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Featuring A M A ZO N B O O K S • CA L I F O R N I A P I Z Z A K I TC H E N • D RY B A R E V E RY T H I N G B U T WAT E R • H AVA I A N A S • K R E AT I O N O R G A N I C M E N D O C I N O FA R M S • M O O D O P TO M E T RY • PA P E R S O U R C E P I N K B E R RY • R A L P H S F R E S H FA R E • S E E ' S C A N D I E S • S E P H O R A S H A K E S H AC K • S U G A R F I S H BY S U S H I N OZ AWA • SW E E TG R E E N WEST MARINE • WILLIAM B • AND MORE
1 PLACE 8 YEARS IN A ROW! ST
2020
BEST MEDISPA: FIRST PLACE (TIE)
The Argonaut’s Best of the Westside 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 (BEST DAY SPA), 2013
2019
2018 Master Medical Aestheticians Rachael Ostrea, Cory Felber, PA-C, and Jennifer Tinelli, NP-C
2017
VOTED ‘BEST COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER’
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 | The Argonaut
2016
2015 Dr. Dan Gould and Dr. Grant Stevens
2014
2013
Committed to providing you the most advanced treatments available today that restore youth, while preserving the beauty and health of your skin. 4560 Admiralty Way, Suite 256 | Marina del Rey, CA 90292 310.827.2653 | MarinaMedSpa.com
BEACH O G TO
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FOOD TRUCKS GRAB DELICIOUS FOOD TO GO THURSDAYS, 5-9PM Now Thru November 19th
Online orders ONLY: bestfoodtrucks.com/beacheatstogo NEW LOCATION: Lot #11 – 14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey, 90292 REQUIRED: Facial masks & 6-foot physical distance from others.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 5
2020
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE T
PHOTO CO URTESY OF AL
his year’s Best of the Westside issue is dedicated to essential and frontline workers, first responders, health care heroes, educators, community service organizations and local small businesses who’ve helped our communities get through these difficult times. They make our neighborhoods “Westside Strong!” We thank you for your service to our communities during the COVID-19 crisis and we hope you, our valued readers, find these stories of community, compassion and resilience uplifting and inspirational.
IS PHOTO BY LU
ANA’S
CHAVEZ
PHOTO BY LU IS CHAVEZ
Christina Campodonico Christina Campodonico Managing Editor
Left to right: From first responders to neighborhood essential services workers who keep our small businesses running, we thank you!
FOOD & DRINK: FROM ASHES TO ROSES ............................................................... 34
DINING.................................................................. 8
SERVICES......................................................... 46
Best Restaurant, Best New Restaurant and more...
Best Afterschool Enrichment Program and more...
How Wabi on Rose’s unstoppable sushi triumphantly returned to Venice
NIGHTLIFE & ENTERTAINMENT........... 16
ARTS & RECREATION ................................ 60
COMMUNITY SERVICES: WIND IN THEIR SAILS ................................................... 36
Best Local Brewery/Taphouse, Happy Hour and more...
Best Local Museum and more...
The Boys & Girls Clubs educational boating program sails on
HEALTH & FITNESS...................................... 18
WESTSIDE STRONG.............................. 30-45
HUMOR: THE BEST ‘WESTCHESTER CRANK’ AROUND ........................................ 42
Best Pilates Studio, Yoga Studio and more...
Stories of Community, Compassion & Resilience
BEAUTY & STYLE.......................................... 24 Best Hair Salon, Nail Salon and more...
COVER STORY: IN THE SERVICE OF HEALTH ..................................................... 30
How UCLA Health Santa Monica fortifies the Westside in the face of COVID-19
EDUCATION: TOP OF THE CLASS ....... 45 Venice High’s Hazel Kight Witham is an LA County Teacher of the Year
SHOPPING....................................................... 28
ARTS: THE SHOW MUST GO ON ........... 32
ADVICE GODDESS: ‘HEAVY MENTAL’ .... 72
Best Gift Shop, Bookstore and more...
How local theatres are adapting in the age of COVID
‘Nerd Seeking Nerd’ is looking for smarts
The Wit and Wisdom of ‘Notes from Noreen’ shines in this correspondence for the ages
ON THE COVER: (Left to Right) Liana Alexe, RN; Betty Villalobos, MA; Janeth Alejandra Garcia, RN; Cornelius Banks,Senior Security Officer; Dawn Ly, RN, in front of UCLA Health Santa Monica. Readers voted UCLA Health Santa Monica Best Hospital and Best Medical Group in this year’s Best of the Westside readers’ survey. Photo by Luis Chavez. Design by Arman Olivares.
Local News & Culture
CONTACT US (310) 822-1629 Letters, News, Tips & Event Listings: ccampodonico@timespublications.com
EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Christina Campodonico (310) 574-7654 Contributing Editor: Shanee Edwards Contributing Writers: Amy Alkon, Lisa Beebe, Bliss Bowen, Kellie Chudzinski, Sarah Donahue, Shanee Edwards, Jacqueline Fitzgerald, Jason Hill, Danny Karel, Jessica
Koslow, Colin Newton, Jennifer Pellerito, Matt Rodriguez, Anthony Torrise Editorial Interns: Julia Escobar, Holly Jenvey, Caden Sullivan, Stepan Sarkisian ART Graphic Designers: Arman Olivares (310) 574-7656 Kate Doll (310) 574-7653 Staff Photographer: Luis Chavez Contributing Photographers: Mia Duncans, Maria Martin, Shilah Montiel,
The Westside’s News Source Since 1971 Ashley Randall, Courtnay Robbins, Jason Ryan, Ted Soqui, Zsuzsi Steiner, Gunnar Kuepper ADVERTISING Display Advertising: Kay Christy (310) 574-7654 Denine Gentilella (310) 574-7651 Classified Advertising: Ann Turrietta (626) 584-8747 aturrietta@timespublications.com
BUSINESS Associate Publisher: Rebecca Bermudez (310) 574-7655 rbermudez@timespublications.com WE MOVED! NEWSROOM & SALES OFFICE 161 Pasadena Avenue Suite B, South Pasadena CA 91030 The Argonaut is distributed every Thursday in Del Rey, Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Venice, and Westchester. The Argonaut is available free of charge, limited to one per reader. The
Visit us online at ArgonautNews.com PAGE 6 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
Argonaut may be distributed only by authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The Argonaut, take more than one copy of any issue. The Argonaut is copyrighted 2020 by Times Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without prior express written permission by the publisher. An adjudicated Newspaper of General Circulation with a distribution of 30,000.
VICE PRESIDENT: Michael Hiatt PRESIDENT: Steve Strickbine EXECUITVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
EDITOR’S PICKS DINING
THE ARGONAUT NEWSPAPER PRESENTS:
Thanksgiving Day Catering Issue
BEST BARGAIN HOT CHICKEN ON THE WESTSIDE: Al’s Hot Chicken By Anthony Torrise Nashville-style hot chicken is nearly impossible to find on the Westside of Los Angeles. Popular brands like Dave’s Hot Chicken and Howlin’ Ray’s are at least 30 minutes away, and that’s not counting the ride back or traffic. Add fairly high prices to the mix and the endeavor is barely even worth it. Thanks to a single shop on Venice Boulevard though, these spicy bites are close by and won’t make your wallet cry. Al’s Hot Chicken boasts a big menu including a classic chicken sandwich with coleslaw, three tenders, a quarter or half chicken, and chicken and waffle combos. There’s a long list of sides to go along with all this chicken, but the best is the chewy, gooey mac and cheese. The three tender meal is the better choice because of the included fries, slice of toast and pickles on the side that turn a tender into a sandwich of its own. It’s the perfect portion of food at only $10. (In fact, most everything on Al’s menu is under $10.) Don’t disregard the heat though. Even the medium spice level can pack a punch. Even seasoned spice seekers could have trouble with the hotter selections, but anyone who is daring enough to sign the waiver can go
Most Westsiders will be celebrating Thanksgiving at home this year. Help them have a joyous holiday by offering your restaurant’s or grocery store’s catering services.
for the “LA’s Hottest” spice, which is 2.2 million Scoville heat units (that’s Caroline Reaper-level hot!). This heat level isn’t listed online so the only ways to get it on your chicken are over the phone or in person. Limited seating is available outside so eating at Al’s is possible. Everything is ready to order for pickup or delivery through the restaurant’s website or Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash and Postmates.
Receive FREE 200 words plus a photo for any 1/4 page or larger ad placed in the issue.
Space reservation: Friday Nov. 13th Materials Due: Tuesday Nov. 17th Publishes: Thursday Nov. 19th
Al’s Hot Chicken is located at 10821 Venice Blvd., Palms. Call (818) 851-4633 or visit alshotchicken.com
SPECIAL RESTAURANT RATES:
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310-305-9600 OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 7
DINING
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE BEST RESTAURANT
BEST BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
1ST PLACE
1ST PLACE
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4534, tonyps.com
4375 Glencoe Ave., Marina Marketplace, Marina del Rey (310) 823-2283, jnicholskitchen.com
TONY P’S DOCKSIDE GRILL READER RECOMMENDED
CANTALINI’S SALERNO BEACH RESTAURANT 193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 821-0018, salernobeach.com READER RECOMMENDED
HATCHET HALL
12517 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles (310) 391-4222, hatchethallla.com
BEST NEW RESTAURANT 1ST PLACE
J NICHOLS KITCHEN READER RECOMMENDED
TONY P’S DOCKSIDE GRILL 4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4534, tonyps.com READER RECOMMENDED
BRU’S WIFFLE
3105 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 881-9162 2408 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 453-2787 bruswiffle.com
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
THE MANCHESTER
1ST PLACE
READER RECOMMENDED
8522 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester (424) 541-7097, themanchester.la
8522 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester (424) 541-7097, themanchester.la
SOCALO
1920 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 451-1655, socalo.com READER RECOMMENDED
PASJOLI
2732 Main St., Santa Monica (424) 330-0020, pasjoli.com
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT 1ST PLACE
THE MANCHESTER READER RECOMMENDED
SOCALO
1920 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 451-1655, socalo.com READER RECOMMENDED
PASJOLI
2732 Main St., Santa Monica (424) 330-0020, pasjoli.com
BEST INDEPENDENT COFFEE HOUSE
THE LOBSTER
1ST PLACE
READER RECOMMENDED
12511 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 295-0099, alanascoffeeroasters.com
1602 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica Pier (310) 458-9294, thelobster.com
C&O CUCINA
3016 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 301-7278, candorestaurants.com READER RECOMMENDED
CAFFE PINGUINI
6935 Pacific Ave., Playa del Rey (310) 306-0117, caffepinguini.com
BEST DINING VIEW 1ST PLACE
SALT RESTAURANT & BAR @ MARINA DEL REY HOTEL 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey (424) 289-8223, marinadelreyhotel.com READER RECOMMENDED
WHISKEY RED’S
13813 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4522, whiskeyreds.com READER RECOMMENDED
ALANA’S COFFEE ROASTERS READER RECOMMENDED
TANNER’S COFFEE CO.
200 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 574-2739, tannerscoffeepdr.wixsite.com READER RECOMMENDED
DOGTOWN COFFEE
2003 Main St., Santa Monica (310) 310-3665, dogtowncoffee.com
BEST DELI 1ST PLACE
BAY CITIES ITALIAN DELI & BAKERY 1517 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 395-8279, baycitiesitaliandeli.com READER RECOMMENDED
DEL REY DELI
8501 Pershing Drive, Playa del Rey (310) 439-2256, delreydeli.com
THE WAREHOUSE
BEST INDEPENDENT COFFEE HOUSE: Alana’s Coffee Roasters | Read more about how Alana’s has crafted coffee and community on page 41.
4499 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-5451, mdrwarehouse.com
(Continued on page 10)
PAGE 8 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 9
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE DINING (Continued from page 8)
BEST DELI
BEST PIZZA
READER RECOMMENDED
1ST PLACE
2400 Main St., Santa Monica (310) 452-1019, shoopsdeli.com
534 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 827-4500
SHOOP’S EUROPEAN DELI AND CAFE
READER RECOMMENDED
THE ORIGINAL RINALDI’S DELI & CAFE 323 Main St., El Segundo (310) 647-2860, theoriginalrinaldis.com
350 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach (310) 379-9968, theoriginalrinaldis.com 6171 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles (424) 351-8799, theoriginalrinaldis.com
BEST DINER 1ST PLACE
KILLER CAFE
4211 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 578-2293, killershrimp.com/killercafe READER RECOMMENDED
RONNIE’S DINER
12740 Culver Blvd., Del Rey (310) 578-9399, ronniesdiner.com READER RECOMMENDED
THE FIREHOUSE
213 Rose Ave., Venice (310) 396-6810, konigmedia.com/firehouse
Reader Recommended Ayara Thai’s chicken satay T&R Crostata_Argonaut 10.20 ad.pdf
1
10/10/20
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BEST INDEPENDENT LOCAL STEAKHOUSE 1ST PLACE
GEORGE PETRELLI STEAKHOUSE
5615 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City (310) 397-1438, georgepetrellisteaks.com READER RECOMMENDED
THE GALLEY
2442 Main St., Santa Monica (310) 452-1934, thegalleyrestaurant.net READER RECOMMENDED
MO’S PLACE AT THE BEACH 203 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 822-6422, mosplacepdr.com
BEST SEAFOOD C
SAMPA’S GOURMET PIZZA 2413 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 107 Lomita, (424) 263-5750 sampaspizza.com READER RECOMMENDED
THE GOOD PIZZA
8115 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey (310) 827-0500 7929 Emerson Ave., Westchester (310) 827-0500 thegoodpizza.com READER RECOMMENDED
ABBOT’S PIZZA COMPANY
1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice (310) 396-7334, abbotspizzaco.com
BEST BARBECUE 1ST PLACE
BABY BLUES BBQ
444 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (310) 396-7675, babybluesbbq.com READER RECOMMENDED
MAPLE BLOCK MEAT CO.
3973 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City (310) 313-6328, mapleblockmeat.com READER RECOMMENDED
MORFIA’S RIBS & PIES
4077 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 821-6939, morfiasribs.com
BEST BURGER 1ST PLACE
THE SHACK
185 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 823-6222, the-shacks.com READER RECOMMENDED
THE APPLE PAN
10801 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles (310) 475-3585, theapplepan.com READER RECOMMENDED
HINANO CAFE
15 Washington Blvd., Venice (310) 822-3902, hinanocafevenice.com
1ST PLACE
SANTA MONICA SEAFOOD MARKET & CAFÉ
M
Y
1000 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 393-5244, smseafoodmarket.com
CM
MY
CMY
BENNY’S TACOS 7101 W. Manchester Ave. Westchester; (310) 670-8226
1602 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica Pier (310) 458-9294, thelobster.com
915 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 451-0200
READER RECOMMENDED
10401 Venice Blvd. Culver City; (424) 298-8327 bennystacos.com
K
CONI’SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 3544 W. Imperial Hwy., Inglewood (310) 672-2339 4532 S. Centinela Ave., Del Rey (310) 881-9644 coniseafood.com
reserve now at www.TARANDROSES.com or call (310) 587-0700
1ST PLACE
READER RECOMMENDED
THE LOBSTER
CY
BEST TACO
READER RECOMMENDED
TITO’S TACOS
11222 Washington Pl., Culver City (310) 391-5780, titostacos.com READER RECOMMENDED
PACO’S TACOS
4141 S. Centinela Ave., Del Rey (310) 391-9616 6212 Manchester Ave., Westchester (310) 645 8692 pacoscantina.com
(Continued on page 12
PAGE 10 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
thank you community for voting us Best Independent Coffee House!
@alanascoffee www.alanascoffeeroasters.com 12511 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066 Photo by: Ezekiel Gonzalez www.ezekielgonzalez.co
visit us online
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 11
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE DINING (Continued from page 10)
BEST FISH AND CHIPS
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1ST PLACE
1ST PLACE
YE OLDE KING’S HEAD
PACO’S TACOS
116 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 451-1402, yeoldekingshead.com
4141 S. Centinela Ave., Del Rey (310) 391-9616
READER RECOMMENDED
6212 Manchester Ave., Westchester (310) 645 8692, pacoscantina.com
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4534, tonyps.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
4500 S. Centinela Ave., Del Rey (310) 397-9999, casa-sanchez.com
1301 Ocean Front Walk Ste. 9, Venice (310) 450-0077, weechippy.com
READER RECOMMENDED
TONY P’S DOCKSIDE GRILL
THE WEE CHIPPY
BEST CONTEMPORARY CALIFORNIAN CUISINE 1ST PLACE
11755 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles (310) 312-2090
BEST MEDITERRANEAN 1ST PLACE
READER RECOMMENDED
2350 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 392-2900, zgardensantamonica.com
3523 S. Centinela Ave., Mar Vista (310) 390-1500, rustickitchen.la
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
11800 W. Jefferson Blvd., Playa Vista (310) 390-6800, koobidekabob.com
602 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 587-0700, tarandroses.com
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT
307 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (424) 330-0003, elagreekeats.com
RUSTIC KITCHEN
TAR & ROSES
“Best Late Night Eats!”
DON-ANTONIO’S RESTAURANT
THE ROSE VENICE 220 Rose Ave., Venice (310) 399-0711, therosevenice.la
Marina del Rey Hotel’s SALT Restaurant & Bar took home the top prizes for Best Dining View and Best Hotel Restaurant
CASA SANCHEZ
1ST PLACE
SALT RESTAURANT & BAR @ MARINA DEL REY HOTEL 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey (424) 289-8223, marinadelreyhotel.com READER RECOMMENDED
1 PICO @ SHUTTERS ON THE BEACH 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 587-1717, shuttersonthebeach.com READER RECOMMENDED
CAST & PLOW @ MARINA DEL REY RITZ-CARLTON 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 574-4333, ritzcarlton.com
Z GARDEN MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE KOOBIDE KABOB
ELA GREEK EATS
BEST THAI RESTAURANT 1ST PLACE
NATALEE THAI
10101 Venice Blvd., Palms (310) 202-7003, nataleethai.com READER RECOMMENDED
THAI TALAY
8411 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-3055, thethaitalay.comz READER RECOMMENDED
AYARA THAI
6245 W. 87th St., Westchester (310) 410-8848, ayarathai.com
BEST FAMILY-STYLE ITALIAN RESTAURANT
BEST DONUTS OR BAKERY
1ST PLACE
DK’S DONUTS & BAKERY
C&O CUCINA
3016 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 301-7278, candorestaurants.c READER RECOMMENDED
ALEJO’S PRESTO TRATTORIA ITALIAN RESTAURANT 8343 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-6677, alejosrestaurant.com READER RECOMMENDED
CANTALINI’S SALERNO BEACH RESTAURANT
1ST PLACE
1614 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 829-2512, dkdonuts.com READER RECOMMENDED
SIDECAR DOUGHNUTS & COFFEE 631 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 587-0022, sidecardoughnuts.com READER RECOMMENDED
SINNERS AND SAINTS DESSERTS 2547 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (310) 970-2332
193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 821-0018, salernobeach.com READER RECOMMENDED
DELUCA PASTA
225 Richmond St., El Segundo (310) 640-7600, delucapasta.com (Continued on page 14
PAGE 12 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
LOCAL. ORGANIC. MICRO-ROASTED.
We serve fun, rustic, health conscious all-day breakfast and lunch, gluten-free and vegan fare, artisan baked treats, and our signature organic, locally micro-roasted coffee and wide selection of organic loose leaf teas. DTC Favorites include our breakfast burritos, açai bowls, salads and paninis, and of course, the DTC Sweet ‘n Salty Caramel Iced Coffee.
2003 Main St. - Santa Monica 90405
(310) 310-3665
EVERYDAY 7:00am-2:00pm www.dogtowncoffee.com During COVID-19 we offer Take Out and Delivery.
Award Winning Gourmet Pizzas • Homestyle Pastas • Signature Paninis • Fresh Salads • Authentic Brazilian Acai Bowls • Homemade Desserts
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US…
BEST PIZZA ON THE WESTSIDE
We are beyond grateful for your patronage, support and vote for this very special honor. This award lets us know that our hard work and love for what we do is appreciated. From all of us at Sampa’s… THANK YOU!!!
#1 BEST OF
#1 BEST OF
THE WESTSIDE 2020
THE WESTSIDE 2020
CALL 310-827-4500 OR ORDER ONLINE AT SAMPASPIZZA.COM | 534 WASHINGTON BLVD, MARINA DEL REY, CA 90292 O U T DOO R S EAT I N G , TA KE O U T, C U R B S I D E P I C KU P, TO U C H L E S S D E L I V E RY & C AT E R I N G
Coffee in Marina Del Rey”Google
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In Celebration of Winning this Award, please Take Advantage of this Limited Time Offer!
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 13
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE DINING (Continued from page 12)
BEST ICE CREAM/GELATO
READER RECOMMENDED
1ST PLACE
4224 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 822-9006
2726 Main St., Santa Monica 225 26th St., Brentwood Country Mart (310) 260-2663, sweetrosecreamery.com
3015 Main St., Ste. B, Santa Monica (310) 396-9006 urbannutritioncenter.com
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST FARMERS MARKET
12550 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City Panhandle (310) 437-0242, gingersicecreams.com
1ST PLACE
SWEET ROSE CREAMERY
GINGER’S DIVINE ICE CREAM & POPS
READER RECOMMENDED
DOLCENERO GELATO
URBAN NUTRITION CENTER
SANTA MONICA FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays on Arizona Ave. @ 2nd St.
2400 Main St., Santa Monica (323) 540-6263, dolcenerogelato.com
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays on Arizona Ave. @ 2nd Street
BEST BARGAIN EATS 1ST PLACE
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Virginia Avenue Park
11222 Washington Pl., Culver City (310) 391-5780, titostacos.com
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays on Main St. smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
7101 W. Manchester Ave. Westchester; (310) 670-8226
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays 3826 Grand View Blvd., Mar Vista marvistafarmersmarket.org
TITO’S TACOS BENNY’S TACOS
MAR VISTA FARMERS MARKET
915 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 451-0200
READER RECOMMENDED
PLAYA VISTA FARMERS MARKET
10401 Venice Blvd. Culver City; (424) 298-8327 bennystacos.com
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays 12775 Millennium Dr., Playa Vista farmermark.com
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST FOOD TRUCK EVENT
THE SHACK
185 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 823-6222, the-shacks.com
1ST PLACE
FIRST FRIDAYS ON ABBOT BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE KINNEY BLVD. 1ST PLACE
RAINBOW ACRES NATURAL FOODS
Thank you for voting us BEST THAI on the Westside 8 years in a row!
13208 W. Washington Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 306-8330, rainbowacresca.com READER RECOMMENDED
THE MARIGOLD MERCANTILE
4756 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-5373, themarigoldmercantile.com
5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month abbotkinneyfirstfridays.com READER RECOMMENDED
BEACH EATS
5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at Lot #11, 14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey; facebook.com/beachtrucks; bestfoodtrucks.com/beacheatstogo READER RECOMMENDED
SANTA MONICA FOOD TRUCK LOT
5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at California Heritage Museum 2612 Main St., Santa Monica californiaheritagemuseum.org
EDITOR’S PICKS DINING THE BEST BLUE CHEESE BURGER: J NICHOL’S ‘WESTSIDER’
Venice • (310) 202-7003
Beverly Hills • (310) 855-9380
FULL BAR • SUSHI BAR
FULL BAR • VALET PARKING
10101 Venice Blvd. 90034
998 S. Robertson Blvd. 90035
Dine • Delivery••Take Take Out Online Dine In •InDelivery Out• Order • Order Online
www.nataleethai.com
PAGE 14 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
The ‘Westsider’ burger certainly lives up to its name. The decadent specialty from beloved Marina del Rey restaurant J Nichols is worth the splurge ($19) whether it’s for brunch, lunch or dinner. It’s a burger that will keep your stomach warm and filled, but also yearning for more cheesy goodness. Its fusion of blue cheese and swiss ethamal provides a flavorful and gooey taste, partnering perfectly with the patty uniquely served on French baguette. Lemon aioli and balsamic onion compote lend a tasteful tartness. Best of all, it comes with bacon! You can enjoy this flavorful masterpiece with a side of fries. But make sure to reserve your spot. J Nichols is a favorite amongst many for any time of day and has an extensive menu that can satisfy many types of hungry stomachs. But the ‘Westsider’ certainly leaves a blue-cheesy imprint. — Holly Jenvey
We’re Back Open Now Serving BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER WATERFRONT VIEW • HEATED OUTDOOR PATIO • FULL BAR
BREAKFAST 7AM-11:30AM LUNCH & DINNER 11:30AM- 10PM
E-FOIL LESSONS
ADVENTURES Southern California’s Premier
OCEAN ADVENTURES SPORTFISHING | SPEARFISHING | SCUBA | SNORKELING SURFING | SUP | FOILING | WHALE WATCHING | CRUISES
For Reservations or More Information:
310-740-5858 | info@killershrimp.com
@KILLEROCEANADVENTURES OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 15
NIGHTLIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE
BEST UPSCALE BAR
BEST HAPPY HOUR
1ST PLACE
1ST PLACE
OLD MAN BAR @ REAR OF HATCHET HALL
12517 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City Panhandle (310) 391-4222, hatchethallla.com/old-man-bar READER RECOMMENDED
OLD LIGHTNING
2905 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey oldlightning.com READER RECOMMENDED
LANEA
217 Broadway, Santa Monica (424) 265-7437, gotolanea.com
BEST HAPPY HOUR
READER RECOMMENDED
THE SHACK
185 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 823-6222, the-shacks.com READER RECOMMENDED
MO’S PLACE AT THE BEACH 203 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 822-6422, mosplacepdr.com
BEST DIVE BAR 1ST PLACE
PRINCE O’WHALES
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4534, tonyps.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
SALT RESTAURANT & BAR @ MARINA DEL REY HOTEL
335 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 823-9826, princeowhales.com
CHEZ JAY
1657 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica (310) 395-1741, chezjays.com
13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey (424) 289-8223, marinadelreyhotel.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
15 Washington Blvd., Venice (310) 822-3902, hinanocafevenice.com
7241 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester (310) 910-0895
BEST HOTEL BAR
BEST DANCE CLUB
1ST PLACE
CINCO
1ST PLACE
MELODY BAR & GRILL 9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-1994, melodylax.com
PAGE 16 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4534, tonyps.com
1ST PLACE
TONY P’S DOCKSIDE GRILL
BEST LOCAL BREWERY/TAPHOUSE: FIRESTONE WALKER’S THE PROPAGATOR Firestone Walker took home the top prize for best local brewhouse this year, but in 2020 it could also lay claim to the title of Best Beer Garden West of the 405. Known for its signature 805 blonde ale, Firestone Walker is now serving up its distinctive beers and experimental brews (some made on-site) in its recently revamped parking lot, carpeted with astroturf, peppered with charming brewing barrels and spaced out seating that’s perfect for parties of one or small groups of up to six. Cool off under a Firestone Walker-themed pop-up tent with the new Gen-4 Double IPA inspired by Venice or choose from an assortment of lagers, pilsners, stouts or ales all on tap. The menu is extensive and contains all of the perfect foods that go with beer. Starters like the Propagator Pretzel with mustard and cheese or the Taproom Buffalo Wings are mouthwatering and easily shareable. The tri-tip, pastrami and hot fried chicken sandwiches will conquer any appetite. The chicken or fish tacos with refreshing yellowtail are great for a change of pace from typical bar fare and are shareable as well. So why not raise a glass in the Venice sun? — Anthony Torrise Visit firestonebeer.com/venice to learn more.
TONY P’S DOCKSIDE GRILL
HINANO CAFE
HIGH ROOFTOP LOUNGE @ HOTEL ERWIN 1697 Pacific Ave., Venice (424) 214-1062, hotelerwin.com READER RECOMMENDED
90 WEST LOUNGE
TERRAZZA LOUNGE @ HOTEL CASA DEL MAR
12740 Culver Blvd., Del Rey (310) 821-4000, 90westlounge.com
1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica (310) 581-5533, hotelcasadelmar.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
THE CIRCLE BAR
PALMA LOUNGE @ PROPER HOTEL
2926 Main St., Santa Monica (310) 450-0508, circle-bar.com
700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 620-9990
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
BEST WINE BAR
1ST PLACE
1ST PLACE
MCCABE’S GUITAR SHOP
BACARI PDR
3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 828-4497, mccabes.com
6805 Vista Del Mar Lane, Playa del Rey (310) 439-2100, bacaripdr.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
HARVELLE’S
BODEGA WINE BAR
1432 4th St., Santa Monica (310) 395-1676, santamonica.harvelles.com
814 Broadway, Santa Monica (310) 394-3504, bodegawinebar.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-1994, melodylax.com
600 Venice Blvd., Venice (310) 437-0970, lezinque.com
MELODY BAR & GRILL
ZINQUÉ
BEST LOCAL BREWERY/ TAPHOUSE 1ST PLACE
FIRESTONE WALKER’S THE PROPAGATOR 3205 Washington Blvd., Venice (310) 439-8264, firestonebeer.com READER RECOMMENDED
EL SEGUNDO BREWING CO.
140 Main St., El Segundo (310) 529-3882, elsegundobrewing.com READER RECOMMENDED
THREE WEAVERS
1031 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood (310) 400-5830, threeweavers.la
BEST CRAFT COCKTAILS 1ST PLACE
THE LINCOLN
2536 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (310) 822-1715, thelincolnvenice.com READER RECOMMENDED
THE CORNER DOOR
12477 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City Panhandle (310) 313-5810, cornerdoorla.com READER RECOMMENDED
BEST LATE NIGHT EATS 1ST PLACE
JOHNNIE’S PASTRAMI 4017 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City (310) 397-6654 READER RECOMMENDED
KILLER CAFÉ
4211 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 578-2250, killershrimp.com READER RECOMMENDED
BOOTLEG TACOS
225 Lincoln Blvd., Venice
BEST PLACE TO PLAY POOL 1ST PLACE
MO’S PLACE
203 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (310) 822-6422, mosplacepdr.com READER RECOMMENDED
HOUSE OF BILLIARDS
1901 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 828-2120, hobsm.com READER RECOMMENDED
HINANO CAFÉ
15 Washington Blvd., Venice (310) 822-3902, hinanocafevenice.com
CHESTNUT CLUB
1348 14th St., Santa Monica (310) 393-1348, thechestnutclubsm.com
OPEN FOR OUTDOOR DINING Open Seven Days A Week | Vegan Options Available Daily Happy Hour 3-5pm | Saturday & Sunday Brunch @melody.grill
Melodylax.com
@melodylax
(310) 670-1994
9132 S Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester
Proper Hotel’s Palma Lounge is a Reader Recommended hotel bar OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 17
HEALTH & FITNESS
BEST GYM/WORKOUT CENTER
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE
BEST YOGA STUDIO
BEST PILATES STUDIO
1ST PLACE
1ST PLACE
1640 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 396-4040, santamonicayoga.com
330 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (424) 228-4265
1ST PLACE
SANTA MONICA YOGA
360 Hampton Dr., Venice (310) 392-6004, goldsgym.com
READER RECOMMENDED
13357 Washington Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 881-9467
GOLD’S GYM VENICE
THE STUDIO (MDR)
READER RECOMMENDED
LOVE YOGA VENICE
835 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (310) 905-9997, loveyogaspace.com
12775 W. Millennium, Playa Vista
8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-4316, ymcala.org
READER RECOMMENDED
9901 Washington Blvd., Culver City thestudiomdr.com
WESTCHESTER FAMILY YMCA
READER RECOMMENDED
SANTA MONICA YMCA 1332 6th St., Santa Monica (310) 393-2721, ymcasm.org
MODO YOGA LA – WEST
2570 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (888) 663-6523, modoyoga.com
READER RECOMMENDED
PLAYA PILATES
6020 Seabluff Dr., Playa Vista (310) 862-0499, playapilates.com READER RECOMMENDED
THE MOVING JOINT
12813 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista (Continued on page 20)
GRAND OPENING!!! Dr. Parsons is back in Westchester!!
Specializing in Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Beautiful state-of the-art office near LAX. 8930 S. Sepulveda Blvd, #220 Los Angeles, 90045 Free Parking Michael A. Parsons, D.D.S. 310-670-0902 PAGE 18 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
(424) 228-5348, themovingjoint.com
BEST PILATES STUDIO: THE STUDIO (MDR) Read more about how owner Lisa Hirsch-Solomon credits her community with helping her get through tough times on page 44
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 19
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE HEALTH & FITNESS (Continued from page 18)
BEST MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO BEST HOSPITAL
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
1ST PLACE
1ST PLACE
8410 Pershing Drive, Playa del Rey (310) 822-2011, delreydental.com
13203 W. Washington Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 821-6768 marinamartialarts.net
1250 16th St., Santa Monica (424) 259-6000, uclahealth.org
Advanced Chiropractic & Spinal Rehab 1411 Lincoln Blvd., Ste. C, Venice (310) 985-0903, drcarminegangemi.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
6020 S. Seabluff Drive, Playa Vista (310) 589-3146, playavistadentalcare.com
2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 829-5511, california.providence.org
BEST OPTOMETRY GROUP
MARINA MARTIAL ARTS READER RECOMMENDED
UCLA HEALTH SANTA MONICA PROVIDENCE SAINT JOHN’S HEALTH CENTER
KRAV MAGA L.A.
13347 Washington Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 439-2219, kravmagala.com
BEST DANCE STUDIO
READER RECOMMENDED
1ST PLACE
4650 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 823-8911, marinahospital.com
CEDARS-SINAI MARINA DEL REY HOSPITAL
ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE STUDIO 928 Broadway, Santa Monica (310) 260-8886, dancingsantamonica.com
READER RECOMMENDED
KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente Culver Marina -12001 Washington Blvd., Culver City Kaiser Permanente Santa Monica - 1450 10th St., Ste. 2, Santa Monica Kaiser Permanente Playa Vista - 300 McConnell Ave., Playa Vista (833) 574-2273, healthy.kaiserpermanente.org
READER RECOMMENDED
SANTA MONICA DANCE STUDIO 211 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica (310) 319-5339, santamonica.com READER RECOMMENDED
BY YOUR SIDE DANCE STUDIO
12613 Washington Blvd., Culver City Panhandle (310) 391-0400, byyoursidedancestudio.com
BEST DENTAL OFFICE 1ST PLACE
ELEGANT DENTISTRY
13400 W. Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 881-8656, elegantdentistry.net
DEL REY DENTAL
PLAYA VISTA DENTAL CARE
1ST PLACE
DEL REY OPTOMETRY 8511 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey (310) 577-6401, delreyoptometry.com
DR. CARMINE GANGEMI
READER RECOMMENDED
DR. ROY NISSIM
Chiropractic & Sports Medicine Center 3435 Ocean Park Blvd., Ste. 103, Santa Monica (424) 645-5735, drroymissim.com
BEST COSMETIC SURGEON 1ST PLACE
DR. LUIS MACIAS
READER RECOMMENDED
Aesthetic MdR 13160 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey (424) 375-6580, aestheticmdr.com
Dr. Harold Ashcraft 8735 La Tijera Blvd.,Westchester (310) 670-4411, familyeyecareoptometrist.com
READER RECOMMENDED
FAMILY EYE CARE CENTER OF OPTOMETRY
READER RECOMMENDED
WESTCHESTER EYECARE CENTER
Dr. Jenn Tabiza 8610 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-1888, westchestereyecarecenter.com
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
DR. GRANT STEVENS
Marina Plastic Surgery 4560 Admiralty Way, Ste. 256, Marina del Rey (310) 827-2653, marinaplasticsurgery.com READER RECOMMENDED
DR. DAVID STOKER
Stoker Plastic Surgery 4640 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 300-1779, drstoker.com
1ST PLACE
DR. MICHAEL BILLAUER Los Angeles Wellness Institute 2901 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (424) 309-1369, drbillauer.com
FIND YOUR TRUE STRENGTH.
(Continued on page 22)
STRESSED?
Get your child off the screen and into action! Our combination of martial arts, fitness and self defense is the perfect family activity for better focus and concentration. Children will develop outstanding discipline and self esteem. Adult classes will get you feeling strong while having a blast in every workout.
HELP IS JUST A CALL AWAY!
310.670.1410
IN PERSON AND LIVE STREAMING CLASSES CALL NOW! • In Person & Live Streaming Classes • Kids Programs 4 years & up • Live Streaming Kick Boxing at Home • Self Defense
VOTED #1
BEST OF THE
WESTSIDE 2020
AMCS Offers Telehealth Services on A Sliding Scale and A Variety of Virtual Group Therapy Classes:
VOTED BEST MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO ON THE WESTSIDE
MarinaMartialArts.net • 310-821-6768 • 13203 West Washington Blvd. PAGE 20 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
• • • • •
COUPLES & COVID – COMMUNICATIONS, CARING AND COMPANIONSHIP MINDFULNESS – FINDING PEACE DURING A PANDEMIC EMERGING ADULTS – NAVIGATING YOUR 20s MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP GRIEF AND LOSS
WWW.AMCSHELPS.COM
Thank you! for voting us Best Pharmacy
Delivery and Curbside Available Caring for the health and safety of our community
Don t forget to get your flu shot '
!
310.823.4500 | playapharmacy.com THANK YOU for Voting Us 1ST PLACE
ENJOY BEAUTIFUL SMILES FOR LIFE! • Cosmetic and Restorative Family Dentistry • Custom sleep apnea devices • Late appointments & Saturday hours available • Convenient location with free parking • In-house Periodontist & Endodontist
Dr. Marjaneh Moghimi USC Graduate
Top Quality Cosmetic Dentistry (310) 827-2792 • www.elegantdentistry.net 13400 W. Washington Blvd. Ste. 202 B, Marina del Rey 90292 (Near Costco at Glencoe above Wells Fargo • Free Parking)
#1 BEST OF
THE WESTSIDE 2020
Argonaut Newspaper’s BEST OF THE WESTSIDE 2020 Voted among top dentists/ dental offices Best of the Westside 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 21
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE
HEALTH & FITNESS
(Continued from page 20)
BEST COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER 1ST PLACE
MARINA PLASTIC SURGERY Dr. Grant Stevens 4560 Admiralty Way, Suite 256 (310) 827-2653, marinaplasticsurgery.com
Most Vision Plans Accepted • Emergency Eye Injury & Disease Treatment
Thanks for making us #1
Best Optometrist on the Westside 8 years in a row
DEL REY OPTOMETRY 8511 pershing drive, playa del rey 90293 www.delreyoptometry.com MARINA DEL REY OPTOMETRY 4266 lincoln blvd., marina del rey 90292 www.marinadelreyoptometry.com
CLARE|MATRIX
2644 30th, Ste. 100, Santa Monica (866) 452-5273, clarematrix.org READER RECOMMENDED
ROGERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
5140 West, Goldleaf Cir., Ste. 250, Los Angeles (323) 431-3300, rogersbh.org
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST URGENT CARE
Dr. Luis Macias 13160 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey (424) 375-6580, aestheticmdr.com
1ST PLACE
AESTHETIC MDR
E X PER T E Y EC A R E • E XCLUSI V E E Y E W E A R
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
CEDARS-SINAI URGENT CARE – PLAYA VISTA
Dr. David Stocker 4640 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 300-1779, drstocker.com
READER RECOMMENDED
STOKER PLASTIC SURGERY
BEST LOCAL PHARMACY 1ST PLACE
PLAYA PHARMACY
8131 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey (310) 823-4500, playapharmacy.com READER RECOMMENDED
MARINA DEL REY PHARMACY
4558 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-5311, marinadelreypharmacy.com READER RECOMMENDED
OCEAN PARK PHARMACY
2731 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 452-5705
12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. Runway at Playa Vista (424) 315-2220, cedars-sinai.org
SANTA MONICA URGENT CARE
524 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica (310) 394-2273, urgentmednetwork.com READER RECOMMENDED
EXER URGENT CARE
(formerly Playa Vista Medical Center) 6020 S. Seabluff Dr., Playa Vista (310) 862-0400, exerurgentcare.com
BEST MEDICAL GROUP 1ST PLACE
UCLA HEALTH SANTA MONICA 1250 16th St., Santa Monica (424) 259-6000, uclahealth.org
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE 1ST PLACE
AIRPORT MARINA COUNSELING SERVICE 7891 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-1410, amchelps.com READER RECOMMENDED
LIFE ADJUSTMENT TEAM
4551 Glencoe Ave., Marina del Rey (310) 572-7000, lifeadjustmentteam.com
CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL GROUP – MARINA DEL REY 4676 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 306-6966, cedars-sinai.org READER RECOMMENDED
DOCTORS OF SAINT JOHN’S MEDICAL GROUP – INTERNAL MEDICINE 2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 453-1324, providence.org READER RECOMMENDED
EXER URGENT CARE
(formerly Playa Vista Medical Center) 6020 S. Seabluff Dr., Playa Vista (310) 862-0400, exerurgentcare.com
BEST HOSPITAL AND BEST MEDICAL GROUP: UCLA Health Santa Monica | Read more on page 30 about how the hospital keeps the Westside happy, healthy and strong. PAGE 22 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
0
All in One $ Medicare Coverage as low as
For Saint John’s Physician Partners Patients
HOSPITAL
DOCTOR
RX DRUGS
premium per month
DENTAL
VISION
HEARING
FITNESS
Three Ways to Learn About Medicare Advantage “All in One” Coverage: 2
1
3
ONLINE
PHONE CALL Call eHealth at 1-844-240-6434 (TTY 711), Monday-Friday, 5am-5pm, PST to speak with a licensed insurance advisor to help choose a plan.
Visit eHealthMedicare.com/SJPP to shop plans side-by-side. Find a plan that may save you money.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP Attend a FREE virtual workshop sponsored by Providence and learn about Medicare options.*
Call to RSVP for an upcoming virtual workshop at 1-866-909-DOCS (3627) (TTY/TDD 1-866-660-4288). More dates available at california.providence.org/medicare
10 a.m. Monday, November 2nd by West LA Baby Boomers Insurance (Broker)
5 p.m. Tuesday, November 10th by SCAN
10 a.m. Wednesday, November 18th by CHM Insurance Services (Broker)
Providence Medical Institute (PMI) contracts with various Medicare Advantage Plans (MA), Medicare Supplement Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-866-909-3627 (TTY/TDD: 1-866-660-4288). A sales representative will be present with information and applications. CHM Insurance Services, West LA Baby Boomer Insurance Services, Clear Financial Insurance Services, AGA, and Paul Davis Insurance Services represent various Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) with Medicare contracts. eHealthMedicare.com is a non-government website operated by eHealthInsurance Services, Inc., a licensed health insurance agency that sells Medicare products and does business as eHealth. eHealth and eHealthMedicare.com are not affiliated or connected with Medicare or any government program or agency. eHealth offers plans from a number of insurance companies. This ad solicits insurance prospects for eHealth. *eHealthInsurance Service, Inc. or eHealthMedicare.com does not sponsor and is not affiliated with the Event listed in this ad. OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 23
BEAUTY & STYLE
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE
BEST LOCAL BARBER SHOP
READER RECOMMENDED
1ST PLACE
13400 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 823-3029, hana-nails.com
GETTIN’ FADED BARBERSHOP 8320 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 6201 W. 87th St., Westchester (310) 410-3833 facebook.com/gettinfadedlifestyle READER RECOMMENDED
PHIL’S BARBER SHOP
12761 Washington Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 574-1971 READER RECOMMENDED
REFINE MEN’S SALON
12775 Millennium Dr., Ste. 155 Runway at Playa Vista (310) 596-8018, refinemenssalon.com
READER RECOMMENDED
NAILS BY OLIVIA
4371 Glencoe Ave., Marina Marketplace (310) 827-8618
BEST MEDISPA 1ST PLACE (TIE)
MARINA MEDSPA
4560 Admiralty Way, Ste. 256, Marina del Rey (310) 827-2653, marinamedspa.com 1ST PLACE (TIE)
AESTHETIC MDR
BEST HAIR SALON
13160 Mindanao Way, Ste. 202, Marina del Rey (310) 574-2103, aestheticmdr.com
1ST PLACE
READER RECOMMENDED
KILLER HAIR
13360 W. Washington Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 301-7879, killer-hair.com READER RECOMMENDED
AVENUE HAIR COMPANY
4220 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 822-0700 facebook.com/avenuehaircompany READER RECOMMENDED
AMY GIMBLE STUDIO
1333 2nd St., Santa Monica (202) 304-6168, amygimble.com
BEST TATTOO & PIERCING STUDIO 1ST PLACE
INK MONKEY TATTOO & PIERCING 2417 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (310) 822-9138, theinkmonkey.com READER RECOMMENDED
AESTHETIC AMBITION
116 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (424) 526-1070, aestheticambition.com READER RECOMMENDED
HOUSE OF INK
1313 Ocean Front Walk, Venice (310) 399-0555, houseofink.net
BEST NAIL SALON 1ST PLACE
BELLAGIO NAILS & SPA 4772 Admiralty Way Waterside at Marina del Rey (310) 454-8841, shopwaterside.com
PAGE 24 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
HANA NAILS
SKIN BY LOVELY
2730 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 320 Santa Monica (310) 566-0858, skinbylovely.com READER RECOMMENDED
LA BEAUTÉ SPA & PERMANENT MAKEUP CENTER 1507 Lincoln Blvd., Sana Monica (310) 260-0065, labeautedayspa.com
BEST FACIAL 1ST PLACE
QUEEN BEE SALON & SPA 2530 San Vicente Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 570-2282 10182 Culver Blvd., Culver City (310) 204-2236 queenbeesalonspa.com READER RECOMMENDED
AESTHETIC MDR
13160 Mindanao Way, Ste. 202, Marina del Rey (310) 574-2103, aestheticmdr.com
BEST WAXING SERVICE 1ST PLACE
QUEEN BEE SALON & SPA 2530 San Vicente Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 570-2282 10182 Culver Blvd., Culver City (310) 204-2236 queenbeesalonspa.com READER RECOMMENDED
EUROPEAN WAX CENTER
4371 Glencoe Ave., Marina Marketplace (310) 302-9299 625 F Montana Ave., Santa Monica (310) 260-2929 waxcenter.com
or r o o Outd services r indoo ble upon availa quest re
Fully comp liant with S tate & Coun ty for C guidelines ovid19
Thanks to ALL of our customers for voting us
“BEST NAIL SALON”
Best of the Westside 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
Bellagio Nails & Spa
...where luxury & beauty meet state-of-the art cleanliness SaniSmartTM Spa Chairs with disposable plastic liners • All instruments sterilized • All supplies disposable
Open 7 days • Monday - Saturday 9 am - 7:30 pm • Sunday 10 - 7 pm Bellagio Nail and Spa • 4772 Admiralty Way • Marina del Rey • 310-305-1400 OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 25
EDITOR’S PICKS BEAUTY & STYLE
BEST HAIRSTYLIST WITH A CAUSE: Jason Schneidman, The Mens Groomer PHOTO BY TED SOQUI
By Christina Campodonico You could say there are two secrets to Jason Schneidman’s success: service and saltwater. When he needs a break from the daily grind, he’ll grab his surfboard and head to the beach for a soul cleanse. “Saltwater is magic. The magic potion,” Schneidman says. “Good for the skin, great for the hair.” He should know. Not only has Schneidman coiffed the ’dos of “Late Late Show” host James Corden, “X-men” star Hugh Jackman, singer Bruno Mars and actor Jonah Hill, he’s built an entire salon and product line upon the fundamentals of men’s hair care. Aptly named The Mens Groomer, his Lincoln Boulevard headquarters is part barbershop, part coffee shop and part surf/skate shop. But when he isn’t tailing Corden with a can of hairspray or surfing by the Venice Pier, Schneidman is out giving back. Before the pandemic, he donated his sought-after hairstyling services to the homeless in Hollywood, and on special occasions he’d also provide free haircuts to the homeless near the Venice
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Boardwalk and the encampments at Third and Rose avenues. Now he’s focused on helping the homeless secure food and much-needed resources, which he documents on his Instagram account (@themensgroomer). Schneidman’s mission is to help people be seen differently and see themselves differently, which includes offering help to those who are struggling with addiction — just like he was 16 years ago. A live fast and party hard lifestyle as a club promoter left him in the grip of drug and alcohol abuse until his early thirties. That’s when Schneidman, who turned 50 earlier this year, decided to get serious with his scissors and turn his life around — or put “both feet in the boat,” as he likes to say, quoting some wisdom he picked up while in recovery. A stint of homelessness, 13 months of rehab, five different hairstyling schools and a turn at the salon of Jennifer Aniston’s hairdresser (Chris McMillan) eventually led the Southern California native to make service an integral part of his life as a father, husband and entrepreneur.
“It’s about helping one person, one haircut at a time. People have gotten jobs. People have gotten auditions. You never know what’s going to change a life,” Schneidman says. “Once I get somebody in my chair, I share my experience and my strength and hope with them. And then I actually use some resources … in order to house and rehab people.” Through The Mens Groomer Foundation, Schneidman uses funding from the sales of his haircare products to support rehab programs like the one that helped him. “We are so lucky to be able to touch people — to make people look better, to make people feel better,” he says. “Whether they’re homeless or an actor or my everyday client, it’s all about treating everybody like a celebrity.” The Mens Groomer is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 2518 S. Lincoln Blvd., Venice, with outdoor haircuts available upon request. Visit themensgroomer.com/pages/foundation to learn more or make a donation to The Mens Groomer Foundation.
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By Anthony Torrise One good thing to come out of 2020 is the To-Go Cocktail. To help restaurants make it through the pandemic, California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) eased restrictions on selling alcoholic beverages for pickup or delivery, and so the craft to-go cocktail was born. Among the standout concoctions created by local bars and restaurants are Lanea’s to-go cocktails, which come in cheekily decorated aluminum cans (“Enjoy: today, duh,” they declare! ) or clear pouches that show off the cocktails’ brilliant colors. There are 17 cocktails on Lanea’s menu (all available for takeaway in four, six or 12-packs), but the following really grab attention. Lanea’s house spicy margarita adds a kick of heat to a well-known classic. The Catalina Wine Mixer (an electric blue) is a delightfully hard-fruit flavored slushy that takes you back to the good old days of childhood with an adult twist. But the real winner is the refreshing Watermelon.Sugar.High. It’s a mellow mix of Bacardi and Strega combined with fresh watermelon juice and an extra squirt of lime that kicks the flavors up a notch. Whether it’s for a special dinner or just on a whim, Lanea’s cocktails are a great addition to any meal, any time. Just grab and go! Lanea is located at 217 Broadway, Santa Monica. Call (424) 265-7437 or visit gotolanea.com
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• 13432 Maxella Ave., Marina del Rey 90292 • 310.305.8883 OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 29
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IN THE SERVICE OF HEALTH The day-to-day operations of Best of the Westside winner UCLA Health Santa Monica keep the Westside fortified in the face of COVID-19
PAGE 30 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ
By Christina Campodonico As an ICU doctor at UCLA Health Santa Monica, Dr. Patricia Eshaghian’s typical day is anything but typical. One minute she could be responding to a cardiac arrest as part of the hospital’s Code Blue Team. At another, she could be rushing to the ER to bring up a patient to the intensive care unit. At another, she could be intubating a gasping patient to give them life-saving oxygen through a ventilator. “There’s always a little bit of a sense of nervousness when you’re intubating someone with respiratory failure, because, you know… you’re trying to save their life,” says Eshaghian, “you always have a little bit of a sense of — whatever you want to call it — adrenaline.” Add COVID-19 into the mix, and life in the health care profession can become even more unpredictable. One constant is the rigorous rituals of care and cleanliness hospital staff undertake going into and out of treating patients every day: properly robing and disrobing personal protective equipment, washing hands raw (Eshaghian estimates she washes her hands at least 50 to 60 times per ICU shift), changing clothes between the hospital and home, showering upon return. There are happy days and there are hard days. “I would say one of the things that has been the most challenging and really, truly heartbreaking about coronavirus is the fact that we had to stop visitors from coming to the hospital, especially early on in the pandemic,” says Eshaghian. “And so, you know, a person may be very siphoned off from support, and their family can’t be with them in person. And I think for us, as physicians and caregivers in the intensive care unit, we’re actually quite used to the family being thoroughly involved with the patient’s care and being able to update them at the bedside. And having to do that all over Zoom or over telephone has been particularly difficult. And it’s really hard to see one [who’s] sick be isolated in the room by themselves as it is and then, you know, not have their family there with them. … Seeing people pass away without their family being there with them... is really quite tragic. “And some of our best days... is seeing someone who was very, very sick with the coronavirus get better and get off the ventilator,” continues Eshaghian, “and someone who I was worried was not going to make it a week or two earlier, make a wonderful turnaround and survive. And those are always the best days in the ICU.”
which Rubino sees as a “silver lining” for some couples. “It is a little bit more of an intimate experience now because there are less people from their lives that are involved in the actual labor and delivery process,” observes Rubino, adding that hospital staff are able to give more one-on-one and personal attention since there are fewer people in the room. “We know outside these hospital walls, things are very unpredictable,” says Rubino, “So we try to make this as easy as it can be. … We still want to have those moments where mom gets to have baby on her chest. We’re not separating moms and babies. … We’re just doing more hygiene and cleaning, and just overall making sure that everybody’s safe. … We’re still having a baby, and we’re still trying to preserve that moment. It’s a happy experience, regardless of what’s going on outside.” ***
(Left to Right) Liana Alexe, RN; Betty Villalobos, MA; Janeth Alejandra Garcia, RN; Cornelius Banks Senior, Security Officer; Dawn Ly, RN *** The COVID-19 pandemic has brought global economies to a screeching halt, suspended business operations for months on end and postponed many plans indefinitely. But one thing it hasn’t stopped is the business of babies being born. “We’re pretty much business as usual. The only difference is, you know, everybody’s wearing a mask,” says Heather Rubino, a labor and delivery nurse at UCLA Health Santa Monica. “Babies still have to be born. They haven’t really stopped very much during this whole thing.” As they say, life goes on, but not without some adjustments, observes Rubino, who’s had to figure out how to connect with her patients from behind a mask.
“Sometimes hiding half of my face is hard,” she says. “Labor is such an emotional experience. And you really connect with these moms and dads, couples, throughout the whole experience. It’s such a momentous occasion in their lives, and you’re a part of it. So it’s hard. Sometimes I try to show so much emotion in my eyes, and do a lot of body language to try to show how I’m feeling and supporting them. … So we’re still going off of a lot of words and just, you know, gentle touch and just little things to show them that you’re caring for them.” On the flip side, the restrictions of COVID-19 have created a more intimate birthing experience for child-bearers (patients are tested for COVID-19 before entering the hospital) and their partners because no other family members are allowed in the birthing room at this time,
Over her years at UCLA Health, Environmental Services custodian Emiline Red likes to say that she’s cleaned the hospital from “top to bottom,” and that’s because she probably has. Before being permanently assigned to keeping the Emergency Department at UCLA Health Santa Monica spic and span two years ago, she joined UCLA Health housekeeping as a “float,” mopping, polishing, disinfecting and cleaning rooms throughout the hospital. “Because I’ve worked on every floor, I like to say that I’ve cleaned the hospital from top to bottom,” says Red. “But I consider the ER my home and the people there my family. After every shift, I’m proud to have made the environment cleaner, brighter and more welcoming for our patients.” As an EVS staff member, Red is responsible for many types of cleaning tasks and well-trained in hospital disinfection policy and procedures as well as precautionary infection-control measures, including how to safely dispose of biohazardous materials, like protective gear and patient linens. “We have had excellent training, education and continued support from our managers and hospital administration, so I’m confident not only of my safety when I put on my protective gear and start my shift, I’m also confident of the safety of those around me,” says Red. While the pandemic has been challenging, Red takes pride in her work and
(Left to Right) Calvin Harris, ACCP; Shannon Apsay, RN; Yvonne Shih, RN; Myra Trivellas, MD; Aida Tapia, RN; Jack W. Morrow, PA professional community. “When I look around the ER, I see a clean, safe environment with doctors, nurses, health care workers and custodians determined to do everything possible to keep patients safe and well. My purpose and commitment to our patients – and the
community – has never felt stronger,” Red says. Congratulations to Best Hospital and Best Medical Group winner, UCLA Health Santa Monica! To learn more, visit uclahealth.org.
EDITOR’S PICKS DINING
BEST WAY TO SAY THANK YOU TO A FIRST RESPONDER: Urban Plate’s Nourishing Heroes By Caden Sullivan The risk first responders and health care workers take every day is incredible. While we take precautions to avoid the virus and chill at home with Netflix, they fight it on the front lines. To reward their hard work, Urban Plates is running a program through December called “Nourishing Heroes.” By donating $12 to Nourishing Heroes, locals can sponsor a meal for a first responder or health care worker provided by Urban Plates. For up to 1,000 meals per week, Urban Plates will even match the meals sponsored. This means that every $12 donation actually ends up feeding two frontline workers, and each meal is delivered directly to workers on-the-job. Sponsoring an Urban Plates meal is very different from buying someone a Big Mac. Urban Plates has a menu of fresh, healthy foods, so first responders can be fueled with a tasty, nutritious meal for long and stressful shifts. Whether you want to send food to a specific worker or just give back to the community, consider Nourishing Heroes if you have the means to donate. It’s a quick,
easy and direct way to reward the people who tirelessly protect us. Visit www.urbanplates.com/nourishingheroes/ for more information. If you have a specific frontline worker to sponsor, email communications@urbanplates.com. Orders may also be placed on the phone by calling your nearest Urban Plates location in Playa Vista: (424) 256-7274.
LOCAL HEROES Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Salutes Health Care Workers, Firefighters, Educators & Police By Christina Campodonico Fires, riots, plague and the trials and tribulations of online learning have made 2020 an especially difficult year. It’s times like these when we wonder what we’d do without firefighters, doctors, teachers and police. Fortunately, these public servants and first responders have gone above and beyond to keep our communities safe, protected and educated this year. To show the community’s gratitude, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce is not only honoring educators, police and firefighters at their annual New Heroes Celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 28, but also health care workers this year. “They are really on the frontlines of this battle we call COVID-19,” says Laurel Rosen, President of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, “especially the ones who are working on the ICU wards in the COVID unit. They’re clear that they’re walking into a room with someone that’s sick. And they do it anyway. They’re very brave.” This year’s honorees include health care heroes from all four of the community’s major hospital networks, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Network in Santa Monica, Kaiser Permanente, Providence Saint John’s Health Center and William Dunne, Administrative Director of Security, Safety and Emergency Preparedness at UCLA Health. “We are very fortunate to have some of the most stellar health care in the world. And then when you have four major hospitals that are supporting your
community, we’re very lucky,” says Rosen. “All of them are doing their part... every single one of them are doing their part to battle COVID-19. And it’s important to recognize all of them, they’re part of our community. They’re part of our chamber.” A group of Santa Monica College leaders; Samohi senior Quinn Armour, who founded a club connecting students to seniors in isolation due to the pandemic; SMFD firefighter Andrew Klein and SMPD Officer Stephanie Tovar will also be honored at the virtual celebration. “I don’t think there’s any year in my history being here for 20, almost 23 years, where our police and fire have not been more tested,” says Rosen. The virtual ceremony will include a video tribute showing “our heroes in service and in action,” says Rosen, an invocation from St. Monica Catholic Church’s Msgr. Torgerson and remarks from California State Senator Senator Ben Allen and the honorees. Rosen hopes viewers will walk away inspired by these valiant public servants, health care professionals and community members making a difference. “It’s about them being courageous... but it’s also about what they bring to be able to motivate and inspire others,” says Rosen. The virtual ceremony starts at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Visit tinyurl.com/ newheroessmchamber for sponsorship and ticket details.
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 31
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THE SHOW MUST GO ON
COVID-19 drew the curtain on live theater, but local companies are expanding their digital repertoires
By Evan Henerson Whether one is calculating job losses, subscriber revenue or performance cancelations, the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on live entertainment has been immeasurable. But a shuttered theater or an unlit marquee does not mean the death of creativity. Far from it. Faced with the health department restrictions limiting the number of people who could gather, several of our readers’ favorite Westside theater companies have developed new and innovative ways to bring compelling and topical drama to their still hungry audiences. Large scale in-person gathering will be safe again someday and theater audiences will return to the theater. Until that day arrives, administrators of The Braid/ Jewish Women’s Theatre, Kentwood Players and Center Theatre Group say they will remain as nimble as they are creative. The coronavirus has disrupted a lot of things, but it will never take down artistic expression. The Braid (formerly known as Jewish Women’s Theatre) The 13th year of The Braid (which the company celebrated last Sunday via Zoom and appropriately dubbed Bat Mitzvah with the new salon show “I am a Jew”) has certainly been unique in the history of the company formerly known as Jewish Women’s Theatre. Fortunately, the company’s unique salon-style format – a semi-staged readers theater performance with audience talk PAGE 32 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
backs – has long been suited to stage at venues beyond the company’s Santa Monica stage (which the group had to unfortunately vacate earlier this year due to unsustainable rent costs). But that hasn’t stopped The Braid/Jewish Women’s Theatre from jumping into the virtual world and looking for a new space on the Westside in anticipation of the return of live theater. Following the March shutdown, the recently rebranded Braid put out the call for stories exploring what community members were experiencing during the pandemic. The submissions poured in and more than 30 “Inside our Times” entries are now viewable on the company’s YouTube page, with the eight-day Passover series being especially popular. The Braid has also created an emerging artist salon and is offering a new “Inspiring Jewish Stories on Stage” each month which are viewable for free or with a donation. In addition, the company is making several of its past performances available on the Jewish and Israeli streaming service ChaiFlicks. Ronda Spinak, the company’s co-founder and artistic director, is especially pleased at the ability to reach new audiences. In recent weeks, The Braid staged a performance for a group of four organizations in Cape Cod. The company has also “traveled” a production to synagogues in Manhattan and Chicago. “None of that would have been possible before,” Spinak said. “The revenues are not what they used to be, but we’re so thrilled to be able to employ actors, give
writers royalties and share these amazing stories with communities all over the country. As long as we can at least break even or make a little bit of money, we’re going to be here. We’re not going anywhere.” Visit jewishwomenstheatre.org to learn more. Westchester Playhouse’s Kentwood Players The scenery for Christopher Durang’s hit comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” still sits at the ready at the Westchester Playhouse, home of the Kentwood Players, one of the city’s longest running theatrical companies. The production was cast and the company’s full 2020 season was set and programmed, with rights, royalties and scripts purchased and schedules set. The COVID-19 pandemic and state health department requirements scuttled all those plans. To make matters even more challenging, as the Westchester Playhouse sat idle, the building experienced a pipe leak that caused flooding and significant damage on the second floor. More upgrades and improvements will be needed – everything from air conditioning repairs to a new marquee and roof repairs. KP will return, theater administrators promise, with venue improvements and the full slate of shows. In the meantime, the company has soldiered on inviting subscribers and members of the general public alike to sample KP’s Virtual
Theater Series, a selection of short plays viewable on the company’s YouTube channel. “We invited new playwrights to submit quick pieces so they could get a feel for their own processes and we could see what people came up with,” said Harold Dershimer, KP’s Plays Committee chairperson who is coordinating the Virtual Theatre Series. “People are submitting scripts of people who are in the pandemic, and they’re meeting for family issues, they’re meeting for online dating, different aspects of how we’re living our life in the pandemic mode.” The series launched in September with “Zoom Date,” a two character play written and directed by company member Stanley Brown about a pair of seniors preparing for – you guessed it – a meet-up. Virtual though the experience may be, the actors are off book and the production contains staging. This new format has its challenges, but company members are adapting and working out the kinks of auditioning, rehearsing, performing and filming from their homes. Feedback on the debut production has been encouraging and KP has approved titles through March of 2021. Other new offerings include the hourlong KP Live series hosted by Samantha Barrios. “Once we can reopen at a percentage that will pay the bills, then we will,” Dershimer said. “Until then, we’re trying something new and we hope people will enjoy it.”
ArgonautNews.com
Visit tinyurl.com/kentwoodplayersyoutube to watch shows online or follow @ kentwoodplayers on Instagram for updates. Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre Center Theatre Group has embraced the possibilities of pandemic-forced theater with a vengeance. The company’s just announced Digital Stage offerings include a cornucopia of streamed performances, new commissions, favorites from the archives and even productions from the renowned Stratford Festival. While the company’s downtown theaters – the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre – remain dark, Culver City’s Kirk Douglas Theatre has been transformed into a film studio to house the new Live from the Kirk Douglas Theatre (KDT) performances available for viewing on demand during a limited window. Some of the Live from the KDT performances are free while others will come with a fee. The series kicks off with The Greek Trilogy of Luis Alfaro and includes new partially staged performances of “Electricidad,” “Oedipus El Rey” and “Mojada.” “We’re super lucky to have the Kirk Douglas Theatre, which is a space we are in control of, and we can really take great care in the production of theater at a time where the safety of the artists is of the
utmost concern,” said CTG Managing Director/CEO Meghan Pressman. “We have gone through so many new ways of learning to turn it effectively into a film studio for live theater.” The six scheduled Live from the KDT productions are only a sampling of what’s on tap in the months ahead. The Digital Stage platform includes on demand samplings of audio recordings with L.A. Theatre Works. Dig into the Digital Stage+ and you get access to a live-captured performance of “Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake” and five productions from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. With Premium Events, CTG offers three more Bourne titles. The Scenes from the Vault bring back highlights from past productions. Of course, anytime you offer this much content with well known artists attached, you risk attracting the attention of audiences that range far past the city of Los Angeles or even California. “We’re aware that this has national and even international audience implications,” Pressman said. “We had to run back in to our website and throw up a PST after the times. This represents an opportunity for people to tune in from other locations in a way that we haven’t had to regularly deal with.” Visit centertheatregroup.org/digitalstage to learn more.
The Kentwood Players are determined to return to the stage when the time is right. Until then they’re exploring the realm of digital theater
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF WABI ON ROSE
UNSTOPPABLE SUSHI From ashes to roses: Wabi’s plates bloom once again with colorful sushi, making it one of the most resilient restaurants in our book
From the devastation of fire and a pandemic, Wabi makes a triumphant return to Venice By Jessica Koslow Success stories are hard to come by these days. But Wabi on Rose is one of them. “We’re thriving on Rose,” proclaims co-owner Tricia Smalls triumphantly via cell phone. It’s music to the ears. Especially after an unexpected fire in December 2018 forced the popular sushi restaurant Wabi on Abbot Kinney (or Wabi 1) to close. “We were doing the best we could to open in that location,” shares Smalls, “but due to the size of the loss, we were forced to look into other locations. Venice is our home and we wanted to stay, but there wasn’t a lot available.” Then the owners of Makani, located on Rose, approached Smalls to do a partnership. Wabi’s owners were familiar with that space — one of Wabi’s owners was one of the original designers of Makani — and they decided it was a good fit. Just two weeks before the pandemic PAGE 34 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
lockdown, Wabi signed the contract. And despite the unfortunate turn of events, Wabi decided to move forward and try to make the best takeout program possible in Venice. On April 4, Wabi on Rose (or Wabi 2) launched their takeout program. “When word spread, we had an enthusiastic response from the neighborhood,” says Smalls. “We started our dine-in program on June 6. We’ve been going strong ever since. “When we opened on April 4, we wanted to hit the classics, so we stuck with those. Since we’ve opened, chef [Rain Pantana] has brought some other exciting additions, and they’ve become classics.” Wabi also created a cocktail to-go menu, which in Smalls’ words “took it to 11.” The city now allows Wabi to bottle the same cocktails that are on the menu, like the Lychee on Rose and “Spicy Marg.” “We picked up where we left off, and it’s even better,” says Smalls.
In addition to Chef Pantana in the kitchen, Wabi was able to hire acclaimed sushi chefs that lost their jobs due to the pandemic. “Wabi is such an integral part of Venice,” says Brent Moon, general manager. “We’ve been here for over 20 years. Kids that came in are now grownups bringing their kids in. Between fires, plagues and civil unrest, Wabi has survived Les Mis. We keep on going. Rose is so perfect for Wabi. Rose has the Venice neighborhood vibe. The locals and regulars, and people who need to get out, come here, and it’s this beautiful corner with this beautiful garden. We’re not trying to overthink it; just give people their home.” On a recent Saturday afternoon, a vibrant crowd packed the tables of Wabi, feasting on classic dishes like Crispy Rice — a small round tower of spicy tuna and avocado mousee with eel sauce and Serrano chili — and a newer creation, called Rick James — a rectangular
delight of crispy halibut, spicy tuna, avocado, yellowtail, lemon aioli, Serrano and Sriracha. COVID regulations are in effect: a 90-minute dining policy, dividers to separate diners from street traffic and stickers on the ground to remind people to stay six feet apart. Moon shares that Wabi has added “sneaky tables” for locals and walk-ups. “We didn’t want to be reservation only,” says Moon, “so now locals only have to wait 15 to 20 minutes. “When everything’s stripped away, it comes down to the people: staff and guests. Literally, it’s the reason why everything can work. It is Venice supporting us,” adds Moon. “Being able to give something familiar in these crazy times is one of the greatest gifts for us.” Wabi on Rose is located at 512 Rose Ave, #F, Venice. Call (310) 494-2678 or visit wabionrose.com.
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 35
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PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ
FROM THE VALLEY TO THE OCEAN Launched by Best of the Westside winner, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice, the Fast and Fun program gives kids across LA County the chance to sail
The Boys & Girls Clubs’ educational boating program sails on By Kellie Chudzinski It’s common to find kayaks and paddleboards laying on the shore of Marina Beach. But on any given Saturday a special group of kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs take to the water in Marina del Rey. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice launched the Fast and Fun program for sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and water safety 20 years ago. Since then, the program has expanded to over seven clubs around the Los Angeles area, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley. The expansion has allowed over 11,000 inner-city kids the opportunity to get hands-on learning and some fun in the sun. For many of the kids from inner LA County, they see and experience the ocean for the first time with their participation in the seaside programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs. In a promotional video for the program JR Dzubak, former executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice and current CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley, explained, “A lot of the kids who come to the club are kind of landlocked into the community they grow up in. … So getting them out of that to see the Westside part of town, they get to see opportunity within just the larger county of Los Angeles.” “I don’t live near the water and so when I got a chance to experience boating and kayaking, I really didn’t want to pass it up,” Colleen, a six-year member from Monterey Park, said. “I experience most things firsthand at the club.” Despite the constraining nature of the novel coronavirus pandemic, leaders of the PAGE 36 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
organization have adapted, allowing kids to have an oceanside reprieve. With smaller groups, all-masked, the kids get a break from at-home learning and the pains of the pandemic to let loose and learn useful skills. After school on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings groups of six to eight kids travel from their homes in the West San Gabriel Valley to the calm beach on the Westside. Accompanied by two group leaders, they set up camp under a pop-up tent next to the shore with their sailboats and kayaks nearby. “It’s really nice because like, not only can you see your friends, but you can just have fun with them,” eight-year member Hunter said of the program. “They teach you how to be safe while you’re on the water,” Hunter added. “And then most of the time you just enjoy.” Classified as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program for its pairing of math and ocean biology with hands-on learning, the sailing program provides not only recreation but educational components. The club members get to make friends and spend time with them in a new environment, too. “The club still really gets us connected, it’s fun to be together,” says Kelly a six-year member of the West San Gabriel Valley club. “I really like sailing and when we’re all together.” The six-week-long program arms the members with skills they take far beyond their days in the Boys & Girls Clubs. “We teach them sailing, fundamentals, communication, teamwork,” said instructor Grant Lee. “We’ll do lessons about the basics of sailing and water safety is a huge part of it. … It’s good to be hands-on.”
Voted Best of the Westside First Place 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020
Best High School Athletic Program VENICE HIGH SCHOOL GOND0LIERS FOOTBALL
Out of 150 schools, Venice High School has been rated among the top 15 for all sports combined, by the 2018-2019 CIF Los Angeles City Section Commissioners Cup.
V ENICE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES: • Top 15 since 2017, from over 155 schools • 2019-2020 Softball team was leading our league and was a CIF • Girls Volleyball Div 1 CIF Championship championship contender prior to Runner Up sports stoppage in March. • Girls Soccer City Champions 2 yrs in-a-row (2018-2019, & 2019-2020) • 2019-2020 Baseball team had 3 All-Americans and was a CIF • Boys Cross Country City Champions championship contender prior to 2 yrs in-a-row (2018-2019, & 2019-2020) sports stoppage in March. • Girls Individual CIF Tennis Championship (all divisions): Both, the Champion and the Runner-up, were Venice students.
VENICE HIGH SCHOOL 13000 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90066 • 310-577-4200
VENICE HIGH SCHOOL
TOP STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES of surrounding schools
• One of America’s Top High Schools
US News and World Report — 2019 and 2020 Silver Medal Award 2016, 2017, 2018
• Voted Best High School
The Argonaut’s Best of the Westside 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
• Expansive Advanced Placement course offerings
2020
• College and High School Credit
from Santa Monica College and West Los Angeles College via dual enrollment courses
SIX ACADEMIES offering students individualized and unique learning experiences:
• Academy of Law and Public Service • Media, Arts, and Technology Academy • STEMM Magnet • Sports Medicine Academy • World Language and Global Studies Magnet • Dual Language Academy
• SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES and GATE program offering AP and Honors classes to students in all 6 Academies
• Over 57 clubs and extra-curricular activities • CHAMPION SPORTS TEAMS sending graduates to D1 Schools, the NFL, and the Olympics
• FINE ARTS program including: Theatre, Large Ensemble Orchestra, Marching Band, Honor Choir, Steel Drums, painting, and photography
• Technology, Computer Science, Coding, Game Design programs available to all students
• Over $120,000 each year in scholarships for graduating students raised by our Gondalier Alumni
Our graduates attend the TOP UNIVERSITIES in the country VENICE HIGH SCHOOL • 13000 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90066 • (310) 577-4200 • venicehs-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com
Ecole Claire Fontaine AN ART, LANGUAGE & NATURE SCHOOL WHERE CHILDREN'S INFINITE CURIOSITY, SPIRIT & WISDOM ARE HONORED, HAPPINESS IS PARAMOUNT
Open in person and online
LAClaireFontaine.org
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Connoisseurship and Community How Alana’s created the perfect spot for get-togethers, coffee and nirvana in Mar Vista PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALANA’S COFFEE ROASTERS
By Caden Sullivan and Anthony Torrise Opportunities have a way of presenting themselves out of nowhere. For Eric Stogsdill and Erin Ward, that’s exactly how it was when they opened Alana’s Coffee Roasters on Venice Boulevard in 2016. Stogsdill has worked around coffee since he was 18 years old in coffee shops all over Los Angeles. He also worked as a mechanic, but the call of the coffee bean was too loud for him to ignore. Named after his daughter, Alana’s humbly began in 2009 around various Westside farmers’ markets. Ward eventually caught wind that a brick-and-mortar coffee shop was of interest to Stogsdill and the two then began looking for the spot that fit their needs. They knew it was meant to be when they secured what used to be a restaurant in Mar Vista. They adapted the building with relative ease, and it comfortably grew into a go-to gathering spot for the community. “We feel like we are an additional comfortable space for people to come and hang out and get work done,” says Ward, a resident of Mar Vista. With Stogsdill’s knowledge of great-tasting coffee and Ward’s vision for the shop’s look, Alana’s became a thriving local hotspot. Before the pandemic, the patio out back was the site of community-drawing events like live concerts, comedy nights, movie nights, and more on a
Co-founder Eric Stogsdill proudly roasts his beans in Mar Vista, where Alana’s also serves up fresh pastries regular basis. Unfortunately, all those events have been canceled due to COVID, but the patio — full of lush plants and nooks to escape the chaos of city living — is still open with distanced CaptRick_Postcard.pdf
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seating, which means that unfinished projects can finally be completed in peace. Alana’s has bloomed into a local venue and community hub, but it all began with the coffee. With a
variety of in-season beans, exotic blends and wild flavors, the menu can be intimidating if you’re only used to Starbucks. But if you get overwhelmed, just know that you aren’t bothering anyone to ask about the items. As Ward likes to say, “We are snobby coffee without the snobby attitude.” The team makes sure that whether you’re a hardcore connoisseur or first-time sipper, the experience is personal. Stogsdill says, “It’s like ‘Cheers.’ If they already see you waiting on the ramp, especially if you’re a regular and get the same thing, your drink’s already waiting for you.” And on the flip side, if you’re a total newcomer, Alana’s employees are always open to discuss your tastes and make suggestions. The two believe that many local
shops take the fun out of coffee, and that’s the last thing Alana’s wants to do. With fresh pastries from Debbie’s Dinners, The Good Good, and Bearclaw Kitchen, Alana’s makes a great place to go for snacktime and, of course, coffee. The care and quality is something hard to find outside of truly homegrown coffee shops, and the open attitude is hard to find outside of Alana’s. For the best of both worlds, it’s worth a visit. Congratulations to Best Independent Coffee House winner Alana’s Coffee Roasters! The shop is located at 12511 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista. Call (310) 295-0099 or visit shop.alanascoffeeroasters.com to learn more.
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‘Reticent, Riot, Wrought:’ The Wit and Wisdom of ‘Notes from Noreen’ The Westside’s own ‘paramedia ecologist’ Gerry Fialka interviews The Best ‘Westchester Crank’ around in this correspondence for the ages Interview by Gerry Fialka | Edited by Christina Campodonico I was in stitches, laughing my head off reading a witty letter to the editor of The Argonaut written by the “Westchester Crank” known as Noreen “Do Not Resuscitate” Petrichor, who occasionally submits humorous letters under the guise of an old lady (or maybe she is a little old lady!) to our local rag. She’s commented on everything from the plethora of Bird Scooters on the Westside (Issue: July 24, 2018) to the dearth of affordable housing west of the 405 (Issue: Oct. 17, 2018). You may have seen these “Notes From Noreen” in the letters section of The Argonaut with the tagline, “She may be fictional, but nobody’s perfect.” Then I found another letter by Noreen “Blood Type: Cod Liver Oil” Petrichor (again aka “Westchester Crank”) in the June 10, 2020 issue. In it, she lamented the tough times on local journalism and relayed her astute observations on the recent George Floyd protests in Santa Monica with wit and wisdom. Since I immediately wanted to interview Noreen, I asked the editor, who kindly gave me her email address. I sent the request. Noreen granted my request on the condition that we conduct the interview via email. I sent her over 130 questions. I have interviewed people for 60 years. Noreen’s interview rates as one of the very best. No one has ever answered all of my questions. She did! Usually I do these interviews in person, and cover the first 60 questions. I was in tears of laughing fits reading her answers. The following includes highlights from an insightful, hysterical and enlightening correspondence. To this day, Noreen’s true identity remains a mystery. 1. What’s the best thing for a human being? To remember to breathe. And to try your best in the face of all-out calamity. 5. What is your earliest memory? I remember being in some waiting room with garish fluorescent lighting. The floors were linoleum and everything gleamed with antiseptic cleanliness. I like to think it was some kind of pre-life purgatory I was loitering in. 6. Is memory a curse or a blessing? I’m leaning toward a blessing. Though memory can be an accursed thing. It’ll always wake you up to the good stuff. The PAGE 42 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
cherished nostalgia that enwraps and transports you to bonnie yesteryear. 7. Who were your earliest role-models within your immediate family, and how did they specifically influence/affect you, briefly? My brother. That’s probably the first time I’ve ever conceded the significant impact he had on my upbringing. He was a rightproper son-of-a-b*tch. Taught me the meaning of duress and grace under fire. Again, son-of-a-b*tch. 8. Who were/are your role models outside your immediate family and how specifically did/do they affect you, briefly? Earliest, and/or later in life. Garfield. I was a lonely child and the only true-blue companions I had were those goddamn books. Taught me the importance of lasagna and the absurdity of Mondays. 10. Do evil people exist or does evil use people as a vehicle? Evil is temporary. Evil is usually a byproduct of fear. But evil using people as a vehicle like an Uber or something is an interesting notion. 11. How do you advise someone to deal with an enemy? Consider - Alan Watts: “If you acknowledge your enemy, you empower them.” Coppola stole from the Mob and Samurais: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Frenemies. JFK: “Forgive your enemy but
don’t forget their name.” Fellini: “I need an enemy.” Chinese proverb: “He who cannot agree with their enemy is controlled by them.” Levi-Strauss: “Cannibals boil friends, and roast enemies.” Also, please comment on the first quote. Be the first to extend that hand of reconciliation and understanding. Little use for an enemy in your life. Convert your enemies to friends. You can still hate them as friends. 13. Lewis Hines published photos of child labor in newspapers, printed matter. Upton Sinclair wrote the book “The Jungle.” They both have been credited as the tipping-point to change laws. Can you tell me of any music, theater, art, or film that actually was the tipping point to change laws? I think “Super Size Me” was pretty pivotal in getting people to rethink McDonald’s. It certainly dented their bottom line to no end. Which is great because they’re McTerrible. Same with “Blackfish.” I think that documentary really horrified people and got people to stop patronizing Sea World. I certainly did. And I had such fond childhood memories of the flamingos. 15. What first attracted you to pursue writing? It was something I had a knack for. Spending a majority of my youth writhing in the aisles of libraries and my library card permanently welded to my gnarled hand, I
was hopelessly bookish. And my background and career just kind of veered in that direction, like a moth to a flame. 16. If clothing is an extension of skin, and knife & fork are extensions of teeth, what human sensorium does the moving image camera extend? (Or the pen, paint brush, musical instrument, etc.). The arch of the feet. Because good art should incite something within to get you out and about and pursue something creative yourself, lighting a little fire under your soles to seek out meaning through creation. 22. “Film as an art form has been swindled by capitalism.” Any comments? There’s probably some validity to that statement. But commercialization and the de-soulization of art can also take on a beautiful medley. I imagine one can easily orchestrate some kind of EDM tune out of cash register ka-chings. Something throngs can dance to. Or at the very least writhe to hopelessly. 23. Jean-Luc Godard told Michael Moore his film “Fahrenheit 9/11” was going to help George W. Bush get elected. With the slew of political documentaries over recent years, do they activate or make us more passive? Jean-Luc Godard is still around? Jesus Christ. 24. Marcel Duchamp said there is no art without an audience. What role does the audience play in your creative process (during the making)? Wouldn’t your own morbid curiosity stand in as an audience? That’s kind of the way I approach it. Lots of the stuff I write has the primary purpose of amusing myself. And whenever I attempt to write for a specific audience in mind, I find the product stilted and wooden and quite often not worth the effort. It’s probably why a majority of my writing shan’t ever find the light of day. 25. What was the motive of the cave artists? Their scrawling probably stemmed from the great existential compulsion: To impress chicks. And if my understanding of prehistoric times is correct, chicks in sabertooth tiger leopard print bikinis holding medium-rare mastodon steaks. 26. What is more important - conviction or compromise? You’re doing yourself a disservice confining yourself to dual absolutes. There’s
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“Lots of the stuff I write has the primary purpose of amusing myself. And whenever I attempt to write for a specific audience in mind, I find the product stilted and wooden and quite often not worth the effort. It’s probably why a majority of my writing shan’t ever find the light of day.” — Noreen Petrichor, Westchester Crank always a third option. Hell, there’s always usually forty options. “Sit and eat mustard.” There. There’s a perfectly good alternative avenue. It’s not always the best or most salient, sure. But it confounds conventional offerings and opens up a wealth of paths. You can replace “mustard” with any number of suitable condiments. 27. Is ambition based more on fear or joy? Fear is probably going to be the most effective flammable kindling to fuel any endeavour. Can’t say it’s the most sustainable nor healthy accelerant to stoke your creative drive. But it works. I’m not sure a starving man is able to wrestle away a discarded chicken bone from another starving man during a famine because joy imbued him with bloodthirsty survival instincts. Cheesecake is more a joy thing. I can see
someone bludgeoning someone over the last crumb of cheesecake joyfully. But that’s just me. 29. T.S. Eliot said that poetry is outing your inner dialogue. What language is your inner dialogue in? What form is your inner consciousness in? A high-pitched regional dialect of Klingon. And the consciousness employs the same tongue. Just with a Long Island accent. 36. What elements of your art have changed and what have remained the same since you started creating art? As I age, I have to ward off complacency more. And coasting. Get good at writing a certain way and it’s all too alluring to just keep ringing that bell. The trick is to find a knack to keep seeking out new challenges. Otherwise, stagnancy sets in. And that’s doom... Learned doom. 42. Is human progress cyclical or
cumulative? All these either/or questions. I’m always going to opt for some third option. Just to be contrary. It’s just become knee-jerk at this point. I’m going with human progress is rhombus-shaped. 48. If a publisher was to release your autobiography, off the top of your head, what would the title be? They want to scent the glue in the binding. What smell would it be? “Paradise Misplaced: Where’s the Spare?” I’d want it to smell like shellfish. 50. Please tell me something good you never had and you never want. Common sense. 51. If you were in a vat of vomit up to your neck and somebody threw a bag of sh*t at your face, what would you do? I’d ask them how much I owe for the fancy exfoliation. My skin’s never looked more aglow. 55. The internet connected the world with one another. Communication has never been swifter or more readily available to the masses. What does it retrieve that was previously obsolesced? Being a shut-in. It’s quite in vogue now. 62. Summarize your life in three words, all starting with the same letter. Reticent, Riot, Wrought. 65. What is the worst thing for a human being? A hip replacement. 78. What is going to be after the internet?
Handprints on cave walls. 81. Are the laws of nature cruel? The laws of nature are stoic and have no use for our feelings. But don’t take it personally. 122. If God exists, what do you want God to tell you after you die ? Directions to the bathroom. I imagine it’ll have been a long trip. 136. If the journey is more important than the destination, why do we have to seek (or name) a destination? Always. The destination is incidental. It’s the journey that’s worth a damn at all. Sometimes we’re so preoccupied with the destination that we miss out on the journey altogether. And that’s pretty pitiable, all said. There’s some nice views along the way. Smell a few roses. Kick over a few rocks. Why not? Gerry Fialka is the author of the new book ‘Strange Questions: Experimental Film as Conversation.’ The book’s salon release party happens virtually from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. RSVP or learn more at laughtears.com/strange-questions.html. Upcoming events hosted by Fialka include: The PXL THIS 30 Toy Camera Film Festival (tinyurl.com/pxlthis) on YouTube from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 15, the 18th annual Venice Film Fest on Jan. 23, 2021, and the 11th annual Poetry of Venice Photography on Jan. 30, 2021. Visit laughtears.com to learn more and stay updated.
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 43
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Lisa Hirsch-Solomon Stays Positive Despite Rolling Changes Owner of studio (mdr) credits her strong community for helping her through tough times
PAGE 44 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA HIRSCH-SOLOMON
By Shanee Edwards Originally from Rockland County, New York, Lisa Hirsch-Solomon planned to become a doctor when she attended Tulane University in New Orleans. She had a few classes to go before taking the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and was sitting on a beach at Fire Island when a young woman struck up a life-changing conversation that led to Hirsch-Solomon taking a job with RCA Records. “I interviewed on Tuesday and started on Thursday,” she said, thus beginning a long career in the music industry, hopping around to many different record labels. She ended her music career with Sirius Satellite Radio, where she was in the talent department and then moved to Los Angeles where she booked talent for the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” But working in the music industry, and then in Hollywood, can be a grind. “I felt like I was working eight days a week, 27-hours a day for someone else,” so Hirsch-Solomon says she turned to exercise for stress relief, starting each morning at 5 a.m. with a workout. At this point in her career, she knew she wanted to make a change and possibly get out of entertainment. Then she discovered the Lagree exercise method and something clicked. The Lagree method is based on slow, controlled body movements to help work multiple muscle groups at once, using tension to strengthen and tone the body. “I fell in love with it. It changed my body. It leaned and lengthened me. … I asked my favorite teacher how to open a Legree studio and he introduced me to Sebastien Lagree [founder of the Lagree method]. One thing led to another and I figured why not jump in? The worst I can do is fail,” says Hirsch-Solomon. A year later, she opened her first studio in Marina del Rey on Washington Boulevard near the beach. “We opened up with full classes on the first day, which I was shocked about. And I haven’t looked back since,” she says. Hirsch-Solomon now has four studios, adding Playa Vista, and two in Culver City to the list. Then COVID-19 happened, a nightmare for all small business owners. “On March 15, I had to close all four studios and furlough about 50 employees, which was probably the hardest thing to do,” says Hirsch-Solomon. “It was heartbreaking, but we quickly pivoted and started some online
classes which I hadn’t done before.” She says they went from a total of 350 classes a month to 28 virtual classes. But the online teachers loved the new format and it helped keep her clients working out. The studios reopened briefly with new safety protocols in June but were then shut down again in a matter of weeks. The online classes are still going strong and HirschSolomon says they will continue even after they reopen because “they allow people who are out of state or just not ready to come back in person to stay in touch.” Online classes include Virtual Booty Band Class, Virtual A** N’ Abs Class and Virtual Flashback Friday Total Body Class. Hirsch-Solomon admits adapting to the coronavirus has been a difficult road but says, “No good is going to come of not being positive.” She says knowing how strong her community is helps, too. Sometimes, she even goes to one of her empty studios alone to reconnect with her positive attitude. “If I can go and just sit there, that keeps me going.” The Studio (MdR) has four Westside locations. Visit hestudiomdr.com to learn more. A version of this story originally appeared in The Argonaut sister publication, Playa Vista Direct.
Hirsch-Solomon’s fitness classes are inspired by the Sebastien Lagree Method that focuses on slow, controlled body movements that work multiple muscle groups at once; her chain of Westside-based studios took home Best Pilates Studio this year
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TOP OF THE CLASS
Venice High’s Hazel Witham is an LA County Teacher of the Year By Julia Escobar Venice High School’s Hazel Kight Witham, an English teacher, was named one of ten Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year earlier this month. She is among a distinguished set of teachers countywide bestowed this title, which has been awarded for the last 40 years. According to the Los Angeles County Office of Education, this award goes to “educators who have shown exemplary dedication, compelling classroom practices, positive accomplishments and professional commitment.” In addition, Witham was selected as one of 22 Los Angeles Unified School District Teachers of the Year, among the district’s 30,000-plus teachers. Witham is a product of LAUSD and the Westside. She graduated from Westchester High School and continued her education at Brown University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English and American Literature. “I had no idea what I wanted to do,” she said. “When I went to college, I just started taking classes that I was interested in and was excited by a lot of art and lots of English literature.” After college, she began working at UCLA in the Home Health department. She realized that her idea of the working world was heavily influenced by her mothers, both teachers. But more importantly, she craved the feeling of directly making a difference in other people’s lives — thus began her journey to becoming a teacher for the same school district that educated her. She earned her teachers credential with the LAUSD Intern Program and began working at Daniel Webster Middle School in Mar Vista, where she would stay for the next 12 years before becoming a part of the Venice High teaching community in 2013. She began her Venice career during the first year of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics magnet program, where she has established herself teaching tenth grade English and AP Literature and Composition. Witham wants her classroom to be a place of empowerment and understand-
ing in order for her students to “develop skills around authentic and compassionate listening.” “I want students to have a sense of how we create a supportive, loving, nurturing community together,” she said. She stresses social-emotional wellness and begins her classes with mindful breathing as a way for students to become grounded and present in her class, helping them become stronger listeners and writers. Witham understands the complexities of the student-adolescent experience and strives to have her classroom be a place where students can not only process their own experiences but also learn from others. “I really like to help them find their voice and tap into their own unique important experience,” she said. “I also really work on building a more just equitable world where we really care about each individual.” Witham constantly works towards establishing her classroom as a restorative and liberating space, one which is mindful of her own privileges as a white educator teaching in a school where the majority of students are of color. “I really did my own work to understand where I was positioned in this system — what my privileges are and how I can use my privilege to empower others,” she said. “My students are my biggest teachers in all of that because by listening to them, asking for their stories, and empowering them to share their voice, I am learning.” She uses a unique curriculum that encourages creativity and voices of color. Every November her classes participate in National Novel Writing Month and during Black History Month her classes take a deep dive into literary works written by black authors, although she always prioritizes works written by people of color year-round. “I’m still going to be the white teacher at the front of the room,” she said. “But the readings that I offer, those can be voices of color. I can really challenge the white canon and try to make sure we are hearing from other perspectives, because that is essential.
Venice High English teacher Hazel Kight Witham aims to create a classroom that nurtures students’ writing voices “I think it’s vital that other teachers do that work, too,” she added. “From a space of curiosity, and asking, ‘How do we become more supportive of all of our students, but particularly our most marginalized students?’” Her work to empower student voices doesn’t stop in the traditional classroom. She is the sponsor of the Venice Poetry Club and Lunchgrove (a club where students have a safe space to discuss different topics) on campus. While the programs are different in their missions, at the core of each one is empowering student voices. Witham is a writer at heart. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Antioch University. Her work has been published in numerous literary magazines. “Teachers of writing should write,” she said. “In order to support students, you actually have to do the practice.” Although she expresses immense gratitude for the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year title, she says the true credit for her teaching success goes to the school communities that have shaped her. “I am the teacher I am because of all the other teachers and administrators who have supported me and mentored me,” Witham said. “I cannot see myself
as better than anyone else. I know how hard this job is and in some ways it all feels absurd to single out a few folks when this is such a collective profession.” Witham recalls Lynette Mains, an administrator at Daniel Webster Middle school when she was still in her earlier years of teaching. “She could silence an auditorium of middle schoolers just by raising her hand and saying kindly and calmly ‘I’ll wait,’” Witham recalled. “They really loved her, and they knew she loved them, and they would listen. She modeled how you can be there with so much love for everyone.” Witham offers these words of wisdom for students making their way through distance learning. “So many of my students are so hard on themselves right now. It’s okay,” she said. “Take a deep breath. … You’re surviving a pandemic. Be gentle on yourself. You’re doing what you can do, and that is enough.” This story is a collaboration between The Argonaut and The Oarsman, the student newspaper of Venice High School, where Escobar is the Managing Editor. Escobar is also an editorial intern for The Argonaut. OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 45
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BEST AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM: Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice | Read more on page 36 about how the club is sailing on during the pandemic.
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RE/MAX ESTATE PROPERTIES 124 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 577-5300
7131 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester (310) 802-6000, remax.com
(Continued on page 50)
PAGE 46 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 47
EDITOR’S PICKS SHOPPING
BEST BOOKSTORE SAGE: John Evans, co-owner, Diesel Bookstore By Bliss Bowen If the purpose of a bookstore is the browsing and communal experience that yields discoveries, then Diesel Bookstore co-owner John Evans exemplifies the delight of such an excursion with his philosophical observations. Recommend titles to him, as one recent customer did, and you may find yourself in a civilizing exchange from which you both take away lists of books to read. Diesel’s been an essential hub of the Westside literary community since Evans and co-owner Alison Reid opened in Brentwood Country Mart in 2008. Last Halloween, they launched another Diesel Bookstore in Del Mar, San Diego. They’ve weathered challenges in years past with other stores (Larkspur, Malibu, Oakland) that have closed or been sold, but not until the coronavirus pandemic were they compelled to launch a GoFundMe campaign (https://tinyurl.com/dieselgofundme) to keep their doors open. Response has been encouraging, and both Diesel stores and their website remain open for business. Something else COVID-19 made clear: just how essential the store’s business truly is. Beyond selling books, it’s a common meeting ground for the sharing of ideas and the community. “We always know that wherever we spend our dollar is a political statement. We choose the world we live in by how we spend our money. But we don’t tend to foreground that because it’s not the fun idea,” Evans says, chuckling.
“I am honored to be voted BEST LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIAL and to represent the people of California’s 33rd Congressional District in Washington.” United States Representative
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www.tedlieu.com | Paid for by Ted Lieu for Congress
PAGE 48 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
He thinks of himself “as a bookseller rather than the owner” — and, notably, as a “cultural watcher.” Observing cultural and societal transformations from all perspectives, discussing news with customers and noting how all that informs their reading choices is key to the service a bookstore provides. And as COVID restrictions ease and browsing in-store resumes one customer or small group at a time, Evans says it’s been exciting for booksellers and customers to interact again: “It’s in such a restricted and compromised way compared to what it was pre-COVID — that’s sad — but the overwhelming thing is how pleasurable that is, and how useful it feels.” “At the best of times, a bookstore is always sort of a marginal proposition,” he acknowledges, noting that over the years their stores have survived earthquakes, fires, the AIDS crisis, recessions, Amazon and corporate competition. “They’re passion projects. They have crazy people that work there who are so passionate about reading and books and the importance of it for civility and culture, and who so cherish the bookstore-customer interaction, that they’re willing to do rather specialized work at a low wage in perpetuity. My wife [says] it’s not a good living — it’s a good life.” Visit Diesel bookstore at 225 26th St., Ste. 33, Santa Monica. Call for details at (310) 576-9960 or go to dieselbookstore.com. Visit https://tinyurl.com/dieselgofundme to make a donation to the store’s GoFundMe campaign.
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VOTED #1
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WESTSIDE 2020
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 49
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE SERVICES (Continued from page 46)
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7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester (310) 670-5422, wlcs.org
8145 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey (310) 822-9115, playawestautomotive.com
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4770 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 823-2330, marinashell.mechanicnet.com
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MARINA SHELL ON LINCOLN BLVD.
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WESTCHESTER HAND WASH 8801 Sepulveda Westway, Westchester (310) 348-9677, westchesterhandwash.com
Elementary: 1715 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 828-1196 Middle and Upper: 1714 21st St., Santa Monica; (310) 829-7391 xrds.org
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VENICE HIGH SCHOOL 13000 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 577-4200 venicehs-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF VENICE 2232 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (310) 390-4477, bgcv.org
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8801 S. Sepulveda Blvd Ste. E Westchester, (424) 226-6284 kumon.com/westchester
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ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE 352 Westminster Ave., Venice (310) 314-9976, laclairefontaine.org
(Continued on page 54)
PAGE 50 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
The Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise took the top spot for Best Community/Social Club
At The Pawlor, we want your pet look and feel like the best version of itself. Our state-of-the-art grooming facility provides a fun, safe, comfortable and stress-free environment for both dogs and cats. While you wait, tour the beautiful PetSpace, shop for some fun pet-themed gifts or view demonstrations going on throughout the day. The Pawlor is also home to our state-approved pet grooming school, West Coast Grooming Academy.
Call us today and experience The Pawlor difference! We Groom Cats!
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GoetheCharterSchool.org (310) 306-3484 OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 51
EDITOR’S PICKS SERVICES
Best Place to Order Up the Custom Cake of Your Dreams: Angel Maid Bakery By Jessica Koslow My stepmother discovered Angel Maid Bakery years ago on the strip of Centinela between Venice and Culver Boulevards, in a part of town now called Del Rey. It’s been our go-to custom cake bakery since, and we all have our favorites. My favorite is strawberry shortcake, with fresh cut strawberries and not-too-sweet whipped cream between layers of white chiffon cake. My stepmom’s fave, the chocolate banana, is also delicious: chocolate cake with sliced bananas and custard cream, completely covered with fresh whipped cream. We’ve never tried anything else, but the possibilities are endless: Tres Leches, mango mousse, raspberry passion fruit mousse, Mont Blanc (chestnut cream, meringue whipped cream, almond dacquoise cake), tiramisu, mocha chiffon, carrot cake, German chocolate and the menu goes on. For my daughter’s fourth birthday, we chose a Paw Patrol theme. It was a full sheet: the sky was blue, the grass was green, multi-colored balloons made of macarons hung in the air and a fire truck cruising down the street sat in the corner of the cake. The look on the kids’ faces, especially my daughter’s, was sweeter than the decorative frosting. Every parent in the place
asked, “Where did you get that cake?” For my daughter’s fifth birthday, she chose a princess theme. Off we went to Angel Maid Bakery to see what they could create. Lucky for us, they had princess figurines. The bakery, which opened in 1976 and moved across the street to its current location about 20 years ago, does carry some familiar toy sets, or you can walk in with a completely creative idea. Like when I was pregnant, Angel Maid created the cake for my baby shower: a woman’s body from the top of her chest to the bottom of her pregnant belly, wearing a gorgeous pink dress with a brown bow above — and polka dots made of flowers spread across — the big belly. I bought an Angel Maid cake for my father’s 75th birthday, and, of course, for my daughter’s 2nd and 3rd birthdays, too. The list goes on of celebrations we’ve marked with an Angel Maid custom-made cake. Because, in my opinion, cakes are not just to eat, they can make the celebratee — and everyone in the room — feel extra special. Custom orders should be made at least two days in advance, but some more ornate creations could take up to a week. Angel Maid Bakery is located at 4542 S Centinela Ave., Del Rey. Call (310) 915-2078.
MAKE YOUR PLAN TO VOTE TODAY! LA County has made it easy to vote with safe and socially distanced voting options. Vote by mail or drop off your ballot at one of 400 Official Ballot Drop Boxes. If you prefer to vote in-person you can go to any select Vote Center opening October 24th.
Make your plan to vote today: plan.lavote.net PAGE 52 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
(310) 823-6363 With great gratitude and pride, the Sarlo family wants to say thank you for your continued patronage and support for the past 75 years. Our clients are like family! Lory, Michael, and Colton (C.J.) Sarlo represent three generations of tax professionals dedicated to serving and helping our clients reach their financial and tax planning goals. As part of the westside community, we specialize in assisting our clients in preparation of tax returns for self-employed businesses, real estate investments, and individual needs and objectives.
“Many happy returns” and remember “We figure to save you money!”
We Wish to Thank The Argonaut’s Readers for Voting us Best Pet Boarding in 2020.
New clients get a FREE day of Playcare! Let your dog work off excess energy and acclimate to new surroundings and friends while you run errands or go to the gym. www.urbandog.com
L.A.’S FINEST DOGGIE DAYCARE • TRAINING • BOARDING • (310) 445-1447 OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 53
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE SERVICES (Continued from page 50)
BEST WESTSIDE-BASED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
BEST PET ADOPTION SERVICE
1ST PLACE
1ST PLACE
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 434-4000, smc.edu
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LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
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4235 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City (310) 933-6863, adoptandshop.org
1 LMU Drive, Westchester (310) 338-2700, lmu.edu
OTIS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN 9045 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester (310) 665-6800, otis.edu
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DR. SHANE VETERINARY MEDICAL CENTER 4816 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 305-7297, facebook.com/shanevet READER RECOMMENDED
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MAR VISTA ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER
Santa Monica College was voted Best Westside-Based College or University this year
WALLIS ANNENBERG PETSPACE
3850 Grand View Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 391-6741, marvistavet.com
MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS ADOPT & SHOP
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CITY OF SANTA MONICA ANIMAL SHELTER 1640 9th St., Santa Monica (310) 458-8595 animalshelter.org
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DOGGIE CENTRAL
11818 Teale St., Culver City (310) 390-3645, doggiecentral.com (Continued on page 56)
EDITOR’S PICKS The Heartiest Pho This Side of the DINING Lots of love and no MSG go into this MVP specialty PHOTOS COURTESY OF MOST VALUABLE PLAYA
PAGE 54 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
By Kellie Chudzinski Inside Westchester’s Most Valuable Playa diners will find an open 15-seat stone bar, plenty of tables and a room filled with natural light. Tucked on a menu varied with Taiwanese-inspired shareable dishes are two different pho soups. On the surface, pho – pronounced fuh not foh – is a simple Vietnamese soup of rice noodles and broth paired with tender meat and herbs. Though the people of Vietnam have likely been eating something similar to pho for centuries, the modern form of this soup became popular at the turn of the 20th century. At sunup and sundown vendors would hang a hot pot of stock on a bamboo pole over their shoulders, with fixings for the soup hanging from the other end of the pole. Though pho is considered a street food staple, the soup being served up at Westchester’s MVP is anything but ordinary, combining hours of work, decades of experience and quality ingredients. Pho ‘Da Lat’ Style, named in honor of creator Chef Minh’s upbringing in Southern Vietnam’s Dalat, pairs thin cut, tender and exquisite rib-eye with a hefty portion of rice noodles, topped with bean sprouts, spring onions, cilantro, and sliced red peppers. Though the heart of this dish lays in the
“labor of love” broth. Owner Eric Ong pushed Minh, who has been in kitchens for over 40 years, to depart from using MSG, the flavor enhancer typically used in traditional pho, and to avoid shortcuts, he said, restaurants often fall back on. “I chose to challenge him, let’s make our broth a lot different,” Ong said. The two who have worked together for eight years, landed on using veal bone broth, which is simmered for 18 hours to create a thick and rich stock for their soup. “No one is doing that at the moment,” Ong added. Perfect for those who don’t favor a spicy meal, the mild dish is versatile, taking on the flavor of spices or sauces added to it, as it is paired with sides of spicy sriracha and a sweet tanged hoisin sauce. The restaurant also added Chicken Pho, with poached organic chicken, rice noodles, crushed garlic, cilantro and spring onions in a chicken bone broth. In recent years, along with the rise of ramen restaurants, pho has also gained popularity. The single dish provides loads of flavor and completely satisfies hunger and an urge for comfort. Ong attributed the current popularity of
405
pho to being a perfect combination of light and heart, while his collaborator Minh called it a “healthy balance” filled with flavor. “Both [ramen and pho] are equally hardy, rich and delicious,” Ong said. “I think pho is just more of a lighter version of comfort.” Ong also owns Humble Potato, the restaurant that used to occupy the MVP space and he wants the community to know it’s the same team still serving up Asian fusion but with a different flare. The team behind MVP continues to offer mouthwatering dishes and a welcoming hangout for the small community and visitors. While the rare cool winter days of Los Angeles may have diners dropping their iced coffees and opting for a portion of warm comfort food, the traditional Asian dish is perfect regardless of the weather. Ong says that the soups are so popular that they may become a permanent part of the menu. Either way, you don’t want to miss out on this ‘heart’-y broth. Outdoor seating is now available at MVP (8321 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester). Visit the mvpla.com to learn more or order online. Follow @themvpla on Instagram for updates.
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 55
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE SERVICES (Continued from page 54) PHOTO BY LUIS CHAVEZ
BEST PET GROOMING
READER RECOMMENDED
1ST PLACE
10124 S. Broadway, South Los Angeles (323) 757-8900, waters.house.gov
HEALTHY SPOT
4718 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 827-8500 12746 Jefferson Blvd., Runway at Playa Vista (323) 524-9400
CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS
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LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCILMAN MIKE BONIN, 11TH DISTRICT 7166 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester (310) 568-8772 1645 Corinth Ave., West Los Angeles (310) 575-8461 11thdistrict.com
1110 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 458-2004 healthyspot.com
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THE DOGROMAT
12926 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 306-8885
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WEST COAST GROOMING ACADEMY @ WALLACE WALLIS ANNENBERG PETSPACE 12005 Bluff Creek Dr., Playa Vista (626) 239-0741, westcoastgroomingacademy.com
SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH 2469 Lincoln Blvd., Venice (310) 902-2283, safeplaceforyouth.org READER RECOMMENDED
HEAL THE BAY
BEST LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIAL
(310) 451-1500, healthebay.org
1ST PLACE
604 Rose Ave., Venice (310) 392-8636, venicefamilyclinic.org
CONGRESSMAN TED LIEU
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1645 Corinth Ave., West Los Angeles (323) 651-1040
The Reader Recommended Rotary Club of Westchester gave out scholarships, hot lunches and flowers this year
1600 Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach (310) 321-7664 lieu.house.gov
Whether on campus or online, we are going all out in 2021! Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica offers innovative academic, arts and enrichment programming. Summer at Crossroads offers a variety of opportunities and experiences for rising K-12 students. Students can enroll in one-week specialty programs or intensives or spend many weeks of the summer participating in a variety of engaging activities. There’s something for everyone! Programs run from mid-June through early-August. No formal admission process is required.
Visit our website to learn more... summer.xrds.org PAGE 56 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
(Continued on page 59)
G OI N G
ALL OUT !
Thank you for voting us Reader Recommended for Best Mental Health Services! We look forward to continuing to help get our community through these difficult times. Reach out to us for help with depression, anxiety and OCD (Adults, Adolescents and Children). Patients receive evidence-based, individualized treatment led by board-certified psychiatrists and a multidisciplinary team of experts. Contact us today. We want to help. Rogers Behavioral Health in Los Angeles 5140 West Goldleaf Circle Suite 250, Los Angeles 90056
(323) 431-3300
PLAYA WEST AUTOMOTIVE Modern repair facility with latest computer diagnostic equipment • Customer oriented, expert technicians, dependable and reliable • Integrity and honesty as well as mechanical know-how • We know the issues in today's complex world of automotive repairs • Your family neighborhood auto repair shop since 1962! Owned/operated by ASE Certified Master Technician Andy Marozik • Finding a Good Mechanic is like Finding a Good Doctor! “There are no problems, only solutions” Classic car repair and restoration experts | Classic car STORAGE
ALL MAKES AND MODELS Highly trained ASE certified technicians
We can smog any vehicle including diesels: Star Certified Smog Check Center for testing and mechanical repairs
VOTED FIRST PL ACE
“BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP” 2013 •2014 •2015 • 2016 •2017 •2018 • 2019 • 2020 EIGHT YEARS! Argonaut newspaper’s Best of the Westside and “Best Auto Shop” Hometown News NINE YEARS in a row CHECK OUT OUR FUN CAR FACTS
http://playawestautomotive.com/fun-car-facts/ CHECK OUT OUR INFORMATIVE CAR TIPS
http://playawestautomotive.com/car-tips/
8145 West Manchester • Playa del Rey • (310) 822-9115
www.playawestautomotive.com OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 57
Look who just turned 80!
EDITOR’S PICKS SERVICES THE BEST CAT THERAPY THIS SIDE OF TOWN: The CatCafe Lounge and ‘Catio’
What makes Kinecta such a vibrant octogenarian? Attitude. We want to put you behind the wheel and help you find your dream home…not just sell you a car loan or a mortgage. Because we don’t answer to Wall Street, we can focus on your needs—not ours. If you are ready for an old-fashioned attitude combined with high-tech banking, try Kinecta.
Join us today! kinecta.org/BankingDoneDifferent
Federally insured by NCUA
Federally insured by NCUA
ASTEME Learning Center
By Anthony Torrise Pets have proven to be one of the best cures for the stresses most of us are facing these days. Whether it’s a dog, cat, hamster or so on, a furry face warms up a day like nothing else. The CatCafe Lounge provides the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to be surrounded by feline furries for an hour or so. Around 20 cats roam the massive room with toys, scratching posts and platforms that allow them to go well above the visitors. A couple of cats like to hang out on the platforms most of the time, but it’s a guarantee that multiple faces will come up to you during your visit in a heart-melting manner. (A 45-minute visit costs $35, much
less than one hour of therapy. Or you can double down on cat therapy with a full-hour private session for up to two people for $100. Every dollar is invested back into the nonprofit’s mission of saving cats from euthanization and finding them forever homes.) If some fresh air is needed, more toys and platforms are outside on the Catio, a new addition of the COVID-era, where mostly rescue kittens hang out. Their adorable energy will make almost anyone consider adoption. One highlight of visiting is getting to see the senior resident known as Meowsy, who often sits nuzzled in his own room in the corner of the lounge. At 12 years old, Meowsy keeps to himself but doesn’t mind visitors (human or feline). Every cat at the CatCafe Lounge is currently up for adoption, and their personalities are on full display. Taking a visit means being surrounded by more furry faces that you’d anticipate, but it’s completely worth it. The CatCafe Lounge is located at 1736 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles. Call (310) 254-7246 or visit catcafelounge.com.
EDITOR’S PICKS SERVICES THE BEST DO-GOODER: Lycia Naff, Drive-By Do-Gooders
Best Coding School on the Westside
We are now accepting applications for our 2nd semester 2021-2022 School Year. Accepting Applications for Kindergarten through 10th Grade
www.ASTEME.com 9854 National Blvd #1008 Los Angeles, CA 90034 info@asteme.com
PAGE 58 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
By Anthony Torrise Lycia Naff has not let the hurdles of coronavirus stop her from giving for the sake of giving. The Mar Vista local takes a drive once a week to Skid Row and hands out bottles of water, alcohol wipes, high-protein snacks and masks. Naff has been operating Drive-By Do-Gooders for five years off of direct contributions from supporters. Before she created the nonprofit, she set aside a portion of her own income for the better part of two years to fund her efforts. Naff’s passion for helping didn’t start with Drive-By Do-Gooders — it’s just the way she is and always has been; she has no ulterior motive than to simply help the people who don’t have help available. But her experience with homelessness is personal. Naff’s brother Cory Naff was a victim of addiction and homeless in Venice Beach for 25 years before she was able to get him any help about six years ago. Her brother is sober and now has a steady job, but Naff continues to want to get out and help the homeless community. “The lockdown has been good to me,” she said. “It’s giving me a lot more time to focus on the charity and not get distracted by going to movies and restaurants and
having fun.” The past five months have shown a shared eagerness to return to normal life. Whereas some are concerned about being able to go about with less social restrictions, Naff’s only concern is having enough supplies to keep making the weekly drives. With over 600 bottles of water and alcohol-infused wipes delivered weekly, it doesn’t look like Drive-By Do-Gooders has the capability to slow down. To make a donation or to find out how you can help, contact Lycia Naff at lycia@ drivebydogooders.com or visit drivebydogooders.org.
BEST OF THE WESTSIDE SERVICES (Continued from page 56)
BEST CHILDCARE CENTER 1ST PLACE
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY CHILDREN’S CENTER 41 Loyola Marymount University Dr., #1000 Westchester (310) 258-8900, admin.lmu.edu/lmucc READER RECOMMENDED
ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
352 Westminster Ave., Venice (310) 314-9976, laclairefontaine.org READER RECOMMENDED
A KID’S PLACE PRESCHOOL 12306 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista (310) 390-0401, akidsplacela.com
BEST CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENT 1ST PLACE
ROTARY CLUB OF WESTCHESTER ANNUAL BOOK SALE Ralph’s parking lot 8824 Sepulveda Blvd. (310) 677-6132, rotary-westchester.com
WESTCHESTER LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL
READER RECOMMENDED
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF VENICE ANNUAL NO LIMIT TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER TOURNAMENT bgcv.org
BEST COMMUNITY SOCIAL CLUB 1ST PLACE
ROTARY CLUB OF PLAYA VENICE SUNRISE 13813 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey (310) 740-6469, playavenice.org READER RECOMMENDED
WESTCHESTER ELKS
Lodge 2050 8025 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey (310) 821-3005, elks.org READER RECOMMENDED
ROTARY CLUB OF WESTCHESTER 5985 W. Century Blvd., Westchester (310) 216-5817, rotary-westchester.com
NOW ENROLLING FOR TK - 8TH GRADE STEAM Emphasis Standards-Based Curriculum Portals to Science Gateway to Art Music & Performing Arts
Outdoor Education Hybrid Learning Technology Integration Student Clubs School Culture - 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Students receive the knowledge, skills and confidence to be successful citizens of the world. Small class sizes and direct access to teachers. ALL ARE WELCOME! At Westchester Lutheran school, we welcome students of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. We proudly serve students representing the diverse demographics of Los Angeles.
READER RECOMMENDED
WESTCHESTER HOLIDAY HOME TOUR* (*Virtual fundraising events will take the place of the tour this year) westchestermhg.org
VOTED #1
BEST OF THE
WWW.WLCS.ORG | 310-670-5422 | #WLSTOGETHER BELIEVING, ACHIEVING, AND LEADING SINCE 1950
Thank you for voting
WESTSIDE 2020
Best Pet Groomer 6 years in a row and Best Pet Supply Store in 2020! FIND YOUR CLOSEST SPOT AT HEALTHYSPOT.COM/LOCATIONS. OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 59
ARTS & RECREATION BEST OF THE WESTSIDE
BEST LIVE THEATER 1ST PLACE
THE BRAID (FORMERLY KNOWN AS JEWISH WOMEN’S THEATRE) 3435 Ocean Park Blvd., #107-85 Santa Monica jewishwomenstheatre.org
READER RECOMMENDED
THE CULVER HOTEL
9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City (310) 558-9400, culverhotel.com READER RECOMMENDED
HOTEL CASA DEL MAR
1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica (310) 581-7714, hotelcasadelmar.com
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST TEAM SPORTS ORGANIZATION
9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City (213) 628-2772, centertheatregroup.org
1ST PLACE
KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE
READER RECOMMENDED
KENTWOOD PLAYERS AT WESTCHESTER PLAYHOUSE
NORTH VENICE LITTLE LEAGUE northvenice.org
8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester (310) 645-5156, kentwoodplayers.org
READER RECOMMENDED
*(See page 32 for a full story on how local theater is adapting in the age of COVID)
smll.com
BEST LOCAL MUSEUM
BEACH CITIES VOLLEYBALL
SANTA MONICA LITTLE LEAGUE READER RECOMMENDED
(310) 546-9150, beachcitiesvbc.com
1ST PLACE
LAX FLIGHT PATH MUSEUM & BEST HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS PROGRAM LEARNING CENTER 6661 W. Imperial Hwy., Westchester (424) 646-7284, flightpathmuseum.com READER RECOMMENDED
CALIFORNIA HERITAGE MUSEUM
2612 Main St., Santa Monica (310) 392-8537, californiaheritagemuseum.org
PAGE 60 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
gondolierathletics.com
READER RECOMMENDED
SANTA MONICA HIGH VIKINGS FOOTBALL
10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City (310) 216-1600, wendemuseum.org
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT OR SERIES
westchesterhs-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com
1ST PLACE
Contemplate the deliriously fascinating detritus of Cold War art, culture and the unburnished history of the Eastern Bloc at the singular and visually sumptuous Wende Museum in Culver City. Very much in keeping with its namesake (Wende being a German word denoting “turning points”) so did this lively gallery pivot and perestroikaly reset its programs and exhibits virtually this year. The winds of change came with COVID and the curators wasted no time adapting and transforming to the harsh realities of a new normalcy. The doors may be closed but the inspiration and enthusiasm go undiminished. The newly fandangled Online Wende experience conjures a palpable sense of community from afar. Some of their digital offerings include oral history interviews, playlists that capture the Soviet zeitgeist, and an unceasing parade of insightful webinars and lectures. The Wende is a wealth of vivacious vestiges. From Virtual Friday Night Films featuring carefully curated Soviet- era cinematic gems to streaming yoga and other wellness sessions in their perfectly placid sculpture garden, The Wende gifts a merry matryoshka doll of delights within delights within delights. Currently, you can dive into a digital tour of the museum’s exhibitions online: “Transformations: Living Room -> Flea Market -> Museum -> Art” (a whimsical look at the metamorphosis of Eastern Bloc household items into highly prized flea market goods and collectibles) and the photography collection “See Thy Neighbor: Stern Photographers Thomas Hoepker and Harald Schmitt in the GDR.” Visit wendemuseum.org to learn more. Tarry forth, tovarish! —Tommy Vinh Bui and Christina Campodonico
VENICE HIGH GONDOLIERS FOOTBALL
READER RECOMMENDED
WENDE MUSEUM
READER RECOMMENDED FOR BEST LOCAL MUSEUM, OR THE BEST PLACE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO A BYGONE SOVIET ERA: THE WENDE
1ST PLACE
MARINA DEL REY SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Burton Chace Park 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey (888) 344-3968 visitmarinadelrey.com/events/free-summer-concert-series READER RECOMMENDED
TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES, SANTA MONICA PIER 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica santamonicapier.org/twilight READER RECOMMENDED
PLAYA VISTA CONCERTS IN THE PARK Central Park Bandshell: 12000 Waterfront Drive Concert Park: 13016 Runway Rd. playavista.com/events/
BEST HOTEL 1ST PLACE
THE RITZ-CARLTON, MARINA DEL REY 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-1700, ritzcarlton.com READER RECOMMENDED
SHUTTERS ON THE BEACH
1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 458-0030, shuttersonthebeach.com
samohi.smmusd.org
WESTCHESTER HIGH COMETS BASKETBALL
BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY 1ST PLACE
UCLA MARINA AQUATIC CENTER 14001 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-0048, marinaaquaticcenter.org READER RECOMMENDED
MARINA DEL REY BOAT RENTALS
13717 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey (310) 306-4444, marinadelreyboatrentals.com READER RECOMMENDED
MARINA DEL REY SPORTFISHING 13759 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey (310) 822-3625, mdrsf.com
BEST YACHT CLUB 1ST PLACE
CALIFORNIA YACHT CLUB 4469 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4567, calyachtclub.com READER RECOMMENDED
DEL REY YACHT CLUB
13900 Palawan Way, Marina del Rey (310) 823-4664, dryc.org READER RECOMMENDED
MARINA YACHT CLUB
4333 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310) 600-6912
EDITOR’S PICKS ARTS & REC
BEST MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS: Tim Rudnick’s Venice Oceanarium
Come be part of the Legacy at The California Yacht Club
VOTED BEST YACHT CLUB! Interested in membership? Join us for a Private Cocktail Tour: www.calyachtclub.com/privatetour 4469 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Follow us on Instagram @calyachtclub By Jessica Koslow Have you ever seen grunion run at midnight at the edge of the ocean? Or looked at sand from all over the world through a microscope under the white tent at the end of the Venice Pier on a Sunday? Or walked by a circle of people in November reading “Moby Dick” out loud, one at a time through a microphone, surrounded by a huge actual whalebone at the breakwater on Venice Beach? Each one of these sea-centric activities is hosted by the Venice Oceanarium, a museum without walls since 1995, founded by Tim Rudnick. In the late ’80s, when Rudnick was in his mid-40s, he decided to go back to school. “One of my daughters, Pesha, gave me a book for my birthday with the inscription, ‘To dad, who knows everything.’ That made me want to find out more,” shares Rudnick. So, he headed back to class, enrolling in every inexpensive college course he could find. His favorite subject was marine biology, especially after completing a Santa Monica College course with Ed Tarvyd. “On the first day of class he came out and said, ‘I’m the happiest man in the world,’” says Rudnick. “I wasn’t particularly happy at that time, and I thought, ‘I want to be like him.’” Rudnick has always been drawn to the ocean. For a period of 15 years, he swam in the Pacific every single day. He has lived three blocks from Venice Beach since 1968. Years ago, while walking down the beach, he spotted a dead Thornback ray with a fishing hook still in its mouth. “I thought, ‘If I don’t try to educate people
about this, who will?’” says Rudnick. Establishing the Venice Oceanarium allows Rudnick to do more than share his love of everything aquatic — Rudnick focuses on environmental education, which includes the effects of climate change. He has taught at Ecole Claire Fontaine and Oakwood Recreation Center, both in Venice. Before the pandemic, he and his loyal volunteers set up tables every Sunday from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. at the end of the Venice Pier under a white tent with specimens to look at and touch, pencils and markers to draw with, and books to browse. The Sunday ritual sparked an idea, which is the Oceanarium’s current goal: to build an airy permanent pavilion at the end of the Venice Pier. “The arts are an integral part of our teaching program: poetry, readings, drawing lessons,” says Rudnick. Pre-COVID, each Sunday Rudnick arranged eight rectangular wooden signs along the railings of the pier highlighting different quotes about the sea, like this one by Herman Melville: “Yes, as everyone knows meditation and water are wedded forever.” Those Sunday outings by the museum are currently on pause, but the Oceanarium plans to host its annual marathon reading of “Moby Dick” on Venice Beach Nov. 21 to 22 with masks, social distancing and plenty of enthusiasm for the intangible call of the sea.
The music was quiet, but the voters were not. Once again, the wonderful readers of The Argonaut voted the Marina del Rey Symphony, Frank Fetta – Conductor and Music Director, Zeffin Quinn Hollis – Staged Works Producer: FIRST PLACE in The Argonaut’s Best of the Westside 2020.
Thank you for remembering us. Thank you to Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, the musicians of Marina del Rey Symphony. Burton Chace Park remains one of the most beautiful places in SoCal to hear music.
www.culvercitysymphony.org info@culvercitysymphony.org Culver City Symphony Orchestra is the parent orchestra of Marina del Rey Symphony, Stephen Turk, President, Helene Mirich-Spear, Orchestra Manager
For more information, visit veniceoceanarium.org. OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 61
GORGEOUS MODERN HOME IN CULVER CITY “This brand new masterpiece, designed by an award-winning architect, is a green home built to LEED standards, with smart home features,” say agents Kelley and Todd Miller. “Incredible great room design with large open living room with polished concrete floors, 20-foot vaulted ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows. Gourmet kitchen with center island with quartz counters and professional grade appliances. Guest suite downstairs and four bedrooms upstairs. Family room on 2nd floor with tree-trop views. Large master suite with beautiful master bath and two walk-in closets. Large private backyard, patio with firepit and turf yard. Attached two-car garage. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac where kids can ride their bikes in the street, and only a few blocks to all the shops, theaters, restaurants and nightlife in downtown Culver City. Close to Expo Light rail. Access to Culver City’s award-winning schools.” PAGE 62 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION OCTOBER 22, 2020
Offered at $2,599,000 I N F O R M AT I O N :
KELLEY & TODD MILLER KW SANTA MONICA 310-923-5353 www.8899hubbard.com kelleyandtodd.com BRE #01711844/ BRE #01389620
Safely and Intelligently Working in Today's Market.
We are adhering to CDC Guidelines for the health and safety of our sellers and prospective buyers.
JUST SOLD
IN ESCROW
IN ESCROW
13082 MINDANAO, #27
8515 FALMOUTH #307
2224 21ST STREET
DESIGNER PERFECT TWO BEDROOM PLUS LOFT/OFFICE IN VILLA MARINA EAST, PHASE IV LIST PRICE: $1,375,000
VILLAS DEL REY POPULAR TWO BEDROOM DUAL MASTER FLOORPLAN WITH WEST FACING BALCONY LIST PRICE: $739,000
SANTA MONICA ROMANTIC 1937 SPANISH; LISTED/IN ESCROW WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS IN 6 DAYS LIST PRICE: $1,875,000
JANE ST. JOHN CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES
A PORTION OF EVERY COMMISSION JANE EARNS IS DONATED TO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES IN HER CLIENT’S HONOR.
ST. JOHN & VANDERVORT
(310) 567-5971 JANEANDCARLI@GMAIL.COM CalBRE #00998927
OCTOBER 22, 2020 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 63
THANK YOU, ARGONAUT READERS VOTED #1
Stephanie Younger Group 310.499.2020 stephanieyounger.com DRE 01365696
BEST OF THE
WESTSIDE 2020
@stephanieyoungergroup
#1 BEST OF
THE WESTSIDE 2020
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
PAGE 64 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION OCTOBER 22, 2020
Visit Us Virtually
Visit our website for videos and 3D tours of all our listings
6457 W 85th St, Westchester 3 bed | 2 bath | $1,399,000 Picture Perfect Kentwood Home
6411 W. 87th St, Westchester 3 bed | 2 bath | $995,000 Character & Charm Throughout
3412 Palm Ave, Manhattan Beach 6 bed | 6.5 bath | $5,995,000 Cutting-Edge Contemporary
4136 Sunnyside Ave, Mar Vista 4 bed | 4.5 bath | $2,899,000 State-of-the-Art Home
3712 Meier St, Mar Vista 2 bed | 2 bath | $1,695,000 Modern-Day Spanish Style
10543 Northvale Rd, Rancho Park 3 bed | 3 bath | $1,995,000 Luxury Retreat
7538 Flight Ave, Westchester 3 bed | 3 bath | $999,000 Prime Westport Heights
6011 S Dawn Creek #6, Playa Vista 4 bed | 4 bath | $1,799,000 Pristine Townhome
7843 Hindry Avenue, Westchester 3 bed | 2 bath | $1,099,000 Craftsman-Style Accents
In Escrow 8207 Ramsgate Ave, Westchester 2 bed | 1 bath | $1,099,000 Custom Craftsman
12477 Sanford St, Mar Vista 4 bed | 3 bath | $1,495,000 Conveniently Located
8004 Cowan Ave, Westchester 3 bed | 2 bath | $1,399,000 Beautiful Traditional Home
In Escrow 6333 Esplanade, Playa Del Rey 4 bed | 2 bath | $1,995,000 Architectural Tour De Force
In Escrow
In Escrow
In Escrow
7037 La Tijera Blvd C202, Ladera Heights
2 bed | 1 bath | $499,000 Two-Level Townhome
In Escrow 8324 Reading Ave, Westchester 4 bed | 3 bath | $1,199,000 Large Yard with ADU
In Escrow 5601 W 77th St, Westchester 2 bed | 1 bath | $899,000 Mid-Century Style Home
FIND YOUR PLACE The Stephanie Younger Group 310.499.2020 | DRE 01365696 stephanieyounger.com | @stephanieyoungergroup
VOTED #1
BEST OF THE
WESTSIDE 2020
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.
OCTOBER 22, 2020 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 65
Welcome to Silicon Beach!
Exquisite Architectural Home for Lease in Venice
2 B E D | 2 . 5 B AT H | 1 , 5 0 0 S F | O F F E R E D AT $ 9 5 0 , 0 0 0 4283 Moore Street • #2 • Los Angeles 90066 • Showings by appt. only with PEAD
This meticulously upgraded townhome offers a rare opportunity for multi-level living at its best with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a large loft which could be used as a 3rd bedroom. Located in a predominantly single family residential area and is minutes away from restaurants, theaters and shopping in the Marina Marketplace and Waterside at Marina del Rey. Main living area features cathedral ceilings, open spaced living room, dining area and kitchen with an abundance of natural light from the multiple oversized windows. The kitchen has a large quartz countertop, breakfast bar and ample wood cabinets. The striking floor to ceiling stone encased gas fireplace in living room enhances the overall effect of this beautiful level. Mezzanine level features a large loft with oversized walk-in storage closet. Twocar, tandem parking garage is accessible from street level. Private rooftop deck with 360 degree views is an entertainer’s delight. Sunbathe, BBQ and enjoy the beautiful Southern California sunsets!
JOHN PATUN 310-880-4250 4283MOORE2.COM jpatun@verizon.net DRE# 00682609
3 beds | 2 . 5 baths | Off ered at $9, 500/mo
It’s like living in a luxury vacation rental all year round. Architectural three-story contemporary home overlooking the ocean. Sweeping views from the living room, the 450 sq ft deck, and the master bedroom. Four blocks to the beach and one block to restaurants. A sunlit den/office with a large window view of the courtyard garden. Very private. Gated house with intercom, alarm system. Sonos throughout the house. Interior and exterior parking. Fully furnished right down to table place settings! Minutes to vibrant Abbot Kinney Blvd and Main Street shopping and dining. Landscaping by renowned landscape designer Jay Griffith providing lush, tasteful privacy. Lease includes weekly house cleaning service. No sign on the property.
Isabelle Mizrahi 310.230.3720 DRE#: 01209059
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
The Admiralty Apartments THE MARINA’S FINEST 5-STAR COMMUNITY — ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — Full-Size W/D Fitness Center Steam Room Sauna Rooftop Decks Pool & Jacuzzi Gas Stove Granite Counters
Movie Theater Billiard Room Luxurious Lounge Concierge Plenty of Parking Hardwood Floors Parking & Storage Walk-in Closets
1 Month Free on a 13-Month Lease! 310-305-1300 • 4170 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 90292 • www.admiraltyapartments.com • email: info@pom-mdr.com PAGE 66 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION OCTOBER 22, 2020
PREMIER AGENT
OCTOBER 22, 2020 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 67
Enjoy the Real Estate Experience You Deserve!
Michael J Kent Realty Manager
Data - Driven - Decisions
Era Matilla rEalty 225 CulvEr Blvd. Playa dEl rEy
BrE#1323411
Broker assoc. BrE#01439943
THE ARGONAUT PRESS RELEASES VACATION RENTAL IN PLAYA VISTA
SANTA MONICA OASIS
“This home has so much character and charisma, you may not want to leave. Check out this spacious, four-bedroom home with an additional creative studio (or private 2-car garage),” says agent Dennis Hsii. “Comes furnished, with plenty of space to relax, cook, entertain, study, sleep, exercise and more. Each room is designer curated, with whimsical wallpaper, vibrant colors, cheerful décor and unique personality. Downstairs is a delightful retreat area: open up the automatic garage door for fresh air and use the space for online schooling, arts and crafts, play area or working out.” Offered at $10,000/Mo. Dennis Hsii Highland Premiere (844) 99-PLAYA
“A magical sun-drenched beach bungalow set in a gorgeous lush English Garden,” says agent Anne Greene. “This lovely three-bedroom, two-bath home is one of the last standing historic courtyard compounds in Santa Monica. Serene enclave of 5 privately-owned cottages. Light-filled, open kitchen/living area, a loft space w/ skylights and stunning garden views from a private deck. Enchanted gated grounds w/ a lily pond, shade treesand stone pavers. Near Main Street’s cafes, retail shops, restaurants. Two blocks from the beach and the bike path. ” Offered at $1,699,000 Anne Greene Bulldog Realtors 310-463-3131
EAST MEETS WEST
INNOVE IN MARINA DEL REY
“Sophisticated elegance was crafted by fusing Eastern influences with Western comforts in this Kauai inspired estate,” says agent Michael J Kent. “Living area boasts stacked slate fireplace, flat screen TV, and warm wide plank flooring throughout the SoCal open plan. Tall folding doors transition bluestone patio fire pit seating and lush botanical garden. Enjoy the gourmet kitchen with all Viking appliances, custom cabinetry, and quartz countertops. There is a $250K secondary financing price incentive offered for this home.” Offered at $2,599,000 Michael J Kent Michael J Kent Realty 310-293-7041
“The first floor offers a prime commercial storefront located on Washington Blvd, perfect for a professional business, home office, or potential 3rd bedroom with sliding glass doors that open to a spacious covered patio,” says agent Jesse Weinberg. “Upstairs greets you with an open floor plan designed with an entertainer in mind. The adjacent dining and living area have access to a balcony. Home also includes in-unitlaundry, 3-car parking, and large storage space. Building amenities include a rooftop deck with panoramic views, BBQ & fireplace. ” Offered at $1,229,000 Jesse Weinberg Jesse Weinberg & Associates 800-804-9132
East Meets West
THE ARGONAUT REAL ESTATE Q&A
13122 Psomas Way What are the real estate propositions in this MarNovember’s Vista, CA 90066ballot?
While debating presidential and cannot be overstated. The reassessment of equal or lesser value within the same seniors who would be finally given the congressional races, many don’t get of the property tax based on current county and retain their Prop 13 property financial freedom to choose whether to around to looking at propositions they will market values occurs only upon sale of tax basis. Proposition 90 extended that stay in place or move, but to potential new be voting on until the day of elections. This the property. Great for the homeowner protection to properties bought and sold homebuyers desperate for relief from the column is first in a series providing you staying in place, but what about when the in participating counties. However, only low housing inventory and high prices in the with some basic information on the three homeowner is trapped in place? Alameda, San Diego, El Dorado, Riverside, current market. Its passing is anticipated to real estate related propositions we will San Mateo, Ventura, Los Angeles, San have the effect of not only increasing the Many seniors can’t afford the “moving be voting on in November — those will Bernardino, Santa Clara, Tuolomne and quality of life for senior homeowners, but penalty” they incur in the form of increased be Propositions 15, 19 & 21. If you have Orange Counties participate. positively impacting California’s economy taxes incurred when even been reading my column for a while,Sophisticated some property elegance real estate markets. was crafted by fusing Eastern influences with Western and comforts in this Kauai inspired estate. Cont of these propositions will seem familiar as downsizing results in purchasing a home at Proposition 19, if passed, would permit todays’ high prices and the higher property seniors and disabled homeowners to Those against Proposition 19 argue that there versions of them have previously been on through the lanai, pass the stone fountain to the front door. taxes those prices bring. CalChamber transfer their existing Prop 13 assessed will be a major loss in tax collections without the ballot. Two of the three propositions Advocacy reports that this anticipated values to new homes anywhere within those increases caused by moves. However, are related to California’s existing Prop 13. “moving penalty” is the cause almost the state of California, up towide three plankwhen you take into account increaseopen plan. T Living boasts stacked slateof fireplace, flat screen TV, andwith warm flooring throughout thetheSoCal This week, we are going to talk about one area 75% of homeowners over the age of 55 transfers permitted. It also provides in property taxes collectible by allowing of those — Proposition 19. having not fire moved the year 2000. blended garden. assessments, allowing forlighting illuminates all of those seniors’ homes to be with sold and bluestone patio pitsince seating and lush botanical Trellis Tivoli alfresco dining Viking BBQ As background, “Prop 13” is the beloved These homes, often bought long ago at the possibility of buying either a more taxed at todays’ prices, it seems like a California tax break for homeowners, much lower prices, are not re-entering the appliances, expensive home than the one being and sold. quartz win for everyone. TakeUpstairs a look for yourself Enjoy the gourmet kitchen with all Viking custom cabinetry, countertops. master suite inclu allowing you to keep your property housing market, and are not available for at the proposal, it’s pros and cons, and When a home benefitting from Prop taxes low, based on the value at time manyitsnew buyers hope TV to acquire whichever favor,master show up suite to vote!easily affo fireplacethe with own flat who screen leading13toisthe tranquilviamaster baththeand soaking tub.side Theyoulower transferred inheritance, of purchase, only rising up to 2% per their first home. Homes are simply not home will continue to be exempt from year, regardless of dramatic increases in turning over, and the shortage in inventory THIS WEEK’S QUESTION WAS ANSWERED BY sliding doors to the lanai. value. There are some exceptions to this, creates a spike in prices and rents, making transfer reassessment as long as the new owner uses the property as their LISA PHILLIPS, ESQ including reassessments for remodel, the American dream of homeownership primary residence. Inherited property Lotus Estate Properties All of the bedrooms include separate audio controls, wood floors, and custom finished built-out closet dividers. partial transfers, and ballot measures that even harder to attain. Lisa Phillips is an active Realtor in used as rentals will not be permitted to add to your property tax bill. However, with the Los Angeles area, with more Proposition 19 expands existing laws maintain thislighting, protectionaudio, againstshades, market security, This amazing smart house on features Alexa controlled fountains, televisions, and a generally stable property tax bill, you than twentyfireplace, years as a practicing meant to protect seniors from property tax value property taxes. As further incentive real estate broker and attorney. Lisa don’t have to worry about your home’s shock and increases in livingand to even voters, the all revenue and/or savings is also a member of the Nationalthe owners to keep a clos apps control the unaffordable entry system, irrigation, garage doors. Tenthat internet cameras allow appreciation causing tax increases that Association of Realtors “Green Recosts. Propositions 60 and 90 were the California reaps due to this new measure prevent affording your own home. For prior steps in this process. Prop 60 allows will be used solely for wildfire protections. source Council”, and achieved its senior citizens who purchased their the homes “GREEN” Designation. world. www.LisaPhillipsRealEstate.com. for a fraction of todays’ values, this benefit a senior citizen, once in their lifetime only, This Proposition is important, not just to to replace their existing property with one
Price: $3,162,500
PAGE 68 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION OCTOBER 22, 2020
Contact Broker for Private Viewing: Michael J Kent: 310-293-7041
Now Selling from $1.1 Million Located in South West San Clemente on El Camino Real, close to the beach and shops, Ten10 Santiago offers seven unique residences, complete with the Spanish charm and coastal character found throughout San Clemente. Featuring panoramic ocean views, large decks, open-concept layouts, high-end finishes, flexible floor plans, and outdoor living spaces, Ten10 Santiago provides a limited opportunity for authentic beach town living. 2 to 3 Bedrooms | 2 to 3 Bathrooms | 1,587 to 1,977 square feet
Come home to casual coastal living. ten10santiago.com
1010 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672 | 949.813.1762 Prices, terms, promotions, features, options, floor plans, elevations, designs, specifications, square footages, and descriptions are subject to change without notice. Prices shown refer to the standard house and the plan and do not include any optional features, upgrades or lot premiums. Square footages are approximate and may vary in construction and depending on the standard measurement used. PV CAPE San Clemente, LLC (“Owner”) reserves the right to make changes to its home plan and the project design and layout. Any information such as but not limited to community or neighborhood benefits, features, descriptions, open spaces, and school information are not guaranteed, are subject to change or modification at any time. The owner does not guarantee that any specific level of energy utility costs or savings will be achieved or maintained. All renderings and floor plans are an artists’ conceptual drawings and will vary from the actual plans and homes as built. Home images, colors, and sizes are approximate for illustration purposes only and may not represent the standard homes in the community. Images show model homes displaying options/upgrades and upgraded landscaping which may be available at predetermined stages of construction for additional charges. Models also display many decorator items and furniture which are not available for purchase. Visit the community or speak to our representative for additional important disclosures for the community and the home. Images do not reflect any racial preference. Maps may not be to scale. Equal Housing Opportunity. Offered via Compass BRE#01145421
OCTOBER 22, 2020 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 69
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Classifieds / Legals
DEADLINE: Monday at 11am for Thursdays CALL ANN: 626-584-8747 or EMAIL: ann@argonautnews.com
Name Change ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 20SMCP00333 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. Petition of WILLIAM FITZGERALD MORGAN, LILY FITZGERALD MORGAN, for Change of Name. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1.) Petitioner: WILLIAM F I T Z G E R A L D M O R G A N, LILY FITZGERALD MORGAN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a.) William FitzGerald Morgan to William FitzGerald b.) Lily FitzGerald Morgan to Lily FitzGerald 2.) THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 12/11/20. Time: 8:30 AM. Dept.: K Room: A-203. The address of the court is 1725 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401-West District. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Angeles. Original filed: September 28, 2020. Lawrence Cho, Judge of the Superior Court. PUBLISH: The Argonaut Newspaper 10/22/20, 10/29/20, 11/5/20, 11/12/20
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 20SMCP00292 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. Petition of ALINA SHRAYBMAN, for Change of Name. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1.) Petitioner: ALINA SHRAYBMAN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a.) Alina Shraybman to Alina Shraybman-Volken 2.) THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 10/30/20. Time: 8:30 AM. Dept.: K . The address of the court is 1725 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401-Santa Monica Courthouse- West District. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Angeles. Original filed: August 28, 2020. Hon. Lawrence Cho, Judge of the Superior Court. PUBLISH: The Argonaut Newspaper, 10/22/20, 10/29/20, 11/5/20, 11/12/20
Bulk Sales
public sale by competitive bidding on Thursday, November 05, 2020 at 1:00PM on the premises where said property has been stored known as Stor-It Self Storage and located at 4068 Del Rey Avenue, Marina Del Rey, Ca. 90292, County of Los Angeles, State of California, the following: JUAN LOPEZ JUSTIN COZART JEFF FAEBER FRED WATSON THOMAS MITCHELL KAREN MCCLAIN SERGEY KAPUSTIN KAREN MCCLAIN NATILIE JACKSON NICOLE MORRISON HENRY POPE CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ BRIAN ALLAIRE DANA FREEDMAN BRIAN ALLAIRE MARY JANE HOWROYD SHARON W. KLEBAN KAREN MCCLAIN SAM GILBERT ZUBEVI KHALFANI RICH BECKER MONIQUE MCFADDIN DAN MAPES CHRISTOPHER TERRY BRIAN ALLAIRE FERELLO CROKER BRIAN ALLAIRE SHARON W. KLEBAN ROHAN POWELL SHARON W. KLEBAN DAN MAPES ROBERT CARRASCO SAM PATRASH PETER BERGMANN MISS ARVINDER VIRK Purchases must be paid for at time of purchase in cash only. All purchased items are sold as is, where is and must be removed at the time of sale. The sale is subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between Owner and the obligated party. AUCTIONEER: David Hester Auctioneer & Associates, C a l i fornia Auction Bond # 7 0 7 59390 PUBLISHED: The Argonaut Newspaper 10/22/20, 10/29/20
NOTICE OF SALE
Fic. Business Name
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell personal property, household items, business goods and boxes of unknown content identified by Occupant name below, to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to Sections 21700-21716 of the Business & Professions, section 2328 of the UCC, Section 535 of the Penal Code and provisions of the Civil Code.
STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME – FILE NO: 2020131438 file no: 2016-157972 date filed: 06/23/2016. Name of Business(es) LA TAX CENTER, LA TAX AND BUSINESS CENTER, PATRICK'S TAX SERVICE, 1100 S. Hope St., #1207 LA, CA 90015. registered owner(s): Patrick E. Rohrbach, 1100 S. Hope St., #1207 LA, CA 90015. Business was conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) registrants names/corp/llc (print) Patrick E. Rohrbach title: Owner. If corporation, also print corporate title of officer. If LLC, also print tile of officer or manager. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of los angeles County on the date indicated by the filed stamp in the upper right corner: August 28, 2020. i hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. dean c. logan, los angeles county clerk by: T. Tran, Deputy Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 9/24/20, 10/1/20, 10/8/20, 10/15/20
The undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on Thursday, November 05, 2020 at 1:00PM on the premises where said property has been stored known as Stor-It Self Storage and located at 4068 Del Rey Avenue, Marina Del Rey, Ca. 90292, County of Los Angeles, State of California, the following:
Find What You Are JCUOAZNA RLTO P E Z J U S T I N FAEBER FRED Looking JEFF WATSON THOMAS MITCHELL MCCLAIN For? KAREN SERGEY KAPUSTIN
KAREN MCCLAIN NATILIE JACKSON NICOLE MORRISON HENRY POPE CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ BRIAN ALLAIRE DANA FREEDMAN BRIAN ALLAIRE MARY JANE HOWROYD SHARON W. KLEBAN KAREN MCCLAIN SAM GILBERT ZUBEVI KHALFANI RICH BECKER MONIQUE PAGE 70 THE ARGONAUTMCFADDIN OCTOBER 22, 2020 DAN MAPES CHRISTOPHER TERRY BRIAN ALLAIRE FERELLO
The Argonaut Classifieds (626) 584-8747 ann@argonautnews.com
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2020136149 Type of Filing: Original. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EAST COAST BAGEL-MDR. 4375 Glencoe Ave. Suite D4-4-A Marina del Rey, CA 90292, 6404 North Willard Ave. San Gabriel, CA 91775. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Bageldelicious LLC, 4375 Glencoe Ave. Suite D4-4-A Marina del Rey, CA 90292. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/ Stephanie N. Chung. TITLE: Manager, Corp or LLC Name: Bageldelicious LLC. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: September 9, 2020 NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 10/1/20, 10/8/20, 10/15/20, 10/22/20 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2020143591 Type of Filing: Original. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: THE CLARA LOS ANGELES. 1545 N. Bronson Ave., Apt. 201 Los Angeles, CA 90028. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) The Clara Group LLC, 1545 N. Bronson Ave., Apt. 201 Los Angeles, CA 90028. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/ Jennifer Panczenko Ryall. TITLE: Managing Member/CEO, Corp or LLC Name: The Clara Group LLC. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: September 21, 2020 NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and
tious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 10/1/20, 10/8/20 , 10/15/20, 10/22/20 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2020145665 Type of Filing: Amended. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ARTOON GALLERY. 578 Washington Blvd., Suite 753 Marina del Rey, CA 90292. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Money Mike Dot Com, LLC, 578 Washington Blvd., Suite 753 Marina del Rey, CA 90292. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 04/2020. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/ James Chappel. TITLE: Member, Corp or LLC Name: Money Mike Dot Com, LLC. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: September 23, 2020. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 10/15/20, 10/22/20, 10/29/20, 11/5/20 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2020137422 Type of Filing: Amended The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: YOGA BLISS; 6218 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester, CA 90045, 332 Sheldon Street El Segundo, CA 90245. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Lara Estrada, 332 Sheldon Street El Segundo, CA 90245 5. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or names listed above on: 08/2015. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/: Lara Estrada. TITLE: Owner. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: September 11, 2020. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize
in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., business and professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 10/1/20, 10/8/20, 10/15/20, 10/22/20 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2020138176 Type of Filing: Original The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: LOVE2FLYFISH MEDIA; 7324 West 88th Place Los Angeles, CA 90045. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Al Quattrocchi, 7324 West 88th Place Los Angeles, CA 90045. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/: Al Quattrocchi. TITLE: Owner. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: September 14, 2020. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., business and professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper Dates: 10/1/20, 10/8/20, 10/15/20, 10/22/20
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D I R E C T O RY T U E S D AY S Culver City Farmers Market 2 to 7 p.m.
Main Street, between Venice and Culver boulevards
culvercity.org
W E D N E S D AY S Santa Monica Downtown Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Arizona Avenue, between 4th St. and Ocean Ave.
smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket
F R I D AY S Venice Farmers Market 7 to 11 a.m. 500 Venice Blvd. (at Venice Way), Venice
venicefarmersmarket.com
S AT U R D AY S Marina del Rey 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Via Marina at Panay Way, Marina del Rey
beaches.lacounty.gov/mdrfarmersmarket Playa Vista Farmers Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 12775 W. Millennium Drive, Runway at Playa Vista
www.farmermark.com/playavista Santa Monica Downtown Farmers Market 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Avenue, between 2nd and 4th streets, Santa Monica
smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket Santa Monica Pico Farmers Market 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave.
smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket
S U N D AY S Mar Vista Farmers Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Venice and Grand View boulevards
marvistafarmersmarket.org Santa Monica Main Street Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Heritage Square, 2640 Main St., Santa Monica
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WESTSIDE FARMERS MARKET
Westchester Farmers Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Triangle, 6200 W. 87th St.
westchesterfarmersmkt.com Farmers markets, essential for the health of local communities, remain open but are making some changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Expect to see wider spaces between vendors, no samples, more gloves, possible waiting lines, and other precautions. As always wear a mask and practice social distancing.
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 71
LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE “DID YOU GET THE PART?” By DANIEL A. FINAN and BRIAN HERRICK
HEAVY MENTAL I’m a woman who recently stopped talking with a guy I’d been seeing because, frankly, I didn’t find him intelligent enough. He is a good guy, but just a little dim for me. When I told my friends this was the reason I ended things, they said it was a bit snobbish. Does this make me an intellectual snob? I get that he has other good qualities, but I just don’t feel like they’re enough. — Nerd Seeking Nerd Love sometimes requires one to make sacrifices, but these shouldn’t include avoiding any words with more than two syllables. You aren’t alone in wanting a partner with smarts. In 1989, evolutionary psychologist David Buss and his colleagues did a massive study exploring mate preferences, including the desire for an intelligent partner, across 37 cultures (“on six continents and five islands”). Their participant group included Gujarati Indians, Estonians, mainland Chinese, Santa Catarina Brazilians, and South African Zulus. Using such a broad cross-cultural group (rather than just surveying the latest crop of American college undergrads) helps parse which traits might be evolved “human universals,” inherited by humans around the globe, irrespective of culture. Universal human traits — for example, communicating with language and fear of snakes — evolved to solve recurring problems faced by ancestral humans across continents and over generations, improving our chances of surviving, mating, and, most importantly, passing on our genes. Buss found that for some mate preferences, “cultures varied tremendously.” For example, the Dutch had a “whatevs!” attitude toward whether a partner is a virgin, while people in mainland China, India, and Iran placed a lot of importance on “chastity or virginity” in a partner. There were also strong sex differences in certain mate preferences — even across cultures — for example, with men (on average) “always ... valuing virginity more than women.” This might help a man avoid a hookup-erella and the evolutionary fail of unwittingly investing in a kid who’ll pass on some other dude’s genes. Of course, no woman has to worry her kid isn’t hers (especially not after 26 hours of screaming labor to push it out). There were also some universal mate preferences — across cultures and in both sexes. Buss and his team found that intelligence (as well as kindness and health) were chart-toppers, traits desired by men and women across cultures from Z to Z: from the Zulus to the Croatians in Zagreb.
Granted, Buss did this research 30 years ago. Do his findings hold up? They do — according to a survey of 14,000 people in 45 countries published in March of 2020 by evolutionary psychologist Daniel Conroy-Beam and his grad student Kathryn V. Walter, in concert with a huge international team of researchers. They write, “Consistent with Buss (1989), our results showed that health, kindness, and intelligence were highly valued by both men and women” around the world. Why might intelligence in a mate have evolved to be such a strong, culturally universal preference? In research exploring the role of men’s intelligence in heterosexual women’s mate choices, psychologist Mark D. Prokosch and his colleagues explain that “greater intelligence is generally associated with success in a wide variety of circumstances,” most notably, workplace success, leading to higher income. “Selecting a more intelligent mate often provides women with better access to resources and parental investment for offspring.” Additionally, smart-man genes are likely to lead to smarter children, making intelligence attractive as an “overall heritable ... quality.” There’s a widely held myth that romantic partners need to be near doppelgangers — have matching traits and interests — to make it as a couple. This sells memberships to those dating sites promising to ferret out “points of compatibility.” However, research by psychologist Manon van Scheppingen finds that varying, complementing personality traits (such as outgoingness or conscientiousness) in partners often lead to greater relationship satisfaction. That said, it’s reasonable to want a partner with a level of smarts that’s a pretty good match with yours, because, well, a meeting of the minds is a little hard when one mind is tuned into Cold War documentaries while the other is all up in reruns of “Scooby-Doo.” Chances are the notion that you’re a “snob” for wanting an intellectually well-matched partner is driven in part by others’ fear that they’ll be nixed by potential partners for traits beyond their control. There’s this lovely fiction that “what’s inside is all that matters.” A person’s heart and character are deeply important, but you can’t just decide to have the hots for some Mr. Libido Repellent because he feeds orphaned baby birds with an eyedropper while taking calls for a suicide hotline. Likewise, you can believe all people have innate value and treat them with respect and dignity and still not feel you’re compatible with a partner whose intelligence test results lead to a participation trophy.
GOT A PROBLEM? Write to Amy Alkon at 171 Pier Ave, Ste. 280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or email her at AdviceAmy@aol.com. ©2020, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Alkon’s latest book is “Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence.” Follow @amyalkon on Twitter or visit blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon.
PAGE 72 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020
ACROSS 1 Ones found on saucers, briefly? 4 Max 10 Undercover agent’s device 14 Many downloads 18 Oz creator 19 Corrupting atmosphere 20 Organized to a fault 21 Having no meetings, say 22 Florentine flower? 23 PROP 26 2000s Cal.-based teen drama 28 Equate 29 Longtime latenight host 30 Iran has multiple ones: Abbr. 31 OUT 34 You, once 36 Big, strong swimmer 38 Ricola ad instrument 39 Database systems giant 41 Pac-12 squad 42 Nintendo’s Super __ 43 Winter fuel units 46 Dawdle 48 VIE 50 Lewd material 51 “How you doin’?” 54 Basic digital exercise 56 Chile relleno stuffing 58 Many readers of “Dreyer’s English,” for short 59 Brian of electronica 60 Home of the Milad Tower 61 Cone counterparts 62 Corn bread 64 Icy Hot target 65 Short notice? 66 Ward in Hollywood 67 Big break
68 Gyro holders DOWN 1 Batting helmet 69 Desert formation feature 70 Lab coat 2 Jobs in which discovery? plugs are 71 Subject of many replaced Instagram posts 3 Slick 72 Snicket of kids’ 4 Pal in Provence books 5 “The Things They 73 Shocked cry Carried” author 74 Culinary lead-in O’Brien to king 6 Syrup source 75 Odds, etc. 7 “Hamlet” courtier 77 Hallmark of a 8 Cook, in a way procrastinator? 9 Compelling 78 __-mo evidence 79 Adds a 10 __ on Drugs soundtrack to 11 Changes tonally 81 GET 12 ARE 83 Decorated 13 Flair 86 Longtime “60 14 To the rear, at Minutes” reporter sea 87 Hoppy brew, for 15 VAT short 16 Kind of person? 90 Disagreement 17 Taste and touch ender 18 Member of the 92 Notes in C minor Justice League scales 24 Snares 93 Like activity 25 Female that can move 36-Across mountains 27 2000 film set 95 Allergic reaction in a French 97 Outdo confectionery 98 ORE 32 Verified 101 Early TV maker 33 Cross inscription 102 Builder 35 Possesses concerned with 37 Fire on all pairs cylinders 104 Midway 39 Boo-boos alternative 40 Usually 106 Bugs challenging piece 107 TEN 44 Official order 112 Creedence song 45 Authority named for a 47 “__ alive!” California city 48 Tussaud of wax 113 Beat by a run, museum fame say 49 Spartan queen of 114 Slinky shape Greek myth 115 Metaphor for extreme pleasure 52 “__ me, you cad!” 53 Neruda’s oeuvre 116 Make read better 54 “Breakin’ 117 No good one 2: Electric goes unpunished, Boogaloo,” for it’s said example 118 Professor ’iggins 55 HANG 119 Will of “BoJack 57 Concluding Horseman” sections 120 Craving
60 Oceans’ motions 63 Compensate for 64 Get in the crosshairs 66 CON 67 Chiefs coach Andy 68 Odd 70 One may be raised at a wedding 71 Ear ornaments 72 Tres __ cake: dessert soaked in dairy liquids 74 Billboard displays 76 Driver in a heist, say 80 Lisa Marie as of 1980, vis-à-vis Elvis 82 Shock, as a perp 84 Ike’s WWII command 85 “Illmatic” rapper 87 Self-destruct 88 Boarded, like clowns entering a clown car 89 Nails that test 90 Analyzed in English class 91 Say yes (to) 94 :-) 96 Air Force __ 98 Heat player, say 99 Finance guru Suze 100 “The Canterbury Tales” pilgrim 103 In the old days 105 “That’s hilarious ... not” 108 “Chopped” host Allen 109 Sac __ 110 Take home 111 Where to see a Heat player
Your Light Still Shines Bright
We at George Petrelli's Famous Steakhouse would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire community for voting us Best Steakhouse on the West Side for 2020. This award is particularly meaningful at this time since we have all been impacted in various ways by the current pandemic and your continued support through these stressful times has been inestimable. Petrelli's is continuing our tradition of "old-school steakhouse" since we are one of the few steakhouses that dry-age and hand-cut special selections of meat on premises. Also continuing our on-going effort to deliver our customers the best steakhouse experience, we are now offering Prime Beef in addition to our USDA Choice. Addressing the current pandemic situation, we have invested in significant infrastructure additions to our steakhouse expertly guided by Marie Petrelli who holds a USC Doctorate Degree in Pharmacology. Improvements include upgraded air conditioning MERV filtering and air purifiers to kill mold, bacteria and viruses along with glass partitions installed on the bar top and in the adjoining booth seating areas. Recently, Marie Petrelli received a 2020 Women In Business Leadership Award from Culver City. Marie is both proud and honored to be carrying forward the Petrelli family legacy in Culver City which helped Marie's dad attain his American Dream. She is the niece of Joe Petrelli, the Italian immigrant founder of Joe Petrelli's Steakhouse in 1931, and the daughter of George Petrelli, also an Italian immigrant.
George Petrelli Steakhouse • 5615 South Sepulveda Blvd • Culver City 90230 www.georgepetrellisteaks.com • 310-397-1438 • 310-398-9777
OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 9
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OCTOBER 22, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 11
1 PLACE 8 YEARS IN A ROW! ST
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PAGE 12 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 22, 2020