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Education Foundation readies to serve all Westchester/Playa Schools...page 16
Let’s Celebrate our Local Schools! LAX Coastal Education Foundation Board members pose in a Westchester classroom.
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Page 2 • October 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN NCWP takes stand on short term rentals It’s always a “yes” for Community Service honoree 5th Annual Back to School issue In Pictures: Westchester Arts and Music Block Party
02 04 09 30
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer
Rebecca Hill, Secret Recipes of the Inn Kirby Israelson, Graphic Design
Advertisers’ Directory
Airport Marina Counseling 27,31 Covenant Presbyterian Church 29 Drollinger Properties 21, 27 Edgar Saenz 29 El Segundo Car Wash 28 Food Pantry, LAX 29 Holiday Home Tour 31 Inn at Playa del Rey 07 Jane St. John 24 LAX Coastal Chamber 08 LAX Coastal Ed Foundation 22 Loyola Marymount 04 Marina del Rey Hospital 32 Melody Bar and Grill 05 Neighborhood Council 02
Playa Music Lessons 14 Regatta Capital Group 05 SoCalGas 12 Socal Sports and Fitness 26 St. Anastasia School 19 Stephanie Younger Group 17 Visitation School 11 Vistamar School 10 Westchester Elks Lodge 23 Westchester Farmers’ Market 07 Westchester Lutheran School 03, 15 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Westside Pacific Village 28 Zacha Homes 25
About The HomeTown News (HTN)
The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.
Connect with the HTN:
Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Phone: (310) 641-1016 • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
Celebrate Freedom! Start thethe New Year looking inthe theright rightdirection...Up! direction...Up! Start the New in the right direction...Up! Celebrate Start the NewYear Yearlooking lookingFreedom! in the right direction...Up! Start New Year looking in
WORSHIP WITH US– Sundays at 10 am
Celebra Start the New Year lo Start the New Year lo Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up!
Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up! Freedom from from doubt. from fear.fear. Freedom doubt.Freedom Freedom from Westchester Lutheran Church is nearing Join at Westchester Church, its 75thusYear of service inLutheran this community. Join at Westchester and us embrace the freedomLutheran found in aChurch, We are forgiving thankful for the opportunity and embrace the freedom found loving, relationship with thein ato loving, forgiving relationship theof Lord. Join new in in a celebration proclaim thefriends Gospel thiswith place. everything that is possible when you Lord. Join new friends in a celebration We invite you to join us for live of in harmonythat with is thepossible Word. when you live everything any orwith all of following: in harmony thethe Word.
Sunday mornings: 10 am Worship and Sunday School
Wednesday mornings: Comforters Blanket Sewing 9 am to noon All are welcome. Wednesday evenings: 7 pm Bible Study Come celebrate with
us! All are welcome. Come celebrate with us!
Thursday evenings: 7:30 pm us. Cathedral Choir Come look up up with us. Come look with 1st & 3rd Sundays: 2 to 4 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry Weekly Worship
Sundays at 10 a.m.
Vacation Bible School
July 29-August 2
All are welcome.
Come look up with with us. us. Come look Summer Choir up Rehearsal Sundays at 9 a.m. Weekly Worship Summer Choir Rehearsal Vacation Bible School
Sundays at 10 a.m. Sundays at 9 a.m. July 29-August 2 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester, CA 90045
310.670.5422 www.wlcs.org
7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester, CA 90045 Our school, Preschool – 8th, began its 67 year in September. Open House 310.670.5422 for the community will be Sunday, October 29 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. www.wlcs.org th
Enrolling
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October 2017 • Page 3
It’s always a “yes” for Rotary’s Sunrise Community Service honoree
Page 4 • October 2017
mayor for the 2017-2018 year. Although Smith says there are so many people deserving recognition in the community, he is honored to be receiving the award. After all, he uses the Rotary’s 4-Way Test (Is it the truth?; Is it fair to all concerned?; Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?) every day in both his personal and professional life. “If there was a goal of mine, I’d like to see the 4-Way Test in every classroom. If there was a kid daydreaming in class who saw that plaque, maybe it would stick with them and change the world.” The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Cultural Dinner, with an Argentinian theme, will take place on Wednesday, October 18 at 6 p.m. at the Playa Vista CenterPointe Club. Tickets are $100, and this year’s sponsors include the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, CedarsSinai Marina del Rey Hospital, Los Angeles World Airports, the William H. Hannon Foundation, Loyola Marymount University, Cantalini’s Salerno Beach, Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd., Gail Goldstein & Rob Bird and the LAX Coastal Chamber. For more info and to purchase tickets, please visit playavenice.org.
Photo by Glenn Marzano.
For Westchester resident Garrett Smith, volunteering and community service is a way of life. With the personal credo of always saying “yes” when he’s asked for help, Smith has gained a reputation over his some 40 years of community involvement as someone willing to lend a hand, even though he prefers to work behind the scenes and shy away from the recognition. It’s all of his contributions to the Westchester/Playa community that have earned Smith the Playa Venice Sunrise Community Service Award, which he will receive later this month at the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary’s (PVSR) Cultural Dinner held in his honor. “We’ve been trying to honor Garrett for years,” said PVSR president Gwen Vuchsas. “But he is such a humble guy, that shies away from the limelight. As long as I can remember, Garrett has been the epitome of an unsung hero. He is always quietly doing things behind the scenes for this community. Besides all of the community service projects we know he participates with, there are so many things he does that people have no idea about from helping the needy at Christmas, painting over graffiti or helping a student pay for a prom dress, that would otherwise do without. It doesn’t matter what the organization is or who needs the help.
Smith rides in the annual Fourth of July parade as the LAX Coastal Chamber’s honorary mayor.
That is just the kind of guy that Garrett is.” Smith has been a Westchester resident since 1978 and has been an active and engaged community member since attending a meeting almost 40 years ago to fight airport expansion. While Smith has been involved with or volunteered with dozens of community organizations over the years, reflecting back on all of the projects he’s been involved with, he says he is most proud of helping start the Teacher Mini Grant Program,
while he served as the president of the Westchester Rotary Club. The program still lives on with the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, which gives out grants to local teachers every January for classroom programs and supplies. Through the Mini Grant program, more than $300,000 has been given back to local schools over the years. Currently, Smith serves on the Westchester/Playa Neighborhood Council board where he recently livestreamed a meeting to the community for the first time, and he is the LAX Coastal chamber’s honorary
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Community spotlight: Boy Scout Troop 716
Westchester Boy Scout Troop 716 members and Westchester residents Wyatt Dahsltrom, Jack Dennis, Tyler Eggers, Everett Morris, Daniel Picard and Joseph Wiacek recently went on a 7-day trek at Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. Troop leaders Eric Dahsltrom and Audrey Morris accompanied the boys as advisors. Philmont is one of the Boy Scout’s national high adventure bases, with troops from around the country participating in backpacking treks that feature programming at a variety of staffed campsites. After a 24-hour Amtrak ride to New Mexico, the group spent two nights at base camp acclimating to the elevation. During their 6-night, 32-mile trek to the
summit of Mt. Phillips and Comanche Peak (both over 11,000 feet), they tried out fly tying and blacksmithing, took a mine tour, watched musical performances, learned about pulley systems and how to work as a team to set up camp and make dinner. The crew had a great time, got some exercise and learned a lot about backpacking and their own abilities. Troop 716 was founded in 1979 and an astounding 69 scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout as part of the troop. They meet Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Scout room, located at Westchester United Methodist Church. Interested in learning more or joining? Email troop716bsa@gmail.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2017 • Page 5
Business & Nonprofit News
TheHTN.com
Although it may look like real meat, the Impossible Burger is a 100% plant-based patty. The Impossible Burger is now being served at The Counter Marina del Rey.
Now serving the Impossible Burger! The Counter in Marina del Rey is now serving the Impossible Burger, a crave-worthy 100% plant-based burger. Made by Silicon Valley startup, Impossible Foods, the burger was created to “recreate the precise flavors, textures, aromas and nutrition” of ground beef after years of research and development. The result is a delicious and juicy patty made of ingredients including heme, wheat protein, coconut oil and potato protein. With the goal of making the food system more sustainable, Impossible Foods says that their burger uses about 1/20th the land, 1/4th the water and produces 1/8th the greenhouse gas emissions compared to a beef burger. While the Impossible Burger is currently served at limited locations in Los Angeles, The Counter will be the only place where you can build-your-own and order the 100% vegan “Impossible Salad.” The Counter Marina del Rey is located in the Waterside Shopping Center at 4786 Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey.
featuring 6 culinary kitchens--Bludso’s BBQ and Proud Bird Rotisserie, Chicken & Waffles, Farmer’s Market, Grill Burgers & Handhelds, Asian and Italian–making it the perfect spot to catch a bite to eat with friends, family and coworkers when everyone is in the mood for something different. For a special treat, sit outside for a chance to watch the planes land at LAX, all while admiring the outdoor airplane park. The Proud Bird is located at 11022 Aviation Blvd. in Westchester. For more info, visit theproudbird.com.
Local protectors from the LAPD Pacific Division, Sheriff’s department, Highway Patrol, Coastguard and LAFD are honored at last year’s Protectors’ Luncheon.
Top photo: Five local homes, including this castle-inspired abode, will be featured at the 35th Annual Holiday Home Tour benefiting the Airport Marina Counseling Service on November 5. Bottom photo: Eat lunch outside at the Proud Bird for a chance to watch airplanes land at LAX.
Visit the Proud Bird Food Bazaar and Event Space. The Proud Bird is now open and inviting the community to check out the transformed community icon for brunch, lunch and dinner. After being closed for renovations for more than a year, the restaurant reopened this summer as a reimagined food hall Page 6 • October 2017
Flight Path honors community members at annual gala. Three extraordinary women will be honored with Honorary Service Awards at the Flight Path Museum’s annual gala on Thursday, October 5. The gala will take place at the Proud Bird Restaurant. Val Valasco, Vice President of the Airport Board of Commissioners; Rowena Ake, a longtime pillar of the Westchester community and Karen Dial, President of Drollinger Properties, will all be honored for their dedication to improving Westchester and Playa del Rey. Plaques in their honor will be added to the Flight Path “Wall of Honor” in the Westchester Shopping Center. Flight Path is a museum located adjacent to LAX honoring aviation pioneers and the importance of Southern California and LAX to the aviation and aerospace industry. For more info, visit flightpathmuseum.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Save the date for the Annual Holiday Home Tour! For 35 years, the Westchester Mental Health Guild has sponsored a Holiday Home Tour as a local event to bring the community together and help neighbors get to know neighbors, all while raising money for the Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS). This year’s tour, featuring five distinctive houses in Westchester and Playa del Rey, will take place Sunday, November 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two homes in Playa del Rey and three in Westchester, each decorated for a holiday will be showcased at the event. The homes this year include a castle-like three-story Playa del Rey view home decorated for Christmas; a two-story art gallery featuring the owner’s work in a Playa del Rey home decorated for Thanksgiving; a one-story Westchester bungalow with guest house decorated for Halloween; a newly renovated twostory Westchester craftsman home decorated in tranquil colors for fall; and a two-story Westchester “smart” home with pool house ready to entertain for New Year’s Eve. After the tour, visitors can enjoy a festive reception at the Westchester Elks Lodge, where there will be a special one-day holiday marketplace with a variety of vendors, selling everything from jewelry, dish towels,
chocolate and holiday decor. There will also be a prize drawing for a trip for two to Hawaii. The reception and marketplace will be open from noon until 5 p.m. Since 1982, the Holiday Home Tour has been the Guild’s largest fundraising event of the year. Net proceeds from the tour support AMCS, the Westchester nonprofit mental health clinic that provides thousands of hours of child, adult and family mental health counseling services annually to people in our community. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 at westchestermhg. org. Tickets also will be available the day of the event (November 5) for $40 at the Westchester Elks Club, located at 8025 Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. Children under 12 will not need tickets if they are accompanied by an adult. Main sponsors for the Home Tour include Jane St. John of Re/Max Estate Properties, Alex & Kate Real Estate of Keller Williams Silicon Beach and the Stephanie Younger Group. For more info, please email hometour16@gmail.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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October 2017 • Page 7
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photos Courtesy Loyola Village.
A Message from Matthew Swanlund, LAX Coastal Ed Foundation President As Board President, I am pleased to introduce the LAX Coastal Education Foundation (LAXCEF), a nonprofit education foundation serving all schools in the geographic area, including public, private, parochial, charter and magnet schools. LAXCEF will focus on three primary areas: direct school engagement; community and government collaboration; and local business and stakeholder outreach. LAXCEF will engage with PTA liaisons and school administrators to direct funds, supplies and services to individual schools. We will collaborate with community groups and government representatives to provide programs and resources to our schools. LAXCEF will work with local businesses and stakeholders to collect and disseminate informational materials to parents to assist them in making the best school decision for their children. The goal is to have an invested community of schools, students, parents, stakeholders and businesses. My wife and I have lived in this community since 2006, both of our children attend WISH Community School, and my law practice is located here, so I am firmly committed to this community on many levels. I have served on the Board of Directors
for WISH since 2009, so I understand the dynamics of public and charter schools. I am also on the Board of Directors for the LAX Coastal Chamber, so I see firsthand the engagement of our local school principals and understand local business interests in education. As an adjunct professor at UC Irvine School of Law, I understand the perspectives of educators. I contribute this broad experience and knowledge to an already accomplished Board of Directors, all of who are passionately involved community leaders who bring diverse expertise to LAXCEF, ultimately with a shared vision. We invite you to engage directly with us in our efforts to improve our schools! Please feel free to contact me directly with any possible ideas, partnerships or sponsorships at matthew@ aestheticlegal.com.
Loyola Village Fine & Performing Arts Magnet recently celebrated the grand opening of its on campus Art Center with a gallery exhibit featuring artwork from its students. At top left: Principal Dr. Krishna Smith (right) poses with the area’s LAUSD School board member, Nick Melvoin, at the grand opening.
Loyola Village Fine & Performing Arts Magnet Elementary School LoVEs the arts
Loyola Village Elementary (LoVE) is not your average elementary school. The students attending the school are receiving not only a quality TK- 5th grade education by highly qualified teachers, but are also receiving an extensive arts education from working professional fine and performing artists. The students engage in daily academic work, while taking classes and being exposed to all the art forms. The fine arts teacher provides an extensive art curriculum teaching students how to work with clay, paint with pastels and how to use everyday recyclable items to create works of art that are then displayed at the new “LoVE Arts Art Gallery.” In the music program, TK– 5th grade students take vocal lessons and perform during vocal concerts. The “LoVE
Choir” performs throughout the Los Angeles area at various concerts and events. The 3rd through 5th grade students can choose an instrument they would like to commit to playing and participate in weekly lessons. The “LoVE Orchestra” consists of advanced players. The 4th grade classes participate in guitar lessons and perform during the orchestra concerts as well. Interested in dance? The dance teachers, teach a variety of dance forms including jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, rhythmic step, tap and African dance. The school has two performance troupes: the “LoVE Dance Troupe” and “LADDE” (Loyola African Drum and Dance Ensemble). LoVE’s theater program provides students with an opportunity to learn the art of acting by engaging in voice and
movement for the stage, as well as learning stage directions, stage management and stage production. The “LoVE Theatrical Artists” produce 2-3 productions per year, which include both full-length plays, and dramatic stage readings. Loyola Village Fine & Performing Arts Magnet (LoVE) is a school that focuses on developing the whole child and preparing every child to be college and career ready. They do this while also instituting “Growth Mindset” practices and “Mindfulness Moments” throughout the day, allowing students to develop academically and artistically. School tours will take place on October 11, October 25, February 14 and March 22. All tours begin at 9 a.m. Please visit loyolavillageartsmagnet.org or call (310) 670-0480 to RSVP.
A Message from the HomeTown News Welcome to our fifth annual Back to School edition! Our community is made up of fantastic public, private and parochial schools, so we are happy to be able to share their accomplishments in the pages of our October issue. We reached out to our local schools and asked those interested
in participating to share with us what makes them special, and we are proud to say our local schools are thriving thanks to passionate teachers and administrators, innovative programs, new electives, after school clubs and activities. With so many school choices, we know the task of picking the right
school can be daunting, but luckily many of the schools featured here are offering school tours starting this month. Please consider visiting these schools and learning firsthand what they have to offer. You might be surprised! The HomeTown News is a proud supporter of our local schools. We
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
support education through our sponsorship of events including the Race for Success, the Teacher Eddy Awards and the School Expo; by donating to silent auctions; and of course, by inviting all of our schools to contact us with their achievements so we can share them with you, our readers! October 2017 • Page 9
Visitation celebrates 70 years in the community with Renew Visitation Campaign to upgrade campus The story of Visitation School began seven decades ago in 1947, when a young Visitation Church parish came together focused on the importance of a Catholic school education in a new and emerging community. Since its opening, Visitation has served more than 2,000 students, providing a quality education focused on teaching the whole-child. Today, the spirit of a renewed Visitation is alive and well. As we enter into the next generation of community leaders, our Visitation pride is stronger than ever! With a 70-year-old school comes a myriad of much needed improvements to the classrooms, grounds, common space and church. It is an exciting time for our community, and we are happy to share the wonderful news about what is happening as we “Renew Visitation.” We are well underway with a $3.5 million capital campaign-hitting the $1 million mark 3 months into the effort with a generous donation from the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation. Renovations of the elementary bathrooms, hallways, and daycare center are just some of the highlighted projects that have been completed. We have also done extensive upgrades to our technology infrastructure, furniture and exterior of the parish with new landscaping.
Page 10 • October 2017
Visitation is working to make the outside of our facility reflect the beauty of the people inside our parish and school. We know that parents have a choice when it comes to education for their children, and we are proud to offer an extensive curriculum combined with athletics, foreign language, art, community service, technology and more. With a strong academic base and extracurricular activities, we are now working to ensure our school facilities offer a quality classroom environment where children will flourish and learn. Visitation school educates amazing students in grades Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade and is served by an outstanding and dedicated faculty led by Principal Christopher Watson and Fr. Jim Forsen. We would be happy to share more about our growing and vibrant community. For more information, please visit visitationschool.org or experience our school spirit first-hand by scheduling a tour. Go Bulldogs! Upcoming event: You are also invited to join us at our Monte Carlo Night on Saturday, November 4 at the Proud Bird Restaurant. Tickets are $100 and include dinner, dancing, drink tickets and gaming chips.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2017 • Page 11
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
A Message from Nick Melvoin, Our LAUSD Board member The 2017-2018 school year is off to a great start, and I so appreciate the support our schools and students are receiving from the Westchester community! We’ve had a wonderful time visiting Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet, Loyola Village Elementary, Cowan Elementary, Orville Wright Middle School, Venice High School, Mar Vista Elementary, Marina Del Rey Middle School, Playa Del Rey Elementary, Playa Vista Elementary, WISH Charter, Goethe International Charter and Citizens of the World Charter School, and look forward to getting out to many more in the weeks and months to come. It has definitely been a busy start for my office, as we have been building our team and prioritizing all that we want to achieve for L.A. Unified, this year and in years to come. I am also humbled to have been elected Vice President of the Board by my colleagues. I am setting goals that specifically and directly lead to a better education for all kids in L.A. Unified, no matter the model of school they
attend. I believe that by improving communications with families, measuring school performance and building a transparent budget, we can get more resources and involvement back into the classroom to better educate all our kids. And we must return more control to local schools and communities who are best equipped to make decisions about their needs. On my first day in office, I co-sponsored a “Kids-First” resolution to reorient the district to put kids first in all decision making. Another one
of our first resolutions, which will be announced soon, is to develop a smartphone app designed to improve community engagement and communicate better with L.A. Unified families. I have met with legislators at the local, state and federal level to discuss the dire need to increase per-pupil funding in California, and for the federal government to fully fund special education. We are also looking into different ways to expand access to early education, including lobbying the state to include four-year-olds in funding for our students. In a time when schools are responsible for more and more services to meet the needs of our kids, we need to both fight for better funding mechanisms, and get control of our own budget, so we can better address these needs. I am focused on bringing the community back to school, which I strongly believe will promote better engagement and student success. I know that the Westchester community put their trust in me to remove the roadblocks and increase the autonomy and flexi-
bility that will lead to thriving neighborhood schools for all kids. I want to help facilitate getting more high-quality volunteers into our schools for library services, college counseling, after school programs and much more. One way to do this is to create a better system of transparency at the district level, so all stakeholders feel clued in to the decisions and policies affecting their schools. Despite all the challenges facing the district, there are some amazing people doing amazing things in our L.A. Unified schools, and I want to support them and learn from them, so we can let others in on the secrets of their success. I will also be making good on my campaign promise to bring board meetings into the community by leading my first “Committee of the Whole” meeting as Vice President of the Board at Fairfax High School on October 17 at 1 p.m. Join us to hear more about the some of these great achievements happening in our schools.
Technology and art continue to expand at Playa Vista Elementary Playa Vista Elementary School (PVES) is a demonstration school for Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education. Preservice teachers attend a class here on our campus and five of our teachers are LMU instructors. Student teachers do a round of teaching with us to learn about integrated, student driven, STEM education. PVES’ students have a unique opportunity to apply their learning in our outdoor classroom, the Ballona Wetlands. Our transitional With the highest growth in acacore curriculum highlighting various kindergarten and first grade students demic achievement on the Westside regions of the world and how they begin their studies in the Discovery and the introduction of a brand new intertwine in current events. Park, located next to the school and a Spanish Immersion program, Cowan is In addition to its Magnet program, model of Playa Vista and the wetlands. the school to follow this year. CowCowan is proud to introduce its SpanSecond grade students venture a bit an shares a partnership with Loyola ish Language Immersion program for beyond Discovery Park and include Marymount University and provides incoming kindergarten students! With the Riparian Corridor in their studies. many enrichment opportunities, a dual language focus, students are Our third grade students travel across including visual arts and an outdoor introduced to the Spanish language Lincoln Boulevard, as their outdoor learning environment with our comthrough an integrated teaching modclassroom is the freshwater marsh munity garden. Collaboration and el. As students progress through the and the fourth and fifth grade study learning partnerships between LMU grades, the amount of English taught the saltwater marsh. We work closely and various community organizations slowly tapers until students are taught with the Friends of Ballona Wetlands create a learning environment where 100% Spanish in fifth grade. to create a learning experience for Cowan teachers are on the forefront The final pathway explores STEM our students that builds over time and of teaching techniques and methods. concepts and career pathways in sciallows them to apply their learning. With three learning pathways to offer, ence and technology fields. With 1-1 Technology, an important part of there is something for every child. iPad technology, coding and robotics, STEM, is ever expanding at PVES. We Cowan continues to celebrate culCowan’s School of Empowerment is have a computer lab our students visit tural diversity and global awareness leading the way in 21st century learnonce a week. Desktops are in primary with a celebrated Gifted/High Ability ing. The curriculum is career-driven classes and iPad carts are shared. Our International Studies Magnet, Foreign and utilizes teaching techniques in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students enjoy Language Immersion Program and depth and complexity to build confia one-to-one ratio of Chrome Books. a STEM-focused School of Empowdence and innovation. This outstanding technology program erment. The International Studies Tour all three pathways every Tuesis supported through donations from Magnet prides itself in developing day at 8:30 a.m. Please call (310) 645our parents and community partners. international leadership skills and glob- 1973 or email sarah.ponton@lausd.net Our arts program includes ORFF al awareness. It boasts an integrated for more information. music for our TK, kindergarten, 1st Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Cowan celebrates new school year by adding Spanish Immersion program
and 2nd grade students, general music instruction for 3rd grade students and vocal music in 4th and 5th grade. Art in Action, a visual arts program, is enjoyed by all grade levels and is led by our parent volunteers. Art in Action has highlighted the program at PVES on its website for its innovation in integrating our lessons into our STEM curriculum. Students who attend PVES participate in a social/emotional education that begins in the classroom and extends to the playground. Transitional kindergarten through 2nd grade students participate in Second Step, a program that nurtures socialemotional competence and develops foundational learning skills. In 3rd through 5th grade, students put their skills into practice and participate in our social justice program. These skills, TK through 5th grade, are brought to the playground through Playworks, a program that supports healthy play and teaches conflict resolution. Playa Vista Elementary School is a LAUSD neighborhood school that serves the Playa Vista and One West Bluff communities. Any family living within these communities is invited to enroll their children. Due to the growth in the Playa Vista community, we are unable to enroll students on permits. Join us for one of our school tours scheduled for January 16, January 30 and February 13. All tours begin at 9 a.m. Sign-ups will be on our school’s website, playavistaschool.com, in January. October 2017 • Page 13
WLS invites community to open house
As Westchester Lutheran School (WLS) starts the 2017-2018 school year, we are excited to continue to lay the foundation early in each student’s development and to empower them to think critically, strategically and utilize relevant tools to interact within a global community. We seek to enroll students who are committed to success in the total educational program of the school. With small class sizes and a strong academic core, we promote the importance of physical education, the visual and performing arts, technology and creating long-lasting bonds within our school family. We welcome all students from diverse and religious backgrounds. We are proud that over 90% of our eighth graders gain admission to their first choice high school. Our curriculum exceeds state and Common Core standards, and our exemplary scores on standardized testing each year speak to the success of our programs.
Extracurricular activities are offered varying from sport programs to music and performing arts. We also offer yoga, science, cooking and engineering classes, just to name a few. We aim to not only develop your child academically, but provide opportunities for a well-rounded education that meets all interests. We invite you to visit our all school open house. This is a great opportunity for prospective students and parents to see the classrooms, meet the teachers, and see our students work. Current parents, students and school staff will be present to answer questions. Our first open house is on Sunday, October 29 with another open house on Sunday, January 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join us and find out first-hand what a difference WLS can make in the growth of your child’s development throughout all areas of life. Please call us at (310) 670-5422 to find out more about our school and to RSVP for tours.
Kentwood continues success through innovative programs Kentwood Elementary School is a true neighborhood school in the heart of Westchester. It is also a model school within the Los Angeles Unified School District. We have been recognized as a California Distinguished School twice since 2010 and honored as having a highly rated arts program in 2016 based on LAUSD’s Arts Equity Index data. A key factor to Kentwood’s success lies in our adoption of various innovative programs and having the best teachers and staff on our campus. All of our teachers are fully credentialed and their valued experience and proven teaching methods have earned them numerous awards. Some of our special programs include: dance, theater, music, yoga and psychomotor. We embrace education technology and have iPads in every K-5 classroom. Additionally, we have an after-school robotics program for our GATE students and a new 3D design course in our computer lab. Some of the special facilities at Kentwood include our computer lab, science lab, Wonder of Reading Library, and our state-of-the-art Live Positively Fitness Center that was awarded through the Governor’s Challenge on Physical Fitness. Students in grades 4 and 5 use the center as a part of their P.E. requirement.
The teachers, staff, PTO and other parent volunteers have worked hard to ensure the continuity of our special programs and various fundraisers. Ongoing and traditional activities include our Back to School Picnic, Citizen of the Month, GATE Program, Family Fun Day, Koala Tour and the 5th grade Catalina Science Camp. There are many volunteering opportunities available for parents. After-school programs are also available. Kentwood has a rich history of collaboration with higher learning institutions such as our partnerships with LMU, Antioch University and Otis. Additionally, we are actively involved in partnerships with the YMCA, the Playa Vista Education Trust and the LAX Coastal Chamber. For more info, visit kentwoodes.org, and please join us on one of our fall tours, scheduled for October 5, November 2 and December 7 all at 9 a.m.
Open School hosts fall festival Open School’s most anticipated public annual event, The Fall Family Festival, will be held on the school’s campus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. The event aims to raise funds for the school, build community with families within the school and across the city, and provide one of the season’s most entertaining, fun and delightful experience for kids of all ages. Prospective families are especially invited to attend, since it’s a great opportunity to Page 14 • October 2017
explore the campus and interact with the school’s community. The festival is known for its haunted house and fairyland, both interactive experiences for children brought to life each year by creative Open parents and children. Additional games and activities abound. Admission is free and tickets for games, activities and food can be purchased at a discounted rate (before the event) by visiting opencharter.org/ events/fall_festival.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Photo by Mike Harriel/Mike Harriel Photography. LAX Coastal Education Foundation Board members (from left to right) Christina Davis, Gwen Vuchsas, Andrew Chereck, Kelly Kane, Geoff Maleman, Matthew Swanlund and Lory Sarlo are eager to make a difference in local schools.
Parents and local business leaders come together to launch new education foundation to support local schools Looking to reinforce our community’s support of local schools, a group of parents and business leaders have embarked on a new mission to support all of the schools in Westchester and Playa del Rey. This week, the group formally announced the formation of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation (LAXCEF), a nonprofit serving all schools in the area, including public, private, parochial, charter and magnet schools. “LAXCEF will focus on three primary areas: direct school engagement; community and government collaboration; and local business and stakeholder outreach,” said foundation board President Matthew Swanlund, who has lived in Westchester since 2006 and has two children at WISH Charter School. “We are excited about the opportunity to pick up the baton from the Westchester Playa Education Foundation and continue their good work in providing support to all of our community’s schools.” LAXCEF is a relaunch of the Westchester Playa Education Foundation (WPEF), a nonprofit formed in 2004 to support traditional Page 16 • October 2017
public schools in Westchester and Playa del Rey. With WPEF lying dormant in recent years, the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce saw an opportunity to revive and rebrand the organization to serve all local K-12 area schools regardless of their classification. While the bulk of the schools in the foundation’s coverage area are in Westchester and Playa del Rey, Venice High School and schools in Del Rey will also be served. The chamber has long supported local education by hosting the annual Teacher Eddy Awards, partnering with the local Rotary clubs on the Teacher Mini Grant Program and establishing an Education Committee that meets monthly to discuss educational issues, so the opportunity to help reinvigorate a local education foundation sounded like a winning proposal. “As a graduate of our local Westchester schools, and as a mom of a Westchester student, I am thrilled to be a part of this new education foundation,” said chamber President/ CEO Christina Davis. “There are so many opportunities to bring stakeholders together to support education that are currently being
missed, so I think the ed foundation will be invaluable in building bridges and supporting all of our local schools.” LAXCEF will engage with PTA liaisons and school administrators to direct funds, supplies and services to individual schools. The foundation will also collaborate with community groups and government representatives to provide programs
We’d like to be at the forefront of providing information to parents and the community about the great programs, unique offerings and passionate administrators at all of our local schools. and resources to schools. Outreach will be a main pillar of LAXCEF, and the foundation plans to be a major source of collecting and sharing data and information with the community. Swanlund said he hopes that the
foundation will be able to make a real difference in not only the educational opportunities provided to students in the classroom, but also in educating the public about the many successes our schools are achieving and helping parents navigate the plethora of school choices in Westchester/Playa. “Often times there is a perception problem with local schools, and we’d like to be at the forefront of providing information to parents and the community about the great programs, unique offerings and passionate administrators at all of our local schools,” said Swanlund. “We’d like to be able to give residents a more complete picture of our schools than just test scores.” A major component of the outreach will also see LAXCEF reaching out to local real estate agents, often the first people to meet with new homebuyers, to make sure they have accurate and complete information about local schools to share with prospective residents. “It is no secret that good schools are an important component of a high-quality community, and we believe it is critical to share with (continued on page 27)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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From left to right: School administrators including RyAnne Gardner, Darryl Davis and Principal Christina Wantz pose in the school’s office. 2. Students participate in a science activity. 3. Students perform in the “Lion King.”
Wright offers array of opportunities for its STEAM students During the 2016–2017 school year, Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet was featured as a model STEAM school for the national Magnet Schools of America tour, hosted by LAUSD. Our selection by the district and consistent consultation visits from multiple schools statewide and beyond our border is a testament to the great work our highly qualified teachers are doing in their classrooms, and to that of the leadership, who provide meaningful and up-to-date relevant professional development. Last year we experienced significant growth in our SBAC English/ Mathematics scores ranging from 3% to 19% across varying categories. Thirteen of the 14 Westchester Rotary Club Annual Arts competition award recipients last year were Wright students! Student intellect and artistic talents are ebullient and evident on our cam-
pus. Every year we host two (fall and spring) “STEAM in Action” Project Based Learning showcase events. This provides current families, and all who are interested, an opportunity to see students’ presentations in a public forum using a variety of learning modalities. The fall “STEAM in Action” showcase will take place on Thursday, November 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wright offers an array of opportunities for students, both artistically and intellectually inclined. Our program boasts advanced theater and orchestra elective options, in addition to beginners’ classes for those courses. Students also have the option of: Music Production (DJ class), Fashion Design, Project Lead the Way (Engineering / Robotics) courses, Drum Line, Audio Recording Technology (Sound Engineering), Stage Crew
(Lighting, Sound, Set Design), Science Olympiad and Flight & Space. What are the characteristics of a successful Wright student? A student who is inquisitive, enjoys working collaboratively, understands how to use technology, is innovative and is intrepid! Wright will also be hosting school tours on: Wednesday, October 11, Wednesday, October 25 and Wednesday, November 8 beginning at 9 a.m. For more info, please visit wrightms. org. What people are saying about Wright: “My daughter is an 8th grader at Wright STEAM Magnet and has had an amazing journey. She has been able to experience everything from Science Olympiad team to learning how to DJ via music production class. She has moved beyond her comfort zone participating in theater and still
doing the things she loves like robotics. Via her participation in the Audio Recording Technology (A.R.T) Club, she produced her own original music that was played on the radio station. She likes her teachers and friends and continues to bring home excellent scores, both on her report card and her standardized tests. I don’t for one second regret our decision to send her to Wright!”– Lori Counihan, Westchester community parent “It’s fun here! I really enjoy how the teachers interact with us. The academic curriculum is challenging, but fun, so it’s good. The best part of my experience has been writing, producing and singing my own original music with the A.R.T Club. We made a full album last year; and participating in the “The Grinch….” and “The Lion King” stage plays was a good experience!”– Jai, 8th grader
St. Anastasia School goes Ivy league with class of 2013 St. Anastasia Catholic School Alumni from the Class of 2013 are heading off to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country. Three students are attending the ivy covered campuses of Yale and Harvard. Brandon Scott and Olivia Lee are six weeks into their first semester at Yale University in Connecticut, and Olivia Scott is a few hours away in her first semester at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. St. Anastasia has a long tradition of academic excellence, but the graduates from the Class of 2013 were particularly impressive. Brandon Scott attended Loyola High School where he was named Outstanding Student of the Sophomore and Junior Classes and graduated Summa Cum Laude in the spring, earning the prestigious Peter F. Filice, S.J. Award. During his years at Loyola, Brandon participated in research at the Center for Applied Molecular Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine and the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. He was also on the speech and debate team and wrote for the school newsPage 18 • October 2017
paper. Olivia Scott graduated from Marymount High School with gold medals in English and French and distinction in social studies. She was a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and the Head of School’s List for all
four years. Olivia was an intern at the UCLA Medical School Department of Pediatric Neurology, in a comprehensive sports concussions program. She was a Marymount Ambassador, staff writer for the school paper and the press secretary for the Model United Nations Program. She volunteered
her time at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Olivia Lee attended Notre Dame Academy High School where she was the captain of the school’s rocketry team that earned a first place win in the Team Presentation Competition at the 2017 Team America Rocketry Challenge Finals in The Plains, Virginia. She also traveled internationally representing Great Britain as a catcher on the National U19 team in the World and European Games. Olivia was recruited to play softball for the Yale Bulldogs in the spring. The St. Anastasia Community beams with pride as students from the Class of 2013 head off to prestigious colleges and universities both near and far. During the summer, the parish held a special Mass in honor of the graduates and to send them off with love, prayers and support. The small town of Westchester has much to celebrate in our young men and women who are preparing to make their mark on our city, country and planet. For more info about St. Anastasia, please visit school.st-anastasia.org.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
New Middle School empowers students through STEM This August, Westchester welcomed to the community a new public middle school, temporarily named the New Middle School Pathway. As a continuation of the curriculum model at Playa Vista Elementary School, our new middle school works in partnership with Loyola Marymount University and will bring together multiple elementary feeder schools into one community-based school located at Westchester High School. Westchester has a long history of leading innovation, which is still evident today with the welcoming of new developments like the multiuse Playa Vista development and the growth of Silicon Beach companies who are evolving into employment anchors for the entire area. Scholars at the New Middle School Pathway will be empowered to solve the problems of the 21st century through authentic inquiry-based pedagogy and engagement in daily lessons incorporating hands-on, project-based curricular themes through the exploration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields of study. The acronym “STEM” can be misleading as it implies that all four subjects will be equally approached. Our philosophy is that technology does not merely stand alone, but that it is a tool
to support all subjects. By removing the silos of the subjects taught we can create an interdisciplinary experience where students are writing journalistic articles about scientific subjects, while maximizing all the communication mediums that technology has to offer. We believe that a great academic program starts with great teaching, and we welcome new members of our faculty, including Ms. Cassimere (P.E.), Mr. Deas (math and computer science), Mr. Ram (math and computer science), Ms. Saracino (science), and Ms. Shulman (English language arts). Each bring their dedication, their passion and their expertise to our small school environment. Class sizes, currently in the mid-20s, allows for individualized learning, and a new learning management system allows for personalization of the learning environment and goals, as well as instant and seamless communication between teachers, students and families. In 2018-2019, New Middle School Pathway will be expanding to include 8th grade students as we develop the partnership with LMU even further. Please visit newmiddleschoolpathway.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@lausdnmsp) or call the school at (323) 673-1230 to schedule a visit or to learn more.
New Middle School Pathway is looking for a new name!
Visit their website at newmiddleschoolpathway.org for rules and to submit a suggestion!
SBHS offers November tour Founded in 1957, St. Bernard High School (SBHS) celebrates 60 years serving the communities of Westchester and Playa del Rey as your local, neighborhood Catholic co-educational high school. Some highlights of its programs include: • A 100% college acceptance rate. • An innovative single-gender STEM program. If you would like to learn more about SBHS, please visit us for our open house on Saturday, November 4, at 1 to 4 p.m. RSVPs are required at stbernardhs.org/admission or (310) 823-4651. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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WISH takes whole-scholar approach to learning
WISH Community School is proud to kick off the 20172018 school year as a full TK-8 educational program! We are thrilled to extend each child’s educational journey and help support the transitional period between elementary and secondary years through a whole-scholar approach to teaching and learning. This year all students in grades TK-8 experience highly engaging STEM classes through the Launch and Gateway programs of Project Lead the Way, and we are excited about our new science and math coach! She’s been a great addition to our team. Along with core subjects, all students experience art, music, movement and integrated technology. In grades sixth through eighth, students are able to select how they would like to experience these classes through a variety of choices, including theater, strings, sports conditioning and much more. High quality GATE strategies are used throughout all classes and personalized instructional experiences help students shine. When a student reaches sixth grade, they have the opportunity to experience math and English through Honors Pathways that extend through 8th grade. In addition to rigorous academics, we are committed to supporting our scholar’s social-emotional learning and development. We have recently adopted the R.U.L.E.R. program from Yale, and we are experiencing
WESM works to ensure students are college and career ready
much success with identifying our feelings, values and the kind of community members we want to be at school. We love supporting our WISH clubs and sports teams. This fall we have five volleyball teams, three football teams and a large track team. There are many ways for our students to get connected through a variety of leadership opportunities such as Student Council, Student Leadership, Where Everybody Belongs (WEB), Student Ambassadors, Humans United, Kindness Club and Model United Nations. We are so proud of our scholars and grateful for our school community. We would love for you to come visit and see for yourself! Here is a list of our upcoming open house dates for both campuses: TK-5th grade tours: • Monday, October 16 @ 6 p.m. • Monday, December 4 @ 9 a.m. • Monday, January 22, 2018 @ 6 p.m. • Monday, February 12, 2018 @ 9 a.m. • Monday, March 5, 2018 @ 6 p.m. Tours will take place at the WISH campus located at 6550 W. 80th St. in Westchester. Middle School Tours: • Tuesday, October 17 @ 6 p.m. • Tuesday, December 5 @ 9:30 a.m. • Tuesday, January 23, 2018 @ 6 p.m. • Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 @ 9:30 a.m. • Tuesday, March 6, 2018 @ 6 p.m. Tours will take place on the WISH middle school campus, located at 7615 Cowan Ave. in Westchester.
Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets (WESM) is a high school magnet center that offers theme-based instructional programs to students in grades 9 through 12. Our goal is to ensure that every student graduates college prepared, college confident and career ready. Our core mission is to engage students in meaningful learning experiences anchored to scientific inquiry and focused on creating solutions to real-life problems and challenges that impact our world. WESM currently offers three magnet program options: Environmental & Natural Sciences; Health & Sports Medicine; and Gifted/ High Achieving STEAM. Students in each of the three magnet programs participate in a full A–G course of study, a variety of elective classes and a career-technical education pathway (i.e., certified athletic trainer, Cisco networking, green construction and Microsoft Office Specialist/Technical Associate). In addition to the themebased magnet programs, WESM offers a rigorous Advanced Placement (AP)
program consisting of 14 approved AP courses that are open to all students. WESM students are also encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and one of our robust sports programs. Over the years, WESM athletic teams have won city, league and state championships with many of our student-athletes receiving scholarships to Division I NCAA programs. Our academic decathlon team, Aspen Challenge teams, MESA/ Robotics team and Health Occupation Students of America Club have also been recognized for their academic achievement, community service, leadership and volunteerism. We invite you to join us for our annual Magnet Orientation Night on Tuesday, October 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. You may also contact the Magnet Office at (310) 338-2526 to arrange a school tour. For more information on WESM, please visit the school website at westchesterhs-lausd-ca.schoolloop. com.
Courtesy Westchester Rotary.
Local Rotary Clubs give back to schools and education
From left to right: 1. A Teacher Mini Grant is given to Kentwood Principal, Rasheed Khan, at this year’s event. 2. Westchester Rotarians recently hosted two back-to-school shopping sprees.
The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club has long been a supporter of local education and schools. Every January, the club hosts the Teacher Mini Grant Program, where tens of thousands of dollars are distributed to local teachers who have submitted grants for classroom projects, activities and supplies. For high school students, the club Page 20 • October 2017
participates in the Venice High School Jackets of Excellence program, provides $10,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors each year and sponsors three local Interact Clubs. The Westchester Rotary Club is also passionate about supporting local students and recently hosted two back-to-school shopping sprees. The experience allowed elementary
school students, many for the first time, to select new outfits for school. A cause near and dear to the Westchester Rotary is Vision to Learn, a program that provides free eye exams and glasses to students. Locally, students have been helped at Westport Heights, Loyola Village, Broadway, Playa del Rey and Cowan Elementary School.
In the winter, both clubs join together to provide scholarships for the Pageant of the Arts. High School students are encouraged to apply to compete in the categories of music, art, dance and speech for scholarships. Information about upcoming Rotary scholarships will be featured in the HomeTown News.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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WHES celebrates more than 70 years of preparing students to succeed Westport Heights Elementary School (WHES) is proud to kick-off its 72nd year serving the children of Westchester and its surrounding communities since 1945. WHES provides a nurturing environment with personalized learning for our students under the creative instruction of our talented faculty. We embrace the beautiful diversity at our school and celebrate the cultural backgrounds of our students and their families from all over the world. WHES supports all learners by offering: • Preschool for All Learners (PAL), a special day class for children with unique needs. • Transitional Kindergarten (TK), a 2-year kinder program for children who turn 5 between September 2 and December 2. • The Inclusive Mainstream Educational Program for children with special needs. • The Gifted and Talented Education Program (G.A.T.E.), including cluster learning, individualized plans and special projects. • An Early Language and Literacy Plan (ELLP), empowering teachers with instructional supports to address the needs from early emergent to fluent readers. • A Parent Center, providing informational sessions and resources
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for our parents to support their children’s education. • Before and after school programs with Star, College Bound and Youth Services to provide supervised enrichment activities. WHES provides a well-rounded educational experience for our students through: • Science & Technology: We teach coding and provide technology experiences on our LAUSD iPads and partner with Playa Vista Elementary for curriculum planning for Next Generation Science Standards to integrate the STEAM model into our classrooms. • Arts & Culture: Our students have access to the arts through our
drama club, orchestra, weekly dance instruction, an annual Multi-cultural Festival and a robust arts program in the classroom supported by LMU. • Wellness: We provide weekly yoga instruction, work with Playworks to establish a safe, inclusive, and fun recess time, participate in intramural basketball and dodgeball games with area schools, and we have our own Cheer Team! WHES collaborates with the Westchester community: • Partnerships: We are fortunate to be in partnership with many organizations in our community including the LAX Kiwanis Club, Westchester Rotary, LAX Chamber Education Committee, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, Loyola Marymount
University, LAX, the YMCA and the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation. These generous members of our community provide resources and support for our Fall Festival, field trips, grants, campus beautification projects, teacher wish lists, college and career motivation and our wellness programs. • Support: Many members of our local community supported our Adopt-a-Library Fundraiser to support our library and literacy goals of our students. We are so grateful. • Outreach: WHES cares about our community by contributing to the American Cancer Society with our annual JumpRope for Heart, joining the efforts of Wildlife Conservation Society’s origami elephant project and recycling for environmental awareness. WHES is a community of caring, passionate and dedicated teachers, staff, parents, students, community supporters and volunteers. We welcome and embrace our own diversity across all walks of life as we work together to prepare our students to live and succeed in our 21st century multi-cultural society. We invite you to visit your neighborhood school for a tour! Please visit westportheightselementary.com for more information.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Recipes from the Inn: Marble Breakfast Bread By Rebecca Hill, Innkeeper We have many international guests who stay at the Inn and welcoming the whole world through our front doors each night is one of the great pleasures of being innkeepers. For homebodies like me, it’s a chance to witness other cultures and see a bit of the world in the comfort of the Inn’s living room. But some of the Inn Crowd are much more adventurous than I am. Our General Manager, Liz, just got back from a safari in South Africa! She had the amazing experience of seeing buffalo, zebras, elephants, cheetahs, hippos and giraffes, but she says what touched her most was the joy and happiness of nearly every South African person she met. Liz said, “It’s a country with people who have been through so much and yet, they still hold on to the joy of life. It was very inspiring and uplifting!” Liz’s South African tour guide also had a good sense of humor when Liz asked if she could walk from Zambia to nearby Zimbabwe. Her tour guide said, “No, you need to take a taxi because it’s dark, and there are elephants.” So, as the rest of the Inn Crowd and I watched blue herons, white egrets and hawks soar over the wetlands, Liz navigated elephants in the dark and watched majestic cheetahs stretch out under trees at sunset. For Liz’s homecoming, the Inn Crowd baked our Orange Chocolate
Mix orange and chocolate batters for a special breakfast treat.
Marble Breakfast Bread and renamed it “Zebra Cake.” Here’s our recipe; we hope you enjoy it! Orange Chocolate Marble Breakfast Bread (aka “Zebra Cake”) • 1 cup butter • 1 ½ cups sugar • 4 eggs, separated • 2 ½ cups flour • 2 Tsp. baking powder • ¼ Tsp. salt • 2/3 cup milk • ¼ Tsp. grated orange peel
• ¼ Tsp. orange extract • ¼ cup cocoa • ¼ cup water 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally spray a 12” Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. 2. Separate eggs so egg yolks are in one small bowl and the egg whites are in another small bowl. 3. Cream butter; add sugar gradually, beating until fluffy. 4. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, until light and fluffy. 5. Add flour, baking powder and salt,
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
a third at a time, alternately with milk until blended. 6. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. 7. Spoon half of the batter into a second bowl. In one of the bowls, stir orange peel and orange extract into that batter. 8. In the other bowl, blend cocoa and water in a cup and then fold into that batter. 9. Spoon batter (alternating layers of chocolate and white, at least two times) into prepared pan. 10. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until cake is done. Cool in pan 10-15 minutes. Turn onto wire rack or serving plate to complete cooling. Glaze: • 2 cups powdered sugar • 1 Tbsp. soft butter • 2-4 Tbsp. orange juice • 1-2 Tsp. orange peel In a small bowl, combine sugar and butter. Add orange juice gradually to achieve desired consistency and stir until smooth. Add peel. Top the cake with the orange glaze. Enjoy! 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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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Calendar October events: Life Story Writing Class Who will tell your great-grand kids about your life growing up? Why not you? Join the life story writing class and learn techniques to make memories come alive. The life story writing group meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting Wednesday, September 13, in the YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. The class will teach simple methods to recall your past and new ways to write your memories. The cost to participate is $10 a year. For more info, please call Bernie Horst at (310) 670-3796.
The Kentwood Players Presents “Farragut North” Kentwood Players proudly presents “Farragut North,” a political thriller playing through Saturday, October 14. The play will be performed on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. “Farragut North” is a 2008 political thriller written by Beau Willimon (House of Cards), loosely based on former Governor Howard Dean’s 2004 Democratic primary election campaign for U.S. President. Reserved seat tickets are $20 with a $2 discount for seniors and students. To purchase tickets online, please visit kentwoodplayers.org. “Farragut North” is performed at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester.
Laband Art Gallery Presents: “Carolyn Castaño: A Female Topography 2001-2017” The first career survey of works by Los Angeles artist Carolyn Castaño recently opened at Loyola Marymount University’s Laband Art Gallery. “Carolyn Castaño: A Female Topography 2001-2017,” features more than 40 artworks highlighting the artist’s ongoing exploration of identity, gender and social conditions facing women. Over the past 15 years, the artist has worked across a range of media, including collage, drawing, painting, video and installation. Her work is known for its vibrant colors and knockout patterns that marry fluorescent hues with tropical flourishes. Curated by Laband Director Karen Rapp, the exhibition is open through Sunday, December 10. All Laband events are free and open to the public. The Laband Art Gallery is located on the campus of LMU, located at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester. For more info, please visit cfa.lmu. edu/labandgallery.
TheHTN.com
Blessing of the Animals at Holy Nativity & Harvest Hoopla Dogs, cats, birds, rats and all manner of creature will be sanctified at the annual “Blessing of the Animals” service on Sunday, October 8 at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Westchester. This annual blessing occurs on the Sunday closest to the Feast Day of St. Francis, who was deeply committed and concerned about the wellbeing of the environment and all of creation. Later this month, the church is also hosting Harvest Hoopla, its annual fundraiser and open house. Come to enjoy oven-baked pizza, contra dancing, a sing-along and games. Guests are encouraged to come in their Halloween costumes and participate in the costume parade. The Harvest Hoopla will take place on Saturday, October 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. Holy Nativity Episcopal Church is located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester. For more information, visit holynativityparish.org or call (310) 670-4777.
Women’s Club Fall Festival The Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey is holding a Fall Festival event on Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Craft and gift vendors will have items for purchase, while guests enjoy live music, a white elephant sale, silent auction, face painting and more. Food will also be available for purchase. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit local charities the club supports. The event will take place in the parking lot of the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey, located at 8039 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. For more info, please contact Pat Salcedo at (310) 578-9912.
Alzheimer’s disease will be held starting this month at the Westchester Elks Club. Come learn from experts about necessary legal and financial planning, the latest in Alzheimer’s research and tips for handling the holidays for caregivers and their family members. The first workshop is on Thursday, October 26 from 4 to 5 p.m., with the topic of “Legal & Financial Planning with a Dementia Diagnosis.” The Westchester Elks Lodge is located at 8025 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Carmen Moore at (323) 930-6273 or email cmoore@ alzgla.org.
Marina Spooktacular Get ready for some Halloween fun at the Marina Spooktacular event on Saturday, October 28 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday, October 29 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Admission is free for this two-day festival. All-day attractions include carnival games, a costume contest, bounce houses, vendors, a kid’s tractor ride, pumpkin carving, DJ, crafts and more. During the day, visitors can tour a family-friendly pirate ship, before it transforms into a haunted ghost ship at night, recommended for those 13
and up. While admission is free, all attendees must sign a liability waiver to participate in the Marina Spooktacular. Once you have submitted the waiver, guests will receive a wrist band at the event. Attendees are encouraged to bring the waiver with them to the event to save time. The Marina Spooktacular will take place at Burton Chace Park, located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. For more information, please visit visitmarinadelrey.com/events/ marina-spooktacular.
Bingo at the Elks Lodge Join the Westchester Elks on Sunday, October 29 for a fun day of Bingo! Doors open at 1 p.m., with early bird games starting at 1:30 p.m. for $5 a pack. Regular bingo begins at 2 p.m. for $25 a pack. Refreshments are offered for purchase and everyone 18+ is invited to play. The Elks Lodge is located at 8025 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. Free parking is available in the back parking lot of the lodge. For more info, please call (310) 821-3005.
Playa Vista Boo Fest Playa Vista Elementary School will host its 6th Annual Boo Fest on Saturday, October 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is open to the public and will include game booths, a pumpkin decorating contest, a bake sale, chili cook-off, a haunted house, food zone, face painting, auction and more! Playa Vista Elementary School is located at 13150 Bluff Creek Dr. in Playa Vista. Presale tickets can be purchased at playavistaschool.com/support-pves/ osprey-store.
Alzheimer’s Workshop A series of workshops on
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Ed Foundation (cont’d) (continued from page 16) everyone the many successes happening every day in our local classrooms,” echoes foundation board member Andrew Chereck. “A big part of the foundation’s efforts will be communicating the amazing things our schools are doing and working with local businesses to develop partnerships, secure donations and enhance the relationship between our schools and our local businesses.” According to Swanlund, the foundation, with the help of community partners, wants to be the link that brings parents, teachers and the community together to help enhance the education climate in the community. After all, a recent National Education Association study showed that students tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, stay in school longer and enroll in higher level programs when all of these groups work together to support learning. “We want to have an invested community of schools, students, parents, stakeholders and businesses,” said Swanlund. “If we can be even a small component of helping our students achieve academic success, then we’ll be improving our community in a significant and substantial way.” Ready to hit the ground running, the LAX Coastal Education Foundation is already planning its first big
public event. On Saturday, March 10, LAXCEF will hold the inaugural Run for Education on the Loyola Marymount University campus, featuring a 5K run and a post-race festival. The event will be an opportunity for schools and the public to form teams to raise money to support our schools in a fun, festive atmosphere. The foundation stepped up to plan this event after the popular Race for Success announced it was going on hiatus for 2018. With ambitious goals for programming, outreach and grants, the foundation is already working to cultivate like-minded donors and supporters to help fulfill its mission. The group expects to announce a large donation in the coming weeks. “Oftentimes, the onus for providing a well-rounded educational experience for every student falls directly on the shoulders of the school administrators, teachers, faculty and staff,” said Swanlund. “However, we know that the funding of our schools–both public and private–is often woefully inadequate and that’s where we hope to step in and fill the gap.” As LAXCEF continues to take shape, it is seeking additional community partnerships and donations. For more information, please visit laxcoastaledfoundation.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2017 • Page 27
Random Notes/Opinion
TheHTN.com
The power of starting small By Jeff Blair Opinion: Many associate January with fitness, as it is the time for New Year’s Resolutions. I like to focus more on the fall months for several reasons. For one, people tend to become less active during this time of year due to fewer hours of sunlight. Two, we are heading into the holiday season where we must all overcome temptation on an almost daily basis. These two challenges can set some people back in their fitness plan, but the last quarter of the year doesn’t have to be a fitness nightmare. How about we turn the tables and take a proactive approach to fitness in October and get ahead of the January gym crowds? Rather than wait until January to burn the weight you gained over the holiday season, let’s prevent the gain before it happens. Here’s a hang-up for many people: the thought of working out 2 hours per day seems overwhelming and daunting. They may be overcommitted already between jobs, kids and life demands. These people will be lucky to find 2-3 hours per week to
workout, yet they think they need 2 hours per day. The great news is that you can definitely start a serious fitness program with just a few hours per week of exercise! Here are two simple steps to do just that: 1. Set a Small Goal. By the time you read this, it will be only three weeks until Halloween. Set a small goal to lose 2-3 pounds during this period and you will eliminate a lot of unhealthy nutritional choices during October. Setting too large a goal might be counter-productive and discouraging if you don’t achieve it. Set a reasonable goal and your confidence and selfesteem will increase once you succeed. Achieving small goals gets the ball rolling and leaves you wanting more. Instead of thinking “What’s the use?” your mindset will change to “Hey, I can do this.” This small shift in attitude has fueled many to success. If I have learned one thing from 15 years in the fitness business, it is that fitness success is about 20% knowledge and about 80% motivation and behavior. A small success can really help maintain
motivation and help you take things to the next level. Once you achieve this small goal, then set a bigger goal. Now that you have lost three pounds, how abut shooting for 10? Pick a goal that works for you and then GO for it! Overcoming inertia can be an issue for many, so do whatever you can to maintain motivation. Post your goal where you can see it in the morning and post it on your desk at work. Of course, you might have a goal other than weight loss: maybe it’s to get stronger, exercise consistently or perform a certain number of push ups. The same principles apply to those goals. Set a small goal, achieve it and then shoot for a bigger goal. 2. Sweat Daily. We are all different, so we all may enjoy different forms of exercise. I believe everyone should perform resistance training, but it is also important to simply get active in whatever way you can. If all you can do right now is walk around the block due to time, energy or health limitations, then walk around the block. This is how I started my fitness transformation
20 years ago. I started walking thirty minutes on my lunch break at work. Eventually, I increased my walking to some jogging and later added in swimming and bike riding. Only later did I add in resistance training. Whatever gets you started is a great fit for you. Over time, look to increase your commitment by hiring a trainer or signing up for a race if you want, but many beginners may not be ready for a huge commitment. By simply sweating daily, you will feel better, sleep better and think better. You will find stress easier to manage and food temptation easier to resist. You might even find yourself “turning back the clock” and feeling younger with more energy. Before you start any fitness routine, consult your doctor. Jeff Blair (M.S.) is five-time winner of the Hometown News “Best Of” in the Personal Trainer category. He has owned a personal training studio in Westchester since 2011 and has been seen in numerous national and international fitness publication. Email jeffblair@jeffblairfitness.com for story suggestions or ideas.
5 Minutes 5 bucks exterior car wash (Mondays 7:30-10:30Am & Wednesdays 7:30AM-1PM)
FREe Vacuums free air guns free towel x change Program BEST CAR wash in town 125 N. Sepulveda blvd., El segundo | 310.535.5555 Page 28 • October 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Do life problems stop you from living the life you want? By Fay Craton Opinion: The other day I managed to get pillow stuffing mixed up in my laundry. What a mess it made of the towels I was drying! Fuzz was everywhere! The “disaster” was part of a series of foolish decisions. Compounding this frustration were other problems, including a very untimely computer crash, an ant raid and other annoying occurrences. Sometimes it may seem as if problem after problem is haunting your life. It might not be major life changing problems, just ongoing frustrations causing you to do more work to accomplish your tasks or problems that possibly block you from finishing what you set out to do. Some people are able to rise above the problems; other people seem to get derailed from their goals by them. How challenges are experienced and perceived can make a difference as to whether or not the problem will lead to losing direction towards accomplishing a goal. I had a problem due to the fuzzy mess I made while doing laundry. The experience was the result of my poor decisions. When you have a mess because of something you did wrong, how do you feel? I felt exasperated by the mess and embarrassed by my actions. In truth, making a fuzzy mess is not a real serious life problem. In a short period of time, it becomes laughable. However, sometimes, people do foolish things and are scorned by family members, friends or other significant people in their lives. The result is a feeling of shame. Consistently expressed demeaning statements expressed (by others or by yourself) about what you do will lead you to have poor self-esteem. Perceptions you hold about yourself are reflected through your words and behaviors. If you have poor selfesteem, it will show up in how you take care of yourself and treat others. It can become easy to feel defeated when challenges appear. Rising above problems is part of a pattern of actions reflecting a healthy sense of personal worth. This means keeping your life on track requires developing and maintaining a sense of personal value. Getting derailed can also be caused by the quality of your courage. Some people have what I call “swisscheese courage.” I find many people demonstrate courage in some circumstances, but the courage has “holes” in it. Here are a couple of examples:
• A person may show strong resolution at work, but avoids growing within personal relationships. The avoidance leads toward dissatisfaction and could result in the eventual failure of a relationship. When courage is bolstered, it becomes possible to have meaningful conversations which can strengthen the relationship and a sense of personal meaning. • A student demonstrates courage in enrolling in a course, but does not believe himself capable of completing difficult assignments. The lack of courage to try to do assignments undermines his goal of developing new skills. Transforming the quality of courage requires being very mindful about your fear and requires coming to terms with the fear. By understanding your fears, you can assess whether or not it is protecting you from harm or if it is only a bad habit. When fear is a bad habit, sometimes it is appropriate to do what needs to be done in spite of your fear. When you are derailed and stuck in a downward spiral, it can take considerable effort on your part to get out of the negative hole. Changing your experience will require changing habits about how you perceive life. It is very difficult to change perceptions without assistance outside of yourself. Albert Einstein is attributed to saying, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” This means to get out of the spiral we need fresh thinking. Therapy is one method you can use to get out of the hole. Other ways could be self-help groups, books or participation in a spiritual or faith community. My wish is for you to experience life challenges with laughter. I want you to thrive in life and accomplish goals important to you. There is a quote from G. K. Chesterton, “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” Ultimately, the easiest way to overcome frustrations is to simply decide to look at problems from a new vantage point. Perhaps it is time to lighten up by letting go of misplaced shame, fears and other beliefs weighing you down. 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.
Estate Planning Living Trusts Trust Administration Medi-Cal Planning Probate
Your Neighborhood Counselor Standford Law School, in practice 25 years, Certified Specialist – Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
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
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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.
October 2017 • Page 29
Photos by Annette Buhl. Photos by Greg Dina-Pham.
The second annual Westchester Arts and Music (WAM) Block Party was the place to be on Saturday, September 23. Hundreds of community members attended the festive event, which shut down a portion of Emerson Page 30 • October 2017
Avenue. Hosted by the Emerson Avenue Community Garden, the event brought together live music, dance performances, art, community booths, food trucks and kids activities, blending the area’s art scene with a block party
vibe. For the first time this year, WAM also featured a beer and wine garden, sponsored by the Stephanie Younger Group, with all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit, which operates the 1-acre garden on the campus of Wright
STEAM Magnet. While the date is TBD, organizers assure us that WAM will be back in September 2018 even bigger and better, so sign-up for updates at wamblockparty.org or eacgc.org.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2017 • Page 31
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News