Playa Vista Direct — August 2020 by Times Media Group

AUGUST 2020

THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS ISSUE Celebrating the Resilience of Female-Owned Businesses

D I R E C T

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Contents COMMUNITY 10 ‘Shakepeare in a Box’ LMU takes the Bard to Zoom PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

34 Interior designer Julia Newman relies on her creativity and flexibility in the new normal AUGUST 2020

HEALTH

12 Playa Vista Power Couple Meredith Schlosser and Randi Wishnow are busier than ever

36 Playa Vista Farmers’ Market is back in business

16 Beauty Beach Lounge owners Shay Merchav and Jennifer Nairn stay positive in light of the pandemic

FOOD

20 Rittu Kumar is a lawyer with a love of family 30 Photographer Zsuzsi Steiner helps families keep their memories alive

4 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

38 Make delicious falafel at home

On the cover: Playa Vista Power Couple Randi Wishnow and Meredith Schlosser Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner Design by Arman Olivares

THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS ISSUE Celebrating the Resilience of Female-Owned Businesses PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pasadena, CA Permit #422

6 Adapt, Pivot, Evolve

32 Monica Lyons shifts her business from live events to streaming from her soundstage

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EDITOR’S NOTE

D I R E C T

JE S S E WE INBE RG

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IN ESCROW

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SOLD

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IN ESCROW

7906 W. 83rd St., Playa Del Rey 4 Bed | 3 Bath | 3,167 Sq. Ft. $1,899,000 790683rd.com

SOLD

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COMING SOON

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IN ESCROW

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IN ESCROW

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IN ESCROW

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JESSE WEINBERG AND ASSOCIATES DRE #01435805 This is not intended as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker/agent. Based on information from the CLAW MLS as of August 5, 2020. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Pivot, Adapt, Evolve

’m very excited to share Playa Vista Direct’s very first Women in Business issue. Putting the magazine together, I was fortunate to get to know so many local female entrepreneurs and business owners and was inspired by each and every one. Times are tough considering we are in the middle of a pandemic. Many businesses in the service sector have been shut down to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. For Beauty Beach Lounge owners Shay Merchav and Jennifer Nairn, it’s been a difficult time. But when they opened their business, they both had the foresight to put money away for a rainy day. Nothing beats good planning and I’m confident they’ll come back stronger than ever. For many other women in business, the time of COVID-19 has been about adapting. Clothing designer Randi Wishnow knows what I mean. Wishnow adapted her company bailey blue that normally makes a women’s fashion line to making fashionable face masks. I love the fun animal print mask she gave to me. Thanks, Randi! Interior designer Julia Newman of Julia Adele Design also made a pivot in her business. She’s now doing much of her work online and growing her business in other states. Time and time again, I’ve seen strong business women bend but not break to meet the new challenges of doing business in this time of change. But it hasn’t just been female business owners looking to make modifications. Even the Theater Department at Loyola Marymount University adapted by performing Shakespeare virtually on Zoom. I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised considering Shakespeare himself often had to change up production during times of plague, even writing his play “King Lear” in quarantine. I hope this issue inspires you to think about how you’ve been evolving during this time. For me, it’s been about making my home office more ergonomic and, when I’m not working, engaging in fitness activities outdoors like hiking. Being outside is good for my body and my mind. I’d love to hear how you’ve pivoted, adapted and evolved. Feel free to email me your experiences. Shanee Edwards Managing Editor · shanee@playavistadirect.com

6 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

MANAGING EDITOR Shanee Edwards GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Arman Olivares Kate Doll CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lara J. Altunian · Christina Campodonico Jessica Koslow · Brian Marks · Robyn Paris Andrew Dubbins · Andy Vasoyan Kellie Chudzinski CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Zsuszi Steiner · Luis Chavez Courtnay Robbins · Maria Martin Shilah Montiel · Emily Hart Roth ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kay Christy Denine Gentilella EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rebecca Bermudez

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COMMUNITY

LMU theatre students perform Shakespeare’s ‘The Two Noble Kinsmen’ on Zoom due to the pandemic

SHAKESPEARE IN A BOX Zoom is the playground for LMU’s virtual Shakespeare on the Bluff STORY BY SHANEE EDWARDS

Theatre professor and director Kevin Wetmore admits he has a “bad habit” of wanting to do Shakespeare outdoors for free. He created his first Shakespeare festival in Connecticut when he was just 19 and didn’t stop there. Having taught at Loyola Marymount University since 2005, it’s no surprise that when the college built Lawton Plaza, a big open-air amphitheater, Wetmore was compelled to create a summer Shakespeare program called Shakespeare on the Bluff that would provide free entertainment for the local community. The Bard’s most popular plays like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Othello” have been performed at Lawton Plaza and Playa Vista’s Concert Park and the Bandshell for the past two seasons. 8 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

Wetmore was all set to direct “The Tempest” and “Henry V” for the theater company’s third season when COVID-19 hit. “Obviously, it would not be wise to perform or gather together in crowds, so back in April we decided we just wouldn’t have a season this year, along with every other theater in Los Angeles,” says Wetmore. Both he and his student actors were disappointed but understood there was no other choice until Wetmore got a phone call from LMU’s Dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts, Bryant Keith Alexander. “He had seen the ‘Saturday Night Live’ they had done from their homes and said, ‘Could we do Shakespeare that way?’ The more I explored the possibility it seemed like, yes, we actually could do Shakespeare on Zoom,” says Wetmore.

To meet the challenge Wetmore decided to choose two of Shakespeare’s lesser-known plays, “All’s Well That Ends Well” and “The Two Noble Kinsmen.” The former was performed on Zoom on June 19, with cast members acting from their homes around the country, in cities like Atlanta, Miami and San Francisco. “The Two Noble Kinsmen” came to virtual life on Friday, July 17, also with cast members in various cities. “I find that kind of thrilling – you’ve got people all over the United States coming together in a virtual space to present two of Shakespeare’s lesser-seen plays,” says Wetmore. Much to Wetmore’s surprise, dozens of current and former LMU theater students (Continued on page 10)

COMMUNITY

(Continued from page 8)

Many of the same theater students and recent grads also virtually performed Shakespeare’s ‘All’s Well that Ends Well’ in June

responded to his request for actors when he posted the casting call on social media. He put together a company of thespians that includes two decades-worth of LMU theater students, from the classes of 2004 to 2023. As exciting as this novel theater experiment has been for Wetmore, it also came with big challenges. “The danger with doing Shakespeare on Zoom is it just becomes a whole bunch of talking heads and it becomes boring very quickly,” says Wetmore, who worked very hard with the actors to include visual surprises since competition for eyeballs is tough. “The audience could be bingewatching ‘Tiger King,’ so why should they make this choice?” Another challenge is that no two actors occupy the same space, causing movement to be very restricted. “‘Two Noble Kinsmen’ has a Moorish dance in the middle of it!” says Wetmore. A Moorish dance is a big group dance of 14 people singing and dancing in a circle. “How do you do that when no one’s in the same room? … It’s remarkable how inventive you have to become,” he says. To give the illusion that actors are in the same room, Wetmore had his actors 10 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

employ virtual backgrounds and had them hand props to other people off-camera at home, simulating the actors handing them to their scene partner. “Someone hands something towards the camera and lowers it down so it drops out of the audience’s range of sight, and the other person picks it up, and we discovered it looked like they actually handed the other actor something through the computer. That’s really kind of cool,” Wetmore says. Recent LMU graduate Olivia Oreskovich, now living in Hollywood to pursue her acting career, played Helena in “All’s Well That Ends Well” and played a herald and a messenger in “The Two Noble Kinsmen.” Oreskovich says at first it was a struggle to act on Zoom because she’s a very physical actor who likes to take up space. “Adjusting that to a small box on Zoom seemed at first to be a tedious task,” she says. But both Wetmore and assistant director Kate Bianco encouraged the actors to really explore that space as if they were on a stage or in a park. To light herself, Oreskovich used two box lights, and her kitchen light. She was prepared to use a ring light, like the ones

YouTubers use, but the night before she performed in “All’s Well That End’s Well,” her ring light burned out. “As luck would have it, my desk lamp took its place,” she says with a laugh. But ingenuity and adaptability are nothing new in the theatrical world. Wetmore thinks William Shakespeare himself would appreciate this unusual approach to performing during a pandemic. “Shakespeare wrote ‘King Lear’ during a time of plague, so he’s no stranger to having to change production,” says Wetmore. “Whether it’s the theater company going on tour because the theaters of London are closed down due to plague or deciding to perform in York instead of London, I think Shakespeare would see us as connected in terms of making it up as you go along in response to the current reality,” he says. Oreskovich agrees. “I think Shakespeare would be inspired that actors are finding a way to persevere,” she says. “Just because we couldn’t see our audience, doesn’t mean this show was not for them. They are why we are performing, why we continue to be inspired and tell stories. I think any playwright would be happy to see that happening, especially in the world we’re living in now.”

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©2020 Highland Premiere and Society. All rights reserved. DRE License #01967160/#02014153. All material presented here in is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omission, changes or withdrawal without notice. If your property is currently listed with another real estate broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

For Meredith Schlosser and Randi Wishnow, business is booming

12 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

PLAYA VISTA POWER COUPLE SMASH THE TRIFECTA OF MULTITASKING Between working, parenting and, oh yeah, navigating the pandemic, Meredith Schlosser and Randi Wishnow are beyond busy STORY BY ANDY VASOYAN | PHOTOS BY ZSUZSI STEINER

s rivalry pairings go, New York vs. LA is one of the classics. For transcontinental power couple Meredith Schlosser and Randi Wishnow, Playa Vista has become the perfect place to find the best of both worlds. The pair met in New York, where Schlosser had a successful career in the high stakes, high speed world of real estate. Wishnow was based in Los Angeles, but the clothing company she founded had offices in New York as well. “I met her through a friend,” Wishnow says. “I was just tired of the dating scene in LA, and I met Meredith and dragged her out to California.” “She was miserable at first,” Wishnow adds. “I didn’t have my real estate license, I didn’t have my driver’s license. I hadn’t driven a car since I was in college,” Schlosser admits. “I came out here, I went on the 405, and I was hysterically crying. I didn’t know what to do.” As Schlosser eventually got settled into the rhythm of the city, she and Wishnow settled in Playa Vista “because of the proximity to the freeways, to the beach, to Beverly Hills, to my office, to Randi’s office in downtown. It’s the luxury of having all of that around us,” Schlosser says. “When Meredith decided to move out here, she said the only way I’ll move to LA is if I’m by the water,” Wishnow adds. Of course, all those luxuries meant a lot more before the coronavirus. The

Randi Wishnow (left) pivoted her clothing business to making face masks

couple are now quarantining in their Playa Vista residence with their two children, aged two and four. Their elder son was on track to go to Playa Vista Elementary this upcoming school year, but that move is up in the air. For a while, so was their fiscal future, as Wishnow’s clothing business was in deep trouble. “We design and manufacture for a majority of the retailers across the country… Fast fashion, junior dresses and tops, like Forever 21 type stuff,” Wishnow says. “When this whole thing hit, I was like, I’m going to go bankrupt, this is insane. All my orders were cancelled.” Wishnow had to downsize the workforce at her downtown LA factory, and the business seemed to be floundering, until she took a bold step and chased an opportunity. “I decided to pivot and start making

masks,” she says. “I’ve turned the whole thing around, I’ve been able to re-hire a lot of the employees I laid off, and it’s been pretty insane actually.” Wishnow even has a plan for when people finally stock up on masks, though - like the post-coronavirus world - things won’t be the same as they were before. “Because of the fact that I’ve built this huge following through the masks, I’ve decided to curate a collection online as opposed to going to the retailers,” she says. “In the past I had to make over 200 new styles in a month. Now, it’s going to be very small, and more of a luxury line.” For Schlosser, no such pivot was necessary, but that doesn’t mean the (Continued on page 14) PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 13

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS coronavirus hasn’t affected the real estate business. “We are beyond slammed. In my entire eight years being in LA, I don’t think I’ve ever been this busy,” Schlosser says. “We’re just getting more people who have to do things now. There’s more urgency.” One of the emerging trends she’s seeing is, of course, quarantine related. “We’re just home all day long, right? So: where is that home office?,” Schlosser says. “That home office search is number one on everybody’s list, in addition to outside space, in addition to where are my kids gonna play and how can I go on a conference call without being interrupted?” That last anecdote also comes from a bit of personal experience. As Schlosser and Wishnow have continued to keep their children inside, “running our businesses, running our households, and making sure our kids are still healthy and entertained and loved is a trifecta of multitasking,” Schlosser says.

(Continued from page 13)

After meeting in New York, Wishnow convinced Schlosser to move to Playa Vista

“Try being a working mom running your own business, it’s not an easy task at all. [The pandemic] is the icing on the cake.” Wishnow concurs: “I’m trying to

close one business while opening another business and trying to manage my children. I don’t really have any advice,” she says, and then adds with a laugh, “Just... good luck.”

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PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS Beauty Beach Lounge owners Shay Merchav and Jennifer Nairn inside their salon at Runway

16 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

BEAUTY BEACH LOUNGE OWNERS STAY STRONG IN A TIME OF CHANGE Shay Merchav and Jennifer Nairn rely on their friendship to get them through STORY BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEAUTY BEACH LOUNGE

ne of the businesses hit hardest by COVID-19 is the hair salon. California Governor Gavin Newsom has closed the industry, reopened it, then closed it again. At the time of press, hairstylists were only able to operate outdoors which means haircuts but not color, a big bummer for many people who rely on their colorist to feel confident about their appearance. For Shay Merchav and Jennifer Nairn, owners of Beauty Beach Lounge at Runway, dealing with constantly changing orders regarding their salon has been a roller coaster. Nairn says she feels like she’s in survival mode. “This whole process has been really scary as an individual but then if you own a business, have a family and kids and employees – you want them to have a job to come back to. It’s hustle mode, really,” she says. Merchav agrees it’s been a struggle but notes that Nairn has been a huge source of support to her, saying, “As a small business owner the thing that got my business partner and I through was just each other.” The business partners are also best friends who met when they were in their 20s, both working at José Eber in Beverly Hills. Since then, the service industry has had its ups and downs, but neither thought they’d ever experience something like a pandemic. “We can’t operate unless we physically touch people,” says Merchav, “so for us to be shut down there were no adjustments we could make.” When the first closure was lifted

Jennifer Nairn and Shay Merchav have been best friends since they were in their 20s

back in June, Merchav and Nairn knew they would need to greatly adjust the salon experience for the safety of their customers and employees. “We took a couple weeks after they said we could reopen so we could understand how we were going to do this,” says Merchav. Nairn says she was really nervous to reopen with all the new protocols because when people go into a higher end salon, they expect an upscale experience. “We usually serve champagne and snacks, have magazines,” says Nairn. “You want to give people the whole treatment. Now we’re taking temperatures, handing out health questionnaires and we don’t have a waiting area right

now – it’s been so different,” she says. When they temporarily reopened, Nairn says her first day back was a lot better than she expected. “Clients were just happy to come in and get their hair done and they didn’t care what they had to do to get it done! Once you get through that first moment of change you make it work and you just go with it,” she says. For Merchav, this time period has been one of self-reflection and a chance to take inventory of her inner resources. “As women, we can multitask. I feel like a lot of my brain is very masculine when it comes to business and things like that.” But she says going from being a business owner with 20 employees to being her child’s school teacher was a wild ride. “It was a lot to wrap my brain around but I can definitely tell you at the end of all of it … my daughter and I flipped a new page in our relationship and I value that time so much that I’ve decided to come back to work less.” Both Merchav and Nairn agree it’s difficult to know what the future holds for their business, but luckily, they had the foresight when they started their business to put six month’s-worth of finances away for a rainy day. “I feel like when you have everything to lose, when you’re putting every single penny you have for yourself and your child with nothing to fall back on, you have to,” says Merchav. “As a woman and a mother, you want to make sure you do things the smart way so that you’re protected in some manner, otherwise, I don’t think I’d sleep at night.” PLAYA PLAYAVISTA VISTADIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST AUGUST 2020 2020 1717

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PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

A LAWYER WITH A LOVE OF FAMILY Rittu Kumar opened her own law firm to help get back to her roots BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTO BY LUIS CHAVEZ

ittu Kumar was born and raised in Southern California by immigrant parents from India. Coming from a family of engineers and doctors, she was encouraged to follow in her parents’ footsteps. When she was getting her undergraduate degree at USC in business administration, she was required to take a business law class that just so happened to be taught by a female lawyer whom Kumar found deeply inspiring. “I just fell in love with [the law].” So Kumar defied her family’s expectations and went on to attend Loyola Law School. Kumar initially worked as a litigator for an Orange County law firm but longed to get back to Los Angeles. After a year, she switched to a new firm in LA and made partner after six years. “I was doing trials in both federal and state court and managing a team of attorneys, but eventually I wanted to go out on my own, develop my own clients, and create my own firm. That’s what I did in October of 2017. I created Kumar Law and I’ve been the owner of my own law firm since then,” says Kumar. Kumar focuses one-half of her business on employment law, business litigation, and contract disputes and negotiations. The other half of her business is estate planning. “When I was in law school, I loved estate planning. Opening my own firm allowed me to take a step back, go back to my roots and do something I always enjoyed,” she says. Kumar represents a lot of business owners so when the pandemic hit “it was really interesting because I had to help, guide, and consult with them both with the closing of their businesses and when they reopened, to protect their businesses, themselves and their employees that were

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Attorney Rittu Kumar fell in love with the law as an undergraduate student at USC

coming back to work. That was a very interesting ebb and flow with these clients,” Kumar says. Because there is so much uncertainty during the pandemic, Kumar’s encouraging people to get their estate plan done, or review and update their existing one. “This pandemic is affecting not only the elderly but everyone,” she cautions. As a Playa Vista resident since 2007 and the mother of two girls, family is incredibly important to Kumar, who sadly lost her dad in March. To honor him, she is setting up a scholarship fund in his name to help women become

engineers through his alma mater. “He was an engineer, he came from India. He was a strong proponent of equality in education amongst women and men. As an engineer, he saw the inequality that women faced in his profession. … He tried to get me to become an engineer but it wasn’t my preference. In his name, I want to make sure that if there are women out there with the desire and the drive, but are financially unable to pursue it, I’d like to be there to help support them,” she says. Certainly, Kumar’s father would be proud.

Women

IN BUSINESS Many local women in business are thriving. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sharing their stories to celebrate their success.

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Launching a

Labor of Love

PATRICIA CATALLO LOPEZ WANTS TO MAKE EVERYONE’S NIGHT ‘EXTRA’ were lucky enough to find something right there. I love how West Hollywood—and Hollywood in general—is a place where people can be themselves and follow their dreams. It’s just such a hopeful place, in my opinion. When I have a night out, I like to dress up and have it be a big extravaganza. It’s very romantic and extra at Better Than Sex. I want everyone to feel that it’s their night and just own it.” The desserts are downright naughty at the restaurants, which are dimly lit with splashes of black and red décor. On Catallo Lopez’s visit, she also tried Moscato with caramel on the rim (“Caramel Over Me”), which reminded her of a trip to Italy. “My husband and I went to Italy about 10 years ago and all over Italy, there are Gelaterias where you can have dessert and cocktails late at night,” she recalls. “Practically every night we would go, and I would have chocolate gelato and Alan would order limoncello on the rocks. “We thought there should be places in the states like this where you can just have a drink and dessert. So, this is like a dream come into reality.”.

atricia Catallo Lopez and her husband, Alan Lopez, were on vacation in Miami when they were on the hunt for the perfect dessert. They took a drive through the keys and ended up in Key West. Their server at dinner suggested Better Than Sex: A Dessert Restaurant and raved about the chocolate souffle, “The Fever.” When they arrived, they fell in love with everything about Better Than Sex, including her now all-time favorite dessert, Peanut Butter Perversion. “I decided it was my favorite place in the world,” she says. “Everything about it was totally my scene as if it came out of my dreams and into real life. “On the way back to Miami, I went on their website to see if I could buy wine glasses with their logo and I saw they were just starting to franchise. When I got back to LA, I sent in an application. It all seemed very serendipitous.” This past June, Catallo Lopez opened a temporary kitchen on South Robertson Boulevard to accommodate deliveries (and pick-up) until their brick-and-mortar location is finished at 7166 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. She expects it to open in early fall. “I love the West Hollywood community,” she says. “We 22 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT || AUGUST 2020 22 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT AUGUST 2020

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Better Than Sex: A Dessert Restaurant 7166 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 323-601-7138, betterthansexdesserts.com Restaurant accepting delivery orders now Brick and mortar expected to open this fall

L ocal

W O M E N I N B U S I FN OE O SD S

Expert

KELLY MYERS IS A TOP REAL ESTATE AGENT WITH A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF LA

native Angeleno, Kelly Myers knows Los Angeles like the back of her hand. She grew up in the Miracle Mile and Beverly Center area, then lived in the Valley, Culver City and Pasadena prior to making Playa Vista her home. Living across Los Angeles has helped her gain an intuitive knowledge of the local real estate market and make accurate predictions—unique tools that prove invaluable when helping her clients buy a home. “One of the things people like about me is I know the beach cities really well,” Myers says. “I sell properties all over Los Angeles, including Pasadena, Hancock Park, Palos Verdes, South Central and so forth. I work with clients of all budgets and areas, which sets me apart from other agents. It’s really important to know LA proper and to not limit one’s self to any one specific area.” Since 2007, Myers has worked in real estate and established herself as one of California’s top 10% of agents by sales volume. She was at Coldwell Banker for 12 years before joining Compass in 2019. Prior to her career as a Realtor, she spent 25 years in sales and marketing with a corporate background in information technology. She also worked in mortgage banking for several years, and bought and sold properties as investments, which ultimately led to earning her real estate license. “When I worked in information technology, I met with CEOs to discuss strategies for connecting their different offices,” Myers shares. “Over the years, I saw everything transition from phone lines to data and video. Having that background and understanding made my transition into real estate easy.” With a strong background in business, Myers offers clients a formidable edge for strategically using the latest technology and marketing tools for buying, selling or investing. Because she understands both sides of the business, Myers knows how to work with everyone from executives and investors to first-time buyers. “I’ve had a lot of experience buying and selling properties,” she points out. “I understand the lending side of things as well as the underwriting process. I call myself a ‘closer’ who knows how to bridge the gap, whether dealing with title companies or escrow. I’m having my best year in real estate at the moment.” During the buying or selling process, Myers strives to make each experience the best possible for her clients. She brings together integrity, imagination, and a strong work ethic while managing expectations with honesty and sincerity. Friendly and approachable, Myers has been labeled a “super connector” by friends and colleagues due

to her deep network of clients and connections. She offers a big-picture ability to help clients zero in on that exceptional combination of community and lifestyle to discover the perfect home. “Clients enjoy working with me because I’m a strong negotiator and a businesswoman before everything else,” Myers says. “They feel comfortable and confident that I’m going to get things done. I make sure that my clients are going to get the best value.” Outside of work, Myers is passionate about giving back and is involved in organizations focused on childhood development and leadership. As a mother of two, she does volunteer work at schools, and belongs to an organization for mothers and children. “Whether they’re my clients or other members of the community, I love helping people achieve their dreams,” says Myers.

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Kelly Myers, Agent 626-676-5778 kelly.myers@compass.com compass.com/agents/kelly-myers PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 23 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 23

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Compassionate

and Smart

THE ADJUSTMENT TEAM’S COO, CYNTHIA SAMPSON, PROVIDES VALUABLE HELP FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH

ynthia Sampson is a born and bred Southern California gal. Currently living in Westchester, Sampson not only has a sharp business mind, but also a giant heart for those in society considered the most vulnerable: The mentally ill. After attending Venice High School, Sampson studied business at Cal State Northridge. Little did she know then that taking a $7-an-hour receptionist job would lead her down a deeply meaningful and rewarding career path. 27 years later, Sampson is now Chief Operations Officer for The Life Adjustment Team, a group of highly skilled and empathetic social workers and Master’s level clinicians working together to help people with mental illness live independently in the community. The Life Adjustment Team was founded by Pete Linnett back in 1977, and for Sampson, Linnett was more than just a boss, he proved to be a very influential mentor. “We have a very synchronistic relationship,” says Sampson. “He has a very entrepreneurial mind and I was able to help him develop his business by bringing new technology and creative ideas. On the flip side, he taught me about the clinical aspects of the service. I have learned a lot about psychology and psychiatry in my twenty-eight years here. Since his focus was always on patient care, he counted on me to help grow the 24 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT || AUGUST 2020 24 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT AUGUST 2020

company,” she says. And grow they have. After starting with a dozen or so clients, they now serve over a hundred families at varying levels of care. Though Linnett has moved out of the daily operation and into a consulting role assisting mainly with families in crisis situations, he knew Sampson was the right person to run the company. Pete has relocated to Mount Shasta in Northern California and stays in touch on a regular basis, visiting several times a year for events. Previously located on Jefferson Boulevard in Playa Vista, The Life Adjustment Team recently moved April 1st to a beautiful office park in Marina del Rey. Sampson says that for a person to get the best psychiatric treatment, the patient may need more than just a doctor and meds; almost every aspect of life has been challenged and may need attention from an experienced professional. The family also may need dedicated support. “Sometimes patients have anosognosia, they don’t have the insight to see what they need,” she says, “and we can help with that.” LAT is a mobile outreach team that goes to patients’ homes and focuses on community reintegration. Visiting in the community helps to identify the stressors that could create a problem or might trigger a relapse. “We work with clients to understand how their medications work, and to ensure adherence. Stability is essential to an active, productive life.” The Team helps people with social skills and activities to get motivated and start recreating again. “A lot of times people on medications feel it’s difficult to get moving, it’s harder to exercise alone, so doing it together we can show people how important that is for their mental health,” Sampson says. Sampson (and the Team’s) overall goal is to help those living with mental health challenges live a more stable, active, and productive life and avoid a prodromal episode or relapse and rehospitalization. She’s seen so many people’s lives change for the better, returning to school or work and seeing families get back together. “It’s exciting to see people thrive,” she says. The Life Adjustment Team is located at 4551 Glencoe Ave. Suite 255, Marina del Rey, 90292. Call 310-572-7000 or visit lifeadjustmentteam.com for more info. .

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Cynthia Sampson Life Adjustment Team 4551 Glencoe Ave, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 310-572-7000 www.lifeadjustmentteam.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Putting Clients in

Their Dream Homes

VIVIAN LESNY SHARES HER MOTHER’S LOVE OF REAL ESTATE

ivian Lesny grew up in Culver City listening to her licensed agent mother share colorful stories about her job. They inspired a young Lesny to make her career choice. Fast forward 30 years and Lesny is the No. 1-selling agent for condominium sales in Silicon Beach for Keller Williams Realty, for whom she gets the same thrill as her mother. “I enjoy working with and meeting different people every day, week or month,” Lesny says. “Most people view my profession as a ‘salesperson.’ I see myself more as a consultant. I advise people and guide them through one of the largest purchases or sales of their life. I enjoy getting to know my clients and their families. It’s fun getting a phone call five to six years later after they’ve multiplied and need more space. What’s weird is getting the call after an additional 10 years goes by when their children are ready to buy. That makes me feel old, but seriously, how special is that?” Lesny has a knack for picking up on little hints to gauge what buyers are looking for in their future homes. “Most buyers won’t admit to this, but after almost 20 years’ experience,” she says, “they say one thing, but they really want something different and they don’t realize it. It’s awesome to watch the process unfold and I am grateful to be a part of it.” Lesny is “beyond tuned in,” she says. Even if a client says he or she doesn’t want to buy in Playa Vista because of the “fees/cost,” Lesny will visit a home or two there anyway, just in case. “I say, ‘Bear with me,’” she explains. “Let’s run over to this condo/house. As we pull into Playa Vista and they light up, I know I am on to something and our search immediately shifts. That’s when I tell them, ‘I live in Playa Vista and let me tell you about my family’s experience here.’ I show them the convenience of the school, parks, Resort, Center Pointe Club and explain how unique, special and friendly Playa Vista is.” Lesny still—after two decades—gets pure joy helping a family move into their new home. “When you get to hand someone the keys and they open the door for the first time, it’s very special,” she says with a smile. Lesny is the dominant player in the condo market for Silicon Beach and Culver City. “I’ve sold more condos than anyone in LA,” she says. “It’s a nice niche I thrive in and am proud of. People ask me, ‘Why do you focus on condos when you could make more money on single family homes?‘ The price point doesn’t matter. What matters is putting people in their dream homes.”

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Vivian Lesny Lead Listing Agent, The Suarez Team Keller Williams Silicon Beach, DRE# 01409458 310-428-7378, vivian@thesuarezteam.com vivianlesny.com PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 25 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 25

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Caring and

Experienced

CATHERINE JONAS IS ON A MISSION TO HELP AGING FAMILY MEMBERS PRESERVE THEIR INDEPENDENCE

he founder of CJ & Associates Care Consulting, Catherine Jonas, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Geriatric Case Manager with expertise in the field of aging, disability and end of life care for over 20 years. Her inspiration to create her own company likely started when she was just a little girl, growing up in Santa Monica. She remembers watching her own mother care for her grandmother who was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Her grandmother was only 64. “I watched my mother manage the care of my grandma and the care of me and my brother, which was very stressful on the family dynamic,” says Catherine. As an adult, she got her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and psychotherapy. Her very first internship was at a counseling center for aging adults in Santa Monica. “That really started my career path wanting to work with the older adult population, both with counseling and case management,” she says. After working in different hospital settings she ran the Geriatric Out-Patient Day Program at Cedars Sinai Department of Psychiatry for many years, she knew she could provide an even higher level of care to the older adult population – especially for those with major neurocognitive impairment. “I wanted to be very specialized with all forms 26 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT || AUGUST 2020 26 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT AUGUST 2020

of chronic, degenerative disorders like dementia, stroke or Parkinson’s disease,” she says. Her clients are older adults who live alone, with families who either live out of town or simply very busy. Catherine’s company fills in the gap when an individual needs help managing their medical, psychosocial and possibly their legal/ financial affairs. On the day we spoke to Catherine, she had just gone into a client’s home to fill up her medication boxes. “Someone with dementia isn’t going to remember to do that,” she says. She and her other case managers check in on their clients at least once a week to make sure they’re safe, and someone is on call 24/7 in case there’s an emergency. “If there’s a fall and they break their hip, they can call us, or their family can call us. We also take our clients to doctor appointments. We’re in the exam room with them and we report back to the family,” Catherine says. In one of her biggest cases, Catherine received a call from a family in Chicago, Ill. “We needed to move the client from Chicago to Los Angeles. We had to arrange all of her home care, get her new doctors, and pretty much transplant all of her care from Chicago to here and find her an apartment. We do everything – we’ll move your loved one from a home residence to an assisted living facility or we’ll fly them across the country. We’ll do everything that needs to be done to keep your loved one safe,” she says. Catherine also does counseling for adult children of parents affected by neurodegenerative disorders. Her business is made even stronger by her worldrenown collaborators. She says she contracts with the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program within the Department of Geriatrics at UCLA. They also work in close collaboration with the Brain Health Team at Providence St. John’s Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI).” For Catherine, the work is deeply meaningful. She puts a lot into her business but gets a lot back in return. She started the company just five years ago as the sole proprietor but now has numerous case managers who have joined her team. Clearly, the hard work has paid off. “We’re expanding by leaps and bounds!” Catherine says.

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Catherine Jonas CJ & Associates Care Consulting Marina Del Rey, CA 90293 Phone: 310-413-1277 info@cjcareconsulting.com www.cjcareconsulting.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

A Passion

for Real Estate

REAL ESTATE AGENT WENDY GLADSON TELLS A HOME’S STORY

Photo credit: Sergio Garcia

s a real estate agent, Wendy Gladson knows buying or selling a home starts with a warm approach. “My strength is telling the story of your home,” she says. “I don’t look at it as a piece of property that’s being transferred. Every home has a history and a story to tell. If you can bring that history into your marketing approach, there is an added authenticity that resonates with the seller and the buyer. “A home isn’t a product. It’s a place where memories are made.” That feeling is carried over into every home that Gladson represents. She chose to partner with Compass, a brokerage that shares her values and with unparalleled tools to enhance her clients’ real estate experience. “I am passionate about real estate and I bring that energy to every transaction,” Gladson says. “I have a deep understanding of how overwhelming your first purchase can seem to be, and I will be your trusted advocate with the patience to help you find your home. If you are selling your current home and looking to move up, I have experience in coordinating this complex transition. If you are selling a long-time family home, I can assist you with home preparation using Compass Concierge and have experience in working with thirdparty executors. My goal is superior representation at every stage of your life.” Gladson works with luxury home buyers and sellers to achieve their specific real estate goals. The demands of the high-end luxury market deserve a full-service approach by an agent with skills and relationships that make complex and delicate transactions succeed in the most professional and discreet manner. Together with Compass’ superior marketing and affiliate resources, clients can rest assured that, with Gladson, they will achieve their real estate goals with style and grace. Gladson—who has Graduate Realtor Institute, ePRO and Certified Negotiator designations under her belt— uses drones to take photographs of homes so clients get a complete vision of their home. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when open houses are few and proactive behavior on behalf of the agent is paramount. Gladson’s client testimonials are glowing. When rave reviews refer to Gladson as “phenomenal,” “patient” and “energetic,” it’s easy to see why she has so many return customers. The consummate professional, Gladson takes it all in stride.

Wendy Gladson Real Estate Consultant Compass DRE #01438149 wendy@wendygladson.com 310-923-2600 (mobile) Advertorial

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

A Story

of Success

MICHELLE MARTINO HER FINESSE BRINGS REAL ESTATE SUCCESS

ichelle Martino is a superstar. In her first career in the creative arts, she amassed one award after another for her work as a writer, radio and TV commercial producer and as a Creative Director. And during her amazing career, Jay Chiat of the renown TBWA\Chiat\Day advertising agency, personally held a seat for her as Creative Director whenever she wanted it. When the financial crisis hit, she parlayed her creative talents, strategic thinking and super smarts into real estate. Long inspired by her family’s legacy, where their custom homes were built from dirt lots and a commitment to extraordinary standards, to her two sisters who are stars themselves at The Agency in Beverly Hills and Sotheby’s in Montecito, Michelle jumped in. Michelle was on fire from the time she got her first client. Even though she switched careers when the market crashed, she relied on her innate ability to outthink, out-service and outperform for every single client regardless if they were looking to purchase, sell or lease. The results have been remarkable. For example, she listed a home on a Saturday, held an Open House on a Sunday and in record time, had it closed 28 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT || AUGUST 2020 28 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT AUGUST 2020

on Monday. At that time, it was not only the highest priced home in the area, but it closed in the fastest time ever. She followed that up by being recognized as one of the top 15 agents in over 275,000 in the California Association of Realtors. Her skills at negotiation are surpassed only by her notariety at achieving near 100% Buyer success --- first time out. That’s including the ultra-competitive world of multiple offers. Now, she works as the Executive Director of Luxury Homes at KW Silicon Beach. The key to Michelle’s success is her genuine honesty. Strategic thinking. And sheer tenacity to make every deal a spectacular success. As her sales grew, so did her reputation for knowing the markets, the neighborhoods and the most effective way to negotiate a deal. Michelle, who graduated from Loyola Marymount University with four, yes, four majors and quickly was invited to become a Mensa member, continues to be awarded and recognized by The Argonaut —the sister publication of Playa Vista Direct — as well as several trade organizations for her incredible talents. She also has managed to elevate client care to an elite status by offering her clients spectacular staging, concierge estate services and chauffeured neighborhood tours. Her success is an amalgamation of her family’s rich traditions and ingrained values. And yet, even growing up in Beverly Hills didn’t affect her down-to-earth style and graceful approach that captivates all who meet her. It’s that easy approach that both clients and peers find so refreshing and alluring. When asked what her clients like most about her she said, “They always tell me, ‘Michelle, you have magic in your words’ or ‘You work your magic.’ “No matter what I do, I respect clients and agents. I listen to what they’re saying, and I strive to consistently deliver beyond their dreams. The result is that I truly have an unshakable trust and bond with my amazing clients. Plus, I have an understanding of huge amounts of wealth and how to make everyone feel important and understood.” “In the end, I follow a passion to be my best and win for my clients, while also remembering to be gracious, tenacious and absolutely unforgettable!”

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Michelle Martino KW Silicon Beach 310-880-0789, marinadelreylistings.com

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PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 29

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Photographer Zsuzsi Steiner and her sons Jack, Evan and Zachary

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PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

For Zsuzsi Steiner, taking photographs is a way to keep memories alive STORY BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS BY ZSUZSI STEINER

suzsi Steiner has been photographing local families for over six years and her vivid photos of local people and places have also brought the pages of Playa Vista Direct to life for the last two. Charming and upbeat, she is known for her ability to make even the most reluctant subjects have an enjoyable experience in front of her camera. When asked what led her to become a professional family photographer, she shared her moving story. In 2009 Steiner and her husband Tim were expecting their first child, a son they would call Zachary. Excited about starting a family and wanting to create lasting memories, Zsuzsi decided to brush up on her photography skills. She had always enjoyed taking photos, but after Tim gifted her a new DSLR camera, she took classes at Santa Monica Community College to help get the most out of the digital technology and further her skills. Sadly, what was supposed to be a happy event turned to tragedy. During her 39th week of pregnancy, Zsuzsi experienced preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, two medical disorders that cause complications for both mother and child during birth. “Just two days after being born,” says Zsuzsi, “Zachary passed away. I almost passed away as well.” Her first time actually seeing Zachary was just before the doctors were to take him off the ventilator. As she met her dying son, she knew she must take photos of him – to have something by which she could remember the peaceful soul who was denied a chance to thrive. A friend brought a camera to the hospital and Zsuzsi mustered up the fortitude to photograph Zachary. “Those pictures are truly what I have of my son. I can hold those pictures and look at them and I can say to myself, ‘He

Steiner has a special knack for photographing children

really existed!’ As time goes by, unfortunately, memories fade but pictures don’t fade,” Zsuzsi says. As she was grieving the loss of her son, she found an organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a group of professional photographers who go to hospitals and photograph babies who have already passed away or are likely to pass away due to complications. “My experience motivated me to become a photographer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It helped me get through my grief because I was able to focus on the skills, I needed to be a good

photographer, understand light, all those things,” Zsuzsi says. She also saw it as a way to honor the boy she lost. She was accepted as a professional photographer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep after giving herself a 10-year timeframe not only to be skilled enough, but also be emotionally ready. “I ended up doing one of these shoots for baby Mason, who was born alive but by the time I got to the hospital he had passed away,” says Zsuzsi. “To be there as a photographer for that family was life-changing and amazing. It was very special. And I held it together.” As she edited the photos of Mason, something inside her shifted, emotionally. “I realized I didn’t need to take photos of families in a similar situation to keep Zachary’s memory alive.” Instead of continuing on with the organization, she started her own photography business with an emphasis on family portraits. Since the loss of Zachary, Zsuzsi and Tim have had two sons, Evan, 9, and Jack, 6. Both are healthy and thriving. “The experience really empowered me and I’m still giving great memories that will not fade for other families,” she says. By making a few adjustments to the way she works, Zsuzsi’s photography business has been going strong despite COVID-19. She offers this advice for other small business owners: “Think outside the box. Doing business as it was pre-COVID just isn’t going to work in these times. I adapted by doing porch portraits for people to document this time with their families. I’m also encouraging beach sessions. It’s important to focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t do.” For more info, visit zsuzsiphotography. com. PLAYA PLAYAVISTA VISTADIRECT DIRECT| |AUGUST AUGUST2020 2020 3131

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

FOR MONICA LYONS, IT’S ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS A live events business adapts to the new normal BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

Growing up in Poland, Monica Lyons’s life revolved around music. Playing the flute and piano, she enjoyed giving concerts and earned a master’s degree in classical music and music theory. She was planning to get her Ph.D., too, and came to Los Angeles to do research. Her plan was to stay in sunny SoCal for a year and then return to Poland to write her thesis. But the universe had a different plan for her. “I came to do research but found a husband instead,” says Lyons with a laugh. She was Introduced to the love of her life, Sean Lyons, by a mutual friend in Santa Monica. Sean was working as a soundman and lighting designer for live concerts, so they had a musical connection. She ditched her Ph.D. for love and never looked back. That was 10 years ago. Now, Monica and Sean have their own company called Smoke and Mirrors, a fullservice event company, often creating dynamic sound and visual experiences at live music festivals like Coachella. “We work in live entertainment, anywhere you need video walls, PA systems, stage lighting or building a stage,” says Monica. But things have changed dramatically with COVID-19. Her big client Coachella cancelled it’s popular music festival; as have all the others. “We were out of work instantly in the beginning of March,” she says. Luckily, the Lyons have a warehouse in El Segundo where they built a soundstage. Now, they are doing socially distanced events, only they’ve added a new component: livestreaming. The business model of holding live perfor-

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Originally from Poland, Monica Lyons came to LA to do research for her Ph.D.

Catherine Jonas, CMC, LMFT PRINCIPAL

Geriatric Care Management & Counseling Services We Specialize in:

A gorgeous wall created by Smoke and Mirrors takes center stage at a music festival

mances without a live audience is still in its infancy, but many TV shows like “America’s Got Talent” are making it work. Even baseball has come back without fans in the stadium, so the model is gaining in popularity. “We can have fundraisers, concerts – we’ll have theater later this month. We still follow all the guidelines: everyone’s wearing masks, there’s under 10 people. The whole warehouse is quite large, so the risk is really low. Everything is sanitized during the breaks so we’re doing okay,” she says. Monica remains optimistic, “I think people are trying to play it safe – us too. When this first started we said, ‘We’re not leaving the house for five years if that’s what it takes.’ But slowly, things are opening up and people are more comfortable leaving the house.” But looking too far into the future is a scary prospect for her. “We’d like to think that when a vaccine is available, everything will just go back to normal, but…” she takes a pause, “we don’t know if the companies we used to work for, be a vendor to, will be around. There is a lot of speculation and one of our biggest accounts let go of their entire staff.” With so much up in the air, the Lyons are thinking of building an even bigger livestream soundstage, because “this could be the future of events,” she says. No matter what the future holds for live performances, the company Smoke and Mirrors is not only adapting but is surprisingly aptly named for a time when everyone is trying to create the illusion of normalcy using very limited resources. Even without the large crowds, Monica says she loves her work and feeds off every new situation. “It’s about the energy of the people, and it’s always a learning experience for me.”

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PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 33

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

AMID A PANDEMIC, INTERIOR DESIGN IS A BALANCING ACT Julia Newman relies on her creativity and flexibility in a changing landscape BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

very small business owner knows adapting to changes in the marketplace is the key to a thriving business. So when interior designer Julia Newman found herself running her full-service design firm Julia Adele Design during a pandemic, she devised a new strategy: “Hope for the best, plan for the worst.” Some changes to Newman’s work were obvious like doing more virtual design and taking phone calls instead of meeting clients in person. But still, she says, “It’s definitely been challenging because there’s no precedent for this. I’ve really tried to balance keeping the business going but doing it safely.” On the upside, she’s been able to work with clients who live out of state by designing in the virtual realm. “It’s less challenging to work on a house in Arizona than having to travel back and forth,” she says. The downside to working in the time of COVID-19 has been not having the human connection she thrives on when working with people in their homes or offices. But the challenges don’t end there. “I’ve also had to get more creative with marketing, posting on social media and reaching out to past clients,” says Newman, who usually gets clients by networking with people in person. If Newman must physically see a client, “We both wear masks. If I have workmen in there, it has to be contained and they have their temperatures taken. But I don’t foresee doing a lot of in-person meetings,” she says. Business-minded, with a positive attitude, she says her experience as a female business owner has helped her pivot during this difficult time. “I think if you’re a woman in a position of

34 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT || AUGUST 2020 34 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT AUGUST 2020

Julia Newman is creating more virtual interior designs during the pandemic

PEOPLE: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Though challenging, Newman has incorporated safety protocols when she’s working on-site

power and you own a business, you’re pretty resourceful to begin with. You have to fight for what you want. Women learn to balance better, so it’s definitely made me more adaptable,” Newman says. One thing that’s really helped her keep going is not having a huge over-

head. She works out of her home, so that’s one thing that’s remained the same. But she says it’s important not to lose focus on your work during this strange time. “When you start a business, it’s your baby and you don’t want anything to

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happen to it. At the same time, I remind myself daily, everyone is going through this and you just have to roll with the punches.” Newman shares this advice for other business owners trying to pivot during the pandemic: “Get creative. Be flexible and don’t get down on yourself. When business is slow, we’re used to asking ourselves ‘What am I doing wrong? What do I need to be able to do?’ That’s not the case now. It doesn’t mean anyone did anything wrong. It doesn’t mean you should be doing anything differently, it’s just the times are different. Hopefully things will get back to business as usual but in the meantime, try to see the positives that may come out of this, maybe you take your business in a different direction and you end up enjoying it more,” she says. For more info about her business, visit juliaadeledesign.com.

Zoom into Shabbat with Lev LEV EISHA SERVICES LIVE VIA ZOOM! Friday, August 14th at 7:30am Hope & Healing in the Time of COVID Saturday, September 5th at 10:00am Finding Connection When Isolated Join Lev Eisha for interactive, virtual Shabbat services with Rabbi Toba August and cantorial soloist Cindy Paley. All are welcome. To participate, please visit www.leveisha.org. PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 35

H E A LT H

Playa Vista Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market shopper Chelsea White is excited to walk away with produce from the Urban Fresh Farm stand.

36 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

H E A LT H

BACK IN BUSINESS The Playa Vista Farmers’ Market reopens for foot traffic with IRL dragon fruit and heirloom tomatoes STORY BY SHANEE EDWARDS| PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

estsiders love their local farmers markets. A Saturday morning stroll through colorful flats of fresh vegetables, sampling exotic fruit and artisan bites from food stands while a live band croons, is a valued weekend treat — especially when the weather is warm and sunny. But ever since late March the walkable community of Playa Vista has been denied such pleasures. Due to Governor Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home orders, Playa Vistans have had to adjust to online ordering and contactless, drive-thru pick ups of produce and other offerings. Finally, on Saturday, Aug. 1, with temps hitting 80 degrees, the Playa Vista Farmers’ Market reopened for foot traffic – with a lot of safety protocols in place as required by the LA County health department. These protocols include mandatory masks, no sampling, queuing to enter the market, “no-touch” purchasing, and an 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. “Senior Hour” for customers over 65 and those with sensitive immune systems. Absent are the vendors preparing hot food along with live entertainers and the clown who makes balloon animals. Playa Vista Farmers’ Market operator Mark Anderson, known by locals as “Farmer Mark,” was thrilled to be back in the community. But don’t think Farmer Mark has spent the time off baking sourdough bread and watching “Tiger King.” “It’s been very, very hectic,” says Farmer Mark. “We’ve had to pivot and adjust with the closing of this market. We had farmers and food vendors dependent on this for their livelihood, so we set up an online, drive-thru, contactless delivery market and that’s a whole different animal than a live farmers market in terms of e-commerce, packag-

A vendor poses with her colorful produce at the grand reopening of the Playa Vista Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Aug. 1

ing and delivering,” he says. Farmer Mark only learned from Playa Vista Community Services that he could reopen the market the previous Monday, getting the paperwork that Wednesday. As stressful as switching to online sales has been, Farmer Mark never considered abandoning the Playa Vista Farmers’ Market. “My passion is to support the local food movement, especially the local farmers. I felt honored and grateful to find this solution, even if it was a temporary solution, to generate some sales because crops in the field keep growing no matter what is going on in the COVID war,” he says. Pedro Gallardo, owner of Pedro’s Organic Ranch in Fallbrook, California has been selling his exotic fruits like cherimoya, dragon fruit and loquats at the Playa Vista Farmers’ Market for the last four years. When the pandemic hit, he was lucky enough to sell his produce at other farmers markets. “I wasn’t really af-

fected, but the people here were affected. They need food to eat. Now we’re back and we hope to stay here,” he says. For Mynor Ixco of Cambria’s Stepladder Ranch and Creamery, famous for their small batch goat cheese, things were crazy when the pandemic first broke out. “There was a mad rush on the farmers markets. People were buying lots of cheese,” says Ixco. But Stepladder Ranch continued to provide its cheese to the Playa Vista community online and also have a presence at Farmer Mark’s other farmers markets. “I’ve been doing the Costa Mesa Farmers Market, so I’ve been able to spread the cheese love to Orange County!” Ixco says with a laugh. Luke Lokhorst of Oma’s Puffers, makers of the delicious mini Dutch pancakes, is happy to be back at the market, even if they don’t yet have a permit for cooking the cakes onsite. Instead, he’s selling the cakes pre-packaged. Lokhorst says the pandemic has been a very difficult time for the business that’s “based on making the food fresh. LA isn’t handing out any permits for that. That’s why you don’t see any other vendors here making food.” Lokhorst says it could be next year before the county renews those permits. In the meantime Farmer Mark insists shopping at a farmers market is the safest way to buy food. “It’s open-air, plenty of space and ventilation. And it’s the least amount of food handling you’ll find,” he says. The Playa Vista Farmers’ Market takes place Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a special “Senior Hour” from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 12775 Millennium Drive, The Runway Playa Vista.

PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 37 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020 37

FOOD

HOMEMADE FALAFEL

ON LETTUCE “BOATS” WITH LEMON-TAHINI SAUCE Yield: 10-12 falafels, 5-6 lettuce “boats”

INGREDIENTS

TO SERVE

FALAFEL

5-6 romaine lettuce leaves

½ medium brown onion

⅔ cup small diced, cored Roma tomato

3-4 medium cloves of garlic

¼ cup thinly sliced Persian cucumber

⅔ cup (packed) wild arugula— substitute: parsley, spinach

1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds Fresh herbs—parsley, scallions, chives

1 15-oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained (~ 1 ½ cups cooked beans)

METHOD

2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

FALAFEL

3 tbsp oat flour—substitute: gluten-free or almond flour Pinch of cardamom powder 2 pinches of ground cumin ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional) ½ tsp coarse sea salt + more to taste ¼ cup rice crumbs – substitute: panko, bread crumbs LEMON-TAHINI SAUCE ⅔ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ¼ cup tahini paste ¼ cup cashews soaked in water for at least 4 hours, drained 1 clove of garlic 2 pinches of coarse sea salt + more to taste 2-3 tbsp cold water, if needed

uarter onions and add to food processor along with whole garlic cloves. Process for about 30 seconds, until both are minced. Add all remaining ingredients with the exception of the rice crumbs and process for approximately 1 min, until mixture is creamy and homogeneous but a few bits of the garbanzo beans remain. Transfer to bowl, cover, and set in the freezer for 30 minutes. This step is important in getting the mixture to the right consistency to pan-fry the falafel and so it does not break in the process. Be patient! While you wait, prepare the lemontahini sauce. Method below. Take falafel mixture out of the freezer and break into 10-12 even portions. Using your clean hands, roll into balls and flatten into disks. Carefully roll each

disk over rice crumbs and coat on all sides. Lay flat on platter or board. Heat a small to medium pan over medium heat (the smaller it is, the less oil you will need.) Once hot, add 2-3 tbsp of olive oil to pan. Pan-fry each falafel for about 2 min on each side, until crispy and golden. Remove from pan and lay on a piece of paper towel to remove excess oil. Do this in batches, if necessary. LEMON-TAHINI SAUCE

Add all ingredients to a blender and process for 1 minute, until it is smooth and creamy. Add 1 tbsp of water at a time and blend until you obtain the desired consistency. Set aside. TO SERVE

Arrange lettuce on a platter and place 2 falafels on each leaf. Top with diced tomato and add cucumber slices then drizzle lemon-tahini sauce over each “boat.” Sprinkle sesame seeds over sauce and garnish with fresh herbs.

RECIPE BY ALEJANDRA SCHRADER Alejandra Schrader’s culinary career began after becoming a top finalist and fan-favorite on FOX’s MasterChef with Gordon Ramsay. For recipes and more visit alejandraschrader.com. Alejandra lives in Playa Vista. 38 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

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40 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST 2020

Playa Vista Direct — August 2020

Articles inside

Playa Vista Farmers’ Market is back

Adapt, Pivot, Evolve

Monica Lyons shifts her business

Make delicious falafel at home

Photographer Zsuzsi Steiner helps

Playa Vista Power Couple

Beauty Beach Lounge owners

Shakepeare in a Box