Lc issue real estate 08 15 100

GARDEN

L.A. ZOO

CYCLING

A hummingbird favorite is featured at Payne.

Meet some of the city's wildest residents at Roaring Nights.

Page 10

Bike sharing program and CicLAvia are on horizon.

Page 3

Page 12

VIEW

Real Estate Museums Home & Garden

Section 2

LARCHMONT CHRONICLE

AUGUST 2015

hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • larchmont village • wilshire center • park labrea • miracle mile

Search For More Listings at

BREATHTAKING SOUTHERN COLONIAL

ITALIANATE ESTATE

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

ONE-OF-A-KIND SPANISH REVIVAL

MODERN PENTHOUSE

Hancock Park

Hancock Park

Hancock Park

Sunset Strip

Designer’s own showplace! 3 beds/3 baths/2 powders in house+guest hse w/bath & gym w/bath.

Prime Windsor Square location. 7 beds/6.5 baths+guest apt.

Fabulous pool, yard & gardens.

This incredible estate has been restored & remodeled w/ the finest quality & appointments.

Gorgeous 2 bdrm & 2.5 ba w/ huge outdoor spaces & views, Great West Hollywood location.

Lisa Hutchins (323) 460-7626

Lisa Hutchins (323) 460-7626

Erik Flexner (323) 383-3950

Rick Llanos (323) 460-7617

$5,495,000

REDUCED PRICE!

$4,500,000

$3,095,000

PRIVATE OASIS WITH NEW POOL

$2,200,000

OPEN SUN 2-5

MUSEUM SQUARE DUPLEX

Hancock Park

Hancock Park

Hancock Park

Miracle Mile

Sellers are motivated to sell their stately Mediterranean home in Brookside. 4BD/2.5BA.

Huge lot & new office structure with half bath. 3 beds/2.5 new baths. Gourmet kitchen.

3BD/1.75BAS, open flr plan, updated kitchen. Det’d garage that being used as studio/office

Townhouse style w/2+2 & 2+1 Double pane windows.

Upgraded kit & hrdwd fl, Art Deco details

Sandy Boeck (323) 860-4240

Lisa Hutchins (323) 460-7626

Loveland Carr Properties (323) 460-7606

Michelle Hanna (323) 860-4271

$1,899,000

$1,799,000

PRICE REDUCED!

$1,439,000

CLOSE TO ALL!

$1,195,000

GORGEOUS COUNTRY ENGLISH

CLASSIC SPACIOUS DUPLEX

Hancock Park

Hollywood

Hancock Park

Hancock Park

Absolutely gorgeous, newly remodeled Spanish home.

5BD/4BA+Den, Appx. 3,210SF/7,470SF,

Move right in. 4+3 home located in the up & coming Hollywood/Sunset area.

Rebuilt and updated. 4 beds/3 baths. Gourmet kitchen w/ bkfst area. Lux master suite.

3 Beds 2.5 baths Approx 3,000 Sq ft. Bottom floor of a duplex.

Sunhee Kilmer (213) 273-6559

Cecille Cohen (323) 460-7629

Lisa Hutchins (323) 460-7626

Bob Day (323) 860-4221

$1,190,000

$989,000

more luxury HANCOCK PARK NORTH (323) 464-9272 251 North Larchmont Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90004

$7,999 A Mon

$5,000/MO

Coldwell Banker® sells over $106 million1 in luxury homes each day, equating to more than $38.6 billion1 annually. As a leader in luxury real estate, experience a unique fusion of local expertise, global strength, and bespoke marketing when selling your fine home. For extraordinary representation contact a Coldwell Banker agent today. #expectmore

COLDWELL BANKER® SELLS MORE HOMES THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES THAN ANY OTHER REAL ESTATE BRAND

(1) Data based on closed and recorded transaction sides of homes sold for $1 million or more as reported by the U.S. Coldwell Banker® franchise system for the calendar year 2014. USD$.

HANCOCK PARK SOUTH (323) 462-0867 119 North Larchmont Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90004

©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is 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. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

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August 2015

SECTION TWo

Larchmont Chronicle

Doorknobs, lunch with Liz’s Vintage Hardware Aug. 5-8 Liz’s Antique Hardware, S. La Brea Ave., is hosting this year’s annual Antique Doorknob Convention.

The event will take place at the Courtyard Marriott, 700 W.

Huntington Dr. in Monrovia, Wed., Aug. 5 to Sat., Aug. 8.

The public is invited Fri., Aug. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Members, and attendees who would like to join, can also take a

tour of the Egyptian Theater on Thurs. Aug. 6, have lunch at Liz’s and visit Heritage Square.

Visit antiquedoorknobs. com for information. You may also contact host Liz Gordon at liz@lahardware.com, 323939-4403, ext. 6.

Mediterranean in Brookside ED UC D RE BUILDING WAS originally a duplex.

Award-winner on Mansfield was purchased from a cat

953 Longwood Avenue

$1,899,000 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Stately Mediterranean in Brookside. Living room with fireplace and view of the tile fountain in garden, formal dining room, library/office, sunroom, eat-in remodeled kitchen, and powder room. Four bedrooms and two updated baths upstairs. A patio perfect for entertaining complete with built-in outdoor kitchen, fireplace, play area, and zip-line!

Sandy Boeck 323-860-4240

www.SandyBoeck.com

CalBRE # 01005153 Hancock Park South •119 N. Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004 • 323.462.1225 Fax ©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

Call BruCe Walker If You’re BuYIng or SellIng

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The two-story Italian and the influence of HollyRevival-style building at 216 wood glamour, according to S. Mansfield Ave. is one of Historical Society research. the winners of the Windsor The Italian style as it came Square-Hancock Park Histori- to be known in the 1920s cal Society Landmark Awards. shares similarities with the Dave Goldstein, owner, Mediterranean Revival and received the award at the Italianate styles.

Italian stylistic elements Society’s annual meeting in July. Goldstein purchased the Italian stylistic elements at building in 1991 from the this property include the rectestate of Mrs. Gimbel’s cat. angular floor plan, symmetriProceeds from the trustee’s cal façade, stuccoed walls, red sale went to the Doris Day tiled roof and cupola. Exterior Animal Foundation as stipu- ornamentations evoking the lated in the will of the late Italian style were added by the Mrs. Gimbel, who owned the current owner including the wrought iron front balcony, property for 50 years.

The building was designed stone work framing the front by architect Milton M. Fried- windows, and a glass “awning” man in 1926 and was origi- featuring an intricate metal nally a duplex with 22 rooms vine and leaf design that is over the front entry. for two families.

At a later date, it was con- The interiors of the apartverted into a five-unit apart- ments exemplify the credo of ment dwelling as it exists Goldstein who describes himtoday. Friedman is best known self first and foremost as a for his earlier use of Beaux- preservationist and restorer of Arts design elements for the These diverse revival archiHotel Chantectural styles, mostly rooted cellor built in 1924-25 at 3191 in European traditions, proW. Seventh St. vided a sense of “historical Friedman also legitimacy” to Los Angeles. designed the French Renaissance style Chalfonte apartments at 720 his vintage properties from S. Normandie Ave. and the the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Along Chateauesque style Piccadilly with high-domed ceilings and apartments at 682 Irolo St. French windows, the Mansfield apartments feature refinBoth were built in 1929. ished hardwood floors, teleDiverse styles The Mansfield building is an phone alcoves, as well as both example of the Italian Reviv- original sconces and light al architectural style, one of fixtures. Original iceboxes many diverse architectural remain in the kitchens, and styles seen in the 1920’s on the O’Keefe and Merritt ranges multi-family residential build- from the ‘40s have been kept ings springing up in the new in working order. Hardware neighborhoods west of down- from the period of the ‘20s town during the economic and early ‘30s has been used boom and its accompanying unless replacements were needed. rapid population growth.

Art Deco These diverse revival architectural styles, mostly rooted Kitchens and bathrooms in European traditions, pro- retain the original Art Deco work meticulously vided a sense of “historical tile legitimacy” to Los Angeles restored by Goldstein. while offering inspiration for Other WSHPHS award winreinterpretation in a creative ners will be profiled in the style that expressed the grow- Larchmont Chronicle in the ing sophistication of the city next few months.

Larchmont Chronicle

August 2015

SECTION TWO

3

HOLA youth center gets a new coat of paint Local non-profit Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)—known for serving impoverished and vulnerable neighborhoods— received a makeover thanks to Sherwin-Williams and community volunteers.

Host of HGTV’s Curb Appeal, John Gidding joined MOVIEGOERS gathered for a screening of “The Wizard of Oz” in July at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Movie classics to screen under the summer stars Take advantage of Los Angeles’ summer nights with an outdoor movie screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd.

Guests can bring blankets and picnics while enjoying one of these four cinematic classics, sponsored by Cinespia.

It Happened One Night An heiress becomes a runaway bride and goes on the lam with a street-wise reporter. A dashing Clark Gable and big-eyed-beauty, Claudette Colbert make this romantic comedy iconic. To screen on Sat., Aug. 8.

Movies all night Watch movies all night long with three of your favorite sleepover films: “Can’t Hardly Wait,” “Scream” and “Cruel

Intentions.” The party goes until 4 a.m. Scheduled for Sat., Aug. 15.

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure Pee Wee’s prize possession is his bike, and when it’s mysteriously stolen, he travels cross-country to get it back.

Tim Burton’s breakout feature redefined the 80’s. To screen on Sat., Aug. 22.

Virgin Suicides Don’t miss Sofia Coppola’s look into the dreamy and melancholy world of five teenage sisters. The Lisben girls are mysterious and untouchable as they navigate through teenage life. Scheduled for Sat., Aug. 29.

Doors open at 7:15 p.m.; movies begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information visit cinespia.org.

Downtown LA first to test bike-sharing program The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has voted to award an $11 million contract to Bicycle Transit Systems, Inc. to launch bike sharing in downtown L.A. Metro will launch the bike share system in spring 2016 with nearly 1,100 bikes at 65 stations throughout Downtown L.A. The system will later expand to Pasadena in 2017 as Metro plans to bring the program to eight other communities for a total 4,000 bicycles in 10 communities in L.A. county.

“We are building new ways for Angelenos to get around,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Riding a bike is another option people can use to commute to work or explore the region. Today marks the first step in Metro’s plan to bring bike share to cities across the county.”

Metro says the program will be developed through an extensive public outreach process to give local residents, business owners, and other stakeholders the opportunity to participate in the planning. As the process advances, bicycles will be available for short-term hire at a number of downtown locations such as Union Station, the L.A. Con-

vention Center, Staples Center, Grand Park/Music Center, 7th St./Metro Center, Grand Central Market, Pershing Square, the Arts District, the future Figueroa Cycle Track corridor, and the USC area.

CicLAvia to cruise from Culver City to Venice Beach “Culver City meets Venice” when CicLAvia returns to the westside Sun., Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cyclists will pedal a sixmile route through neighborhoods and past businesses and restaurants, as well as connect with the Mar Vista Farmers Market, Abbot Kinney Blvd. and Venice Beach.

Walking and skating are also welcome on the route.

It’s not a race, and participants can join in at any point or take a break anywhere along the way.

“I’m excited to welcome CicLAvia back to the Westside,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, who chairs the Council’s transportation committee and serves on the Metro board of directors. Visit ciclavia.org.

with employees of SherwinWilliams from dozens of local stores to sand and paint the graffiti-ridden exterior of HOLA’s main building, located on the corner of Wilshire and Lafayette Park Place.

More than 75 gallons of paint were used to refresh several of

the exterior areas of HOLA’s main building, which serves and supports more than 2,300 at-risk youth in the Rampart District.

The makeover was part of a national effort to give back to the local community during National Painting Week in May.

Top 100 in Southern California Income Investments and Homes

Just Sold - Represented Buyer

Just Leased

161-163 N. Mansfield Ave.

115 N. McCadden Pl.

Duplex, 3BR / 3BA Each Unit Offered at $1,999,999

5BR / 4.5BA Offered at $12,999/MO

New Listing

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516 N. DetroitComing St. Soon 2 Story, 5BR / 3BA + Family Room Offered at $1,599,000

315 S. Las Palmas Ave. 5BR / 4.5BA Offered at $12,000/MO

Homes for an Era - Agents for a Lifetime

Naomi Hartman 323.860.4259

nhartman@coldwellbanker.com CalBRE# 00769979

Leah Brenner

323.860.4245

Members ~ Society of Excellence www.naomiandleah.com

lbrenner@coldwellbanker.com CalBRE# 00917665

©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

August 2015

SECTION TWo

dishwashing detergent in 2010 because the chemical compounds polluted waterways, spawned algae and starved fish of oxygen. Sadly, dishwashers aren’t as effective without the phosphates.

Boost your washer’s effectiveness by periodically adding two cups of vinegar to the empty dishwasher and run on the coolest cycle. This removes the hard water buildup in machines. Adding vin (Please turn to page 8)

to form a basic disinfectant and degreaser. Spray or rub directly on grimy areas. Use this mixture on almost anything except marble and granite.

If the vinegar solution doesn’t pulverize the grease, try olive oil. Often the oils will combine to loosen gunk so that they can be wiped away without resorting to the harsh chemicals.

Dishwashers. Phosphates were banned in automatic BAKING SODA, white vinegar, lemon juice, borax and essential oils should be in your "clean green" arsenal.

Helpful hint: cleaners that can explode are toxic!

Store shelves are loaded with household cleaners claiming to be safe for the environment.

But we know that claims can be false and boasting of “natural” California ingredients doesn’t nec- Greenin' essarily mean by a product is Renee without conRidgeley cerns.

If you really want to rage a war on filth while being as green as possible, soldier up and make your own cleaning supplies.

Assemble an arsenal Plan your campaign by acquiring green weapons: Baking soda (scrub out enemies) Borax (eliminate stains) White vinegar (disinfectant and degrease most surfaces) Castile soap (clean latrines and mess halls) Essential oils, especially tea tree (neutralize bacteria and

fungus) Stockpile shells, or in civilian terms: empty containers.

Use old spray pumps and plastic jars that have been emptied of their previous ammo. Use masking tape and a magic marker to label your own line of soap scrubs, disinfectants and scum bombs.

Raid the kitchen De-greasers. If your storebought degreaser says it can explode, it’s toxic!

Using oil-based degreasers can result in serious pollution. They leave behind chemicals on surfaces and spills can seep into groundwater. They contribution to ground level ozone when they evaporate.

Use less Simple Green and more Rosie the Riveter. Roll-up your sleeves and apply elbow grease. Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar

Larchmont Chronicle

Contest still on!

Are you proud of the work you've done to create a beautiful, but waterwise, landscape? Do you enjoy the imagination you've poured into your droughttolerant garden? We want to see it! The contest is still on through Fri., Aug. 14.

Send your .jpg photos to editorial@larchmontchronicle.com.

just listed + sOld + COMiNG sOON

ju

sT

T Lis

ed

so

Ld

Listed at $1,825 Stunning 1914 Craftsman

925 Hudson Listed at $1.55M sold for 1.2M CoMing soon: •Spanish Duplex on Tremaine in Longwood Highland • For Lease – 5 bdr w/pool on Tremaine in Brookside

Heidi davis | TeL: 213-819-1289 | email Heididavis@KW.com Brookside Specialist

©LC0815

4

www.simplyheididavis.com

Thinking of Selling?

Need a Price Opinion?

Need a Second Opinion?

Call for a Complimentary Consultation!

JOHN DUERLER

Top Agent &

Neighborhood Expert

hancockhomes.com

323-462-2748

BRE 01848596

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

268 S. Arden

240 S. Harvard

Setting Records in Hancock Park

Netting You More Money!

FOR SALE

SOLD

357 N. La Jolla

517 N. Lucerne

Offered at $1,989,000

Offered at $1,999,000

FOR SALE

IN ESCROW

564 N. Normandie

236 N. Arden

Offered at $1,889,000

Offered at $2,125,000

620 S. Rossmore - SOLD for $8,200,000

Highest price ever sold on street!

129 N. Van Ness – SOLD over asking $3,265,486

Highest price ever sold on street!

269 S. Lucerne – SOLD at asking $2,199,000

Highest price ever sold on street!

Offered at $1,899,000

Offered at $949,000

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

355 N. Wilton Pl

763 N. Gower

202 S. Van Ness – SOLD over asking $2,690,000

262 S. Arden – SOLD over asking $2,050,000

520 Lillian Way – SOLD over asking $1,300,000

Avg. Sale Price / Avg. List Price

(Indicates whether homes sell above/below asking)

NEIGHBORHOOD

*YEAR END 2014

JOHN DUERLER

*YEAR END 2014

Offered at $1,250,000

Offered at $475,000

98.31%

101.00%

*Based on information provided by TheMLS®

Larchmont Chronicle

Sharona Alperin 310.888.3708

Sharona.Alperin@sothebyshomes.com MySharona.com CalBRE#: 0923981 SUNSET STRIP BROKERAGE | 310.205.0305 9255 Sunset Blvd., Mezzanine, Los Angeles, CA 90069 sothebyshomes.com/losangeles

August 2015

SECTION TWO

HANCOCK PARK | $7,988,000 Trophy property, first time on the market in over 45 years. Tremendous curb appeal, set back from the street on a grassy knoll, this “Grande Dame” commands attention. The imposing home has 6517 sq. ft. (approx.) and the lot totals 35,254 sq. ft. (approx.) The formal entry features a sweeping circular staircase, spacious living room, paneled library with fireplace, large dining room and breakfast room.

To the exterior is a pool, grounds, tennis court and guest house with 4 car garage. Upstairs there are 4 generous bedrooms and 4 baths. The lower level features a 2 bedroom maids, fireplace and bath. Bring your imagination and years of grand entertaining ideas.

Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission.

Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

TROPHY ESTATE IN HANCOCK PARK Offered by Marc Noah

HANCOCK PARK | $9,495,000 Attention to detail coupled with Old World craftsmanship presents the perfect opportunity. An entertainer’s dream, this compound has 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, chef’s kitchen, butler’s pantry, stunning formal dining room, state-of-the-art systems and a detached guest house with full kitchen and bath. There are expansive grounds, a north-south tennis court, pool, putting green and koi pond.

MARC NOAH marc@marcnoah.com | d: 310.968.9212 MarchNoah.com | CalBRE#: 01269495 SUNSET BROKERAGE | 9255 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069

Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission.

Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

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August 2015

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Larchmont Chronicle

Office building earns monument status from city Wilshire Professional Building at 3875 Wilshire Blvd. and St. Andrews Place has earned the Historic-Cultural Monument designation #1087 from the city Office of Historic Resources.

The 13-story building was constructed in 1929; its defining features Art Deco and Zigzag Moderne style. It was designed by architect Arthur E. Harvey whose work is on several other monument award structures including Chateau Elysee, Crocker Bank Building, Villa Carlotta and the Hollywood Woman’s Club.

The city’s Cultural Heritage Ordinance, enacted in 1962, has made possible the designation of buildings and sites as individual local landmarks, called “Historic-Cultural Monuments.” There are more than 1,000 monuments, providing official recognition and protection for Los Angeles’ most significant historic resources.

The five-member Cultural Heritage Commission is the mayoral-appointed body that oversees the designation and protection of local landmarks.

FORMER FARMERS TOWER at Rimpau and Wilshire is proposed by CIM Group to have 52 condominium units in its top five floors.

Existing parking lots to the east would have 35 condominium units, with the block between Muirfield and Mullen having 24 of those units. Illustration above shows the view west from Muirfield Rd., with nine of the 24 units in three, three-story triplex buildings along Wilshire, at the right side of the drawing. South of those would be eight single-family houses, three-stories tall. South of those, along Eighth St., would be seven single-family houses, two-stories tall. Each of these 24 units will have its own two-car garages. The illustration also shows an existing single-family house on the south side of Eighth St. See story page one, section one.

Close doors and other fire safety tips Fire safety in the home means, with few exceptions, complete evacuation of the home. The following are tips from the Los Angeles Fire Dept.’s emergency preparedness booklet.

Close the doors. Do not fight the fire unless it is to save a life. By closing the door, you confine the fire and slow it’s spread. With the door closed, the fire may be confined to a single room. If possible, close the doors to other rooms on your way out to give added protection.

Notify! Once you are outside, call the fire department.

Dial 911 from a neighbor’s phone and be prepared to provide the address, nearest cross street and a call back phone number. Don’t hang up before the dispatcher tells you they have all your information. Be prepared to tell the person on the other end of the phone

line who you are, where you are, and what the problem is.

In an apartment house with an alarm system, pull the alarm in order to alert the other tenants.

Many times people are hesitant to call the fire department for small fires. There are a number of reasons for this.

Some people feel themselves capable of handling the situation. Others are embarrassed that they had a fire and don’t want anyone to know. Some fear being charged for the service that the fire department provides. Consider the risks.

Three reasons for making the call are: 1. You are required by law to report fires.

2. It is often necessary to have a fire report on hand from the fire department before an insurance company will pay compensation.

3. Fires should be reported

even when you think they have been put out so that they may be inspected by the fire department to insure that they have been completely extinguished.

To access the book, go to cert-la.com/2007emergprep booklet.pdf.

Are you ready for the next big one?

Los Angeles Fire Dept. and MySafe:LA, a unit of the Safe Community Project, want people to be ready for the next earthquake. They have collaborated on setting up tips, articles, courses and free downloads to help get you prepared, including a free escape plan.

For instructions on building an emergency kit and to get a free family escape plan visit www.mysafela.org/escape.

Bathroom remodel?

City can inspect on Saturdays too As part of his agenda to deliver better city services for residents, Mayor Eric Garcetti recently announced the Los Angeles Dept. of Building and Safety has added Saturday inspections to its schedule.

The move to approve work at single-family homes gives homeowners another option and the convenience of not having to take time off work for inspections.

Garcetti said the city was able to add a workday without an extra cost as inspectors volunteered to work Saturday shifts in exchange for a weekday off.

The city can accommodate up to 120 inspections each Saturday on minor remodeling including plumbing, remodeling the bathroom or kitchen. Visit ladbs.org/ladbsweb/saturday-inspection.jsf.

Larchmont Chronicle

August 2015

SECTION TWO

7

Adobe residence he played in inspired his own N. Arden home The following is from an article by Dr. Earl Moody, who built and lived in the house at 100 N. Arden Blvd.

Adobe buildings in Southern California and in Los Angeles have been frequently written about. Those remaining are the relics of the early California culture of Mexican life.

When this district was first developed, many adobe residences were being built in Walnut Park, a subdivision of Huntington Park. As a boy, I spent many hours of many days playing in an old adobe one-story rambling home, the residence of the caretaker for the remaining farm land of the Rancho San Pasqual.

I remember the very deep recessed windows, the large airy rooms with heavily beamed ceilings and the Spanish tiled roof. The memory of this building and the wonderful times I had in it as a boy, and the then present building activity in Walnut Park, sparked my desire to build an adobe home in keeping with the early Southern California Mexican culture.

Wide-open fields This area of wide-open fields was subdivided by a realtor named Schultz in 1919. He opened a small office at the northwest corner of Larchmont and Third St. The area west of Larchmont between Third and Beverly, but not including Hancock Park, was called Windsor Heights. The area east of Larchmont was called New Windsor Square.

The streets were opened and sidewalks were put in but streets were unpaved until several years later.

In 1919, we purchased the northeast corner of First and Arden (Arden was then known as Vine St.) where my wife and I started our first home. We purchased a set of plans from the company building adobe houses in Walnut Park.

Master brick maker Then came the problem of finding someone to make the adobe bricks. A Mexican friend, manager of the brickyard and kilns on E. Seventh St., found someone who was an expert adobe brick maker.

Avila Adobe is city's oldest home The Avila Adobe on Olvera Street has the distinction of being the oldest standing residence in Los Angeles. Built in 1818 by ranchero Francisco Jose Avila, a native of Sinaloa, he was mayor of L.A. in 1810.

Today, the house is a city, state and national landmark and museum, furnished as it might have looked in the 1840s. Open Monday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our plans called for a cellar.

The excavation of adobe from this cellar, plus one wagonload of adobe soil from the grading operations of First St. East of Larchmont, was the source of the material from which the adobe bricks were made.

The expert thoroughly wet this adobe soil into a soft pliable mud and with bare legs and feet worked the proper amount of stable manure and straw into the mud to give the dried bricks proper binding power.

Sun dried When properly blended, this mud was placed into a wooden mold 12 by 22 inches and four inches deep. On each long side of the mold, every four inches were wooden strips one half-inch thick to leave an indenture in the bricks to give better binding power to the inside and outside finished

HOUSE AT 100 N. Arden has stood the test of time.

plastered adobe walls. As soon as mud firmed a bit, the form was removed and the bricks dried in the sun.

Cost prohibitive Next came the permit and the city building specifications. The specifications required by the city were so

strict that building for an adobe structure, if now permitted, would be prohibitive in cost. For a one-story adobe building, the concrete foundation needed to be two-feet thick, one foot below ground level and one-foot thick to the floor joist level. Over each

opening in the outside walls, a foot square reinforced concrete lintel was required with a bearing of one foot on the adobe wall on each side of every opening.

In constructing the walls, the adobe bricks were set in lime plaster. The outside walls were covered with cement stucco and waterproofed to keep the rain moisture from the adobe bricks, which if wet, would swell and thus crack the stucco plaster (a costly lesson we soon learned).

This building has withstood all the earthquakes that have occurred since it was built, and has suffered not a bit of damage. Even the adobe chimney has withstood the shakes.

If a reader knows of another adobe house in the area, please send the information to suzan@larchmontchronicle.com

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August 2015

SECTION TWo

Cleaners that explode are toxic!

(Continued from page 5) egar to the rinse aid dispenser can also help with spots.

Storm the bathroom Shower glass residue. Save time cleaning the shower by rubbing a small a dab of baby oil on the shower glass while it’s dry. The oil acts as a frontline barrier against moisture so that mineral residue isn’t

left behind when the water evaporates.

Keep a squeegee on hand in the shower to get rid of water spots between cleanings.

Sinks and toilets. Create your own scrubber with the following formula: ½ cup baking soda + 1 cup vinegar + ½ teaspoon tea tree oil. When stains get really tough, substi-

tute ¾ cup borax for the baking soda.

Attack the furniture Wood. Furniture polish is listed on the Hall of Shame at the Environmental Work Group (EWG), an online guide dedicated to researching consumer products. Some of the most popular polishes can be toxic if inhaled.

For a safe shine, add a squeeze of lemon juice to either olive, jojoba, coconut or walnut oil to make a natural wood polish.

If a nick needs to be filled, infiltrate a crayon box. Find the right hue to match your wood and kaboom! Nicks be gone.

Gum and goo. Adhesive removers contain products that can lead to respiratory problems, skin allergies, developmental and reproductive toxicity, cancer and environmental damage. Yikes!

Try torching gooey gunk with a hair dryer instead. Heat will soften most adhesives, so give that gummy stuff a blow out. Once it loosens be ready to pounce with a rag before the stuff hardens again.

Be prepared and stay green Remember that mission accomplished doesn’t always mean the war is over. The ubiquitous L.A. dirt will return just as the Southern California sun always shines.

Larchmont Chronicle

DWP CREWS work to repair a ruptured water main on July 9 near the intersection of Melrose Ave. and Gower St.

Summer Nights in the Garden at Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles invites you to its free Summer Nights in the Garden series, Fri., Aug. 7 and 21, from 5 to 9 p.m.

The series will include music, garden-inspired cocktails, hands-on garden and science projects, botanical tours by the NHM staff, food trucks, live animal presentations and crafts.

There will be a butter making and potting succulents on Fri., Aug. 7, as well as having the chance to work on a spray paint mural. Music will be by Coastin and Evan Weiss from Junk.

Learn how to make a bee hotel and make seed tape on Fri., Aug. 21. Art will include working on a finger paint mural. Jazz and hip-hop music by Mocky and Friends.

Toy Theater performances by the NHM staff and Sarah Rara’s art installations will also be among the free activities during the evening. Or have a photo-op with LADWP's Save the Drop.

RSVP guarantees entry, but timed-tickets are required for some of the activities.

Register online at nhm.org/ summernights or call 213763-DINO.

Larchmont Chronicle

August 2015

SECTION TWO

9

A former latchkey kid remembers 1930s-era Boyle Heights

By Morris Schulatsky At the age of 94, I can recall the vast ethnic mix occupying Boyle Heights in the few square miles east of downtown. People worked hard to make the Heights a prosperous neighborhood and a unique and fast-growing part of Los Angeles.

Jews, Hispanics, Japanese were there in large numbers.

Italians owning vineyards were their neighbors. Other neighbors included Russians, Yugoslavians, Armenians. The result was a tumble of activity Many of us were latchkey kids in the 30s, and we sold papers and football programs to help our parents.

To keep food cold required a block of ice. Washing machines weren’t invented yet.

An ice cream cone cost a nickel. Hamburgers were a dime. Brooklyn Avenue (as it was called) was the center of a thriving area where men could buy a suit for $13.50.

For 95 cents, ladies could own silk stockings. Saturday movies played the Marx Brothers and Astaire and Rogers.

Brooklyn Avenue was the Broadway of Boyle Heights and everyone passed the corner of Soto Street. Nearby was Canter’s Deli with their pas-

AFTER LOSING A DELI in the 1929 stock market crash, Ben Canter and his two brothers opened up a Canter Brother’s Delicatessen in 1931 in Boyle Heights, the Jewish center of Los Angeles. The deli was moved to the Fairfax location in 1953.

ball team had nine different back grounds and sometimes they called signals in Russian to confuse opponents. Roosevelt was tied for the city title in 1938.

Those were the days when Joe DiMaggio and Joe Louis were sports heroes. We listened to radio comics Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Bob Hope. The Andrew Sisters and Benny Goodman’s orchestra kept us dancing. A novel about the south called “Gone With the Wind” won a Pulitzer Prize.

World War II sent the guys into the service, and the girls

trami and pickle barrels.

Attending Roosevelt High was a distinct adventure.

There were more than 30 nationalities. In 1938 more than 600 students and about 50 faculty were there. Some teachers weren’t much older than the students.

From the mixture of persons living in Boyle Heights, the area became one of the first working-class neighborhoods outside of the old Pueblo.

Kids at Roosevelt got along.

The extravagant number of nationalities gave us a democratic experience and taught us understanding. The foot-

helped build ships and planes.

Later, some became teachers, actors, doctors, businessmen, civil servants.

Al Perez was the first Mexican-American school principal in L.A. Bob Hasen fought with Patton’s Third Army in Europe. Paul Bannai was the first Japanese-American (Nisei) to serve in the California Assembly.

Joe Moreno acted in films with Orson Welles and Elizabeth Taylor. Hy Averback became Bob Hope’s announcer and later a film director.

Our Roosevelt grads stayed friends. Al Vener, a 1937 grad,

Featured Listing for the Month of August by

kept mailing lists, making it easy for us to have class reunions. At our 25th gathering in 1963 one of our girls, Hilda Slutsky, already had eight kids and was a grandmother.

It 1997 we produced the 60th at Marina Del Rey. Our old friends were now grandparents. We sang songs, we danced jitterbug. The importance of connecting with each other never left. It kept our present aligned with the past.

We enjoyed reminding each other about our joyful days growing up in one of L.A.’s unique historic neighborhoods.

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Amenities are: Spanish tile roof, granite kitchen counter top, high ceiling in living room w/fireplace, 1 BR + 1 BA downstairs, 3 BR + 2 BA upstairs. Attached 2 car garage. Many windows throughout house, bright & light throughout. Huge backyard with room for pool. E-Z Access to Downtown L.A., The Grove (shopping & restaurants), Hollywood & Larchmont Village (European Style, coffee shops, book stores & restaurants).

This Costa Azul Mediterranean Villa with private saltwater pool, spa, barbecue and outdoor fireplace. The cul-de-sac location home in the neighborhood of Pacific Ridge with guard-gated security, association pool, spa, parks and trails nearby. 5 BD w/private BAs, 2 of the BDs are on the ground floor. Office with built-in bookshelves, bonus rm and private loggia decks off the master and secondary bedroom. The living room and great room both have fireplaces as well as a fireplace outside. Location Plan #4I.

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©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

10

August 2015

SECTION TWo

Larchmont Chronicle

Real Estate Sales*

MEET some of the zoo inhabitants.

BANDS play Aug. 7.

Photos Jamie Phamshelters

Have a roaring good time at L.A. Zoo Enjoy the summer breeze and visit with some of L.A.’s wildest residents on two Fri-

day evenings at 7 p.m.

Taste samples from more than 35 craft and microbrew-

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eries and hear music by local bands at the fifth annual Brew at the L.A. Zoo Aug. 7. Dancing, pub-style grub and zookeeper talks are also featured as well as up-close encounters with some of the Zoo’s smaller residents and visits to animal habitats.

Advance tickets are $50, $45 for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members, and $25 for designated drivers (includes free fountain drink refills). Tickets are $55 at the door if available.

Roaring Nights on Aug. 21 features a live band, DJ dance party, food trucks, full-service bars, pop-up zookeeper talks and animal encounters. Paint a favorite animal on a small canvas to take home as a souvenir.

Tickets are $20 per person, and $17 for zoo members.

Both events are open to guests ages 21 and up. The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo Dr. Free parking. Call 323644-6042, lazoo.org/roaringnights/

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SOLD: This residence, located at 508 N. McCadden Pl., was listed for just under $2.5 million.

Single family homes 611 S. Muirfield Rd. 232 Lorraine Blvd.

206 S. Rimpau Blvd.

124 N. Van Ness Ave. 439 N. Arden Blvd.

508 N. McCadden Pl. 555 S. Norton Ave. 143 N. Lucerne Blvd.

250 N. Beachwood Dr. 359 S. Sycamore Ave. 925 S. Muirfield Rd. 925 S. Hudson Ave. 444 N. Windsor Blvd.

115 S. St. Andrews Pl. 842 S. Citrus Ave. 206 N. Wilton Pl. 323 N. Windsor Blvd.

$16,100,000 3,250,000 2,975,000 2,695,000 2,585,000 2,489,000 2,400,000 1,395,000 1,200,000 1,199,000 1,198,000 1,155,000 1,095,000 988,000 949,949 949,000 929,000

Condominiums 308 N. Sycamore Ave., #504 4925 Wilshire Blvd., $102 646 Wilcox Ave. 845 S. Plymouth Blvd., #A 140 S. Gramercy Pl., #1 4407 Frances Ave., #302 4736 Elmwood Ave., #B 5037 Rosewood Ave., #106 860 S. Lucerne Blvd., #304 4368 W. 8th St., #17 4943 Rosewood Ave., #101 5050 Rosewood Ave., #105 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #232 533 S. St. Andrews Pl., #420 3810 Wilshire Blvd., #610 620 S. Gramercy Pl., #231

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*List prices for June 2015.

Nationwide drive underway to preserve pollinators The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge is a campaign to register a million public and private gardens and landscapes to support bees to bats.

The nationwide call to action will help preserve and create gardens and landscapes to revive the health of butterflies and birds as well.

Pollinators are responsible for one out of three bites of food we take, yet they are at a critical point in their own survival.

Strong residential engagement is able to restore pollinator populations to healthy levels. Pollinator gardens provide one way to reverse the decline.

Habitats of every size counts, from window boxes and garden plots to farm borders, golf courses, school gardens, corporate and university campuses.

For more information visit the website, millionpollinatorgardens.org.

Larchmont Chronicle

August 2015

SECTION TWO

11

Museum Row

Magic of photography; 'Cool stuff' CAFAM workshop for our troops LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART—"The Magic Medium" features daguerreotypes from the museum collection and works

by Henry Cartier-Bresson among others. Ends Feb. 7, 2016.

• "Aktion! Art and Revoluion in Germany, 1918-19" ends Jan. 10, 2016.

• Hear music all summer long. Jazz is played on Fridays at 6 p.m., Latin Sounds feature bands on Saturdays at 5 p.m., and classical is performed Sundays at 6 p.m. Visit the website for listings.

• "Japanese Paintings and Prints: Celebrating LACMA's 50th Anniversary," ends Sept. ECLIPSE, 1911, Eugene Atget, in "Magic Medium" at LACMA. 20.

• "Noah Purifoy: Junk Dada." Klezmer Juice is Sun., Aug. to Afghanistan ends Sept. 6.

The founding director of 9 at 3 p.m. Tortoise, Spiders Exhibit artist Thomas Dang Watts Towers, he later worked & Snakes, Oh my! with live will be on site with his poton 10-acres of sculpture in animal presentations is Sun., tery wheel Sun., Aug. 30 from Aug. 16 at 3 p.m. Free to Be noon to 6 p.m.

Joshua Tree. Ends Sept. 27.

• "Miracle Mile," by Robert Me Drum Circle is Sun., Aug. • "Fall 12: an Autobiography Irwin, includes 66 fluores- 23 at 3 p.m., and L.A. Puppet Considering Charles Ray's cent tubes and is inspired by Theater performance is Sun., 'Fall 91.'" Ends Sept. 6.

5814 Wilshire Blvd., 323Wilshire Blvd. and his out- Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.

6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 937-4230; cafam.org; free on door palm garden installation.

100; 323-761-8984; zimmerSundays.

Ends Sept. 7.

PETERSEN AUTOMO• "The Allure of Venice" ends museum.org.

Aug. 30. Works featured are CRAFT AND FOLK ART TIVE MUSEUM—Museum by artists who catered to the MUSEUM—Chinese Calligra- remodeling underway. Watch Europeans on their Grand phy with Mark Montano is the construction on the webThurs., Aug. 6 from 7 to 9 site. December opening set.

Tours in the 18th century. p.m. $8/free for members.

6060 Wilshire Blvd., 323• "50 for 50" Gifts on the Ocassion of LACMA's Anniversary" • Craft Cool Stuff to Send 903-2277; petersen.org. to Active Duty Military Sun., LA BREA TAR PITS & ends Sept. 13.

MUSEUM—"Titans of the Ice • "African Textiles and Adorn- Aug. 9, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Bombing Los Angeles Age: The La Brea Story in 3D" • Yarn ment: Selections from the Knit Graffiti Collective meets Marcel and Zaira Mis CollecSat., Aug. 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. tion" ends Oct. 12.

• "Four Allegories by • Tea Project with Art and Veronese: A Rediscovery and a Other Tactics artist Aaron Hughes is Sun., Aug. 16 at 3 Reunion," ends Sept. 7.

• "Art and Technology at LAC- p.m. Free. RSVP required.

• "Chris Francis: Shoe DesignMA, 1967-1971, ends Oct. 18.

• "Ancient Colombia: A Jour- er" exhibit features 40 one-ofney Through the Cauca Val- a-kind shoes. Ends Sept. 6.

• "Art and Other Tactics: Conley" ends Dec. 31, 2015.

• "Landscapes of Devotion: temporary Craft by Artist VetVisualizing Sacred Sites in erans" from the Korean War India" ends Oct. 25.

LACMA is free the second Tuesday of the month.

5905 Wilshire Blvd., 323-8576000; lacma. org.

KOREAN C U LT U R A L CENTER— "Ode To My Father" screens Thurs., Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. Free.

5505 Wilshire Blvd., 323-9367141; kccla. org.

ZIMMER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM— Second Sunday "MEMORIES" by Maria Frank Abrams is at the Concert with Museum of the Holocaust through August.

screens every half hour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in the new 3D theater.

• Excavator tours feature highlights of the museum and park, labs and fossil excavation. Daily.

• Ice Age Encounters with

a (life-size puppet) sabertoothed cat are Fridays at 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and noon, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Free first Tuesday of each (Please turn to page 15)

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August 2015

SECTION TWo

Larchmont Chronicle

Home & Garden

Cowboy horticulture, wildlife habitat at Payne

rakes, hoes, pruners and refreshments will be provided.

Get advice on native plants and pick up a few for the garden at Payne’s booth at the Hollywood Farmers Market at Ivar and Selma Sun., Aug. 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn the basics on gardening with California native flora from Lili Singer, horticulturist Sat., Aug. 8 from

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STICKY MONKEYFLOWER, a hummingbird favorite, is plant of the month at Payne.

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p.m. The talk will highlight mule trips she took to hardto-access places, as well as some of the cowboy culture surrounding these plants.

Landscape architect and urban designer Joshua Link will conduct a three-part class on gardening with California native plants beginning Sat., Aug. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students will devise a plot plan and are asked to bring photos of their site and a baggie of the site’s soil to the first day of class.

The class on native plant hor-

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8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring a snack. This is a pre-requisite for the three-part California native design course.

Hear how to gather, clean and save seeds Sat., Aug. 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Seed processing tools will be demonstrated and participants will seeds home.

Create a wildlife habitat in your yard and learn which plants will attract hummingbirds, songbirds, insects, bees and other critters Sat., Aug. 15 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A portion of the class will be spent outdoors. Children over eight are welcome.

Using native plants Garden designer Carlos Flores teaches a three-part class on gardening with California native plants starting Sat., Aug. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students will devise a plot plan, implementing knowledge of hardscape materials, irrigation, soils and more. In addition, students are asked to bring photos of their site and a baggie of the site’s soil to the first day of class. The class on native plant horticulture is a pre-requisite.

Botanist Sula Vanderplank, Ph.D., discusses some of the plants found in remote regions of Baja California Sat., Aug. 22 from 1:30 to 3:30

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Learn how to attract hummingbirds and bees to your garden and about native plants in cowboy culture at the Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley.

Help do a little maintenance gardening Sat., Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring a hat, gloves, kneepads and other tools for personal use to improve the grounds. Shovels,

ticulture is a pre-requisite.

Summer hours through Oct. 20 are Thursday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 818-768-1802 or go to theodorepayne.org.

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Larchmont Chronicle

August 2015

SECTION TWO

13

Home & Garden 

Night photography, art and water conservation at Arboretum 

Night photography, cactus shows and storytelling are among the events available this month at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia.

Children are invited to explore the Arboretum library and read stories about plants and nature at the free Bookworm Fruits of Summer program, for ages three to six on Wed. Aug. 5 and 19, and Sat. Aug. 15 at 10:30 a.m.

The Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent societies will be presenting an exotic collection of cacti and succulents typically found in jungles, deserts and mountain highlands. The show opens

LOW VOLUME irrigation techniques taught at workshop Sat., Aug. 22..

Sat. Aug. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Art classes in the garden The Botanical Art Classes are back this month, with an emphasis on plant observation, drawing, composition and color theory. Participants will have an opportunity to work with graphite, watercol-

or, vellum and other surfaces.

Classes will take place Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Oak Room.

Learn new techniques at the Introduction to Night Photography class with session leader and photographer Frank McDonough, Sat. Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Stu-

dents will learn the painting with light technique and use headlamps to capture unique night photographs.

Money savings tips Discover new ways to conserve water and save money on your water bill at the free Crescent Farm Water Workshop Sat., Aug. 22 at 10 a.m.

The workshop will focus on Xerigation, low volume irrigation, and converting yards and lawns into ever-green, lowwater landscapes using different types of soil and irrigation techniques.

For more information on these and other activities visit arboretum.org.

Get a Cool New Floor this auGust

Live jazz and yoga classes at Descanso Summer jazz on the main lawn and story-telling for children are some of the activities this month at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011.

Join artist Virginia Hein and capture the unique landscapes of the Gardens with a variety of media in her Sketch on Location classes, Sat. Aug. 22 and 29 at 9 a.m. Registration deadline Aug. 14.

Bring your gardening gloves and learn from Descanso’s expert horticulturalists on how to take care of your gardening tools Tues., Aug. 18 at 10 a.m.

Relax on the main lawn with a picnic and listen to live jazz from Sammy Miller, Kristein Korb and Rickey Woodard.

Concerts are free with admission on Thursdays Aug. 6, 13 and 20 at 6 p.m.

Children two and older are invited to Little Owls Reading Nest, a day of nature-themed story time at the giant nest in Nature’s Table Tues., Aug. 11 and 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Start your mornings with yoga from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during August. The classes include a 25-minute fitness walk and 60-minute

Water fact Forty percent of all drinking water in Los Angeles is used for landscape irrigation.

For more water facts go to LADWP.com/WaterConservation.

Visit LinoLeum City for the Largest seLeCtion Visit LinoLeum City for the Largest seLeCtion

JAZZMAN Ricky performs Aug. 20.

Woodard

yoga practice. Evening classes are also available Wednesdays at 5 p.m.

This month’s free admission day is Tues., Aug. 18. For more information, go to descansogardens.org.

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14

August 2015

SECTION TWo

Larchmont Chronicle

Home & Garden

Entertainment, classes, tours enrich at Huntington

formerly “Larchmont Hardware”

Summertime & the living iS eaSy ….

We have these useful and fun fruit and vegetable savers.

Examples are “avocado savers.” You just cut the avocado in half, use half, and put the other half in the “avo saver” right with the pit still inside. Put it in the refrigerator and it keeps it fresh and unblemished. “We also have “savers” for onions, tomatoes, garlic, lemons, limes. Forget the saran wrap.

We also have a “multi-level” steamer, cooker. You can microwave fish on one level and vegetables on another, all in the microwave. All done in minutes.

We have great beach chairs, attractive and portable.

We have the carbon monoxide detectors to comply with newly passed laws. Check out our fans and portable AC units, also, while you are here.

We love our Larchmont customers who we hope to see this August! Have a great summer.

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orchids and other tropical plants Wed., Aug. 19 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Tour around Ranch House and explore The Huntington’s urban agriculture site and take home some fresh ideas for sustainable gardening Sat., Aug. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Scott Kleinrock, landscape design and planning coordinator, discusses some of the patterns, natural cycles, and systems that keep gardens sustainable Sun., Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.

Be entertained in the garden Listen to Chinese music in the Garden of Flowing Fragrance Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

Hear scary stories in the dark Sat., Aug. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. as actors from Unbound Productions perform staged readings from literary horror stories.

Listen to traditional Chinese opera and chamber music Sat., Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. performed by the Kwun Opera Society and Spring Thunder Chinese Music Association.

See an outdoor screening of Disney’s animated film "Robin Hood" Sat., Aug. 29 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Includes pre-show activities and picnicking on the lawn.

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“The hardware STore”

ORCHIDS and other tropical plants can be seen on tour.

Location The heat of a typi Wiltand cal summer leaves wither-proof plant little motivation to choices for gardens do much more than that face south or sit on the porch with west are essential a cold lemonade, but since these areas get with a little care you ANGELONIA direct sunlight and can still have an atare hotter. Other factractive garden. tors that determine Plant varieties what flowers to plant Though summer where include soil gardening can be type, sun, wind, aridchallenging, the right ity and humidity. plants can create colSOLCITO Soil orful and lush beds, Before planting, borders and containers. Pick varieties with reliable soil can be amended with orperformance, brawny root sys- ganic matter like compost, tems and strong resilience to manure or bagged fertilizers stand up against high atmo- that consist of natural potassispheric heat and drought. For um, nitrogen and phosphorus. example, petunias, which are Prepared soil allows for retenhardy and low-growing, can tion and absorption of water. create colorful borders. Other In warmer months, mulching plants known to thrive in the helps keep the soil cooler and sun include angelonia (sum- minimizes evaporation. mer snapdragon), verbena and To learn more go to ballhort. com. solcito, a type of zinnia.

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Tour the Japanese teahouse Mon., Aug. 10. Hours are from noon to 4 p.m.

Learn about vermicomposting and how worms can make the best compost Thurs., Aug. 13 at 2:30 p.m. A sale follows.

Dylan Hannon, curator of tropical collections, conducts a behind-the-scenes tour of

A tropical plant tour, Chinese opera, scary stories in the dark and how to garden sustainably are all at Huntington Library this month, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino.

Tai chi for beginning and intermediate students is Sat., Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m.

Ride out the heat with beautiful summer flowers

24-Hour Emergency Service 1355 South LaBrea Ave. • Los Angeles, CA 90019

Larchmont Chronicle

August 2015

SECTION TWO

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Calendar designation complicated, influenced by the British

(Continued from page 11)

month except July, August.

5801 Wilshire Blvd., 323934-PAGE; tarpits.org JAPAN FOUNDATION— Folk dance group Daidengaku performs Sat., Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. Japanema: films screen the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. $10.

Language classes offered.

5700 Wilshire Blvd., 323761-7510; jflalc.org.

LOS ANGELES MUSEUM CAUST— OF THE HOLO­ "Early and Late Memories: The Art of Maria Frank Abrams" ends Aug. 31.

• "Return to Wielopole: The Teitelabaum Family Journey" tells of one family's return to its great-grandparent's ancestral town. Ongoing.

• Holocaust survivor speakers and tours on Sundays.

Pan Pacific Park, 100 S. Grove Dr., 323-6513704; lamoth.org. Always free.

ProfessorKnowIt-All Bill Bentley

vessel. When the surrounding courtiers were skeptical, an officer of a Maritime Regiment (the first Marines) stepped up and verified Pepys’ tale. The King accepted this testimony, saying, “none of our officers are more reliable than those of the Maritime Regiment.”

Ever since then, the Marines have been arbiters of truth. *** How come something that’s inferior doesn’t “come up to scratch?” wonders Nick Jackman.

Under the London Prize Ring Rules of 1839, a round in a boxing match ended only when one of the fighters was knocked down. After a 30-second interval the felled combatant was allowed eight seconds to make his way unaided to a mark scratched in the center of the dirt ring. If he failed to do so, he had not

“come up to scratch” and was declared the loser. *** Why is an unruly shock of hair called a “cowlick?” ponders Edie Sedgman.

This term comes from the area of a cow’s hide where the hairs, growing in different directions, meet to form a projecting ridge. This is caused by, you guessed it, the animals licking themselves.

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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MUSEUM ROW

introduced by the monk Dionysius Exigus, who lived in the first half of the 6th century.

Old Dionysius didn’t feel the need to give the years before the birth of Christ any designation at all. He reasoned that if you didn’t include the A.D. after the date, it would naturally be assumed you were referring to the years before the birth of the Redeemer.

Leave it to the British and their oversized sense of order to complicate matters. When the Brits finally adopted the New Calendar in 1752, they introduced the designation B.C. to refer to the years before Christ’s birth. So you see, B.C. is an English abbreviation not a Latin. Thus endeth the lesson. *** Why, in response to an exaggerated or unbelievable story, do we scoff and say “tell it to the Marines?” asks John Peters.

The story goes that Samuel Pepys, the famous wit and diarist, was telling King Charles II of flying fish he had seen when travelling on a naval

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The common calendar describes the years since the birth of Jesus as A.D. or Anno Domini (Latin for Year of Our Lord). Years before the birth of Christ are B.C. (Before Christ). But the Gregorian calendar and the Catholic Church uses Latin as its official language, and therefore Before Christ should be Anti Christos or A.C. Where did the B.C. come from? wonders Stephen Donahoe.

Whew! Well, first of all, the Gregorian or New Calendar of 1582 A.D. hasn’t much to do with it, other than the fact it wasn’t adopted in Great Britain until January 1752, but we’ll get back to that. The Anno Domini system of dating was

For more details, contact Khey Buan at 818-756-7228 • 818-435-3177

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August 2015

Larchmont Chronicle