Good fences make for...

good neighbors - as the saying goes.  The LA Times has a good article all about fences that make everyone who lives with them or sees them happy.  And there's a chance to post your own photos of fences that tickle your fancy.

I'm officially obsessed.  Now to convince the husband that we need to fence the yard...

Volunteers Needed: Glamour Gowns 2011 Prom Dress Giveaway for Foster Girls in LA County

It's that time of year again.  Already??  It's the 10th Anniversary of CASA of LA's annual Glamour Gowns Event.  10 years of providing a girl in the foster care system in Los Angeles County with a free prom dress, accessories, shoes, goody bag and a day of being treated like a princess.

This year I'm the Chairperson of the committee and I'm reaching out to everyone to join us in this amazing, life-changing, self-esteem raising event.  We dress close to 400 girls in one day and we've become a remarkable organization all done on donations and volunteer effort and our incredibly generous sponsors - SHARE, Chinese Laundry, Masquerade, Neutragena, Supervisors Jan Perry and Mike Antonovich (just to name a few). It will make you smile and cry.  So come join us and help out where you can.  

The event flyer and the volunteer flyer are included in my post and you'll find the volunteer coordinator's email address on the flyer so you can contact Tracee and sign up.

It will change your life. I know it's changed mine; I'm hooked for life!

Rocker Auction anyone?

This may be your only chance to bid on a table that Charlie Sheen gave Slash.  If this table of bones is your thing then this auction is for you!  Julien's Auctions  is holding the sale of some of Slash's decor items.

To feast your eyes on the items in person:

BEVERLY HILLS EXHIBITION SCHEDULE Free to the public Tuesday, March 7, 2011 – Friday, March 25, 2011 10 am – 5 pm P.S.T. Daily Closed on Sundays

Duck and Cover

I'm not one for doom or end of days or worrying about tragedy, but as they say (who are they?) an ounce of prevention..... and if we can learn something about the devastating events in Japan, now's the time to get your act intact.

Some great suggestions from our friends at the LA Times.  Now go get prepared.

Earthquake preparedness -- or our lack thereof -- has become the talk once again at dinner tables, around offices and on Facebook. Is a backpack better, so hands are free to carry a child or pet? Or maybe one doubles as a temporary toilet?

Is it better to keep the kit at home, at work or in the car? (The answer: All of the above.)

We recently compared some emergency kits, whose contents (whistles, light sticks, crank-powered mobile phone recharger) provided much food for thought. To answer questions about emergency kits and other ways every household can better prepare for an earthquake, wildfire or some other disaster, we've listed some links below:

Kits: Read a quick comparison of premade emergency kits, plus recommendations of items that you may want to add and a three-step emergency safety plan.

Kits, Part 2: An archived Times graphic offers more recommendations. Note that some of its suggestions (for example, the guideline of 1 gallon of water per person, per day) conflict with the advice from some local emergency officials (many of whom advise at least 2 gallons of water per person, per day). The best approach is to read the various recommendations, including those from theAmerican Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as local supplies such asSOS Survival Products, to determine what your household's specific needs might be.

Home prep: An interactive graphic runs down ways to earthquake-proof your home.

Duck, cover: Experts recommend proper ways to take cover. (Hint: not in the doorway, as was once recommended.)

Animals: Thoughts on what to pack and how to protect family pets in an evacuation.

Field test: And, for a little levity to balance all the disaster talk, we offer this piece from a reporter who tested her emergency kit by trying to live off it. (Don't miss pages 2, 3 or 4 of the text.)

Datebook LA - Cool things to do this week

So many fabulous things to do this week - you'll have to call in "well"!  Check out these great events and tours courtesy of the LA Times.  See the mention of the Pasadena Heritage Wallace Neff House Tour on Sunday the 27th.  Sponsored by deasy/penner & partners with none other than myself there.  Come visit us at our table for special surprises...

March 24: Kenneth J. Hammond, professor of history at New Mexico State University, lectures on “The Peonies of Luoyang: Images of the Literati Garden.” 7:30 p.m. Free. Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. No reservations required. (626) 405-2100.

March 24: Descanso Gardens’ native plant horticulturist Rachel Young discusses research, including new information on plant nutrition, pests and beneficial fungi. Part of the Lili Singer lecture series. 9:30 a.m. to noon. $20. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. (626) 821-4623.

March 25: An opening reception featuring the work of resident artists includes hundreds of handmade mugs and bowls, most $15 to $50. Reception is from 6 to 9 p.m., and the display will run to April 30. Clayhouse Studio & Gallery, 2909 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 828-7071.

March 25-27: The flagship Tomatomania sale showcases more than 300 varieties of heirlooms and hybrid tomato seedlings. New this year: a dark purple cherry called Haley's Purple Comet and new green tomatoes such as Chile Verde, Green Doctors and Tasty Evergreen. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all three days. Tapia Brothers Farm Stand, 5251 Hayvenhurst Ave., Encino.

March 26: The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers & Native Plants’ annual spring sale includes hundreds of species and cultivars, priced 15% for members and 10% off for nonmembers. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. (818) 768-1802.

March 26: The NoHo Rockin’ Food Truck Fest & Flea Market includes 15 food trucks, live music and comedy, art and craft vendors, raffle prizes and dogs adoptions. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5. Main lot next to 11458 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.

March 26: The West Adams Heritage Assn. presents its annual Art in Historic Places Tour, a self-guided look at artists who live in the area’s mix of century-old homes, Craftsman bungalows and Spanish villas. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25 in advance; $30 day of tour. (323) 732-4223;tours@westadamsheritage.org.

March 26-27: The California Bonsai Society presents its 54th annual show, featuring more than 100 specimens created by bonsai masters. Traditional trees such as Japanese black pine and California juniper are displayed alongside examples of nontraditional bonsai. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. Free. Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. (626) 405-2100.

March 27: Pasadena Heritage presents the Legacy of Wallace Neff, a tour of eight properties ranging from modest bungalows to grand mansions. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $34 to $37 in advance, $40 day of tour. (626) 441-6333.

March 27: The Ocean View Farms community garden holds its 7th annual TomatoBration. Hundreds of tomato varieties for sale, lecture and Q&A with Windrose Farm expert Barbara Spencer. Sale begins at 8 a.m., and plants are expected to sell out around noon. 3300 Centinela Ave. E-maileducationchair@oceanviewfarms.net.

March 27: The American Institute of Architects’ Los Angeles chapter organizes a self-guided tour of a Hollywood Hills canyon home designed by Assembledge, a Brentwood home by Cory Buckner Architects, a Bel-Air contemporary by Rick Leslie and a modernist home by Studio Pali Fekete Architects. $65 to $75. (213) 639-0777; e-mail info@aialosangeles.org.

ONGOING

Ackerman, Aguiñiga: “A Marriage of Craft and Design: The Work of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman” includes examples of ceramics, tile mosaics, wood carvings, textiles and other crafts from the Culver City couple. “Crossing the Line: A Space by Tanya Aguiñiga,” is a site-specific structure made by the artist best known for felted furniture. Ends May 8. $5 to $7. Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 937-4230.

Brown Bag Tuesdays: The Gamble House, the Arts and Crafts landmark designed by Charles and Henry Greene, allows visitors to picnic on the rear lawn or terrace of the 1908 estate between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Twenty-minute docent-led tours will be given at 12:15 and 12:45 p.m. $5. 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena; (626) 793-3334. Reservations: (626) 449-4178.

Technology and design: Architecture and Design Museum of Los Angeles exhibition “Soupergreen” explores the way that technology can promote architecture and the environment. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Ends April 14. $2 to $5. 6032 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 932-9393.

Wexler show: “Steel and Shade: The Architecture of Donald Wexler” is a survey of drawings, photographs and models by the noted architect. They are augmented by professional photographs and new models fabricated by Cal Poly students, including a full-scale sectional steel model illustrating the prefabrication system that Wexler used in his steel houses. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Ends May 29. $5 to $12.50. Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs.(760) 322-4800.

Be there but please don't be square.

2336 Moss - Sold!

Another lucky Better Shelter home owner - enjoy this very special house!

 

I think their dog will love it too - although she was eating the wood chips in the yard already. They don't sound tasty to me, but what do I know.

800 S Euclid - Rented to a great couple - enjoy Madison Heights!

Pasadena Heritage Wallace Neff House Tour - Buy your tickets now!

Come on out to support Pasadena Heritage and take the fabulous tour of Wallace Neff designed homes.  The tour is sponsored by deasy/penner & partners so make sure to stop by our table and say helloooo to yours truly.

Pasadena Heritage presents its annual Spring Home Tour, The Legacy of Wallace Neff sponsored by deasy/penner&partners, on Sunday, March 27, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This tour of six privately owned homes plus two additional Neff-designed buildings, showcases the breadth of work by renowned Southern California architect Wallace Neff.  Known for his spectacular Mediterranean Revival residences built for elite clients, Neff created what he called “California houses” that were based on European traditions adapted to the unique climate and landscape of Southern California. Tickets on sale! Purchase Now Scroll down for additional tour details.
In the 1920’s Pasadena boasted the highest per capita income of any city its size in the country. This period of great prosperity was a boon for architecture, resulting in a series of designs by many of the most well-known architects of the period, including Myron Hunt, Gordon Kaufman, Roland Coate, George Washington Smith, and of course Wallace Neff.  Wallace Neff’s “flair for originality” and attention to detail puts his work in a category all its own. Featured on the Pasadena Heritage Spring Home Tour will be the Paul Richter House, a 1929 Classical French Chateau style home. Its elegant feeling is enhanced by a gracious center courtyard fountain and exquisitely intricate wrought iron details. The interior of the home has many classic Neff features including marble floors, cathedral ceiling, circular room and spiral staircase. It also has a Gothic music room and medieval fireplace with a stone mantle. This home represents Neff’s work for elite clients as the home is over 14,000 square feet and has over 30 rooms. The Richter House is located in neighboring San Marino, designed by its founders to be a uniquely residential community with wide streets, expansive properties, and beautiful gardens.
The Collins House (pictured above, left) dates from 1927. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Collins hired Neff to design their home, and they lived there for almost fifty years. Their home was, as their daughter Mary put it, “a labor of love.” It was featured in Architectural Digest soon after it was built. This beautiful Italianate home has wing walls on either side of the façade which extend the mass visually across the entire property.
The Morse and Gates (Ethel Guthrie) House, designed in 1925 is a beautifully simple Spanish Colonial Revival home typical of Neff’s designs.
The Thaddeus L. Up de Graff (Shirley C. Ward) House (pictured, left) is a beautifully landscaped 1927 Italian Renaissance Revival Neff-designed home. T.L. Up de Graff was Neff’s brother-in-law and worked with Neff on several speculative houses in Pasadena. Three of those houses are located together in the historic Lombardy Road District. Even during the prosperous middle twenties when Neff was deluged with high-paying clients, he did not turn down commissions for speculative houses. In affluent communities such as Pasadena the fact that a house was a Wallace Neff design helped sales, so developers were eager clients and 10 speculative houses were built in 1924 by the Lincoln Mortgage Company along a single block. These modest houses were interesting and unique, designed with the same care as Neff exerted for a wealthy client. This is the only known tract designed by Neff. Neff’s designs were embraced by other speculative builders, resulting in numerous copyists designing Spanish style tract houses all over Southern California, prompting one historian to note that “tract house architecture from the 20s in Los Angeles looks the way it does because of Neff.” Two houses along this picturesque block will be open for tours.
Other stops on the tour include the Barlow House and St. Elizabeth’s Church.
Except for St. Elizabeth Church, all tour locations will be open from 9:00 a.m.  to 4:00 p.m.  Visitors drive themselves to the homes where trained docents will describe the history and architectural features as guests tour through each location. Allow at least four hours for the entire tour.
Order your advance tickets to The Legacy of Wallace Neff
Tickets on sale March 1.
Join Pasadena Heritage and take advantage of member discounts!
Advance Ticket Prices: Pasadena Heritage Member Price: $34 Non Member Price: $37 Day of the Event: $40

Is this Heavan or is it the Eagle Rock Rec Center?

Not only is Eagle Rock Park and Rec Center right near my house, and my dogs love it, it is also home to the 1953 Neutra Recreation Center building.  So I thought it was pretty rockin' and we'd go there when we're taking a break from our first love, the San Rafael park on Colorado Blvd. 

Yesterday, however, we discovered that not only does this park house an architectural work of art, and is a great place for kids and adult kids alike, but it also has the coolest outdoor gym.  Really.  I hadn't seen this company's work before, but it is truly amazing stuff.  It's called Greenfields Outdoor Fitness and the equipment is rugged, smart, effortless, well-crafted and super fun to use.  We were on all the machines and playing like kids, much to my dogs annoyance.... 

I recommend going without the dogs because you'll want to stay on the machines as long as your muscles can stand it.  The side to side one that works your waistline?  A must.







So go enjoy and explore all the Eagle Rock Recreation Center has to offer, admire the Neutra in our midst and get a good work out.  Just don't forget to toss the ball for your dog too.

P.S.  It's also Cultural Historical monument #536.  FYI

Bungalow in Madison Heights Area of Pasadena for lease

800 South Euclid, Pasadena


Adorable 1923 New England clapboard cottage in one of Pasadena's most sought after neighborhoods. Restored with newer bath and kitchen. This romantic bungalow feels like Cape Cod. The vaulted living room ceiling adds spaciousness to the cozy public area centered around a panel encased fireplace with brick surround and hearth. There is a separate dining area, a galley kitchen with subway tile, marble counters and newer appliances. Central heat and a/c, and inside washer/dryer. Two private patios,accessed by french doors, offer outdoor living areas. The well landscaped yard and tree shaded street are the finishing touches that make this a sweet place to call home. 

 Asking $2150 a month

Darling!