Larchmont Chronicle
VOL. 59, NO. 4
• DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
IN THIS ISSUE
APRIL 2021
Reckoning with racism and equity n Discussion April 30
SUMMER CAMPS & PROGRAMS
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LPGA to play without spectators. 2
SURFING is included in Camp Directory. 10
1986 LIBRARY FIRE, volunteers 2-9 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
By Suzan Filipek Find out how three different organizations are taking action in these COVID-19, economicrecession times when our country is also reckoning with racism, at an informative, virtual panel hosted by Jill Govan Bauman, WindJill Govan sor Village, Bauman president and CEO of Imagine LA. “We have identified three very different organizations (a college, a YMCA and Walt Disney Imagineering) that have taken bold steps and learned a lot in the process. All are also inspired to tell their stories so that many more can start to see the process and the amazing benefits,” Bauman said. The panel discussion, “Rising Together: Building Equity in Organizations — A Free Virtual Conversation,” will take place on Fri., April 30 from noon to 1:15 p.m. Charmaine Utz, a licensed clinical social worker and founder and CEO of Living Unapologetically, will moderate the panel of three: Krysta Esquivel, executive director, YMCA of San Diego County, Youth & Family Services; Jennifer Tucke r - Ta t l o w , executive director, San Diego State Barbara University; Bouza and Barbara Bouza, FAIA, president business operations, design and delivery, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Imagine LA is beyond thrilled to be hosting this conversation,” said Bauman, whose organization, Imagine LA, works to end the cycle of family poverty and homelessness. To sign up, visit imaginela. org.
“RESTAURANT ROW” on Larchmont has another new deck for dining — in place of six metered parking spaces in front of Le Petit Greek and Village Pizzeria.
Community to discuss future of Larchmont n Should Boulevard’s in-street dining areas revert to parking post-COVID-19? By Billy Taylor Although indoor restaurant dining, on a very reduced scale, is currently allowed, local Larchmont restaurateurs and some diners are wondering if outdoor dining-in-thestreet should stay a focus on the Boulevard. At press time, there were five reasonably expansive outdoor table installations replacing former metered parking spaces in the block of Larchmont between First Street and Beverly Boulevard. Several of these include wooden decking, railings, and other improvements. One new wood deck, finished just a week ago, is in the middle of Larchmont’s veritable “Restaurant Row” that includes — between 121 and 139-1/2 N. Larchmont: Kreation Organic Juicery, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Muraya Sushi, Le Petit Greek, Village Pizzeria, Sweetfin Poke and Uncool Burgers. Further up the block, Chef Steve Vernetti reports that customers of his eponymous
Greater Wilshire interim election results revealed See Section 2, page 15
Design for Living
Our annual home and lifestyle section wll be featured in the May issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Advertising deadline is Mon., April 12. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323-4622241, ext. 11.
restaurant at 225 N. Larchmont Blvd. are happy with the enlarged outdoor area, spanning both sides of the sidewalk and including the restaurant’s own wood deck. “The outside street dining is a wonderful experience for our diners, and it provides a safe environment for our staff. It’s miraculous and a life saver for our business and essential to our continued success. Our diners and staff hope every day that the city makes it a permanent fixture on Larchmont Blvd. I believe it’s an important aspect for Larchmont to retain that village feel that drives so
many Angelenos to our beautiful street,” says Vernetti. Whether parking spaces might be permanently replaced with outdoor restaurant dining, as well as the seemingly eternal question of should there be limitations on the number of restaurants in this long block of Larchmont, are topical questions, says John Winther, president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA) that represents merchants from First Street to Melrose. Looking forward Winther told the Chronicle: “The year 2021 marks the 100th See Larchmont, p 6
Academy Museum rolls out virtual carpet n Online programs to begin this month not wait until September. By Suzan Filipek Jacqueline Stewart, AcadWhile the Academy Museum nears its in-person open- emy Museum chief artistic ing, coming this fall on Sep- and programming officer, tember 30, a star-studded vir- announced a series of virtual tual presentation of the space programs to begin this month. “We’ve been hard at work took place last month. Museum director and presi- bringing visitors dynamic, dent Bill Kramer was joined diverse programming,” she said. The series will be launched by a host of Oscar winners during the 45-minute pre- on the Academy Museum webrecorded video tour for the site leading up to the live media. See Academy, p 18 Almost a century in the making, when it finally opens “it is set to be the world’s premiere museum of motion pictures,” said Academy Museum trustee Laura Dern. VISITORS may explore the museum’s Movie buffs, ground floor at no charge, including the however, need Spielberg Family Gallery.
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
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Larchmont Chronicle
APRIL 2021
Kudos to candidates ... and be wary of the State Senate
Editorial By John Welborne Our community owes thanks to the 44 candidates and the 447 stakeholders who voted (and the approximately 590 who attempted to register for the city-mandated, COVID19-era, vote-[only]-by-mail election for directors of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council [GWNC]). Historically, GWNC elections always have been neighborhood gatherings on one weekend day, with registration issues efficiently addressed before a stakeholder is handed ballots to mark and submit. Regardless of the kerfuffle of 2021, “Thank you” to everyone who participated. State housing bills By and large, GWNC stakeholders live, work or own property in our neighborhood council area (approximately Western to La Brea, Melrose to Olympic). Much of our area consists of residential buildings, developed since the very early 1900s by private-sector land subdividers responding to market demands at the time. Vast numbers of the units constructed here are single-family homes in single-family subdivisions. Also within Greater Wilshire, there are neighborhoods that include duplexes, and there are neighborhoods originally developed with multi-unit apartment buildings. Over time, there has been government rezoning (“up zon-
ing”) in some areas (such as the GWNC’s Geographic Area 9, the “Oakwood – Maplewood – St. Andrews Neighborhood” that extends from about Van Ness to Western, Beverly to Melrose. There, real estate developers have been buying up single-family homes and demolishing them to build denser, taller and far more lucrative apartment building projects. Some politicians, heavily funded by the real estate and construction industries, including a large cadre of such politicians from the San Francisco Bay Area, want to expand such up zoning and demolition to almost all single-family neighborhoods in Los Angeles. These elected officials pretend that they are advocates for affordable housing (construction of which is urgently needed), but their proposed laws will not create much affordable housing, mainly expensive, market-rate housing. And their laws dramatically will change the quality of life for the people who have invested in single-family homes in single-family neighborhoods. Again, all without providing adequate, needed affordable housing. The legislative activities are taking place in Sacramento, right now — with little thoughtful oversight by California media outlets. However, this situation is the subject of several columns and stories in Section 2 of this month’s issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 10 are two of this legislative session’s problematic housing bills being discussed right now in Sacramento. Two concerned and informed residents from Sherman Oaks, Maria and Jeff Kalban, have prepared an instructive Zoom video presentation about SB 9 and SB 10. It will be available statewide on Wed., April 7 at 5 p.m. To learn more about the event, see: tinyurl.com/655h8bmu .
‘What brings you to the Larchmont Farmers Market?’ That’s the question inquiring photographer Talia Abrahamson asked locals along Larchmont Blvd.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, so now that I can come back and support everybody, that’s why I’m back.” Chris Boadle with daughter Nicola Prince-Boadle Hancock Park
Calendar Hancock Park Neighbors Met with Councilmember Nithya Raman The Association sponsored a town hall meeting with our new Councilmember, Nithya Raman, on March 15. Prior to the Zoom meeting, which had more than 250 participants, the Association provided the Councilmember a list of questions based on neighbors’ priorities, concerns and issues. Some of the issues covered at the meeting were: • Safety and Security — Regarding the increase in homicides and robberies in Los Angeles and funding for the LAPD, Councilmember Raman said her proposal is to align the LAPD in a more proactive, community-centered model. She supports moving some police funding to support specially trained responders for problems such as homelessness, mental health and traffic enforcement that may not require a full police response. • Land Use, R-1 Zoning and HPOZs — Councilmember Raman supported last year’s proposed Senate Bill 1120, the precursor to this year’s SB 9. However, she said she has not yet reviewed SB 9, but she does support SB 10. She said the City Council has not yet been asked to take a position on these two measures. She does not support the elimination of R-1 zoning, and she supports HPOZs. However, she also is very committed to adding housing in the city. • Homeless Crisis Response — The Councilmember supports creating Access Centers that can provide complete services, but she does not yet have a detailed plan as to where and how to locate and fund these centers. She also said that the Council District 4 discretionary funding budget will be used to backfill areas where city services are cut, but the CD 4 volunteer Discretionary Task Force that existed for the previous five years will not be continued. Other issues discussed, but on which the Councilmember has not yet taken a position, include: underfunded City Employee pension funds; balancing citywide initiatives (such as Streets for All) with interests of local constituents (such as in Hancock Park); and postponement of repairs to our sidewalks and streets. The entire meeting is on our website, www.hancockpark.org – News and Events. Ms. Raman encouraged individual residents to contact Su Lee (suin.lee@lacity.org), her district field manager for our area, with their questions and concerns. If you are planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, hardscaping and windows, check with our HPOZ Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@ lacity.org) before starting. The HPOZ Preservation Plan can be found at preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. Also a form is online at: preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial. screening.checklist. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180. Adv.
Fri., April 2 – Good Friday. Sun., April 4 – Easter Sunday; Passover ends. Thurs., April 8 – Yom HaShoah Remembrance Day. Sun., April 11 – Yom HaShoah commemoration ceremony hosted by the Holocaust Museum LA via webinar at 11 a.m. Visit holocaustmuseumla.org. Mon., April 12 – Ramadan begins. Wed., April 14 – Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting via Zoom, 7 to 9 p.m. Check greaterwilshire.org to confirm and for login. Thurs., April 22 – Earth Day. Sun., April 25 – 93rd Academy Awards at 5 p.m. on ABC. Thurs., April 29 – Delivery
“Tasty treats for a Sunday!” Mike Siebold with son Noah Hancock Park
of the May issue of the Larchmont Chronicle.
Larchmont Chronicle Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin .
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Publisher and Editor John H. Welborne Managing Editor Suzan Filipek Associate Editor Billy Taylor Contributing Editor Jane Gilman Staff Writers Talia Abrahamson Helene Seifer Advertising Director Pam Rudy Advertising Sales Caroline Tracy Art Director Tom Hofer Classified and Circulation Manager Rachel Olivier Accounting Jill Miyamoto 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103
Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com
LPGA returns to Wilshire in April The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) returns to the Wilshire Country Club Wed., April 21 to Sat., April 24. The tournament will feature a field of 144 players, with Minjee Lee (the 2019 winner) set to defend her title after the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. This year’s event is expected to take place without spectators. Visit la-open.com for more information. Write us at letters@larchmontchronicle.com. Include your name, contact information and where you live. We reserve the right to edit for space and grammar.
“I go to the Farmers Market every Sunday. I love shopping local with local farmers and support our community that way.” Luba Vitti with friend Mariah Melrose Neighborhood
“The food!”
Alex Rudolph “I shop here every Sunday; can’t do without it.” Caitlin Scanlon Windsor Square
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Digital billboard ordinance on a ‘dangerous’ path back to PLUM By Suzan Filipek Revisions to billboard and other signage law in Los Angeles are on a dangerous path if you ask Patrick Frank, president of Scenic Los Angeles. His group recently declared victory after the City Planning Commission approved a citywide sign ordinance, Version B-Plus, which would restrict new digital billboards to Regional Commercial Centers, such as the Staples Center and Sunset Boulevard. “This was a milestone, worth celebrating by everyone who cares about scenic beauty, traffic safety and reducing billboard blight,” said Frank following the Feb. 26 unanimous Commission vote. However, not everyone was exuberant with the decision. “Version B-Plus has been hotly contested since its [2015] inception,” according to billboard insider.com. Also posted on the online site after the recent Commission hearing: “Public comments were close to evenly split on the advantages and perceived disadvantages of digital displays. The Commission’s decision ex-
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YOUTH SPORTS. AROUND THE TOWN SUMMER CAMPS & PROGRAMS CAMP DIRECTORY SCHOOL NEWS ON THE MENU
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Real Estate Entertainment Home & Garden
MUSEUMS REV UP.
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ON PRESERVATION 2 HOME GROUND 3 THE NIMBY DIARIES 4 LIBRARIES 10 MUSEUM ROW 12 REAL ESTATE SALES 12 AT THE MOVIES 16 THEATER REVIEW 17 POLICE BEAT 18 POKER FOR ALL 19 BEEZWAX 19 CLASSIFIED ADS 19
presses a far more one-sided view, with some Commissioners arguing there are no reasonable community benefits that warrant turning Los Angeles into Times Square or West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip.” Paid lobbyists spoke in favor of the digital signs, said Frank, while the 30 neighborhood groups that have weighed in on the issue support the restrictions. “Several folks from our side made excellent statements, and the Neighborhood Councils that testified added measurable heft to our position,” added Frank, who also spoke at the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Land Use Committee meeting March 23. Return to PLUM Despite the Planning Commission’s approval, the proposed ordinance embarks on a slippery slope when it returns to the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Com-
impacted with additional signage if PLUM’s version were to be approved include Olympic and Wilshire boulevards, Melrose and La Brea avenues and Third Street, to name a few. PLUM’s version also allows for a more lenient takedown plan. (The B-Plus version requires removing 10 DIGITAL SIGNS on bus shelters are static signs in exchange being promoted by billboard lobbyists. for erecting one digital mittee of the City Council, sign.) The PLUM version stipuwhere some of the elected of- lates that 30 digital billboards ficials have been more favor- must be erected on city-owned able to the billboard industry lots before any can be placed in the past, Frank said. on private land. PLUM’s “dangerous” alterThe city’s financial woes in nate version of a new billboard 2015 motivated PLUM memordinance, revised in Dec. bers to ease billboard restric2020, would allow billboards tions to raise funds, Frank said. in every commercial zone that A brighter financial future is one block in size, which is — augmented by the recent most of them, said Frank. $1.35 billion federal bailout for Local streets that could be the city — might help ensure
an outcome with less billboard blight, hopes Frank. The ordinance is expected to return to PLUM from the Planning Commission, although a date had not been set as we went to press. It requires a two-thirds vote of the full City Council to pass. Digital bus shelter signs Frank told us there is another imminent threat of visual blight coming to neighborhoods — digital signs on bus shelters. Frank urges residents to respond to a separate, related issue — where lobbyists are pushing for digital ad screens on bus shelters. This attempt is taking a separate path through the Public Works Dept. “If you are part of a Neighborhood Council or local association and would like us to make a presentation about either of these issues, please get in touch by emailing patrick. frank@scenic.org,” he said.
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Not the same Around Town Pandemic pauses Tennis Club’s 100th Around the Town without
Patty Hill anthropic in our community, and we wish her and her family the very best. And, of course, discreet inquiries about filling this vacancy, preferably for a minimum of two decades, will be welcomed at 323-462-2241, extension 15. — Editor
Thank You
County High Future Artists Gala is May 2
for supporting our Larchmont businesses!
www.LARCHMONT.com
©LC0321
“An oasis in the city”
LARCHMONT BOULEVARD ASSOCIATION Representing businesses from 1st Street to Melrose
By Helene Seifer If the roar of the crowd seemed a little quiet when the Los Angeles Tennis Club (LATC) celebrated its 100th anniversary on Oct. 27, 2020, it’s because gathering members and long-time tennis pros for a toast and reminiscences over Zoom is a pretty modest affair. The pandemic put real party plans on pause. “We were founded on the heels of a pandemic,” explains Colleen Connors, LATC’s director of communication and membership director, referring to its founding six months after the deadly Spanish flu epidemic finally ended its twoyear rout. “And here we are not able to celebrate our 100th be-
Singers, dancers, musicians and other artists past, present and future from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) will participate in a collective virtual performance for the Future Artists Gala Sun., May 2 at 5 p.m. The benefit will include performances by alumni such as Grammy-nominated artists Josh Groban and the band Haim, as well as Angel Blue, Phoebe Bridgers and Corbin Bleu, among others. Tickets start at $25. For more information and to see what’s in store, visit lachsagala21.org.
cause of a pandemic.” Connors stresses how careful the club has been to protect the health of workers and guests, noting “We were the first club in Los Angeles to close and the last to reopen.” Following Centers for Disease Control guidelines, LATC does offer outdoor activities by reservation to members only. Tennis, lane swimming, and even working out on the gym equipment the club moved outside is available on a limited basis. Dinners and sharing the club with friends will have
to wait, according to Connors. Also in the waiting room is a date for their anniversary party. “At this juncture we are hesitant to make plans.” Board President Michele Weiss adds that the club will wait until it’s completely safe for face-to-face socializing and probably throw a combined holiday party and 100th bash. Connors is ready and eager to help make a memorable event for members as soon as the city sounds the all-clear. “Oh, boy! What we’re all longing for is to see people. We can’t wait to connect!”
Nonprofits that aid women are featured at Ebell’s RCA event April 5 Learn about local nonprofit programs that aid women at a free event hosted by The Ebell’s Relief Compassion Action (RCA) group and Social Services Committee (SSC) via Zoom on Mon., April 5 at noon. The event, co-chaired
by Randi Jones, RCA director and Arden Teplow, the SSC chair, is in lieu of the annual luncheon. Three of the organizations are new this year and will have representatives speaking at the event: Critical (Please turn to page 8)
Yom HaShoah commemoration April 11 Pay tribute to victims and survivors of the Holocaust at a commemoration hosted by the Holocaust Museum LA, via webinar, Sun., April 11 at 11 a.m. The annual event, normally held in Pan Pacific Park, has taken place since 1992. The victim’s stories will be
shared and the keynote address will be given by Aomar Boum, associate professor and vice chair of undergraduate studies in the UCLA department of anthropology. For more information and to register for the free event, visit holocaustmuseumla.org.
BOGIE’S LIQUOR
Open 7 Days Hours: Open 12 noon Close 2 a.m.
We carry the finest in Beer • Wine • Spirits • Champagne • Kegs
5753 Melrose Ave.
Call 323-469-1414
©LC0221
With this April 2021 issue, the Larchmont Chronicle bids “adieu” to our longtime Society columnist Patty Hill. She and her husband are leaving Los Angeles, and she no longer will write her monthly column. Patty has been our Society columnist for 23 years, a record close to her longest-serving predecessor, Lucy Toberman, who was the Chronicle Society columnist for 28 years. We thank Patty for regularly sharing her keen awareness of matters social and phil-
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Larchmont (Continued from page 1) year since the Larchmont Boulevard shopping district came into existence. The LBA and others plan to celebrate that in the fall. But, in addition to looking back, we believe now is the time to look forward. At our March LBA board meeting, we concluded that this would be a good time to generate discussion about possible improvements to the Boulevard, especially given the number of store vacancies, which seem to have been growing for longer than just the past year.” Patty Lombard Winther explained that he appointed LBA board member (and author of the book “Larchmont” — available at Chevalier’s) Patty Lombard to represent the LBA in a community discussion of Larchmont issues. Winther also has reached out to the three largest neighborhood associations surrounding the Boulevard (Windsor Square, Larchmont Village, Hancock Park) and to the landlords’ association, the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (LVBID), asking each of them to appoint someone to participate in these discussions with Lombard, the Council District 4 staff, and local planners and
other interested parties. Commenting on the task before her and the community, Lombard said: “As a resident and observer of Larchmont life, I appreciate the opportunity to serve the LBA in this important community conversation. I hope it will be a robust community discussion with many interested parties, and look forward to creating new local history as we celebrate Larchmont’s centennial and plan for our future.” Added Winther: “There are many issues confronting the Boulevard, not just whether in-street restaurant seating should continue to replace street parking.” He mentioned possible revision of the 30-year-old “Q Conditions” that limit the types of retail activity on Larchmont, as well as the future of the street trees and watering them, plus whether there can be, or should be, additional landscaping and seating, especially in “Lower Larchmont” (the portion between First St. and Beverly Blvd.). Winther said other issues warranting community discussion would include better integrating into the Larchmont community the businesses north and south of Beverly and nearby, plus maintaining cleanliness and security for the merchants and their customers.
Windsor Square Among the first local organizations to respond to Winther’s invitation was the Windsor Square Association (WSA). The association’s boundaries wrap Lower Larchmont on three sides, and the matter of Larchmont’s future was a subject of discussion at the WSA board’s February and March board meetings. The board decided to place a detailed advertisement, giving background on the technical details of the existing “Q Condition” rules and providing readers an opportunity to question themselves about their own thoughts on the existing regulations. The text is somewhat legalistic because the subject matter is a city ordinance and the background information and questions were drafted by a lawyer (WSA president Larry Guzin). The “Q Conditions” law can be read here: tinyurl. com/4fpamyff . In addition to drafting this public service ad, Guzin appointed WSA’s newest board member, Gary Gilbert, as the association’s representative to the new committee initiated by the LBA. Gary Gilbert Longtime Windsor Square resident Gary Gilbert explained that he has been thinking about the future of Larchmont (Please turn to page 7)
“LOWER LARCHMONT” is shown with street tree locations noted by numbers.
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS: LARCHMONT VILLAGE Q CONDITIONS
See questions at right
IN-STREET OUTDOOR DINING, MORE RESTAURANTS, FINANCIAL SERVICES OFFICES, FORMULA BUSINESSES, ON-SITE LIQUOR SALES, RETAIL CANNABIS SALES Working with other neighbors, the Windsor Square Association (WSA) is reviewing the restrictions that have been in effect since 1992 on retail store leasing on Larchmont Boulevard, especially between First Street and Beverly Boulevard. Learn more from the Los Angeles Dept. of City Planning at: tinyurl.com/3d4bpvm7. The WSA is contributing this questionnaire to the dialogue. To discover your own views, please answer the questions on the page at the right. If you want to share your thoughts, please write to wsinfo@windsorsquare.org.
Definitions for this Questionnaire “Larchmont Village” includes the properties on Larchmont Boulevard between First Street and Melrose Avenue. “Lower Larchmont” includes the 26 properties, with approximately 76 retail tenant spaces, on Larchmont Boulevard between First Street and Beverly Boulevard, including 5210 West Beverly Boulevard. “Larchmont Village Q Conditions” is a City of Los Angeles ordinance effective since 1992 that imposes zoning limitations upon the uses of property in Larchmont Village. See: tinyurl. com/4fpamyff. “Restaurant” is a business that operates primarily to sell food to be consumed on the premises. An “Additional Food Business” is one that sells food primarily to be consumed off-premises, including bakeries, ice cream parlors, yoghurt shops, candy shops, doughnut shops, bagel shops, juice bars, pizza parlors, wine shops, liquor stores, grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, delicatessens, catering services, and coffee stores. Drive-through fast-food establishments are prohibited by the Larchmont Village Q Conditions. “Formula Businesses,” sometimes “chain stores,” include retail stores, restaurants and other establishments that are required by contract to adopt standardized services, methods of operation, décor, uniforms, architecture or other features virtually identical to businesses located in other communities. “Financial Services” include banks, savings and loan associations, thrift associations, real estate offices, insurance companies, brokerage firms, title insurance companies, financial advisors, and escrow offices. “Liquor Sales” refers to sale by Restaurants of beer and wine or beer, wine and hard liquor, to be consumed on the premises. “Cannabis Sales” refers to retail sales of psychoactive, recreational Cannabis products, excluding sales of non-psychoactive CBD.
Larchmont Village Q Conditions and Current Status Current Restaurants and Additional Food Businesses Larchmont Village Q Conditions allow a total of ten (10) Restaurants on Lower Larchmont and an unlimited number of Additional Food Businesses. Currently, there are a total of sixteen (16) businesses operating as Restaurants selling food to be
consumed on the premises (although they may not have Certificates of Occupancy as restaurants) and eleven (11) Additional Food Businesses in Lower Larchmont. Drive-through fast-food establishments are banned outright.
Restaurants: Burger Lounge Go Get Em Tiger Good Goose Café Great White (coming) Le Pain Quotidien Le Petit Greek Louise’s Trattoria Kiku Sushi
Additional Food Businesses: Erin McKenna’s Bakery Groundwork Coffee Jamba Juice Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Kreation Organic Juicery
Muraya Noah’s Bagels Sam’s Bagels Sweetfin Poke Tacos Tu Madre Uncool Burgers Vernetti Village Pizzeria
Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese Peet’s Coffee Pressed Juicery Rite Aid Pharmacy Salt & Straw Ice Cream Starbucks Coffee
Current Financial Services and Real Estate Offices
Current Larchmont Village Liquor and Cannabis Sales
Larchmont Village Q Conditions currently allow a total of nine (9) Financial Services businesses on the ground floor in Lower Larchmont, of which three (3) may be real estate offices. Currently there are a total of six (6) Financial Services businesses, including two (2) real estate offices in Lower Larchmont (five on the ground floor).
Onsite Liquor Sales Beer and wine are currently sold in Larchmont Village Restaurants, generally until 10:00 p.m. and, in one case, until 11:00 p.m., but onsite hard liquor sales are not allowed. Cannabis Sales Cannabis products are not currently sold in Larchmont Village.
Questions? wsinfo@windsorsquare.org
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Larchmont (Continued from page 6) for much of the past year and has been discussing the matter with his friends and neighbors and, “most recently, with CD4 Councilmember Nithya Raman, an urban planner herself, who enthusiastically supported the idea of the entire community working together, and who already has identified members of her staff to assist the project,” he notes. Gilbert has a number of suggested approaches for the community review of the Larchmont zoning issues, a history of which was recounted by the Los Angeles Dept. of City Planning in 2015 and is available here: tinyurl.com/3d4bpvm7 . Gilbert has explained that he believes the initial approach to these issues should be casual, with outreach to stakeholders that is “more thought-provoking, more accessible.” He says that the committee may determine that formal polls or surveys, perhaps professionally drafted, might be useful at a later date. But for now, these are some of the questions he believes that neighbors should consider: “I’m sure you’ve noticed that many restaurants have added outdoor dining spaces on the street. Do you think See background at left
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that once we are back to normal, these outdoor areas should remain?” “Do you think it’s worth giving up parking spaces to allow these spaces to stay?” Gilbert also recommends that people consider their answers to more open-ended questions, such as: “In order to maintain a balance of merchants on a street to serve the community, the current restrictions on the boulevard limit the number of dine-in restaurants. How would you feel about adjusting the restrictions to add a few more? How would you feel about removing all restrictions and allowing as many restaurants as the landlords wish?” “The current restrictions prevent [some] restaurants from serving alcohol. How would you feel about lifting those restrictions?” Gilbert advocates highlighting a few topics of importance to get the conversations going throughout the community, mentioning the Nextdoor application as another way to gather residents’ views. Other questions that Gilbert thinks should be reviewed are: “What kinds of stores do you wish were on Larchmont Blvd. that aren’t there that you would frequent?” “What stores that used to be
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there do you miss most?” He mentions even more specific, thought-provoking questions that people should consider, such as: “If you can order a book from Amazon and have it delivered for $17.50, would you pay $20.00 for the same book from Chevalier’s in order to have a locally-owned bookstore remain on the Boulevard?” Gilbert says he believes that “the entire community needs to begin addressing questions like this one because the reality is that it’s going to take a real effort from all of us to make a commitment to our merchants if we want to try to ensure the Boulevard’s success.” As part of the review getting underway, Gilbert also recommends other open-ended queries such as: “How do you think we can bring back the Larchmont we all love so much?” “Do you think we as local residents should have any say in who a landlord rents his property to?” The LBA’s president, John Winther, says these are just the types of thought-provoking questions that the committee of stakeholders should consider, stating that he agrees with Gilbert’s saying that what will be involved will be “at least a few months of meetings —
IN-STREET DINING on Larchmont became a feature of the pandemic.
conversations with landlords, with city planning, with folks ... who know the Q Conditions well, maybe interviews with other neighborhood reps who have gone through this, as
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well as the ongoing conversations and updates with the CD4 team.” Next steps Patty Lombard says that feedback that she already is hearing from Gilbert, on behalf of the WSA, as well as local architect and planner, John Kaliski, FAIA, who she has asked to participate on the committee, makes her optimistic that this all-hands review (the first since the “Q Conditions” were debated and adopted 30 years ago) can lead to improvements for the Boulevard that will set it on its way for a successful second hundred years. Anyone with suggestions to offer about Larchmont may reach out to Lombard at: patty@larchmontbuzz.com .
Great White on the move to open in June on Boulevard The Westside restaurant Great White plans to bring its casual-coastal theme to Larchmont in June. It will be offering indoor and outside dining at the former Prado spot at 244 N. Larchmont Blvd. “We are really excited to open Great White in Larchmont Village,” co-owner Sam Trude told us in an email. “We specifically sought out
Larchmont for our second location because of its neighborhood charm. We think our casual, all-day offering of breakfast, lunch, and dinner is best suited to communities with walkable main streets, and we feel that Great White will complement the existing offerings in the neighborhood as well. We couldn’t think of a better neigh(Please turn to page 8)
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY (These are just to get neighbors thinking. If you want to share your thoughts, write to wsinfo@windsorsquare.org)
A. 1. Opposed to Continuing In-Street Dining Post-COVID-19 I am opposed to retaining in-street outdoor dining in Lower Larchmont after the COVID-19 emergency, and I favor reinstatement of diagonal parking spaces. A. 2. In Favor of Continuing In-Street Dining Post-COVID-19. I am in favor of retaining in-street outdoor dining in Lower Larchmont after the COVID-19 emergency, despite elimination of diagonal parking spaces.
B. Number of Restaurants on Lower Larchmont (Choose one): B. 1. Maintain the Restaurant Status Quo I would like to maintain current Larchmont Village Q Conditions unchanged, continuing to allow a total of a maximum of ten Restaurants and an unlimited number of Additional Food Businesses. B. 2. Allow an Unlimited Number of Restaurants I would like to change Larchmont Village Q Conditions to allow an unlimited number of Restaurants and Additional Food Businesses. B. 3. Allow an Increased Number of Restaurants I would like to change Larchmont Village Q Conditions to allow an increased number of Restaurants, allowing a grand total not to exceed _____ food service establishments (including Restaurants and Additional Food Businesses). [Suggest a number.]
C. Drive-Throughs in Larchmont Village (Choose one): C. 1. Maintain the Status Quo — Bans Drive-Through Fast-Food I would like to maintain the current Larchmont Village Q Conditions banning drive-through fast-food establishments C. 2. Allow Drive-Through Fast Food Establishments I would like to change Larchmont Village Q Conditions to allow drivethrough fast-food establishments.
D. Formula Businesses in Larchmont Village (Choose one): D. 1. Opposed to Unregulated Formula Businesses I am opposed to unregulated chain stores and Formula Businesses in Larchmont Village. D. 2. In Favor of Formula Businesses I am in favor of no regulation of chain stores or Formula Businesses in Larchmont Village.
E. Financial Services on Lower Larchmont (Choose one): E. 1. Maintain the Financial Services Status Quo I would like to maintain the current Larchmont Village Q Conditions, limiting Financial Services businesses on the ground floor to a total of nine (9), of which three (3) may be real estate offices. E. 2. Allow an Unlimited Number of Financial Services I would like to change Larchmont Village Q Conditions to allow an unlimited number of Financial Services on the ground floor, including real estate offices. E. 3. Allow an Increased Number of Financial Services I would like to change Larchmont Village Q Conditions to allow an increased number of Financial Services businesses on the ground floor, allowing a total of _____ Financial Services, including _____ real estate offices. [Suggest numbers.]
F. Onsite Hard Liquor Sales in Larchmont Village (Choose one): F. 1. F. 2.
Maintain the Liquor Sales Status Quo I would like to maintain the current Larchmont Village liquor guidelines to allow Restaurants to sell beer and wine only, to be consumed on the premises only. Allow Restaurant Sales of Hard Liquor I would like to change the Larchmont Village liquor guidelines to allow Larchmont Village Restaurants to sell beer, wine and hard liquor, to be consumed on the premises only.
G. Liquor Sales Hours in Larchmont Village (Choose one): G. 1. Maintain the Liquor Sales Hour Status Quo I would like to maintain the current Larchmont Village liquor sales hours. G. 2. Allow Extended Hours of Beer and Wine Sales I would like to change existing legal guidelines to allow Larchmont Village Restaurants to sell beer and wine until 2:00 a.m., to be consumed on the premises only. G. 3. Allow Extended Hours of Beer, Wine and Hard Liquor Sales I would like to change existing legal guidelines to allow Larchmont Village Restaurants to sell beer, wine and hard liquor until 2:00 a.m., to be consumed on the premises only.
H. Retail Cannabis Sales in Larchmont Village (Choose one): H. 1. Opposed to Retail Cannabis Sales I am opposed to retail sale of Cannabis products in Larchmont Village. H. 2. In Favor of Retail Cannabis Sales I am in favor of retail sale of Cannabis products in Larchmont Village.
These questions (and your answers) are for you. If you want to share your thoughts or become more involved, you may write to the WSA at wsinfo@windsorsquare.org.
©LC0421
A. In-Street Dining on Lower Larchmont (Choose one):
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Larchmont Chronicle
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SECTION ONE
Silver Jubilee for A Silver Lining: 25 years on Larchmont By Billy Taylor A Silver Lining owner Gary Fuss is celebrating his shop’s 25th anniversary, which is often marked, fittingly, as the silver anniversary. When asked about the milestone, Fuss told the Chronicle that he feels “humbled” to still be open and doing business after such a terrible year. When Fuss reopened his Larchmont Boulevard doors last May, after closing for the pandemic, he says that he was uncertain what it would mean for his custom framing shop. “It was like a really long vacation, but not a good one,” Fuss says with a laugh. “We were starting all over again.” That’s when his phone began to ring. “Customers that I have had for generations wanted to know how they could help,” he says. “God bless this community.” It was the community atmo-
OWNER Gary Fuss marks 25 years of custom framing.
sphere in Larchmont that attracted Fuss more than two decades ago. At that time, he was working for a framing company after relocating to Los Angeles from New York City in 1987. He had aspirations to open his own shop, and one day while eating lunch on Larchmont Boulevard, he realized it was the
perfect place for him to put down roots. Fuss first opened his shop at 121 N. Larchmont Blvd. on Feb. 5, 1996, where he operated until 2007. When his landlord threatened to double his rent, Fuss needed to find a new, more affordable space. That’s when a customer gave him a penny — that
had been blessed by Pope John Paul — for good luck on the search. Six days later Joane Pickett called to enquire if he’d like to lease her space at 115 N. Larchmont Blvd., where he’s been ever since. And that penny, according to Fuss, it’s become a family heirloom after it was sent back east to Fuss’ brother, who was fighting cancer at the time. “He survived!” says Fuss. Reflecting on the past 25 years, Fuss says that he has many fond memories, not least of which is the time that he did custom framing work for former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, which included a letter signed by Babe Ruth. “I have so many great memories here on Larchmont,” Fuss says. “When I first opened shop here, there was literally a butcher and baker on the Boulevard. Those shops are gone, but I hope Larchmont keeps that same charm.”
As for the future, Fuss says that you can find him and his longtime associate Jorge Rodriguez, who has been with Fuss since the beginning, working in the Larchmont studio. Visit asilverlinings.com.
Great White
(Continued from page 4)
(Continued from page 7)
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borhood to be a part of next.” Construction continues at the 60-seat restaurant site, which is expected to have a similar menu as the first Venice location. Menu items include breakfast burritos, avocado toast, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and coffees and teas as well as wine and beer. Unique items to Larchmont will also be offered. Prado served Caribbean fare for 28 years before closing in November 2018, followed by a brief stint by Café Parisien at the space. Great White is the owners’ third project, which also includes Gran Blanco, a dinner spot with a full bar in Venice.
‘Preserving Los Angeles’ topic of talk at Chevalier’s Hear how historic preservation has revived Los Angeles neighborhoods and created a downtown renaissance when Ken Bernstein, principal city planner with the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, discusses his new book, “Preserving Los Angeles: How historic places can transform America’s cities” at a virtual talk through Chevalier’s Books on Weds., April 28 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit chevaliersbooks.com
Ebell event Mass Dance Company, Jenesse Center and Los Angeles Family Housing. Representatives from other recipient organizations include Alexandria House, Families and Criminal Justice, Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, and Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles/Hope Transitional. The Ebell of Los Angeles’ RCA endowment recently awarded a total of $160,000 to 15 local nonprofits serving women. The RCA, formerly the Rest Cottage Association, was founded in 1918. For more information, contact Meredyth Deighton at meredyth@ebelloflosangeles. com.
Larchmont Chronicle
APRIL 2021
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Girl Scouts cookie season extended; Outdoor boothing begins By Talia Abrahamson The only thing sweeter than an extra week of Girl Scouts cookie season is being able to purchase cookies from Girl Scouts themselves. After nearly two seasons of digital cookie sales, the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA) extended cookie season until April 18 to accommodate newly approved outdoor-distanced boothing. “The resiliency of our girls never ceases to amaze me,” GSGLA CEO Theresa EdyKiene wrote in the email announcement to troops. “Through every challenge, they innovate, create, and overcome. This past year has been somewhat of a rollercoaster, and throughout the ups and downs, loops and drops, we cannot thank you enough for sticking with us as we ride this rollercoaster together.” Although circumstances are subject to change, Girl Scout booths are being planned in April at the Melrose Trading Post and Vons, 1430 Fairfax Ave. The most current information can be found on the GSGLA website or Girl Scout Cookie Finder app. Other permitted in-person cookie selling methods, in addition to selling at booths, include cookie “lemonade” stands at residences, outdoor drive-through boothing and door-to-door contactless marketing, such as door hangers or fliers. Girl Scouts also partnered with GrubHub this year, and local troops have been working to fill delivery orders. Alternatively, customers can enter their zip code on the GSGLA website and be routed to a local troop’s Digital Cookie webpage, which is a personalized landing site for buying cookies. Like all other troops, St. Brendan’s-based Troop 3245 has been perfecting the art of virtual cookie-selling strategies throughout the season. Dance video The seventh-grade Girl Scouts put together a commercial to direct potential customers to their troop’s Digital Cookie website. Within two weeks, the budding entrepreneurs worked remotely to create the video, which showcases their dance skills and business savvy. “It was based off a Tik Tok song that was kind of trending in early quarantine,” Girl Scout Lauren Ide said. “The goal of the video was to make a commercial –– you could say a music video –– about cookies, but also make it in a way that kids would want to listen.” The Zoom landscape has allowed the troop to try new activities, like screenwriting, a
TROOP 3245 went camping in Ojai before the pandemic and members hope to use cookie profits to go camping again at Lake Tahoe, when it is safe.
virtual art show and a danceoff. Cookie season this year, too, has called for different and creative skills.
Booths are missed Even so, the pandemic has made it so virtual programming cannot by itself recap-
ture the core experiences of being Girl Scouts and selling cookies. “It’s taken away some of the social skills, like going up to strangers and asking how their day was and if they want to buy the cookies, and then moving on to the next person,” Girl Scout Fiore Chung said. “Also, online, they just pay with credit card, so you can’t learn how to give them back change.” Girl Scout Lauren Lee said that boothing in previous years was her highlight because she was selling cookies with her troop. “We got to booth with our friends, so we were definitely more cheerful, and we had more energy to attract people to buy our cookies,” Lee
said. “I feel that is the part of selling cookies that I really enjoy, and I think we missed a big part of that during the pandemic.” Girl Scout Jessica Jang, along with a few other Troop 3245 Scouts, decided not to sell cookies this season while sales were being conducted online. The troop, which usually requires each Scout to sell some number of boxes, made selling optional this year because of the general unknowns of the pandemic. “I felt like it would be hard to send people emails and have them actually buy cookies right now,” Jang said. Troop leader Karen Ide said that, if sales stay consistent, the troop will sell about a (Please turn to page 13)
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Larchmont C
APRIL 2021
SECTION ONE
Surfing, music, hiking, art, crafts, enrich
Overnight camps
Boy Scouts of America 2333 Scout Way, 90026 213-413-4400 glaacbsa.org Catalina Island Camps 707 W. Woodbury Rd., #F Altadena, 91001 626-296-4040 catalinaislandcamps.com Camp Hollywoodland Closed, to reopen in 2022.
323-467-7193 laparks.org/camp/camp-hollywoodland Camp JCA Shalom Shalom Institute 8955 Gold Creek Rd. Sylmar, 91342 818-889-5500 campjcashalom.com
guideddiscoveries.org Habonim Dror Camp Gilboa 38200 Bluff Lake Rd. Big Bear Lake, 92315 323-653-6772 campgilboa.org Pali Adventures 330778 Hwy 18 Running Springs, CA 92382 909-867-5743 paliadventures.com
Camp Ramah 385 Fairview Rd. Ojai, 93023 310-476-8571 ramah.org Girls Scouts Lakota Camp 11220 Dorothy Lane Frazier Park, 93225 213-213-0123 lakotacamp@girlscoutsla.org girlscoutsla.org/ en/camp/ summer-camp.html Gold Arrow Camp P.O. Box 155 Lakeshore, 93634 800-554-2267 mail@goldarrowcamp.com goldarrowcamp.com Griffith Park Boys Camp Closed, to reopen in 2022. 323-664-0571 gp.boyscamp@lacity.org laparks.org/camp/griffithpark-boys-camp Guided Discoveries 27282 Calle Arroyo San Juan Capistrano, 92675 800-645-1423 info@gdi.org
YMCA Summer Camps: Round Meadow and Whittle P.O. Box 70 Fawnskin, 92333 909-866-3000 ymcala.org/camps/ sleep-away-camp
Day camps
General camps
818-304-3016 Los Angeles City College Closed, to reopen in 2022. 213-550-5115 monarchcamps.com Pan Pacific Day Camp Closed, to reopen in 2022. 323-939-8874 laparks.org/reccenter/ pan-pacific Silver Lake Beach Camp 4607 Prospect Ave., 90027 323-445-3790 silverlakecamps.com Silver Lake Recreation Center Day Camp Closed, to reopen in 2022. 323-644-3946 laparks.org/reccenter/ silver-lake Summerkids 3697 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Altadena, 91001 626-577-9979 / 626-398-1426 info@summerkids.net summerkids.net
Aloha Beach Camp 30100 Pacific Coast Hwy., 90265; 818-932-4600 alohabeachcamp.com Camp Keystone 2854 Triunfo Canyon Rd. Agoura Hills, 91301; 818-889-2224 campkeystone.com
Tom Sawyer Camps 707 W. Woodbury Rd., #F Altadena, 91001 626-794-1156 tomsawyercamps.com
JCamp at Westside Jewish Community Center 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., 90036 323-938-2531 jcampwestside.org
Tumbleweed Day Camp 1024 Hanley Ave., 90049 310-472-7474 tumbleweedcamp.com
Monarch Camps Los Angeles Valley College 5800 Fulton Ave., 91401
UCLA Recreation 2131 John R. Wooden Center 90095; 310-825-3671 recreation.ucla.edu
Art camps Children’s Arts Institute CCS Campus 14702 Sylvan St. Van Nuys, 91411
For over 20 years we have offered a safe, fun-filled program
June 7 - September 18
Westland Campus 16200 Mulholland Dr., 90049 818-780-6226 ccsteaches.org
(weekly)
9am to 3:30pm - Beginner to Advanced - Ages 6 and up - Patient instructors, gentle school horses - Limited group size - Health precautions observed - Arts & Crafts
Wizard of Art 1947 Hillhurst Ave., 90027 323-661-0341 thewizardofart@gmail.com thewizardofart.com
©LC0421
From surfing and sailing, to music, art and drama, to enrichment courses, to overnight camps in the wilderness, campers have a variety of summer programs to choose from — even this year. Most of the camps listed are open for kids to participate either virtually or in-person (or some combination). Each organization with in-person participation has COVID-19 health and safety protocols for campers to follow, which can be found either on the website or through contacting the organization. Only a handful of camps contacted said that they would remain closed this year (but check back next year!). They have remained in our directory, with a note on their closure, for future reference. Check websites or contact the organizations directly for more information.
YMCA Anderson Munger 4301 W. Third St., 90020 323-427-9622 Hollywood Wilshire 1553 N. Schrader, 90028 323-467-4161 ymcala.org/programs/daycamp-child-care
Dance camps Sophie Dance 2501 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 90403 323-219-5930 3407 Glendale Blvd., 90039 213-280-8074 sophiedance.com Studio B by Sophie Dance 5867 W 3rd St., 90036 323-455-7314 sophiedancestudiob.com
Drama camps Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Summer Arts Conservatory CSULA Bldg. 20 5151 State University Dr., 90032 818-957-1619 summerartsconservatory.com Shakespeare Youth Festival Fais Do Do 5253 Adams Blvd., 90016 Lyric Theatre 520 N. La Brea Ave., 90036 Sacred Fools Theater 1078 Lillian Way, 90038 323-334-0370 shakespeareyouthfestival.com Studio LOL 12434 Moorpark St. Studio City, 91604 818-660-3460 studiolol.com Theatre 360 Performing Arts Camp 2623 E. Foothill Blvd., #104 Pasadena, 91107 626-577-5922 theatre360.org Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts 8115 W. Third St., 90048 323-655-9232 yadakids@gmail.com yada.org
Garden camps City Seedlings Closed, to reopen in 2022. gardenschoolfoundation.org Discoveries Camp at Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, 91011 818-354-3418 ceconline.org/summer Huntington Explorers Camp Closed, to reopen in 2022. huntington.org/explorers Zoo Camps and Classes Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Chronicle
APRIL 2021
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hment courses are some camp activities 5333 Zoo Dr., 90027 323-644-4200 lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/ camps-and-classes
Sports camps Blast Sharks Swim Camp 818-445-5188 teamunify.org
Museum camps La Brea Tar Pits and Museum 5801 Wilshire Blvd., 90036 213-763-3499 tarpits.org/tar-pits-programs
Campbell Hall Sports Camp 4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Studio City, 91607 818-505-2415 campbellhall.org
Natural History Museum 900 Exposition Blvd., 90007 213-763-3466 nhmlac.org/adventuresnature
Enterprise Farms 3919 Rigali Ave., 90039 323-665-8977 enterprisefarms.com
School of Rock 7801 Beverly Blvd., 90036 323-999-1919 fairfax.schoolofrock.com Los Angeles College of Music Summer Xperience 300 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena, 91105 626-568-8850 summer@lacm.edu lacm.edu Los Angeles Opera Camp 135 N. Grand Ave., 90012 213-972-3157 connects@laopera.org laopera.org/community/geton-stage/opera-camp/ Rhodes School of Music 215 N. Larchmont Blvd. Unit C, 90004 323-522-4888 rhodesschoolofmusic.com
School camps
Fusion Academy 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Prom. 1 323-692-0603 miraclemile @fusionacademy.com
fusionacademy.com/ summer-programs
Got Game Summer Academy 408 S. Fairfax Ave., 90036 310-975-8524 gotgamecamp.com
Immaculate Heart 5515 Franklin Ave., 90028 323-461-3651 immaculateheart.org Kid’s KO-R Third Street Elementary 201 S. June St., 90004 323-481-3268
Marymount High School 10643 W. Sunset Blvd., 90077 310-472-1205 mhs-la.org/academics/summer-at-marymount New Covenant Academy 3119 W 6th St., 90020 213-487-5437 e-nca.org Summer at Mayfield
Pilgrim Camp Patriot 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., 90020; 213-400-8885 srodriguez@pilgrim-school.org
camppatriot.weebly.com
Steve and Kate’s Turning Point School 8780 National Blvd., Culver City, 90232 323-272-2141 culvercity@steveandkate.com steveandkatescamp.com/ culver-city
LA School of Gymnastics 8450 Higuera St. Culver City, 90232 310-204-1980 lagymnastics.com Learn To Surf 641 Westminster Ave., #5 Venice, 90291 310-663-2479 learntosurfla.com (Please turn to page 12)
Experience Immaculate Heart! Join Us for a Summer of Discovery
Middle School Summer Session June 14 ̶ July 9, 2021 One, Two and Four-Week Classes For Girls Entering Grades 4 - 8 Academics, Enrichment, & Learning Fun! CSI/Forensic Science Computer Programming Cooking Classes Crafts & Creativity Filmmaking Drama Workshops
French & Spanish Knitters & Knotters Marvelous Math Mock Trial Panda Sports Rad Robotics
Salsa Dancing Speech & Debate Swimming Writing Workshops
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Harvard Westlake Middle School 700 N. Faring Rd., 90077 Upper School 3700 Coldwater Canyon Studio City, 91604 818-487-6527 summerprograms@hw.com hw.com/summerprograms
marlboroughsummerschool.org
Got Game Sports Camp 408 S. Fairfax Ave., 90036 310-975-8524 gotgamecamp.com
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Camp Super Duper Pilgrim School 540 Commonwealth Ave., 90020; 866-309-7322 campsuperduper.com
Center for Early Education 563 N. Alfred St., 90048 323-651-0707 admissions@ceeschool.org centerforearlyeducation.org
Marlborough Summer School 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 90004 323-964-8401 summer@marlboroughschool.org
Page Academy Hancock Park 565 N. Larchmont Blvd., 90004 323-463-5118 pageacademyca.com
Golden State Gymnastics 1828 N. Keystone St. Burbank, 91504 818-558-1177 goldenstategym.com
M A RIA
Buckley School 3900 Stansbury Ave. Sherman Oaks, 91423 818-783-1610 buckley.org
Campbell Hall Summer School 4533 Laurel Cyn Blvd. Studio City, 91607 818-505-2415 campbellhall.org
Loyola High School 1901 Venice Blvd., 90006 213-381-5121 loyolahs.edu/academic/ summer-session
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Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., 90012 213-621-4535 colburnschool.edu
Camp Wildfolk Larchmont Charter School 1265 N. Fairfax Ave., 90046 424-341-5522 campwildfolk.com
500 Bellefontaine Pasadena, 91105 626-799-9121 mayfieldsenior.org/academics/ summermayfield-for-credit
OS
Burbank Music Academy Rock-n-Roll Camp 4107 W. Burbank Blvd. Burbank, 91505 818-845-7625 burbankmusicacademy.com
kidskor.org
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Music camps
Camp TIOH 7300 Hollywood Blvd., 90046 323-876-8330 bbenchana@tioh.org briskinelementary.org/ community/camp-tioh
Fitness By the Sea 1541 Palisades Dr. Pacific Palisades, 90272 310-459-2425 fitnessbythesea.com
IMM
Los Angeles County Museum of Art 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 90036 323-857-6512 lacma.org/programs/ art-classes-camps
CAMPERS of all ages learn how to surf safely at Learn to Surf in Santa Monica. Surf camp is also held at a second location in El Segundo.
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...and More!
“Educating the Hearts & Minds of Young Women Since 1906”
5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028 ♥ (323) 461-3651 ♥ www.immaculateheart.org
Larchmont Chronicle
APRIL 2021
SECTION ONE
Camps
Special interest camps
(Continued from page 11) Marlborough Sports Camp 250 S. Rossmore Ave., 90004 323-964-8401 marlboroughsummerschool.org
Wolverine Sports Harvard Westlake 700 N. Faring Rd., 90077 3700 Coldwater Canyon Studio City, 91604 818-487-6527 summerprograms@hw.com hw.com/summerprograms
Cal State Young Writers 5151 State University Dr., 90032; 323-343-5901 calstatela.edu/lawp
Institute for Educational Advancement 569 S. Marengo Ave. Pasadena, 91101 626-403-8900 educationaladvancement.org
California Science Center Hands-On Science Camp 700 Exposition Park Dr., 90037 213-744-2019 californiasciencecenter.org/ programs/summer-camps
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles 3055 Overland Ave., 90034 310-836-3464, ext. 310 lyceela.org/summer-camp LILA Ecole du Soleil Closed, to reopen in 2022. ecoledusoleil.com
Neville Anderson, MD, FAAP Amaka Priest, MD Courtney Mannino, MD, FAAP Board-Certified Pediatricians • We care for children 0-21 years old • Most PPO Insurance plans accepted
Call Today! 323.960.8500 321 N Larchmont Blvd., Suite 1020 . Los Angeles . CA . 90004 . www.larchmontpediatric.com
©LC0421
• Complimentary “meet the doctor” appointments available
Sci–Arc 960 E. Third St., 90013 213-613-2200 sciarc.edu/academics/summer-programs
Summer Institute for the Gifted University of California, Los Angeles, 90095 866-303-4744 giftedstudy.org
Pilgrim School finds new head of school within its ranks By Billy Taylor Wilshire Center’s Pilgrim School has tapped Patricia Kong to be its next head of school, effective immediately. Kong has served at Pilgrim for the past two decades as an associate head and director of admission as well as teacher for math and Spanish. She is replacing Paul Barksy, who left Pilgrim to pursue a graduate degree in theology. Of the decision, “I am profoundly honored and humbled,” Kong told the Chronicle. “After 20 years at Pilgrim, my job has become my passion,” explained Kong, noting that she is proud to know each student by name. “I love and deeply care for each one of them. Their growth and individual success are my priority.” As the new head of school, Kong says that she is committed to the educational approach and philosophy at Pilgrim School. Further, she believes Pilgrim’s “forward-thinking and holistic approach” has positioned the school well for the future, and she hopes to build on that foundation: “I will continue to look ahead for the best educational practices and experiences for our students and utilize our rich city as an extension of our campus. “I also believe strongly that it is time for independent schools to step up in a meaningful way with regard to diversity, inclusion and equity,” she adds. Kong herself represents such diversity. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Kong says that she is “most proud” to be named the first K-12 CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools) Korean American and female head. “I am committed now more than ever to ensure that Pilgrim School will continue to thrive in the future and become the most diverse, inclusive, and equitable school, one that truly reflects and represents our diverse city and continues to send students to the most reputable universities and colleges,” said Kong. Founded in 1958, Pilgrim School is an independent, co-educational college preparatory day school for students in preschool through Grade 12. Visit pilgrim-school.org for more information.
NEW HEAD Patricia Kong.
Core College Counseling JUNIOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS Have you begun searching for colleges? Are you OVERWHELMED by too many college choices? (Did you know that there are more than 4000 colleges across the US?)
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Larchmont Chronicle
APRIL 2021
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ESLA ends search, announces president, head of school
Kenneth Rodgers, Jr.
Girl Scouts (Continued from page 9) third of its usual total. However, the troop hopes to finish the season with boothing, if conditions allow for it, and boothing generally increases sales. With their cookie profits, Troop 3245 wants to head to Lake Tahoe over the summer in order to reconnect and stay for a group camping trip. The troop has been
LARCHMONT CHARTER By Sally Shapiro 11th Grade
As COVID vaccinations increase, things are opening up, including schools. Larchmont Charter has announced its plan for returning. Once we come back from Spring Break on April 12, students will participate in a form of hybrid learning on Wednesdays. A third of the students from each homeroom will come to school in the morning for an hour and a half. Another third will come in the afternoon and the rest will remain in online learning. It is still unclear how Larch-
BUCKLEY
By Jasper Gough 11th Grade Spring Break will end April 5 and both Middle and Upper School classes will resume. Later that week, on April 8, students in the theater will participate in an online performance for the entire school, promoting social change. The next day during Advisory, advisors will host the annual Virtual Arts Awards, congratulating people who have earned some artistic achievement this past year. The 11th Grade will have their last required college counseling session on April 14. Since it’s the last one, we will be going over the
The Episcopal School of Los Angeles (ESLA) announced last month Kenneth Rodgers, Jr. as its next president and head of school, following a five-month search that included 30 candidates. Currently the Dean of Academics at ESLA, Rodgers will begin his term as head of school on July 1. Rodgers holds a Master in Education degree from Pepperdine University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from USC. “The outpouring of love and support from the ESLA community has been humbling,” Rodgers said in a statement.
As a member of the ESLA senior administrative leadership team, Rodgers has spent the past year developing updates to the ESLA curriculum, such as incorporating Black, Queer, Latinx and Environmental studies into
the core humanities offerings for upper school students. These updates will be publicized in the coming months and piloted next year. The school aims to “push the bounds of what secondary, college-preparatory education
can and should encompass,” the March 15 statement read. Prior to pursuing a career in education, Rodgers attended Boston’s Berkley College of Music and worked as a musician and songwriter. Visit es-la.com.
IMMACULATE HEART
A Catholic, Independent, College Preparatory School For Girls Grades 6-12
together since kindergarten, and they said they cannot wait to get back together again. With so much uncertainty, though, this cookie season has also taught the troop an exercise in patience and gratitude. “I feel like, when it gets back to normal, all of us will be a lot more grateful that we’re all together and that we’re selling cookies to people, and I think that we’ll like that,” Lee said. mont will keep students from mingling in halls and stairways. Some students are excited to get back to pre-pandemic life while others are worried about safety. HP AD correction:Layout 1 3/23/21 12:35 PM Page 1 Larchmont junior Jackson Burton is hesitant, stating “Every time cases drop, people take that as a sign to start opening. History is gonna repeat itself again unless 5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028 ♥(323) 461-3651 ♥ www.immaculateheart.org we wait until vaccines are even more readily available.” Junior Zahin Hossane is also conflicted, “I’m willing to go back to school in small groups and with precautions in place. At the same time, I don’t want to risk catching the ES T. 19 37 virus and dealing with long-term effects.” While the reactions are mixed one thing is clear, returning back to some form of normalcy is getting closer.
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more critical things like formatting college essays and writing our recommendation letters. The Middle and Upper schools will host BSC Exec elections on April 16. This election will decide who will be the Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Upper School. Only 10th and 11th graders can run for President, but anyone can run for Vice and Treasurer. The 12th graders will have their final college counseling session on April 27. They will celebrate going off to college and get bits of advice for how to proceed going into it. Lastly, on April 30, The Upper School will have BSC Rep Elections. In these, we vote on who our six class representatives will be for next year. It’s six representatives per grade, so about thirtysix representatives in total.
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OAKWOOD SCHOOL By Scarlett Saldaña 10th Grade
In these past months at Oakwood School, elementary students have been able to learn through a hybrid of in-person and remote learning model, while groups of secondary students safely visit campus to practice for sports, the musical, STEAM and many more.
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Last March, secondary students also visited school to participate in community-building activities with a small cohort, and these successful events will continue throughout the rest of the school year as vaccines con-
tinue to be administered. Bearing this in mind, after spring break, Oakwood is planning for secondary students to transition into a hybrid-learning model! While there are more details to come about this change, Oakwood is creating guidelines to ensure that the mix of remote learning and in-person classes will allow students to
learn in safe environments with social distancing and masks on. At the end of April, the Class of 2027 will visit Oakwood to attend the beloved Ice Cream Social.
This is always an exciting event for incoming students, and it’s a great way to socialize with other classmates before their 7th Grade year begins.
SAINT BRENDAN
my fellow students get into great schools like Loyola, HarvardWestlake, Marlborough, Providence, Marymount and Immaculate Heart and more. St. Brendan School is now able to do more regular activities now that some of us are back on campus. Speaking of such activities, we are starting a CYO basketball team for boys and girls where all games will be played safely outside. For this month, we have Holy Thursday, April Fools’ Day and Easter vacation. We look forward to these events, and many more, to be hopefully done in a fashion where we can safely have everyone be present.
By Lucas Bland 8th Grade
H y b r i d instruction for St. Brendan School is now finally present, and students are back on campus for the first time in a year. The process has been successful so far, and students will be able to learn at a much faster pace. Along with this good news, our 2nd graders have done their First Reconciliation ceremony, and 8th graders have received their letters of acceptance! I’m so happy to see
Local school hosts virtual auction for charity, supplies Hancock Park Elementary School last month hosted a virtual “Making the World a Better Place” silent auction that raised money for school supplies and a local charity. The project was a collaboration among teachers, students and local artists. It produced more than 150 art submissions for the online auction, from March 15 to 22, which raised nearly $2,500. The profits from the event will be divided between a local charity and supplies for the school, including items needed for use when in-person instruction returns. According to Hancock Park Elementary educator Kamille Maslon, a survey was taken by students, who picked People for Community Improvement, a Black-owned nonprofit based in south Los Angeles, as the organization that they most wanted to help. “Through this event, our
PORTRAIT of James Baldwin by artist Ingrid Elburg was a part of the silent auction.
students are learning that they too can make a difference by simply creating art or a book of poetry,” said Maslon. “Being a part of this auction has brought all of us teachers, students and community members so much joy.” Visit hancockparkes-lausdca.schoolloop.com.
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APRIL 2021
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Equestrian is an individual sport with a league of its own “I would travel only by horse, if I had the choice.” - Linda McCartney My only knowledge about genus Equus is that top fuel funny cars have a representational stampede called horsepower under their hoods (I used to write for “Drag Racer” magazine.) My wife was raised on a Central Illinois farm, and she and her siblings showed horses. Without her, I couldn’t have written this column on equestrian sports. The horse is as American as hot dogs, rock‘n’roll and grape-flavored Skittles, and along with camels, originated and evolved in North America. They spread across the Bering land bridge several million years ago into Eurasia. Equus dwindled to near-extinction in North America, though thankfully for Hollywood, returned home en masse with the early Spanish explorers. Imagine Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid without horses. The Inside Track Marlborough School’s Charlotte Murray brings to mind the film “National Velvet.” It’s no western, though the story does depend on horses, and it was filmed in California. Murray is one of Marlborough’s equestrian team captains, a real-life counterpart to the young Elizabeth Taylor’s Velvet Brown. She’s been riding English 10 years, and is a senior at Marlborough School. “I got involved through my older sister, who started riding at a young age as well,” said Murray. Her biggest accomplishments to date are win-
Youth Sports by
Jim Kalin ning CPHA (California Professional Horsemen’s Association) Junior Medal Finals in September 2020, and a top-24 at Maclay Finals in Lexington, Kentucky two months later. There is both an interscholastic equestrian association and an interscholastic equestrian league (IEL). Marlborough’s equestrian team competes through the IEL and participates in events throughout the year, though most have been put on hold due to the pandemic. The competitions separate riders by ability, not age or grade, and once a rider wins a championship at one level, she must bump up to the next. Equestrian is also one of the few sports where girls and boys compete head-to-head. Gender is neither obstacle nor advantage, though at the middle and high school levels, 95 percent of those who compete in the IEL are girls. “When you are a young female, riding is such an empowering sport,” explained IEL president Suzanne Nall. “It teaches them to pay attention, and how to control and be responsible for a large animal. It also teaches them not to be victims.” IEL horse shows are comprised of three disciplines — dressage, hunter and jumper — and riders are awarded
placement points per event towards a cumulative overall championship. The organization holds four shows a year, all at Hansen Dam Horse Park Center in nearby Lake View Terrace. The 38-acre equestrian facility is snuggled against the majestic Angeles National Forest off the 210 Freeway. Walking the course Equestrian is not a popular sport because of cost. Owning a horse can be a financial challenge. This is where the IEL becomes so important. The organization leases horses to riders and offers trainers at reasonable rates. “We keep it affordable so we can include a lot of riders,” said Nall. Marlborough School has one of the area’s top equestrian teams. Ava Horowitz was JV Equitation and JV Overall Champion, and teammate Jordan Ellis was the 2020 Cham-
MARLBOROUGH student Charlotte Murray rides her horse Bolt.
pion of the 3-3 Junior Hunters for Zone 10. “The season before the pandemic, we came in first for varsity and JV levels, and the team as a whole finished second in the IEL 2018-19 season school standings,” said Marl-
borough coach Daniel Lynch. “The Marlborough kids are pretty elite,” confirmed Nall. Thanks to my wife for explaining to me the differences between a bit, bridle, halter and reins. I owe her a day at the drag races.
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High School. In addition to top grades, awardees are required to study engineering, science, mathematics, or medicine in college, and they must have financial need that will be eased by the scholarship award. To make a donation or learn more about the Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarships, contact Dr. Howard Katzman, education chairman for the SAMPE Los Angeles Chapter at howard.a.katzman@aero. org.
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APRIL 2021
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school activities in order to give the students a small sense of normality and prepare for the slow shift into hybrid learning. Those activities include JV/Varsity tennis, lacrosse, and golf, track and field, as well as performance arts activities like dance. Academically, Marlborough will be re-introducing robotics, debate and study sessions. Each year the 9th grade student council breaks into five committees to select its upper school class identity which is a Marlborough tradition. The committees are: Color, Song, Shirt, Decoration and Presentation. The 9th grade student council on March 15 will reveal our class colors, which is the culmination of a long selection process.
MARLBOROUGH By Avery Gough 9th Grade
I have some exciting news for Marlborough students: we will soon be back on campus parttime for hybrid learning. There will be three cohorts with overlapping class schedules. The cohorts will be a mix of all the grades. We don’t know all of the specifics, but at press time, a meeting was scheduled for March 16 to explain the schedule in more detail. In the meantime, Marlborough has begun to incorporate after-
The colors will be incorporated into graduation decorations and the class banner, which will be unfurled in 10th grade. The class of 2024 decided on sage, lavender and pearl. The song committee ran its own election and the class voted for “Story of my Life” by One Direction. The shirt committee is designing a shirt with the chosen colors and the decoration committee will present decor at the All-School Meeting. All of these elements will be showcased in a video that the presentation committee will put together that explains the song and the colors. Our last day before spring break was March 26 and we restart April 12. I hope everyone has a great break and stays safe!
THIRD STREET By Sofia Kirilov 5th Grade
March was Women’s History Month, and all of us at Third Street Elementary celebrated the contributions of women to history, culture and society. On March 8, International Women’s Day, we had a schoolwide assembly with our students presenting interesting facts about inspiring women throughout history. When I think about innovative women, I think of trailblazers like Marie Curie, who was the first person (man or woman) in history to receive two Nobel Prizes in two different fields, physics and chemistry. She not only persevered to break multiple barriers (girls were not even allowed to go to school when she was growing up), but made groundbreaking scientific discoveries. A heartfelt thanks to everyone who made our first virtual fundraiser, Shine Online, a huge success. Students participated in weekly themed challenges to drive donations and win prizes. The theme for week one was “Kindness Club, week two was “Too Fit to Quit,” week three
IMMACULATE HEART By Quinn Lanza 12th Grade
Richard Neil Grimm January 22, 1946 – February 4, 2021
Richard Grimm died February 4, 2021 due to complications from a long battle with head and neck cancer. He was born in Los Angeles on January 22, 1946, the youngest son of Lawrence Trevor and Harriett Grimm. He attended Black Foxe Military Academy and the University of the Pacific, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Richard received a secondary teaching credential from USC and taught briefly before completing his law degree at Southwestern Law School. He was a practicing attorney for 40 years; Grimm and Scholnick Attorneys at Law specialized in landlord tenant disputes.
Richard met his wife, Polly, on a blind date that turned into a 44-year love story; they were married August 7, 1976. He is survived by his wife and their two children, Tiffany (married to Joaquin Figueroa) and Kevin; two grandchildren, Shane and Ryder; and
his sister, Patty Thompson. Trevor Grimm, his older brother, predeceased him. Richard was a kind, loving, generous man—always upbeat and full of joy for all of life’s adventures. He was a founding member of the Westchester Rat Pack, friendships of which span seven decades. He loved the out-of-doors (hunting and fishing), participated in Civil War reenactments, was a docent at the Autry museum and filled his retirement years with travel and knifemaking. He will truly be missed and forever loved by his family and friends. Due to COVID-19, the celebration of his life will take place at a later time.
Adv.
At Immaculate Heart, virtual learning is running smoothly, and the pandemic has not stopped our school from continuing its beloved traditions. This past month, students formed committees to help plan the 100th celebration of Mary’s Day, which is set to take place on April 30. Meanwhile, sports teams continue to practice in hopes of league competition soon. Teams have mostly returned to in-person, socially distanced, practices. Only sports that take place outside have been permitted to compete in league this year for obvious reasons, and sports such as volleyball will likely be moved outside. Unfortunately, it looks like the basketball team will not be having a season this spring. Finally, Immaculate Heart is gearing up for reopening on April 12 as long as Covid-19 numbers remain low and meet Los Angeles Country restrictions.
was “Hooray for Hollywood,” and week four was “A Minute a Win It.” Everyone had a blast and the money raised provides for classes like the music and art classes I have this semester. For our music class, I am learning how to play the ukulele! I am very excited about spring break! I am also eager to hear more news about our school reopening. It would be wonderful if we can safely return to school, and for me to finish my last year at Third Street at school, with my friends and teachers in person!
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Dining face-to-face outdoors: We dared a double-date Last month, my husband and I enjoyed our first meal out, trusting the science that patio dining was safe. Now that more restrictions have been lifted and we are fully vaccinated, are we ready for the next step: a dining double date? However eager I am to return to some semblance of normalcy, I still feel hesitant about sitting less than two feet away from unmasked friends across a three-foot wide restaurant table, but we tried it anyway. Deciding we definitely weren’t ready for indoor eating, we booked one of the prettiest outdoor spaces around, heading to Bacari in Beverly Grove. They’ve expanded their outdoor space since the before times, taking over the sidewalk and an adjoining patio in addition to the tree-shaded courtyard outside the restaurant proper. We and our vaccinated friends sat in that original courtyard, which has a secret garden feel, at a table which was well-spaced from others. It was a chilly night, but standing heaters spread warmth, and the plants, string lights and rustic walls lent a homey aura. Any unease we felt dissipated once we settled in with our cocktails and wine and QR code menus (they also inexpli-
cably gave us paper menus). Although I used to advocate for sharing everything among tablemates, we are taking baby steps back into the world, so we decided to confine crosscontaminated tasting to within each couple. Bacari has a varied menu of small plates representing the flavors of Italy, the Middle East, Mexico and a dollop of California fusion. Savory dishes range from $9 to $13, sweet ones run $6.50 to $8.50, and there are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. Our friends were delighted with their burrata and tomato in pesto salad, their pita dipping plate with vegan paté, hummus and hazelnut beet spread, shawarma tacos (marinated chicken, tahini, cabbage), hamburger with Worcestershire aioli, Asian pear and brie pizza, and bread pudding with ice cream. In spite of our resolve not to share across the table, we couldn’t resist trying a spoonful of their bread pudding dessert, which was, as they say, the bomb. My husband and I started with a bowl of sweet and perfectly plump Prince Edward Island mussels. The steaming broth was deeply flavored
On the Menu by
Helene Seifer with fresh tomatoes, minced vegetables, jalapeño slices, a healthy pinch of salt and both white wine and ouzo, the Greek anise liquor. We couldn’t stop sopping up the broth with the accompanying baguette slices. Heaven. Until we tasted it, we didn’t recognize the next dish as one
CHRIST THE KING By Wynter Williams 8th Grade
March has been an exciting month, and all of our Vikings are as lively as ever. Saint Patrick’s Day rolled around, and CKS Vikings made sure to dress in green and to learn the history of the holiday. Eighth grade students were very excited to receive their letters of acceptance to their prospective high schools. Our fantastic Parent Board organized a fundraising event for our
we ordered. A shallow bowl was filled with a white creamy, soupy liquid, studded with fingernail-sized purple pillows drizzled with green sauce. One bite, however, solved the mystery delightfully, revealing that the itsy bitsy bits were ricotta and beet gnocchi in a goat cheese fondue with chimichurri. It was adorable, with a very delicate and subtle taste. Two cornbread-crusted fried chicken sliders were good, though not as exceptional as some of the other renditions flooding menus everywhere. Pickles and olive aioli definitely amped up the overall expe-
rience. Carmelized cauliflower florets in chipotle sauce brought a nice kick to the table, but the vegetable star of the evening was the three mushrooms stuffed with five cheeses, pecans and pesto. The mushrooms still maintained their integrity (too often they’re cooked to soggy softness), nicely countering the saucy, gooey cheese and bright pesto. All in all, our Bacari night was a delicious, safe and charming way to celebrate our liberating vaccinations with friends. Bacari, 8030 3/4 W. Third St., 323-452-9149.
school on March 26. All students, family members and friends were invited to join our virtual paint night. Attendees learned step-bystep how to paint a breathtaking Hawaiian sunset, and we can all say that the event brought everyone a little closer to one another. However, the real champions of this month were our wonderful decathletes who placed first overall in the Hub Five Regional Academic Decathlon, which was held virtually on March 6. Scarlett Gonsalves placed first in literature, Lawrence Notar first in English, Gian Parades second in science, Wynter Williams first in social studies, Alyssa Apan first in
fine arts, Henok Tsega second in current events, Kelcey Raiz first in religion and Tony Kim placed first in math. In addition, our team, with the support of Jacqueline Liego and Valerie Valencia, placed first in logic and second in the super quiz. Winning first place overall gave our team the opportunity to participate in the national competition. In that event, the CKS team placed first in logic, Alyssa Apan placed third in fine arts and Lawrence Notar placed third in English. We are proud of our excellent team and commend the members for their hard work and unwavering will to succeed. Go Vikings!
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Academy (Continued from page 1) broadcast of the Academy Awards April 25. Kickoff April 22 Pre-opening museum programming will kick off with “Breaking the Oscar Ceiling” on April 22, hosted by museum Trustee Diane von Furstenberg and moderated by Stewart. The conversation will feature Sophia Loren, Whoopi Goldberg, Marlee Matlin and Buffy Sainte-Marie. Other pre-opening virtual programs, with times and dates to come, include the Conversations with the Artists series, which will feature the 2011 film, “Pariah,” and the 2001 film, “Y Tu Mamá También.” The In Conversation series will feature discussions with writer / director Spike Lee and “Joker” composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. Among the museum trustees and award winners at the media’s virtual rollout March 10 was Board of Trustees CoChair Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix. “Like many of you, I grew up as a movie lover,” he said. Yet, after moving to Los Angeles in 1998, he was disappointed it lacked a “mythical center for the film capital of the world… Well, all of that is about to change.” The 300,000-square foot, six-story museum at Fairfax Ave. and Wilshire Blvd. is housed in two buildings. The 1939, glittering-gold May Co., renamed the Saban, Building, has been fully restored. The Streamline Moderne landmark
OSCARS®, OF COURSE, will be on display at the new Academy Museum.
is connected by glass bridges to the dome-shaped Sphere Building, which houses the 1,000seat David Geffen Theater — suspended above the Walt Disney Company Piazza — and is topped on its roof by the Dolby Family Terrace with panoramic city views. “We are making a museum in the center of Wilshire, and where the Miracle Mile starts,” said Pritzker Prize-winning architect and designer of the museum, Renzo Piano. (From an historic point of view, Miracle Mile started at the La Brea end when developer A.W. Ross erected his first retail structure at the corner there in 1924.) The new museum’s gallery space includes permanent and temporary exhibitions, with those spaces designed by Kulapat Yantrasast and his wHY Architecture studio. “Cinema and good design have always been a way to create empathy,” Yantrasast said on the tour. Stories of Cinema The museum’s permanent, core exhibition is titled “Stories of Cinema.” The exhibition spans three floors of the
museum, beginning in the Saban Building’s lobby, in the Spielberg Family Gallery. This free exhibit will feature multiple screens telling the history of cinema from the Lumière brothers to the modern day. Diversity Exhibit features within Stories of Cinema will include Rita Moreno — the first Latino actress to win an Oscar; her iconic role in “West Side Story” was not defined by stereotypes, said Moreno on the tour — and Danai Gurira, who played a warrior in “Black Panther.” Gurira spoke of the elaborate beadwork and stitching of the African-inspired costumes in the film that will be on display. “[The exhibit] will take your breath away,” she said. While much of Hollywood’s past did not acknowledge the medium’s diversity, this museum “gives me hope the future of Hollywood will,” Gurira added. Stories of Cinema will also include galleries developed in collaboration with writerdirectors Spike Lee and Pedro Almodóvar and composer Hil-
MULTIPLE GALLERIES at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures provide spaces for wide-ranging exhibitions.
Academy Museum Inaugural Exhibitions (Opening Sept. 30, 2021) Spielberg Family Gallery: Stories of Cinema begins here. Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery: Hayao Miyazaki. LAIKA Gallery: The Path to Cinema: Highlights from the Richard Balzer Collection. Hurd Gallery: Backdrop: An Invisible Art. East West Bank Gallery: The Oscars® Experience. dur Guðnadóttir. “I want to see yellow school buses double-parked in front of the museum,” said Lee. “Maybe it sparks something in [the students], and they say, ‘Hey, you know what, I want to be a filmmaker.’” Other galleries The inaugural temporary exhibition, “Hayao Miyazaki,” the first museum retrospective in the Americas for the artist, will include 300 objects, including his original imageboards and large-scale film clips of his animated films. Installed in the museum’s Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery and
designed as a journey, visitors will explore Miyazaki’s characters and imaginary worlds, including a Magical Tree installation, which represents a gateway to another world in many of his films. Once the museum opens, programs will also include artmaking workshops, such as Hayao Miyazaki Family Day. Other galleries and their inaugural exhibitions are listed in the above sidebar. “The Academy Museum is for everyone. Our programming will help to open eyes and minds,” Stewart said. Visit academymuseum.org.
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Larchmont Chronicle
APRIL 2021
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Big Sunday is on the move; ‘Wild and Woolly’ events this month By Suzan Filipek Big Sunday — the 20-plusyear volunteer group based just north of Hancock Park and west of Larchmont Village — is looking for a new home. “Our lease is up at the end of the year,” David Levinson, Big Sunday founder and executive director, told us. Levinson is looking for a new site for the group’s headquarters with equal capacity of about 4,000 square feet for office, event and warehouse spaces. “We’re excited about the many possibilities and opportunities — which might, this go-round, even include
parking space!” Many of the group’s 2,000-annual ways for people to help others take place at schools, homeless shelters and
at its Melrose headquarters. Developer Bardas Investment Group purchased the property at 6111 Melrose Ave. last year. (See story on page 3 of Section 2.) Since its founding in 1999, Big Sunday has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the largest community service groups in the country. After a brief time in an office on Beverly Blvd. across from El Coyote, Big Sunday moved to the Melrose location 12 years ago, where it offers events several times a week
in addition to around the city and county. Programming went virtual during the pandemic, but free food is distributed every Friday to schools and nonprofits, and a “Foot the Bill Fund” program made available to residents in 200 cities helped keep their lights on or get through other hardships right now, Levinson said. “Wild and Woolly” Big Sunday is going to the dogs — and the cats and horses — this month, when it debuts a new animal-friendly
program, “Wild and Woolly.” Participants can sign up to help with spay and neuter programs, pet food drives, horse therapy and more. “With so much that people have been going through, we thought it would be nice to do something for animals,” Levinson said. “It’s a new thing for us, and it should be fun.” The volunteer group is also planning to soon offer some outdoor inperson events, with masks and social distancing, for the first time since COVID-19 cases resurged last fall.
No-frills, no-Zoom barbecue served up much-needed funds By Helene Seifer In 2021, after a year of too many hours connecting online for work, cultural events, fundraisers and even to visit friends and family, the new pandemic problem is “Zoom burnout.” David Levinson, Big Sunday’s executive director, decided to give people a break. “I think people are Zoomed out,” stated the Hancock Park resident. The sixth annual Big Sunday Fundraiser, held March 20 and 21, involved e-mailed invitations that offered a delivered meal and nothing else. Participants purchased a $250 meal ticket, and ribs magically appeared on the designated day. “The response was fantastic!” according to Levinson. “We had a goal of what we were hoping to raise, and we got more than double that.”
Over 400 meals were delivered, and many of the paid drivers were artists and others affected by loss of jobs and income during the coronavirus restrictions. As with all charity campaigns, the bulk of the funds raised came from sponsorships. Roughly 60 individuals, foundations and corporations gave sponsor-level financial support, including the Original Farmers Market, NBC-Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Temple Israel of Hollywood, where Big Sunday began. Levinson concludes, “We were truly touched and humbled by the outpouring of support.” Big Sunday works year-round with volunteers to make a difference in our community. To join the effort, go to bigsunday.org.
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Spring Is in the Air
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V I S I T & E N J OY S E A S O N - P E R F E C T P H OTO O P S • S P R I N G ’ 2 1 C O L L E C T I O N S BRUNCH, LUNCH & DINNER • AND MORE YO U R H E A LT H I S A T O P P R I O R I T Y F O R U S .
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