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16th Annual Fourth of July Parade...page 11 WISH Charter School marches in the 2014 parade. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, July 4th at 11 a.m. down Loyola Blvd. from Westchester Park to LMU.
Music West looks to raise matching funds for upgrades to Westchester Townhouse For more than sixty years, the Westchester Townhouse on Emerson Avenue has provided a gathering space for local nonprofits, scouts and youth athletic organizations. Local theater group, Music West, has partnered with the Townhouse for more than a decade to use the location
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for its rehearsals and performances, and the group is now spearheading renovations to improve the space, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation. “The Westchester Townhouse is a nearly 70-year old, mostly original,
Annenberg Center focuses on human-animal bond
3
community facility that is in need of upgrades and repairs,” said Music West president Jeff Remington. “The donation from the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation is a game changer for both the Townhouse and Music West. It has directly funded both repairs and
Howard Hughes Center readies for entertainment revamp
8
desired improvements to the facility, overwhelmingly benefiting Music West’s participants and audiences, and the many other youth groups who utilize the facility on a daily basis.” Music West was founded more than a decade ago by a group of Westchester (continued on page 4)
Concerts and Movies in the Park
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Page 2 • July 2015
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
The Annenberg Center will offer dogs and cats for adoption and representatives hope the center will be opened in late 2016. RENDERING PROVIDED BY THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION.
Annenberg Center hopes to encourage visitors to strengthen the human-animal bond The Annenberg Foundation recently unveiled plans to create an animal care center in Playa Vista tentatively called “The Annenberg Center.” Annenberg representatives were on hand to give a presentation at the Tuesday, June 16 Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) meeting to discuss the project that is planned for one of the five buildings in The Collective at Playa Vista, currently being built just south of the Central Park Bandshell. The goal of the Annenberg Center is to “promote and strengthen the human-animal bond, as well as the understanding and enjoyment of companion animals for people of all walks of life in a fun, engaging and interactive setting.” “We hope that this is something the community will see as a great asset and lots of fun,” said Annenberg Foundation Executive Director Cinny Kennard. “A pet makes everyone’s life more happy, more comfortable and more secure.” Although the plans for the space are still in the development stage, visitors are expected to be able to participate in a myriad of interactive displays and activities that will focus on the important roles animals play in society, as well as caring for and training pets and domestic animals. A pet adoption area will be a major component of the proposed center. According to Kennard, the plan is to rescue the animals from county animal shelters and to also
work in collaboration with local rescue groups. Animals will receive veterinary care and training before being available for adoption. At the Annenberg Center, gone are the days of sterile concrete adoption rooms; all of the rooms that the dogs and cats will be housed in will be designed to look just like areas in a home. Visitors can expect rooms with couches, chairs, shelves and maybe even a chandelier. Kennard says that the foundation wants the dogs and cats to feel as comfortable and appreciated as possible before being adopted. “The rooms should be full of the same affection and love that an owner feels for a pet. They should be full of fun and happiness, just like a pet brings to someone at home,” says Kennard. “We want it to be joyful, happy and fun. We believe that animals deserve to live in a place where they are free from suffering and exploitation. They deserve to be in a safe and loving area. They are good to us, so we should be good to them.” The second floor of the center will be dedicated to the Leadership Institute. The vision is to use this area for educational purposes, meetings, symposiums, lectures and policy discussions on animal and human relationship issues. The proposed site for the center was originally entitled as an office building and is zoned for animal keeping and boarding by right, unless the use is within 500 feet of a residential zone. According to
Unique adoption rooms will be designed to make animals feel like they are in a home environment. RENDERING PROVIDED BY THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION.
representatives, although the actual building is more than 500 feet from residential space, part of the center’s property comes within 500 feet of 7 homes located on Kentwood Bluff Drive, which has triggered the need for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). At the June PLUC meeting, the board voted unanimously to support the foundation’s request for a CUP. The Annenberg Foundation will go before the Associate Zoning Administrator on July 30 for approval. The foundation is hoping to have the CUP approved at the meeting and be ready to start building the interior space after the building is completed in October of this year. It is expected that construction will take a year, meaning the center could open as early as late 2016.
The project comes on the heels of the foundation’s recently abandoned plans for a visitor’s center at the Ballona Wetlands. Although there are some similarities between the scrapped visitor center’s pet adoption component and the theme of appreciation and respect for animals, Kennard states that these are two different projects. The proposed center at Ballona focused on urban ecology, while The Annenberg Center will focus solely on domestic animals. “We want to make this as fun and interactive as we possibly can,”said Kennard. “We look forward to working with the community on something that impacts nearly everyone’s life, which is our relationship with pets and how important they are to society.”
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
July 2015 • Page 3
Music West looks to raise funds for Townhouse (continued) (continued from page 1) residents who wanted to create a theater group where people of all ages could share their love of musicals with a live audience. Since its inception, Music West has put on 15 full-scale productions including performances of Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, Annie and Singin’ in the Rain. According to Remington, having use of the Westchester Townhouse has been integral to the group’s success, and as the largest and most frequent user of the Townhouse, their group has been happy to assist in making improvements to the center over the years. In the past volunteers have painted, renovated restrooms and upgraded the infrastructure to keep the facility in good operating condition for all of its users. “The importance of volunteers in the operation and support of the Townhouse and Music West cannot be overstated,” says Remington. “They begin a chain reaction in that their work and generosity allows us to accomplish more with less, from completing facility projects, to freeing up funds for more scholarships for our participants. Volunteers are absolutely invaluable to the existence and functioning of the Townhouse.” While the initial grant was quickly put to use to install a new energyefficient roof and climate-controlling
Page 4 • July 2015
Top: Music West performers practice their dance routine for The Music Man in front of the Westchester Townhouse. PHOTO BY ANNA CODY. Below: Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation member Jim Drollinger (second from right) recently presented a $25,000 grant to Music West, Inc. board members.
building insulation, Remington says that additional repairs to the building’s floors, windows and doors are still are needed. To help with the additional upgrades that need to be made, The Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation has committed an additional $25,00 in matching funds if Music West can raise the same amount by the end of its upcoming summer production of The Music Man. This would bring the total amount raised to $75,000. The theater group and the Townhouse are currently engaged in a joint campaign to raise the money by the end of July. Any additional funds raised will be used to provide scholarships and financial aid to participants in future Musical West productions, as participants are never turned away for financial reasons. As of press time, the group has raised $9,500. Those interested in donating to the campaign, which runs through the end of July, can visit musicwest.org. The theater’s production of The Music Man will be performed July 1719 and July 23-25 at the Westchester Townhouse, located at 8501 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased online or at the theater box office an hour before each performance.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Howard Hughes center readies for revamp 03 Business and Nonprofit News 06 Annenberg Center finds a home in Playa Vista 08 Movies and Concerts on the Park 10 Parade Program 11-26 School News 32
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Sarah Ahern, Contributing Writer Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer
Fay Craton, Contributing Writer David “Duke” Dukesherer Sr., Looking Back
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Airport Marina Counseling AYSO Business & Professional Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Covenant Presbyterian Church Custom Design & Construction Decron Properties Drollinger Properties El Segundo Car Wash Food Pantry, LAX Found Animals Fourth of July Parade Kevin and Kaz Gallaher Gateway to GO! Jane St. John LA Arts Collective Loyola Marymount Marina del Rey Hospital
27 14 27 16 28 07 17 25 07 28 13 11 31 24 20 34 04 36
24 Music West Neighborhood Council 35 Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary 22 Playa Vista 25 Playa West Automotive 16 Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd. 19 Socal Sports and Fitness 34 St. Anastasia School 23 The Real Estate Consultants 10 Vergari and Napolitano 31 Visitation School 09, 33 Voss, Silverman & Braybrooke 06 Westchester Lutheran 15, 31 Westchester/Playa Village 23 Westchester Secondary Charter 22 Westchester Town Center BID 05 Stephanie Younger Properties 21 Zacha Homes 26
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 Phone: (310) 641-1016 Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com or htn@thehtn.com Website: www.thehtn.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehtn
The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
Advertise with us! Let us help you promote your business, organization or event to our readers! Contact us for rates and to reserve space at: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com or (310) 641-1016
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
July 2015 • Page 5
Business & Nonprofit
TheHTN.com
Whole Foods Playa Vista was sure to stock its bakery case with dozens of varieties of macaroons, cakes, pies and desserts during its grand opening on Wednesday, June 17.
Whole Foods launches in Playa Vista’s Runway. Whole Foods Playa Vista opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, June 17. The day started with a bread breaking ceremony in front of the store, while crowds of people waited to be the first shoppers in line. “Having not opened a Whole Foods in the Westside since 2008, I couldn’t think of a better community to make our grand re-entrance in,” says store team leader Johnny Saadeh. The store’s interior bursts with vibrant colors and wall messages including “watch the clouds,” and “cultivate and elevate.” Unique in store services include an outdoor mobile cart with fresh cut fruit cups, a made-to-order acai bowl station and a full-service restaurant and bar, Astro Pub, the first Whole Foods restaurant in Los Angeles to serve spirits. Whole Foods Playa Vista will be holding community giving days, also known as 5% days, where local schools or nonprofits will be given 5% of a
alongside the local wines that have been hand-selected by Sommelier Courtney Walsh.
The chamber’s new board is sworn in by Councilman Mike Bonin at the Installation Gala. PHOTO BY ANGELA CLOUSE.
given day’s total sales. Whole Foods Playa Vista is located at 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd.* Ayara debuts new wine list. Westchester’s Ayara Thai may be known for its lunch specials, pad thai and lines out the door, but the
restaurant is hoping to make a name for itself with wine enthusiasts, thanks to its recently launched wine list. The restaurant held a special event in June to showcase its new beverage offerings that pair perfectly with its entrees. At the event, Chef Vanda Asapahu served traditional Thai meals
Hal’s comes to Playa Vista. After nearly three decades as an Abbot Kinney mainstay, local favorite Hal’s Bar and Grill formally announced its new home at Runway at Playa Vista. Weeks after announcing the closure of its longtime Venice location, the popular restaurant has revealed plans to move to a 4,700-square-foot space within the new mixed-use lifestyle center and is scheduled to open its doors to the community in December 2015. Opened in 1987 by Hal Fredrick and partners Don and Linda Novack, Hal’s Bar and Grill grew into a thriving hub of food, drink and culture in the heart of Venice, featuring live jazz and art exhibitions showcasing local and internationally renowned artists. Earlier this year, however, Hal’s (continued on next page) *Contributed by Sarah Ahern
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(continued from previous page) owners announced that the landmark eatery would be moving from its original location, promising that details about a new location would be released in the near term. Its new home at Runway is now official. “We look forward to a dynamic new setting for Hal’s at Runway,” said co-owner Don Novack. “In this new location, we will continue to serve our loyal patrons and also reach a new generation of guests who share our love for good drinks, food, live music, art and fellowship. We’re thankful for the outpouring of support from our community over the past few months during this time of transition and look forward to welcoming our regular patrons and new visitors alike to dine with us.” Hal’s is the most recent addition to the growing roster of tenants at Runway, which is slated to formally open later this year. The Cinemark Playa Vista multiplex launched earlier this year and is already drawing enthusiastic crowds and Whole Foods Market is also anchoring the property. Other retailers at the property will include Chase Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, CVS Pharmacy, 800 Degrees, Starbucks, The Studio MDR, Urban Plates, Panini Café, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, Sol Cocina, ROC Kitchen and Lyfe Kitchen. When complete, Runway will include over 220,000-square
feet of retail, 420 residential units and 30,000-square feet of office space spread across eleven acres.
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Rotarians of the Year. Westchester Rotarian Nora MacLellan and Playa Venice Sunrise Rotarian Lisa Schwab were recently named Rotarians of the Year by their respective clubs. MacLellan was honored for her dedication and the partnership she has helped create between the club and the nonprofit Vision to Learn. Schwab, who owns Playa del Rey’s Cantalini’s Salerno Beach, was honored for her tireless generosity to the club and the community. Chamber welcomes new board. The LAX Coastal Chamber welcomed its new board at its Friday, June 5 Installation Gala at the Marina del Rey Marriott Hotel. Councilman Mike Bonin was on hand to install the new officers, including the 2015-2016 Board Chair, Kristen Lonner and Honorary Mayor, Keith Greville. Outgoing Chair, Kelly King, presented awards to outstanding businesses and organizations at the event including Yogurtland Westchester, SoCalGas, Found Animals and the Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau. Have something to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
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July 2015 • Page 7
The center hopes to welcome new tenants to enhance its entertainment and dining options. RENDERING PROVIDED BY THE LAURUS CORPORATION.
Westchester’s Howard Hughes Center readies for $30-million revamp By Sarah Ahern
Since being constructed in 2001, the Promenade at the Howard Hughes Center will undergo its first major renovation after being bought by private real estate investment and development firm Laurus Corporation. Laurus recently announced plans for a $30-million dollar facelift to the property to transform the nearly 250,000 square-foot Promenade into a more contemporary atmosphere including “more indoor-outdoor connections, vibrant courtyards, and enhanced landscaping,” according to a press release from the corporation. To help cater to the influx of new residents and workers that will be within walking distance of the Promenade once the nearly 3,200 new multifamily units and more than 1.3 million square-feet of office space are completed adjacent to the property, Laurus plans on making the entrance to the center more pedestrian friendly by adding south facing escalators and a pedestrian crossing on Center Drive. While specifics for the new center have not yet been disclosed, the renovations are expected to incorporate several upgrades to entertainment and dining. The courtyard adjacent to the Cinemark 18 Movie Theatre is anticipated to become the heart of the new Promenade and will feature an
outdoor screening and dining area, casual lounging space, a fire pit and new restaurants. Laurus also plans on upgrading the current Art Deco retail facades to create a more “modern aesthetic” throughout the center. While the current dining choices at the center include Buffalo Wild Wings, Islands and Johnny Rockets, community members are hoping the development will bring a more diverse layout of options for family outings and more formal dinners. “Sounds like it is already in the works, but nicer dining and entertainment options are a must,” says local Alan Reed via Facebook. “Flemings, Seasons 52, Border Grill, gastropub.” Laurus says that the new design will provide its customers with that coveted variety. “We are looking at a variety of entertainment concepts and dining options that range from casual to fine dining. We are also still working on the final layouts so we can quickly move to leasing the space to quality tenants,” says Laurus CEO Philip Cyburt. The tenants for the Promenade have yet to be chosen, but ideally there will be a “balance between food, entertainment and retail tenants” that will be an “enhancement of the offerings currently available in the area,” Cyburt says. Community members have also
Page 8 • July 2015
expressed interest in more retail options at the center. “I would like to see a good family restaurant, some kind of good mainstream shopping and to have the center bring back a bookstore,” says Westchester native Rachel Lutsky. Creating a more family-friendly environment is another focus Laurus is currently strategizing for the new mall. “We are working on creative concepts for children and families to enjoy at the shopping center,” Cyburt says. Following the hostage situation that occurred in the center’s former Nordstrom Rack back in 2013, concerns have risen about the level of security that is currently implemented and whether or not the new owners plan to increase the center’s safety system. “The safety and security of customers at the Promenade is our top priority, so we are absolutely committed to expanding the security program currently in place at the mall. We look forward to sharing specific details about our new program in the near future,” Cyburt says. Another issue for guests visiting the center are the parking rates. While the first 30 minutes are free, guests are currently charged $3 for visiting the center for one to four hours, with a maximum daily rate of $9. Other local shopping centers, including
nearby Culver City’s Westfield Mall and Marina del Rey’s Waterside offer free parking for visitors. “We are currently evaluating options for the current parking structure and payment process, and will share our final plans as soon as possible. We appreciate the feedback we’ve received from our neighbors thus far, and we will take all of that information into consideration as we begin enhancing the customer experience at the Promenade,” Cyburt says. Construction at the Promenade is set to begin immediately and the hope is that once the renovations are complete, it will become a destination for the community and beyond. “The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center is one of the most well-recognized retail properties in Los Angeles given its proximity to the 405 Freeway, and we are looking forward to making some strategic enhancements to bring even more customers through the door,” said Cyburt. “With better pedestrian access, gathering areas, entertainment options and wayfinding, we hope to transform this asset into the true destination lifestyle center it was always envisioned to be.” The Laurus Corporation has a myriad of investments ranging from hotels and resorts to office buildings and multifamily and mixed-use properties located across the United States.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
July 2015 • Page 9
Summer is officially here and luckily there is no shortage of movies and concerts in the park to enjoy with your family and friends. Here is our list of events for July:
Marina del Rey for the weekly events starting this month. Burton Chase Park is located at 13650 Mindanao Way. This month’s concerts include: • July 2– Opera at the Shore • July 11– Ruben Studdard, Freddie Jackson and Special Guests • July 16– Danza • July 25– KC & the Sunshine Band • July 30– Vanessa Williams For more info, visit marinadelrey. lacounty.gov.
Movies in the Park at Playa Vista. July brings another round of Movie in the Park events courtesy of Playa Vista. The movie events rotate between Concert Park, located at the corner of Concert Park Drive and Runway Road or the Central Park Bandshell, located at 12045 Waterfront Drive. For movies at the Central Park Bandshell, guests can park for free in “The Shops” parking lot on Seabluff Dr. and take advantage of the free Playa Vista shuttle. A location of shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations is available at playavista.com. The shuttles run continuously from 4:45 through 11 p.m. on movie nights. Guests can also park at the Hercules Campus Lot off of Bluff Creek Drive for $9. All events run from 8 to 10 p.m. Food trucks will be parked at each event with food available for purchase starting at 5 p.m. Dogs are not allowed in the parks during the
Playa Vista is the place to be for summer concerts and movies in the park. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL/PLAYA VISTA.
movies. • July 10- Dirty Dancing at Central Park Bandshell • July 24- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in Concert Park For more information, please visit playavista.com.
Marina Movie Nights. The Department of Beaches and Harbors presents its annual Free Marina Movie Nights starting in July. First up is the Sound of Music on Thursday, July 18 at Burton Chase Park, located at 13650 Mindanao
Way in Marina del Rey. Movies start at 8 p.m. The Lego Movie will be shown on Saturday, August 1. For more information, call (310) 305-9596.
Marina del Rey Concerts. Enjoy a concert in the park with the annual Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series. Take your pick of Symphonic Thursdays led by the Marina del Rey Summer Symphony conducted by Frank Fetta, or Pop Saturdays, pack a blanket and head on down to Burton Chase Park in
Concerts in the Park at Playa Vista. Grab your family and friends for a visit to Playa Vista for some of the best summer concerts in the city. Concerts take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and foods trucks will be at each event offering a variety of food items for purchase starting at 4 p.m. This season’s concerts include: • July 12–Angel City Smooth (jazz/ funk/pop group) at Concert Park • July 19– Beatles Vs. Stones (Beatles and Rolling Stones cover band) at Central Park Bandshell • August 2– Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca (world music) at Central Park Bandshell
Happy Independence Day
From Your Neighborhood Realtors! Proud supporters of the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce! We celebrate with our community in our 15th year at the Westchester 4th of July Parade!
The Real Estate Consultants
“American Beach Party”
Honoring Playa del Rey’s Lifeguard Tower #42
Reach Us: 310-642-SOLD (7653) www.therealestateconsultants.com Page 10 • July 2015
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
4th of July Parade Program
July 2014 • Page 11
The LAX Coastal Chamber loves the Fourth of July and is honored to be able to put on this event for the community to enjoy. The parade will mark the first public event for the Chamber’s newly installed Chair, Kristen Lonner, and her Honorary Mayor, Keith Greville. Both of these active community members will be riding in today’s parade with their families. Lonner is a Principal at Burns & Bouchard, a boutique development, planning and government affairs firm specializing in creative solutions for today’s complex urban planning and municipal issues. Lonner resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Jonathan, and
Chamber Chair Kristen Lonner and Honorary Mayor Keith Greville will work to promote business in the LAX Coastal area.
her two children. Originally hailing from Ireland, Greville is an Associate
Principal with Arup, a consulting engineering firm. He is currently working as Arup’s Project
Manager on the $1.3 billion Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor in Los Angeles. Greville is a volunteer with Westchester/ Playa Village and currently resides in Marina del Rey with his wonderful wife, Mags, and has two children Sarah (11) and Matthew (8). As Chair and Honorary Mayor, both Lonner and Greville will work to advocate for local business and strengthen the programs and membership benefits of the chamber. Some of their duties will include attending ribbon cuttings for new businesses, testifying in front of the City Council and positively representing business in the community.
All parade photos by Glenn Marzano.
Page 12 • July 2015
4th of July Parade Program
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
4th of July Parade Program
July 2015 • Page 13
PLAY SOCCER! The AYSO Philosophies:
Everyone Plays • Balanced Teams • Open Registration Positive Coaching • Good Sportsmanship Player Development With almost 1,600 players registered, AYSO is the largest sporting youth organization in the Westside. Run by a squad of over 300 volunteers, AYSO invites you to be a part of the preeminent youth sports experience in our community. We even offer free clinics with professional coaches throughout the season!
Season starts in September, with games in Nielsen Park, Playa Vista, and St. Bernard High School.
Register for Region 7 at www.eayso.org • More information at www.ayso7.org Pablo F. Urquiza, region7rc@gmail.com • Wendy Lane, wlane723@gmail.com Page 14 • July 2015
4th of July Parade Program
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
4th of July Parade Program
July 2015 • Page 15
LAPD Pacific Area Cadets
Properties and Bob Waldron
The LAPD Pacific Area Cadets are once again leading off the parade and proudly carrying the American flag. It has become a tradition for this group to open this event. The Cadets range in age from 14 to 20 and work in close partnership with the LAPD Community Relations.
American Beach Party Salute to our Sponsors This event would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. To help us kick off the event, we have many individuals carrying our great flag that are representing the companies that have stepped up to the plate to ensure the success of this event. Let’s make sure to give them a big round of applause! Admiral Sponsor: Decron Properties Saluting Sponsors: Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, HomeTown News, Westfield Patriot Sponsors: Playa Vista/Brookfield Residential, Clement Partners, Westchester Lutheran Church and School, Marina del Rey Hospital, Rainbow Acres Washington Blvd., Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa, SoCalGas, Otis College of Art and Design, Found Animals Foundation, Jane St. John REMAX Estate Properties, Wells Fargo and Star Waggons Friends of the Parade: Arup, Robin Zacha/Zacha Homes, Loyola Marymount University, Westchester Elks Lodge, Los Angeles Airport Marriott, Carousel School, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, South Bay Custom Integration, Jose Marrero Family, Ladies of the Westchester Elks and Thaine Morris Firecracker Sponsors: Cantalini’s Salerno Beach, J. Rosen Group, Stephanie Younger, Visitation Catholic School The Fineman Suarez Team RE/MAX Estate
Page 16 • July 2015
L.A. #1 Hog Chapter The Harley Owners Group, Los Angeles Area #1 Chapter sponsored by Bartels’ Harley-Davidson, has been a member of the community since 1992. An organization of over 130 men and women who have a passion for riding the open road and a love for all things Harley-Davidson, they ride every week from Southern to Northern California and even out of state. L.A. #1 HOG has traveled many miles of roads taking time out to give back to the community. Some of the charity rides they’re involved in include The B.A.D. Ride (Bikers Against Diabetes), West Valley Fallen Officers Ride, The Guide Dogs of America Ride and many more. They are a fun loving group who are always willing to help those who wish to fulfill their dreams of getting on a Harley and taking to the open road. L.A. #1 HOG has been a proud participant in the Westchester 4th of July Parade since the beginning and is glad to be here in the 16th year of the celebration! For more information and how to join, contact membership@la1hog.com.
AYSO Region 7 On this, America’s 239th birthday, The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 7 proudly salutes this great country and celebrates the exuberant sport of soccer! Soccer is played and enjoyed across the globe and AYSO takes pride in being the leader in establishing youth soccer programs in the U.S. since 1964. We highlight Our Very Important Player (VIP) program which was developed in the mid-70s for players with special needs. The Program provides a quality soccer experience for those with mental or physical disabilities, which can make it difficult for them to successfully participate on mainstream soccer teams. Today as we honor America, we acknowledge the support of the community of Westchester and all of the communities that
4th of July Parade Program
make up the mighty Region 7! We also commend our dedicated volunteers, players, families and friends all of who make the AYSO youth soccer program an awesome experience for our children! For more information, please visit us at AYSO7.org.
Wells Fargo Stagecoach Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, here comes a living symbol of the American Spirit, the Wells Fargo Stagecoach with George Lane handling the ribbons. Wells Fargo stagecoaches traveled at an average of five miles per hour and stopped every 45 to 50 miles for meals, which usually consisted of tough beef, beans, greasy potatoes, an occasional dried up apple pie with “coffee strong enough to float a mule shoe.” The coaches could hold nine people, with nine more sitting on the roof. Each traveler was allowed only 25 pounds of baggage; hard to imagine in today’s world. Today, the Wells Fargo Stagecoach festively rolls through Westchester to celebrate the birth of our great nation. Thanks for Wells Fargo’s appearance go to Shari Boyce and the South Coast Community Bank Division Riding in the Wells Fargo Stagecoach are Wells Fargo Team members, friends and family
Congresswoman Maxine Waters
House Financial Services Committee. Congresswoman Waters is joined today by her husband, Ambassador Sidney Williams.
Otis College of Art and Design Created by the Creative Action class at Otis College of Art and Design, this year’s entry is “Whose Puppet?” This is public art addressing concerns in the community. Puppets have a centuries old tradition of raising questions that others may wish to ignore. In this parade, we are the puppeteers. As we reflected on this years’ parade theme, “American Beach Party,” a rusty pipe burst in the ocean off of Santa Barbara, causing toxic oil to blacken the ocean and beaches from Santa Barbara to Orange County. Birds, fish, dolphins, crustaceans, mollusks and sea plants have been destroyed. It’s not the first oil spill, but it’s here. Using 99% biodegradable, reused and recycled materials, the class constructed fish, bird and people puppets, frolicking in the ocean. As you look closely, you see that our beautiful blue sea, (our umbrellas), is blackened by oil and toxins. The puppets tell us to cherish our planet and not ignore threats to our environment. They tell us to use more biodegradable materials, fewer plastics and oil, and to press for regulations and choices that will keep fish, birds, plants, ourselves and our planet healthy and beautiful.
Elected by the citizens of California’s 43rd District to her thirteenth term in the United States House of Representatives, Congresswoman Maxine Waters proudly represents Westchester, Playa del Rey, Gardena, Harbor City/Harbor Gateway, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, Lomita, parts of South Los Angeles and Torrance. Always a strong advocate for her constituents, Congresswoman Waters continues to fight against LAX expansion into our neighborhoods, for preservation of the Ballona Wetlands, for new technology based industry and for other issues of importance to the South Bay. She was re-elected by her peers in Congress to serve as the Ranking Member of the
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
4th of July Parade Program
July 2015 • Page 17
Lynwood High School Royal Knights Regiment The Lynwood High School Royal Knights Regiment is under the direction of Charlan Jackson and was revived in 2010 after a threeyear hiatus. It serves as the only music program in the Lynwood Unified District. The Lynwood High School Royal Knights Regiment competes in numerous tournaments and wind band festivals. The group has also formed an indoor drum line that has participated in various competitions along with the color guard and the drill team, which are three-time Sharp National Champions. The Lynwood Performing Arts Program participates in community events for organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Relay 4 Life and the Lynwood Christmas Parade.
Star of the Neighborhood with Councilmember Mike Bonin Congratulations to this year’s Star of the Neighborhood Robbie Fusco! Robbie has volunteered at Nielsen Field for almost 25 years to make sure the field is properly maintained and ready for little leaguers to play ball. Read more about Robbie on page 35 of the HTN. This is Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin’s third year riding in the Westchester Fourth of July Parade. Mike, who was elected with a staggering 62% of the vote in 2013, has made “putting neighborhoods first” his priority as a Councilmember and has championed common sense solutions to make life better in Westchester. Mike authored the legislation to stop the city from giving tickets at broken parking meters, he has championed water conservation and planting droughttolerant landscaping in the city, and he has pushed the city and Metro to finally connect light rail trains with LAX. You might have already met Mike at one of the “Pop Up Office Hours” session he hosts around Westchester, where he meets with neighbors at community events like Food Truck Friday or the Spring Carnival at Westchester Lutheran so he can “bring City Hall to the Westside” and make it easier for people to connect with their local government. If you haven’t met Mike yet, be sure to stop by and say hello the next time you see him at a booth hosting office hours in Westchester!
that the District provides all students with highquality educational opportunities regardless of their background or means. Senator Allen looks forward to continuing to serve you in following years and invites you to reach out to him or his staff at their Redondo Beach office.
Great Pyrenees Alliance of the West
Rainbow Acres Natural Foods Washington Blvd.
Great Pyrenees dogs originated in the Pyrenees mountains of France, where they guarded sheep flocks. They were the court dog of Louis XIV and George Washington received two Pyrs from General Lafayette. They are still livestock guardians and they compete in agility, obedience, rally and carting. “Pyrs” are also good Pet Assisted Therapy dogs. Several of our dogs are Certified Therapy Dogs. GPAW has a rescue program placing Pyrs in “forever” homes. These beautiful, loving dogs make great family pets. If interested in a Pyr rescue, talk to one of our group members. Just look for the big white dogs!
LAPD West Traffic Division It is the mission of the Los Angeles Police Department to safeguard the lives and property of the people in the communities they serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime and to enhance public safety while working to improve area residents’ quality of life. Their mandate is to do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence. Please join us in thanking our area’s protectors for their service to our community.
LAPD Captain Alberca and LAPD Booster President Diane Barretti
Nicole Alberca is the Captain at the LAPD Pacific Area Community Police Station located at Culver Boulevard and Centinela. Capt. Alberca is an active community leader and a great friend to our community! Make sure you lock up your belongings and report suspicious activity. If we all work together, we can help make our area safer. Riding with the Captain is Diane Barretti, President of the Pacific Area Boosters Association. Happy 4th of July from the LAPD to you!
Westchester Del Rey Little League
Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Men’s Organization officially chartered as a fraternal benefit society in 1882. The Knights of Columbus has over 13,000 Councils and 1.7 million members worldwide. The Order is still true to its founding principles of “Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.” The Westchester/Playa del Rey council, Father Emil Kapaun, Council 3744, named after an army chaplin, was established in 1953. Father Emil Kapaun was recently awarded (posthumously) the Medal of Honor by President Obama. Chaplain Kapaun was awarded the medal for his extraordinary heroism while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations in Korea and was a prisoner of war until his death. The club’s current membership stands strong at 350 and is the sixth largest in California. Through its fundraisers and community famous Fish Fries, the council is able to give back $10,000 annually to the community via scholarships and access to its facilities for special events for local Boy and Girl Scout Troops and voting. In today’s parade, The Color Corp are led by Tom Ullman and Mike Rachford and followed by our Worthy Grand Knight Paul Condran. On
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the float is Past Grand Knight Chris Lopez and council members that have served our country in various foreign wars: Vincent A. Migliazzo PGK (WWII-Army); Joe Vezzetti (Korea-Navy/ Air Force) Earl Ricks (Korea-Marines); Joe Sakamaki (Korea -Airforce) and Tom Zvanovec (Vietnam-Air Force).
Westchester Del Rey Little League was founded by Mary Ann and Kent Mace in 1974 and had approximately 50 girls playing. Today, the league has grown to over 400 players playing on over 37 teams. In 2010, the girls won the Southern California State Championship and wound up at the Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington, winning first place in the United States and second place in the world. Go girls go!
Senator Ben Allen On November 4, 2014, California State Senator Ben Allen was overwhelmingly elected to represent the 26th Senate District, which consists of the Westside and coastal South Bay communities of Los Angeles County, stretching from Santa Monica to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Senator Allen serves as chair of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee as well as the legislature’s Joint Committee on the Arts. Senator Allen is native of Santa Monica, a former board member, and former Board President of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. He helped lead the negotiations for the District with the City of Santa Monica that increased and stabilized City funding for the schools, and has supported efforts to ensure
4th of July Parade Program
Healthy eating is what gives your American Beach Party body its glow! Rainbow Acres Natural Foods is a locally-owned business that has been running for over 33 years, and they know great quality. That is why they provide their customers with freshly-prepared dishes, cold-pressed juices, and other natural, healthy products. Since 1981, they have concentrated on great customer service where education, health and wellness prevail. Their unique, one-of-a-kind store offers plant-based, ready-made nutritious food, including fresh breakfasts, lunches and light dinner entrees as well as cold-pressed juices that make healthy eating easily accessible and delicious. Visit rainbowacresca.com for more information! Happy birthday America from Rainbow Acres Natural Foods Washington Blvd.
Redondo Union High School Sea Hawk Marching Band Guard
Under direction of Band Director Raymundo Vizcarra and Guard Advisor Sara Bottalico, the Redondo Union High School Marching Band and Guard is so pleased to participate in the LAX Coastal 4th of July Parade. The marching band and guard program continues to grow based on the dedication of the students. Last season the student’s hard work garnered them several sweepstakes awards. We want to thank the RBUSD administration, the booster parents and volunteers and the community on helping this program succeed. Happy Fourth of July from RUHS Marching Band and Guard! Today the approximately 50 member band will play pep numbers including “Word Up,” “Happy,” “Locked Out of Heaven” and the RUHS fight song, “Sons of Westwood/On Redondo.”
Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet
Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet opened in 2013 as a full magnet school offering 6-8th grade students opportunities to explore the arts, engineering and design. This is their second year participating in the Fourth of July Parade and their float was designed by Anna Malaysz and built by a group of student volunteers. The float is one example of the hands-on engineering opportunities that Wright students participate in. All students learn 21st century skills through Project Based Learning. The “Wright Sailboat: STEAM Ahead,” is a representation of the school communities unwavering belief in their “Be R.E.A.L” values of Respect, Empathy, Ambition and Leadership. They invite you to design, build and learn at Wright where STEAM fuels futures!
Found Animals Foundation The Found Animals Foundation conceived its flagship retail boutique, Adopt & Shop, around a single mission: all pets deserve a home. Central to that mission is saving healthy, adoptable pets from homelessness by working with shelter partners to get animals out of shelters and into loving homes. Every dog and cat offered for adoption at Adopt & Shop comes from local shelters. We are proud to say that since opening in May 2014, our Culver City store has saved the lives of over 1,000 dogs and cats!
Since Adopt & Shop is a nonprofit, every dollar you spend goes right back into programs that help local, homeless pets, and Adopt & Shop is a fun place to shop! Where else can you drop in and let your kids play with adoptable cats and kittens while you pick up food and supplies for your pet? Adopt & Shop has all the retail items you expect from a one-stop pet boutique, along with services such as grooming, training and doggie daycare, where your first day is always free, and there are no breed restrictions. Love animals? We also offer exciting volunteer opportunities within various programs at our stores, including our Kitten Foster Program. Call us or stop by today to learn more at (310) 933-6863 and 4235 Sepulveda Blvd at Culver Blvd. in Culver City. Visit us online at www.adoptandshop.org.
OULA Dance and LA Arts Collective Welcome OULA fitness dancers! OULA is the newest dance fitness craze to hit L.A. Originating from Missoula, Montana, OULA is a super fun and easy to follow workout to Top 40 music. This is a small sample of what you will find in class. There are plenty of classes in the area and they would love for you to come join the fun! Your body will thank you. Los Angeles Arts Collective, formerly known as Vergari Dance Center, a Westchester institution for over 30 years, is located at Westchester Parkway and Sepulveda Blvd. They bring a full curriculum of dance and performing arts to the community. Their summer session will begin on July 6 and includes summer camps and intensives for dance and musical theater. They offer classes in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and more, as well as theater classes and adult fitness classes. They have something for everyone, including boys, as their classes are for all ages and levels. Dance, act, create, perform. You can do it at Los Angeles Arts Collective!
The Game Sports Bar & Grill Welcome the Game Sports Bar & Grill to this year’s parade. This is the second year they have joined us! This great establishment is located at 5630 Manchester Ave. in Westchester and is your one-stop restaurant for an awesome atmosphere, great service and delicious food. The Game has over 20 big screens, so no matter where you sit, you’ll never miss a play! Dine-in, to-go and catering available! The Game Sports Bar & Grill, or G|S, offers the freshest homemade food made daily. Their quality ingredients ensure the best possible menu items available for your friends and family. They look forward to your visit!
MOMS Club of Westchester and Playa del Rey The MOMS Club of Westchester and Playa del Rey is an international club that supports mothers in our community. Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) aims at assisting stayat-home and work-at-home mothers, as well as local groups and charities. Service projects have included delivering May Day flowers to a local retirement community, sending cards to our troops, collecting school supplies for kids in need and participating in the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program for families in need. There are over 200 members in the MOMS Club of Westchester and Playa del Rey who offer friendship and support to one another.
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
4th of July Parade Program
July 2015 • Page 19
Grand Marshal Royce Clayton, 17Year Major League Baseball Player Welcome to this year’s parade All-Star Shortstop Royce Clayton! Clayton is a hometown hero and attended Westchester Lutheran and St. Bernard High School. He also played Westchester Babe Ruth Baseball! He is joined today by his wife, Samantha and his three children. We are honored to have him as our 2015 Grand Marshal! Read more about Clayton on page 23!
Del Rey American Little League Del Rey American Little League (also known as “DRALL”) was established in 1954. DRALL is little league baseball for boys and girls ages 5 to 12-years old, serving the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista areas. DRALL has over 200 players and has league and tournament play during the spring and fall season. DRALL is home to the 2012 11-year old and 12-year old Little League district champions. For more information about DRALL and the upcoming fall ball season, visit us at drall.org.
Thaine Morris and his Calliope with Classic Cars We are proud to have the Calliope Car in our parade this year. A calliope is a musical instrument that produces sound by sending gas, steam or compressed air through large whistles—originally locomotive whistles. Joining the Calliope are classic cars. The calliope is owned and driven by Westchester resident, Thaine Morris. Thank you Thaine for celebrating our nation’s birthday with us!
Loyola Marymount University
LMU is proud to once again be part of Westchester’s 4th of July Parade. This year, LMU wants to remind everyone to help keep our beaches clean, so that we can continue to enjoy them for years to come. Go Lions!
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Rotary Clubs on the LAFD Firetrucks Give a warm welcome to the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotarians, LAX Coastal Chamber Leaders and the Los Angeles City Fire Department! Riding on the trucks are members of the Rotary clubs, leaders of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and their families. Members of these service groups are dedicated volunteers who use their time, talent and donations to give back with such projects as the teacher mini-grants, Teacher Eddy Awards and today’s Fourth of July Parade. Thank you to these great volunteers who love to give back to our community!
St. Bernard High School St. Bernard is celebrating the Fourth of July with a classic car, athletes and Beach Blanket Bingo! Today, they are celebrating the diversity, athleticism and many talents of the St. Bernard students. St. Bernard students are strong academically, accomplished student leaders, athletic champions and active participants in their thriving ASB, cheer, drama and campus ministry programs.
Kentwood Players The Kentwood Players have participated in every Westchester 4th of July Parade since it began, never missing a chance to share the day’s excitement with their neighbors. Kentwood Players will bring the beach inside for their next production, Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs opening July 10 and running through August 17. Tickets are $20 with a $2 discount for seniors and students. Or become a season subscriber and see 6 shows for only $80. What a deal! If you love Gothic murder mystery thrillers, be prepared for Ravenscroft opening September 11. There’s a great season ahead, including the award-winning Broadway musical Man of La Mancha next spring! Learn more by attending a free membership
4th of July Parade Program
meeting on the third Wednesday of each month starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse.
Emerson Ave. Community Garden When you look at this year’s Emerson Ave. Community Garden’s float, you may think “What could be more refreshing than a bunch of veggies having a fun, relaxing day at the beach?” The Emerson Avenue Community Garden at the Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School celebrates all things veggie, creating a sustainable organic community and school garden space. They are honored to have the involvement of the middle school students, WISH Charter and the Westchester High School Knights and Ladies helping them to broaden communication and contact between the schools and the local community. They invite the greater Westchester community to join them at the garden for the classes they offer or one of their many events throughout the year. Information on all events and activities can be found on their Facebook page or on their website at eacgc.org. They celebrate community in their garden every day and are honored to share today with the greater Westchester area. Please join them in celebrating America’s Beach Party!
Chamber Chair Kristen Lonner and Honorary Mayor Keith Greville Please give a warm welcome to Chamber Chair Kristen Lonner and Honorary Mayor Keith Greville! These exceptional community volunteers are riding with their families in today’s parade. Read more about Lonner and Greville on page 12!
Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scout Troops of Westchester have been a fixture in this community for decades, graduating dozens of Eagle Scouts. Boy Scouting
provides a strong program of leadership, teamwork, achievement and service for boys ages 11-17. These troops enjoy a busy calendar of outdoor adventure, community service, merit badge programs and advancement through the scout ranks to Eagle. Troops 716, 915 and 927 wish the community a “Happy Fourth of July!” Learn more by visiting their website at bsatroop716.com or emailing them at troop716bsa@gmail.com for more information.
Westchester Lutheran Church and School Westchester Lutheran Church and School is pleased to welcome home its prestigious alumnus, All-Star shortstop and 2015 Grand Marshal, Royce Clayton! Westchester Lutheran, currently served by Pastor Fred Masted, has been serving the community for over 70 years since its opening in 1944. This year’s float depicts the humor found in the theme “American Beach Party.” Everybody loves to go to the beach, but it’s a lot of work for parents to pack everything from the surfboards, towels, cooler, drinks, food and don’t forget the sunscreen! On this float, we see dad and the kids heading to the beach. It is a salute to all the great parents in the community who work as hard as they do to make the most memorable experiences for their children. So kids, make sure to thank your parents for those great beach days, put on a lot of sunscreen, and always keep the beach clean for next time. Party on, America! The summer also offers the whole community lots of great activities at Westchester Lutheran, including Vacation Bible School the week of July 20, Movie Nights, picnics and a trip to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Westchester Lutheran School offers the community the highest quality athletic, academic and arts programs for preschool through 8th grades and is currently enrolling for the fall. The warm and professional faculty and staff are known for graduating the most soughtafter and conscientious high school students. For more information, visit wlcs.org.
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THE STEPHANIE YOUNGER GROUP WISHES YOU A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN US AT WESTCHESTER’S ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE! The celebration begins at 11am and travels down Loyola Blvd from Manchester Avenue to 80th Street. As a proud sponsor of this event, we’ll be handing out our signature water bottles, sunglasses & pinwheels!
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4th of July Parade Program
July 2015 • Page 21
Masonic Lodge
Southern California Masonic Lodge #529 of the Free and Accepted Masons of California wish you a Happy Fourth of July this year. This year, we brought our friends and family along to help. The Masons have been a part of this community since 1950 and have been located in our current lodge in Playa del Rey since 1960. The Masons have been committed to making the world a better place for the past 300 years and plan to continue doing so by making good men better.
Los Angeles World Airports Los Angeles World Airports is represented today by its Community Relations, Customer Services, Airport Police, Maintenance and Environmental Services Divisions and includes Girl Scout Troop #17135 and Boy Scout Troop #2155 who are participating as the “Beach and Dunes Cleanup Crew.” The Airport Police Division is responsible for the safety and security in and around LAX. LAX Volunteer Information Professionals and Pets Unstressing Passengers Programs help travelers by giving information about using LAX. The LAX Youth Cadet Program focuses on teaching leadership, responsibility and everyday life skills to young adults.
The Real Estate Consultants Let’s welcome the Real Estate Consultants to this year’s parade. The Real Estate Consultant’s Phil Gilboy outdoes himself every year with his team’s and his float design and their 2012 float was named “Best in Relation to Theme.” The Real Estate Consultants was founded in 2000 on the principles of customization and personal service. The Real Estate agents have serviced and/ or lived in the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey communities for more than 40-years combined. Happy Fourth of July from the Real Estate Consultants!
Seaside Shotokan Karate
Inglewood High Marching Band
Seaside Shotokan in Playa Del Rey on Culver Boulevard, was founded by the late Sensei Penny Ringwood, 6th Degree black belt. One of the highest ranking female black belts in the US. Seaside Shotokan has provided the community with traditional Japanese Karate and yoga since 1996. The honorable tradition of Shotokan Karate continues at Seaside under the tutelage of current instructors, Sensei Jim Oates, Sensei JoeJohn McVey and Sensei Tatiana Lesnansky; along with affiliation of neighboring instructors who are among the most respected in the traditional Karate community. Our Karate training is accessible to everyone, providing students with a supportive and non-combative environment. Seaside Shotokan offers fitness, self-defense and a sense of community with knowledgeable and courteous instructors who teach because they love the tradition of honor and respect from Karate. All, ages from 5 to 85, are welcome.
The Inglewood High School Marching Band is making its first appearance in the Fourth of July Parade, so let’s give them a warm welcome! The Inglewood High Marching Band has been featured on CBS and Cartoon Network and has also performed at the Forum, The Home Depot Center and the Nokia Theater.
WISH Charter School
Champ Camp
Hey kids! Ever wonder what it would be like to hang out at the beach with your friends, play King Kong keep-away, dance in an epic conga line with a giant pink monkey and shred on your boogie board all in the same day?! Parents! Ever dream of a place to send your kids for the day where they’re safe, encouraged, high-fived and shown tons of sweet active games to play outside with their buddies? Well, have no fear! Champ Camp is here! Come check out why Champ Camp is the only beach camp built for champions. Visit their website at ChampCampKids.com to learn more!
Westchester’s WISH Charter School WISHes that summer could last forever and hopes that everyone can enjoy the perfect day at the beach. This year’s entry features their own WISH band playing rocking summertime tunes on the shore, while WISH children frolic in the waves and mermaids wave to the crowd. This beach scene also teems with sea life swimming in the depths surrounding their float. WISH is a free public independent charter school with small class sizes, differentiated instruction, strong family partnerships and an affiliation with LMU’s School of Education. WISH Elementary TK–5 co-locates on the Orville Wright campus and WISH Middle 6-8 will co-locate with Cowan Elementary beginning this fall. WISH extends a huge thank you to the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee members Christina Davis, Gwen Vuchsas and Lory Sarlo for creating a vibrant committee and for always supporting all schools in Westchester! WISH is so grateful to be a part of this community!
Salute to Uncle Sam! What would the Fourth of July Parade be without a visit from Uncle Sam? For the last fifteen years, Hal Fisher has brought smiles to parade spectators’ faces with his portrayal of the American icon. Whether he was riding in a convertible, cruising along
on a Segway or walking down the parade route, Fisher always brought enthusiasm, fun and dedication to his performance. Fisher has retired his role as Uncle Sam, but we thank him for his years of service to the parade!
Come and Join Our Growing Family Now accepting applications
GRADES 6 -11 (Growing to Grades 6 - 12)
Happy Fourth of July! Visit Us at westchestercharter.org for More Information Page 22 • July 2015
4th of July Parade Program
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
We welcome this year’s Grand Marshal, Royce Clayton, a former All-Star Major League Baseball shortstop, to our parade! Clayton is a hometown hero and attended Westchester Lutheran, played in the Westchester Babe Ruth Baseball league and played baseball for St. Bernard High School. Clayton was selected out of St. Bernard High School in the first round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants. He made his Major League debut for the Giants on September 20, 1991 and played for them for five seasons. He went on to play for eleven different teams during his baseball career, including the St.
St. Anastasia CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies and the Boston Red Sox. His career highlights include representing the St. Louis Cardinals at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and winning a ring in the 2007 World Series with the Boston Red Sox. His career statistic include a .258 batting average, 110 home runs and 723 runs batted in. Clayton currently lives in Malibu with his wife, Samantha (Davies) Clayton, a former Olympian, and his four children Royce Jr. and triplets Niya, Elijah and Imani. Thank you for joining us today, Royce Clayton and family!
Top 4 in the 2014-15 CYO Director’s Cup!
Welcome our National Anthem singer El Segundo resident Sheena Odabashian is 17 and has been involved in choir and other school music programs for eight years. She has traveled with El Segundo High School Choir to sing around the world, from the Grand Ole
Opry in Nashville to the Canterbury Cathedral and the 2012 Olympics in England. She wishes to pursue a music career and continue traveling the world to experience first-hand how music can connect all types of cultures and peoples.
CO N G R AT U L AT I O N S
St. A’s Athletes It was a great year of Sports at St. Anastasia! Out of 200 CYO Schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, our mighty St. A’s athletes earned 4th place in the CYO Director's Cup.
This year six 8th graders were recognized as “Scholar Athletes” by maintaining excellent grades while playing on at least one school sports team per season: Jacob C., Adriana H., Lexi H., Alyssa L., Dylan L. and Chance T. WAY TO GO ST. ANASTASIA PANTHERS! St. Anastasia Catholic School 8631 S. Stanmoor Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045 310.645.8816 http://school.st-anastasia.org
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Technology
4th of July Parade Program
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July 2015 • Page 23
The Gillis The Gillis Beach Invitational Volleyball Tournament was started 45 years ago by Steve and Dave Cressman at Gillis Beach in Playa del Rey. This year’s event is scheduled for August 8th and 9th at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey and the invitational tournament attracts close to 800 players of all ages and abilities! This unique event, credited as the first volleyball tournament with a costume theme, is a tradition embedded in the Southern California Volleyball Community.
Visitation School Visitation School is honored to be participating for their fourteenth year in the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July Parade. In keeping with the Chamber’s 2015 Parade theme, American Beach Party, Visitation’s entry is Surfin’ USA! Voted a “Best of the Best” and “Favorite Private Religious School” for the past 3 years, Visitation is a premier junior kindergarten through eighth elementary school for all children. Visitation is renowned for its “Catholic Tradition of Excellence in Education” and “Educating the Whole Child in a Christ Centered Environment” since 1947. Leading off the Visitation entry are Viz student banner carriers and flag bearers, followed by members of the Visitation 2015 CYO championship winning girls soccer Team. Flanked by the Viz signature “4th of July Firecrackers,” the next segment honors Visitation’s 2015 CYO girls soccer team coach and school parent, Mr. Dale Steinbacher, who is enjoying the parade with his two children, daughter Emma Bella and son, Blake. Visitation celebrates, thanks and congratulates Coach Steinbacher for his superb Coaching. Next in the line up, preceded by two flag bearers, is the Visitation School “Surfin’ Safari” express train, a “rolling pep rally,” carrying the youngest Viz kids. Joining us this year is one of our secondary
high schools, St. Monica Catholic High School. St. Monica is currently the high school of over 40 recent Visitation School graduates. Nearly 150 St. Monica High School students are from the Westchester area. The St. Monica family is proud to have so many valuable ties to the Westchester community and is happy to be a part of this American tradition.
Uncle Sam Ladies and gentlemen, families from Westchester and beyond, please join us in greeting for the 16th consecutive year the symbol of America and Westchester spirit: Uncle Sam! Our national anthem and Uncle Sam were both created during one of America’s darkest periods, the War of 1812. This year, Uncle Sam is portrayed by local resident, Tim Russell. A special thank you goes out to Hal Fisher for portraying Uncle Sam for that last 15 years. Although Hal has now retired his role as the parade’s beloved mascot, we thank him for his years of service to the parade!
62nd Assembly District Republican Central Committee The mission statement of the Republican Central Committee is to increase Republican registration and size of the party membership by providing information through its newsletter, website and Central Committee sponsored events. As part of this mission, this year’s entry features some of the banners of real Republican candidates. To learn more about the Republican Central Committee, the group invites you to visit lagop.org or call Maureen Johnson at (310)486-5735.
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@ Crowne Plaza Los Angeles International Airport 5985 W. Century Blvd. (access and street parking on 98th Street)
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4th of July Parade Program
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
St. Anastasia Church and School
Hey there, Peppy!
St. Anastasia Catholic School and Parish was founded in 1953 to serve the fast-growing Westchester/Playa del Rey area and remains a vital and thriving spiritual community. As a Junior-K to 8th grade school, St. Anastasia stands out through academic excellence, teaching with technology and expanded math and science curricula. At St. Anastasia, they help to create future leaders with strong character and Catholic Christian values. St. Anastasia Catholic School is committed to teaching according to the Common Core as well as keeping its curriculum well-rounded, challenging, enriched and up-to-date. With subjects in religion, English Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, Spanish, music and our 1-to-1 iPad program, St. Anastasia provides a balanced and stimulating learning environment that enables children to grow spiritually, thrive academically and flourish socially. Under the leadership of Principal Mike Muir and Monsignor Gabriel Gonzalez, St. Anastasia gives back to the neighborhood through a multitude of Christian service projects within the local area. St. Anastasia is happy to participate in this year’s American Beach Party 4th of July Parade! And what parade would be complete without our ever-present mascot, Peppy the Panther...
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade and the Westside Ukulele Ensemble Ahoy skipper! Joining us in this year’s parade is one of the festively-decorated boats that will light up the harbor this Saturday, December 12 at the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade. Spectators gather at popular viewing spots like Burton Chace Park, Fisherman’s Village and other waterfront venues for a front row seat to this holiday spectacle. Don’t forget to save the date and go to mdrboatparade.org for more information. Joining this entry is the Westside Ukulele Ensemble. This group was founded in September 2011 and most members are based in West Los Angeles/Mar Vista. They concentrate on playing instrumental arrangements, rather than a typical strumming/ singing uke group. For more information, visit, westsideukes.com.
Westchester/Playa Education Foundation with Get REAL Creative
These two local powerhouse nonprofits, owned by two Westchester moms, have hit the beach to celebrate this year’s parade! This year’s theme, American Beach Party, has inspired this year’s entry “Volleying For Art & Academics!”
The Westchester/Playa Education Foundation has continued to help strengthen local K-12 public schools for the past 11 years by donating over $1-million. WPEF has teamed up with the community to make public schools the best they can be for our all students. Visit their website wpef.org for more information on where to donate or how to volunteer. Joining WPEF is Get REAL Creative. In business for only one and a half years, Get REAL has donated more than $4,700 to local schools all earmarked for art education. They offer design, wine and paint-a-long workshops for adults, plus art clubs and school break camps for kids. Get REAL donates $50 from each campers’ tuition to their local school to rejuvenate arts in education. Look for folks wearing Get REAL Creative shirts and grab a flyer with details about their three remaining summer camps: Wizard Week, Bakery Story and Minecraft-ing.
Mariachi Malibu and Zippy Shell Mariachi Malibu joins us riding atop of the Zippy Shell Truck of West Los Angeles. This premier Mariachi ensemble serves all of Southern California and has performed for Hollywood celebrities. The members of this group are professionally trained, experienced musicians and singers. They are true “caballeros!”
The Chamber is pleased to welcome the charro International de Compton to today’s parade. A charro (pronounced Cha ‘ro) is a skilled Mexican horseman whose origins date back to the 17th century. The charros are seen today in traditional costume and riding their famous dancing horses. Please join me in cheering on these beautiful dancing horses!
The Beach Safaris Closing this year’s parade is The Beach Safaris led by Bobby Mustol. This tribute to the Beach Boys is sure take you on a trip down memory lane to a time when surf, sun and beach living was the true way of life in Southern California. So whether you want to “Sail on Sailor” or have “Fun, Fun, Fun” this group will have you feeling the cool vibes of this American Beach Party!
ENJOY THE AMERICAN BEACH PARTY! proudly supportthis & year’s congratulate We We are proud to support Fourth of July Parade.
“
– Karen Dial, President
Charro Horses
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
“
Join Drollinger Properties in celebrating our great country and especially Westchester. My dad loved this parade, and so do I! Luckily, I am in town this year and will attend. Please keep an eye out in the parade for the OULA entry, a wonderful dance craze near and dear to my heart because it was created in my other hometown – Missoula, Montana. OULA is taking off like FIREWORKS. You have to experience it!
Zippy Shell is a proud Chamber member that provides moving and storage solutions for its customers. Just imagine a magic container that appears in your driveway or right at your curb. One that you or Zippy Shell can put your stuff in to keep it safe. One that is only there when you need it. For more information go to zippyshell.com.
AWARD RECIPIENTS Thank you for your tremendous leadership.
Drollinger P R O P E R T I E S
310.417.8048 www.drollingerproperties.com
8929 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, #130 Westchester, CA 90045
layaVista.com PlayaVistaP.com
w w w. d ro l l i n g e r p ro p e r t i e s. c o m Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
4th of July Parade Program
July 2015 • Page 25
Page 26 • July 2015
4th of July Parade Program
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
A Look Back at Westchester/Playa By David J. “Duke” Dukesherer, Sr.
Looking Back at Golf
Westfield Shopping Center went through a complete renovation a few years ago, but it was formerly known as the Fox Hills Mall. Before the mall opened in 1975, the land was once the site of a championship golf course known as Fox Hills Country Club. The 36-hole track (east and west courses) was designed by famed golf architect George Thomas, Jr. Crooner Bing Crosby, an avid golfer, once joked that he would like to be buried next door to the course at Holy Cross Cemetery, so that he could watch the golfers on the fairways of the east course...and he eventually was. The 260-acre Fox Hills Country Club was a favorite with the early stars of Hollywood because it was built very close to film studios including Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The popular course even hosted the 1954 Los Angeles Open, which was won by
Fred Wampler. For a time in the 1960s, Fox Hills was the site of the Red Riding Stables, owned and operated by Evelyn Morrissey. A ramshackle go-cart track was operated nearby. Across the street on a dirt lot the Airport Village operated for many years. Its number one attraction, the Hamburger Handout, featured .15-cent hamburgers and .10-cent milkshakes. All of this operated more or less across the street and down the way from Dinah’s Family Restaurant, which opened in 1959. Just a short drive from Fox Hills, on old Rancho land, was the Sunset Fields Golf Course, a 36-hole public course designed by Billy Bell, a protégé of George Thomas. It ran roughly from Rodeo Road up the hill to Don Ricardo Street. The 19th century Rancho Cienega de la Tijera adobe served as its clubhouse. After WWII, however, this area was subdivided and large apartment buildings sit there now. Just east of Westchester, the Ingle-
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wood Country Club occupied land where the Forum is today. Featuring a par-71 track of 6,328 yards, this public facility played host to the 1955 Los Angeles Open, which was won by Gene Littler. In the late 1950s, taxation caused many golf clubs to go under. Private or semi-private/public golf courses and country clubs operated as “nonprofits” prior to that time, and the sudden tax burdens on land made it impossible for them to operate. All of that was repealed when Proposition 6 amended the California Constitution in 1960, but it was too late for the already shuttered Fox Hills and other local courses. Wealthier and better-managed courses, like the Riviera, Wilshire and Los Angeles Country Club managed to survive. Westchester Golf Course, an 18hole course on 65-acres was opened in 1965 and built on farm land that was formerly a part of Rancho Sausal Redondo and previously owned by Grace Freeman Howland, the daughter of the Father of Inglewood,
Daniel Freeman. The eucalyptus trees that were commonly used by early farmers as windbreaks against the sometimes-cold ocean breezes still surround the course. Incidentally, the eucalyptus tree was first imported to our area in 1850 from Australia and Tasmania for use as railroad ties. The “Father of Venice,” Abbot Kinney, as California State Forester in the 1880s, promoted the eucalyptus by distributing free seeds across the state. The tree failed as a timber crop, however, and a 1913 U.S. Department of Agriculture report confirmed what others had long known: eucalyptus wood warped, cracked and twisted as it dried. The tree that sits in the center of the ninth fairway marks the spot where a farmhouse once stood. I know that spot very well, having hit that tree with my drives from the ninth tee more times than I care to recount.
Please email comments to: dukepdr@gmail.com
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July 2015 • Page 27
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 or call president Jeff DeLarme at (310) 7212869.
Life story writing class Thinking about your life story? Learn a simple method to recall and
TheHTN.com 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) 625-3131.
July events: Fourth of July Fireworks Celebrate the Fourth of July with the annual Marina del Rey Fireworks. Fireworks are shot from a barge across the Marina’s main channel and the show starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 and lasts approximately 20 minutes. Those looking to watch the fireworks from the Marina are encouraged to beat the traffic by getting to the area early and having a picnic in Burton Chase Park or dining at one of the numerous waterfront restaurants. The best viewing spots include Fisherman’s Village (13755 Fiji Way), Burton Chace Park (13650 Mindanao Way) or Mother’s Beach (4101 Admiralty Way). Parking is available for a fee in 14 public lots surrounding the Marina, but can often fill up by 6 p.m. For more info, please visit beaches. lacounty.gov.
Greyhound Show and Tell Join Grover, Lily, Dharma, Anna and Carson on Sunday, July 5 at the Westchester Greyhound Show and
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. Page 28 • July 2015
Tell run by nonprofit Fastfriends. The event will take place at Petco, located at 8801 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to meet the gentle, sensitive and intelligent retired racing dogs that are affectionately called “45-milean-hour couch potatoes” because they prefer to stay close to family members, often shadowing them around the house. Volunteers will also be available to answer questions about greyhound adoptions. To meet and see many available adoptable dogs, please visit fastfriends.org.
Begonia Show and Sale The Westchester Branch of the American Begonia Society is proud to present its 56th Annual Begonia Show and Sale on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the only judged begonia show in Southern California and will not only showcase begonias but ferns, orchids, bromeliads, aroids and other shade loving plants. An excellent selection of rare and beautiful begonias (both species and hybrids), other plants and gifts will be available for purchase. Admission is free. The event will held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, located at 6323 W. 80th Street in Westchester.
Educational Series for Caregivers From July 14 through August 18, join the Westchester/Playa Village for a six-week educational program to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. Instructors Emily Carvill, MA, MFT, and Carol Hahn, MSN, RN, RYT, CPT will discuss how caregivers can develop a wealth of self-care tools to help them manage and reduce stress, to communicate their needs effectively in challenging situations,
to cope with feelings of guilt, anger, depression, to set goals and problem solve. Space is limited. Call Westchester Playa Village at (310) 695-7030 for additional information and to sign-up. The seminars will be held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 103 in Westchester. The Westchester Playa Village also invites the community to attend the monthly Silver Seminar Series on Thursday, July 16 at 12:30 p.m. This month’s topic will be learning how to use technology. This event will be held at the Westchester Senior Center, located at 8740 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.
Movie in the Garden Emerson Avenue Community Garden will hold another Movie in the Garden following the success of their last event. The Movie in the Garden will take place on Saturday, July 18. The gates will open at 7 p.m. with the movie starting at sundown. The cost to attend is $5 for adults and kids tickets are $3. All proceeds go to the garden’s general fund. The title is TBD, but it will be family-friendly movie. Hot chocolate, popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase. Emerson Avenue Community Garden is located on the campus of Orville Wright STEAM Magnet and can be accessed on Emerson Ave. between 80th Street and 80th Place.
Save the Date Loyola Marymount has announced that its second annual Community Open House will be held on Saturday, September 12. Last year’s event featured booths staffed by local community groups, a catered lunch, a bounce house, face painting and more. For more information on LMU community events, please visit community.lmu.edu.
YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX
Emergency Food Distribution to those in need. Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association
Open Tuesday & Friday, 10am-12pm 355 Beach St., Inglewood
Bring donations of non-perishable food to Covenant Presbyterian Chuch. Volunteers and money donations also welcomed and encouraged!
For more information, please call (310) 677-5597 Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Sunday Monday Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
July
Friday
Saturday
Final Round of Voting Starts for the 2015 Best Of Poll
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
Fourth of July Parade @ 11 a.m. on Loyola Boulevard
Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
Fourth of July Fireworks @ 9 p.m. Marina del Rey
Life story writing class @ YMCA Annex
Farmers Market @ Playa Vista
1 2 3 4 Greyhound Show and Tell @ Petco Westchester
NCWP board meeting @ Westchester Community Room Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
Brighton Beach Memoirs @ Westchester Playhouse
Brighton Beach Memoirs @ Westchester Playhouse
Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
Dirty Dancing @ Central Park Bandshell
Concert in the Park @ Burton Chace Park
Life story writing class @ YMCA Annex
5
6
7 Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza
Brighton Beach Memoirs @ Westchester Playhouse
Secrets to a Successful Remodel @ Custom Design & Construction
Concert in the Park @ Concert Park
8 Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
9 Silver Seminar Series @ Westchester Senior Center
10 Food Truck Friday Night @ Visitation The Music Man @ Westchester Townhouse
Concert in the Park @ Burton Chace Park
11 Begonia Show and Sale @ Covenant Presbyterian Church Movie in the Garden @ Emerson Ave. Community Garden
Life story writing class @ YMCA Annex
The Sound of Music @ Burton Chace Park
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Concert in the Park @ Central Park Bandshell
Last Day to Vote in the 2015 Best Of Readers’ Poll
Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza
The Music Man @ Westchester Townhouse
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
Brighton Beach Memoirs @ Westchester Playhouse
Pancake Breakfast @ Fire Station #5
Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off @ Concert Park
Secrets to a Successful Remodel @ Custom Design & Construction
Life story writing class @ YMCA Annex
19
Brighton Beach Memoirs @ Westchester Playhouse
20
21 Gateway to Go @ Crowne Plaza
22 Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park Speakers by the Sea @ Playa del Rey
Brighton Beach Memoirs @ Westchester Playhouse
23 Concert in the Park @ Burton Chace Park The Music Man @ Westchester Townhouse
Life story writing class @ YMCA Annex
24 Brighton Beach Memoirs @ Westchester Playhouse
25 The Music Man @ Westchester Townhouse
The Music Man @ Westchester Townhouse
26 27 28 29 30 30 31 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
July 2015 • Page 29
Random Notes/Opinion
TheHTN.com
Remember that freedom is a choice By Fay Craton
Opinion: It can be fun to watch very young children running, laughing and playing. It is easy to observe them and think about how much freedom they have. In their play they are fully in the moment and still learning what they can do. The world around them is still an adventure of discovery. As children become older, the sense of enjoyed freedom frequently becomes lost. Instead, what may develop is a sense of being limited, restrained, or perhaps trapped. So what happens? As a child goes off to school, the need to compete and obtain the best grades becomes important. In sports, it becomes important to be the star performer. Too often, personal worth becomes a subjective measurement defined by what other people think of you or say about you. Losses, failures, mistakes and/or experiences of not being good enough start to haunt memories. Worries about what could happen in the future start to become part of the ever present mind chatter that only you can hear. The joy of being fully present in the moment is forgotten.
Now that you are grown up, it may be very difficult to not dwell on something painful from your past or become caught in repetitive worry about the future. It may be tough to pay attention to your own body. Internalized voices of criticism may make it hard to find a sense of personal value or meaning in life. All of these difficulties drain your energy. Trying to reduce the drain by controlling others or by attempting to make another person feel “bad” creates additional burdens, which further deplete your energy. You literally become imprisoned by your own thinking. Freedom can be reclaimed. It takes effort and a willingness to try new ways of thinking and ending bad habits. Learning healthy ways of thinking is a process. It took many years to learn unhealthy patterns. Just as when any new material is studied and a skill is learned, it takes practice. The first step towards freedom is to begin recognizing who you are. You are a very unique person who entered this world with skills that are exclusively your own. You have a life force flowing in to and through you,
which you choose how to use. The choices you make determine how much freedom you experience. Just as when you were a toddler, you have the potential to experience freedom right now. Once you understand who you are, you can choose what attitude you wish to express and not what you learned from someone in your past. What are examples of what might not increase happiness that you might have learned from your past? If when growing up you experienced yelling and belittling, you learned how to yell and belittle. Here’s another example: if you experienced criticism every time you did not blend in with the people around you, you may have learned that it is not safe to be yourself. Or, if you were raised by someone who was very anxious about your physical safety, you might have learned it is not safe to take any risks. There are as many examples as there are people in this world. I am not saying that everything you learned while growing up was harmful. Most people learn both helpful and unhelpful behavior patterns. What I am saying, however, is that you have
the right to choose the attitude and behaviors that you wish to experience and communicate to others. Developing skills in making positive decisions may take learning new ways of thinking. The initial work is in unraveling the entrenched thinking that is keeping you from being happy or content from what you know supports the unique you. When getting rid of thinking that does not help you, you begin to learn new ways of thinking and behaving. What I want is for you to have the skills and confidence to choose what you wish to experience. I want you to thrive and to experience happiness and contentment. No matter what is happening around you, you have the ability to make a choice right now, in this moment, to be free and embrace a contented attitude. If in an hour the attitude slips away, you can make another choice to have the attitude you wish to express. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011). She has an office in Westchester. Contact her at visitcommunicationtriangle.com or (310) 645-6762.
Action is the magic word for reaching your goals By Jeff Blair Opinion: When we see a fit person, we might think “fitness must come easy for him/her,” but sometimes first impressions can be mistaken. I have found most fit people have overcome personal challenges, like time and energy, before developing a successful fitness program. This was even true in my own case. Like many adults, local teacher Emma Cueva found it difficult to incorporate a consistent workout program in to her lifestyle. Emma long excelled in school and work, but she faced fitness challenges. While many people never honestly deal with the issue, Emma faced these challenges head-on to dramatically improve her fitness level this year. I sat down with Emma recently to understand how she created a workout program that worked for her. Her answers are sure to inspire and encourage those who are also struggling to get started. Emma tells us that while developing a consistent program was not easy, it has definitely been worth it. Q. What was your activity level as a kid? Did you have any favorite sports or physical activities? Emma: As a child, I grew up very active: playing, running and cycling Page 30 • July 2015
with all the friends and freedom a kid could wish for. My favorite activities included riding my bicycle around the neighborhood and jumping rope with my cousins. Money was scarce, so sports and physical activities really depended on our own imaginations, which my mother encouraged us to develop through lots of choice and leeway in the summertime. Q. Did you ever face workout challenges as an adult? Emma: I grew up having asthma and several respiratory problems. Later in life, as a young adult, I was told by a doctor that I had outgrown my asthma and that I was simply out of shape. This was hard for our family to believe since I was always very active, but we accepted it as a truth. I tried to participate in physical activities but always ended up being out of breath. I would get embarrassed for not being able to run without taking breaks and eventually I developed a major complex about exercise in general. This went on through high school, college and early adulthood. It wasn’t until my mid-twenties that a doctor told me I still had asthma. This explained my difficulty with physical activity, but encouraged me to be more active. Since then, I’ve been making small changes to my
once sedentary lifestyle. Q. What motivated you to commit to consistent workouts? Emma: I was behind the times when it came to healthy eating and exercise because of the complex I had developed. I knew I wouldn’t be able to discipline myself on my own. Rather than cutting things out of my life (like food), I felt strongly I needed to add to my life. It was tricky to carve out time in my daily schedule to incorporate work out time, but over this past year I have committed to working out with weights twice per week with a trainer and stuck with it. Q. Has your daily life changed since you started working out consistently? Emma: My attitude towards exercising has become more positive. I look forward to my biweekly workouts. I have gained lots of confidence in myself and I make smarter choices about what I consume. Q. What have been the biggest achievements and highlights of your fitness journey? Emma: I have always been an overachiever at school and at work. To delve into something I have very little knowledge of and experience with has
been quite the humbling experience. I feel a strong surge of motivation and support every time I step through the doors of the gym. I now know that this idea can be applied to any aspect of my life. I have also gone down a couple sizes. I have increased confidence in an area that has been a challenge for many years. Looking back, what seemed nearly impossible for me to do in the beginning now comes easily. I have achieved feats I never thought possible. Congratulations Emma on your commitment and focus! Your story is sure to inspire others to get started. If you are a beginner, remember the first steps are the hardest. Start by taking small steps and your confidence can grow over time. Build a support system around you, educate yourself and continue to put one foot in front of the other...your life can look completely different one year from now. As always, action is the magic word. JEFF BLAIR (M.S.) owns a personal training studio located in Westchester. He was voted “Best Of” Personal Trainer in the Hometown News 2014 Readers’ Poll. Email jeffblair@ jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas or comments.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
YOU’RE ALWAYS AT Start theCelebrate New Year Year looking lookingFreedom! in WELCOME the right right direction...Up! direction...Up! Start the New in the WESTCHESTER LUTHERAN!
Start the theC N Start N
Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up! Freedom from doubt. Freedom from fear.
SUNDAY WORSHIP AND Join us at Westchester Lutheran Church, and embraceSCHOOL–10:00 the freedom found in am a SUNDAY loving, forgiving relationship with the Lord. Join new friends in a celebration of Check outisour websitewhen for more everything that possible you live activities www.wlcs.org in harmony with the Word.
All are welcome. Come celebrate with us!
Now Enrolling
Come look look up up with with us. us. Come
for the Fall Preschool – Eighth SundaysGrade at 10 a.m.
Weekly Worship Summer Choir Rehearsal Vacation Bible School
Sundays at 9 a.m. July 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
July 2015 • Page 31
School News
TheHTN.com
WISH Middle School students race across LMU’s pool in their boats made of cardboard and duct tape.
WISH students make a splash. WISH Middle School recently held its inaugural Cardboard Boat Regatta at Loyola Marymount University. The event was created to encourage the students to use their STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills to create a boat that could withstand being rowed two laps in a pool. On the day of the event, 16 teams of students designed, built and decorated their boats from a simple supply of cardboard, foam noodles and duct tape. The team whose boat completed the required two heats to take first place in the race was the Floating Giraffes consisting of Skylor Delgado, Zoe Acker, Sydney Abad, David Merrille, Allen Hernandez, Ella Sommer and team sailor Malik CastroDevarona. Recognition also goes out to the following three teams whose boats finished first in their heats and moved on to the final round of the race: Pool Raiders– Dajon Snead, Kacey Harris, Khristian Jones, Nikolas Rosnberg and team sailor Alejandro Hernandez. Big Box of Happy– Marianna Ledezma, Cariann Poe-Boyer, Oscar Pierson, Adam Dreyfuss and team sailor Jai Guess. Sea Monsters– Finley Lawton, Alex Monroy, Michael Madison, Lauren Talbert and team sailor Caitlin Giancola. WNS helps create public art. Sixth and seventh grade students at Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) recently had the opportunity to participate in Portraits of Hope’s latest public art project, “The Page 32 • July 2015
Institute to assist the students with painting. “This has been an such an important and inspiring opportunity for our middle school students. Working with Portraits of Hope and knowing that WNS kids are making an impact in our city and supporting the involvement of other children is something that we, as a school, are truly grateful for. I can’t wait for our community to witness the installation in August and take pride in knowing that our work is helping to revitalize our city,” said Head of School, Brad Zacuto. If you are interested in learning more about WNS or Portraits of Hope, please visit wnsk8.com or portraitsofhope.org for more information. WNS students work on painting “The Spheres,” which will be displayed in Downtown L.A. starting in mid-August. PHOTO PROVIDED BY WNS.
St. Bernard celebrates its graduates. St. Bernard High School recently announced that 96% of its seniors will be attending a 4-year or 2-year college this fall. As of June, the graduating students had been accepted to over 167 colleges and universities and received over $1.5-million in grants and scholarships, surpassing last year’s class in total money awarded. Said Principal Dr. Hoepner, “At St. Bernard, we always say that investing in an exceptional high school education can pay huge dividends. The returns on investment of a SBHS diploma speak for themselves. This is an indication of continued successful outcomes at St. Bernard!” Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
Spheres” at MacArthur Park. Portraits in the exhibition will be donated to social service programs and of Hope is a nonprofit organization nonprofits. that “conceives and develops one-ofWNS students had the opportunity a-kind motivational art projects that to participate first-hand in the merge the production of dynamic public art works with creative therapy painting of these spheres. Teams of students decided on their preferred for hospitalized children and civic color palate and helped paint one half education for students of all ages.” of the sphere at a time. “The Spheres” at MacArthur WNS students were also able to Park is set to debut in mid-August. help prep the 6-foot spheres that The project aims to help revitalize were created for the students at Downtown L.A.’s MacArthur Park the Braille Institute. Using a special and the surrounding community by acrylic medium containing ground filling the lake with one-of-a-kind pumice stone, students painted the floating artwork in the form of giant, outline of the flowers on the spheres, hand-painted, inflatable spheres. The so the students at the Braille Institute spheres, which range from 4-feet would be able to feel the outline to 6-feet in diameter feature bright, of the flowers and know where to vibrant flowers or aquatic designs. paint inside the lines. On June 8, The installation will last for four the students traveled to the Braille weeks, and then the 7,000 spheres Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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In Pictures
TheHTN.com
Brighton Beach. Kentwood Players next production is Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs. Brighton Beach Memoirs is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. The play centers on 15-year-old Eugene Jerome who lives with his family in Brighton Beach during the height of the depression in 1937. His dreams alternate between becoming a star pitcher for the New York Yankees and his growing awareness of girls. Eugene narrates the play with wit and takes us through his memories and reflections of himself and his family as they share their laughter, tears and love as they navigate the hard times of the depression. The play runs Friday, July 10 through August 15 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20. The Westchester Playhouse is located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Tickets can be purchased online at kentwoodplayers.org. Pictured: After an asthma attack, Blanche, played by Veronica Alicino (right), is comforted by her daughter Laurie (Katie Rodriquez) and sister Kate (Lori Kaye). Photo by Shari Barrett.
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ChamberFest LAeXpo draws crowd to Playa Vista. Hundreds of community members flooded Playa Vista’s CenterPointe Club for the annual ChamberFest LAeXpo on Thursday, June 25. The event is meant to give businesses the opportunity to showcase their offerings, while networking with local residents. This year’s event had more than 80 booths. The expo’s most popular activity was the “Taste Of” portion of the event, where attendees had the opportunity to try samples from some of the area’s most popular restaurants including Tony P’s Dockside Grill, Cafe del Rey, Yogurtland Westchester, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Melody Pizza. Face painting, giveaways and a raffle with a grand prize ticket on Southwest Airlines rounded out the event. Photo by VenicePaparazzi.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA
Robbie Fusco Named 2015 Star of the Neighborhood The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa has selected youth sports volunteer Robbie Fusco as the 2015 Star of the Neighborhood. The Star of the Neighborhood Award is sponsored by the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa, and its purpose is to identify and honor those unsung heroes of our community who quietly, persistently and without fanfare voluntarily perform good deeds that serve the needs of their neighbors and/or the community. Community members were invited to nominate a resident of Playa del Rey, Playa Vista or Westchester whose efforts fit this criteria, and all the nominations were evaluated by an ad hoc committee of the Neighborhood Council. As the winning honoree, Fusco will be honored at Westchester’s Annual Fourth of July Parade. Fusco has volunteered at Nielson Field for almost 25 years, serving as Westchester Little League Board president five times. His most memorable moment during those 25 years was when our Westchester girls team went to the World Series of Softball. It was a televised game, and although Westchester did not win, it certainly put our community on
the map. For years, Fusco has volunteered his time to mail all of the fields at Nielson, cutting the grass, seeding and irrigating the fields, maintaining the parking lots and snack bar, and everything else that makes our field the best in the district. If these duties weren’t enough, he also umpires. He hopes to build a safe play yard for the younger brothers and sisters of the players and extend the recycled irrigation around the perimeter of the parking lot. He is looking for help to fund a soft surface made of recycled materials. Of course nothing would happen without the sponsors, whose banners he is quick to point out are hung along the outfield fence. “Even when he had severe back trouble, he was still out there on the mower,” said Bill and Janet Kinsella in the their nomination of Fusco. “He regularly is the first person there and the last person to leave, making sure that the bathrooms are clean and that all the trash is emptied (a completely thankless task). When asked why he does it all, he says that it’s ‘so the kids have a place to play.’ He’s a truly a devoted volunteer!”
“The committee’s decision was very difficult because we have so many people who do great things in our community,” said Garrett Smith, a member of the NCWP board who chaired the selection committee. “But Robbie’s efforts set her apart. He has been incredibly giving of his time and energy to make our community even better, and his volunteer spirit and enthusiasm are contagious!” Smith said that everyone who was nominated will be invited to a future Neighborhood Council meeting to be recognized.
MyLA 311 Mobile Application Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa board meeting: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 7 in the Community Room at 7166 W. Manchester Ave. (at Lincoln Blvd.), in Westchester
MyLA 311 puts the power of City Hall in the palm of your hand. With MyLA311, City of Los Angeles information and services are just a few taps away. MyLA311 links Angelenos with the services and information they need to enjoy their city, beautify their community and stay connected with their local government. The ‘Submit Service Request’ feature allows you to quickly and easily request the City’s most popular services, including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky-item pickup. MyLA311 also allows you to pay your Los Angeles Water and Power bill right from your mobile device. For more information, including where to locate city services and facilities, visit: lacity.org/MyLA311/index.htm
www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 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