Rose Award and other gatherings

On a beautiful day outdoors, surrounded by thousands of blooming roses, the Los Angeles Parks Foundation (LAPF) saluted local resident and business and nonprofit leader Jaime Lee for her many civic contributions, especially with respect to recreation and parks. Lots of local supporters of LAPF were there on October 13 to salute Lee, including the late Councilman Tom LaBonge’s widow, Brigid, and Windsor Square’s Jackie Kruse, Jane Hawley and LAPF Executive Director Carolyn Ramsay. Others were Joane Pickett (she and Wiley are part-time in Hancock Park), Patty Lombard from Fremont Place, Debora Vrana from La Brea Hancock, and Suzie Convery from West Adams.

2028 Olympics
Given the Exposition Park location of the Rose Garden, Lee noted how proud she is to serve on the Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic Games. Lee said: “The 2028 Olympics is investing $160 million in sports for kids across Los Angeles

ahead of the Games, making sport more accessible to all, but especially for kids in under-resourced communities. This is the single largest commitment to youth sports development in California, and in partnership with [the city’s] Rec & Parks Department, we’ve already reached more than 100,000 children with this investment.

In particular we are seeking to ensure equity between boys and girls, as often girls are overlooked or under invested in when a family can only support one athlete, while at the same time data shows tremendous advantage in adult outcomes for girls who have played team sports.”

She continued: “I cannot wait to see in 2028 what we have all achieved together.

“We will walk along this very same park to the historic Coliseum as it hosts its third summer Olympic Games since 1932, and we will showcase the best of LA: our creativity, diversity, energy, and perseverance as we welcome 15,000 athletes and countless visitors from over 200 countries from around the world.”

More information about the work of the LAPF is at laparksfoundation.org.

Coro Crystal Eagle
Two weeks before, right up on Vine Street at the Taglyan Cultural Center, some leading Angelenos (one now resident in New York) were honored by Coro Southern California. Coro is a leadership training program founded in 1942. This year’s honorees included nonprofit executive Wendy Chang, investment banker (and former Councilman John Ferraro staffer) Fred Terrell, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and public policy maven Billie Greer.

There at the dinner to specially salute Dwight Stuart Youth Fund director Wendy Chang were Windsor Square’s Andy Murr and Amy Forbes. Forbes is the president of the Center Theatre Group (CTG), one of several boards on which Chang serves. Joining the Forbes table was CTG Managing Director Meghan Pressman. Also present in the room from Windsor Square were Neil and Robin Kramer, Karly Katona and Diana Buckhantz, as well as former Windsor Square resident Bill Stinehart with Joanne Kozberg. Information about Coro is at corola.org.

Olives & Olive Oil

“Riches from Deep Roots: Olives & Olive Oil” is the title of a gorgeous new full-color cookbook from Turkish celebrity chef Jale Balci and Muge Nebolglu, and the book and its recipes were featured October 6 at a reception at the Hancock Park residence of the Consul General of Turkey, Sinan Kuzum and his wife, Alina. Learn about the book via Instagram: @jaleblc.

Craft Contemporary
Local museum, Craft Contemporary, located since 1965 right across Wilshire Boulevard from the La Brea Tar Pits, held its recent, October 15 gala right at the museum. Guests greeted one another in the exterior courtyard and explored the several floors of the museum devoted to contemporary art made from craft media and processes. Local museum trustees include Hancock Park’s Michael Johnson and Brookside’s Julie Stromberg. Seen at the gala were longtime Miracle Mile

advocate (and museum immediate past chair) Wally Marks and Windsor Square’s Dick Motika and Jerrie Whitfield. Learn about the museum at craftcontemporary.org.

First Century Families
After two years of not meeting, this group of descendants of the pioneers who came to Southern California before or during the first hundred years after the founding of the City of Los Angeles on September 4, 1781, will gather for its 82nd annual luncheon on November 3 in downtown Los Angeles. Hank Hilty, of the A.F. Gilmore Company and Original Farmers Market, is this year’s luncheon chair. Further information is available at 323-935-1914.

Tags: 2028 Olympics, Coro Crystal Eagle, Craft Contemporary, First Century Families of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Parks Foundation

Category: People