’Tis the Season!’ Nonprofits Non-profitsmaking makingaa difference in the community...page 4 Volunteers at the LAX Food Pantry assemble bags of food for the hundreds of people in the LAX area that visit every week.
Chamber honors member anniversaries and business leaders at City of Angels event The LAX Coastal Chamber celebrated four champions of public service, philanthropy, the media and transportation at its eighth annual City of Angels gala on Wednesday, November 5. The business organization, which has more than 500 members from Westchester, Playa del
A Look Inside Your
HomeTown
Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and surrounding communities holds the yearly event to recognize individuals, companies and organizations that have helped make a meaningful and positive impact on Los Angeles. “The City of Angels is a signature event for the chamber. It is our
Chamber honors businesses with anniversaries
opportunity to celebrate the business community both throughout Los Angeles and within our backyard,” said Christina Davis, President and CEO of the LAX Coastal Chamber. “We are extremely honored to celebrate our awardees and applaud our local businesses.”
YMCA hopes to help combat Diabetes
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With more than 200 people in attendance at the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the four City of Angels honorees accepted teardropshaped hand-blown glass awards for being champions in their fields. (continued on page 6)
Rotary Cultural Dinner Pictures
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Community remembers Morrey Plotkin at memorial service By Geoff Maleman Community icon Morrey Plotkin passed away in his sleep at his Playa del Rey home on Wednesday, October 8. He was 97. A celebration of his life was held on Sunday, October 26 at Covenant Presbyterian Church and hundreds of community members attended the service to pay their respects to a man that dedicated the later part of his life to Westchester and Playa del Rey. Born in Dallas, Texas in 1916, the oldest of three boys, Plotkin spent decades volunteering his time and money to make the Westchester community a better place. An innovative thinker, Plotkin put not only his money, but also his effort into scores of local organizations, saving several from financial collapse. In 1992, Plotkin served as president of the LAX Chamber of Commerce and saw the local business organization through one of its darkest financial periods, helping to put it back on stable footing and helping it grow. More recently, Plotkin helped keep afloat Westchester Playa Village (WPV), a local nonprofit that provides assistance to seniors
to help them remain independent in the comfort and security of their own homes as long as possible. “Morrey is the one who kept WPV alive at a critical juncture,” said Westchester Playa Village’s Executive Director Carol Kitabayashi. “We would not be here thriving without his influence and support. He continues to live on through all the people we serve at WPV. I feel so privileged to have received his guidance, support and friendship. He was a wonderfully amazing man who will be missed.” Plotkin grew up in Eagle Rock, graduated from UCLA in 1938 and earned his master’s degree in political science two years later. In 1943, he married the love of his life, Mari; and they were married for 63 years until her death in 2006. During World War II, Plotkin served in the Army Air Corps and retired with the rank of major in 1957. He earned his commercial pilot’s license while working for the Civil Aeronautics Authority, the precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and developed a lifelong love of aviation. He spent much of his professional career
and honors aviation pioneers. “Morrey walked down Sepulveda Boulevard, though the Westchester Business District, and questioned what we could do to encourage people to walk down our sidewalks,” said Rowena Ake, former chair of Flight Path. “His idea was the Flight Path Walk of Fame.” Today, Flight Path has grown into a learning center and flight museum in the Imperial Terminal at LAX, as well as a Flight Path Walk of Fame that houses more than 50 bronze plaques embedded in the sidewalk along Sepulveda Boulevard– right where Morrey visualized them. A deeply religious man, Plotkin Plotkin was remembered for his community donated much time and money service at his October 26 memorial. to Covenant Presbyterian Church and was named the 1963 Southern on the corporate staff of Northrop California Presbyterian Man of the Corporation, where he specialized in Year, just one of many awards he mergers and acquisitions, retiring in earned during his lifetime. 1970 at the age of 55. He earned the 2006 Fritz B. Burns But Morrey never really retired. Outstanding Community Service & Until the age of 90, he worked Leadership Award, as well as the 2010 as a financial planner and gave Howard B. Drollinger Leadership thousands of hours to local nonprofit Award and served as the community’s organizations, founding the Flight Honorary Mayor in 1986. Path Learning Center of Southern (continued on page 8) California, a non-profit organization that celebrates the history of aviation
Community Remembers Morrey
Morrey was a friend who was always available when I needed to clarify my thoughts regarding a challenge. He was the best at getting to the heart of any issue without wasting time. Morrey inspired me to take more action on the boards that we served on together at the YMCA and WPV. I will forever remember our lunches and calls that were always full of purpose. He was intentional, always working his plan. He remains one of the most Plotkin with fellow board member Clarence Griffin. respected people I’ve known.
Page 2 • November 2014
Morrey’s grandson delivered a short but memorable story at Morrey’s memorial service. The last time he spoke to Morrey, Morrey told him the secret to a happy life. He said ‘Life is better when you’re nice to people.’ Allow your mind and heart to ponder those wise words. Morrey, thank you for all you gave to Westchester, all you meant to me and all you helped create. I will never drink a scotch or see a cigar, without Plotkin with Karen Dial after receiving the H.B thinking of you! Drollinger Leadership Award in 2010.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Community remembers Morrey Plotkin Nonprofit makes a difference in the community YMCA hopes to help combat diabetes November is the most important fitness month Calendar/To Do Pictures
02 04 07 11 18-19 23
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Fay Craton, Contributing Writer David “Duke” Dukesherer Sr., Looking Back
Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Jack Younger, Contributing Cartoonist
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Business & Professional 17 Cinemark Playa Vista 07 Covenant Presbyterian Church 14 Custom Design & Construction 09 Daily Grill 06 Drollinger Properties 16 El Segundo Car Wash 06 Food Pantry, LAX 14 Gateway to GO! 07 Kevin and Kaz Gallaher 21 Jane St. John 21 LA Arts Collective 10 Loyola Marymount 04 McClintock Dental 09 Neighborhood Council 24 Playa Medical Plaza 05 REAL Creative Space 02,10
Regatta Capital Group 16 Socal Sports and Fitness 23 South Bay Brokers 20 St. Bernard High School 12 Vergari and Napolitano 11 Visitation School 13 Vistamar School 08 Westchester Family YMCA 15 Westchester First Fridays 14 Westchester Little League 17 Westchester Lutheran 11 Westchester Secondary Charter School 02 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Westchester/Playa Village 15, 23 Westside Neighborhood School 12 Zacha Homes 20
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Nonprofits work to make a difference in community The Westchester, Playa and Marina area is full of a great nonprofits and volunteers that are working hard to make a difference in the community. With the holidays upon us, the HTN would like to highlight some of the organizations that work year-round to make a positive impact in other’s lives by offering services and help for those in need. • The LAX Food Pantry. Since 1984, the LAX Food Pantry has been providing meals to those without food. The nonprofit is sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association, which is made up of pastors from 10 local churches. According to LAX Food Pantry president, Scott Tanner, every week, the pantry distributes food to almost 300 families. The food pantry, which serves clients from Westchester, Inglewood, El Segundo, Hawthorne and surrounding areas, provides them with a grocery bag with two days worth of food. Volunteers work on creating weekly menus and providing clients the ingredients to make a complete meal like spaghetti or chili. Roughly ten-percent of the pantry’s clients are homeless and are given food that can easily be eaten on the
Page 4 • November 2014
go, as well as personal hygiene items like socks and tooth brushes. The pantry is the only organization in the Westside Food Bank area that is run completely by volunteers who donate their time picking up food from the food bank, which is purchased at 7-cents a pound, picking up donations from restaurants and super markets and manning the distribution center every Tuesday and Thursday morning to distribute the food. Tanner says the pantry is always appreciative of food drives that collect non-perishable food items. Items can be dropped off at the pantry or a pick-up by volunteers can also be scheduled. The pantry is especially in need of donations of canned protein (tuna, hot dogs, etc) and soup, because they chronically run a shortage of these items. The pantry is also in need of volunteers to do food pick-ups as needed. During the holidays, more than 700 bags will be distributed to needy families thanks to a collaboration between the Westchester Clergy Association and the pantry. Want to get involved? Donations can be sent to 8726 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Top: The LAX Food Pantry is always in need of canned proteins and soups to distribute. Bottom: The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary holds stuffed animals ready to be donated.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Top: Students celebrate their Vision to Learn glasses. Bottom: An “elf” wraps gifts at last year’s St. Margaret’s Center Christmas Program. PHOTO BY TRACY CROWE MCGONIGLE.
Suite D PMB 741 in Westchester. Interested in holding a food drive or donating food items? Email foodpantrylax@gmail.com or call Scott Tanner at (310) 720-0139. • The Westchester and Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Clubs. While the Rotary’s global mission is eradicating polio, local groups are making a difference at home through a variety of programs and events aimed at raising money for community projects and those in need. The Westchester Rotary Club is known for its yearly book sale, which raises thousands of dollars that the club uses to help fund scholarships, service projects, to sponsor community activities and for the Home Makeover Project. The Home Makeover Project is the club’s largest philanthropic effort and involves the club making over a home in the Westchester/Playa area. The next home makeover is scheduled for 2015. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club holds numerous service projects and events throughout the year including the Teacher Mini-Grant program, Holiday Adopt a Family program, donating Build-A-Bears to needy children and the December LAFD Santa Tour through Westchester and Playa del Rey. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” and both clubs welcome guests to visit a meeting to learn more about their programs and how they live up to this creed.
The Westchester Rotary meets every Wednesday afternoon. For more info, visit rotary-westchester.com. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary meets every Wednesday morning. For more info, visit playasunrise.org. • St. Margaret’s Center. Since 1987, St. Margaret’s Center has provided support to low-income families in an effort to teach individuals skills to become more self-sufficient and gain economic security. The center, which is located in Lennox, helps more than 10,000 people every year from the LAX area with food services, emergency housing vouchers, health screenings and tutoring. For years, Westchester’s Visitation School has helped with the organization’s Christmas Program toy drive. For the last twenty-three years, St. Margaret’s has provided holiday festivities, food and gifts for more than 1,000 low-income families that receive at least one service at the center. Donated toys are now being accepted at a drop-box located at the school at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. Toys are asked to be in the $20-$30 price range so that all of the children in a family receive equitable gifts. Toys for babies and tweens are especially needed. Toys will be collected Monday through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. Those interested in donating can also visit amazon.com, choose “Wish (continued on page 8)
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Chamber honors business anniversaries (continued) (continued from page 1) Congresswoman Karen Bass, who represents the 37th Congressional District, was honored for her public service. In that office, Bass has advocated for local hire programs and for intellectual property rights. Bass currently serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Steering and Policy Committee. Prior to serving in Congress, Bass made history serving as the first African American woman to serve as Speaker of the California Assembly. Austin Beutner received the award for his work in news and media, as well as his philanthropic endeavors. As publisher and CEO of Los Angeles Times, Beutner oversees the Los Angeles Times Media Group’s portfolio of businesses, including the paper and its digital properties. He also serves as Board Chairman of CalArts, The Broad Stage and the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation. In 2012, he founded Vision to Learn, which has provided free eye exams and glasses to thousands of Los Angeles area elementary school students. Founder and Executive Director of Homeboy Industries, Father Gregory Boyle, was honored for his work with the nonprofit, which is the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and reentry program in the United
States. Homeboy Industries, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year, employs and trains more than 300 former gangmembers every year. The organization also provides free, critical services like job training, tattoo removal and case management to more than 12,000 people every year who are seeking to better their lives. Art Leahy, CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) accepted the award for his work leading the organization, the third largest public transportation agency in the United States. METRO currently has almost 1.5 million boardings a year and employs nearly 9,000 people. Past City of Angel honorees include Tommy Lasorda, CocaCola, Councilman Bernard Parks, the X Prize Foundation, the Los Angeles Business Journal, The Boeing Company and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The event is also the chamber’s yearly opportunity to honor its members who are celebrating milestone anniversaries with recognition and framed plaques. The recognition came as a welcome token for small business owner Rikki Barker who owns Wrapt in Wire, a custom hand-made jewelry line, specializing in gems and natural stones wrapped in wire, who is
celebrating her fifth anniversary in business this year. “Being recognized at this event is an honor and gives me greater confidence that I am growing my business,” said Barker, who serves as the chamber’s Honorary Mayor. “As a member of the chamber representing a former company and now, as I begin my new venture, I have experienced the benefits of membership. I have been introduced to many members who have supported me and given me advice.” Some of the businesses that were recognized at the event included Team Crockett, celebrating 50 years; Marina Towers celebrating 45 years; Warehouse Restaurant, celebrating 45 years; Carousel School, celebrating 25 years and Playa Vista/Brookfield Residential celebrating 15 years. Other chamber members celebrating monumental anniversaries this year include Westchester Lutheran, which is celebrating 70 years in the community; Flight Path Learning Center, which is celebrating 55 years and Playa del Rey’s Flowers by Felicia, which is celebrating 25 years in business. “Running a business is no easy task. For many of our members, they invest time, money and a lot of hard work to keep their doors open and paychecks in the hands of their employees,” said
Davis. “Celebrating their efforts is really important to our chamber and meaningful to our members.” For some members, like Team Crockett’s Patty Crockett, whose company is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year, the recognition was also a chance to reflect on the importance of small family-run business. Her grandfather, Otto Cripps, founded the company, which turned into a family affair after her grandmother, mother and father joining the business. Crockett’s mother, Mary Lou, is remembered for her work in giving back to the community through a variety of nonprofits and for founding the Fourth of July Parade. “Having grown up in the family business and feeling like our company has been chamber members for almost my entire life, my mom raised me to be a supporter of small businesses,” said Crockett. “After being able to work with my mom and grandma for fifteen years, it feels pretty unbelievable to still be carrying on assisting buyers and selling and managing properties alongside my dad in the office, my stepmom as my assistant and my son studying for his license.”
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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YMCA launches diabetes prevention program chronic diseases, but the YMCA is hoping to help change people’s health and lives with the inaugural program. The Westchester Family YMCA is holding a kick-off presentation that is free to the community on Monday, November 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss the program’s guidelines and give tips on how to decrease your chances of developing diabetes. The presentation will be held at the YMCA, located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. (continued on page 9)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Nonprofits (continued)
Plotkin (continued)
(continued from page 5) List” and search “St. Margaret’s Center.” Toys can be shipped directly to the center. The last day to donate toys is December 15. For more info on donating or about St. Margaret’s Center, please contact Terry O’Connor at (310) 994-9904 or via email at terry_oconnor2012@yahoo.com. • Vision to Learn. Although Vision to Learn has only been around for a little more than two years, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit has quickly garnered support from local organizations like the community Rotary clubs, the Drollinger Charitable Foundation, Loyola Marymount University and the William H. Hannon Foundation, for its mission of providing free eye exams and glasses to elementary school students in low-income communities. Recently, members of seven local Rotary Clubs (including Westchester, Playa Venice Sunrise and Hawthorne/LAX/Venice) raised more than $60,000 to help fund more than 650 eye exams and glasses
(continued on page 2) “Morrey Plotkin was a giant and an icon, the quintessential civic leader,” said City Councilman Mike Bonin, who represents the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista area. “For generations, our community has been blessed with his commitment, his service and his leadership. He dedicated himself to making our neighborhoods better and rolling up his sleeves to get things done. Over the years, his work and his service inspired so many people to get involved in the community. I am certain his legacy will do the same.” And while Plotkin was always there to help organizations in need, his true impact was felt by the individuals he helped support. From local business leaders to those who served with him on volunteer boards, Plotkin was always there with a word of encouragement or a bit of sage advice. “Morrey took me under his wing when I graduated from LMU and would regularly share life’s lessons with me over a steak sandwich at
for students in the Los Angeles area. Vision To Learn works to solve the problem of students in low-income communities who lack the glasses they need to see the board, read a book, study math or participate in class. Many times, for a variety of reasons, these students are not able to visit an eye care doctor, so Vision To Learn brings their mobile clinic to selected schools and community organizations and proves eye exams and glasses free of charge. To date, Vision To Learn has visited more than 260 schools, including schools in Westchester, and 40 community organizations, where they have facilitated vision screenings for more than 160,000 children and provided over 18,000 children with free glasses. Interested in getting involved or suggesting a school for Vision to Learn to visit? Visit visiontolearn. org. Passionate about a local nonprofit that you work or volunteer with? Let us know! Contact us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
the Forum Club,” said David A. Herbst, a Westchester resident. “I never witnessed him being anything other than one of the most decent and truly holy men I’ve known. I have lost a very dear friend. Our community has lost a titan.” Plotkin is survived by his brother Peter and his two children Lisa Marie Plotkin and Larry Plotkin and Larry’s significant other, Diane Barretti. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Matthew Plotkin, and his wife Rebecca; Sarah Plotkin Dacong, and her husband Anthony Dacong; Andrew Plotkin and Kailee Plotkin. The family has requested that those interested in making a donation in Plotkin’s name to donate to the Morrey Plotkin Memorial Fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Checks can be made payable to Covenant Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund (unrestricted) and sent to 6323 W. 80th Street, Westchester, CA 90045.
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Diabetes prevention (continued) (continued from page 7) The program will officially begin in January of next year. The program is designed to help participants lose seven-percent of their body weight through healthy eating and exercise. “Prediabetes is a nationwide concern that can be addressed at the community level through programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, which takes treatment out of a clinical setting and into the community, making it more accessible to those who need it most,” said Alissa Singer, Chronic Disease Prevention Specialist of YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. “The Y is one of the few organizations in the country with the reach and experience to help people make the necessary behavior changes to improve health.” The Westchester Family YMCA is just one of 146 YMCAs nationwide participating in the year long program. “We are proud to be offering the Diabetes Prevention Program to Westchester and the surrounding communities. Studies indicate an estimated 1 in 3 adults in the United States are prediabetic. Our goal is to help those living in our community by giving them the tools to lead a healthier life,” said Dawn Everard, YMCA Director of Healthy
Lifestyles. A trained lifestyle coach will help participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes during 16 onehour weekly sessions. Following these sessions, participants will meet monthly for added support in reaching their ultimate goals of reducing their body weight and participating in 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program have shown to prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent and as much as 71 percent in adults over the age of 60. The basis for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with support from the CDC that showed how eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight could lead to better health in participants and an overall reduction of new type 2 diabetes cases. To learn more about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact Dawn Everard at (310) 6704316 or via email at dawneverard@ ymcala.org.
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2014 • Page 9
Enjoy your family this holiday season By Fay Craton
Opinion: Throughout Westchester there are signs of the holidays. Thanksgiving and family gatherings are right around the corner. Some people love and look forward to seeing family. However, for many other folks, the idea of the gatherings fills them with dread. As families join together, too often, past conflicts reemerge. Unresolved disagreements reappear. People are bracing for irritating attitudes and words. Is this how you view the holidays? Would you like to shift your experience of your family gathering this year? The key to having a different experience is usually not about what another person says or does. Your experience is how you perceive a situation in which you find yourself. If you want to keep having the same experience, keep perceiving it in the same way you have always done. If the experience is working for you, keep it up! If you want something that is more enjoyable, it is time to shift your perceptions and your own behaviors. In preparation for forming new perceptions, it is worthwhile to sweep away some bad thought habits many people have about how relationships work.
Page 10 • November 2014
Quality relationships are not about: • projecting frustration about your own shortcomings onto another person; • demonstrating “being right” by being smarter or more logical than others; • placing another person onto the defensive in order to prove him or her “wrong” or a “lesser person;” or • shouting down what another person is saying in order to have the “final word.” Bad habits create a divide and break the opportunity to connect with another person. Connection requires communicating in a manner in which the other person has the experience of being validated. This requires first changing your own behaviors without the expectation the other person will automatically change just because you have done so. Validation requires the other person experiencing being heard, without being made to feel wrong about what he or she is saying. It requires listening to what the other person is expressing with an open heart and mind. In addition, there needs to be an intention of allowing what the other person is saying to register within your thoughts. Validation does not require agreement. However, it does require listening without confronting
or debating what is being said, just because you like to confront or debate. Your behaviors are reflections of your perceptions. What is perceived is filtered by how you view yourself, those around you, and situations in which you find yourself. Filters are created by past experiences and by how you have learned the world functions. People do not have the same filters. To change your experience, you first need to change your perceptions. This can be difficult and require the assistance of a therapist. While you are doing the work of changing your filters, here are suggestions as to how to begin to change your experience. First, decide what is most important to you in regards to your experience with your family. For example, do you desire having a calm relationship? If so, set having a calm relationship as your intention. Make your intention the most important priority while with your family. Next, when there is a conflict, before reacting, take a deep breath. Very consciously “pause” your reactions. In the “pause,” reflect on the good traits of the other person. Take your focus off the irritant and instead place your focus on calm memories. The goal is to remove your attention from what you do not want and instead allow your thoughts to dwell on a positive
possibility. Since you have already established your intention is your most important priority, hold to it! As you shift your thinking, you are better able to respond from a place of connection. Another suggestion is to keep your thoughts positive by taking care of yourself. Self-care is always important. Activities involved in self-care may include taking time to meditate, getting enough rest, exercise and eating healthy. It may mean removing yourself from dangerous situations. An element of taking care of yourself is to keep your thinking from becoming clouded by alcohol or other substances. My wish for you is for your family gatherings to be enjoyable this holiday season. You may continue to have challenges in your relationships, however, the memory of a good experience will help you find a way to either manage or fully resolve the challenges. I encourage you to look past the conflict to the precious perfect essence of your loved ones. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011). She has an office in Westchester. Contact her at (310) 645-6762 or visitcommunicationtriangle.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November is the most important fitness month By Jeff Blair
2. Set a positive goal during the month. Rather than think about the challenges you face, get your brain focused on success by setting a small goal such as losing one pound or a half-inch somewhere on your body. This will get you thinking in a positive manner and thinking how you can succeed rather than focus on the obstacles you face. If you are fixated on the obstacles, you will have a hard time seeing the solutions. Find a way to succeed because the payoff is worth it! 3. Find a way to create accountability. There are many ways to develop accountability: personal trainers, support groups and workout partners are just a few. A workout partner is probably the simplest way to develop accountability. By having an appointment to keep, you are more likely to get out of bed in the morning or exercise after work. Many people do work out on their own, but if you are a beginner or struggled with commitment in the past, finding a partner can be a very effective tool. 4. Don’t neglect weight-training. Many people think cardio training is the only way to maintain a healthy weight, but weight-training can play a huge role as well. Weighttraining burns calories during the workout and can also increase your metabolism. By committing to a regular weight-training routine, you will feel stronger, healthier and happier. 5. Make reasonable eating choices. You do not have to forgo all the holiday choices over the next couple months. Instead, look for “little wins” such as moderating snacking. The biggest mistake most people make is throwing in the towel for the next couple months. As much as possible, try to maintain your normal eating patterns and continue to include healthy choices such as fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Drinking plenty of water can also have very favorable effects on your fitness level. By taking these five steps, you can make November a fitness success and carry that success into December and beyond. Before you try this or any fitness routine, please 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’ 2014 Readers’ Poll. Email jeffblair@jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas or comments.
VERGARI & NAPOLITANO attorneys at law
Opinion: Last year I wrote an article explaining how November is the most important fitness month of the year. We don’t usually associate November with fitness but for the following reasons I believe it is the most important. Most people gain weight during the last couple of months of the year because of holiday events and less activity. While the amount of weight has been exaggerated in the past, most people do tend to gain Cozette Vergari, Esq. Kimberly Napolitano, Esq. a few pounds, and they never lose it. This is an even more important point than the fact most people gain “We are committed to providing professional services with integrity” weight during the holiday. By adding a couple of pounds every year or almost every year, people can gain ESTATE PLANNING and FAMILY LAW ten or twenty pounds over a decade Wills • Trusts • Probate or so. Pre-nuptial Agreements • Custody • Divorce If you begin the holiday season Mediation/Collaborative Family Law with the approach “I’ll lose it in January,” you will miss the opportunity to establish great habits 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 1580, Los Angeles, CA 90045 that can carry you through the end 310.410.4014 LAXLawyers.com of 2014. Rather than start behind the eight ball in January, you can gain momentum during November, which can carry you through the holiday season and into 2015. The good news is that by taking a few small steps, you can overcome Start the the New New Year Year looking looking in in the the right right direction...Up! direction...Up! Start the weight gain most people experience during the holiday This is the season of thanks. A time to take stock of your life season and a specific action plan can and realize how many reasons you have to be grateful. turn the statistics in your favor. Freedom from doubt. Freedom from fear. And to whom you should give the ultimate thanks. Take these five steps to win at fitness this holiday season: Join usworship, at Westchester Lutheran Church, Join us for study, and service. Get to know us as we all andtoembrace the freedom in athat is 1. Start each morning with at work know the Lord better. Be part offound a community thankful for our blessings, for our callings, for each loving,daily forgiving relationship withand the least 20 minutes of activity. The other. Lord. Join new friends in a celebration of biggest mistake most beginners everything that is possible when you live make is they set unrealistic goals Come celebrate with us. We’ll have one more reason to be in harmony with the Word. and then quit when they do not thankful. reach them. They want to work out Looking Ahead: an hour per day but cannot find Christmas Tree Lighting/Carol Sing/Opening of Christmas Festival time to work out that long so they All welcome. on Friday, December 5th atare 7 p.m. end up doing nothing. The “all or Handel’s Messiah with soloists, orchestra & chorus Come celebrate with us! nothing” approach can be a recipe on Sunday, December 7 at 4 p.m. Come look look up up with with us. us. Come for frustration. The better strategy is start with Weekly Worship Sundays at 10 a.m. WorshipSummer and Sunday School, SundaysSundays at 10 a.m. Choir Rehearsal at 9 a.m. a smaller, attainable goal and then Vacation BibleSchool Schooland Adult July 29-August 2 Confirmation, High Classes, Sundays at 8:45 a.m. build on that. You can start with Midweek Bible Study, Wednesday at 7 p.m. something as simple as a 20-minute power walk out your front door. 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester, CA 90045 Walk 10 minutes from your front 310.670.5422 door and then return to your house; www.wlcs.org you will have achieved a 20-minute Serving the community since 1943 workout. Preschool to 8th Grade With a little activity in the Enroll now - Call for a Tour morning, you are less likely to eat for emotional reasons and you will start your day with an effective stress management tool. You will build positive habits and confidence in your ability to work out consistently. Twenty minutes of activity in the morning is a simple but effective strategy for holiday fitness success. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News November 2014 • Page 11
Celebrate Freedom! Got Thanks?
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Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up! Come change with us. All are welcome.
School Notes
Open house and food trucks at St. Bernard. St. Bernard is inviting the community to its annual open house on Saturday, November 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the campus, meet with administrators and teacher and ask questions. General Kevin Chilton, a St. Bernard alumni and a pilot for the space shuttle Endeavour, will be a special guest at the open house. To add to the festive atmosphere, food trucks will be on site with food for purchase. WESM holds its Academic Recognition Night. On Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. the Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets (WESM) Academic Booster Club will be honoring more than 140 students who have achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher. Of these, 36 seniors will receive the coveted academic letterman jacket. Junior, sophomore and freshmen students will also be recognized. Because the jackets and awards are provided to the students free of charge, the school
Page 12 • November 2014
is welcoming contributions from community partners to help support this event. The public is also invited to attend the ceremony. WESM is located at 4200 Manchester Blvd. in Westchester. Those interested in donating can email Millicent Mito at millim@ca.rr. com for further details or call (310) 849-3845. Donations received by Wednesday, November 13, will be recognized in the event program. WSCS celebrates its sports teams. Westchester Secondary Charter School’s Lady Thunderbirds are enjoying their inaugural season of volleyball with many first-time athletes playing on the team. The team hopes that hard work and teammates like Rachna Braziel,who has played volleyball for 3 years, will lead the team to the playoffs. Free college planning workshop. On Monday, November 17, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester, Chelsea Watkins, founder and CEO of College Application Training, will provide a free workshop to students and parents on how to prepare a college application that will maximize
The WSCS volleyball team hopes to have a successful inaugural season.
opportunities for financial aid, scholarships and grants. To register for the workshop, please visit upay4college.com. Playa Vista Elementary School receives donation. Brookfield Residential recently announced it was donating $500,000 to Playa Vista Elementary School. The donation will be distributed as $50,000 a year for the next ten-years. “A neighborhood school is invaluable in creating a true sense of community and connection and Playa Vista Elementary School is an important part of our community
story,” said Brookfield Residential Director of Marketing Alison Banks. “From donating the land for the school, to working with so many of our parents and LAUSD to lobby for this school to be built, as well as helping to support curriculum and programs in the first two years, our commitment to the school remains strong. We are also continuously amazed by the hard work and dedication of the Friends of Playa Vista school booster group.” Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
giving Please Join in Donating Toys to St. Margaret’s Center Join Join Visitation Visitation School School and and the the HomeTown HomeTown News News in in the the spirit spirit of of giving giving by by donating donating new, new, unwrapped toys toys to to St. St. Margaret’s Margaret’s Center Center for for their their annual annual Christmas Christmas Program. Program. Every Every year, year, unwrapped St. St. Margaret’s Margaret’s Center, Center, just just aa stone’s stone’s throw throw away away from from Westchester, Westchester, donates donates thousands thousands of of toys toys to needy children. This year’s Christmas Program will be held on Saturday, December to needy children. This year’s Christmas Program will be held on Saturday, December 20th 20th at at Morningside Morningside High High School School in in Inglewood. Inglewood. Visitation Visitation and and the the HomeTown HomeTown News News are are helping helping in in this this effort, effort, by by asking asking the the community community to to help spread holiday cheer to the less fortunate. A drop-box for toys is located help spread holiday cheer to the less fortunate. A drop-box for toys is located at at the the school school at at 8740 8740 Emerson Emerson Ave. Ave. in in Westchester. Westchester. Toys Toys should should be be valued valued between between $15-$25 $15-$25 and and toys toys for for babies and and tweens tweens are are especially especially needed. needed. Toys Toys will will be be collected collected Mondays Mondays through through Thursdays Thursdays babies from from 99 am am to to 22 pm pm and and Fridays Fridays from from 99 am am to to 11 11 am. am. Those Those interested interested in in donating donating can can also visit amazon.com, choose “Wish List” and search “St. Margaret’s Center. also visit amazon.com, choose “Wish List” and search “St. Margaret’s Center.”” Toys Toys can can be be shipped directly to the center. The last day for donations is Monday, December 15. shipped directly to the center. The last day for donations is Monday, December 15. For more more info, info, please please contact contact Terry Terry O’Connor O’Connor at at (310) (310) 994-9904 994-9904 or or For email email terry_oconnor2012@yahoo.com terry_oconnor2012@yahoo.com
• WE ST REY C EL
Visitation School Visitation School
FOR ENROLLMENT!
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ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Voted Best of the Best School tours and Junior Kindergarten and 2012 & 2013 FOR ENROLLMENT F u l l D All-Grade a y J u n i o rpreview K i n d e rdays g a r t emay n & be K ischeduled ndergarten Through 8th Grade Voted “Best of Favorite” for Private Religious is Well SchoolSchool - PrivateGraduate School; Food TruckPrepared Friday Night F u l l D a y J u n i o r school-year K i n d e r g a rround. t e n & K i n d e r g a r t e n A Vistitation and READY for High School ofPrepared Choice Events & Community Event for FTFNs A Visitation School Graduate is Well We invite your T hyou r o uto g hcall 8 t and h G rschedule ade 2012 - 2013 - 2014 Strong Home-School Partnership • WASC Accredited – WCEA Certified • and READY for High School of Choice VIP visit (310) 645-6620. A Catholic Tradition of Eaxcellence in Education Since 1947
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Strong Home-School We invite you to call andvschedule WASC – WCEA Certified • e rinya CHRIST D ayour y iPartnership s O p• e n H oAccredited u FOR s Celebrating e . . .ENROLLMENT Shuttle Endeavour’s Mission 26, Educating the WHOLE E CHILD “A Catholic Education Is An Advantage A forCatholic Life” Tradition Westchester Stopover,in during its historic journey to VIP Centered visit (310) 645-6620. of Excellence Education Since 1947 Environment the California Science Center W EinLa C Opreview MCentered T days O School Educating the WHOLE CHRIST AEVisitation Graduate is Well Prepared School tours and Junior Kindergarten andCHILD All-Grade may be scheduled ER • PLAYA ST Environment E • Challenging • Music and Art • After School H and READY for High School of Choice school-year round. We •invite you to call and schedule your VIP visit (310) 645-6620. Challenging • Music and Art • After School A • MARINA ST D VI
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Curriculum Programs Partnership Enrichment •Program: WASC Accredited – WCEA Certified • HOMETOWN Strong Home-School Curriculum Programs Enrichment NEWS • State of the Art • After School Day Care Drama, Cheer, Karate, AT Catholic in Education Since 1947 • State of theA Art C a t •hAfter School Day Program: o lW i c ES cC h oOoM l F rO A l l Tradition C h i l dofrExcellence en L Eo “A Catholic IsLab AnI Advantage for Life” Computer Lab Education • Algebra Playball, Guitar, Piano, Computer Care Drama, Cheer, ACCEPTING u l l D a y CHILD J u n i o r Ka i nCHRIST d e r g a r t e n & K i n d e r g a r t e n T h U.S. r o u gArmy h 8 t h387th Grad e Company Thanks Educating the•FSpanish WHOLE QM • Algebra I Karate, Playball, •APPLICATIONS Spanish • Gateway to Artin JK/Kinder Acting, and Recognizes Visitation School for • Guidance Gateway to ArtGolf, Drums, Guitar,Voice Piano, Golf FOR Counseling Centered Environment • Guidance • Choice Lunch •and ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Voted Best of the Best School tours Junior Outstanding Support of the Troops. Counseling • Choice Lunch Kindergarten Euro Soccerand and ENROLLMENT! 2012 & 2013 FOR ENROLLMENT • Visitation Voices F Choir Program and Euro Soccer. All-Grade preview days may be scheduled •l Visitation Voices Program JK/Kindergarten u l D a y J u n i o r K i n d e r g a r t e n & K i n d e r g a r t e n T h r o u g h 8 t h G r a d e Challenging Science Lab • CYO Sports • After School •• Science Lab •• CYO Sports Choir A Vistitation School Graduate is Well Prepared school-year round. Acting Curriculum • After School Day Care Enrichment Program: and READY for HighisSchool Choice • Science Lab Ayour Visitation School Graduate WellofPrepared invite you to call and schedule • State ofStrong the Art 8740 Algebra I Drama, Cheer, Karate, So.• We Emerson Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045 Home-School Partnership 8740 VIP So. visit Emerson Avenue, Westchester, 90045 • WASC Accredited – WCEA Certified • and CA READY for High School of Choice Phone: 310-645-6620 • 24/7 Phone: 310-994-9904 •(310) Fax: 645-6620. 310-645-4407 • jsmitley@visitationschool.org A Catholic Tradition of Eaxcellence in Education Since 1947 Phone: 310-645-6620 • 24/7 Phone: 310-994-9904 • Fax: 310-645-4460 • jsmitley@visitationschool.org Computer Lab • Gateway to Art Playball, Piano, “A Catholic Education Is An Advantage for Life” Strong Home-School Partnership • Spanish • Choice Lunch Robotics, Rock the Visit Us At: www.visitationschool.org Visit Us At: www.visitationschool.org • WASC Accredited – WCEA Certified • Celebrating Shuttle Endeavour’s Mission 26, Educating the WHOLE CHILD in a CHRIST • Visitation Voices Choir“A Catholic Program Education Is AnMic, JK/Kinder Advantage for Life” Tradition Westchester Stopover,in during its historic journey to A Catholic of Excellence Education Since 1947 Centered Environment the California Science Center Educating the WHOLE CHILD in a CHRIST • Music and Art • CYO Sports Acting, Golf,Centered Drums, Environment • Challenging • Music and Art • After Programs Voice School and Euro Soccer. • Challenging • Music and Art • AfterProgram: School Curriculum Programs Enrichment Curriculum Programs Enrichment Emerson Westchester, CA 90045 • State of the Art 8740• So. • After SchoolAvenue, Day Care Drama, Cheer, State of the Art • After School Day Program:Karate, Phone: 310-645-6620 • 24/7 Phone: 310-994-9904 • Fax: 310-645-4407 • jsmitley@visitationschool.org Computer Lab • Algebra Playball,Drama, Guitar, Piano, Computer Lab I Care Cheer, • Spanish Karate, Playball, • Spanish • Gateway Art• Algebra I JK/Kinder Acting, Visit Us At:towww.visitationschool.org • Guidance • Gateway to ArtGolf, Drums, Guitar,Voice Piano, Golf • Guidance Counseling • Choice Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey •Counseling Playa VistaLunch HomeTown November 2014 • Page 13 • Choice News Lunch Euro Soccer and • Visitation Voices Choir Program and Euro Soccer. • Visitation Voices Program JK/Kindergarten • Science Lab • CYO Sports • CYO Sports Choir Acting
A Look Back at Westchester/Playa
TheHTN.com
By David J. “Duke” Dukesherer, Sr.
I love Inglewood I love the city of Inglewood. If you have read any of my books, then you know that I credit Inglewood and the former owner of Rancho Centinela, Daniel Freeman, for the pioneer spirited contributions that were made to our area. And today, with real estate prices in our town hitting meteoric levels, Inglewood is getting ready to experience a renaissance. That’s right children, you should listen to your Uncle Duke and head a few miles east of us, and plop down as much money as you can on a home and enjoy what will no doubt be the next Westside buying frenzy. I am not kidding either. I predict prices will double there in five to seven years. Home values in Hawthorne will also skyrocket. Go east, young man! But that is not to say Inglewood isn’t great now! Where else could I find a town that demolished the famed Inglewood Country Club, host of the 1955 LA Open; lost not just one, but two world-class sports teams from their home at the fabulous
A 1900 postcard of the General Fremont Home. The home was a gift to General Fremont and his wife in 1899, but he had passed away nine years earlier. PHOTO COURTESY THE AUTHOR.
Forum; tore down one of the best racetracks in the west, Hollywood Park, to make way for a discount shopping center or new homes or both; leveled one of the finest example of late 19th century pioneer architecture, the Daniel Freeman Mansion, which made room for a parking lot for a hospital which is now shuttered and pumped so much water out of the Centinela Springs, which was once the purest water in the region, that salt water began to leech in from the Pacific Ocean?
The resourcefulness of the town is staggering. In fact, Mayor James T. Butts might have one of the most fertile imaginations in the area. He welcomed an NFL stadium being built in Inglewood, but the problem was, he didn’t have a team. I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but it seems to me you need a team before you build a stadium, unless you have watched Field of Dreams too many times and somehow that sentimental fairy tale made sense to you. Can you imagine the traffic jams on game
days? 17,000 fans fill the Forum and gridlock the roads; imagine the havoc that 80,000 fans and workers would create. In Mayor Butts defense, St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke did purchase 60 acres of land near the Forum, opening the possibility of the Rams returning to the region they called home from 1946 to 1994. But his move was more likely a chip he was playing to get the city of St. Louis to sweeten his already trump hand. Then there is the case of the General John Fremont home. This one is really remarkable. John Charles Frémont or Fremont (January 21, 1813 – July 13, 1890) was an American military officer, explorer and politician who became the first candidate of the Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. During the 1840s, when he led four expeditions into the American West, that era’s penny press and admiring historians accorded Frémont the nickname “The Pathfinder.” At the rank of Major, he was later Military Governor of California, although that ended badly, when he was released and court-martialed for mutiny. However, President Polk commuted (continued on next page)
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Church School for Young People during Service
Pastor: Rev. Cathy Chisholm
We have an Orchestra and Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs E-mail: cpoffis@pacbell.net Childcare is provided- For more information, Call (310) 670-5750
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
A Look Back (continued) (continued from previous page) his sentence. He settled in California and made millions during the Gold Rush. When the war between the states broke out, Fremont became General of the Western Armies, including the Missouri Territory, and after invoking martial law on the citizens there, he decided he just didn’t like slavery, so in a move some two years prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, he declared that all slaves were free in his military district. You can imagine this didn’t go over too well with Jefferson Davis and his Confederates, and inasmuch as he never consulted Washington on the matter, a furious Abraham Lincoln immediately fired him. Ulysses S. Grant stepped in and saved Fremont again and appointed him Brigadier General at the Union base in Cairo, IL. After the War, he entered politics, but due to bad investments died penniless. Meanwhile, back at the Rancho, specifically Rancho Centinela, Daniel
Freeman had started to subdivide the land and Inglewood was experiencing a late 1800s land boom. And so, one of the fine marketing minds employed by Freeman decided to build the good General a home and gift it to him. In 1899, a house meant for the General and Mrs. Fremont was constructed at 111 North Eucalyptus near Pimento Street (now called Manchester Boulevard). It was a lovely 11-room Eastlake-style home with gas, hot and cold running water and indoor plumbing. Mayor Butt’s might be able to relate, for this was one of those cases of “If you build it, he will come.” The problem, however, was he had been dead for nine years. Not only did John Fremont never come, he never even saw the place. The house was demolished in 1962 to make room for an apartment building. Fremont is buried in Rockland, New York.
Please email comments to dukepdr@gmail.com.
WPV would like to thank the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club, Westchester Elks, Dinah’s Family Restaurant and Kaiser Permanente for their generous support! Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2014 • Page 15
Pumpkin creme brulee. Ayara Thai Cuisine is serving its specialty Pumpkin Creme Brulee now through Thanksgiving. The dessert is only available during the fall and comes served in a mini pumpkin. Ayara Thai Cuisine opened in 2004 and is a family-owned restaurant in Westchester specializing in homecooked Thai food. The Asapahu family uses fresh seasonal ingredients and each dish is prepared from scratch. Ayara Thai Cuisine is located at 6245 W. 87th St. in Westchester. For more information, visit AyaraThaiCuisine.com. Le Pain Quotidien celebrates oneyear anniversary. Le Pain Quotidien, French for “the daily bread” celebrated its one-year anniversary in Marina del Rey with a ribbon-cutting. The LAX Coastal Chamber was on hand to cut the tweed ribbon to help celebrate the restaurant and bakery’s success at the location. Since opening their first location in 1990, there are now approximately two hundred Le Pain Quotidien throughout the world. The Marina del Rey location is in the Villa Marina Shopping Center, located at 13455 Maxella Ave. Arbonne open house. Join specialty skincare and beauty line Arbonne
State Controller John Chiang and Friends of Ballona Executive Director Lisa Fimiani present former governor Gray Davis with an award at their annual Moonlight on the Marsh event. PHOTO BY NANETTE GONZALES.
for an open house event on Sunday, November 16 from 1 to 5 p.m. Products will be available for purchase and to order for the holidays. The event is cohosted by CO-OP Community Outreach and Opportunity Programs, which will receive 10% of the proceeds. The nonprofit helps high-need youth prepare for, attend and graduate college. The event will take place at 8929. S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 400 in Westchester. For more information, or to RSVP,
please call Christina Neiwirth at (310) 629-9179. Moonlight on the Marsh. The Friends of Ballona Wetlands honored former California Governor Gray Davis at its October 18 Moonlight on the Marsh event. The ninth annual gala was held at the Marina del Rey Marriott and more than 200 guests attended the event to honor Davis for his environmental achievements while in office.
Pumpkin Creme Brulee is available through Thanksgiving at Ayara. PHOTO COURTESY AYARA.
The Friends’ of Ballona recognized Governor Davis for his role in preserving the Ballona Wetlands and a number of other ecological reserves including the Burton Mesa ecological reserve in Santa Barbara, the Headwaters Forest Reserve in Eureka, Ahmanson Ranch in Calabasas and Bolsa Chica in Orange County. We want to hear about your new business or recent success! If you have something to share about your business, email us at westchesterhometown@ yahoo.com for a chance to be featured in our Business Section.
The co-founding partners of Regatta Capital Group, Spencer Kelly and Russell Mohberg, are pleased to announce that
We are pleased to announce that Lisa Margulies
has joined our firm as the branch manager and financial advisor Regatta is of anour independent newly openedinvestment office. with the advisory Westchester firm registered
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Regatta is an independent investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“
Have you been to the Courtyard Café? Offering fresh food, friendly service and great prices, the Café is located in the courtyard of the Drollinger Building at the corner of Sepulveda Boulevard and Westchester Parkway. Whether you try their incredible Tortas, stop by for a great breakfast and fresh juice or just grab a drink and enjoy the courtyard, this is a Westchester gem you just have to try! – Karen Dial, President
Contact Information
Contact information 7135 W. Manchester Ave. 7135 W. Manchester Ave. Suite #2 Suite #2 Westchester, CA 90045 Westchester, CA 90045 424.255.1045 424.255.1045 Email: lisa@regattainvest.com Email: lisa@regattainvest.com Web Web site: site: www.regattainvest.com www.regattainvest.com Recommended Custodian: Fidelity Investments Page 16 • November 2014
Recommended Custodian: Fidelity Investments
“
has joined our firm as the manager and financial advisor of our newly opened Westchester branch office. Lisa Margulies
Drollinger P R O P E R T I E S
310.417.8048 www.drollingerproperties.com
8929 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, #130 Westchester, CA 90045
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November 2014 • Page 17
Calendar Ongoing monthly events: 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 $20 and validated self parking is free. Guests are most welcome! Reservations are not required. For information regarding the upcoming luncheon programs, visit rotary-westchester.org. Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club at its Wednesday morning meeting at 7:15 a.m. at the Marina City Club, located at 4333 Admiralty Way, Center Tower, 3rd Floor in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast and a guest speaker. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more information, visit playasunrise.org or call (310) 4293808. Life story writing class Thinking about your life story? Learn a simple method to recall and then write your memories. The Life Story Writing Group meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. The donation to the YMCA is $12 a year. For information, please call Mary Sage at (310) 397-3967. Speakers by the Sea Toastmasters Speakers By the Sea Toastmasters Club will help you improve your skills for public speaking. Meetings are held every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 12000 Vista del Mar; Conf. Room 230A in Playa del Rey. For more info, please call (424) 6253131. Harvest Westchester Looks for partners Holy Nativity, in partnership with Food Forward, is looking for local residents interested in donating to its fruit harvesting program. Harvest Westchester is designed to help ensure the extra fruit on your backyard trees does not go to waste while you donate to a good cause. While many with fruit trees or that grow vegetables often have a surplus that is given to family and friends or left unpicked and eventually rots, Harvest Westchester will help pick your excess fruit and deliver it to local food pantries to help feed those who do not have enough to eat. Harvest Westchester will send a team of volunteer pickers to your yard to harvest your fruit trees and 100% Page 18 • November 2014
TheHTN.com of the fruit will be delivered to the local Food Pantry LAX or, if there is more fruit than they can use, it will be delivered to other food distribution centers nearby. If you have fruit trees and want to donate the excess, please call the church office at (310) 670-4777 or visit holynativityparish.org. November events: One Warm Coat Drive One Westchester family is helping collect coats for the needy with a “One Warm Coat” drive. Organizers are looking for donations of gently used coats, jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts, which can be dropped off in the lobby of the Westchester Family YMCA, located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. The drive will run through December 3rd. For questions or for more information, please email alexcoletta994@gmail.com. Playa Vista Book Sale The Playa Vista library will hold a book sale on Saturday, November 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Books of all types will be available for purchase. The Playa Vista Library is located at 6400 Playa Vista Drive in Playa Vista. For more information, please call (310) 437-6680. Westchester Swap Meet Our Saviour Lutheran Church is holding a “Great American Westchester Swap Meet.” The swap meet is scheduled for Saturday, November 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, located at 6705 W. 77th Street in Westchester. Interested in reserving a booth for the sale? For more information and to rent a booth, please call (310) 6707272.
Holy Nativity Episcopal Church is located at 6700 W. 83rd Street in Westchester. Kentwood Players Presents “Into the Woods” The Tony Award-winning musical “Into the Woods” is the next production from Westchester’s Kentwood Players. The musical will run from Friday, November 14 through Saturday, December 20. Performances will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Two Thursday night performances at 8 p.m. on December 11 and 18 are also scheduled. “Into the Woods” is tied together by an original story involving a childless baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, their dealings with a witch who has placed a curse on them, and their interaction with other storybook characters during their journey. Join Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack the Giant Slayer and many other famous storybook characters as they each venture into the foreboding woods in search of magical items, love, money, or simply a purpose in life. Tickets are $25 with a discount for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, please call (310) 645-5156 or visit www.kentwoodplayers.org. The Westchester Playhouse is located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Westchester Moms Holiday Expo Join the YMCA and the Moms of Westchester and PDR Facebook group for a holiday boutique and craft fair. Start your holiday shopping early with more than 20 booths to shop from, which will be selling paper goods, jewelry, baked goods, crafts, gifts and more. The Y Service Club and Youth and Government’s Christmas trees and wreaths will also be available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Westchester Family YMCA. The event will take place on Saturday, November 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Westchester Family YMCA Fireside Room, located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. For more info, please call (310) 6704316.
Pies and Tarts Cooking Class With the holidays right around the corner, learn how to bake the perfect desserts for Thanksgiving and holiday entertaining. The pie cooking class will take place on Thursday, November 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Holy Nativity Community Hall. The class will be lead by Patricia K. Rose. The menu for the event includes homemade pie crust; pumpkin pie with spiced walnut streusel; chocolate Make your Own Stuffed and coconut pecan tart; rustic apple Animal Workshop tart with honey, dates and nuts; Learn how to turn your favorite lemon meringue pie; and rum pie in a photo of your pets or animal into a chocolate crust. Attendees will bake stuffed animal at a REAL Creative a pie to take home. Chef Rose will be Space art class on Saturday, November serving a vegetarian tamale pie and 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. The class will salad for dinner. be taught by instructors from the The cooking class fee is $50 when non-profit Art for Animals’ Sake and you reserve by November 10 and $55 teachers will guide attendees into at the door if space is available. To making a lovable stuffed animal to take reserve your spot, email Patricia@ home. FreshFoodinaFlash.com. The cost for the class is $25 per Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del
person. REAL Creative Space is located at 6207 W. 87th Street in Westchester. For more information, call (310) 645-REAL. LMU Walking Club Looking to get some early morning exercise while meeting new people? Join the LMU Sunrise Walking Club on Monday, November 17! The club meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 a.m. for a brisk 2-mile walk around campus to help kick-start your morning! Those interested in walking should meet at the flagpoles by Alumni Mall on the campus at Loyola Marymount, located at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester. For more info, please visit lmu.edu/ community. St. Jerome Holiday Craft Fair Visit St. Jerome Parish for a holiday craft fair on Saturday, November 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, November 23 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of handmade arts, crafts and unique gifts will be available for purchase. The event will take place at 5550 Thornburn Street in Westchester. Concert Fundraiser at Holy Nativity Holy Nativity will hold its annual fundraiser concert on Saturday, November 22 at 7 p.m. The concert will include a performance by ADAAWE, a voice and drum group, who hail from Kenya, Morocco, Panama and from cities across the U.S. Their music springs from West African roots and is nourished by Gospel harmonies and American funk, creating contemporary world-fusion. A dessert reception will follow the concert. Tickets will be sold at the door for $15. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase. Holy Nativity Episcopal Church is located 6700 West 83rd St. in Westchester. For more information, visit holynativityparish.org or call (310) 670-4777. ARSAC LAX Townhall Meeting ARSAC (Alliance for a Regional Solution Against Airport Congestion) is holding an LAX townhall meeting on Monday, December 1. The event will be held at the La Tijera United Methodist Church, located at 7400 Osage Ave. in Westchester. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting will discuss ARSAC’s plans to help stop LAWA’s north runway movement, which calls for moving the runway 260 feet closer to Westchester and Playa del Rey. For more information, please visit regionalsolution.org. Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Sunday Monday Tuesday
November
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1 NCWP board meeting @ Westchester Community Room Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza
2
3 Diabetes Prevention Program @ YMCA
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza
Farmers Market @ Playa Vista
Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
Book Sale @ Playa Vista Library
Life story writing class @ YMCA Annex
Swap Meet @ Our Savior Lutheran Church
4 Veterans Day
First Friday @ 6200 87th Street
5
6
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
Secrets of a Successful Remodel @ Custom Design & Construction
Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
Pies and Tarts Cooking Class @ Holy Nativity
LMU advisory meeting @ Westchester Senior Center
School Tour @ WNS
7 “Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse (through December 20) Move More, Feel Great Workshop @ YMCA
8 Westchester Moms Holiday Expo @ YMCA “Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse St. Bernard Open House @ St. Bernard High School
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 “Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse
LMU Walking Club @ LMU Alumni Mall
Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza
College Planning Silver Seminar Series @ Workshop @ YMCA Annex Westchester Municipal Center Westchester Little League Sign-ups @ Shakeys Pizza
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
School Tour @ WNS Academic Recognition Night @ Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets
“Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse
Holiday Craft Fair @ St. Jerome Fundraiser Concert @ Holy Nativity “Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse
School Tour @ WSCS
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 “Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
Holiday Craft Fair @ St. Jerome
Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
23/30 24
25
Thanksgiving
LMU Holiday Classic Basketball Game @ LMU 26
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
27
“Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse
28
“Into the Woods” @ Westchester Playhouse
29
November 2014 • Page 19
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2014 • Page 21
Noche Española Rotary Cultural Dinner. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club held its annual Cultural Dinner fundraiser on Tuesday, October 22 at the Playa Vista CenterPointe Club. Hundreds of guests attended the event, which honored longtime community member Sibyl Buchanan for her work with nonprofits including the rotary club, PVJOBS, the VeniceMarina-LAX Lions Club and local schools. The theme of the cultural dinner was “Noche Española” and guests were treated to paella and a performance from flamenco dancers. During the awards portion of the evening, Buchanan was honored with a bracelet with charms purchased by local nonprofits she has worked with over the years. Rotary president Katie Butler Litsey surprised Buchanan with the announcement that a $1,000 scholarship in her name will be given to a local student every year by the club. It was also announced that the community room located in Playa Vista’s Phase II development will be named in Buchanan’s honor. The cultural dinner is the organization’s largest fundraiser and helps the club fulfill its mission of “service above self.” The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary meets every Wednesday morning at the Marina City Club in Marina del Rey. For more info, visit playasunrise.org.
Photos by Glenn Marzano. Page 22 • November 2014
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Kids Need Heroes. The Los Angeles Airport Marriott was buzzing with excitement on October 9 with the seventh annual Kids Need Heroes Award Dinner held to support the Westchester Family YMCA. A group of nearly 200 community leaders and Y supporters raised more than $50,000 at the event to support youth programing throughout the YMCA’s service area. The Hero of the Year was presented to Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and the Community Pillar award was given to Tony Palermo of Tony P’s Dockside Grill. In addition to the awards presented by the YMCA, the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation presented two awards that evening. The Westchester Jewel Award went to Sue Piervin a retired programmer/analyst in the healthcare industry, who volunteers her time with PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) and works tirelessly on beautifying the area with the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association. The final award of the evening was presented to Mary Ellen Cassman. Cassman received the Howard Drollinger Achievement Award for her volunteer work that spans nearly five decades in Westchester and Playa del Rey and includes serving on the YMCA board since the mid-1950s. Pictured (from left to right): Honorees Sue Piervin, Mary Ellen Cassman, Tony Palermo and Chief Charlie Beck pose with Councilman Mike Bonin, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles CEO Alan Hostrup and Supervisor Don Knabe at the Kids Need Heroes event. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HERBACH.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2014 • Page 23
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA Working together to improve our communities!
Neighborhood Councils exist to: • give neighborhoods greater influence on decisions made by local government • make government more responsive to local communities • unite the local community to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods
Do YOU want to make a difference in our community? DEADLINE: November 15, 2014 The Westchester/Playa Neighborhood Council wants to help you make that happen! Does your project or plan: m m m m m
Promote our community and enhance the neighborhood Improve education in our community Enhance the beauty and safety of our streets Bring art to the community and our neighbors Find a unique way to make our community better
If you can say “yes” to any of the above and your organization supports people in Westchester, Playa del Rey or Playa Vista, you should apply for the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa - Neighborhood Purpose Grant! Eligible organizations must be: 3 A 501c3 that supports the Westchester/Playa neighborhood; OR 3 A public school in Westchester/Playa Please note: Funding shall not include general donations to community organizations’ operating funds, be for the benefit of private organizations or private property, etc. Funding shall conform to all guidelines set forth by the City of Los Angeles regarding Neighborhood Council funding proposals. To find out more about these grants and who is eligible to apply, please visit www.ncwpdr.org/finance and download the application.
DON”T MISS OUT – APPLY TODAY!
Like Us on Facebook The Neighborhood Council of Westchester Playa has launched its Facebook page. Filled with information about our community and updates about everything from community clean-up events and street closures to crime updates and other news, you can like us at www.facebook.com/ncwpdr.
Above, Neighborhood Council Board Members Denny Schneider and Nora MacLellan join Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin at last week’s Community Clean-Up event on La Tijera Boulevard. At right, Neighborhood Council Board Member Grace Yao leads an LMU contingent at the same event.
Get Involved Like Morrey Did! As Thanksgiving Day approaches, we have time to reflect on our lives and blessings. Recently our community said “goodbye” to Morrey Plotkin. He dedicated his life volunteering in our community. Morrey rolled up his sleeves, got busy and stayed busy working on our behalf. We will always be thankful for his encouragement and leadership. Morrey we are grateful that you lived among us. Recently, local residents, the Councilman’s office, Westchester/Playa Neighborhood Council, Westchester Rotary, LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce and many other community organizations got together for the Second Annual Community Cleanup on La Tijera (pictures above). The cleanup is a great opportunity to give your community some sweat equity and meet your neighbors. Our Councilman, Mike Bonin, put the gloves on, got to work and gave people an informal way to speak directly to his office. Thank you to everyone who helped make a difference. Your Neighborhood Council has many opportunities for everyone to get involved in community service. Next year we have big plans for the Mayor’s Day of Service and other community events. Hopefully you can join us.
Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa board meeting: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 2 in the Community Room at 7166 W. Manchester Ave. (at Lincoln Blvd.), in Westchester
www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Page 24 • November 2014
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News