Westchester/Playa HomeTown News April 2019 edition

Rendering courtesy LAWA.

D e cAPRIL e m b e r4, 6 , 2019 2 018

What’s next at LAX . . . page 8 The Automated People Mover makes its way across Century Blvd. in this artist’s rendering of the project coming in 2023.

Last chance to nominate a Super Mom!

. . . page 10

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

This Month Brings You

help you prom help you prom nization or even nization or even A look inside your HTN

Community Spotlight: Local students participate in the inaugural Westchester Spelling Bee 04 In your hometown with...

12 nd 22-23 In Pictures: 2 Annual Rock Roll & Run

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor

Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer

Kirby Israelson, Graphic Design Consuelo Israelson, Contributing Writer

Advertisers’ Directory

Airport Marina Counseling 16, 21 SoCalGas 14 Cedars-Sinai 02 SoCalSport 16 Drollinger Properties 09, 17 VIP Program 17 Food Pantry, LAX 18 Visitation School 11 Head to Toe Salon 18 Westchester Family YMCA 03, 07 Jane St. John 09 Westchester Farmers’ Market 20 LAWA

20 Westchester Lutheran School 18, 23 Loyola Marymount 04 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Marina del Rey Hospital 24 Westside Pacific Village 17 Neighborhood Council 15 WISH Charter School 10 Project Scientist 05 Zacha Homes 19 Sarlo Income Tax 07

act us for rates and act us for rates and About The HomeTown News (HTN)

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.

hesterhometo hesterhometo Connect with the HTN:

Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn

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April 2019 • Page 3

Community Spotlight: Local students take the stage at inaugural Westchester Spelling Bee Thirty six second-graders lined up in anticipation to participate in the Inaugural Westchester Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 28 at Westchester Lutheran School.

The students had been practicing for over a month for the competition, which aimed to promote a growth mindset and create a platform for local schools to collaborate, something that has been sorely lacking in the community, according to WISH mom and spelling bee co-organizer, Stephanie Rosen.

“I love that we came together as a community for the spelling bee. I got to know teachers, principals and parents from other schools. I’m very grateful to everyone who participated and helped with this vision I had,” said Rosen. “It made us a stronger community, and the kids were pretty amazed by what they can do.”

The idea for the spelling bee sprung out of Rosen’s work as a tutor. When she saw that her students were struggling with spelling because they rely on spell-check, she went to her daughter’s second-grade teacher to encourage including it in the students’ word work curriculum. Soon, little spelling challenges became part of classroom activities and the idea to

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Paseo del Rey Elementary School (top) and Westchester Lutheran School students and teachers (below) pose for photos after the community’s inaugural spelling bee.

contact other schools for an official Spelling Bee was born.

Rosen reached out to Westchester Lutheran School (WLS) and was able to secure the help of Principal Emily Ingistov, who offered to host the event, as well as WLS parent, Lory Sarlo who came on board as the co-chair. Sarlo, who is also a member of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation, brought the idea to the board, which was eager to support the new event and encourages people to reach out with new ideas and partnership opportunities.

The foundation agreed to sponsor dictionaries for all the participants, as well as prizes for the winners.

“We were so happy to host the first community spelling bee at Westchester Lutheran School. I thought it was a wonderful event giving children in our community an opportunity to learn, compete and build upon their spelling skills together,” said Ingistov. “And if you didn’t know how to spell ‘hippopotamus,’ you’re not alone.

With a growth mindset, we can all learn how to spell that word.”

When they heard about the event, Open Magnet Charter and Paseo del

(continued on next page)

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Rey Elementary School quickly jumped on board to participate. A few schools weren’t able to attend this year due to scheduling, but were interested in competing next year.

Students were given a list of 100 words to practice for the spelling bee. Some teachers made practicing part of a mandatory homework assignment, while other schools made it optional, with students volunteering to give up their lunch breaks to study and compete in practice rounds.

When it came time for the competition at Westchester Lutheran, students were called up on stage one at a time and given words by moderator Dr. Darin Earley, head of the LMU Family of Schools. During the first two rounds of the bee, students were asked to spell words from their practice list.

As the third round began, more than 50% of the students remained, bravely prepared to spell words they hadn’t practiced in front of a packed crowd. Heading up to the podium in rapid succession, students were faced with words like “illustration,” “cinnamon,” “gymnastics” and “memorization,” leaving audience members on the edge of their seats, as students carefully articulated the words presented to them. Silent applause met the students who made it to the next round, and a few tears were shed by those disappointed they misspelled their word by a letter or two.

“I was thrilled to see these kids have the courage to get up in front of a group of strangers and be willing to take a risk and fail,” said Rosen. “For these kids at 8-yearsold to be able to do what they did was spectacular.”

In the end, three students from Open Magnet Charter School swept the

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

competition, taking first, second and third place. The winning students were presented with gift cards and all of the students who participated received gift bags.

“I’m feeling proud of myself and I’m feeling great,” said first place winner Aayansh Sharma.

“It was hard studying, but I made it through.”

Added his mother Manju Sharma, “Thank you so much to all the organizers who put in the effort and the teachers who spent extra time with the kids to practice. I’m proud of all the kids who participated and made it through. I think that these collaborative efforts from different schools should happen more often. It brings all of us together and brings the opportunity to have the kids’ confidence boosted.”

With the success of the inaugural spelling bee, organizers are hoping to hold another event next year, with even more schools participating. The ed foundation is also looking into the feasibility of an area-wide science fair to promote even more school collaboration.

“I was very proud of every child that got up there. They were all winners,” said Rosen.

“They got a chance to stretch their boundaries and that’s what it was all about—a bigger sense of what they can do and showing them how incredible they are. As a parent and an educator, it really filled my heart to see these kids be their best selves and show up and try.”

From top: 1. Open Magnet students celebrate after the spelling bee. 2. Spelling bee champions, Aayansh S. (center), Hannah W. (left) and Olivia W. (right), took home first, second and third, and received a gift card for their efforts. 3. WISH second-graders show off their Bananagrams gift bags, which contained the popular game courtesy of local business owner Jeff DeLarme, a dictionary courtesy of the ed foundation and more.

April 2019 • Page 5

Business & Nonprofit News

Photo courtesy Ballet Beyond Borders.

TheHTN.com

A dancer from South Korea participates in the Ballet Beyond Borders event in Montana last year. The dance competition and international cultural exchange is coming to Westchester this August.

Twenty three candidates vie for 14 Neighborhood Council seats.

The applications are in and 23 community members will be looking for your votes to win a seat on the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa (NCWP) come election day in June. The seats represent a variety of residential districts and community interests. In order to be eligible to run, the candidates had to submit an application to the city clerk and prove they lived, worked, owned property or represented a community group in the Westchester/Playa area.

This year’s candidates include: Playa del Rey seats: • Residential District 1: Michele Cooley-Strickland and Sally Hughes.

• Residential District 3: Zach Siglow and Thomas Patriarca.

Westchester seats: • Residential District 5: Vatche Zetjian, Trevor Candler and Andrew Watkins.

• Residential District 7: Alan Quon and Sylvia Wilson.

• Residential District 9: Cord Thomas.

• Residential District 11: Dennis Miller and Daniel Bianca.

• Income Property Seat: Paula Gerez.

• Religious Director: Sue Fisher.

• Senior Citizen Director: Naomi Waka.

• At-Large Director (two seats available): Benjamin D’Angelo, Patric Thomas, Garrett Smith, Michael Festa, Kimberly Fox, Matthew Parrish, Ed Stapleton and Al Hernandez.

There are no candidates running for the District 13 and 15 seats, as well as the Playa Vista Business Seat.

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dance festival, Ballet Beyond Borders.

The event has become a success in Missoula, Montana where it was founded, which also happens to be the second home of Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation President Karen Dial. Always looking to bring new arts and cultural events to the area, she convinced the event’s organizers to bring Ballet Beyond Borders to her hometown of Westchester.

Photo by Mike Harriel.

Longtime NCWP board members Pat Lyon, who currently heads the Planning and Land Use Committee, and the council’s president, Cyndi Hench, are not seeking reelection.

The election will be held on Sunday, June 2 in the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 Manchester Ave. in Westchester from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, please visit ncwpdr.org.

The LAX Coastal Chamber recently released its annual magazine guide to the community. This year’s cover story, “Location, Location, Location: From Local Real Estate to Industry Trends in the Golden State,” features statistics from state-wide studies, insights from local power brokers and an in-depth analysis of fluctuating trends. Pictured: Local real estate agents pose at a new build in Westchester. From left to right: Stephanie Younger, Chad Cole, Jack Davis, Olivia Patterson Ryans, Joel Vendette, Phil Gilboy, Jane St. John and Nanci Edwards.

Save the date: Ballet Beyond Borders!

A new event is coming to Westchester! This August, Westchester will help host the 5th annual international cultural exchange and

The event will bring together accomplished artists from more than 25 countries for an international competition, with dancers showing off their skills in a variety of genres from ballet to hip hop and everything in

between. All ages and demographics are represented in the competition and the community is encouraged to become immersed in engaging topics and performances that are open to the public.

Another important component of Ballet Beyond Borders is hosting workshops and special events on relevant global topics like human rights, justice and peace to foster understanding between cultures and helping identify shared values.

Ballet Beyond Borders will take place August 7-10. The dance portion of the event will be held at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. On Saturday, August 10, the community is invited to attend the free “Creative Crossroads: Cultural Diplomacy in a Changing World” conference taking place at Loyola Marymount University.

Stay tuned for more details!

LAX Coastal Education Foundation announces STEM grant opportunity.

The LAX Coastal Education Foundation is now accepting applications for STEM grants from local K-12 schools in the foundation’s footprint, which includes Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey. The grants are funded through a partnership with SoCalGas and seek to aid programs and activities that support STEM initiatives, especially those that focus on energy and sustainability.

Applications can be obtained by emailing info@laxcoastaledfoundation. com and are due by Wednesday, April 10 at 5 p.m.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

WPV member, Peggy Wolter, and driver Stephen Costido, try out the organization’s new van.

WPV receives new vehicle to help seniors get around town.

Westchester’s Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) recently added an ADA compliant van to its list of services to help transport its clients to and from their appointments. The Westchester nonprofit, a volunteerdriven organization that helps older adults maintain their independence and age in-place, was able to purchase the van thanks to a $159,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration and L.A. Metro.

Transportation is WPV’s most requested service, and it already provides rides to seniors in the community through its robust volunteer driving program, allowing members to maintain their independence while still reaching

their appointments on time.

“The need for reliable, trustworthy transportation options for older residents is critical. Members of WPV are able to get rides to medical appointments, hair salons, bible study groups and many other activities that are important in their lives,” said Executive Director of Operations, Carol Kitabayashi. “Not only will it allow us to provide rides in a more fuel efficient manner, but more importantly, will create opportunities for our members to cultivate positive social experiences with each other.”

To learn more about Westside Pacific Villages, visit thewpv.org.

We want to hear about your business or nonprofit! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

April 2019 • Page 7

Renderings courtesy LAWA.

An artist’s rendering of what the APM will look like as it makes its way through LAX and passes the Theme Building. The APM is expected to be ready for travelers in 2023.

What’s next at the airport? Groundbreaking of APM project kicks off transformation at LAX Last month, Mayor Eric Garcetti was on hand to break ground on the Automated People Mover (APM), ushering in a new era at LAX. The $4.9 billion APM project, an electric elevated train connecting travelers to the airport, is the largest contract ever awarded in L.A. history and is expected to create more than 2,000 construction jobs.

LINXS is the joint venture selected by LAWA to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the project.

The APM is the centerpiece of the airport’s Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), which includes plans for a Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility, roadway improvements and the creation of the Intermodal Transportation Facility (ITF) West. The goal of LAMP is to relieve congestion in and around the airport, improve the airport experience for travelers and connect the airport to regional transportation. When completed, the APM will connect with L.A. Metro’s light rail system. Aiming to improve traffic conditions around LAX couldn’t come at a better time for the neighborhood, as Sepulveda, Century and Westchester Parkway are often backed up with cars trying to get into the airport, which was recently named the fourth busiest in the world and the second busiest in the U.S. More than 87.5 million passengers traveled through LAX in 2018, an increase of 3.5 percent from the previous year.

“Connecting Metro rail with the airport is going to be a game-changer for travelers and for the people I represent who live near LAX,” said Councilmember Mike Bonin at the March 14 event. “This project will take cars off of the road and improve the passenger experience by giving people a convenient, fast and viable alternative to driving. This is great for the traveling Page 8 • April 2019

Travelers will be able to be picked up or dropped off at the ITF-West to get on the train headed to LAX 24/7, 365 days a year starting in 2023. The trip will take approximately 10 minutes.

public, great for airport neighbors, and it’s the next big step in moving Los Angeles and our airport forward.”

Once completed in 2023, passengers heading to the airport will be able to take the APM from one of three stations--the ITF-West, the Airport Metro Connector for the Crenshaw/ LAX and Green Lines or the Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility. With some of the stations opening before the APM is completed, shuttles will be available to transport travelers to and from LAX until it is online. For local residents, the ITF-West is expected to be a popular option for picking up and dropping off friends and family interested in using the train. That station will also have 5,000-square-feet of concessions and long- and short-term parking. Those not interested in using the APM will still be able to pick up and drop off family and friends by driving into the airport’s central terminal area (CTA).

Once on the APM, passengers will travel to LAX along a 2.25 mile elevated

guideway. Each train will have the capacity to hold 200 passengers (in four cars) and will arrive every two minutes.

The free ride will last 10 minutes end to end, providing passengers with the ability to know how long it will take to reach their terminal, as the train travels up to 47 mph above 96th St. before crossing over Century Blvd. and into the airport. With a max capacity of 10,000 passengers an hour, an estimated 30 million people a year will use the APM when it becomes operational. In comparison, the airport’s CTA has a capacity of 6,000 cars per hour, which can create a drive time up to 45 minutes to make it through LAX’s central loop.

Once travelers arrive at the airport at one of three open air stations, moving sidewalks will take people to their terminals quickly. Travelers will also be able to view real-time flight information, enjoy public art and have an elevated view of the iconic Theme Building.

“As we put shovels in the ground

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del

for the Automated People Mover project, we now have within sight, the monumental transformation of LAX that will take shape over the next four years,” said LAWA CEO Deborah Flint at the groundbreaking. “We celebrate this important milestone in the construction of our elevated train system, share our gratitude to our myriad partners who are making this project possible and commit to delivering an exceptional project that will provide great benefit to our guests, the local community and the over 55,000 employees working at LAX.” With all the changes and construction going on in and around LAX for the project, expect traffic to get worse before it can get better in the streets surrounding the airport.

To stay informed about traffic advisories and intermittent lane closures, LAMP Director of Communications, Stephanie Sampson, encourages people to sign-up for updates at flylax.com/connectinglax.

“We want to make sure the community feels engaged in this modernization and feels engaged in the overall development of the airport to make it a world class experience.

We don’t want to just do outreach,” said Sampson. “We want to have a relationship with our community and our stakeholders and make sure they know they’re important to us and that we’re addressing any issues or concerns they have, while also getting them excited about the future of LAX.” The community is invited to attend the first LAMP open house this month to learn more about the APM and other projects. The event will take place on Thursday, April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will be held at Otis College, located at 9045 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.

Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Photo courtesy LAWA.

Community members pack the room at Otis College to hear about the plans for open space along Westchester Pkwy. as part of the LAX Northside Plan.

What’s the latest on the LAX Northside?

On March 18, more than 250 community members headed to Otis College for an open house on the LAX Northside Plan. The LAX Northside area is comprised of approximately 340 acres of land along Westchester Parkway from Sepulveda Westway in the east to Pershing Drive in the west.

The land will eventually be developed to include a mix of retail, office, research and open space.

At the meeting, which focused on the open space aspect of the project, attendees were asked for feedback on the type of uses and recreational facilities they’d like to see developed on the land, particularly on the surface and adjacent area surrounding the Argo Drain Sub-Basin Facility currently being built at Westchester Parkway and Falmouth.

According to Los Angeles World Airport’s Deputy Executive Director, John Carver, a task force made up of

stakeholders and community leaders was created earlier this year to get input on what the community would like to see in the development.

Open house attendees had the opportunity to share their ideas and concerns, while viewing potential uses for the land which came from the task force’s input, including fields for lacrosse and soccer, a dog park, fitness areas, a track and a green belt area.

After a competitive proposal process, three companies—Trammell Crow, Lincoln Properties and the Northside Community Partners— will now participate in a design competition to see who will win the bid to develop the Northside.

The competition will commence sometime this summer and run into the fall, with the airport making recommendations to the Board of Airport Commissioners toward the end of the year, according to Carver.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

April 2019 • Page 9

Public Media Release

WISH Community School & WISH Academy Announce National School Lunch Program Policy WISH Community School and WISH Academy High School announce our policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program. Beginning July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, free and reduced-price meals are available to children attending our charter schools if the household income is less than or equal to the following federal guidelines:

application.

Foster children are eligible for free meals and may be included as a household member if the foster family chooses to also apply for the non-foster children on the same application. Including foster children as a household member may help the non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the non-foster children are not eligible,

If the household has received a notification letter saying that all children automatically qualify for free meals when any household member receives benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, no additional application is required.

Children who meet the definition of foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway, and children enrolled in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.

Contact school officials if any child in the household is not on the notification letter. The household must let school officials know if they do not want to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Applications and additional information about the free and reduced-price meal program are available in all WISH School Offices and available online on our school website. Households that want to apply for meal benefits, must fill out one application for all children in the household and return the application to the WISH Offices, attention Kimberlie Traceski, at 6550 W. 80th Street, Los Angeles, CA.90045 or 7400 W. Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Contact Kimberlie Traceski at 310 642 9474 for support with completing the application. The school will let you know if your application is approved or denied for free or reduced-price meals.

Households may turn in an application at any time during the school year. If you are not currently eligible, but your household income goes down, household size goes up, or a household member starts receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, you may turn in an application at that time. Information given on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials. The last four digits of the Social Security number from any adult household or checking that you do not have a Social Security number is required if you include income on the application.

Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals by filling out an

this does not keep foster children from receiving free meals.

If you do not agree with the decision or results of verification, you may discuss it with school officials. You also have the right to a fair hearing, which may be requested by calling or writing the hearing official: Jennie Brook, Finance Manager, WISH Charter Schools.

6550 W. 80th Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90045. Tel. 310 642 9474 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www. ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust. html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov.

WISH is an equal opportunity provider.

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Since the fall of 2011.

By Consuelo Israelson

with phone numbers being exchanged at Marina del Rey’s Brennan’s Pub following Relationships are what it’s all about the game. They’ve been inseparable ever for the Chereck family. Whether you’re since and married two years later. talking about family, community or While the Cherecks enjoyed living in even sports, the most important thing Santa Monica initially, they began looking is the connection between people. for a good community to raise a family Andrew and Meghan Chereck nurture and put down roots. Their friend, Ryan these relationships and have created a Gales, who grew up locally, suggested they huge extended family in their adopted check out Westchester. neighborhood of Westchester.

“We were driving through this Meghan grew up in Daytona Beach, neighborhood and falling in love with it, Florida and attended college in Boston, when we saw a family walking their dog where she became a loyal Red Sox fan. and said that could be us! It turns out they She double-majored in business and live four houses down and their daughter sociology at Emmanuel College, which has become one of our babysitters. It’s was invaluable for her career. such a lovely small town community “I love the clarity that business provides here,” Meghan said. and sociology helps me understand “One of the challenges of being a young demographics, people and their behavior family in a city where neither one of you and apply that to the business world,” she grew up, is not having that family base,” said. She works as Director of Major Gifts said Andrew. “Not to sound corny, but for St. John’s Health Center Foundation in that is why we love Westchester and the nearby Santa Monica. surrounding area. We have our support Andrew is originally from Dallas, Texas and our family-away-from-home out here.” and attended the University of Texas Meghan added, “Our friends are as at Austin for undergrad and Southern close to family as you can get.”

Methodist University for law school.

The Cherecks have two children: “Growing up in Texas, football is king Rylan, 6 and Emma, 4. Rylan attends and we’re huge Texas Longhorn fans. It’s a kindergarten at St. Anastasia Catholic big part of our family, and we try to catch School and Emma is in preschool at First at least one game a year in person,” he Flight Child Development Center. She said. will be joining her brother at St. Anastasia A senior attorney at Bryan Cave in the fall. Meghan grew up Catholic and Leighton Paisner LLP, an international heard about St. Anastasia from a friend, so the family began going to church there law firm with offices in Santa Monica, and looked into the school for Rylan.

Andrew’s practice focuses on franchise “The more we got to know them, the and distribution law and corporate better fit they seemed for us. It’s very transactions.

“My group focuses on building brands. much a community school. The vast We help large existing brands stay on top, as majority of the kids live in the area. well as helping start-up companies,” he said. They do a great job educating our kids,” Andrew always dreamed of living in Andrew said.

“Through St. A’s we have met so many Southern California, so when it came amazing families,” Meghan added. time to look for a job after law school, he only interviewed with large firms that had Both kids are involved in various offices in the Los Angeles area. He started pursuits. Rylan plays AYSO soccer, at a Texas-based firm with a local office, Westchester Lacrosse and Del Rey American Little League. and then transitioned to Bryan Cave.

Meghan said that since the family loves The couple met in 2007 while playing in an adult kickball league. They were the Boston Red Sox baseball team and the local Dodgers, Rylan was in quite a on opposite teams and friendly banter quickly turned to flirting and ended quandary when the teams met last year in

the World Series.

“It stressed him out so much because he didn’t know who to root for! He ended up in tears,” said Meghan.

Emma also plays AYSO soccer and takes dance classes at So Fly Kids.

The family enjoys lots of activities together as well.

“We have a power boat in the Marina and spend a lot of time at the California Yacht Club, where we have a group of other boating families,” said Meghan. “When we have time, we like to do weekends in Catalina. Emma says Catalina is a magical island.”

They are also a big skiing family and both kids are learning the sport.

“I took a year off before law school to be a ski bum in Colorado,” says Andrew.

“I loved it! And we try to get back there every year during ski season.”

They also visit both sides of the family in Florida and Texas when they can, to give their own parents a “grandparent fix.”

The Cherecks believe strongly in giving back to this community that has given them so much. Meghan is on the board at St. Anastasia and Andrew was recently named the President of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation.

“My immediate goal is getting our message out to the community,” Andrew said. “The other main goal is to show tangible improvement and support for all our local schools. We want to be able to point to concrete examples of things we’ve improved and how we’ve literally changed children’s lives or at least improved their schooling.”

Andrew is also on the LAX Coastal Chamber board and executive committee.

“We love this area and it’s important to us that we’re invested in the community.

We want to help nurture what it has been over the years and help it grow,” Meghan said. “That’s why we’re so involved in neighborhood activities we’re passionate about, including the ed foundation and local schools. We love being a part of this community and helping add to it.”

“What’s important to us is our family and our community,” said Andrew. “Those are the two biggest parts of our lives.”

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

A friendly family water balloon fight followed by Little League baseball. We’d probably head down to the boat for a bit, then attend a Rotary Club or other community event and, of course, Tower Pizza for dinner. That’s a pretty typical Westchester kind of day for us.

The growth of the community from a family perspective–there’s lots of young families moving in. More strollers and the houses are getting bigger. Everything is growing to support the families that continue to move in.

The LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce and the Education Foundation. And Tony P’s! We spend a lot of time at Tony P’s because our boat is docked nearby.

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

April 2019 • Page 15

Random Notes/Opinion

TheHTN.com

Spring into shape with fun outdoor activities

By Jeff Blair

Opinion: Each spring, I seem to get a little bounce in my step when it comes to exercise. The extra sunlight in the evening has already allowed me to put in some long walks around Westchester. I am still maintaining my weightlifting, but am also enjoying being outdoors a little bit more. While summer offers its own opportunities for activity, the sun feels a little less overpowering at this time of year.

That is a nice bonus, when it comes to outdoor activity.

Here are three ways you can get the most out of your exercise during the next few months.

1. Take advantage of that extra hour of evening sunlight.

My preferred outdoor exercise is either walking or hiking. When it gets dark at 5 p.m., it can be hard to squeeze in something after work.

However, with the sun staying out past 7 p.m., I can easily slip in a two or three mile walk. On Sundays, I might even walk over to LMU from our studio and enjoy the views overlooking the ocean and the city.

Other spring outdoor exercise options include bike riding, running, jogging or playing some beach

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volleyball with friends. The Strand is also always an inviting option.

Officially called “The Marvin Braude Bike Trail,” The Strand runs 22 miles from the Palisades all the way south to Torrance. I usually access The Strand in Playa del Rey and alternate between going north and south.

2. Consider joining an exercise club or sports league.

Various running, cycling and other clubs provide a social support component to exercise. These clubs can be a great way to meet people with mutual interests, learn a new sport/activity or simply have more fun. Studies show that we might even mimic the activity habits of healthy friends, so those looking to lose weight may increase their odds if they spend time around others who are fit. The more time we spend around healthy and active friends, the greater the health results.

If you can find an activity you enjoy, you are much more likely to continue doing it. People don’t generally continue things they hate and exercise is no exception. When looking for a club or league to join, try to find something that brings you pleasure rather than simply doing something that is trendy. I’m a believer in trying

new things, while also sticking with tried and true exercises that work for you. Finding a balance between these two can help you continue for the long haul and maximize your health and fitness results.

Clubs can also provide training support if you are looking to run a race, participate in a bike ride or sign-up for some other physical event.

When I was more heavily involved in endurance activities, I went on several trips to different states to run races and complete triathlons. I have some great memories of those events and encourage you to consider taking on a new challenge this spring.

3. Add some enjoyable activities to your travels.

John Steinbeck said, “People don’t take trips. Trips take people.”

I hope you are able to travel and enjoy some of the world’s beauty this spring. Whether you are traveling to an international location (I am hoping to get to Asia this year) or taking in one of California’s amazing natural wonders like Yosemite National Park, there are an incredible number of options to get active. I enjoy hiking or getting around by walking when I travel. The moderate physical activity adds an element of enjoyment for

me. Look for activities that meet your current fitness level and personality.

You don’t necessarily need to summit Mt. Everest to create a feeling of achievement from your physical activity while traveling. Many parks have trails for varying fitness levels, so find one that works for you.

If you don’t have any travel plans this spring, L.A. has many local parks that offer some pleasant and exciting hikes. Hiking to the Hollywood Sign in Griffith Park is a personal favorite. This can also be a great choice when you have family visiting from out-of-town looking for an L.A. experience. There isn’t anywhere else they can hike, get a picture in front of the Hollywood sign and visit the “Bat Cave” from the old “Batman” television show.

Have a happy and safe spring!

Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) is a fitness author and has been a certified personal trainer in Westchester for 17 years. He has been featured in numerous national and international fitness publications. Contact him at 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

How do you define happiness?

By Fay Craton Opinion: What does happy mean? It is no wonder it is sometimes hard to understand how to be happy. We live in a world where we are all supposed to strive to be happy all the time. Someone who is not constantly upbeat and jolly may be accused of having a bad attitude or asked if something is wrong.

Confusion over our culture’s understanding of happiness is reflected in the definitions for the word happy. In both Webster’s and Oxford’s dictionaries there are several explanations, some of which describe unhealthy conditions. Webster’s includes in its definitions of the word happy: “characterized by a dazed irresponsible state” (such as a punch-happy boxer) and “impulsively or obsessively quick to use or do something.”

Hmm…When I consider the words irresponsible, impulsive and obsessive, my mind starts reflecting on behaviors such as misusing substances, addictions or other destructive patterns. These patterns harm the ability for people to thrive. For too many individuals, the search for happiness leads to a desire to block out pain or fear. The result for some can be poor health, isolation, loss of meaning and even death. Instead of finding a place of bliss, misery is found.

In searching for happiness, some individuals attempt to control surroundings, events, family members or even co-workers. This gives a false sense of being good enough, the best, or eliminates the scary possibility of change. The attempt to control is simply another form of obsession, which does not lead to a healthy balance in life.

Dictionaries include other definitions for happy, such as: “showing pleasure or contentment;” “enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment;” “having a sense of confidence;” and “notably fitting, effective or well adapted.” These are healthy life-enhancing terms reflecting a positive inner awareness. They also describe experiences which may be

difficult to understand or can create confusion as to how to obtain them.

When you feel empty inside, when relationships are not working, or when you are not satisfied with your career, you know you are not happy. When you are not happy, it can be difficult to see another path. It is your own state of thinking that creates your unhappiness.

The route to letting go of unhappiness is to first shift your inner awareness. This may require seeking assistance to figure out what skills are needed and someone to help you develop them. Other times, it may require remembering something you already know. Perhaps you may need support in resuming self-care or a return to a spiritual routine. I find when I forget to do my daily meditation and connect to a spiritual presence, I am more likely to struggle.

As you develop your inner awareness, you build a sense of confidence, effectiveness and hope. The result is you begin to thrive, fit into the world and relate effectively to significant others in your life. Situations you do not like will continue to appear, but a positive inner awareness will make it easier to adapt.

Life includes times of great joy and also times of sadness, depending on what is unfolding in your life. When considering a whole life experience, overall, a happy person is able to be content.

What I want is for you to be filled with a sense of knowing you are a unique person whose experience of happiness is distinctively yours. I know as you embrace your own strengths and skills with confidence, hope and self-love, you will grow and create a positive life. The gifts you bring to the world will benefit you, your family and friends. I want you to find a healthy and balanced contentment as you thrive in this world.

Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011), which is the psychology license specializing in relationships (with ourselves or with others), and she has an office in Westchester. For more info, please visit communicationtriangle.com or contact her at (310) 645-6762.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

April 2019 • Page 17

Calendar 1. Migration Celebration Saturday, April 6 @ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3. Second Annual Kids’ Earth Day Saturday, April 13 @ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Friends of Ballona Wetlands are hosting their third annual Migration Celebration this month. The free, all-ages event will give attendees the chance to see live hawks and owls, take guided bird tours and learn about native plants. Kids can also enjoy face painting, a science lab, Bob Baker Marionette Shows, arts & crafts and a scavenger hunt. Live music and food for purchase round out the event.

The Migration Celebration will take place at the Ballona Discovery Park at 13110 Bluff Creek Dr. in Playa Vista.

For more information, please visit ballonafriends.org.

Join the Department of Beaches and Harbors for a celebration in honor of Earth Day! The goal is to educate and inspire kids to go green and think about sustainability. 3rd Rock Hip Hop will lead musical performances to teach kids about environmental awareness.

Other activities include interactive booths, STEAM activities, arts & crafts, a bounce house, face painters, giveaways and more! A beach clean-up will take place from noon to 2 p.m., and L.A. residents are eligible to receive a free tree from TreePeople!

The event takes place at the Dockweiler Youth Center, located at 12505 Vista Del Mar in Playa del Rey. For more info, please visit beaches. lacounty.gov.

2. Yoga Nidra with Surendra Mehta Sunday, April 7 @ 3 to 5 p.m.

Seeking ways to de-stress your life?

Westchester’s LiveYoga Wellness is exploring stress this month through a holistic lens and offering workshops to help combat the issue we all deal with from time to time.

The Yoga Nidra workshop will aim to help people dealing with stress, high blood pressure, insomnia and diabetes through teaching meditation, deep relaxation and light movements. The cost to attend is $40.

To sign-up or view other stressrelated workshops, please visit liveyogawellness.com.

Head to T TheHTN.com

4. Westchester Community Pizza Day Saturday, April 13 @ 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You’re invited to a pizza and bread bake day at Holy Nativity Church!

The church is home to a large earthen wood-fired oven designed and built by volunteers from the neighborhood.

Everyone is welcome to these gatherings that take place on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Bring your own pizza dough and toppings for the 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. pizza bake, where the pies cook-up in 90-seconds.

Serious bread heads have a chance to

bake loaves from 2 to 3 p.m.

Holy Nativity is located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester.

5. Easter Egg Hunt Puppy Play Date Sunday, April 14 @ 5 to 7 p.m.

Los Angeles Airport Hotel, located at 5711 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester.

For more info or to purchase a ticket, please visit laxcoastal.com.

7. LAMP Open House Thursday, April 25 @ 6 to 8 p.m.

Bring your favorite four-legged friend to Marina del Rey’s Healthy Spot for an evening of games and fun, specifically for pups! The event will feature 2 hours of playtime in the store’s small dog daycare room, an egg hunt for pups throughout the store, treats for the pets and their owners, photo opportunities and more.

Healthy Spot Marina del Rey is located at 4718 Lincoln Blvd. in the Marina. For more info, please email social@healthyspot.com.

Interested in learning more about the future of LAX? Los Angeles World Airports is hosting a Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) Open House to showcase and answer questions about the changes at the airport that will feature an automated people mover system, roadway improvements and more.

The open house will take place at Otis College of Art & Design, located at 9045 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.

6. City of Angels Awards Gala Tuesday, April 16 @ 6 to 9 p.m.

8. Healthy Kids’ Day Saturday, April 27 @ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The LAX Coastal Chamber will be celebrating “Los Angeles’ Change Agents” at its annual awards gala honoring local business and community leaders that are having a positive impact on L.A. This year’s honorees include Councilmember Mike Bonin for his work with homelessness issues and constituent outreach; Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts for his leadership in the city’s revitalization; and Joe Czyzyk of Mercury Air Group for his contribution to the aviation business and work with veterans.

The event will be held at the Hilton

The Westchester Family YMCA is hosting its annual Healthy Kids’ Day to help kids explore new activities and gain healthy habits just in time for summer. The free community event will feature an obstacle course bounce house, healthy snacks, fitness activities, arts & crafts, a petting zoo, live music, STEM activities and more!

Healthy Kids’ Day will be held at the YMCA’s Annex Building, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester.

For more information, please visit ymcala.org/wc.

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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

Page 18 • April 2019

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

April 2019 • Page 19

Westchester welcomes newest Eagle Scout

Westchester Boy Scout Troop 716 recently welcomed its newest Eagle Scout, Wyatt Dahlstrom. For his Eagle project, Wyatt renovated a portion of the Holy Nativity garden, located on the corner of Dunbarton and 83rd St. His goal was to make the garden safer, more accessible, increase curb appeal and provide produce for the local food pantry.

In preparation for the project, Wyatt arranged for plant delivery with the International Garden Center in El Segundo, presented a proposal to the Emerson Ave. Community Garden (EACG) board to borrow tools and arranged for donated deliveries from Timberland Tree Company and Kellogg mulch. He also scheduled a work day to overlap with a community baking day at the church.

Over four work days, 240 hours of labor was donated by more than 30 scouts, friends, family and neighbors.

The area was weeded, cleared, paths and borders created, church signs repainted and timed drip irrigation was installed. Drought-tolerant and foodproducing plants were also added to

Page 20 • April 2019

the area. All of the fruits and vegetables grown at the church will be donated to the Los Angeles Food Pantry in conjunction with Food Forward.

Wyatt thanks all of the companies who supported the project, Reverend Peter H. Rood, landscape architect John Tikotsky, Holy Nativity Garden Manager Joanne Poyourow, EACG board member Dorothy Stone, community oven volunteer Dana Morgan and Gaby’s Mediterranean for their donations, assistance and support.

Wyatt lives in Westchester with his parents Eric and Coby and his sister, California. He has been in Westchester troops since third grade. Scouting is a tradition in his family–his father achieved Life Scout and his maternal uncle is also an Eagle Scout. Wyatt is currently a senior at North Hollywood Highly Gifted Magnet School, and he will be heading to college in the fall to study physical sciences.

Troop 716 meets Tuesdays evenings at Westchester United Methodist Church. Interested in visiting the troop?

Please email troop716bsa@gmail.com for additional information.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

April 2019 • Page 21

More than 2,000 families, students and community members came out to support local schools at the LAX Coastal Education Foundation’s (LAXCEF) 2nd Annual Rock Roll & Run in collaboration with Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, March 9.

The event raised funds for 21 participating K-12 schools and featured a 5K run around the beautiful campus of LMU, a 1K kid’s race and a lively expo.

More than 40 community organizations, businesses and sponsors had booths at the event, which featured free food, a photo booth, arts & crafts, kids’ activities and giveaways, while music from Page 22 • April 2019

classic rock tribute band Ab-soul-ute nity and partners like our foundation played in the background. to be able to fund important school The Rock Roll & Run is the ed programs. We look forward to continufoundation’s premier fundraiser and is ing to raise more money in the future.” the only event that brings together all The foundation, which launched in interested local schools for a chance to 2017, supports all local schools–public, raise money for programs like P.E., art private, charter and parochial–in the and field trips.

Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa “We hope everyone had a great time Vista and Marina del Rey areas. The at the event, whether they had a chance foundation’s primary goals include to participate in the 5K or 1K, or attend- aiding schools through fundraising, ed the expo,” said LAXCEF President distributing grants and creating strategic Andrew Chereck. “We’re proud to have partnerships. Since its inception, the raised more than $80,000 that will go foundation has given back more than back to our local schools who increas$165,000 to local schools in direct ingly need the support of the commufunds and grants. Most recently,

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del

$15,000 in arts and beautification grants were awarded to nine schools.

The foundation is kicking off the spring season accepting applications for STEM grants in partnership with SoCalGas and will announce literacy and teacher development grants in the coming months.

LAXCEF also supports the Teacher Eddy Awards, Teacher Mini-Grants, hosts the School Expo and is always looking for partners to collaborate with for future projects.

For more information, please visit laxcef.org or email info@ laxcoastaledfoundation.com.

Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

April 2019 • Page 23

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News