Housing is a complicated, hot button topic in the neighborhood, Los Angeles, the state and the nation. The city undoubtedly needs more housing, but how and where to place it is a charged matter. Job locations and modes of transportation are changing the landscape, which in turn affects the kind of housing residents want. Shouldn’t cities strive to give people what they want?
One would think, but some-
See Local group, P 7
New state bill threatens neighborhoods
n If approved, city would lose local control
By Brian Curran
A new threat to historic neighborhoods is winding its way through the legislative process in Sacramento.
State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, with new Senate Bill SB79, is once again attempting to open single-family neighborhoods up to development, upending our city’s state-approved Housing Element, as well as the recently passed ordinance Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) and Community Plans. The bill takes a hammer to these well-crafted documents and in the process once again puts a target on the historic neighborhoods of Greater Wilshire.
Our annual section honoring local high school graduates will be featured in the June issue of the Larchmont Chronicle Advertising deadline is Mon., May 12. For more information or general advertising questions, contact 323-462-2241, ext. 13, or email wyatt@ larchmontchronicle.com.
Mayor Bass reveals the State of the City 2025
By A.R. Johnstone
The council chambers in City Hall have seen some contentious meetings over the last several years and a lot of promises have echoed off of those walls. On April 21, Mayor Karen Bass tried to paint a picture of hope and change.
“Homelessness is down and crime is down, specifically violent crime,” said the mayor emphatically to the invite-only crowd. A writer for another local publication whispered to me, “Homelessness is down because they stopped counting.” Whether that is a fact or not, I don’t know, but perception becomes reality. Many of us have been touched by crime in the last year and one can simply drive under
By H. Hutcheson
Elizabeth Wilson and Devon Wilson Dentler are sisters with an interior design business based here in Windsor Square. Wilson Studio L.A. started by making customized mirrors with a colored reflection, a signature piece for them, and developed into an extensive interior design business. One client might want new drapes throughout
most freeway overpasses and still see signs of mass homelessness.
The mayor emphasized, “The recovery in the Palisades is on track to be the fastest in California history.” Having driven through the Palisades recently, it seems the recovery is a long way from being complete. She did announce that the permitting process should be much quicker because of a self-certification program that will reduce the time and tedious paperwork needed to get the rebuilding process started. She also asked the City Council to waive all plan check and permit fees. All of these actions will make the process easier,
By Bridget Smith
Larchmont Village is one of Los Angeles’ hidden gems—a charming, pedestrian-friendly shopping district that draws visitors from across the city. Like many great urban streets worldwide, it thrives on its vibrant street life and local businesses. But a long-standing issue persists: illegal center-lane parking. Should it be eliminated, or should the city consider formally legitimizing it?
At the heart of the debate is the unofficial use of Larchmont Boulevard’s center turn lane as an impromptu parking area. It’s illegal, yet common. Some argue it’s a necessary convenience; others worry it’s a safety hazard for people walking across the street and adds congestion for drivers behind a car waiting for a legal parking spot on the right. Who uses center-lane parking, and why?
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) clearly states on their website that parking in a center median is prohibited unless explicitly allowed by posted signage. But could the city post signs to allow it on Larchmont? And more importantly—should it be allowed?
Two primary groups take
CRIME
HOMELESSNESS are down, our mayor said.
WILSON FAMILY: Devon, Betty and Elizabeth at their family’s Windsor Boulevard residence.
Editorial
Is Hollywood still ‘Hollywood’?
As reported in the Chronicle just last month, Paramount Pictures and specifically the Paramount lot played an integral role in the creation, growth, and enduring legacy of Larchmont Village and its surrounding neighborhoods. One might even question if Paramount didn’t have their lot on Melrose Avenue, would the neighborhood have been built the way it was and have the same charm? As neighbors and occasionally employees, we all have probably followed the sale of the vaunted studio—real estate included—to David Ellison’s company, Skydance, for over $8 billion. David is the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, whose net worth is over $165 billion. All of these numbers are staggeringly huge and begin to lose their true meaning. However, billionaires often make decisions that directly affect us and our neighborhood. In this case, the rumor is that the Paramount lot will be sold after Skydance takes control of the company. But to whom?
At this point the most likely buyer would be a developer that will build housing—mixed use or something of that ilk. That is the only way the numbers pencil out. If you don’t like the idea of Television City, be prepared for changes right in our backyards. Maybe if the state of California would institute tax credits for filming, there would be a reason to keep the lot, but as of now, we will be in for some big changes at the end of the street.
325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 windsorsquare.org
157 N. Larchmont Boulevard
“May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.”
— Emily Brontë
THANK YOU!: Thank you to all of you for attending the WSA’s Public Safety Town Hall on April 23rd. Communication with our public safety officials is essential to education them on our community’s concerns as well as a way to foster solution to neighborhood issues.
PETALS AND PATHWAYS GARDEN TOUR : The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society is holding its annual Garden Tour on May 3rd. The tour will feature four gardens in the Wilton National Historic District and Windsor Square. Tickets can be purchased online at; https://windsorsquarehancockpark.com/2025/04/2025garden-tour/
HELP FIGHT SB79: A new housing bill going through the legislature to allow 65-75ft apartment buildings in singlefamily neighborhoods that are within a half mile of a light rail or bus station is a major threat to Windsor Square’s historic community. Please write to the mayor, our Councilman and State Senator to STOP SB79. Our website www.windsorsquare. org provides helpful templates for your use; https:// windsorsquare.org/email-templates-to-fight-sb-79/ LOCAL LANDSCAPES TO BE REVIVED: The WSA has signed a contract with Noah’s Ark Landscaping to revive the Larchmont median and the Norton Triangle. The works will include bringing much needed irrigation to the triangle.
“ARE YOU PREPARED?” The WSA’s one page sheet on preparing yourself, family and A Guide to Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness is now available online. Download your copy at https://windsorsquare.org/safety-security/ emergency-preparedness/ o o o
WE NEED BLOCK CAPTAINS! Be the leader of your block and the point person for all that’s going on in the neighborhood. The WSA has numerous block captain positions open. It’s a great opportunity to engage with neighbors and community leaders. Send an e-mail to: blockcaptains@windsorsquare.org.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
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. 325 N. Larchmont Blvd., #158, Los Angeles, CA 90004, or windsorsquare.org.
Calendar
Mon., May 5 — Cinco de Mayo.
Sun., May 11 — Mother’s Day.
Tues., May 13 — Mid City West Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m., at Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd., midcitywest.org.
Wed., May 14 — Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting via zoom at 6:30 p.m., greaterwilshire.org.
Mon., May 26 — Memorial Day.
Thurs., May 29 — Delivery of the June issue of the Larchmont Chronicle
Honor mom and boost the economy on Mother’s Day
By Helene Seifer
Mother’s Day, held the second Sunday in May, is set aside to honor our mothers and acknowledge the sacrifices they made for us. It’s a relatively new holiday to the U.S., having been established in 1914, but its roots go back
Larchmont Chronicle
Founded in 1963 by
P.
Filipek
Duggan
to ancient times.
The earliest known version of this holiday dates to 250 B.C. Ancient Romans threw a spring festival to honor Cybele, the mother of all gods. The celebration, involving games, masquerades and hijinks, is also credited with being a precursor to April Fools’ Day. Similarly, Greeks had a holiday to honor Rhea, their mother goddess.
Another precursor to the modern Mother’s Day began in the 1600s. England celebrated “Mothering Sunday,” the fourth Sunday during Lent, when parishioners returned to their “mother church,” where they had been baptized, for a special service.
Read full article at larchmontchronicle.com
‘Do you have plans for Mother’s Day?’ That’s the question our inquiring photographer asked locals.
“Usually brunch.”
Max Manfredi Las Palmas “How soon is it?... Whatever Mom wants!”
Declan Lucas Lucerne Blvd.
“We treat it like it’s my mom’s birthday.”
Max Dub Boucheron La Brea “Dinner with Mom, and call Texas grandma.”
Xander Rogers Norton Ave.
“Yes. Go hang out with Mom and watch Lifetime movies— she likes to teach me lessons from them.”
Wayne Polk Downtown
“I’ll take my mom to Glen Ivy [Hot Springs] for the day in Temescal Valley.”
Kea Smith Inland Empire
“I’m from Hong Kong and I love dim sum, so we will have dinner at Capital Seafood in Beverly Hills.”
Julie Choi with Charlotte and Matthew of Page Academy
Hofer
instagram @ brigh2terabithia by Brighid Burnes
Village within a city: what is Larchmont BID and why it matters
By Heather Duffy Boylston
Larchmont Village is one of the most beloved streets in Los Angeles—a rare pocket of community, connection and history. It feels like a small town tucked right in the middle of a big city. But keeping a street like Larchmont vibrant and functioning doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, problem-solving and long-term thinking. That’s where the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (BID) comes in.
So, what is a BID?
A Business Improvement District is a group of commercial property owners who pay into a special assessment— based on square footage—to fund services and improvements that support the street and its businesses. These are the things the city can’t always provide, especially as its resources are stretched
citywide. There are more than 40 BIDs across Los Angeles, each helping fill the gap in ways that meet their neighborhood’s unique needs.
The Larchmont Village BID runs along Larchmont Boulevard from Beverly Boulevard to First Street. We take care of sidewalk steam-washing, graffiti removal, trash collection and any other issues that arise. We manage social media to promote local businesses, build relationships with press to spotlight our Village and set the tone for how Larchmont presents itself to the broader community. We also work closely with Council District 13 (CD13) to resolve issues and advocate for our neighborhood’s needs.
One example of the BID’s impact is the bistro lights now hanging over the street. These were funded by the BID with additional support
from individual property owners who stepped in to help close the gap, as they often do when there’s a project that benefits the whole street. With support from the Larchmont Histor-
ical Society, we also added lighting to the public parking lot, transforming it into a space for community gatherings like the recent Comedy Night on Larchmont.
Everything we do is rooted in a shared goal: to preserve the small-town charm of Larchmont, even as we grow. What makes this neighborhood unique is its people— multiple generations sharing the same street, the kids who’ve grown up here and the familiar faces you see every time you walk the Boulevard. That deep sense of connection is what gives Larchmont its character, and it’s BID’s responsibility to protect it while guiding thoughtful, commu-
nity-centered progress that reflects the values of those who call it home.
Working together to move Larchmont forward None of this happens alone. As executive director of BID, I work closely with Romi Cortier, president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA), which represents our merchants. Together, we’ve launched a long-term beautification plan for the Boulevard. We coordinate seasonal planting and holiday decorations—small but meaningful touches that help Larchmont feel festive, welcoming and full of life throughout the year. We’re currently replacing outdated trash cans with new, touchless receptacles—a clear priority for many since COVID. Romi is also leading a Legacy Bench Program,
ROMI CORTIER AND HEATHER DUFFY BOYLSTON enjoy one of the new blue benches on Larchmont.
Iconic longtime restaurants struggle and shutter in Los Angeles
By Nona Sue Friedman
It’s no surprise to hear that restaurants run on razor-thin margins. But Los Angeles has been hit hard with factors that add to the difficulty of staying afloat, including increases in labor and food costs, rents on the rise, disastrous fires, the two back-to-back Hollywood strikes and lingering repercussions from the pandemic. For the last few months, it seems every couple of weeks another iconic restaurant is closing. If you like a restaurant and want it to stay around, frequent it. They can’t survive on their laurels.
Recently there have been rumors swirling that the cornerstone of the Original Farmers Market, DuPar’s , is on the brink of closing. However, the Larchmont Chronicle recently visited the 87-year-old diner, an L.A. classic, and spoke to Junior, a waiter who’s been working there for 15 years. He said that after the fires it was very slow, but business has since picked up. He feels confident the restaurant isn’t going away. The current owner / manager is wooing more people by introducing midnight specials and early meal deals for all ages.
Closures
The Original Pantry Cafe in Downtown closed after 101 years in business. It had been owned by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan since 1981. He actively wanted to keep this piece of Los Angeles
history running forever. In fact, he enlisted the site as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1987. However, after his death in 2023, his trust had a different idea for the sought-after piece of real estate. In early March, they closed the restaurant, claiming there were issues with the union, even though the restaurant had been unionized for the last 50 years. Workers don’t think Riordan would be happy with the closure.
New York City-styled Chinese food and live music have been available at Genghis Cohen on Fairfax Avenue every day since it opened in 1983. However, on May 31, the cultural institution will serve its last meal at 740 N. Fairfax Ave. and temporarily move a few blocks south to 448 N. Fairfax Ave. The owners hope to not miss a meal and are looking for a new location. They had been in negotiations
with their landlord for the last three years and could not come to feasible long-term lease agreement.
Greek restaurant and market Papa Cristo’s , at the corner of Normandie Avenue and Pico Boulevard, will close its doors May 4. This
BID
(Continued from Page 3) inviting neighbors and local businesses to sponsor benches or trash receptacles with personalized plaques. These projects are not just practical upgrades—they’re opportunities to participate in Larchmont’s next chapter. Why this work matters to me Larchmont isn’t just where I work—it’s where I live and raised my family. I’ve been coming here since I was born. In my twenties, I remember walking down
landmark establishment was opened by Chrys’ father in 1948. Since its inception, it’s been a staple to the neighborhood and a community gathering spot for locals and attendees of the Greek Orthodox Church across the street.
The owner, Chrys Chrys, says he can’t keep up with the rising rents.
Mandarette Chinese Cafe, a classic at 8386 Beverly Blvd., abruptly closed on April 14 after 40 years in business.
Classic opening
To end on a high note, Pink’s Hot Dogs opened its second location, at the Los Angeles Zoo, on April 11. “The L.A. Zoo is a treasured institution…the marriage of our two brands is a perfect fit,” says Richard Pink, co-owner of the hot dog stand. They will serve their staple menu, which includes their chili
the Boulevard and thinking, “When I am a grownup, this is where I want to live.” I’ve now lived in Larchmont Village for 24 years and helped co-found Larchmont Charter School with other families who believed in creating a public school grounded in community, diversity and academic excellence.
Larchmont has changed— and will continue to—but its essence can and should be preserved. That’s what the BID is here to do: protect what makes Larchmont Larchmont, while helping it thrive well into the future.
dog and, of course, their signature hot dog named after Betty White, who was a huge supporter of the zoo and animals.
Larchmont block party on North Bronson May 4
The third annual Larchmont Spring Block Party is coming to town Sun., May 4 from noon to 5 p.m. The free outdoor event will be bigger and better this year with a street hockey rink provided by the YMCA, scavenger hunt, balloon toss, photo booth, gaga pit and arts and crafts. Live music from local performer Rob Faucette and the Hollywood Highsteppers of the Silverlake Conservatory will fill the air.
Treats from local restaurants will be available for purchase. The unveiling of new Larchmont logo T-shirts will also be for sale.
I hope you’ll be part of it, with your support and your continued love for this oneof-a-kind neighborhood.
Heather Duffy Boylston is executive director of the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District. You can support them at larchmont.com
In addition to fun, the event is a fundraiser for Alexandria House, a local residence that provides supportive housing for women and children experiencing homelessness and trauma, as well as initiatives of the Larchmont United Neighborhood Association.
Swing by the 500 North block of Bronson Avenue for some community bonding and lots of fun.
PINK’S HOT DOGS nds their se ond home at the oo Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo
A LINE FORMS for brea fast at the i oni resta rant D ars
LEGENDARY HOT CAKES at D ar’s sin e
POLICE BEAT
Victim’s scream scares off would-be burglar; homes pillaged
WILSHIRE DIVISION
BURGLARIES: A suspect climbed up to a second-floor balcony located on the 300 block of South Cloverdale Avenue and opened the apartment’s sliding glass door. The suspect entered the premises, took property and fled on April 2, just after midnight.
Two burglars shattered the rear glass door of a home on the 200 block of South Citrus Avenue. They entered the home, took property, fled through the front door and drove away in a white SUV on April 12 at 9 p.m.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY:
A burglar was cutting a window screen at a single-family home on the 300 block of North
Arden Boulevard when the victim opened the blinds and screamed. The scream scared the suspect, who fled, on April 4 at 11:30 p.m..
GRAND THEFTS AUTO:
Two cars were stolen this month, one on April 3 at 5 p.m. near Mansfield Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. A second car was taken on April 4 at 1 p.m. near La Brea and Oakwood avenues.
OLYMPIC DIVISION
SLO Danny Chavez will be attending the Larchmont Spring Block Party on Sunday, May 4, and he looks forward to meeting neighbors and the community there. He also wants to thank
WILSHIRE DIVISION
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer
Tyler Shuck
213-712-3715
40740@lapd.online
Twitter: @lapdwilshire
those who supported his bike ride for the Police Unity Tour. He is participating in the Tour May 7 to 14. Other officers will be covering his post during his absence.
BURGLARIES: A suspect went into the backyard of a home on the 600 block of
OLYMPIC DIVISION
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer
Daniel Chavez
213-793-0709
36304@lapd.online
Instagram: @olympic_slo1
South Norton Avenue. The suspect pried open the iron window bars and entered and pillaged the home before fleeing with property on April 4 at 8 a.m.
A burglar smashed the rear glass door of a home on the 800 block of South Bronson
Avenue. The suspect entered and ransacked the home, took property and fled on April 5 at 8:30 p.m.
BURGLARY THEFT FROM
A VEHICLE: License plates were stolen from two vehicles on April 4, one at 5 p.m. from the 3700 block of West Ninth Street and another from the 500 block of South St. Andrews Place at 9 p.m.
A Hispanic man took a license plate and punched the door lock of a car on the 3900 block of West Eighth Street on April 11 at 3:30 p.m.
GRAND THEFT AUTO: A car was stolen from the 4900 block of West Clinton Avenue on April 13 at 3 p.m.
Chief of police, division ofcers talk public safety in the hood
By Nona Sue Friedman
Windsor Square Association
hosted a public safety town hall April 23 at Marlborough School campus. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, Olympic Division
Capt. Brian O’Connor, Wilshire
Division Capt. Michael Rippe and officers attended the evening. All were wearing their class A uniform, which is their dressy version, per the Chief’s instructions.
The evening started with remarks from the Police Chief, who has been on the job since November. His first comment was that anyone who’s looking to move to Los Angeles should come here, “It’s beautiful.”
He worked many positions in LAPD for 29 years before leaving to be a sheriff and other law enforcement endeavors for a decade. He’s very happy to be back and said his tenure away from the force, “Felt like
watching a sports event but not being in it. There’s no where else I’d rather be than here.”
Sgt. Wes Sarno, Wilshire Senior Lead Officer Supervisor, commented that he is happy to have one of their own leading them.
With his Boston accent seeping into his easy-going manner and matter-of-fact way of speaking, the Chief talked about homicides being down dramatically from the 90s, but burglaries being on the rise in affluent areas.
Regarding the burglaries, there are two main crews, one from South America and one from South L.A. According to McDonnell, “They are running very sophisticated operations.”
The chief continued saying the thieves put cameras in flower beds and watch a home remotely to get a sense of the residents schedule. After a few days of surveillance, they enter through a back door, jam the wireless cameras and alarms and take property from the home. The police have made
numerous arrests. To combat the thieves, he advises having a good neighborhood communication network-and-watch system and don’t hesitate to call the police if you notice suspicious cars wandering through or parked in the area. He touched on the passing of Proposition 36, which changed drug possession and
(Please turn to Page 8)
ADDRESSING THE TOWN HALL is Chief of Police Jim McDonnell.
WSA CO-CHAIR of block captains Tracey Durning with Senior ead f er Danny havez, t es arno and indsor are resident ar elo i erovi h
Local group
(Continued from Page 1) times outdated and glitchy building codes, zoning regulations, public perceptions and transportation options have stood in the way. The Livable Communities Initiative (LCI), a local, grassroots organization started six years ago by a group of local residents, including Lindsay Sturman of Windsor Square, aims to help Los Angeles grow into the future with planning, accessibility and beauty. LCI is a fully volunteer-led organization that works with people around the world.
What do people want?
According to Sturman, as well as multiple studies, the majority of the Generation X and Millennial populations are looking to live in walkable areas with access to public transit. Many people hunting for a home desire the same. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and a study done by Joe Cortright, director of City Observatory (a think tank for urban issues) people are willing to pay more—sometimes up to $3,500 per positive walk point—to buy a home with a high walkscore, a metric that evaluates how far amenities are on foot from a specific address. The study by NAR also revealed that a majority of people would prefer to purchase an attached dwelling, such as a condo, apartment or townhome with great walkability as opposed to a detached home with a small yard that isn’t within walking distance of amenities.
Gentle density
LCI has a vision of multiple city centers throughout Los Angeles. In the plan, buildings are three to five stories tall with retail on the bottom and housing above. This approach is referred to as “gentle density.” Street traffic is slowed. There is nose-in parking, similar to portions of Larchmont Boulevard. Greenery adorns sidewalks. Housing is courtyard style to allow for more light and ventilation, which also is positive for the environment. Perhaps Paris, Milan or even Portland, Oregon, come to mind? That is the idea. There are hundreds of miles of commercial streets in Los Angeles that are a great fit for this transformation. Sturman mentioned north Larchmont Boulevard, Culver City, Westwood and parts of Melrose Avenue as potential locales.
This concept, sometimes referred to as “15-minute cities,” proposes that within 15 minutes of your home you can walk to most, if not all, of your daily needs. That or public transportation is easily reached.
Can it come to fruition?
There are some hurdles to make this “gently dense” housing and living scenario happen. One roadblock is currently being addressed by the Los Angeles City Council. Councilmember Katy Yaroslovsky of Council District 5 coauthored a motion that passed in March to eliminate the need for double stairwells in buildings up to six stories. According to her office, the council is waiting to hear back from city agencies regarding this motion. They expect an answer within 90 days. Requiring two stairwells is an antiquated rule that many cities have eliminated. Nowadays, there are other fire suppression tools, such as building with fire retardant material, fire detectors and sprinklers, making two stairwells unnecessary.
According to Yaroslavsky’s communications director Leo Daube, “The single stairwell would allow buildings to be
more aesthetically pleasing with more flexibility with design.” Yaroslavsky shares a lot of residents’ frustration surrounding new housing when the proposed buildings are big, boxy and out of character and scale with the neighborhood.
Parking - the lynchpin LCIs plan doesn’t include parking and they don’t believe
in a car-free Los Angeles, but as Sturman says, “Car lite. Think Boston, where you have a car but it’s parked in a lot 10 minutes away.”
Let’s read the up-and-coming room. Younger generations are trending toward working from home and relying more on ride- hailing services and public transit. Many don’t drive, others don’t want the hassle or
expense of car ownership.
The rebuttal to “car lite” is that Los Angeles was built as a car-centric city. However, in the early 1900s, Los Angeles had 400 local main streets connected by the largest trolley system in the world. Residents had access from Santa Monica to San Bernardino with thousands of miles of track.
After World War II, mass production of automobiles and the building of suburban tract homes designed to accommodate cars, changed the entire transportation landscape to what we have today.
With the installation of the Metro subway system, Los Angeles is trying to emulate what it had before. As, early-18th century English author Jonathan Swift said, “Everything old is new again.” Learn more about LCI at livablecommunitiesinitiative. com.
ift of ellness onorin o en s health this other s ay
For this month’s health and wellness piece, I wanted to do something to honor Mother’s Day. So, I decided to write a piece on women’s health. What does it mean to be a woman? Is it a dream? An ideal? A fact? Whatever it is to you, it’s a unique and powerful position and one that should be tended to.
For me, being a woman starts with health. It’s important to learn about any and all healthcare options that are available to us. That rule especially applies to concerns related to women’s health.
Last month, I started down a new and exciting journey by enrolling in a training program to be certificated in herbalism. This has inspired me to take a naturopathic perspective in this article, along with some help from one of our very own locals: Christina Shadle, Larchmont resident and owner of Side Benefits Nutrition.
Shadle’s previous career at her PR job had her regularly sick, drained and worn out. Soon after, she decided to leave the corporate world and focus on her own health. The resources made available by biomedicine (colloquially referred to as “Western” medicine) were not what she was looking for. She wanted to heal her body from a root-cause perspective, rather than simply managing her symptoms.
She was introduced to a school called the Nutritional Therapy Association and followed this path to arrive where she is now: a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and Restorative Wellness Practitioner (RWP).
The first thing I asked Shadle was how she might tailor treatments and advice for different stages of a woman’s life. She explains, “The one thing I always look at is the gut. I’ve
Health & Wellness
By Priscilla Duggan
noticed that a lot of young girls get their wellness advice from TikTok or other social media platforms. They hear about ‘the cottage cheese diet’ and then think that’s how they should eat all of the time. I often see gut-related issues. I’ll have them track their food for a week. I can see exactly where a person might be able to easily improve their diet.
Then I move to digestion. Resting to digest is so important. It can be supportive for both digestion and for improving fertility. It means getting yourself into a parasympathetic state, which means getting more in tune with nature, more in tune with our bodies, more in tune with the lunar cycle.”
I also asked how she approaches hormonal balancing in her practice.
“After checking in with digestion, I look at blood sugar,” says Shadle. Blood glucose levels go up and down all day, but these changes shouldn’t be dramatic or out of control. Particularly for women who have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder in women), because one of the main causes of this condition is insulin resistance. It is important to work on your blood sugar every day starting in the morning. If you’re eating sugar (or other simple carbohydrates such as bread) all day, that’s something you might want to change. Of course, it’s based on an individual basis, because if you’re a marathoner, you might need that kind of energy, but not if you work from home on your computer all day. Low carbohydrate eating (such as meats, leafy greens and
avocados) can be an easy fix for someone dealing with stubborn weight, PCOS, or tending toward diabetes.”
I asked Shadle what advice she offers her clients with perimenopause and menopause. She stressed the importance again of a high-quality diet and shared some herbs she incorporates: “Rhodiola rosea, black cohosh, St. John’s wort and chaste tree assist in hot flashes, night sweats, low sex drive, decreased energy and musculoskeletal health. Phytoestrogens such as flaxseeds and red clover are also important as estrogen fluctuates and eventually declines.”
She spoke about how many women suffer from sleep issues during this time due to progesterone decline and suggests
WSA town hall
(Continued from Page 6) certain thefts under $950 to be considered felonies. He believes this proposition and the new district attorney, Nathan Hochman, makes it easier for police to arrest multiple offending criminals.
“LAPD hit a rough patch in 2020 and many people who could leave took the opportunity,” said McDonnell. But he seems optimistic about the future of the force. The police department still needs more recruits. He’s working with Mayor Karen Bass to streamline the application process and is hoping the police budget isn’t cut.
He encouraged the audience to be in touch with your elected officials about what you want.
Getting more local answers
Senior Lead Officers(SLO) Danny Chavez of Olympic and Tyler Shuck of Wilshire along with their captains also answered questions from the crowd. “SLOs are your first
using minerals and amino acids like magnesium glycinate, taurine, herbs (chamomile, skullcap, passionflower) and bio-identical progesterone. It’s a life adjustment to incorporate “stress reduction, carb-lowering diet and even weight lifting.” We can.
line of defense,” according to Chavez. Both SLOs encouraged their constituents to contact them with issues from traffic to prostitution and everything in between. “Flood us with information,” said Shuck. They wanted to make clear that for emergencies, always call 911. Illegal parking in the center lane of Larchmont Boulevard was brought up. Shuck, known as the sheriff of Larchmont, said he goes out regularly to give tickets to cars in the center lane. When asked if he thinks it should be legal, he responded “No, it’s a safety issue.”
To add a bit of levity to the evening, Chavez claimed to be the mini chief of police to Shuck’s sheriff, which garnered a hearty laugh from attendees and officers.
Larchmont area ets a ne eld deputy for C
A changing of the guard took place in Council District 13.
Mark Fuentes is the new senior field deputy for the Larchmont Village, Windsor Square, Wilshire Center and Koreatown area. He took over Karla Martinez’s position on April 1.
Fuentes is very excited to “fall in love with this part of the city,” he said. He wants to “be a friend not just a servant to the community.” So far, his interactions with residents have been very kind and welcoming, he adds. He looks forward to meeting many more of his constituents. He volunteered at a community clean up with Larchmont United Neighborhood Association on April 26. He can be reached at mark. fuentes@lacity.org or 213913-2991.
Shadle reminds us of some important truths: nothing can replace a balanced diet and healthy living. To contact Christina Shadle, visit sidebenefitsnutrition.com and visit @sidebenefitsnutrition
So, I’ll see you all at the Larchmont Farmer’s Market as we buy salmon and arugula! As always, I welcome you to reach out to me with any thoughts or questions at pcd1130@gmail.com.
skin deep
by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald
One of the big rocks of skin care has long been getting all the good stuff deeper into your skin’s layers. Well, it’s finally been pulled off. And just like, that your skincare not only became far more effective, but simplified as well. Might we have solved your annual Mother’s Day giftgiving dilemma, too?
Ourself Skin HA+ Replenishing Serum employs cool little patented capsules to deliver a blend of hyaluronic acid deep in your skin’s layers to create the visible impact that you want. Now lock in the glorious cocktail with Ourself The Daily Renewal Cream (packed with antioxidants). The combo reveals visibly healthier, plumper, more hydrated (dare we say dewy?) skin.
We’d love to see you! Drop in to purchase this revolutionary skincare duo for your mom and you. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there. We see you and you look amazing!
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.
NEW SENIOR FIELD deputy Mark Fuentes.
LOOKING AT FEMALE HEALTH in a month to celebrate all women. Drawing by Priscilla Duggan
Civic pride: a blueprint for a safer, stronger Los Angeles
By Philip Alberstat
While Los Angeles grapples with crime concerns, evidence from around the world shows that fostering a strong sense of community and civic pride can be a powerful tool in creating safer neighborhoods. Many communities have discovered that when residents take ownership of their shared spaces, crime rates tend to drop—often without requiring additional policing resources.
What works around the world
In Japan, kids clean their own classrooms and neighborhoods host regular community cleanups. The result? People think twice before littering or vandalizing spaces they’ve personally scrubbed clean.
Scandinavians embrace something called “friluftsliv,” or open-air living. They treat public parks and natural spaces as extensions of their homes.
In Dutch neighborhoods, “woonerf” street designs create shared spaces where pedestrians, cyclists and driv-
Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association
Serving the Larchmont community between Beverly and Melrose, Arden to Wilton Place
“The objective and purpose of the LVNA has, since 1987, been the preservation and enhancement of our neighborhood.”
What does that mean?
Helping neighbors get speed humps, stop signs and other traffic mitigation and safety elements which can be incorporated to help keep our streets safe. Street maintenance issues, parking including the creation of and participation in Preferred Parking Districts…
Helping neighbors with Crime issues – Party houses, prostitution, assault, robberies, graffiti, excessive commercial use of residential property… how do you access LAPD and other city resources to keep your life and property safe?
Helping neighbors and dealing directly with developers, construction and housing issues.
Helping neighbors access city government and understand its’ often difficult and unfriendly to its own citizens ways … which touch every part of our lives and require knowledge and relationships to navigate.
We advise, we support, we advocate for our neighbors and our neighborhood. But there is no replacing each of our responsibility to represent our own interest.
We established long-term goals for areas such as North Larchmont, where for over 15 years we’ve advocated for live/ work redevelopment and walkable streets which extend the success of South Larchmont all the way to Melrose Avenue.
We’ve taken on the responsibility of repairing the North Larchmont median. The city’s abandonment of their commitment to maintain the median means there is a backlog of repair and updating which needs to be done. There’s now a plan to address those problems and you will continue to see improvements in the coming months. Please stop by and say “Hi” to the crews when you see them out there.
Thanks to the local residents who organized a clean-up a few weeks ago. We support all volunteer community improvement efforts. If you’ve got an idea or an initiative you’d like to organize, please reach out.
Thousands of people living, working and shopping in a neighborhood with a unique and historic character requires coordination, cooperation and shared interests. It often requires compromise to accommodate differing points of view.
All these things, many of which fall under the title “Quality of Life Issues,” are the core of what we do at the Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association.
The LVNA’s semi-annual public meeting will be held Tuesday May 13 at 7 pm on Zoom. Go to www.lvna.info to register, we’d love to have you. You can also send in questions for the meeting via our “I Have A Question” feature on the home page.
Reminder – annual dues were due earlier this year. While we encourage all neighbors to participate in all our activities, you are required to be a registered, paid member to become a member of our board or vote in our elections.
Reach out at www.lvna.info.
You can write to the LVNA at: Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association 325 North Larchmont, #294 Los Angeles, CA 90004
You can email the general LVNA box at lvna90004@gmail.com or President Charles D’Atri directly at lvgwnc@gmail.com.
ers naturally regulate each other’s behavior.
Our L.A. reality check
Los Angeles presents unique challenges and remarkable opportunities. Our city spans over 500 square miles and is home to people from 140 countries who speak 224 languages. Many Angelenos commute significant distances, sometimes making “community” feel distant in our daily lives.
Our neighborhoods showcase incredible diversity—in culture, income and lived experiences.
This same diversity and creative energy that defines L.A. also gives us unique strengths. The innovation that drives our entertainment, tech and cultural industries appears in neighborhood-level solutions across the city. Look at the volunteer artists beautifying Larchmont Boulevard utility boxes, the Silver Lake residents transforming barren medians into community gardens or the South L.A. neighborhood councils pioneering youth mentorship programs. Angelenos are ready to invest in their communities when given meaningful opportunities.
Our Olympic opportunity
With the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Los Angeles has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our civic culture into “civic pride” that lasts well beyond the events themselves.
Barcelona used its 1992 Olympics to revitalize entire districts. Tokyo’s preparation for its recent Games included massive citizen volunteer efforts to enhance public spaces.
For Los Angeles, these upcoming events offer more than just economic benefits— they provide a meaningful deadline and shared purpose for neighborhood improvements. Imagine community projects branded as “World Cup Ready” or “Olympic Block” initiatives, giving everyday beautification efforts a connection to something larger than themselves.
Bringing communities and police together
The gap between community expectations and police resources is a reality many neighborhoods face. Limited staffing means quality-of-life crimes often receive delayed responses
Highland Park community walks, where residents and officers identify trouble spots together, creates shared understanding of neighborhood concerns.
Civilian volunteer programs free up officers for more serious calls. The LAPD’s Community-Police Advisory Boards provide a structure where volunteers can assist with non-emergency issues.
Many senior lead officers now participate in neighborhood apps and social media groups, allowing for quicker information sharing and relationship building.
Building civic pride one step at a time
Quick wins in year one could start with visible improvements that create immediate pride. Adopt a local median strip through the city’s Adopt-A-Median program by contacting your Council District office.
Organize a monthly alley cleanup by registering with L.A. Sanitation’s Clean Streets program (800-773-2489), which provides tools and trash pickup. Or launch a simple beautification award for businesses and homes. Highland Park’s “Beautiful Block” program started with just a few neighbors and a homemade certificate but now includes dozens of participants.
In years two and three, build momentum as community energy grows, focusing on creating sustainable structures. Form committees within neighborhood councils dedicated to local beautification, and they can access city funding for larger projects.
Establish regular community-police dialogue forums where residents and officers collaboratively address quality-of-life concerns. Create volunteer response teams for non-emergency situations like graffiti reporting or elder check-ins.
With the World Cup and Olympics approaching, neighborhoods can leverage the growing excitement to accelerate community improvements. Create “Olympic Pride Zones” where residents commit to maintaining specific areas. Partner with local businesses to adopt transit stops or walkways that visitors might use. The city’s LA28 Community Engagement team is already planning neighbor-
hood beautification grants that communities can apply for.
The real goal extends beyond the Olympic closing ceremony—stewardship becomes part of our shared culture. Imagine a city where picking up litter (even when it’s not yours) is as natural as wearing sunscreen, where neighbors know each other’s names across cultural and economic differences and where taking pride in your street feels as essential as celebrating our diversity.
What you can do today
Use technology. Download the LA311 app to report issues like illegal dumping, broken streetlights or graffiti. The app tracks your report and notifies you when it’s resolved.
Find your senior lead officer through LAPD’s website and introduce yourself at the next community meeting. These officers are specifically tasked with community engagement.
Patronize and thank businesses that maintain clean storefronts. Their commitment to neighborhood appearance directly contributes to community safety.
Start small, but together. Create a simple text group with immediate neighbors to share community updates and organize mini-projects. Even a five-household network can make a visible difference on a single block.
Better together
Each of these small actions builds toward a citywide movement where civic pride becomes the foundation for a safer, more connected Los Angeles. As we prepare to welcome the world for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, we have a powerful opportunity to showcase not just our venues and attractions, but the strength of our communities.
Will community ownership eliminate crime overnight?
(Please turn to Page 21)
WITH THE WORLD CUP AND THE OLYMPICS on the horizon, Los Angeles has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build “civic pride.” Above, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, host of the Opening Ceremony of the 2028 Olympics.
What is the current state of golf, post the PGA / LIV split?
Divorce can wreck everything in its path. I’ve seen it firsthand. No, not that split; that one was fine.
I’m talking about sports divorces, like the one in 1996 that effectively destroyed IndyCar racing. Tony George at that time owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500. Traditionally held the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was actually a bigger deal than the Daytona 500.
IndyCar wanted to incorporate more road course events; George thought the focus should be on oval tracks. So he launched his own rival league in 1996, the Indy Racing League (IRL), which would only race on ovals and would feature the Indy 500. His new league was riddled with problems, while the best drivers and cars remained in the IndyCar, including Mario Andretti, Alex Zanardi and Juan Pablo Montoya. But they were locked out of the Indy 500, the only race most of us cared about.
Twelve years later they finally reunited, but the damage was done. During those years NASCAR skyrocketed in popularity, and the IndyCar racing split became too confusing for fans to follow.
A similar divorce has been playing out in professional golf. You could say playing the role of Tony George in the golf split was Greg Norman, a legend of the game who in retirement had become increasingly ostracized by the PGA tour.
For years he sought to start his own tour that would play internationally, funded by an extremely wealthy individual.
Chasing Sports by
Chase Campen
Norman finally got his wish in 2021, spearheading the launch of LIV (the Roman numeral 54, as in 54 holes, three rounds of 18 holes or birdie at all holes), to rival the PGA. Their tournaments would play internationally, backed by the deepest pockets of all, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). The first big name player to join LIV was six-time major winner Phil Mickelson. Why would Mickelson leave the PGA Tour? Who knows; maybe he was tired of always being Robin to Tiger Woods’ Batman. Or, known to have a significant appetite for gambling, perhaps it was LIV’s $200 million offer to Mickelson to join, regardless of how he performed—a staggering number considering PGA players are guaranteed zero dollars; their winnings are entirely dependent on performance.
This would be LIV’s model; they’d buy players with staggering nine-figure commitments, lining players’ pockets for generations before they even took a shot.
LIV also did some other goofy stuff, like shortening tournaments to three days, eliminating cuts and letting
FOUR YEARS AFTER LIV/PGA SPLIT, only one set of players remains in the spotlight.
the players wear shorts. They also played in a team format. Loud music played and their tournaments resembled Lollapalooza more than a golf event.
Initially the players that went to LIV were guys with either past PGA disciplinary issues or who were about five minutes past their prime. But then LIV got guys like Brooks Koepka, Bryson Dechambeau and Cam Smith—major winners well within their prime.
The LIV vs. PGA split
Center-lane parking
(Continued from Page 1) advantage of this rarely enforced space: private motorists who pull in briefly to grab something from a shop, treating the lane like an unofficial loading zone, and commercial vehicles, which use the space to unload goods, as many businesses lack proper delivery access.
For private motorists, the safety concerns are clear.
turned into a war. Stalwarts like Tiger and Rory McElroy joined forces to lead the PGA and certain changes were slowly adapted, including richer purses and more guarantees for players.
The fans were the losers in all of this. Instead of watching the best players in the world compete, we saw only some compete—the PGA with their conventional TV deal. When LIV first started their tournaments, they were literally broadcast on the internet.
Parking in the middle of the street forces pedestrians to jaywalk across traffic and it creates accessibility barriers for wheelchair users. Could a painted pedestrian pathway along the center lane to the nearest crosswalk address this issue? Perhaps, but would center lane parkers actually use it, and is it worth the cost to legalize the behavior?
For commercial vehicles, the argument is more complex. Delivery trucks need somewhere to unload, and in some cases, there simply aren’t better alternatives. Unlike some other business corridors, Larchmont lacks consistent alley access, forcing delivery drivers to make difficult decisions. If the city officially permitted commercial loading in the center lane, would that discourage private motorists from using it improperly?
What are the alternatives?
Legalizing limited center-lane parking is a bureaucratic long shot and might not resolve the neighborhood’s concerns. Should we instead consider physically preventing center-lane parking altogether? And if so, how?
So where are they today, four years post divorce? The PGA knows the split must be resolved; two tours are not better than one.
In early April the PGA rejected a $1.5 billion equity offer from the PIF; part of the issue was the Saudi-run PIF would require LIV to continue operating its own events, a nonstarter for PGA—they want a true reunification. The reality is, the PIF can fund LIV forever. Reportedly in four years their LIV investment is $5 billion. If this were an actual business, it would have closed long ago, but PIF funds are endless. And PGA continues to thrive. There’s an argument that the PGA doesn’t actually want to merge; that instead they keep negotiating to stave off LIV from buying more of their stars.
LIV has money and music; PGA has attention and legacy. We’ll see what matters more in the end.
Two ways to prevent parking Build a raised median to replace the current turn lane, or install barriers such as potted plants to effectively make the space off-limits. Remove the center lane and re-allocate the space to widen pedestrian areas, create bike lanes or even allow for expanded sidewalk seating. Either option would require funding—something the city doesn’t have in abundance. But if we are serious about preserving the character and functionality of Larchmont, it may be time to face this longtime concern head on.
Larchmont’s charm lies in its accessibility and atmosphere. Whether that includes center-lane parking is a question that demands thoughtful community discussion. Should we keep things as they are, push to have regulations changed to match today’s usage or begin work to transform the space entirely? The answer will shape the future of one of L.A.’s most beloved streets. Bridget Smith is a certified professional traffic operations engineer, a licensed traffic engineer and civil engineer in the State of California.
ON LARCHMONT cars often park in the center turning lanes, a sin on estion and safety on erns hat’s the sol tion
Root ng for four L t n s ust l e us’ to sur e n thr e
Karen Zacharias’ Just Like Us , an adaptation of journalist Helen Thorpe’s 2011 nonfiction book of the same name, plays at LATC to May 18 (213-489-0994; latinotheaterco.org). The Latino Theater Company’s West Coast premiere of the play focuses on four Latina high school girls growing up in Denver—Yadira, Clara, Elissa, and especially Marisela, who just wants to have fun— and a chance for a better life. They get excellent grades, love dancing and ranchera music and want to go to college. They are, in many ways, interchangeable, except that two girls have American citizenship and two do not. And therein lies the play’s rub.
Reporter Helen Thorpe, herself an Irish immigrant,
but married at the time to then mayor of Denver (and now Colorado senator) John Hickenlooper, wants to do a “column” on the girls’ lives. Over five years, the column becomes the book that tries to analyze the immigration issue through their stories.
Elyse Mirto plays Thorpe in one of the most grounded and nuanced performances we’ve had in L.A. Thorpe weighs the dangers of journalists becoming the story and the morality of her privileged position as “white savior.” Zacharias’ adaptation rightly takes the story away from her at the end, giving it back to the girls, now women, who have gone through college, romance and pregnancy.
The play is remarkably even-handed, but never
A memory of Gene Hackman
By Gene Czap
The year was 1990. I was hitting golf balls at the Studio City Golf Course and noticed a guy in the stall next to me. He was having major problems, flailing away; the golf ball wasn’t co-operating. Laboring, sweating, swinging out of his shoes, the shots were barely getting off the ground. Making matters worse, two of his friends were sitting on a bench behind him laughing, joking and having fun at his expense.
I took a closer look at his reddened face. It was familiar. It was Gene Hackman. Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle from “The French Connection” (1971). Hackman hacking on a golf range. Now I became more fascinated. Studying his motion, I could see one glaring error he was doing and decided to tell him about it. “Want a little tip?” I asked. He looked up with that hardscrabble, menacing stare. The fierce glare softened into a look that said, “OK, I’m listening.”
I had studied method acting in New York in the ’70s and Gene Hackman was the antihero. He didn’t care about the fluff that went with the job. He was like a blacksmith who learned how to act. So the door squeaked open. I leaned in and gave him the tip. “Keep all your weight on your back foot.”
He grunted a little as I
demonstrated the move. Then he turned around and addressed the golf ball. Very slowly, deliberately, he planted his back foot, grinding it into the astroturf. Then he swung. The ball soared into the air, flying out into the range, a little tail on it, before landing and rolling to a stop.
A perfect shot. He turned and stared at me with a look of bewildered astonishment. It was his form of acknowledgement, the best you were going to get. His friends were standing and cheering while Gene’s eyes never left mine. An actor learning something without saying a word.
Golf is a very hard game. The hardest thing about it is that you don’t see yourself swinging the club. A golf tip has to be practiced and repeated over and over, thousands of times, before it’s ingrained. But somehow, in that millisecond of time, it worked instantly. Maybe the gods were smiling.
I don’t remember much more about that day. Maybe we talked a little. I never saw Gene again. But I will never forget that look on his face. And I bet he never forgot that golf shot either.
Gene Czap is an actor, writer of golf books, and Los Angeles resident who says, “Larchmont is the number one place to live.”
The ter Re e
by
Louis Fantasia
didactic. A mother laments the death of her son killed by a drunk driver. A Denver policeman is shot by an undocumented immigrant. Cheap labor takes jobs away from U.S. citizens. Scant resources are spent on people who don’t belong here.
But we see the girls— brilliantly played by Newt Arlandiz, Noelle Franco, Valerie Rose Vega and Blanca Isabella. We feel, hope and root for them to get scholarships, find jobs and please Lord, not get deported over a broken tail-light traffic stop.
The rest of the ensemble is first-rate, rotating through roles as parents, teachers, boyfriends, politicians, caseworkers and professors.
Fidel Gomez’s direction is Broadway quality, as is the production, which takes us through the evolution of these girls to women who learn to come out of the shadows and be not afraid. That’s the play’s major challenge for all of us: “What are we afraid of?” Its corollary, “What does it mean to be an ‘American’ today?” should give us pause for reflection. Be not afraid.
What we’re watching; what you should, too
A.R.
Johnstone
Mobland: Tom Hardy is one of those actors who can steal a scene just by being in it. But in this gritty crime family, he has some competition. Pierce Brosnan is superb as a genteel, psychotic patriarch showing a side of him that we haven’t seen much before. Helen Mirren is Brosnan’s wife and female force. She has a look in her eye that would make you shudder, which shows where the true power lies. Anson Boon is the grandson from hell who knows the power his family wields in the underworld. Guy Ritchie does a great job of toning down his frenetic style to allow us to ease into this world. Watch it on Paramount+.
The Residence: Netflix and Shonda Rhimes’ original and stylized content (think Downton Abbey in the White House, but more clip and comic). In this comedy / whodunit, Uzo Aduba, as Detective Cordelia
Cupp investigates a murder at the White House. There are so many rich performances it’s hard not to mention everyone. The series was created by Paul William Davies, and it looks like we might see more from Cupp.
Adolescence: The intensity of this show starts about five minutes in and does not let up. Filmed in uncut single takes, it feels like you are in the room going through this nightmare with the family. If you have kids, all four episodes will have you wondering how much you don’t know as a parent and will make you want to give your child a hug.
Director Philip Barantini elicits raw and honest performances from Stephen Graham, the co-creator and fictional father Eddie; Owen Cooper, in his debut, playing Jamie Miller; and the entire cast. Taking on subjects that are both hard to watch but necessary to know, the mini-
series gives a peek into the manosphere, bullying, online perils and views on gender roles. On Netflix.
The Last of Us: The second season premiered April 13, and Pedro Pascal continues his role as a father figure to Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie. Max has succeeded in taking the extremely popular video game and making it into must-watch television. Although COVID-19 seems to have created a rise in dystopian dramas that predict the end of civilized civilization, The Last of Us puts us in the middle of the action and has us questioning how we would react if dropped into the same torturous world. Just how far would you go to survive?
American Primeval: Need more American West stories? In another excellent miniseries from Netflix, Mark L. Smith, Peter Berg and Eric Newman follow mother and (Please turn to Page 16)
May Events Calendar
JACK KIRBY: HEROES AND HUMANITY is a retrospective of the artist who created Captain America, The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, The X-Men, The Black Panther and The Incredible Hulk. Whew! Original comic book artwork and print
comics, fine art and commercial work will be showcased at the worldwide debut.
At the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., through March 1, 2026.
LA COUNTY FAIR
“ART UNLEASHED” will put the spotlight on all things creative at this year’s editiom of the century-old fair. Concerts, parades, pig races, livestock and horticuture competitions, a carnival of rides and more are featured. Visit lacountyfair.com.
The fair takes place daily Fri., May 2 through Mon., May 26, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., at 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona.
MUSIC CENTER’S VERY SPECIAL ARTS
FESTIVAL: FAMILY
DAY is a fusion of dance, music and art and science activities. 11 a.m to 2:30 p.m. Free. Jerry Moss Plaza at the Music Center,
Jjajangmyeon
135 N. Grand Ave. musiccenter. org/familyday.
BOOK & BAKE SALE will take place at Wilshire Branch Library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fundraising event, sponsored by the Friends of Wilshire Library, will be in front of the library. Wilshire Branch Library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. SOBER & STANDING (UP!), a comedy fundraiser featuring comedians in recovery, takes place at the El Rey
to Jjamppong:
Like many Korean Americans, I grew up eating jjajangmyeon (pronounced jah-jahng-myuhn)—a comforting bowl of chewy noodles topped with a thick black bean sauce made with onions, pork and just enough sweetness to make it feel like a treat. It was our version of mac and cheese: warm, familiar and endlessly satisfying. When I was in college, my best friend and I had
Theatre at 7 p.m. Margaret Cho, Dustin Ybarra, Greg Baldwin and Ally Weinhold are among performers at this event, sponsored by Phoenix House California. For tickets, visit phoenixhouseca.org. El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd.
GREAT AUSTRALIA BITE will feature chef Curtis Stone (of Michelin-starred Gwen in Hollywood) at Four Stones Farm in Malibu. Join Stone for a multicourse dinner paired with drinks on his private farm in the heart of Malibu wine country. Get tickets at tinyurl.com/y7jr6pph.
Continuing….
“GUSTAVE CAILLE -
BOTTE: PAINTING MEN” features works by the French Impressionist painter through Sun., May 25. At the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr. Free. RSVP at tickets.getty.
edu for timed entry.
“WHAT THEY SAW: Historical Photobooks by Women 1843-1999” through Sun., May 11. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr. Free. RSVP at tickets.getty.edu. for timed entry.
“AINADAMAR.” This Los Angeles Opera premiere is of a work named for one of the natural springs above the city of Granada, Spain; it tells of playwright Federico Garcia Lorca and his muse. Sung in Spanish with English subtitles. Through Sun., May 18. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., laopera. org.
noodles marked my coming of age
Ktown Chronicles by JaeBap
a weekly tradition: we’d meet at our favorite Koreatown spot, Young King Chinese Restaurant, order two jjajangmyeons and a plate of tangsuyuk (Korea’s take on sweet and sour pork) and talk about life. Back then, we never looked at the rest of the menu—we had our go-to order and it never let us down.
As a kid, there was another dish on the table though, just not ours: jjamppong (jahmpohng). My parents and other older relatives always ordered it. A bold, spicy seafood noodle soup with a deep red broth and a generous mix of shrimp, squid and mussels. For us kids, it was just…too much. Too spicy. Too fishy. Too grownup. But not long ago, I found myself back at Young King. This time in my mid-thirties, I ordered the jjamppong. And it changed everything. The rich seafood flavor, the slow-building heat, the depth—it was like discovering a whole new language of taste. I suddenly got it. And just like that, I realized
I’d crossed over: I was now the adult who prefers jjamppong.
Maybe it’s silly to say a bowl of noodles can mark a life shift, but for me it did. And honestly? I kind of love that.
Young King has been serving up Korean-Chinese comfort food in Koreatown for over 30 years. If you’re curious, go with a friend and order both dishes, jjajangmyeon and jjamppong, then swap halfway. Think of it as a taste test, or a tiny comingof-age journey of your own.
Young King Chinese Restaurant, 3100 W. Olympic Blvd. JaeBap, 36, has lived in Koreatown for the past 24 years. He says, “I’ve had the privilege of watching the neighborhood evolve while staying connected to its culinary roots. I know where to find the best seolleongtang, the most flavorful kimchi
is top left (black) and tangsuyuk is on the right.
jjigae and the hidden spots that even longtime locals might overlook. I appreciate the stories behind each dish and the restaurants that have preserved these traditions for decades. For more insights, recommendations and deep dives into Koreatown’s dynamic food scene, stay tuned for future articles. There’s always another incredible meal waiting just around the corner.”
JJAMPPONG in the bowl at bottom (red), Jjajangmyeon
SCENE from director Deborah ol er’s sta in of inadamar” at Scottish Opera.
Photo: James Glossop
CAILLE OTTE’S OATING PARTY” is at the Getty.
Photo: Grand Palais RMN Musee ’Ors y Fr nc R u
A book club’s virtual (and, in-person, very tasty) journey
By Bridget Smith
It started, like many things in 2020, with a Zoom link. Stuck at home and craving social connection, I launched a virtual book club, sending invitations to every friend I thought might say yes. The response was better than expected, and five years later, we’re still meeting monthly— proof that good books and great conversations can outlast even a global pandemic.
While most of our members live in the area, our online format also allows far-flung and traveling friends to participate. Occasionally, though, we take our discussions offline, as we did recently for Taste by Stanley Tucci. Hosted by Nancy Redford of Windsor Square, this in-person gathering featured dishes inspired by Tucci’s recipes, and, of course, a taste of his very specific martini (stirred, not shaken).
WINDSOR SQUARE RESIDENT and book club member Nancy Redford.
As an audio book devotee, I found “Taste” especially delightful narrated in Tucci’s own voice. That passion for food! That delivery! Four out of five stars.
Each year, our book club votes on our favorite reads.
This past year ended in a tie: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
I’m a tough rater, but Piranesi earned a rare five out of five from me. It’s exactly the kind of novel I love—one that demands discussion. Clarke’s labyrinthine world draws inspiration from The Inklings (the Oxford-based intellectual circle of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien), particularly the lesser-known Owen Barfield. If
you read it and find yourself puzzled, you’re not alone. It’s a book best unraveled with others.
The Covenant of Water, meanwhile, scored a solid four stars. Verghese’s sweeping saga centers on a Christian family in Kerala, India, cursed by a mysterious affliction. At
31-plus hours in audio book form, it’s an undertaking. While I wished the novel had been divided into two or three books, many club members found its immersive depth rewarding. The story’s meditation on family secrets and the unknowable resonated deeply. Verghese’s medical expertise is woven throughout the novel, and while I sometimes found the medical details excessive, others found them fascinating.
Five years in, our book club has become more than just a monthly meeting—it’s a shared experience, a window into new ideas and sometimes, an excuse to gather over good food and better martinis. Here’s to another year of reading, debating and discovering. Are you in a book club? Share your club’s favorite reads with the Chronicle. Email hedy@ larchmontchronicle.com with “books” in the subject line.
Celebrate Mexico’s David-and-Goliath-type battle with guac!
By Helene Seifer
Cinco de Mayo commemorates an 1861 David-and-Goliath-type battle that took place in Puebla de los Àngeles in Mexico. A ragtag group of mostly Indigenous troops beat back the advances of a larger, better equipped army from France who aimed to acquire territory in retaliation for Mexico having defaulted on a debt.
In Mexico, this small miracle is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, but that doesn’t stop the fiesta from raging across the U.S., and what victory party is complete without a huge bowl of guacamole?
Avocado seeds were first discovered in Mexico approximately 10,000 years ago, but the first English recipe for guacamole appeared in the 1697 book “A New Voyage Round the World,” by privateer William Dampier. While in Central America he was introduced to a mash of avocados, lime juice and sugar. What makes a great guacamole now?
The texture is of primary importance, maintains Alex Cruz, manager of El Coyote Mexican Café, 7312 Beverly Blvd., stating, “Some avocados are too soft, some too hard.” A hugely popular restaurant for 94 years, El Coyote is known
for its tchotchke-stuffed nooks and crannies, multicolored string lights, servers in traditionally embroidered skirts, strong Margaritas and guacamole and chips on nearly every table. According to Cruz, they smash 180 perfectly ripened avocados a day for their extraordinarily silky guacamole, enhanced with small chunks of the fruit, served with crunchy tortilla chips and two kinds of salsa, one smooth and fiery, one fresh and mild.
“I hope we can be the next El Coyote and celebrate our 50th year and more,” states Luca Arroyo, who, along with his sister and mother, have run Escuela Taqueria, 7450 Beverly Blvd., since his father passed last July. The 14-yearold restaurant has colorful flowered tablecloths and hand painted murals, which lend an authentic charm. “We make guacamole daily,” Arroyo says, “With onion, lime juice and
cilantro.” He adds that their head chef, Arcadio “hand washes every single avocado. He swears it makes it taste better.” Their guacamole is served with lime-sprinkled
homemade tortilla chips and excellent cilantro-inflected and piquant salsa.
Newer to the neighborhood, one-year-old family-run L.A. Oaxaca Restaurant, 151 N. Western Ave., makes every bowl of guacamole fresh. Chef Justo Ambrosio hopes that soon he will get small molcajetes (stone bowls in which to grind the avocados) so guacamole can be prepared at each table and tailored to the individual tastes of the guests. He happily shares the recipe for
his well-seasoned chip-dip: Crush one to one-and-a-half avocados, depending on size, and mix with one tablespoon each of chopped onion, cilantro and tomato. Add one teaspoon minced fresh serrano pepper, one teaspoon salt, and juice of at least one fresh lime. The guacamole is served with chips and two terrific Oaxacan-style salsas; one smoky and spicy, one mild. So this Cinco de Mayo, celebrate the weak vanquishing the mighty with a vat of guac!
CHEF JUSTO AMBROSIO crafting guacamole at L.A. Oaxaca Restaurant.
GUACAMOLE, chips and salsa at Escuela Taqueria.
PENELOPE STIPANOVICH displays her recommendation.
CAMILLE DIAMOND has been a virtual attendee since COVID-19 began.
Young athletes thankful for their moms on this Mother’s Day
I have a lot in common with Larchmont resident Nelson LaBombard, one of three athletes I interviewed for this feature. Nelson is a high school wrestler, and so was I.
My mother never missed any of my matches. She sat for hours in gymnasiums and I could always hear her when I wrestled, no matter how large and crowded the venue was. She was as knowledgeable of the rules as any official and when they blew a call or missed something, she let them know it. Nobody cheered louder for me than my mom.
Nelson
Elizabeth and John LaBombard’s son Nelson is a 10th grader at Harvard-Westlake High School. He wrestled varsity this year, and qualified for the Master’s Meet, which is exceptional, because California is one of the top five states in the country for wrestling.
Elizabeth was an athlete and played varsity soccer and tennis at Marlborough School. One of her best memories was traveling to China when she was 13 with her American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) all-star team.
“It was even more memorable because my grandmother came with me.”
Nelson had a similar travel experience last spring. His
Youth Sports
by Jim Kalin
mother drove the two of them to Fresno where he competed in the USA Wrestling freestyle state championships.
“Having her during the long car ride, in the stands, and to talk to after matches was a great experience,” said Nelson. “Her overall toughness has rubbed off on me, exemplified especially when she gives me pre-match talks.”
“We had a lot of fun spending quality time together and bonding that weekend,” said Elizabeth.
“I’d like to thank my mom for always seeing the bright side of my sport. Whether I win or lose, or am injured, she always finds something that makes me feel better about the situation.”
Zuri
Zuri Jacobs attended Larchmont Charter School (LCS) Selma middle school. She participated in basketball, volleyball and track. Zuri decided to continue high school at Pacific Palisades. Basketball is her focus, although she hasn’t given up track.
“I plan to continue working on shot put.”
Zuri’s mother Cheri was athletic, though not as enthusiastic about competing as
her daughter.
“I was a cheerleader through high school and was at all the games,” explained Cheri. “I loved observing sports and still do.”
The recent fires have affected Palisades High students.
“We weren’t able to use our gym and facilities due to the damage the fire caused. Luckily we had other schools offer use of their gyms, so we switched from school to school to continue practices and games,” said Zuri.
Cheri’s been vigilant about giving Zuri every opportunity to improve her basketball skills. She seeks out camps and scrimmages so Zuri receives additional practice time. “Now that the school season is over, Zuri will play on a summer club team.”
“My mom is always looking for opportunities so I can get better. I always hear her on the sidelines when I’m playing. On the car rides back from the games, I look forward to hearing what she has to say about how I played and just the game overall. ”
Carroll Cassey Jenkins grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and as a youth, her parents insisted she play a sport each season. She was introduced to field hockey in junior high and it became her favorite sport.
“I didn’t genuinely enjoy playing sports, but I loved being on a team,” said Cassey. “I also loved wearing my field hockey kilt to school on game days.”
Cassey’s son Carroll plays outside hitter for San Gabriel Elite, a local volleyball club team, and has been a starter for LCS (High School) the past three seasons. Last year
What to watch
(Continued from Page 13) son escaping west. The story takes place around the Mountain Meadows Massacre involving the Mormons which has been argued as not wholly reflective of the faith in general. Fair, but do you want to feel the 1857 American West? Cold, dirty, drunk, hunger, fear, elation, attraction? This gives
LARCHMONT CHARTER WILSHIRE
Emory Tom Kirkwood
Xavier Mason 3rd Grade
April showers bring May flowers! But at Larchmont, May means Gala! It’s on May 9! We also have an auction. In the past, there’s been vacation homes, shops, and
the boys’ volleyball team at LCS won the Division 4 City Section. Carroll was included on the All City first team.
“They played High Tech High in San Diego to move toward the next level of the state championships,” said Cassey. “They lost, but it was exciting to see how much they’d grown during the season.”
Carroll will play NCAA DIII volleyball for Vassar College next year.
“My mother allowed me to focus on my game without having to worry about logistics,” said Carroll. “She’s inspired me to have a growth mindset and work hard to achieve my goals. Playing club volleyball is expensive and a privilege. I’m grateful that my mom [and dad have] never hesitated to pay for the leagues, travel and other expenses associated with club volleyball.”
it to you without rose-colored glasses.
2073: A heavy dystopian vision using documentary footage interspersed with the fiction story, which reads as maybe real/maybe fake news. It’s all part of the artistic achievement in Asif Kapadia’s Netflix movie based on Chris Marker’s 1962 film “La Jetée.” Disturbing, but sticks with the side of you that wants to be afraid.
even restaurants! Another thing in store for May? Assemblies. We asked our music teacher DJ Sophia about this. She said, “We’ll have special heritage Morning Sings celebrating Asian, Jewish and Arab Americans.” Some more Americans to note are the amazing mothers at our school. Here are some of them—our librarian, and who is she a mother to? Emory Tom! Eva, our awesome principal! And who is she a mother to? Ximena Orozco! Jenny, our fantastic nurse—who’s her son? Mr. James! (He’s in college!) And Mom—my awesome Mom! Thank you for raising me!
NELSON AND ELIZABETH LABOMBARD in Fresno, Ca.
ZURI AND CHERI JACOBS share a photo opportunity.
CARROLL JENKINS with his mother, Cassey.
Assistance League makes prom magical for unhoused teens
By Nona Sue Friedman
Imagine a room filled with a dozen racks of all kinds of dresses—glittery, satin, long, short, puffy, form-fitting—next to tables displaying gold, silver and rhinestone-encrusted jewelry, which sit in front of rows of shoes in every size and heel height imagineable. This magical room is available at no cost to the 162 unhoused girls chosen from 56 Los Angeles Unified School District high schools to make their prom night unforgettable. The students were invited to the Assistance League of Los Angeles’ Prom Day on April 9, held at Emerson College in Hollywood.
The League works throughout the year to procure merchandise and sponsors for this pop-up shop to outfit the girls. Organizers believe prom is a rite of pas-
NEW COVENANT
Kailey Kim 10th Grade
LOOKING FOR the perfect rse to om lete the o t t
sage. Many of these students would likely not be able to attend their prom without this event. The League’s Prom Day has been happening annually since 2009.
In addition to getting everything one needs for their
FINALLY FINDING the dress that makes her feel like a princess is Paris Jones of Santee Ed ation om le
special night, the girls receive a swag bag filled with cosmetics and toiletries, a backpack and a kit to take to prom in case of an emergency. They can also choose a book from the “Date With a Book” table.
PERSONAL STYLIST AND student look through the racks of dresses to ether
As Ariana Contreras of Bravo High School said, “This bag is kind of heavy,” referring to the swag bag.
Paramount Pictures is one of the many financial spon-
sors of the event and they also provide volunteers. Kelsey Young, a Larchmont Village resident and first-time volunteer employed by Paramount, said at the event, “It’s amazing. I’m so excited to see what people pick.”
Despite the obstacles these students face, in order to be considered for this opportunity, they have to do well in school and be on a path to graduate. Destiny Garcia, who attends Downtown Magnets High School, said, “I was scared at first that maybe nothing would fit, but I found something!” Rachel Flores of San Fernando High School felt similarly to Garcia, but also found an incredible outfit. She added, “I got a job this year just to pay for my senior events,” since she knew her mom couldn’t afford it.
The High School Student Council hosted prom with the dazzling theme of “The Great Gatsby.” Before entering Easter break, the school gathered as a community to celebrate Easter. It was a joyous event, featuring uplifting performances that showcased students’ talents and celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A small group of students and teachers embarked on a mission trip to Mexico, where they deepened their faith while helping those in need. Meanwhile, the upcoming freshman class enjoyed a trip to Washington, D.C., marking the beginning of their high school
journey. To top it all off, the boys’ volleyball team wrapped up their season on a high note as they emerged victorious in their final games. Go Huskies!
LARCHMONT CHARTER
SELMA Elsie Mohr 5th Grade
grade is heading for adventures at Kenneth Hahn State Park.
PILGRIM Allison Pak 11th Grade
had many college acceptance offers. W we can’t wait to share the full list with you soon! Summer camp sign-ups are running, and we are planning for a fun camp filled with many activities!
Hola, bonjour, and happy spring! Some 8th grade students traveled to Costa Rica for a conservation project and others went to Japan for a cultural exchange. Speaking of fun breaks from school, the 5th grade went on a STEM-tastic trip to the California Science Center where they experienced the science of fear exhibit and learned about fire safety. Next up, the 4th
We have welcomed many new families who will be joining us this fall. Our school musical was “Legally Blonde. Jr.,” Pilgrim is hosting a parent workshop, and the class of 2025 has
CAMPBELL HALL
Claire “Cal” Lesher 12th Grade
The Senior Spotlights commenced in late April. The 69th annual Bagpipers Ball plans are coming together for the fundraiser in early May. The proceeds supports our financial aid programs. Additionally, we deeply
appreciate all students and chaperones/ teachers traveled to Baja and helped built homes for families. The middle school musical, “Once Upon a Mattress,” was presented at the end of April. We welcome to our community our new athletic director, Jack Leavitt. A shout out to our sports teams Varsity Girls Beach Volleyball and Varsity Baseball are having a good season. Go Vikings!
Saint Mark’s Village opens at EF Academy Pasadena
By H. Hutcheson
After a devastating fire forced Saint Mark’s School in Altadena to temporarily close its campus, two local schools united to create something extraordinary. This week, Saint Mark’s and EF Academy Pasadena, a day and boarding high school, unveiled Saint Mark’s Village, a newly built temporary school site on EF Academy’s campus that will house Saint Mark’s Developmental Kindergarten through 6th grade students while recovery efforts continue.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked what’s being called one of the fastest school recovery efforts in recent memory. Less than two months after the fire, the Village is now fully
CONGRESSWOMAN
aint ar ’s illa e on the E ademy am s
operational. “This ribbon-cutting represents more than just a temporary solution—it’s a testament to our community’s
Early Bird Discount Is Extended to May 15
resilience and the collective effort to keep education at the forefront,” said Jennifer Tolbert, head of school at Saint
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Gene Gilbert, USPC Professional Member located at the Paddock Riding Club 3919 Rigali Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tel: 323-665-8977
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Mark’s. “Thanks to EF Academy, dedicated supporters and expedited state measures, our students can continue learning without disruption.”
The Village spans 12,000 square feet and includes 22 classrooms, administrative offices and outdoor space.
Designed by PjHM Architects and built in partnership with WillScot, it sits on 32,000 square feet of previously unused EF Academy land.
EF Academy Pasadena is providing the land at no cost.
“For us, it was an easy decision,” said Dr. Sally Mingarelli, head of school at EF Academy. “This partnership is a powerful example of what happens when a community comes together. We’re offering more than a learning space—we’re providing stability and support.”
Saint Mark’s students will also have access to EF Academy’s state-of-the-art campus, whichopened in 2022, including its STEM labs, arts spaces and gymnasium.
City and state leaders praised the partnership. Congresswoman Judy Chu called the effort “a remarkable testament” to the schools’ shared commitment to students.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger described it as “a shining example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together.” Pasadena Councilmember Rick Cole added, “This reflects Pasadena’s commitment to doing all we can to ensure fire victims are re-housed, kids are back in school and our community is rebuilt.”
Support from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-6-25 cleared the way for quick permitting and construction, with the City of Pasadena fast-tracking approvals and infrastructure. Dozens of local contractors and architects donated time and labor to complete the build in just six weeks.
As the long-term rebuild of its Altadena campus begins, Saint Mark’s is raising funds to support displaced families, replace lost materials and provide trauma-informed mental health services. “This is not just about rebuilding a campus,” said Tolbert. “It’s about caring for our students, teachers and broader community in a time of need.”
Information about how to support the school’s efforts is available at saint-marks.org
Gooey and delicious chocolate chip cookies
By Shoe Schuster
Shoe is a comedy writer who has lived in Larchmont Village for six years with his wife, Lisa, and their dog, Ted. When not writing, he enjoys baking, cooking and getting his morning coffee at Go Get ’Em Tiger. Raisin toffee chocolate chip cookies
Ingredients: Cookie Dough
230g cold butter
160g dark brown sugar
160g caster sugar
300g chocolate chips
100g sultanas (raisins)
500g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 whole eggs
1 egg yolk
Sticky Toffee Sauce
80g butter
80g muscovado sugar
100g heavy cream
1/4 tsp Marmite
Equipment: Candy molds and cookie sheets
In a large bowl, whisk your dry ingredients for the cookie dough together. Now, do your eggs. Whack them into a different bowl and whisk them together and put them aside. Take your butter out of
the fridge; we want the butter to be cold. Mega cold butter. Don’t use soft butter. If the butter is warm, the cookies will spread too much. Put cold butter into a stand mixer with paddle attachment.
Now put your sugars in the stand mixer with the cold butter. On low speed, mix up your sugar and butter. You want some chunks of butter remaining, so don’t mix too much. Now after the butter breaks up a little, add your chocolate chips and sultanas (or raisins, same diff). Mix that up a bit, but not too much—you’re trying to keep the butter shards. Now add your dry ingredients that you whisked previously. On a low speed should be fine. Let it tumble those bits together and keep the butter in those cold shards. When it reaches a loose consistency, add your eggs. The eggs will bind the
JUDY CHU far left oins a t ar ’s stdent, Dr. Sally Mingarelli, Jennifer Tolbert and Victor Pesiri in the ribbon ttin for
TOFFEE LEAKS from a sta of cookies.
Severance, Hacks at Dolby; Women’s Theatre Fest held a gala
One of the greatest things about living in Los Angeles is our opportunity to see and hear directly from the film and television creators who make our town tick. Case in point: The annual PaleyFest The weeklong festival delivered in a big way this year. PaleyFestLA, a part of The Paley Center for Media, welcomed fans of television and the arts to Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre from March 21 to 29. Shows spotlighted included Severance, Agatha All Along, Cobra Kai, Matlock, The Handmaid’s Tale, Hacks, Poker Face and The Amy Sherman-Palladino Multiverse of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Étoile and Gilmore Girls. I attended the Severance and Hacks panels, and let me tell you—these are panels you don’t ever want to miss (for future reference)! The sold-out Severance audience, 3,300 strong, was treated to a live screening of the Season
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE
Alice Markus 6th Grade
Around the Town with Sondi Toll Sepenuk
Two finale, just hours after being released on AppleTV+. The hardcore fan base avoided social media all day, so the devotees ate it up, with audible gasps, cheers and laughter throughout. After the screening, the crowd was treated to a conversation with show creators Ben Stiller and Dan Erickson, plus cast members Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Dichen Lachman, Jen Tullock, Sarah Bock, Tramell Tillman, Michael Chernus, Gwendoline Christie and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson. In a surprise entrance, Tramell Tillman (aka Mr. Milchick) burst into the theater with the entire USC marching band, referencing the final episode. The crowd went berserk. Ben Stiller remarked, “Watching [the episode] with this
audience was one of the most special moments I’ve ever had connected to the show.”
The Hacks panel was an equal laugh riot. The panel consisted of writers/creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky and actors Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, Megan Stalter and Rose Abdoo. The audience was treated to the first two episodes of Season Four and were told that—hush hush—not to post anything on socials until the critics started screening it one week later. No spoilers!
Altadena was revealed to be the area where much of the show is filmed, and the cast and creators felt great sadness for the community that was so devastated by the recent wildfires. Season Four takes place mostly in Los Angeles, and the writers wanted the audience to know that “this is the place that made our dreams come true.”
In recent months, Hollywood Schoolhouse has been in a state of controlled frenzy while we sixth graders nervously anticipated our middle school test results, and HSH’s musical, “Matilda Jr.,” was being prepared and
Cookies
(Continued from Page 18) ingredients, but don’t over mix. You just want them to come together. You can pack them into balls to make cookies in a second. Just bind them now with the eggs.
Great, that’s it. Now cover the stand mixer bowl and put in the fridge.
Now onto the toffee sauce: Put the butter and muscovado sugar in a saucepan. Stir that together on low heat until it’s melted. Stir all the time to make sure the butter and sugar emulsify. Then add the heavy cream and stir and let it come to a bubble. Now add the Marmite. If you don’t have Marmite, that’s fine. It does add depth of flavor. Once it’s thickened slightly, only about five minutes more, take that sauce and pour it into candy molds. If you don’t have candy molds, you can pour it onto a sheet tray. You can let it cool a bit at room temperature and put it into the fridge however you can. If you’re without any molds, your best bet is to let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then just dock it in the fridge for a few hours. It’s best to leave the sauce and cookie dough in the fridge
performed. No day was more frantic than the Friday when we were to find out what our futures would hold. I’m now very happy to know that I am going to Marlborough, but back then I had no idea what the next step in my life would be. I was so apprehensive. We wrote encouraging notes to each other, then scrambled them, so that our classmates received the wishes randomly. I’ll always look back with gratitude at how HSH handled the sometimes stressful path along the way.
overnight.
The next day: Take dough and sauce out of the fridge. Now take a big hunking bit of cookie dough (70 grams worth) and flatten it into your hand. Now take a dollop of the toffee sauce, plop it into the middle of the cookie dough in your hand and roll the dough over the sauce, encasing it. You have your first cookie! Now do this roughly 14-17 more times. After you’ve enrobed the toffee sauce into the cookie dough, place the cookies on parchment paper on a cookie sheet and put the whole lot of cookies back in the fridge. Now set your oven for 375 F. Take the cookies out of the fridge and slide them into the oven. After 7-8 minutes of them roasting their cookie fannies in the oven, turn the sheet 180 degrees and continue baking. After another 10 minutes, guess what? You have cookies! Let them cool for at least 15 minutes, because the interior is molten hot toffee. They’re actually best if you let them cool down to room temperature, but who can wait that long?
Do you have a recipe for the Chronicle? Send to hedy@ larchmontchronicle.com with “recipe” in the subject line.
The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) opened its 32nd annual festival at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre on March 27, celebrating with an Opening Night Champagne Gala and Awards Ceremony. The 2025 theme, “Stronger Together,” honored the accomplishments of women from around the globe who have made significant contributions to the world of theater. Co-hosted by Ted Lange (The Love Boat) and Margaret Avery (The Color Purple), the evening spotlighted several artists of note, both
past and present. Honorees included Juli Kim (Rainbow Award), Dawn Didawick (Eternity Award), Juanita Jennings (Integrity Award), Elisa Bocanegra (Maverick Award), Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy (Infinity Award, posthumously) and Mitzi Gaynor (Infinity Award, posthumously). More than 700 solo artists have been presented through the LAWTF, hailing from six continents and serving 3,000 youth in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Maverick Award honoree Elisa Bocanegra, who traveled to the festival from Colombia, emphasized that “the legacy and the work [the festival does] is incredibly important, and it’s so special to be honored by your peers… and it’s all about women!”
• • • Hancock Park resident Jan Daley, a Grammy-nominated singer / songwriter and Academy Award nominee, celebrates her 80th birthday with her new self-written country album, “The Girl’s in Love.” Daley says, “For all you moms
out there raising children—it’s never too late to realize your dreams or make new ones.”
JAN DALEY, right, with granddaughter Madison McClure, says, “I took 20 years off to be home with my daughter.”
JEAN SMART (center) and Hannah Einbinder (right) enjoy a laugh talking to the audience at Paleyfest 2025.
LOS ANGELES OMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL award honorees gather for a photo.
ST. BRENDAN
Alyssa Lee 8th Grade
FIYA League Championship, and the High School Boys’ Volleyball Team is Liberty League Champion.
in front of friends and family.
OAKWOOD
On March 29, we hosted our annual spring gala fundraiser. On April 5, we celebrated our first Multicultural Fair by showcasing the rich diversity and heritage of our families through food tastings, informative displays and live performances. On April 11, we held our middle school dance in our gym which shone in gold, black and white for this year’s NYC theme. In observance of Holy Week, 8th graders led the Stations of the Cross on April 16, before heading to Easter break. May events include the talent show 5/2, book fair 5/4-5/9, mini carnival 5/16, fun run 5/23 and school musical “Newsies” 5/30 and 31.
LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE LOS ANGELES
Aydin Hammoudeh 8th Grade
LARCHMONT CHARTER
LAFAYETTE PARK
Ella Wolovitch 9th Grade
Charlotte Zabel 12th Grade
After the recent fires, our school is delighted to offer a new service to the community and open a French bilingual junior pre-school on campus. Two-year-olds may now apply to our school! Our Century City campus will also be open to kindergarten 1 students.
Our 11th grade students traveled to San Francisco to compete in the Startup Lycée Finals, an AEFE educational project, which invites students to step into the shoes of young entrepreneurs. In teams, they imagine an innovative startup in just two days and then present it as a pitch to a jury of professionals. We are happy to announce that one of our teams placed 2nd!
Our middle school basketball team has won its first ever
At the Spring Carnival, April 3, there were tons of excit ing activities to engage stu dents. There was a bouncy house, goat petting zoo and snow cones! Additionally, each club hosted a booth with things like baked goods, games, trivia, henna, cultural foods and tons more! Unfortunately it got cut short due to a rain storm, but the time we had at the carnival was very successful! During the week of the spring carnival there was also spirit week where students had the opportunity to dress up in outfits themed with things like spring and old money. Overall it was a great couple of weeks at Larchmont and we’re looking forward to more fun events.
THIRD STREET
ELEMENTARY
Maya Johnson 5th Grade
Greetings! To kick off Spring we had our annual Walkathon on April 4 raising money for school programs like music, theater, teacher aids, our tech lab and fun fieldtrips. On On May 2 we have our school Spirit Day, kids are invited to come to school with wacky hair styles. We are all super excited for the annual Third Street’s Got Talent event scheduled for June 6. This end-of-the-school-year event takes place on the school lawn, giving students an opportunity to show off their talents
Oakwood’s seniors are headed to start on a myriad of events (prom, graduation, senior trip...). The Senior Project is a period of 2 weeks where students can dedicate to any interest of their choosing, from fostering kittens, to hiking around California, to internships and beach cleanups—if you can pitch it well, you can do it! Our famous Arts Fest will happen later in the month and students and faculty will be able to put their talents on display. Prom is coming up on May 10 and we’re so excited to celebrate it at W Hotel this year! “Beetlejuice,” the middle school musical, has two days of shows on May 14 and 15.
PAGE ACADEMY
Amanda Arigiropoulos 8th Grade
in a beautiful setting. May 2, all JK and 8th grade students (including yours truly!) will be taking cap and gown photos for our June Graduation. Page will be honoring all our moms with a special Mother’s Day barbecue, then closed for Memorial Day in honor of all of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and our freedoms.
MARLBOROUGH SCHOOL
Madison McClure 9th Grade
We just had our annual Spring Choral Concert where choirs from upper and low er school came together to sing about echoes of the sky and being able to jump outside of one’s comfort zone. At the end of the concert all the choirs sang “No Time,” by Susan Brumfield, which is a song we sing every year as a send off to the seniors. Over spring break the upper school choir, Chamber Choir, travelled to New York and performed at
Carnegie Hall! As for sports, the Marlborough kacrosse team has been having an amazing season and just had their senior night recently against Crescenta Valley where Marlborough won 17-5!
ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL
Oona Macek 6th Grade
This April, St. James hosted a multitude of events, one of which was the Spring Dance. Each year, the theme for the Spring Dance is selected by that year’s sixth grade class. This year, there were many competitors, but we (eventually) landed on a ballroom theme— think avant-garde aesthetics, extravagant gowns and debonair suits.
However, we didn’t choose the ballroom theme just for the fashion—we loved the fact that it was broad, allowing for self-expression, over-the-top performances and different interpretations of the theme to shine.
On April 3, we celebrated International Day where students gave presentationsoncountries from Ecuador to India to Sweden and many more, representing the culture and heritage of our students, teachers and staff. Many of them wore traditional costumes from their family’s native country and it was all followed by an international potluck. We had our “Move Up Morning” where our students followed the next grade level’s schedule for a sneak peak of what’s to come next year. Our 4th through 8th grade students attended Astro Camp, in Idyllwild. They participated in exciting outdoor learning and STEM programs with students from various other schools all
Mayor
(Continued from Page 1) h0owever, until we see them in 0action we will have to reserve judgment. The mayor hoped these new guidelines could be used throughout the city to make building all housing easier. Again, that could be a double-edged sword for some neighborhoods trying to protect their single-family-residence zoning.
The mayor was proud of the newly proposed project of the Los Angeles Convention Center, the L.A. Rams’ permanent headquarters and training facility in the San Fernando Valley, the gentrification of the Crenshaw District with Destination Crenshaw and the continued upgrade of LAX.
The mayor said she is proposing to Sacramento a large increase in tax incentives for filming to remain in L.A.— programs that will add jobs and revenues for the city.
Mayor Bass spoke about the 2028 Olympics and said she is “starting a program called ShineLA (mayor.lacity.gov/ShineLA) to activate a different neighborhood every weekend…[in an effort] to have the residents get our city ready, proud and cleaned for
the legions of tourists who will be attending the Games.” She wants the city to come together as we did when the Dodgers won the World Series where the parade was a unifying event for many neighborhoods. Earlier in the day the proposed budget was announced to close the gap on the city’s billion dollar budget shortfall. Mayor Bass touched on the fact there will be roughly 1,600 layoffs in various city departments. The shortfall is due to receipts having come in much lower than forecasted, and liabilities are going up. The proposed budget makes up for the shortfall with the elimination of some agencies coupled with the layoffs and finished with a plea to Sacramento to give some much needed additional funding to the city. That plea may or may not fall on deaf ears.
While no one would argue with the sentiment of the State of the City address, whether the goals can be accomplished or not is the pressing question. And, judging by the various responses heard from other attendees, the jury is still out. Many left City Hall with more questions than answers and some with a great deal of skepticism.
Matthew Loh MD,
Neville Anderson
Keith Shopa MD,
P c c P l s es res
By Penelope Stipanovich
In the aftermath of the devastating January fires that reduced thousands of homes to ashes, residents of Pacific Palisades are rallying for relief through a petition started by Pacific Palisades resident Soheila Ataei. At the center of their plea is the demand for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to waive costly permit fees, a financial hurdle residents say is unjust in the wake of a disaster beyond their control. Altadena and Malibu are subject to the same permit fees.
Permit fees for rebuilding can run tens of thousands of dollars per home, a financial strain many fire victims say is simply unfair. Homeowners argue that these fees were already paid when their homes were originally constructed, either directly or as part of the purchase price. Having to pay them again,
Civic pride
(Continued from Page 10)
Not a chance. But when people care about where they live, they watch out for it. They report suspicious activity, they intervene when they see minor problems and they create the kind of community
er t fee ers fter res
they contend, amounts to an undue financial burden at a time when they are already grappling with the costs of rebuilding.
presence that naturally deters crime.
The bottom line: Safer neighborhoods don’t just come from more policing—they come from more caring. By adapting successful approaches from around the world to fit our uniquely L.A. spirit, we can create com-
The fires, which tore through the region on January 7, left a trail of destruction, displacing families and leveling entire neighborhoods. Among those
munities where civic pride becomes our shared superpower against crime. And when the world arrives at our doorstep in 2026 and 2028, they’ll find not just worldclass venues, but world-class neighborhoods that reflect our pride in this extraordinary city we call home.
affected is Ataei, a homeowner who, speaking from the ruins of what was once her beloved home, described the heartache of losing not just a structure, but a lifetime of memories.
“We, the residents of this beautiful Pac Pal community, are resolute in rebuilding our hometown again, in turning grief-stricken ashes back into our sanctuaries. But we are facing an immense obstacle—the building permit fees imposed by LADBS.”
What further frustrates residents is that waivers have been granted in past California wildfires, including the Woolsey Fire and other Northern California disasters. They are now calling for the same consideration, urging city officials to recognize the extraordinary circumstances
and provide financial relief. Ataei says, “We don’t deserve to face this financial barricade while coping with the calamity of losing our homes.” The petition states, “We need immediate action.”
Residents and local leaders have begun mobilizing efforts to pressure city officials into action. Community members are encouraging neighbors to make their voices heard.
The call for relief has reached the desks of city officials, but it remains to be seen whether LADBS will respond with the urgency residents demand. In the meantime, fire victims continue to pick up the pieces, hopeful that they will not have to shoulder an additional financial burden as they work to restore their homes and their community.
Celebrate art and history at Egg & Eye gala May 10
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Egg and the Eye, the go-to spot for omelets and art in what is today’s Craft Contemporary museum, on Sat., May 10. The dinner is sold out but tickets are still available for the after party, which will start at 8 p.m., museum Executive Director Rody Lopez
told us. While the brunch spot closed in 1989, it has not been forgotten, having brought an artful landscape to the area. The benefit and art auction honors the museum’s founder, the late Edith R. Wyle, and contemporary artist Bari Ziperstein. Dress is 60s attire. Visit craftcontemporary.org.
THOUSANDS OF HOMES in a i alisades ere om letely destroyed by the an ary re
Photo by Tom Hofer
New bill
(Continued from Page 1)
SB79 has been given the dry and opaque title “Local government land: public transit use: housing development: transit-oriented development.” The bill seeks to enable the construction of 65- to 75-foot-tall apartment build-
ings within a half mile of a light rail or bus stop regardless of whether the sites are zoned as single-family or arein existing historic districts or light industrial zones. If passed, it would affect the ma-
jority of the communities of Greater Wilshire now protected by local zoning, historic preservation designations and CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act).
The only language in the bill with regards to historic resources was vague, stating that a local agency with available surplus land intended for
open-space purposes, that it intends to dispose of, must inform the city Dept. of Housing and Community Development so that it can be made available for development.
The bill also states, however, that agencies are not required to do this if the land is within a coastal zone, within the Lake Tahoe Region, adjacent to a historical unit of a National Park or listed on or determined by the State Office of Historic Preservation as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
This bill is the revival of the long-ago-defeated SB50, which also sought to bring multifamily apartment development to single-family communities and other low-density neighborhoods. Its defeat led the group United Neighbors to negotiate successfully for the implementation of a plan which would meet Los Angeles’ Regional Housing Needs Assessment Allocation (RHNA) numbers by concentrating new development along existing commercial corridors in high-resource areas. This became the basis for the CHIP ordinance, which passed the City Council unanimously in December of last year.
If SB79 were to pass in its current form, it would be an end to historic districts (as well as single-family neighborhoods) as we know them in Los Angeles. Housing laws from Sacramento have already halted the creation of new locally designated Histor-
THE WILLOWS
ic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs) and led undesignated historic communities to pursue less protective State and National Register Designations as the only means of enabling historic review. This new bill sweeps even that away, allowing Transit Oriented [community] Development (TOC) on any residentially zoned property near transit stops, even future ones! This not only affects historic single-family neighborhoods, but historic multifamily areas as well, many of which are rent stabilized.
The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council passed a motion in support of the Council File resolution to oppose SB79, and local homeowner groups have begun letter-writing campaigns to try to pressure our city and state representatives to oppose and vote against it. I too am urging my readers do join this effort. Write to our mayor, Karen Bass, to raise her voice against SB79; write our Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Katy Yaroslavsky to tell them to support the resolution to oppose SB79; and write state senators Ben Allen and Elena Durazzo to vote against SB79. To submit a publiccomment, go to cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/ and enter 25-0002-S19; then click on the red NEW button to enter your letter in opposition. For the state portal, go to calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/, create an account (if you don’t have one), and enter SB79 and your stance in opposition.
IMMACULATE HEART
Wren Meltzer 7th Grade Teachers are giving out final assignments, the poetry ambassadors are writing their group piece for the ensemble at Arts Night and dancers are preparing for a performance titled “A Celebration of Dance,” that is a yearly tradition and features dances from many age groups. In addition, 7th graders are starting to plan and anticipate their school trip to Atlanta. The Willows has a tradition of taking each middle school class to a different place each year. 5th grade goes to Boston, 6th grade goes to Malibu, 7th to Atlanta and 8th to Washington, D.C.
Rosie Lay 11th Grade Happy Spring! Students are now preparing the final touches for our annual Mary’s Day celebration on Fri., May 2. For weeks, students and faculty have been preparing decorations for this year’s event. The festivities start with students making head wreaths to wear. Then, we gather in the auditorium for a Mass featuring our liturgical dancers. Afterward we gather on the quad to crown the statue of Mary, view the maypole performance, and participate in the Great Lawn Dance. We end the celebration with an outdoor potluck picnic.
Most insurances accepted. Appointments recommended. New patients and emergencies welcome! 321 N. Larchmont Blvd. #424, Los Angeles 90004 323.461.3786
On Preservation by Brian Curran
LANDSCAPE
Tour area gardens on the Petals & Pathways Tour on May 3. Page 2
TRAVEL
A Wes Andersoninspired home was at a modern art museum in Portugal. Page 11
WILDLIFE
Take a walk on the wild side in the Angeles National Forest. Page 14
Everything’s coming up roses in Petals & Pathways Tour
By Helene Seifer
May 3, from noon to 4 p.m.
The self-guided tour of five magnificent home gardens is presented by the Windsor Square-Hancock Park His-
torical Society (WSHPHS) and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA). WSHPHS Vice President of Events Richard Battaglia notes that this is the first time they are collaborating with another organization, stating, “We are hoping it brings lots of new attendees for the garden tour as well as to the home tour in November.
“We have two gardens on Wilton Drive in the Wilton-Ridgewood Historic District,” Battaglia tells us. Both are designed by landscape artist Sarah Alexander of Rodriguez & Satterthwaite, who will be available to answer questions.
The first, a peaceful property belonging to Sarah Byrum and Dana Jackson, fits the description “Urban Oasis.” The second, owned by Alysoun and Al Higgins, has been christened “Ladies of the Canyon” by WSHPHS. The 1911 Craftsman home features drought-tolerant and native plants and a backyard designed for entertaining with a pizza oven, several distinct seating areas, a chicken coop and the surprise appearance of a 1978 white and yellow Volkswagen Beetle convertible peeking out of their garage. Visitors may also meet
one of the guide dogs the couple raises.
Heather and John Fogarty’s 1920 French Normandy Revival home, designed by architects Walker & Eisen, has unusual drought-tolerant landscaping done in the style of an English garden. Designed by Cheryl Kellough, the property also features a scent and sunrise garden, where flowers dazzle with the colors of the early morning sky. Jasmine, roses, honeysuckle and wisteria were selected with fragrance in mind.
A regal oak-lined front yard pathway and a stagger-
(Please turn to Page 3)
DROUGHT-TOLERANT LANDSCAPING at the Higgins home.
KRUISER, who is being trained to be a guide dog, will be a friendly face at the Higgins home.
SOLD: This home at 123 S. Irving Blvd. in Windsor Square sold for $6.95 million in March.
Real Estate Sales*
Single-family homes
5225 W. Second St.
72 Fremont Pl.
Garden tour
(Continued from Page 2)
ing variety of greenery will greet visitors to Leah and Sam Fischer’s Georgian-style home in Windsor Square. Landscape designer Patricia Brenner divided the property into distinct outside rooms, including a fire pit area and kitchen room with citrus trees, 100-year-old sycamores and wisteria-laden pergolas. A historic pet cemetery from the 1920s is an interesting garden feature.
Those on the Petals & Pathways Garden Tour will also have the opportunity to tour the magical Rossmore Avenue home garden of Brad Pitt’s favorite landscaper, Jay Griffith.
“You won’t want to miss these,” Battaglia added.
Tickets are $55 for ICAA/ WSHPHS members and $75 for non-members and are available at www.wshphs. com. Maps and prepaid and day-of tickets can be picked
up May 3, starting at noon, at 355 S. Windsor Blvd. Ticket proceeds support planting and improvement projects in the Windsor Square-Hancock Park area.
$7,980,000
$6,950,000 123 S. Irving Blvd.
$6,920,500 96 Fremont Pl.
$4,300,000 359 S.
$3,294,150
$2,600,000
$2,275,000 607 N. Sierra Bonita Ave.
$2,150,000
$2,190,000 800 S. Citrus Ave.
$2,000,000
$1,935,000
$1,850,000
$1,731,000 610 N. Curson Ave.
$1,500,000 507 S. Norton Ave.
Condominiums
116 1/2 N. Sycamore Ave.
645 Wilcox Ave., #3B
531 N. Rossmore Ave., #406
*Sale prices for March.
$1,485,000
$1,350,000
$1,100,000
$1,070,000
VIEWS of Leah and Sam is her’s arden
Bar Etoile is quickly coming into its own on Melrose Hill
By Desmond Garvey
Bar Etoile completely encapsulates the essence of the rapid transformation that Melrose Hill has been undergoing for the past year, and some change. At first I had my doubts about the area’s ambitions to mirror Larchmont Boulevard. The absence of any obvious neighborhood identity, and more importantly, lack of parking, led me to believe any attempt to develop the area would ultimately fail. Having been open for the better part of six months now, Bar Etoile stands as a bold contradiction to my original belief.
The hype hasn’t seemed to die down since opening. Getting a reservation on the weekend is nearly impossible, and on weekdays you’ll be faced with the option of a table at 5 p.m. or one at 9:30 p.m.—outside.
The wait staff chuckles with one another and make small talk with patrons as if they’re longtime friends—not servers and guests, but co-conspirators on a leisurely afternoon. There’s ease to the place that feels borrowed straight from a sun-dappled Parisian corner. The south wall is a playful gallery of plates, each with its own design or eccentric
BUTTERMILK POACHED trout rillettes and house chips.
little illustration, like souvenirs from a life well traveled but never hurried. Together these details conspire to give Bar Etoile warmth that feels unmanufactured. It’s the kind of restaurant where the line between diner and regular blurs almost immediately, where you’re gently swept into the rhythm of a place that’s not trying too hard to impress you—because it knows it already has.
The menu is broken down into three sections: small, medium and large. We started with the citrus marinated olives and buttermilk poached trout rillettes with house potato chips. The fish, poached gently in buttermilk until it practically sighs under the weight of your fork, is folded
and Montpellier butter.
into itself with elegance that feels almost accidental. There’s a tang from the buttermilk that lingers, and the whisper of the fresh herbs lets you know that it finally is springtime. It makes you wonder why anyone ever bothered with salmon. From the medium section we got the Caesar beef tartare. This is not your corner steakhouse tartare. Beef tartare, raw and brash, is flecked with pops of anchovy and showered with Parmigiano and lemon zest. It nods to the Caesar without mimicking it. It’s plated atop Bub’s Bread (these days is a hip L.A. restaurant really complete without Bub’s Bread from Bub and Grandma’s in Eagle Rock?), which could have done with a bit more crackle and a little less chew. Together, it’s a dish that’s playful and a nice lateral move away from your traditional beef tartare.
From the large section we opted for the rotisserie chicken with caramel braised bok choy and squash purée. Bar Etoile’s bird, burnished to a lacquered bronze, arrived perfumed with whatever alchemy of fat, skin and slow rotation they’ve mastered in their kitchen. But it’s the accompaniments that make this dish hum at a higher frequency. Bok choy, coaxed into submission with caramel’s bittersweet allure, offers an unexpected complexity—vegetal freshness softened and darkened at the edges. The squash purée, silky and sweet, is the counterpoint and the glue, tying the dish together with autumnal warmth.
Bar Etoile’s steak frites aren’t a reinvention; they’re a love letter. The steak, crusted just so, wears its sear like a
jacket that’s seen many winters—confident, effortless. The Bordelaise sauce, sticky with the depth of good wine and marrow, coats each slice, inviting drag after drag of the accompanying frites, which are textbook in their crispness. But it’s the Montpellier butter, that verdant, garlicky flourish, which turns the dish from reliable to unforgettable. It melts into the meat, herbal and rich. This is bistro food for people who understand that perfection isn’t about invention, it’s about execution.
Bar Etoile isn’t just a restaurant making good on its own promise—it feels like a flag planted in the soil of Melrose Hill’s next chapter. What was once a stretch of street caught somewhere between ambition and anonymity is fast becoming a place with its own gravitational pull. The neighborhood identity remains a work in progress, but maybe that’s part of the charm. Places like Bar Etoile give Melrose Hill the confidence to be something other than a copy of Larchmont—to grow into itself with a certain casual swagger. If this is the blueprint for what’s to come, then my early doubts are long gone.
Bar Etoile, 632 N. Western Ave.
CARAMEL BRAISED BOK CHOY and squash purée atop rotisserie chicken.
STEAK FRITES WITH BORDELAISE
Martinis anyone? Try these local haunts for a night on the town
By Bridget Smith
I was way, way past 21 when I finally learned to appreciate a martini. For years, I thought they were downright awful, but one day, something just clicked. Now they feel special, like a celebratory toast to a night out on the town. I know everyone has their own preferences when it comes to martinis, and I won’t bore you with mine. But what I will share are my favorite places to enjoy a martini near Larchmont.
Rao’s Hollywood
I love this place, even if it sometimes feels like a movie set, and maybe the staff are paid actors hired to transport you to the East Coast for an evening. (If so, I’m not mad at them for it.) Their Black & Blue Goose martini is absolute perfection, and bartender Catherine always gets it right.
Rao’s, 1006 Seward St.
La Bettola di Terroni
This is my go-to neighborhood spot, where I first realized that a lemon twist is the perfect complement
to a gin martini—though I remain firmly on team vodka. Bartender Seth fits the local vibe so well, I want him to be one of my new best friends.
La Bettola di Terroni, 225 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Taylor’s Steakhouse Want to make me happy? Suggest a trip to Taylor’s, any day of the week. It’s not even about the classic steakhouse
3
$2,200,000
Great opportunity to be on “Little Bronson” Ready to Move in!
By Appointment Only
menu—it’s about the atmosphere of dark red leather booths. This is where I first fell for martinis, and Taylor’s approach imprinted on me. Luis behind the bar makes them flawlessly every time. Taylor’s Steakhouse, 3361 W. 8th St.
The Smoke House
A bit of a schlep, sure, but well worth it for the oldschool charm and martinis made just how I like them. Bonus: they serve that little extra pour in a carafe, making you feel like a VIP. If you’re lucky, Gary will be behind the bar, regaling you with tales from his days working with Johnny Carson. The Smoke House, 4420 Lakeside Dr. Love Hour
The bartenders here makes you feel like a regular, even if you’re not. For a moment you’re transported into an alternate universe where you’re hip enough to hang in K-Town. As a hip dive bar, the burgers have to be ordered outside, but they bring them to you and your martini.
ADVENTEROUS MARTINEZ
Their martinis? Excellent. Their smash burger? The best I’ve ever had. Love Hour, 532
S. Western Ave. Musso & Frank Grill
The OG! The historic ambiance alone should make this a top pick, but I can never get to the perpetually crowded bar, and that takes away from the illusion I like to have accompanying my martinis—that somehow I am an integral part of the scene. Musso & Frank Grill, 6667 Hollywood Blvd. Craig’s
I’ve actually managed to get a spot at the bar here, but only because I show up ridiculously early. It’s a place to see and be seen, with dark blue leather booths and white tablecloths. Love this place— and not just for the martinis. Craig’s, 8826 Melrose Ave. La Dolce Vita
It’s all about the vibe here.
It’s so dark you can barely see when you walk in. It was formerly owned by Frank Sinatra and it still feels it. Their martinis veer from the classics and I always get swept up in the atmosphere, finding myself ordering one of their creative renditions such as Third Marriage, a mix of vodka, pear eau de vie and Coccchi Americano. La Dolce Vita, 9785 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.
The Benjamin Hollywood A total gem! You know it’s new, but it feels old, and that just feels right. It has it all— great interior, great martinis and a truly great burger— plus you can actually get a seat at the bar. The only reason it’s not at the top of my list?
Their house martinis lean adventurous, like the Martinez which blends gin, vermouth, maraschino cherry and orange, while I’m a purist. Next time, I’ll order it my way. And yes, there will be a next time. The Benjamin Hollywood, 7174 Melrose Ave.
MARTINI with gin, vermouth, Maraschino cherry and orange at The Benjamin Hollywood.
CLASSIC MARTINI: 3 oz. gin or vodka, 1/2 oz. dry vermouth and lemon twist or olives. Drawing by Priscilla Duggan
Old world craft comes to life in Hancock Park and around town
By H. Hutcheson
In a town where many people are clamoring to get into the film industry or finance, local Angeleno Alex David’s heart was headed toward a trade—master carpenter. I met David while he was working at a Beverly Hills home designed by Wallace Neff.
Wallace Neff was a Southern Californian architect who made “California”style Spanish Colonial Revival houses during Hollywood’s “Golden Age” for celebrity clients such
as Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Not just any carpenter gets to work at a home like this.
The work must blend organically into this already iconic space and at the same time it needs to respect the
unique style of his client— often artistic and creative as well.
David’s company is Matthew Alexander L.A. and their shop is located in South L.A. But here’s how it happened for David: he grew up in Los Angeles, attended Windward School, went to New
York University and worked at Interscope Records until he realized a desk job wasn’t for him. He wanted tangible work.
“The barrier of entry to woodwork is not having skills with tools. Complicated tools. I didn’t have that,” said David.
(Please
MATTHEW JANOWICZ, ALEX DAVID and Rowdy in their shop hoping someone shows up, “with our favorite lunch—sandwiches from [Larchmont Village Wine Spirits & Cheese].”
DESIGN FOR LIVING
Old world craft
(Continued from Page 7)
He spent much of his youth building decks with his father and uncle. It was hard, arduous work. While in New York, he used those skills to apprentice with a carpenter making furniture and cabinets. “My first real patron was my friend’s mother, who had a large compound in Montauk and sent me to work out there. ‘Build everything,’ she said. ‘Cabinets, furniture, everything.’ It showed me my skill set was valuable.”
One night in Los Angeles David was hanging out at his brother’s bar, Alma’s Cider and Beer, on Virgil Avenue, where he was introduced to Matthew Janowicz, a master craftsman from Wisconsin.
Janowicz worked for over 25 years at “the Pabst Mansion and the oldest, grandest
SEATING MADE FROM a log washed ashore in Alaska.
houses in Milwaukee. [It was] carpentry with the extremely high standards of the Gilded Age,” he says. His young spirit took him to Ketchikan, Alaska, where his woodworking focused on refining materials found and inspired by nature—think a giant log found on the beach made into one solid table or seat.
David convinced Janowicz to
start a new endeavor with him here in L.A. “Matthew taught me how to make woodworking into an art form,” David says. “Each house has its own language. Sometimes we walk into an amazing house where they need a new kitchen and the house already has its own voice. That’s when we see ‘this’ is what the house needs.”
The “this” is the magic David and Janowicz create. It’s a team effort involving the client, sometimes an interior designer and David and Janowicz. Janowicz says, “We might get a mood board and we help them create a
design—[with] wood, metal, glass, even plastic.” David says, “It’s a big group project, and at the end of the day you get this heirloom piece of furniture”— or maybe a new kitchen.
Today I’m looking at matching mohair velvet couches; deep, but not too deep, elegant, with low backs, and with details and lines that somehow remind one of a tuxedo lapel from the 1930s. A true heirloom piece—something that took multiple artists to bring to life and sits nicely in this Neff house.
Not surprisingly, David and Janowicz find most cli-
ents word-of-mouth and have worked on multiple homes in Hancock Park, Beverly Hills, Malibu, West Hollywood and other areas. Nothing makes their team (all in their 20s other than Janowicz) happier than “Wine and Cheese sandwiches!” (Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese, to you and me). David says, “We do this because we love it. If it’s not going to be fun and creative then we know we should be doing something else.” See their work at @matthewalexanderdesign on Instagram. Contact them at info@matthewalexanderla.com.
MAHOGANY-CLAD LIVING ROOM with tambour door TV enclosure, open shelving, built-in dog crate and couch enclosure with storage.
DESIGN FOR LIVING
A professional pulls back the curtain to reveal staging tricks
By Nona Sue Friedman
You know a home has been staged as soon as you walk in—the furniture is showroom clean, the entire home is harmonious in color and tone and there is rarely a clue of who actually lives in the house. Lisa Friedman believes that’s the sign of a well-staged home. Friedman works in client relations at Everything Creative Design (ECD) Los
on view.
Giant photos bring NHM exhibit to life
Angeles, a staging company.
She pulled back the curtain and revealed how the staging industry presents a home. If it’s done well, prospective buyers want to take their time and walk through the entire home. Unlike interior designers, a stager’s goal is to appeal to a large audience and not one person’s taste.
“A stager sets the tone [of the home] and makes it welcoming but not homey,” says Friedman. They create an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that is on point with current design trends. They want potential buyers to envision themselves living there. Did you want a coffee bar at home?
The stager thought you might.
Companies also need to mask any imperfections in the floor plan. That awk-
ward landing at the top of the stairs? Now it’s a dog’s hangout, complete with a bed and food and water bowls. The bedroom that’s not quite big enough for bed? It’s a meditation and yoga studio.
ECD, which specializes in up-to-date and luxurious design, brings everything to the home. This includes big necessities, like sofas, beds and light fixtures, but also includes decor and other details, such as coffee table books, throws and spa-like products for the bathroom. They move all the furniture in and transform the space within a few hours.
“We work together with the realtor and homeowner. Good realtors know they need a good stager. Staged homes sell faster and for more mon-
By Nona Sue Friedman
Twelve magnificent oversized photographs, each approximately 5 by 7 feet, grace the halls of the newest exhibition space at the Natural History Museum Commons. The exhibit, “Collective Knowledge from Our Changing World,” has specimens from the museum’s collections, which include 35 million items stored in their back rooms. Natural Geographic photographer Craig Cutler and creative director Scott Bremmer were hired to explore the collection and share their findings. At a question and answer period at a recent opening reception, Bremmer said with a slight chuckle, “We did not look at all 35 million items before making our selection. We saw things that no one else could see, some of the most special things in the museum and its collection. I felt like a kid in a candy store.”
Along with the photographs, the team created a five-minute video of stationary objects that through light and camera movement were viewed as anything but static.
The video is continually streaming at the far end of the gallery.
The exhibit is on display at the museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., for the foreseeable future.
A BEAUTIFULLY staged living room makes this home more appealing.
ey [than vacant homes],” says Friedman. This information about home sales is backed up by both the National Association of Realtors and the Real Estate Stagers Association. Friedman loves her job. “I
get such a charge when a home sells quickly and especially like it when the buyer wants to buy some of the pieces used for the project.” For more information, visit ecdlosangeles.com.
THIS SEA BASS photo is one of a dozen oversized images
Decorating
(Continued from Sec. 1, P. 1) the entire house and another might ask for an entire room to be redone to the last detail.
The sisters use bold color palettes and patterns to cre-
DESIGN FOR LIVING
ate distinct atmospheres and embrace the more traditional idea of separating rooms in a house. Elizabeth Wilson says, “A thoughtful palette can elevate a space from simple to unforgettable. We’ve always admired the bold use of col-
or and pattern in traditional English interiors. After a decade dominated by neutrals, we’re thrilled by the revival of maximalism—vibrant, layered spaces full of personality and depth. Whether through wallpaper, paint or textiles, color is
transformative. It brings individuality to a space and invites our clients to tell their story through design.”
Maybe you remember Los Angeles before the 1990s, in the era of grand homes throughout Beverly Hills, Westwood and especially Hancock Park. Rooms had personality and were separate, each with its own experience of wallpaper, animal prints, texture and grandeur. A sunroom might be Pierre Deux, a powder room a trip to Africa or a master bathroom (also mini beauty salon with glamorous seated hair dryers and vanity lights) copiously full of chinoiserie design.
Trends shifted as beige and tan seemed to fill most home interiors. Devon and Elizabeth remember one significant conversation they had after Devon had spent an evening at a Brentwood home valued around $20 million, “Elizabeth asked me, ‘What was it like?’ After a moment I said, ‘I can’t tell you anything!’ It was endless tans, beiges and greys.”
In the same vein,common space became rooted in the open floor plan starting in the 1950s, becoming fully embraced by the 1990s. That means one space for kitchen, living and entertaining. Unless you work with the Wilson sisters, that is.
Elizabeth says, “The pandemic definitely accelerated the shift away from open floor plans. With entire families suddenly working, studying and living at home around the clock, the need for privacy and personal space became undeniable. We’ve found that separate rooms allow for a more functional way of living, offering connection and retreat. From a design perspective, open-concept spaces can actually be quite limiting. When there’s no clear delineation between the kitchen, living and dining areas, and everything has to match. It flattens the design. We love working with individual rooms because it gives us the freedom to make each space feel unique. It opens the door to play with different palettes, patterns and moods, all while creating a cohesive story throughout the home.”
The sisters naturally fell into this career following their mother, Betty Wilson, a resident of Windsor Boulevard who had decided to return to design school in Connecticut when her children were young. Devon Wilson Dentler, who resides on Irving Boulevard says, “There were fabric swatches everywhere—we were always redoing a room!”
While the Wilson sisters might remind you how much you love to travel by bringing Morocco to an intimate room
of your home, or by using wallpaper to make you feel as if you are dining in a magic garden, they are actually headed to the real Caribbean island of Nevis to work on the redesign of Montpelier Estate, a 17-room boutique hotel with a rich history dating back to 1687. Elizabeth said, “We’ve just entered Phase One, which focuses on reimagining the guest rooms, set to be completed in time for the hotel’s seasonal reopening in October. Phase Two will follow in 2026 and will center around revitalizing the communal spaces, including the great room, dining areas and pool, with the goal of honoring the estate’s heritage while bringing a fresh, thoughtful perspective to island hospitality.”
See their work at wilsonstudiola.com and on instagram @wilsonstudiola, or contact info@wilsonstudiola.com.
SISTERS Devon Wilson Dentler and Elizabeth Wilson.
Visit Portugal for lovely vistas, handmade crafts, edible treats
By Nona Sue Friedman
With colorfully designed tiles covering many of the buildings, winding cobblestone streets, loads of handmade crafts, water views, ancient churches and castles, old time trolleys and an entire population who take the time to appreciate vistas, especially at sunset, Portugal is a great place to visit. What a treat Portugal held for my family and me. We spent eight days there at the end of March.
Our adventure began in Lisbon with a motorcycle and sidecar city tour. It was a wonderful introduction to the area. And so much fun! Feeling the cobblestone bumps as we swerved through the seven hills of the city was a thrill. The motorcycle drivers gave us wonderful insight to many of the locations we passed, both in the hills and along the Tagus River, where Lisbon is situated. They also led us to a terrific view of St. George Castle, with the 25th of April Bridge in the distance.
Before leaving for Portugal, my research yielded that the country has a sweet tooth they are proud of. It seemed each area and even many cities have their own dessert specialty. My kind of country.
The famous one for Lisbon is pastéis de nata, and it is all over the city. It was originally created with leftover yolks after the egg whites were used to starch the habits of monks and nuns at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém. The monastery is one of the top 10 sites to see in Lisbon.
When you visit Belém, about a 20-minute trolley ride west from central Lisbon, and you see the incredibly large monastery, you begin to understand why they had to do something with all those yolks. The place must be the size of two city blocks, and it took 100 years to build.
Of course we indulged in a pastry treat, or four. And to be honest, they are best at Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, where they originated. Here they are warm, with a crisp buttery crust and soft sweet center covered in powdered sugar and cinnamon. Yum!
Another highlight of Lisbon was venturing below its surface. In the 1990s, Millennium BCP Bank was doing construction on their building on Rue Augusta, the main walking street, when a crew found ancient Roman artifacts. This began an archeological dig that revealed an intact male skeleton from around 500 A.D., along with insight into what life was like in the area as far back as 2,500 years ago. The dig became part of
a museum that hosts a free archeologist-led tour, which we took. We went down to the underground sites, which was fascinating.
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, and it’s also situated on water. There, we experienced a variety of modes of transportation—a riverside trolley, the famous gondola across the river from Porto, and a deceptively steep funicular, all very creative ways to get around this city’s steep terrain.
The biggest surprise of this city was visiting Serralves, a modern art museum, and its grounds. This visit was inspired by one of my daughters, a Wes Anderson fan, who found out there was a building on the museum grounds that emulated the film director’s distinctive and quirky style.
The museum’s exhibits were a bit strange for our taste but the grounds were incredible. We visited the interior of the Wes Anderson-style home and walked its formal garden. This led us to a farm with cows and sheep, a rose and camellia garden and a pond area that looked like the one from Monet’s home in Giverny, outside of Paris. But best of all was the tree-top walkway—a wooden boardwalk about 25 feet above ground where you are literally walking through the tops of trees and taking in views of this parkland. What a treat.
Conversations our family had before our trip made Portugal seem very similar to California, but we didn’t find that to be the case. We thoroughly enjoyed adventuring there.
A VIEW OF LISBON through an archway at the St. George Castle.
DESIGN FOR LIVING
ut of the bo fashion es are sustainable and cost e ective
By Helene Seifer
There are over 340 million people in the United States and they all need clothes, but the traditional method of purchasing body coverings has waned. Fewer and fewer people are frequenting department stores and boutiques, causing establishments to declare bankruptcy or close altogether. Macy’s, for example, was established in 1858, making it the oldest American department store
still in operation, but it is in the process of closing 150 of its stores (30%) by the end of the 2026 fiscal year. The pandemic is partly to blame. The convenience of ordering online with the click of a mouse, often from Amazon, is another factor.
There are new and unique ways to get our fashion fixes, including try-to-buy clothing subscription services, many of which have stylists on staff to customize fashion boxes
based on a client’s completed questionnaire. Stitch Fix is one of them.
“What I like about Stitch Fix is there’s someone on the other end who says ‘I think this is good for you,’” says Lisha Yakub Sevanian, a subscriber since 2017, who lives near Larchmont Boulevard. The independent filmmaker and mother of two young children explains, “They send a box with five things. Most of the time I like all five. Once they sent teal jeans that I never would have picked out on my own, but I could try it on with the stuff I have at home, and it worked!” Founded in 2011, Stitch Fix has a reported 2.3 million subscribers. They charge a $20 style fee for each box, plus the cost of any clothes kept.
Other purchase-oriented subscription boxes are tailored to specific interests or body types. Plus-size? Dia & Co has you covered. Petite? Short Story caters to the height-challenged. Gym-rat? Try Fabletics. Should we mention unmentionables? Elite by Adore Me will arrange monthly lingerie deliveries. There’s Menlo Club for men and Kidpiks for children.
Clothing rentals
The average person has 26 pieces of clothing in their closet that they never wear, so why watch your clothing investments go out of style or fail
to work the way you hoped?
Rental subscriptions, where you select which items you want to rent for a month, such as Rent the Runway, have proliferated for just that reason.
“I didn’t know how to dress after COVID,” says visual marketing professional Ann Griffith. “I felt like my size had changed. I knew I was going to dress differently when I went back to the office and I didn’t have the clothes I would need.”
She appreciated that the community of subscribers at Rent the Runway wrote detailed reviews that helped Griffith learn what worked for her. “I could sort [their inventory] by body type and found really good everyday dresses I could wear for work or to lunch at the Ebell [of Los Angeles.]”
Established in 2009, Rent the Runway’s 174,000 subscribers can sign up for five, 10 or 20 items per month, starting at $94 per box.
Nuuly is another rental subscription option. Owned by URBN, the parent company of Anthropology, Free People and Urban Outfitters, they carry roughly 19,000 styles, many from their own brands, although they repre-
sent over 400 designer and contemporary labels. Nuuly’s 300,000 subscribers pay $98 to rent six items a month that they select themselves. Clothing can be purchased for a separate variable fee.
“I’ve been using Nuuly since the beginning of the pandemic,” says actress Andriana Manfredi (whose latest film, “Crossroads,” began streaming at the end of March).
“Nuuly has all the brands I really like. I love clothes, but I am a frugal person and don’t feel good buying a jacket for $300. I bought a jacket from Nuuly for $80 [after renting it and liking it]. Brand new it would probably be $300.” Manfredi has a lot of social engagements and doesn’t want to repeat outfits. “I like to get dressed in more expensive clothes and then give them back. It’s good for the environment. I don’t love fast fashion. This is more sustainable.”
Beverly Grove resident Christy Brooks Fey agrees that sustainability is one of the plusses of her Nuuly subscription, explaining, “I don’t want to feed the machine of mass-produced clothes.”
(Please turn to Page 13)
JUMPER AND SHAWL from Stitch Fix worn by Lisha Yakub Sevanian.
CLOTHING SWAP participants: (top to bottom, left to right) Alia Karim, in a red swapped sweater, Vanessa Colosio Diaz, Morgan Gossett, Annie Bickerton, Giustina Clarence Smith, Chrissy Cartwright, Simone Price.
Photo courtesy of Amie Roten
Fashion fix
(Continued from Page 12)
Brooks Fey often rents trendy pieces to add to her classic wardrobe. “It’s fun to try things [for the month’s rental] I wouldn’t normally try rather than purchasing it forever.” She also likes to rent pieces she would consider buying. “I have a pair of Levi’s right now from them that I will probably buy. They are in great condition and fit perfectly. I can buy it from Nuuly for 30% less than what I’d get it for at retail—$80 versus over $100.”
Clothing tips
DESIGN FOR LIVING
Another way to add new pieces while addressing fashion waste is to recycle abandoned clothes we harbor by hosting a fashion swap party. At this trending sustainable event, friends and friends of friends gather around nibbles, wine and piles of clothes emptied from their closets that are looking for new homes.
Vanessa Diaz has been participating in clothing swaps for three years. It reminds her of the charitable mindset of recycling clothes she learned as a child, stating, “I grew up near the Mexican border and always gave away my clothes. My mother would bring them across the border [for those in need].” The public relations professional particularly enjoys the camaraderie of the swap parties and knowing that clothes get another life. “I work from home, so I give away blazers. The best thing I got was a Stella McCartney dress.”
Emily Getoff has been clothes-swapping since college. Now married, she hosts swaps twice a year in her Mid-Wilshire home. At her parties, participants share stories about the clothes they are donating, which makes acquiring them even more
meaningful, adding, “A friend brought a dress she had once worn at her rehearsal dinner. It makes it feel special.”
At her last event, the political consultant hosted 35 people. She says, “On average each person left with three to ten items.” Getoff is mindful of opportunities to do something philanthropic, so she donates whatever is left over. She brought approximately 15 bags of clothing to the nonprofit TransLatin@ Coalition.
The next time you look in your closet and think, “I have nothing to wear,” consider
clothing swaps and subscription boxes. With apologies to Mark Twain, “Clothes make the woman. Naked people have little or no influence in society.”
Sidewalk walk to Marciano is May 10
Put some spring in your step with a stroll from Larchmont Boulevard to Marciano Art Foundation on Wilshire Boulevard on Sat., May 10, beginning at 1 p.m.
The Marciano Art Foundation Walk + Performance includes a look inside the former Scottish Rite Masonic Temple and the temporary multimedia work on view there, “Lightscape,” by artist Doug Aitken. Konkrete &
Friends, a collective of dancers, will perform.
The event is part of SideWalking.org, hosted by Windsor Square resident Marcelo Ziperovich. Free entrance is included with the walk, but space is limited. Location of the Larchmont departure will be sent after booking. RSVP for the walk at sidewalking.org. Sign up for future walks and events at whatsup@sidewalking.org.
IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, Andriana Manfredi, with her husband Adam (known as performer IN-Q), wears a Nuuly shirt.
By Nancy Redford
On a recent spring day I drove north along Highway 14 toward the Angeles National Forest to “Wander with the Wolves.” I wanted to “see the world through the eyes of a wolf,” so an invitation to join a 2.5-hour tour in mountain air was irresistible.
I arrived at the sprawling 165-acre Wolf Heart Ranchalong with a dozen others armed with water, sunblock and cameras. Since 2009, the nonprofit Wolf Connection has sheltered, medically cared for and rehabilitated 91 wolves and wolf dogs rescued from illegal exotic animal breeding, neglect and abuse. These animals have been born in captivity without the skills to survive in the wild, and yet most cannot conform to domesticity.
in the mountains above Los Angeles.
Animal control agencies consider these animals dangerous and are required to euthanize them within three days unless a sanctuary rescues them. Just as important to their mission, the Wolf Connection provides immersive programs for visitors to experience a kinship with these animals and to unlearn the pathology of fear and hate that results in the eradication of so-called “big, bad wolves.” In truth, wolves are conflict-avoidant, highly intelligent, socially interdependent pack animals with a crucial role in wildlife ecosystems. Our guide is Laurie Cousins. She joined Wolf Connection seven years ago. “It’s my place
To learn more visit wolfconnnection.org. of refuge,” she says as we walk toward the wolf dens. “Everyone who comes here experiences a deep connection with these animals.” And almost on cue a chorus of wolf howls fills the air, over 47 creatures in unison.
Our group gathers seated in a circle. Some are lifelong wolf lovers, others simply curious. Cousins walks wolf Wynter on a leash and slowly circles our group. We get our first touch of the thick mane and a look into her amber eyes, and feel a primal symbiosis. We move into a spacious gated corral where the animals are housed in separate habitats. Some wolves rest, others pace curiously forward for a look at us while we learn their backstories. Cousins leads Neo and we hike alongside through the chaparral. At a clearing we are asked to take a seat on the ground to seem less dominating and make it easier for him to meet us. There is a palpable emotionality to having a wolf encounter, and I felt honored to have gotten a wolf “kiss”—a gentle tap of his muzzle on my hand.
Back at the gathering circle we listen to each other’s experience: magical, transformational, awesome. “These wolves are champions of resilience,” Cousins tells us. “As you saw, they are not their traum. They know their own
worth and live cooperatively. Wolves adapt roles for the greater good of the pack: trackers, nannies, hunters, omegas, betas or alphas. Contrary to folklore, a lone wolf is a dead wolf. They instinctually live in a pack for safety, greater health and a sustainable existence. Here at Wolf Connection we believe this is a crucial and timely lesson for humanity.”
Crossword: Design & Home
ACROSS
4. Leather for vegans
8. Style clean and unadorned look
9. 191 S. Hudson Ave. design
12. Symbol of hospitality
14. Minimal use of water in garden
16. Small scented collection
17. Mayor’s House and museum
19. For the mother-in-law
DOWN
1. F.L. _______ organic architect
2. Show-mid-century modern design
3. Wilton Historic District
homes
5. European imitation of Asian style
6. Window for enjoying ocean
7. British architectural style
10. Chairs from the show above
11. Pierre _______ French country style
13. Harmonize your space
15. Persian rugs need a lot of these
18. Landscape rule of _______
ANSWERS: Please turn to page 6. Answers will also be on our online edition in early May.
WOLF CONNECTION lead program facilitator Laurie Cousins walks Neo at the non ro t olf san t ary
Photo by Nancy Redford
c ca e fr rn
If you were to present a preschooler—whose idea of good eating is mac and cheese fresh from the box—with a perfect béchamel, the fine-tuned roux and notes of nutmeg in the French “mother sauce” would likely be drowned out amid a world of louder, brighter distractions. No shade to the under-10 set (especially as a Kraft kid myself), but one might say you had “cast pearls before swine.”
Consider a “pearl”—the lustrous mass born from the soft tissue of various mollusks and exalted to the pantheon of precious gemstones. “Swine,” like other terms referring to mammals of the Suidae family, is demoted to the station of insult. That word dates back to the Old English period (pre-1150), while the earliest evidence for “pearl” in the English language doesn’t appear until 1340. “Swine before pearls” is more like it.
And which came first? The “chicken” or the “egg”? The word for the mature form of this fowl wins out by a few hundred years, arriving during the Old English period from the Proto-Germanic root “keuk-,” a word imitative of its telltale call. Thankfully, “chicken” has been here long enough that we can easily count how many there are before they “hatch” — a word whose first surviving mention
is in the verses of “The Owl and the Nightingale,” a poem from the 12th or 13th century written in Middle English. Was there always a “calm” before the “storm”? While the latter arrived in our lexicon earlier, during the Old English period, “calm” was specifically used to describe the sea—and not a state of mind—when it first appeared in the English-Latin bilingual dictionary “Promptorium Parvulorum” in 1440. “Calm” is thought to have originated from the Late Latin “cauma,” meaning “heat of the midday sun,” in reference to the hour when the Mediterranean waters surrounding Italy were most placid. “Cauma” was influenced by “calere” (“to be hot”), which is also the antecedent of “cauldron,” “calorie”—a unit of heat—and “caliente,” the word for “hot” in Spanish.
Do you believe in “life” after “love”? Core to the human experience—and the English language—both words date back to the Old English era, with “life” evolving from the Proto-Indo-European (4500-2500 B.C.) root “leip-,” meaning “to stick or adhere.”
While we often try to approach tasks using a rational order, being sure not to put the “cart” before the “horse,” the truth is the animal came first and so did the word used
to describe it. “Horse” dates back to an illuminated Anglo-Saxon Psalter from the middle of the 8th century, while “cart” doesn’t show up in dictionaries until the early 13th century, originating from the Old Norse “kartr.” Common sense be damned.
The “bird” that gets the treasured worm is indeed early, appearing in its Old English form, “bridd,” in the West-Saxon Gospels, published in
LOOKING BACK
Larchmont Chronicle May 2016
Bridge Club?
A bridge column would be a nice idea as well as games like crosswords and sudoku. Specific to bridge, it would be difficult for me to follow along since I do not know how to play the game. It might be nice for a Chronicle sponsored bridge club for beginners. Perhaps participants would be willing to host in their homes as a potluck or pass the expense on to the newly formed bridge club. It is a social game and could be a good niche for the paper to convene such a group.
Bill Ahmanson Hancock Park
England in the year 990. The prize for this early riser also received its name during the same era, appearing in the epic poem “Beowulf,” written by an unknown author sometime between 700 and 1000 A.D. “Worm” wriggled its way to its current form from the Old English “wurm,” itself derived from the Proto-Germanic “wurmiz,” which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European “wer,” meaning “to turn or bend.” The wandering words “divert,” “vertex,” “converse” and even “weird” arrive from the same root. While the origins of words would have us put the “horse” before the “cart” and be wary of the “storm” before the “calm,” our best idioms are those which are handiest— day after day and season after season.
