Larchmont Chroni cle H
VOL. 60, NO. 12
• DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
IN THIS ISSUE
Holidays & Museums Section 3
ANOTHER neighborhood milestone. 17
RAMS cheer at Third Street School. 19
NUTCRACKER takes the stage. 3-16 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
Blvd. shop openings, closings
Navigating the transition: homeless to housed n Last in a series By Helene Seifer “What do you really want?” I asked Franco Iervolino, formerly known as Giorgio when he and his possession-packed shopping cart were seen daily on Larchmont Boulevard, waiting for a gift of coffee or a sandwich. We were sitting in his shared bedroom at the senior care facility where he now lives, after he was taken from the street on Larchmont to a mental health hospital on April 20 and then transferred here in July. So what does he want? He answered without hesitation. “Money in my pocket and an apartment.” Homeless just seven months ago, will Franco get his wish? Or will the system fail him while he waits in a dreary senior living facility subsisting on See Homeless, p 18
Breaking news:
Lucy’s El Adobe Cafe plans its reopening
n Mercantile leased up!
By Casey Russell It’s official! The Larchmont Mercantile building’s downstairs storefronts are fully leased. After years of construction and tenant negotiations, 12 tenants have signed on. They are: Holey Grail Donuts, a Hawaiian-based donut brand; Velvet by Graham and Spencer, a national clothing brand; Sichuan Kitchenette, a grab-and-go café serving ready-to-eat Sichuan Chinese SPIRIT OF THE SEASON was evident at the annual tree light- food; ing ceremony at The Grove. Shown with Santa are mother and See Mercantile, p 5 daughter Gloria and Emily Estefan with Gloria’s grandson Sasha. See story page 9
Holiday Open House brings good cheer and Santa Dec. 3
n Larchmont Boulevard shines brightly nightly
By Suzan Filipek Santa will be hearing wishes and taking requests during the Larchmont Open House on Sat., Dec. 3. The event will take place on Larchmont Boulevard between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. A trol-
ley will carry shoppers up and down the Boulevard, and Santa will be taking requests at the Wilshire Rotary Tree Lot at 568 N. Larchmont Blvd. from 1 to 4 p.m. A lighting ceremony for the newly installed café lights strung across the Boulevard will take place at approximately 4:30 p.m. near Tailwaggers. See Open House, p 9
Together again at Family Fair
By Casey Russell Although the first Larchmont Family Fair was held 56 years ago, this year‘s event was the 54th — because there was no Fair in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic. It was clear, this year, that neighborhood families relished the See Fair, p 4
Election 2022 now complete
By Casey Russell Intra-family litigation has been resolved, and Patricia Casado, daughter of restaurant founders, the late Frank and Lucy Casado, and sister of the late James Casado, plans to reopen her family’s beloved eatery at 5536 Melrose Ave. Having worked at the restaurant from its early beginnings until 2014, Patricia says she See Lucy’s, p 5
n New mayor in the neighborhood
Health, Fitness & Beauty
Read tips to help you feel and look your best in 2023 in the January issue of the Larchmont Chronicle. For more information on this special section, and an intro to Summer Camps and Programs, contact Pam Rudy, 323462-2241, ext. 11.
DECEMBER 2022
AT THE EBELL OF LOS ANGELES, mayor-elect Karen Bass greets the press Nov. 17 shortly after she was announced the winner. Photo by Gary Leonard
By John Welborne Mayor-elect Karen Bass, in response to a question at her November 17 press conference held at the historic Ebell of Los Angeles, said she still was overwhelmed by her recent victory in the contest to become the new Mayor of Los Angeles. She said she had not even contemplated the details of moving into Getty House in Windsor Square, but that she soon was to be talking with Mayor Garcetti about that and other transition issues. Election results will not be official until December 5. The newly elected take office on December 12. See Election, p 8
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