Arroyo Monthly March 2010 by Southland Publishing

F IE N LE I VL I N V G I N IG N I TN H TE H GE R SE A N L E VNAA L LA ER YE A F I N T E G R A PB AR SI AE D

MARCH 2010

TAME YOUR RUGGED PIECE OF PASADENA AN EXPERT SHOWS YOU HOW

THE E GREAT OUTDOORS THE ARBORETUM’S

TOP 10 PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN

A PASADENA DESIGNER’S

HIDDEN ESCAPE A TASTE SENSATION THE FLAVORS OF ARROYO

ARROYO VOLUME 6 ~ NUMBER 3

M O N T H LY

15 THE GREAT OUTDOORS 8 NOTHING BUT NATURE A supposedly unusable Pasadena plot becomes a hidden retreat in the hands of a designer’s designer. –By B.J. Lorenzo

10 TIPS FOR TAMING YOUR PIECE OF PASADENA –By Margie Grace

15 NATURAL WONDERS L.A. County Arboretum experts pick the Top 10 sustainable plants for your garden. –By Ilsa Setziol

18 PHANTOM GARDEN SYNDROME A writer confronts her memories of gardens past. –By Nancy Spiller

BOOKS 39 AN AUTHOR IS BORN Pasadena screenwriter Dianne Dixon cracks open a Pandora’s box from her past to write her debut novel, The Language of Secrets. –By B.J. Lorenzo

DEPARTMENTS 7 FESTIVITIES Pasadena Playhouse, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Museum of History and more

41 THE LIST California Art Club, John Moran Auctioneers, San Marino Celebrity Series

44 OBJECTS OF DESIRE Cape cowslip, goldmoss Sedum and other treasures for the horticulturally correct

48 KITCHEN CONFESSIONS Even gardeners with black thumbs can create luscious herb-infused vinegars and oils. ABOUT THE COVER: Photo of Cynthia Bennett’s Pasadena garden by Deidra Walpole

ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 5

EDITOR’S NOTE

Brett Stumm

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perhaps the only place? — in the country where one can live outdoors year-round. (Compare that to my former stomping ground in subtropical Miami, where we had to retreat to an air-conditioned cocoon 10 months out of the year.) No wonder so many Southern Californians are such whizzes at creating beautiful gardens. Of course, Pasadena has its own peccadilloes when it comes to plants — much of the terrain is rocky and hilly, which can be a gardener’s nightmare. Interior designer Cynthia Bennett grappled with just that problem when she bought her patch of paradise, so she brought in Altadena-born landscape designer Margie Grace, who was well acquainted with the territory. B.J. Lorenzo spoke to both women about the challenges involved in designing a designer’s garden. And Grace offers tips on

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successful interaction with the area’s flora and fauna. Ilsa Setziol also gathered expert opinions on our idiosyncratic terrain for her piece on the Los Angeles County Arboretum’s Top 10 list of plants for local gardens. John Seeley scours stores for suggestions of shopping list items for sunny gardeners. And Kitchen Confessions columnist Leslie Bilderback offers a cornucopia of recipes for infusing oils and vinegars with herbs from your own garden — or local store, if you lack a green thumb. — Irene Lacher

ARROYO MONTHLY Altadena, Arcadia, Eagle Rock, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Sierra Madre, Pasadena, San Marino and South Pasadena

EDITOR IN CHIEF Irene Lacher PRODUCTION MANAGER Yvonne Guerrero ART DIRECTOR Joel Vendette JUNIOR DESIGNER Eisen Nepomuceno WEB DESIGNER Carla Marroquin COPY EDITOR John Seeley CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Bilderback, Michael Burr, Michael Cervin, André Coleman, Mandalit del Barco, Patt Diroll, Gary Dretzka, Jenn Garbee, Lynne Heffley, Katie Klapper, Ilsa Setziol, Kirk Silsbee, John Sollenberger, Nancy Spiller, Bradley Tuck PHOTOGRAPHERS Johnny Buzzerio, Teri Lyn Fisher, Gabriel Goldberg, C.M. Hardt, Melissa Valladares ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Dina Stegon ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Fred Bankston, Dana Bonner, Carolyn Johansen, Leslie Lamm, Alison Standish ADVERTISING DESIGNER Carla Marroquin VP OF FINANCE Michael Nagami HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Andrea Baker

CONTACT US ADVERTISING dinas@pasadenaweekly.com EDITORIAL arroyoeditor@pasadenaweekly.com PHONE (626) 584-1500 FAX (626) 795-0149 MAILING ADDRESS 50 S. De Lacey Ave., Ste. 200, Pasadena, CA 91105

BUSINESS MANAGER Angela Wang ACCOUNTING Alysia Chavez, Monica MacCree

ArroyoMonthly.com

OFFICE ASSISTANT Emma Rodriguez Luna PUBLISHER Jon Guynn

6 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

FESTIVITIES

Sheldon Epps, the Pasadena Playhouse’s artistic director, and Stephen Eich, its executive director, joined the staff, Board of Directors and support group on the stage

PHOTOS: Craig Schwartz (Pasadena Playhouse); Craig T. Mathew for Steve Cohn Photography (LA Chamber Orchestra); Courtesy Pasadena Museum of History; Steve Cohn (USC)

of the landmark theater on Feb. 7 to bid farewell. The Pasadena Playhouse closed after that evening’s performance of Camelot because of financial difficulties.

Pasadena-area music lovers supported

Michele and Roger Engemann

the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at its annual gala Feb. 6 at the California Market Center in downtown L.A. Guest

USC Trustee, School of Theatre board member and Gala Vice-

performers were mandolinist Chris Thile

Chair Michele Dedeaux Engemann of Pasadena helped launch

and his progressive acoustic band,

the school’s new Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists at a

Punch Brothers, who joined the orches-

Feb. 10 benefit at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

tra in an unusual hybrid performance of

Organizers also honored the iconic actor/director at the dinner,

Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

which drew 550 guests and raised $200,000 for scholarships.

Revelers included Carol and Warner Henry, Titus and Wendy Brenninkmeijer, Jerry and Terri Kohl, June and Simon Li, Dr. Stephen Kanter and Eric and Karen Warren.

Gabriel Kahane and Ed Helms

Pasadena Museum of History supporters and members of Questers’ El Molino Chapter converged on Altadena’s Zane Grey Estate on Jan. 28 to celebrate the

Gloria Putnam and Stephen Rudicel

Wild West and raise $7,500 to restore

Pasadena’s Christine Sisley, a philanthropy executive, and Kenneth B. Garen, a

the museum’s oriental carpets.

business technology entrepreneur, learned to waltz at Rose City Ballroom last year

Homeowners Gloria Putnam and

in anticipation of their wedding. (See “Dancing With a Star” in Arroyo Monthly’s

Stephen Rudicel offered tours of the

January 2010 issue.) They were ready for their close-up on Jan. 3, when they mar-

mansion designed by Myron Hunt and

ried in a private sunset ceremony before 140 well-wishers. Uri D. Herscher,

and Elmer Grey.

founder and president of the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, officiated. ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 7

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

NOTHING BUT NATURE Bennett’s patio is ringed by potted trailing white geraniums, bearded iris, snapdragons and Julia Child and hot cocoa roses.

8 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

A SUPPOSEDLY UNUSABLE PASADENA PLOT BECOMES A HIDDEN RETREAT IN THE HANDS OF A DESIGNER’S DESIGNER. BY B.J. LORENZO PHOTOS BY DEIDRA WALPOLE

WHEN CYNTHIA BENNETT FINALLY FOUND HER PIECE OF PASADENA HEAVEN AFTER A TWO-YEAR SEARCH, THE LAND SHE CHOSE WAS UNUSED AND CONSIDERED UNUSABLE. REALTORS CALLED IT “A FLAGPOLE LOT” BECAUSE IT WAS SHAPED LIKE ONE. THE “POLE” PORTION WAS A 250-FOOT DRIVE HIDDEN FROM THE STREET. AT THE TOP AND OFF TO ONE SIDE SAT AN ABANDONED STRETCH OF CRAGGY, OVERGROWN LAND SHAPED LIKE A FLAG. Make the same trip up the long drive today and you’ll find the estate that Bennett and her husband, Ed De Beixedon, call home. It’s a cottage with Old World attitude nestled in what poetic types might call a woodland grotto. Or

imagine a mini-villa centered in a bed of exuberant blooms and greens, like an entrée presented by a five-star chef. Simply charming, you might say, and leave it at that. But there was nothing simple about achieving such charm. The gardens and hardscape — with multi—CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 9

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

ple rock walls, terraces on many levels and meandering gravel paths — are essential to the home’s rustic appeal. It took ingenuity and knowledge of the Arroyo Seco’s ecology to put them in place and make them seem so serendipitously natural. And that was no simple matter: The sloping, rocky terrain, typical of the area, has challenged homeowners for more than a century. Bennett heads Bennett & Associates, an interior design firm specializing in upscale remodeling. She is a blond wisp of a woman with a soft voice, radiant smile and contractor’s license. She designed and oversaw construction of the house, she says, and its simple architectural lines are an homage to the old barns and rural homes of Holland, where she lived for many years and where her children were born. The house was relatively easy to design and build, Bennett says, because she knew exactly what she wanted. But when it came to the gardens, she says, “I needed help.” Bennett called on Margie Grace, a Santa Barbara–based landscape designer. Her firm, Grace Design Associates, won the 2009 International Landscape Designer of the Year award and the Gold Award for Residential Design from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. She is president of the Green Building Alliance of Santa Barbara. And she is not one to mince words. “There were multiple challenges on Cynthia Bennett’s project,” she says. “You’ve got the 12,500-square-foot lot at the end of a long narrow drive, shoehorned between other people’s properties. So you have the screening challenge. Everyone needs screening from everyone else. You can’t just throw up 25 feet of bamboo, because you must be respectful of your neighbors’ view and sun exposure. Sun and view have no respect for lot lines.” The problem was solved with a variety of plantings that include luxuriant climbing roses and wisteria on the

Stepping stones create a path through the cutting garden.

View of the cutting garden from the lawn

White foxgloves, bearded iris and potted geraniums

arching trellises, two kinds of trumpet vines (blood red and royal) along the walls and dogwoods and camellias. The strategy was so successful that a recent visitor had no idea there are other residences anywhere near the Bennett property. Then there are the massive old oak trees, which offer dappled shade where one might prefer sun. The oaks can’t be moved and, by law, must be kept healthy and protected. “Watering must be appropriate, and you can’t throw too much soil around them,” Grace says. “They’re used to a rainy season and then nine months of dryness. That limits your choice of planting. The patchy sunlight is ideal for azaleas and camellias.”

TIPS FOR TAMING YOUR PIECE OF PASADENA BY MARGIE GRACE

Gardening in Pasadena can be challenging, with rockfilled decomposed granite soils, steep canyons, narrow arroyos, complex drainage issues, harsh sun, deep shade, occasional Santa Ana winds and the constant threat of drought and wildfire. But beautiful gardens can easily be had by following these fundamental design and The author cutting iceberg roses in her garden

10 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

maintenance guidelines tailored for the region:

A riot of color

And then there’s the soil itself, typical of the Arroyo area. “It’s all decomposed granite — really sandy, not much organic material in it. For that we use plants that want good drainage” such as such as lavenders, sages, catmint and yarrow. And there’s the rock challenge: masses of river rock and boulders, also native to the Arroyo. “What do we do with them? For centuries, people have removed native rocks from where they want to build and then used those rocks to build fences around the perimeter. Makes sense, doesn’t it?”

But Grace says the “slope challenge” was the biggest. “Cynthia built her house on a flat pad. But all around that house was a drop of 12 to 15 feet. How do we step outside and not fall off the edge?” Terraces and terracing were the answer. Some terraces on the same level as the interior floors of the two-story house offer outdoor rooms right outside the French doors. Others are just a step or two down — all intimate spaces enclosed —CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Use local materials Granite boulders and cobbles are abundant throughout the area. Harvest them right from your land or import them from local quarries. These native stones tie your garden to the natural environment and surrounding mountain and valley views. Use them in foundations and garden walls or as landscape boulders, encir-

Follow the slopes

cling ponds and dry creeks.

Go with the natural

PHOTOS: Margie Grace courtesy Grace Design Associates; Andreas Scouting (“Follow the Slopes”)

contours of your land. If Plan ahead for a water supply

you have a steep hill-

Pasadena receives slightly more annual rainfall than the average desert. Rain

side, build switchback

comes seasonally and the dry period lasts most of the year. Droughts are a cer-

paths, steps and ter-

tainty, so collecting rainwater makes good eco-sense. It also lightens the load on

raced pocket gardens

the city’s infrastructure, keeps creeks clean and recharges the local aquifer. Install

instead of trying to level

rainwater swales or a dry creek to collect and percolate water throughout your gar-

out the entire area.

den. Grade earth toward these natural collection sites so water runs into them, not away. And wherever possible, plant drought-tolerant native species to reduce the

Make peace with wild critters

need for water.

They were here first, and they’re not going anywhere. Plan ahead to accommodate the critters that will inevitably end up passing through your garden. If you decide to Deep shade, bright sun

trap them, use Have-A-Heart humane traps, or hire a humane animal–trapping and

Steep hillsides and large mature trees can cre-

relocation service. Here are some critter-specific tips:

ate pockets of sun and shade on a seasonal or

•

wheelbarrows, potting benches and kayaks in such a way that they don’t create

even daily basis. Using plants that tolerate

a den, and wire off any areas that could appear attractive as a skunk residence.

both sun and shade allows for continuity in garden design. Alternating plant material with

Lavender, pride-of-Madeira, and whiteleaved dusty miller (Centaurea gymnocarpa) are all drought-tolerant.

Skunks love hidey-holes. Build decks high enough so they don’t move in; store

•

Gophers like to travel above ground and below, and there is no sure preven-

mulches — gravel, stone or wood chips — is

tative. You can, however, deflect gophers by installing subterranean barriers at

another good strategy. Use the mulch in the

least 3 feet deep to protect plant roots, selecting plants that are not on their

tricky areas of the “swash zone” — sometimes

menu and utilizing raised beds and planters.

in shade, sometimes in sun.

—CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 11

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by walls of river rock. And all those walls are the height of a chair. “So it’s a seat/wall,” Bennett says. “Of course you have your flat terrace with tables and chairs. But you also have the walls, so if guests are standing and talking, they can put their drinks on the wall or use it as a seat. We needed the walls for soil retention, to create the terraces for outdoor living and entertaining.” Grace built planter beds next to some retaining walls “so we could put some good, rich organic dirt in An ornamental metal sprinkler with a 35-foot diameter watering pattern there and grow different types of nurtures the vegetable garden. plants –- not necessarily native. We could sneak in some tomatoes, a veggie patch, all sorts of great stuff.” As for the many different microclimates on Bennett’s property, Grace says, “we took it all into consideration in planting. At the top of the lot, behind the house, it’s warmer. At the lot’s bottom, in front of the house, it’s cooler. So you look at a wall that will soak up and reflect sunlight and heat, and you think oranges might be good there. Or tomatoes and herbs. The herbs like it really hot.” In other words, what looks like a simple garden project turns out to be a masterful manipulation of the Arroyo’s resources and ecological eccentricities.

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Raccoons love water and big fat grubs. You know you’ve had a raccoon driveby if your new sod is rolled up, mysterious holes are appearing in your garden beds, fruit is disappearing or your fountain is inexplicably muddy. Solutions include covering sod with plastic aviary netting held down with soil staples until it

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takes root, discouraging grub growth by allowing soil to dry out between waterings, netting fruits as they mature and building ponds with steep side walls and depths of 2 feet or more. Barriers such as a low decorative fence can also deter critters, as can the use of natural predator scents, available at your local nursery.

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Bennett says she and her husband enjoy their outdoor environment every bit as much as they enjoy the house. “We packed so much into the gardens that wrap around our house that I can’t even tell you everything we’re growing,” says Bennett, ticking off a partial list. “We have a rose garden, an herb garden, a vegetable garden, an orchard. We have fruit trees — fig, lemon, orange, plum, nectarine, apricot, espaliered apple trees. We have camellias, azaleas, hydrangeas, climbing vines and so much more. We look out any window of our house and we see nothing but nature.” AM

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the volume of leaf drop change as well. Even your taste changes, as new plants become available and strike your fancy while old plants pass their prime. Know that a garden is a dynamic thing and embrace it. Shift plants as conditions change. Add, subtract, simplify, renew, restore, rethink. As Keats might have mused, a living garden, well tended, is a joy forever. AM Margie Grace heads Grace Design Associates (gracedesignassociates.com) in Santa Barbara. An award-winning landscape designer who also holds a B.S. in biology and geology, Grace first fell in love with gardening growing up in the hills of Altadena.

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14 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

NATURAL WONDERS

L.A. COUNTY ARBORETUM EXPERTS PICK THE TOP 10 SUSTAINABLE PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN. BY ILSA SETZIOL

THERE ARE FLASHIER GARDENS AROUND TOWN — LANDSCAPES CLOAKED IN SPLASHY COLORS –– BUT FOR BEAUTY THAT’S BONE DEEP, EXPLORE THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM AND BOTANIC GARDEN IN ARCADIA. “If you look at what are the most beautiful and environmentally appropriate plants,” says Arboretum CEO Richard Schulhof, “the Arboretum has been working to answer that question for over half a century.” The Arboretum will showcase sustainable plants at its annual L.A. Garden Show, which runs from April 30 through May 2. Organizers include the Arboretum’s new horticultural curator, Jill Morganelli. The garden’s aesthetic is partly sculptural — curvaceous succulents alternate with twisting branches and thick tree trunks. Largely absent are beds of —CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 15

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

rotated, brightly colored annual plants common at nurseries. Morganelli says the Arboretum’s signature bird, the peacock, is partially responsible for the look –– it’s an inadvertent “watchdog” of sustainability. “With annuals — plants that typically live for four to six months –– you’ll just waste all kinds of time and manpower,” she observes, “and they’ll be picked to the ground by peacocks.” She adds that annuals are generally water-hungry plants. On a recent morning, as peacocks dozed under a Wedgwood-blue sky, Morganelli tromped into the 30-acre Australian garden to discuss alternatives. Amid the familiar eucalyptus and bottlebrushes, Morganelli pointed out unusual

flowers that smell like grape bubble gum.” The rest of the year this Sophora sports silvery seedpods. (Note: The seeds are hallucinogenic, even poisonous.) The L.A. Garden Show will also spotlight California native plants, flora that Morganelli admires. “The plants act as a habitat for native birds, bees and butterflies,” she says. “The other thing that’s really cool is some of them die back and, like magic, in the spring they rise up from the earth all fresh and new.” Morganelli says the plants generally need regular water to get established, but after about 18 months, “you can water as little as every two weeks and these plants live.” In addition to the exemplary plantings, the Arboretum is inspiring a new wave of sustainable gardening with classes that are substantive and varied.

“I REALLY FEEL WE ARE UNDERGOING A RENAISSANCE RIGHT NOW IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPING AND IT’S SO EXCITING TO BE A PART OF THAT.” kinds of grevilleas and acacias. “Australian plants are super-important to us,” she says. “Their environment is just like ours, only on the other side of the world.” The flora from southwestern Australia, in particular, have adapted to a similar climate and comparable soils. Like California native plants, many will languish if watered liberally in summer. Usually, plants from both regions should not be fertilized; Australian plants are especially sensitive to phosphorus. On our tour, Morganelli also dropped by the Desert Garden (near the Peacock Café) to brag about Sophora secundiflora, also known as mescal bean. Native to Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico, this slow-growing shrub can be pruned into a lovely tree. “There’s rarely a design I do without one of these,” says Morganelli. “In the spring, it blooms the most gorgeous purple and white

16 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

For more than four years, K.D. Henderson of Monrovia has been a regular at horticulturist Lili Singer’s Thursday Garden Talks, which prompted her to rip out her front lawn and replace it with drought-tolerant plants, including natives. “Visitors used to walk straight up to my door,” she says. “Now they stop and look around.” That’s the kind of comment Morganelli, another enthusiastic instructor (she teaches organic vegetable gardening and plant identification) likes to hear. “I really feel we are undergoing a renaissance right now in Southern California landscaping,” she says, “and it’s so exciting to be a part of that.” AM Setziol is a freelance environment writer. She blogs on gardening and exploring the nature of Southern California at ramblingla.com.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Australian Picks:

•

Grevillea ‘Wakiti Sunrise’

There’s a reason this red-blooming plant is called hummingbird sage, says Morganelli. “You’ll see hummingbirds drink from these all day long.”

shaped, salmon-colored blossoms. “If you want to get rid of your lawn –– and don’t

•

have kids or a dog,” says Morganelli, “look at some of these low-growing shrubs.” She

Asclepias fascicularis That’s a fancy name for a modest plant known as narrow-

also admires the yellow-green color of the foliage.

leaved milkweed. “It’s not a beautiful plant all year,” says Morganelli, “but it’s a food source for

Acacia merinthophora The Zigzag Wattle derives its name from its stems,

monarch butterflies.” She advises planting it near the back of a bed and waiting for the gor-

which zigzag between its flowers –– little yellow puffs accompanied by a single pine nee-

geous black-and-white striped caterpillars to turn up.

•

dle–like leaf (technically, a leaf-like structure called a phyllode). Its branches spill out in a

Diplacus or Mimulus This group of plants goes by a tangle of scientific names,

weeping fashion. The Arboretum’s Schulhof advises planting this uncommon beauty in

but they are easily identified as monkeyflower. Hikers may recognize some of them from

front of a wall “so you can see its shadows and the finery of the foliage.” (Note: Some

local trails. Some can be hard to grow and are short-lived; Morganelli recommends the

other acacias — cyclops, longifolia and decurrens –– are invasive; do not plant them.)

•

Salvia spathacea This sage is popular with native plant gardeners. It smells delicious (a mélange of honey, lemon and mint) and can fill a difficult niche: dry shady areas.

This is a cultivated plant (a cultivar) bred from

one of the 250-plus species of wild grevillea. It unfurls intricate clusters of hook-

yellow-and-pale-orange shrubby kind.

Dodonaea viscosa “Purpurea” This Dodonaea is native to the

•

Quercus engelmannii

Before urbanization, this now-rare oak was common in

American Southwest and Hawaii, but most of its close relatives, commonly called hop

the Pasadena area. It’s smaller than the coast live oak that supplanted it along streets and

bush, hail from Down Under. Purpurea can be grouped together for a fast-growing pri-

in yards. The Arboretum’s grove is thought to be the largest one remaining in the county.

vacy screen. Morganelli advises pairing it with showier plants. “Take the purple-bronze

Morganelli says the Engelmann oak’s sharp-edged leaves can be used as a high-quality,

color of the leaves and bounce them off some other, low-growing greens.”

snail-repelling mulch for vegetable gardens.

Southwestern Special: •

Setziol is a freelance environment writer. She blogs on gardening and exploring the

Jill Morganelli photo by Ilsa Setziol, Grevillea photo by Danielle Langlois, Asclepias and Salvia photo contributed and © by Curtis Clark

Sophora secundiflora Also known as mescal bean. Native to Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico, this slow-growing shrub can be pruned into a lovely tree. “In the spring, it blooms the most gorgeous purple and white flowers that smell like grape bubble gum.” The rest of the year this Sophora sports silvery seedpods.The seeds are hallucinogenic, even poisonous.

nature of Southern California at ramblingla.com.

16 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

pink flowers. “I think of penstemons as my answer to foxgloves,” says Morganelli.

•

a wonderful hedge,” says Morganelli.

•

Penstemon spectabilis Also known as showy or royal penstemon, this herbaceous plant dazzles with 3- to 6-foot flower stalks, covered with dozens of blue, purple or

from its branches. “It’s a great border shrub and a great accent you can pepper in, even

“I REALLY FEEL WE ARE UNDERGOING A RENAISSANCE RIGHT NOW IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPING AND IT’S SO EXCITING TO BE A PART OF THAT.”

•

Australian Fuchsia. Little bell-shaped flowers — hued pink to reddish orange –– dangle

•

kinds of grevilleas and acacias. “Australian plants are super-important to us,” she says. “Their environment is just like ours, only on the other side of the world.” The flora from southwestern Australia, in particular, have adapted to a similar climate and comparable soils. Like California native plants, many will languish if watered liberally in summer. Usually, plants from both regions should not be fertilized; Australian plants are especially sensitive to phosphorus. On our tour, Morganelli also dropped by the Desert Garden (near the Peacock Café) to brag about Sophora secundiflora, also known as mescal bean. Native to Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico, this slow-growing shrub can be pruned into a lovely tree. “There’s rarely a design I do without one of these,” says Morganelli. “In the spring, it blooms the most gorgeous purple and white

Native Stars:

Correa pulchella One of several evergreen shrubs commonly known as

1. The Arboretum’s new horticultural curator, Jill Morganelli 2. Dodonaea viscosa 3. Asclepias fascicularis 4. Grevillea aspleniifolia 5. Salvia spathacea 6. Mimulus aurantiacus 7. Penstemon spectabilis 8. Correa pulchella 9. Quercus engelmannii

9 ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 17

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

PHANTOM GARDEN SYNDROME WORDS AND ART BY NANCY SPILLER When I think of the garden I left four years ago when we sold our Glendale home, many images come to mind, including the annual spring freesia festival, bigger every year as the bulbs established themselves in both the terraced front and back. There were also the orange Clivia, the western redbud next to the Ceonothus’ electric-blue blooms, the wild blue iris and the heart-melting sight of the Texas dawn bougainvillea that colonized the boxwood lining my entry stairs. And I can’t forget — though I wish I could — the climbing iceberg rose lolling about the upper pergola, offering a graceful, impossibly romantic branch as though it were a French courtesan’s arm. I called it my Fragonard bower, and underlying that was the yellow Lady Banks rose, like a popcorn blanket laid comfortingly across the top of the pergola. The pergola was built to take in the “view shed,” as my landscape designer called it, or “killer” view, as Sunset Magazine once dubbed it. And leaving those views and that enchanted space was hard, but necessary and ultimately for the best. It would have been harder, though, had the jacaranda tree ever bloomed during its two-year spell at the top of the garden. This was the plan: From my home office, where I was supposed to be cultivating a lush writing career, I’d take comfort in its backlit splendor as the overly demanding elder house and seductive young garden continued to drain my energy and my writing withered from neglect. I realized that I’d sunk too much of myself into the garden the spring I felt the only thing I had to look forward to that year was the jacaranda’s bloom. It was with herculean effort that I broke the bonds of obsession, moved to a less taxing address near wilderness that needed no maintenance from me and filled a patio with potted darlings — a collection sized in accordance with the attention I could in good conscience grant them, while I got other things done. But I am surprised by the extent to which I miss my lost paradise still. There are mornings I wake to a fresh ache of familiar longing and it’s the jacaranda I never saw in bloom, with its lavender flowers and lacy green leaves, that’s in

18 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

my mind’s eye. Despite all the miraculous things I did see, it is the imagined garden of the never was that lingers. And I’m not alone in experiencing phantom garden syndrome. My friend Jack was working in Washington, D.C., when he and his wife, Jane, bought an old Virginia farm on which he planted an entire orchard of carefully chosen heritage apples. Business and family concerns called them back to California before they had sampled a single fruit born of all that effort. Now he buys exquisite heritage apples at a market in the city where he works and I have multiple jacarandas in astonishing bloom in my new neighborhood, so neither of us was left wholly bereft of our original dreams. Still, we both carry in our minds visions never fully realized. My friend Sean has left multiple jacarandas behind over the years while moving from place to place in the good-school-for-the-kids quest that consumes so many parents. Indeed, he has left behind a whole grove of trees he never saw flower in their full glory, including multiple Chinese flame trees and a eucalyptus that has grown to 25 feet in someone else’s care. All of it was planted in an effort at “redressing neglected landscapes,” he writes from his current abode, where the garden is a potted, more easily transported one. We both now realize the need for gardens that may need to move along. The upside of a potted garden: The soil is less a concern, and the flora are easier to control and rearrange. I know from my friend Rosemary that garden memories can last a lifetime. Forty years out and enjoying a hydrangea-filled terraced hillside in the Bay Area, she still thinks about the al fresco dining garden surrounded by flowering shrubs and artfully placed Japanese maple trees she planted in Highgate, North London. She thinks fondly of what it may have become, the pleasure it might have given those who followed along on her “elegantly paved” path. For that is the pleasure gardeners can take in what they’ve left behind — the unimaginable gifts waiting to be discovered by others, while the original gardeners get on with the work of turning over fresh soil and putting down new roots. AM

HEALTH & BEAUTY Dr. Vasken Bilemjian Making a good impression starts with a fabulous smile! For business or personal situations, with today’s techniques there is no reason not to have one! We brighten dull teeth, close spaces, repair chips and even fill cavities to look like natural teeth. Our office uses the latest equipment, including ultrasonic cleaning, and our goal is to provide our patients with the highest quality care in a friendly and comfortable environment. Call (626) 792-6131. Dr. Levi Harrison, M.D. A center of excellence. Orthopedic surgeon and hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder specialist, Dr. Harrison is a skilled and compassionate physician dedicated to the well-being of each and every patient. You will find that his staff is also dedicated to excellence in patient care. Dr. Harrison’s training includes: Fellowship (Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery) from the prestigious Indiana Hand Center of Indianapolis and Medical Degree from University of California, Davis, School of Medicine. Call (818) 240-8001. Dr. Marilyn Mehlmauer Having smooth, youthful skin is the first step to feeling great about your appearance. Dr. Marilyn Mehlmauer offers a wide variety of solutions for any problem areas on your face. Whether you have lines, wrinkles or acne, we have a remedy to restore the elasticity and refine the appearance of your skin. Visit us and explore our facial rejuvenation treatment options. Call and schedule your consultation today,(626) 585-9474. Pasadena Weight Loss Clinic A Shocking Discovery: Losing weight quickly by going against conventional “wisdom”! A Pasadena doctor helps his overweight patients eat more and exercise less to lose weight! This program simply activates built-in mechanisms your body already has that cause the fast weight loss. Simple as that. Your first step is a FREE in-depth consultation with Dr. Matar to determine eligibility for the program. “Dr. Matar’s knowledge is the ‘missing link’ that I was looking for,” says Linda Gray, award-winning actress. “I know what it takes for my body to perform at its optimal potential. Implementing Dr. Matar’s recommendations into my —CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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life has helped me achieve that goal,” says Dwight Hicks, two-time Super Bowl champion, San Francisco 49ers. Contact Dr. Matar at (626) 844-4686 or at ditchyourdiet.com. Dr. Ray Raven, M.D. Dr. Raven studied medicine and orthopaedic surgery at top-ranked University of California San Francisco. He completed his fellowship in Manhattan, where he mastered state-of-theart techniques in trauma, reconstructive and pediatric surgery of the upper extremity. Dr. Raven adheres to the strict principles of “evidence-based medicine” and always maximizes conservative treatment before considering surgery. A board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Raven is also one of the few certified hand surgeons in the greater Los Angeles area. Call (818) 841-3936 or see rayravenmd.com. Dr. Ruiz Dr. Ruiz was named one of the top 100 U.S. clinicians in continued education by IT, a leading dental journal, and is highly respected amongst his peers as one of the top clinicians and educators in cosmetic dentistry. He is currently an instructor at USC and a course director for the Esthetic Continuum. Dr. Ruiz’s makeovers have been featured on ABC, NBC, Telemundo and Univision. Dr. Ruiz offers the latest in treatment, veneers, lumineers and bonding to achieve consistently great results. Call (818) 558-4332.

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—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Scott White Acupuncture & Herbal Formulas People ask me — Why acupuncture and herbs? The answer is it works! Oriental medicine is the oldest, professional, continually practiced, literate medicine in the world. This medical system’s written literature stretches back almost 2,500 years. The World Health Organization, The American Medical Association, as well as many others, have acknowledged its benefits. If you have any questions about what oriental medicine can do for you, please call me for a free phone consultation at (626) 372-3505 or visit scottwhiteacupuncture.com

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Spa 7 Cosmetic & Laser Center Founded by Dr. Richard Penfil, Spa 7 Cosmetic & Laser Center is a personalized medical spa serving clients 7 days a week. Spa 7’s mission is to provide a highly trained team dedicated to ensuring superior client care by combining medical expertise, the latest technology, a luxurious experience, and personal attention to detail. Services include a comprehensive selection of the most effective cosmetic and laser treatments and products, tailored to individual needs. Located at 39 Mills Place, Pasadena (in the Burke Williams Spa). Call (626) 377-4071. ■

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ART, ANTIQUES &JEWELRY Arnold’s Fine Jewelry Arnold’s Fine Jewelry is celebrating 120 years of serving Pasadena area families. From stunning engagement rings, engraved sterling baby gifts, watches for grads to spectacular evening baubles, Arnold’s is a destination for those seeking the very finest. Bruce Arnold’s personal joy is to suggest designs that respectfully restyle your cherished heirlooms. Third-generation jeweler Arnold invites you to bring jewelry for repair or cleaning. Professionalism, trust and friendliness are why Arnold’s will be the choice for generations to come. 350 S. Lake Ave., suite 110, Pasadena. Call (626) 795-8647 or visit arnoldsfinejewelry.com Cañada Jewelry Family-owned and –operated, with over 28 years of experience in design and manufacture of fine jewelry. Our knowledgeable staff will offer you the best service to create your special occasion jewelry. Come in and see our exquisite array of diamonds, gold, and silver jewelry. We also carry a large selection of writing instruments, watches, and gifts. We are an authorized dealer of Citizen and Lladro. Visit us at 965 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada-Flintridge. Call (818) 952-2021 or visit canadajlry.com.

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A smile Jewelry is nearly always Cañada & Gifts inspired by another smile “Life has it’s moments, make it memorable!” Fancy That! Spring is just around the corner and Fancy That! has everything you need to celebrate all the events of the season: Easter decorations, special treats for Easter baskets, inspirational gifts to commemorate baptisms, first communions and confirmations, not to mention unique gifts for the spring Bride and Groom in your life. Fancy That!...for gifts you love to give. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. ‘til 6 p.m. & Sat. ‘til 5 p.m. 2575 Mission St., San Marino. Call (626) 403-2577 or visit fancythat.us.com. John Moran Auctioneers A full-service auction house for over 40 years, John Moran Auctioneers is internationally recognized as a leader in sales of exceptional antiques, fine art, jewelry and eclectic estate items. In addition to monthly Estate Auctions, Moran’s conducts tri-annual California and American Art auctions featuring top 19th and 20th century Impressionist and Western artists. Clients value Moran’s for expertise and dedication to top-quality personalized service. For information about consigning, purchasing at auction, estate services, appraisals, and free walk-in Valuation Days, please call (626) 793-1833 or visit johnmoran.com. G.H. Wilke Our story began when Gilbert H. Wilke purchased a jewelry store in Arlington Heights, Illinois at the onset of the Great Depression, October 1929. But we’re not finished yet! Now celebrating our 80th year, we’ve been here for you in great times and greater times, customizing beauty for your every occasion. Many, many thanks to all our loyal friends. We look forward to more years of providing you the perfect jewelry complement. For personalized designs as well as a fantastic collection of estate, antique and contemporary styles, come see us for a fun experience in a jewelry store! Contact Tracy R. Wilke, Dario Pirozko or Mila Banez. Call (626) 284-9444 ■

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HOME&DESIGN

PROJECT: LA CAÑADA RESIDENCE FIRM: JAMES COANE & ASSOCIATES

THE MARRIAGE OF ART & SCIENCE FINDING & HIRING THE RIGHT ARCHITECT FOR YOU BY JOANNA DEHN BERESFORD

“Noble life demands a noble architecture for noble uses of noble men.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

PHOTOS: Courtesy James Coane & Associates

PHOTO: Tom Queally (HDA Interiors)

ARROYO

What is Frank Lloyd Wright talking about here? He wrote so much, drew and built so much, and for most of us it’s all so beautiful. This particular statement seems to radiate, sparkle with everything he did and was, and with the passion that compelled him. But, what exactly does he mean about ‘nobility?’ Who even talks about nobility anymore? The word sounds almost quaint, anachronistic. “It is as much of an old-world idea as anything Wright expressed,” says Brad McDonald, founder of Reveal Studio, Incorporated, in La Crescenta. “From a world-view standpoint, he means that people have inherent value – whether it’s Donald Trump with a 24-karat gilded ballroom, or an elderly couple living in a mobile home park. We can lose sight of that. But when you extend that idea into architecture then a home becomes more than a structure to build, grow, and sell. If we forget that intrinsic value, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to consider the nobility of ourselves and our neighbors.” In other words, according to McDonald, our homes are an extension of ourselves and our families. Philosophically speaking, a home is not just “the 4th yellow house from the corner.” The home presents and protects everything that we cherish. So, if you’re planning to build or renovate a home, that’s a pretty serious endeavor. It could be one of the most significant, expensive, exhilarating experiences of your life. And you want the right man, woman, or team to facilitate that experience.

FINDING THE RIGHT ARCHITECT: “Architecture is a marriage of art and science,” explains Mark Houston, of design/build firm Mark Houston Associates, Inc. “Our job is to synthesize the client’s needs into a plan that focuses on aesthetics and practicality. A good designer needs to understand the style of a home and be sensitive to proportion, scale, restrictions of local jurisdictions.” —CONTINUED ON PAGE 27 | ADVERTISEMENT |

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Many prospective homeowners find architects through referral. Other resources include the local phone book (another anachronism?) and the Internet. The American Institute of Architects maintains a list of local architects and other resources on its website, aia.org. Almost every architect in the San Gabriel Valley offers tremendous talent, impressive credentials, and the wisdom of experience. The problem, for a homeowner, isn’t finding an architect in the region, but finding the right architect for a project. You may develop a list of 3 to 5 prospective architects, then meet with each of them to

discuss the (re)design and (re)construction of your home, and one of the most important factors you should consider during this process is chemistry. Does the guy listen to you? Does he/she respond to your ideas? Do you feel comfortable expressing concerns that range from budget to beauty to the brunt of schedules. “I encourage clients to throw as many of their thoughts, ideas, magazine cut-outs, etc. at me as possible. I try to do the sifting to ensure that everything will result in a coherent whole, and I give clients the value of my experience of many different types of projects and will let them know why they may or

PHOTO: Courtesy Mark Houston Associaets, Inc.

photo by: Corine Cobabe

—CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

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may not want to do something they are considering,” says James Coane of James V. Coane + Associates Architects, in Pasadena. “Chemistry is huge,” agrees Brad McDonald. “You have to have a base of quality, you want to look at a portfolio, but chemistry is a majority of the issue. You want to hire a professional who cares what you think and how you feel in your home.”

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Prospective homeowners and residents who plan to renovate an existing home face

a whirlwind of technological and environmental developments that impact their choices, obligations and opportunities. An effective architect should help clients to navigate the whirlwind. “The period and style of character homes often dictates that new technology can be introduced but concealed in those homes, because you want to maintain character,” says Mark Houston. “In modern buildings technology can be more openly expressed.” In terms of the green building movement, Houston confesses that the process has been at times cumbersome, expensive

PHOTO: Courtesy HartmanBaldwin Design/Build

—CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

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—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

and less efficient than designers would like. But as demand increases, prices have come down. Re-use of resources and ongoing research about new materials forms an important aspect of his work. “We have LEED-certified consultants, and we’re always concerned about ecological footprint. We look for a proper PROJECT: balance of glazes, insulation, THE VEIL: A SINGLE thermal mass materials, conFAMILY RESIDENCE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY crete floors, passive and solar heating and cooling.” FIRM: REVEAL STUDIOS James Coane expresses similar enthusiasm over emerging aspects of environmental design. “There are many great recycling prothey’re particularly sensitive to the architecgrams around now, much more than there tural integrity of redesign efforts. were 10 years ago. Not only are there great “People are concerned with making opportunities in demolition programs now, their homes more green,” says Karla that recycle so much more material than Rodriguez of HartmanBaldwin. “We perthey used to, but these programs also offer form an energy audit on every home as impressive tax incentives for the clients.” part of our process to help homeowners HartmanBaldwin Design/Build is workprioritize the changes they want to make. ing on projects in Pasadena ranging from We want to give them a holistic view of the kitchen remodels to entire home redesigns. home, so they can decide how money is The firm specializes in historic restoration, so best spent in pursuit of energy efficiency.”

PHOTO: Renderering courtesy Reveal Studios

—CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

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THE ART OF COLLABORATION Mark Houston has spent years forming a team of designers, builders, contractors and craftspeople who share his vision and commitment to excellence. Everyone Mark works with has both opinions of their own and a mutual respect for the opinions of others involved in any given project. Mark describes the design/build experience as “an open forum, in which we’re all focused on getting from point A to point B — which is an exemplary finished product. There’s no way I could pursue an excellent product doing it all by myself.” Houston adds that the client is the most important partner in his collaborations. James Coane shares the sentiment, comparing his role as architect to that of an orchestra conductor who relies on gifted musicians to perform a piece of music. “I need great craftsmen to create a great piece of architecture,” says Coane. “It is all totally collaborative. There are so many people involved in building something that you have to foster a team approach if you want something of very high quality done. It is best for the client, and for everyone.” For some architectural firms collaboration includes an entire community. HartmanBaldwin has established a variety of outreach programs, including their free, monthly Home Remodelers Survival Guide

Workshop. The workshop addresses subjects of cost, schedule, management and other issues that facilitate a “fun, successful remodel experience,” says Karla Rodriguez. For Nott & Associates, collaboration is a family effort. A self-described “Architectural and General Construction Collaboration,” Nott & Associates is led by father-son team

IN A WAY, YOUR HOME IS THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY. Tom and Jeff Nott. They specialize in custom homes and commercial projects throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

A NOBLE EFFORT Your home is more than a series of walls, floors and ceilings. It’s more than shelter, though it serves that universal purpose. It’s more than a storage unit or even a showplace. In a way, your home is the biggest and most important member of your family. Creating or recreating the home can appear to be a daunting task. But San Gabriel Valley residents are fortunate. We draw from a noble gathering of noble architects, who will participate in the noble effort of building a noble home for their clients. ■

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PHOTO: Courtesy of Nott & Associates

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ARCHITECTS JAMES COANE & ASSOCIATES Since 1994, James V. Coane, has specialized in: custom residences, estates, historic renovations and expansions, residential and apartment interiors, multi-family residential, corporate interiors, retail and small commercial building design. American Institute of Architects award winners, and named Best Architect by Pasadena Weekly, their projects have been in Architectural Digest and other magazines and used as locations for filming and fashion shoots. Well-versed in historical and modern architecture and design and known for attention to detail on all projects. Visit jvca.com or call (626) 584-6922.

INTERIOR DESIGN

MARK HOUSTON ASSOCIATES, INC. Mark Houston Associates Inc. provides residential planning and design services in San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and surrounding areas. With Mark Houston Associates Inc. you are an integral part of the design process. We work with you to create a residential environment that expresses your personality, values and vision. This collaboration begins with discerning your needs and flows through to the completion of construction. Call (626) 357-7858

MACMAR, INC. From architecture to engineering, they’ve got you covered. Residential and commercial services range from tenant improvement work to remodeling and everything in between. Call (818) 566-8302 today for an appointment or visit macmarinc.com

NOTT & ASSOCIATES The “Design/Build” team of Tom and Jeffrey Nott specializes in custom homes in Pasadena. Tom Nott received his Bachelor of Architecture at USC, and has worked for decades on major projects. His work includes projects including for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the L.A.Subway and countless commercial parks. Jeff began in the field at age 12, attended UCLA and UCSB and has built custom homes with distinguished designers in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air. Together they have completed over 130 projects in South Pasadena alone. Nott and Associates provides complete design through construction services, fulfilling your vision and appreciating your budget. Visit NOTTASSOCIATES.com or call (626) 403-0844. | ADVERTISEMENT |

CAROL COBABE With a philosophy of “good design resulting in the creation of harmony in one’s environment,” Carol’s work has been published in countless publications. She has participated in several showcase houses, the Los Angeles Assistance League Design House, the Venice Family Clinic Design House and Little Company of Mary Design House in Palos Verdes. Carol is also a winner of the coveted First Place Award of the L.A. Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. Call (626) 441-6052.

CYNTHIA BENNETT Cynthia Bennett & Associates has been a celebrated design and build firm for almost 30 years. They specialize in innovative kitchen and bath design, general construction, historical renovation, project management and interior design. With all areas of residential design and construction being taken care of by Cynthia Bennett and Associates, Inc., each detail will be thought of and coordinated. Call for a consultation at (626) 799-9701.

DAY OF DESIGN WITH TERRI JULIO “My mission is to offer more people an opportunity to consult with a professional designer and afford them a service that fits into their budget.” Those words capture Terri Julio¹s practical and thoughtful approach to her profession. A full day of design consultation is a great way to begin any project. Terri’s philosophy also extends to “putting the client¹s wants first.” She simply guides those desires to a beautiful conclusion. Call (626) 447-5370.

HDA INTERIORS Your home should be more than just a place to hang your hat. It should be a perfect place where vivid dreams and cherished hopes surround you. It should exude panache, glamour and inspire you to live your most extraordinary life. HDA’s portfolio includes stellar Spanish bungalows, ultra-modern estates and everything in between. Contact HDA Interiors today and let us help you create a space that truly is a reflection of you. Call (626) 584-0742 or visit hdesignassociates.com. —CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 37

ARROYO

HOME DESIGN DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

INTERIOR SPACES

MORTGAGE LENDERS FLOORGATE, INC.

WELLS FARGO

Floorgate offers premium hardwood flooring designed to keep up with your family’s lifestyle. We offer the largest selection of colors and styles in wood flooring, hardwoods, laminate, carpet and tile, with virtually care-free finishes and our assurance of quality. Hardwood floors are incredibly beautiful, highly durable and extremely affordable. And they’re always natural and safe for the environment. We install over 50,000 square feet of flooring every week! 3350 N. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles; call (323) 478-2000.

The Patsy Grant Team at Wells Fargo Home Financing meets your needs. Because your home is one of your biggest investments, it’s important to ensure that your mortgage fits you. This is our specialty — helping you find mortgage solutions that meet your current situation while complementing your long-term financial goals. We will help you determine what mortgage options work for you, guide you through the loan process and answer your questions. Patsy: (626) 5773721; Jim: (626) 577-3703

OUTDOOR LIVING

KITCHEN TUNE-UP Kitchen Tune-Up is one-stop shopping if you’re looking to change your kitchen. A Tune-Up is a process in which existing wood cabinets are made to look as close to new as possible. We offer refacing, custom cabinets, bathroom vanities as well as home entertainment centers and closets. We can add pullout drawers, spice cabinets, even that island you’ve been dreaming about. We are Steve and Megan Morelock. Please call for a complimentary consultation at (626) 533-4402

GARDEN VIEW LANDSCAPE Specializing in landscaping, nurseries and pools, Garden View Inc. can take you from a design idea to a finished, detail-oriented garden. Garden View & their clientele are recipients of 60 awards from the California Landscape Contractors Association. The intent of the company is to provide high-quality interrelated outdoor services. The synergy between having their own designer/project managers, inhouse crews, their own large nursery, and being a licensed pool builder provides for efficiency, competitive pricing, quality and schedule control. Call (626) 303-4043.

MARBLE AND STONELIFE Our skilled staff is ready to evaluate and address all of your stone and concrete related needs — floor leveling, scratch and stain removal, crack repair, grout restoration, polishing, sealing, and color enhancing. We offer concrete polishing, acid stain and polishing, acid stain and sealing, and have extensive experience with all types of natural and man-made stone: marble, granite, terrazzo, travertine, limestone, onyx, sandstone, concrete, Mexican tiles, agglomerate, slate, terra cotta, flagstone, brownstone, brick, ceramic and more. Call (877) 773-5820.

GAROCCO POOLS Plan for your new pool or pool remodel. The time is now to start the process of building your new pool. Your family and friends will thank you at the beginning of the summer as you start to enjoy the beautiful new addition to your home and yard. Garocco, Inc. is well known for their outstanding pool design and construction. 656 E. Green St., Pasadena. Call now to set up an appointment for a design consultation: (626) 359-5050 or garocco.com

MAUDE WOODS OUTDOOR COLLECTION

Stepping into Maude Woods: Artful Living, shoppers may feel they’ve entered someone’s beautiful home. Owner Carrie Davich mixes new upscale furnishings with vintage and renovated second-hand treasures. Within this “home” shoppers can find a unique hostess gift for $25, a $5,000 table and a variety of beautiful items in between. 55 E. Holly St., Pasadena. Call (626) 577-3400 or visit maudewoods.com

Today’s hottest outdoor trend is the outdoor living room ... a favorite for hotels & resorts for years and now available for residential settings. Why go to an expensive resort for the weekend when you can turn your back yard into one? Invest in something that will bring comfort and style for the long run! Teak Warehouse boasts over 16 varied collections of deep seating, offering teak and wicker at the best prices in California. 133 E. Maple Ave., Monrovia. Call (626) 305-8325 or visit teakwarehouse.com

MODERN LIGHTING Modern Lighting has been serving Southern California’s lighting needs since 1946. With all types of fixtures in every price range, you’ll find what you want. If not, we do custom design. We have stocks of light bulbs to compliment your fixture and we continually watch the marketplace for the best buys. Our staff has decades of lighting experience.. Feel free to contact us if our service is what you are looking for: call (626) 286-3262.

REAL ESTATE

PADUA DESIGN Dolores Kroop has worked as a designer for over 20 years. She brings to her work a background in art and design, with experiences and exposures garnered through years of growing up abroad in South America, Europe and the Middle East. Ms. Kroop’s work has appeared on HGTV, in Elle, Pasadena showcases, the Assistance League Design House and Schiffer Books’ “Designer Showcase: Interior Design at its Best.” 2650 Mission St., San Marino. Call (626) 441-5061. 38 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

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BOOKS

an author is born SCREENWRITER DIANNE DIXON CRACKS OPEN A PANDORA’S BOX FROM HER PAST TO WRITE HER DEBUT NOVEL, THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS. BY B.J. LORENZO

DIANNE DIXON SAYS SHE CAN PINPOINT THE EXACT MOMENT 18 MONTHS AGO WHEN SHE WAS “BORN AS AN AUTHOR. I WAS IN THE PRODUCE AISLE OF GELSON’S IN THE PASEO. I WAS HOLDING A CABBAGE. MY PHONE RANG, AND A PERSON IN NEW YORK SAID ‘HELLO, I’M YOUR EDITOR AT RANDOM HOUSE.’ “ That’s when the longtime Pasadena resident knew for sure that her first book, a novel, had been bought and would be published. Titled The Language of Secrets, it’s a mystery wrapped in a family saga with a dark psychological undertow. It hits bookstores March 23 and will be a featured selection of the Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, the Mystery Guild and the online book club, BOMC2. Not bad for a first-time Arroyo-land author who was already in her 50s when she quit her day job to take a stab at the work she’d always wanted to do. As the title suggests, the plot spins around truths withheld. A young man, who seemingly has the perfect life — loving wife, healthy baby, pots of money — has only one imperfection: He doesn’t know who he is. His memories of childhood have all been erased; his past is a total blank. A rhyme with his name and address, which he believes his birth mother repeatedly sang to him, is all he remembers of his early life. When he finally finds the courage to visit the address in the rhyme, nobody there knows who he is. To top it off, he discovers his own gravestone with an inscription indicating he died at age 3. As his parents’ torrid secrets unravel, the young man learns they discarded him like garbage. For no apparent reason, they considered him dead. But they —CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 39

BOOKS

—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

kept their two daughters (his sisters) and lived a so-called “normal” family life. What could have happened that caused them to reject him and never look back? The Language of Secrets is a taut and well-told tale of distorted love and a lack of candor, which offers searing insight into the emotions of a child who was abandoned and abused. It also illuminates a condition known as dissociative identity disorder, which causes memory and identity loss due to severe early childhood trauma. This is not exactly the kind of grim subject matter you’d expect from a woman whose career, until now, has been devoted to upbeat animated TV shows for kids. Dixon has written dozens of them, along with after-school specials and other scripts. She won the 1993 Humanitas Prize honoring family entertainment for her work on the series The Legend of Prince Valiant. Along the way, she also taught creative writing at Pitzer College in Claremont and co-hosted a drive-time talk-radio show with Peter Tilden on KABC for five years. So why did she choose this oddly disturbing saga for her first novel? Where did it spring from? What was her own childhood like? “I’d rather not discuss it,” the author says, with a tone of finality. Her attitude is surprising. So far in this interview, her first as a published author, she has been warm, smart and good-natured, with an exuberant sense of humor. Her petite frame, blonde pixie haircut and easy laugh have radiated a kind of casual, college-girl air, as has her favorite outfit: a cashmere sweater and jeans. It turns out she’s too empathetic to let her interviewer dangle for long. “Okay, I’ll tell you this much,” she says, breaking an awkward silence. “I came from a situation that was horrific. I was shipped around the world like a U.P.S. package. I left home as a babe in arms, lived in South America and England, then back in the U.S. I know the subject I wrote about firsthand. It’s really dark and unpleasant, a Pandora’s box I don’t care to open. Let it exist only in the book, if that’s okay with you.” If the subject is so difficult, why open that Pandora’s box by writing a novel about it? And why now? Dixon laughs and relents: “I remember even as a small child thinking that I must always remember what was happening to me now, so that I never inflict this kind of pain on anyone else,” she says. “I was an avid reader as a child — which was lucky, because I could live a lot of my life in my imagination. Who knows why I survived, when a lot of other kids in that situation might not? I think it was my love of language and books. In fact, authors became my idols. To me, novelists were the pinnacle, and I always wanted to be one. But I wasn’t sure I could do it. Writing for TV isn’t the same as writing a novel. I knew I’d need a really good story to tell, and I didn’t think I had one to spin out over two or three hundred pages.” Dixon says the turning point came when she took a freelance job with a producer who had a contract at Sony. “He wanted me to rewrite a script for a feature film, a romantic comedy. So I do the job and he’s very happy with my work. We’re going to meet the next day and he says, ‘When you come in tomorrow, bring your own idea for a script.’ “So I go home and I’ve got other work to do, and suddenly it’s nighttime. I’ve forgotten to think of a script idea. I had nothing in my head. So I ask my husband, Dan, ‘Give me an idea — anything. I don’t want to go in there tomorrow looking like a moron.’” 40 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

Her husband of 25 years, Dan DiStefano, is a hospital administrator. He’s also an ardent reader and lover of tall tales. He quickly came up with a line that got the ball rolling: “What if a guy thinks he knows where he’s from, but he goes back and nobody knows who he is?” It was a plot that had been in his head since his college days, when he wanted to be a writer, Dixon says. The author believes that during the night, she subconsciously put together her husband’s premise, her own true story and the tale of a friend from her undergraduate days at Occidental College — the friend had been given up by her birth parents who’d kept their other children. “The whole novel just poured right out of my head as if it had been there all along,” she says.

“I CAME FROM A SITUATION THAT WAS HORRIFIC. I WAS SHIPPED AROUND THE WORLD LIKE A U.P.S. PACKAGE.” She seasoned the book with other real-life stories she’d gleaned during her years working for children’s causes. Dixon has volunteered at Hillsides, a Pasadena foster-care and treatment center for abused children, and for Our Saviour Center in El Monte, which supports low-income families. “It magically all came together that morning,” she recalls. “I felt I had a story worth telling.” The freshly minted author dedicates her book to her husband, from whom she says she keeps no secrets. With his encouragement, she gave up a lucrative career in TV writing to pen a novel that might never sell. “The house got downsized, our two cars became one and at times we worried how to pay our bills,” says Dixon, who is now at work on her second book. “It was all worth it in the end, but we couldn’t have known that at the start. I asked him to take a leap of faith with me, and he did.” AM The Language of Secrets by Dianne Dixon (Doubleday; $24.95) is available at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 449-5320 or visit vromansbookstore.com.

Photo by Heng Qi

A HIGHLY SELECTIVE PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EVENTS

THE

LIST COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER

SAINTLY AND SINFUL ART March 6 — The Folk Tree in Pasadena hosts its annual Easter season exhibition, “Saints & Sinners XXIII,” which opens with a reception from 2 to 6 p.m. Area artists explore the tension between good and evil and the sacred and profane; Latin American (primarily Mexican) religious folk art and artifacts are also on display. A variety of media are represented, including painting, printmaking, assemblage, cut paper, paper maché, drawing, mixed media and more. “Saints & Sinners XXIII” continues through April 10. The Folk Tree is located at 217 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 795-8733 or visit folktree.com.

THE BARD AND AN AMERICAN CLASSIC March 6 — The repertory theater company A Noise Within launches two productions in March. The first is Much Ado About Nothing, which opens at 8 p.m.; Michael Murray directs Shakespeare’s tale of Beatrice and Benedict, who engage in a comedic battle of wills as they struggle with their mutual attraction. The play continues through May 21. Then Andrew Traister directs Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing!, opening at 8 p.m. March 20. The American classic, chronicling the struggles of the Berger family in economically ravaged New York City during the 1930s, continues through May 23. Tickets cost $40 and $44 for each play. A Noise Within is located at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Call (818) 240-0910, ext. 1, or visit anoisewithin.org.

PICTURE THIS

March 24 — The Clickers & Flickers Photography Network holds its monthly networking dinner at 6:30 p.m. at The Castaway in Burbank. This month’s special guest is Heng Qi, one of China’s top photojournalists, who will discuss “Building a Bridge between America and China through Photography.” He has served as editor and photographer for China’s Xinhua News Agency and is currently based in its Los Angeles bureau. The event is open to all levels of photography enthusiasts as well as non-photographers. The cost is $59. Reservations are required. The Castaway is located at 1250 Harvard Rd., Burbank. For network information, call (626) 794-7447 or visit clickersandflickers.com.

FOR WHOM THE SCHOOL BELL TOLLS March 9 — The Assistance League of Arcadia, a nonprofit organization assisting children, seniors and families in need, celebrates the 40th anniversary of Operation School Bell, a program providing clothes and school supplies to needy children in Arcadia and surrounding communities. An open house runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Assistance League Chapter House. Light refreshments and chapter house tours will be offered. The Assistance League of Arcadia Chapter House is located at 100 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia. Call (626) 446-7605 or visit arcadia.assistanceleague.org.

PHOTO: Tales of an Urban Indian by Joan Marcus; © Heng Qi (Picture This)

DARK COMEDY AT THE AUTRY March 13 — Native Voices at the Autry, America’s leading Native American theater company, continues its season with the West Coast premiere of the one-man show Tales of an Urban Indian by Canadian playwright and actor Darrell Dennis. The dark semiautobiographical comedy explores life through the eyes of a contemporary American Indian who experiences an often hilarious form of culture shock as he moves from the reservation to the city. Dennis is a veteran of the Second City comedy school, and his play is the basis of a hit Canadian television show of the same name. Herbie Barnes directs. Tales opens at 8 p.m. at the Autry’s Wells Fargo Theater and continues through March 28. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets cost $20 ($12 for Autry members). The Autry National Center is located at 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park. Call (866) 468-3399 or visit nativevoicesattheautry.org.

MANSIONS AND MUSIC March 14 — The Pasadena Conservatory of Music presents “Illumination,” part of its Mansions & Music concert series, at 3 p.m. at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Caňada Flintridge. Pianist Mark Robson performs Olivier Messiaen’s Vingt Regards Sur L’Enfant-Jesus. Artist Edward Beckett’s Secular Icons will also be on display. Admission costs $75, and a reception follows the performance. Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is located at 440 St. Katherine Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Call (626)683-3355.

A CENTURY OF PLEIN AIR March 14 — The California Art Club celebrates its centennial with a sale and exhibition, “Plein Air Paintings of the Arroyo Seco,” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at La Casita del Arroyo Foundation. The event features new works by many of the country’s leading landscape painters, using many of the same techniques first employed by the club’s founders 100 years ago. Proceeds benefit the club’s educational arts programs and the foundation’s efforts to conserve the droughttolerant gardens at La Casita. La Casita del Arroyo Foundation is located at 177 S. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 583-9009 or visit californiaartclub.org.

TREASURES GO UNDER THE HAMMER March 16 — John Moran Auctioneers’ first antiques auction of the year features more than 200 lots of decorative and fine arts items from private estates and collections — European and American paintings, bronzes, silver, porcelain, pottery, glass, Arts and Crafts furnishings and Native American artifacts. Highlights include a green Tiffany floor lamp with a green leaded-glass shade and a 1925 figural group of gilt bronze, ivory and onyx, titled Les Amis Toujours (pictured left), by Romanian/French Art Deco master Demetre Chiparus. The sale at the Pasadena Convention Center is held in two sessions: the 3 p.m. Discovery Sale, an uncatalogued auction open to floor and absentee bidding only, and the 6:30 p.m. Evening Sale of items with estimated values of $400 to $30,000, described in an illustrated catalog available at johnmoran.com. Bidding is available from the floor, by absentee, phone and Internet via Artfact.com. The Pasadena Convention Center is located at 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. For sale information, call (626) 793-1833 or visit johnmoran.com. —CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 41

A HIGHLY SELECTIVE PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EVENTS

THE

LIST COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER

—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

SAN MARINO LEAGUE ART WALK HITS THE ROAD March 19 and 20 — The San Marino League’s Art Walk XXVI visits four Pasadena homes to view private art collections and antiques from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stops include two historic Vista del Arroyo bungalows designed by noted architect Myron Hunt, a nearby neo-classic residence and a contemporary home in the Oak Knoll area. Tickets cost $35. Home locations are provided with ticket purchase. Proceeds fund scholarships for students at Art Center College of Design and an endowment for the Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. Call (626) 578-8510 or visit sanmarinoleague.org.

HUGH HEWITT SPEAKS AT BENEFIT March 20 — Pasadena’s Elizabeth House hosts its annual fundraising gala, “Where Love Embraces Life,” at the University Club of Pasadena. Author and conservative talkradio host Hugh Hewitt is the guest speaker. The event starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by the dinner and speaker at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $150. The organization operates the San Gabriel Valley’s only shelter for homeless pregnant women and their children. The University Club of Pasadena is located at 175 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 577-4434 or visit elizabethhouse.net.

TALKING ART AT BOSTON COURT

LACO COMES TO THE ALEX March 21 — The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra performs works of Schulhoff, Mendelssohn and Weill at 8 p.m. at Glendale’s Alex Theatre. LACO Music Director Jeffrey Kahane conducts and performs as featured piano soloist; Daniel Hope is the violin soloist. Tickets cost from $18 to $100. The concert repeats at 7 p.m. Sunday at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Call (213) 622-7001 or visit laco.org.

JOYOUS INSPIRATION IN ARCADIA March 21 — The San Marino Celebrity Series presents the F.A.M.E. Gospel Choir in a concert, “Joyous Inspiration,” at 4 p.m. at Arcadia’s Santa Anita Church. The group will perform traditional hymns and contemporary praise songs, including I’ll Fly Away and Amazing Grace. Tickets cost $30. The Celebrity Series, sponsored by the San Marino Guild of Huntington Hospital, raises funds for the pediatric section of the hospital’s new trauma and emergency center. Santa Anita Church is located at 226 Colorado Pl., Arcadia. Call (626) 405-0497 or (626) 441-1465 or email smcelebrityseries@gmail.com.

42 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

PHOTOs: Daniel Hope copyright Felix Broede - Deutsche Grammophon; Amgen Tour by Doug Pensinger

March 20 — Boston Court Performing Arts Center hosts “ARTTalk,” a spoken word festival, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event includes live readings, music, poetry, dance and theater, featuring established and up-and-coming performers, poets and authors. The event is free and appropriate for all ages. Boston Court Performing Arts Center is located at 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 744-0340 or visit playhousedistrict.org/arttalk.

A CALL FOR CYCLING VOLUNTEERS Through May 23 — The 2010 Amgen Tour of California travels through 16 host cities from May 16 to 23, and organizers have put out the call for volunteers. The cycling event, which comes through Pasadena May 21, needs volunteer course marshals, media assistants, security staff, site decorators and more. Volunteers must be over age 18 or accompanied by an adult. Sign up online by visiting amgentourofcalifornia.com/tour/volunteer.

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HIGHLIGHTING THE ART OF WRITING March 25 —The Pasadena Museum of California Art, known for its showcases of art, design and music of the Golden State, celebrates another medium with its “Written in California” series. The program highlights Southern California authors of varying backgrounds and styles who’ve all drawn inspiration from the state’s creative environment. This month’s author is Altadena resident Michelle Huneven, reading from her new novel, Blame, which features arresting descriptions of the Southern California landscape. Art galleries are open for viewing starting at 6 p.m., and the reading — free with the museum’s special admission rate of $5 — starts at 7 p.m. The Pasadena Museum of California Art is located at 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. Call (626) 568-3665 or visit pmcaonline.org. AM

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ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 43

OBJECTS OF DESIRE

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? WITH CAPE COWSLIP, GOLDMOSS SEDUM AND OTHER TREASURES FOR THE HORTICULTURALLY CORRECT. BY M. JOHN SEELEY

STICKS AND STONES Prop up fragile plants while supporting struggling earthquake victims with Vida

GARDEN ART

Verde’s Haitian flower-shaped stakes made from recycled metal ($36). Haiti is

Silversmith Laura Moore captures and preserves the evanescent California garden in

also the source of ornate tree-like sculptures, hammered out of steel oil drums

handmade pins, bracelets and necklaces. Using silver art clay, she makes molds from

($98). This eco-friendly shop offers stone sculptures from Indonesia ($18 to $52),

living plants and bugs — California poppies, clover ferns, the delicate damselfly and the

as well as Fair Trade products, green gifts and works by local artists.

manroot vine that grows in local foothills and arroyos, among others. From $25 to $235 at the Descanso Gardens Gift Shop, or order online at billysabadkittycom.

PREPARING THE GROUND You won’t get blue-ribbon buds from a bad bed. Compost is key for a healthy garden and

WE ♥ TRELLISES

no compost sounds more health-minded

If your Valentine’s Day gift didn’t quite

than Bu’s Blend Biodynamic Compost, tout-

ring your loved one’s bell, take heart — or

ed for its “energetic life forces to vitalize your

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vegetables, plants, flowers.” This lively com-

love with one of these romantic willow

post includes herbs like yarrow to restore the

trellises, especially so when adorned with

health of your soil's ecosystem. Look for the

a climbing rose. To less sentimental

bag with the surfing cow — this is no bum

souls, they are still an important source of

steer! Available at Burkard.

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You can, of course, make your own

— of which Burkard stocks about 200

compost, and in this task a leaf-shredder is

varieties, including certified organic pole

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tomatoes. The trellises come in three

and efficient is the Flowtron Leaf Eater, a

sizes, priced from $65 to $115. Made of

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sturdier stuff is the rust-colored metal

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frame with a butterfly ($99.99) or spiral

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44 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

OBJECTS OF DESIRE

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? WITH CAPE COWSLIP, GOLDMOSS SEDUM AND OTHER TREASURES FOR THE HORTICULTURALLY CORRECT. BY M. JOHN SEELEY

STICKS AND STONES

PRESS FLOWERS Another World Lies Beyond: Creating Liu Fang Yuan, the Huntington’s Chinese Garden celebrates the first phase of one of the treasures of The Huntington Library,

FOR THE BIRDS

Art Collections & Botanical Gardens. Edited by June Li, the garden’s curator,

A garden without birds is like Broadway without musicals. Lure some garden musi-

Another World Lies Beyond discusses the site’s construction challenges and the

cians with a “Birdie in the Woods” feeder from Red Carpet Studios ($26.95), shaped

cultural traditions and aesthetics of Chinese garden design. Inscribed poetic cou-

like a hummingbird, goldfinch, bluebird or cardinal. Available at the Descanso

plets, literary allusions and botanical motifs reveal the layers of symbolism involved.

Gardens Gift Shop. If you’re more concerned with the size and sight of birds than

The final essay describes how plants from China — such as chrysanthemum, plum

their sound, the fine feathers of these aluminum cranes ($89.99 each) at Armstrong

and camellia — have enriched the gardens of both East and West. Available in

offer an elegant solution.

hardcover ($34.95) at The Huntington Bookstore & More.

Prop up fragile plants while supporting struggling earthquake victims with Vida

GARDEN ART

Verde’s Haitian flower-shaped stakes made from recycled metal ($36). Haiti is

Silversmith Laura Moore captures and preserves the evanescent California garden in

also the source of ornate tree-like sculptures, hammered out of steel oil drums

handmade pins, bracelets and necklaces. Using silver art clay, she makes molds from

TRAUMA-FREE TROWELS

($98). This eco-friendly shop offers stone sculptures from Indonesia ($18 to $52),

living plants and bugs — California poppies, clover ferns, the delicate damselfly and the

Minimize hand and wrist strain

SMITE MITES, WHACK WEEDS… THE NATURAL WAY

as well as Fair Trade products, green gifts and works by local artists.

manroot vine that grows in local foothills and arroyos, among others. From $25 to $235

and block those blisters with the

Sometimes it’s best to harness the law of

at the Descanso Gardens Gift Shop, or order online at billysabadkittycom.

ergonomically correct trowel,

the jungle if one wants to maintain order

transplanter, cultivator and ser-

in flowerbeds. Garden pests have foes

rated weeder from Radius. It’s

as fearsome to them as chemicals, but

engineered to rely on your stur-

less toxic to us and the earth. This guide

dier arm muscles and made of

by University of California experts identi-

an ultra-light aluminum-magne-

fies hundreds of their predators, para-

sium alloy — tough enough to

sites and pathogens; it also offers tips on

bust through hard soil but so

recruiting natural competitors to control

gentle on the fingers that even

weeds and using composts to attack

an arthritic will dig ’em. $12.95.

plant diseases. Buy it ($24.95) at the

Available at the Descanso

Theodore Payne Nursery eStore or visit

Gardens Gift Shop or order

their nursery, where you’ll find 500 native

online at radiusgarden.com.

species and a huge seed bank.

PREPARING THE GROUND You won’t get blue-ribbon buds from a bad bed. Compost is key for a healthy garden and

WE ♥ TRELLISES

no compost sounds more health-minded

If your Valentine’s Day gift didn’t quite

than Bu’s Blend Biodynamic Compost, tout-

ring your loved one’s bell, take heart — or

ed for its “energetic life forces to vitalize your

give it. Your special someone might fall in

vegetables, plants, flowers.” This lively com-

love with one of these romantic willow

post includes herbs like yarrow to restore the

trellises, especially so when adorned with

health of your soil's ecosystem. Look for the

a climbing rose. To less sentimental

bag with the surfing cow — this is no bum

souls, they are still an important source of

steer! Available at Burkard.

support, especially for beans or tomatoes

TRY TO GO DRY

— of which Burkard stocks about 200

Southern California has a semi-desert climate that’s getting drier, so rather than strain the terrain with thirsty grasses, we need

compost, and in this task a leaf-shredder is

varieties, including certified organic pole

plants that are happy with just seasonal sips. Drought-tolerant doesn't mean drab: The cape cowslip (Lachenalia aloides) is a

an essential aid. Among the most effective

tomatoes. The trellises come in three

South African perennial with bright gold-and-orange bell-shaped flowers blooming in late winter when many colorful plants are

and efficient is the Flowtron Leaf Eater, a

sizes, priced from $65 to $115. Made of

dormant. The evergreen “lemon fizz” sub-shrub (Santolina virens) brings a dense burst of yellow for spring and summer in an

mulcher (available at Orchard Supply

sturdier stuff is the rust-colored metal

unusual shape (both $17 at Burkard Nurseries).

Hardware for $159.99) that uses cutting

frame with a butterfly ($99.99) or spiral

lines to reduce eight bags of leaves to a

design ($69.99) at Armstrong.

You can, of course, make your own

single bagful.

44 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

WHERE TO GO

Attractive drought-tolerant groundcovers at Armstrong Nursery Center include goldmoss Sedum, with small star-shaped blossoms (4-inch pot, $3.99) or, for large spaces, Dymondia margaretae, a ground-hugging South African perennial — graygreen on top and a textured white below — that forms a tight carpet weeds can’t compete with (17” x 17” flat, $17.99).

Armstrong Nursery Center 352 E. Glenarm St., Pasadena, (626) 799-7139 Burkard Nurseries 690 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 796-4355 Descanso Gardens Gift Shop 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, (818) 949-4292 Orchard Supply Hardware 3425 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, (626) 395-7115 452 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, 626) 403-8115 The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, (626) 405-2142 huntington.org Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley, (818) 768-1802 theodorepayne.org Vida Verde 1367 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge, (818) 790-2769

ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 45

EDUCATION& ENRICHMENT Cooking Camp from Summer Art Academy The Cooking Academy invites your child to take an exciting hands-on culinary journey during one of our 10 one-week Cooking Camps this summer for ages 7 to 16! Our professionally trained chefs teach campers how to read a recipe, prepare and cook healthy delicious dishes, from blueberry muffins to cheese raviolis. Camps run June 28th to September 3rd in Pasadena and Duarte and are wonderful opportunities to experience the creativity of preparing your own meals! Call (866) 507-COOK. Enroll online at summerartacademy.com Delphi Academy Delphi Academy is a K-12 school servicing the greater Los Angeles area. Delphi instills the love of learning in every student with a caring faculty. A rich academic program is provided, with meaningful hands-on experiences and activities. In addition to the full term, Delphi offers a summer program full of fun and enrichment for children starting at age 4. Call now for information or a tour of the school: 583-1070. Drucker School of Management The Drucker School of Management in Claremont offers a world-class graduate management education through our MBA, Executive MBA, Financial Engineering, and Arts Management degree programs. Our programs infuse Peter Druckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principle of management as a liberal art along with our core strengths in strategy and leadership. We offer individualized, flexible course scheduling, an innovative curriculum focusing on valuesbased management, and the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty. To learn more, visit us at drucker.cgu.edu.

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Huntington Learning Center The Huntington Learning Center is a nationally recognized leader in the field of improving a child’s basic study skills through remediation and enrichment programs. Students are given individual attention by certified teachers using personalized programs tailored to improve skills in a child’s trouble areas. Huntington offers individual testing and tutoring in reading, math, study skills, writing and SAT/ACT preparation to students of all ages. Parents who would like additional information, or who are concerned about a specific aspect of their child’s academic performance, are encouraged to contact the Huntington Learning Center in Arcadia at (626) 294-0700 or in Pasadena at (626) 798-5900. Mathnasium Mathnasium is a highly specialized learning center where kids go year-round to improve their math skills. Students as often as they like - for as long as they like. The goal is to enhance your child’s math skills, understanding of math concepts and overall school performance. At the same time, Mathnasium builds your child’s confidence and forges a positive attitude toward the subject, yielding overwhelming results. Independent studies by EyeCues Education Systems found that Mathnasium students’ performance increased more than two letter grades in as little as three to six months. Enroll today to find out. Call 626) 510-6284 or visit mathnasium.com. Mayfield Junior School A community of faith, spirit and knowledge, Mayfield Junior School of the Holy Child Jesus –a Catholic, independent, coeducational K-8 day school — provides a strong program that balances academics with the arts and athletics. In the Lower School the program cultivates enthusiasm for the educational journey while nurturing learning strengths and confidence. In the Middle School, a rigorous academic curriculum challenges students to reach their full potential. Mayfield graduates are accepted at the finest secondary schools in Pasadena/Los Angeles and beyond. Call (626) 796-2774 or visit mayfieldjs.org. Upstage Upstage is a part-time theatre arts school in South Pasadena that runs an afterschool program during the school year and a summer camp in July and August. Today, more than ever, theatre skills are vital for a young person’s development. At Upstage students learn how to speak more clearly, move more easily, act more naturally and become self-aware. Call (626) 310-0447, visit upstageschools.com or email adrian@upstageschools.com. ■

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ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 47

KITCHEN CONFESSIONS

Growing Pains EVEN GARDENERS WITH BLACK THUMBS CAN CREATE LUSCIOUS VINEGARS AND OILS INFUSED WITH HERBS. BY LESLIE BILDERBACK | PHOTOS BY TERI LYN FISHER

I come from a long line of great gardeners. My maternal grandmother was raised on a Wisconsin farm, and she taught my mother all the tricks of the trade. Sadly, those skills seem to have skipped my generation. I once killed a Chia Pet. My grandma’s garden was something to behold. It was a huge plot with neat

to the register, my heart races like a 13-year-old girl’s at a Twilight convention. Shiny

rows of every vegetable imaginable. It had a 10-foot fence to keep out the deer (at

trowels, garden gloves, straw hats and tool totes woo me from every aisle. Back

least it seemed like it was 10 feet when I was in kindergarten) and a perimeter of

home, seed catalogs call out from the mailbox, teasing me with promises of bounty.

crushed eggshells to keep out the snails. Long before it was cool to do so, she had

But there are a few seemingly insurmountable obstacles that repeatedly render

a big compost pile way out back and a coop full of chickens. (You see, kids, Martha

my garden a failure. The first is my soil. It is nothing but hardened clay and must be

Stewart did not invent everything.) I remember walking through a rose garden and a

constantly amended. Because of this, I have developed a serious passion for com-

Concord grape–covered arbor, past the pomegranate trees to the garden, where

posting. Something about sorting garbage plays right into my love of thrift. Oh, the

grandma would pull a carrot out of the dirt and rinse it with a hose for me to snack

joy of saving vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, grass clippings and dirty

on. I remember her fondly every time I taste a dirty carrot.

paper napkins for months, then watching as it miraculously transforms into a fragrant

My mom is a great gardener too. She taught me the basics of gardening when I

mound of soil. The fact that the critical element of compost is worm poop makes it

was little, and I eagerly helped her tend our own fruitful garden. Being stereotypical

seem a little bit dangerous, and all the more enticing. I love my mini–circle of life:

California gardeners, we always had way too much zucchini. We made plenty of zuc-

Trash becomes soil, which in turn nurtures the plants we consume, the scraps of

chini bread and ate it grated and sautéed in butter all summer long. We had plenty of

which we compost and so on. Or so it would be, if I could grow something edible.

artichokes and huge stalks of rhubarb that my friends and I would rip off the plant,

I also have a sunlight problem. Each time I think I have the perfect plot, my

douse in sugar and eat raw, daring each other to nibble closer and closer to the poi-

trees grow another foot and my once sunny plot is now shrouded in shade. Either

sonous leaves. Tomatoes, peppers, sunflowers and all kinds of herbs made an annual

that or my dogs decide that, because of the sunlight, my garden bed will now be

appearance, as did the occasional pumpkin, grown for the local fall pumpkin contest,

their actual bed.

which I never won. Yep, I have a million great childhood memories in the garden. Sadly, my poor kid’s childhood garden memories will consist of mom shouting

And then there is the neighborhood wildlife. Someone is routinely eating my sprouting vegetables. I have narrowed it down to either the Edison meter reader guy

naughty words at the ground, having just discovered — again — that her newly

or one of our frequent backyard visitors. We have raccoons, possums, skunks, coy-

sprouted shoots were nibbled to the quick by someone or something.

otes and a colony of squirrels; an Audubonian array of birds, including feral parrots,

It’s not fair! Gardening is a hobby perfectly suited to me. I love all things crafty

peacocks and giant red-tailed hawks (which is one reason I chose large dogs over

and homemade, I try hard to eat organic and I can easily follow a recipe (which is

small ones that look tasty from 50 feet in the air); and various rodents, which I am

practically the same as seed packet instructions). Yet despite what seems like the

pretty sure are not perfecting ratatouille or sewing ball gowns while we humans sleep.

perfect confluence of skill and passion, I can’t make a garden grow in my yard. Of course, that doesn’t prevent me from trying year after year. When the temperature begins to warm up and the hardware store moves the rack of seeds close 48 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

But my biggest agricultural obstacle is me. Sometimes I kinda forget about my garden. I realize this is not a nurturing attitude. Imagine if I did that with my kids: “Sure, I’ll give you water, but as far as your day-to-day activities go, you’re on your

GARDEN INFUSIONS The one thing I can grow is potted herbs. And it’s such a personal triumph that I feel it necessary to preserve their flavor for as long as possible, if only to prove that they ever existed at all. Infused oils and vinegars are a great way to add the flavor of herbs to your everyday cooking. Don’t limit their use to your salad bowl. Use them for roasted and grilled vegetables, meats and fruits, slow-cooked legumes, marinades and dips. You can use any combination of herbs and/or spices in your infusions.

INFUSION INSTRUCTIONS Everything the oils and vinegars come into contact with needs to be impeccably clean, including the herbs. To be sure no bacteria are present, give the herbs a quick dip in a sanitizing solution of 1 teaspoon household bleach dissolved in 6 cups water. Dip the herbs in it and then rinse them in cold running water. (Diluting and rinsing makes this perfectly safe.) Dry them completely before adding to oils. It’s easiest to make your infusions in wide-mouth canning jars first, then strain them into pretty bottles. Jars, bottles, lids and corks must all be sanitized before you begin. The easiest way to do this is to run them through a dishwasher. You can also boil them for 10 minutes, remove with tongs and drain and cool on clean towels. Flavored oils and vinegars are often seen gracing the counters of well-groomed kitchens and gourmet shops. But it takes more than a decorative sprig to get flavorful infusions. For both oils and vinegars, herbs should be chopped fine, bruised to release the oils, then packed tightly into glass jars and filled at least three-quarters of the way to the top. For vinegar infusions, white wine vinegar is a good choice, as is rice vinegar. Cider vinegar can work, too, if the spices and herbs are potent. Distilled white, red wine and balsamic vinegars are too strong; their flavors will compete with your infusions. Bring the vinegar to a simmer, then pour it into sanitized jars packed with herbs and spices. Cover loosely with cheesecloth or a clean towel and, when completely cool, seal with a sterilized lid and set in a cool dark spot for 2 to 4 weeks. When you think it’s ready, strain out the herbs and taste it. If it’s not strong enough, repeat the process with a new batch of chopped herbs. Strain finished infusions through a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth to remove cloudiness. Place a few decorative sprigs of clean herbs inside a sanitized bottle, fill with the infused vinegar and seal with a sanitized cork. Oil infusions are similar to vinegar ones, but herbs must be completely dry and the oil should not be heated. Choose a neutral-flavored oil, such as canola, safflower or vegetable. Olive and nut oils are too strong for infusions, unless you want the taste of olives or nuts to be a part of your flavor blend. Pour oil into a sanitized jar filled three-quarters full with clean, dry spices and chopped herbs. Seal tightly with a sanitized lid and let it sit in a cool dark spot for 2 weeks. Shake the jar daily to blend the aromatic oils with the base oil. After 2 weeks, taste the oil. If the flavor is lacking, strain the oil into another sterilized jar full of spices and herbs and repeat the process. Finish as with vinegar.

INFUSION IDEAS FLAVORED VINEGARS Garden Herb Vinegar Infuse into white wine vinegar 4 parts parsley; 3 parts chives; 2 parts each thyme and tarragon; and 1 part each sage and celery seed. Chile Spice Vinegar Infuse into cider vinegar 3 parts dried guajillo chiles; 2 parts each coriander and cumin; and 1 part each garlic, thyme, oregano and cumin. Minted Vinegar Infuse into rice vinegar 2 parts each peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen; 1 part each lemon verbena and anise seed; and 1 part sugar. Winter Spice Vinegar Infuse into white wine vinegar 2 parts each rosemary and thyme; 1 part each mint, allspice berries, chopped ginger and cardamom; 1 cinnamon stick; 3 cloves; and ¼ vanilla bean. Eastern Vinegar Infuse into rice vinegar 3 parts each kaffir lime leaves, cilantro and scallion; 2 parts toasted sesame seed; and 1 part each chopped garlic, chopped ginger, star anise and Szechwan peppercorns. Fruit Vinegar Infuse into white wine vinegar 3 parts raspberries; 1 part each opal basil, lemon verbena and lemon thyme; and 1 cinnamon stick. FLAVORED OILS Herbaceous Olive Oil Infuse into olive oil 2 parts each rosemary, basil and sage; 1 part each chopped garlic, fennel seed and basil; and 1 pequin chile. Spicy Barbecue Oil Infuse into peanut oil 2 parts each oregano, thyme and cilantro; 1 part each cumin, coriander, chile de arbol, kaffir lime leaves, brown sugar, garlic and mustard seed; and 1 cinnamon stick. Savory Oil for Seafood Infuse into corn oil 2 parts each bay leaves and celery seeds; 1 part each cardamom, allspice and chopped ginger; 1 vanilla bean; and 1 cinnamon stick. Lemon Pepper Oil Infuse into corn oil 3 parts lemongrass and 1 part each pink peppercorns, Szechwan peppercorns and chopped ginger.

These recipes are excerpted by permission from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Spices and Herbs, by Leslie Bilderback, CMB (Alpha).

Annatto Oil Infuse into safflower oil 1 part each annatto seed and garlic, sautéed in an equal amount of safflower oil until warmed and then cooled completely; and 1 part each bay leaves, cinnamon sticks and black pepper. Caribbean Oil Infuse into vegetable oil 2 parts each juniper berries, cilantro and thyme; 1 part each chopped garlic and chopped ginger; 1 Scotch bonnet chile; and 1 cinnamon stick.

own.” I admit that by the time I remember to check in on its progress, the bird-

due to its location on the corner of a busy intersection, with no open space for

proof netting or dog-proof fence has been breached. I suppose there are a number

miles, unless you count the Carrow’s parking lot.

of Monsanto products I could apply to solve many of these obstacles, but I am

So here I go again. Another year, another plot, another raised-bed design and

striving to set a healthy, organic example. If I want to poison my family, I’ll just hit

the latest technology in eco-friendly ultrasonic critter defense. It really irks me to

Mickey D’s drive-thru.

know that any bubbleheaded college kid can grow plants in a dorm room closet,

I did have a good garden once. It was in the yard of a small house we rented when the kids were babies. It had great soil and no critters, which was probably

but I, a somewhat intelligent and clear-minded adult, can’t do it in a Southern Californian garden. Will the indignity never end? AM ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 49

TASTE

T H E

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A R R O Y O

Off Beaten Track: a Guide to Good Eating CHOZA MAMA BRINGS GRAND NEW TASTES TO OLD PASADENA BY DAN O’HERON With Inca ruins strewn across the snow-capped Andes, countless miles of rugged coastline with only a few safe harbors, and the perils of piranhas in the Amazon, is there is anything more exciting than trekking down in Peru? Yes, it’s chowing down at Choza Mama in Old Pasadena. Derived from a country whose climate extends from tropical to sub-arctic, Choza Mama’s authentic Peruvian menu reflects a larger variety of flavors than you are likely to taste in most other Latin American restaurants: rain forest-exotic flora and fauna; plus Andean meats enhanced by Chinese stir-fried techniques, and a beachside-fresh bounty of seafood And the service at Choza Mama — loosely translated to mean “mama’s house” — is defined and enlivened by Peruvian traditions of hospitality and generosity to visitors. For a soup-stew to stir the appetite (the bowl is deep enough to be an entree or shared), get parihuela ($18), where an array of seafood and chunks of cassava bob around in a piquant Peruvian broth. For a full-meal (also shareable) salad pick, it’s “Strawberry Fields,” a fresh Monet garden of greens and reds, pebbled with candied pecans and dried cranberries, and a tasty strawberry/cranberry dressing that is fluently bilingual. For a main entree, order the 12-ounce rib-eye steak. Set CHOZA MAMA PERUVIAN atop a bed of spinach-fused fettuccine, perfumed with minty CUISINE & basil and finished with walnut gravy, it’s a piece of meat that BAKERY knows no resistance. For the season’s most colorful catch, 96 E. Colorado Blvd. hook up a firm textured filet of sole, served over purple corn Old Pasadena mashed potatoes ($14). (626) 432-4692 A bevy of “Under $10” lunches come with soup and a loaf chozamama.com of fresh-baked bread, and – ranging in heat from tinkle to janBeer & wine gle – three snappy dips to sop it up. House bakery also gives rise to many tasty desserts. Peruvian food an acquired taste? No. It’s love at first bite. ■

TWOHEY’S

3 DRUNKEN GOATS

DEREK’S BISTRO

1224 N. Atlantic Blvd., Alhambra (626) 284-7387 twoheys.com

2256 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose (818) 249-9950 3drunkengoats.com

181 East Glenarm Street, Pasadena (626) 799-5252 dereks.com

CUISINE

Twohey’s Restaurant has been serving great food and fond memories for over 66 years! We are known for serving the finest hamburgers, freshly made onion rings and hand-dipped fountain specialties.

3 Drunken Goats (3DG) is a Spanish themed restaurant with a strong specialization towards Spanish tapas! 3DG offers a wide array of rich, flavorful & eclectic plates and dishes that are guaranteed to satisfy every realm of ones palate!

Derek’s is a casually elegant restaurant, intimate and attentive, renowned for superb California Contemporary cuisine. The restaurant’s a-la carte menu offers a wide variety of dishes prepared in the tradition of classic French cooking. A Chef’s tasting menu is also served.

DINERS’ FAVORITES

1. Stink-O Burger ($6.95) 2. Baby Back Ribs ($15.95) 3. “Our Famous Bitter Sundae” ($5.95)

1. Bacon wrapped dates with chorizo ($9) 2. Piquillo peppers stuffed with idiazabal cheese ($9) 3. Grilled flatbread with mushrooms & three cheeses ($11)

VIBE

A casual, family restaurant that is warm, inviting and creates a fantastic dining experience. It reminds us all of a great, home cooked meal and the feeling of being a member of the Twoheys family.

Rich dark burgundy interior, antique iron lamps hang from the high ceiling and 1920’s bank styled lights illuminate the bar. A boutique wine & gourmet food store inside 3DG has the most unique products! Voted Best Wine Selection in Foothills ’05 – ’07!

PRICE $–$$$$$

DINERS’ FAVORITES 1. Rack of New Zealand Lamb, Peppered Gnocchi & Port Reduction ($38) 2. Atlantic Salmon en Croute ($33) 3. Beef Wellington ($28)

VIBE Intimate setting perfect for those special occasions. The main dining room is lined by their impressive wine cellar and if you enjoy dining outdoors, the covered patio is surrounded by bougainvillea, hanging lanterns & candle light.

PRICE $$$$$

50 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

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T H E

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Carnaval for Carnivores at Malagueta JUICY STEAKS, DANDY DRINKS, HAPPY HOURS À LA BRAZIL BY DAN O’HERON Glimmering reflections from Brazil – that nation of jubilation replete with parades, party hats, and perfect steaks – make it always easy to see where you’re going in Old Pasadena’s Malagueta Bar & Grill. Easily visible on tables throughout, and audible from their sizzle as they come across the room from the kitchen, top-quality Angus steaks charge the senses like a bull. Many take their forks up to the hilt digging into a 12-ounce NewYorker ($23). Marinated? Not likely. The fine flavor of Angus beef speaks for itself. The thick steak is a Brazilian cowboy’s call to dinner. And, for others, the pick of the glitter may be some Angus beef dishes that enlist a little help from sauces and such. Among them: a rib-eye ($20), served with mashed potatoes, onion rings and salsa, is made especially robust and addictive by a chimichurri sauce of cilantro, white vinegar, olive oil, mint, jalapeno and likely a light nip from a powerful malagueta chili pepper. And, there’s a grilled top sirloin $18), cheesed with Brazilian queito mineiro, plus etceteras; and a grilled skirt steak ($17), deftly marinated and surprisingly tender for flank cut beef. Steak here is everything guests can and should expect for their restaurant dollar. Also spotlighted, a $3 happy hour draws big smiles: Generous samples from the regular upscale dinner menu are featured, plus there are $3 beers like MALAGUETA Hefeweizen and decent wine. BAR & GRILL And Friday nights, a combination of beguiling live South 43 W. Colorado Blvd. American music and a drink called caipirinha (a Brazilian Old Pasadena sugar cane brandy that strikes like white lightning) is very (626) 577-0051 sexy. For some, the lethal combination may conjure woozy malaguetarestaurant.com thoughts of perma-bronzed beauties clad only in dental floss Full bar bikinis; for others, it’s a handsome and heroic gaucho in a billowing silk shirt, his hands rasped with rope after breaking up a stampede. And this. And that. The many “ands” are an indication there are always more things to come at Malagueta. ■

THE SCARLET TEA ROOM

THE MELTING POT RESTAURANT

FOUR SEASONS TEA ROOM

18 W. Green St., Pasadena (626) 577-0051 scarlettearoom.com

88 W. Colorado Blvd., 2nd Floor, Old Pasadena (626) 792-1941 meltingpot.com/Pasadena

75 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre (626) 355-0045 4seasonstearoom.com

CUISINE

The signature “Scarlet Tea Ceremony” reinvents the traditional afternoon tea with a five-course tea service perfectly designed for one person, providing a multitude of exotic tea choices, almond champagne and fine wines.

Fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience. Dip into something different and discover all the ingredients for a unique dining experience — private tables, attentive service, fine wines and signature fondue dinners.

50+ varieties. China teapots, English Bone China teacups and hand-made tea bags. Egg-washed scones baked to order served with cream and raspberry jam. Seasonal sandwich flavors, presented with edible floral and fruit garnishing.

DINERS’ FAVORITES

1. Tuscan chicken ($19.95) 2. Four Seasons ($15.95) 3. Glazed crab-stuffed salmon ($28)

1. Big Night Out ($44-49 per person) 2. Cheese Fondues ($16) 3. Chocolate Fondues ($16)

VIBE

A full service restaurant offering an elegant setting to enjoy a spectacular High Tea and fine dining experience. Exquisite dinners and evening teas are now served Tuesday through Saturday, featuring live music Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays)

Get ready for fondue paradise. You’ll think you’ve died and had gone to heaven! Beautiful, romantic location overlooking historic Colorado Blvd. in Old Pasadena.

PRICE $$$$$

DINERS’ FAVORITES 1. Afternoon Tea ($22) 2. Sandwich Tea: ($17.50) 3. Salad Tea: ($17.50)

VIBE In traditional bungalow home. Hardwood floors. Floor-to ceiling paned windows with linen window treatment. Crown moulding, wall sconces and antique furnishings. Alice in Wonderland events. Faerie Tale Teas. Musical Teas. Murder Mysteries.

PRICE $$$$$

PRICE $$$$$ AVERAGE PRICE PER ENTREE: $ (UP TO $10) | $$ ($11–15) | $$$ ($16-25) | $$$$ ($25+) | ADVERTISEMENT |

ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 51

TASTE For fine Chinese cuisine: This New Moon is full CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY MIX WELL IN MONTROSE BY DAN O’HERON While its menu and ambiance smirk with sophistication, there’s an unaffected casualness about this multi-regional Chinese restaurant that elicits oohs and aahs. A diverse, easygoing crowd appears to appreciate the service. In banquettes hugging the walls, friends and couples cozy it up. In a dining room, big enough to comfortably handle the lunch-trade, there’ll be shopkeepers from the adjacent village, families from the neighborhood and business people from down the hill in Glendale. And a scientist from nearby JPL, scribbling a formula on white linen, might be sitting next to a palmist from Tujunga who’s reading the menu. And from far away places, there’ll be guests coming back for more specials like the best-selling “Chloe’s Shrimp.” Named after owner Colin Tom’s oldest daughter, audibly crisp, the shrimp is brushed with a delicately sweet, yet pungent sauce. Other diners are seen savoring “Shelby’s Chicken.” Named after Tom’s youngest daughter, the sweet and spicy chicken dish is delightfully deceptive. The first bite begins sweetly enough but is quickly followed by a black-peppered front-line blast. While drawing from every gastronomical region in China — Beijing to Shanghai, Hunan to Hong Kong — the menu is overNEW MOON 2138 Verdugo Blvd., laid with acquired, refined interpretations that keep up with contemporary California palates. Vegetarians will sprout affection for Montrose gai lon, a Chinese broccoli with long stems and frilly leaves. (818) 249-4393 And everybody praises the classic Chinese Chicken salad, newmoonrestaurants.com Full bar originated by Tom’s dad, Wallace some 50 years ago at the New Moon in Downtown L.A.’s garment district. Pebbled with sesame seeds and roasted almonds, loaded with varied flavors that surprise with each new bite, this is a rare salad dish that gets scuffed down to porcelain every time. It’s no wonder the new full bar features Meritage, a wine term compounding the words “merit” and “heritage.” ■

COLOMBO’S STEAKHOUSE AND JAZZ CLUB

CLEARMAN’S NORTH WOODS INN

NIKKI C’S

1833 Colorado Boulevard, Eagle Rock (323) 254-9138

7247 Rosemead Blvd., San Gabriel (626) 286-8284. clearmansrestaurants.com

470 South Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena (626) 792-7437 Nikkics.com

CUISINE

Colombo’s Italian Steakhouse has been serving authentic Italian family recipes since 1954 using only the highest quality fresh ingredients in all their dishes. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

From juicy hamburgers to tender filet mignon to fresh seafood, fans get all the fixin’s: enormous baked potatoes, signature cheese bread, tangy red cabbage slaw and creamy blue-cheese green salad.

Nikki C’s is a modern Italian steakhouse and bar that embraces the flavor of traditional Italy as well as perfectly prepared steaks & fish. Extensive martini & wine selections.

DINERS’ FAVORITES

1. Ribeye steak ($21) 2. Chicken Parmesan w/spaghetti marinara ($17.95) 3. Sam’s charbroiled meatball steak ($14.95)

1. Cheesebread Sliders ($7.95) 2. Fried Chicken Dinner ($19.95) 3. Australian Rock Lobster Tail & Filet Mignon Supreme ($49.95)

DINERS’ FAVORITES

VIBE Soft lighting, intimate plush booth seating and Free live music every night featuring local jazz performers. Full bar with big screen televisions.

PRICE

VIBE Generations of Southern Californians have headed to this snowcapped dining destination for its hunting lodge ambiance, sawdust on the floor and lumberjack-sized portions of fun and food.

$$$$$

1. Braised Short Rib Tacos ($16) 2. Lasagna ($16) 3. 10 oz. Bleu Crusted Filet Mignon ($29)

VIBE With a romantic dining room and a chic sports bar, Nikki C’s offers a dual dining experience. Nikki C’s provides the tastes, the vibe, and the service to leave you entirely satisfied.

PRICE $$$$$

PRICE $$-$$$$$

52 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

AVERAGE PRICE PER ENTREE: $ (UP TO $10) | $$ ($11–15) | $$$ ($16-25) | $$$$ ($25+) | ADVERTISEMENT |

Style on Green D R C S

Clothing Designer Handbags Jewels & More

esigner

esale

Est.1979

lothing tore

Consign your American & European designer fashions Now accepting new and gently used Spring apparel Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 11am-4pm

1136 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91106 838 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada

818.952.1600

626.796.9924

DEREK’S BISTRO A truly unique dining experience... Intimate and attentive.

PREPARE NOW FOR:

LEARN THE LATEST:

~ Parties

~ Latin

~ Smooth

~ Vacations

~ Disco

~ Nightclub

~ Cruises

~ Swing

~ Night on the Town

~ and ALL BALLROOM DANCES

COUPLES & SINGLES WELCOME – ALL AGES

YOUR FIRST LESSON IS FREE!

Come in and meet the new owners, Tony and Susan Auer

DEREK’S BISTRO 181 East Glenarm St. | Pasadena, CA Reservations Recommended 626-799-5252 ARROYO ~ MARCH 2010 ~ 53

Let your true colors show. Westminster Gardens — a different kind of retirement community. If you travel a different path, you’ll be in good company here. Our Residents are can-do, sharing people who take pride in their individuality and their community spirit.Why not share yours? Call (877) 856-9580 to schedule your no-obligation tour.

1420 Santo Domingo Ave. • Duarte, CA 91010 • www.westgardens.org License # 197605591 COA # 205

54 ~ MARCH 2010 ~ ARROYO

LIC # FD341

Since 1978

Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools Winner of 66 Awards from California Landscape Contractors Association

Including: Best Design/Build in State Best Residential in State

Lic # 413300

Complete Outdoor Design & Construction • Consistent Quality & Reliability New & Remodeled Swimming Pools • Large In-House Crews Wholesale/Retail Nursery • Very Competitive Pricing • Landscape Maintenance Lush drought tolerant landscape & irrigation using 50% less water

626-303-4043 • www.garden-view.com 114 E. Railroad Ave, Monrovia CA