LC 3 2026

Larchmont Chronicle

Team works to end prostitution on Western

n Shift moves to ‘buyers, exploiters’

By Nona Sue Friedman

A new anti-sex trafficking strategy to combat illegal activities occurring along the Western Avenue corridor has been established. Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto described the multipronged program as “a group effort” between many city agencies.

She stated the first objective is to “shift criminalization away from the victims to the buyers and exploiters.”

At a press conference in City Hall in late January, she was joined by L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman; LAPD Deputy Chief Gerald Woodyard of Operations - West Bureau, Olympic Division LAPD Capt. Rachel

See Western, P 13

n A collective effort

By Nona Sue Friedman

One of the signature facets of the Western Avenue Corridor Task Force to eliminate sex trafficking is to involve the community. A meeting held Feb. 19 at the LAPD Olympic Station provided an opportunity for the different agencies—Council District 13, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles City and County attorneys and Journey Out—to explain their role and ask for help and information

Complex set to open in eight-story development

By Suzan Filipek

An eight-story residential and retail project at Third Street and Fairfax Avenue across from The Grove and the Original Farmers Market is nearing completion.

The development, at 6300 W. Third St., includes a ground-floor retail component called Bloom on Third.

The upper residential floors, named The Daphne, include 311 studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as

well as an athletic club, theater, and outdoor terrace. There will be parking for nearly 1,000 vehicles in a podium garage.

The project, at the former Town & Country site, is developed by Holland Partner Group.

Apartment prices have yet to be determined at the complex scheduled to open in the late second quarter of this year, said George Elum, managing

By Jon Vein

Nithya Raman’s late entry into the Los Angeles mayoral race doesn’t just add another name to an already long list of candidates. It shifts the balance of the contest.

Until she filed, the race was shaping up largely as a referendum on Mayor Karen Bass—her approach to homelessness, her wildfire response, and whether City Hall feels steady or stalled. Raman’s decision to jump in changes that equation. It sharpens the ideological contrast and raises a real possibility in a crowded field: progressive vote-splitting.

Bass is running. Tech entrepreneur Adam Miller is running. So are community organizer Rae Huang, engineer Asaad Alnajjar, and others. Voters aren’t facing a narrow set of choices. They’re facing abundance.

Raman enters with energy and name recognition—but

What’s in your garden? We visit local sites and tell you the dirt. Summer plans will be told in the Larchmont Chronicle . Advertising deadline is Mon., March 9. To reserve space, call 323462-2241, ext. 11, or email jesse@larchmontchronicle. com or sandy@larchmont chronicle.com.

n Hungarian, German specimens

By Nona Sue Friedman

Over 30 mummies from South America, Europe, and ancient Egypt are back in Los Angeles after a 16year trip around the world.

“Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” is an interactive, family-friendly display at the California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Dr., showing until Mon., Sept. 7. Los Angeles is its final stop before each section is returned to its lending museum of origin. New items and information have been added since its 2010 debut in the City of Angels.

The exhibit gives visitors insight into the lives of ancient people spanning hundreds and thousands of years.

Mummies new to the exhibit include two Egyptian

priests, remains of 18th-century townspeople found in a long-forgotten church in Hungary, and a 17th-century German nobleman buried in his military boots.

For this final stop, the Center teamed up with Keck Medicine of USC to examine the two Egyptian mummies under a CT scan, the gold standard for viewing mummies. Using CT scans enables

Editorial

By Chronicle Editorial Board

Race is on for Los Angeles Mayor

There are a total of 36 candidates running for Los Angeles mayor in this year’s election, most of whom you have probably never heard of and who don’t stand a chance. However, what is interesting about the mayoral race is that if one candidate wins over 50% of the vote in the June 2 primary, that person will become the mayor—no more voting. If no one gets over 50% in the June vote, then the top two winners face off in the general election Nov. 3.

Many voters in Los Angeles do not know this is how the mayor’s race is determined, or that the June primary has historically had a low turnout. It is vitally important you vote in June if you want a say in who will be our next mayor.

The race currently is no longer about who didn’t run, or who dropped out, but who is running. Do research and make sure you know who you are voting for—and why.

Hopefully, if enough voters head to the polls come June, then there will be at least one candidate you feel deserves the coveted position. If your voice is not heard in June, you might be stuck between two candidates that don’t align with what you want for the city, or we might even have a mayor elected already. Voting in the upcoming primary affords one a chance to have a candidate one supports on the ballot in November. Your vote counts in June, and it may matter more than you think.

325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 windsorsquare.org

157 N. Larchmont Boulevard

“March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievous smile, mud on her shoes, and a laugh in her voice.”

-Hal Borland

New Leadership for the WSA: The Windsor Square Association Board of Directors formally elected Board member Jason Greenman as the new president of the WSA. A Windsor Square resident of over 25 years, Jason joined the board in November 2018, and has taken the lead on many neighborhood issues, including the Larchmont parking lot fight last year, while also leading much of the Windsor Square Association’s outreach efforts, including the Association’s updated website and email campaigns, which now reach over 1,300 subscribers in Windsor Square.

o o o

WSA Meets with Deputy Mayor: On February 10th, the Windsor Square Association board met virtually with Deputy Mayor Andrea Greene and officials from LADOT and the Bureau of Street Lighting to discuss persistent streetlight outages (especially on Plymouth Blvd) and traffic safety concerns on Third and Sixth Streets and Larchmont Blvd. City representatives detailed ongoing efforts—including right-turn restrictions, enforcement pushes, solar lighting pilots, vandalism fortifications, and a planned 2026 ballot to increase frozen streetlight assessments—while acknowledging funding constraints and infrastructure deterioration. Read the full story at our website: https://windsorsquare.org o o o

REPORT STREET LIGHT OUTAGES: the WSA continues to track street light outages throughout Windsor Square so that they can be properly reported and scheduled for repair. If your street is experiencing an outage please report it by contacting blockcaptains@windsorsquare.org and CD13 representative Mark Fuentes mark.fuentes@lacity.org.

o o o

“ARE YOU PREPARED?” The WSA’s one page sheet on preparing yourself, family and A Guide to Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness is now available online. Download your copy at https://windsorsquare.org/safety-security/ emergency-preparedness/ o o o

WE NEED BLOCK CAPTAINS! Be the leader of your block and point person for all that’s going on the neighborhood. The WSA has numerous block captain positions open. A great opportunity to engage with neighbors and community leaders. blockcaptains@windsorsquare.org

The Windsor Square Association, an all-volunteer group of residents from 1100 households between Beverly and Wilshire and Van Ness and Arden, works to preserve and enhance our beautiful neighborhood. 325 N. Larchmont Blvd., #158, Los Angeles, CA 90004, or windsorsquare.org.

Calendar

Sun., March 8—Daylight Savings starts.

Tue., March 10—Mid City West Neighborhood Council board meeting, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom, midcitywest.org.

Wed., March 11— Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council board meeting 6:30 p.m. via Zoom, greaterwilshire. org.

Tue., March 17—St. Patrick’s Day.

Fri., March 20—First day of spring.

Sun., March 29— Palm Sunday.

Thu., March 26—Delivery of the April edition of the Larchmont Chronicle

Countdown to L.A. events:

FIFA World Cup 2026: 105 days to first match June 12

‘What Olympic sport would you like to compete in?’ That’s the question our inquiring photographer asked locals.

2028 Summer Olympics: 868 days to Opening Ceremony July 14

2028 Summer Paralympics: 900 days opening ceremony Aug 15

by

Letter to the Editor

February paper rocked I very much appreciated the

Larchmont Chronicle

“I would want to do the Olympic high jump,” said Lila. “I would want to be a figure skater for sure! Absolutely, no doubt,” said Alyse.

Lila Brallier (left) and Alyse Diamond

Digital

606 N. Larchmont Blvd., #103 Los Angeles, CA 90004

323-462-2241

larchmontchronicle.com

editorial acknowledgment of the significance of Leimert Park, but the whole February issue was great: the restaurant review, the treatment of Valentine’s Day, the [ad] memorial remembrance of Chris Blakely, the information about [hairstylist] Romi Cortier who is godsend to the neighborhood, and the article about Dr. Gordon’s presentation on the Cocoanut Fire. (I’m a history nerd, and my family is from Boston, so this story was especially interesting to me.) I would love to learn of any future presentations by Dr. Gordon, even though I’m not a member of the Daughters of the Revolution.

Kathleen Mulligan Ridgewood-Wilton

Write us at letters@larchmontchronicle.com. Include your name, contact information, and where you live. We reserve the right to edit for space and grammar.

“Ballet or gymnastics,” said Lily. “The giant slalom,” said Adrian. Lily (left) and Adrian Berger

“Skiing and snowboarding, both!” said Theo. “I go fast when I ski—I go superfast. Fast skiing,” said Frankie. Theo (left) and Frankie Kim-Ulin

Olympic ticket draw to March 18; new stadiums

With the winter Olympics behind us, Angelenos are looking forward to the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles.

First up, Angelenos can register for the LA28 Olympic Ticket Draw through Wed., March 18. If chosen, the random selection secures a 48-hour time slot to purchase up to 12 tickets at a discounted rate of $28 each. Registrants will be notified via email March 31 to April 7 confirming whether they received a time slot. To register, visit tinyurl.com/bdf4h5jk. Soccer

Meanwhile, preliminary and

knockout stages will occur at six Major League Stadiums for the 2028 Olympic Football (Soccer) Tournament matches.

The selected sites include New York City, Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; and San Jose and San Diego, in California.

The gold medal matches will be held at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena on July 28, 2028, for the men’s tournament, and July 29, 2028, for the women’s tournament.

The games will move from east to west as teams advance toward the final stages. They will potentially start before the opening ceremony on July 14, 2028.

“The schedule for both the women’s and soccer tournaments, including the dates

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Games and Fan Zones coming our way!

By Suzan Filipek

If you don’t have your $1,000 ticket yet to a soccer match in this summer’s World Cup, attending a Fan Zone may be just the ticket. Outside of SoFi Stadium, these are the best places to watch the games, according to FIFA, the games’ governing body. Fan Zones will offer “a buzzing environment, and… the best in football, music, entertainment, culture, food, and lifestyle,” the group’s website said.

Fan Zones will be set up throughout the city: L.A. Memorial Coliseum will offer a global celebration Thurs., June 11, to Mon., June 15. The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., takes the spotlight from Thurs., June 18 to Sun., June 21.

Selected as the city’s official Fan Zone, “Heart of the City: Union Station & La Plaza De Cultura Y Artes” is happening

Thurs., June 25, to Sun., June 28.

The games will take place in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. June 11-July 19. The U.S. Men’s National Team vs Paraguay opens the games in L.A. on June 12.

The City of Angels will host a total of eight matches, all at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

With 48 teams included for the first time in the games’ 95-year history—the most ever—and the first time more women’s soccer teams than men’s will be featured, it’s a

great time to enjoy the city’s diverse map of bars and eateries serving cuisine from around the world. Visit Discover L.A. for information, at tinyurl.com/3bmem9yp.

Local themed pubs and eateries include: Guelaguetza, a Oaxacan restaurant in Koreatown; Mexican food at Mariscos Marias, on South Vermont and in Culver City, and S.O.L, an Aussie cafe on Melrose.

For more information on the World Cup, visit sofistadium.com and fifa.com.

POLICE BEAT

Daughter brandishes knife at mom, stepdad punches juvenile

OLYMPIC DIVISION

AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS:

During an argument, a suspect brandished a knife at her mother. She was arrested Feb. 9 at 2:50 p.m. on the 300 block of North Norton Avenue.

A man pushed his stepchild to the ground and punched them multiple times Feb. 8 at 4:30 p.m. on Irving Boulevard and Sixth Street.

During an argument, an Asian male stabbed a victim in the leg with a knife Feb. 15 at 11:45 p.m. in a parking lot at Fifth Street and Western Avenue.

BURGLARIES: An unknown suspect pried open the front door and took money and jewelry Feb. 6 at 6:30 a.m. from a residence on the 100 block of South Gramercy Place.

An unknown suspect pried open a balcony sliding door and took a purse and jewelry

Feb. 7 at 7:20 p.m. on the 400 block of St Andrews Place.

BURGLARY THEFTS

FROM AUTO: A license plate was stolen from a car Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. on the 800 block of South Wilton Place.

An unknown suspect smashed a window and took tools from a vehicle Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. on the 300 block of Manhattan Place.

A catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle Feb. 14 at noon on the 200 block of South Van Ness Avenue.

GRAND THEFT PROP-

ERTY: An unknown suspect took a phone from a woman’s purse Feb. 14 at 1:45 a.m. on the 600 block of South Western Avenue.

ROBBERY: A Hispanic male took a sewer-line camera from a vehicle, brandished a gun at a victim, and fled in a black BMW Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m. on the 100 block of South Norton Avenue.

11am to 4pm

4066 W. 7th St in Wilshire Park (213) 568-3030 VanishingArts.Gallery

WILSHIRE

DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Tyler Shuck

213-793-0650

40740@lapd.online

Twitter: @lapdwilshire

ADDITIONAL NEIGH

BORHOOD UPDATES: SLO

Chavez arrested a suspect trespassing at 505 to 509 N. St. Andrews Pl. after a “no trespassing” order was filed for the property. Additionally, an arrest was recently made related to a burglary at 532 N.

OLYMPIC DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Daniel Chavez

213-793-0709

36304@lapd.online

Instagram: @olympic_slo1

Manhattan Pl. WILSHIRE DIVISION

BURGLARIES: One suspect wearing a dark hoodie and pants, and a second suspect wearing a white hoodie, black pants, and gloves, shattered a side window, entered a home, took property and

exited through the front door. The suspects fled in a car from the 100 block of South Citrus Avenue Feb. 8 at 6:45 p.m.

BURGLARY THEFTS FROM AUTO: An unknown suspect broke the rear passenger window of a car and stole a purse Feb. 3 at 7:15 p.m. on West 2nd Street near South La Brea Avenue.

ADDITIONAL NEIGH -

BORHOOD UPDATES: SLO Shuck said that he’s trying to remove squatters from a property near Third and Detroit streets after receiving complaints from neighboring residents.

Officer gets his dream job at Wilshire

By Nona Sue Friedman

On the day we spoke, Senior Lead Officer Tyler Shuck had helped some unhoused people in the morning and pressure washed the back deck of his station, Wilshire Division. “SLOs are all purpose officers, helping the community and the station,” according to Shuck.

Shuck grew up watching his dad serve LAPD and has a passion for service himself. When he became an officer, he took his dad’s badge number, an LAPD tradition.

But before joining LAPD, after high school, he signed up with the United States Marine Corps for four years

The Beauty of Experience

Larchmont 's own Rebecca Fitzgerald MD, a board-certified derma tologic surgeon, brings extensive experience and up-to-the-minute expertise to the convenience of your own neigh borhood

and spent six months stationed in Iraq. He believes the Marines prepared him for LAPD.

“The police academy was a blast, lots of fun,” according to Shuck. Cadets are paid to attend, and he was thrilled to be able to go home every day, a big change from his time in the Marines.

He graduated from the Academy and spent his first year of service as a probationary officer at Wilshire

(Please turn to Page 13)

STANDING BY HIS PATROL CAR is Senior Lead Officer Tyler Shuck.

Disco will never die

In a corner of our little community, local friends hit birthday girl Kim Huffman Cary’s backyard dance floor Feb. 14 to celebrate disco in all its sparkly, wide-leg-jeaned, white-matching-suit and Diane von Fürstenberg glory. Was I at Studio 54 or in Hancock Park? I still don’t know after returning from the backyard transformation which included strobe lights, disco balls, and a few ’70s-style club props that shall remain nameless. The dual Valentine’s Day/ birthday bash was a great excuse for Larchmont friends of 20 years to boogie on down until the sandman came a-calling. Seen pulling some serious Saturday Night Fever bendy moves were Rebecca and Charlie Hutchinson, Amy Keihl Miller, Lisa O’Malley, and Jane and Matt Stuecken. And, of course, cue the movie “Airplane!” where the radio station WZAZ plays disco forever!

Leipzig, Germany since 1853 Concert, Recording, Home Rentals

Henle Editions

Helga Kasimoff

LA’s oldest family piano store kasimoffpianoslosangeles.com

Around the Town with Sondi Toll Sepenuk

KASIMOFF-BLUTHNER PIANO CO. 337 N. LARCHMONT BL. • HOLLYWOOD, CA 90004 323-466-7707

On the Boulevard

Scouts of Troop 10 greeted Boulevard-goers, offering the best pancakes around, to raise funds for their activities last month. Challenging terrain, compared to the last 30-mile trek of theirs in Yosemite? No. Larchmontians love their carbs.

Not to be outdone, Girl Scout Cookies were in high demand for the month and selling old favorites such as the Thin Mints and the new favorites, Exploramores.

The place to be the night before Valentine’s Day was on Larchmont. Inclusive beauty boutique Thirteen Lune had an evening dance party with DJ Lee Clay Bang, bites, and drinks to celebrate the launch of Bria Bryant’s fragrance line, Leier which once applied promises to evolve “into a scent that’s unmistakably yours.”

And Buck Mason chose the same night to host the after-party for LA Vintage Rendezvous, a vintage clothing and collectibles show, serving Smokeye Hill bourbon and Tail o’ the Pup hot dogs. The crowd who appeared to be vested in the laid-back California style of this popular fashion house.

11:04

And who keeps the Boulevard so well groomed? Well, who other than our LBA President (and local salon owner) Romi Cortier with Virgo De-

(Please turn to Page 11)

Microplastics: where do

Last month, I was catching up with one of my long-distance friends. At one point on our call she commented, “Are you still wearing leggings? I see this influencer on Instagram talking about how we should be wearing all-cotton activewear because of microplastics, but it feels kind of stupid to just throw away a bunch of clothes and buy new ones.” I had nothing to offer, so I decided I’d do some research for this month’s article on microplastics.

Here, we’ll go over what microplastics are, what research is showing (rather than getting alarmist content over social media), and what’s reasonable to do. After reading through a few articles, I decided to use one published in 2023 in the journal Cell, written by Dr. Adeniyi and others, as my reference point.

First, let’s review the basic science. Microplastics are defined as plastic particles smaller than 5mm. They come from various sources (environmental pollutants, synthetic

they come from and how do they affect us?

Health & Wellness

By Priscilla Duggan

textiles, cosmetic products, and plastic products—more on this later) and make their way into our surroundings, as well as our bodies. Their ubiquity makes them hard to study and trace. Therefore, the study of microplastics is an emerging field and not many quantifiable impacts on health have been documented. It is important to keep this in mind, no matter how many reels you scroll through telling you otherwise.

One of the most common ways that microplastics make their way into our environment is from microfibers in textiles. When synthetic clothing—made of materials such as polyester and nylon— are laundered, they release fibers into the wash. The water from your washing machine travels through the plumbing and eventually ends up at a wastewater treatment plant

before it is released into rivers or oceans. The small fibers released from synthetic fabrics in the wash are too small to be filtered by wastewater treatment plants and thus end up, oftentimes, in our oceans. This is why seafood, primarily shellfish, contain microplastics which eventually make their way into our diets. Other sources include cosmetic products such as toothpaste, which can release about 4000 microbeads per single use. Bottled water has also been shown to contain microplastics, which can come from the bottles themselves or from the shipping process.

Currently, research shows that microplastics have been detected in human stool, saliva, and even placenta. How does this happen? There are three main routes of exposure: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. As I wrote earlier, data is limited on the health effects of bioaccumulation and exposure to microplastics, but preliminary research suggests

Goop Kitchen opens in the neighborhood

By Helene Seifer

Actress and lifestyle entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow has opened her 10th goop Kitchen in the Greater Los Angeles area, this time just blocks from Larchmont. Dedicated to providing prepared meals that promote a “clean eating” ethos, the takeout storefront sources sustainable ingredients; offers many dishes that are free of refined sugars, gluten, and dairy; and uses fully recyclable packaging. The company claims that just one of their kitchens could save over 25,000 pounds of plastic from landfills each year.

The goop Kitchen menu offers close to 60 options, including a kale and brussels

sprouts salad with avocado and candied puff rice; organic turmeric-spiced chicken bone broth; gluten free pepperoni pizza; whole or half organic rotisserie chicken with veg-

(Please turn to Page 12)

GLUTEN-FREE pepperoni pizza.

Dentistry for Children and Young Adults

Pediatric Dentistry

gastrointestinal disturbances, endocrine disruption, and transmission of pathogenic bacteria (wherein the microplastics act as a “Trojan horse” to carry bacteria into the body) are of primary concern. What do we do about this?

It’s important to keep in mind that whenever a new health concern comes up, the supposed response is often individualized: buy new clothes, buy purifiers, etc. The sad reality is that microplastics are sneaking their way into lots of products even if they don’t come in plastic packaging simply due to the equipment used in the preparatory or shipping process. Nonetheless, we do what we can. In general, it’s a smart idea to stay away from single-use plastics (or single-use anything as a whole) and focus on products with natural, biodegradable ingredients. Be careful to avoid products with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PET, PMMA,

living room atmosphere Children from newborns to 18-year-olds feel comfortable (323) 463-8322 • 321 N. Larchmont Blvd, Suite 809 ilovemydentist809@gmail.com

nylon, or acrylates in the ingredients.

No doubt taking preventative measures can be helpful and remind us to live cleaner whenever possible, but real change is likely to come from larger-scale adjustments such as improved industry standards: Public health is not predicate on boutique consumption and anxiety should not be monetized. Remember that awareness is good, but panic is not necessary or helpful.

And so improved regulatory standards and a collective willingness to attend to environmental health is probably the most sustainable response. For now, the healthiest thing we can do in the face of information like this is to stay informed while avoiding fear—as is often the case. As for me and my leotards and leggings? I haven’t thrown anything away, yet. Comments? Email pcd1130@gmail.com.

City Services at your fingertips,

Where to find the help you need in megalopolis Los Angeles

By Nona Sue Friedman

By population,

Los Angeles

is the second largest city in the country; by area, it’s the ninth, spanning roughly 469 square miles. With nearly 4 million residents, that’s approximately 8,102 people per square mile. And one wonders why there’s congestion?

It certainly isn’t small town U.S.A., so getting the services and help you need can sometimes be tricky to say the least.

Getting to know your local representatives helps to get tasks accomplished in your area. Council district field deputies and Los Angeles Police Department senior lead officers are available to come to neighborhood meetings, as this is an integral part of their job.

Here is a guide to help you know who, when, and where to make contact.

The areas mapped are based on the circulation area for the Larchmont Chronicle which are Fairfax, Melrose, and Western avenues and Olympic Boulevard.

MyLA311

This is a city service hotline. You can access it through their app, or call 311, or 213-473-3231, or visit online at myla311.lacity. gov. Contact them if you need to be connected to any city agency—they will direct and connect you. Using the app or website, one can take a picture, file a report, and upload information to the site 24/7. Or call weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. The site will send you an email or text with your service request number.

This is the agency to contact if you see graffiti on a fence, there’s a mattress on the parkway, or your garbage can lid was mutilated at the last pickup. A broken streetlight? Yup. An unhoused person is setting up their home in front of your office? Yes. Contact 311.

City Council Districts

This vast megalopolis is divided into 15 districts known as city council districts. Each numbered district oversees approximately 260,000 residents and is headed by an elected councilmember who is your representative on the Los Angeles City Council. The City Council votes on proposed laws and budgets for the city. Use the map above to look up your council district.

Each council district is divided into smaller areas, which are headed by a field deputy. The field deputy is your contact to help you with questions you might have

Council Districts

CHRONICLE CIRCULATION AREA spans two council districts, CD5 and CD13.

regarding city services, landlord issues, the unhoused, or how to get city items in your area fixed, for example, if the trees on your block need to be trimmed or your landlord won’t fix your shower. Reach out to your field deputy. If you’ve made a call to MyLA311, keep that confirmation number so your field deputy can trace it. It’s also helpful to sign up for your council district’s newsletter.

• • •

Council District 5 councildistrict5.lacity.gov

Councilmember: Katy Yaroslavsky councilmember.yaroslavsky@ lacity.org

District Office: 5416 Wilshire Blvd., 323-866-1828

Field Deputy: Michelle Flores

michelle.flores@lacity.org

Covers Hancock Park, Greater Wilshire, and Park La Brea Field Deputy: Shannon Calland Shannon.calland@lacity.org

Covers Miracle Mile, MidCity, and Carthay

• • •

Council District 13 councildistrict13.lacity.gov

Councilmember: Hugo Soto Martínez councilmember.soto-martinez@lacity.org

District office: 1722 Sunset Blvd., 213-207-3015

Field Deputy: Mark Fuentes

mark.fuentes@lacity.org 213-207-3015

Covers Larchmont Village and Windsor Square L.A. Police Department LAPD’s purpose is to protect and serve the people and property of Los Angeles.

Visit lapd.org.

911

When should you call 911? When there’s an active crime or when someone’s life, safety, or property is endangered. Call the non-emergency number, 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273), with noise complaints, arguments without violence, or trespassing. When in doubt, call 911 and the operator will determine which avenue is best.

The circulation area for the Chronicle is primarily divided between two divisions, Olympic on the east side and Wilshire on the west. Each division is further divided into basic car stations. Each basic car station has a senior lead officer. The SLO is a resident’s first point of contact. They are community liaisons, like a neighborhood cop in a small town.

Wilshire Community Police Station

4861 W. Venice Blvd. 213-473-0476

SLO Tyler Shuck

40740@lapd.online 213-793-0650

Covers the western portions of Windsor Square and

Larchmont Village as well as La Brea Avenue areas. SLO Andrew Jones 41719@lapd.online 213-793-0782

Covers the Miracle Mile, Brookside and Park La Brea.

Olympic Community Police Station 1130 S. Vermont Blvd. 213-383-9102

SLO Danny Chavez 36304@lapd.online 213-383-9102

Covers the eastern portions of Windsor Square and Larchmont Village, Ridgewood Wilton, as well as St. Andrews Square.

Neighborhood Councils

This is the closest form of government within reach of Los Angeles residents. Ninety-nine councils were established in 1999. They are volunteer, elected bodies and always looking for more interested parties. Their purpose is to advise elected council members about issues affecting their community, including land-use, public safety, quality of life, renter-landlord issues, transportation, and much more. To participate, one must be a stakeholder, meaning they are a resident, business owner, or employed in the area. Each council has newsletters to sign up for and keep you in the know.

See the neighborhood

council map to see where you are a stakeholder.

Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Greaterwilshire.org

The general board meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held in-person at the Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., in January, April, July, and October. Zoom meetings occur in February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December. See website for the meeting link and other committee meeting times.

Mid-City West Neighborhood Council Midwest.org

The general board meets the second Tuesday of each month via Zoom. See their website for link. If they meet in-person, it’s at Pan Pacific Park Recreation Center, 7600 Beverly Blvd. SoCal Gas 877-238-0092

SoCal Gas provides natural gas to your home. Additionally, they provide free safety evaluations and tune-ups for a number of home appliances as a complimentary service. If you ever smell gas or suspect a leak, get to a safe location and call 800-427-2200 immediately 24 hours, seven days a week. A representative will arrive at your location within hours to inspect the area and ensure your safety.

with a pull-out to keep handy

Directory of elected officials for the city, the county, and the state

Mayor Karen Bass

200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, 90012 213-978-0600 mayor.lacity.gov

County Supervisor

Holly J. Mitchell 2nd District

500 W. Temple St., Ste 866 Los Angeles, 90012 213-974-2222 mitchell.lacounty.gov

County Supervisor

Lindsey Horvath 3rd District

500 W. Temple St., Ste 821 Los Angeles, 90012 213-974-3333 lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov

State Sen.

Ben Allen 24th District 111 Penn St., Ste 101 El Segundo, 90245 310-414-8190 sd24.senate.ca.gov

State Sen.

María Elena Durazo 26th District 1808 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, 90026 213-483-9300 sd26.senate.ca.gov

State Sen.

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas 28th District 700 Exposition Park Dr. Los Angeles, 90037 213-745-6656 sd28.senate.ca.gov

Assemblymember

Rick Chavez Zbur 51st District 1445 N. Stanley Ave., 3rd Fl Los Angeles, 90046 323-436-5184 a51.asmdc.org

Assemblymember

Mark González 54th District

320 W. Fourth St., Rm 1050 Los Angeles, 90013 213-620-4646 a54.asmdc.org

Assemblymember

Isaac Bryan 55th District 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 345 Los Angeles, 90036 310-641-5410 bryan.asmdc.org

Gov. Gavin Newsom 1021 O St., Ste 9000 Sacramento, 95814

Los Angeles Police Department

Senior Lead Officer Andrew Jones 213-793-0782 41719@lapd.online

Senior Lead Officer Tyler Shuck 213-793-0650 40740@lapd.online

213-793-0709 36304@lapd.online

916-445-2841 gov.ca.gov

U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff 4111 W. Alameda Ave. Ste 608 Burbank, 91505 818-303-3841 schiff.senate.gov

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla

255 E. Temple St., Ste 1860 Los Angeles, 90012 310-231-4494 padilla.senate.gov

Rep. Laura Friedman 30th District

245 E. Olive Ave., Ste 200 Burbank, 91502 818-524-4384 friedman.house.gov

34th District

515 S. Figueroa St., Ste 1040 Los Angeles, 90071 213-481-1425 gomez.house.gov

Rep. Ted Lieu 36th District 1645 Corinth Ave., Ste 101 Los Angeles, 90025 323-651-1040 lieu.house.gov

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove 37th District 4929 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 650 Los Angeles, 90010 323-965-1422 kamlager-dove.house.gov

Western Ave.

(Continued from Page 1)

from residents.

The meeting was hosted by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez of CD13, about 30 residents attended.

Olympic Division Capt. Rachel Rodriguez explained her goals with the Task Force. Safe passage—there shouldn’t be any women on the streets barely clothed when kids walk to school in the morning. This isn’t an uncommon scenario. Kids should also not have to walk over condoms or other debris left in the street. She is implementing a newly instated law, colloquially known as the “Johns law,” that allows officers to arrest people who loiter with the intent to buy sex as a misdemeanor. Over many months, she persuaded Soto-Martínez to provide funding for surveillance cameras that aid prosecution and

help send “Dear John” letters to the registered vehicle owners cruising for a prostitute. Rodriguez said, “We’re truly creating a partnership with CD13.” She has also moved around some resources at her station to provide addition undercover vice units.

Senior Lead Officer Danny Chavez said, “Thank you everyone for coming tonight. I appreciate all of you. Most of this area falls under my jurisdiction, and it’s my number one priority.” He wants residents to continue to work with him and find innovative ways of solving the problem of noise, leud behavior, and trash left behind. “While maintaining your safety,” he explained, he encouraged residents “to please send pictures, videos, and license plate numbers to him…You know the hot spots.”

Some tasks have already begun. Trees have been trimmed, and broken streetlights are

being repaired. As the Chronicle went to press, a second meeting was scheduled for Feb. 24 to address how to have a city agency clean up the streets from the evening’s litter, so it doesn’t fall on residents.

Representatives from both the L.A. City Attorney and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office mentioned that their offices can only prosecute with existing laws. The City Attorney’s representative said, “Petition your state elected officials if you think some acts should be felonies. Let them know how you feel. It might put some pressure on them.”

Many of the questions and comments focused on better communication and action. There was also a general concern for the safety and well-being of the sex traf-

fickers. Loretta Ramos, who is very active in St. Andrews Square, said “The women are important. The residents are important.”

A woman who owns a home nearby declared that she’s a sex worker on occasion, which she does because she likes it. She started to help pay for college. She and her husband don’t like to clean up the condoms on their street either, but feels that penalizing the women for working needs to be changed.

Ramos told the Chronicle “I’m grateful for some of the traction with the various parties. There’s a lot more communication and involvement. After the community meeting in the fall, where Hugo said prostitution wasn’t a priority for him, it’s nice to see some changes in their priorities. I think there was pressure from the community.”

ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PRESENTS

Midlife…opportunity? Try a routine of rigorous exercise

Usually “midlife” is followed by the word “crisis.” When we think of a midlife crisis, we envision a guy buying a Porsche, or a woman of a certain age shacking up with a man of a much younger age. Tropes aside, reaching that theoretical midpoint of life does create an opportunity to shake things up in some way. For some that’s a career change, maybe even a significant geographical move. For others it’s a hobby, like learning to play an instrument or picking up a foreign language. And then there’s the world of exercise.

About 12 years ago, out of nowhere, I began running. One mile became two, which became four, and suddenly I signed up for a half marathon, to be held, in the Valley, in the heat of the summer no less. As I finished the 13 miles, I looked with amazement at the lunatics who’d signed up for the full 26.2. Soon, I’d become one of those lunatics.

I signed up for the L.A. Marathon in 2015, did pretty well, and swore I’d never do that again—the itch had been scratched.

That lasted about a month; then I signed up for my second. In a three-year span I’d run five. My speed improved with each one and I found myself finishing in the top 10% of the field.

And then one day, like Forrest Gump, I just stopped. Literally mid-run. I was training for the sixth marathon, languishing through a practice run, and decided halfway through that I was done. Done with the training, with the long runs and the marathons. Whatever purpose all of that was serving for me, I was done.

But I wasn’t done with fitness and this midlife pur-

Chasing Sports

by Chase Campen

suit of pushing myself. I also wasn’t alone. Nearly one-third of triathlon participants are over 40. More than 25% of runners didn’t even pick up the habit until they were near 50, which was my circumstance.

And it’s not just running. Cycling is a common entrance sport for the midlife set. You’ve seen the type…often a group of men of a certain age (my age!) riding in a pack on a Saturday or Sunday morning, often frequenting your favorite local coffee shop for a mid-ride snack, proudly wearing their skintight Lycra, leaving nothing to the imagination.

I’d know because I was one of those guys! Cycling became my sport du jour after running. I quickly realized the cardio endurance I’d built up on the pavement served me well on the bike.

One thing that struck me as fascinating was the nutrition requirements for running vs cycling—you could run a marathon on a near empty stomach. This was NOT the case on a long bike ride! I found this out the hard way, nearly passing out after one of my early rides before I made it to the kitchen.

I enjoyed cycling on the hectic roads of L.A. for several years until one day something terrible happened. Fear crept in. You almost accept a contract riding a bike—you understand it’s inherently dangerous sharing the road next to speeding cars while you’re on tires less than an inch wide. You took that deal for the payoffs—access to any part of the city you wanted, often getting great views and

scenery in the process, all in the name of exercise.

But when you ride a bike, you inherently hear things like “Did you hear about Carl? He got clipped by a car in Pasadena. Broke his hip.” Or worse.

These stories came with steady frequency, and I always managed to pretend they weren’t happening, until I couldn’t.

After that I briefly tried swimming, another popular activity for those of a certain age, and I enjoyed it, but the repetitive strokes were ultimately too much for my shoulders.

Which might make my current chapter sound strange! Last fall I entered my first Spartan race. This is where you run approximately six miles through usually dirty conditions and interrupt those runs to complete a series of athletic achievements like scaling a tall wall or carrying an 80-pound sack some distance.

I actually did this on a date, which is not a bad way to do it. You’ll definitely be supremely motivated to do your best! And that wasn’t the end of

On the Boulevard

(Continued from Page 5)

signs and Landscaping. In between rains the men were working on the landscaping around the Village Clock fixing irrigation. Cortier said, “Keep your eyes peeled— plants are next!”

those types of events for me. By the time you read this I’ll have just completed my first Hyrox, with the same lady who inspired me to do the Spartan, and this is even more extreme. You run 1,000 meters eight times, and in between each you do something like row a thousand meters, do a 200-foot farmer carry with a 53-pound kettle bell in each hand, or push a 335-pound sled 50 yards.

What’s this all about? I have a few theories. We are drawn to these things midlife because we’re at a turning point. Perhaps the career is well established, and the kids are settled. They still need you, but not as much. You’re aware that you’re getting older and maybe even—gulp—slowing down. So, you either give in to it, or resist it. Many of us choose the latter.

Like saving for retirement, the payoffs are substantial. And starting too late, you may miss the window.

Have you found a new interest midlife? Share a letter with the Chronicle! Email circulation@larchmontchronicle.com.

Area volleyball players compete at annual Callum Classic

The fourth annual Callum Classic was held in January in Santa Monica, on Sorrento Beach just north of the pier. Sixty-four players from Greater Los Angeles high schools, including Campbell Hall, Loyola High School, Harvard Westlake, Hamilton High, Larchmont Charter, and Beverly Hills High, participated in the invite-only double-elimination volleyball tournament. The bracket featured 16 four-player teams, and matches consisted of a

Youth Sports

by

Jim Kalin

single 25-point set.

Many of the players also compete on local club teams like SG Elite, MB Surf, Rockstar, and Westside. The Callum Classic teams were drafted Friday night before the Jan. 24 tournament during a player gathering, then were designated creative names like Jumping Beans,

Olympic ticket

(Continued from Page 3)

and match distribution per stadium, will be announced before the first ticket drop in April 2026. The specific team matchups will be revealed later, following further progress in the LA28 Olympic qualification process for soccer and the official tournament draw,” a spokesperson for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games told us via email. Visit la28.org.

Good Kitchen

(Continued from Page 7)

etables; sunflower seed pesto penne pasta; winter salmon bowl with brown rice, haricot vert, cauliflower, and greens; and gluten-free, dairy-free dark chocolate brownies.

Paltrow founded goop in 2008 after years of sharing her personal healthy recipes and travel and lifestyle choices through photos taken on her BlackBerry with friends. Beauty products entered the

Unprotected Sets, and Stinky Feet Squadron.

Tournament directors Callum McLachlan and Sam Plant hold the tournament twice a year, in January and July.

“I didn’t do a lot of birthday parties growing up, so I decided I wanted to have a volleyball tournament instead,” said McLachlan. “I really wanted to bring friends together, especially people we’ve encountered in our volleyball journeys.”

The initial tournament was not as big as this recent version.

“We wanted to expand the event, so we began a draft night,” said Plant.

“We had everyone over to my house and picked the teams,” added McLachlan.

Breakfast and lunch were provided for the players on game day, and there was a hired masseuse on the prem-

GOOP KITCHEN’S winter salmon bowl with veggies. scene in 2016, and her delivery-only kitchens, led by chef Kim Floresca, arrived in 2021. goop Kitchen is located at 615 N. Western Ave.; 310-9541286. For more information visit, goopkitchen.com

ises to work on sore muscles and fatigued players.

The team champs were Plants vs. Zombies. Sam Plant was team captain, and his father, Tim, agreed to play as a last-minute substitute. Jumping Beans were runners-up.

The directors and players thanked McLachlan’s parents, Desiree and Kyle, for making this event possible, and to Head Coordinator Barron Linnekens for keeping the teams on schedule.

Western

(Continued from Page 1)

Rodriguez; and Nayeli May, executive director of Journey Out, a nonprofit organization that assists victims of sex trafficking.

Feldstein Soto outlined task force plans to disrupt the demand by stopping the johns; make streets less conducive to sex trafficking by fixing broken streetlights and trimming trees; jail predators, profiters, and pimps; and lastly, increase public awareness.

Feldstein Soto has gone to Sacramento numerous times to strengthen laws that aid local law enforcement in arrests and make prosecution more straightforward. Two bills she lobbied for have become law.

Assembly Bill 535 makes the intimidation and bullying of a sex worker a crime, and the other, State Bill 680, requires a sex offender to register with local law enforcement when convicted of having sex with a 14- to 17-year-old.

As Officer Woodyard stated, “[Capt.] Rachel [Rodriguez] has the lion’s share of the issue” on the Western corridor, which is bounded between Olympic and Santa Monica boulevards.

When the Chronicle reached out to Capt. Rodriguez she said, “We are excited

WOMEN SEEN ON Western Avenue at 7:30 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 14.

for this collaboration to come to fruition.” She was quick to state that as of Jan. 1 of this year, California Penal Code 653.25—loitering with the intent to purchase commercial sex—is now, again, a misdemeanor, after being repealed by the State legislature in 2023 after the SB357 Safer Streets for All Act passed in July 2022. “We fully intend to enforce this misdemeanor, which will also impact the profitability and deter human trafficking.” Even without the previous legislation, the Olympic Division made 372 arrests for crimes related to sex trafficking in 2025. With disdain in his voice and visible disgust on his face, Hochman warned sex trafficking exploiters that “The city is after them… This is your warning. There will be no sympathy once you are in handcuffs.” He said the issue normally involves men seek-

ing sex from underage girls and sometimes boys. He spoke about how the prostitutes are lured into the life of being a sex worker and likened their desperate lives to what Cali-

Officer Shuck

(Continued from Page 4)

Division, where he learned what a SLO was. Immediately he thought, “That’s what I want to do!” After Wilshire, he was transferred to 77th in South L.A. He said it was a different pace, and he “gained a lot of experience, had a good partner, and learned how to be a cop.”

Eventually, he applied for a promotion to field training officer back at Wilshire, now his home division, and got the job. He worked with and trained new officers at night for nine years. He liked the evening shifts, comment-

fornia Attorney General Rob Bonta called “modern-day slavery.”

A majority of the Western corridor is in Council District 13, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez’s district. With regards to this new cross-agency task force, Soto-Martínez said, “This effort brings together our office, the city [and county] attorney, LAPD, and service providers to take a coordinated, neighborhood-based approach.” His office allocated $200,000 to hire Journey Out to help the victims. According to his communication director, this amount is significant in bolstering efforts to combat

ing, “Night crews get closer together, there’s more camaraderie, lots of young officers, and certain crimes happen at night.” But when a spot for a SLO came up, he was ready for a change.

For the past 15 months, he’s been the SLO for Basic Car 7A17. His patrol area covers the western portion of Windsor Square and Hancock Park and areas along La Brea Avenue. “Being a SLO is a great job.

I think it’s the best job in the department. You see a problem from beginning to completion. On patrol, you never know what happens. It’s a good feeling and a rewarding job.”

human trafficking.

Work around the affected neighborhoods has already begun. Trees that residents have been pleading with CD13 to have trimmed so streetlights can shine through have been pruned. The specific areas as of press time are Van Ness Avenue between Rosewood Avenue and Clinton Street, and Elmwood and Maplewood avenues west of Western.

To emphasize their dedication to eliminating the sex trafficking industry, Feldstein Soto said, “Pimps, johns, predators, we’re coming after you. We’re determined to stop this blight throughout our city.”

According to Shuck, his dad was a very well-liked and well-respected officer for 20 years with LAPD. His dad told him not to be a SLO because, “It’s too hard, too challenging of a job.” Despite his comment, Shuck said his dad is really proud of him.

Shuck is father to a 14-yearold boy, 10-year-old girl, and a brand-new baby boy. When asked if he thought either of his older kids would follow in his footsteps, like he did with his dad, he said his daughter has expressed interest in being a canine officer. Perhaps a third-generation LAPD officer is coming around?!

As seen in House Beautiful, Luxe, Elle Decor, Traditional Home, HGTV & Architectural Digest

Mayoral Race

(Continued from Page 1)

not with an empty lane waiting for her.

The incumbent factor

Karen Bass still begins from a position of strength. She has institutional backing, relationships across labor and civic groups, and a governing style that emphasizes coordination over confrontation.

But incumbency accumulates dissatisfaction. Homelessness remains the city’s defining challenge, and many voters feel the pace of improvement has not matched the scale of the crisis.

The Palisades Fire added another layer of scrutiny. LAFD Chief Jaime Moore acknowledged that earlier drafts of the department’s after-action report were edited in ways that softened criticism of leadership decisions. Reporting showed that Bass’ office reviewed the report before it was publicly released. Bass has denied directing substantive changes, saying her team sought factual clarification rather than revising findings. Even so, the episode added to scrutiny at a moment when crisis leadership is closely examined. Her advantages remain real. But they are no longer unqualified.

A managerial lane and a real opening

Adam Miller has made a different argument. Through his nonprofit Better Angels, he has focused on housing production and lower-cost development models aimed at addressing homelessness more efficiently. His campaign centers on execution: Los Angeles doesn’t lack plans; it lacks systems that work.

Raman’s entrance sharpens that contrast.

If she and Bass draw from overlapping progressive voters—particularly those motivated by housing and equity issues—their support could split. In a primary where only two candidates advance, fragmentation can shape the outcome. It doesn’t require a majority. It requires

arithmetic. That possibility is now part of the race’s underlying structure.

Why the New York analogy doesn’t fit

Some have tried to frame Raman’s candidacy through the lens of New York’s recent mayoral contest. The comparison overlooks critical context.

In New York, voters faced unusually constrained options. One major political figure exited amid serious sexual misconduct allegations. Another leading contender was widely viewed as occupying a far-right ideological lane. In that environment, a credible alternative could consolidate broad support simply by not being either of those polarizing figures.

Los Angeles is different. There is no vacuum created by scandal or ideological extremes. There are multiple viable candidates across the spectrum. Raman isn’t inheriting a coalition by default; she must assemble one in competition with established figures.

That is a more difficult path.

Economic judgment and policy consequences

Two votes from Raman’s time on the City Council will likely resurface repeatedly during this campaign: Measure United to House LA (ULA) and the Convention Center modernization.

Raman was a strong supporter of Measure ULA, the real estate transfer tax intended to fund housing and homelessness programs. Critics argue that after its passage, commercial transactions slowed and financing for multifamily projects became more complicated. Raman

has since backed amendments exempting certain new developments, calling the changes necessary adjustments.

She also voted against modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Business leaders and labor unions—not often aligned—supported the upgrade, warning that without it Los Angeles risked losing major conventions to cities with newer facilities.

The concern extended beyond convention halls: hotel bookings, restaurant traffic, tourism, surrounding development, and ultimately the city’s general fund all depend in part on maintaining a competitive convention destination.

For many voters focused on economic stability, these are not minor policy disagreements. They speak to executive judgment. For some, the pattern is troubling enough to be disqualifying.

Raman’s effort to amend ULA has only intensified that perception. One critic described it as “the arsonist calling the fire department and claiming to be a hero.”

Raman’s effort to amend ULA has only intensified that perception. One critic described it as “the arsonist calling the fire department and claiming to be a hero.”

The phrasing may be harsh, but it reflects a belief among segments of the business community that economic consequences became clear

Bogie’s Liquor

only after implementation.

Her stance on public safety funding has also divided voters. Raman has supported shifting portions of police funding toward alternative response models and social services—a position reform advocates applaud but some moderates and small business owners view with concern.

The strategic question Raman clearly energizes a segment of the electorate. The question is whether that segment expands—or hardens.

If she consolidates voters seeking a sharper break from the current administration, she could force a

Complex

(Continued from Page 1)

director for the Los Angeles Region for real estate developer Holland Partner Group.

The project will include a pedestrian paseo connecting Odgen Drive to the existing shopping center through the first floor of the project, a new crosswalk at Gilmore Drive and Odgen, and a new crosswalk across Fairfax near Blackburn Avenue, Elum added.

Bloom on Third, which has approximately 84,000 square feet of retail space and will include a new two-level Whole Foods Market, is developed by Regency Centers with the Arba Group.

The existing Whole Foods Market will move from its longstanding place near the corner of Third and Fairfax and increase from 41,000 to 65,000 square feet. It will include three levels. The move is expected later this year.

Regency Centers is leasing the market space to a national retailer expected to open in 2027, according to its website.

A CVS pharmacy at the site is being remodeled and will stay on the property, and the existing parking lot and driveways are being renovated, according to reports.

MVE + Partners designed the mixed-use complex, which is set to feature set-

runoff and redefine the race. But if she and Bass divide overlapping constituencies, particularly on housing and homelessness, the arithmetic shifts. A candidate running on operational steadiness rather than ideological repositioning could advance with a smaller but more unified coalition.

This isn’t New York. There’s no binary dynamic driving consolidation. Los Angeles voters have options.

Raman’s late entrance doesn’t clarify the field. It makes the math more complicated. And in a fragmented primary, math can matter more than momentum.

NEW DEVELOPMENT inclues ground-floor retail and residential units.

backs that reduce the scale of the building along adjacent streets and neighboring Hancock Park Elementary School to the south.

While the project’s entitlements were approved in 2022, the final design is a far cry from the original proposal for a 26-story tower. It was significantly reduced after community outcry, including from Hancock Park Elementary.

In 2020, the owners of the Third and Fairfax property erected a 10-foot masonry block wall between the school and the service areas of Whole Foods Market and CVS Pharmacy to address noise concerns. Demolition of the buildings that were east of Whole Foods occurred during the school’s summer break in 2022. Among the buildings that came down was the one that was the longtime home to Andre’s Italian Restaurant, which has since reopened at 5400 Wilshire Blvd., in the historic Dominguez Building in the Miracle Mile.

MARCH EVENTS

GOV. GAVIN NEW-

Mummies

(Continued from Page 1)

doctors to see inside the specimens, just like a patient. Summer Decker, Ph.D., 3-D imaging lead for Keck Medicine of USC, said about one of the Egyptian mummies, 3

SOME will discuss his book, “Young Man in a Hurry” at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. 8th St., on Tues., March 3 at 7 pm. The Ebell of L.A. and Writers Bloc co-host the event. For tickets call 323-931-1277.

CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH with Victorian charm at the Grier-Musser Museum, built in 1898. Collections showcase suffragettes Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton as well as women such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Julia Morgan, the architect of Hearst Castle. Grier-Musser is at 403 S. Bonnie Brae St. For reservations, call 213-4131814.

FIRST FRIDAYS celebrates its 20th anniversary season with an evening of science, music, cocktails, and lively discussion of the vibrant life of cities and the people and other species who inhabit them, at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., on March 6, April 3 and May 1, from 6 to 10 p.m. General admission is $30. Visit nhm.org.

LOS ANGELES MARATHON takes off on Sun., March 8, at 7 a.m. from Dodger Stadium. Named Stadium to the Stars, the 26.2-mile course passes iconic landmarks on its way to the finish line on Santa Monica Boulevard at Avenue of the Stars. A 5K and other events are planned from Fri., March 6-8. To register and more information, visit mccourtfoundation.org.

the stage with the Iranshahr Orchestra conducted by Shahab Paranj. Visit farhang.org for tickets and more information.

KCRW’s PIEFEST is on (what else, but) Pi Day, Sat., March 14, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Autry Museum of the American West. KCRW’s Good Food host Evan Kleiman will host the event, which features a pie contest, live music, and a marketplace with food trucks, baking demos, and a beer garden. Celebrity judges include Will Ferrell. Free, but RSVP required for entry. Visit kcrw. com. The Autry is in Griffith Park at 4700 Western Heritage Way; theautry.org.

ITALIAN MANDOLIN SHOW with Johnny Mandolin, who will perform Italian and Italian American favorites and music of the Great American Songbook, is at the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, 664 N. Main St., Sat., March 14 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. Visit iamla.org.

LUCK OF THE IRISH and lots of good eats and fun will be served at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration Tues., March 17 at the Original Farmers Market, including traditional Irish food and live music, green beer, and more. All day. The Original Farmers Market is at 6333 W. Third St.

COOLEST IN LA. Climate Resolve will host a night of camaraderie, purpose, and

hope at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Honorees include Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan, 55th District. The event is Fri., March 20 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the NHM, 900 Exposition Blvd. Tickets are $350. Visit coolestinla.org.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LOS ANGELES turns

“There are holes in the vertebrae that look man-made. This could be surgical intervention for a bad back—the same injuries humans are experiencing 2,000 years later.”

The exhibit is a timed and ticketed event. Tickets are

$23.95 for adults; $15.95 for children. There is also a documentary IMAX movie, “Mummies 3D,” that accompanies the exhibit for an additional $11 for adults; $9 for kids. More information is at californiasciencecenter.

Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association

Serving the Larchmont community between Beverly and Melrose, Arden to Wilton Place

“The objective and purpose of the LVNA has, since 1987, been the preservation and enhancement of our neighborhood.”

ALEXANDRIA HOUSE’s 30th Anniversary WalkA-Thon is Sat., March 21, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Mount St. Mary’s University Doheny Campus, 10 Chester Pl. The event honors the women and families who have rebuilt their lives with the Help of Alexandria House, and the staff, alumni, and volunteers at the transition house who have helped them along the way. To register, visit givebutter.com/ ahwalk2026. 8 14 17 20 21

LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS, a Nowruz concert honoring the voices of Iranians, is on Sun., March 8 at 6 p.m. at Royce Hall, UCLA. The grande dame of Iranian classical music, Parissa, and award-winning soprano Golda Zahra will take

100 this year and is throwing a party to celebrate, Sat., March 21 at the California Club. The JLAA, which has made a home in the Rainey House, at 630 N. Larchmont Blvd., since 1995, will celebrate their 100 years of service at the black-tie optional event at The California Club, 538 S. Flower St. Visit losangeles.jl.org to purchase tickets.

Spring is about to happen. We’ve had an extended practice for it with some warm and beautiful days in February which showcase many of the strengths of our walkable, live/work neighborhood. These are the days in which it seems everyone in Los Angeles is coming to Larchmont Village to enjoy themselves. As always, we all need to strive to be aware of the shared environment, do our best to use the facilities with an eye towards everyone else also using them and be prepared to seek help when people are abusing

The city is now fully engaged in addressing the neighborhood problems stemming from the prostitution corridor on Western Avenue. CD 13, the District Attorney’s Office and the Olympic Division of LAPD are being both responsive AND pro-active in addressing all parts of this unacceptable activity. As part of this, the District Attorney’s Office program “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild” has uncovered a statewide human trafficking agencies leading to hundreds of arrests of perpetrators as well as dozens of

None of this would ever have happened without the very visible work being done by the local neighbors who have taken the initiative to improve

If you’ve read your LVNA email updates or you’re reading this online or even hot off the printing presses, CD 13 has put together a taskforce meeting Thursday, February 19th at 6:00 PM at the LAPD Olympic Community Station (1130 Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006). All are welcome. Up

If you can’t make the meeting and are looking for more details, search “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild” online. There’s been excellent reporting

Larchmont Village is served by two different LAPD Divisions. Wilshire Division serves those locations WEST of Gower, Olympic Division serves

ings are happening regularly. These local volunteer groups in each of our neighborhood’s LAPD areas are an essential communication link between residents, community leaders, and police to discuss crime, safety, and quali-

The meetings are hosted on Zoom and in person at the police station itself. The Olympic Division CPAB meetings are now both on Zoom and in person in their community room at 1130 Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006. It takes place on the first Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. The https://zoom.us/j/99307955868?pwd=a2a8iCwha8HUalhbpoyNrLua6y(https://zoom.us/j/99307955868?pwd=a2a8iCwha8HUalhbpoyN-

The Wilshire Division CPAB meeting takes place on the third Thursday of the month at 6 pm. If you would like to join, please call the Wilshire Community Relations Officer @ 213-473-0200 or email - Wilshirecro@ groups, is putting together a regional Town Hall/Meet The Candidates

This election will greatly affect the future of Los Angeles. The primary is

Although the LVNA is non-partisan and works with every elected official, -

In Larchmont Village there are always new ideas and opportunities to further enhance our quality of life. If you have an idea or project on which exactly the right combination of interest and knowledge to help you get it off the ground. The solution to the problems of our community comes from participating, working together and making our voices heard. Reach

You can write to the LVNA at: Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association 325 North Larchmont #294 Los Angeles, CA 90004

You can email the general LVNA box at lvna90004@gmail.com or President Charles D’Atri at lvgwnc@gmail.com

Section Two

March 2026

Super Bowl violinist

Local musician went to the Bay Area to perform with Bad Bunny in the Super Bowl halftime show. Page 10

Monastery news

Homeboy founder

Father Boyle will serve pumpkin bread, candy, and souls in the Hollywood Hills. Page 13

After 16 years, Guzin steps down as WSA president; Greenman elected

By Helene Seifer

Windsor Square Association President Larry Guzin’s last meeting after serving on the board for 22 years—the last 16 as president—was Sat., Feb. 28. The board unanimously elected Vice President Jason Greenman as the new president. He has enormous shoes to fill.

Guzin, a former deputy and assistant city attorney, was in private practice as a trial lawyer when he joined the WSA board as public safety committee chair. “The experience I had with the city was a natural fit. I had dealt with law enforcement. Addressing public safety issues is agenda number one.”

John Welborne, who joined the WSA Board in 1978 and is vice president of its landuse committee, noted, “Larry encouraged a good relationship with LAPD and senior lead officers and organized recognition of them when they retired. He had a very good relationship with City Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martínez and others before. That takes time and effort.”

“For a civic organization the main objective is to encourage connections between people who have something

in common as residents of the neighborhood and foster connection between residents, law enforcement, government officials, and the like,”Guzin said.

Guzin enjoyed great success over the course of his term, as enumerated by President Greenman. “He accomplished a tremendous number of things. He was intimately involved with the establishment of the Windsor Square Historic Preservation Overlay Zone and the Park Mile Plan. He’s done tons of stuff on emergency preparedness [such as encouraging] water barrels stored in people’s houses or backyards. He put that together at a low cost for people in the neighborhood. The community planted over 900 street trees around Windsor Square; the canopy is denser than ever before. [Larchmont Boulevard] medians from Third to First

streets are all paid for by the Windsor Square Association. He’s been a tireless advocate for trees on Larchmont.”

It is well known that from a hilltop vantage point the Windsor Square-Hancock Park neighborhood stands out as a green oasis in the city. Guzin has actively worked to maintain that, not just by adding to the tree canopy, but in working to add greenery wherever possible, including the planting and refurbishing of the Norton triangle, a former dirt-and weed-choked traffic island where Sixth Street and Norton Avenue meet.

“I love gardening,” said Guzin, which partially explains his interest in greening the environment. “We have a California native and herb garden in front of our house. Our backyard is completely exotic.” Wendy Guzin, his wife of 25 years, is the lead gardener at home, and their efforts have been rewarded with twice being featured on the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society Garden Tour.

Enjoying the outdoors is a related passion for Guzin. He bicycled to his law office on Larchmont and to WSA

meetings for 10 years and is an avid hiker, leading Sierra Club hikes for 15 years. He’s trekked in harsher terrain, including through Bhutan’s Chele La Pass in 2010 and mounting the 18,519-foot Kala Patthar summit in the Nepalese Himalayas in 1982.

He’s not above traveling in style, though. Guzin collects Morgans, owning three of the gorgeous handmade British cars, each of which have won first place in car shows. Now that he’s retiring from the WSA, there will probably be more time for long scenic drives in one of those beauties, with Wendy and daughter Zoë (when she’s not studying at Bard College or spending a semester abroad in Barcelona) along for the ride.

When asked why he’s retiring now, Guzin explained,

“I’ve tried to focus my motivation on doing my best for Windsor Square. There are good people on the board and new people could take it in a new direction, maybe in a better direction. I still have just as much affection for the neighborhood, but this is a fresh start for them. Let them change things.”

“He’s a really solid guy,” Greenman summarized. “He’s going to leave a big hole in the community.”

A hole Greenman is prepared to tackle. Greenman’s first act as president was to ask board members to suggest new initiatives for the WSA to consider adopting, but he also intends to build upon the accomplishments of his predecessor.

The semi-retired technology executive and consultant has lived in Windsor Square with his wife, Jeanne Williams, for over 25 years, and they raised their two children there.

A fervent outdoorsman, mountaineer, and hiker who has summited Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Whitney, among others, Greenman echoes Guzin’s commitment to greening Windsor Square

(Please

Former Chronicle School News reporter became best-selling author

By Jim Buckley

To all those smiling faces in the School News columns of the Chronicle: Keep up the good work! It can really pay off!

I was one of those faces back in 1974 to ’77, writing about the happenings at John Burroughs Junior High and later Loyola High School. And I’ve kept typing ever since.

My words (and picture!) in the Larchmont Chronicle kicked off what has become a 40-year career in publishing and has taken me from working at the old Baskin-Robbins [on Larchmont Boulevard] to years at Sports Illustrated and the National Football League. Writing for the Chronicle got me started in journalism and nonfiction.

I’ve now written more than 250 books for kids—and former kids—on a wide range of topics (though, admittedly, mostly sports). The most famous books I’ve written (under my fancy author name, James Buckley Jr.) are my 25 titles in the New York Timesbest-selling “Who Was…?” biography series. I’ve also written many books for Scholastic, as well as DK Publishing, National Geographic Kids, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as graphic work including the “Show Me History!”

So as I caught up on the news from my old nabe, I was so pleased to see that the Chronicle: A) remains alive and in print; and B) continues to offer young people the same chance I got lo, those many moons ago—the opportunity to share a true story of their lives and their school with their community.

Sadly, that is an opportunity that is vanishing almost daily in a truth-starved world. Journalism is not really a solid career path anymore. I was very lucky to come along when I did, but the writing lives of the current Chronicle crew will be very different.

series. I’ve been busy, thank goodness. (Ask for them all at Chevalier’s, of course!)

I recently saw an issue of the Chronicle during a visit to my sister, Annie, who now lives on Larchmont Boulevard! She moved there last year, 50 years since our family arrived on Lucerne Boulevard from far-off New Jersey. (In fact, Annie and my other siblings, Tom and Alicia, also worked at B-R!)

For anyone still around from back then, I now live in Santa Barbara with my wife, Patty, (our wedding made the Chronicle 33 years ago!) and have two happy, grown-up kids.

However, if they read this, I hope they will remain true

SCHOOL NEWS

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE

Reece

Bagley 6th Grade

to the truth. Facts mattered when I was 12, and they still matter today. My work has always been telling true stories, a skill I first learned working under the legendary Jane Gilman. (And in another lesson for today’s kids, I got the gig because my mom was pals with Jane. Then, as now, connections matter.)

When I give talks to classrooms about life as an author, I always point to seeing my name, photo, and words in these pages as the start of a wonderful, enriching, challenging, and rewarding life in print. So, keep up the good work, young typists. And thanks again to the Larchmont Chronicle for getting me started.

At Hollywood Schoolhouse, the administrators strive to create an enjoyable environment for the students. Throughout the year, there are many ways that they do this, including the annual Dream Week, which falls during the last week of

school before spring break. During Dream Week, loads of team-building, educational, and inspiring activities take place, and students are always looking forward to this time. Throughout this week, students who are not in the musical have the opportunity to take a small break from regular classes and enjoy captivating learning experiences centered around an engaging theme. Then, on the last day, the 6th grade students play against the staff in a sport of the 6th graders’ choosing. Nonetheless, Dream Week is an incredible opportunity to make learning exciting.

So far, Buckley’s second semester has been off to such a great start! We have had many exciting schoolwide events so far, and our athletic teams have made great strides. Just recently, we had our student showcase, where Griffins across grade levels could show off their artistic contributions or talents to the entire school. Additionally,

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(Continued from Page 3)

much of the school came together to watch the boys basketball senior night, a huge win against our rival North Hollywood, qualifying the basketball team for CIF Playoffs. Additionally, our boys’ and girls’ soccer teams will play their first playoff game, following largely successful seasons. After our community service fair in mid-January, upper school students have been working hard to put together service projects and serve our community. With events such as Big Red Day, our pep rally, and our Black History Month assembly coming up, there is also much to look forward to!

FAIRFAX HIGH

Joyce Kang 12th Grade

Fairfax High School will be hosting our Community Movie Night

Wed., March 25, open to all members of the public!

The movie will be played in the school gym, where popcorn and more snacks will be sold. On Mon., March 16, through Fri., March 20, Fairfax Lions will be celebrating our school’s diverse student body during Multicultural Week with festive events and spirit days. On Fri., March 20, Fairfax’s various clubs, including KIWIN’s, Latino Student Union, and more, will be selling food and snacks representing their culture with great pride. Finally, Fairfax Students Run LA will be running the L.A. Marathon all the way from Dodger Stadium to Century City on Sun., March 8!

LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE LOS ANGELES

Cielle Khoury 7th Grade

At our school, we are lucky to learn in a rich environment where knowledge and communication really matter.

Reading and speaking in front of an audience are important skills, and this year’s Eloquence Contest proved it once again. High school students impressed everyone with their bilingual speeches on big questions like “Being or Having?” and “Is free will really free?”

Meanwhile, the Middle School proudly completed its yearly Read-A-Thon, raising over $10,000 and meeting amazing authors. We are so proud of Alex

A. and Samuel K., who won first and third place at the Rookly Chess Tournament. Our Model United Nations team traveled to UC Berkeley for BearMUN and came home with six awards! HS Students also pitched their ideas for our annual business challenge, Lycée Start-Up. Stay tuned to see who wins!

Finally, our High School Boys Team won the CIF-Independence League Championship for the second year in a row! Go Lions!

PILGRIM SCHOOL

Jake Pak 10th Grade

We are thrilled to share that the Pilgrim School Varsity Soccer Team has advanced to the CIF playoffs: an incredible accomplishment!

Congratulations to our student athletes and coaches for their hard work, determination, and Panther pride. Go Panthers!

February is a month of meaningful celebration at Pilgrim. We are honoring Black History Month, reflecting on the contributions, resilience, and leadership of Black Americans, while also welcoming the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength, energy, and perseverance.

This month also brings Science Night, an engaging evening for curious minds of all ages. We warmly invite students, families, and community members who share an interest in science to join us for hands-on exploration and discovery.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for Café Barnum on March 6, a beloved Pilgrim tradition. This special evening showcases the many talents of our students, with a fun twist: teachers take the stage too! It’s a joyful celebration of creativity, courage, and community connection that you won’t want to miss.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about joining the Pilgrim School community, please reach out to our Admissions Office at admissions@pilgrim-school.org. We would love to connect with you.

TURNING POINT SCHOOL

Ren Stoppani-Brown 8th Grade

Welcome back to the Turning Point column!

We’re nearing our annual trips for grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. Fifth graders are go-

ing to Catalina, 6th graders are going to Joshua Tree, 7th graders are going to Vancouver, and 8th graders are going to Italy. Before we switched to Italy, we were going to Puerto Rico. In Italy, we’re going to the ruins of Pompeii, having a pizza-making class, and visiting Rome. In Vancouver, 7th graders go snowshoeing, hiking, and tubing. In Joshua Tree, 6th graders go hiking, rock climbing, and scrambling. In Catalina, 5th graders go snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. The entire middle school is excited to travel and open our minds to new experiences.

MARLBOROUGH

Madison McClure 10th Grade

the annual MM Miller Blood Drive, which gives students the chance to donate blood. Simultaneously, the seniors returned to campus after the completion of their Senior Service Project, where they worked within their community during the month of January. On top of that, Loyola’s Composting Program hit a major milestone with the harvesting of its first compost silos.

Loyola had its annual Black History Luncheon featuring Mr. Stephan Faulk on Feb. 20 in Caruso Hall. The school’s basketball and soccer teams will be competing in the CIF playoffs. Finally, registration is now open for Loyola’s gala in March.

will taste delicious.

LARCHMONT CHARTER

LAFAYETTE PARK

Ella Wolovitch 10th Grade

Spirit Week was a whirlwind! Every grade really stepped it up this year with their dances. I was insanely impressed; everyone had a good theme and I could tell each grade really gave it their all! Seventh grade got third place for their dance, which hasn’t happened for seven years! The juniors not only got first place but were also named Spirit Week 2026 Champions! As for our sports, our varsity basketball team is on their climb to the top with their D1 CIFSS game, and our Water Polo team is officially league champion.

WINDWARD

LOYOLA HIGH

Thatcher Hartman 11th Grade

Following a relaxing week off from school, the Cubs immediately got back into rhythm, kicking off with

Lucy Margolis 10th Grade Spirit Week was a success, adding some energy to an otherwise typical week on campus. Film 4 Honors students took a field trip to the Sundance Film Festival, giving them the opportunity to experience a major film event firsthand. The Windward cafeteria introduced an update to their offerings. Fruit cups, featuring options like cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, and grapes, have, until recently, excluded orange slices. Though minor, the change is in some ways monumental; offering a tangy experience which other fruits lack. This addition has proven its worthiness as oranges remain an undoubtedly reliable fruit. No longer will a squishy grape or funky piece of cantaloupe ruin the day, since students can now confidently buy a fruit cup they are certain

Recently at LFP, there has been lots of excitement. As Valentine’s passed, there were lots of fun events! On Feb. 11 there was a Valentine’s fest in collaboration with Pilgrim High School. Clubs hosted booths with food, crafts, and games. Students filled the event with energy, and love was in the air as Valentine’s Day approached. Candy grams were sold and distributed, adding a bit of sweetness to students’ day. As spring break slowly approaches, students grow excited and continue working hard to end the quarter strong. Girls Build continues to prepare for the assembly that they will host later this month.

IMMACULATE HEART

Madison Dang 11th Grade Students recently rolled into the “Upside Down” with members of the junior class for a night of roller skating and 1980s fun. Each year, the juniors host a themed fundraiser at the historic Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale to raise money for Immaculate Heart’s Prom. For this year’s fundraiser, the juniors chose the popular television series “Stranger Things” as the theme, which fit perfectly with

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(Continued from Page 5) the rink’s iconic retro ambience. Students had the opportunity to dress up as their favorite characters or go all out in ’80s apparel. Additionally, the vibrant decorations and nostalgic music put together by the junior board ensured that students were truly transported back in time. Overall, this year’s fundraiser at the Moonlight Rollerway was a success in executing the theme and guaranteeing a memorable outing for everyone.

PAGE ACADEMY

Naya Savodivker 6th Grade

Hello Larchmont neighbors!

February was an exciting month at Page Academy. We kicked things off with a field trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific, where students explored marine life and had an unforgettable experience. We also celebrated Valentine’s Day with a pancake breakfast for our families and a festive free dress day filled with red, pink, purple, and white. In honor of Black History Month, students completed meaningful projects recognizing influential Black and African Americans, and during Dental Health Month, they learned about the importance of oral hygiene.

On Mon., March 2 we will celebrate Read Across America Day with pajamas and book sharing. We are also looking forward to Bloom with Page Academy on Sat., March 7 and our fun-filled spring activities

before spring break.

THIRD STREET ELEMENTARY

Evelyn Abrams 5th Grade

school at the regionals!

Hello Larchmont! Our PTA Reflections Assembly takes place this month. Everyone that participated in the Reflections Program will be recognized in front of the whole school and we will hear who moves on to the next round. There is a community campus clean up March 21 to keep our school clean and free of litter. Third Street Open House is coming up on Wed., March 25, where parents can see their children’s work. The garden committee (student and teacher volunteers) will begin the spring planting and students can learn more about biology. At the very end of March, we have our Spring Break from Mon., March 30 to Fri., April 3. That week, our school is open for Got Game for spring break camp with fun games!

BRISKIN ELEMENTARY

Emme Feldsher Goldberg 6th Grade

Our 100th day of school is fast approaching, which we will celebrate by dressing up like we are 100 years old. Check out the school’s Instagram stories for the amazing photos!

Our 2nd graders are studying Change Makers—amazing historical figures who inspired others and made a difference. And this month, in honor of Black History Month, our students have been learning about four remarkable African American inventors and their contributions to the world. Benjamin Banneker was a self-taught mathematician and astronomer who created the first wooden clock and predicted a solar eclipse. He was an abolitionist who, in his writings to Thomas Jefferson, denounced slavery and advocated for racial equality. George Washington Carver was an agricultural chemist who made innovations with crops like peanuts and sweet potatoes and transformed farming; Sarah E. Goode was an early entrepreneur who invented the folding cabinet bed, an early precursor to the modern Murphy bed; and Dr. Patricia Bath’s groundbreaking laser eye surgery improved vision for thousands of people with cataracts.

perform a Purim Spiel, a funny version of the Megillah reading, in the Book of Esther.

And we will celebrate March Madness on Thu., March 19, by dressing up in our favorite sports gear—mine, of course, is my Briskin basketball uniform. Go Bears!

As you can tell, we really like to dress up at Briskin!

CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION

Hugo Payne 5th Grade

As an elementary school, The Center for Early Education has been fortunate enough to have a debate program for over 15 years.

In December, the debate team took part in the first tournament of the school year alongside eight other local schools. The topics

we debated were: zoos do more harm than good; the US should lower the voting age to 16; and high-school tackle football should be banned. The Center team took home three speaker awards, including the gavel for best debater. It was quite a success!

Tragically, our beloved debate coach, Krikor Kouyoumdjian, who started the program at CEE, passed away recently.  An attorney by profession, he was always inspiring, funny, and warm. He devoted so much of his time to the program that he would close his practice early one day each week so he could still coach us. Year after year, students who were hesitant to join debate were persuaded by Krikor’s infectious smile, kind and welcoming demeanor, and unwavering support. Krikor’s extraordinary legacy will live on in the CEE debate program and within the generations of students he coached forever.

Enjoy our weather and your park

Time keeps flying by at Briskin as we head into March! We concluded our all-school Scripps Spelling Bee in early February. Congratulations to all the participants, and good luck to 4th-grade student Ben M. and 6th-grade student Alex K.J., who will go on to represent our

Our parents just held their annual Parents’ Night Out fundraiser at the Short Stories Hotel near The Grove. They had a great time enjoying the community and supporting the school with a fun silent auction.

We continue to give back at Briskin by participating in the Hollywood Food Coalition’s Sack Lunch Collection.

We are currently getting ready for Purim. We will celebrate by having a carnival, dressing up in costumes, sharing treats, and watching the 6th graders

March is here and Angelenos are slowly tiptoeing into spring. Get outside into your backyard of 4,300 acres! Yes, that park which is yours called Griffith Park. There is so much fun to be had for the whole family.

Take a hike on Fern Dell Nature Trail and end up at the Griffith Observatory which is free to enter. Splurge on a ticket and lay back in the darkened theater to watch a planetarium show.

Or plan a longer hike and gaze out at the Verdugo Mountains to the east finally ending up close to the Hollywood sign for maybe a photo.

Have you been to the Bronson Caves where the 1966 “Batman” series was filmed?

It’s a short hike from the park entrance at Canyon Drive. There are guided horse back rides, Travel Town for train buffs, an excellent zoo, and even a playground—Shane’s Inspiration Playground— which is designed to be accessible for children with disabilities.

Lucky we are here is L.A. Enjoy our amazing city.

Rookie robotics team to join LAUSD league

By Nona Sue Friedman

Three rookie robotics teams in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades at Larchmont Charter School made a standout debut at the recent VEX IQ competition at Magnolia Science Academy.

Each team had to complete a working robot to enter the competition.

Although Larchmont yielded no winners, the teams made an impressive first showing. Los Angeles Unified School District invited Larchmont Charter’s team to join their league. Head Coach Bay Kobe said in an email, “This cements a path for next year’s team to compete with local teams and claim a spot in the state finals. The future of this program at Larchmont is very bright.”

The initial funds for the pro-

LARCHMONT CHARTER COMPETITORS work with their robot during the VEX IQ competition. Standing (from left) are fifth-graders Georgie Nash-Smith and Coco Seroussi. Fourth-grader Maria Kimpo is seated.

gram were secured by a grant from Google. According to Coach Kobe, Google was so impressed with the team’s performance this year that they offered Larchmont Charter a second year of assistance.

Lo receives Congress’ highest award for youth

By Suzan Filipek

Windsor Village resident Joshua Lo has been honored with the U.S. Congress’ highest honor for youth—the Gold Medal.

“We commend your willingness to give of yourself to voluntarily help others in the community and your achievements in personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration,” Congressional Award National Board of Directors Chairman Shawn Whitman stated in a letter last month.

An annual celebration to honor the recipients will be held in the summer.

A Larchmont Charter High student, Lo is senior patrol leader at Troop 43 of Hollywood. As part of his Eagle Scout project he is creating emergency bags for families who are displaced by natural disasters such as fires or earthquakes.

Lo attended Third Street and Wonderland elementary

schools, as well as Christ the King.

He is president of the Rotary Interact Club in Koreatown.

“Consequently, it is very likely that the local community has bought Girl Scout Cookies and/or popcorn from Joshua and his sister over the years, as they sold over 5,000 boxes,” his proud father, Andrew Lo, told us.

The elder Lo also sent us a photo of his son with the “late, great Mrs. Plotke, of Plotke Plumbing, his sponsor in Boy Scouts, wearing a T-shirt Joshua designed while a member of Troop 621.”

As a young Scout he also dressed the meters on Larchmont Boulevard to look like candy canes for many years.

Lo began as a cub at Troop 621, and where he remained until it was dissolved. He joined Troop 43 when it was established in 2024.

Lo has also been a member of SAG/AFTRA and dancer at Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Ed Krupp, director of Griffith Observatory since 1974, has been honored with the 2026 American Astronomical Society Education Prize. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to public education and the next generation of astronomers.

Krupp has captivated observatory visitors and L.A. school students for decades with exhibits and planetary shows. He is recognized for a lifetime of accomplishment, having educated thousands of visitors and authored articles, papers, and books on astronomy.

Total lunar eclilpse

Watch a total lunar eclipse—when the round

disk of the full moon will be shadowed by the earth—live from a broadcast by Griffith Observatory on Tues., March 3 between midnight to dawn.

This rare astronomical phenomenon can be viewed in real time, from 12:37 a.m. to 6:25 a.m. PST. The observatory, which is hosting the onine broadcast, will not be open or conducting public viewing. The broadcast will be available weather permitting.

The total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly in to the dark inner shadow cast by the earth. If skies are clear, the eclipse will be visible in Southern California. It is safe to view without eye protection and you don’t need a telescope. Just go out-

side nad look to thesouthwest, according to the Griffith Park Observatory website.

The Griffith Observatory is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free. Groups may visit without reservation.

Visit griffithobservatory.org to watch and for more information.

Who ever said L.A. doesn’t have weather? Meet our Santa Ana winds

By H. Hutcheson

The Santa Ana winds are a weather phenomenon unique to Southern California, just as the nor’easters are to the upper East Coast, tropical cyclones are to Florida, and tornados are to the Midwest.

We are a city encircled by the Transverse Ranges, with the San Gabriel Mountains in the northeast, the Santa Susana in the northwest, the Verdugo Mountains in the north, Puente and San Jose Hills in the east, and the Santa Ana Mountains in the southeast. They protect us from the cold continental air masses and freezing desert temperatures. This wall of mountains, along with the mild temperatures of the Pacific Ocean, gift L.A. a Mediterranean climate. Angelenos stand in T-shirts and shorts while they marvel at the snow-covered San Gabriel Mountains in winter. It’s the Cajon Pass that funnels in our Santa Ana winds.

Dr. Janine A. Baijnath-Rodino, UCLA professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences and director of meteorology, offered the science on where these mostly winter winds generate from: “Santa Ana winds often occur in Southern California during the cold season, from September through May. Air descends the mountains of Southern California [through the Cajon Pass] and brings warm, dry, strong winds—a key factor in fire weather during this time. The winds increase oxygen, which feeds flames, causing fires to grow more intense and spread more rapidly.

“To understand how Santa Ana winds work, we need to understand three main factors: pressure, temperature, and humidity.

“When it comes to pressure and wind dynamics, we need to zoom out from the earth (1,000 to 10,000 km) and look at the bigger weather systems that meteorologists refer to as the ‘synoptic scale.’ At this spatial scale, we can look at regions of high and low pressure.

“During the cold months, high pressure is situated in the Great Basins near Nevada, while low pressure is off the coast of California. Surface pressure is the force of air over a given region. A region of high pressure means that there is greater force of air in that region (think of it as air molecules colliding with the surface), compared to a region of low pressure, where there are less air molecules colliding with the surface.

“High pressure is associated with sinking air, spinning in a clockwise direction, while low pressure is associated with rising air, spinning in a counterclockwise direction.

“Cold, dense air tends to

UCLA Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Director of Meteorology

Dr. Janine A. Baijnath-Rodino.

sink and produce higher pressure at the surface. In the winter, this high pressure is seen over the Great Basins and high deserts. At the same time, the ocean temperatures are relatively warmer, and the air will want to rise, producing a region of lower pressure just off California’s coast.

“Naturally, Earth wants to be in a state of equilibrium, so air will move from a region of high pressure to low pressure. [More relevant topics including Coriolis force, pressure gradient force, and friction are explained on her YouTube channel, @jibber JABR!].

“Over the Great Basin, that air mass is dry and doesn’t hold a lot of moisture. As this cold, dry air mass moves from high pressure (Great Basins) toward low pressure (toward California’s coast), it descends the complex mountain ranges in California.

“That sinking air mass undergoes what meteorologists call adiabatic warming. This is a thermodynamic process where the air mass does not exchange heat with the surroundings but will warm up because the air compresses.  What is happening is that the air mass is compressed by the surrounding greater atmospheric pressure.  When the air mass compresses, the pressure inside the air increases, thereby increasing the temperature in the air mass— warm winds form.

“One other characteristic of the Santa Ana winds is the increased dryness that occurs as it descends the mountains (called saturation vapor pressure).

“Warmer air has a greater saturation vapor pressure (it can hold more water than cold air). Therefore, during a Santa Ana wind event, when the air compresses and warms adiabatically, but no more water vapor is added or removed, the air mass will naturally become drier.  This is why Santa Ana winds can be dangerous—they enhance the warming and dryness of the air, which can be detrimental during wildfire season.”

So, how is one lured into this world of science? Dr. Baijnath-Rodino said, “When I was 4, I moved from Guy-

ana, a warm tropical country in South America, to Ontario Canada, a cold, snowy climate heavily influenced by the Laurentian freshwater Great Lakes. The Great Lakes were snow machines during the early winter months. The relatively warm lake waters and the cold arctic air mass above, mixed to produce blizzards and snowstorms, called lake effect snowfall, that inundated cities along the leeward side of the Great Lakes.

“While pursuing my master’s and Ph.D., I was also a television meteorologist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I quickly realized how challenging it was to forecast these snowstorms and the limitations with weather models (what we call numerical weather prediction models). This challenge helped motivate my Ph.D. research in understanding the climatological and meteorological factors influencing lake-effect snowfall.

“When I moved to California, I found it funny when some of the locals had never heard about freezing rain but were very comfortable living among wildfires. I still study the physics of the atmosphere but apply it to wildfire dynamics.”

Not everyone in SoCal en-

Larry Guzin

(Continued from Page 2) and its environs. “It’s a special place,” he stated. “I’m a frequent hiker in the hills and one of my favorite things is to look down and see how green it is. The community landscape is an important thing we do.”

Guzin reiterated his faith in Greenman’s leadership now that the latter has assumed the presidential mantle. “Of course I’m going to make myself available to Jason for anything he needs, but I don’t think he needs it.”

joys what some refer to as devil winds (a common phrase referring to our winds, possibly made from the portmanteau of Santa Anas, Santanas— bearing a resemblance to “Satan”). They can fuel fires and ignite allergies. Others look forward to the warm, clear, star-filled nights these winds bring. But without the ring of mountains that surround L.A. (which funnel in these warm,

dry winds), we would have a climate more like San Francisco—lots of cold marine coastal fog. Don’t forget the phrase, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” So don’t fight the winds—adjust your sails! You can watch Baijnath-Rodino’s science show at linktr.ee/jibberjabr, or on youtube.com/watch?v=BHoBU1JcSmQ.

Single-family homes

Imelda Marcos’ and Plath’s complicated stories are just

The Mark Taper Forum’s Here Lies Love, and the Geffen Playhouse’s Sylvia, Sylvia, Sylvia focus on strong women with contested legacies: Former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos and writer Sylvia Plath, respectively. The fact that neither script is completely successful only complicates their stories.

The Taper has made an allout effort to embrace the L.A. Filipino community (one of the largest in the world) and tackle—in its program notes, on-screen projections, and pre-show statements—the complex history and relationship of America and the Philippines.

But “Here Lies Love,” by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, can’t bear the weight of its own political ambitions and can’t make up its mind how it feels about Marcos.

For the first hour of the 90-minute high-voltage musical, we get Marcos’ ragsto-riches story, sung (there is no dialogue) in brief vignettes

to music that blurs together over convulsive beats. Are we supposed to applaud Marcos’ grit? Cheer as she climbs to power? Feel sorry when she is run out of the country (with 9,000 pairs of shoes and $5 billion stashed away)? In the end, we care more about Ninoy Aquino, the assassinated opposition leader. Ninoy’s mother’s sung eulogy and “the people’s” anthem of protest and solidarity in the play’s last half hour are the best things in it (no fault of any of the performers, especially Reanne Acasio as Marcos). We feel like we’ve spent an hour with the wrong people.

“Here Lies Love” has been around for over a decade, in workshops, concert versions, and previous productions. You would think that someone would have figured out what they were trying to say

and why they were trying to say it by now. (To Sun., April 5; 213-628-2772; centertheatregroup.org)

In the world premiere of Beth Hyland’s play, ghosts of Syvia Plath and her husband, Ted Hughes, haunt the Boston apartment they once lived in, now occupied by young husband and wife novelists, who are (a) at different stages of their careers; (b) grieving a lost baby; (c) unable to talk to each other any more. Plath is channeled to inspire the young wife as she struggles with her second novel. Hubby is concerned, but not enough to turn down a plum job at Columbia. I still don’t know what Hughes was doing. Plath has always been problematic for feminists and literary critics. Hughes was rightly castigated for his domestic violence towards her and for destroying her diaries after her suicide. But he also did much to preserve her legacy and advance her poems. I’m not sure what kind

of inspiration the younger novelists are seeking, but it’s actually hard to believe they have anything of consequence to say in their writing. The play finally ends with a rambling “I’m okay” monologue by the young wife, accepting her fate as a one-book wonder. Plath would not be pleased. (To Sun., March 8; 310-2082028; geffenplayhouse.com. What to watch for Three Arthur Miller classics are on this spring: All My Sons at the Anteus Company to Mon., March 30, 818-506;1983, tickets@anteus.org; The Price at Pacific Resident Theatre, Sat., Feb. 28, to Sun., April 12, 310-8228392; Death of a Salesman at A Noise Within, Sat., March 28, through Sun., April 19, 626-356-3100, anoisewithin. org.

Company of Angeles premieres Red Harlem, about the Soviet Union courting Black American actors during the Depression to Sun., March 15; 323-475-8814; companyofan-

Exhibits to celebrate architect Paul Williams

The late Black American architect Paul R. Williams will be celebrated in a series of exhibits at three major Los Angeles museums, beginning in August, 2026.

The coordinated effort will feature the life and work of the groundbreaking architect (1894-1980), who helped design the LAX Theme Building and The Beverly Hills Hotel, yet was underappreciated in his lifetime.

“An Architect Considered” will open Tues., Aug. 18, at the USC Fisher Museum of Art and continue through March 13, 2027.

“Architect for Living” is at LACMA Sun., Nov. 15 to May 23, 2027, and “Architecture Across the Color Line” comes to the Getty Research Institute, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Sun., Dec. 15, to July 18, 2027.

A civil rights advocat and the first Black architect licensed west of the Mississippi, Williams was also the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects and the first Black architect to be awarded (posthumously) the AIA’s highest honor, the Gold Medal, in 2017.

In Hancock Park

His career spanned six decades, and he designed more than 3,000 projects, some of which were in our local neighborhoods.

Williams’ first house in the community was at 524 Lorraine Blvd. in Windsor Square, built for financier Frederick Leistikow, his wife, Esther, and their five daughters. The Chronicle’s Brian Curran wrote of the house in his On Preservation column in 2021.

“At this house on Lorraine,

Williams eschewed the popular Spanish revival for his version of a pared-down Tudor style, which resulted in a light-filled interior at once traditional yet thoroughly modern. Even as his volume of work increased on the Westside, he regularly returned to projects in Hancock Park, completing over

20 houses, with the last residence finished in 1965 for Edwin Ridgway at 232 Rimpau Blvd.”

The article continued: “Paul Williams himself explained his philosophy to the Los Angeles Times in 1970, saying, “Good design is a pleasing assemblage of parts; and not the assemblage of pleasing parts.”

IKEA is coming to Culver

The first city-center Ikea in Los Angeles is taking over the former HD Buttercup space at the Helms Bakery complex, 3225 Helms Ave., this spring. The 40,000 square foot space will include a café with its famous Swedish meatballs and fully furnished showrooms of kitchens and bathrooms. The exterior of the building will not be Ikea’s signature blue

and will remain its current Art Deco color.

The 11 acre complex is owned by Wally Marks’ family’s real estate company since 1972. Marks is in development of the Mirabel, a mixed-use community on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile. He is also on the board of directors for the Craft Contemporary.

gels.org.

Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents MALICE: Stories of Injustice, a series of monologues inspired by communities affected by ICE. Tues. and Weds., March 10 and 11 only; 310-477-2055, ext. 2; odysseytheatre.com. Fritz Coleman’s one-man show, Unassisted Residency, enters its third year at the El Portal Theatre. Sunday afternoons, monthly beginning March 1 to Nov. 26. Visit elportaltheatre.com/fritzcoleman.html.

‘Cherry Orchard’ and ‘Richard II’ to be performed Feb. 26, Feb. 28

Louis Fantasia will be directing two readings this month: Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard,” and William Shakespeare’s “Richard II.” Both plays will be at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. “The Cherry Orchard” is on Thu., Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. (in Fantasia’s English-language version), and “Richard II” is performed on Sat., Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.  “We have a great ensemble of actors performing both plays,” Fantasia said. “I hope you will be able to join us for either—or both!— readings.” Visit beverlyhills. org/1420/Play-Readings for tickets and more information.

Cars

Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum’s newest exhibit opening Sat., March 14, “A Fast & Furious Legacy, 25 Years of Automotive Icons.” The exhibit features famous cars from films and explores the impact vehicles have had in motion pictures for the last 25 years.

The museum at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. displays over 300 vehicles. Get tickets at petersen.org.

Just for the record—prolific songwriter who’s never been in love

With the Academy Awards just around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at one particular songwriter who just landed her 17th Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. She has been cranking out hit songs since she was in her 20s. If you don’t recognize her name, you’ll certainly recognize the songs she has written.

Her first hit song “Solitaire,” recorded by Laura Branigan, peaked at No. 7 in 1983. After that, there was no stopping this one-woman hit machine. She continued with the family group DeBarge and their No. 3 hit “Rhythm of the Night.” Of her 33 Top 40 hits, which includes nine No. 1s, her most iconic hits are Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” Aerosmith’s sole chart-topper “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” and LeAnn Rimes’ “How Do I Live” (which incidentally broke a record at the

Musical Notes by Steven Housman

time for being the single with the longest chart run on the Billboard Hot 100).

Other monster hits include Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” Michael Bolton’s “Time, Love and Tenderness,” Toni Braxton’s smash hit “Un-Break My Heart” (which spent 11 weeks at No. 1), Roberta Flack and Maxi Priest’s “Set The Night To Music,” Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back,” Christina Aguilera’s “I Turn To You,” Chicago’s “Look Away,” Belinda Carlisle’s “I Get Weak,” and on and on. Not to mention writing songs for such diverse artists as Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton, Gloria Estefan, Heart, Dionne Warwick, Lady Gaga, Eddie Money, Justin Bieber, Patti LaBelle, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, Tom

Jones, Olivia Newton-John, Chaka Khan, Aaron Neville, Debbie Harry, Joe Cocker, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, Wynonna Judd, Rihanna, Elton John, Luther Vandross, Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, Ricky Martin, Dolly Parton and Aretha Franklin. Michael Bolton and Cher alone have recorded dozens of songs by this woman. If you haven’t already guessed the songwriter, it’s none other than Los Angeles native Diane Warren.

Warren’s Oscar nominations began in 1987 with Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” and picked up in the ‘90s with four consecutive nods from 1996 to 1999, as well as three nominations in the 2000s. Beginning in 2017, she has been nominated for a record-breaking nine consecutive years—a record which was previously held by the late, great Sammy Cahn, who had eight consecutive nominations from 1954-61.

Following Cahn’s run, it was almost inconceivable that anyone could break that streak, but here we are.

In 2022, Diane Warren re-

“If you don’t recognize her name, you’ll certainly recognize the songs she has written. ”

ceived an Honorary Academy Award, presented to her by longtime friend Cher. She is also the recipient of a Grammy, an Emmy, two Golden Globes, and three consecutive Billboard Music Awards. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.

In October 2023, “Say Don’t Go,” a song Warren wrote with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in 2013, was released as part of Swift’s album “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Warren’s first Top

10 single in 22 years. Ironically, after writing so many love songs, Warren claims to never have been in love herself. She has never married and has said, “I’ve never been in love like in my songs. I’m not like normal people. I’m no good at relationships. I draw drama to me—it’s the Jew in me.” Warren said she is “autistic and believes being neurodivergent has made her a better songwriter.” This was all on full display in her 2025 documentary “Diane Warren: Relentless,” for which Warren has wrote “Dear Me,” which was recorded by Kesha and has earned the songwriter her 17th Oscar nomination. The documentary features Cher, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Gloria Estefan, Kesha, LeAnn Rimes, and more.

Will Warren finally win?

Tune into the 98th annual Academy Awards on ABC-TV, Sun., March 15, at 4 p.m. to end the suspense.

Ridgewood resident plays violin at Super Bowl halftime show

By Nona Sue Friedman

Lifelong Ridgewood Place resident Edgar Sandoval played his violin at the 60th annual Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny. Sandoval said, “It was an intense experience.”

The 41-year-old musician spent more than a week rehearsing for his one song in the big performance on a stage erected inside the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. After that, Sandoval, as part of a group of primarily Latin string musicians, most of whom hailed from Los Angeles, traveled to the Bay Area and spent nine more days

practicing. Three or four days were spent getting the over 300 performers on and off the field, which he said was one of the hardest parts of the performance—“so many different moving parts.” In fact, the cellos were cut from the act a few days before the show because of logistics.

Each rehearsal day had a different start and end time; and all cast members had to lock their phones in special pouches and sign a nondisclosure agreement before being hired.

HIS COSTUME, Sandoval performed with Bad Bunny during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Being a violinist for almost 30 years, Sandoval has performed with a number of famous artists over the years, including Lady Gaga, who he gave a wave

and a nod to during one of his appearances on stage.

Bad Bunny thanked all the musicians for perform-

ing with him. Regarding the whole experience at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Sandoval said, “It was great!”

March dances! Choose stage over screen with live performances

American Contemporary Ballet will perform the neoclassical work “Balanchine: Twin Masterpieces” to live music, including “Concerto Barocco” and “La Source,” Fri., March 6, through Fri., 27 at Bank of America Plaza, 333 S. Hope Street. ACB Director Lincoln Jones commented on the idea that classical vocabulary might be seen as limiting, and countered, “Here, we see it is the opposite: a tool of infinite creation and timeless beauty.” For more information visit, tickets@acbdances.com. For one performance Sat., March 28, Ballet Hispánico, a New York-based Latino dance company, will stage Bizet’s Carmen at The Soraya on the CSUN campus. “If they are even close to as fan-

tastic as they were last year with Doña Perón, they are not to be missed,” said local choreographer Laurie Sefton of Brookside. For tickets, visit thesoraya.org.

Have you ever watched cells move under a microscope? How they twist, bump, merge, or even devour eachother?

Truly a favorite of children and adults alike are the dancers of Pilobolus, who bring impossible-seeming movement to the stage. “Other Worlds” tours Wed., March 18, and Thur,., March 19, in Santa Barbara, or Wed., March 25 in Irvine. For more information, visit pilobolus.org.

A perfect bracket wins a billion dollars in ‘Medium Rare’

If you know me, you know that I am fully obsessed with college basketball, especially the women’s game. March Madness is my absolute favorite time of year, and I literally plan my schedule around selection Sunday, game tip-off times, and the final four. So, when I first heard about Medium Rare, a story centered on a man who fills out the perfect March Madness bracket, I was immediately excited. The odds of building a perfect bracket are essentially impossible—one in 9.2 quintillion, to be exact!

The premise: The novel by A. Natasha Joukovsky is narrated by Cassandra, a smart D.C. fundraiser who may or may not be something of a modern oracle. Through her

By Wendy Werris

Among the many Starbucks locations that shut down last year was the popular, community-centric store on the corner of Beverly Boulevard and Detroit Street. The longtime staff there was notified by phone just two days before the store was to close.

“I had a great team, and we all took a big hit,” said Jesus Hernandez-Galicia, who had been the shift supervisor at the store for six years.

Little did they know, however, that help was on the way, just four blocks west of the shuttered Starbucks.

Lerida Mojica held the lease on what used to be NY Cake Pops, a store in the mini-mall on Beverly and Poinsettia Place. Mojica had opened the store in 2023 and was successful, but financial issues led her to close.

LIBRARIES

FAIRFAX

161 S. Gardner St. 323-936-6191

JOHN C. FREMONT

6121 Melrose Ave. 323-962-3521 (closed March 2 to April 7*)

MEMORIAL

4625 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-2732 (closed through April 7*)

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.

*For facility upgrades

Katie Urban

Larchmont Bookshelf by

point of view, we meet the main character, Phil Freyton, an unremarkable Washington, D.C., lobbyist with a boring, predictable life and a very pregnant wife, Raleigh, who is just weeks away from giving birth. As March Madness approaches, a publicity-hungry tech billionaire offers a billion-dollar prize to anyone who can submit a perfect National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament bracket. So naturally, Phil, having only a little sports knowledge, decides he’s going to try to win.

As the real-life 2019 men’s

NCAA tournament moves forward, every one of Phil’s picks is correct. Game after game, upset after upset, his bracket remains flawless. Against impossible odds, he becomes the first person in history to complete a perfect bracket, and he claims the billion-dollar prize. But once he wins, his entire life begins to unravel. Now flush with money and sudden fame, Phil begins to see himself as exceptional, and it’s all downhill from there.

The verdict: This novel completely surprised me. Even if you’re a reader who doesn’t like or understand basketball, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Beneath the buzzer-beaters and bracketology lies a fun, layered satire.

The book cleverly reframes

the myth of Icarus in a modern context, exploring what it really means to “fly too close to the sun” in an era of viral fame, political ambition, and billionaire spectacle. There’s so much amazing social com-

mentary here, too, enough to satisfy readers who are Edith Wharton fans, alongside the crazy college basketball junkies like myself.

The combination feels fresh and original. And if you’re a die-hard college basketball fan like I am, this is the perfect read for the day after your team gets knocked out of the big dance, the cure for that March Madness hangover. Mark your calendars now for Selection Sunday (March 15), right after this book publishes on Tue., March 3.

Fun fact: The book follows the real-life 2019 Men’s NCAA Tournament, where the author’s alma mater, the University of Virginia, won the national championship in an unforgettable run.

One door closes and Dura Coffee opens on Beverly Boulevard

Meanwhile, Hernandez-Galicia and Brian Kim, cofounded Dura Coffee cart, which they stocked with coffees and pastries and brought to local farmers’ markets and flea markets. They paid a visit to NY Cake Pops to ask Mojica if they could add her cake pops to their cart. Their instant rapport and shared entrepreneurial spirit led them to open Dura Coffee in Mojica’s store. “We realized that we really wanted to open our own store,” said Hernandez-Galicia. “And this made it possible.” There is a full bakery in the back of the store, Leri Bakes, that allows Mojica to keep making baked goods that the community clamors for.

“We had two weeks to get ready,” Hernandez-Galicia said, laughing. “It was wild. We had to remodel the space, get the equipment, and order the product. We put a rush order in for our sign.” The other tenants in the mall, such as

Kearns’ Market and the Box and Ship store, welcomed Dura and its multicultural staff and customers.

Local resident and customer Tracy Abbott Cook said, “These guys didn’t just make coffee at [Starbucks], they built relationships. You can sense that continuity at Dura. It already feels like it belongs to the neighborhood.”

“We want Dura to be a community centerpiece,” Hernandez-Galicia said.

“There are five cofounders here, and we come from Mexico, Korea, the Philippines, and Central America.”

Leri Bakes is NY Cake Pops’ sister brand and offers baked goods made fresh in-house. Some of the pastries on the menu are inspired Mojica’s background. She hails from Culiacán, Mexico, The store is also planning events, such as jazz nights, baking classes, and more. “We source our coffee from Jetty Coffee, which no one else in the area offers. So break your morning routine—come to Dura!” Hernandez-Galicia said.

Dura Coffee, 7306 Beverly Blvd., 323-507-7244. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Read about the many ways to celebrate LAPL’s 100th year

The Central Library in downtown Los Angeles turns 100 this year. It opened July 1926 and according to its website, “Became an instant architectural icon and guiding light of learning for the City.” There are a multitude of ways the library is celebrating this centennial.

Patrons can apply for a limited-edition library card at any location while supplies last.

Visit Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., to view an assortment of art all related to the library, such as drawings of plans that never came to fruition and artwork that was approved but never made it into the expanded portion of the library in the ’90s.

For true library bookworms, pick up historic card catalog

cards at any location. One can stamp them at a branch or create something of your own with them.

Taking a drive or walk and need some local color? The podcast “Past due: 100 years of Central Library” is acces-

sible on their website at lapl. org. Lastly, the library store has numerous prints celebrating this historic occasion.

Meyer lemons add some spring to this seasonal pasta dish

Welcome to Something’s Cooking, a new monthly food column where I cook with the seasons, letting what’s around us locally guide what ends up on the table.

I’m Jai Dattani. Born and raised in London, I’ve spent the last 12 years living across Australia, Amsterdam, and Mumbai. For nearly five years now, I’ve been proud to call Larchmont home.

For many, cooking is a chore. For me, it’s a creative endeavor. I’m endlessly inspired by the places I’ve lived and traveled, and I like to fold those influences into whatever ingredients are catching my eye, whether at the farmers market or the grocery store. My hope is that this column brings a little inspiration—and a little joy—into your kitchen each month.

As a British native, the idea that this time of year signals

Something’s Cooking by Jai

Dattani

spring still feels slightly absurd, but in Los Angeles, it makes perfect sense. Over the past week, the jasmine in my courtyard has begun to perfume the air in the mornings and early evenings, and it’s given me a noticeable pep in my step. At the market, winter citrus is still going strong with fragrant Meyer lemons, while the first tender zucchinis are starting to appear. This in-between moment, when winter hasn’t quite let go and spring is quietly arriving, is the grounding for my inaugural recipe.

It’s a pasta dish with all the comfort of a risotto but lifted by the brightness of lemon and zucchini. I like to use ditalini, those small O-shaped

tubes that drink up flavor, but orzo works just as well.

Pasta Dish

For an individual portion, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and salt generously.

In a large, wide-bottomed pan, sweat one diced white onion with a heavy pinch of salt in a generous glug of olive oil over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until soft and translucent but not colored.

Add the zest of one Meyer lemon and two cloves of garlic, minced, stirring briefly until the garlic loses its raw edge.

Add one can of Great Northern beans, liquid and all, followed by a full can of water and one teaspoon of Better Than Bouillon stock paste. I prefer the roasted vegetable version, but any variety will work. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

While that cooks, add about 150 grams of ditalini or orzo

to the boiling water. Cook it for roughly 30% less time than the package instructions. For me, that was six minutes.

Meanwhile, chop six baby zucchinis, or two regular-sized ones, into small chunks, slightly larger than the beans. Add them to the pan along with three stems of Tuscan kale, cut down the center and sliced into thin strips. Keeping everything a similar size helps it cook

evenly.

When the pasta timer goes off, reserve one cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the beans and vegetables. Add about one-half cup of the reserved pasta water and simmer for four minutes, adding a little more as needed. You’re aiming for a consistency that’s looser than a sauce but not quite soup.

Remove from the heat and add the juice of the lemon used earlier, along with a generous grind of black pepper. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Finish with a generous grating of Parmesan.

Serve with a good hunk of crusty bread, Parmesan, and a drizzle of chili oil.

It’s the kind of dish that feels grounding yet hopeful, much like this time of year. I’ll see you next month.

Colors of St. Patrick’s Day are not always green—try blue!

By Helene Seifer

St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17 every year, marking the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isle. Judging from the hordes of bar-hoppers gulping pints of Guinness and downing corned beef sandwiches on that day, many have forgotten the holiday’s religious roots, but even the revelry is based on Christian tenets. St. Patrick’s Day falls during Lent, a time of reflection, charity, and the tradition of denying certain foods in the 40 days before Easter. However, even the church supports celebrating the beloved St. Patrick, so all bets are off on his day. Eat, drink, and be merry—and by all means, wear green.

SLEEPING ST. PATRICK, in blue (middle panel), Armagh Roman Catholic Cathedral, circa 1879, Northern Ireland. © Andreas F. Borchert, Creative Commons

The symbolism of green There are multiple reasons green is associated with St. Patrick’s Day. The lushness of Ireland’s landscape led to the

moniker the Emerald Isle, a phrase first used in the 1795 poem “When Erin First Rose” by William Drennan. The tri-colored Irish flag’s green band represents the Catholic population. The flag also includes orange for Protestants (referencing William of Orange, who brought Protestantism to the country when he ascended to the British throne after defeating Catholic King James II in 1690) and white for the hope of peaceful coexistence between the religious factions. In Irish folklore, it is said that wearing green renders one invisible to the impish leprechauns, who pinch anyone they can see. Particularly germane, when St. Patrick traveled throughout the island spreading Christi-

anity, he is said to have used the common green three-leaf clover to illustrate the concept of the Holy Trinity. St. Patrick’s blue

The earliest depictions of St. Patrick draped him in blue, not green. A French 13th-century illumination from “Legenda Aurea” in the collection of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens depicts him in a flowing blue cassock. Ireland’s Armagh Roman Catholic Cathedral’s stained glass shows St. Bernignus placing flowers on a sleeping blue-robed St. Patrick. He’s also wearing blue in a stained glass portrait above the altar in Northern Island’s Saul Church, built in 1932 on the site where St. Patrick established the first Christian

church in Ireland in 432 A.D., and where he subsequently died, it is thought, in 461 A.D. A particular shade of azure became known as St. Patrick’s blue. When Henry VIII became Ireland’s first king in 1509, he designed a coat of arms for his new kingdom—a gold harp, long a symbol of Ireland, floating on a St. Patrick’s blue field.

It wasn’t until the Irish Rebellion in 1798 that the blue of their patron saint became overshadowed by its association with British dominance, and green, suddenly a symbol of Irish autonomy, became the favored color.

This year on St. Patrick’s Day, in deference to the authentic history, maybe eat, drink, and be merry—and wear blue!

Connect with the garden and neighbors by growing tomatoes

By H. Hutcheson

Remember last summer’s crop of homegrown tomatoes? You wander outside, the morning is already heating up, and you see your tomato plant—bright green fuzzy leaves with full red globes. You twist off a deep red Cherry 100 because you can’t wait, as you imagine sweetness, acidity, and savory notes bursting in your mouth. Can you smell the fresh green scent of the leaf on your fingertips?

Well, it’s that time of year again. Time to plant your seeds and nurture your seedlings! Here are some March events coming up to get you started.

Look out for Alex Gasperik, better known as “the Tomato Kid of Brookside,” who will be showing up at the Larchmont Farmers’ Market come March.

“My tomatoes are already in their little pots. It looks like I’ll have 200 to 300 plants for sale, all heirloom varieties,” said Gasperik.

One might choose his Carmello variety (great for

sauces), or the Cherokee Purple, said to be rich and sweet, or a Green Grape variety—”tangy and great for snacking,” he said. All of Gasperik’s tomatoes are organic.

“I use the compost pile in my family’s backyard to grow them,” he explains.

Gasperik, not a kid at all anymore at 25, is taking orders from his Tomato 2026 menu through email. He said, “I deliver the plants to neighbors by car—no longer by milk crate attached to my bicycle, like when I was 10”—the age he started his business.

MORNING DELIGHT, the sweet Cherry 100s.

When not cultivating tomatoes, Gasperik teaches Lego robotics and Minecraft coding to children in after school programs.

To view Gasperik’s tomato menu or for more information contact him at tomatokid@ att.net.

• • • Tomatomania, a tomato lovers event started in the 1990s by Scott Daigre, will be holding a two-day sale at Anawalt

Lumber Hollywood, 1001 North Highland Ave., Fri., March 28, and Sat., March 29, where you can pick from 75 varieties of tomatoes. Employee Fidel Flores said, “You will learn how to get seeds to germinate and care for seedlings as well as how much sun the plants need and how and when to use fertilizer.”

• • • One local fan of Tomatomania events is Dean Schneider, who said, “Definitely go if you have the opportunity. It’s so pure and joyous seeing people in this hyper-specific community have so much fun and speak what is really another language about tomatoes— not fine pens or something. I’m like an evangelist now! I didn’t even like tomatoes growing up, and now I love them!”

Schneider said he won’t buy tomatoes from a store anymore. “The ones I grow have such distinct, unique flavors and less acidity,” he said. Some of his favorites are Brad’s Atom-

ic, which not only taste great, but are popular to photograph, “because the colors swirl like a galaxy with hues of brown, yellow, and deep purple.” He loves the size and flavor of Jaune Flamme too, but maybe his favorite is the Spoon tomato. Of the small, pea-sized varietal he said, “They are closer to the ancient tomato size, and being an indeterminate species (a highly productive tomato that keeps bearing new fruit) they work as a ‘party plant’ of sorts. People tend to chat in the garden and serve themselves.”

Father Boyle to open Home of the Angels and offer pumpkin bread!

The former site of the Monastery of the Angels—a four-acre gated hillside property in Hollywood—will be transformed into a Homeboy Industries residential treatment facility.

The transformation will be subtle, retaining the site’s character. Buildings, courtyards, gardens, and walking paths will remain intact, with no exterior changes, according to the Homeboy website.

And, Homeboy has said it will continue to sell the beloved pumpkin bread baked by nuns on the premises for decades.

Candy will also be sold, as was traditionally offered by the nuns, once the transition is final. In addition, the facility will offer a chapel for the community to pray.

The largest gang rehabilitation, intervention, and reentry organization in the world, Homeboy is run by Father Greg Boyle, a Windsor Square native.

The site is expected to open in 2027 to serve adults connected to Homeboy through its programs and referrals.

The facility includes 50 residential treatment beds and 40 outpatient slots and will support residential treatment and outpatient services.

Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, at 1977 Carmen Ave., the site has been held by the Dominican Order since 1934. The monastery has long served as a place of prayer and service, and in recent years, the Order sought an ally to ensure the site would continue to serve a mission aligned with its values.

commitment to dignity, compassion, and healing for those most in need. In Homeboy, we recognize an ally who honors the spirit of this place and will carry its legacy forward as a refuge of care, restoration, and hope.”

Home of the Angels will strengthen Homeboy Industries’ integrated network of care by adding licensed residential treatment and step-up services coordinated with existing programs at its Chinatown headquarters. The campus will be operated in partnership with Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

“Healing happens when people are received with tenderness and held in community,” Boyle said in the release.

“Home of the Angels reflects what we have always believed at Homeboy Industries: that people heal when they are seen, cherished, and given a place to belong. By creating spaces rooted in love and dignity, we make room for restoration, hope, and new beginnings,” Boyle added.

“For generations, this monastery has been a place of prayer, quiet service, and sanctuary,” said Sister Joseph Marie of the Child Jesus, O.P., Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of the Monastery of the Angels. “As our community discerned the future of this sacred site, we felt a deep responsibility to entrust it to a steward whose mission reflected our own values. Homeboy Industries has demonstrated a profound

The campus will operate as a secure, supervised treatment environment with managed access, 24/7 staffing, and structured programming.

In spring 2025, Homeboy Industries received state behavioral health infrastructure funding from the California Department of Health Care Services to support acquisition and site adaptation. When completed, the campus is expected to include 50 inpatient treatment beds, 40 outpatient treatment slots, and residen-

tial bridge housing to support continuity of care.   Windsor Square roots

Boyle grew up on Norton Avenue, where he was one of eight siblings. He attended St. Brendan church and school and Loyola High School.

As a youth, he frequented Chevalier’s Books, he told us in 2018 during a book signing at the Larchmont Boulevard store. The event drew one of the largest crowds in the store’s then 78 years.

The Chevalier’s talk was focused on Father Boyle’s 2017 book, “Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship,” a collection of stories based on Boyle’s work with former gang members and their families. He’s written several books; the most recent, which he co-authored, is titled “Forgive Everyone Everything.”

His many awards include the California Peace Prize and the 2017 Laetere Medal from the University of Notre Dame, the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics.

priest in 1984; he was set to head a student program at Santa Clara University when a trip to Bolivia, where he met the poorest people in the region, changed his course.

“The poor are trustworthy guides,” he told us in 2017, and “… as luck would have it, [the Los Angeles Archdiocese] needed a pastor at Dolores Mission, which was the poorest parish in the city.”

Dolores Mission Church, a Jesuit parish, is in Boyle Heights, an area that was rife with warring gangs, and Boyle soon got to work.

Homeboy Industries was founded in Downtown Los Angeles in 1988.

Visit homeoftheangels.org.

Boyle, often called “Father G,” was ordained a Jesuit

‘Thieves,’

‘demons,’ and pint-sized birds among world’s dinosaurs

In a vast marble hall in the heart of the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops leer toward one another as if locked in battle, their fearsome rage so palpable you can almost hear the earth-shaking cries. Icons of the museum since they were first installed in 1996, the “Dueling Dinos’” fighting days are of course long gone, their fossils dating back 67 million years.

Dinosaurs are a relatively recent area of study, with the now extinct creatures having only been identified as a class of Mesozoic reptiles in 1841, when Sir Richard Owen coined the category, from the Greek “deinos,” meaning “terrible” or “fearfully great,” and “sauros,” or “lizard.” A large grouping of our most wellknown dinos sport the same suffix, like the aforementioned Tyrannosaurus rex, which combines the Greek “tyranno” (“tyrant”) with “sauros” and “rex” (“king”) to form the mighty designation “king tyrant lizard.”

Other uses of “sauros” abound. There’s the Brachiosaurus, meaning “arm lizard,” named for the long-necked quadrupedal animal’s elongated limbs. (They’re the first dinosaurs glimpsed in “Jurassic Park” as Sam Neill’s gobsmacked paleontologist sheds a tear and the film’s monumental theme music reaches its crescendo.) “Einiosaurus,” a plant-eater with a curved nasal horn also on display at the museum, translates to “buffalo lizard,” originating from the Blackfeet Indian word for the American buffalo,

Word Café by Mara Fisher

“eini.” There’s also the Brontosaurus (“thunder lizard”), Apatosaurus (“deceptive lizard”), and Stegosaurus, or “roof lizard,” determined as such because the ancient creature’s telltale upright dorsal plates were originally thought to lay flat, like tiles on a roof.

Then there are the herbivorous, beaked Ceratopsia, or “horned face,” dinosaurs, arriving from the Greek “keras” meaning “horn of an animal” and “ops,” or “face.”

Those include the Triceratops (“three-horned face”); the dog-sized Bagaceratops, first discovered in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert and titled from the Mongolian “baga,” meaning “small”; and “Diabloceratops,” or “devil-horned face,” whose sinister skull resembles the curved-horn Baphomet.

Of similarly satanic influence are the names of two pachycephalosaurs with a bony dome and spikes on the top of their heads: the “dragon king,” Dracorex, and the Stygimoloch, translating to “demon from the river Styx.”

And death arrives not with a scythe but a sickle-shaped claw with the nightmare-inducing Velociraptor, or “swift thief,” from the Latin “velox” (“speedy”) and “raptor,” meaning “robber.”

And there are many more to come. On average, paleontologists name a new dinosaur species every two weeks from fossils discovered at sites around the globe, armed with Greek, Latin, and any number of local languages to devise

each new title. In 2022, the Jakapil, an early bipedal species from Argentina, was identified, breathing new life both into the dinosaur and the extinct Puelchean language from which the species receives its label (translating to “shield bearer”). The following year, scientists in Chile announced the discovery of a species they called the Gonkoken, from the words “gon” (meaning “similar to”) and “koken” (“wild duck or swan”) in the extinct language of the Aónik’enk, the indigenous people that in-

habited the region where the species was found.

The name of the smallest dinosaur ever to be discovered seems simple by contrast—the hummingbird, identified by Irish zoologist Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1825. Dubbed for the sound created by their beating wings, the earliest species of hummingbirds appeared 34–28 million years ago, evolving—like all birds— directly from the same group of theropods that counts the “king tyrant lizard” and “three-horned face” among its

descendants. While non-avian dinosaur species met their demise after a massive asteroid struck Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula about 66 million years ago, those with the gift of flight survived.      So if it’s living dinosaurs you’d like to encounter, no need to hire a team of genetic scientists to create a multi-billion-dollar theme park of de-extinct dinosaurs. Rather, look around—they’re living, breathing, flapping, chirping, hooting, and squawking all around us.

Las Madrinas enters its 92nd year

Las Madrinas, the oldest affiliate group of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, honored 19 families and their daughters for their service to the Southern California community at the Las Madrinas Ball.

Larchmont resident Victoria Lee Bessant was among the debutantes.

The organization continues its 92nd year of support for the hospital with funding toward a $5 million pledge to the Las Madrinas Endowment and Chair in development-behavioral pediatrics, said Kimberly Root Sandifer, president of Las Madrinas

Larchmont Florist created the “California Winter Garden” themed centerpieces and floral décor. The Wayne Foster Orchestra accompanied the Presentation of the Debutantes and played the traditional waltz that transitioned the party from ceremony to celebration at the ball, held Dec. 20 in the Beverly Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom.

Las Madrinas was founded in 1933, at the heart of the Great Depression, by 65 Southern California women who recognized the need to save what was then known as the Convalescent Home of Children’s Hospital.

Las Madrinas history

As the first Affiliate Group of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Las Madrinas has been supporting equity, quality, and innovation in pediatric medicine for 92 years. Since 1939, Las Madrinas has honored families who have demonstrated a commitment to the civic, cultural, and philanthropic life of Southern California by presenting their daughters at the Las Madrinas Ball. Donations made in honor of the young women, together with the annual support of Las Madrinas Members and friends, have enabled Las Madrinas to give over $60 million in support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, including the funding of 12 Las Madrinas Endowments and Projects.

DEBUTANTE Victoria Lee Bessant of Larchmont. Nick Boswell Photography

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is the highest-ranked children’s hospital in California and 4th in the nation on the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of best children’s hospitals. U.S. News ranks Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in all 10 specialty categories. Clinical care at the hospital is

led by physicians who are faculty members of Keck School of Medicine of USC. The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is home to all basic, translational, clinical, and community research conducted at the hospital, allowing proven discoveries to quickly reach patients.

Estate from California’s Golden Age is 61st Showcase House

Clara Baldwin Stocker didn’t just throw a party. She was the party. Daughter of pioneer Elias “Lucky” Baldwin, Stocker’s Baldwin Oaks Estate will be featured in the 61st Pasadena Showcase House. A total of 30 interior and landscape designers are busy adding finishing touches for its public debut in April. The home’s storied legacy is rooted in California’s Golden Age. Built in 1907, the Arts & Crafts estate is on two acres in Arcadia.

The home features a wraparound porch, grand oak staircase and expansive park-like grounds with rose gardens and fruit trees, and it offers a glimpse into the grandeur of a bygone era. Public tours will take place April 19 to May 17 everyday but Monday. Proceeds fund the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts four philanthropies. Ticket are available at pasadenashowcase.org/tickets, or call 626-606-1600.

LACMA Geffen Galleries to open across Wilshire in April

By Suzan Filipek

After two decades in the making—and, some might say, as the icing on the cake of an overall expansion of the LACMA campus—the David Geffen Galleries is set to open Sun., April 19.

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor designed the 900-foot-long elevated concrete space, which spans across Wilshire Boulevard. The new 90-gallery home of LACMA’s permanent collection features city and hillside views.

In a first among museums, new commissions will sit alongside European antiquities, and objects from around the globe will be installed to forge connections across time and place, instead of traditional markers of countries and periods. Visitors will be able to discover works for themselves, without following a prescribed path, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan has said.

“The horizontality of the new building is both a reflection of Los Angeles and a core concept within LACMA’s vision for presenting the permanent collection,” Govan wrote on LACMA’s website. He continued, “It positions art from all areas of the museum’s diverse collections on the same plane, to better accommodate the shift in LACMA’s curatorial strategy from fixed presentations to rotating exhibitions of the permanent collection. The building is designed to mir-

ror the diversity of our vast city and, through design and spirit, to advance LACMA’s mission to serve the public by encouraging profound cultural experiences for the widest array of audiences.”

It’s a path forged with controversy. After the design was introduced, one of the museum’s original donors, the Ahmanson Foundation, withdrew contributions.

Among issues reported at the time, in 2020, was the planned demolition of the original Ahmanson building to make room for the Geffen as well as possible reduced permanent gallery space for the largest art museum in the Western United States.

The museum has actually increased in gallery space during its yearslong transformation, which included the addition of Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) in 2008 and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibi-

tion Pavilion in 2010. The additions have increased LACMA’s exhibitions space from 130,000 to 220,000.

Founded in the 1950s by banker Howard F. Ahmanson, the Ahmanson Foundation is a major donor of European Old Master paintings and other works to LACMA. Its current president is William Ahmanson of Hancock Park.

The new gallery space has 110,000 square feet of gallery space, replacing approximately 120,000 square feet of gallery space overall. The new building includes a theater, educational spaces, restaurants and cafes, a museum shop, and covered multipurpose event spaces.

Gallery space was increased by moving LACMA’s administrative offices across the street and moving art storage off-site.

Among the reasons to elevate the $720,000 Geffen was the desire to create more park

space in the otherwise urban setting. Some 3.5-acres of additional outdoor space showcase new and beloved public artworks, making LACMA unlike any other urban museum in the U.S.

“Glass walls invite museum visitors to look out at the landscape and light of Los Angeles, and allow passersby to see in,” Govan wrote on the LACMA site. “This translucent exterior visually connects the galleries to everyday life on Wilshire Boulevard and in the surrounding park, and offers spectacular views of the city and mountains beyond. Zumthor’s design also adds ample new public outdoor space to create an even more accessible cultural and social hub for the community.”

A total of 45 curators are collaborating on the initial non-traditional installation to fill the 110,000-square-foot space, which will include up to 3,000 objects from its permanent collection of 170,000.

“We hope that our collaborative, cross-departmental approach to our display will allow the collection to convey a variety of histories—some of which haven’t been able to be told before—rather than reinforcing traditional museum hierarchies,” Leah Lehmbeck, curator and Department Head of European Paintings & Sculpture and American Art, explained in an email.

“It is important to us to have the installations present a more expansive view of art history, where our visitors are

pieces.

invited to explore the collection in multiple ways rather than through a prescribed path,” she added.

Works by Georges de La Tour, Matisse and Van Gogh will be among those on display.

On the ground floor Plaza Level, the new outdoor space features sculptures by Jeff Koons, Calder and Rodin, among others.

A ribbon-cutting will mark the start of a two-week priority member access of the museum through Sun., May 3. A free day of activities will be offered on May 3 and access to the galleries for NexGenLA members, a free youth membership for L.A. County residents 17 and younger. Online ticket reservations are available to members now.

Miracle Mile to be connected by rail for first time in 79 years

By Jack Brownlee

Two new Metro subway stations will be opening along Wilshire Boulevard in the coming months as Metro completes Phase One of its D Line Extension project. Both located in Miracle Mile, stations at Wilshire/La Brea and Wilshire/Fairfax will allow better, more reliable transit for the roughly 65,000 people living within the surrounding mile. Alongside these two will be the opening of another station located in Beverly Hills at Wilshire/La Cienega.

Not since the old Red Car electric trams drove the streets of Los Angeles has Miracle Mile had a rail station. Los Angeles used to have more electric railcars than any city in the world, but after World War II the city shifted away from transit and began investing in its extensive freeway system. Pacific Electric discontinued Red Car tram service to Miracle Mile in 1947.

While a specific opening date has yet to be announced,

Metro Board member and CD5 Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky stated recently that the new stations would open mid-April, and the Metro Construction Committee has announced “Spring 2026” as the forecasted opening date. Service testing of the trains began in mid-February.

The creation of these subway stops is just one part of a massive underground transit project Metro has been working on for decades. The project seeks to extend Metro’s D Line (formerly the Purple Line) subway from Koreatown to Westwood. In the coming years L.A. will see the completion of Phase Two, which establishes stops near Rodeo Drive and Century City, and finally Phase Three, which creates stations at UCLA and the Westwood V.A. Hospital. When the project is finished riders will be able to go from downtown to Westwood in 25 minutes.

After nearly 20 years of planning, legal battles, and public forums, Metro official-

ly broke ground on the project in 2014. Initially the Phase One stations were projected to open in November 2023. The current opening forecast is nearly 900 days late.

One major reason for the delays, not to mention cost increases, has been opposition from the City of Beverly Hills. While most Angelenos are glad to see the expansion of public transit, residents and politicians in Beverly Hills have filed several lawsuits in the past two decades against Metro claiming that the extension project endangers residents. Some have hoped that President Trump, who has owned several properties in the city, could get the project rerouted or postponed. Despite the city’s efforts, Phase One of the Extension will continue.

Both stations will feature artwork by award-winning L.A.-based artists. Extensive landscaping and beautification efforts have been realized, extending beyond the stations themselves and into the im-

mediate surroundings. New medians and safety measures on Wilshire near each station were added to ensure that riders feel comfortable taking the new line.

The final cost of Phase One is $3.5 billion. The majority of funds came from federal grants and loans, and about $800 million came from Measure R taxes. Measure R adds 0.5% sales tax in Los Angeles County, and revenue goes directly to transportation measures like rail projects and highway improvements.

It was passed by a two-thirds majority of voters in 2008.

Section of historic Berlin Wall stands on Wilshire Boulevard

By Barbara Sueko McGuire

In a country that won’t stop arguing about walls—both metaphorical and physical—

Los Angeles already lives with one of the most famous ones in modern history. On Wilshire Boulevard, 10 con crete slabs from the Berlin Wall—once part of a forti fied border between the East German government called the “Antifascist Protective Rampart” and the West Ger man government—now face rush‑hour traffic and the La Brea Tar Pits.

Wall Along Wilshire sits on the 5900 block of the busy thoroughfare. It was installed in 2009 as a public art and history piece to mark the 20th anniversary of the Wall’s fall. It’s the longest stretch of the Berlin Wall on public dis play outside of Germany, and was the brainchild of Justin Jampol, founder and execu tive director of Culver City’s

Wende Museum, and the late Wayne Ratkovich, the Wende Museum’s founding board chair and owner of the building on Wilshire where the monument stands.

Rather than a tra ditional memorial or commemoration, the in stallation was imagined as provocation—not to look to the past, but to ask ques tions about the present day. It included, for one night,

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the construction of a tempo rary wall across Wilshire that was then ceremonially torn down at midnight, mirroring the events of 1989.

“It was the evolution of an idea that originated from the notion that walls are univer sal—we all face them in some ways,” explains Jampol. “The idea is to give people an op portunity to connect with the historical event on their own terms and as a catalyst to re

flect on their own lives here and now.”

While the slabs were only initially destined to stay on Wilshire for a week, they’ve become a permanent pres ence, stopping passersby in their tracks to marvel at both the size of the monoliths and the art commissioned to be painted upon them. Its 10 panels include images of Presidents Kennedy and Rea gan. Los Angeles artists Kent

Twitchell, Farrah Karapetian, and Marie Astrid Gonzalez were invited to paint panels alongside Thierry Noir, one of the first artists to paint direct ly on the Berlin Wall in the 1980s.

“I now see it as part of Los Angeles’ cultural memory, not just Berlin’s,” says Gonzalez. “Over time, the Wall has come to feel less like a site specific historical reference and more like a reflection of global cy cles: how easily narratives around borders, freedom, and division resurface in different forms and different places. In the current climate, it’s impossible to ignore how of ten walls are invoked again as solutions, symbols, or ral lying cries, which makes the presence of this one feel espe cially pointed. It stands there quietly, reminding us of what walls cost humanly, socially, and historically.”

Since its installation 17 years ago, Jampol says the structure has been host to ev erything from protests around Chinese censorship to rallies about the border with Mexico, and most recently, demon strations against immigration policies. For years, it was also a touchpoint for young Kore an Americans.

“The Wall really continues to be more than just some thing that happened halfway around the world in 1989,” he continues. “It’s a living canvas for the evolution of political ideas and tells us more about what’s going on today than what happened back then.”

New look to expand on La Brea Tar Pits’ Ice Age past

By Suzan Filipek

The La Brea Tar Pits—the richest Ice Age fossil site on the planet—continues to reveal stories of mammoths, dire wolves, and other creatures who lived in L.A. 10,000 years ago, many of whom were found in the sticky tar that still bubbles to the surface here.

Those stories of the area, now home to bustling Wilshire Boulevard, will continue into the future thanks to a recent pledge for much of the $240 million cost of the Reimagining La Brea Tar Pits campaign to transform the museum and surrounding park. The update includes the addition of a world-class global research center, all in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics, museum officials said.

Plans for the Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research were announced last month on the heels of the philanthropic gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation. It’s the largest donation the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, which oversees the La Brea Tar Pits, has ever received.

So far, $131 million of the $240 million goal has been raised.

“There is no place on earth like La Brea Tar Pits,” said Lynda Oschin, secretary and chairman of the board of the foundation.

Lynda and her husband, Samuel, started the foundation “to inspire future generations by supporting organizations that deepen our understanding of the world around us,” she said.

The Global Center is part of the larger “Loops and Lenses” project, underway at the 13-acre site and led by architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi.

The design includes a one-kilometer triple pedestrian loop that connects active excavation sites, research and exhibition spaces, and the museum’s beloved grass slopes, which will be preserved and expanded. An ascending crescent of sloped walkways will provide access to a roof terrace with views of the museum’s historic frieze and campus.

The project includes renovation and expansion of the George C. Page Museum, first opened in 1977, a new Wilshire Boulevard-facing entrance, and a contiguous zone of free, public amenities, including shaded seating, outdoor gathering areas, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Amsterdam-based design studio Kossmanndejong is leading the design for the exhibitions and outdoor spaces to include Pleistocene gardens that will connect landscape and ecology to the

site’s Ice Age past.

Among favorites set to stay will be the iconic mammoth family sculpture in Lake Pit. The body of water is left over from asphalt mining operations in the late 1800s. Rain and groundwater collected above the bubbling asphalt, creating the small lake. The lake’s bubbles and distinctive odor come from a deep underground oil field.

the bubbling asphalt and created the small lake. The lake’s bubbles, sheet, and distinctive odor come from a deep underground oil field.

Among specimens in the museum is the skull of the Columbian mammoth Zed,

which can be seen in the Fossil Lab. The near complete mammoth was found in 2006 during the construction of the

Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s underground parking structure, which is adjacent to La Brea Tar Pits.

City sucks out asphalt underneath around Hancock Park

By Nona Sue Friedman

Ever wondered if there is more tar beneath the surface of Hancock Park? The answer is yes, and plenty of it. One can see it at the surface of the iconic Lake Pit that features statues of mammoths trapped in asphalt. There’s so much of the substance that the City of Los Angeles has been sucking out the black sticky goo, officially known as asphalt/bitumen, for decades, according to Dan Halden, director of external relations at StreetsLA. “This is a naturally occurring feature of the area,” said Halden.

This black goo is the heaviest form of crude oil according to Halden. There are about 30 sumps, also known as collectors, under Hancock Park. “The city employs a specialized contractor to inspect and service the sumps twice a week during dry weather and three times a week during wet weather. A StreetsLA contractor pumps out and assesses the publicly located sumps. This is a proactive and regular maintenance performed by the City,” commented Halden. It has been happening for decades.

Karin Rice, preparator for the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum concurred with Halden: “There may be sumps that would spill asphalt onto road surfaces if they weren’t pumped regularly. We’ve been told that some of the residential buildings east of the park need to regularly pump asphalt from sumps in their underground parking structures.”

Rice also said that there is always a mix of oil and gas seeping to the surface in this part of the city because the park sits atop the southern edge of the Salt Lake oil field. Salt Lake is the name of the oil field beneath Hancock Park with pools ranging from 1,000 to more than 3,000 feet below the topsoil. It was discovered in 1902 and became the most productive field in California, producing more than 50 million barrels of oil before being completely dismantled in 2001.

The smell emanating from the trucks that remove the underground substance can occasionally be foul, and, one might think, noxious. Rice said, “Asphalt by itself is stinky because it’s a mix of

hydrocarbons, but what most of us are probably reacting to is the rotten egg smell of the sulfur in the natural gases

Enter the world of Studio Ghibli

By H. Hutcheson

The Academy Museum is once again hosting an exhibit from Studio Ghibli, and this time it celebrates the film “Ponyo” and its theme of human connection and transformation through Jan. 2027.

Local resident and cartoonist Finnegan Walker said, “If you’re a fan of animation or Studio Ghibli you should definitely go, because it takes you through the process of how the movie was made.”

The exhibit includes art boards, original hand drawings by filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, a wooden drawing desk used by Ghibli animators, and interactive experiences which invite the youngest museum patrons to participate including one that gives visitors the ability to make Ponyo run across the waves, or to run with her!

The film is projected on a wall, and there are additional videos chronicling the script being written and the voice actors performing.

For more information, visit academymuseum.org.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Cathedral Chapel School

755 S. Cochran Ave.

Ph: 323-938-9976

Principal: Agustina Vasquez Grades: K to 8 cathedralchapelschool.org

Hancock Park Elementary

408 S. Fairfax Ave.

Ph: 323-935-5272

Principal: Robin Wynne-Davis Grades: TK to 5 hancockparkes-lausd-ca. schoolloop.com

Third St. Elementary

201 S. June St.

Ph: 323-939-8337

Principal: Hae Lee

By H. Hutcheson

Once a bakery, then Arthur Murray Dance Studio, then eatery and gift shop Egg and the Eye, Craft Contemporary is known as the space reflective of Los Angeles’ population.

Edith R. Wyle founded the museum in 1965 as a place in contrast to the institutional museums—which it happens to be surrounded by on Museum Row in Miracle Mile. Her grandson, Noah Wyle, an L.A. native and actor on the hospital series “The Pit,” said in a video (released by the museum and Architectural Digest) of the museum founded by his grandmother, “She said art should be a democratic thing, for all the people to experience.”

The museum offers classes for adults and children and has a gift shop (where Noah Wyle worked as a teenager). It’s filled with one-of-a-kind objects from around the world. The actor said, “You won’t find these gifts anywhere else.”

For a fee the museum

Miracle Mile School Directory

Grades: TK to 5 3rdstes.lausd.org

Wilshire Crest Elementary 5241 W. Olympic Blvd.

Ph: 323-938-5291

Principal: Gayle Robinson Grades: UTK to 5 wilshirecrestes.lausd.org

Yavneh Hebrew Academy 5353 W. Third St. Ph: 323-931-5808

Principal: Pavel Lieb Grades: K to 8 yha.org

Larchmont Charter 4900 Wilshire Blvd. Ph: 323-836-0860

Principal: Eva Orozco Grades: TK to 3

larchmontcharter.org

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Fusion Miracle Mile 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Promenade One

Ph: 323-692-0603

Head of School: Jason Lions Grades: 6 to 12 fusionacademy.com

John Burroughs 600 S. McCadden Pl. Ph: 323-549-5000

Principal: Steve Martinez Grades: 6 to 8 burroughsms.lausd.org

New LA Middle

1919 S. Burnside Ave. Ph: 323-939-6400

Principal: Terrence Wright Grades: 6 to 8 newlaclic.org

HIGH SCHOOLS

Fairfax High School 7850 Melrose Ave. Ph: 323-370-1200

Principal: Leonard Choi Grades: 9 to 12 fairfaxhs.lausd.org

Los Angeles High School 4650 W. Olympic Blvd. Ph: 323-900-2700

Principal: Marguerette Gladden Grades: 9 to 12 lahigh.org

Machon Los Angeles

is offering two classes in March—”Chair Making 101: From Tree to Chair” with Julian Rich teaching sawing, drilling, and design, as well as “The House that Love Built: Mid Mod House and Finger Puppet Making” with Linda Santiman. For information, visit craftcontemporary.org.

5870 W. Olympic Blvd. Ph: 424-274-0955

Rabbi Yisroel Gordon Grades: 9 to 12 machonla.org

Shalhevet School

910 S. Fairfax Ave. Ph: 323-930-9333

Principal: Daniel Weslow Grades: 9 to 12 shalhevet.org

Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles/Michael Diller High School

5444 W. Olympic Blvd. Ph: 323-938-2071

Rabbi Aron Tzvi Gross Grades: 9 to 12 ygla.org

Residential Association meets amid development worries

By Jack Brownlee Tenants, landlords, and homeowners gathered recently in the penthouse of the Petersen Automotive Museum for the 40th annual meeting of the Miracle Mile Residential Association. Foremost on the agenda was California Senate Bill 79, a housing measure signed by Gov. Newsom in October.

Intended to increase affordable housing near public transit, SB79 gives multiunit housing developments located near transit stops streamlined approval, allowing them to bypass various zoning restrictions. This includes Historic Preservation Overlay Zones, one of which protects most of Miracle Mile.

When new subway stations open at Wilshire/La Brea and Wilshire/Fairfax this year, SB79 will affect the vast majority of the area. As a neighborhood made up primarily of single-family homes, fears of quaint houses

‘Collecting

By Helene Seifer

being razed and gaudy apartment complexes taking their place were palpable among the 150-member crowd at the Jan. 24 meeting.

MMRA President Greg Goldin echoed those fears with a presentation subtitled “SB79: Destroying Miracle Mile One Block at a Time.” Goldin noted that, contrary to the bill’s stated purpose, if developers build projects with less than 10 units SB79 does not require any to be low-income. The audience groaned. “This is not mom and pop. These are multi-billionaire investors,” said Goldin. “I don’t think that’s what we want. I don’t think that’s what L.A. needs.”

SB79 goes into effect July 1. Partnering with the L.A. City Council, the MMRA created a petition to delay its implementation. “We’re looking to the city to push that deadline back to 2030,” said Goldin. “There’s probably no likelihood that the bill itself will be overturned.”

Also speaking at the meeting were City Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky, CD5, and Heather Hutt, CD10. Yaroslavsky emphasized a 27% decrease in street homelessness between 2024 and 2025. “We’ve done it right,” Yaroslavsky stated regarding a recent increase in interim housing units. “We haven’t just pushed people around.”

Hutt celebrated homelessness rates falling 24% in her district and highlighted new parks and recreation investments in Koreatown.

The crowd grew restless when Goldin, Yaroslavsky, and Hutt opened themselves up to questions. “The streets are too dark!” one man shouted, and others exclaimed in agreement. Yaroslavsky asked property owners to vote “yes”

on a ballot they will receive in the mail from the Bureau of Street Lighting which will temporarily increase annual property assessment fees. The ballot will be sent to 550,000 property owners citywide, and if the measure is passed it will decrease streetlight repair turnaround times from one year to about two weeks. “It’s the single best investment we can make,” Yaroslavsky said. One resident asked, “Why can’t we move all drug addicts and homeless to facilities or uninhabited areas far from the city?” The audience laughed and the panelists looked uncertain. “I don’t believe that that’s legal,” Hutt began. “Homeless folks are not a monolith,” added Yaroslavsky. “Personally, I feel like we have a responsibility to take care of those that we can take care of…We get busloads of people here sent from Texas every week. It is a huge nationwide problem.” “Ship them back!”

(Please turn to Page 19)

Impressionism at LACMA’ examines community collections

It takes a village to build a world-class art collection, as evidenced by the elucidating exhibit “Collecting Impressionism at LACMA.” Open through Jan. 7, 2027, “Collecting” looks, in order of acquisition, at the process and people—from curators to gallerists to patrons to historians and art critics—who contributed to the development of, interest in, and continued growth of what has become one of the museum’s most beloved collections.

The anticipation around the design, build, and now the impending opening of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s new David Geffen Galleries, opening to the general public on Mon., May 4, spurred a flurry of donations, especially of works from the perennially popular Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. This exhibit showcases those recent acquisitions—such as the museum’s first Vincent van Gogh painting, “Tarascon Stagecoach,” a gift of the Henry and Rose Pearlman Foundation, and “The Artist’s Garden, Vétheuil,” by Claude Monet, one of many gifts tied to the new building from A. Jerrold Perenchio—and traces the development of the collection from the earliest days of the museum’s existence.

Even before LACMA became LACMA by separating from the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science, and Art in 1961 (opening its Wilshire Boulevard campus

in 1965), donors contributed to their collections, especially examples of Impressionism from American artists. One of the first paintings to join the collection was “Point Lobos, Carmel” painted in 1914 by the artist F. Childe Hassam, who is generally recognized as the dean of American Impressionism. The New York artist asked his art dealer to get him an exhibit in California, and he came to paint in Northern California to ready a show. His acclaim helped open doors for other California artists working in the genre. “Point Lobos” and many more of Hassam’s works were sold to American art collector William Preston Harrison, who settled in Los Angeles and donated them to the museum, forming the first significant holding of American Impressionism, which today includes many paintings by important women artists such as Mary Cassatt and Evelyn McCormick.

Co-curator David Bardeen (with Leah Lehmbeck) said, “I hope people come away from the show appreciating that Impressionism is much

broader than France in the late 19th century.

“The movement is also contextualized, with photography, fashion, and dinnerware also on display.”

Bardeen explained, “It is impossible to understand Impressionism without understanding developments in photography and etchings of the time…In photos, there’s the cropping, establishing the fleeting moment. The exhibit includes costumes and textiles. Impressionist painters were fascinated with how fabrics behave in sun and wind.”

Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Cézanne, Camille Pissarro,

Sucking Tar

(Continued from Page 7)

that seep to the surface. California oil has a greater sulfur content than oil from other parts of the country. Casual exposure is more unpleasant than dangerous.”

And, while it’s messy, and yes, smelly, children and adults alike can’t resist poking the gooey tar.

Paul Gauguin are names that most museumgoers recognize as welcome friends. “Collecting Impressionism at LACMA” goes beyond the surface beauty of their art, explaining the hows and whys of creating a collection that resonates with scholars and the public alike.

As Bardeen stated, “The community comes together to build institutions.”

“Collecting Impressionism at LACMA;” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd.; 323857-6000;  lacma.org. The exhibit runs through Jan. 7, 2027. Some works will change during the run of the show.

Countdown begins for unveiling of reimagined HMLA campus

Holocaust Museum LA has ramped up construction on the expansion of its Pan Pacific Park campus, museum officials said. It is expected to open in June.

Named the Jona Goldrich Campus and designed by award-winning architect Hagy Belzberg, the expanded facility will feature outdoor reflective spaces; expansive galleries for temporary ex-

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hibits and classrooms; and a theater for survivor talks, film screenings, concerts, conferences, and public programs.

Also debuting will be a pavilion to house an authentic boxcar found outside the Majdanek death camp in Poland and a dedicated theater for a holographic exhibition featuring a conversation with a virtual survivor.

The expanded campus will double the museum’s existing footprint and increase visitor capacity to 500,000 visitors annually, including 150,000 students. The permanent exhibit will undergo a refresh and include cutting-edge technology to preserve Holocaust survivor testimonies.

Holocaust Museum LA Chief Executive Officer Beth Kean said, “There will be no other museum quite like this in not only Los Angeles, but in the U.S. For instance, our one-of-a-kind boxcar pavilion will evoke powerful emotions ranging from pathos to striking resilient hope for humanity.”

The museum will continue to host events, including screenings, concerts, book talks, survivor talks, and panels at off-site locations.

Visit holocaustmuseumla. org.

POLICE BEAT IN THE MILE

Man strangles ex-girlfriend, app meetup ends at gunpoint

MIRACLE MILE

DIVISION

BURGLARIES: A suspect entered a victim’s house on the 7500 block of South Ogden Drive Feb. 4 at 4:45 p.m. through a bedroom window, slashing the screen and breaking the window. The victim realized multiple pieces of jewelry and cash were missing from the residence. The suspect fled the scene.

The driver of a grey Lexus pulled up to an apartment building on the 6000 block of West Third Street Feb. 7 at 6 a.m. A suspect used a tool to open the community mailbox and put mail into her personal bag. A witness grabbed the suspect and held onto her until the police showed up.

ROBBERY: A victim met a “girl” on a dating app who wanted to meet in person. At the meeting point, two male suspects pointed a gun at the victim, told him to give them his wallet, and slapped his left cheek, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. on the 5000 block of West Olympic Boulevard. The suspects fled down Masselin Avenue.

A suspect stole the victim’s phone when he went to confront the suspect about a stolen item and wanted to record the suspect. An altercation occurred with the suspect grabbing the phone and victim fighting to hold on to the phone. The suspect hit the victim on the forehead and the victim ran away after

the incident, Feb. 6 at 4 a.m. on the 5600 block of Wilshire Boulevard.

An Uber driver picked up a suspect on Wilshire and Hauser boulevards Feb. 3 around 2:30 a.m. The passenger refused to get out of the vehicle and demanded money. The driver explained he needed to leave, and the suspect hit him on the head with a wine bottle and took the victim’s personal items, exiting the vehicle.

WILSHIRE DIVISION

Furnished by Senior Lead Officer

Andrew Jones

Text 213-793-0782

41719@lapd.online

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT:

A victim and suspect who had previously been romantically involved and are parents to a

child got into a verbal argument which led the suspect to become aggressive. The victim tried to walk away and told the suspect to stop trying to push her. He slapped the victim’s hands and then grabbed her, threw her on the floor, and tried to strangle her. The suspect dragged the victim by the shirt and the victim punched him to free herself. The fight took place Feb. 6 at 7:30 a.m. on the 200 block of Vista Street.

Helpful local numbers, crisis hotlines, websites

Here are phone numbers and websites to know about.

Domestic violence hotline: 800-978-3600

Mental health hotline: 800-

854-7771

Suicide hotline: 800-273-8255

Substance use: 800-564-6600

Child protection/child abuse hotline: 800-540-4000

Teen Line, a confidential crisis hotline: 800-852-8336

National domestic violence: thehotline.org

Sexual assault: rainn.org

98th Academy Awards: Who will win and who should win

It is awards season and Sun., March 15, the Academy will hand out the most coveted awards for the film industry. This year there are some interesting contests and clear favorites. “Sinners” received the most nominations of all time with 16. To put that in perspective, “The Godfather” had 11 nominations, “Citizen Kane” nine, and “Titanic” had 14. This year there is also an award for best casting, which seems like a bit of a stretch, but if it is a way to recognize some of the more below-theline jobs, who are we to argue? On to our predictions:

Best Picture: Sinners

F1

One Battle After Another

Frankenstein

Marty Supreme

Hamnet

Sentimental Value

Bugonia

Train Dreams

The Secret Agent

Who should win: One Battle After Another—innovative and fun, but also real drama.

Who will probably win: Hamnet—seems to fit the mold of what the Academy likes.

Best Actress:

Emma Stone

Kate Hudson

Jessie Buckley

Rose Byrne

Renate Reinsve

Who should win: Jessie Buckley—a standout performance that is perfect for the Academy.

Who will probably win: Jessie Buckley; see above.

Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio

Timothée Chalamet

Michael B. Jordan

Ethan Hawke

Wagner Moura

Who should win: Leonardo DiCaprio—vulnerable, funny, and on point. Who will probably win:

Timothée Chalamet—a star that the Academy will want to recognize.

Best Supporting Actor: Teyana Taylor

Wunmi Mosaku

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas

Amy Madigan

Elle Fanning

Who should win: Wunmi Mosaku—the highlight of the most nominated film.

Who will probably win: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas—a performance that will resonate with the Academy.

Best Supporting Actor: Stellan Skarsgård

Jacob Elordi

Benicio Del Toro

Sean Penn

Delroy Lindo

Who should win:

Sean Penn—so real and scary in “One Battle After Another”—probably too real for the Academy.

Who will probably win: Stellan Skarsgård—another performance that will sit right with the Academy.

Best Director nominees: Chloé Zhao

Joachim Trier

Paul Thomas Anderson

Ryan Coogler

Josh Safdie

but only one nominee takes the statue home.

Who should win: Paul Thomas Anderson— made an entertaining thrill ride with humor and realism. Who will probably win: Chloe Zhao—made a touching film that resonates with Academy voters.

Newly opened site features extensive menu of Japanese favorites

A new Japanese restaurant recently joined the growing collection of eateries flanking the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. (See “Stunning panAsian restaurant encourages romance—and good eating,” January 2026).

Taking over the former La Brea Ramen space, Umito Sushi & Ramen offers a reasonably priced extensive menu of Japanese favorites and an assortment of fancier unusual dishes, from classic salmon sashimi and a chicken teriyaki bento box to okonomiyaki (a savory pancake), and bluefin tuna sushi topped with uni, caviar, and gold leaf.

Umito put some effort into adding Japanese touches to what is essentially a faceless commercial space. Two walls of windows look out over busy cross streets, but the interior wall has been designed to conjure old-fashioned Japanese storefronts. Waitstaff were friendly and efficient.

Sushi and rolls were successful. We ordered a sushi combination that consisted of

On the Menu

by Helene Seifer

eight pieces of assorted sushi and the choice of a California or spicy tuna roll. We opted for a hand roll version of the spicy tuna, which was served a tad too cold for optimum flavor release, but was otherwise satisfying. The array of sushi included mild, almost sweet, yellowtail; silvery, oily mackerel; and silky, fatty salmon belly. We also ordered a cut spicy tuna roll, which had the rice around the outside of the seaweed wrapper, a particularly appealing arrangement.

Vegetable tempura was an excellent dish. The breading was smoother and crunchier than the standard recipe, but dunking tempura-fried onion rings, asparagus spears, carrots, and sweet potato slices into a sweet mirin-based dipping sauce, then biting through their cracking coating, was a terrific way to add some vegetables to a protein- and carbohydrate-laden menu.

Our main complaint was with the ramen. Seven styles of the soup are offered, including vegetarian and seafood versions. My son and I decided to split a bowl of bulgogi beef ramen in pork broth. In fact, it wasn’t a standard pork broth, but rather tonkatsu, a cloudy white broth made from long-simmered pork trotters (feet) and ham hocks (like the pig’s ankles). Usually rich and unctuous, Umito’s was thin and nearly flavorless. The accompanying ramekin of a spicy sauce helped but didn’t rescue the ramen. The noodles weren’t especially springy or tasty, either. They graciously took the soup off

our bill.

Wanting to linger, we opted for dessert, and the waiter recommended one of the two ice creams: a split orange filled with orange ice cream, and the pineapple version, which he said tasted like a piña colada. We couldn’t resist that!

A frozen half pineapple quickly appeared, filled with delicious and creamy pineapple ice cream. However, the premade dessert was clearly just rescued from the deep freeze, and half the ice cream was so hard that even hacking away at it produced no results. Very sad, because the edible portion was truly delicious.

Umito Sushi & Ramen; 5224 Wilshire Blvd.; 213-266-8581; umito90036@gmail.com

Quirks and crafts appear throughout the Original Farmers Market

By Nona Sue Friedman

The Original Farmers Market at Third Street and Fairfax Avenue truly is original. Under a veil of food and shopping destinations

visitors can find a treasure trove of individuality.

Tabletop plaque

Grabbing a donut on the East Patio, one could sit at one of the five tables where the Market has honored someone who meant a lot to the space. Three unfortunately have passed away; the other two are still around.

The late councilmember Tom LaBonge, director Paul Mazursky, Los Angeles Times journalist and Market regular Allan Malamud, along with two retired Market employees have the coveted tables.

Ilysha Buss, director of marketing at The Original Farmers Market, proclaimed,

“It’s kind of a random tribute. People have called over the years asking if they can place a remembrance, but it doesn’t work like that. It’s just a quirky Farmers Market tradition.”

Green Grocery Carts

Buss next mentioned their grocery carts, which have been a staple since the Market opened in 1934. In the ‘30s and ‘40s, the carts were wicker. Then in the ‘40s and ‘50s, they morphed into the green grocery carts seen today. Each one is handmade and painted on-site at the Facility Shop, which is comprised of five craftspeople, most of whom have been with the Market for decades, according to Buss. “They are talented craftspeople,” she said.

The Market tries to keep the carts on their property, but

people are fond of them and occasionally steal them. She relayed that she once got a call from a woman in Texas who was cleaning out her mom’s house. Her mom found a cart in the garage. She had moved halfway across the country

with it!

Looking around, you can spot a few oversized carts, more like sculptures, at entrances and parking kiosks.

The Facility Shop is also responsible for the metal statues seen around the market, including the bull guiding traffic in the parking lot. And they make and paint all the colorful tables and chairs on the plaza behind the Clock Tower.

The Market is still owned

‘Are you excited for the World Cup coming up in June?’

That’s the question our inquiring photographer asked locals.

“Oh my gosh, yes! I live right behind SoFi in the apartment buildings. I’ve got my tickets, believe it or not, [for] $1,500—for my family. They’re excited too!”

Christopher McClain

“We [he and his spouse] would like it boycotted to be completely honest. This country’s an embarrassment right now—it’s like having people over to your house when your house is a complete mess. I don’t feel like it puts us on display for the world in a good light.”

Michael Wickham

“It’s a powerful event. It’s a beautiful thing, and we all get to see it as a human race right here in the United States—an enjoyable thing for the whole world,” said Mustafa. “I’m going to agree with him,” said Hibbler.

Macella Hibbler (left) and Geronimo Zulu Mustafa

Tom Bergin’s on Fairfax turns 90

Tom Bergin’s and St. Patrick’s Day go hand in hand. This year, the tavern is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Doors open on St. Patrick’s Day, Tue. March 17 at 7 a.m. At 11 a.m.

Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky of CD 5 will honor the establishment with a certificate of recognition. All are welcome to watch owner Fran Castagnetti receive this honor at this classic spot at 840 S. Fairfax Ave.

Original Farmers Market

Family friendly St. Patrick’s Day can be found at the Original Farmers Market with Glen the bagpiper piping from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Magee’s Kitchen has your corned beef and E.B.’s Beer and Wine Bar your green beer.

Farmers Market

(Continued from Page 17)

and run by the family who established it in 1934. Employees tend to keep their jobs for decades. Buss has been with the company for 20 years, and many consider her a newbie.

The next time you pop in for your favorite chocolate, drink, or sandwich, look around to notice the artistic and creative embellishments.

And for Farmers Market fans, they sell swag upstairs— and they offer a free illustrated poster of the Market.

METAL BULL SCULPTURE

helps drivers through the parking lot.

Residential Association

(Continued from Page 11)

shouted one woman, whose comment was met with murmurs of disagreement from the crowd.

Other speakers included LAPD Senior Lead Officer Tim Estevez, who stated that crime is down 25% in Miracle Mile between 2024 and 2025, and Stay in LA Co-Founder Noelle Stehman, who discussed her organization’s efforts to promote film industry work in Los Angeles.

For more information, visit miraclemilela.com.