July 2019

FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA 

July 2019 

The Great 

Outdoors 

PLANET-FRIENDLY GRILLING 

With Veggie Sauces and Marinades 

BACKYARD GLAMPING 

Rev Up Your Summer Parties 

CALIFORNIA CACTUS CENTER 

A Family Affair for Nearly 

Half a Century 

OUTDOOR FITNESS 

Work Out in the Stadium 

Of Champions

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arroyo 

VOLUME 15 | NUMBER 07 | JULY 2019 

15 

PHOTOS: (top)Courtesy of WonderTent Parties; (bottom right) Brenda Rees 

10 32 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 

10 THE BEEFLESS SUMMER 

Save the planet and your taste buds by grilling veggies and topping 

them with dressings and marinades. 

—By LESLIE BILDERBACK 

15 GO GLAMPING, BACKYARD-STYLE 

With a little (or a lot) of help, your summer party can be the talk of the town. 

—By BRENDA REES 

29 OUTDOOR FITNESS 

Stadium Fitness promises to train you “where legends have played.” 

—By NOELA HUESO 

32 A FAMILY AFFAIR 

The California Cactus Center nurtures botanical wonders and familial 

bonds. 

—By BRENDA REES 

DEPARTMENTS 

09 FESTIVITIES The Blue Ribbon lunches, Indecent opens, LACO 

celebrates 

27 ARROYO HOME SALES INDEX 

37 KITCHEN CONFESSIONS Mixology Month 

38 ARROYO COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH The Ginny Hendricks 

39 THE LIST AmericaFest toasts July 4th, the Cal Phil celebrates Bastille Day and 

more 

07.19 ARROYO | 5

EDITOR’S NOTE 

Sumer is icumen in, as my high school 

music class used to sing many moons 

ago. I have a lot more summers 

under my belt than winters, ever since 

trudging through Boston blizzards in 

college and ice storms in Kansas City 

where I worked on a local newspaper. 

Actually, landlocked Kansas City 

is the extreme weather champ, in my 

experience: it’s both the coldest and 

the hottest place I’ve ever lived. 

Of course, there are other contenders 

for sweltering summers, 

including humid New York City and 

Miami, where I also worked as a 

reporter. I remember an early lesson in not being penny wise and pound 

foolish when I neglected to buy a car with air-conditioning. Sometimes 

I’d be sopping wet when I showed up for assignments. 

SoCal summers may be much drier, but they carry their own hazards 

— including deadly wildfi res — that are intensifying due to climate 

change. But the ability to spend many summer days outdoors in comfort 

is still a thing here, especially with our cooler desert nights. So this issue 

celebrates the season of life en plein air, with suggestions for outdoor 

fi tness, food, gardening and great parties. 

The intrepid Noela Hueso scampered up and down the Rose Bowl’s 

77 steps — four times — to sample the supercharged workouts offered by 

Stadium Fitness at the legendary venue. Kitchen Confessions columnist 

Leslie Bilderback explains why you should consider grilling vegetables 

rather than the traditional red meat and tempts you with recipes for 

delicious sauces and marinades. Brenda Rees visits East Pasadena’s 

California Cactus Center, where one family has excelled in propagating 

and selling rare and common cacti and succulents for 47 years. 

And don’t miss Brenda’s story about a new entertaining trend — 

backyard glamping (a.k.a. luxury camping). You’d be surprised how 

much tents, pillows, movie screens, chandeliers and/or other accoutrements 

can raise the fun factor of your outdoor parties this summer. 

—Irene Lacher 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Irene Lacher 

ART DIRECTOR Stephanie Torres 

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Richard Garcia 

PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Yumi Kanegawa 

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Bettijane Levine 

COPY EDITOR John Seeley 

CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Bilderback, Léon Bing, 

Martin Booe, Michael Cervin, Scarlet Cheng, 

Richard Cunningham, Tommy Ewasko, Noela 

Hueso, Kathleen Kelleher, Frier McCollister, Brenda 

Rees, Jordan Riefe, Ilsa Setziol, John Sollenberger, 

Nancy Spiller 

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Lisa Chase, 

Rick Federman, Javier Sanchez 

ADVERTORIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 

Bruce Haring 

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Andrea Baker 

PAYROLL Linda Lam 

ACCOUNTING Perla Castillo, Quinton Wright 

OFFICE MANAGER Ann Turrietta 

PUBLISHER Dina Stegon 

arroyo 

FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA 

SOUTHLAND PUBLISHING 

V.P. OF OPERATIONS David Comden 

PRESIDENT Bruce Bolkin 

CONTACT US 

ADVERTISING 

dinas@pasadenaweekly.com 

EDITORIAL 

editor@arroyomonthly.com 

PHONE 

(626) 584-1500 

FAX 

(626) 795-0149 

MAILING ADDRESS 

50 S. De Lacey Ave., Ste. 200, 

Pasadena, CA 91105 

ArroyoMonthly.com 

©2019 Southland Publishing, Inc. 

All rights reserved. 

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FESTIVITIES 

FESTIVITIES 

Jill Baldauf and Terri Kohl 

Scott Harrison with Carol and Warner Henry and Anne-Marie and Leslie Lassiter 

PHOTOS: © Luque Photograph (The Blue Ribbon); JBen Gibbs (LACO Concert Gala); Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging (Indecent) 

Terri Kohl 

Jackie Rosenberg, Jill Baldauf, Diane Morton and Terri Kohl 

Nearly 140 Blue Ribbon members welcomed incoming President 

Terri Kohl, a noted Pasadena philanthropist, at the Dorothy 

Chandler Pavilion on May 22. “Terri is passionate about the 

performing arts and making a difference and will guide The Blue 

Ribbon into the future,” outgoing President Jill Baldauf told the 

preeminent women’s support group for The Music Center at its 

Jane Kaczmarek 

annual general meeting and luncheon. The Blue Ribbon also 

named arts advocate Diane Morton its 2019 Woman of the 

Year; the longtime Blue Ribbon member has donated millions 

to the Music Center, including a $1.25 million legacy gift to The 

Blue Ribbon’s Children’s Festival Endowment, which she made 

with her son, James Gelb…George Takei, Justin Kirk and 

Richard Schiff were among the many actors who joined Pulitzer 

Prize–winning playwright Paula Vogel and Tony Award–winning 

Director Rebecca Taichman at the June 9 opening of their 

play, Indecent, at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown L.A. The 

play, about a scandalous Yiddish theater production a century 

ago, brought the audience to its feet and runs through July 7… 

On May 2, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra moved to a sleek 

new location — the InterContinental Hotel in downtown L.A. — for 

its annual gala, co-chaired by Pasadena’s Carol Henry and 

Anne-Marie Spataru. The ensemble welcomed Music Director 

Designate Jaime Martin, who conducted a performance of de 

Falla’s “El amor brujo” with Sierra Madre mezzo-soprano Suzanna 

Guzmán, and honored acclaimed concertmaster Margaret 

Batjer, who performed two Bach concertos against a backdrop 

of city lights. 

Margaret Batjer and Cho-Liang Lin 

Jaime Martin, Laureate Jeffrey Kahane and Martha Kahane 

George Takei Justin Kirk Richard Schiff Paula Vogel and Rebecca Taichman 

07.19 | ARROYO | 9

THE BEEFLESS 

SUMMER 

Save the planet and your taste buds by grilling veggies 

and topping them with dressings and marinades. 

BY LESLIE BILDERBACK 

It’s officially summer, which in Southern California (and 

most of America) means outdoor 

activities. The beach, the park, thepublic pool and, of course, the backyard. This 

is the season when entertaining officially moves outside. 

But lately, especially here in California, summer outdoor activities have 

faced a number of obstacles. Though we’ve had a record wet spring, I am 

bracing for a repeat of last year’s extreme heat, which drove me back inside 

more than once. A sky full of smoke from wild fires, which experts warn will 

become the new normal, also kept me in. And all that rainwater has produced 

an unusually large crop of mosquitos, which made hanging outside in the cool 

dusk — prime BBQ hours — miserable and hazardous. But even if none of those 

elements keep you inside this summer, these environmental changes are going to 

force us to reevaluate our idea of summer fun.There is no doubt that climate change has 

altered our environment. That I can see it in my lifetime is upsetting enough. What lies 

in store for my progeny is what keeps me up at night. Sure, your canvas tote bag and solarpowered 

phone charger are totally helping. But if you really want to make an impact, there 

is one significant thing you can do right now. 

Stop eating beef. 

By now, everyone is aware that factory farming is killing the planet. Numerous studies, 

international political movements and films have been highlighting the dangers 

for over a decade. (The 2008 film Food Inc. changed the way I sourced product at work.) 

There have been moderate attempts to offer planet-friendly alternatives to the masses, 

such as cage-free eggs and grass-fed meat. Chefs are creating plant-based menus, and the 

faux “Impossible Burger” is available from the best white-tableclothed joint to Burger 

King. But we still drool at the first whiff of charring meat. I’m fairly convinced that the 

Char Boy burger joint in my neighborhood doesn’t need to vent its grill smoke onto the 

street — but doing so is advertising genius. 

What will it take to get Americans to lay off cows? Perhaps the best incentive is fear of 

planetary extinction. 

–continued on page 12 

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–continued from page 10 

While the “they’re coming for our hamburgers” rhetoric has been used as fodder 

for the anti–Green New Deal faction (the deal that, by the way, mentions nothing 

about beef), it is true that switching to a plant-focused diet is the single biggest thing 

we can do to lower greenhouse-gas emissions. In fact, of the four most important 

changes humans can make — eat plants, limit air travel, go car-free and have smaller 

families — giving up meat will have the largest impact, and it is the only one I am 

readily able to do. (Reminder — broccoli is cheaper than a Tesla.) 

A recent National Academy of Sciences study on the environmental impact of 

animal foods looked at five of the most consumed animal products — beef, dairy, 

pork, poultry and eggs. It makes perfect sense that beef, the largest of the factoryfarmed 

animals, is 10 times more damaging to the planet than other animal foods we 

consume. Beef production is responsible for 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. 

Cutting out red meat would do more for the planet than abandoning cars. It would 

also be easier and faster. (Which is a relief, because I love driving my manual transmission 

way more than I love beef.) 

Although total livestock is the largest land user worldwide, the beef production 

uses 28 times more land, and 11 times more water, than each of the other four animal 

products. This means that you don’t even need to go as far as veganism to make an 

impact. Although, when compared to plant food production, beef uses 160 times 

more land, and creates 11 times the emissions. And because we live in a droughtfamiliar 

part of the country, you might find it interesting that one pound of beef 

requires 2,400 gallons of water, while one pound of wheat uses a mere 25 gallons. So, 

yeah, thanks for putting that brick in your toilet tank and turning off the faucet while 

you brush, but how ’bout you lay off the carne asada this weekend? It will save more 

water than a year of skipped showers. 

I know. It’s grilling season. And grilling is as ’Merican as hamburger. And while I 

am encouraging you to lay off meat completely, I will settle for a temporary abstention 

from beef. To facilitate this, I am offering some suggestions for beef-free grilling 

that will not only make your smoke-choked, mosquito-infested barbeque a success, 

they will also help stem the tide of global warming. 

My biggest peeve regarding vegetarianism is the compulsion many feel to make 

it seem like meat. Plants taste good as they are, and to disguise them does Mother 

Nature a disservice. Literally anything can be grilled, and everything is improved 

with the taste of the grill. Vegetable grilling is not rocket science, and there are a 

plethora of ideas in cookbooks and on the Internet for you to sift through. I have 

rounded up some of my favorites, with the caveat that you can easily create your 

own versions. I routinely grill all kinds of vegetables in the summer — not just the 

standard Portobello mushrooms and corn (which are perfect and delicious). Try 

quartered cauliflower, skewered Brussels sprouts, sliced winter squash, asparagus 

spears (place them perpendicular to the grill slats!), whole cherry tomatoes, hearts of 

romaine or radicchio and avocados (halved and pitted with skin on). Once the veggies 

are charred, they can be tossed with a dressing, chopped and stuffed into flatbread or 

sandwiched between buns. 

Giving up meat altogether would be the ideal. But asking 400 million people to 

go meatless without some sort of immediate incentive (because it’s obvious that saving 

the planet is not enough of a motivator) is going to be challenging. What I will 

ask, though, is for you to give up red meat, at least a couple days a week. By doing 

this, you can still significantly reduce your carbon footprint. 

GRILLED VEGETABLE DRESSINGS 

AND MARINADES 

All of these marinades are prepared by simply mixing all the ingredients together and 

macerating with your chosen vegetables for about 1 hour before grilling. When the 

veggies hit the grill, cook them until they are marked and a little charred. No need to 

check internal temperatures! Times will vary depending on the vegetables, but nothing 

will take longer than five to 10 minutes. You can grill veggies individually, lock 

them into a grilling basket or thread them on skewers. It’s easier, healthier and more 

conscience-soothing than a steak ever was. 

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Indian Curried Yogurt Marinade 

Try this with quartered red onion, cauliflower, halved new potatoes, green beans and 

pumpkin. It’s great for chicken too. Scoop it up with some garlic naan. 

INGREDIENTS 

2 cups plain yogurt 

6 cloves garlic, minced 

2 to 3 tablespoons grated ginger 

Middle-Eastern Pomegranate Marinade 

Try this with halved parsnips, turnips, carrots, romaine hearts or summer squash. 

Not bad with lamb either. Serve with some grilled pita and fresh hummus. 

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup plain yogurt 

1 cup pomegranate juice 

¼ cup balsamic vinegar 

Grated zest of 1 lemon 

1 chopped shallot 

Thai Green Curry Marinade 

Try this with red or yellow bell peppers, zucchini, whole green onions, new potatoes, 

sweet potatoes, asparagus and wedged green or Savoy cabbage. Toss them into a dish 

of noodles or over a bowl of rice. It’s also great for shrimp. 

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup coconut milk 

Grated zest and juice of 1 lime 

2 tablespoons coconut or canola oil 

1 tablespoon grated ginger 

Provençal Marinade 

Perfect for zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant, fennel and artichokes. Chop 

them and layer onto a grilled flatbread, then top with goat cheese for a decadent summer 

pizza. 

INGREDIENTS 

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 

¼ cup red wine vinegar 

½ cup olive oil 

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 

1 tablespoon honey 

3 tablespoons tandoori or garam masala 

spice blend 

¼ cup coconut or canola oil 

1 teaspoon sesame oil 

1 teaspoon cumin 

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

Pinch of sea salt 

1 teaspoon ground cumin 

¼ cup fi nely chopped cilantro 

2 to 4 tablespoons green curry paste 

1 tablespoon prepared pesto 

1 tablespoon herbes de Provence (or 

½ tablespoon each of thyme, oregano, 

rosemary, lavender) 

Soy Balsamic Marinade 

Use this for summer squash, eggplant, whole baby bok choy, green onions, broccoli 

and carrots. It’s also perfect for your favorite firm fish filet. Finish with fresh chopped 

cilantro and black sesame seeds. 

INGREDIENTS 

¼ cup balsamic vinegar 

3 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari 

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup 

Sesame Peanut Marinade 

Try with bok choy, cauliflower, whole small or halved large carrots, parsnips, zucchini, 

sweet potatoes and even pineapple wheels. Terrific on pork too. 

INGREDIENTS 

¼ cup peanut butter 

¼ cup rice wine vinegar 

2 tablespoons soy sauce 

2 tablespoons sesame oil 

Spicy Marinade for Tropical Fruit 

Try this marinade for mango, pineapple, kiwi and bananas, firm melons and cucumbers. 

Then serve the finished fruits over cool sorbet with a coconut macaroon. 

INGREDIENTS 

½ cup maple syrup 

Grated zest and juice of 1 lime 

¼ teaspoon ground cumin 

Honey Port Marinade for... 

Try this with whole figs, peaches, plums, pears and, when the season arrives in the 

fall, persimmons. Spoon over vanilla ice cream, or into a crispy meringue cup. 

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup Port wine 


1 tablespoon brown sugar 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

½ teaspoon sesame oil 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

2 tablespoons peanut oil 


1 to 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce or 

Sriracha 

¼ teaspoon nutmeg 

¼ teaspoon cinnamon 

¼ teaspoon cayenne 

Grated zest and juice of 1 orange 

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 

½ teaspoon ground cardamom 

07.19 | ARROYO | 13

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GO GLAMPING, BACKYARD-STYLE 

With a little (or a lot) of help, your summer party can be the talk of the town. 

BY BRENDA REES 

PHOTOS: Courtesy of WonderTent Parties 

The staycation phenomenon spotlighted the pleasures of hanging out inside your home, 

offering you a chance to relax and unwind in the comfort of your own recliner or bed, 

where you can get lost in an assortment of Netflix-binging options. And a new trend 

aims to reintroduce you to your patio, porch, deck and backyard in ways you didn’t think 

possible. 

Now glamping, or luxurious camping — combining a nature experience with lavish furnishings 

— is hitting closer to home. Backyard barbecues are becoming more extravagant, 

baby showers more memorable. Birthday sleepovers are celebrated with enchanted flair, and 

simple family gatherings are benefiting from greater creativity. 

Backyard glamping is officially a thing. Just scan Pinterest and see the thousands of images 

folks are posting of their elaborate thematic setups, their clever use of lighting draped 

inside and outside of canvas tents that are artfully decorated with throw pillows, Moroccan 

rugs and hanging chandeliers. Kids’ sleepover parties are enhanced with Martha Stewart– 

inspired crafts, tasteful design elements encircling the “campfire” (a.k.a. fire pit) and giant 

outdoor versions of Jenga and Connect Four. 

If these extras sound exhausting for the time-crunched host and hostess, don’t worry. 

A handful of companies are making it easier for clients to throw a backyard glamping 

experience, because organizing a gathering — no matter how big or small — comes with its 

own set of stresses. Hosts work with designers to tailor the events (such as bridal showers, 

graduations, book-club meetings or girls’ night-outs) to be as elaborate or simple as needed. 

On the day of the event, all the necessary gear and accessories will be delivered and often 

set up for you. After the shindig, crews pack everything up so there’s no post-party hassle 

and cleanup. 

“We started thinking we would focus on children, but we learned quickly that adults 

want these kinds of experiences as much as kids do,” says Trish Healy, founder of Studio 

City–based WonderTent Parties, launched in 2017. Originally from Australia, Healy said 

the idea for the company was sparked by a request from 13-year-old Celia, a child she and 

her husband were fostering at the time. Celia’s Christmas wish list included a sleepover, 

something she had yet to experience. This simple request turned into not just an unforgettable 

event for Celia (who’s now officially adopted by the couple) but a business opportunity 

for Healy, who decided to elevate the humble slumber party into a memory-making event. 

And who can blame parents when they see kids having fun with their friends in a 

relatively nondigital manner? In addition to tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and lanterns, 

parties can include a karaoke machine, popcorn cart, dress-up clothes and more. Adults, 

says Healy, have options to kick it up a notch with five-star experiences that have included 

gourmet dining on low tables, wine or tequila tastings, massage tables, sushi sampling, a 

Tiki bar, tarot card readings and more. 

Of course, low-key requests are also popular. Healy once organized a Father’s Day 

backyard glamping party for a few families that involved a dinner, a movie and tents. “The 

families brought the dads’ favorite recliners outside for them to watch the movie,” she says, 

explaining that clients often personalize their parties with items they already own. “Backyard 

glamping is all about creating a shared experience with others.” 


07.19 | ARROYO | 15


Another company that serendipitously fell into serving backyard glampers is Los 

Angeles–based Joymode, which has been offering camping bundles for folks wanting to 

camp — without the ruggedness and/or the gear hassle — at such far-flung destinations as 

Joshua Tree and the Pacific Coast. Joymode drops off all the gear for you at the campsite 

(yes, you have to set it up yourself) and picks it up afterward. In addition to warm canvas 

tents, they supply rugs, air mattresses, sturdy camp chairs and other accoutrements to 

make your campsite the envy of the others. 

Realizing that a campsite can be a close as a client’s own backyard, Joymode started 

offering home glamping bundles which can, according to Molly Schmidt, the company’s 

head of merchandise, “take an ordinary weekend or sleepover party and turn it into a 

magical event because you are outdoors. You can do all the traditional camping things — 

roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, snuggle in your sleeping bags — but you’re not far 

from home. It’s the ultimate in low-tech comfort.” 

Camping gear is bulky and often needed only sporadically, so renting from a company 

that will supply and sanitize everything is a popular choice, says Schmidt. If a person has 

never set up a tent before, detailed but simple instructions are included for novices. Rental 

products are intensely curated so folks will experience the crème de la crème of blenders, 

projection screens, Go-Pro cameras, even TheraGun professional massagers. “This is a way 

for many of our clients to get access to these items and test them out,” says Schmidt. Clients 

often suggest items for the company to carry; a big request lately is baby gear available 

for traveling parents who don’t want to lug all the extras with them. Likewise, Healy has 

had clients who have fallen in love with certain items (usually cushions and tableware along 

with kids’ products) and want to purchase them outright. “That’s another area we never 

thought about before,” she says. 

But cool accessories aside, the experience is what really matters. When her preschool 

daughter’s annual camping trip to Big Pines was rained out earlier this year, Mary Everard 

of West Los Angeles canceled her Joymode gear delivery but decided to rent a backyard 

tent package that included a projector and screen for Disney movies. “It was really fun, we 

made a weekend of it,” she says, explaining that she wanted her two older children (ages 3 

and 5) to have good memories of these “little things that are out of the ordinary that they 

did with their family when they were young.” 

At its core, backyard glamping is about human connection, explains Healy. “We 

are living in an age when people are a little removed from each other, even with social 

media,” she says. “This is about bringing friends and family together in a loving home 

environment where you can create amazing experiences. It’s a natural extension of the 

comfort and warmth of your home — and how wonderful that you want to share that with 

friends and others around you.” |||| 

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SHOULD YOU BACKYARD GLAMP? 

Hosting an event in your own backyard has pros and cons, says Kelsey Sheofsky, the 

founder of Shelter Co., a luxury pop-up camping and outdoor-events supplier based in 

Northern California. In addition to managing large events, Sheofsky has overseen numerous 

backyard kid’s parties, bar mitzvahs and 50th birthdays as well as large weddings and 

other formal events. 

Smaller events are easier to plan, and “when you are in your backyard, you are on familiar 

ground,” she adds. Crowd control is not the only issue with large events. “There are lots 

of considerations and costs, especially things you might not automatically think about, like 

landscape lighting, parking and how a septic system will hold up,” she says. 

For overnight events, there is always a fear that guests won’t enjoy the experience. 

“People are always concerned, saying that ‘My family doesn’t camp!’ They don’t like being 

outdoors” says Sheofsky. “But 100 percent of the time, we get people telling us that they 

have had the best sleep in years in our tents. So warm and cozy. Don’t be afraid if you think 

you don’t have an outdoor crowd — they will really enjoy themselves.” 

Thinking about a summer backyard glamping event? Designers and party-planners say 

to let your own creativity be your guide, especially when you want to keep the budget low 

but fun factor high. Keep the audience in mind, whether it’s adolescent girls, middle-school 

boys, members of your book club or out-of-town family members. 

In general, look around your closets and garage for items that can — with a few glam 

touches — be repurposed outside. Maybe a trip to local thrift stores, Ikea, Cost Plus, 

Costco and Target is in order. Remember, style and substance along with unusual activities 

can transform a simple gathering into the Best Summer Party Ever. 

HERE ARE SUGGESTIONS TO GET YOUR 

GLAMPING STARTED: 

1) It’s glamping, so you’ve got to have a tent or a tent-like enclosure to define a 

party-mood space. You can dust off that extra-large tent that’s been in your garage for 

years, or assemble a series of pop-up canopies decorated with fabric swaths to create 

a breezy gazebo structure. There’s always the “tie a rope between tall trees and create 

tipi-like structures” approach as well. Depending on your gathering, you may want 

just one main party space or a series of rooms. Will there be a food tent? Lounge tent? 

Movie tent? Sleeping tent? Even for the budget-minded, this is one item you may want 

to rent since it’s the main piece of infrastructure. You might want to think beyond 

traditional canvas tents; consider inflatable bubble tents, which are all the rage in the 

eco-glamping community. Based in Arizona, Bubble Huts (bubblehuts.com) offers a 

selection of see-through structures so you can feel like you are outside...even when you 

are technically inside. 

2) Furnishings: From mud-cloth to frills, from velvety to plush — pillows of all 

sizes and shapes will make your backyard event even glampier. Woven rugs add earthy 

textures to the landscape. Colorful rugs beckon guests to sit, stretch out and relax 

among friends. Low tables encourage lounging. 

3) Eating spaces can be tricky. How formal or casual is the event? Simple dishware 

can be easier to clean up. Will there be a sit-down area or buffet line? Maybe food will 

be sprinkled throughout various tables and tents? Prepare food in advance so you’re 

not stuck behind a grill the entire party. Finger foods are perfect. Of course, what’s a 

camping dessert without the obligatory s’mores? Use dark chocolate, trendy flavored 

marshmallows and toast over your fire pit. 

4) Lighting: The event will probably incorporate dusk and nighttime — it’s camping! 

Light up the Tiki torches and string twinkly white lights around the landscape. 

Strategically position camping lanterns to set the mood. Opt for flameless candles. 

Solar-powered wine-bottle lights cast a rosy golden glow after the sun goes down. 

Create a kaleidoscope of color with Bliss Lights laser projections (blisslights.com), 

which fling a whirl of rainbow colors onto trees, fences and outdoor walls. 

5) Forgo the candles and bug spray, and glam up your insect deterrent. The Mosquito 

Repellent DecoShield Lantern (decoshield.com) uses pleasant-smelling all-natural 

essential oils and repels mosquitos and biting flies within a 300-square-foot space. 

It’s encased in a stylish cover and also serves as a lantern, casting a soft glow. 

6) The details: As with all creative endeavors, the devil is in the details. Arrange 

cut flowers in mason jars. Incorporate antique sculptures and colorful swaths of flowy 

scarves and other materials, lacy hangings and art weavings. Possibilities are endless. 

7) But in the end, it’s the shared activities that will make your party. Have friends 

bring over their guitars, ukuleles, bongos and keyboards for an impromptu jam session. 

If it’s warm, splurge on a three-person adult-size inflatable pool (from Target) 

and take turns. Oversized Jenga and Connect Four seem more fun outdoors. But 

hands down, watching a movie on a large outdoor screen — maybe a GPX projection 

screen — while you are snuggled up in a sleeping bag with your kids or cozying up 

to your sweetie could be the ultimate in backyard glamping. Now, the big decision: 

Which movie will you watch? 

— B.R. 

07.19 | ARROYO | 17

ARROYO 

HOME & DESIGN 

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT 

SURROUND YOUR 

POOL WITH 

FUN ADD-ONS 

Innovative decking, swim-up 

bars and giant slides are the 

hot new trends for Southern 

California pools 

By Bruce Haring 

18 | ARROYO | 07.19 

continued on page 21 

PHOTO: Courtesy of GARDEN VIEW LANDSCAPE, NURSERY & POOLS

07.19 | ARROYO | 19

20 | ARROYO | 07.19

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT— 

continued from page 18 

Southern California is known as the land of swimming pools. Given our 

temperate climate and the recreation and relaxation possibilities afforded 

by having access to a pool, many homeowners wouldn’t consider their life 

complete without one. 

But a pool is really just a hole in the ground filled with water. What really 

makes them come alive are the accessories that you bring to it, including 

decking, waterfalls, slides, pool bars and other add-ons. These truly make the 

space exciting, and appealing added components round out the backyard 

swimming pool experience. 

US consumers are expected to spend $1.1 billion on their swimming pools in 

2019, according to research firm IBISworld, a number that is expected to increase 

year over year. That means the pool is increasingly the center of home social 

life, and given the trend toward integrating indoor and outdoor spaces in home 

design, it only figures to keep growing. 

Here are some of the hotter trends in Southern California pool design and 

accessories. 

*** Giant slides: Sure, that 1950s small slide with skinny legs is still around in 

some dated homes. But the really fun pools are featuring large slides that would 

be right at home in a commercial water park, multiplying the fun and offering 

new thrills to your guests. Carrying names like the Adrenaline, the G-Force, and 

the Helix-2, these slides offer twists and turns on slides that can measure 20 feet 

in vertical height. In many pools, large slides have replaced old-fashioned diving 

boards as the center of attention. 

*** Because the diving board is largely becoming a relic, so, too, are deep 

ends of the pool being eliminated. A new trend is building a pool that’s about 

four-feet to six-feet in depth, with some offering a one-foot-deep children’s 

area. These are known as sports pools, and are popular with families that like to 

get everyone into the water. The smaller depth has an added bonus: because 

the water volume is less, it’s less expensive to heat and treat the water, and 

installation costs are lower. 

*** Part of the fun of socializing around a pool is enjoying some great food 

and drink. Some pool owners are borrowing a concept from major resorts and 

installing built-in bars in their pools, allowing people to swim up and enjoy a 

beverage without leaving the cool waters. 

*** Pool decking is becoming more than just a concrete rim around the 

water. Decking featuring porcelain tile, a flooring product that can resemble 

natural wood, stone or other materials, is popular, and gives the pool area a 

contemporary feel. Also rising in stature is the concept of a beach entry, where a 

slope allows you to gradually descend into the water, much as you would enter 

the ocean from a beach. This touch can be incorporated into your surrounding 

areas to create a beautiful landscape. Some decking areas are also featuring 

slip-resistant stone epoxy, which lessens the slippery surface that concrete poses 

when it gets wet. It’s available in various colors that can compliment the rest of 

your design scheme. 

*** Another trend in accessories is energy efficient pumps. Large cartridge 

pool filters can lessen the need for costly cleanings. Similarly, pool heaters are 

becoming more energy efficient, with solar options available for sustainable 


07.19 | ARROYO | 21

22 | ARROYO | 07.19

07.19 | ARROYO | 23

24 | ARROYO | 07.19

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT— 


pool warmth. Pool covers can also help keep the water warm and limit water 

evaporation. 

*** Most cities require you to install a fence around your pool for safety 

reasons. But it doesn’t have to present a grim, rigid barrier. Glass fences or mesh 

netting pool fences are rising in popularity, presenting a design aesthetic that 

provides a unique touch. Just make sure what you propose passes muster with 

the town officials before spending. 

*** Lighting schemes are also becoming popular add-ons. Advanced LED 

lights can change the color of the pool and allows you to keep an eye on all 

areas of the water during evening swims. 

PHOTO: Courtesy of GARDEN VIEW LANDSCAPE, NURSERY & POOLS 

LOCAL TRENDS IN POOLS 

Mark Meahl is the president of Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools, 

a Monrovia-based and family-run business that’s been serving Southern 

California’s swimming needs since 1978. The company just won the best Water 

Feature installation in California from the California Landscape Contractors 

Association for a project in Sierra Madre with a real rock grotto in a pool. They 

also won the best Landscape renovation in California for another project in Sierra 

Madre that had a Japanese garden theme with a pool and pergola. 

Meahl says new pool installs and remodels are adding artistic and special 

features that make the pool a greater part of outdoor living. “We generally 

are placing the outdoor living room close to the pool, so that it becomes a 

part of the social hub, along with a beautiful place to enjoy this great Southern 

California weather,” Meahl says. 

If you have a dream pool, the first step is to talk to an expert to determine 

the viability of your vision and establish the budget. “I will come out to the house, 

show a computerized portfolio while keeping notes on the clients tastes, style, 

scope and budget,” Meahl says. “We will discuss style, theory and how art 

applies to the design. We will have a discussion on a budget and break that 

down into manageable pieces and discuss how to move forward.” 

One trend Meahl has seen in Southern California is the ADU (Additional 

Dwelling Units). Planning boards are being encouraged to innovate to help with 

the regional housing shortage. ”In many cases, the rules have been relaxed and 

these units can be also used as pool houses,” Meahl says. Besides building pools 

and outdoor gardens, we are general contractors who employ carpenters and 

can build all types of outdoor construction.” 

Now, the all-important question: What’s a decent-sized budget? Although 

there are plenty of projects below or above, Meahl says his average project is 

between $100,000 to $200,000. But, he notes, “Investing in quality does not have 

to break the bank. Poor quality is never a good investment for the long term.” 

Which, when added together with the hours of enjoyment a pool will bring 

friends and family, is a pretty good return on investment. 

07.19 | ARROYO | 25

26 | ARROYO | 07.19

arroyo 

HOME SALES ABOVE $1,100,000 

~HOME SALES INDEX~ 

HOME SALES 

-0.62% 

AVG. PRICE/SQ. FT. 

-0.06% 

may 

2018 

972 

HOMES 

SOLD 

may 

2019 

365 

HOMES 

SOLD 

RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE PASADENA WEEKLY FOOTPRINT 

source: CalREsource 

ADDRESS CLOSE DATE PRICE BDRMS. SQ. FT. YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE PREV. SOLD 

ALHAMBRA 

102 South Curtis Ave. 5/31/19 $1,120,000 5 2,179 1920 $813,000 4/5/06 

10 North Primrose Ave. 5/28/19 $1,100,000 8 4,874 1926 

ALTADENA 

1560 Homewood Dr. 5/7/19 $2,895,000 4 4,922 1932 

2709 Visscher Place 5/31/19 $1,985,000 5 4,204 1915 

1374 Hull Lane 5/9/19 $1,566,500 4 2,611 1931 $1,417,500 2/9/15 

838 West Heritage Oak Court 5/13/19 $1,475,000 5 3,886 1998 $732,000 1/10/02 

1333 Pleasantridge Dr. 5/1/19 $1,400,000 5 5,672 1992 

2140 Grand Oaks Ave. 5/28/19 $1,400,000 4 1,717 1948 $1,060,000 2/4/17 

1221 New York Dr. 5/30/19 $1,400,000 3 2,355 1922 

1163 Beverly Way 5/17/19 $1,340,000 6 2,248 1924 $740,000 2/2/12 

1712 Midwick Dr. 5/14/19 $1,240,000 2 1,785 1950 $895,000 10/3/18 

2011 Mar Vista Ave. 5/7/19 $1,189,000 5 3,719 1916 

ARCADIA 

960 Singing Wood Dr. 5/30/19 $3,000,000 3 2,605 1953 

400 East Rodell Place 5/31/19 $2,780,000 $1,300,000 1/3/14 

1230 Ramona Rd. 5/17/19 $2,530,000 4 3,264 1962 

2018 South 6th Ave. 5/8/19 $2,200,000 5 5,500 1994 $900,000 1/25/99 

1334 Oaklawn Rd. 5/9/19 $2,200,000 3 2,770 1953 

1004 Mayfl ower Ave. 5/24/19 $2,180,000 $960,000 11/24/14 

230 California St. 5/24/19 $1,650,000 3 1,850 1937 $1,180,000 4/3/15 

1727 Highland Oaks Dr. 5/30/19 $1,508,000 3 3,049 1953 

338 East Haven Ave. 5/14/19 $1,370,000 4 3,052 1995 $668,000 5/27/03 

2566 Loganrita Ave. 5/29/19 $1,200,000 4 2,993 1948 

1727 El Vista Circle 5/20/19 $1,190,000 3 1,645 1950 

147 Alice St. 5/16/19 $1,110,000 3 1,797 1947 $640,000 12/16/08 

E AGLE ROCK 

2130 Hill Dr. 5/31/19 $1,492,000 2 2022 1921 $265,000 1/1/86 

5329 Mount Royal Dr. 5/28/19 $1,434,000 3 2828 1930 $265,000 6/1/86 

4834 Ray Court 5/7/19 $1,350,000 3 1,708 1947 $917,000 7/27/16 

1547 Wildwood Dr. 5/15/19 $1,239,000 4 2,304 1965 

1323 Brampton Rd. 5/22/19 $1,140,000 3 1760 1948 $769,000 4/23/18 

GLENDALE 

1407 West Kenneth Rd. 5/24/19 $6,000,000 5,696 1927 $3,375,000 9/13/13 

1411 West Kenneth Rd. 5/24/19 $6,000,000 6,424 1927 $3,375,000 9/13/13 

3429 Rosemary Ave. 5/30/19 $1,375,000 4 2,456 1927 $280,000 4/28/98 

921 Calle Simpatico 5/30/19 $1,320,000 4 2,618 1990 $1,300,000 10/23/17 

1810 Bel Aire Dr. 5/17/19 $1,220,000 6 2,626 1926 $375,000 4/2/98 

1710 West Kenneth Rd. 5/24/19 $1,220,000 3 2,011 1930 $694,000 6/11/14 

3381 Oakmont View Dr. 5/31/19 $1,218,000 5 4,176 1981 $1,202,000 5/24/05 

1546 Grandview Ave. 5/16/19 $1,212,000 3 1,604 1946 $450,000 6/20/01 

2333 Del Mar Rd. 5/29/19 $1,135,000 4 2814 1948 $528,000 3/7/11 

1844 Fern Lane 5/1/19 $1,130,000 4 2,120 1958 $875,000 3/8/05 

LA CAÑADA 

4321 Chula Senda Lane 5/15/19 $7,750,000 5 9,669 2006 $6,900,000 8/25/14 

1222 Green Lane 5/24/19 $3,450,000 4 3,090 1957 $1,875,000 4/7/15 

5111 Alta Canyada Rd. 5/31/19 $3,000,000 3 4,582 1949 

4616 El Camino Corto 5/30/19 $2,710,000 5 4,845 2006 $2,480,000 5/21/14 

2021 Tondolea Lane 5/15/19 $2,655,000 4 4,175 2005 $1,815,000 3/2/09 

4735 La Canada Blvd. 5/7/19 $2,570,000 4 3,014 1952 $2,375,000 4/5/16 

4358 Beulah Dr. 5/2/19 $2,500,000 5 2,602 1950 $2,669,500 4/19/16 

3747 Chevy Chase Dr. 5/3/19 $2,500,000 5 5,712 1954 $1,200,000 8/1/89 

4368 Bel Aire Dr. 5/3/19 $2,480,000 4 3,189 2002 $1,705,000 9/21/06 

1239 Lanterman Lane 5/14/19 $2,195,000 4 3,168 1960 $1,950,000 5/22/15 

816 Chehalem Rd. 5/24/19 $2,150,000 3 1,810 1952 $1,160,000 4/21/15 

1219 Olive Lane 5/8/19 $2,020,000 4 2,673 1962 $1,638,000 8/22/13 

1628 Leycross Dr. 5/17/19 $2,000,000 4 3,140 1948 $1,190,000 9/19/07 

4361 Bel Aire Dr. 5/1/19 $1,925,000 4 2,231 1938 $820,000 11/22/13 

1932 Tondolea Lane 5/17/19 $1,925,000 4 2,987 1940 

2102 Bristow Dr. 5/31/19 $1,438,000 4 2,213 1961 

2322 Conle Way 5/16/19 $1,421,000 4 2,032 1969 

4628 El Camino Corto 5/16/19 $1,300,000 2 2,527 1947 

4551 Viro Rd. 5/23/19 $1,215,000 3 1,555 1946 

4618 Lasheart Dr. 5/31/19 $1,100,000 3 2,074 1950 

ALHAMBRA MAY’18 MAY’19 

Homes Sold 23 37 

Median Price $735,000 $670,000 

Median Sq. Ft. 1552 1360 

ALTADENA MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $832,500 $805,250 


ARCADIA MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $1,158,000 $950,000 


EAGLE ROCK MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $769,500 $990,000 


GLENDALE MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $742,500 $712,500 


LA CAÑADA MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $1,655,000 $2,010,000 


PASADENA MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $860,000 $862,500 


SAN MARINO MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $1,955,000 $2,806,250 


SIERRA MADRE MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $1,135,000 $980,000 


SOUTH PASADENA MAY’18 MAY’19 


Median Price $1,037,000 $1,470,500 


TOTAL MAY’18 MAY’19 


Avg Price/Sq. Ft. $570 $605 –continued on page 28 

The Arroyo Home Sales Index is calculated from residential home sales in Pasadena and the surrounding communities of South Pasadena, San Marino, La Canada Flintridge, Eagle Rock, Glendale (including Montrose), Altadena, Sierra 

Madre, Arcadia and Alhambra. Individual home sales data provided by CalREsource. Arroyo Home Sales Index © Arroyo 2019 . Complete home sales listings appear each week in Pasadena Weekly. 

07.19 ARROYO | 27



PASADENA 

870 South San Rafael Ave. 5/29/19 $7,053,500 7 5744 1923 $3,400,000 9/9/10 

380 South Arroyo Blvd. 5/24/19 $4,255,000 5 5091 1919 $3,597,500 7/12/18 

1155 Lida St. 5/29/19 $4,125,000 3 3835 1921 $2,925,000 8/9/17 

1570 San Pasqual St. 5/30/19 $3,487,000 5 4878 1926 $3,200,000 7/5/18 

1906 Country Lane 5/22/19 $3,218,000 4 6670 2010 

1490 El Mirador Dr. 5/20/19 $3,105,000 4 3990 1963 $3,050,000 11/16/17 

1812 Linda Vista Ave. 5/24/19 $2,926,000 5 5055 1933 

1059 Laguna Rd. 5/7/19 $2,800,000 3 3952 2012 $2,280,000 4/23/13 

333 South San Rafael Ave. 5/2/19 $2,700,000 2 1903 1949 $1,750,000 6/4/13 

1261 Afton St. 5/10/19 $2,675,000 2 2140 1953 $1,500,000 3/26/18 

251 South Orange Grove Blvd. #10 5/20/19 $2,673,000 3 3092 1980 $1,350,000 1/19/05 

615 West California Blvd. 5/29/19 $2,535,000 5 3576 1910 $950,000 7/8/98 

885 Linda Vista Ave. 5/21/19 $2,500,000 4 3162 1938 

487 West California Blvd. 5/15/19 $2,420,000 4 3,664 1910 $2,286,000 10/3/16 

1339 Linda Vista Ave. 5/7/19 $2,250,000 3 2906 1993 $2,200,000 5/12/15 

2103 San Pasqual St. 5/16/19 $2,098,000 5 3,154 1927 $425,000 3/1/87 

3416 Avondale Rd. 5/15/19 $2,050,000 4 3,575 2008 $1,885,000 2/8/19 

1717 Linda Vista Ave. 5/16/19 $1,950,000 4 3,187 1954 $1,860,000 4/14/05 

201 Glen Summer Rd. 5/29/19 $1,950,000 4 2837 1936 $1,175,000 4/11/13 

817 South El Molino Ave. 5/1/19 $1,900,000 5 3269 1913 

831 South El Molino Ave. 5/15/19 $1,893,000 5 3,337 1915 

233 North Grand Ave. #2 5/15/19 $1,870,000 3 2,559 1990 $1,350,000 9/19/13 

741 South Madison Ave. 5/10/19 $1,800,000 6 4846 1904 

1640 Knollwood Dr. 5/21/19 $1,775,000 5 3348 1955 

330 San Miguel Rd. 5/8/19 $1,700,000 3 1572 1949 

268 South Orange Grove Blvd. 5/9/19 $1,700,000 5 4482 1892 $1,215,000 9/19/13 

626 Bellefontaine St. 5/15/19 $1,695,000 5 2,183 1904 $1,400,000 1/24/07 

2047 North Raymond Ave. 5/2/19 $1,650,000 8 5216 1931 $818,000 4/5/04 

3340 Calvert Rd. 5/30/19 $1,640,000 3 2940 1953 $432,500 11/5/98 


3600 Landfair Rd. 5/17/19 $1,585,000 4 2,121 1951 $1,100,000 4/9/18 

3000 Clarmeya Lane 5/14/19 $1,524,000 4 2,435 1952 $1,305,000 9/7/05 

670 South Oak Knoll Ave. 5/7/19 $1,520,000 4 2277 1994 $1,018,000 8/2/12 


2082 Lambert Dr. 5/22/19 $1,432,000 3 3073 1924 $1,200,000 5/20/17 

1848 Kinneloa Canyon Rd. 5/29/19 $1,380,000 4 4109 2004 $770,000 5/28/10 

3540 Grayburn Rd. 5/21/19 $1,320,000 3 1931 1940 $900,000 7/12/05 

67 North Meridith Ave. 5/31/19 $1,288,000 7 3702 1923 

1000 North Madison Ave. #A 5/29/19 $1,275,000 5 1837 1914 $918,000 1/7/15 

755 North Chester Ave. 5/6/19 $1,240,000 3 1104 1921 $561,000 8/23/16 

1321 Ontario Ave. 5/14/19 $1,230,000 3 1,650 1939 $364,540 3/1/92 

1679 Rose Villa St. 5/31/19 $1,200,000 3 2240 1921 

238 South Arroyo Parkway #412 5/16/19 $1,199,000 3 1,920 2008 $755,000 8/25/09 


PASADENA 

640 Westbridge Place 5/6/19 $1,180,000 3 1591 1954 

1895 Brigden Rd. 5/15/19 $1,160,000 3 1,983 1925 $1,045,000 5/10/16 

550 Eaton Dr. 5/24/19 $1,160,000 2 1449 1948 $852,000 11/13/17 

3171 East Villa Knolls Dr. 5/24/19 $1,150,000 3 2424 1966 

136 North Bonnie Ave. 5/31/19 $1,132,000 2 2185 1911 $140,000 3/1/86 

3825 Landfair Rd. 5/16/19 $1,128,000 4 1,989 1950 

845 Adelaide Dr. 5/24/19 $1,125,000 3 1798 1934 $962,000 2/17/15 

1160 Valley View Ave. 5/17/19 $1,050,000 3 1,669 1951 $732,000 8/28/09 

3952 East California Blvd. 5/31/19 $1,043,500 3 2155 1950 

201 North Grand Ave. #12 5/14/19 $1,025,000 3 1,824 1979 $832,000 11/30/10 

2337 Loma Vista St. 5/3/19 $1,015,000 3 1614 1937 $825,000 2/15/07 

245 South Bonnie Ave. #D 5/22/19 $1,010,000 2 1276 1921 $600,000 8/31/18 

SAN MARINO 

1450 Old Mill Rd. 5/13/19 $5,689,000 6 7,048 2015 $6,080,000 11/23/15 

1606 Virginia Rd. 5/31/19 $4,200,000 4 4165 1932 $2,000,000 4/18/03 

1660 Oak Grove Ave. 5/16/19 $3,900,000 5 3,508 1926 $3,900,000 6/7/18 

2900 Sheffi eld Rd. 5/1/19 $3,120,000 2 1599 1947 $1,100,000 4/25/17 

1316 Westhaven Rd. 5/8/19 $3,055,000 4 3049 1937 

1527 Cambridge Rd. 5/2/19 $2,998,000 5 2484 1946 

1435 Bellwood Rd. 5/7/19 $2,980,000 4 3015 2015 $1,660,000 6/29/15 

1840 Carlisle Dr. 5/29/19 $2,632,500 4 3028 1937 $1,300,000 4/5/12 

2784 Fleur Dr. 5/20/19 $2,250,000 4 3007 1927 $2,383,000 6/10/15 

2759 Doresta Rd. 5/23/19 $1,780,000 4 1841 1928 $685,000 6/24/99 

1872 Alpine Dr. 5/10/19 $1,700,000 4 2470 1937 

2395 Roanoke Rd. 5/14/19 $1,682,000 3 2,078 1947 

1965 South El Molino Ave. 5/22/19 $1,580,000 3 2075 1924 $455,000 3/1/00 

1620 Rubio Dr. 5/2/19 $1,330,000 2 1510 1950 

SIERRA MADRE 

427 West Montecito Ave. 5/13/19 $2,550,000 2 2,668 2005 $340,000 7/17/02 

491 West Montecito Ave. 5/9/19 $1,486,000 3 1310 1908 

521 East Orange Grove Ave. 5/8/19 $1,350,000 3 2337 1948 $1,190,500 7/23/15 

776 Valle Vista Dr. 5/23/19 $1,350,000 5 2853 1965 

SOUTH PASADENA 

1950 Mill Rd. 5/3/19 $2,650,000 5 2520 1948 

5016 Harriman Ave. 5/31/19 $1,950,000 2 1057 1952 $433,500 12/12/03 

1912 Alpha St. 5/29/19 $1,859,000 4 2675 1976 

648 Arroyo Dr. 5/2/19 $1,710,000 5 2578 1948 $880,000 8/13/04 

835 Milan Ave. 5/1/19 $1,678,000 3 2123 1914 

1115 Maple St. 5/23/19 $1,649,000 3 2220 1922 $1,050,000 7/27/18 

220 Camino Del Sol 5/24/19 $1,525,000 3 1812 1965 $1,285,000 10/3/14 

1137 Fairview Ave. 5/10/19 $1,416,000 4 1658 1908 $350,000 6/1/90 

2042 Pine St. 5/23/19 $1,400,000 3 1658 1921 $789,000 9/28/05 

850 Lyndon St. 5/28/19 $1,330,000 3 1648 1938 $815,000 10/28/09 

337 Pasadena Ave. 5/2/19 $1,300,000 3 1792 1923 $790,000 8/13/15 

727 Meridian Ave. #V 5/30/19 $1,125,000 3 1831 2005 $905,000 12/9/15 

28 | ARROYO | 07.19

OUTDOOR 

FITNESS 

Stadium Fitness promises to train you 

“where legends have played.” 

BY NOELA HUESO 

PHOTO: Courtesy of Stadium Fitness 

It’s 5:55 a.m. on an overcast Friday in late May and I’m standing outside 

the entrance of the venerable Rose Bowl stadium in the Arroyo Seco. 

Looking around, I notice that the crowds of recreational runners and 

bikers so common on the weekends are nowhere to be found. It’s still and 

quiet. I turn back toward the stadium and think about its history: how 

it has been home to 105 New Year’s Day post-season collegiate football 

contests; how A-list musical acts, from Journey and Depeche Mode in 

the ’80s to Taylor Swift and Beyoncé in recent years, have performed 

here. I think of all the events I’ve personally attended: AmericaFest, the 

Independence Day fireworks extravaganza, UCLA football games, the 

longstanding annual Turkey Tussle game between Pasadena and Muir high 

schools, end-of-year American Youth Soccer Organization presentations, 

Billy Graham’s last Southern California crusade, in 2004. But this 

morning, I’m not here as a spectator. I’m here as a participant in what can 

only be considered an exceptional workout opportunity: In five minutes, I 

will be inside the Rose Bowl, running 77 stairs to the top of the stadium 

alongside other early risers who have made their way here for a 6 a.m. 

workout. 

I like the idea of exercising outside again, especially now that the days 

are warmer and longer. Running on the three-mile loop that surrounds the 

Rose Bowl used to be part of my regular routine, but lately my workouts 

— primarily weights and fitness classes — have been inside the gym. As I 

wait for the stadium gate to be unlocked, I’m not 100 percent sure what I’ll 

be doing this morning besides scaling the stairs. But I’m excited; I love new 

athletic challenges. Who will be in this early–morning session, I wonder. 

Marathon runners? Elite athletes? I soon find out that it’s a lot of regular 

folk who are just interested in staying healthy in a very cool setting. 

David Liston, the founder and co-owner of Stadium Fitness, has a 

unique arrangement with the Rose Bowl Operating Company that has 

allowed him to bring health and wellness to the community, as well as the 

bowl’s own employees, since 2009. He greets me warmly at the gate and 

tells me to head into the stadium. If you’ve never done it, I recommend 

walking into a completely empty Rose Bowl. It’s a bit of a cinematic moment, 

heading through the dark tunnel and emerging into the early morning 

light (even on this gray day) to be greeted by the historic green field 

that has seen so many contests and the nearly 91,000 seats that surround it. 

“You should see it when it’s clear and the sun is just coming up,” he tells me. 

There are about 16 of us this morning and we come in a wide range of 

ages. Liston is particularly proud of Bernie, 75, the group’s senior member, 

who has been maintaining her fitness by working out in the stadium three 

times a week for years. 

Before I even begin, Liston asks me what kind of physical activity I 

already do, gauging my fitness level. I tell him about my gym repertoire and 

about the triathlons and half-marathons I’ve done in the past. Confident 


07.19 | ARROYO | 29


that I can handle a lap around the perimeter of the field, he sends me off with the other 

folks doing the same. Liston doesn’t lead a class in the traditional sense; rather, he works out 

each of his clients according to their ability, giving what he calls “individual workouts in a 

group setting.” 

When I return, warmed up and eager for the next challenge, he asks me if I’m ready 

for some stairs. I nod enthusiastically. My next assignment is to run — four times and row 

by row — up the 77 steps that lead to the top of the stadium and back down again. In a 

race with myself, I bound up the stairs, making great progress…until I reach the 65th step. 

That’s when my legs start burning from the exertion, slowing me down to a walk-run pace. 

It’s not enough to make me stop, though. I make it to the top, feeling triumphant, before 

heading down for round two. By the time I reach the bottom, my legs have recovered 

enough for me to begin sprinting up the next row. Each time, I slow at stair 65. But I make 

it, and I feel good. 

It turns out that Stadium Fitness workouts aren’t just about running. For the next hour, 

I alternate between stair sets and other moves that target my arms, legs and core: lunges, 

bicep curls, triceps dips and pushups. After each exercise, Liston checks in with me: “How 

do you feel?” “How are the legs?” “Ready to run the stairs again?” 

Liston began his career as a seventh-grade social studies teacher in his native Massachusetts 

before arriving in Pasadena in 1996 to work with his brother, who was already involved 

in fitness. It’s easy to see that he still loves teaching. During the course of the hour, Liston 

connects with all his clients, not just me. He remembers each one’s workout goals, ailments 

and what’s going on in their lives. “I try to ‘touch’ everyone three times an hour. I can have 

multiple conversations going on at the same time. My wife says I would be a good air-traffic 

controller,” he says with a laugh. 

Although we’re not down on the field today — the South Korean boy band BTS recently 

performed and, as a result, new sod has been laid — Liston says that about 75 percent of 

the time his groups are down there running sprints and “doing a lot of fun group exercise 

stuff” such as partner and running exercises, relay races and agility training. Stadium Fitness 

participants work out in the locker room on occasion, particularly in the winter. “If it’s 

39 degrees [outside] everyone is like, ‘Can we please start inside?’” he says. They also stay 

inside when it rains. 

Kids as young as 11 have worked out with Stadium Fitness — Liston accepts youth 

based on their maturity level — but the youngest average about 12 or 13, he says. Particularly 

in the summer, “we encourage people to bring their kids to the 8:30 a.m. class,” he 

says. The 6 a.m. class I am sampling is for people, like me, who have to go to work. 

The hour goes by quickly and, when it’s over, I ask Liston what makes his workouts so 

popular. “For most people, exercise has to be fun for them to do it on a regular basis,” he 

says. “Eighty percent of exercise is getting to the place to do the exercise. It’s easier to let 

someone tell you what to do.” 

STADIUM FITNESS 

(626) 232-6900 • stadiumfi tness.com 

Classes are ongoing and meet Mondays at 6 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; 

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 and 6:30 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays, 6 

and 8:30 a.m.; 

Single class $25/Student $18 

10-Class Pack ($22/class): $220 

24-Class Pack ($16.63/class): $399 

1-month unlimited: $150 

Other pricing available 

PHOTOS: (left) Courtesy of Stadium Fitness, (right) Noela Hueso 

30 | ARROYO | 07.19

PHOTO: Noela Hueso 

Boot Camp Pasadena’s Stephen Cooper 

BOOT CAMP PASADENA 

A couple of days before I ran the stairs with Stadium Fitness, I sampled a 5:45 a.m. 

class with Boot Camp Pasadena, another early-morning group-exercise business that has 

been putting people through their paces for a decade. 

Founder Stephen Cooper, a personal trainer with nearly 30 years of experience, leads all 

the early-morning and early-evening (6 p.m.) classes, which take place Monday, Wednesday 

and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday near the Pasadena-Altadena border. (Contact 

him for details.) Despite what the name implies, there’s no military-style training at Boot 

Camp Pasadena. You won’t find Cooper wearing camouflage or barking instructions. His 

approach is decidedly low-key and he considers his clients friends, not soldiers. “I don’t 

think instructors have to yell to be effective,” he says. 

Cooper touts BCP as a toning and fat-burning program. There’s no running of stairs, 

just some sprints, along with targeted muscle work using TRX suspension training, medicine 

balls, kettle bells and boxing, among other things. “People love the stress release of 

boxing,” Cooper says, “and some people have a lot of stress!” 

His clients, who are primarily in their 30s to 50s, come to Boot Camp Pasadena not 

only because they want accountability in their workouts and wouldn’t necessarily exercise 

on their own but because it’s a friendly environment where people of different fitness levels 

can work out together. There’s no competition among the participants; in fact, they encourage 

one another. “They like being in the group because there’s camaraderie,” he says. 

Cooper wants his clients to make their workouts a regular part of their lives, and a 

number of them have been with him almost from the beginning. “I can tell when it clicks 

with people; for a while they’re hoping that some kind of fad diet is going to help them lose 

the weight or change them dramatically,” he says. “It takes them a while to realize, ‘Okay, 

this is a serious commitment, it’s a habit; once they realize that, they’re calmer and they see 

the payoff.” 

Like Stadium Fitness’ Liston, Cooper prides himself on knowing his clients’ needs. It’s 

that personal touch, he says, that keeps bringing people back. 

— N.H. 

BOOT CAMP PASADENA 

(626) 509-9958 • bootcamppasadena.com 

Classes are ongoing and meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or Tuesdays and 

Thursdays: 

Mornings: 5:45 to 6:30 

Evenings: 6 to 6:45 

One-time rate: $18–$20 per class 

Monthly rates: $135–$175 

07.19 | ARROYO | 31

Sisters Thongthiraj: (from left) Sue, Malinee and Arree 

32 | ARROYO | 07.19 

A FAMILY 

AFFAIR 

The California Cactus Center nurtures the 

botanical wonders of cacti and succulents 

along with familial bonds. 

BY BRENDA REES 

When the six Thongthiraj children were growing up in Pasadena in the 1970s, going 

to Disneyland was the high point of their summer break. But before the daughters 

could get into the car for a pricey day with Mickey and Minnie, they were told they 

needed to contribute to the family business. “Our father insisted that in order for us to go, we 

needed to propagate 1,000 flats of plants,” Arree recalls of her childhood with a laugh. “And 

we always managed to do that before the summer ended. He was very smart that way. That 

project certainly kept us busy and out of trouble.” 

Indeed, keeping busy has long been a family affair at the California Cactus Center, which 

has been at its original East Pasadena home since it opened in 1976 with a simple setup — just 

a couple of benches, a gravel floor and a modest selection of home-propagated plants. Today, 

five of six daughters are actively involved in the day-to-day workings at the nursery known 

internationally for all things cacti and succulents. With 23 additional acres of propagation 

facilities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the center specializes in rare and hard-tofind 

plants with specimens from all over the world. 

Away from the buzz of busy Rosemead Boulevard, a steady stream of customers wanders 

among rows of sculptural exotic plants that are often weird, fuzzy, prickly, knobby and mesmerizing. 

The center was a natural offshoot of the beloved hobby of Arree’s father, Zhalermwudh, 

who, along with wife Maleenee, immigrated from Thailand in the 1950s. He had fallen 

under the spell of desert cacti and succulents in his adopted country so he started to investigate 

species, perfect propagation techniques and learn everything he could about these plants — 

long before the Internet made such research easy. 


PHOTO: Courtesy of Brenda Rees

07.19 | ARROYO | 33


Albuca spiralis 

34 | ARROYO | 07.19 

Malinee and Zhalermwudh Thongthiraj 

Euphorbia lactea variegata 

In the 1960s, Zhalermwudh dove deep into his botanical fascination while working 

as an X-ray technician at Huntington Hospital. Back then, IVs came in plastic bottles, 

not bags, and Arree recalls her father recycling numerous IV bottles at home. “He’d cut 

the corners off the bottoms and make tiny little pots,” she says. Through trial and error, 

he developed his own soil recipe — the same popular mixture the nursery sells today. 

Growing up, the sisters carefully studied how their father made cuttings from the 

plants he bought, positioned them in the tiny plastic IV pots and tended them as they 

grew and flourished. Plants took over the backyard where the Thongthiraj sisters received 

their horticultural education — despite the occasional poke, scrape and scratch. 

The rest of the family caught Zhalermwudh’s cacti and succulent bug, taking frequent 

trips to local deserts where they expanded their knowledge by seeing these plants in 

their native habitat. “The Huntington Garden was also our playground,” adds Arree. 

“We went there practically every weekend, spending hours in their desert garden.” 

While Zhalermwudh taught his girls about plant names, propagation techniques 

and plant care, mother Maleenee “taught us how to pot and arrange them,” says Arree, 

who continues in that artistic vein, offering design services for customers who want to 

integrate these drought-tolerant plants into their yards and homes or businesses. “I do a 

lot of on-spot design, especially for people who have just purchased a house,” she says. 

Indeed, the demand for California Cactus Center plants is impressive. You’ll find 

them at numerous L.A. Department of Water and Power stations, a SoCal Google 

campus, Huntington Gardens, UC Riverside, Claremont College and even Disneyland. 

Celebrity clients include Martha Stewart, Paul Weller, Diane Keaton, Barbra Streisand 

and James Brolin, to name just a few. 

Yet for some clients, unconvinced at first, Arree needs to nurture their appreciation 

of cacti. (“People think they are just thorny, but that’s not true.”) She explains why they 

have become prized garden additions: “They really appreciate that they are low maintenance 

and can look good all year round. Plus they want the most they can get out 

of their money; they want longevity, which these plants offer,” she says. “Rather than 

spending weekly or biweekly on flowers, they know they can get a cactus or succulent 

and it will last — you don’t have to replace it all the time.” 

With a degree in art, Arree encourages clients to consider cacti and succulents as 

an art form on their own, especially when appropriately paired with others in tasteful 

containers. “The plant is the art piece and the pot is the frame,” she says, adding that as 

the plant grows, its changes can be a form of “performance art. No plant is ever going to 

stay the same size, right?” 

There are rows of artful displays of well-curated plants with delightful shapes and 

textures in stylish bowls and dishes; no wonder these mini-gardens are in high demand 

as wedding centerpieces, party favors or gifts for birthdays, showers and other celebrations. 

There is also a selection of local pottery, including a series crafted by a NASA 

scientist who embeds fossil prints on the sides of his amber-and-rust-colored creations. 

As she leads a visitor on a tour, Arree points out selections that are rare and impressive, 

including two that are more than 100 years old: a Pachypodium succulentum from 

South Africa and a desert rose (Adenium obesum) sporting gorgeous pink blooms. There 

are frilly-shaped crested euphorbias (created by a mutation) and the sea urchin–shaped 

Euphorbia obesa, commonly known as the baseball cactus (which is special to the family 

PHOTOS: (Second from top) Courtesy of Calfonia Cactus Center; (plants and soil) Brenda Rees

Lithops (living stones) 

PHOTO: Brenda Rees 

since it was one of the first specimens in Zhalermwudh’s collection). 

This slow-growing cactus with no needles requires a delicate procedure to fertilize 

the female flowers in order to produce seeds — a task the Thongthiraj girls learned 

at an early age. Arree would use a horsehair brush to gather the pollen on the male 

flowers and gently deposit the powdery substance onto the female flowers. “We made 

cones out of window screen material and placed them on top of the female flowers in 

the summertime,” she says. When the heat caused the seed pods to finally burst open, 

she adds, there was a “popcorn-like noise all over the place. It was pretty fun and very 

neat.” 

These days, Arree’s sister Sue handles propagation duties at the nursery. She’s often 

behind her work table, prepping containers, observing the progress on certain youngsters 

and carefully extracting and cultivating small offspring. Cuttings are the easiest 

way to propagate; seeds can take up to two years to germinate. 

Sue’s hands hold the descendants of her father’s collection. Many plants at the center 

can be directly traced back to the Thongthiraj home, whether they were propagated 

via seed dispersal or cuttings. “My father had a personal goal of propagating a million 

golden barrels from seed,” she says, as she shows a selection of tiny seeds collected 

from the cactus flowers of Echinocactus grusonii. 

Zhalermwudh did not achieve that benchmark during his lifetime; Arree and Sue 

roughly calculate that he got to about 500,000 before he passed away in 1998. (You 

can see 550 of Zhalermwudh’s golden barrel descendants at the Getty Center.) 

While friction is common in any family business, Arree and her siblings have 

managed to keep drama down while improving on and expanding their father’s dream. 

Malinee Romero captains the center’s popular video channel, posting short tutorial 

videos on all aspects of care of cacti and succulents along with design tips. Sister Molly 

oversees the business side; and even Took Took, an English professor at Pasadena City 

College, rolls up her sleeves at the center during school breaks. Along with the oldest 

sister, Smanjai, the siblings all care for their 87-year-old mother. 

To keep the business as a family endeavor, 10-year-old Evanlee, Arree’s nephew 

and the sisters’ only offspring, has been coming to the nursery to learn the secrets of 

succulents and cacti. “We’d like very much to continue as a family business, so we 

are in the process of grooming him,” says Arree with a sparkle in her eye. Like the 

generation before him, the youngster is learning the art of propagation (mainly from 

his Aunt Sue) along with all the other horticultural complexities. Fortunately for him, 

he won’t be required to propagate 1,000 flats as his aunties had to do. 

Arree says her father’s presence is still felt every day as she walks past the giant 

tree aloe from South Africa (Aloe bainseii) that graces the outside of the business along 

with a Bombax ellipticum, better known as a shaving brush tree. “This is the largest 

aloe tree you’ll ever see,” she says of the center’s stately unofficial landmark — originally 

planted by her father. “He wanted to make sure we would be always be taken 

care of; that’s why he created this business for us.” |||| 

California Cactus Center is located at 216 Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena. Hours are 

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. 

Call (626) 795-2788 or visit cactuscenter.com. 

07.19 | ARROYO | 35

36 | ARROYO | 07.19

KITCHEN 

CONFESSIONS 

Mixology Month 

REV UP YOUR SUMMER COCKTAILS WITH THE FRESHEST MIXERS. 

BY LESLIE BILDERBACK 

These past six months of examining the National Day Calendar have made me realize that, 

for certain causes, certain awarenesses, the calendar is a brilliant way to get the word out 

and expand their reach. For instance, July 1 is National Postal Worker Day, and I think 

we can all agree that it’s nice to honor these dedicated workers. However, the calendar is also 

clearly a place for loonies. Do the nudists of America really expect us all to strip on July 14 for 

National Nude Day? (Probably not coincidentally, it is the same day as National Tape Measure 

Day… I do not make this stuff up.) Some of these days have clearly been created by certain 

groups just to show off how smart they are. I had to look up the meaning of National Yellow Pig 

Day (July 17), which has something to do with calculus and the number 17. (Even after I looked 

it up I’m still not sure what that’s about.) And I’m betting not many of you know who Edmund 

Clerihew Bentley is, yet July 10 is National Clerihew Day, during which you are urged to write 

a Clerihew –- a very specifically formatted biographical poem. It has four rhyming couplets (aa/ 

bb), must use a person’s name in the first line, must say something about that person and must 

be humorous. Let try it, shall we? 

Leslie Bilderback writes 

And sometimes picks fights 

Occasionally about food 

Or whatever her mood 

Okay, well, that was fun, and now I can see why they made it a National Day. 

Although July is the season for grilling and patriotism, there are relatively few such days 

in this month’s National Day Calendar. There is, however, a lot of booze. So much booze, in 

fact, that it’s doubtful anything will get done this month. Stay hydrated, everyone, because we 

have Anisette Day (July 2), Piña Colada Day (July 10), Mojito Day (July 11), Grand Marnier 

Day (July 14), Daiquiri Day (July 19), Wine and Cheese Day ( July 25) and Scotch Day (July 

27). All these boozy days are certainly a clever way for companies to boost sales, though I am 

a bit worried that national productivity may find itself in a slump as a result. Nevertheless, I 

have pledged to celebrate the National Calendar this year so, in response, I am offering some 

homemade cocktail elements for your summer soirées. 

Cocktail mixing has taken on a new life in recent years. In fact, bartenders have taken to 

calling themselves mixologists to emphasize new creative aspects of this vocation that have 

evolved. No longer is it simply the martini and gin and tonic. In finer restaurants, cocktails 

— and the unfortunately named “mocktails,” without alcohol — are being paired, as wine has 

traditionally been, with each course. Unique mixers, fancifully decorated rims, clever garnishes 

and artfully molded ice cubes are all a part of the cocktail arsenal now. So, to ensure you don’t 

look like a rookie this summer, I offer not drink recipes, but homemade cocktail ingredients that 

will boost your cocktail game. 

The easiest cocktail mixer to make is simple syrup, which is nothing but equal parts sugar 

and water. (Combine them and bring the liquid to a boil until the sugar dissolves. That’s 

it.) Simple syrup is the reason why drinks taste better at the bar than in your kitchen. It has 

long been a component of cocktails, making its way into such classics as the old-fashioned, 

the whiskey sour, the daiquiri, the julep — and many more. But today, the best mixologists 

are infusing simple syrup with flavors, opening up infinite cocktail possibilities. I love 

flavored syrups because, not only do they make interesting cocktails possible, they make great 

homemade sodas. Just combine with soda water and ice for a refreshing offering your guests will 

really appreciate. (FYI — designated drivers are really sick of Diet Coke.) I’m giving you below 

not only my favorite summer soda syrup — strawberry rhubarb — but also lots of variations for 

you to try. 

The second cocktailing recipe is for homemade bitters. Bitters are another classic bar 

ingredient, comprised of alcohol flavored with botanical aromatics and herbs. It is designed to 

bring balance to your cocktail. The bitterness, which varies by brand, enhances the other flavors 

of the drink and helps align the ingredients, much the way salt and acid work in cooking. There 

are many bitters on the market, and most keep their ingredient list secret. But homemade 

bitters are easy to make and, like simple syrup, can be concocted to suit your personal bitter 

preferences. 


07.19 | ARROYO | 37


Both of these recipes are just examples. There are hundreds of variations to be made of and I 

encourage you to experiment. With these in your pantry, your summer barbecue will be the talk 

of the town. 

Syrup and bitters from scratch 

Whip yourself up a big batch 

With these in your bar 

I declare you a star |||| 

Strawberry--Rhubarb Syrup 

If you have trouble laying your hands on rhubarb, replace it with a full 2 pounds of 

strawberries, or substitute another tart ingredient, such as raspberry or cranberry. 

In addition, you can use this same basic recipe with any number of fruit, fruit-and 

spice or fruit-and-herb combinations. Use your imagination, and get creative. 

You’ll find some variation ideas after the recipe. 

INGREDIENTS 

1 pound strawberries, washed, hulled and 

quartered 

1 pound rhubarb, washed and cut into halfinch 

pieces 

1 cup white sugar 

½ cup brown sugar 

2 cups water 

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 

1 teaspoon sea salt 

METHOD 

1. Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring, 

then reduce to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has 

softened to the point of mush. It should take about 20 to 30 minutes. 

2. Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl, and line it with cheesecloth. 

Pour the fruit purée into the strainer and let it sit and drain slowly. For clear 

syrup, it is best not to force or press the purée free of liquid; let gravity do it for 

you. After an hour, if it appears there is still liquid suspended within the pulp, 

squeeze it gently. Transfer the clear syrup into sterilized jars or bottles, and 

store in the refrigerator. Syrups should last you through the summer. For longer 

storage, pack in plastic containers and freeze for up to a year. (Defrost slowly 

in the refrigerator for best results.) 

Here are some of my favorite fruit syrup variations. You may need to adjust 

the amount of sugar, depending on the ripeness of the fruit: plum--sage, 

peach--basil, cherry--vanilla, mango--lime, papaya--lemongrass, pineapple- 

-black pepper. Once you start syrup–making, it won’t be long before you 

come up with your own signature syrup. 

Homemade Bitters 

This is a basic bitter, close in form to Angostura. But Angostura uses ingredients 

such as cinchona bark and gentian root — not something you can pick up at 

Ralphs. Here I use accessible ingredients, but the end result is equally effective. 

If you catch the bitters bug after this, the more exotic elements can be ordered 

online. 

INGREDIENTS 

Dried peel of 1 orange (remove with a potato 

peeler, and set in the sun for a day, or 

place in a dehydrator or very low-temp 

oven for an hour or so, until stiff and 

shriveled) 

2 to 3 pieces dried apple or apple skin 

6 to 8 pieces dried cherry 

1 cinnamon stick, crushed 

2 whole cloves 

3 to 4 allspice berries, crushed 

3 to 4 juniper berries, crushed 

3 to 4 coffee beans 

2 to 3 cardamom pods, crushed 

1 teaspoon cacao nibs, crushed 

½ teaspoon coriander seed, crushed 

¼ vanilla bean, scraped 

1 quart neutral alcohol, grain alcohol or 

vodka (Rye or bourbon can also be used, 

but will impart their fl avors to the fi nished 

product.) 

2 to 4 tablespoons simple syrup 

METHOD 

1. Combine all ingredients except alcohol and simple syrup in a large, sterilized 

canning jar. Cover the ingredients with the alcohol, then cover with the 

top and place in a cool, dark space for 2 weeks. Shake the jar once a day to 

help distribute the infusion. 

2. After 2 weeks, strain out the contents of the jar, and combine the infused 

liquid with simple syrup to taste. (The sugar is not to sweeten as much as it is 

to neutralize the bitterness.) 

3. Return to a sterilized jar, and set aside again for another week. At this point 

the bitters can be used, bottled and shared. 

INGREDIENTS 

THE GINNY 

HENDRICKS 

STORY AND PHOTO BY MICHAEL CERVIN 

Granville opened on Lake Avenue in Pasadena earlier this year, its fifth 

location in Greater Los Angeles. But what sets this branch apart is 

its second-story open-air seating offering views of the San Gabriel 

Mountains. This is a must stop for the adventurous aficionado, with 30 cocktails 

on the menu. That includes Granville’s signature cocktail, the Ginny Hendrix, on 

the menu since 2012. 

“Pasadena is a more sophisticated crowd,” says food and beverage manager 

Marc Dix, noting that more locals are staying close to home in the hunt for 

quality cocktails rather than hiking to downtown L.A. “And gin is the hot 

category right now,” Dix adds. So the Ginny Hendricks is a great bet. It impresses 

with its layered flavors and juxtaposition of sweet, heat and earthiness. The gin’s 

mild botanicals are noticeable as is the subtle fire from the jalapeño, balanced by 

the sweetness from the puréed fruit. While this can work with a variety of foods, 

try it with Granville’s New York strip steak or Thai ginger salad. |||| 

1 ounce fresh cucumber purée 

1 ounce fresh strawberry purée 

6 mint leaves, sliced thin 

THE GINNY HENDRICKS 

1 ounce Monin Chipotle Pineapple Syrup 

2 ounces Hendrick’s Gin 

METHOD 

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, then add crushed ice, cover and shake 

vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with jalapeño slices. 

38 | ARROYO | 07.19

THE LIST 

COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER 

Descanso Jams 

— Jazz, World 

Music and Stone 

Fruit 

All events are included 

in Descanso 

admission of $9, $6 for students and seniors 

and $4 for children 5 to 12; free for 

visitors 4 and younger, unless otherwise 

noted. Concerts run from 6 to 7 p.m. 

Music on the Main Jazz Concerts 

July 4 — Lao Tizer 

July 11 — Abe Lagrimas, Jr. 

July 18 — Molly Miller 

July 25 — Dayren Santamaria 

World Rhythms World Music Series 

July 2 — California Feetwarmers 

July 9 — Boogaloo Assassins (above) 

July 16 — Briseyda Zárate 

July 23 — Dance India 

July 13 — Urban Forager author Elisa 

Callow leads a cooking class on stonefruit 

and strawberry jam from 10 a.m. to 

12:30 p.m. in the Boddy House kitchen. 

Cost is $50 ($40 for members). A tasting 

and book signing follow the class, starting 

at 2 p.m. Advance registration is 

required. 

July 15 — The Shine a Light exhibition 

by artist Carole Kim, Descanso’s fi rst 

artist-in-residence, includes digital metal 

prints, micro video projections, window 

treatments and a multimedia installation, 

on view through Oct. 27 in the Sturt 

Haaga Gallery. 

July 25 — A photography book by 

former L.A. County District Attorney Gil 

Garcetti, Protea: The Magic and the 

Mystery, goes on display from 10 a.m. to 

4 p.m. July 25 to 28. Garcetti and writer 

Larry Livingston will sign their book from 

1 to 2 p.m. July 28. 

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso 

Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Call (818) 

949-4200 or visit descansogardens.org. 

A Grand Fourth 

Downtown 

July 4 — Grand Park 

and the Music Center 

in downtown L.A. host 

a free family-friendly July 4th celebration, 

with a rooftop fi reworks show atop the 

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, a 75-foot 

Ferris wheel, picnicking, music and 

dancing, from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Music on 

two stages includes headliner Boogaloo 

ROSE BOWL HOSTS 

AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY PARTY 

July 4 — Once again, Rose Bowl Stadium is home to Americafest, a family-friendly 

event celebrating the Fourth and climaxing with a big fireworks display at 9 p.m. 

Parking lots open at noon, and the Family Fun Zone opens at 2 p.m. Stadium doors 

open at 5:30 p.m., followed by performances of various types at 7 p.m. General 

admission tickets are $15 and reserved seating is $30; children 5 and under are 

admitted free. Field viewing experience tickets are $100. 

Rose Bowl Stadium is located at 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena. 

Call (800) 745-3000 or visit rosebowlstadium.com. 

Assassins, along with The Delirians, Earth 

Arrow, Victoria La Mala, South Soul Spinners, 

Blaq Pages and Foreigner, as well 

as deejays. 

Events take place between Los Angeles 

Street and Grand Avenue and Temple 

and Third streets. Visit musiccenter.org. 

All About Anime 

at L.A. Convention 

Center 

July 4 through 7 — 

The Anime Expo celebrates 

anime, manga and Japanese 

pop culture from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each 

night at the L.A. Convention Center. 

Activities include previews of the newest 

anime TV shows and fi lm productions, table-top 

and videogaming, cutting-edge 

fashion, exhibits from anime production 

companies and manga comic companies, 

licensed goods, a kids’ zone and 

live concerts. It is hosted by the nonprofi t 

Society for the Promotion of Japanese 

Anime. Tickets cost $20 to $100. 

The L.A. Convention Center is located 

at 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Visit 

anime-expo.org/register. 

Muse/Ique Goes 

to the Movies at 

the Huntington 

July 6 — The Muse/ 

Ique orchestra 

launches its summer 

series at the Huntington Library, Art 

Collections and Botanical Gardens with 

“Moving/Pictures,” a concert of fi lm 

scores “that have moved our country.” 

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the performance 

starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 

to $130. 

Call (626) 539-7085 or visit muse-ique. 

com/museiquessummer. 

Shakespeare in 

the Park 

July 6 through Aug. 18 

— The annual Sierra 

Madre Shakespeare 

Festival presents free, family-friendly 

weekend performances of Much Ado 

about Nothing by professional actors at 

7:30 p.m. in Sierra Madre Memorial Park. 

Guests may bring blankets, lawn chairs 

and picnics. Performance dates are July 

6, 13, 19, 20 and 27 and August 2, 4, 10, 

17 and 18. 

Sierra Madre Memorial Park is located at 

222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. 

Visit sierrashakes.com. 

Pasadena 

Heritage Walking 

Tours 

Historic preservation 

group Pasadena Heritage 

hosts two walking tours this month: 

July 6 — The Old Pasadena Historic 

District, formerly drab and rundown, 

has gone through incredible revitalization 

over the past 30 years. It was 

nearly destroyed but now stands as a 

top dining and entertainment destination, 

offering a fi ne example of urban 

revitalization. Guests can tour the district 

from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Tickets are $20 ($18 

for members). 

July 13 — A walking tour of the Governor 

Markham Landmark District, one of 

Pasadena’s oldest neighborhoods, runs 

from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Ninety-four percent 

of the residences in the long-debated 

710 Freeway extension route were built 

between 1891 and 1933. Tickets are $20 

($18 for members). Meeting location is 

provided with ticket purchase. 

Call (626) 441-6333 or visit pasadenaheritage.org. 

Pops Rhapsody at Arboretum 

July 13 — The Pasadena Pops 2019 

Sierra Summer Series at the L.A. County 


07.19 | ARROYO | 39

THE LIST 

CONCERTS UNDER 

THE DOME 

July 7 — The Mt. Wilson Observatory hosts two Sunday afternoon concerts inside 

the dome housing the 100-inch Hooker Telescope. This month’s “Voices in the 

Dome,” performed at 3 and 5 p.m., features sopranos Hila Pittman, Sangeeta 

Kaur, flutist Sara Andon, violinist Reina Inui, harpist Jacqueline Marshall and 

guitarist Shea Welsh. The program includes works by Danaë Vlasse, Todd Mason, 

Bruce Babcock, Mark McEnroe and Anthony Constantino. Tickets are $50, and 

must be purchased in advance. Proceeds benefit the Mt. Wilson Institute. 

The Mt. Wilson Observatory is located on Mt. Wilson Rd., La Cañada Flintridge. Visit 

mtwilson.edu/concerts. 


Arboretum and Botanic Garden presents 

“Rhapsody in Blue,” featuring the music 

of the Gershwin era and the Jazz Age, 

with songs by George and Ira Gershwin, 

Duke Ellington and Harold Arlen, 

including “I Got Rhythm,” “An American 

in Paris,” “Stormy Weather,” “Rhapsody 

in Blue” and others. Gates open at 5:30 

p.m. for picnicking, and the concert 

starts at 7:30 p.m. Michael Feinstein 

conducts the orchestra and featured 

performers LaChanze, Tony Yazbeck and 

Frederick Hodges. Tickets are $10 to $95. 

The L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic 

Garden is located at 301 N. Baldwin 

Ave., Arcadia. Call (626) 793-7172 or visit 

pasadenasymphony-pops.org. 

Improv and 

Indian Music at 

Norton Simon 

Activities are 

included in Norton 

Simon Museum admission of $15 and $12 

for seniors 62 and up; free for students 

and visitors 18 and younger. 

July 13 — A concert, “Freedom in 

the Moment,” features bassist Marlon 

Martinez (above) and the Jazz Marlonius 

Quartet in an evening of original compositions 

and jazz classics from the 1950s 

to the 1970s. Martinez and his band 

explore freedom of expression through 

improvisation, from 6 to 7 p.m. 


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THE LIST 


July 19 — The exhibition Air Land Sea: 

A Lithographic Suite by William Crutchfi 

eld opens, offering a rare look at the 

artist's works printed at the Tamarind 

Lithographic Workshop in 1970. Featuring 

trains, ships and airplanes, all portrayed 

as overbuilt, fantastical models of modernity, 

it runs through Nov. 4. 

July 20 — “Ragas and Rhythmic Patterns 

— An Exploration,” a concert drawing 

on classical Indian music, features the 

husband-and-wife team of Kamaljeet 

Ahluwalia on santoor and Jas Ahluwalia 

playing the tabla. Their innovative approach 

simultaneously explores ragas 

and intricate rhythmic patterns. The 

concert, from 6 to 7 p.m., offers a 21stcentury 

perspective on the emotional 

themes in ragamala paintings. 

The Norton Simon Museum is located at 

411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call 

(626) 449-6840 or visit nortonsimon.org. 

Cal Phil Concerts 

Reach from Paris 

to Planets 

Concert talks with 

Maestro Victor 

Vener start at 1 p.m. 

and concerts start at 2 p.m. Tickets are 

$37.50 to $140: 

July 14 — The California Philharmonic 

summer concert series at Walt Disney 

Concert Hall, led by Maestro Vener, 

continues with “Bastille Day” with the 

Cal Phil Chorale. The program includes 

excerpts from Les Misérables by Claude- 

Michel Schönberg, Symphonie Fantastique 

by Berlioz and Camille Saint-Saëns’ 

“Organ” Symphony. Featured performers 

are Philip Smith, Anne Martinez and 

Randal Keith. 

July 28 — “Space: A Giant Leap” 

features music from fi lm hits including 

Apollo 13, Star Wars and Star Trek, plus 

“Mars and Jupiter” by Gustav Holst and 

Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan.” 

Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 

111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Call (323) 850- 

2000 or visit calphil.com. 

Woman of the 

Year Performs in 

San Gabriel 

July 14 — Genredefying 

violinist and 

12-language soprano Maki Mae (left) 

performs on her “Woman of the Year” 

tour around Southern California. July’s 

performance takes place at 3:30 p.m. 

in Cleaver Hall of Church of Our Saviour, 

San Gabriel, with proceeds benefi ting 

the Asian Youth Center. Her diverse 

repertoire ranges from “The Phantom 

of the Opera” to selections by Queen. 

Mae was recently selected as this year’s 

California State Senate Woman of the 

Year. Tickets are $20 for students, $40 VIP. 

Cleaver Hall is located at 535 W. Roses 

Rd., San Gabriel. Call (626) 941-6418 or 

visit makimae.com. 

Summer Nights 

Roar at the 

LA Zoo 

July 19 — The L.A. 

Zoo Roaring Summer 

Nights program offers fun activities for 

adults 21 and older, including live music, 

deejays, pop-up zoo talks by resident 

experts, food trucks and full bars. This 

month’s event features live music by 

’80s tribute band Fast Times, plus Deejay 

Severe, Deejay Johnny Hawkes and 

Chulita Vinyl Club. Admission is $21 ($16 

for members). 

The L.A. Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Dr., 

Griffi th Park. Call (323) 644-4200 or visit 

lazoo.org. 

Playhouse Offers 

Shakespearean 

Acting Course 

July 22 through Aug. 

2 — The Pasadena 

Playhouse teams with the London 

Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for 

a two-week summer acting intensive. 

The practical, fast-paced program is 

designed for students desiring more 

confidence in performing classical work 

from Shakespeare’s Elizabethan and 

Jacobean periods. It combines scene 

study with technical classes in movement 

and voice, leading to an understanding 

of the challenges of working with 

classical texts. The course is open to 

those 18 and older with some acting 

experience. Tuition may be paid in full 

or in installments, and the playhouse will 

offer a limited number of scholarships. 

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 

39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 

356-7529 or visit pasadenaplayhouse.org. 

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July 2019

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