COMMUNITY

The Canal Market

New retail store brings environmentally conscious and locally sourced products to Venice

By Kamala Kirk

Inspired by their great-grandfather, who owned and operated a green grocery market in the 1940s and 1950s, sisters Sofia and Gabriella Rochin decided to combine their creative talents together along with their love for food, wine and flowers, which ultimately led to the creation of the Canal Market in Venice. The Canal Market supplies goods that are locally produced in California and sustainably sourced, packaged and delivered. They opened their doors to the public on Saturday, June 18. Other vendors who were part of the grand opening included clothing retailer Roo Vintage, El Camino Kitchen, Cookies by Linda, Out Front Ceramics, and Sofaisy Designs, which is owned by Sofia and offers fresh flowers. “First and foremost, we’d like to thank the Venice community for coming out and supporting our grand opening,” Gabriella said. “We are filled with gratitude, as we had an amazing turnout. We look forward to hosting more summertime events, and we welcome all to our corner market in the heart of Venice.”

The Canal Market

600 Mildred Avenue, Venice thecanalmarket.com Instagram: @thecanalmarket

Canal Market owners and sisters Gabriella and Sofia Rochin. Riley Spencer of Roo Vintage celebrated the Canal Market grand opening.

Luna Nueva rep Kristina Pechulis showed off her tequila tasting pop-up.

Mason Mello, Sarah Kimbro and and pup Stanley.

Scholarship Brunch

Woman’s Club of PDR honors young female scholars at special event

By Kamala Kirk

The Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey hosted a special brunch on June 11 at its clubhouse where scholarships were awarded to seven young women. Each recipientwas given a scholarship in the amount of $1,450. Recipients were Caley Parker from St. Bernard’s High School, Danielle Burnside and Diana Licea from Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet High School; and Chrisella Cordero, Unique Castaneda, Blessing Theus and Samantha Sanchez from St. Mary’s Academy. “I am extremely grateful to the Woman’s Club for putting faith in me to fulfill my purpose in life to help others through the power of social work,” said Castaneda, who will be attending Azusa Pacific. “I am grateful to have such amazing women who support my academic prowess and look forward to working with them in the future. Licea added, “I am honored to be selected as a recipient of this scholarship. I plan to major in health sciences and be a radiologist. I will be the first in my family to attend a university.” The Woman’s Club of PDR Scholarship Program started two years ago and is designed to provide financial support to qualifying, low-income female students to further their education. Recipients must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. “It is indeed an honor to work as the Scholarship Committee chairperson,” said Hilda Almada-Higgins. “These young ladies have had to overcome difficult life adversities like losing a mom to cancer or losing their father, but they still managed to excel academically. We were very touched by their life stories and were very proud to celebrate and honor them and their families. The committee members, club president Margarita Diosomito, Teri Mesina, Vicki Ohliger, Fiona Engler and Olivia Ritter, worked diligently through the application process, the selection and the celebration. We are proud of the amazing event our members witnessed where these young ladies had a chance to shine. “Everyone made us feel so proud of the good deeds our wonderful club does and continues to do so,” Diosomito said. Blessing Theus with her aunt Gayla Brown and Hilda Almada-Higgins (center).

“Although I was moved to tears at times, I had those warm fuzzy feelings I experience when I help others,” club member Sue Sadler shared. Mesina added, “I couldn’t be more proud of being a member of our wonderful club.” “Each and every testimony from the young scholars touched my heart to the core,” said incoming president Julie Lansing. “Moving forward, let’s commit to doubling our fundraising efforts so we can help twice as many young women succeed and reach their goals.”

Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey

wcpdr.org

Magdalena Sotomayor, Isabella Licea, Alejandra Martinez and graduate Diana Licea.

Scholarship recipient Unique Castaneda from St. Mary’s Academy shares her story before receiving a scholarship from the Woman’s Club of Playa Del Rey. Graduate Caley Parker speaking to attendees at the scholarship luncheon.

Blessing Theus, Danielle Burnside, Samantha Sanchez, Diana Licea, Hilda Almada-Higgins, Chrisella Cordero, Unique Castaneda, Caley Parker, and Margarita Diosomito.

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