Toluca Lake Magazine Issue Archive
Winter 2020
Toluca Lake’s creativity and communal spirit can bring enthusiasm and warmth to our holiday celebrations, whatever form they may take. So for this unprecedented season, we’ve compiled a local resource kit you can use regardless of how big or small your festivities turn out to be, whether you go out or stay home, and no matter how merry or meh you may feel this year. That includes cozy and comforting recipes from neighborhood restaurants, an expanded shopping and gift guide to help you show support for our business community as well as nonprofits that aid our vulnerable neighbors, and inspiring stories of residents working hard to make a difference year-round.
Indulging in Holiday Cheer
When Lou Correa was growing up in France, the smell of puff pastry dough and almond cream baking in the oven meant he’d soon be able to enjoy one of his favorite festive treats — galette des rois.
2020 Holiday Gift Guide
Our annual holiday gift guide features expert recommendations from some of our favorite local businesses on this year’s most popular items.
Shop Where the Heart Is
Our local shopping guide features an array of small businesses in and around Toluca Lake that you can support this holiday season.
Local Residents Committed to Giving Back
In honor of the season of giving, we’ve highlighted some of our neighbors who are dedicated to making a difference in our community year-round.
Winter Warmer
Looking for a new seasonal drink to add to your next family holiday celebration? The experts at Verse share the recipe for the Ring of Fire cocktail.
Living Life on the Lake
Residents Cindy and Bob Wexler share their love of community and their new business venture — Wexler Property Management.
Courage in the Face of Uncertainty
As an ICU nurse, Toluca Lake resident Tali Lee saw firsthand how personal protective equipment became scarce with the onset of the pandemic.
Tom Kwak
For over 28 years, Tom Kwak of Ramsey-Shilling Associates has immersed himself in all that Toluca Lake has to offer.
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays
This is a holiday season unlike any other. Yet instead of dwelling on all we’ve lost and what looks different, it’s important to focus on what we still have and what will endure.
Scaring Up Halloween Fun
This Halloween was unusual in many ways, but one thing that remained unchanged was the creative spirit that annually transforms our peaceful streets.
Creature Feature
With more time at home during the pandemic, Jo Osmond Morris channeled Victor Frankenstein and created some monsters.
Harvest Festival
Local businesses decorated their storefronts with creative seasonal themes and offered special promotions such as sales and raffles for the Toluca Lake Harvest Festival.
Toluca Lake Beautification Partners Project Updates
TLBP is working diligently on the implementation of the Toluca Lake Village clock project, streetscape planning on Riverside Drive and the Clean Team.
Featured Pet: Jack
Chocolate Labradoodle Jack lived almost his entire 12 years in Toluca Lake. (Sadly, he passed away earlier this year, before we were able to print his story.)
Featured Pets: Banana & Boo
Fifteen-year-old chihuahua Boo is a ball of love; 7-year-old chihuahua mix Banana Cream Pie is a sweet-hearted tyrant.
Featured Pet: Goldie
Our very first featured reptile, Goldie is a 2-year-old yellow-bellied slider.
Featured Pets: Squeaky & Chloe
Squeaky the guinea pig is a sweet, fluffy girl who loves snuggling; Chloe the parakeet loves to chirp while looking out on her Toluca Lake backyard.