January edition of the Westchester/Playa HomeTown News by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

PHOTO BY EDITH LEVANDOSKI.

Here’s to good health in 2015...page 5 Nanci Edwards and yoga teacher Sonia Roveri Steifel practice their poses at Westchester’s LiveYoga Wellness with the help of owner Teri Roseman (far left).

Neighborhood Council welcomes neighbors to annual potluck to discuss community issues The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) will hold a community potluck on Tuesday, January 6. There will be no business items on the agenda for January. “This is the second annual potluck and we hope that our community members will join us and help keep this an annual event,” said NCWP president Cyndi Hench. “The idea

for the potluck is to create time for Westchester and Playa residents to interact with Neighborhood Council board members in a casual setting. It’s a great opportunity for the board members to get to hear from residents one on one and for all of us to get better acquainted.” Attendees are invited to bring their favorite dish to share at the meeting.

The potluck will start at 6:30 p.m. in the NCWP’s regular meeting space, the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 Manchester Ave. in Westchester. Neighborhood councils are designed to promote increased citizen participation and make local government more responsive to local needs. The council that represents

Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista, the NCWP, is made up of 31 members who live, work or own property in the Westchester, Playa del Rey or Playa Vista and were elected to their position or appointed and voted in by a majority of the board. For more info, on the NCWP and its committees, visit ncwpdr.org.

Cantalini’s celebrates anniversary

Group works to keep seniors at home

2014: A Year in Pictures

Playa del Rey restaurant invites community to help celebrate its anniversary On any given day in Playa del Rey, Cantalini’s Salerno Beach is filled with people celebrating milestones, holding business meetings and catching up with friends and family over glasses of wine and plates of Fettuccine Alfredo and Spaghetti Bolognese, but on Sunday, January 4, the restaurant will be celebrating its own special occasion with its fifteenth anniversary. “It has been a pretty wild ride. I have learned so much and met some amazing people,” said Cantalini’s owner Lisa Schwab. “I am so grateful to the many regulars who have supported us and become our friends. We have shared so many memories together: proposals, graduations, weddings, births and even deaths. There are lots of treasured moments that have woven a beautiful fabric over the years.” The restaurant has come a long way in fifteen years. The location originally housed another restaurant, Giovanni’s Salerno Beach, which opened in the 1960s. Schwab remembers its owner, Giovanni Cimino, as a colorful personality, often breaking out into an operatic song during dinner service and keeping Christmas decorations up

Page 2 • January 2015

year-round. When she purchased the restaurant from him in 2000, she promised to uphold his standard of high quality authentic Italian food and she added Cantalini’s to its name in honor of her grandmother Anna Cantalini. Today, the holiday decorations are gone, replaced with walls and shelves full of family pictures and photographs of stars

There are lots of treasured moments that have woven a beautiful fabric over the years. from years gone by from her mother’s days as a hatcheck girl at a Hollywood hot spot. It’s no surprise that Schwab renamed the restaurant in honor of her grandmother, because anyone who knows her knows she takes the idea of family very seriously. After

Owner Lisa Schwab (second from right) poses with her staff at last year’s New Year’s party.

all, it’s the recipes that were handed down by her grandmother that are used every day in the restaurant to make dishes like ravioli and gnocchi. While most of the menu is influenced by her grandparents’ hometown of Abruzzi, Italy, specialties from across the country are available. “I was fortunate to grow up with my grandparents and our menu is a reflection of the very best in homemade Italian cuisine. Some families have large volumes of

recipes, carefully recorded and ready to hand down for generations, but my grandmother made sure I had them in my soul...how the dough should feel when kneading it, the color and fragrance of herbs and spices, the importance of fresh vegetables and to vent the lid on the sauce pot,” said Schwab. “Everyone in my family has had a little something special to contribute and I am grateful to all who have shared with me over the (continued on page 4)

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

This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Cantalini’s celebrates anniversary 02 07 Westchester Yoga studio hopes to bring balance Now is the time to make positive changes 09 Business News 16 Calendar/To Do 18-19 2014: A look back in pictures 22-23

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Fay Craton, Contributing Writer David “Duke” Dukesherer Sr., Looking Back

Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Jack Younger, Contributing Cartoonist

Advertisers’ Directory Airport Marina Counseling Business & Professional Cinemark Playa Vista Covenant Presbyterian Church Custom Design & Construction Drollinger Properties Food Pantry, LAX Gateway to GO! Kevin and Kaz Gallaher Jane St. John LA Arts Collective LAX Coastal Chamber LiveYoga Wellness Loyola Marymount McClintock Dental Neighborhood Council

11 18 02 14 15 11 14 12 20 21 15 16 06 04 09 24

Playa Medical Plaza 05 Playa Pharmacy 08 REAL Creative Space 23 Socal Sports and Fitness 09 Vergari and Napolitano 23 Visitation School 04, 13 Westchester Family YMCA 10 Westchester Del Rey Little League 14 Westchester Little League 20 Westchester Lutheran 17, 23 Westchester Secondary Charter School 06 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Westchester/Playa Village 08 Westside Neighborhood School 12 Zacha Homes 21

t a t i d n u o f I ! r e t n e C n w o T r e t s e h Westc

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.

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Cantalini’s (continued) (continued from page 2) years, especially those who are no longer with us.” If her grandma’s legacy lives on through the food served, Schwab keeps her grandfather’s memory alive through the restaurant’s laid back atmosphere and live music every Sunday. Schwab fondly remembers her grandfather’s love of music every time she sees his accordion, which she proudly displays at the restaurant. “Music, joy, family, food and honest, heartfelt love dished out one meal at a time, that is what I have tried to create at Cantalini’s,” said Schwab. “Cooking is such a passion of mine. There is nothing more rewarding or loving than feeding people. It’s a wonderful way to spend your time.” While Cantalini’s is a dream fulfilled for Schwab who always wanted her own restaurant, she is also passionate about giving back to the community who supports her. Schwab is an active member of groups like the Elks Lodge and the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club and supports numerous local nonprofits with donations and silent auction items. Her generosity has earned her countless accolades, including the Howard B. Drollinger Achievement Award in 2011.

Page 4 • January 2015

Schwab is profoundly aware that she couldn’t have built a successful restaurant alone. She is honored by the dedication of her staff and the loyalty of her customers, who come back week after week, month after month and year after year. “All of this wouldn’t be possible without the Cantalini’s family, most of whom have been with me since the beginning. I am grateful for their dedication,” said Schwab. “I love what we have been able to create here and I love what I do. It’s great that the community supports us and we can support the community. I am truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing neighborhood.” The community is invited to help celebrate the restaurant’s anniversary on Sunday, January 4 from 12 to 3 p.m. The restaurant will be holding an open house with free food, drinks and live music. “Our customers, employees and community mean so much to us. It seems like only yesterday that we opened the restaurant,” said Schwab. “I can’t believe it’s been fifteen years. I hope everyone can come out and celebrate with us.” Cantalini’s Salerno Beach is located at 193 Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey.

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

Health and Wellness News

Kicking Off a Healthy 2015! Special Advertising Section

For one Westchester resident, showing up and It’s your year! putting in the work are keys to fitness goals By Jeff Blair Opinion: Westchester resident Dena Vatcher has achieved fitness goals she that thought were impossible just a few years ago. By making fitness a priority, Vatcher has dramatically improved her physical and emotional health. This month I am sharing her story in the hope of inspiring you to transform yourself in 2015. Although active as a kid,Vatcher preferred reading to sports. As an adult, her exercise routine consisted of basically nothing, except the occasional run. A car accident in high school left her with chronic lower back pain and she exasperated the condition when she hurt her back again by moving boxes and couldn’t walk for three days. She visited chiropractors and was able to get by, but her back pain

Dena Vatcher and Liz Hall show off their muscles at the Socal Fitness studio.

remained a constant issue. If Vatcher did anything out of the ordinary her back would “go out” and cause significant pain, which is difficult for a teacher who is on her feet all day. As a result of putting her young children in and out of car

seats, her shoulder was in almost constant pain. Also, before she started lifting weights and working out consistently, she was in a deep funk and often felt emotionally down. (continued on page 8)

With the new year comes new hopes, new dreams and new goals. Since January 1st serves as a reset button for many of us, it’s time to take advantage of that notion and embrace the fact that the possibilities of what we can achieve are endless with a little hard work, perseverance and drive. The new year is also a time when many of us decide to make important changes in our lives and take control of our health and wellness, whether it’s beginning a new exercise regime, adding more fruits and veggies to our diet or focusing on making healthy physical, mental or spiritual progress. In the next few pages are articles meant to help give our readers insight into some of the community’s local groups and residents that work yearround promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness. We hope you read something that you can use on your journey to make 2015 your year to shine. Here’s to an awesome 2015!

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January 2015 • Page 5

Westchester Playa Village helps keep seniors in their homes with a little help from volunteers By Carol Kitabayashi, Executive Director WPV Staying in your home as you age is what most people want to do, but it isn’t always possible. The nonprofit Westchester Playa Village (WPV), however, is working to offer ways to make this happen for its members. WPV is one of nearly 50 “villages” in California, part of a national movement that supports seniors aging in place, in their own homes and the neighborhoods they love. This allows older adults to remain connected to their friends and neighbors, to feel less isolated and to remain or become more active and engaged in their community. This in turn leads to better health outcomes, and most importantly, a better quality of life. The daughter of a WPV member recently wrote, “It really made a huge difference in my dad’s days by himself last week to have someone visit from The Village. A few weeks ago we could not get him out of a wheelchair...I really think he’s healing physically and mentally more from the help from [WPV] than from any doctors he’s seen in the past six months!” Villages, like WPV, are not a physical place, but a grassroots, communitybased organization that coordinate access to a variety of supportive services to promote aging in place, social integration, health and wellbeing. Village members pay a yearly fee that provides them access to an array of services which vary depending on the needs of the community. The first village was started in 2001 by a group of older residents living in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts who wanted a way to help one another remain in their homes for as long as possible. The idea took hold and there are now over 140 open and operating villages across the country in communities of various sizes and geographic locations. The WPV, established in 2009,

Volunteer Ravi Patel assists in setting up Netflix for a WPV member.

started accepting memberships in 2011 and currently has 85 members with over 100 active volunteers. Locally, WPV provides transportation for members to medical appointments, grocery shopping and other important outings and activities. This is one of WPV’s greatest needs since many seniors no longer drive, don’t want to or can’t use public transportation and may not have family members nearby or available to help them get out and about as needed. Social engagement has been shown to be an important, but an often overlooked, component of healthy aging for older adults. WPV, like many villages, offers social events where members can meet and connect, and it also offers volunteer opportunities for community members of all ages to work with WPV members. Local volunteers help move trash cans on a weekly basis, visit with members,

provide assistance with simple home chores/repairs and help as drivers with transportation services. WPV helps with a variety of routine yet essential tasks and activities that enable seniors to remain safely in their home. The older population is the most rapidly growing age sector of the population, especially those over age 85. Only a small number (estimated to be 10-15%) have families who can care for them or have the financial means to pay for care needed to be able to remain in their own home. There are not enough retirement facilities or other supported, affordable housing options for the growing older population. We cannot fund or build them quickly enough and most seniors want to age in their own home and neighborhood anyway. The village model provides an innovative approach that benefits the health of its members, their families and the communities

where they live. To learn more about WPV, please contact them at (310) 695-7030 or visit their website at thewpv.org. On Tuesday, January 27, WPV and Affordable Living for the Aging (ALA) will be holding an informational seminar on alternative housing arrangements for seniors. ALA is a nonprofit that provides support for matching seniors together to share homes. The group’s average client is looking for the social and emotional well-being that comes from sharing space, companionship and expenses. If you’d like to learn more about how seniors use this service, an info session and film screening will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27 at the Westchester Senior Center, located at 8740 Lincoln Blvd. The event is free to attend.

liveyogawellness.com liveyogawellness.com Page 6 • January 2015

Health & Wellness Special Section

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

Teri Roseman (back row) helps teach yoga is for everyone at her Westchester studio. PHOTO BY EDITH LEVANDOSKI.

Westchester Yoga studio works to bring balance to members For LiveYoga Wellness owner Teri Roseman, yoga isn’t just a fad or an exercise, it’s a way of life for the selfdescribed yogi that she is eager to share with her clients and neighbors at her Westchester studio. “Yoga means balance and it’s often called the union of mind, body and breath,” said Roseman. “Yoga has a spiritual element, but it’s spiritual in whatever your belief is.” This May will mark the yoga studio’s fifth anniversary and Roseman’s own journey to find meaning in her life through the practice of yoga. Although she has practiced yoga on and off since the 1980s, a difficult year filled with a relationship ending, her father passing away and a diagnosis of breast cancer brought her back to practicing full-time and earning a yoga teacher training certificate. After being laid off from a high-powered sales position in the corporate world the day before starting a Yoga Therapy Program at Loyola Marymount University, Roseman knew something had to change. “My life was shifting, but I didn’t know where,” she said. “I needed to find balance in my life.” When a friend casually mentioned that a room at Holy Nativity Church was being remodeled into a yoga studio, Roseman met with their pastor, Peter Rood, without expectation to inquire about the space. The two quickly decided that the timing on the meeting was “meant to be” and settled

on an arrangement for her to lease the space. She’s been using that room with soft light, good air circulation and a calming atmosphere ever since. Said Roseman, “There’s a special energy here. I think most people who come to this space sense it. There is a feeling of safety, comfort and calm here.” As a yoga therapist, Roseman says she uses yoga tools and philosophy with an understanding of the Western

I’m healthier and more content in my life than I’ve ever been. I have joy. medical model to work with someone holistically. After a consultation and questionnaire she can help assess what yoga might be beneficial to her clients. “I’m giving someone a tool kit to find healing in their own body,” said Roseman. “People want a greater sense of health and wellness. Yoga is not just a physical practice. For whatever reason someone comes into the room, they usually end up staying for a totally different reason.”

Roseman explains that the strength in yoga lies in people’s individual practice and the ongoing journey they experience. “Yoga is unique to the person practicing,” said Roseman. “It’s my role to help guide, but each person has their own path. Everyone is in a different place every time they come onto the mat.” She is quick to point out that everyone can do yoga, but not everyone can do every yoga type or position. Her goal, however, is to make yoga accessible to everyone in the room whether they need special modifications like chairs to sit on, props for correct alignment or help in achieving proper form. “Creating a safe environment is the teacher’s role,” said Roseman. “In yoga, we never want anyone to hurt [himself or herself]. You should feel safe.” And over the years, Roseman has helped clients use the tools of breath, movement and meditation to find relief from chronic aches, old injuries and chronic health conditions, like complications from diabetes or Parkinson’s disease. For Westchester resident Mary Ann Bell, who started off as a client and now works as the studio’s manager, finding yoga has brought purpose to her life after retiring from a physically and mentally challenging job and the economy forcing her to downsize her lifestyle.

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

“People come here for exercise, but have learned there is much more,” said Bell. “They’ve learned they can get healed in their own way. [Yoga] has been a gift; it has really saved my life that I’ve been able to practice yoga here.” For Roseman, who is a proud breast cancer survivor, yoga has been a source of centering and balance that has led her to keep focusing on the positive and what’s important in life in a world where we’re programmed to focus on materialism. She’s made it her mission to help share what she’s learned through the practice of yoga to the community that’s been created through LiveYoga Wellness. “Yoga is really a process of inside out not outside to in. Yoga has given me the tool kit to handle things and approach things,” said Roseman. “I’m healthier and more content in my life than I’ve ever been. I have joy.” Through January 15, Roseman is offering a “gratitude offering” to the community where anyone can take a free class that she teaches to experience yoga for themselves. She also offers two community classes a week on Tuesdays at noon and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. for a suggested goodwill offering of $5. LiveYoga Wellness is located at 6700 W. 83rd Street (entrance on Dunbarton) in Westchester. For more information, please visit liveyogawellness.com.

Health & Wellness Special Section

January 2015 • Page 7

(continued from page 5) A few years ago, Vatcher noticed her weight had risen to a place that was unacceptable to her. This realization motivated her to take action and seek out a personal trainer and make a lasting commitment to fitness. Since then, her daily life has changed in many ways. Most importantly, Vatcher says she is significantly happier. She actually enjoys working out, and exercise has changed her outlook in major ways. She is happy she is doing something positive for herself and proud she has stuck with the change for over two years. “My back is pain free about 98% of the time, and if I am consistent about using my foam roller at home, it’s nearer 100%. I haven’t had shoulder pain in well over a year,” said Vatcher. “I feel strong! I can handle physical tasks that I couldn’t before, like moving couches, carrying boxes, picking up my kids. My cardiovascular strength has increased as well, and I can keep up with my kids. I can run alongside while they ride scooters and not be winded. I am able to have fun doing active things. That’s a change for sure. I bought my husband and I tennis racquets for Christmas. It’s exciting to think of playing again.”

Page 8 • January 2015

PHOTO MATT BEARD PHOTOGRAPHY.

Showing up and putting in the work are keys to fitness goals (continued)

Vatcher can now keep up with her kids thanks to working out.

For Vatcher, it’s the little victories along the way that have helped her reach her fitness goals and keep her motivated. “Highlights of my fitness journey are mostly related to the goals I set and achieved this past year. I did 43 pushups in honor of my forty-third birthday and jumped rope for 2.5 minutes without stopping. These two goals connect to the strength and cardio fitness that I recognize in myself,” said Vatcher. “The biggest highlight for me is just that I keep showing up every week. I

Health & Wellness Special Section

made a promise to myself that I wasn’t in it for a ‘quick fix’ and that I needed to invest the time to try and change my pattern in life of not working out and I have done that; I am now a person who works out. It’s part of my self-definition and part of my life. That in and of itself is a highlight for me.” Although she knows her fitness quest isn’t over, Vatcher is confident that with a little hard work people can reach their fitness goals. “It seems silly to me that I would be giving anyone advice about working

out, since I still feel like a beginner. But if I had any advice for beginners, it would just be that no matter how far you feel you are from your fitness goal, it is possible to reach that goal. I didn’t really believe that I could do what I saw other people doing,” said Vatcher. “Now I see that little changes over time add up to big accomplishments. For me it is essential to have a trainer since I know I still wouldn’t be consistent on my own.” For Vatcher, the most important goal has always been to just “keep doing it.” Keep showing up and keep putting in effort. She says working out has become a non-negotiable priority in her life. She now enjoys the benefits of that commitment on a daily basis. Congratulations Dena on making a fitness commitment and transforming your life…one step at a time! JEFF BLAIR (M.S.) owns a personal training studio located in Westchester. He was voted “Best Of” Personal Trainer in the Hometown News 2012, 2013 and 2014 Readers’ Poll. Jeff has been featured in “Men’s Fitness” magazine five times and as a “Fitness Expert” on ABC’s “Everyday Health” TV show. Email jeffblair@ jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas or comments.

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

Now is the time to make positive changes By Diana Hoffman, Ph.D., Airport Marina Counseling Servic’s Clinical Director Opinion: The new year is here, which means it is that time of year again when we reflect on the past year and start thinking about what we want to do differently in the future. With high hopes we face our “New Year’s Resolutions,” only to be disillusioned early into the new year! Many of us then give up altogether, telling ourselves, “Why bother?” Well, you are not alone and there are ways to increase the likelihood of more success, so you can actually attain those ever-elusive New Year’s Resolutions! A study published in the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology (2014) revealed that not only do we tend to set similar resolutions as others, but we also share the same reasons that prevent us from reaching our hopeful goals. This study listed several of the top resolutions: lose weight, get organized, financiallyrelated goals, getting fit and healthy, learn something new, help others, quit smoking and spend more time with friends or family. Many of the resolutions listed likely sound familiar to you, which is good news. Actually, there are two pieces of good news here. First, people who explicitly make resolutions are ten times more likely to attain their goals than those who don’t set explicit goals (University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2014). Secondly, many people do not work toward their New Year’s Resolutions because they attempt to do so on their own. With so many people setting similar goals, it should be easy to find a partner with whom to work toward those mutual goals! We are more likely to take successful steps toward positive change when we have the support of others. Another hurdle on the track toward successful resolutions is lack of specificity. We tend to set lofty, undefined goals for ourselves, which then makes them seem unattainable because we cannot see the finish line. The more specific and realistic our goals are, the more likely we are to reach them. A related obstacle is lack of planning. We find it easy to say, “I want to take better care of myself this year,” but then neglect to define what that means or outline a plan to do so. Finally, our perspective plays a key role in our taking steps toward positive change. If we only focus on how we have not reached our goal, we fail to

recognize the steps we have taken toward it. Let’s take the “I want to take better care of myself” resolution. It sounds great, healthy and positive. Now, let’s define it. Taking better care of myself could mean eating better, exercising more and making sure I get enough rest, all of which support a healthy body, mind and mood. OK, now I’m getting nervous though, because this sounds like a big change! Well, making sure I shift my perspective will be more encouraging, and finding a “resolution” partner to support my efforts will help me be more successful. Setting smaller, attainable goals will help shift my perspective and feed my belief that I can reach my larger resolution. For example, eating healthier is as simple as making your own lunches for work and actually eating at the same time each day, rather than merely eating what’s available or fast. Make sure you always have grapes, apples and carrots in the refrigerator as options for snacking. Even if you only eat one apple as a snack this week, that is a step in the right direction and it is one more apple and one more healthy choice than you made last week. That is considered a successful step, and yes, that would also be an example of a change to a positive perspective! As you can see, a little planning may be needed, but not a huge time commitment is needed to make the positive change. Making sure you go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time each day will ensure you are more rested. This step might actually be more of a “lifestyle” commitment, but once started, it soon becomes a habit. Now, the exercising part often seems most daunting. Exercising could be as easy as taking a fifteen-minute walk each day. And, if you do it with a “resolution partner,” you are more likely to actually do it! So, is it worth setting New Year’s Resolutions in an effort to make positive changes in one’s life? From the information above, I’m clearly arguing that it is. I will further argue that New Year’s is not the only time you can do it! You can use other “markers” as well, birthdays, anniversaries, the first day of summer, etc. Having such calendar “markers” serves as reminders to work toward our goals again if we have let them slip from our sight. While the new year seems to be a common time to focus on positive changes, you can do it at any time during the year, and be successful.

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

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Health & Wellness Special Section

January 2015 • Page 9

PHOTO COURTESY CAFE VIVA.

Playa Vista resident promotes probiotics with coffee

Page 10 • January 2015

Health & Wellness Special Section

Playa Vista’s Michael McClune is hoping Americans’ love of coffee and health products will help turn his company’s probiotic coffee, Café Viva, into a household name. Probiotic means “for life,” and according to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, probiotics are “live microorganisms (like bacteria) that are either the same as or similar to microorganisms found naturally in the human body and may be beneficial to health.” Commonly referred to as “good bacteria” or “helpful bacteria,” probiotics are generally found in dietary supplements and fermented foods, such as yogurt. McClune, an entrepreneur at heart, entered into the probiotic business thanks to his wife Lidia’s Bulgarian heritage and the desire to clear up some shelf space. After reading clinical trials about the effectiveness of probiotics, McClune’s mother-in-law, a Bulgarian doctor, sent the couple bottles of the supplements in an effort to try to keep her only child healthy. With bottles stacking up and taking away valuable shelf space in their first apartment, McClune, not wanting to throw away the gifts, started taking the probiotics in an effort to get rid of them. A lifetime allergy sufferer who has had to take allergy shots since he was six, he was shocked when a short time later his condition cleared up and at his next doctor’s appointment was told he wouldn’t need further treatment. He spent the next months researching everything he could find about probiotics and quickly learned that Bulgaria has a long history with them. In fact, Bulgarian scientist Stamen Grigorov first identified one of the chief bacteria strains in yogurt and named it Lactobacillus Bulgaricus. Said McClune, “Bulgaria is famous for its yogurt. People think that the great yogurt is Greek, but Bulgarian yogurt is recognized as just as great. They are very proud of it.” Wanting to bring the products he had taken stateside, McClune contacted the Bulgarian company, Daflorn, to find out Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del

if they would be interested in working together. After a trip to Bulgaria to meet and discuss business, McClune came back to America as a business partner ready to promote the company’s line of dietary supplements, especially Café Viva. “An entrepreneur always sees opportunity, so finding an amazing product with existing demand and being a point of pride from my wife’s culture made it a no-brainer trifecta,” said McClune. Café Viva is a powder that can be mixed with warm water or milk for a traditional instant coffee, but since it’s a dietary supplement, McClune says people often experiment with ways to use it. He gets emails regularly about clients who enjoy it mixed with yogurt, protein shakes or even sprinkled on food. McClune points out that the Food and Drug Administration does not allow dietary supplement labels to make health claims, but probiotics are widely used to promote digestive and immune health. With many brands on the market, he says what separates his product from others is its proprietary probiotic blend harvested from Bulgarian spring water and that the product can stay alive on the shelf, without refrigeration, for two years without preservatives, fillers or artificial ingredients. While McClune and others have anecdotally found benefits in probiotics, not every dietary supplement or yogurt is going to have the same effect on everyone. With the myriad of products touting multiple probiotic strains or a certain number of “good bacteria” per serving, with about 100 trillion bacteria in your gut, if you’re planning on taking probiotics, it’s important to find the right product for you, says McClune. “There is a misconception that probiotics are probiotics, and if you take more, it’s better,” said McClune. “It’s important to test what strains work for you because every digestive system is different.” For more info on Café Viva, visit probioticcoffee.com. Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

It’s time to embrace who we are By Fay Craton Opinion: In today’s media and material driven world, it is easy to lose sight of “who you are” versus what is marketed as “who you should be.” Many people are pursuing expectations that are defined for them by social norms that may not serve them well. If you believe commercials, everyone should be wealthy, skinny, wearing the very latest fashions, drive the most stylish car and live in sumptuous homes. The marketed “should” is an externalized expectation and is not necessarily “who you are.” You are a configuration of unique strengths and aptitudes which flow through you. Your individuality is inside of you, not an image outside of you. The uniqueness, which is “you,” does not change based on external marketed expectations. However, your strengths and aptitudes can be diverted by faulty beliefs. When they are sidetracked, life can feel pretty empty. A thriving, meaningful and happy life is internally driven. The start of a new year is a good time to reflect about “who you are” and how you want to express your essence to the world around you. While doing so, it is a good idea to first think about what is really important

to you. Look inside yourself for your answer. Make decisions based on what you want. When you make decisions based on what another person wants, you are living their life, not yours. Living somebody else’s life is a sure way to be unhappy. Of course, taking into account what significant people in your life desire is important to keep a quality connection between you and those you love. Are material possessions most important to you? Are people and the quality of connection with people most important? Is expressing an artistic skill most important? Is something else most important? I suggest you stop right now and think about what is most important to you. If you keep a journal, write down three items you cherish most in this world. What you listed should be your compass when making decisions about how you behave and where you place your life energy. I understand some folks find journaling to be uninteresting. Capturing your thoughts can be done in other ways. You may find creating a collage of pictures is a process you find useful. You could find creating a craft or writing a story beneficial to you in sorting your thoughts. Highly musical people may enjoy finding or writing songs to be helpful. Others may wish

to sit down with someone to simply talk through the exercise of determining what is important. After you access what is most important, think about your strengths. Your strengths are gifts you have within you waiting to be expressed. To me, the flow of your strengths and aptitudes is an extension of the flow of spirit into our world. Here are some ways which may be beneficial for you to understand your strengths. • Think back to what you enjoyed doing as a child. Often children are naturally expressing a skill, which is diverted by the time he/she is grown up. • Consider what other people frequently come to you for assistance with. Even when you do not see your strengths, other people are naturally pulled toward you because of a special trait you have. • When you are tired, and fall back to an activity to replenish you energy, what do you do? You may be naturally using one of your strengths to replenish yourself. Are you afraid of expressing what may be your strengths? Fear can stand in your way. You may need to do some mental or emotional work to transform your fear to allow yourself to be the person you are meant to be. A therapist may be able to help you

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

sort through past-learned beliefs, which distract you from recognizing your own purpose and strengths. I encourage you to not let fear block you. After reflecting on what is important to you and your unique contributions, think about how you want to express your uniqueness during 2015. Write down at least three ways you wish to express being “you” during the next twelve months. Is there anything standing in your way from accomplishing this? If so, make and implement a plan as to how to change what is blocking you. My wish for you is for you to embrace who you are, without distortion from negative external sources. Not all external sources are negative. How you interact with others and meet the needs of loved ones, employers and neighbors is important. The quality of where “you” connect with others is important. However, if you do not start from a place of self-understanding and self-acceptance, your ability to maintain quality connection with others is diminished. 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.

Health & Wellness Special Section

January 2015 • Page 11

Schools

TheHTN.com

School Notes

St. Bernard celebrates Model United Nations team. St. Bernard is celebrating its United Nation team’s recent win at Tustin High School in December. The team took home six awards at the event for debating global issues like piracy and corruption. Novice delegate Gregory Mitchell won both a research award for his policy paper and an outstanding delegate award for his actions within his committee. In addition, advanced delegates, Andres Arroyo and Sary Pedromo, won research awards for their policy papers. In the end, Everett Harvey and Elise McClellan walked away with commendation awards. The team hopes to use these accomplishments as building blocks for greater achievements in the coming year. The team is led by John Caulfield who teaches history and social studies and is also the advisor of the school newspaper. Open house season. Numerous private and charter schools will be holding open houses in January for parents to learn more about

Westchester Secondary Charter School’s (WSCS) tenth grade Chemistry and Environmental Science classes took a field trip to the Ballona Wetlands on December 8 with Heal the Bay and Friends of the Ballona Wetlands. Students completed hands-on water chemistry tests and used binoculars while learning about the history, geography, biology and chemistry of the area. PHOTO COURTESY WSCS.

prospective schools’ programs, faculty and campuses. • Westside Neighborhood School’s presentation and tour will take place on Thursday, January 8 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Westside Neighborhood School is located at 5401 Beethoven Street in Los Angeles. • Westchester Lutheran’s open

house is Sunday, January 11. The school is located at 7831 Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. • Westchester Secondary Chater School will hold a tour on Wednesday, January 14 at 9 a.m. The school is located at 8820 Sepulveda Eastway in Westchester. • WISH Charter will host an

information meeting on Wednesday, January 21 at 9 a.m. Please RSVP at (310) 642-9474 to ensure there is enough space to accommodate everyone on the tour. • St. Anastasia’s open house is Sunday, January 25 event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The school is located at 8631 Stanmoor Drive in Westchester. • St. Jerome’s open house is Sunday, January 25 at 10:30 a.m. The school is located at 5580 Thornburn St. in Westchester. • Visitation School will hold its open house on Thursday, January 29 at 7 p.m. The school is located at 8740 S. Emerson Ave. NCWP Education Meeting. Interested in getting involved with education in the community? Join the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa’s Education Committee for its monthly meeting. Its next meeting is scheduled for January 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 Manchester Ave. Meetings are generally scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of the month and are led by committee chair Michele Cooley-Strickland. Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.

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5401 Beethoven St., Los Angeles, CA 90066 310.574.8650 www.wnsk8.com CAIS and WASC Accredited Member of NAIS

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

e”

and READY for High School of Choice

• WASC Accredited – WCEA Certified •

A Catholic Tradition of Eaxcellence in Education Since 1947

Visitation School wishes you a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!

Celebrating Shuttle Endeavour’s Mission 26, Westchester Stopover, during its historic journey to the California Science Center

, olf d n

Visitation

A Catholic School For All Children

r, CA 90045

Full Day Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Through 8th Grade

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Thursday, January 29th, 2015 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Experience all that VISITATION SCHOOL has to offer...You will have the opportunity to meet our teachers, our students and our school parents. We invite you to visit our Classrooms and learn more about the curriculum and our many unique and progressive programs. Please join us for an informative and enjoyable evening for the whole family. See first hand the many ways that VISITATION SCHOOL will benefit your children, now and in the future. Visitation School’s Kindergarten Class enjoys a Little Chefs learning experience with Tony Palermo at his restaurant, Tony P’s Dockside Grill in Marina del Rey.

A Visitation School Graduate is Well Prepared and READY for High School of Choice

• WASC Accredited – WCEA Certified •

A Catholic Tradition of Excellence in Education Since 1947

8740 So. Emerson Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045

Phone: 310-645-6620 • 24/7 Phone: 310-994-9904 • Fax: 310-645-4460 • jsmitley@visitationschool.org

Visit Us At: www.visitationschool.org

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

January 2015 • Page 13

A Look Back at Westchester/Playa

TheHTN.com

By David J. “Duke” Dukesherer, Sr.

Protecting parts of the town are important My home is fresh with the delightful aromas of Christmas: nutmeg, cinnamon, fir, balsam, chocolate, apples, oranges, nuts and candy cane. There must be a switch in the brain that launches a lifetime full of goodness and memories when these scents, like Grandma’s spicy ribbon candy, Aunt Terry’s gravy, Maureen’s sausage stuffing, Sharon’s pumpkin pie, Aunt Dolores and Margaret’s cranberry relish, mother’s deserts and Joanne’s pecan tarts visit us each year. Some of these people are gone, but their spirits live on in my heart and olfaction. It is another New Year, and this year I hope to find a few new things to write about. I have tried to write simply and inoffensively about local topics of historical interest, which seem to appeal to a few others. Much of what I write about seeks

The confluence of Centinela and Ballona creeks. This area is located just north of and behind the Home Depot store on Jefferson Boulevard. Rancho La Ballona farmland flooded when the creeks overran their banks, and much of the wetlands were regularly transformed into seasonal rivulets, vernal pools and ponds. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NOT YET PUBLISHED WESTCHESTER, CALIFORNIA-PART II.

to preserve in memory, or in some cases to provide some facts, that might become the impetus to protect parts of this town that are threatened. Much of this town is indeed threatened and much of this town is gone and other parts are crumbling away at its edges. It’s no small thing to survive. We have within, or near, our boundaries of Westchester, Playa Vista and Playa del Rey, a place

called the wetlands. It remains a very tiny part of the once 14,000 acres of regional wetlands, which ranged from freshwater ponds and alkali flats to willow thickets and sparkling meadows. Seasonal streams meandered through the Ballona Valley, fed by springs in the foothills and in the lowland plains below. Two perpetual streams, Ballona and Centinela Creek, flowed toward the Santa Monica Bay, which once was

the mouth of the Los Angeles River. The Spanish name for one of these meadows, Rodeo de las Aguas, or Round up of the Water, lives on in the name of Rodeo Drive. A Mexican land grant (1831), Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas, was named for the streams that emptied into the area from out of the canyons above it, Cañada de las Aguas Frias (Glen of the Cold Waters, now Coldwater Canyon) and Cañada de los Encinos (Glen of the Green Oaks, now Benedict Canyon). These waters were channelized and remain as a short concrete creek that winds south through Hillcrest Country Club and is deposited in a storm drain at Beverlywood Street. The mother of all these, Ballona Creek, is like a ribbon on a beautiful Christmas present, and it ties the towns together. Channelized as it is today, however, it flows to the Pacific unnoticed by most. Once its waters thundered through and over the cienegas and marshes and joined with Walnut and Centinela Creek, where it dispersed over an alluvial plain before entering the ocean. It (continued on next page)

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Page 14 • January 2015

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

A Look Back (continued) (continued from previous page) was a beautiful, exciting open space. What remains of the wetlands deserves to be “preserved,” but what is questionable is the definition of the word itself. The problem with the wetlands, you see, is that they are not wet. Well, not much anyhow. The first kick in the teeth to the area came when the Army Corps of Engineers channelized Ballona Creek after the Great Flood of 1938. Later, Centinela Creek was diverted underground near where the Promenade at Howard Hughes Center sits today and then channeled past the once fertile farmland along Jefferson Boulevard, where it is unceremoniously dumped into Ballona Creek. Most people don’t even know it is there, but Google Map it and you will see it running above ground and alongside of the 405 and 90 freeways; or better yet, go visit it. A few miles to the east of Westchester in Inglewood originates a 15-mile aboveground concrete flood control channel called the Dominguez Channel. Regional runoff and natural spring water has been diverted to this trench, another concrete creek, and travels to Long Beach where it too is uselessly discarded into the Pacific. Of course, you cannot call an effort that arrested deadly floodwaters completely useless. However, at a time when we are experiencing catastrophic droughts, we could

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put this water to use. It would be a good time to revisit these resources, and do so with modern hydrologist techniques, flood control, purification and reclamation strategies. Thomas Jefferson said, “In the environment, every victory is temporary, every defeat permanent.” It seems to me that we have created a sort-of unsullied terrarium out of the once wild wetlands, and although the view is great, I am not sure we ended up with what we thought we were creating. I think that we may have ignored our channelized regional watersheds, a short-term victory, and in doing so forgot what we were trying to preserve in the first place. We might think about extending Centinela Creek back through the wetlands and set the water free again. Perhaps we should return the wetlands, once teeming with trout and other fish, back to how nature intended them to be. It is beguiling to dream about what we would be graced with a place where we all could explore and enjoy while the fresh water recharges the land. Of course, all things originate in the sea and in the end all things find their way back to it, but it would be great to enjoy all that water before then.

Please email comments to dukepdr@gmail.com

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Join us on Saturday, The Secrets to Remodeling th January 24 at 10:00 am a Kitchen or Bath This informative seminar will help you learn: • The three levels of kitchen & bath remodeling • The latest product & design trends in the South Bay

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

January 2015 • Page 15

TheHTN.com Menchie’s opens in Westchester. Menchie’s Westchester celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, December 13 with a ribbon cutting, free yogurt and activities. The yogurt shop, located in the Westchester Village at 8815 S. Sepulveda Blvd. (between Starbucks and Chase Bank) is owned by Westchester residents Erica and Ned Acker. “After owning our first Menchie’s store in Culver City and loving the brand personality and environment, we decided to open our second Menchie’s in Westchester,” said franchisee, Erica Acker. “Menchie’s is truly a heart-centered brand with a strong focus on community involvement and family-friendly fun, so we know residents in the area will love what we have to offer.” The self-service shop with rotating flavors offers guests arts and crafts activities for kids, music and indoor/ outdoor seating areas where friends and family can enjoy their yogurt. Menchie’s also partners with schools in fundraising activities and education incentive programs. Each Menchie’s store donates thousands of dollars in cash and products annually to local schools to support student programs. For the grand opening, Menchie’s Westchester partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Page 16 • January 2015

The Acker family cuts the ribbon at the Menchie’s Westchester grand opening. PHOTO COURTESY SHARMA HENDERSON.

and donated 10 percent of its opening week’s sales to the nonprofit. Pressed Juice. Kreation Juicery recently opened its tenth location in Marina del Rey’s Waterside Shopping Center.

The shop uses USDA certified organic fruits and vegetables and offers a variety of menu items including a 3-day juice cleanse, tonic shots and fresh pressed juice. Kreation Juicery is located at 4700 Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey.

We want to hear about your new business or recent success! If you have something to share, please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.

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

January 2015 • Page 17

Calendar Ongoing monthly events: 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. Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club at its Wednesday morning meeting at 7:15 a.m. at the Marina City Club, located at 4333 Admiralty Way, Center Tower, 3rd Floor in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast and a guest speaker. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more information, visit playasunrise.org or call (310) 4293808. Life story writing class Thinking about your life story? Learn a simple method to recall and then write your memories. The Life Story Writing Group meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. The donation to the YMCA is $12 a year. For information, please call Mary Sage at (310) 397-3967. Speakers by the Sea Toastmasters Speakers By the Sea Toastmasters Club will help you improve your skills for public speaking. Meetings are held every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 12000 Vista del Mar; Conf. Room 230A in Playa del Rey. For more info, please call (424) 6253131. LMU Walking Club Looking to get some early morning exercise while meeting new people? Join the LMU Sunrise Walking Club on Monday, January 5 and 19! The club meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 a.m. for a brisk

TheHTN.com 2-mile walk around campus to help kick-start your morning! Those interested in walking should meet at the flagpoles by Alumni Mall on the campus at Loyola Marymount, located at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester. For more info, please visit lmu.edu/ community. January events: Soup, Stews and Popovers Cooking Class Learn how to make homemade stock, soups and stews at the January cooking class led by chef Patricia K. Rose. The class will take place on Thursday, January 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Holy Nativity Community Hall. The menu for the event includes vegetable stock; Tomato Sweet Potato Bisque; Mushroom Soup; Thai Curry Chicken Noodle Soup from Cook and Be Merry; Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup; and Scallion and Cheddar Popovers. The cooking class fee is $50 when you reserve by January 5 and $55 at the door if space is available. To reserve your spot, email Patricia@ FreshFoodinaFlash.com. Holy Nativity Episcopal Church is located at 6700 W. 83rd Street in Westchester. Kentwood Players Presents “An Ideal Husband” The Kentwood Players kicks off their 65th anniversary year by presenting “An Ideal Husband” by Oscar Wilde from Friday, January 9 through Saturday, February 14. The play will run for six-week on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinées at 2 p.m. “An Ideal Husband” will be performed at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Full of Wilde’s well-known wit, rapid-fire repartee and social commentary, “An Ideal Husband” is a scathing satire of the British aristocracy filled to the brim with temptations, betrayals and secret liaisons. Sir Robert Chiltern, a brilliant politician and perfect gentleman, can do no wrong in the eyes of his charming wife Lady Chiltern. But when the calculating Mrs. Cheveley appears on the scene, Sir Robert’s

marriage, reputation and promising career are put at risk. With his world about to unravel, Sir Robert turns to his lifelong friend Lord Arthur Goring, the most eligible bachelor in town, to extricate him from the web of lies that seeks to undermine both his public and private honor. Featured in the cast are Gail Bernardi, Harold Dershimer, Lucas Hannig, Michael Hovance, Branda Lock, Doug Mattingly, Alicia Reynolds, Melodie S. Rivers, Collette Rutherford, Michael Sandidge, Bruce Starrett, Hollister Starrett, Andrea Stradling and Jack Winnick. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (310) 645-5156 during box office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. or online at kentwoodplayers.org. Westside Voices Concert Now that the holidays are over, join the Westside Voices for a concert featuring holiday favorites, including the premiere performance of a new Hanukkah song commissioned by the Westside Voices. The concert will take place on Sunday, January 11 at 3:30 p.m. at the Westchester United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, located at 8065 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. There is a suggested donation of $10 and there is a dessert reception following the concert. For reservations, please call Penny at (310) 670-3777. For more, please contact Harris Levey at (310) 822-9067. Jim Bunch Memorial Scholarship Applications Being Accepted The Rotary Club of Westchester will be awarding Jim Bunch Memorial Scholarships to eighth graders who reside or attend school in the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Del Rey or Marina del Rey areas. The Rotary Club is looking for candidates talented in the fine or performing arts. Applications will be broken up into three different categories: Art: • Entries must be original work, created by the individual contestant. • Art entries must fall into one of the following categories of painting,

drawing, photography, ceramic, sculpture or cultural. • Art entries may not exceed 50 inches in any one direction. Dance: • Limited to one soloist. • Style is limited to classic ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap or cultural. • Performance should be 1.5 to 2 minutes in length. • Contestant may bring pre-recorded accompaniment. Music Entry: • Contestant may be a vocalist or instrumentalist. • Musical performance should be 1.5 to 3 minutes in length. • Contestants may be accompanied by piano or guitar or may bring prerecorded accompaniment. The deadline for applications is Saturday, February 28. Candidates must be available to perform or display their artistic entry on the afternoon of March 29 at LA Arts Collective, located at 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 105 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. High School Arts Scholarship Application Being Accepted The Westchester and Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Clubs have teamed together to give a high school student an art scholarship. Those interested can apply in the categories of arts, dance, speech or music and the deadline is February 15. A competition will be held on Sunday, March 1 at the LA Arts Collective, located at 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 105 in Westchester. The winner will receive a $125 scholarship and then go on to the district competition where they have a chance to win up to a $1,000 scholarship. For more information, or to receive an application, please visit playasunrise.org or rotary-westchester. com.

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COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Sunday Monday Tuesday

Wednesday

January

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

First Friday @ 6200 87th Street

Anniversary Celebration @ Cantalini’s Salerno Beach

LMU Walking Club @ Alumni Mall

NCWP Potluck @ Westchester Community Room Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

Cooking Class @ Holy Nativity

Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

Tour and Presentation @ Westside Neighborhood School

Westside Voices Concert @ Westchester United Methodist

Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

Open House @ Westchester Lutheran

Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

WLL Sign-ups @ Westchester Park

Informational Tour @ Westchester Secondary Charter

“An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse (through February 14) Free Friday Coworking @ LAX Coastal Chamber

Life story writing class @ YMCA Annex

8 Secrets to a Successful Remodel Seminar @ Custom Design and Construction

9 “An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse Free Friday Coworking @ LAX Coastal Chamber

Farmers Market @ Playa Vista

3 Farmers Market @ Playa Vista “An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse Westchester Little League Sign-ups @ Westchester Park

10 Farmers Market @ Playa Vista “An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 New Year Brunch @ Visitation

LMU Walking Club @ LMU Alumni Mall

“An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse

Health Screening @ Playa Pharmacy

Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

“An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse

Informational Tour @ WISH

Free Friday Coworking @ LAX Coastal Chamber

Farmers Market @ Playa Vista “An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse

Launch Party for LAX Coworking @ LAX Coastal Chamber

“An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse

20 Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza Senior Housing Seminar @ Westchester Senior Center

Open House @ St. Anastasia

21 Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

22 Open House @ Visitation

23 “An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse Free Friday Coworking @ LAX Coastal Chamber

Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

24 Farmers Market @ Playa Vista “An Ideal Husband” @ Westchester Playhouse

Open House @ St. Jerome

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

January 2015 • Page 19

Page 20 • January 2015

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

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

310-577-5300 x303 www.WestSideBeachHomes.com January 2015 • Page 21

310.293.3043 • 6605 W. 80th Street • ZachaHomes.com

In Pictures

TheHTN.com

From left to right: 1. Jesus Delgado became a neighborhood (and international) hero after rescuing a local boy from being kidnapped. He received commendations from the NCWP and the City of Los Angeles, as well as donations from the community via an online donation campaign. 2. Mother and daughter team Sharon and Ann Lee opened up a Yogurtland location in the downtown Westchester business district. 3. Crime and safety were on everyone’s mind after an uptick in burglaries in the area. Local police, the councilman and community groups called for blocks to form Neighborhood Watch groups to help stay safe. Photo by Bill Ballerini.

Photo by Edith Levandoski.

Looking back at 2014

2014 was a great year...new businesses opened, community members worked hard to help strengthen the neighborhood and people were honored and celebrated for making a positive impact on the area. 2014 also saw the loss of some community leaders, and although gone, their legacy will not be forgotten. Here’s a look back at 2014 in pictures!

Photo by Angela Clouse.

Photo by Bill Ballerini.

From left to right: 1. Playa Provisions opened in May helping put Playa del Rey on the foodie map due to Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts unique four-in-one concept and Williamson’s celebrity chef status. 2. The HomeTown News published its first “Super Mom” section honoring local moms that are making a difference.

Photo by Glenn Marzano.

Photo by Angela Clouse.

From left to right: 1. Heroes of aviation were honored at a special ceremony in May, which included the installation of a dedication wall on Sepulveda for the Flight Path Walk of Fame. 2. The LAX Coastal Chamber honored local teachers at its annual Teacher Eddy Awards. 3. Community members were asked to submit comments on the DRAFT EIR for the LAX Northside Plan Update, which calls for up to 2.3 million square feet of development on the largely empty land just north of the airport.

Photo by Edith Levandoski.

From left to right: 1. Marina del Rey resident Kelly King was installed as the LAX Coastal Chamber chairman at its June installation. 2. Westchester Lutheran took home the award for Best Float at the Fourth of July parade. 3. Fred Sutton was appointed as Councilman Mike Bonin’s Field Deputy for the Westchester/Playa area.

From left to right: 1. Westchester resident and HomeTown News’ contributor Nora Lee Owens passed away unexpectedly after a short battle with illness. 2. Playa del Rey’s “The Shack” took home the honor of “Best Burger” in the HomeTown News’ third annual Best Of Readers’ Poll, celebrating local businesses. 3. The Westchester Triangle continued to promote small, local business with its monthly First Friday Food Truck event. Page 22 • January 2015 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Freedom! Start the theCelebrate New Year looking looking in the the right direction...Up! direction...Up! Start New Year in right Start your new year here.

Photo by Diana Hoffman.

From left to right: 1. Westchester resident Chris Getto opened thrift store Sifted:LA hoping to promote job training for adults with disabilities and to provide vintage treasures with new homes. 2. Playa del Rey welcomed Bacari PDR, a wine bar and restaurant specializing in Mediterranean-style small plates.

C Start the the N N Start

Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up! Make 2015 from the year that changes everything – Freedom doubt. Freedom from fear. beginning with your heart. Decide to be part of us family at Westchester Lutheran Church, aJoin church and be blessed by finding new and embrace the freedom found in friends, new purpose, and new strength.a loving, forgiving relationship with the Lord. Join new friends in a celebration of Westchester members extend thelive everything Lutheran that is possible when you in harmony withthem the for Word. invitation to join prayer, praise, peace and fellowship. Worship and Sunday School, Sundays at 10 a.m. All are welcome.

Come change us. Allwith are welcome. Comewith celebrate us! Check out us. our Come look look up with with us. schoolCome up

Preschool through 8th grade 10 a.m. at our Open Sundays Houseat on Sundays at 9 a.m. Sunday, January 11th July 29-August 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Weekly Worship Summer Choir Rehearsal Vacation Bible School

From left to right: 1. The Jet to Jetty 5/10k walk and run celebrated its thirtieth anniversary raising money for nonprofit Airport Marina Counseling Service. 2. Westchester residents and guests to the Westchester Village shopping center were told “You are beautiful” thanks to a mural installed by Westchester property management firm Drollinger Properties.

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Serving the community since 1943 Preschool to 8th Grade Enroll now - Call for a Tour

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Photo by Glenn Marzano.

From left to right: 1. Construction continued on Playa Vista’s Phase II, which will include a Whole Foods, Cinemark Theaters and numerous restaurants and retail spaces expected to open in 2015. 2. Community icon Morrey Plotkin passed away at his home in Playa del Rey at the age of 97 in October.

From left to right: 1. Sibyl Buchanan was honored by the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club with the Sunrise Community Service Award at its annual Cultural Dinner for her work with community groups and nonprofits. 2. Playa del Rey’s Fred Wild celebrated his 100th birthday in November, adding another centenarian to the community.

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

January 2015 • Page 23

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA

Your Neighborhood Council Committees: What They Do & When They Meet Neighborhood Councils are designed to give all individuals: residents, business owners, property owners, renters, youth, non-profit providers and others a more effective way to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Through Neighborhood Councils, all stakeholders will have a better way to understand the issues that divide them, and find common solutions through the bonds of friendship and community. The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa (NCWP) is governed by a board of directors elected by our community that meets monthly. NCWP’s goal is to increase public participation in government and advocate at City Hall and elsewhere for our community. Our Neighborhood Council has the ability to build our community and nourish the democratic spirit of individuals through shared values such as compassion, tolerance and equality. The meeting times can change, so please check the NCWP website for details and sign up to receive NCWP agendas at www.ncwpdr.org. AIRPORT RELATIONS • Committee Chairperson: John Loizeaux • Meeting date: 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm, as needed • Mission: Proactively handles all issues relating to LAX and its impact on the communities served by the NCWP. BUDGET AND FINANCE • Committee Chairperson: Erin Hanson • Meeting date: 3rd Wednesday of the month, as needed • Mission: Chaired by the Treasurer, the Budget and Finance committee oversees the allocation of the NCWP funds and develops and monitors the annual budget of the NCWP. COMMUNITY SERVICE • Committee Chairperson: Garrett Smith • Meeting date: TBD • Mission: The mission of the Community Services Committee (CSC) is to link local volunteers with Neighborhood Council committees, non-profits and schools who need experience, enthusiasm and sweatequity to support their efforts. Oftentimes, people in our community want to help, but do not know how. The CSC will provide the link to volunteer opportunities in our local area, as well as ensure that region-wide events (e.g. Mayor’s Day of Service) have an active presence in Westchester/Playa. The CSC will promote the outreach efforts of the Neighborhood Council, while also supporting the invaluable work of local schools and organizations, which are making a difference in the quality-of-life in our community.

EDUCATION • Committee Chairperson: Dr. Michele CooleyStrickland • Meeting Date: 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Westchester Municipal Community Room, 7166 W. Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. • Mission: To represent the NCWP stakeholders in helping support and enhance: o elementary, middle, and high schools located in Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista; and o the relationship with local Westchester/Playa colleges and universities. • Goals: To engage the community in support of advancing the success of the local elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as that of the local colleges and universities.The NCWP Education Committee endeavors to represent the NCWP stakeholders in helping support local schools by: o Enhancing school resources; o Enhancing students’ educational experiences; o Enhancing parental involvement; and/or o Enhancing community partnerships. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS • Committee Chairperson: Mark Redick • Meeting Date: 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm • Mission: To serve as a practical and direct resource for stakeholders needing the services of government agencies and city services to resolve quality of life issues. • Goals: To identify issues of concern to the community, and then develop, in a timely manner, information and guidelines that will provide stakeholders with the resources that are needed to be proactive in resolving their concerns. This information will be collected by the committee, then distributed and continually updated in print and via the internet. OUTREACH • Committee Chairperson: Grace Yao • Meeting Date: As needed • Mission: To actively encourage Stakeholder involvement with the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa. • Goals: o Identify opportunities/events in the community in which we can register stakeholders. o Produce collateral pieces to help educate our stakeholders on the basics—from what a neighborhood council is to the current issues being addressed by our committees. o Encourage stakeholders to attend board and committee meetings. o Encourage stakeholders’ participation by voting in the elections for board members.

PLANNING AND LAND USE • Committee Chairperson: Patricia Lyon • Meeting date : 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm in the Westchester Municipal Community Room, 7166 W. Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. • Mission: The role of the Planning and Land Use Committee is to advise NCWP and stakeholders about relevant planning, infrastructure, land use and/ or development projects within and immediately surrounding the NCWP district in order to analyze the impacts (if any) of these projects on the quality of life of residents, stakeholders and businesses in our community. PLUC holds public meetings to hear presentations from applicants and/or the public and after discussion and analysis, makes recommendations to the full board of NCWP. • Goals: The Goals and objectives of PLUC include the implementation of a transparent process of rendering decisions relative to planning and land use, measuring projects against local, city, state and federal guidelines and to provide a productive forum for all stakeholders to educate themselves about developments and land use issues and to enable them to contribute their comments, support and/or concerns to the process. PUBLIC SAFETY • Committee Chairpersons: Gregg Aniolek and Dave Oliver • Meeting Date: as needed • Mission: To increase community involvement to reduce opportunities for crime, to help prepare for the uncertainty of natural events and address other public safety issues throughout the community. • Goals: o Address issues regarding Public Safety and Crime Prevention. o Partner with local agencies (e.g., LAPD, LAFD and LA City Services) to stay informed about latest news about crime and conditions in our area. o Promote Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch Programs in order to improve community crime prevention efforts, increase community involvement and grow the general sense of community. o Organize public safety related events for the community.

www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Page 24 • January 2015

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