Larchmont Chronicle
VOL. 57, NO. 11 • DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
NOVEMBER 2019
Larchmont loses two large ficus trees
IN THIS ISSUE
n Replacements do not block signage
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT 9
PHOTO ABOVE shows Ronald Simms building after Oct. 11 demolition of ficus trees. Two replacement African fern pines are visible.
LACMA on the move. 14
By Billy Taylor Two healthy and mature ficus trees on Larchmont Boulevard, located in front of the Rite Aid store, got the axe last month despite efforts by the local neighborhood association to save the side-by-side trees. Work to remove the two trees began Oct. 7 followed by removal and replacement of 90 linear feet of sidewalk. African fern pine trees, from 24See Trees, p 29
Larchmont to celebrate the season n Good cheer Nov. 30
GONE but not forgotten on Citrus. 29
BRIDGE housing gets warm opening. 2-20 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
Hear live holiday music, take a free trolley and see Santa at the Larchmont Boulevard Association’s annual Holiday Open House and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Santa will arrive at the tree lot by a fire truck, and the free trolley will transport shoppers between Melrose Avenue and First Street. Live music along the boulevard will be provided by musicians from Rhodes School of Music. Small Business Saturday This event is in conjunction with American Express’ Small Business Saturday to encourage shopping at small, local businesses and to keep communities strong and vibrant. Locally, authors, screen writers and other authors will be at Chevalier’s Books to answer questions. At Landis Stationery, Sally Jacobs will autograph her artwork. Mae See Larchmont, p 8
Holidays on Larchmont
Merriment and good cheer will be enjoyed by all in the Larchmont Chronicle annual Holiday Edition in the December issue. Advertising deadline is Thurs., Nov. 14. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241, ext. 11.
LARCHMONT FICUS TREES one week preceding their demolition.
A little giving can go a long way n St. Anne’s 80th Boutique; food drives and gift lists among opportunities By Rachel Olivier Giving a little time, attention or resources can have a ripple effect in people’s lives, doing more good than we can imagine. The holiday season provides ample opportunities for
helping others in the community and making a difference. The following local charities would love help and donations. Often events are available throughout the year, so check for chances to give back
year-round.
• • • St. Anne’s Guild, 155 N. Occidental Blvd., will hold its 80th annual Christmas Boutique Sat., Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 See Giving, p 5
Marat Ballet leaps to its next stage in life n Light-filled studios welcome students By Suzan Filipek Marat Daukayev School of Ballet has found a new home, after a full-out search that included parents and students and was supported partly by a gofundme.com campaign. Scheduled to open as we went to press, the muchbeloved area school signed a five-year lease for a 10,000-square foot space on the second floor of the Equitable Plaza building, at 3435 Wilshire Blvd. “It’s a 12-minute drive from Wilshire / La Brea,” COSTUMES from the school’s huge collecSee Marat Ballet, p 25 tion are stored on site at the new location.
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
Editorial
Calendar
By John Welborne
The Demolition Issue Can this November Larchmont Chronicle be called the “demolition issue”? Demolition of trees on Larchmont. Demolition of an historic house on Citrus. Well, at least the prospect of demolition of two healthy ficus trees — that were blocking the bright Rite Aid sign at the Ronald Simms buildings on Larchmont Boulevard — was the subject of community debate during the past several years. While there may be differences of opinion still, there was a process that allowed the community to get involved and that ultimately led to the planting of two slightly larger size (24-inch boxes) replacement trees. But as to the beautiful home designed in 1927 by architects Henry Knauer and Clarence Smale, at 361 N. Citrus on the corner of Oakwood, that was a sneaky, surprise demolition on Oct. 23. People with knowledge say the legally required notice of demolition was not posted for thirty days. As you will read in the Letter to the Editor from the disappointed sellers, who believe they were lied to by the purchaser, the seller’s goal was to have the house preserved. You will have to judge about the ethics, or lack thereof, involved in this transaction. But stewards of beautiful homes, when selling, should adopt this slightly altered old adage: “Seller beware.”
Sun., Nov. 3 – Daylight Savings time ends at 2 a.m. Turn clocks back one hour. Mon., Nov. 11 – Veterans Day. Wed., Nov. 13 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council meeting, The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 7 p.m. greaterwilshire.org. Wed., Nov. 13 – Brookside meeting, Memorial Library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., 6:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 14 – Windsor Square Association annual “Town Hall” meeting, The Ebell, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 7 p.m. Sun., Nov. 17 – “Ebell Voices 125 Years,” The Ebell of Los Angeles, 741 S. Lucerne Blvd., 4 p.m. ebellofla.com/club. Thurs., Nov. 21 – John Burroughs Middle School meeting on modernization draft environmental impact report, 600 S. McCadden Pl., 6 p.m. Visit achieve.lausd.net/CEQA.
Thanks for Joining Us and Take a Look at the Trees on the Website The HPHOA annual meeting was a big success and we thank all of our members who attended. We also thank Councilman Ryu for discussing the homeless situation and the steps being taken to help people into housing. We thank representatives of the LAPD and private security services who were there and we especially thank Marlborough School for hosting the meeting. Remember, if there was an issue discussed that you’d like to be more involved with, contact us via the website and we’ll get you on a committee - https://www. hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ The Tree Committee has recently updated the HPHOA website section on ‘Trees’ and invites you to take a look. In addition to helpful information about taking care of our parkway trees and how to get a new one if you’re missing a tree, there are pictures of new trees that will ultimately replace some of the original species. Due to drought conditions, insect infestation, and pollution, a number of the tree species, including sycamores, are no longer viable in our parkways. The Tree Committee has worked with the City’s Department of Urban Forestry and our arborist, Sabine Hoppner, to develop a list of replacement species. Take a look and let us know what you think! As the Annual Meeting and the work on our parkway trees shows, Hancock Park is lucky to have people who, while not living in Hancock Park, care enough to dedicate time and attention to our neighborhood. We want to particularly thank Sabine for her constant attention to our trees. She finds saplings to nurture, plants them, waters them (to get them established), and checks to see that they’re doing well.
If you’re planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, including hardscaping and windows, don’t forget that Hancock Park is an HPOZ. Be sure to check with our City Planner, Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@ lacity.org), before starting. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ, can be found at http://www.preservation. lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process (http://preservation. lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System — tinyurl.com/yyr3unhc — and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180. Adv.
That’s the question inquiring photographer Talia Abrahamson asked locals along Larchmont Blvd.
Thurs., Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Day. Sat., Nov. 30 – Small Business Saturday and Holiday Open House on Larchmont Boulevard, noon to 5 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1 – Hollywood Christmas Parade on Hollywood Blvd., 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 5 – Delivery of the Larchmont Chronicle.
Letters to the Editor Tree vandalism and hypocrisy on Larchmont
So in one afternoon, decades and decades of tree growth was destroyed to the wishes of one landlord (acquiesced to by the Larchmont Boulevard Association and Councilman Ryu). The benefits of urban canopy are gone. The newsstand is now blasted by light so that the employees have to jerry-rig umbrellas and shade, since it’s basically too hot to stand there after 1 p.m. The tree bed to the north was moved further north, so that there is now a large space, breaking the rhythm of the trees and of course leaving the Rite-Aid sign in full view. The sidewalk work is incorrectly done, with no effort to match earlier scoring or texture of earlier paving, and of course there are no new trees.
‘What are your Thanksgiving plans?’
The Larchmont Boulevard Association and Councilman Ryu have ignored the desire — and work — of a community that has been asking for a PLAN to deal with the trees, and they bear responsibility for vandalism of the street. And Ryu’s office has the nerve to send a letter out today trumpeting support for tree care and conservation. Shame on him for this blatant hypocrisy. Further, one can laugh at Larchmont and its 25 coffee shops and its various pretentions, but it is a street that has supported a bookstore and a (Please turn to page 26) Write us at letters@larchmontchronicle.com. Include your name, contact information and where you live. We reserve the right to edit for space and grammar.
“We are hosting a big Thanksgiving meal with lots of family and friends. Probably 17 people are coming over.” Michael Peter and McClane Peter (3) Larchmont Village
“Likely we will visit my inlaws in Torrance. My wife has three other siblings, and they all have their families, so that’s a really big gathering down there.” James Standish Hancock Park
Larchmont Chronicle Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Associate Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Advertising Director Pam Rudy Advertising Sales Caroline Tracy Art Director Tom Hofer Classified and Circulation Manager Rachel Olivier Accounting Jill Miyamoto 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103
Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com
2020 Census: now hiring workers The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a national recruitment effort to hire approximately 500,000 temporary workers to help conduct the 2020 Census. Pay rates vary depending on where the job is located, from $13.50 to $30 per hour. The selection process for census taker positions begins in January 2020, with paid training occurring in March and April. The mailed census arrives in March. Door-to-door enumeration of households that do not respond begins in May and goes through early July. More information is at 2020census.gov.
“Have a huge dinner at my house with lots of people.” Amy Semmel Windsor Square
“Traditional family dinner. We’re going to go to family and show up with sweets.” Stefan and Wilma Novak with Thor the Frenchie Larchmont Village
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
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Japan honors Dr. Takei for promoting modern dentistry By Suzan Filipek Dr. Henry Takei was honored last month at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan for bringing cutting-edge periodontic dentistry to Japan. The Hancock Park resident was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for also promoting academic exchange between Japan and the U.S. Many of Takei’s UCLA clinical professors and colleagues attended the Oct. 15 ceremony at the consular residence on Hudson Avenue in Hancock Park. “It is my honor to welcome many UCLA faculty members as well as celebrate the many accomplishments of Dr. Takei. Mr. Takei is a formidable figure within his profession,” Consul
SECTION ONE
OUR MAN IN BLUE.
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POLICE BEAT 4 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE 9 On the Menu 15 Theater Review 18 At the Movies 19
SECTION TWO VIEW:
Real Estate, Around the Town, Schools, Libraries, Museums, Home & Garden
BRIDGE HOUSE.
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AROUND THE TOWN 2 REAL ESTATE SALES 6 HOME GROUND 9 ON BOOKS AND PLACES 10 SCHOOL NEWS 11 COUNCIL REPORT 17 LIBRARIES 19 MUSEUM ROW 19 BRIDGE MATTERS 22 PROFESSOR 23 CLASSIFIED ADS 23
General Akira Muto said in the opening remarks. Born to a Japanese American family, Takei grew up in internment camps during World War II. He would later travel to Japan as part of a medical journey but also as a cultural and personal one. “I wanted in some way to give back to the land of my ancestors,” he told the audience. What started as small study groups has grown to a national symposium with the help and support of his colleagues, his mentors and his friends on both sides of the Pacific. “These collaborations allowed me to succeed. Education is a fundamental right and requires constant upgrade… I’m very grateful to each and every one of you,” Takei said. “He is passionate about his teaching, his patients, his students. He’s an amazing mentor. He does this for
other people, not for himself,” said Dr. Paul Krebsbach, dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry. Takei has won many awards in his long career at UCLA, including being named Outstanding Professor eight times. And, added Krebsbach, he treats people with great respect and kindness from the highest offices of government to the night crew. He also likes to tell jokes. “It doesn’t matter that he has more than 50 years of service to UCLA, or that he’s a HONOREE Dr. Henry Takei and his wife une last month at the O cial Resiworld renowned masdence of the onsul eneral of apan. ter technician. He loves to teach a new get to the root of the probstudent [how to do a root ca- lem,’” Krebsbach said. nal] and say, ‘We’re going to As a clinical professor at the
Section of Periodontics, UCLA School of Dentistry, Takei collaborated with Meikai University and Asahi University, and they established a Cultural Student Exchange Program. A total of 385 students and lecturers have participated since its beginnings in 1993. Since 1973, Takei has lectured at several educational institutes and universities in Japan. These lectures have provided leading-edge education to thousands of dentists throughout Japan and have contributed to the development of the field of periodontics, especially in periodontology and implant therapy. Takei also is an editor of “Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology,” and he wrote “Periodontics and Implant Therapy,” published in Japan, which is considered a must-read for young dentists.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
New leadership at Wilshire Division police station By Billy Taylor There’s a new commanding officer at the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Wilshire Division station. Capt. Timothy Nordquist — who succeeded Capt. Anthony Oddo in May — brings with him nearly three decades of experience in public service. Last month, Nordquist invited the Chronicle to the Wilshire station to chat about crime in the community. Originally from Minnesota, Nordquist began his career in 1990 as a firefighter at a local
fire department, but after a few years transitioned into law enforcement, working as an officer at Circle Pine (Minnesota) and Dearborn (Michigan) departments. Then, in 1999, Nordquist headed west after being hired by the LAPD. “I used to come out to Los Angeles on vacation because I had family here,” explained Nordquist. “I loved it here so much, and I was tired of the Michigan winters,” he says with a laugh. “In all honesty, I was drawn
to the LAPD because of its reputation for professionalism, and for its immense capabilities and resources,” said Nordquist, who noted that the LAPD is the third largest police department in the nation. Was the move from a small department in Michigan to the LAPD a big change? I asked. “I was looking for a big change,” said Nordquist. “But one of the good things about the LAPD is that we have all of these resources, but at the same time, we bring it all back to the communities.
POLICE BEAT
Vehicles a target for smash and grab WILSHIRE DIVISION ASSAULT: A woman walking near the corner of June Street and Wilshire Boulevard was punched by a man suspected to be a transient after she refused to hand over her purse to the suspect on Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m. BURGLARY THEFTS FROM VEHICLES: A vehicle parked on the 500 block of N. Rossmore Ave. had its passenger window smashed and money was removed between Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. The rear glass window was removed from a vehicle parked in a garage of an apartment building on the 700 block of S. Sycamore Ave. and computer equipment was stolen between Oct. 6 at 9:45 p.m.
WILSHIRE DIVISION
OLYMPIC DIVISION
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo
213-793-0650 31646@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdwilshire
213-793-0709 31762@lapd.lacity.org Twitter: @lapdolympic
and Oct. 7 at 1:30 a.m. A laptop computer, iPad and mobile phone were among the items stolen from inside a car parked in the garage of an apartment building on the 400 block of S. Detroit St. between Oct. 12 at 11:30 p.m. and Oct. 13 at 10:30 a.m. OLYMPIC DIVISION BURGLARY: A suspect entered a home on the 700 block of S. Bronson Ave.
through a front window while the homeowner was inside. After hearing a noise from the victim, the suspect fled the property empty-handed on Oct. 18 at 8:45 a.m. Unknown property was taken from inside a home on the 100 block of N. Gramercy Pl. after a suspect pried open a rear window and ransacked the interior between Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 8:50 p.m.
“So, in reality, one LAPD station, like the one here at Wilshire, is no different than a typical police station in other parts of the country.” Nordquist holds a bachelor of arts from North Central University as well as a masters of science in emergency services administration from Cal State Long Beach. Wilshire crime Turning to challenges specific to Wilshire, Nordquist said that he was happy to report that violent crime in the community has gone down across the board. (Wilshire Division includes local neighborhoods primarily west of Gower Street, Plymouth Blvd. and Crenshaw Blvd.) Violent crime in Wilshire is down nine percent this year compared to last, according to Nordquist, who notes that there were no murders in the area, rapes were down 45 percent, and there was a 60 percent reduction in shooting victims this year. Still, there’s work to be done: Car break-ins are up 32 percent. “This area, in Wilshire, is leading the entire city in car breakins,” said Nordquist. “Drivers leave bags in their cars, and suspects are watching them. We try to keep educating the community of the importance of not
POLICE Capt. Timothy Nordquist has served with the LAPD since 1999.
leaving anything in the car.” Perhaps more alarmingly, Nordquist said that they have identified organized crews from Northern California who are coming down in groups of four or five in rented cars for the weekend to break into as many cars as possible before fleeing back north. “We really need the public’s help in reporting suspicious people. If you see someone walking down the street looking into cars, that’s not normal! If you see someone doing that, we want you to call the police,” urged Nordquist. The number to call is 213473-0476.
SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 30TH 11:30AM - 4:30PM
Join us for the
AMERICAN EXPRESS SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY #SHOPSMALL
FOOD LIVE MUSIC 321 N. Larchmont Blvd. Suite 906 323.464.8046 rebeccafitzgeraldmd.com
TROLLEY SANTA
RAFFLES & MORE
SANTA IS COMING TO LARCHMONT BLVD! PRESENTED BY THE LARCHMONT BLVD. ASSOCIATION
Larchmont Chronicle
Giving (Continued from page 1) p.m. Enjoy hearing Christmas carols played on the piano and listen to the Christ the King choir while shopping. Santa is also scheduled to make an appearance. Besides holiday décor, there will be thrift shop finds, independent vendors selling their wares, and baked goods available for purchase. Proceeds benefit St. Anne’s home. St. Anne’s is collecting gifts for babies ages newborn to three and teenage girls ages 13 to 18. Gift cards from major retailers and grocers are also welcome. Deadline for the drive is Sat., Dec. 21. Bring wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors and tape to wrap gifts for residents Tues., Dec. 17 and Wed., Dec. 18. Contact Ardriono “Oge” Aldridge at aaldridge@stannes.org or call 213-381-2931, ext. 341. • • • Get to know Alexandria
NOVEMBER 2019
House, 426 S. Alexandria Ave., at a free “Tea and Tour” event Sun., Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn what the transitional home provides while enjoying tea, finger sandwiches and desserts. Hear stories from current and past residents, and then take a tour. In December, help Alexandria House launch #GivingTuesday Tues., Dec. 3 and come back for the neighborhood holiday party Sat., Dec. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. Donations of gifts or gift cards are also greatly appreciated. Contact Michele Richards at 213-381-2649 or michele@alexandriahouse.org. • • • Celebrating 100 years, Assistance League of Los Angeles, 826 Cole Ave., which includes Operation School Bell, the Nine O’Clock Players, the Assisteens, and other groups, has many opportunities for giving back. In November, there is a family day of service at the Assistance League Theatre, 1367 N. St. Andrews Pl., Sat., Nov. 16, 10 a.m.
skin
deep
to 1 p.m. Participants make “nosew blankets” for foster youth. Call 323-545-4847 or email events@assistanceleaguela.org. • • • Aviva Family and Children’s Services, 7120 Franklin Ave., is looking for people to participate in the Adopt-a-Family-and/ or-Foster-Child holiday drive. Participants contribute to the family or foster child’s holiday using a wish list of wants and needs. Provided with the wish list is the family or child’s story to give the adopter a better idea of how to shop for them. Gifts must be unwrapped. Deadline is Fri., Nov. 29. Contact Azucena Navarrete at 323-876-0550, ext. 1122 or anavarrete@aviva.org. • • • Big Sunday, 6111 Melrose Ave., has a complete list of ways to volunteer over the holidays, including helping to pack dinners at the Thanksgiving Stuffing Event Wed., Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to noon. A sing-along with seniors for
Q: How do I choose between Ultherapy and Thermage? A: While both popular FDAapproved options have become modern day alternatives to a face lift, your best choice really comes down to how you age. Both devices use heat to stimulate collagen production in the deep layers of the skin: radiofrequency (FR) energy from Thermage, and ultrasound technology from Ultherapy. Here’s where it gets specific to you. We can generally categorize the way faces age into what some call “sinkers” and “saggers.” While we’re all a combo of both types, we tend to lean toward one over the other. If you’ve had a fairly angular face through the years and volume loss and thin creepy skin are what you’re looking to improve, you’re a sinker. If you started off with a fuller face and are now eyeing folds and jowls in the mirror, yes, you’re a sagger. I promise the news gets better. A sinker will reap greater benefit from the skin-tightening skills of Thermage. The treatment is superb at smoothing lines and wrinkles. So much so that Thermage can function as a Botox alternative for brow lines. Ulthera’s deep tissuelifting capability is ideal for saggers. Imagine a restored smooth jawline, lifted jowls and improved facial contours. And if you’re truly a combination of both facial aging types, we can customize our approach for you with both Thermage and Ulthera. Contact our office for your face lift alternative consultation and let’s get started.
Hanukkah is Wed., Dec. 11, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hear holiday music by singers and musicians in the Big Sunday community Sat., Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Have more holiday fun Sun., Dec. 15, 3 to 5 p.m. at the annual holiday party. Donations of food, clothing and other items are also welcome. Call 323-549-9944 or visit bigsunday.org. • • • Spend a night on the street with Covenant House of California at its Executive Sleep Out, Thurs., Nov. 21, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Participants pledge to stay out-
side overnight for 12 hours to help raise money for the youth homeless shelter for people ages 18 to 24 at 1325 N. Western Ave. Covenant House also appreciates donations of gift cards, items such as towels, blankets, books, clothes and portable chargers. A wish list is available on the charity’s website. Celebrate Thanksgiving Tuesday, Tues., Nov. 26, 6 to 8 p.m. Guests and volunteers are encouraged to donate $10 to $25 gift cards, new blankets, twin sheet sets or bath towels. (Please turn to page 25)
WINDSOR SQUARE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. Ebell Club of Los Angeles 743 S. Lucerne Boulevard (at Wilshire) (parking lot entrance on Eighth Street)
• Larchmont Street Trees and Sidewalks • Historic Preservation • Public Safety • Squeaky Wheel Award • Election of WSA 2019-2020 Directors
• Panel Discussion on Homeless Issues —— David Ryu, Fourth District Councilmember —— Tammy Rosato, Midtown Los Angeles Homeless Coalition, —— La Brea Hancock Homeowners Association President —— John Welborne, Windsor Square, Moderator
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THANKSGIVING “TURKEY” volunteer Dave Cooper leads kids in a tur e dance at ig Sunda s Than sgi ing Stu ng ent last year.
You are cordially invited to the
by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certified Dermatologist located in Larchmont Village with a special focus on anti-aging technology. She is a member of the Botox Cosmetic National Education Faculty and is an international Training Physician for Dermik, the makers of the injectable Sculptra. She is also among a select group of physicians chosen to teach proper injection techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing filler, around the world. Dr. Fitzgerald is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA. Visit online at www.RebeccaFitzgeraldMD. com or call (323) 464-8046 to schedule an appointment. Adv.
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Refreshments will be served
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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Dream catcher, veteran TV writer has some tips for the Chronicle know that person…” It was with Rabbi William Cutter that he dreamed up the story idea on walks in the neighborhood when the two discuss everything from “Moses to Donald Trump…. It’s been a long, wonderful relationship. I ended up reading the Torah a couple of times...” Donley tells us.
LARCHMONT OPTOMETRICS
(323) 465-9682 317 NORTH LARCHMONT BLVD
©LC1119
By Suzan Filipek Television and film writer John Donley visited the Larchmont Chronicle office recently to pitch an idea: “I love this community, but there are many people here you don’t know who they are… each month you should profile someone in the neighborhood in which we’d get to
Cutter returns the compliment. “He’s a wonderful human being,” the rabbi said of Donley. “People want to have something to look forward to…” Donley told us. Profiles of local people “would increase readership.” But, the point, he added, would be to uplift the community. “There’s so much division in the world. I love finding ways to bring people together. We’re so caught up in our tribal beliefs… “I like to believe there’s something within us that we can transcend.” We agreed. Here’s our profile of John Donley: John Donley’s local career dates back to the groundbreaking Norman Lear TV shows of the 1970s, almost as long as he has been enamored with his Larchmont neighborhood. “I walk everywhere, and so I’ve gotten to know a lot of people,” he tells us. He’s heard plenty of rumors and stories over the years, even one involving a murder(!). A tale that particularly fascinates him is about Babe Ruth, who had dated a woman who had lived next door to his home. “There should be a televi-
John Donley
sion show made” on the community, he muses. “What an incredible neighborhood.” His most recent endeavor is a film script that time travels to slavery in the south, a subject he knows a bit about. A descendant of slaves — Donley’s great-great grandfather inherited 40 acres and a mule after the Civil War, the appropriated amount for former slaves, but which few ever received. His relative was among the lucky ones, Donley tell us. His youthful looks and upbeat disposition aren’t from a life of leisure. “I spent countless grueling hours and endless days picking and chopping cotton on a farm outside Gould, Arkansas, laboring beneath the hot Delta sun beside
my sharecropping parents.” It was there that he dreamed of baseball. “My body may have been present in those fields, but my heart and mind were always far, far away… turning plays with the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team and hanging out with my idols Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays… “To say that I hated farming then and hate it now is a grave understatement.” When he graduated from Gould High School, he headed to Chicago and tried out for the Chicago Cubs. “Like all the other young dreamers there, I was trying to put one over the wall. The home run didn’t happen, but my single fired up enough hope and imagination in me that all I saw were fluttering green dollar bills falling from the sky.” The coach was not impressed, but an undeterred Donley next tried out for the Chicago White Sox. While his dreams of baseball never materialized, another would come into view: “While stationed with the United States Army in Germany, I watched a production of Anton Chekhov’s play, ‘A Marriage Proposal.’ I was fascinated. I would become an actor!” (Please turn to page 8)
Special thanks to Betsy Malloy and Vivian Gueler, co-chairs, for their continuing efforts in organizing the 2019 Larchmont Family Fair.
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The Larchmont Boulevard Association Thanks Our 2019 Fair Sponsors!
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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John Donley
(Continued from page 6) And, so, like countless others before him, he headed to Los Angeles to follow his new dream. Eventually he turned to writing, having learned from acting classes what makes for a good story, and he brushed up on his grammar — segregated schools of his youth left
Larchmont Chronicle
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him unprepared for the world of syntax, he said. “I poured my heart and love for my people into comedic scripts and materials that tackled significant issues in Black culture…” He sold pilots and spec scripts for “Sanford and Son” and “The Flip Wilson Show,” and one day he received “the call” from legendary television writer and producer Norman
Lear. “He invited me to pitch ideas for a new TV show. This and other attention to my work led to the success of my dreams — a career of writing material for some of television’s most popular shows of all time, and some of the entertainment industry’s most beloved legends and icons.” Donley’s credits include “Good Times,” “The Jeffersons,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Benson,” and “Who’s the Boss.” He won the NAACP Image Award for best situation comedy in 1984. More recently he was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Oct. 26 in Little Rock, which, he said, “is beyond humbling.” He has taught writing in South Los Angeles and Watts, and he’s proud of his daughters, who, after he moved to Larchmont Blvd. in 1980, he dreamed of sending to Marlborough School. And he did. Jonako went on to Columbia University and holds a master’s from USC School of Cinematic Arts and is a film producer. Sachiko is a Yale gradu-
Larchmont (Continued from page 1) Hirota of Faux Sweets will show her Christmas tree ornaments. Pickett Fences will have a jewelry trunk show.
ate who has a Ph.D. degree in developmental psychology from UC Irvine. She is Director of Studies at Wilson College at Princeton University. But back to the point, Donley continues: “I’m convinced that there’s a plethora of great stories right under our noses, in our neighborhood, that would not only make for fascinating reading, with the built-in capacity to
hook the reader into looking forward to the next monthly story — which, by the way, would better serve the newspaper’s objective of increased readership and increased ad placement…” He just didn’t expect to be the subject of his story pitch. “I just never thought it would be of me… This is a wonderful community. I feel so blessed.”
RUDY AND ERNEST
Family Owned and Operated
After 40 years,
Brothers will be closing! Come in today and leave happy with items all at SALE prices! FREE PARKING LIC#1942-0959
5901 Melrose (corner of Cahuenga) 323.462.5599
Black Dog Coffee Black Dog Coffee has been serving Miracle Mile since 1998! Gather your friends or pups at this cozy spot and enjoy the delightful selection of coffee, drinks, pastries and sandwiches. 5657 Wilshire Bl Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.933.1976
Cafe Latte
MIRACLE MILE Support local businesses as we build the Metro Purple Line Extension. Discover more businesses at metro.net/eatshopplay.
Open M–Sat 10–5 Closed Sunday
Choose from a variety of delicious options including spinach and romaine salads, meatloaf, pasta and burgers. Vegan and vegetarian options available. 6254 Wilshire Bl Los Angeles, CA 90048 323.936.5213
Roccoʼs Neighborhood Pizza Rocco's Neighborhood Pizza on Wilshire opened in 2000. Pizzas are hand-tossed using homemade dough, made fresh all day, every day! Rocco's does the east coast style here in the west coast! 6335 Wilshire Bl Los Angeles, CA 90048 323.655.0058
©LC0919
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Larchmont Chronicle 2019
Dining & Entertainment Guide No time to cook a holiday turkey? No problem! By Sondi Toll Sepenuk Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be quite a chore. Of course, with all the wonderful restaurants that abound in our com-
R ORDER YOU AY HOLIDARLY! E BIRDPSPLIES ARE SU
LI M I T
ED
munity, you always can go out for the feast — if the restaurants are open on the holiday. But eating at a home is the most likely Thanksgiving scenario for most of us, and that usually involves much time spent planning, shopping, preparing, cooking and baking. As an alternative, you can just as easily pick up the phone and call one of these local grocers or restaurants who have conveniently prepared everything for you! So, if you find yourself just wanting to relax and leave the cooking to someone else, here are a few local ideas: Opened just five months ago, Sprouts at 1302 S. La Brea Ave. and San Vicente Blvd. is offering several different dinner selections that will appeal to every hungry family member’s tummy. As of press time, prices were still being finalized, but based on previous years’ pricing, here’s what you can expect: Dinner for
two ($29.99) includes a cooked turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread, a vegetable, stuffing, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. The family meal, which serves six to eight people, includes a 10- to 12-pound precooked turkey, plus all the same sides as the two-person order ($59.99). For those who want something a little different, Sprouts also offers a Thanksgiving feast with ham or prime rib ($69.99). For dessert, don’t forget to snatch up the fresh pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie! Jenny Mendez, Sprout’s deli manager at the S. La Brea location, has ordered the feasts for over a decade. “I’ve been working here for 12 years, and I buy one of these meals for my family every year,” she reveals. To order, go online to Sprouts. com, or call the store directly at 323-801-7510. (Please turn to page 12)
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
GROCERY STORE
& THANKSGIVING HEADQUARTERS
JIM CASCONE FARMERS MARKET POULTRY OFFERING A HOST OF FRESH, ALL-NATURAL TURKEYS INCLUDING DIESTEL. STALL #216 • (323)936-8158
CODY & THOMAS DEROSA MARCONDA’S PURITAN POULTRY OFFERING A WIDE VARIETY OF FRESH, ALL-NATURAL TURKEYS INCLUDING WILLIE BIRD. STALL #226 • (323)938-0312
S
ince 1934, The Original Farmers Market has been serving our local neighborhoods with the finest groceries available. Our artisan grocers are the best in the business, offering the absolute freshest meats, seafood, produce, pies and baked goods imaginable. Plus, we’ve recently added new gourmet olive oil, California cheese and floral shops to complete your shopping list. Visit us soon at Third and Fairfax or at farmersmarketla.com to learn more about our delivery options.
HOME TO
L.A.’s BEST LOCAL GROCERS 2 HOURS COMPLIMENTARY PARKING with purchase validation at either poultry purveyor.
6333 W. THIRD ST. • LOS ANGELES • 323.933.9211 FARMERSMARKETLA.COM /FARMERSMARKETLA Insta
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Sip and shop at JLLA’s Harvest Boutique Dec. 8 Tickets are on sale now for the Junior League of Los Angeles 20th annual Harvest Boutique, which will be held on Sun., Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Montage Beverly Hills. A VIP shopping hour, from
9 to 10 a.m., will be followed by Sip and Shop, brunch and the program at this “2019 Emerald Anniversary Celebration.” A silent auction closes at 2 p.m. This year’s honorees are philanthropists Ginger Barnard,
Lucia Diaz and Alex Morales. Tickets start at $25 for Sip and Shop, which includes admission to a curated boutique with 30 vendors and a champagne reception. Tickets can be purchased at jlla.org. Visit JLLA.org.
Angelini
Pink’s Hot Dogs, at historic Pink’s Square, 709 N. La Brea Ave., will celebrate its 80th year beginning Fri., Nov. 8 through Fri., Nov. 15. To help celebrate, customers can purchase “Chili Dogs for Charity” for 80 cents
Yoga is on the menu at JFLA
TM
O S T E R I A by Gino Angelini
Stretch your body and mind in Bilingual Yoga at Lunchtime Wed., Nov. 6 at 12:30 adn 1 p.m. at the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, 5700 Wilshire Blvd. No reservations required. All are welcome. Learn a few Japanese phrases during the class, which will take place in a chair; no yoga mat or change of clothes necessary. Other events this month include: “Samurai Spirit Alive” Tues., Nov. 12 at 7 p.m., and “Spirit of Japan: Shinto & Gagaku” Mon., Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Both lectures and demonstrations are free but reservations are required. Visit jflalc.org.
Book your
with us!
Angelini A L I M E N TA R I
Pink’s Hot Dogs turns 80 Nov. 8 during an 80-minute window each day of the anniversary week. Limits are eight hot dogs per customer. Each of those days, the historic hot dog stand will donate the proceeds from the chili dog sales to a different charity, designated by a different celebrity each night. For more information, visit pinkshollywood. com.
OCT. 27 FAMILY FAIR pie baking contest, adult division, was won by Adena and Jonathan Goldstein (holding Rockstar), shown with son Samson and the winning apple crumble pie.
TM
7313— 7317 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036 | 323.297.0070
Open for Breakfast — Lunch — Dinner — Catering
©LC1119
www.angeliniosteria.com & www.angelinialementari.com catering@angeliniosteria.com
Book Your Holiday Celebrations Now! We Cater, Too! All of our best dishes
Available for 88 years!
Taste the best of Italian cuisine in Los Angeles inside the Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd. at Fairfax Ave.
“The Oldest Mexican Restaurant in Hollywood”
RISTORANTE
www.elcoyotecafe.com
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7312 Beverly Blvd. • 323-939-2255
Reserve: (310) 323-800-2244 dragoristorante.com
Sunday – Thursday: 11 AM -10 PM Friday – Saturday: 11 AM - 11 PM
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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12
No time to cook? No problem (Continued from page 9) • • • Not far up the road, you’ll find Trader Joe’s at 263 S. La Brea Ave. Instead of pre-orders, the grocery will be offering “grab and go” items. All of the mains and sides you would expect will be offered throughout the month: Pre-cooked turkeys, creamed cauliflower,
macaroni & cheese, corn pudding, mashed sweet potatoes, four-cheese scalloped potatoes, fresh turkey gravy and several holiday pies, as well as kosher turkeys (big birds and little birds). “Most turkeys don’t come pre-brined, but ours do,” says store manager Garrett Williamson. “We’re known for that.”
For All Your Holiday Needs! All our turkeys are California grown … Free-Range, Steroid & Hormone Free, Vegetarian- Fed. We proudly feature Diestel Farm Free Range Turkeys. Organic and Heritage Diestel are also available.
323-936-8158
6333 W. 3rd St., Stall # 216 (near Starbucks)
Pre-Order Your Favorite
PIES!
©LC1115
We also carry Shelton, & Harvest Gold brands. You’ll find any kind of poultry from Pheasant to Ducks, Geese, Guinea and Cornish Hens and more!
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
• • • Directly across the street at 260 S. La Brea Ave. is Ralphs grocery, which will be offering a slew of holiday choices. Shoppers can choose from a boneless ham or turkey dinner for four to six people, which includes stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato soufflé, mashed potatoes, gravy, Kings Hawaiian Rolls and a 10-inch pumpkin pie. For parties of six to eight, Ralphs will be offering a prime rib dinner or bone-in choices of a seven to nine pound ham, 10- to 12-pound turkey or 10to 12-pound smoked turkey with all of the aforementioned sides and desserts. • • • At the time the Chronicle went to press, prices had not yet been published. Stop by the store or go online (Ralphs. com) to order. • • • The Fairfax Whole Foods Market at 6350 W. Third Street will be selling a traditional Thanksgiving meal as well. As of press time, details were unavailable, but we’re told that Sat., Nov. 16 will be the date customers can begin ordering online (wholefoodsmarket. com). Then, starting Thurs., Nov. 21, customers can walk into the store to place in-person orders at the holiday table,
usually toward the meat section. • • • In addition to grocery stores, Du-Par’s Restaurant and Bakery at the Original Farmers Market, as well as Wilshire Blvd.’s new Eleven City Diner, also will be offering Thanksgiving options for cookingaverse customers. • • • At Du-Par’s, the mouth-watering options are abundant. Both dine-in and take-out orders include fresh roasted turkey, served with house-made butternut squash soup, homemade garlic mashed potatoes and stuffing, glazed carrots, green beans amandine, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. The Whole Turkey Feast ($225), serving eight to 10 people, comes with two pies, while the Small Turkey Feast ($155), serving four to six people, includes one pie. Guests can also order individual Thanksgiving dinner plates for $29.50 or a child’s plate (three to 11 yrs.) for $17.95. Individual holiday pies include cherry, blueberry, pumpkin, peach, boysenberry, apple, raspberry, mincemeat, sweet potato and pecan, ranging in price from $14.95 to $15.95. Du-Par’s Thanksgiving feasts, both for dine-in and
take-out, are incredibly popular, so if you want to order or make a dine-in reservation, don’t wait! “We sell out and start distributing on the Monday of Thanksgiving week,” reminds Frances Tario, president and CEO of Du-Par’s Restaurants and Bakeries. To order, email Frances at frances@dupars-psr.com or call 323-933-8446, 323-9338447 or 323-933-8440. • • • Eleven City Diner, one of the Miracle Mile’s newest eating establishments (5400 Wilshire Blvd.) will be closed for Thanksgiving, but is offering three spectacular preorder dessert options for pick up. “We will be taking orders for three cakes, which have been a super hit, for pick up the day before the holiday, on Wed., Nov. 27,” says owner Bradley Rubin. The three cakes available are the To-Die-For Chocolate Three Layer Cake for $60, the Juniors NYC Cheesecake (14 slices) for $75, and the Crazy Delish Carrot Cake, a threelayer extravaganza with cream cheese frosting for $60. All orders must be placed no later than Mon., Nov. 25. Call 323761-1211 to place your order. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and bon appétit!
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
LACMA is packing, preparing for construction in early 2020 By Suzan Filipek Statues and portraits are being packed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in preparation for construction of the David Geffen Galleries, set to start in early 2020. The 347,500-square-foot permanent collection building, which will span Wilshire Blvd., replaces four buildings: Ahmanson, Art of the Americas, Bing and Hammer. The latter have already mostly closed pending demolition, and the 31-year-old Pavilion for Japanese Art — in the middle of a two-year renovation — is temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) and the Resnick Pavilion will remain open throughout construction. Visitors also can continue to eat and drink at Ray’s and Stark Bar. Also
god of wine, es,” perhaps the most popular Bacchus, and painting at the Getty, accordthe princess are ing to getty.edu. depicted on the Six sculptures are on loan to Greek island of the South Coast Botanic GarNaxos in the den in Palos Verdes and other painting dating objects are at The Huntington from 1619-20. and at Cedars Sinai Medical Another at the Center. Getty is RemOn view in an original buildbrandt’s com- ing at LACMA is the SnapchatGEFFEN GALLERIES, view east from BCAM. Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner / The Boundary manding “Por- inspired exhibition, “Christrait of Marten tian Marclay: Sound Stories,” open is LACMA Café, located committee is scheduled to reLooten,” a wealthy merchant through Mon., Nov. 11 in the in an Airstream trailer on the view the project Nov. 6. plaza outside of Ray’s. The museum’s holdings con- in 1632. J. Paul Getty pur- Art of the Americas building. “Building LACMA,” feaThe Geffen Galleries build- tinue to be accessible as part of chased the painting in 1938 and gave it to LACMA in 1953, turing renderings of Peter ing is expected to be com- its active traveling program. pleted by the end of 2023 and Seven European paintings a year before he opened his Zumthor’s Geffen Galleries project, is in the Ahmanson open in early 2024, a museum are on display at the Getty Cen- own museum in Malibu. Cezanne’s “Sous-Bois” until the end of the year. Free. spokesperson said. ter, 1200 Getty Center Dr. The $650 million project Guido Reni’s mythological hangs next to Van Gogh’s “Iris- Visit lacma.org. was approved by the Los An- “Bacchus and Ariadne” is “one geles County Board of Super- of the great masterpieces in Brooklyn flavor visors in April and is pending LACMA’s collection,” accordCalifornia“FRESH” approval by City Council for ing to Getty senior curator of the museum’s use of air rights paintings Davide Gasparotto – since 1997. above Wilshire Blvd. A city on the blog Un Framed. The The go-to stop on the Boulevard for pizza, pasta, salad, sandwiches and people watching. Enjoy watching our local sports teams with a beer or beverage.... and let’s not forget those delicious homemade meatballs! Village Pizzeria has been your Larchmont Pizzeria for 23 years now! Cheers to you all!
Steve & Nancy
All we are saying is … “Give a Piece a Chance”
A TASTE OF GREECE
“Stin y yassas!” … To Your Health!
Dimitris & Thomas
Your Hosts Dimitris & Thomas Houndalas
Reservations Recommended • 323-464-5160
Fresh dough hand-spun As seen on Ellen Degeneres, Entourage, HBO, KCAL News Fresh Produce and visiting with Huell Howser The best Wisconsin cheese Homemade meats, sauces & dressings Gluten-free and vegan options available Catering & Party needs • Delivery
131 N. Larchmont Blvd.
323-465-5566
©LC01119
Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week
• • • • • •
©LC1119
Celebrating 31 Years in Larchmont Village!
Our healthy, delicious, Greek Mediterranean cuisine comes from the Peloponnese region. Our recipes are those of our forefathers and we delight in sharing our philosophy of conscious, healthy living with our guests, because we truly care about your health and well being.
www.villagepizzeria.net
127 North Larchmont Boulevard • www.lepetitgreek.com
Ristorante
Serving Hancock Park for 36 years Healthy, home-made and seasonal
Party Time! Host your private or company party here, for up to 75 people. Elegant holiday décor.
323-284-7060 www.OsteriaMamma.com
5732 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038
Catering Available
Want to enjoy our food at your home or work place? We’ll come to you! Pick up, delivery or full catering service
323-466-8812 • www.marinorestaurant.com 6001 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 email: sal@marinorestaurant.com
©LC1118
Experience the true taste of the Veneto region.
The private room delivers an intimate setting for your gatherings.
omage to
NOVEMBER 2019
orth African
It would be easy to overlook the small cottage restaurant on a nondescript section of Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s equally easy to ignore it because neither its façade nor its name, Bowery Bungalow, indicates what one might find inside. On this particular night, we crawled through rush hour traffic to Silver Lake because the eatery could accommodate the 10 people in our mini-family reunion at the last minute and it satisfied our various requirements: it was reasonably convenient to the various neighborhoods from which we were all coming (Pasadena, Echo Park, Beverly Grove, Hollywood Hills, Larchmont), and there were plenty of options for those who were vegetarian, dairy-free, lowcarb or suffered from celiac disease. (Such is the state of modern dining!) It turned out to be a very good choice. Large parties are seated on the charming back patio since the interior is quite small. We had asked for — and got — a conventional table and chairs with backs; the more casual counter-height tables with backless stools appeared mostly filled with friends sharing appetizers and drinks after work. Unlike most restaurants these days, the considerable laughter and chatting never reached a cacophonous level. Ample heaters kept us warm on the chilly night, and string lights and plants created a lovely atmosphere. One of restaurateur George Abou-Daoud’s establishments, it exempifies his tradition of crafting a different cuisine for each of his restaurants, from Italian to gastropub, Mexican to deli. The Bowery Bungalow menu notes that dishes pay homage to the flavors of North Africa and the Middle East, including Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Crete, Palestine and Israel. The menu is divided into four sections: vegetables, meat, fish and sweet. By all means, share. For a change, everything is truly sized for sharing, unlike the puny plate concept that has swept the industry. The vegetable dishes, ranging from $12-14, ruled the night. Babaganoush presented a wonderfully smoky and creamy eggplant dip topped with crunchy roasted shishito peppers and served with pita (they brought cucumber slices for the carb- and glutenfree among us). Potatoes were tossed with the North African spice paste harissa, and served with feta cream on the side to accommodate dairy-free eaters. It’s difficult to resist potatoes in any form; these, with their hint of heat, are addicting. Also satisfying were large florets of fried cauliflower. The normally neutral vegetable was ably enhanced with dukkah, a cumin- and coriander-scented seed and nut-spice mixture,
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
iddle ast avors
Children’s Tea
but the abundance of Moroccan Ras El Hanout seasoning and Middle Eastern Za’atar strangely did not elevate the dish beyond the expected flavor profile. $28 scallops were slightly overcooked and the Aleppo-turmeric cream and dreary parsnip fries did not rescue the dish. $24 cast iron Mideast chicken on a fragrant bed of rice with dried fruit, cinnamon and almonds tasted like chicken. Nothing more, nothing less. $29 pan-seared branzino made up for those disappointments, however. A generous fillet rested on perfectly seasoned mashed cauliflower, with herb-roasted beets on the side. We were all too stuffed to try any of the three desserts on offer, but fans of rosewater, cardamom, chocolate or sesame paste will find a satisfying ending to their meal. Bowery Bungalow, 4156 Santa Monica Blvd., Silverlake, 323-663-1500.
On the Menu by
Helene Seifer and served with tahini. Roasted beets were a table favorite. Multi-colored beet quarters are showered with roasted pistachios and crispy beet chips, alongside herbed chevre and medjool dates. The earthy root vegetables, crunchy nuts, sweet fruit, and savory soft cheese make a perfect combo. The protein plates were less successful. Although the hangar steak with urfa pepper was perfectly tasty, the sweet and sour Brussels sprouts, flavored with pomegranate molasses, were cloying and acidic and did nothing to enhance the $32 meat. $29 slow-cooked lamb was a larger format bowl,
assorted mini muffins, fresh fruit skewers assorted tea sandwiches Peanut Butter & Jelly • Chicken Salad Mini Cheese Sandwich Milk, Hot Chocolate, Kids Champagne (apple juice with sparkling water)
$19.50 per person Please Call for Reservations Every Saturday from 2pm to 4pm
All ages welcomed (323) 933-8446 • (323) 933-8440 Frances@dupars-psr.com
Cal Pre- l and Your Order Holi day
PIES
!
In the Original Farmers Market 3rd & Fairfax • Open 24 Hours
November
MERCHANT of the
MONTH HUNTINGTON MEATS & SAUSAGE
15
Ji m Ca sc on e
An old-fashioned butcher shop with a modern edge, Huntington Meats carries a wide variety of all-natural Harris Ranch meats including traditional roasts, steaks, chops, premium ground beef and the city’s best selection of handmade sausages. Exotic meats and game, too!
STALL 350 - in the East Patio
This Month's Special: Spend $40 or more and get a
–pound Freeof–
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A $5 value! *Offer expires 11/30/19.
Limit one per offer with mention of this ad.
Your Neighborhood Grocery Store Since 1934. 6333 W. THIRD ST. • LOS ANGELES 323.933.9211 • FARMERSMARKETLA.COM 2 HOURS FREE PARKING IN FARMERS MARKET LOTS WITH PURCHASE VALIDATION FROM HUNTINGTON MEATS & SAUSAGE.
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©LC1119
Larchmont Chronicle
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Larchmont.Chronicle.
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Larchmont Chronicle’s Eateries abound in and around the neighborhood The following list is a mere sample of the dining options available in and around our neighborhood. (If you find that a favorite was overlooked, please let us know at info@larchmontchronicle.com.) Note: The Original Farmers Market is at 6333 W. Third St. The Grove is next door at 189 The Grove Dr.
VERNETTI
BERRI’S CAFÉ
225 N. Larchmont Blvd. 8412 W. 3rd St. 323-798-5886 323-852-0642 vernetti.la berrisla.com Hours: Tues. to Thurs., 11:30 Hours: 10 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. daily. a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m.; Sat. and CANTER’S DELI Sun., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 419 N. Fairfax Ave. to 11 p.m. 323-651-2030 cantersdeli.com Larchmont Boulevard Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 6 a.m. to 3 VILLAGE PIZZERIA a.m.; Fri. and Sat., open 24 hours. 131 N. Larchmont Blvd. BURGER LOUNGE 323-465-5566 217 N. Larchmont Blvd. villagepizzeria.net 323-462-2310 THE CAT AND THE Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. burgerlounge.com FIDDLE Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11:30 PUB AND RESTAURANT to 9:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun., noon to 9 742 N. Highland Ave. p.m. a.m. to 10 p.m. 323-468-3800
LARCHMONT VILLAGE WINE, SPIRITS & CHEESE 223 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-856-8699 larchmontvillagewine.com Hours: Mon. to Sat., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
LE PETIT GREEK 127 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-464-5160 lepetitgreek.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
LOUISE’S TRATTORIA
Beyond the Boulevard
DU-PAR’S
FABIOLUS CUCINA
Farmers Market 6270 Sunset Blvd. 323-933-8446 323-467-2882 dupars.net fabiolus.com Du-Par’s Restaurant is open 24 Hours: Tues., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 hours a day, 365 days a year. p.m. to 10 p.m.; Weds., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thurs., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. EAST INDIA GRILL to 10 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; 1245 S. Fairfax Ave. Sun. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 323-936-8844 eastindiagrillla.com Hours: Sun. to Wed., 10:30 a.m. FARMERS MARKET to 10:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 10:30 323-933-9211 a.m. to 11 p.m. farmersmarketla.com Hours: Mon. to Fri., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. THE EDMON
5168 Melrose Ave. 323-645-5225 FIN ASIAN TAPAS thecatandfiddle.com theedmon.com 5750 Melrose Ave. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 5 p.m. to 323-579-1501 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Fri., 11:30 midnight. Fri. and Sat., 5 p.m. to finasiantapas.com a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m. 1 a.m. Hours: Tues. to Sat., 5 to 11 p.m.; to 1 a.m.; Sun., 10:30 a.m. to Sun. and Mon., 5 to 10 p.m. midnight.
ANGELINI OSTERIA 7313 Beverly Blvd. DRAGO RISTORANTE 323-297-0070 6060 Wilshire Blvd. angeliniosteria.com 323-800-2244 Hours: Mon. to Thurs., noon to dragoristorante.com 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Fri. from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m., Sat., 5 to 11 p.m.; Sun., 5 to 10:30 p.m.
DRESDEN ROOM
EL CHOLO
FRENCH CREPE
1121 S. Western Ave. COMPANY 323-734-2773 Farmers Market elcholo.com 323-934-3113 Hours: Sun. and Mon., 11 a.m. to frenchcrepe.com 9 p.m., Tues. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 7:30 a.m. 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to to 9 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30 a.m. 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun., 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
1760 Vermont Ave. 323-665-4294 EL COYOTE CAFÉ ANTONIO’S 232 N. Larchmont Blvd. thedresden.com 7312 Beverly Blvd. 7470 Melrose Ave. THE GROVE 323-962-9510 Hours: Tues. to Sat., 5 p.m. to 2 323-9392255 323-658-9060 323-900-8080 louises.com a.m.; Sun. to Mon., 5 p.m. to 12:30 elcoyotecafe.com antoniosonmelrose.com thegrovela.com Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to Hours: Tues. to Fri., 11 a.m. to p.m. Dining room open until 10 Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 11p.m.; Sat., noon to 11 p.m. and p.m. Sun. to Thurs., and until 11 to 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 11:30 a.m. 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri. to Sat. to 11 p.m. Sun., noon to 10 p.m. p.m. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
Love Dogs?
La Brea & Melrose
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
17
Dining Guide - Fall 2019 HMS BOUNTY
MAGEE’S KITCHEN
MUSSO AND FRANK GRILL
PAPA CRISTO’S
RAY’S AND STARK BAR LACMA
3357 Wilshire Blvd. Farmers Market 2771 W. Pico Blvd. 213-385-7275 323-938-4127 323-737-2970 6667 Hollywood Blvd. 5905 Wilshire Blvd. thehmsbounty.com mageeskitchen.com papacristos.com 323-467-7788 323-857-6180 Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Sat., 9 a.m. to 9 Hours: Tues., 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; mussoandfrank.com raysandstarkbar.com 1 a.m.; Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours: Tues. to Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 Wed. to Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Hours: Mon., Tues. and Thurs., a.m.; Sun., noon to 1 a.m. Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. p.m. and Sun., 4 to 9 p.m. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 LA BREA BAKERY CAFÉ a.m. to 8 p.m. MAGGIANO’S 468 S. La Brea Ave. LITTLE ITALY PETROSSIAN 323-939-6813 OFF VINE RESTAURANT The Grove ROCCO’S PIZZA 321 N. Robertson Blvd. labreabakery.com 6263 Leland Way 323-965-9665 6335 Wilshire Blvd. 310-271-6300 Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 323-962-1900 maggianos.com 323-655-0058 petrossianrestaurants.com Grilled cheese night Thurs., 5:30 offvine.com Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. roccospizza.la to 8:30 p.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 10 a.m. to Hours: Tues. to Fri., 11 a.m. to to 10 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 11 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fri., 10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; LE PETITE MARCHÉ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 Sun., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Mon., 11 Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 5665 Melrose Ave. p.m. Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. a.m. to 3 p.m. SPARE TIRE 323-380-6557 and 5 to 9 p.m. Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 5370 Wilshire Blvd. lepetitemarche.com 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. 323-823-4890 Hours: Supposedly opening again MARINO RISTORANTE sparetirepub.com PINKS HOT DOGS in the near future. 6001 Melrose Ave. Hours: Mon. to Wed., 11:30 a.m. 709 N. La Brea Ave. 323-466-8812 to 1 a.m.; Thurs. and Fri., 11:30 323-931-4223 OSTERIA MAMMA LITTLE BAR LOUNGE marinorestaurant.com a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 pinkshollywood.com 5732 Melrose Ave. 757 S. La Brea Ave. Hours: Mon. to Fri., 11:30 a.m. to a.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 9:30 a.m. 323-284-7060 323-937-9210 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; Sat., 5 to to 2 a.m.; Fri. and Sat., 9:30 a.m. osteriamamma.com littlebarlounge.com 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 5:30 p.m. TART to 10:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 11:30 to 2 a.m.; Fri. to Sun., 5 p.m. to 2 115 N. Fairfax Ave. a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sun., 5 to 10 a.m. daily. 323-556-2608 MARMALADE CAFE p.m. tartrestaurant.com PROVIDENCE Farmers Market LUCY’S EL ADOBE Hours: Mon. to Thur., 7 a.m. to 3 5955 Melrose Ave. 323-954-0088 5536 Melrose Ave. p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m. 323-460-4170 marmaladecafe.com 323-462-9421 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat., providencela.com PACIFIC DINING CAR Hours: Sun. to Thurs., 9 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 6 to 10 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 10:30 1310 W. 6th St. 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 9 a.m. to 11 to 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11:30 p.m.; Fri., 12:30 to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 213-483-6000 p.m. a.m. to 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat., 5:30 to 10 p.m.; 5 to 10 p.m. pacificdiningcar.com Sun., 5:30 to 9 p.m. Hours: 24 hours daily.
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THE MEXICAN VILLAGE 3668 Beverly Blvd. 213-385-0479 RALEIGH STUDIOS CAFÉ PAMPAS GRILL themexicanvillage.com 650 N. Bronson Ave. Farmers Market Hours: Tues., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 323-871-5660 323-931-1928 Weds. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; raleighstudios.com pampas-grill.com Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat., 5 p.m. Hours: Mon. to Sat., 10:30 a.m. to Hours: Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 3 to 2 a.m. 9 p.m.; Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. p.m.
TAYLOR’S STEAKHOUSE 3361 W. Eighth St. 213-382-8449 taylorssteakhouse.com Hours: Mon. to Thurs., 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sat., 4 to 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 4 to 9:30 p.m.
ThinkPink's.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Neil Simon’s Musical; ‘Penny Dreadful’ farce on the moors Neil Simon’s Musical Fools is an adaptation of the Simon play “Fools,” with book and lyrics by Neil Simon, and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West. Yes, we’re talking about that Neil Simon. There are several apocryphal tales as to why he chose to write this play. The time is 1893, the place the Ukraine. In the opening scene, we are traveling by train to the small town of Kulyenchikov, bringing the new tutor Leon Tolchinsky (the engaging James Byous) to the town. Kudos to scenic designer Jan Munroe, whose scenic art was inspired by the visual tradition of Ukrainian pysanky eggs (wooden decorated Easter eggs). We soon learn that the village’s population is a parade of stupid — every kind possible. This allows the puns, double entendres, misdirec-
tions and funny malaprops full reign in the dialogue. It seems the town of Kulyenchikov is cursed. Two hundred years ago, all townspeople and their domestic animals (plus future ancestors of same), were cursed with stupidity — no more intelligence than a bump on a log. Dr. Nikolai Zubrinski (Derek Manson) and his wife Lenya Zubrinski (Robyn Roth) hope that the new tutor will find a way to deliver them from the curse. On a personal level, the doctor hopes that he’ll be able to open jars. Leon vows to break the curse by education. As the curse started with Sophia Zubrinski in 1696, Leon feels the Sophia of 1893 (Clare Snodgrass), a direct descendant, is key to the cure. When he meets her, he falls instantly and deeply in love. Enter Count Gregor
Theater Review by
Patricia Foster Rye Yousekevitch (Jason Paige), the villain. What ensues is not so much divine intervention, as several cases of mistaken identity, that wrap the evening perfectly. This is a whimsical two acts filled with lots of laughs, some very hummable music and the inevitable happy ending. The timely and lively choreography is by Louisa Kendrick Burton. The cast is excellent. An onstage band is led by musical director Jan Roper. Director Ron West has kept the fairy tale feeling and the comedic pace perfectly. Through Sun., Nov. 17. Open Fist Theatre Company at the Atwater Village Theatre,
3269 Casitas Ave., 323-8826912, openfist.org. 4 Stars • • • The Mystery of Irma Vep, A Penny Dreadful, by Charles Ludlam, was first performed in 1987. A word about penny dreadfuls; originally, they were cheap, sensationalist, serial books produced circa late 1800s and they included characters such as Sweeney Todd, Dick Turpin and Varney the Vampire. The various lurid subjects have always appealed to audiences, and in 1991, “The Mystery of Irma Vep, A Penny Dreadful,” was the most produced play in the United States. With deep bows to Gothic literature like “Rebecca” by Daphne DuMaurier and “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte, plus the horror films of Hollywood in the 1930s, this two-actor many, many character play leaves no stone unturned in pursuing their quest. The first act takes place at
Mandacrest on the moors, complete with fog, howling wolves, dead wolves, creepy portraits and more. Jane, the prickly servant (my favorite character played by John Allee) and a groundskeeper Nicodemus (Isaac Wade) are stressing over Lord Edgar’s (Allee) new wife Lady Enid (Wade). John Allee and Isaac Wade play all the gender fluid characters — their talent and stamina are amazing. Mind-blowing quick changes plus carefully delineated characters, plus off-stage voices, abound and have you swearing there are two of each of the actors. Act two takes place in Egypt — same actors, some new characters. This is funny, fun and worth seeing. Through Sun., Nov. 10. Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1760 N. Gower St., 323-462-8460, actorscoop.org. 4 Stars
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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Shocking dictator, some assassins and zombies too
The Kingmaker (8/10): 100 minutes. NR. Imelda Marcos was a beautiful young woman when she married Ferdinand Marcos 11 days after they met. Eventually he became the president of the Philippines and it slowly morphed into a brutal, corrupt dictatorship that often resulted in the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of opponents and made the Marcos billionaires. This will be shocking to most Americans who don’t think or know much about the Philippines, especially what’s going on today. Especially egregious was how they decimated the few hundred peaceful inhabitants of Calauit Island by trying to turn the island into a preserve for African animals. Gemini Man (7/10): 116 minutes. PG-13. The 3-D in this movie is the best I’ve ever seen. Shot at 120 frames per second (standard is 24) and in 4K (resolution) 3-D, it’s far superior to other 3-D films. However, the film is better than just the 3-D. Will Smith is a U.S. government assassin who is targeted by his employers and by an assassin who anticipates his every move. While Smith gives a very good performance in a
dual role, Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives a sterling performance as someone sent by his employers to track him down. The other notable supporting performance is by Clive Owen. I always thought he would make a perfect James Bond, a lot better than the guy they have now. I generally disdain the car and motorcycle chases that are de rigueur now in these types of movies, but the one in this film is eye-popping, mainly due to the exceptional 3-D and cinéma vérité-style filming. Although it tends to drag at the end, this film is an entertaining treat. Zombieland: Double Tap (7/10): 99 minutes. R. While this sequel is in the horror genre, it is totally played for laughs. The four humans trying to survive a zombie apocalypse, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone, are living in the abandoned White House when Emma Stone gets freaked out by Jesse Eisenberg’s proposal of marriage and splits. Up until this point it has gone along without much involvement. But after Emma runs away, Zoey Deutch gets into the picture as another human trying to survive, and the film picks up from moderately entertain-
At the Movies with
Tony Medley ing to very funny. Whenever Deutch is onscreen, the film soars, especially when she’s with Stone. There is a clever plot twist pretty obviously borrowed from a “Seinfeld” episode when Luke Wilson appears on the screen. Don’t leave when you think the end credits are starting to roll, because there is an epilogue that will be meaningful only if you saw the first movie. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (7/10): 100 minutes. PG. Although fantasy, this is a cohesive tale that is gripping, aided by exquisite CIG that creates the characters and the magical land these characters occupy. The CIG alone is worth the price of admission. But the special effects, exceptional as they are, do not overwhelm the story, which is quite good, due in large part to the deliciously evil performance of Michelle Pfeiffer, not discounting the fine performances of Elle Fanning and Angelina Jolie.
Frankie (7/10): 100 minutes. PG-13. Highlighted by the gorgeous location of Sintra, Portugal, Frankie (Isabelle Huppert), an actress, gathers three generations of her family for a vacation. Throughout the day husbands, wives, parents, children, friends and lovers mingle and inspire emotions long hidden. With a fine supporting cast that includes Brendan Gleeson, Marisa Tomei (she doesn’t look the way I remember her) and Greg Kinnear, whose appearance is basically a cameo, for me the star was Sintra and the gorgeous locations and cinematography (Rui Poças). This is a lot of talk, so it’s not for everybody, but I enjoyed it. The Terminator: Dark Fate (7/10): 128 minutes. R. It seems they can keep remaking this movie forever. It’s
the same story and it still has Arnold and it still has the unexplainable bad machines that can be killed in any number of ways but keep coming back to life until the denouement. It’s entertaining enough, but my female assistant hated it, so it might be a male thing. The Current War: Director’s Cut: (6/10) 113 minutes. PG-13. Telling the story of the development of electricity and the battle among Thomas Edison, Nicolas Tesla and George Westinghouse, it certainly has a POV. It shows Edison as prickly and rigid in his defense of Direct Current (DC) vs. Tesla’s Alternating Current (AC). While educational, it is convoluted and necessarily superficial considering the topic. At no time do you really believe you are watching anything but a Hollywood movie.
Art+Film Gala at LACMA Nov. 2 Los Angeles-based artist Betye Saar and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón will be honored at the Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Sat., Nov. 2. The museum’s ninth annual premiere fundraising event will be co-chaired by museum
trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Grammy Award-winning singer Anderson Paak is set to perform at the gala. The event is presented by sponsors Gucci and Audi. For more information and tickets, contact artandfilm@ lacma.org or 323-857-4770.
The Luckman Theatre 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles 90032 Saturday, December 7 at 2pm and 7pm Sunday, December 8 at 11:30am and 4:30pm Saturday December 14 at 2pm and 7pm Sunday, December 15 at 2:00pm For tickets and information please visit: www.maratdaukayev.com
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
NINE O’CLOCK PLAYERS perform in “Jack and the Giant” at the Assistance League Theatre.
‘Jack and the Giant’ launches Nine O’Clock Players 90th season Watch Jack rescue Queen Violet from the Giant as the Nine O’Clock Players launch their 90th anniversary season with performances of “Jack and the Giant” at the Assistance League Theatre, 1367 N. St. Andrews Pl., Sundays Nov. 3, 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. Julia Holland, director of the production, was named “2011 Music Educator of the Year” by Malibu Music Awards, and she also was nominated as best director of
a musical for “Wild Party” by the NAACP in 2011. The Nine O’Clock Players has been producing plays since 1929 and is the oldest children’s theater company in Southern California. Built in 1938, the Assistance League Theatre is the oldest barn theater west of the Mississippi River. The Assistance League of Los Angeles was formed in 1919 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Visit assistanceleaguela.org.
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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Performers, Santa at Hollywood Christmas Parade Dec. 1 Save space in your Thanksgiving holiday weekend schedule for the 88th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Sun., Dec. 1 beginning at 5 p.m.
Hosted by Dean Cain, Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie and Montel Williams, the parade, in partnership with Marine Toys for Tots, will feature
floats, marching bands and performers, as well as the guest of honor, Santa Claus. For more information, visit thehollywoodchristmasparade.org.
Jan Daley to sing ‘Broadway Memories’ at Catalina Jazz Club
SINGER Jan Daley will sing tunes from her latest CD.
Jan Daley celebrates the release of her latest CD, “Broadway Memories,” Tues., Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Catalina Supper Club, 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hancock Park resident Daley’s “Way of a Woman” CD knocked Diana Krall off the Billboard Jazz & Traditional Jazz charts for 22 weeks. The 2017 Global Music Award winner appeared in a Lifetime movie this year, and in the past has appeared in movies with Bruce Willis, Alec
Baldwin and Tom Hanks. Daley broke into television at a young age, after stints as Miss California and Miss Glendale, and she worked with Jimmy Stewart, Jack Benny and Glenn Campbell. Her most treasured career highlight was participating in annual Bob Hope Christmas Tours, singing to 40,000 GIs in Vietnam and around the world. For reservations call 323466-2210 or go to reservations@catalinajazzclub.com.
GUEST OF HONOR Santa Claus waves to spectators at last year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade.
See tree lighting, Santa at Grove See fireworks, a snowfall and the annual tree lighting at The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., Sun., Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Santa also will arrive and children can visit him beginning Mon., Nov. 18 at his house and tell him what they
want for Christmas. The Grove ushered in the holiday season last month with the arrival of a 100-footplus, white fir Christmas treefrom Mt. Shasta. For more information, visit thegrovela. com.
Fresh Christmas trees coming to Blvd.
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Take in the smell of fresh Douglas and Noble firs at the Wilshire Rotary Christmas Tree lot, 568 N. Larchmont Blvd. Scheduled to arrive Fri., Nov. 29, trees and wreaths will be on sale through Sun., Dec. 23 or whenever they run out, says Wendy Clifford, a rotary member and volunteer who manages the lot each year with her family.
New trees arrive each week, so if you don’t find the perfect tree, come back later. Proceeds from sales benefit the Wilshire Rotary Foundation in support of local community service projects. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Delivery is available for a fee. Visit wilshirerotary.org or call 323-464-1935.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
MAGICAL LIGHTS illuminate the Los Angeles Zoo through Jan. 5. Photo by Jamie Pham
6th annual Zoo Lights returns Nov. 15 – Jan. 5 See the “World’s Largest Illuminated Pop-Up Book” and other light creations at Zoo Lights at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 5333 Zoo Dr., beginning Fri., Nov. 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. Running through Sun., Jan. 5, the self-guided 60-to90-minute stroll wanders through wildlife-inspired dis-
plays and past dynamic lights and projections. The show engages visitors in immersive interactive experiences. Cocoa and other holiday treats are available for purchase. Photographs with Santa Claus are also available at select times. Zoo lights will be closed Nov. 28, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Visit lazoolights.org
Tree lighting is Dec. 2 at Music Center Plaza Kick off the holiday season with the Los Angeles County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the newly renovated Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave. Mon., Dec. 2 from 5 to 6 p.m. The celebration will include performances by Brass Pacifica and a local school choir. Hot cocoa will be served at the free event. Visit musiccenter.org.
The Wallis & For The Record’s Biggest, RecordBreaking Hit RETURNS this Holiday Season!
Holidays on ice at Pershing Square Enjoy skating through the holidays at the Bai Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., starting Thurs., Nov. 14 and running through Jan. 20. General admission is $9; skate rental is $5. Visit holidayicerinkdowntownla.com.
N OV 2 7 – D E C 2 9 , 2 0 1 9
Free Dia de los Muertos concert at Grand Park Nov. 1 Celebrate the end of the fall season and Dia de los Muertos and hear music featuring the all-female lineup of Los Angeles-based Latinx at Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Fri., Nov. 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. Set on the park’s Performance Lawn near Hill Street, the concert, “Selena for Sanctuary,” features Empress Of, San Cha, Ceci Bastida, Maya Murillo, August Eve and Loyal Lobos. The house band for the evening will be Selenamos and DJ Zuri Adia. Los Angelesbased Salvadoran poet Yesika Salgado will host. Visit grandparkla.org.
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Timeless. . .
Larchmont Chronicle
Larchmont Chronicle
Giving (Continued from page 5) Call 323-461-3131 or visit covenanthousecalifornia.org.
• • •
Downtown Women’s Center (DWC), which helps homeless women find housing and employment, seeks volunteers for packing and sorting donations. The next training is Sat., Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to noon. Gift cards in $20 amounts to grocery stores or large retail stores, also are appreciated. Shop the online gift store, Home and Gift Collection (madebydwc.org), for soap,
NOVEMBER 2019
candles and greeting cards crafted from upcycled and donated materials by women at the center. Call 213-6800600 or visit downtownwomenscenter.org.
• • •
Visit the Elizabeth Vruwink Gift Shop at Good Samaritan Hospital, 616 S. Witmer St., hosted by the hospital’s auxiliary, for the shop’s annual holiday preview, Mon., Nov. 4. Free gift wrapping will be available. Holiday hours for the gift shop are Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 213-977-2358 or visit goodsam.org for information.
• • •
Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, 1650 Rockwood St., has wish lists for items needed by adults, children, teens and people moving into their own apartments. There is a wish list on Amazon, but gift cards from grocers, retailers and bookstores also are helpful. Call 213-482-1834 or visit gschomeless.org/donate-anitem.
• • •
Hollygrove, 815 N. El Centro Ave., a division of Uplift Fam-
SECTION ONE
ily Services, accepts food care packages or cash donations to help underwrite its programs. Also wanted are unwrapped gifts for children ages infant to 15 for the holiday toy drive. Check the website for a wish list year-round. Contact Camille Guerrero, at 323-7697135 or camille.guerrero@ upliftfs.org.
• • •
Drop off new shoes in bins at the Olympic watch commander’s office by the beginning of December for Operation Shoes from Santa, 1130 S. Vermont Ave., Thurs., Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The winter wonderland event will have real snow, Santa’s workshop, hot chocolate and treats, plus a visit from Santa. Call Eric Mollinedo at 213382-9140 or email him at 31754@lapd.lacity.org.
• • •
Project Angel Food, 922 Vine St., which delivers meals to people with critical illness, needs volunteers to help with meal
BALLET SCHOOL managing director amela au a e in the new studio on ilshire l d.
Marat Ballet
(Continued from page 1) school managing director Pamela Daukayev told us. Finding a space that was close to the school’s former Miracle Mile location and a short drive for parents dropping off young children was key. The new site’s high ceilings, light-filled spaces and room for the school’s extensive wardrobe clinched the deal. “It’s very, very beautiful with the high ceilings. It has a huge expanse,” Pamela told us. After months of holding classes and a summer intensive course in temporary quarters, the new location is a welcoming home. “The kids are so happy after this uncertainty,” said Pamela. Some 300 students, ages 3 to 18, as well as adults, attend the school, founded in 2001 by Pamela and her husband Marat, a former principal dancer with the Kirov Ballet. The school also nurtures already-polished dancers as they ready for bigger stages in ballet companies around the globe. Students hail from Hancock Park and Brookside as well as the Westside and points from around the world. “Nutcracker” in December When news spread that the school would close June 30 because its La Brea Avenue building had sold, some doubted it would pull off its annual “Nutcracker” ballet performances this holiday season. But the costumes already have been fitted, and the hundreds of hours of practice are
DANCERS Grace Tankenson (Windsor Square, at right) and a a O awa ino tr out the new sprung oor partl complete. Original rown erb is in the window iew.
underway for the performances to be held at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15. Helping to move the project forward was a gofundme. com page, which raised nearly $61,000, much in $100 donations. “It was so heartwarming,” Pamela Daukayev said of the many donors’ comments on the fundraising page. “Marat is a fabulous teacher, mentor and human being,” writes student Sydney Simpler. Jed Minoff wrote, “Our daughter has fallen in love with ballet and the process of working hard to achieve a goal.” Natalie Carroll commented, “I was able to observe Marat the year my young granddaughter was in the ‘Nutcracker.’ Such a wonderful experience for a little girl. And over the years, as a mature adult, I have taken his adult class. He never raised his voice, but was able to enter a room and command complete attention just by his presence.” Brown Derby The new school rooms feature city vistas (the original Brown Derby hat is just across Alexandria Ave.), floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of room to lift ballerinas high in the air. The school has four studios, a lobby and administrative space. It features a “very specialized ballet sprung wooden floor” to cushion dancers’ feet and knees as they land en pointe. There is underground and street parking and a Pilates studio for students and parents.
The school’s 6,000-piece wardrobe for its upcoming “Nutcracker” performance and other productions is stored at the 22-story building. Finding a space for a school with room for the wardrobe was a real challenge, added Pamela. Construction of a Metro subway station at Wilshire and La Brea was the beginning of the finale of the ballet school’s longtime location at 731 S. La Brea Ave. First it lost its parking lots due to the construction, then the building was sold to Langdon Street Capital, and it was announced that the building will be repurposed with offices and ground-floor retail. The search The search for a new school involved many of the school’s parents and students, plus their friends and relatives. “Everybody was really looking, and a broker too,” Pamela said. It was a Larchmont Boulevard-based architect and his designer wife, Jay and Diane Park, who suggested the location in the Equitable Building. Jay had wandered into the empty space while on an adjacent job in the building, and he thought the high-ceilinged rooms would lend themselves to the ballet school. “We feel very, very fortunate,” Pamela Daukayev said of the new space. “It’s the next stage.” Visit the website for more information on “Nutcracker” performances in December and classes, which will start in January: maratdaukayev.com.
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prep and delivery year-round. But you can also donate goods to the birthday bag program or unwrapped gifts to be distributed to clients’ children and grandchildren ages infant to 17. Purchase pies or cookies made by Project Angel Food. Every $5 donated pays for one meal. Visit angelfood.org/ ways-to-give or call 323-8451800.
• • •
St. Brendan Church, 310 S. Van Ness Ave., has a food drive that runs through Thanksgiving Day, Thurs., Nov. 28. Nonperishable food items are collected and then caravanned over to Hope Net’s food pantry at Wilshire Presbyterian. Call 323-936-4656.
• • •
St. Brendan School, 238 S. Manhattan Pl., will have its annual holiday boutique Sun., Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 213-382-7401.
• • •
(Please turn to page 26)
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
Giving (Continued from page 25) St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, 2303 Miramar St., which delivers hot meals, will be preparing holiday gifts for seniors; donations of small-sized toiletries or funds for the gifts are welcome. A fundraising event at Petrossian in West Hollywood, 321 S. Robertson Blvd. is Sun., Dec. 8. The “Caviar Salon” begins at 5:30 p.m., and Champagne and caviar are served from 7 to 9 p.m. Call Daryl Twerdahl, 213-4847775, or visit stvincentmow.org. • • • Wilshire Boulevard Temple
hosts the Big Give at the Karsh Center, 3750 W. 6th St., giving out complete bags of Thanksgiving dinners for families of four in need Sun., Nov. 24. The community event includes arts and crafts activities, live performances and wellness and resource booths. Donations are welcome to help pay for the dinners. Volunteers are needed to help pack and pass out the food. Email biggive@karshcenter. org or visit karshcenter.org/ biggive. • • • If you would like to see an agency added, contact us at info@larchmontchronicle.com.
Letters (Continued from page 2) newsstand for decades, and these are part of the ecology of the street and the neighborhood too… so the type of vandalism that I’m trying to point out isn’t just about the trees, but about the character of a community. If the neighborhoods surrounding Larchmont are happier with no trees and lots of pavement, sort of like the parking lot of a big-box retail store, then so be it. But lots of those places exist already and Larchmont, with all its flaws, is unique. And if we all stand by and let these
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thoughtless “improvements” happen (at the behest of mostly absentee landlords) then it will all disappear soon. The challenge is how to change the way these decisions are made. I’d love to hear any ideas that anyone may have out there, other than ignoring it or proclaiming it some sort of twisted victory. Lorraine Wild Windsor Village
Save Larchmont
For a neighborhood that takes its HPOZ [Historic Preservation Overlay Zone] seriously, you failed miserably by not including the Larchmont Village shopping district in the zone. It is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Hancock Park-Larchmont community. Last month, I returned to the area only to find Larchmont with a mish-mash of faux shabby-chic, contemporary and fading traditional storefronts. The sidewalks were unsafe and dirty. Although it was wonderful to see the homes so carefully restored, it was so disappointing to walk the Village, which has forsaken its signature quality and traditional character. Larchmont Village has lost its way. Cheryl Armelli Raya San Diego
Residents and street trees
Many months ago, city crews came down the street and, in a matter of a few minutes, cut down a mature Sycamore tree in front of a neighbor’s home, pulverized the stump, and filled the empty site. Months later, in its place, was planted a sad, scrawny sapling with leaves reminiscent of dried bay-leaves, a Brisbane Box, a tree similar to what the City of Los Angeles long had been trying to get the community to install on Larchmont. When I contacted the Han-
cock Park Homeowners’ Association at the time, I was referred to a newsletter that explains what has happened this year. In cooperation with a “certified arborist,” the association’s “Tree Committee and the City” created a plan whereby each block would be assigned a different replacement type of tree based on what today is believed will serve the present agenda, unrelated in any way to the existing tree that will be replaced. To my knowledge, local residents were not queried regarding the choice of the replacement tree-type for this block-by-block diversity. Now, arborists, like physicians, disagree. With limited clinical trial or comparative data, their science consists of observation and empiricism. Apparently, experts at UCLA recently chose the same “London Plane,” our local Sycamore, a tree that is presently off the list for the City of Los Angeles. UCLA planted dozens of them around the campus over the last five years of the drought, including the stately colonnade along Westwood Parkway. Beverly Hills has done the same. What can we residents do as we see our neighborhood aesthetics challenged? Here are a few ideas: 1) Observe your neighboring communities. Although the architecture may be scary, the tree-lined streets of Beverly Hills continue to represent an ideal. No Brisbane Box trees there, except in the industrial area near Beverly and Santa Monica Boulevards, and they are a sad lot. 2) Hire your own “experts.” Certified arborists can service your trees, inject medicine for fungus, remove dead parts and provide care to keep our mature trees healthy in ways that the City of Los Angeles (Please turn to page 28)
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
Letters (Continued from page 26)
Planting a Future for the Trees of Larchmont Boulevard By Sheila Lane The ficus trees that line Larchmont Boulevard create a green canopy that has become a signature element of the street, but the reality is that these trees have aggressive roots that cause significant damage to sidewalks and the plumbing that runs underneath them. Last month work began to remove and replace two trees at 226 N. Larchmont Boulevard, in front of the Rite Aid store and to allow for 90 linear feet of sidewalk repair. This sidewalk improvement is part of a longterm plan to ensure the safety of visitors to Larchmont and sustain the canopy of trees for generations to come. Since its inception in 1998, the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (LVBID) has faced the problem of how to maintain the canopy while securing the sidewalk safety of pedestrians and minimizing damage to sewer lines. Tom Kneafsey, president and co-founder of the LVBID, which represents property owners between Beverly Boulevard and First Street, said it’s been an ongoing problem. “The LVBID has a very limited budget, but allocates $15,000 every year to trim the trees to minimize root growth,” said Kneafsey. “We have tried root blockers, sidewalk shaving, widening tree wells—all have been futile to stop the roots from ripping up the sidewalks.”
time, but the goal is to slowly replace the trees in a methodical manner in the coming years. “You can do nothing, but sooner or later, if more claims are made against the city, the city will address the problem,” said Monfette. “And if you haven’t made incremental changes, they could come in and take out a whole lot of trees at once.” Monfette said that steps such as pruning roots can make trees and sidewalks co-exist, but warned that continually doing so over the years can make larger trees structurally unsound, creating an unsafe situation. “Anytime you’re severing roots,” said Monfette, “you’re entering a gray area.” In this case, the cost of the trees and sidewalk is being paid for by the owner of the Rite Aid property. It was important to the owner to be the example of what the street could look like with smooth and safe sidewalks. “Over the past three years, the LVBID and Monfette have discussed the rotational plan in general, and replacing the sidewalk and these two trees specifically, to key stakeholders. John Winther, president of the Larchmont Business Association, said his organization is supportive of the plan. “The trees cause innumerable problems—walking and falling hazards, root damage to the plumbing and
In addition, he said, the tree wells that had to be widened to accommodate the aggressive roots resulted in the narrowing of sidewalks for pedestrians. There have been several “trip and fall” incidents over the years on Larchmont Boulevard that have risen to lawsuits against merchants and property owners. However, far more incidents occur on a weekly basis that never reach that level. Merchants report seeing people of all ages trip on the uneven pavement, and adults struggle with wheelchairs and strollers. In 2016, with a grant from the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu, the LVBID commissioned Greg Monfette, a certified arborist and consultant who formally worked with the city’s Urban Forestry Division, to conduct a formal analysis of the trees. This analysis revealed extensive structural damage, particularly in front of the Rite Aid store. More recently, the current director of the Urban Forestry Division visited the site and confirmed that the trees in front of Rite Aid need to be replaced and that the sidewalk in front of Rite Aid is not ADA compliant because of the root damage. Monfette created a rotational tree management plan for Larchmont Boulevard within the LVBID boundaries. The plan identifies the trees that are most compromised and have caused the most root damage to the sidewalks. There is no immediate plan to replace any other trees at this
structural problems to the buildings,” said Winther. “There is absolutely no reason not to replace these trees with a better [species of] tree.” The Windsor Square Association (WSA), a neighborhood residential group, suggested a policy that withholds tree removal until a tree is “dead, diseased or dangerous.” The LVBID and their expert, Monfette, maintain that this type of approach does not address the pedestrian safety issue, nor the reality of the financial costs involved. “The removal and replacement of these two trees, along with the repair of the surrounding sidewalk, will cost nearly $40K,” said Heather Duffy Boylston, co-executive director of the LVBID. “If several trees were to become diseased or die within a short time frame, neither the city nor the LVBID would have the funds to replace them. The concern is that if we don’t begin to slowly address this, we will leave a future generation with a bare street and a steep price tag to re-plant it.” The city has a limited number of trees that are approved for planting. The LVBID has adopted the WSA’s suggestion of a replacement tree for the boulevard—the African Fern Pine. “At the end of the day,” said Duffy Boylston, “all parties involved in these discussions agree that we all care about safety for our pedestrians, and we also all care deeply about maintaining our green canopy on the boulevard.”
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will never do. 3) Plant on your property what you want. We planted four California Sycamores from 24-inch boxes, and less than five years later, they are all more than two stories high, vigorous and in good health. 4) Discourage damage to our parkways. 5) Consider carefully for whom you vote among our political leadership and our lay leadership. Make sure that they query the residents and homeowners of every block, and represent whatever our — not their — priorities might be. And finally, always put up a good fight, with comparative, not observational, data from multiple sources. You would do the same for your healthcare, I’m sure. Gary Schiller, M.D. Hancock Park
Historic home demolished
My wife and I were the residents of 361 N. Citrus Avenue, on the corner of Oakwood Avenue, one block west of the Hancock Park community. We sold the property on Sept. 18, 2019, less than five weeks ago as I write this. The historic 1927 Tudor Revival home was an Architect’s Show Home, one of the first houses in the area, and it had historical significance given the neighborhood and features like a beautiful, original Batchelder fireplace, hand-carved ornamentation around the front entrance, hand-painted beams, leaded glass diamond-paned windows and more. When we were considering offers to purchase our house, we made it known that it was important to us that the house was not to be torn down due to its aesthetic and historic contribution to the community. We stated that our decision to sell to
someone would hinge on that. According to a former neighbor, a demolition sign went up on October 18, one month after the sale closed. The sign was placed inside the dining room window, behind shrubbery, making it difficult to see. Upon further investigation, we learned that the house was scheduled to be demolished the week after the sign was noticed. I am enclosing the letter sent to us from the ultimate buyers when we were considering multiple offers. The letter writer knew that we had no interest in selling to someone who would tear down the historic house. This house was well maintained, including retrofitting of the foundation, brand new plumbing, new electrical work and responsible landscaping. It was not a “tear down” structure; it was considered a crown jewel in the neighborhood. Our fear of someone purchasing it to tear it down was due to the larger than average lot (Please turn to page 29)
Larchmont Chronicle
(Continued from page 28) size and the disregard we have seen to respecting the aesthetic integrity of the neighborhood. As anyone can see in reading the letter that we received, the buyers completely misrepresented themselves and their intentions. They apparently requested a demolition permit the day they took ownership of the house. But they never clearly posted the notice to inform neighboring residents. We loved the property and took great pride in ownership and in maintaining it while it was in our care, and we are fully aware that once we accepted this offer, anything could potentially happen. However, we were not aware that their letter was full of lies. To our knowledge, there was not even an attempt to salvage any of the architectural elements from the home that they thanked us for preserving. The loss of an exquisite, landmark home leaves a hole in the historic character of this portion of the neighborhood. Here’s a link to our former home, now just rubble: tinyurl.com/y638aqze. Our neighborhoods and our communities deserve better than what happened at 361 North Citrus Avenue. David and Cassidy Cole Formerly of Citrus Ave.
Trees (Continued from page 1) inch boxes, are to be installed as replacements. According to Windsor Square Association (WSA) president Larry Guzin, who provided photographs to the Chronicle, the replacement tree wells have been moved to maximize exposure of the bright Rite Aid sign. “The trees used to be in front of the newsstand and near the store’s door. Now, the landlord has created new tree wells at the northern- and southernmost points of the property. In fact, the tree trunk on the south may pose a traffic hazard because it is so close to the parking lot driveway.” A city official with the Urban Forestry Division confirmed to the Chronicle that a tree of that size should be planted at least eight feet from the nearest driveway, depending on the species of tree used. The request to remove the trees was submitted May 15, 2018 by Beverly Hills developer Ronald Simms, landlord for the drugstore at 226 N. Larchmont Blvd., as well as the newsstand and the stores above the city parking structure (Trina Turk to Starbucks). At that time, the Windsor Square Association (WSA) opposed the trees’ removal, calling the request “unreasonable,” because the trees were not dead, diseased or dangerous. The WSA argued that there was
SECTION ONE
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Historic Citrus Ave. house quickly demolished By John Welborne Neighbors on Citrus Avenue, just west of Hancock Park, were shocked on Oct. 23 when the historic 1927 home at 361 N. Citrus Ave., at the southwest corner of Oakwood Ave., was summarily demolished in one day, after no effective advance notice. Especially shocked was the couple that sold the house on September 18. As Dave and Cassidy Cole write in an accompanying letter to the editor of the Chronicle, they sold their house to these particular buyers because of the buyers’ clear representations made in a July 29 letter sent to the sellers. “However, we were not aware that their letter was full of lies,” write the sellers. The unannounced demolition generated a citywide reaction. An article appeared on lacurbed.com on the day of the demolition, and the story generated more than 300 comments in just three days. In that Curbed Los Angeles piece (at tinyurl.com/ y2eqopz8), the buyer, Reuven Gradon, a real estate professional, defended his demolition of the “beautifully caredfor home” (his words in the letter he wrote on July 29 to the now-former owners). To convince the sellers to sell, Mr. Gradon had written: “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cole,
never a claim against the city or property owner at that location on account of the slightly raised sidewalk. In an effort to stop such “piecemeal decisions” in the future, the WSA proposed an Orderly Street Tree Replacement (OSTR) plan, which calls for the selective removal of trees over a 20-year period. The OSTR flagged the two trees in front of Rite Aid to not be replaced until 2023 and 2025 respectively. Disregarding the WSA’s proposed plan, Simms and the Larchmont Village BID (Business Improvement District) moved forward with the request to the city to remove the trees. Separate arborists were hired by both the property owners (BID) and local residents (WSA), who submitted contradicting assessments that supported the position of their respective clients. Then, on Oct. 23, 2018, Councilman Ryu signaled support for the trees’ removal, telling the Chronicle: “At my urging the city’s Department of Disability and its Urban Forestry Division both studied the site outside Rite Aid, and both came to the conclusion that the sidewalk was not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, and that further root pruning of the mature ficus trees would not be possible without killing the trees.”
“Thank you for preserving such a beautiful family home, and for taking the time to consider our offer. “When we saw that 361 N Citrus was available, we were immediately excited. This home is exceptional both in character and in location and is the home of our dreams. “I grew up in this neighborhood and love everything about it.… Your home is where we want to continue to deepen our roots. “The character of the home is also something that we love. (Please turn to page 30)
361 N. CITRUS AVE. was designed in 1927 by architects Henry Knauer and Clarence Smale. It featured custom millwork, leaded glass windows an original atchelder tiled fireplace and more.
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Letters
NOVEMBER 2019
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION ONE
ALL THAT WAS LEFT, the evening of Oct. 23.
361 N. Citrus (Continued from page 29) … beautiful buildings with that 20’s character and charm have always held a special place in
my heart.… With your home, it is already so beautifully cared for with such incredibly rich character, it gets me even more excited to call it home. “We appreciate your con-
361 N. CITRUS from the air, with Citrus at top and Oakwood at left.
sidering our offer. We look forward to having our family dinners together in the dining room, and hosting Shab-
SELLER David Cole took a goodbye photograph of 361 N. Citrus, having been assured by the buyers, Reuven and Shevy Gradon, that they looked forward to hosting “friends and family for years to come” in the house.
bat meals with friends and family for years to come. We are strong believers in the idea ‘home is where the heart is’ — and would fill this home with much joy and heart. “With great appreciation and warm regards, “Reuven and Shevy Gradon …” And now the house with “such incredibly rich character” is no more. What will replace it remains to be seen.
REUVEN GRADON letter to sellers.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
PRESENTS
C
M
OUR 18TH ANNUAL
Y
CM
MY
TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
CY
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 AT 7:30PM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
TO E N S U R E T H E SA F E T Y O F O U R G U ESTS , S ECU R I T Y SC R E E N I N G S W I L L B E CO N D U C T E D AT A L L E N T RY P O I N TS . T H A N K YO U F O R YO U R CO O P E RAT I O N .
Share the Magic of Christmas T H EG R OV E L A .CO M
@ T H EG R OV E L A
TURNING 100 Assistance League of Los Angeles parties at Paramount in Around the Town.
BOLLYWOOD
GALA 100th
Residents party on Lucerne Boulevard at their annual block party.
Conductors, a premiere and the composer make history.
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REAL ESTATE / AROUND THE TOWN SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS, HOME & GARDEN
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VIEW
Section 2
LARCHMONT CHRONICLE
NOVEMBER 2019
HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • GREATER WILSHIRE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT
COLDWELL BANKER 226 S Windsor Bl | Hancock Park | $5,395,000 SOLD OFF MARKET. Multiple offers. $5.395M Asking, 6 bed/5.5 baths+1bed apt over 3car gar.
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260 Lorraine Bl | Hancock Park | $4,100,000 A 5+3.5 Traditional in Windsor Square. Patio, pool + room for guest house. 260Lorraine.com
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Lisa Hutchins 323.460.7626 CalRE# 01018644
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522 S Bronson Ave | Hancock Park | $2,495,000 Wonderful remodeled English on picturesque S. Bronson w/ 3 bdrms, 3.5 ba’s & large yard.
236 S Larchmont Blvd | Hancock Park | $2,199,000 Stunning 3+3 w/ lovely architectural details. Larchmont Village locale. 236SLarchmont.com
590 N Cahuenga Blvd | Hancock Park | $2,079,000 Elegant Spanish 4+2.5 w/ vaulted ceilings & great fam. rm. 590NCahuenga.com
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CalRE# 01123101
545 N Lillian Way | Hancock Park | $2,050,000 SOLD OFF MARKET. Chic, Private 3bed/2ba, pool, garage office.
268 S Arden Blvd | Hancock Park | $1,849,000 Spanish detail. 4BD 4BA’s, large formal living rm w/fpl, family rm/den, outdoor patio & guesthouse.
106 N Lucerne Blvd | Hancock Park | $1,795,000 Windsor Sq Spanish w/high ceilings & French doors. 3 beds 2bath. Near Larchmont. Large lot.
316 N Rossmore Av #100 | Hancock Park | $1,625,000 Exclusive, full-service Country Club Manor. Bright 3+2 Architectural. 316Rossmore.com
Lisa Hutchins 323.460.7626 CalRE# 01018644
Erik Flexner 310.941.3539 CalRE# 01352476
Barbara Allen 323.860.4218 CalRE # 01487763
Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606
850 S Hudson Ave #102 | Hollywood | $675,000 2Bd / 2 Ba, large open living /dining rm area great for entertaining. Hardwood floors. Low HOA dues
6151 S Orange #311 | Miracle Mile | $499,000 1+1, Probate. Close to Grove & LACMA. Balcony. Roof top pool, gated parking.
3630 Roberts View Pl | Studio City | $8,400/MO Jetliner views! Nestled in Private Gated States. 4Bd / 3.5 Ba, family w/fpl, 3 car garage 4 open Pkg spaces.
1515 Beverly Dr #412 | Beverlywood | 3,995/MO 3/2.5 condo. Bvwd adj. Living room w/high ceilings, fpl, din rm area, balcony w/views. Pool, gym, library & etc.
Bob Day 323.821.4820
Cecille Cohen 213.810.9949
Maria Gomez 323.460.7614
Cecille Cohen 213.810.9949
CalRE#00851770
CalRE#00884530
CalRE#01206447
CalRE#01467820, #0888374
CalRE#00884530
COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Hancock Park 323.464.9272 | 251 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004 Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalBRE# 00616212
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Assistance League’s 100th celebration dazzles at Paramount “Tree People has had its most successful year with all the innovative and game-changing work we have led with our partners” said Cindy Montanez, Tree People’s CEO at the 32nd annual “An Evening under the Harvest Moon” gala on Oct. 5 at Coldwater Canyon Park. The organization, dedicated to creating climate-ready, water secure communities, hosted a magical event under a canopy of twinkle lights and featured an elegant dinner and music from the Foshay Jazz Band. Honorees were Boeing Company for their investment in Forest Aid, which heals fire-ravaged areas, and Beth Burnam for her statewide leadership in preparing communities before disasters happen. Also there were Founder Andy Lipkis, Phillip Boesch, Robert Hayes and Cassidy and Samuel Page. • • • That same evening, Miracle Mile landmark, Craft Contemporary (formerly Craft and Folk Art Museum) held its annual festive event this year honoring prolific artist Mark Steven Greenfield. The Museum’s newest trustee, Julie Stromberg and her husband Winston, were there congratulating chair and influential art advocate Merry Norris for coordinating such a successful
Around the Town with
Patty Hill night. The silent auction featured 34 works of art, including a piece by Betye Saar. The DJ-led “After Party” held a make-your-own-mask workshop for those who did not bring their dancing shoes. Over $200,000 was raised to support exhibitions and workshops for the coming year. Among the 300 attendees were Wally Marks III, Diane and Henry Hilty, Nancy Adams and Charles Sims, Adam Green, Valerie Ngai and Rich Erickson, Phyllis Green, Ave Pildas, and Museum Executive Director Suzanne Isken. • • • Paramount Studios was transformed into a venue truly worthy of the 100th anniversary of the Assistance League of Los Angeles on Oct. 12. There were 500 supporters, members and guests, for a no-less-thanspectacular celebration. The night kicked off with a champagne reception and silent auction at the beautiful Paramount Theatre. Heated bidding took place for a couture gown
ESCROW WITHIN 3 DAYS $2,995,000
LEAGUE CHAMPION Silvia Marjoram celebrates funds raised at 100 year Assistance League gala.
designed by Kevan Hall, one-ofa-kind dining experiences and trips to exotic destinations. VIP guests were treated to a special appearance by “Transformers” character Optimus Prime while they enjoyed bespoke cocktails. During the alfresco dinner, guests watched a short film highlighting the League’s activities over the last century. The League’s legacy in Los Angeles is closely tied to the entertainment community. Taking the stage, Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos spoke about the triangular partnership between Paramount Pictures, the League, and the event’s honoree, Hasbro. “While we are deeply touched to receive
GALA PATRONS Karla and Bill Ahmanson arrive at Paramount Pictures for 100th Anniversary of Assistance League of Los Angeles.
the Hero Award, the true heroes are the dedicated members of the Assistance League who make the world a better place for L.A.’s children and their families,” said Brian Goldner, chairman and CEO of Hasbro. The incomparable Vanessa Williams took to the stage to give a dazzling performance of her greatest hits. A grateful audience rose to their feet, including event sponsors Karla and Bill Ahmanson, Floran Fowkes, Peggy and Steve Davis, Kiel FitzGerald and Jeff Reuben, Silvia and Ernie Marjoram, NGA Hancock Park (formerly the Needlework Guild) members Mary and Bernie Jaworski, Amy
NEW LISTING
PARAMOUNT CEO Jim Gianopulos with Vanessa Williams.
and Kent Savagian, Danielle and Ron Reyes, Susan and Sean Kneafsey, Jennifer Kim, Robin and Cameron Chehrazi, Mary Woodward, Olivia and Steve Kazanjian, Helen and Eddie Fincher, Stephanie and Dave Johnson, Pam and Eddie Levine, Ellen Bandel and Alex Weber, Pavlina Moskalykova and Matt Solo, Shelagh Callahan, Mary Loftus, Kathleen and Will Macomber, Carolyn Cole, June Bilgore and son Andrew, Kate Corsmeier, NGA President Beverly Brown and husband Jason, League members Sue Cunningham, Kim Shaw and husband Robert, Gerri Kimbrough, Carolyn Layport, and Joanne Clark. Thrilled to announce that $650,000 was raised were Assistance League President (Please turn to page 3)
$2,995,000
531|N.WINDSOR ROSSMORE | HANCOCK 542 N. LAS PALMAS | HANCOCK3300 PARK LARISSA | SILVERLAKE 301 S. LUCERNE SQUARE | 4+3 PARK
NEW LISTING
$1,150,000 NEW LISTING
$645,000
433 N. IRVING | LARCHMONT 358 VILLAGE 850 N. HUDSON #206 N. VAN NESS | LARCHMONT 418 |N.LARCHMONT MANSFIELD ADJACENT | HANCOCK| 2+2 PARK
Larchmont Chronicle
TRANSFORMERS. Robert and Kim Shaw visit with Optimus Prime at Assistance League’s gala at Paramount. Photo by Martin Cohen
Around the Town (Continued from page 2)
Kathy Balzer and event Chair Lisa Wierwille. That represents many new shoes, socks, school uniforms, toys and all that makes a child in need say,
IMAGINE L.A. Chair Teddy Kapur with State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo.
NOVEMBER 2019
CRAFT CONTEMPORARY guest Winston Stromberg with wife and board member Julie. Photo by Reza Allahbakhshi
SECTION TWO
3
GOOD SAMARITAN Luncheon in the Garden was held at June Bilgore’s home in Windsor Square.
EVENING UNDER the Harvest Moon guests Samuel Page and Cassidy Page with son. Photo by Adam Corey Thomas
“This is the best day of my life.” “All for service, service for all,” Anne Banning, the founder of Assistance League in 1919. • • • Guests at the Imagine Ball at the Peppermint Club last month raised $200,000 to help combat homelessness. About 200+ people attended the sixth annual charity concert, including State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo and Teddy Kapur, board chair and an Arden neighbor. Joining him were Jill Bauman, Imagine L.A. CEO and Windsor Village resident, and her mom, Merry Norris. Also attending were George and Dina Phillips — neighbors and Imagine L.A. men-
GALA ATTENDEES to benefit Imagine L.A. include George Phillips, Shannon McIntosh, Dina Phillips and Jody Rath.
tors. George is on the board. Beachwood Drive residents Nilou Panahpour and Chris Mundy were there, too. • • • June Bilgore’s lovely garden was the setting for an October luncheon that featured Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of the Los Angeles County Art Museum (LACMA).
The event was sponsored by the Good Samaritan Hospital and its Auxiliary, many of whose members reside in the neighborhoods surrounding Larchmont. About 60 guests dealt with the warm sun and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Among those hearing Govan answer every question asked were Susan Blumenthal, Daryl Twerdahl, and
MICHAEL GOVAN, CEO and Director of LACMA, spoke at the Good Samaritan Hospital and Auxiliary garden luncheon.
Carolyn Layport. • • • Hundreds explored five historic houses on Rossmore Avenue on Sunday, Oct. 6. Refreshments were available, and a silent auction also helped (Please turn to page 4)
4
HISTORICAL SOCIETY olunteers at the Rossmore
Around the Town (Continued from page 3) raise money for our community’s nonprofit Windsor SquareHancock Park Historical Society. • • • Following a major remodeling effort, a former local bank branch (originally Bank
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
ome Tour.
of America, then Broadway Federal Savings) situated in the Brookside portion of the Wilshire Park Mile has been made into a beautiful home for the Lebanese American Foundation. The nonprofit organization has owned the site since 2013, and the event last month marked the dedication of the
LEBANESE AMERICAN oundation ca e presented at the opening of the remodeled ouse of ebanon in the ilshire ar ile.
remodeled facility, now known as the House of Lebanon. Conceived as a “home away from home” for all Lebanese in Southern California and elsewhere, the building is designed as a gathering place where older generations pass on their traditions and exchange their knowledge and
Fabulous Faubourg St Denis - French Normandy Building 308 N. Sycamore Ave. #402 | Hancock Park 4 BD | 3.5 BA | ±2,154 SQ. FT. Gym, Pool, Spa, & Beautiful Gardens Offered at $2,199,000 Rare opportunity to live in historic Faubourg St Denis. Pre-war, architecturally significant building offers a level of elegant living seldom found. Bright French Normandy condo. Elegant entry with marble floors leads to living room with vaulted & beamed ceilings. Master bedroom with dressing room, walk in closet, and marble bath. Hardwood floors, fireplace, and original details throughout. Newly redone pool and spa, gym, & 2-car tandem covered parking garage.
JILL GALLOWAY | 323.842.1980 | jillgalloway.com jill@jillgalloway.com | DRE 01357870 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
LEADERS of the e ort to create the ouse of ebanon from left r. . ohn and a wa Shammas and udge ames and Souad addo.
LUCERNE BLVD. was closed for the block party.
experiences with newer generations of Lebanese Americans. Local leader Judge James Kaddo has been a proponent of the project for many years. • • • The Lucerne Block Party is a neighborhood institution on that street’s blocks between Third and Sixth Streets. This year was the 41st, and the organizers had a theme of “Bollywood” that featured bright colors and Indian music, dance and food — all in the middle of the street between Fourth and Fifth on Sunday, Oct. 20. • • • Hollywood’s legendary Musso & Frank Grill has been much in the news lately, what with its 100th anniversary being celebrated this fall. One of the events was held Oct. 14 at Hollywood’s Arclight Cine-
ma, when two full movie houses were the scenes of screenings of Tina Whatcott-Echeverria’s documentary films about two revered longtime Musso’s employees Ruben Rueda and Sergio Gonzalez. After the first screening, there was a fascinating panel discussion among Whatcott-Echeverria, her hus(Please turn to page 18)
TOM LaBONGE attended the usso ran screening and he was prominent in both films.
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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SECTION TWO
5
6
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Photo study: Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s new building At the end of last year, contractors broke ground for the latest addition to the historic Wilshire Boulevard Temple block between Hobart and Harvard Boulevards. Named the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in honor of its lead donor, the new building is the first building in Los Angeles from Pritzker Prize-winning architect Rem Koolhaas and his OMA partner Shohei Shigematsu (with collaboration by consulting architects Gruen Associates). To monitor construction of this revolutionary new building that will contain a chapel and terrace, a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, performance spaces, a rooftop sky garden and more, the Larchmont Chronicle asked world-famous Los Angeles photographer Gary Leonard to keep a lens on the project. The Chronicle shared Leon-
SOLD: This home at 101 S. Lucerne Blvd. in Windsor Square was sold in September for $1,920,000.
INTERIOR OPEN SPACE will be a feature of the new Audrey Irmas Pavilion at Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
Single-family homes
Photo by Gary Leonard, October 25, 2019
ard’s first image in our September issue. This month’s photo of the new pavilion under construction was taken right after dawn on October 25. Leonard’s iconic images of the 1970s-80s Los Angeles punk scene define the genre and capture the bands, the
people and life around them. Leonard continues documenting the city, creating an historical record of Los Angeles. Among his books is “Symphony in Steel,” a photo study of the erection of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
177 North Citrus Ave. Listed for $2,099,000
Ultra-charming English home on a beautiful tree-lined street within the 3rd Street School District. This wonderful re-done home features a living room with a dramatic living room, formal dining room, cook’s kitchen with breakfast room, large master suite, 2 additional guest rooms and 2.5 re-done bathrooms. Plus a garage converted to playroom/ office and above an inviting guest house. This house oozes charm and character.
421 S. Van Ness Ave., #50 311 S. Gramercy Pl., #406 640 Wilcox Ave. 853 S. Lucerne Blvd., #306 861 S. Windsor Blvd., #302 502 N. Bronson Ave. 502 N. Bronson Ave., #1/2 500 N. Bronson Ave., #1/2 433 S. Manhattan Pl., #101 533 S. St. Andrews Pl., #108 500 N. Bronson Ave. 320 S. Gramercy Pl., #303
Listed for $3,299,000
Stunning character Mediterranean renovated with all the best materials to create a beautiful home for entertaining. Light-filled rooms welcome you as you pass by the living room with fireplace and formal dining room to enter the fantastic open gourmet kitchen and family room space. The whole back of the house opens out to a private garden with a pool and a garage converted to a playroom/office. Luxurious master suite with sumptuous bath, plus 3 additional bedrooms and 2 beautiful bathrooms are upstairs.
522 South Bronson Ave. Listed for $2,495,000
Located on one of the most sought after and charming streets in Windsor Square stands this beautiful remodeled English gem. Step inside and you’ll find a living room with French windows and a fireplace, formal dining with French doors out to the yard, a den also overlooks the private yard, a large eat-in kitchen with attached family room. Upstairs is a charming master suite with lots of closet space and attached bathroom plus two additional bedrooms and another bathroom. One of the larger lots on this quaint block.
Co-Listed
Representing Buyers and Sellers in the Hancock Park/ Windsor Square neighborhoods for the past 26 years Rick Llanos (C) 323-810-0828 (O) 323-460-7617 rllanos@coldwellbanker.com CalRE# 01123101
©LC0819
Hancock Park
251 N. Larchmont Blvd. (323) 464-9272
400 S. Hudson Ave. 525 S. Irving Blvd. 441 S. Lucerne Blvd. 250 S. Plymouth Blvd. 602 S. Lucerne Blvd. 116 S. Arden Blvd. 871 S. Tremaine Ave. 361 N. Citrus Ave. 342 N. Highland Ave. 116 Wilton Dr. 307 N. McCadden Pl. 746 N. Mansfield Ave. 101 S. Lucerne Blvd. 107 S. Larchmont Blvd. 956 S. Plymouth Blvd. 5136 Melrose Ave. 690 N. Gramercy Pl. 244 S. Gramercy Pl.
$7,166,250 6,550,000 5,925,000 4,900,000 3,050,000 2,500,000 2,325,000 2,235,000 2,165,000 2,120,000 2,100,000 2,050,000 1,920,000 1,750,000 1,165,000 1,095,000 905,000 880,000
Condominiums
630 North Las Palmas Ave.
Coldwell Banker
Real Estate Sales
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include appro imations lthough the information is elie ed to e accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal erification eal estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker esidential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company Coldwell Banker esidential Brokerage ll ights eser ed Coldwell Banker esidential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the air Housing ct and the ual pportunity ct wned y a su sidiary of C Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker ogo, Coldwell Banker lo al u ury and the Coldwell Banker lo al u ury logo ser ice marks are registered or pending registrations owned y Coldwell Banker eal state C
$878,000 850,000 730,000 681,000 668,000 620,000 601,100 600,000 580,000 569,000 555,000 375,000
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
7
Hancock Park hosts annual homeowners meeting at Marlborough By Billy Taylor The Hancock Park Homeowners Association (HPHOA) hosted its annual meeting last month at Marlborough School, where Councilmember David Ryu addressed the issue of homelessness, and votes were tallied in an election for the association’s board of directors. Keynote speaker Ryu spoke with residents about the seeming increase in homelessness and his threepronged approach to address the crisis: rapid re-housing of the homeless; protection and expansion of our affordable housing stock; and resources to keep people off the streets for good. “We don’t have a housing crisis,” said Ryu, “we have an affordable housing crisis.” Announcing his support for the first time at the meeting, Ryu said that he backs the appointment of a “homeless czar” to be created within the mayor’s office. Speaking to the Chronicle after the meeting, HPHOA President Cindy Chvatal praised the Councilmember’s work in Hancock Park: “David Ryu has kept all of his campaign promises to us. From not taking money from developers, transparency with discretionary funds, continuing
historic preservation efforts and, perhaps most importantly, our concrete streets are getting repaired, and Ryu is responsible for that.” Chvatal told us that, if she were to be optimistic, all of Hancock Park’s major streets would be fixed in the next couple of years. “Ryu’s done an amazing job,” she explained. An update was given on efforts to improve the Highland Avenue Median, recently a designated historic-cultural monument. HPHOA paid for 14 new Highland palm trees to be planted and the group is currently paying for weekly watering, although there is an effort to work with the city to improve irrigation access, and fix leaks, along the median. “It’s been a long process,” Chvatal told us. “But we’re getting there.” Further improvements include painting the utility boxes located in the median, and the installation of a historic-cultural monument designation plaque. The entire slate of board members (half of the board each year) was re-elected, including Tim Allyn, Martin Beck, Greg Glasser, Susan Grossman, William Newby, Cami Taylor, Jon Vein and James Wolf. Opening the Oct. 23 meet-
ing, James O’Sullivan, President of the Miracle Mile Residential Association, spoke to residents about the threats
to single-family neighborhoods coming out of Sacramento, as well as his experience with city land use pro-
posals with possible impacts on the local area. Visit hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org.
Hancock Park Luxury Home Specialists
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1029 South Cloverdale Avenue Coming Soon! Duplex | 6 Bed | 4 Bath | 4,632 Sq Ft Historic charm in Miracle Mile!
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Get access to inventory not yet on the market. 3434 Floyd Terrace Just Sold in Hollywood Knolls! 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,556 SqFt Won in multiple offers Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
8
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Brookside’s Bridge House unveiled after two years of construction By Billy Taylor Local architect Dan Brunn, AIA, opened up to guests his long-awaited “Bridge House” in Brookside last month at an official unveiling. The 4,500-square-foot home was designed to quite literally bridge 65 feet over the natural brook that gives the neighborhood its name. At the Oct. 22 event, which marked completion of two years of construction, Brunn showcased to guests the realization of his vision to build “something extraordinary with ordinary means.” The result, according to Brunn, is a specific approach to development with a unique use of space: “By and large, the idea for the house was to create a kind of modesty that’s connected to nature,” Brunn told the Chronicle. From the street, only a relatively small garage and motor court are visible, with the rest of the house stretching 210 feet toward the back of the 15,000 square-foot lot. “You can’t really see the house from the front,” said Brunn, who was originally inspired by the elongated motor court of the Vanderbilts’ iconic Breakers property in Newport, R.I. Starting with an idea for a visible
VISIBLE from the street is only a modest motor court behind a corrugated Corten steel fence and gate.
BRIDGE HOUSE extends 210 feet over a 15,000 square foot lot, allowing the structure to “bridge” a natural brook for 65 feet.
motor court, Brunn says that the bridge shape evolved from there: “I could go right over the river instead of basing the whole house on one side.” Brunn told the Chronicle that he has a strong opinion on the debate to adopt an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) in Brookside: “Someone could demolish this house [under HPOZ rules] and build a three-story new build that looks old, but that would be a lot more intrusive to the neighborhood than this house, which is modern and unseen.” In fact, Brunn says that that was part of the challenge for him. Instead of focusing
and they open onto a porch with wide glass doors. Moving deeper, guests enter the “private space” areas of the home, which feature a master suite, an office, two guest bedrooms and a below-grade pool house, complete with a kitchen, music room and outdoor grill area. Canadian furniture company EQ3 furnished the home. It was built by Modaa Construction. Although Brunn plans to use the house as his residence, the property also will be used to showcase a variety of events and art exhibits, including a temporary show during the next “Frieze Los Angeles” in February.
on how big he could build a house, he built something smaller and more interesting: “Again, a kind of modesty that’s connected to nature.” The exterior of the house is clad in a muted cedar outfitted with custom floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the wooded landscape surrounding the home. Upon entering the home, guests first encounter the living room, which features open skylights and a “Living Wall” of plants designed by Habitat Horticulture. The kitchen and dining areas display impressive wooden cabinetry, quartz countertops and Bosch appliances,
“I love this neighborhood, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Brunn told us.
ARCHITECT Dan Brunn unveiled his Bridge House in Brookside at an Oct. 22 event.
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
9
We tell stories to live: Scholar MacGregor investigates ideas about belief Pulling into the Getty Center garage, even after its opening almost 22 years ago, still sets my heart aflutter. I can’t wait to get onto that tram, lifting me into the sky above Los Angeles to land at the foot of architect Richard Meier’s glittering white village on the hill. I am grateful for all I have learned there — about everything from Byzantine icons to video art. Now that I visit less frequently, as I live a few hundred miles away, I am happy to say my Getty-based education — and the education of untold number of others — continues every two weeks through the “Getty Art and Ideas” podcasts.
Home Ground by
Paula Panich
In these podcasts, Jim Cuno, president and CEO of the John Paul Getty Trust, and scholar in his own right, interviews other scholars, writers, artists and curators about their work. In late summer, Cuno interviewed, in front of an audience at the Getty Center, Neil MacGregor, scholar and former director of the British Museum and the National Gallery London, about his newest book,
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“Living with the Gods: On Beliefs and Peoples.” Two years ago, I fell under MacGregor’s spell with his book, “A History of the World in 100 Objects,” irresistible short essays about those eponymous objects, all found in the British Museum. Listeners to the conversation between Cuno and MacGregor may well have the response I did. I ordered “Living with the Gods” immediately, and will likely spend the winter with it. The book is part of the story about the human condition. MacGregor’s new book is about storytelling. This great scholar is also a great and humble storyteller himself. He writes about the human impulse to tell stories — and even quotes Californian Joan Didion: “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” MacGregor shows us how this impulse existed 40,000 years ago. In 1939, two scientists were excavating in a cave in southwest Germany, near Ulm, what turned out to be a sculpture with the head of a lion and the body of a man. It is known as the Lion Man of Ulm, carved from a mammoth tusk. The small sculpture, MacGregor writes, “holds a unique place in human history. It is
THE LION MAN OF ULM carved from mammoth ivory about 40,000 years ago, and considered the earliest representation of the human imagination. Photo Credit: Dagmar Hollmann / Wikimedia Commons
not just a supreme representation of two closely observed species: it is by some margin the oldest evidence yet found of the human mind giving physical form to something which can never have been seen.” The finely wrought sculpture, in other words, is something that could only exist in
Featured Listing for the Month of November by
421 S. Van Ness Ave. #22 | $3,950/Month Property is being renovated. Townhouse condo, recently installed new hardwood floors throughout. Located in the heart of Hancock Park, 3rd Street School District, close to the fabulous Larchmont Village, shopping, delicious restaurants, banks, book stores to browse in, and easy access to freeways which lead to greater L.A. The resort-like grounds feature lush landscaping and a sparkling community pool & spa. 2 car garage (#41, #42) side-by-side. Downstairs features a large living room with wet bar and fireplace leading to open patio. Eat-in kitchen/breakfast room which leads to front patio has gourmet marble counter tops, recently installed new cook top and new double oven. Powder room downstairs, 2nd floor with laundry, bedroom and bath and step up to master bedroom and bath. Beautiful tree lined street. 24 hr notice required. Easy to show.
June Ahn
International President’s Elite
cell: 323.855.5558
juneahn21@gmail.com CalDRE #: 01188513 Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalDRE #: 01188513
une
the human imagination. The stories told around a fire about the Lion Man, whatever they were, served to bind together a small group of people, and allowed a community to think of itself as an entity that goes on through time. This sets my mind and heart soaring — the links we have as humans to all that came before us. Why this book now? Cuno asks MacGregor. Because, MacGregor says, in the past 30 to 40 years, “contrary to all expectations,” religion has become a dynamic force in politics, a source of “aggression, intolerance, but also solidarity.” He writes to understand the source of stories that later evolved into beliefs. The book considers this storytelling impulse throughout our globe. It looks, according to MacGregor, “at some of the different ways that societies have found of imagining and inhabiting their place in the world.” MacGregor takes us on a “worldwide journey through the material and social manifestations of belief.” The book is a much-needed plea for understanding how our stories contribute to our varied identities, and to their roots in our shared humanity.
hn
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Chevalier’s among independents that actually care about books Articles on the death of bookstores have appeared so often over the past decade as to become a kind of genre — complete with a conventional theme, predictable structure, and prevailing tone. But these elegiac notices of passing shouldn’t obscure an important fact: independent bookstores that remain are doing quite well. Of course there is no denying the entire retail landscape has radically changed; there is no going back to days when a single neighborhood could support several excellent and varied bookstores, as Westwood Village did through the ’70s. But that diminishment granted, it seems more accurate to reframe discussions of the bookstore’s current state than to wholly discount its viability. After all, many people still demonstrate a preference for the old ways in book buying. The stubborn survival and even occasional resurgence of the independent bookstore is instructive. As a recent “New York Times” article points out, the last remaining American chain, Barnes and Noble, is trying to rescue itself by acting less big, less corporate and more local.
Their leadership is only now realizing what Vroman’s in Pasadena, Book Soup in West Hollywood, The Last Bookstore downtown, Skylight Books in Los Feliz, Diesel in Brentwood Village, Iliad Bookstore in North Hollywood, Counterpoint Records and Books in Franklin Village and Chevalier’s in Larchmont have long known and never forgotten: books are tactile, distinctive and personal objects. Booksellers who understand that won’t try to be what they are not. And they will always cultivate a staff that cares about books as much as the people who come to buy them. A successful independent bookstore also attends to the particularities of its neighborhood. Because of that, each store has its own character — its own attractions. Counterpoint (a used book and record store now marking its 40th anniversary) has, like most independents, a stable and knowledgeable staff. When those staff members buy used books for re-sale, they do so with a clear sense of what their customers want. Of course, stores that sell new books don’t work from the same purchasing model,
On Books and Places by
Bruce Beiderwell but distinctive patterns still show. Chevalier’s, for example, has obviously paid attention to families that stroll through Larchmont. You’ll find at this, the oldest independent bookstore in Los Angeles, a necessarily small but thoughtfully cultivated collection that plays smartly across generations. Everyone in the family will find engaging displays. While the sheer size of a corporate store has some advantages, its scale and purchasing power too often results in books laid out like sweaters on a sale table. In addition to neighborhood-specific displays and collections, independents proudly foreground their own distinctive passions. A quick walk through any of the area’s independent stores underscores the modifier — independent. The impersonal top-down model of the failed chains was built on the notion that people can
be told what to read. That is to say, customers are incessantly directed to buy what big publishers most need to sell. In contrast, Book Soup’s respectful support of small presses, The Last Bookstore’s impressive collection of used science fiction and fantasy, and Chevalier’s expertly selected offerings of graphic novels stand out as special. And while independents also need to diversify, their focus remains on books — not games, coffee or themed Tshirts. Ultimately, a book centric approach to marketing suggests something about what constitutes a reading culture. Independent stores that both survive and thrive know that people want not just books, but what books offer — that books are experiences as well as objects. That understanding accounts for the popularity of author events and reading groups. Chevalier’s, a small independent, produces events significant for their number and their quality. October, for example, brought to Larchmont no less an author than Ta-Nehisi Coates in conversation with no less a screenwriter / filmmaker than Ryan Coogler.
And Chevalier’s (in keeping with their across-the-generations approach to collections) also schedules ongoing staff-led book discussion groups in four areas: fiction and non-fiction, young adult literature and children’s literature. All such gatherings take books off the shelf and put them in the hands, hearts and minds of readers. “Fahrenheit 451” first appeared 68 years ago; that’s 11 years after Chevalier’s opened in Larchmont, 24 years before Book Soup appeared in West Hollywood. It’s worth remembering that Ray Bradbury’s novel linked reading to talking. And by talking, Bradbury didn’t mean empty chatter; he meant conversation about ideas and feelings. And he then connected that kind of talking to political, social and personal health. His hero Montag turns to books and book readers to battle a sickness that has enveloped his world. Independent bookstores understand that they can endure by offering something people not only want, but need. That’s a great service. While Bradbury’s “what if” retains a disturbing power, it also remains a speculative fiction.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
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OAKWOOD SCHOOL By Scarlett Saldaña 9th Grade
Before students at Oakwood School approach the end of their first trimester, students make the most of the next two months by learning, getting to know each other, and expressing themselves. For example, in October, one of Oakwood’s most impor-
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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tant events is Diversity Week. Each year, there is a theme that enables students to look more into depth about topics about each other or the world. Last year, our theme was Intersecting Identities, in which we
learned about recognizing and respecting each other–whether it was talking about gender or who we saw ourselves as people. This year, our theme was Race Talk 360, where students were taught more about the topic of race and ethnicity, helping them understand what race is, and how it came to be. After Diversity Week, second-
Cathedral Chapel School Invites Preschoolers (ages 3-5) to
ary school students celebrate Halloween at the Halloween Event. At the event, students come dressed in their Halloween costumes, ready to dance and talk with friends and faculty. Last year, there were competitions between the teachers and the students, including a dunk tank, waiting for teachers to get soaked by students. Then, a week after the Halloween Event, the month of November starts, leaving Oakwood students close to celebrating Thanksgiving. However, before their week-long break, middle schoolers have the chance to show the school their artwork, films, and hard work over the past months. Finally, before the week of Thanksgiving Break, students will be given the opportunity to perform at the Thanksgiving Assembly. Whether it’s reciting a poem, singing with your band, or a solo dance, the assembly is always a great way to let students express themselves before heading out for Thanksgiving Break.
BUCKLEY
By Jasper Gough 10th Grade
Breakfast with Santa
Sunday, December 8, 2019 • 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Parents / Guardians are invited. Parking is available in the schoolyard off 8th St.
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IMMACULATE HEART
A Catholic, Independent, College Preparatory School For Girls Grades 6-12
Students in the 11th grade will take their practice ACTs and their actual SATs on Nov. 2. From Wed. Nov. 6 to 9 the school will host our annual fall musical, “Urinetown.” School is closed on Nov. 8 for parent-teacher conferences, and on the 11th in observation of Veterans Day. There will be an open house for the entire school Nov. 16. Later, on Nov. 25 the middle and upper school have their annual Harvest Festival, which is a special lunch party, and the seniors will be the servers. Lastly, from the 27th through the 29th we will get a three-day break for Thanksgiving.
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE By Nikhil George 6th Grade
Hello! It’s Nikhil George here again. Recently for history, the 5th and 6th graders visited Knott’s Berry Farm to tour the Independence Hall replica. The purpose of this field trip for the 6th graders was to extend on our learning about the late 1700s. This trip was also meant to be an introduction to this curriculum for the current 5th grade class. In math class, we are working on ratios and how to use them. Specifically, we have learned about equivalent ratios, values of ratios, unit rates, ratio tables, and graphing. Equivalent ratios are, simply put, ratios that are equivalent, but a value and a unit rate are the simplest form of a ratio. Ratio tables and graphs are visual forms of ratios represented using different columns. In real life, a ratio is a comparison. It is important that we know this so that we use quantities properly and understand things like pricing at a store or measurements. Other events that occurred recently on campus were our annual Harvest Festival, the Scholastic Peace Day Challenge, and multiple secondary school visits. The Harvest Fest is a school festival filled with a variety of activities to participate in, like an animal petting zoo, pie-eating contests, raffles, and Bingo. The Scholastic Peace Day Challenge was a challenge that encouraged our community to help others around them, and also to learn about someone who made peace within their community. Secondary school visits are a time set up for us 6th graders during our lunch. Representatives from other schools come in and tell us more about their academic programming, campus activities and their mission.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
MARLBOROUGH
CHRIST THE KING
First, on Oct. 16 the 10th and 11th graders took their PSATs, which took the entire morning. The 7th and 8th grade dance, planned by 8th graders, was hosted on Oct. 25 and the theme was “neon.” Soon after that, to finish off the month of October was Halloween aka “Pumpkin Day.” This month, the 10th and 11th graders will take the SATs. From Nov. 13-15, the Marlborough production of “Legally Blonde” will be taking place featuring the middle and upper school. Right before we leave for Thanksgiving on Nov. 22, will be Grandparents Day. Grandparents are invited to attend classes and see what we do during the day. Lastly, to finish off the month, Thanksgiving! We have school off from the 25th to Dec. 1.
The months of October and November are full of fun-filled activities here at Christ the King School. The 8th graders have already begun their HSPT practice at Loyola High School on Saturday mornings, and High School Night was a great success. Halloween festivities were so exciting. We started the day with a huge school parade where each of the classes came to flaunt their Halloween attire. Afterwards, the
By Avery Gough 8th Grade
By Joel Lee 8th Grade
ST. BRENDAN
By Olivia Martinez 8th Grade
November is a busy month at Saint Brendan School. As we conclude the first quarter of our school year, stuWILLOWS dents are wrapBy Jesse Nevins ping up homework and projects 8th Grade and taking assessments to finish off This year is the quarter strong. In the beginspecial as it is ning weeks of November, the stuour 25th annidents will participate in our annual versary, so we Penny War. Each class competes wanted to kick it to bring in the most pennies and off with a bang! raises money for A Friendly Manor One of the first in Oakland, which helps less fortuevents, the 25th nate mothers raise their children. Founders Day, honored our faculty The 8th graders are getting excited and staff, who have been with us to watch their little buddies narrate from the very beginning. We also and perform a play about the first honored the ideals, core values, American Thanksgiving. and traditions that have made The Finally, students are preparWillows what it is today. Kids from ing for a week-long Thanksgivkindergarten all the way to 8th ing break, and three half-days for grade will be participating in proj- parent-teacher conferences just ects throughout the year. prior to our vacation. To honor On Oct. 11, we hosted our our veterans, an assembly will be annual “Taste of The Willows” held on Nov. 13 by our girl scout event, in which families of differ- and boy scout troops. The scouts ent nationalities share food and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance culture unique to their heritage. and the school meets the veterThis is only the beginning. I’m ans that are family members or excited to see what comes next. friends of Saint Brendan families.
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teachers showed off their costumes, and the parade ended with our great parents! After our spooktacular parade, we had our annual Halloween Festival where everyone in the school was able to enjoy great fun and games. There were all kinds of carnival games, great food, entertainment, and the centerpiece of the festivities, the 8th grade Haunted House. It definitely sent shivers
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down everyone’s spine. On Nov. 1, we will observe All Saints Day. Many of the students dress up as their favorite saints to honor the saints’ great works. On that same evening, our school will hold our annual fundraiser dinner, The Great Gatsby Gala at the Glendale Hilton. It will be an evening full of entertainment, dancing, prizes, and camaraderie.
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Finally, CKS Vikings will participate in the Thanksgiving Food Drive. All of us Vikings will bring in non-perishable foods for the needy in our community. Next, we Vikings will prepare for the Feast of Christ the King, the end of the liturgical and the feast of our parish, and welcome the time of Advent and Christmas here at our school.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
LOS ANGELES HIGH
IMMACULATE HEART
By Kiara Llaguna 9th Grade
By Samantha Hutchinson 12th Grade
Recently, Los Angeles High School hosted a food festival in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event took place on Sept. 27 during lunch and kicked off with an outstanding performance by the International Dance Club. Students feasted on foods that ranged from tamales to tres leches cake. Parent-teacher conference night was Oct. 14. Students will have the opportuntity to attend “Careers in Film Summit” to learn about occupations in the motion picture industry. This is the perfect chance to hear from Academy members and film professionals to get a good idea of what certain careers have to offer. Students can learn more about visual effects, acting, directing, writing and more.
Immaculate Heart students anticipate our annual WALK on Nov. 8! Students have raised money throughout October, asking families, friends, and neighbors to contribute to our cause. These donations benefit IH students directly. In the past, the Walk money has gone to turf for our field, air conditioning in our auditorium, and most recently, new Smart TVs in all classrooms! To celebrate these donations, students will walk throughout the surrounding neighborhood and return to music and food back on campus. Our first play of the year is “The Crucible,” by Arthur Miller, presented by our dramatic arts club on campus, Nov. 14 to 17. Meanwhile, our tennis, cross country, and volleyball teams have performed extremely well, traveling near and far to face fierce opponents. As their seasons come to a close, the teams will prepare to go into the playoffs. The soccer and basketball teams will soon start competing for the title of league champions. IH will host its annual Academic Playday Nov. 16 for 7th and 8th grade girls. To register, contact our admissions department. We look forward to seeing you there!
PAGE
By Isabella Argiropoulos 4th Grade Hello, my Larchmont neighbors! My name is Isabella Argiropoulos and I would like to tell you about our Page Academy events for the month of November! Heading into the Thanksgiving season, we have a lot going on. Our students will be learning about and commemorating Veteran’s Day. We thank all the veterans who have made sure we are safe and free today! This month, Page will also be hosting its annual Mexican Dinner, Silent Basket Auction and Movie Night. This is always a great night with a fun movie for the whole family and lots of amazing baskets up for auction. This month’s field trip will be to the Natural History Museum with the special exhibition on Antarctic Dinosaurs! Finally, right before we break for Thanksgiving, we will have our annual Thanksgiving pot-luck lunch with food from many of our students’ cultures — from Korean bbq, Filipino lumpia and Persian koobideh, to Southern fried chicken and my Mom’s Greek inspired turkey! We hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and all of us at Page Academy want to thank the community for your continued support!
Larchmont Chronicle YESHIVAT YAVNEH By Shoshana Zisblatt 8th Grade
The school year has continued to inspire students at Yavneh! A couple of weeks after school began, the middle school girls spent the weekend at a retreat in Running Springs. Our teachers planned several activities, including swimming and traditional Challah baking for the first day, Friday. We spent the Shabbat
THIRD STREET By Sofia Kirilov 4th Grade
Hello again from Third Street School. We had another exciting month. Read Around he World, one of my favorite programs at school, has begun. We read books to “travel” around the globe, earn prizes, and celebrate with an ice cream party. Third Street students went on field trips to historical places like the Autry Museum, Olvera Street and the Griffith Observatory. For Hispanic Heritage month, every week we had a “guess who” challenge with a picture of a famous Hispanic American; the
NOVEMBER 2019
(Sabbath) engaged in prayer and activities to build and enhance our friendships. On Sunday, we hiked, played sports, and went ice skating. We left the campsite with new bonds and a special love for Yavneh. The retreat was truly a spiritual and inspirational way to kick off the new academic year. Not only did we begin a new school year, but we also celebrated the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. To mark the holiday, Yavneh took 7th and 8th grades on trips across Los Angeles to hear engaging speakers and also to volunteer at different charity and service organizations. Some students vis-
ited Chai Lifeline, an organization dedicated to helping families who are fighting illness, where we wrote letters and cards to the fam-
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ilies. In addition to learning about the other upcoming Jewish holidays, Yavneh students also began our athletic season with tryouts
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for our JV and varsity basketball teams. Between sports and the holiday activities, there has not been a dull moment at our school.
class that guessed correctly made an announcement to the school, with information about that person. We also had our annual Korean Dual Language Program bowling tournament at XLanes LA, and a family dining night at Koreatown Pizza Co. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and our school potluck parties. Every year, each class has a multi-cultural feast, with families bringing food that represents their cultures. From Korean to Italian, from Mexican to German, to name just a few, our potluck parties show how diverse Third Street is. Our Prospective Student Orientation and Tour is Nov. 8, 9 to 11 a.m. Meet our principal, Mr. Kim, talk with parents, and visit a classroom, the library, science lab and tech lab. Hope you like our school!
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Magic, mystery and Yale in Bardugo’s new book, TV series
NINTH HOUSE is Leigh Bardugo’s first non-YA novel.
On the heels of the release of Leigh Bardugo’s first adult novel, “Ninth House,” Amazon Studios announced that it plans to develop the book as a TV series. Bardugo grew up in Windsor Square and attended Marlborough School. Her publisher, Flatiron Books (part of MacMillan), released the book last month. Set in an alternate reality of Yale University, the story tells of Galaxy “Alex” Stern as she negotiates Ivy League life and enters the world of university secret societies.
As a high school dropout from Los Angeles, 20-year-old Alex has made a number of bad choices over the years, including one that almost gets her killed. When she ends up in the hospital, she is given a second chance with a full-ride scholarship to Yale from mysterious benefactors. Once she arrives in New Haven, however, she finds that things are not as they seem, as she investigates the eight secret societies, or “tombs,” that her patrons have asked her to look into. Her book has been praised by several speculative fiction
heavy hitters, such as Lev Grossman (“The Magicians”), Charlaine Harris (“True Blood”), Joe Hill (“Horns”) and Stephen King, among others. According to “Deadline,” the Hollywood media news outlet, Amazon won the rights to the novel in a “competitive situation.” Bardugo will be attached to the project as writer
and executive producer. The writer has written several young adult novels and short stories. Earlier this year it was announced that Netflix would be turning Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, “Shadow and Bones” and “Six of Crows,” into an eight-episode series. For more information, visit leighbardugo.com.
CATHEDRAL CHAPEL
Family Fun Night on Oct. 4 featured fun games and activities, along with tasty food and friendly competitions. Our girls’ volleyball team is on track to make the playoffs. We couldn’t be prouder. Thank you to Mrs. Morris, the team’s incredible coach. Cathedral Chapel School is proud to announce the arrival of brand new Apple computers for our computer lab. School families were very excited to see this upgrade to our computer lab which will definitely enhance the students’ learning opportunities. A huge thanks to everyone involved in the major fundraising campaign. We are blessed at CCS!
By Renae Salonga 8th Grade
September was a month of remembrance and giving. Chapel remembered the tragedy and heroism of 9/11. Students donated over 600 cans of food to the Blessed Sacrament food bank. The Student Council held a sweater/jacket drive to help children in Los Angeles who don’t have anything to keep them warm in winter. Our first bake sale was a huge success, raising over $400.00.
Author crashes One Book Book Club Larchmont resident Corinna Cherian hosted a “One Book Book Club” Oct. 2 with a special guest, local author Lydia Fitzpatrick. Her first book, “Lights All Night Long,” has received rave reviews — it enthralls as both a mystery and a coming of age tale of two brothers split between a remote town in Russia and the bayou of Louisiana, according to local reader Caroline Tracy. Guests discussed the book around the outdoor fire pit of Cherian’s Lillian Way home, and Fitzpatrick, who also resides on Lillian, fielded questions about her process and the book’s origin story. After
AREA residents Melinda Angle and Caroline Tracy join author Lydia Fitzpatrick.
signing copies, Lydia shared that her next novel is in progress, and the “One Book Book Club” officially changed to a Book Club.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
Roundup: Blanck Mass, King Gizzard, Death Grips By Elijah Small Three new albums for your consideration. Happy listening! Animated Violence Mild A new release, electronic artist Benjamin John Power’s fourth album as Blanck Mass, is a very stylistic album with intense bass and drums. In the first track, “Death Drop,” the beginning is loud and almost sounds like a Death Grips instrumental. The album beams when it goes hard, but it dips when it doesn’t. I found that the album seems to fail midway through almost every song. Most songs have attention-grabbing hard electronic sections, but they all start to sound repetitive. This would not be a problem if the songs weren’t so long, but they are. Each song clocks in at 7 minutes of pretty much the same thing over and over and over again until the end. I did really like the piece “Love Is a Parasite” because it managed to not feel as repetitive as the others. Overall the album is very forgettable. Review: 5.5 out of 10. Infested Rats Nest Psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard King comes back shortly after their recent “Fishing for Fishies,” with a hard rock album. With a unique but simple style, this album is great! Every song feels like it belongs, making
the album consistent while still feeling unique. It starts off strongly with the track “Planet B,” which is an all-around metal song. This introductory song is an example of the sound you will find. Songs like “Mars for the Rich” and “Hell” exhibit just enough diversity in sound to make this album amazing. Review: 8 out of 10. The Money Store Sacramento-based hip hop band Death Grips is one of those bands that should not work, but somehow they do. “The Money Store” is a crazy experimental album with some of the weirdest ideas I’ve ever heard. For those who don’t know, Death Grips consists of a poet, rapper, singer MC Ride, drummer Zach Hill and mad scientist keyboardist Andy Morin. The Money Store, released in 2012, has a somewhat stable but hectic sound, including crazy noise glitches. What could otherwise have been a crazy mess, the album keeps me coming back to listen to it again and again. Of course, Death Grips is a bit of an acquired taste because of their experimental sound; my friend and bandmate Riley describes the band as “Nine Inch Nails with a rapper.” Review: 10 out of 10 Elijah Small is a student at Pilgrim School.
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How $50 can change a child’s life for the better For almost four years, I have been working to bring a Children’s Savings Account (CSA) program to every child enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). After years of work between my office, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the LAUSD School Board, the CSA program is being voted on in City Council in early November. If it passes, it would establish the largest CSA program in the nation. So what is a CSA program? It’s simple: A CSA program gives every child enrolled in
Council Report by
David E. Ryu
LAUSD a dedicated savings account, with $50 seed money, starting in the first grade. The students will be able to access the account upon graduating high school for college or postsecondary education. Through a child’s school years, matching funds programs, incentive
programs and donations can help the savings account grow. This program aims to be universal and automatic — giving every child, regardless of zip code, income or immigration status, a savings account in their name, and a path to higher education. CSA programs are already rolling out in San Francisco, St. Louis, Boston, and cities across the nation — and the data they show is remarkable. A low-income child with less than $500 in a dedicated savings account is three times (Please turn to page 20)
MUSSO & FRANK documentary films were discussed at Arclight by, from left, interviewer Marc Summers, restaurant CEO Mark Echeverria, and filmmaker Tina Whatcott-Echeverria.
Around the Town (Continued from page 4) band, and restaurant CEO Mark Echeverria, and moderator Marc Summers. Tom LaBonge was at the screening and the reception, and he also was a prominent interviewee in the documentaries.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (LA Phil) on Oct. 24 celebrated 100 years
and featured a world premiere of a composition directed by three conductors, all of whom are LA Phil legends. Each on his own podium, before an ensemble of nearly 100 musicians, Gustavo Dudamel, Zubin Mehta, and Esa-Pekka Salonen did the honors. The composer, Daniel Bjarnason, joined them to thunderous applause and large pieces of confetti showering down from the Walt Disney Concert Hall ceiling. Then, a
HAIR SALON and art gallery owner Romi Cortier, left, and Recio Young in Venice, Italy. GALA 100 for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra featured an historic panel discussion for post-concert dinner attendees. From left, Zubin Mehta, Gustavo Dudamel and Esa-Pekka Salonen are interviewed by the orchestra’s chief executive officer, Chad Smith. Photo by W.H. Fain
gala dinner took place in the warm evening air on the Music Center’s newly remodeled Plaza. Among the dinner revelers were Hancock Park’s Ann and Robert Ronus with guests including Windsor Square’s Pamela and Shannon Clyne and Jennifer and Bill Fain.
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Romi Cortier and Recio Young exchanged vows at a destination wedding in Venice, Italy in September. The couple was introduced at a dinner for a mutual friend in August 2014 and became engaged while traveling in Fiji in June 2016. Cortier is the owner of the hair salon and art gallery, Romi Cortier Design, 425 N. Larchmont Blvd. Young is a TV producer. The nuptials were held at Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal in Venice. They filmed a documentary, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding, based on their experiences planning the event, which will be out soon.
Yoon in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Oct. 5. The mayor pointed to Ryu’s ring finger when he introduced him, and there was much applause. Wrapping up his own dedicatory remarks for the project [described further in Section 2, Page 20 – Ed.], Ryu said of the subject of support: “We all need support in our lives. “We all need a little help along the way to get us to where we’re going. “No one makes it alone. And I am so thankful to Aviva and to this community in Hollywood for being that support system and for being that solution for these families experiencing homelessness.” And that’s the chat.
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Coming soon, on Dec. 8, is this year’s St. Vincent Meals on Wheels caviar extravaganza. To be held again at Petrossian, the affair will raise money for the program while edifying guests about, what else, but Champagne and caviar!
COCKTAILS AND CAVIAR Dec. 8 fundraiser for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels will feature tasty canapés like these from last year’s event, also at Petrossian West Hollywood.
RESIDENTS of Council District Four, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilmember David Ryu, were queried by the press at tour of the new Aviva housing facility for women and children.
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The setting was the dedication event for a just equipped supportive home for women and children on Hollywood Boulevard, in Council District Four. Officiating was Mayor Eric Garcetti. According to the mayor, it was Councilman David Ryu’s first public appearance since he returned from his wedding to Regina
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MARRIED on October 5th (in Marrakesh) were Regina Yoon and Councilman David Ryu.
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
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MUSEUM ROW
Petersen November auto events scheduled for adults, children Professional racing instructor and author Loren Elmer teaches driving safety Sat., Nov. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd. Elmer will sign copies of his book, “Stay Alive While Driving! The Secret of a Race Car
Driver.” Event is free with museum admission. Also this month at the Petersen, “Beyond Driven,” a documentary on Lella Lombardi and the Women of Formula Racing, plus a cocktail hour and Q&A with the filmmakers and drivers, is Fri.,
‘Echoes’ to screen at LAMOTH Nov. 10 “The Last Survivors: Echoes from the Holocaust” screens Sun., Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. in commemoration of the 81st anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, 100 The Grove Dr.
The film includes an awardwinning cast: Edward Asner, Elliot Gould and Valerie Harper. The screening is followed by a Q&A with film director and founder of The Survivor Mitzvah project, Zane Buzby. Admission is free.
Nov. 15 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Lombardi made history as the first and only woman to score in Formula One at the Spanish Grand Prix in 1975, and she sparked a legacy of fe-
Handsome
male racers to follow. Tickets are $25. Museum members are admitted free. “Little Sparks: Behind the Wheel,” for children 5 to 8 years old, is Sat., Nov. 16 from
•
Hand-made
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This inaugural session explores the basic mechanics of cars from the earliest models to modern day. Tickets are $20. Visit Petersen.org.
•
Hands-on
LIBRARIES Catch up with your favorite superheroes at Wilshire library
Mindfulness at Fairfax library Get tips on practicing meditative calm and mindfulness at a class at Fairfax branch library, 161 S. Gardner St., Saturdays Nov. 9 and 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. The live presentation, taught by Cantor Estherleon Schwartz and Ivor Pyres, uses music, poetry and the spoken word. For more information, call 323-933-8146.
Teens age 16 and up and adults are invited to discuss Batman to Deadpool, Vendetta and more. Cookies provided. For more information, call 323-957-4550.
Journalism talk at Memorial Library Hear a talk by Jim Newton, journalist and editor, 25 years at the “Los Angeles Times,” at Memorial branch library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., Sat., Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 323-938-2732.
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Alzheimer’s support group at Fremont
Get help and resources on how to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at the John C. Fremont branch library, 6121 Melrose Ave. Learn about resources and get support from others who are also taking care of someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s Mondays Nov. 4 and 21 at 10:15 a.m. For more information, and confirm dates and times, call Yael Wyte, 323-486-6632.
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Teens and adults can discuss their favorite superheroes from graphic novels and beyond at the Cookies and Comics Book Club at Wilshire branch library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. Tues., Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
(Continued from page 17)
more likely to enroll in postsecondary education than a low-income child with no savings. How can even meager savings create such radical results? The answer is more than dollars and cents. More than money CSA programs are about much more than money. They achieve two things: Connecting families to financial literacy programs and funding for higher education, and instilling in children the belief that they, too, can go to college. If you went to college, take a moment to think back. Why did you go? You may be saying “for a better life” or “to get a good job” right about now. But where did you learn that college would get you those
License #768437
things? The fact of the matter is, at some point in your life, someone told you that college was important. Whether it was a parent, a teacher or a neighbor, someone instilled in you the belief that college was something to strive for — and something that you could achieve. But for too many kids in Los Angeles, those dinner table conversations are not happening. Los Angeles has one of the highest rates of unbanked and underbanked families in the nation. Many kids lack a parent’s guidance, or don’t have parents who went to college. And far too many kids are implicitly told that they aren’t good enough, smart enough or worthy enough of a college education.
When I was growing up, I wasn’t smarter than any of the other kids on my block. We all worked hard, we all had struggles, and we all were poor. College was non-negotiable But what I did have was the expectation that I would go to college — my parents and grandmother made it clear that this was non-negotiable. That expectation was what got me into UCLA — and got me to change my life. As a city, we can give that expectation to every child in Los Angeles. The kids of our city face incredible challenges — poverty, homelessness and more. I won’t pretend that we can solve them all. But if we can give them hope, and a lifeline to a better life — we can give them a fighting chance.
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Aviva Services gives warm welcome to Wallis House The Wallis House Bridge Home opened its doors last month to about 40 women and their children with city dignitaries and local residents at the ribbon cutting. The new residential program, operated by Aviva Family and Children Services, aims to bring women between 18 and 24 and their children out of homelessness and into housing, services and programs. “You don’t get to be a 104-year-old organization without being responsive to the community. Today, thanks to dedicated city and County leaders, supporters and volunteers, Aviva is poised to help with one of the greatest challenges facing our region
Centennial day celebrated at Huntington
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WALLIS HOUSE, a 42-bed bridge housing center for women and children in Hollywood, opened last month. At the dedication were Regina Bette, president and CEO of Aviva, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilman David Ryu, Robin Chehrazi of NGA Hancock Park, and Aviva supporter and local resident Jennifer Kim.
Celebrate The Huntington Library’s 100th anniversary at a centennial family day at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, Sat., Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Besides art making, there will be concerts and other live performances. For more information, visit huntington.org.
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— homelessness,” said Genevieve Haines, chair of Aviva’s board of directors and a Windsor Square resident. “Getting Wallis House ready for today’s ‘housewarming’ was just the beginning. We welcome the community to join us for the next chapter, as we help house and heal our neighbors experiencing homelessness,” she added.
Homes on view at Craftsman Weekend Nov. 1 Step back in time at Pasadena Heritage: Craftsman Weekend, Fri., Nov. 1 to Sun., Nov. 3. House tours of notable Craftsman properties, along with bus and walking tours of the surrounding neighborhoods, will be featured. An antique and contemporary furniture and decorative arts sale, a silent auction, workshops and presentations will also be at the event. For tickets and information visit pasadenaheritage.org.
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Council report
Since 1 959
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
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Hollywoodland celebrates 75 years of park land gift
‘Forest of Light’ at Descanso See some of Descanso Gardens’ botanical collections and coast live oaks lined with magical lights at “Enchanted: Forest of Light,” 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, beginning Sun., Nov. 17 through Sun., Jan. 5. Highlights this year include contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin’s “stained glass” creation and “Celestial Shadows” by Hybycozo. Visitors can view the lighted interactive pathway on a onemile stroll through the gardens. Wear comfortable shoes and dress casually for the weather. Special programs will be held Fridays Dec. 6 and 13 and Saturdays. Dec. 7 and 14. Tickets start at $23 for members. Tickets for nonmembers
start at $28. Or purchase tickets that include reservations at the facility’s restaurant, Maple, although the ticket does not include the cost of the meal. For more information, visit enchantedla.com.
Arboretum gift shop holiday open house
Get in the festive mood at the gift shop holiday open house this month at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Enjoy refreshments and pick up cards and gifts for fellow gardeners Thurs., Nov. 7 and Fri., Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit arboretum.org.
LARCHMONT shares a history with Hollywoodland dating back to 1923. Photo by Lynn Shepodd
woodland Tract 6450 includes 560 single-family residential homes, a charming neighborhood and a horse ranch found
at the top of Beachwood Drive (Sunset Stables). There has always been a relationship between Larchmont Village and Hollywoodland, as lots in Tract 6450 were sold on Larchmont Boulevard, possibly through the Western Construction Company located at 127 N. Larchmont Blvd. Sidney Woodruff and L.P. Lechner jointly managed Western Construction Company and went on to become principal players in Hollywoodland. Hollywoodland Realty, built in 1923, was the first building erected in Tract 6450. It continues to operate as a real estate office to this day, with two locations. One in Larchmont and the original in Hollywoodland. Visit hollywoodlandgiftedpark.com
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CELESTIAL SHADOWS by Hybycozo at Descanso’s “Enchanted: Forest of Light.”
By Patricia Carroll and Christine O’Brien Seventy-five years ago the Sherman Company gifted 444 acres of open-space land in northern Beachwood Canyon to the City of Los Angeles. This tract of parkland includes the historic Hollywood Sign, which was created to advertise the lots in Tract 6450 for Hollywoodland, Southern California’s first planned hillside residential community. Residents held a celebration honoring the 75th anniversary Oct. 20 of the largest local park land donation (other than the Griffith Land donation). The celebration allowed Angelenos to share their inspirations and expressions through a multimedia art exhibition. Anne Mansour, a resident of Larchmont Village, shared the 1st prize in the painting competition with Brian Burchfield of Hollywoodland. Best of Show went to George Abbott Clark for his video Hollywoodland Wild Life, showing a compilation of animal images filmed at his hillside residence including star mountain lion Bachelor P-22, reminding us how invaluable our undeveloped land is. Developed in 1923, Holly-
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
Wrong bids in bridge, from a toxic source, when playing a game of strategy
Partner opens 2S passed to you. What’s your bid?
West P P
North East P 2C* P 3C P
South 1H 2S ?
by
*Game forcing Another:
Grand Slam
South Q7 AKJ43 void AKQ874
Here’s another sitting South: South A753 AQJ85 KT8 8
Bidding: West North East
Bidding:
P
1H
Bridge Matters
1S
South 1C ?
Hand 1: You’ve got a huge hand but partner has opened weak. You might have slam but your naked heart King 4th looks very bad and the AJx of diamonds also shows some losers. You might bid 2N asking for an outside feature (Ace or
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King). If partner has the heart Ace you might have a chance, but your diamonds still look bad. The best thing is to forget about slam and bid 4S. Hand 2: Partner’s 2C bid is game forcing, her rebid of 3C invites no trump promising at least a good six card suit. This isn’t even a thinker; bid 3NT because you have diamonds stopped and the lead is into your diamond King instead of through it, which it would be if partner were declarer. Hand 3: You’ve got a huge hand and partner has at least four hearts with you. If she’s got the heart Queen and clubs cooperate, you only have two possible losers, your two spades. You have three choices: 4NT (blackwood asking for Aces), 5D (exclusion blackwood that asks for any Aces except the diamond Ace once trump has been established), or 2S (Western Cue Bid asking partner if she has a spade stopper). In addition to being somewhat ambiguous in this auction since you never acknowledged hearts as trump (an established partnership might agree that this confirms hearts as trump), exclusion blackwood is a little advanced for this column (but it’s the best bid because there is only one Ace in which you are interested, the spade Ace; if she has it she bids 5S, two levels up from 5D, and you can bid the slam; if she doesn’t have it she bids 5H, the cheapest bid, and you pass), so the correct bid is either 4NT or 2S. 4NT is deficient because the response of one Ace will leave you hanging because you won’t know if it’s the diamond or spade Ace; if it’s the diamond Ace, it does you no good. What do you do then? Probably bail out at 5S, but at least you can make a try. If she
has both Aces, you should bid 7H (or 7NT if you are gutsy). As it was, North had both Aces and the heart Queen, so 7 is cold. But the reason I’m writing this column is that I made none of the correct bids. On Hand 1, I just went straight to 6S and it was down as the opening lead was the heart Queen through the naked King and we lost the first two tricks. On Hand 2, I bid 3D instead of 3N, so partner bid 5C, giving us a bad result. She can’t bid no trump because she doesn’t have a diamond stopper; I did. On Hand 3, I just bid 4H because I saw two spade losers off the top. What was wrong with me? These are the bids of a novice, not an experienced player (and I was playing with another highly experienced player)! I made other errors throughout the afternoon and we ended with a very low score. I worried about it all night. Did I have early onset Alzheimers? Should I give up bridge? I don’t want to play like that, and it’s not fair to my partners. The next day, I had a game scheduled with someone else, and just before leaving I went to take an Advil. I had taken one the previous day before the game because I had a bad muscle spasm in my lower back. It was the first Advil I had taken in years. Just before I popped it in my mouth, however, the thought struck me; could the Advil have caused my mental lapses? I had recognized the terrible effects that just one alcoholic drink has had on both me and my partners in playing bridge, and I had told all my partners that I would not play with them if they had had a drink within the previous 24 hours, (Please turn to page 23)
KOONTZ
“T HE HARDWARE ST ORE” formerly “Larchmont Hardware”
Happy Thanksgiving to All! Here are some fun things to check out at Koontz Hardware in November. “Vapur” has a lightweight and collapsible water bottle that’s perfect for outdoor activies and it’s made in the U.S.A. Just fill it up, drink it, and then fold it up and stow it away until you need a refill. We have eco lunchboxes for kids that expand and collapse to store bigger food items, and then collapse back down when you’re done with them. Available in assorted sizes and colors. Foldable spoons and forks complete the package and make meals on-the-go more manageable. We still have all the Benjamin Moore colors to match anything your heart desires. November is a great time to touch up the kid’s rooms or add an accent wall color. Our paint professionals can help you find the perfect color. And, of course, we are ready for your every Thanksgiving meal need including enamel roasting pans, brining bags, and oven mitts, so stop on by and say Hi.
LC608
Here’s your hand as South: South KJ5 K963 AJ2 AKJ
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Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
23
A dying swan is the inspiration for this centuries-old fable
Bridge Matters (Continued from page 22)
and I also abstained. My terrible reasoning on these hands was similar to the way I have reasoned in my bridge decisions when playing after ingesting an alcoholic drink. Could the Advil have affected me the same way? I didn’t take the Advil, and my playing improved to the way it should be. But I wanted to be sure, so I asked my friend, Admiral Harold Koenig, who was Surgeon Gen-
ProfessorKnowIt-All Bill Bentley • • • If we feel good, we’re in fine “fettle.” What’s the origin? ponders Judy Arbiter. Fettle is from the Middle English fetlen, which means to set in order or gird up and is derivative of the Old English fetel, a girdle which was a belt or cord worn around the waist of men, the hips of women. eral for the U.S. Navy in the ’90s. His response was that one of the side effects of ibuprofen (Advil) is confusion and that he avoids it and naproxen (Aleve), both of which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and he sticks with aspirin and Tylenol, which do not affect reasoning. That made me feel a lot better and calmed my concern about myself. The danger of these drugs and the reason they are pernicious is that you do not feel the slightest bit different when you take them.
• • • My grandfather used to call his evening cocktail a “suck of the monkey.” What did he mean? queries Jody Bernolfo. He must have been a Dutchman. Among the Dutch, drinking is called “sucking the monkey” because the traditional morning appetizer of rum and salt was taken in a monkey spoon. This spoon had a heart on the handle surmounted by a monkey in imitation of spoons that were originally brought back from the Dutch East Indies and were wildly popular as a novelty. The monkey spoon was given in Holland as a favor to relatives at marriages, at
christenings, and funerals. • • • What’s “Drummond Light”? I came across the term in a book about 19th century theater, asks Taylor McKay. “Drummond Light” is both literally and figuratively, limelight — the early form of the-
Family-Run
ater footlights and the trappings of fame. So named for its inventor, Thomas Drummond (1797-1840). Professor Know-It-All is the nom de plume of Bill Bentley, who invites readers to try and stump him. Send your questions to willbent@prodigy.net.
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The Advil addressed my muscle spasm symptoms, but I had no idea that it affected my reasoning because I felt fine. There’s no dizziness or lightheadedness or any other symptom. You feel fine, normal. But the decisions you make are skewed without you being aware that your ability to reason normally is impaired.
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How come a performer’s last gig is a “swan song”? wonders Mary Ann Wetzel. There is an ancient fable that a swan sings beautifully just before it dies. The story has been credited to, and referenced at different times by, Plato, Aristotle, Euripides, Cicero, Seneca, but was seriously doubted by Pliny. One Greek legend has it that the soul of Apollo, the god of music, passed into a swan, hence the Pythagorean fable that the souls of all good poets passed into swans. Shakespeare refers to it in Othello. Emilia, just before she dies, says: “I will play the swan, and die in music.”
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Larchmont Chronicle's
DeaDline For the Dec. 2019 iSSue iS fri., Nov. 15, 2019.
Classified ads
To place a classified ad call 323-462-2241, ext. 13.
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2 Blks. NE of Pico & Fairfax 1300 Block of S. Ogden Dr. Books, Scripts, Theses, 1) Email circulation@ LA, CA 90019 larchmontchronicle.com. 1 Bdrm., 1 Bath., $1,500 Moly. Dissertations, Newsletters, Magazines & More. 2 Bdrms., 2 Baths., $2,000 Moly. 2) Include your info and newly deco., part city/mntn. vw., aP, aPa, mla, the gist of your ad. carpet & lino. flrs., carport/off street pkg. ChiCago StyleS 3) We send you a proof Application Needed of the ad to approve. 20 years exp. Phone Intvw. & Sec. Dep. Req. 4) Pay $35/inch (about 323-856-9501 Contact (323) 394-0606. 15-20 words per inch). puttputtproductions.com Ask for Carolyn. 5) See the results!
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tell our aDvertiSerS you "saw it iN the larChmoNt ChroNiCle!"
employment community faCilitieS admin. aSSt. Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., seeks admin. asst. for part time work. To apply submit cover letter, resume and application to: hr@janm.org. Fax: (213) 830-5673 Position open until filled.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Celebrating 43 Years on Larchmont
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NOVEMBER 2019
SECTION TWO
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