Larchmont Chronicle
VOL. 60, NO. 2
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IN THIS ISSUE
FEBRUARY 2022
Homelessness: a ‘Report from the Front Lines’ n Speaker series Feb. 1
VALENTINES tell how they met. 6
SCOUTING in America.
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FANNY’S is On The Menu.
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H e a r advocate and policy expert Sarah Dusseault give a report on “Los Angeles’ Homeless- Sarah Dusseault ness Crisis: A Report from the Front Lines” on Tues., Feb. 1 from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom. The free event is part of the Jewish Free Loan Association quarterly Business Collab Plus speaker series. Dusseault chairs Los Angeles County’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness. She serves on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority See Dusseault, p 19
Homeless count to take place February 22-24 n Safety precautions
FLAG replaced at Robert Burns Park. 2-6 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
Volunteers can still sign up to join in the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Point-In-Time Homeless Count that will take place Tues., Feb. 22 through Thurs., Feb. 24. The counting in Metro Los Angeles will occur on the last night, Feb. 24. For the 2022 Homeless Count, to limit COVID-19 transmission, volunteers will move deployment outdoors, and volunteers will be required to wear masks and preferably be vaccinated. A new mobile app will improve data gathering and limit inperson contact. To volunteer or for more information, visit theycountwillyou.org.
Miracle Mile 2022
Our year-round guide to lifestyle, entertainment, residential and business news, “Miracle Mile 2022,” will be published in the March issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Mon., Feb. 14. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241, ext. 11.
LARCHMONT BOULEVARD ASSOCIATION (LBA) welcomes new Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (at far left). LBA members and guests, (from left, in foreground) included Leisha Willis of State Farm Insurance, Unknown, Heather Duffy Boylston of the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District, Steve Cohen of Village Pizzeria, Bob Day of Coldwell Banker, John Duerler of Hancock Homes Realty and Jerry Shaw of SSA Security.
Councilmembers welcomed to area n Councilman Koretz tackles Sixth Street at HPHOA meeting By Billy Taylor Larchmont’s two new city councilmembers spent parts of last month getting to know their respective new communities after political redistricting took effect on Jan. 1. HPHOA Town Hall Councilmember Paul Koretz welcomed his new constitu-
ents and introduced his staff at a virtual Town Hall last month hosted by the Hancock Park Homeowners Association. “We are very happy to meet our new councilmember,” HPHOA President Cindy Chvatal said Jan. 13 as she introduced Koretz, who now represents Hancock Park (and
Larchmont 2021 Survey closed n Review of 1,032 responses is underway By Billy Taylor The Larchmont 2021 Survey closed Jan. 13 and its organizers say that they hope to soon start reviewing the survey’s findings.
“At this time we are getting ready to review the results that were received from 1,032 responders,” Larchmont 2021 committee member John KaSee Survey, p 18
Sycamore Square, Brookside, Fremont Place, Windsor Village, Wilshire Park and Country Club Heights). Koretz shared his background with participants and encouraged residents to contact his office anytime. “I am a strong believer in responsible government,” said Koretz, noting that Hancock Park residents might recognize his field deputy for the area — Rob Fisher — who also served in that capacity for former Councilmember David Ryu. Highlighting a few issues facing all of his Council District Five constituents, Koretz See Councilmembers, p 4
Historic Carthay makes it official n Designation approved
By Suzan Filipek Three neighborhoods north and south of Olympic Boulevard and west of Fairfax Avenue have banded together to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Carthay Neighborhoods Historic District. South Carthay HPOZ, Carthay Square HPOZ and Carthay Circle HPOZ were approved for the nomination Jan. 21 at a hearing of California’s State Historical Resources Commission, which also handles federal landmarking. The three subdivisions — comprising more than 1,000 properties — were established between 1922 and 1933. The overall tract was created by See Carthay, p 9
CARTHAY NEIGHBORHOODS Historic District north and south of Olympic Boulevard.
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
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SECTION ONE
Editorial By John Welborne
Local, local, local! A theme for us, as we start this New Year, is “local.” We shall focus on: maintaining your local newspaper (with your continued support); addressing the local issue of crime, which relates to local elections; and discussing local control of real estate and land use. Local newspaper This community newspaper remains very thankful for the support of our readers, both locally and across the country. The checks we receive from our readers really make a difference. This is especially so at a time when there is general inflation — plus extra inflation in the printing industry. Despite these increases in costs to us, the Chronicle works hard to provide exceptionally reasonable advertising rates for the local businesses that communicate with our local readers. We have not raised our display advertising rates for about five years, and we hope to be able to avoid doing so this year. How can we do that? Partly, it is because of the support of our readers. If you did not make use of the envelope enclosed last fall, we enclose another in this issue and seek your support. Thank you. Local crime / local elections As you will see on Page 18 of this section and on the back cover of Section 2, this is a big year for elections, including those for officials most local to us. As readers know, there is serious concern about a perceived significant rise in local crime, including last month’s tragic, brutal murder at the Croft House furniture store on La Brea Avenue. Not surprisingly, potential voters are starting to hear a lot of candidates say they will be tough on crime. We have four months to listen to what they have to say, on that and other subjects, and to make up our minds for whom we shall vote next, on June 7. Local control of real estate If the people of California are concerned that legislators in Sacramento are dictating local rules for real estate, then the concerned people must step up now and sign petitions. The petitions are for a statewide ballot measure to “provide that local land-use and zoning laws override conflicting state law.” Learn more: ourneighborhoodvoices.com You also can learn more about this movement — to take back local control of real estate development — from the column on the page at right, Page 3. There, thoughtful political observer Tom Elias writes about the clever, moneyed interests who were behind the adopted SB 9 and SB 10, the “one size fits all” Sacramento diktats that affect properties everywhere in the state from Yreka to San Diego. In his column, Elias focuses on the way the real estate lobby in Sacramento now is working to undermine the “Our Neighborhood Voices” initiative that seeks to return local control to the people and to our most local elected representatives. Indeed, 2022 will be an important year for local news, local elections, and local control.
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
Calendar Tues., Feb. 1 – Lunar New Year. Wed., Feb. 9 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council General Board Meeting via Zoom, 6:30 p.m., check greaterwilshire.org for sign-in information. Mon., Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day. Mon., Feb. 21 – Presidents’ Day. Thurs., March 3 – Larchmont Chronicle delivered.
That’s the question inquiring photographer Talia Abrahamson asked locals along Larchmont Blvd.
Letters to the Editor Larchmont 2021 Survey
So much for unbiased reporting … your intent to discredit people trying to get information out to EVERYONE (not just your cronies) is beyond blatant. You owe the people disparaged in this article an apology and a chance to respond. Megan Derry Hollywood Hills Formerly Hancock Park
Don’t squash the survey
I am one of those people who answered questions on the survey about a month ago. I saw the survey on the Buzz, through a GWNC email, and also posted on windows in the Village. I have been a resident of Larchmont since 1999, and it was nice to think that my opinion matters, since I am neither a homeowner, nor a business owner, and only a renter. (Even when we contribute to the neighborhood, renters are not taken seriously.) It was nice to have my opin-
Larchmont Chronicle Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin .
.
Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Deputy Managing Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Staff Writers Talia Abrahamson Helene Seifer Advertising Director Pam Rudy Advertising Sales including Classifieds Caroline Tracy Art Director Tom Hofer Circulation Manager Nona Sue Friedman Accounting Jill Miyamoto 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103
Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com
‘What are your Valentine’s Day plans?’
ion solicited and not be silenced because I don’t count. And, in fact, most of the questions were normal, though I did notice that there were several in a row where they seemed to be asking about the Q condition indirectly. But I wouldn’t say it was a failed survey, which this article [“Larchmont Survey stirs controversy,” January 2022] seems to imply. Lots of people probably honestly answered those questions, as I did. That’s still data that can be used. Just add time and spread the survey around more, and you will get more data points. There’s nothing wrong with that. People want to be heard. A survey is one way of letting people be heard. So, let them be heard. Don’t squash that. Listen to it. Learn from it. Unless you like living in a claustrophobic small town. Personally, I moved to Los Angeles to get away from claustrophobic small towns where people try to tell me how to think and to be. Rachel Olivier Larchmont Village
“I don’t know if we have any plans for Valentine’s Day!” Taylor Strickland “It’s a little early for me, but before COVID, we spent the last Valentine’s Day at Vernetti.” Brendon McNerney Larchmont Village
“I don’t want to say anything. I don’t want to give anything away.” Nick Isaccs “We usually go to the beach, but we’re not a cheesy couple. It’s not flowers and chocolate; it’s more spending time together and enjoying our time.” Mia Ventura Larchmont Village
Nod from librarian
[The Chronicle is] my favorite paper. I was a librarian at Fremont Branch Library for many years, and I love your paper. Enjoyed the 100th Anniversary Edition. Marjory Hopper Whittier 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.
“This is about to be our first one. We’re trying to go to Colorado and go snowboarding. First time snowboarding for both of us, too.” Kach Offor Larchmont Village “We’ve never spent Valentine’s together!” Effey Beyene
Michael Cornwell memorial service
A virtual memorial service will be held on February 21 for longtime Windsor Square resident Michael A. Cornwell. The Zoom gathering will emanate from All Saints Church in Pasadena and will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For details, friends are invited to contact daughter Molly Cornwell at mmcwell@yahoo.com.
“At school, we make little cards with candy on them to give to each of our classmates. I’ve been doing that every year.” William LaBombard “I’m going to take my wife out on a hot date with no kids and show her how much I love her.” John LaBombard with Gloria (2) Windsor Square
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
California’s housing battle heats up during signature season By Tom Elias Even before a proposed homeowner-inspired measure aiming to restore full zoning powers to local governments hit the streets looking to qualify for next fall’s ballot, the battle over who would control housing decisions in California began heating up. Proponents will need just short of one million valid voter signatures to put their plan on the ballot, but because many non-voters also sign petitions, they’ll likely need to gather almost 1.5 million names to be certain. That should not be too hard, once most homeowners understand how fully state legislators attempted last year to usurp the most basic powers cities and counties have long exercised. As long as California has been a state, the most basic
SECTION ONE
SCOUT DESCENT.
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VALENTINES VACATION SCOUTING SCHOOLS YOUTH SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT Theater On the Menu Movies
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SECTION TWO VIEW:
Real Estate Libraries, Museums Home & Garden
OLD-TIME FUN.
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HOME GROUND 4 REAL ESTATE SALES 5 ON PRESERVATION 7 MUSEUMS 11 LIBRARIES 11 POLICE BEAT 14 A TINY CHALLENGE 15 POKER FOR ALL 15 BEEZWAX 15
function of local governments has been to decide where housing will be placed, where it won’t go and how much to allow. Voters have passed countless ballot initiatives instructing their local governments in how to do that. But with two strokes of a pen wielded by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, that all may have ended. When he signed new laws known as Senate Bills 9 and 10, most city council members might as well have gone back to being ordinary citizens. The two new laws allow at least six times as much building as before in areas formerly zoned for one home per lot. The ratio goes much higher for properties anywhere near rapid transit stops or “major transportation corridors.” All without any requirements for either new parking spaces, water, schools or even a single affordable housing unit.
If ever there’s been a plot to let developers get rich quick, this is it. In fact, many of the liberal DemoTOM ELIAS cratic lawmakers who voted for these two bills see their election campaigns at least partly funded by developers. Homeowner groups view these new laws as a license for unbridled development at a time when almost everyone believes California has a massive housing shortage. This perception is furthered by the homeless encampments that abound in almost all parts of the state. When he ran for office in 2018, Newsom vowed to spur the building of 3.5 million new
housing units by 2026, eight years later. But new home construction lags far behind that pace, and units that do get built often languish unsold for many months, even if they are supposedly affordable. One reason is cost. The average affordable housing unit now runs more than $450,000 to construct, and most families with income below California’s median of $75,200 per year (half the households in the state earn more than that yearly, the other half do not), can’t afford so-called affordable housing. There’s an illusion in the public consciousness that the unhoused will somehow benefit from new affordable housing. But almost none of them have the cash to buy in. Meanwhile, state officials do nothing to promote and speed conversion of vacant office space into residences, many
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of which would cost far less to create than today’s supposedly affordable units. Into this picture now come developers with large bankrolls offering to buy up existing one-home lots and build as many as six units on each, with no new amenities for the surrounding community. The same developers are behind another initiative that would completely counteract the one aiming to save single-family zoning. The way this one is written, whichever measure gets more votes will govern, period. No compromises here. Many homeowners now getting behind the initiative to cancel SB 9 and 10 and give land use decisions back to local officials appear unaware of the competing initiative, but both will almost certainly make the ballot. This promises to be a battle (Please turn to page 4)
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
Councilmembers (Continued from page 1)
said public safety is a concern with an uptick in violent crime citywide, including an alarming increase in the use of untraceable “ghost” guns. And he spoke of the “dual crises” of the pandemic and the issue of homelessness. On issues specific to Hancock Park, Koretz said that he is committed to preserving the historic palm trees on Highland Avenue’s median parkway while also taking measures to alleviate traffic issues. Sixth Street An issue important to the community is the speed of traffic on Sixth Street, according to Chvatal, who inquired on the status of installing speed tables on that street between Highland and La Brea avenues. Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation (LADOT) engineers Brian Gallagher and Bhuvan Bajaj were also in attendance
SIXTH STREET car crash left a vehicle smashed into a front yard at the corner of Sixth and Mansfield.
SPEED TABLE or not? This is a new addition to Van Ness Avenue near Robert Burns Park.
and told residents that speed tables are a very real possibility, but that further consultation is needed between LADOT and the Los Angeles Police Department. Koretz told the LADOT representatives that they have his full support on the request if it’s what the community wants. If everything is approved, Bajaj said that there is a “good possibility” that the speed tables could be installed by the end of 2022.
Speed tables are midblock traffic calming devices that raise the entire wheelbase of a vehicle to reduce its traffic speed. Unlike speed bumps, tables are usually longer with gently rising slopes and a large flat top. Vehicle operating speeds for streets with speed tables range from 25-45 mph, depending on the spacing, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
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LARCHMONT attendees in Tailwaggers parking lot of owner Todd Warner (at left) included, from left in foreground, Jerry Shaw of SSA Security, Gary Gilbert from Windsor Square, Patty Lombard of the Larchmont Buzz, George Hakopiants of CD 13, Unknown, Jenny Chow and June Ahn of Coldwell Banker and Patti Carroll of Hollywoodland Realty.
Resident reaction Following the Town Hall, the Chronicle spoke with La Brea Hancock resident Jennifer Rojas about the update given on the proposed speed tables. She has been advocating for efforts to slow traffic on Sixth Street, where she has witnessed a number of speedrelated accidents over the years, including one that ended with a car crashing over her perimeter wall, just feet from where her kids were playing. “This conversation has been in the works since 2020,” said Rojas. “But I felt hopeful that, for the first time, a timeline was given by the LADOT.” Rojas says that dangerous driving and vehicle crashes are occurring during the day when people are out and about: “If you’re walking on Sixth Street, you’re in danger.” It’s time for the community to consider all of the options available for slowing traffic, Rojas urges: “I have zero political agenda. I am 100 percent motivated by the safety of my kids to play in the yard without getting hit by a car.” In support of the speed
tables, Chvatal told us last month by phone that the HPHOA supports the measure: “All of us are on the same page, to get mitigations to make Sixth Street safer.” “Nothing happens unless you have council support,” added Chvatal. “I really believe that we have that now.” In Your Corner On the eastern part of Greater Wilshire, north of Wilshire Boulevard, 13th District Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell was seen at several events with his new constituents. He hosted, Jan. 15, a “Councilmember In Your Corner” event at Robert Burns Park, followed by a community walk and clean-up. Dressed in a bright yellow jacket, O’Farrell led volunteers as they picked up discarded Christmas trees and trash in the neighborhood around the park. Then, on Jan. 18, O’Farrell was a guest of the Larchmont Boulevard Association at a gathering in the parking lot of Tailwaggers. Attending were numerous association board members, merchants and aficionados of the Boulevard.
VOLUNTEERS pose at Robert Burns Park before heading to their various clean-up tasks nearby.
Housing battle (Continued from page 3)
unlike anything since 1978, when Proposition 13 clashed with another measure known as Proposition 10, a softer version of 13’s property tax limits. Both passed, but 13 got more votes and has governed ever since. Meanwhile, websites and organizations are popping up regularly with names like “Our Neighborhood Voices” and “Livable California.” The upcoming competition
is vital because so much of California’s character would change if SB 9 and 10 were allowed to let developers proceed without concern for either anything aesthetic or the infrastructure they have traditionally had to provide when erecting new subdivisions. This column appeared in the “Los Angeles Daily News” online on Jan. 3, 2022 and in the print edition on Jan. 7, 2022 and is used with permission. Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com.
Larchmont Chronicle
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
It was love at first sight for at least one of the Kazanjians
So when did Steve fall for Olivia? “Maybe three years ago,” he jokes on the mutual call. “He keeps me laughing,” Olivia says, adding fun to her husband’s long list of attributes. Admittedly, Steve fell in love much more slowly, but fall he did, prompted by a life milestone and a magical ring. About a year after the dinner party, he invited Olivia to a large party for his 30th birthday, and he suggested they have dinner before. Also, around that time, Steve saw a diamond sparkling on Olivia’s pinkie finger. The ring had been her grandmother’s, and the couple was surprised to learn Steve’s grandfather,
THE KAZANJIANS will celebrate their 20th anniversary in May.
a jeweler, had sold the ring to Olivia’s grandfather years before. “My grandfather is the biggest person in my life,” Steve said. He had miraculously escaped the Armenian genocide, arrived in the U.S. via Ellis Island, and, with his brother, founded a jewelry business and eventually settled in Beverly Hills. So when Steve saw the ring on Olivia’s finger, it was as if his grandfather was telling him to “propose, already.” The couple’s Old World im-
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migrant lineage — her French and his Armenian (the gritty, artistic, roll-up-your-sleeves side) — “is a big part of why we were drawn to each other,” says Olivia. The other sides of their families trail back three generations from various Southern California locales, including Mansfield Avenue, where Steve’s great-grandmother had lived. Olivia and Steve, who live on S. Lucerne Blvd. in Windsor Square, also credit communication and listening skills among tools they learned early on, including how a couple gets to write its own book, rather than work from bad habits and scripts from the past. They also agreed to be equals in a partnership and share mutual respect at home — they have two daughters,
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By Suzan Filipek It was love at first sight for Olivia when she met Steve Kazanjian at a dinner party in 1999. Things could have gone terribly wrong. Olivia was helping in the kitchen, when the host — a mutual friend of the couple though the pair had never met — got a call from Steve inviting himself and a few of his friends. Olivia, who is half French, was not okay with this abrupt change of plans. “With French people, food is really important, and so is who is coming,” she explained in a telephone interview last month. “Some guy is coming over with five guys from work … ladi-da … I don’t have enough food,” she remembers thinking at the time. But when the last-minute guests arrived with savory whiffs of five rotisserie chickens and carrying an assortment of cheeses and baguettes, “I thought, this guy knows what he’s doing!” said Olivia. “He’s polite and kind, and he knows how to command a situation in the best way, and he continues to do so today. He makes stressful situations all okay. I feel very, very lucky I found my Steve.”
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Stella and Grace, who attend The Episcopal School of Los Angeles — and in their professions. Steve is president and CEO of Promax, a nonprofit entertainment marketing company. Olivia is a jewelry designer and an estate jewelry dealer. They also credit their tightknit neighborhood with strengthening their bond. “For us it’s like any other small hometown,” says Olivia. Giving back is also important to the couple; they support NGA Hancock Park, Covenant House and Alexandria House. “It’s so easy to give back, especially in our neighborhood,” says Olivia. Longing after Steve before he asked her out has made their life so much sweeter, she said. “We were friends for about a year. If I’d never had to pine away, it wouldn’t have worked out.” But those were hard times. Being old school, she didn’t call guys, so when he didn’t pursue her, she felt there was nothing for her in the States. Her bags were packed, and she was moving to France. Until he invited her to dinner. Things moved quickly after that, and in May they will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. “We feel very, very fortunate to have each other and to have this neighborhood,” said Olivia. Steve agrees. Although he adds that she still can’t pronounce his last name.
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
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SECTION ONE
Five nights in Cannes provided star-studded backdrop to romance this time around. She explains, “He was a dark-haired, handsome man in red Ray-Bans. A little flashy!” Scott, who was divorced by then, continues, “I had been given two free tickets to THE party at Cannes. I thought, ‘What do I do with the second ticket?’” AT HOME with Lauren and Scott in Windsor He asked Lauren if she would be interSquare. ested in going with ater, then began making films, him, and she immediately which is what brought him to said, “Yes.” the building where the couple At the party, Lauren and first met. He notes that over Scott settled by the pool and the many months he was fin- talked. Scott notes that she ishing his film he would “get into the elevator every day and see the same people.” He realizes he was introduced to Lauren at some point, but it took a chance meeting in France to kindle the romance. Lauren’s previous relationship had broken up by 1987 and she wanted a change in her life. Fluent in French, she bid adieu to New York and jumped the Atlantic Ocean to move permanently, she thought, to Avignon, France. There, Lauren contacted a pro- LAUREN GABOR AND ducer she had met at the Brill SCOTT GOLDSTEIN wedding Building who ran the Avignon reception, New York City, 1991. Film Festival. He hired her, and they went to the Cannes Film Festival to promote their work. There, he introduced Lauren to a talented filmmaking friend of his, Scott Goldstein. It changed Lauren’s life. At first Lauren and Scott didn’t remember each other, but Lauren definitely noticed him
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was easy to talk to and they shared many interests, including a love of classical music. “It was her friendly openness, her intelligence, her artistic temperament, curiosity and kindness … that turned my attention into admiration,” he continues. “Her manner sprinkled magic dust into the space between us, pulling us
together.” Scott also thought she was “the most beautiful woman in Cannes!” A commotion arose as paparazzi swarmed around the arriving Mel Gibson. “He sat next to us, but I was so into Scott I didn’t react,” Lauren remembers. “Scott was a musician! He directed a play! (Please turn to page 18)
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By Helene Seifer The road to romance for Lauren Gabor and Scott Goldstein passed through the heart of Manhattan, made a brief stop at a star-studded poolside party at the Cannes Film Festival, and finally settled in Windsor Square, where the couple has lived in a meticulously maintained Craftsman since 1989. In the intervening years, they married at the Albertson Wedding Chapel, had two children, Calli and Jordan, and fully embraced the neighborhood they call home. When Lauren and Scott were first introduced, they barely took note of each other. Lauren, a fine artist working in oils, had been raised in New York City’s Greenwich Village with her parents and a sister. After college she first worked in the art scene and then the film industry, landing a position based in the storied Brill Building on Broadway in New York City. She was introduced to the various directors who were working in the facility, including Francis Ford Coppola, the Coen brothers, Susan Seidelman, Alan Pakula and a promising young filmmaker — Scott Goldstein. Their encounter didn’t really register. Lauren explains, “He was married. I had a boyfriend. I waved. We never talked.” Scott, a writer, director and producer of such films as “Levitation,” and who is very involved in Windsor Square, working to add to the flourishing tree canopy, grew up with two siblings in the New York City suburbs. He is a trained musician, worked in the the-
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
Las Madrinas debs presented at Ball; honor families, service Las Madrinas honored 56 families and their daughters in December for their service to the Southern California community and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). The young women were presented at the annual Debutante Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The 2021 event on Dec. 21 included the presentation of debutantes from 2020, when
Left: DEBUTANTES from families from the Greater Wilshire area include (left to right) Olivia Scott Clark, Caroline Mage Cox, Eva Jacqueline Rogovin, Charlotte Booth Murray and Madeleine Tilley Quinlan. Photo by Nick Boswell
the Ball was not held on account of COVID-19. Las Madrinas President Mrs. Berkeley George Harrison formally welcomed the families and guests in attendance. She thanked everyone for supporting the research programs at CHLA, including the group’s new project, the Las Madrinas Diagnostic Innovation Endowment. Member husbands Dr. Kjell Nicholas Hult and Mr. Douglas Andrew Thompson introduced the debutantes. Patterson’s Topiaries, Pots and Teas designed the floral décor, and the Wayne Foster Orchestra provided music. Las Madrinas was established in 1933 as the first Affiliate Group of CHLA, and it has been supporting pediatric medicine and research there for 89 years. Visit lasmadrinas.org for more information.
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SUZI DIGBY, conductor of Golden Bridge choral concert.
Modern, Tudor ages mix in Feb. 19 choral concert
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Five new commissions by choral composers will be performed at this year’s Golden Bridge choral concert at All Saints’ Episcopal Church Beverly Hills, 504 N. Camden Dr., Sat., Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. “This year features world premieres by five superstars of the Californian choral world,” said Suzi Digby, conductor and artistic director of the event, Golden Bridge 2022. Digby, a renowned musician from England, teaches a semester each year at USC’s Thornton School of Music. For the past 8 years (excepting 2021 because of COVID-19), her choral singers have presented a concert of new works related to centuries of British choral tradition. The program on Feb. 19 will feature 20 area-based singers exploring two golden ages of composition: Renaissance England and modern-day California. Masterpieces of the Tudor age are reflected in the world premieres, which have been composed by Ola Gjeilo, Moira Smiley, Ian Krouse, Saunder Choi and Nick Strimple. California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia will introduce the program. A reception will follow. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit thegoldenbridge.org.
It’s that magical time of year when we’re all super busy abandoning our New Year’s Resolutions. Just think of it as one door closing and another opening because winter is the ideal time to achieve the best skin you’ve experienced in years. How’s that for a new goal? Halo Laser Treatment is the very first hybrid fractional laser to marry ablative and non-ablative wavelengths. Stay with me now. What this means for you is not only can we customize Halo to your precise skincare needs, we can address the dermis to stimulate collagen and elastin, and the epidermis to reduce brown spots and sun damage, minimize pore size and improve texture and tone. You can expect far less downtime compared to other ablative lasers - approximately five days of mild to moderate swelling, redness and flaking. What you’ll experience is the Christmas morning of skincare treatments. What wonderful result will appear in the mirror each morning? After minimal recovery time, you’ll face the dramatic sloughing of brown spots and sun damage to reveal positively glowing and plumped skin; then reduced crow’s feet, fine lines around your mouth and other creases; and in time, tighter, firmer, more youthful skin. And just like that you’re back on track. 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.
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
9
Skiing — it is a COVID-19-era safe sport, and lots of fun
By Nona Sue Friedman Well, it’s winter and for my family that means it’s time to ski! The best season of the year. And believe it or not, skiing is a wonderful and safe COVID-19-era activity. Aside from lift lines, if you’re within six feet of someone while you’re skiing you have more to worry about than the virus. Our usual spot is Mammoth, but this season we decided to mix it up and head to a new resort for us — Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley), and Alpine Meadows. Palisades Tahoe was home to the Winter Olympics in 1960, and there is still evidence of the presence of the games. COVID-19 has certainly thwarted many vacation plans. Traveling for a long weekend last month was liberating and, not to overlook, tons of fun. We also learned that other
areas of California aren’t as COVID-paranoid as our part of the City of Angels. We flew, rented a car and headed to the village, where all the condos were sold out. Luckily we had reservations. Nothing stops a skier from indulging in this crazy sport. We met up with family friends from Marin. The seven of us skied three glorious days. The lift lines SKIERS Kayla and Ella Wolovitch of Ridgewood-Wilton on an empty slope at were a little long, but Palisades Tahoe in January. not too terrible. Clean, cool, crisp mountain taking. air, tall pine trees and no trafAlthough there might be fic were all welcome sensory some apprehension about travchanges. And the mountain- eling right now, I recommend top views of Lake Tahoe and its it. It was business as usual with surrounding mountains were a mask. It’s also great getting absolutely spectacular, breath- out of Los Angeles and letting COVID-19 know who’s the boss. So, as Nike says, “Just do it.”
1960 WINTER OLYMPICS took place at Tahoe Palisades (then Squaw Valley). Shown in 2022 are Ella, Alan and Kayla Wolovitch.
100
$
Find Your SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS reflect in Lake Tahoe in photo from the top of Palisades Tahoe at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort.
Photos by Nona Sue Friedman
Carthay
(Continued from page 1) developer J. Harvey McCarthy. The area caught on because of the famous Carthay Circle Theatre. The demolition of that movie palace in 1969 was one of the seminal events in the rise of the historic preservation movement in Los Angeles, said area resident Ann Rubin. “We’ll still be three separate neighborhoods and retain our respective HPOZ names and Preservation Plans, but joined together for this historic district designation at the Federal level,” Rubin explained. “The time was right to renew our vows — passed to us by the earlier generation of neigh-
borhood boosters who worked hard to establish our Historic Preservation Overlay Zones, a local designation from the City of Los Angeles. “A small group of residents collaborated for more than a year on public education and community outreach and raising funds to have the National Register application professionally prepared.” Rubin and other residents of the neighborhoods celebrated their newly-won federal historic designation with a “tribute cocktail” created in their honor by Tom Bergin’s Irish Pub on Fairfax Avenue. The celebratory toasting took place in the pub’s parking lot during Happy Hour.
Happy Place! Book By March 22, 2022
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CARTHAY NEIGHBORHOODS National Register of Historic Places listing is celebrated at Tom Bergin’s Irish Pub by neighbors, from left: Dale Kendall, Steve Luftman, Walter Dominguez, Marilouise Morgan, Richard Oelberger, Peter Merlin, Keith Nakata and Ann Rubin.
1 Valid on new bookings for travel through December 31, 2022. Minimum 5-night stay at participating AAA Vacations® properties required. $100 activity voucher is nonrefundable, nontransferable, has no cash value and applies to the following destinations: Mexico, Hawai‘i, Central & South America and select Caribbean destinations. Savings not reflected in rates shown and applies to the following destinations: USA (excluding Hawai’i), Canada-$50 savings; Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, select Caribbean destinations (Anguilla, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Martinique, St. Barts, St. Croix, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Martin and St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Turks & Caicos), Tahiti (French Polynesia), Fiji and Cook Islands-$100 savings. Rates shown are per person, land and round-trip economy-class airfare from the featured gateway (other gateways available, rates may vary), based on double occupancy and include taxes, fees and surcharges collected by seller at time of booking using the AAA.com website. If booking with a AAA Travel Advisor, a $25 service fee will be collected at time of booking. Airfare is nonrefundable. Itinerary changes/cancellations are subject to Pleasant Holidays, airline and/or other supplier-imposed fees from $25 (for Canada or contiguous U.S. travel) or from $50 (for all other travel) per person, plus applicable fare differential (certain changes involve pre-notification deadlines). See General Disclaimer for additional information regarding air. 2For check-in on April 1, 2022 in ocean view room accommodations at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel on O’ahu. 3For check-in on April 1, 2022 in junior suite room accommodations at Krystal Grand Los Cabos Hotel All-Inclusive in Los Cabos. 4For check-in on April 1, 2022 in deluxe tropical view room accommodations at Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa By AMRTM Collection Unlimited-Luxury® in Punta Cana. 5Kids stay free at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel in same room as adults using existing bedding. Occupancy limits apply. 6Guaranteed upgrade from Partial Ocean View to Ocean View at the Aston Waikiki Beach Resort. Valid on new bookings for travel through January 3, 2023. Offer requires inclusion of round trip transpacific air and accommodations in select room categories noted above. Certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Not combinable with any other offer. All offers and programs apply to a limited number of rooms, and are subject to availability, change or cancellation without notice. 7Resort Coupons for the Krystal Grand Los Cabos All-Inclusive, restrictions apply as follows: Includes USD $200 in resort coupons per room, per stay. $100 can be used for spa, $60 can be used for romantic dining, and $40 can be used for wine purchases. Spa treatment coupons are broken down into one coupon worth $20 and two coupons worth $40. Spa treatment coupons are not combinable or valid for spa products at the Spa Boutique or 25-minute massages/treatments. Only one coupon can be redeemed per spa treatment. Romantic dining coupons are broken down into one coupon worth $20 and one coupon worth $40. Coupons for romantic dining are combinable up to $60 per romantic dining, but not valid for bottles of wine. Coupons for wine purchases are broken down into four $10 coupons. $10 coupons for wine can be used at any restaurant on property. Only one $10 coupon can be applied toward one bottle of wine, they are not combinable. Resort coupons cannot be applied toward beauty salon services, spa product purchases, telephone charges, dolphin experiences, gift shop purchases, boutique purchases, internet service (if applicable), marina services, dive shop, medical services, car rental, travel agency services, taxes, private functions and/or special events (i.e. Christmas & New Year’s Gala dinners). Coupons must be redeemed at time of reservation or service, hold no cash or commercial value, are not refundable or transferable. Resort coupon offer is based on availability & subject to change at any time. AAA Travel Alert: Many travel destinations have implemented COVID-19-related restrictions. Before making travel plans, check to see if hotels, attractions, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants and local authorities have issued health and safety-related restrictions or entry requirements. The local tourism board is a good resource for updated information. For all offers, unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Gratuities, transfers, excursions and, for non-air-inclusive offers, airfare, taxes, fees & surcharges, are additional. Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity-controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. 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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
Scouting
America —
in
Troop 10 combines outdoor adventure with community service
By Matt Rauchberg Scout Master, Troop 10 Troop 10 is very fortunate to have continued to thrive during the pandemic. After a year of virtual online meetings and activities, the troop returned to in-person outdoor activities last summer and fall. In July, 21 boys from Troop 10 attended summer camp at Camp Cherry Valley on Catalina Island. Troop 10 is especially proud of our four most recent Eagle Scouts who have all earned the highest rank in Scouting since last summer. As a part of earning the Eagle rank, each Scout planned and carried out a major service project for a local community
TROOP 10 SCOUTS at the Rotary Club Tree Lot on Larchmont, from left: Lion Paulson, Michael Hanna, George Nason and Roman Veverka.
service or conservation organization. Jackson Wright built a community garden and workbench
for St. James House. Spencer Lee planted a vertical garden and built rain barrel platforms for Commonwealth
TROOP 10’S four newest Eagle Scouts are, from left: Jackson Wright, Spencer Lee, Jack Hughes-Sanchez and Alex Rice.
Nursery in Griffith Park. Jack Hughes-Sanchez built a hygenic hay storage platform for Taking the Reins. Alex Rice designed and Installed a stone garden path at St. Stephens Church in Hollywood. (Please turn to page 11)
Directory:
BSA Local Scout Units Cub Scouts: Pack 10 Derek Cotton, Cubmaster foilcoach@gmail.com Pack 16 Alexandra Liston, Cubmaster Alexandra.liston@gmail.com Pack 20 Rogelio Villanueva, Cubmaster cincovillanueva@att.net Boy Scouts: Troop 10 Matt Rauchberg, Scoutmaster bsaLAtroop10@Yahoo.com
IN SEQUOIA, Life Scout Spencer Isbell, Eagle Scout Max Rauchberg and Eagle Scout Alex Rice at Columbine Lake (10,970’) during a 30-mile backpacking trip in the backcountry of Sequoia National Park, Aug. 5, 2021.
SCOUTS learned safe rock climbing and rappelling techniques while earning their Climbing Merit Badge during a campout in Joshua Tree National Park in September 2021.
Troop 621 Alan-Michael Graves, Scoutmaster a-graves@sbcglobal.net Troop 777 Joseph Shin, Scoutmaster troop777bsa@hotmail.com
THESE SUPPORTERS SALUTE MEMBERS OF Scout Troops IN OUR COMMUNITY MICHELLE HANNA Coldwell Banker 251 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Cell 213-923-8086
michelle.hanna@camoves.com
LE PETIT GREEK Restaurant
Nora & Dimitris Houndalas 127 N. Larchmont Blvd.
323-464-5160
www.lepetitgreek.com
LARCHMONT ANIMAL CLINIC Dr. Jan Ciganek 316 N. Larchmont Blvd.
323-463-4889
www.larchmontanimalclinic.com
LIPSON PLUMBING Bob & Zeb Vacca 606 N. Larchmont Blvd.
5312 Valley Blvd. 323-469-2635
LARCHMONT PEDIATRICS 312 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Suite 1020 323-960-8500
www.larchmontpediatric.com
MEL MIYAMOTO AND ASSOCIATES, CPA 444 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Suite 208 323-462-4845
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
11
Celebrating 112 Years Girl Scouts look forward to an amazing trip in 2022 By Nona Sue Friedman “Let’s plan an AMAZING trip this year” is what Girl Scout Troop Leader Jennifer Davisson enthusiastically said to her Troop 4475 to psych them up for cookie selling season. The money raised from selling cookies pays for their trip. So the more cookies they sell, the more money they make, the better their trip. Because of COVID, this troop hasn’t been able to go on a big educational trip for the past two years. They’ve saved that money and plan to use it this year. They are all excited for the opportunity. According to Sienna Light, 12, of Windsor Square and a member of Troop 4475, “The last trip we went on was to Yosemite. It was sooo fun! We stayed in a hotel, went on hikes and took LOTS of pictures.” Another year, they went to the San Diego Zoo, where they slept in tents and sleeping bags on the zoo property. Sienna recalled, “You could hear the animals making noise at night. It was magical.” She can’t wait for this year’s trip. Profits from selling cookies also help troops with their community service projects.
A REDWOOD tree in Yosemite makes for a perfect perch for Troop 4475. From left to right: Rosie Davission, Jordan Lippman, Olivia Lippman, Alice Killoran, Coco Scott of Hancock Park, Evelyn Berger, Addison Christiansen-Adams and Sienna Light of Windsor Square. Photos by Jennifer Davisson
EL CAPITAN is the backdrop for Troop 4475’s trip in 2019. From left to right: Olivia Lippman, Kalia McCarthy, Addison Christiansen-Adams, Alice Killoran, Sienna Light of Windsor Square and Evelyn Berger.
Last year Troop 4475 bought a bunch of extra cookies and gave the cookies to the healthcare workers at Dodger Stadium while it was a vaccination site. Helping healthcare workers is a potential community service option this year, but Project Angel Food and helping less fortunate children were some other thoughts the girls expressed. It seems like Girl Scout cookies nourish the soul as well as the stomach.
Girl Scout set up her own website and blasted emails to potential customers. Perhaps you already received a pre-sale order email? Then there is “boothing” where each troop gets permission from Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles to sell cookies as a troop on a commercial street or in front of a store. This troop is hoping to get a coveted spot on
Myriad of ways Girl Scouts sell cookies
By Nona Sue Friedman Eavesdropping on Girl Scout Troop 4475’s meeting last month I learned many of the strategies this troop is implementing to successfully sell cookies. It’s quite the endeavor, with multiple opportunities to buy cookies. First there are digital sales. This started a couple of weeks ARCHMONT before in-person sales. Each
Larchmont during one of the Farmer’s Markets time slots. Lastly, this troop is planning on setting up lemonade and cookie stands at different members’ homes. Some scouts will sell cookies to random passersby while others go door-to-door. With this three-pronged approach to selling, I think they will be successful.
THESE SUPPORTERS SALUTE MEMBERS OF Scout Troops IN OUR COMMUNITY
MICHELLE HANNA
Boy Scouts
L ANIMAL CLINIC two weeks during the summer,
LARCHMONT PEDIATRICS
St. James Episcopal Church the troop. demic lunch drive and bakOther recent outdoor activi- on Wilshire Blvd., the troop ing Thanksgiving pies for the the scouts took turns watering Dr. Jan Ciganek Banker 312 N. Larchmont Blvd. (Continued from Coldwell page 10) homeless shelter at St. James. and mulching the trees to help ties include camping at Joshua brings together 40 boys ages 251projects N. Larchmont Blvd.for the third con- them316 Suite Other service by In addition, from1020 nearly a dozen area Tree National Park in Septem- 11-17 N.theLarchmont Blvd. survive drought. Troop 10 include a “Socks schools. ber, where eight scouts earned During the holidays, the secutive summer, the Scouts Cell 213-923-8086 323-960-8500 323-463-4889 and Soap” collection drive of Troop 10 partnered with Scouts helped out at the Ro- their Climbing Merit Badge. New members are being acmichelle.hanna@camoves.com for Showers of Hope (which Friends of Griffith Park and tarywww.larchmontanimalclinic.com Boy Scout Troop 10 is www.larchmontpediatric.com the cepted. The only requirement Club Tree Lot on Larchprovides showers and other the park rangers to “adopt” mont, and sold baked goods oldest continuously-chartered is boys be between 11 and 17 services to the homeless), the trees in the upper Fern and handmade Christmas or- Scout troop in the or having completed EL West-IYAMOTO AND the fifth making lunches for the pan- Dell section of the park. Every IPSON naments as LUMBING a fundraiser for ern United States. Based at grade.
LE PETIT GREEK Restaurant
Nora & Dimitris Houndalas 127 N. Larchmont Blvd.
323-464-5160
www.lepetitgreek.com
PLOTKE PLUMBING Lynn Shirley & Mario Sanchez 3121 W. Temple St.
323-463-9201
www.PlotkePlumbingInc.com
ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH Saluting Troop 10
L
P
Bob & Zeb Vacca 606 N. Larchmont Blvd.
5312 Valley Blvd. 323-469-2635
PILGRIM SCHOOL
M M ASSOCIATES, CPA
444 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Suite 208 323-462-4845
ST. BRENDAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
540 S. Commonwealth Ave.
310 S. Van Ness Ave.
213-385-5204
323-936-4656
www.pilgrim-school.org
www.stbrendanchurch.org
WILSHIRE ROTARY OF LOS ANGELES
ZAVALA ELECTRIC Bernie Zavala
3903 Wilshire Blvd.
Saluting Your Spirit of Service!
Your Neighborhood Electrician
www.stjla.org
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12
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
Pack 10 Scouts raced in the Derby, visited Vasquez Rocks
HIKING VASQUEZ ROCKS was among Pack 10 trips taken last year. Left to right: Miya Sumii and baby Donovan, Yemen Fowler, Rockwell Sanford, Jonathan Sanford, Ronin Fowler, Corin Schreib, Tiffany Joseph, Isaac Bradley, Angelina Bradley and Diane Gilmore.
Scouts collect Socks and Soaps for the unhoused
SOCKS AND SOAP crew, left to right: Langston Brown, Dylan Chan, Jacob Milder, John Black and Manon Gupta.
by patrol or den to collect the most possible before Christmas. New socks are very popular at this time of year.
the Pinewood Derby Race. Cubs were deeply engaged in designing, shaping and painting their Pinewood Derby cars. In many cases parents, uncles and grandparents are adding their sage advice. Acceleration took place on Jan. 28 when Cubs raced their cars against members of their den. Cubmaster Derek Cotton was the final judge. As a Pack 10 scout himself, Mr. Cotton once raced his own cars on the same racetrack at St. James’ Church. Girls are also welcome, and a BeAScout group is forming for girls. Visit dianegilmorela@gmail.com for more information.
CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION
Everyone at the Center is very excited about all the upcoming events this year. In addition to as sports, many new things are being learned in academics this year, and our teachers are helpful and supportive when it comes to teaching us certain things. One exciting thing is the 5th graders will be learning about robotics during tech and science and building a robot. This year we will also have our yearly CEE Olympics, where every grade competes in a series of physical educationrelated exercises. Even though the past few years have been a bit different, the Center is more than ready to take on the new year!
By Ren Lisenbery 5th Grade We are starting the New Year with positivity at the Center for Early Education. The school is upping its COVID-19 protocols because of the new variant. Everyone is happy and proud that our school takes our safety as one of its top priorities. Starting a new year is always great at the Center because we get to start new things, such as a capella participating in competitions and different sports getting to start playing games. Some of those sports include 5th grade girls’ volleyball and 5th grade boys basketball.
Co-ed Youth Baseball in Your Neighborhood!
Saturdays and Sundays at Pan Pacific Park
BUCKLEY SCHOOL
By Jasper Gough 12th Grade A schoolwide day of service for Dr. Martin Luther King on January 17th and screening of the documentary One Hundred Years From Mississippi on Jan. 26 were the first two events leading up to Black History Month. The entire school will assemble for presentations commemorating Black History Month on Feb. 4. The junior class will host their semi-formal on Feb. 12. Proceeds will benefit their grade and go towards the junior prom, among other things. Freshmen will put on the Beyond the Books event on
By Avery Gough 10th Grade February has been a very busy month for Marlborough Students. Marlborough Upper school students have been working hard to prepare for the opening night of Mamma Mia! The musical opens on Feb. 9 and runs for four nights to give everyone the opportunity to attend a performance. On Feb. 24, the Choir Concert will hold its spring concert at lunchtime for the students to enjoy. Marlborough’s second semester dance show, entitled Evening of Dance, will take place on Feb. 25 and 26. I am thrilled to see all of the talented Marlborough students express their love for art and share it with the rest of the Marlborough community. Now that the winter sports season has ended, on Feb. 22, the 7th and 8th grade spring sport tryout begins for softball, golf, lacrosse and track and field. Though it is unclear due to COVID-19, Spirit Week is scheduled for the second week of February. Normally, Spirit Week is a time when the entire school community convenes to put on dances that each grade has worked on. Each day of the week is filled with different activities and themes for the school community. Finally, on the Friday of Spirit Week, there is a “dance off” and the faculty decides which grade has the best dance. Many students really look forward to Spirit Week because it is a time when they are able to form a closer bond with their classmates. Feb. 15. Big Red Day occurs on Feb. 18. Everyone wears red shirts (one of our uniform colors) in a display of school spirit. We will attend an assembly in which all the sports teams will discuss their game schedule this season and highlight new team members. Lastly on the Feb. 25, middle school will have their annual dance which will take place at school and is limited to Buckley students in the sixth through eighth grades.
Dentistry for Children and Young Adults
Pediatric Dentistry
Games begin in March. Ages 4-12! Last chance to register for spring season! Register at www.wilshirewarriors.com
Randall E. Niederkohr, D.D.S.
Member American Dental Association Diplomat of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontics Available
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By Diane Gilmore Metropolitan District Boy Scouts of America Pack 10 and Troop 10 of St. James’ Episcopal Church ran their second annual Socks and Soaps Drive this past Christmas. Together, they collected more than six cases of goods for The Shower of Hope. St. James’ Church hosts The Shower of Hope for the unhoused of the Wilshire area each Saturday morning. A scout is helpful The Scouts see a way to help in this community by collecting socks, soaps, shampoo and toiletries. The boys make a game of this important effort by challenging each other
By Diane Gilmore Since last fall, the Cub Scouts of Pack 10 have taken most of their adventures out of doors. Many activities are held in the park or on day hikes. Hiking Vasquez Rocks (backdrop to the Disney movie “Cars”) was an eye-opener for both parents and Cubs. This year, the Bear Cubs have learned to handle their pocketknives and carved soap figures. The Wolves led a campfire skit night to celebrate the winter solstice. They call this “Howling at the Moon.” Weekend short hikes and community activities add to the program. January was the month of
MARLBOROUGH SCHOOL
We have a unique living room atmosphere Children from newborns to 18-year-olds feel comfortable Saturday Appointments Available
(323) 463-8322 • 321 N. Larchmont Blvd, Suite 809
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION ONE
13
This sport’s roots are in entertainment, but it still hurts…
Think rugby’s tough? Try a Derby Doll since she was sevplaying it on roller skates. en. Her mother, McCall, was Welcome to the world of in the league then, but had to ladies’ banked-track roller der- give up Roller Derby after an by, where players go by names appendectomy. like Skatey Perry, Speedy WonMojo Mayhem’s teachers der and Princess Slaya. and fellow students know her “Everyone has a derby as Harper Lawrence. Some of name,” said Mojo Mayhem, a her interests include acting, jammer for the Los Angeles- volleyball and yoga, but when based Derby Dolls Juniors’ All- people learn about her derby Star travel team. background, they’re someAccompanying those derby times surprised. names is a free-for-all fashion “I don’t come off as a tough that includes fishnet stock- person,” she said. ings, neon fingernail polish Roller Derby is her life. and smeared eye shadow and She’s an All Star player and lipstick, but the bare-knuckled competes for the league travglamor is emphasized by plenty el team. They call themselves of shoving and physical contact. DDX (Derby Dolls Xtreme), “Getting into character takes and they’re the best of the Los a lot,” admitted Mayhem. Angeles league’s junior players Queen of the Track (ages 7-17). Every year, DDX Roller Derby is one of the few makes its annual pilgrimage to sports whose origins are pure- whatever city is hosting Battle ly American. Since its incep- On The Bank, the Super Bowl tion in Chicago in 1935, the of ladies’ junior Roller Derby. sport has generated its own Full contact culture and terminology. One Roller Derby’s original verof the more indicative terms sion was more theatrics than is Queen of the Track, which sport. Fights were staged, and refers to a practice drill where team score and outcome was players attempt to knock each other down or off the track. Once a player falls, she can no longer participate in the drill. “I haven’t been injured too seriously in competition,” said Mayhem. “I’ve sprained a few things, but track burn (rink rash) is the most common. That’s not fun.” Sophomore Mayhem lives in Koreatown and is a high ROLLER DERBY player Mojo Mayhem (Harpschool sopho- er Lawrence) and dad Metallikyle (Kyle) after a more. She’s been recent competition.
Youth Sports by
Jim Kalin scripted. Not so with today’s version. The DDX skaters play full contact and are athletes, intent on winning. There is no predetermined victor. “That’s a fairly common misconception,” said Mayhem. There are two styles of Roller Derby: banked-track and
flat. Flat tracks can be set up easily on any surface and cost less than a banked-track. That’s important. Starting a league can be expensive, and most are DIY, which means operating funds come from within via ticket sales, donations and fundraisers. Family support helps, and with Mayhem, there’s plenty. Her father, Kyle, is a league referee, or “Zebra” in derby terminology. “We’re also known as Enforcers,” he explained. Kyle’s derby name (yep, even (Please turn to page 15)
MOJO MAYHEM blocks out an opponent.
The Plymouth School Safely Opened for the 2021-2022 School Year!
NOW ENROLLING
Neville Anderson, MD, FAAP Amaka Priest, MD Courtney Mannino, MD, FAAP Board-Certified Pediatricians • Preschool program for children 2 to 5½.
• We care for children 0-21 years old
• Creative activities to encourage cognitive & social development including art, music, movement & play
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theplymouthschool.com • theplymouthschool@gmail.com
• Complimentary “meet the doctor” appointments available
Call Today! 323.960.8500 321 N Larchmont Blvd., Suite 1020 . Los Angeles . CA . 90004 . www.larchmontpediatric.com
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• Over 45 years serving the neighborhood
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• Experienced teachers devoted to fostering self-esteem in a safe nurturing environment
• Most PPO Insurance plans accepted
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LARCHMONT CHARTER By Hajoon Koo and Luke Magnusen 4th Grade
This month at Larchmont Charter School Hollygrove, we had the most exciting events, such as our Fantasy Football finals and Valentine’s Day! One of the main holidays we celebrate at Larchmont Charter
is Valentine’s Day! This Valentine’s Day will be as special as the last, because we will do the same routines, like thank you
letters, and of course an amazing special morning sing. For Valentine’s Day, I hope everyone will get their letter of why you’re so special. Of course I hope you will give yours away. The special times of Valentine’s give us joy. It shows us we don’t need to be special in order for someone to love us, you just need to be you. The joy it gives me to talk about how
we all got a nice love card from someone special makes me want to get up and start dancing! The finals of Fantasy Football were amazing. It was Hajoon, my best friend, up against a girl from our school, Charlotte. When you win Fantasy Football you get a big trophy where your grade and name are written into the trophy forever. Last year’s winner was 3rd grader, Aiden Ender. I hope you all get your Valentine’s Day cards!
ST BRENDAN By Noah Borges 8th Grade
Hello, Larchmont. So far, this year has been great. To kick it off, St. Brendan had Catholic Schools Week. This is a week of fun events sponsored by the Student Council. On the first day of CSW we have an open house. During this event we get to show our parents the amazing projects we work on in class. My favorite day of this week is Jersey Day, where everyone wears their favorite jersey, and we have our legendary 8th Grade vs Faculty volleyball game. Also this month, the 8th graders finished submitting their high school applications, and now we will be waiting impatiently for the letters of acceptance. Finally, winter sports like basketball are in progress, and we hope the best for the girls’ and boys’ teams. We look forward to Valentine’s Day and the SBBA season. Thanks for tuning in to the St. Brendan section of the Larchmont Chronicle!
IMMACULATE HEART
A Catholic, Independent, College Preparatory School For Girls Grades 6-12
Join Us for Student Shadow Visits
For the high school, register at: www.immaculateheart.org/shadowIHHS For the middle school, register at: www.immaculateheart.org/shadowIHMS
“Educating the Hearts & Minds of Young Women Since 1906”
5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028 ♥ (323) 461-3651 ♥ www.immaculateheart.org
NEW COVENANT ACADEMY By Dale Lee 11th Grade
Happy New Year! It’s finally 2022 and NCA students have returned from their extended three week Christmas break and are ready to learn! Hopefully, all students were able to enjoy the long rest and spend the holidays with their families. With rising Omicron cases and scares, many students may be reluctant to return to on-campus learning; however, NCA will be continuing with in-person learning. Major adjustments have been made for the safety of students and NCA teachers, faculty and staff are all working even harder and following strict protocol to provide a safe learning environment. Fingers crossed, we can continue our second semester at school with all activities and extracurriculars. However, our annual Winter Camp will be delayed until March or when the Omicron threat alleviates. The boys’ basketball season is thriving with currently only one loss. We’re rooting hard for them to make the playoffs all while staying safe and healthy. Go Huskies!
OAKWOOD SCHOOL By Scarlett Saldaña 11th Grade
To begin the second semester at Oakwood School, both the elementary and secondary campuses will celebrate Lunar New Year. At the elementary school, students will have the chance to experience a Chinese southern lion dance, where performers dance to the beat of a drum, and showcase their martial arts skills. Then, the cafeterias at both campuses will serve students longevity noodles, which symbolize the wish for long life. Oakwood’s Asian Affinity group will also play traditional Asian music, as well as music created by Asian artists, at our school’s radio booth during lunch. After these festivities are over, the elementary school campus will hold an assembly where Oakwood parents and students can present how they celebrate Lunar New Year. Mid-February, high school students will perform Boeing Boeing by Marc Camoletti. I will be acting as one of the flight attendants in this comedic play that surrounds the antics of a bachelor and his engagements with three flight attendants. We began rehearsing for this play in late-December, and to keep the cast and crew safe, we adhered to COVID-19 protocols and tested weekly. Acting in this show was a fantastic experience, especially since this is our first time in two years that we were able to rehearse inside the Oakwood theater.
THIRD STREET By Nikka Gueler 4th Grade
Happy New Year, Larchmont Chronicle readers. We are happy to be back at school after a long winter break. The Covid surge took us by surprise, with many of us having to change our holiday plans. Many students got Covid while traveling and had a hard time getting back home due to travel restrictions. LAUSD imposed strict Covid measures to ensure that everyone came back to school safely. All students, teachers, and administration had to receive a negative Covid test result before coming back to school. When we returned to school, I was surprised to see that there were only 16 students in my class out of 27. Some of the absent students had Covid or were around people who had it. Some of the others were stuck traveling or didn’t want to go back to school that week. While school got off to a slow start, we are trying to get back on track with many school activities planned for Black History Month. I am happy to be back at school, and thank you for reading.
Larchmont Chronicle
By Hank Bauer 12th Grade
The Episcopal School of Los Angeles has five student councils, and each has its own purpose within the c o m m u n i t y. Members of the Community Life Council (also known as CLC) are responsible for arranging many of ESLA’s student events, such as team competitions and the yearly haunted house. Like CLC, the Vestry Council aids in ESLA’s religious events, such as weekly chapels. The Service Council helps to manage and create opportunities for ESLA students to do community service, as well as manage ESLA’s relationship with the surrounding community. The Honor Council aids students in protecting their academic integrity, and holds meetings with students who violate ESLA’s honor code.
Batter up! Wilshire Warriors ready for spring season
Wilshire Warriors Pony Baseball is all set to begin weekly practices and weekend games on Sat., Feb. 26 or in early March and continue until the end of May, as allowed by the City of Los Angeles’ COVID-19 guidelines. League player evaluations are on Sat., Feb. 12. “We are very excited to be playing baseball again this spring during these challenging times,” said Luke Schugren, president of Wilshire Warriors. “It’s more important than ever that kids get outside to exercise and socialize. Last year, families commented often about baseball being a couple of hours of normalcy. Wilshire Warriors is about community — making the big city feel small. We can’t wait to see everyone out at Pan Pacific.” Practices and games will be held at Pan Pacific Park. Games are coed and open to ages 4-12. Check the website to confirm dates and to register for the season: wilshirewarriors.com.
Roller Derby
(Continued from page 13) refs get in on that action) is Metallikyle, and he insists he shows no favoritism during a competition. “I don’t call bogus penalties.” Mayhem laughs at this. “Well, there have never been any hard feelings afterwards,” she said. Empowering girls Derby Dolls centers feminism within athletics and through community, growth and leadership opportunities. It’s about empowering girls.
IMMACULATE HEART By Kellyn Lanza 11th Grade
Immaculate Heart returned to in-person classes on Jan. 10, beginning the second semester of the 2021-2022 school year. With Covid-19 cases high, students and faculty have made safeUnlike the other councils, it only consists of Juniors and Seniors, and was originally founded by members of the Academic Council, whose members are responsible for creating opportunities for students to pursue curiosity and interviewing teacher job applicants in order to provide their input to the board. ESLA’s youngest council is the Heads Council, which was founded this year and is responsible for representing the needs of the student body to the faculty.
ty adjustments regarding testing and masking up. Testing is available on campus for students and faculty who need it. Despite some challenges, the IH school community is continuing to prosper, and hopes to continue
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in-person learning for the rest of the school year. Meanwhile, Immaculate Heart students are already immersed in a variety of activities. Both our soccer and basketball teams have begun their seasons and hope to advance further in the month of February. Our teams for swim, softball and track have all begun conditioning for their
upcoming pre-seasons. The Junior class recently participated in the Emmaus retreat, where students got to bond with their classmates at the Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre. Ending the month of January, IH students participated in a virtual Science Bowl, the annual scrimmage hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power.
Rig T in IR Nig H in Ht h h MiRTh MiR t E M e he IR a E ♥ cle ORFe ac Re AC le LE Mi Mil MILle! e! E
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE By Sienna Light 6th Grade
Cathedral Chapel Cathedral Chapel SchoolSchool
Happy New Archdiocesan & State Academic Decathlon Champions 2017! year from HSH! through 8th grade Honors Math MathProgram Program 8th grade Math Program ••Kindergarten • Kindergarten through • Honors Kindergarten through 8th grade •• Honors This year, HolFully Accredited WASC & WCEA CYO Sports Fully Accredited WASC & WCEA CYO Sports • • • • WASC & WCEA • CYO Sports • Fully Accredited lywood SchoolSchoolwide 4G•Internet Access Lunch Program Schoolwide 4G Internet Hot Lunch Lunch Program Program • • Hot Access Access •• Hot • Schoolwide 4G Internet house is back in 36 MAC Computer Lab Outreach Concern Counseling 36 MAC Computer Lab Outreach Concern Counseling • • •• 36 MAC Computer Lab •• Outreach Concern Counseling person, and is • Spanish Program Extended Day DayCare Care ••Spanish Spanish Program Program • Extended Day Care taking the best •• Extended Middle School iPad Program Junior High Academic Decathlon • • Middle School iPad Program Junior High Academic Decathlon •• K-8 iPad Program safety precau•• Junior High Academic Decathlon Junior High Instrumental Program • Departmentalized •Junior tions to keep everyone healthy. Lab / Art Center Departmentalized High Music Instrumental Music Program ••Departmentalized •• Science Classroom Art••&Classroom Music Program New masks have been put •into Classroom Art & Music Program Art & Program Open House: place, and even though some of Sunday, January 30 us are Zooming in from home, 11:30 am - 1 pm we are still together as a commuCOVID protocols apply. nity, and we are making the most of this new year. Contact school office for details. In the science room, students are making a new project about 755 South Cochran Ave., L.A. 90036 • For Information (323) 938-9976 or cathedralchapelschool.org 755 South Cochran Ave., L.A. 90036 water pollution and the Exxon South Cochran Ave., L.A. 90036 Please check our website for updates regarding distant and in-person learning. For Information (323) 938-9976 or755 cathedralchapelschool.org For Information (323) 938-9976 or cathedralchapelschool.org Valdez oil spill. They are taking new and different approaches to presenting the topic. Some are creating slideshows and websites, and others are filming stop motion videos and news reports. In history, we are also working on iMovie to showcase what we have learned about Catal Huyuk. We constructed 3D models on Tinkercad, and we are now filming a walkthrough of each special monument. Lastly, in art, sixth graders are constructing their very own album covers with unique designs that will showcase their own band names and art. Students are able to use any art supplies they require, and the possibilities are endless.
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EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES
FEBRUARY 2022
A legacy of
distinction
“Come out as soon as you can,” stresses Mayhem, regarding youngsters who are interested in participating. “Roller Derby includes everyone. Body shape doesn’t matter, nor does culture. We accept all.” If your child is interested in joining Derby Dolls, visit the website derbydolls.com or email them at questions@derbydolls.com. Tell them Mojo Mayhem sent you. Maybe I’ll see you on Feb. 26. I’ll be a Bleacher Creature (fan) at their next competition. I even have my own derby name — Jimzilla!
Small class sizes | STEAM at every grade level Differentiated instruction | Before & After Care included Beverly Hills 419 S Robertson Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211 2 years to Junior Kindergarten (323) 272-3429
Hancock Park 565 N Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 2 years to 8th Grade (323) 463-5118
www.pageacademyca.com
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Valentine’s Day massacre guns down theater tickets and manners!
February 14, 1929. A chilly Thursday morning. At 10:30 a.m., four assailants, two of whom are dressed like Chicago cops, mow down five members of Chicago’s “North Side Gang,” along with two “associates” of mobster George “Bugs” Moran. The seven men were put up against the wall of a garage in Chicago’s Lincoln Park and splattered with shot gun and machine gun bullets so thoroughly that their blood stuck to the bricks of the garage wall (the bricks can now be seen at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas). The four shooters were never caught, but it is generally assumed that they were part of Al Capone’s rival gang, sent by Capone to establish control of Chicago’s bootleg liquor business. The only survivor of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Frank Gusenberg, when asked, before succumbing to his wounds, “Who did it?”
mumbled, “No one shot me,” and took his killers’ names to his grave. Honor among thieves! I retell this winter holiday tale, not to add to the slew of unsolved mysteries that seem to be so popular at the moment, but rather to introduce the fact that the theater is going through its own St. Valentine’s Day massacre right now. Days after heaping praise on co-star Sutton Foster’s understudy (and, indeed, on all the understudies and “swings” who have kept Broadway going), Hugh Jackman came down with COVID-19, closing the revival of “The Music Man” for several more weeks. Productions as varied as “Company” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” shuttered for days. “Flying Over Broadway,” the musical about Cary Grant, Aldous Huxley and Clare Booth Luce on acid, closed three weeks earlier than scheduled.
by
Louis Fantasia “Waitress” has closed for good. Locally, the Ahmanson’s “A Christmas Carol” shut down weeks ahead of schedule (as did South Coast Rep’s production of that holiday classic), and “Hamilton” canceled its Pantages Theatre performances through late January. Uncertainty What this massacre means (apart from the fact that there is almost nothing on at the moment for your critic to review, Dear Reader!) is that along with the health of the performers and audience members, the lost revenue, canceled jobs, etc., we get
‘Wonder Women’ gala is in March
325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004
Wonder Women is a gala being produced by the Jewish Free Loan Association on Sat., March 6 at Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, 11461 Sunset Blvd. The event will honor Jacky Dilfer, Deborah Kallick and Jessica Kronstadt. Gala co-chairs are Adeena Bleich and Sam Yebri. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m., and dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. For information, visit jfla.org, email sara@jfla. org, or call 323-761-8837.
www.windsorsquare.org 157 N. Larchmont Boulevard
Valentines and Larchmont
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Valentine’s Day is around the corner — a perfect day to celebrate your loved ones with a romantic gift or a dinner out. Luckily for residents of Windsor Square, our own Larchmont Village provides plenty of good opportunities to please your special someone. A few ideas: A relaxing dinner out: Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday, when many restaurants are closed, but some popular local spots plan to open despite that for celebratory dinners. Le Petit Greek is one example. Call ahead to reserve for their Valentine’s special. Other spots, such as Great White, Louise’s, and Osteria Mamma (just around the corner from Larchmont, on Melrose) are good choices as well, and they are usually open on Mondays anyway. Perfumes and colognes: Visit Larchmont Beauty Supply or Blue Mercury for a wide range of fragrances, for both men and women. Those stores also carry scented candles, as does Diptyque. Books: Chevalier’s has a wonderful selection, as always, and staff members can offer advice on what to read next. Other ideas might include massages (there are several spas on Larchmont just north of Beverly) or a gorgeous bouquet of flowers (Floret and Larchmont Village Florist, also north of Beverly, are places for that). You’ll be giving a wonderful gift to your Valentine — and by helping keep our local businesses vital, you’ll be giving a gift to our whole neighborhood. o o o Windsor Square is justly known for its glorious tree canopy, and February is the perfect time to enhance that green asset. Plant new trees now, including fruit trees — the cool weather will give them a chance to take root before the summer heat. February is also the right time to prune most trees, so they can recover from the stress before it gets hot. And remember, turn your sprinklers down (once a week is enough, or even off) while the weather is cool and the soil is moist. Save money on your water bill, and save the planet, too! The Windsor Square Association, an all-volunteer group of residents from 1100 households between Beverly and Wilshire and Van Ness and Arden, works to preserve and enhance our beautiful neighborhood. Join with us! Drop us a line at 325 N. Larchmont Blvd., #158, Los Angeles, CA 90004, or visit our website at windsorsquare.org. ADV.
Theater Review
the additional killer of uncertainty! Who is going to plan a spring break to NYC, fly, book a hotel room and buy tickets for a play that, at best, might have the understudy on that night? What producer is going to gamble a year or so in advance on a cast, designers, a director and a theater, when a cough and a sneeze can put you out of business? Unlike the “Spiderman” movie (which grossed over a billion dollars recently), plays do not make their money back in a weekend. The reason why Broadway box office rose after the holidays was due to the fact that ticket prices jumped by more than $20 each, on average. The inflation cycle has begun, even though theaters are at (on average) 74 percent capacity, and nearly 20 percent of those patrons who have purchased tickets are no-shows on any given night. Higher prices will mean even smaller audiences, until theaters are playing only to select billionaires.
Manners When patrons do show up, however, some of them have no manners! I did see the totally charming and touching “The Band’s Visit” at the Dolby in December (it closed on schedule, December 19). I was shocked — shocked, I say! — to see people bringing in sushi, nachos, wine and beer to munch and guzzle while real live actors were giving of their talents onstage. Have some respect! “Broadway in Chicago,” the sister organization to our own “Broadway in Hollywood,” has announced that food and drink are no longer permitted in their Chicago theaters. This is the mark of a true theater town. I know producers want to make up for lost revenue, but letting patrons chomp away and stuff their faces while others are actually trying to watch a play is not the way to do it. It has to stop. Otherwise, I might be tempted to conduct my own Saturday night massacre!
Attitude Café
• Good Food • Good Spirits
Open for Breakfast, Brunch, & Lunch 8 am til 4 pm
323-297-3275
6009 West 3rd Street, 90036
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Museum restaurants present art on the plate and off Restaurateurs Bill Chait and Carl Shuster wanted the 10,000-squarefoot space to harken back to the days of Hollywood glitz and glamour. In the evening the lights are dimmed, comFANNY’S is now open for lunch and dinner at pletely changthe Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Illustration by Konstantin Kakanias ing the atmosphere from the ••• brighter lunch service. SemiPossibly the most highly circular booths provide cushy anticipated museum restau- seating reminiscent of the rant opening is Fanny’s at the Brown Derby see-and-be-seen Academy Museum of Motion seats. Pictures. They had a slow rollMichelin-starred chef Raout, with lunch offerings first, phael Francois planned a then adding dinner service. menu that combines old Fanny’s is named for the school charm, classic dining vaudeville actor and comedian experiences and approachable Fanny Brice, who was donor dishes. Wendy Stark’s grandmother. There are a number of spe-
On the Menu by
Helene Seifer cial plates listed under the title “Live Performance,” which aim to showcase fancy service. An amazing côte de bœuf is
wheeled out on a silver trolley and a thick slab of beef is cut off the bone. Perfectly pink, the $85 steak fed us for five or six meals. A whole orata is beautifully grilled. Cacio e pepe is the classic pasta with a twist: shaved black truffles on top. Famed mixologist Julian Cox designed the cocktail program. Fanny’s, Academy Museum, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., 323-930-3080.
RESTAURANT & COCKTAILS
Lunch & Dinner Every Day of the Year
Restaurant Hours: Mon.-Thurs. noon to midnight Fri.-Sat.-Sun. noon to 1:00 a.m. Bar open till 1:00 a.m. Mon.-Thurs. ~ 1:30 a.m. Fri. & Sat. 3357 Wilshire Blvd. • 213-385-7275 • thehmsbounty.com
THE PERFECT PLACE FOR LOVE & LOVE OF THE GAME GAME-WATCHING EATS
VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS & TREATS
This year, the Big Game and Valentine’s Day are back-to-back and The Original Farmers Market has everything you need to celebrate both occasions. Shop our open-air aisles for the best in gourmet food & beverages, one-of-a-kind gifts and more. Then sit back and enjoy the goods that really score!
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6333 W. THIRD ST. LOS ANGELES 323.933.9211 @ FARMERSMARKETLA FARMERSMARKETLA.COM
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By Helene Seifer It’s been said that art feeds the soul, and indeed, entering an exhibit to find a wall full of playful Yayoi Kusama polkadots or a row of color-saturated David Hockney paintings can make one’s heart leap. More and more often, museums also aim to feed the stomach with excellent menus in a beautiful space. This isn’t completely new. The Museum of Modern Art in New York long ago abandoned the serviceable cafeteria for destination dining. Locally, the last renovation of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) saw the opening of Ray’s and Stark Bar, now part of the Patina Group, serving such delicacies as smoked salmon and potato pizza and a roasted tomato and baby lettuce salad topped with a pound of lobster meat, worth every penny of its $52 price tag. Ray’s and Stark Bar, LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 323-857-6180. ••• Hauser & Wirth, in the Arts District, feels more like a small museum than the gallery it is. The repurposed warehouse space is arranged around a courtyard containing sculptures, a garden and Manuela, a Southern-inflected indoor / outdoor restaurant. Executive Chef Kris Tominaga oversees artfully-plated salads of persimmons with whipped feta, pistachio and honey vinegar sumac or burrata with trout roe, Urfa vinaigrette and polenta toast. Fresh sweet ocean trout is chopped into a ceviche with red onion, capers and fennel. Cast iron cornbread is scrumptious. Colors are exquisite and arranged perfectly on the plate. Manuela, Hauser & Wirth, 907 E. Third St., 323-8490480. ••• Lulu is the newest museum restaurant to pop on the scene. A stunning space in the first floor courtyard of the Hammer Museum, lovely orange lanterns sway overhead and are reflected in the mirror lining much of the restaurant’s back wall. Chef and cookbook author David Tannis conceived of the restaurant with the acclaimed food activist Alice Waters. They offer an à la carte menu of such dishes as red lentil soup, eggplant banh mi and grilled chicken breast saltimbocca. There is also a revolving three-course prix fixe menu. The day I went there, I was served a warming, hearty pot au feu of short ribs in broth with a beet salad and olive oil walnut cake for $45. A bit fatty, but delicious. Lulu, Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., 424999-4870.
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†
Announced and Possible City of Los Angeles 2022 Election Candidates Mayor Kevin de León * Austin Dragon Sean I. Enright Michael “Mike” Feuer * Chris Gilmore Craig Greiwe * Alex Gruenenfelder * Evan Jasek G. Juan Johnson
Michael A. Alspach Christina M. Bailey Karen Bass * Barry Boen Najmah Brown Dr. Cheyenne Bryant Joe Buscaino * Chuck Cho Eden Cristo
Council District 5
Council District 13
Molly Basler Jimmy Biblarz Scott Epstein Kristina Irwin Katy Young Yaroslavsky Sam Yebri
Albert Corado Carlos H. Flowers Steve Johnson Clarendon “Clay” K. Johnston Dylan Kendall Rachael Rose Luckey Mitch O’Farrell Kate Pynoos Hugo Soto-Martinez
Jessica Lall * Juanita Lopez Alycia T. Lowery Asher Luzzatto Helan Mahmood * Joseph May Brian Morrison William Rodriguez Morrison * Dr. Jemiss Nazar DC, JD
City Attorney Sherri Onica Valle Cole Faisal Gill Kevin James Richard Y. Kim Teddy Kapur Hydee Feldstein Soto Marina Torres
2022 is another election year! There are lots of local elections this year, with the primaries being on June 7 and a general election for any needed runoffs on November 8. Many of the local districts are
mapped on the back page of this month’s second section. In just the City of Los Angeles mayor’s race, there are 38 people who have told the Ethics Commission that they want
Join GWNC Board & Committee Meetings on Zoom or Phone! www.greaterwilshire.org REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE: Board of Directors
OUTREACH MEETING
Second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.
Land Use Committee
Fourth Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.
Outreach Committee
Third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.
Transportation Committee
NEW TIME
THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 6:30PM
Fourth Monday of odd-numbered months, 7:00p.m.
Environmental & Sustainability Committee First Tuesday of even-numbered months, 7:00 p.m.
Quality of Life Committee
Fourth Wednesday of the 2nd month of each quarter, 7:00 p.m.
Resilience Committee
First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m.
Toshia Poundstone Jorge Ramirez Ahn Shin-Ae Jamila Sozahdah Joe Taylor Kat Tuck Jacob (Alestar) Van Mater Michael Vance Ramit Varma *
Supervisor District 3 Richard Bloom Bob Hertzberg Lindsey P. Horvath Henry Stern
Valentines
(Continued from page 7)
Survey
sitive issues such as land-use and alcohol-use permits. Critics worry that the survey will be used as the underpinning of future policy decisions without any significant outreach being made to the homeowners that surround the Larchmont Village shopping district. “I am sure we will share the results with all and ask for your patience as we move forward,” concluded Kaliski.
liski told us last month. “There are lots of comments that need to be gone through. “Patty [Lombard], Gary [Gilbert], Heather [Duffy Boylston] and I have not yet gotten together to figure out how we are going to do this,” said Kaliski on Jan. 19. “I hope we can start this coming weekend,” he added. As reported in the January issue of the Larchmont Chronicle, opinions of local residents are divided over the Larchmont 2021 group’s process to author and circulate its survey, which presented questions on complicated and sen-
Potential: Rick Caruso Robert “Bob” Iger Austin Beutner * Declared candidates as of 1/7/22 (per Wikipedia)
City Controller Stephanie Clements Paul Koretz Reid Lidow Kenneth Mejia David T. Vahedi Robert “Rob” Wilcox † Registered with City Ethics Commission
to run! The chart above lists names of people who have filed with the Commission as of press time, along with others rumored to be in the running. A final list will not be available until the February 12 deadline for candidates to declare formally their intent to run. And not all of those who do will complete the additional requirements . . . so stay tuned!
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Vincent Willis Mel Wilson
Made a documentary about Beethoven! This guy is only 32. He’s so impressive! Does it get any better than this?” It got too late for Lauren to return to the shabby hotel room she was sharing with five girls. Scott offered to let her stay with him instead, and they drove up into the hills where he had rented a villa.
“I never went back to my room!” Lauren exclaims. They spent the remaining five festival nights together. After Cannes, they returned to their normal lives; he to Los Angeles, she to Avignon, but a few months later she visited Scott in his home above Sunset Plaza and never left. One day while gazing out their picture window, she saw a lush patch of greenery in the distance and went to explore. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” she thought when she found Hancock Park and Windsor Square. A particular house caught her eye. She left a note for the current owners to call her if they had any interest in selling. They called that night, and shortly thereafter Lauren and Scott moved into the home they still live in today, surrounded by the leafy beauty that originally captivated her.
Larchmont Chronicle
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Square-jawed, muscular ‘Reacher’ satisfies, ‘Borrego’ thrills
Reacher (10/10): a series of eight one-hour segments. After suffering through two movies with the worst casting in Hollywood history, teeny 5-foot7-inch Tom Cruise playing 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound Jack Reacher. Readers of the “Reacher” books will be thrilled that Amazon has cast Alan Ritchson, who looks and is shaped like Reacher. At 6 feet, 3 inches, Ritchson is only two inches shorter than Reacher, which is close enough, and he’s squaredjawed and muscular, a guy who stops any room into which he walks, and the action reflects the books. This series is based on Lee Child’s bestselling book, “Killing Floor.” Like Amazon’s “Bosch” series, this one should satisfy all of Reacher’s fans as it did me. Prime. Don’t Look Up (8/10): 138 minutes. R. Approximately 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub asteroid, six miles wide, hit Mexico and wiped out 75 percent of life on earth, including all the dinosaurs, who had been roaming the earth for 125 million years. Homo sapiens have been here maybe 90,000 years. Jennifer Lawrence discovers a much larger asteroid heading straight for earth and tells her boss, Leonardo DiCaprio. Together they try to sound the alarm to everyone, including the supercilious U.S. President, Meryl Streep, and her didymous Chief of Staff, Jonah Hill (what a cast!) and can’t get anyone to take them seriously. Thus begins a surprisingly comedic story about the end of life on earth as we know it. Netflix. We Need to Talk About Cosby (8/10): Four one-hour episodes. According to this revealing but flawed documentary, Bill Cosby was a modern-day
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Cosby was a star on the ‘60s TV Series “I Spy,” co-starring with Robert Culp. But even though this was the time that made Cosby a star (the show ran 1965 to ’68), Cosby was already drugging and raping women. Some of the women who testify in excruciating detail in the film to these actions are: Kristina Ruehli, 22, 1965 Sunni Welles, 17, 1966 Carla Ferrigno, 18, 1967 Louisa Moritz, 21, 1969 Linda Brown, 21, 1969 Cindra Ladd, 21, 1969 Linda Traitz, 21, 1969 In his ’80s sitcom as “America’s Dad,” Cosby was sweet and lovable onscreen, but a monster offscreen. The movie identifies 60 women who have come forward with similar stories, and they are astonishing in their similarities. The actions continued throughout the decades. Equally shocking are interviews he did. One, with Larry King, in 1991, shows Cosby joking about Spanish fly and the effect it has on women. King and Cosby laughed, but it’s frightening to watch now that it’s common knowledge that we know he drugged and raped women in exactly the same way. The flaw in the film is the bias of director W. Kamau Bell (he does not disguise his bias since one of his shows was entitled “Totally Biased…”), who has proclaimed his absolute belief in the racist theory of White Supremacy and the people he chose to interview. Two who are interviewed throughout are vigorous supporters of the White Supremacy canard, Jamele Hill and Marc Lamont Hill, both of whom have been fired for their biased comments; Jamele by ESPN and Lamont by both Fox
Dusseault
and an advisor to LIFT-Los Angeles, a national organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty. Dusseault’s passion for ending homelessness and advocating for mental health is personal. She has a family member who is experiencing both. To register, visit tinyurl. com/bd864rdz.
(Continued from page 1) (LAHSA) and is co-chair of LAHSA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Women & Homelessness. Previously, Dusseault was chief of staff to Councilmember David Ryu. She also is an Advisory Board Member for the Los Angeles Business Council
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Tony Medley News and CNN. The fact that they have nothing to do with Cosby devalues Cosby’s female victims’ testimony. Who cares what the two Hills think? Despite its faults, this is a series that should be seen. SHO. Borrego (8/10): 102 min-
Jesse Harris and inspired by personal experience, the acting is exceptional, enhanced by superb cinematography by Octavio Arias, who presents some outstanding angles and shots of the sunset that are framed and memorable. The tension-enhancing music is by The Newton Brothers. But the movie would not be what it is without the atmospheric location and production design (Carlos Iribarni). There is little in the film that is hard to believe. This is one of the better chase movies I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot.
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At the Movies
utes. R. This is a compelling thriller that presents Elly (Lucy Hale) as a young botanist working in the desert when she sees a plane crash. The pilot, Tomas (Leynar Gómez) survives but turns out to be a drug mule. He immediately kidnaps Elly as they are alone in the middle of the California desert, and he is on a life-or-death mission to get the drugs to his boss Guillermo (Jorge J. Jimenez). She convinces him that he should not kill her because only she can lead him to where he wants to go. Written and directed by
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SECTION ONE
FEBRUARY 2022
Larchmont Chronicle
HISTORY
PLAY ON
Our state’s place names tell stories of history, politics and power. Page 4
MUSEUMS
Bob Baker Marionette Theater organ has all the bells and whistles. Page 9
Real Estate Museums, Libraries Home & Garden
Saddle up for the 2022 Masters of the American West Art Exhibition and Sale. Page 13
VIEW
Section 2
LARCHMONT CHRONICLE
FEBRUARY 2022
HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • GREATER WILSHIRE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT
427 S. Lucerne Blvd. | Windsor Square | $5,085,000 JUST SOLD. REPRESENTED BUYERS. Stately Windsor Square Traditional. 4 beds + office + 3.5 baths. Pool.
117 S. Windsor Blvd. | Windsor Square | $4,350,000
738 Longwood Ave. | Brookside | $4,070,000
IN ESCROW. Beautiful Mediterranean in A+ location. 3 beds + 2 baths. 117Windsor.com
Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
JUST SOLD. Elegant English Tudor in coveted Brookside. 3 beds + 6 baths. 738Longwood.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
364 N. McCadden Pl.| Hancock Park| $3,950,000
552 Wilcox Ave| Hancock Park | $3,899,000
4957 Melrose Hill | Hollywood | $2,895,000
1733 N. Ogden Dr. | Hollywood Hills | $2,445,000
In heart of Hancock Park, this beautiful Spanish home is a true gem! 5BR/2.5BA & verdant garden with pool. Naomi Hartman and Leah Brenner 323.860.4259/4245 CalRE #00769979, 00917665
Gorgeous newly remodeled 2 story Spanish near the LA Tennis Club. 4 beds 3 baths plus beautiful pool area.
Historic Melrose Hill family compound w/ 4 bed, 3 baths, studio & 2 bed guest house. Large lot.
REPRESENTED BUYER. Beautiful remodl’d lower HH home 3 bed, 4 bas & wonderful entertaining spaces. Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
150 S. Windsor Blvd. | Windsor Square | $5,400,000 JUST SOLD. Architecturally stunning Mediterranean w/ guest house & pool. 5 beds + 3.5 baths. Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
Kathy Gless 323.460.7622 CalRE #00626174
Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
439 N. Gower St. | Larchmont Village | $2,250,000
351 N Poinsettia Pl.| Miracle Mile| $2,250,000
6550 W. 84th St. | Westchester | $1,465,000
631 Wilcox Ave. #1A| Hancock Park | $1,100,000
JUST SOLD. Sunny Craftsman one block from Village cafes & shops. 5 beds + 4 baths. 439Gower.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
SOLD OVER ASKING. Grand 3/2 Charac. Spanish in prime area. X-lrge frml D.R, Grnte kitc. Fpl, hdwd flrs. Cecille Cohen 213.810.9949 CalRE #00884530
Developer’s dream! Permits ready to issue for apprx. 3,000 total SF. 2-Sty ADU to be delivered completed! Erik Flexner 310-941-FLEX (3539) CalRE #01352476
JUST SOLD. REPRESENTED BUYERS. 2 beds + 2.5 baths gated Hancock Park Terrace. Golf course views. Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374
6151 Orange St. #121 | Hancock Park | $499,000
145 S. Hudson | Hancock Park | $25,000/MO
165 N. Las Palmas Ave. | Hancock Park | $23,000/MO
160 N. McCadden Pl. | Hancock Park | $20,000/MO
SOLD. Beautiful 1/1 condo. Frplce, balcony. Pool. Gated garage. Close to LACMA, Grove, Transportation. Cecille Cohen 213.810.9949 CalRE #00884530
FOR LEASE. Stately English on one of the finest blocks in Hancock Park. 6 beds + 2 baths, pool with spa. Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
FOR LEASE. Stately English Tudor on a beautiful treelined st. 5Bd / 4.5Bas, covered patio, large pool. Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
Furnished Lease, short or long term. 4 beds, 4.5 baths w/ a pool and guest house. Great location. Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101
COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Hancock Park 323.464.9272 | 251 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004 ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. CalRE #00616212
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
RYLAN program is set for February pilot in Windsor Square
By Talia Abrahamson Under the city’s free Ready Your LA Neighborhood (RYLAN) program, 400 homes in Windsor Square this February will be piloting an emergency preparedness plan. RYLAN is an initiative to organize neighborhood resources for the first hour after a disaster and before emergency responders arrive. Why RYLAN? The hope is that disaster preparations under RYLAN will look much more like getting to know your neighbors. Windsor Square resident Gary Gilbert, who has been leading the push for RYLAN, said that he selected the program for its relatively simple implementation. “Hopefully this is like car insurance,” Gilbert said. “Hopefully we’ll never have to use it, but if we do, it would be good to know that we’re prepared, because it’s not that much effort to get ready.” RYLAN will start in the northwest quadrant of Windsor Square: from Arden to Plymouth boulevards and from Beverly Boulevard to Third Street. For each one of these approximately 20 blocks, a host will step up to facilitate communication among neighbors.
The first step, which will take place in February, is for all interested neighbors to attend a 90-minute workshop which, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be conducted over Zoom. The workshop includes watching an informational video and identifying emergency resources. The goal for hosts and cohosts is to organize information for their “pods,” or groups of approximately 20 families who live on their block. The pods become active in the event of an emergency –– for example, cataloging the names and contact information for all household members; determining who has a backyard without power lines that is ideal for a meeting place; and knowing who might be doctors or have health impairments. Gilbert estimates that the host perhaps will take on three hours of responsibility, which he says is easily worth the time. “We’re really asking for a few hours of someone’s life that might truly save the lives of themselves or their neighbors,” Gilbert said. RYLAN can be activated for any disaster. In the “golden hour,” or first hour after the event, the aim is for each
THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT of Windsor Square will host a customized RYLAN pilot program.
pod to be able to support its members independently. In preparation for such an event, however, RYLAN is in effect encouraging neighbors to get to know each other better. Support from the city, neighborhood associations RYLAN is offered through
the Emergency Management Department (EMD) of the City of Los Angeles. Since RYLAN’s creation in 2017 and implementation in 2018, the city has helped organize about 200 plans. The city does not collect any personal information gathered through RYLAN.
Crisanta Gonzalez, the EMD division chief overseeing planning and community preparedness, who has been working with Gilbert to implement RYLAN in Windsor Square, said that neighbors should consider her department as a “one-stop shop.” Neighborhoods can request free RYLAN resources at readyla.org. They can ask for help in developing a neighborhood map, or ask for a stronger partnership in implementing RYLAN. “The strength of RYLAN is getting to know your neighbors and working together collaboratively to take care of each other,” Gonzalez said. “We’re just offering you a tool to write it all down and facilitate that.” Gonzalez will be leading the informational workshops in February. She also gave a presentation via Zoom at the Windsor Square Association’s most recent annual town hall meeting last November. Gilbert serves on the board of the Windsor Square Association (WSA), which has been supportive of RYLAN. He also is the Windsor Square representative on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC) and the chair of its Resilience Committee that (Please turn to page 10)
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
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Audrey Irmas Pavilion brings a modern edge to Wilshire
By Suzan Filipek The amazing, modern, leaning-shaped Audrey Irmas Pavilion is finished, and it was ready for its January opening. But like many things these days, the official fanfare has been postponed because of the pandemic. In the meantime, here are a few images by architecture photographer Jason O’Rear of the new building, located adjacent to the historic Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Named for its lead donor, Audrey Irmas, whose $30 million gift launched the capital campaign in 2015, the new 55,000-square-foot pavilion was designed by the architecture firm Office of Metropolitan Architecture, and it will host religious and cultural activities, celebrations and performances, according to audreyirmaspavilion.org. The geometric, neutral façade is made from 1,230 hexagonal panels of glass fiber -reinforced concrete. Inside the three-floor building, colors range from red tones in the Grand Ballroom to green in the chapel and a sunken roof garden. The new pavilion is also home to the Annenberg Foundation’s Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, a community space for older Angelenos.
WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE provides a striking contrast.
FIRST FLOOR has large gathering space. Photos by Jason O’Rear
NEW PAVILION has a roof garden and great views.
SECOND FLOOR CHAPEL features shades of green.
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SECTION TWO
FEBRUARY 2022
Larchmont Chronicle
A mountain by any other name, and the toponymists among us
Despite warming oceans, melting ice, fire, mudslides, violent storms, rising water and pandemic, I think about mountains. I find them literally and psychologically grounding. I see them, too. The Sandia Mountain Range is in the near distance outside my kitchen door as I write here in New Mexico. In the next few months, I will be writing about mountains and books about mountains. Some will be in and near Los Angeles, and some will be further afield in the Southwest. I will be revisiting writers who found their way and their footing in mountains — Mary Austin, Keith Basso, Aldo Leopold and Ed Abbey, among others. These writers are my touchstones; they occupy my dreams. But I want to start with naming mountains — who first named them, then who changed their names — or at least try to tempt you into this subject of toponymics: the study of geographic, or place, names. A toponymist has to know everything, it turns out — history, linguistics, geography, geology, anthropology and archeology. A brilliant writer, historian and toponymist, George R. Stewart, wrote in 1945 about naming before written history: “The more distinct a place was, the more likely an Indian was to name it. A small lake set cleanly in the forest was a thing in itself, as individual as a person … [but] mountains generally went unnamed. They were huge and vague; they mingled one with another, and faded off into their own
shoulders; no one was really named for the son-in-law of sure where a mountain began John Muir, are examples). Home … [M]ost of the resonant InTwo books about CaliforGround dian names of high peaks were nia’s place names might be by placed there later by white of interest to readers curious men.” about the names we take for Paula Panich In California, geographic granted. The first is “Californames are tiny capsules of nia Place Names: The Origin history and power. Some are and Etymology of Current from Spanish and Mexican actual Native names, or exGeographical Names” by trapolated Native names (an land grants (the list of the Erwin Gudde (4th Edition, example of the latter, Hoosim- ranchos of California is in- revised and enlarged by Wilbim Mountain, derives from spired reading; the San Ja- liam Bright), and the second “huusun meem,” or “buzzard’s cinto Mountains are likely is “California’s Spanish Place water” from the native Wintu named for the Rancho San Ja- Names: What They Mean and language). Many others are cinto, one of Mission San Luis the History They Reveal” by the result of years of political Rey’s ranchos). Other names Barbara and Rudy Marinacci horse-trading and passionate commemorate certain people (2005 edition). disagreement among various (Mount Whitney, Mount HunName changes occur over governmental levels through tington and Hanna Mountain, time. Sometimes a mountain Spanish, Mexican, American and state rule. Still others are a result of power wielded by government surveys and railroad companies. Many kinds of names float above California’s mountains. In English, descriptive names abound, as 12 peaks have the word “volcano” in their names; other names refer to incidents (Deadman Summit, Donner Peak); certain beliefs (Tahquitz Peak); and some derive TWO BOOKS cover many of the state’s names that people often take for granted.
name needs to be changed to something more historically and socially appropriate. In 2020, Jeff Davis Peak, a summit in Alpine County in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, named for the Confederate president, received a deserved new designation. The peak is now called Daek Dow Go-et Mountain. In the Washoe tribal language, it means “saddle between two points.” The new name was recommended by the Alpine County Board of Supervisors, and it received official approval by the U.S. Board on Geographical Names. The work of a toponymist never stops.
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
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Park la Brea residents meet, elect board Councilman Paul Koretz was guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Park La Brea Residents Association (PLBRA) Jan. 9. Originally planned to be in-person, the meeting was changed to Zoom and approximately 40 people participated. Candidates for the residential association’s board were introduced, and PLBRA officers reported on the past year. Visit PLBRA.org.
COUNCILMAN Paul Koretz Zooms with his Park La Brea constituents.
SOLD: The two front townhouse condominiums at 610 and 618 S. Van Ness Ave. in Windsor Square were sold in December for $1,950,000 and $1,789,000 respectively.
Real Estate Sales* Single family homes
601 S. Windsor Blvd. 616 N. Martel Ave. 738 Longwood Ave. 606 N. Arden Blvd. 330 N. Formosa Ave. 543 N. Curson Ave. 301 Lorraine Blvd. 116 S. Curson Ave. 677 S. McCadden Pl. 522 N. Beachwood Dr. 252 S. June St. 438 S. Citrus Ave. 351 N. Poinsettia Pl. 137 S. Citrus Ave. 612 N. Sierra Bonita Ave. 729 S. Orange Dr. 533 N. Irving Blvd. 842 Third Ave. 634 N. Las Palmas Ave. 401 N. Detroit St. 635 N. Mansfield Ave. 323 N. Irving Blvd. 7307 Oakwood Ave. 415 N. Arden Blvd. 1015 S. Gramercy Dr. 5006 W. Maplewood Ave.
Condominiums
610 S. Van Ness Ave., #1 618 S. Van Ness Ave., #1 610 S. Van Ness Ave., #2 4713 Wilshire Blvd. 4180 Wilshire Blvd., #203 4460 Wilshire Blvd., #305 853 S. Lucerne Blvd., #301 611 N. Bronson Ave., #1 333 Westminster Ave., #104 5670 W. Olympic Blvd., #PH07 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #202 4733 Elmwood Ave., #302 631 Wilcox Ave., #2F 525 N. Sycamore Ave., #419 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #212 *Sale prices for December.
$10,270,000 $4,640,000 $4,070,000 $3,700,000 $3,685,000 $3,650,000 $3,562,000 $2,940,000 $2,813,300 $2,700,000 $2,670,000 $2,650,000 $2,289,000 $2,200,000 $2,130,000 $2,050,000 $2,008,000 $1,725,000 $1,700,000 $1,700,000 $1,574,000 $1,550,000 $1,530,000 $1,450,000 $1,247,000 $1,139,000 $1,950,000 $1,789,000 $1,748,000 $1,729,000 $1,100,000 $985,000 $980,000 $965,000 $790,000 $790,000 $635,000 $600,000 $581,500 $535,000 $420,000
ALL OF THE ARTISTS in the “Black American Portraits” group show recently posed at the BCAM building at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The exhibit remains on view through April 17 and includes artworks by Obama presidential portraitists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald along with Beauford Delaney, Kerry James Marshall, Titus Kaphar, Augusta Savage, Charles White and many more. The exhibit’s aim is to reframe portraiture to center Black American subjects, sitters and spaces. Photo by Ye Rin Mok. Courtesy of LACMA
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FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
Larchmont Chronicle
New American flag proudly waves at Robert Burns Park By Billy Taylor A new American flag was hoisted up the flagpole last month at Robert Burns Park thanks to a local resident, plus the office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. The condition of the previous flag, which had aged and was tattered, caused concern for veteran Mike Dawson, who lives across the street from the park. “I can see the flag from my home, and I sure hate to see it flying in such a state,” the Larchmont Village resident told us, as he inquired as to the best way to get it replaced. “It’s faded and in bad shape,” said Dawson, who served in
PLAQUE at the park honors Robert L. Burns, who served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1931 to 1945.
the Vietnam War. “I don’t care about people’s personal politics, but I don’t like to see the
Half-marathon, 5K are at Griffith Park on Feb. 13 The annual Griffith Park Half Marathon & 5K are back, on Sun., Feb. 13, and they are open to all levels of runners. Participants can join in person and also virtually as they enjoy the scenic route. Hikers and joggers will begin the half-marathon 13.1-mile course at 7:30 a.m. at the north end of the pony ride trail adjacent to the ranger station. The course passes the Merry-Go-
Round, Travel Town, the Zoo, Autry Museum and the perimeter of the golf course. It finishes back near the pony ride area. The 5K 3.1-mile course is a flat and fast route that starts at 8:30 a.m. and travels by the iconic golf course and then returns to the starting line area. Proceeds support the Los Angeles Parks Foundation. For information on parking and tickets, visit RunGPR.com.
American flag in disrepair or on the ground.” Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell’s office was quick to take action. Following a January call between Chronicle and O’Farrell staff members, the matter was resolved within 24 hours. “I just wanted to call and thank the Larchmont Chronicle for helping me get the flag replaced,” Dawson later told us. “Councilmember O’Farrell’s office called me to say that they got it changed and thanked me for my service. “I can report the flag is there and in good regard,” said Dawson.
NEW FLAG waves at Robert Burns Park.
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
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Preservationist works to save landmark and family’s legacy
The City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission agreed Jan. 20 to take under consideration the nomination of the Hollywood Home Savings and Loan (aka the Chase Bank) on the corner of Sunset and Vine for Historic Cultural Monument (HCM) status. Designed by artist Millard Sheets for Howard Ahmanson Sr., whose Savings and Loan helped build southern California during the post-war boom, the bank is beloved for its mosaics, murals and stained glass depicting the history of Hollywood through the lens of the motion picture industry. But what made this occasion at the Commission particularly interesting was that it was Howard Ahmanson’s great-grandniece who applied for the nomination. She is a resident of Hancock Park and a graduate student at USC School of Architecture’s masters in Heritage Conservation program. Kathryn, having learned the family’s history and seeing her uncle’s architectural legacy (as well as growing up in a historic house in Hancock Park) was drawn to architecture. “Originally I thought I wanted to be an architect,” Ahmanson said, “However, I soon discovered that I was less interested
On Preservation by
Brian Curran
in the design of buildings than the stories they have to tell.” This led Kathryn to the field of historic preservation, the masters program at USC and an internship with Hollywood Heritage Inc. (Full disclosure: I serve as Hollywood Heritage Inc.’s current president). Hollywood Heritage had long wanted to landmark the bank, so when Kathryn was asked to write the nomination, she jumped at the chance to designate and hopefully preserve the first of her family’s remaining collection of bank buildings. The former Hollywood Home Savings and Loan sits on the northeastern corner of Sunset and Vine, sacred ground with regards to Hollywood history. This is the block where previously sat the Lasky-DeMille Barn, where the first full-length Hollywood feature, “The Squaw Man,” was filmed in 1914. The site was later occupied in 1938 by NBC’s Streamline Moderne
monument Radio City Hollywood, which was demolished in 1964 following the broadcaster’s move to Burbank. Howard Ahmanson purchased the lot and soon began construction of his new bank branch in 1967. Designed by the famed artist Millard Sheets, architect of the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple on Wilshire between Plymouth and Lucerne boulevards, the Hollywood HOWARD AHMANSON SR.’S great-grandniece, preservationist Kathryn Photo by Angie Schneider Home Savings and Ahmanson. Loan is an example of New Formalism, a style Howard Ahmanson chose for Home Savings buildings as they would appear timeless yet modern. Given complete freedom and sparing no expense, Sheets designed a “jewel box” which he decorated with mosaics depicting Hollywood movie stars, a mural of scenes from “The Squaw Man” and stained-glass windows designed by Sue Hertel to look like film strips. Of the finished product, Sheets was quoted as saying, “That’s one that every- CELEBRITIES ARE featured on the murals, including Charlie (Please turn to page 8) Chaplin as The Tramp, above. Photo by Margot Gerber
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Represented Buyer Charming hillside traditional in beautiful setting 3 Bedrooms + 4 Baths
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
MOSAIC of actor Charles Laughton as King Henry V. Photo by Margot Gerber
On Preservation (Continued from page 7)
body admires. It’s been reproduced in all sorts of magazines all over the country. The tourist agencies run busloads of people out there every week in Tanner buses to look at the building… That building has become a kind of a landmark in many ways for a lot of people.”
HOLLYWOOD HOME SAVINGS AND LOAN (aka Chase Bank now) on Sunset and Vine is being considered for City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument status.
To Kathryn Ahmanson, the preservation of the bank is personal: “To me, it’s a way of keeping our family history alive and recognizing the significance of not just Home Savings and
Loan, but also Howard’s relationship with Millard Sheets that resulted in this amazing culmination of art and architecture unlike anything else.” Now that the building has been
taken under consideration for HCM status, perhaps it will truly become a monument, thanks to the efforts of Kathryn and Hollywood Heritage. Kathryn Ahmanson will be
giving a virtual presentation on the Hollywood Savings and Loan and the Historic Cultural Monument nomination process Thurs., Feb. 24. For details, go to hollywoodheritage.org
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
Storied organ gets second life at Bob Baker Marionette Theater
By Caroline Tracy During a recent visit to the Bob Baker Marionette Theater (BBMT), Los Angeles’ famed puppet theater, Brookside resident Vivian Gueler took note of something she hadn’t previously clocked. An organist was playing “upbeat, old-timey music” on an ornately detailed and colossally-sized theater organ. Situated to the left of center stage, it appeared to be a centuries-old antique. Gueler did some inquiring and learned that the organ is on permanent loan from the Los Angeles Theatre Organ Society (LATOS). “This is such a cool story and a little piece of history,” Gueler, who happens to be on the board at BBMT, told me at our kids’ school pick-up one day. It just so happened that — around this same time — a copy of the brand-new book, “Enchanted Strings” was circulating here at the Larchmont Chronicle office. The book is generally available this month. It details the history of BBMT and its master puppeteer / founder, Bob Baker. Chronicle Managing Editor Suzan Filipek reviewed the book in our January issue. The organ, however, is deserving of its own story, and I contacted BBMT resident
LIVELY SOUNDS heard from the massive theater organ at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater are enjoyed by children of all ages. Photo: Ian Byers-Gamber
organist Ed Torres to get that story. Torres explained to me that this particular organ is a digital replica of a theater organ from the early 1900s, and it was donated via LATOS from the private estate of a musician and author named Jack Darr. I learned that theater organs were built for playing during the showing of silent movies. They were also a cost-saving
measure, enabling theaters to replace an entire orchestra with one instrument and one player. “These were not like church or concert organs,” Torres explained. “They had all sorts of bells and whistles and drums attached. They were extremely versatile — you could play anything. They could play jazz and all the tunes of the day.” This jibes with what Gueler
experienced at the BBMT theater. “The music coming from the organ (played by Torres) was lively and created a convivial atmosphere for all ages to enjoy,” she shared. Torres, who has been playing organ since he was 13, was thrilled at the chance to come and play at BBMT. “My mother had taken me to the original theater downtown when I was about six,” he said,
9
“and I always remembered it fondly.” Torres had spent many of his formative years “hanging out and volunteering” at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo, ultimately becoming the head organist there until the pandemic struck. When he found out BBMT was opening its doors again in September (after its pandemic closure), Torres immediately contacted BBMT Executive Director and Head Puppeteer Alex Evans to let him know he was available to come and play. When I spoke with Torres during Christmas week, he was about to play his 100th show at the theater. “This is such a specialty, and I’m really happy to introduce an instrument from a bygone era to a new generation of listeners,” Torres shared. Mr. Darr would undoubtedly be happy as well. His estate made clear that he wished the organ to be placed “where people would enjoy it.” Chevalier’s March 7 Author Randal Metz will sign copies of his new book about the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, “Enchanted Strings,” at Chevalier’s Books, 133 N. Larchmont Blvd., at 7 p.m. on Mon., March 7.
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FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
RYLAN
(Continued from page 2) initiated the implementation of the RYLAN program in Greater Wilshire. GWNC will be creating and distributing a checklist of items that everyone should have to be prepared for emergencies, like extra medication for yourself and your pet, or good shoes that can tread on glass. Why the NW quadrant of Windsor Square? RYLAN is typically implemented one block at a time, with Gonzalez or a member of her staff hosting a RYLAN workshop and organizing the neighbors. But this month, Gilbert and Gonzalez are preparing to organize all 20 blocks in the northwest quadrant of Windsor Square at once. The reason they are hoping for success of this approach is because Windsor Square has a pre-existing network of block captains. Gonzalez said that a common concern with the implementation of RYLAN is the lack of organization within neighborhoods, which is not unusual across such a large city. Although not all block captains may sign up to host their
RYLAN pod, they are involved citizens who are committed to leading communication with their neighbors. Block captains are responsible for keeping up to date with contact information and neighborhood news. “Half the battle is getting a neighborhood engaged — because sometimes you can have one person who leads the charge, but the other neighbors are not as engaged and not as organized and don’t want to create block captains to help facilitate this,” Gonzalez said. “Windsor Square is already ahead of the curve, just in that aspect alone.” Gonzalez said that the community connections facilitated under RYLAN can also be a strong appeal for the program in a neighborhood like Windsor Square. “This is a group that wants that civic pride, that wants that neighborly feel, being able to go out and walk your dog and wave and actually know who you’re waving at and who you’re talking to,” Gonzalez said. “I think that’s the strength in piloting with this particular group.” Windsor Square, which is approximately 1,100 homes, has long been organized by
Larchmont Chronicle
the WSA into four quadrants. Depending on the success of RYLAN in the northwest quadrant, Gilbert will plan about its expansion. “I realized RYLAN would be the perfect thing for Greater Wilshire, which is 50,000 people, but it was a challenging task to try to address 50,000 people,” Gilbert said. “I said we should try to start in a smaller group and I’d like to start using Windsor Square.” A particular advantage of the northwest quadrant is the commercial blocks on Larchmont Boulevard, which has a Rite Aid pharmacy. Gilbert is in communication with corporate management to see about the possibility of including Rite Aid’s first-aid and food supplies in the neighborhood’s emergency preparedness plan. 28th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake In the back of their minds, both Gilbert and Gonzalez are reminded of the 6.8-magnitude Northridge earthquake in 1994, which had its 28th anniversary on Jan. 17. Even though the San Fernando Valley region suffered the most damage, residents of Los Angeles still consider the earthquake a big one. (Please turn to page 11)
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(Continued from page 10) Gilbert remembers when the earthquake temporarily took out water and power supplies across the city. He walked
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to Baskin Robbins, then on Larchmont Boulevard, whose ice cream was melting, and he came back with 20 or so pints for his neighbors. With people gathering at his house, he said that they were lucky to be safe, but if there was another large earthquake or terrible disaster, there had to be a plan
for when neighbors start gathering outside. “In the case of a big one, we are going to be together as a group,” Gilbert said. “We should figure out how we’re going to do this.” Emergency preparedness for all neighborhoods Although a part of Wind-
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sor Square is piloting RYLAN, there are steps that every Los Angeleno should be taking to better prepare for emergencies. Gonzalez said that one important step is signing up for NotifyLA emergency alerts, which warn residents of when local disasters strike. She said that RYLAN contributes to the overall goal of making emergency preparedness feel like second nature.
Determining emergency contacts or storing up extra supplies are examples of preparations that all residents should consider. “The benefit of RYLAN is that we’re not asking you to be emergency-prepared,” Gonzalez said. “We’re not asking you to be a firefighter. We’re not asking you to be the police. We’re asking you to get to know your neighbors.”
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Needlework weaves into exhibit at Italian American Museum The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) is presenting an exhibit named “Woven Lives: Exploring Women’s Needlework from the Italian Diaspora.” It features 100 different examples of needlework created by Italian women. It opens Sat., Jan. 29 and runs through Sun., Oct. 16. The exhibit examines the role of needlework in expressing and preserving culture. The museum put out a call
for artifacts of needlework on social media and received more than 200 examples from the United States and Australia, many of which are in the exhibit. “‘Woven Lives’ explores untold stories of women using items made by their own hands and… the role they played in preserving traditions, supporting families and creating communities,” according to Marianna Gatto, executive director of IAMLA.
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
Art will have equal footing at LACMA’s new Geffen Galleries
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Wishing All Our Good Larchmont Friends A Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s February and Valentine’s Day. We have Heart shaped cookie cutter sets. We have “heart” baking pans. We have the most beautiful “Waechtersbach” plates and bowls and serving pieces in brilliant red, from Germany. February is also a great month for cleaning. You know about the new “E” cloths with 1.6 million cleaning fibers per square inch. They clean with no chemicals needed. We have over 10 different kinds for cleaning everything from stainless steel to glass to electronics. We have 50 different kinds of the new “led” bulbs in different wattages and styles, including low voltage bulbs and dimmable bulbs. Plus, we have the new faucet filter which fits in the palm of your hand and just screws onto the faucet. Come visit us and take 20% off any one item as our good, loyal Larchmont customer. Happy February.
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ART WILL BE DISPLAYED on a single floor with plenty of natural light at the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA.
cultures. There is no predetermined order. We are not telling you where to start, what is best. We’re letting you explore the world of art,” she adds. “Everything is on equal footing. So for the first time, Asian art and European art and African art will all be on the same level,” said Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena, principal architects, Escher GuneWardena Architecture. While, in the past, the art would be separated by culture or period or country and various “artificial boundaries,” now it will be displayed in a holistic way, adds Linda Komaroff, curator and department head, Art of the Middle East. Art history is changing quite quickly, adds Zoe Kahr, deputy director for Curatorial and Planning. “It was quite static for a long time … and there’s a new generation of curators who are very interested in ensuring the stories we tell are represented.” Some of these changes were already underway, including the expansion of the Chinese and Korean collections at the
encyclopedic museum. As recently as 10 years ago, it was believed there was one notion of Korean art. “There’s more going on today, and we should also show that … ” said Virginia Moon, associate curator of Korean Art. The textbook narrative of the past can be expanded in the new building to encompass more than artistic exchange, said Bindu Gude, associate curator of South & Southeast Asian Art. For instance, “It can look at
what has been the impact of this privileging of the GrecoRoman artistic heritage and how is that picked up in the Neoclassical period that then impacts the colonial officials in India who were discovering this material and using it to interpret Indian art.” The natural light in the new building will also enrich the viewing experience of the museum’s amazing Indian art — including its stone sculpture — which had been on (Please turn to page 13)
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grounds that are as big or bigger than the actual museum, said building architect Peter Zumthor in a series of short videos released in the Jan. 11 online publication “LACMA Unframed.” View the videos at buildinglacma.org/video. What’s happening inside the galleries, behind the floor-toceiling glass façade, promises to be compelling. Changes in art display Several LACMA curators and architects spoke about these changes and their impacts in the art world. Here’s a sampling of what they said: “The fact that you’re on a single floor, it’s fantastic,” said Diana Magaloni, deputy director of the Art of the Ancient Americas, at the beginning of the series. “It is really about equity … the connections between all
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By Suzan Filipek When the David Geffen Galleries open at LACMA in 2024, art from all points of the globe will coexist on an equal playing field. No longer will some art be delegated to dark corners of the museum while other works shine in the light. How we view paintings and sculptures and their placement in museums is changing rapidly. And, at the forefront of these changes, will be the Geffen, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Plans for the new 347,500square-foot building include its by-now well-known expansive single floor of galleries stretching across busy Wilshire Boulevard. The building, elevated by seven concrete-and-glass pavilions, will allow more park and open space on the
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
13
New works to open at Craft Contemporary
Photo courtesy of the artist
LACMA
(Continued from page 12) the fourth floor of the now-demolished Ahmanson Building, Gude adds. Windows Windows play an important part in museums, said Kulapat Yantrasast, architect and founding partner at WHY Architecture Workshop. Besides the natural light they allow in in a beautiful way, they also allow a place of refreshment to look out versus walking through closed boxes of rooms. The new space offers the museum’s curators the rare gift to rethink the gallery space and to reshape it all at the same time, said Leah Lehmbeck, curator and department head, European Painting & Sculpture and American Art. “We have an opportunity to create something new … to present the work that is much more attentive and receptive to the audiences of today and the future,” said Rita Gonzalez, curator and department head, Contemporary Art. “We can hardly wait for the building to be open, because we know that it’s going to transform the way our visitors interact with not just the
work on view but also the kinds of work we want to offer,” said Naima Keith, vice president, Education and Public Programs. The new building allows curators to establish connections that were not possible in the prior building, said Ilona Katzew, curator and department head, Latin American Art. “We will be able to tell a story that both emphasizes the uniqueness of cultures and the expansiveness of global cultures.” Art opens a window into cultures that can seem very different. “At the end of the day, [these cultures] are made of people just like us,” said Stephen Little, curator of Chinese Art and Department Head, Chinese, Korean and South & Southeast Asian Art. Read more about the new galleries, the public outdoor space and the most current construction update at buildinglacma.org/video.
FIVE OF THE BEST, oil painting by Howard Post.
Masters of the American West return to Autry The 2022 Masters of the American West Art Exhibition and Sale will take place from Sat., Feb. 12 to March 27 at the Autry Museum, 4700 Western Heritage Way. New works by 64 contemporary painters and sculptors will be showcased at the 25th annual event. The event opens to members
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on Sat., Feb. 12 and to the general public on Sun., Feb. 13. The art sale weekend, which includes an artists’ reception, talks and a soiree, will be on Fri., Feb. 25, and Sat., Feb. 26. For more information visit masters.theautry.org. Right: COMB RIDGE BLOOM by Logan Maxwell Hagege.
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CATFISH are woven into Diedrick Brackens’ works.
Three exhibits are opening Thurs., Jan. 27 at Craft Contemporary, 5814 Wilshire Blvd. An opening reception is set for Sat., Jan. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit “Diedrick Brackens: Heaven is a Muddy Riverbed” features catfish as a motif in the artist’s weavings and poetry. While considered bottom feeders, catfish are highly adaptable, and the artworks encourage us to see them as complex, complete beings — creatures that society easily dismisses. Also opening are “Daisy Hightower: An Installation by Rosa Myles” and “Jaishri Abichandani: Flower-Headed Children.” All three exhibits end May 8, 2022.
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Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
POLICE BEAT
Murder on La Brea: suspect arrested, community mourns By Billy Taylor A shocking incident at a furniture store in Hancock Park last month has rattled business owners and residents alike. Brianna Kupfer was killed Jan. 13 while working alone at the Croft House furniture store on N. La Brea Avenue. Just after 1:30 p.m., Kupfer, 24, who was seeking a graduate degree in architectural design at UCLA, texted a friend that someone inside the store “was giving her a bad vibe,” according to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). About 15 minutes later, a customer entered the location to find Kupfer dead. Within days, the LAPD had identified Shawn Laval Smith as a suspect in Kupfer’s death. Police allege that Smith entered the location and stabbed Kupfer before fleeing
VIGIL for Brianna Kupfer draws scores of residents and business owners Jan. 20 on La Brea Avenue, just north of Beverly.
out the back alley of the store. In response to the grisly incident, a citywide manhunt for Smith began, and Councilmember Paul Koretz made a motion for the city to offer a $50,000 reward, which was
increased to $250,000 by contributions from the community. Smith was arrested on Jan. 19 in Pasadena, according to the LAPD, which said the suspect had been recognized as he was waiting for a bus near
Fair Oaks Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Vigil More than 75 people attended a Jan. 20 vigil in honor of Kupfer, a Pacific Palisades resident. The vigil’s invitation
asked residents to “show your support for Brianna and bring awareness for the urgent need to restore safety in our community.” At the event, flowers were left and candles were lit in honor of a life taken too soon.
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An iPad, bicycle and radio were among the items stolen from inside a home’s garage on the 100 block of N. Orange Dr. after a suspect used a tool to gain entry between Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. and Jan. 12 at 11:30 a.m. Two neighboring Larchmont Village businesses were burglarized within hours of each other on Jan. 12. At 4:30 a.m. a suspect used a branch (Please turn to page 15)
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15
Why I don’t play online, and what the experts say — most players. I sent a draft of this column to several poker experts and have incorporated their comments. These include Linda Johnson (member, Poker Hall of Fame), Jan Fisher (Women in Poker Hall of Fame), Dr. Alan Schoonmaker (leading poker psychologist), Chad Holloway (famed poker columnist) and Ron Ross (voted top player in our Seniors Poker Group). Advantages In my mind, the biggest advantage of online poker is that you can play in the convenience of your own home, even in your pajamas, any time you want. You do not
Poker for All by
George Epstein have to drive to and from the casino. Another advantage: Since the online poker room has fewer operating expenses, the cost-to-play is somewhat lower — so it’s easier to go home a winner. Disadvantages But, in my opinion, the disadvantages of online poker far outweigh the advantages.
Improve the block by ‘adopting’ a street tree It’s a brand new month, so we’ve got a brand new tiny, micro, un-big challenge to readers of the Larchmont Chronicle. A tiny challenge to make our community just one iota better. This month’s challenge: adopt a street tree Not anything formal or legally-binding, this tiny challenge is more of an “adoption in spirit only.” Because the challenge isn’t tiny if it involves filling out a bunch of forms. Instead, this challenge is to find a tree you see often and mentally “adopt” it. Suddenly “that palm tree” becomes “MY palm tree.” Or “MY oak” or “MY the one with the bark that flakes off.” (I don’t know tree names, I’m not a tree guy; I’m a newspaper guy!) So what does it mean to fake-adopt a tree? All you have to do is use common sense to take care of it. Hasn’t rained in a while? Give it some water. There’s some trash at its base? Pick it up. Is there a rentable scooter thrown into its branches again? Bring that Lime down where it can bother pedestrians and not your tree. But maybe you don’t have a street tree that you see often. Your sidewalk might have a square of dirt that looks like it used to have a tree, but is now barren, or possibly home to a couple of dog poop bags. For that scenario, we’ve got three options. Option 1: Get a tree! Cityplants.org will bring and plant you a tree, at no cost. It’s a
A Tiny Challenge with
Eric Cunningham free green street tree spree! Option 2: Go rogue. Off the grid. That’s right: unauthorized guerrilla gardening. Order yourself some SoCal wildflower seeds online and sprinkle them around your dirt patch. If they grow, great! If they don’t, well, blame the
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(Continued from page 14) to smash the front door to Le Pain Quotidien and gained entry, but left without taking anything. Hours later, a safe was stolen from inside the Buck Mason store after a suspect pried open a door to gain entry at 9:55 a.m.
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dog poop bags. But it’s worth a try. Or just pick any street tree and adopt it. The challenge is to take care of some little square patch of land with a little bit of arboreal life on it. So do it! Oh, I almost forgot Option 3 for the barren dirt square! Option 3: Performative Street Art, where you dress up like a jacaranda in full body makeup and stand there to bring awareness of street-side foliage. With Option 3, the tree you adopt is… (tearfully) yourself. Just go with Options 1 or 2.
First, your opponents are unseen. It’s just you and your computer playing over the internet. No longer can you observe your opponents. As contrasted with live games, you cannot study their facial expressions and body language. Did he sit up straight or abruptly stop his conversation with the cocktail waitress as the dealer turned up the flop (tells suggesting his hole cards had connected)? Some players believe that cheating, especially collusion, is a potential problem online. According to Dr. Schoonmaker, “Hardly anyone wants to talk about it, but it is a fact.” Surely there is also cheating / collusion in live games, but it seems to be much less so than in online games. The fast speed of the game is even a greater disadvantage — at least for older players like me. Now in my mid-90s, my reflexes have markedly slowed down. An online hand takes only one minute or less to play, less than half the time of a live hand. There is little time to ponder the action in order to make your best decisions. For example, how can you estimate your card odds versus the pot odds? If the odds against drawing to a winner are higher than the pot odds, you would fold in a
live game — and save yourself a bunch of chips. Because of the pandemic, I currently do not play in the local casinos. So, I found an online Texas hold’em game played for points rather than cash that happens to be nolimit, and I have learned to cope with the extremely fast speed of the game. Yes, my mental acuteness has waned over the years, but I use my time more effectively, asking myself key questions while observing the cards being dealt out. Examples: With a made hand (A-A, K-K, Q-Q) preflop, how much should I raise as I look to see how many opponents are folding? What if an opponent raises before me? Looking at my hand after the flop, should I raise to thin the field or build the pot? How much should I raise? Holding a strong draw to a big flush, should I raise as a semi-bluff? Nevertheless, I fully intend to get back to live poker games as soon as it’s safer to do so. Life/poker quote of the month “Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but, sometimes, playing a poor hand well.” Jack London
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Online poker has become more popular since it started in the late 1990s — despite attempts to rule it illegal. And now, faced with the health risks of live games due to the coronavirus pandemic, many more players are turning to online poker. I enjoy playing Texas hold’em poker, and I much prefer live games rather than online. See if you agree with my reasons. As with most things in life, live games and online games have their pros and cons. We will discuss some of each from the standpoint of recreational poker players
16
Larchmont Chronicle
FEBRUARY 2022
SECTION TWO
New districts for the neighborhoods — city, county, state, U.S. LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL
By John Welborne Residents of the areas served by the Larchmont Chronicle may find themselves voting for representatives in very different districts this June and November. That certainly will be the case for the Los Angeles City Council. Ninety percent of the residents within the boundaries of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC) will be in districts new to them, either CD 5 or CD 13. The new city districts are above; the former boundaries are at right. Whereas the city bifurcates GWNC east-west, the new County of Los Angeles districts bifurcate GWNC north-south. That puts about one-third of the residents in an all-new Third Supervisorial District — which will be having a contentious election for an open seat. That map is at far right. The six small maps, below at right, are “before and after” that show the differences between the logical draft maps of the State Redistricting Commission dated Nov. 10, 2021 and what the Commission made public at the last minute on Dec. 20, 2021 (and subsequently adopted). As the Chronicle reported last month, the Commission switched to an untrue community boundary line created in 2009 by a “Los Angeles Times” mapping project that made up a wholly artificial and historically incorrect western boundary for what that newspaper’s interns and/ or editors decided was “Koreatown.” As a result, for the coming decade beginning in 2022 and for the United States Congress and the State Assembly, Greater Wilshire will
be split again, with the dividing line being the middle of Wilton Place, from Beverly to Wilshire, and then south down Cren-
shaw Boulevard. However, for the State Senate, communities within Greater Wilshire are largely kept together.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
CITY COUNCIL PRE-2022
STATE MAPS proposed November 10, 2021.
Star is set at approximately Larchmont and Beverly boulevards.
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STATE MAPS as adopted December 20, 2021.
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Shaded area is the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.