA ALBUQUERQUE’S ‘RED EARTH’ BRINGS CALMNESS BY KAMALA KIRK
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Photo by Karl Puchlik
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fter being closed for more than three months due to COVID-19, The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino has reopened most of its garden areas to the public. Guests visiting the Japanese Garden are greeted by a new site-specific artwork, “Red Earth” by artist Lia Albuquerque, an internationally renowned installation and environmental artist, painter and sculptor. “I was commissioned to create a work for The Huntington’s Centennial Celebration, and I was excited to work in the gardens and to work in response to nature,” Albuquerque says. “Robert Hori, cultural creator of the gardens, took me all around the grounds and offered a wide range of sites. When we walked by the western gate of the Japanese Garden and I saw the intimacy of the bamboo grove there, I knew immediately what I wanted to do. It felt like it was the heart of the garden, that I could do something more personal there and speak to that specific site.” The installation centers around an approximately 3-ton boulder capped with bright red pigment surrounded by bamboo stalks affixed with copper bands that glint under leaf-filtered sunlight. Vibrant red disks have been placed along paths leading toward “Red Earth” to draw visitors to the display. “I work with color as presence and as a springboard to sensations,” Albuquerque says. “I drew my inspiration from the green circle of bamboo trees, which seemed like a nature theater on which to place a presence. That gentle theatricality also inspired me, like it was meant to have a work there that would be part of the site itself. The piece is really about the grove and the light hitting the bamboo, which I emphasized by creating copper rings to encircle the bamboo stalks at different heights almost as if it were a musical score, as well as Red Earth, which is the boulder around which everything swirls. Most of the time, the earth speaks to us if we would just take a moment to listen and to hear. This ‘Red Earth’ surprised even me after finishing the installation and experiencing it. It’s as if the boulder itself had a presence that was expressing itself to me, asking me to pay attention, asking me to synchronize my heartbeat to hers. Once I did that, I could almost see her breathe. It’s a wonderful moment to be connected like that to the earth itself in the intimacy of the bamboo grove.” To create “Red Earth,” Albuquerque and her studio team went on a search for the perfect boulder that had to have a certain presence and a certain shape like the crest of a mountain. She knew she wanted Bouquet Canyon rock and found the quarry three hours north of Pasadena, but once there it was not an easy search. At the quarry, the boulders that were already quarried were on the ground and it was hard to see what their shape would be once standing vertically. The boulder could also not exceed 3,000 pounds, as it had to be craned over the bamboo without damaging trees. “I wanted it to have a mass, a presence, which meant a lot of tonnage,” Albuquerque says. “When we finally found the correct boulder after multiple trips to the quarry, the one that we liked most was 7,800 pounds and had to be cut down
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Lita Albuquerque
and trimmed without losing its natural shape. We installed it on a rainy March 10. The opening was to be on the spring equinox, March 21, the first day of spring. Then, during the pandemic, we were able to create the red circles that led the public to “Red Earth,” and a few days before July 1, we were able to complete the installation of the red pigment and the copper rings on the bamboo trees. It is one of the few art works that can be physically experienced during this pandemic. That is exciting to me.” For Albuquerque, the color red has always been about the fiery energy that is at the core of the earth. Back in 1981, she created a project called “The Horizon Is the Place that Maintains the Memory” for the Hirshhorn Museum and Gardens, which was about the memory of the earth being seen and maintained by the horizon of the moon. For that exhibit, she poured red powder pigment on the stone, as if the stone were emerging or rising from the core of the earth, bringing with it all its energy. The stone at the Hirshhorn was from a quarry in California and was called Bouquet Canyon rock, which is the same rock that Albuquerque used for “Red Earth.” “Conceptually it is different, but aesthetically has the same quality, only placed in a different context and at a different time,” Albuquerque says. “In this case, there is the dichotomy between the presence of a 3,000-pound boulder, which is obviously permanent, and the ephemerality of the powder pigment that can be blown way. The gesture of dusting the boulder with pigment is also so ephemeral. The combination of strength and fragility is what I was going for, that we need to pay attention to both. We certainly understand how changeable things are during this time of the virus. There remain the eternal relationships and fundamental aspects of our existence. Perhaps that quiet theatrical space in the garden, perhaps the mass and presence of the piece, will remind us of that greater sense of being.”
“RED EARTH” BY LITA ALBUQUERQUE Through November 2 Bamboo Grove of the Japanese Garden huntington.org
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Photo courtesy Lita Albuquerque
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