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Macrobiotic Community of

Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA

Los Angeles-Long Beach Area #1

Los Angeles-Long Beach Area #2

Los Angeles-Long Beach Area #3

Los Angeles-Long Beach Area #4

Community Description
Area Description	Los Angeles ranks as the second largest city in the United States. It is the industrial, financial and trade centers of the west. It is also the largest manufacturing center in the country. It is among the nation's leaders in the production of aircraft and equipment for space exploration. Its metropolitan area population is 8,863,200.
Municipalities With Macrobiotic Services Or Activities	Alhambra, Beverly Hills, Buena Park, Burbank, Canoga Park, Carson, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Hermosa Beach, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Miguel, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, N Hollywood, Norwalk, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, S Pasadena, Studio City, Sylmar, Thousand Oaks, Topango, Torrance, Tustin, Venice, Whittier, Woodland Hills.
Summary and Impressions of the Community	There is a sense in Los Angeles that macrobiotics influence is far more extensive than we found it to be. There are many practicing macrobiotic people and services, but community activity leaves a lot of room for improvement. Cecille Levin began counseling in West Hollywood in the 1970's at an East West Foundation; there was also a macro restaurant at the time. Her presence was strongly felt for a long time in the area. Her passing has had a strong influence on the current community. In 1968, Aveline Kushi established a study group in Los Angeles and opened a one room shop on Beverly Boulevard called Erewhon. It has since become a model store in the industry. One of Aveline's students, Thomas De Silva, began working in the store in 1969 and in 1980, became its owner. It still operates, but in a larger location. Roy Stevens, Muromoto and Verne Varona were other early teachers in the area. Mina Dobic brings to the San Diego and Los Angeles area one of the most dynamic personalities in the macrobiotic world today.
Macrobiotic Community Assessment	Healthy Services: 1 resident counselor & 4 cooking teachers; 2 visiting counselors. Moderate Activities: Weekly Support group; 2 macro restaurants; dinners planned for future; Pat Murray seminars. Macro Center of Southern CA created many activities until it recently closed. Macrobiotics started in 1968 with the opening of Erewhon, the first natural foods store in the west, and an East West Foundation in the 1970’s.

Professional Services
Resident Counselors	Katharine Manning
Resident Cooking Teachers	Katharine Manning, Laura Garrett and Karen Bryson (818 766-8804) , Nadine Barner (used to), Gerry McMillen, Ann Gentry (occasionally).
Visiting Counselors and Cooking Teachers	Verne Varona, Mina Dobic regularly.
Professional Cooks or Caterers	Ann Gentry, Kim Cohen, Laura Garrett

Interviewed Macrobiotic Practitioners
Nadine Barner
Length of Macrobiotic Practice	21 Years
Community Functions	Teacher, cooking teacher, caterer
Macrobiotic Study	Levels I, II and III at the Kushi Institute. Has begun studying for a nutritional license.
Alternative Healing Modes	Essential oils.
Ann Gentry
Length of Macrobiotic Practice	14 years
Community Functions	Runs three restaurants
Macrobiotic Study	Not Formally
Alternative Healing Modes	None
Katherine Manning
Length of Macrobiotic Practice	16 Years
Community Functions	Health, spiritual and psychological counselor and cooking teacher, hypnotism and Satsang meditation.
Macrobiotic Study	In 1990, she lived in Becket and hosted teachers in weekly potlucks; she operated a home based co op; then she studied in Vega with the Aihara's for 2 - 3 weeks every 3 months for 3 years.
Alternative Healing Modes	Yes; multiple alternatives .
Rushka Porter
Length of Macrobiotic Practice	14 years
Community Functions	She wants to open a macrobiotic restaurant and is looking for financing. She also founded a macrobiotic support group that met at Jennifer Green's house weekly with teachers and lecturers; then moved to a macrobiotic restaurant to meet.
Macrobiotic Study	Levels I, II and III at the KI. Also studied one month a year in Los Angeles for 3 years.
Alternative Healing Modes	Yes; multiple alternatives .
Laura Garrett
Length of Macrobiotic Practice	25 Years
Community Functions	Cooking teacher, cook, caterer
Macrobiotic Study	Levels I and II at the Kushi Institute. Originally studied with Donna Wilson, and various other teachers over the years. Organized a cancer support group and weekly potlucks in Ventura County in 1988-1989. Now doing beginning series classes, healing and gourmet cooking classes. Also has some supplies and books available for purchase.
Alternative Healing Modes	None
Karen Bryson
Length of Macrobiotic Practice	14 years
Community Functions	Cooking teacher, Cook, Caterer
Macrobiotic Study	KI Level III graduate
Alternative Healing Modes	None

Support System
Paid or Potluck Dinners	Karen Bryson has a weekday Take-Out service. Pam Buonanotte does paid macro dinners on holidays in Orange County. Kathy Manning used to have monthly dinners with speakers and is planning to resume them.
Education Centers	None.
Seminars	Health Classics Seminar annually (alternates with San Diego; each location annually). Pat Murray organizes occasional seminars in the area.
Newsletter	None
Support Groups	Weekly at macrobiotic restaurant; used to be at Jennifer Green's house
Work Study Program	None
Publications, Books, Cassettes	At local health food stores
Web Sites	http://www.realfood.com/; http://www.vegfamily.com/; http://erewhonmarket.com/; http://healthclassics.com; http://edenfoods.com/

Natural Food Sources
Macrobiotic Restaurants	Real Foods Daily (2 macrobiotic restaurants) operated by Ann Gentry; there are 35 restaurants with vegan options on their menus in addition of Whole Foods, Wild Oats and other health food stores with salad bars.
Natural Food Chain Stores	Whole Foods, Wild Oats
Independent Natural Food Stores	Payless Foods, Papa John's Health Center, Nutri Doc, Follow Your Heart, Health Emporium, Mother's Market and Kitchen, Kay's Natural Choice, Erewhon Natural Foods, Rainbow Acres
Natural Food Coops	Venice Ocean Park Food Co-Op, Co-Opportunity Consumer's Cooperative
Mail Order Buying Clubs	None
Cottage Industries	None

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