When will clock start to tick again on Blvd. n Experts are perplexed
By Nona Sue Friedman
“It’s a big electrical mystery. It’s just not fixed yet,” said Heather Duffy Boylston, executive director of the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (BID), referring to the stopped clock. According to Boylston, the city has sent different agencies to assess the situation and BID has also hired an electrician.
But with all of that effort,
Clock, P 12
THE
CLOCK on Larchmont is right twice a day—but that won’t cut it.
Senate bill passes state Legislature
n SB 79: A weakened bill crosses the finish line
By Brian Curran
In my July column I addressed for the second time the threat of Senate Bill 79 (SB 79) to our historic neighborhoods and landmarks and encouraged my readers to contact your elected representatives to oppose this bill. Despite our efforts, the bill squeaked by, having been amended multiple times to
See Senate Bill, P 15
By Suzan Filipek
Get ready to party, in a fam-
ily way!
The Larchmont Family Fair returns for its 60th year with rides and fun for all ages on Sun., Oct. 26 from noon to 5 p.m. on Larchmont Boulevard. The Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Beverly Boulevard and First Street.
By Suzan Filipek
Residents and congregants spoke passionately for five hours at a zoning meeting last month about a proposal to turn a home at 200 S. Orange Dr. into a house of worship for Modern Orthodox Jews.
Longtime residents—some of whom have lived in the Citrus Square neighborhood, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, for decades—said the former duplex had been operating “illegally” as a place of worship for years. Its religious services bring more than 100 people on weekends to the quiet neighborhood.
By contrast, members of Bais Medrash of Hancock
Park—the impromptu synagogue—spoke of how the synagogue has changed their lives. They explained that the synagogue brings a sense of peace as a welcoming space that is open to all and also is a safe haven for Jews, who are being persecuted more and more in the city of L.A.
The meeting was hosted on Zoom Sept. 10 by Associate Zoning Administrator Phyllis Nathanson, who is considering a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the home.
In October 2024, the owner of the home, Rabbi Yekusiel Kalmenson, applied for the permit to convert the existing building on the 8,000-square-
By Jon Vein
Every 10 years, after the census, America redraws its political map. This redistricting process determines who represents us in Congress, and while it may sound like a technical chore, it is one of the most consequential exercises in American politics. The way district lines are drawn can tilt the balance of power in Washington for an entire decade.
In Texas, Republicans have embraced what critics call “mid-cycle redistricting,” encouraged by President Donald
By Suzan Filipek
Let your voice be heard. No matter what side of the contentious Congressional District Map you’re on, now’s your chance to speak up—at the ballot box.
Voting for the Statewide Special Election begins in early October and continues
TORAH DEDICATION WAS held in mid-September in front of the home at 200 N. Orange Dr. in Citrus Square.
BROKEN
Editorial
Halloween in Windsor Square; let the fun begin!
Over 20 years ago, when we purchased our home in Windsor Square, our now neighbors asked us if we had heard about Halloween “around here?” Assuming that it was like Halloween in most other parts of the city, we simply said, “We love Halloween.” We knew something was different when the doorbell started ringing at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 with the younger trick-or-treaters. By 6:30 p.m. my mother-in-law was dispatched to Rite Aid on an urgent mission for more candy—they were out. She managed to buy a few bags elsewhere. Twenty minutes later, I was running out the door to Pavilions. I bought 2,500 pieces of candy and rushed back home to a street reminiscent of Mardi Gras, with costumes and candy (but no beads). We ran out again by 8 p.m.
We learned our lesson. One piece of candy per trick-or-treater, but also, have a camera ready for all of the great costumes—and go all-out on decorations.
Over the years, we’ve seen those little trick-or-treaters grow into young adults. We’ve watched some of the parents become grandparents. We’ve met people from all over our city who come to our area for a safe and fun place to trick-or-treat and enjoy this time of year. The homemade costumes are amazing and the pride people of all ages clearly take in their work is heartwarming. And almost every person says, “Thank you!” when they come to our door. It’s not about the candy—it’s about the fun of it all, and the community experiencing it together.
There’s been news coverage of the Halloween revelry in our neighborhood with estimates of over 5,000 attendees hailing from all over the city. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 windsorsquare.org
157 N. Larchmont Boulevard
“He loved October. Had always loved it. There was something sad and beautiful about it—the ending and beginning of things.”
—Jacqueline Woodson, If You Come Softly Wilshire Park Halloween Haunt: Come get the jump on Halloween at our neighbor Wilshire Park’s Halloween Haunt 2024, taking place Saturday October 25th at 4-7pm on the 600 and 700 blocks of South Bronson Avenue. There will be trick or treating, costume contests, food and a silent auction. All proceeds go to the Wilshire Park Association.
o o o
Larchmont Family Fair: Larchmont Boulevard turns fairground in their annual Family Fair taking place Sunday October 26th from 12noon to 5pm. Area families will be out to promenade among the booths representing local organizations, including WSA. Kids will enjoy the rides and treats, while adults will relax in the Beer Garden listening to the live entertainment, while the adventurous join in the competitions and contests!
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SAVE THE DATE: The Annual WSA Townhall Meeting is scheduled for Thursday November 13th. Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto will be attending and speaking.
o o o
REPORT STREET LIGHT OUTAGES: the WSA continues to track street light outages throughout Windsor Square so that they can be properly reported and scheduled for repair. If your street is experiencing an outage please report it by contacting blockcaptains@windsorsquare.org and CD13 representative Mark Fuentes mark.fuentes@lacity.org
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“ARE YOU PREPARED?” The WSA’s one page sheet on preparing yourself, family and A Guide to Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness is now available online. Download your copy at https://windsorsquare.org/safety-security/ emergency-preparedness/
o o o
WE NEED BLOCK CAPTAINS! Be the leader of your block and point person for all that’s going on the neighborhood. The WSA has numerous block captain positions open. A great opportunity to engage with neighbors and community leaders. blockcaptains@ windsorsquare.org
The Windsor Square Association, an all-volunteer group of residents from 1100 households between Beverly and Wilshire and Van Ness and Arden, works to preserve and enhance our beautiful neighborhood.
325 N. Larchmont Blvd., #158, Los Angeles, CA 90004, or windsorsquare.org.
Calendar
Wed., Oct. 1—Yom Kippur begins at sunset.
Wed., Oct. 8— Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting, at The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S Lucerne Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90005, 6:30 p.m., greaterwilshire.org.
Tue., Oct. 21— Mid City West Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom, midcitywest.org.
Sun., Oct. 26—Larchmont Family Fair on the Boulevard.
Thu., Oct. 30—Delivery of the November issue of the Larchmont Chronicle
Fri., Oct. 31—Halloween.
October Events Calendar
5
MADE IN L.A. 2025 opens Sun., Oct. 5, at the Hammer Museum at UCLA and continues through March 1, 2026. The seventh iteration of the signature biennial exhibition showcases works of film, painting, theater, photography, and more, made or conceived in Los Angeles. Visit hammer.ucla. edu.
HOLLYWOOD FOREVER
Living History Tour by the Art Deco Society visits gravesites of early Hollywood stars, movie moguls, and others. Docents will reenact history and tell of scandals from yesteryear on Sun., Oct. 5, 9 a.m. to noon, at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Visit artdecola.org.
7
SCREAMFEST HOR -
ROR Film Festival’s 25th annual event is at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres Tue., Oct. 7, to Thu., Oct. 16, at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. For
Larchmont Chronicle
Founded in 1963 by Jane Gilman and Dawne P. Goodwin
Publishers
Hutcheson Publishing Group
Editor in Chief
Hedy Hutcheson
Managing Editor
Suzan Filipek
Staff Writer
Priscilla Duggan
Editorial Assistant
Nathan Rifkin
Proofreader
Mara Fisher
Advertising Director
Wyatt Pershing
Art Director
Max Paek
Circulation Manager /
Office Manager
Nona Sue Friedman
Digital Media Manager
Rhett Hutcheson
Accounting
Irene Janas
606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103 Los Angeles, CA 90004
323-462-2241
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‘Tell us about a favorite Halloween costume past or present.’
That’s the question our inquiring photographer asked locals.
“Last year in seventh grade, I was Colonel Sanders (of Kentucky Fried Chicken),” said Phoenix. “I was a Rubik’s Cube when I was in fourth grade. I made it myself!” said Jay. Phoenix (left) and Jay Windsor Square
information and tickets visit screamfestla.com.
LAUGHS ON LARCHMONT , a comedy crawl with three shows, three stages, and lots of comedians and clowns, is Sat., Oct. 11, from 6 to 10 p.m. Inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe, the crawl will visit Jeni’s, Beyond Yoga, and Chevalier’s Books. The benefit supports LUNA (Larchmont United Neighborhood Association) and Hilarity for Charity. Tickets are $35. Visit backyardcomedyseries.com.
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AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES kicks off Sun., Oct. 12 at West Hollywood Park. A live performance by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Heidi N Closet, DJ sets, and community booths are featured. This year’s theme is “Community is the Cure.” To register for the annual fundraiser, in its 40th year, visit aidswalkla.org.
“I’m going to be Zoey from KPop Demon Hunters!” said Audria. “And I’m going to be Mira,” said Rosie. “I think a lot of other kids will be, too, because the movie is so famous,” Audria added. Alba said, “I don’t know. Something easy, like a witch.” Rosie, Audria, and Alba (left to right) Windsor Square
THE EXHIBITION “Monuments” marks a recent wave of decommissioned monuments with contemporary artworks. The group exhibit was inspired by a national debate following a white supremacist rally in 2017 in the South. At Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 518 N. Western Ave., through April 12, 2026. Visit moca.org.
22 Letters
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.
Correction
The Larchmont Chronicle first hit newsstands 62 years ago. The headline on Page 1 of the September issue incorrectly said that September 1963 was 52 years ago. We apologize for the misprint.
“There’s more than one night of celebrations, so I’m going to be three things this year: a flight attendant, a pirate, and Tyler Durden from ‘Fight Club.’” Stella Pathak (left) On the Boulevard
“I’m going to be the girl from ‘Midsommar,’ with braids and flowers in my hair.”
Charlie Benjamin(right) On the Boulevard
“When we were little in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, we cobbled together whatever we could for a costume, usually a ghost. But one year I dressed as a hobo, and I carried a sack on a stick, dirtied my face, and sang train songs. I think I sang ‘I’ve Been Working on the Railroad’ all night long.” Millie Perkins Windsor Square
Color Me Mine returns, Scottish film crew cruises the Boulevard
By Nona Sue Friedman
After a very long hiatus, Color Me Mine is back on the Boulevard at 654 N. Larchmont Blvd., just south of Melrose Avenue. The first time the shop was on the Boulevard it was located in the space now occupied by Burger Lounge.
Color Me Mine is a paintyour-own ceramic studio for ages 5 to 95, according to owner Michelle Dix. Participants choose an object to glaze, such as a bowl, a mug, or a platter, and the studio supplies everything needed to complete the project. There’s a paint bar, with multiple glaze colors, a technique wall that demonstrates different ways to apply the glaze, and plenty of finished samples around the store for inspiration. One week after you paint your desired object, you have a ceramic piece that’s been
fired in one of the studio’s two kilns.
The sleek, light-filled space took over two storefronts, knocking down the interior wall, for one large, high-ceilinged space. It’s the perfect place to create.
The store is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. More information is at colormemine.com.
•••
After six years of ownership, Christina Development is looking to sell 124 1/2148 N. Larchmont Blvd. for
$59 million. Known as the Larchmont Mercantile , the building houses Catbird, Suá Superette, and Velvet, among other retailers. The property was purchased from the Charlotte Lipson estate for $23.5 million in 2019. Lipson’s father, Julius LaBonte, developed the Boulevard in the 1920s.
Four kilt-wearing men biking down Larchmont Boulevard with plaid-covered helmets is not a typical sight. However, a Chronicle
reporter spotted these Scottish men doing just that in early September.
The foursome were pedaling down Larchmont to meet with the British consul at Le Pain Quotidien, perhaps for tea?
They were in Los Angeles promoting their documentary, Make it to Munich
The film follows the story of Ethan Walker, who was 17 when he was recruited to play soccer for a college in New York. A few weeks after his
arrival, he was hit by a speeding car and sustained serious injuries. He was flown back to Scotland.
Many professionals didn’t
(Please turn to Page 13)
AN EMPOLOYEE PAINTS a sample at Color Me Mine.
THE AIRY STUDIO is a welcome place to create.
SCOTTISH FILM CREW came to the Boulevard while promoting their documentary, “Make it to Munich.” From left to right are Gordon MacKay, Ethan Walker, Martyn Robertson, and Stephen Collie.
COLOR ME MINE TOOK over two retail spaces on North Larchmont Boulevard.
Not just another pink October, but a message that matters
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month—although chances are you don’t need the reminder. If you haven’t already, you’ll see the pink ribbons everywhere, printed on yogurt lids, painted onto NFL jerseys, and made into key chains in checkout lines. True, sometimes it can look more like a marketing push than a public health initiative, but here’s the thing: beneath the shiny pink, the message matters.
Breast cancer is the number one cancer diagnosis in women (and yes, men get it too). Screening saves lives. And awareness, for all its commercialism, is still a prod we sometimes need.
Why do we still talk about it? Because the numbers haven’t gone down. One in eight women in the U.S. (13%) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s
skin deep
by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Did you know that October is an ideal month for laser treatments? With the northern hemisphere tilted away from the sun, there’s a decreased risk of post-treatment pigmentation. Ah, science!
Fraxel Dual laser treatments on the face, neck and chest address sun damage acquired over the summer. “Dual” indicates two distinct wavelengths: one to stimulate new collagen production, and one to force damaged cells to turn over. Improve everything from pigmentation, pores, lines and wrinkles — even acne scars and precancerous lesions.
New research indicates that Fraxel actually reduces your risk of the most commonly diagnosed types of skin cancer in the U.S. Expect about a week of healing with most patients requiring three to five sessions, two to four weeks apart. For patients who want similar results to Fraxel, but can’t do the downtime, Clear+Brilliant laser treatments spaced four weeks apart are the way to go. With both options, you’ll leave our office with immediate results and see optimal improvement in three months.
Health & Wellness
By Priscilla Duggan
your aunt, your yoga partner, your neighbor, your sister, your daughter—maybe even you. The good news is that outcomes have dramatically grown better because of early diagnosis and treatment advances. Which makes the awareness component more about effective prevention than an unsure feeling: making sure you carve out time to schedule appointments for mammograms, knowing your family history, and paying attention to changes in your body.
If you’re wondering what to do with all this awareness, start small. Call your doctor. Encourage a friend to schedule her screening. Show up for a neighbor going through treatment with a meal or a
ride. These actions might not look flashy on Instagram, but they’re the ones that make a difference.
And if you’re skeptical of pink-washed products that donate a portion of their proceeds to research, you’re not alone. Consider giving directly to organizations in the trenches—be it paying for treatment, assisting patients, or advancing science. (In L.A. alone, Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, and smaller community clinics all have programs that could use your support.)
For breast cancer survivors, October can be complicated. Survivors are not necessarily in the mindset of being billboards on legs, and no one’s experience is encapsulated in a ribbon. Treatment can be depleting and recovery can be long, and the support people need typically looks more like trips to radiation or giving
kids a ride than ribbons on water bottles with messages. Awareness is about seeing the unglamorous side too.
Here in Larchmont, where the neighborhood subsists on its small-town-in-the-city closeness, we’re cut out for the kind of mutual aid and support that’s needed. We know how to look out for each other. We bring soup. We catch when someone isn’t at their Saturday morning coffee perch. That’s what community health really looks like.
So October is indeed pink, and occasionally that pink can be more corporate than compassionate. But it’s also a yearly check-in, a cultural reminder seen on the fridge with a Post-it, maybe, that care is crucial, prevention is crucial, and showing up for one another is crucial. Which—cliché or not—is worth recalling.
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH and a time to support each other.
Contact our office today to schedule your Fraxel Dual or Clear+Brilliant laser appointment and experience youthful, healthy skin from the inside out. Adv.
Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certified Dermatologist located in Larchmont Village with a special focus on anti-aging technology. She is a member of the Botox Cosmetic National Education Faculty and is an international Training Physician for Dermik, the makers of the injectable Sculptra. She is also among a select group of physicians chosen from around the world to teach proper injection techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing filler. Dr. Fitzgerald is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA. Visit online at www.RebeccaFitzgeraldMD.com or call (323) 464-8046 to schedule an appointment.
Photo by Ava Sol
Redistricting
(Continued from Page 1)
Trump. Instead of waiting for the census, they are reopening maps midway to entrench partisan advantage. It’s using redistricting as a weapon— aggressive gerrymandering designed not to reflect communities, but to lock in power.
That escalation leaves California at a crossroads. Should we continue playing fair, or should we respond in kind?
Independent commission: choice by the people
California is one of only a few states—including Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Montana, and Washington—that use independent commissions to draw district lines. Importantly, this wasn’t imposed by lawmakers; it was chosen by voters. In 2008 and 2010, Californians approved ballot measures to take the pen out of politicians’ hands and give it to an independent citizens’ panel.
The result is a 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission, balanced among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. The commission’s work is widely regarded as among the fairest and most transparent in the country and it stands as a point of civic pride.
But that also makes it politically risky to unwind. If Gov. Gavin Newsom or legislative
GRAPH SHOWS how redistricting clearly benefits one party.
Democrats were to dismantle the commission in favor of partisan map-drawing, they would be overruling the will of voters. A failed attempt would not just collapse politically—it would leave Newsom and his allies with a very visible black eye.
Texas and the new redistricting arms race
Texas has taken the opposite path. Through “packing” Democratic voters into a small number of districts and “cracking” others across multiple Republican-leaning ones, the GOP can engineer a congressional delegation that is far redder than the state itself.
This is not just sharp-elbowed politics—it’s structural manipulation. President Trump and his allies
argue openly that if Democrats in California and other blue states insist on playing fair, Republicans should exploit every opening to secure lasting dominance.
What the numbers show
The consequences of this asymmetry are stark when we run through the numbers: currently the House (2022 maps) numbers 222 Republicans, and 213 Democrats.
If every state gerrymandered aggressively, GOP-controlled states could carve out 15 to 20 additional Republican seats. Democratic-controlled states might counter with 7 to 10 extra Democratic seats. The net effect: roughly +10 seats to the GOP, enough to flip the House even in years when Democrats win more votes nationally.
If every state used independent commissions, seats would align closely with the national popular vote.
In a 50/50 election, the House would likely split about evenly, with only a small tilt either way.
In other words, universal gerrymandering structurally favors Republicans, while universal independent commissions would deliver representation that mirrors the electorate.
Case for staying the course
Supporters of the commission argue that fairness is both morally right and politically wise. Gerrymandering might produce short-term gains, but it corrodes trust, invites endless litigation, and fuels polarization. California’s maps have legitimacy precisely because voters demanded them, and walking away risks looking like a cynical power grab.
Case for fighting fire with fire
On the other hand, unilateral restraint can be costly. If red states like Texas and
Florida keep redrawing maps while California clings to fairness, Democrats will remain at a structural disadvantage. In practice, California’s adherence to principle could amount to permanent minority status for Democrats in Congress, no matter how often they win the national vote.
The bigger picture
For communities like Hancock Park, the issue may feel abstract. Local representation in California is secure and fairly drawn. But the national stakes are anything but abstract. If blue states remain committed to independent commissions while red states escalate gerrymandering, Democrats risk ceding control of the House for a generation.
The road ahead
California’s independent commission embodies both democratic principle and voter choice. Overturning it would be a high-stakes gamble, one that could backfire politically if rejected. But the status quo—where only one side respects restraint—is equally unsustainable. The central question is this: is the moral high ground a sustainable strength in American democracy, or does it risk becoming a liability in a political arms race?
POLICE BEAT
Watch stolen from victim at gunpoint, drunken man arrested
WILSHIRE DIVISION
Senior Lead Officer Tyler Shuck said that crimes have declined recently in the area. LAPD will continue to run extra patrols for burglaries and grand thefts auto for basic car area 7A17, which is approximately La Brea Avenue on the west, Plymouth Boulevard on the east, Wilshire Boulevard on the south and Melrose Avenue to the north.
ROBBERY: A man was walking along the sidewalk of the 300 block of South Citrus Avenue on Sept. 12 at 6:50 p.m. when he was approached from behind by a Black male suspect. The suspect, 5’8”, approximately 200 pounds, age 25, was wearing a black ski mask and black pants and shoes. The suspect brandished a gun and demanded the victim’s watch. A second suspect, who was seated in a black BMW 550 with heavily tinted windows and no license plates, exited the car and joined in demanding the watch. The second
Music therapy for seniors is at Leonard Sept. 30
The Leonard on Beverly, 135 N. Crescent Heights, will host a free hands-on session for seniors, “Aging With Harmony: Music Therapy and Movement,” on Tue., Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.
The program will explore the healing power of music and movement designed to energize and inspire. It will be led by board-certified music therapists and movement coaches from Bodyline Pilates.
Space for reservations is limited. Call 213-497-1295, or email theleonard-marketing@clearwaterliving.com.
First responders honored at Autry Museum block party on Sept. 27
By Julia Guillen
The annual Autry Block Party will celebrate local emergency responders. It will also feature carnival games, live music, a car show, market vendors, and food trucks. A meet-and-greet to celebrate local heroes will also take place.
The main purpose is to thank the community members who aided those in need during the L.A. fires.
The block party will take place Sat., Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Autry Museum of the American West, Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way.
WILSHIRE DIVISION
Furnished by Senior Lead Officer
Tyler Shuck
213-712-3715
40740@lapd.online
Twitter: @lapdwilshire
suspect, also a Black male, approximately 150 pounds, and similar age to the first, was wearing a blue COVID mask, black pants and shoes. Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over his watch. The suspects drove away in the black BMW.
OLYMPIC DIVISION
Senior Lead Officer Chavez said the Division has been conducting extra patrol in the area to prevent crime. They have also been working
OLYMPIC DIVISION Furnished by Senior Lead Officer
Daniel Chavez
213-793-0709
36304@lapd.online Instagram: @olympic_slo1
with the VICE unit to address prostitution concerns in the neighborhood.
TRESPASSING AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT: A drunken white male tried to enter a home through the front door on the 100 block of Wilton Drive on Sept. 6 at 9 p.m. While screaming disparaging remarks through the door to the resident, the intruder continued attempting to enter multiple times. The police arrived and arrest-
ed the suspect for disorderly conduct and trespassing.
GRAND THEFTS
AUTO: On Sept. 5 a white, 2018 Honda Accord was stolen from the street on the 200 block of South Manhattan Place. On the same day at 11 p.m. a black 2011 Mazda was stolen from the 4900 block of Maplewood Avenue.
LOS ANGELES POLICE Department, Olympic Division, join neighbors for a walk through Windsor Square on Sept. 15. The walk was organized by Marcelo Ziperovich, co-founder of SideWalking.org and a Windsor Square resident.
BURGLARY: Two male suspects smashed the rear French doors of a home on
the 400 block of South Van Ness Avenue on Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. The suspects took a gun, purses, and watches and fled in a black vehicle.
Celebrate Pink Power Oct. 5
The Margie Petersen Breast Center’s annual fundraiser— POP, the Power of Pink—will take place on Sun., Oct. 5 at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath will be honored at the event with the Ruth Weil Spirit of Hope Award. A boutique and reception start at 10 a.m. The luncheon and program follow at noon. The annual fundraiser benefits the Breast Center at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. Since 2022, the POP event has raised more than $1
million.
For over 30 years, the Margie Petersen Breast Center has provided treatment options, clinical trials, and patient support services that address patients’ physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
Margie Petersen, with her husband, the publishing magnate Robert Petersen, founded the Petersen Automotive Museum in the Miracle Mile. The late couple’s philanthropy extended to several Los Angeles institutions. To attend or support the event visit give. classy.org/POP25.
Celebrate JLLA’s Centennial at Yacht Club event
Join the Junior League of Los Angeles as it celebrates its Centennial at the California Yacht Club on Sun., Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dining, signature cocktails, a silent auction, and entertainment will add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Community Achievement and Spirit of Voluntarism honorees will be awarded. Mark the date, the JLLA Centennial Gala is March 21, 2026.
Support Wilshire LAPD Cadet program with golf
With the Wilshire Country Club golf course closed, why not spend the day golfing while supporting the Wilshire Division LAPD’s Cadet program? The Division is hosting the golf fundraiser at the Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills on Mon., Oct. 6, at 9 a.m.
The local Cadet program provides personal and professional growth to youth ages 13 to 17 through leadership opportunities, community engagement, physical fitness, and opportunities for critical thinking.
Foursomes for golf are $700, and sponsorships are available. Contact 213-4730200 for registration and additional information.
More ways to get fit at new gym at Center for Yoga on Boulevard
By H. Hutcheson
The Boulevard’s Center for Yoga has opened a traditional gym within the yoga studio with memberships starting at $75 per month. The gym has a plethora of ways to find your workout, with free weights; cardio machines such as treadmill, StairMaster, and a bike; the Nautilus Freedom Rack; an adductor and abductor leg machine; a leg press; kettle bells; TRX straps; and resistance and suspension machines. And guess what? You can wear your shoes from the street all the way into the gym! Of course, there’s air conditioning and a speaker for you to connect your music to.
I ran into Dan Lerman, co-producer of the neighborhood’s Backyard Comedy Series, who told me he has an office just 100 feet away. “I had been thinking the only downside of Larchmont is there is nowhere to lift weights. I was driving all the way to Hollywood—it was messing up my life! I signed up when I heard about it, even without seeing the space. I’m a happy cus-
tomer!”
There’s plans for classes within the gym, and there are two private personal trainers available that clients can book time with. Never fear, yoga-ites, remaining are plenty of yoga classes. There you have it. Another reason to stay on the Boulevard. Center for Yoga, 230 N. Larchmont Blvd. For more information, visit centerforyogala.com.
Original Farmers Market hosts 91st Fall Festival Oct. 18 and 19
Get ready for a weekend of seasonal fun at the annual Fall Festival at The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St. This free, family friendly event has been taking place since 1934.
This year’s theme is harvest, with a petting zoo focusing on farm animals, equestrian demonstrations, a chance to meet and greet horses, crafts, and live musical performanaces. There will also be storytelling sessions. Satur-
day participants will have the chance to make a scarecrow. Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch will also be on site selling miniature pumpkins to a hundred-pounder and everything in between. The patch will have John Deere tractor rides, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling, and a candy corn hole game. Hours are Sat., Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun. , Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
GYM MEMBER Dan Lerman walks into the location in his office clothing for a quick workout.
Transparency is key for CD5 Katy Yaroslavsky’s new office
By Nona Sue Friedman
“Welcome to your office. It’s as much ours as it is yours,” Council District Five (CD5) District Director George Hakopiants told attendees at the opening Sept. 14. Councilwoman of CD5, Katy Yaroslavsky, wanted an easily accessible and welcoming space to represent her style of governing. It took two and a half years to transform a former art gallery into her team’s new office, at 5416 Wilshire Blvd.
“The way it’s set up, you want to come in,” said resident Darlene Bel Grayson. Another CD5 resident commented, “It’s a very inviting floor plan.”
The previous office was a dark, and, by all accounts, un-
inviting space nearby on the eighth floor with a security guard at the entrance to the building. Yaroslavsky wanted the exact opposite. “I wanted it to feel transparent. I also wanted to have something joyful in the community at this time,” she said.
The new office has a co-working space taking up the center of the ground floor. CD5 hopes that neighborhood groups and homeowners associations will host meetings in the space. They are also inviting people from various city offices, such as the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to work in the office once a week so residents can talk to their representatives in person.
CD5 closed the block adjacent to the building and decorated it with a balloon arch to host the festivities. Attendees were invited to visit the face-painting station and enjoy food donated from local restaurants such as Pink’s Hot Dogs, Nagila Pizza, Canter’s Deli, and gelato from Andre’s Italian.
AFTER THE RIBBON CUTTING, Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky (center) stands to the right of her father-in-law and former L.A. County Board of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. She’s surrounded by her staff.
THE CO-WORKING SPACE and conference area in the new CD5 office.
Hang Out Do Good is at it again on Van Ness Avenue
By H. Hutcheson
In September neighbors met at Polly Estabrook’s house on Van Ness Avenue to rally the community to speak out to local representatives on environmental issues. Norton Avenue resident Jennifer Levin and Estabrook listed the issues, including Senate Bill 54 (concerning plastic pollution), offshore drilling, preserving the roadless rule to keep 60 million acres of land in the U.S. undeveloped, the EPA addressing
“It’s very grassroots—we listen to things that are bubbling up and are responsive to things that are needed.”
greenhouse gases properly, environmental issues affecting the Los Angeles Harbor, and other pressing concerns in California.
Tables with computers were set up throughout Estabrook’s home, and attendees were invited to email their representatives regarding the issues at hand.
Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association
“The objective and purpose of the LVNA has, since 1987, been the preservation and enhancement of our neighborhood.”
The group Hang Out Do Good (HODG) sponsored the homegrown event. Member Zoe Corwin said, “This all started in [neighbor] Jenny [Levin]’s backyard after the 2016 election. There’s about 20 of us who meet monthly to think strategy and lead different events. It’s very grassroots—we listen to things that are bubbling up and are responsive to things that are needed.”
As you read this, the leaves are changing, and Halloween decorations have gone up all around the neighborhood. October 26 will bring the annual Larchmont Family Fair, please stop by our booth and say “Hi”.
We hope you had the opportunity to attend our joint ZOOM meeting with L.A. Metro featuring their “On The Move” Riders Program, which took place the morning of September 27. If you are a senior, have physical challenges moving around L.A. or just don’t like the hassles of driving, you’ll want to take advantage of the terrific initiatives and programs the city offers. Board member Liz Ryan is taking the lead on this program and can be a tremendous resource if you need help.
The LVNA continues to support the Livable Communities attempt to reform outdated multifamily zoning regulations which stand in the way of both effective housing and neighborhood friendly streetscapes. We believe the City Council’s move to prepare and present a draft ordinance amending the City’s Build Code to allow single-stairway, single-exit, multifamily unit residential buildings of up to six stories, will help spur the construction of new, neighborhood friendly housing and act as an effective countermeasure to the exploitative proposals we are too often seeing in our area.
For over 15 years we have fought to make North Larchmont Boulevard a live/work, walkable zone consistent with the demonstrable success which is lower Larchmont. There’s an interesting idea combining traffic calming and additional diagonal parking which has been circulated for those blocks…. Please reach out if you want to get involved in this issue.
SB 79 has moved forward again, clearing the legislature.
SB 79 would allow 5- to 7-story buildings on any lot within a half mile of a bus stop along a route that has a dedicated bus lane at any point. This potentially would put up to 95% of Larchmont, and most, if not all, of Windsor Square and Hancock Park at risk - destroying the very qualities which make these the neighborhoods we love. There are no exclusions for single-family, multi-family, or historic neighborhoods, and no requirements for infrastructure improvements or supportive transit planning. The State of California has embarked on a disastrous path of usurping local control which threatens to upend development of the very housing they claim to want. If this becomes law, the loss of local control alone is troubling enough as development decisions are more and more being moved from our local area to Sacramento.
If you haven’t already, please reach out to Governor Newsom to voice your opposition to this bill!
Check out unitedneighbors.net for latest updates.
Need to figure out who represents you? There’s a great tool at https://www.laforward.org/who-represents-me
In Larchmont Village there are always new ideas and new opportunities to further enhance our quality of life. If you have an idea or project on which you’re looking for support, we’ll get you with a member who’s got exactly the right combination of interest and knowledge to help you get it off the ground. Reach out at www.lvna. info
You can write to the LVNA at: Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association 325 North Larchmont #294 Los Angeles, CA 90004
You can email the general LVNA box at lvna90004@gmail.com or President Charles D’Atri at lvgwnc@gmail.com
Serving the Larchmont community between Beverly and Melrose, Arden to Wilton Place lvna.info • lvna90004@gmail.com
HODG’s mission is, “to do whatever we can to make our city, state, country, and world better for everyone— and to do that with a sense of joy and fun.” At Levin’s home, on Norton Avenue, she is known for the many lunches provided every Sunday in partnership with Hollywood Food Coalition. Corwin recently led an event she is passionate about, Drag Queen Bingo. Another member dedicates time to youth probation oversight. Members were pleased with the event’s attendance and hope the awareness they bring to these issues will be noticed by their representatives.
ILYSE PALLEMBERG (LEFT) AND PEGAH RASHTI encourage neighbors to find a table and participate.
Ahmansons, Gilman to be honored Oct. 24
Honorees at the Wilshire Rotary Heroes Gala Fri., Oct. 24 are Jane Gilman and William and Karla Ahmanson.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. and take place at the Wilshire Country Club, 301 N. Rossmore Ave.
The heroes were chosen for their spirit of service and lasting impact in the community.
Gilman has been an honorary member of Wilshire Rotary Club for decades, beginning when she was the publisher and owner of the Larchmont Chronicle. After she retired, she voluntarily changed her status from honorary member to a dues-paying regular member of the club.
Family Fair
(Continued from Page 1)
The street fair will feature a children’s costume contest, rides, live music, and cuisine from around the world. Booths will be set up by schools, churches, and nonprofits.
Jane Gilman, co-founder of the fair, (and co-founder of the Larchmont Chronicle), will be honored at the Fair.
Romi Cortier, president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA), is asking friends and neighbors to share stories of themselves and their families in regards to the fair as part of a tribute to Gilman. To have your comments or stories included in
“She was instrumental in getting our club to serve the homeless and hungry through our support of Hope Net,” Rotary member and past President Elsa Hillham said.
Hillham continued, “She encouraged us to serve the youth by partnering with the YMCA. Throughout the years she has promoted the Wilshire Rotary Club in the Chronicle She is a quiet hero and a dedicated Rotarian at heart.”
Bill and Karla Ahmanson are being honored because “without them, Wilshire Rotary’s pumpkin patch and [holiday] tree lot would not exist. Through their support, our club was able to raise
the tribute, reach out to Cortier at romicortier@yahoo. com.
Also planned is a photo booth near Tailwaggers. Beer, wine and wine spritzers will be poured at a bar outside La Bettola di Terroni restaurant.
The Larchmont Village Farmers’ Market will be open in its usual spot in the Village parking lot, fair organizer Melissa Farwell said.
Businesses, schools and groups from both down the street to far and wide can apply to have a booth at the fair.
All non-profit groups are invited to rent a booth for games, merchandise, or entertainment, and can keep all proceeds for their charitable
funds, which are used 100% for projects in our community and the world. This year will be the 19th year the Wilshire Rotary pumpkin patch and tree lot is at 568 N. Larchmont Blvd. Heroes like Bill and Karla Ahmanson are a godsend.
In addition to their support of our pumpkin patch and tree lot, they have encouraged our club to partner with Operation School Bell to support youth and education and the Los Angeles Police Reserve.”
The fundraiser will include dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions.
For tickets and more information visit wilshirerotary. org.
organization.
“With an estimated 10,000 visitors, the Larchmont Family Fair is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and funds for your organization,” Frère said.
To inquire about school or nonprofit booths, email Frère at info@landisstationery.com.
To inquire about having a food booth, reach out to Farwell at larchmontboulevardfamilyfair@gmail.com.
The deadline to apply for nonprofit booths that require a health permit is Mon., Sept. 15. The deadline for all other booths is Wed., Oct. 15.
The Fair has been a staple of the area since it began as a small-town event in the mid60s.
POLLY ESTABROOK (LEFT) AND ZOE CORWIN are pleased with the turnout.
JULIET BURTON (LEFT) SHOWS Margaret Cherene where to send her comments on Senate Bill 54 about plastic pollution recycling.
Festival of Sukkot is a joyous celebration of harvest and renewal
By Helene Seifer
For eight days, starting Mon., Oct. 6, the Friedland family of Windsor Square will not enjoy dinners in their graceful dining room. Craft activities won’t occur around the kitchen table. Instead, they will celebrate the Jewish Festival of Sukkot as tradition requires. Outside. In a hut.
Meaning of Sukkot
Steeped in ancient customs, Sukkot is a joyous celebration of harvest and renewal. It takes place five days after the two holiest days in Judaism, Rosh Hashanah, the start of the New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During Sukkot family and friends gather for meals and other activities inside a makeshift dwelling called a sukkah.
An imitation of the temporary shelters farmers constructed near their fields during the harvest, the sukkah, which is the Hebrew word for “booth” or “hut,” is required to be a fragile, impermanent structure, often decorated with a bounty of fruits and vegetables. It might include colorful drawings created by a family’s children. A roof of leaves or bamboo and palm fronds create openings that allow the stars to be glimpsed from inside. To honor the diversity of nature, it is customary to make a prayer over a lulav— a bundle of branches of myrtle, willow, and palm trees bound together—while holding an etrog, a bitter cousin of a lemon. Guests take turns shaking them in all cardinal directions to indicate that God is everywhere.
Sukkot is probably based on pagan rituals celebrating earth’s fertility, but it holds spiritual symbolism today. “Sukkot is a holiday of re-
building, because Yom Kippur is the day we enact our death —no eating, drinking, or sex,” explains Michelle Missaghieh, associate rabbi at Temple Israel of Hollywood and resident of Hancock Park. “For Sukkot we build a sukkah, the metaphoric rebuilding of our lives.”
Gather with friends
Neither Bruce nor Toni Phillips grew up with a backyard sukkah, but in 1978, when they bought their house in Carthay Circle, steps from Fairfax Avenue, they thought it would be a nice way to gather with friends. Toni Phillips explained that they used to build theirs from scratch, but now assemble a prefab unit and decorate it with string lights, tapestries collected on a trip to Africa, plastic fruits and vegetables, artwork from their granddaughter, and paper garlands their children made when they were young.
“It’s a way to get together with friends,” said Bruce Phil-
lips. “We usually have five to 15 people every night of Sukkot.” One time they hosted 30 children from their sons’ school for a midday snack.
“Sukkot has many themes,” explained Phillips. “Transience—we build this thing and take it down a week later. Freedom. Inviting guests. Some people also have theoretical guests—who would you like to invite into the sukkah? Who has had an impact on your life?”
Building memories
Both Samantha and Michael Friedland grew up in families that built a backyard sukkah for the holiday, so it was natural to continue that custom when they had their
own family.
“We both have fond memories of the tradition and hope to give that to our children,” said Samantha Friedland. The family bought a sukkah kit years ago and hired high school students to build it. Their children, Emma, Juliette, Hershel, and Lillian, outfit the sukkah with hanging gourds, pomegranates, and homemade decorations each year. Samantha Friedland’s sister and her family often joins them in the sukkah for a roast chicken or brisket dinner. On these nights, Michael Friedland typically brings out his guitar and the group sings songs in Hebrew and English.
“We enjoy the spirit of it all; the friendship and family,” ex-
plained Samantha Friedland. “The feelings that you get from being together reflect positively on the beauty of the religion.”
READY FOR DINNER in the Friedland Sukkah are (from left) Amanda Witman (Samantha Friedland’s sister), her daughter Goldie Speiser (on lap), Jason Friedland (Michael Friedland’s brother) holding the lulav and etrog, and Abe Friedland (Jason’s son).
A SUKKAH FILLED WITH FAMILY and friends at the home of Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh (at left).
CRAFTING IN THE SUKKAH, are (left to right) Chloe Steckler, Juliette Friedland, Hershel Friedland, and Max Reiter.
Pilgrim School runners ready for cross-country season
At Pilgrim School, every student is an athlete.
That sentence begins the athletic section for the small local private school’s webpage. The paragraph goes on to explain how team sports help Pilgrim students improve their strategy and teamwork skills, both of which undoubtedly become extremely important beyond high school.
Team
Cross-country is a team sport the same way track and wrestling are: A team score is kept at dual meets and relays (tournaments), but ultimately, the individual athlete’s priority and responsibility is his or her personal performance. Ask a high school runner or wrestler if they’d rather be an individual state champion or be a member of a state championship team and almost every athlete will choose that individual title.
Cross-country does not draw as many runners at Pilgrim as it does at other schools, but then, most schools are larger than Pilgrim. The prestigious academy, located in Koreatown near Lafayette Park, consists of grades kindergarten through 12, and the combined student population is under 400. Having such a small student body, and especially at the high school level, can make it challenging to field complete athletic squads.
“We didn’t get any girls out for the cross-country team this year,” said Pilgrim Pan-
Youth Sports by Jim Kalin
ther Athletic Director Sam Taub. “The girls’ volleyball season takes place in the fall, so that’s where they ended up.”
At smaller schools, where the athletic talent pool is limited, athletes tend to compete in more than one sport during a school year.
Jaden Ilic and Dominic Chang are both 11th graders at Pilgrim. They are the Panthers’ top runners, but cross-country is not the only sport they participate in.
“I also golf and play basketball,” said Chang.
“Cross-country really helps my endurance, especially during basketball season.”
Ilic also plays basketball in the winter, then somehow competes in both track and boys’ volleyball in the spring.
“Cross-country gives me something to stay consistent with during the summer,” said Ilic, who also likes to rock climb, though it’s a mystery how he can find the time to do that.
Coach Pilgrim’s cross-country coach, Riley Williams, sometimes runs with the team, especially when he holds their workouts in the neighborhood of Koreatown. Williams was a runner at Millikan High School in Long Beach, but at shorter distances. He competed in the long jump and 300 meter hurdles and qualified
for the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) state tournament his senior year. He placed sixth in the hurdles. He then attended Cal State Los Angeles on a full track scholarship.
“I ran cross-country in high school because my mom wouldn’t let me go out for football,” laughed Williams.
The team also practices on Pilgrim’s campus, where they run the perimeter of the school grounds. Griffith Park is their
home course for competition, and Williams sometimes holds practice there.
“I push the faster kids,” he said. “But we have a few beginners this year, so I’ve been trying to build them up and ease them into the distance running.”
Teammates
Cross-country is hard. It hurts.
“My favorite part of a cross-country meet is the end,” laughed Chang.
“I like the sprint to the fin-
tems, and the flagpole lights are all out of service.
ish,” said his teammate, Ilic.
“I feel really great afterwards,” added Chang. “It clears my head.”
Ilic and Chang are friends. It makes sense: Extreme challenges like cross-country help form bonds. The two are also in a rock band together called Standard Tuning. Wonder if they cover the song “Running on Empty.”
(Continued from Page 1) Democracy
the clock, an iconic meeting point on the Boulevard, still hasn’t been working for a year.
“It’s a bigger problem than any of us thought,” said Romi Cortier, president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association, which works side by side with BID. Cortier said the issue started when the new pay stations in the parking lot at 209 N. Larchmont Blvd. were installed. Now at the lot, the clock, the irrigation sys-
Between the two neighborhood organizations, plus Council District 13, the Bureau of Street Services, and private electricians, none have been able to figure out the issue.
History of the clock
Originally in 2005, the clock was presented as a gift from Wilshire Rotary. The international Rotary organization was celebrating its centennial and wanted each chapter to commemorate the occasion with a special project.
According to John Miron, Wilshire Rotary’s president at the time, there was an undocumented agreement between Rotary and the city of Los Angeles. Wilshire Rotary purchased and installed the clock while the city would supply power. Until last year, it had all been seamless.
Miron said he pulled numerous permits and coordinated the project with the city council district. In all, the clock, the foundation, the hauling, the electrician, and the crane needed to place the clock cost $25,000.
Since the large time piece stopped, Miron has also done some phone work trying to get it to start ticking again. He’s reached out to CD13 and some L.A. city departments, as well as the clock’s manufacturer, Electric Time Company in Medfield, Massachusetts. Remarkably, the same woman who Miron bought the clock from is still working there. She offered some advice on how to possibly repair the clock, but that potential fix didn’t work.
Miron said, “I feel so bad that it’s not working. However, I’m happy that it’s a landmark for Larchmont.”
(Continued from Page 1)
through Election Day Nov. 4.
The measure, Proposition 50, authorizes mid-cycle, partisan gerrymandering and temporary changes to the California Congressional District Map. It is in response to Texas’ recent partisan mid-decade redistricting.
If passed, the legislative constitutional amendment requires new congressional district maps through 2030. It would sunset in 2031, when the state’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission would resume.
Pros and cons
The ballot argument in favor of Gov. Newsom’s “Election Rigging Response Act,” (Prop. 50) states it is an emergency measure to “counter Donald Trump’s scheme to rig next year’s congressional election and reaffirms California’s commitment to independent, nonpartisan districting after the next census.”
The ballot argument against: “Prop 50 was written by politicians, for politicians. [It] dismantles safeguards that keep elections fair… removes requirements to keep cities, counties, and local communities together, and eliminates voter protections that ban maps designed to favor incumbents or political parties.”
Both sides say Democracy is at stake and on their side.
County elections offices will begin mailing ballots to registered voters by Mon., Oct. 6, and ballot drop-off locations open on Tue., Oct. 7.
The last day to register to vote is Mon., Oct. 20.
Vote centers open for early in-person voting beginning on Sat., Oct. 25. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Wed., Nov. 12.
Visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections
TEAM PANTHERS teammates and coaches.
Dominic Chang
Jaden Ilic
Are the Los Angeles Clippers cap skippers, or are
It can be a momentous event when a professional sports franchise changes hands. Dynasties can end or launch.
Locally, look no further than the Dodgers. Frank McCourt bought the legendary franchise in 2004 and would go on to own it for nine seasons. They won the division three times during McCourt’s tenure and were mired in dysfunction and a messy public divorce. The new owner is the Guggenheim Group; during their tenure the Dodgers have won the division 11 of 12 seasons and two World Series titles. It’s been an incredible run with no signs of slowing down.
Across town, it seemed like one of the most downtrodden franchises in sports might benefit from a new owner. After escaping from the disastrous shackles of Donald Sterling, the Clippers were purchased by Steve Ballmer. Talk about rags to riches.
When Ballmer took over in 2014, armed with more than $100 billion in Microsoft stock, he instantly became the wealthiest owner in the league, and the Clippers ascended from the outhouse to the penthouse.
Ballmer changed everything about the organization. The team hired the best of everything and last year opened their own state-of-the-art arena.
Results came on court too. Sort of. They’ve made the playoffs in nine of his 11 seasons.
The big bold Ballmer stroke came on a July day in 2019, when he and his staff convinced Kawhi Leonard, a top five player in the league, to sign with the Clippers. He even brought perennial AllStar Paul George with him.
Six years later, that coup has not yielded any tangible
(Continued from Page 3)
think Walker would live. However, surgeon Dr. Gordon MacKay saved his life. The two formed a close bond.
Just nine months after Walker’s surgeries, the doctor and patient biked the 800 miles from Hampden, Scotland, to Munich, Germany, for Scotland’s opening match against Germany in the Euro 2024 soccer competition. Walker carried the match pennant on his back the entire journey and delivered it for kickoff.
Visit makeittomunich.com for screenings.
•••
they not?
Chasing Sports by
Chase Campen
result for the Clippers, and they’ve yet to appear in an NBA Finals. But they are unquestionably a top franchise in the sport, one that attracts the best coaches and the best players—salary cap permitting.
Oh yes, about that salary cap. The cap is way too complicated to explain here, but to put it simply, the cap for the upcoming season is $155 million; teams cannot exceed that amount in their total player payroll. Penalties for doing so are severe, and penalties for circumventing the cap are even more harsh. And that is the focus of this column.
Aside from consistent playoff appearances, the Kawhi Leonard experiment has not paid dividends. But now a new problem is emerging. Sports journalist Pablo Torre recently reported that the Clippers paid Leonard an additional $28 million through a now bankrupt company in which Ballmer invested.
A brief timeline: Aspiration, a supposedly eco-friendly financial services provider that also sold carbon credits, received a $50 million investment from Ballmer in 2021. Soon after, the Clippers inked a nine-figure partnership with Aspiration. Along the way, according to reports, Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration. The Clippers refute any wrongdoing. But here are some questions to ask.
Ballmer is one of the sharpest, shrewdest businessmen in the world. Would he really risk (and lose) $50 million on an “eco-friendly” financial services company, which also happened to sign a massive partnership with his NBA
A NEW CUSTOM FRAMING BUSINESS is going to occupy 111 N. Larchmont Blvd.
After over a decade on the Boulevard, Lemonade, located at 626 N. Larchmont Blvd., closed in mid-September. Visitors to upper Larchmont will no longer be able to quench their thirst with the multiple flavors of their namesake drink. At press time, no news as to what will fill the space.
team? And then, would that carbon credit-selling firm decide that Leonard, who happens to be a star of those Clippers, is just the man to endorse their product? And worth $28 million to do so? Did Ballmer and Aspiration just make bad business decisions, or was this all a plan to put $28 million into his best player’s pocket, skirting the salary cap? If it’s the latter, the Clippers could face an array of penalties (think USC scholarship cuts) that could, at least for a while, have them resembling the moribund Sterling years.
Neville Anderson
Keith Shopa MD,
SIGNING KAWHI LEONARD was a coup for the Clippers, but are they about to get into trouble?
Synagogue
(Continued from Page 1)
foot lot into a house of worship “filling a vital need for the local Jewish community,” according to the application.
Rabbi Kalmenson’s consultant, Beth Palmer, explained at the hearing that the rabbi seeks to convert the downstairs of the property for prayer and other services.
The property includes a 419-square-foot garage to be used as a children’s play area.
Yekusiel purchased the residence 10 years ago and opened his home to small, daily prayer services of up to 10 people.
As his congregation grew the charismatic rabbi rented a space on nearby La Brea Avenue. He moved services to his backyard when the 2020 COVID pandemic hit, and concerns circling the safety of nearby homeless camps
was coupled with increased threats against Jews, especially like ones targeted towards those who wear the garb that distinguishes the Modern Orthodox sect. The walk to La Brea was also cited as a hardship for some members.
“It’s a three-minute walk to La Brea,” contested Leslie Maisel, who, like many residents who spoke at the hearing, identified as Jewish and questioned why the permit was only applied for after neighbors complained.
“As a neighbor who has watched this home change into a fully programmed synagogue… I am glad to hear that the Rabbi rented space in 2022—I wish they had continued to pray there. However, I take complete offense at the claim that one of the reasons for creating a synagogue on Orange Drive is that older people cannot walk that far.
“This is a zoning issue,
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not a religious rights issue,” said Maisel, adding, the city is following a playbook after a federal law, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and dating back to Etz Chaim, a synagogue at a corner home at Third Street and Highland Avenue.
Etz Chaim won a lawsuit against the city after its CUP was denied.
“The facts and circumstances surrounding the Etz Chaim
Rabbi responds
The Chronicle reached out to Rabbi Kalemnson who kindly responded. We edited his comments for space.
Q: Are “ALL” people welcome to the services as many noted at the hearing?
A: Yes. Our doors are open to anyone who wishes to attend respectfully, while honoring our traditions and customs. We welcome diversity and are always glad to share the beauty of our services with others.
Q: Other than services, what does the temple host and when? Meals, school for kids?
A: We are currently working closely with the zoning administrator to provide a detailed schedule of activities. In general, our primary focus is prayer services and community gathering on Shabbat and holidays.
Q: If you have members driving from Brentwood, why can’t you continue using the space on La Brea?
A: Less than one percent of our members live outside the immediate neighborhood—
case and this one are very different,” Maisel said.
“This is a case the city should fight to stop, as the number of houses of worship being operated in neighborhoods across Los Angeles continues to grow.”
The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and Council District 5 both recommend the CUP, with conditions, including limiting activities to the existing first floor of the house and garage, establish-
over 99% walk to services.
Safety concerns raised during the recent hearing were the primary reason we moved back to Orange Drive.
Q: How many adults come to a regular Shabbat morning service? How many kids?
A: Attendance varies from week to week, but always remains within the occupancy limits established by fire codes and regulations.
Q: Are the kids in services or playing on Shabbat?
A: Some children sit with their parents in services, while others spend time outside the sanctuary in the play area. In those cases, they are supervised by adults.
Q: Do you think you have a good relationship with your neighbors?
A: We enjoy warm relationships with many of our neighbors and are grateful for their friendship. At the same time, we recognize concerns were voiced at the hearing, and we are committed to improving communication and building stronger ties with those neighbors as well.
ing a maximum occupancy and restricting parking on Orange Drive. The organization also stipulated that the dates and hours as well as holidays need to be specified and that the CUP shall expire with change of ownership of the property.Comments are being accepted by Fri., Oct. 10. Write to Alexander Truong, city planner, 200 N. Spring St., Room 763, L.A., 90012; alexander.truong@lacity.org; or call 213-978-3308.
Q: Are you exclusive or do you invite your neighbors to events? If so, how do you communicate the invitation?
A: One of the helpful pieces of feedback we heard at the hearing was that neighbors would like more communication from us. We took that to heart. We’ve already set up a dedicated email account and are working on publishing a community calendar on our website, as well as exploring other ways to keep neighbors informed and invited to participate. This information will also be included in the package the zoning administrator requested.
Q: Why did you continue for years illegally?
A: Hosting prayer services in one’s home is not illegal and does not require a permit. The question, which we’ve discussed extensively with multiple departments, was at what point a permit might be required. After much consultation, we chose to apply for a Conditional Use Permit, and that process is now fully underway.
MAP SHOWS detail of area of eligible stops under Senate Bill 79; USC
Senate Bill 79
(Continued from Page 1) ensure its passage. Even then it barely crossed the finish line. But cross it did, and by the time you read this, in all probability, it will have been signed by the governor into law.
In order to pass, the bill went through a substantial legislative sausage-making process with 13 rounds of amendments, including the removal of bus lines from the bill, which excluded large amounts of the Los Angeles as well as rural and suburban communities from the bill’s scope.
Additional amendments
added labor, affordable housing and anti-displacement provisions, which further softened opposition, including that of our own Senator Maria Elena Durazo, who switched her position in the final vote. Eight counties affected SB 79 now only affects eight counties in the state: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Santa Clara, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Mateo. Each of these counties have a combination of train stations, subway stops, “high-frequency” light rail and commuter rail stops or fixed-route “bus rapid transit” lines. New buildings of up to seven stories can be built within a quarter mile of these
Ecclesia Gnostica Gnostic Christian Church Bishop Dr. Stephan Hoeller
stations and five-story buildings up to a half mile.
Visit uscssi.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html.
cock Park HPOZ, all which fall into an SB 79 zone. National landmarks, California state landmarks and national historic districts, however all remain unprotected.
There still remains a great deal of uncertainty about the provisions of the law, as many sections are vague and have yet to be parsed out by city planning and the city attorney’s office. There are also no official maps that outline SB 79 zones, keeping concerned citizens and interested parties in the dark. The preservation community will have to map out which historic resources fall into SB 79 zones to determine its possible impact. There is a fear that since many stations are placed in the oldest parts of Los Angeles where historic buildings are that they will be disproportionately affected.
change. Previous celebratory or doomsday predictions of housing legislation such as SB 9 (which allowed lots splits in single-family neighborhoods) has produced little disruption and little housing.
The new law’s repercussions may be similar. SB 79 does not come into effect until January 2027, and Los Angeles’ real estate market is in the doldrums due to, among other factors, high interest rates, measure ULA (United to House Los Angeles), taxes, and a gloomy outlook on the economy.
Sunday Eucharist 11:00am
Sunday Eucharist 11am
The preservation community was able to amend the bill to exclude local landmarks, Historic-Cultural Monuments (HCMs) from redevelopment, but only those designated as of Jan. 1, 2025. There also seems to be limited protection for Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs) so long as “sites excluded from the density requirements…do not cumulatively exceed 10 percent of the eligible area of any transit-oriented development zone.” This may add a layer of protection for the southeast corner of Windsor Square HPOZ, the northeast corner of Wilshire Park HPOZ, and the southwest corner of Han-
But do not expect radical
One developer interviewed by CalMatters on SB 79 stated that over the next five years, there may only be 20 to 30 SB 79 projects in the entire state. That leaves a lot of time for adjustment and perhaps tweaking of this law to make it a better fit.
Wednesday Eucharist 8:30pm Lectures • Fridays • 8pm 3363 Glendale Boulevard, Atwater, Los Angeles • 323-467-2685
Wednesday Eucharist 8pm Lectures • Fridays • 8pm 2560 N. Beachwood Dr., Hollywood • 323-467-2685
Dentistry for Children and Young Adults
Pediatric Dentistry
Dornsife Spacial Science Institute.
LARCHMONT VILLAGE CLEANUP, sponsored by Coldwell Banker Realty, took place recently. Front row, from left: Bob Day, Jenny Chow, Margaret Shipmen, Jeannine Yates, Barbara Allen, Anne Loveland, Michelle Hanna. Back row, from left: Anita Newman, Seth Romatelli, Niklaus Lange. The group starts cleaning every Friday morning. Gloves and trash bags are provided. Friends and neighbors are welcome to join. Many thanks to Clark Street and LeVain Bakery for donating pastries at the end of the cleanup. Please call Barbara 323-610-1781.
