Westchester/Playa Hometown News June 2022 edition

westchester westchester

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playa del rey playa del rey

p l a ya v i s ta • m a r i n a d e l rey p l a y a v i s t a • m a r i n a d e l re y

June June 2022 2021

Your Guide To Local

Summer fun ...pg. 4

Show your love for your favorite businesses...page 9

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Page 2 • June 2022

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

This Month Brings You

help you prom help you prom nization or even l a c o L p Sho nization orin 20even 22!

A look inside your HTN

Summer events and activities guide Frank shares his love for cars in the neighborhood 5 Questions With...

NCWP Monthly Update In Pictures: AMCS Spring into Well-Being Celebration

04 10 12 22 26

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher

Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer

Lydia Smith, Contributing Writer Consuelo Israelson, Contributing Writer

Front page: Westchester’s Karla Garcia holds an ice cream cone from Playa Vista’s Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

About The HomeTown News (HTN)

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

Connect with the HTN:

Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn • Instagram: instagram.com/thehometownnews The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.

act us for rates and act us for rates and hesterhometo Now, more than ever, Westchester retailers and service providers need your help. Slammed by the pandemic, our small businesses need

hesterhometo your help to survive. Please make “Shop Local” your

mantra for 2022 – it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love and the families they support alive!

us on Faceboo to-date with news and us on Faceboo Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

June 2022 • Page 3

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Summer Events & Activities Clockwise from left: 1. Westchester’s Karla Garcia enjoys an ice cream cone from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Playa Vista’s Runway Shopping Center. Garcia recently started the “Silicon Beach Word of Mouth” Facebook group to share local events and recommendations. 2. A local band rocks out at WAM. 3. The Westchester Farmers’ Market train heads down Loyola Blvd. during the parade.

Looking to fill your summer event calendar? We’ve got you covered!

Summer officially starts June 21, and there’s no shortage of things to do in the Westchester/Playa/Marina area over the next few months!

Mark your calendar and be in the know and ready to answer when someone asks or posts, “What’s happening this weekend?”

Below is our guide for the best local summer events and activities to keep you busy all season! We’ll add more events (and details) as they’re announced at thehtn.com/events.

Get Summer at the YMCA Now through August 15

The Westchester Family YMCA (and 25 other L.A. area YMCAs) is providing free memberships for teens ages 12 to 18 now through August 15.

Register at ymcala.org/getsummer to enjoy all the programming the Y has to offer including the gym, fitness classes, access to the pool, events and more.

The YMCA is also holding two “sleep-away” camps this season.

For campers 13-17, Camp Marcil (formerly known as Camp Round Meadow) will take place from July 17 to July 23. For campers 8-14, camp will be held July 31 to August 6. Learn more at ymcala.org/camps/ ymca-camping-services.

Page 4 • June 2022

The Westchester Family YMCA is located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester.

Playa Vista Fitness Fest

Sunday, June 12 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Runway Playa Vista is hosting its second Annual Fitness Fest this month. Attendees will have a chance to check out the different health and wellness businesses located in Playa Vista, including The Studio (MDR), Orangetheory, Sender One, and the Maverick Community, while participating in fun fitness challenges.

Cedars-Sinai will also be on hand so guests can check their health stats.

Giveaways, wellness brand pop-ups and freebies round out the event.

Runway Playa Vista is located at 12775 Millennium Drive in Playa Vista.

Visit runwayplayavista.com for more details.

Shakespeare on the Bluff at LMU

Various dates | 8 p.m.

LMU’s fifth annual Shakespeare on the Bluff festival is back in person this year! Head to the university’s new Drollinger Family Stage at Lawton Plaza for performances of “Julius Caesar” on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25. Next month, visit the campus for performances of “The Tempest” on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23. The performances are presented by the LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts.

RSVPs are requested at cfa.lmu.edu/ Shakespeare.

Summer Kick-Off Beach Clean-up

Sunday, June 26 | 9 to 11 a.m.

Join the Jesse Weinberg Team for their First Annual “Summer Kick-Off Beach Clean-up” on Sunday, June 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. With the goal to help tackle the trash at the start of the summer season, the PDR real estate team will provide breakfast burritos and coffee before attendees help beautify Toes Beach. Those interested in participating can meet at Lifeguard Tower 42. RSVP and learn more at info@jesseweinberg.com. (continued on page 14)

Lunch 11:30a - 3p • Dinner 4p - 9:30p

AMCS Pride Fest 2022

Saturday, June 18 | 2 to 4 p.m.

The Airport Marina Counseling Service’s LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center is hosting its first outdoor Pride Fest featuring games, prizes, food and more! The free event will be held in AMCS’ parking lot, located at 7891 La Tijera Blvd. in Westchester.

For more info, visit amcshelps.com/ pride-fest-22.

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

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner

Your Local Guide to the Best 2022

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

June 2022 • Page 5

Business & Nonprofit News

TheHTN.com

Kentwood Players presents “Fun Home.”

There’s only a handful of dates left to catch the Kentwood Players’ latest musical “Fun Home.” Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, the show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through June 11. A matinee show is also performed on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

“Fun Home” tells the story of seeing your parents through grownup eyes. When her father dies unexpectedly, Alison dives into her past to tell his story and the impact he had on defining her family and her life.

Tickets are $27 and can be reserved by visiting kentwoodplayers.org or by calling the box office at (310) 645-5156.

Performances are held at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester.

Get water wise with the Emerson Avenue Garden.

Need tips on how to limit your water use as restrictions go into effect? The Emerson Avenue Community Garden Club is inviting the community to a water wise workshop on Sunday, June 12 from

Page 6 • June 2022

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

More than 200 flags were placed along the median on Manchester Ave. on Memorial Day to pay tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for their country by the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey. The flags were also part of a fundraiser to support Shelter to Soldier, a nonprofit that rescues dogs from California shelters and trains them to become service animals for combat veterans. Pictured: The club held a special dedication ceremony in front of their clubhouse on May 30 to remember the fallen and hear from local veterans.

The 2022 “Outstanding Teachers of the Year” pose for a photo at the May 12 Teacher Eddy Awards held at the Hilton LAX. The event was hosted by the LAX Coastal Chamber and celebrated the education community.

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The workshop will be led by Beth Crosse, a UCCE Master Gardener who will share techniques and water requirements for various plants. The class is free, but donations are always welcome to support the garden’s programs. The garden is located on Emerson Ave. between 80th Place and 80th Street in Westchester.

For more information, please visit eacgc.org.

Marina del Rey Historical Society hosts fundraiser.

The Marina del Rey Historical Society, which has a storefront in Fisherman’s Village, is hosting a Sunday Brunch Fundraiser on Sunday, June 5 starting at noon.

The historical society is the MDR community’s leading source of historical archives and information.

They also have an extensive photo

collection.

Early-bird tickets for the brunch are being sold for $120 through June 3. Tickets include brunch at the Marina del Rey Hotel, a drink ticket, entry into a raffle for VIP passes to the Magic Castle and access to the silent auction.

Visit marinadelreyhistoricalsociety. org for more information and to purchase a ticket.

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

After almost a decade on Pershing Blvd., Del Rey Deli announced that May 29 was their last day in business. Pictured: Owners Corrina Murdy and Tim Edwards (left) pose with staff after being named Best Sandwich Shop in the HTN’s annual Best Of poll, during the shop’s early days.

Del Rey Deli says goodbye.

Del Rey Deli, the Playa del Rey sandwich shop that constantly made foodie lists as a must-visit eatery, announced on their social media pages on May 29 that the shop was closing effective immediately.

Citing that their lease was up after nearly a decade and not wanting to renew it, an outpouring of fans lamented the loss of the neighborhood favorite known for signature items like the Muffaletta, Pesto Chicken Panini and the Salmon BLT. Otis College of Art & Design’s Class of 2022 receives donation to repay student loans.

More than 200 graduating seniors from Westchester’s Otis College of Art & Design got the surprise of a lifetime during their May 15 graduation ceremony held at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel.

During the commencement, it was announced that the Spiegel Family Fund, led by Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel and KORA Organics CEO Miranda Kerr, had made a donation to the college that would cover the outstanding student loan debt for the Class of 2022. This is largest

single gift that the college has ever received.

“Otis is incredibly grateful for this historic gift from Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel, which will be life-changing for the Class of 2022 and their families,” said Charles Hirschhorn, President of Otis College of Art and Design in a statement. “Student debt weighs heavily on our diverse and talented graduates. We hope this donation will provide much-deserved relief and empower them to pursue their aspirations and careers, pay this generosity forward, and become the next leaders of our community.”

Spiegel and Kerr, along with the Emmy-nominated TV host of Queer Eye, Bobby Berk, were given honorary degrees during the event. Spiegel attended Otis extension classes as a high school student before attending Stanford University and becoming the world’s youngest billionaire at just 24.

Learn more about Otis College and its summer programing by visiting otis.edu.

Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.

Robert Milligan, Partner Business, Intellectual Property and Employment Counseling & Litigation (310) 201-1579 rmilligan@seyfarth.com

ENSURING SAFER STREETS & A STRONGER L.A.

Allison will be the champion we need in Westchester.

Allison has secured tens of millions in funds for facilities improvements, academic, health and wellness, and athletic programs at our local schools. Responding to a request from the Westchester/ Playa Neighborhood Council, Allison led efforts to open a school park for the community. Allison has supported the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce and Education Foundation events for the last 5 years.

PAID FOR BY ALLISON HOLDORFF POLHILL FOR LA CITY COUNCIL 2022. FPPC# 1442867

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

June 2022 • Page 7

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It’s time for our 11th Annual Best Of Poll!

It’s more important than ever to support your favorite local businesses!

We hope you will join us in celebrating the eateries, businesses, places and organizations that make our community special!

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

June 2022 • Page 9

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

Frank poses in his 1962 Morgan in front of his Westport Heights home.

Frank share his love for cars in the neighborhood

By Lydia Smith

The pandemic lockdown sparked new hobbies for many of us and in the case of Frank Nesta, it turned his love of cars into a thriving blog that features the automobiles that he finds around the neighborhood.

“Frank’s Cars in the Hood” was born out of his daily walks during the COVID lockdown. While he and his neighbor took their four-mile strolls around town, they noticed how many classic cars were parked on local streets. Intrigued, he began taking photos of the cars he would find and research the vehicles and their history, before emailing the information he discovered to his other car buddies.

His emails were such a hit with his friends, that they nudged him to put his photos and research online so they could share the information with others. In August 2020, he launched his website.

Nesta was raised in Rochester, New York. Cars were always a hobby and a passion. He has vivid memories of sitting on his grandparents’ porch with his cousin and watching the cars go by.

They would spend hours yelling out the make and model of every vehicle they could identify.

In 1979, he and his wife Nancy climbed into his 1977 Corvette and drove across the country to the Los Angeles area. They settled in Inglewood and in 1985 moved to Westchester. Nesta was an engineer by trade and worked for all of the big South Bay aerospace companies like Page 10 • June 2022

Northrop Grumann, TRW and Hughes before he retired. He still has the Corvette.

In retirement, he found the time to learn a lot more about cars by attending shows and meetups regularly. These gatherings take place all over L.A. County, including Westchester and Marina del Rey, and they provide car buffs an opportunity to show off their classic autos, meet people with similar interests and share their knowledge with others.

If someone has a part they are looking for or is having trouble fixing something, the car community is ready to offer solutions and roll up their sleeves to help, says Nesta. At a recent “Cars and Coffee” in Marina del Rey, the pride people have in their cars is evident. Drinks in hand, they stand in groups discussing the latest Chevy, VW or Ford that pulls in. Photos are taken, specifications are revealed and nostalgia abounds at this fun way to spend a Sunday morning.

“Car ownership is not really ownership,” said Nesta. “You are just a caretaker of it, and you watch over it for a while until the next person takes over.”

Today, Nesta’s blog has more than 360 profiles of cars, a mixture of what he calls “Street Spots” and automobiles he finds at shows, and thousands of readers.

He feels like he hasn’t even scratched the surface of all the cool cars that are located in the Westchester/Playa area. Since most people keep their classic cars in their

garage, Saturdays and Sundays, when people are home with their doors open, are the best time to spot vehicles he hasn’t seen before.

If he’s lucky, he’ll get the chance to meet the owner and learn the story that the car has to tell.

Nesta tells the story of an 84-yearold car enthusiast he met on one of his weekend strolls. Nesta had walked by his house many times and was intrigued by his distant neighbor’s three classic cars.

One day, he finally saw the owner in front of his house, so Nesta stopped and asked him about his collection.

“I said, ‘I see you have a VW, a Porsche and a Corvette. Can you tell me about them?’ And a slow smile came across the gentleman’s face,” said Nesta. “He said, ‘Do you want to see the rest of them?’”

The two ended up talking for hours.

Nesta now takes him to car shows and Cars and Coffee events whenever he can.

Nesta also tells the story of Ron, who he met on his daily walk as well.

The men became fast friends and instantly bonded over their shared hobby. Nesta invited him to events with his car buddies, and Ron was excited to find a community of people who all had the same interests. Nesta and his friends called Ron, Zio, Italian for uncle, because of the fondness they all had for him.

Ron had a 1962 Morgan, a rare British sports car that everyone in their circle was enamored with. When Ron fell ill, he, unfortunately,

would have to sell his collection.

Nesta shared with Ron that he’d be interested in buying it when he was ready to sell.

“A beautiful smile came across Zio’s face, and he said, ‘you are the one,’” said Nesta. “Zio knew that I would give the Morgan the home that it deserved.”

“

It doesn’t have to be a perfect car or a beautiful car.

It just has to be your car.

Nesta eventually bought the Morgan and named it Zio after his friend. It, along with his fully restored 1977 Corvette, are the cars that Nesta loves to bring and share about at the gatherings he attends.

Asked if he has a favorite type of car, he says he loves them all and is not partial to one or the other. What he is drawn to, however, are people who honor and respect their autos and are proud to show them off.

“It doesn’t have to be a perfect car or a beautiful car,” he says. “It just has to be your car. Pride in the car is what makes it great.”

Have a cool vehicle you’d like to share with Nesta? He’s always open to learning about new cars in the neighborhood! Visit frankscarsinthehood.com to learn more and send him a message.

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

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June 2022 • Page 11

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

5 QUESTIONS WITH...

KROBIN a r e nZACHA Dial Karen Dial may be Westchester’s biggest cheerleader and fan. After all, there’s a lot to love about the community she grew up in, and that she continues to call home.

“THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT HERE IS REALLY WHAT SHINES.”

Karen is the third generation of her family to have a connection with Westchester; her grandmother, Ella Drollinger, built the neighborhood’s first commercial property building, a Jim Dandy Market, in 1943, with a vision to see the town blossoming around LAX filled with stores, restaurants and offices. Next, her father, Howard Drollinger would build on that legacy with the H.B. Drollinger Company, which he grew into the largest property management firm in 90045.

Today, Karen is striking out on her own path, envisioning a Westchester that honors the past but looks to the future with more walkability, lots of public art, and is filled with cool, independent businesses that cater to the neighborhood and add to a town with a lot of eclectic charm. To that end, Karen opened The Book Jewel in the summer of 2020 and a new one-of-a-kind cafe, Tomat, which will feature locally grown produce, will open later this year. Through the Drollinger Charitable Foundation, she supports local events and initiatives as a way of fulfilling her dream for a thriving Westchester.

Next month, Karen will serve as the Fourth of July Parade’s Grand Marshal in honor of what would have been her father’s 100th birthday and her ongoing commitment to her hometown. We recently sat down with her and asked her to share her thoughts, so here is “5 Questions With...Karen!”

1

If you’re looking for the perfect evening out, where are you going?

2

What’s something the neighborhood needs more of and something it needs less of?

3

What is your favorite neighborhood tip or trick?

4

What’s one local spot you couldn’t live without?

5

What do you tell people that are new to the area about Westchester?

Our daughter, Natalie, and her husband, Harry, live very close by and they are phenomenal cooks! The perfect evening would be to go to their home–it’s the house that I was raised in, so it’s delightful to be in my old family home–and we usually have something on the BBQ or they make something in the kitchen. Natalie sometimes opens up a bottle of champagne, and we look at the view outside, or in the summertime we sit on the patio. Natalie and Harry will hopefully be opening a restaurant in the late fall, right next to The Book Jewel, called Tomat. Any of the food that they make that I adore, I say, “Please put this on your menu,” and they get the biggest kick out of that. They’re like, “Oh, mom!”

We need more parks or park-like settings, dog walking areas and more gathering places for families and community members. We have the giant Westchester Park, but we need more neighborhood parks, I feel. The Northside Project [planned for the area around Westchester Parkway, that includes greenspace] would definitely be applicable there. For something we need less of, we still have too much divisiveness here in our community, in general. We need more kindness and considerate neighbors. It’s important to show kindness and to say “hello” to people when you pass them on the street.

We were looking for a place to tailor my daughter Natalie’s wedding dress, and it was all tulle so it was going to be quite a bugger. She looked for a tailor on Yelp and found a place we had not heard of, but there was a little map that showed it was right next to Paco’s Tacos! We were surprised to learn it was the number one rated tailoring place in all of L.A., and it’s right down the street! We went in there and took in some stuff to be tailored. The people are so nice! It’s a mom and son that own it, and they have six full-time tailors. It’s also a dry cleaner. It’s called La Vista.

The owners live in Westchester, and they love the community. It is so cool that we have this super popular place right on Manchester. I highly recommend it if you need anything altered.

The Book Jewel! In the middle of the pandemic, we opened up The Book Jewel. My thought was that my hometown needs a bookstore. You can’t live without a bookstore! I found our wonderful manager, Sean Moor, and then we hired this phenomenal staff. We have been doing pretty darn well through the pandemic, and love meeting people from the community. We are going to be hosting even more events and author book signings as our area continues to open.

I always use the term we are a true community. We’re close-knit; we care about each other. We run into each other at Trader Joe’s or at local restaurants or while going for walks. We are family-friendly. We embrace new people coming into our community. We love diversity here. There’s something for everyone in this town. We are trying to make Westchester even better so that people stay here and shop instead of going other places. We have more coming and new places are opening every month.

The community spirit here is really what shines. We have lots of activities for kids. We have a wonderful YMCA with all sorts of programming for everyone.

Page 12 • June 2022

Cool Fact

Cool Fact

After high school, Karen went to secretarial school and worked at the general offices of Sav-On. She was the main breadwinner for her family for 15 years while her husband, Ken, got his Ph.D. in Biology.

Karen loves and appreciates the natural beauty of her second home, Missoula, Montana, where she likes to take river walks with her dogs and be close to the mountains.

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

St. Anastasia Catholic School 8631 Stanmoor Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045 www.school.st-anastasia.org

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

June 2022 • Page 13

Summer Events & 22nd Annual Fourth of July Parade Monday, July 4 | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The LAX Coastal Chamber will host its 22nd Annual Fourth of July Parade next month, with the theme, “Yours for a Better Community, Celebrating the Best of America.”

Spectators can expect 50 entries that range from floats, marching bands, community groups, classic cars and local VIPs that will head down Loyola Blvd. from Westchester Park to LMU. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis along Loyola Blvd. Limited bleacher seating is also available at Loyola and 83rd St. Those interested in participating, volunteering or sponsoring, can email laxcoastalonparade@gmail.com or visit laxcoastalonparade.com for more info.

Beach & Marina Movie Nights Various dates

Marina del Rey Symphonic & Pop Concerts Various dates The Department of Beaches and Harbors has not released their full schedule for this summer yet, but save the date for Friday evenings from July 8 through September 23 for family-friendly movies at Dockweiler Youth Center. From July 9 through September 24, Marina Movie Nights will be hosted on Saturdays at Burton Chace Park. Expect a mix of PG-13 classics and recent blockbusters.

One of the best things about summer is an outdoor concert, and the music is back this year at Marina del Rey’s Burton Chace Park! Save the date for Symphonic Concerts on Thursday, July 14 and Thursday, August 4.

Stay tuned for more details and visit beaches.lacounty.gov.

Visit beaches.lacounty.gov for more info.

Pop Concerts will be held on Saturday, July 30 and Saturday, August 27. While this year’s bands are yet to be announced, we’re sure they’ll be can’t miss performances based on previous line-ups!

Outdoor Movies at LMU

Gillis 50

Photo courtesy LMU

Various dates | 8 p.m.

July 23 & 24

Playa del Rey’s epic beach bash, The Gillis, is looking to make its triumphant return next month after a two-year COVID hiatus.

Organizers are cautiously optimistic their permits will be approved to hold their 50th and final beach volleyball tournament, before retiring the event. It’s sure to be a legendary celebration!

Stay up-to-date on the latest Gillis updates at facebook.com/ thegillisvolleyballtournament.

*With the changing nature of events, dates and details are subject to change.

Page 14 • June 2022

Pack your popcorn and get ready for an LMU outdoor movie night!

On Friday, July 1, the university is screening the Disney hit “Encanto” at Lawton Plaza. On Friday, July 29, Disney’s “Soul” will play at Palm Quad.

Parking is free at LMU after 8 p.m. More details will be announced soon. Visit lmu.edu for more details.

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

Activities Calendar Photo courtesy WTC

Westchester Team Challenge Saturday, August 6 | 9 a.m. to noon

Gather a team of 10 of your friends, neighbors or colleagues for a morning of friendly competition at the Second Annual Westchester Team Challenge! Participating teams will have the chance to face off against each other in games like the three-legged race, football toss, bocce ball and more. The goal is to have a fun morning of team building and celebrating community, while enjoying fresh air and a little bit of exercise!

The games will be held at LMU’s Drollinger Field and proceeds will benefit the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association, which funds local beautification projects.

The cost to participate is $30 per person ($300 per team).

Register at westchestercateamchallenge.com.

Visitation Concert in the Park(ing Lot) Friday, September 9 | 5 to 10 p.m.

Westchester Elks Lodge Car Show Saturday, September 10 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitation is located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester.

The event is free to attend, with food and beverages available to purchase.

The Elks Lodge is located at 8025 Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. To register your car or to participate in the cook-off, email lisalincolnpipe@gmail.com.

Westchester Arts & Music Block Party Saturday, September 24 | noon to 7 p.m.

Celebrate the end of summer with one of the community’s most popular events, the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (WAM)! This free, daylong event is a neighborhood tradition and can’t miss party, so make sure to mark your calendars!

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

Join Visitation for a night of live music, food and fun as they host a party in their parking lot! The whole community is invited, so bring your friends, family and low-back chairs to enjoy the festivities.

Visit the Elks Lodge for their 22nd Annual Car Show & Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, September 10. Check out dozens of classic cars and chat with their owners, before making your way to the cook-off tents where you can sample chili from a variety of neighborhood chefs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite to see who will take home the 2022 People’s Choice Award! Proceeds support the Elks’ charitable causes. The event is free to attend, with food and raffle tickets available for purchase.

Attendees can expect fabulous live music in a variety of genres, local artisans, vendors, community booths and a wine/beer garden hosted by the Stephanie Younger Group. There will also be plenty of food trucks and activities for the whole family. This year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Westchester Family YMCA. WAM takes place on Emerson Ave. between 80th St. and 80th Pl. in Westchester. Stay tuned for more details and learn how to get involved at wamblockparty.org.

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

June 2022 • Page 15

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Robin Zacha, Zacha Homes Drollinger Properties Stephanie Younger Group | Compass Jane St. John | RE/MAX Neighborhood Council Westchester/Playa Loyola Marymount University Westchester Lutheran School Westchester Town Center BID Airport Marina Counseling Service St. Anastasia School Visitation School Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP Amy Nelson Frelinger Douglas Elliman Properties Westside Pacific Villages SoCalSport & Fitness Kris Zacuto | Compass Los Angeles World Airports Robert Milligan Tatiana Ruiz More Covered by More UCLA Health Westchester Rotary Club

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

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June 2022 • Page 17

Discovery Center opens exhibit to honor local vets, RSVPs open for holiday candle-making workshops

Pictured left to right: 1. Veterans’ photos are displayed in the Discovery Center to honor hometown heroes. 2. The WPHS will host workshops in the fall for community members interested in building giant holiday candles that were once popular in the area.

By Cozette Vergari

Brubaker, William Baker Chattin, John Craigie, William Corrin, Richard Crovella, Robert Dalton, Alfonse The Westchester/Playa Historical Dragotto, Howard Drollinger, Robert Society (WPHS) unveiled its newest Gebhardt, Donald Glaza, Joseph exhibit, a tribute to local veterans Herrera, Lloyd Hild, Paul Hood, on Memorial Day weekend. The Bill Jong, Marco Leal, Alvin Lyon, “Commemorating our Hometown Bob McGindley, Vincent Migliazzo, Veterans” exhibit will be on display Walter Mikos, Richard Moon, Charles and open to the public on Sundays Pavlich, Angelo Picciolo, Pat Michael through June 26 at the WPHS Rotolo, William Schultz, Sam J. Toia, Discovery Center in the Westchester Claude Trudelle, Joseph Vezzetti, and Triangle.

The exhibit will showcase veterans Eugene White. Also showcased will who have, at some time, resided within be Robert Chebi, John Clark, Curt Curtiss, Ronald Fink, Jose Garcia, the neighborhoods of Westchester and Playa del Rey. It commemorates Eileen Hamor, Glenn Hamor, William Hatton, William G. Hembacher, John the dedication, sacrifice and bravery Holmes, William Langford, Donald of those serving within the many Leahy, John Lillard, Richard Magyar, branches of the military, to preserve, Robert McCall, Jack W. McLaughlin, protect and defend our country’s rights and freedoms. It is also a chance Theodore McLean, Fred Moore, James Plowden, Robert Razzeto and Robbi for visitors to express gratitude to Robinson. When the exhibit, which those that have served and fought for is sponsored by Richard Moon & others to live freely, proudly and able Associates, Accounting and Financial to pursue their dreams.

Services firm, closes at the end of The following veterans had their June, family members of each of the information submitted by family respective veterans will be gifted the members and will be featured in the tribute piece. display: Richard Allen, Henrietta Barbour, Norman Bisho, Richard The Discovery Center will be closed

Thanks, Westchester/Playa.

I love being here to help in a community where people are making a difference every day.

Thank you for all you do.

for renovation from July 3 through September 4 and will reopen with its fall exhibit on September 11. During its closure, due to the many positive responses to our article on the history of the giant red holiday candles, the WPHS will be taking reservations for Candle-Making Workshops that will be held in October. The workshops, which will double as a fundraiser for WPHS, will be led by board member and lifetime resident of Westchester, Grant Francis, who has personally carried on the holiday candle tradition for many decades. If you are interested in making your own red or blue holiday candle to display in your front yard, please contact us at info.wphistorical@gmail.com.

The WPHS is nearing the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of the Discovery Center. I wish to acknowledge the Westchester/Playa Historical Society board members and donors who have made this first year possible. Many thanks to our board members, Marcelo Cruz, Art Wexler, Mike Heffernan, David Russell and Grant Francis, who work tirelessly, donating their time and

talent to our mission of gathering, studying and preserving the history of the communities of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. And, to our donors and contributors, we are so thankful for your support! Our Founders Circle sponsors include: Cozette Chattin Vergari Family; Westchester Rotary Foundation, Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation and Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Foundation. Please visit our website at wphistoricalsociety. org/support to view our full list of contributors and learn how to get involved.

The Discovery Center is located at 6207 W. 87th Street in Westchester.

Visit wphistoricalsociety.org for more information.

Cozette is an attorney and lifelong resident of Westchester. She is the President of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.

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June 2022 • Page 19

back and caught the fly ball, then touched third base for the forced out, before tagging the runner going from second to third to complete the unassisted triple play! This got them out of the inning with only one run scored.

The score was 11-4 with one run in She also chipped in on offense the top of the fourth inning, when going 2-2 with two singles and three consecutive walks were issued by the Westchester Bulldogs. three RBIs. It was a great win and the best performance of her softball career to date!

The next batter came up with Pictured: Kaia (right) with her the bases loaded and hit a fly teammate Elia S. after the ball almost into the outfield. Kaia, winning game. who was playing third base, went Congratulations to Kaia Bercier for making a triple play during the first playoff game for the Minor Bulldogs versus the Wiseburn Trojans at Nielsen Field!

Page 20 • June 2022

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

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Happy Summer y'all! We have so much in season and to choose from, please follow us on social media for updates & be sure to sign up for our parade float (link through our website)!

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June 2022 • Page 21

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

“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.”

CWP~ Plato

MAY 28 - JUNE 6: 10 AM - 7 PM ELECTION DAY, JUNE 7: 7 AM - 8 PM LAVOTE.gov

Watch Neighborhood Council’s CD11 Candidate Forum on YouTube The Neighborhood Council of Westchester / Playa eight candidates running for Los recently hosted all eighht Forum Angeles Council District 11. The Candidate Form was recorded and is now available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O0WDOir9uU. Topics Include: Homelessness (Plan, Camping, Mental Health), Public Safety (Plan for reducing crime, LAPD, DA policies), Environment (Density, Sustainable Living, Watershed, Ballona Creek).

CANDIDATES: - Erin Darling - Greg Good - Allison Holdorff Polhill - Soni Lloyd - Jim Murez - Mike Newhouse - Traci Park - Mat Smith

BREAKDOWN OF VIDEO: Candidate Introduction (00:43) Question #1 (00:07:52) HOMELESS: What is your plan?

Question #2 (00:25:04) HOMELESS: Camping near schools, parks, beaches etc.

Question #2 (00:31:00) HOMELESS: Mental Health Question #4 (00:40:41) PUBLIC SAFETY: How would you reduce crime in CD 11?

Question #5 (00:58:14) PUBLIC SAFETY: Support an increase to LAPD Budget?

Question #6 (01:04:00) PUBLIC SAFETY: Thoughts on District Attorney’s Policies Question #7 (01:09:52) ENVIRONMENT: Plan for sustainable living Question #8 (01:27:35) ENVIRONMENT: Watershed, Ballona Creek, Santa Monica Bay Question #9 (01:37:30) ENVIRONMENT: Thoughts on LAX, Expansion into Westchester Candidate Outro (01:47:34)

Farmers’ Market is Ready for Summer Summer season is here at the local Westchester Farmers’ Market!

Join the market each Sunday (9-1pm) in Westchester’s downtown historic triangle with so much in season and to choose from.

From locally grown produce to freshly baked breads, pastries, locally pollinated honey, ranch eggs, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, the market offers something for everyone! And each week means new vendors serving full menus for lunch and brunch along with a live music staging area and kids activities.

For more details, please visit www.westchesterfarmersmkt.com

Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Monthly Board Meeting:

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2022 via Zoom

www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Page 22 • June 2022

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

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June 2022 • Page 23

Random Notes/Opinion

A good night’s sleep is an important part of healthy lifestyle

By Jeff Blair

sleep quality: 1. The usual recommendation for sleep is seven to nine hours per night Opinion: Sleep is the best immune for adults. booster and the best stress relief 2. Try to get outside within an hour strategy for most of us. In spite of this, of waking up and also again before the over a third of American adults report sun goes down. On bright and sunny getting less than seven hours of sleep days, 10 minutes is probably good. per night and about half say they are On overcast days, aim for 36 minutes. sleepy during the day three or more Getting some sunlight can help your days per week. Between 10 and 30 circadian clock. percent of Americans have chronic 3. Setting and following a consistent insomnia and that number increases to bedtime and wake time can improve 30 to 48 percent for older Americans. your sleep quality. Although few can In a world where many consumer or will do this perfectly, going to sleep products promise the moon but and waking up at different times each consistently underdeliver, remember day can disrupt healthy sleep patterns. that sometimes the simplest fitness If you are sleepy and stay up past that and health solutions can be the best time, you are more likely to wake up in solutions. While no one is perfect, the middle of the night. ignoring sleep hygiene will almost 4. Avoid caffeine eight to 10 always carry negative mental and hours before bedtime. Some experts physical consequences. Sleep is a foundational health behavior that rarely recommend up to 12 to 14 hours.

Caffeine later in the day is a very gets the attention it deserves. common source of sleep disturbance.

I am a big fan of Dr. Andrew 5. Alcohol does not improve sleep Huberman who is a professor of quality. It usually has a negative impact neurobiology at Stanford Medical School. Dr. Huberman studies a variety on sleep, although it might help you to of fitness and mind-body related issues fall asleep initially. and shares them via his podcast and 6. Avoid bright lights from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. After 10, it is best to dim over Twitter. He recently covered the the lights in your home and avoid any topic of sleep, and this month I want overhead light whenever possible. Light to pass on a few of his tips to improve

from the moon or candles doesn’t seem to cause sleep problems.

7. Try to limit naps to under 90 minutes or eliminate naps completely.

8. It is normal to wake up during the middle of the night. Try not to stress over it. It will pass, and you should be able to fall asleep normally.

9. A dark and cool environment is best for sleeping. Quality sleep requires a drop in body temperature of one to three degrees. Use blankets in layers and remove as needed. Increasing body temperature is one reason people wake up during the night unexpectedly.

10. Expect a pretty big boost in wakefulness about an hour before your regular bedtime. This is very common and is not something to fret about. Stick with the rest of your sleep routine and it will come and go.

11. Sleep needs can vary over a lifetime. When we are young, we might have sleep needs that do not carry over into our adulthood. People often experience greater sleep challenges as they age. The time of the year can even impact our sleep needs. Most people need more sleep in the winter than in the summer, for example. Although the sleep tips outlined above apply to most people, some individual variation will always exist.

12. Life circumstances can obviously impact sleep, as every pregnant woman or new parent can attest. In the event of chronic sleep problems that do not seem to be improving, consider discussing the issue with your physician or other health professional.

For more science-based tips to help improve your everyday life, check out Dr. Huberman’s website and podcast athubermanlab.com.

Jeff Blair is celebrating 20 years as a Certified Personal Trainer throughout 2022. He founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in 2011.

Reach out to him at jeff@socalsport. com.

LGBTQ Pride Fest 2022 AMCS LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center hosts its annual celebration in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month

Host: Dr. Mimi Hoang (she/her) Clinical Supervisor, LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center

June 18 2-4pm

AMCS Parking Lot 7891 La Tijera Blvd., Westchester Please join the staff of the AMCS LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center for our first outdoor and public celebration featuring games, prizes, food and more!

This event is FREE and open to all AMCS staff and community members.

Guest speaker: Sydney Rodgers (they/she) AKA Miss Barbie-Q

Page 24 • June 2022

Please RSVP at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtqpride-fest-2022-tickets-336807248547

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

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

TheHTN.com

Self-awareness is the path to nurturing relationships

By Fay Craton

Opinion: Do you have supportive people in your life? Are you making an effort to cultivate healthy relationships? Positive, supportive connections with others start within you. It requires constant selfreflection to build and accept friends, which will contribute to your health and well-being, as well as to the health and well-being of significant people in your life. The effort you apply to relationships can transform not only the quality of your communication with loved ones, but also your overall health.

I personally participate in a support group focused on health. This year has been tough on the group members—including me. We all have strong “whys” for being in the group and clear goals. Yet somehow it has been hard to stay on course.

Situations develop that derail needed steps to consistently be self-aware and engaged in necessary self-care. I have also noticed clients experiencing challenges in self-awareness, or friends and family caught in the mud, taking them off course.

Self-awareness can easily be curtailed when something happens which consumes our thoughts and emotions. What are the types of things which can derail us? Examples are: • A significant person says something hurtful that hooks onto an old emotional wound.

• Someone considered to be a friend suddenly is saying and doing things. outside of your personal value system.

• An illness weakens your resiliency.

• Expectations around a circumstance were not adequately understood.

• A destroyed hope causes internal doubt.

• A significant person is not truthful, causing you to question yourself or your reality.

• Loss of a loved one or a job.

• A major event is in the news and/ or is impacting how we live.

There are many ways in which our efforts of staying the course are curbed.

Derailment is normal. Being selfaware is difficult. It is hard to look at yourself and let your thinking change in a way that is healthier. Often, the things that derail us have a link to our internal mental and emotional perceptual structures. Think of the structures as walls built on gooey remnants of thoughts and feelings experienced over your lifetime.

Sometimes the walls are sweet and beneficial. However, everyone has some rotting walls that need to be renovated.

Because derailment is normal and it is hard to see through our own gooey walls, it is important to have support systems around you to help you get back on track. These systems could be a peer, healing or therapy group. It could be compassionate family members. Some people find a therapist to be helpful.

Stop and think right now. Are you on your intended path? This is the first step to regaining self-awareness.

Becoming aware of your current thoughts, emotions and actions must happen for you to be able to return to or stay on the path you desire. If you have fallen into a ditch, it is time to climb out of it, dust yourself off and regain your confidence to continue.

Falling might have brought up memories of not being good enough, or when another person hurt you, or how tired you are of experiencing difficulties. Let your support system know you fell and are hurt.

Sometimes, simply sharing is enough to help you get back on track. Other times, it will take self-reflection about the rotting walls and doing some renovation before continuing.

As you resume traveling your desired path, pay attention to what is working well in your life. Practicing compassion, gratitude and generosity of spirit toward yourself and others will help you regain and hold onto your balance. If you are actively thinking about what is working well in your life, it becomes difficult to dwell on emotional pain. Once you are out of the gutter where the derailment might have sent you, it is important to be reminded of your desired intentions and goals. In this way, we can get back onto the road toward working on and maintaining nurturing relationships and health.

My wish is for you to have health in your being and in your relationships.

You are valuable. Time and effort spent on being self-aware and building supportive and meaningful connections will benefit you and all those around you.

Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011), which is the psychology license specializing in relationships (with ourselves or with others). She provides video-based counseling and is located in Westchester. If you have any questions, please contact Fay at (310) 645-6762.

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

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June 2022 • Page 25

Spring into Well -Being CELEBRATION MAY 19 | LMU'S DROLLINGER FAMILY STAGE

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Photos by Venice Paparazzi, Venicepaparazzi.com

AMCS

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More than 300 community members came out to raise money for mental health at Airport Marina Counseling Service’s 18th Annual Spring into Well-Being Celebration.

Held on May 19 at the new outdoor Drollinger Family Stage at Loyola Marymount University, the event was emceed by retired NBC4 weathercaster Fritz Coleman. As part of the festivities, Playa del Rey resident and L.A. Board of Airport Commissioner Vice President, Valeria Velasco was presented with the 2022 Community Builder Award for her decades of service to the community.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and attendees, AMCS surpassed its fundraising goal and brought in more than $350,000 to support its comprehensive therapeutic services. These mental health services are offered on a sliding scale to individuals, children, families, couples and older adults, many of whom would otherwise have little access to counseling.

Major event sponsors include the John and Nancy Edwards Family Foundation; the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation; Jane St. John RE/MAX; Paslay Group; Laura &

Don McGaughey; Los Angeles World Airports; the Westchester Mental Health Guild and Fritz Coleman.

Pictured: 1. Westchester Mental Health Guild members and friends have fun in the photo booth.

2. Honoree Valeria Velasco thanks the crowd.

3. Westchester resident Lek Pollard shows her support for AMCS. 4. LMU Dean of Communication and Fine Arts Bryant Keith Alexander, Andrea and Jim Drollinger, Visitation’s Father Jim Forsen and friends enjoy the evening.

5. Event chair Janie Guthrie applauds her fellow committee members.

6. AMCS current and former therapists share a laugh.

7. Attendees mix and mingle in front of the Drollinger Family Stage.

8. Nancy and John Edwards.

9. The AMCS team poses for a group photo.

10. AMCS founder, Mary Ellen Cassman (seated) poses (from left to right) with Mildred Hanson, AMCS President/CEO Eden GarciaBalis; event sponsor Jane St. John and emcee Fritz Coleman.

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

PROCLAMATION OF APPRECIATION

Howard Drollinger WHEREAS, Howard Drollinger, the man affectionately known as “Mr. Westchester,” would have turned 100 years old on June 16, 2022; and WHEREAS, Howard Drollinger set an amazing example, supporting his community at every turn; and WHEREAS, Howard Drollinger was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, who truly loved his family more than anything; and WHEREAS, His quiet philanthropy changed lives and helped thousands through donations to organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, which he helped found; the Union Rescue Mission; Airport Marina Counseling Service; the Westchester Family YMCA; the Rotary Club of Westchester; and WHEREAS, Howard Drollinger was an empowering, supportive and helpful employer who went out of his way to help his employees feel like part of the family and encourage them to reach their highest potential; and WHEREAS, The generous resources he gifted his family enables them to carry on his mission of philanthropy today through the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation; and WHEREAS, Howard Drollinger’s loving support of his children and their passions at each stage of their lives has allowed them to continue the Drollinger Legacy of helping those less fortunate and encouraging young business owners to succeed; and WHEREAS, Howard Drollinger loved his country, having served as a navigator in a B-24 bomber during World War II and continuing his love of America throughout this life; and WHEREAS, Howard Drollinger was an incredible man who made an indelible mark on his country, his community and his family.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Howard Drollinger’s family salutes his many achievements – both seen and unseen – and thanks him for the many lessons he taught them and the incredible blessings he bestowed upon them.

May his name always remain synonymous with the community he loved, and may his contributions to friends, family, country and community live on forever.

Karen Dial

____________________________ Karen Dial

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

Jim Drollinger

____________________________ Jim Drolllinger

June 2022 • Page 27

Page 28 • June 2022

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