Pvd 10 11 2016 by Playa Vista Direct

The Dance

of Life

To bring ballet down to Earth, Meredith Harper Houston lets the beat drop A sneak peek inside the future Annenberg PetSpace The Chicken or the Egg saves breakfast from the drive-thru Milan Ratkovich seeks the next great innovator

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Contents

Vol. 1 | No. 4

EDITOR’S NOTE

HEALTH

6 ‘Do the Impossible’ COMMUNITY

36 From Google to The Resort, Meredith Harper Houston teaches the dance of life

10 Best of the Westside 2016 @ Runway at Playa Vista

FOOD 42 The Chicken or the Egg rescues breakfast from the drive-thru

12 Labor Day Parade @ Crescent Park 14 Brunch and Bubbly @ Central Park Bandshell

SHOPPING

18 Oktoberfest @ The Resort

50 From Google to The Resort, Meredith Harper Houston teaches the dance of life

PEOPLE 2 0 Milan Ratkovich restored the Hercules Campus to set the table for the world’s next great innovator

E VENTS

24 The Wallis Annenberg PetSpace will be a community center like no other

54 Warm up to autumn at the Playa Vista Harvest Fest, then welcome winter at the Holiday Hangout in Concert Park

HOME 2 8 How Brent and Megan Edgecumbe found their Playa Vista dream house

ON THE COVER: Meredith Harper Houston leads a weeknight dance class at The Resort. Photo by Inae Bloom. Design by Michael Kraxenberger.

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4 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

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CaLL more of ofyour yourneighbors neighbors CaLLus usToday TodayTo To see see Why Why more & more home Than Thanany anyoTher oTherTeam! Team! are uS To To seLL seLL Their home arehiring hiringuS

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‘Do the Impossible’

n a hot August morning, I rode shotgun in a golf cart with developer Milan Ratkovich around the east side of Playa Vista. We toured structures built by aviation pioneer Howard Hughes that have since been revitalized by The Ratkovich Company.

As he stopped the cart just outside the giant hangar that will soon be the Playa Vista launch pad for Google, Ratkovich discussed how the space once housed the H-4 Hercules, a massive flying boat. Nicknamed the Spruce Goose (despite being made almost entirely from birch), many laughed at the project when Hughes proposed it, saying something so gigantic could never fly. Hughes didn’t listen to the naysayers. He stuck with it. And though his Spruce Goose came in years late and vastly over-budget, it did indeed fly. It flew only once and very briefly, but on Nov. 2, 1947, the largest aircraft ever built lifted off the ground and soared over the Pacific Ocean. The visionary Hughes would go on to urge the aviation industry to “do the impossible, because almost everyone has told me my ideas are merely fantasies.” As I assembled this issue of Playa Vista Direct, it became clear that many of the people and organizations profiled in these pages have turned their fantasies into doing the impossible. The Wallis Annenberg PetSpace will bring an innovative facility to Playa Vista that celebrates the relationship between people and pets by offering new ways for us to understand and connect with the animals we care so much about. In her classes at The Resort and Google, dance instructor Meredith Harper Houston mashes up classical ballet techniques with pop and hiphop beats, guiding her software engineer students in a transition from coding sequences of ones and zeroes to “seeing the music” through their bodies. Chef Hunter Pritchett’s new restaurant, The Chicken or the Egg, is seizing on what he calls a chicken “renaissance” by focusing on fast and healthy breakfasts he’ll serve all day, bucking tradition. As you read this issue, I hope you’ll consider how doing the impossible fits into your own life. I think you’ll agree that Playa Vista is a place where fantasies can become reality with the help of a little creativity and a lot of persistence. Shanee Edwards Managing Editor · editor@playavistadirect.com 6 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

Managing Editor Shanee Edwards Art Director & Creative Concept Michael Kraxenberger Contributing Writers Christina Campodonico Stephanie Case · Evan Henerson Jessica Koslow · Laurel Minter Robyn Paris · Michael Reyes Contributing Photographers Nicolas Bates · Inae Bloom Courtnay Robbins Bragagnolo Maria Martin · Shilah Montiel Ted Soqui · Lyle Okihara Susan Werner Graphic Designers Kate Doll Nour BouChakra Account Executives Renee Baldwin Kay Christy David Maury Tina Marie Smith Advertising Director Alan Rock Senior Editor Joe Piasecki Publisher David Comden

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Best of the Westside 2016 @ Runway at Playa Vista Hundreds of community and business leaders partied on Sept. 29 inside future office space overlooking Runway at Playa Vista to celebrate publication of The Argonaut’s annual Best of the Westside issue. Party guests sampled an array signature dishes from Runway restaurants Hopdoddy Burger Bar, Lyfe Kitchen, Sol Cocina, Urban Plates and Whole Foods, washing them down with local craft beer from Santa Monica Brew Works. A quartet from the Venice Symphony Orchestra lent the evening an upbeat soundtrack on the spacious outdoor patio overlooking Playa Vista’s retail and entertainment centerpiece. Inside, guests interacted with local writer Erika Lane Enggren as she created customized poems for them on a manual typewriter, and artist Mitchelito Orquiola live-painted a canvas while taking inspiration from the crowd. Best of the Westside celebrates winners of the annual readers’ poll conducted by The Argonaut newsweekly, a sister publication of Playa

(Continued on page 12)

10 Playa Vista Direct | October · november 2016

1 Peter Flores, Yanez Avana, Roxana Elias, Nando De Stefano and Sylvie De Stefano of Best Pizza winner The Good Pizza 2 “Art Ninja” Mitchelito Orquiola live-paints a canvas inspired by the evening’s guests 3 LAPD Pacific Division leader Capt. Nicole Alberca and past Venice Chamber of Commerce President Carl Lambert with Don and Linda Novack of Hal’s Bar & Grill— coming soon to Runway at Playa Vista 4 Sol Cocina offered treats both savory and sweet 5 Hopdoddy Burger Bar brought sliders for everybody Urban Plates hit the spot with house-made mac and cheese

Get Getthe thefacts factsfrom fromthe theexpert, expert, Tami TamiHumphrey. Humphrey. Tami Tami Humphrey Humphrey has has specialized specialized in in Playa Playa Vista Vista real real estate estate since since 2006—and 2006—and she she lives lives here, here, too! too! Learn Learn allall about about Playa Playa Vista Vista real real estate estate byby signing signing upup forfor Tami’s Tami’s complimentary, complimentary, nono obligation obligation Playa Playa Vista Vista Market Market Report. Report.

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BRE BRE 01745122 01745122 This This information information is deemed is deemed reliable reliable but not butguaranteed. not guaranteed. This This is notisintended not intended to solicit to solicit listedlisted property. property. If your If your property property is currently is currently listedlisted for sale for sale with with a broker, a broker, please please disregard. disregard.

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Photos by MARIA MARTIN & TED SOQUI

Best of the Westside 2016 @ Runway at Playa Vista (Continued from page 10) Vista Direct that’s been covering news, culture and entertainment on the Westside for 45 years. The contest honored winners from Santa Monica to El Segundo in the fields of dining, entertainment, health, beauty, shopping, services and recreation. Playa Vista winners included Playa Vista Medical Center, Hollyway Cleaners, YogaWorks and Playa Vista Dental Center. Shira Lazar, creator of the video blog “What’s Trending” and a regular at YouTube Space L.A. in the Hercules Campus, graced one of three Best of the Westside covers this year. The other two featured actor/director Tim Robbins, in honor of his nonprofit work with The Actors’ Gang in Culver City, and Best Tacos winner Tito’s Tacos. Find out more about Best of the Westside and this year’s winners at argonautnews.com. — Joe Piasecki 12 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

1 Venice Symphony Orchestra players hit a high note 2 Best Real Estate Agent Stephanie Younger (second from left) celebrates with team members Nikki Baldwin, Renee Marinkovich, Sara Morgan and Stephanie Singletary 3 Actor Andrew Keegan, cofounder of Full Circle Venice, gets a personalized poem from Erika Lane Enggren 4 Goethe International Charter School Principal Rick Barclay and Executive Director Gwenis Laura celebrate their Best Elementary or Middle School win 5 Hornblower Cruises and Events’ Mia Falkenstein joins Café del Rey General Manager Brian Cousins and Executive Chef David Vilchez in celebrating the restaurant’s wins

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Labor Day Parade @ Crescent Park On Sept. 5, the Playa Vista Moms Group organized a familyfocused gathering where children decorated their trikes, bikes, scooters or strollers to celebrate the Labor Day holiday. In addition to a parade, local firefighters from Playa Vista’s Station #67 paid a visit and gave tours of their big red truck to curious little patriots. Playa Vista Moms Group Vice President Natalie Shoemaker, a mother of two, said events like this one offer a chance for the Playa Vista community to “bring that small town feel to the big city, which is super unique for Los Angeles.” Local dad Mark Yim brought his two-year-old son to the parade to meet other families and enjoy the park. New Playa Vista residents Sabrina Coleman and her family just moved from New York. “I think it’s great our kids can get together and meet their neighbors. This is the way to move to California when you know absolutely no one,” she said. — Shanee Edwards 14 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

1 New York transplant Sabrina Coleman and her family prepare for the parade 2 Tots on scooters, strollers and bikes promenade around the Crescent Park 3 A patriot in pink rides her decked-out bike 4 Gala and Dalia Levine enjoy popsicles 5 Firefighter Roberts lets a tiny patriot take the wheel

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community Photos by Inae Bloom

Brunch and Bubbly @ Central Park Bandshell Gorgeous sunshine lit up the morning of Sept.15 as the Playa Vista working community rushed the bandshell to grab a healthy snack before heading to the office. Local caterers Mac & Ivy provided their signature homemade maplenut granola alongside fruit, mini crustless quiches, virgin mimosas and iced coffee to nearly 400 hungry techies. Cindy Hazlett of Belkin International appreciates these types of community events “because it gets us out of the office and that’s always nice,” she said. “It’s great to take a little break,” added Brad Williams of The Honest Company. Sabrina Rennie of the tech startup Accent said she loves the Playa Vista environment. “There’s such good energy. You get to be around a lot of exciting industries,” she said. “It’s really high security, so there’s a lot of privacy in the buildings, but it’s really nice to have events like this where people have a chance to come out and meet each other.” — Shanee Edwards 16 Playa Vista Direct | october · november 2016

1 Hungry techies cue up to get a morning snack Mini muffins, yogurt and granola by Mac & Ivy

Tray of fresh-baked mini banana nut muffins

Coworkers hurry to grab a bite before work

A group of smiling colleagues nosh in front of the duck pond

6 Campus gatherings nourish the body and the community for these Playa Vista workers

community Photos by Courtesy By Brookfield

OKtoberfest @ The Resort Herren, Frauen und Fräuleins donned their lederhosen and dirndls on Sept. 30 to gather at The Resort for a Friday-night beer party that included their choice of fine German and Czech ale, along with brats and potato pancakes served up by Whole Foods. A Bavarian-style oompah band played for the crowd as revelers drained their steins and posed for photos. Local resident Sabina Kleinman says these kinds of neighborhood events are important for the residents to get to know each other. “It’s Friday night and we’re having fun,” she said. Likewise, Terry Delvoye saw this event as, “a way to connect with our neighbors and make new friends.” Oktoberfest began in Munich way back in 1810 as a giant party to celebrate the royal wedding of King Ludwig I to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. But here in Playa Vista, Oktoberfest is mostly just a wunderbar excuse to drink beer. O’zapft is! — Shanee Edwards 18 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

1 The oompah band takes a bratwurst break 2 Beer enthusiasts clink steins and pose for photos 3 Fräulein Christina and Herren Heinrich show off their dirndls and lederhosen 4 Guests raise their steins to prost 5 Fräulein Christina engages a guest in a folk dance called the Schuhplattler The barman pours German and Czech beer for thirsty guests

Photo by Maria Martin

Hercules Campus Development Manager Milan Ratkovich at his Playa Vista office

P eople

Architecture

as Destiny

Milan Ratkovich restored the Hercules Campus to set the table for the world’s next great innovator by Shanee Edwards

Photo courtesy of The Ratkovich Co.

n the east side of the Hercules Campus in Playa Vista, there is a wall that features portraits of history’s greatest visionaries, innovators and rebels. Nicola Tesla, Bjork, Gandhi, Amelia Earhart and, of course, Howard Hughes are just a few of the 55 faces staring out over the runwayinspired parking lot. But look carefully and you’ll notice an empty picture frame at the bottom of the wall. This frame is reserved for a new face, the one who will be innovator No. 56 on the list. Could the next Steve Jobs, Maya Angelou or Walt Disney actually come out of Playa Vista? Milan Ratkovich, senior development manager of The Ratkovich Company, is planning on it. Best known for restoring such historic buildings as the Wiltern Theatre, The Ratkovich Company was founded by Milan’s father Wayne in 1977. Since then, the company has been on a mission to hold onto history while improving the quality of urban life. The Hercules Campus does both. “What our company likes to do is buy buildings that need love and attention and need to be restored. We like to add value to structure,” says Ratkovich. The 28-acre, 530,000-square-foot campus was once the compound where aviation pioneer Hughes set up shop, built a runway and famously locked thousands of secret patents in a giant

Milan and father Wayne Ratkovich survey the hangar where the Spruce Goose was built

vault. Thanks to The Ratkovich Company, the space has been strategically redesigned and is currently home to companies like YouTube and 72andSunny. The hangar where Hughes built the H-4 Hercules, aka the Spruce Goose, will soon accommodate Google. When the Ratkovich Company bought the property, however, it was in shambles. All the existing structures, most built by Hughes in the 1940s, had blown-out windows and were filled with piles of leaves and debris. Many of the doors were hanging off their hinges. But this is exactly the kind of project at which Ratkovich excels. “We embarked on an extensive renovation of the exteriors and left our tenants 72andSunny, Google, YouTube

and Konami to redo all the interiors,” says Ratkovich. A risky move, but it paid off. “We were very fortunate that they were tenants that had a great design sense and built out the space in a really beautiful way, but also got that Hughes mystique and aura,” he says. Through blood, sweat and risktaking by many, the Hercules Campus now rises like a phoenix from the ashes of Hughes’s former offices, cafeteria, vault and fire station. This is the Hughes legacy 2.0, and tech companies can’t move in fast enough. It may seem odd that forward-looking companies leading the digital age (Continued on page 22) Playa Vista Direct | october · november 2016 21

P eople

(Continued from page 21)

are inspired by decades-old buildings, but Ratkovich claims the Hughes lore has been a big draw. “That was a big reason 72andSunny wanted to be here — they wanted to be where Howard was and didn’t want to see anything else. They appreciated the history that was here,” he says. Even YouTube, a brand that’s become synonymous with millennials, wanted their own signature artifact that could connect them to the legend of Howard Hughes. Considering that YouTube Space L.A. used to be a helicopter hangar, Ratkovich thinks they chose the perfect icon to greet guests: “It’s an actual Hughes helicopter that was built here that they restored themselves.” Now, a new generation of innovators works in the same buildings where Hughes built gravity-defying flying machines. But Nick Harnsberger, development manager for The Ratk-

ovich Company and Milan’s righthand man, thinks it’s more than coincidence that Silicon Beach has perched itself on top of Hughes’s old stomping grounds. Harnsberger describes it as “technological manifest destiny — that drive for innovation, coming west. This open template that happened because L.A. was the last frontier for America. It’s a very recent city. We’re still not even as mature as San Francisco. We’re still growing up in some ways, and this is a part of that legacy.” Another draw to the location, both now and in Hughes’s time, is access to open space. There are plenty of outdoor meeting areas, walking trails and endless sunshine. “Just being able to be outside is considered an amenity — you can’t have outdoor meetings downtown or in other cities without a lot of effort,” adds Ratkovich.

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But as important as the past is to the Hercules Campus, it’s the future that really inspires Ratkovich, who thinks Playa Vista will continue to grow as a tech hub over the next decade. “What’s unique about Playa Vista,” he says, “is all the residential that’s in close proximity to the tech portion. Hopefully, some of the people working here will be living in some of the new housing.” With 100% of the Hercules Campus leased out, Ratkovich says his job here is done. So whose portrait will fill the empty frame on the wall reserved for that 56th innovator? Ratkovich says he doesn’t know, but the space is primed for one to emerge. “We built the canvas for them, now they have to paint the picture.” Learn more about The Ratkovich Company’s projects at ratkovich.net.

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First Look:

The Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Opening soon, this unique community center strives to nurture the human-animal bond By Shanee Edwards

24 Playa Vista Direct | October Âˇ November 2016

P eople

L e f t: A rendering of the Annenberg PetSpace’s welcome lobby highlights some of its interactive components

The facility includes a dog-friendly play area stocked with plenty of tennis balls to throw and chase

R i g h t:

Annenberg Foundation Executive Director Cinny Kennard B e low:

o say Playa Vista is dog-friendly would be an understatement. We love our furry friends, and they’re about to become an even bigger part of this community. Coming to The Collective at Playa Vista in early 2017 is a unique humananimal community center called the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace. Early renderings of the nonprofit animal education, welfare and adoption center show a bright and dynamic two-story facility spanning more than 30,000 square feet. Cinny Kennard, executive director of the Annenberg Foundation, says this one-of-a-kind endeavor will focus on the special bond we humans share with our pets. What is the vision behind the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace? Wallis Annenberg PetSpace will be a unique new community engagement center focused squarely on helping

people understand the mutually beneficial and dynamic bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins and science of that relationship. There will be experts available to help people experience that everlasting bond and nurture it by utilizing immersive learning with animals, interactive technology, handson activities and more. It will be a place of joy, discovery and reflection, and will offer engaging programs relating to pets for people of all ages and abilities. Why did you choose to locate it in Playa Vista? We’ve been working with organizations in and around Playa Vista for years, and when we began searching for the space’s permanent location, we knew we wanted an area that would be very pet-friendly and welcoming while also active and community-oriented. Based on our experiences, Playa Vista was a perfect fit. Along with those attributes,

we were also inspired by the innovative companies that surround us, including Yahoo, Google, YouTube, IMAX and others. What types of services will be available to those who live or work in Playa Vista? Wallis Annenberg PetSpace will offer something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a pet to adopt and wanting to understand their behaviors or you’re just interested in learning more about animals or how those relationships develop, we will bring learning opportunities and thought leadership to the entire community, as well as offer plenty of volunteer opportunities. Are you collaborating with other animal organizations? We’ll be working with the Los Angeles (Continued on page 26) Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016 25

P eople

(Continued from page 25)

County Department of Animal Care and Control to place pets — including dogs, cats and other small mammals such as guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters — back into homes. We have also partnered with and support other expert and specialized organizations, such as the California Science Center, Loyola Marymount University and Pediatric Therapy Network, to offer special programs including interactive exhibits, classes, workshops and conferences for the greatest education and impact. Annenberg PetSpace will also collaborate with those in the growing academic field of Human Animal Studies, a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that examines the complex and multidimensional relationships between humans and other animals. How is the PetSpace different from other animal facilities? There is no existing place we can point to and say “we’re creating one of those.”

Wallis Annenberg PetSpace is going to be unique. Whether you are a pet parent or looking to be one, there will be many ways to enjoy the space — from attending a symposium on the science and service of pets relating to human health, to a pet photography class, to watching a classic Lassie film, to learning how to exercise a cat, to playing with a future bunny pet, or watching a puppet show in the PetPorch Theater. There will truly be something pet-related to engage each and every visitor.

A pet adoption suite will allow visitors to meet their new best friends

Will there be any special events or educational programs for children? How will the PetSpace Wallis Annenberg PetSpace embraces focus on animal welfare? We’re going to bring together experts in opportunities to serve people of all ages the animal and human fields — medical and abilities. There will be engaging professionals, sociologists, archaeologists, programs supporting core curriculum running the gamut from science and policy influencers and more — in order to lead and advocate dialogue and aware- math to learning empathy. In addition to lessons there will be opportunities for ness of public policy relating to animals reading to pets, interacting with small as well as champion high-level discusanimals, movie watching, fun arts and sions around the science and origins of crafts, and more. the human-animal bond.

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to sign up for a prospective parent information session on October 25, November 9, or December 6, 2016. 26 Playa Vista Direct | october · november 2016

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Dream Houses Can Come True

With a baby on the way, the Edgecumbes found their perfect nest in Playa Vista By Stephanie Case Photos By Tessa Neustadt

28 Playa Vista Direct | october Âˇ november 2016

H ome L e f t:

The Edgecumbes’ Capri Court home features a bright and airy dining room and kitchen Center: r i g h t:

n 2014, Brent and Megan Edgecumbe were straddling two monumental firsts: buying their first home and expecting their first baby. Three-months pregnant and on the real estate hunt, the two scoured Playa Vista, signing waiting lists and eyeing new developments, all as Megan’s due date inched closer. But on their tour of Capri Court — a Phase One cul-de-sac, circled by a range of Mediterranean-style, single-family homes — one tiny room sealed the deal. On the top floor was a nursery, complete with powder blue walls and white wainscoting. “It was just so precious, that room,” Megan says. “We stepped in, and we thought, ‘This is our little boy’s room. It’s meant to be.’”

Sleek industrial shelving units add modernity to the guest bedroom and office

Tuscan-style wicker patio furniture gives this outdoor lounge space a beachy feel

Ever since 2009, when she landed a job in town as an academic adviser at Loyola Marymount University, Megan dreamed of buying a home and starting her family in Playa Vista. “I remember seeing this happy land of people walking around with baby strollers and big smiles on their faces,” she says. “I remember thinking, ‘What is this place? I want to live here.’” That thought lingered on Megan’s mind for five years; one day, it came to a head. When she and her husband found toxic, black mold in their walls of their Santa Monica apartment, they traded their beachfront pad for the Playa Vista dream. The Edgecumbes rented a spot at the Ventana until they found their townhouse with the blue nursery. Then, with

their son’s due date months away, the couple embarked on a last-minute challenge: to revamp the new space in time for his arrival. They tapped Made & Co. — a Venice-based interior design company headed by their friend, Marissa Cramer — for the job. Cramer kept the integrity of the structure and its architecture intact, but gave it a contemporary facelift. On the first floor her team ripped out a set of bulky, dark built-in cabinets, replacing them with sleek industrial shelving units made of mango wood and steel, giving the guest bedroom a touch of modernity. (Continued on page 32) Playa Vista Direct | october · november 2016 29

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H ome

(Continued from page 29)

Upstairs, she installed a geometric light fixture, which now shines over a rustic wood dining table. The adjacent kitchen is a vision of white: white subway tile, a custom white quartz island and original cabinetry lacquered in bright white paint. A farmhouse sink overlooks a large family room layered with neutral-toned furniture — from twin ivory chairs to a massive, gray-patterned rug. Despite the muted palette, pieces of the Edgecumbes’ personality pop through. Beachy accents — bathrooms wallpapered in seagrass, starfish perched upon bookcases, nautical knots framed on the wall — bring back some of the aura of their old oceanside lifestyle. “We loved living in Santa Monica with the beach in front of us, and we wanted to bring that feel here,” Megan says. The one room Cramer didn’t renovate was the nursery. Megan kept that design

to herself, spending long nights combing the internet for the perfect crib set — and even the perfect wooden sailboat, in keeping with her seaside theme. “I think most pregnant woman can understand that nesting instinct,” Megan says. “It’s such a special time when you’re eagerly awaiting your first child. You have no idea what’s in store for you.” In April of last year, Callum was born, and the Egdecumbes’ world changed. Even after dusk, with their now 18-month-old son sound asleep upstairs, their house beams with his energy. Dozens of children’s books spill across the coffee table. Wooden trains snake along the floor. Megan points out a vase filled with beachy, wooden sticks, which appear slightly mangled. “He loves to grab and break them,” she laughs. “That’s a toddler for you.” With a rambunctious son, the Egdecumbes’ pristine, ivory-colored decor can be seen as a daring choice — a recipe for

Muted colors give this family room a comfortable elegance

stains and handprints. “I think, had we do it again, we wouldn’t go with so many creams,” she says. “We’re new parents, and we’re learning.” But the Edgecumbes believe a little wear and tear is a small price to pay for a loving home. “I feel like it’s a house well lived in if you have to replace your sofa after ten years, because it’s been loved on by so many kids and so many storytimes. Hopefully,” she smiles, “we’ll have more than one kid beating up on the furniture.”

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Unconventional ballet instructor Meredith Harper Houston mixes classical movement with contemporary music

36 Playa Vista Direct | June October Âˇ July Âˇ November 2016 2016

H ealth

The Dance

of Life

To bring ballet down to Earth, Meredith Harper Houston lets the beat drop Story by Christina Campodonico | Photos by Inae Bloom

allet is an elite art form, often accompanied by classical music. But for Playa Vista dance instructor and resident Meredith Harper Houston, classical ballet doesn’t always need an orchestra. In Harper Houston’s “Banging Ballet Body” adult ballet class, for example, hip-hop, pop and rock coexist alongside traditional ballet steps. “Sometimes we do balancés to Michael Jackson. Sometimes we do tendu exercise at center to Led Zeppelin. We’ll do pliés to Rufus Wainwright. We’ll do adagio to Justin Timberlake or to Radiohead,” Harper Houston says of her ballet classes, which she teaches not only to Playa Vista residents, but also to adolescents in juvenile hall and foster care, athletes in training, children, and even tech-industry professionals at Google’s Venice campus. “I like to mix it up and show the dancer that ballet’s not just about snooty pooty,” she says. In the private class I watch her teach at The Resort, Usher and Rihanna pop onto the playlist, as does Tchaikovsky’s iconic theme from “Swan Lake.” Like the soundtrack, Harper Houston is a hybrid: one part sage ballet mistress — “The whole point of tendu is to work the shape of the foot,” she tells one student — another part encouraging coach and cheerleader — “Give me Lincoln Center! Misty Copeland!” Harper Houston’s unconventional

This ballet barre is a mashup of Katy Perry, Rihanna and Tchaikovsky

teaching style may seem heretical to ballet purists, but she sees her approach as a way to acquaint beginning ballerinas with ballet technique in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming, intimidating or sound like a completely foreign language. (French is ballet’s lingua franca after all; classical music another animal to decode.) So Harper Houston, through her mash-up of ballet exercises and pop songs, has figured out a way to make ballet not only digestible to a beginner mindset, but also accessible. “You throw on a Katy Perry song and do grand battements, they get it,” says Harper Houston, 41. “You can see

how the technique fits into contemporary music.” The proof is in the pudding, so-tospeak, in how her students have taken to Harper Houston’s unique style of ballet instruction. “I love how she mixes in classical and contemporary music,” says 35-yearold Playa Vista resident Angela Lin, who trained in classical ballet growing up and now works at YouTube. “It’s kind of a good urban mix,” adds 25-year-old ballet newcomer Devi Ohira, who has a background in hip-hop and street dance. “It actually (Continued on page 38) Playa Vista Direct | october · november 2016 37

Harper Houtson is both a sage ballet mistress and cheerleader for her students

H ealth

(Continued from page 37)

makes me look forward to ballet, versus something stuffy and un-relatable.” But Harper Houston’s ballet classes aren’t the only things that upend expectations about ballet. She was just as surprised when she started teaching ballet classes last year at Google’s L.A. headquarters in Venice. “In my mind, I was thinking, ‘OK, teach class at Google. I’m going to have just mainly engineers … maybe they don’t have a creative background,’” says Harper Houston. Then she saw them dance. “There are girls within Google who come in and I’m even like, ‘Why did you not pursue dance?’ They’re phenomenal. I have girls who are on pointe, who come to class in pointe shoes and who do the class on pointe. It’s nothing that I expected.” 38 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

Then again, Harper Houston has never let expectations define her. A car accident in her early 20s broke both of her legs. Doctors told her she wouldn’t be able to walk again, let alone dance. But she was determined. “I spent almost a year in a wheelchair, then to a walker, then to crutches, then to a cane, then to walking. So I literally had to learn how to walk — like heel first, then toe, heel first, then toe,” says Harper Houston. Dance classes in New York came later, followed by a move to L.A., marriage, a baby and burlesque dance residencies at Harvelle’s Santa Monica, the Viper Room in West Hollywood and The Sands in Vegas. Harper Houston doesn’t often share her story with her students, she says, but in Silicon Beach she has found a home

to build her particular brand of ballet with her Merryland Dance Studio, based out of Playa Vista’s Resort. “As George Balanchine said, dance is seeing the music. You’re showing the audience what the music is doing, what the guitar is doing, what the piano is doing. You’re showing every note, every key. That’s what dance is,” says Harper Houston. “So I try to show people where it fits. How does ballet technique fit into modern, contemporary music?” For Meredith Harper Houston, the answer is often between the beats of a pop melody or a wicked rap. Meredith Harper Houston teaches dance classes at The Resort, 12852 W. Runway Road, Playa Vista. Visit merrylanddancestudio.com for a complete schedule.

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Breakfast is for the Birds Which came first doesn’t matter at The Chicken or the Egg — they’re both on the menu Story by Jessica Koslow Photos by Courtnay Robbins Bragagnolo

42 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

F ood The Chicken o r t h e Eg g ’s “ T h e R e as o n t h e R oa d was C r o s s e d” s l i d e r , with crispy organic freerange chicken, honey Sriracha remoulade and radish-cabbage slaw on a brioche

C h e f pa r t n e r Hunter P r i tc h e tt caters to health-conscious customers who are in a hurry

large, lively crowd has gathered at the east end of Millennium Drive to eat chicken. Mingling in the big yellow space at the bottom of a parking structure facing Campus Center Drive, the enthusiastic foodies chat, nibble on pastries and wait to sample some of the goodies on what is soon to be The Chicken or the Egg’s menu — like “The Reason the Road Was Crossed,” a sandwich with crispy organic free-range chicken, honey Sriracha remoulade and radish-cabbage slaw. “Chicken is undergoing a renaissance,” says Hunter Pritchett, chef partner of The Chicken or the Egg. “Americans are eating more chicken every year.” Sean Krajewski, the founder of this farm-to-table concept, is walking

around the well-attended preview party — as is actor, ex-Laker and investor Rick Fox. Pritchett is plating the tasty bites for passed hors d’oeuvres. The idea for The Chicken or the Egg belongs to Krajewski. For the past 10 years, he’s been working with Mendocino Farms, first as a manager of the original store and eventually as an equity partner in the restaurant group. He only left in April of this year. It was at Mendocino Farms that Krajewski met Pritchett, who was the restaurant’s concept chef. Pritchett arrived in Los Angeles four years ago from Denver, where he worked for Frank Bonanno as the executive chef at Luca D’Italia. Since landing in L.A., he has worked at Son of a Gun, with Gordon Ramsay on

his television shows, and spent time at Culver City’s Waterloo & City, which closed last year. “Hunter is an incredibly talented chef,” Krajewski says, “but he also understands the business of restaurants, which is so rare in chefs.” Pritchett lives up to this claim when he speaks about why the two chose chicken. “In the last couple of years, chicken has seen astronomical growth in the restaurant market,” he explains. “Looking at Shake Shack, when they added a fried chicken sandwich to their menu, it increased the bottom line of their sales by 8% in every store that offered chicken.” Krajewski adds: “We chose chicken

(Continued on page 44)

Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016 43

F ood

(Continued from page 43)

because, in our opinion, it’s the direction that people are eating. We loved the fact that we could source some of the best quality product on the planet, right here in California. We liked the idea that you can truly combine health and flavor using chicken as your base.” The list of reasons for choosing chicken continues: “It’s a lighter, cleaner protein and more water wise,” says Pritchett. “We want people to come in three-and-a-half to four times a week and not feel laden, like they’re falling asleep on their keyboard. Turkey makes you fall asleep. Fish is not for everyone.” The Chicken or the Egg is a pioneer on its plaza. Before it opened in September there was just a coffee kiosk. Across the way is Fullscreen, and at the corner is Jessica Alba’s The Honest Company. And, observed Pritchett during the preview, there are surprisingly few places to eat in the immediate area. “It was kind of shocking to see so few

dining options for such a dynamic web campus,” says Pritchett. “I see a lot of Tupperware, and we aim to change that. I think we’re getting in on the ground floor (literally) of something really good.” Even though the restaurant is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pritchett sees a wide-open lane for breakfast, which is served all day. “Breakfast is thrown to wolves of the drive-thru,” he says. “There’s a huge niche ready to be carved out in fast breakfast.” A good portion of their business will be corporate catering. As Pritchett explains, “Catering is a satisfied customer plus advertising.” The Chicken or the Egg’s menu ranges from a classic bacon, egg and cheese sandwich to a smoked salmon and avocado toast to the heartier steak and eggs. It offers a good amount of veggies, like sweet and smoky cauliflower. There are barbecue and Cobb salads, sides — including waffle fries,

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Hungry guests dine at a farm-style table in the yolk-colored fast-casual eatery

spicy tater tots, grilled sweet corn, maple Brussels sprouts, and bacon cheddar biscuits — and a specially priced meal for little chicks. Diners can also order crispy chicken buckets: two or four-pieces with a choice of side. For all of the workers tired of Tupperware — and local residents, too — The Chicken or the Egg is making Millennium Drive a lot more appetizing. The Chicken or the Egg is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at 12150 Millennium Drive. Call (424) 228-4950 for menu or catering information.

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2016

Great Food & Hot Jazz are just around the corner.

P L AYA V I S TA

Playa Vista Direct | October Âˇ November 2016 45

Great Food & Exceptional Service Since 1959 $5 OFF A n y P u r c h a

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46 Playa Vista Direct | October Â· November 2016

Pa i d A d v e r t i s m e n t

Life Adjustment Team — four decades of helping people he Life Adjustment Team (LAT) is now celebrating almost four decades of helping T thousands of people to become exceptional

Life Adjustment Team

Learn to Live Well We will help you make the right choices about treatment to get back on track. LAT has successfully helped individuals with: • Depression • Anxiety Disorders • Bipolar Disorder • PTSD • OCD • Schizophrenia • Social Phobias • Panic Disorder • Borderline Personality Disorder

310.572.7000

www.LifeAdjustmentTeam.com 11936 Jefferson Blvd., Suite B, Culver City 90230

examples of hope and recovery. Pete Linnett founded the Life Adjustment Team in 1977 to help people successfully discharge and stay out of psychiatric hospitals by developing an overall support system that picks up where western medicine leaves off, and exponentially increasing the odds of successful recovery. “What I noticed when I worked with psychiPete Linnett atric hospitals back in the ‘70s was that it was very difficult to watch a family crushed by a doctor diagnosing a loved one with schizophrenia, with the implication that there is no hope. When the latest breakthroughs in technology are combined with a proven recovery system like the Life Adjustment Team, a high percentage of people go on to lead positive and productive lives. Some of our clients have even become professionals and returned to help the mental health community,” said Linnett. Using a holistic body, mind, spirit approach, LAT treats individuals with mental illness and addictions by providing high-quality, dignified in-home support systems using proven treatment concepts that help patients recover and advance in every aspect of their lives. The Life Adjustment Team can help those diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders. The family is also provided with guidance, support and education to become a member of the treatment team, when appropriate. During the initial consultation with Life Adjustment Team professionals, families are shown clear and concrete steps that have to be taken to resolve their situations. They are shown that these steps can help their loved ones, and begin to feel hope. After a few months of treatment, many families have called to express gratitude to the Team because they have gotten their son or daughter back. The Life Adjustment Team spends as much as 10 to 15 hours a week with clients, helping them with tasks that are the hardest for them. Western medications treat the illness and not the person, and while medications and a therapist are critically important, the first just treats the symptoms and the second is only an hour or two a week. Using a team approach, LAT works in conjunction with the client’s psychiatrist, therapist or other treatment provider. While significant progress has been made in developing new medications that treat the symptoms of mental illness, the transformational, self-empowering state-of-the-art rehabilitation that the Team provides is now being recognized globally by doctors and the mental health community at large as the driving force behind what leads to successful recovery. The Life Adjustment Team is located at 11936 Jefferson Blvd., in the gateway to Playa Vista. For information, please call 310-572-7000 or visit our website at www.lifeadjustmentteam.com — TesTimonial —

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything that you have done for me. I am currently holding down several jobs and have a 3.9 grade point average in school. I’m living independently outside of institutions and things are going great. There’s no way that I would be where I am today had it not been for your care and compassion and the Life Adjustment Team’s help and guidance. — Stacy Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016 47

Shopping Girls’ Bicycle by Haro Called the “Shredder,” this adorable lemon-lime bike is the ideal mode of transport for your daughter’s inner tomboy. $189.99

Bike Attack 12775 Millennium Drive Playa Vista | (310) 862-5001 bikeattack.com

Halloween Candles These candles are too cute to hide inside a jack-o’-lantern. They are perfect for decorating your fall holiday table or event. $10.99-$14.99

Whole Foods 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. Playa Vista | (310) 862-9900

48 Playa Vista Direct | october · november 2016

Dior Sunglasses These glamorous and sophisticated sunglasses with colorful reflective lenses are perfect for walking or biking around Playa Vista. $395-$595

Runway Optometry 12751 W. Millennium Drive, #130 Playa Vista | (310) 582-5501 runwayoptometry.com

At the Market Crystal Necklace and Bracelet Made with real quartz crystals, many holistic practitioners believe these stylish accessories may help to energize your chakras and unblock creativity. $22-$30

Varnish Lab 12751 Millennium Drive, #120 Playa Vista | (310) 862-5779 varnishlab.com

Wooden Craft Dragon Grammy & Grandpa’s Corner created this wooden dragon that is just one of many crafty projects you can take home and paint yourself. Perfect for kids’ parties and playdates. $18

Playa Vista Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays 12775 W. Millennium Drive Playa Vista | (310) 600-8252

Playa Vista Direct | october · november 2016 49

yOuR FAMily NEighBORhOOd

AuTO REPAiR ShOP since 1962

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50 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

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12121 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230 Conveniently located directly across from Playa Vista between Centinela and Inglewood Blvd. Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016 51

EVENTS

Compiled by Christina Campodonico

Saturday, Oct. 15

BOO Fest 2016 Playa Vista Elementary School’s annual Halloween festival features game booths, face painting, a chili cook-off, pumpkin decorating, a Haunted House, food and more. The whole community is invited to join the celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Playa Vista Elementary School, 13150 W. Bluff Creek Drive, Playa Vista. Free admission; buy game tickets at the door. (424) 228-1800; playavistaschool.com Wednesday, Oct. 19

Renee Gladman Wednesday, October 19

The Ivy League professor and author of the Ravicka trilogy (“Event Factory,” “The Ravickians” and “Ana Patova Crosses a Bridge”) speaks at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Visiting Writers Series at the Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester. Free. otis.edu Thursday, Oct. 20

Campus Bagels & Brew

Thursday, October 20

(Campus tenants only.) Looking to hobnob with YouTubers or get the latest details on the USICANN internet deal, all while noshing on bagels? Get to the Bandshell, where you’ll also be treated to fruit, caffeinated beverages and juice. Arrive early with your Campus ID badge because bagels (and gossip) are only available while supplies last. From 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Central Park Bandshell, 12405 E. Waterfront Drive, Playa Vista. playalink. playavista.com Oct. 21 & 22

Ghost Hunting Experience

October 27, 28 & 29

Santa Monica Ghost Tours leads a paranormal investigation at the Venice Beach Bar (formerly the Venice Bistro), where Jim Morrison’s ghost is rumored to reside. Ghostbusters participating in the tour will learn about the history of the venue and its haunting, take part in an old-fashioned séance and be able to test out ghost hunting equipment. Santa Monica Ghost Tours will also be collecting items to donate to the L.A. Mission homeless shelter. From 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Venice Beach Bar, 323 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. $75-$100. (424) 299-4444; theghosthunt.com Through Oct. 23

“Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start”

October 28, 29 & 30

52 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

Artist Brian Paumier mixes reworked ‘80s videogame graphics and custom motorcycle fabrications in a series of prints and lightboxes. De Soto Gallery,

1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. (323) 253-2255; desotogallery.com Oct. 23 to Nov. 20

“Vicuña” In this hot-off-the-presses satire, a tailor to A-list clientele reexamines his role in remaking the image of a blustering real estate tycoon and reality TV star turned presidential nominee. Shows are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays at Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. $25-$70. (213) 972-7231; centretheatregroup.org Oct. 27, 28 & 29

BodyTraffic One of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” L.A. dance company BodyTraffic has a flair for contemporary, cutting-edge choreography. Performances happen at 7:30 p.m. at The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. $40-$80. (310) 434-3200; thebroadstage.com Oct. 28, 29 & 30

Harvest Days & Haunted Nights Marina del Rey’s Burton Chace Park comes alive with carnival games, face painting, a costume contest and pumpkin patch during the day and a haunted pirate ship, pumpkin carving and zombie pirates at night. Harvest Days happens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 30. Haunted Nights, recommended for ages 13 and older, happens from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 29 and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 30. Free. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey. (310) 305-9445; marinadelrey.lacounty.gov Saturday, Oct. 29

Playa Vista Harvest Fest Southern California doesn’t really have easily distinguishable seasons, but that shouldn’t keep us from celebrating all-things autumn at Playa Vista’s annual Harvest Fest. Expect a cornucopia of family activities, including a Halloween costume contest, food trucks and more. We can’t help but wonder how many guests will don Donald Trump or Hillary costumes this year. The fun lasts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Concert Park, 13020 Pacific Promenade, Playa Vista. playavista.com/harvest-fest-2/ Nov. 1 to Dec. 17

Gabrieleño /Tongva Photo Display The Gabrieleño /Tongva people were the very first inhabitants in Playa Vista. This group of hunter(Continued on page 54)

Hollywood Smoke Creating outstanding experiences since 1996 Celebrating our 20th Anniversary Located just two blocks from the beach, Hollywood Smoke offers a wide selection of premium hand-made cigars and a fine collection of accessories. RE C E I V E

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(310) 396-1661 | www.hollywoodsmoke.com

EVENTS

(Continued from page 52)

gatherers migrated here from Nevada more than 3,000 years ago. To honor their history, the Playa Vista Branch Library will feature a display of vintage black and white photographs depicting the lives of these legendary aboriginal people who lived right here in Playa Vista. Free. Playa Vista Branch Library, 6400 Playa Vista Drive, Playa Vista. (310) 437-6680; lapl.org/branches/ playa-vista

Saturday, Nov. 19

Friday, Nov. 4

Saturday, Dec. 3

Art and Wine at The Resort Saturday, October 29

Art and wine go together like sand and surf, ebony and ivory, selfies and millennials. Spend an evening getting to know your neighbors of all ages while sipping vino and celebrating artistic expression. More details to come via Playalink. Drink up from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at The Resort, 12852 Runway Road, Playa Vista. (310) 437-6070, ext. 203; playalink.playavista.com Through Nov. 5

Friday, November 4

This time, it’s breakfast for Playa Vista residents. Wake up, walk out the door and bask in a bevy of bagels, fruit and coffee all for local peeps. Just another fun way to nourish the community. Nosh from 9 to 10:20 a.m. at The Resort, 12852 Runway Road, Playa Vista. (310) 437-6070, ext. 203; playalink.playavista.com

Holiday Hangout in Concert Park It’s always sunny in Playa Vista, so take a break from shopping and baking to start a new holiday tradition — bringing the whole family to this Southern California-style winter wonderland. Activities include a holiday-themed photo booth, winter craft area, music, gourmet food trucks, performers and games. It all happens from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Concert Park, 13020 Pacific Promenade, Playa Vista. playalink. playavista.com

“Gifted”

Through Dec. 4

This art exhibition by photographer Jaimie Milner features interviews and photographs of influential black men in their most natural environments. This work honors the creative genius and profound contributions these men have made to their communities and society as a whole. Residency Art Gallery, 310 E. Queen St., Inglewood. (424) 261-0101; residencyart.com

“Face (Geometry) (Naked) Eyes”

Through Nov.13

“Phoebe Zeitgeist Returns to Earth”

Saturday, December 3

Bagels and Brew at The Resort

In this new play, an artificial intelligence robot is sent to Earth in the form of a shapely young woman to create a firsthand report on mankind. Unfortunately for us, she lands in the U.S. during an election year. (Some nudity.) Performances happen at 8 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at City Garage, Bergamot Station T1, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. $20-$25. (310) 453-9939; citygarage.org

Polly Apfelbaum, working with a carpet artisan, designed four large area rugs inspired by a Tree of Life mosaic in Italy, New Age spirituality, Czech Fluxus artist Sonia Svecova’s eye collages, and Chilean director Alejanrdo Jodorowsky’s film “Holy Mountain.” Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis College of Arts and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester. (310) 665-6800; otis.edu Through Dec. 18

“How to Love a Republican” In this timely original play, when Margie’s parents introduce her to two congressmen from opposite sides of the aisle (who also happen to be running against each other), she has to choose where she’ll cast her vote — both inside and outside of the bedroom. Now playing at 7 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. $19.50-$29.50. (310) 394-9779; santamonicaplayhouse.com

Nov. 16, 17 & 19

Through December 4

54 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

“D-Man in the Waters: Part 1”

Ongoing

Loyola Marymount University’s Dance Department brings to life the first movement of legendary choreographer Bill T. Jones’ postmodern masterpiece about a community struggling to survive. Jones himself stopped by earlier this year to work with the dancers. Performances happen at 8 p.m. in the Strub Theatre on the LMU campus in Westchester. Free. cfa.lmu.edu/ programs/dance/

Objects from The Wende Museum’s collection of Cold War artifacts are presented in a way that highlights what we don’t know, either due to lack of information or contradicting sources. The exhibit raises questions about the historical record and how museums present it. The Wende Museum, 5741 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City. (310) 216-1600; wendemuseum.org

“Questionable History”

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BIKE ATTACK PLAYA VISTA 12775 W. Millennium, Playa Vista Across from Whole Foods ph: 310-862-5001 www.bikeattack.com BIKE ATTACK SANTA MONICA 2400 Main Street, Santa Monica ph: 310-581-8014 www.bikeattack.com

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BERLIN | SANTA MONICA | PLAYA VISTA Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016 55

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56 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

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58 Playa Vista Direct | October · November 2016

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