Welcome to the summer issue of Toluca Lake Magazine. Our cover story profiles veteran actor Zahn McClarnon, who’s gracefully made his way from “Hey, it’s that guy!” status to leading man over the course of three decades in the business. McClarnon’s steely gaze is seemingly everywhere these days, so we were delighted to discover that he can also be found right here in our own community, as a proud resident of the Toluca Lake area for 20-plus years and counting. In our interview, he shares everything from his favorite local coffee shop to what it’s like to work with Big Bird, but most notably how it feels to have attained such tremendous success with roles that hit especially close to home, as part of the wave of Indigenous talent that’s been revolutionizing how Hollywood portrays Native American characters and cultures.
One of the things McClarnon loves about our neighborhood is its easy access to the natural beauty in and around L.A., which is even more pronounced after last winter’s heavy rains. In this issue, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite nearby hikes where you can refresh your senses by strolling in the shade of the season’s extra-lush greenery and admiring the bounty of water in our lakes, rivers, reservoirs and waterfalls.
We also bring you a conversation with L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who says she’s enjoying the “honeymoon phase” of connecting with our community after a fresh start in representing Toluca Lake and its surrounding areas when they joined her district at the end of 2021. Barger tells us about her background, her policy priorities, her new local field office and how she’s coordinating with community members to maintain and improve the quality of life for all its residents.
Our neighborhood continues to be highly prized for its lovely homes, scenic streets, convenient location and close-knit community, which can make navigating the local real estate landscape both alluring and, at times, overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled our third annual real estate resource guide, where eight local pros detail the services they provide and offer their expertise to help buyers, sellers and renters keep cool heads in a hot market.
And finally, as Toluca Lake celebrates its centennial this year, we’re continuing to bring you coverage of the area’s storied past — this time, a look at some of the stylish celebrity-owned restaurants and nightclubs where locals and visitors dined, drank and danced from the 1920s through the ’60s. We hope this taste of nostalgia whets your appetite for our forthcoming fall history issue, where we’ll dive even more deeply into the past. If you have vintage photos or stories your neighbors might get a kick out of, don’t hesitate to send them to us at stories@tolucalake.com.
As always, thank you for your enthusiastic readership, and I urge you to continue to support our amazing advertisers, who help our community thrive and make this magazine possible. I wish you a wonderful summer!
