Novel times: COVID-19 on and off Larchmont Blvd.
LARCHMONT BOULEVARD was COVID-19-empty on Wednesday, March 25 at 1 p.m.
Restaurants, shops and institutions nationwide and around the world have closed their doors or limited their hours and services in an all-out war against COVID-19.
Larchmont Blvd. is no different.
“Our doors are closed. I’m no longer open to the public, but I’m open for business,” said Joane Pickett of Pickett Fences.
She reported sales of candles, sweat pants and pajamas — items to help you get cozy at home — from her boutique on North Larchmont Blvd.
She posts items on Instagram and Facebook, makes shipments and home deliveries.
“It’s a whole new world everyday,” Pickett told us.
Many of the food places on Larchmont are selling take-out. “They have adapted and are bringing food out to your car.” With little traffic, there’s plenty of room to park, she added.
Next door, Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese is busy making its popular crusty bread sandwiches, and Burger Lounge is also offering its menu as takeout.
Learn more in the Section 2 article on takeout and delivery — on page 10 of that section.
Upstairs from Pickett Fences, Rhodes School of Music is offering video lessons online. Rhodesschoolofmusic.com
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Big Sunday, the Hancock Park-based, citywide volunteer group, is bringing meals from local restaurants to emergency room and hospital staffs, founder David Levinson wrote in a March 24 letter launching the program at Cedars-Sinai and other hospitals.
Big Sunday has friendly callers who can lend an ear. To reach one, e-mail your name and number to david@bigsunday.org. If you need help getting groceries, medicine, etc., call 211. If that doesn’t help, try info@bigsunday.org, and a volunteer will steer you in the right direction.
The group postponed its fifth annual gala last month, but its annual Month of Big Sundays (MOBS) is still planned for May. This year’s month-long series of volunteer events will center on homelessness.
“[We’re] still hoping to spend a month focusing on this critically important issue in our community, regardless of whether this happens in May or needs to be postponed to a later date this year,” said Big Sunday spokesperson Rachel Schwartz. She suggested that readers check the bigsunday.org website and its Facebook page for updates.
It’s a wait-and-see timeline for everyone as cautionary measures continue in response to the novel virus.
Little Leaguers at Wilshire Warriors and players with St. Brendan’s Basketball will have to wait, as both leagues have delayed their seasons.
“We are postponed until further notice. Hopefully we can complete the season at some point, but it’s really up in the air right now,” said Abel De Luna, SBBA co-commissioner.
The Wilshire Warriors announced its season is delayed until April 6, according to its website.
Miracle Mile Residential Association cancelled its annual meeting last month, a first in the group’s 37-year history, according to the miraclemilela.com website.
The meetings attract standing-room-only crowds. “We thought it was best to exercise common sense and hold off on hosting large public meetings until we all have a better understanding of how this virus is going to impact our community,” Ken Hixon, MMRA senior vice president, said on the website.
“This would have been a great and timely meeting, as we had an entire panel of speakers ready to discuss the importance of preparedness and the value of block and neighborhood organization. Something that will be of value to us now and for any disruption of our normal daily lives!” Kari Garcia told us following the announcement.
Plans to schedule a meeting are pending safety, she added.
“We’re waiting until we know more, and when it is safe to congregate again.”
The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council had cancelled its meetings and events through March 31 and possibly longer, pending government restrictions and safety.
The Ebell of Los Angeles is suspending all club and theater events through March and possibly beyond.
Its charity arm, the Rest Cottage Association, has postponed its annual awards dinner, which had been scheduled for this month.
Wilshire Rotary, which meets at the Ebell, is postponing its meetings, “closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak according to the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),” Rotary President Ron Reyes wrote in a letter to members.
“Everybody is doing his or her share to confront a common problem. Everyone’s suffering,” said Larchmont Chronicle publisher John Welborne.
Check restaurant, store and organization websites for updates.
Category: News