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A newspaper for the 90,000 readers in Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Windsor Village, Vol 1. No. 1 Wilshire Historic District, Country Club Park, Lafayette Square, Oxford Square, Brookside, Mid-Wilshire and Koreatown January 2015

Marlborough [cd 4 election] Head’s March Ballot Set With 14 Candidates Resignation By Colin Stutz Divides School Ledger Senior Contributing By Bruce Haring Writer Ledger Contributing Writer Fourteen candidates re- WINDSOR SQUARE—The main in the race to repre- elite private all-girls Marlbor- sent City Council District ough School is trying to move 4 (CD4), one of which will forward following one of the replace termed-out Tom La- rockiest periods in its 125-year Bonge in the March 3, 2015 history. election. Long-time head of school CD4 includes Hollywood Barbara Wagner resigned in Hills to Silver Lake as well as November in the wake of Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, damaging revelations on her Windsor Square and Larch- handling of a male teacher’s mont Village neighborhoods. alleged misconduct with a fe- Sherman Oaks is also part of male student. the district. Wagner has been with the Though the number had school for 26 years. Her resig- swelled to 18 as of November, nation is effective June 30th. several who had submitted But her continued presence at paperwork to the City Eth- the school has been a source of ics Commission to fundraise division. CD 4 CANDIDATES (top row, left to right): Jay Beeber, Teddy Davis, Sheila Irani, Step Jones; (center row, left to right): failed to qualify for the ballot. Fred Mariscal, Tomas O’Grady, Joan Pelico, Carolyn Ramsay; (bottom row, left to right): David Ryu, Rostom Sarkis- see MARLBOROUGH page 12 sian, Michael Schaefer, Steve Veres; (not pictured): Wally Knox and Paul Koretz see CD4 page 5

[cd4 election] Murder of School’s Expansion Including Rodney King, Community Policing Elderly Woman Demolition of Five Homes and Body Cameras First Since 2001 Approved in 1999 Candidates Speak on the LAPD and Ferguson By Bruce Haring By Colin Stutz, Ryan White, Bruce Haring and Ledger Contributing Writer Earlier Approval Predates Historic Status Bridgette Webb, Ledger Contributing Writers WINDSOR SQUARE—Police By Ameera Butt and Allison B. Cohen continue to seek information Since September, we’ve Ledger Contributing Writer in the murder of 86-year-old asked the Los Angeles City Antonia Maria Yager found WINDSOR SQUARE— Five Council candidates for Dis- dead in her home last month homes on Arden Boulevard trict 4 their thoughts on a va- in the 100 block of North will be torn down early this riety of subjects. Beachwood drive of multiple year despite a 2005 city or- This month, we ask the 14 stab wounds. dinance protecting homes candidates, who have qualified Yager’s body was dis- locally with architectural sig- for the March 3rd ballot, to covered by a male caretaker nificance. comment on policing in Los at about 7 p.m. December According to some, a Angeles in the wake of protests 22nd. Her murder is the meeting scheduled this month nationwide over the police Long time Los Angeles City Council- first violent crime in the area is the first notification of the shooting of Michael Brown in member Tom LaBonge will be termed since 2001. demolition, even though city Marlborough School, which is Ferguson, MO and the choke out in 2015. Fourteen candidates, in “We need help from the officials promised a public located just adjacent on South hold death of Eric Garner, in the city’s most costly and contested seat for the March 2015 election, are community,” said Lt. John hearing on the issue for last Rossmore Avenue. New York. We focused the looking to replace him. Radtke of the Los Angeles Po- fall. In 1999, the school candidates on the Los Angeles lice Dept.’s Wilshire Division. The homes will be demol- bought 11 properties on Arden Police Dept. (LAPD) regard- calation guidelines and their This crime is “very, very egre- ished as part of a more than Boulevard behind its campus ing officer-mounted cameras impressions of Chief of Police gious,” he said. decade old conditional use for expansion, according to (the first of such to be in place Charlie Beck. Yager lived alone since her permit approved by the city Mark Armbruster, an attorney in Los Angeles this summer); Candidate David Ryu of Los Angeles in 1999 for the possibility of new de-es- see ELECTION page 7 see MURDER page 12 see EXPANSION page 14

Retail Therapy: Hearth & Home: Focus on the Advertiser: Mother of Invention: Out and About: Akbar Abdi, the Salt and Straw, lines like The new “normal,” page 6 Jill’s Paint, worth the drive, page 9 Is there an app for parenting? Persian comedian, will perform at Disneyland, but better, page 4 page 17 the Ebell, larchmontledgerla.com Larchmont Ledger

[letter from the publisher]

This news- demise of the printed press. the same issues as the Chron- paper is Again, I attempted to pur- icle, the Larchmont Ledger, you FOUNDED 2015 Pick up a copy of the Larchmont a long chase the Chronicle in 2008 will find, is more political in A newspaper for the 70,000 readers Ledger at these places, or visit us time com- and made Jane a substantial nature and will cover local in Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, online at larchmontledgerla.com ing. Back offer, of which she declined. stories with more investiga- Windsor Square, Windsor Village, when I When I learned last fall the tion and depth. As the paper Wilshire Historic District, Country Bricks & Scones 403 N. Larchmont was a young mother, I wrote Chronicle was officially on the grows, we will also offer an Club Park, Lafayette Square, Oxford a column for the Larchmont market, I, again, considered array of features and columns Square, Mid-Wilshire and Koreatown Haas & Co. Hair Design Chronicle about parenting. purchasing it. However, after keeping you up to speed on 136 N. Larchmont At the time, I was getting my much consideration, I decided goings on in this wonderful For editorial consideration, Jamba Juice Master’s Degree in Print Jour- there is room in Larchmont neighborhood and its amazing send story ideas to: 158 N. Larchmont nalism from the Annenberg Village for two community cast of characters. [email protected] 323-667-9897 John C. Fremont Library School at USC and commut- newspapers and, as I did with I cannot end this letter 6121 Melrose Avenue ing daily to Orange County the Los Feliz Ledger, have de- without grateful thanks to PUBLISHER/EDITOR Keller Williams Realty where I was reporting for the cided to start my own. our first advertisers. Without 118 N. Larchmont Los Angeles Times. At that Here is our first edition. them, this paper would not be Allison B. Cohen time, Jane Gilman mentioned While we will cover some of possible. Larchmont Village MANAGING EDITOR Wine & Cheese she thought I would be a good Samantha Goodman 223 N. Larchmont choice to one day succeed her Missed paper? 213-627-0530 ADVERTISING SALES Le Petite Retreat Day Spa as publisher of the Chronicle. Libby Butler-Gluck 331 N. Larchmont A few years later, around 323-644-5536 Le Petit Greek 2004, I discussed with Jane [email protected] 127 N. Larchmont the possibility of buying the GRAPHIC DESIGN Chronicle. But she was not Memorial Branch Library & LAYOUT 4625 W. Olympic Boulevard ready to sell. Instead, she sug- Tiffany Sims gested I start a newspaper of Sam’s Bagels my own in Los Feliz. Having BOOKKEEPER 150 N. Larchmont Geeta Badkar written my Master’s Thesis on the development of a com- Sign up for Look for more stories and munity newspaper for the updates online at: Larchmont Ledger University Park neighborhood email updates! around USC, I decided to give LarchmontLedgerLA.com Register at it a try. www.larchmontledgerla.com In July of 2005, the Los Visit our sister publication or email us at: newsletter@ Feliz Ledger was founded and online at LosFelizLedger.com larchmontledgerla.com 10 years later, the 34,500 monthly-distributed newspaper is thriving even despite the

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[retail therapy] Salt & Straw: Sweet Treats Made Locally By Kathy A. McDonald, Ledger Columnist

There’s a new sweet shop cream can be a platform to tell on Larchmont Boulevard. Be- stories and showcase local ar- neath a peppermint candy-col- tisans around the city. I think ored awning is Salt & Straw, I’m most proud when custom- an artisan ice cream shop from ers come in for ice cream and Portland, Oregon that uses lo- end up learning about what is cal Los Angeles sourced ingre- going on in the food commu- dients for its decadently rich, nity around them. sweet and savory flavorful ice creams. Are there L.A. only flavors? Kim Malek, the founder of Salt & Straw, in a recent Malek: We have setup an en- email exchange with The tirely new menu for Los Ange- Larchmont Ledger gives some les, only repeating a couple of background on the shop and our true classics like Sea Salt the local response to date. Salt with Caramel Ribbons. Some & Straw is open daily from 10 of our favorite new, L.A. spe- a.m. to 11 p.m. cific ice cream flavors include Santa Ynez Walnut Oil fea- Out of all the streets and turing a special walnut oil neighborhoods in Los An- from this small farm on the geles why did you choose central coast that has been in Larchmont Boulevard to the same family for over 150 open the fourth scoop shop? years; Avocado & Strawberry Sherbet which features a local Malek: Throughout L.A., we strawberry vanilla bean jam had been making connections from Laura Ann Jams; and with different farmers, arti- Black Olive Brittle and Goat sans and chefs and had this Cheese using California- feeling that we wanted to open grown, oil cured olives that in Los Angeles. That being are sweet, salty, fruity and su- said, we had no plans to open per yummy! a scoop shop until we visited Larchmont Boulevard. Larch- And which is the most popu- mont is a treasure for the city. lar L.A. flavor? It’s one of those places that people from all around Los Malek: Our most popu- Angeles visit for a little “stay- lar flavor in Los Angeles has cation.” The street is welcom- been our Stumptown Coffee ing, beautifully kept and full & Compartes Love Nuts ice of life with families and proud cream. This flavor is a marriage business owners. made in heaven, combining an L.A. old school artisan with What’s been the local re- L.A. new school. Compartes sponse so far? Chocolates have been making all of their chocolates in Malek: We have been hum- Brentwood for more than 60 bled and grateful for the re- years. Stumptown Coffee— sponse of customers coming our Portland brethren—just into our shop on Larchmont. opened their first L.A. roast- When we opened, we felt that ing facility this past summer. I we could bring something spe- think it’s easy to see why these cial to the city that hasn’t been two special L.A. products in done before. All of our ice one ice cream have stolen hearts cream is made in our kitchen at our little Larchmont shop! in Downtown Los Angeles, using local ingredients, lo- Salt & Straw cal dairy and featuring some 240 N. Larchmont Blvd. of our favorite local partners. (323) 466-0485 We like to think that our ice saltandstraw.com

Page 4 COMMUNITY NEWS www.larchmontledgerla.com January 2015 Larchmont Ledger

CD4 from page 1 5 Councilmember Paul Koretz funds will max out at $100,000 Jones; marketing executive he has the option to either They failed to submit nominat- Joan Pelico; LaBonge’s former for each candidate for the Fred Mariscal; small business donate left over funds to a ing petitions with at least 500 chief of staff Carolyn Ramsay March election and $125,000 owner Rostom “Ross” Sarkis- non-profit of his choosing or valid signatures of registered and Los Angeles Commu- for May. These funds to candi- sian; public interest advocate return the funds to donors. voters from the district with a nity College District Board dates are paid out of the city’s Mike Schaefer and communi- The order candidates’ filing fee; or at least 1,000 valid of Trustees member and vice Matching Funds Trust Fund. ty health director David Ryu. names will be listed on the signatures with no fee. president Steve Veres. The candidates who quali- Oscar Winslow, a Los ballot was also selected in De- Still CD4 remains by far Hitting that 1,000-signa- fied with at least 500 valid sig- Angeles deputy city attorney, cember, decided by a random the most crowded of the 2015 ture benchmark is not just a natures and paid the fee are: was the only candidate to public drawing conducted by city and Los Angeles Unified point of pride for candidates. Vice President West for the submit a nominating petition Los Angeles City Clerk Holly School District elections, more It also qualifies them for National Apartment Assoc. but fail to qualify. At the last L. Wolcott. than doubling any other con- greater city matching funds. Tara Bannister; community contribution-filing period Per this drawing, Ryu’s advocate and businessman Jay ending Sept. 30th, he had name will be listed first—giv- Beeber; attorney and educator raised more than $11,000 for ing a slight, proven advantage CD4 remains by far the most crowded of the Teddy Davis; businesswoman his campaign. As with any to the current reported leading 2015 city and Los Angeles Unified School District and community leader Sheila candidate whose campaign fundraiser. Veres’ name will be Irani; vapor advocate Step ends with money remaining, last on the ballot. elections, more than doubling any other contest. As it is unlikely any one candidate will receive more than 50% of the votes in March, a runoff ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ general election of the top-two vote getters is expected May 19th. BEST EDUCATED — MOST EXPERIENCED test. As it is unlikely any one Whereas candidates submit- candidate will receive more ting just 500 signatures and than 50% of the votes in pay the fee qualify for 1:1 city March, a runoff general elec- matching on qualifying con- tion of the top-two vote getters tributions in both the March is expected May 19th. and, if necessary, the May Just five of the candidates election, those proving greater SCHAEFER managed to secure the 1,000 support with more signatures visit www.mike4council.com signatures and avoid paying receive matching funds at 2:1 the $300 filing fee: attorney and then 4:1 in the respective Wally Knox; nonprofit direc- elections. OTE MARCH 3RD tor and entrepreneur Tomás Up to $250 of each con- O’Grady; chief of staff to Los tribution counts toward these Angeles City Council District thresholds. City matching ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

January 2015 www.larchmontledgerla.com COMMUNITY NEWS Page 5 Larchmont Ledger

[real estate] California region dropped to The homes sold for a median [layfayette square] The New “Normal” their lowest levels for a No- price of $610 per square foot. Princess vember in the last seven years. Five condos were sold in the So Cal Market Cools While Local Stays Hot CoreLogic also claimed zip code for a median price of Pignatelli of By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter there are other signs of home $668,000, a 51.9% increase Lafayette prices “flattening out,” mean- year-over-year. If you’re looking to buy tically reflect that most homes ing the region’s median sales The 90020 zip code saw Square or sell a home this month, will appreciate 3% to 4% year- price has changed little over two homes sold for a median By Laura Collins welcome to the new normal. over-year. the last three months and price of $4.3 million, a 62.5% Ledger Columnist Gone is the “Wild West” buy- “It’s not a buyer’s or seller’s median increases have been increase year-over-year at a me- ing and selling frenzy of the market,” said Meinelschmidt, As a girl in the single digits the last six dian $660 per square foot. Four last few years. Now, realtors and the trend should continue growing up months, following 22 months condos sold for a median price speak of a “normal” market, for 2015, “as long as unem- in the forests of double-digit increases. of $495, a 56.5% increase. or perhaps a “neutral” market. ployment keeps doing down that line the That’s not to say that In the Miracle Mile 90036 Such words reflect the no- and wages continue to im- things are grim. There’s still Puget Sound, tion that multiple offers, in- prove,” he said. zip, 13 single-family homes sold celebrities plenty of activity in the local for a median price of $1.2 mil- stitutional investors and huge While the first two weeks markets. Most of the Larch- were the stuff open houses aren’t likely at of January are usually quite slow lion, or $710 per square foot. dreams were made of, so distant mont Ledger’s zip codes still did That’s a 3.9% increase year- the moment. Instead, we have for residential real estate, there extremely well in residential as to not likely be real. I had over-year. Five condos sold for a regional residential market are always those that need to sales for November, reflecting two sisters and we used to pre- a $655,000 median price, a that lacks fireworks, but still buy and need to buy now. the area’s lasting desirability tend to be elegant partygoers in 24.2% increase year-over-year. has some momentum. “If buyers are looking on even in a market that’s largely my mother’s alligator heels and Mid-city’s 90019 zip There is good news for January 1st, they probably cooling off. 50s’ dresses swathed in crinoline code saw 23 single-family sellers in the neighborhood. have some sort of ticking clock and sipping Kool-Aid from her Despite the regional market they’re working under,” said LOCAL MARKETS STILL HOT homes sold for a median grandmother’s crystal. cooling, the good times are Meinelschmidt. “So they are In the Greater Wilshire/Han- price of $967,000, a 35.4% “Princess Pignatelli” still rolling locally. more motivated.” cock Park 90004 zip code, increase year-over-year and was one of our regular char- Tim Meinelschmidt, a re- CoreLogic, a La Jolla, 15 single-family homes were reflecting a $444 price per acters—along with “Farley altor with Icon Properties in California-based property an- sold in November for a me- square foot. Three condos Granger”—a name we liked, Larchmont Village, said recent alytics company reports that dian price of $1.7 million, a sold for $418,000, down but had no idea who he was. residential sales should realis- homes sales in the Southern 41.3% increase year-over-year. 7.6% year-over-year. see LAFAYETTE page 16

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Page 6 HEARTH & HOME www.larchmontledgerla.com January 2015 Larchmont Ledger

ELECTION from page 1 LAPD has been stripped of a conduct and police related fa- Los Angeles’s crime statistics Knox also said other city’s compared the culture of the lot of power since 1992, the re- talities are complex issues that have declined under Beck’s have “successfully raided our LAPD during the Compton sult is a department more ac- call for a shift in perception, leadership, he questioned the ranks for highly desirable, ex- 1965 and 1992 Rodney King countable for its actions. restraint and building trust. LAPD’s own policing of itself. perienced officers.” riots to today and said com- “LAPD officers have a lot “There is this balance be- “A fair and equitable disci- The result, he said, is a munication by the LAPD and of training, they don’t just go tween [an officer’s] perceived plinary system is crucial to the force of relatively inexperi- its relationship to the overall out there,” she said. “Chief sense of safety… and the pub- operation of the police depart- enced officers who have not community is better by “leaps Beck and the captains, they do lic’s need for a police force that ment, but there is a perception learned the importance of and bounds.” talk to their officers and there [responds in a] measured way,” that there is favoritism in the thinking through a situation. “There is always room are disciplinary actions,” she he said. disciplinary process… There From an emotional stand- for improvement,” he said, said, for police misconduct. Sarkissian said Los Ange- are few things that can more point Candidate Tomas “but currently the LAPD is a Pelico said she supports les’s language barriers also im- rapidly lower the morale of a O’Grady said he feels “un- world-class force and that is body cameras for police be- pede progress of trust between police force than the percep- comfortable” with firearms in- due in large part to the strong cause it is good policy for both officer and civilian. tion that its officers are not cluding police officers expos- leadership at the top.” officers and civilians. “Some [people] might subject to the same careful ing their weapons. Ryu said Beck is doing an “If you have body cameras not speak [English],” he said, standards of disciplinary re- That practice, O’Grady admirable job and “has lived for police officers,” she said, “I “which brings a fear of cops view,” he said. said, is in far contrast to his up to his strong reputation, know some police who would not understanding them. This Looking ahead, Knox said upbringing in the British Isles, thus far.” think, why don’t you put body can contribute to the culture with the realignment of the where he said unarmed police For Ryu, the key to keep- cameras on the criminals? Be- of mistrust.” state and county prison popu- are the norm. To that end, he ing the LAPD at the forefront cause there are two sides.” Candidate Michael lations, there are many who questioned why officers have is recruiting and retaining the Pelico also spoke of eco- Schaefer, had many thoughts say Los Angeles could begin to weapons on Los Angeles Uni- best officers that can develop nomic inequality, both nation- on the issue, including his pos- see an increase in crime. fied School District campuses. relationships of trust in the ally and locally, which she said itive impression of Chief Beck “We have enjoyed the O’Grady praised former communities they police. leads to crime in the first place. and that the LAPD has recov- fruits of a period in which a police chief, and Los Feliz resi- Candidate Carolyn Ram- “When you look at Fer- ered mostly from the racial sophisticated, computerized dent, Bill Bratton who is now say, as former chief of staff for guson, what’s the point of all tensions between the “trigger tracking system resulted in the police commissioner for the the current CD4 Council- those people stealing from happy” police force and citi- decreasing crime statistics,” New York Police Dept., and member Tom LaBonge, said those stores and looting from zens during the 1990s. But he he said. “But, the department current Chief Beck for reining she has worked with Beck and their own community and remains empathetic with those and the chief, will have to up in the police culture that pro- has found him to be “smart, hurting their own commu- who have experienced police their game to deal with the is- duced the Rodney King riots. tough and fair.” nity?… Because they’re poor,” brutality in the past. sues realignment will bring.” “We can always be better,” “Our communities con- she said. “Because they don’t Schaefer recalled seeing a Knox also questioned he said, “but fair play to the tinue to be safer with him have. Because they can’t afford teenager arrested around Hol- whether officers today have LAPD. What a wonderful or- leading our police depart- these things.” lywood Boulevard, some time been sufficiently trained in ganization compared to what ment,” she said. Her solution is simple: ago, because the boy chose not the use of various non violent they were 20 years ago.” But Ramsay said the educating and listening. to provide an officer identifica- tools, such as tear gas, tasers In response to the recent lack of transparency with the “It’s all about listening… tion when requested. and “bean bags” to deescalate incidences of police killings grand jury system, nation- to what their needs and their “The cop threw him on the a confrontation and “to react in New York and Ferguson, wide, is concerning. Grand concerns are,” she said. “We ground and arrested him. If I thoughtfully rather than re- O’Grady does not agree with juries recently chose to not in- have to help our own and was a city councilman,” then, he flexively” to the city’s various the notion that people are dict the officers involved with we cannot turn our backs on said, “I would have gotten that cultures of which police are innately fearful of other cul- the Brown and Garner cases, these people.” cop’s information and let him viewed differently. tures citing a Canadian Royal sparking mostly peaceful pro- In light of current national know that he is not representing “Some cultures stress Mounty Police study that dis- tests nationwide. events, candidate Teddy Da- our city as he should.” compliance with authority,” misses the concept altogether. “We’re all frustrated with vis also acknowledged “deep Candidate Wally Knox he said. “In other cultures… He said black men and the lack of transparency in the divides” within our country. had mixed reviews for Po- police are seen as an extension women in Los Angeles are grand jury system,” she said. “There are preconceptions lice Chief Beck. While Knox of the police in the ‘old coun- still harassed and humiliated “The outcomes haven’t been wired into us and we have to said he acknowledges that try’—as the enemy.” see ELECTION page 13 aligned with what little infor- work to get beyond them,” he mation we do receive or the said. actual experiences in our own Locally, he praised the communities. We need more LAPD’s improvements at “scru- [transparency] to ensure justice tinizing its own force” since prevails in our communities.” Rodney King and the Rampart Ramsay pointed to the suc- police corruption scandal. cess, however, of Los Angeles’ He also said transparency, community policing program, such as releasing the names of to make neighborhoods safer. officers involved in shootings “The LAPD’s senior lead is also key. Such disclosure, officer system,” she said, “is however, must be done know- just one example of stronger ing officers and their families cooperation between commu- will be safe. nities and police officers.” Davis also said the LAPD Senior lead officers are now more mirrors the com- LAPD personnel who work munities it serves. closely with residents, business “Los Angeles has dramati- owners and officials in their cally improved the diversity respective communities. In of its police force and has em- many cases, community mem- braced the community polic- bers can access their SLO, ing model,” he said. as they are known, directly Candidate Step Jones, a through email or cell phone. small Sherman Oaks business Candidate Joan Pelico owner, said he believes raising said growing up in the Bronx, the salary of LAPD officers she was raised without preju- would eliminate potential on- dice or bias, and put an em- the-job misconduct. phasis on her belief that peo- “I think the LAPD should ple are taught prejudice. “We be the highest paid in the coun- aren’t born that way,” she said. try,” he said. “With that there Like other candidates, should be a zero tolerance [pol- Pelico said she feels Los Ange- icy] on the job. Stupid things les has made incredible prog- should not be permitted.” ress since the Rodney King Candidate Rostrom riots. Although she said the Sarkissian said police mis- January 2015 www.larchmontledgerla.com HEARTH & HOME Page 7 Your Management, Leasing & Brokerage Solution!

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[FOCUS ON THE ADVERTISER] Jill’s Paint is All About Local Color By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Columinst

Editor’s Note: tow, the threesome squeezed Without a neighborhood paint Jill’s Paints into 3534 Larga store on Larchmont Boulevard, Ave. in Atwater Village. we think Jill’s Paint is certainly “We were told by Ben- worth the drive. jamin Moore & Co. that we weren’t going to survive be- ATWATER VILLAGE— A doz- cause we were off the main en or so years ago—when Peg- street and [our] signs were too gy McCloud was still a painter small,” McCloud said. “But running her painting business they went ahead and sent us called “Jill of All Trades”— all the paint [we ordered] and she bought all of her paint said ‘good luck.’ We did much from the now-defunct Baker’s better than we ever thought Hardware. we would.” The store’s close proxim- McCloud now carries hard- ity to Silver Lake, where Mc- to-find brands that designers Peggy McCloud (second from left) with Jill’s Paint’s colorful crew: Sammy Villaroel, left, Fredy Garcia, Andrea Villarroel, and Cloud did most of her busi- and independent contractors Bobby Villarroel. Photo: Kimberly Gomez. ness, was integral to her daily travel countywide to buy. rhythm. Her friendship with Silver Lake based interior hung up the paintbrush, free in-store color and prod- VOC” paints free of the chem- Baker owner Sammy Villar- designer Karen Vidal said she McCloud still doesn’t know uct consultation with a de- ical linked to cause a range of roal, extended across the paint uses Jill’s Paint for every job. how to use the cash register. signer is available at the store health problems. counter including the day Vil- “It’s like I have a bag of But her hands-on experience every Saturday. The truth is: you can’t larroel broke some bad news. Murals crowd the store- leave the store without know- “I told her ‘I’m sorry front and McCloud’s mother’s ing more about paint. you’re going to have to buy Peggy McCloud now carries hard-to-find paintings hang inside. Jill’s Paint’s evolution can’t your paint elsewhere because There are days you might be replicated in a chain. The we are going to close,’” Villar- brands that designers and independent spend extra time in Jill’s Villarroel brothers—and all of roel said. contractors travel countywide to buy. Paint—it can get quite busy their nieces and nephews now But McCloud’s saw it as at the custom-tinting coun- on staff—still dip a fingertip a rare-opportunity to reinvent ter. Be sure to look above the and dot a color sample on the herself as long as Villarroel neat stacks of paint cans for lid of a custom-tinted can. The and his brother, Bobby, would tricks to pull from and they with her products translates the kitschy vintage ads chroni- evidence can be seen on each of help. are someone I can rely on to to knowledgeable customer cling do-it-yourself painting their paint dappled t-shirts— Taking Baker’s paint shak- deliver,” she said. service. On top of the experi- through the decades. And the perhaps the best advertisement ers and tinting machines in And though she’s since ence she and Villarroel share, store carries the latest in “zero- of a cheerful business.

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January 2015 www.larchmontledgerla.com HEARTH & HOME Page 9

Larchmont Ledger

MARLBOROUGH from page 1 and Gawker, sparking the nity have had serious concerns MURDER from page 1 A Facebook page, “We Marlborough Board of Trust- about this offender in the husband’s death in 2008. Stand With Barbara,” has gar- ees investigation. past.” He requested the school According to reports, nered more than 1,100 likes as According to the board publicly disclose if any previ- neighbor, Erica Gilbert, called of mid-December and is now investigation, Wagner allowed ous complaints had been filed Yager “our cat lady,” and re- being used to rally support for the teacher to remain at the with the school about the boy’s called how Yager had asked for a meeting of alumni, parents school, and only imposed he behavior and that the boy’s her help after rescuing a cat. and students with the school’s cut-off contact with the stu- family be evicted from the Friend, Carolyn Layport, Board of Trustees to voice dent and undergo anti-harass- home they leased from Marl- told the Los Angeles Times: their dismay at Wagner’s res- ment training. borough. “She was a lovely woman… ignation and attempt to con- The teacher, Dr. Joseph “The threat of repeat of- I respected her almost like a vince the 23 member board to Koetters, later left Marlbor- fense,” the diplomat wrote,” mother figure.” overturn Wagner’s leave. ough and was working at Poly- is in my mind large with pos- Former Marlborough head Results of fingerprints, However, other school technic School in Pasadena sible… repercussions.” Barbara Wagner footprints, DNA and blood parents, who have asked to when the student’s essay came Additionally, the diplo- evidence are pending, accord- remain anonymous, suggest to public attention. mat requested the boy’s adop- But, ultimately, she said, ing to Radtke. Wagner exit the campus im- But that was not the sole tive father be terminated from any negative fallout from the Yager was the widow of mediately. instance of Wagner’s dealings employment at Marlborough; scandal should be short term. Los Angeles County Superior A search committee to hire with the teacher. The board that the community be ad- “I think it’ll blow over,” Court Judge Thomas C. Yager. a new head for the school has investigation also uncovered vised if the boy ever returned said von Seggern. “It’s such Police have asked anyone been formed composed of cur- a similar student complaint to school property and that a good school and so well- with information contact de- rent and former trustees, the about alleged misconduct by Marlborough hold a public regarded. They might want to tectives at (213) 473-0476. co-president of the school’s Par- the teacher in 2005, and a meeting to advise on actions put something on the web site ents’ Assoc., alumnae, faculty, third former student subse- taken to resolve the issue. about a zero-tolerance policy staff and parents. The Board of quently came forward with The diplomat claimed the about student/teacher interac- Advertise in the Trustees has also hired a search allegations of “inappropriate school ignored these requests tions, and that any untoward Larchmont Ledger firm out of Princeton, N.J. to physical contact” with the and the boy’s father continues behavior is swiftly dealt with. ferret candidates. same teacher also a decade ago. to work at the school but has They need to get out in front (323) 644-5536 Finalists are anticipated to moved out of the neighbor- of it.” visit the campus this month, ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR hood. WAGNER according to Carly Rodriguez, NOW SELLING the associate director of Marl- A less-publicized incident, but PERMANENT DAMAGE? borough communications. one that was known to insiders The teacher misconduct scan- “All members of the at the school, was a letter sent dal last summer and Wagner’s Gramercy at Hollywood school community will have to the Marlborough adminis- subsequent resignation has un- an opportunity to meet with tration in 2011 by a diplomat doubtedly damaged the image the final candidates prior to who lived near the school. He of the grade 7-12 school, long the board making its deci- asked the Larchmont Ledger considered one of the nation’s sions,” Rodriguez said. not to be named. finest all-girls college prepara- Marlborough officials The diplomat advised tory institutions. said they hoped to have a new Marlborough, through a three- Even now, a quick Google head of school in place to start page letter, that the 13-year-old search of “Marlborough the 2015-2016 school year or adopted son of a Marlborough School” turns up numerous 2016-2017 at the latest. But staffer, who lived in a school- prominently placed news ar- there is no firm deadline. owned house, had, on three oc- ticles referring to the teacher “To be certain time pres- casions in one day, attempted scandal. sure does not play any role in to peer in on females in various The school is keeping a our decision-making,” Ro- states of undress. stiff upper lip about the situ- driguez said in an email, “we The diplomat said, the ation. are currently contacting and first time, the boy entered his “Marlborough is proud of Living on Location interviewing potential in- South Arden Boulevard home its 125-year history of build- Single-family homes terim heads who can run the through an upstairs window ing character and academic school… in the event the new and accessed his wife’s bed- success among the thousands from the high $600,000’s head we find is not available room and took her undergar- of students who have gone 1717 North Gramercy Place, until 2016-17.” ments. According to the diplo- through our doors,” said a Los Angeles, CA 90028 mat, the boy then attempted to recent statement from Ro- INAPPROPRIATE enter the bedroom his daugh- driquez, Marlborough’s as- Living at Gramercy makes it easy for you to enjoy RELATIONSHIP ters share but was interrupted, sociate communications di- all of your favorite spots in Hollywood! The Wagner resignation came and fled, when one of the girls rector. “While the past five in the wake of a Board of woke up startling him. months have been challeng- • The nearby Red Line exit makes traveling Trustees investigation into The boy then quickly left ing, we believe the school has downtown a breeze the conduct of a former male the diplomat’s home but was responded to those challenges • Entertainment is made easy with all of the English teacher at the school soon after discovered peering in a forthright and positive theaters near you and Wagner’s handling of the into the window of another manner in keeping with its • With so many of your favorite stores nearby- matter. home, watching a female in reputation and its history.” Why leave Hollywood? Last summer, a 2013 the shower. The second inci- Rodriquez indicated graduate of the school pub- dent prompted a phone call to Marlborough has since initi- lished an essay on the web site police. ated policies and procedures xoJane recounting what was According to the diplo- to avoid such misconduct and described as a manipulative mat, the boy then returned has kept the school commu- and emotional relationship back to his home trying, once nity abreast on the scandal with the male teacher. again, to enter his daughters’ through ongoing dialogue. The former student al- bedroom, until the man yelled These steps, Rodriquez leged she complained about at him to go away. said, “will make Marlborough the teacher’s misconduct to “We believe [this boy] had even stronger in the coming Wagner in 2012 but little was a serious intent to inflict harm years.” done. on our daughters,” he wrote. Susan von Seggern, a me- The essay “It Happened The boy, whose name has dia strategist who has handled To Me: My High School been withheld by police be- political, technology and en- cause of his age, was later ap- tertainment client public re- Get more out of your home English Teacher Told Me He 877-330-3318 / 323-464-1093 • beazer.com Loved Me (And Nobody Did prehended at his home on Ar- lations issues over the years,

Anything)” prompted outrage den Boulevard. said anyone with knowledge *Broker must accompany their buyer and register them on their first visit to receive a 3% commission at closing. Home prices and availability subject to change without notice. Real estate agent partner must ensure 3% commission is itemized in contract paperwork. Commission will be accounted for on HUD statement at closing. Offer not valid with any other Real estate agent offers or incentives. Additional restrictions may apply. In order to among feminists and others The diplomat claimed in of both incidents, who took qualify for the purchase of a home at Gramercy at Hollywood, homebuyer must be prequalified for purchase with a preferred lender identified by Beazer prior to sale. Once homebuyer’s prequalification has been established, homebuyer is placed on the priority interest list based on date and time of prequalification. Contact the New Home Counselors for additional information on the prequalification and home purchase process. Beazer Homes after it was picked up by the the letter “many members of no action, should resign or be has the right to change purchase requirements for future phases. Pricing, features and availability subject to change without notice. See New Home popular web sites Buzzfeed the Hancock Park commu- fired to clear the air. Counselor for complete details. BRE License No. 01503061. © 2014 Beazer Homes. 121969 12/14 Page 12 HEARTH & HOME www.larchmontledgerla.com January 2015 Larchmont Ledger

[senior moments] About That Word “Senior” By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist

A friend of Using the word “senior” mine forwarded me a You Tube appears to encourage “ageism” video clip of Fritz Coleman, the meaning lumping a group of KNBC weathercaster, speak- people together with one de- ing at a conference on aging in scription. This leads to stereo- Pasadena. He made fun of the typing and perhaps discrimi- aging process and how our so- nating against individuals or ciety immediately puts us in the groups just on the basis of age, unhappy position of being old, whether it is casual or system- even when we are not feeling atic. As expressed in a recent old. It got me thinking about editorial by Jo Ann Jenkins, the word “senior.” the chief exectutive officers of In his routine, Coleman AARP: “We don’t want to be lamented that we start using defined by our age any more the word “senior” in our 50s than we want to be defined by with senior citizen discounts race or sex or income.” or senior eligibility, for exam- From Jenkins’ point of ple, in the American Assoc. of view, getting older should be Retired Persons (AARP). more about living than about The word “senior” is a aging. Today, with potentially common euphemism for an longer life spans for most of old person, implying that the us than in previous genera- person is over retirement age. tions, we need to rethink how “The term was apparently we look at retirement and how coined in 1938 during a politi- communities provide resourc- cal campaign. It has come into es—such as facilities serving widespread use in recent de- the older population across cades in legislation, commerce the age span—but also across and common speech,” Cole- the variations of physical and man said in the video. But, mental functioning. Coleman countered. In a perfect world, age “Don’t tell me I am old shouldn’t be arbitrary in deter- until I am old. When I get old, mining what one does. Being a I’ll be happy to be old. I look senior is not an end point. Peo- forward to being old, when I ple should be able to have the may not have to be stuck in opportunity to continue work traffic on the 405,” he joked. that works for them, regardless When we opened the of their age. People going into Griffith Park Adult Commu- retirement should have easy nity Center six years ago, I access to resources that will consulted with the Director of expand their opportunities for Joselyn Adult Center in Bur- new lifestyles beyond work. bank. She wondered what I And there should be commu- was calling the center. “Griffith nity centers for “hanging out,” Park Senior Center,” I said. She learning or retooling hobbies immediately advised, “Don’t and skills and easy connection call it a senior center. Call it an to resources for problem-solv- Adult Center,” she said. “Oth- ing as one meets new physical erwise people won’t come.” or mental challenges.

ELECTION from page 7 forms for setting the wrong regularly without cause and tone. He said they remind him excuses won’t do. Instead, he of the Gestapo during Germa- said, the police system needs ny’s Third Reich. reexamining. “It is the uniform,” he “There’s a culture,” within said. “All those symbols make the LAPD, he said, “that it’s we me uncomfortable and I’m a versus them; we are the occupy- white man and I live in Los ing force; they are the citizens Feliz. I just think to soften the and need to be controlled.” image of the police depart- O’Grady said police de- ment can help a lot.” partments also act more like Candidate Tara Bannis- the military with an attitude ter said she remains a strong of “commanded control” and supporter of the LAPD, who sometimes exhibit a lack of she said “puts themselves in ethical decision making re- harm’s way every day.” garding how to “treat another “I cannot imagine go- human being.” ing to work every day facing “Your job,” he said, speak- danger and violent situations,” ing directly to police, “is to she said. However, she said: help citizens obey the law… “Americans now require more in the most dignified way as of police officers—more -hu possible [and to] not berate manity, more de-escalation somebody and talk to them and more compassion,” even disrespectfully.” when the human reaction Broadly, O’Grady even would be to fight. blamed police officers’ uni- see ELECTION page 14

January 2015 www.larchmontledgerla.com SENIOR MOMENTS Page 13 Larchmont Ledger

EXPANSION from page 1 the properties were identified ELECTION from page 13 sets up a black market,” Bee- cent crackdown by the LAPD who represents Marlborough in the HPOZ as contributing ber said. “It’s really the fault of pedestrians in downtown on land use issues. structures to the ordinance. She said she advocates for of the state in setting up that Los Angeles ticketed by the Work on one phase— He said the Los Angeles’s City more “peace keeping” and due confrontational situation in LAPD for nearly $200 for us- which knocked down six Attorney’s office was consulted to recent national events and the first place.” ing crosswalks after the count- homes—began shortly there- and the 1999 permit was also protests, “our police officers Beeber said the larger is- down timer started. after and ended in 2001, re- reviewed. should be on notice and ad- sues are often created over “We’re having the police sulting in a soccer field. It was determined, he justing tactics. Period.” smaller ones. be our revenue collectors,” he Marlborough’s current said, Marlborough has what Ask CD4 council can- “Government often cre- said, “and that’s absolutely the Jay Beeber demolition plans will demol- are called “vested rights” from didate about the ates laws and enforcement wrong role for the police de- ish the additional homes for the 1999 city approval and be- NYPD’s fatal arrest of Eric policies that bring police of- partment.” parking and a swimming pool. cause those rights predate the Garner and you’ll get a take ficers and the public into In the wake of the police When complete, Marlbor- HPOZ ordinance, the school that differs from the usual crit- contentious interactions over response to protests in Fer- ough’s original campus will can tear down the homes. icisms of the arresting officer’s extremely trivial matters,” he guson, a nationwide debate have doubled since 1999. “Based on our review, we chokehold technique. said. He referred to the sell- erupted over the increasing But in 2005 the city believed the ‘vested rights’ argu- “Taxes on cigarettes are so ing of untaxed cigarettes, in militarization of police de- formed the Windsor Square ment is accurate,” Bernstein said high in New York City that it the case of Garner, and the re- see ELECTION page 15 Historic Preservation Over- adding there is state case law lay Zone (HPOZ), which in- supporting the school’s position. cludes the five houses current- “[A] change in zoning ly awaiting demolition. laws can’t prohibit construc- An HPOZ is a city ordi- tion of a project based on ear- nance that helps preserve the lier approvals,” he said. historic character of a neigh- The area’s HPOZ board borhood. While rules and agrees. guidelines vary in overlay “Marlborough has the zones, generally homes within right to proceed with their such a designation cannot be project as approved in 1999 torn down. and remove the houses,” said According to Ken Bern- Mary Pickhardt, an archi- stein, principal city planner tect on the Windsor Square and manager of the Office HPOZ Board. of Historic Resources, an of- Others neighborhood offi- fice within the city’s Dept. of cials are also in support saying Planning that oversees Los it’s exactly what was planned Angeles’ current 29 historic almost 16 years ago. overlay zones, his office re- John Welborne, a board viewed Marlborough’s new- member of the Windsor est plans carefully because see EXPANSION page 16

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Page 14 www.larchmontledgerla.com January 2015 Larchmont Ledger

[the good life] ELECTION from page 14 She also said she credits criticisms. For one, she thinks Stouts for Winter partments, as armored vehi- the LAPD’s diversity gains. more hires should come from By Tara de Lis, Ledger Columnist cles, night-vision goggles and “The face of the police is the communities where police machine guns have become so different,” she said. “You officers live, rather than outly- Stouts aren’t is surprisingly balanced and increasingly common for po- have African American cops, ing suburbs. seasonal beers harmonious and comes in at a lice departments. Korean cops, commanders She also suggested rotat- per se, but modest 7% ABV. Beeber lamented the and chiefs. It represents the ing cops through different units there’s something satisfying Samuel Smith’s Organic trend, here and elsewhere. city now. [The] LAPD looks to prevent officers on tough about drinking them in win- Chocolate Stout really is red- “That leads police to start like Los Angeles.” beats—gang units, for exam- ter, when it’s chillier outside olent of cocoa nibs. It’s pro- thinking of themselves as an Not that Irani is without see ELECTION page 18 and gets dark earlier at night. duced in the United Kingdom occupying force. There’s that Maybe it’s the color or maybe and surprisingly only ranks at us-against-them mentality,” he it’s the ABV (alcohol by vol- 5% ABV. The taste is creamy said. ume)—stouts are synonymous to begin with, but finishes like Beeber said he supports with being dark, strong beers. a dessert. Mayor Garcetti’s move to put Stouts were once more ex- Left Coast Brewing Co. body cameras on LAPD offi- otic to American palates, who produces an American stout cers, but that is not, he said, were typically used to lighter- called Voodoo. This bigger the complete answer either. colored and milder-flavored boy doesn’t conjuror dark “Transparency is not the lagers like Bud and Miller. magic, but rather bold coffee same as accountability. There However, there’s been a shift flavors and bold bitterness. was a very clear video record in national drinking hab- With a name like Belch- of the interaction leading up to its, thanks to the rise of craft ing Beaver Brewery, it’s no Eric Garner’s death and the ac- brews. Then again, if you’ve surprise to see something as tual incident,” he said. Even so, a ever had Guinness, you’ve had left field as the Peanut Butter grand jury did not indict the of- a stout—an Irish dry stout, Milk Stout. But does it really ficer involved in that case. that is—though there are oth- taste like real thing? Let’s put Candidate Sheila Irani er types as well. it like this: take it out to the credits the improvement be- The recipe for Belhaven ballgame. Even better? Make a tween the LAPD and Los Brewery’s Scottish Stout dates grown-up ice cream float. Angeles citizens to reforms required by 1992’s Charter to the 19th century and it has Your HOME n’ PERSONAL a pleasantly purist taste to it. Tara de Lis is a freelance writer Amendment F and the 2001 It’s deep black in color, but who lives in Hollywood. U.S. Dept. of Justice consent house call Tech! decree imposed on the LAPD in the wake of the Rampart iDevice Set-‐Up \ Security \ Privacy \ Speed scandal and other abuses. “We’ve taken a lot of things (213) 347-‐iFIX (4349) I’m local! to heart and made some significant changes,” Irani said.

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January 2015 www.larchmontledgerla.com LIFESTYLES Page 15 Larchmont Ledger

[restaurant review] EXPANSION from page 14 cerned about property values parking lot.” Commissary and Pot: Square Assoc., said the com- diminishing because there will Martinoff acknowledged munity and the school togeth- be a parking lot in the middle Marlborough’s ownership of Two Trendy Choices at the er envisioned Marlborough’s of the residential neighborhood. the homes and that their demo- Line Hotel expansions plans calling it a Martinoff, who rents out lition was approved long ago, his Arden Avenue home and but said he is still unhappy. By Pat Saperstein, Ledger Restaurant Critic “very worthwhile and compre- hensive process.” lives in Glendale, said he had “The neighborhood is be- It’s unfair to lump Pot, a Feeling more outdoorsy? But some in the commu- been unaware of the current ing torn down,” he said. “No- cheeky take on a Korean hot- Try Commissary. Next to the nity worry about the presti- demolition plans. A public body is OK with tearing down pot restaurant—and Commis- pool with a greenhouse-like gious 7th through 12th grade hearing, he said, was promised houses in their neighborhood sary—an equally unorthodox structure there’s a bar and all female school’s encroach- for last fall but is only occur- and putting up a parking lot, hotel restaurant. But Kore- communal tables glows from ment into the residential ring this month. whether it’s in Highland Park atown’s Line Hotel can be within. Sleek heaters keep eve- neighborhood. “I have asked for commu- or Southgate.” experienced at once or in bits ning cold at bay. Leif Martinoff, who owns nity meetings and they keep For those that occupy the and pieces. Here the dishes are much a home across the street from blowing me off,” he said. “I homes, they have been given After Roy Choi brought more complex. Beets join pis- Marlborough, said he is con- don’t want to look out on a until Feb. 1st to vacate. food trucks into the 21st cen- tachios, goat cheese and frisee; tury with Kogi BBQ he joined while “lettuce” symbolizes with the recently remodeled an artfully composed salad mid-century hotel on Wilshire of grilled lettuce, bacon, pear Boulevard reflecting his brash and avocado with a curry- approach to flavors and market- scented dressing. Roasted car- ing, with a weed-scented, hip- rots—a hot food trend at the hop sound tracked sensibility. moment—are roasted almost In the lobby, a bar with to a crisp and topped with a comfy pentagonal booths of- zippy green sauce. fers updated classic cocktails Cocktails continue the and new creations like kimchi garden theme with herbs and soju or tequila with sea urchin. touches of rhubarb or persim- The lobby coffee bar serves mon. They’re so refreshing Korean pastries like “hot-dog Choi should stop serving them and ketchup buns” and clever in plastic leftover containers— toast (“Laurence Fishbun” is a nod to the way kitchen work- topped with anchovies). ers embibe—and let diners en- Down a corridor is Pot, of- joy them in proper glasses. fering hot pots and other Kore- Assembling a meal of an staples. With typically Choi- small plates and cocktails esque names like “Roger Wants about $100 for two. Moore Octopussy” (grilled oc- topus), most dishes pack sweet- Pat Saperstein writes about ness, heat, salt and fat until the L.A. restaurants for the diner keels over from either eu- Los Feliz Ledger and phoria or a heart episode. EatingLA.com

LAFAYETTE from page 6 educated in Mexico City and We pronounced the Prin- subsequently attended school cess’ name “PIG-natelli”, not in New York City and, with knowing any better. her parents, traveled widely in Fast forward to 1992 many parts of the world. when my husband and I buy “She is a woman of the our first home in Lafayette widest culture, well qualified Square, a neighborhood that for the high social position once housed the likes of W.C. she has occupied,” wrote John Fields, George Pepperdine, Steven McGroarty in his book Alexander Pantages, financier California of the South. Norton Simon and architect She was married first to Paul Williams, among others. Charles H. Chapman, who To my great surprise and de- died in 1925, and they were light, it was also home to Prin- the parents of two daughters, cess Pignatelli! And after liv- Conchita and Carmen. Later ing in Italy for a short time, I she married Prince Pignatelli had learned the name’s proper and had a daughter. pronunciation. Princess Pignatelli had the Princess Conchita Pig- social pedigree to become the natelli may have been mar- society columnist for the now ried to a bona-fide Italian defunct Los Angeles Herald prince, but she came as close Examiner. She was part of the to American royalty as one gossip triumvirate that includ- could get in the United States. ed Hedda Hopper and Louella Her father was Judge Ygnacio Parsons. An older neighbor Sepulveda—yes, those Sepul- of mine reminisced about the vedas—and he went on to be- days when limousines would come a respected ambassador line Buckingham Road to of sorts to Mexico in addition sweep what I imagine where to being chief counsel at Wells champagne-soaked revelers Fargo & Company Express in back to their estates through- Mexico City. Her mother was out Los Angeles. Herlinda De la Guerra, the For 30 years, Princess Pig- granddaughter of the founders natelli covered the Herald Ex- of Santa Barbara. aminer’s society beat and died The Princess was born and in 1972.

Page 16 LIFESTYLES www.larchmontledgerla.com January 2015 Larchmont Ledger

[mother of invention] What’s most alarming is somewhere and they’ll say: We suddenly realized: they’re Smart Technology vs. Smart Kids that parents—and yes, I in- “Ask Siri.” My 13-year-old addicts. They haven’t yet cre- By Rita Mauceri, Ledger Columnist clude myself here— have be- nephew doesn’t understand ated an app for detoxing your come so oblivious to the im- why he needs to work on pen- kid from… apps. digital anklet that tracks sleep, pact of technology that they’ve manship when “everything is Meantime, I’m starting to breathing, motion and claims to stopped questioning their chil- typed.” question technology—wheth- let you know if an infant is fussy dren’s exposure to it and how Sigh. Heavy, heavy sigh. er my kids like it or not—and upon waking. that may impact their growth My husband and I recent- focus on actually teaching Potty time has gone 2.0 and education. ly “scaled back” on our kids’ them some old-fashioned skills as well. The iPotty attaches I recently realized my kids video games and digital devic- like map reading, woodwork- an iPad to your kid’s training don’t have a clue how to read es and their response was pre- ing and gardening. How last toilet. Is it just me or does the a map. Ask them how to get dictable and not at all good. millennium! idea of putting an expensive tech device in the bathroom in the hands of a two-year-old sound like a flawed concept? th It gets better. Smart PJs Our 107 Year are aimed at kids who don’t I’m all for progress and to- like getting ready for bed—as tally get the appeal of “smart if any toddler does. The dot- technology.” It’s cool, it’s con- ted pattern on the PJs contains AGE venient, and has improved code that unlocks bedtime P our lives in myriad ways. But, stories and sings lullabies. Just there are downsides and as a download the Smart PJ’s app, parent, I’m becoming more scan the code on the jammies PRIVATE and more preoccupied with and let technology do the bed- the negatives. time work for you. Most of us who had ba- My favorite, though, is SCHOOL bies within the last 10 years the Cry Translator. Download used audio monitors to keep an app, hold your phone close Latest Technologies an eye—or at least an ear—on to your screaming child and Small Class Sizes/Ages 2-Grade 6 our little ones while they slept. it will, allegedly, “diagnose” Extended Hours 6:30am-6:30pm Eventually, monitors upgrad- crying and let you know what Music, Art & Spanish Classes ed to sleek-looking video mod- your child needs. els with grainy, low-resolution This is where technology OPEN HOUSE January 26-30 at 9am-11am The online site, Trendhunter, reports: Visit pageschool.com for Open House Promotions “More two-to five-year-olds with Internet access at home know how to play a 323.463.5118 323.272.3429 computer game and use a smartphone Hancock Park Beverly Hills than know how to swim, ride a bike or 565 N. Larchmont Blvd., 419 S. Robertson Blvd., tie their shoes.” Hopefully that statistic Los Angeles, CA 90004 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 scares you as it did me.

black and white images that loses me. How about picking didn’t allow you to see much, up your baby, trying to soothe but gave you peace of mind. him, listening to his crying Skip to 2015. The nursery with your human—and de- is new-fangled in ways I never cidedly low-tech ears—and could have imagined when I make a human and low-tech first became a mother. A re- judgment call? cent New York Times article I love technology. I work profiled a slew of cutting-edge at a tech company. But these “wearable” electronic devices high-concept devices are hop- that “track your newborn’s ing to relieve parents from sleeping habits, gathering data developing essential skills. A like whether babies are on mother should know what her their backs or stomachs, their child’s cry means without a breathing rates, skin tempera- piece of technology to tell her. ture, room temperature and A father should read a bedtime even, in some cases, blood- story rather than scanning a oxygen levels and heart rates.” pair of pajamas. We should Impressive, maybe, but also all take a step back and try to unsettling. understand the good, the bad, Take Mimo, an electronic and the ugly when it comes to tracking device built into a cus- technology. tomized onesie. Not only does The online site, Trend- it measure your baby’s sleeping hunter, reports: “More two-to patterns and levels, it charts ev- five-year-olds with Internet erything so parents can analyze access at home know how to the information or share it with play a computer game and use a nanny or sitter via an app, a smartphone than know how naturally. MonBaby is a simi- to swim, ride a bike or tie their lar device: a button that snaps shoes.” onto the front of a baby’s cloth- Hopefully that statistic ing during sleep. Sproutling is a scares you as it did me.

January 2015 www.larchmontledgerla.com FAMILY & HEALTH Page 17 Larchmont Ledger

ELECTION from page 15 of force,” he said, “So, in prin- We’ve got to get used to that forcer of the law.” tion of officers as much as for ple—from racial profiling. ciple, I like the idea.” community relations compo- He also is in favor of civilians. “When you’re constantly Finally, candidate Steve nent of being a law enforce- LAPD body cameras that, he “There’s not a whole lot of being exposed to people of Veres remembers growing up in ment officer, not just an -en said, are often for the protec- hiding anymore,” he said. color who are in gangs, it be- Los Angeles, attending Loyola comes hard for you not to see High School in 1992 and expe- everyone that way,” Irani said. riencing the epicenter of the Los “There has to be some psycho- Angeles riots that year. logical effect if those are the “I remember going down only people you encounter.” Western Avenue and seeing Irani said she still hears Korean business owners on stories from her black friends the top of their businesses of unjustified traffic stops and with fully automatic assault she worries about the rapid es- rifles. That’s certainly not the calation of force in cases such Los Angeles that many of us as the LAPD’s shooting of a thought we should be living 25-year-old mentally ill man, in,” he said. Ezell Ford, in August. Like the other candidates, “They seem to be on such he said there’s been significant high-anxiety mode,” she said. improvement since the police Irani says the LAPD has beating of Rodney King, in- adopted the right approach cluding the LAPD’s hiring of with community policing and more women, more people of trust-building programs such color and those with more var- as the Police Activities League, ied backgrounds. in which officers work with But, he said, there’s still youth in crime-ridden areas. plenty of room to improve. “It’s going to take decades He referred to 2007 when of this kind of policing to so- police brutalized immigrant lidify trust in these communi- rights demonstrators under for- ties,” she said. “I trust in the mer LAPD Chief Bratton and system and the approach the last summer’s police killing of LAPD is taking now with… Ford, another man from South community policing.” Los Angeles and a man killed Candidate Fred Mariscal in Hollywood by the LAPD in said he is still researching the December who was armed only NYPD’s new de-escalation with a pocketknife. policies, which include cultur- “We’re not Ferguson by al sensitivity training. any sense,” he said, “but we “But, I’m all for less use still have a long ways to go.

Page 18 www.larchmontledgerla.com January 2015 Another big time, small town newspaper

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