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

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Here’s to a 2016 Full of Possibilities... Dockweiler Beach on a gloomy January afternoon. The sand berm was created to help protect against upcoming El Niño storms.

Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa looks for candidates for 2016 election The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP), a 31-seat board that was created to promote more citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs, is readying for its 2016 election and looking for candidates to run in any of the 16 seats that will be up for

grabs this spring. “We’re looking for members who are interested in issues that affect the whole community,” said NCWP president Cyndi Hench. “Every member of the NCWP, while elected on a certain criteria, represents the whole community. We have to be mindful of being interested in the

YMCA Hopes to Open Community Park

A Look Inside Your

HomeTown

entire footprint. Most of the work happens outside of the meetings, so we want people that are interested and engaged in the issues.” The council is made up of stakeholders from the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista area with 15 seats reserved for residents, while the rest are reserved for

Parade Looks for Help to Choose Theme

representatives from service clubs, local businesses, youth organizations, the airport and LMU. Elections are held every two years, with half of the seats up for vote, and board members serve four-year terms. If a seat is vacated during that time, or no candidate runs, an appointment can (continued on page 4)

A Look Back at 2015 In Pictures

YMCA hopes to open neighborhood park with the help of community Westchester Family YMCA Executive Director John Loussararian is always looking for new ways to help build a stronger community, so when Westchester residents Eli and Brent Wagner walked into his office with an idea, he was eager to listen. The Wagners, who have lived in Westchester since 2012 and are new parents to eight-month-old Maya, had been walking their neighborhood in search of a small pocket park with a simple swing or slide to bring their daughter to. Although they didn’t find a park within walking distance from their home, when they came across an empty triangle-shaped dirt lot behind the YMCA on Alverstone Ave., they had an idea: why not approach the YMCA about converting the space into a small community park that could be open to all local parents looking for a safe place for their children to play and meet other families? As luck would have it, Loussararian was already working with local Boy Scout David Lewins on beautifying and making use of the lot for his Eagle Scout Project. Lewins’ goal was to create a small garden where people could meet or get some fresh air. After hearing the Wagners’ vision for the land, Loussararian and the YMCA board were eager to join the projects together to create a complete vision for the space that could be accessible to all. Said Loussararian, “After hearing the Wagner’s ideas, I thought it would be a good opportunity to marry the two projects. Then we could have a playground on one end, where kids could come play, and on the other end a place of solace, where people could read or parents and community members could meet.” Lewins is in the process of completing his project on the approximately 3,000-square-foot lot, which includes putting down

Page 2 • January 2016

lot, which includes putting down The roughly 3,000-square-foot lot will hopefully be home to a community park complete with a professional playset, if enough funds are raised.

The Wagner family is spearheading the creation of the park and is holding a fundraiser to help pay for the playground equipment.

decomposed granite and gravel, planting native vegetation and adding benches. With the approvals in place for the community park portion of the project, the only obstacle now is raising enough money to purchase

professional playground equipment, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. While the YMCA is hopeful that a grant they applied for will come through to help offset the cost of a playset, the size and type will be

determined by how much money can be raised. The Wagners are currently spearheading the efforts to raise the needed funds to purchase the playground equipment and will be holding a fundraising event, “Sauce Angeles 2016,” on Saturday, January 30 starting at 3 p.m. at the YMCA’s Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. At the event, community members acting as chefs will make their best pasta sauce and attendees will have the opportunity to sample the sauces and vote on their favorites, while enjoying pasta, pizza, bread, beer and wine. All of the proceeds from the event will go towards the park. The Wagners are hoping to raise $10,000 at the event and tickets are $125 each. The Westchester Family YMCA, which currently serves 3,700 households in a service area that includes Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey, sees the opportunity to create the park as just another way to help fulfill its mission to be a good neighborhood partner and promote wellness in the community. “The Y’s purpose is to strengthen the foundations of community through nurturing the potential of our youth and teens, improving the health and wellness of the communities we serve and influencing our neighbors to support and give back,” said Loussararian. “These two projects are in perfect alignment with the Y’s purpose.” If the grant comes through and enough money is raised, the goal is to have a community workday in April to help work on the lot and have the space dedicated and open to the public in May. For more information about the Sauce Angeles fundraiser or to buy tickets, please visit sauceoff.com.

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

This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN YMCA hopes to build community park Business and Nonprofit News Rotary looks for applications for scholarships Looking back at 2015

02 06 12 20

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

David “Duke” Dukesherer Sr., Looking Back

Advertisers’ Directory Airport Marina Counseling Cedars-Sinai Covenant Presbyterian Church Custom Design & Construction Drollinger Properties Food Pantry, LAX Kevin and Kaz Gallaher Gateway to GO! GNC Westchester Jane St. John LA Arts Collective LAX Coworking Loyola Marymount

09 05 09 10 06 09 18 08 14 18 12 02 04

Neighborhood Council 24 Playa Vista Medical Plaza 23 Race for Success 07 Saint Anastasia School 11 Socal Sports and Fitness 10 Jordan Tanner Realty 07 Vergari & Napolitano 08 Visitation School 13 Westchester Lutheran 03, 15 Westchester/Playa Village 11 Westchester Secondary Charter 21 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Zacha Homes 19

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

Connect with the HTN:

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

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

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

Celebra Start the the New New Year Year lo lo Start This year, make a resolution that makes a Freedom from doubt. Freedom from fear. lasting difference.

Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up! Join us at Westchester Lutheran Church,

Join for prayer, and peace. and us embrace the praise, freedom found in Come a to us forforgiving community. We’ll aidwith you the in loving, relationship Lord. Join friends a celebration of finding newnew friends, newinpurpose, and new everything that is possible when you live strength. in harmony with the Word. We can help you make 2016 the year that changes everything. with your All areBeginning welcome. heart.

Come celebrate with us!

are us. welcome. Come look lookAll up with with us. Come up

Weekly Worship Confirmation Weekly Worship and Sunday and Adult Rehearsal School, Summer Sundays Choir Sunday School, Vacation Bible School at 10 a.m. Sundays at 8:45 a.m.

Midweek Bible Friday Family Sundays at 10 a.m. Study, Festival, January Sundays at 9 Wednesdays ata.m.22 at 6 p.m. 7 July p.m.29-August 2

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

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

January 2016 • Page 3

Neighborhood council election (continued) (continued from page 1) be made if approved by board vote. Currently, there are four residential seats that are vacant. Being on the council can be very time consuming. Besides the monthly board meeting that takes place the first Tuesday of the month in the Westchester Community Room, each member is required to serve on at least one of the council’s nine committees, which include Education, Planning and Land Use (PLUC), Governmental Affairs, Airport Relations and Public Safety. Playa del Rey resident and founding member of the NCWP, Pat Lyon, says that board members can expect to spend at least four hours a month on council issues, but for a committee like PLUC, which hears on a monthly basis from developers, business owners and residents looking to build in the community, the time commitment can be up to 20 hours a month to read reports, plans and attend meetings. “We have some very talented, caring people on the committee,” said Lyon. “Planning and land use and development is a major concern in the community. We have been a hidden gem for so many decades, and we’ve been discovered. It’s been a very tough issue for the community. Many of the new residents look forward to change—new restaurants, new buildings–– but Westchester and Playa del Rey residents tend to stay here for a long time and change can be painful.

Community and Neighborhood Council members hear from Councilman Bonin at the yearly NCWP potluck held on Tuesday, January 5 in the Westchester Community Room.

It’s not always what all our neighbors want, but we try to find the balance of needed change and required change.” Members are also required to attend mandatory trainings and stay on top of issues that pertain to Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. Despite the hard work it takes to serve on the council, however, being a board member is a very fulfilling job said Lyon. “These are not glamorous appointments, and you aren’t going to be popular with everybody,” said Lyon. “But at the end of the day, you hope you are doing what is best for the community.” Echoes council member Alan Quon,

“I’ve been on the council for six years and it’s been really rewarding helping the community and seeing the impact we are having.” After all, the council helps advise Councilman Mike Bonin and the L.A. City Council on issues that directly and indirectly impact the community’s quality of life. This past year, the council has voted and sent letters to the city on a variety of issues from short-term rentals, sidewalk vending and small lot subdivision. The council has also hosted an education summit and a senior care expo, sponsored local events like the Race for Success and given grants to community groups including PATH (People Assisting The

Homeless) and the Westchester Playa Village. Hoping to make a difference is exactly why Playa del Rey resident Gilbert Oviedo recently decided to get involved with the NCWP. Concerned about the safety of the stretch of Culver Blvd. to Jefferson Blvd. that doesn’t have a sidewalk despite its popularity as a walking path, he has decided to run for a seat on the council this June. “What better avenue to make a stand for my community than run for a seat?” said Oviedo. “I want to help make a safer community.” Applications for those interested in running for the NCWP are scheduled to be available online starting February 21. Prospective candidates can then register through April 6. Seats up for grabs in this year’s election include even numbered Residential Seats, an At-Large Seat, Business Seats in Westchester and Playa del Rey, the Community Organization Seat, the LMU Seat, the At-Large Affirmation Seat, the Education Seat, the Youth Organization Seat and the Service Club/Fraternal Organizations Seat. The election will be held on Sunday, June 5 in the Westchester Community Room. For more details on the election or running as a candidate, please visit empowerla.org/elections. Information will also be made available on the NCWP site at ncwpdr.org.

Children’s Concerts

Sunday, January 31 | 1 & 3pm Murphy Recital Hall Internationally acclaimed violinist Ken Aiso performs Alan Ridout’s Ferdinand the Bull on these lively concerts for young audiences which bring together grade-school participants with LMU musicians/opera students and noted Los Angeles professionals. These performances are free and open to the community.

From Clay to The Cloud: The Internet Archive and Our Digital Legacy

January 23 – March 20, 2016 Laband Art Gallery Featuring Nuala’s Creed’s Internet Archivist Sculptures, this exciting exhibition looks at past and present archival practices and asks what are we saving, how will others be able to access it, and what will our cultural legacy be for the future? The exhibition will also include several interactive displays including a listening station, a gaming room featuring archived video games, and live demonstrations of rare book digital archiving. www.lmu.edu/laband www.lmu.edu/community 310-338-2759 community@lmu.edu Page 4 • January 2016

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

January 2016 • Page 5

TheHTN.com Photo by Richard Hartog.

Business & Nonprofit News

Representatives from Culver City along with Marc Huffman, Vice President of Planning & Entitlements at Brookfield Residential (third from right); Micheál O’ Leary, Mayor of Culver City (second from right) and Westchester/Playa Field Deputy Fred Sutton (right) celebrate the expansion of the Playa Vista Shuttle and the Culver City Bus Line in Playa Vista.

What would you like to see at County parks? L.A. County is looking for community feedback on its parks and open spaces and has begun a needs assessment that will help shed light on access to parks across the County and list steps the County can take to make parks more accessible for all residents. The assessment will help identify need based on park acreage, park access, park use, park condition and the number and type of park amenities available in communities. Those who want to provide feedback on the parks will have an opportunity to shape the priorities for how and where parking funding will go for the next several decades by attending a meeting and making your voice heard. The County plans to hold more than 200 community meetings throughout the region through February. “It’s absolutely critical that all residents across Los Angeles County have access to thriving, high quality parks. For the first time, this assessment will allow us to truly understand the park needs of every community within the county,” said Rita Robinson, Park Needs Assessment Project Director for the County Department of Parks and Recreation. “We know that access to parks is so important to the health and quality of life of all communities. And, it is so important for all LA County residents to attend these meetings and tell us what they believe the priorities for park Page 6 • January 2016

and open space should be.” Locally, a meeting was held in December at the Westchester Senior Center and a meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 30 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Burton Chace Park, located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. A final report with key findings and estimated costs from the assessment will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in May of this year. More information can be found at lacountyparkneeds.org. Playa Vista expands shuttle service. The Playa Vista Shuttle and Culver CityBus both recently expanded service both within and around the community for residents, workers and visitors. Culver CityBus Line 4 (Jefferson Boulevard) now extends to Playa Vista, serving bus stops west to E.A. Way, as well as across the street from the Runway Shopping Center (Whole Foods, Cinemark, Hopdoddy etc.). The free Playa Vista Shuttle also expanded hours of service within the community with shuttles now running Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Playa Vista Shuttle allows car-free mobility throughout the community, including stops at Concert Park, The CenterPointe Club, Runway, The Resort and The Campus at Playa Vista Central Park. (continued on next page)

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

GNC Westchester opened in December and carries a full line of health products from protein powders, vitamins, super foods and pet vitamins.

GNC Westchester now open. Westchester welcomed one of its newest businesses with the opening of GNC in early December. The shop, located at 8907 S. Sepulveda Blvd., is one of the largest GNC stores in Southern California and carries a full line of vitamins, herbs, supplements and other health items. Unique to the location is a wide range of pet vitamins. To celebrate its opening, through January 16, the store is offering a free GNC lean shake protein packet (while supplies last) with any purchase and offering up to 50% off on some items including AMP Way Protein Advanced. Woman’s Club announces charitable giving for the year. The

Westchester Woman’s Club recently announced that it has selected 15 charities to share a total of $83,000 for the upcoming year. The group, founded in 1942 to promote cultural, recreational, social and philanthropic activities, will donate locally to Airport Marina Counseling Service, Bob Hope USO at LAX, Flight Path, LAX Food Pantry, St. Margaret’s Center, LMU Feed the Hungry, Westchester Playa Village, Kentwood Players and Music West. The club meets regularly at Marina del Rey’s Tony P’s Dockside Grill. We want to hear about your business or nonprofit! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.

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

January 2016 • Page 7

Random Notes/Opinion

TheHTN.com

Finding calm in the midst of turmoil By Fay Craton Opinion: As one year closes and another year begins, all around us there are scary stories about turmoil happening. Several of these tales concern events that are out of the ordinary, and a few intentionally create the loss of a sense of safety. These stories can unfold because of how people behave, natural calamities or they can stem from a culmination of a lot of disparate circumstances coming together at a difficult moment of time. An example of this is a report this past November from Mississippi about a hole opening up in the earth and swallowing cars. It was a normal day at a restaurant when suddenly a huge hole opened up in its parking lot, swallowing several cars, lampposts, a storage area and piles of wood. In the commotion, frightened dinners dropped their forks and ran for their lives. Sometimes the completely unexpected happens, rippling around you and the world can seem to slide sideways. While it may seem easy to focus on these stories, it is helpful to

remember that life is a combination of tough, difficult to accept situations and really nice experiences, which bring moments of joy. As life is navigated, you cannot avoid experiencing both the good and the bad. The challenge is that the bad things can linger in our memories longer than the good things. Even though you may be very aware that contentment and/or happiness is partially tied to building within your life a sense of appreciation, when turmoil is unfolding it can be very hard to say thank you and be grateful. We are living in a time when a lot of shocking events are happening. Any one distressing event can create confusion and turmoil and make you question what has been trusted in the past and perhaps leave you disoriented. Your internal turmoil tends to be greater if you are personally involved than if you are just hearing about the story. The more you visualize and hear about the event, however, the more impact it has on your life. If more than one shocking event happens, it can become difficult to cope

and think clearly. When several shocking events happen, it can be easy to become jumpy, snappy and exhausted. When frightened, your sense of personal worth and ability can be shaken. Anxiety can increase. The ability to think clearly can deteriorate. How you understand your life and your personal meaning can be side-tracked. You may participate in or witness events in which you have no control over what is happening around you or even to you. This does not mean you have no control of your own experience. No matter what is occurring, when you attempt to place higher value on what is happening around you, instead of from a balanced internal perspective, you lose the power of personal choice about your life. Nevertheless, you can always reclaim your internal experience. It is a matter of perspective. You can practice choosing whether you want to be shaken when events are troubling, or find an inner calm. People can experience and remember events from very different viewpoints. By

shifting your perspective, you gain personal control of your experience. When events shake you up, here are some possible steps to stop losing control of your experience to an external wave of agitation. First, take a breath! When you breathe, you help oxygen reach your brain, which helps you to think more clearly. A good long exhale can also help your body to generate hormones that increase calmness. After you take a breath, let go of assumptions by looking for facts. Do not catastrophize by making what is happening into something worse than it is. Yes, horrible things can happen. However, often imagination can add scary and not real elements to your recollection of what happened. What you remember can become even worse than what actually happened when your projections become part of your memory. Of course, sometimes the opposite can be true and you can actively choose to use your imagination to make your memory less painful. (continued on page 21)

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

Steady results can be yours by sticking to a healthy routine By Jeff Blair Opinion: This month I am sharing an interview with Westchester educator and mom Tammy Stanton. Tammy made huge fitness strides in 2015, so here is a Q&A where she explains her journey to a healthy and more active life. Q. What was your activity level as a kid? A. I wasn’t a super sporty-kid. I took ballet for many years, played soccer in middle school and in high school I rode horses. I always hated running and doing push-ups. I hiked a lot and spent summers hiking Yosemite. Q. Did you ever face workout challenges as an adult due to work or other situations? A. Absolutely. I had my first child at 25 and have always worked full-time. As I advanced in my career, I placed family and work demands above a regular fitness routine. I have a long, ugly history of starting and stopping working out. I have done it all--hiking with my newborns, walking the babies and dogs, workout videos/dvds, trainers, many gym memberships that I didn’t use. In the end I always quit or made excuses that my job was more important. Q. What motivated you to commit to consistent workouts? A. I had not truly exercised regularly for 4 years. I had reached a pinnacle of feeling super unhealthy and couldn’t stand to look at my physical self in the mirror any more. I have a high stress job and was not managing the stress well. I am 45 and had never had weight issues until I crested over 38, but the weight was starting to add up and my muscle tone was non-existent. I was looking like a middle- aged person that is not taking care of them self, but my poor feelings about myself were not enough to kick myself in gear. The first week of July 2015 my father suffered a pretty bad stroke at the age of 76. I spent two weeks with him at a rehabilitation center and it scared me helping him learn how to walk, eat and do everyday tasks. Many of the female patients were about 50 years of age--much younger than the male patients. I promised myself that I would start managing my health better--it took fear to get me back to the gym. Q. Has your daily life changed since you started working out consistently?

A. Yes! I feel motivated to address each day with strength that feels real not just fueled by stressful energy. There is a quote on the wall at the gym that resonates with me: “Strong is what happens when you run out of weak.” I was feeling stressed, unhealthy and unhappy and now that I am feeling stronger, I absolutely relate. I must have run out of feeling weak and was ready to work on my body and mind. Q. What have been your biggest highlights of your fitness journey? A. Showing up and pushing through the first few weeks were hard. I felt weak and unable to do moves that I had easily done only 4 years ago. It was depressing to see how much my body had begun to fail. It eventually turned and I began to feel stronger and could lift more pounds and I learned to jump rope again. Jumping rope was ridiculously embarrassing when my trainer Rob first handed me the jump rope. He ignored my pathetic statement that I couldn’t do it and told me I could. It took weeks to be able to go even 15 seconds without tripping myself. Now I can make it 60 seconds, take a 30 second break and power through another 60 seconds without tripping. This may seem tiny and easy to do, but it is hard to jump rope and it was a huge accomplishment for me. I feel so good after jumping rope--I feel alive and strong. I even ordered myself a jump rope for home. Q. Do you have any specific fitness goals in the future? A. Jump rope for 10 minutes straight! Q. Any words of advice for new people? A. Take it easy at first--show up and commit to drinking water-- a ton of water. It is hard, but it turns and all of a sudden you are stronger and doing more and it is still hard, but it feels super good. I still have a long way to go and need to incorporate daily work-outs outside of the sessions. Learn how to safely exercise, and you will see steady results in a healthy manner. Before you start this or any fitness routine, consult your doctor. JEFF BLAIR (M.S.) owns a personal training studio located in Westchester. He was voted “Best Of” Personal Trainer in the Hometown News’ 2015 Readers’ Poll. Jeff has been featured in “Men’s Fitness” magazine and as a “Fitness Expert” on ABC’s “Everyday Health” TV show. Email jeffblair@ jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas or comments.

Come Join your Friends at

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

YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX

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

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

Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church

January 2016 • Page 9

For the first time, the parade committee is looking for suggestions on the theme for the Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Glenn Marzano.

Help choose the theme for this year’s parade for a chance to ride on a fire truck While thousands of community members attend or march in Westchester’s annual Fourth of July Parade, the parade committee, made up of volunteers from the LAX Coastal Chamber, are always looking for ways to get more people involved and participating.

Page 10 • January 2016

“We are proud to throw the community’s largest event, which is really like a big neighborhood block party,” said Christina Davis, President and CEO of the chamber. “It’s important to us to continue this tradition and give people numerous (Continued on next page)

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

Parade contest (continued) (Continued from previous page) opportunities to engage, whether its volunteering the day of the event, walking down the parade route with their school or sports team or through sponsorships. The more opportunities we have for people to be involved, the better. We want the community to know that this is their parade.” In the past few years, the parade has tried to be more interactive with attendees by offering them a chance to support the parade through crowd funding to get t-shirts, stickers and other parade perks. A photo contest started two years ago also encourages those along the parade route to participate in the fun by submitting their favorite photos from the event--whether its of an outstanding float or a patriotic crowd member--for a chance to win a gift card to a local restaurant. Now celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, the committee has decided to invite the community to help choose the theme for the parade. “We’ve had some really great parade themes over the years from last year’s ‘American Beach Party,’ to ‘America through the Decades’ or ‘America’s Favorite Pastimes.’ The theme is really important to the parade participants in helping shape their ideas for their floats and

costumes,” said parade chair Gwen Vuchsas. “We know everything is going to be red, white and blue and patriotic, but the theme really helps set the tone for the parade, as well as our participant’s enthusiasm for the event. You can tell when our entries really love a theme because it shows in their work and their excitement when they go down the parade route.” The parade committee is holding a contest to select this year’s parade theme and is asking people interested in submitting a suggestion to email the parade committee at Laxcoastalonparade@gmail.com by Friday, January 29 with their contact info, parade theme and a short paragraph explaining the theme. The parade committee will then review all submissions and the winner will receive a prize basket with parade swag and a restaurant gift card, as well as the opportunity for a family of four to ride on a fire truck (conditions apply) in the 2016 Fourth of July parade, taking place on Monday, July 4. “We are excited to see what the community comes up with for this year’s celebration,” said Davis. “We hope everyone puts on their creative hats to make this a parade to remember.” For more information or questions, please call (310) 645-5151.

St. Anastasia CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Applications are being accepted for the 2016-17 school year. Call today for a tour.

Join us! Open House & Science Fair Sunday, Jan. 31 10 am-Noon

YOU’RE INVITED

St. Anastasia Open House St. Anastasia emphasizes an academic and spiritual program enhanced by a full spectrum of extracurricular offerings that support the intellectual, physical and creative growth of each child. • • • • •

1-to-1 Chromebook and iPad® program in grades 5-8 Academic Decathlon and Mock Trial teams Championship CYO teams Gateway to Art, Performing Arts and Service Projects 7th and 8th grade electives and after-school programs

At the Open House on Sunday, January 31st, you can meet our principal, Mr. Muir, chat with faculty and staff, see what our students are learning at the Science Fair, and take a tour with one of our Student Council Officers. Refreshments will be served. See you there!

St. Anastasia Catholic School 8631 S. Stanmoor Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045 310.645.8816 http://school.st-anastasia.org

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

Enrichment

Technology

Community

January 2016 • Page 11

School News

TheHTN.com

Westchester Secondary Charter School (WSCS) presented its annual winter play, Season of Light, on December 11 and 12, which featured 16 students from the middle and high school play production classes. Besides two performances at WSCS, the actors traveled to Loyola Village School right before Christmas to perform for the elementary school students. The play tells the story of a young girl who is ostracized from her village and taken in by a band of unexpected friends. Together, they learn to love themselves and help put the village back together.

Rotary looks for applications for middle school scholarships. The Rotary Club of Westchester is now accepting applications for the Jim Bunch Memorial Scholarship from eighth graders who reside or attend school in the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Del Rey or Marina del Rey areas. The club is looking for candidates talented in the fine or performing arts and applications will be broken up into three different categories: • Art. Entries must be original work, created by the individual contestant and must be a painting, drawing, photography, ceramic, sculpture or cultural entry. Entries may not exceed 50 inches in any one direction. • Dance. Dances must be solo and in the style of classic ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap or cultural. Performance should be 1.5 to 2 minutes in length. • Music. Contestant may be a vocalist or instrumentalist and performances 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 Friday, February 19 and candidates must be available to perform or display their artistic entry on the afternoon of March 20 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, Page 12 • January 2016

please contact Cozette Vergari at cozetterotary5280@gmail.com. Arts competition. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary and the Rotary Club of Westchester are holding a contest in the arts, where 8 winners in the categories of arts, dance, music and speech will be awarded. The clubs are now accepting applications, which are due by Friday, January 15 to be considered for the competition. A local competition will be held on Sunday, January 31 in Westchester and winners will move on to the district competition on Saturday, March 5 at LMU. For more information or to receive an application, please call Sharma Henderson at (310) 649-1016 or email shenderson@co-opla.org. St. Anastasia presents Cinderella. Westchester’s St. Anastasia School will present the musical Cinderella on Friday, February 5 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 6 at 6 p.m. at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center, located at 640 Main Street in El Segundo. Tickets are available at the door or on the school’s website at school.st.anastasia.org. The cost is $10 for adults and children (under 15) are $5. For more info, call (310) 645-8816. Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.

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

January 2016 • Page 13

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

Looking back at a truly great, continually changing community With the New Year here, I again begin to think about all that we have done and all that has changed and where I might end up at the same time next year. I guess that some change is inevitable, whether you like it or not and whether you are ready or not. Our community is truly a great gift, and it is constantly changing too. I believe that the original developers of Playa del Rey and Westchester, principally amongst those great men, Fritz Burns, certainly made fortunes from their efforts, but felt a great sense of stewardship and responsibility with their endeavors. After all, the land that they developed on dirt fields and bluffs has become a thriving community, which now counts its little brother, Playa Vista, in the neighborhood. Together, we now share this area with some 60,000 souls, and development continues on every nook and cranny of land.

Page 14 • January 2016

A storm drain is worked on at Culver Blvd. and Trolleyway in Playa del Rey to prepare for rain. The orange hose runs from the street all the way across the beach.

We are blessed with beautiful beaches and a grand Marina and impressive Wetlands, put aside and preserved for eternity. I am simply amazed at the number of new shops and markets that have been erected, both here, and in nearby El Segundo and Culver City. It seems as though whenever I visit these places, they are always bustling with shoppers. We are conveniently located next to LAX, and Century Boulevard is the

home of many world-class hotels. Just a few minutes away, you have even more vacation options waterside in Marina del Rey. And of course, our own Airport-Marina Hotel lives on as The Custom Hotel. All and all, this has been a great town to live in. Over the past year, I have written often about the places that are gone and most of the letters I receive are responses from readers who have fond memories of the restaurants and eateries from bygone days: places

TheHTN.com like the Airport Village, Hamburger Handout, the Trails/the Hungry Tiger, the Cavalier, The Fireside, the Buggy Whip, Marie Calendars, Tiny Naylor’s and the Clock Drive-Ins, or Jakes at the Shore, the La Marina Inn, Taormina, Irvulla’s Pizza, the Cliff House, Whitefeathers, Pizza Napoli, Chicken Delight, Lum’s and the House of Pies on Sepulveda Boulevard. Long gone too are See’s Candy, Thom McCann Shoes, Deluca and Lawrence Stanley Jewelers, Woolworths, Newberry’s, Monroe’s, JCPenney, the Broadway, Pier One Imports, Karl’s, SportsDen, Sportsvile, the Paradise and the El Dorado Bowling Lanes, the latter to reappear shortly as a Bowlero Clubhouse—a black light bowling alley, whatever that is. The Loyola, Paradise and La Tijera theaters are gone, as is the Mayfair Market, and just last month, Stewart’s Bottle Bar. We lost two Von’s Markets, but you can still go to the “Baby Von’s” on 80th Street. Other market locations are now something else. The “big” Compari’s restaurant is now an IHOP, but the “little” Compari’s is alive and well on Centinela Ave. The food is still outstanding and the (continued on page 21)

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

January 2016 • Page 15

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

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

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

January events: Kentwood Players Present A Raisin in the Sun Kentwood Players proudly presents Lorraine Hansberry’s classic family drama A Raisin in the Sun from Friday, January 8 through Saturday, February 13. Set on Chicago’s South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee,

Page 16 • January 2016

TheHTN.com his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and family matriarch Lena, called Mama. When her deceased husband’s insurance money comes through, Mama dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. However, her son Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man while Beneatha dreams of attending medical school. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama, centering on sacrifice, trust and love among the Younger family and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world. On Sunday, January 10, there will be a discussion after the matinée with Mamie Hansberry, the author’s sister, who will share personal memories of the creation of the play and its initial run on Broadway. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (310) 645-5156 or online at kentwoodplayers.org.

Goal Setting Workshop Looking to set goals in the new year? LAX Coworking is hosting a free Lunch ‘N’ Learn workshop on Friday, January 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests are invited to bring a lunch and hear a presentation from Debra Eckerling of Guided Goals regarding “Goal Setting for Business.” At the workshop, you will create a mission statement, set short and long-term goals, prioritize, make a plan and get ready to take on 2016! The event will take place at LAX CoWorking, located at 9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #210 in Westchester. For more information, please call (424) 290-8745.

WDRLL Sign-Up Day Registration is now open for Westchester Del Rey Little League’s (WDRLL) 2016 season. The league includes girls’ softball and boys and girls tee ball. To be eligible to play, a participant

must live within the WDRLL boundary map or attend a school within the boundary map, which includes the areas of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. In-person registration is taking place on Saturday, January 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn at Carl E Nielsen Youth Park, located at 6000 Will Rogers St. in Westchester. For more information, please visit wdrll.com or call (424) 259-3772.

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

Otis Hosts Continuing Education Open House Stop by Otis College of Art and Design on Sunday, January 10 for a Continuing Education Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors will get a chance to learn about the continuing education classes Otis offers, meet with instructors and tour the facilities, as well as have the chance to receive a $50 early bird discount by registering by the end of the event. The open house will take place at Otis’ Elaine & Bram Goldsmith Campus, located at 9045 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester. For more info, visit otis.edu/openhouse.

Soups, Stews and Bread Cooking Class Interested in starting the year learning how to cook fresh, healthy food? Join the monthly Fresh Food In A Flash class at Holy Nativity to learn how to make hearty soups and homemade whole wheat bread. The class will take place on Thursday, January 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Holy Nativity Community Hall, located at

6700 W. 83rd St. in Westchester. The cooking class fee $50 when you reserve by January 11 and $55 thereafter if space is available. To reserve your spot, please email Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash.com.

From Clay to Cloud: The Internet Archive and Our Digital Legacy LMU’s Laband Gallery will hold an opening reception for its new exhibit From Clay to Cloud: The Internet Archive and our Digital Legacy on Saturday, January 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. From Clay to Cloud explores the human impetus to preserve our knowledge, memory and cultural heritage. Using the Internet Archive, a digital repository with more than 20 petabytes of data from the internet, the exhibit looks at past and present archival practices and what are we saving, how others will be able to access it and asks, what will our cultural legacy be for the future? The exhibit will be on view until March 20. The Laband Gallery is in the Fritz B. Burns Fine Arts Center on the LMU campus at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester. Visitors must enter the campus at Lincoln and LMU Drive where a kiosk attendant will direct you to parking and the gallery. The gallery is opened Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Emerson Avenue Community Garden Club Annual Meeting The Emerson Avenue Community Garden is inviting the community to its annual meeting on Saturday, January 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Holy Nativity Church, located 6700 W. 83rd Street in Westchester. The Emerson Avenue Community Garden is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining a one-acre portion of land on the Wright STEAM campus into a sustainable, organic garden and green space. Guests are invited to learn about the garden’s successes to date and plans for the future. Open board positions and board nominations will also be announced. After the meeting, a free Italian food lunch will be served. For more information, please visit eacgc.org.

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

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Sunday Monday Tuesday

Wednesday

January

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista

NCWP Annual Potluck @ Westchester Community Center Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

Lunch ‘N’ Learn @ LAX Coworking

Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista

Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

First Fridays @ Westchester Triangle Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

5 Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse Open House @ Westchester Lutheran

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

Soups and Stews Cooking Class @ Holy Nativity

Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

Continuing Education Open House @ Otis

WDRLL Sign-Ups @ Nielsen Field Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista

Deadline to Submit Application for Rotary Arts Scholarship

Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

School Tour @ Westchester Secondary Charter School

12 Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

15 Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park

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

Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

Reception for Clay to Cloud @ LMU’s Laband Gallery Emerson Ave. Garden Meeting @ Holy Nativity

17 18

19 Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza

Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse

Deadline to Submit Theme for Fourth of July Parade

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

Raisin in the Sun @ Raisin in the Sun @ Westchester Playhouse Westchester Playhouse

Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey

Open House and Science Fair @ St. Anastasia Children’s Concert @ LMU 24/31

January 2016 • Page 17

Page 18 • January 2016

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

! D L SO

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

January 2016 • Page 19

In Pictures Photo by Edith Levandoski.

TheHTN.com

From left to right: 1. Playa del Rey institution, Cantalini’s Salerno Beach, celebrated its 15th anniversary with a celebration at the restaurant that included free food, drinks and music. 2. All the way from Missoula, Montana, new workout Oula hits Westchester combining dance, aerobics and yoga inspiring people to dance like “no one is watching.” 3. Westchester Secondary Charter School supporters, staff and students protested in front of the school after LAUSD did not offer them space in Westchester for the 2015-2016 school year. The school eventually found space at Westchester’s La Tijera United Methodist Church. Photo by David Voss.

Looking back at 2015

2015 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. Here’s a look back at some of our favorite stories “In Pictures” from 2015. Here’s to a great 2016!

Photo by Angela Clouse.

Photo by Ballerini Cooley Studios.

From left to right: 1. Marina del Rey celebrated its 50th anniversary with a weekend-long celebration of concerts, tall ships in the harbor and activities for the whole family. 2. Playa Vista’s Runway welcomed its first business, Cinemark Theaters, with Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilman Mike Bonin on hand to tear the ceremonial ticket.

Photo by Stacey Winget Cochrane.

Rendering Courtesy Annenberg.

From left to right: 1. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club, with the LAFD and other community groups, was able to donate $40,000 worth of equipment, including a refurbished ambulance, turnouts, boots and helmets, to Mexico’s Ajijic/Chapala Fire Department. 2. Four local moms who are making a difference in the community were celebrated in the second annual “Super Moms” edition in the HomeTown News. 3. Eighteen area educators were honored at the Teacher Eddy Awards Gala.

Photo by Glenn Marzano.

From left to right: 1. The Westchester Rotary club raised more than $100,000 in funds and in-kind donations to help makeover the Westchester Senior Center. 2. The Annenberg Foundation unveiled plans for an animal care center meant to encourage the human-animal bond in Playa Vista. 3. The HomeTown News honored businesses, nonprofits and community with its Fourth Annual Best Of Readers’ Poll. Playa Provisions took home the title of “Best New Restaurant.”

Photo by Mac Brown Photographers, Lawrenceburg, TN.

From left to right: 1. The LAX Coastal Chamber celebrated Independence Day with an “American Beach Party” theme at its 16th annual community parade. 2. The Westchester Babe Ruth under 15 baseball team took home the World Series Championship for their age bracket in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee on August 20. Continued on page 22) Page 20 • January 2016 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Looking Back (continued) (continued from page 14) service is as always, friendly (say hello to the delightful hostess, Diane, for me). While many of these places have been replaced with something new, memories still linger on. The other day I received a letter from a reader alerting me that someone is trying to develop, again, the dunes on Toe’s Beach. This area was first developed from dormitory buildings used in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics as bathhouses and hauled by mule teams from Baldwin Hills. Fritz Burns rented out these ramshackle dwellings on the site that he had earlier built the Del Rey Swim Club. Later, the club was the home of a Loyola University fraternity house. Burns himself had a beach house on the spot and for many years summered here. All of that development was torn down decades ago. For many years I lived about a block away from this land, and my view of the Pacific Ocean was out over this place. This entire area, and the Jungle built south of it, are very prone to flooding during rainstorms. If the meteorologists are correct, you will have a good chance to view it, underwater, when El Niño hits this winter. While you are down there, you can also see the two-story sand berm that was ploughed-up by the Department of Beaches in hopes that the King tides and winter storms don’t wash away the homes that are built near here and just north of the area and creek-side.

Unless you have been stranded on a desert island with Gilligan and the Skipper for a while, you might have read about this thing called Global Warming, and the fact that the entire area, extending well north and east of Playa Vista is a designated Tsunami zone. Finally, the State of California issued a report a few years back, which predicts this entire area will be under 8 or 10 feet of water by the year 2050 and perhaps even sooner. If any of the potential buyers who are ponying up this hefty price tag for this surely-soon-to-besubmerged-Shangri-La are reading this column, please make sure that your construction plans include a boat launch or a submarine pen, because you are surefire going to need it. Personally, I have no interest in the place, and I think I will be looking for higher ground, just as any prospective buyers should be. Although I might be making light of this for the sake of this column, I assure you that I know that none of this is a laughing matter. So in closing, may I wish you all a very Happy New Year. I am in the process of restoring a 1948 Haggerty Sea-Shell, a rowing pram, should anyone need to borrow one-- two paddles included.

In Loving Memory...

Joan Kimball Leedy

Joan Kimball Leedy of Mondamin, IA, passed away November 29th, 2015. Joan was born on May 20, 1929 to Floyd Leslie Young and Nettie Gorman Whitehouse Young, in Vincennes, Indiana. Her father was a lawyer and her mother was a homemaker. Joan was the youngest of three children. She graduated from Vincennes Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana in 1947. Joan enrolled at the University of Michigan, where she met Alan Leedy. It was “love at first sight.” Joan was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. In 1951, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Joan and Alan were married on June 23rd, of that year. They were married for 53 years, until Alan’s passing. Joan worked as a teacher and as a real estate associate. She spent the majority of her lifetime as a loving wife and mother, homemaker, and as a constant helpmate to her husband who became ill with MS. She was a member

of Del Rey Hills Evangelical Free Church in Playa Del Rey, CA. Joan was a member of PEO. In 2010, Joan moved from Los Angeles, CA, her home for over 55 years, to Mondamin, IA, to live with her daughter and her daughter’s family. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Carroll Alan Leedy; her sister Sylvia Ruth Young, and her daughter-in-law Mary Kathryn Leedy. Joan is survived by her three children; John Leedy of Kalona, IA, Paul Leedy (Sioux) of Santa Clarita, CA and Jennifer Graff (Guy) of Mondamin, IA. Grandchildren; Nicholas Leedy of Indianapolis, IN; Michael and Kristina Leedy of Kalona, IA; Stephen and Daniel Leedy of Santa Clarita, CA; David and Heidi Graff of Mondamin, IA. Brother; Robert G. Young (Rose Jean) of Bedminster, NJ. Seven nieces and nephews. Final resting place- Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA.

(1917-2014)

Please email comments to dukepdr@gmail.com.

Finding calm in the midst of turmoil (cont’d) (continued from page 8) Next, consider how to shift the experience within your body and habits of thinking. Exercise or just wriggle your body. If you do not wish to leave the area where you are located, you can jump up and down, touch your toes, dance, stretch, or do leg lifts. Stop dwelling on what has unfolded by consciously changing your thinking. You may find singing a song or repeating a mantra to be helpful. After an event, some people may find it helpful to not talk or think about the incident and instead focus on a task. Other people need to immediately talk about what happened. If you are mentally reliving what occurred, it is important to find a safe person with whom you can share

your memories. The sharing may be through using words, or it may be through another form of communicating such as art or music. The healthiest method and timing of sharing is not the same for everyone. My wish is for you to thrive! As this year begins, I hope you are able to experience calm and see where new possibilities can emerge from turmoil. Unexpected events can be manageable when you choose to function from an internal strength and practice self-care. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011). She has an office in Westchester. Contact her at visitcommunicationtriangle.com or call (310) 645-6762.

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

January 2016 • Page 21

In Pictures

Photo by David Graham Caso.

TheHTN.com

From left to right: 1. LMU started the fall semester with the opening of its state-of-the-art $110 million Life Sciences building. 2. Tony P’s restaurant owner and Westchester resident, Tony Palermo, received the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary’s highest honor, the Sunrise Community Service Award, at the club’s annual cultural dinner in Playa Vista. 3. Councilman Mike Bonin helped install one of 31 security camera that went up at Westchester Park as part of safety improvements.

From left to right: 1. Hopdoddy Burger Bar opens its first L.A. area location in Playa Vista’s Runway, joining the shopping center’s other tenants that include Cinemark Theaters, Whole Foods and CVS. 2. Westchester’s The Guilded Cage, a boutique gift shop run by volunteers to benefit the Airport Marina Counseling Service, celebrated its 40th anniversary. 3. Playa del Rey’s annual Toy and Animal Shelter Drive collected hundreds of toys benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a truckload of supplies for the spcaLA.

Page 22 • January 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 2016 • Page 23

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA Working together to improve our communities!

Neighborhood Councils exist to: • give neighborhoods greater influence on decisions made by local government • make government more responsive to local communities • unite the local community to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods

Do You Want to Make A Difference in Your Community? Here’s Your Chance – Run for A Seat on Neighborhood Council The Neighborhood Council system evolved out of the reform of the Los Angeles City Charter in 1999, as a means of making local government more accessible and representative of the communities that make up the city. The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa was among the first to be certified in 2001 after a two-year organizational process. There are 31 members on the Board of Directors, representing the various stakeholders in the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista community. Today, the NCWP has stakeholders who, by their participation, help influence the direction of our community.

EmpowerLA 2016 Election Timeline

Region 11 Release of certified list of candidates 4/21/2016

Deadline to withdraw candidacy 4/21/2016

Election Day 6/5/2016

2015

Nov

Dec

2016

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Voter Registration

Jun

2016

Mid Nov. - 5/29/2016

Candidate Registration

2/21/2016 - 4/6/2016

Candidate Review*

2/21/2016 - 4/18/2016

Candidate Challenge**

2/21/2016 - 4/18/2016

Candidate photo/statement modification period

2/21/2016 - 4/9/2016

Submit necessary documents to establish candidacy

2/21/2016 - 4/9/2016

There are many ways to get Provisional Voters to submit all necessary documents 6/5/2016 - 6/8/2016 involved with your Neighborhood Recount/Challenge Period 6/6/2016 - 6/10/2016 Council, whether as a board member or by joining a committee as a stakeholder. Board members are selected * The City Clerk - Election Division offices will not be open on weekends or holidays. As such, Neighborhood Council Election Procedur e deadlines specific by election or appointment. to the end of candidate filing, candidate verification and vote by mail shall be adjusted. Where the planned deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, religious or national holiday, the actual deadline date will be moved to the following City of Los Angeles business day. Elections occur every two ** All candidate challenges will be filed, reviewed and resolved by the Office of the City Clerk. Candidate challenges may be filed from the time a years, and half of the board candidate is verified on the EmpowerLA website through ten (10) days after the close of the Candidate Filing Period for that candidate’s region. seats are on the ballot. Once elected, board members serve Rev. 10/29/15 for four years. Board members are expected to complete all map to locate these areas in Westchester/Playa affiliated with a K-12 school located within the NCWP required training, attend monthly board meetings, actively • At Large Seat - a person who lives, works, or owns boundaries. serve on at least one of the NCWP committees and property within the NCWP boundaries. • Loyola Marymount University Seat - an administrator proactively participate in matters within our community. • At-Large Affirmation Seat - a person who lives, works or staff member of Loyola Marymount University Fifteen of the NCWP board seats are reserved for or owns property within the NCWP boundaries or • Service Clubs and Fraternal Organizations Seat - a residents only while the remainder are reserved for other declares a stake in the neighborhood and affirms the member of a service club or fraternal organization segments of our community, e.g., clergy, youth, seniors, factual basis for it. located within the NCWP boundaries. service clubs and fraternal organizations, and others. • Business Seats in 90045 and 90293 - a business • Youth Organization Seat- a person who is affiliated owner or manager of a business licensed with with a youth organization located within the NCWP. The upcoming Neighborhood Council election will be the City of Los Angeles, located within the NCWP held on Sunday, June 5, 2016. The seats that will be on boundaries in a commercial location. Details and deadlines will follow. You can also stay the ballot in June are: • Community Organizations Seat - an officer or director informed by signing up for the NC meeting agendas at • Even numbered Residential Districts - Candidates of a non-political community organization located and www.ncwpdr.org and other general NC election related must live in the residential district denoted by the seat regularly meeting within the NCWP boundaries. information at www.emplowerla.org/elections. number. Please see our map at www.ncwpdr.org/ • Education Seat - an educator or administrator

Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Monthly Board Meeting:

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 2 in the Community Room at 7166 W. Manchester Ave. (at Lincoln Blvd.), in Westchester

www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Page 24 • January 2016

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