Once again, I was thrilled to celebrate with my family, staff and local friends old and new at December’s Holiday Open House. Despite the drizzle, so many of you stopped by our table to say hello, snap a festive photo and tell us what you love about our community and our magazine. Even though I live and breathe Toluca Lake full-time, I was freshly struck by the sense of shared enthusiasm for this little corner of L.A. Stuart Friedel, one of the winners of our drawing for a gift certificate to a local business, told us, “Toluca Lake is a neighborhood oasis in a big city, and the magazine reminds us how much local flavor we have.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
In this issue, we’re bringing that local flavor to the topic that’s foremost in so many minds this time of year: health and wellness. Eating better, exercising more and feeling less stressed top the list of most popular New Year’s resolutions year in and year out — but of course, if changing our habits were that easy, we wouldn’t be making these same resolutions over and over again. Fortunately, Toluca Lake and its surrounding areas are full of resources to support you in following through on your health goals year-round. Since we’re lucky enough to have one of L.A.’s leading athletic facilities right here in the neighborhood, we tapped the experts at the Toluca Lake Tennis & Fitness Club for guidance on getting active now and staying motivated long-term. And for a wealth of other ways to practice self-care and look and feel your best in 2020, read our roundup of local wellness services, from acupuncture to orthodontia and spas to CBD.
While the new year is a prime time to pursue the path to a new you, with Valentine’s Day on the way it’s also the season to cherish what we love. Toluca Lake is proof positive that there are plenty of timeless traditions that don’t need to change, and we want to celebrate those, too. “Receiving the magazine at home really makes me feel more connected to the neighborhood,” says Alissa Crist, another of our contest winners. “I love the history profiles, which remind me that I am a part of a legendary part of L.A.” We hope she and the many other fans of our history articles enjoy Patrick Curtis’ vivid rendering of growing up in 1940s Toluca Lake as he recounts the hilarious tale of one very memorable ride to the Smoke House in Clark Gable’s brand-new sports car. And for those who named Pets of Toluca as their favorite feature, we’ve got a super-sized edition in this issue with nine local dogs that are sure to win your heart.
Whatever 2020 brings, we’re grateful to be spending it here in Toluca Lake. Thank you for your readership, and we look forward to bringing you even more to love in the year ahead.