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9LUJLQLD5RELQVRQ*DUGHQV 6SULQJ6XPPHU1HZVOHWWHU President – Leslie Kavanaugh Editor – Nancy Miller 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, California 90210 310.276.5367 www.robinsongardens.org SPECIAL BENEFIT ISSUE 0HVVDJHIURPWKH3UHVLGHQW LESLIE KAVANAUGH — PRESIDENT 2008-2009 As President, I have had the great pleasure of working on many successful and rewarding projects: Administrative Reorganization, Restoration, Education, Children’s Community Outreach, Membership Development, and the Annual Benefit. Without question, the 2009 “…into the garden” Benefit Tour was the highlight of the year. On behalf of all the Friends, I want to again thank the Women of the An Family for their generosity and friendship, the homeowners who so graciously opened their gardens for our guests and Benefit Tour Grand Marshal, Jim Jahant. Gala Chairman, Kerstin Royce and Benefit Tour Chairmen, Jeanne Anderson and Sunday Taylor are also to be commended for their talented management and gracious spirit throughout the entire Benefit Season. In an event as complex as ours, the list of thank you’s could fill the page, but I do want to extend my sincerest gratitude to all of the Friends for their hard work, to Tim Lindsay and his staff, to the County and to Bianca Costin, Events Coordinator for the Friends; without you we could not do it. As we start the new season and leave the old, we are ever mindful of our beginnings. In 1982, The Friends of Robinson Gardens was founded. Its mission was to support and underwrite the house and gardens, to provide ongoing community education and to initiate new and innovative plans to maintain the estate for future generations. Since that time, the Friends have undergone a number of changes, each time responding to the needs of the organization and the community in which we live. An organization must change with the times, must go through a symbolic metamorphosis or it eventually risks staying in its cocoon too long and perhaps even missing the spring. With this thought in mind, we have initiated a new membership program with the goal of enlarging our circle of support. Please take a moment to read through the following categories and/or share it with friends and business associates who might be interested in becoming a Friend. Together we can take Virginia Robinson Gardens from the city’s “secret garden” to its favorite garden. /HVOLH.DYDQDXJK FRIENDS, Level One FRIENDS PATRON Annual fee of $475 that includes: Annual fee of $2500 that includes: • Annual dues • All benefits of previous levels • Two (2) Garden Tour tickets • Private tea and docent tour of the Gardens for Friend • Invitation to events/programs sponsored and co-sponsored and three (3) guests throughout the year by Robinson Gardens • Invitation to an exclusive evening event • Invitation to two (2) private garden viewings (limited space) • Friends at Level One must complete a work hour requirement FRIENDS BENEFACTOR Annual fee of $5000+ that includes: FRIENDS, Level Two • All benefits of previous levels Annual fee of $775 that includes: • Invitation to two (2) exclusive Benefactor evening events • All benefits of previous level • Grateful recognition of your support on a permanently installed • Elimination of work hour requirement plaque at the Virginia Robinson Gardens Patron and Benefactor levels are available for Corporate Memberships. FRIENDS FELLOW Note: A portion of the fee in each category is tax deductible. Annual fee of $1500 that includes: • All benefits of previous levels For more information and a membership packet, • Private tea and docent tour of the Gardens for Friend please call the Friends office at 310.550.2068 and one guest • Invitation to two (2) exclusive gardens/museum tours 5HVWRUDWLRQ3URMHFW&RPSOHWHG After the framing and rebar was set, the concrete foundation was poured. All looked good, until the next morning when many large half-inch cracks developed. This resulted in everything having to be removed – another 4 days of jack hammers! Apparently, the first concrete mix was too “wet” and dried too fast, causing the excessive cracking. 3rd District Deputy Maria Chong-Castillo Left to Right: Russ Guiney, Kimel Conway, Maria Chong-Castillo, Ellisa Bregman, and Parks Director Russ Guiney Leslie Kavanaugh, Nancy Miller, Tim Lindsay, John Wicker and Jim Meyers The second attempt to pour the concrete foundation was a f you were on the “A list” for the parties at the Robinson success. The cement foundation was scored to insert the zinc Estate, you arrived at the front gate and walked up the strips, which allowed the terrazzo (colored concrete mixed ,long terrazzo terrace to the portico. Once at the front with marble chips) to be poured in two foot by two foot door, you would get your first glimpse of the grand dame, Virginia squares. The green colored squares were poured first, and Robinson, as she stood in the receiving line in the entry hall of the after they cured, the gray colored squares were poured. Each main house. had the same size, color and quantity (measured by weight) of In recent years, the condition of the Terrazzo Terrace had black marble chips mixed in with the colored concrete. deteriorated to a point it was necessary to completely restore this feature of the estate. When the terrazzo hardened, the grinding started. Diamond polishing pads and electric grinders worked for three days The word “terrazzo” is a 17th century Italian word used to to expose and polish the concrete and marble chips. What describe marble chip flooring set in colored concrete. It was resulted was a semi-gloss surface that is wonderful to look at used inside and outside many villas in Italy built during that and walk on. period. The material is extremely durable and can be designed to have exquisite details composed of colored concrete impregnated with marble chips. We would like to thank Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and the County of Los Angeles for providing the The scope of the restoration project was from the threshold funds used for this much needed and very beautiful restoration of the front door to the pedestrian gate on Elden Way. The project. project started by removing all the plant material, garden ornaments and statues on and around the Terrazzo Terrace. This included moving two 500 pound European cement urns. Demolition was the next step in the process – two jack hammers thundered away for four days to break up the old terrazzo and concrete foundation. Three additional days were required to remove the concrete debris from the property. The large roots from the two magnolia trees located at the front gate had to be carefully reduced in size and removed in some instances before the new concrete foundation could be installed. Friends Board Members Bobbie Furrey and Angela Movassaghi with Parks Chief Deputy John Wicker %HQHÀW*DOD “Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger, Patron Gala 2009 was an exceptional event due to the you may see a stranger across a crowded room. collaborative efforts of the Ans and the Gala Committee. And somehow you know, you know even then, Every detail was carefully coordinated. From the moment the that somewhere you’ll see her again and again...” guests entered the front gates there were exquisite flowers, The Friends of Robinson Garden imaginative drinks and food that was almost too beautiful Patron Gala, celebrated on to eat! Joe Sorachana, custom floral designer for the Ans, May 8, 2009, was an evening created a stunning decor that flowed from the fanciful cocktail of magical enchantment where area on the Tennis Court to the formal tent on the Great strangers, lovers, friends and Lawn where orchid centerpieces in a variety of compositions associates found laughter, music, complimented the tables. Above, thousands of white lights and beauty in every corner of filled the rafters illuminating delicate chandeliers of eucalyptus, the Virginia Robinson estate. greens and hydrangea. Throughout a delectable four-course Once a year the Friends host dinner, catered by Crustacean, the Copy Cat Band performed a spectacular evening event to ensembles that enhanced conversation and inspired dancers honor an outstanding individual to crowd the floor. or family in the community with The Friends of Robinson Gardens deeply appreciate the the “Spirit of Beverly Hills” Award. generous support and enthusiasm of the Women of the This year Gala Chairman, Kerstin Royce and Friends President, An Family, particularly, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Mama Leslie Kavanaugh presented the award to the Women of the Helene. It was a wonderful experience and a lot of FUN. An Family. The An Family has been a significant contributor to Congratulations and many thanks to Gala Chairman Kerstin the Beverly Hills community for nearly twenty years. Their Royce who was the epitome of grace-under-fire from start to internationally acclaimed House of An hospitality conglomerate finish. Also contributing their time, energy and talent: Laura includes Crustacean restaurant, as well as their lifestyle division, Alpert, Jeanne Anderson, Ellisa Bregman, Marlene Evarone, An Home, An Foods and An Catering. In addition, the An Family Bobbie Furrey, Audrey Jessup, Leslie Kavanaugh, Sara Kutler, Foundation, established in 2002, supports women and children, Ellen Lipson, Nancy Miller, Sunday Taylor, Leslie Tillmann and with a strong emphasis on rejuvenating Vietnamese arts and Kathy Toppino. handiwork. They also contribute to many local and national philanthropic organizations. Friends President Leslie Kavanaugh and Gala Chairman Kerstin Royce Robbie and Jeanne Anderson, Tim and Margarite Lindsay Scott and Sunday Taylor 6RPH(QFKDQWHG(YHQLQJ Jacky An, Hanna An, Catherine An, Leslie Kavanaugh, Mama Helene An, Elizabeth An and Kerstin Royce Elizabeth An and husband Gordon Clune Danny An and his daughter, Katherine An Hanna and Elizabeth An with friends and Sunday Taylor, who have organized a For this very reason, the works of the ´6SLULWRI%HYHUO\+LOOVµ beautiful garden tour for us next week, for Friends of Robinson Gardens are truly $ZDUG$FFHSWDQFH6SHHFK which I hope all of you will be there! important to us.