lc real estate 03 2020

HOME TOUR

YOSEMITE, II

TOMATOMANIA

Hancock Park is on the Payne Foundation’s Native Plant Garden Tour.

Page 13

Stunning 19thcentury landscape images drove the nation westward.

Page 2

Real Estate Libraries Home & Garden

Top tomato picks, edible plant sale and a talk on peacocks at Arboretum.

Page 14

VIEW

Section 2

LARCHMONT CHRONICLE

MARCH 2020

HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • GREATER WILSHIRE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT

325 N Las Palmas Ave | Hancock Park | $4,999,000 Enchanting Paul Williams Monterey Revival!

Dramatic courtyard. 6Bd+4.5Ba. 325LasPalmas.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

100 S Beachwood Dr | Hancock Park | $4,395,000 Fab 4Bed/3.5 new bas in main house; garage has gst rm +ba over it & game rm w/wine cellar/ half BA under it!

Lisa Hutchins 323.460.7626 CalRE #01018644

835 S. Longwood Ave. | Brookside | $2,750,000 Perfect home in coveted Brookside! Impeccably maintained 4Bd + 3.5Ba. 835SLongwood.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

243 N. Norton Ave | Windsor Square | $2,249,000 Exceptional opportunity in prime Windsor Square location! Large lot. 4+3. 243Norton.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

444 S. Sycamore Ave. | Hancock Park | $2,150,000

147 N. Windsor Blvd. | Hancock Park | $1,995,000

825 S. Muirfield Rd | Hancock Park | $1,825,000

COMING SOON. 1928 Art Deco delight. 3Bd + 3Ba + pool. 3rd St Elementary. 444Sycamore.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

First time on the market. Charming 2-Story 3+2 Spanish, great Windsor Sq. block near Larchmont

$100,000 Price Reduction! First time on the market in nearly 50 years. 3Bed/2Bath, pool & spa.

Sandy Boeck 323.860.4240 CalRE #01005153

202 N Gower St | Hancock Park | $1,729,000 COMING SOON. 3 Bedroom + 2.5 bath on great lot near village.

Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

316 Rossmore Ave #100 | Hancock Park | $1,575,000 New Price. Exclusive, full-service Country Club Manor. Bright 3+2 Architectural. 316Rossmore.com Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

Maria Gomez | Rick Llanos 213.705.1603 | 323.810.0828 CalRE #0126447 | #01123101

620 N Cahuenga Blvd | Hancock Park | $7,250/MO

522 S Bronson Ave| Hancock Park | $2,295,000 Wonderful remodeled English on picturesque S. Bronson w/ 3 bdrms, 3.5 ba’s & large yard.

Rick Llanos | Lisa Hutchins 323.810.0828 | 323.460.7626 CalRE #01123101, #01018644

FOR LEASE in 3rd St. Elementary near Larchmont & LA Tennis Club. 4Bd + 3Ba. 620Cahuenga.com

109 S Kilkea Dr | Miracle Mile | Price Upon Request Charming courtyard Spanish w/ 3 bed, 2 ba’s + converted garage to office & wonderful gardens.

Loveland Carr Group 323.460.7606 CalRE #01467820, #0888374

Rick Llanos 323.810.0828 CalRE #01123101

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. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker Realty. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty 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. CalDRE #: 00616212

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Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

Photographers carried a Kodak and largest camera of day, Part II

My trusty blue Volvo rolled southward along US 84 / US 285 in New Mexico’s Chama Valley recently, just after four o’clock in the afternoon. I saw, as I always do on this road, the small sign, “Hernandez.”

And I saw, however briefly, in my mind’s eye, Ansel Adams’s photograph, “Moonrise, Hernandez.” It was taken at 4:49 p.m., on November 1, 1941.* An early moon rises over the distant Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The photograph catches the “low sun… trailing the edge of clouds in the west, and shadow would soon dim the white crosses…” in the village, Adams wrote later.

The luminous image is possibly Adams’s best known.

When Californian Adams (landscape photographer and conservationist, born 1902) was given his first camera at age 12 on the occasion of his first trip to Yosemite, pioneering landscape photographer Carleton Watkins was still alive. Watkins’s second trip to photograph Yosemite took place 48 years before the young Ansel made his first.

But their work would dovetail: Watkins’s photographs would pave the way for the preservation of Yosemite.

Ansel Adams’s photographs of national parks on behalf of the

Home Ground by

Paula Panich

U.S. Department of the Interior were instrumental in the expansion of the U.S. National Park Service.

Adams in Yosemite Adams’s stunning photographs of the beauty of Yosemite are themselves among the best-known 20th century photographs of the West.

But in the middle of the 19th century, when gold was discovered in California, the natural landscape was mostly considered (but not by all) for its yield — ore and timber — and the best land was so considered if it was flat, fertile, well-watered, and suitable for agriculture. Historian R.F. Nash and others have surmised that wild, untamed landscape generated fear; it would take decades for the idea of the value of natural beauty for its own sake to pierce the prevailing view of the Wild West.

Watkins in Yosemite In 1914, the boy Ansel Adams likely carried a hand-

held folding Kodak, loaded with Kodak film. In the 1860s, though, Watkins began hauling into the Yosemite wilderness the biggest commercially available camera, which used 13”x16” glass plates on which to expose images. But those influential large photos of Yosemite were made because Watkins was an ambitious man. He wanted a bigger camera — and either had one made or made it himself, according to his biographer, Tyler Green, in “Carleton Watkins: Making the West American.”

Two thousand pounds of equipment were hauled up those steep Yosemite slopes.

The new camera accommodated 18”x22” glass plates — the negatives were 396 square inches — and were known as “mammoth” plates. Each weighed four pounds. The amount of chemicals necessary to prepare these plates for exposure would be triple that for a conventional camera, and they were hauled up the rock too. The chemicals would have to be spread on the plates in the dark (in a black tent) in a painstaking process. An eight-day trip to Yosemite in the 1860s for five people would cost about $340. (Approximately $11,000

YOSEMITE FALLS, about 1874, albumen silver print.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Gift of Weston J. and Mary M. Naef.

in today’s money.) Watkins and his crew stayed for three months, financed by a wealthy conservationist.

In the Instagram age, the image is all. It is hard to say which of such (unedited) pho(Please turn to page 15)

YOSEMITE VALLEY, 1866, albumen silver print.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Expert Exceptional Service. Exceptional Expert Service.

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315 E. 8TH ST #901 DOWNTOWN LA

2 BED+ 2 BATH | $949,000 5 BED+ 4 BATH | $1,995,000

FOR SALE

SOLD

new listing 301 S. LUCERNE

NEW LISTING

542 LAS PALMAS

WINDSOR SQUARE

HANCOCK PARK

NEW LISTING SOLD

433 N. IRVING

LARCHMONT VILLAGE

5 BED+ 3 BATH |3300 $2,995,000 4 BED+ 2.5 BATH | $3,092,500 2 BED+ 2.5 BATH | $1,150,000PARK LARISSA | SILVERLAKE 531 N. ROSSMORE | HANCOCK

3 BED+ 2 BATH | $1,195,000

NEW PRICE SOLD

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SOLD sold over asking

PENTHOUSE #B | 4+5 | $1,995,000 COMING SOON COMING SOON COMING SOON

sold in 1 week IN ESCROW

1708 3RD ST.

1289 MEADOWBROOK

850 N. HUDSON #206

4 BED+ 4 BATH | $1,691,000

5 BED+ 2 BATH TOTAL | PRICE TBD 4 BED+ 2 BATH TOTAL | PRICE TBD 2 BED+ 2 BATH | $635,000 358 N. VAN NESS | LARCHMONT 418 N. MANSFIELD | HANCOCK PARK

MIRACLE MILE

7 BED+ 5.5 BATH | $7,200,000

LARCHMONT ADJ.

MID CITY | DUPLEX

3 BED+ 3.5 BATH | $2,332,272

www.coregroupla.com DRE #01819365

1612 CIMARRON

MID CITY | DUPLEX

4 BED+ 3.5 BATH | $3,250,000

Pete Buonocore

DRE #01279107

323.762.2561

pete@coregroupla.com

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

3

Residents fear relocation from historic Rossmore apartment building

By Billy Taylor More than 30 residents were in attendance for the Feb. 25 Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council’s monthly Land Use Committee (LUC) meeting to discuss plans to renovate an apartment building at 410 N. Rossmore Ave. Residents say the building’s new owner, Atlanta-based Domos Coliving, intends to convert the rent-controlled apartments into coliving units.

Domos co-founder Daniel Alexander told committee members that his company’s first priority is to upgrade the fire and life safety systems in the building. In regard to further planned changes, Alexander said that Domos is in the process of selecting an architect to develop the design for the building and that plans will be forthcoming.

Alexander explained that coliving, or “professionalized roomating” as he called it, was not a “solution” to the affordable housing crisis, but it does provide “an option” for those who need it. Domos expects to offer leases to 200 people in a building where 54 currently live, he said.

When asked to elaborate on a construction schedule, Alexander explained that the company is still six to eight

DOMOS co-founder Daniel Alexander speaks to the GWNC Land Use Committee to discuss his company’s by-right renovation plans for an apartment building in Hancock Park.

months away from phase one, adding that he expects construction to last as long as three years.

Speaking for residents, Debbie Chesebro told LUC members that she “took exception” to Alexander’s presentation: “If they were concerned about life safety, they would have fixed our heat by now. Multiple people in the building have not had heat since January,” she claimed.

According to Chesebro, 42 out of the 54 tenants in the building have signed a peti-

tion saying that they do not want to live in coliving units.

Additionally, Chesebro alleged that the relocation company hired by Domos is giving tenants incorrect information in an effort “to trick people” out of rent controlled leases.

Alexander told LUC members that he and his colleague, Richard Loring, the design and construction manager for the project, recently sent letter invitations to all residents to come meet with the two of them (not the relocation company) at the building to discuss the project, but no tenants came to talk because others had advised the tenants not to participate.

Following the meeting, Loring confirmed to the Chronicle that Domos is committed to creating enough one-bedroom units within the new floor plan to accommodate all current residents wanting to return to the building after renovations are complete. Loring acknowledged that “improvements can be made in our outreach efforts,” but he noted that Domos has indicated an openness to meet with the two spokespeople the residents have nominated as representatives.

The Chronicle reached out to Chesebro for more information on the allegation

that some residents are living without heat in the building, but Chesebro declined to comment, saying only that

residents are forming a “press outreach department” and that a formal statement will be released at a later date.

Ratkovich honored with Business Award at USC Wayne Ratkovich, Windsor Square, is among this year’s recipients of the USC Architectural Guild Dinner Awards.

The 61st annual awards will be at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Wed., April 22.

Ratkovich will receive the third annual Distinguished Business Leadership Award for his work to improve the quality of urban life.

The UCLA graduate is the founder and CEO of The Ratkovich Company. Recent projects include the development of The Bloc, a $250 million transformation of the former Macy’s Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles, and The Hercules Campus, an 11-building complex of former Hughes Aircraft Company buildings with historic status.

Locally, he saved and redeveloped the Wiltern Theatre and building early in his career.

Ratkovich is currently developing a 42-acre waterfront site in San Pedro.

“In a now lengthy career in real estate development, my

THE WILTERN THEATRE was among Wayne Ratkovich’s earlier projects.

gratitude to architects for the contributions they have made to our success has grown with each year and each project,” said Ratkovich. “More importantly, it is the work of architects that is improving the quality of life in our city and for that, we should all be grateful. To be honored by the Guild and the University is a touching tribute from a group I deeply admire. I think our roles should be reversed!”

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MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

Larchmont Chronicle

Real Estate Sales

AERIAL VIEW of the new Audrey Irmas Pavilion at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, east of the historic building, shows recent higher-density apartment development nearby.

Photo by Gary Leonard, February 21, 2020

Single-family homes

Stunning Hancock Park Mediterranean Estate and Guesthouse

Coming Soon 511 S Arden Boulevard Hancock Park 1920’s Mediterranean Estate, 6 bedrooms/7 baths, perfect for entertaining. Turreted entry.

Living room with meticulously restored ceilings. Chic paneled library & family room. Dining room & updated kitchen with handpainted floors. Master suite with elegant bath. Pool & pool house.

Fully appointed guesthouse.

JILL GALLOWAY Estates Director, Sunset Strip

SOLD: This home at 354 N. Ridgewood Place in Larchmont Village is getting a paint job after being sold in January for $2,495,000.

323.842.1980 jill@jillgalloway.com | jillgalloway.com DRE 01357870

Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice.

120 N. McCadden Pl. 209 S. Lucerne Blvd.

223 N. Lucerne Blvd.

354 N. Ridgewood Pl. 683 S. McCadden Pl. 268 S. Arden Blvd.

447 S. Highland Ave. 364 S. Mansfield Ave. 708 Lorraine Blvd.

585 N. Bronson Ave. 660 N. Gramercy Pl. 5114 Melrose Ave.

$6,950,000 2,866,500 2,725,000 2,495,000 2,450,000 1,701,000 1,680,000 1,550,000 1,527,000 1,400,000 1,035,000 927,500

Condominiums 531 N. Rossmore Ave., #406 4845 Elmwood Ave., #E 4822 Elmwood Ave., #304 835 S. Lucerne Blvd., #109 326 Westminster Ave., #106 4837 Beverly Blvd., #102 358 S. Gramercy Pl., #308

$1,075,000 825,000 750,000 739,000 700,000 650,000 420,000

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

Hear about ‘Life in the Façade Lane’ March 25

Author and realtor Bret Parsons will speak on the diverse façades found on Los Angeles homes at “Life in the Façade Lane: Six Degrees of Architectural Separation,” the first in a series of lectures on classical architecture at the Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite B-396.

The talk, Wed., March 25 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., covers the history of Los Angeles architecture, from Mediterranean villas and beach bungalows to San Fernando Valley ranch and desert adobe homes.

Founded in 1781, Los Angeles grew from a small pueblo into a vast county with 88 distinct cities with varying topography and good weather. As the city grew, a number of architects, contractors and designers were called to design and build homes and other buildings to meet the demands of the population and businesses, including the booming motion-picture business.

Presented by the Institute of Classical Art and Architecture, Southern California, and hosted by Mimi London, Inc., the lecture series also will include talks on the decora-

tive arts from 1880 to 1940, Tues., April 14, and Scottish architects who changed the world, Mon., May 4. There will be a talk by architect Richard Manions on Weds., Nov. 11.

Tickets start at $55 for the general public, $30 for ICAA members. Season passes are also available for at $190 for the general public and $140 for ICAA members. Visit classicist-socal.org.

Travel back in time with Art Deco Society

Travel back in time with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles (ADSLA) Sat., March 14 beginning at 10 a.m. A Catalina-themed vintage fashion show, tour of the 1929 Bullocks Wilshire building, 3050 Wilshire Blvd., and shopping at a vintage market place are featured.

Tickets start at $70 for AD-SLA members and $50 for general admission. Ticket includes seating at one of two fashion show seatings, a Jean Harlow lecture and selfguided tour of the Bullocks Wilshire building.

Visit adsla.org.

SECTION TWO

$100,000 Price Reduction!

First time on the market in nearly 50 years

825 S Muirfield Rd | $1,825,000 Beautifully maintained 1924 home. 3 bd/2 ba + office, converted garage w/full plumbing for ADU conversion/private entry/enclosed parking. Original plaster detailing/leaded glass windows in all front rooms. Batchelder tile fireplace + bay window in living rm. French doors to balcony off dining rm. Eat-in kitchen w/ample cabinets, stainless appliances, hard surface counters. Master bdrm w/en suite & walk-in shower. Brick backyard has patio, pool & spa. Ample storage throughout, including garage.

Sandy Boeck 323.687.6552 CalDRE: 01005153

251 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

3234 Rowena Avenue Offered at $815,000 TIC Unit | 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,134 Sq Ft

TIC units in Los Feliz filled with 1940’s character & charm with crown molding, high ceilings, large windows bringing in tons of natural light. Updated kitchen & bathrooms with stainless steel appliances, dishwasher, farmhouse sink, refinished hardwood floors, air conditioning, & washer dryer hookups. Bonus office/storage area with separate entrance. Common outdoor space & 2 parking spots. In Ivanhoe School District blocks from the areas best!

3232 Rowena Avenue Starting at $599,000 TIC Units | 1 Bed | 1 Bath | ~900 Sq Ft

Ali Jack Get access to inventory not yet on the market.

Windsor Square Native & Marlborough Alumna 213.507.3959 ali.jack@compass.com thealijack.com @thealijack

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.

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MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

Larchmont Chronicle

The Luck of the Irish and a triple threat to our neighborhoods

The Luck of the Irish came through for Tom Bergin’s House of Irish Coffee, which will celebrate its 84th St. Patrick’s Day this March 17, partly thanks to its becoming Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No. (HCM) 1182 in June of last year. With March upon us, I hope that all of the readers of the Larchmont Chronicle will stop over for a gawk and wee drop of refreshment at the venerable old pub on Fairfax Avenue in honor of our city’s historic resources.

Courtyard apartments It looks as if the Cohanzad

family of Wiseman Residential have caused quite a stir at City Hall with their attempt to illegally demolish the historic courtyard apartments at 7054-7058 Hawthorn Ave. in Hollywood. Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, CD13, showing much appreciated leadership, put forward on Jan. 29 a motion to have the property reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Commission and considered for HCM status. While the building’s ultimate fate is still unclear, this at least halts demolition for the time being, allowing for a full assessment of the property. It also gives

Travels to Hades at 7th St. Bridge

Heidi Duckler Dance (HDD), in conjunction with LA Opera’s Eurydice Found Festival, presents “Underway at the 7th Street Bridge” Sat., March 14 and Sun., March 15 at 7 p.m.

The dance opera directed and choreographed by Heidi Duckler features HDD company dancers and music created by four composers.

Inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem “Orpheus. Eurydice. Hermes,” the performance will take the audience on a journey to the underworld — situated in the un-

derbelly of Los Angeles’ historic 7th Street Bridge.

Viewers will sit facing the train tracks at the 7th Street Bridge underpass, which will be transformed into a multidisciplinary public art space open to the public as part of a larger project in the works, titled “The Span @ 7th Street Bridge.”

Tickets are $65 general admission / $45 senior and student, and $100 VIP, which includes VIP seating and a catered reception following the performance.

Visit heididuckler.org.

On Preservation by

Brian Curran

an opportunity for the facts of the case to be reviewed, as well as for the vandals of Wiseman Residential to receive a deserved public shaming.

A related motion introduced last year by Councilman Paul Koretz, CD5, was recently approved by the City Council, calling for an ordinance to increase the notification time for demolition from 30 to 60 days for all buildings over 45 years old, giving more time for historic assessments and processing of any potential HCM nominations. These two actions are both in response to the disreputable business practices of Wiseman Residential, and word on the street is that there are more such nefarious moves to come.

SB50, SB330 and AB 1279 The defeat of Senate Bill (SB) 50 is a great success for Los Angeles. This victory was achieved through the united opposition of Los Angeles

state senators and the City Council as well as the many calls and letters sent by the readers of this paper. They all deserve our thanks. SB 50 posed a number of threats to historic preservation in our area, particularly with regard to breaking up of larger single-family homes within Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ) into apartments, as well as the pressure to demolish historic multifamily housing for increased density.

The effects of SB 50’s “evil twin,” SB 330, which was signed into law by Gov. Newsom late last year, are only just beginning to be felt. Two of its most troubling features include a requirement for local governments to determine if the site of a proposed housing development is historic at the time the application is deemed complete (a milestone often unknown to the public); as well as prohibition of a local government reviewing a proposed housing development pursuant to any new design guidelines or standards that are considered not “objective or quantifiable” for the next five years. This precludes later designation of sites updating HPOZ plans,

like the one recently approved for Windsor Square.

Another bill, Assembly Bill 1279, proposed by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, who represents a large portion of our area, is a housing bill targeted specifically at neighborhoods such as ours. This bill targets high-resource and low-density areas not under threat of gentrification and allows byright development of sites, including fourplexes in areas zoned single family and in established HPOZs. Defeating this bill is the next battle in the fight to preserve our historic neighborhoods.

Call the Assemblyman’s office 916-319-2050 and see how he intends to protect the historic integrity of our treasured and hard-won HPOZs under his bill.

Save the Log Cabin Finally, the effort to save the Log Cabin continues with the cities of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, as well as the Lions Club and West Hollywood Recovery Center, in negotiations to transfer the lease. On Jan. 29, the Beverly Hills City Council was greeted with a packed house in support of saving the beloved landmark. We will continue to provide updates.

100 S. Beachwood Dr. • $4,395,000

Move-in ready English gem on popular Larchmont-close street. 4 bedrooms/3.5 baths in main house. New 2 car garage structure has major guest room and bath above and sleek subterranean game room/walk-in wine cellar/half bath below! Entire property was recently remodeled! Entry hall leads to formal dining & living rooms, each with fireplace. Living room with bar area has great flow to yard and entertainer’s patio complete with outdoor kitchen & heated pergola! The heart of the home is the spacious, yard-facing open kitchen/family room — the ultimate gathering space! Up the curving staircase, the hallway leads to the airy, high-ceilinged master bedroom suite complete with 3 walk-in closets, dressing room, luxurious bath with freestanding tub, double sinks, separate shower & commode room. Across the hall are 3 additional bedrooms: 1 with fireplace and private bath; the other 2 share an adjoining new bath. Generous hall storage closet plus laundry room up. 100beachwood.com

LISA HUTCHINS #1 Agent in Hancock Park since 1994 Ranked #5 company-wide for 2019 in Los Angeles DRE # 01018644

For a free evaluation of your property, call or text me.

©LC0320

323-216-6938 • 251 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

Coldwell Banker congratulates

Lisa Hutchins #1 Agent in Hancock Park since 1994 and #5 Agent company-wide for Los Angeles in 2019 on her January 2020 Record-Breaking Sale

Hudson Avenue Hancock Park $19,000,000 (represented buyer)

DRE # 01018644

323-216-6938

ŠLC0320

In search of an exclusive property?

Call me for any of your real estate needs!

LISA HUTCHINS

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MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

Larchmont Chronicle

Fitzgerald wrote of Hollywood’s allure, and despair, 80 years ago

Sustaining an unqualified enthusiasm for all things Hollywood can be difficult; there’s often a disturbing tension between the romance of the movies and the social forces that underpin their making and distribution.

For example, throughout this latest awards season that culminated last month with Oscar night, we were regularly reminded that Harvey Weinstein and his legal team still campaigned, not for a gold statue, but for an acquittal. So it goes.

Scott Fitzgerald once said that the ability to hold in mind two contradictory ideas simultaneously was a mark of intelligence. That may be a dubious proposition in general, but it certainly characterizes something about Fitzgerald’s attitude towards the movie business — especially if we substitute the word “feelings”

On Books and Places by

Bruce Beiderwell for “ideas.” For he could certainly embrace the romantic allure associated with fame, money or love, and, at the same time, despair over the traps fame, money or love could become. Fitzgerald’s expectations never forestalled his disappointments. His disappointments never cancelled his expectations. He was superbly equipped to both love Hollywood and scorn it.

Pat Hobby The love is most famously evident in “The Last Tycoon,” the novel he left unfinished when he died in Culver City.

But there’s a short story he did

complete from his last home in his last days that deftly explores the despairing side, the ironically titled “Fun in an Artist’s Studio.” It’s one of the Pat Hobby Stories, tales of a screenwriter past his prime, a man who scrambles for work, drink and attention. Pat Hobby fails routinely. He’s forever on the edge of destruction; as he tumbles down in story after story, he finds himself precariously on yet another edge. He never hits bottom, but the top grows more distant.

“Fun in an Artist’s Studio” is, 80 years after its original publication, the most current Pat Hobby story. For one thing, it addresses and upends male presumptions that are so much the subject of the #MeToo movement that started in “the industry.” For another, it comments on how an iconic Los Angeles place can symbolize a destination,

147 N. Windsor Blvd.

Listed for $1,995,000

Charming 2-story Spanish fixer on a great block and close to Larchmont. Step into a formal entry with elegant staircase, large barrel ceiling living room with fireplace and French doors opening out to a covered patio and to the private yard. There is also a large formal dining room, original kitchen plus adjoining breakfast room also overlooking the yard, maids room and bath. Upstairs there are 2 well-sized bedrooms, one with an attached sunroom/office and one original full bathroom. This home is being sold by the same family that purchased the house new and is subject to Court overbid.

Co-Listed with Maria Gomez

522 S. Bronson Ave. Listed for $2,295,000

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 with Lisa Hutchins

Coming Soon — 109 South Kilkea Dr. Price Upon Request Charming courtyard Spanish home in a great neighborhood close to trendy shops and restaurants.

Step inside to a tiled entry, warm and sunny living room with French doors out to the courtyard, formal dining room, updated kitchen with separate breakfast room plus 3 well sized bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Outside you’ll find a professionally landscaped gardens and a garage converted to a home office/family space.

Representing Buyers and Sellers in the Hancock Park/ Windsor Square neighborhoods for the past 26 years Hancock Park

251 N. Larchmont Blvd.

(323) 464-9272

Rick Llanos (C) 323-810-0828 (O) 323-460-7617 rllanos@coldwellbanker.com CalRE# 01123101

©LC0320

Coldwell Banker

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.

Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 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 service marks are registered or pending registrations owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

WRITER F. Scott Fitzgerald (1921), who later died in Culver City.

NORTHEAST corner is the 1930 Equitable Building.

a dream, a crossroad, a dead end. In this story, that place is “Hollywood and Vine.”

At the artist’s studio The story’s action is simple and the tone is woefully comic. Pat Hobby catches the eye of a socially, economically and professionally connected woman at a studio commissary. She gets him invited to a party attended by other connected types and arranges to have him sit for a portrait at her studio. Pat imagines everything that is not true. The woman doesn’t want him on the couch with her. She wants him to sit dutifully for a portrait because she sees in his face a vacant desperation born of fear and failure. Or at least that is what she saw at the commissary.

In her studio, Pat’s fantasies bring back a semblance of confidence she finds far less interesting. Only by deftly turning the tables, by exercising power Pat didn’t imagine she had, does the artist bring back the look that first caught her interest. She can finish her painting because Pat Hob-

by’s face again registers failure and fear. She titles the piece “Hollywood and Vine.”

Hollywood and Vine Three of the four major buildings that made up the four corners of Hollywood and Vine in 1940 (the year Fitzgerald wrote his story and the year that he died) still stand today: the Taft Building on the southeast corner completed in 1923; the Equitable Building from 1930 on the northeast; and the B. H. Dyas Building on the southwest side since 1927. The Laemmle Building (1932) stood where there is now a parking lot; it was razed in 2008 after a fire. But even by 1940, shifts in tenants, purposes, and image had begun to show. Powerful talent agencies had mostly moved out; advertising agencies had mostly moved in. There was still money and success about the area, but success inevitably defines failure. That’s a contradiction Fitzgerald understood very well.

From the ’50s on, the intersection commenced a long Pat (Please turn to page 11)

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

Author signs her new book at Chevalier’s March 19

By Rachel Olivier Photojournalist, author and Brookside resident Tish Lampert will present a slide show and sign copies of her book, “We Protest: Fighting for What We Believe In,” at Chevalier’s Books, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., Thurs., March 19 at 7 p.m.

Published by Rizzoli, the 245-page book of photos and commentary is based on Lampert’s travels as she captures the spirit of people around the world protesting and taking part in social change movements.

Dignitaries and celebrities featured in the book include Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former president Barack Obama, activist Angela Davis and musicians Alicia Keys and John Legend. “We Protest” has also garnered endorsements from actor Martin Sheen and singer Harry Belafonte. The pictures also include people from a variety of backgrounds protesting or staging demonstrations on issues that range from women’s rights and gender equality to gun violence, the environment and Wall Street.

Lampert first began collecting her material after the 2000 presidential election between

SECTION TWO

Movement.”

Last month, her photography on immigration and the

American dream was featured at the José Drudis-Biada Art Gallery at Mount Saint Mary’s

University.

For more information, visit tishlampert.org.

Your Local Hancock Park Neighborhood Specialists

PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK “We Protest: Fighting For What We Believe In” comes out March 10.

Al Gore and George W. Bush.

She noted the divisiveness apparent in the election at the time, and she began traveling across the country to learn what people were thinking and saying through photographs and hearing their stories. The product of those travels was the book “America Speaks” (2013), which was published with the help of a Nathan Cummings Foundation grant. “We Protest” is a follow-up to that book.

Lampert’s photography of the Congo was exhibited at UCLA, and she also was part of a group exhibition: “Getty: LA/ LA Epiphany and the Chicano

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Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

Homeowners Association’s top concern: housing Planning Dept. seeks applicants

By Caroline Tracy for Windsor Sq. HPOZ board The La Brea-Hancock Homeowners Association annual meeting was at the BMW dealership on Wilshire and Mansfield on Feb., 3. Board members, elected officials, Los Angeles Police Department representatives, and constituents were in attendance.

Board President, Tammy Rosato, began the meeting by thanking BMW “for being a good neighbor.”

Erin Seinfeld, field deputy for Sheila Kuehl, fielded questions about the new voting system in place for March 3.

Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu presented updates on streetlights and street resurfacing. New LED bulbs are being installed district-wide in an effort to save energy. In addition, $25 million has been added to the budget for street resurfacing, and “cool” or “white” asphalt will replace conventional dark pavement.

Attendees expressed to the Councilmember their concerns about homelessness, lack of affordable housing for the middle class, and developer-backed projects that displace residents.

COUNCILMAN DAVID RYU addresses residents at the La BreaHancock Homeowners Association annual meeting.

Ryu agreed that developers need to include more affordable units in their projects and criticized Measure JJJ and the Transit Oriented Community (TOC) program, both of which he says have resulted in too many luxury (not affordable) units. The Councilmember made it clear that he is raising the red flag about these issues and hopes to change the way TOC is interpreted (especially for mixed use projects, such as the Wilshire / La Brea boutique hotel and commercial space proposal).

Senior Lead Officer (Wilshire Division) Hector Marquez gave an update on crime statistics. While crime is down city-wide, he explained that

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The “Curious Chef” real kitchen tools for kids. There are “Measuring and prepping kits,” “Cupcake and Decorating” kits, “Cookie” kits, even “Pizza” kits. Think of the fun you can have shopping here!

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Residents were encouraged to lock their vehicle doors at all times, keep valuables on their person, and park in driveways or garages whenever possible.

Resident and board member Cathy Roberts followed to inform the Association there are continuing discussions about the existing bicycle lanes on Fourth Street, especially at Highland Ave. Bob and Diana Eisele warned attendees to pay attention to Assembly Bill 725, which is co-authored by State Sen. Scott Weiner, and they reported on a “toxic” smell emitting from the Wilshire / LaBrea Metro Station site.

She contacted South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), who determined that the smell is caused by tar sands which are being removed as part of the tunnel boring process. Ultimately, the odor was deemed a “temporary nuisance” and not hazardous.

Before the close of the meeting, board members Jill Brown, Bob Eisele, Phil Messina, Michelle Owen, Jane Prentiss, Genia Quinn, Cathy Roberts and Tammy Rosato were elected. For more information visit labreahancock.com

Deadline to apply for grants is Fri., April 3

Nonprofits and public schools are encouraged to apply for 2020 Neighborhood Purpose Grants for projects that benefit the Mid City West Community Council. Deadline is Fri., April 3. Email Lauren Nichols at lnichols@midcitywest.org.

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There is one empty spot on the volunteer board at present, and a qualified and interested resident should call or write about his or her interest to City Planning staff member Lydia Chapman. Her telephone number is 213-847(Please turn to page 11)

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Los Angeles City Planning is now accepting letters of interest from Windsor Square residents interested in filling a vacancy on the local Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) Board.

The Windsor Square HPOZ Board is an advisory body to the City Planning concerning proposed alterations, additions and new construction on most residences within Windsor Square (Arden to Van Ness; Wilshire to Beverly).

According to current member Caroline Labiner Moser, “The board has had many of our distinguished neighbors serve on the five-person Board since our HPOZ’s adoption by the City Council in 2004. They have included architects and landscape architects, historic preservation experts, and real estate and construction professionals.”

NINE-5

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

11

LIBRARY CALENDAR Wellness support, classes offered

From meditation and mindfulness, to support for caretakers, patrons can find resources and classes at the John C. Fremont branch library, 6121 Melrose Ave. Daily caregivers, decisionmakers or friends and family of people who have Alzheimer’s or dementia are welcome to come share their experiences and find resources to help Mondays March 9 and

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FAIRFAX 161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191 JOHN C. FREMONT 6121 Melrose Ave. 323-962-3521 MEMORIAL 4625 W. Olympic Blvd.

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23 at 10:15 a.m. Call Yael Wyte, 323-486-6632, to confirm dates and time.

Simple, no-fuss meditation and mindfulness sessions are offered Mondays March 16 and 23 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, call 323-962-3521.

Board games, chess and math help Yiddish literature in translation are offered at Memorial Library People of all ages can exercise their minds with games of chess, backgammon and Scrabble, while kids in grades kindergarten to eighth grade can ask a tutor for help with their math problems at Memorial branch library, 4625 W.

UCLA quartet to perform at Wilshire Enjoy the music of Bach, Gershwin and more at a free performance of the UCLA Gluck Reed Quartet at Wilshire branch library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl., Sat., March 7 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Founded in 2018, and part of the Herb Alpert School of

HPOZ board

(Continued from page 10) 3646; her e-mail is lydia.chapman@lacity.org.

The board has public meetings on two Wednesday evenings each month, with a City Planning staff member attending and advising. Meetings have been at Marlborough School for some time.

HPOZ Board members are generally expected to attend each meeting.

Music at UCLA, the group, actually a quintet, combines oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone and bassoon to present an array of music by different composers.

For more information, call 323-957-4550.

Olympic Blvd.

Free help for algebra, plus kindergarten to eighth grade math assistance are available Tuesdays with tutor Gautam from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays with tutor Steve from 4 to 6 p.m.

Play Scrabble, Chinese mah jong and other board games Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

Challenge yourself with games of chess, checkers and backgammon Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 323-938-2732.

Take part in a discussion on “Motl the Cantor’s Son” by Sholem Aleichem, and learn how it reflects the immigrant experience in America at the Fairfax branch library, 161 S. Gardner St., Tues., March 17 at 4 p.m.

Copies of the book may be borrowed from the branch.

The class will be facilitated by Miri Koral, founding director of the California Institute for Yiddish Culture and Language.

For more information, call 323-936-6191.

On Books

upward from the street. But attending to details also means seeing harsher elements that show on the faces of street people. There is in many faces a deeper despair than even Pat Hobby registered. So the two contradictory feelings that fed Fitzgerald’s imagination still exist simultaneously in this place.

Questions recently posted on Trip Advisor suggest a preference among some people for simple, unqualified fantasies.

About Hollywood and Vine, one tourist asks: “How far is it from Universal Studios?”

(Continued from page 8) The City Council adopted a revised Preservation Plan for Windsor Square’s HPOZ in July of last year, following years of research, writing, community input and review.

According to Moser, “The Plan should be considered required reading for anyone planning work on a Windsor Square house, and it also is a fount of information about the history and character of Windsor Square.” The Plan is at: tinyurl.com/t3lc3ph.

Hobby-like slide downward; there were very dismal times through the latter part of the last century. Today, the corner’s resurgence has depended on an astute appeal to the glamour that was sought, and occasionally achieved, in Hollywood’s “golden days.” The retro-chic elements can still conjure something special.

Walking the area allows one to attend to details: elegant signage, elaborate door and window frames and graceful lines

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

Competitive bidding with a distributional hand

North ♠ AQJ32 ♥ KQ9832 ♦ -♣ K9

West ♠ 4 ♥ 6 ♦ AT743 ♣ AQT654

East ♠ T987 ♥ A4 ♦ KQ92 ♣ 872

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South ♠ K65 ♥ JT75 ♦ J865 ♣ J3

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North started with a bid out of turn, opening 1C, alerted as mini precision, which showed a big (16+ High Card Points), two-suited hand, saying nothing about clubs. The director was called and East was given the opportunity to accept the bid, which was declined, so East started the bidding. After two passes, West opened 1C. The director then ruled that North had to make a “comparable” bid to his opening bid of 1C but if he bid anything else his partner would be barred from

Grand Slam further bidding. North bid 1H, which the director ruled was “comparable.” That was a wrong ruling. An overcall of 1H was not comparable to a mini-precision opening bid of 1C so opener’s partner should have been barred from bidding. As a result of his bid out of turn followed by this “noncomparable” bid, South had unauthorized information, to wit, that opener didn’t just

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In this hand played at a duplicate bridge club, E/W had to wait more than five minutes because N/S was slow playing the prior hand in the last round. North got the contract on the first board and took forever to play it. Then this hand arose with both sides vulnerable, East dealer and not much time left in the round:

West North East South

P P 1C 1H 1N P 2D* 2H 3D 4H 5D All pass *reverse, showing 17 HCP or 6-5 distribution and an opening hand The director then pulled the board because the next round had started. West told what the contract was and the director said she didn’t care what the contract was, that everyone would get an average of their game. West objected, citing two reasons: first E/W should not be penalized because they were not at fault for the late start and, second, he felt that 5D would be a very good score and the director should wait and see how the hand was bid and played by all the tables and then award an adjusted score based on the bidding. The director refused to do that.

When the game was over, West looked at the scores and discovered that he was correct, 5D was not just a “good” score, it would have been a top! Every North-South was in some level of hearts, making 5. Not one E/W played in 5D, which is close to cold. So for the director to make E/W take an average of their game was not only wrong, it was unfair when they bid to the correct contract that no one else reached, and the director allowed the bidding to continue before pulling the board.

West telephoned the American Contract Bridge League and was advised that the director’s call of allowing the 1H overcall as a “comparable” call to a mini precision 1C opening bid was incorrect

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and his partner should have been barred. Further, the ACBL director said that after the cards are pulled from the board, the board must be played, either at the time or later after the game has ended as a late play.

Without the bid out of turn, however, this is how the hand should have been bid: West North East South

P P 1C 2C* P 2H 3D** 4H 5D ? *5-5 or better in the majors ** reverse, showing 17 HCP or 6-5 distribution and an opening hand What should South do here? North has shown a big hand by jumping to game when South was forced to bid. South has only six HCP but four hearts and the spade King which is a huge card when she knows North has at least five spades. It should be an easy 5H bid because it’s unlikely North will compete to five when South’s only bid has been involuntary (she can’t pass partner’s cue bid but she might only have two hearts and no points). Five hearts would be the winning bid because E/W can make five diamonds and N/S can make five hearts, but neither can make six. If N/S bid 5H, West would be wise to sacrifice in 6D which will be close to a top board even if doubled.

Down one doubled for E/W would only be minus 200 vs five hearts making five would be 650 for N/S. Grand Slam is the nom de plume for an author of a bestselling book on bridge, an ACBL accredited director and a Silver Life Master.

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Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

13

NEW ON tour this year is 1923 Mediterranean revival home and garden in Hancock Park.

Payne garden tour will visit Hancock Park this year

View more than 40 home gardens in public and private spaces, including one in Hancock Park, for the Theodore Payne Foundation’s Native Plant Garden Tour. The 17th annual home garden tour is Sat., March 28 and Sun., March 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be an after-party Sat., March 28 from 5 to 8 p.m.

New this year on the tour is a 1923 Mediterranean revival home in Hancock Park landscaped with a coastal sage scrub medley including white sage and California buckwheat mixed with olive trees.

Other gardens on the tour range from communities such as West Hollywood, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge to West Adams and Oxford Square and on to Venice and Westchester.

Landscape in these gardens is at least 50 percent California native flora, including

plants that nurture pollinators, such as native birds and insects, and save water. Homeowners, landscape designers and docents will be on hand at each location to answer questions about the native plant landscapes.

For more information, visit nativeplantgardentour.org.

LANDSCAPE on garden tour includes plants that nurture pollinators.

CORAL BELLS and sages are featured at the Hancock Park Mediterranean revival home.

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Bloody Marys to heirlooms at ‘Tomatomania!’

Learn about selecting the right tomato plants for your garden and how to harvest bigger and better crops at “Tomatomania!” at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, Fri., March 27 to Sun., March 29.

Heirloom and other varieties of tomato plants will be on sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Hear growing tips from experts at Tomato Blast talks at Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Visit the Bloody Mary Bar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and see a tomato cooking demonstration at noon on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, visit descansogardens.org.

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story time for children, a peacock calling demonstration and a costume contest.

For more information, visit arboretum.org.

Friends of Robinson Gardens 2020 tour and showcase house extravaganza, “City of Angels,” will be at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Sat., May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Interior designers and florists will transform the Beverly Hills home, which will be available to view on the tour, along with the private gardens.

The designated landmark estate is the former home and gardens of Virginia and Harry Robinson, he the leader of the J. W. Robinson’s department store beginning in 1891.

A WIN WIN: BEES help flowers (such as clivia, below) by spreading pollen from flower to flower; and flowers provide bees with nectar.

Spring at the Huntington! Tea tasting, clivia and bonsai shows Tea tasting, flower arranging and clivia and bonsai plant shows and sales are among the events this month at Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino.

A tea workshop and tasting, focusing on rare, aged Chinese teas, will be Sat., March 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Enjoy more than 200 varieties of blooming clivia at a show and sale Sat., March 14 and Sun., March 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Make a spring flower arrangement using bulbs, hyacinths and greenery at a hands-on workshop Sat., March 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Kids ages 7 and up can learn how to create floral designs

THIS CLIVIA was in the “Best in Flowering” category at last year’s clivia plant show.

using spring flowers at a flower arranging workshop Sat., March 14 at 1 p.m.

See examples of miniature trees at the 63nd annual California Bonsai Society show and sale Sat., March 21 and Sun., March 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit huntington.org.

Irrigation, planting basics at Payne

Learn about propagation, where to plant and how to maintain your native plant garden at classes at the Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley.

Learn how to choose the correct habitat for your plants Sat., March 7 from 1 to 3:30

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Propagation using cuttings is demonstrated Sat., March 14 at 9 a.m.

Learn basic native plant garden maintenance Sat., March 14 from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

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The glory of the peacock, tree identification, a tomato and edible plant sale, and environmental fair are on the calendar at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia.

Discover new ways to help the environment at the Los Angeles Environmental Education Fair Sat., March 14, 9 TOP TOMATO picks of 2020 are availa.m. to 3 p.m. Multicul- able at the edible plant sale. tural music, drum cirpicks of 2020, and shop an cles, walking tours, art activities and eco demonstra- edible plant sale Fri., March tions will be featured. Visit 27 and Sat., March 28, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The tomato talks laeefair.org.

Learn about the different will be on Friday, and the sale trees of Southern California, will be both days. how to identify them, and the Learn about the beauty of urban forest in a class Sat., peacocks, and hear stories March 21 from 10 a.m. to about them Sat., March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Besides noon.

Hear about the top tomato a walking tour, there will be a

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

15

The month of March is a wild time for hares, rabbits How come a person can be “mad as a March hare”? wonders Tina Hartwig.

Hares or rabbits are unusually shy and wild in March (early spring) because it is their rutting season. Remember, Lewis Carroll used one to preside over the tea party in Alice in Wonderland: “The March Hare will be much the more interesting, and per-

ProfessorKnowIt-All Bill Bentley

haps, as this is May, it won’t be raving mad — at least not so much as it was in March.”

• • • Tell me about the origin of March, demands Peter Fagerholm.

The month is so called from Mars, the Roman god of war.

The Old Dutch name for it was Lentmaand (Lent). The Old Saxons called it Hreth-monath (rough month for its winds).

• • • Why is a down stock market called a “Bear Market”? asks Anders Comstock.

This term was coined during the South Sea Bubble,

a monopolistic, speculative stock disaster which occurred in 1720 in England and which fostered the formation and investiture of preposterous companies with little or no value. (See dotcom implosion.) You see, unscrupulous stock brokers were “selling the skin before they caught the bear.”

• • • Why is one who brings discord or strife called a “stormy petrel”? wonders Debra Forward.

It refers to the onset of trouble, is alternately called a “storm petrel,” and is actually a small sea bird of the family Hydrobatidae, having dark plumage with pale underparts.

Petrel is an alteration of Peter and is an allusion to St. Peter’s walking on the sea, from the fact that the bird flies close to the water in order to feed on surface organisms and ship’s refuse. It is

called “stormy” because, during a storm, the birds swarm around the ship to catch the organisms that surface in the rough seas; when the storm ceases, the petrel is no longer seen.

• • • How come cheap, lurid novels are called “potboilers”? queries Conor Bentley.

“Potboilers” are by-thenumbers doggerel quickly knocked out by writers for a quick buck. The term comes from “boil the pot,” meaning to provide one’s livelihood.

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.

Home Ground

I suspect Ansel Adams’s photography of Yosemite drew me to the National Park as a young woman — and that what I saw of New Mexico through his lens draws me here, still.

(Continued from page 2)

tographs in our own time will be judged as meaningful, or powerful enough to move the course of history in ways small or large. Watkins’s compositions were not accident, but he wasn’t spreading fake news.

Watkins and his photographer colleagues of the 1860s and 1870s did move the nation westward, and they set markers for the significance and beauty of the landscape of the West.

*Editor’s note: Disagreement persists about the date and time “Moonrise, Hernandez” was taken. Scientific analysis suggests the November 1 date; however, the Ansel Adams website holds fast to October 31, 1941 at 4:05 p.m.

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323-469-2981 • supremeroofing.net 1015 N. Gower St., 90038

Lic.#386172

FULL SERVICE COMPANY.

Classified ads

To place a classified ad, call 323-462-2241, ext. 13.

Wilshire Vista Apt.

2 Blks. NE of Pico & Fairfax Lg. 1Br / 1.5Ba 1300 Block of S. Ogden Dr. Hancock Pk. Ter. Apt., adj.

LA, CA 90019 to Larch. Vill., LA Tennis, 1 Bdrm., 1 Bath., $1,500 Moly.

Wilshire Country Club.

2 Bdrms., 2 Baths., $2,000 Moly.

Fully renovated, walk-in clo., newly deco., part city/mntn. vw., hdwd. flrs., in-unit ldry., balc., carpet & lino. flrs., carport/off street pkg.

24-hr. sec., pool.

Application Needed In Third St. schl. dist.

Phone Intvw. & Sec. Dep. Req. $3300/mo. inc. HOA, cable & int.

Contact (323) 394-0606.

Call or text 909.272.2424 Ask for Carolyn.

For Sale

almoSt BranD new!

New Golden Tech Buzzaround 3-Wheel Scooter $1,000, barely used For info, call Ann at 323-793-8500

ServiceS

Drafting ServiceS

Full Architectural avail.

License # on request.

Contact Peter: 213-321-9380 peteangeldesign@gmail.com Have a great day!

Advertise for $35/inch!

Email: info@larchmontchronicle.com

State Lic. #C-10 556059

Serving All Larchmont Hancock Park & Wilshire Communities

Larchmont Chronicle's

For renT

Guaranteed Excellence

ServiceS

Fox & Magor A Staffing Agency

Suppliers of domestic staff, screened to extremely high standards w/ rigorous ref. & background validation.

For childcare, housekeeper, cheffing or P.A. needs, please call:

(323) 230-0497 foxandmagor.com

LC0509

Your local roofer at the same location for 95 years.

© LC 0120

This month, the Larchmont Chronicle is pleased to introduce our readers to the comic strip called “Beezwax,” drawn

by John Martin. It is a humorous look at life as seen through the eyes of a family of honey bees. The main characters are Beezwax, his wife Honeybee, and their son Stinger. Beeswax and Honeybee work at “the Hive.” Their friends Buzzy and Penelobee also work there, and they have a son named Zapper, who of course is best friends with Stinger.

The Hive is run (at least for now) by Queen Trumpette, of course, and it is managed by Mr. Fuzzbottom.

We do not know if cartoonist Martin knows about Larchmont’s own local hive, the home of our friends — who we salute — at larchmontbuzz. com!

The Larchmont Chronicle also loves pollinators, hence this comic strip’s location, close to our Home and Garden stories!

Tell our aDverTiSerS You "saw it in the larChMont ChroniCle!"

ServiceS

ThiS Space For renT

~PhotograPher~ How to advertise in

Pet Portraits, headshots, editorial

Exp. creative professional; very cat & dog savvy.

Visit emiliasparagna.com or email somejerseygirl@sbcglobal.net Also available for dog walking.

Located in Hancock Park.

the classifieds:

1) Email circulation@ larchmontchronicle.com.

2) Include your info and the gist of your ad.

3) We send you a proof of the ad to approve.

4) Pay $35/inch (about 15-20 words per inch).

5) See the results!

16

Larchmont Chronicle

MARCH 2020

SECTION TWO

1416 Bluebird Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90069 Open House | Sunday, March 1st | 1-4pm

• • • • •

1937 Mediterranean Revival Full of charm and Old World character 4 bed + 6 bath ±3,670 sq. ft. interior, ±14,934 sq. ft. parcel ±590 sq. ft. permitted guest house

• • • •

Impeccably updated, upgraded, and maintained Pool and fully landscaped grounds Minutes above Sunset Boulevard Offered at $5,495,000

Bret Parsons

Aaron Montelongo

Founder & Executive Director, Architectural Division

Estates Director

310.497.5832 bret@bretparsons.com DRE 01418010

310.600.0288 aaronmontelongo@gmail.com DRE 01298036

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. DRE 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 footages are approximate.