Larchmont Chronicle

In the past five decades that I remember well, it never seemed that we Angelenos had to focus so much of our attention on the State Legislature in Sacramento. However, a majority of the current occupants of those offices seem to have decided that their role is to dictate every detail of the lives of […]

Economic crisis requires more federal assistance

It is now August, and the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic — rather than tapering down to a manageable level — has exploded in Los Angeles and communities across the United States. Along with a public health crisis that has taken the lives of tens of thousands of Americans, we are experiencing an economic […]

410 N. Rossmore residents feel pressure of ‘buy-out’

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to plague the City of Los Angeles, a group of Hancock Park residents in a rent-controlled apartment building say that they feel pressured from their new landlord to take a buy-out offer, with no other information available to them. To learn more, the Chronicle joined a group of six residents […]

55 years of Women of Larchmont

55 years ago, my brilliant editorial predecessor, Jane Gilman, and her advertising genius colleague, Dawne Goodwin, decided to create a special section each year featuring the “Women of Larchmont.” This was just the third year of their Larchmont Chronicle enterprise, which they founded in 1963. As the paper stated on the cover of its first […]

What's Entertaining

Nearby Black-owned restaurants worth supporting post-BLM protests

The recent protests have sparked a nationwide conversation about the meaning of Black Lives Matter and how best to move forward and effect change. One recommended action is to support Black-owned businesses, and an enjoyable way to do that is to eat one’s way through the varied cuisines found in our city’s myriad Black-owned restaurants, […]

Westlake Theatre’s crown jewels were talk of Foundation

The morning of July 11, the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation (LAHTF) hosted “Coffee and Conversation” (online, of course). The subject was the Westlake Theatre, located on Alvarado St. at the edge of MacArthur Park. LAHTF members Tiffany Mitsche, David Saffer, Mike Hume and Anthony Caldwell highlighted the crown jewels of the property that include […]

‘Local’s’ new guidebook to our enormous and wild park

If you’re a local, you will learn a lot by reading Casey Schreiner’s “Griffith Park: A Local’s Guide.” Certainly not limited to “locals” however, this guidebook is a great read for an out-of-towner with even a vague interest in our city’s enormous and wild municipal park. Personally, I first learned about Griffith Park growing up […]

On-screen local arts and culture

Activity in the local art scene is ongoing despite the coronavirus pandemic. Community television station KCET and local arts organization leaders have teamed up to bring to our home screens a season of sessions with art makers for the coming months. KCET says of its new program that, “from drive-by art shows to all-girl mariachi […]

Who's Doing What

Geraldine Hurley: a fierce advocate for those in need

As former congressman and seminal civil rights leader John Lewis said, “When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something. … To do something.” That is a guiding principle of many Women of Larchmont – none more so than Geraldine Garrett Hurley. Humble beginnings […]

Kari Garcia strives to keep us all safe

You will survive. Whether it’s an earthquake, a robbery or some other crisis, Kari Garcia wants you to know there are tools and neighbors to help and there are all sorts of ways to be prepared. Oh, and the next big earthquake, it’s not biding its time waiting for a vaccine against the coronavirus. “The […]

Edie Frère reflects on her years on Larchmont

Edie Frère has been a fixture in the Larchmont community for most of her life. She grew up in homes on Third Avenue in Wilshire Park and McCadden Place in Hancock Park, has lived for many years on Las Palmas Avenue in Hancock Park, and this coming October will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her […]

Pioneer and mentor, Madelyn Murray paved her own way

When Madelyn Murray started out as a stockbroker, the 5-foot, 2-inch MBA graduate was not only the only woman in the room, but also the only Black woman in the room. No matter, she thought. “I can do this.” She went on to a successful 30-year career in finance and investments. But when starting out […]

Real Estate News

On Preservation: Assaults from Sacramento, part two: The Assembly now attacks!

When I last reported on the shotgun blast of California State Senate bills aimed at the heart of single-family neighborhoods and the quaint idea of local control, I had been keeping an eye on the second barrel coming out of the Assembly which produced its own buckshot of bills. Like the Senate proposals, these bills […]

Real Estate Sales for June

Single-family homes 232 S. Rimpau Blvd. 538 N. Alta Vista Blvd. 100 S. Beachwood Dr. 300 N. June St. 537 N. Cherokee Ave. 631 N. Lucerne Blvd. 336 N. Orange Dr. (duplex) 301 S. Mansfield Ave. 160 N. Martel Ave. 444 S. Sycamore Ave. 358 S. Citrus Ave. 173 N. Citrus Ave. 546 N. […]

Cerrell leaves Larchmont after 40 years

After 40 years on Larchmont Blvd., Cerrell Associates recently moved its offices to 5900 Wilshire Blvd. across from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. California’s longest operating public relations and public affairs firm is now on the 21st floor of the SBE Building. “We’re over on Wilshire… but our heart remains on Larchmont!” Chief […]

On Books and Places: Some statues are worth saving; some people worth remembering

A statue of Haym Salomon resides on the southeast corner of Pan Pacific Park. As I write this column, the bronze figure sits barricaded by a chain link fence and construction activity on Third Street. It’s visible as one drives west towards Farmers Market, but few will now walk near the statue through the surrounding […]