The pages of our magazine are always full of articles and photos showcasing Toluca Lake’s gorgeous homes, thriving businesses, charming streets and neighborly spirit — an alluring invitation to come visit, live or work in our area. But what happens when the neighborhood draws a different kind of attention? As Neighborhood Watch co-chair Cathryn Farnsworth shares in this issue, that’s exactly what happened last year, when Toluca Lake’s peace was disturbed by a surge in burglaries and attempted break-ins. Hard-hitting news and policy concerns aren’t part of our normal beat as a local lifestyle publication, but examples of the community coming together to solve problems are. This story shows how strong partnerships between the Neighborhood Watch, Toluca Lake Homeowners Association and LAPD’s North Hollywood Division have helped residents strengthen their connections to protect the sense of security and serenity that make this neighborhood so special while preserving its friendly, welcoming character.
Bolstered by this renewed commitment to our shared safety, Toluca Lake continues to nurture cherished traditions and create new ones — as shown by the array of recent gatherings featured in the Out & About section of this issue. As always, we were thrilled to greet readers and make new friends at the Holiday Open House, an event we eagerly look forward to supporting and attending each year. It’s just one of the many elements people cite when describing what they love so much about this neighborhood, and no one knows more about the area’s desirability than our local real estate agents. Expert knowledge remains vital in the competitive and ever-changing landscape for buyers, sellers and renters, which is why we’re bringing you insights from two local pros on the current market, the services they provide and their ties to the community.
Other treasured aspects of the Toluca Lake area include its strong creative spirit and its unique history, both of which are on display in our pair of feature stories about local music industry legends past and present. You’ll find out how Nudie Cohn’s North Hollywood tailoring business revolutionized style for country and Western entertainers from the 1940s onward with his wildly colorful and sparkling designs. Then get a peek at one of Jimmy Angel’s electrifying Smoke House shows and learn the backstory on the former teen idol’s tumultuous career path and the devotion to ’50s rock that has kept him going strong into his 90s.
We remain eternally grateful for your readership and, as always, for our advertisers — we couldn’t bring Toluca Lake Magazine to you without their support. As we fill our community calendar with plans for the longer days ahead, I wish you all a joyful spring.
