westchester
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playa del rey
p l a y a v i s t a • m a r i n a d e l re y
January 2021
21+ 21+ THINGS 21+ THINGS
MORE THAN JUST A GYM: REIMAGINING THE Y. . . PAGE 4 Westchester Family YMCA staff, volunteers and members show their support for the Y.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE COMMUNITY IN 2021 ...PAGE 6
TO K TO KNOW ABOUTABOU WES WESTCHEST & PL & PLAYA IN 2021IN 20
Page 2 • January 2021
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You
help you prom help you prom nization or even l a c o L p o h nization orSin 2even 021! A look inside your HTN
More than just a gym: reimagining the Y Things to know about your community in 2021 Business Spotlight: LiveYoga Wellness In your hometown...with the Bost Family Holiday Light Tour & Contest winners
04 06 10 16 26
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher
Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer
Lydia Smith, Contributing Writer Consuelo Israelson, Contributing Writer
Front page photo by Zsuzsi Steiner for the HomeTown News.
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 • Instagram: instagram.com/thehometownnews The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
act us for rates and THANK YOU act us for rates and hesterhometo Now, more than ever, Westchester retailers and service
to our advertisers and community partners for supporting this publication!
providers need your help. Slammed by the pandemic
and stay-at-home orders, our small businesses need your help to survive. Please make “Shop Local” your
hesterhometo Robin Zacha, Zacha Homes Drollinger Properties Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital Stephanie Younger Group | Compass Jane St. John | RE/MAX Neighborhood Council Westchester/Playa Loyola Marymount University Westchester Lutheran School Westchester Town Center BID Erika Puzik & Associates-Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Airport Marina Counseling Service St. Anastasia School RE/MAX Estate Properties Visitation School Amy Nelson Frelinger Douglas Elliman Properties Westside Pacific Villages SoCalSport & Fitness Loyola Marina Auto Care
mantra for 2021– it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love and the families they support alive!
us on Faceboo to-date with news and us on Faceboo Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 3
Photos courtesy the Y.
Westchester Family YMCA staff and volunteers pose with a donation.
Westchester Family YMCA looks for new ways to help and engage community The Westchester Family YMCA’s pool may be closed, and its workout equipment may be put away on racks, but if you think of the Y as just a gym, you’d be missing out on a large piece of what has made the organization an important part of the community for more than 60 years. “The Y is so much more than a swim and gym,” said Gregg Goldfarb, Volunteer Chair of the Y’s Board of Managers. “We believe in programs that impact families and change lives.” When the Y, like many businesses and organizations, was forced to close in mid-March due to the COVID pandemic, its leadership and volunteers quickly got to work planning on how they could address the needs of its members and neighborhood. “When there is a crisis, you can’t waste it,” said Goldfarb. “There is a greater need than ever, in ways we wish weren’t necessary, and it’s the kind of thing that has energized the board. Instead of doing less during this time, we said we are going to do
more.” One of the first programs the Y launched was an unsheltered neighbors outreach program that allowed them to provide services like showers, hygiene kits, clothing and food to those in need. The Y is now supporting 200 weekly visits and has received more than 6,000 visits since launching. Other successful initiatives the Y has facilitated during this time include weekly blood drives in partnership with the Red Cross resulting in more than 12,000 potential lives saved; check-ins and support for their senior members and grocery distribution events, as well as COVID-safe family activities like a drive through Healthy Kids Day, Fly by the Y Movie Night and a Halloween CARnival. The Y also recently partnered with the Inglewood Unified School District to provide care, connectivity and homework help to more than 75 students whose parents needed to return to work. Members of the Y’s Teens and
Page 4 • January 2021
Government Program are staying busy with a highly successful webinar series called “Finding Common Ground” and have hosted panel discussions on important topics like modern policing and homelessness that have been viewed more than 36,000 times. Their upcoming virtual events will tackle issues like uniting the country, education and immigration. “The Y has always aligned its programs with what we interpret as critical community needs, and the needs have absolutely shifted during the pandemic,” said Westchester Family YMCA Executive Director John Loussararian. “It has been encouraging and exciting to see the board’s courage and willingness to see what the Y can do to help to address these issues.” These shifting priorities have led to the creation of a Reimagining Y Taskforce to help forecast the organization’s next three to five years. “The Reimagining Y Taskforce is looking at the community’s needs and
thinking about how we can change and expand our resources so we can bring services to the area that aren’t currently available,” said longtime Y member and new board member John Sharpe. “We are definitely a fantastic facility because we work with and help a lot of people in the community, but we also have a lot of opportunity for growth.” Some of the plans that have already come out of the taskforce include helping bridge the digital divide by expanding the Y’s WiFi coverage to reach the parking lot. And next month, the Y plans to launch a community pantry. The pantry will be located on the Y’s property and be filled with food items that are free for anyone in need to take. With all of its new programming, the Y has been able to engage people looking to help like never before. “Volunteerism is way up. We have people that have never engaged or been involved with the Y that are now feeling compelled to get (continued on next page)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
The YMCA plans to open a community food pantry next month.
(continued from previous page) involved,” said Loussararian. “People we’ve never met have reached out and said, ‘I love what you’re doing. How can I help?’ They’ve donated food, clothing and made monetary contributions towards our efforts. The community supporting the work that we’re doing has really helped keep my tank full.” But with all the ups over the last nine months, there’s also been some downs. Programs are running on shoestring operations as most of the Y’s staff has been furloughed. With the workout portion of the facility closed, membership is down to just 30 percent of what it was pre-pandemic. “More than ever, I hope our members realize that when you join the Y, you are joining more than a gym. You’re joining a nonprofit that serves the community. Fitness is one aspect of that, but it’s not how we define ourselves,” said Loussararian. Echoes Goldfarb, “If you look at us as only a swim and gym, you might think of putting your membership on hold. But if you think of us as a service organization supporting your community, then people want to help.” Loussararian hopes that by spreading the word about the Y’s efforts, coupled with membership dues being seen as tax deductible with the gym temporarily closed,
people will be inspired to reinstate their memberships or join for the first time. “While our doors are closed, our hearts are open, which has been driving our initiatives,” said Loussararian. For Goldfarb, who grew up going to the Y with his father, where he participated in the Guides Program, Youth and Government and team sports, and was excited to share a similar experience with his own kids, the chance to help lead the Y during this challenging time is exciting. “We took this crisis as a springboard to be as imaginative as we could be,” said Goldfarb. “We have a great board who really care about the community and Westchester has tons of people that love their community as well. Sometimes all you need to do is get the word out about what you’re doing to spark someone’s interest and have them ask, ‘How can I help contribute?’” For more information about the Westchester Family YMCA and its programs, visit ymcala.org/ locations/westchester-family-ymca or email JohnLoussararian@ymcala. org. For more information on contributing items for the community food pantry, please contact John Sharpe at john@ sharpeonline.com.
AMY FRELINGER TEAM
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 5
21+ THINGS 21+ THINGS 21+ THINGS
KNOW TO KNOW TOTO KNOW ABOUT ABOUT ABOUT WESTCHESTER WESTCHESTER WESTCHESTER & PLAYA & PLAYA & PLAYA 2021 IN 2021 IN IN 2021
Over the last few months, we’ve fielded a lot of questions from readers looking to get involved in their neighborhood, find ways to connect with others and curious about their community, so this year we’ve put together a list of FAQs we regularly get in our inbox! We also asked one resident of Westchester and one resident of Playa del Rey to share their favorite tips and recommendations to share with their neighbors.
Below is a partial list of things everyone should know about Westchester/Playa in 2021 (visit thehtn.com for more FAQs). We hope you learn something new, and if there’s a question you have about the community, please let us know! Have a tip you’d like to share? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com. Happy New Year!
From left to right: The Westchester Farmers’ Market is open on Sunday mornings. 2. The Fourth of July Parade is one of the area’s most popular events 3. Soundations is a favorite local shopping spot.
Q. When is the farmers’ market? A. Locally, there are three farmers’ markets: one in Westchester, one in Playa Vista and one in Marina del Rey. Each market has different vendors and products, so check them out to see which one fits your shopping needs. Playa Vista’s market is the largest in the area and runs Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located in the Runway Shopping area in Playa Vista, at this market you’ll find lots of organic fruit and veggies, as well as a large number of artisanal food vendors and booths selling clothing, jewelry and more. Visit farmermark.com for more info. The Westchester Farmers’ Market runs Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Westchester Triangle, and in addition to fruits and veggies (we like the pick three for $5 booth at the end of the market), check out vendors selling salsa, vegan popsicles, pastries, gumbo and more. Follow the market on Instagram for an update of what’s in season @westchesterfarmersmarket. The Marina del Rey market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parking Lot 11, located at 14101 Panay Way. Learn more at facebook.com/ MDRFarmersMarket.
meetings to explore issues more in-depth on topics like the airport, education and planning and land use. Interested in running for a seat on the volunteer board? The candidate filing period opens February 6 and elections take place June 8. Sign up for NCWP agendas at ncwpdr.org.
Project, which is currently underway at Emerson Avenue Community Garden. The club currently meets Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more at rotary-westchester.com. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club meets Wednesdays at 8 a.m. via Zoom. The club’s top projects and events include Habitat for Humanity, the Santa Tour, Fire Station #5 pancake breakfast and its fall cultural dinner. This month, the club will distribute thousands of dollars to local teachers for classroom supplies and projects through its popular Teacher Mini Grant event. Learn more at playavenice.org.
You can also help support neighbors in need by becoming a monthly donor to the volunteer-run nonprofit. Visit grassrootsneighbors.org for more info on how to help.
Q. What are the community’s can’t-miss events? A. While all community events are going virtual or postponed for the time being, we hope Q. How do I connect with other that in-person events can happen again local business owners? A. Try the soon! Here are the area’s most popular LAX Coastal Chamber. The chamber is a events by month (dates for this year’s membership organization of more than events are TBD unless noted): 500 business owners and entrepreneurs March: that are interested in networking and • Rock Roll & Run, 5K raising money working together to strengthen the local for local schools on March 13-19. Q. Where can I donate food or business community. May: contribute to a food drive? To support businesses during this • Teacher Eddy Awards, celebrating A. The Food Pantry LAX has been servchallenging time, the chamber has local teachers and education ing the local area since 1985, and due to managed to launch a variety of new July: the pandemic they have seen an uptick initiatives to help its members connect • Fourth of July Parade, parade down in people needing their services. You can Loyola Blvd. in Westchester and find resources, including Power support the pantry by making a moneProfessionals to help those that are September: tary donation via their website and by looking for a new job, a State Of series, • WAM, featuring live music, arts and a participating in food drives held through- block party vibe an SBE certification program, Binge Live!, Leadership Academy 2.0 and more. out the year by community groups. • Elks Car Show & Chili Cook Off, The pantry is also working with the The chamber is also the organization classic cars and a chili competition at the Westchester Farmers’ Market and has a behind Westchester’s Fourth of July Lodge in Playa del Rey program where people can donate funds Parade and the Teacher Eddy Awards. November: so that fresh produce is purchased at For more info about online • Holiday Home Tour, homes the market. The fruits and veggies are programming or membership, visit decorated for the holidays then collected by the food bank, which December: Q. How do I get involved with the laxcoastal.com. creates a win-win for local farmers’ and • Marina del Rey Boat Parade, neighborhood council? A. If you’re pantry visitors. Q. What do the local Rotary decorated boats cruise the marina looking to learn more about what’s going For more info, visit foodpantrylax.org/ Clubs do? A. The community is • Santa Tour, Santa and guests tour on in the community, the Neighborhood donations.html. home to two active Rotary Clubs: the the community with help of LAPD and Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) Another great organization that Westchester Rotary and the Playa LAFD is a great place to start. The board meets collects food donations is Grass Roots the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 Venice Sunrise Rotary. Rotary Clubs are Check out our readers’ top community membership organizations made up of Neighbors in Playa del Rey. Visit their p.m. (right now via Zoom) to discuss tips on the next page and read the proposed developments, hear from area people that are interested in giving back website for a list of grocery staples rest of our FAQs including: What are and serving their community through a they’re always in need of (pasta, rice, businesses, make recommendations to community groups I can get involved variety of projects and initiatives. beans, cereal, etc.) and drop off your Councilmember Bonin’s office and hear with?; What are the area’s best The Westchester Rotary was founded donations every weekday from noon to from community members on a variety Facebook groups?; and How can I in 1950, and its major projects include 1 p.m. at 6804 Vista del Mar in Playa del of issues. support local education? at thehtn.com. an annual Book Sale and a Makeover Rey. They also have a variety of committee Page 6 • January 2021 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Stacey Cochrane Stacey Cochrane is a full-time mother and part-time family and event photographer that lives in Playa del Rey. She worked in casting at FOX for eight years and still has a lot of passion for film and television, both as a pastime and working on any productions that fit into her life. She moved to Playa del Rey in 2011 to live with her now husband. They have a 3-year-old and a Labrador with the silly name of Ampersand. Here are Stacey’s tips: Sushi Beluga is a hidden gem. This is a newish sushi restaurant that opened in the Matilla Village Center on Culver Blvd. and Vista del Mar. It is a small spot that has turned over several times because nobody could find the right fit, but Sushi Beluga is it. Not only has Playa del Rey needed its own walking distance sushi restaurant for years, but it is good enough to make the drive from anywhere in the Westchester/Playa area! Everything is fresh and delicious, and don’t let the name of the Spicy Tuna Guacamole scare you away–it is one of my favorite things on the menu! Facebook groups can help contribute to your sense of community. The Parenting Sisterhood in Westchester, PDR and PV Facebook group is a women’s only space for moms that has helped me and many feel a sense of belonging and has given us a place where we can participate and contribute to our community. It’s a group of people that don’t just talk, but do. If you post a GoFundMe, there are multiple donations in minutes and meal trains when people are in crisis. When a group of friends and I wanted to put on a Halloween COVID-safe “CAR-nival,” we reached out to this group, and within days had 20 houses volunteer to be stops on the scavenger hunt. It is a safe space to vent, ask questions, ask for help–anything you might need as a mom/woman of the community–in pandemic and nonpandemic times. Never in my life did I think I would find a community in a Facebook group, but I can honestly say I have people that I can call friends that I have never even met because of this group, and to me that feels like what it should be to feel part of a community. One of my favorite places in the community is a preschool. Covenant
Art Wexler Presbyterian Church Preschool is one of my absolute favorite spots in Westchester/Playa. My son and I started going to the Mommy and Me classes there when he was 5-monthsold, and it has been part of our lives ever since. The majority of our closest friends came from that first class where we all bonded with babies around the same age. Everyone is going through the same thing, and the group leaders are true experts and help you through every stage of your child’s life. When it’s time, they move over to preschool and the transition is much easier because it’s a place they already know. It is such a place of warmth and love that emanates from every teacher and person that works there. They have also managed to navigate the COVID situation in a way in which I am very impressed and kept the safety of everyone as priority number one. My big tip on this one is to get on the waiting list early! It fills up quickly and the higher you are on the list, the more choices you have in terms of days, classes, etc. Westchester/Playa are better together. One of the things that I think is the most special about this area is the way in which Westchester and Playa del Rey are two different zip codes, but they often come together as one community. Living in Playa del Rey, there is a big effort to support the local restaurants, businesses and shops as most of them are small and individually owned. However, I would encourage anyone who needs to venture out more, to go to Westchester to discover an even bigger community. It feels as if Westchester and Playa del Rey have kind of “adopted” each other as sister areas. Since Playa can be small and only a couple blocks long, if there is something you are missing, head to Westchester. Alternatively, if you live in Westchester, don’t forget how close the ocean is and take advantage of that! --Art Wexler is Westchester through and through having attended Cowan Elementary, Orville Wright Junior High and Westchester High School. He is active with the LAX Coastal Chamber, a member of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society and plays with the world-famous WISH House Band. Art
is a financial advisor for Edward Jones. Here are Art’s tips: Westchester/Playa is a family friendly and close-knit community. While you’ve heard of six degrees of separation before, make it two degrees in our area. Don’t believe me? Try to go to Little Vons without running into someone you know. But this is a good thing; with the pandemic, right now it is very important and comforting that we have each other’s backs. Find a local charity or organization that you can support. A few nonprofits near and dear to my heart are the Westchester/Playa Historical Society, Westchester Mental Health Guild, the Westchester and Del Rey American Little Leagues and Westchester Babe Ruth. I played on the Del Rey American League and was able to coach my son with Westchester Little League. These groups help build character for our kids that hopefully will last them a lifetime. Shop local. We are very fortunate to be a very tight-knit community, so please shop local! Some of my favorite places to shop (and eat) are Soundsations, Olive It, The Bullpen, Truxton’s American Bistro and Ayara Thai. I still have an LP player and a sports memorabilia collection. I can grab a sandwich from Leslie at Olive It, get my classic rock and roll fix
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
at Soundsations, and cap it off by saying “hi” to Mitch and his team at The Bullpen just to confirm our Dodgers really did win the World Series in 2020! Our community is very walkable. The Missing Persons have a song Walking in LA, with the lyrics “nobody walks in L.A.,” but notice it makes no reference to Westchester or Playa del Rey. We have a very walkable area including the trails by the old Howard Hughes Airport (aging myself) and down by the beach. Nothing feels better than being in shorts along the shore in the dead of winter. Just go to Lifeguard Tower 42 and turn left. Now if you know the secret handshake, what a Shack burger is, and have put a quarter in the jukebox at the Harbor Room, just maybe a local will tell you where you can park. We have some great restaurants. While we all know and love Cantalini’s Salerno Beach, Good Pizza, Playa Provisions and Bacari PDR, we recently stumbled across Sushi Beluga. The fish is fresh and absolutely delicious. You can never go wrong with the “Chef Pick’s Menu,” but my favorite is the crispy rice with spicy tuna avocado. It is located by another great place, where everyone knows your name, Mo’s.
January 2021 • Page 7
Photos courtesy the historical society.
By Cozette Vergari Philanthropist and developer Fritz B. Burns, one of the earliest pioneers in the development of Westchester and Playa del Rey, experienced his initial dreams of real estate development shattered with the crash of the stock market on October 29, 1929. He turned that experience, after years of challenges and perseverance, into the foundation for the eventual historic success of development in the Westchester community and the greater Los Angeles region. In 1921, a midwestern real estate development company opened the Dickinson & Gillespie Land Office in Los Angeles, sending a young Fritz B. Burns, just 22-years-old, to California to lead a sales force of 100 men. In 1924, the company purchased the bluffs, in the area of what we now know as Playa del Rey, to develop a riviera community aimed at the Hollywood elite and to be known as Palisades Del Rey. A private beach club was built and survived for years in what is now referred to as the Jungle in Playa del Rey. The Del Rey Lagoon was to become a yacht harbor for the prestigious residents. That same year, Henry Huntington made Palisades Del Rey accessible via his Pacific Electric Street Car System from downtown Los Angeles to Palisades Del Rey in just 42 minutes. What we now know as Westchester was initially to remain as it was at the time–fields of lima beans, wheat and barley, as well as pig farms, horse stables and a few scattered ranches. Streets that would be named Jefferson, Culver, Century and Manchester were then just unpaved dirt roads, barely passable at the time. The company’s land office is where Tanner’s sits today in Playa del Rey. Burns captured his audiences by two primary means. In 1925, he purchased a World War I plane from the U.S. Army, using it to carry banners into the skies over the Los Angeles region to advertise, as well as offering free rides to prospective customers. Secondly, his highly trained sales force, who lived in almost a military setting onsite, started each day with calisthenics and provided motivational sales presentations to passengers riding
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Left to right: A drawing of Burns’ Playa del Rey residence. A portrait of Burns.
the Pacific Electric Car on their trip to Palisades Del Rey. Burns and his team also delivered brochures– door-to-door–throughout the Los Angeles region, often creating contests to name a certain new real estate development. The company was involved in many projects throughout the Los Angeles region. As with the land development companies at the time, Fritz B. Burns was charged with only the sale of the real estate parcels and not with the construction of the new homes. In 1927, individual and independent construction on the first Palisades Del Rey homes, including his own, located at 200 Waterloo Street, began. The average value of the luxury homes then built was $20,000. Burns by now was a self-proclaimed millionaire, who within two years would come crashing down with the plunge of the stock market, culminating on Black Tuesday October, 29, 1929. Burns found his lifestyle and his fortune shattered. His own 10-room mansion overlooking the Pacific was foreclosed upon. Faced with homelessness, he set up a tent on the beach at the end of Culver Boulevard and took up residence. For five years he lived on the sand, while consolidating his assets, fighting off creditors and the constant threat of destitution. He also tried to regain title to as much of the virtually worthless Del Rey hills just east of what is now Pershing Drive. Through rental income from his tenants, he bought back foreclosedon properties from banks who were
also struggling for just 10 cents on the dollar, all the while continuing to be on the verge of bankruptcy. His philosophy and drive for highly speculative ventures and freespending lifestyle evolved into collecting glass bottles on the beach, to recycle for pennies just to be able to eat. During this dark period, Burns accepted an offer from Herndon Development Company, who wanted to prospect for oil in Del Rey hills, promising two percent of any profits from oil production. Despite his concerns, having witnessed the oil wells to the north throughout the Venice coastal area and the potential detrimental effects on the community, he felt this could turn around his financial plight and vowed to give back to the community when he could. He honored this pledge with his support of Loyola University and other institutions throughout his lifetime in the Los Angeles region. In October 1934, Burns was summoned to the corner of Manchester and Delgany in Del Rey hills, which later became known as West Westchester and now is part of Playa del Rey. There he stood under the rain of the “black gold.” With the proceeds from the net oil profits produced out of Del Rey hills, he was able to pay all of his vast debt, including back taxes, bank loans and loans from his family. In 1943, once the oil was exhausted, So Cal Gas Company purchased the drilling site for their natural gas storage.
With the monies left over, Burns purchased tax-delinquent properties at auction throughout the Los Angeles region over the next several years. The experience of homelessness and the resulting loss of his marriage in 1934, coupled with the actions taken by the U.S. government in efforts toward depression recovery, moved his energy and drive away from the elite–who had always been able to afford owning a home–to focus on those who historically could not afford a home of their own. He began his journey toward that focus, with only a fraction of the fortune he had in 1929, but still possessing optimism and foresight, not to mention a new stronger moral and ethical compass. In 1937, Burns hired recent Loyola University graduate William H. Hannon, who also became a force and philanthropist in the Westchester area. Hannon will be the focus of next month’s article. Burns eventually teamed up with Fred Marlow, who had been caught in the same economic downturn while selling land parcels advertised as Hollywood Riviera Homes, in what is now known as the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Neither Burns nor Marlow had built homes. They had only sold homes and only sold to the rich and famous. Motivated by the Lanham Act, approved by the U.S. Congress in 1940, Marlow and Burns set out to develop neighborhoods of affordable housing, including what would (continued on page 18)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
During this unprecedented time, our organization has been faced with the extreme challenge of creating new fundraising opportunities. The Westchester Mental Health Guild thanks all the contributors for their donations. These contributions support us as we develop new ways to seek revenue to sustain our mission to support affordable mental health care in our community.
Thank you to our supporters! $1,500 and above Nancy Edwards Jane St. John Stephanie Younger
$500 and above Heather & Kevin Ivey Linda Peterson & Gene White Kyra & Robert Waldron
A special thank you to the HomeTown News for the great idea for the Holiday Lights Tour & Contest! We also thank all of the homeowners and participants who purchased tickets to view the terrific homes decorated in our Holiday Lights Tour. We appreciate the community’s enthusiasm that made this such a successful event.
$ 100 and above Dianne Landis Karen Arnold Cathy McConville Jackie Bornstein Laura & Don McGaughey Janet McMaster Pam & Rod Brown Kenneth Messer Julie Case Frances Moreno Pam & Hugh Crockett Marlene Obrietan Patty Crockett Robert Pagan Rachel Davenport Ylla & Mario De Leon Dana & Rick Perius Judy & Daniel Dews Julie Porter Patricia Fair Bill Priestly Phyllis Romo Stacey Falconer William Russell Shauna Gerold Alison & Jarred Saba Janie Guthrie & Mark William Schnicke Skjervem Joanne Seruto Debra Karrenbrock Linda King Marsha Wietecha Christine Knight & Jack James Workman Candy & Jeffrey Yip Nelson Maria & Jon Koenig
Contact us for membership, to donate, or to help plan an event at: info@westchestermhg.org | 7891 La Tijera Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045 The Westchester Mental Health Guild (WMHG) is a 501 (c) (3) organization, incorporated in 1962, to raise funds to support the Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) and otherwise support affordable mental health care.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 9
students individualized attention with the tools they need, including meditation, pranayama (breathing techniques) and asanas (postures). In addition to yoga and yoga therapy, we offer meditation, Tai Chi and pilates as well. Our community consists of students of all ages and physical abilities who are seeking to find balance both on and off the yoga mat.
Everyone’s business could use a little help these days, so every month we’re featuring a different small business to help promote shopping locally and to support community members. Since 2010, Teri Roseman has helped her students find balance through yoga at her studio LiveYoga Wellness on the campus of Holy Nativity. While COVID has moved all her classes online to Zoom, that has not slowed Roseman and her team down from sharing their holistic approach to wellness and the benefits of yoga, no matter your age or physical ability. Get the scoop on this month’s business spotlight by reading below! Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A. I am executive director and founder of LiveYoga Wellness. I moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1980 and have lived mostly in the Westchester area since then. I took my first yoga class in Baja California in the mid-1980s and became a devoted student while overcoming breast cancer in 2003. In the ensuing years, I have been in pursuit of the wisdom yoga brings, to live it, and share it with others. After a rewarding corporate career in sales, marketing and management in the graphic arts industry, I followed my passion, returned to school, became certified as a yoga therapist through Loyola Marymount University’s Yoga Therapy Rx program, and opened LiveYoga Wellness in 2010. It is my belief that at the core of our personal wellness and health care is self care. Yoga to me means balance, and goes way beyond a form of exercise. It integrates physical, energetic, emotional, intellectual and spiritual elements to provide one with a holistic experience. I teach group classes, work one-onone with clients, host workshops and develop course work for individuals, businesses and teacher trainings. Every class and yoga therapy session is tailored to the individual’s needs. What nurtures your nature? Additionally, since my cancer journey I have been eliminating toxic chemicals from the foods and products I use, and have been incorporating essential oils into my yoga practice and general wellness regime for over a decade. A few years ago, inspired by the Holy Nativity and Emerson Avenue Community Gardens, I created a neighbor-stopping conversation starter with the transformation of my front and backyard of my Westchester home into a xeriscape/edible oasis. Page 10 • January 2021
Photo courtesy LiveYoga Wellness.
Business spotlight: LiveYoga Wellness empowers students on their journey of personal growth, recovery and healing
Q. What do you like about running your business and being an entrepreneur? A. What I love most about running my business is the community that has been created as a result. During this unprecedented time, we have been able to expand our community beyond the four walls, and our geography. We now have friends and family joining us from around the globe, as well as people who simply found us online. My spirit is entrepreneurial and collaborative. It takes a village, and I’m grateful for mine. COVID-19 necessitated moving overnight from a brick and mortar studio to live streaming classes on Zoom. I’d like to express my thanks for the support LiveYoga Wellness has received from the community during the pandemic.
Top: Teri leads a yoga session over Zoom. Bottom: Teri and her team have some holiday fun.
My slice of heaven is shared with my very adorable rescue dog, Izzi. Please say “hello” when you spot us walking our daily 10,000 steps around the neighborhood!
Q. Please tell us a little bit about your business? A. LiveYoga Wellness combines the physical and philosophical teachings of yoga to empower students on their journey of personal growth, physical recovery, and healing. Our teachers provide
Q. What else would you like the community to know about your business? A. I understand that each person is unique and may seek yoga, meditation, pilates or Tai Chi for a number of reasons: bad back, stress, flexibility, strength, relaxation, balance, etc. What I have come to understand, is that most people stay with the practice for the many additional benefits they receive. We have continued our unique therapeutic approach of one-on-one attention while live streaming, and I invite you to join us. I am more than happy to assist anyone with the Zoom set-up. Please call (310) 835-6700 or email me at teri@liveyogawellness.com to schedule a 15-minute free consultation to answer any questions or concerns. Q. What are some of your favorite local businesses? A. I love shopping and supporting local and small businesses. Some of my favorites include the Westchester Farmers’ Market, LAX Food Pantry, Playa Pharmacy, Ayara, Truxton’s and Good Pizza. Shout out to Synergie PT-Julie Guthrie, neighbors at Holy Nativity, First Friends by the Sea, Trader Joe’s and the newest gem in the neighborhood, The Book Jewel! Visit liveyogawellness.com for more info and to learn about the studio’s lessons.
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January 2021 • Page 11
Business & Nonprofit News
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Interested in running for a Neighborhood Council seat? The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) is looking for candidates interested in running for election and serving on the volunteer board. The candidate filing period opens on February 6 and runs through March 23. Elections will take place on June 8. To learn more about neighborhood council elections and how to apply, visit empowerla.org/elections. Home for the Holidays Photo Contest. The HomeTown News and Zacha Homes partnered for a Home for the Holidays Photo Contest in December. Community members were invited to share their favorite holiday pictures via social media for a chance to participate in the giveaway where three winners were selected to receive a $100 gift card to a local business and a $100 donation to their favorite nonprofit. Congratulations to winners Susan Smith who selected Beach Pizza and Grassroots Neighbors and Brandy Martin who selected Healthy Spot Playa Vista and Westside Pacific Villages. Airport Post Office closes at end of the month. If your go-to post office is the one located at 9029 Airport Blvd. in Westchester, the location will be closed starting Saturday, January 30. The last day of retail service and P.O. box use is Friday, January 29 at noon. A new location, approximately Page 12 • January 2021
Photo courtesy WPV.
A new mural by John Park was unveiled at Playa del Rey’s Playa Provisions in December. The restaurant recently provided pick-up holiday meals to support restaurant industry workers.
sponsors, an anonymous foundation, and many other donors, WPV will be able to continue to provide its vital programs to seniors who live in Los Angeles at no cost for as long as necessary due to the pandemic. This includes weekly deliveries and visits to 200-plus seniors every Friday, weekly phone calls, contact-free grocery delivery, rides to essential doctor’s appointments, free PPE and dozens of online activities every month and so much more. To learn more, visit thewpv.org.
HHLA helps during the holidays. HHLA, the entertainment center formerly known as the Howard Hughes Promenade, wanted to give Care packages, with artwork designed by local kids, wait to be distributed to seniors by back this holiday season by providing Westside Pacific Village volunteers on a Friday afternoon. meals to those impacted by the a mile northeast of the Airport board chair, and USC physician’s COVID-19 pandemic. Blvd. facility, will open on Monday, assistant, Freddi Segal-Gidan and Building on their relationship February 1 at 8821 Aviation Blvd., Los Carol Kitabayashi, who has led the with the Venice Family Clinic and Angeles. Westchester nonprofit since 2012. partnering with HHLA restaurants on The closure of the post office The virtual event took place on Saturday, December 19, they provided was announced in September 2019 December 1, also known as Giving 150 full meals to local families. after the airport did not renew the Tuesday, which encourages acts “Our hope is to encourage others to facility’s lease due to the airport’s of generosity during the holidays. donate to their local charities and give redevelopment projects in the area. Attendees were feeling the spirit of more,” said HHLA’s Marla Eisenberg. giving during the event and donated “We would like to thank the amazing WPV celebrates 10-year anniversary. $40,000, meaning that more than leadership and team of volunteers Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) $80,000 overall has been raised for at the Venice Family Clinic and to commemorated its 10-year WPV CARES. Major sponsors of the all the managers and staff at Buffalo anniversary with a virtual celebration event included Cedars-Sinai Medical Wild Wings, Islands Fine Burgers & hosted by “L.A.’s Hometown Doctor,” Center, The Drollinger Family Drinks, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, pulmonary and sleep specialist, Raj Charitable Foundation, The Book The Hummus Factory and Mrs. Fields Dasgupta, MD. Dr. Dasgupta delighted Jewel and Legado Family Companies, Cookies that came together to support those in attendance by discussing the as well as Kaiser Permanente, M&M this cause and make it happen.” importance of villages in our society, Foundation, the Westchester Women’s Have info to share about your offering health tips for older adults Club, the Westchester Rotary Club and business or nonprofit? Email us at and addressing COVID-19 concerns. SoCalGas. westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for Other speakers included WPV’s With the support of these generous a chance to be featured. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Tours available by appointment at www.wlcs.org
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 13
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
Students enter the 5K homestretch at the Rock Roll & Run at LMU. This year’s event will encourage people to do a 5K, on their own schedule, around the neighborhood to raise money for schools.
Raising money for schools at the Rock Roll & Run. Registration will open this month for the fourth annual Rock Roll & Run hosted by the LAX Coastal Education Foundation. This year’s event has been christened the Rock Roll & Stroll and will encourage community members to complete a 5K anytime during the week of Saturday, March 13 through Friday, March 19. While families are encouraged to walk, run, bike or skate wherever they feel comfortable (and subject to Safer-at-Home orders), organizers are planning a suggested route that people can follow on Saturday, March 13 that will include surprises along the way, courtesy of event sponsors. “Our schools need our support more than ever, and we wanted to make sure we continued hosting the Rock Roll & Run even if it has to be adapted to make sense for this year,” said foundation president Andrew Chereck. “With many school fundraisers canceled and additional costs due to online learning, we’re hopeful the community will rally to support local
Page 14 • January 2021
schools at a critical time.” The event is usually held on the campus of Loyola Marymount University to coincide with the school’s spring break and includes live music, a pancake breakfast and an expo featuring community businesses that provide family activities. Last year’s event was planned for March 13 and was canceled just days before it was scheduled to take place due to COVID. “It would be great to see families and community members strolling through the neighborhood to raise money for education and to show their school pride,” said Chereck. “We’re confident that people can participate in whatever way they feel comfortable. And while it will be different than our previous events, we’ve got some surprises in store to add some fun.” The cost to participate in the virtual event is $30 for adults and $20 for kids. Participants will be able to designate what school they’d like to donate to when signing up. People can also sign up as an event supporter for $10.
Registration will open soon at laxcef.org. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities or more info can email info@ laxcoastaledfoundation.com. The foundation is also in the final stages of planning a TK through 12th grade art contest scheduled to take place in the spring. Students will be encouraged to create art around the theme “Reflections of COVID” and artwork selected by participating schools will be displayed in the community. Learn more about Portal Schools. A new, innovative high school is scheduled to open in August 2021 in Playa Vista. Portal Schools will be located on the campus of Belkin International. One of the most unique aspects of the school is that students will graduate with both a high school diploma and a college degree in either Communications or Business from Southern New Hampshire University. Other highlights of the school are its small size (60 students) and career-
connected learning. Students will not only be exposed to different industries and spaces, but will also receive career training and internships. The deadline to apply for the 20212022 school year is February 15. Learn more at portalschools.org. Last chance to enter “Can the Trash: Poster Contest.” Calling all third, fourth and fifth grade artists! The L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors is encouraging kids to learn about ocean pollution and is inviting students to create environmentally themed drawings that have the chance to appear on trash barrels across the county’s beaches. Five winners from each grade will have their artwork selected for the contest. The deadline for entries is January 10. For more information, visit beaches.lacounty.gov/postercontest. Have news to share about your school? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured!
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
For many of us, the new year means a fresh start and the chance to set new goals. As you consider your resolutions, you may want to add “strengthen my financial foundation” to the list. Here are five ways you can put yourself on firmer financial footing in 2021: #1 – Identify what’s working and what isn’t. There may be aspects of your financial life that are meeting your expectations and others that aren’t. Most important is to determine if you are on track to achieve key financial goals. Are you saving enough for retirement or your kids’ college education? Do you have enough in your emergency fund? Are your investments well positioned for the long run? Consider meeting with a financial advisor to get an objective opinion on what’s working and areas of potential improvement. #2 – Develop an achievable spending plan. There is a constant tug-of-war between spending money and saving it. If you can find ways to trim your spending, you’ll have more money to set aside toward your most important goals, such as retirement and education funding. It may start by establishing a spending cap for each month.
You want at least three-to-six months of expenses covered by your emergency fund. If you are short of that, make a priority of adding to it. #5 – Explore your borrowing options. If you are paying a mortgage, car loan, student debt or credit card balances, consider more cost-effective ways to manage your debt. Finding ways to refinance debt at a lower interest rate is one consideration. Another is to focus on paying off the most expensive debt more quickly. Check your credit score to determine how it might impact your financing options. Gaining more control over debt is an important way to improve your financial standing over the next year. Focus on fundamentals. Good intentions are in ample supply at this time of year. The key to making meaningful changes is to focus on the fundamental aspects of your financial life and follow through on the plans you make. Working with a financial advisor can help you be more accountable and provide guidance to help you stay on track.
#3 – Boost your retirement plan contributions. Any time you receive a raise at work, consider adjusting the money you set aside for your retirement accounts by a comparable percentage. For example, if you invest $200 per paycheck into your workplace retirement plan, and then receive a three percent raise, consider increasing your retirement plan contribution to $206 (equal to three percent). Making that a regular habit can help you achieve your goals more quickly. #4 – Make sure you are set for emergencies. A rainy-day fund is foundational to your financial plan. In times when you face an increased risk of an interruption to your income (like in today’s more economically challenged environment), it takes on added importance.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 15
Page 16 • January 2021
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
By Consuelo Israelson Growing up in a small suburb of Indianapolis, Alyssa Bost grew up thinking that big cities like Los Angeles and New York were scary places where “normal” families didn’t live. But after getting into her dream school, Pepperdine University in Malibu, she started to realize that her idea of “normal” may not be everyone else’s. “I grew up thinking that if you grew up in L.A. you would have no sense of reality. That is definitely not true and I learned that pretty quick!” she said. So after college, armed with a psychology degree, Alyssa looked into programs where she could earn her teaching credential and masters while also teaching. She joined the NYC Teaching Fellows, one of the largest such programs in the U.S., and taught middle school at Frank D. Whalen and the Frederick Douglass Academy. “I didn’t know any Black, Latinx or Jewish families growing up in Avon, so New York City was a learning experience for me and super exciting,” Alyssa said. It was also where she met her husband, Paul. Unbeknownst to either of them, Paul had also attended Seaver College, the Malibu campus of Pepperdine and was three years ahead of her, studying humanities. They never met during college even though they were on the same campus for a year. A minister at the church she attended while living in New York wanted to introduce Alyssa to her brother. She thought they’d be a perfect match, so Alyssa and Paul’s first date was at his family’s Thanksgiving celebration. “It was like a big date with the whole family,” she said. “Our next date was going to the movies with my mom.” They started dating long distance and got engaged at her NYC going away party a year and a half later. “His mom clued him in that my parents would feel a lot better about me moving across the country if we were engaged, which was his plan already. So my rooftop going away party turned into an impromptu engagement party, which was pretty fun,” she said. Since Paul grew up in Santa Monica, the couple lived there for two years. They soon realized that
if they wanted to buy a house, they had to look elsewhere to be able to afford anything in their price range. They chose Westchester originally because of accessibility to where they were working at the time and it was affordable. Barely, but affordable. “It felt very much like a neighborhood. Our street is pretty lazy and quiet and I remember hearing kids playing hide and seek outside the first week after we moved in and I thought that was pretty awesome. It was family-oriented and felt slower than most parts of L.A.,” Paul said. Alyssa added, “But you’re still in L.A. We wanted to stay close to our church, jobs and family. There’s lots of overlap for us between church and family, and we’re really involved in our church, Culver Palms Church of Christ, where most of Paul’s family attends and his mom is an elder.” By the time the family moved to Westchester, Alyssa was working at Sinai Akiba Academy near Westwood and Paul was a lawyer. The Bosts have two children, Brynn, 6 and Jane, 3. Brynn is attending online kindergarten at WISH Charter and just joined the Girls Scouts as a Daisy. She attends soccer camp weekly with a pod of six friends. Jane was attending Covenant Preschool before COVID, but now participates in Kids Day Out, an outdoor play group in lieu of preschool through Cornerstone Church. “Jane is a little spitball. We call her ‘Zaney Janey’ because she’s a little crazy,” Alyssa said. The family also includes Soapy, their 14-year-old mutt. “He is whatever dog you think he is,” Paul said. “He sort of looks like a cartoon dog to me.” The Safer-at-Home order changed their family dynamics quite dramatically. As an intellectual property attorney working at Sheppard Mullin, Paul was at work most of the day. Alyssa decided to become a stayat-home mom four years ago, so the family barely saw him. “Now I rarely leave, so I’m much more involved in the daily life of the house,” Paul said. “Certainly it’s been challenging, but it’s also pretty amazing to be able to overhear the teaching and learning process in a way that most parents aren’t privy to. It’s very rewarding to see how much Brynn is learning and how phenomenal her teacher, Mr. Gleason, is. It’s made me much more
appreciative of the craft of teaching.” “There are many people that are having a very difficult time right now, and we’re grateful and aware that our situation is unique because Alyssa is primarily taking care of the children,” he said. “My hope is to be able to work from home in the future, at least on a part-time basis, after the pandemic is done.” While the family was adjusting to different living conditions during the pandemic, they also became aware of other ways their family is privileged. “With the events of this summer we’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting. Our neighborhood, Kentwood, was developed in 1943. There were originally these racially restrictive covenants to keep the neighborhood white. We’re starting to uncover and understand some of the racial reckoning that needs to start within our own home and neighborhood. It’s been an eyeopening experience,” Alyssa said. So with the intent of getting more involved in the neighborhood with an eye toward inclusion, Alyssa joined the HOA board, the Kentwood Home Guardians. “Are we doing our best to right the wrongs of the past in whatever way we can?” asked Alyssa. “Are we being welcoming? How can we be inclusive of not only all races, but all income levels?” Now living in the community for seven years, the Bosts feel incredibly lucky to live in Westchester. “I remember discovering the Bluffs shortly after moving in. I was so excited to know there was a trailhead within walking distance of our house. I walked to it and the view was amazing. You can see all of the L.A. basin and there was a creek with herons and cranes. Are we still in L.A? This is incredible! We’ve spent so much time at the Bluffs since,” Alyssa said. “Yesterday we were in the car and pulling into Westchester and out of the blue, Brynn said, ‘Mom, I really love our neighborhood! The streets aren’t too big and the streets aren’t too busy. I just like it.’ I told her, I do, too!” Alyssa said. “When I was attending Pepperdine, I used to say that I would never raise kids in L.A. I’ve done a 180 on that opinion. I’m very happy raising our kids here. It’s been awesome. I couldn’t imagine raising them anywhere else.”
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This is our perfect day during COVID: Wake up and have chocolate chip pancakes as a family and read the Daily Breeze. Then we’ll take a walk or scooter ride around the neighborhood with our dog, Soapy. We’d play board games or two-touch soccer, then go to Yogurtland and Soundsations. We’re very lucky that where we live is one of the few places that still has a real record store. We would get takeout from Ayara Thai, Truxton’s or Bristol Farms. Something we’ve been doing recently is getting takeout and driving to Dockweiler where we tailgate while we eat our dinners, then walk on the beach and look at the stars. Before COVID, we never went to the beach at night. We’d end our perfect day by watching a movie with the girls or reading books.
This year, we’ve seen a level of political engagement that we’d never seen before in our neighborhood. It’s really encouraging and easy to plug into. There was a weekly demonstration by Kohl’s that we took part in, especially Alyssa, and sometimes with the girls. There’s definitely a level of consciousness that we didn’t have as children, but have been instilling in our kids. Last year, our family participated in the Children’s March on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We love having kid-friendly family events that we can participate in as well as teach our kids about things that really matter. The Facebook group Parenting Sisterhood in Westchester, PDR and PV has also been a wonderful resource.
Soundsations, Ayara and Truxton’s. We also miss The Good Pizza Westchester! Our amazing pediatrician Dr. Danelle Fisher and FIT4MOM. Leafy Green Creations has beautiful plants. We also love The Courtyard Café, Hilltop Coffee, The Book Jewel and Cultural Interiors. We’re always excited about new small businesses in the area! January 2021 • Page 17
Pioneers (continued) (continued from page 8) become Westchester, for defense workers in and around Mines Field (now LAX), who worked for such companies as Douglas, North American and Northrop, as well as other smaller aviation firms. The Lanham Act, which enabled workers in crucial defense industries affordable housing, affected every business decision Fritz B. Burns made over the next five years until the end of WWII. In 1941, Burns and Marlow purchased more than 1,000 acres of undeveloped land in what was then known as “West Coast” within the City of Los Angeles, which had been annexed to the City of Los Angeles by Daniel Freeman, founder of the City of Inglewood. The land sat just north of Mines Field and just east of Loyola University. Since the land was then perceived to be a long distance from downtown Los Angeles, they were able to purchase the land at a very low price of $1,100 per acre. However, it was clearly in close proximity to jobs in the defense industry, with no other affordable housing nearby. Additionally, a buyer would not just purchase a parcel of land, they would choose a parcel, then be given multiple options of floor plans that would be constructed by contractors as a part of the total cost.
Page 18 • January 2021
Bringing in other developers, development began in 1942, with homesites built in four quadrants centered around the intersection of Sepulveda and Manchester: the northeast quadrant was developed as Westport Heights; the southeast quadrant as Westchester; the southwest quadrant as Ferrar Manor, and the northwest quadrant as Kentwood Homes. Initial prices for these homes were $3,650 for a two bedroom, with a down payment of $95 and a larger two bedroom with a double garage sold for $3,990 with a down payment of $165. A three bedroom sold for $4,990 with a down payment of $265. The houses were marketed to first time homeowners, a long journey from marketing to only the elite of Los Angele in the 1920s. The median sale price of a home in Westchester is now $1.25 million according to zillow.com. This is the first article in a series about Westchester Pioneers. Cozette is an attorney and lifelong resident of Westchester. She is the President of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 19
TheHTN.com
Improve your chances of success in 2021 with these tips By Jeff Blair
obstacles around starting, and starting is the hardest part of any behavior. When we consider exercise, our immediate Opinion: A recent survey showed thought might be “this will be too difalmost 189 million American adults ficult,” “I’m going to get sore” or even plan to improve themselves in 2021. “this is going to be embarrassing.” We Whether you call these New Year’s build a 100-hundred foot psychological resolutions or something else, most wall in front of the first step. Fogg says people want to move beyond 2020 and experience something better next year. by creating smaller activity goals, we can reduce that wall to a few feet and Here are a few suggestions to improve easily step over it. your chances of success in 2021. We can also look beyond psychology Peter Gollwitzer, a New York University psychology professor, found and consider the math of small changes. If you are at all busy, squeezing in two publicly announcing goals sends the brain a false signal we have achieved the hours of exercise per week is obviously goal. This makes us less likely to actually easier than squeezing in 10 hours of achieve the goal since our brain believes exercise. If your schedule suddenly gets even busier (kid gets sick, job demands it has already happened. The brain increase, other family obligations tricks us. Setting huge fitness goals might work change) you can usually still find a few in the same way. People are less likely hours, but 10 hours is another story. to follow through when they say, “I am When it comes to long-term success, some flexibility is essential for busy going to work out two-hours per day, people. five-days per week” than when they After almost two decades in the start with an hour of exercise, twotimes per week. Publicly stating a large fitness industry, I find people who goal creates a deceptive feeling of pride, begin with smaller activity goals are more likely to make exercise a habit. before we have done anything. Smaller When people start excessive workout goals might not feel as inspirational. The irony is the person starting small- routines, they usually do not continue over the long term. They might burn out er is much more likely to succeed. BJ or work might get too busy. If fitness Fogg, a Stanford psychology professor, is an expert on this. His research shows is approached as an all or nothing idea humans create huge psychological and life interrupts, most will be forced
YOU CAN HELP!
to choose nothing on the fitness side. If your fitness routine is somewhat flexible and life interrupts, most can usually adapt and keep it going. Starting small also doesn’t mean you will finish small. I started my fitness journey 22 years ago walking on my lunch break in business clothes. I slowly built up to a light jog after work and eventually started running consistently. I even set my sights on a triathlon. One problem: I had never swam a lap in a pool in my life. I started to practice swimming, slowly got better and eventually registered for a triathlon. Although I was certain lifeguards would need to rescue me during the swim, I completed a short triathlon. Once I achieved that, my confidence grew and I figured, why not keep going? One thing lead to another and I finished an Ironman distance triathlon in October 1999. I can guarantee you I was not thinking about any of that when I started walking slowly at lunch. I lowered the barrier to entry and that raised the ceiling of success. Over time, my commitment and confidence grew. As I figured out how to make exercise work in my schedule, I developed a fitness lifestyle but it developed gradually and over time rather than all at once. Try to find a realistic starting point that works for your lifestyle. Create a
structure, but allow for reasonable flexibility. Focus first on consistency before increasing intensity. Try to find a supportive person to hold you accountable. By starting small and progressing as you feel comfortable, you can open the door to achieving your fitness goals in 2021. Please have a happy and safe New Year! Jeff Blair (M.S.) is a fitness author, certified personal trainer and founded the SoCalSport and Fitness Personal Training Studio in Westchester in 2011. Reach out jeff@socalsport.com to say hey. *Always observe all health orders while exercising around others. Before you start any fitness routine, please consult your doctor.
Classes will be offered virtually. To register or for additional information, contact Airport Marina Counseling Service 310.670.1410 x150
FOOD PANTRY, LAX
$95 per person/10 sessions
Emergency Food Distribution to those in need. Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association
Tejal Yarmand, LMFT Lic. #42428
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 20 • January 2021
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
Random Notes/Opinion
Choosing your actions while transitioning into a New Year By Fay Craton Opinion: The month of January was named for the Greek god, Janus. Prior to its naming, winter was simply a time “between” when the world hibernated before spring emerged. It was a time including both the old and the new simultaneously. As the new year is ushered in, there are no magical changes. January is simply an opportunity to sit on a boundary in time (imagine sitting on a wall), while we reflect on the past and what we imagine could be ahead of us. The image of Janus has two faces with an old man’s face looking at the past and a young man’s face looking at the future. This past year, we journeyed into previously unimaginable places both bad and good. There was the pandemic, marches for social justice, abrasive political polarity, enjoyable time with family, less driving and a chance to explore hobbies. Our emotions and mental well-being swung each time a “new unbelievable” happened. It is with glee we said “goodbye” to difficult parts of 2020. For many, the world splintered. Jobs and homes were lost. Loved ones died or were very ill. During this time, you may have felt splintered too, as if parts of yourself separated and drifted apart. Perhaps it is appropriate to pause before rapidly pushing away the splinters. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to acknowledge what broke apart. Have you honored the place within you in which you feel a loss? Often in our culture, the message is to rapidly move past what has happened, forget about it and get on with your life. During tough times, our productivity-oriented world often does not give opportunities to come to mental and emotional terms with what has unfolded. When broken places inside of you are not adequately addressed, the result can be brain fog, confusion, a sense of isolation, numbness and even feeling unwell. Frequently, help is needed to address loss. If friends are not available to assist, you may wish to contact a therapist. All of 2020 was not difficult for everyone. Many may look back with happiness upon what worked well during this past year. It is important to celebrate what we enjoyed. Celebrating is about marking in time an important event or occasion. Do you sometimes miss acknowledging what is good in your life? It is easy to think of celebrating as throwing a party. However, celebrating may be simply sharing with others what you enjoy and appreciate. Do you find yourself thinking (but not talking) about how enjoyable you found an activity? Many people are not practiced in using their words–their speech–to express what they like. It is
important to verbally “mark in time” what is good. It is only by expressing to others what you enjoy that others will understand “you.” A good habit is to end each day by verbally sharing with significant people what you enjoy in general and especially about them. During the past year did you experience previously unimaginable good life changes such as quality time with immediate family, opportunities to exercise, becoming organized, or chances to study or engage in a hobby? Would you like these changes to continue in the future? If so, what are you willing to do to ensure they continue? Do not assume that if you return to previous patterns of living the good experiences found during this past year will continue. You are accountable for your own life. Are you willing to invest your energy and effort into continuing the good life change? January is a good time to consider your own commitment. Much happens around us and to us. This means your future is only partially within your control. There are many aspects of life out of individual control. However, each person does have control over their own thoughts and behaviors. One of things out of our control is the COVID pandemic. The media is full of reports of vaccinations starting in the United States. Reports indicate, with vaccination, it will take several months before herd immunity is reached and the crisis is lessened. The term “herd” is interesting when applied to humans. Herds are mammals that live together. Connection and the well-being of the group is what keeps the herd healthy. While humans also value individuality, we cannot survive without positive connection with others. While you do not have control over the pandemic, the way you decide to manage your own actions is where you have personal control. Each person has their own stories, memories, hopes and dreams while sitting on the “wall” between the past and the future. The wall can be considered a resting point during the archetypal hibernation before the year moves into spring. I encourage you to take time during January to journal your thoughts and feelings as the new year begins to unfold. As always, I have wishes and hopes for you. As we enter 2021, I envision for you meaningful relationships with significant people, a strong support system around you; and a solid sense of connection to your own values, your family and your community. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011), which is the psychology license specializing in relationships. She is located in Westchester. If you have any questions, please contact Fay at (310) 645-6762.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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WESTCHESTER LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045
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8929 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, #130 Westchester, CA 90045
January 2021 • Page 21
Staying healthy in the new year: nutrition strategies for immune health By Sheri Weitz, RDN, Contributing Columnist
that obesity increases the chance of COVID complications through a series of hormonal reactions, but now is not Opinion: The first wave of vaccines the time to go on a crash diet. Sometimes we need extra help from has arrived and the end of the tunnel supplements to keep our immune is in sight! Yet we’re expecting system supercharged, with the caveat another pandemic wave after New that these don’t replace a healthy diet. Year’s, and we’re still being asked to socially distance and wear masks. Like Let’s look at some key supplements to assist your immune system, which many, I’ve experienced significant studies are showing may be beneficial. anxiety, especially after recently Vitamin D: Some studies have being exposed to a COVID-positive employee while working at a hospital. shown that those with low serum levels of vitamin D (less than 30 It was time to ask: “Am I doing mg/dl) have an increased risk of everything I can to keep my immune contracting the novel coronavirus system in tip-top shape?” In sharing these tips, I hope to reduce your and, if they do, of hospitalization. anxiety while giving your immune Low serum vitamin D is an epidemic system the edge it needs right now. in itself. Vitamin D is inexpensive, I’ve discussed the importance and the gel caps are tiny and easy to of a balanced diet in past articles, swallow. Check with your healthcare my favorite being the plant-based provider for your recommended daily Mediterranean diet for overall gut amount. Zinc: Research is showing the link health, weight loss and a happy between zinc deficiency and COVID, mood. A plant-based diet also boosts including its severity in positive your immune system, in which the microbiome plays a huge role. diagnoses. There is also research to Eating half our lunch and dinner as see if zinc can more quickly restore non-starchy vegetables, minimizing taste and smell in the wake of a COVID infection. Excellent dietary processed foods and trying to keep zinc powerhouses are oysters, crab, our sugar intake to 6 to 9 teaspoons per day (24-36 grams) goes a long way lobster, poultry, nuts and seeds, to assist immunity. We have all heard especially pumpkin seeds. Vegetarians
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tend to be more deficient, as well as older people and those with alcohol dependency, digestive disorders and sickle cell disease. While most clinical trials are using 50 mg zinc per day, most dietitians caution against taking more than 40 mg of zinc per day. Long-term, I recommend 5-10 mg zinc daily for most people, which is the amount found in most multivitamins. Choose a zinc supplement that also includes copper, and take zinc at least two hours away from any prescription drugs to prevent any interaction. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is known to be an essential anti-oxidant and immunity booster. Start with vitamin C-rich food sources: oranges, kiwis, bell peppers and guavas, to name a few. I suggest 500-1,000 mg of vitamin C per day. As mentioned, the supplements listed here are being researched in clinical trials, and much of the research is quite promising. By eating a healthy diet, taking our supplements, wearing a mask and social distancing, we’re being proactive in our effort to ride this COVID wave intact. Boosting our immune systems and reducing our anxiety levels go hand in hand, so be sure to take comfort in taking care of
Weitz is a local dietitian and enjoys teaching Zumba at local spots.
yourself. *Before taking any vitamins or supplements, please consult with your healthcare provider. Sheri Weitz, RDN, CDE is a Registered Dietitian with a private practice in Westchester, and she provides clinical nutrition services for Manchester Medical. Sheri also teaches Zumba classes… her “happy pill.” To find out more about her services or for a free consultation, go to MovetoWellness.net.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 23
By Eden Garcia-Balis, AMCS The New Year is traditionally a time when people take a closer look at their physical health. They vow to work out. They join a gym. They swear to eat better. But this year, perhaps more than ever, the new year is a time to look closer at your mental health, and particularly the mental health of the young people in your life. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to students, educators and parents. Children already coping with mental health conditions have been especially vulnerable to the changes, and now we are learning about the broad impacts on students as a result of schools being closed, physical distancing guidelines and isolation, and other unexpected changes to their lives. “Going to school had been a struggle for [some children with depression] prior to the pandemic, but at least they had school routines to stick with,” said Zanonia Chiu, a registered clinical psychologist working with children and adolescents in a study published in The Lancet. “Now that schools are closed, some lock themselves up inside their rooms for weeks, refusing to take showers, eat, or leave their beds.” For some children with depression, there will be considerable difficulties adjusting back to normal life when school resumes. The potential for heightened mental health challenges confronting schools is also evident in new Gallup Panel polling of parents with school-aged children conducted via the web. Nearly three in 10 (29 percent) say their child is “already experiencing harm” to their emotional or mental health because of social distancing and closures. The numbers from other studies are not encouraging: • 22.3% of youth showed signs indicative of clinical depression in the midst of the pandemic, compared
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to the 13.2% estimated prevalence of youth depression before the pandemic began. • 85.7% of parents reported changes in their children’s emotions and behaviors during the quarantine: • Difficulty concentrating: 76.6% • Boredom: 52% • Irritability: 39% • Restlessness: 38.8% • Loneliness: 30.1% • 13.2% of students received mental health services through their schools. With schools closed, those services are not easily accessed by students. At Airport Marina Counseling Service, we have seen many parents looking for strategies for how to help their children cope during this unprecedented time. The best strategies come down to improved communication and recognition that many of us are in the same boat, experiencing the same stressors and frustrations. Here are some coping strategies specifically for children: Answer questions about the pandemic simply and honestly. Talk with children about any frightening news they hear. It is OK to say people are getting sick, but remind them that following safety precautions will help your family stay healthy. Recognize your child’s feelings. Calmly say, for example, “I can see that you are upset because you can’t have a sleepover with your friends right now.” Guiding questions can help older children and teens work through issues: “I know it is disappointing not to be able to do some of the things you did before the pandemic. What are some other ways you can have fun with your friends?” Keep in touch with loved ones. Children may also worry about a grandparent who is living alone or a relative or friend with an increased risk of getting COVID-19. When safe, physically distanced visits aren’t possible, video chats can help ease their anxiety. Model how to manage feelings. Talk through how you are managing
Eden Garcia-Balis is the CEO of AMCS.
your own feelings: “I am worried about grandma since I can’t go visit her. I will put a reminder on my phone to call her in the morning and the afternoon until it is safe to see her.” Tell your child before you leave the house for work or essential errands. In a calm and reassuring voice, tell them where you are going,
Photo by Ballerini Cooley Studios.
In the new year, take a look at the mental health of young people in your life
how long you will be gone, when you will return and that you are taking steps to stay safe. Look forward. Tell them that scientists are working hard to figure out how to help people who get sick, how to prevent it and that things will get better. Offer extra hugs and say “I love you” more often. If you or someone you love needs to talk or wants more information about how to deal with COVID-19 impacts on mental health, please call AMCS at (310) 670-1410 or visit our website: AMCShelps.com. We’re here to help. Eden Garcia-Balis, LMFT, is the CEO of Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS), Westchester’s only community mental health clinic. She has more than 20 years of experience in leadership and management of mental health service programs, business operations and fundraising. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Pasadena Mental Health Center and has a passion for working with the underprivileged and underserved. She believes all people regardless of their socioeconomic status deserve quality mental health services they can afford.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Wishing you and yours a healthy and wonderful 2021!
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 25
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When the Westchester Mental Health Guild had to cancel their biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Holiday Home Tour, the HomeTown News connected with them to share an idea. What if this year they hosted a Holiday Light Tour and Contest instead where they could encourage the community to go big with decorations and shared a map of the locations with the neighborhood? Guild President Linda Peterson and Fundraising Chair Janie Guthrie loved the idea and quickly got to work to make the event happen! Twenty-three homes and a church participated in the contest and wowed the nearly 850 spectators who drove through Westchester and Playa del Rey to view thousands of lights, tons of giant inflatables, waving Santas and even snow! While every location on the map brought smiles to those who drove by, longtime Guild supporters Jane St. John, RE/ MAX; Nancy Edwards, AMCS board member and the HomeTown News had the difficult task of selecting this year’s first, second and third place winners, as well as two honorable mentions and a Best Block Teamwork award. Congratulations to this year’s winners! Thank you for bringing the magic of the season to Westchester/Playa! 1. First Place Winner: The Milligan family, Westchester, for their giant inflatable display 2. Second Place Winner: Jon and Tina Vanderjagt, Westchester, for their neon light display 3. Third Place Winner: Jon and Maria Koenig, Westchester, for their rocking Santa display 4. Honorable Mentions: The Reed family, Playa del Rey, for their Reindeer in Here and friends display | Roger Gleckman, Playa del Rey, for his twinkling light display (not pictured) 5. Best Block Teamwork: Nardian Way neighbors, Westchester (Katie Rampen, Ernst Rampen and George Ronay pictured) for their multi-house and overhead lights display Check out a video of the winning locations lit up at facebook.com/thehtn. Page 26 • January 2021
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.
presented by the Westchester Mental Health Guild
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2021 • Page 27
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News