32 Centennial
OCTOBER 2021 — SOUVENIR COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Age of self-improvement, 1980s brings Reagan, Olympics and HPOZs
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, LARCHMONT!
©LC1021
Thank you for the 10 decades of memories!
321 N. Larchmont Blvd., #825 • Los Angeles, CA 90004
Larchmont Chronicle
By Talia Abrahamson A focus on self-improvement provides a through line during the 1980s. The community never tires of engaging in efforts to expand, beautify and preserve the neighborhood. The age of at-home technology arrives, and Larchmontians are merging the old with the new. VCRs begin to short-circuit trips to the movies, but blockbuster films like “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” and “The Breakfast Club” generate hundreds of millions of dollars. Athletes in leg warmers work out in the living room to “Jane Fonda’s Workout” on VHS. In January 1981, President Ronald Reagan ushers in a new conservative era, which is marked by increased consumerism throughout the decade. Springtime is cookie season, and local Girl Scouts debut cheese-flavored snack crackers and a “Dutch ‘n Such” spice cookie. These join the five other classics, available for purchase at $1.50 a box. Wilshire subway The decades-long dispute over Metro Rail on Wilshire Boulevard continues, with homeowners seeking elimination of a proposed Lorraine Boulevard (Crenshaw) subway stop, but they do not prevail. Filming proves contentious, and a new city coordinator is brought on to ease communication among citizen groups and filming companies. Sitting among twinkling lights and Christmas trees, Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for
photos and pass out cookies to children outside of Security Pacific Bank on Larchmont. Larchmontians ring in the new year of 1981 with torn-up streets and water and power outages, as a result of areawide cable installations. Residents show their hearts at the American Red Cross’s post-Valentine’s Day bloodmobile event at Hancock Savings. A second blood drive is scheduled for July, and the Los Angeles Chapter of the Red Cross congratulates Larchmont for running some of the best community blood drives. In March, Rosewood Super Service, a gas station at Larchmont and Rosewood Avenue, closes after 27 years. Councilman John Ferraro initiates a study for a multi-level parking lot on the existing midblock city lot, converted from a Chevron station in 1973. State and federal legislators revive efforts to include a Crenshaw Boulevard subway stop, also defeating a legal challenge filed by nonprofit Rapid Transit Advocates, Inc., which was supported by local homeowners. Santa and Mrs. Claus have moved to Landis Department Store this Christmas season, and the wish lists include computers, cameras, digital clocks and headphone radios. In 1983, Third Street Elementary announces that students will soon benefit from a community computer center. Larchmont Boulevard Association’s annual pet show com(Please turn to page 34)
JOHN FERRARO presents Larchmont Chronicle founders Dawne Goodwin and Jane Gilman with official resolutions celebrating the Chronicle’s 20th anniversary in 1983.