Westchester/Playa HomeTown News August 2019 edition by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

Our 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Ofâ&#x20AC;? honoree collage features some of the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite businesses, organizations, places and events.

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Ballet Beyond Borders debuts in Westchester 04 WDRLL takes home SoCal State Championship 05 2019 Best Of List! 07 th In Pictures: 20 Annual Fourth of July Parade 50-51

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

About The HomeTown News (HTN)

The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.

Connect with the HTN:

Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.

Front page photos courtesy Loyola Marymount University, Zsuzsi Steiner and HomeTown News.

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 Like us on Facebook!

Stay up-to-date with news and events at facebook.com/thehtn

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

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

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Community Spotlight: Ballet Beyond Borders debuts in Westchester for the first time with dance, special events Nearly 1,200 miles northeast of Westchester lies Missoula, Montana, a river valley town burrowed deep in the Northern Rockies. While it’s often recognized for its lush forests and thriving parks and recreation, Missoula also boasts an impressive cultural hub, housing a vital literary and art scene. Arising from this landscape comes Ballet Beyond Borders (BBB), a global festival that fuses education, diplomacy and creativity amongst artists across cultural and geographic lines through diverse genres of dance. Originally launched at the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre headquartered there, Ballet Beyond Borders aims to help youth not only sharpen their artistic craft, but also foster a better understanding of social justice issues faced by groups of people worldwide. With the support of the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation and its President Karen Dial, BBB is coming to Westchester for the first time this month. Westchester and Loyola Marymount University will host a variety of BBB events over the festival’s duration from August 7 through the 10. Additional events, including the Gala Finale featuring performances from dancers from around the globe will take place at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Dial, who grew up in Westchester and now shares her time between Westchester/ Playa and Missoula, is excited to bring the event to her hometown. “I love Westchester. It is my hometown and I believe it is one of the best places to raise a family and be part of a community. That is why I wanted to bring Ballet Beyond Borders here,” said Dial. “The international melding of dancers and personalities representing love, passion and togetherness is amazing, and there’s no room for negativity or put-downs. BBB is an amazing cultural event that personifies inclusivity and acceptance in every aspect of life.” While dancers from around the world—including Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Georgia, Romania and Brazil—take master classes and compete during the four-day event, the community is invited to the campus of LMU on Wednesday, August 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. for “Creating your Signature Pose: The Body as the Brush” with artist David Russell from Otis College of Art and Design. The live

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Photo courtesy BBB.

By Sarah Ahern

The community is invited to attend Ballet Beyond Borders special events happening at LMU this month, including dance performances and “Cultural Crossroads–Cultural Diplomacy in a Changing World.”

collaborative painting performance will be executed with acrylic paint on canvas with the goal of representing the beautiful forms found in dance and movement. Dancers will be expressing their preferred “still” dance move/ pose by using their bodies to make a painted impression on the canvas. The final artwork will be displayed at the BBB gala at the Redondo Beach performing Arts Center On Thursday, August 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., the campus will also host Pakistani filmmaker and Director General of the National Council of the Arts, Jamal Shah, who will present his film, “Revenge of the Worthless.” The action drama depicts the struggle between unsung heroes during an insurgency in Pakistan. There will be a discussion following the film. BBB’s main local event, “Cultural Crossroads–Cultural Diplomacy in a Changing World” will feature dance performances in genres ranging from classical ballet to Hip Hop, coupled with engaging panel discussions examining the role of the arts in social justice, leadership, diplomacy and more. The event takes place on Saturday, August 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at LMU’s Burns Recreation Center. All the special events at LMU are free and open to the public. Although seemingly a world away

BEST OF 2019

from the outdoorsy town of Missoula, Westchester and Missoula bear many striking similarities, said Charlene Carey, President of BBB, making it a natural choice as the event’s next home. While Missoula is one of the largest urban cities in Montana, it maintains a tight-knit community feel and is a college town, much like Westchester. “I never explored Westchester until fairly recently, but I’ve fallen in love with the community and the fact that it has both an Americana feel and a cutting-edge tech industry,” said Carey. The first time BBB took place in Missoula, Carey was skeptical of the audience turnout. Yet to her surprise, the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre was swarming with folks from all over the community—from students to cowboys to doctors. As the week-long festival hosted dancers from all over the world, Carey relished in the fact that the local Missoula community took so fondly to the artists that they were rooting for their favorites by the end of the week. This audience-artist interaction is exactly part of what makes BBB unique—that every work being presented transcends the stage into the community, making it an event not just for dancers, but for any admirer of the arts. She hopes the Westchester—and Los Angeles—community have the

same experience. “That’s the miracle of the event,” Carey said. “It’s not millions of people holding hands and singing ‘We are the World.’ What’s happening on stage is the catalyst for everyone coming together, it’s the reason they came. They’re all going to share their dance, but once they get there, it’s much more than that.” The competition portion of the event consists of a variety of categories of dance and nearly 200 participants will be involved this year, including a choreographer from Inglewood, Joshua Thorton, and two 6-year-olds from Artistico School of Dance in Westchester who will be performing a duet. Although the performances are judged on a technical basis, artistry is considered more heavily than technique, Carey said. Like the competitors, members of the jury consist of some of the biggest names in dance from all over the world, serving as a nuanced and knowledgeable base to judge the participants on how effectively they are communicating their cultural messages to the audience through their pieces. Since much of the artists’ works are original choreographies, innovation is highly valued. (continued on page 43)

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Photos by Glenn Marzano.

The girls of the WDRLL 12U Team, many of them playing with the league since their T-ball days, made the community proud with skillful playing and teamwork this season. The coaching staff, Lucio Raygosa, Mike Grimm, and Westchester native and team Manager, Tizoc Campos, share a unique bond of all being past WDRLL parents; it’s a rarity in little league to have volunteers willing to coach a team that doesn’t include their own kids on the roster. When this team won the Southern California State Championship in mid-July, they expanded their representation to include all of SoCal, but here in Westchester, we were rooting for our home team! On the field, the team relied on each other to get through three levels of local tournament play to make it to the Western Regional Little League Tournament in San Bernardino on July 20-26 to compete for a spot at the 12U Little League World Series. While many teams may ride the coattails of one or two superstar players, the WDRLL Southern California State team was a solid roster of 12 girls who each contributed to advancing their team to the next level of play. During the week-long tournament where the team stayed onsite in Little League barracks and ate three meals a

day in the mess hall, the team was victorious over competitors from Idaho, Wyoming and Utah, but lost twice to the team from Washington. The second loss was a heartbreaker for the players and the fans who watched the team lead 2-0 until Washington’s final time at bat where they came back to win by one run. With ESPN’s coverage of the entire tournament, fans watched from around the world. Back in Westchester, Tower Pizza hosted standing-room-only watch parties for all the games in addition to a send-off fundraising dinner the night before the team left. Easy access to watch the games in air conditioning, however, didn’t sway the local super fans from driving through L.A. rush-hour traffic to cheer on the girls in 100-plus degree weather in San Bernardino. Without question, WDRLL had the largest fan base there! The WDRLL Southern California State Champion team is: Emily Azemar, Allie Bell, Allie Cunningham, Jameson Gertsch, Maya Holtzman, Hannah Lamay, Alexis Marrero, Abbie O’Donnell, Liliana Ordonez, Lauren Ray, Nevaeh Salazar and Ella Turgeon, with Manager Tizoc Campos and coaches Lucio Raygosa and Mike Grimm.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

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Dear Readers, We love our community and enjoy celebrating its people, places and events each month in the pages of the Westchester/Playa HomeTown News. Our Best Of Readers’ Poll is our supersized way to highlight all the best things about living and working in Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey. With so many excellent restaurants, businesses and organizations in the area, we love giving you—our readers—an annual opportunity to vote for your favorites. You are the real experts and you’ve been helping us honor these outstanding individuals and businesses since 2012. Thank you for being a part of recognizing those who make our community a special place to live, work and visit. This annual Best Of issue is a great resource to keep on hand the entire year. If you’re new to the neighborhood, perhaps use it to find a bakery to buy that extra special birthday cake or to find the best places to volunteer to connect with new friends and likeminded individuals who live nearby. If you’ve been here for awhile, peruse the list to pick a restaurant you’ve never visited or for recommendations for a new financial or estate planner. These pages highlight those businesses that go the extra mile, inspiring the type of loyalty that gets our readers voting every year to make sure their favorites make our list.

Voting took place May 10 through June 21 and readers voted via a link from SurveyMonkey. Voting was limited to one vote per IP address. The HomeTown News loves supporting our small businesses and shopping local. When we support our local businesses, they are able to support our neighborhood by sponsoring local sports teams, donating to school fundraisers, providing jobs and helping our community thrive. A special thank you to all our local businesses that make it a priority to give back to their community! Our publication would not be possible without the support of our readers, all the Best Of voters, our advertisers and this community. We are grateful for every single one of you! The results of our 2019 Best Of Readers’ Poll are located on the following pages. Each category contains a “Best Of” honoree and two runner-up “Favorites.” While this poll is a fun way to celebrate the best of our community, it only represents a small portion of all the great things that make up our neighborhood. If you don’t see your favorites on this year’s list, please remember to vote next year! We hope you’ll consider patronizing our Best Of honorees. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some new favorites! Make sure to tell them the HTN sent you!

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

-The Westchester/Playa HomeTown News

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BUSINESS

categories BEST VETERINARY CENTER, Westchester Veterinary

When any of your furry or reptilian friends need a check-up or medical help, Westchester Veterinary will get them the care they need with compassionate

BEST VETERINARY CENTER Westchester Veterinary

8911 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.645.4444 or westchestervet.com At Westchester Veterinary Center and Cat Clinic, they’re dedicated to providing high quality medical care for your four-legged family members, while providing outstanding service, education and support to their clients. Led by Dr. Henry Yoo and Dr. Andrew Krieger, the team at Westchester Veterinary provides care for all pets–from dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and “pocket pets.”

Favorites: Marina Veterinary Center 8421 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.642.8080 or marinavet.com

VCA Marina Bay Cities Animal Hospital

2506 Lincoln Blvd., Venice 310.306.8707 or vcahospitals.com/marina

BEST REAL ESTATE GROUP/COMPANY Stephanie Younger Group | Compass

7296 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.499.2020 or stephanieyounger.com Looking for your dream home? The team at the Stephanie Younger Group are experts in the areas they serve, especially when it comes to Westchester/Playa, making them our readers’ #1 pick this year when it comes to buying and selling homes.

Favorites: Keller Williams Silicon Beach

13274 Fiji Way #100, Marina del Rey 310.305.8333 or marina.yourkwoffice.com

support. Their preventive approach aims to help keep your pet healthy, happy and by your side for as long as possible.

BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY RPM Mortgage, Marina del Rey

4640 Admiralty Way, Suite 430, Marina del Rey 310.574.7777 or rpm-mtg.com/la RPM Mortgage’s Marina del Rey Branch Manager, Dean Wong, has been helping his clients successfully finance their new homes since 2002. Building a reputation on experience, knowledge and integrity has earned this business our top spot on this year’s list.

Favorites: Betty Betts Escrow Co.

8641 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.670.2398 or bettybettsescrow.com

Wells Fargo Mortgage wellsfargo.com/mortgage

BEST ESTATE PLANNING PRACTICE Law offices of Christopher Blatter

6080 Center Dr. 6th Floor, Westchester 424.832.1141 or blatterlaw.com Christoper Blatter makes our list for the first time this year! Blatter focuses his practice on helping individuals, families and small business owners plan for their future, while protecting their assets. His office prides itself in flexible meeting options, direct access and quick turnaround time. They also offer flat rates and flexible payment options.

Favorites: Law Offices of Edgar Saenz

8921 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #101, Westchester 310.417.9900 or edgarsaenz.com

Velasco & Joyce Law Firm, LLP

8055 Manchester Ave. #710, Playa del Rey 310.821.7890

REMAX Estate Properties

7131 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.802.6000 or remax.com

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BEST LAW FIRM Vergari & Napolitano

5777 W. Century Blvd. Ste.1580, Westchester 310.410.4014 or laxlawyers.com Vergari & Napolitano take the top spot in our poll this year! Focusing on family issues and estate planning, this Westchester firm strives to build long-term relationships with its clients, while being committed to providing professional services with integrity.

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Drollinger Properties

Favorites: Aesthetic Legal

8055 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.301.4545 or aestheticlegal.com

Favorites: Matilla Property

Voss, Silverman & Braybrooke LLP

225 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.306.9005 or matillagrouppropertymanagement.com

4640 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.306.0515 or vsbllp.com

BEST FLORIST

CCR Properties

8816 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 105, Westchester 310.641.3383 or ccrprop.com

Flowers by Felicia

8428 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey 310.305.1200 or flowersbyfeliciapdr.com Located in Playa del Rey, the staff at Flowers by Felicia are experts in crafting beautiful floral arrangements for any occasion. Whether you want to tell someone “Happy Mother’s Day,” “Congratulations” or are looking for an arrangement for your home or office, Felicia St. Denis and her team have you covered. It’s always a special day when you get a delivery from this shop with over 25 years of experience!

Favorites: Playa del Rey Florist

307 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0984 or playaflowers.com

Westchester Flowers

8520 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.645.6767or westchesterflowersla.com

BEST AUTO SHOP Playa West Automotive

8145 Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.822.9115 or playawestautomotive.com Playa West Automotive is a seven time Best Of honoree and they pride themselves in their

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seems impossible to beat. The company, known for treating its tenants like family, owns many commercial properties in Westchester, including the Paradise Building and the Ralph’s Shopping Center. For Drollinger Properties, it’s equally important to provide excellent support to their tenants and to support their community. The Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation supports yoga in local schools, almost every large community event and is working to bring more public art to the Westchester/Playa. Later this year, look for the opening of their new bookstore and cafe in the Westchester Triangle. Stay tuned for more details...

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR Richard Moon & Associates

Drollinger Properties President Karen Dial (pictured left) is helping bring more public art to Westchester by providing space on her buildings for colorful murals courtesy of artist David Russell and Otis College. With murals already on the Drollinger Building and the alleyway by Noodle World, we hope to see more artwork representing the Westchester/Playa area to pop up in the future! integrity and honesty, as well as mechanical know how. This Playa del Rey shop works on all makes and models, including classic cars, and will help you get back on the road in no time.

Favorites: B&J Service Center

6551 80th St., Westchester 310.670.4272 or bandjservice.mechanicnet.com

Loyola Marina Auto Care 8314 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester

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424.227.5551 or loyolamarinaautocare.com

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FIRM Drollinger Properties

8929 Sepulveda Blvd. Ste 130, Westchester 310.417.8048 or drollingerproperties.com When it comes to property management, our eight-time winner, Drollinger Properties

5777 W. Century Blvd. #1580, Westchester 310.484.0800 or rmacpas.com At Richard Moon & Associates, their mission is to have the client–and only the client–in mind. They’ll get to know your financial needs, wants and long-term goals while assisting in your tax, financial and business affairs.

Favorites: Sharon Cooper (tied)

4551 Glencoe Ave. #240, Marina del Rey 310.301.2183 or edwardjones.com/sharoncooper

Erika Puzik, Ameriprise

6080 Center Dr. #730, Westchester 310.933.3240 or ameripriseadvisors.com/ erika.r.puzik

Regatta Capital Group (tied)

2321 Rosecrans Ave. #2225, El Segundo 310.725.9102 or regattainvest.com

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

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Westchester Watch Works

310.640.1074 or westchesterwatchworks.com For nearly 30 years, this family-owned business led by Pat and David Lyon has been the premier location to get your watch repaired, jewelry cleaned or to purchase a new timepiece. After years in El Segundo, this September, Westchester Watch Works is heading back to Westchester ready to provide the same excellent service to clients by appointment.

Favorites: Blue Diamond

245 Main St., El Segundo 310.322.8060 or bluediamondjeweler.com

Marina Bay Watch Company

4027 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.574.8777or marinabaywatch.com

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Stephanie Younger, Stephanie Younger Group

7296 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.499.2020 or stephanieyounger.com A top real estate agent, Stephanie Younger has strong ties to the community as an LMU graduate and a long-time Westchester resident. Her results-driven approach, integrity and honesty have earned her top-producer status, as well as the hard-earned respect of her clients, colleagues and community members.

Favorites: Jane St. John, REMAX

capture the real you in photos! She specializes in photographing small children, pets and folks who are not big fans of getting their photos taken and makes photo sessions fun and easy.

Favorites: Ballerini Cooley Studios

8242 Sunnysea Dr., Playa del Rey 310.301.1576 or ballerinicooleystudios.com

Cheryl Cantu Photography

BEST SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY PARTNER Stephanie Younger

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.

BEST JEWELRY/ WATCH STORE

cherylkcantu.wixsite.com/photography

BEST REAL ESTATE TEAM Stephanie Younger Group

7296 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.499.2020 or stephanieyounger.com The Stephanie Younger Group takes our Best Real Estate Team spot this year. Led by Stephanie Younger, the team includes sixteen agents ready to help find you the perfect home or help you sell your property.

Favorites: Fineman Suarez

13274 Fiji Way #100, Marina del Rey 310.862.1761 or sellbuyla.com

Amy Nelson Frelinger Team, Douglas Elliman (tied) 444 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.951.0416 or amyfrelinger.com

Williamson & Pagan Team, REMAX (tied)

7131 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.678.6650 or williamsonandpagan.com

155 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.577.5300 or westsidebeachhomes.com

Nanci Edwards, NEST

7131 W. Manchester Ave.. Westchester 310.645.7785 or nanciedwards.com

BEST LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER Zsuzsi Steiner Photography

In addition to being a top real estate agent, Stephanie Younger supports a variety of community events and programs including the WAM Block Party, Rock Roll & Run and the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary’s Teacher Mini Grants. She is also a proud sponsor of the Fourth of July Parade, where she and her team pass out thousands of water bottles to spectators.

714.856.5737 or zsuzsiphotography.com Westchester resident Zsuzsi Steiner wants to

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BEST CORPORATE COMMUNITY PARTNER Loyola Marymount University

1 LMU Dr., Westchester 310.338.2700 or lmu.edu Loyola Marymount University takes the #1 spot for the first time this year in this category. With so many people that work, attend school or are alumni of the university in the community, it is no surprise that LMU works to be a good partner. They hold quarterly meetings to hear from neighbors, work with groups like the LAX Coastal Education Foundation for the Rock Roll & Run and are key supporters of the Fourth of July Parade. Their campus is also a great resource for a wide variety of arts, entertainment and sporting events.

Favorites: LAX Coastal Chamber

9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #210, Westchester 310.645.5151 or laxcoastal.com

Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital

4650 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.823.8911 or marinahospital.com

BEST SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY PARTNER

Stephanie Younger, Stephanie Younger Group

7296 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.499.2020 or stephanieyounger.com Stephanie Younger keeps her Community Partner honor this year, thanks to her dedication to the community. Whether she and her team are passing out thousands of water bottles along the parade route, sponsoring the beer garden at WAM or helping support local schools at the Rock Roll & Run, Stephanie is a prime example of a

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dedicated community partner.

Favorites: Drollinger Properties

8929 Sepulveda Blvd. Ste 130, Westchester 310.417.8048 or drollingerproperties.com

Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd. 13208 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, 310.306.8330 or rainbowacresca.com

BEST MOVIE THEATER Cinemark Playa Vista

12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. #3190, Playa Vista 310.862.5668 or cinemark.com This theater’s stadium seating and reserve-level luxury seats make it an easy choice for our readers’ top movie theater pick.

Favorites: AMC Marina del Rey Dine-In

13455 Maxella Ave #280, Marina del Rey 310.827.7955 or amctheatres.com

Cinemark HHLA

6081 Center Dr. Suite 201, Westchester 310.568.3394 or cinemark.com

BEST CAR DEALERSHIP Marina del Rey Toyota

4636 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.821.8979 or marinadelreytoyota.com Marina del Rey Toyota tops our list again this year for making buying and leasing cars a breeze, as well as the dealership’s customer service and knowledgeable staff.

Favorites: CarMax LAX

8611 S. La Cienega Blvd., Inglewood 310.957.6712 or carmax.com

Airport Honda

5850 W Centinela Ave., Los Angeles 310.651.8629 or airportmarinahonda.com

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

BEST SENIOR SERVICES Sunrise of Playa Vista

5555 Playa Vista Dr., Playa Vista 310.437.7178 or sunriseseniorliving.com Sunrise of Playa Vista is the premier senior assisted living community in Playa Vista and takes the top spot in this new Best Of category. Services and amenities are based on each resident’s needs, including activities, home cooked meals and more. Conveniently located close to parks, the Marina and shopping centers, Sunrise is a popular senior living community.

Favorites: Seniors Helping Seniors

8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #350, Westchester 310.878.2045 or inhomecarela.com

Westside Pacific Villages

8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #326, Westchester 310.695.7030 or thewpv.org

BEST HAIR SALON Avenue Hair

4220 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.822.0700 Avenue Hair takes this year’s Best Of title for the sixth year in a row for providing their clients with great color, cuts and styling.

Favorites: Jon Peri Salon

13175 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey 310.821.8012 or johnperisalon.com

Uncle Aaron’s

8355 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.410.0494 or uncleaarons.com

BEST HOTEL/INN Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey

4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.1700 or ritzcarlton.com/ Marina_del_Rey When you’re looking for luxury, check into this waterfront hotel with newly renovated, pet-friendly accommodations and 24-hour room service.

Favorites: Inn at Playa del Rey

435 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.574.1920 or innatplayadelrey.com

Marina del Rey Hotel

13534 Bali Way, Marina Del Rey 310.301.1000 or marinadelreyhotel.com

BEST SHOPPING CENTER The Point El Segundo

850 S. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo 310.414.5280 or thepointsb.com The Point El Segundo takes home the Best Shopping Center designation for the second time in a row. With great eateries like Tocaya Organica, Smitten Ice Cream and Hopdoddy, and trendy spots like Warby Parker, Lululemon and Soulcycle, it’s no surprise this center is a reader favorite.

Favorites: Runway Playa Vista

12775 Millennium Dr. #165, Playa Vista runwayplayavista.com

Westfield Culver City

6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 310.390.5073 or westfield.com/culvercity

BEST INSURANCE AGENT Peter Kohly

6320 Howard B. Drollinger Way #202, Westchester 310.641.3430 With over 38 years of experience, Peter Kohly is your local Farmers Insurance Agent and can help with your insurance needs for your auto, home and more.

Favorites: Rachel Sunday

8055 W. Manchester Ave. Ste. #405, Playa del Rey 800.834.2310 or playavistains.com

Katie Leung

8405 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.641.8990

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

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FOOD & DRINK

categories FAVORITE HAPPY HOUR Melody Bar & Grill

Serving the community since the 1950s, Melody Bar & Grill is living up to its mission of “serving amazing food and drinks.”

Stop by our reader voted Favorite Happy Hour spot every day from 4 to 7 p.m. for dishes like Serrano Barbecue Chicken Wings, BBQ

Chicken Cheese Bites, Vegan Sliders and drink specials. Whether you’re looking for a great neighborhood bar to hang out in, a place to listen to

live entertainment (or sing karaoke) or grab a bite to eat, Melody owner, Christian Warren and his team, invite you to stop on by!

BEST HAPPY HOUR

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

BEST HEALTHY DINING OPTIONS

BEST JUICE BAR

6245 W. 87th Street, Westchester 310.410.8848 or ayarathaicuisine.com Pad Thai! Drunken Noodles! Massaman Curry! There’s not a dish we’ve tried that we don’t love at this Westchester family-run restaurant. Giving locals a taste of authentic Thai food since 2004, quality is never compromised and the menu changes often.

12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. #3140, Playa Vista 424.256.7274 or urbanplates.com Urban Plates tops our list this year for the first time! With a menu full of locally, sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients that are prepared in front of you while you wait, there’s no shortage of healthy choices at this Playa Vista location. Their desserts are good too!

13208 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles 310.306.8330 or rainbowacresca.com When you’re in the mood for a fresh squeezed juice, head to Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd. for their great selection of fresh or ready-to-go cold pressed juices, shakes and smoothies. If you have time, order up a freshly made Carlos’ Flu Special with carrot, orange and ginger or the All Fruit Yoga Blend with banana, agave nectar, mango, pineapple, coconut juice and strawberries!

6224 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 424.227.6486 or cahuengagroup.com/cafe-solar

Favorites: Señor G’s Juice

13208 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles 310.306.8330 or rainbowacresca.com

Harvest Bar Playa Vista

Cinco

7241 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.910.0895 or cincola.com When you’re looking for a drink (or two) with your friends and colleagues, Cinco doesn’t disappoint with their great deals on tacos and specialty cocktails.

Favorites: Melody Bar & Grill

Ayara Thai Cuisine

9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1994 or melodylax.com

Favorites: Thai Dishes

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com

Thai Talay

Tony P’s Dockside Grill

BEST AMERICAN RESTAURANT Truxton’s American Bistro

8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com Taking back this year’s Best American Restaurant spot is Westchester hot spot Truxton’s American Bistro. We love this neighborhood favorite for their friendly service, large portions and seasonal offerings. No matter what’s on the menu though, we always start a meal off with Monkey Bread!

Favorites: Cafe del Rey

4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.6395 or cafedelreymarina.com

Tony P’s Dockside Grill

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com

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6234 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.342.0046 or thaidishes-la.com 8411 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.3055 or thethaitalay.com

13181 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey 310.437.7600 or starksrestaurant.com

Ritrovo Playa Vista

6020 S. Seabluff Dr., Playa Vista 424.289.9327 or ritrovoplayavista.com

BEST OF 2019

Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd.

Tony P’s Dockside Grill

12105 E. Waterfront Dr. Suite B, Playa Vista 213.296.2383 or myhomestate.com The community loves HomeState Playa Vista, voting it the best new eatery in this year’s poll! Specializing in Tex-Mex style grub, the restaurant’s menu is heavy on tacos and queso dip.

Favorites: Stark’s

Favorites: Cafe Solar

BEST BAR

BEST NEW RESTAURANT/ EATERY HomeState Playa Vista

Urban Plates

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com Tony P’s tavern keeps its top spot in this year’s poll. If you’re looking for variety, you’ve come to the right place, because this bar features more than 100 beers from all over the world, more than 50 wines by the glass and a rotating selection of brews for beer connoisseurs. Then there’s the menu of “foo-foo” drinks, think umbrellas and wild colors, eight huge TVs, and a full-service menu, which make the tavern a top pick when you want a drink.

Favorites: Cinco

7241 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.910.0895 or cincola.com

Melody Bar & Grill

9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1994 or melodylax.com

Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd.

343 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.822.7733 or senorgs.com 8601 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 424.331.9006 or theharvestbar.com

BEST QUICK SERVICE MEXICAN FOOD Benny’s Tacos

7101 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.670.8226 or bennystacos.com Craving Mexican food? Then check out this Westchester favorite for a quick bite to eat. Whether we’re ordering the avocado supreme burrito, the veggie quesadilla or the enchiladas, we always leave room for the churros!

Favorites: El Tarasco Westchester

8620 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.338.0399

Señor G’s

343 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.822.7733 or senorgs.com

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Alejo’s

BEST QUICK SERVICE MEXICAN FOOD Benny’s Tacos

8343 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.6677 or alejosrestaurant.com Alejo’s battles back to the number one spot this year when it comes to Italian food and their delicious garlic and olive oil dipping sauce.

185 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.823.6222 Our readers can’t get enough of Playa del Rey’s #1 burger--the Shack Burger! Featuring a 1/4 pound patty with all the fixings and topped with a Louisiana Sausage, this burger is just what you need after a long day at the beach. If one isn’t enough, order a double, and don’t forget the fries!

C&O Cucina

3016 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.301.7278 or candorestaurants.com

Favorites: Humble Potato

BEST BREAKFAST

2608 Washington Blvd. #B, Los Angeles 310.881.9498 or humblepotato.com

The Coffee Company

6224 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 424.227.6486 or cahuengagroup.com/ cafe-solar

J. Nichols

4375 Glencoe Ave., Marina del Rey 310.823.2283 or jnicholskitchen.com

BEST SEAFOOD Kanpai Sushi

8325 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester

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4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com

The Shack

193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0018 or salernobeach.com

Favorites: Cafe Solar

Tony P’s Dockside Grill

BEST BURGER

Favorites: Cantalini’s Salerno Beach

8751 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.645.7315 or thecoffeecompanyla.com There’s no better place for breakfast in Westchester than The Coffee Company, but be prepared to wait for a seat at this popular eatery. Whether you’re in the mood for a skillet, crepes, something from the griddle or a classic omelette, you won’t be disappointed with this eatery that is synonymous with breakfast with the local crowd. While you’re there, check out the eatery’s new Lakers mural, and if you’re there on a Sunday, head on over to the Westchester’ Farmers Market just down the street.

119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com

Photo courtesy Benny’s Tacos.

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Truxton’s American Bistro

8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com

310.338.7223 or kanpai-sushi.net When you’re in the mood for excellent sushi, look no further than Kanpai. This restaurant, with two Westchester locations, excels in beautifully-plated dishes with fresh ingredients.

Favorites: Killer Shrimp

Favorites: Angel Made Bakery

4542 Centinela Ave., Los Angeles 310.915.2078

4714 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.742.2253 or susiecakes.com

BEST RESTAURANT

Playa Provisions

119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com

Truxton’s American Bistro

BEST BAKERY 6216 W. 87th St., Westchester 310.215.9606 or westchesterbakery.com Next time you’re in the Westchester Triangle, make sure to stop by this longtime local fave for some tempting sugary treats, including eclairs,

BEST OF 2019

cupcakes and fruit tarts.

SusieCakes Marina del Rey

4211 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.578.2293 or killershrimp.com

Westchester Bakery

BEST PIZZA

8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com Westchester hot spot, Truxton’s American Bistro, tops our list this year for Best Restaurant. Stop in for great eats, a fun, casual environment and excellent service seven days a week.

Favorites: Playa Provisions

The Good Pizza

7929 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.215.1883 or thegoodpizza.com 8115 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.827.0500 or thegoodpizza.com 4222 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 424.835.4243 or thegoodpizza.com The Good Pizza remains our readers’ favorite pizza joint in 2019! Locations in Westchester, Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey serve up gourmet hand-tossed 18” pies, entrees, salads, appetizers and more. If you can’t eat a whole pizza, stop in for a tasty slice of our personal favorite, Pesto Pizza Bianca, or the Margherita.

Favorites: LaRocco’s Pizzeria

8806 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.642.0029 or laroccospizzeria.com

Tower Pizza

8351 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.410.4680 or towerpizza.com

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BEST THAI FOOD Ayara Thai Cuisine

310.649.0906 or riseandshinecatering.com

7241 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.910.0895 or cincola.com When you’re in the mood for a drink with your pals, head to Cinco. Their Oaxan-influenced food and a drink menu heavy on agave spirits, American whiskies and local craft beers, make it one of Westchester’s top spots.

BEST STEAK HOUSE Ruth’s Chris Steak House, MDR

Villa Marina Marketplace Mall, 13455 Maxella Ave. #230, Marina del Rey 310.821.4593 or ruthschris.com Ruth’s Chris Steak House Marina del Rey takes the top spot again this year with our readers. A great place for a special occasion, once you enter the restaurant’s red doors, you’ll be treated to great service and an unforgettable dining experience.

Favorites: Melody Bar & Grill

9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1994 or melodylax.com

Mo’s Place

203 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.822.6422 or mosplacepdr.com

Favorites: George Petrelli’s Steakhouse

BEST SUSHI RESTAURANT

5615 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 310.397.1438 or georgepetrellisteaks.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Kanpai Japanese Sushi

Favorites: Sakura Japanese Restaurant 4545 S. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles 310.822.7790

Sugarfish

4722 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.306.6300 or sugarfishsushi.com

BEST FROZEN YOGURT/ICE CREAM SHOP Yogurtland Westchester

8752 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.649.5600 or yogurt-land.com Westchester’s favorite Frozen Yogurt Shop, Yogurtland Westchester, lets you serve up your favorite combination of rotating flavors and sugary toppings perfect for a hot day or a special treat.

Favorites: Menchie’s Westchester

8815 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.642.8200 or menchies.com

Playa Provisions’ Small Batch

119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com

BEST SERVICE Paco’s Tacos

6212 Manchester Blvd., Westchester 310.645.8692 or pacoscantina.com

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193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0018 or salernobeach.com

Rise & Shine Catering

Cinco

8736 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.0533 or kanpai-sushi.net If you’re looking for sushi, Kanpai will not disappoint with its long menu of sashimi and specialty rolls. Next time you visit, check out the LMU Roll with fresh water eel avocado, cucumber and kaiware and the Otis Roll with shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber topped with spicy tuna.

Favorites: Cantalini’s Salerno Beach

Photo courtesy Ayara.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

2301 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo 310.643.6911 or flemingssteakhouse.com Paco’s staff is known for their friendly and quick service earning them the top spot this year in our Best Of.

Favorites: Tony P’s Dockside Grill

Tony P’s Dockside Grill

Truxton’s American Bistro

8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com

BEST PIZZA SLICE The Good Pizza

Favorites: Beach Pizza

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com

BEST DESSERTS Westchester Bakery

6216 W. 87th St., Westchester 310.215.9606 or westchesterbakery.com When you’re craving something sweet, pop into Westchester Bakery for their yummy selection of cookies, pastries and custom cakes.

Favorites: Bristol Farms Westchester

8448 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.410.0593 or bristolfarms.com

SusieCakes Marina del Rey

8601 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.827.2000 or beachpizzawestchester.com

LaRocco’s Pizzeria

8806 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.642.0029 or laroccospizzeria.com

4714 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.742.2253 or susiecakes.com

BEST CATERING The Good Pizza

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH SPOT 8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com Next time you want to take your clients to lunch, consider our poll’s top pick, Truxton’s! This local restaurant remains a favorite in this category thanks to their large booths, quick

BEST OF 2019

Favorites: Cafe del Rey

4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.6395 or cafedelreymarina.com

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com

Truxton’s American Bistro

service and big menu.

7929 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.215.1883 or thegoodpizza.com 8115 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.827.0500 or thegoodpizza.com 4222 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 424.835.4243 or thegoodpizza.com No matter your event–from weddings to birthdays–The Good Pizza is ready to feed your guests. Their catering menu includes all the eatery’s top selections from pizzas, pastas, salads and more.

BEST SANDWICH SHOP Del Rey Deli

8501 Pershing Dr. Ste. 3, Playa del Rey 310.439.2256 or delreydeli.com Check out this Playa del Rey shop’s Facebook page for mouth-watering pictures of their sandwiches and specials posted daily. We especially appreciate all the veggie options!

Favorites: Olive It

6231 W. 87th St., Westchester 310.242.2092 or oliveit.com

Sorrento Italian Market

5518 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 310.391.7654 or sorrentoitalianmarket.com

BEST NATURAL/ HEALTH FOOD STORE

Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd.

13208 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles 310.306.8330 or rainbowacresca.com Visit this locally-owned health food store for a variety of organic, vegan, healthy and all-natural products. This location also boasts a large vitamin section with a knowledgeable staff, a juice bar and deli.

Favorites: Trader Joe’s Westchester

8645 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.338.9238 or traderjoes.com

Whole Foods Playa Vista

12746 W. Jefferson Blvd., Playa Vista 310.862.9900 or wholefoodsmarket.com

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Playa Provisions

119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com Brunch is one of our favorite times to head to Playa Provisions thanks to dishes like the pretzel croissant, mixed berry waffle and the coconut chia seed pudding.

Favorites: Coffee Company

8751 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.645.7315 or thecoffeecompanyla.com

Truxton’s American Bistro

8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com

BEST CASUAL DINING Benny’s Tacos

7101 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.670.8226 or bennystacos.com Our readers love Benny’s Tacos when it comes time for delicious eats in a casual environment.

BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT Tony P’s Dockside Grill

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com Tony P’s Dockside Grill is one of the Marina’s most popular restaurants and is known as a great place to eat any time of day due to their large outdoor patio that sits on the marina, yummy menu and friendly staff.

Favorites: Hacienda Del Rey

8347 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.8588

Truxton’s American Bistro

8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com

BEST RESTAURANT CATERER Cantalini’s Salerno Beach

6224 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 424.227.6486 or cahuengagroup.com/ cafe-solar

193 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.821.0018 or salernobeach.com Hosting an event at your home or office and not interested in cooking? Let Cantalini’s handle all the work and be prepared to eat delicious Italian food, including our favorites the penne with vodka sauce, garlic knots and the tiramisu.

185 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.823.6222

Favorites: Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe

Favorites: Cafe Solar

The Shack

BEST RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE Playa Provisions

119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com Playa Provisions is one of Playa del Rey’s favorite restaurants thanks to its unique concept, excellent menu and outdoor patio where you can enjoy the ocean breeze.

Favorites: SALT at Marina del Rey Hotel

13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey 424.289.8223 or pacificahotels.com/salt

Tony P’s Dockside Grill

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT Paco’s Tacos

6212 Manchester Blvd., Westchester 310.645.8692 or pacoscantina.com Visit this family-friendly Westchester favorite for its generous combination plates, tacos, burritos and chimichangas, and don’t forget the margaritas!

11707 Washington Pl., Los Angeles 310.398.6326 or ruttscafe.com

Benny’s Tacos

7101 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.670.8226 or bennystacos.com

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Caffe Pinguini

6935 Pacific Ave., Playa del Rey 310.306.0117 or caffepinguini.com Date night coming up? Consider making reservations at this romantic Playa del Rey spot serving up authentic Italian food.

Favorites: Playa Provisions

119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.683.5019 or playaprovisions.com

SALT

13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey 424.289.8223 or marinadelreyhotel.com

BEST LUNCH SPOT Truxton’s American Bistro

Favorites: Hacienda Del Rey

8611 Truxton Ave., Westchester 310.417.8789 or truxtonsamericanbistro.com Show up early to snag a parking spot and then peruse the menu at this Westchester favorite that is guaranteed to have something to please everyone.

Sol Mexican Cocina Playa Vista

Favorites: Del Rey Deli

8347 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester 310.670.8588

12775 Millennium Dr. #160, Playa Vista 424.289.0066 or solcocina.com

Favorite Mexican Restaurant SOL Mexican Cocina Playa Vista

Photo courtesy Sol Mexican Cocina.

BEST BRUNCH

8501 Pershing Dr. Ste. 3, Playa del Rey 310.439.2256 or delreydeli.com

Tony P’s Dockside Grill

4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 310.823.4534 or tonyps.com

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Photo courtesy WLS.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT FAVORITEITALIAN Mexican Restaurant Cantalini’s SOL Playa Vista

Photos courtesy LMU and Truxton’s.

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

BEST AMERICAN RESTAURANT Truxton’s American Bistro

BEST COMMUNITY CLUB Westchester Rotary

FAVORITE PRIVATE SCHOOL Westchester Lutheran

BEST CORPORATE COMMUNITY PARTNER Loyola Marymount University

BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT Tony P’s Dockside Grill

Photo by Angela Clouse.

FAVORITE SPECIALTY FITNESS STUDIO Mamai Wellness

FAVORITE COMMUNITY PARTNER LAX Coastal Chamber

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BEST MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary

It’s great to be a member of a club, especially when that club focuses on helping others and “Service Above Self.” The Playa Venice Sunrise (PVS) Rotary Club is a 75-plus member strong community service group that

BEST CHARITY/ NONPROFIT EVENT

Rock Roll & Run 5K for Education

laxcoastaledfoundation.com Topping the Best Of list for the second time this year is the Rock Roll & Run for Education hosted by the LAX Coastal Education Foundation in partnership with LMU. The event brings together the community to raise funds for local schools in a fun atmosphere with live music, food, an expo and a little friendly competition. The event will be back at LMU next year on March 14, so save the date!

Favorites: Westchester Arts & Music Block Party wamblockparty.org

Westchester Rotary Book Sale rotary-westchester.com

BEST COMMUNITY CLUB Westchester Rotary Club

rotary-westchester.com The Westchester Rotary Club takes home the top honor this year for their great work in the community. Some of the club’s top activities include the Makeover Project, the annual Book Sale, working with Safe Place for Youth, providing grants and more. In February, the club worked tirelessly to remake the aging Westchester Townhouse so visitors could feel welcome, safe and enjoy the space.

Favorites: Westchester Elks Lodge

8025 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.821.3005 or elks.org

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meets weekly at Whiskey Red’s to discuss what’s going on—locally and internationally—and come up with ways they can help. Whether they’re building houses with Habitat for Humanity, serving food at Midnight Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club playavenice.org

BEST MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club

playavenice.org Rotarians meet every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. at Whiskey Reds for fellowship and fun, while learning about service opportunities.

Favorites: LAX Coastal Chamber

9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #210, Westchester 310.645.5151 or laxcoastal.com

Westchester Family YMCA

8015 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester 310.670.4316 or ymcala.org/westchester

BEST COMMUNITY EVENT Fourth of July Parade

laxcoastal.com The LAX Coastal Chamber’s Fourth of July Parade is a yearly tradition that brings together the community to celebrate our nation’s birthday. With 50 floats, schools, sports teams, bands and marching groups, you’re sure to spot your neighbors on the parade route or sitting along Loyola Blvd. This year, the parade celebrated its 20th anniversary with what some are calling the best event yet. We can’t wait to see what participants come up with next year!

Favorites: Visitation School’s Food Truck Friday Nights 8740 Emerson Ave., Westchester 310.645.6620 or visitationschool.org

BEST OF 2019

BEST NONPROFIT

Airport Marina Counseling Service

7891 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.670.1410 or airportmarina.org For almost 60 years, Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) has been dedicated to helping individuals, groups and families deal with mental health issues and the stresses of everyday life in a safe and supportive environment. With an estimated 1 in 5 Americans affected by mental health conditions, access to affordable mental health care is more important than ever. Today, they serve hundreds of individuals, children, families and couples weekly, and provide their services on a sliding-scale basis. The Westchester nonprofit also opened an LGBTQIA center last year.

Favorites: WISH Community School

6550 80th St., Westchester 310.642.9474 or wishcharter.org

Friends of Ballona Wetlands 211 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey 310.306.5994 or ballonafriends.org

BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT Playa Vista Concerts in the Park

playavista.com/events Grab your chairs and picnic baskets and head to Playa Vista for a concert in the park. No summer is complete without rocking out to a classic rock tribute band under the warm California sun.

Favorites: MDR Summer Concert Series

Westchester Arts & Music Block Party wamblockparty.org

Mission, donating equipment to fire fighters in Mexico or awarding grants to teachers for their classrooms, PVS Rotarians are always looking to give back and make a difference. Under the leadership this year of Brady

Connell, the group’s new motto is “We have fun and get it done!” and with several social and service opportunities each month, they’re living up to their slogan.

BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER WISH Charter

6550 W. 80th St., Westchester 310.642.9474 or wishcharter.org WISH families love their school, which now has two campuses and spans kindergarten through high school. A group of dedicated parents, educators and community members are always working to improve and enhance WISH, earning the popular school our #1 spot for volunteering again this year.

Favorites: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club (tie) playasunrise.org

Westchester Rotary Club rotary-westchester.com

Westside Pacific Village (tie)

8939 Sepulveda Blvd. #326, Westchester 310.695.7030 or thewpv.org

BEST ELECTED OFFICIAL

Congressmember Maxine Waters

Congresswoman Waters was elected in November 2018 to her fifteenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 70 percent of the vote. Congresswoman Waters represents Westchester and Playa del Rey, and she recently was in the neighborhood to participate in the Fourth of July Parade and attend the Westchester Farmers’ Market’s anniversary celebration.

beaches.lacounty.gov/concerts

Favorites: Councilmember Mike Bonin

wamblockparty.org

Congressmember Ted Lieu

Westchester Arts & Music Block Party

Photo courtesy Playa Venice Sunrise.

COMMUNITY

categories

6204 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester 310.922.2249 or hornstrength.com 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #111, Westchester 310.497.0863 or socalsport.com

8131 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey 310.823.4500 or playapharmacy.com This family-run pharmacy takes our top spot in this year’s poll for their exceptional customer service and expert knowledge. More than just a place to pick up prescriptions, this Playa del Rey

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BEST HOSPITAL

UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica

1250 16th St., Santa Monica 424.259.6000 or uclahealth.org/santamonica UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica serves as the cornerstone of UCLA Health’s Santa Monica medical campus. The 265-bed, full-service medical center provides the complete continuum of healthcare services, from prenatal and neonatal care to geriatric medicine, in a technologically-advanced and welcoming facility.

Favorites: Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital

4650 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey 310.823.8911 or marinahospital.com

Providence St. John’s Health Center

2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 310.829.5511 or california.providence.org/ saint-johns

BEST DENTIST OFFICE

Westchester Pediatric Dentistry

8540 S. Sepulveda Blvd Ste. 710, Westchester 310.216.5754 or smilewestchester.com This Westchester office provides expert child-centered dental care for young teeth. Dr. Christie Burnett and Dr. Deepa Sreenivasan strive to make dental care a pleasant and fun experience, helping kids build healthy dental habits that will hopefully last a lifetime.

Favorites: Del Rey Dental

BEST DENTIST Dr. Kaz Tomimatsu

8930 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Ste 211, Westchester 310.641.4074 Whether you need serious dental work or just a routine 6-month cleaning, Dr. Tomimatsu can help ensure your teeth stay healthy.

Favorites: Dr. Allison Wilson, Del Rey Dental 8410 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey 310.822.2011 or delreydental.com

Courtney Ray Mittelmark

8540 South Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 700, Westchester 310.216.1279 or playavistaorthodontics.com

BEST OPTOMETRIST/ OPTOMETRY OFFICE Del Rey Optometry

8511 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey 310.577.6401 or delreyoptometry.com When it comes to your eye care needs, Del Rey Optometry is committed to providing excellent and comprehensive service. Whether you need an eye exam, a new contact lenses prescription or are looking for a stylish pair of glasses, Del Rey Optometry is ready to give each patient exceptional care.

Favorites: Dr. Harold Ashcraft at Family Eyecare Center of Optometry 8735 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester 310.670.4411 or drashcraft.com

Westchester Eye Care

8610 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #100, Westchester 310.670.1888 or westchestereyecarecenter.com

8410 Pershing Dr., Playa del Rey 310.822.2011 or delreydental.com

Playa Vista Dental

6020 S. Seabluff Dr., Playa Vista 310.589.3146 or playavistadentalcare.com

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Ballet Beyond Borders (cont’d) (continued from page 4) The festival also includes an essay-writing competition for BBB participants who are invited to creatively respond to one of four prompts, which include comparing one’s dance to a superpower and creating a conversation between two different types of shoes and their opinions about dance. Julia Duarte, a previous essay winner and one of this year’s returning participants from São Paolo, Brazil, used last year’s prompt to write about turmoil in the Brazilian government. At the time, Duarte had moved to the U.S. to continue her dancing career, but was still passionate about changing the lack of recognition for the arts in her home country. “It’s really hard,” Duarte said. “But we are hoping things are going to get better, and we as artists are getting together to make a change.” For Duarte, being able to compete in Los Angeles this year is a dream she’s

had since childhood. “Growing up in Brazil, the US was all over the place—TV, radio, everything. It’s such a big place, everyone talks about it. I’m really excited about being able to just breathe the air, it’s such a magical place,” she said. Being part of BBB has allowed Duarte and other international dancers to travel the U.S. and participate in trade missions. The ability for the dancers to travel has allowed BBB to expand even further, adding in more cultures to the conversation as they go. For Carey, bringing BBB to Los Angeles is another important step towards blossoming the program and spreading it in different directions around the world. As an event meant to educate and unify people, Carey emphasizes fluidity and accessibility to change. For more info on BBB, please visit rmbt.org/bbb-index.

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By Consuelo Israelson On the surface, Mary and Stephen De La Rosa don’t appear to be that similar. They have different backgrounds and were raised in different Christian faiths. But where it matters most, the high school sweethearts agree completely. They are working together to make the world a better place through education, starting with their family and jobs. They both grew up locally and their families are still in the area; hers in Westchester and his in Marina del Rey. They met at Venice High School in Spanish class. “He was a junior and I was a sophomore and the teacher sat him next to me,” Mary said. “I thank his mom for not teaching him Spanish at home, because if she did, then we never would have met!” They’ve been married for 12 years and purchased their home in Westchester right after they got married. They are raising their two daughters to be assertive, confident, kind, spiritual and respectful. Bella is 7 and in the third grade, while Amelia is 4 and in TK. They both swim, take gymnastics classes and karate. “One of the reasons we chose karate is that we want them to learn respect and learn to stand up for others,” Mary said. “We want them to be kind, and at the same time not fear anyone. At restaurants, we don’t order for them, they have to order for themselves. If they have an issue, they are learning to speak up for themselves.” Stephen added, “If they have a disagreement with a friend at school, we’ll try to equip them with the right words to say because sometimes they’ve got feelings they can’t identify. It’s so gratifying to see Bella put these tools into action and it leads to a resolution of the situation. We try to empower them with their words and their choices. We also let them know that their words have consequences. Their words have power.” Stephen loves numbers and works

grandmas, etc.” as a CPA with ExEd, a nonprofit that Mary and Stephen noted that provides outsourced CFO services marriages with children up to five to charter schools. One of the clients are more at risk for divorce, so the he personally works with is WISH support is essential. Charter. On weekends, the De La Rosas “To be a part of that is huge. It’s rewarding to visit the schools and see continue this work by volunteering the dollars in action. It makes me wonder why we don’t invest more We try to empower them with in our students,” he their words and their choices. said. “I’ve always loved working with nonprofits because it’s not always We also let them know about the bottom line that their words have with them. I found consequences. something special here where I could leverage my numbers love and Their words have power. analytical skills and help out an industry that needs it. The way I see it is that I take care of the numbers, so the with the marriage counseling ministry educators can do what they do best.” at their church, Oasis, with a focus on He admits that Mary was a huge families with younger children. influence on him. Mary always knew “After we got married, we wanted to she wanted to be a teacher, in fact, she find a church that worked for both of has it in writing on her kindergarten statement. She has a bachelor’s degree us, since we were raised in different faiths,” Mary said. from California State University, “And that we’re comfortable Northridge in child and adolescent practicing together. We know how development, with an emphasis in important that is in a marriage early childhood education. The same emphasis was included in her master’s relationship,” Stephen added. “The selfish incentive for helping with degree from CSUN in educational marriage counseling is that it keeps psychology. With almost 20 years of us accountable in our own marriage. I experience in her field, Mary is now like that part.” director of her own school, Creative Besides recognizing the importance Explorers Toddler and Preschool of education and spirituality, the Program. De La Rosas are big on breaking “I used to work as the director of a stereotypes. preschool in Santa Monica, and they “It’s OK for the woman to have a are light years ahead of us locally demanding job. It’s OK for dads to in this field. I wanted to open a drop off and pick up the kids on a school and run it my way and bring regular basis. It’s OK for the husband something special to Westchester,” to do the dishes,” Stephen said. “I Mary said. cannot stand when dads say ‘I’m One of the ways her preschool babysitting my kids.’ They’re your is different is that they believe in children! It’s not borrowed time that supporting the family as a whole. you’re donating to them.” “It’s not just what the children are Mary adds, “I’m huge with ‘women learning here, but what’s happening can do anything’. Being a girl doesn’t at home. What do they need?” she said. “A lot of our families aren’t from have to hold you back from anything. Being a girl is just what you’re labeled L.A. originally, so they aren’t lucky with.” enough to have the extended family we have. So we become the aunts, the

Both Stephen and Mary grew up close to Westchester/Playa. Mary moved with her family to Westchester 17 years ago and Stephen’s family still lives nearby. The De La Rosas bought their home in Westchester 12 years ago.

Head to T The girls sleep in and then we go out to breakfast at the Coffee Company. It’s so good! Then we’ll head over to the beach for a walk. Then lunch at Playa Provisions or Café Solar. We’ll walk it off on the trail to Bluff Creek, and feed the ducks bird seed. Since the girls love going to the movies, we’ll do that in the evening. Everything is within two square miles. Our goal is to eventually work, live and do everything in our community.

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We’re excited about all the changes we’re seeing like all the development that’s been happening. We like the diversity it’s bringing in. Our hope is that it’s not just housing, but also schools, parks, restaurants, everything. Seventeen years ago there was practically nothing here! We also hope more families come in.

Marisa Cardena Otis College and LMU. We have a lot of respect for them and their impact on the community. Having that higher education presence in Westchester is something that a lot of small towns don’t have and we’re lucky to have them.

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Making your hair beautiful! August 2019 • Page 45

Random Notes/Opinion

TheHTN.com

Can exercise make you happier than money? By Jeff Blair Opinion: According to a 2019 Yale and Oxford study of 1.2 million people, those who exercised regularly had 50-percent less “bad days” than those who didn’t exercise regularly. When compared to income, exercise seemed to have a greater impact on happiness. Headlines about the study said, “Exercise makes you happier than money.” Is that a fair statement or is it just clickbait? Let’s talk it out. What the Yale study does NOT mean. It doesn’t mean money isn’t important to quality of life. Plenty of research disproves that. Plus, we all know L.A.’s cost of living is high. In my experience, money’s relation to happiness can be a fairly individual question and often depends on each person’s circumstances. What the Yale study might mean. I don’t think many people seriously question the relative importance of money. Many people work 50 or 60 hours per week. The U.S. ranks last in the developed world for vacation days. We are committed to working and making money. Research has shown there might be a “magic number”

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where earning more money doesn’t necessarily bring more happiness, but it’s difficult to say where that specific point is for each person or each family, especially when the cost of living varies so much by region. The same amount of money goes further in Iowa than it does in Southern California. Rather than try and dissect the complicated question of money vs. exercise, maybe we should start with the less controversial question of whether exercise makes us happier? And, if the answer is yes, how much do we need to maximize happiness? When a bunch of little things add up to a big thing. We might all intuitively believe exercise increases happiness, but what is the specific evidence supporting that belief? Let’s consider some medical support of the exercise/happiness connection. Exercise can reduce anxiety and improve mood, according to the Mayo Clinic Harvard Medical School says exercise can reduce stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. The Journal of American Medical Association found strong evidence that exercise might help prevent depression (Choi, 2019). According to John

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Hopkins Medical School, exercise can also improve sleep quality. We all know better sleep helps us feel better. Exercise can release endorphins and other chemicals in our bodies. These can cause a feel-good effect and even euphoria such as a “runner’s high.” Exercise can increase self-esteem. That is probably a big happiness factor. One of our clients recently told me she gets a meditative benefit and “gets away from it all” during her weighttraining workouts. A problem can seem very concerning to me, but won’t seem like a big deal after a workout. You could call that an improved perspective or a more positive outlook. What is the right amount? The Yale study found 3-4 hours per week was about right for most people. Just as we all might have different money preferences, we probably all have slightly different exercise preferences. Finding your sweet spot is key. I think 2-6 hours per week is a pretty good range for most people. Doing almost any type of physical activity showed an increase in happiness, so don’t fret over the perfect exercise choice. And never dismiss the value of starting small-exercising just one day per week might

make you feel better (Zhang, 2019). Aim to sustain. Too much exercise can actually decrease happiness though, according to the Yale and Oxford study. Most people probably don’t need to worry about overdoing it until exercise exceeds two hours per day. As always, find what works for you. As a fitness advocate, I will admit the “exercise makes us happier than money” refrain sounds sweet, and I think it is true for many people, but the more I tried to consider different perspectives, I realized that it might not ring true for everyone. Considering the overwhelming evidence, however, it’s hard to disagree with the idea that exercise makes almost all of us happier. Don’t take my word on it though; try it out yourself. Try exercising 3-4 hours per week for four weeks and see if you feel happier. Be sure to let me know how it goes! Before you start any fitness or nutrition plan, consult your doctor. Jeff Blair is a Westchester personal trainer, fitness author and has been featured in national and international fitness publications. Email him at jeff@socalsport.com with story comments and suggestions.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

It wasn’t my intent, yet trust was broken By Fay Craton

Opinion: Several years ago, I was involved in setting up a nonprofit organization with a business partner and became unhappy when what I thought to be agreements between us were not implemented. Wondering if there was a communication breakdown, I discussed my expectations again with the partner, only to have them still not be met. We discussed the situation one more time, and while he indicated his intent was to fulfill the agreements, by this time, my trust in him was broken. My association with this person was fairly new; he was not a family member, nor a long-time friend, so before becoming deeper involved, I sadly ended our partnership. Good relationships require good communication, shared expectations, good intent, a desire to be fair, personal chemistry and authenticity. They require effort. Trust is crucial for really great relationships. When it is broken, it takes a desire for all concerned to recover a sense of trust. What frequently undermines trust is conflicted intent. Intent is a commitment, or a determination, to carry out an action or to obtain a goal. It translates into the actions you take, your behaviors, your attitude and your words. When you are very clear about what you want, feel safe to pursue it, and place your thoughts and energy toward accomplishing your intention, you can achieve great things. Can you think of a time when you wanted something, but other activities always seemed to be more immediately interesting than pursuing what you thought you wanted? If so, there was a conflict within you keeping you from making a commitment to apply yourself toward obtaining your goal. The conflict could be a lack of interest, a lack of motivation, or perhaps emotions got in the way. If you feel afraid, angry, or resentful, your ability to apply your energy to accomplishing your intention is decreased. Sometimes, memories can freeze up your ability to take the needed actions. Do you have the intent to have a good relationship with your spouse, your child, your best friend? Are you determined to have enjoyable relationships with significant people in your life? High quality relationships require setting an intention to value the person, provide emotional

support, and “have the person’s back.” Do you have barriers getting in the way of your intentions? Are the barriers damaging the possibility of experiencing a positive, meaningful, enjoyable connection? If so, it is time to look at your intentions and what is blocking you from achieving them. I suggest you write down what you want in life. If you want good relationships, be sure to place them on your list! If you list several items, rank them in the order of importance. Beside the three most important desires, make a list of: • What you will gain by achieving what you want? • What you will lose by achieving what you want? • What fears do you have in trying to achieve your goal? Do you get mentally and emotionally paralyzed when thinking about doing an activity which will support you in accomplishing your goal? If so, write down in a journal: • How you feel when you think about doing the activity. • Any memories or images which appear when considering doing the activity or when actually doing the activity. • How you might be able to overcome the frozen feelings or any other barriers you might have in achieving your goal. Reflection about your intentions is important. It frequently requires assistance to help you clarify your thoughts, identify your barriers and to find a path toward gaining what is important to you. I want you to have enough clarity about your intentions that you can begin truthfully sharing your thoughts and feelings with significant people in your life. Trust is built by being honest, open and consistent. Find out if someone is willing to help you in achieving your goals. At the same time, find out what goals they have. Can you help them? Be open with significant people about your goals and dreams. Through sharing who you are, the connection with them will become stronger. 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.

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Inaugural Mother Son Dance Hosted by the Westchester Family YMCA | Saturday, July 27

Moms and their sons had a blast at the soldout inaugural Mother Son Dance held at the Westchester Family YMCA Annex on Saturday, July 27. The event, which doubled as a fundraiser for the Y’s camp program, featured a DJ, photo booth, raffle prizes, snacks, an ice cream sundae bar and a lot of dance moves! Thanks to ticket sales, enough funds were raised to send six underprivileged kids to Y summer camp. Page 48 • August 2019

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The dance was organized by Westchester moms Kristina Stybel, Sheri Sather and Kristina Muehlherr, with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, with the goal to create a fun night out and memories that will last a lifetime for moms and their sons. With no shortage of smiles on everyone’s face on the dance floor, the event is sure to be back next year with even more fun and treats for local families.

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Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Loyola Boulevard to celebrate community and Independence Day at Westchester’s largest event, the LAX Coastal Fourth of July Parade. Celebrating its twentieth anniversary with the theme, “America...Better Together,” this year’s event had some of the best floats in the parade’s history, as well as the most marching bands, said organizers. Groups like Visitation School with their 150-foot-long train carrying dozens of families and WISH Charter Page 50 • August 2019

School‘s 1950s diner featuring combos that are better together (think peanut butter and jelly and ketchup and mustard) wowed the crowd that filled the sidewalks–all the way from Westchester Park to LMU–with their creativity and design. Newcomers the Immortals Lion Dance Troupe and the Mar Vista Folklorico Dancers brought new energy to the 50-entry parade lineup that included floats, marching bands, dignitaries, community organizations and walking groups. NBC7 news anchor, Jory Rand, served as the BEST OF 2019

parade’s Grand Marshal and greeted spectators in a classic car with his dog, Clementine. “The Fourth of July Parade is such a special community event, and we love seeing all the families who make this part of their annual celebration,” said LAX Coastal Chamber President/CEO Christina Davis. “We hope at some point every kid in the neighborhood gets to participate in the parade with their school, sports team or by joining with another community group.” The Parade Judging Committee also awarded four outstanding entries with

special recognition during the event for excellent float design: 1. Best Overall: Visitation Catholic School 2. Chairman’s Award: LAX Coastal Education Foundation 3. Mayor’s Award: St. Anastasia School 4. Spirit of the Parade: WISH Charter School For information about getting involved in next year’s parade as a participant, volunteer or sponsor, please visit laxcoastalonparade.com.

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Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

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