Larchmont Chronicle
VOL. 64, NO. 2
• DELIVERED TO 76,439 READERS IN HANCOCK PARK • WINDSOR SQUARE • FREMONT PLACE • MIRACLE MILE • PARK LA BREA • LARCHMONT •
IN THIS ISSUE
Charter reform— is it time?
Lessons learned from Cocoanut Grove 1942 fire n Burning questions: local historian talks on past, present fires
EXHIBIT opens at Korean Cultural Center. 3
VALENTINE’S. How they met. 4
By Helene Seifer Windsor Square resident Dr. Leo A. Gordon gave a lecture at the home of his neighbor Janet Loveland last month on the devastating Cocoanut Grove fire of 1942. The lecture took place as part of the local chapter meeting of Daughters of the American Revolution. On Nov. 28, 1942, the popular Boston, Massachusetts, nightclub went up in flames, killing 490 people and injuring more than 200. A surgeon and affiliate faculty member in Cedars-Sinai’s History of Medicine Program, Gordon regularly speaks about medical and societal advances attributable to lessons learned from historical events. He chronicled the events leading up to the horrific nightclub fire and the knowledge gained in its afterSee Charter reform, P 17
Chasing sports: SCOUTING issue.
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ARE TRAVEL agents back? 2-3
Mailing permit:
Wanna bet?
Let’s play Jeopardy; I’ll give you the clue, you come up with the question. Ready? The answer is, $165 billion. If you guessed “How much money was wagered on sports in 2025” you’re right! That is a 2400% (you read that right) increase since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to give states the right to decide the legality of sports betting. See Chasing Sports, P 15
Miracle Mile 2026! Our annual section on Miracle Mile happenings—from culture and entertainment to news— will be published in the March issue. To reserve advertising space, contact 323-462-2241 ext. 11, or email jesse@larchmontchronicle.com or sandy@ larchmontchronicle.com. The deadline to reserve space is Wed., Feb. 11.
FEBRUARY 2026
n L.A. reconsiders size of its City Council, last set in 1925
THE SWEET SCENT of Girl Scout cookies is only surpassed by the smiles of Troop 7865 leader Carey Kim, Faith Kim, Isabella McKenzie, and Malika Maddison.
Smell Thin Mints and new Exploremores in the air n Buy your cookies in person beginning Feb. 1 By Nona Sue Friedman The sweet smell of Girl Scout cookies will be wafting through the air starting Sun., Feb. 1. That’s when public cookie selling season begins. You’ll see troops hawking their once-a-year treats on Larchmont Boulevard, in front of supermarkets, and walking door-to-door. Buying Girl Scout cookies
gives you the opportunity to support the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. That means stocking your pantry with sweet treats like Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, and Trefoils is doing good for members of your community. New this year is Exploremores, a rocky road-inspired cookie with See Girl Scouts, P 12
By Jon Vein Los Angeles is again confronting a question that has surfaced periodically over the past several decades but has never been resolved: whether a city of nearly four million people can still be effectively governed by a City Council made up of just 15 members. This time, the issue is not abstract. A Charter Reform Commission appointed by city leaders is reviewing potential amendments to the City Charter, including whether to increase the number of council seats. The commission is expected to deliver its recommendations later this year, potentially setting the stage for a ballot measure in 2026. While previous efforts to expand the council have failed, city officials, governance experts, and community advocates say the context has changed—and that the mismatch between the city’s size and its governing structure See Charter reform, P 18
SideWalkers journey to piano recital n Walking group enjoys lastest excursion By H. Hutcheson
Did you know there is a group called SideWalking that organizes inspired, educational, communal walks in Windsor Square? Marcelo Ziperovich, who lives in the area, led the February walk, which started on Second Street and Windsor Boulevard. Camille Waddell, who recently moved to the neighborhood, said, “This is my second walk with the group.” Past walks have included trips through Fremont Place and a visit to the Marciano Art Foundation in the former Scottish Rite Masonic Temple. Each included information on the visited sites and friendly conversation with new friends.
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THE GROUP OF WALKERS was entertained by virtuoso pianist Ilya Ramlav at Kasimoff-Blüthner Piano store.
On a recent Saturday, our group greeted each other and then set off at a moderate pace through the neighborhood to Kasimoff Blüthner Piano Co., 337 Larchmont Blvd. Local neighbors Emma
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Ross and Daniel Acker joined based on its description, which promised some music history. Ross said, “Plus, I think I’ve walked by this piano store for over 16 years and See Sidewalking, P 16
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