Reynier Village-South Robertson

Mural by Ricky

Reynier Village was featured on Departures-KCET, an online exploration of Los Angeles neighborhoods.
See above the murals in the alley between Reynier Ave and Shenandoah Street.

South Robertson was also explored.
See below Barbara Mendes painting a wall of her gallery at 2701 Robertson Blvd.

Barbara Mendes

For a list of businesses with addresses, phone numbers and websites, see the Robertson page of our Reynier Village Neighborhood Association website.

Have fun with the interactive mural, watch photos and videos, read about the history of the Santa Monica Fwy, the Beverlywood Swim School, Hamilton High School, explore our nearby neighborhoods Beverlywood, Castle Heights and more…

Watch 6 videos of Doug Fitzimmons, SORO NC President.

-EL-

Art classes

We were glad to see that the remodeled space at 2803 S Robertson Blvd has been rented to Art Works Studio (310-202 1894).
Starting September 10, they offer art classes and workshops for all ages on drawing, painting and mixed media. They have camps for children Kindergarden to 12th grade during summer and school holidays.
They partnered with Hands-on 3rd so they also offer classes in sewing, knitting, screen printing, jewelry making and more.
You may book your own private drawing party for women only with champagne, dinner and live male nude model, at their Hollywood location on Melrose and Larchmont. Call: 323-463 2562 or email: ladrawing party@gmail.com

To register for classes, email: info@artworksstudio.org

SORO FEST

Barbara Mendes

The Annual SORO Community festival celebrated its 15th anniversary this year, on Sunday June 3, 2012.  A new coordinator, Mark Fielder, and many volunteers worked really hard to organize this exciting event, that attracts throngs of neighbors to a Robertson Boulevard without cars, between Cattaraugus and Beverlywood, and is sponsored by SoRo Inc. and South Robertson Neighborhood Council.
Many local vendors and artisans display their wares, community organizations distribute information about their activities, dance and music groups perform on stage, gourmet food trucks serve lunch.
This year we checked out the booths of jewelry designer Phoebe Neil, who is President of our Reynier Village Neighborhood Association, and of artist Barbara Mendes, who owns a Gallery at 2701 Robertson and designed the blue SORO Fest tee-shirt that everyone was wearing.
Doug Fitzsimmons, President of SORONC, presented the Susan Bursk Community Service Award to Beth Ryan, President of the Crestview Neighborhood Association, and organizer of summer programs for kids at Stepping Forward LA and RAL (Robertson Activities League).
Pico Cleaners received the Green Leadership award for their environment-friendly methods used in their business.

-EL-

Phoebe Neil

Robertson remodel

2801 + Robertson

Many of you probably noticed that four storefronts are being remodeled on Robertson, painted in bright pastel colors to attract new tenants.
We can’t wait to find out which exciting new shops will open there.
One of them is already occupied by the same establishment that was there before, the hair salon Marshoni G at 2801 (310) 839 2400
You may want to get your hair styled there or try these other salons.
Aveda–Knox Salon  at 2823 (310) 837 5600
Studio 2356 at 2356 (310) 837 2356
For more blog posts about Robertson select the category at right.
For a list of businesses check the Roberton page on our NEW Reynier Village website.
Please tell us about YOUR discoveries in the comments box below.
-EL-

2729 + Robertson

Schools on Robertson

Hamilton High

Did you know that you could find so many learning opportunities for yourself and your family on our very own South Robertson Blvd?

If you have teenage children, they may attend Alexander Hamilton High School, and qualify for their excellent Music and Humanities magnets.

If you would like to grow vegetables in your own backyard, volunteer at the Hami Garden, take a 4-week class from Master Gardner George Pessin, Sundays starting April 29. Email him to register. Click here for more details, see our earlier post.

If you have pre-school children and would like to give them an early start in environmentally sound behaviors, consider enrolling them at
Green Beginnings Pre-School (310) 841 6100
3047-3049 S Robertson Blvd (more info)

If you need your toddlers to get comfortable in the water to be safe around your pool, book lessons at
Beverlywood Swim School (310) 838 4088
2610-2612 S Robertson Blvd (more info)

If you wish to learn about making art with ceramics, contact
Echo Ceramics (310) 815-1525
2856 S Robertson Blvd

if you love gourmet cooking, walk into this delightful shop that also sells kitchen tools and get a list of their classes

Hipcooks West LA (310) 841 2738
2833 S Robertson Blvd

-EL-

More on Robertson

Good Will Donation Center

There are so many useful places on Robertson, right next door to our homes, and we should support them, because we’d like to make our neighborhood more user-friendly.
For instance, I always have my car washed locally, bring my donations to Good Will, have my clothes dry-cleaned here; if I were in the market for a used car, I would certainly take a look on Robertson first, if I still owned a dog, I might bring it nearby for grooming.
See below a list of these places, please send us your favorites

CAR WASH  310-559 8044
2460 S Robertson Blvd

EURO COACH CORP  310-280 0595
2900 S Robertson Blvd
www.eurocoachautonet.com

FANCY CLEANERS  310-837 2822
2895  S Robertson Blvd

GOOD WILL  310-559 5806
2502 S Robertson Blvd

MANY PAWS 310-837 1710
2750  S Robertson Blvd

–EL –

Art on Robertson

SoRo Art Center

Art Gallery

A few weeks ago I walked to Robertson Blvd to review some of the new places that have opened recently, in order to update the RVNA website.  I stopped inside the SoRo Art Center to chat with local artist BARBARA MENDES.  She has been involved in our neighborhood activities for many years, in fact, she created the Reynier Village Neighborhood Association logo that you see on color signs in some of our streets.  As always, I was very impressed with her paintings, so decided to buy one for myself, to enjoy its amazing colors and shapes every day in my own home.
Currently the gallery hosts a show of other artists work as well, NEW VIBRATIONS, and on Sunday February 19 at 3 pm they are having a party.   You’re all invited!

SoRo Art Center
Barbara Mendes Gallery
2701 S Robertson Blvd
310-558 3215

-EL-

Eat on Robertson

Campos. Robertson Blvd

There are not nearly enough good places to eat on Robertson as we would like, so we wouldn’t have to drive to downtown Culver City to find a proper restaurant, however we have some local favorites, like Campos, not a chain like Taco Bell across the street, but a family owned place that serves authentic Mexican food.  We love the Argentinian Empanadas made by Adriano and Marcelo, and we’re very appreciative of the discounts they offer our Reynier Village Neighborhood Association, when we host our summer park nites.

You may want to enjoy a stroll, grab some food at these local eateries.

CAMPOS TACOS  310-202 7308
2639 S Robertson Blvd

DOLCE ISOLA 310-776 7070
2867  S Robertson Blvd

EMPANADAS  310-836 5944
2513 S Robertson Blvd
www.argentinianempanadas.com

Dolce Isola. Robertson Blvd

-EL-

Swim on Robertson

When I moved to Reynier Village from Hollywood 24 years ago, in 1988, my daughter was still a baby, but pretty soon I was taking her to swim at the Beverlywood Swim School on Robertson, a local institution that has been in business since 1951.  Kids and parents splash away together inside the 2 warm pools, and patient teachers guide the toddlers’ first floats in this weightless environment.
The place is closed on Sundays to host birthday parties.  You may want to book one for your kids. Check their website for more info.
www.swimbss.com
BEVERLYWOOD SWIM SCHOOL
2610-2612  S Robertson Blvd
310-838 4088

- – EL

Robertson Blvd

Antique Plus

I often take walks around the neighborhood, by myself or with a friend.  Even now that our dog has passed away, I keep up this habit to get some exercise.  Last Sunday I walked on Robertson Blvd, which I don’t usually do on weekdays to avoid the traffic, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the only remaining antique store open and displaying their wares on the sidewalk.  Some new shops have opened recently, and a few storefronts are being remodeled to attract tenants.
Let’s support our local merchants, art galleries, schools and restaurants.

Please send us comments about your favorites.
See listed below our choices in the antiques, upholstery and furniture category.

ANTIQUE PLUS (310) 903 6072
2812  S Robertson Blvd

ART DECO DESIGNERS (310) 838 8011
2820-22  S Robertson Blvd

SERENA INTERIORS  (310) 558 9678
2739 S Robertson Blvd
www.SerenaInteriors.com

Art Deco Designers

-EL-

Garden Class at Hami Garden

George at Hami Garden

Good News!
Master Gardner George Pessin will conduct another series of classes.

The 4-week session is every Sunday
Dates: Sept 18, Sept 25, Oct 2, Oct 9
Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Hamilton School Garden
2955 S Robertson Blvd (entrance on Canfield Ave)

The Grow LA Victory Garden classes are organized and led by UC California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. Those who complete the 4-week training will become UC-Certified Victory Gardeners.

Please register early these classes sold out last May.
Email George to pay by Paypal or mail a check to
George Pessin
834 Huntley Dr #4

Los Angeles, CA 90069

Download their Vegetable Gardening Handbook  -EL-

Green preschool

Green Beginning

A brand new preschool has opened in our neighborhood!

Welcome news to those of us who remember the now defunct but wonderful Palms-Westminster Nursery School.

And this school is amazing!

playground

garden beds

The building is painted green, it’s called Green Beginning, and it follows green practices.  They have 3 garden beds where they grow strawberries and tomatoes, they use 3 composting bins… something we should all be doing in our backyards. And these 2 to 5-year-old are learning these basic skills early in their lives.

If you have young children, please check them out.  Their fall classes start September 9.

3047-3049 Roberston Blvd

310-841 6100

greenbeginningpreschool.com
- – EL

SORO Festival

For the thirteenth year the SORO festival took place on South Robertson on Sunday June 6.
It was a great way to discover local businesses and get reacquainted with old friends.

I spoke with our Reynier Village neighbor Huli, who was displaying her lovely handmade jewelry creations.
You may contact her at: stillsloane2@gmail.com

I chatted with local painter Barbara Mendes and she proudly showed me the newly painted facade of her gallery, after her recent move to 2709 Robertson Blvd.
Here’s her website: BarbaraMendes.org

I had meant to get a facial and I found a list of choices on a flyer from Massage Garage, plus a $10 discount coupon. I had never noticed their storefront on Main Street in Culver City, even though I have been going to the Tuesday afternoon farmers market on that street for years. I booked a glycemic peel and was very pleased with the treatment.
Here’s their website: themassagegarage.com

I created a list of local eateries and businesses on South Robertson, that you may consult on our neighborhood website: reyniervillage.com

Eat locally, talk to your neighbors, discover how many creative and interesting people live next door to you. – - EL