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Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
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You’re invited to the WAM Block Party
More info page 6
Playa del Rey business owners pose for a photo on Culver Boulevard outside of Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant.
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Community Spotlight: Westchester Lariats WAM Block Party takes over Emerson Ave. Meet your Playa del Rey business owners Secrets from the Inn: Margarita Muffins
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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 21 Cedars-Sinai 02 Covenant Presbyterian Church 21 Drollinger Properties 07, 10 El Segundo Car Wash 14 Food Pantry, LAX 21 Inn at Playa del Rey 19 LAWA’s VIP Program 22 Loyola Marymount 04 Marina del Rey Hospital 24 Melody Bar and Grill 05 Neighborhood Council 23 Playa del Rey Women’s Club 16
Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Rainbow Acres SoCalGas Socal Sports and Fitness The Bay Foundation Vergari and Napolitano Visitation School WAM Block Party Westchester Elks Lodge Westchester Farmers’ Market Westchester Town Center BID Westside Pacific Village Zacha Homes Zsuzsi Photography
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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.
Interested in Advertising Your Business or Organization? Let us help you promote your business, organization or event to our readers! Contact us for rates and to reserve space at: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2017 • Page 3
Community Spotlight: Lariats bring six decades of dance to Westchester During the first week of August, seven local middle and high school students participated in a Westchester Lariats goodwill tour to the Big Island of Hawaii. A summer tour is a Westchester Lariats annual tradition, made possible, in part, through fundraising and donations. The Lariats performed a variety of dances for a large audience at Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale, a senior recreation facility in Hilo operated by the Hawaii County Nutrition Program. The Lariats also participated in a “dance exchange,” where teachers and students at Hawaii Community College shared dance history and traditions from the Hilo region, performed several dances and taught the Lariats an inspiring new dance honoring the Hawaiian Sea Turtles also known as “honu.” As part of the exchange, the Lariats shared some Americana dances with this group as well. On the trip, the Lariats had the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of hula at the Legends of Hawaii Luau in Waikoloa. There was also plenty of time to explore the Big Island’s volcanoes and beaches, before heading
Page 4 • September 2017
The Westchester Lariats pose after the dance exchange at Hawaii Community College.
back home to Westchester and back to school. “The Lariat tour was an amazing experience, not only to be among friends, but also to learn about the culture and to further enhance our education in dance,” said Isabel Van Aalst, who will be going into her 10th year with the dance group. The Westchester Lariats is a nonprofit organization that has
been serving youth in Westchester and surrounding areas since the 1950s. Originally an after-school square dancing club, over the decades the Lariats have expanded their repertoire to include dances from around the world. Affordable classes for girls and boys in grades K-12 are offered on Monday nights for beginning students, Junior Lariats and Performing Lariats (upon instructor approval). During
the school year, the Performing Lariats have periodic social events and can earn community service credit by performing at schools and community events. “The Westchester Lariats is a oneof-a-kind organization and an amazing asset to our community,” said Ina Hall, Westchester Lariats Co-President. “The girls and boys in our group not only learn international dances, but also about world cultures and traditions, all while building friendships, giving back to the community, and of course, having fun!” The Lariats start their fall semester of classes on Monday, September 11 at the Westchester United Methodist Church, located at 8065 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to join the group for the opportunity to celebrate diversity through weekly dance classes. New students are welcome to drop in for a trial class any time. For more information, please visit westchesterlariats.org or like “The Westchester Lariats” page on Facebook. Interested in being featured as a community spotlight? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2017 • Page 5
Business & Nonprofit News
TheHTN.com
This month the Emerson Avenue Community Garden will host the Westchester Arts and Music Block Party featuring live music, dancing, vendors, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more.
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An adult primary care office is scheduled to open in late September at the facility and a pediatric primary care and obstetrics and gynecology office are scheduled to open in late October. The medical offices are located at 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Playa Vista. For more info, visit cedars-sinai.edu.
Photo by Glenn Marzano.
Westchester Arts and Music Block Party takes over Emerson Ave. on September 23. The community is invited to attend the second annual Westchester Arts and Music (WAM) Block Party on Saturday, September 23. Hosted by the Emerson Avenue Community Garden, the event is a free all-day long celebration that combines live music, dancing, art, community booths, food and neighborhood camaraderie. This year, for those 21 and older, the event will also feature a beer and wine garden. The family-friendly event will feature 11 music and dance performances throughout the day and kids’ activities will take place in the Emerson Avenue Garden (on the campus of Wright STEAM Magnet) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The activities include face painting, chalk drawing, a giant bubble station, story telling, family photos, succulent planting and more. Food trucks, vendor booths and art demos round out the event. The WAM Block Party will take place on a closed portion of Emerson Avenue between 80th Street and 80th Place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to walk or ride their bike to the event, but parking is available on the campus of Wright STEAM Magnet, via the entrances on W. 80th St. and Cowan Ave. (signs will be posted). For more info and a full lineup of activities and entertainment, please visit wamblockparty.org.
Local protectors from the LAPD Pacific Division, Sheriff’s department, Highway Patrol, Coastguard and LAFD are honored at last year’s Protectors’ Luncheon.
Local businesses celebrate Protective Agencies at luncheon. Kevin Demoff, the Los Angeles Ram’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations and Chief Operating Officer, will be the keynote speaker at the LAX Coastal Chamber’s 22nd annual Protectors’ Luncheon. At the event, more than 50 men and women–from the LAPD Pacific Area, Marina del Rey Sheriff’s Station, California Highway Patrol, L.A. Country Lifeguards, US Coastguard, LAWA Police and the LAFD–will be invited to join the business community for lunch and entertainment as a thank you for their heroism in protecting and serving the community. At the event, each protector is also given a gift bag with items provided by local
businesses. The Protectors’ Luncheon will take place on Monday, September 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Los Angeles Hotel. The cost to attend is $60. For more info or to RSVP, please visit laxcoastal.com. Cedars-Sinai opens new offices in Playa Vista. Cedars-Sinai recently opened a new urgent care facility in Playa Vista’s Runway. Located on the second floor above Lyfe Kitchen, the urgent care is open noon to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend. In addition to treating common conditions like cold and flu, ear infections and sprains, the office also has an on-site lab and X-ray services.
Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd. raises money for Hurricane Harvey aid. With all of the devastation in Houston due to Hurricane Harvey, 25-year Rotarian, Howard Pollack, knew he wanted to help. As the owner of Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd., he sprung into action, hanging his Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary banner at the store. Pollack offered to match donations up to $5,000 for anyone looking to contribute to Rotary’s emergency relief fund. Shoppers at the local health food store could not have been more generous, and in just four days, nearly $12,000 was raised with 100% of the proceeds going to the Houston Area Rotary Club District 5890 to help those impacted by the hurricane. “I was blown away and very thankful for the generosity that our customers gave through Rainbow Acres,” said Pollack. “By opening their hearts and wallets they showed the good that is still in the world. I feel privileged to be part of Rotary International and all the good they do, locally, nationally and globally.”
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
LMU to be recognized at The Bay Foundation’s Coastal Connections. On Thursday, September 28, Loyola Marymount University will be honored by The Bay Foundation (TBF) at its Third Annual Coastal Connections fundraiser. The family-friendly event will be held at a customized venue in Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. The evening will celebrate everyone’s connections with the coast, and will feature a 360-degree virtual reality experience of the Santa Monica Beach Restoration Project and exploration with TBF’s new unmanned submarine, R2Deep2. In addition to LMU, which is being honored for its work as a research partner in the Center for Santa Monica Bay Studies since 2008, the film “A Plastic Ocean” and the Pasadena and Santa Monica Patagonia Stores will also be honored. “We are truly grateful to be honored by such an esteemed organization in the environmental field,” says Tina Choe, Ph.D., Dean of LMU’s Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering. “By working on The Bay Foundation’s projects that benefit the
Photo by Ballerini Cooley Studios.
Cultural Dinner to honor Westchester’s Garrett Smith. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary (PVSR) Club recently announced that it will honor longtime Westchester resident, Garrett Smith, with its Sunrise Community Service Award at its annual Cultural Dinner. With the theme “Argentinian Nights: It takes ‘You’ to Tango,” the dinner is a time to celebrate a community member that has made a difference in the lives of others and lives their life by the Rotary Four Way Test. Smith is being honored for his work as an outstanding volunteer with a variety of community groups including the local Rotary clubs, the Neighborhood Council and the LAX Coastal Chamber, where he has been named the honorary mayor, according to PVSR President, Gwen Vuchsas. The Cultural Dinner is the club’s largest fundraiser of the year and enables the 60-member club, which meets every Wednesday morning at Whiskey Red’s, the ability to fund the Teacher Mini-Grants, the Holiday Adopt-A-Family program, provide scholarships to students and support local fire fighters. The club also holds a variety of community events throughout the year, including a pancake breakfast at Fire Station #5 and a St. Patrick’s Day BingoFest at Visitation. The Cultural Dinner will take place on Wednesday, October 18 at the Playa Vista CenterPointe Club. The cost to attend is $100. For more info or to purchase tickets, please visit playavenice.org.
Garrett Smith will be honored with the Sunrise Community Service Award at the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary’s Cultural Dinner in October.
environment, our students are able to live out the LMU mission to make the world a better place. Cultivating this sense of environmental stewardship among our students is crucial as we graduate the leaders of tomorrow who will transform the world.” The event will include a delicious buffet and bar, sketch artists and passes for all the rides and games. Interested in learning more or purchasing a ticket? Please visit santamonicabay.org. Visitors welcome at the Westchester/ Playa Historical Society Room. Westchester’s Jewel and Playa’s Treasures presented by the Westchester/Playa Historical Society is open for visitors during the Sunday Westchester Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Located at 6205 W. 87th Street in Westchester, the historical society room is made possible through a generous donation of space by the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation. The room houses photos, albums and historical society treasures for visitors to peruse. Photos showcasing Westchester in the 1940s and 1950s, as well as an aviation-themed digital photo display are currently on exhibit, with another show planned for the fall. Volunteers are also being sought to help organize and catalog the historical society’s collection, as well as to help volunteer at the space on Sundays. For more info about volunteering, please call (310) 645-5151 and visit facebook.com/ WestchesterPlayaHistory. 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.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2017 • Page 7
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Early Childhood Center Director, Kelly Massey, and WNS Head of School, Brad Zacuto, pose in front of the preschool play area at the new campus.
Westside Neighborhood School celebrates opening of new campus. Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) celebrated the new school year with the opening of its third campus as part of its Tri-Campus Master Plan. The school’s third building, located across from its other two campuses, has been transformed from a former warehouse space into a state-of-theart facility. The new campus houses a STEAM Academic Learning Center, a full-size gym and an early childhood center. With the opening of the new early childhood center, WNS will now serve students 2+ through eighth grade, with roughly 520 students from over 50 zip codes enrolled at the school. The school’s newest campus was designed to be super flexible and create a hands-on learning environment for students. Highlights of the new campus include a larger visual arts center for middle school students, complete with an outdoor kiln, and classrooms that are designed to transform with the needs of the students and teachers thanks to movable walls and furniture that also double as dry erase boards. For those interested in learning more about WNS, the school will
community on Friday, September 15 from 5 to 10 p.m. for its last Food Truck Friday Night of the summer. The event is themed “Be True to Your School” and will feature a variety of food trucks with items for purchase. Music, a bake sale, activities for kids and a beer and wine garden round out Food Truck Friday Nights. The event is free to attend, with food available for purchase. Visitation school is located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester.
Members of the LAX Kiwanis Club pose with Westport Heights students and principal, Jacqueline Hughes, after their shopping spree at Kohl’s.
be holding tours starting this month. For more info, please visit wnsk8. com. Kiwanis Club hosts shopping spree. The LAX Kiwanis Club recently treated Westport Heights students to a shopping spree at Kohl’s Westchester. This is an annual event for the service club, which regularly partners with the Westchester elementary school for the shopping trip and a holiday gift basket program. The students were treated with breakfast from the Renaissance Los
Angeles Hotel and then transported on a Wally Park shuttle to Kohl’s. After the students selected new outfits for the school year, they were also given backpacks filled with school supplies from LAWA. The LAX Kiwanis Club meets every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Los Angeles Hotel. For more info on the club, please visit laxkiwanis.org. Visitation hosts last Food Truck Friday Night of the season. Join the Visitation School
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Save the date: Annual School Expo. The LAX Coastal Chamber and the LAX Coastal Education Foundation will host the annual School Expo on Tuesday, October 24 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Westchester YMCA Annex. The Annex is located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. At the expo, attendees can learn about the different school choices in the area from representatives from local public, private and charter schools. The event is free and open to the public. For more info, please call the chamber office at (310) 645-5151. More details will also be available in next month’s HomeTown News. Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
September 2017 • Page 9
Best Of Editor’s Picks
Annenberg PetSpace
Since opening in late June, the Annenberg PetSpace has become a destination for not only those looking to adopt a dog, cat or rabbit, but also those looking to strengthen the human/
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Photo Courtesy LAWA.
Photo Courtesy HHLA.
In last month’s Best Of issue, we celebrated and highlighted some of the best our community has to offer in the categories of Business, Food & Drink, Health & Wellness, Community and Family voted on by our readers. This month, we wanted to continue to recognize some of the businesses and organizations that deserve a shout out for their work in helping better the community by offering new services for people and animals (Annenberg PetSpace), upgrading the shopping and entertainment options for the neighborhood (HHLA) and making the airport a safer, better neighbor (LAX). Here are this month’s picks:
TheHTN.com
animal bond. With an interactive space that includes a human-powered hamster wheel, a slide and animals that are happy and easily viewed, a trip to PetSpace makes a great family-friendly outing. Schedule your visit during one of their events like “Paws and Pages,” for a chance to read to adoptable pets or during a grooming demonstration to ask their Animal Care Team questions and get tips on how to help your animals remain happy and healthy. And who knows, with $80 adoption fees and so many lovable pets looking for their “furever” homes, you may just come home with a new family member! The Annenberg PetSpace is located at 12005 Bluff Creek Dr. in Playa Vista and is open Wednesday through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the Annenberg PetSpace is free. For more info and a complete list of events, visit annenbergpetspace.org.
HHLA
(formerly Promenade at Howard Hughes)
Westchester is in need of more dining, retail and entertainment options, so the makeover of HHLA (formerly the Promenade at Howard Hughes) can’t come soon enough. Undergoing its first major investment since opening in 2001, the center is currently undergoing a $30 million transformation that hopes to see HHLA “once again become connected to residents and the greater Westchester community.” Upgrades to the center include a facade with a more modern aesthetic and the transformation of HHLA’s courtyard to include an outdoor screening area, fire pit and an outdoor lounge. Cinemark Theaters and Dave & Busters will remain anchor tenants of the property, and when construction is complete in 2018, expect a new and exciting mix of restaurants, entertainment and retailers to help the center thrive.
LAX
This month marks the one year anniversary of the L.A. City Council approving an agreement that effectively halts the movement of LAX’s northern most runway from moving closer to Westchester and Playa del Rey. While that’s great news for the community, there’s more in store from LAX that will positively impact the neighborhood. LAX is currently in the midst of a $14 billion capital improvement project, which includes the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). With currently more than 50% of air travelers traveling to the airport via car, the project will hopefully help ease traffic in the community through the creation of an automated people mover to transport travelers to and from the airport from an off site facility and provide roadway improvements.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2017 • Page 11
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.
Playa del Rey business owners representing Mo’s Place, Cantalini’s,The Harbor Room, Matilla Realty, Cafe Milan, Del Rey Cleaners, Seaside Salon, The Playa Post, Miracle Shoe Repair,The Inn at Playa Del Rey, Playa del Rey Florist, Seaside Grooming, Flowers by Felicia, Hacienda Playa, Del Rey Deli and Ace Dry Cleaners, gather for a photo to show their solidarity for supporting local business.
The last few months have been challenging for the little beach town of Playa del Rey, with many neighbors pitted against each other over roadway changes that have reduced lanes on Vista del Mar, Culver Boulevard, Jefferson Boulevard and Pershing Drive. Whether you’re for or against the road diet, perhaps an unforeseen consequence of the road changes is the impact to the small business climate in Playa del Rey. “We feel that people have been avoiding our area as a result of increased traffic into town, and we want to help find a way to create a comprehensive alternative that provides safer streets for all, increased mobility and supports a vibrant business community,” said Lisa Schwab who owns Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant and is a member of the Playa del Rey Safer Streets Task Force formed by Councilmember Bonin. With the goal to work together in an attempt to offer road safety alternatives to the recent lane reductions, some 20 small, local business owners in Playa del Rey have also recently created a coalition to make sure their voices are heard by decision-makers and their businesses can continue to successfully serve the community they’re all dedicated to. While we’ve heard anecdotally about sales being impacted by the roadway changes, The Hometown News recently met with local shop owners to find out how business has been doing the last few months. While every person we spoke to supported safe streets and reduced speeds in the neighborhood, the flow of customers into town seems to be the thing that has really slowed down. With so many small businesses in Playa del Rey eager to provide great service to their customers–both those that live locally and those just traveling through–we decided to highlight some of our favorite businesses and ask them to share their thoughts on commerce in Playa del Rey with a Q&A. Page 12 • September 2017
Small businesses help make up the backbone of every community, so we hope you will consider patronizing these local spots next time you’re looking for a date night restaurant, a stiff drink, a staycation, or a service they offer. Let’s support Playa del Rey!
Cantalini’s Salerno Beach
193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey Salerno Beach Restaurant opened in 1962 and is a wonderful piece of Playa del Rey history. Since 2000, Lisa Schwab has owned the local hot spot and infused her family’s recipes, taking care to offer the very best in traditional Italian cuisine. They are open for lunch and dinner and offer takeout, delivery and full service catering. Q. How has your business been impacted by the road diet? A. We have seen a steady decline in early seatings and Friday night reservations, and our delivery sales have really suffered due to increased travel time. Overall, we have seen a significant dip in what is usually our strongest season. Many customers have complained that it is just too hard to get into Playa, and we have lost many large party bookings as a result. Q. What would you like to see happen? A. I would like to see the lanes restored, as well as an effective way of slowing speeds during non-commuter hours; and more pedestrian protections like lighted crosswalks and a safe bike/pedestrian walkway built alongside the wetlands, separate from
the existing highway. I would love to see Culver Blvd. and Jefferson beautified throughout the wetlands so they can be better enjoyed, while keeping everyone safe. Q. What would you like to tell the community about your business or Playa del Rey? A. At Cantalini’s, we are honored to keep our family traditions alive. We take great pride in serving delicious, home-style Italian cuisine, while providing the very best in service, quality and value. One of my grandmother’s greatest joys was having people over for dinner. She loved to cook and you could taste the love in everything she put on the table. We want our guests to feel that same warmth and comfort that comes from great food, made from the heart. We want you to always feel welcome at Cantalini’s, and we look forward to serving you! Why we love Cantalini’s: Not only is the pasta delicious and the atmosphere friendly, but owner Lisa Schwab is super generous when it comes to supporting local nonprofits and community events.
Playa del Rey Florist
307 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey Playa del Rey Florist was established in 1950. Now owned by Lance Williams, they provide flowers to businesses, homes, hotels and restaurants on a weekly basis. They truly enjoy being here for people, whether it’s a happy or a sad occasion; when they deliver flowers, they are comforting and uplifting. They deliver locally and throughout
the city in their trucks. Q. How has your business been impacted by the road diet? A. We have many customers, especially from Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey, who just don’t come in anymore. They do not want to fight the traffic. We have witnessed people making U-turns out of the traffic lanes and calling us to cancel the orders. Our delivery drivers are taking around 30% longer to deliver less deliveries, because they spend more time in traffic both in and out of the city. This is a waste of time, money and fuel. Q. What would you like to see happen? A. We want safe streets and we want drivers to slow down and be more careful, but traffic could still flow smoothly with all lanes being returned to Culver Blvd. Placing multiple speed bumps, and/or rumble strips, could slow everyone down and still maintain a safe flow of traffic. We want locals and others from farther away to come to Playa del Rey and enjoy our beautiful community and what it has to offer–just safely and smoothly. We could also use more parking in the neighborhood, but we understand the limitations. Q. What would you like to tell the community about your business or Playa del Rey? A. We have faithfully served this community for decades, and we hope to continue to do so for decades to come. We live, work and serve this community. Whether it is a birthday party, a wedding, a funeral, a corporate dinner, or a charity event like “The Jungle Clean-up,” we are a part of the community and we want to have our community come together. We love this community and welcome everyone to come to our store or have us bring plants and flowers to them. Why we love Playa del Rey Florist: Williams and his team make beautiful arrangements perfect for any occasion, and have a strong sense of community pride for Playa del Rey.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
The Playa Post
221 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey Since 2013, The Playa Post, owned by Carolinne Wittlin, has been the spot for neighbors to shop locally for fashion and accessories at the beach. They carry new clothing, TOMS sunglasses, the Santa Monica-based Beautycounter line and they focus on local brands. Q. How has your business been impacted by the road diet? A. Locals have said they avoid coming to town during the day to run errands because of the gridlock. That affects our weekly daytime traffic. Q. What would you like to see happen? A. We would like to see the lanes go back, so that traffic patterns go back to the way they were prior to the Bonin lane changes. Q. What would you like to tell the community about your business or Playa del Rey? A. For us, we opened to fulfill a need in the town for bright, new fashion right down the street, and I am sure the other local businesses opened to serve the community as well, so we can have a hair salon, local florists, local coffee shops and cafes. We are here for the community. Why we love The Playa Post:
Flowers by Felicia
8428 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey Serving the community for 28 years, Flowers by Felicia & Coffee Garden, owned by Felicia St. Denis, is a full-service flower/gift shop, with an adjacent coffee house serving City Bean Coffee and La Brea Baked goods. Q. How has your business been impacted by the road diet? A. With Pershing being a single lane that now usually snakes back to World Way West by 7 a.m., it has discouraged locals who simply cannot get in and out for a cup of joe. Lots of our regulars now only come in on weekends. In the afternoon, it’s the same thing, only coming from the 90 Freeway and it’s taking 20+ minutes to get into Playa. It’s really hard to turn left into the lot and customers are frustrated. Also, our deliveries now take much longer. Q. What would you like to see happen? A. Recently I was driving on Culver, and I saw a couple of bikers in the
same lane going different directions, and they passed each other without incident. Maybe we can give them one lane and keep our two lane roads at the same time. If you want safe streets, we could have more police visibility; seeing a cop with a radar gun is a great deterrent to speeders! Q. What would you like to tell the community about your business or Playa del Rey? A. People have called my store “Cheers” because it seems like everyone knows each other. There have been many friendships made at our community table! We all agree Playa is an awesome town. The people here make it such a special community; they’re always happy to support their local businesses. Why we love Flowers by Felicia: Felicia’s beautiful arrangements pop up all over town, wowing at local events, so stop in for arrangements, cute gifts or a morning pick-me-up cup of coffee. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
This perfectly curated shop is cute and trendy, with a great selection of clothing and gifts for locals to peruse before they hit the beach.
Inn at Playa del Rey
435 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey The Inn at Playa del Rey is a small boutique hotel whose rates include
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
a full breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres. Guests can enjoy recently updated rooms and amenities to fit almost any budget. The Inn has been open since 1995 and is owned by Susan Zolla. Q. How has your business been impacted by the road diet? A. Our summer business comes in many forms and because of the lane closure, it is not coming. There are no drive-bys. Who wants to try to get to Playa del Rey on a summer night? They can’t even get there in the afternoon. There’s not so many visiting relatives. If neighbors put their parents or adult children at the Inn as the usual pattern, the local relative won’t be able to pick them up for dinner or for the airport, so they go to Marina del Rey instead. Stop by on your way home from work? You won’t be able to get out. And people who used to get off a plane and come to us, don’t. So we have had the worst occupancy in our history for June, July and August. The same three months are the best on record for Los Angeles area hotels, and our TripAdvisor reviews are still five star. We laid off some staff and count the bike riders during our new found down time. There have been one or two bikes a day at most and lines of traffic backed up for miles. So, tell me, who wins? Q. What would you like to see happen? A. Our solution: certainly make a bike lane. Have the state donate 6-feet of wetland property all along Culver. We would welcome the weeds and (continued on page 15)
September 2017 • Page 13
Recipes from the Inn: margarita muffins
As the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” But what do you do when you get limes–lots and lots of limes? This week we had an abundance of limes at the Inn at Playa del Rey, so my coworker, Kristin, issued a challenge to our fellow innkeeper, Maggie: “I challenge you to bake something yummy with limes!” Challenge issued. Challenge accepted! Maggie took our basic muffin recipe and changed things up a bit to make these fabulous “Margarita Muffins.” The guests loved them, and we hope you do too! Margarita Muffins (Adapted from our favorite basic muffin recipe) • 1 cup butter, melted and cooled • 1 ¼ cups milk • 4 eggs • Zest of 3 limes • Zest of ½ orange • 1/8 cup fresh lime juice • 1 Tbsp. fresh orange juice • 1 Tbsp. tequila (optional) • 3 ½ cups flour • 1 ½ cups sugar • 2 Tbsp. baking powder • 1 teaspoon salt For the glaze and garnish: • About 1 ½ cups powdered sugar • 1/3 cup lime juice (to be whisked
powdered sugar in a small bowl. Using a fork or whisk, stir in lime juice one or two tablespoons at a time. You may need to add more powdered sugar or lime juice to reach the desired consistency. The glaze should not be runny or watery, and it should not be thick like frosting. You will know you have the right consistency when you can put a spoonful on top of a muffin, and it slowly spreads out to cover the top of the muffin. You may need to use your spoon to spread it a little bit. The glaze will drip over the sides in some places, and this is great! It makes the muffins prettier. To “salt” the muffin, gently touch the top of a glazed muffin to the salt on your plate, but only in 3 or 4 places. Don’t salt the entire rim of the muffin or your breakfast pastry will be overwhelmed with a salty flavor! This recipe makes 36 muffins. *** 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.
Photo by Kristin Guinn.
By Rebecca Hill, Innkeeper
Add just a touch of flaky sea salt to the rim of the muffin for a sweet and salty treat.
gradually into powdered sugar; you might not use it all) • ¼ cup course or flaky sea salt on a small plate or saucer Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease muffin tins. 2. Melt the 1 cup butter, set it aside and let it cool to room temperature (but not harden). 3. In a large bowl, whisk the milk and eggs together. Mix in the cooled melted butter.
4. Whisk in the zests and citrus juices. 5. In a separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 6. Add dry mixture to wet ingredients and stir until incorporated. The batter will be lumpy. 7. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins, about ¾ full. 8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is “springy” when poked or when a toothpick or fork comes out clean. To garnish your cocktail-inspired muffins: Start with about a cup of
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 14 • September 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Playa del Rey (continued) (continued from page 13) fire hazards cut back to make this path, and in some areas, there already is a path, but it is all overgrown. Why we love the Inn at Playa del Rey: The hotel has a serene, relaxing vibe with terrific views of the Ballona Wetlands and the Marina’s main channel, making it the perfect spot for a staycation or putting up your favorite relatives when they come to visit.
Miracle Shoe Repair
324 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey Miracle Shoe Repair, owned by Ray Karapetyan, specializes in quality shoe, handbag, luggage and leather goods repair. Recognized by CBSlocal.com as a top 5 in Los Angeles, they’ve been voted Best of the Westside for the last two years in a row, and have been in business for 14 years. Q. How has your business been impacted by the road diet? A. The road diet has directly impacted us! Clientele from other nearby towns are avoiding driving to us now. Our area on Waze or Google maps shows up in burgundy,
not even red anymore, as heavy traffic. Usually what used to take them 15 minutes to visit us, now takes more than 30 to 45 minutes round trip. On top of the heavy traffic, it is hard to turn around anywhere, due to new lane changes and left turns, to park to come visit us. Q. What would you like to see happen? A. I simply would like to get our lanes back. Period! There was nothing wrong with the lanes before, so they should get reversed. We can implement other safety measures, like speed bumps, more crosswalks, blinking yellow lights indicating drivers to slow down and speedometers showing how fast cars are traveling. The speeding is still going on after 7 p.m. Q. What would you like to tell the community about your business or Playa del Rey? A. We are being turned into enemies just because we do not support the road diet. We are directly impacted by these changes. We already have fired one of our part-time employees, and it is hard to operate on a daily basis due to lack of business. We are all for safety, but please let’s come up with better ideas before we are gone for good. Why we love Miracle Shoe Repair: This highly rated shop can have your shoes, handbags and leather items looking like new again, thanks to their expert staff. (continued on page 19)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2017 • Page 15
Calendar September 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 opening Friday, September 8 and 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.
Surprise Pop-up at Playa Vista Playa Vista is home to another surprise pop-up this month on Saturday, September 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Clues include a chance to get crafty with help from Otis College of Art and Design, who is hosting this familyfriendly activity. The pop-up will
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TheHTN.com take place on “The Lawn,” located on Bluff Creek Drive between McConnell Avenue and Village Drive. For more info, visit playavista.com/ events.
Fiesta Day at the Centinela Adobe
you reserve by September 11 and $60 thereafter, if space available. The class is held at Holy Nativity Church’s Community Hall, located at 6700 W. 83rd Street in Westchester. To reserve your spot, please email Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash.com.
Visit the Centinela Adobe on Sunday, September 10 from noon to 4 p.m. for their annual Fiesta Day! Hosted by the Historical Society of the Centinela Adobe, guests are invited to stroll through the area’s first home, while enjoying the sights and sounds of Mariachi music and the Grupo Folklorico Mexicaltitan. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The Centinela Adobe is located at 7634 Midfield Ave. in Westchester. For more info, please visit centinelaadobe.org.
Speed Networking
Westside Voices Concert
LMU Community Open House
Join the Westside Voices, a local a cappella group, for their next concert on Sunday, September 10. The “Comedy Tonight” show will feature such hits as “Happy Trails,” “Under the Sea,” and “One Perfect Rose.” The concert starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Westchester United Method Church, located at 8065 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. There is a suggested donation of $10. To RSVP, please call Penny at (310) 670-3777 or for more info, please call Harris Levey at (310) 822-9067.
The community is invited to LMU’s 4th Annual Open House and Picnic on Saturday, September 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The picnic will take place on the Hannon Field at LMU (1 LMU Drive in Westchester). At the open house, guests will be treated to lunch, music, kid-friendly activities and a chance to socialize with neighbors. This year’s event will
Interested in meeting some new business connections? On Tuesday, September 26, from 7:45 to 9 a.m. you’re invited to a speed networking event at the LAX Coastal Chamber office. Meet new contacts in 3-5 minute intervals over coffee and treats at this informal networking opportunity. The cost is $10 to participate. For more info and to RSVP, please visit laxcoastal.com. The chamber office is located at 9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 210 in Westchester.
also feature a special collaboration with LMU’s Athletic Department. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required and can be made by calling (310) 338-2759 or by email at community@lmu.edu. Parking is free during the weekends on campus. For those driving, please enter from LMU Drive.
Strange Experiments of the T-Shirt Kind Playa del Rey’s Clean {aesthetic} presents “Strange Experiments of the T-shirt Kind” a bizarre graphic t-shirt and art print show like you’ve never experienced before. For one night only, the Clean {aesthetic} store in Playa del Rey will be transformed into a space reminiscent of the “Twilight Zone,” filled with one-off, limited edition t-shirts that range from low-key designs to ludicrous all-over prints that can only be found at the show, never to be made again! The walls will be filled to the brim with experimental designs, original drawings and exclusive art prints. The show will take place on Saturday, September 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. at CLEAN {aesthetic}, located at 323 Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey. The event is free and open for all ages.
La Cucina Italiana Cooking Class On Thursday, September 14, join Fresh Food in a Flash for their annual La Cucina Italiana cooking class. During the class, students will learn how to make roasted pepper rolls; butternut squash risotto; roasted zucchini timbales; baked polenta with Italian sausage and tomato; and baked Alaska/ Alps with chocolate gelato and burnt meringue served with raspberry sauce. The cooking class fee is $50 when
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2017 • Page 17
Thank you for voting Robin Zacha a Favorite Real Estate Agent! Zacha Homes believes in building lasting relationships and since 1995 we have built a reputation based on that belief. We are part of your neighborhood, and remain.
www.zachahomes.com Page 18 • September 2017
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Playa del Rey (continued) Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
pen? A. I truly understand that everyone has concerns. Everyone wants safety, but I find it odd that the people that are for the road diet are saying that we don’t want safety! People do what they want; they are still speeding and they are still making illegal turns. We need to find a happy medium. We should all be able to sit down at a table. We need to put in more safety improvements like speed bumps and more crosswalks; I find that an easy fix. Putting in speed bumps is easy, if you really want safety. Pretty soon you are going to have an empty town. People feel we don’t want bicycles here, but this is the beach. Of course we all want bicycles, but we can’t get rid of the cars. Q. What would you like to tell the community about your business or Playa del Rey? I just want to say that I’ve been here for 23 years, and I love Playa del Rey. I’d do anything for Playa del Rey. We donate to all charities, we even do a cancer drive every year. This is a truly wonderful community, but I hate to say it, Mike Bonin has torn this community in half. This has put the community against each other. We are all grown-ups here and not everyone’s ideas are right. We should fix this and try to make everyone happy. Everyone should be nicer to each other and respect each other’s opinion. Life is too short. Why we love Mo’s Place: The bar’s pool tables and great happy hour menu make Mo’s the place to take your friends for a fun night out.
Mo’s Place
203 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey Mo’s Place is a fun, neighborhood hangout with good food and drinks, where people go to have a good time. Owner Mo Krant has been there 23 years and says he loves his employees and his neighborhood. Q. How has your business been impacted by the road diet? A. A lot of people I know are telling me it’s taking them 40 minutes to come from Culver City, but whether it’s Culver City or Playa Vista or the Marina, or even from Westchester, people only have a short amount of time to eat and they can’t get here. Even my happy hour has been impacted and it’s probably the cheapest in town, but people just can’t get down here. Q. What would you like to see hap-
Thank you for voting us Best Inn/Hotel!
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435 Culver Blvd. Playa del Rey, CA 90293 (310) 574-1920
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September 2017 • Page 19
Random Notes/Opinion
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Focus, dedication can conquer any obstacle By Jeff Blair Opinion: When considering our fitness goals, obstacles are often the first thing that come to mind. Whether the issue is lack of time, low energy or just not knowing how to get started, these challenges present real barriers. Since most don’t have a simple solution to these issues, we often delay or abandon starting a fitness program. Nick Pecarich faced the same challenges everyone else does. He is married and has a very busy and demanding career. He works long hours. He is in his 50s. He did not grow up working out and didn’t even start working out until he was 42-years-old. Despite these challenges, Pecarich has achieved great fitness success. He can perform a 55-pound side plank (a core strength test) for 90 seconds and, trust me, that is a very difficult feat! He has also lost over 60 pounds in 14 months despite his very busy work schedule. I sat down with him recently to probe the secrets to his success.
Although Pecarich was athletic as a kid, he never formally worked out until experiencing an injury when he was in his 40s. He started by simply riding a recumbent bike. Eventually he fell out of his exercise routine until taking up strength training at 53-years-old. Pecarich increased his strength over the next year and a half, but his weight was much higher than he wanted and he didn’t feel great physically. In June of 2016, he committed to losing 60 pounds. He tried working out very early in the morning, but found this wasn’t the best fit for him. He found he prefers to work out after work as he gets a second wind in the evening. He gets himself fired up for his evening workout throughout his workday. On the diet and nutrition side, Pecarich finds eating the same thing for breakfast and lunch works better for him than focusing on variety. He eats a lot of lean proteins and vegetables. He allows himself one cheat day every week, but he says he usually doesn’t go overboard. He eats bigger
portions on his cheat days, and he might allow himself a few drinks and eat a dessert or two. When asked how he maintained the focus to lose 60 pounds, Pecarich said it really just comes down to making a commitment to succeed and then sticking with that commitment. He doesn’t allow himself to miss workouts and takes a work-minded approach to his workouts. When he comes to the gym, Pecarich says he is “here to work” and always wants to do the best he can. Pecarich’s commitment and focus have produced great benefits. He says he feels better than he has in his entire life. He looks much younger, and he fits in many clothes he couldn’t wear previously. He mentioned he recently wore a Hugo Boss suit that now fits again to a wedding where he “danced all night long” as his energy has greatly increased. On the health side, Pecarich’s progress is nothing short of amazing. At his last medical checkup, his doctor was stunned and told him he now had many of the vital signs of a teenager. His blood pressure and cholesterol
have both dropped dramatically. He offers these words of advice to anyone considering starting a fitness program: “Just get off the couch and start. Start moving any way you can. I started working out later in life, and you can too. Develop a mindset that you want to do and be better. Be aware complete focus and dedication can conquer any obstacle.” Pecarich’s advice is timeless: do whatever you can when you start. Commit to your goals and work hard to achieve them. Find some coaching and guidance from an expert. Once you achieve your goals, you can enjoy life in a way you previously couldn’t. Almost all aspects of your life will improve as your fitness level improves. Congratulations Nick! You are a true inspiration! Before you start any fitness routine, consult your doctor. Jeff Blair is a 5-time “Best Of” Hometown News Personal Trainer. He has operated a personal training studio in Westchester since 2011. Email jeffblair@jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas.
Thank you to all of our customers for donating to the Houston Area Rotary Club District 5890’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund! Your donations have exceeded our expectations, and with our $5,000 in matching funds, we will be sending more than $12,000 to Houston to help the victims of the hurricane.
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Navigating disagreements in a healthy manner By Fay Craton
Opinion: It can be fun to watch a cat in front of a mirror, playing with its reflection as if there is another cat present. Sometimes by watching life around us we can learn important lessons about how to interact with others. People and pets do not usually do well when isolated. It takes contact with others to be emotionally healthy. How we make meaning in life is the result of how our actions are reflected back to us. Solid, healthy relationships have within them respect, safety and the opportunity to exchange thoughts. It is through a trusting, interactive process that we are able to evolve understanding about beliefs, needs, develop life skills and build thriving life partnerships. But how do we express thoughts in a manner that consistently creates a productive and positive exchange of ideas? The answer is, it is not always possible to achieve this goal. Not everyone you meet has the same values, goals or expectations as to respect and courtesy. This means disagreements will occur. Some people will automatically go into a “blame the other person” mode. Other people will automatically withdraw and stop sharing. It can be very confusing when conflict happens. When negative emotions uncomfortably start to escalate, there is the danger of people saying unkind words or exhibiting intimidating behaviors. The confusion increases when one or more people in the exchange has a need to control others, or to shift the conversation into competition and/ or to use the exchange to undermine the self-confidence of another person. Good relationships are not about winning or losing. Competition has its place in life, but not in creating and maintaining solid relationships. Disagreements are simply different points of view. In some circumstances, having a variety of viewpoints can be very helpful. When a different point of view is presented, there is the opportunity to expand awareness and understanding. Successfully navigating different points of view can actually build a sense of safety in relationships. Exchanging thoughts in a calm and reflective manner, while seeking to understand the perspective of the other person, can build new understanding. A good suggestion to use when in this type of conversation is to compassionately open your heart and mind as to what is being expressed. This is not the time to nitpick words or to bring up past history. Try to fully listen without dominating the conversation. Carefully pay attention to more than just words. What is the other person’s body language saying to you? What is in their eyes? Is there fear, uncertainty, a sense of inadequacy? What can you do to make
the other person more comfortable and feel safe to express themselves from a place of honesty instead of from a place of needing to protect themselves? The more you are able to let go of your own situational stress and be compassionate, the more likely it is that you will have a healthy exchange of thoughts. After the exchange, take time to reflect upon your own reactions. Were you attempting to “fog” the conversation so you did not have to be honest? Were you “prickly” over specific words? Were you upset over a different situation and it crept into your conversation? Did you have thoughts you wanted to express, but did not know the right words to say what was important to you? Was the other person open to a healthy exchange of thoughts? Reflect upon what you can learn about the exchange and how you might wish to alter your own behavior in the future. Do you have the skills to try to engage in uncomfortable conversations in a healthier manner? If not, you may wish to develop skills by reading self-help books, attending peer support groups or by seeking counseling. When you are experiencing conflict, be gentle on yourself. When stressed, it becomes harder to think clearly. Caring for yourself includes developing skills to de-escalate your negative emotions, which may be controlling your behavior. You may wish to take a deep breath and a longer exhale to calm yourself. Another possibility is to take a timeout for a walk around the block before continuing the exchange. Practicing resiliency skills long in advance of conflicts will increase your own ability to think clearly. Good relationships are formed when two or more people wish to have a good relationship. It is important to recognize that not everyone wishes to have a healthy relationship with you. When this happens, stop blaming yourself for your inability to get the other person to hear you and/or to convince that person as to your point of view. When in situations where the other person does not wish to experience a healthy exchange, it is best to let it go. To continue in an escalating disagreement does not benefit your emotional health. If the situation is highly upsetting to you, seek professional assistance to find a healthy path. My wish for you is to experience supportive people in your life. This requires you to be a supportive person to others. Thriving in life happens when you have healthy connection with others. 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.
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.
September 2017 • Page 21
In Pictures
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Westchester’s Leelee Marucci swam on two California record breaking relays this summer at the Junior Olympics in Santa Clarita. In the girls’ 11- to 12-year-old age group, both her 200 and 400 meter freestyle relays recorded the fastest times in the history of California swimming. The 200 relay took first place with a time of 1:53.93. The 400 relay also took first, clocking in at 4:05.91 (third fastest in U.S. his-
tory). The Westside Aquatics’ relays were made up of swimmers from Westchester, Santa Monica and the Palisades including Marucci, Lily Neumann, Therese Enriquez and Claire McClean. Marucci started her swimming career with weekly swim lessons at the Westchester Family YMCA. Pictured from left to right: Claire McClean, Leelee Marucci, Therese Enriquez and Lily Neumann.
For Westchester high school student and Girl Scout, Katie Maire, weather and the environment have been a passion for as long as she can remember. Whether doing research projects for school, exploring the environment firsthand through outdoor education, or her recent travels to Costa Rica for a service learning project, Maire has always been drawn to the outdoor world and the experiences it provides. When the time came to select a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award, it was only natural for Maire to consider something in the great outdoors. Knowing that Westchester Lutheran School was renovating a part of its upper school campus, she jumped on the opportunity to put together an outdoor classroom project for her alma mater. Maire found a perfect spot with old growth trees, both morning and afternoon sun and enough room to create an outdoor space for kids to learn and thrive. Giving back to the school that was such an importPage 22 • September 2017
ant part of her education, from kindergarten through 8th grade, was another passion for Maire, who spent more than 140 hours on the project. The goal of the outdoor classroom was to provide students a hands-on, active learning environment and a natural setting in which to learn and spend some down time, where they can decompress a little from the demands of school and their busy schedules. Maire, along with a group of volunteers and with the help of donations from local businesses, completed the project in August. She hopes that her Girl Scout Gold Award Project will help spread the word about outdoor classrooms and active learning, as well as demonstrate how both can help kids have a healthy and productive learning experience, especially those who learn differently. She feels that if she touches the life of even one student, she’s made a difference in the world! Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2017 • Page 23
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News