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Get ready to Rock Roll & Run for Education
T h e H T N .c o m
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Mamai Wellness founder, Sandra Kawahito (center), poses in her new small group class studio in Westchester with team members Denise Parker and Jennifer Haroun.
Westchester is more than just a place to own a business for me, it’s my hometown! I grew up on 87th Place, and I’m grateful for growing up in Westchester and getting to experience picnics at LMU, volunteering with my mom at the councilmember’s office, attending Rotary meetings with my dad, shopping at the Antique Mall or the Temple of Good Things and hanging out with my friends from Kentwood Elementary, Girl Scouts, the Westchester Del Rey Little League and the YMCA. That’s why it’s important to me that every month we feature your neighbors and community members who are working together to make this community stronger, give free space to our local schools to share their successes and events and created the “Community Spotlight” to share with our readers the people and organizations that help make Westchester/ Playa great. By supporting this publication, not only are you supporting local news, but you’re also helping us support our community. The HomeTown News is proud to sponsor and give back to
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more than 20 community events and programs, including the Fourth of July Parade, the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party, the Teacher Eddy Awards, the Rock Roll & Run and more. It’s also this dedication to our community that makes us proud to have helped launch the Westchester/Playa Arts Committee, the LAX Coastal Education Foundation, the Westchester 75th Anniversary celebration, the Westchester/Playa Historical Society Room and happy to serve on a variety of committees. Our commitment to our readers in 2019 is more community news, more of your friends and neighbors in our pages and new features launching soon. We thank you for your support and welcome your ideas on how to better serve our community and our readers. If you’re curious about something in the community or would like to suggest something for us to feature, please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com. This is your community and your community newspaper! Happy New Year! Sincerely, Stephanie Davis, Publisher, HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Community Spotlight: Rotary gets ready to makeover the Westchester Townhouse Mamai brings healing to Westchester NCWP News In Pictures Looking back at 2018...
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HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer
Rebecca Hill, Secret Recipes of the Inn Kirby Israelson, Graphic Design
Advertisers’ Directory
Airport Marina Counseling 17 Drollinger Properties 06, 16 Food Pantry, LAX 07 Jane St. John 07 Loyola Marymount 04 Marina del Rey Hospital 24 Neighborhood Council 19 Pageant of the Arts 21 Playa Pharmacy 14 Regatta Capital 07 Rock Roll & Run for Education 13 SoCal Sports and Fitness 17
St. Anastasia School St. Jerome School Vergari & Napolitano Visitation School Vistamar Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Westchester Family YMCA Westchester Farmers’ Market Westchester Lutheran School Westchester Town Center BID Westside Pacific Village WISH Charter School Zacha Homes
About The HomeTown News (HTN)
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The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.
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Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
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January 2019 • Page 3
Community Spotlight: Rotary Club readies for February makeover of the Westchester Townhouse After more than 70 years of serving the youth of the community, the Westchester Townhouse will finally get the makeover it deserves courtesy of the Rotary Club of Westchester. Since opening in 1945, the Townhouse, located on Emerson Ave. next to Kentwood Elementary School, has been a hub for youth-focused nonprofit groups, including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, schools and theater group, Music West, who are able to use the space free of charge. Without the budget for upkeep, the Townhouse has had maintenance deferred, leaving the charming space in bad need of upgrades. Looking for the support of the community and to bring awareness to their situation, Townhouse board member and Girl Scout troop leader, Anne-Marie Ross, suggested the group hold its first fundraiser in recent memory last April. The open house style event brought out hundreds to support the Townhouse and as luck would have it, Westchester Rotarians also stopped by. After viewing the space, their wheels starting spinning-the Townhouse would make an excellent location for the club’s next Makeover Project. “They were completely floored when we told them they had been selected,”
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Westchester Rotarians, Warren Bobrow and Tori Hettinger, stand in front of one of the Townhouse’s murals with Townhouse board members, Jaymes Bellous and Ann-Marie Ross. The mural was painted in the 1970s by a local Eagle Scout and will be retouched during the makeover.
said Westchester Rotary Club President Tori Hettinger. “They have been amazing and really easy to work with. This makeover is going to impact so many people in the community.” Every two years, the Westchester Rotary selects a new location for its Makeover Project. In the beginning
the club selected single-family homes, but in recent years the project has focused on community spaces that benefit a large group of people. In 2017, the group renovated Venice’s Safe Place for Youth (SPY), and in 2015, the Westchester Senior Center got a major upgrade. For each makeover,
the Rotary has been able to raise upwards of $100,000 in money and in-kind donations to work their magic. Major contributors of the Makeover Project include the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, the William H. Hannon Foundation and the Westchester Woman’s Club. Being selected for this year’s Makeover Project, which will take place from February 28 through March 3, was a complete shock for Westchester Townhouse President, Jaymes Bellous, and the nonprofit’s volunteer board, which is made up of Townhouse users. “They are so positive and terrific,” says Bellous. “This is such a generous gift. The benefit to the community is huge. They saw what an important resource this is for the community and children.” During the makeover weekend, hundreds of volunteers will make their way to the space to paint, sand, landscape and decorate to help fulfill the Townhouse’s makeover wish list. Hettinger says it will be “all hands on deck” for the project, and that 100% of the club’s members participate in one form or another from swinging hammers to donating to fund the project. (continued on next page)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Makeover (continued)
Westchester Rotarians, sponsors and volunteers cut the ribbon at the unveiling of the new Westchester Senior Center in 2015.
While part of the excitement of the Makeover Project is not letting the recipient know exactly what the Rotary’s plans are, Hettinger says the group’s to-do list includes upgrades to the bathroom to make it wheelchair accessible, installing new doors and floors, adding new cabinetry and putting in new windows. A mural depicting California landscapes that wraps around the interior of the “diamond in the rough space” will also be retouched by local artist and Otis instructor, David Russell. As for what else the Rotary Club has in store, Hettinger remains tight-lipped but ensures that there will be plenty of “fun surprises.” “There isn’t a moment that goes by that we aren’t grateful for what
the Westchester Rotary is doing,” says Bellous who comments that all the positive exposure is giving the space new life. “Our goal is to see the Westchester Townhouse used by the youth of this community every day of the year. This is your townhouse.” For those interested in volunteering during the Makeover Project, the Rotary Club will post sign-ups on their website at rotarywestchester.com. “We are hoping to make the Townhouse a better experience for everyone who uses it,” said Hettinger. “We hope that when everything is updated it will be a much better, vibrant place for everyone to meet.” (continued on page 18)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 5
Business & Nonprofit News
Photo by Greg Dina-Pham.
TheHTN.com
Community members enjoy activities in the Emerson Avenue Community Garden during the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party held in September. The garden hopes to raise $150,000 for a capital improvement campaign that will make the space accessible and add additional lighting and seating areas.
Emerson Avenue Community Garden sets goal to raise money for capital improvements. The Emerson Avenue Community Garden (EACG) is readying to launch a capital campaign to raise money for improvements at the nearly 1-acre plot of land located at Wright STEAM Magnet. Through hard work and dedication, EACG volunteers have transformed what was once a neglected, weed-covered piece of land into a thriving green space with 38 garden/food plots that opened in 2011. The space is also home to a school garden that is used by Wright STEAM and WISH students and staff, a butterfly garden, a California native plant garden and over 50 trees. More than just a green space, the EACG hosts workshops, gardening days and the popular end-of-summer bash, the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party. The EACG is able to use the
The Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey is readying to celebrate a milestone anniversary. The club, which was founded in the 1930s, is made up of a dedicated group of women of all ages and backgrounds who volunteer their time and talent to promote civic, cultural and education efforts in the community. The group supports a variety of nonprofits including, the LAX Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Bob Hope USO at LAX, scholarship programs and more. The club meets 10 times a year in Playa del Rey.
space under a joint user agreement with LAUSD, which requires the nonprofit to make improvements
to the property, including bringing the space into ADA compliance and adding new entry gates. To create a
more park-like atmosphere, the group also plans to add seating areas, create better walking paths, install additional lighting and increase storage. With an ambitious site plan already drawn up, the EACG has set a goal of raising $150,000 in 2019. Once the money is raised, the group anticipates 5-7 months of work to complete all of its planned projects. EACG volunteers are hoping for the community’s support in reaching their fundraising goal. For more information about their capital plan, to share ideas or donate, please visit eacgc.org/capital-plan. 2018 Neighborhood Heroes announced. Every year, Councilmember Mike Bonin recognizes unsung heroes who are working to make the neighborhoods of CD11 great. He announced this year’s honorees
Join us for our Open House on Sunday, January 27th from 10 am to 1 pm St. Jerome School and Parish community welcome you! St. Jerome School opened in 1952 and since then St. Jerome has utilized faith, tradition and a focus on excellence to prepare our students for college - career - and heaven.
St. Jerome School | 5580 Thornburn St., Westchester 310-670-1678 | st-jeromeschool.org Page 6 • January 2019
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
on December 31, and they include: • Charlotte Gunter. Gunter moved to Westchester in 1952 and quickly became involved with the Kentwood Players, Westchester’s local theater company. Over the years, Gunter would appear in or help produce numerous productions for the group. Gunter has also been active with the LAX Coastal Chamber, the Westchester/Playa Historical Society and the fight to stop LAX from expanding closer into Westchester and Playa del Rey. • Shahin Khajavi. For the past 29 years, Khajavi has worked as a LADOT traffic engineer and has brought his enthusiasm for public safety to his neighborhood of Playa Vista. Khajavi
is an active participant at the Playa Vista Parks and Landscape (PVPAL) and homeowner association meetings, where he has advocated for safer crosswalks, new red curb installations and updated signs. • Teresa Kim. As owner of Playa del Rey’s Gordon’s Market, Kim works hard to keep her customers happy and healthy by stocking the neighborhood’s one-stop-shop with everything from alkaline water to organic pet food. The market also serves as a community hub for neighbors to discuss community events and activities. We want to hear about your business or nonprofit! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.
YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX
Emergency Food Distribution to those in need. Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association
Open Tuesday & Friday, 10am-12pm 355 Beach St., Inglewood
Bring donations of non-perishable food to Covenant Presbyterian Chuch. Volunteers and money donations also welcomed and encouraged!
For more information, please call (310) 677-5597 Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 7
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
School News
Photo by Joerg Rose.
TheHTN.com
Get ready to Rock Roll & Run! Sign-ups are now open for the Second Annual Rock Roll & Run for Education presented by the LAX Coastal Education Foundation in partnership with Loyola Marymount University. The event will take place on Saturday, March 9 starting at 8 a.m. on the campus of LMU. This timed fun run (with a music theme) brings together 18 local schools for a festive day of friendly-competition with the proceeds benefiting education. Last year, $60,000 was raised and organizers are hoping to surpass this number in 2019. More than just a race, the community event also features a race expo with community booths, free food, giveaways, live music, a costume Paseo del Rey Natural Sciences Magnet will host a tour on January 10 for prospective families. Pictured: Student scientists use microscopes during a class activity. contest and more. Organizers also say there are a few new additions and Applications sought for arts Attend an open house this month. surprises for the 2019 race. scholarships. Have a talent in the arts? It’s school tour season and The cost to participate in the 5K is The Westchester and Playa Venice numerous local schools are holding $35 for adults and $30 for kids under Sunrise Rotary Clubs are inviting open houses and tours this month. 12. The cost to participate in the 1K local high school students to apply to Attending an open house is a great (for kids 8 and under) is $20. Can’t participate in the Pageant of the Arts way to see if a school is a good fit make it on race day but still want competition. Students with talents in for someone’s family and gives to participate? Sign-up as a virtual the fine arts, dance, music and speech attendees the opportunity to meet with runner for $10, and you can select the are encouraged to apply by Friday, administrators, teachers and parents, school you’d like to support. The race February 1. while touring the campus. company also charges a small fee when A local competition will take place Schools holding tours this month you register online. in February and will be judged by include: To sign-up for this year’s run Rotarians. Two winners in each • Take a tour to learn more about or for more information, please category will then have the chance to Paseo del Rey Natural Sciences Magnet visit laxcoastaledfoundation.com. head to the district competition on Elementary School on Thursday, Questions can also be directed to info@ March 16 at LMU. Scholarships ranging January 10 at 9 a.m. The school is laxcoastaledfoundation.com or from $250 to $1,000 will be awarded at located at 7751 Paseo del Rey St. in (310) 645-5151. the event. Playa del Rey. For more info, please visit Looking to sponsor the event or have For more information or to receive paseomagnet-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com. a booth at the expo? Please email info@ an application, please visit playavenice. • St. Anastasia Catholic School is laxcoastaledfoundation.com for the org or rotary-westchester.com. hosting an open house on Sunday, sponsorship form. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo courtesy Paseo del Rey.
Local elementary school students get ready to run in the 1K at the 2018 Rock Roll & Run for Education at LMU. This year’s race will take place on Saturday, March 9th.
January 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. St. Anastasia is located at 8631 S. Stanmoor Dr. in Westchester. For more info, please visit school.st-anastasia. org. • St. Jerome’s open house is Sunday, January 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Jerome is located at 5580 Thornburn St. in Westchester. For more info, please visit st-jeromeschool.org. • Visitation Catholic School will hold its open house on Wednesday, January 30 at 7 p.m. Visitation is located at 8740 S. Emerson Ave. in Westchester. For more info, please visit visitationschool.org. • Learn more about Vistamar on Saturday, January 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. RSVP at vistamarschool.org/ openhouse. Vistamar is located at 737 Hawaii St. in El Segundo. • WISH is holding three tours this month. The elementary school (colocated on the Wright STEAM campus) will hold a tour on Monday, January 28 at 6 p.m. The school is located at 6550 W. 80th St. in Westchester. The middle school (co-located on the Westchester High campus) will hold tours on Wednesday, January 30 at 6 p.m. The school is located at 7400 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. WISH Academy High School will hold its tour on Tuesday, January 29 at 6 p.m. The school is located at 7400 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester Please visit wishcharter.org/apply for more info or sign up for a tour. Have something to share about your school? We want to hear from you! Email us at westchesterhometown@ yahoo.com to be featured. January 2019 • Page 9
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 11
Clockwise from left: Mamai founder, Sandra Kawahito (left), encourages fellow Pilates instructor, Denise Parker, while she demonstrates a Pilates technique. 2. Acupuncturist Jennifer Haroun performs cupping in the studio. 3. Members of the Mamai team pose in the Westchester studio. 4. Parker demonstrates a difficult Pilates move.
Mamai works to bring wellness to Westchester
Sandra Kawahito is on a journey to help the women (and men) of Westchester heal, strengthen and restore themselves through Pilates, physical therapy, acupuncture and yoga at her boutique wellness center, Mamai. Kawahito found her calling after suffering an injury that caused horrible pain during her third pregnancy. Passionate about sports and fitness, especially soccer, she was given the ok by her doctor to continue her exercise regime, which ended up causing an injury that could have been prevented. Pregnant with her fourth child, she was determined to not suffer the same types of problems and with the recommendation of a friend, she sought out a physical therapist that specialized in women’s health issues and pre- and post-natal care. With the help of the physical therapist and the studio’s wellness team, Kawahito was able to heal from her injuries and felt better than she had before, something she didn’t think was possible after having four pregnancies so close together. Inspired by what she had learned during physical therapy and determined to help others, she became certified in Pilates and began the search for a place to start her own studio where she could share what she had learned with other women. When she saw the words “For Rent” on the corner of Emerson and 80th Street while walking her kids to school, she knew it was a sign and got to work Page 12 • January 2019
creating Mamai. For three months, she worked tirelessly, and used plenty of inspiration from Pinterest, to turn a space that was in desperate need of renovations into a welcoming, calm spa-like environment to serve members of the community on their journeys to health and wellness. At Mamai, it’s all about changing the experience of self care and curating the best plan for each person who walks in the door, explains Kawahito. While all of Mamai’s clients have the shared goal of feeling their best, every body is different. Some seek out Mamai’s services during and after pregnancy to get their bodies in optimal shape, some come for stress relief and some are looking to create a comprehensive wellness plan while they battle medical conditions or pain. Common conditions that Kawahito and her team, which includes Pilates instructor, Denise Parker, acupuncturist, Jennifer Haroun, a physical therapist and a yoga instructor, work to alleviate are diastasis recti, a separation of abdominal muscles that commonly occurs during pregnancy, lower back pain, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. Most sessions are private, while some of the exercise classes can be done as “duets,” and Kawahito says they accept PPO insurance. For those not using insurance, 10-session packs for services are also available. “We have a collaborative approach; everyone comes together to make
the best plan. Most people have an inclination as to what services they are interested in, and we meet them where they are and then steer them to what would be helpful,” said Kawahito. While she founded Mamai to serve women, Kawahito is starting to rethink the way she describes her boutique studio, located across from “Little Von’s,” thanks to the increase in men who are finding value in Mamai’s services. “Our goal was to take care of women and serve Westchester, but now we’re taking care of everyone,” laughs Kawahito. And it’s the little things that make all the difference for her clients who have become a tight-knit community of women supporting women. From opening the studio early or late to accommodate her clients’ busy schedules or moms bringing their newborns to their sessions, to making house calls or offering a variety of healthy snacks for people to nibble on between treatments, the team is dedicated to doing their best to help whoever is in the space reach their goals. “People appreciate all the small little things that add up to a great experience. I want really thoughtful gestures for the people who take the time out of their busy schedules to be here,” said Kawahito. “We go above and beyond for our clients. Every person who comes through the doors we’re excited
to see.” For fellow Westchester mom and acupuncturist, Haroun, Mamai has been a blessing. After suffering a personal health issue and being frustrated with Western medicine, she was able to heal with the help of acupuncture. Inspired by what she experienced, Haroun would go back to school to become an acupuncturist, graduate at the top of her class and ready to pay it forward, all while juggling family obligations and two small children at home. “Westchester is very familyorientated so you come across many people that are trying to find a balance between work and family life, and Mamai helps them do that,” said Haroun. “I have experienced all the services here, so when I refer my clients, I can speak confidently and let them know that they’re going to feel great afterwards.” This month, the studio will celebrate its one year anniversary, and the launch of its new small group class studio. Starting January 7, Mamai will offer ballet barre, mat Pilates, group yoga and “Mamai Taut,” a high-intensity interval training class for groups of up to 10 people. “Come in and experience Mamai and what it has to offer. It is the first step to help you get to optimal wellness and health and get you back on track to feeling your best,” said Haroun. For more information, please visit mamaiwellness.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 13
AMCS can help you start your year on the right foot By Eden Garcia-Balis “Start the new year off on the right foot” sounds cliché, but reflecting on what went well and what didn’t in 2018 and setting personal goals is always a good idea in the new year. Set yourself up for success. Goals should be attainable and good for you. Don’t forget to write them down and share your goals with others because it can help keep you going. Too many of us don’t do enough selfreflection. It’s easy to get caught up in the rat race and in the day-to-day stressors that can consume us. Ask yourself, “What are my personal and professional goals for the year and what do I need to achieve them?” Studies show that mental health is just as important as physical health and should not be neglected. At Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS), we are proud to offer comprehensive mental health services at a low cost. We offer individual, family, couples and group counseling. We are open seven days a week and can accommodate virtually everyone’s schedule. Our groups are very popular too. All of our group offerings change regularly based on the needs of our community. Groups are a way to get support from others, which can be
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AMCS offers a variety of family, couples, individual and group counseling options. Stock photo.
very powerful. Groups can act as a sounding board and some people are surprised at how rewarding the experience can be for personal growth. Regularly talking and listening to others also helps to put your own problems into perspective. It can be a relief to hear others discuss what they are going through and realize you are not alone. Most groups have a specific focus and offer helpful strategies that you can put into practice. Our Mindfulness Group is extremely popular. It is an eight-
week group that is specifically designed to help participants focus on persistent unwanted moods. The focus is on reducing the tendency to overthink, ponder or worry too much about things and the tendency to avoid, suppress or push things away. Participants practice mindfulness during group therapy sessions, which is the ability to bring direct, open-hearted awareness to what you are doing, while you are doing it, moment to moment. These practices have been shown to be effective for depression, anxiety and a wide range
of problems. We recently started a new group called “Know Your Why.” The group works with people that are 50 and older that are having difficulty finding meaning in their life, experiencing physical health problems or experiencing anxiety, depression, or other cognitive difficulties due to existential distress. The group helps participants develop greater awareness of their inner strengths, increase self-compassion and help them stand up to adversity. These are two great groups that can help you reach your goals for 2019. Group therapy sessions are also very economical at AMCS, so there is no financial obstacle to get started. Whether it is a group that might help you meet your goals or individual counseling, AMCS is just a phone call away! Please call (310) 670-1410 and our staff will help you get started. For more info, please visit amcshelps.com and view AMCS’ group offerings on page 17 of the HomeTown News. Eden Garcia-Balis is the CEO of Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) located in Westchester. AMCS’s mission is to offer affordable mental health services, while training mental health therapists.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 15
Random Notes/Opinion
TheHTN.com
Starting small and tracking success can help you succeed in 2019
By Jeff Blair
Opinion: In the middle of 2018, I decided I wanted to run a 5K race by the end of the year. I last ran a race before smart phones were around and maybe even before iPods! I used to run pretty frequently, but for the past decade or more I have focused on weight lifting mixed in with some hiking and walking. On December 15, I completed the Venice-Santa Monica Christmas Run. I was proud! As I was running the race, I realized this experience carried good lessons for anyone starting a fitness journey. 1. I started small. When I was younger, I would have tried to complete a race within 30 days of starting my running program. But after years of encouraging people to “start small and finish big,” I actually took my own advice! I have a lingering hip issue, so I didn’t want to overdo things and get immediately injured. I first walked a little and ran a little. Eventually, I ran one mile without stopping. In many things I
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can be impatient, but for whatever reason, I realized building up my running was going to take time so I enjoyed the journey more than I might have in the past. Eventually, I worked up to running two miles. That was more challenging than I thought it would be. My cardio capacity felt pretty good, but my legs were getting pretty tired toward the end of the two miles. I just kept running a few times per week and slowly my leg endurance improved. I tried to run slightly faster, but not really to the point of being uncomfortable. If my legs were very tired one day, I would take a day off or just walk. I slowly improved. 2. I tracked simple things to stay encouraged. I have found people like to see some progress for their efforts. While the number on the scale is a common goal, there are so many different things we can use. The first thing I tracked was simply running twice per week. To go from zero running days per week to two per week was an achievement for me. It was the right number for me to start. After I was consistent with those two
days, I started to look at my mileage. I tried to build up to running one mile without stopping. Once I made it to one mile, I started to watch my time a little closer. Time is also a very simple metric, and simple is good. When I improved my time, I felt great and that provided motivation to continue. At this point, one thing was building on another in a good way. I was consistently running two days per week and improving my mileage and my time. My weight stayed pretty stable, although I was hopeful to drop a few pounds. I focused on other things and those things kept me moving forward. 3. I ignored the hype and progressed at my own pace. This is a funny one, but I think it was key to my progress. When I started, I knew lots of people doing strenuous obstacle races, half-marathons, marathons and other much more impressive activities than running a 5K race. I would often open up social media and see an extreme athlete doing something amazing. A friend jokingly posted on my social media page, “Real men are running the
10K.” I ignored all that. I have done some extreme physical things in my past and wasn’t interested at this moment; I just wanted to finish and enjoy a 5K and not tweak my hip. It would have been easy to get caught up in comparing or trying to do more than I really wanted to do, but I just quietly followed my little plan to run my little race. I did set a reasonable time goal and just missed that goal, but that is okay. My real goal was to finish a 5K in 2018 with my hip totally intact, and I did exactly that. I can reach faster time goals in my next race. By starting small, tracking simple metrics and progressing at my own pace, I was able to succeed and move to the next stage. Consider incorporating these three tips as you get ready to take on 2019! Jeff Blair (MS) is a certified personal trainer, fitness author and fitness expert. He has worked as a personal trainer in Westchester since 2002. Email jeff@socalsport.com for story comments. *Before you start any fitness routine, please consult your doctor.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Healthy communications can decrease stress By Fay Craton
stop and think about what you were thinking and feeling before the conflict. Were you already upset? Was the Opinion: The other day I was at incident a continuation of something Costco getting a prescription filled. completely unrelated to the conflict? While there, I observed a man who Be aware of how you may take a was upset about needing to wait for bad experience with you into new his prescription beyond the initial wait situations. The process of being aware estimate. He was adamant about not of the pattern will lead to opportunities moving away from the counter and where you can stop carrying the pain blocked the path of another customer and anger forward. attempting to pick up a purchase. The Keep a journal of difficult pharmacy technician requested that he experiences. In the journal record other move away from the counter to protect choices you could have made instead the privacy of other people and he of being confrontational. In your mind, refused. imagine how a different choice might In life we do not always get what have resulted in a different outcome. we want. When was the last time Would the new outcome result in a you experienced a conflict because better life experience? Write down your someone else was not agreeing with observations. You may wish to note in what you desired? Did you become your journal how you felt during the frustrated? In your frustration did you initial experience compared to how say things to belittle another person? your feelings would have changed as a Or, did you do something to try to result of your imagined different choice. control the situation to force someone Sometimes people are afraid to be the to do what you wanted? Afterward, was first person to stop being nasty. The your life better because of the verbal or physical exchange? Most likely, after the belief is they become less powerful in the relationship. The truth is negative confrontation you still were not feeling behavior does not give a person more happy and content. Conflict settles in power or increased status. Yelling or your body, increases stress, sours your enjoyment of the day, and, if prolonged, insulting someone does not improve personal value. Bad behavior creates can make you ill. distance and the feeling of decreased In great likelihood after a conflict, personal value. You can be the first the next irritation you experience to change behavior without losing will lead to another unsatisfactory outcome. Usually, the more you attempt personal stature. At the beginning of each day, set an to seize control, the more conflict intention to be more pleasant. If you and unsatisfactory exchanges you slip up and do something rude because will experience. Navigating through of not getting what you want, stop and life by being confrontational leads to acknowledge in your own mind that you others having little regard for you. slipped. Immediately set the intention Performance at work or at school again and start over. deteriorates under the constant stress. Good relationships are the result of Relationships cannot thrive in endless healthy communication and respect. conflict. The longer the pattern of They require each person making an contrary behavior continues, the more effort to care about the needs and unsatisfactory your life experience will feelings of significant others. Caring be. includes listening to what someone Being around someone who is else is saying and paying attention to always confrontational is very difficult what the other person needs. Difficult and leads to stress. Too often, people relationships can improve, but it may attempt to deal with nasty behavior by require obtaining assistance to change being offensive in return. Spitefulness behaviors. can be a never-ending spiral where My wish for you is to experience nobody wins. contact with others in a way which The question becomes, how do you results in you feeling good about pull yourself out of the pattern? First yourself. Healthy communication you need to want to change. Do you can decrease stress, can help heal see a benefit to being around people emotional pain and can improve your who are respectful to each other? Do ability to concentrate on tasks. You are you want to be treated pleasantly? valuable and that value becomes easier Would you like to have less stress in your life? What are you gaining by for others to see when you engage in continuing to be confrontational to respectful interactions. others? Would your life improve if you Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed reduce the amount of conflict you are Marriage and Family Therapist experiencing? (mfc40011), which is the psychology Reducing conflict requires making license specializing in relationships (with a very conscious choice to change ourselves or with others), and she has an how you behave. Initially it starts by office in Westchester. For more info, visit simply paying attention to when you communicationtriangle.com or contact experience conflict. After the event, her at (310) 645-6762. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 17
Photo by Tom Caufield.
Recipes from the Inn: recipe contest winner, breakfast burritos By Rebecca Hill, Innkeeper Last month, we announced the Inn at Playa del Rey was holding a recipe contest and that the winner would receive an all-inclusive, one-night stay at the Inn. To kick off the new year, we’re delighted to share with you that our winner is Hometown News reader, Dana Adamson! Dana submitted a recipe called “Mrs. Bentle’s Breakfast Burritos.” Dana told us this recipe holds a special place in her heart as she recalled, “One winter morning we drove my father home from an extended stay at the hospital. When we arrived home, we walked into a cold house and an empty refrigerator. Within minutes, our neighbor, Mrs. Bentle, appeared at our door holding a tray of the most amazing breakfast burritos we had ever tasted.” Dana shared, “My mom loves these burritos because of all the veggies. My kids love them because they can grab one and eat it on the run. My husband loves them because he’s never met a burrito he didn’t love--waking up to Mexican food is a dream come true for him! And I love them because they bring back that warm and fuzzy feeling I had the first time I tasted them.” We made Mrs. Bentle’s Breakfast Burritos at the Inn, and our guests loved them too! The guests first started
Top the breakfast burritos with salsa and avocado for a delicious meal any time of the day.
coming by the kitchen to ask what we were making when they smelled the onions and garlic sautéing. By the time we emerged with a plate of breakfast burritos, the guests were definitely ready to help us with our “taste test.” Mrs. Bentle’s Breakfast Burritos received a thumbs up across the board from the Inn’s guests and quickly emerged as the winner of our recipe contest! As we head into the new year, I hope the world will be filled with the kindness Mrs. Bentle showed Dana’s family and that 2019 will overflow with an abundance of inspired thought, thoughtful actions and choices made from a place of hope, curiosity and courage.
From our kitchen to yours, here’s Mrs. Bentle’s Breakfast Burritos recipe. Happy New Year, y’all! Mrs. Bentle’s Breakfast Burritos • 1 large onion thinly sliced • 1/2 lb. of mushrooms sliced • 1 large green pepper cut in thin strips • 2 medium carrots cut thin • 4 medium zucchinis cut in 1/2 in. slices • 2 large diced tomatoes • 2 Tbs. olive oil • 2 cloves of garlic minced • 1.7 ounce can diced green chilis • 1 small can sliced black olives • 1 Tsp. chili powder • 1/2 Tsp. cumin • 1/2 Tsp. oregano leaves • 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of shredded jack cheese • 6 eggs Directions: 1. Pour 2 Tbs. of olive oil in a 12” frying pan. Add onion, 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté. 2. Add mushrooms, green peppers, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, can of diced green chilis and 1 small can of sliced black olives drained. 3. Add 1 Tsp. chili powder and 1/2 Tsp. each of ground cumin and oregano leaves. 4. Bring veggie mixture to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 5. Mix the two cheeses together. Stir half the mixture of cheese in the cooked vegetables. 6. Put the vegetable mixture into a baking dish with the remaining cheese on top. 7. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. 8. While the mixture is baking, scramble six eggs until cooked light and fluffy. 9. Scoop vegetable mixture and scrambled eggs onto flour tortillas. 10. Fold and serve with avocado, sour cream and your favorite salsa. Yum! Rebecca Hill is an innkeeper at the Inn at Playa del Rey and a published writer. Her stories have appeared in Redbook magazine and in over a dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.
Makeover (continued)
The Westchester Townhouse will mark the Rotary Club of Westchester’s seventh Makeover Project. Here’s a look back at some of their other makeovers: 2006: The Rotary Club made over the home of LMU professor Scott Odom, who had been battling cancer for years. With the high cost of treatment, many home improvements had to be deferred until the Rotary Club stepped up to paint, put in new carpets, remodel the kitchen and provided all new furniture, while the family was treated to a trip to Disneyland. The beloved family man and professor lost his brave battle with cancer the following year. 2008: The Hunts were the club’s second makeover family. At the age of just 46, Jackie Hunt suffered a stroke leaving her wheelchairbound and struggling to do things many take for granted, including navigating her home. Also suffering from a genetic eye disease that was causing blindness, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Hunt to enjoy her home. With the help of more than 130 volunteers and workers, the club was able to install a wheelchair ramp, a handicap-accessible bathroom, add new flooring, paint and build a deck for the family to be able to enjoy the backyard together. 2011: While Gloria Dresser was Page 18 • January 2019
treated to a trip to Hawaii to visit her daughter, Rotarians made quick work of installing a new roof, repairing water damage, putting in new windows, renovating the kitchen and decorating the house with new furniture. Dresser, who grew up in Westchester and has cerebral palsy, was left speechless when she returned home from her vacation and saw the upgrades Rotary had made. 2013: After the devastating loss of the Ricks’ family patriarch, Rotary came in to help make improvements to the house with new flooring, a redesigned kitchen, new landscaping and paint. 2015: For its fifth project, the club set its focus on the Westchester Senior Center. With the goal of creating a welcoming place for seniors and community groups, the club was able to give the facility a $100,000 face-lift that included a remodeled kitchen, new furniture, refinished floors, a new walkway and more. 2017: During the club’s most ambitious project to date, Venice’s Safe Place for Youth (SPY) received a remodeled interior to accommodate new office space, a roof over an outdoor space, a new fence, paint and more. SPY, which helps more than 1,000 homeless youths annually, also received funds for classes and an internship program.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 19
Calendar Ongoing monthly events: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club every Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. for its weekly meeting. The club meets at Whiskey Red’s, located at 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more info, please visit playavenice.org.
Rotary Club of Westchester The Rotary Club of Westchester meets every Wednesday at 12 noon for lunch at the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel, located at 5985 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester. The cost of lunch is $25 and validated self-parking is free. Guests are most welcome! Reservations are not required. For more information or to reserve a seat at the luncheon, please visit rotary-westchester.com.
Life Story Writing Class Who will tell your great-grandkids about your life growing up? Why not you? Join the life story writing class and learn techniques to make memories come alive. The life story writing group meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. The cost to participate is $10 a year. For more info, please email Sonni at sonnihelmer@sbcglobal.net. Please indicate “Life Stories” as the subject.
Toastmasters by the Sea Club Improve your skills for speaking in public at Toastmasters by the Sea’s weekly speaking workshops. The club meets every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon. Speakers by the Sea meets at 12000 Vista del Mar in Conf. Room 230A in Playa del Rey. Entrance is one light south of Imperial Hwy. and Hyperion Way on Vista del Mar; photo ID is required. For more info, please contact ToastmastersSpeakersByTheSea@ gmail.com.
January events: Red Cross Blood Drive The Real Estate Consultants are hosting a community Red Cross blood drive on Friday, January 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To sign-up, please visit
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TheHTN.com redcrossblood.org and use code TREC. The blood drive will take place at 7151 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. For more info, please email trec. blooddrive@gmail.com or call (310) 846-0022.
LAX Dunes Clean-Up The Bay Foundation and The Friends of LAX Dunes invite you to their monthly clean-up at the LAX Dunes on Saturday, January 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. The LAX Dunes are the largest remaining fragment of the El Segundo Dunes complex, and they provide a habitat for over 900 species, some of which cannot be found anywhere else on Earth! Thousands of volunteers have removed acres of non-native vegetation such as iceplant and Russian thistle at this site. Please join them and experience why this place is so special! Visit santamonicabay.org/events to sign up and for other volunteer opportunities.
Otis College Extension Program Open House Sunday, January 6, from 1 to 3 p.m., Otis College of Art and Design will host an open house for its extension program. The extension program offers a wide range of classes for students of all ages, including kids, in skill levels from beginning to advanced. At the event, attendees can meet with instructors and program representatives, see student work, tour the facilities, attend a Digital Media Arts and Graphic Design presentation and more. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Otis College is located at 9045 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester. For more information, please visit otis.edu/extension/open-house.
NCWP Annual Community Dinner You’re invited to the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa’s (NCWP) annual Community Dinner on Tuesday, January 8 at 6:30 p.m. The potluck will take place at the Westchester Senior Center, located at 8740 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester. The dinner is in lieu of the group’s regular monthly meeting. Food, drinks and dessert will be provided by the NCWP, and the dinner is an opportunity to meet your neighbors, as well as the members of the NCWP board. Attendees are asked to bring their ideas to share with the NCWP representatives.
For more information, please visit ncwpdr.org.
Soups & Stews Cooking Class Ready to kick off the new year with some new, light and healthy recipes? Join Fresh Food in a Flash for their annual Soups, Stews and Bread cooking class taking place on Thursday, January 10 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The class is held at the Holy Nativity Community Hall, located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester. During the class, students will learn how to make fresh-made vegetable stock, carrot parsnip soup, Moroccanspiced chickpea and noodle soup, garlic knots and more. After cooking, the class will enjoy a meal together. The class fee is $60 when you reserve by January 7 and $70 thereafter if space is available. To reserve your spot, email Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash. com.
“Our Town” at Westchester Playhouse Reserve your tickets now for the next play at the Westchester Playhouse, “Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder. Opening night is Friday, January 11 with performances through February 16. The play runs on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning classic, “Our Town,” comes to the Kentwood stage with a dramatic restaging. The residents of the small town of Grover’s Corners remain as universal and timeless as when they first appeared on stage in 1938. Whether this is your first or tenth visit to “Our Town,” don’t miss this special opportunity to experience what has been called “the great American play.” Reserved seat tickets are $22 with a $2 discount for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, please call (310) 645-5156 during box office hours or visit kentwoodplayers.org. Performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester.
Community Bread Oven & Pizza Bake Day Join your neighbors at Holy Nativity for their upcoming wood-fired community pizza and bread oven day scheduled for Saturday, January 12. Now in its fourth year of operation, the giant earthen oven was built by volunteers who gather monthly to bake pizza and bread, while building
community. Attendees are invited to bring their own pizza dough and toppings for the 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. pizza bake on the 800° wood-fired hearth where pizzas cook in minutes. Serious bread heads turn out lovely loaves from 2 to 4 p.m. as the oven stabilizes for optimum bread temperatures. The bakes happen on the second Saturday of every month (unless it’s raining) at Holy Nativity, located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester.
NCWP Planning and Land Use Meeting Interested in learning more about development in the area? The community is encouraged to attend the monthly Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa’s (NCWP) Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) meetings. The committee meets the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 Manchester Ave. in Westchester. This month’s meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15. Every month, the committee hears a variety of presentations ranging from city employees informing PLUC on hot topic issues, developers looking to build in Westchester/Playa or new businesses looking to open in the area. Agendas for upcoming meetings are available at ncwpdr.org/pluc when ready. Those interested can also sign up to receive the PLUC agendas automatically at ncwpdr.org/user/ register by creating a user account and subscribing to email alerts from any NCWP committee.
LMU Wine Classic If you love wine, there’s no better place to be this month than at the 38th Annual LMU Wine Classic Fundraiser. The event, which raises money for LMU student scholarships, will feature more than 40 of California’s top wineries and more than 150 wines. Staff from participating wineries will also be on hand to share their wine expertise. The event takes place on Sunday, January 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $90 until January 20 and $115 thereafter. The event will be held on the campus of LMU in the Gersten Pavilion, located at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit giving.lmu.edu/ wineclassic.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester troop welcomes newest Eagle Scout Late last year, Westchester Boy Scout Troop 716’s Daniel Picard completed his Eagle Scout project at the Centinela Adobe. Over two weekends, Daniel and his team of 24 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and parent volunteers sanded, stained, sealed and repaired two benches, a table, a rocking chair and a small trolley at the historic site. Daniel has lived in Westchester’s Osage area his entire life and wanted to do an Eagle project in his immediate neighborhood. He contacted the Historical Society of Centinela Valley Daniel holds a plaque he helped refurbish for and met with president, Diane Samhis Eagle Scout Project at the Adobe. brano, to discuss possible projects. Anastasia from kindergarten through Daniel then wrote up and presented eighth grade. He is a past member a proposal to the Historical Society of Westchester Cub Scout Pack 824 board for approval. He raised funds (1st-5th grades) and has been with for his project at the Adobe’s Annual Fiesta in September and discussed his Troop 716 since 6th grade. His other interests include computer programproject with interested attendees. ming, gaming, robotics and history. Daniel extends thanks to Gabi The Centinela Adobe is located at Maalouf who donated lunch for the 7634 Midfield Ave. Tours take place work day and to Greg Wiacek who on Sundays between 2 and 4 p.m. or arranged to have a metal piece fabby appointment. Its annual festivities ricated for the bench repair. Daniel include a BBQ in June and the Fiesta is also the Den Chief for Cub Scout Pack 824, and several members came in September. Troop 716 meets Tuesdays at out to help him on his project. Special the Westchester United Methodist thanks to Mr. Stamatio and Mr. MarChurch. Interested in visiting the tin for bringing out Pack 824. troop? Please email troop716bsa@ Daniel is currently a junior at gmail.com. Loyola High School. He attended St.
Deadline to submit an application for the local competition is February 1, 2019 and February 16, 2019 for the District Competition. LOCAL COMPETITION To be held early February Location TBD
DISTRICT COMPETITION Saturday, March 16, 2019 Cash Prize: $1,000, $500, and $250! Loyola Marymount University 1 LMU Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045
Please visit our website for more information: rotary-westchester.com or playavenicesunrise.org If you would like to participate or have any questions: Call Gwen Vuchsas at (310) 963-9494 or email gvuchsas@secoteam.com
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2019 • Page 21
In Pictures
Photo by Robert Macaisa/LMU.
TheHTN.com
From left to right: 1. The Westchester Family YMCA started 2018 with a focus on offering more holistic wellness options to their members, realizing that well-being and good health is more than just physical progress, but also mental and spiritual. 2. At their January Community Dinner, the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa presented Julie Zaller (second from right) and Edward Lofton (right) with Community Leadership Awards for their dedication to the area. 3. Parts of LMU were covered with yarn that was knitted, crocheted, sewed, weaved and felted as part of an art installation titled, A Piece of Me, at the beginning of the year.
Looking back at 2018, there’s a lot of positive moments to reflect on in the Westchester/Playa/Marina area. One thing that sticks out to us is all of the great collaborations that took place last year. When the community works together anything is possible, and thanks to hard working volunteers, the year was full of dynamic events that benefited schools and nonprofits, new public art and fresh ideas that will come to fruition this year. We truly are better together! Here’s a look back at some of our favorite stories and happenings in 2018 in pictures. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2019!
Photos courtesy WPNS.
From left to right: 1. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club gave out 70 grants totaling more than $17,000 at its annual Teacher Mini Grant awards breakfast. 2. On February 18, Visitation Church celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special mass and community celebration that featured games, food and entertainment.
Photos by Venice Paparazzi.
From left to right: 1. After almost 40 years in the same location, Westchester Parents’ Nursery School looked for the community’s help to find a new location. 2. Sir Richard Branson became the newest member of the Flight Path Aviation Walk of Fame after being inducted at a March ceremony at Westchester’s Flight Path Museum. 3. The LAX Coastal Education Foundation hosted the inaugural Rock Roll & Run for Education 5K/1K at LMU in March and raised $60,000 for local education.
From left to right: 1. The HomeTown News honored three super moms for their outstanding dedication to their families, careers and community in the May edition. 2. Westport Heights Elementary School received a new mural thanks to the help of the Westchester Rotary in May. 3. On May 9, more than 350 teachers, administrators, business leaders and community members came together to celebrate 21 outstanding educators at the annual Teacher Eddy Awards. Page 22 • January 2019
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo by Angela Clouse.
Photo courtesy Westchester Rotary.
Photo by Ballerini Cooley Studios.
From left to right: 1. Playa del Rey’s Clean Aesthetic honored Playa del Rey’s laid-back beach vibe, its landmarks, its people and charm with an art show called “Locals Only” in April. 2. Westchester mom, Melissa Wessely, shared her vision for her line of crispy, creamy Super Pop bars. 3. NBC4 Weathercaster and comedian, Fritz Coleman, was presented with the Champion of Mental Health Award, while the HomeTown News received the Community Builder Award, at AMCS’ Spring Gala in April.
Photo courtesy Tonyps.com. Photo by Angela Clouse.
From left to right: 1. The Limerick, Ireland Chamber of Commerce welcomed a delegation from the LAX Coastal Chamber on Friday, May 18 with a luncheon held at the city’s Hunt Museum. 2. “Sunset Vestige,” a temporary public art piece reminiscent of the glow of a California sunset, wowed visitors to Burton Chace Park over the summer. 3. Westchester resident and Marina del Rey restaurateur, Tony Palermo, received the Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Restaurant Association’s L.A. Chapter in June.
Photo by Angela Clouse.
From left to right: 1. LMU presented its inaugural season of Shakespeare on the Bluff with performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Othello.” 2. Otis College and LAX partnered for the “100percentLA” campaign, which featured student artwork in the airport’s terminals. 3. County Supervisor Janice Hahn and hundreds of local business leaders celebrated the installation of Ryan Gales as the new chair of the LAX Coastal Chamber at the organization’s Installation Gala in June.
Photos by Annette Buhl.
From left to right: 1. Otis instructor, David Russell, in a collaboration with Karen Dial of Drollinger Properties, created a new mural in the Westchester Business District that pays homage to the community. 2. Animal enthusiasts and their four-legged friends flocked to the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace on June 24 to celebrate the organization’s one year anniversary. 2. The community came together for the 19th annual Fourth of July Parade, which had the theme “Cities Across America.”
From left to right: 1. A group of Playa del Rey residents and local business leaders announced plans to add a little beauty to the community with a new public art project focusing on the “Earldom stairs.” 2. The HomeTown News helped recognize the best of the community with its 7th annual Best Of poll with Flowers by Felicia taking home “Best Florist.” 3. The 3rd annual WAM Block Party brought together music, art and community while raising money for the Emerson Avenue Community Garden on September 15.
From left to right: 1. Otis College of Art & Design turned 100 on September 30 and celebrated the momentous occasion with an on-campus party. 2. Playa Vista resident, Trevor Daley, was honored with the Sunrise Community Service Award by the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club in October. 3. Seventeen local schools participated in the HomeTown News’ annual Spotlight on Education edition in November, which gives schools free space to share about their campuses, programs and goals. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News