DTLA LIFE October 2015 www.dtlalife.com
PARIS IN DTLA REAL ESTATE STATS DRESS YOUR PET ART: VITAL MADAME PAMITA FALLING IN AUTUMN AHHH... GRASSHOPPER! RIDE AWAY FROM TERROR BUYING THE PERFECT SOFA
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DTLA LIFE | Magazine!
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October 2015
Publisher ULTIMATE LIFE LIVING, llc 215 West 5th Street #1103 Los Angeles, CA 90013 213 221 7090 Editor in Chief Alex LiMandri, alex@laloftsrealty.com Associate Editor Tiffany Gatto, tiffany@dwellhomes.com Art Director Alex LiMandri Contributing Writers Cinnia Finfer - Retail Tiffany Gatto - Real Estate Jim White - Community Petra Wright - Art Janene Zakrajsek - Pets Dr Eve Flores DVM - Vet Dr Leia Castaneda - Vet Juliane Pease - Design Lori Tierney - Lifestyle Margalette Audion - Fashion Dave Culwell - Finances Marieke Treilhard - Special Editorial
DTLA LIFE | Magazine! ® is a registered Trademark All Rights Reserved!
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Last month we announced the opening of the most beautiful French restaurant in Los Angeles. Le Petit Paris has not disappointed anyone, and the press has been raving about the food, the service, the design. It is a unanimous success. On weekends, it’s full since the opening, and now the venue is announcing their lunch menus for business visitors and residents to be able to enjoy the place, Monday to Friday, with some chef’s specials for only $13. Add a glass wine and the full meal is very attractive for only $18. At DTLA LIFE, we love the place so much that we wanted to offer you a tour inside the most talked about a restaurant that opened in Downtown LA for a very long time. Le Petit Paris is the perfect venue to program all your holiday events. Contact me for more information to book your party: alex@laloftsrealty.com. info@lepetitparisla.com reservation@lepetitparila.com events@lepetitparisla.com www.lepetitparisla.com
Alex LiMandri Editor-in-Chief DTLA LIFE TM www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com
FROM THE EDITOR
www.lepetitparisla.com
www.lepetitparisla.com
LET’S TALK ABOUT REAL ESTATE by
Alex LiMandri
The purchase of real estate is one of the largest financial transactions that one will make in their lives. There are several reasons for people to make the decision to purchase a home. New jobs, new life partner, new baby, new separation, new investment, I can go on and on about why more and more people want to own. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS Ž of recent home buyers and sellers data report provides every year insights into detailed information about experiences with this important transaction. The report shows that thirty-three percent of recent home transactions were including first-time buyers, which is still down from the historical norm of forty percent among primary residence buyers. The 2008 recession has made real estate more affordable, and younger people took that opportunity to become a homeowner, something that they definitely couldn’t afford prior to the crash. For most the decision became obvious when buying was less expensive than being a tenant. Historically low-interest rates, prices at their lowest, massive inventory and desire to grow up and take responsibility created the biggest boom in the first-time buyer market ever. Only nine percent of sellers did not use a real estate broker to sell their home. Not because they wanted to save the commission fee on the transaction, but around sixty percent of them received an offer from an acquaintance before they were even thinking about selling their property. More than eighty percent of buyer and seller not using a professional expressed their regret for not hiring one. They feel that the transaction would have been easier with someone preventing mistakes in the excruciating amount of legal documents required and avoid possible lawsuits. The majority thought that by hiring a broker would have saved them a large amount of stress, worry but also money. In fact, properties sold directly by owners could have closed with an average of thirty-nine percent more if they would have listed it with a licensed agent. Also inexperienced agents and the ones desperate to get hired by discounting their commission have been reported to sell properties at a lower price by far compared to the expert brokers. The typical six percent commission that a good agent charge to help you is increasing your return without a doubt. For forty-three percent of home buyers, the first step in the home-buying process was looking online for properties. Ninety-two percent of buyers use the in-
ternet in some way in their home search process, and fifty percent of buyers use a mobile real estate website or application. It’s undeniable that computers and cell phones have changed dramatically habits of buyers and seller who now have tons of information at their fingerprints. Properties, tools, advises pricing estimates, public records, trends and home details. Everything you need to know seems to be available online. Does that mean brokers and agents became obsolete? Not at all, real estate agents were viewed as a useful information source by ninety-eight percent of buyers who used a broker while searching for a home. Seventy percent of home sellers only contacted one agent before selecting the one to assist with their home sale. They felt that the professional websites and online tools available made them confident enough to select their broker without interviewing others. Reviews, past client comments, and referrals were the number one reason for their choice for someone to help them with their transaction. A large percentage of these buyers were not entirely satisfied with their choice of the agent selected only from websites promoting broker via paying to advertise. Zillow and Trulia, the leading online resources for real estate mainly promote and recommend paying agents. On these sites, agents are not selected for their knowledge or their ability to help you negotiate or have your best interest but only for the amount of money they have spent to featuring themselves in the zip code you are looking your future home. The internet is a great tool for information. However, it is very easy for a broker to buy its way in and be presented by advertisers as someone you should trust to represent you in the biggest transaction of your life. It is as much important to investigate on who is going to represent you and guide you throughout the long and difficult process of buying. Our best advice is not to click the first picture that you see on one of these websites. Another mistake people often make, is to ask a licensed friend or family member to help them. Having a license do not make a relative the best person to be your agent. Instead you should carefully select a few experts in the area of interest. Then interview them and figure out who you feel and trust to not only finding you the best deal but also making the whole experience enjoyable. Your agent needs to be professional, experienced, honest, straight-forward, part of a great team, knowledgeable, available and communicating with you to understand your needs. Looking back after closing, you should be proud and confident enough to rave on their
excellent service. You will have no problem referring them to anyone you know for their flawless professional service. Last year, the typical home buyer searched for ten weeks and viewed an average of ten homes before writing an offer. And from the day a buyer started talking to an agent until the day they were moving into their new home, the whole process was around six months. The relationship someone has with their broker clearly turns into a lifetime experience when the buyer or seller’s expectations were satisfied. Even though prices have stopped to rise as fast as they were since 2010, the residential market is expected to be very lucrative by the majority real estate specialists for the next few years to come. Downtown Los Angeles has been continuously predicted to become the most interesting market in the country due to several obvious reasons. • Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States and is attracting more new residents that ever. • The population is growing faster in Downtown LA than anywhere else in America. • More than sixty-eight thousand people are living in these hot new lofts and condos. • Half a million Angelenos are commuting for work. • Thousands of new market-rate residences are on the way. • Hundreds of new award winning restaurants, retails and services. • Rising state of the art acclaimed cultural venues, new museums, sports events, and concerts. • A new convention center that’s bringing billions of dollars in new revenues for the city. • Thousands of needed hotel rooms on the way. • Walkable streets with neighbors, dogs and farmer’s markets creating a community. • Fashion designers, artists and creative professionals embracing the neighborhood more than ever. • Luxury retail stores are adopting and believing in the potential of the city center. • The Streetcars finalizing financial needs to start construction. • Public transportation system with a regional connector and Westside access via new subway lines almost ready to open. • Easy freeway system access is providing simple ways to go in and out of the area. • Street festivals, nightlife, bars and community events that bring millions of people every year. • Billions of dollar in investments to improve businesses and new potentials.
Downtown LA has changed incredibly in the last ten year, and there are no more doubts about its revitalization and renaissance. Nobody can deny it, our neighborhood has grown and will continue to do it exponentially. Experts are expecting real estate prices to go up more, and the media is positively writing about how great it is to become. Buying a loft in Downtown Los Angeles can be a costly affair, and it is only getting more so, some experts say we have only four more years of rising prices before there is any change in the upward trajectory. Great deals are still out there in some areas of Downtown LA, and there might be more if buyers know when to buy and are getting good advice from their realtor. The numbers on sales of loft/condos over the last years have been lower than the previous years due to a huge lack of inventory. We have found that these next few months would be a great time to buy or sell a property. Winter always has the tendency to slow down the market and the holidays bring opportunity for everyone. Don’t hesitate to contact us at LA LOFTS | Realty ®, we have been passionate about Downtown LA for more than ten years. Living here and proud to count the thousands of transactions we have successfully handled to help new tenants, new owners, landlords, and seller. We love Downtown LA, and we pass our passion to our clients by trying to help them the best we can. There is no other team as knowledgeable in this area, and we thank you for trusting us for more than a decade. Hopefully, you will trust us for decades to come, and we would be happy to meet with you and offer you the best service possible for years to come. The Team at LA LOFTS | Realty ® is here to be your ‘subject matter experts’ and support you on everything related to buying/selling/leasing in Downtown LA. We are more than just you real realtors; we are your neighbors. http://la.curbed.com/archives/2015/09/los_angeles_ housing_prices_deal_neighborhoods.php http://la.curbed.com/archives/2015/09/los_angeles_ housing_market_not_bubble.php
Alex LiMandri (213) 626 5433 alex@laloftsrealty.com www.laloftsrealty.com
dwellhomes.com Curated modern homes for sale from Dwell’s official real estate partner
6 Timberline Lane | Riverwoods, IL FOR SALE $1,549,000
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The Gefter-Press House | Ghent, NY FOR SALE: $1,950,000
529 Swanwick Road | Victoria, BC, Canada FOR SALE: C$9,972,529
3 Dorr Street #0 | Boston, MA FOR SALE: $619,000
70 Dogwood Drive | Hudson, NY FOR SALE: $2,975,000
261 Whalebone Reach | Sea Ranch, CA FOR SALE:: $969,500
22065 Pacific Coast Highway #3 | Malibu, CA FOR SALE: $3,695,000
7452 North Manitou Trail | Northport, MI For Sale: $395,000
900 West Olympic Blvd.#47G| Los Angeles, CA For Sale: $8,800,000
LIVE INTERNATIONAL | Real Estate! does not make any assurance as to the timeliness or accuracy of the property details above including incomplete, insufficient or inaccurate information which has been provided courtesy of the actual property listing agent and/or broker for the purposes of this advertisement. BRE#01822601 Tiffany Gatto | LIVE INTERNATIONAL | Real Estate! - PO BOX 13854 - Los Angeles, CA 90013 - USA - Tel. 844 OWN DWELL For more information and details on all listings and representation, please visit www.dwellhomes.com. All offers, status, prices or any property datas subject to change at any time and without notice per their respective listing brokers.
MADAME PAMITA
by
Margalette Audoin
Photo Deva Schaufuss
Photo Deva Schaufuss
Fashion Family card: The tarot reader. In the huge family of fashion, you must have your personal trainer for many different reasons as you need your personal cosmic confident (as Karl, Paco Rabanne, Marc, Louis) Madame lovely Pamita is a purple fairy from Highland Park. At the corner of 52nd / N.Figueroa is her shop selling magical products, her candles, oils, books and comics. After passed that stage initiator and full of fun, you keep your walk. Madame Pamita makes you into her universe at the back of the store near the garden. In the Salon, he would often wait to find yourself a moment with the cards. Madame Pamita remembers her first time in DTLA. She has lived in LA all her life - so her first venue in DTLA would have been an underground rave in a warehouse somewhere in downtown in the 1980s. We used to have to call a phone number to find out what the secret location was. For her, Downtown LA embodies an energetic aesthetic of creation. People seem more focused on producing and creating and pushing creative boundaries - it was not a “safe” area, she said, and the artists also don’t play it safe either. She played old time jazz music at an underground party called the Bejeezus Ball - a combination of New Orleans crawfish boil, tea house, and fortune telling parlour. And she got to open for a great brass band called Vaud and the Villains. It was like Bourbon Street has been transported to Syrup Loft - a place in the middle of the garment district. Broadway is for sure her favorite street. She loves the old movie theatres and love that some have been saved and have been brought back to their former glory. “The Angels Flight is my hidden treasure - it’s such an important part of LA history and so important that this tiny piece of our history is preserved. It’s silly and useless, but art is useless too and infinitely important.” If DTLA were a movie, it would be something like Bladerunner - DTLA is becoming more and more like Bladerunner every year. More of a cultural mash-up and more weirdly authoritarian. She is looking forward to getting around in flying vehicles, though. If it were a book, it would be a hardboiled detective novel from the 1940s. As a perfume, it would be something very sharp and metallic with a hint of the scent of fall leaves. A rhythm, a sound, music, a famous record, it would be the rhythm of drumsticks on an overturned plastic pail. She mentioned that one of the great tragedies of LA is that we have destroyed so many historic buildings. There are so many lost mysteries and beautiful places that no longer exist. She would love to have a time machine so that she could see these beautiful old places only one time. Madame Pamita’s 3 or more favorites addresses in DTLA she wants to share are Demitasse Cafe in Little Tokyo (it’s where she met her boyfriend on our first date), Phillipe’s French Dip and Fugetsu-Do Bakery in Little Tokyo (a beautiful old mochi bakery - they make edible jewels).
Blazing, Art, and Comet are the three words that describe Downtown LA in her mind. Madame Pamita BOOK SHOW & PARLOUR OF WONDERS 5503 North Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90042 (310) 310 0029 www.parlourofwonders.com
StĂŠphanie Margalette Audoin Los Angeles*Paris LA showroom 1259 South Camden Drive Los Angeles, CA 90035 PARIS showroom > Mamzelle Margalette 64 rue Tiquetonne 75002 Paris margaletteproduction@gmail.com
Photo Deva Schaufuss
ART
SPOTLIGHTS by
Petra Wright
VITAL
“VITAL” at GDCA – embracing newcomers and seasoned professionals with equal passion. One of the fun parts of curating is working with counterpoints and contrast. Either by combining different mediums, styles, or in a more subtle way: by combining artists, who are at different levels of their professional career. Gloria Delson early on established a reputation for championing emerging artists alongside her stable of well established “name artists”. This is a tradition that we are proud to continue in our public gallery, and our October exhibit “VITAL” gives us the perfect opportunity to do so! The space opens with the elegant and dulcet notes of San Francisco artist Lu Beury. Beury’s delicate vertical strokes feel like a nod to fall, peaceful and refreshing. Lu has been an established San Francisco name for many years and we have worked hard to finally be able to showcase her talent in Downtown! Her of Earth-tone and bisque shades combine beautifully with the sculptures of Tanya Ragir’s “Warrior Series”, which is being held over from September by popular demand. In fact, “Leap of Faith” is ready to greet you up front and center as you walk in. The second section is an explosion of color and movement. Abstract expressionist Vera Arutyunyan is offering her large scale, vibrant canvasses in her DTLA debut. While Vera has been making a name for herself in the LA art-scene, these explosive statement pieces are sure to grab your attention, if you haven’t heard of her already. In contrast to the wild, organic movement of Arutyunyan’s paintings, but in keeping with her rich, Eastern European color-scheme, William Roy Eckert’s approach is more formal and geometric. His new abstract work follows in the tradition of Malevich and Kandinsky. Equally fiery, but more controlled, Eckert’s abstracts create a male counterpoint to Arutyunyan’s female. Their contrasts in form are tied together by yet another contrast in style, but in keeping with the palette: Mark Brosmer’s hyperrealist masterpiece “Square the Circle”. Brosmer has created a pitch-perfect exercise in detail and madness, of what must be thousands of jellybeans. As many will be happy to hear, Mark Brosmer is carrying over several of his pieces, in fact a whole section in gallery B is devoted to his work. Holly’s work could not be more different from either of the previous groupings. She shares specificity and realism with Brosmer, but her tone is distinctly her own, and instantly recognizable. Her paintings are often described as architectural. Indeed, architec-
ture, or the absence thereof, is one of Holly’s trademarks, as is her dedication to extreme minimalist composition and sparing use of color. Elander seeks to create an otherworldly feeling, usually through an absence of cast shadows. However, her newest coupling “Still” and “Wall” profile the cast shadow against a purposefully two-dimensional backdrop. A recent Pratt Institute graduate, Holly had her first professional exhibit at GDCA this August and sold 3 paintings out of the gate! This is one to be watched … We would be remiss, if we didn’t feature some of our GDCA our staples, such as Michael Moon and Dina Herrmann. They speak for themselves. We are also excited to welcome back Paul Kauffman. You may remember his dramatic fauvist abstracted florals and still-lives. Paul is showing an entirely new body of work - abstracts! In his commitment to continual growth and exploration, he has revealed himself to be a formidable contender in the abstract circle… Stay tuned!! “VITAL” remains on view through October 31st! Visit us at www. GDCAgallery.com for more information.
Petra Wright GDCA GALLERY (323) 309 2875 info@GDCAgallery.com www.GDCAgallery.com
AHHH, GRASSHOPPER! by
Lori Tierney
In previous columns, we have explored the dynamic symbolism and influence found in the natural world, and particularly those represented by the animal spirits. They often fly, jump, hop, crawl, swim, saunter and leap into our lives at the most pivotal time, generally when we have a big decision to make, and are grappling with two paths on that fork in the road we call life. I found myself in just such a position last month, as I had two big decisions to make and each involved a considerable amount of time and money, two precious commodities in short supply in my world. I was casually told by the property manager of my apartment building that rent for my lease, ending in December, was going to go way up. Similar units in the building were going up more than $700.00 per month. No rent control here! I decided to start looking for another place that would be in line with my budget, but not without some serious soul searching as to why I seemed to move so often…always with good reason, but move nonetheless! The second big decision centered around making a commitment to sign up for a nine-week yoga teacher training that was to meet on the weekends, which were the only days I had to decompress really from the intensity of the work week, and usually I could only manage to clear part of one weekend day anyway. I have taken many rounds of yoga teacher training with multiple instructors, as I felt it would give me a diverse and well-rounded exposure to study with more than one teacher. I also discovered that the teacher training was like mini yoga retreats. They became “my time” on the calendar, meaning a time I could devote to myself, the yoga practice, to meditation, to the stillness we all so crave, living with the constant energy of Los Angeles’ urban setting. I found a wonderful new residence in the form of a fully renovated triplex close to the Marquez area of the Pacific Palisades. I could walk to the Self-Realization Fellowship on Sunset, one of my favorite sanctuaries! I toyed with a Downtown LA move, but the energy of the Fellowship seemed to be calling me strongly, so I opted to move into the triplex. And I asked for a sign about the yoga teacher training. My sign came a few days later as I was walking up the freshly painted white stairs of the unit I had rented. I couldn’t help but notice the bright green, very long grasshopper waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. I was there to meet the wireless Internet installer and upon further study, he told me that I had to
return to my old apartment for a piece of equipment. As I jumped into my car, I noticed that my grasshopper friend had planted himself firmly on my windshield. I backed my car out of the long hilly driveway and turned left onto Sunset Blvd., heading toward Barrington Avenue in Brentwood. With speed and the wind to 45 mph, I thought for sure the grasshopper would fly off the windshield. I made it over to my old apartment, retrieved the router, and then rushed to get back to the car to make my way to the new place. Much to my surprise, I noticed that the hitchhiking grasshopper had stayed on the windshield, returning all the way back to the new apartment. Now all this felt very profound to me. Was I indeed receiving a relevant sign urging me to “take a leap of faith”? Here is what author Ina Wolcott wrote about the great grasshopper totem animal: “Grasshoppers/Locusts medicine includes jumping across space and time, astral travel, new leaps forward/ leaps of faith/jumping without knowing where you will land, leaping over obstacles, ability to change careers quickly. There are 10,000 or so species of the grasshopper; they are cold blooded as all insects are and are more mobile when it is warmer. Each species has their unique song. However, only the males can sing with a few exceptions – the males sing to compete for female attention. The power of sound and song is part of grasshopper’s medicine. It is an ancient method to use song to alter one’s consciousness and communicate with animals and spirits. There are some Native American songs that date back 20,000 years. If grasshopper has leaped into your life, maybe you need to recognize where you come from, to go back to your roots and to honor your ancestors.
Ahhh, Grasshopper came from: “One of Caine’s first instructors was the blind master named Po (Keyed Luke). Po considered Caine, his favorite pupil and behaved more like an elderly grandfather. Caine was given the nickname “Grasshopper” by Master Po; the reference was from an exchange where the still ignorant young Caine asked the old blind master how he could function without seeing. Po asked Caine to close his eyes and describe what he could hear. Caine explained that he could hear the water flowing in a nearby fountain and birds in a nearby cage. Po then asked if Caine could hear his heartbeat or the grasshopper at his feet (Caine hadn’t noticed the insect until that moment). Incredulous, Caine asked Po, “Old man – how is it that you hear these things?” Po’s reply was, “Young man, how is it that you do not?” From that point on, Po affectionately called Caine “Grasshopper.” The move is behind me, and today I wrapped one-third of the yoga teacher training, all because of a green grasshopper crossing my path in a very profound and prolonged way. Keep your heads up and perhaps the animal kingdom will soon be talking with you too! The question to ask yourself is not how long they have been “talking” to you, but indeed, how long have you been listening!
Grasshopper is the Chinese symbol of good luck and abundance. Anyone with this power animal has been given the ability to take chances – to act on a whim and jump right in. For them, things may not progress step by step as they do for other people progress – but rather extremely fast. When taking that leap simply trust your instincts on when to make the leaps. Listening to your inner voice and responding to it will lead you to positive outcomes. Don’t be afraid to make that leap, remembering all the while that grasshoppers only ever jump forwards and never backward. Needless to say, grasshopper quickly became my new favorite animal totem! Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk, mentored by Master Po and played by David Carradine in the film, sheds light on where the term,
Lori Tierney @cougaryoga www. Tierneymanagment.com www.redroadretreats.com
DESIGN by
Julianne Pease
BUYING THE P
Photo Julianne Pease
PERFECT SOFA
Struggling to figure out what colors are best for your new home or what are the best window coverings for a downtown loft? Help is here. Interior designers and co-owners of the design firm CM In The City, Cathi Marcoly and Mary Alice Slattery are answering your design dilemma questions. Lofty Color Ideas Q: We recently bought a new loft in Burbank and would like to add some color to our walls. Our loft is an open floor plan, and we want our home to have a peaceful/calm feeling, but we both love the color too. Could you help us with some advice on how to go about picking the right colors that won’t overwhelm your space? Jessica D. A: Cathi Marcoly Thank you for your question, Jessica. Mary Alice, I, live with our husbands in lofts in Downtown Los Angeles. We love the loft lifestyle and are sure you will too. Choosing colors should be a fun process, not a daunting one. Before we begin helping a client to pick colors, we do just as you did in your letter: Assess the goals of your space. Knowing that you both want a calmer vibe, we would stay with the softer colors. To choose a calmer color we start with a color fan deck: This will allow you to find the perfect color and coordinating colors in the same family. Any higher end paint store will have a color fan deck that you can use to pick your colors. Benjamin Moore is our favorite paint, and their website is full of resources for choosing colors. Benjamin Moore paints do cost a little more than brands sold at the big-box stores, but the quality, colors and personal service make the extra expense well worth it. Paint stores are always willing to mix little pints so that you can try them at home. We highly recommend doing this: It’s your best insurance to know if you’ll like it in your space without buying a whole gallon. Maybe pick a few colors to try. You can also make color boards, so you don’t mess up your walls. Depending on the overall dimensions of your loft you might want to consider a two-color strategy. For example, if you loft is more oblong you might want to consider adding a richer tone on the far wall. If your loft is square rather than oblong, and the bedroom is in view from the living room, consider painting the entire bedroom one color. An example of this strategy could be achieved by using Benjamin Moore’s Silver Sage for most walls. And a deeper accent color such as Stratton Blue (which is more green than blue), on the other walls. We know you will find YOUR perfect color combination after spending a bit of time on the Benjamin Moore website. Good luck and we would love to see a few photos of your finished loft.
Photo Julianne Pease
Photo Julianne Pease
With so many styles, colors and materials to choose from, buying a new sofa can be overwhelming. Interior designers; Cathi Marcoly and Mary Alice Slattery from CM In The City helped put together this buying guide that will have you sitting pretty on your new sofa in no time. A sofa is a major purchase. Not just monetarily, but also about its impact on the room. The average sofa measures between six and seven feet in length and between two and a half to three and a half feet in depth. Mary Alice explained that a sofa can dominate the room and when purchased right should last for years. She continued, in addition to a sofa’s design appearance; comfort and durability are key factors to consider prior to making your purchase. Cathi shared some thoughts on comfort as we explored the world of sofas at a few local design centers. She explained that comfort, when it comes to a sofa, can be subjective. Location of the sofa has a lot to do with the type of comfort you might prefer. For example, a more straight line sofa with firmer cushions could be preferred for a home office while in a family room where you could be sitting for extended periods of time a sofa with more yielding cushions, and a deeper seat might fit better, and so on. There are thousands of sofas on the market, ranging in price from under $600 at IKEA to well over $6,000 at top-notch furniture stores. Since sofas are a long-term investment, the price should not be the most decisive factor. That being said if you have a more limited budget it could be worth waiting for sales time, typically the month of July in the North America. If you can find a sofa that fits your taste and without issues, you could save upwards of 50% on floor models. Before falling for a bargain, be clear about what kind of sofa you’re after. Work out what you want to do “on it”—sit and talk? Curl up and read? Sprawl and watch movies? A bargain is not a bargain if it does not fit your room or have the look you wanted. With family or great room sofas, you need somewhere to put your feet, as it’s just not comfortable to sit for hours with your knees lower than your hips—you need either enough seat to stretch out on, or an ottoman/ footstool at matching height. Too high or vertical an armrest can be hard to lean your head. Lower armrests don’t strain the neck, and you can dangle your feet over them. A sociable sofa should seat either two or four: three people in a row are never going to have an easy conversation. For comfort, the deeper the sofa, the better. But consider where exactly the sofa is to go—a sofa that’s too
bulky for its space will make the whole room feel awkward. If space is tight, opt for a shallower model, with a footstool. Keep in mind sofas on legs or with low arms occupy less visual space. Feather cushions are comfy, but need plumping, and not everyone can be bothered. Foam alone is more not comfortable. Cathi explained only foam cushions could feel more like an ejector seat than a cushion. Several high-end furniture designers use foam with a feather wrap for clean-lined upholstery that recovers its shape when the sitter gets up. At the high-end bench made, i.e., in a workshop, by skilled craftsmen—allow you to specify the filling of your choice. Fabric makes a real difference. Loose covers can be washed, but will never look “svelte”; if you take good care of a fixed cover in a practical fabric may last just as long. Velvets and linens give form to very squishy sofas and work better than wool, which pulls in too many directions. Patterns or flecks are good for children and dogs, but no sofa is going to survive a scratching cat. Mary Alice shared that it is hard to imagine buying a sofa without sitting on it first, but there are several websites where you can do just that. There are discount sites such as Wayfair.com and Overstock.com and sites similar to Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn that allow you to pick a design, a size, and fabric, and generate a realistic picture before you purchase. Cathi said they would recommend using the online store to put together various looks, but it would be best to go to an actual store and sit on the exact sofa style you are considering prior to ordering. Mary Alice added that most good retailers have fabric samples you can check out for free. It would be a great way to see how the actual colors you are considering will look in your room. Now a bit about the frame ~ The CM IN The City design team had strong opinions on the type of frame you should consider. Cathi said, “A solid hardwood frame is paramount, to provide horizontal strength and longevity,” she said. “If there are sew lines, you want them straight. You don’t want to see any wiggles in the lines as they will only get worse as the years go by”. Mary Alice added, “pure lines demonstrate the seamstress knew what she’s doing and that the people in the workshop have pulled the fabric properly.” Top-end hardwood frames are typically guaranteed for life. If you plan to keep your new sofa for years and especially if you have an active home, this would be money well spent.
Cathi and Mary Alice put together this guide to basic sofa components. Arms designs • Rolled or scroll: A rolled arm is one that curves outward. It is perhaps the most common arm, particularly on traditional sofas, and is the most comfortable for lounging or napping. • Square, box, or track: A squared arm is more modern and tailored in appearance. It is not as comfortable for lounging, but a throw pillow or bolster can soften its lines. Sofa back styles • Loose-cushion back: Cushions are separate from the sofa back, allowing for a softer, more comfortable back. • Tight back: The back of the sofa is upholstered, with no loose cushions. It gives a cleaner, more tailored appearance and a firmer feel. Throw pillows can be added for comfort or for people who need more support. • Pillow back: Multiple pillows are arranged across the back of the sofa in place of larger cushions. Pillow backs require more fluffing and arranging but offer easily adjustable comfort. • Channel back: tight back is sewn into tailored segments or vertical channels to provide definition and sometimes more cushioning. • Curved back: The back curves around to form one piece with the arms. A drawback to this feminine, sheltering style is that it doesn’t provide a low armrest. • Camelback: The back has a humped or serpentine shape. Seat options • Tight: This firmer, more tailored seat has no loose cushions. It is often used in settees and more formal, wood-framed sofas. • Single cushion or bench seat: A single cushion has a crisp appearance that can still be comfortable. • Cushioned: The seat has two or three loose cushions, which may be firmer than back cushions. Covers can be removed for dry-cleaning. T-cushion seats are designed to wrap in front of setback arms. Skirts and Legs Skirted sofas are softer and more traditional in appearance. Skirts can be detailed with kick pleats, inverted pleats, button pleats, or box pleats -- across the front or at the corners only. Waterfall skirts that drop straight from the seat cushion have a cleaner, more tailored appearance. Exposed legs can be square and modern, turned and on castors, or cabriole (curved) for a more traditional look. Julianne Pease Photo
Photo Julianne Pease
Photo Julianne Pease
A few more tips to keep in mind as you begin the search for your new sofa. Important tip: To make sure it will fit through the door, measure all doorways, hallways, and elevators. Remember to measure angles too. If you buy a seven-foot sofa and have to navigate a doorway and a corner within 3 feet a sectional might be the way to go. Designer tip: Don’t buy the accent pillows offered in the exact fabric of the sofa. An accent is an accent when it is different and actually “accents” the fabric of your new sofa. Choosing the right sofa is a big deal, but it is not as daunting as you might think if you keep these buying tips from Cathi and Mary Alice in mind. You can learn more about CM In The City and see some of their portfolios on Houzz.
CM DESIGNS Cathi Marcoly (323_ 942 9920 Mary Alice Slattery (323) 942 9921 www.cm-designs.com
DRESSING THE PART HUMANIZATION OF PETS by
Janene Zakrajsek
Halloween is fast approaching, so whether you show your spirit and opt for a little fun during the festivities– one thing is certain, the Halloween holiday kicks off a season of dressing your pets. The holiday brings out the inner kid in most of us and so it’s no surprise that the holiday family fun has been extended to our furry companions. It’s estimated by the National Retail Federation that more 20 million people will dress their pets for Halloween. Whether you do or don’t dress your pets regularly is most often a matter of personal preference and/or practicality, however the explosion in the ‘humanization of pets’ has made this trend into the new norm and it’s gone global. The United States is the leader of the pack in setting pet trends, which is no surprise considering two-thirds of our households have pets. To understand the concept of ‘humanization’ one just needs to think about the type and level of quality of products and services you enjoy for yourself, and then seek the same for your animal companions—from human-grade healthy super foods and supplement options; premium ‘lifestyle’ gear for walking, traveling, sleeping, and training; technology and apps for pet care, playing, and feeding; fashion and apparel on trend or matched to your own personal style; and modern luxury services like lodging (hotel-style overnight boarding), spa treatments, and holistic or specialized health care. In short, humanization goes way beyond dressing the part—and possibly anthropomorphizing your fur kids for a smaller percentage of some folks— as the options for pets in the modern world are absolutely endless and from one end of the spectrum to the other, in terms of cost, er investment, in our kids’ well-healed lives.
your chance to try it on for size, choosing something clever that suits their personality, naturally… and then remember to treat them to a Pumpkin Spice treat or some Bacon & Apple jerky… tis the season! PET SAFETY TIP: If you do dress your pet, be sure that its costume doesn’t interfere with the pet’s ability to breathe, see, hear, move, or bark. If they do not respond positively and are frightened, it’s also best to remove the costume immediately. Spiders, witches, funny monsters, and scary characters-- We have something to suit every dog (or cat’s) style this Halloween with our largest assortment of costumes and accessories ever! Stop in-store and check out our BOO-tique, LOADED with frighteningly fun Halloween pet costumes and toys including Sushi, Ninja Turtles, Minions, Mermaids, Dinosaurs, tons more... Did we mention this was FUN? Do YOU Love to Dress-up for Halloween Too? Don’t miss our annual HOWL-o-ween Pet Costume + Cocktail Party – a social for you and your pets on October 27th, 7-10pm (The Unique Space, 1275 E 6th Street, Downtown LA) which can be a TERRIFIC way to socialize your pet in a Halloween setting, showcase their costume, eat, drink, and be SCARY! Join us for games, professional pet photos, pet psychic readings, delicious treatbar for the dogs, cocktails for the humans, and lots of great prizes. For more info and advance ticket sales, please visit: http://bit.ly/HOWL2015
We are a society that loves animals. We just want the best for them. The bonds we create with our dogs and cats are both emotional and social, so it seems only natural and fitting that as humans we develop an equally strong desire to provide them with things that also please us. Dressing the family pet is just one, small piece of this shift in attitude among pet ownership. Choosing a pet costume or festive accessory for one or two days of the year is about having fun and sharing an experience with your pets, and not about committing to dressing the dog daily. It is in fact true, that there are many animals that seem to really enjoy being dressed up and associate the experience with extra attention, positive reward and praise. So if you haven’t joined the millions of people preparing your pets for Halloween yet, now’s
PUSSY AND POOCH 564 Sout Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 438 0900 www.pussyandpooch.com
FALLING FO IN & AROUND
Photo Julianne Pease
OR AUTUMN LOS ANGELES by
Julianne Pease
East Coasters might be surprised to learn that California has the longest lasting and most varied display of fall color in the country. Lucky Angelenos can find wonderful fall experiences within a couple of hours of home. Here are a few of my favorite fall spots to go day tripping -- So charge up your camera batteries, lower the top on your convertible (or maybe rent one for the weekend), put on your sunscreen, and head out for a crisp fall day of adventure.
tled among the trees in the San Bernardino Mountains and has served as Hollywood’s backlot for countless films. October to the beginning of November the changing colors contrast dramatically against the many evergreens in the area. The Big Bear Convention Center plays host to Oktoberfest throughout much of October. Big Bear Village is filled with red maples and rust-colored ferns as well as with lots of shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Oak Glen, CA
In Big Bear, it’s the early bird gets the pancakes. Grizzle Manor Cafe is known for serving up some of the best breakfast and brunch dishes in California. Walk into this nondescript cabin restaurant and order up pancake stacks, tasty waffles, and even a dish called The Blob (biscuits and gravy with cheese, bacon, and eggs). Not an early bird? Don’t worry, after 11 am Grizzle Manor serves great burgers, sandwiches, and other lunch favorites.
This small area of apple orchards in Southern California is one of the best places in the Southland for fall colors. The Oak Glen Conservancy hike is beautiful yearround but especially in the fall: Exploring the small town charm of Oak Glen is easy, as most everything is located off of Oak Glen Road. Oak Glen is not known for their salads if you get my drift, but if you are looking for hardier fare this is your town. Angus McCurdy’s at Parrish Ranch has great burgers, old-school onion rings and a wide selection of apple desserts. Sharing a meal is the way to go at Angus McCurdy’s. That way you can enjoy a dessert after your lunch. Another place that does not disappoint is Hawk’s Head Public House located at Riley’s Farm. Hawk’s Head, is an old English tavern re-creation that has an amazing chicken pot pie, yummy corn chowder, and they even have salads. You will find several orchards in Oak Glen for your apple picking pleasure. The Oak Glen website, http://www. oakglen.net/ lists each of them and the apples that are being picked currently. If you prefer to enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor, there are plenty of roadside stands and shops filled with great apple butter, hard cider, mile high apple pies, jelly and jams and more. Beyond the roadside stands mentioned above, local merchants and artisans abound in Oak Glen. There are furniture makers, quilters, jewelers, painters and much more. Oak Glen is a great place for food gifts. Almost every store has a section of jams, jellies, baked goods and more. Keep a country vibe in mind for your shopping list. To learn more about the merchants, restaurants of Oak Glen go to www.oakglenca.com. Important note: Most shops, orchards and even a lot of the restaurants close early (think sunset). Big Bear, CA A short drive from Los Angeles, Big Bear Lake is nes-
Big Bear offers many options for fall foliage viewing beyond just a Sunday drive. Leaf peeping can be done in Big Bear by land, water, and even air. By land, what could be better than a walk in the crisp fall air? Start your walk at the Big Bear Discovery Center on the north end of the lake to pick up a hiking trail map. All of the walks are beautiful, but three favorite hikes for fall foliage viewing are, the Aspen Grove Trail, the Woodland Trail Loop, and the Cougar Crest Trail. For an easy going hike, try the 1.5mile Woodland Trail loop. For a bit more challenging hike, the Cougar Crest trail is one of the best trails for fall foliage. This 5-mile trail is a bit more challenging, but the views are worth the effort. Or hike the brilliant Aspen Grove area, where all the Aspens turn colors at the same time. Throughout the fall season, these quaking aspens turn gold to yellow. Another great way to experience Big Bear fall foliage is on horseback. Baldwin Lake Stables offers both group and private rides. By air, how about splurging a bit and taking a Helicopter flight over the treetops, filled with autumnal colors. By water, take a sunset boat tour along Big Bear Lake or if you have a group why not rent a pontoon and play Little Big Town’s song at full blast? Lake Arrowhead. CA Lake Arrowhead is a scenic mountain community located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles with charming Arrowhead Village along the shore. At the Village, you can enjoy great shopping and dining experiences. Weekends, through Oct. 25th, you can celebrate Oktoberfest, where you can sample local microbrews as well as enjoy free entertainment and activities for all ages. Surrounding Lake Arrowhead you will find woods with
Photo Julianne Pease
Photo Julianne Pease
cottonwoods turning golden. While this is not a New England forest, you will be pleasantly surprised at how the green pine forest and the blue skies make for a stunning backdrop for the fall leaves. Belgian Waffle Works is the hot spot for breakfast in Lake Arrowhead and a great place to continue your foliage-gazing at a table on their scenic patio. They have some of the most divine Belgian waffles and another yummy breakfast fare. Belgian Waffle Works also serve throughout the day. For lunch, you will find traditional gourmet sandwiches such as the club and the Monte Cristo, however with a Belgian twist, using waffles instead of bread. The crisp fall air makes it a perfect “local” spot to enjoy a dessert, sip hot chocolate or other specialty drink. Enjoy a chartered boat tour on Lake Arrowhead to check out the gold and red hues of the surrounding Pacific dogwood and California black oak trees. The Lake Arrowhead Queen has tours on the hour as well as private charters. If you would like to plan a weekend getaway in Lake Arrowhead, there are lots of individual houses and cabins for rent. Another option is the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. It is a beautiful property with a private beach where you can end your day with a nightcap while you make your own s’more in the Resort’s fireplace. Los Angeles County Arboretum Arcadia, CA Located a bit closer to home, the Los Angeles Arboretum is a great place to experience the colors of fall. The Arboretum offers Fall Foliage tramway tours on select days, but there is nothing like strolling at your pace with camera in hand. The Yellow-leafed Ginkgo, which you will find in the arboretum, is stunning. There are benches and various architectural structures among the plants, and trees all of which become a backdrop for your photos of the yellow leafed Ginkgo when it begins to lose it leaves. After you capture that perfect shot why not make your leaf-angel? The garden is bathed in autumn hues throughout most of October. Even up until December you will find Crepe Myrtle, multi-colored Chinese Pistache, Freeman’s Maples and more. Many of these trees will offer various levels of color up until the end of November. There are only one food and beverage offering in the arboretum, the Peacock Café, located at the center of the gardens. A Lovely setting where Peacocks roam freely, (hence the name): Although the menu is rather small, the sandwiches and burgers don’t disappoint. As the Santa Anita Racetrack is in season and nearby, why not combine a trip to the Arboretum with an afternoon at the races. One of the life’s great joys is sitting in your box at Santa Anita
overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains on a crisp autumn day. Check out Santa Anita’s Race Schedule for various events and post times. Whether you jump in the convertible for a leafview road trip, take a Sunday drive or just pop into the Red Lion Tavern in Silver Lake for Das Boot of beer, there is plenty to see and do in and around Los Angeles to celebrate the fall season.
JULIANNE PEASE jujupease@gmail.com
Photo Julianne Pease
A 15-MINUTE TRAIN
“TERROR Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood
N RIDE AWAY FROM
R TRAM.” by
Alex LiMandri
The great benefits about living Downtown LA is the access to public transportation. Getting around is easy and Universal Studios Hollywood is only a 15 minutes ride away. “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood is the Ultimate Extreme Fear Destination from Downtown LA, Featuring All-New Mazes, an Exciting Hip-Hop Dance Show and Exclusive “Terror Tram” Experience just a Train ride away from home. Since September 18Th, “Halloween Horror Nights,” 2015 at Universal Studios Hollywood is Southern California’s most extreme Halloween event. It brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. Featuring a new slate of unrivaled film and television production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience – all uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” is designed to taunt, terrorize and torment guests as they navigate the darkness from one frightening maze to another. Adding to the event’s intrigue, Universal’s most popular rides and attractions also will be open to guests, including “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” “Transformers: The Ride-3D,” “Jurassic Park–In the Dark,” “The Simpsons Ride” and “Revenge of the Mummy–The Ride.”
For tickets and more information, please visit: w w w. h a l l o w e e n h o r r o r n i g h t s . c o m / h o l l y wood/2015/tickets.php
Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood
TALK TO THE VET by
Dr Leia Castaneda
TRACHEAL COLLAPSE IN DOGS WHAT? Air travels from the back of the mouth to the chest via a windpipe called the trachea. The trachea normally has a rigid circular form (imagine a garden hose.) It is made of C-shaped cartilages that are stacked on top of each other. The ends of the C-shaped rings are connected by a thin membrane. In some dogs, the tracheal cartilages lose their rigidity and the membrane stretches and droops ...and the airway becomes obstructed! WHO? Tracheal collapse primarily occurs in small-breed dogs, such as miniature poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas. Bulldogs and other brachycephalic dogs (those with flat faces) are also predisposed to tracheal problems. Some dogs can start showing signs of tracheal collapse at a relatively young age, but it is usually a disease of older dogs. WHY? The cause is not well understood, but some have proposed genetic factors, nutritional influences, neurologic problems and degeneration of the tracheal cartilages as possible conditions that predispose dogs to tracheal collapse. SIGNS? Abnormal respiratory noises, difficulty breathing, blue gums and tongue from lack of oxygen, exercise intolerance and fainting may occur. A sudden onset, intermittent “goose-honking� cough (see video) is also a common sign. TESTING? X-rays are the easiest way of detecting tracheal collapse. On an x-ray, air or gas is black and a normal trachea stripe is black and is a uniform thickness throughout its entire length until it branches at the level of the heart. Of all dogs who have tracheal collapse only about 60% show flattened tracheal stripes on x-rays. Many times the collapse is dynamic and is not always obvious on an x-ray. Fluoroscopy (a form of imaging that is like real-time x-rays) shows the movement of the trachea through the entire respiratory cycle and can detect some cases of tracheal collapse that are missed on plain x-rays. While x-rays are readily available at any general practice, fluoroscopy must be performed at a speciality hospital. The definitive way to diagnose tracheal collapse is with a special scoping procedure. Fiber Optic viewing
scopes are passed into the trachea to demonstrate the degree and exact location of the collapse. Scoping also allows collection of samples for bacterial culture - secondary infections can be a common concurrent problem. There are some inherent risks with this procedure and it is not usually performed in patients with suspected tracheal collapse. TREATMENT? Medical therapy can help dogs with mild tracheal collapse. It often includes cough suppressants, drugs to open the respiratory passages and antibiotics for secondary infections. Anti-inflammatory tablets or inhalers may be used on a short-term basis to reduce inflammation of the lining of the trachea. Some dogs benefit from tranquilizers during periods of excitement or anxiety. Avoiding warm environmental temperatures and stressful situations help many of these patients. Weight loss is especially important in obese patients with tracheal collapse. Prosthetic stents that help the trachea maintain a round, rigid form have been tried. But because of the inherent risks and potential complications of stenting, surgery is reserved for those dogs with severe collapse and little or no response to medical therapy or for those who no longer respond to medications. This type of surgery is usually performed at a speciality hospital with an experienced surgeon. PROGNOSIS? Since tracheal collapse is a progressive disease, benefits initially achieved with medical therapy can lessen over time. However in many cases, medical therapy can provide relief, often for the life of the patient, improving the pet’s overall quality of life. Learn more about how you can lessen the effects of tracheal collapse in your pet. Schedule an appointment with DTLAvets today!
DTLAvets (213) 613 1537 www.dtlavets.com
PERFORM
Photo credit: Gia To
MANCES by
Alex LiMandri
The Music Center presents two performances to not miss: Hubbard Street Dance Theatre + The Second City for a performance for the first time outside of Chicago of a hilarious collaboration of contemporary dance meets comedy in “The Art of Falling” from November 6-8, 2015, presented by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center. And Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan for the Southern California premiere of “Rice,” which tackles the challenges of caring for our planet with a powerful performance that combines ballet modern dance, meditation, Qigong (an ancient form of breathing exercise) and internal martial arts, presented by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center Don’t miss also the two reminding dates of Sleepless that we featured last month, on November 6, 2015 and February 5t, 2016. For more information about Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours, visit musiccenter.org
THE MUSIC CENTER 135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 972 0777 www.musiccenter.org
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg
THE WORLD IS
A SAFE PLACE by
Jim White
Take Action
Volunteer Start a Drive
Become a Companion
Assemble welcome home kits for newly housed individuals.
Provide social support and friendship someone transitioning into permanent housing.
HomeWalk
Annual Homeless Count
Start or join a team to fundraise and recruit walkers for our annual 5K run/walk to end homelessness.
Take part in the nation’s largest homeless census.
Donate Advocate for affordable housing and other policies positively affecting our homeless neighbors.
$50
$100
Gives someone their identity back so they can access housing.
Welcomes a person home with a bag of supplies.
$500
$1500
Provides a security deposit for a safe place to stay.
Helps 1 person come Home For Good.
Please call 213-808-6220 to become involved in our efforts!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
W. M. KECK FOUNDATION
1150 South Olive Street, Suite T500, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | Tel: 213.808.6220 Web: unitedwayla.org
ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN LA COUNTY
The Issue In Los Angeles County:
44,359
people are homeless
14,118
are chronically homeless
4,362
are homeless Veterans, more than anywhere in the nation
Antelope Valley 2,818
Consequently, • Homelessness costs us nearly $1 billion a year. • We know we can do better for our communities.
90%
of homeless individuals live outside of skid row
San Fernando Valley 5,424 San Gabriel Valley 3,725 West 4,276
Central 11,681 South 7,513
East 3,571
South Bay 5,351
The Plan
Home For Good is an action plan to end veteran homelessness by 2015, chronic homelessness by 2016 and ultimately all homelessness in Los Angeles County. Launched in 2010 by United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the LA Area Chamber of Commerce, the effort is represented by a county-wide collective of over 200 cross-sector organizations.
" Our community came together around the Home For Good vision of making Los Angeles a place where no one is
Efficient Service Delivery
forgotten, no one worries about having a warm, safe place of their own to sleep each night. "
Everyone is Home For Good
Excellence in Quality
Sufficient Resources
Public and Political Will
- Christine Margiotta Vice President, Community Impact United Way of Greater Los Angeles
The action plan’s success is guided by a deep belief that a housing first approach is the key to ending homelessness. By knowing every person on our streets, understanding their needs, and rapidly connecting them to permanent housing and services, we will ensure that every individual in LA County has a home.
“ I’d never thought I’d live this long, I’m so happy to be alive.” - Andre The Solution Home For Good functions around four key initiatives that have proven results to bring and keep people home for good: 1) Sufficient Resources: Funders Collaborative A collective of over 20 public and private funders that pool and align resources for maximum impact. 2) Efficient Service Delivery: Coordinated Entry System A countywide system that brings over 100 service providers together to connect homeless individuals to the best resources for their needs. 3) Excellence in Quality: Standards of Excellence A set of perfomance goals and best practices that define excellence in outreach, shelter and permanent supportive housing. 4) Strong Public and Political Will: Business Leaders Task Force & You Business community champions that lead the way for every community member to be part of the solution.
Solutions to homelessness are 43% cheaper than leaving someone on the streets. 88% stay in permanent supportive housing compared to less than half in other housing models.
The Impact TOTAL HOUSED
20,955* individuals
Veterans Housed By Home For Good Partners Since 2011 5,000
Chronically Homeless Housed By Home For Good Partners Since 2011 2,000
4,000 1,500
7,094 2014 4,493 2013
3,000 1,000 2,000
500
4,470 2012 3,137 2011 *As of summer 2015
1,000
0
2011
2012
2013
2014
0
2011
2012
2013
2014
Sources: The Los Angeles Homeless Analysis Collaborative: www.homeforgoodla.org/hac
The Solution: Efficient Service Delivery COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM For too long, limited housing resources became available on a first come, first served basis. The result was that most permanent housing was given to those homeless residents of Los Angeles County who were able to find out about openings, complete the forms, and stand in line. That did not serve the most vulnerable – those that needed the most support services and those that are the highest cost users of our healthcare, social services, and criminal justice systems. The Coordinated Entry System (CES) is a process through which the most vulnerable homeless residents of Los Angeles County are matched with the available and appropriate housing resources. CES was delevoped to more efficiently connect homeless single adults searching for permanent housing to the most appropriate housing resource.
“ After years of working on Skid Row, I finally feel like we are working together… It used to take me two years to house my most vulnerable clients. With CES, it took me six months.” -Gina Jones, Los Angeles Christian Health Centers
WITHOUT CES
WITH CES
Dead ends, closed doors
Seamless Connections
Endless intakes, applications,
1 survey that connects to
and waiting lists
real-time housing opportunities
First come, first served
Best fit, housing match
Each organization doing it all
Each organization doing what they do best
Build Efficient Service Delivery: Coordinated Entry System Since April 2014, Home For Good has released an annual request for proposal to support the development and expansion of the Coordinated Entry System, selecting a single collaborative community proposal from each of L.A. County’s eight regions. These CES teams represent a collective of 10-30 distinct community organizations and additional cross-sector partners collaborating to end homelessness in their community with the support and leadership of a single, community-selected backbone organization.
HOMELESS COUNT BY REGION* Antelope Valley 2,818
San Fernando Valley 5,424 San Gabriel Valley 3,725 Central 11,681 South 7,513
West 4,276
East 3,571
South Bay 5,351
SPA 1 - Antelope Valley Valley Oasis Diane Grooms dvgrooms@aol.com
SPA 5 - West Los Angeles St. Joseph Center Darci Niva darci@westsideshelter.org
SPA 2 - San Fernando Valley LA Family Housing Christina Miller cmiller@lafh.org
SPA 6 - South Los Angeles SSG-HOPICS Takita Salisberry tsalisberry@hopics.org
SPA 3 - San Gabriel Valley Union Station Homeless Services Sieglinde Von Deffner svondeffner@unionstationhs.org
SPA 7 - East Los Angeles People Assisting the Homeless Meredith Berkson meredithb@epath.org
SPA 4 - Central Los Angeles LAMP, Inc. Hazel Lopez Hazell@lampcommunity.org
SPA 8 - South Bay / Harbor Harbor Interfaith Services, Inc. Shari Weaver sweaver@harborinterfaith.org *as of January 2015, Source 2015 Homeless Count
Kathy’s Story
Kathy was stubborn and sweet. She was homeless for 14 years before she became one of the first people housed through the Coordinated Entry System in 2013. Outreach staff assessed Kathy and identified her as highly acuity given her age, serious medical conditions and frequent use of emergency room services. Through the coordinated outreach and prioritization methods afforded by the Coordinated Entry System, Kathy was matched to her own permanent housing unit, where she passed away six months later, with the dignity she deserved long before.
CES in Action
100
organizations involved
3,000
Connect with Housing & Supports
15,000
assessments completed
Navigate
clients assisted toward housing
Assess
375
placements averaged per quarter
1150 South Olive Street, Suite T500, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | Tel: 213.808.6220 Web: unitedwayla.org
The Solution: Sufficient Resources THE FUNDERS COLLABORATIVE While numerous nonprofit organizations, foundations, and the public sector have been working to address chronic homelessness for a long time, there have not been strategic attempts to coordinate public and private funding for the services and resources needed to solve the problem. That changed in 2011 when public and private funders came together as part of the Home For Good initiative to create a more coordinated approach to funding permanent solutions to homelessness through the Home For Good Funders Collaborative.
“ The Home For Good Funders Collaborative is one of the most powerful elements of LA’s plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness. The Funders Collaborative brings together City and County, Public and Private, non-profit and business into an aligned decision making process that ensures we deploy our collective resources for maximum impact.” – Doug Guthrie, President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA)
Prior to the Collaborative, providers interested in developing or operating permanent supportive housing (PSH) generally applied for funds from a multitude of sources with different funding cycles, priorities, and availability, any of which could obstruct the project. The Collaborative was formed to bring public and private partners together to create a single funding application process, align funding priorities around PSH, and make funding decisions collaboratively.
Secure Sufficient Resources: The Funders Collaborative Each year, United Way, along with over 20 other public and private funders, invests in long-term solutions to end chronic and Veteran homelessness through the Home For Good Funders Collaborative. The Collaborative provides support to strong, community proposals from every corner of Los Angeles County that effectively demonstrate processes for moving chronically homeless people and veterans off the streets and into permanent housing. This funding is done through several funding areas, all of which require a connection to the Coordinated Entry System – the platform for addressing homelessness in Los Angeles County. Grants may include funds for outreach, housing navigation, move-in costs, housing retention, innovation, and other uses that further the goal of ending homelessness. In the last four years, the Home For Good Funders Collaborative has jointly invested over $718 million in public
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and private resources in permanent solutions to homelessness in Los Angeles County. $200 million
$26 $692
$150 million $100 million $50 million 0
Million Private 2012
2013
Private funds invested each year
2014
2015
Public resources leveraged each year
Million Public
Every single dollar goes back into community
Because of this collaboration, we can reduce public spending by 43% making limited funds go further.
2015-2016 Funders Collaborative Investors
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