Westchester/Playa HomeTown News February edition by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

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Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Special Section...page 11 Siblings Peter, Cathy and Vanda Asapahu are leading the helm at Westchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest pop-up restaurant Ayara Luk.

Photo courtesy Ayara.

The “Singing Brazino,” a whole roasted fish stuffed with lemongrass, ginger, garlic and lime, was recently featured on the restaurant’s menu.

Westchester siblings look to push the boundaries with pop-up Ayara Lūk

In the upcoming weeks, Ayara Thai will temporarily close for four months so the restaurant can embark on a construction project that will see it double in size and add a full-service bar. While Ayara is undergoing renovations, Westchester siblings Vanda, Peter and Cathy Asapahu will be filling the neighborhood’s culinary gap with - Not their pop-up restaurant, Ayara Luk. ones to be stagnant, the close-knit trio are using this opportunity to create a restaurant that serves dishes inspired by their “experiences as first generation Thai-American,” and seeks to push the boundaries of what people have come to expect from Thai Food. Head Chef Vanda explains that when most people think of Thai food, they think of dishes from the central part of the country–think Pad Thai or Pad SeeEw–leaving many exciting, complex dishes from across the country largely unknown to most Americans. “What’s on the menu at most restaurants is just a sliver of what we eat at home,” explains Vanda, who spent four years living and working in Thailand. “I think the community is ready to accept some new dishes. Food should never be stagnant.” Food and cooking have always been an integral part of the Asapahu siblings’ lives. Their paternal grandmother was well known for her curries and home restaurant in Bangkok. When their parents, Andy and Anna, emigrated to the U.S., the self-taught chefs opened a restaurant in the Pomona area, before moving to Westchester to start a catering company that served the Thai Airways crew, who were looking for a home-cooked meal served on Bangkok time. The siblings reflect fondly on the days they spent after school helping their parents prepare the meals for the crew, even enlisting their neighborhood friends to help in the endeavor. “It was like a Westchester after school club,” joked Cathy. Page 2 • February 2017

The Westchester family hopes to share some of their favorite Thai dishes with their new pop-up.

While having two parents that worked full-time to achieve the American dream wasn’t without its sacrifices, it helped instill a strong work ethic in the siblings and helped bond the family. The experience also gave them hands-on cooking experience, where their parents taught them about the complexity of Thai food and the importance of achieving balance in a dish. “They would always make us taste everything,” said Vanda. “They wanted us to know the balance of flavors and then season accordingly. My dad taught us that ‘you always need to taste before you season.’” Andy and Anna opened Ayara Thai in 2004 in the Westchester Triangle and Vanda joined the family business

in 2010, to help with the administrative and legal aspects of running a restaurant. She soon joined her parents in the kitchen, however. In the seven years since Vanda has come on board, they’ve been able to triple their staff and their revenue. Andy is now retired, but Vanda still works in the kitchen with her mother, who serves as head chef. Cathy, who has trained with a Michelin-starred chef, works in the kitchen and in procurement and Peter helps with finances and the back end. While Vanda describes Ayara’s dishes as “home-cooked Thai food that most people can relate to,” Ayara Luk, located at the former site of Chalet Edelweiss, is allowing her and her siblings to create, explore and expand what people think of Thai food. It also

ensures that the restaurant’s team of almost 50 people, who the siblings say are like family, get to keep working during the construction. “For 13 years, the menu at Ayara hasn’t changed,” said Vanda. “Here we saw the opportunity to try something new. It would be easy to do what my parents do. I could just do the most popular dishes from Ayara, if I didn’t want to work hard. We want to change the way people eat in the community. We want to see people taste new things and expand their palates.” - is The small menu at Ayara Luk carefully curated to include these complex, new dishes with an emphasis on eco-conscious ingredients (as well as include some Ayara Thai classics like Muay Thai Wings and souped-up Pad Thai). Sisters Cathy and Vanda are excited to see what their diners’ reactions will be when they put one of their favorite dishes, Northern Thai Pork Blood Noodle Soup, on the menu. While they acknowledge the popup’s menu is a little bit of risk, it’s one they’re willing to take to stay inspired and passionate about food. They’re also happy to serve as “guinea pigs” to see if a less-traditional restaurant can thrive in a notoriously chain heavy neighborhood. “It’s easy to be complacent, but challenging ourselves to keep learning keeps us much sharper,” said Vanda. “Westchester is ready for it.” - is located at 8740 S. Ayara Luk Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester and is currently open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The pop-up is hosting a Super Bowl Viewing Party on Sunday, February 5 starting at 3 p.m. The cost to attend is $60 presale and includes unlimited food and drink, tailgate games, halftime raffles and more. Tickets can be purchased at ayaragamedayparty.eventbrite.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Emerson Avenue Garden.

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

This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN - pops-up in Westchester Ayara Luk Volunteers sought for makeover project Community encouraged to help pick parade theme Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Special Section

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HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer

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The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.

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Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Phone: (310) 641-1016 Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month. Correction: In the January edition, an article about Airport Marina Counseling Service was attributed to its Executive Director Eden Garcia Balis. The article should have been attributed to Dr. Diana Hoffman, AMCS’ Clinical Director. We regret the error.

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Volunteers sought for S.P.Y. Makeover Project The Rotary Club of Westchester is about to embark on its most ambitious Makeover Project yet when it helps transform Venice’s Safe Places for Youth (S.P.Y.) during President’s Day Weekend. The almost 70-year-old club has become known for its biennial Makeover Project, which has transformed the homes of deserving local families. Always looking to impact as many people as possible, in 2015, the club elected to makeover the Westchester Senior Center. Thanks to the efforts of the club, sponsors and volunteers, the floors were resurfaced, walls were painted and the kitchen was remodeled. The center now also doubles as a community hub for meetings and events. The Rotary Club of Westchester has worked with S.P.Y. for years, serving food to the homeless youth that drop in to utilize the nonprofit’s services, which include providing meals, health and wellness exams, art classes, counseling, case management and education and employment opportunities. S.P.Y.’s mission is to help provide a nurturing environment for some of society’s most vulnerable members, with the ultimate goal of getting the youth off of the streets

Rotary Club president, Christa Ramey (left) and S.P.Y. Executive Director and Founder, Alison Hurst, are excited about the Makeover Project that will help beautify and enhance the youth center.

and into permanent housing. It currently serves clients ranging from 12 to 25 years-old. On a recent day in January, S.P.Y. Executive Director and Founder, Alison Hurst, says that 85 youths walked through the door for services, due in large part to the extensive outreach and relationships her staff and volunteers have built with the youth living on Venice’s streets. Hurst, who was named the Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year in 2015, says that in the last few years the nonprofit has seen tremendous growth and is serving more youth than ever. For her and the more than 1,000 youth the center helps annually, the makeover could not come at a better time. “We are seeing an unbelievable number of people,” said Hurst. “If we can work with someone in the community to help make the space look beautiful so that every dime I raise goes towards programs for the youth, I couldn’t be happier.” Undertaking a Makeover Project during your year as president is no easy task, but when Westchester resident, Christa Ramey, found out the project would fall during her year, she didn’t hesitate in selecting (continued on page 27)

LMU Neighborhood Advisory Committee Landlord Workshop Wed., February 8, 6:30 - 8 pm Westchester Senior Center (8740 Lincoln Blvd.) The community is invited to attend a workshop for landlords and residents interested in renting property to LMU students. The workshop will feature experienced property managers and local representatives sharing resources and recommendations. An RSVP is requested but not required: 310-338-2759 or community@lmu.edu

www.lmu.edu/community 310-338-2759 community@lmu.edu Page 4 • February 2017

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February 2017 • Page 5

TheHTN.com Photo by Glenn Marzano.

Business & Nonprofit News

Boy Scouts wave flags as they make their way down Loyola Blvd. at last year’s parade. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, July 4.

Community encouraged to help pick theme for the Fourth of July parade, audition for national anthem. Last year’s Annual Fourth of July parade celebrated Westchester’s 75th anniversary, and now parade organizers are reaching out to the community to help choose the theme for the 18th annual community event. Always looking for new ways to engage the community in what is arguably the largest event in Westchester, this is the second year the committee has held a contest to help choose the theme. “Some of my favorite themes over the years have been Tribute to America’s Pastimes, California Dreaming and the eco-conscious Red, White and Blue goes Green, but it’s always a challenge to come up with a fun, new way to celebrate our community, country and Independence Day,” said LAX Coastal President/CEO Christina Davis. “Our participants really rely on the theme to help shape their ideas and the direction of their float, so that puts extra pressure on us to come up with something that will spark their imaginations and get them inspired to create a memorable float that the crowd will love.” Those interested in participating in this year’s parade theme contest, are asked to email the parade committee at Laxcoastalonparade@gmail.com by Friday, February 24 with contact info, parade theme and a short paragraph explaining the theme. Page 6 • February 2017

ence,” said Davis. For more info on the parade, or to make a reservation for an audition, call the chamber office at (310) 645-5151.

Councilmember Mike Bonin announced his plan to put more cops back on the street at a January 19 press conference at the LAPD Training Center in Westchester.

The parade committee will then review all submissions, and if a submitted theme is selected, the winner will receive a prize bag with parade swag, a restaurant gift card, and the opportunity for a family of four to ride on a fire truck (conditions apply) in the 2017 Fourth of July Parade, taking place on Tuesday, July 4. As is the tradition, the committee is also looking for a local singer to kick-off the parade with the National Anthem and auditions will be held on

Friday, April 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. Auditions are by appointment only, so please contact the Chamber to book time. While the auditions are open to anyone, preference is giving to students who live or attend school in the LAX Coastal area, which includes Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and Del Rey. “We’ve had some great local talent perform at the parade, and it’s a good opportunity for young performers to have a chance to sing for a large audi-

Councilman Bonin announces plan to help put more cops back on patrol. On January 19, Councilmember Mike Bonin held a press conference at Westchester’s Ahmanson Training Center to unveil his plan to get more cops back on the street. Citing statics that put 337 cops on the streets during an average day shift in 1969, to just 311 cops on the streets during a tally in December, the plan he announced looks to improve police response time and officers’ relationships with the communities they serve. Details of the plan include hiring more civilians to do desk duty and summoning off-duty officers to fill patrol vacancies. “Too often, I hear from constituents that they rarely see a patrol car in their neighborhood, or that it takes LAPD too long to respond to an emergency call. Our neighborhoods deserve better. We need more patrol officers in Westside neighborhoods, and in neighborhoods around the city,” Bonin said. “My ‘Back to Basic Car’ plan will make that happen. LAPD’s leaders must improve how they allocate resources to get more patrol units in neighborhoods. That is the only way the department can protect and serve our residents and our neighborhoods in the way that we all deserve.” Visit 11thdistrict.com/back_to_basic_car_plan for more info.

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

(continued from previous page) Westchester Mental Health Guild Membership Drive. The annual membership drive for the Westchester Mental Health Guild is currently underway. The mission of the Guild, which ran the Guilded Cage Gift Shop before it closed last year after decades in business, is to give financial support to Airport Marina Counseling Service. The Westchester nonprofit provides needed affordable mental health services to the community. Guild membership dues start at $25 and are valid through the end of the year. Members are given opportunities to volunteer at events like the popular Holiday Home Tour in November and go on excursions, in addition to meeting new people. Contributions are tax-deductible and may be sent to the Westchester Mental Health Guild at 7891 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester, CA 90045. For more information on the Guild and to learn about the different membership levels, please contact Gail Ruhlen at (310) 6459820. Flight Path elects officers. Lynne Adelman was re-elected president and board chair of Flight Path during a recent meeting of the nonprofit organization’s board of directors. Flight Path operates

an aviation museum and learning center at the south end of Los Angeles International Airport. Adelman, a resident of Westchester, is a longtime member of the board and will begin her second term as president. She first joined the museum staff as a volunteer and has directed major fundraising events. Adelman is a former airline flight attendant and passenger services manager and has been active in aviation and community organizations. Other officers re-elected were Lori Keir of Westchester, vice president; Robert E. Smith of Hawthorne, chief financial officer and treasurer; and Agnes Huff of Playa del Rey, corporate secretary. Nancy Niles of Pacific Palisades is immediate past president. Continuing in office are Lee Nichols, Flight Path executive director, and Beverly Migliazzo, recording secretary. Flight Path is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 6661 W. Imperial Highway in Los Angeles. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit flightpathmuseum.com. Opened a new business? Celebrating an anniversary or other milestone? We want to hear about your business or nonprofit! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo. com.

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

School News

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Principals and representatives from local schools celebrate the over $17,000 in grants they received from the Playa Venice Rotary Club in January. The grants will help the schools purchase items requested by teachers ranging from comic books, white boards and flash cards to garden supplies, a karaoke machine and computer software.

cozetterotary5280@gmail.com.

Enrollment application for new LAUSD/LMU Middle School. Enrollment applications for the new LAUSD/LMU middle school slated to open this fall on the campus of Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets are now available at ldwest.net. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 17. Applications can also be picked up at the Local District West office, located at 11380 West Graham Pl., 90064 (Bungalow “D”) between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Spaces at the school are limited and enrollment is broken up into six groups based on priority. Group 1 is for students currently enrolled at Playa Vista Elementary School and Group 2 is for students currently residing within the boundaries that include Westchester, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey. For more information, please visit achieve.lausd.net/Page/11807.

School district candidate forum. The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa and the LAX Coastal Chamber are hosting a school board candidate forum on Monday, February 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The debate-style forum will be moderated by Fernando Guerra, founding director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at LMU. All four candidates running for the LAUSD District 4 board seat–Greg Martayan, Nick Melvoin, Allison Holdroff Polhill and Steve Zimmer–are confirmed to participate. The candidate forum will take place at LMU’s Roski Dining Room, located in University Hall. The university is located at 1 LMU Drive. The forum is free to attend and parking is $10. The event will also be live streamed at facebook.com/laxcoastal. For more info, visit laxcoastal.com or call (310) 645-5151.

Runners wanted for the 10th Annual Race for Success. Interested in supporting local schools? Sign-ups are now underway for the 10th annual Race for Success at Loyola Marymount University. The 5k and 1k race is one of the largest community events, and the run is family-friendly. The event will take place on Saturday, March 11 beginning at 8 a.m. at LMU, located at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester. After the 5k and kids 1k, runners are invited to stick around for the fun and festive community expo. All of the money raised from the event is divided equally between participating schools. For more information or to sign-up, visit raceforsuccess5k.org. Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.

St. Anastasia School performs “Annie Jr.” St. Anastasia School is proud to present its next school musical, “Annie Jr.” Celebrating 18 years of productions, the school takes pride in the stagecraft of their shows, which includes talented actors and actresses and excellent costumes and sets. Performances will take place at the El Segundo High School Performing Arts Center, located at 640 Main Street in El Segundo on Friday, February 3 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 4 at 6 p.m. General Admission Tickets are $10 and children under 15 are $5. Tickets can be purchased at school. st-anastasia.org. For more information, please call (310) 645-8816 during school hours. Fine & Performing Art scholarship opportunities for 8th Graders. The Westchester Rotary is currently accepting applications for the Jim Bunch Memorial Arts Scholarships through Friday, February 24. The scholarship is open to 8th grade students who reside or attend school in the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Del Rey or Marina del Rey areas. The Rotary Club is looking for candidates talented in the fine or performing arts. Applications will be broken up into three different categories: Art: • Entries must be original work, created by the individual contestant. • Art entries must fall into one of the following categories: painting, drawing, photography, ceramic, sculpture or cultural. • Art entries may not exceed 50 inches in any one direction. Dance: • Limited to one soloist. • Style is limited to classic ballet,

St. Anastasia School students will perform “Annie Jr.” this month at the El Segundo High School Performing Arts Center.

contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap or cultural. • Performance should be 1.5 to 2 minutes in length. • Contestant may bring pre-recorded accompaniment. Music: • Contestant may be a vocalist, instrumentalist or both. • Musical performance should be 1.5 to 3 minutes in length. • Contestants may be accompanied by piano or guitar or may bring pre-recorded accompaniment. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 24. Candidates must be available to perform or display their artistic entry on the afternoon of March 26 at LA Arts Collective in Westchester. Scholarships in amounts up to $1,000 will be announced at the end of the event. For more information on the competition or to obtain an application, please contact Cozette Vergari at

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

February 2017 • Page 9

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

Rotary’s Motto is “Service Above Self,” and while the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary certainly takes that to heart with every service project they do, their unofficial motto may be, “We are Fun! We are Friendly! We Help Others!” With every event they do, whether they’re raising money to provide school supplies for local classrooms or for clean water, they try to make their events a place where guests and club members can have fun, camaraderie and a good time, all in the name of supporting charitable Rotary projects. One of the club’s most fun and widely attended events is its annual Luck O’ the Irish BingoFest! The community is invited to join the club for this night of festivities where they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and get to hear happy attendees yell out “B-I-NG-O!” “Our annual BingoFest is a great way to meet your friends and neighbors and learn what Rotary is all about,” said Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club President, Peter Smyth. “It’s also just a

fun place to try and win a game or two of Bingo, while listening to an Irish Band and sharing drinks with a room full of new friends!” The Luck O’ the Irish BingoFest will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $45/person before March 1 and $55 after. Included in the admission price are 10 games of Bingo, with prizes paying out $100 for 9 games and the final blackout card pays $500. Cash door prizes ranging from $300-$100 will also be awarded. A dinner catered by Cantalini’s Salerno

• Cantalini’s Salerno Beach • Drollinger Family Trust • Loyola Marymount University

Beach, including traditional Irish fare, and entertainment provided by an Irish band round out the event. Drinks and raffle tickets are available for purchase. The event will take place on the campus of Visitation School located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. The Luck O’ the Irish BingoFest is just one of the many events the club hosts and participates in each year. The club’s other large events include the Cultural Dinner held every October, two pancake breakfasts and the Santa Claus tour. The money raised

• Marina del Rey Hospital • Playa Pharmacy • Playa Vista/Brookfield Residential

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

from the club’s events help support their community, youth, international and vocational service projects. To purchase tickets, please call (310) 963-9494 or visit playavenice.org.

The Four Way Test The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages. Of the things we think, say or do: • Is it the TRUTH? • Is it FAIR to all concerned? • Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? • Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

• Plotkin Family Foundation • Rainbow Acres • William H. Hannon Foundation

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Visit our weekly breakfast meetings on Wednesdays at 7:15am! Meet us at Whiskey Red’s, 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club is a 50+ member strong club with Rotarians of all ages, backgrounds and careers! The Club’s 2016-2017 Executives and Directors include: President Peter Smyth; President Elect Gwen Vuchsas; Treasurer Maria Davis; Secretary Lucy Wegner; Club Service/Social Club Service Jerry Jen; Club Service/Administrative Brady Connell; Director of Community Service Bobbie Casalino-Lewis; Director of Vocational Service Matt Tecle; Director of International Service Juliet Oman; Director of Youth Service Sharma Henderson; District Liaison Monica Trepany; Membership Director Michael Warren; Sgt. of Arms Joe Davis and Director of Fundraising Jeff Kim.

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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.

February events: Art Exhibition at Otis “Anna Craycroft: Tuning the Room” recently opened at Otis’ Ben Maltz Gallery. The show will run through April 16. In acoustical engineering, “tuning the room” is a technique for measuring the specific sound properties of an enclosed space and then adapting the environment to improve its acoustic reflections. New York-based artist Anna Craycroft applies this technique both literally and metaphorically for her exhibition. Craycroft’s exhibition asks that we consider how the specific characteristics of an environment shape our experience within it and how we become attuned in return. The Ben Maltz Gallery is located on the campus of Otis at 9045 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester. Admission to the gallery is free and open Tuesday

TheHTN.com through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Marina del Rey Walking Club Get motivated to exercise by joining the free Burton Chace Park Walking Club organized by the County of Los Angeles Beaches & Harbors. The club meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a walk around the Marina del Rey Harbor. The club meets at Burton Chace Park, located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. Please RSVP by calling (310) 3059595.

Weekend Concerts in Marina del Rey Head to Marina del Rey’s Fisherman’s Village for free weekend concerts in February. Guests can enjoy musical offerings from a variety of groups and bands, while enjoying the picturesque Marina and visiting the shops and restaurants inside the center. February’s musical line-up includes: • Saturday, February 4, Upstream (reggae, ska) • Sunday, February 5, Susie Hansen Latin Band (salsa) • Saturday, February 11, Jimbo Ross & the Bodacious Blues (blues) • Sunday, February 12, Floyd and the Flyboys (R&B) • Saturday, February 18, Friends (R&B) • Sunday, February 19, JB & The BC Riders (country, rock-a-billy) • Saturday, February 25, Bob DeSena (Latin Jazz) • Sunday, February 26, 2 Azz 1 (jazz-funk) Concerts take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in Fisherman’s Village, located at 13755 Fiji Way. There is free two-hour parking in the lot with validation. For more info, visit visitmarinadelrey.com/events.

French Cooking Class Interested in learning some classic French recipes just in time for Valentine’s Day? Join the February Fresh Foods in a Flash Cooking Class. Instructor Patricia Rose leads the class and will teach attendees how to make classic French dishes including Salade Nicoise, Coq Au Vin, Gougere Puffs and Mini Chocolate Souffles. The cooking class fee is $50 when you reserve by February 6 and $60 thereafter, if space is available. To reserve your spot, please email Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash.com.

The class will take place on Thursday, February 9 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and is held at the Holy Nativity Community Hall, located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester.

Bike with Councilmember Bonin Join Councilmember Mike Bonin for his next “Bike with Mike” event on Sunday, February 12. Riders are asked to meet as his Westchester office, located at 7166 Manchester Blvd. in Westchester for a morning of activities. Check in, breakfast and Valentine’s Day activities run from 10 to 10:30 a.m., with a 4-mile bike ride scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. After the ride, everyone is invited to the office for a meet and greet from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Riders are encouraged to wear red or pink in honor of Valentine’s Day. The event is co-sponsored by LACBC Family and Loyola Marymount University. For more info and to RSVP, visit 11thdistrict.com/a11_bike_with_ mike_feb_2017.

Silver Seminar Series: Tax Matters Join the Silver Seminar Series for their next workshop on taxes. The event will take place on Thursday, February 16 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. At the workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about tax updates that could impact 2016 and 2017 tax matters. A representative from H&R Block will be presenting and available to answer questions. The workshop will take place at the Westchester Senior Center, located at 8740 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.

Airport Police Highlighted at Speaker Series The 2017 Flight Path Speaker Series kicks off on Tuesday, February 28 with a first-ever program spotlighting Los Angeles Airport Police, presented by Public Information Officer Rob Pedregon. The program begins at 10 a.m. at the Flight Path Museum in the LAX Imperial Terminal, located at 6661 W. Imperial Hwy., Los Angeles (on the south end of LAX). Admission and parking are free. Los Angeles Airport Police traces its origins back 70 years to 1946 when commercial airline operations were beginning at what is now LAX, following military control of the airport during World War II. The initial workforce included six armed officers and one supervisor. The group expanded slowly over the years, with major growth occurring after the expanded “Jet Age” LAX central

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

terminal complex opened in 1961. Today’s officers not only are responsible for protecting the airport and its passengers, but also for working cooperatively on a daily basis with a number of other law enforcement agencies at LAX. These include Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Police Department and several more. In addition to regular armed officers, Airport Police also includes approximately 400 unarmed security officers. These officers handle traffic control, parking enforcement and certain airfield security duties.

Elks Great Gatsby Fundraiser The Westchester Elks Lodge is holding a Great Gatsby 20’s themed fundraiser on Saturday, February 25. Proceeds will benefit the club’s major project, which helps support a program for disabled children that need physical, occupational and speech therapy. The fundraiser starts at 6:30 p.m. and the cost to attend is $40. Tickets include wine tastings, a four course Italian feast and live music. The Westchester Elks Lodge is located at 8025 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. To RSVP, please call (310) 8213005 or email Westchester.elks@ gmail.com.

Bingo Night and BBQ The Venice-Marina-LAX Lions Club will hold its 12th annual “Bingo Night” and barbecue dinner fundraiser on Saturday, February 25, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 8049 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $55 and include a BBQ dinner and 10 games of bingo. There will also be a silent auction, door prizes and a no-host bar. Proceeds will benefit several Lions’ sponsored charitable organizations, most of them local. Further information and tickets for the event may be secured by calling Angie Mahboob at (818) 339-7021 or Sara Clark at (310) 963-9191.

Volunteer at Meals on Wheels Culver Palms Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit volunteer organization that serves the home-bound in the communities of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and beyond. The group is always looking for volunteers to help fulfill its mission. For more info about getting involved, please visit mealsonwheelsculverpalms.org.

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“Overcome the office” with small wins By Jeff Blair Opinion: Most people who work in an office experience a familiar (and sometimes destructive) pattern: long hours sitting in front of the computer, sitting behind the wheel commuting to and from work five days per week, constant temptation in the form of junk food and growing stress from work and life challenges. The reality is our bodies were never designed to sit all day. Our bodies are programmed to move and be active. Our bodies also have a very difficult time processing the various stresses that come along with most office jobs. When we are sufficiently active, our bodies self-regulate stress to a large degree. Due to various “feel good” chemical reactions in the body following exercise, stress has a much harder time taking hold of us when physical activity is part of our life. You are probably thinking “tell me something I don’t know.” Well, I have worked with many people who have “overcome the office” through reasonable (not all-consuming) changes, and their life is dramatically better because of it. They are not great athletes, and it does not usually come easy for them. They are usually juggling a combination of responsibilities: career, kids

and/or spouse. But once they admitted to themselves that they truly wanted to change, they were able to reap the benefits of a healthier and happier life. Sometimes the change is for a health or appearance reason, but sometimes it is just because they are tired of feeling bad. There is one primary person who benefits from making these changes: you. Of course, that is if you choose to do so. If you think your life will be better by making a change, here is a blueprint I have found works for many: 1. Create a fitness “next action” list. Instead of focusing on “losing twenty pounds,” focus on one specific thing you can do today. That might be going to the grocery store and picking up some fruits and vegetables, going for a twenty-minute walk or calling a personal trainer to set up a consultation. Losing twenty pounds will take a series of “next actions,” and it is easy to get overwhelmed thinking about everything you need to do next week or next month. The example I always use is anyone who has ever written a computer program (no matter how complicated it is) wrote that program one line of code at a time. You cannot “write a computer program;” you can only write a line of code, then another and another, etc.

until the program is written. Focus only on your next action and watch the success build. Most of us are starved for a win in the fitness area. Little wins can build into bigger wins. This is also how you create a lifestyle change. 2. Avoid rapid weight loss diets. Most people don’t realize that a crash diet or “cleanse” producing a 10 pound weight loss usually results in over 2 pounds of lost muscle. Losing muscle is the worst possible strategy for longterm weight control because muscle keeps our metabolism at the highest possible level. Plus, most people are slowly losing a pound or two of muscle per year anyway. Crash diets are unsustainable, can destroy your metabolism and they leave you worse off than when you started. Crash diets turn down your metabolic furnace, and that is never a good thing. 3. Understand different eating approaches work better for different people. Do people sometimes lose weight on low carb diets? Yes. Does that mean everyone needs to follow them to lose weight? No. Weight Watchers, while not perfect, is generally considered the most successful weight loss program around. They do not follow a low carb approach.

If low carb works for you, stick with it. But if it doesn’t, be aware that other ways can be just as effective (and there is very new research that supports this). Some people need more variety than others. There are many paths to success. 4. Limit “cheating” to the weekend. I have been on this “fitness kick” for 18 years now, and this is one strategy that has really worked for me. During the work week, I try to stay on a reasonably focused nutrition program: no ice cream, chips, candy, etc. I call these the “obvious issues.” You don’t need a degree in nutrition to understand these are not the healthiest choices in the world. But we are all human, right? No one wants an approach so rigid that you can never “cheat.” Some weekends I may eat them, and some weekends I may not. This approach allows me to relax about nutrition and also maintain a healthy fitness level. It has worked for over 18 years, and success is usually the best test. Jeff Blair is a 5-time “Best of” Hometown News Personal Trainer. He has operated a personal training studio in Westchester since 2011. Email jeffblair@jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas.

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

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. Page 20 • February 2017

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

How do you make your life better?

By Fay Craton

Opinion: Most of us have experienced days when everything just seems to go wrong. Some days when problems just seem to keep coming at you. Frustration increases. Then someone says something to you which does not make you happy, which leads you to say something uncomplimentary in reaction. Some days, disagreement and frustration just seems to keep building. Life does not always unfold like you may wish. Family members’ problems may become your problems. News reports could make you feel horrified. School or work projects may demand lots of time and energy leaving you feeling drained or stressed. You may be starting a new job or a new class in which you do not know what to expect, leaving you anxious and wondering if you will do well in the new setting. It may seem as if all the problems are causing you to not stay on track with your goals and how you want to live your life. Does this sound familiar? It is normal when bad stuff happens to be sad, or angry, frustrated or scared. However, to hold onto and dwell in your anger, frustration, past memories of shame, or fear of what could happen will ultimately result in damage to both your physical and mental health. Letting emotional pain dictate how you plan to move forward in life could very well lead to more pain. Plus, where your thoughts, emotions and energy dwell will result in more of the same experiences happening in your life. Negative attitudes tend to be like a magnet bringing forth negative reactions from others. Sometimes slipping into a dark hole of negativity happens when you may not even realize it is happening. How do you know you are in the hole? There could be many symptoms, but a few of them may be: • You are usually angry or blocking your feelings to the point of being depressed. • You blame other people for the pain you are experiencing. • You are doing and saying things designed to put down or to get even with someone else. • You are avoiding doing the activities (such as painting, gardening, exercising) you used to find enjoyable. • You are misusing alcohol or other substances in order to numb feelings. • You don’t remember when you have last laughed with complete joy. How do you climb out of the dark hole? You start making different choices as to your own behaviors and words. You decide to redirect your thinking onto different paths. You decide if your current emotions and feelings are bad habits and if you are ready to experience something different. You are a

willing participant in exploring new possibilities and experiences. You do not climb out of the hole by expecting someone else to do it for you. Changing your life is not about getting someone else to do or say something in the way you desire or to force experiences onto another person. You reclaim power over your own life, not over other people. A good first step is recognition of a need to change. The second step is to be willing to change. The third step is to actively explore changing your thinking. A popular saying, supposedly expressed by Albert Einstein is, “problems cannot be solved at the level of awareness that created them.” There are many ways to change your awareness. Sometimes it requires getting more knowledge on a topic. You may wish to take a course or read a book. Another way to gain more knowledge is to seek out someone who appears to have the needed knowledge and speak with that person. Another possible way is to shift your consciousness through meditation or prayer. I recently had a couple of problems worrying me, which I turned over to prayer. After a couple of days, when I woke up in the morning, the path to solving what was troubling me became clear. Having a path lightened the weight of the worry and shifted my emotions around the problem. Sometimes what is most needed is a guide, mentor or counselor to help open your eyes so you can see the path, as well as have support while going through the changes getting out of the hole demands. When you start making different choices, your life will change. That magnet which brought negative reactions–and perhaps unhappy people–into your life will become unmagnetized. This means situations and people around you could also change. If you have been in dark hole for a long time, you could discover the need to make new friends, establish new relationships with significant people in your life, or perhaps change your job. When going through changes it is very important to have a healthy support system around you. My wish is for you to thrive in life. I believe in all dark holes there is a glimmer of light. If you are currently in a dark place, I hope you are able to use the light to guide you to a path out of the darkness. My hope is for you to live a content and productive life. More so, I hope you have periods of joy and laughter. 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, visit communicationtriangle.com or contact her at (310) 645-6762.

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

February 2017 • Page 21

Spotlight on: Marina Weight Loss Center Thirty-one-year-old Erica was feeling increasingly sluggish and caught in the cycle of eating high-calorie food and not getting enough exercise. Working as a law enforcement officer, she often spent up to 16 hours on patrol, where stops at the drive-through became all too common. While she had tried every fad diet to lose weight, it always seemed to creep back on. Tired of feeling lethargic and uncomfortable in her uniform, after work she’d often search the internet and Instagram for inspiration and to track other’s weight loss journeys. Seeing a family member’s success with weight loss surgery was a turning point, however, and after researching online Erica made an appointment to see Dr. Jeremy Korman, a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in bariatric procedures at Marina Weight Loss Center, a clinic of Marina del Rey Hospital, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate. After meeting with Dr. Korman and having a full physical and medical history taken, she attended a weight loss support group to meet with other patients who shared their struggles and success with weight loss surgery. Erica was encouraged and decided to proceed with the gastric sleeve procedure. During the typical six-month time frame it took for her insurance to get approved, Erica began to take small steps to make sure she’d have the best possible outcome after surgery, which

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Erica poses with Dr. Jeremy Korman outside of his Marina del Rey offices.

included meeting with the clinic’s nutritionist. “The key to success is support. We have a fabulous nurse who will answer the phone anytime of the day to answer questions,” said Dr. Korman. “We have a monthly support group. We emphasize that the more engaged our patients are, the more successful they are.” The clinic offers a variety of procedures including lap band, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and gastric balloon. Erica opted for the gastric sleeve procedure, which Dr. Korman says is the most popular choice for his patients. Gastric

sleeve works by making the stomach smaller, helping the patient feel fuller more quickly and satisfied by eating smaller portions of food. The procedure is usually performed as a laparoscopic surgery, where a small incision is made and a portion of the stomach is removed. It’s now been a little over one year since Erica’s surgery and she hasn’t looked back since. For the first time Erica is happy with her weight, she has lost 50 pounds and is now a size 4. Most importantly, however, she is committed to a healthy lifestyle that sees her

swapping out soda and sugary desserts for water and smaller portions. She enjoys hitting the gym six times a week for cardio and weight lifting now that nothing is weighing her down. While no surgery is without its risks or possible complications–Erica suffered minor temporary hair loss and a few days of mild pain–she is happy with her decision and proud of the progress she has made. “Overall it is so worth it. It’s completely changed social events; they no longer revolve around food,” said Erica. “It’s a good feeling to not be that person that has two plates. You have to stay positive and be consistent. You are changing things that no one likes to change.” She calls Dr. Korman and his staff, especially nurse Bridgette, very easy to work with and always ready to quickly respond to her needs and questions. “The surgery gives you the push, and then it is your work that makes you have long-term success,” said Erica. “You start to see the results and it comes easier.” The Marina Weight Loss Center is located at 4644 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 450 in Marina del Rey. For more information, visit jeremykormanmd. com. Dr. Korman is holding weight loss information seminars on February 8, 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. To register, visit marinahospital.com/weight-loss.

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

February 2017 • Page 23

Recipes from the Inn: Valentine’s edition With all that’s been going on these days, it’s sometimes hard to take a break from all the action. Heavy rains, cold weather, storms in the nation’s capital all have the ability to sap our spirits. Sometimes it can help to allow ourselves a brief “time out” of an hour or two to read, meditate, call a friend, or in our case, bake. The Inncrowd and I find that as we combine sugar and butter, sift flour and take in the sweet smell of vanilla, it relaxes us and rejuvenates our souls in a way that allows us to see our world with greater clarity and sunnier skies. The Inncrowd and I don’t have the answers. We do have strong, resilient spirits and open hearts. We do have inquisitive minds, and we do have a strong sense of commitment to our friends, our neighbors and our guests. No, we don’t have any big time answers. Not by a long shot. What we have to offer you this Valentine month is one of our most beloved recipes: our sugar cookie recipe! We hope if you use this recipe to bake cookies for Valentine’s Day you will take the time to write meaningful words on the “conversation hearts” that express your hopes for tomorrow or even next week. And most importantly, we hope you share your cookies as a symbol

Photo by Kristin Guinn.

By Rebecca Hill, Innkeeper

Use the icing to write words on the cookie for a cute Valentine’s Day treat.

of your own group hug to those you know. That’s what we did…Happy Valentine’s Day and much love from the Inncrowd! Butter Cookie Dough • 1 cup butter, softened • 2/3 cup white sugar • 1 egg • 1 Tsp. vanilla

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 Tsp. salt Icing • 2 cups powdered sugar • 4 Tsp. milk • Food Coloring Directions: 1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter

and sugar until light and fluffy. 2. Add egg and vanilla. Scrape bowl to loosen butter from the sides. 3. Add flour and salt, mix until smooth. 4. Separate dough and shape into two 4” discs. Cover and refrigerate until hard (about 2 hours). 5. Roll out onto a lightly floured work surface to ¼ inch thickness. 6. Cut using cookie cutters. 7. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. 8. Cool completely before decorating with icing. Innsider Tip: This icing will harden if exposed to the air for too long so decorate quickly and/or cover the bowl containing the icing with a damp paper towel. The Inn’s recipes have been lovingly collected over the past 20 years. Some are original recipes, others are wellknown recipes that have been adapted and some are recipes that have been handed down by our innkeepers’ 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.

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February 2017 • Page 25

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

Makeover project (continued) (continued from page 4) S.P.Y. because of the importance of its mission. “The club is very excited about the project,” said Ramey. “When we come in to feed the youth and we see the same people, over and over again, we know S.P.Y. is making an impact. Most of what we are doing through the makeover is about fulfilling S.P.Y.’s mission.” This Makeover Project has the largest budget to date, with approximately $175,000 being used for construction, supplies, landscaping, furniture and more. Unique to this Makeover Project, a majority of the funds raised will be used for services, classes and internship programs. Ramey is proud that her club is the first in the district to receive a global grant from Rotary International, thanks in large part to the hard work of Rotarian Warren Bobrow. The club also received major funding from the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, the William H. Hannon Foundation and the Adam Levine Foundation, with additional significant support from the Rotary Foundation and Rotary Districts in India, Thailand and Puerto Rico. The construction part of the

makeover has already begun and a new case management room, a roof over an outdoor space and a fence has been built. The club is now putting out a call for volunteers for the official Makeover Project taking place from Thursday, February 16 through Monday, February 20. “We’re going to need hundreds of volunteers during the weekend to help,” said Ramey. “People of all abilities can volunteer, even kids with their parents.” Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks including painting, sweeping, cleaning, landscaping, moving items, shopping, photography, decorating and more. “All of us at Westchester Rotary hope there is a huge turnout for volunteers for S.P.Y during President’s Day weekend,” said Ramey. “This is great opportunity for fellowship, as well as a chance to give to a worthwhile cause.” For more information on the project or to sign-up to volunteer, please visit spyrotarymakeover.wordpress.com. For those who can’t volunteer, but would like to get involved, the website also contains a wish list of items that can be purchased and donated to S.P.Y.

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

February 2017 • Page 27

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

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