westchester
•
playa del rey
p l a y a v i s t a • m a r i n a d e l re y
February 2022
Finding Community Through
Local Businesses ...page 18
Show your love for Westchester/Playa...page 14
World-class health care, close to home Primary care for all ages available in Marina del Rey
Internal Medicine | Family Medicine | Pediatrics | Cancer Care Sports Medicine | Immediate Care To learn more or to book an appointment, please visit uclahealth.org/marinadelrey or call 310-596-1249
Page 2 • February 2022
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You
help you prom help you prom nization or even l a c o L p Sho nization orin 20even 22! A look inside your HTN
Adventure Guides help create lasting memories Show your love for Westchester/Playa NCWP Monthly Update 5 Questions With... In Pictures: Fourth Annual Kids’ March for Equality
04 14 22 24 26
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher
Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer
Lydia Smith, Contributing Writer Consuelo Israelson, Contributing Writer
Front page: LAX Coastal Chamber President/CEO, Chad Maender, poses with Gus Kazemi, the owner of popular Westchester eatery, The Coffee Company. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
About The HomeTown News (HTN)
The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.
Connect with the HTN:
Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn • Instagram: instagram.com/thehometownnews The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
act us for rates and act us for rates and hesterhometo Now, more than ever, Westchester retailers and service providers need your help. Slammed by the
We’ll help maximize your benefits from the new tax laws.
pandemic, our small businesses need
hesterhometo your help to survive. Please make “Shop Local” your
mantra for 2022 – it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love and the families they support alive!
us on Faceboo to-date with news and us on Faceboo Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 3
For more than 40 years, the Adventure Guides has been one of the Westchester Family YMCA’s most popular programs and has created a place for fathers and their children to have quality bonding time. For dads with kids in kindergarten through third grade, the program provides a place for fun and memory-making through outdoor adventures, camping trips and monthly meetings with other local families that make up your “Circle.” The once robust program that boasted up to 200 families participating at any given time, however, is now down to just a handful of participants, something a core group of Y volunteers, including Jörg Rose, Thomas Muehlherr and Gregg Lander are working on fixing. “The pandemic hit us like a ton of bricks, and then a lot of participants aged out at the same time,” said Lander. “Since we couldn’t meet in person, we did some virtual things and we tried, but the program suffered.” He says before the pandemic, the Adventure Guides were thriving, and families had the opportunities to do a lot of “cool stuff” when their Circles came together, like community potlucks, service projects, ice skating, a scooter rodeo and more. An annual Pinewood Derby gave kids the chance to work with their dads to make miniature wooden cars and then race them on a custom track at the YMCA Annex, a day many looked forward to with excitement. The most special part of the Adventure Guides experience though is the camping trips. The men hope that by sharing about the program and inviting local families to an upcoming camping weekend on March 18, they’ll get more fellow Westchester/Playa dads excited about participating in Adventure Guides and ensure the local tradition lives on. Once the program is ready to start up again later this summer, they’d love to have tons of new families joining in on the fun. “The winter camp facility is amazing,” said Rose, who participates with two of his kids in Adventure Guides. “Sometimes there is snow,
Page 4 • February 2022
Top photo: Kids and their dads gather for a group meeting at Camp Whittle. Bottom photo: A visit to the camp’s petting zoo is always a popular activity.
Photos courtesy Jörg Rose.
Community spotlight: Westchester dads invite families to check out Adventure Guides
and the kids love playing outside. They enjoy the freedom. I grew up in a small town where we had the freedom to play outside all day, but kids don’t have that in L.A. At camp, the kids get to explore, they are enjoying nature, playing with reptiles and creating really great memories.” During the weekend at Camp Whittle, located in the San Bernardino mountains, Muehlherr says activities include rope courses, archery, a petting zoo, skits, hiking, campfire songs, and of course, lots of s’mores! Sometimes the camp is a winter wonderland, and the kids have a blast playing in the snow. There’s also a candy store the kids enjoy visiting, and they take pride in having the autonomy to visit by themselves in a safe environment. He calls the experience full of “nostalgia and wholesomeness.” While the volunteers work on bolstering up the Adventure Guides, whole families can participate in the camping trip this year, as long as there is one member in the family within the program’s age range (kindergarten through third grade). But for moms that just want to stay home, this is a great opportunity to have a quiet weekend to themselves and have the dads take on all the responsibility of caring for the kids for a few days, they say. “One of my favorite memories was seeing my daughter graduate the program,” said Lander. “You see the kids taking things so seriously and you know that a real concrete memory is being formed right there.” The Adventure Guides Winter Family Camp will take place on March 18 through March 20 at Camp Whittle with lodge-style accommodations. The camp is open to all families with at least one child in grades K-3. Space is limited, and the cost to attend is $275 for non-members and $225 for YMCA members. Registration includes lodging, meals and activities. For more info, visit westchesterymca. tiny.us/WinFamilyCamp. Learn more about the Westchester Family YMCA’s other programs, activities and community initiatives at ymcala.org/wc.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
PASEO DEL REY NATURAL SCIENCE MAGNET
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 5
Business & Nonprofit News
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
TheHTN.com
Westchester Arts & Music Block Party makes donation to Emerson Avenue Garden. The Emerson Avenue Community Garden recently received a $10,000 donation from the proceeds of the 2021 Westchester/Arts and Music Block Party (WAM). On January 8, WAM and garden volunteers gathered at the community space for a check presentation and to view recent improvements at the site, which include the installation of concrete pathways to make the garden more accessible. The funds will be used for ongoing garden enhancements, supplies and programming. The Seventh Annual WAM Block Party is scheduled for Saturday, September 24. The event features live music, community booths, art activities, small business vendors, food trucks and a beer garden hosted by the Stephanie Younger Group. To continue its mission to support the community and further its giving reach, WAM organizers are planning on selecting a new nonprofit partner to work with for the 2022 event. Stay tuned for more details! For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please email wamblockparty@gmail.com. LMU readies to host L.A. Mayoral debate. Loyola Marymount University’s Center for the Study of Los Angeles is hosting a Los Angeles Mayoral Debate on February 22 at 5:45 p.m. Candidates will have the opportunity to debate the big issues facing the Page 6 • February 2022
More than 40 paintings from Los Angeles-based artist June Edmonds are currently on display at LMU’s Laband Art Gallery. The solo exhibition, “June Edmonds: Full Spectrum” is open through March 6 for guests to view on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. According to the gallery, “the show marks the first opportunity to place Edmonds’ works in dialogue with one another and to offer overdue critical attention to her lifelong commitment to portraying Black positivity in her artistic practice.” Reservations are required at cfa.lmu.edu/labandgallery.
city and share their vision for the future of L.A. The event will be held at the newly completed outdoor Drollinger Family Stage at Lawton Plaza. Community members can request to attend the in-person event by visiting lmu.edu/studyLA by Friday, February 18 at 5 p.m. Confirmed candidates include: • Karen Bass, U.S. Representative, CA District 37 • Joe Buscaino, Los Angeles City Councilman, District 15 • Kevin de León, Los Angeles City Councilman, District 14 • Mike Feuer, Los Angeles City
Attorney • Jessica Lall, Central City Association President and CEO • Mel Wilson, Realtor The debate will also be recorded and broadcast live on Spectrum News 1. The primary for the mayor’s race will take place on June 7. Playa Vista’s Annenberg PetSpace hosts Puppy Bowl Pop-Up event. Bring your pups to Annenberg PetSpace to celebrate Puppy Bowl XVIII! PetSpace, Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. and Animal Planet are
Photo by Chris Warmald. Courtesy of the artist & Luis De Jesus Los Angeles.
WAM committee members and Emerson Avenue Community Garden volunteers pose for a photo to celebrate the proceeds from the September 18 event being donated to the garden.
hosting an official Puppy Bowl PopUp event on Saturday, February 12 from noon to 4 p.m. Have your dog join Team Ruff or Team Fluff for a fun day of footballthemed activities including speed, retriever and agility challenges. There will also be a touchdown dance contest as part of the fun. Photo-ops, giveaways, snacks for guests and a free dog bandanna round out the event. Attendees are also encouraged to bring new/unused pet toys, which will be collected and donated to PetSpace’s shelter partners. RSVP at annenbergpetspace.org. Valentine’s Sparkling Wine Tasting Fundraiser. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Westchester Mental Health Guild is holding a virtual sparkling wine tasting fundraiser on Thursday, February 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are $90 per couple and include a bottle of Napa sparkling wine, a bottle of champagne and an assortment of John Kelly gourmet chocolates. A suggested food pairing will also be provided. Certified sommelier Bill Priestly will lead the event and compare the two bottles. Tickets can be reserved at sparkling.eventbrite.com. This is just one of the many activities planned this year by the Westchester Mental Health Guild, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary of fundraising to support mental health. Since its inception, (continued on next page)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo courtesy Ayara Thai.
This month, Ayara Thai is celebrating Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day and Inglewood hosting the Super Bowl with special meals each Thursday. Thai Thursdays will kick-off February 4 with meals inspired by produce from the local farmers’ market, the Asapahu family’s favorite comfort foods and cooking techniques passed down from their family, including Pastry Chef Cathy. Each Thai Thursday meal will feed two to four people and includes a main dish, side dishes and dessert. The February 10 meal features Chap Chai veggie stew, five-spice roasted duck breast, spicy chocolate lava cake and more. Pre-order and learn more at ayarathai.com.
(continued from previous page) the Guild has raised more than a million dollars to support AMCS through fundraisers like the Home Tour and operating a gift shop called The Guilded Cage. At its January 26 annual membership meeting, the nonprofit recognized Mary Ellen Cassman with its Founders’ Award. Cassman has lived in Westchester since the 1950s and helped establish AMCS at a time when mental health was not widely discussed and services were very limited. Learn more about the Guild at westchestermhg.org. Playa del Rey resident named Community Builder honoree. Longtime Playa del Rey resident, Valeria Velasco, has been named this year’s Community Builder honoree by the Airport Marina Counseling Service. Velasco is an estate planning attorney with an office in PDR, and currently serves as the Vice President of the LAX Board of Commissioners, a position she has held since 2005. Velasco has also served as Lieutenant Governor for the local Rotary district, an L.A. City Planning
Velasco will be honored as AMCS’ 2022 Community Builder honoree at the May 19 Spring Gala.
Commissioner and a Hispanic Liaison to Councilman Mike Woo and Assemblyman Mike Roos. Velasco will be recognized at the nonprofit’s Thursday, May 19 Spring into Well-Being celebration. For more info on the event, visit amcshelps.com. Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.
Romantic Candlelit Evening • Chef Specials Fine Wine & Imported Beers • Decadent Desserts
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 7
LUXURIOUS SPANISH MODERN ESTATE
6390 RIGGS PLACE | WESTCHESTER $6,000,000 | 5 BEDS | 6 BATHS | 5,452 SQFT Just completed! An extraordinary gated Spanish modern estate, privately located on an 11,174 sq. ft. corner lot in a prestigious location. Richly detailed, with grand scale sophistication, based in natural light and finished with only the highest end materials, this amazing 5 bedroom, 6 bath house is impeccably designed across a spacious three floors. Every room boasts of elegance and precision to detail, complete with arched doorways, high ceilings, custom Italian porcelain flooring and precast molding throughout. Travel up the gracefully hand cast, wrought iron spiral staircase to the third-floor retreat, including a second laundry room and three spacious en suite bedrooms with ample storage. A magnificent master suite with two balconies, an enormous walk-in closet, and a fireplace set the scene for this romantic escape. Master bathroom offers every amenity and luxury: heated floors, two separate vanities with marble counters, and a soaking tub for a truly relaxing experience. The main floor presents a temperature-controlled wine room; formal
Page 8 • February 2022
living and family room, each with its own fireplace; additional large office space, well-appointed powder room; and formal dining room. The fabulous gourmet kitchen spares no expense, featuring Wolf and Miele appliances and His Life Cabinetry, and opens to the huge informal dining and family room, which flows seamlessly into a resort worthy outdoor area. Separated only by vanishing sliding glass doors, this outdoor oasis showcases a large pool with spa, covered heated lounge area with outdoor dining, built-in firepit with custom seating, large covered cooking station, and separate pool house. For impressive entertaining or private relaxation, this backyard has it all. Enjoy a bonus workout room and your own private movie theater, finished with Sony Picture custom seating and wired with state-of-the-art electronics. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to own this masterfully designed, exquisite home! Shown by appointment only.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
VISITATION SCHOOL BY THE NUMBERS
244 TOTAL STUDENTS 14:1 STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO TEST SCORES Top 30% MEDIAN MATHEMATICS & READING ACTIVITIES 28+ STUDENT (clubs, organizations, sports)
575
TOTAL YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE ON FACULTY
100%
GRADUATES ACCEPTED TO HIGH SCHOOL OF FIRST CHOICE
UPDATED WITH ADVANCED 100% CLASSROOMS PPE AND AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS
ENROLLING NOW JK - 8th Grade | Schedule a tour today!
visitation CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Join the Visitation family and give your child the gift of academic excellence in a supportive community! www.visitationschool.org | 8740 Emerson Avenue, Westchester | 310.645.6620
Help older adults live independently and remain active in their communities by volunteering with Westside Pacific Villages (WPV).
ERRANDS
YARD WORK
SOCIAL SUPPORT
TECH SUPPORT
HOUSE CHORES
DRIVING AS NEEDED
WPV is a volunteer driven organization!
Volunteer drivers get reimbursed for miles driven!
Whether you are employed, retired, or a student, less than 30 minutes a week can make a big difference in the life of an older person in your community.
We are seeking volunteers of all ages and talents. WPV will work with you to create a flexible schedule that fits with your lifestyle. Call us today and join our large group of volunteers!
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Robert Milligan, Partner Business, Intellectual Property and Employment Counseling & Litigation (310) 201-1579 rmilligan@seyfarth.com
February 2022 • Page 9
Early Westchester/Playa of land and air
By Cozette Vergari
For those of you who have joined my time travel machine journey prior to the holiday season, we are again jumping on board to travel through time. Standing in the midst of today’s Westchester/ Playa community, our travels initially took us all the way back to 65,000 BCE. We last explored the first actual development of the region, from the late 1800s through the turn of the century into the very early 1900s, where three separate recreational developments were built over time around the Playa del Rey Lagoon. All were destroyed early on by fire, coincidentally, but at different times. Our time machine has been waiting patiently to resume the travel forward toward the future land development of the area. It is 1912. We are witnessing the first of many air races at Mines Field, a small airfield set in the rural outskirts of the city. It has not yet been purchased by the City of Los Angeles or become the city’s commercial air port. It is located at what is now the eastern edge of the footprint of modern day LAX. We have now sped forward and stopped in the 1920s, where we see a young Fritz B. Burns, just 22 years old, who has been sent by a midwestern real estate development company to open the Dickinson & Gillespie Land Office. He is here to lead a sales force of 100 men in the area we now know as Playa del Rey. It is to be developed as Palisades del Rey. The sales promotion is targeting the Hollywood elite and is focused on the development of a “Riviera” community. Celebrities such as film director Cecil B. DeMille and actor Charles Bickford are among the area’s homeowners. The Del Rey Lagoon is to become a yacht harbor for the prestigious residents. Burns introduces aerial advertising and capitalizes on the use of airplanes to fly
At top: A photo of the Palisades del Rey development. At right: A large-scale painting of Bessie Coleman is displayed in the La Tijera-Centinela office building, located at 6820 S. La Tijera in Westchester. Top photo courtesy the WPHS.
banners over the skies of Los Angeles. The land parcel is sold to the owner, who will build their own individually designed home, with the one caveat that their house exteriors can be made only of stucco, brick or stone. Framed structures are prohibited. Some of those homes still stand in Playa del Rey today. The land sales office for Palisades del Rey also still stands, and today is home to Tanner’s Coffee Co., as well as Flowers By Felicia, among others. It is located where Culver Boulevard makes its turn south and becomes Vista Del Mar. Surfridge development sat on the cliffs above what is now Vista del Mar. Both developments were selling land parcels, without a promise to build. At the time, the coastal road Vista del Mar did not exist, but rather held the railway tracks coming in from downtown Los Angeles, through the wetlands, then turning south to Redondo Beach. Development was unexpectedly and dramatically interrupted by the onset of the plunge of the stock market into the
crash of Black Tuesday on October 29, 1929. Recapturing our time machine visit to 1912 and the beginning of our local rich history surrounding aviation, the Westchester/Playa Historical Society (WPHS) is currently hosting its Aviation Exhibit at the WPHS Discovery Center. The exhibit is open to the public on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March 6. Among the famous aviators visitors can learn about are Kevin Chilton, who grew up in Westchester and graduated from St. Bernard High School. Chilton is a retired four-star general, NASA astronaut and was the pilot for the Space Shuttle Endeavor. On February 13, visit the Discovery Center to watch a video celebrating the contributions of Bessie Coleman, the first African American female aviator. On the exhibit’s closing weekend, the Westchester Playa Historical Society will co-host a book signing with The Book Jewel highlighting pilot Ken Curry,
a Westchester High School graduate who was awarded national honors for his heroism in Vietnam. Save the date for that March 5 event. Once again, stayed tuned for our continuing time machine travel. In the meantime, visit the Westchester/Playa Historical Society Discovery Center in the Westchester Triangle during its operating hours or by appointment. Learn more at wphistoricalsociety.org. The Discovery Center is located in the Westchester Triangle at 6207 W. 87th Street in Westchester. Cozette is an attorney and lifelong resident of Westchester. She is the President of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.
YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX
Emergency Food Distribution to those in need. Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association
Open Tuesday & Friday, 10am-12pm 355 Beach St., Inglewood
Bring donations of non-perishable food to Covenant Presbyterian Chuch. Volunteers and money donations also welcomed and encouraged!
For more information, please call (310) 677-5597 Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church
Page 10 • February 2022
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Learn about St. Anastasia Catholic School Junior Kindergarten-8th Grade Now Enrolling!
Let’s have a heart to heart about selling your home. Let’s make a date, call me today!
Elevate Energy Increase Strength Feel Better 30 day money back guarantee
Amy Nelson Frelinger Realtor® | DRE# 01484711 M 310.951.0416 O 424.281.7603 amy.frelinger@elliman.com
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 11
SCENE Happy Valentine’s Day!
The perfect Valentine’s Day weekend in PV There’s so much to love about Playa Vista! This month, love is in the air with multiple events and activities that will help add to your Valentine’s Day festivities. Check out our recommendations for the perfect Valentine’s Day weekend at Runway, which is sure to make you heart PV even more!
1
Valentine’s Day Makers Market
There’s plenty of fun for everyone at this month’s Valentine’s Day-themed Makers Market. This pet-friendly, family-friendly outdoor shopping event offers good food, live music, photo opportunities, and admission is free! Peruse the vendors and pick up thoughtful, cool and one-of-a-kind gifts for all your loved ones or yourself! As an added bonus, the Makers Market is a wonderful chance to show your love and support for shopping small in your local community! Saturday, February 12 | 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2
Succulent + Candle Making Workshop
Get creative at a fun workshop at Banter & Bliss Candle Co. where attendees can create their own scented coconut soy candles! As you wait for your candle to set, you’ll learn tips on how to make a beautiful succulent arrangement with Rooted Harmony. The experience includes a gift box from Banter & Bliss Candle Co. complete with a bath bomb, modern matchstick bottle and a bar of artisan handcrafted soap. Contact Banter & Bliss for pricing info and availability at banterandbliss.com. Saturday, February 12 | Noon and 3 p.m.
3
Brunch at Bull & Butterfly
Complete your Valentine’s Day weekend at Bull & Butterfly where the best brunch in Playa Vista awaits! With a fresh and delicious menu, paired with new and creative cocktails, you’re sure to have a memorable day whether you’re dining with your partner, your family or friends.
All events & places are located at RUNWAY Playa Vista at 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Playa Vista.
Page 12 • February 2022
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
CARE THROUGH COUNSELING OPEN PATHS COUNSELING CENTER AIRPORT MARINA COUNSELING SERVICE MAPLE COUNSELING WESTMONT COUNSELING CENTER FUNDED BY KAISER PERMANENTE
* Clients must earn less than $30,000 a year and reside in the catchment area. Please call to see if you qualify.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 13
In honor of Valentine's Day
Show your love
for Westchester/Playa
this month by...
Participating in a community event Westchester/Playa is full of fun community events, so next time you see something interesting happening locally, check it out! Some places we can always count on for weekend activities are the Westchester Farmers’ Market, which recently had a group mural painting project hosted by the historical society; the Book Jewel with author readings and storytimes; and Runway Playa Vista with live music and pop-up celebrations. It means a lot to have the neighborhood’s participation in these events and makes the hosts want to create even more opportunities for community engagement and programming! Pictured: Kids have fun painting airplanes as part of a mural to commemorate the Westchester/Playa Historical Society’s aviation exhibit.
Leaving a positive message
Donating a book to a local, Little Free Library We could all use a little pick-me-up these days, so spread the love this month to your family, neighbors and passersby with a cute and colorful positive message on your sidewalk or driveway. If chalk isn’t your thing, join the “Westchester Rocks 90045” movement, a group that shares joy by hiding painted rocks with pictures or words like “love, “be thankful,” and “smile!” for others to find. If you share a positive message on your block this month, send us a photo at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com!
The Westchester/Playa area is home to more than two dozen Little Free Libraries, book-sharing boxes that are placed in the front yards of homes, businesses and community organizations. With the mission to “Take a book. Share a book,” the Little Free Library mission is to build community, expand book access for all and inspire readers of all ages. Share your love of reading this month by leaving a copy of your favorite book in one of these community gems. You can visit littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap to find nearby locations. One of our favorite places to “take a book, share a book” is at the little library in front of the Westchester Townhouse, located at 8501 Emerson Ave. in Westchester.
Shopping at your favorite small biz
Buying Girl Scout cookies Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.
February is a great time to show your support for your favorite local businesses, whether you’re buying a Valentine’s Day gift, need takeout for the Super Bowl, want to surprise someone with flowers or are looking for a romantic spot for dinner. Many small businesses are still navigating the challenges of COVID, staffing shortages and people largely staying at home, so a gift card purchase, a positive review or stopping by to shop is always appreciated by local business owners.
Volunteering with a local nonprofit
Volunteering is one way to show you care, and local nonprofits and community groups can always use your time, talent or treasure! If you like helping people, check out Westchester’s Westside Pacific Villages, which assists seniors with rides, technology help and simple chores around the house. Like baking? Sign up to make something special for the families helped by Grass Roots Neighbors. Interested in shopping? Add a few items to your cart next time you’re at the grocery store, and drop them at the Westchester YMCA’s Food Pantry. If being outdoors is more your thing, the next Clean UP Westchester day is scheduled for Saturday, February 26. Email granttfrancis@gmail.com to participate in this monthly beautification effort.
Page 14 • February 2022
It’s Girl Scout cookie season, and local troops are stocked up with all your favorite treats. Buying cookies helps build confidence for the scouts selling them, and also helps fund their community service projects and activities. Cookies can be purchased online, or starting February 11 at booths at places like Bristol Farms, Ralphs and The Book Jewel.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
A Younger home gets noticed.
In 2021, our listings attracted over 3 million digital views.
Online marketing generated more than 500 offers from qualified buyers.
Connect with us to build a marketing strategy for your home. stephanieyounger.com
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 15
JOIN THE LAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN RECOGNIZING OUR LOCAL HEROES
The Coleman Family
Page 16 • February 2022
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Mar Vista Gem!
12120 Mitchell Avenue, Mar Vista ~ $1,475,000
Inviting curb appeal welcomes you into this charming 1928 Country English-style cottage with beautiful hardwood floors, cozy fireplace, a formal dining room--plus all the special conveniences of an updated bathroom and kitchen. Open living room/dining rooms flow into bright white kitchen with stainless appliances, and sunny breakfast room (or a perfect work-from-home space), and a laundry room with newer stacked appliances. Both bedrooms provide morning sunlight and convenience to airy full bathroom. Enjoy outdoor dining/relaxing on the rear deck that leads to a very private gated/fenced and tree-lined backyard. Situated just north of Washington Place off Grandview Blvd, this central location is free-way close and convenient to all Westside employment communities, and close enough to enjoy all the beach cities have to offer. There is a one car garage and a behind gates parking space. Driveway can easily accommodate three cars. Don't miss this great property for your first-time buyers!
COMING SOON IN
10775 FLAXTON, CULVER CITY 3 BEDS + 2 BATHS $1,750,000
OW
LY
CR
ES
T EN
LD
SO
C
RE
10706 CRANKS RD., CULVER CREST SPECTACULAR CULVER CREAT VIEWS $2,375,000
7015 RINDGE, PLAYA DEL REY HUGE LOT WITH STUNNING VIEWS $3,295,000
JANE ST. JOHN ST. JOHN & VANDERVORT
CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES
(310) 567-5971
A PORTION OF EVERY COMMISSION JANE EARNS IS DONATED TO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES IN HER CLIENT’S HONOR.
JANEANDCARLI@GMAIL.COM CalBRE #00998927
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify all information.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 17
off what already has been built. If it’s not broken and it’s working, let’s not fix it. We will be bringing on a new team member over the next few months and one of our top priorities is to keep our innovative and dynamic programming at an all-time high. COVID has forced organizations to really think outside the box on how they can bring value to their members. I feel like we have done that. We will continue to listen to our members to hear what their needs are and make adjustments accordingly. In terms of new initiatives being launched, that will really come from our strategic plan that we just approved at our January board meeting. It’s incredibly exciting, and I feel it will be something that continues to set our organization apart and will keep it fresh and relevant.
Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A. I am originally from the Midwest, but as kids we bounced around a bit and spent time in Chicago and Atlanta. My parents ultimately settled our family back where they were from in St. Louis, Missouri. I went to college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where I found two of my passions in life: nonprofit/community development work and art. While a student at the University of Minnesota, I started volunteering at the local campus YMCA where I started as a youth mentor. When I finished school, I was recruited to move to Los Angeles as an art curator. I did that for a few years, and then returned to the nonprofit world where I started at our local and beloved Westchester Family YMCA. It was in Westchester where I really developed as a professional and built long lasting relationships with a great group of community and business leaders. I attribute my years at the Y to really understanding what it takes to run a successful organization. In 2014, I was lucky enough to get a chance at running my own Y branch as the Executive Director of the Mid Valley Family YMCA in Van Nuys. In that role, I learned about some of the daily challenges that face many Angelenos– homelessness, food insecurity, access to healthcare, etc. It was strategic partnerships with local businesses, organizations and elected officials that really helped address these challenges. My wife Alaina and I are incredibly blessed to have two amazing children– our daughter, Saylor is now 4 and our son, Cashel just turned 2. We live 10 minutes away from the chamber in
Page 18 • February 2022
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
Chad Maender may only be a few weeks into his role as the LAX Coastal Chamber’s new President/ CEO, but he’s using more than a decade of experience in community development to create a sense of belonging, build relationships and provide a powerful resource for area businesses. Maender says that over the last 60-plus years the chamber has laid a great foundation, and he looks forward to carrying on the tradition of being innovative, advocating for his members and collaborating with community partners. Read how Maender and his team are looking to the future with the organization’s newly launched strategic plan, and welcoming business leaders to join their chamber community in this month’s business spotlight.
Maender poses in the heart of Westchester’s downtown business district.
Business spotlight: Chamber works to build community for local businesses Hawthorne, just south of LAX. On our weekends, you can find us at the beach, locating the next great park, trying new food spots or barbecuing in the backyard.
Q. When did you start working at the chamber? What interested you in working there? A. I was lucky enough to join the LAX Coastal Chamber team in August of 2018. I had known our previous President/ CEO, Christina Davis, for close to 12 years at the time, and she had always been a professional mentor and advocate my entire career. When the opportunity presented itself to join this organization, I knew it felt
right. Joining a winning team was a no-brainer, and I was excited about being able to work directly with our members as Vice President of Membership. I feel like my calling in life has always been about serving the community, and in this case, it’s our business community. Q. In your new role as President/ CEO what are your goals for the chamber and supporting businesses in the community? Are you planning on making any big changes or launching any new initiatives this year? A. I think first and foremost, the game plan is to really just create a strong foundation
Q. Unlike a lot of chambers that only focus on business issues, the LAX Coastal Chamber is unique because it hosts events like the Fourth of July Parade and is very involved in the community. Are you planning on carrying on that tradition? A. There is no doubt that we are a different kind of chamber of commerce. We not only focus on business issues, but we also are dedicated to quality of life issues that face our community. Chambers and the business community play a critical role in building great schools, lifting up our nonprofits that work so hard to address unmet needs and providing resources that make this the community that people want to live, play and work in. The Fourth of July Parade has been celebrated in the local community for 21 years now. It has provided so many incredible memories for so many. We’re committed to ensuring that the parade remains a focal point in Westchester. Traditions are important, but we’re also open to adjusting and pivoting as times change. Q. You recently announced that the chamber has completed its first strategic plan in decades. Can you tell me a little bit about what the plan entails and how it will drive your organization going forward? A. We are so excited about our strategic plan! We kicked off the strategic planning process in August 2021, and we just wrapped up everything in January. Over the course of six months, we conducted board interviews, staff interviews, member (continued on next page)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
AYSO7.ORG
E
AT I
NG 5
0 YEARS
CEL 1971
7
2021
ON
Photo by Candra Bunn.
JOIN THE FUN
BR
O F AY S O
RE
GI
SPRING REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Register today to join our community soccer league. For ages 4 to 18. Registration closes February 20. Practices begin in mid February. Games begin March 5. Come out and Play!
(continued from previous page) focus groups and member surveys. It was really a 360-degree look at our organization. We were fortunate enough to have one of our very own chamber members lead us through this process. Dr. Kevin Shane Walsh, Managing Member of Global Community Enrichment led the charge, and both he and Board Chair Elect and Chief Operating Officer of Decron Properties, Joe Coleman, were instrumental in creating a dynamic committee that developed a shared vision for the future. A few incredible things that came out of it were the development and reinforcement of the chamber’s mission, vision and core values, along with three key strategic priorities that we will focus on over the next three years. One area of focus will be being a collaborator on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the business community. Whether it be providing resources to our small business community or ensuring that our chamber is accessible to all businesses that want to join and get involved, we know that DEI needs to be interwoven into everything we do already and everything we plan for the future. Q. If you’re a local business, why should you join the chamber? A. Local small businesses are the life blood of our community. Each of them have an amazing story to tell, and we can play a role in helping amplify that story and that voice. The chamber has something for every business, whether it be educational resources for employees, strategic partnerships, advocacy or community involvement. Supporting the chamber by joining is an affirmation that you want to help boost the local economy
and help businesses thrive. Whether you are a local Westchester shop owner, an airline at LAX, or building the next development in Marina del Rey, our organization is here to help make it easier to do business for you and your team. Q. What are your best tips for engagement with the chamber? Best tips for being engaged with the LAX Coastal area? A. Engagement means something different for each business. For some, it could be attending events and for others it could be visibility in the local area. Showing up and being an involved contributing member of the local community lifts all boats. My top three tips for engaging with the chamber are: • Ensure the chamber team knows what your business priorities are in the local community. This helps with providing meaningful interactions at events and programs. • Consider shopping with a chamber business next time you need something like dinner or professional services. You can get a full list of our members on our website or in our annual magazine. • Make meaningful relationships with other members that will help create a network of support beyond our staff. My top three tips for engagement with the LAX Coastal area are: • Get to know the local issues that face the LAX Coastal region. • Participate in local events that have helped shape the community. • Connect with local leaders at area nonprofits, schools and service organizations. Learn more about the chamber and its members at laxcoastal.com.
Left photo by: David Sowell
When not supporting local businesses at the chamber, Maender likes to spend time with his wife, Alaina, and their two children.
cash door prizes of $100-$300 10 games of bingo with $100 payout & final blackout card pays $500. raffle prizes. silent auction. fun!
Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary’s
Luck O’ The Irish Annual Bingofest! march 12, 2022, 6pm to 10pm visitation school, westchester
Admission includes dinner, entertainment and 10 bingo games! All proceeds fund charitable rotary projects. $60/pp early bird special $70/pp after march 1 $500 table sponsor with 8 seats & recognition.
rsvp today: playavenice.org (310) 963-9494
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 19
Random Notes/Opinion
TheHTN.com
Simple strategies to get back on your fitness track
By Jeff Blair
bottle in the open, not in the back of the cabinet behind your flashlight and your car seat cleaning spray. If you are Opinion: Many start the year with trying to stop doing something, do the New Year’s Resolutions to exercise more. I hope yours stuck, but what if it opposite of making it obvious–hide did not? Do not fret! This month I will it. If you are trying to eat less sweets, either remove them from the house outline four simple strategies to get completely or at least keep them out you back on track in February. of your line of sight. Some studies One of my favorite resources for creating new behaviors is James have shown simply keeping high Clear’s 2018 book “Atomic Habits.” I calorie foods above eye level makes read this a few years ago, and I seem people less likely to eat them. to return to it every year for myself or 2. Make it attractive. We all for a client. If you are trying to start have things we know we should do a new behavior such as exercising (workout, for example) and things consistently, Clear suggests trying to we enjoy doing (listen to music or make the behavior obvious, make the watch movies for many people). behavior attractive, make the behavior Pairing these two things together easy and make the behavior satisfying. is called temptation bundling. For I will review each of these ideas from example, each time you exercise you Clear’s book below. might listen to your favorite playlist. 1. Make it obvious. This means This blends the “should do” with the “fun to do.” Colleges are often used you should not have to look too hard to demonstrate temptation bundling. to find what you need to begin the The basic point of college is to study behavior. If you want to develop the habit of walking every morning, leave and earn a degree. Colleges bundle your walking shoes near the door. the not always fun, “should do” goal Put your workout clothes on a hanger of studying with enjoyable activities near your door rather than hidden in a like football games, parties and social events, which can make studying a drawer beneath your beloved “Spring little easier to swallow. Break 1989” T-shirt. If you apply I once placed a stair stepper sunscreen before walking, place the
MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS
Page 20 • February 2022
FINE ARTS
machine in front of my television. My personal rule was if I wanted to watch football, I had to use the stair stepper while watching the game. I paired something that was fun with something I needed to do, but was struggling to do–my cardio workout. Tricking yourself is completely allowed! In fact, it is helpful when starting new behaviors. Exercising with a group is another way to make a new behavior more attractive. If you join a workout class, hire a personal trainer or join a hiking group, exercise might feel a little more social and more fun. Many days exercise can feel like a chore, but seeing your friends might seem like a treat. Although personalities differ and some introverts might prefer solo activity, finding a group that supports your physical activity goals works for many people. 3. Make it easy. While I do not hear this very often anymore, “no pain, no gain” is usually a bad exercise strategy. Typically, the more difficult the exercise, the higher the dropout rate for beginners. Ignore the hype and start at a reasonable or even an easy level. In our studio, we try to never start people with an extremely hard
WORLD LANGUAGE SPANISH
TECHNOLOGY
workout. We assess where the person is and start them at an appropriate level. As the saying goes, we try to “meet people where they are.” Putting a beginner on an extremely hard workout program is just a bad idea, in my opinion. Over time and as people progress, the difficulty level can and should increase. 4. Make it satisfying. If you are exercising regularly, find some way to reinforce that behavior. Maybe buy yourself a new item of clothing after you consistently workout for a couple of weeks. Other suggestions include using a behavior tracking app or tracking your exercise using a pen and paper. Marking your desk calendar with an “X” every time you exercise is a simple and effective technique to track workouts. Use these four tips, and you can soon be making progress toward your 2022 exercise goals! Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in Westchester in 2011. He is a Certified Personal Trainer and fitness author. Reach out at jeff@socalsport. com for comments or questions about his article.
ATHLETICS
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Chasing hope when feeling despair By Fay Craton Opinion: Hope is looking toward the future through optimistic eyes. When you have hope, you can see your yearnings as do-able goals. With hope there is anticipation that you can obtain something you want. It is a feeling of promise that something good is within your reach. Do you have hope? Or, has the awe of something good happening been slipping away? Instead of feeling hopeful, many people have concerns and fears about what will happen tomorrow, or some other time in the future. The concerns can feel like sandpaper on your dreams, slowly wearing them away. Gradually, discomforts such as disappointments, too many changes, too many uncertainties, not feeling a part of a community, a lack of acceptance, or rejection because you are not “good enough,” wear away at your sense of well-being until anxiety builds and you feel helpless. As human beings, we are biologically built so our thinking decreases as our anxiety increases. This means that when you are either anxious or stressed, your ability to concentrate decreases. It becomes harder to absorb information. It may also be harder to sit still, follow instructions and implement appropriate coping techniques. This is true for both adults and children. If you do not know how to deal with helplessness and anxiety, your children are probably also struggling–quite likely even more than you. The COVID pandemic has deepened a sense of helplessness with the constant changes about work or school rules, job changes, grief about lost opportunities, isolation, supply shortages and ongoing vigilance to avoid aggressive people or threatening circumstances. Your resiliency might be worn thin, resulting in feeling like you’re existing without hope and have little control over your experiences. As tensions keep building, the helplessness can begin to burst out in destructive ways. It could be you become ill or depressed. You may find yourself yelling at loved ones over minor inconveniences. Sometimes the tension may explode as road rage, airplane rage, bullying or other forms of aggression. When you feel helpless and in despair it is difficult but not impossible to regain a sense of hope. How do you do it? Here are some tips: • First, it is important to be kind to yourself and stop listening to negative mind chatter. Begin to create healthy mantras to say to yourself on a frequent basis. One good mantra is, “I am a healthy person.” Write the mantra down on a post-it and stick it on your bathroom mirror. • You can rapidly increase your sense of calm through your breathing. A deep inhale filling your abdomen will help
move oxygen to your brain, helping you think. A very slow exhale (twice as long as your inhale) will help your body create the hormones necessary to soothe you. • Chasing hope is both a mental and physical effort. In addition to changing your thinking, it is important to have healthy living habits including sleep, eating, exercise and hygiene. • Another good early step in regaining hope is to remember humans tend to be communal beings. Even people who need a lot of alone time need others occasionally. Find others who can support you and whom you can support. There are sources for groups, and you can call me if you need help finding a group appropriate for you. A sense of helplessness can be deeper than mind chatter. Support is very important; so is understanding your perceptions about what you can and cannot do. As you work with your perceptions, what you are conditioned to believe starts separating from possibilities. It is not about resisting your initial perceptions. It is more about facing and honoring them in a manner which will allow them to evolve. Empathetic listening and dialogue with supportive people will slowly shift you toward hope. As you rebuild your own resilience and healthy coping skills, you will become more present for significant people in your life. This is especially important if you have children in your life. Children need an adult to model healthy behaviors. They can be included in your daily practice to regain hope. As you learn to quiet your mind chatter, you can talk to your children about what you are doing. Together, you can create positive thoughts. Consider helping your children create post-it notes saying, “I am valuable” or “I am loved.” You may wish to create notes for other significant people in your life telling them they are loved and posting the notes where they will be seen. Even when you are struggling, by including others in your quest to find hope, you can begin to gain calmness. As you re-learn to regulate your own tranquility, you can help another person out of the chaos of helplessness. My wish is for you to have a life filled with hope. It is normal to sometimes slip from habits of resiliency, especially during a pandemic. With effort, you can regain a sense of well-being. Hope belongs to you. If you have lost it, it is time to chase it down and reclaim it. 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). She provides video-based counseling and is located in Westchester. If you have any questions, please contact Fay at (310) 645-6762.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
THANK YOU to our advertisers and
community partners for supporting this publication! Robin Zacha, Zacha Homes Drollinger Properties Stephanie Younger Group | Compass Jane St. John | RE/MAX Neighborhood Council Westchester/Playa Loyola Marymount University Westchester Lutheran School Westchester Town Center BID Airport Marina Counseling Service St. Anastasia School Visitation School Amy Nelson Frelinger Douglas Elliman Properties Westside Pacific Villages SoCalSport & Fitness Kris Zacuto | Compass Los Angeles World Airports Robert Milligan UCLA Health Westchester Rotary Club
February 2022 • Page 21
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA Working together to improve our communities!
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” CWP~ Plato
2022 Greater LA Homeless Count Rescheduled for Feb. 22-24 Preparations for the 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count are officially underway! Recently, there was a virtual launch with over 200 stakeholders from across the Greater Los Angeles area where the latest developments for the upcoming count were shared. You can watch the launch video at bit.ly/3xHVJ9L
is an essential component in getting vital information that helps us provide an accurate picture of the state of homelessness in Los Angeles and deliver services where they are most needed. It also increases general homelessness awareness with the public and increases engagement with leaders, residents, and stakeholders.
The 2022 Greater LA Homeless Count, originally scheduled for January 25-27, has been rescheduled. The Homeless Count for our area will be conducted on Wednesday, February 23, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Westchester Municipal Building, 7166 W. Manchester Ave. More than 70 volunteers are needed.
This year, Homeless Count volunteers will be able to download Akido Connect “LA Homeless Count App” from their Apple or Android App Stores. Akido Connect, the App developed by Akido Labs, will replace the pen and paper tally system, and volunteers will mark their tallies directly in the mobile app. Deployment Site Coordinators will have access to a dashboard where they can view the tallies for specific Census Tracts. LAHSA will be able to securely access the data in real-time for data analysis.
To sign up and volunteer for the count, please visit www.theycountwillyou.org The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires each Continuum of Care (CoC) to hold a biennial Point-InTime (PIT) Count during odd-number years. Beginning in 2016, the Los Angeles CoC started holding the Homeless Count annually to analyze the trends of people experiencing homelessness. The annual Homeless Count
The results will be released to the public in Summer 2022, at which time the presentation and data summaries will be published at www.lahsa.org/homeless-count/
NCWP Decides to Focus Grant Program on Park The Neighborhood Council of Westchester Playa passed a motion to “create a theme and plan for the remainder of the fiscal year’s 2021-22 Neighborhood Council of Westchester / Playa’s budget allocated to neighborhood purpose grants (NPGs) and community improvement projects (CIPs) to focus on, but not be exclusive to, improving the aesthetics, accessibility and opportunities for community engagement in the Westchester Park.” NPGs, or Neighborhood Purpose Grants, are a way for neighborhood councils to partner with and support nonprofit organizations and public schools on projects that provide a public benefit to the community. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) non-profits as well
as public schools. (Please note that grants cannot be issued to religious organizations or to private schools.) These grants, which are typically between $500 and $5000, are awarded from the neighborhood council’s yearly budget. A Neighborhood Purpose Grant must provide a demonstrable benefit to the community. An NPG activity should build community, enhance the neighborhood, and be open, accessible, and free to the general public. To apply for a NPG, applicants should visit the City Clerk’s website for more details at www.tinyurl.com/2p853pwp
Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Monthly Board Meeting:
6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2022 via Zoom
www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Page 22 • February 2022
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 10:00 a.m. (Indoors & Livestream) Communion Sundays February 6th and 20th
WINTER CROPS
SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Sunday, March 6th Infants-8th Grade 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Tours available by appt. at wlcs.org
Happy February! Join us every Sunday in the heart of downtown Westchester - so much in season and to choose from! Gorgeous fresh produce from local small farmers to over thirty local food businesses offering a wealth in artisanal foods. Live music, kids activities, community booths, follow us on social media for updates!
7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES!
Pastor Larry Becker WWW.WLCS.ORG
310-670-5422 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 23
Erin Cueto has a passion for her community and seeing her hometown thrive. She was born and raised in Westchester, and after receiving a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, earning a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Colorado and traveling the world, she returned home to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
“PEOPLE IN WESTCHESTER ARE SO KIND AND NICE. THEY
As owner of Westchester Pharmacy, a business her family has owned since 1984, Erin is proud of being able to serve the people of Westchester/ Playa. She says owning a business where she can create positive change is inspiring. Erin brings that same positivity to her community as President of the Westchester Rotary Club and enjoys volunteering for projects that benefit the neighborhood.
HAVE A REALLY STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNAL EFFORT TO MAKE THIS PLACE BETTER AND
While she has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to share information, be a resource for PPE and keep people safe–she estimates she and her team have given more than 5,000 vaccines–she’s looking forward to being able to hop on a plane again to visit someplace new and exciting. In the spring, she’ll head to Puerto Rico for a humanitarian trip with Rotary. When Erin’s not bettering her community or the world, she enjoys spending time with her family, husband Mario and children Camela, 3 and Santiago, 2.
HELP EACH OTHER. I SEE IT IN THE PHARMACY, IN MY CUSTOMERS AND
We recently sat down with her and asked her to share her thoughts, so here is “5 Questions With...Erin!”
1
If you’re looking for the perfect evening out, where are you going?
2
What’s something the neighborhood needs more of and something it needs less of?
3
What is your favorite neighborhood tip or trick?
4 5
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.
5 QUESTIONSROBIN WITH... ERIN CUETO ZACHA IN MY COMMUNITY. I LOVE IT!”
Honestly, it would be somewhere we could take the kids. As much as my husband and I enjoy each other, we enjoy being all together as a family even more. I love places that offer space for kids to be kids like the Proud Bird. Their playground is awesome. They have offerings where the parents can try different drinks and foods and the kids can play. The ideal place would be someplace that offers quality stuff for adults, and also offers a place for kids to be themselves.
Something we definitely need more of is open common spaces that are open to the public. We need more places that we can gather, meet and hang out that are also family-friendly. Westchester just screams for that. The few places that we have get packed! Café Solar for example, if you visit during the middle of the day, it’s crowded! It’s hard to say anything negative, but maybe less businesses that come from outside that don’t serve the community and that don’t offer anything to the local community, but come in and reap the benefits without giving back. There are very few I see like that, but sometimes when I see a spot available [for lease], I’m a little disappointed about the type of places that eventually open up. I’m like, ‘That could have gone to something a little bit more local!’ I probably would say to get involved with one of the online parent groups. They have all the information and resources! It just takes me asking a question on a mom’s Facebook group, and I quickly have five recommendations, and people offering to help! For everyone who moves into the area, I tell them to get involved with something, whether it’s an online group, a neighborhood club or Neighborhood Watch. My favorite local group, is of course, Rotary.
What’s one local spot you couldn’t live without?
The YMCA! The Westchester YMCA has served me and my family at all stages of life. As an infant it’s where I learned to swim at 6-months-old. As a child it was where I did summer camps and Adventure Guides. As a teenager and adult, I worked out and trained at the facility, and now I’ll be teaching my own kids to swim there! I’m hoping they get involved with the Youth in Government Program when they’re older. I’m so proud of our YMCA and how it’s the center point for Westchester families.
What do you tell people that are new to the area about Westchester?
We met a new couple with a 1-year-old that recently moved in down the street. We invited the family over on Saturday to BBQ with us, and they wanted to know the low-down on everything Westchester! We told them that during the first week in our house our neighbors took our trash out for us because they weren’t sure that we knew when collection day was! Now we take long walks, not because we walk long distances, but because we bump into familiar faces and stop to chat and catch up. We shared that there’s a strong local culture here of being open and neighborly. If you come from an area where you’ve never met your neighbors, it can be intimidating; but when you embrace it, you gain this whole network of support and a proud sense of belonging.
Page 24 • February 2022
Cool Fact
Cool Fact
Cool Fact
Erin loves playing Candy Crush and is on level 5,000.
Erin loves playing basketball whether it’s with a local Japanese league or a pick-up game.
She and her husband love cycling around town with their kids following behind in bike trailers!
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
WISH continues to thrive due to the incredible support of the Westchester community, strong parent partnerships, and a commitment to high-quality meaningful and engaging public education for all students by our amazing team of educators! be valued and understood be held to high expectations experience exciting & engaging curriculum receive a chromebook have the opportunity to join a sports team participate in exceptional art, music, technology & PE instructional experiences have high quality SEL, STEM, & GATE instruction receive hands-on project based learning benefit from university & business partnerships take rigorous High School pathway courses in Engineering, BioMedical Science, Social Justice & Performing Arts
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 25
kids march
for E Q U A L I T Y
January 17
Nearly 100 community members of all ages came out to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Fourth Annual Kids’ March for Equality on January 17. During the hour-long event, families walked along Sepulveda Blvd. from Kohl’s to CVS, holding colorful signs that read, “I have a dream,” “We can do little things that make big changes,” “Respect each other” and “Be the change.” Some chanted slogans like “Choose love, not hate” and “We’re all different, and we’re all equal,” while passersby honked to show their support. Sponsorships by Kumon Westchester, Westchester Pharmacy and The Book Jewel helped provide supplies, snacks and goodie bags for the participants. Pictured: Event attendees show off their signs with positive phrases and affirmations. Page 26 • February 2022
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
SERVICE IS OUR PASSION The Rotary Club of Westchester makes a difference in our community! We come together to support our students, clean our streets, makeover our community, promote literacy, support communities abroad and so much more. Join us!
WHAT WE DO: Emerson Avenue Community Garden We made the garden more easily accessible, more attractive, and more functional.
Westside Pacif ic Villages Delivering meals and reaching out to our homebound seniors.
Annual Book Sale We promote literacy and raise funds for community projects through our annual Book Sale.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
February 2022 • Page 27
SOCALGAS® IS PROUD TO SUPPORT
BL AC K H I STO RY MONTH
This month we recognize black history in America. SoCalGas joins in commemorating the vast contributions African American leaders have made to our country’s history and culture. These contributions influence every part of how we live, including business and industry, art and culture, and the on-going movements for justice and equality. Black history is US history.
© 2022 Southern California Gas Company. All copyright and trademark rights reserved. N22J015A 0122
Page 28 • February 2022
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
