SANTA MONICA
December 22 - 28, 2004
Mirror
15
Life & Arts
The Mirror Guide
at the MOVIES
I’m Howard Hughes, The Aviator
Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner
The Aviator
****
Martin Scorsese’s last film,
Gangs of New York, was a tough
sell. Even the most ardent Scorsese
fans had their questions and complaints. It didn’t help that it was
given the Oscar push to beat all others by Harvey Weinstein and
Miramax, making it nearly impossible for the film to live up. Suddenly
the popular sentiment was annoyance at the concept that Martin
Scorsese, one of this country’s best
directors, has never won his measly
Oscar, and was thus somehow owed
one.
Okay, cut to two years later. His
latest film, The Aviator, is arguably
among the best of the year’s offerings, no really, it is. Whether or not
the public, and particularly the film
Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn
industry, can forgive him for two
years ago is another question.
The Aviator, while featuring dazzling special effects, minutely
detailed period costumes and sets,
has at its center one hell of a performance by Leonardo DiCaprio.
That performance is what ultimately makes The Aviator work. That,
and Scorsese’s innate love of old
Hollywood and the film system that
drove it.
DiCaprio had been somewhat
obsessed with Howard Hughes for
quite some time before he brought
the script to Scorsese (after Michael
Mann passed). He has said that
Hughes fascinated him because, as
a child, he suffered from obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD), and
Howard Hughes represented, to
him, his worst fears.
DiCaprio’s Hughes is perhaps a
bit more boyish than some might
expect, but in the film it works marvelously. Scorsese, working with
screenwriter John Logan, has painted a portrait of a boob-obsessed,
milk-drinking mama’s boy trying to
make it in the world on his own. It’s
worth noting that both DiCaprio
and Scorsese can be counted among
those men who worship their
mamas, with DiCaprio naming his
mother as one of his biggest influences and Scorsese… well, his
mother has been in many of his
films, most notably, Goodfellas
(and what a doll she was). So, it’s
not beyond the realm of possibility
that the Hughes portrait is a tad
tainted by these two men. yet this is
one of the reasons the film works as
a film, rather than a straight up and
down telling of Hughes’ life. This
film is a work of art.
The Aviator focuses on Hughes’
early life, starting with his childhood dream of making a movie
about airplanes -- which in turn led
Hughes into the world of aviation
where he became an innovator.
Dogging the poor man throughout
was the obsessive-compulsive disorder manifested by his absurd need
to be clean.
The OCD runs like a news ticker
through the film, and neither
DiCaprio nor Scorsese forgets how
important it is to the script – there
aren’t many moments that pass in
Hughes’ life that aren’t somehow
tainted by his madness. Those
demons will not let him be. They
tear at him, threatening to bring
down all that he has built. In truth,
most American giants are not hard.
They are soft-bellied and ultimately
as afraid as the rest of us.
In addition to being an innovator
in aviation, Hughes frolicked with
untold numbers of beautiful women
but developed strong relationships
with two icons of the time –
Katharine Hepburn (played by Cate
Blanchett who is Kate straight out
to the Best on the Bay
Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes
of The Philadelphia Story) and Ava
Gardner (played by a plumped up
for the role, equally brilliant Kate
Beckinsale). Hughes loved the
women but ultimately drove them
away with his neuroses; Gardner
was gone after Hughes admitted to
putting twelve wire taps on her
phones.
The story stops long before
Hughes becomes incapable of dealing with the outside world, but
gives us enough of a sense that this
man’s mental health is fast deteriorating. Howard Hughes would end
up unrecognizable at the time of his
death – weighing just 90 pounds.
Scorsese knows more about old
Hollywood than most of the directors working these days. He brings
to the film that passion and knowledge, and famously insisted that
Beckinsale gain twenty pounds to
match the look of the day. Specific,
loving detail is paid to the Coconut
Grove and people like Errol Flynn
(played by the ubiquitous Jude
Law).
The Aviator shows that Scorsese
is growing as a filmmaker – he no
longer seems dead set on sticking to
the things that made his films work
twenty years ago. It also shows
that it’s possible to make a Big
Hollywood Movie, in the tradition
of Cecil B. DeMille, and make it
every bit as good as the little indies
that could.
What is remarkable about the
film is how willing to stay in the
background Scorsese is as a director
here. He doesn’t impose his usual
razzle dazzle camera tricks this time
around. Rather, he trains his cam-
era right on DiCaprio, and that is
why the film is more emotionally
engaging than Scorsese’s other
films. DiCaprio’s Hughes is heartbreaking. He plays the part with
compassion, giving us the more tender, fearful, childlike side of the
eccentric billionaire. Maybe we
don’t understand Hughes in the end,
as some critics have charged of the
film, but we’re not supposed to.
The job of this film isn’t to give us
the keys to Howard Hughes any
more than Citizen Kane gave us the
keys to that mogul’s life.
But isn’t it enough to create a
moving portrait of an American
myth, especially when there’s so
much more to it? For this reviewer,
it was.
Christmas in Angel Town: 2004
Abby Sher
Special to the Mirror
as homeless warming at a barbeque
recall lost fortunes, lost loves, lives
and tell with pride how they’ve survived.
Though there is no snow in Angel Town
I know there are angels to be found
this holy day this day of cheer
this day we long for loved ones near.
Jesus and his virgin mom
where the bus stops under a tall, tall palm
the Apostles and the Wise Men three
their story told for all to see.
On the beach below it is Christmas too
A mother in an Iowa town
prays to god her son is found.
She worries and weeps as she tends the fire
imagining the worst as the snow piles higher.
A girlfriend longs to see her man
to kiss his cheek, to hold his hand
to bring him back, to tell him, hey,
there’s only love this Christmas Day.
he knows this moment is heaven-sent.
He thinks of them, the pain of years
of drinking drowning sorrow, fears
the wasted life, the promise spent
the pleas from all that he repent.
And on this chilly Christmas morn
he comes to see a path with thorns.
He’ll walk it barefoot day by day
until the need has worn away.
His threadbare pants his wornout shirt
his hair all matted caked with dirt
bearded, weather-beaten, bent
He climbs the bluff, the sun still high
and hears a song, a lullaby.
It is heard by all who have come to see
the scenes of the nativity.
And then he walks, this mother’s son
among them looking one at one.
They know him from another place
of kinship, spirit, light and grace.
After years of worry doubt and grief
she sleeps with a curious sense of peace.
A lonely girl standing on a bluff
walks over to wait for the evening bus
and suddenly notes a familiar form
clothed in garments soiled and torn.
The rest, their tender tale to tell
so we’ll end here. We wish them well
this day of blessings all around
this Christmas Day in Angel Town.
A middle-aged woman in an Iowa town
curls up for the night in her bed of down.
The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium: A Classic
Richard Agata
Special to the Mirror
Apparently size does matter after
all. The Santa Monica Civic
Auditorium, once the home of the
annual Academy Award ceremonies
and the site of many of memorable
rock concerts, is now more frequently the setting for antique and
design shows.
The auditorium, at 1855 Main
Street, was “provided by and dedicated to the people of Santa
Monica” on June 15, 1958. Its intimate size — just 3,000 seats —
once a cherished feature, is now a
disadvantage in an age of theaters
and stadiums that can accommodate
ten times that number.
Still, the 46-year old structure,
which cost $2.9 million to construct, is just as beautiful today as
when it was built. On sultry summer day, the structure gleamed as
people gathered for the CA/BOOM
Festival of Contemporary Design.
In the beginning, along with such
storied events as the Oscars, the
Civic played host to such unusual
shows as the Parade of Progress,
where stoves were proudly displayed; countless dog and cat
shows, as well as some sports con-
tests. On June 25, 1958, a mere 10
days after it opened, Tony Trabert
met Pancho Segura in a tennis
match in the Civic. And on
February 3, 1959, Wilt Chamberlain
and the Harlem Globetrotters
whipped the Los Angeles Rams in a
basketball game, 80-56.
In The Beginning
The Auditorium was designed by
renowned architect Welton Beckett,
a Santa Monica resident. His design
for the Civic was recognized by the
AIA with an Honor Award in 1960.
His firm’s first commission was
the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Other
Los Angeles projects included the
Capitol Records Tower; the Music
Center, the Federal Building, the
Prudential Western Building, the
Memorial Sports Arena, California
Federal Savings,
and the
Cineramadome.
Vern Knutsen, who teamed with
Beckett to design the Civic’s
acoustics, is a well-known acoustical engineer. As a consultant, he
was responsible for the acoustical
design of over five hundred structures, and his principles became the
foundation for the design of contemporary soundstages.
No Time Like The Present
Today the Civic is the home of
the Santa Monica Symphony and
the site of many exhibits and trade
shows. With its hydraulic floors, the
auditorium can be transformed from
a 3,000-seat theater to a 27,000square-foot exhibit space. Shows of
note include the International Gem
and Jewelry show, Vintage Expo,
the Modernism Show and the
Bustamante Antiques Show and
Sale.
Carole Curtin, who manages the
Civic for the City, began her career
there in the 1970s as the Business
Supervisor. From there, she went to
the San Jose Convention Center,
where she was the Senior Event
Coordinator. After a short stint at
the
Los
Angeles
County
Fairgrounds (Fairplex), she returned
to the Civic in 1988, and loves her
job.
“As SMCA manager,” she said,
“I am responsible for planning and
directing the operation of the
Auditorium. This includes booking, parking and food concessions,
event coordination and event set up.
I also develop and manage the
budget and oversee Capital
Improvement projects. I am fortuContinued on page 22, column 5.
SANTA MONICA
22
FARMERS’ MARKET REPORT
Go Nuts!
Laura Avery
Mirror contributing writer
'Tis the season of temptation.
Care packages from friends and
family are best left set aside for at
least a while lest one sweet sampling turn into a high calorie meal
replacement. But ultimately, joyously, we indulge in all sorts of
delicious treats during the latter
weeks of December.
It is the time of year to make and
consume many of the home-prepared delicacies that require the
time and dedication we do not have
the rest of the year. We make lots
of extras, too, in anticipation of
sharing. We spend time in the
kitchen in order to give a little
something of ourselves -- and the
time and mess is entirely worth the
effort.
But there is a gustatory antidote
to all the holiday sugar and cream,
each wrapped in its own tidy package. It is the delicious harvest of
California nuts. As an addition to
baked goods or as an unadorned
centerpiece, California walnuts,
almonds, pecans, macadamias, pistachios and peanuts are versatile,
healthful and scrumptious.
California walnuts are a special
variety that are relatively frostresistant and can withstand hot
summers. Among the most popular
are the Hartley, Chandler and
Franquette. The venerable old
Payne walnut, California's first
important commercial variety, has
pretty much disappeared from production. It was a prolific producer,
but the nuts were small and the
trees tended to bear fruit on the outside, thus exposing young walnuts
to sunburn.
Walnuts should begin to dry on
the tree before harvest, and then be
thoroughly dried to allow the meat
inside to cure. Most California
walnuts have tightly sealed shells
and large, light colored kernels.
Some nuts on the outside of the
trees can get sunburned, but the
meat will remain sweet. Thin shells
make the walnuts easy to crack and
to extract perfect halves, which can
be used as decorations or to insert
into pitted dates. In-shell walnuts
are easily stored at cool room temperature, and can be readily
cracked and chopped for cooking.
Toasted walnuts can replace pine
nuts as toppings for fish, salads or
in pesto. As a savory snack, walnuts can be paired with fall apples
and cheese for appetizers. For
dessert, walnuts compliment any
sweets.
Delicious, fresh almonds impart
a subtle flavor of almond essence,
the flavor in paste fillings and
almond extract. In its most concentrated form, bitter almonds provide
an intense almond flavor that must
be heavily diluted to avoid toxicity.
The bitter almond flavor, however,
is an unparalleled source of pure
almond flavor. Bitter almonds are
an almost non existent crop in
California -- this year's entire yield
of five pounds was pre-sold to a
well known local restaurant. The
most popular commercial varieties
are the Nonpareil and the Mission,
with a few cross pollinated varieties
like Butte and Merced. Almonds
come to market out of the shell
whole, raw, roasted, chopped or as
flour. Almonds can be blanched in
hot water to remove their thin
brown skins when a recipe calls for
it, but mainly almonds are enjoyed
as is, chopped or whole. Like all
nuts, almonds' flavor changes perceptibly when they are roasted, and
then they can be either salted or
seasoned.
Perhaps because macadamia nuts
are grown where persimmons are,
the two complement each other
perfectly.
Our California
macadamia nuts are air dried at just
above body temperature over a
long period of time, so they are
technically raw. Commercially,
California is a significant producer
of macadamia nuts, but they are
sadly underrepresented at farmers'
markets. The nuts are difficult to
crack open, and require a specially
adapted nutcracker. The shelled
nuts can be eaten just as is, with a
delicious accompaniment of sliced
dried persimmon.
Chopped
macadamia nuts make an exquisite
crust for roasted fish or fowl, or a
delectable salad topping. Lower in
calories and cholesterol than the
fried Hawaiian macadamia nuts,
California macadamias are a perfect holiday treat.
Paper shell pecans come to market ready for the top of your pecan
pie, in perfect halves. Chopped
pecans and pieces take further processing, and the light California
pecan harvest of the past year have
left processed nuts in short supply.
If you prefer you can buy "cracks"
- pecans that have cracked shells
but which are still whole. These
are easily removed from their
shells for use in all of your holiday
baking. Western pecans have
names like Cheyenne, Wichita,
Shawnee and Cherokee, and their
flavors have subtle differences.
Pecans are delicious when toasted
with butter and salt as a holiday
appetizer and as a counterpoint to
chocolate. And small, round
Valencia peanuts are a California
specialty that roast easily for
snacking or for making thin, rich
brittle. Their fresh, delicate flavor
is delightful with no added salt or
flavoring, although the Avila family experiment with different flavors such as lemon and garlic for
their roasted peanuts.
The best thing about California
nuts from the farmers' market is
their freshness.
Truly fresh
California nuts retain the sweet flavor that their just-picked oil rich
flesh still has. A rancid nut is a terrible thing that even baking cannot
disguise. Garnish, munch and
bake with fresh California nuts this
season.
RELIGIOUS DIRECTORY
ST. MONICA
CATHOLIC CHURCH
CHRISTIAN METAPHYSICAL
THE CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE
OF SPIRITUAL SCIENCE
An inclusive,
trans-denominational church.
1308 Second Street,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(Corner of Second and
Arizona Streets)
310.394.4178
Worship Service, Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Rev. John H. Newton, Pastor
Spiritual direction, meditation, prayer
CHURCHES
Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America
MOUNT OLIVE LUTHERAN
CHURCH & PRESCHOOL
1343 Ocean Park Blvd.,
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Church (310) 452-1116
Fax (310) 450-2273
Preschool (310) 452-2342
Fax (310) 581-6813
Contemporary Informal Worship 9 a.m.
Education & Fellowship 10 a.m.
Traditional Liturgical Worship 11 a.m.
701 California Ave., Santa Monica
(310) 393-9287 www.stmonica.net
Regular Mass Schedule:
M-F: 6:30 / 8:00 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.
Sat: 8:00 a.m.; 5:30p.m. (Vigil), a
Sun: 6:45 / 7:45 / 9:30 / 11:30 a.m.
1:15 / 5:30 p.m.
Holy Days: (Vigil 5:30 p.m.),
6:00 / 8:00 / 10:30 p.m.: 12:15 / 5:30 p.m.
Confessions: M-F 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Sat: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
An Inclusive and intergenerational
congregation of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America
958 Lincoln Bl. Santa Monica 90403
(310) 451-1346
[email protected]
Sunday Schedule:
Sunday 8:30 & 11 a.m. Holy Communion
9:40 a.m. Christian Education
Childcare provided at all services
The Rev. James Boline, Pastor
TWENTIETH CHURCH
OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST
132 Brooks Ave., Venice Beach, CA 90291
(310) 396-1390
Sunday Service 10 a.m. and Sunday School
Wednesdays Testimonial Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Reading Room 132 Brooks Ave.
All are welcome at
our services and Reading Room.
THE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH
First Presbyterian
Church of Santa Monica
A Community that Cares.
1220 Second Street,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Church (310) 451-1303
Fax (310) 451-4237
Child Care and
Education Programs Provided
Sunday Worship: 8:45 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Pastor William A. Wood
Associate Pastor Donna Lee Merz
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
OF SANTA MONICA
1008 11th St. (at Washington Ave.)
(310) 393-8258 www.santamonicaumc.org
Sunday Worship Services
9:00 am & 10:30 am
Childcare & Sunday School Offered
Weekday Nursery School
And Kindergarten
(310) 395-7292
The Rev. Patricia E. Farris,
Senior Minister
1220 20th St. Santa Monica, 90404
(310) 829-1742
Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.,
Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.
Evening Service: Sunday: 6:00 p.m.,
Wednesday: 7:00 p.m.
Morning Prayer: M-F 6-7:30 a.m.
The Lighthouse Pre-School & K-12
TRINITY BAPTIST OF
SANTA MONICA
1015 California Ave., Santa Monica, 90403
Celebration Services - 9:30 a.m.
Small Groups 11:00 a.m.
Child Care Sundays 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Middle and High School Youth Group Wednesday 6 p.m.
Adult Bible Studies Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Pastor Keith Magee
Pastor, Young Adults, Aaron Kumlin
(310) 395-9961
www.trinitysantamonica.com
SANTA MONICA UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST COMMUNITY CHURCH
A Liberal Religion
1260 18th Street
The Reverend Judith Meyer, Minister
Sunday Services 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
(310) 829-5436
www.uusm.org
Mirror
December 22 - 28, 2004
SM Civic Auditorium
Continued from page 15.
nate to lead and work with a dedicated, talented, professional team
who earn rave reviews for customer
service.”
When asked about her most
memorable experiences as manager, she said, “One of the most moving events for me was the 18-day
Kalachakra Initiation given by His
Holiness, the Dalai Lama in 1989.”
The Civic is a City landmark.
Curtin explained, “The landmark
designation honors the legacy of
events held at the Civic. It preserves the only example of midcentury International Style architecture in the city designed by Welton
Beckett. The designation insures
that Santa Monica Civic will be
here to host memorable events in
the future.”
The configuration of the lobby
spaces and auditorium entry doors,
the wood paneling along the south
wall of the first floor, the two original lobby staircases, the volume
and configuration of the auditorium
main hall space, the adjustable
auditorium main hall floor with its
hydraulic lift, the metal acoustical
panels and wall sconces in the auditorium main hall, and sound proof
sliding doors to a conference room
are among the structure’s more distinguished features.
Future Plans
Two capital improvement projects are scheduled for the Civic in
2005. The East Wing ceiling and
lighting will be replaced. The Civic
cooling tower and chiller is also
being replaced with an ice storage
system and chiller, which makes ice
at night that is used to cool the
Auditorium during the day. It will
reduce energy and maintenance
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costs and will serve as a model
project for the City’s sustainability
effort.
The City’s proposed Civic Center
Specific Plan (CCSP) calls for the
Civic to give priority to "cultural,
educational and community-oriented activities" and includes plans for
a 20,000 square foot addition to the
East Wing and a limited amount of
underground parking.
When asked how the Civic is
doing financially, Curtin said that in
fiscal year 2003-2004, the Civic
hosted 81 events (228 event days),
earned an estimated $2,306,500 and
spent an estimated $2,332,250,
adding that “The Civic generally
operates at a break even level or
with a small operating loss.”
One thing is certain: the small
auditorium with the big history will
be around for a long time.
Vintage photography courtesy
City of Santa Monica
Senior
Scene
UNITY BY THE SEA
Practical Spirituality For Everyday Life
2121 Cloverfield Blvd. #111
(NE Corner of Pico)
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 998-8810
Dr. Maya Brandenberger, Minister
Sunday 10 a.m. Service Children’s Program
www.unitybythesea.org
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1217 16th St.
(N. 23rd & Ocean Pk) (At Wilshire)
lic# 198200623 lic# 191641758
11827 Venice Blvd. LA 90066
310-398-4536
A Conservative Congregation
Welcomes you to join a family-like synagogue/
Rabbi Seth Rosen
Chabad in S. Monica
www.thechabadnik.org
1428 17th St, S.M., CA 90404
Minyan: Morn. M-F 7:30 am,
Sat 10:00 am Sun 8:30 am
Aft/eve: S-F Sundown
Kaddish Service, Holiday Programs
Hebrew School, Day Camp, Mikvah
Torah-Line 453-4774
Rabbi Avrohom Levitansky
Call: 310-453-3011
SPECIALIZING IN ALZHEIMER’S
AND RELATED DISORDERS
THE RIGHT ALTERNATIVE TO A NURSING HOME
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For news of current activities:
Call 310-829-2939
Baha’i Information Recorded Message:
310-394-7971
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RELIGIOUS
DIRECTORY
call
Judy Swartz today at
310.204.4255
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