Page 2 • August 2017
BEST OF 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Rotarian raises money to fight polio 2017 Best Of Results
04 05
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer
Rebecca Hill, Secret Recipes of the Inn Kirby Israelson, Graphic Design
Advertisers’ Directory
Airport Marina Counseling 40 Amy Frelinger Team 20 Ayara Thai Cuisine 09 AYSO Region 7 34 Blue Diamond Jewelers 13 Cantalini’s Salerno Beach 12 Cedars-Sinai Hospital 15 Crossfit Aviators 14 Covenant Presbyterian Church 39 Del Rey Optometry 16 Drollinger Properties 27, 28, 38 El Segundo Car Wash 41 Emerson Avenue Community Garden 31 Food Pantry, LAX 39 Good Pizza 11 Inn at Playa del Rey 18 Jane St. John 21 Kentwood Elementary School 28 LAX Coastal Area Chamber 24 LiveYoga Wellness 14 Loyola Marymount 2, 26 Marina del Rey Hospital 44 Neighborhood Council 37 Playa West Automotive 27 Playa Pharmacy 16 Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary 31
Playa Vista Urgent Care Rainbow Acres-Washington Blvd. Regatta Capital Group RPM Mortgage Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse MDR Socal Sports and Fitness Stephanie Younger Group St. Anastasia School St. John Health Center Playa Vista Tony P’s Dockside Grill Tower Pizza Truxton’s American Bistro Vergari and Napolitano Visitation School Westchester Elks Lodge Westchester Family YMCA Westchester Farmers’ Market Westchester’s Jewel and Playa’s Treasures Westchester Lutheran Westchester Rotary Westchester Town Center BID Westchester Watch Works Westside Pacific Village WISH Charter School Zacha Homes
17 09 40 19 12 41 23 33 29 11 13 07 20 35 25 17 38 04 03 30 03 24 30 34 36
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. Connect with the HTN: Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Phone: (310) 641-1016 Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Best Of 2017
August 2017 • Page 3
Westchester resident readies to run 135-miles through Death Valley to help end polio
Rotarians show their support for DeCou with shirts that read “Go, Rob, Go!” on the back at a recent Rotary breakfast. DeCou (right) poses with wife Kristin (top right), son Hudson and Rotary District Governor, Cozette Vergari, at the breakfast.
Page 4 • August 2017
BEST OF 2017
impossible and that I can’t possibly finish. For those who know me best I hope you say in a quiet confident voice, ‘watch him.’” DeCou will be joined in the run by two fellow ultra runners and incredible Native American athletes, Maria “Mariposa” Walton, and David “Alapatwu-Running Deer” Nelson. For moral support and encouragement, a group of Rotarians will be joining them along the route across Death Valley. Rotarians will also be celebrating DeCou’s run at locations throughout Los Angeles starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 7 as he crosses the finish line. Locally, the community is invited to celebrate DeCou’s run at Tony P’s Dockside Grill and the LAX Coastal Chamber. A complete list of party locations and details can be found at portal.clubrunner.ca/50010/ SitePage/rob-s-run. To help keep him motivated, a large group of his friends and family, including wife Kristin DeCou and his son Hudson, will be holding down DeCou’s base of operations near Lone Pine. A support crew will also be on hand to work alternating shifts, and includes massage therapist Darla Workman, videographer Luke Rafferty, photographer Susan Ely and others. Said DeCou, “As we reach the finish line of eradicating polio and making it the second disease ever to have that status, let’s finish strong and push through these final chapters until we can say that we have crossed that line and polio is a distant memory of a long lost nemesis. We are this close and closing in on the finish line.”
Photo by Jorg Rose.
Veteran extreme athlete Rob DeCou is joining forces with Los Angeles Rotary District 5280, which includes Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and surrounding areas, and Rotary District Governor Cozette Vergari to raise more than $250,000 for the End Polio Now campaign. With the 2-for-1 matching grants offered from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the generosity of the Rotary community, Vergari is hopeful that the goal can be achieved. This is the last year that the Gates Foundation is offering matching grants for the End Polio Now Campaign, making this a crucial year to raise money for the cause. On Saturday morning, August 5, DeCou, a Westchester resident and member of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club, will start his run from the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. At 282-feet below sea level, it’s close to where the hottest temperature on the planet was recorded: 134 degrees in 1913. He will run across the desert floor for 135-miles over three days–a total running time of about 60 hours– before climbing to an elevation of 8,361 feet at the Whitney Portal. “Rob is an incredible athlete with an enormous heart,” said Vergari. “It is no hyperbole to say that his run will change lives and help Rotarians around the world wipe polio from the face of the earth.” Since 1988, worldwide polio cases have been reduced by 99.9%. Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. The polio virus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours.
It can strike at any age, but mainly affects children under five. Polio is incurable, but completely vaccinepreventable. In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. Rotary has contributed more than $1.6 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $7.2 billion to the effort. Last year, there were wild polio cases in only three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. But the polio cases represented by
the remaining less than one percent of the world are the most difficult to prevent, due to factors including geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks. “The thought of pushing ‘beyond our limits’ has resonated with me lately,” DeCou said. “This event is extremely tough, exhausting, physically and emotionally draining and yet there is something inside me as an ultra athlete that just has to know how I will fair through this journey. Sometimes things seem so unachievable until we take the steps, plot a course and finish them. I’ve had people at many times in my life say that events I take on are
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Dear Readers, The results of our 2017 Best Of Reader’s poll are in, and we are excited to share the results with you in the following pages. August’s paper is one of our favorite issues because it is all about celebrating community. With so many outstanding restaurants, businesses and organizations that help make up the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey areas, we wanted to help shine a little light on the people who are doing great things in our neighborhoods. We first started our Best Of List in 2011 to honor these great individuals, and now, six years later, we are proud to say we have accomplished our goal of helping recognize those who make our community a great place to live, work and visit. Whether it’s serving up an awesome slice of pizza, providing excellent customer service or offering the best local places to shop, the following pages highlight the businesses that go the extra mile for their customers, inspiring the type of loyalty that gets our readers voting every year to make sure their favorites make our list. Voting took place in two rounds, with readers nominating their favorites in
each category during the first round. The top vote-getters then moved on to the final round of voting, which ended on June 21. Readers could vote via a link from SurveyMonkey, and voting was limited to one vote per IP address. Listed are the “Best Of” honoree and the two runner-up “Favorites.” While this poll is a fun way to celebrate community, it only represents a small portion of all the great things that make up our neighborhood. If your favorites didn’t make the list, please remember to vote next year! The HomeTown News loves supporting our small businesses and shopping local. When we support our local businesses they are able to support our neighborhood through sponsoring local sports teams, donating to school fundraisers, providing jobs and helping our community thrive. As always, we are grateful to our readers, Best Of voters, our advertisers and this community for their support; our publication would not be possible without you! Without further ado, we would like to present the results of our 2017 Best Of Reader’s Poll. We hope you’ll consider patronizing our Best Of List honorees and enjoy trying some new spots around town. Make sure to tell them the HTN sent you!
-The Westchester/Playa HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Best Of 2017
August 2017 • Page 5
Tompkins Square
PL
•
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Truxton’s American Bistro
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com
Cantalini’s Salerno Beach
193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0018 or salernobeach.com Cantalini’s Salerno Beach is back at the top of our list this year for Best Italian Restaurant. The intimate Playa del Rey Restaurant has earned its reputation for the best Italian fare in town with its homemade raviolis, gnocchi, fresh pasta dishes and pizza. Stop by Sunday nights for live music, while enjoying dinner with your friends and family.
BEST BURGER The Shack
185 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.823.6222 or the-shacks.com When you’re craving a big, juicy burger, head on down to Playa del Rey for the Shack Burger and a side of fries! Our reader voted favorite for five years in a row, the burger features a 1/4 pound patty and a Louisiana Sausage. If you’re starving after a day at the beach, order a double! When you’re done, consider sticking around the neighborhood bar for drinks and camaraderie.
8343 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.6677 or alejosrestaurant.com
Favorites: Tompkins Square
3016 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.301.7278 or candorestaurants.com
Truxton’s American Bistro
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT Tony P’s Dockside Grill
800 Degrees Playa Vista
Favorites: Paco’s Tacos
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BEST OF 2017
6212 Manchester Blvd., Westchester
8522 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1212 or t2barandgrill.com 8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com
BEST STEAK HOUSE
Favorites: Hal’s Bar & Grill Playa Vista
12751 W. Millennium #135, Playa Vista
R
310.645.8692 or pacoscantina.com
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com Bring the whole family to dine at Tony P’s for a memorable experience whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The friendlyatmosphere, kid’s menu with “Foo Foo Drinks” and its great location on the Marina, make Tony P’s the place to be whether you’re celebrating a birthday, entertaining people from out of town or spending some quality family time together.
12751 Millennium Dr. #140, Playa Vista 310.751.6834 or halsplayavista.com
WESTCHESTE
424.379.1001 or 800degreespizza.com
C&O Cucina
6224 W Manchester Ave., Westchester 424.227.6486 or cahuengagroup.com/ cafe-solar/ Cafe Solar has been a much welcomed addition to the Westchester dining scene since it opened in September thanks to its eclectic menu, hip atmosphere and generous coffee and tea menu. Browse the cafe’s dessert cases before you leave for a delicious assortment of homemade cookies, cakes and muffins.
BEST NEW RESTAURANT Cafe Solar
new favorite hangout spot. Cafe Solar is currently open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., but GM Emily Accardo, says the restaurant hopes to be open soon for dinner, with accompanying live music.
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
Cafe Solar
A
smoothies and more. Whether you’re looking to meet a friend for breakfast, enjoy a casual business lunch with coworkers, or looking to get some work done over a fresh baked croissant and a Cafe Americano, Cafe Solar might be your
Favorites: Alejo’s
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
ST
like cinnamon French toast, omelettes, breakfast burritos and avocado toast, alongside a great selection of crepes, sandwiches, burgers and salads. The cafe also has an expansive drink menu, serving up coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, cold pressed juices.
8522 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1212 or t2barandgrill.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
A V I
DEL REY
8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com Since opening 11 years ago, Truxton’s American Bistro has been a community favorite thanks to its generous menu with something for everyone, friendly staff and welcoming vibe. Some of our favorite items include the Monkey Bread, the Wild Mushroom Linguine and the El Paso Burger Plate, and of course, you’ll be missing out if you don’t end your meal with the Bistro Cookie for Two.
• P L AY
INA
Truxton’s American Bistro
EY L R
AR
BEST AMERICAN RESTAURANT
DE
M
Since Cafe Solar opened in Westchester last fall, locals have been flocking to the hip, casual eatery to enjoy their eclectic all-day breakfast and lunch menu earning it the “Best New Restaurant” title with our readers. Peruse the menu for morning staples
YA
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FOOD & DRINK
categories
A
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, MDR
Villa Marina Marketplace Mall, 13455 Maxella Ave. #230, Marina del Rey 310.821.4593 or ruthschris.com Ruth’s Chris Steak House Marina del Rey takes our top spot this year with our readers for Best Steak House and Best Service. Enter the restaurant’s red doors and dig into a 40-ounce tomahawk ribeye or an 8-ounce petite filet served on a sizzling 500 degree plate.
Favorites: George Petrelli’s Steakhouse
5615 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 310.397.1438 or georgepetrellisteaks.com
2301 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo 310.643.6911 or flemingssteakhouse.com
BEST BUSINESS LUNCH SPOT Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
Favorites: Cafe del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.6395 or cafedelreymarina.com
Truxton’s American Bistro
8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com
BEST PIZZA The Good Pizza
7929 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.215.1883 or thegoodpizza.com 8115 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.827.0500 or thegoodpizza.com 4222 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 424.835.4243 or thegoodpizza.com Now with three locations to serve you (one in Westchester, Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey), The Good Pizza is never too far away when you’ve got a hankering for a delicious slice of cheese or pepperoni. If you’re ordering for the whole family, try an 18” pie or order from the menu, which includes salads, pastas, sandwiches and desserts.
Favorites: Beach Pizza
8601 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.827.2000 or eatbeachpizza.com
LaRocco’s Pizzeria
8806 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.642.0029 or laroccospizzeria.com
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Best Of 2017
August 2017 • Page 7
BEST RESTAURANT Tony P’s Dockside Grill
Tony P’s Dockside Grill may be the area’s most popular restaurant if how many times this local eatery makes our Best Of List is any indication! With an extensive food and drink
menu that prides itself in delicious comfort food, hardy portions, reasonable prices and options for everyone, Tony P’s is packed on any given night. For a special treat, enjoy
lunch or dinner on the patio that overlooks the Marina. A favorite Best Neighborhood Bar honoree, the restaurant’s “Tavern,” with eight big screen TVs and more
BEST RESTAURANT
Kreation Organic Juicery
424.228.2298 or sweetfishsushi.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com Our readers can’t get enough of Tony P’s Dockside Grill, and this year the restaurant takes back its “Best Restaurant” title, thanks to its picture sque location on the Marina, generous portions and probably the largest drink menu around. Whether you’re enjoying one of their famous Mai Tais on the patio, watching a basketball game in the bar or dining on the fish and chip’s (my grandma’s favorite), make sure you say “hi” to restaurant owner Tony Palermo as he makes his rounds.
Favorites: Playa Provisions
119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com
Truxton’s American Bistro
8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com
BEST JUICE BAR
Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd.
13208 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles 310.306.8330 or rainbowacresca.com When you’re in the mood for a juice, Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd. has you covered with their great selection of fresh or ready-to-go cold pressed juices, shakes and smoothies. If you have time, order up a freshly made Zesty veggie drink with carrot, cayenne pepper, lemon juice and wheatgrass, or if you’re feeling under the weather, order up a Carlo’s Flu Special with carrot, ginger and orange.
Favorites: G’s Juice
343 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.822.7733 or senorgs.com
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Kabuki Japanese Restaurant HHLA
4716 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310. 822.1220 or kreationjuice.com
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR Tompkins Square Bar and Grill
8522 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1212 or t2barandgrill.com In the mood for a drink? Stop by this friendly neighborhood watering hole for a drink at the bar and stay for one of their signature burgers, while enjoying a game on the TV. Visit this Westchester locale on Wednesday nights for the fun, festive team trivia nights starting at 8 p.m.
Favorites: Melody Bar & Grill
BEST DESSERTS Westchester Bakery
6216 W. 87th St., Westchester 310.215.9606 or westchesterbakery.com Westchester Bakery doesn’t disappoint when you’re in the mood for a sweet treat. Stop by this multi-generational family owned business for your custom cakes needs, and don’t leave without an order of cream puffs, cannolis, cookies, cupcakes or our favorite, the Florentine cookie.
Favorites: KC’s Crepes
8320 Lincoln Blvd. #101B, Westchester 310.348.9697 or kcscrepescafe.com
9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1994 or melodylax.com
Susie Cakes Marina del Rey
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4714 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.742.2253 or susiecakes.com
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
BEST HAPPY HOUR
BEST SUSHI RESTAURANT
Cinco
Kanpai Japanese Sushi
8736 S Sepulveda Blvd C., Westchester 310.670.0533 or kanpai-sushi.net If you’re looking for sushi, Kanpai will not disappoint with its long menu of sashimi and specialty rolls, including the LMU Roll with fresh water eel avocado, cucumber and kaiware and the Otis Roll with shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber topped with spicy tuna. The restaurant’s menu also includes over 40 premium sakes, tempura, ramen and more.
Sweet Fish Sushi Bar and Restaurant 13020 Pacific Promenade #8, Playa Vista
BEST OF 2017
6081 Center Dr., Westchester 310.641.5524 or kabukirestaurants.com
7241 West Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.910.0895 or cincola.com When it comes to happy hour, Cinco is a neighborhood favorite to catch up after a long day at the office. Happy Hour runs Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. Menu highlights include $1 tacos, $6 burritos and $8 margaritas.
Favorites: Tompkins Square
8522 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1212 or t2barandgrill.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
than 100 beer choices, makes it a highly sought after spot to watch a game while enjoying drinks and appetizers with your buddies.
BEST BEER SELECTION Yard House Marina del Rey
13455 Maxella Ave., Marina del Rey 310.822.7690 or yardhouse.com Beers aficionados can rejoice at the long beer list at Marina del Rey’s Yard House Restaurant. Whether you’re in the mood for something fruity like the Lost Coast Watermelon Wheat from Eureka, or an India Pale Ale like the Smog City Hoptonic from Torrance, the menu is sure to have something that will quench your thirst.
Favorites: Three Weavers
1031 W. Manchester Blvd., Unit A-B, Inglewood 310.400.5830 or threeweavers.la
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
BEST FROZEN YOGURT/ICE CREAM SHOP Yogurtland Westchester
8752 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.649.5600 or yogurt-land.com Serve yourself up any combination of flavors at Westchester’s favorite Frozen Yogurt Shop, Yogurtland Westchester. Enjoy fruity flavors like Guava Pineapple Tart or something with chocolate like Double Cookies and Cream, or a combo of both. Don’t forget the toppings!
Favorites: Menchie’s Westchester
8815 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.642.8200 or menchies.com
Pinkberry Playa Vista
6020 S. Seabluff Dr. #4, Playa Vista 310.862.2570 or pinkberry.com
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo Courtesy Ruth’s Chris MDR.
BEST STEAK HOUSE Ruth’s Chris Steak House Marina del Rey
BEST SANDWICH SHOP Del Rey Deli
8501 Pershing Dr. Ste 3, Playa del Rey 310.439.2256 or delreydeli.com Del Rey Deli has been delighting customers since 2013 with their fresh deli sandwiches like “The Don” and the “DR Muffaletta.” Finish off your order with one of their fresh made soups, salads and goodies for a complete meal. The deli is also open for breakfast with offerings like the pretzel-egg sandwich, Del Rey Breakfast Burrito and the Bagel with house cured lox.
Favorites: Mendocino Farms
BEST PIZZA SLICE The Good Pizza
7929 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.215.1883 or thegoodpizza.com 8115 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.827.0500 or thegoodpizza.com 4222 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 424.835.4243 or thegoodpizza.com
Favorites: LaRocco’s Pizzeria
8806 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.642.0029 or laroccospizzeria.com
Vinny’s Pizza
8412 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.641.8666 or vinnyspizza.com
4724 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.822.2300 or mendocinofarms.com
Olive It
6231 W 87th St., Westchester 310.242.2092 or oliveit.com
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Best Of 2017
August 2017 • Page 9
Ayara Thai is known for its delicious and authentic dishes that regularly have customers lining out the door for a spot at this Westchester eatery. The restaurant is currently undergoing some exciting
BEST THAI RESTAURANT Ayara Thai Cuisine
6245 West 87th Street, Westchester 310.410.8848 or ayarathaicuisine.com Currently closed for some exciting renovations, Ayara Thai is #1 with our readers. We can’t wait to see what the restaurant will look like when it reopens later this year. In the meantime, stop by Ayara’s pop-up restaurant, Ayara Luk, and enjoy a menu that combines Ayara classics with exciting dishes that change regularly.
Favorites: Thai Dishes
6234 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.342.0046 or thaidishes-la.com
Thai Talay
8411 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.3055 or thethaitalay.com
BEST SEAFOOD Kanpai Sushi
8325 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.338.7223 or kanpai-sushi.net When you’re in the mood for sushi, look no further than Kanpai. The restaurant excels in beautifully plated dishes that highlight ingredients like tuna, yellow tail, calamari and shrimp.
Favorites: Killer Shrimp
4211 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.578.2293 or killershrimp.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
BEST BAR Cinco
7241 West Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.910.0895 or cincola.com
Favorites: Tompkins Square
8522 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester
Page 10 • August 2017
renovations and will reopen later this year. Luckily, you’ll only have to take a 2-minute walk from the restaurant’s location to satisfy your Ayara cravings at their nearby popup, Ayara Luk. At Ayara Luk you can
enjoy a curated and rotating menu that mixes the best of Ayara with new dishes inspired by the owners’ experiences as first-generation ThaiAmericans. Stop by Ayara Luk on Saturday,
BEST RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE
310.670.1212 or t2barandgrill.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
BEST BREAKFAST The Coffee Company
8751 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.645.7315 or laxcoffeeco.com When it comes to breakfast, The Coffee Company is king. Stop by seven days a week at this Westchester icon for Belgium Waffles with strawberries, Hawaiian bread French Toast or its abundant menu of omelettes and skillets. But be prepared to wait in line, especially on the weekend, before you get to dig into these delicious dishes.
Favorites: J. Nichols Kitchen
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
Favorites: Playa Provisions
119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com
Salt at Marina del Rey Hotel
13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey 424.289.8223 or pacificahotels.com/salt
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT Paco’s Tacos
6212 Manchester Blvd., Westchester 310.645.8692 or pacoscantina.com Visit this family-friendly Westchester favorite for its generous combination plates, tacos, burritos and chimichangas, and don’t forget the margaritas!
4375 Glencoe Ave., Marina del Rey 310.823.2283 or jnicholskitchen.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
BEST CATERER
Favorites: Benny’s Tacos
11707 Washington Pl., Los Angeles 310.398.6326 or ruttscafe.com/catering.html Since 1976 Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe has been serving up tropical-inspired cuisine from loco moco to macaroni salad. When you’re in need of a catering feast, this restaurant has you covered with its menu of Kalua Pork, Chicken Katsu, Lau Lau and other Hawaiian signature dishes.
Hacienda Del Rey
Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe and Catering
Favorites: Olive It
6231 W 87th St., Westchester 310.242.2092 or oliveit.com
Rise and Shine
6511 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.649.0906 or riseandshinecatering.com
7101 Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.670.8226 or bennystacos.com 8347 Lincoln Blvd.,Westchester 310.670.8588
BEST RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL Salt at Marina del Rey Hotel
13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey 424.289.8223 or pacificahotels.com/salt Salt, located in the hip Marina del Rey Hotel, is delighting diners with its take on fresh California-inspired cuisine with dishes that rely heavily on seafood.
Favorites: Beachside at Jamaica Bay Inn 14160 Palawan Way, Marina del Rey
BEST OF 2017
August 5 for National Oyster Day. Chef Vanda Asapahu and her team will be shucking oysters all day and offering a full menu with seafood favorites to celebrate. For more info visit ayaraluk.com. 310.439.3033 or pacificahotels.com/jamaicabayinn/restaurant
Cast & Plow at Ritz-Carlton, MDR 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.574.4333 or ritzcarlton.com
BEST LUNCH SPOT Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
Favorites: The Ramen Joint
6220 W. 87th St., Westchester 424.227.9328 or theramenjoint.com
Truxton’s American Bistro
8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com
BEST BAKERY Westchester Bakery
6216 W. 87th St., Westchester 310.215.9606 or westchesterbakery.com
Favorites: Angel Made Bakery
4542 Centinela Ave., Los Angeles 310.915.2078
SusieCakes Marina del Rey 4714 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.742.2253 or susiecakes.com
BEST HEALTHY DINING OPTIONS Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd. 13208 W Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, 310.306.8330 or rainbowacresca.com
Favorites: Cafe Solar
6224 W Manchester Ave., Westchester 424.227.6486 or cahuengagroup.com/cafe-solar
Urban Plates
12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. #3140, Playa Vista 424.256.7274 or urbanplates.com
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo Courtesy Ayara Thai Restaurant.
BEST THAI RESTAURANT Ayara Thai Restaurant
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Best Of 2016
August 2017 • Page 11
Photo Courtesy Truxton’s American Bistro.
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Playa Provisions
119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com Owned by Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson and her husband, Nick Roberts, this Playa del Rey favorite houses 4 distinct restaurant concepts--an ice cream shop, Small Batch; a bar specializing in drinks featuring whiskey, Grain; a casual cafe, King Beach and a restaurant serving up seasonal seafood dishes called Dockside. When you’re looking for a romantic, fun night out for a first date or an anniversary, make sure to make a reservation at this local hot spot.
Favorites: Salt at Marina del Rey Hotel
13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey 424.289.8223 or pacificahotels.com/salt
Cafe del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.6395 or cafedelreymarina.com
BEST BRUNCH Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
Favorites: The Coffee Company
8751 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.645.7315 or laxcoffeeco.com
Truxton’s American Bistro
BEST AMERICAN RESTAURANT Truxton’s American Bistro
8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com
BEST RESTAURANT CATERER Cantalini’s Salerno Beach (tied) 193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0018 or salernobeach.com
The Good Pizza (tied)
7929 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.215.1883 or thegoodpizza.com 8115 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.827.0500 or thegoodpizza.com
Favorites: Truxton’s American Bistro
8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
BEST SERVICE Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Villa Marina Marketplace Mall, 13455 Maxella Ave. #230, Marina Del Rey 310.821.4593 or ruthschris.com
Favorites: Cantalini’s Salerno Beach
193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0018 or salernobeach.com
Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
BEST HOSPITAL
GYM
8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 310.423.3277 or cedars-sinai.edu Cedars-Sinai is consistently ranked as one of America’s best hospitals and is one of the largest nonprofit hospitals in America with 886 licensed beds, 2,100 physicians and 2,800 nurses. Closer to home, the Marina del Rey Hospital has recently become a Cedars-Sinai affiliate.
8015 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.4316 or ymcala.org/westchester The Westchester Family YMCA has been voted this year’s Best Neighborhood Gym. More than just a place to exercise, the Y believes in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For the month of August, when you sign-up on Tuesdays, there’s no joining fee.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Favorites: Marina del Rey Hospital
4650 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.823.8911 or marinahospital.com
Providence St. John’s Health Center 2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 310.829.5511 or california.providence.org/ saint-johns/
categories
Westchester Family YMCA
Favorites: L.A. Fitness Westchester
8601 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.846.0070 or lafitness.com
Socal Sports & Fitness
8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #111, Westchester 310.497.0863 or jeffblairfitness.com
BEST BEST URGENT CARE SPECIALTY FITNESS STUDIO Playa Vista Medical Center 6020 S. Seabluff Dr., Playa Vista 310.862.0400 or pvmedcenter.com For six years in a row, Playa Vista Medical Center has taken home our Best Urgent Care title. When you’re looking to treat an ear ache, get a physical, or need an x-ray, the center’s goal is to provide you with high-quality advanced urgent care.
Favorites: Manchester Urgent Care
Crossfit Aviator
6216 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.683.4302 or crossfitaviator.com Ready to get fit? Crossfit Aviator can help you get in the best shape of your life with their high intensity, high energy exercise style. During classes everyone performs the workout of the day, which can be scaled to any fitness level, creating encouragement between members and friendly competition.
6222 W. Manchester Ave. Suite A, Westchester 310.670.0230 or urgent-care-los-angeles.com
Favorites: Playa Pilates
4560 Admiralty Way , Suite 100, Marina del Rey 310.656.1770 or uclahealth.org
Playa Vista Martial Arts
UCLA Playa Marina Urgent Care
BEST OPTOMETRIST/ OPTOMETRY OFFICE Del Rey Optometry
8511 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey 310.577.6401 or delreyoptometry.com When it comes to your eye care needs, Del Rey Optometry is committed to providing excellent and comprehensive service. Whether you need an eye exam, a new contact lenses prescription or are looking for a stylish pair of glasses, Del Rey Optometry is ready to give each patient exceptional care.
Favorites: Dr. Harold Ashcraft at Family Eyecare Center of Optometry 8735 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.670.4411 or drashcraft.com
Dr. Marc Simmons
6225 W. 87th Street, Ste. 101, Westchester 310.674.5123 or marcsimmonsod.com
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD
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6020 Seabluff Dr. #6, Playa Vista 310.862.0499 or playapilates.com 6516 Arizona Ave., Westchester 310.728.6463 or playavistamartialarts.com
BEST YOGA STUDIO LiveYoga Wellness
6700 W. 83rd St., Westchester 310.835.6700 or liveyogawellness.com LiveYoga Wellness helps empower students to take a journey of personal growth, physical recovery and healing through yoga. Whether you’re looking for mixed level flow, therapeutic or all level yoga classes, LiveYoga Wellness has a class that can meet your needs led by knowledgeable instructors.
Favorites: Yoga Bliss
6218 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 424.442.0647 or yogabliss-studio.com
YogaWorks Playa Vista
12746 W Jefferson Blvd #3120 424.228.8899 or yogaworks.com/location/ playa-vista
BEST OF 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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BEST PERSONAL TRAINER Chloe Back at Chloe Back Personal Training
310.418.0145 or chloestraining.com Chloe is a certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist who combines resistance, cardio and core training for her clients. Whatever your goals--weight loss, toning or staying fit––Chloe can help you succeed.
Favorites: Jeff Blair at SoCal Sports and Fitness
8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #111, Westchester 310.497.0863 or jeffblairfitness.com
Paul Horn, Horn Strength & Conditioning
6204 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.922.2249 or hornstrength.com
BEST DENTIST
Westchester Pediatric Dentistry
8540 S. Sepulveda Blvd #710, Westchester 310.216.5754 or smilewestchester.com Westchester Pediatric Dentistry’s Dr. Deepa Sreenivasan and Dr. Christie Burnett specialize in preventive dentistry, quality restorations and aesthetic dentistry for children. Visit their Westchester office to make sure your smile shines.
Favorites: Dr. Kaz Tomimatsu
BEST DERMATOLOGIST Dr. Howard Sofen
8930. S Sepulveda Blvd.#114, Westchester 310.337.7171 or drsofen.com This Westchester office offers both medical and cosmetic dermatology services to their patients. Their cosmetic dermatology offerings include Botox, chemical peels, fillers and more.
Favorites: Dr. Nita Patel
4560 Admiralty Way #101, Marina del Rey 310.577.7544 or drpatellaser.com
Dr. Sherri Peace
8930 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #104, Westchester 310.645.6001 or peacemd.com
BEST DOCTOR/ DOCTOR OFFICE Westchester Pediatrics
8725 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1455 or westchesterpeds.com
Favorites: Playa Vista Medical Center
6020 S. Seabluff Dr. #1, Playa Vista 310.862.0400 or pvmedcenter.com
Dr. Peter Mikhail
8610 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Ste 208, Westchester 310.642.0100
8930 S. Sepulveda Blvd Ste. 211, Westchester 310.641.4074
Playa Vista Dental Care
6020 S. Seabluff Dr. Suite 5, Playa Vista 310.589.3146 or playavistadentalcare.com
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BEST LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER Zsuzsi Photography
Zsuzsi Steiner is here to capture your special family moments that you’ll treasure for a lifetime. The Westchester mom and WISH Middle School teacher, specializes in family photos, portraits and events, and loves
traveling to the beach and the parks at Playa Vista to get the perfect shot during the “golden hour.” She also enjoys being able to capture personable, but candid pictures. Learn more at zsuzsiphotography.com.
BEST REAL ESTATE GROUP/TEAM
BEST AUTO SHOP
Stephanie Younger Group
310.499.2020 or stephanieyounger.com The Stephanie Younger Group is here to help you find the home of your dreams. Specializing in Westchester, Playa del Rey and the surrounding areas, the team is opening its new office in Westchester this fall.
Favorites: The Real Estate Consultants
7151 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.642.7653 or therealestateconsultants.com
Zacha Homes
6605 W 80th St., Westchester 310.215.1981 or zachahomes.com
BEST LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Zsuzsi Steiner Photography 714.856.5737 or zsuzsiphotography.com Zsuzsi Photography makes its first appearance on this year’s list with the #1 spot. Westchester mom Zsuzsi Steiner is ready to capture life’s most special moments and specializes in photographing children, families, portraits and events.
Playa West Automotive
8145 Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.822.9115 or playawestautomotive.com Playa West Automotive has been voted Best Auto Shop six years in a row! They pride themselves in integrity and honesty, as well as mechanical know how when it comes to your automotive repairs. The shop works on all makes and models of cars, including hybrids and classic autos.
Favorites: B&J Service Center
6551 80th St., Westchester 310.670.4272 or bandjservice.mechanicnet.com
Loyola Automotive
8314 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.0822 or loyolaautomotive.com
BEST HOTEL/INN Inn at Playa del Rey
435 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.574.1920 or innatplayadelrey.com Nestled on Culver Blvd. and adjacent to the Ballona Wetlands, the 22-room Inn at Playa del Rey is known for its casual elegance, superior customer service and their baked goods.
Favorites: Marie Teagardin
Favorites: Marina del Rey Hotel
Ballerini Cooley Studios
Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey
310.283.2789 or teagardin.com 8242 Sunnysea Dr., Playa del Rey 310.301.1576 or ballerinicooleystudios.com
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13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey 310.301.1000 or marinadelreyhotel.com 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310. 823.1700 or ritzcarlton.com/Marina_del_ Rey
BEST OF 2017
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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BEST PROPERTY BEST FAMILY LAW MANAGEMENT FIRM ATTORNEY Drollinger Properties
8929 Sepulveda Blvd., Ste 130, Westchester 310.417.8048 or drollingerproperties.com Drollinger Properties is known for treating their tenants like family, earning them the top vote for Best Property Management Firm. The company owns and manages a variety of buildings in Westchester including the Paradise Building, the Drollinger Building and Westchester Square. Known for giving back, the company’s president was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2011.
Matthew Smurda, Law Offices of Matthew Smurda
12655 W. Jefferson Blvd. Los Angeles , CA 90066 424.253.1177 or smurdalaw.com This law firm specializes in all aspects of family law from divorces, paternity, child custody, domestic partnerships and more. Dealing with every case with experience and compassion, the office’s mission is to uphold family roles and obligations with the upmost care and importance.
Favorites: All County Beach Cities (tie)
Favorites: David Voss, Voss, Silverman & Braybrooke LLP
E&S Ring (tie)
Cozette Vergari, Vergari & Napolitano
8929 Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 206, Westchester 310.216.4400 or allcountybeachcities.com 6601 Center Drive West, Suite #600, Westchester 310.337.5400 or esring.com
Decron Properties
6222 Wilshire Blvd., #400, Los Angeles 323.556.6600 or decronproperties.com
BEST ATTORNEY/LAW FIRM David Voss, Voss, Silverman & Braybrooke LLP
4640 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.306.0515 or vsbllp.com In addition to being an award-winning attorney specializing in representing individuals, families and corporate clients, Voss dedicates his time to giving back to the community through his work with the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, Boys & Girls Club and the neighborhood council.
Favorites: Matthew Swanlund, Aesthetic Legal 12777 W. Jefferson Blvd., Building D #300, LA 310.486.6958 or aestheticlegal.com
4640 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.306.0515 or vsbllp.com
5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 1580, Westchester 310.410.4014 or laxlawyers.com
BEST PHARMACY Playa Pharmacy
8131 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.823.4500 or playapharmacy.com This family-run pharmacy takes our top spot again in this year’s poll and was also voted “Best Small Business.” In addition to filling prescriptions and compounding, the pharmacy’s experienced staff also offer flu shots, immunizations, medication reviews and diabetes consulting. Always offering friendly, quick and efficient service, they offer email and text message refill reminders.
Favorites: Marina del Rey Pharmacy
4558 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.5311
Westchester Pharmacy
8930 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #103, Westchester 310.670.3463 or westchesterpharmacy.com
Cozette Vergari, Vergari & Napolitano
5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 1580, Westchester 310.410.4014 or laxlawyers.com
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Photo by Stacey Cochrane.
Best New Restaurant Cafe Solar
Best Date Night Restaurant Playa Provisions
Best Pizza The Good PIzza Best University Loyola Marymount
Best Sandwich Shop Del Rey Deli
Best Restaurant Tony P’s Dockside Grill
Best Florist Flowers by Felicia
Best Yogurt Yogurtland
Best Thing About MDR The Marina
Best Italian Restaurant Cantalini’s Best Real Estate Team Stephanie Younger Group Best Yoga Studio LiveYoga Wellness
Best Atmosphere Tony P’s Dockside Grill Page 22 • August 2017
Best Jewelry or Watch Shop Westchester Watch Works BEST OF 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
BEST OF 2017
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BEST FLORIST Flowers by Felicia
8428 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey 310.305.1200 or flowersbyfeliciapdr.com When you need a beautiful flower arrangement, call or drop-in to this Playa del Rey shop for a consultation with Felicia St. Denis. Whether you’re looking for a bouquet to say “I love you,” a Mother’s Day arrangement, centerpieces for an event or a gift, there is no occasion to big or small. As an added bonus, the shop doubles as a coffee and gift shop.
Favorites: Playa del Rey Florist
307 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0984 or playaflowers.com
Westchester Flowers
8520 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.645.6767or westchesterflowersla.com
BEST SMALL BUSINESS Playa Pharmacy
8131 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.823.4500 or playapharmacy.com
Favorites: Musical Beginnings
6607 W 80th St., Westchester 310.641.8518 or musicalbeginnings.org
Wagz Grooming
8728 1/4 S Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.306.1090 or wagzinc.com
BEST FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDER Playa Vista Insurance Services
8055 W. Manchester Ave. Suite 202, Playa del Rey 800.834.2310 or playavistains.com Rachel Sunday and her team at Playa Vista Insurance Services specialize in middle market and large group healthcare consulting. With a combined total of 25 years of experience in medical and employee benefits, Playa Vista Insurance Services is committed to helping each client receive excellent service.
Favorites: RPM Mortgage
4640 Admiralty Way, Suite 430, Marina del Rey 310.574.7700 or rpm-mtg.com/branch/la
Sarlo Income Tax
1842 Washington Way, Venice 310.823.6363
BEST JEWELRY/ WATCH STORE Westchester Watch Works
630 N. Sepulveda Blvd. #12B, El Segundo 310.640.1074 or westchesterwatchworks. com When you need a watch repaired, jewelry cleaned or are looking to purchase a new timepiece, make a trip to Westchester Watch Works for excellent service, expert knowledge and a great selection. This family-owned
BEST SMALL BUSINESS
business is also now offering free pick-up and delivery for those on the go, as well as text messages to let you know your watch is ready for pick-up.
Playa Pharmacy
Favorites: Blue Diamond Jewelers
8622 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.577.2211or bluediamondjeweler.com
Marina Bay Watch Company
4027 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.574.8777or marinabaywatch.com
BEST VETERINARIAN Marina Veterinary Center
8421 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.642.8080 or marinavet.com Dr. Rachel Jones and staff understand that each pet is unique, and they treat every patient with care and compassion. The clinic offers a variety of services from holistic to traditional veterinary care for dogs and cats.
Favorites: Bay Cities Veterinary Hospital-MDR 13476 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey 888.204.2933 or baycitiesvet.com
VCA Marina Animal Hospital
2506 Lincoln Blvd., Venice 310.306.8707 or vcahospitals.com/marina
BEST INSURANCE AGENT Rachel Sunday
8055 W. Manchester Ave. Suite 202, Playa del Rey 800.834.2310 or playavistains.com
Favorites: Peter Kohly
6320 Howard B. Drollinger Way #202, Westchester 310.641.3430
Katie Leung, State Farm Insurance 8405 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.641.8990
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Stephanie Younger, Stephanie Younger Group
310.499.2020 or stephanieyounger.com
Favorites: Jane St. John, REMAX
155 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.577.5300 or westsidebeachhomes.com
Robin Zacha, Zacha Homes 6605 W 80th St., Westchester 310.215.1981 or zachahomes.com
BEST HAIR SALON Avenue Hair
4220 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.822.0700 Avenue Hair takes this year’s Best Of title for the third year in a row for great color, cuts and styling.
Head to Toe
6310 W. 89th St. A, Westchester 310.338,8689
Jon Peri Salon
13175 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey 310.821.8012 or johnperisalon.com
BEST SHOPPING CENTER Westfield Culver City
6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 310.390.5073 or westfield.com/culvercity Westfield Culver City takes home the Best Shopping Center designation for the first time this year. With a Target, Trader Joe’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom’s Rack, Best Buy and plenty of dining options, it’s hard to beat the selection offered by this local mall.
Favorites: Runway at Playa Vista
Jefferson Blvd. at Runway Road, Playa Vista runwayplayavista.com
Waterside Marina del Rey
4700 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 818.637.8921 or shopwaterside.com
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP Marina del Rey Toyota
4636 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.821.8979 or marinadelreytoyota.com Marina del Rey Toyota works to make buying and leasing cars easy thanks to its customer service and its knowledgeable staff.
Favorites: CarMax LAX
8611 S La Cienega Blvd., Inglewood 310. 957.6712 or carmax.com
Lexus Santa Monica
1602 11th Street, Santa Monica 424.231.0846 or lexussantamonica.com
BEST NATURAL/ HEALTH FOOD STORE
Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd. 13208 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles 310.306.8330 or rainbowacresca.com
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Favorites: Rainbow Acres
12746 W Jefferson Blvd #3190, Playa Vista 310.862.5668 or cinemark.com This theater’s stadium seating and reserve-level luxury seats make it an easy choice for our readers’ favorite movie theater.
Trader Joe’s Westchester
Cinemark Playa Vista
Favorites: Cinemark Howard Hughes 6081 Center Drive, Westchester 310.568.3394 or Cinemark.com
Arclight Beach Cities 831 S.Nash St., El Segundo 310.607.9630
8645 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.338.9238 or traderjoes.com
BEST GIFT SHOP Flowers by Felicia
8428 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey 310.305.1200 or flowersbyfeliciapdr.com
Favorites: Paper Source Marina del Rey 4718 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.301.1952 or papersource.com
Petals ‘N’ Wax
13432 Maxella Ave., Marina del Rey 310.305.8883 or petalsnwax.com
Favorites:
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
4756 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.5373
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BEST COMMUNITY EVENT, 4th of July Parade
Westchester is home to a lot of great events, including our “Best Community Event” honoree, the annual Fourth of July Parade!
Put on by a group of dedicated volunteers with the LAX Coastal Chamber, who love red, white and blue, the event draws thousands
of locals and tourists interested in a little slice of some hometown Americana. Thanks to the overwhelming
BEST COMMUNITY BEST NONPROFIT BEST FARMERS’ EVENT Airport Marina Counseling Service MARKET Fourth of July Parade
laxcoastal.com This hometown event brings thousands of community members to Loyola Blvd. to celebrate our nation’s birthday every July Fourth. With 50 entries that include local schools, sports’ teams and community organizations, a good percentage of the neighborhood is either participating or watching the event, making it no surprise that it has been voted top of our list this year.
Favorites: Race for Success benefiting local schools raceforsuccess5k.wordpress.com
Visitation School’s Food Truck Friday Nights
7891 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1410 or airportmarina.org Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) is dedicated to providing low cost mental health services to hundreds of people each week. Whether clients are dealing with mental illness, stress, trauma, hopelessness or life transitions, AMCS is here to help. In addition to individual counseling, the clinic also offers group counseling, couples therapy, psychiatric care and referrals. Thanks to its donors, the nonprofit is also able to offer an at-risk kids program at local schools and the Hannon Immediate Intervention Program, for those that are dealing with an immediate crisis.
Playa Vista Farmers’ Market
Favorites: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary
6200 block W. 87th St., Westchester westchesterfarmersmkt.com/
playasunrise.org
Favorites: Westchester Farmers Market (Sunday)
support of the community, spectators, sponsors and participants, this Westchester tradition is here to stay. Westchester Farmers Market (Wednesday)
7000 Manchester Blvd., (along Lincoln), Westchester westchesterfarmersmkt.com
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD GEM “Baby Vons”
6571 W. 80th St., Westchester 310.641.9423 or vons.com No other neighborhood market is talked about more fondly than “Baby Vons,” the small grocery store located at the corner of Emerson and 80th Street. Stop in for a few last minute items for tonight’s dinner and you’re bound to run into at least one of your neighbors doing the same thing.
Favorites: Ballona Wetlands Walking Path along the Bluffs
Westchester Rotary Club
8740 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.645.6620 or visitationschool.org
12775 W. Millennium Drive farmermark.com/playavista Visit Playa Vista on Saturday’s for its robust farmers’ market, located in the Runway Shopping Center. The market’s lively atmosphere makes it a fun weekend stop for artisan food items, organic fruits and veggies, brunch items and entertainment. The market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and parking is available in the Runway parking garage.
Photo by Glenn Marzano.
COMMUNITY
categories
rotary-westchester.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES! KENTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAVORITE PUBLIC SCHOOL
We are your Westchester Neighborhood School! Join our tours at 9 a.m. on September 7, October 5, and November 2, 2017. ART • SPORTS • SCIENCE • MUSIC PERFORMING ARTS • TECHNOLOGY Permits accepted; email info@kentwoodes.org
CHECK US OUT AT KENTWOODES.ORG Page 28 • August 2017
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BEST CHARITY/NONPROFIT EVENT RACE FOR SUCCESS
BEST CHARITY/ NONPROFIT EVENT Race for Success
raceforsuccess5k.wordpress.com The Race for Success brings together virtually every local school for a 5k, 1k run/walk on the campus of LMU every spring to raise money for education. In March, the race celebrated its 10th year and since its inception the run has raised almost a quarter of a million dollars for local participating schools.
Favorites: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Cultural Dinner playasunrise.org
Westchester Rotary Book Sale rotary-westchester.com
BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER WISH Charter
6550 W. 80th St., Westchester 310.642.9474 or wishcharter.org WISH has a lot to celebrate this year, thanks to the upcoming opening of its new high school on the campus of Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets. The school, which will now span K-12, has a robust base of parents and community members who believe in the school’s inclusive mission to “maximize every child’s learning potential within an atmosphere of caring and belonging.” These awesome volunteers help make WISH the best school it can be and help its students and staff to thrive.
Favorites: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club playasunrise.org
Westchester Rotary Club (tie) rotary-westchester.com
Westside Pacific Village (tie)
8939 Sepulveda Blvd. #326, Westchester 310.695.7030 or thewpv.org
BEST THING THAT COULD IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY Find Solutions for RVs/Campers Parking in Neighborhood
For the second year in a row, RVS and campers are on the mind of our readers. While there may have been some progress with no overnight parking signs posted on Manchester, residents are still concerned about safety, illegal dumping, trash and neighborhood blight.
Page 30 • August 2017
Favorites: Improve Local Schools Less Traffic
BEST PARK
The Parks at Playa Vista
multiple locations, Playa Vista playavista.com/active-outdoors/parksrec/ Playa Vista may be the park capital of Los Angeles with 47 acres dedicated to open spaces. If you visited one a day, it would take you almost a month to visit the community’s 29 parks! Our favorites include Bluff Creek Fields with a soccer field and tennis court; Ballona Discovery Park with its open-air cultural center; and the Campus Central Park with its iconic bandshell and ponds. There’s also plenty of spots for Fido to play. Visit the park’s website for an interactive map of the area’s parks.
Favorites: Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey 310.305.9595
Westchester Park
7000 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.670.7473
BEST LOCAL YOUTH SPORTS TEAM COACH Chris Walter Favorites: Mike Mulligan Peter Wierzba
BEST MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION LAX Coastal Chamber
9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #210, Westchester 310.645.5151 or laxcoastal.com Since 1953, the LAX Coastal Chamber has been helping create a strong local business environment through its advocacy, outreach, education programs and strategic partnerships. With more than 500 members, the organization prides itself in its work helping enhance the vitality of the community. More than just referrals and a place to network, the chamber puts on a variety of community events including the Teacher Eddy Awards, Fourth of July Parade, Protector’s Breakfast and the School Expo.
Favorites: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club playavenice.org
Westchester Rotary Club rotary-westchester.com
BEST OF 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
BEST VOLUNTEER
Julie Zaller, Moms of Westchester/ Playa del Rey Facebook Group
Since its founding four years ago, the Moms of Westchester/Playa del Rey Facebook Group has turned into a community hub where local women can get advice, recommendations, network and rally together for a good cause. Founder Julie Zaller works hard as the group’s moderator to provide a valuable community service for the group’s members.
Favorites: Gwen Vuchsas, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club, LAX Coastal Chamber playasunrise.org or laxcoastal.com
Lynda Modaff, WISH Charter School wishcharter.org
BEST THING ABOUT WESTCHESTER
Small Town in a big city feel
Westchester may be part of Los Angeles, but the town has managed to maintain its small town feel despite all the changes and growth that has occurred in the last few years. With a close-knit community feel that has us waving and saying “hi” to people we know, wherever we go, Westchester is truly a special place to live and work.
Favorites: The People Fourth of July Parade laxcoastal.com
BEST THING ABOUT PLAYA DEL REY The Beach
With a name that translates to beach of the
king, it’s no surprise that the beach comes in at number one in this year’s poll. For a perfect day in Playa del Rey, make sure to visit a restaurant on Culver Blvd. and head to the beach to get a tan, play in the sand or catch the sunset.
Favorites: Small town beach community feel The Ballona Wetlands
BEST THING ABOUT PLAYA VISTA
Walkability and amenities
In Playa Vista, everything is just a “walk away,” whether you’re going to the park, the market, or enjoying a night out at one of the Runway Shopping Center’s restaurants.
Favorites: The shopping and restaurants The Parks
BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT Playa Vista Concerts
playavista.com/events Playa Vista has a robust summer program schedule, which includes live concerts at the community’s Bandshell Park and Concert Park. The last summer concert of the season will take place on Sunday, August 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with Kenny Metcalf as Elton at the Central Park Bandshell. The Elton John tribute band will feature some of the music icon’s top hits, and each event features gourmet food trucks with items for purchase.
Favorites: Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series beaches.lacounty.gov/concerts
Westchester Arts & Music Block Party wamblockparty.org
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
BEST OF 2017
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BEST UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE, LMU
Having a world-class university like LMU in your backyard comes with a lot of perks. Not only is the campus beautiful to visit, but the university has events and activities throughout the year––from art openings, wine
classics, movie nights and concerts–– that are open to the community. Known for giving back, LMU sponsors a variety of local events, including the Race for Success and the Fourth of July Parade, and the
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
schoolloop.com
St. Anastasia School
8631 Stanmoor Dr., Westchester 310.645.8816 or school.st-anastasia.org For more than fifty years, St. Anastasia Catholic School has promoted life long learning for its Junior Kindergarten through eighth grade students.
Favorites: Visitation Catholic School
8740 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.645.6620 or visitationschool.org
Westside Neighborhood School 5401 Beethoven St,, Los Angeles 310.574.8650 or wnsk8.com
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL WISH Charter School
WISH Charter School 6550 80th St., Westchester 310.642.9474 or wishcharter.org WISH has a lot to celebrate this year as it welcomes the opening of its new high school on the campus of Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet. Led by Executive Director, Shawna Draxton, WISH’s mission is to maximize every scholar’s learning potential within an atmosphere of caring and belonging.
Favorites: Kentwood Elementary School 8401 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.670.8977 or kentwoodes.org
Paseo del Rey Elementary School (tie) 7751 Paseo Del Rey, Playa del Rey 310.823.2356 or paseomagnet-lausd-ca.
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Playa Vista Elementary School (tie) 13150 Bluff Creek Dr,, Playa Vista 424.228.1800 or playavistaschool.com
WISH Charter School
6550 80th St., Westchester 310.642.9474 or wishcharter.org
Favorites: Open Magnet Charter
BEST PRESCHOOL
BEST SUMMER CAMP
6323 W 80th St., Westchester 310.670.5758 or covla.org Covenant Preschool is located on the campus of Covenant Presbyterian Church and since 1963 has provided high-quality half-day preschool programs.
Favorites: Children of Our Savior Preschool
1 LMU Drive, Westchester 310.258.8873 or lmulions.com/camps/loyocamps.html LMU’s generous summer camp and clinic program includes basketball, cheer, tennis, aquatics and soccer, and helps campers hone their skills, teaches good sportsmanship, and most importantly, how to have fun while playing.
Westchester Lutheran Preschool
Favorites: Camp Awesome
6705 W. 77th St., Westchester 310.215.3166 or oursaviorwestchester.com/preschool
5540 W. 77th St., Westchester 310.568.0735 or opencharter.org
Westchester Secondary Charter westchestercharter.org
BEST HIGH SCHOOL
7831 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.5422 or wlcs.org
BEST LIBRARY
Westchester Loyola Village Library
Loyola High School
1901 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles 213.381.5121 or loyolahs.edu Loyola High School makes our list for the first time this year. The all boys school is L.A.’s oldest high school and continues to be a sought after school for local students.
Favorites: St. Bernard High School
7114 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.348.1096 or lapl.org Stop on by this Westchester Park located library for more than just checking out books. Upcoming events include story times, all ages knitting classes and summer movies.
13000 Venice Blvd., Venice 310.577-4200 or venicehs-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com
LMU Sports Camps
424.218.6419 or campawesome.com
Visitation Day Camps
8740 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.645.6620 or visitationschool.org
BEST UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE Loyola Marymount University
Favorites: Playa Vista Library
1 LMU Drive, Westchester 310.338.2700 or lmu.edu LMU’s beautiful campus, its top ranking as a university in the west and numerous community programs make it our readers’ top pick for local university in this year’s poll.
El Segundo Library
Favorites: UCLA
6400 Playa Vista Dr., Playa Vista 310.437.6680 or lapl.org
9100 Falmouth Ave., Playa del Rey 310.823.4651 or stbernardhs.org.
BEST OF 2017
million annually in direct economic activity to L.A., and you can see why our readers love their neighborhood university and voted it number one in this year’s list.
Covenant Preschool
BEST CHARTER SCHOOL
Venice High School
university’s students, many of them Westchester residents, volunteer more than 200,000 hours a year through the school’s 250 service organizations. Add in the fact that LMU generates approximately $808.4
111 W Mariposa Ave., El Segundo 310.524.2722 or library.elsegundo.org
ucla.edu
USC
usc.edu
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photos courtesy LMU.
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
BEST OF 2017
August 2017 • Page 33
St. Anastasia School
Photo by Glenn Marzano.
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
Thank you Westchester and Playa del Rey for voting AYSO Region 7
BEST YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUE!
BEST CHILDCARE PROVIDER Children of Our Savior Preschool
6705 W. 77th St., Westchester 310.215.3166 or oursaviorwestchester.com/preschool
Favorites: Carousel School
8333 Airport Blvd., Westchester 310.216.6641 or carouselschool.com
Covenant Preschool
6323 W 80th St., Westchester 310.670.5758 or covla.org
BEST FAMILY ACTIVITY Going to the beach
Grab the family and head to the beach during the last days of summer for our reader voted #1 family activity. Consider riding bikes or packing a lunch for an extra memorable weekend afternoon enjoying the surf and sand.
Page 34 • August 2017
Favorites: Playa Vista Movies & Concerts in the Park Attending the Fourth of July Parade
BEST YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUE
We have been serving the youth of Westchester and the surrounding communities for many years and are grateful for the continued support of our community. Visit our website ayso7.org for more information.
AYSO Region 7
ayso.bluesombrero.com/region7 AYSO has been voted Best Youth Sports League for the second time this year. Founded in 1971, the league’s six philosophies that include everyone plays, positive coaching and good sportsmanship, have helped thousands of children have fun while learning a new sport. The league is open to boys and girls in the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, Inglewood and Ladera Heights.
Favorites: Del Rey American Little League drall.org
We will be concluding signups shortly; please register at ayso.bluesombrero.com/region7! Register for Region 7 and more information at
ayso.bluesombrero.com/region7
Ian McCullen, ayso7rc@gmail.com • Dennis Kissick, aysodk@gmail.com
Westchester Del Rey Little League wdrll.com
BEST OF 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
BEST OF 2017
August 2017 • Page 35
Congratulations to our 2017 Best Of and Favorite honorees!
Thank you for making our community a great place to live and work! Thank you to our readers, voters and advertisers for making this issue possible.
NEWS Page 36 • August 2017
BEST OF 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
August 2017 • Page 37
Secret recipes from the Inn: lemon donut edition If there’s one thing the Inn Crowd and I love, it’s Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood! We’ll all drive the extra mile to Randy’s because their donuts are AMAZING. I especially love their Maple Long John and their Chocolate Old Fashioned! And it’s always fun to see tourists in the Randy’s parking lot, snapping selfies with the big, iconic Randy’s donut in the background. When people snap selfies, I look away, because I don’t want to be in the background, which would be photographic proof that I was up at Randy’s when I should have been in my Weight Watcher’s meeting! The other day, I was really jonesing for a Randy’s donut, but I couldn’t leave the Inn because we were sold out, and I was the only innkeeper on duty. So, I started snooping around to see what my co-worker, Kristin had made for the guests’ breakfast. Low and behold– she’d made sugar lemon donuts! Yes, I sampled one, maybe two… maybe three. And they were great! Here’s the recipe in case you’d like to make them too: Sugar Lemon Donuts Ingredients: • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour • ¼ cup cornstarch • ¾ cup sugar • 2 teaspoons baking powder
Page 38 • August 2017
Photo by Kristen Guinn.
By Rebecca Hill
Try eating the donuts with a glass of lemonade for a light summer treat.
• 1 teaspoon salt • ¾ cup buttermilk • 2 eggs • 2 tablespoons melted butter • 1 tablespoon sour cream • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 ½ teaspoons lemon zest
For the glaze: • ½ cup sugar • 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest • 5 tablespoons melted butter Directions: 1. Preheat over to 425 degrees. 2. Spray donut pans with oil spray. 3. Combine flour and cornstarch.
3. Then whisk in sugar, baking powder and salt until the mixture is blended well. Add in buttermilk, eggs, butter, lemon juice, vanilla and lemon zest until batter is smooth and combined. Place batter in donut pans. 4. Bake for 7 minutes or until done. 5. Allow donuts to cool for 5 minutes in the pan before placing them on a cooling rack. 6. For the glaze, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Melt the butter and place in a bowl. 8. Dip one side of each donut into the melted butter, then press it into the sugar and lemon zest mixture. 9. Enjoy your dozen donuts! Inn-sider tip: If you don’t have butter milk, you can always substitute with ¾ cup regular milk, plus 2 ¼ teaspoons lemon juice. Just mix the regular milk and lemon juice together and that’ll work! Recipe adapted from Samantha’s Five Heart Home website. The Inn’s recipes have been lovingly collected over the past 20 years. Some are original recipes, others are well-known recipes that have been adapted, and some are recipes that have been handed down by our innkeeper’s mothers and grandmothers over the years. Rebecca Hill is an innkeeper at the Inn at Playa del Rey and a published writer. Her stories have appeared in Redbook magazine and in over a dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Calendar Ongoing monthly events: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club every Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. for its weekly meeting. The club meets at Whiskey Red’s, located at 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more info, visit playavenice.org.
Rotary Club of Westchester The Rotary Club of Westchester meets every Wednesday at 12 noon for lunch at the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel, located at 5985 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester. The cost of lunch is $25 and validated self parking is free. Guests are most welcome! Reservations are not required. For more information or to reserve a seat at the luncheon, please contact Bob Smith at (310) 643-9350.
LAX Kiwanis Club The LAX Kiwanis Club is looking for new members. The club meets every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, located at 9620 Airport Blvd. in Westchester. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. The LAX Kiwanis raise money every year for such causes as providing scholarships, holiday baskets for needy families and back to school shopping sprees. For more information about the club or to RSVP to attend one of their meetings, please email laxkiwanisclub@gmail.com.
August events: Bingo Afternoon at the Elks Join the Westchester Elks Lodge for their monthly Bingo events starting on Sunday, August 6. Doors open at 1 p.m., with early bird games starting at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $5 a pack, and
TheHTN.com regular bingo begins at 2 p.m. for $25 a pack. Drinks and refreshments are available for purchase during the games. All games are held at The Elk’s Lodge, located at 8025 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. Parking is free behind the Elks Lodge. Please call (310) 821-3005 for more details.
Family Pet Adoption Event Forte Animal Rescue is inviting the community to head to Westchester Park for a family-friendly mini carnival on Sunday, August 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature pet adoptions, a craft fair and family activities. The event will take place at Westchester Park, located at 7000 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. For more information, please visit farescue.org.
The Kentwood Players Presents “The Gingerbread Lady” The Kentwood Players is currently performing the “The Gingerbread Lady,” through Saturday, August 19 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The dramedy tells the story of cabaret singer, Evy Meara, who is trying to adjust to a life of sobriety, when her friends throw her a birthday party and problems ensue. “The Gingerbread Lady” is performed at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at kentwoodplayers. org.
Life Story Writing Class Who will tell your great-grand kids about your life growing up? Why not you? Join the life story writing class and learn techniques to make memories come alive.
Come Join your Friends at
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Worship Service 10:30 am Canines@Covenant 5:00 pm Sunday Covenant is on the corner of 80th and Sepulveda Blvd. Church School for Young People during Service. We have an Orchestra and Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs. Email: cpoffis@pacbell.net Childcare is provided-For more information, Call (310) 670-5750.
The life story writing group meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting Wednesday, September 13, in the YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. The class will teach simple methods to recall your past and new ways to write your memories. The cost to participate is $10 a year. For more info, please call Bernie Horst at (310) 670-3796.
Beach and Marina Movie Nights Bring the whole family to Dockweiler Beach Youth Center on select Friday nights and Burton Chace Park on select Saturday nights for outdoor movies under the stars. Pack refreshments, blankets and your low-back chairs for movies starting at 8 p.m. At Dockweiler, the schedule for August is: • Friday, August 11– “Storks” • Friday, August 18– “Moana” • Friday, August 25– “Kubo and the Two Strings” Burton Chace Park’s Saturday movie schedule is: • Saturday, August 5– “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” • Saturday, August 19– “Jungle Book” (2016) The Dockweiler Beach Youth Center is located at 12505 Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey and Burton Chace Park is located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. For more info, visit beaches. lacounty.gov.
Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series Burton Chace Park is home to the popular 17th Annual Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series. The lineup alternates between symphonic classics and pop concerts to create a schedule that will appeal to a variety of music lovers. This month’s lineup includes: • Thursday, August 3– Matthew
Morrison • Saturday, August 12– Yo La Tengo (Indie) • Thursday, August 17– Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” (fully staged opera production) • Saturday, August 26– Arturo Sandoval (Jazz). Attendees are encouraged to bring low-back chairs or blankets for first come, first serve seating. For more info, visit beaches. lacounty.gov.
Playa Vista Movie & Concerts Head to Playa Vista to enjoy the last days of summer with a movie and concert in the park. Playa Vista’s concerts run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and this year’s lineup includes: • On Sunday, August 13 from 5 to 6:30 pm, head to the Central Park Bandshell for a tribute to Elton John with the Kenny Metcalf as Elton band. • On Friday, August 18 the familyfriendly ”Sing” is showing at Concert Park from 8 to 10 .m. Concert Park is located at Concert Park Drive and Runway Road; the Central Park Bandshell is located at Waterfront Drive and Artisans Way; and Sports Park is located at Playa Vista and Bluff Creek Drives. For information on parking or Playa Vista’s shuttle service, please visit playavista.com/events.
Beach Run in Playa del Rey Sign-ups are now underway for the inaugural Jet to Jetty Beach Run on Sunday, August 27 at Dockweiler Beach. Sign-up as a team or as an individual for the 5k, 10k walk/run, which supports Students Run LA and the Pacific Area Cadet Program. Visit JetToJettyBeachRun.com to register and for more info. The cost to participate is $40 and includes parking, the race and a t-shirt. The first 200 sign-ups also receive a free hat. Visit the website for more details.
YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX
Emergency Food Distribution to those in need. Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association
Open Tuesday & Friday, 10am-12pm 355 Beach St., Inglewood
Bring donations of non-perishable food to Covenant Presbyterian Chuch. Volunteers and money donations also welcomed and encouraged!
For more information, please call (310) 677-5597 Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
August 2017 • Page 39
Random Notes/Opinion
TheHTN.com
5 ways to get things back on track today By Jeff Blair Opinion: Most of us get off the fitness track at some point. Between jobs and family obligations, it is easy to allow fitness to drop completely off the radar. Sometimes days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months. Rather than beat yourself up over it, take these steps to get started again! 1. Trick yourself by “committing small.” Rather than committing to working out 2 hours per day for the next thirty days, make a much smaller commitment. By making a smaller commitment, you minimize the mental obstacles to starting again. For example, if you commit to working out 2 hours per day, your brain may tell you: “you are neglecting your job, you are neglecting your children, you are being selfish, that is too hard, you might get hurt,” etc. If you commit to exercising for 20 minutes per day, many of these mental obstacles will be eliminated. Once you exercise 20 minutes, you may very well continue
for a longer period. 2.Don’t be a flake. We all want to be considered reliable and consistent by our friends. No one wants to be a flake. Use this to your benefit by committing to a friend to meet for a walk, hike or workout. Tell them if you flake, they should call you on it. Hopefully, you have blunt friends. Use the “fear of flaking” to jump-start your fitness. 3.Take a measurement. Any measurement. If you have gained a few pounds, you are probably avoiding any scales or tape measures. The problem with this is many people continue to gain weight until one day they look up and they have gained 10 or 20 pounds (or more). By taking any measurement, you can bring yourself back into consciousness about your fitness level. Note that some people don’t respond well to weighing themselves on a scale. If that is the case, try taking your measurements or try on a pair of clothes that used to fit. 4. Schedule a weekly day and time
to grocery shop. Your home food environment is perhaps the biggest factor in achieving nutrition success. When you don’t have healthy choices in your home, you are more likely to order pizza or eat high calorie restaurant food. By scheduling a weekly day and time to stock up on groceries, you create a structure of success and increase your chances of succeeding. Stay on this shopping schedule until it becomes a habit. Once it becomes a habit, your nutritional choices will likely improve. 5. Collect some food data. The best nutritional advice I could give anyone is to track your eating for 10 to 30 days. You can use one of the many apps available or simply use a pen and paper. When you write down what you eat for 10 to 30 days, you will find you underestimate your caloric intake most days. Tracking intake will also help you see your eating patterns such as skipping meals and overeating when hungry. Despite my recommendation,
very few people will track because it sounds torturous to most people. While I won’t claim it is the most exciting thing I have ever done, it is very effective and not that uncomfortable. Even if you are not a numbers or tracking type of person, take my word on it and do it once. It will be more helpful than any nutrition course you could take. Take one or more of these five steps and you will be on your way to getting back on track. Remember, “the smallest action is more powerful than the greatest intention.” Before you start any fitness or nutrition plan, consult your doctor. JEFF BLAIR (M.S.) owns a personal training studio located in Westchester. He was voted “Best Of” Personal Trainer in the Hometown News’ 2015 Readers’ Poll. Jeff has been featured in “Men’s Fitness” magazine and as a “Fitness Expert” on ABC’s “Everyday Health” TV show. Email jeffblair@ jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas or comments.
AMCS has offered affordable, community-based mental health services for over 50 years. We are here to help. 310.670.1410 • info@airportmarina.org • 7891 La Tijera Blvd.
Join us for one of these Educational Therapy Groups! Mindfulness Based Cognitive
10 Steps to Self-Esteem
Therapy for Depression & Anxiety
Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
+ small material fee
+ small material fee
Saturdays, 12-2pm $20/session, 8 weeks
Sundays, 10:30-12pm $18/session, 10 weeks
Call Ext. 222
Call Ext. 242
Men’s Support Group
Parenting Class
Wednesdays, 7:15-8:45pm
Thursdays, 7-8:30pm
$15/session
$95/pp for 10 sessions
Call Ext. 218
Call Ext. 150
Anger Management Group Change, Accept, Let Go
Sundays, 12:30-2pm $18/session, 12 weeks + small material fee
Call Ext. 259
Groups Supervised by Robert Northcutt, LMFT#51430, and Jill Lummus, PsyD #17224
Page 40 • August 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Create better relationships by using your spark By Fay Craton
the relationship? Do you hear and consider what significant people in your life Opinion: Summer is a time when are saying? Can people open up to you families and friends relax around barbe- with the expectation that what they say cues, campfires and beachside fire pits. will not result in water being thrown on Fire has attracted people to it since betheir own flame? fore history was recorded. The creation The song “Rise Up Oh Flame” asks to of a fire guides people toward the safety be shown “beauty, visions and joy.” By of food and connection. Camaraderie understanding and accepting who you unfolds as people congregate through are, you build strength and self-esteem. sharing meals, games and music. For From this place of self-acceptance, you many decades, the song, “Rise Up Oh do not need to point out the failures Flame,” has been sung in harmony by of another person. Good relationships scouts: “Rise up, oh flame, By the lights reinforce and celebrate each other’s glowing. Show to us beauty, visions and strengths. The experience of harmojoy.” ny in relationships is in the healthy People need connection to each other validation of behaviors and thoughts and to the special unique spark within expressed by others. There is no need everyone. Conflict, pain and loss of a to undermine another person’s attempts sense of self happen when you forget at learning to express from his or her your own spark and appreciation for own flame. This does not mean, howevthe spark within others. So how do you er, you allow another person to behave gain greater understanding of your own inappropriately around you. flame? Joy is not self-centered. The expe• Think about what you truly value. rience of joy happens as a resonance This can be hard because life experibetween the spark inside of you and ences create biases in how we perceive the sparks within others. If you have sat the world. It may require taking breaks around a campfire singing harmonies, from the rush of your everyday life to you may have experienced the sense of bring into focus what is most important joy. Each person is singing, but it is the to you. combined experience creating the res• Reflect upon your natural skills onance. In daily life, joy has the chance or strengths. What tasks do you most of being created through you being enjoy? Do people seek you out for assis- aware of other people and their exprestance? If so, what is the common thread sions. Through your awareness, can you among the requests? As a child, what see the needs of another person? If so, play activity did you most enjoy? do you have the ability and resources • Slow down the pace of your life to a to meet those needs? At this point, you point where you can observe it. When have an opportunity to take steps toyou are rushing from one activity to the ward creating camaraderie and building next, there is no time to appreciate your the resonance of joy. A consistent patlife experiences. Take time each day to tern of connecting with another person reflect upon what you are grateful for will eventually lead to an experience that day. This can be done as a couple, a of comfort and trust, requirements for family or individually. both joy and healthy relationships. • Who you are is deeper than comIt takes time and effort to understand pulsive behaviors. I have heard people the unique life-enhancing qualities excuse some negative behaviors as “that inside of you. For each person, the is who I am.” The behavior is not who combination of qualities is different. you are, it is just a behavior! Behavior Creating trusting camaraderie takes flowing from your “spark” is always practice. As you pursue these goals, life-enhancing. Disconnecting behavyou may find some days are easier than iors do not contribute to a positive life other days. If you have experienced experience. breaks in trust or trauma, you may need Understanding who you are and cona counselor to help you. People who are sistently acting from that understanding misusing substances may need to first will create a foundation for you to use to consider ending the misuse. I encourage (Mondays 7:30-10:30Am & Wednesdays 7:30AM-1PM) have good relationships with significant you to stay with the process. The more others in your life. Your personal life skill you develop, the less likely you are improves. Your ability to do well in your to be derailed by the words and actions job also improves when you consistentof another person. ly function from being authentic and My wish is for you to know who you using values to direct your actions and are and experience healthy relationships words. with others. You are a human being Good relationships require trust. with value in this world. You have the When considering your role in estabability to create harmony around you lishing trust, consider the following through using your own unique spark questions: Do your actions match your and honoring the sparks of others. values? Can the people around you Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marcount on you being consistent? Can you riage and Family Therapist (mfc40011), be depended upon to show calm and which is the psychology license specialinner strength when there is life chaos? izing in relationships (with ourselves or with others) and she has an office in Can they depend upon you to do what Westchester. For more info, visit comyou have freely (not under coercion) municationtriangle.com or contact her agreed to do? Do your actions and 125 N. Sepulveda blvd., El segundo | 310.535.5555 words contribute fairly to the success of at (310) 645-6762. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News August 2017 • Page 41
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FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
July 4, 2017 | Presented by the LAX Coastal Chamber Loyola Boulevard was the place to be to celebrate Independence Day, thanks to the 18th Annual Fourth of July Parade presented by the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce. A true “hometown” event, the parade featured 50 entries ranging from floats, marching bands, community groups and schools. This year’s theme was an “American Adventure,” suggested by Westchester middle school student, Emily Yeow, who had the opportunity to ride in the parade with her family. Westchester Lutheran Church and School’s (WLCS) float, a tribute to space flight and Neil Armstrong’s and Buzz Aldrin’s trip to the moon, took home the parade’s top honors again this year with the help of WLCS parent Dan Garr’s excellent float building skills. Visitation School won the “Spirit of the Parade” award for their homage to the “Great American Road Trip.” Their float depicted a coast to coast trip complete with replicas of the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel, the St. Louis Gateway Arch and the Statue of Liberty. Otis College of Art and Design’s entry, dedicated to diversity and inclusion (and made of almost all recycled materials) was awarded the Chairman’s Choice Award by head of the chamber’s board, Liz Hall. WISH Charter School was given the “Mayor’s Award” for their float, themed: “Cultural Diversity: An American Adventure.” The float celebrated the diversity of various L.A. neighborhoods including Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Olvera Street. Thank you to all the sponsors, participants, volunteers and spectators that made this year’s parade possible! If you’re interested in participating in next year’s event, trying out for the National Anthem or suggesting the parade theme, look for information in the HomeTown News starting in February.
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Photos by Glenn Marzano. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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