Rockin’ and a-rollin’ for good times and many good causes
The Bourbon Room in Hollywood was the place to rock ‘n’ roll on Aug. 24, when Larchmont area friends and family showed up to support local Zach Selwyn and his band, Zachariah & The Lobos Riders. The performers hit the stage promptly at 8:15 p.m. and, within minutes, the crowd was on its feet, dancing and enjoying the rhythm of the foot-stomping, toe-tapping tunes.
BAND Zachariah & The Lobos Riders play to a packed house.
This was the first time the band played together in months, after guitarist Selwyn took a brief hiatus over the summer to tour Europe, opening for the American rock band The Boxmasters. In attendance at The Bourbon Room were friends and Larchmont locals including Wendy Selwyn, Karen Burke, John and Allison Brotherton, Jib Polhemus and James Scura.
ROCKIN’ at the Bourbon Room: Cheyenne Doer, Jill Benjamin and Wendy Selwyn.
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On Sept. 9, a group of generous individuals gathered at the headquarters of St. Vincent Meals on Wheels (SVMOW) to participate in the annual Blessing of the Wall. Located just steps away from the kitchen, the donor wall includes the names of significant donors — the Circle of Angels — who support the local charity that delivers more than 100,000 meals a month to seniors who are at risk of hunger.
ST. VINCENT Meals on Wheels’ annual Blessing of the Donor Wall was made by Father Scott Jakubowski, C.M., surrounded by members of the Circle of Angels who support the organization. SVMOW CEO and Executive Director Veronica Dover is on the pastor’s right. Photo courtesy of
St. Vincent Meals on Wheels
According to SVMOW CEO and executive director Veronica Dover of Windsor Square, the generosity of Circle of Angels members is remembered not only on this day, but also throughout the year at SVMOW special events.
After enjoying a delicious brunch catered by Paris Baguette, guests assembled for the blessing given by Vincentian Fr. Scott Jakubowski, C. M., associate pastor of the nearby St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
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Hancock Park’s National Giving Alliance (NGA) held its 2023-2024 Kick Off and New Member Event on Sept. 12, welcoming current and prospective members to June Bilgore’s Windsor Square backyard oasis. The evening was billed as “a night to reconnect and recruit.” Members caught up with each other after a summer apart, listened to new President Danielle Avazian Reyes lay out the year ahead and welcomed women into the group who were attending for the first time.
AT THE NGA KICK OFF (left to right): Sreevedi Karamuchi, Susan Kneafsey, Donna Econn, Penny Bentley, Kathleen Cooper, Shelagh Callahan and Robin Jameson.
NGA GROUP: Isabel Mayfield, Hedy Hutcheson, Laura Brenner, Elsa Castaldo, Beverly Brown, Oona Kanner and Deniz Olgac.
Attendees then enjoyed drinks and light summer fare prepared by chef Michael Beglinger. NGA serves seven local charitable organizations, including Alexandria House, Aviva, Good Shepherd Center, Operation School Bell, McIntyre House, Imagine LA and Pacific Clinics. Those in attendance included Oona Kanner, Marion Plato, Donna Econn, Olivia Kazanjian, Shar Penfold, Jennifer Kim, Penny Bentley, Robin Jameson and Aviva President and CEO Amber Rivas.
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On Sept. 17, the entire neighborhood showed up to welcome the triumphant return of the 41st annual Brookside Block Party. This is covered in detail, with lots of photos, on Page 10 of Section 2.
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Mark your calendars! Several gala fundraising events are on the fall horizon.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrates the 20th anniversary of Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thurs., Oct. 5, with an homage to the architect of the iconic building, Frank Gehry.
The inaugural fundraising gala for the Paul R. Williams Scholarship and Education Fund takes place (appropriately) at the Williams-designed Beverly Hills Hotel on Wed., Oct. 11.
Wines, Cheese & Jazz Under the Stars will benefit Hollywood homeless services provider The Center and its Community Wellness Program on Thurs., Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at 6636 Selma Ave.
Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Coppola will be honored at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures third annual gala on Sat., Oct. 14. Co-chairs include Ava DuVernay, Halle Berry and Ryan Murphy.
Mingle with artists and supporters of Craft Contemporary at its annual benefit and auction on Sat., Oct. 21. Museum Executive Director Suzanne Isken will be honored at the event.
This year’s Art+Film Gala at LACMA honors artist Judy Baca and filmmaker David Fincher on Sat., Nov. 4. Museum Trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio will co-chair the 12th annual event.
On Nov. 5, the Los Angeles Conservancy will honor its president, Linda Dishman, who is retiring as head of the organization after 31 years. The benefit event takes place at Vibiana, which Dishman helped save.
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be honored at the Holocaust Museum LA’s 15th annual gala, “We Educate to Stop Hate,” Mon., Nov. 6, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Also honored will be philanthropist Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Sandra Gerson Kanengiser, a daughter of Holocaust survivors. Melissa Rivers will host.
And now you’re in the Larchmont know!
Category: People