California philanthropist Wallis Annenberg dies at 86
Longtime Southern California philanthropist Wallis Annenberg — whose family name graces everything from a performing arts center in Beverly Hills to a wildlife crossing in Agoura Hills— died Monday at her Los Angeles home from complications of lung cancer, the Los Angeles Time reported. She was 86.
The Annenberg name is ubiquitous in the Los Angeles area, including the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace in Koreatown, the Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center in Exposition Park, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the upcoming Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills.
She was heir to her father Walter Annenberg's publishing empire, which included TV Guide. After he died in 2002, Wallis Annenberg took over as president and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation, which he founded in 1989 after selling TV Guide and assets to Rupert Murdoch. The nonprofit has assets of about $1.2 billion, according to the Times,
She broadened the foundation's philanthropic emphasis on media, arts and education to include animal welfare, environmental conservation and healthcare.
During her 16 years at the helm of the foundation, it gave away an estimated $1.5 billion to thousands of Los Angeles County based organizations and nonprofits, the Times reported.
"Wallis Annenberg blessed the Los Angeles community not only with her philanthropy, but also with her guidance about how to improve our community" LACMA Chief Executive Michael Govan, told the Times. "From public access to our beautiful beaches to the livelihood of local animals, and the importance of the arts to our daily lives."
For the wildlife crossing, Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation gave $25 million. The state and other donors also helped to fund the bridge, which is expected to be around 210 feet long and 174 feet wide and is designed to look like natural habitat, landscaped with native plants.
At the April 2022 groundbreaking, she said wildlife crossings make a profound difference, giving animals a chance to roam without risking their lives.
"You might say that when we break ground here at Liberty Canyon we're also shattering the old ways of doing business, the old approaches that simply ignored the fragile ecosystem beneath our feet," she said.
She was born Wallis Huberta Annenberg in Philadelphia and grew up in Washington, D.C.
She is survived by four children and five grandchildren.
Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass react to Wallis Annenberg's death
Two California leaders are paying tribute to the Southern California philanthropist.
Gov. Gavin Newsom described Annenberg as a remarkable woman, saying the state is "better for all that she did."
"Wallis Annenberg was a visionary who believed not just in a better world, but in a kinder one," Newsom said in a statement. "She worked on broader societal issues, including funding medical research, economic development, and environmental protection, but she deeply believed in supporting the American right to the pursuit of happiness.
"She was always determined to find new ways to help people achieve a better, more joyful quality of life, and above all else, to help people connect with each other."
The California governor added that Annenberg believed in community and recognized that it was people who made the difference and that money only went so far.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in statement that Los Angeles is "stronger because of her."
"This is a loss that resonates beyond words here in Los Angeles," Bass said. "Wallis Annenberg's selfless leadership and visionary spirit transformed our city in profound and lasting ways.
"There are unhoused Angelenos sleeping inside because of her. There are young people throughout the city expanding their horizons and exposure to the arts and sciences in new and exciting ways because of her. There are institutions, museums as well as public spaces like beaches and parks that are enhanced and improved because of her."
The Ventura County Star and Desert Sun reporter Paris Barraza contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Wallis Annenberg dies at 86, known for generosity across Southern California
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Woman Accuses Roommate of 'Showing Off' After Talking to Guest About Her Family's Culture
She was just sharing her background when a guest asked about her cooking, but now her roommate thinks she crossed a lineNEED TO KNOW A woman explains her multicultural background to a guest who asks about her cooking Her roommate later accuses her of flirting and being "showy" in her own kitchen The woman says she just answered his questions and now faces awkward tension at homeA woman got into a tense confrontation with her roommate over a seemingly innocent conversation about her culture. The 21-year-old, who describes herself as half Mexican and half Chinese, was left questioning whether she crossed a line after speaking about her heritage with a guest in their shared apartment. 'My parents came to the US before I was born, but thought it was very important for me to learn their native languages and participate in both of their cultures," she explains in her Reddit post. As a result, she grew up fluent in both Spanish and Mandarin and surrounded by a rich blend of Chinese and Mexican cuisine due to their love of cooking. The conflict unfolded one evening when she was cooking dinner, specifically, a family-created "fusion" dish, at home. 'I got stuck on a particular step, so I called my mom to ask for help and we talked in Spanish,' she writes, adding that her 23-year-old roommate, Ann, unexpectedly returned home with friends. One of the male guests entered the kitchen after noticing the aroma and asked what she was making. 'I explained the dish was created by my parents to blend Mexican and Chinese cuisine,' she recalls, noting that the guest seemed genuinely interested in the cultural fusion. He then asked why she was speaking Spanish on the phone, prompting her to share a bit about her upbringing. 'I told him that I'm half Mexican and half Chinese, and that I grew up speaking both Spanish and Mandarin with my parents,' she writes. The conversation continued with more questions about food and language, which she answered enthusiastically. The next day, the situation took a turn when another roommate told her that Ann felt she was 'showing off and flirting' with the guest. 'This pissed me off because I wasn't trying to flirt with him and he was the one who started the conversation with me,' she says. Wanting to clear the air, she approached Ann to discuss what happened, but the talk didn't go well. 'She just seemed annoyed and told me that it was obvious how it looked and I should be more mindful when she has her friends over,' the woman writes. Caught off guard by the accusation, she pointed out that she hadn't even been informed that guests were coming over. 'I told her that I can't be 'mindful' if she doesn't even warn me about having company over,' she says, adding, 'She said that she doesn't have to get my permission to invite people to the apartment.' At this point, the poster admits she got frustrated and decided to drop the conversation. 'I was getting irritated by this point so I let the conversation die down after this,' she shares. Since then, the atmosphere at home has been noticeably strained. 'Every time I see her she's short with me and barely acknowledges me,' she explains. With tension lingering, she turns to Reddit to ask if she "behaved out of line." Responses from Reddit users flooded in, offering strong support. One commenter emphasizes, 'This doesn't have anything at all to do with your heritage. This has to do with somebody she's obviously interested in was talking to you.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Another backed her up by addressing the apartment dynamic. ''She said that she doesn't have to get my permission to invite people to the apartment.' She's right. And you don't need permission to talk to people in your apartment.' Though the original post centers on cultural identity and a casual kitchen conversation, it became clear that jealousy may be at the heart of the issue. Still, the poster insists she had no hidden motives. Her only intention, she explains, was to cook dinner and share a meaningful part of her life when asked, expressing both pride in her heritage and confusion over the backlash. For the poster, the ordeal remains unresolved, but she ends on a lighter note by sharing, 'I posted the recipe to what I made on my profile since many of you were curious!' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
50-Year-Old Woman in Disbelief After Neighbor Called Her ‘Sad' for Complaining About Party: ‘Should We Have Sucked It Up?'
'Should we have just sucked it up, closed our windows and stayed inside?' she asked, following the confrontation with her neighborNEED TO KNOW A 50-year-old woman teamed up with a group of neighbors to confront a tenant in their apartment complex who hosted a large party Recalling the situation on Reddit, she said the exchange became "toxic" when the other person and her friends began hurling insults at the group 'Should we have just sucked it up, closed our windows and stayed inside?' the woman askedA 50-year-old woman is having second thoughts about her decision to confront a new tenant in her apartment complex. On Monday, July 28, the woman penned a lengthy post on Reddit's Am I the A------ forum, explaining that she lives in a large apartment complex with 'historical significance.' She said it has huge communal gardens that are great for sitting in with friends or solo. In recent years, however, neighbors have been using the shared space to host parties with over 50 attendees on the weekend. She said the events are often noisy until the early hours, guests use residents' parking bays and the grounds are used as a toilet due to no available facilities nearby. 'Recently, a new-ish tenant declared her intention to hold a big party in the grounds and her Facebook post got a few 'likes' (from her friends), but when it came to the weekend in question she had hired in a massive marquee that could easily hold 100 people and decided to put it up right in the middle of the gardens,' the woman wrote. The woman said the tenants who live in the apartment complex have a Facebook group, where many began to complain about the disruptive party and the size of the marquee. She recalled that other members of the group, who 'don't get impacted by garden parties as they're on the other side of the building,' started hurling insults. 'We are apparently 'sad, mean, despicable, douchebags,' just some of the choice phrases,' the original poster recounted, before revealing that several members on her side of the group were also trolled privately. The woman said everyone who complained about the party noise was accused of 'piling on' the host. 'We then received a massive 'pile on' of messages ranging from the 'mean, miserable, despicable, sad old farts' to the petulant 'I hope you're happy' grumpiness backlash piled on all weekend,' she continued. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. She described the exchange in the Facebook group as getting 'toxic very quickly.' She argued the comments made by those who disagreed were the party were 'really tame,' while those who supported the event made it personal. 'So, AITA [am I the a------] for being part of the no group?' the woman asked Redditors. 'Should we have just sucked it up, closed our windows and stayed inside?' Responses to the post reassured the woman that it was the right decision to confront the tenant hosting the loud party. Many advised her to make a noise complaint with the police or to report the tenant to the housing manager. 'NTA [not the a------]. Communal spaces such as this are intended for the use of residents, not to be used by mobs of outsiders. No event should be allowed to affect any of you in the ways that you describe,' one person commented. 'NTA. I think you all are being way too polite about huge parties of people p---ing in your gardens. More people should be loudly angry about that,' another wrote. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Best Butter To Buy At The Grocery Store, According To Experts
Butter is having a moment. No longer just a bit player in baking or a back-of-fridge standby, it's taking center stage — whipped into sculptural boards, swirled into pastas, slathered generously on crusty bread. And yet, most of us still toss the same familiar yellow box into our grocery carts week after week. What actually makes a butter 'better,' and which store-bought slabs are worth the splurge? To find out, we talked to chefs, cheesemongers and cookbook authors obsessed with butter — not just for the flavor, but for the science and soul behind it. We asked about butter for cooking, baking, and simply slathering on a piece of toast. What we discovered: Great butter isn't about branding. It's about butterfat, culture (literally) and how it performs on your toast and in your pan. The Magic Of Cultured Butter First, let's break down the basics: Most American butter is made from sweet cream, which means it's churned from pasteurized fresh cream and tastes clean and mild. Cultured butter, on the other hand, is made by fermenting cream with lactic acid bacteria before churning. The result? A richer texture and a slightly tangy, more complex flavor — like the difference between milk and crème fraîche. 'Cultured butter has a much more pronounced buttery flavor than sweet cream butter,' said John Montez, a certified cheese professional through the American Cheese Society and training manager at Murray's Cheese. 'It has a slight tang … and when butter is the star of the show [like spread on a crusty baguette], for me it has to be cultured.' David Joachim, author of more than 50 cookbooks including the 'Food Substitutions Bible,' agrees: 'It's like yogurt for your butter. That fermentation produces more complex flavor compounds — it's just more interesting.' He added that European butters, which are often cultured, also tend to have higher butterfat content (around 82–85%) compared to most American butters, which are closer to 80%. So … What Is Butterfat, Anyway? Butterfat is the creamy good stuff that gives butter its richness and spreadability. More fat means less water, and that matters for every application — for flakier pastries, smoother sauces and better browning. 'Higher-fat butters are great for baking because you get better aeration when creaming,' Joachim explained. 'They're richer, softer and more flavorful.' That's part of the reason why even basic recipes can taste restaurant-level amazing with the right butter. 'I love nothing more than a bowl of buttered noodles with garlic,' Montez shared. 'Just a big pat of salted, cultured, grass-fed butter stirred in at the end — simple buttery heaven on earth.' Butterfat content isn't always front and center on the label — or listed at all. If it's not shared, the style can offer a clue: words like 'European-style' or 'cultured' typically mean a higher fat content. But for the real number, you may need to check the brand's website or nutrition panel and do a little math (less moisture and milk solids = more butterfat). A standard tablespoon of butter weighs about 14 grams. If the total fat is listed as 11 or 12 grams, it's a higher-fat butter (roughly 82–86% butterfat). If it's closer to 10 grams, it's likely lower fat (the standard 80%, the American minimum). Grocery Store Butters Worth The Hype So which brands do butter pros actually reach for? 'Kerrygold can't be beat for grass-fed Irish butter,' Montez said. 'Vermont Creamery also makes an excellent salted cultured butter, and I always go for local if I can,' for any and every occasion. Sheana Davis, culinary educator and author of Buttermonger, has a few more favorite finds for savoring on bread or radishes, or putting to use in her recipes: 'Clover and Straus Family Creamery are both fantastic. Mary's makes a really lovely cultured butter — and even a butter toffee from it.' Joachim adds Vital Farms to the list. 'It's 83% butterfat, super flavorful and widely available. It's lovely on bread.' Joachim has also noticed a butter trend on the rise: 'There are more flavored butters and compound butters in grocery stores now — truffle, lemon, herb,' Joachim said. 'You don't even have to make them yourself anymore.' Compound butter is simply butter that's been mixed with added ingredients like herbs, citrus zest, garlic or spices to boost flavor. It's an easy way to finish a steak, brighten vegetables or elevate a slice of toast. Making your own is simple: start with softened unsalted butter, stir in your favorite flavorings, then shape it into a log using parchment paper and chill. Slice off a round whenever your food needs a little something extra. What About Your Everyday Butter? Here's the thing: not every butter needs to be a $9 golden brick. There's still a place for a humble house brand — especially in high-heat sautéing or baking where butter flavor isn't the star. 'A supermarket butter, even a private label, is going to work fine for everyday cooking,' Joachim noted. 'But when the butter really matters — like on a baguette or finishing a steak — I go for the good stuff.' One tip from Davis: avoid tub-style or whipped butters for baking. 'They're often full of air or water, which throws off recipes,' she said. And whatever you buy, check the date. 'Butter can be frozen, but it absorbs odors easily. Always seal it tightly or store it in a butter dome on the counter for easy spreading.' Let's Talk Labels Reading a butter label can feel like decoding a dairy mystery. Here's what to look for: Cultured = fermented for deeper flavor Grass-fed = typically richer in color and nutrients European-style = usually cultured and higher in butterfat Salted vs. unsalted = salted is great for spreading or finishing, unsalted is better for baking. Chefs often choose unsalted, as they can add salt themselves, and better control the amount. 'The best clue is if it says 'cultured' and 'grass-fed' right on the front,' Montez said. 'Those are always good signs.' Butter's Nutritional Reputation Perhaps the biggest misconception about butter? That it's bad for you. 'A good grass-fed butter is actually full of healthy fats,' Montez said. 'That 'fat is evil' thinking is outdated.' Davis agreed. 'Butter is a healthy, whole food in moderation. It's not something we need to fear.' And Joachim, who once wrote for health magazines in the low-fat '90s, adds: 'Fat gives food flavor. I'd rather go for a bike ride than skip butter on my toast.' If you're still skeptical, Davis has the ultimate butter moment: a crusty baguette, a generous slab of fresh cultured butter, and maybe a few spring radishes. 'It's about as good as it gets.' Related... If You Love Cheese, This New Study Is An Absolute Nightmare These Are The Best Cheeses For Grilled Cheese Respect The Schmear: Bagel Pros Say THIS Is The Ideal Amount Of Cream Cheese
