Toluca Lake Magazine Issue Archive
Fall 2026
Our ninth annual History Issue transports you through time — all the way from the founding of the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood 100 years ago, through memories of childhood hijinks in the Valley landscape of the 1970s, and up to current local events.
A Doorway to the World of Entertainment
Rich in history, North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre has furnished much-needed entertainment and community support from the day its doors opened 100 years ago.
The El Portal Theatre Reflects on a Milestone
A visit to the El Portal Theatre is a tour through layers of local artistic history, not only of the century-old building itself, but of the people who have helped it survive and thrive.
Booked on Becket
Chris Lukather reflects on growing up in the Valley in the 1970s and how a hobby of collecting discarded items from local studios eventually went too far.
A Night of Community and Public Safety
More than 300 residents from Valley Village, Toluca Lake and surrounding areas made their way to Valley Village Park to celebrate National Night Out on August 4.
Progress on Toluca Lake Beautification Projects
Toluca Lake Beautification Partners is making progress on several ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing the neighborhood’s public spaces and creating more walkable, healthy environments.
Crone Creed to Debut at El Portal Theatre
Nonprofit theatrical company Theater4All is set to premiere its inaugural production, Crone Creed, as part of the El Portal Theatre’s historic centennial season.
Don Cuco
Since the 1960s, Don Cuco has become synonymous with delicious old-school Mexican food. The original Riverside Drive location has been a prominent part of Toluca Lake’s dining scene for decades.
Community Legacies Worth Preserving
A hundred years ago this October, a theater opened its doors to much fanfare on Lankershim Boulevard. The El Portal is still standing strong, and its century-long run is really a story about the people around it.
Featured Pet: Aero Bear
A familiar figure in the neighborhood, Aero loves strolling along Riverside Drive as friends old and new stop to say hello to this happy, friendly oversized puppy.