Recently, in our effort to inform voters, we spoke with Nithya Raman for an expansive conversation regarding her run for mayor and what she strives for in the city of Los Angeles. Her name is definitely recognizable to our readers as she was our councilperson prior to the redistricting in December 2021. Surprisingly, Raman did not ask for our range of questions beforehand, and nothing was off-limits. Her answers were thoughtful and certainly not scripted.
Obviously, many voters have a notion of who they believe Raman is and what she
By Jon Vein
We asked the leading candidates for mayor, Council District 5, and Council District 13 to respond to three questions:
1) Why should voters choose you?
2) Where do you stand on Senate Bill 79, which was recently passed into law. And how are you going to work within its restraints?
3) What’s your plan for getting people off the streets and keeping them housed? Here are their responses: Candidates for mayor Mayor Karen Bass:
By Suzan Filipek
Neighbors, architects, designers, and everyone and anyone interested in the future of Larchmont Boulevard—north of Beverly Boulevard and south of Melrose Avenue—is invited to enter a design competition aimed to bring new life, housing and architectural wonder to the three-block strip.
“We’re hoping to engage neighbors to share what they think Upper Larchmont should look like,” said Lindsay Sturman, co-founder of the Livable Communities Ini-
Blvd.
tiative, which is heading the project.
Ground-floor commercial space with affordable, and family-size housing above are major components of the project, known as Larchmont 2030, created by Sam Uretsky.
City Council is considering amending the city’s building code.
There are around 80 underutilized parcels on Upper Larchmont that could be redeveloped, as members of the planning initiative estimate.
In addition, more than 1,000
For more than a century, the gates of Paramount Studios on Melrose Avenue have stood as both a literal and symbolic entrance to Hollywood. Behind them, generations of filmmakers built the mythology of the American film industry—long before “content” became a commodity and streaming platforms began reshaping the business. Now, those gates may soon open to a very different future.
With the recent acquisition of Paramount by Skydance— and broader consolidation pressures across the entertainment industry—serious questions are emerging about the long-term fate of the 65acre studio lot. While no final decisions have been announced, enough signals have surfaced to make one thing clear: the land itself is now as much a financial asset as it is a creative one.
And in Los Angeles today, that raises an unavoidable question: if not a studio, then
By H. Hutcheson
Candidates, P 15 n She’s a contractor, architect, & designer
Our annual section honoring local high school graduates will be featured in the June issue of the Larchmont Chronicle Advertising deadline is Mon., May 11. To reserve space, call 323-462-2241, ext. 11, or email jesse@ larchmontchronicle.com or sandy@larchmont chronicle.com.
Lauren Howley started her construction firm, Howley Design Build, because she always loved her experiences watching her family remodel their 1920s house on Lucerne Boulevard. She studied interior design and architecture, but upon graduation in 2008 took a job with a contractor. She found her place in the world of construction and never looked back.
I visited Howley at her current project in Los Feliz and spoke with her about the journey of becoming a design contractor and her experience as a female in a
world dominated by men. Larchmont Chronicle: I feel wrong even
asking you this, but… Lauren Howley: How did a Marlborough girl get into construction? LC: Yes! A woman. Howley: Yeah, it’s a great question, and there’s more and more of us. I’m on a group chat with two other female contractors. We talk almost daily and share knowledge, which I think is unique to our gender in contracting—there’s enough room for everyone, we feel. One’s more commercial, the other works more on the westside, and I’m more in Hancock Park, Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills. It’s definitely a growing community.
I grew up on Lucerne and
WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB has finished the Kyle Phillips-led restoration of its 18-hole golf course, first designed by Normal Macbeth in 1919. See story, Page 8
Photo by Bill Johnson
LAUREN HOWLEY grew up in Windsor Square in
borhood. Photo by Betsy Newman
Editorial
By Chronicle Editorial Board
Housing is important, but at what cost?
Virtually every candidate running for any office in our city will exclaim fervently “We need more housing.” While it’s true we need more housing, the type of housing should be of great importance for every resident.
A large part of a city is the character of that city, architecture being a huge factor, and yet not many candidates express what housing will look like. I am sure we have all seen the big square boxes that have been built throughout our streets, many of which look empty or are simply unaffordable. Is it too much to ask that the housing being built preserves the unique aspect of the community it is being built in?
Can we ask that they keep the overall character of a neighborhood intact? The rush to build as much housing as possible can have negative consequences, which can be seen in cities throughout the country. The increase in dollars put behind housing initiatives are going to be astronomical. Maybe as part of the contracts the developers receive, there should be an expectation there will be some forethought and planning around integrating architecture that will not depress, but inspire.
325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 windsorsquare.org
157 N. Larchmont Boulevard
“The world’s favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May.”
Edwin Way Teale
CD13 CANDIDATE TOWN HALL: Thank you to all of the candidates who participated in the forum; Coun- cilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, Colter Carlisle, Dylan Kendall, and Rich Sarian and all of the Windsor Square residents who attended and made your voices heard! o o o
CRIME IS DOWN!: New released statistics show a 20% drop in burglaries in our area, on top of the 35% drop in crime in 2025. Thank you to all of our vigilant neighbors, area police at the Wilshire and Olympic Divisions and district attorney Nathan Hochman for working so hard to keep our community safe.
o o o
WSA WELCOMES NEW BLOCK CAPTAINS: Thank you to neighbors Neda Disney (400 S Windsor block) and Charlotte Toumanoff & Allison Meyerson (200 S Larchmont block) who have stepped up to join our volunteer Block Captain network. Block Captains are essential to the collecting and disseminating of important information to the WSA and the community at large.
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.
o o o
“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 windsorsquare.org/prepare 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
Tue., May 5— Cinco de Mayo.
Sun., May 10— Mother’s Day.
Mon., May 25—Memorial Day.
Thu., May 28—Delivery of the June edition of the Larchmont Chronicle
by
Letters to the Editor
Public schools, too
We are a family living on Arden Boulevard and our children have grown up entirely in Larchmont. We care deeply about this neighborhood, and we truly appreciate how the Larchmont Chronicle reflects so much of what makes this community special.
I was disappointed to see once again that our local LAUSD public schools are largely absent from the School
Larchmont Chronicle
News section, while many private schools are prominently featured, including one in the Valley and one west of the 405 freeway. In the most recent issue, Third Street Elementary was included on the last page, but our neighborhood public middle and high schools were not represented. When we first moved here 14 years ago and began raising our children, we were often told we couldn’t send our kids to local public middle and high schools. Our experience has proven otherwise. Our two kids attended Third Street Elementary and are now thriving at John Burroughs Middle School. We also have friends whose children are having wonderful experiences at Bancroft Middle School, and we know many students at Fairfax High School who are doing impressive and inspiring work. These are strong, vibrant school communities that deserve recognition. As a local newspaper, I would hope the default would be to
(Please turn to Page 12)
‘What’s the best advice your mother ever gave you?’
That’s the question our inquiring photographer asked locals.
“Two words, ‘Have fun,’” said Nguyen. “I think I stress out a lot,” said Hua. “My mom tells me every day, ‘Nothing is ever that serious.’”
Bao Nguyen and Amy Hua
“I have one from my mom, ‘Respect others the way you respect yourself,’” said Leyva. “Mom says, ‘You only live life once,’” said Abraham. “My mom always tells me, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’” said Sais.
Leon Leyva (left), Louie Abraham, and George Sais
“If you be kind to someone, they’ll remember it, but if you don’t be, they’ll also remember you were mean to them. And so, you want to always be nice!,” said Frankie B. “My mom would say, ‘People remember how you make them feel,’” said Natalie B. Frankie B. (right) and Natalie B.
Circulation
Nona
Digital
606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103 Los Angeles, CA 90004 323-462-2241
larchmontchronicle.com
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.
CORRECTIONS
In last month’s issue, part of a story about the Junior League of Los Angeles’ Centennial Gala was omitted. Read the correction in Sec. 2, Page 11.
“‘Your reputation is everything.’ That’s one I remember when I was starting real estate,” said Day.
Bob Day
Finn Walker Instagram @finnwalkersart
New moms diving into endeavors to help each other
By Nona Sue Friedman
Have you heard of the word “matresence”? If you haven’t, it means the developmental transition to motherhood; colloquially the “culture of moms.” As most moms will attest, you totally change when you have a child.
The term was coined in the late 1960s in a dissertation by Dana Louise Raphael at Columbia University but never made it into the mainstream. Lately, it has come into vogue. New moms are much more aware of their own needs, and that awareness has revealed there is a deficiency in some areas of motherhood.
Four moms in the neighborhood each creating their own product to make the transition from pregnancy to motherhood easier. In this way, they are consciously supporting each other personally and professionally.
Aside from motherhood, the other thing the following
SECTION ONE
OWNER OF THE NEW MOM SCHOOL, Stephanie Marker stands in the middle of the newly designed space on Larchmont Boulevard.
moms all have in common is their love and appreciation for this neighborhood, all likening it to a village, which isn’t the norm these days. School for new moms
The New Mom School, at 658 N. Larchmont Blvd., is exactly that—a place for new or soon-to-be moms to take a class and create community.
Owner Stephanie Marker had
her two kids during COVID-19, when meeting other moms was only possible online. She craved a different, less isola ing kind of experience.
Having grown up in Orange County, she knew of the New Mom School, which originated in Newport Beach. Many of her childhood friends participated in the program and had wonderful experiences. With the company now offer-
ing franchise opportunities, Marker thought this would be a great chance to give other moms the experience and comradery she had wanted. Her first-choice location was Larchmont, and working with a realtor, she got it. Marker said, “It’s been great. A perfect place to land.
The LBA [Larchmont Boulevard Association] and LUNA [Larchmont United Neigh-
borhood Association] are all invested in our success.” She designed a space that is inviting, calming, and serene the moment you enter, both visually and audibly. Classes are held once a week for eight weeks with a different topic each meeting, such as bonding, tummy time, sleeping,
(Please turn to Page 6)
MELANIE KAPLAN, creator of the platform oPPal, strolls the neighborhood with her family.
Photo by Betsy Newman
SET UP TO SELL ON the Boulevard, Lauren Breiding and her daughter Murphy display the beloved Sweet Cream Baby pajamas.
GOOFING AROUND WITH her family is Elissa Shenkman. Photo by Laura Ise
Book takes us behind the scenes of megaproject
By Jack Brownlee
The opening of the first D Line subway extension stations Fri., May 8, marks a huge advancement in Los Angeles’ public transport system, and few people have kept up with the project’s progress like India Mandelkern and Ken Karagozian. In her new book “Wilshire Subway,” Mandelkern walks us through the history of the extension, from its early proposals in the 1960s to its current, near-finished state. Along the way, Karagozian’s photography gives us a look into an underground world of giant machines, tar-infested earth, and the men and women who worked for years to make the Wilshire subway a reality.
Karagozian, who has been photographing Metro projects since the Red Line was built in the 1990s, approached Mandelkern with his photography, wanting to combine his work with her historical writing. “The most interesting line for me personally has always been this D Line extension because it has this very fraught history,” said Mandelkern. “They’ve been trying to build this subway since the 1960s, and for one reason or another, funding or fears of underground [construction] or politics, it just never came to fruition.”
The book features a foreword by former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa along with several guest essays. Writer David Ulin remarks on how the D Line reminds us of the past and encourages us to look to the future. Architect Leo Marmol recounts a prank he pulled involving a fictional Aqua Line construction project connecting downtown to Santa Monica. Urban planner James Rojas shows us how megaprojects are emblematic of the indomitable spirit of Angelenos, including his grandfather, who helped channelize the Los Angeles River after the flood of 1938.
“It’s looking at the subway project not just from one angle, but from 360 degrees,”
Metro to open new stations on Wilshire
By Jack Brownlee
Three Metro subway stations will open along Wilshire Boulevard Fri., May 8, bringing the decades-long D Line Extension project one step closer to completion. Stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/ Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega will connect Beverly Hills and Miracle Mile to Koreatown and Downtown via the D Line, with a terminus at Union Station.
CD5 Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky’s office has several activation events planned for the two stations in Miracle Mile. The Wilshire/Fairfax station will have a weekly farmers market on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the Wilshire/La Brea station will have one on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, both stations will have coffee vendors from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily. Dance classes, concerts,
and food events are planned for the stations in the months following the openings.
Leo Daube, communications director for CD5, said there were multiple reasons for the activations. “It’s not just about bringing community together,” he said. “It’s about safety. You feel safer at a station if it’s full of people.”
The upcoming openings are the first of three phases for the D Line Extension. Phase Two, expected to open Spring 2027, includes one station in the Rodeo Drive shopping district and another in the heart of Century City. Phase Three will add a station near UCLA and another at the West Los Angeles VA Hospital, expected to open Fall 2027.
The seven new D Line stations anticipate 49,000 riders per day. Metro estimates it will take riders only 21 minutes to travel from Wilshire/
WILSHIRE/LA BREA station is one of three new subway stations to open May 8.
La Cienega to Union Station, and a mere 14 minutes to go from Wilshire/La Brea to Union Station.
While the extension of the D Line to Westside communities was first proposed in the 1960s, it was not until 2009 that Metro officially began the assessment process to figure out how to make the subway a reality. Construction on Phase One began in 2014, with groundbreaking on Phase Two and Three beginning in 2018 and 2021, respectively.
CONCRETE CARPENTER
Jenna Dorough in the tunnel on her birthday in 2022.
MINERS pose in front of a drill cutterhead after completing Reach Four of the extension project. Photos by Ken Karagozian
POLICE BEAT
Pellet gun shooting, suspects wave knife at construction site
OLYMPIC DIVISION
BURGLARIES: Two male suspects attempted but failed to gain entry to a residence. They entered the backyard, disabled a camera, and smashed a window April 3 at 9:20 p.m. on the 100 block of North Van Ness Avenue. While a victim was asleep, an unknown suspect entered through the front door, moved a surveillance camera, and damaged a TV April 12 at 1:30 a.m. on the 5100 block of Moms
(Continued from Page 3)
and feeding. The school offers classes for parents with newborns, infants 6 to 12 months, and toddlers. There’s even a class for pregnant moms. She advises signing up for a baby class when you’re pregnant to guarantee a spot when your little bundle of joy arrives.
One mom graduate from the first cohort of classes, Hannah Hutton, of Larchmont Village, said, “This is a must, must, must. It was great. There was a sense of community I didn’t even know I needed.”
Marker wants the space to be a community hub for moms. In addition to classes, she offers a free breastfeeding clinic to anyone at any stage of motherhood.
Coming from the corporate world, the Ridgewood Place
resident said, “I’m loving it so much, seeing the impact on a day-to-day basis.” She is already looking for a second location in Culver City. For class information, visit newmomschool.com.
App for moms with resources galore
Mum’s the Word is a onestop shopping app to find people, places, and services for motherhood and kids. After working in the entertainment industry for more than a decade, Elissa Shenkman, of Hancock Park, took the voluntary leave she was offered to work on her app full time.
After having two kids later in life, motherhood wasn’t exactly what she anticipated. Shenkman wondered, “Why is it so hard to find so many things? It’s so time consuming.” She was referring to
stolen from a parking lot April 10 at 2:40 a.m. on the 3400 block of West Eighth Street.
anything from doctors, swim teachers, and parks to meet other moms to “how to get my colicky kid to stop crying”—and the list goes on. She felt everyone knew a secret that she wasn’t in on.
Mum’s the Word is here to make the task of finding help easier. It’s been around for one year, but a more nuanced and informative version of it is coming out at the end of this month.
Shenkman is rolling out a pilot version with her favorite and most familiar areas, Larchmont Village and MidWilshire. “My goal is to make it easier to find all of the things you need to be a parent.”
The new version will include lists like an editorial, a chat room, and discounts. To join the waitlist, visit mumstheword.com.
BURGLARY THEFT FROM AUTO: A catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle April 4 at 9 p.m. on the 500 block of North Norton Avenue.
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: A suspect punched a victim during an argument then brandished a knife April 3 at 6 a.m. on the 300 block of South Manhattan Place.
The Beauty of Experience
Larchmont's own Rebecca Fitzgerald M.D., a board certified dermatologic surgeon, brings extensive experience and up-to-theminute expertise to the convenience of your own neighborhood.
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
AND BURGLARY: Two Hispanic male suspects entered a construction area on Beverly Boulevard and North St. Andrews Place. They took electrical wires April 12 at 2:59 a.m. When confronted, the suspects waved a knife.
WILSHIRE DIVISION
The Chronicle did not hear back from Wilshire Division this month.
A suspect in a black Dodge Ram shot a victim in the stomach with a pellet gun April 12 at 3:18 p.m. at Western Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.
I need help. Who can I turn to?
Melanie Kaplan suffered from severe postpartum depression after giving birth to her first child in 2022. In 2024, when her second child was born, she had a mom community and knowledge, and her experience took a 180. One night before bed, she posted a few questions on her personal Instagram to see if moms would be interested in helping other moms navigate the first year of motherhood. By the next morning, she had hundreds of responses and knew she had to do something. “There is an amazing transformation when you become a mom. And there’s a maternal instinct to help other moms get through it,” claimed Kaplan. She found there was a gap in care for moms after childbirth. Everyone was so focused on the baby; the mom went practically unnoticed.
She created oPPal , an online village to forge relationships for those who don’t have Larchmont Village, the area she adores. Like a sorority for moms, Little oPPals, new and expecting moms, are paired with Big oPPals, seasoned moms who are at least one year past the birth of their first child. The match is made intentionally, taking into consideration birth experience and physical location. Bigs must complete a seven-video training program designed by a team of postpartum professional before being assigned
Book
(Continued from Page 5) said Mandelkern. “There were so many people that this project really brought together.”
As you look at Karagozian’s portraits of workers and read Mandelkern’s history, with all its ups and downs, it’s hard
to a little.
Bigs regularly reach out to littles to check in on the mother, not their baby. “My brand is to be the neighbor or friend who gives you a glass of wine and tells you what to do,” said Kaplan a Windsor Square resident and former PR agent. The website Myoppal.com will launch Thu., May 7. Cost to participate is $20. Clean, cozy kids’ clothes created and made in L.A. Sweet Cream Baby is a clothing brand for kids designed with organic cotton in cute patterns, safely dyed, and made in Los Angeles. Mother of two and Larchmont Village resident, Lauren Brieding, started working with a partner on the clothing line during COVID-19. Learning curves and restrictions during the pandemic delayed the launch of the line until 2025. Their clothes are made for kids aged 9 months up to 6 years. They make T-shirts, sweatshirts, and, of course, pajamas, among other items.
not to see the D Line project as a microcosm of Los Angeles as a whole.
A reception for the launch of “Wilshire Subway” is on Fri., May 1, at 4 p.m. at 6150 Wilshire Blvd. Mandelkern’s book can be bought online or in stores, including at LACMA and Craft Contemporary.
“I never expected to get the feedback I’ve been getting. I have moms tell me their kids say, ‘More Sweet Cream please,’ and ‘If the Sweet Cream pajamas are clean that’s what I want to wear,’” said Brieding. The line is at sweetcreambaby.com. Pop-ups are announced at @ sweetcream baby. You can also shop the collection in-person at the Larchmont Block party, Sun., May 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 500 block of North Bronson Avenue. Ecclesia Gnostica Gnostic
A most significant golf course renovation in Hancock Park
You can probably relate. Have you ever hired a contractor to, perhaps, install new counters and cabinets in your kitchen; just a little fresheningup? But once he’s there he mentions that if you open this one wall, it will dramatically improve the flow, and “Oh while we’re at it, this is a good time to replace all your pipes.” Next thing you know, your small project turns into a complete overhaul.
Wilshire Country Club can relate. The proud golf club, established in 1919 and occupying more than 100 acres of prime Hancock Park real estate, was designed by British native and amateur golf champion Normal Macbeth, and just reopened after a 16-month overhaul. The work is getting rave reviews from the membership, who’ve been salivating to get back onto their home course. The renovation touched nearly every facet of the golf course, but that wasn’t the original intent.
The genesis of the project began under then Club President Bradford Hughes, and wound up being executed under current President John Shipka, aided by a robust committee of members who helped get the project
working on one nine while closing the other. This renovation called for a different course of action.
approved and launched.
“We originally looked at redoing the greens and the infrastructure,” Shipka explained. “They had never been redone, which is almost unheard of for a 105-year-old golf course.”
Over the years Wilshire had completed certain projects here and there to improve the greens, sometimes patching problem spots and grafting in new grass, but always chasing solutions and never really getting out in front of it. A complete redo was the only way to ensure an optimally performing course going forward.
“The other issue was irrigation,” Shipka continued. “It
Photos by Bill Johnson
was horribly old. The irrigation system was watering the fairways inconsistently—too much in some places, not enough in others. The bunkers also had no drainage. Great golf courses require great infrastructure that no one sees.”
So, greens and infrastructure stretched into bunkers [obstacles on a golf course such as sand traps] too, but then there was the issue of the barranca. It’s a natural snaking water feature that pre-dates the golf course and is part of the Rancho La Brea land upon which the course was built. Functionally, the barranca performs an important drainage role; it also
touches 14 of the 18 holes on the course, adding both natural beauty and a challenging hazard. But over time, even the most beautiful features need updates.
“Parts of the barranca were held up by concrete masonry unit, chain link fences, and in some areas, nothing,” Shipka explained. “We had to address it for the long-term benefit not only of the barranca, but the golf course itself.”
Shipka credited the m6 Consulting engineering firm for coming up with a plan that dramatically repaired and improved the course’s critical feature, shoring up its banks and making sure it performs its role of diverting water from the course effectively.
“It was easiest to do it all at once rather than piecemeal,” said Shipka, who issues high praise for the architect who oversaw the project. “We were blessed to have Kyle Phillips work with us to create a masterpiece. He’s a historian of Normal Macbeth and did a fantastic job; we were blessed to have someone of his stature work on our course.”
Shipka explained that the course was restored and reimagined from Macbeth’s original vision, including the use of bridges. Phillips used
archives to recreate Macbeth’s initial concept.
Macbeth wanted a golf course that was challenging. Given that the game has changed with longer hitters, better equipment, and faster greens, the course had to change with it, while still adhering to its roots.
“Membership loves it, and I’ve heard no complaints,” marveled Shipka. “Especially the architecture. We just opened a few months ago and it’s still in its infancy; the course still needs to grow and mature. The true result will be apparent in a couple of years, but so far, we are thrilled.”
Additional changes included enlarging the 18th green, which had shrunk over the years, to now 75 yards from front to back. Similarly, the 10th hole had eroded over the years and had a neck in the middle; it was widened and is now pinnable in the center. The same is now true of the 15th green.
The third hole was described as totally different, with bunkers now occupying the center
WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB executed numerous projects at times
Chasing Sports by Chase Campen
Geffen opens to the public May 4
By Nona Sue Friedman
After nearly seven years of construction and a $724 million price tag, the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA will open to the public Mon., May 4. Members were able to visit starting April 19.
The undulating shape, which floats 30 feet above the
ground and spans Wilshire Boulevard, houses the museum’s permanent collection, covering 6,000 years of world history. The ground floor includes an Erewhon cafe; a restaurant and wine bar are also set to open later this year. The free-form structure mimics the way one can wan-
der through the exhibition areas—there isn’t just one way to go. The perimeter of the organic shape is floorto-ceiling glass, which allows light to dance through the spaces and off the artwork, depending on the time of day. Tickets available at lacma. org.
LIGHT WASHES IN THROUGH floor-to-ceiling windows in the David Geffen Galleries.
VIEW OF WILSHIRE BOULEVARD and the rest of the LACMA campus from inside the Geffen Galleries.
DAVID GEFFEN GALLERIES span Wilshire Boulevard.
SCHOOL NEWS
LARCHMONT CHARTER
LAFAYETTE PARK
Ella Woolrich 10th Grade
of May and beginning of June.
As students return from spring break at LFP, there is lots of excitement as we prepare for the final stretch of the school year and get ready for summer. But before we’re able to enjoy a well-deserved break, there are AP tests, finals, and more events coming up. AP tests will take place in the first two weeks of May, and other finals will happen between the end
During this time, seniors are enjoying their last few months in high school and committing to various colleges! Some of those include Yale, Rhode Island School of Design, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and many more.
IMMACULATE HEART
Madison Dang 11th Grade
Summer Camps
Early Bird Discount
Expires May 1
After a relaxing spring break, students returned to campus ready to prepare for one of Immaculate Heart’s most anticipated and beloved traditions. Mary’s Day,
which will take place Fri., May 1, celebrates not only Mary, our school patroness and the mother of Jesus, but also the sisterhood and friendships that are created and nurtured at Immaculate Heart. This year’s theme, Journey Through Healing, emphasizes finding a path toward inner healing amid suffering and uncertainty in current times. With this overarching theme, students have spent weeks partaking in different aspects of the preparation process. From practicing the maypole dance to putting together campus decorations, every student has had the chance to contribute to making Mary’s Day special. Students and faculty alike are excited to see this year’s Mary’s Day come to life!
Summer Riding Camps Summer
For over 25 years we have offered a safe, fun-filled program
June 8 - Sept. 11 (weekly) 9 am to 3:30 pm
Applications accepted NOW … first come, first served
• Beginner to Intermediate
• Ages 6 and up
• Patient instructors, gentle school horses
• Limited group size
• Health precautions observed
• Arts & Crafts
Gene Gilbert, USPC Professional Member located at the Paddock Riding Club 4010 Verdant Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tel: 323-665-8977 gggilbertent@aol.com www.EnterpriseFarms.com
FAIRFAX HIGH
Joyce Kang 12th Grade
WINDWARD
Lucy Margolis 10th Grade
May will be an extremely busy month for Fairfax students as they take on AP and IB exams after months of hard work. On Fri., May 29, Fairfax High School will be hosting the Spring Performance Arts Showcase starting at 6 p.m., featuring the talented band and other student artists! Additionally, the Visual Arts Magnet program will be hosting its VAM End of Year Showcase, showcasing our students’ artistic and creative talents. The week after, Thu., May 28, a big night of celebrating our seniors’ accomplishments will be taking place with Senior Awards Night, beginning at 6 p.m. in the auditorium.
NEW COVENANT
Evelyn Lee 11th Grade
The month of April was full of blasting activities at NCA! Our high school students embarked on their annual field trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain, where they took a day off to experience the thrills of roller coasters. Our elementary students learned about the vast marine life as they took a field trip to the Long Beach Aquarium.
Our middle school and elementary students participated in the annual Science Fair and presented their extraordinary findings!
The High School Student Council hosted the 2026 Prom with the theme “Enchanted Garden” and filled the night with delicious food, prizes, and a photobooth.
High school students also hosted the World Food Festival, where they created their own menu and served different cuisines to students. Go Huskies!
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE
Reece Bagley 6th Grade
HSH deeply values its faculty and staff, and the first week of May is recognized as Teacher Appreciation Week.
This special week is a schoolwide celebration of the dedication and effort that educators and support staff have contributed to enhance the students’ learning experience. Parents and students not only verbally thank the faculty, but they also gift them bouquets, gift cards, and sweet treats to thank them for their service to the school. The hope is that all of the staff members feel acknowledged. Nonetheless, every adult at Hollywood Schoolhouse ends up feeling like their work is not in vain by the end of the year.
The Windward Wildcats came roaring back from spring break, ready to finish the year strong. While Windward might not have canvassers stopping you between classes asking you to sign petitions about saving the world, we do have teachers and deans constantly reminding us to turn in assignments. Annoying, but for a good cause.
Seniors now know where they’re heading for college and can finally focus on more pressing matters like senioritis, prom, and planning senior ditch day. After years in such a close-knit community, they’re getting ready to head out into the real world.
As for campus life, the cafeteria is holding steady. No major changes yet, but there is always hope for something new. Like the Larchmont Farmers’ Market, you never really know what might show up. Maybe not ceramics, but an upgraded kombucha selection would not hurt.
MARLBOROUGH
Madison McClure 10th Grade
The day before spring break, our all-school council continued the tradition of an all-school talent show! Or as we call it, Marlborough’s Got Talent. It was amazing to see everyone’s hidden talents and tricks. As for Marlborough Athletics, our varsity lacrosse is having an amazing season so far, with a perfect record (14-0) as of their last game against Village Christian. Additionally, four of our water polo players and two of our basketball players made Mission League 1st Team and two of our water polo players were named Mission League MVP. Lastly with athletics, all Marlborough Varsity teams earned recognition from CIF Southern Section for student-athlete Academic Awards. Furthermore, in life as a Marlborough student, we just had All-School Council Election for 2026-2027, where many current juniors pitched their ideas for improvements for the next school year. It is always so interesting to hear what ideas students have to make Marlborough even more enjoyable.
THIRD STREET ELEMENTARY
Cole Bigus 5th Grade
Hello Larchmont! The 3rd-5th graders have been preparing for state testing all year taking place in the first two weeks of May. Also, early this month is Teachers Appreciation
School News
(Continued from Page 10)
Week (May 4-8), when we’ll show our teachers how much they mean to us. The 4th graders have been practicing for their musical (“Wendy in Neverwood”), which they will perform after the May 25th Memorial Day holiday. On Wed., May 29, students will perform their best talents at the 3rd St’s Got Talent show. It’s a fun way to end the school year. The 5th graders have all been talking about their dance coming up on Thu., May 30, at Fairfax High School. We’re grateful to all the parents helping. We are sad to be leaving Third Street but excited for middle school. Sadly, this will be my last article. I’ve enjoyed writing for the Chronicle
ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL
Sloan Kennedy 6th Grade
terms of daily life, students have enjoyed several fun “free dress” days this past month, most notably a “beach boardwalk” day this Friday, which was accompanied by a Dip-N-Dots sale by our student council. Go Griffins!
CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION
Hugo Payne 5th Grade
Whimsy comes to Coachella festival
By Jack Brownlee
In the last few months of school, we have some very memorable events! After returning from spring break, the St. James’ golf team had a tournament at Rancho Park. Our 3rd graders had a field trip to the LA River, and on April 17 we had an All-School Spirit Day, where all students had the option to wear any and all of their St. James’ apparel! Then, on April 19 we had a fun baking party at Republique Bakery with host Marge Manzke and made many memories and delicious treats. To kick off Earth Day, we had an entirely student-led assembly featuring Science Fair results and next steps on student-designed recycling initiatives. On May 1, Kindergarten Career Day took place, when our kindergarteners dressed up as what they want to be when they grow up! I always look forward to this. See you next month!
This Spring, we enjoyed several cultural and engineering highlights with an amazing author visit, a dynamic STEAM festival, and a memorable field trip to the LA Opera. Fifth and sixth-grade students met authors Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet and Hope Anita Smith when they came to discuss the memoir, “It Rained Warm Bread,” which tells the story of Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet’s grandfather
(Please turn to Page 12)
The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is famous for bringing the biggest names in music together, but this year’s festival included one local act that is a bit more niche: Highland Park’s own Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Performing early on the festival’s first day, many in the audience came with curiosity, some with skepticism, but all left with smiles, laughter, and a feeling of childlike wonder.
The Marionettes put on a wonderful show, delighting the audience with renditions of showtunes like “All That Jazz” and “Puttin’ On the Ritz.” The show built to a cover of Addison Rae’s pop hit “Diet Pepsi,” and the audience went wild. Comedian Kate Micucci voiced “Pink Cat,” the show’s anthropomorphic feline emcee, who introduced each song with wit and a pull-
With Coachella being held over two weekends, the Marionettes got to delight fans twice in Coachella’s Gobi Tent, a smaller stage which holds around 9,000 people. After their performance, the Marionettes could be found all over the Coachella grounds throughout the weekend, with puppets taking photos with
fans and puppeteers teaching marionette skills to those interested.
Back in L.A., BBMT launched a capital campaign to purchase a forever home theater at 4949 York Blvd. in Highland Park. They’ve already raised $4.5 million of the $7 million needed. Want to help? Visit bobbakermarionettetheater.com.
THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL
Lilah Feuerstein 10th Grade
With spring break coming to a close, much is to look forward to in our final quarters here Buckley. Many students are excitedly awaiting screening of our first student-produced movie, “The Wolves,” filmed over spring break, featuring an all-female cast. Spring athletics are also in full swing, with our boys’ baseball and tennis teams currently dominating in league, and swim having its first league meet! After competing at the end of March, our model UN team scored big in New York, beating out thousands of schools to win a research preparation award of merit, the most prestigious award Buckley’s model UN team has ever received. In
BOB BAKER’S MARIONETTES take the stage at Coachella.
string wink.
Letters
(Continued from Page 2)
highlight the public schools that serve our neighborhood, in addition to including independent and charter schools. When the School News section is dominated by independent schools, with minimal representation from
neighborhood public schools, it risks reinforcing the misconception that these schools are not great options for local families. Sarah Greene Windsor Square
Editor’s note: Each summer the Chronicle reaches out to all the public schools, charter schools, and independent schools that serve the
area. It is up to the individual school to supply a school reporter. Participation varies month-to-month and yearto-year.
Musing on ‘I’m fine’
“I’m fine…” We hear it or say it at least once a day. But what is “fine?” Is it that space between awful and great? Or is fine frustrated, insecure, neu-
rotic, and emotional? Yeah, I’ll go for that one. Some days one more than the other. Listen the next time you ask someone how they are. Look up at them and see their face. Just maybe, your kind words will help them get through a neurotic and/or emotional day. It’s nice to know that today you were seen. That you mattered, just for a second. Just give it a thought today. How are you? Just OK, that’s alright. However you’re feeling, OK is OK. Not every day is or has to be great. Anonymous
Lights out!
Nine months. That’s how long the streetlights have been out at the southern end of Windsor Village—with no end in sight.
For nine months, a major thoroughfare and bus route along Olympic Boulevard—as well as a significant stretch within our neighborhood—has been left in total darkness. During this time, residents have logged dozens of requests through LA311, the Bureau of Street Lighting, and our representatives at Council District 5. We’ve attended meetings, followed every instruction, and been thanked for our patience while being assured we are “doing all the right things” to be prioritized.
Meanwhile, our safety is compromised. We use flashlights to walk our dogs and to get from our cars to our homes. We’ve installed commercial-grade lighting and security cameras, and we’ve launched a neighborhood WhatsApp group. We clean up trash and sanitation debris from encampments that continue to appear on the vacant Rite Aid lot at Olympic and Crenshaw boulevards—while calls to [city agencies] too often lead nowhere. It feels like we are doing more than our share to compensate for services we are not receiving, while our local government shrugs its shoulders.
We understand the challenges—limited budgets, staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and theft. We hear that emergency funding is being allocated and that we are “on the list.” That all sounds promising. But acknowledging the problem and assuring us that efforts are underway is not the same as fixing it—not after nine months. Right now, the system feels disconnected from the urgent reality on the ground.
So, what’s next? The District Council primary elections are June 2, and we will vote. Our communities deserve basic services—and local leadership that delivers solutions aligned with the real needs of
our neighborhoods.
Sharon Merle-Lieberman Windsor Village
Loving the Chronicle
We’ve lived in Larchmont for a little over three years and had no idea how special of a community we were joining. The Larchmont Chronicle does such a great job capturing the joy of our sweet village—we get so excited every time it arrives on our doorstep!
Hannah Hutton Larchmont Village
Registration for TK gets a crowd at Third Street
By Nona Sue Friedman
Families wanting to enroll their child in TK for fall 2026 faced some competition registering this year. According to Hancock Park mom Elissa Shenkman, “The lines started at 4 a.m.! There were chairs set up like [lines to buy] tickets for a Taylor Swift concert.” Next year, Third Street Elementary will have two transitional kindergarten classes for 4- to 5-year-olds, each with 20 students. Principal Helen Lee said some residents are on the waitlist and will be notified if there’s availability. According to a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson, “Families are encouraged to enroll in the closest Early Education Centers, which are Wilton Place and Laurel EECs.” There’s also the chance that Van Ness or Vine Street elementary schools have space.
School News
(Continued from Page 11)
who survived the Holocaust. It was a powerful experience for everyone. This month’s STEAM festival offered hands-on fun for students to learn all about science and engineering through telescopes, AR sandboxes, and static electricity experiments! Finally, the 5th grade capped off the excitement with a trip to the L.A. Opera, where they enjoyed a performance of “German Opera Tales.” The show included several well-known stories such as “Hansel and Gretel” and “The Rheingold.”
LINE AT THIRD STREET SCHOOL for families hoping to enroll their child in TK.
For this month’s issue, I was inspired to write about a topic that’s been on my mind for a while: microdosing psychedelics. I was 16 the first time I heard someone talk about this phenomenon. It was 2017 and, unsurprisingly, I was in Joshua Tree, traveling with a group of people. A man whom I had just met that weekend started going on about this new thing he was doing—microdosing psilocybin—and all its beneficial effects. Essentially, he was taking a small, sub-hallucinogenic dose of psilocybin mushrooms three to four times a week in the morning. He said it was, “like taking Adderall without the bad parts.” It increased “focus, creativity, and an elevated mood,” he said, “but no crash, anxiety, or irritability.”
My interest was piqued, and over the course of the next few years, I heard about microdosing increasingly. Honestly,
skin deep
by Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Weight loss is one of the most personal yet noticeable transformations a person can make. With an estimated one in eight Americans using GLP1’s, many of us can relate to the stops on the journey: the inquisitive glances, the daily compliments, the thrill of fitting into old and new clothes. Less discussed, is the realization that loose skin makes many of us feel as insecure as extra weight once did. Let us help.
Rapid weight loss often does not allow skin time to adjust to a new body. Add to that the damage to collagen and elastin from skin having been stretched and you know what you’ve got. Tightening devices including Sofwave and Thermage work to tighten skin, while collagenstimulating fillers such as Sculptra and Radiesse help to maintain volume and collagen production. Abdomen, upper arms, thighs, buttocks, breasts, jawline and neck can all be lifted and firmed. No need to wait. To help your skin keep up, we advise beginning treatments during your weight loss journey.
Contact our office to schedule your consultation. We understand that physical transformations are as much about self-esteem as beauty. Let’s get started.
Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certified Dermatologist located in Larchmont Village with a special focus on anti-aging technology. She is a member of the Botox Cosmetic National Education Faculty and is an international Training Physician for Dermik, the makers of the injectable Sculptra. She is also among a select group of physicians chosen to teach proper injection techniques for Radiesse, the volumizing filler, around the world. Dr. Fitzgerald is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA. Visit online at www.RebeccaFitzgeraldMD. com or call (323) 464-8046 to schedule an appointment.
Health & Wellness
By Priscilla Duggan
it sounded like something fun to explore, but there were a couple of reservations I had about it. The first being a bit abstract, and the second more scientific.
As always, please note that I am not a medical professional and no information written in my articles should be taken in place of medical advice.
Firstly, it felt weird to hear that people were essentially trying to find ways to use psychedelics in the same way that other medications already worked. On one hand it makes sense to use a drug in the way we already use other drugs— we follow what we already know. Nevertheless, the initial excitement about psychedelic research/medicine was about
the potential of disrupting our preexisting medical models. From what I understood, there was a growing exhaustion with the idea of waking up and taking medicine every morning with no end date in mind to help with issues like anxiety or depression. And so, the idea of these special medicines that had the potential to reshape your relationship to your life, and maybe only had to be taken once was radical. But now, I was hearing people talk about how they were using them to work for longer hours each day or help make their office job more tolerable. Something felt weird about that but, of course, that’s my opinion and not something to impose upon others. After all, we are all free to engage with whatever we ingest in whatever ways we wish.
Dentistry for Children and Young Adults
newborns to 18-year-olds feel comfortable (323) 463-8322 • 321 N. Larchmont Blvd, Suite 809 ilovemydentist809@gmail.com
My second concern may be a bit more obvious and is what I’ll discuss for the rest of this article. Historically, taking psychedelics for such frequent and sustained periods of time has not been a common method of use, so we have little information about the effects. Could there be adverse biological effects? To explore this topic, I’ll reference an article published in the “Journal of Psychopharmacology” by David Nutt at the Imperial College London and colleagues in 2019. For those interested in further reading, I highly suggest seeking out this article, as it is much more extensive than the limited topics covered here.
Pharmacodynamic studies have confirmed that one of the many targets of psilocybin in the body is a serotonin receptor called 5-HT2B. Repeated activation of this receptor over time has been found to result in serious adverse cardiac valvopathies, which basically means serious issues with the valves in the heart. Other medications have been pulled off the market for this same reason, for example, the diet medication Phen/Fen, which was found to have a high fatality
rate due to activation of this same receptor. There have not been sufficiently conclusive animal studies to investigate whether low-dose psilocybin administration might produce valvular heart problems and, so far, the available animal studies with psilocybin testing had not revealed any signs of this problem.
Even so, information like this should be taken seriously when considering experimenting with the idea of self-tailored dosing regimens. Moreover, please remember that psilocybin remains illegal in California and is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.
In the meantime, single sessions with psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine are being researched for their potential in treating conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. The field is both promising and emerging, as it offers hope of an alternative way of treating common yet debilitating conditions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me by email: pcd1130@ gmail.com
School News
(Continued from Page 12)
BRISKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Emme Feldsher Goldberg 6th Grade Spring is in the air at Briskin Elementary. While the switch to daylight saving time has been a bit of a challenge, we are slowly adjusting and enjoying the longer days. March was another exciting month, highlighted by our school’s celebration of Purim. The holiday of Purim is commemorated with a really fun celebration where we dress in costumes and share treats, but it also has great purpose and meaning. To celebrate, we fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot La’Evyonim, caring for those in
(Please turn to Sec. 2,
PROMISING STUDIES are in progress, but the saefty of self-dosing is unclear. Photo by Igor Omilaev
Candidates
(Continued from Page 1)
1) Before I took office, homelessness only went in one direction in L.A. — up. In the six years before my election, homelessness had nearly doubled — from 25,000 to more than 46,000 people on our streets. Housing was being underbuilt, crime was rising, and LAPD was shrinking. For decades, City Hall had avoided taking on tough and unpopular issues.
In three years, we delivered the first-ever consecutive-year decline in street homelessness. It’s down in L.A. by 17.5%, while at the same time, nationally it went up 18%.
Homicides are at a 60-year low. We’ve accelerated 42,000 units of affordable housing. And when the Trump administration came after our city and our immigrant communities, I stood up and fought back.
We still have a long way to go. But we changed the direction of this city, and there’s too much at stake to go back.
2) SB 79 is the law. The plan approved by the Council and that I signed represents a path forward that builds the housing we need while protecting neighborhoods the best that we can.
3) Before I was mayor, the de facto city policy was to leave people out on the street until an apartment was built. That is why homelessness exploded—going from 25,000 to 46,000 in the six years before I was elected. That’s why I declared a state of emergency on homelessness and launched the city’s first encampment strategy. Now, for the first time ever, LA saw consecutive-year reductions in street homelessness and an 18% decline — while the rest of the country saw an 18% increase.
But getting people inside is only half the equation. We have to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place. In partnership with the Mayor’s Fund, we have connected 31,000 Angelenos with resources to stay in their homes—legal help, rental assistance, healthcare. Prevention is how you stop the cycle.
And we’re building the pipeline to make this sustainable. LA4LA, our public-private partnership, is acquiring existing buildings so we don’t have to wait on new construc-
tion. We’re also investing in housing with real services— mental health, addiction treatment, job placement—so people can actually rebuild their lives. And we fought Washington to remove barriers that kept veterans and low-income Angelenos from accessing housing vouchers they’d earned.
This isn’t just about clearing encampments. It’s about treating people with dignity while making our neighborhoods safer and cleaner.
Rue Huang and Spencer Pratt did not respond by presstime. Nithya Raman is interviewed on Page 1. Adam Miller was interviewed in the April issue.
Candidates for CD5
Henry Mantel: 1) As a tenants’ rights’ attorney, I’ve seen firsthand just how much harm the housing crisis is causing and how necessary it is that we have leaders who are willing to face it head on. Young people are moving out, working families are struggling, business is suffering, our infrastructure is crumbling, our government is bankrupt, our streets are unsafe, and homelessness persists all because of the city’s failure to allow for more housing. We need leaders who will address this crisis with the urgency it demands and that’s what I will do.
2) I support SB79 wholeheartedly. Under city law, it is outright illegal to build more housing in more than 70% of the city and has been since segregation. The only way we are going to solve the housing crisis and make L.A. more affordable, walkable, and beautiful is by making it legal to build more housing, especially by transit stations. The city should have done this on its own years ago without needing to be forced to by the state. SB79 only exists because of the L.A. political establishment’s abject failure to address the housing crisis.
3) So long as we have a shortage of housing, homelessness will persist. I plan on legalizing and streamlining housing construction, including permanent supportive housing, so that there are places for people living on the streets to go. I also plan on investing in more mental health services so that those dealing with severe mental illnesses
and drug addictions can get the help they need. I would also expand L.A.’s unarmed crisis response program so that those dealing with severe mental health episodes are handled by trained professionals, leaving the police to handle more urgent matters, like violent crime and burglaries.
Morgan Oyer: 1) I am the best candidate for District 5 because I have the background and knowledge to craft policy that benefits all residents in the district and the commitment to service to ensure that the people’s interests are well represented. I have degrees in history, accounting, and economics; five years of direct social service experience; and over 10 years of real-world private sector experience. Los Angeles faces a lot of challenges, and those currently in power have shown little desire or ability to meaningfully address these issues. Only with new leadership will we be able to fix this city.
2) I support SB79 because the housing crisis is the number one issue facing our city. Decades of housing constraint have led us here, and we need to take substantive action to fix it. It’s not a perfect piece of legislation, but the choice is not between implementing state law and doing nothing, it’s a choice between implementing state law at the local level or having Sacramento decide what gets built and where. I would prefer these decisions remain within the purview of local electeds. We must do something, and SB79 is one tool we can use to build a more affordable and equitable city.
3) The best way to fix the homelessness problem is to ensure there is enough housing stock for all income levels. Only then can we reduce the risk for people on the margins and focus on providing services to those who need them most. For the most visible of the homeless population, we should provide service and treatment with expectation and consequence for both individuals and providers. Fundamentally, the homeless crisis derives from the broader housing crisis. By addressing this issue with the full force of city government, we can make progress on this issue.
Councilwoman Katy Yarosklavsky: 1) Over the
past three years, I’ve focused on delivering real results, building coalitions, and making City Hall more effective.
In Council District 5, we’ve made measurable progress. Street homelessness is down 27%, we’ve expanded interim housing so people have a path off the street, we passed historic renter protections, and we’ve improved core services like street paving, tree trimming, and streetlight repair, even during a difficult budget year.
As Budget Chair, I helped guide the city through a nearly $1 billion deficit while protecting core services. I also voted against the risky Convention Center expansion and led investments to make streetlights more reliable.
I’m running for re-election because there is more work to do. There is a clear gap between what residents expect from city services and what the city delivers, and my focus is to close that gap and make Los Angeles more livable and affordable.
2) On housing, my focus is on fixing what we control and doing it with urgency. We need to make sure housing actually gets built by fixing the city’s slow and unpredictable approval process. We also need to build housing that meets our community’s needs, including mid-rise, family-sized homes and more pathways to ownership, while
planning for growth by aligning infrastructure, design, and fire safety, and focusing the most density along major corridors.
3) On homelessness, I’ve focused on results and ac-
(Please turn to Page 18)
Rich Sarian, CD13
Kylan Kendall, CD13
Colter Carlisle, CD13
Morgan Oyer, CD5
Henry Mantel, CD5
Mayor Karen Bass
Hugo Soto-Martínez, CD13
Katy Yaroslavsky, CD5
Mayoral candidate Adam Miller showed up in Windsor Square
By H. Hutcheson
Mayoral candidate Adam Miller made a backyard appearance at Paulette Light and Jeff Rake’s home in Windsor Square, addressing a gathering of more than 70 neighbors to disseminate his views on how to better run the city of Los Angeles.
His top priorities include accountability and transparency, which he expressed are of the utmost importance and need to be addressed on day one. Second, he said, is homelessness, which he pointed out L.A. has spent over $10 billion on and still has not solved much of the problem (Miller is cofounder and CEO of the nonprofit Better Angels, which has had measurable success).
Third on Miller’s list was the housing crisis, where he promised, “We can have more housing without ruining neighborhoods. The only way we are going to fix the affordability problem is by having more housing
supply.” And fourth, he impressed, “We have to attract businesses back to L.A. We have to attract Hollywood to Hollywood. We have a deficit in L.A.—so you can spend less or you can make more. We have to do both. We have to do a better job of optimizing our budgets, which the mayor absolutely has control over.”
MILLER told the crowd, “There is a tremendous amount that can be done in the first hundred days—even hours—if you know what you want to do and leverage the tools at your disposal.”
Light to his left) said, “We have to do a better job of optimizing our budgets, which the mayor absolutely has control over.”
When asked why he might find success in implementing his ideas where others have failed, he replied, “Have you ever worked at a company where a great employee gets
Nithya Raman
(Continued from Page 1)
4X2.5.qxp_BLUTHNER/LARCHMONT 4X2.5 8/22/16 11:04
Leipzig, Germany since 1853
Concert, Recording, Home Rentals
Henle Editions
Helga Kasimoff
LA’s oldest family piano store kasimoffpianoslosangeles.com
Why would someone worth millions want the job of mayor? “The city is broken. We want our kids to want to live in L.A.—a place they can afford and thrive in—and it’s not that city today. I’m really concerned if we stay on our current trajectory we become another Detroit. Detroit was an amazing city, but now it’s having a really tough time digging out of what they’re in. It takes a generation to dig out of something like that. We have the opportunity now to not become that. It’s not about bringing back the good old days—let’s make it better than it’s ever been, where everyone can thrive.”
KASIMOFF-BLUTHNER PIANO CO. ¨ 337 N. LARCHMONT BL. • HOLLYWOOD, CA 90004 323-466-7707
represents. When asked what the biggest misperception of her might be, her candid response was, “There is a belief that I am driven by some farleft ideology in my work when in reality my brand of progressivism means that I really want the government to work well for residents of Los Angeles. I want programs to function as they are meant to and be accountable.”
When pressed about her ties to the L.A. chapter of the Democratic Socialists, she was not trying to “run away from the fact” she was a member of the organization, and in fact they had endorsed her. What drew her to the organization, she said, was they were doing the most politically engaging work for renters’ and housing rights. She emphasized she
promoted to be a manager, and they are just a terrible manager? It’s kind of what’s going on. We have legislators who were pretty good at doing legislation who suddenly move into an executive job and don’t know how to operate. Fiscal responsibility, budgetary management, operational excellence, high performing teams—this is what leaders do. I’ve done it at the corporate level and with nonprofits, [the latter] being more important, where consensus and collaboration skills come in.”
has been endorsed by a range of different groups and feels she is, “one of the most independent voices on the council. To make the city work better, when programs aren’t working or have unintended consequences for the city I stepped up and said things need to change, and received significant political blowback for my decisions.”
Researching Raman’s council voting record, there are several instances where she has broken with the DSA-LA group, such as the appointment of LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell (which triggered a formal “Expression of Disapproval” from DSA), voting yes on LAPD funding increases in 2023, and her recent proposal to amend Measure ULA (the “Mansion Tax,” which taxes high-value real estate sales).
In regards to the latter, Raman proposed an exemption for the first 15 years for new multifamily and commercial construction, “to remove the disincentive for new apartments to be built.” Since Measure ULA has been passed, according to a study by UCLA Lewis Center and Rand, 1,910 fewer multifamily units per year have been built, an 18% decline. It would appear that Raman’s proposal would help rectify the unintended consequences of Measure ULA.
When asked what she would do differently than Mayor Bass, she opined on her frustration with City Hall and the lack of urgency and leadership. On the issue of housing, she mentioned that the city hasn’t had a Deputy Mayor of Housing for the last two years as Mayor Bass did not appoint someone for the role. She spoke at length about bringing all the relevant departments together and driving them forward to address the challenges. According to Raman, there has been no push from the mayor’s office to do that work. The lack of impetus from Mayor Bass has therefore led to delays in building new housing and issuing new permits, and has led to a deepening crisis, according to Ra-
man. She states the Bass administration has many of the same general managers that were there during the Garcetti administration, with no clarity around what the priorities are, and no real metrics to hold each department accountable.
It has been mentioned many times that the City Council of Los Angeles makes the mayor’s job particularly hard to get things done. Raman believes that the Council President is a close ally of Mayor Bass, and if Bass wants to get things done, then she needs to present clear metrics. As an example, Ms. Raman said, she has, “Been pushing for greater oversight in the homeless system for quite some time, namely, looking for better outcome data and advocating to bring contracting in-house because there is hardly any staff in that area—only four— even though we are spending hundreds of millions of dollars. We created this Bureau of Homelessness Oversight last year during the budget process, and we haven’t hired anyone there yet, in a year.” Raman feels a push from the mayor could make those programs a reality, but she has not yet seen that push. “We need to centralize homelessness oversight into the city. We cannot rely on LAHSA anymore,” she said. Her goal is to have the convening power to bring all of the various agencies together to drive outcomes.
As it relates to SB79, Raman feels our city and neighborhoods needed advocacy in Sacramento when the legislation was being introduced. She seemed to understand that maintaining our neigh-
ADAM MILLER, (second from left, with Paulette
Nithya Raman
Cyndi Lauper—She’s still having fun, and now in Vegas!
I have interviewed many recording artists and musical theater performers over the years, but I rarely enjoy speaking to an artist as much as I did with Cyndi Lauper. She was open and honest and held nothing back. Her sense of humor was fully charged, even in the early morning hours when we spoke via telephone. I was in L.A. and Lauper was in her native New York. She may have been a bit sleepy at the beginning of the interview, but it took just a few minutes to get her wheels spinning. She opened up about how blessed she felt to have achieved some special accomplishments through the years.
Lauper burst onto the music scene in the fall of 1983 with her debut single “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and her extraordinary album “She’s So Unusual.” She didn’t just have a catchy hit song and album, she had a mega-smash hit with both. “Unusual” went platinum several times over, and “Girls,” with the help of the MTV generation, was a phenomenon as colorful as her hair. Lauper had five smash singles from that debut, including “Time After Time,” “She Bop,” and “All Through the Night.” When I asked Lauper if she had any favorite songs from her first album, she replied, “I always liked ‘All Through the Night.’ I just remember making that album. Each album marks a certain part of your life and that was a very spe-
cial time for me, working at [New York recording studio] The Record Plant.” She then added, “‘Time After Time’ obviously will always be special because it really became a classic pop song. That’s a really great thing, because I had to wrestle to get that one on the album.”
If that wasn’t enough, Lauper won the 1984 Grammy for Best New Artist. Two years later, her follow-up album “True Colors” also went through the roof, spawning multiple smash singles and proving that Cyndi Lauper was a talented artist many were comparing to the reigning Queen of Pop, Madonna. By the end of the ’80s, Lauper had over a dozen hit singles on just three critically acclaimed albums.
When I asked who her favorite singers are, she replied, “I always listen to Billie Holiday. I love her and she’s taught me so much about singing and phrasing.” She also mentioned Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Celia Cruz. She
even joked about the latter saying, “I have no idea what the heck she was singing because I don’t speak Spanish.” She also confessed, “I can’t even mention all of it because there is so much. I just really love music, all different kinds. I think it’s important to listen to all different kinds, and I think it’s important to know music history. There’s nothing like a great Led Zeppelin song! Janis Joplin and the whole ’70s era, which is fantastic, with Teddy Pendergrass and Ann Peebles—so many wonderful soul singers. Then there’s the Motown era and people like Marvin Gaye. Then, of course, The Beatles. I grew up listening to their sense of pop. They were extraordinary.”
During a four-year hiatus from recording, when, Lauper informed me “I lost my voice,” she turned to acting. She
landed the part of “Marianne” on the hit ’90s sitcom “Mad About You” and won an Emmy Award for Best Guest Appearance Female. Her comedic timing was outstanding. She gratefully acknowledges the show’s creator and star, Paul Reiser, for helping her achieve another plateau in her career.
After several years of time off, during which she got married and had children, Lauper found time to make the occasional album. However, her heart and soul were now focused on her family.
After her first few albums, Lauper discontinued touring until she returned to the stage with Cher in 1999. She performed several times with the legend over the past two decades.
In 2013, Lauper won a Tony Award for Best Original Score (music and/or lyrics) for the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots.” She made history as the first woman to win solo in that category. “Kinky Boots” was a massive success, winning six Tonys that year,
including for Best Musical.
In 2016, Lauper released her 12th studio album, “Detour,” a country album recorded in Nashville and featuring duets with Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Jewel, Alison Krauss, and Willie Nelson. They were country songs which were first made famous in the 1950s and ’60s.
After ending the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour and shortly before she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last November, Lauper confirmed 2026 touring dates. She is on the verge of her very first residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which began last month and running through early May. She then will perform in the Bahamas and Lisbon, Portugal. Rumor has it she’s negotiating a return to her residency in Vegas shortly after that.
At 72, the Grammy, Emmy, and Tony-winning performer is excited to have her very first Vegas residency—and is still a girl who just wants to have fun.
Dance performances not to miss in Los Angeles
By Laurie Sefton
May is usually the end of the season for most large performing arts centers. However, you can get tickets now for some not-to-be missed shows coming up this summer. Listed here are four dance performances.
L.A.-based repertory company Bodytraffic will be closing their company after 20 incred-
ible years of commissioning new works and touring internationally. Known for high caliber dancers and a diverse repertory, their final performances in L.A. will be Thur., June 4, to Sat., June 6, at The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles Ballet is performing “Giselle” with the incredible Bolshoi-trained
dancer Matisse Love as part of the cast. It is always worth seeing her onstage. Shows are Thur., April 30, to Sun., May 3, at the Ahmanson, 135 N. Grand Ave.
New York City Ballet will be performing two differ-
(Please turn to Page 19)
HEIDI DUCKLER DANCE performs “Ask the Wrath” at L.A. Central Library.
Photo by Jason Quigley
BODYTRAFFIC will have their final performances after 20 years in Los Angeles.
Photo by Trey McIntyre
Musical Notes by Steven Housman
Candidates
(Continued from Page 18)
countability. We’ve seen a 27% decrease in homelessness by expanding housing options and setting a clear standard for encampments. No-camping laws around sensitive sites like schools, parks, and daycare centers are enforced consistently. For new no-camping zones, we pair enforcement with outreach and verified housing options so people are moved into housing, not from block to block.
We’ve made progress, but more needs to be done, especially for people with serious mental health and addiction challenges. My focus is to scale what works and ensure the city delivers results people can see.
Candidates for CD 13
Colter Carlisle: 1) Voters should choose me because I am the only candidate with the experience to lead the district. As vice president of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council and chair of its Land Use Committee, I have spent five years working to defend rent-controlled housing and pushback against policies that prioritize luxury development over community stability. I am the only candidate who will fight irresponsible density, create more parking, and keep lanes of traffic open and moving. I will also fight back against growing antisemitism and make sure everyone can live with dignity and respect in their own communities. Lastly, I will ensure City Hall is responsive, accessible, and grounded in the needs of everyday Angelenos.
2) SB 79 is a disaster for Los Angeles. It will lead to the destruction of our neighborhoods and rent-controlled apartments in favor of 10-story luxury buildings that few can afford. Because SB 79 applies to major transit hubs and bus lanes, the expansion of bus lanes will not only make it harder to park and drive in Los Angeles, but is, in fact, a ploy to expand SB 79 zones across the city. As your next City Councilmember, I am the only candidate who will fight back against SB 79 and protect our communities.
3) In March 2025, a court-ordered independent audit found that City and County of Los Angeles officials could not accurately track $2.4 billion in homelessness spending. As your next Councilmember, I will rebuild the system from the ground up, restore accountability, and enforce SB 43, which allows the city to place individuals experiencing severe mental health or substance use crises into medical facilities where they can receive proper care. My opponent has refused to enforce this law, leaving both unhoused individuals and the broader community at greater risk.
Kylan Kendall: 1) A 30-year community member of Council District 13 who raised my kids here, I’m running because I’ve never seen our district so neglected. Over the past three years, residents have endured visible disorder on our streets, disregard for our small businesses, and indifference from our elected leadership. We’ve lost the ethos that once made this district the creative and cultural heart of Los Angeles and that erosion has left neighbors feeling forgotten and frustrated.
This decline didn’t happen overnight. It’s the cumulative result of years of neighborhood development without a coherent vision. We’ve failed to invest in leadership that understands how to design livable cities. My vision for CD13 is grounded in holistic planning built around the “15-minute city” model—designing neighborhoods where residents have access to housing, green space, local shops, cultural activities, and jobs. Our office will curate neighborhood growth that reinforces stability, community character and sustainability.
2) On housing, I oppose Senate Bill 79 because it wields a mallet where we need a scalpel. I believe in building more housing— affordable, workforce, starter, and supportive—but with respect for each neighborhood’s social and physical fabric.
3) In 2005, I founded the nation’s only arts-based educational agency dedicated to breaking the path to homelessness for high-risk young adults—proving that preven-
tion and opportunity change lives. My approach begins with compassion tied to measurable results. Today, one in four shelter beds goes unused because city departments and outreach providers fail to coordinate. I will enforce existing laws like 41.18 [prohibits sitting, sleeping, etc. on public property particularly withing 500 feet of schools, parks, etc.] because compassion means protecting both unhoused and housed neighbors from unsafe conditions, fire hazards, and the loss of public space.
Council District 13 deserves leadership rooted in accountability, design, and empathy. I’m ready to restore our pride, safety, and shared sense of place.
Rich Sarian: 1) Council District 13 deserves real leadership that delivers results and restores trust in City Hall. I’m a third-generation Angeleno, lived in the district most of
my adult life, and have a legitimate track record of bringing people together to solve tough problems, from public safety to economic opportunity. I’ve worked alongisde every level of government and led complex, people focused initiatives, managing budgets, building coalitions, and delivering real results.
Voters should choose me because I’ll be a hands-on, accountable councilmember focused on safer neighborhoods, more affordable housing, and a city that works for everyone, not just the well-connected. I’ll actually show up, listen, and fight to make sure our communities see real progress, not just empty promises.
2) SB 79 is now law and reflects the urgency of our housing crisis and the need to build more homes, especially near accessible transit. I support its goal of increasing housing supply, resulting in
lower costs for our residents, but implementation matters. As councilmember, I’ll work to ensure new development includes meaningful affordability, protects existing tenants, and reflects community input. That means pushing for smart planning, strong anti-displacement measures, and infrastructure investments so growth benefits current residents, not just future ones. We need more housing, but it must be affordable, equitable, sustainable, and aligned with neighborhood needs and character.
3) We need a results-driven, compassionate approach that moves people indoors quickly and keeps them there. That starts with scaling proven solutions like interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and rental assistance.
I’ll push for better coordination across agencies, faster
(Please turn to Page 23)
Book investigates teen’s death after posing as Russian rich kid
If you’ve read “Say Nothing” (2018) or “Empire of Pain” (2021) you know that Patrick Radden Keefe tells a really good story. In my opinion, the man can’t miss. I will read anything he writes. His latest, London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth, did not disappoint.
The Premise: This nonfiction book is about the death of London teenager Zac Brettler, who died after falling from a luxury apartment building into the River Thames in the middle of the night on Nov. 29, 2019. The 19-year-old’s death is under mysterious circumstances, and very soon, his parents find out that their son
By Suzan Filipek
A Larchmont Village resident’s experience founding and developing a program to bring the arts to prisons is told in a new book.
Annie Buckley will discuss “Changemakers’ Guide to Prison Arts Programming” at Chevalier’s Books, 133 N. Larchmont Blvd., on Thur., April 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Published by Routledge, the book is a step-by-step guide on developing comprehensive programming behind bars.
Buckley’s program, Prison Arts Collective, has brought the arts to over 10,000 people
Dance
(Continued from Page 17)
Larchmont Bookshelf by
Katie Urban
had been living a secret double life, moving around London pretending to be the son of a Russian oligarch. If you think that sentence is unbelievable, the rest of the book will have you floored. The book is an investigation into Zac’s death, as well as the shady criminal underworld he found himself driven into.
The Verdict: Ultimately, this book is about a family losing a son and the investigation following his death. The book has so many layers and themes. It’s a story
about social class and the hustle-and-aspiration culture we all live in. We learn that Zac was obsessed with social media and extreme wealth, something deeply ingrained in today’s influencer culture. The book also focuses on the idea of parenthood. What’s our responsibility toward our kids as they become adults? How much rope do we give our kids to make mistakes and fix them? And how much do you really know your own kid?
Radden Keefe structures his books in such a way that makes them compulsively readable, leaving the major revelations at the end so you finish the story stunned. I didn’t love this one as much as
“Say Nothing,” but I did tear through it, and that says a lot. I have a feeling this will be one of the top nonfiction books of 2026.
In full transparency, when I first picked up this book, I found myself immediately thinking of Anna Delvey, the young woman who famously posed as a German heiress to con New York’s high society. The wildly unbelievable true story was adapted into the Netflix series “Inventing Anna.”
Fun Fact: Radden Keefe told an interviewer that whenever he goes out looking for a story, he never finds one. Ideas find him. He first heard about this story by chance while on set for the television adaptation of “Say Nothing.” This book began as a 2024 New Yorker article, also penned by Radden Keefe.
Village resident launches book on bringing art to prisons
incarcerated in 17 California state prisons since 2013. The program, which began with three art classes at the
“As an artist and writer, I wanted to share the powerful impact of this work and hopefully inspire others.”
California Institution for Men in Chino, California, is based on the belief that art is a human right that empowers the incarcerated to find their creative voice, cultivate community, and share
Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave.
their knowledge. The book uses narrative, theory, and guidance to explore themes of hope and transformation, grief and loss, and interconnection and mutuality, Buckley said.
“Right as it started, I got a call from the men’s prison in Chino, and they wanted art classes. I was inspired to say “yes” to this opportunity, in part by my mother, who volunteered in juvenile detention centers in L.A. for nearly 20 years,” Buckley told us.
“Since our first class at the men’s prison, everyone involved was super engaged.
the author accompanied by PAC colleagues on the challenges of building a program from the ground up, including the perspective of faculty and formerly incarcerated artists. Buckley was raised in Windsor Square and attended both Third Street School and Immaculate Heart before going on to UC Berkeley and Otis College of Art and Design. She is a professor at San Diego State. ent programs. I recommend program A, which includes “Signs,” “Red Angels,” “A Suite of Dances,” and “The Times Are,” which are sure to have blazing fast dancing and clean, beautiful choreography by some of the best dancers in the country. Program A covers works by Gianna Reisen, Justin Peck, Ulysses Dove, and Christopher Wheeldon Wed., June 24, to Fri., June 26, at the Dorothy Chandler
Nithya Raman
(Continued from Page 16)
borhoods character was extremely important. She mentioned a fast-tracked standard plan for housing that incorporated design elements and preserved the look and feel of the area as one of her ideas. With a housing plan on her website that incorporates public and private partnerships, Raman spoke of having a conversation with a developer who told her the hardest part about building new affordable housing in Los Angeles is the city of Los Angeles.
Heidi Duckler Dance celebrates the Los Angeles Central Library’s centennial by welcoming all ages to a 25-minute site-responsive dance performance titled “Ask the Wrath,” taking place Sat., May 2, at 7 p.m. as part of the library’s celebration “Night at the Library: A Century of Light” at Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St. HDD is a pioneer in the relationship between performance, audience, and space, encouraging guests to inter-
The bureaucracy of the city makes it extremely hard. Her opponents would argue that she has been part of that bureaucracy, therefore part of the problem. She would counter that there is only so much she can do from her City Council seat, and a run for mayor would help her achieve her lofty goals.
First and foremost, she wants accountability for how every dollar is spent and wants to make sure every dollar works the way it should be working.
She emphasized the point that her vote, against a raise for the police in the last budget, was because the city sim-
act. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/ f2ccjftf.
If you get to New York City, see the musical “The Lost Boys ,” featuring incredible music by L.A.’s own indie pop rock band The Rescues at The Palace Theater, 160 W. 47th St., in New York city. I saw it in previews, and it is an absolute must-see.
Laurie Sefton is a devotee of live performance and art. For more information visit Laurie Sefton Creates.
ply could not afford it. She voted against the convention center renovation for the same reason.
Her vision is a city where the citizens do not pay more for less. These are lofty goals, and whether they are achievable or not remains to be seen.
One hopes that if elected, she can keep her promises to all Angelenos, and each citizen will feel they have a voice. The argument could be made by some of her current constituents that they do not feel their voice is being heard right now. It will be up to the voters to decide, on June 2, if Nithya Raman is listening.
Bringing something so creative and fluid as art into prisons—some of the most restrictive spaces imaginable —proved to be inspiring and life changing. As an artist and writer, I wanted to share the powerful impact of this work and hopefully inspire others.”
The launch on Larchmont will feature a book signing with the author, a raffle of photography by Peter Merts, and a panel discussion with
AUTHOR ANNIE BUCKLEY with artist participants in Prison Arts Collective. Photo by Peter Merts
LIVING AT ALL AGES
Moving your parents can be difficult—here’s some help
By Nona Sue Friedman
Whether you are part of the sandwich generation— with kids at home and aging parents to care for—or faced with just the latter, figuring out if and when to move your folks into a senior living community is no easy task. Having recently ventured into this world, I’m sharing what I’ve learned.
The first choice is always to keep parents at their home, if it’s working. However, life gets more difficult as you get older. Driving day or night can be challenging. Buying and preparing food, navigating stairs, and having a supportive community of family and friends nearby all play into the equation.
After searching the internet for hours and looking to friends for recommendations, I was overwhelmed with the options and the lists of amenities, not understanding half the descriptors online. Then, I came across a listing for Assisted Living Locators L.A. (assistedlivinglocatorsla.com), which seemed to do everything I needed. I called them and the journey began. If your parents need to move, you don’t have to find a place for them alone. There are people out there who specialize in locating an ideal living situation for seniors— taking into consideration your parents’ physical capabilities, what part of town they’d be most comfortable in, their mental capacity, and budget. And it’s at no cost to you! Advisors get paid by the senior community.
Laura Barrett, who recently became the new co-owner of Assisted Living Locators L.A. but has worked for the organization for years, walked me through all the different options. With her questions about my parents’ health, budget, insurance, and mobility we narrowed the list to about five potential best-fits.
Golf
(Continued from Page 8)
of the fairway, causing players to adjust their aim points as they target a green that’s now 30-40% larger. The 5th and 12th holes are also now closer to the barranca, which touches more meaningful shots on the course and is in play more frequently.
Shipka is grateful to the membership for supporting and paying for the project, which exceeded $20 million and took 16 months rather than the expected 12. The fin-
Her years of experience and the multiple areas of certification, including dementia care and senior advising, were invaluable. “These are all things that make me better at my job and help my clients,” Barrett commented.
“My clients sometimes go kicking and screaming only to contact me later to tell me they wished they had done this years ago,” said Barrett. This comment was mirrored by everyone else I spoke to who worked with seniors.
Wanting to vet any place I would consider, Barrett and I toured the facilities together. She always asked questions that I would never have considered. She was an invaluable asset.
Working with Barrett, I learned that one of the reasons apartments tend to be smaller in senior or assisted living communities is because the facilities want residents to engage in the community and not be in their apartments by themselves. As I heard on numerous tours, the lobbies and communal spaces should be considered the resident’s living room.
After having my folks tour a few communities, one spoke to them.
Making the move
Now, the move. How were we going to take 30 years’ worth of stuff from a 2,500square-foot house and put it into a small apartment? Bar-
ished product is only available to members so far, but the golf world knows something special transpired.
“People throughout L.A. understand we went through this transformation,” Shipka says proudly. “No one outside our membership has seen it yet, so they don’t yet know how great it is. People applying for membership understand we hired a world-class architect to transform it, and they are excited. It will only increase the demand for people to join Wilshire and create a truly unbelievable golf experience.”
rett to the rescue again. A certified senior advisor will have ideas and strategies to best work with parents who might be resistant or dealing with limited mental capacity.
There are senior downsizing companies who specialize in this. Who knew?! They can pack, move, unpack, sell, and donate all the furnishings in a home. You decide what you want. These companies also help with clearing out homes in your darkest hours, when loved ones have passed.
Barrett of course had a few downsizers up her sleeve. I
spoke with Dina Braverman of Organizing Concepts and Designs (organizingconceptsanddesigns.com). She’s been doing this for close to 20 years, she was a paralegal and legal assistant for 30 years before that. Like Barrett, she is chock-full of experience and resources that are incredibly helpful and necessary during this process. “A lot of seniors won’t move because it’s too daunting,” said Braverman. That’s where she and her team come in.
The downsizing company assesses and measures the
furniture the seniors are living with, and they visit and take measurements at their future home. They then advise and make suggestions for the best configuration in the new space, taking into consideration space for a possible walker in the future and general ease of operation for seniors within their space. Moving day comes and they pack it all, move it, and then unpack it all, down to placing framed pictures on the table.
And hopefully that is the start of a new, safer, and more social era for your folks.
ASSISTED LIVING LOCATORS co-owner Laura Barrett.
Paramount
(Continued from Page 1)
what?
What’s actually likely
Despite the swirl of speculation, the most immediate future of the Paramount lot is not dramatic transformation—it’s continuity with subtle change.
In the near term, the lot is expected to remain operational as a working studio. Leasing, in this context, largely means renting soundstages and production space to third-party film and television projects, a practice already common across Los Angeles. It’s a way to generate steady revenue without fundamentally altering the property.
But even that assumption— continued demand for large physical production space— no longer feels as certain as it once did.
The industry is already shifting. Production has been migrating to other states and countries for years, chasing tax incentives and lower costs. Now, emerging technologies, including AI-assisted production workflows, are beginning to reduce the need for some of the physical infrastructure that defined Hollywood for decades. Fewer large crews, more virtual environments, and increasingly flexible pipelines may gradually shrink the footprint required for certain types of content.
That doesn’t mean studio lots disappear. But it does suggest that the long-term demand for a 20th-century-style production campus may not fully translate into a 21st-century business model.
Which makes the future of the land itself all the more consequential.
The real estate reality
From a purely economic standpoint, the Paramount lot sits on extraordinarily valuable land. It occupies a central position in Hollywood, adjacent to transit corridors and surrounded by neighborhoods grappling with a severe housing shortage.
If even a portion of the site were rezoned for residential or mixed-use development, the numbers become significant very quickly.
At a moderate urban density—say 75 to 125 units per acre—a 65-acre site could theoretically support between 4,800 and 8,000 residential units. Even if only half the land were developed, that still translates to several thousand apartments, potentially including a meaningful share of below-market housing depending on city mandates.
In a city where affordability has become a defining political issue, that kind of capacity is hard to ignore.
And yet, numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.
The promise and the pressure of mixed use
The most realistic long-term scenario is not a wholesale conversion to housing, but a hybrid: a mixed-use campus combining residential units, retail, office space, and some form of retained production capability—though perhaps in a leaner, more modern form than what exists today. Think less traditional studio, more urban village—something not unlike The Grove, though on a larger and more layered scale.
Done well, this kind of development can bring real benefits. It can increase walkability, create local jobs, and activate streets that might otherwise go quiet after business hours. It can also align with Los Angeles’ broader push toward transit-oriented development and reduced car dependency.
But “done well” is doing a lot of work in that sentence.
Because developments of this scale also come with very real costs—especially during the years it takes to bring them to life.
The in-between years
Large mixed-use projects in Los Angeles typically take four to five years from entitlement to completion, sometimes longer. For neighbors, that timeline is not an abstraction—it’s a daily reality.
Construction traffic alone can reshape a neighborhood. Heavy trucks, lane closures, noise, and dust become part of the landscape. Local businesses often feel the strain as foot traffic becomes less predictable and access more difficult.
Even after completion, increased density brings its own challenges. More residents mean more cars—at least in the near term—placing additional pressure on already congested streets. While planners often point to walkability and transit as mitigating factors, behavioral change tends to lag behind design intent.
None of this is insurmountable. Thoughtful phasing, infrastructure investment, and traffic management can soften the impact. But they rarely eliminate it entirely.
A question of identity
Beyond economics and logistics, there is a deeper question at play: what does it mean for Los Angeles to
lose—or transform—one of its last great studio lots?
The history here is not theoretical. Paramount traces its roots back to the silent film era. Its stages have hosted everything from Golden Age classics to modern blockbusters. The front gate alone is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.
Los Angeles has faced this kind of moment before—with mixed results.
The former May Company building on Wilshire Boulevard, now home to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, is often cited as a success story: a historic structure preserved and given new life with cultural relevance.
By contrast, the demolition of the Dodge House in 1970 remains a cautionary tale— an architecturally significant property lost to development, replaced by something far less meaningful.
The difference, in many cases, comes down to intention. When preservation is treated as an asset rather than an obstacle, the results tend to endure.
What should be preserved
If the Paramount lot does evolve, the question is not whether change will happen, but how much of its identity will survive.
At a minimum, certain elements feel non-negotiable: the Melrose gates, key soundstages, and portions of the backlot that carry historical and architectural significance. Integrating these into any future development is not just about nostalgia—it’s about continuity.
There is also an opportunity here, if approached creatively, to do something more ambitious: to build a model for how Los Angeles can honor its past while addressing its future.
The bigger picture
It would be easy to frame this as a binary choice: preserve the studio or build housing. But that frame misses the complexity of the moment.
Los Angeles needs housing. That’s not in dispute.
It also needs to retain the infrastructure—and the identity—that made it the entertainment capital of the world.
At the same time, the definition of that infrastructure is changing. If the industry itself requires less physical space, the argument for preserving every square foot of a traditional studio lot becomes harder to make—whether we like that reality or not.
The challenge is not choosing one over the other. It’s deciding what version of Hollywood we’re trying to preserve—and what we’re willing to let evolve.
A final thought
If the Paramount lot ultimately becomes something new—a mixed-use development, a residential hub, a hybrid campus—it will almost certainly be justified in the language of progress. More housing. More efficiency. Better use of land. All of which may be true.
But progress, in Los Angeles, has a habit of erasing the very things that made the city worth progressing in the first place. So, the real question isn’t what will be built on that land. It’s whether, years from now, anyone will still recognize what used to stand there—and whether we’ll feel like we traded up, or simply traded away.
PARAMOUNT GATES on Melrose Avenue, a historic symbol of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
BRONSON gate that Charles Bronson got his stage name from.
Unique and complex flavors of Sri Lanka shine at Kurrypinch
A corner property in Thai Town with clean lines, warm lighting, textural touches, and a calm color palette is the setting for Kurrypinch, chef and owner Shaheen Ghazaly’s modern exploration of Sri Lankan cuisine.
The island nation of Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon until 1972, was at the crossroads of a major oceanic trade route and so adopted spices from southern India, Malaysia, and other southeast Asian countries. Dishes were also influenced by Sri Lanka’s colonization by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, until they claimed independence in 1948. They are famed for cinnamon, which factors heavily in their cooking, and the ubiquitous coconut, with coconut milk and shredded coconut appearing in appetizers, entrees, and desserts alike. Also Ceylon tea, as tea from Sri Lanka is known, is a globally prized beverage, and Sri Lanka is the third biggest exporter of tea in the world.
Besides the fusion of flavors found in their cooking, another thing to note is that the region is known for fiery tastes, and Sri Lankan cuisine
On the Menu
by Helene Seifer
is no exception. Some of Kurrypinch’s menu items come at a set heat level, but others can be set at mild, medium, or “Lankan” hot. The three of us who were enjoying a ladies’ night out decided to stick with medium for everything we ordered. Although some dishes had more of a slow burn than others, and some required a water glass refill to get through, we found medium to be the perfect spiciness for our group. Beverages assist in handling the heat, since both the mocktails and soju cocktails are fruit juice-centric and help cool the palate. There is also wine.
We started with little mackerel croquettes, a perfect way to sample the complex layering of flavor found in Sri Lankan cooking. Consisting of shredded mackerel, onion, and potatoes rolled into bite-sized balls, the “wow” factor came from the seasoning of mustard, pandan and curry leaves, curry powder, turmeric, and cumin. Swipe the crispy orbs through the
accompanying red chili sauce and enjoy!
Curry, or here often spelled “kurry,” features prominently in the island’s cuisine, and there are many versions available on the menu, including northern Sri Lankan shrimp curry, paneer coconut curry (soft cheese with tomatoes, green chilis, and chili flakes), and fried chicken simmered in a black curry blend. We ordered the simple-sounding rice and kurry, which came with three vegetable curries, a protein of choice (we selected lamb over chicken, beef, shrimp, or ahi tuna), a vinegary tomato salad, and papadam, a small bowl of almost weightless crackers typically made from rice, lentil, or chickpea flour. It was a fun eating experience with all
Bagel makers of the west vie for votes
By Nona Sue Friedman
It was a yeasty day when fifteen different bagel makers from west of the Rockies described their baking process and different schmears all in one big room at BagelFest West April 12. Samples of their products were abundant. Vendors with adjacent products, such as smoked salmon, joined in the festival
with giveaways, too.
About 1,000 people attended the event at Audrey Irmas Pavilion on Wilshire Boulevard. Attendees were each given a cardboard tray to carry samples and a “passport” to record thoughts about each creation. Each had the chance to vote for Best Bagel, Most Creative Topping, Best Sandwich, and Schmear of the Year, among others.
The night before this inaugural event, chef Eric Greenspan’s newest restaurant concept, Mish, a deli with a modern twist set to open on La Brea Avenue this month, catered a meet and greet for bagel makers, vendors, and press.
Best Bagel at this event went to Hey Bagel, from Seattle, Washington. For the list of other winners, visit their Instagram @bagelfest.
FUN
are (from left) Senior Lead Officers Matt Oropeza and Alex Cho and Capt. Rachel Rodriguez.
BROKER OWNER
Benjamin Levy (right), who donated fruit and muffins for the VIP lounge, stands with Wilton Drive resident Laura Dine Million.
the different elements to try, although the well-seasoned lamb was tough. I will try chicken or shrimp next time.
A South Indian string hopper pilau—skinny rice noodles stir-fried with vegetables and spices—was a comforting dish. A similar choice of proteins was again offered, and the plump pan-seared shrimp were delectable.
We wanted one more dish and it was difficult to decide among seared salmon on curried pumpkin purée; the risotto with kale, cilantro, and curry leaves; and the
coconut milk risotto with baked mahi-mahi, which we ordered. Topped with tomato gravy, chili oil, fried onions, and curry leaves, the dish was complex, hearty, and very good, although the fish was slightly overcooked. We were too full to have dessert, but the rice pudding with coconut milk, cinnamon, cashews, raisins, fried onions, and curry leaves sounded intriguing enough to warrant a return visit.
Kurrypinch; 5051 Hollywood Blvd.; kurrypinch.com; 323-407-6176.
Try these off-the-beaten path, awesome summer ideas
By Lucy Margolis
When most people think of the classic summer activities in Los Angeles they think of going to the beach. While the beach is fantastic, there are many equally awesome summer activities that don’t require sitting on the 10 freeway wondering where it all went wrong.
If you are looking for a stunning—and more local view—you can take a short drive to the Mulholland Drive Lookout, which is absolutely breathtaking as you can see all of L.A., Universal Studios, and the San Fernando Valley.
A little farther from Larchmont is Frogtown, officially Elysian Valley. This neighborhood is perfect for a relaxing summer walk along the Los Angeles River. For the best access, head to Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park at 2944 Gleneden St., where you can walk along one of the greenest stretches of the river. The L.A. River gets a bad rap as a concrete channel filled with waste and graffiti, but this section, known as the Glendale Narrows, is full of nature and wildlife. If you are lucky, you might spot great blue herons or egrets. While in Frogtown, be sure to visit coffee shops, explore street art and murals, and enjoy a peaceful spot to spend time outdoors and even kayak (lariverkayaksafari.
org). It’s a nice way to experience a different side of L.A. away from the usual crowds. Summer is also the perfect time to pick up a new hobby such as cooking or crafting. Using the fresh produce from a farmers market you can make a great refreshing summer meal and enjoy it in a backyard or at a park, like Burns Park, 4900 Beverly Blvd. which has some awesome workout machines where you can burn off some of the calories from all the delicious baked goods available on Larchmont Boulevard. The Silver Lake Meadow, 2300 Silver Lake Blvd., is also perfect for picnics. You can wander over to the dog park nearby for some people and puppy watching.
An activity kids will love is the Hollywood Pool, at 1122 Cole Ave. The pool fee starts as low as $1 for kids and $4 for adults, and it has an enormous waterslide and multiple diving boards, with lifeguards ensuring everyone’s safety.
SRI LANKAN FEAST with vegetable curries, pan-seared shrimp, and coconut milk rice with mahi-mahi.
TROPICAL FRUIT JUICE mocktail; mackerel croquettes burst with flavor.
CLEAN lines, warm lighting, and textural touches make for a comfortable space.
BAGEL
JOINING IN THE BAGEL
RISE BAGELS, FROM IRVINE, explain their globally influenced bagel sandwiches.
THE L.A. RIVER sparkles with ducks on shore.
Design contest
(Continued from Page 1)
planning initiative estimate. In addition, more than 1,000 new residential units could be built, along with a center parking median with over 200 new spaces.
Currently, Upper Larchmont is home to a mix of office buildings, bungalows, empty lots and apartment buildings. Most of the commercial lots, are similar in size, making the transformation of the street easier, said Uretsky.
The local groups aim to incorporate “gentle density housing” (three to five stories) over retail space with façades in a variety of styles, such as Art Deco, Spanish Colonial and Modernist. Housing units would range in size from one to three bedrooms, with private patios and a shared courtyard. The plans conceived specifically for Larchmont will have the rear of the building tiered, allowing residents more privacy.
The project aims to continue the wonderful feel of Larchmont Village—its neighbor to the south.
“Housing debates get bogged down in arcane rules and laws when the number one thing people care about is: What does it look like?” Sturman notes.
“If neighbors support beautiful buildings, new residents want to live in beautiful buildings, and builders want to build beautiful buildings it makes sense for the city to unlock what literally everyone wants,” she adds.
LCI has asked neighbors at every step of the way what they want the area to look like, Uretsky added. “We want to understand what people in the neighborhood find compatible and what architectural styles people in the neighborhood would prefer on the Boulevard. So when we get to create final plans we know what resonates.
“It’s an optimistic time,” he added.
What the LCI project doesn’t want is oversized block-size buildings. “They add nothing to the community visually.”
Less busy than the bustling strip south of Beverly, a redo of Upper Larchmont has been in the works for several years.
It lost momentum recently because of a controversial housing measure, Senate Bill 79, which recently passed with some caveats.
“SB 79 got in the way. Now we’re regrouping to get the requirements to put the program into place,” said Uretsky. Likewise, the Larchmont project has gained approval from elected officials and the neighborhood’s residents alike.
Two major hurdles stand in the way of the local plan. One
UPPER LARCHMONT design created by Martin Tomasz.
is a city code that requires two stairwells, which is more costly and less necessary for the four- and five-story housing being considered on the Boulevard, Uretsky said.
Another roadblock is the complex mix of attainable ownership and condo liability reform to ensure new residents can purchase their units at reasonable terms.
Encouraging home ownership is a plus for the community as homeowners tend to put down roots and add to the character of the neighborhood, Uretsky said.
The competition
To enter the design competition, submit a drawing, watercolor, or photograph of a four- or five-story building, real or imagined, or a series of buildings. Include ground floor small businesses. Entries can be hand drawn or found images.
Place several architectural styles in a grouping to create a street scene while showing how stylistic diversity can create coherence along the Boulevard between Beverly and Melrose.
Original architectural designs are very welcome.
Deadline for submissions is midnight, Tue., May 5. Email submissions with the subject line “entry” to livablecommunitiesla@gmail. com.
Larchmont Spring Block Party
Select entrees will be displayed at the annual Larchmont Spring Block party, which takes place on Sat., May 9 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the 500 block of North Bronson Avenue.
“We think this will be fun for people. Tell us what you’d like to see there,” said Uretsky.
Candidates
(Continued from Page 18)
project delivery, and accountability for real results. We also need to expand mental health and substance use services and prevent homelessness in the first place by stabilizing renters at risk.
This crisis demands urgency and focus, and I’ll bring both to ensure fewer people are living on our streets and more are on a path to stability.
Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez: 1) My approach is rooted in community engagement and delivering results.
My focus is improving quality of life across the district. Our office has invested more in streetlight repairs than any other district, and we’ve worked closely with neighbors on projects like the proposed sale of Larchmont lot 694. We listen, engage, and move forward in a community-driven process.
I’ve also taken on citywide issues, including co-authoring LA’s Sanctuary City law and raising wages for working people to build a stronger and more inclusive city.
2) My team has been very involved with residents in Larchmont, Windsor Square, and across the district to understand the potential impacts of SB 79 and how the City is implementing it. We’ve also worked closely with the Livable Communities Initiative and organizations like LUNA to think proactively about how to bring more housing into our communities in a way that preserves neighborhood character.
3) Since we took office, street homelessness in the district has decreased by 25%.
First, we created CD13’s first dedicated homelessness team to coordinate with the more than 40 service providers in the district and provide direct outreach.
When we took office, the vacancy rate at some of our district’s shelters was nearly 50% on any given night. Today, it’s nearly zero.
That has allowed us to shift to expanding new interim and permanent housing options, including 52 beds in Hollywood and 51 more beds opening next year in East
Hollywood. We also know it’s more effective to keep people housed than to rehouse them after they’ve lost their homes, so we created the city’s first Homelessness Prevention Team, which has helped hun-
dreds of tenants stay housed through legal support and rental assistance. By following what works — housing along with mental health and addiction treatment — we can make real progress.
Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association
Serving the Larchmont community between Beverly and Melrose, Arden to Wilton Place
“The objective and purpose of the LVNA has, since 1987, been the preservation and enhancement of our neighborhood.”
Homelessness, with all its complexity and intractability, can impact our lives in many ways, including encampments, vehicles and a variety of other scenarios.
Here is some information to help if you have a problem on your block:
Residents and community members should report vehicle dwellings, trash, debris, abandoned items, homeless encampment services, illegal dumping, traffic safety, parking issues, or hazardous materials through the MYLA311 app or website, the City of Los Angeles’ primary platform for reports. Entries submitted through MYLA311 are routed to LADOT and the Bureau of Sanitation for appropriate response. Once the community member submits MYLA311 service request you can email CD 13 with the service request order number. You can also cc your LAPD Senior Lead Officer at the Olympic or Wilshire Division.
While LAPD may respond to public safety concerns or repeated complaints, the department follows a services-led, voluntary compliance approach with a graduated response to enforcement when interacting with unhoused persons. Voluntary compliance is always the primary objective. LAPD policy does not allow officers to remove personal property, tents, or hazards from the public right-of-way, and the department does not have the equipment, storage capacity, or ability to properly dispose of hazardous items in bulk. As frustrating as it may be, repeated calls for service especially involving RVs or vehicle dwellings can have limited immediate impact in warning or citing with the individual(s), since the police cannot displace people or remove property directly.
LAPD serves as a support agency in matters related to homeless outreach, assistance programs, and vehicle dwelling. Officers cannot rely solely on arrests or citations to resolve every situation, in fact department policy limits their ability to remove personal property from public rights-of-way.
CD 13 has a commitment to counseling and resource support on this issue. You can email them for help at CD13HOMELESSNESS@ LACITY.ORG or call 213-473-7013.
The LVNA is non-partisan and works with every elected official. We strongly encourage each and every local stakeholder to participate, ask questions and highlight local issues with our prospective representatives. The June primary is just around the corner! CD13, the council district which represents our neighborhood, is included in this election.
There are four candidates running to represent us: incumbent Hugo Soto Martinez, Dylan Kendall, Rich Sarian and Colton Carlisle.
The GWNC, along with 14 other neighborhood councils from across the district, are sponsoring a LIVE in person Candidates forum Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 PM at LA City College. This will be your opportunity to hear directly from the candidates!!
See www.greaterwilshire.org for further information and updates.
If you have a problem, idea or project on which you’re looking for support, we’ll connect you with a member who’s got exactly the right combination of interest and knowledge to help you. The solution to the issues of our community comes from participating, working together and making our voices heard. 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
