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Your guide to the best fall and halloween activities...page 12 Visitation School students show their excitement for the school’s upcoming Carnival in the “NINE double oh FOUR FIVE.”
Page 2 • October 2018
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Community Spotlight: For Sunrise Community Service award recipient, it’s an honor to be recognized in Westchester/Playa Fall & Halloween Event Guide In Pictures Westchester Arts & Music Block Party
04 12 22
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 15 Neighborhood School Expo 10 Drollinger Properties 13, 16 SoCal Sports and Fitness 21 Five Minute Car Wash 18 Visitation School 09, 14 Food Pantry, LAX 16 Vistamar School 07 Gary’s Pit Stop 07 Westchester Farmers’ Market 19 Inn at Playa del Rey 15 Westchester Lutheran School 05, 13 Jane St. John 02 Westchester/Playa Historical Society 20 Kevin and Kaz 11 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Loyola Marymount 04 Westside Pacific Village 18 Marina del Rey Hospital 24 Zacha Homes 23 Neighborhood Council 17
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 • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
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Let us help you promote your business, organization or event to our readers! Contact us for rates and to reserve space at
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October 2018 • Page 3
Community Spotlight: For Sunrise Community Service Award recipient, it’s an honor to be recognized in Westchester/Playa This month, the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary will honor Trevor Daley with its highest honor, the Sunrise Community Service Award, at its annual Cultural Dinner Gala at the Playa Vista CenterPointe Club. Daley has long been an advocate for the Westchester/Playa community and has built a reputation for being passionate about public service and giving back. It’s this drive and dedication, dating back almost two decades in the local community, that has the club excited to recognize Daley as their 2018 honoree. “Trevor is a true example of our Rotary motto ‘Service Above Self,’” said Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary President Gwen Vuchsas. “He has been a longtime supporter of our community, and we’re thrilled to be able to shine a light on the work that he’s done.” Daley credits his desire for “wanting to do good” to a pivotal moment in junior high. Excited for the opportunity to go on a police ride-along with a family friend during a trip to San Francisco, he was shocked by the amount of homeless people in need that they encountered. “I’ve always wanted to give back and be involved in public service,” said Daley. “It’s always been at my core and has helped define me since seventh
Page 4 • October 2018
Playa Vista’s Trevor Daley will be honored with the Sunrise Community Service Award at the October 17 Cultural Dinner event.
grade.” Heading back to school that fall, Daley was determined to feed every homeless person in his hometown of Arcata, California. Rallying his schoolmates, he organized a
Thanksgiving dinner for those in need and inspired people around him to get on board with his plans for more public service projects and outpourings of kindness. Although he says he wasn’t popular, his desire to be helpful earned
him the respect of his peers who voted him senior class president and the recipient of the Crusader of the Year award at graduation. After college, Daley would take a job at Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office, another pivotal moment in his life. While working as her scheduler in Washington DC, he would struggle with alcohol addiction, which brought him to a very dark place during his 20s. Now, 18 years sober, he recalls that although many wanted to give up on him during that difficult time, Senator Feinstein always stood by him. He would end up working for her office for more than 17 years, working his way from field deputy to California State Director. “I owe everything to her. She always found ways to help me excel in ways that I didn’t think were possible,” said Daley. “And now we’re like family.” Daley’s long history in the Westchester/Playa community dates back to his early days of sobriety. With a new lease on life and eager to make amends, Daley worked as the Westchester/Playa field deputy under Councilmember Ruth Galanter. “I was an energized work horse that connected to my new life,” says Daley about his years in the Westchester office. “If any one needed a tree (continued on page 7)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 5
Business & Nonprofit News
TheHTN.com
Happy Birthday, Otis! The college celebrated its centennial with a day of festivities that included a cake-cutting ceremony, carnival games and the unveiling of its newest art exhibit.
Happy Birthday, Otis! Otis College of Art & Design turned 100 on September 30 and celebrated the momentous occasion with an oncampus party with alumni, students and community members. Guests were treated to commemorative posters, carnival games with Otis swag as prizes and a cake-cutting ceremony led by Otis President Bruce Ferguson and longtime patron, Elaine Goldsmith. The day’s festivities also included the opening reception of “Some of Our Favorite Things,” a group exhibition which features art and items from Otis alumni and friends. The exhibition will be on view through December 9 at the campus’ Ben Maltz Gallery. “Otis College does not exist outside of its people—past and present. Every student, alumnus, faculty, staff member and friend of the college has had different experiences that make up the Otis College history,” said Ferguson at the celebration. “What brings us together is the belief in the power of art and design to shape the future.” The day also marked the kick-off of a year-long celebration of art, partnerships and events with the launch of the #FindYour100 campaign. Next up for the college is the 100% Festival, taking place November 10 and 11. The two-day campus event will feature a makers’ market, music, workshops and more. For more info, visit FindYour100.com. Save the date: Holiday Home Tour! This November, the Westchester Page 6 • October 2018
Councilmember Mike Bonin poses with LAX Coastal Chamber Chair, Ryan Gales of Jenkins/Gales & Martinez, at the chamber’s annual Meeting of the Membership at the Hotel MdR.
Mental Health Guild will hold its 36th Annual Holiday Home Tour featuring five distinct houses beautifully decorated for the holidays. The featured Westchester homes include a Kentwood bluff residence with amazing views that will feature Thanksgiving decorations; two totally redone two-story homes both decked out for Christmas and a renovated bungalow ready for New Year’s Eve. A modern Playa del Rey home with an open floor plan will be decorated for the Chinese New Year. Self-guided home tours will take place on Sunday, November 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and after the tour, visitors are invited to a festive reception at the Westchester Elks Lodge. A special holiday marketplace, featuring a variety of vendors selling everything from jewelry to dishtowels
to olive oil to holiday items, will be ready for shoppers. There will also be a raffle for a trip for two to Hawaii. The reception and marketplace will be open from noon until 5 p.m. The Westchester Mental Health Guild hosts the tour as a fun neighborhood event to bring the community together and help neighbors get to know neighbors, while at the same time raising money for a good local cause-- the Airport Marina Counseling Service. Tickets can be purchased at wmhgtour2018.eventbrite.com or westchestermhg.org. Councilmember Bonin addresses business leaders at Chamber’s Annual Meeting of the Membership. Local professionals joined the LAX Coastal Chamber for their
Annual Meeting of the Membership at the Hotel MdR on September 20. The event, the only open board meeting of the year, featured keynote speaker Councilmember Mike Bonin. Councilmember Bonin spoke about initiatives to get more patrol officers on local streets and to enhance the resources and workforce of the fire department. He also applauded the momentum of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for their recent upgrades and future infrastructure improvements. While addressing the room, Bonin remarked that while there would be some challenges ahead regarding traffic and construction, “the end result is really going to be phenomenal.” The 2018 Annual Meeting of the Membership was a deeper dive into the inner workings of the LAX Coastal Chamber. From ex-officio reports from local sheriffs to discussions with committee chairs, this event focused on the financial operations of the chamber, their stance on public policy, their impact within the LAX Coastal community, which includes Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and beyond, and how to get more involved. It was also the official launch of the chamber’s 2018 Annual Report, which included a look at the organization’s budget and statistics on business and membership. For more information, please visit laxcoastal.com. Opened a business? Celebrating an anniversary? We want to hear about your business or nonprofit! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Sunrise Community Service Award (cont’d)
(continued from page 4) trimmed, a bulky item picked up or a pothole filled, I made sure it got done.” He credits his responsiveness during his time as field deputy and his desire to listen for the respect he earned from community members. After accepting a job back at Senator Feinstein’s office, he was astounded when he returned to Westchester a few years later and received a standing ovation at a community event where she was speaking. “It was all because of those potholes!” Daley laughs. After working as Feinstein’s state director, Daley would make his way back to Westchester again as Los Angeles World Airports’ Chief of External Affairs, a position he held until August of this year when he announced his departure for new opportunities. He is proud of his time at the airport where he pushed financial contributions, staffing, communications and the quality of community events and workshops to an unprecedented level. “During his time at LAWA, the community had support from LAX like we’ve never seen before,” said Vuchsas. “Trevor has always been someone who fights for this
community and what he believes in. Whether it was helping the homeless at Manchester Square with compassion and housing, being responsive to the neighborhood during his time as a field deputy, or advocating for funds to support local events and initiatives while at the airport, Trevor embodies community service and we’re honored to be recognizing him this year.” While Daley is excited to be receiving the award this month, he would be remiss if he didn’t point out that this community is made up of so many people working hard and contributing their time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the neighborhood. “The most special thing about being honored in Westchester/ Playa is that this area encompasses a really incredible group of people. It goes beyond just those words,” said Daley. “People really care about each other and they’re really dedicated. That’s the story of people in this community.” Daley will be honored at the club’s Wednesday, October 17 Cultural Dinner featuring a Hawaiian theme. For more information on the event, please visit playavenice.org.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 7
School News
TheHTN.com
On September 26, Westchester Lutheran School (WLS) students raised $740 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of WLS parent, Blair Brooks, who lost his courageous fight against cancer. The students wore “Superman B” T-shirts to help generate funds to help find a cure on his birthday.
SoCalGas and Education Foundation distribute STEM grants. Twelve local schools have begun their year with a positive start to bolster their STEM curriculum, thanks to grants from SoCalGas in partnership with the LAX Coastal Ed Foundation. The call for grants was put out last spring and every school that submitted a proposal was awarded at least a portion of their requested amount. The grants were distributed at the September LAX Coastal Education Committee meeting. The grants will be used for a variety of STEM-related projects and to increase science learning at the schools. Cowan Elementary School’s grant will be used to create a robotics lab; St. Bernard will use the funds to explore applications of alternative fuels and Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet will grow its Wright Robotics Program and competition teams. Said Westport Heights principal, Jacqueline Hughes, “Westport Heights students are delving deeper into the technological age and the resources it provides for learning and discovery. Our partnership with community members like SoCalGas enables us to provide these vital and relevant
successful Wright student? A student who is inquisitive, enjoys working collaboratively, understands how to use technology, is innovative and is intrepid! Learn more about what Wright has to offer during its campus tours this month on Wednesday, October 10 and Wednesday, October 24 starting at 9 a.m. The e-choices application window for the 2019-2020 school year is now through November 9. The school is located at 6550 W. 80th St. in Westchester. For more information, please visit wrightms.org. Principals and school representatives pose with their grant checks. The schools will use the funding for STEM projects and science curriculum.
hands-on learning experiences for our children. We would not be able to increase student engagement around technology without them!” Neighborhood School Expo helps parents learn about school options. Curious about local schools? The LAX Coastal Education Foundation, in partnership with the LAX Coastal Chamber, is hosting the Neighborhood School Expo on Wednesday, October 24 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Westchester YMCA Annex. Representatives from local schools will be on
hand to answer questions about their programs and enrollment, and attendees can learn the difference between public, private, magnet, charter and parochial schools. The YMCA Annex is located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. Space is still available for schools to sign-up, as are a limited number of nonprofit and business booths. For more information, please call (310) 645-5151 or visit laxcoastaledfoundation.com. Wright STEAM Magnet hosts tours. What are the characteristics of a
Community invited to Westchester Lutheran School open house. The community is invited to attend Westchester Lutheran School’s (WLS) first open house of the season. The open house will give prospective students and parents the opportunity to see classrooms, meet the teachers and see student work. Current parents, students and school staff will be present to answer questions. The open house is scheduled for Sunday, October 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. WLS is located at 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. For more information, please visit wlcs.org.
Reserve your ad space in our
Spotlight on Local Schools Issue! Please reserve your space by Monday, October 23 by emailing westchesterhometown@yahoo.com Page 8 • October 2018
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 9
310.645.5151 • laxcoastaledfoundation.com • info@laxcoastaledfoundation.com Page 10 • October 2018
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 11
Photo courtesy visitmarinadelrey.com.
Your guide to the best fall and halloween activities...pag Yo
Clockwise from top: 1. Kids get ready to enter the hay maze at the Marina Spooktacular in Burton Chace Park. 2. Visitation’s campus will be packed with rides and numerous game booths during its carnival the weekend of October 19. 3. Pumpkin decorating is on the list of activities for many events this month, including the Westchester Farmers’ Market Harvest Festival.
Fall is here, and October is gearing up to be the best month of the year for community events and activities for the whole family. Whether you’re looking to hop on some classic carnival rides while enjoying cotton candy or to be scared by undead pirates on a haunted ship, there’s an activity for you to enjoy this month! Not into thrills and chills? There’s also plenty of opportunities to paint pumpkins and win prizes at game booths!
Carnival in the NINE double oh FOUR FIVE
Friday, October 19 • 5 pm to 10 pm Saturday, Oct. 20 •11 am to 10 pm Sunday, October 21 • 11 am to 6 pm 8740 S. Emerson Ave., Westchester Free Admission • Cost for Games, Activities and Food Get ready for Visitation School’s biggest carnival ever! Westchester’s Page 12 • October 2018
longest-running carnival takes place every other year, and organizers have been working for months to ensure that there are more activities than ever before and a dedicated kids’ zone. Priding themselves on being an oldfashioned community event, expect fried food, a dessert bar stocked with homemade treats, live music, rides and lots of popcorn. A beer and wine garden for adults, a chance to win a variety of meats by spinning a wheel, game booths with prizes and a mini petting zoo round out the event. Discounted presale tickets are currently being sold through Friday, October 12. Presale tickets for games and food are: 35 tickets for $30, 60 tickets for $50 and 125 tickets for $100. Presale ride tickets are $10 for 18, with the average ride taking 3-4 tickets.
For more information or to download the presale ticket form, please visit vizcarnival.com.
Fall Family Festival
Saturday, October 27 •11 am to 4 pm 5540 W. 77th St., Westchester Free Admission • Cost for Games, Activities and Food Bring the whole family to Open Magnet Charter School for their annual Fall Family Festival this month. Unique to this school event, there are two interactive experiences guests can enjoy: the heart-stopping haunted house for older kids and the heartwarming Fairy Land, brought to life by creative parents and students. Other activities include games, bouncers, arts & crafts, a photo booth, a silent auction, a raffle and more. Prospective families are especially
encouraged to attend as it is a great opportunity to explore the campus and interact with the school’s community. Discounted game tickets are available for purchase through October 24 at opencharter.org/events/fall_festival.
Marina Spooktacular: Harvest Delights & Nighttime Frights
Saturday, October 27 & Sunday, October 28 • 11 am to 9 pm Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey Free Admission • Food Available for Purchase Celebrate Halloween by the harbor at the Marina Spooktacular! During the day, there are scares and activities for all ages, but as night falls on the marina, get ready for the frights to intensify! Only the brave will take a tour of
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Dia de los Muertos Celebration @ Marina Spooktacular
Saturday, October 27 • 3 pm Sunday, October 28 • 12 pm Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey Free Admission While you’re enjoying activities at the Marina Spooktacular, make sure to check out the performances of Ballet Folklorico Ollin on Saturday and Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc on Sunday. Ballet Folklorico Ollin will celebrate the culture of Mexico through performances of folk dances from Veracruz. The performance will end with a chance for the audience to put on tarimas (wooden dance platforms) and dance the fandango. Sunday’s performers, Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc, will showcase Aztec
dance accompanied by drummers, allowing guests to explore the ancient music, dance and poetry of the Aztec culture.
Photo courtesy visitmarinadelrey.com.
L.A.’s only haunted pirate ship, featuring undead pirates (come early for a less scary version). Evening tours are recommended for those 13 and up. Other highlights of the two-day event include: • a graveyard treasure hunt • a blackout maze of terror designed for true Halloween enthusiasts • kids’ maze & fun house • DIY costume booth • trick-or-treating • pumpkin decorating • music and entertainment • free giveaways and more! A liability waiver form is needed for any person participating in an activity at the event. To speed up your entrance time, attendees are encouraged to fill out the waiver and bring it to the event or RSVP via EventBrite. For more information or to download the waiver, please visit beaches.lacounty.gov/halloween.
Playa Vista Boo Fest
Saturday, October 13 • 2 to 6 pm 13150 W. Bluff Creek Dr., Playa Vista Free Admission • Cost for Activities and Food Head on over to Playa Vista Elementary school for their 7th annual Boo Fest for an afternoon of fun, family activities. Boo Fest will provide hours of entertainment thanks to classroom-sponsored game booths, a haunted house, chili cook-off, a decorated pumpkin contest, a bake sale and more all to help support the school’s programs. Visit playavistaschool.com/boo-fest for more info.
Westchester Farmers’ Market Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 28 • 9 am to 2 pm 6200 W. 87th St., Westchester Wednesday, October 31 • 2 pm to 7 pm 7114 Manchester Ave., Westchester Free Admission Pumpkins are the stars of the Westchester Farmers’ Market’s Harvest Festival taking place during regular market hours. After you peruse the fall fruits and veggies, the whole family can enjoy contests, community booths, a “guess the weight of the pumpkin” game, pumpkin painting, a costume contest and a free petting zoo. Visit facebook.com/ westchesterfarmersmarket for more details. Have a fall or Halloween event we should know about? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
Undead pirates haunt their ship at last year’s Marina Spooktacular at Burton Chace Park.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 13
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester troop welcomes newest Eagle Scout Westchester Boy Scout Troop 716’s newest Eagle Scout is Ryan Robertson. Robertson earned the Eagle rank this summer. For his Eagle project, Robertson planned, supervised and worked on creating the St. Jerome Rosary Garden, located on the grounds of the Westchester church. He worked with Father Bill Bolton to design and build a space that would meet the church’s needs. Robertson has been a Westchester scout since 2007. He earned his Tiger rank with Cub Scout Pack 824, and he has been a member of Troop 716 since 2012. In addition to earning his Eagle rank, he has also earned all four religious awards from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic Committee on Scouting, including the Light Of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII. He thanks his former and current scout leaders Mindy and Jason Bostick, Tendai Chanaiwa, John Lao, John Skidmore and Zack Guerra for their leadership and encouragement over his 12 years of scouting. Robertson attended grades K-8 at St. Jerome School and is currently
a senior at St. John Bosco High School. He hopes to work at Camp Emerald Bay on Catalina Island next summer, before heading to college to study physical therapy in the fall of 2019. Troop 716 meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings in the scout room at Westchester United Methodist Church. Interested in joining the troop? Please email troop716bsa@ gmail.com for more information.
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October 2018 • Page 15
Calendar Ongoing monthly events: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club every Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. for its weekly meeting. The club meets at Whiskey Red’s, located at 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more info, please visit playavenice.org.
Rotary Club of Westchester The Rotary Club of Westchester meets every Wednesday at 12 noon for lunch at the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel, located at 5985 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester. The cost of lunch is $25 and validated self-parking is free. Guests are most welcome! Reservations are not required. For more information or to reserve a seat at the luncheon, please visit rotary-westchester.com.
TheHTN.com Samantha Barrios and Michael Willens. When Sally Driscoll has John Barrett appear at her door, she doesn’t recognize him, but it soon becomes apparent that they’ve met before after Sally’s husband arrives home. What results are twists and turns that prove that someone has a dangerous obsession. Reserved seat tickets are $22 with a $2 discount for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, please call (310) 645-5156 during box office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. You can also purchase tickets and get more information about the theater company at kentwoodplayers. org.
Westchester Elks Lodge Events
Who will tell your great-grandkids 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., in the YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. The cost to participate is $10 a year. For more info, please email Sonni at sonnihelmer@sbcglobal.net. Please indicate “Life Stories” as the subject.
The Westchester Elks Lodge is hosting bingo on Sunday, October 7. Early bird games start at 1:30 p.m. and the cost is $5. Regular bingo begins at 2 p.m. and the cost is $25. Bingo is open to the public and doors open at noon. Refreshments will be offered for purchase. The next bingo days will be held November 18 and December 16. On Friday, October 19, the Elks are hosting a free family-friendly Friday Halloween Movie Night. There will be food for purchase, free popcorn, movie trivia and a kids’ corner. Movie is TBD. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The Westchester Elks Lodge is located at 8025 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. Free entrance and free parking is in the back. Call the lodge at (310) 821-3005 with any questions or visit facebook. com/westchester.elks for more info.
October events: “Dangerous Obsession” at Westchester Playhouse
re:codeLA Workshop & NCWP Planning and Land Use Meeting
Life Story Writing Class
Join the Kentwood Players for a performance of “Dangerous Obsession,” now through October 13. Performances will take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. “Dangerous Obsession” is a psychological thriller staring Dylan Bailey, T.
Interested in learning more about development in the area? The community is encouraged to attend the monthly Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa’s (NCWP) Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) meetings. The committee meets the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Westchester Community Room,
located at 7166 Manchester Ave. in Westchester. This month’s meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16. This month, PLUC will also host a community workshop on Sunday, October 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees will learn about re:codeLA, the next generation of city building and zoning and how that intersects with the NCWP’s Community Plan Update process. The workshop will be held in the Westchester Community Room. Every month, the committee hears a variety of presentations ranging from city employees informing PLUC on hot topic issues like the home-sharing ordinance, developers looking to build in Westchester/Playa or new businesses looking to open in the area. Agendas for upcoming meetings are available at ncwpdr.org/pluc when ready. Those interested can also sign up to receive the PLUC agendas automatically at ncwpdr.org/user/register by creating a user account and subscribing to email alerts from any NCWP committee.
Lunch N Learn: Attract Customers & Drive Sales Are you wondering why your online presence isn’t having a positive impact on your sales? Is your website not yet good enough for your business? After this Lunch N Learn presentation with Sean Story, you will know the fundamental methodologies for success surrounding strategic website/online development, and how to use techniques to help your business grow and retain customers. The workshop is free to attend and takes place on Wednesday, October 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch N Learns are hosted by the LAX Coastal Chamber and are held at their office located at 9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 210 in Westchester. RSVP at laxcoastal. com.
Comfort Food Cooking Class Join Fresh Food in a Flash for a fun cooking class where guests will learn how to make a variety of comfort food classics. This month’s menu includes spiced up deviled eggs, meat loaf,
potato gratin, butterscotch pudding and more. The class will take place on Thursday, October 11 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Holy Nativity Community Hall, located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester. The class fee is $55 when you reserve by October 8 and $65 thereafter if space available. To reserve your spot, email Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash.com.
Community Bread Oven & Pizza Bake Day Join your neighbors at Holy Nativity for their upcoming wood-fired community pizza and bread oven day scheduled for Saturday, October 13. Now in its third year of operation, the giant earthen oven was built by volunteers who gather monthly to bake pizza and bread, while building community. Attendees are invited to bring their own pizza dough and toppings for the 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. pizza bake on the 800° wood-fired hearth where pizzas cook in minutes. Serious bread heads turn out lovely loaves from 2 to 4 p.m. as the oven stabilizes for optimum bread temperatures. The bakes happen on the second Saturday of every month (unless it’s raining) at Holy Nativity Church, located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester.
Toastmasters by the Sea Club Improve your skills for speaking in public at Toastmasters by the Sea’s weekly speaking workshops. The club meets every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon. On Wednesday, October 24, the group will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a humorous speech contest and open house during the regularly scheduled meeting. Speakers by the Sea meets at 12000 Vista del Mar in Conf. Room 230A in Playa del Rey. Entrance is one light south of Imperial Hwy. and Hyperion Way on Vista del Mar; photo ID is required. For more info, please contact ToastmastersSpeakersByTheSea@ gmail.com.
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
Page 16 • October 2018
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 17
Recipes from the Inn: peanut butter spider muffins Oprah Winfrey says, “Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher...and/or help you bake better!” Okay, she didn’t actually say the part about “helping you bake better”– I added that. But still, Oprah’s advice, as always, is fantastic! When I surround myself with excellence, it elevates everything I do. I think that’s why this month’s recipe ended up being one of my favorites, and probably one of our best. It was definitely a team effort! My incredibly creative and fun co-worker, Paige, suggested we look on Pinterest for Halloween ideas, and that’s where we found inspiration for these “spider muffins!” While most people create the “spiders” on top of their favorite homemade cookie, I thought it would be extra delicious as a topper for our Peanut Butter Streusel Muffins. Somewhere between checking guests in and prepping for happy hour, my co-worker Kathleen (who is a phenomenal baker) kicked into gear and whipped up these muffins. Meanwhile, I drove to Gloria’s Cake & Candy Supplies on Culver Blvd. for the spiders’ candy eyeballs. Paige then used her creativity to create our set using a mini-hay bale and a Thanksgiving tablecloth as a
Page 18 • October 2018
Photos by Paige O’Turner.
By Rebecca Hill, Innkeeper
Adding a chocolate spider to any muffin quickly turns the dessert into a creepy, but cute, Halloween treat.
backdrop. That’s when the photo shoot began! Not only was Paige taking photos for the Inn, but our guests also started shooting pictures of the spider muffins. Who could resist? They’re so cute! Here’s how you can create the fun at home: Peanut Butter Streusel Muffins Peanut Butter Streusel Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed) • 4 Tbs. flour • 1/3 cup chunky or creamy Peanut Butter • 3 Tbs. butter, melted • 1/3 cup coarsely chopped roasted and salted peanuts Muffin Batter Ingredients: • 4 Tbs. butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 egg
• 2/3 cup sour cream • 1 Tsp. vanilla • 1 cup flour • 1/2 Tsp. baking powder • 1/2 Tsp. baking soda Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make streusel first, by putting brown sugar, flour, peanut butter and butter in food processor. Blend until smooth. Fold in peanuts and set aside. To make muffin batter, cream together butter and sugar. Add the egg, sour cream and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add to wet mixture. Blend until smooth. Add 1/3 of streusel mixture to batter, mixing lightly so that it marbles throughout the batter. Liberally spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray or use paper muffin cups. Fill cups ½ full and put a dollop of streusel mixture on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until muffins are done. Creating the Spider Topper To create the candy spiders on the top of the muffins you will need mini peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, a Ziploc bag and some “candy eyes” from a baking store, like Gloria’s on Culver Blvd. 1. Let muffins cool. 2. Then put a handful of chocolate chips in the corner of a small Ziploc bag. (continued on page 21)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 19
Random Notes/Opinion
Three suggestions for the fitness beginner By Jeff Blair Opinion: I have interacted with hundreds of clients in the 16 years I’ve been a personal trainer and spent tens of thousands of hours talking with clients. Some questions seem to repeat themselves and I thought it might be helpful to address those issues this month. Being the new person in anything can be uncomfortable. We have all been there in one form or another. Heck, even today when I see a new piece of equipment in a gym I can be hesitant to try it if I don’t know how to use it. Why? I don’t want to look stupid! Is that logical? Well, probably not. Does it give me a good reason to laugh at myself? It does. I always keep this in mind when working with beginners because if I can feel uncomfortable in a gym, how uncomfortable must someone feel who is completely inexperienced in the weight room? Start small to finish big. One of the biggest misconceptions beginners have is that they need to work out 2 hours per day to get results. Starting small is simply better
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than taking on too much for many practical reasons. For example, let’s say you start a program that requires 90-minute workouts, 5 days per week and you are trying to maintain that program for 6 months. At some point during those 6 months, you are going to run into longer hours at work, or maybe a child who needs special attention in some way or some other life challenge that might make long workouts temporarily unrealistic. If you have a flexible approach that allows you to work around these time challenges, you are much more likely to continue. If you have a rigid five days per week for 90-minutes per session approach, you might find this unsustainable. My experience is that people often stop completely when they can’t follow their current program. The reality is that a couple of hours per week can be life-changing, and strength can improve dramatically with that small time commitment. Many people really struggle with the starting small approach because it just seems so counterintuitive. I have found, however, that it is usually the best way to approach things. It is also very important to remember that starting small does NOT mean
finishing small. Starting small allows you to build a foundation to achieve all your long-term fitness goals. Consistency is the foundation of success. I have known many people who work out like a maniac for thirty days and then don’t do anything for ninety days. I call this the “30 all/90 nothing” approach. It is easy to get into this pattern. Some people follow it for years or even decades. I encourage people to approach things differently and make consistency goal #1. Whether that means you only power walk every Sunday morning for 30-minutes or you commit 30-minutes, three times per week to working out, you can scale things up when the time is right. If you are having a problem with consistency, lower your workout levels until you achieve consistency. Compare apples to apples. Something in my brain compares me to the top performer in any field if I am also in that field. I know it is unrealistic, but I can’t help it. I see this with clients as well. We compare our physical condition to fitness models, movie stars or sports stars even when we have dramatically different lifestyle demands.
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One major lifestyle difference is that being in shape is often that celebrity’s primary job or at least one of their primary jobs. They might spend months training for a photo shoot and are paid to do exactly that. I once worked with an actor preparing for a movie. For months, getting into shape for that movie was his focus. His life revolved around it, and he would often work out twice per day--sometimes three times! None of our clients get paid to work out. They might be CPAs, teachers or business owners. Many are also busy with a million kids’ events. Workouts are squeezed in when they are able. I don’t think it is fair to compare them to someone who might workout three hours per day, has a paid chef and has few other obligations. If you start small, find a way to achieve consistency and limit your comparisons, you can create a fitness transformation that can change your life for the better. Before you start any workout routine, consult your doctor. Jeff Blair (M.S., CSCS) is a fitness author and personal trainer who has worked in Westchester for 16 years. Reach him at jeff@socalsport.com for article ideas or comments.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Change can start a life Spider muffins (cont’d) of greater satisfaction By Fay Craton Opinion: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” I enjoy this quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald because it is a great reminder that with the new season we have an opportunity to embrace what works and to let go of what does not make our lives better. During counseling and while teaching, frequently I hear about people wishing to improve relationships, conditions in their lives, or to have greater satisfaction in life. I hear how life would be happier if another person would do something differently. People express the need for change, but often a change in other people and not themselves. What is often forgotten is that when dealing with happiness and relationships, change must first start with you. What does the process of change look like? First, you must become aware of the areas in your life where changing you can make a difference. This can be difficult because people often have blinders on about how their own perceptions, words and behaviors contribute to their own dissatisfaction. Sometimes the needed change is about letting go of how you think something must be done, or something you think you must own, or that you must be the most knowledgeable person on some topic. Other times, the needed change is about taking care of your health, home, or finances in a healthier way. It could be the awareness that to do something you wish to accomplish you need more training, education or practice. A needed change can also be as simple as acknowledging a need for new friendships. How do you determine areas in your life that will become better by changing? Look at where you experience the most frustration, hurt or anxiety. Find someone safe to talk with about what is happening in your life. A safe person is someone who can help you look at your life without judgment. While deciding, it is important to be patient with yourself. You cannot make a change until you recognize it. Once you recognize it, it could take more time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of changing. Only after you have decided you have
more to gain than lose by letting go of an old habit will you be ready to explore something new. How can you decide the advantages and disadvantages? One way is to create four lists. The lists are: 1. What you have to gain by not changing. 2. What you have to lose by not changing. 3. What you have to gain by changing. 4. What you have to lose by changing. Beside each item on the list, write down how valuable it is to you by using a scale of one to ten, with ten being highly valuable. When the lists are complete, add value scores for each list. The list with the highest score could be your choice. Once a decision is made, it is time to embrace the change and let go of what is not working. If the change is big, it can be the start of a new life. While letting go, you may need to grieve what you are releasing. It may have been a big part of your life for a very long time. As you build new patterns in your life, it is very important to have people or organizations around you to provide support. I encourage you to have multiple possibilities for encouragement; that way, if one of your champions has a crisis, you will have another support avenue. Support might be found from counselors, ministers, self-help groups, classes or workshops. It is not unusual when learning to live from a new perspective to occasionally slide into old habits. When this happens, you may need to reconsider why you made the change in the first place. If you still find the change to be of higher value than the old way, simply start again without self-blame. I want you to know that while change may include making some difficult choices, the quality of your life could greatly improve with some carefully selected adjustments. You are valuable and deserve your own attention. You may even experience a whole new life! 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.
(continued from page 18) 3. Microwave the chocolate chips in the Ziploc bag in 30 second increments until the chocolate has melted. You don’t want the chocolate to be pure liquid, nor do you want it to be too firm or the spiders’ legs will be too thick (I had to experiment with this a few times to get it right). 4. Once you have the chocolate chips melted to the desired texture, cut a small hole in the corner of the Ziploc bag so you can “draw” on top of the muffin. 5. Draw 8 spider legs on the muffins and put a dollop of chocolate right in the middle of the muffin. 6. Turn the mini peanut butter cup upside down and press it into the dollop of chocolate so it will “stick” to the muffin. 7. Then, using a knife, smear a little
melted chocolate on to the peanut butter cup and press the candy eyes into the chocolate. 8. Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes so everything can set. 9. Voila– a spider muffin! Take photos and 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.
THANK YOU! TO OUR READERS ADVERTISERS AND SUPPORTERS
Pick up your copy of the HomeTown News every first Thursday of the month. Please visit us at thehtn.com & facebook.com/thehtn and email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com! Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 21
Photos by Annette Buhl. Photos by Joe Guglielmo.
People danced, rocked out and crafted their way through the Emerson Avenue Community Garden’s third annual Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (WAM) on September 15. Thousands of community members attended the event, which combines live music, art, vendors and a strong sense of neighborhood pride, to the delight of organizers who created the event to raise money to support the community garden located on the campus of Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School. Page 22 • October 2018
“We’d like to thank everyone who and the Moms Club of Westchester, came out to support WAM,” said as music from more than a dozen event organizer and Westchester acts filled the air. A silent disco was resident John Sharpe. “We love introduced for the first time this year, being able to bring this event to the with guests dancing to the rhythm community and an element of cool in their headsets, while families to the neighborhood. Great bands, enjoyed the kids’ zone in the garden good food and a friendly and diverse or shopped for arts & crafts. community vibe has turned WAM The Venice and Inglewood High into a can’t miss event.” School marching band brought Attendees with sprout hair clips the house down when they joined strolled Emerson Ave. while checking Indie group, Trapdoor Social, for an out community booths hosted by inspiring finale performance that local businesses and organizations, highlighted the students’ talent. The including LiveYoga Wellness, WISH audience couldn’t help but jump to Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del
their feet from the Stephanie Younger Group-sponsored beer and wine garden to catch a better view. “We’re really proud that WAM is an event that people can look forward to every year,” said Sharpe. “We couldn’t do it without support from all corners of the community, and this is just another example of why Westchester rocks.” The money raised at WAM will be used for a permanent build-out of the garden, and in the future, there are plans for a $100,000 capital campaign to complete the garden’s master plan. Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
October 2018 • Page 23
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News