We celebrate the beauty of our community year-round, but there’s an extra excitement in the air in springtime. As the weather warms and the wildflowers bloom, the whole world seems fresh and green. Whether you feel the urge to head out on a hike or prefer to simply stretch out on a chaise lounge in the backyard, the outdoors beckons — and in this issue, we’ve got some great ideas to help you enjoy it.
That’s why this is the perfect moment to launch our collaboration with Toluca Lake Beautification Partners, the group that’s been hard at work enhancing our public spaces through projects like median and off-ramp improvements, streetscape planning and more. This nonprofit is an exemplary expression of Toluca Lake at its best: a coalition of leaders from each of the four main community organizations, in cooperation with government agencies and local businesses, working together to define a unified vision for a safe, sustainable and livable neighborhood. They’ve achieved some truly remarkable things so far, and we’re confident the future will be even brighter. To help get the message out about their mission and how we can all contribute to its success, we’re thrilled to debut a new section of the magazine that serves as an official publication for Toluca Lake Beautification Partners to share the details of their accomplishments and plans. We hope you’ll join with us in supporting their efforts to make Toluca Lake an even more beautiful place to live, work and visit.
In addition to news on community happenings, in this issue you’ll also find inspiration for making the most of the spring sunshine, including a can’t-miss list of 10 local hikes as well as tips on making your home’s outdoor spaces shine with the latest patio design trends. We’re also exploring the history of Universal City, one of the area’s largest employers and tourist attractions, which has welcomed visitors ever since its opening day in March 1915. And, last but not least, we chatted with Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian about his path to public service, his policy priorities and his neighborhood favorites, as both our elected representative and a resident of Toluca Lake himself.
As always, thank you for your readership.