Westchester/Playa HomeTown News June 2019 edition by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

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Support your favorites in the Best Of...page 2 The crowd enjoys a performance of Shakespeare on the Bluff at Playa Vistaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Concert Park.

Page 2 • June 2019

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

Your summer event calendar Westchester’s newest mural Flashback into the historical society’s archives Nominate a Star of the Neighborhood Ballona in Bloom

04 06 21 24 27

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 20 Neighborhood Council 24 Amy Frelinger Group 05 Passman Group 07 Annenberg PetSpace 14 Playa Music 10 Benny’s Tacos 02 SoCalGas 19 California Yacht Club 25 SoCalSport 20 Cantalini’s Salerno Beach 14 Stephanie Younger Group 26 Christopher Blatter 07 St. Bernard High School 23 Drollinger Properties 15, 18 Visitation School 09 Food Pantry, LAX 18 WAM Block Party 13 Head to Toe Salon 10 Westchester Farmers’ Market 14 Jane St. John 25 Westchester Lutheran School 12 LAX Coastal Chamber 11,15 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Loyola Marymount 05 Westside Pacific Village 22 Marina del Rey Hospital 28 Zacha Homes 17 Nanci Edwards 22

act us for rates and act us for rates and hesterhometo 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 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 The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.

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us on Faceboo to-date with news and us on Faceboo Let us help you promote your business, organization or event to our readers! Contact us for rates and to reserve space at

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

June 2019 • Page 3

Photo courtesy LMU. Photo courtesy Playa Vista/Brookfield.

Clockwise from top: 1. Shakespeare on the Bluff actors perform at LMU’s Lawton Plaza. 2. Playa Vista’s Bandshell Park will host summer movies and concerts starting this month. 3. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club will be serving up pancakes to raise money for Westchester’s Fire Station 5 on Saturday, July 13.

If you’re looking for what’s on tap this summer, we’ve got you covered! Our favorite season officially kicks off this month on June 21, and there’s no shortage of events happening in the community that the whole family can enjoy. Mark your calendars for these fun, free (or low-cost) local events, so when someone asks you “What’s happening this weekend?” you’ll be in the know. Below are our picks for the best summer events to keep your schedule packed through September! Saturday, June 8 • 11 am to 4 pm 12505 Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey FREE

Join the Department of Beaches and Harbors for a day of fun in the sun at the Beach Fun-A-Palooza, a free family fun event featuring rides, petting zoo, carnival games, camp activities, live entertainment, face painting and more! As an added bonus, attendees can also learn about the Dockweiler Youth Center’s summer recreational programs. All guests will be asked to sign a liability waiver before enjoying the rides and attractions, so save time by visiting beaches.lacounty.gov and clicking on the Fun-A-Palooza flyer to register. All-day parking at Dockweiler Beach is available for $13. For more info, please call (310) 7264128.

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Beach Fun-A-Palooza

ChamberFest LAeXpo

Thursday, June 13 • 4 to 7 pm 6200 Playa Vista Dr., Playa Vista FREE, $10 for “Taste Of” Come for the freebies and stay for the networking at the LAX Coastal Chamber’s annual business expo and “Taste Of” event this month, featuring more than 80 of the top local businesses showcasing their products and services. Giveaways are abundant at this family-friendly event, as are raffles, entertainment and samples from some of the neighborhood’s most popular eateries. The event is free to attend, but if you’re interested in the “Taste

Of” event featuring Benny’s Tacos, Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill, the Hotel MDR, Melody Bar & Grill, Rainbow Acres, Tony P’s and more, the cost is $10. Raffle tickets are also available for purchase at the event, with the grand prize being a ticket on Southwest Airlines. For more information, please visit laxcoastal.com.

Playa Vista Summer Events

Various dates • Various times Various Playa Vista parks FREE Movies, concerts and Shakespeare in the Park? Count us in! Playa Vista is (continued on next page)

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

Waterfront Drive between Artisans Way and Campus Center Drive. For more info, please visit playavista. com/events.

Shakespeare on the Bluff & LMU Movie Nights

Various dates • Various times LMU campus, 1 LMU Dr., Westchester FREE Hang out at LMU this summer at one of the university’s outdoor movie nights or at the 2nd Annual Shakespeare on the Bluff! Festivities kick off Friday, June 28 with a screening of “Jumanji” in the Sculpture Garden. Friday, July 19, the university will show “Captain Marvel.” Movies start around 8 p.m. as the sun goes down. Bring your blankets and chairs and LMU will provide the popcorn. Parking is free on the campus after 8 p.m. and on the weekends. Shakespeare on the Bluff is back this year with 90-minute outdoor performances of “As You Like it” and “Pericles” in Lawton Plaza. Presented by the College of Communication and the Fine Arts’ Theatre Arts Program, the plays feature professional actors, LMU alumni, faculty members and current students. “As You Like It” will be performed at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29. “Pericles” will be performed at 8 pm on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. For more info, visit cfa.lmu.edu/ shakespeare. (continued on page 10)

the place to be this summer for outdoor events. Grab your blanket, picnic basket and relax under the stars with hundreds of your fellow community members to enjoy the free entertainment! You can also grab a bite from gourmet food trucks that are fixtures at all of the park’s events. Playa Vista’s Concerts in the Park run on select Sundays from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and this year’s lineup includes: • Sunday, June 23–Blue Breeze (R&B/ Soul) at Concert Park • Sunday, July 21–Queen Nation (Queen tribute band) at Central Park Bandshell • Sunday, August 11–Woodstock Tribute Band at Central Park Bandshell Playa Vista Movies in the Park are shown on select Fridays from 8 to 10 p.m., and this year’s featured films include: • Friday, June 21–“Green Book” at Central Park Bandshell • Friday, July 12–“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” at Concert Park • Friday, August 2–“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” at Concert Park Shakespeare in the Park performances start at 7 p.m. and will include: • Sunday, June 30–“As You Like It” at Concert Park • Sunday, July 28–“Pericles” at Central Park Bandshell Concert Park is located at Concert Park Drive and Runway Road; and the Central Park Bandshell is located at

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

Saturday, August 3 2019 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM LMU Drollinger Field

est

Bocce Ball

The First Annual

er C A Tea m C h a llenge Football Toss

Three Legged Race

Hold the Rope

Corn Hole

Trophies and prizes for the winning teams! A FUN and EXCITING morning of games to promote team spirit and friendly competition. Get a team of 10 players to enjoy some fresh air and exercise. Cost is $300 per team. Everyone gets a T-shirt! RSVP by July 12. Visit WestchesterCATeamChallenge.com for more information.

June 2019 • Page 5

TheHTN.com Photo by Allison Knight.

Business & Nonprofit News

Otis students, along with patron Karen Dial and artists David Russell and Maura Condrick, pose in front of Westchester’s newest murals, which took four weeks to complete.

New murals bring life to Westchester alleyway. Next time you stop by Noodle World on Sepulveda or drop off your dry cleaning at Spring Cleaners, make sure to check out the alleyway connecting the building at 8636 Sepulveda Blvd. to the parking lot. What were once gray stucco walls have been transformed into four colorful panels, depicting some of Westchester’s most recognizable landmarks. Otis students in the Creative Action Program, led by instructor and muralist David Russell, researched, designed and painted the murals to help beautify the thoroughfare. Otis lecturer, Maura Condrick, also contributed to the design. This is the latest local public art piece for Russell, the artist behind the five-story “Welcome to Westchester” painting on the building at Westchester Pkwy. and Sepulveda Blvd., made possible through a partnership with the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation. The foundation’s president, Karen Dial, is passionate about bringing more art to Westchester through funding murals, utility box paintings and sponsoring events like Ballet Beyond Borders, coming to LMU in August. One of the murals contains nine local landmarks highlighted by red lines. The first reader to email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo. com with a correct list of the landmarks and a photo in front of the mural will receive a $20 gift card to Benny’s Tacos. Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com! Page 6 • June 2019

airplane models, photos, uniforms and other aviation artifacts. Now through June 30, the museum is displaying vintage inflight uniforms from Asia Pacific airlines to celebrate the significant contributions they have given to global aviation and international fashion in the air. The exhibit features uniforms from Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysian Airlines and more. The exhibit is presented by Flight Path, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Cathay Pacific Airlines. Flight Path is located at 6661 W. Imperial Highway in Westchester. For more information, visit flightpathmuseum.com.

From left to right: Michelle Schwartz, LAWA’s Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs; Flight Path President, Agnes Huff and a representative from Cathay Pacific pose in front of the vintage uniforms on display at the museum.

Do you have what it takes to win the Westchester Team Challenge? Ready for a little friendly competition? Community members Amy Frelinger and Grant Francis have created the inaugural Westchester Team Challenge to promote community spirit and fitness. The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at LMU’s Drollinger Field. Teams of 10 will compete in variety of challenges, including bocce ball, football toss, a three-legged race, corn hole and hold the rope. The cost to participate is $300 per team or $30 per person. The top teams

will receive trophies and prizes and everyone receives a T-shirt. RSVP by July 12 and learn more at westchestercateamchallenge.com. Flight Path opens new exhibit in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Did you know Westchester is home to its very own flight museum? Located right next to the runway at LAX, the Flight Path Museum is dedicated to showcasing aviation pioneers, recognizing the economic importance of aviation and aerospace to Southern California and encouraging aviationrelated careers. The museum features

Vote for your favorites in our 8th Annual Best Of Poll. Your local favorites need your help to take home this year’s Best Of titles in our 8th Annual Readers’ Poll. Voting closes on Friday, June 21 at 11:59 p.m. In the poll, readers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite local restaurants, businesses, organizations and places in more than 85 categories. The annual Best Of issue is a chance to highlight and recognize the best of the community of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and surrounding areas. The winners will be revealed in the HomeTown News’ Thursday, August 1 issue. For more information and to vote, please visit our website at thehtn.com or facebook.com/thehtn.

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

YMCA volunteers participate in a mindfulness exercise during Healthy Kids Day.

Healthy Kids Day provides mindfulness activities for the family. The Westchester Family YMCA recently celebrated its Healthy Kids Day with more than 250 families in attendance. Guests were invited to try new activities, build healthy habits for summer and learn about fun opportunities, including summer reading programs at the local library and overnight camp at the Y’s Camp Round Meadow. There were also mindfulness activities for the whole family thanks to a grant from the California Mental Health Services Authority in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Attendees made calming glitter jars and planted Zen gardens with the help of YMCA youth yoga instructors. The day culminated with a free healthy parenting class taught by the nonprofit, Echo Training, that

offered parents communication tools for strengthening the parent-child relationship. Looking for mindfulness activities you can try at home? The Y suggests these: 1. Tense and relax. Lie on your back and alternate between tensing and releasing all the muscles in your body, limb by limb. 2. “5, 4, 3, 2, 1.” Use your senses to find calm. Notice five colors, four sounds, three textures, two smells and one taste. 3. Eat something and describe the flavors to yourself—or to someone else—in detail. 4. Focus on your breathing, noticing each inhale and exhale. 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

June 2019 • Page 7

School News

TheHTN.com

Open Magnet Charter School fourth and fifth grade students celebrate the installation of an interpretive sign and wrapping up their end of year science project during a ceremony at the school. Pictured: Mike Harriel from SoCalGas, school representatives, students and members of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation board pose in front of the new sign.

LAX Kiwanis Club and foundation awards more than $22,000 to deserving high school students. On Saturday, May 18, local community leaders and members of the LAX Kiwanis Club gathered at the home of Raul and Vicki Matute to award deserving local high school seniors with scholarships to assist them in starting their college endeavors. Through the generosity of local businesses who sponsored the club’s annual charity golf tournament, the group was able to award 26 scholarships totaling more than $22,000 to graduating high school seniors. Past scholarship recipients were also eligible to apply for continuing financial assistance. This year’s recipients attend St. Bernard High School, St. Mary’s Academy, Lennox Academy and Animo Leadership Charter. Students qualify each year on a variety of merits including financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities and volunteerism in their local community. “The opportunity to meet these smart, engaged young students and to assist them as they embark on the next chapter of their education through the LAX Kiwanis Scholarship program is extremely rewarding and leaves me with the confidence that the future is bright for these young people and our community,” said GatewayLA Executive Director and LAX Kiwanis Member, Laurie Hughes. The LAX Kiwanis Club, a volunteerled organization, has been involved in Westchester and the surrounding communities since 1954. The nonprofit’s goal is to “serve the children” of the local community. On Monday, August 26, the LAX Kiwanis Club will host its 28th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Palos Verdes Golf Club presented Page 8 • June 2019

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

LAX Kiwanis members, Laurie Hughes (left) and Joe Houston (right) pose with the club’s scholarship recipients at a recent ceremony.

Outstanding teachers of the year and LAX Coastal Education Committee representatives pose for a group photo before the Teacher Eddy Awards at the LAX Hilton.

by this year’s title sponsor, American Airlines. Other major sponsors include Wally Park and Los Angeles World Airports. “We are so excited about American Airlines’ commitment to our tournament and helping us give deserving high school students the support they need to start college,” said LAX Kiwanis Club President Joe Houston. “Ninety-five percent of our recipients are dependent upon external resources for attending college. LAX Kiwanis is dedicated to lending a helping hand to children and their families that are in

most need in and around the airport community.” Please visit laxkiwanis.org to find out how you can get involved in the club or its charity golf tournament! Open Magnet students celebrate end of year science project with sign dedication. Fourth and fifth graders at Open Magnet Charter School celebrated the culmination of their environmental science curriculum with a sign dedication ceremony on May 28. The sign will be used to educate students

and community members about the school’s 110,000 gallon rainwater cistern—a unique water sustainability feature installed in 2005 with the help of Tree People and county agencies. Before the cistern was installed, the campus was covered in pavement, which often flooded when it rained. A grant allowed the school to build a cistern and replace the concrete with plants and trees. The cistern captures, cleans and reuses rainwater, which is then used for irrigation. It also prevents the campus from flooding. As part of their science curriculum this year, the students learned about the operation of the rainwater cistern, environmental engineering and water conservation and reuse, which they shared with the audience during the ceremony. Representatives from SoCalGas, the LAX Coastal Education Foundation and the Metro Water District of Los Angeles, which all helped fund the class project and sign, attended the ceremony to congratulate the students. Teacher Eddy Awards honors teachers of the year and Friends of Education awardees. Twenty-three outstanding local teachers were recognized for their dedication to their students and schools at the LAX Coastal Chamber’s annual Teacher Eddy Awards held on May 15. The event also honored Michele Cooley-Strickland, longtime Neighborhood Council Education Committee Chair; Matthew Swanlund, immediate past board president of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation and Stephanie Younger, a major supporter of schools and education-related events, with Friends of Education awards.

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

June 2019 • Page 9

Photo by Annette Buhl.

Photo by Angela Clouse.

Head to Toe

Left to right: 1. Visitation takes home the “Best Overall” award at last year’s parade. 2. WAM Block Party attendees get creative at the Westchester festival.

(continued from page 5)

LAX Coastal on Parade “America, Better Together”

Thursday, July 4 • 11 am Loyola Blvd. at Westchester Park FREE This year is the 20th anniversary of the LAX Coastal Fourth of July Parade, and the whole community is invited to celebrate! Fifty community groups, marching bands, schools and floats will participate in this hometown event with the theme, “America, Better Together!” This year’s theme represents the wonderful melting pot of our country, highlighting our communal spirit and how together we are a stronger, more diverse and prosperous nation. While there’s no bad spot to enjoy the festivities, if you’re interested in a place near one of three announcer booths along Loyola Blvd. (at Manchester Blvd., 83rd St. and 80th St.), you’re encouraged to arrive by 10:30 a.m. Limited bleacher seating is also available on a first-come, first-

Salon

served basis at center stage. Biking or walking to the event is encouraged. For more information, please visit laxcoastal.com/parade and make sure to pick up a copy of our parade edition, out Thursday, June 27.

Marina del Rey Firework Celebration

Thursday, July 4 • 9 pm Marina del Rey FREE Marina del Rey will once again host one of the Westside’s largest firework shows in honor of Independence Day. View the 20-minute show on the Fourth of July at Fisherman’s Village or Burton Chace Park to enjoy synchronized music or at various spots throughout the community with a view of the Marina. Thousands of people head to MDR for the holiday and to enjoy the show, so it’s recommended that you plan ahead to get there early (paid parking lots around the Marina tend to fill up early

in the day and street closures can start as early as 1 p.m.) or consider taking the WaterBus, the Beach Shuttle or use your favorite rideshare app. For more info and recommended viewing locations, please visit visitmarinadelrey.com/events/july-4fireworks-marina-del-rey.

Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series

Various dates • 7 pm 13650 Mindanao Way, MDR FREE Invite your friends and family and head to a concert at Burton Chase Park this season. Whether you’re into Symphonic Thursdays or Pop Saturdays, love the band or are just looking for something to do, the concerts are a fun way to take in some tunes while enjoying a picturesque sunset over the water. This year’s concert series includes: • Thursday, July 11–Opera at the Shore, “La Boheme” & “Phantom of the Opera”

Marisa Cardenas

Stylist 6310 W. 89th St., #A

• Saturday, July 20–Rickie Lee Jones (Rock) • Thursday, July 25–Sights, Sounds & Dance in America • Saturday, August 3–Jon Batiste (Jazz) • Thursday, August 8–Kronos Quartet • Saturday, August 17–Leela James (R&B) • Thursday, August 22–Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” • Saturday, August 24–encore presentation of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” • Saturday, August 31–Jenny & the Mexicats Concerts can get crowded and seating is festival style, so attendees are encouraged to get to Burton Chace early to put down a blanket or lowback beach chairs. Food trucks are onsite beginning at 5 p.m. with food for purchase. For more info, please visit beaches. lacounty.gov/concerts. (continued on page 12)

Head to Toe Salon

Los Angeles, CA 90045

Marisa Cardenas

310.338.8689

Stylist 6310 W. 89th St., #A Los Angeles, CA 90045

310.338.8689 Cut. Color. Styling. Blow Dry. Highlights.

Page 10 • June 2019

Making your hair beautiful!

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

Be part of the 20th Anniversary Parade Program! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com to reserve your space.

THE HTN IS A PROUD PARADE SPONSOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE OFFICIAL PARADE PROGRAM! Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

June 2019 • Page 11

Photo courtesy Visitmarinadelrey.com.

(continued from page 10)

21 Annual Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 5 st

Saturday, July 13 • 8 to 11 am 8900 Emerson Ave., Westchester $5, Kids under two free The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club will host a good old-fashioned community pancake breakfast benefiting Fire Station 5 next month. The club will be serving up sausages, fruit, coffee and juice, while volunteers from the LAX Marriott grill up fluffy pancakes. Invite your friends and neighbors to join in on the fun, buy breakfast for a good cause and meet with local firefighters. Kids can enjoy a bounce house, face painting, balloon animals and the opportunity to check out the fire fighting equipment and vehicles with the help of firefighters. For more info, visit playavenice.org.

Beach Movie Nights & Marina Movie Nights

Various dates • 8 pm Various locations FREE There’s no shortage of outdoor cinema this summer courtesy of the Department of Beaches and Harbors. At the Dockweiler Youth Center, located at 12505 Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey, enjoy family-friendly screenings on the sand, by the waves and under the stars on Friday nights. This year’s schedule includes: • Friday, July 5-“The Lego Batman Movie”

Page 12 • June 2019

Attend a summer concert on select Thursdays or Saturdays at Marina del Rey’s Burton Chace Park.

• Friday, August 30-“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” On Saturdays this summer, Burton Chace Park, located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey, will host movies for the teen and adult crowd. Attend “Marina Movie Nights” for screenings of: • Saturday, July 6-“Aquaman” • Saturday, July 13-“Forrest Gump” • Saturday, July 27-“Crazy Rich Asians” • Saturday, August 10-“Black Panther” • Saturday, September 7-“Wizard of Oz” • Saturday, September 14-“Mean Girls” • Saturday, September 21-“Solo: A Star Wars Story” • Saturday, September 28-“Beetlejuice” For more information, please visit beaches.lacounty.gov.

Westchester Farmers’ Market

Every Sunday • 9 am to 2 pm Westchester Triangle (87th St.), Westchester The two Westchester Farmers’ Markets have consolidated and will now be held every Sunday in the Westchester Triangle. Stop by this summer to check out the market’s vendors, grab a bite to eat and shop for produce at this family-friendly community hub. With the Wednesday Stop by the Westchester Farmers’ Market for all your produce needs on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. market now closed, expect increased • Friday, July 12-“Smallfoot” • Friday, August 9-“Shark Tale” vendors and programming at the • Friday, July 19-“Hotel Transylvania • Friday, August 16-“Sherlock Sunday event. 3: Summer Vacation” Gnomes” For more information, visit facebook. • Friday, July 26-“Incredibles 2” • Friday, August 23-“Ralph Breaks the com/westchesterfarmersmarket. • Friday, August 2-“The Lego Movie 2” Internet” (continued on page 14)

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

June 2019 • Page 13

Photo courtesy Ballet Beyond Borders.

Ballet Beyond Borders is a new dance and cultural exchange event coming to Westchester this August, courtesy of the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation.

(continued from page 12)

Ballet Beyond Borders

Wednesday, August 7 through Saturday, August 10 • Various times LMU campus, 1 LMU Dr., Westchester Ballet Beyond Borders (BBB) is coming to Westchester for the first time this year after expanding from its headquarters of Missoula, Montana with the support of the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation. Ballet Beyond Borders is a dance challenge and festival that provides a cultural, educational and diplomatic exchange to further human understanding and spark vital communication. During the BBB weekend, performances, workshops and a “Cultural Diplomacy in a Changing World” conference will take place at LMU and around Westchester. BBB’s main event, a dance competition featuring dancers from around the globe, will be held at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Stay tuned for more details! For more info, please visit facebook. com/ballet.beyond.borders.

Page 14 • June 2019

Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (WAM)

Sat., September 21 • noon to 8 pm Emerson Ave. between 80th Pl. and 80th St., Westchester FREE Celebrate the last days of summer at Westchester’s coolest event, the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (WAM). Hosted by the Emerson Avenue Community Garden as a fundraiser, the fourth annual event is the place to be for live music, art, dance, community booths, kids’ activities and a whole lot more. During the day’s festivities, Emerson Ave. in blocked off for guests to enjoy the performances, do some shopping and hang out with their friends and neighbors in the Stephanie Younger Group-sponsored beer & wine garden. Grub from gourmet food trucks is also available for purchase. While the 2019 lineup is still being finalized, you can sign-up for updates at wamblockparty.org. Stay tuned for more info and some surprises! What’s on your must-do summer list? Let us know at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com or at facebook.com/thehtn.com!

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

June 2019 • Page 15

FATHER DAUGHTER PROM Westchester/Playa dads and their daughters headed to St. Bernard’s gym for the 24th Annual Father Daughter Prom on May 18. Hosted by the Del Rey Church, this neighborhood tradition featured dancing, treats, a photo booth and raffle prizes. Check out some of the attendees below!

Stephen and Amelia De La Rosa.

Gable and Matthew Swanlund.

Emery, Miles and Presley Remer.

Chad and Whitney Derby.

We want to hear from you! Pictures? Story Idea? Advertising? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com

Page 16 • June 2019

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

June 2019 • Page 17

Calendar

TheHTN.com

1. Westchester Community Pizza Day Saturday, June 8 @ 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Westchester Arts & Music Block Party taking place on September 21. The cost to attend is $25 before June 15 and $35 after. For more information on the Summer Soirée and to RSVP, visit eacgc.org.

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 second 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.

7. The Concert Singers Annual Summer Pops Concert Sunday, June 23 @ 4 p.m.

2. Fifth Annual Salsa Festival Sunday, June 9 @ 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You’re invited to Loyola Marymount University’s KXLU Radio’s Salsa Music Festival featuring live music, dance, food trucks and pop-up shops. Featured performers include headliner Roosevelt Cordova with Conjunto Oye, the Susie Hansen Latin Band, the Arsenio Rodriguez Project and Brazilian samba rock group ROGÊ & Band. The festival celebrates the college radio station’s programs, “The Brazilian Hour” and “Alma del Barrio,” which has aired since 1973. Originally a one-hour weekly program, the program now runs commercial-free on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival will be held on the campus at LMU, located at 1 LMU Dr. in Westchester in the Sunken Garden. For more information, please visit kxlu.com.

3. 44th Annual BBQ at Centinela Adobe Sunday, June 9 @ noon to 4 p.m. Step back into time at the 44th Annual Centinela Adobe BBQ. Take tours of the Daniel Freeman Land Office and the Adobe House to learn about the history of the area. For a requested donation of $14 or $6 for children under 6, you can enjoy a

Visit the Centinela Adobe, the area’s oldest home, during the 44th Annual BBQ hosted by the Historical Society of Centinela Valley. The home was built in 1834 and is located in the Osage neighborhood of Westchester.

BBQ lunch with live entertainment. The Centinela Adobe Complex is located at 7634 Midfield Ave. in Westchester.

4. Bay Cities Coin Club Thursday, June 13 @ 6 p.m. Interested in collecting coins? Join the Bay Cities Coin Club for a show and tell, auction and raffle at their next meeting. All ages are welcome. The club meets in the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. For more information, please visit baycitiescoinclub.com.

5. Community Plan Update Meeting Monday, June 24 @ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. After collecting input from community stakeholders since the summer of 2018, the Westside Planning Team will host an open house-style meeting this month to share their findings about what people love about the neighborhood, what needs improvement and housing and transportation needs.

The team will also be looking for additional feedback and ideas on what stakeholders would like to see in their community. City planners will use this input as they update community plans, which will guide planning and development in the Westchester/Playa area. The meeting will take place at the Westchester Senior Center, located at 8740 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.

6. Summer Soirée Fundraiser Saturday, June 22 @ 5 to 8 p.m. The Emerson Avenue Community Garden is hosting a Summer Soirée fundraiser to raise money for garden improvements. The event will feature small bites, tempting libations, a silent auction and entertainment. The event will be held at a home in Westchester. The Emerson Avenue Community Garden is a nonprofit that oversees the one-acre plot of land located at Wright STEAM Magnet, which serves as a neighborhood green space and garden. The group also hosts the

The Concert Singers, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, will perform favorites from groups like The Beatles, Billy Joel and Bobby Darin, as well as Broadway favorites from “My Fair Lady” and “Wicked” during their summer concert this month. The cost to attend is $17 at the door. The performance will take place at the Westchester United Methodist Church, located at 8065 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. For more information, visit theconcertsingers.com.

8. Discover Marina del Rey Sunday, June 23 @ 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Head to Burton Chace Park for a free, family-friendly event featuring arts & crafts, a marionette show, harbor kayaking and more, during Discover Marina del Rey. Guests can also enjoy live music while visiting information booths from various health, safety and environmental organizations. Like to dance? Everyone’s invited to the jam sessions featuring Bollywood Dance from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a drum circle from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The event is held at Burton Chace Park, located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. Attendees will be asked to sign a waiver before participating in activities, which can be signed at the event or by RSVPing on Eventbrite. Visit beaches.lacounty. gov for more information.

Email us your event 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

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Random Notes/Opinion Create a strategy for small, steady improvements TheHTN.com

By Jeff Blair

Opinion: I recently returned from an amazing and thought-provoking Northern Vietnam trip. I want to share a few observations related to health and fitness. My first observation was that almost no one was overweight. A quick Google search confirmed this: according to a 2017 study, Vietnam has the lowest adult obesity rate in the world at 1 percent. My second observation was how differently meals were structured. Meals were very heavy on fruits and vegetables. Portions and plates were small. Desserts were often simply fruit. I never felt completely full, but I never really felt hungry either. My third observation was how dramatically different the food environment was. I took a long freeway trip and passed dozens of off-ramps. I didn’t see one fast food restaurant or convenience store. On a comparable trip here, we would have hundreds of opportunities to grab a huge burger and fries, a massive bag of chips or a super-sized soda. For someone in L.A. trying to eat healthier, temptations are never-ending. Meanwhile, I only saw two American fast-food restaurants in

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Hanoi. Both were empty when I looked in them. Of course, there are a variety of social, economic and political reasons for the differences between our countries, but this article won’t be focusing on those. I have long believed controlling our food environment is key to maintaining a healthy weight. My overseas experience provided anecdotal support for that theory. There is also much scientific evidence supporting this idea. Numerous studies show people eat more when presented with more food. This was famously illustrated in a 2006 study by Wansink when a group of nutrition experts were invited to a celebration where ice cream was served. Individuals were given either large or small bowls and large or small scoopers. Those who received the large bowls and large scoopers ate 50 percent more ice cream than those who received the small bowls and small scoopers. Like the rest of us, even nutritional experts tend to clean their plates and eat what is put in front of them. Meanwhile, portion sizes have dramatically increased in the last two decades. A typical serving of spaghetti and meatballs was 500 calories twenty years ago. Today, it is 1,025 calories. A

typical serving of French fries was then 210 calories. Today, it is 610 calories. Even if you don’t eat those foods, a typical turkey sandwich was around 320 calories two decades ago and can be 820 calories today. In 1970, the average American took in 2,170 calories per day. Today, that number is 2,673 (source: National Institute of Health). The result of the perfect storm of increasing portion sizes, greater calories and our tendency to eat what is placed in front of us? According to the CDC, the average American male is 15 pounds heavier and the average female is 17 pounds heavier than they were just 20 years ago. I believe every person should define success for themselves rather than allow media or societal messages to tell them what that looks like. But when it comes to navigating our food environment successfully, I have noticed several things: 1. It isn’t easy. Our bodies and minds want to eat high-calorie food, which is cheap, plentiful and easy to access. While this isn’t necessarily encouraging, it is important to understand the reality of our challenge. 2. The people who successfully navigate this environment tend to be highly intentional in their efforts. It’s almost

as if they check out of our environment and create their own. They have usually developed a food skill set over their lifetime through a lot of trial and error. They have found a way that works for them and their lifestyle. 3. Preparing more of your own meals remains the best strategy for long-term weight control. Rather than trying to prepare all your meals from home next week, try to steadily increase the percentage. If you are currently at 20 percent, try to get to 30 percent or 40 percent. If you are at 50 percent, try to get to 66 percent. Small, steady improvements are more sustainable for most people. 4. Inundate your home environment with healthy options such as fruits and vegetables. Put them in plain sight and make them easily accessible. Try to minimize low-nutrient, high-calorie junk food in your home, as easily accessible food usually gets eaten. 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

Nurture your relationships By Fay Craton Opinion: What is most important in your life? If a tragedy struck, such as a fire, what would you keep if you had to choose who and what you could save? For most of us, what is most important are the people with whom we share our lives. When life and death decisions must be made, the significance of your spouse, children, parents, and friends is quickly brought into perspective. Having quality relationships directly ties to how satisfied you are with life. If you do not have connections with other people, you are more likely to become depressed and stressed. Problems can appear bigger and more difficult when you are alone. It could appear you have lots of people around you, but still feel isolated. Grudges, bitterness and disagreements can not only destroy the life energy holding

together the links between you and significant others, but it can also eat away at you in other ways impacting your attitude, choices and your health. When this happens, hanging onto discontent can become more important than choosing a satisfying life. Long-term relationships are important to your well-being. They are worth moving past bitterness. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, pay attention to what is right. Nourish what is right by acknowledging it. Initially this can be done by privately saying to yourself, “Thank you,” whenever you see something good. Of course, this means you are paying attention to what is happening today, instead of what happened in the past. Looking and acknowledging the good starts changing your attitude. As you become comfortable letting go of bitterness, let people around you

know what you appreciate about them. By expressing gratitude to others, you begin to bolster the quality of the connection between you. Being told you are appreciated, especially when you have not heard it for a long time, can be nice. However, sometimes receiving a compliment can also be confusing, if you’re not used to receiving it. Building solid, supportive relationships takes two people. If you are told something positive from someone you do not normally hear it from, it is okay to say, “Thank you,” without any further comment. A hurdle people frequently experience as attitudes change and reconnection forms, is a desire to revisit old conflicts in order to place past blame. While some past issues do need resolution, often what is bantered about are things much less important than a quality relationship.

The question to ask is, “What is important?” Are past issues more important than building a quality relationship? Place your attention on what is important today. Sometimes it is important to release a hurt in favor of something better. I want you to have the benefits of long-term supportive relationships. Tragedy happens when relationships are lost because they are not nurtured. While all people have quirks which can irritate, I want you to be able to focus on good qualities instead of the aggravations. 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.

110 Freeway. After losing to Banning, Daniel Freeman saw no other worth to the land included in his proposal and annexed us to the City of Los Angeles, which would have otherwise become

an expansion of the City of Inglewood. So, the small pocket of land that has evolved to our uniquely small-town community, surrounded by four cities and the Pacific Ocean, proudly boasts a small-town atmosphere within the hustle and bustle of today’s huge metropolitan Los Angeles region. What if Daniel Freeman had prevailed? Between the Port of Ballona Harbor and LAX, which was originally known as an “air port,” yes two words, opening as Mines Field in 1928 when the City of Los Angeles leased the land from the Andrew Bennett Ranch, one cannot imagine there would be a residential community. Or, could there? Something to ponder. It certainly would be different. You can visit Freeman’s former home, the Centinela Adobe, on Sunday, June 9 from noon to 4 p.m. for the location’s 44th Annual BBQ. The cost for lunch is a $14 donation. The Centinela Adobe is located at 7634 Midfield Ave. in Westchester. There will be more stories to come, as the Westchester/Playa Historical Society works to preserve our heritage and share the stories and artifacts with the neighborhood. There are so many key people in the history of our community’s development and evolution. The historical society, which operates a small storefront in the Westchester Triangle open during the Sunday Farmers’ Market, is reorganizing and digitizing. Stay tuned as we bring you more information. If you wish to become involved or donate artifacts, please contact Cozette Vergari at Cozette@ LAXLawyers.com.

By Cozette Vergari Do you ever wonder why we are this small village, which is a part of the City of Los Angeles, and yet cut off from the city as a whole and surrounded by the cities of Santa Monica, Culver City, Inglewood, El Segundo and the ocean? The answer to the “why” is held in the past, circa 1887, in the hands of two men who battled for the port and harbor of the City of Los Angeles to be developed on their own respective parcel of land. Both parcels were remote and rural. Daniel Freeman, founder of the City of Inglewood and owner, at the time, of the land that is now known as Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and Venice, was proposing Port Ballona. Freeman had resided in what we now know as the Centinela Adobe, which sits at the eastern edge of Westchester on Midfield Avenue, overlooking the Centinela Valley, which was originally built in 1834 before California had statehood. His competitor, who eventually won the battle, William Banning, among other holdings, owned the area now known as Wilmington. Banning’s home, today a museum open to the public, sits upon a knoll, from which he could see directly to the Pacific Ocean and what was to become the Port of Los Angeles. Daniel Freeman, in September 1887, created and submitted the Topographical Sketch Of The Proposed Harbor Of Port Ballona. However, William Banning’s land was selected to be developed, and

A sketch of the proposed harbor of Port Ballona.

the Stage Coach Route was created to transport commercial goods from the port, through miles of rural land to the City of Los Angeles, now known as the “downtown” area. That Stage Coach Route is now covered by the

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Westchester resident, Justin Sather, is proving that no matter what your age, you can give back to your community and make a positive impact on the planet. What started off as a love of frogs and helping raise money to save amphibians has led 8-year-old Justin on his next environmental quest. He is turning plastic trash into treasure, while encouraging others to cut down on their waste consumption. Over the last few years, Justin has been able to raise more than $20,000 by selling toy frogs and through GoFundMe. com to enable him to work on ecofriendly projects like purchasing reusable snack bags and pencils made of recycled newspaper for his school. For the last seven months, Justin has been collecting plastic caps from all over the community, which were recently melted down and turned into a Buddy Bench that was installed at his school last month. The bench will help encourage inclusion and kindness between students, and anyone looking for a friend can have a seat on the bench, indicating they’re looking for someone to play with. What’s next for Justin? He’s

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Photo courtesy WNS.

Community Spotlight: Westchester kid proves that it only takes one small change to make a difference

Justin Sather and Westside Neighborhood School Principal, Brad Zacuto, celebrate the installation of a Buddy Bench on the campus. Justin collected more than 200 pounds of plastic caps, which would have otherwise been headed to a landfill, to have the bench made.

teaming up with like-minded individuals in Cameroon to help turn their trash into eco-bricks and looking for creative ways to help them reduce plastic pollution. He’s also encouraging people of all ages in his own neighborhood to make

small changes that can help the environment. So far, he’s been able to convince more than 200 friends, family and neighbors to switch from regular plastic toothbrushes to an eco-friendly alternative made from recycled yogurt cups.

Interested in going “green?” Here are some tips from Justin: Q. What are a few easy ways people can reduce their plastic consumption? A. People can refuse plastic. If the store wants to give you a plastic bag, just say “No, thank you” and bring your own. You should use reusable lunch boxes, snack bags and reusable drink bottles. Buy less plastic stuff. And people can use bamboo toothbrushes or toothbrushes made from recycled yogurt cups. Turning trash into treasure is just like magic! Q. What would you say to other kids that are interested in making a difference in their community or the world? A. I would tell kids to come up with an idea to help the world. Then I would say, “Keep on going. Never give up. Keep being brave.” And if people make fun of your project, just don’t listen to them and keep going. Your idea will grow and grow and you will change the world. To learn more about Justin’s projects, visit fortheloveoffrogs.com.

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It might not be a super bloom, but if you love flowers, make sure to check out Playa Vista’s Ballona Discovery Park this month! The two-acre habitat is home to a plethora of native plants and wild flowers now in bloom, creating a colorful display that is uniquely Southern California. Follow the park’s walking trail to view the pollinator, native and medicinal plant gardens, while you learn about the Ballona Wetlands ecosystem and the history of the area in this “outdoor museum.” As you admire the colorful flowers, smell the different varieties of sage or do a little birdwatching, take time to read the interpretive signs and stop at the interactive stations located throughout. No visit to the park is complete without traveling through the “Willow Walk,” which leads visitors to the entrance of a Kiiy, a replica of a native Gabrielino/Tongva gathering house where you can listen to audio recordings of stories about the first people of the area. LMU Center for Urban Resilience Fellow and former Friends of Ballona Wetlands executive director, Lisa Fimiani, recently took the HTN on a tour of this neighborhood treasure to share her passion for nature and the benefits of growing native plants, which include reducing the use of water in your garden; supporting local wildlife like bees, butterflies and birds; and needing less maintenance. The park is made possible through a partnership with the Friends of Ballona Wetlands, LMU and Playa Vista-Brookfield. This month, the park will also host the Ballona Discovery Nature Camp for kids 8-11. Ballona Discovery Park is located at 13110 Bluff Creek Dr. in Playa Vista. The park is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. For more info, visit ballonafriends.org/ballona-discovery-park or academics. lmu.edu/cures/partners/ballonadiscoverypark.

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Pictured: 1. California Poppy. 2. California Wild Rose. 3. Gilia tricolor. 4. Chia. 5. A replica of a Kiiy. 6. Purple Sage. 7. Coastal Gumplant. 8. Bladderpod.

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

9. Yerba Mansa. 10. Desert Marigold. 11. Tidy Tips. 12. A Monarch butterfly enjoys Lilac Verbena in the pollinator garden. 13. Chalk Dudleya. 14. Fimiani points out different plants during the tour.

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