Section Two January 2026
LA ART SHOW Works from around the world will be on display Jan. 7-11 at the L.A. Convention Center. 6
WORD CAFÉ Coachella’s dates reach back in time– and they make for a great shake. 11
HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • GREATER WILSHIRE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT
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Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
Can solar bring the light back to our historic lampposts? At the Windsor Square Association Town Hall in November, questions were raised to our public officials about the continued streetlight outages in Windsor Square. One LAPD representative declared that due to their inability to curb copper wire theft, the city needed to shift to solar street lamps to get the lights back on. Even Mayor Bass has been on record supporting the transition to solar, initiating pilot projects back in 2024 in Van Nuys and other areas. But what about Los Angeles’ historic lampposts and the many thousands protected in our numerous Historic Preservation Overlay Zones? Is solar compatible with historic
EXAMPLES of solar installed on historic streetlamps from Sepco and EnGo Planet.
On Preservation by Brian Curran
preservation? I have to admit that as much as I support alternative and environmentally sustainable energy sources, I really hate visible solar on historic buildings. When it appears on the front façades of houses, it is generally glaringly obvious but also awful in appearance. This is largely the fault of the technology being relatively new, built for purpose rather than aesthetics. It is still evolving. It is also one reason that there is hesitation in utilizing solar in historic settings, where significance is often derived from design and aesthetics. Large, cumbersome, and unsightly panels are seen as incompatible with the preservation of historic character. Retrofitting Los Angeles’ vast collection of historic lampposts would be particularly challenging, as conversions require the lamppost to be fitted with a solar panel, battery storage, charge controller, LED streetlight fixture, mounting hardware, and control system. Visually this currently translates to fitting the historic post with an
SOLAR LIGHTS installed by the La Brea Hancock Neighborhood Watch.
engineered appendage holding a large rectangular solar panel or encasing a section of the post in a triangular sleeve of slender solar panels. Neither solution is appealing in an HPOZ setting. Another obstacle is cost, as solar systems are approximately 10 times more expensive to install than the current system, according to Miguel Sangalang, director of the Bureau of Street Lighting when asked by LAist in 2024. Solar technology is slowly coming around to adapting to better design, at least in the home market. New products such as Building-Integrated Photovoltaics, building
materials that are also solar power sources, are becoming increasingly available. These include solar shingles, which act as both roofing material and power source and better resemble traditional roofing materials. As with any new product there are downsides, such as higher costs and lower efficiency than traditional solar panels. There are even solar lampposts for home use in traditional designs with the solar panels integrated into the light cap. These seem sufficient for yards but do not provide the amount of illumination required for street lighting. At this point, with many streets plunged into darkness at nightfall, tradeoffs may be worth it. It will take time for the technology, the market, and the city to respond with an aesthetically appropriate solution to historic lampposts and outages from copper wire theft. In the meantime, our neighborhoods are forced to keep the pressure up through 311 reports of outages and repair requests to the city and our council offices to fix the lights. At some point, it may even be worth it to tolerate temporarily unsightly solar panels if it gets the lights back
and keeps them on. One has to admire the ingenuity of the La Brea-Hancock Neighborhood Watch, which took the initiative to install their own solar lights on the darkened historic lampposts along the 300 and 400 blocks of South Orange Drive. While neighborhood council representative Sixto Sicilia described the glow of the solar lights as “Twilight Zone,” the new fixtures do the job that the city can’t or won’t do— getting the lights back on.
BUREAU OF STREET Lighting’s Angel Once seals a junction box on Ridgewood Place, making access to the junction box extremely difficult for thieves.
Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
SECTION TWO
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New life and leases for mid-century building on Larchmont By Suzan Filipek All’s well at the spiffed up, two-story mid-century modern office building at 444 N. Larchmont Blvd. When we last reported on the building, things were not going so well for the building or the tenants. But a year and a half of renovations later, the building is open for business in a much more open and expansive scope than in its previous life. Visitors are greeted with refurbished original Terrazzo floors and wall tiles, a restored ironwork stairway and dark walnut doors. The owner, Leeor Maciborski of Rom Investments, said he bought the 1963 building at Larchmont and Rosewood
Avenue to be closer to his home in Hancock Park. Soon after he took over, the air conditioning broke and plumbing issues surfaced, which led to a full “soup-tonuts” renovation, he said. All but one of the disgruntled tenants left; they have stayed in the building the entire time. The mostly empty building made the remodel easier. Improvements included raising the ceilings (they had been below code), replacing single-pane aluminum windows with modern black metal ones, and sandblasting the facade to reveal original red brick underneath. The sale of the corner
UNITS are leasing in the newly renovated building.
1962 building built by Walter Leimert Jr. closed in April 2024, for $5 million, according to earlier reports. Maciborski moved his business from Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood to the second floor of the Larchmont property. He has leased a few of the units so far at $6 a square foot for full-service gross, which
includes electricity and other amenities, except the internet, and there is parking behind the building. Attorneys, therapists, and creatives such as writers have shown interest, Maciborski said. “I’m very pleased, and the reception has been amazing. I’m ready to do another one,” he added. (Maciborski also purchased a bungalow next
door, at 434 Larchmont, which is being leased.) When fully leased, the 10,500-square-foot office building at 444 N. Larchmont will include seven to 12 units; they can be reconfigured in size depending on tenants needs. It was a rough start, he acknowledged, “but all’s well that ends well.”
Fund keeps Hancock Park trees beautiful By Nathan Rifkin
Trees need to be cared for and sometimes replaced, which is why the Hancock Park Homeowners Association created a fund to preserve the health and beauty of its local canopy. The association continues its initiative to have a parkway tree planted in Hancock Park in every spot permitted by the city. The group’s tax-deductible fund and other monies pay to plant and care for trees of various species. Many trees, planted when the area was developed some 100 years ago, are at the end of their life cycle according to the HPHA website. Drought, diseases, insects, and general old age have hit many of the original elms, sycamores, and cedar trees that the neighborhood is home to. For more information, contact Deborah Trainer at debtraine@sbcglobal.net or Cindy MATURE GINKGO BILOBA tree graces the 100 Chvatal-Keane at snorekel@gmail.com. block of South Norton Avenue.
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Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
Two exhibits showcase unusual Japanese craftsmanship By Helene Seifer Japan is trending as a travel destination and in Los Angeles, with our relative proximity to Asia, the number of people winging to that island nation has risen exponentially since the pandemic. The food, of course, is a draw, although we have hundreds of lauded sushi restaurants in our own backyards. Others are attracted to the aesthetic—the fine craftsmanship of woodworkers, potters, and other artisans. For those who want to experience more unusual Japanese crafts, there are two delightful exhibits worth catching right here in L.A. “Looks Delicious!” at Japan House, explores the art and craft of Japan’s food replica culture, and “Package Craft: from Candy Box to Sculpture,” at the Japan Foundation, displays sculptures made by creatively cutting and folding food and beverage containers. “Looks Delicious!” at Japan House A bowl of brilliantly colored sushi that never goes bad. A plate of noodles with a loaded fork floating in mid-air. A row of fruit-studded ice cream sundaes that never melt. Who hasn’t seen the plates of plasticky food displayed in the windows of Japanese restaurants? I always thought they were invented for the Western market so that diners unfamiliar with Japanese dishes would get a preview of available food. However, the making of replica foods is a uniquely Japanese craft that started in the early 20th century in Japan to help Japanese
REPLICA BOWL OF SUSHI, Japan House.
diners understand the foreign dishes that had become more available. By 1917 there were craftspeople who specialized in making food models for school science classes as nutritional guides. It was easy to understand a balanced breakfast with proper portions if illustrated by a tray of life-size replicas; those with medical conditions, such as diabetes, were likewise helped by these realistic visual aids. The general use of food replicas increased in the 1920s, when it became popular to eat out in hotel restaurants. After World War II, food replica production exploded and diversified and when the number of restaurants and other eateries expanded throughout Japan. “Looks Delicious!” charts the rise of food replica culture and the advancement of the realistic aspect of the art. It shows the step-by-step process for creating the replicas and displays meticulously crafted fake foods to show the food specialties of each of Japan’s 47 prefectures. It’s hard not to absentmindedly take a bite! “Looks Delicious!” Japan House, through Sun., Jan. 25; 6801 Hollywood Blvd., in
JAPAN HOUSE FOOD REPLICA of spaghetti with floating fork.
SAMURAI WARRIOR made from multiple Godiva chocolate boxes; Japan Foundation.
Ovation Hollywood, gallery on the second floor; 800516-0565; japanhousela.com. Free admission. “Package Craft” at the Japan Foundation Artist Kazuma Takahashi always enjoyed transforming empty boxes into art. “Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture,” at the Japan Foundation, showcases Takahashi’s delightful 3D creations. A Chivas Regal box was magically altered into a fierce dragon. An adorable yellow bee was formerly a box of Lipton tea. A cardboard sake box became a Buddhist deity. A popular
COLORFUL ICE CREAM parfaits that never melt.
“LIPTON BEE,” by Kazuma Takahashi; Japan Foundation.
CHEERIOS CEREAL BOX bus.
breakfast cereal was granted new life as a school bus. Also included in the exhibit are patterns for turning an empty box of Sour Patch Kids can-
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dies into a perky little dog. When developing his craft, Takahashi created rules for himself to follow, most notably that every scrap of the original container or containers must be used in the final product and any words must remain readable. The latter creates some amusing opportunities, such as a 4-foot. Samurai warrior with the brand “Godiva” emblazoned across his helmet’s crest. Takahashi has given workshops on the shape-shifting craft throughout Japan. His work is not only entertaining to look at, but it is firmly rooted in a belief that recycling packages into fanciful figurines can save tons of packaging from the landfill. Four years after establishing the Japan Package Craft Association in 2011, it received the Good Design Award for helping to raise public awareness of sustainable practices. “Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture,” Japan Foundation, through February 18; 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100; 323-761-7510; jflac.org. Free admission.
Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
SECTION TWO
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Letters were sent from Oahu to mainland during Pearl Harbor By Nona Sue Friedman The 57-year marriage of Mary and Larry Stuppy started with the newlyweds being stationed in Oahu, Hawaii during World War II. He was a doctor in the service and she was a psychiatric social worker at a hospital. These positions allowed them to stay on the island as the war escalated. The book, “Life on the Island during Pearl Harbor: As told through letters home to family,” written by her daughter Mary Martin, is a compilation of four years worth of letters from the Stuppy’s to their family on the mainland dated between 1941 and 1945. The book was published in November. The late Mary Stuppy, who moved with her family in 1951 to 357 S. Lorraine Blvd., told her four children she wanted the correspondences published. According to her daughter B.J. Pike, Stuppy felt her life experiences during that time should be shared with the public. Some of the stories from the letters include renting a home from a German national—who was sentenced to life in prison for spying—dealing with dengue fever, enduring mandatory blackouts, and the challenge of living without
A CLOSE-UP OF one letter sent via airmail between Hawaii and Los Angeles.
A BOX OF LETTERS from the late Windsor Square residents Mary and Larry Stuppy, is the source material of a new book.
daily necessities. The book costs $34 and is
available on Amazon and at other book retailers.
The family’s Windsor Square Home is among the area’s finest On a completely separate note from the recently published Pearl Harbor book, the family’s home on Lorraine, which is among the most stunning homes in all of Windsor Square, was designed by Frederick Louis Roehrig, who was also the architect for the Green Hotel in Pasadena. The home was moved to its current
location in 1915 from Westlake, close to downtown. The massive Victorian was divided into three sections for the move. The owner hosted a house-moving party at the corner of Sixth and Alvarado streets, with an orchestra and dancing to mark the momentous move. At the time, it was the city’s largest house-moving job.
STUPPY home on Lorraine Boulevard.
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Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
LA Art Show returns Jan. 7 to 11 with more than 90 exhibitors
LA ART SHOW showcases over 90 exhibitors from around the globe. Photo from LA Art Show 2025. Courtesy of LA Art show
are platforms for innovation, dialogue, and engagement. Another exhibit that is garnering buzz is from London’s Pontone Gallery, which presents the self-taught artist and former professional rock drummer Chris Rivers’ surreal oil paintings, which reference astronomy and mythology. The American Heart Association is the designated charity of the LA Art Show, with 15% of ticket proceeds going to support their Life is Why campaign. LA Art Show is Wed., Jan. 7 to Sun., Jan. 11 at L.A. Convention Center, West Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St. Tickets start at $40, visit laartshow. com.
Glittering exhibit juxtaposes life and decay in bejeweled show By Helene Seifer This is the last chance to see a dazzling exhibit at Karma, newly extended through Sat., Jan. 10. “Souvenir,” by Kathleen Ryan, presents oversized objects with unexpected attributes, both playful and unsettling, poetic and prosaic. A gigantic engagement ring sports bowling balls instead of
diamonds, a nearly 5-foot wide, 2-ton cast concrete peach half displays a Ford F-150 engine where a pit should be. The centerpiece of the exhibit are bejeweled food sculptures, at once beautiful and horrible in their juxtaposition of life and decay. In “Sunset Strip,” Ryan’s 81inch piece of polystyrene toast
“THE GOOD LIFE IS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE,” 2016, by Michael Canning. Courtesy Oliver Sears Gallery and LA Art Show
“MUSCLES BETTER AND NERVES MORE,” 2024, by Heather Horon. Courtesy Pontone Gallery and LA Art Show
“FREEDOM” by Hye Sung Park. Courtesy of MEK Gallery and LA Art Show
“MALE PATTERN BALDNESS,” 1991, by Sylvester Stallone. Courtesy of Provident
Fine Art and LA Art Show
“SUNSET STRIP,” 2025, by Kathleen Ryan.
Photo by Lance Brewer, courtesy of the artist and Karma
“WILD HEART,” (left to right), “Heartthrob,” and “Heartbreaker,” all 2025, by Kathleen Ryan. Photo by Jeff McLane, courtesy of the artist and Karma
is nearly covered in striations of multicolored mold, resembling a cloud-studded sunset. Upon closer inspection, the viewer realizes that the decay is comprised of gemstones such as amethyst, rose quartz, and chalcedony. “Dreamhouse,” an 83-inch plastic-beaded raspberry has patches of glittering stone “mold” on its exterior and an interior cavern eaten away to reveal a geode-like fantasy world of stones and crystals including malachite, lapiz lazuli, amethyst, garnet, and quartz stalactite. Beautiful
“DREAMHOUSE,” 2025, by Kathleen Ryan.
Photo by Lance Brewer, courtesy of the artist and Karma
and fruitful, rotten to the core. “Souvenir,” by Kathleen Ryan; Karma; 7351 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; 310-736-1367.
“SWEET NOTHINGS,” 2025, by Kathleen Ryan. Photo by Lance Brewer, courtesy of the artist and Karma
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By Helene Seifer Over 90 exhibitors from around the globe will showcase paintings, sculpture, photography, and video at the LA Art Show from Wed., Jan. 7, to Sun., Jan. 11. In this 31st edition of the largest and longest-running independent art fair in Los Angeles, producer and director Kassandra Voyagis showcases the growing international scope of the fair, including over 10 exhibitors from South Korea; new participants Oliver Sears Gallery ,from Dublin, Ireland; and Corridor Contemporary, from Tel Aviv, Israel, as well as the debut of an invitation-only Latin American Pavilion, curated by Marisa Caichiolo, who has been selected to co-curate Chile’s pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale. The Latin American Pavilion’s message of inclusion is especially poignant given the struggles facing immigrants from Latin America today. Other highlights include a solo show of Sylvester Stallone’s rarely exhibited abstract paintings, from Palm Beach, Florida’s Provident Fine Arts, and the LA Art Show’s popular non-commercial platform DIVERSEartLA, also curated by Caichiolo, which explores how biennials and museums
too!
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Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
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Be transported to aesthetic bliss with beautiful minerals experience,” said Lori Bettison-Varga, president and director of NHMLAC. The exhibition features bright pink kunzite, orange spessartine, deep blue benitoite, and a natural gold “flame.” It also includes exquisite carvings from China, jewelry created from rare minerals, and massive touchable crystals. The exhibit runs through April 18, 2027, at NHMLAC, Exposition Park, 900 Exposition Blvd. Hours may vary. For tickets and more information, visit nhm.org.
Mix, mingle at speakeasys
Museum to host Impressionist exhibit at LACMA mid-century More than 100 artworks and event Jan. 25
Mix and mingle at speakeasy-style gatherings at the Music Center’s Innovation Socials on Fridays Jan. 9 and March 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. “Reflections on Loss, Hope and Renewal” is Jan. 9 The free gatherings are designed to spark imagination and showcase where performance and technology meet. The gatherings are in the Founders’ Room at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave. Free. Visit musiccenter. org/innovationsocial.
objects will be featured in “Collecting Impressionism at LACMA,” on view through Jan. 3, 2027. The exhibit features a veritable who’s who of Impressinist painters, including Monet, Cezanne, Pissaro and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It looks back at the gifts that have shaped the museum’s collection and includes the recently acquired “Tarascon Stagecoach,” 1888, the first painting by Vincent Van Gogh in the musuem’s collection.
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ARAGONITE is among minerals on display at the exhibit. CHRYSANTHEMUM STONE is on view, with celestine crystals blooming in flower shapes through the rock.
Craft Contemporary hosts a gallery conversation Sat., Jan. 25, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with Laura Ackerman-Shaw, celebrating the legacy of her parents Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman alongside the exhibit “Material Curiosity by Design: Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman.” The discussion will cover the Mid-Century designers’ creative partnership, approach to design, and enduring impact of their work. After the talk will be a screening of “In Tandem,” a 22-minute documentary of the Ackermans’ life and work, with original drawings, installations, and photographs from the Ackerman archives. Free. Craft Contemporary, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., 323-937-4230.
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January Events Calendar
1
THE 137TH ROSE PARADE, taking place in Pasadena on Thu., Jan. 1, starting at 8 a.m., will be hosted by legendary basketball player, businessman, and philanthropist Magic Johnson, this year’s Grand Marshal. The theme is “The Magic in Teamwork,” celebrating the concept of accomplishment in working together. Floral floats, along with marching bands and equestrian units, will make their way along a 5 1/2 mile route. Tickets are available at tournamentofroses.com. The parade will be broadcasted live on ABC, NBC, KTLA, and streaming services. BIG SUNDAY’S MLK DAY clothing drive and community breakfast is Mon., Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at South Park Elementary, 8510 Towne Ave. In the spir-
19
it of Martin Luther King Jr., cold-weather clothing will be donated, collected, sorted, and packed to ensure everyone stays warm this winter. Breakfast will be served for volunteers to enjoy together. Photos will be added to a Something in Common photo and Civil Rights Story project. The event is free and open to all. The nonprofit Big Sunday headquarters are at 1741 N. Cherokee Ave. DINE LA restaurant week returns, with over 375 participating restaurants offering specially priced lunch and dinner menus starting at $15. Fine dining will also be discounted. The event runs from Fri., Jan. 23, through Fri., Feb. 6, to promote restaurants. Menus and restaurants are added daily; see the full list with options to view menus and book reservations at dinela.com.
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The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County recently opened “Unearthed: Raw Beauty.” This exhibition features some of the largest and rarest mineral specimens ever to be displayed in their natural, uncut form. The immersive exhibit will inform visitors of the science behind minerals, crystals, gems, and rocks, and the importance and prevalence of minerals in our world. “This array of exceptional stones and crystals, including many from our own collection, creates an otherworldly
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Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
LOOKING BACK
Larchmont Chronicle, September 1967
A STUDENT BAND performs at Larchmont Charter’s World Fair.
THE GERMANY FOOD booth attracts quite a crowd.
INTERNATIONAL FLAGS SET the tone for the World Fair.
Food from around the world savored at Larchmont Charter By Nona Sue Friedman As a kickoff to the winter holidays and to celebrate its diverse community, Larchmont Charter School hosts a World Fair annually. The school-wide event includes food booths sponsored by families and staff from around the world, such as Britain,
Germany, Korea, the Philippines, and Japan. At the fair, you can buy items made by the students during their Edible School Yard class and this year featured a Young Artisans Market, with items created by students created in their free time. Performances included multiple student bands.
Get ready: Griffith Park Run is Feb. 1
Get ready to take in the great outdoors and see classic scenic spots during the Griffith Park Run Sun., Feb. 1. Open to all levels, the course takes participants by iconic landmarks such as the Old Pony Ride, the Merry-GoRound, Travel Town Museum, the Zoo, and the Autry Museum. The Run includes a 5K
course, which is flat, scenic, and shaded. A half marathon covers a 13.1-mile course through the park. Rewards are given to the first male and female runner to reach the peak. The run finishes at Crystal Springs picnic area. Sampling booths, a beer garden, and food trucks will be on-site.
Registration includes raffle items, a commemorative medal, and a T-shirt. Start time is 7:30 a.m. for the half marathon and 10 a.m. for the 5K. The event is organized in partnership with LA Parks Foundation. To register and for more information, visit tinyurl. com/3dmy28xs.
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Mexican-American restaurant Marvito opens in West Hollywood On the Menu
by Helene Seifer margarita or glass of red in a true dive. Unlike the adherence to classic bistro fare that Marvin offers, Marvito veers wildly from what one might expect from a Mexican-American menu. Made-to-order guacamole was a perfect, if expected, way to start. The small bowl of chunky avocados was simply prepared, with a perfect amount of minced onions, tomatoes, and a little chili heat, served with mild salsa verde, spicy salsa rojo, and especially light and crunchy homemade tortilla chips. We shared and enjoyed two generously sized, crispy ground beef tacos a la carte, although we could have opted for crispy shrimp or fish tacos or a taco combination plate with a choice of two carnitas, carne asada, or chicken tacos with rice and beans. A perfectly melty Tex-Mex queso dip with chorizo was gobbled up, as was a supremely lemony and better-than-expected chicken piccata with a side of simple spaghetti—one of the plates that seemed to have nothing to do with the menu theme. We were split on their unusual take on a chili relleno. The queso-stuffed pasilla pepper was fried and therefore had a crunchier and chewier texture than is typical. A plate of skinny fries was wonderful, but it accompanied a pile of not-flavorful-enough ribs that didn’t live up to barbecue joint standards. The chicken tinga quesadilla looked nothing like any quesadillas any of us had encountered before. The idea of stuffing tortillas with smoky, peppery stewed and shredded chicken is ap-
QUESO WITH chips, and salsa.
CHORIZO,
CHILI RELLENO.
pealing; this version was not. The stew should have been packed with complex spice notes, but was bland, and the tortillas were crunchy and puffy rather than the usual presentation of softer griddled tortillas. It looked like a Mexican sub sandwich. Other options listed were a surprising number of upscale fish dishes, ranging from hamachi agua chile, raw fish cured in lime juice with chopped cucumbers and red onions, to grilled whole branzino with pico de gallo and olives. For dessert we shared a decent creamy flan and a notquite-crisp-enough handful of churros with chocolate dipping sauce. Marvito, 1113 N. Harper Ave.; 323-798-4185; marvito. la.
CRISPY ground beef tacos.
FLAN (foreground) and churros with chocolate dipping sauce.
CHICKEN TINGA quesadilla.
RIBS AND FRIES (foreground) and chicken piccata (back right) with spaghetti.
There’s no place like home— slippers make magical return Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” 1939, have returned to their display case in the Identity Gallery at the Academy Museum, where they shine alongside ensembles worn by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in “Wicked,” 2024. The red slippers display time is limit- SEE DOROTHY’S slippers at the Acadeed for conservation my Museum. reasons. Screenings of the 2024 film, “Wicked,” are at the Ted Mann Theater this month at the Academy Museum, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. For tickets and more information, visit academymuseum.org.
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The excellent French bistro Marvin in Beverly Grove recently launched Marvito, a Mexican-American restaurant in the former Gardens of Taxco space in West Hollywood. As a lover of Mexican food and a fan of Marvin, whose scattering of outside tables during the pandemic was one of our go-to escapes from the boredom of eating in the confines of our home every night, I was interested. Also, the tagline on their Instagram page describes Marvito as “An elevated dive bar meets psychedelic honky tonk,” so how could I resist giving them a try? The exterior, a variation on Taco Bell architecture, hasn’t changed since 2016, when the previous restaurant closed, but the inside held promise. With mostly two- and fourtop booths, a few tables, and a small, well-stocked bar, it indeed felt like an upscale dive bar. Five of us went in December. Strung Christmas lights and fir tree garlands added a feeling of seasonal warmth. There’s a lively, fun atmosphere—it felt like the right vibe for the food and the neighborhood—although the music, an enjoyable and eclectic mix of pop and rock genres, was too loud. They turned it down for us, but it steadily inched back up to where our server said the owner liked it. I guess the loudness is part of the self-professed honky-tonk aspect. The bar serves a full array of classic and bespoke cocktails, and for a “dive bar,” the wine list is well-considered, reflecting an oenophile’s appreciation for the French wine featured at its sister restaurant. Perhaps that’s what makes it “elevated.” As do the prices. I wouldn’t have expected to spend $19 on a
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10 SECTION TWO
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Sticky toffee pudding with an Eastern Mediterranean twist
Spread the pecans on top and press them down as well. Separately. Combine molasses, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and if you need to, add a bit of hot water to loosen it, so you can pour it over the top of the baking dish. Finally, pour 2 cups of boiling water over the top of the entire mixture and carefully place it in the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the sides are bubbling and the center is set. Sit for 20 min-
DESSERT FROM THE DESERT is a unique dish borrowing from both British and Arab cuisines.
utes after baking dessert. While the dessert is setting, put the sour cream in a bowl, then fold in the second portion of chopped dates and drizzle in a tablespoon or two of molasses. Carefully fold these three ingredients together to create a swirl. As you spoon out the warm dessert into a bowl, put a dollop of the sour cream mixture on top. Warm and cool, sweet and sour!
Niceties in the neighborhood Preheat oven to 350°. Butter, a 9-by-13-inch rectan- set the tone for the New Year gular glass baking dish. In two shallow bowls, place half of the dates in each, and cover each with ¾ cup boiling water. Mash the dates down with a fork and let them soften for 10 minutes or so. In a larger bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter with a ½ cup sugar for five minutes, until it’s light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then fold in the date paste (the water will have absorbed by now). In a third, separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Then pour this dry mixture into your wet mixture and beat until combined. Spread the mixture in your buttered baking dish and push it down with a spatula until it’s solid and even throughout.
By Nona Sue Friedman Little gestures abound through the neighborhood to make people’s day a little nicer. These niceties are plentiful throughout the neighborhood and set a grateful tone for the New Year. Someone went through
the effort to create a colorful free exchange LEGO box on the 600 block of North Irving Boulevard. Its lid opens for neighbors to place items they no longer want that others might find useful. On the 4900 block of El(Please turn to Page 11)
A BENCH TO REST on is on the 4900 block on Elmwood Avenue.
A DOLLOP of flavored sour cream swirl is the perfect complement to this rich, nutty dish.
A NUTRIENT-DENSE dessert alternative to processed sweets.
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ACROSS 1. Festive Scottish song 4. Lindsey _____, skier making a World Cup comeback at 41 5. Bottle getting popped 7. Goal 9. It happens once a year... or once a lifetime for teen boys 11. New Year’s tradition 15. January entertainment award show 16. January’s namesake 17. Something to replace every year 19. M.L.K. day honoree
DOWN 2. What a child might try to do December 31st 3. December 31st is one 6. It’s a new day 7. Local football team poised to clinch their division 8. Where 9-across happens, famously 10. Game held in Pasadena on New Year’s Day 12. All-time leading point scorer who plays on the Lakers 13. Celebratory displays of Chinese origin 14. Accessory often worn to ring in the New Year 18. One who might need shelter from 13-across
ANSWERS: Please turn to page 11. Answers will also be on our online edition in early January.
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Ingredients 2 cups packed of pitted, and finely chopped dates 3 ½ cup boiling water 12 tbs. salted butter 1 ¼ cups dark brown sugar (or less if you prefer less sugar) 2 eggs 1 ¾ cups flour of your choice 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ginger ½ tsp. nutmeg ½ tsp. ground cloves 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 2 cups whole pecans 4 tbs. molasses 1 cup sour cream
MEDJOOL OR HALAWI DATES are perfect for this dish full of sweet caramel flavor.
© LC1024
By H. Hutcheson This version of sticky toffee pudding, a classic winter dessert from the British Isles, is emblematic of Southern California cuisine as it borrows from multiple cultures to create an entirely new concoction. It relies on a nutrient-dense alternative to processed sweets—Medjool or Halawi dates (as described in this month’s Word Café, Sec. 2, page 11)—grown from the date palms of the Coachella Valley. Enjoy the cultural mix.
Larchmont Chronicle
JANUARY 2026
SECTION TWO
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An Arabic lexical journey with the Coachella Valley’s favorite fruit
Chronicle is a respite
Just a little note to let you know how much I enjoy reading the Larchmont Chronicle. Of course, I read a bit of The Los Angeles Times and the New York Times but the state of the world and politics make it a chore I don’t enjoy. I count on the Chronicle to keep me up on the things I care about and enjoy in our neighborhood. Keep up the great work! Happy Holidays! Jordan Teal Ridgewood Wilton CROSSWORD ANSWER C H A M P M I R E S O L D A N M B A L K S S G F H I T G R G O L D E N A W J A N U S O R S E K I S S
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T I O N T I D R O P M O J E S A S E M S B E Q L O B E S U W A A L E N D A R O E G
A U L D L A N G S Y N E T V O N N A G N E Y U P L A T E I
by Mara Fisher The name of the “date” travels by way of Old Provençal and Latin from the Greek “daktylos,” which originally translated to “finger” or “toe,” possibly due to a perceived resemblance. It’s also plausible that the date’s association with digits was a natural outcome of the name origin of the “palm,” which is titled for the fanned-out foliage’s likeness to the human hand. In the Islamic faith, dates have a special significance. Called the “bread of the desert,” they’re traditionally the first bites eaten when breaking the fast during iftar, the evening meal of Ramadan, in emulation of the prophet Muhammad, who did the same. The names of our beloved Californian dates are likewise carried over from their Arabic places of origin. The aforementioned Deglet Noor translates to “date of light,” from the Arabic “nour,” meaning “light,” so named for its golden amber hue. The cultivar, which is thought to have originated in the Algerian Sahara Desert in the 17th century, is treasured for its mild, nutty flavor, with notes of brown sugar. Despite being called the “king” of dates, the name of the plump, honey-like Medjool translates literally to “the unknown,” from the Arabic verb “jahila,” due to its origins from a seed of (gasp!) unknown parentage. The chewy, caramel-y Halawi date, sometimes spelled
THE AUTHOR’S PARENTS make a pit stop for a Hadley’s date shake in 1970.
Halawy, was imported in 1902 from Iraq. Its name comes from the Arabic “ḥalwa,” meaning “a sweet confection,” the same origin as “halva,” a Middle Eastern delicacy made with ground sesame seeds and sugar. The sweet, fig-like
Khadrawy is so named from the Arabic word “khudr,” or “green,” in reference to the unripe date’s recognizable emerald hue. And the Barhi, treasured for its crisp, honeyed flesh, receives its designation from the Arabic
Niceties
area providing a chance to give and receive books. As you stroll, take note of how neighbors have made the effort to make your day a little brighter.
(Continued from Page 1) mwood Avenue, residents erected a tiled bench encouraging passersby to take a rest and sit in their flower garden. Little Free Libraries are scattered throughout the
BOX MADE FROM LEGOS is on North Irving Boulevard. Left, decorative utility box on Larchmont Boulevard.
LIBRARIES FAIRFAX 161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191
WILSHIRE 149 N. St. Andrews Pl. 323-957-4550 HOURS Mon. and Wed., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tue. and Thu., noon to 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The library will be closed Thu., Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day and Mon., Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
ONE OF MANY LITTLE free libraries in the area, this one is on the 200 block of North Ridgewood Place.
ALAKAZAM
JOHN C. FREMONT 6121 Melrose Ave. 323-962-3521 MEMORIAL 4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2732
Headed to Highway 111 Today, even as an adult with my own driver’s license and sense of volition, the Hadley’s detour is hardwired. Satiated by the “bread of the desert,” I travel the last stretch of road to the place where murmurs of English, Spanish, Cahuilla, and Arabic intermingle, carried across the landscape by hot, arid winds.
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Letter
“barh,” meaning “hot wind,” in tribute to the gusts that pass over the desert in its native Iraq and are said to help ripen the fruits. On the farms of the Coachella Valley, dates ripen in five stages, with the names for each stage also arriving from Arabic: first Hababouk; then Kimri, the immature “green” stage; Khalal, from the word for “interruption,” during which time the fruit turns from green to yellow or red; Rutab, from the verb meaning “to be moist;” and the final stage, Tamar, which is simply the Arabic word for “date.”
Word Café
©LC0925
Growing up, our family had a few unspoken rules when it came to traveling. Some were to be expected, like my older brother sitting shotgun for just about every car ride. Others were superstitious, teetering on morbid, like making sure to be out of town each year on Christmas (the day my grandfather died) or my parents always taking separate flights from one another (lest my siblings and I become suddenly orphaned). But there was one golden rule that no one questioned: A trip to Palm Springs means a stop at Hadley’s. Hadley Fruit Orchards, just 21 miles short of the desert city, is where scores of date lovers get their fix. Their famous date shakes are made using Deglet Noors from their farm in the country’s date capital, the Coachella Valley, a region where rows of towering date palms cast shade over sun-warmed Sonoran Desert sands. But this wasn’t always the case. At the end of the 19th century, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent botanists to travel the world to look for new crops to bring back and cultivate. Ventures to the Middle East and North Africa led to the designation of the Coachella Valley—where it’s not uncommon to have more than 100 days a year over 100 degrees—as an ideal place for the newly imported date palm to thrive. Commercial date farms came next, with the dried fruit’s popularity getting a boost in the 1940s, when it was used to offset the sugar rationing employed during World War II.
12 SECTION TWO
JANUARY 2026
Larchmont Chronicle