Archive for December, 2020
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Newstat, Chevalier’s manager, 72
Elizabeth “Liz” Clare Newstat, Hancock Park, passed away last month. She was 72. A long time employee and manager at Chevalier’s Books on Larchmont Boulevard, Newstat was considered the local aficionado on all things literary. Some of her work included selecting books for Chevalier’s, meeting with publishers and planning author events, as well as the […]
Poker is like life — it takes skill, good decisions and a bit of gambling
As we begin another year, I thought we should take a break from our lessons on how to win more at the poker table. Instead, let us contemplate how much alike are the games of poker and life. Do you know who said: “Life is just like a game. First you have to learn rules […]
‘Professor Know-It-All’ knew it all for 32 years at Chronicle
Last month was the final installment of William Bentley’s “Professor Know-It-All” column. Bentley has been answering queries regarding word and phrase etymology for Larchmont Chronicle readers for 32 years. Bentley first pitched the idea to Jane Gilman, founder and former publisher of the Chronicle, because he thought the paper needed something lighthearted and fun. The […]
Chevalier’s and other Lipson Building tenants transition to their new reality
Longtime tenants of the Lipson Building on Larchmont Boulevard had until midnight Dec. 31 to vacate the 17,000-square-foot property located at 124-148 N. Larchmont Blvd. New owner Malibu-based Christina Development purchased the property in Oct. 2018 for $23.5 million with plans to renovate the existing structure. Some of those tenants have found new locations while […]
Doggie day spa caters to the well-heeled on Larchmont
Jess Rona had such a long waiting list for her competition-worthy doggie cuts and blowouts, she was running out of room in her garage for her expanding business. So she was excited to find the perfect spot to open her first commercial storefront on Larchmont. Then the pandemic hit and slowed the opening process, but […]
A quick trip through Los Angeles history with Wayne Ratkovich
Wayne and Jo Ann Ratkovich have lived in Windsor Square and Hancock Park (and Windsor Square again) for most of the past 50 years. Wayne has become a “famous real estate developer,” especially because of his interest in historic preservation. (He preceded me in serving a nine-year term as a Trustee of the National Trust […]
