Westchester/Playa HomeTown News February edition by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

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Our Valentine’s Day Picks...page 12 Roses, lilies and tulips fill arrangements at Playa del Rey’s Flowers by Felicia. One of the store’s busiest weeks will take place this month for Valentine’s Day.

LMU offers landlords workshop on how to address concerns with student renters With more than 1,400 Loyola Marymount students living off campus in the Westchester/Playa community, it’s important to Community Relations Director Grace Yao that student renters and homeowners coexist as harmoniously as possible. While she says the department has worked hard to communicate the resources that are available to students and their neighbors if an issue arises, they

are now hoping to address concerns that landlords may have as well at a workshop being held this month. “As a member of the community, we value our relationship with our neighbors. By and large, most of our students who live in the neighborhood are wonderful and we never receive complaints,” said Yao. “However, with some, there is a learning curve as they navigate what it means to be a student

Calling all NCWP Candidates

A Look Inside Your

HomeTown

and a resident in this predominantly single-family residential community. We have many channels through which we educate students and neighbors, but we do not have much communication with property owners who rent to students. They are a crucial player in all of this and we want to proactively work with them.” At the workshop, landlords will hear from property managers,

representatives from LMU, the LAPD, the city attorney’s office and the Neighborhood Council to gain tools for working with student renters. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, February 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Westchester Library, located at 7114 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. Guests are asked to RSVP by emailing community@lmu. edu or by calling (310) 338-2759.

New Farmers’ Market Take the Polar Plunge for for Westchester? charity

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

This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Interesting in running for NCWP? AMCS announces honorees for Spring Event Loving relationships take effort Love is in the air...our Valentine’s Day picks

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HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer

David “Duke” Dukesherer Sr., Looking Back

Advertisers’ Directory

Airport Marina Counseling Cantalinis Salerno Beach Cedars-Sinai Covenant Presbyterian Church Custom Design & Construction Drollinger Properties Food Pantry, LAX Kevin and Kaz Gallaher Gateway to GO! Jane St. John LA Arts Collective Loyola Marymount Melody Pizza

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Neighborhood Council Playa Vista Medical Plaza Race for Success Sarlo Income Tax Socal Sports and Fitness Spring Event St. Monica High School Visitation School Voss, Silverman & Braybrooke Westchester Lutheran Westchester/Playa Village Westchester Town Center BID Zacha Homes

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

Connect with the HTN:

Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Phone: (310) 641-1016 Website: thehtn.com Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn

The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.

Interested in Advertising Your Business or Organization? Let us help you promote your business, organization or event to our readers! Contact us for rates and to reserve space at: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com or (310) 641-1016

Like us on Facebook! Stay up-to-date with news and events by liking us at facebook.com/thehtn!

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

February 2016 • Page 3

Want to run for Neighborhood Council? Candidate registration opens February 21 Calling all candidates! If you’ve ever considered becoming more active in the community and serving on the 31-seat Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP), now is your chance to get involved. With the election taking place in late spring of this year, the NCWP is currently looking for candidates to run for the 16 seats that are up for grabs for four year terms. “While we’ve accomplished a lot at city hall, it’s just as important to get involved on the neighborhood level. That’s why there are 96 neighborhood councils in L.A. representing people from the valley to South L.A. and the Westside to downtown,” said Mayor Garcetti in a video encouraging neighborhood council participation. “I want you to know that if there are issues that you are passionate about or you’re just looking to do your part to make your local community better, this could be your opportunity to serve your neighborhood and our city.” Candidate registration for Region 11, which includes the NCWP and the West L.A. area, begins on Sunday, February 21 and will run through April 6. Candidates will be

asked to include a photo, a candidate statement and proof of eligibility. Candidates can register online at empowerla.org/elections. The following seats will be on the ballot this June: • Residential seats 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14. Candidates running for these seats must live within the boundaries of the seat they are running for and be at least 18 years of age. These seats are currently held by Gregg Aniolek (2), Nick Middlesworth (4), Thomas Flintoft (8), Matthew Parrish (10), Denny Schneider (12) and Alex Eychis (14). The residential director seat for district 6 is currently vacant. • At-large seat. Candidates are eligible to run for this seat if they live, work or own property within the Westchester, Playa del Rey or Playa Vista boundary of the NCWP. This seat is currently held by Nora MacLellan. • At-large Affirmation seat. This position is open to a person who lives, works or owns property within the NCWP boundary or declares they are a stakeholder in the neighborhood and can provide the factual basis for it. This seat is currently held by Mark Redick.

• Business seats in Westchester and Playa del Rey. Those interested in these seats must own or manage a business licensed with the City of Los Angeles that is within the NCWP boundaries in a commercial location. These seats are currently held by Geoff Maleman (Westchester) and Lance Williams (Playa del Rey). The business seat for Play Vista is currently vacant. • Community Organization seat. Candidates for this seat must be an officer or director of a non-political community organization located in the NCWP area. This seat is currently held by David Voss. • Education seat. This position is open to an educator or administrator with a K-12 school located in Westchester, Playa del Rey or Playa Vista. This seat is currently held by Andrew Kamm. • Loyola Marymount University seat. This seat is open to an administrator or staff member of LMU. This seat is currently held by Grace Yao. • Service Clubs and Fraternal Organization seat. A member of a service club or fraternal organization located within the NCWP boundary is eligible for this seat. Jack Topal

currently holds this position. • Youth Organization seat. This position is open to a person affiliated with a youth organization in the NCWP area. This seat is currently held by Scott Carni. The NCWP elections will take place on Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 Manchester Ave. in Westchester. Those interested in voting will be asked to fill out a voter registration form at the polling location and provide proof of their eligibility to vote. Closer to the election, the NCWP is planning on holding candidate information meetings and candidate forums. “Putting neighborhoods first requires constant partnership and collaboration and the neighborhood council system is a crucial part of how my office stays engaged with each community I represent,” said Councilmember Mike Bonin. “I strongly encourage people to get involved in the Neighborhood Council of Westchester Playa.” For more info on the 2016 NCWP elections, visit ncwpdr.org or empowerla.org/elections.

Special Games at LMU practice day: sat., march 12, 9 am-1 pm big day: sat., march 19, 9 am-2 pm Celebrating its 39th anniversary, LMU’s 2016 Special Games will take place next month on campus. Over two Saturdays, hundreds of volunteers and special needs athletes will come together for a variety of fun activities, including dance, arts & crafts and athletics. If you are interested in becoming a Special Games volunteer, participant or sponsor, please contact the event directors at sgdirectors@gmail.com or 310-338-2728.

Next LMU Neighborhood Advisory Committee Meeting Wed., February 17, 6:30 pm, Westchester Senior Center

www.lmu.edu/community 310-338-2759 community@lmu.edu

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

February 2016 • Page 5

Business & Nonprofit News

TheHTN.com

Westchester could soon have a new farmers’ market courtesy of the Westchester Town Center BID. Currently, there is a farmers’ market held at Westchester Park every Wednesday (pictured) and a Saturday farmers’ market in both Playa Vista and Marina del Rey.

New Farmers’ Market for Westchester? The Westchester Town Center Business Improvement District (BID) is considering establishing a new weekend farmers’ market in Westchester’s business district to open sometime this summer. If the plans move forward, the BID would work with the current management of the weekly Westchester Farmers’ Market to establish the new one, giving residents and community members more options to shop for local produce and artisan items. The Westchester Farmers’ Market is currently held every Wednesday at Westchester Park. Possible locations for the new market include the Westchester Triangle. Airport Marina Counseling Service announces honorees. The Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) recently announced the honorees for its annual Spring Event to be held on Saturday, April 2 at LMU. This year, the nonprofit will honor Christina Davis, President/CEO of the LAX Coastal Chamber and the LAX Coastal Chamber with the Community Builders Award. The Westchester Mental Health Guild will be presented with the Champion of Mental Health award. The chamber is receiving the award for the work they do to promote and enhance the vitality of the community through services to its members, educational programs, Page 6 • February 2016

670-1410 or visit @airportmarina.org.

When The Proud Bird reopens in approximately ten months with some $5 million dollars in renovations, guests can expect a large food hall with diverse cuisine choices. Image Courtesy The Proud Bird.

strategic partnerships, community outreach and legislative advocacy, according to AMCS Executive Director Eden Garcia-Balis. The all-volunteer Westchester Mental Health Guild is being honored for its tireless work to raise funds for AMCS. The nonprofit has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of AMCS during its almost 55 years in existence. Said Garcia-Balis, “The chamber and the Guild are two of our community’s most valuable assets. The chamber seeks to enhance the quality of life for all Westchester residents and the Guild seeks to provide funding so that AMCS is able to provide affordable, community-based mental health services to all who are in need.”

Founded in 1961, AMCS is a nonprofit that offers counseling on a sliding scale. Last year, the organization provided nearly 17,000 hours of counseling sessions and supported the training of over 50 therapists. Services are offered to children, teenagers, families, couples and individuals, many of whom would otherwise not have access to mental health services. The Spring Event will include dinner, a silent and live auction and entertainment from NBC meteorologist and comedian Fritz Coleman. Tickets to the event are $135 per person. For more information, please contact Eden Garcia-Balis at AMCS at (310)

The Proud Bird closes for 10 months of renovations. The iconic Proud Bird restaurant temporarily closed its doors on Sunday, February 1 to embark on a 10 month renovation that will see the eatery transformed into an aviationthemed food hall. The hall will feature a variety of food kiosks that will offer diverse food and drink choices. Since first opening in Westchester in 1967, the restaurant, with its views of LAX’s flightpath, has delighted visitors and community members with its views of landing airplanes at LAX and aircraft memorabilia. The renovations, led by design teams Design Development Group and Think Roth Projects, will add communal tables, lounge seating and a sleek bar to the more than 50,000 square feet of restaurant and event space The decor and six refurbished banquet rooms will also get a contemporary makeover. Aging in place nonprofit increases coverage area. The Westchester Playa Village, a nonprofit membership organization that helps seniors age in place, recently announced that it has changed its name to better reflect its growing coverage area. In addition to the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista communities, the newly named Westside Pacific Village (WPV) will now also serve the Marina (continued on next page)

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

The BBQ Chicken Pie is one of Melody Pizza’s signature dishes available for delivery.

del Rey, Ladera Heights, El Segundo, Culver City, Mar Vista and Venice communities. Seniors who join the organization are provided services like transportation to appointments, help running errands and handiwork around the house, as well as friendly visits from a network of volunteers. For more info, visit thewpv.org. Melody Pizza expands delivery hours. Westchester’s Melody Pizza recently announced it has expanded business and delivery hours to help to satisfy the community’s pizza cravings until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight Sunday through Thursday. The pizzeria, located at 9146 Sepulveda Blvd., specializes in New York-style pizza with a California

twist and besides popular menu items like the BBQ Chicken Pizza, Brooklyn Arugula Pizza and the Korean-inspired Bulgogi Pie, the quick-service restaurant offers a variety of salads, entrées and heroes. New manager Kasey Burdick says the restaurant is proud of its made from scratch dough and sauce, as well as the fact that their recipes use fresh ingredients and vegetables that they purchase weekly from the Westchester Farmers’ Market. Burdick says the restaurant is eager to work with local nonprofits and schools for fundraiser events where 10-20% of the fundraiser profits go back to the organization. We want to hear about your business or nonprofit! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.

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

February 2016 • Page 7

Random Notes/Opinion

TheHTN.com

Loving relationships take effort By Fay Craton Opinion: One of my childhood memories is making Valentine cards and passing them out to classroom friends. Part of what I remember is the sense of feeling good that was created by this simple tradition. Most messages written on Valentine’s Day cards are various ways of saying, “Thank you for being who you are.” Everyone has the need to be appreciated and acknowledged for their value in the world. Having healthy rapport with another person takes effort. Feeling appreciated and worthy is a crucial part of personal well-being. Without this positive personal experience, distance can develop and connections between people can disintegrate. It is not possible to have a healthy relationship with another person if you are frequently communicating unkind feelings or words to that person. If you need to dodge mean or uncaring statements, it is very hard to be warm and friendly in return. When you are told you are appreciated, how do you feel?

When you are told you are doing something wrong, how do you feel? Being appreciated is a much better feeling than being told you are doing something wrong. When good feelings are exchanged, steps are taken to build healthy relationships. When criticism is exchanged, however, unhealthy distance is created. Now, mentally picture being handed a Valentine from someone who is smiling at you and whose body language appears to be friendly. Next, create a mental image of being handed a Valentine by someone who is scowling or sneering at you and whose body language is aloof or angry. What feelings do you have while your reflect on the different images? Messages are received not only by what you say, but how you say it. Studies indicate only about 7% of communication is in the actual words you use. This means 93% of what is perceived by others as the meaning of your words is from what your nonverbal signals say is your emotional intent. Bad feelings resulting from

receiving demeaning, spiteful or aloof verbal and nonverbal messages do not easily disappear without conscious effort on your part. This is especially true when the tone is mean-spirited or voice volume is loud. I hear people say nasty things, afterwards adding, “I did not mean it,” “Don’t be so sensitive” or “I’m just talking, I didn’t mean anything.” Glib statements made to negate harsh words do not erase bad feelings. Sometimes I hear, he (or she) started “it” and he (or she) must change, not “me.” No matter who expressed hostility first, the harsh words linger and become part of how what you say and do is perceived. Harshness damages the quality of relationships. If you wish to ever have a healthy relationship, it is up to you to be the one to stop the damaging exchange. What do you want from people around you? Do you want the experience of being loved, appreciated, of being of worth and/or of having meaning in this world? You will not achieve it by attempting to control another person into being and doing what you desire in order for

you to feel better. Unconditional love does not happen upon demand. The positive experience you are seeking must start from within you. There are many ways to start shifting unhealthy relationships toward a more positive experience. A suggestion on how to begin making a constructive shift is to be aware of how you react. When something annoying occurs, stop before you react. A cold, cutting remark will not stop a cycle of hostility projected at you or coming from you. Instead of saying anything, take some deep breaths. A habitual response of lashing out when you are annoyed will not make you feel better and will only continue a cycle of emotional damage to the other person and to you. If taking deep breaths does not help you, break the cycle by physically stepping back from the situation. Develop a practice of mindfulness to shift your focus. If you are unable to let go of what annoyed you, seek professional assistance to understand new ways of coping and perceiving. (Continued on page 10)

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

Finding a workout that works for you is key to success By Jeff Blair Opinion: I have learned a few things in my fourteen years as a personal trainer: • People gravitate towards things they are good at and shy away from weak areas. • Kids who grow up inactive often spend the rest of their lives avoiding physical activity. Going to a gym just feels too uncomfortable and very few people will do things that are uncomfortable. • Most people have busy lives and think consistent workouts will be too time-consuming. Many think they need to workout 2 hours per day, 6 days per week to see results. These three factors make it hard for those who have not regularly exercised as a kid to start as an adult. It has been my pleasure to work with many people who have broken this cycle as an adult. This month’s Fitness Spotlight highlights local mom and teacher Wendy Connor. After teaching for years and raising a family, Wendy has been able to gradually incorporate many physical activities into her lifestyle without sacrificing her other responsibilities. Wendy has developed a program that works for her, which may be the most important point. She has continued to add new activities and has seen a steady loss of weight and inches. It is always a thrill to watch someone transform before your eyes. Yes, the physical changes are great, but even more exciting is seeing the excitement on the person’s face as the results appear. I have been able to see this with Wendy, and it has been pretty cool! Keep reading as Wendy tells you how she did it in this month’s Fitness Spotlight. Q. Did you ever face workout challenges as an adult due to time or other situations? I have always felt “too busy” to workout. I have a husband, two kids and a time and energy consuming job. Strangely enough I have always had time to sit and knit all sorts of things for myself and family. I just liked sitting better than moving. In the last few years I have taken up walking. I’ve completed three half marathons. I wasn’t losing weight, and I had foot problems so it just wasn’t working. Q. What motivated you to get started on your fitness program this past year? This year for my birthday I

decided to get a personal trainer instead of gift cards to stores for plus size clothing. Q. How has your life changed since you started working out consistently? I found I have time to workout. It feels good to ache because I have worked hard. I went from two days a week to three because I enjoyed it so much. My body feels different, stronger, smaller, healthier. I hope to have good news from my doctor about my blood sugar levels when I go in February. Q. What has been the biggest highlight of your fitness journey? At first, just the warm up had me sweating, but now I can do the ropes for 60 seconds, 75 squats in one day and top it off with a 60 second plank! Also, I have lost close to 10 pounds since December first. I also go to Weight Watchers. The new Smart Point Program is right in line with what Jeff suggests for nutrition. It’s a one-two punch. Q. Do you have any specific fitness goals for the coming year? For 2016 my goals are to run a 5k, do a one-arm side plank while lifting a weight with the other hand and lose more weight! Q. Do you have any advice for people just starting out? My advice: do it! You do have the time! It will feel good! And you will be proud. As you can see, Wendy was certainly no “jock.” She exercised very little for most of her life, but by making some sensible changes in the past months, she has lost 10 pounds in two months, increased strength and has completely changed her outlook on fitness and life. She has time to workout even while being a Mom and a teacher. She has “broken the cycle” and is enjoying the benefits. You can take the same actions as Wendy…just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. Today is the only day to start; “someday” does not exist. Before you start this or any fitness routine, consult your doctor. JEFF BLAIR (M.S.) owns a personal training studio located in Westchester. He was voted “Best Of” Personal Trainer in the Hometown News’ 2015 Readers’ Poll. Jeff has been featured in “Men’s Fitness” magazine and as a “Fitness Expert” on ABC’s “Everyday Health” TV show. Email jeffblair@ jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas or comments.

Come Join your Friends at

COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Worship Service 10:30 am Canines@Covenant 5:00 pm Sunday Covenant is on the corner of 80th and Sepulveda Blvd. Church School for Young People during Service. We have an Orchestra and Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs. Email: cpoffis@pacbell.net Childcare is provided-For more information, Call (310) 670-5750.

YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX

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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

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

Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church

February 2016 • Page 9

Relationships (continued) (continued from page 8) One tool to start developing new patterns of perceiving is to take time daily to write down what is working well in your life. What did the significant people in your life do that made you feel good? Take a few minutes to dwell on what you enjoyed. Write down the words, “Thank you for the good stuff that happened today.” Instead of continuing to batter away at the same problems, be open to changing how you choose to respond when difficult situations appear. Creating healthy connections with other people takes a willingness to transform your own pain, anger, fear, or emptiness found inside of you into a more positive experience. This may take work and a willingness

Page 10 • February 2016

to personally change. It takes courage to stop projecting your own hurts onto other people and to instead take responsibility for your own experiences. My wish is for you to experience quality, positive bonds with significant people in your life. Let people know how much you appreciate them...I appreciate you and believe you are valuable. By taking this action, you begin to move away from hostility and toward a new cycle of supportive relationships. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011). She has an office in Westchester. Contact her at (310) 645-6762 or visitcommunicationtriangle.com.

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

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Participants take the plunge into the cold waters of Marina del Rey to help raise money for the Special Olympics at last year’s event. Photo Courtesy The Polar Plunge.

• Partnerships

Community invited to take the plunge at Mother’s Beach for Special Olympics It might be freezing, but that won’t stop hundreds of people from running and jumping into the water at Marina del Rey’s Mother Beach for the Special Olympics Southern California’s annual Polar Plunge taking place on Saturday, February 27. Community members are encouraged to sign-up for the event and brave the sub-50-degree waves, to help raise money to support the nonprofit’s sport events and programs. “Taking the Plunge is a unique way for individuals, groups and corporations to support our athletes,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California.

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“Our ocean and lakes have frigid February waters so brave souls can cross this off their bucket list and raise money for Special Olympics at the same time.” Those that prefer to remain dry can register as a “chicken” with a $50 donation and are encouraged to cheer on their friends and plungers who have the option of wearing creative costumes or swimsuits. The event also includes a public safety expo and family fun area from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. The plunge takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information or to register to take the plunge, please visit sosc.org/polarplunges.

• Real Estate Transactions • S Corporations • 1031 Exchanges • C Corporations

Love Lent

Start the theCelebrate New Year Year looking lookingFreedom! in the the right right direction...Up! direction...Up! Start New in

Celebra Start the the New New Year Year lo lo Start Lent doesn’t have to be a dark time. It can be aFreedom joyous season reflection, learning, fromfor doubt. Freedom fromand fear. growing. Join us at Westchester Lutheran Church, and embrace foundjoin in aour Worship with usthe on freedom Sundays. Then, loving, forgiving relationship with the Wednesday Worship Show on Wednesday Lord. Join new friends in a celebration of nights, as wethat combine drama, when comedy, music, everything is possible you live and Scripturewith in a unique exploration of the in harmony the Word. lessons of Lent.

Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up! Let love guide you – to new friends, to new All are welcome. understanding, to new joy.

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All are welcome.

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7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester, CA 90045 310.670.5422 www.wlcs.org

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

310.823.6363 1843 Washington Way, Venice, CA 90291 in Venice on Abbott Kinney

February 2016 • Page 11

Cantalini’s Salerno Beach

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Hornblower

SALT Page 12 • February 2016

Love is in the air in the Westchester/Playa/Marina community, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite local spots that will be working overtime on Sunday, February 14 (and the Friday and Saturday before) to bring a bit of romance and delight to couples, friends and families that are looking for a way to say “I love you.” No matter what you do to celebrate this month, make sure you make plans early and call ahead for reservations. As of press time, some of the restaurants we contacted were already booked! Whether you’re looking for something fancy and romantic or laid-back and fun, here is our pick for Valentine’s Day worthy locales: • An early romantic dinner at Playa del Rey’s Cantalini’s Salerno Beach. If you’re looking for romance this Valentine’s Day, Cantalini’s is the place to be. The restaurant’s intimate vibe paired with its homestyle Italian cuisine is sure to score you big points with your date. The restaurant is offering a variety of Chef’s Specials on Valentine’s Day including grilled rosemary lamb chops, handmade lobster ravioli in lobster cream sauce topped with rock shrimp and a seafood risotto. The restaurant’s regular menu will also be available. For dessert, order the house made tiramisu or enjoy an assortment of homemade gelato with a glass of Prosecco or champagne. Besides the food, the best part of celebrating Valentine’s Day at Cantalini’s may be its “Twilight Special” served from 4 to 6 p.m. Early bird dinners can enjoy an all-inclusive meal at just $39.99 per couple. Diners can enjoy the special twilight offering, which includes a glass of champagne or house wine, freshly baked bread, salad, pasta, dessert and coffee! Afterwards, there will still be plenty of time to catch up on Netflix with your sweetheart or enjoy a nightcap at nearby The Shack or Playa Provisions. Valet parking is available after 5 p.m. at the restaurant. Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant is located at 193 Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey. For more info and reservations, call (310) 821-0018. • Share a milkshake, fries and burgers at Hopdoddy. For a more laid-back Valentine’s Day celebration reminiscent of when you first started dating, check out Playa Vista’s Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Located in the new Runway Shopping Center, the restaurant has

made quite a reputation for itself as a go-to spot for those looking to binge on burgers, hand-cut fries and shakes. Our picks include the Classic Burger with “Sassy Sauce” or the vegetarian-friendly La Bandita burger. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with any of Hopdoddy’s handmade shakes, but our personal favorite is the decadently delicious Oreo Cookie. For a romantic twist, order one with two straws before winding down the evening. With Cinemark right around the corner, Playa Vista makes an easy date night a no-brainer. Hopdoddy Playa Vista is located at 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. Suite 1120 in Playa Vista. • Cruise through the Marina with Hornblower. For an unforgettable evening on the water, consider booking one of three Valentine’s Day weekend cruises from Hornblower Cruises and Events. It will be hard to beat the view when you board the yacht for Hornblower’s dinner cruise at sunset. The three hour tour starts with a glass of champagne at boarding, a private candlelit table, a five course meal and entertainment from a band or a DJ, depending on what deck you choose. While it’s not cheap (cruises start at $139 per person on Saturday and Valentine’s Day), the memories will be priceless. For something a little more low-key, the cruise line, which docks at Marina del Rey’s Fisherman’s Village, is also offering a romantic weekend dinner cruise on Friday, February 12 and a Cupid’s Champagne Brunch on Sunday afternoon. For more information, visit hornblower.com/home/mdr. • Visit the Marina’s hottest hotel for dinner at SALT. Since the Marina del Rey Hotel reopened last year with a $25 million dollar makeover, the Marina’s oldest hotel is the place to be for cocktails and dinner at their award-winning restaurant SALT. For Valentine’s Day, Chef Mark Gold is offering guests a special menu on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 from 5 to 11 p.m. The menu is heavy on seafood with dishes like Nantucket Bay Scallops, Maine Lobster and Buttered Japanese Udon Noodles with geoduck and sea urchin. After dinner, enjoy sitting at the bar or at one of the hotel’s many outdoor fire pits that overlook the scenic Marina with a flute of the restaurant’s signature drink of the weekend, the Beau Joie Brut Rose. For reservations, visit pacificahotels.com/salt. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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

February 2016 • Page 13

Page 14 • February 2016

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

School News

TheHTN.com

The cast of St. Anastasia School’s spring musical, Cinderella, pose for a photo on the school’s campus.

Teachers awarded mini-grants at Rotary breakfast. Sixteen local school administrators were on hand to receive grants from the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club at their 19th annual Teacher Mini-Grant awards breakfast at Marina del Rey’s Whiskey Reds. The club received more than 100 grant requests from local teachers asking for supplies, books, maps and software. The grants that are awarded are kept a secret until they are distributed to the principals at the club’s January meeting. Thanks to the club’s fundraising efforts and donations from local businesses and foundations including Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd., the Plotkin Family M & M Foundation and Playa Vista, the club was able to award 70 grants totaling approximately $17,000 and distribute $2,000 worth of supplies.

Playa Vista Elementary School Principal, Rebecca Johnson (left), receives mini-grants for her school from Playa Venice Sunrise Rotarian, Gwen Vuchsas (center) and Google’s Education Program Manager Jennifer Vaden Barth.

open house on Thursday, February 4 at 7 p.m. Visitation School is located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. • WISH Charter School will hold its elementary school information meeting on Wednesday, February 10 at 9:30 a.m. The school is located at 6650 W. 80th St. in Westchester. WISH Middle School will also hold a meeting on Tuesday, February 9 at 9:30 a.m. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at wishcharter.org. The middle school is located at 7615 Cowan Ave. in Westchester. • Playa Vista Elementary School’s tour will be held on Wednesday, February 10. The tour starts at 9 a.m. and will last approximately an hour. Attendees must RSVP at the school’s

Take a tour of a local school. It’s open house season and numerous schools are offering tours in February for those interested in learning more about school programs, administrators and campuses. Below is a list of schools offering tours and open houses this month: • Westchester Secondary Charter School, a 6-12 school, will hold tours on Wednesday, February 17 at 9 a.m. and Tuesday, February 23 at 6 p.m. The school is located at 8540 La Tijera Blvd. in Westchester. • Visitation Catholic School, a parochial kindergarten through 8 grade school, is holding its annual Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown

website at playavistaschool.com. The school is located at 13150 W. Bluff Creek Dr. in Playa Vista. • St. Jerome will hold a school tour on Tuesday, February 9 at 10 a.m. The school is located at 5580 Thornburn St. in Westchester. Guests are asked to RSVP on the school’s website at stjeromeschool.org. • Wright STEAM Magnet will hold numerous tours this spring. First up is a tour scheduled for Wednesday, February 10 at 9 a.m. Wright STEAM Magnet is located at 6550 W. 80th St. in Westchester. Last chance to apply for middle school arts scholarships. It’s the last call for applications to be considered for the Jim Bunch Memorial News

Scholarship. Awarded by the Rotary Club of Westchester, the annual scholarship is awarded to eighth grade students who reside or attend school in the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Del Rey or Marina del Rey areas. The club is looking for candidates talented in art, dance and music. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 19 and candidates must be available to perform or display their artistic entry on the afternoon of March 20th in Westchester. Scholarships in amounts up to $1,000 will be announced at the end of the event. For more information on the competition or to obtain an application, please contact Cozette Vergari at cozetterotary5280@gmail.com. St. Anastasia showcases acting, singing talent with weekend performances of Cinderella. Westchester’s St. Anastasia School will present the musical Cinderella on Friday, February 5 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 6 at 6 p.m. at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center, located at 640 Main St. in El Segundo. Tickets are available at the door or on the school’s website at school.st.anastasia.org. The cost is $10 for adults and children (under 15) are $5. For more info, call (310) 645-8816. Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com. February 2016 • Page 15

Calendar Ongoing monthly events: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club at its Wednesday morning meeting at 7:15 a.m. The club is now meeting at Whiskey Red’s, located at 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more info, visit playasunrise.org or call (310) 429-3808.

Rotary Club of Westchester The Rotary Club of Westchester meets every Wednesday at 12 noon for lunch at the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel, located at 5985 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester. The cost of lunch is $20 and validated self parking is free. Guests are most welcome! Reservations are not required. For information regarding the upcoming luncheon programs, visit rotary-westchester.com.

LAX Kiwanis Club The LAX Kiwanis Club is looking for new members. The club meets every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, located at 9620 Airport Blvd. in Westchester. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. The LAX Kiwanis raise money every year for such causes as providing scholarships, holiday baskets for needy families and back to school shopping sprees. For more information about the club or to RSVP to attend one of their meetings, please email laxkiwanisclub@gmail.com.

Playa Vista Optimist Club Join the Playa Vista Optimists the first and fourth Mondays of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Concert Park, located at Pacific Promenade and Sea Bluff Drive in Playa Vista (opposite Coffee Bean). The Optimist Club is a worldwide volunteer organization that helps “make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, in their communities and in themselves.” For more information, call (310) 415-0196.

February events: Kentwood Players Present A Raisin in the Sun Kentwood Players proudly presents Lorraine Hansberry’s classic family drama A Raisin in the Sun through Saturday, February 13. Set on Chicago’s South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and family matriarch Lena, Page 16 • February 2016

TheHTN.com called Mama. When her deceased husband’s insurance money comes through, Mama dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. However, her son Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man while Beneatha dreams of attending medical school. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama, centering on sacrifice, trust and love among the Younger family and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (310) 645-5156 or online at kentwoodplayers.org.

Interesting in Joining the Boy Scouts? Westchester Boy Scout Troop 716 is inviting boys ages 11 and up to come visit their troop and learn what scouting is all about. The troop holds weekly meetings every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the scout room at Westchester United Methodist Church, located at 8065 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. At the February meetings, come meet the troop and find out about their upcoming Sycamore Canyon camp out. For more information, please email troop716bsa@gmail.com.

From Clay to Cloud: The Internet Archive and Our Digital Legacy Visit LMU’s Laband Gallery for its newest exhibit From Clay to Cloud on display through March 20. From Clay to Cloud explores the human impetus to preserve our knowledge, memory and cultural heritage. Using the Internet Archive, a digital repository with more than 20 petabytes of data from the internet, the exhibit looks at past and present archival practices and what are we saving, how others will be able to access it and asks, what will our cultural legacy be for the future? The Laband Gallery is in the Fritz B. Burns Fine Arts Center on the LMU campus at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester. Visitors must enter the campus at Lincoln and LMU Drive where a kiosk attendant will direct you to parking and the gallery. The gallery is opened Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Greek Favorites Cooking Class Join Fresh Food in A Flash for their next cooking class on Thursday, February 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Holy Nativity Community Hall, located at 6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester. The February class will focus on

Greek cuisine favorites like meat and vegetarian dolmades, authentic Greek salad, stuffed zucchini and baklava. The cooking class fee is $50 when you reserve by February 8 and $55 thereafter if space is available. To reserve your spot, please email Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash.com.

Aircraft Company, a memoir of famed World War II pilot General Jimmy Doolittle and a special presentation and exhibition by aviation photographer Jean-Christophe Dick. Dates and further information will be available on the museum’s website at flightpathmuseum.com.

Yoga Workshop

Beginner Birding & Creek Cleanup

Are you seeking more clarity of thought? Do you have chronic pain? Would you like to open your heart to better relationships, health and peace of mind? LiveYoga Wellness is hosting a Yoga Nidra workshop led by yoga teacher Parameshwari to help with healing and stress reduction. All levels are welcome. The class will be held on Sunday, February 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. and the cost to attend is $40. LiveYoga Wellness is located at 6700 W. 83rd Street in Westchester.

Tax Information for Seniors Join the Silver Seminar Series for a workshop for seniors and taxes on Thursday, February 18 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Guests will learn about tax law changes that can affect their 2015 income tax returns, as well as have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss tax related matters. Maria Elena Cabral, a senior tax advisor from H&R Block will be presenting the information. The workshop will take place at the Westchester Senior Citizens Center, located at 8740 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester. The Silver Seminar Series is a workshop presented by a collaboration between the Westside Pacific Village, Airport Marina Counseling Service, EmpowerTech and the Westchester Family YMCA.

Program Salutes First AfricanAmerican Flight Attendants Casey Grant will open the 2016 Flight Path Speaker Series with an account of her experiences as one of the first African-American airline flight attendants. This special Black History Month program is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16 at 10 a.m. at the Flight Path Museum in the LAX Imperial Terminal, located at 6661 W. Imperial Highway, Los Angeles. Admission and parking are free. Based on her new book, Stars in the Sky, Grant’s presentation will review the challenges and rewards she and her African-American colleagues faced as they sought the glamor and prestige of a career in the sky, according to Flight Path President Nancy Niles. The Flight Path Speaker Series will continue throughout 2016 with programs featuring a history of the famed Goodyear blimps, a salute to the 100th anniversary of the Boeing

Interested in learning more about the Ballona Wetlands? The Friends of Ballona Wetlands is holding a new monthly program that combines community service and bird watching. Geared towards students, families and anyone who is interested in learning more about the birds located in this natural resource, the event will take place every third Saturday of the month with the next meet-up taking place on Saturday, February 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. Gloves, tools and binoculars will be provided, but please bring a reusable water bottle. Attendees are asked to meet at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (the main parking lot is behind Alkali Water) at 303 Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey.

Meditation in the Garden Join the Emerson Avenue Community Garden the third Saturday of the month through May for “Meditation in the Garden.” The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 20 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Guests are invited to bring a mat or use the bench or chairs available in the garden for meditation led by Reiki healer, Margey. Meditation is believed to reduces stress, promote relaxation and help with mindfulness. No previous experience with meditation is necessary and all levels are welcome. There is no charge to attend the event, but space is limited. Please RSVP to gigglesloud@yahoo.com. The Emerson Avenue Community Garden is located on the campus of Wright STEAM Magnet on Emerson Avenue between 80th Place and 80th Street.

Screening of Most Likely to Succeed On Sunday, February 28, the Sholem Community will host a screening and discussion of Most Likely to Succeed, a feature-length documentary that examines the history of education, revealing the growing shortcomings of our school model in today’s innovative world. The screening will take place at Westside Neighborhood School, located at 5101 Beethoven Street in Los Angeles. Doors open at 10 a.m. with the documentary beginning at 10:15 a.m. The event is free with advance registration at Sholem.org or $5 at the door.

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

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Sunday Monday Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

February Friday

Open House @ Visitation

NCWP Board Meeting @ Westchester Community Center

Saturday

First Fridays @ Westchester Triangle St. Anastasia Presents Cinderella @ El Segundo Performing Arts Center Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

7 Happy Valentine’s Day!

8 Presidents’ Day

Yoga Workshop @ LiveYoga Wellness

Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

Greek Favorites Cooking Class @ Holy Nativity

School Tour @ WISH Middle School

School Tour @ WISH Elementary

School Tour @ St. Jerome

School Tour @ Playa Vista Elementary

Landlord Info Session @ Westchester Library

School Tour @ Wright STEAM Magnet

Flight Path Speaker Series @ Flight Path Museum

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

LMU Advisory Board Meeting @ Westchester Senior Center

11 Silver Seminar Series @ Westchester Senior Center

Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Candidate Filing opens for Neighborhood Council Candidates

School Tour @ Westchester Secondary Charter School

St. Anastasia Presents Cinderella @ El Segundo Performing Arts Center Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

5 6 Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

12 Deadline to Submit Application for Rotary Arts Scholarship

School Tour @ Westchester Secondary Charter School

Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista

Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

13 Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista Meditation in the Garden @ Emerson Avenue Community Garden Beginner Birding & Creek Cleanup @ Ballona Wetlands

18 19 20

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista Remodeling Seminar @ Custom Design & Construction

Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

Polar Plunge @ Mother’s Beach

Documentary Screening @ Westside Neighborhood School

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

February 2016 • Page 17

Page 18 • February 2016

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

February 2016 • Page 19

A Look Back at Westchester/Playa By David J. “Duke” Dukesherer, Sr.

Fond memories of food delivery In early Los Angeles, farming and ranching were the principal enterprises and everywhere crops of cotton, citrus, barley, wheat, grapes, stone fruit and vegetables flourished. It was said that if you dug a little hole in the ground with the heel of your shoe and dropped in an orange, you could come back five years later and you would have a grove of trees. The land was blessed by a sun-kissed miss. Life out on the Ranchos was rugged and lacked most of the modern conveniences like electricity, refrigeration and inside plumbing. Mongers and peddlers would deliver much of what the ranchers and farmers needed by horse-drawn wagon. Fresh meat was delivered daily to those that needed it and others brought fish from the coast. There were pickle men who made the route through the ranches about once a month, delivering pickles and sauerkraut and other “canned” things. Tinkers also made the rounds and mended tin things like eating utensils, pots and pans and other items. There were a few local breweries, mainly the Meyer Brewery

Page 20 • February 2016

in Downtown L.A., which also made regular deliveries. Finally, peddlers made the rounds, and they carried on their wagons all sorts of potions, threads and yarns, bolts of cloth, tobacco and other novelties. What the Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogs did not provide, hucksters, pushers and door-to-door haberdashers did. All transactions were made in silver and gold coin. It would be many years before paper money would be used in California and many Southerners still clung to worthless Confederate notes. The practice continued through the 1800s and into the 1900s. Up until the late 1960s, Westchester and Playa del Rey were still serviced by local food delivery trucks, and chief among them (until 1969) were the Helms Bakery trucks. The Helms’ motto was “Daily at Your Door,” and I am sure, just like many of you, I have great memories of those trucks. The trucks would come down the block and the driver would pull twice on his air-horn. You would either hail the truck down or you would place a blue “H” sign called a “Signal for Service” in the window of your home, and the driver would whistle when he arrived. The Helmsman wore an official Helms’ hat, a tie and a shiny chrome coin changer on his belt. If you were especially lucky, he might give you a

The Helms Bakery in Culver City opened in 1931. By the next year, the Helms Bakery had become the “official baker” of the 1932 Summer Olympics when Paul Helms won a contract to supply bread for the 1932 games in Los Angeles. An equestrian event at the 1932 Olympics was held in Westchester at about where In-N-Out Burger is located. PHOTO COURTESY THE AUTHOR WESTCHESTER, CALIFORNIA.

cardboard Helms’ truck. Our driver’s name was Burt. Wooden drawers in the back of the truck were stocked with fresh donuts, cookies, pastries and candies, while the center section of the truck carried dozens of loaves of freshly baked bread–still oven warm. Another treat that I can remember as a child was the fresh fruit and vegetable truck that rumbled into Westchester and Playa del Rey every summer and autumn. These were open-sided lorry trucks, stuffed full of produce grown at local farms (or so they said), and Detecto-type scales hung from chains. The owner and driver of the truck that serviced Westchester was Luigi. His wife, whose name I do not recall, used to bag and wrap your purchases. They also sold candied apples, including one variety that was flavored with a smoking hot-spiced cinnamon coating that would set your ears on fire. And then of course, there was the milkman. We had many different milkmen over the years, but the Adohr Farms milkman is the one I remember most. His name was Jerry.

TheHTN.com Every other day, four half-gallons of milk in sparkling glass bottles were deposited in a wire carrier at our back door, and the empty bottles were hauled away. If you needed something special, all you had to do was put a note out for him, and he would put things like cream, butter, cottage cheese and orange juice with the milk. My brothers and I figured out how to write a note so that it looked like my mother’s handwriting, and we would forge orders asking for fruit punch and lemonade. He would drop off those bottles too and I could hardly wait. Finally, there was “Mack the Popsicle Man.” Every afternoon, sometime between 3:30 and 5 on our block, you listened for the Popsicle music blaring from Mac’s truck, and he would stop if you yelled or whistled at him. Mac lived at the corner of El Manor and 88th Street, and I think he passed away in the 1980s not long after he retired. His truck was parked in his driveway for many years later. The tires had gone flat and the roof must have been leaking, as he had fashioned a tarp over the corner for it, held down with wood and bricks. And then, one day, it was gone. The poet T.S. Elliot wrote, “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” The full-service grocery “supermarket” spelled the end of most fresh food home delivery, although history seems to be repeating itself. AmazonFresh and Instacart have invested nearly a half-billion dollars in online grocery ordering platforms, and virtually all the major grocery chains now offer home delivery. Log in, and in a few hours your fresh bread, cream-puffs, ginger-snap cookies, éclairs, Fudgsicles, Choco Tacos, 50/50 Bars, lima beans, strawberries, apples, peaches, Sam Adams and fresh dairy milk will be waiting at your doorstep.

Please email comments to dukepdr@gmail.com.

*reprinted from March 2015. Duke will be back next month with a new column.

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

Spring Well-Being into

celebration

THANK YOU

COMMUNITY BUILDERS Christina Davis President/CEO of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce and

to our sponsors

TITLE SPONSOR:

LAX Chamber

CHAMPION OF MENTAL HEALTH The Westchester Mental Health Guild

PLATINUM SPONSOR:

John & Nancy Edwards GOLD SPONSORS: William H. Hannon Foundation

April 2, 2016 | 6:00pm Loyola Marymount University

Inn at Playa Del Rey SILVER SPONSORS: Brookfield Residential/Playa Vista HomeTown News

Cocktails

6:00PM

Dinner

7:00PM

International City Bank Jane St. John/Remax Estates Properties Jeff DeLarme of Edward Jones LAWA

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

The Promenade at Howard Hughes

Fritz Coleman

Southern California Gas Company

$135 per person - $1,080 for a table of 8

For information regarding sponsorship opportunities please contact Eden Garcia-Balis at ebalis@airportmarina.org

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

February 2016 • Page 21

In Pictures

TheHTN.com

The Kentwood Players’ latest production, A Raisin in the Sun, will have its last performance on Saturday, February 13. Set on Chicago’s South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family. Performances are held Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (310) 645-5156 or online at kentwoodplayers.org. Pictured: The cast of A Raisin in the Sun. Seated from left to right: Charlotte Williams, Shannon O’Connor, Damon Rutledge, Patricia Newman and Isaiah Suber. Standing from left to right: Rashod Davenport, Jean Michels, Kowalsky Lucien, Ruth Featherstone and Daniel Kruger. Photo by Shari Barrett.

Page 22 • February 2016

On Saturday, January 16, the LAPD Pacific Division and community members celebrated the grand opening of the station’s new community center. With the ever-growing need for more space at the LAPD Pacific Division, Brookfield Residential donated trailers that had been located in Playa Vista in hopes they could be converted to good use for the station. With the help of dozens of sponsors and partners, the trailers were recently renovated creating 5,000-square-feet of space for use by officers and the community, including fifty LAPD workspaces, a children’s library and a gathering place for youth programs and community events. Pictured: Deputy Chief Beatrice Girmala, LAPD Pacific Division Captain Nicole Alberca, Vice President of the Los Angeles Police Commission Steve Soboroff, Councilman Mike Bonin and Chief Operating Officer of Brookfield Residential Adrian Foley cut the ceremonial ribbon at the community center’s grand opening event.

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

• Sciatica • Spinal Stenosis • Facet Disease • Bulging Disc • Pinched nerve • Degenerative Disc Disease

• No hospital stay • No lengthy recovery • No surgery, screws, plates or hardware • Better patient satisfaction success rate than big surgeries

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

• Disc Disease • Herniated Disc • Scar Tissue • Arthritis of the Spine • Foraminal Stenosis

•No or minimal incision •No general anesthesia •State-of-the-art Laser Machine •Go back to work the same week

February 2016 • Page 23

Page 24 • February 2016

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