Arroyo Monthly November 2020

November 2020

Fine living in the greater Pasadena area

Oak Trail:

A HOME WITH A HISTORY

PAPER RICE: JUST ROLL WITH IT + HOME SHOOT HOME

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Photo By Chad Mellon CSLB 653340

Now more than ever, our home is the center of our lives.

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arroyo VOLUME 16 | NUMBER 11 | NOVEMBER 2020

14 06 OAK TRAIL: A HOME WITH A HISTORY’ The 1916 English Revival estate was designed by noted architect Reginald Johnson —By Kamala Kirk

10 USING HIS VOICE Rose Parade announcer FR Springer brings excitement to annual tradition —By Kamala Kirk

14 ON LOCATION Home Shoot Home connects homeowners to scouts —By Kamala Kirk

16 REIMAGINED Pasadena Heritage’s Craftsman Weekend expands focus —By Kamala Kirk

18 A LABOR OF LOVE This mid-century modern masterpiece in South Pasadena was lovingly restored —By Kamala Kirk

24 DRIVING TOWARD SUCCESS Pasadena-bred Cartalk releases dreamy debut album —By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

26 THE NEW NORMAL Paper Rice: Just roll with it —By Frier McCollister

DEPARTMENTS

20 HOME AND DESIGN The Best of Times in The Worst of Times

28 CULINARY CUPBOARD Pistachio Pomegranate Pavlova: A ring for any occasion

arroyo

fine living in the greater pasadena area

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christina Fuoco -Karasinski ART DIRECTOR Stephanie Torres CONTRIBUTORS Frier McCollister, Kamala Kirk PHOTOGRAPHERS Luis Chavez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Lisa Chase, Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb ADVERTORIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Bruce Haring OFFICE MANAGER Ann Turrietta ON THE COVER: Oak Trail, photo courtesy Compass

TIMES MEDIA GROUP PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine V.P. OF OPERATIONS Michael Hiatt ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Zac Reynolds CONTACT US EDITORIAL christina@timespublications.com PHONE (626) 584-1500 FAX (626) 795-0149 MAILING ADDRESS 161 South Pasadena, Ste. B, South Pasadena, CA 91030 ArroyoMonthly.com ©2020 Times Media Group All rights reserved.

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OAK TRAIL: A HOME WITH A HISTORY

THE 1916 ENGLISH REVIVAL ESTATE WAS DESIGNED BY NOTED ARCHITECT REGINALD JOHNSON

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BY KAMALA KIRK

ituated just above Lacy Park in the heart of San Marino’s estate area, Oak Trail is an English Revival estate that was named in honor of the 16 oak trees on the flat, 1-acre property.

Listing agents David Callery Davidson and Sarah Rogers say there is a special history behind the beautifully maintained family home, which is among the oldest in the area. When one of the oaks was a sapling 400 years ago, the Native Americans angled it at 90 degrees so it would point in the direction of the now-former Lacy Lake.

“It grew that way for 400 years and it was the directional compass for the Native Americans to find water,” Davidson says. “Although this tree fell 50 years ago, the gardens are still host to over 16 oak trees as well as mature camellias, birch, gingko, pittosporum, mulberry and sycamore.”

The home was designed by noted Pasadena architect Reginald Davis Johnson, who is recognized for his contributions to the development of Santa Barbara’s architectural identity through his exceptional designs.

His work includes the Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel, La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, Pasadena’s Hale Solar Laboratory and historic residences such as the famed Paxton House in South Pasadena, which received the American Institute of Architects’ top prize for residential architecture design in 1921. Johnson believed in architecture’s ability to improve the quality of community life and was among the architects responsible for popularizing the English Revival style.

A barreled ceiling entry welcomes guests into the house, as do the rich and

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timeless mahogany doors and well-preserved architectural details such as oak floors and paneled walls. High ceilings give each room a light and airy feel that is cozy yet grand, while the thoughtfully arranged formal spaces are ideal for entertaining and personal enjoyment.

“The home has a timeless elegance with its carved wood fascia detail, its unique handcrafted brick chimney and wide grand staircase,” Rogers says.

Although the interior features an impressive 6,614 square feet of living space, there is a sophisticated warmth that is present and transcends each room of the house—much like that of a room full of leather-bound books or the aromas of a wine cellar—which makes it feel comforting and special. The home’s second and current owner of 67 years says, “The first time and each subsequent time I entered the home, it was as if the home was giving you a warm hug.”

The impressive main entry hall leads to the elegant formal living room, where an exquisite handcrafted fireplace serves as the centerpiece for conversation. With white paneled walls and large windows, the dining room is an inviting place to host family dinners and holiday gatherings. Rogers adds, “The light-filled rooms are ideal for entertainment and relaxation.”

Antique wood cabinets lend a unique charm and beauty to the kitchen, while a spacious butler’s pantry and mud room offer additional storage space.

Just down the hall is the library, which has a separate fireplace and leaded glass bay window—the perfect spot for curling up with a good book. Light filters through the trees, shining through leaded glass windows, bringing the outdoors

inside. A thick hedge of oak, mulberry, birch and sycamore offers privacy that can only be created by hundreds of years of mature grove growth. An adjoining screened patio also provides the perfect transition to the external treeshaded patios.

“One of my favorite features unique to this home is a 400-square-foot screened patio that overlooks the garden on three sides,” Davidson says.

“From here, you can relax with the western breeze and watch the migratory finches, hummingbirds and gnatcatchers come and go, all the while sitting covered and protected just steps from the living room.”

A finely detailed staircase leads to the second floor where the home’s seven bedrooms are located. The generous master suite features plenty of natural light accompanied by lovely garden views and includes a dressing area and a separate sitting room. The family wing has four generously sized bedrooms, while two additional bedrooms, a sitting room and a bathroom are adjacent to the back staircase, offering extra space for extended family and guests. Both the 1,400-square-foot basement and 1,700-square-foot full-height attic, filled with natural light, provide additional storage, living or workspace—the possibilities are endless.

Outside, the charming grounds are reminiscent of an idyllic English country garden with a rose garden and brick patios, inviting you for a stroll.

One can envision children and grandchildren engaged in fun-filled afternoons playing croquet and other games on the expansive lawns. Oak Trail embodies the beauty of San Marino and anyone who visits will feel a deeper connection to the intriguing history of this timeless property.

1245 Oak Grove Avenue 1245 Oak Grove Avenue is listed for $7.38 million by David Callery Davidson and Sarah Rogers with Compass. For more information, visit 1245oakgrove.com.

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1 2 4 5 O A K G ROV E AV E N U E San Marino

One-of-a-Kind Reginald Johnson English Revival Estate 1 2 4 5 OA KG ROV E . C O M

David Callery Davidson 626.241.8864 david.davidson@compass.com DRE 01979515

7 BED | 5 BATH | 6,614 SQ FT Offered at $7,380,000

Sarah Rogers 626.390.0511 sarah@sarahrogersestates.com DRE 01201812

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified.

Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.

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562.989.7756 - 1827 E Spring St Long Beach, CA 90806

626.521.9938 - 318 E. Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91006

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Voice

USING HIS

ROSE PARADE ANNOUNCER FR SPRINGER BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO ANNUAL TRADITION

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STORY BY KAMALA KIRK | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

atching the Rose Parade on television was a New Year’s Day staple for FR Springer and his family in Eden, New York.

“My first memory was probably when I was 5 years old, watching the broadcast of the parade’s colors, floats and sunny SoCal,” he says. “We were frozen in the depths of a western New York winter.”

Fast forward to 2017, when the experienced voice actor was approached by the Tournament of Roses’ head of marketing to voice the narration for the event’s app, which allows anybody to join in the festivities.

Springer, who attended San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater, jumped at the opportunity and spent the next two weeks recording narration for the app, including details about the floats, flowers and grand marshals.

He was a hit and the following year he was asked to return—this time as a live announcer for the Rose Parade, a longstanding New Year’s Day tradition since 1891.

“They used to have a live announcer, and TOR Vice President Ed Morales wanted to bring the role back because fans didn’t know what was passing by them unless they looked at the program,” Springer says.

He immediately embraced his new role. For the next two years, he educated fans about all aspects of the parade, providing insight about everything from the cavalries to the marching bands. He also added to the excitement of the parade by revving up the audience.

“You have to be able to think ahead, be quick on your feet and be ready for anything,” Springer says. “Like, when we had a float break down midparade one year, I had to adlib. You also have to be aware of what’s happening with the crowd and you want to engage with them. When the B-2 Stealth continued on page 12

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770 Panorama Place, Pasadena WOW is what your Buyers will say when they see this private and luxurious single-story work of art with some of the best views in Pasadena! From the moment you step through the impressive, oversized glass front door, you will be immersed in a contemporary living space that takes your breath away. This 3-bedroom, 3.5 bath home offers an exquisitely executed indoor/outdoor open concept floor plan. The living room and family room boast raised ceilings with stunning architectural accents, lighting and finishes with a backdrop of unparalleled views in every direction. The open chef’s kitchen has been custom designed with modern, sleek finishes, custom cabinetry, breakfast bar, Bertazzoni range, Sub Zero appliances and a custom designed, temperature-controlled 135 bottle wine room that overlooks the adjacent dining room. The inviting master retreat features dual walk in closets, an en suite bath featuring a twin basin vanity, and a one-of-a-kind spa shower. Large sliders spill the indoors out into an ultra-private resort-like paradise featuring a custom-built glass stone fire pit, outdoor shower, multiple lounging areas and a deep spa that cascades into a heated pool overlooking the world below. The entire patio overlooks the Rose Bowl giving you the best seats in the house to every concert and fireworks show at the historic venue. In the distance you can enjoy the sparkling city lights that provide the perfect inspiration for everything upscale Pasadena living has to offer.

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Bradley Mohr & Susan Mohr Executive Director, Estates Division B 626.945.8683 | S 626.945.8684 bradley.mohr@compass.com | susan.mohr@compass.com DRE 01220830 | 00910172 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. DRE 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.

11.20 | ARROYO | 11

continued from page 10

Bomber flies over, I make sure no one misses it. It’s such an exhilarating experience.”

Once the order of the floats and participants is finalized three weeks prior to the parade, Springer starts to work on the script with the TOR. “They’ll provide me with bullet points for every single thing and then I add color to them,” he explains. “When I get the final script on New Year’s Eve, we have a sound check and I go over everything multiple times. (Volunteer) Marni Anderson worked as my right-hand woman during last year’s parade. The TOR assigned her due to her expertise and knowledge of the parade, and to prep my announce timing and advise of anything to expect along the parade route. She kept me updated by the minute on everything that was happening.”

On the big day, Springer arrives at Television Corner by 6:30 a.m., where he spends the next few hours at the top of the bleachers announcing to the crowd. Located at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, he has a good, clear view of the floats as they come around the corner. After the parade is over, he and his husband, Mark Noble, an Emmy Award-winning producer, have breakfast at Dish Restaurant in La Cañada, then they park their car near Devil’s Gate Dam by the Rose Bowl, where they can watch the B-2 Bomber as it prepares to fly over the stadium.

As a result of COVID-19, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association canceled the 2021 Rose Parade, making it the fourth time the parade will not take place. Despite this year’s setback, Springer looks forward to resuming his role as live announcer at the 2022 parade.

“The Tournament of Roses is just incredible, and even during the pandemic, they’ve been giving so much to the community,” he says. “They’ve rolled everything from this year’s parade to next year, including the theme: Dream. Believe. Achieve. I hope that they can reimagine the 2021 celebration in some way.”

Springer’s experience with the Rose Parade is what influenced his pursuit of a full-time vocal career, but his vocal talents were first noticed way back in high school.

“My teachers at Eden Senior High recognized my acting and vocal talent, guiding me to study with a vocal coach to prep for solo performances and stage productions,” Springer says.

After high school, he attended SUNY Plattsburgh as a theater/voice major and trained with renowned vocal coach Renata Carisio, who taught Springer how to perform everything from opera to classical. In the mid-1980s, he relocated to California to further his training at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater.

Afterward, he moved to Los Angeles, where he pursued a career in hospitality, ultimately finding his way back into entertainment by first working in studio publicity/marketing, then as a television producer. He moved to Pasadena in 2007 after meeting his husband, Mark.

Springer, who has a four-octave range, is also a vocalist for the Pasadena Conservatory of Music Jazz Combo but isn’t performing due to all concerts being canceled. These days, he stays busy working on his career as a voiceover artist and spends hours a day recording auditions at his home studio in Pasadena. There is a lot of work and competition for voiceover jobs, and he averages around 250 auditions per week. While many industries have temporarily closed down due to COVID-19, the voiceover industry has only become busier.

“This job requires a lot of self-discipline, and you get what you put into it,” says Springer, who has booked a wide variety of work, including “The Flash” video game based on the DC comics superhero. “Communication is so powerful, and you can make a difference. I love the ability to be able to use my voice for all kinds of things. That’s why I love the Rose Parade—I love announcing the vintage cars, the equine, the history and educating the crowd while getting them excited at the same time. It’s an incredible rush.”

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ON

Location Photo by François Duhamel

HOME SHOOT HOME CONNECTS HOMEOWNERS TO SCOUTS

Photo courtesy Russ Fega

In his acting days, Russ Fega appeared in multiple Christopher Nolan films, including “The Prestige.”

The website features more than 1,000 homes that can be browsed by various criteria, including location, architecture, rooms and other features.

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I

BY KAMALA KIRK

n the entertainment industry, finding the right filming location is one of the most important parts of a project. A location can affect the look of the entire film, set the mood of the story and, in some cases, become an iconic landmark that people will remember forever.

After spending years as a location manager for the film and television industry, Russ Fega launched Home Shoot Home, a company that represents homes that are available for filming in Altadena, Pasadena and South Pasadena, as well as the foothill communities of the San Gabriel Valley. He started the business after repeatedly being asked by people how they could get their homes featured on television. Over the course of his career, Fega has worked on TV series and films, including “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Ugly Betty,” “Body of Proof” and “I Am Sam.” “I started Home Shoot Home in 2003 with 50 homes in the Altadena and Pasadena area,” Fega says. “I wanted to create a business where I specialized in a specific area, which nobody has done. Other companies represent homes all over, but I carved out a niche so that when people are filming in Pasadena and the surrounding areas, they call me.”

Prior to becoming a location manager, Fega pursued acting for years and appeared in five Christopher Nolan films, including “The Prestige” and “The Dark Knight Rises.” One of Fega’s first acting gigs was that of a pizza delivery guy on “Murder She Wrote.” To win the casting director over, Fega delivered his headshot and résumé in a pizza box and ended up landing the job.

“I wanted to make myself stand out,” Fega says. “That’s something that I’ve always strived toward, both as a location manager and with what I do now.”

From mansions to mid-century modern, Fega has more than a thousand homes listed on Home Shoot Home, which are categorized and searchable by various criteria. People can search for homes by location and house style, as well as appearance (East Coast or Southwest, for example) and even by specific rooms.

He also has an extensive selection of commercial properties including restaurants available for filming, which are organized by business type. Due to Fega’s industry experience, he knows exactly what information location scouts are looking for, which helps make their jobs easier.

“Because I was a location manager, they know I’m thinking about all aspects of the job,” Fega says. “I also know the neighborhoods and can provide them with all the details and logistics they need, like where to park and whose house to avoid, which is really helpful for scouts because usually they have to spend time doing this kind of research. It benefits both the homeowners, who know they’re being taken care of, and the location managers, who feel like they’re respected and understood.”

Each city also has different filming rules and guidelines, with some places stricter than others, and Fega has the knowledge and connections that help make the filming process run a lot more smoothly. He previously worked with the city of Sierra Madre to rewrite its filming regulations.

“I’m an advocate for filming but I’m also protective of the neighborhoods,” Fega says. “If somebody wants to film at their home all the time, I tell them we’re not going to submit them anymore because the neighbors need a break as well.”

While the majority of Fega’s business is through referrals and word of mouth, he also drives through neighborhoods searching for homes that look interesting to him. When one catches his eye, he leaves them a note explaining what he likes about the house and includes his contact information. If he gets a response, Fega will ask the homeowner to send pictures of the interior and exterior of the house.

If he likes what he sees, he will photograph the property and add it to his database.

His wife, Chris, who runs the business with him, sets up appointments for the location scouts to see the homes in person.

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“I look for curb appeal, because there are many times when only the front of the home is filmed, especially in commercials,” Fega explains.

“The size of the home is important, because there has to be enough room inside to accommodate a crew, equipment and talent. High ceilings are a bonus because they make lighting the set a lot easier. I also look for depth from one room to another and the window placement helps me figure out where the light is going to shine through at various points of the day. These are all things that the director of photography is going to want to know, and I want to be one step ahead and have those answers so they can make the right decision.”

The homes that Fega represents have appeared on TV shows like “The Mentalist” and “The L Word,” films such as “Step Brothers” featuring Will Ferrell, and countless commercials and print work. For an episode of “New Girl,” Prince performed a concert in the living room of one of the houses. Fega’s own home in Altadena was featured on television and had a recurring role as Jennifer Love Hewitt’s house on “Criminal Minds.”

“We’ve had an elephant in someone’s front yard and a herd of goats running through the living room of another home,” Fega says with a laugh. “A film crew doing a commercial at one of our homes in Pasadena had to hire a falconer to scare off all of the loud parrots that were making it impossible to film.”

When the pandemic hit in March, the filming industry shut down and there were no bookings for four months. But the industry has picked up and Fega’s company is busy again.

“The filming industry has all kinds of protocols in place to maintain safety, and so far everybody has stayed healthy,” he says.

Several years ago, Fega also started a nonprofit called Altadena Community Chest, which collects donations from film companies working in Altadena. While cities like Pasadena can take the money derived from filming and use it as they choose, Altadena is an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, so any revenue earned from filming is distributed countywide—which means that Altadena doesn’t directly benefit. Since Fega wanted Altadena residents to benefit, the Community Chest has distributed more than $40,000 to various Altadena-based charitable groups like Altadena Children’s Center, Christmas Tree Lane Association and Five Acres.

“What I really enjoy is the fact that we make everybody happy,” Fega says.

“The homeowners make good money and are excited to have their homes featured on television. The location managers are happy because they’re treated fairly, and they get a good rate. I’m totally transparent, open and honest about everything from start to finish. What’s important to me is that I’m doing the right thing by everybody and it’s very rewarding.”

For more information, visit homeshoothome.net and altadenacommunitychest.org.

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Just Sold | South Pasadena 1617 Milan Avenue

Sold Within 2 Weeks Above Asking with Multiple Offers

Last Asking Price $2,250,000 | Vlacich.com

Lin Vlacich

vlacichs@aol.com 626.688.6464 | vlacich.com © Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity. SIR DRE License Number: 899496 | Lin Vlacich DRE: 609754

11.20 | ARROYO | 15

Photo courtesy of the Maloof Foundation, photo by Aaron Echols

An aerial view of the Historic Home of Sam & Alfreda Maloof and the Jacobs Education Center Gallery.

Reimagined PASADENA HERITAGE’S CRAFTSMAN WEEKEND EXPANDS FOCUS

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STORY BY KAMALA KIRK

or the past 28 years, Pasadena Heritage, a nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation in and around Pasadena, has hosted Craftsman Weekend—a popular annual event that celebrates the American Arts & Crafts Movement.

The three- to four-day event has guided tours of Pasadena’s historic neighborhoods, receptions in historic locations, hands-on seminars and lectures, in addition to an antique and contemporary furnishings and decorative arts sale. The weekend always ends with the Sunday Home Tour, which allows visitors to tour five to six historic homes in the area.

“Craftsman Weekend began in the early 1990s as a determined effort to build upon the popularity of our tours featuring craftsman homes and neighborhoods,” says Sue Mossman, executive director of Pasadena Heritage.

“Pasadena Heritage’s craftsman tours were regular sellouts, prompting us to add a lecture and a place for exhibitors and book sellers to display their wares: on the front porches of historic homes on tour. Board Chairman Lew Phelps and his wife, Cathy, both craftsman lovers, envi-

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sioned a whole weekend of tours and events and led the charge to expand the program, calling it Craftsman Weekend.”

This year, Craftsman Weekend has been reimagined with a broader frame and a new name, Preservation Pasadena: Craftsman to Modern.

Attendees will explore architectural style and design over five decades and learn the connections and differences that illustrate how architecture has changed over time. Due to COVID-19, the event will be virtual and held on Zoom. It will feature 16 events over 10 days, ranging from online tours and lectures to panel discussions and conversations with artists and collectors.

“For several years we have been expanding the programs that we offer during our annual Craftsman Weekend to better align with our mission and to explore all of the various styles of architecture in Pasadena,” says Patty Judy, education director for Pasadena Heritage.

“In deciding on a name, we wanted it to explain who we are and what we do. Our mission guided us that ‘Pasadena Heritage works to identify, preserve and protect the historic, architectural and culture

Preservation Pasadena: Craftsman to Modern Friday, November 6, to Sunday, November 15 $10 to $20 pasadenaheritage.org

Roof detail on the Charles M. Pratt Jr. House by architects Greene & Greene in Ojai, California, 1909.

Courtesy of Barbara Lamprecht

Maynard L. Parker Digital Collection. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Historic images of La Laguna de San Gabriel playground structures crafted

by Mexican artist Benjamin Dominguez.

The Meiji Shrine, Tokyo.

Photo by Sheryl Scott

resources of the city of Pasadena,’ so Preservation Pasadena: Craftsman to Modern summarizes the mission statement. It is the name we will use from now on for our annual fall event.”

The event will include live and prerecorded events, although most days will feature live talks and presentations by notable figures in the field of historic preservation and architectural history. Topics will include a talk on Richard Neutra by Barbara Lamprecht, the preservation of minority communities, the influence of Asian and Hispanic design on California architecture, and a panel discussion celebration 100 years of Sunset Magazine.

Because travel isn’t required to enjoy the programs this year, Pasadena Heritage is hosting more out-of-state participants and will make recordings of each live event available afterward so ticket holders can view them anytime.

“This year we are excited to invite people to the event who in the past may not have been able to attend due to the need to travel to Pasadena,” Judy says.

“While some of our events are particular to the architecture of Pasadena, there are several programs of interest to a general audience. For example, there will be a presentation that will change the way you look at playgrounds and public space that explores the preservation of historic playgrounds. In addition, we will offer a virtual tour of the Prospect Park neighborhood, Pasadena’s first National Register district and the first tour that Pasadena Heritage hosted as an organization over 40 years ago.”

Pasadena Heritage is also partnering with The Gamble House to see how they have incorporated Stickley furniture into the historic museum home by architects Charles and Henry Greene. Author and TV producer Stephen Gee will discuss buildings by architect John Parkinson, whose work includes the Memorial Coliseum, Bullocks Wilshire, and many structures on the University of Southern California campus. The event will also celebrate the second Dr. Robert Winter Memorial Lecture with guest speaker John Brinkmann, owner and publisher of American Bungalow magazine.

“Most of the events will include a question-and-answer opportunity, and one of our social events includes trivia where guests will be asked to answer questions for a chance to win prizes,” Judy says. “We are also hosting two days where participants may meet and greet with some artists and antique dealers who specialize in decorative arts and furnishings from the craftsman movement.”

Tickets costs $10 to $20 per program and will be available to purchase up until the day of the event, which runs from Friday, November 6, to Sunday, November 15. Participants may purchase tickets separately or purchase a discounted ticket that includes all of the events. Pasadena Heritage’s staff encourages the public to register in advance to ensure a spot.

“Starting about five or six years ago, the popularity of the craftsman movement began to wane,” Mossman adds.

“We began discussing how to still cater to our craftsman crowd but gradually shift or expand the focus of the weekend. By including a variety of historic architectural styles and periods, and especially the now very popular modern era, we hope to attract and entertain a much wider audience. And because participants don’t have to come here to Pasadena to take part, we can offer a wide array of subjects and presentations.”

Stickley Furniture at the Gamble House.

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A LABOR OF

Love

THIS MID-CENTURY MODERN MASTERPIECE IN SOUTH PASADENA WAS LOVINGLY RESTORED

BY KAMALA KIRK

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hen Joan Hillard and her late husband, architect Duncan Todd, purchased their South Pasadena home in 2000, it had been empty for three years and was in a state of neglect. Despite the extensive water damage and all the work that needed to be done, the couple was still interested in the home.

The Cox House, which is named after its original owner Paul Cox, is a mid-century modern masterpiece that combines the European International Style with natural materials to create a specific regional architecture.

It is also nicknamed the “Tree House” for the huge conifer tree that sits between the beams of the front entryway. Designed in 1959 by Pasadena architect John Galbraith, the approximately 3,000-square-foot, one-story home overlooks the Arroyo Seco. One long horizontal beam stretches across the front façade at the roofline, and the building consists of alternating expanses of glass and stone exterior walls.

“When we first saw the outside of the house, we thought it was really interesting,” Hillard says. “On the inside it was a mess, but we recognized that it had great bones.”

After their initial offer was turned down, the couple moved on with their search for a house. But after a few months had gone by, they decided to check the home out again. This time it was listed by a different broker and the second offer they made was accepted. Together, they spent the next seven years restoring the home to its original grandeur.

“It took us a long time, but we made an agreement that we were never going to fight over anything in the house,” Hillard says. “There were a few times where we both sat down and cried, but we never fought with each other. We learned to laugh about things, and we loved making the house better together.”

Hillard and Todd were committed to preserving the home’s original character. During the restoration process, they used materials that were true to the time period when the house was built, although they didn’t use them in the same way. For example, terrazo was a popular choice for flooring material in the 1950s, so they incorporated it into the kitchen and bathroom counters.

No additions were made to the home’s square footage or room configurations, although the couple made subtle enhancements such as replacing the window in the kitchen and in the two bedrooms with sliding glass doors. The biggest change they made to the home was the modernization of the kitchen, which included the addition of a large hand poured island in the center.

The mostly white interior features plenty of open space. Art and décor are kept to a minimum, although some walls have large canvases that depict abstract paintings by Todd. A baby grand piano that belonged to Hillard’s mother is on display in the living room, where aside from a couch and two chairs, the amount of furniture remains minimal.

“Neither of us liked having a lot of stuff, so the things that we did put in the house were only things that we really liked,” Hillard says. “To me, it looks like plenty. I believe in the quality of light, and everything in here is like that. It’s a very minimalist house.”

The home doesn’t have any windows; instead, floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer integrated indoor-outdoor living and various rooms look out onto the enclosed side patio, where the original kidney-shaped swimming pool is located. In the backyard, Hillard has a garden with an assortment of white sculptures including a stag, an oversized candlestick, a life-size nude,

18 | ARROYO | 11.20

a clay man looking up at the sky, and a large fiberglass head that looks as if it has fallen off a Greek statue. There’s also an interesting story behind each sculpture.

“I bought the white stag for a few dollars at a garage sale in Laguna Beach and then had it painted by an autobody shop,” Hillard explains.

“When I was in Portland visiting my mother-in-law, I found the clay man and the nude in an art gallery. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the two sculptures had been made by two sisters. Their work is totally different, but as a result I ended up connecting with both of them, and since then I have gone to more galleries to see their work.”

Over the years, the home has been featured in various commercials and TV shows, such as “Glee,” “Ray Donovan,” “The O.C.” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Any money that the couple earned from filming they put toward home updates, such as new hardwood floors. By 2007, they had completed the bulk of the home renovations, then Todd passed away from cancer shortly after.

“My husband and I had a wonderful relationship, and after he passed away, I grieved for a long time,” Hillard says. “You also get to a point where you realize life must go on and you need to make it rich for yourself, which I have done. This house is certainly a reflection of him, but it’s also a reflection of me. I’ll admit that whenever I think about purchasing something for the house, I always wonder if Duncan would have liked it.”

In 2012, the home was featured in Pasadena Heritage’s Spring Home Tour highlighting modern residential architecture, then the following year it was included in the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation’s Magical History Tour, which celebrated four eras of great architecture and design.

Since retiring from her career in education several years ago, Hillard remains active and involved in various community organizations. She was previously involved with Pasadena Heritage, where she volunteered for Craftsman Weekend and ran their silent auctions. Currently, she serves on the board for the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation, in addition to being a docent at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, where she leads tours of the Chinese and Japanese gardens.

“Everything is closed down right now due to COVID-19, so there are no tours at the moment, but when that starts up again, I look forward to being involved,” Hillard says. “I’ve always been a firm believer in the value of cultural diversity and understanding, and when I retired, I wanted to volunteer at a place where I could help people understand other cultures in the hope that understanding would bring about peace.”

Even as people are staying at home for the most part these days, Hillard enjoys spending time outdoors gardening or walking several miles per day.

The rest of the time she relaxes at home in the beautiful sanctuary that she spent years building with her husband.

“It’s a very serene house,” Hillard says. “There’s a real sense of peace, and I treasure that. I used to be afraid that people would think it was cold when they walked in, but everyone who comes here says that it’s very welcoming. I get letters from Realtors all the time asking if I’m interested in selling my home, and a couple of times I’ve called them back and asked them to tell their buyer that it’s not for sale and that I plan to live to be a hundred years old. I enjoy living in this house, and I’m not going anywhere.”

11.20 | ARROYO | 19

HOME & DESIGN SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

THE BEST OF TIMES IN THE WORST OF TIMES

Small inventory and low mortgage rates are driving a mini housing boom

By Bruce Haring

A

s we all know, the U.S. economy is down, thanks to the pandemic’s shutdown of businesses and other facilities that’s still partially in effect in most Southern California locations. Shops, restaurants, offices and schools are closed, on shorter hours or operating at limited capacity. Unemployed workers are living on government benefits and savings, and any economic stimulus that would goose the overall outlook appears far off.

But there’s a major exception to that gloomy picture.

Housing prices have proven remarkably resilient and are, in fact, thriving in many locations, including the Pasadena area. The reason is inventory—there aren’t many homes for sale in desired locations. Thus, prices are rising, as the return of bidding wars on available choice properties has boosted the housing market, even as the total number of home sales declined.

Single-family home prices in California are at an all-time median record, and overall state prices are up 14.6% as of August 2020 (12% in the Los Angeles metro area) compared to the same month in 2019. Add in record low mortgage rates, and you have the makings of a robust housing market in our region.

How long will the good times last? In a year where postelection uncertainty, a recovering economy and social upheaval wrought by the pandemic are all in play, even the normally upbeat real estate professionals are taking a measured approach on their forecasts.

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LOS ANGELES OUTLOOK

Even as the pandemic has caused some upheaval, it’s forced businesses to adapt to this strange new world. In some cases, that’s proven to be a blessing.

Tim Meinelschmidt of Icon Properties in Los Angeles says the real estate industry has become more tech-savvy because of the pandemic. That’s eliminated wasted time for buyers and sellers and streamlined the process of moving from showing to sale.

“Examples are virtual showings and Zoom listing presentations,” Meinelschmidt says. “The streamlining has come in the form of “only serious buyers need apply. There are no more open houses. Showing a property and complying with the COVID-19 safe protocols means no more looky-loos. To get a showing, buyers need to show proof of funds and mortgage pre-approval, as well as sign a coronavirus-specific PEAD form (Property Entry and Advisory Disclosure).”

Meinelschmidt notes that the mid-level sector of the market is doing well in the pandemic era.

“Homes priced between $1 million to $1.5 million are selling with multiple offers. Condos are taking longer (too many common areas, hallways, elevators, shared laundry). Homes over $3 million are taking a bit long to find a buyer.”

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—

Despite the current boomlet, Meinelschmidt is a tad pessimistic heading into 2021, and feels that the current boom may be masking some inherent problems.

“We are in a recession,” he says. “It’s already started, and the pandemic is just masking it. Once there is a vaccine and it becomes readily available, we will realize it. Jobs that were lost won’t be coming back, and homeowners that availed themselves of mortgage forbearance will have to resume payments beginning in April—and some won’t be able to stay current. This will bring a number of distressed homes on the market, which will cause prices to slide. It won’t be huge like the Great Recession of 2007-09, but it will be a pullback of 3% to 4% in home prices. The recovery will be K-shaped, with wealthy people and industries like tech recovering faster.”

PASADENA OUTLOOK

Liza Kumjian-Smith of Compass Realty in Pasadena says the pandemic has changed some requirements for prospective homebuyers.

Buyers have listed outdoor space as a “must” and a major factor contributing to the desirability to the property, she says.

“The other factor high on the list of ‘must-haves’ is home office space,” Kumjian-Smith says. “With people spending so much more time at home and having to work from home, these are the two areas that homeowners have noticed have been lacking in their current home. So they are looking to spread out and have more space.”

Specifically, Kumjian-Smith see homes on the west side of Pasadena near Avenue 64 selling very well. There are many small and affordable single-family homes on offer in that area

selling for the same price as condos. People are less likely to be enticed by condo complexes that offer gyms or communal work space (that they can’t use because of COVID-19) and would rather have their own private space.”

The local market has seen homes in the extreme high end of $2 million to $3 million really taking a hit, Kumjian-Smith says.

“They are sitting on the market for a lot longer and are having to lower their price.”

In contrast, the market between $600,000 and $1.3 million “is very hot, experience multiple bids over asking, and many going for over market value.”

For 2021, “Multiunit properties are selling for under value at the moment, because the tenants have been struggling to pay their rent. So, if you have money to invest and aren’t reliant on immediately collecting rent, I would recommend buying a multiunit right now. At some point in 2021, people will be back to work and be able to afford rent, and the value of multiunit properties will rise back to market value and beyond.”

Of course, no one can truly predict the future, and while these professional outlooks provide a glimpse into how the market may react, 2021 could bring more surprises that may impact housing.

Real estate professionals have a mantra: “It’s always a good time to buy or sell.” But clearly, anyone on the fence about leaving their home should be thinking about taking advantage of the current good times in pricing before things change. No one expected a pandemic, and the robust market during the months since March has surprised many. But as they say in investing, past performance is no guarantee of future returns.

That’s true for mutual funds and the housing market.

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ORCHESTRATING YOUR LANDSCAPE

BY MARK MEAHL

We’ve been discussing many different elements of landscape design. In order to maximize artistry, we need to pull these separate elements all together, similar to how a composer or musician pulls their music together. While I define music as the artistic placement of notes, Mirriam-Webster defines music as “…The science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity”. Defining the artistic layout of a landscape could be very similar; The orderly placement of all the elements we have discussed in prior articles, in succession, in combination, and in a visual relationship, to produce a composition having unity and continuity.

Any non-musician who has attempted to play a piano realizes that hitting random notes does not produce a pleasant result. The same can be said about the landscape, if you place random plants and elements with no planned relationships between them, it’s unlikely to be appealing. In landscaping, your notes are going to be the colors, textures, lights, and shapes. We have an infinite number of notes, or elements, with which to work. How we put these elements together so they may have a symbiotic and harmonious relationship, is where we have our opportunity to orchestrate our landscape.

First, let’s discuss simple tunes versus complex tunes. Simple music is, generally, more quickly appealing and may be appreciated without total focus.

In fact, most musicians don’t appreciate the Top 40 most popular songs in their catalogue, because it’s usually relatively simple. Complex music needs time to absorb, needing to be heard several times with concentration, so that the patterns and subtle relationships of musical elements may be truly appreciated and recognized.

The landscape can be the same way. A complex landscape may first seem chaotic, whereas a simpler landscape can be more immediately appealing. For example, putting a planting arrangement that has 22 | ARROYO | 11.20

many different types of flowers together would, probably, not be attention grabbing on a busy street, where there isn’t enough time to appreciate it by the cars speeding by. But, a big swath of white petunias with a simple accent of pink petunias, will attract attention in such a chaotic setting.

However, the same planting of petunias by a pool in the back yard may get boring to someone able to sit and appreciate the display.

Personally, I prefer to combine complex and simple. A simple scenario, around a complex arrangement, can frame the complex point of interest, and provide relief and peacefulness from the complex, while still providing immediate appeal without being boring.

A few tricks to help us accomplish this are to think about a chorus, and finding a foundation or unifying plants that can be used in different micro-areas to provide repetition and rhythm. Consider balance, in how you can plan your landscape, not just traditionally and horizontally, but vertically, with trees and other tall elements.

Place materials with a variety of texture and colors to provide accents and contrast.

Voids and masses can also provide simple scenarios, and along with lines, direct the eye to see the landscape as a song of your creation.

And, like all art, this is philosophynot rules. Concepts are meant to be broken and have exceptions in order to let creativity flourish.

SARAH ROGERS & CORDELIA WONG PRESENT

1342 Circle Drive, San Marino

View Virtually: 3D Tour, Video + Photos at 1342circledrive.com

This beautiful gated 1926 Spanish style estate is well located on a premier street of the estate area of San Marino just north of Lacy Park. The current owner updated the home throughout while maintaining the character of the home. Enter through a grand foyer which features a stately staircase with wrought iron balustrades and a gorgeous crystal chandelier. The light-filled step-down formal living room features a handsome fireplace, built-ins, and adjoins a library/den with access to the yard. The formal dining room showcases a tall bay window and French doors which open to a patio. The recently updated gourmet kitchen and breakfast room feature a center island, Subzero refrigerator, Wolf 6-burner stove, wet bar, bar refrigerator, walk-in pantry. The downstairs ensuite bedroom/office has a beautifully appointed bath with high-end fixtures.

Completing the downstairs level is a gorgeous powder bath and a laundry area with a laundry basin. Upstairs: 4 en-suite bedrooms with new luxurious baths plus a spacious home-office with views of the rear yard and sparkling pool. This move-in ready home is a wonderful space to entertain and work from home.

Living area 4,504± SF; Lot 12,841± SF Offered at $4,500,000

SARAH ROGERS

Executive Director, Estates Division MBA, GRI, e-PRO 626.390.0511 Sarah@SarahRogersEstates.com SarahRogersRealEstate.com Professional Real Estate Services since 1994

CORDELIA WONG

Coldwell Banker Realty Realtor® 626.487.0837 CordeliaW@Coldwellbanker.com CordeliaWong.com DRE# 01001576

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description.

All measurements and square footages are approximate. Sarah Rogers DRE 01201812

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PASADENA-BRED CARTALK RELEASES DREAMY DEBUT ALBUM

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

F

or Chuck Moore, Cartalk’s debut album, “Pass Like Pollen,” has been years in the making. It’s a relief for the collection to be available to fans.

“I couldn’t wait for it to be out in the world,” Moore said. “We had it mastered at The Bakery last August. It’s been done for over a year. It’s been a long time. I wrote the songs in 2017, 2018.”

The indie-rock, alt-country album comes with a slew of new singles, including last summer’s dreamy “Noonday Devil,” which Moore calls a launching point into Cartalk.

“That’s a great introduction because it was the introduction to the band,” Moore said. “As far as the sound, it’s grungy—a little bit of an alt-country kind of vibe with the banjo. “‘Las Manos’ was the final single, and it came out over a year later. That’s a reintroduction, and I think that is some important lyric writing for me. It definitely has the wave of distortion in that song, which is something I was trying to capture.”

“Las Manos” opens in a crowded Los Angeles venue as vocalist Moore’s admiration for a fellow musician is sparked. The song details a crush and the regret of leaving without a phone number. “‘Pass Like Pollen’ distills the aftermath of a relationship—both the beautiful fragments I want to hold on to and the dismal ones I hold a light to so I

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Cartalk is a solo project of Pasadena native Chuck Moore.

will never forget what loss of self-worth looks like.”

A Pasadena native who now lives in Highland Park, Moore picked up a guitar at around 10, and in high school was the resident charming musician.

“I was the kid in high school who brought their guitar to school and sang in the halls,” Moore said. “I’d sing Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkel. I’d be late, but I’d charm the teachers walking in singing. ‘I know I’m late, but I’m singing to you right now.’”

Moore went on to study music licensing and songwriting at the Berklee College of Music in Boston for a few years.

“I’ve been writing songs in my bedroom since I was a kid,” Moore said.

“I wanted to have a band. I’m very lucky to have my family and friends, who have been there for me and believed in me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people in my life.”

Moore feels releasing the album during a pandemic is bittersweet, as, in a “normal” world, a release party would have been scheduled.

“I’ll probably have a party at the house with friends and family,” said Moore, who’s working a sophomore effort. “I can still celebrate, just in a different way. I can see people at a safe distance.

“The music is going to get in the hands of people. I’m still making announcements. I’m thankful I’m able to do that. I’m trying to make the most of it, as we all are. I didn’t want to wait until next spring to put it out. There was a minute where I wasn’t sure. My friends are putting out music, though. We need art and music right now—more than ever, really. I just decided to go with it and put this out.”

When the pandemic ends, Moore is looking forward to visiting Vroman’s Bookstore again or hanging out at Laemmle’s Playhouse.

“That’s the perfect Pasadena day for me,” Moore said. “Just kind of cruising around, walking around Lake Avenue. Peet’s, that was my spot in high school. My best friend and I still go to that Peet’s once a week or so and sit outside and recount the days of our youth. It’s pretty wild to live so close to where you grew up. I’m proud to be from Pasadena—no doubt.”

CARTALK cartalk.bandcamp.com facebook.com/cartalkmusic

Photo by Kristy Benjamin

Success DRIVING TOWARD

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Normal THE NEW

PAPER RICE: JUST ROLL WITH IT

STORY BY FRIER MCCOLLISTER | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

O

ne of the more heartening developments to emerge in the local dining scene during the pandemic is the emergence of Union Street between Raymond and Fair Oaks as a bustling strip of small, buzzing restau-

rants.

On the north side of the street, the city has created outdoor dining lanes with barricades, as also found on Colorado Boulevard and Green Street. These lanes largely service patrons of renowned, high-end pasta mecca Union as well as French bistro newcomer Perle, which opened at the start of the pandemic lockdown in March.

That said, it’s the south side of Union where the real action seems to be—Dirt Dog for bacon-wrapped hot dogs, Main Chick for hot chicken, CHA Redefine for exotic chai tea drinks and now, most recently, Paper Rice for custom-wrapped spring rolls and banh mi sandwiches.

Paper Rice staged a “soft” opening on August 15 and formally opened August 28. It adds variety, dimension and even more deliciousness to the bustling, one-block strip that has become a new mini-hub of dining in Old Town.

How is it that, as we now regularly witness the sad demise of local favorites, new ambitious dining operations choose to open in the midst of a pandemic? For Paper Rice, plans to open in the spring had been long in the making.

“It started over a year ago, when we bought into this project,” says Jens Kristen, 50, the co-partner and ostensible general manager at Paper Rice.

“We had no idea what was going to happen.”

Kristen goes on to explain that the series of storefronts on the south side of Union Street are operated as part of One Colorado, Old Town’s outdoor plaza of shops and restaurants, just across Fair Oaks. The developer designed each of the storefront spaces specifically to accommodate small fast-casual restaurant operations. The local mini-chain Simple Things outlet, just west of Paper Rice, will soon be supplanted by the fifth new location of popular Tacos 1986, and there appears to be one vacant space on the strip still available.

How did Kristen, a mathematician born in Munich and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil (he also teaches math and statistics at PCC), come to supervise one of Pasadena’s newest cafes, specializing in Vietnamese spring rolls and sandwiches? The experience of his wife and partner Lee Diep can provide the answer to that question. The concept’s creator, Diep brings family recipes and real authenticity to the food at Paper Rice. The Diep family arrived in Alhambra from Quy Nhon in Central Vietnam in the mid-1980s. Lee’s older brother owned and operated the popular Dip’s Grill in Alhambra, so the food business runs in the family.

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Lee Diep and Jens Kristen own Paper Rice.

Pork belly, beef and soy garlic tofu spring rolls; a lemongrass chicken spring bowl; and fried sticky rice patties are all served at Paper Rice.

Ethan Ko prepares beef spring rolls.

Kristen met Diep at the Urth Café on Colorado seven years ago. He was working for Yahoo!, with offices at the Parsons building. During that time, he began to notice the lack of decent fast-casual dining options in Old Town. “(There was) never a quick lunch opportunity,” he says.

Meanwhile, Diep began noodling—as it were—on her spring roll concept. According to Kristen, when Diep was growing up and there were leftovers from a previous meal, “(They would) bring out the rice paper and roll it up.” Rather than serving preset, traditionally composed spring rolls, why not provide lists of ingredient options and allow the guest to customize their own creations?

The main event is the “build-your-meal” option, where, for $10.25, you choose either an order of three spring rolls or a “Spring Bowl,” which is, essentially, a deconstructed spring roll assembled into a bowl format. By the way, you shouldn’t need me to exhort you to opt for the spring rolls.

For the spring rolls, a “base” of mixed greens or rice noodles gets you started. Next you choose a protein option—braised pork belly; charbroiled beef; lemongrass chicken; garlic shrimp (add $1); turmeric fish; soy garlic tofu; or, my favorite, nem, Vietnamese pork sausage. You then choose four items from the list of vegetables and herbs. These include mint, basil, bean sprouts, bell peppers, scallions and jalapenos, as well as the ingredients of the recommended house spring mix of lettuce, cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrot and daikon.

Toppings to choose from are chopped peanuts, toasted sesame and fried garlic or onion bits. Finally, five sauces are offered—house citrus or spicy, savory peanut, citrus ginger or soy vinaigrette. Each of your three spring rolls may differ with any of the ingredients, and they all include a thin, crispy stick of shrimp eggroll rolled in.

At each of my visits, the supremely affable and informed Ethan Ko, 25, gently guided me through the process of assembling my spring rolls. He also happens to be the eldest son of Diep—so trust his suggestions.

There are three other primary menu items to consider. The legendary Vietnamese street sandwich-style banh mi is credibly represented here. For banh mi, the bread is half the sandwich. Served appropriately on a French baguette, Paper Rice’s version is generously portioned and provides a meal at $8.

The house special sauteed salad ($13) has already garnered positive critical notice, but it’s the Xoi Chien ($9) that provides the most interesting distraction from the spring rolls. These are fried and stuffed sticky rice patties.

They are engorged with ground pork, shrimp, onion and wood ear mushrooms and served in pairs.

As Kristen explains, the Xoi Chien is the manifestation of an “Old family recipe handed down from the grandmother to the mother” in the Diep family.

Any needy assurances of authenticity will be admirably assuaged by a bite of one of these.

Ironically, before the unexpected onset of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown on local businesses, there was some concern regarding the store’s street presence and relative visibility.

“Before the pandemic, I was a little worried,” Kristen says. “How are we going to get people to notice us?”

In fact, it was the advent of outdoor dining across the street that substantively boosted pedestrian traffic on the once-quiet block. If anything, the new interest in the dining strip and the proliferation of delivery cars has caused congestion.

“Police are stopping and giving tickets,” he says. For the intrepid and otherwise hapless enthusiast of Vietnamese street fare, there are two public lots in convenient walking distance of Union Street and the first 90 minutes are free.

A proper spring roll can provide lively, revivifying refreshment in the depths of our ongoing autumn heatwaves. If you want something done right, do it yourself. As Kristen reminds us, at Paper Rice, “You roll it as you wish.”

Paper Rice 20 E. Union Street, Suite 150, Pasadena 626-345-5333, paperrice.com 11.20 | ARROYO | 27

PISTACHIO POMEGRANATE PAVLOVA: A RING FOR ANY OCCASION STORY BY EMILY CHAVEZ | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

C

risp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, this pavlova ring will entice and enchant anyone who lays their eyes on it.

Each pavlova puff’s silky-smooth exterior creates a miniature cradle for luxuriant whipped cream to cushion a delectable and colorful explosion of unapologetically loud pomegranate reds and sophisticatedly understated pistachio greens.

Although pavlovas require a gentle touch when handling, it is well worth the effort to have the textural symphony and presentation excitement of this showstopper at your next event or family dinner. This dessert is mildly sweet and allows for nearly unlimited flavor combinations as you mix up your toppings, perhaps incorporating mascarpone cheese into the whipped cream and adding strawberries and mint as a garnish the next time around.

PISTACHIO POMEGRANATE PAVLOVA HANDS-ON TIME: 40 MINUTES | READY IN: 3 HOURS MAKES 12 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

6 LARGE EGG WHITES, ROOM TEMPERATURE 1 1/2 CUPS SUGAR, FINE 1 TEASPOON CORNSTARCH 1 TEASPOON CREAM OF TARTAR 2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT

1 CUP HEAVY CREAM, CHILLED 1 TABLESPOON CONFECTIONERS’ SUGAR POMEGRANATE ARILS (SEEDS) AND SHELLED PISTACHIOS, FOR SERVING

1. PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 250 DEGREES. USING A PENCIL, TRACE ON PARCHMENT PAPER A 10-INCH-DIAMETER CIRCLE. THEN TRACE A 5 1/2-INCH-DIAMETER CIRCLE IN THE CENTER OF THE LARGER CIRCLE. (YOU CAN CHOOSE A SLIGHTLY LARGER OR SMALLER SIZE ACCORDING TO YOUR PREFERENCE.) PLACE ON A BAKING SHEET, TRACING-SIDE DOWN. 2. WHISK EGG WHITES ON MEDIUM-HIGH SPEED UNTIL SOFT PEAKS FORM. GRADUALLY ADD 1 1/2 CUPS SUGAR, BEATING UNTIL STIFF PEAKS FORM. BEAT IN CREAM OF TARTAR, CORNSTARCH AND 1 TEASPOON VANILLA. 3. TRANSFER MIXTURE TO A LARGE PIPING BAG FITTED WITH A LARGE PLAIN OR STAR TIP. PIPE NINE TO 10 EVENLY SPACED MOUNDS (EACH ABOUT 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND 2 INCHES HIGH) ONTO PARCHMENT FOLLOWING THE PREVIOUSLY TRACED RING AS A GUIDE. 4. USE THE BACK OF A SPOON TO CREATE A HOLLOW IN EACH MOUND. 5. BAKE FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE RING LIFTS EASILY OFF THE PARCHMENT. (USE CAUTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LIFT THE RING.) TURN OFF HEAT; LET STAND IN THE OVEN AT LEAST 1 HOUR. 6. MEANWHILE, WHIP THE HEAVY CREAM, CONFECTIONERS’ SUGAR, AND THE REMAINING TEASPOON OF VANILLA ON MEDIUM-HIGH SPEED IN A CHILLED BOWL UNTIL MEDIUM PEAKS FORM. 7. TO SERVE, DOLLOP OR PIPE WHIPPED CREAM ONTO PAVLOVA AND GARNISH WITH POMEGRANATE ARILS AND PISTACHIOS. 28 | ARROYO | 11.20

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recipient of

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