LC 03 2024

Larchmont Chronicle

Larchmont Chronicle

A Larchmont Central Park(let?)

A Larchmont Central Park(let?)

n Neighborhood input sought for concept

n Neighborhood input sought for concept

n Neighborhood input sought for concept

By John Welborne and Patty Lombard

By John Welborne and Patty Lombard

By John Welborne

For years, there have been discussions about the future of Larchmont Boulevard and improving landscape and customer amenities. A stimulus for a renewed focus on this question was the 2020–2021 COVID-19 pandemic, which brought temporary outdoor dining platforms to replace some of the angle parking spaces up and down the Boulevard, between First Street and Beverly Boulevard.

For years, there have been discussions about the future of Larchmont Boulevard and improving landscape and customer amenities. A stimulus for a renewed focus on this question was the 2020–2021 COVID-19 pandemic, which brought temporary outdoor dining platforms to replace some of the angle parking spaces up and down the Boulevard, between First Street and Beverly Boulevard.

For years, there have been discussions about the future of Larchmont Boulevard and improving landscape and customer amenities. A stimulus for a renewed focus on this question was the 2020–2021 COVID-19 pandemic, which brought temporary outdoor dining platforms to replace some of the angle parking spaces up and down the Boulevard, between First Street and Beverly Boulevard.

Ladies pro golf is coming to WCC in April

Ladies pro golf is coming to WCC in April

Ladies pro golf is coming to WCC in April

By John Welborne

By John Welborne

By John Welborne

Excitement

Excitement mounts for the return of the Ladies Professional Golf Association championship tournament at Wilshire Country Club.

Excitement mounts for the return of the Ladies Professional Golf Association championship tournament at Wilshire Country Club.

Scheduled this year for Thurs., April 25 to Sun., April

Scheduled this year for Thurs., April 25 to Sun., April

Scheduled this year for Thurs., April 25 to Sun., April

See LPGA, P 7

See LPGA, P 7

See LPGA, P 7

Homeless are tallied in GWNC

Homeless are tallied in GWNC

Homeless are tallied in GWNC

By John Welborne

By John Welborne

By John Welborne

counters

Homeless counters in Greater Wilshire’s census tracts on the night of Jan. 25 included (pictured below) Federal Prosecutor (and D.A. candidate) Jeff Chemerinsky (second

Wilshire’s census tracts on the night of Jan. 25 included (pictured below) Federal Prosecutor (and D.A. candidate) Jeff Chemerinsky (second from

Homeless counters in Greater Wilshire’s census tracts on the night of Jan. 25 included (pictured below) Federal Prosecutor (and D.A. candidate) Jeff Chemerinsky (second from left) and Windsor Square residents

Summer Camps & Programs

Read

Read our annual list of spring and summer camp offerings, activities and school programs in the April issue. Advertising deadline is Mon., March 11.

tact Pam Rudy,

contact Pam Rudy, 323-4622241, ext. 11.

Candidates for Schiff’s seat in U.S. Congress spar at debate

Candidates for Schiff’s seat in U.S. Congress spar at debate

Candidates for Schiff’s seat in U.S. Congress spar at debate

n Super Tuesday is March 5 — Vote!

By Suzan Filipek and John Welborne

By Suzan Filipek and John Welborne

Tuesday is here!

By Suzan Filipek and John Welborne Super

Super Tuesday is here!

Super Tuesday is here!

Technically, the presidential primary election is Tues., March 5, but for many residents, their choices have been made, with ballots marked and in the mail.

Technically, the presidential primary election is Tues., March 5, but for many residents, their choices have been made, with ballots marked and in the mail.

Technically, the presidential primary election is Tues., March 5, but for many residents, their choices have been made, with ballots marked and in the mail.

For everyone else, there are still a few days to ponder critical electoral contests — by March 5, including the conclusion of the presidential primary in California.

For everyone else, there are still a few days to ponder contests by March 5, including the conclusion of the presidential primary in California.

For everyone else, there are still a few days to ponder critical electoral contests — by March 5, including the conclusion of the presidential primary in California.

For local readers, the most interesting and contentious races probably are two — the one for the 30th District U.S. Congress seat long held by U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (now

For local readers, the most interesting and contentious races probably are two — the one for the 30th District U.S. Congress seat long held by U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (now

For local readers, the most interesting and contentious races probably are two — the one for the 30th District U.S. Congress seat long held by U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (now

running for U.S. Senate) and the Los Angeles County District Attorney race, where

running for U.S. Senate) and the Los Angeles County District Attorney race, where

running for U.S. Senate) and the Los Angeles County District Attorney race, where

Vote on or before Tuesday, March 5

11 candidates are challenging the incumbent, George Gascón. Some Larchmont Chronicle readers also get to vote for a city councilmember for Council District 10 and/ or a Los Angeles County

11 candidates are challenging the incumbent, George Gascón. Some Larchmont Chronicle readers also get to vote for a city councilmember for Council District 10 and/ or a Los Angeles County

11 candidates are challenging the incumbent, George Gascón. Some Larchmont Chronicle readers also get to vote for a city councilmember for Council District 10 and/ or a Los Angeles County

Called ”parklets” by some people, these dining platforms really were just private acquisitions of public space for adjoining private businesses, and they were a welcome necessity when regulations prohibited eating indoors at restaurants and parking demand on Larchmont was greatly reduced because most retail stores were closed.

Called ”parklets” by some people, these dining platforms really were just private acquisitions of public space for adjoining private businesses, and they were a welcome necessity when regulations prohibited eating indoors at restaurants and parking demand on Larchmont was greatly reduced because most retail stores were closed.

Called “parklets” by some people, these dining platforms really were just private acquisitions of public space for adjoining private businesses, and they were a welcome necessity when regulations prohibited eating indoors at restaurants and parking demand on Larchmont was greatly reduced because most retail stores were closed.

But permanently expanding space for outdoor dining — to serve all Larchmont businesses, including takeout food establishments that are not allowed to have their own tables and chairs — was an idea that has kept percolating. It was one of the many ideas discussed in the Larchmont 2021 Community Conversations convened by the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA) and overseen by

But permanently expanding space for outdoor dining — to serve all Larchmont businesses, including takeout food establishments that are not allowed to have their own tables and chairs — was an idea that has kept percolating. It was one of the many ideas discussed in the Larchmont 2021 Community Conversations convened by the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA) and overseen by

But permanently expanding space for outdoor dining — to serve all Larchmont businesses, including takeout food establishments that are not allowed to have their own tables and chairs — was an idea that has kept percolating. It was one of the many ideas discussed in the Larchmont 2021 Community Conversations convened by the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA) and overseen by

Neighborhood Council opposes Larchmont project

Neighborhood Council opposes Larchmont project

Why

By John Welborne

By John Welborne

By

a

at 507 N. Larchmont Blvd.?

Why are so many local residents up in arms about a proposed seven-story apartment building on a narrow lot at 507 N. Larchmont Blvd.?

Why are so many local residents up in arms about a proposed seven-story apartment building on a narrow lot at 507 N. Larchmont Blvd.?

Concern about this project generated a huge turnout of concerned residents at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC). Committee chair Brian Curran managed the very civil discourse of comments pro (the distinct

Concern about this project generated a huge turnout at Jan. 23 meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC). Committee chair Brian Curran managed the very civil discourse of comments pro (the distinct

Concern about this project generated a huge turnout of concerned residents at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council (GWNC). Committee chair Brian Curran managed the very civil discourse of comments pro (the distinct

(from left) Gary Gilbert, Christine Lennon and Andrew Reich.

507 N. LARCHMONT BLVD. apartment project proposed as “100 percent affordable” has outraged neighbors because it also appears designed to include six floors with higher-priced “market-rate” units, all with no on-site parking.

and switch’

LARCHMONT CENTRAL PARK(LET) for the Boulevard is a concept being foated for public feedback. The idea is to provide permanent seating and dining areas for shoppers and take-out food establishment customers. Rendering by JMS Design Associates

left) and Windsor Square residents (from left) Gary Gilbert, Christine Lennon and Andrew Reich.

507 N. LARCHMONT BLVD. apartment project proposed as “100 percent affordable” has outraged neighbors because it also appears designed to include six floors with higher-priced “market-rate” units, all with no on-site parking.

See ‘Bait switch’, P 8

LARCHMONT CENTRAL PARK(LET) for the Boulevard is a concept being foated for public feedback. The idea is to provide permanent seating and dining areas for shoppers and take-out food establishment customers. Rendering by JMS Design Associates

from left) and Windsor Square residents (from left) Gary Gilbert, Christine Lennon and Andrew Reich.

mounts for the return of the Ladies Professional Golf Association championship tournament at Wilshire Country Club.

507 N. LARCHMONT BLVD. apartment project proposed as “100 percent affordable” has outraged neighbors because it also appears designed to include six floors with higher-priced “market-rate” units, all with no on-site parking.

See ‘Bait and switch’, P 8

Editorial

By John Welborne

Now on stage — compositions once blocked by racial prejudice

Los Angeles is fortunate to have, now underway, an unprecedented “double bill” of two short (one-act) operas infrequently performed. One of the musical compositions is the work of a Black man, William Grant Still, a resident of Los Angeles for the last 30 years of his life.

The other composer, Alexander Zemlinsky, was a European refugee from the Nazi regime, which had banned Zemlinsky’s work. Both composers were active from the early part of the 20th century.

In an abbreviated essay on Page 11 of Section 2 of this issue of the Larchmont Chronicle, James Conlon, Music Director of LA Opera, tells us that the two composers, who probably never knew one another, are united because of the fate of their music. Their compositions, Conlon says, “seemed buried with them and remained so in neglect, some for half a century.”

Fortunately for us, Maestro Conlon and LA Opera are presenting, on the same evening, two of their works: “Highway 1, USA” by William Grant Still, and “The Dwarf” by Alexander Zemlinsky. There are just five performances remaining through March 17 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF HANCOCK PARK

Homeowners

ASSOC I ATION

HANCOCK PARK HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Est. 1948

137 N. LARCHMONT BLVD. LOS ANGELES 90004 www.HancockPark.org

March 5th Election! Be An Informed VOTER!

Voting has started! It’s vitally important that we are informed on the issues and who we are voting for! The people we send to LA City, County, Sacramento, and Washington DC will make decisions that will impact our lives for decades to come. Here’s what is on the March 5th Ballot!

1) 30th Congressional District Congressperson

2) State Assemblymember 51st District

3) LA County District Attorney

4) Initiatives: Measure HLA and Proposition 1.

Measure HLA would convert Mobility Plan 2035, an aspirational planning document adopted by the City Council in 2015, into a mandate that requires the city to add bike lanes, bus lanes and traffic-slowing “road diets” to city streets whenever at least one-eighth of a mile is repaved. The Mobility Plan 2035 was intended to improve all forms of mobility in Los Angeles, but HLA deals primarily with bike mobility. Matt Szabo, the City’s top budget analyst, warns the measure could cost more than $3.1 billion over the next 10 years. Szabo also states that projects required under Measure HLA would reduce the number of streets that are repaved each year.

The HLA initiative was written by Michael Schneider, founder of Streets For All; streetsforall.org/initiatives. Schneider says adding bike lanes and road diets make streets safer and would force city agencies to complete a list of projects. It would allow any City resident to file a lawsuit against the City for noncompliance.

Read the Mobility Plan 2035 here: tinyurl.com/33mah2fs

Please refer to your City of Los Angeles VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET (tinyurl.com/2zd6kwvj) for more detailed information on HLA.

Proposition 1 would change California’s 20-year-old Mental Health Services Act and includes funding to build more than 10,000 new treatment beds. Many unhoused people on our streets have mental health problems, and Proposition 1 proposes an approach of more funding and uniformity of services in order to help solve this problem. It would mark a major change in the state’s approach to homelessness and mental health, and it’s critically important that voters inform themselves and vote.

For more detailed information on Proposition 1, please refer to the voter guide: tinyurl.com/ykdascc8.

We welcome volunteers! We’re also asking every homeowner to become a dues paying member. See our website for more specific information about how you can participate: hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org

Calendar

Sun., March 10 — Daylight Saving Time begins. First night of Ramadan.

Tues., March 12 — Mid City West Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Pan Pacific Park Senior Center, 141 S. Gardner St., midcitywest.org.

Wed., March 13 — Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., greaterwilshire.org.

Sun., March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day.

Tues., March 19 — First day of spring.

Thurs., March 28 — Delivery of the April issue of the Larchmont Chronicle

Fri., March 29 — Good Friday.

Sun., March 31 — Easter

Sunday and Cesar Chavez Day.

Letters to the Editor

A city we can live in Please consider advocating for the development of more market rate, high-density housing in the neighborhood. We all want a neighborhood where our children can afford to live and work even if they have a modest job. As it is, every development is opposed. We all need to advocate for a city we can all live in, growing and thriving.

James Standish Hancock Park

34th Congressional District

I am writing about the recent election article that was printed in the latest Larchmont Chronicle [“Yes, local elections coming up — soon,” Feb. 2024]. I was glad to see a section about the local election and then disappointed

to see a lack of candidate information for the CA-34 race. David Kim is running against corporate-backed Jimmy Gomez and won 49 percent of the General vote last cycle (2022) [and 47 percent when he first ran against Gomez in 2020 – Ed.]. To imply that Jimmy Gomez will most likely win reelection without a nod to the close races the last two cycles seems like an oversight. Hope to see more information being shared or at least a link where readers can learn more.

Nicole Donanian-Blandón Campaign Director David Kim for U.S. Congress 2022 [Learn more at: ballotpedia.org/ David_Kim_(California) – Ed.]

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.

‘What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?’

That’s the question inquiring photographer Casey Russell asked locals.

“We’re going to be eating corned beef and cabbage and drinking green beer.”

Susan and George Merlis with Lucy Windsor Village

“We are going to make a brisket. My husband, Ben Oliver Kerr, recently passed away and it was his traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal. We’re going to use the same recipe he used to win second place in the Real Man’s Cookbook for Education years back.”

Delores Shine Kerr with her granddaughter Jade James Brookside

#103

Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241

larchmontchronicle.com

In our article about elections last month [“Yes, local elections coming up — soon,” Feb. 2024], we wrote that, for local California Legislature seats, “In the State Senate, each incumbent in the local races is expected to be reelected: Senate District 24, Ben Allen; Senate District 26, Maria Elena Durazo; and Senate District 28, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas.” Our error was not our certainty about these State Senators remaining in office. That is absolute because they actually are not running for reelection. As representatives of even-numbered State Senate districts, they are in the middle of their four-year terms, each having been elected in 2022. The Chronicle apologizes for the error.

“We will go to the Farmers’ Market in Hollywood to Dave’s Korean Gourmet where we get the tempeh and veggie broth to make split pea soup — green for St. Patrick’s Day! Then we will ride our scooters to the park for a big vegan picnic.”

Valor Goodman, Katie Hall and Worthy Goodman Hancock Park

Politics, comedy, birthdays and beneft events fll calendars

Locals gathered in the expansive garden of the historic Windsor Square home of Kevin MacLellan and Brian Curran on Jan. 27. Their “O’Melveny House,” named for its original owner, pioneer Los Angeles lawyer H.W. O’Melveny, was moved from the Westlake neighborhood to South Plymouth Boulevard in 1930. The reception was organized for friends to meet House of Representatives candidate Anthony Portantino.

• • •

The 1929 Deco Building on Wilshire Boulevard, originally a bank, played host to the Jan. 28 inaugural evening of Whippet Comedy Night. Organized by Hancock Park residents and stand-up comedians Mary Huth and Diana Hong, the sold-out, first-ofits-kind showcase featured up-and-coming and established comics seen on Comedy Central, Late Night with Seth

SECTION ONE

Around the Town with

Meyers, Superstore, Shrinking, Crashing and Second City. On stage were Aparna Nancherla, Chris Grace, Kari Assad, Lizzy Cooperman and Brian Gallivan.

Huth and Hong organized the event as a way to feature monthly comedy shows in Hancock Park and the Miracle Mile. “Los Angeles has a deep pool of comedic talent. Whippet offers a unique opportunity to bring those incredible comics into Hancock Park, in a beautiful Art Deco venue to showcase their talents,” said Huth, who has lived with her partner Susan Butler in Hancock Park for more than 20

years. Now an empty-nester, Huth caught the comedy bug after the pandemic. Her co-producer, Hong, is an established comedian from the Bay Area, having performed at Limestone Comedy Fest, FUSE and San Francisco Sketchfest. All future events will be held the fourth Saturday of the month at Hexi, located in the historic Deco Build-

ing. Hexi is a service-oriented initiative aimed at enhancing Indonesia’s national image, and patrons can shop for clothing, purses, jewelry and many more offerings while enjoying the evening of comedy. Locals in attendance included AJ and Julie Johnson, Kenji and Tadashi Butler and Grethel Bayro.

Fifteen neighbors interested in increasing housing gathered with Lindsay Sturman Jan. 30 at her Windsor Square home. Over drinks and pizza, they heard from her, from building designer John Claflin and from former Culver City Mayor Thomas Small. Those three are among the creators and advocates for the Livable Communities Initiative that

(Please turn to Page 4)

SECTION THREE

ANTHONY PORTANTINO introduces himself to locals at the Windsor Square garden of Brian Curran and Kevin MacLellan.

FRIENDS AND COMEDIANS, left to right, Jehonna Corrales, Mary Huth, Ruth Brandt and Lisa Orkin.

Around Town

(Continued from Page 3) promotes construction of attractive three- to five-story buildings above ground-floor retail and adjoining walkable, tree-lined and car-light streets with protected bicycle lanes.

Pasadena on a rainy Feb. 4 was the site for a festive Sunday brunch given by popular Pasadenan Gordon Pashgian at the Annandale Golf Club honoring Windsor Square’s Pamela Clyne. The setting was appropriate because Pamela loves the game. Locals heading east for the event included Olivia and Steve Kazanjian, Robert Ronus, Martha and John Welborne, Carlotta Keely, and Pam’s hubby Shannon.

Son Taylor Clyne recounted funny stories, and Virginia and Ross Roberts came down from San Francisco for the occasion. Virginia is Pam’s

oldest friend, from childhood. Party highlights included a clever poem written for Pam and recited by the author, Joan Hotchkis. Host Pashgian commissioned a most extraordinary birthday surprise — a really big golf ball chocolate cake — just right for player Pam.

• • • Supporters of Larchmont Charter School gathered at an ultra-private screening room in Beverly Hills Feb. 7 to so-

cialize, eat, drink and view the recently released first-run feature film “Argylle.” Surrounded by movie posters and a vintage popcorn machine, guests were transported into the land of movies and fantasy. The Matthew Vaughn-directed comedy mystery adventure was the highlight of the evening, projected after guests enjoyed bites and tastings from Ricca Kitchen by Kori Bernards, formerly of Larchmont Charter Edible Schoolyard. The spread included an array of fresh cheeses, vegetables, salads, dips, meats and tasty homemade desserts. Guests drank wine and beer while catching up with old friends and new. After the feast, the hosts, Windsor Square’s Danny and Zoe Corwin, beckoned the celebrants into the plush, sound-proof, cave-like screening room for the big screen entertainment.

Zoe Corwin thanked the crowd for supporting such an important pre-K-12 local school, recently awarded a California Distinguished Schools Award. Ready for the movie magic were locals Mike and Lisa O’Malley, Daphne Brogdon, Gio Verri, AJ and Julie Johnson, Zoe and Danny Corwin, Pete Sepenuk, Laura Siegel and Bob Wenoker, Jane and Matt Stuecken, Kori Bernards, Tom Eisenhauer, Hayley and Chris Stott, Kelvin Koze and Jen Enani.

• • •

When guests were asked to glam up their attire for the Tailwaggers Foundation Waggy Awards on Feb. 8, they did not disappoint! Attendees showed up in their glamorous, sparkly, fur-friendly best to raise funds and to celebrate the efforts of the Tailwaggers Foundation, a charitable organization run

by the Larchmont Tailwaggers’ own Todd Warner.

The organization raises funds for various animal rescue organizations in and around Los Angeles.

The event was hosted by Lotta Slots and Kay Sedia, honoring Dr. Kwane Stewart of Project Street Vet (a 2023 CNN hero honoree) for his work with the homeless and their pets; activist actor Lana Parrilla from Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer;” and Congressman Ted Lieu, each for their advocacy and work with the animal welfare community. The evening’s ticket sales and live and silent auctions raised $100,000 to be granted to various local 501(c)3 organizations that specialize in animal welfare. Dr. Stewart commented on one of the most memorable things he’s ever heard from his work with the unhoused community about their animal companions. “If I end it tonight, who is going to feed [my pet] in the morning?” one unhoused man expressed to Dr. Stewart about the man’s reason to keep enduring. Todd Warner was proud to mention that the first person to purchase a table for this year’s event was his mother. A successful night indeed!

• • • And now you’re in the Larchmont know!

skin deep

by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald

Hand up if you’ve perfected the mirror face lift. A quick lift of the brows, upward coaxing of the jowls, maybe even a smoothing of the neck skin. If only it would stay. While we understandably fret and fuss over the most superficial layers of our skin, its actually deeper in the layers, about 1.5 millimeters deeper, where the real magic happens.

Sofwave, a new skin tightening device, has perfected tapping into the magic. When the mid-dermis is heated, a healing response called neocollagenases increases the collagen in our skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to lift brows, jowls and other loose skin. Sofwave offers several other upsides: it’s safe for all skin types, appropriate during all seasons, it’s non-invasive and yields real results after a single treatment. One more… Sofwave’s integrated cooling system, Sofcool, protects and comforts the outer layer of skin as the ultrasound treatment reaches the depth in your dermis for an ideal outcome. Maintain your enviable results with one or two treatments annually.

Now hand up if you’re ready to contact our office today to schedule your Sofwave appointment and discover its many upsides.

Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certifed 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 from around the world to teach proper injection techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing fller. 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.

LANA PARRILLA receives an award for her animal welfare activism.

supporters at movie night.

TAILWAGGERS’ Todd Warner enjoys the reception.

FORMER MAYOR of Culver City Thomas Small, at left, speaks with neighbors gathered in the Windsor Square home of Lindsay Sturman to learn more about the Livable Communities Initiative for building housing.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS for Pamela Clyne (center) include Ross Roberts, left, and Bill Hammerstein, right.

GOLF BALL chocolate cake is a big surprise for honoree Pamela Clyne.

Debate

(Continued from Page 1)

Supervisor for District 2. U.S. Congress seats

Adjoining the highly contested 30th California Congressional District are Districts 34 and 37. Both have incumbents. Jimmy Gomez is running again in his Congressional District 34, and Sydney KamlagerDove is running again in her District 37.

Note the Letter to the Editor in this issue where a campaigner for a challenger for the Gomez 34th District seat — democratic socialist David Kim, who almost beat Gomez in 2022 — takes the Chronicle to task for ignoring her candidate in our last issue.

For most local voters in Greater Wilshire and Mid City, there are two local elections where their votes make the biggest difference, each election featuring a multitude of candidates: the

California 30th District House of Representatives seat long held by, and being vacated by, Adam Schiff, and the District Attorney seat currently held by George Gascón.

Adam Schiff seat

Ten of the fifteen candidates seeking the 30th Congressional District seat — held by Adam Schiff since 2000 — appeared on the stage of the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 10, and those 10 are pictured above. Top

contenders in the race include former city attorney Mike Feuer, state Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Los Angeles Unified School District board member Nick Melvoin and state Sen. Anthony Portantino.

The remaining 11 candidates in this race are: Josh Bocanegra, G. “Maebe” Pudlo, Francesco Arreaga, Sal Genovese, Jirair Ratevosian, Steve Andrae Dunwoody, Sepi Shyne, Alex Balekian, Emilio Martinez, Erskine Levi and

Ben Savage. Visit lavote.gov for more information.

District Attorney seat

Eleven candidates are challenging incumbent Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, who was elected in 2020. Some of the challengers are from his own office. Like other county and City of Los Angeles races, the D.A.’s election is nonpartisan.

In the running against Gascon are: Eric Siddall, Jonathan Hatami, Maria Ramirez, John McKinney, Nathan Hochman, Debra Archuleta, Jeff Chemerinsky, Lloyd Masson, Craig Mitchell, David S. Milton and Dan Kapelovitz.

City Council

The only local Los Angeles City Council contest (evennumbered council districts this time) is for CD 10, along the southern and eastern borders of the Larchmont Chronicle readership area.

Running as the incumbent in this nonpartisan race is Heather Hutt, the appointed replacement for her convicted predecessor, Mark RidleyThomas. Also seeking this City Council seat are Eddie Anderson, Reggie JonesSawyer, Aura Vásquez and Grace Yoo.

Board of Supervisors

The County Board of

Supervisors contest on the ballot locally is for District 2 in the southern part of the Chronicle readership area. This also is a nonpartisan race, and the incumbent running for reelection is Holly J. Mitchell. Challenging her are Katrina Williams, Clint D. Carlton and Daphne D. Bradford.

California Legislature

In the State Assembly, two local seats seem secure, with Rick Chavez-Zbur (Assembly District 51) and Isaac Bryan (Assembly District 55) running for reelection.

In the 54th Assembly District, which includes a bit of the southeast corner of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council area, there are three candidates running for the seat currently held by Miguel Santiago, who is running for the Los Angeles City Council in the Downtown 14th Council District seat now held by Kevin de León, who is running there for reelection. Of the three candidates for Santiago’s Assembly District 54 job, Mark Gonzalez has virtually all of the Democratic establishment endorsements.

U.S. Senate and more Statewide, there are 27 candidates running for the vacant U.S. Senate seat of the late Dianne Feinstein, and there are two ballot

(Please turn to Page 7)

SUNDAY,

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES (10 of the 15) for California’s District 30 spoke on Feb. 10 at The Ebell and included (alphabetically, left to right) Francesco Arreaga, Alex Balekian, Steve Andraé Dunwoody, Mike Feuer, Laura Friedman, G. “Maebe” Pudlo, Nick Melvoin, Anthony Portantino, Jirair Ratevosian and Sepi Shyne.

Big Sunday celebrates 25th with a gala March 14

By Nona Sue Friedman

Celebrate 25 years of Big Sunday at its ninth annual gala on Thurs., March 14. The festivities will be held in the Miracle Mile at Candela, 831 S. La Brea Ave., at 6:30 p.m.

The gala will honor Hancock Park resident Adam Greenfield along with Cathy Weiss, Robert Brown and The Change Reaction, a giving platform. All believe Big Sunday has had a positive and significant impact on the city of Los Angeles.

Big Sunday was started by Hancock Park resident David Levinson as a single day of service in May of 1999. It has expanded to a year-round pro-

gram that helps thousands of people annually. The organization sponsors a yearly Thanksgiving Day food drive and a Martin Luther King Jr. clothing drive. The group sends cards and connects with veterans and fills backpacks for kids in need. And that’s just the beginning. In addition to these bigger events, there are volunteer opportunities almost daily.

Big Sunday volunteers are as diverse in background and demographics as their activities.

For more information about the gala and the organization, which is always looking for more volunteers, visit bigsunday.org.

Writer Sonia Levitin stages reading of new play

By Casey Russell

Holocaust survivor Sonia Levitin is staging a reading of her new play, “Chained,” Thurs., Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. at The Museum of Tolerance at Pico and Roxbury, near Century City. Levitin’s newest work explores the difficulties women petitioning for divorce can face under Jewish law.

Born in Berlin in 1934, Levitin speaks regularly at the Museum of Tolerance about her experiences during the holocaust.

With her mother and sisters, Levitin escaped persecution by fleeing to Switzerland. Her father had escaped to New York City, and the family ultimately came to Los Angeles, where the three girls were raised.

Debate

(Continued from Page 6) propositions to be voted upon locally (one state and one City of Los Angeles measure).

Statewide Proposition 1 will raise bond money and is controversial. City of Los Angeles Measure HLA is controversial because it could

The artistically eclectic 89-year-old is an accomplished painter and an author. She has written 43 books and five plays. Her writing has garnered her numerous accolades, among which are the Pen Award and the National Jewish Book Award.

Some of Levitin’s work chronicles her early years, escaping Nazi Germany and struggling as an immigrant in wartime America before attending college and becoming an educator, writer and artist.

Levitin hopes to present a full production of “Chained” in the fall of 2024.

For tickets to the reading, which will take place at 9786 W. Pico Blvd, visit sonialevitin.com.

require spending unbudgeted local dollars on things like street narrowing (known as “road diets”).

There also are 23 candidates trying to be selected as nominee for the position of President of the United States.

Learn more about voting from the Secretary of State at: tinyurl.com/4dy62mt2.

LPGA

(Continued from Page 1)

28, most, if not all, of the world’s top women golfers are expected to participate.

Last year’s trophy pool doubled (from $1.5 million to $3 million), with a first prize of $450,000. The topprize winner last year was Hannah Green, and she definitely plans to be back.

Wilshire Country Club has become a popular venue for lady golfers. The surrounding residents and golf fans are very welcoming. Some club members who live nearby open up their houses and have tournament players stay as houseguests. In addition, tournament title and presenting sponsors JM Eagle and Plastpro (headed by Walter and Shirley Wang) have this

year decided to underwrite hotel accommodations for all the tournament participants. That is an unusual and attractive benefit for the ladies traveling around the world on the tour.

The popularity of Wilshire Country Club with the players is reciprocal. The current national golf champion, Allisen Corpuz, has been made an honorary member of the club, and visitors can see her large sterling silver U.S. Open trophy on display in

a case at the club. More information about the April tournament, including how to purchase spectator packages and tickets in advance, is available at jmeaglelachampionship.com.

The Beauty of Experience

Larchmont 's own Rebecca Fitzgerald MD, a board-certifed derma tologic surgeon, brings extensive exerience and up-to-the-minute exertise to the convenience of your own neigh borhood

U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN champion Allisen Corpuz greets young fans at a reception last month at Wilshire Country Club. Photo by Cris Hayes

o s e g t a or a le st o a art e ts o a ro ately s are eet eac at t e est le t e o t e seco t ro g se e t oors o t e

l g. lso s o or eac o t ose s oors are t o large recreat o roo s ac g arc o t o le ar at r g t .

‘Bait and Switch’

(Continued from Page 1)

minority) and con. The crux of complaints was that the community planning protections long in place were being waived to create a “100 percent affordable” project of small studio units — but that the project developer allegedly would later sneak in a dozen, much-larger, expensive market-rate units.

GWNC opposes

The Land Use Committee

adopted a motion to recommend to the full board of directors that it “take action to voice its strong support for 100 percent affordable housing projects in the neighborhood and to further oppose this project at 507 N. Larchmont Boulevard until such time as questions about the project raised in this Motion, including but not limited to the lawful bases for the proposed project height, zero parking and claim of 100 percent affordable housing,

are satisfactorily answered.”

That motion was taken up at the subsequent meeting of the GWNC board of directors on Feb. 14. Members of the board expressed support for affordable housing while objecting to “secret” units and “bait and switch” techniques in projects that utilize the “100 percent affordable” waivers and benefits, but then sneak lucrative, non-“affordable” units into those projects. The board adopted the motion presented and put GWNC on record as opposing the 507 N. Larchmont project as presented to the city.

As the accompanying illustrations show, the developer proposed building a “100 percent affordable” building, with seven floors of residential units. On each of the top six of those floors, the developer’s plans show eight studio apartment units of approximately 325 square feet each. But also on each floor are two “recreation rooms” of more than 500 square feet each. That would be a lot of exercise equipment for a landlord to buy! But that seemingly is not the intention. The intention seems to be to bait with 100 percent affordability and then switch to 75 percent affordability by adding a dozen market-rate, likely fairly expensive, one-bedroom units that have the best light and views overlooking the Boulevard.

ONE-BEDROOM arket rate ts look to e t e e elo er’s goal for its not-really-100-percent-affordable project at 507 N. Larchmont. Shown is a concept sketch of what could result by co ert g a oor’s t o recreat o roo s to ell g ts.

The longer accompanying drawing shows the applicant’s typical floor plan for the second through seventh floors. The smaller drawing is a detail — showing one way that the two “recreation rooms” on each floor could become one-bedroom market-rate apartments.

Some people say, “Why do you care; doesn’t it build more needed housing?” Most who are upset with this 507 N. Larchmont project would answer that they care because rules are being broken; promises (100 percent affordable housing) are not being kept; and that condoning such deception is no way to run a civilized society. Certainly, if

the extra “recreation rooms” were not stuffed in, the “100 percent affordable” building could provide its 52 units of studio apartments at lower height, thereby being less offensive to adjoining homeowners.

But that was not what this developer proposed, and that is a reason that neighbors are upset and that the board of the GWNC has gone on record as opposing the 507 N. Larchmont Blvd. project.

In response to a Feb. 23 query from the Chronicle about the developer’s application, a City Planning Dept. representative replied: “The project continues to be incomplete and on hold.”

STANDING-ROOM-ONLY AUDIENCE participated in the GWNC Land Use Committee meeting, held Jan. 23 at Marlborough School .

LAND USE COMMITEE CHAIR Brian Curran, speaking at corner of the table, calls on those who wish to testify.

FLOOR PLAN s

ro ose

Immaculate Heart singer wins Rotary arts pageant

By Nona Sue Friedman

Wilshire Rotary Club hosted the music vocal portion of its annual Pageant of the Arts event on Jan. 24 at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

Four high school students performed in front of Wilshire Rotary members and musician judges. This vocal performance included two students from Larchmont Charter School, one from Loyola High School and one from Immaculate Heart.

The first place winner was Ella Reitz from Immaculate Heart, who received $125. Chigozie Obinwanne from Loyola High School placed second

and won $50. Both winners advance to the district level contest that takes place on April 15. At that event, contestants will sing against winners from 65 local Rotary clubs.

According to Pam Rudy, past president of the club and one of the organizers of this year’s Pageant, “Ella was amazing, no contest. She was so good she could win the entire competition.”

The Pageant encourages high school students to develop, hone and display their talents. In addition to vocal competition, the Pageant includes music instrumental, art, dance and speech categories.

Boulevard store openings and closings

By Casey Russell

There always is a constant flow of change with retail stores on the Boulevard, and this month is no different.

Jamba Juice , which had held residency at 122 N. Larchmont Blvd. (its second Boulevard location) for many years, has closed.

Topo Designs , an outdoor clothing and accessories store, opened in the space previously occupied, for about a year, by Midland, in the Larchmont Mercantile Building.

Catbird , the new jewelry store at 124 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd., is expected to open in mid to late March, we are told. Jewel Bressler, a leader at the store’s Culver City location, said employees will begin training at the end of February, and the store will have a “vintagey” look. Catbird owners see Larchmont as a nice place to call home because of its walkability and its nice shops and restaurants. Lots of people enjoy being out and about on the Boulevard, Bressler said.

Aesop, the new-to-the-Boulevard skin, hair and body care shop, which will also sell fragrances, is on track to open in the spring at 128 N. Larchmont Blvd.

As to Larchmont Jewelers, which is occupying the building it now owns at 119 N. Larchmont Blvd., the most

recent information the Chronicle has is that the high-end jewelry and timepiece store will open in mid-March.

‘Walkathon’ for Alexandria House, Vaughan jubilee

By Suzan Filipek

Walk, run and meet up with friends old and new at a Walkathon on Sat., March 23 celebrating Alexandria House and the 60th jubilee of Judy Vaughan as a sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

The eighth annual walkathon is at Mount St. Mary’s University, Doheny Campus. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. The after-party is from

10 a.m. to noon.

The event raises funds for Alexandria House, a transitional home for women and children, which Vaughan founded in 1996.

Fundraising efforts also help pay off a $4 million loan provided to purchase two houses now providing a permanent residence for women and children who turn to Alexandria House.

Visit alexandriahouse.org.

Beautiful office in large office suite

Two large windows. Access to conference room and kitchen. Parking Space Included. All in fabulous Hancock Park/Larchmont Boulevard. Walk to restaurants, shops, Rite Aid, yoga, massage, pilates, music classes, banks, etc. Private Entrance to office. Secure building. $1750.

Call: (323) 464-0870 or email: kay@libermanzerman.com

WILSHIRE ROTARY CLUB President Janice Prior, on left, with second-place winner Chigozie Obinwanne in the middle and rst lace er lla e t o t e r g t.

Students hone robotics skills as technology advances

By Casey Russell

There is no shortage of news stories about artificial intelligence. And though robotics and AI are not synonymous, the two often come hand in hand. Each can work to the benefit of the other, and it’s likely that most robots of the future will have some AI capabilities.

Robots and AI

What actually is “AI,” or artificial intelligence”? The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary tells us it is “the study and development of computer systems that can copy intelligent human behavior.” With the help of AI, today’s robots are being used in myriad ways. Most people are aware that robots have been helping assemble vehicles for decades. They do basic tasks like assisting in the packaging of our food, and they do lifesaving things like helping defend our military personnel.

Robots have also been in-

strumental in humanity’s exploration of space and have helped us delve deep into the mysteries of our oceans.

Today’s robots possess increasingly autonomous

325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 windsorsquare.org

157

Spring in Windsor Square!

Get ready for Spring! Windsor Square in March is a time for St. Patrick’s Day revelry, celebrating Women’s History Month and welcoming the arrival of Easter!

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17: Get your annual fix of green beer, corned beef and cabbage and Irish Music at local establishments, The Cat and Fiddle restaurant, historic Tom Bergin’s, Molly Malone’s, and The Original Farmer’s Market. Check listings for more information. discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/celebrate-st-patricksday-in-los-angeles

Ebell Club Women’s History Events: The club will be hosting several events in March including She’s History with Amy Simon (7:30 p.m. March 4), The Everywhere of Her (multiple performances), and ‘A Woman’s Place’ art exhibition celebrating Women’s History Month opening March 21. The Ebell Institute for The Study of Women’s History in LA is holding a free public symposium on March 27. ebellofla.org/membership/club-events

LA Marathon, March 17: The annual LA Marathon will be held on St. Patrick’s Day this year and will be passing from Downtown through Hollywood. mccourtfoundation. org/event/los-angeles-marathon

Museums Free For All: Area museums will be participating in the annual SoCal Museums Free For All on March 23. Free entry into all participating museums including the Academy Museum, the Holocaust Museum and LACMA, among others. socalmuseums.org/annualfree-for-all-2024

Easter: Windsor Square and surrounding neighborhoods will be holding annual religious celebrations, Easter egg hunts for the kids, brunches, BBQs, etc. on March 31.

Windsor Square Public Board Meetings: Windsor Square HPOZ Board meets March 6 and 20 at the John C. Fremont Library. Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council General Board Meeting is March 13.

WE NEED BLOCK CAPTAINS! Be the leader of your block and the point person for all that’s going on in your neighborhood. The WSA has numerous Block Captain positions open. It’s a great opportunity to engage with neighbors and community leaders. blockcaptains@ windsorsquare.org

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.

©LC0324

capabilities. Many are able to perceive their surroundings; they can learn and adapt because of better artificial intelligence algorithms. Self-driving cars are essentially robo-cars, and many surgeries are now assisted by robots.

Gen 2 of the Optimus humanoid robot was recently revealed by Tesla. Its abilities have greatly improved. This model has better balance and, Tesla claims, full-body control. It seems to be capable of doing simple daily chores.

These advancements open up new opportunities for many of today’s young people. As automation gradually takes over a higher percentage of repetitive-task jobs, people capable of solving problems, thinking critically and creatively and bringing ingenuity to their work will be in high demand. Of course, well-trained humans will be building and programming all the machines of tomorrow.

Robotics in schools

Many schools have robotics classes or clubs and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs. In answer to — and aiding in fueling — student interest in robotics, there also is a plethora of robotics and STEAM competitions.

Campbell Hall, an independent Episcopal school featured monthly in our Student News columns, recently had a team qualify for the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championships to be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

The school’s 14-member team was split into four groups. Team 34690A, with William Ho, Miles Sanger, Asher Avisar and Travis Park, qualified for the World Championship when they traveled to Taiwan to compete with more than 140 teams from all over the world and became Tournament Champions.

Each year’s competitions require the competing robots (or “bots”) to complete a new specific task. This year’s task, Dye told us, is similar to a soccer game in that the robots score points by competing to get the most “balls” into a goal.

Based on early competitions, the students modify their designs, Dye told us. Team 34690A “learned that their robot needed speed,” said Dye. This third iteration of their robot is “very efficient at playing offense and defense.” The team also designed its bot to be capable of going over a bar placed on the playing field by competition designers to make things more difficult.

Dye told us that California schools are sending only 20 teams to Dallas to compete in the World Championships —

the number each region can send is based on how many teams are in the area. The coach told us that she and assistant coach Chad LeCroix have noticed that, with team 34690A’s success, “There is a renewed energy (in all the teams) that has been brought by the winning team’s passion and enthusiasm.”

Marlborough and Fairfax Campbell Hall is not the only local school that has seen success with its robotics teams. Marlborough, for example, has had teams advance to the FIRST World Championships three times — most recently at the 2023 competition. Fairfax High has received three Inter League Tourna-

ment awards this season. While they won’t be advancing to the state championship this year, Fairfax teacher Gerardo Perla believes that they are well-positioned to accomplish their goal of advancing to the Southern California Championship next year.

Teachers we spoke to made it clear that the tasks their robotics students are performing challenge them to become innovative troubleshooters. Dye described these young people as motivated and tenacious.

Regardless of whether these local kids go on to have careers in robotics, the skills they are learning will clearly serve them well as they step into the world of tomorrow.

GEN 2 late o esla’s Optimus Humanoid Robot.

TEAM 34690A’s Travis Park, William Ho and Miles Sanger (left to right) with the Build Award they received at the Chaminade Showdown in November 2023.

COMPETING at the Chaminade Showdown, Team 34690A with other students.

Nine O’Clock Players revive musical Enchanted Sleeping Beauty

By Casey Russell

The Nine O’Clock Players’ spring production of “Enchanted Sleeping Beauty, the Legend of Briar-Rose” is coming to the historic Assistance League Theatre.

This reimagining of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale tells the story of Princess Briar-Rose of the kingdom of Never Nod. Cursed by Evilina, an evil witch, Briar-Rose and her court sleep for 16 years until Prince Alexander overcomes time-defying trials to break the curse and wake the dormant court.

With enchanting music, whimsical characters and

ST. BRENDAN

By Harry Jannone Kim 8th Grade

This past month at St. Brendan has been amazing.

The first Friday of February our 8th grade class played in the Catholic Schools’ Week faculty vs. 8th grade volleyball game. The 8th graders defeated the faculty in straight sets. This was the first time in many years that the 8th graders won 2-0.

On Feb. 14, we celebrated

effects and sets designed by former Disney Imagineers, the Nine O’Clock Players bring this fairy tale alive for audiences of all ages.

Performances for the show will be held Sundays, March 3, 10, 17 and 24, at 2 p.m. at the Assistance League Theatre located at 1367 N. St. Andrews Pl. Tickets are $15. Call 323-545-6153 or visit assistanceleaguela.org or brownpapertickets.com.

Right: PRINCE ALEXANDER and Princess Briar-Rose (the Sleeping Beauty) perform a duet on the Nine O’Clock Players stage.

Valentine’s Day, along with Ash Wednesday. During mass, Father Brian and Monsignor marked the Sign of the Cross on the attendants’ foreheads with the ashes to celebrate the first day of Lent. On March 7, Jay and Mary Fagnano will hold a Thrive in Joy fundraiser called “Nick’s Favorite Lunch” during which students will be able to purchase either macaroni and cheese or chicken and broccoli. This fundraiser is held to honor the passing of their son, Nick Fagnano, and to aid their work in the Dominican Republic.

THIRD STREET

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5th Grade

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a blast! Everyone, including me, had lots of fun.

After a wonderful Lunar New Year celebration at our school, everyone calmed down as March approached. I heard TK through 4th graders are going on an exciting field trip to Universal Studios! I’m kind of sad that we 5th graders don’t get to go, but the younger students deserve it after us having our Clear Creek, Korea and Astrocamp field trips.

Speaking of Astrocamp, it was

The 5th grade P.E. test is coming along too! In the start of March, the 5th graders will have to do a test that includes pushups, curl-ups and a few other activities. But most importantly, there is going to be a mile run… I’m certainly not prepared!

BUCKLEY

By Max Terr 10th Grade

Buckley middle school students will soon be having their first dance of the school year. The upper school has had a busy past few weeks with wins by the boys’ basketball team, which

advanced them all the way to the semifinals.

Lunar New Year was celebrated. The Diversity Equity and Inclusion offices invite the Qing Wei Troupe Lion Dancers to perform for the lower, middle and upper schools.

Buckley also hosted the annual book fair, encouraging more reading throughout the campus. With many students getting accepted to college the work for the sophomores has begun. Counseling and tours will soon happen.

Marlborough head is helping prepare students for the future

By Casey Russell

It has been 18 months since Jennifer Ciccarelli took over as head of school at Marlborough, and we at the Larchmont Chronicle thought we’d check in to see how things are going.

“It’s been fabulous,” said Ciccarelli. “The Marlborough community has been incredibly warm, supportive and welcoming on all levels,” she added. The head of school at the 7th-12th grade independent girls’ school is pleased that, with a full school year at Marlborough under her belt, students, teachers and parents are feeling comfortable coming to her with questions and concerns. “That feels good to me. I fundamentally love the work of leading schools. I love solving problems. I love working collaboratively with people to make the school even better. That’s sort of my happy place.”

One thing that Ciccarelli loves about Marlborough is the way the Rossmore Avenue institution embraces innovation. Even though the school has been in Los Angeles since 1890 (and in its current location since 1916), the school community is open and eager to find new ways to best serve its students.

Languages

This year, a world languages program has been put in place for seventh graders. Rather than jumping into the study of a chosen language right away, all seventh grade students are given the opportunity to think about how people learn languages that are new to them.

They are given exposure to the four languages offered at Marlborough — Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and French — while working to find the commonalities among the four.

Entrepreneurship

This year’s seventh grade students are also the first ones participating in a newly refreshed Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) experience, Ciccarelli tells us. Rather than getting a taste of a few of Marlborough’s CEI offerings — such as engineering, media studies, entrepreneurship, computer science, robotics and fabrication — each student gets to try them all so that she can make an informed decision about what she will pursue further in the upper grades.

Optimism for the future

Ciccarelli also told us about a program now being offered for 10th, 11th and 12th graders: Global Futures Institute (GFI). Our planet’s and local communities’ environments, the future of democracy and global identities are all areas of study as part of GFI. Ciccarelli said, “We are getting

[our students] to think about the possibilities for the future so that they can embrace the uncertainty of it with optimism and with an eye toward making a wonderful future for our world.”

One thing the head of school really loves about the Marlborough community is its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. At schools she has helmed in the past, Ciccarelli often felt like she had to lead the work. At Marlborough, she said, it has been gratifying to feel that everyone is with her. “Instead of my being out alone in front and pulling people along with me, I’m part of a wonderful tide of support for having a really diverse community, and everyone understands why that’s important.”

Healthy futures

Looking to issues she wants Marlborough to work on over

the next few years, lessening dependence on cell phones and social media are present in her mind. “We are taking it on as a whole community

conversation,” she told us. She wants to talk about how the community can learn to use that technology wisely and with health in mind.

Ciccarelli, who came from Columbus School for Girls in Ohio, spoke further on the health of Marlborough students. “We know that depression and anxiety rates (around the country) are higher than they’ve ever been, and they are increasing,” she said. The head of school is proud of the fact that Marlborough ensures that there are a lot of adult eyes on kids through programs like home room and advisory and health classes. She thinks it’s important that students are well known at school so that faculty can help notice and catch a child who is struggling.

The 530-pupil school has begun partnering with caregivers as well. Through its

Parents and Guardians Education Series (PAGES), Ciccarelli told us the school is helping parents build a community with one another while they learn about important mental health topics. In addition to these goals, Ciccarelli aims to continue having conversations about what an excellent education looks like in the 21st century. “I want to give our students the tools to talk across differences; to disagree with people respectfully and constructively.

“I think that is a critical component of developing citizens for the world who are critical thinkers, who are problem finders and problem solvers, who can work with people who are different from them. All of those things are key components of academic excellence. We aim to help our students and ourselves do it better,” she said.

JENNIFER CICCARELLI with students at a school assembly.

f season training pa s di idends for ig sc ool golfers

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus was raised in Upper Arlington, Ohio, an affluent suburb just north of downtown Columbus. He began golfing when he was 10, and he played daily at Scioto Country Club until he was 21.

Tough trick in Ohio when it’s not summer.

Nicklaus was known for his golf obsession. He’d hit balls during the winter out of a makeshift Quonset hut that could be moved from hole to hole at the country club course to protect him from the cold and sleet.

Short game

In Southern California and other warm-weather regions, off-season training for golfers has a different meaning. The weather is rarely a factor. But what are the most important aspects of the game on which golf coaches want their athletes to focus?

“Off-season, in-season, in-between seasons, it’s always the short game,” said Loyola High School golf Coach Robb Gorr. “Matches and tournaments at this level are decided by the team that performs better on and around the green.”

Marlborough School golf Coach Rick Rielly agrees.

“We stress the importance of the short game. Chipping,

Youth Sports

by Jim Kalin

pitching, putting and bunker play.”

Even in SoCal, it’s not always possible to get outside.

At Loyola, an all-boys high school, the players take part in a rigorous balance, core, and flexibility program curated by Loyola’s strength and conditioning staff. The program is specifically designed for golfers and focuses on their mobility, flexibility and core strength.

Swing low

Marlborough is an independent school for girls. Its golf team practices at Wilshire Country Club, which is also where they host their home matches.

Kaila Elsayegh holds the all-time low-stroke average in Marlborough Mustang golf history. Her overall average the past three years is 35.23.

Elsayegh has the low 18-hole score at Balboa Golf Course in Encino (64) and the low 36hole score in Angelus League

history with a score of 129, which consisted of that 64 at Balboa and a 65 at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks in the 2023 Angelus League Finals. Elsayegh is also tied for Marlborough’s low 9-hole score of 31 with Leila Dizon, 2017, and Zoey Kim, 2023.

Zoey Kim finished her freshman year at Marlborough and had the second lowest all-time scoring average as a freshman with a stroke average of 36.18. She also recorded the lowest 9-hole score this past year with a 31.

“Zoey is now competing in high level AJGA (Ameri-

Marie Casey Collins

March 11, 1935 - February 4, 2024

Marie Casey Collins, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away at the age of 88 on February 4, 2024. She left this world surrounded by the love of her four sons, marking the end of a life well-lived and a legacy that will endure in the hearts of all who knew her.

Marie was born on March 11, 1935, in Los Angeles, to Marie and Robert Casey, and was raised in Hancock Park. She attended Wilton Place Elementary and Marlborough School – where she met many of her closest, life-long friends. She graduated Marlborough in 1952 and attended Bradford College in Massachusetts for two years then UC Berkeley for one year before withdrawing to care for her ailing mother.

In 1956, Marie married Rogg Collins and their marriage lasted 52 years until his passing in 2008. She would often say their greatest joy was raising their four boys. Marie’s gracious and nurturing spirit extended beyond her immediate family, creating a welcoming home for friends, neighbors, and anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. 508 South Rimpau Boulevard was always a warm, neighborhood hub where many would come to play basketball, baseball, volleyball, hockey, paddle tennis and cards – or to enjoy one of Marie’s delicious, home-cooked meals. If you lived in the neighborhood, you would also see her regularly on one of her daily, hour-long walks – usually at dusk.

Marie was a devoted wife, committed mother and loyal friend. Strong in her Christian faith, she led a Bible study for over 20 years while also serving as a Deacon at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. She found great joy in her Christian fellowship, mentoring others, and assisting those in need. She was also a long-time member of the Jr. League and a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Hospital. In her later years, Marie was a seasoned bridge player – loving the competition and, especially, the camaraderie. Her friendships always meant so much to her –many of which spanned decades. Phone calls, written letters, emails, etc. – Marie was always reaching out to friends, hoping to put a smile on their face or to make them laugh. She was a devoted grandmother and always remained very close to her four sons. Her generosity truly knew no bounds, and her selflessness left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

Marie is predeceased by her husband, Rogg, and her brother, Palmer Casey. Marie is survived by her 4 sons, Rogg (Brenda), Whitley (Tess), John, and Scott (Jessica), her sisterin-law, Ms. Whitley Collins, and 12 grandchildren. A celebration of Marie’s life will be held on March 16, 2024. Details are forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Stillpoint Family Resources, PO Box 5103, West Hills, CA 91308 in Marie’s name, as a tribute to her lifelong commitment to helping others.

can Junior Golf Association) events,” said Coach Rielly.

But it’s not always just about playing golf. Rielly’s athletes participated in last year’s JM Eagle LA Championships presented by Plastpro. The students volunteered as walking scorers and standard bearers. The LPGA tournament returns this April at Wilshire Country Club.

Golf Cubs

Loyola’s golf team also volunteers to work the LPGA event every year. Makes sense. Wilshire Country Club is also one of the courses that the Cubs practice on and, like Marlborough, it is where they hold home matches.

Loyola’s squad is deep with talent, and two of its top golf-

THE WILLOWS

By Birdie Reynolds 8th Grade

ers have connections to the Hancock Park / Larchmont community.

Tucker Sweeney is currently a Loyola junior and has committed to Santa Clara University, where he’ll play golf.

Carter Gaede is a sophomore at Loyola, and he plays with his family at Wilshire Country Club. He and Sweeney won All-League honors last year, and the Loyola team ended the season undefeated for the 11th straight year.

“Our players are proud to wear a Loyola ‘L’ on their chests,” said Coach Gorr. “They are inspired by teammates who motivate them to be their best on and off the course every day.”

during which grades mix and get to choose a particular class that they take during the week before spring break.

One thing I have always loved about The Willows is our traditions — the experiences and memories that each class connects over. My classmates and I still talk about the projects we did for our 4th grade exhibitions and the memories we made during our 6th-grade overnight. One tradition that has been around for as long as I can remember is intersession. Intersession is a special school week

In the past, there have been classes like “The Impact of Willows Wear,” in which we learned about marketing and design. There was another one called, “Splat!” In it, we calculated and predicted how different things would fall and then we tested our theories by actually dropping those objects.

Intersession is an incredible opportunity to connect with different people from different grades and I am so grateful for the friendships I have made during intersession over the years.

TUCKER SWEENEY will attend Santa Clara University next year. CARTER GAEDE is a sophomore at Loyola.

KAILA ELSAYEGH holds the low score course record at Balboa Golf Course.

ZOEY KIM is a sophomore at Marlborough School.

KAILA ELSAYEGH AND ZOEY KIM play on the Marlborough Mustangs golf team.

By Casey Russell

I recently read a line in a poem by Mary Oliver: You have “come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light and to shine.” The passage struck me because, of course, it feels so true. And yet, I feel that as we go through life, we often stray from this task.

We can be existing in a perfectly beautiful moment, but our thoughts have the power to steal it away. The sky is blue, we’ve just returned home with our healthy children, we have food in the refrigerator. Then we see an email from our boss asking us to come in to the office early tomorrow for a one-on-one. Our beau-

ST. JAMES’

By Hailey Lee

5th Grade

subtle tools to allow their own lights to

tiful moment is forgotten, and our minds are suddenly thinking, “Oh no, I heard they were going to cut some people. I can’t afford to lose this job. I’ve been putting in extra hours! I can’t believe they’re firing me after 10 years!”

Our minds are so quick. We have thoughts faster than lightning. Someone says or does something. We assume we know his or her intentions. With these assumptions solidified in our minds, we form opinions and thoughts. These thoughts inform our feelings, which, in turn, motivate our actions and behaviors. Moment stolen.

It’s not just adults who do this. Children do it, too. “Taylor hates me!” “I never get to do anything!” “I’ve had the worst day!” our tearful, angry, frustrated children tell us.

Tips on Parenting by Casey

Russell

she teaches people to question their burdensome thoughts. The basic questions are quite simple: “Is it true?” “Can you know absolutely that it’s true?” “How do you react — what happens — when you believe that thought?” “Who would you be without the thought?” There is a bit more to it, and I highly recommend the book. But, really, these are great jumping-off points for talking with children when they are sad, angry, fearful — you name it.

hard.” Then, you can ask her what playing soccer was like before she had that thought. Usually, the answer will be very different than it was before. Gently, you can ask her if she can think of anyone on the team who doesn’t think she sucks. Most likely, she’ll be able to find at least one individual and, if she can open her mind to finding one person, she may realize she can find two. Suddenly, the “Everyone thinks I suck” thought isn’t quite as powerful. There has been an opening of the mind, and it is not as stuck on the one path it was seeing.

Nuanced thinking

start to question and to step into trying to find other possibilities when we hear them say things like this. We start by empathizing, “It must’ve felt bad to think that boy was being greedy. That must’ve felt unfair.” Then we can help our child question. “Do you know if that boy had breakfast this morning? Is it possible that his family didn’t have food for him to eat this morning and those bagels were the first food he’d had today? I wonder what that would feel like to not have any food until snack time?”

As our teachers say, there is never a dull moment at St. James’. Wrapping up Black History Month with a gospel chapel and In-N-Out Burger Day, we head into Women’s History Month. While there will be highlights in chapel, each classroom has its special projects to celebrate how women have impacted the world.

Another exciting upcoming event is the “Matilda” musical. Our amazing performing arts teacher is directing the show. “Matilda” is based on the novel by his favorite author, Roald Dahl. The teacher wanted to share his love of the story and the music with our generation of students. “Matilda” is about curiosity and how an appreciation for learning helps us tap into our abilities.

Also, an exciting event that is coming up for all 6th graders is Decision Day. On this day, all the students will find out what middle schools they have been accepted to. Although it will be cool to go to middle school, many people will miss St. James’.

But here’s the great news — we don’t have to be ruled by our initial thoughts. And we can begin giving our children tools they can use so that they can “go easy” more often.

Questioning

Several years ago, I was introduced to the work of Byron Katie. She has an audio book called “Loving What Is.” In it,

Let’s say your child comes home from soccer practice and tells you that everyone on her team thinks she sucks. First, you can empathize with her feelings. You can ask her how she feels when she thinks about that. She will probably give you some clear, loud words — perhaps accompanied by tears — about how she feels. You can respond with something like, “That must be

Humans, children included, can have very polarized thinking. Our child sees someone take two bagels at snack time instead of one, like most others did, and thinks, “That was so mean! He’s greedy!” Thoughts like these steal our moments. They take our minds away from their own shine.

We can help our children

By first empathizing with the pain their initial thoughts brought, and then helping them question the thoughts’ absoluteness, we open our childrens’ minds to seeing past their initial assumptions. If we do this consistently enough, they will start to do it on their own. These subtle, mind-shifting tools may help their lights shine a little more brightly as they find themselves “going more easy.”

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Adrianne Fadil Andrews

August 20, 1934 - February 8, 2024

Adrianne Fadil Andrews of Los Angeles passed away on ursday, February 8, 2024. Born on August 20, 1934, to loving and faithful parents Elias and Amelia (Naddra) Fadil, she was the fourth of ve children with three sisters and one brother.

As a child, Adrianne was beautiful, intelligent, good-hearted and dramatic, traits that described her throughout her life. She completed her bachelor’s degree in music education and elementary education at Baldwin-Wallace College (now University) in Berea, Ohio. Upon graduating, she worked as a teacher in the greater Cleveland area, teaching music to special needs children in addition to her regular classroom duties.

Adrianne was pursuing an advanced degree in music at Western Reserve University when in the summer of 1960 she met her husband, Robert Andrews of Los Angeles, at a church convention in Houston, Texas. It was love at rst sight.

ey were engaged by November of that year and married in April of 1961, settling in Southern California. Last April, Adrianne and Robert celebrated their sixty-second wedding anniversary.

Adrianne and Robert were active leaders in their Los Angeles church community. Adrianne’s service to St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Cathedral was never-ending, including serving multiple terms on the Cathedral Council, participating in the work of the St. Nicholas Ladies and Altar societies, working on the Sweetheart Ball organizing committee, and planning many banquets and tributes at the local and national level.

At the Archdiocese level, she was a Life Member of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. She planned several Archdiocese Conventions and two Patriarchal visits, adding her graceful touch and impeccable attention to detail to these events. Robert and Adrianne worked to secure and maintain the West Coast Chancery in Hancock Park, home of their Diocesan Bishop.

Adrianne was well-known for her angelic voice. In addition to singing in and directing church choirs, she sang for the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus as a contralto soloist under the direction of Robert Shaw, the famous choral conductor. Many have had the extraordinary pleasure of hearing her sing at events across the country.

Motherhood was another one of her many gi s. She raised four children and seven grandsons who knew her as their Grandmama. She was a generous nurturer of her godchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her hospitality, wisdom, af-

fection, generosity, and storytelling were a comfort and a model for all.

Adrianne was a local leader who supported several nonpro t organizations in the Los Angeles area, including the local Parent Teacher Association, Hollygrove (a residential center for at-risk children), and Good Samaritan Hospital (now PIH). She was recognized by the Larchmont Chronicle as a Woman of Larchmont in 1997 for her community service. Her philanthropy extended beyond Los Angeles, supporting Orthodox Christian organizations in the U.S. and abroad, establishing the Bach Festival Fund at her alma mater, and supporting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

She is preceded in repose by her parents Elias and Amelia Fadil, her sister Nazha and her brother Norman. She leaves behind her devoted husband Robert, her sisters Jean and Eleanore, sons Fr. Andrew (Kh. Ruth), John and Daniel (Mary) and her daughter Christina Worrall (Jonesy), along with her seven grandsons Nicholas, Robert Jones Jr., James, Christian, Christopher, Samuel and Matthew. She also leaves behind many extended family and friends who were recipients of her unconditional love, light, and care. May she rest with the saints and may her memory be eternal.

Services were held at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral in Los Angeles on February 28. Interment will be on ursday, February 29 at noon at Forest Lawn, Glendale. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to St. Nicholas Cathedral. Adv.

MARLBOROUGH

By Avery Gough 12th Grade

March is filled with many exciting events and opportunities.

On the 5th, the Gallery Reception — Senior Thesis Exhibition will take place during lunch. Students will be given the opportunity to walk through Seaver Art Gallery and review the incredible art projects created by the talented artists at Marlborough.

The Winter Athletics Recognition Ceremony will take place on the 6th. For athletes, it is partic-

ularly gratifying to be celebrated and cheer on your teammates at the end of a season.

From the 7th through the 9th and the 14th through the 16th, the Marlborough Ensemble Theatre will put up a production of “Radium Girls.” Our sophomore, junior and senior performers will depict the true story of girls in the 1920s who were unknowingly poisoned and died from working in radium factories.

Our Improv troupe, the AHAs, will have its spring show on March 18. Audience participation at this event is always fantastic.

The last day of classes before Spring Break is on the 22nd. Some students will visit colleges during this window.

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CAMPBELL HALL

By Claire “Cal” Lesher 11th Grade

The month of March is springing ahead, and flowers are in full bloom. The smell of spring is in the air, and a break from school is around the corner!

First, the high school musi-

LARCHMONT CHARTER HG@SELMA

By Elsie Mohr 4th Grade

cal production, “The Pirates of Penzance” will have performances March 14, 15 and 16. The Campbell Hall art gallery is hosting the STEAM Exhibition 2024 with art pieces that were created in the Art of Engineering class. And, our Centering Latinx Voices and Narratives Symposium will be held at school March 9. What fun is ahead!

The Boys’ Volleyball, Golf and Track Field tryouts began, and teams will begin practices and

NEW COVENANT ACADEMY

By Sue Jung Park 11th Grade

games right away. Congrats to our Varsity Girls’ Soccer and Basketball team which is advancing to the second round of CIFSS playoffs. Congrats also, to our Boys’ Basketball team, which is headed to the quarterfinals. Go Teams!

Our Robotics season ended on a good note. The teams did well on the last competition.

I am wishing everyone a well deserved relaxing, fun spring break!

out and spend time with older classmen and their teachers. Through this camp brought everyone closer and was a memorable trip for all!

Happy Lunar New Year! We started February with a special Lunar New Year morning assembly. Students learned about Korean music and dances and even got the opportunity to watch dancers up close!

We also had a 14 Days of Kindness Challenge in February. A kindergarten class put together a goal for each day to work on kindness — like giving someone a hug and to playing with someone who is alone — all the way up to Valentine’s Day. On Feb. 14, each class set aside some time to pass out Valentines — or as we call them — Pal-entines, to classmates.

We begin March with the Larch Radness Jogathon where students run laps to raise money for our school. There are food trucks, a DJ and the whole Larchmont community is there to cheer us on. Even our mascot Timber runs a lap and does some pushups. Thank you for reading!

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, New Covenant Academy’s high school student council held its annual Valentine grams fundraiser! This fundraiser brought many smiles on Valentine’s Day when the grams were delivered! The school’s annual winter camp was from Feb. 14 through 16, and served as a great time for younger classmen to reach

One notable event that occurred was the school’s annual World Food Festival. Various groups of high school students hosted booths, representing different countries’ traditional foods and drinks. This year, the festival had various countries including China, South Korea, Greece, Japan, Argentina and many more! While the younger huskies had fun trading tickets for food and prizes, the upperclassmen enjoyed making their assigned country’s food.

TURNING POINT

By Lochlann O’Connell 8th Grade

house, often without notice, and sometimes they are not able to bring their clothes and personal items with them.

This past month Turning Point students collected new clothing to donate to Hope in a Suitcase, an organization that provides supplies for foster children. Grade 8 students participated in this drive after learning about foster care. We learned how children get moved from house to

PAGE ACADEMY

By Isabella Argiropoulos 8th Grade

Because we learned about our local, Los Angeles, foster care system, our class was motivated to have 100 percent participation in the drive. Additionally, we decorated the boxes that we sent the clothes in. This allowed us to share messages of support.

I love our annual Hope in a Suitcase drive because it makes me feel happy every time, knowing that I am helping a kid like me who is in need.

and display multiple projects for Black History Month, honoring the achievements of many Black and African Americans!

Hello my Larchmont neighbors! I hope you have all stayed safe and dry from the rain, mudslides and earthquake! We had a great turnout for the annual pancake breakfast for our families on Feb. 14. Student Council did a wonderful job with this years’ Valentine’s Grams and students showed off their red, pink and purple colors to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Students were able to present

Going into March Page students and families will be able to place orders for their Art to Remember masterpieces and work on their science fair projects.

There will be a lot of great reading for Read Across America Day (and week) as we finish our 3rd quarter. Green is the theme for the month and Student Council is planning some fun events for St Patrick’s Day and the first day of spring.

I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the warmer weather and all that spring has to offer!

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THE CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION

By Griffin Miller 5th Grade

PILGRIM

By Allison Pak 10th Grade

Pilgrim

IMMACULATE HEART

By Emmelyne Lay

12th Grade

CEE recently held its annual book fair, one of the highlights of the school year! Parent volunteers fill the Community Center with rows and rows of books separated into different categories like comics, sports, gaming and more. In addition to displaying the books for us to see, the parents also help students find books they might like, and make suggestions for some new authors and genres.

This year, a CEE parent did a great job reading their new book to the entire community to kick off this year’s book fair. One of the best things about the fair is that students get money to spend on whatever books they want to buy, which is a great way to get kids and parents of all ages excited about reading.

It’s always exciting to buy new books and see what books your friends pick. Sometimes, students like to trade books after reading them, so there are lots of conversations about books during the days leading up to the event, and for many days after. The tradition is one everybody at CEE looks forward to each year, and the best part is it puts the fun in “fundraiser!”

OAKWOOD SCHOOL

By Charlotte Zabel 11th Grade

School started the month by celebrating Black History Month. The opening celebrations consisted of an all-school gathering with soul food, double Dutch jump roping and community time.

Bestselling authors Nicola and David Yoon visited Pilgrim. Nicola Yoon is the author of “Everything, Everything,” “The Sun is Also a Star,” and “Instructions for Dancing,” all of which were #1 New York Times bestsellers. She and her husband, David Yoon, co-publish Joy Revolution, a Random House Young Adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. She is also the first black woman to hit #1 on the New York Times Young Adult Bestseller list.

There was so much love on Valentine’s Day. Our seniors are fundraising for their senior trip and sold valentine grams and all the classes celebrated together.

We also celebrated the Lunar New Year and had dancing dragons at our all-school assembly. We shared Korean and Chinese cultures and had a Lantern Celebration during the biggest holiday in many Asian countries.

CHRIST THE KING

By Zoe Griswold and Anjella Guiza 7th Grade

Oakwood students are starting up the new semester with a new mindset and a whole lot of rain! Most of us who claim to love rainy, cold weather are quickly changing our minds after the constant pouring we’ve been experiencing, especially the sports kids who have had no option but to fit all of the sports practices in the gym!

Nevertheless, both girls’ and boys’ varsity soccer and basketball teams qualified for CIF championships, with the girls so far continuing to move forward!

We had the honor of welcoming Dolores Huerta to Oakwood to speak on a panel with the director of Girls Learn International and the Feminist Majority Foundation. This is in partnership with our Pad Project Club. The club will be traveling to the UN this year on its annual visit to speak at the Convention on the Status of Women

Black History Month festivities are also in full swing. Our most recent was on black and brown makeup and shade representation in the media. We also had an African food potluck for the whole school, which was a delicious and communal opportunity to try new foods that are important to our peers.

We started the month of February with a candlelight procession and Mass to celebrate Candlemas Day.

On Feb. 3, our A and B Academic Decathlon teams competed in the Academic Quiz Bowl, which was held at Cathedral High School. Our A team tied for first place in the Super Quiz, and won second place overall! Both teams placed in individual subjects. Team members are working hard in preparation for the Academic Decathlon, which will take place on March 2.

The basketball season is in full swing and our A, B and C teams are competing in games against other schools. Our 5th grade students enjoyed their field trip to the Griffith Park Observatory where they explored the planetarium.

To celebrate Mardi Gras, students dressed in purple, green and gold attire. On Feb. 14, we had Mass for Ash Wednesday and students received blessed ash. Love was also in the air as it was St. Valentine’s Day! We will wrap up the month with a kickoff assembly for our upcoming Fun Run.

February was a packed month for the Pandas! IH sent two fencers to the Junior Olympics in North Carolina, and our Varsity Basketball team reached late elimination rounds of playoffs. This success

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE

By Penny Yoon 6th Grade

was echoed by our Speech team, with sophomores Rihanna R. and Siena W. receiving first-place awards at the UHS tournament. Our Dance team received High Gold and Overall Awards for their performances at the EnerGy competition.

The senior class went on their final IH “Kairos” retreat and enjoyed reminiscing about their last four years together. This sisterhood was also celebrated with the Junior Ring Ceremony,

going well. We were split into groups and each group came up with a business and a product to sell, so we can raise money for our school.

during which each member of the junior class received class rings, engraved with the Immaculate Heart of Mary and their initials. These rings symbolize the Pandas reaching “upperclasswomen” status.

The school also honored Black History Month with a schoolwide celebration, watching dances and enjoying foods to honor and appreciate the contributions of African Americans in the United States.

Happy Black History month. At school, we’ve been doing a lot of projects and reading a lot of articles on prominent Black figures in history — Lonnie Johnson and Edna Lewis, for example. It’s been really fun to get to learn about all of these people. Almost every month celebrates one culture or another, and we always do some sort of activity to learn more about them, which I enjoy. I’ve gotten to learn about so many different types of inspiring people recently.

Lunar New Year was just a few days ago, and it was great. My family and I went to my uncle’s house and had Mandu soup while watching the Super Bowl. Lunar New Year is really fun because I get to spend time with my family, and I get to eat really good food.

Our Shark Tank projects are

My group and I are doing art

commissions and the response has been GREAT! Since they are custom orders, we can’t make each order beforehand, so we have been very, very busy. Still, it’s been so much fun working on them.

Park(let)

(Continued from Page 1)

local residents John Kaliski, Patty Lombard, Heather Duffy Boylston and Gary Gilbert.

A concept for comment

Now, the LBA has received some concept renderings that it wants to share with neighbors, shoppers and others to learn their reactions to an idea. That idea is to permanently take one parallel parking space along the Larchmont curb, between the driveways going in and out of the city surface parking lot on the west side of the Boulevard, and to incorporate that (plus two existing angle parking spaces behind the clock and flagpole) into an attractive gathering place with seats and tables, including standup tables.

The concept drawings,

created just to stimulate discussion and feedback, also anticipate improving with seating and dining tables the two current planter beds on the north and south ends of the parking lot adjoining the sidewalk. The conceived improvements at those two locations are triangular shaped and do not require the loss of any adjacent parking spaces in the city lot.

Farmers market

A recent LBA board of directors discussion also emphasized that any possible “Larchmont Central Park (let)” must be complementary to, and not be competitive with, the Sunday and Wednesday farmers markets on the city surface parking lot. Melissa Farwell, a representative of the farmers market’s organizer, and also a member of the LBA board, said that her compa-

ny supports this parklet idea because it will be helpful to the market and its vendors. It will provide a place for market shoppers to sit and even consume market purchases. By slightly extending the line of a few vendor tents along the curb lane to the south, there will be no reduction in the number of market vendors on Sundays. “Everybody will benefit if this sort of parklet improvement can be made at the city parking lot,” concluded Farwell.

Street furniture

Romi Cortier, also an LBA board member and head of the association’s Beautification Committee, even has been contemplating doing a test case installation to get community feedback about replacing the existing, old benches on the Boulevard. Keep your eyes open, something may happen soon.

Help make ‘Prom Day’ a success

By Nona Sue Friedman

The Assistance League of Los Angeles (ALLA) is hosting its annual Prom Day on Thurs., March 14, at Emerson College, 5960 Sunset Blvd. The event is dedicated to outfitting homeless high school junior and senior girls with clothing and accessories for

Cortier also says, of the concept of having a more unified look for the street, “It may reduce the demand of businesses to put their al fresco dining spaces in our parking areas. If we create an environment where seating is plentiful, then it might also allow us to ask ‘grab and go’ businesses to surrender those parking spaces.”

Community support

Participating with the LBA in coming up with the con-

their special evening. ALLA is looking for seamstresses or tailors who can volunteer at the event to make the dresses fit just perfectly. Of course, if you would like to help with a monetary or wish list donation, please visit assistanceleaguela.org/ prom-day.

cept sketches for sharing with the community was the Windsor Square Association (WSA). The WSA underwrote the cost of producing the concept drawings. Jeffrey Smith and his team at JMS Design Associates, a landscape architecture firm active locally, came up with the drawings to stimulate public discussion of the parklet concept and preliminary landscape design approaches.

(Please turn to Page 19)

A SINGLE PARALLEL parking spot between the “in” and “out” driveways of the city surface parkg lot o l e cla e as a seat g a g area s rro g t e e st g large c s tree.

FARMERS MARKET representatives say that a proposed improvement like the Larchmont Central Park(let) would be helpful to t e arket a ts e ors. t o l ro e a lace or arket s o ers to s t a e e co s e arket rc ases.

ADDITIONAL SEATING can be added at the north and south without taking any parking spaces because of the existing angle parking. In the center, new the public pedestrian space would surround the existing fagpole and Wilshire Rotary clock. Renderings by JMS Design Associates

Park(let)

Park(let)

(Continued from Page 18)

(Continued from Page 18

One of us writers of this article (both LBA board members) saw a similar parklet improvement in Sonoma County’s town of Healdsburg last summer. Attractive spaces for sitting and dining have been created, adjacent to the curbs and sidewalks, on local streets in that town.

Just concepts!

The writer of this article (an LBA board member) saw a similar parklet improvement in Sonoma County’s town of Healdsburg last summer. Attractive spaces for sitting and dining have been created, adjacent to the curbs and sidewalks, on local streets in that town. board these were created just to stimulate discussion. “If we see wellspring ty support for exploring the LBA president John Winther, “the specific gestions (such as what vine might go on a dividing low or species tree

LBA board members emphasize that these images were created just to stimulate discussion. “If we see a wellspring of community support for exploring the matter further,” says LBA president John Winther, “the LBA will solicit specific suggestions (such as what vine might go on a dividing low slump stone wall, or what species tree might be added for additional shade, or what color should be the paint on

for additional shade, or what color should be the paint on the street furniture or whatever).” He adds that, “With community ideas in hand, the association would work with the landscape architects to come up with more refined drawings that could be priced and presented to potential city partners and private donors to see what might be done to actually install a Larchmont Central Park(let).”

the street furniture or whatever).” He adds that, “With community ideas in hand, the association would work with the landscape architects to come up with more refined drawings that could be priced and presented to potential city partners and private donors to see what might be done to actually install a Larchmont Central Park(let).”

If you readers have comments or suggestions, please email them to Romi Cortier at romicortier@yahoo.com.

If you readers have comments or suggestions, please email them to Mr. Cortier at lbaromicortier@gmail.com.

The Larchmont Chronicle and the Larchmont Buzz are both sharing this news and the concept images — hot off the drawing boards — with our readers. See: larchmontbuzz.com and larchmontchronicle.com.

The Larchmont Chronicle and the Larchmont Buzz (of which writer Patty Lombard is co-publisher and co-editor with Elizabeth Fuller) are both sharing this news and the concept images — hot off the drawing boards — with our readers. See: larchmontbuzz.com and larchmontchronicle.com.

Comedy, cocktails are at the Improv March 17

Comedy, cocktails are at the Improv March 17

“Bill

By Casey Russell

Devlin’s

By Casey Russell

“Bill

Comedy & Cocktails” is back March 17, for its 20th Anniversary St. Patrick’s Day Show. Devlin started the show as a way to honor his late father, whose favorite holiday was St. Patrick’s Day.

Devlin’s

Comedy & Cocktails” is back March 17, for its 20th Anniversary St. Patrick’s Day Show. Devlin started the show as a way to honor his late father, whose favorite holiday was St. Patrick’s Day.

appearances by surprise special guests.

The Hollywood Improv LAB, 8162 Melrose Ave., is the venue for the night’s comedy. Doors will open with live music at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit improv. com/Hollywood.

The Hollywood Improv LAB, 8162 Melrose Ave., is the venue for the night’s comedy. Doors will open with live music at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit improv. com/Hollywood.

The comedian remembers his family going allout to celebrate the holiday. They started the day with clover-shaped pancakes, beer was dyed green and the whole family — eight siblings plus parents — took part in a St. Paddy’s Day parade under a family banner.

The comedian remembers his family going all-out to celebrate the holiday. They started the day with clover-shaped pancakes, beer was dyed green and the whole family — eight siblings plus parents — took part in a St. Paddy’s Day parade under a family banner.

This year’s show will carry forward the feeling of fun Devlin remembers with a night of laughs and shenanigans, featuring Devlin’s comedy along with

This year’s show will carry forward the feeling of fun Devlin remembers with a night of laughs and shenanigans, featuring Devlin’s comedy along with appearances by surprise special guests.

BILL DEVLIN invites you to St. Patrick’s Day “Comedy and Cocktails.”

of Healdsburg in Sonoma County wine country.

REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE of reclaiming bits of the street for public seating and dining comes from the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County wine country.

Miracle Mile development has been underway for a century

By Suzan Filipek

The elegant department stores of a bygone era are no longer. Some have been replaced with state-of-the-art museums. The Petersen Automotive is one; the former gold-mosaic exterior of the May Company store — now part of the Academy Museum — is another.

Still to come are more high-rise buildings to house a growing population within walking distance of the new Metro subway stops bookending the Miracle Mile Historic District.

The road to the future is a slow one. It can take years while developers appease community and labor groups and navigate the city permit process.

“We are a patient lot,” developer and longtime owner of the Mirabel property at 5411 Wilshire Blvd., Wally Marks, noted in an email to the Chronicle

His family company, Walter N. Marks, Inc., is hoping to begin construction next year on the Mirabel, which, when it opens, will add a gleaming 42-story, mixed-use residential tower with 348 apartments and ground-floor retail.

Mirabel

“The tower is a derivative of both the past and the future,” its design firm explains on the

website keatingarchitecture. com. “The rich heritage of the city of Los Angeles in the early 20th century Art Deco period,” the later 1920s and ’30s, are prevalent in the Mirabel design, Keating continues. Its 530-foot tower features a glass exterior and has a curvilinear form, a rooftop deck and common open space above a parking podium.

The building, 477,000 square feet, includes 29 affordable residential units for very lowincome households.

A state of California density bonus program allows for more floor area than otherwise would have been allowed by local zoning.

As part of the Mirabel project, the façade of an historic 1936

Streamline Moderne Sontag Drug Store building — at the corner of Wilshire and Cloverdale Avenue — will be preserved around part of the 14,000 square feet of groundfloor retail space. The other corner of the site formerly was the home of a Staples store (now moved further west on Wilshire).

The building will have parking for a total of 478 cars in an automated, three-level, underground garage modeled after a similar one at Marks’ Helms Bakery property in Culver City.

But Marks expects many of his new tenants to walk the one block to and from the new D (formerly Purple) Line Metro station at La Brea

when the subway extension to La Cienega Boulevard opens in 2025.

Last fall, the City of Los Angeles Dept. of City Planning issued a Notice of Preparation for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and completed a public comment period.

Now City Planning officials are preparing a Sustainable Communities Draft EIR.

The project will take an estimated 36 months of construction once the EIR is reviewed and approved. Wilshire Courtyard revamp delayed

Onni Group, founded in Vancouver, Canada, and with projects across North America, had been working to seriously revamp the existing

Wilshire Courtyard office complex at 5700 and 5750 Wilshire Blvd., a property that Onni purchased in 2019.

The proposed 2.3 millionsquare-foot complex would feature two interconnected glass-clad towers standing 35and 41-stories high. The latter tower would reach 655 feet and face Masselin Avenue to the east. The shorter of the two buildings would face Curson Avenue to the west.

The towers are to stand atop a seven-story parking podium. Two floors could be turned into office space in the future should conditions warrant. Features include landscaped bridges, terraces and, at street-level, a restaurant and

(Please turn to Page 3)

MIRABEL will add a touch of elegance with 42 stories. The Art Deco landmark Dominguez-Wilshire Building is across the street.

WILSHIRE COURTYARD addition is on hold for a while.

Rendering courtesy Solomon Cordwell Buenz

Development

(Continued from Page 2)

grocery and retail tenants in a design by Chicago architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz.

The project would preserve the southern sections of the existing terraced six-story office structure, abutting the residential area of this part of the Miracle Mile, and the project also would preserve the park space on Eighth Street. A portion of the existing building’s three subterranean parking levels would be removed, while 2,901 of its parking spots would be retained, for a total of 4,650 auto stalls.

Leasing challenges in the commercial office sector have affected Onni. In 2023, the Wilshire Courtyard lost existing office tenants, and, at the end of last summer, Onni received an extension of its $348 million loan on the Wilshire Courtyard.

The loan extension is until 2025, and it now is uncertain when the high-rise expansion project may break ground. It still is pending approvals by the City of Los Angeles, including a zone change and a master conditional use permit. A draft EIR is being prepared by the City Planning Dept.

Wilshire Cloverdale

Onni Group’s other Miracle Mile project, Wilshire and

Cloverdale, at 5350-5374

Wilshire Blvd., is a proposed mixed-use apartment complex projected to reach 43 stories.

According to city records, the proposed apartment tower includes 419 housing units, 47 of which are for extremely low-income residents, above 2,700 square feet of retail space. A five-story podium at the base of the apartment tower and subterranean levels will serve 443 cars.

The developer has asked for entitlements to include Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) benefits. The project is close to the Wilshire / La Brea subway station set to open in 2025.

The developer seeks TOC density bonuses to allow for a

larger building on account of the inclusion of the affordable housing units.

The 530-foot-tall Art Decostyle glass building has been designed by Downtown-based MVE + Partners.

The plan proposes retention of the existing retail buildings fronting the south side of Wilshire in this block. Included is Historic-Cultural Monument No. 451, the façade of The Darkroom. It originally was a camera shop and is now a restaurant. It and the 42,000 square feet of existing retail space along Wilshire, including one storefront that houses a U.S. Post Office, would continue in use while the new tower is built on the existing

parking lots behind them.

An initial study for the project was prepared and published in May 2023 by the City Planning Dept., and a draft EIR is being prepared, Planning Dept. officials say.

3rd & Fairfax Construction continues at 3rd & Fairfax, a mixeduse project on the site of the former Town & Country shopping center.

The longtime shopping destination on the south side of Third Street, across from the Original Farmers Market, will include a new eightstory, mixed-use complex of 311 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments above 84,000 square feet of retail space.

The project was downsized from 331 units “as a result of working through the unit plan layouts for the building to lay out the best units possible,” George Elum, managing director for the Los Angeles Region of real estate developer Holland Partner Group, told us in an email.

He added, “A pedestrian paseo on the ground floor connects the existing western shopping center to Ogden to allow pedestrians to permeate through the building and not have to walk around the entire project. We will be commissioning a local artist to design

the pedestrian paseo aesthetic,” he added.

The project is slated to have parking for 996 vehicles in a two-level subterranean garage and a three-level podium structure.

The western part of the property, now home to a Whole Foods Market, CVS Pharmacy and Citibank, remains on the Third and Fairfax southeast corner.

“We are scheduled to deliver the project in the first half of 2026,” Elum told us.

The final design is a long way from the original proposal for a 26-story residential tower that was reduced to an eight-story building after community outcry, including from Hancock Park Elementary School, which is directly south of the project.

In 2020, the owners of the Third and Fairfax property erected a 10-foot-high masonry block wall between the school and the service areas of Whole Foods Market and CVS Pharmacy to address the school’s noise concerns.

Among the buildings demolished to make room for the new development were a Kmart and the longtime home to Andre’s Italian Restaurant. A new location for Andre’s at the historic Dominguez Building at 5400 Wilshire Blvd. is expected to open this month.

DARKROOM façade (circa 1933) is City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No. 451.

Photo from HABS

Katy Yaroslavsky speaks of her frst year in her new offce

Katy Yaroslavsky speaks of her frst year in her new ofce

By Casey Russell

By Casey Russell Katy Yaro-

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky of the vast City of Los Angeles Fifth Council District — that extends from Brentwood to Palms and all the way to Western Avenue — will soon open her new district office in the Miracle Mile. We spoke with the councilwoman about why this new office is important to her, what her first year on the City Council has been like and what her top priorities are for the years to come.

Yaroslavsky expressed excitement that her new district office will be located on the southwest corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Cochran Avenue, just a block away from the new La Brea Avenue “D” Line Metro subway station.

of vast Los Fifth Council — that extends from Brentwood to all Western Avenue — will soon district office Miracle Mile. We spoke councilwoman about why office to her, what first the City Council has been and what for the to come. expressed citement her office located on southwest Wilshire Boulevard Cochran just a block away from Brea Metro people be able office by transit told us of the new space her office host community meetings gatherings. think it’s that people their government — ularly government,”

CD5

She likes that people will be able to get to her office by way of public transit and told us that the design of the new space will allow her office to host community meetings and gatherings. “I think it’s important that people feel connected to their government — particularly local government,” said the councilwoman. CD5 represents a part of a city that’s not adjacent to where City Hall is. “In a way,” she told us, “we are now bringing City Hall to the district… It’s going to be a hub of community engagement.”

a part of not adjacent to where Hall a told us, “we bringing City district… It’s to be a hub community told us that learning curve was this year. She member being an working with working with she things are in a good.” With a full, strong

Yaroslavsky told us that the learning curve was steep this first year. She went from being a staff member (for a county supervisor) to being an elected official and from working with the county to working with the city. But she feels things are now “really humming, in a way that feels good.” With a full, strong staff, the CD5 team is working

on four main things: housing and homelessness, investing in making communities more livable, climate and sustainability and accountability and transparency at City Hall.

Housing

on four and in making communities more livable, climate and and accountability and transparency at Hall. Housing to at

double the amount of interim homeless housing in council district — going from 99 to 200 by the end with the of that again of years.

Yaroslavsky hopes to at least double the amount of interim homeless housing beds in the council district — going from 99 to 200 — by the end of 2024, with the goal of doubling that again within a couple of years.

But a focus is also being put on the side of housing. being done to ensure affordable units side the otherwise market rate projects can be accessed people coming interim housing, is also working to accelerate the construction of and middle-income This is what “the missing middle.”

But a focus is also being put on the permanent side of housing. Work is being done to ensure the affordable units inside the city’s otherwise market rate projects can be accessed for people coming out of interim housing, and the City Council is also working to accelerate the construction of affordable and middle-income housing. This is what Yaroslavsky called, “the missing middle.”

Transportation

Transportation

As a member of City Council Transportation mittee — happens to the first committee in of history — is working

As a member of the City Council Transportation Committee — which happens to be the first all-woman committee in City of Los Angeles history — Yaroslavsky is working with

children, the level of patience required to do the job of a councilperson well is a lot.

to concrete improve safety of our streets. office also Clean Team, group people who are out five a week picking up trash, clearing weeds, trimming trees and clearing storm drains. So the has repounds of trash and 600 bulky items.

her colleagues to take concrete actions to improve the safety of our streets. Her office also created the CD5 Clean Team, a group of people who are out five days a week picking up trash, clearing weeds, trimming trees and clearing storm drains. So far, the team has removed 60,000 pounds of trash and 600 bulky items.

Sustainability

Sustainability

Working Los Angeles in greener Yaroslavsky told us that a partnership the Los Angeles Deof and Power (DWP), Sanitation and the Metropolitan was “This will help meet our goal of sourcing 70 of our locally by 2035,” she told us.

Working to push Los Angeles in a greener direction, Yaroslavsky told us that a partnership between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP), LA Sanitation and the Metropolitan Water District was recently secured. “This will help meet our goal of sourcing 70 percent of our water locally by 2035,” she told us.

The councilwoman is also accelerate the phase-out oil extraction in Angeles. is “formidaindustry,” I days of oil drilling in neighborhoods have to be over and we can’t wait years.”

The councilwoman is also working to accelerate the phase-out of oil extraction in Los Angeles. Oil is a “formidable industry,” she said. “But I think the days of oil drilling in neighborhoods haveto be over — and we can’t wait 20 years.”

Accountability

Accountability

To the accountability and City Hall, a require when elected official’s spouse, or staff is a registered lobbyalso to an office would avoid potential conflicts of Miracle Mile

To improve the accountability and transparency at City Hall, Yaroslavsky brought a motion that would require disclosures when an elected official’s spouse, relative or staff member is a registered lobbyist. The councilwoman is also working to establish an office of compliance which would help councilmembers avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Miracle Mile

As to the goings-on in the Miracle Mile, Yaroslavsky thinks the fact that Metro’s new D Line (Purple Line) — which will enable people to get from Mid City to Downtown in 10 to 12 minutes — is going to change the way residents experience living in Mid City Los Angeles.

As goings-on the Miracle Mile, Yaroslavsky thinks fact that new D Line (Purple Line) — will ento from City Downtown in to 12 minis going change the living in

The cited big beyond the subway construction underway in the Miracle Mile area, as LACMA “Miracle is one of my places in there’s a history and a lot of great architecture, it’s exciting to it,” said.

The councilwoman cited other big projects beyond the subway construction underway in the Miracle Mile area, such as the LACMA expansion. “Miracle Mile is one of my favorite places in the city because there’s a lot of history and a lot of great architecture, and it’s exciting to be a part of it,” she said.

When asked what she has learned about herself in the past year, the mother of three told us that, though she learned patience from having

When asked has learned about herself the year, mother of three told us though she learned from having

“When you get screamed at during meetings for doing what you think is the right thing, it’s hard to take. But I think a lot of people’s frustration and anger comes from a sense of feeling powerless.” Yaroslavsky told us her patience muscle has become further developed, but her experiences have also reminded her of solutions. “When we empower people and treat people with respect,” she said, “it changes how people see the work that we do.”

the of required to of a well a “When you during meetings for doing what think is right it’s hard to But I think a lot of and a sense feeling powerless.” her patience has further developed, but her have reminded her of solutions. we people and treat people with respect,” said, “it changes how work that we do.”

Copper wire thefts

wire thefts few days after this Councilwoman

A few days after this interview, Councilwoman Yaroslavsky was one of 13 (of 15) members of the City Council voting in favor of proposals to address the growing crisis of thefts of copper wire from streetlights and elsewhere, as well as thefts of metal markers on gravestones and civic monuments.

15) members of the in favor of to address crisis thefts copper where, as as thefts markers on gravestones and Soto-Martinez “no”

Soto-Martinez votes “no”

By contrast, local 13th Council District Councilmember Soto-Martinez voted against the proposals,

Council District Soto-Martinez voted against the

as on Feb. 14 (tinyurl.com/k92zuv9y):

as reported on Feb. 14 in the Los Angeles Daily News (tinyurl.com/k92zuv9y):

“Soto-Martinez of the some might people are financially acts of desperaHe acknowledged copper theft range from members organized ‘I implore you that it’s probably cheaper to invest into having to of that really said.”

“Soto-Martinez spoke in defense of the criminals, saying some might be people who are financially struggling and committing acts of desperation. He also acknowledged that those committing copper theft range from struggling individuals to members of organized crime. ‘I implore you that it’s probably cheaper to invest into young people’s future than having to deal with a system of criminalization that really just gets us nowhere,’ he said.”

COUNCILMEMBER Hugo

Soto-Martinez at a Windsor Square community meeting.

KATY YAROSLAVSKY speaks at the Miracle Mile Residential Association’s annual meeting on January 27.

COUNCILMEMBER Hugo

Soto-Martinez at a Windsor Square community meeting.

KATY YAROSLAVSKY speaks at the Miracle Mile Residential Association’s annual meeting on January 27.

Metro ‘D’ Line is right on track to open locally in spring of 2025

By Casey Russell

Having successfully overcome several significant technical challenges in the construction of the D Line Extension (the subway link between Western Avenue and Westwood) — including geologic conditions near the Tar Pits — Metro has confirmed that service to the Segment One stations (at La Brea, Fairfax and La Cienega) should be underway in the spring of 2025. A rumor we have heard is that tunneling for the entire nine-mile subway extension project is now finished.

Temporary decking removal has now been completed for the segment. Major concrete pours at all stations are nearing completion, and we are told that a majority of track for the segment has also been installed. Street restorations — including replacement of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signals, final asphalt paving, signage, striping and street trees — are now concluding.

The work remaining will be interior design, electrical and mechanical, as well as the installation of train control systems in stations and tunnels.

Work to complete station plazas will be starting in April for both the Wilshire

/ La Brea and the Wilshire / Fairfax stations, Metro communications manager Dave Sotero told us. Work on the Wilshire / La Cienega plaza will start in June.

Artwork

Artists have been selected to create site-specific artwork for the D Line Extension. At the Fairfax station, artists are Ken Gonzales-Day, Karl Haendel and Susan Silton. The La Brea station artists are Mark Dean Veca, Fran Siegel and Eamon Ore-Giron. Metro will host Meet the Artist opportunities for the public this spring. Aside from the artwork, we are told all of the new stations will

look similar inside and have similar architecture for their above-ground entrances. Clean, safe?

When asked how the new line will be kept clean and safe, Sotero said, “The D Line Subway Extension project will benefit from the resources of Metro’s multi-layered public safety plan that has already proven successful in improving safety on the Metro System.” Included in this plan, implemented in July 2023, are contracted security officers, Metro Transit Security, law enforcement personnel and Metro Ambassadors. There are also homeless- and mental

health trauma-informed crisis intervention teams. Increased cleaning services are included in the plan, as well. There will

be around-the-clock cleaning of the transit stations, and facilities systems technicians also inspect overall station conditions regularly, Sotero explained.

Mobility benefits

The subway extension project is expected to have great mobility benefits for the entire Los Angeles County region. Having a reliable, high-speed connection between Downtown Los Angeles and the Westside (to reach the Veterans’ Administration) will provide an alternative for commuters stuck in rushhour delays on surface streets and freeways. It is estimated that subway users will be able to get from Downtown to Westwood in approximately 25 minutes.

CICLAVIA came to Melrose Avenue, between Vermont and Fairfax avenues, on Sun., Feb. 25. Participants here are in front of the Bronson Gate at Paramount Studios. Photo by Gary Leonard

Neighbors, councilwoman ask Hackman to reduce TVC size

By Suzan Filipek

The developer of a proposed expansion and modernization of CBS Television City, at Beverly and Fairfax, received requests last month to reduce the density and mass of the TVC 2050 project prior to public hearings which are expected to start this month.

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, CD5, asked the property owner and developer Michael Hackman and Hackman Capital Partners Television City LLC, in a Feb. 14 letter, to reduce the total maximum square footage and the height along the perimeter of the property at Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard and to provide greater setbacks and “building stepbacks” to better separate the project from neighboring properties. A transportation program to reduce single-occupant vehicles was also requested.

“It is my hope that you will incorporate these revisions to the project proposal ahead of the public hearings, which I have asked the Department of City Planning to initiate in March,” Yaroslavsky wrote.

“I remain optimistic that implementing these adjustments will enhance the project’s alignment and acceptance within the com-

munity and lead to City Council action by this summer,” she added.

Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development

Meanwhile, Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development also wrote a letter asking that the size of the project be reduced by 700,000 square feet.

“We support a modern, 21st-century studio at TVC.

Along with our neighbors, we have supported CBS Tele-

vision City for decades and we wish to continue to do so. But we do not support an office park at the site,” Neighbors co-chairs Shelley Wagers and Danielle Peters wrote in the Feb. 14 comment letter to the City Planning Dept. on the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed development.

“The Applicant has told us that the offices will be related to uses that support studios, such

as human resources and marketing offices for studios. But the evidence of current tenants at the applicant’s other studio properties says otherwise. For example, at Manhattan Studios, tenants include realtors, law firms and carpet cleaners.

“The neighborhood surrounding TVC is already highly impacted by a number of dense, urban uses. An office park component in addition to an operational

studio is just too much,” the Neighbors’ letter continues.

The developer had not responded to emails by press time but has expressed in the past that the project will bring the historic studio into the 21st century and create new jobs and infuse new energy to the area.

Frustrated with the density and height of the proposed redevelopment, and several “unproductive” meetings with the developer, the Neighbors community group asked the City Council Office and the City Planning Dept. to “refocus the project and emphasize what we think is the most important issue here — modernizing a production studio,” Neighbors co-chair Wagers told us in a phone interview last month.

The community group, comprised of neighbors and nearby businesses, wants developer Hackman Capital Partners to trim 700,000 square feet from the proposed 1.9 million-square-foot modernization plan proposed at the 24-acre site.

The disputed square footage is listed under “general office” use with no requirement that it be related to studio use, said Wagers.

(Please turn to Page 7)

PUBLIC HEARINGS may start this month on the proposed expansion of CBS TV City. Above is an aerial rendering of the conceptual site plan with a view looking northeast. In the foreground is the Original Farmers Market “North Market,” including The Container Store and other shops. Rios

Hackman’s TVC

(Continued from Page 6)

“You can achieve two goals at the same time if you require Hackman to pull that out of the project. You reduce the square footage by 700,000 square feet and what remains is what they have been focusing on for the past two years, building a studio,” she added.

Concerns about the office space, which the Neighbors say will be rented out to non-studio tenants, will bring in more “people, density and traffic.”

“It’s not the community’s burden to make sure this [development] pencils out for the developer,” said Neighbors cochair Danielle Peters.

“Our perception of the tone of the final negotiations [with the developer] was that we don’t feel our concerns were received. It was more about our inability to understand how a studio works was the posture of Hackman.

“They made the most trivial possible concession of 70,000 square feet, but that doesn’t really address the community’s concerns,” Peters added.

A.F. Gilmore echoes Neighbors for Responsible Developmment concerns

Echoing their concerns is the A.F Gilmore Company, which owns the Original Farmers Market next door to

the proposed developmment.

“We are disappointed that Television City Studios, LLC (TVC), is not considering revisiting its proposal to address the community’s legitimate concerns and criticisms, lessen project impacts and develop a studio project that would be compatible with the character of the Beverly-Fairfax community,” A.F. Gilmore Company said in a statement released Feb. 21.

“The A.F. Gilmore Company takes our role as an 140-year member of the neighborhood very seriously, and we think reasonable development of a first-class studio next door at TVC has the promise of being a great enhancement for our businesses and neighbors.

The problem is that the TVC 2050 plan is not just a studio — as proposed, it looks more like an office project with a studio component. The current TVC plan only calls for 454,000 square feet of production and sound stage space, yet a whopping 1,400,000 square feet of office space.

“It is our hope that, under the guidance of Councilmember Yaroslavsky, TVC will do the right thing, take a step back and consider a scaledback near-term project that will not overwhelm the Beverly-Fairfax community, most

importantly its residents and small businesses. If TVC is unwilling to do that, we ask that Councilmember Yaroslavsky send the TVC project back to the drawing board as she promised the public during her campaign for office.”

Another issue is the proposed height of the proposed project.

The Neighbors group asks for a maximum of 130 feet; the developer is asking for a maximum of 241 feet. In comparison, Park La Brea Towers stand at 125 feet.

CBS Television City’s historic entrance area, a city Historic Cultural Monument, will remain under the proposal.

Built in 1952 and home to

HISTORIC façade of CBS TV will remain under the developer’s proposal for the 24-acre site. Adrian S. Fine/L.A. Conservancy

“All in the Family” and “The Price is Right,” the Pereira & Luckman-designed building was one of the first and larg-

est complexes built expressly for television production and broadcasting, according to the Los Angeles Conservancy.

A ni el di erse ile of resta rants on and of Wils ire

The Miracle Mile neighborhood, stretching roughly from La Brea Avenue on the east to Fairfax Avenue on the west, Third Street on the north to San Vicente Boulveard on the south, is exceedingly diverse economically and ethnically, with a population that represents virtually every category charted by the Los Angeles census.

The business and cultural backbone of the area is indisputably Wilshire Boulevard, with high- and low-rise office and apartment buildings, parks, five museums, a sprinkling of art galleries and more than 20 restaurants representing tastes from around the globe and price points from fast food to fine dining.

Breakfast stalwarts Starbucks, Einstein Bagels and IHOP are there. Typical lunch fare such as the varied salads at Mixt, gourmet sandwiches from Potato Chips Deli and burgers from The Counter and Five Guys are also ensconced on the boulevard. Want Mexican food? There’s Chipotle and El Cartel Mexican Diner India’s Tandoori offers samosas, kababs and, of course, tandoori. For Italian red sauce dishes, try the recently transplanted Andre’s Italian Restaurant (expected to open this month). There are several Japanese options, including sushi at Roll Call, ramen at La Brea Ramen & Sushi and hot dishes at Yuko’s Kitchen. Try jerk macaroni at Panamanian restaurant Caribbean Soul Kitchen or, as the Ono Hwaiian BBQ website suggests, spread the aloha by sampling their crispy shrimp. So, essentially, one can traverse the one-mile stretch of Wilshire

that comprises the Miracle Mile and eat one’s way through the culinary breadth of the population of Los Angeles.

Clustered around the Fairfax end of the Miracle Mile are the fancier restaurants found in museums, from a chef-driven, wine-braised short rib dinner at Fanny’s in the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to steak frites or truffle pizza at Ray’s & Stark Bar at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Meyers Manx Cafe

The newest addition to museum-based victuals is Meyers Manx Cafe in the Petersen Automotive Museum. When the Chronicle first reported on the café in March 2023, it had recently opened with breakfast and lunch offerings only.

When I first started taking my children to the Petersen, the restaurant was a small version of the ’50s-style burger and soda shop, Johnny Rockets. Then it became a disappointing purveyor of

On the Menu by

Helene Seifer

vending machine items. Later, the Drago Brothers helmed a fine dining Italian restaurant. I loved it, but it was definitely geared more to grown-up car lovers and less to the youngsters who often came with them. This time, the museum got it right with offerings that work for the whole family.

The café is bright enough for children without crossing over into fast food ambiance territory, and it is attractive enough for adults to enjoy after spending hours gaping at the gorgeous cars in the Petersen’s collection. The adult part of the vibe is helped by the fact that there’s a full bar, and, when we were there at 3 p.m., several people were chatting in

the bar area, sipping cocktails. We sat in a comfortable booth and nursed espresso martinis while we perused the menu. Walls are lined with wonderful vintage photographs that pay tribute to California’s surfing culture and the heyday of the dune buggy. In fact, the restaurant is named for the first dune buggy, the Meyers Manx, designed by Bruce F. Meyers.

A well-priced kids’ menu features the greatest hits of standard children’s fare, including $10 grilled cheese and chicken nuggets, both with fries. Breakfast offerings include an $18.50 breakfast burrito with eggs, tater tots, cheddar cheese, bacon and avocado, which I’ve heard is terrific, but my husband and I selected from the lunch offerings, starting with a very good $22.50 cheeseburger made from ground brisket, short rib and chuck blend with cheddar cheese and all the toppings on a brioche bun, served with fries. The beef blend was quite

good. The flavor and texture were terrific. I just wish that for the price, it was a thicker patty. We considered the crispy chicken sandwich for $22.50 with gochujang slaw (mixed with a Korean red chili paste), but instead ordered Margherita pizza, $18.50, which needed a hearty sprinkle of crushed red pepper to wake it up. I wish I had ordered a glass of margarita instead of the martini to complement the trio of carne asada tacos, served with guacamole, salsa verde and cotija cheese for $18.50. The beef was earthy and satisfying, and the salsa verde’s spiciness was welcome, but I missed not having a bowl of fresh tomato and onion salsa to spoon on top.

Meyers Manx Cafe, 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (in the Petersen Automotive Museum), 323-930-2277. Note that the full menu is only served until 4 p.m.; happy hour with limited snacks is 4 to 6 p.m. Dinner hours are expected to be added at a future date.

Bagpiper, green beer add to St. Paddy’s Day spirit

By Casey Russell

St. Patrick’s Day began in Ireland as a holy day filled with solemnity. But over time, it has evolved. Here in the U.S., in Ireland and elsewhere, March 17 is now a day of celebration with special foods, Irish music, dancing, drinking and green, green, green.

In and around the Miracle Mile, there is a plethora of places people can get into the St. Paddy’s Day spirit.

At the Original Farmers Market, a bagpiper will be strolling the market from

12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and visitors can, as usual, enjoy green beer in honor of St. Patrick’s Day from Bar 326 and E.B.’s Beer & Wine.

Every year Magee’s Kitchen in the Market does a St. Paddy’s Day special with corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. But, as manager Dwayne Call, great-grandnephew of the Blanche Magee, founder of Magee’s, told us, “Here at Magee’s, every day is St. Paddy’s Day. We do it all year ‘round!”

The Original Farmers Market is at 6333 W. 3rd St.,

323-933-9211.

The Cat & Fiddle is another place to find corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day — even though it’s nominally a British pub! The restaurant will also have discounts on Irish beers. We are told there may be special entertainment that day as well.

Cat & Fiddle is at 742 N. Highland Ave., 323-468-3800. Damian Hamlon, the proprietor of Molly Malone’s, told us patrons will most likely see some Irish dancers around 11 a.m. or noon on St. Patrick’s Day and that bagpipers will play in the afternoon. “Around 3:30 or 4 p.m., we’ll have traditional Irish bands for two hours, and then we will merge into some upbeat Celtic rock,” said Hamlon.

The 57-year-strong establishment will do away with its normal menu on St. Patrick’s Day and will be serving corned beef and cabbage plates, corned beef sandwiches and Irish stew. No reservations will be accepted on St. Patrick’s Day and there will be a small cover charge.

Molly Malone’s is at 575 S. Fairfax Ave., 323-935-1577.

Tom Bergin’s will continue its yearly tradition of throwing a big St. Patrick’s Day party. Pub proprietors David and Francis Castagnetti expect 10,000 to 12,000 people to come throughout the day. On March 17, the pub will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

An Irish breakfast will be served between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Several Los Angeles-based DJs will be providing music, and a bagpiper will arrive midday.

Tom Bergin’s regular menu will be put on hold so that five or six items, including corned beef and cabbage, can be the focus to accommodate the numerous guests.

The pub is partnering with Lost Irish Whiskey, which will be poured in cocktail and coffee specials. Of course, drinks of many kinds will flow.

We are told the event will be family-friendly until about 4 p.m. After that, the vibe will change to a 21+ feel.

Tom Bergin’s is at 840 S. Fairfax Ave., 323-936-7151.

TROOP 625 MEMBERS from St. James’ School and other Girl Scouts are selling cookies through March 10.

Two high-octane plays are comedies? Twain still scrutinized

Nothing in my study of Aristotle, the French Neo-Classicists or even Bertolt Brecht quite prepared me for not one, but two, plays featuring actors playing lactating women using breast pumps on stage! Nor for those plays opening with, in one case, a four-letter word, unprintable in a family paper, for the female organ; or, in the other, an abortion in a bathroom without walls, supported by friends.

And these are comedies!

Selina Fillinger’s POTUS, which was at the Geffen (through Feb. 25), and Catya McMullen’s Arrowhead, at the Atwater Village Theatre through March 4 (iamatheatre.com), have enough in common to warrant a bit of comparative reviewing.

Both plays are by young

Theater Review

by Louis Fantasia

female playwrights who have earned national cachet for their high-octane writing. Both plays are directed by women (Jennifer Chambers on POTUS; Jenna Worsham for Arrowhead) who have, again, a high-octane, take-no-prisoners approach to their respective farces, as characters stumble onto scenes they shouldn’t see and confessions they shouldn’t hear.

Both plays feature female ensembles (all women in POTUS, nearly so in Arrowhead),

in which the women, in the former, rescue an unseen president (a combination of Clinton, Bush 2 and a certain reality TV star) from his own ineptitude before nearly killing him by accident; and, in the latter, where the women navigate the consequences of a committed lesbian getting pregnant by her hunky workmate, who happens to be the brother of one of her best friends.

As I said, these are comedies!

Both sets are excellent: POTUS’s White House shifts walls like an origami gone mad; Arrowhead features a tasteful (save the wall-less toilet), upscale rental by the lake with seemingly endless bedrooms. Both casts are first-rate, not only keeping both shows throttling forward

What to watch for

The Fountain Theatre presents the world premiere of “Fatherland,” the true story of a son testifying against his father’s involvement on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol; through March 30; 323-663-1525; FountainTheatre.com.

A Noise Within runs August Wilson’s “King Hedley II,” showing the tragic realities experienced by Black men on account of Reagan Administration economics in the 1980s; March 31 through April 28; 626-356-3100; anoisewithin.org.

"Into the Breeches!" a comedy about women producing Shakespeare’s “Henry” plays while their husbands are fighting in WWII, plays at Theatre 40, directed by the Chronicle’s Louis Fantasia; in repertory with the world premiere of “Power and Light,” about the rivalry between Tesla and Edison; March 21 through April 28; 310-3640535; Theatre40.org

as farce requires, but also managing to find enough moments of real humanity and intimacy to keep their characters, political and sexual, from sliding completely into clichés. Both plays are very funny (even if POTUS does wear a bit thin in the second act, and Arrowhead slips into melodrama by the end).

While both plays are well worth seeing, both left me troubled. Each play assumes an audience that agrees with the politics of its author. Would it hurt to have had a character — gay or straight — who thought abortion wrong? Would the feminist West Wing romp have been as funny if the women were based on Kari Lake or Marjorie Taylor Green?

My point is that if we want our politicians to cross the aisle, we had better start doing so in the theater. Otherwise, they will never learn.

Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” stands as the antithesis to the two plays above. Written by an old, white male about a young, white male, the book problematically uses the N-word 219 times. It has been under scrutiny since it was published in 1884 and continues to be challenged, contested and even banned. Once a staple of school curricula, it is taught with “trigger warnings” in edited texts, if taught at all.

ludus.com/index.php).

Mr. Beuth, bald, portly and engaging, plays Huck, Twain and all the other characters in the novel, using a collection of brilliantly executed masks and puppets, against an olio backdrop of life along the Mississippi. The satire is gentle, genial and all encompassing, as Twain intended. No one escapes the author’s quill, tempered by the actor’s warmth. The N-word is never spoken, replaced by “slave,” as in most modern editions.

Given the language the women use in the first two plays, it would be a shame if the history of that one word kept audiences and readers from Twain’s — and Beuth’s — humanity.

Which makes Robert Alan Beuth’s one-man staging of the novel, directed by Peter Van Norden, all the more remarkable (Moving Arts Theater in Atwater Village through March 3; huckfinn.

Exiled to America, Exiled in America: an excerpted essay

By James Conlon

“I dream a world where man / No other man will scorn, / Where love will bless the earth / And peace its paths adorn.” — Langston Hughes.

“He who stands most remote from his age mirrors it best.” — Oscar Wilde.

Alexander Zemlinsky fled the Nazi regime, first from Berlin to Vienna, and then from Vienna to New York. His music had been banned, and there was no longer any possibility of continuing his public life as composer and conductor.

William Grant Still, born in Mississippi, was educated and lived his entire life in the U.S., the last 30 years in Los Angeles. Although his survival may never have been seriously in danger as an artist, he was consistently hampered and blocked by racial prejudice. Despite his prodigiously disciplined and inspired productivity, his merits as a composer have been undervalued.

These men, as far as there is any record, probably had no contact with each other, and may never have heard each other’s music or even known each other’s name. They were born only two decades apart, Zemlinsky in 1871 and Still in 1895.

Despite their relatively contemporaneous lives, their

music has almost nothing in common and would probably (at least on Zemlinsky’s part) not have appealed to one another.

But Still and Zemlinsky are linked in other arcane and synchronistic ways, as are their operas “Highway 1, USA” and “The Dwarf.”

Langston Hughes (19011967), a leading figure and writer of the Harlem Renaissance, collaborated with Still on the libretto for the opera “Troubled Island.” Written in 1939 but not performed until 1949, “Troubled Island” was a public success at the New York City Opera, but it was dismissed and blocked by the New York press.

Zemlinsky also set the words of Langston Hughes. Zemlinsky wrote a song cycle in 1929 (dedicated to his recently

deceased wife) for baritone and orchestra called “Symphonische Gesänge” [Symphonic Songs], which included four songs based on a German translation of poems by Hughes.

In 1930, Still met Verna Arvey, a distinguished concert pianist and journalist. The daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, born in Los Angeles and educated in Los Angeles public schools, Arvey became his principal librettist and literary partner. They eventually married and remained together until the end of Still’s life. She was, and her daughter Judith Anne

remains, the greatest advocate of the composer’s legacy.

In 1939, Arvey performed one of Still’s solo works for piano and orchestra with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of conductor Otto Klemperer, a titanic force in classical music both before and after fleeing the Nazi regime in 1933. Klemperer had conducted the premiere of Zemlinsky’s “The Dwarf” at the Cologne Opera in 1922.

In addition to their prodigious composing careers, both Zemlinsky (in Europe) and Still (in the United States) were significant conductors in their different worlds. Still was the first Black American conductor to appear before a major American orchestra, conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a concert of his own works at the

Hollywood Bowl in 1936.

United by prejudice

Quite aside from these coincidental links, the two composers’ deepest indirect bond lies in the fact that their lives were negatively impacted, and the ultimate dissemination of their music blocked to varying degrees, by racial prejudice. In Zemlinsky’s case, it was literally with genocidal intent, and in Still’s case, metaphorically so.

For an unacceptably long period, classical music lovers have been unjustly deprived of the pleasure and inspiration of hearing their music regularly.

The time to rectify past wrongs is always now. Both composers, and so many of their compatriots, deserve to be heard. We, the public and musicians, are fortunate to be able to enjoy their very different musical voices.

• • •

The full essay continues on the LA Opera website at tinyurl.com/4kku5yu5, with a link at the end of that Part One (William Grant Still) connecting to Part Two (Zemlinsky) to complete the essay.

James Conlon is the Richard Seaver Music Director of LA Opera. This essay is partially revised and revisited from 2008. © 2024 James Conlon.

ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY photo courtesy of LA Opera

JAMES CONLON spoke about Zemlinsky and Still on Feb. 12 at Holocaust Museum at Pa Pac c Park.

WILLIAM GRANT STILL photo courtesy of LA Opera

ledgling actor mig t get is big break on a e as oil eld

Accidental Texan (8/10): 104 minutes. PG-13. Erwin (Rudy Pankow) is a fledgling actor who blows his first big part in Texas. Starting back home to Los Angeles, his car breaks down, and he gets some help from Merle (Thomas Haden Church), a third-generation oil driller about to go bankrupt and who is in competition for leases with some rich bad guys. Merle sees Erwin’s acting ability as something that could help him. From there, they team up in an old-fashioned Hollywood movie with terrific acting (I have never seen Church when he did not stand out) helped along by a good script (Julie B. Denny and Cole Thompson) and good direction (Mark Lambert Bristol) that never lags.

The Taste of Things (5/10): 145 minutes. NR. Some have compared this with “My Dinner with Andre,” Louis Malle’s brilliant 1981 film consisting entirely of a dinner conversation between André Gregory and Wally Shawn at the Café des Artistes in Manhattan. But there is no comparison. Malle’s film contained captivating conversation between the two that keeps the audience enthralled for just under two hours.

But this film, a prequel to the book by Marcel Rouff, is

directed by Trân Anh Hùng. Even so, the main person behind the film is gastronomic director Pierre Gagnaire, because the guts of the film consists of the kitchen preparation of succulent feasts. That’s really it, although the relationship between Eugenie (Juliette Binoche), an esteemed cook, and Dodin (Benoit Maginel), the fine gourmet with whom she has been working for the last 20 years, seems to be the raison d’étre for the film. Alas, neither is enough to justify a film of this length, unless you are a gourmet cook.

Binoche disclosed that the fact that she and Maginel had a prior relationship that produced a child made it easy to create the unusual relationship between the two characters they play in the film. In French.

Griselda (5/10): Six-episode miniseries. TV-MA. Netflix. This is a shockingly sympathetic telling of the story of Griselda Blanco (Sofia Vergara), a brutal sociopathic drug dealer who was allegedly involved in 200 murders while racking up a net worth of more than $500 million. She frightened even the most brutal of the drug dealers from Latin America in Florida. But this soft-soaps this despicable thug, seemingly

At the Movies with Tony Medley

rationalizing most of her actions and showing her as a loving mother who was just trying to make some money while fighting other vicious drug lords. Blanco was unambiguously unattractive, but this miniseries casts a gorgeous, sexy movie star to play her. Her killer henchman and third husband, Dario (Alberto Guerro), is also shown with compassion as a guy who just dispassionately and reluctantly (yeah, sure) followed orders in his killings, including a 2-year-old child in cold blood. While this is entertaining (made by the same people responsible for the excellent “Narcos” series), I can’t recommend something that takes a soft look at such despicable monsters. It’s akin to treating Ted Bundy with empathetic understanding. Shame on them.

Murder is Easy (5/10): 120 minutes. Two-episode miniseries. Britbox. To say this is “based on” a classic Agatha Christie mystery must be a

stretch because the script is so flimsy with gaping plotholes that Christie must have done a better job. The unique thing it has going for itself is one that Christie never would have anticipated. Directed by Meenu Gaur and set in the 1950s, screenwriter Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, a Black woman, took it upon herself to make the protagonist, Luke Fitzwilliam (David Jonsson), a Black Nigerian who comes unknown to a small British hamlet and sets out to solve who is the serial murderer menacing the populace. Christie had Fitzwilliam as a white policeman. For some extraordinarily perverse reason, Ejiwunmi-Le Berre makes him just an ordinary citizen, which makes all his sleuthing (and the casual villagers’ acceptance of this stranger acting like an investigator in their midst) inexplicable.

The solution is one nobody could have determined, which obviates the fun of trying to figure it out. The best things about this are the outstanding production values and beautiful color photography (David Mackie), including a wonderful vintage MG, which almost make watching worthwhile.

Jonsson gives a fine performance, as do the others in the cast. Otherwise, the thin plot is more annoying than entertaining.

Argylle (4/10): 139 minutes. PG-13. In 2006, Will Ferrell gave a bravura performance (his best) in “Stranger than Fiction” playing an unwitting, unwilling character in a novel being written by another person. Here, director Matthew Vaughn takes a then unpublished manuscript by Elly Conway, apparently changes it substantially, turning it into a vague comedic imitation of Ferrell’s movie. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Conway, a publicity-shy author of a series of successful espionage books who suddenly becomes involved in real-life events mirroring her novels.

Howard is woefully miscast as a martial arts heroine as her zaftig physique (5’7”, 139 lbs) make her fighting scenes unintentionally laughable. The supporting cast is impressive for such a disappointing movie, including Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena and the always entertaining Samuel L. Jackson in a cameo.

Ramadan: a month of fasting, prayer, charity and community

By Helene Seifer Ramadan Mubarak! Happy Ramadan!

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins this year at sundown on March 10 and ends at sundown on April 9. There are over two billion Muslims worldwide, making Islam the second largest religion, just behind Christianity’s nearly 2.4 billion adherents. Of the 3 million to 4 million Muslims estimated to live in the U.S., 200,000 to 250,000 live in Southern California. They comprise about 2 percent of the total population of Greater Los Angeles.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic lunar calendar and commemorates the month during which the archangel Gabriel first began verbally conveying the Quran to the prophet Mohammed. It is said that it took approximately 23 years to complete the transfer. The holiday is widely known as a month of fasting because adults are directed not to eat or drink during daylight hours for the entire month, as commanded by one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The pillars stipulate:

1) There is one God,

2) Pray five times a day,

3) Fast for Ramadan,

4) Give to charity, and

5) Make hajj [a pilgrimage] to Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once in one’s lifetime.

Besides fasting, Muslims are proscribed from engaging in acts of intimacy during the day, as well as refraining from gossip, slander or anything else considered unholy.

Children, the elderly and the infirm should not fast. Healthy adults not only fast, but continue their daily lives. Those who work continue to work. Those in school still attend classes. Athletes compete. Musicians play in-

struments. Housework and cooking proceeds as usual. Hunger pangs and thirst are part of the process of becoming a better person, as is praying to foster a deeper connection to Allah, or God.

“It’s a month of spiritual renewal and discipline,” explains Marya Ayloush. The Hancock Park married mother of two children, Ameen and Amelie, continues, “We appreciate all our blessings and get to sympathize and empathize with those less fortunate, with what it’s like to be hungry. What it’s like to control our private desires. It changes us.”

Omar Ricci, spokesperson for the Islamic Center of Southern California on Vermont Avenue adds, “The real spirit of the month is to use it as a period to evolve your soul. Being more disciplined in your behavior. Being more patient. Increasing charity. There can be a financial component, but it can be a service or cooking. Even a smile toward another person is a charity.”

The day usually begins before daylight with a light breakfast and ends at sundown with Iftar, the nightly breaking of the fast. Snacks, often figs, other fruit and water or juices, are generally served first, followed by

prayers. Then a full meal is served, usually in community, either with family, friends or at a mosque. On weekends, the Islamic Center of Southern California hosts Iftar in their mosque, which is open to all visitors, as is true of other mosques.

After fasting all day, it’s no surprise that food for breaking the fast is an important part of observing the holiday. Aside from the traditional figs and water, anyone can serve whatever they want to break the fast. Ayloush’s cooking is inspired by her family’s mixed heritage. Her mother is Mexican, her father is Lebanese and Syrian and her husband is Algerian and Syrian, so she might cook Mexican beef tamales, Algerian bourak (fried potato-stuffed egg rolls) or Lebanese eggplant. They may get take out from Sumac Mediterranean Cuisine, a family-owned Lebanese restaurant on Highland Avenue.

Although children don’t fast, they can participate in Ramadan. Ricci recommends using an incremental approach. They can “hold off on having a glass of water for an hour. Have them give more charity in some fashion. Maybe help out mom a little more. Kids bring their piggy banks

to the mosque to donate to charity,” sayd Ricci. Ayloush makes Ramadan-themed crafts with her children. Craft kits are available from Target. com and Amazon.com.

Chevalier’s storytime

This year Ayloush is also looking forward to going to a Ramadan story time at Chevalier’s Books Sat., March 16, from noon to 1 p.m., “It’s Ramadan, Curious George,” by Hena Khan, will be read.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are considered especially blessed. One of the odd-numbered nights during that period is the Night of Power. A good deed performed then is considered as momentous as 83 years worth of good deeds. However, the specific date is not known, so it is critical to engage in charitable and good works on all 10 days.

After the month of prayer, spiritual renewal, the commitment to charity, the hardship of fasting and the joy of community meals to break each day’s fast, Ramadan is followed by a three-day family-oriented festival. Eid-al-Fitr, the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast,” is marked by presents for children, feasts and family activities. Families may have

picnics, go to Disneyland or celebrate with their mosque. Marya Ayloush says, “It’s not required, but one can start [Eid-al-Fitr] with prayer at a mosque. Pray with thousands of Muslims, shoulder to shoulder. It’s really beautiful. Then we’ll go to Six Flags!”

Even though the culminating event for Ramadan is geared toward fun, it’s the desire to become a better, more spiritual person that resonates long after the month is over. “I pray for peace in the world,” says Ayloush.

“I pray for my children to have moral character.”

MARYA AYLOUSH with her son, Ameen, and fruit for Iftar snack.

EGGPLANT drizzled with sour cream and pomegranate seeds.

POLICE BEAT

On Larchmont: BB gun shooting, sexual assault in a home

W L H N AGGRAVATED ASSAULT:

A woman and her friend were walking southbound on the 100 block of North Larchmont Boulevard when the victim felt painful impacts on her back that she believes were plastic BBs. This incident occurred on Feb. 10 at 9 p.m.

RAPE: A white female in her 20s rendezvoused with a male suspect that she met on the internet. They went to a home on the 600 block of North Larchmont Boulevard. While the victim was sleeping, the suspect sexually assaulted her without her consent on Feb. 10 between 5 p.m. and midnight.

BURGLARIES: An unknown suspect smashed the rear door of a home, vandalized the alarm panel and exited through the front door on the 100 block of North Arden Boulevard, Feb. 6

WILSHIRE DIVISION

Furnished by Acting Senior Lead Officer

Joshua Parker

213-453-6836

38959@lapd.online

Twitter: @lapdwilshire

between 8:45 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A residence was forcibly entered and food was taken on Feb. 8 at 3:30 p.m. on the 5200 block of Wilshire Boulevard.

GRAND THEFT AUTO: A 2015 white Hyundai Sonata was stolen from the 5300 block of West Fourth Street between Feb. 9 at 8 a.m. and Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.

L P C N

BURGLARY THEFTS

FROM VEHICLE: A license plate was stolen on Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. on the 5000 block of

OLYMPIC DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Joseph Pelayo

213-793-0709

31762@lapd.online

Twitter: @lapdolympic

Clinton Avenue.

Another license plate was stolen from a vehicle near the intersection of Wilton Place and Oakwood Avenue on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

BURGLARIES: A suspect used a tool to enter an apartment through its sliding door, took property and fled on Feb. 9 at 10:30 a.m.

On the same day, at noon, suspects entered a single-family residence through the rear door and ransacked the home on the 300 block of North Gower

Street. Burglars took the victim’s property.

A suspect entered an apartment through an unlocked sliding glass door and removed property from the residence on the 100 block of South St. Andrews Place on Feb. 17, at 2 p.m.

GRAND THEFTS AUTO: A black Kia Soul was taken on Feb. 10 at 11 p.m. from the 300 block of North Norton Avenue.

A 2013 black Hyundai was stolen from the street on the 5000 block of Clinton Avenue on Feb. 19 at 10 p.m.

Ne senior lead o cer for area

By Nona Sue Friedman

Senior Lead Officer Joshua Parker is on loan to Wilshire Community Police Station to replace retired SLO Dave Cordova who retired Jan. 31. Parker is the contact for residents who live in the Wilshire Division.

SLOs are officers within the

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) that are liaisons for specific parts of the city. They are a component of LAPD’s community-based policing and have full-time field duties, essentially a residents’ link to LAPD.

SLO Parker can be reached at 213-453-6836 and 38959@ lapd.online.

o ne captains ead Wils ire i ision LAP

By Nona Sue Friedman

Wilshire Community Police Station has two new captains heading up the division. They are Capt. Cliff Humphris and Capt. Julie Rodriguez. The two are reunited after working together 20 years ago at Hollywood Community Police Station.

Capt. Cliff Humphris

Capt. Humphris is a 30- year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He has worked at numerous stations and has held various positions including patrol officer, watch commander, gang investigator, K-9 unit supervisor and detective. He passed his captain’s test in 2022 and was transferred to Wilshire with one day’s notice Jan. 31.

Humphris says, “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a breath of fresh air to have such strong community support. Coming to an area where they like the police.” He looks forward to building trust and relations within the department and the area.

Capt. Sonia Monico, who was Humphris’ predecessor at Wilshire, retired from LAPD Feb. 29 after being with the force for 31 years and at Wilshire for two and a half years.

Capt. Julie Rodriguez

“It’s fantastic!” is the first thing Capt. Rodriguez says about her recent move to Wilshire Division. She is thrilled that Chief Michel Moore assigned her here, especially since he once worked at this station and knew she would be a good fit.

She continues with her enthusiasm by saying “morale is good [among employees], and the community is welcoming and feels valued, supported and heard. That’s

exactly what we want.” She looks forward to working collaboratively in the area.

Rodriguez has been a part of LAPD for 27 years and participated in the elite Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in Quantico, Virginia. She spent 10 weeks there, starting in Oct. 2021, in a program that includes intense physical training in conjunction with learning law enforcement’s best practices. She is a strong advocate for women in policing both here and nationally. She is vice president of the Los Angeles Women Police Officers as well as vice president of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives.

Capt. Julie Rodriguez

Capt. Cliff Humphris

The names of currency: how money talks around the world

On Nov. 29, 1806, the British vessel Port au Prince anchored on the island of Lifuka in Tonga in the southern Pacific Ocean. A group of Tongans led by chief Finau ‘Ulukalala attacked the ship, killing most of the crew but sparing the lives of 26 men, including a young cabin boy conveniently named William Mariner.

In a later account, Mariner described an exchange with Finau after he and his men looted the contents of the Port au Prince. Tonga at the time was a nonmonetary society, and the chief was unfamiliar with the concept of money.

When he found 12,000 coins, he dismissed them as pa’anga, the Tongan name for a specific type of bean that was strung together as garlands for dance costumes and used as playing pieces in a Tongan game. Mariner explained that the money now forever lost to fire was something of value, to which Finau replied:

“If it were made of iron, and could be converted into knives, axes and chisels, there would be some sense in placing a value on it; but as it is, I see none. If a man has more yams than he wants, let him exchange some of them away for pork. Certainly money is much handier, and more convenient, but then, as it will not spoil by being kept, people will store it up, instead of sharing it out, as a chief ought to do, and thus become selfish.”

The construct of currency

Like laws or political borders, currency is the creation of the community that uses it. Through collective agreement, we’ve shaped a world where the big silver-clad coins pay for parking, and the bill with a “10” on it will cover a latte plus tip.

One of the earliest conventions for designating currency was an association with weights of gold or silver — think pounds, pesos (Spanish for “weight”) and lira, the latter being the former currency of Italy and present monetary unit of Turkey. The lira traces its origins to the Latin word “libra,” which translates to both a unit of weight and the scale that would be used to measure it. (Those familiar with the zodiac will note the connection between the name and its “balanced” astrological symbolism.) The influence of the word “libra” lives on today in the abbreviation for the unit of mass dubbed the pound — “lb” — and the symbol for the British pound, £, stylized from the uppercase letter “L.”

The Danish and Norwegian krone, the Swedish and Icelandic krona and the Czech koruna all materialize from

the Latin “corona” or “crown.” In Iran, Oman and Yemen, it’s the rial that you’d pony up when making a purchase, while Qataris and Saudi Arabians use the homophonic riyal as their currency. The name might also sound familiar in Cambodia, where goods and services are paid for with riel, or several thousands of miles westward in Brazil, where the real reigns supreme. These currencies — all from current or former monarchies — derive from the Spanish and Portuguese “real,” meaning “royal.”

Further manifesting the authority of the almighty dollar are the Bulgarian lev and the Romanian and Moldovan leu, all emerging from translations of “lion.” Peru’s currency, the sol, evokes power and fortitude through a dual meaning — originating from the Latin “solidus,” meaning “solid,” it also translates to “sun” in Spanish. The monetary unit was adopted in 1991, replacing the inti, which honored the Incan sun god of the same name.

Just as the sun — and the coins of the Peruvian sol — are round, so too was the Chinese yuan when a currency bearing that name was first introduced in the 19th century. The yuan, which since 1948 has been the basic unit of the renminbi, receives its name from the Chinese symbol , meaning “round.” The Japanese yen and Korean won are cognates of the Chinese currency.

Some contemporary cur-

Cofee it a Cop at Target, March 5

Wilshire Community Police Station is hosting Coffee with a Cop on Tues., March 5 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Target, 415 S. La Brea Ave. New SLO Joshua Parker invites residents to meet him along with other Wilshire officers and detectives.

Word Café

by Mara Fisher

rency names are handed down from earlier eras, when precious non-metal materials were exchanged for goods and services. In Ghana, the current medium of exchange is the cedi, deriving from the Akan word for cowrie shell. The shells, native to the Indian Ocean, were first brought to West Africa in the 14th century through trade with Arab merchants and were used as currency alongside coins and gold until 1901. Use of cowries as currency has been identified from archaeological evidence in Egypt, Germany, Russia, India and Greece, with the earliest recorded use dating back to China during the Shang Dynasty, more than 3000 years ago. The Classical Chinese character for money ( ) orig-

inated as a stylized depiction of the Maldivian cowrie shell.

Before the country adopted the euro in 2023, a trip to Croatia would mean exchanging your dollars for kune The currency (singular form kuna) was designated for the Croatian word for the marten, a weasel-like mammal whose pelts were used as a form of payment during the Middle Ages. One hundredth of a kuna is a lipa, Croatian for “linden tree,” so bestowed for the tree’s sacred status in ancient Slavic folklore.

The quetzal, the currency of Guatemala, is named for the sacred bird of the ancient Mayas and Aztecs. The Central American species, the resplendent quetzal, is known for its iridescent blue-green plumage and distinctive long tail feather, earning it divine status and association with Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered serpent god. Though the killing of quetzals was forbidden under Maya and Aztec criminal law, the birds would be temporarily captured, their long tail feathers

plucked and used as a form of currency. To this day, the Guatemalan quetzal coin depicts the species — also the country’s national bird — perched upon a coat of arms.

In a more abstract musing on notions of value, the Botswana dollar is called the pula, the Setswana word for “rain,” so chosen for the scarcity of rainfall in the southern African country where most of the land area is occupied by the Kalahari Desert.

Tonga today

On April 3, 1967, 161 years after chief Finau ‘Ulukalala’s first encounter with William Mariner, Tonga introduced a new unit of currency. Having circulated sterling and banknotes in the early 20th century, the move made the island the second smallest country in the world by population to have its own currency and monetary policy. For Tongans, cash is now called pa’anga, named for the inconsequential bean that chief Finau likened to the spoils of the Port Au Prince so many years ago.

MIRACLE MILE 2024

LACMA Geffen Galleries construction on schedule

By Suzan Filipek

The money has been raised — the $750 million goal, plus more — and construction is moving along at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Building LACMA, as the ambitious building project is called, will culminate by the end of the year with completion of the expansive reinforced concrete David Geffen Galleries building designed by Pritzker prize-winning Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. The building is named for its principal donor, the record executive, entrepreneur and DreamWorks co-founder.

The two-level building (plus basement), will house the museum’s permanent collection. It reaches across Wilshire Boulevard in a bold statement for art and culture in a city known for innovation. The plaza level will feature a restaurant, cafés, educational facilities, a museum store and a theater. The upper level is a collection of interior gallery rooms surrounded by a meandering set of sunlit galleries and passageways with views of the surrounding park and city.

LACMA had humble beginnings, as almost an afterthought in the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science and

Art in 1913. In 1965, the County Art Museum moved to its own, dedicated space at its present site in the county’s Hancock Park between Wilshire Boulevard and Sixth Street, just east of Fairfax Avenue. LACMA has continued to grow and change ever since. The Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) and the Resnick Exhibition Pavilion (opening in 2008 and 2010, respectively) were designed for the LACMA campus by Pritzker Prize winner Renzo Piano and his Renzo Piano Building Workshop. This latest, 347,500-square-foot project by

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Photo by Gary Leonard

Miracle Mile is a place to live, work, and play

By John Welborne

For more than 100 years, the Miracle Mile and surrounding areas have been in the heart of Los Angeles. Primarily residential neighborhoods, the Mile vicinity includes several Historic Preservation Overlay Zones plus the largest mul-

tifamily residential complex west of the Mississippi (Park La Brea).

The spine of the community, Wilshire Boulevard, has evolved from just being a shopping destination to being one of the most important commercial/office

Living in the Mile, resident enjoys roller skating, jazz and dog walks

By Nona Sue Friedman

Miracle

Mile resident Thao

Tran bought a home in the area in 2014, drawn by the museums along Wilshire Boulevard. She loves being so close to such an impressive concentration of cultural institutions.

Tran relates that, as a kid in school in Torrance, if you received good grades, you were invited to go on a field trip to these same museums. She came on the trip multiple times. As she says, “Living here now has a romantic feeling. I’ve reached my aspirational neighborhood.”

She’s often exploring her neighborhood. “It’s an incredible area to walk in. The homes are historic, and the landscaping is beautiful,” recounts Tran.

She adopted a dog during COVID-19, which has connected her with locals. Apparently, there’s an enormous number of dog owners in the area. So much so that they have a dedicated chat named Paw Patrol. This group creates camaraderie, plans meet-ups and promotes public safety while walking their pooches.

The dog owners congregate

at either Wilshire Green Park, also known as Turtle Park, on Eighth Street at Sierra Bonita Avenue, or at Hancock Park around the Tar Pits. “It’s a great opportunity to engage with the community,” she says.

When she moved into her new home, Tran roller-skated at World on Wheels roller rink. After it closed, she decided to challenge herself by taking to the streets and sidewalks on her skates. She now says, “It’s a valid form of transportation in addition to its recreational aspects.” She

MIRACLE MILE 2024

Published by the Larchmont Chronicle 323-462-2241

larchmontchronicle.com

This annual special section is delivered to residents, businesses and employees in the greater Miracle Mile area. It also is delivered to residents in Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Fremont Place, Park La Brea and Larchmont Village, bringing the total readership to 100,000.

districts in Los Angeles. Businesses vary, from banks to the headquarters of SAG-AFTRA (in the building originally constructed as the western headquarters of Prudential Life Insurance Company).

And, with the soon-to-open Metro D Line subway stations

does errands on her skates and has learned how hostile our city streets are.

After engaging in her community for years, Tran became the field deputy for the Miracle Mile area of Council District 5 in 2023. She says of the city’s 15 council districts, “I have one of the best areas.”

When asked what are some of her favorite evening out-

at La Brea Avenue and at Fairfax Avenue, the high-rise office buildings will be joined by new high-rise residential buildings.

But the Miracle Mile is not just a place to live and work, it is a place to play as well. There are museums to visit,

ings, she’s overwhelmed. “There are just so many.” With her office being close to Tom Bergin’s restaurant and pub on Fairfax Avenue, that’s a common hang on Fridays with co-workers. Or if the season is right, it’s listening to jazz at LACMA. The restaurants at Eighth Street and La Brea Avenue are another common spot to enjoy the Miracle Mile.

restaurants to enjoy and places, old and new, to shop. In this, the 37th edition of our special Miracle Mile section of the Larchmont Chronicle, we offer some up-to-date observations about how some people live, work and play in and around the Miracle Mile.

re ing cofee meeting people while at work in Mile

By Nona Sue Friedman

Working in the Miracle Mile, Chris Chicas, manager of Starbucks at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Detroit Street, says of his Miracle Mile workplace, “It feels like home.”

(Please turn to Page 4)

WALKING DOGS in the Miracle Mile is resident Thao Tran with her dog, Kobe, right, and dog friend, Alfred.

Front page photo by Gary Leonard

Live, work, play

(Continued from Page 3)

After working at the Starbucks on Larchmont Boulevard for five years, then moving to the Miracle Mile location two years ago, Chicas says the relocation has been a good experience. It also gave him the opportunity to become a manager.

This Starbucks has a lot of regulars who walk over, according to Chicas. He has amassed a consistent staff that customers know. Some even connect with each other on social media. It all adds to the homey feel at this Miracle Mile coffee outpost.

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Recently one of the regulars had a birthday. The Starbucks crew celebrated the day by lighting a candle and singing “Happy Birthday” to her. Chicas said it was very sweet.

With construction of the subway station just a block away, Chicas’ team got to know many of the construction workers on a first-name basis. The Starbucks workers

even get to hear some of the inside scoop about the work being done. “I think after the subway opens and construction is finished, this store will get even busier,” says Chicas. Currently his store has the highest number of online orders in the district, which consists of 11 stores from the USC area to the Miracle Mile.

Not long ago, says Chicas, he had a hankering for a sandwich from Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese. While on the Boulevard, he ran into former customers from the Larchmont store. The reverse happens too, where someone from his Larchmont days strolls into his current Starbucks. It’s always a pleasant surprise, concludes Chicas.

Playing in the Mile; enjoying music, museums, eateries and more

By Casey Russell

There are certain people who just seem to know how to play — how to experience all the recreation and education available in a neighborhood. Francelle Jones is one of them. She and her husband, Zacerous LaRue Jones, have lived within walking distance of area museums for a little more than six years, and she told us she loves the Miracle Mile because there’s so much to offer.

“We love to go to LACMA,” said Jones. In the fall and winter months, the couple has early date nights at the museum. On weekdays, it’s free for Los Angeles County residents after 3 p.m. Before heading into the museum, Francelle and Zacerous enjoy grabbing a quick drink or a coffee at Ray’s and Stark Bar, just north of artist Chris Burden’s “Urban Light,” the 202 restored antique street lamps. In the summer, the two savor Friday night jazz on the plaza.

Also in the summer, the couple enjoys LACMA’s live Latin Sounds concerts on Saturdays. “People bring food and drinks, and they dance. It’s great fun,” she said.

Jones told us that when the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures first opened, she and her hubby went quite a bit. The two would take advantage of the exhibits or see a movie, or they’d go to “the impressive dome area” (the Dolby Terrace atop the museum). “[Once} we went up there and it was just the two of us,” she said. “I sang ‘Fly Me to the Moon.’ The acoustics are great!”

Jones told us she’s been to

the Petersen Automotive Museum and enjoys the car exhibits. She walks the grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits and especially loves to climb the outer museum stairs to look out at the park’s trees and lawn. “I’ve made that my spot to recuperate and meditate.”

The rich history of the Miracle Mile area is not lost on Jones. When she looks out at the area sometimes, she told us, she thinks to herself, “This used to be just a stretch of dirt road. And before that, there were sloths! We’re walking on earth that has been here so long. You have to respect that.”

Clearly, this local, who is

an office clerk at Larchmont Charter Hollygrove @ Selma, knows how to play in the Miracle Mile — truly taking advantage of the myriad opportunities the area provides.

People

"doing good and having fun" serving our community since 1932

Jonathan

Jason

DDS

AT LACMA, Francelle Jones with her husband Zacerous LaRue Jones (at left).

STARBUCKS store manager Chris Chicas prepares a custo er’s r k.

FIREHOUSE LAUNDRY ROOM at Station 61 was the scene to cele rate e as ers a ryers sec re t e or ale t e’s ay y rst re o at o ro o ors Park a rea a t e co a y . ro le t to r g t re g ter a y Car o a Ca t. a ge o re g ter aco P ell lsa a er str ct sales a ager ry o e P Pro erty aage e t Park a rea re tat o arat s O erator C r sto er o a e y ac e Co e Pres e t rst re o at o a re tat o g eer c ael Correy.

Passions and pastimes bind us to each other in Miracle Mile

The Larchmont Chronicle asked local resident Greg Goldin if we could publish his introductory remarks given at the recent Miracle Mile Residential Association annual meeting. He graciously agreed. The following is modified slightly for space.

By Greg Goldin

I could carry on [about modern Miracle Mile challenges like high-rise construction, traffic, crime and the desperate states of street dwellers].

Instead, I want to tell you a story that I think is an allegory for the true state of our neighborhood.

Back in 1983, our former neighbor Lyn MacEwen Cohen, who was then living on Masselin Avenue, became concerned about a proposed development spanning from Wilshire to Eighth Street, Mas-

selin to Curson. In those days, Sierra Bonita ran through to Wilshire. Those blocks that had largely been cleared and graded were once lined with duplexes and multi-family residences, much like the other blocks below Wilshire. The

east side of Curson still had those rentals.

Cohen started going house to house, gathering the names of her fellow residents to build block clubs dedicated to addressing the largest proposed development in the

I’m proud to represent our communities in the State Assembly. Together, we’re tackling our homelessness crisis, taking bold action to combat climate change, fighting against hate and antisemitism, protecting civil rights, creating safer communities, and investing in good jobs.

citizens should: Making our voices and concerns known, literally knocking on doors, canvassing, to work together to build the kind of place we want our neighborhood to be.

And, I know this very much firsthand, since like so many others, that little park was the place my wife and I took our infant daughter to get some fresh air, where she played with other kids from the surrounding streets, where she banged her chin on one of the concrete walls and had to be rushed to now shuttered Midway Hospital for her first stitches!

Miracle Mile up to that time. We, of course, know it today as the red-granite Wilshire Courtyard. One million square feet of office space — more than one third the floor space of the Empire State Building.

Those block clubs, which originally consisted of nothing more than long lists of names and addresses — no emails back then! — accomplished something remarkable:

They got the developer to agree to push his buildings to the east, west, and north boundaries of his land, to cap the height at six stories, to close Sierra Bonita, which allowed the neighbors’ biggest ask, which they won: Our linear pocket park which spreads across two blocks has a children’s playground, a gazebo, a pond, lush landscaping and meandering paths, and is a true buffer between a huge office complex and the homes just to the south.

So began the Miracle Mile Residential Association.

I say this is an allegory because I believe that, from its very inception, the MMRA’s raison d’être was public spiritedness, a continuous story of the citizens of the Miracle Mile coming together and acting as

And this is only one aspect of the Miracle Mile that gives our neighborhood meaning — and is the kind of thing we try, at the MMRA, to preserve and promote.

Most of the time we don’t think about how much these blocks are our home, in the deepest sense, reflecting our interests, our memories, our hopes. We take it for granted that we can go for an evening stroll, chat with neighbors, have block parties or nap on our front porches.

For each of us, the Miracle Mile is something a bit different. Some of us like to just park ourselves on a bench —when the weather is dry and warm — to enjoy what the Italians call the dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing, sunbathing alongside the turtles in our park!

For others, the neighborhood is about the architecture, from the diminutive but near-perfect eight-story Art Deco Desmond’s building to Rudolph Schindler’s Buck House, from the Norman-style chateau on Burnside between Wilshire and Eighth to the rows of our nearly 100-year-old Spanish Colonial Revival homes.

MIRACLE MILE RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, author and historian Greg Goldin spoke at the neighborhood group’s annual meeting.

‘Oscar Night;’ exhibits on Museum Row; Free-For-All March 23

By Suzan Filipek

See art from around the world, crafts made by local artists, Ice Age animals come to life and Oscar-winning movies — all at the world-class museums on the Miracle Mile

Here is a sampling of what’s being offered:

What better way to celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night (Sun., March 10) than at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which will hold its third annual “Oscar Night” in sync with the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre? Formal attire is suggested for your entrance on the red carpet at the Walt Disney Company Piazza followed by an Oscar-worthy viewing party.

Watch screenings of some of the award-winning films March 14-17 in the grand David Geffen Theater.

Upcoming, trace the history of the global epicenter of cinema in the exhibit “Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital,” opening Sun., May 19. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., academymuseum.org.

Fabrics recycled from landfills are remade into works of art in the exhibit “Power in Every Thread: Maria A. Guzmán Capron and Minga

Opazo,” at the Craft Contemporary. The exhibit’s curator explores historic and contemporary associations to textiles in a walk-through on Sun., March 17, at 11:30 a.m.

“Art Iran: Falling into Language” features nine artists’ expressions of the Persian alphabet. Exhibit co-curators will guide a walk-through of the group exhibition on Sun., April 21 at 11:30 a.m.

Both exhibits are on view through May 5.

Craft Contemporary, 5814 Wilshire Blvd. craftcontemporary.org

“To Paint is To Live: Art & Resistance in Theresienstadt” at the Holocaust Museum LA

features the work of four Jewish artists who captured life in a Nazi-run faux “settlement” or “spa town,” through Nov. 30.

Survivor talks are held regularly at the museum. This month, Joe Alexander tells of surviving Auschwitz-Birkenau on Sun., March 10, from 3 to 4 p.m.

Journalist Patt Morrison joins scholar and author Steve Ross to discuss the “History of Antisemitism in Los Angeles” on Wed., March 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Holocaust Museum LA, 100 The Grove Drive, holocaustmuseumla.org.

Ice Age Encounters returns to the La Brea Tar Pits &

Museum with its 15-minute show featuring a life-size saber-toothed cat puppet, a live performance and film projections that bring the Ice Age to life. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

See millions of fossils of

mammoths, dire wolves and other animals found at the tar pits inside the museum while, outside, excavation continues of the fossils of animals that were trapped in the sticky tar here eons ago.

La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, 5801 Wilshire Blvd., tarpits.org.

Free drop-in workshops are offered at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Boone Children’s Gallery. Visitors of all ages can explore brush painting on Sat., March 9, at 11 a.m.

Also free is Andell Family Sundays “Fancy Feast” on March 3, 10 and 24, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. This dropin workshop draws inspiration from the LACMA exhibit “Dining with the Sultan.”

(Please turn to Page 16)

OSCAR NIGHT is all aglow again this year on Museum Row at the Academy Museum.

©Academy Museum Foundation, Photo by Betsy Youree

RE-WOVEN, 2023, Minga Opazo. Recycled clothing, Oyster mushroom, mycelium. Collection of the artist

ARTIST r c c t la eskly’s e ct o o a at t e Theresienstadt Ghetto is at the Holocaust Museum LA.

Mirabel

hello@5411wilshire.com

www.5411wilshire.com

‘What are you doing on the LACMA Plaza today?’

That is the question inquiring photographer Casey Russell asked people in the Miracle Mile.

“I’m taking a walk during my lunch break. I love it over here. I go into the galleries sometimes. I love to look at Emil Nolde’s painting “Cows in the Pasture.” One of the things I love over here is the tiny little garden. When the sun hits it just right, there’s a beautiful scent that emanates from one of the plants.”

Cynthia McLean

Santa Monica

“We are just out for a walk letting Kenji scoot around the neighborhood. We do this every week. Sometimes we go see the miniature cars on the track in the museum [Chris Burden’s ‘Metropolis II’]. He loves that.”

Maily and Kenji Birnbaum

Miracle Mile

“Today I’m just passing through. I like to bike in the area. But sometimes I take pictures by the lampposts, and I’m interested in going to the Petersen Automotive Museum.”

Remahn Patterson

Mid-City

“It’s my first day of work as one of the security personnel for the inside of the museum. I knew about the area before, but I had only come to the lamppost area. Now, I’ve taken the tour and know there’s so much beautiful artwork that I’m excited to see.”

Maude Dunn

East Los Angeles

WILSHIRE BOULEVARD

OPERATION SPARKLE. Members of the Miracle Mile Residential Association and Mid-City West Neighborhood Council pose in ro t o t e l ey eatre a ter s e g t e ay s g ls re o le ar ro a r a e e to a rea e e. s oto was taken in June 2023 at the second annual Operation Sparkle. The third Operation Sparkle is slated for Sat., April 13, 9 a.m., at Wilshire Green park. Visit miraclemilela.com for more information.

Museums are expanding and changing with the modern times

By Suzan Filipek

La Brea Tar Pits & Museum officials are working to bring an ambitious new vision to the Ice Age fossil site to include the entire 13 areas of the museum and surrounding park including its Lake Pit, home to its iconic mammoth sculptures, at 5801 Wilshire Blvd.

It’s among three ambitious projects underway on Miracle Mile — at the Tar Pits, Holocaust Museum LA and at LACMA (see opposite page).

When the reimagined La Brea Tar Pits opens, visitors will be able to step back in time — way back — to learn about the last major episode of global climate change and to consider possible solutions for our own time, museum officials say. The Final Environmental Impact Report for the remodel is expected to be released this spring or summer.

New York-based architecture and design firm Weiss / Manfredi’s Reimagine La Brea Tar Pits master plan calls for a dramatic expansion of the museum, built in 1977 as the George C. Page Museum. The plan nearly doubles the research and collection space.

A one-kilometer pedestrian walkway, the La Brea Loops, (aka “The Miracle Kilometer in Miracle Mile”) will connect the main areas of the museum on a journey from prehistoric times to today.

The project would renovate an existing 63,200-square-foot building and construct a new, two-story, 40,000-square-foot building northwest of the Page building to include two theaters.

Other key elements of the plan include a new pedestrian bridge to take visitors across the existing Lake Pit along Wilshire Blvd. and 7.3 acres of renovated park space that will feature picnic and play areas and a possible small dog park.

The popular sloped lawn down which children have been rolling for decades will remain.

Inside, visitors will be able to peek into a glass-enclosed Fossil Lab to see ongoing discoveries and the extensive collections. On the new building’s windows, animal images will be projected at night.

Fossil remains of saber-toothed cats, giant sloths, dire wolves and other Ice Age animals who walked

the grounds here 10,000 to 50,000 years ago — before being pulled into the sticky tar below — will be featured in the new exhibition building.

Holocaust Museum LA began as an idea of a group of survivors in an English as a second language class at Hollywood High School in the 1960s.

Since that humble beginning, the museum opened a new home in Pan Pacific Park, and it is on the brink of its Building Truth expansion campaign, which has raised more than $44 million of its $50 million goal.

The money will pay to build the new Jona Goldrich Campus — designed by architect Hagy Belzberg, who designed the current museum — and almost double the existing facility from 28,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet.

While much of the existing museum building, which opened in 2010, is partially underground with a sloping roof to blend into the park, the new adjacent site will be 100 percent aboveground with high ceilings and natural light.

An authentic railroad boxcar that had transported Jews, and others, to death camps in World War II will be parked on the site.

The expansion will allow

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the museum to increase annual visitor capacity to 500,000 by 2030, including 150,000 students.

The additional space also allows for more cutting-edge technology to preserve Holocaust survivor testimonies, a major endeavor at the museum, especially as we enter a “post-survivor world,” when most of those who lived through the Holocaust will be gone, museum officials said.

The new pavilion’s theater, dedicated to serve the USC Shoah Foundation’s “Dimensions in Testimony” exhibit, will allow visitors to have a virtual conversation with a Holocaust survivor using

a holographic capture and voice recognition software.

Outdoor spaces, for reflection and contemplation and designed by Studio-MLA, will be enclosed with transparent fences to give views of the park.

The new campus will also have a 2,500-square-foot gallery and a 200-seat theater for survivor talks, film screenings, concerts, conferences and public programs.

The museum broke ground on the “Building Truth” expansion project in Nov. 2023 and is expected to be open by the end of 2025.

For more information, visit hmla.org.

This position requires good people skills, excellent verbal skills, and an enthusiasm for our newspaper – published monthly in the Mid-Wilshire area since 1963.

The ideal candidate is well-acquainted with the residential areas and businesses surrounding Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Fremont Place and the other eleven neighborhoods of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, plus Miracle Mile and Park La Brea.

LA BREA TAR PITS rejuvenation and expansion of the Page Museum will feature exhibition spaces that bring Pleistocene era artifacts into focus. Image courtesy Weiss / Manfredi

VISITORS can see fossil remains of saber-tooth cats, giant sloths and other Ice Age animals that succumbed to the sticky tar at the tar pits.

Photo courtesy of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County

LACMA

(Continued from Page 1)

Zumthor, with Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) as executive architects, commenced excavation in 2020. The new structure slowly is emerging as its scaffolding and falsework are gradually being removed,

moving from west to east. Museum officials promise the finished museum will bring a fresh take on a big art museum that will exude openness, accessibility and equity for all.

By sometime next year, after installation of LACMA’s art collection, Angelenos and

visitors will be able to see and decide for themselves.

The two county facilities, the Museum of Art and the Tar Pits of the Natural History Museum, take up a substantial portion of the park. However, with the new Geffen Galleries building, there will a greater “park-like” feel and sense of ground-level openness. With

the exhibition level high above ground, the plaza-level spaces between the giant pedestals holding up the building (all atop giant earthquake-addressing base isolators), there will be clear views to the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, to the verdant bowers under the mature

Art

by Bruce Goff and opened in 1988. Former Larchmont Chronicle columnist Paula Panich wrote about that pavilion (“‘Art is the Client:’ LACMA, the wrecking ball, and surviving jewel box”) in the April 2020 issue.

trees of Hancock Park and to the Pavilion for Japanese

designed

Following is a list of elected officials who serve the Miracle Mile and surrounding areas.

Councilmember

Katy Yaroslavsky

5th District

6380 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 800

Los Angeles, 90048

323-866-1828

councildistrict5.lacity.gov

Mayor Karen Bass

200 N. Spring St., 13th Flr

Los Angeles, 90012

213-978-0600

mayor.lacity.gov

County Supervisor

Holly J. Mitchell

2nd District

500 W. Temple St., Ste. 866 Los Angeles, 90012 213-974-2222

mitchell.lacounty.gov

County Supervisor

Lindsey Horvath

Miracle Mile Elected Ofcials

3rd District

500 W. Temple St., Ste. 821 Los Angeles, 90012 213-974-3333 lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov

Assemblymember

Rick Chavez Zbur 51st District

1445 N. Stanley Ave., 3rd Flr Los Angeles, 90046 a51.asmdc.org

Assemblymember

Miguel Santiago 54th District

320 W. Fourth St., Rm 1050 Los Angeles, 90013 a54.asmdc.org

Assemblymember

Isaac Bryan 55th District 5601 W. Slauson Ave. Ste 200, Culver City, 90230 310-641-5410 a55.asmdc.org

State Sen. Ben Allen 24th District

111 Penn St., Ste. 101 El Segundo, 90245 310-414-8190

sd24.senate.ca.gov

State Sen. María Elena Durazo

26th District

1808 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, 90026 213-483-9300

sd26.senate.ca.gov

State Sen.

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas 28th District

3870 Crenshaw Blvd., Ste. 229-230

Los Angeles, 90008 323-291-0311

sd28.senate.ca.gov

Gov. Gavin Newsom

1021 O St. Sacramento, 95814 916-445-2841

A+D Museum moves to La Brea Avenue

By John Welborne

The Miracle Mile and surrounding communities have yet another new asset. In January, the A+D (architecture and design) Museum set up shop in a storefront space at 170 South La Brea Avenue. An opening reception for the inaugural exhibit, “We Are Here: Imagining Space in the 21st Century,” was on Jan. 19. The exhibit continues to April 7.

A+D was founded in 2001 and first was resident at the historic Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles. Subsequent homes have included the Arts District from

2015 until the museum began a more virtual existence in reaction to the pandemic. In its new location on La Brea, A+D

will continue to “embrace the themes of technology, art, scale and urbanism.” Learn more at aplusd.org.

gov.ca.gov

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff

30th District

245 E. Olive Ave., Ste. 200 Burbank, 91502 323-315-5555 818-450-2900 schiff.house.gov

Rep. Jimmy Gomez

34th District

350 S. Bixel St., Ste. 120 Los Angeles, 90017 213-481-1425 gomez.house.gov

Rep. Ted Lieu

36th District

1645 Corinth Ave., Ste. 101

Los Angeles, 90025

323-651-1040

lieu.house.gov

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove

37th District

4929 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 650 Los Angeles, 90010

323-965-1422

kamlager-dove.house.gov

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla

255 E. Temple St., Ste. 1860

Los Angeles, 90012

310-231-4494

padilla.senate.gov

Art Deco fashion, style on runway at Bullocks Wilshire

By Suzan Filipek

Step back to the Golden Age of Hollywood with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles at a benefit on Sat., March 9, at the historic Bullocks Wilshire building of Southwestern Law School, 3050 Wilshire Blvd.

Taking place the weekend of the Oscars, the live fashion event, “Hollywood Deco: Art Deco Costumes From Film and Stage” includes a tribute to costume designer Erté.

Artist Erté’s final costume designs for the 1922 stage production of “Stardust” will be modeled, along with other costumes created during the Art Deco period and the Jazz Age.

Costumes worn by Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth, Jeanette McDonald, Julie Andrews and others from the personal collection of Greg Schreiner, a curator at Hollywood Museum, will be featured.

Live music and narration about the designers, movies and stars will fill the Louis XVI Room at Bullocks Wilshire. Attendees are encouraged to dress in vintage or vintage-inspired attire.

Tours of the building and a rare opportunity to shop at a vintage marketplace will be available at the event. The venue once was a leading luxury department store where celebrities and high society shopped, and the latest fashions were seen on live models.

The March 9 show includes costumes by Irene, who had a salon at the store, as well as Erté, whose work defined Art Deco style in fashion.

Proceeds from the Art Deco Society event will benefit the Friends of Bullocks Wilshire capital campaign to restore the building’s façade.

For tickets and more information, visit artdecola.org.

A+D MUSEUM opening reception visitors explore new forms of visual expression at new La Brea Avenue home.

The following is a list of apartment buildings in the Miracle Mile neighborhood. All of the zip codes are 90036 unless otherwise noted. If there are any changes, additions or corrections to the list, please contact circulation@larchmontchronicle.com.

Avalon Wilshire 5115 Wilshire Blvd. 323-894-9430

avaloncommunities.com

Babylon Apartments

360 S. Detroit St. 323-930-2213

hpgmanagement.com

Belcrest Apartments

637 S. Hauser Blvd. 323-525-1953

belcrestapartments.com

Boulevard on Wilshire 5353 Wilshire Blvd. 833-268-5984

liveboulevard.com

Brighton Villas 318 S. Detroit St. 323-930-2213

hpgmanagement.com

Broadcast Center Apartments 7660 Beverly Blvd. 424-353-2739

broadcastcenterapts.com

Burnside Apartments 616 S. Burnside Ave. 323-937-4359

hpgmanagement.com

Burnside Villas 649 S. Burnside Ave.

323-940-5213

Miracle Mile Apartments

liveatburnsidelofts.com

Carthay Circle Apartments 6209-6226 Olympic Blvd., 90048

323-936-3793 carthaycircleapartments.com

Cloverdale Apartments 600 S. Cloverdale Ave. 323-965-1565

Cloverdale Properties, LLC 660 S. Cloverdale Ave. 323-658-7990 livesdproperties.com

Cloverdale Towers 340 S. Cloverdale Ave. 323-936-0322 cloverdaletowers.bhprop.com

Cochran Apartments 442 S. Cochran Ave. 323-642-6556 cochranavenue.com

Cochran Island Apartments 342 S. Cochran Ave. 323-932-0450

Cochran House 740 S. Cochran Ave. 310-826-2466 fredleedsproperties.com

Curson Apartments 315-323 N. Curson Ave. 323-289-2374

cursonapts.com

Derek Cusack Rentals 456 S. Cochran Ave. 603 S. Cochran Ave. 657–665 S. Cochran Ave. 607 S. Dunsmuir Ave.

618 S. Dunsmuir Ave. 310-710-9361 derekcusack.com

The Desmond 5520 Wilshire Blvd. 310-683-0677 livedesmond.com

Essex at Miracle Mile

400 S. Detroit St. 323-736-5004 essexapartmenthomes.com

The Fairfax 105 S. Fairfax Ave. 424-317-6749 thefairfaxla.com

Hauser Apartments

625 Hauser Blvd. 323-937-0930 hpgmanagement.com

The Mansfield at Miracle Mile

5100 Wilshire Blvd. 323-634-0290 themansfieldapartments.com

Masselin Park West 5700 6th St. 323-617-4856 masselinparkwestapts.com

mResidences Miracle Mile

5659 W. 8th St. 888-979-7561 mresidencesmm.com

Museum Terrace 600 S. Curson Ave. 323-745-1251 museumterraceapts.com

One Museum Square 640 S. Curson Ave.

833-772-5220 omsapts.com

Palazzo East 348 S. Hauser Blvd. 424-532-8801 palazzo-east.com

Palazzo West 6220 W. 3rd St. 424-532-9123 palazzo-west.com

Palm Court Apartments 740 S. Burnside Ave. 323-930-2564 harrison-properties.net

Park La Brea 6200 W. 3rd St. 323-927-7505 parklabrea.com

The Preston Miracle Mile 630 Masselin Ave. 844-817-3199 theprestonapts.com

Redwood Urban 345 Cloverdale Ave. 435 S. Detroit St. 630 Hauser Blvd. 323-938-5653 redwoodurban.com

Tiffany Court 616 Masselin Ave. 323-498-1224 essexapartmenthomes.com

Villas at Park La Brea 5555 W. 6th St. 424-532-8948 thevillasapts.com

Vinz on Fairfax 950 S. Fairfax Ave. 323-673-2216

vinzonfairfax.com

Vision on Wilshire 6245 Wilshire Blvd., 90048 323-684-3112 udr.com

Wilshire La Brea 5200 Wilshire Blvd. 323-736-2691

essexapartmenthomes.com

162/164 N. Detroit St. rent@detroitla.com detroitla.com

313 N. Genesee Ave. 424-333-1336 optimuspropertiesllc.com

328 S. Cloverdale Ave. 323-936-5071

rentcwp.com

618 S. Detroit St. 323-642-6087

618detroit.com

LA Collection 738 S. Ogden Dr. 323-425-6886

lafusionapts.com

5550 Wilshire at Miracle Mile 5550 Wilshire Blvd. 323-905-7195

5550wilshire.com

5600 Wilshire Apartments 5600 Wilshire Blvd. 323-467-1266

essexapartmenthomes.com

© Ed Ruscha, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Museums

(Continued from Page 8)

The “Ed Ruscha / Now Then” exhibit opens at BCAM at LACMA on Sun., April 7, and continues through Oct.

6. The artist drew inspiration from the city of Los Angeles’ landscape, its parking lots, streets and buildings.

LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., lacma.org

Junior Concours premieres this month at the Petersen Automotive Museum with a design challenge for innovators under 18 who are passionate about cars. Submit entries in the following categories — Dream Machines; The Future, Today;

and Off-Roading Off-Planet — by March 23.

Exhibits, preschool activities and events for all ages are also offered.

Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Petersen.org.

SoCal Free-For-All

SoCal Museums’ Free-forAll Day annual celebration where dozens of museums will offer free admission is on Sat., March 23. Local particpating museums are: the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Craft Contemporary, Holocaust Museum LA, La Brea Tar Pits & Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Visit socalmuseums.org.

STANDARD STATION, 1966, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum Acquisition Fund.

Miracle Mile School Directory

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Cathedral Chapel School

755 S. Cochran Ave.

Ph: 323-938-9976

Principal: Donielle Mitchell

Grades: K to 8 cathedralchapelschool.org

Hancock Park Elementary 408 S. Fairfax Ave.

Ph: 323-935-5272

Principal:

Robin Wynne-Davis

Grades: TK to 5 hancockparkes-lausd-ca. schoolloop.com

Third St. Elementary 201 S. June St.

Ph: 323-939-8337

Principal: Hae Lee

Grades: TK to 5 thirdstreetschool.com

Wilshire Crest Elementary 5241 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 323-938-5291

Principal: Gayle Robinson Grades: UTK to 5 wce-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Yavneh Hebrew Academy 5353 W. Third St.

Ph: 323-931-5808

Principal: Pavel Lieb Grades: K to 8 yha.org

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Fusion Miracle Mile

5757 Wilshire Blvd.

Promenade One

Ph: 323-692-0603

Principal: Jason Lions

Grades: 6 to 12

fusionacademy.com

John Burroughs

600 S. McCadden Pl.

Ph: 323-549-5000

Principal: Steve Martinez

Grades: 6 to 8 burroughsms.org

New Los Angeles Charter 1919 S. Burnside Ave.

Ph: 323-939-6400

Principal: Gabrielle Brayton

Grades: 6 to 8

newlamiddle.org

HIGH SCHOOLS

Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) 1067 West Blvd.

Ph: 323-900-4532

Principal: Elizabeth Hicks

Grades: 6 to 12 galacademy.org

Fairfax High School

7850 Melrose Ave.

Ph: 323-370-1200

Principal: Leonard Choi

Grades: 9 to 12 fairfaxhs.org

Los Angeles High School

4650 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 323-900-2700

Principal: Marguerette Gladden

Grades: 9 to 12 lahigh.org

Machon Los Angeles

5870 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 424-274-0955

Principal: Shifra Revah

Grades: 9 to 12 machonla.org

Shalhevet School

910 S. Fairfax Ave.

Ph: 323-930-9333

Principal: Rabbi David Block

Grades: 9 to 12 shalhevet.org

Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles/Michael Diller

High School

5444 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 323-938-2071

Principal:

Rabbi Shmuel Baruch Manne

Grades: 9 to 12 ygla.org

Greg Goldin

(Continued from Page 6)

Some of us will argue for the burritos at Sonoratown, others for El Cartel. Maybe it’s a garlic salmon rice bowl at Yuko Kitchen that hits the spot, a cheeseburger at Irv’s, or a mezcal cocktail at All Season Brewery in the beautifully restored Steamline Moderne Firestore Tire Store at La Brea and Eighth — yes, yes, I know, technically, a few of these are just outside our association’s Miracle Mile boundaries.

Or maybe, like me — I’m a woodworker — you are constantly looking up into the canopy of our street trees, from peppermint to iron bark eucalyptus to holly oak to London plane to aromatic camphors to the burnt umber of our knurled and knobby carobs. Maybe you love the sheltering majesty of the oaks forming that arbor on Hauser between Eighth and Ninth.

I’ve probably already gilded the lily enough here — yet I haven’t even mentioned the great window displays (and gallery installations) at the Craft Contemporary, the Green Hornet-like 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I at the Petersen, the slow motion unveiling of LACMA’s new museum, or the disaster film series [that recently concluded] at the

Academy Museum — sorry if you missed “Volcano,” and the lava flowing out of the Tar Pits!

All of these interests, likes, passions, pastimes and histories bind us to each other and give our neighborhood an identity. We share it, we live it together, we build it together — whether we are in the nonagenarian club on Dunsmuir, some of whose members have lived there for more than 60 years, or a newborn baby whose family just moved into an apartment last month.

This, in a nutshell, is why the MMRA is here. To practice sustainability in its truest form: To keep our neighborhood vibrant, thriving with new energy and old, to hold onto traditions while breaking new ground, to tend to each other.

Greg Goldin, the president of the Miracle Mile Residential Association, is co-author of Never Built Los Angeles (Metropolis Books, 2013) and was co-curator of the exhibition “Never Built Los Angeles,” which premiered at the previous home of the A+D Architecture and Design Museum, in July 2013. For more than a decade, he was the architecture critic at Los Angeles magazine, and his work has appeared in dozens of other magazines and newspapers.