Westchester/Playa HomeTown News May 2020 edition

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

The family behind Tower Pizza poses in front of their Lincoln Blvd. restaurant.

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

This Month Brings You

help you prom help you prom nization or even nization or even A look inside your HTN

Supporting seniors with WPV Cares Super Mom Giveaway AMCS Spring Gala moves to virtual event Chalk art brings cheer to neighborhood Salute to our 2020 Teacher Eddy Award Honorees

05 07 10 14 16

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher

Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer

Kirby Israelson, Graphic Design Consuelo Israelson, Contributing Writer

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

act us for rates and act us for rates and hesterhometo Correction: In our April edition in the article “Acts of kindness are everywhere,” the correct Woman’s Club should have been listed as the “Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey.” We regret the error.

hesterhometo

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

May 2020 • Page 3

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

Joanne and Tony Seruto pose in front of Tower Pizza with their daughters, Danielle (left) and Nicole (right), and their five grandchildren.

By Consuelo Israelson

restaurant within the restaurant,” Tony said. “I focused more on the dining room and began sponsoring Little League teams, added TVs and a small arcade. Today, Tower is more like a sports grille inside. It ended up being a good marriage; delivery might have been slow, but the dining room became busy and filled with locals.”

They also began to offer catering, which before the Coronavirus, represented about 25 percent of their business.

Over the years, Tower Pizza has continued to give back to the community that supports the restaurant and is proud to sponsor youth sports like AYSO, DRALL, Westchester Little League, LMU Athletics and St. Anastasia and Visitation teams. Those partnerships have also made Tower the place to be after games and for team celebrations.

“With everyone coming in after their games, it made my sister Danielle and I very popular in grade school!” laughed daughter Nicole Pelka.

And after being in business for more than three decades, the Serutos are seeing more familiar faces.

“We’ve seen some of the kids from the teams we’ve sponsored grow up and now they’re coming in with their own children,” Joanne noted.

Retired regulars came in almost daily and many Westchester dads liked to come in and have a beer and a chat while their kids played videogames.

“We hear from so many parents that Tower is such a great place to go with kids because you can relax and your kids can have fun,” said Nicole.

“You don’t have to worry about them being too loud or bothering anybody.

Everybody has a good time.”

It’s where everybody knows your name. Westchester’s own “Cheers,” Tower Pizza, is making sure their customers are still being taken care of even though business looks a lot different these days.

Owner Tony Seruto opened Tower Pizza in August 1986. He had spent his life working in other people’s kitchens and he and wife Joanne dreamed of having a restaurant of their own. They envisioned opening a family-friendly eatery located close to where they both grew up–Joanne in Westport Heights and Tony in Playa del Rey. As an added bonus, they’d also be able to raise their kids back in their hometown. When Tony realized that no local place offered pizza delivery in the 80s, he saw an opportunity to try something new, so they sold their home near Glendale and opened their restaurant on Lincoln Blvd.

“It was an empty saloon with no kitchen,” Tony said. “So me and my father-in-law Richard Leger, an electrical contractor, physically built the location.”

Tony’s mother, Dr. Marilynn Pratt, a GP with a practice in Westchester, helped with a loan as well.

“My focus was on doing pizza delivery because of the university. Since I knew the neighborhood so well, I knew it would be a great opportunity,” he said.

“At first, delivery went gangbusters, but the dining room was slow to catch on.”

Then a pizza franchise opened nearby and saturated the market with advertising. Tony and Joanne knew they had to do something different to really set themselves apart.

“I started to build a small family

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Tony adds, “It’s like a big family when you come in. We pretty much know everybody’s name, drink order and favorite food!”

A true mom and pop business, the Serutos and their two daughters work at the restaurant and all live near each other in Westchester. Their son Joseph lives in Portland, otherwise he’d probably be helping out in the family business, too.

Since the Coronavirus pandemic and the state order that restaurants must close their dining rooms, Tower Pizza has had to become more creative in order to keep their doors open. They’ve added contactless parking lot pickup where you pull into the parking lot after paying with a credit card over the phone. After popping the trunk, staff in masks and gloves place your order in your vehicle for you.

They’ve also expanded their delivery area and have lower-priced daily specials.

“Our prices are always good, but they’re even better now!” laughs daughter Danielle Gulalo.

Danielle is also the mastermind behind the pizza kits Tower is now offering. With a 7-year-old, a 5-year-old and a 9-month-old, she knows firsthand about the difficulty of entertaining kids during quarantine, so she brainstormed ideas on how to keep them occupied.

“I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if we made little kits to send home with them? I did a test run and it turned out

It’s like a big family when you come in. We pretty much know everybody’s name, drink order and favorite food.

great! It was just like my dad’s pizza,” said Danielle. “The kits include a ball of dough, some cheese, sauce, pepperoni if they want it and is enough for a personal size pizza. We also posted a tutorial online on how to stretch the dough nice and thin, the temperature to cook it and how long it should be in the oven. Westchester has become quite a family hub with so many young families moving in, so moms especially have jumped at the chance for their kids to learn something new.”

With the popularity of the kits for kids, they’ve now added one for couples, which is the Thursday dinner special.

“There are a lot of people stuck at home right now that are tired of their own cooking. Our kit includes everything you need to make a 12-inch pizza, as well as a salad and a bottle of wine of your choice. Takeout is the new eating out nowadays,” Danielle said.

Thanks to help from its dedicated fan base, Tower Pizza has also been feeding local essential workers.

“We’ve had a few of our customers reach out and donate money to us with the caveat that we turn around and put it back into the community,” said Danielle. “So far, we’ve provided lunches for the workers at Little Vons, the Pacific Division Police Department, Fire Station 5, the Ralphs on Lincoln and urgent care and emergency room workers.”

Inspired by the generosity of others, Tower Pizza is doing its own giveaway this month in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and one lucky classroom will win a virtual pizza party, with kits for all the kids and their teacher. Details can be found on the Tower Pizza Facebook page.

(continued on next page)

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

The Serutos in the early days of Tower Pizza.

While they’re grateful for the support from the community during this difficult time for all restaurants, the Serutos are looking forward to being able to do what they do best— greeting their customers as they walk through the door and being the community hangout for their regulars.

“Our customers are the best people!

We can’t really put into words how much we appreciate the community and their support right now. We can’t wait to have our doors open and our dining room full and see everyone again,” Danielle said. “Over the years, my dad has been quick to lend a hand,

sponsor a team, or donate food or gift cards. It’s now coming back tenfold, with the community showing their appreciation for us and standing by us during this time.”

Echoes Nicole, “It warms our hearts that despite not seeing these people daily, they’re thinking of us, praying for us and wanting to help in any way they can.”

As much as their customers have kept the business going over the years, so has the whole family that has worked to build a neighborhood institution in Westchester.

Said Tony, “I love my family and I couldn’t do this without them.”

Rotarian Tori Hettinger gets ready to deliver meals, treats and flowers to local seniors.

Since Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) launched the WPV Cares Program in late March in response to COVID-19, they’ve been an invaluable resource for seniors that are sheltering in place. With a large coalition of local nonprofits, including the Westchester Rotary Club, Covenant Presbyterian Church and the Westchester Family YMCA working together, passionate volunteers have sprung into action in the last six weeks to fulfill over 1,500 delivery requests for groceries, medications and more.

Thanks to donors, they’ve also delivered special care packages with lunch, cards made by local children, flowers, face masks, puzzle books, baked goods and more. They’ve also

increased check-in calls by more than 12 times their normal volume to make sure no senior feels like they’re alone during this difficult time.

Needing more space to store supplies and for volunteers to help while maintaining social distance, real estate developer Legado has donated space at 200 Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey for the group to use for the next several weeks.

Interested in getting involved? The Westchester nonprofit is looking for the community’s support and donations to help offset the cost of its services, which is being offered free to seniors.

Visit thewpv.org/donate for more information.

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

May 2020 • Page 5

Westchester Lutheran School families drive through the campus with decorated cars and signs to share a socially distant wave and hello!

Wolfpack shows its school pride.

Westchester Lutheran School’s teachers, students and families showed their school pride at an optional drive through parade on the school campus to celebrate Easter on April 11.

Maintaining social distance, teachers lined the campus’ parking lot, while families drove through with decorated cars sporting balloons, signs, streamers and toys. With their cars stopped, students poked their heads through sunroofs to share signs that read “I miss you,” “We’re in this together” and “We love WLS!”

others, was going to be canceled.

After hearing from local educators that teachers need the support of their community more than ever, the decision was made to move the event to a virtual gala!

The Eddys will be held on Thursday, May 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

During the virtual event, 21 inspiring teachers will be the guests of honor and attendees can applaud these educators. Organizers also have some surprises in store, including delivering gift boxes with items from local businesses to the honorees and more.

View a list of the 2020 Outstanding Teachers of the Year on page 16 of the Hometown News.

For more details or to RSVP, visit laxcoastal.com. If you’re interested in donating to the teacher gift boxes, please email info@laxcoastal.com.

Celebrate the 2020 Outstanding Teachers of the Year at the virtual Eddy Awards.

Every year, the LAX Coastal Chamber and its Education Committee hosts the Eddy Awards to honor the Outstanding Teacher of the Year from each of the community’s local schools. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the event, like many

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Twelve $1,000 scholarships up for grabs from the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary.

High school seniors are encouraged

to apply for scholarships from the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club. The club is accepting applications through May 14 and will award 12 scholarships worth $1,000 each. Some of the scholarship categories include: arts, leadership, technology & media and women in STEM. Each scholarship has its own criteria, so please visit playavenice. org/page/scholarships for more information and to view the requirements.

SoCalGas offers scholarships for graduating seniors.

SoCalGas is offering scholarship opportunities of $1,000 to $5,000 for graduating seniors who will be attending vocational/technical school or a two- or four-year college or university. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0, demonstrate strong community involvement and financial need. Students majoring in engineering, business, accounting and math will be given priority, but

students majoring in other fields are not excluded from applying.

Please send an email to info@ laxcoastaledfoundation.com to receive an application. Applications are due

by July 15.

Otis readies to launch virtual Annual Exhibition.

One of the coolest local events of the year is Otis College of Art and Design’s Annual Exhibition where graduating seniors show off their major projects and the community and industry insiders are invited to discover students’ exciting, thoughtprovoking and beautiful work.

With the campus closed, Otis is encouraging people to check out students’ virtual exhibitions, portfolios and immerse yourself in art starting Friday, May 8 at otis.edu/ annual-exhibition/2020.

Have news to share about your school? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured!

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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CAPTURING LIFE'S BEST MOMENTS For Westchester photographer, Zsuzsi Steiner, when people smile in front of the camera, there's a smile behind the camera, too.

Pictured: Some of Zsuzsi’s favorite photos she’s taken over the years.

Bottom photo: The Steiner family poses in front of their Westchester home.

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There is nothing Zsuzsi Steiner likes more than family, and for the last five years she’s been able to capture some magical moments while photographing more than 600 of them in Westchester and Playa del Rey. Growing up in the small town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before moving to Orange County as a teenager, a chance assignment led her to discover that she had natural talent behind the lens.

She was put in charge of taking photos for a family party and when her uncle came to check on her progress, he was disappointed that she had used all the film before he had a chance to get the camera back.

“He thought I had wasted the film,” she said. “But when the pictures were developed, he found out that they were really good. That feeling of being able to interact with people and try to get them to let you in has always stuck with me.”

A creative person by nature, her friends and family began to take notice of her skills and started asking her to photograph their events. They also encouraged her to pursue her hobby a little more seriously.

“I really liked taking pictures and hearing, ‘Wow that’s a really great photo,’” said Zsuzsi. “The positive reinforcement made me want to take more and learn more.”

On her first Christmas as a newlywed, her husband, Tim, presented Zsuzsi with a professional camera. It was perfect timing for the new mom-to-be who was determined to hone her skills and learn new tricks to be ready to take a million photos of her baby.

She enrolled in photography classes at a local community college.

Tragically, her son Zachary would only live two days. The photos she took during that time are one of Zsuzsi’s most precious possessions and really imparted to her the power that images hold.

It also hardened her resolve to make a difference in people’s lives through photography.

“Photography was my way to get through the loss of Zachary,” said Zsuzsi. “I realized photography was my calling and I was going to become a professional.”

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey

More classes at Otis College of Art and Design and a mentorship with another photographer gave her the confidence she needed to start her own company in 2015.

Using her two sons, Evan, 9, and Jack, 6, in the early days as models, she’s now perfected her signature style and knows all the tricks to get kids to smile.

“We joke that they’re traumatized by how many photos I took,” she says. “They’d make a cute face and I’d try and make them laugh and say, ‘Do that again for Mommy!’”

Being able to snap a photo that reflects that split second of happiness, a genuine smile and the indescribable glimmer of love in someone’s eye is what she’s always striving for.

“Zach has been my motivation to take photos that stop time. Every photo is so special and unique to that particular moment. When people look back at their pictures, even decades from now, I want them to say, ‘Oh yeah, dad was making a silly noise that made me smile,” she said.

While her business has taken her all around the neighborhood to take photos of families, scout the best locations (hint: she loves Playa Vista’s parks because of all the different foliage) and cover events and sports teams, it’s also led her to a teaching position at WISH Charter School. She’s taught art and now Survival Arts, where students can learn about cooking, gardening, sewing and more.

“As a mom, being able to teach part time and grow my photography business as the kids have grown older is perfect,” she said.

No matter where her photography takes her, however, it always leads back to one thing.

“Family is everything,” said Zsuzsi. “Being able to capture those authentic moments of life and love for local families to have forever is what it’s all about.”

Pro tip: When taking cell phone photos of your kids, let them see themselves in the screen by turning the camera around. Then fill the whole frame with their face. When kids are able to see themselves, you’ll be able to photograph their most authentic smiles!

• Playa Vista HomeTown News

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

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

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Tips to cope with COVID comfort eating

By Sheri Weitz, Contributing Columnist

your block or learning a new hobby.

Will your current eating habits support how you want to feel?

Serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter in our brain, decreases when we’re under chronic stress. Eating more refined carbohydrates like candy and pastries can increase serotonin levels. These sweets can temporarily numb our stress, only to cause a sugar crash later on. This cycle continues with even more cravings for sugar and carbs, which can lead to eating more than you intended or maybe even negative mood swings.

There are countless other ways to relieve stress other than comfort eating.

Exercise is proven to be a more effective tool. A quick walk outside can be a positive distraction. Another stress remedy is simply calling a friend. Science shows that speaking with a friend can release oxytocin, another feedgood neurotransmitter. Try talking hands-free with someone on your cell phone during a walk to get a double dose of healthy brain chemicals.

Maybe you’re eating out of boredom?

Boredom can be another trigger for overeating. Many of my clients find that painting, knitting, or using their hands can prevent eating due to the pent-up boredom blues.

Try nutritional strategies to help

Opinion: Like many people during Safer at Home, I find myself eating for comfort. Life is uncertain, I feel anxious and bored, and sometimes just plain cooped up. But the sweet, smooth taste of ice cream? That I can depend on! Have you seen the cartoon asking people to socially distance from their refrigerator? During a pandemic, the last thing any of us needs is to develop poor eating habits. Stress eating can lead to negative mood swings, guilt, weight gain, and isn’t exactly what the doctor ordered for our health.

But we need comfort, so how do we cope?

If someone says, “Don’t imagine a pink elephant” what do you end up imagining? Exactly... a pink elephant!

Telling yourself not to eat sweets, carbs or your favorite comfort food is likely to have the opposite effect. “Don’t (fill in the blank)” is going to be heard as a “do this” by our brains. Instead, focus on what you do want. Perhaps you want to take advantage of staying at home to be introspective and be more mindful or to implement some new healthy lifestyle choices. Imagine yourself as strong and energetic, exercising to YouTube videos, taking a walk on

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prevent stress and boredom eating, as well as to reduce cravings. The Plate Method is a basic, but effective, tool which will leave you more satisfied and less likely to crave comfort foods.

In general, this method reminds us to eat half of our lunch and dinner meals as non-starchy vegetables (any vegetable other than corn or potatoes).

Try dividing your plate to create balanced meals which involve: filling one-quarter of your plate with complex carbohydrates (like potatoes or brown rice), one-quarter with protein (plant or animal-based) and one-half with vegetables (again, non-starchy.)

Nutritionists don’t agree on much, but most will attest to the power of the Plate Method in preventing cravings.

Another nutrition tool is to prevent yourself from going too long without eating. Eating lunch is especially important, as skipping lunch can lead to overeating at dinnertime while watching the stressful evening news.

You could also try a technique called Gentle Eating. Turn off the TV and put down your phone and instead listen to classical music or a podcast during your meal. Try closing your eyes, becoming mindful and getting the most mileage and enjoyment out of each bite. Gentle Eating, or Zen Eating, can heighten your awareness of fullness levels, increase satisfaction with less food and improve digestion.

When it comes down to it, you might still engage in some comfort eating during quarantine. The bottom

Weitz is a local dietitian and enjoys teaching Zumba at the Westchester Family YMCA and other local spots.

line: be gentle with yourself. This is a challenging time, and beating yourself up with guilt isn’t the answer. Try some of these strategies to decrease your stress eating, and no matter how small the change, consider that a comforting thought.

Sheri Weitz, RDN, CDE is a Registered Dietitian with a private practice in Westchester, and she provides clinical nutrition services for Manchester Medical. Sheri also teaches Zumba classes… her “happy pill.” To find out more about her services or for a free consultation, go to MovetoWellness.net.

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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April 2020

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

We could all use some cheer and a happy distraction while in quarantine, so the HomeTown News teamed up with local blog Living90045.com and everyone’s favorite end-of-summer block party, WAM to host a Westchester/Playa Chalk Art Contest.

Local artists of all ages heeded the call to spread positivity on their block and got to work transforming their walkways, driveways and backyards into colorful masterpieces. Some were geometric designs or popular cartoon characters, while others gave thanks to frontline workers, shared inspirational messages or were meant to make you laugh. One thing in common with all the art we saw, however, was the ability to put a smile on our faces.

Readers let us know that the art provided a feeling of community spirit when it’s needed the most, a fun activity for the whole family and a therapeutic way to spend some time while safer at home.

Visit facebook.com/thehtn, facebook.com/living90045 and facebook.com/wamblockparty to view the winning entry in the 10 & under; 11-17 and 18+ category. The winning artists will each receive a $50 gift card to Truxton’s, Tower Pizza or Cantalini’s! There you can also view all the art and vote for the Community Favorite! The artwork with the most likes will win an extension art class, courtesy of Otis College of Art & Design. Thank you to all the talented artists who participated and keep sharing your art with #westchesterchalkart!

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

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

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Westchester/Playa History: Centinela Adobe

By Cozette Vergari

of the 44,000 acre region and became known as La Casa de la Centinela.

Ygnacio Machado owned Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela only briefly, trading it in 1844 for a keg of whiskey and a small home in the Pueblo de Los Angeles.

The trade was with Bruno Avila, giving Bruno and his brother Antonio adjacent ranchos and the property back to the Avila family.

The Spanish Colonial style adobe house was built just 16 years before California became a state in 1850. The smaller Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela changed hands several times in the 1850s. Eventually it was sold to Scotsman Robert Burnett, who purchased the rancho for $3,000 in 1860. A portion of the larger Rancho Sausal Redondo, which stayed in the Avila family, was also acquired by Burnett. By 1872, Burnett owned a 25,000acre ranch that encompassed all of the land along the coast from what is now Playa del Rey to Redondo Beach and inland from Baldwin Hills to Lawndale and northwestern portions of Torrance.

In 1873, Burnett returned to Scotland, leasing the ranch to Daniel Freeman, a recent arrival from Canada. Freeman paid $7,500 per year in rent and also had an option to purchase the ranch for $150,000. Freeman raised sheep and planted more than 10,000 trees, including 7,000 orange and 2,000 almond trees on the ranch. When a drought led

Hidden right on the eastern edge of Westchester is the oldest residence in the area that now comprises the communities of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista, as well as the cities of Inglewood, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, Lawndale and Hermosa Beach. Built nearly 200 years ago, the Centinela Adobe is one of only 43 surviving adobes in Los Angeles County. The adobe had a rich and impressive line of owners for more than 100 years before being rescued from demolition in the initial housing development in Westchester during the early 1940s.

In 1822, Spanish rule of the area ceded to Mexico, following the Mexican War of Independence. Mexican soldier Antonio Ygnacio Avila petitioned and was granted a Mexican land grant for Rancho Sausal Redondo, 44,000 acres in Alta California, then a part of Mexico. In the late 1820s Ygnacio Machado, who under Spanish rule had been a New Spain “leather jacket soldier,” began cultivating a portion of the rancho.

Circa 1829, Machado received permission to build an adobe house on the land. He was also granted a small portion of Rancho Sausal Redondo. His 2,220 acre land grant became known as Rancho Aquaje de la Centinela. Machado’s adobe, built in 1834, was the seat

to the death of 22,000 head of his sheep, Freeman turned to growing barley, and eventually was producing a million barrels a year. In 1885, Freeman exercised the option to buy the ranch for The Centinela Adobe is located on Midfield Ave. in Westchester. $140,000 in The Centinela Adobe Complex has been gold. Freeman amassed a fortune farmdescribed as the historical centerpiece ing barley, olives, lemons, limes, and of the area known as Centinela Valley, almonds on the ranch and named his the lands extending from Baldwin Hills expansive land holding Inglewood, after to Palos Verdes, which comprised the his birthplace in Ontario. In 1887, FreeCentinela Ranch. The grounds also man sold off 11,000 acres in small parinclude a heritage and research center cels as a settlement that became the City which opened in 1980. The research of Inglewood. In 1888, Freeman built center includes Freeman’s library, safe and moved to a large mansion there, and and furniture, as well as articles and in 1889, he built the land sales office photos about the history of the area. that now sits on the grounds of the Today, the adobe is managed by the Centinela Adobe. Eventually, all 25,000 Historical Society of Centinela Valley, acres of the ranch were subdivided, and which gives tours on Sundays and is also the only remaining portion of the ranch open to the public during two special that remains today is the one-acre site events throughout the year. on which the Centinela Adobe is situatOnce it’s reopened, it’s definitely ed in Westchester on Midfield Ave. worth booking a visit.

In the late 1940s, the adobe was Cozette is a lifelong resident of threatened with demolition when the Westchester and is leading the charge remaining land was subdivided to make to reinvigorate the Westchester/Playa room for new affordable homes being Historical Society’s nonprofit status. built to house WWII defense indusTogether with a group of dedicated try employees. Preservation-minded volunteers, the organization is working women in the City of Inglewood raised on creating new programming and events money to purchase the property in 1950 to celebrate the history of the area and and deeded it to the City of Inglewood, engage the community in preserving it for which still maintains the adobe through future generations. the Parks and Recreation Department.

FIVE MONEY MYTHS TO IGNOREVolatility How To Approach Market

If you are in Retirement or Close to it

Retirement is an important milestone that often comes after years (or decades) of careful planning. But even the most seasoned planners couldn’t have foreseen the severe market selloff that happened in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The abrupt end to the 10-year bull market surprised investors of all ages who are now wondering how long it will take for their portfolios to recover.

Investors who are retired or nearing retirement have less time to wait out their losses. But there are still actions they can take to help secure their finances, even during periods of uncertainty like we’re experiencing today.

If this situation applies to you, here are a few steps to consider in this new environment: If you are approaching retirement: 1. Pick your retirement date. If you haven’t already, take time now to decide the year and month when you (and potentially your spouse or partner) want to retire. Given the current environment, you may want to consider extending your time in the workforce–whether it’s continuing your current career or moving into a new full or part-time role. Either way, your answer can have a big impact on your investment decisions from this point forward.

2. Ensure your investments are diversified. The recent spike in volatility is a reminder of how having a broadly diversified portfolio can help reduce your investing risk. While a diversified portfolio can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can greatly reduce the impact of volatility.

Instead of simply selling your stocks in attempt to cut your losses, review your portfolio to see if it is properly balanced between stocks, bonds, and cash that align with your goals, time horizon and your ability to manage risk. While a diversified portfolio can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can greatly reduce the impact of volatility.

you have a sustainable long-term income strategy.

2. Don’t take unnecessary chances in your stock exposure. For the long-term investor– which may include you as a retiree–volatility in equities can work in your favor. It’s possible that you will spend one to three decades in retirement, giving you time to withstand some market moves. At the same time, it’s important to preserve your base of savings and not be overexposed to stock risk. Now is a good time to review your exposure in the context of your full financial plan to evaluate if you are taking the right amount of risk.

If you are concerned about the recent performance of the markets and its impact on your retirement, consult with a qualified financial advisor to determine what steps may be right for you.

3. Balance your need for protection with growth. Protecting your portfolio from market downturns becomes more important as you approach the day when you start living off your savings. During this time, you may want to consider investing the money you plan to use for income in the first few years of retirement more conservatively in liquid vehicles that are easy to access. This can help give you peace of mind that you are prepared to handle upcoming expenses no matter what’s happening in the markets.

If you are currently in retirement: 1. Review your withdrawal strategy. If the recent decrease in the value of your portfolio makes you nervous, revisit the amount of money you withdraw monthly to meet your expenses. As you review, the goal is to be assured that the amount you withdraw to meet the next year or two of expenses does not put your long-term financial security in jeopardy.

If your base of assets is reduced, you may have to trim your withdrawal amount to assure

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

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

May 2020 • Page 19

We’re all in this together, even while apart

By Nick Melvoin, LAUSD board member

the transition to distance learning.

In order to ensure every student has equitable access to the materials needed to connect and continue learning, we made an emergency investment of $100 million in devices and mobile hotspots.

Luckily, some of our schools had less of a hurdle getting devices into kids’ hands because my office funded new instructional technology through our bond grant program over the past two years—including Chromebook carts at Katherine Johnson STEM Academy and new iPads at Cowan Elementary and Wright Middle School.

But this crisis has exposed more than just the digital divide, and we’re doing our best to provide needed resources to kids and families. You can visit achieve.lausd.net/resources or call our COVID-19 family hotline at (213) 443-1300 to view a full list of resources and services available for students, families and employees during this time. And if you want to help our efforts, consider donating at LAStudentsMostinNeed.org. The district has also launched a mental health hotline, so anyone can call (213) 241-3840 for help.

I have been hosting regular virtual conversations with leaders, experts, and parents, and so far, we have

On a recent Monday at 8 a.m. I was at Webster Middle School in West L.A., but not, of course, to check-in on classes or students. Although it has only been six weeks since we closed schools, the world and the L.A. Unified School District look a whole lot different. Our core mission of educating kids and supporting our community remains unchanged, however, and that’s why I was at Webster, visiting one of our Grab and Go food centers to see how things were going for the volunteers and families they’re serving.

Our first priority when schools closed was getting 63 Grab and Go food centers up and running— including at Marina del Rey Middle School–the closest location to Westchester/Playa. The centers have served more than 13 million meals and counting and L.A. Unified is running the largest food bank in the country.

All of our Grab and Go centers are open Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m., with meals available to anyone in need, no questions asked.

Another new routine of mine has been joining Zoom calls with parents, teachers, or even students to discuss

Nick Melvoin helps pass out headphones and school supplies in West L.A.

had conversations about fostering resilience, supporting our earliest learners and what the future might look like in our schools. Join us every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. live at facebook.com/nick.melvoin to participate in the discussion.

Every family should have access to a great education—even while staying home. And you don’t have to look further than your own neighborhoods to know it’s possible.

We’ve seen the teachers and staff at Playa del Rey Elementary go above and beyond to make sure every student gets connected. We’ve met with parents and staff at Loyola Village and Kentwood on Zoom to discuss their transition to distance learning.

We’ve heard from early education teachers about the innovative ways they’re keeping our youngest learners engaged, and we’ve helped facilitate local partnerships to provide meal deliveries and headphones to minimize learning distractions.

We are all doing our best to adapt to an ever-evolving situation. No amount of technology can match a “typical” day at school, but we will continue working tirelessly, thinking creatively and providing support to get our kids, families and school communities through this crisis together, but apart.

Nick Melvoin is the Westchester/ Playa LAUSD Board representative.

Follow him on social media at @nickmelvoin.

Visit us online to see our virtual offerings!

Page 20 • May 2020

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

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

May 2020 • Page 21

Random Notes/Opinion Try to add exercise as a tool for stress relief

By Jeff Blair

tent exercise is difficult.

What happens when we are stressed?

Stress has been defined as “any intrinsic or extrinsic stimulus that evokes a biological response” (Yaribeygi, The Impact of Stress on Body Function, 2017). Stress responses can include an elevated heart rate, sweating and tensed muscles. These physical reactions are part of the “fight or flight” response.

Fight or flight developed long ago and allows humans to deal with physically threatening situations. The stress response helped us survive. If our ancestors didn’t have this hard-wiring, maybe none of us would be here today.

This self-preservation mechanism almost guarantees we will overreact to modern stress. Our bodies and minds can’t always distinguish between a tiger wanting to eat us and a work deadline.

I’ll resist the temptation of adding a “Tiger King” joke here.

When unaddressed stress continues for a long period, chronic stress develops. High blood pressure, headaches and weight gain can result.

Chronic stress can even shrink our brains and suppress immune function.

When we feel we have no control over our situation, the harmful impact of stress is increased. Our current

Opinion: I recently asked my 75-yearold mom if she had ever experienced anything like what is currently going on in the world. “Nothing even close,” she said.

We are living in an unprecedented and often confusing time. We might be worried about a family member’s health. Many are dealing with financial stress. Our usually predictable schedules are disrupted. Calls to crisis lines have increased dramatically.

Uncertainty lingers and confusion exists. Sometimes you might feel like screaming and at other times you might feel like crying. Although people respond differently, anxiety seems unavoidable right now.

While many things are beyond our control, exercise is one possible tool to help us navigate this situation.

Please note I’m not addressing anxiety disorders, clinical depression or offering advice on mental health treatments. Only a psychologist or psychiatrist can do that. This article shouldn’t be used as a substitute for professional help. If in doubt, please seek professional assistance. I’m also aware some people might be in a situation due to work or family dynamics where consis-

Page 22 • May 2020

environment includes many of these stress aggravating components.

How can exercise help us manage stress?

Running, walking or lifting weights are helpful to lower mental and physical stress.

When we exercise, stress hormones such as cortisol are lowered and “feel good” chemicals like endorphins are increased. Endorphins can produce feelings of pleasure and well-being and reduce feelings of pain. Endorphins can help break the chronic stress cycle.

When we exercise, we are responding to fight or flight in a way the body understands.

Exercise can also provide a consistent mental break from daily stresses. Some people even develop a meditative benefit by immersing fully into exercise.

Given that our sense of control might be challenged right now, our sense of autonomy can increase when we control how we feel through exercise.

Exercise also improve sleep, which can decrease stress.

How can we make fitness work in our lives right now?

Here are five specific steps to make fitness work for you.

1. Try to establish a consistent

TheHTN.com

routine whether that is exercising two times per week, three times per week or six times per week.

2. Find any amount of exercise activity that works for you. It might be a morning walk, some home exercises like pushups or even some simple stretching. If you can only do 10 minutes, do 10 minutes. If you can only do 20 minutes, do 20 minutes.

Establishing overly lofty goals might be counterproductive right now.

3. Don’t spend too much time comparing your current workout routine to past workout routines. Just do something consistently.

4. If you establish a focus for your physical activity, you are more likely to do it. My primary focus now is to control my weight, keep my immune function strong and maintain psychological and emotional health.

Do what works for you.

5. When exercising outdoors, please adhere to social distancing guidelines and other precautions provided by public officials.

Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) has been a certified personal trainer in Westchester since 2002. Contact him at jeff@socalsport.com. *Before you start any fitness routine, please consult your doctor.

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

Making sense of change

By Fay Craton Opinion: As a child I would gaze at clouds while visualizing shapes of angels and animals. It was fun to see what I could find in the sky. If a friend were with me, sometimes they would perceive something different in the same clouds. We would share what we saw and when another picture was described, I could see something different than what I initially saw. If I had been rigid in my interpretation of the cloud formation, I would have missed out on sharing my friend’s observation.

Throughout your lifetime you create and store memories within your mind and body. When you observe a situation, your interpretation of the circumstances is sorted into meaning based upon these experiences. In this way, you create perceptions about events. Another person can take the exact same information, sort it through their life experiences and come up with a completely different interpretation.

It does not mean one person is right or the other person is wrong. It just means your histories led you to envision a different perspective. By objectively listening to what the other person is perceiving, you have the opportunity of seeing something in a new way.

You may be a person who likes to hang onto your knowledge about how the world works and not expand your understanding into a broader perspective. Some people like unchanging routines and expectations.

If life does not change, you know who you are and your consistent place in this world. You know what is right and what is wrong. I completely understand the desire to keep your life stable; the challenge, however, is when you do not explore new perspectives, you may be losing out on the rich possibility of life. Would you like to have better relationships with significant people?

Would you like to improve your health?

Would you like to feel better about yourself? Would you like to decrease stress when you are not able to control changes in your life?

Life changes. You cannot stop the flow of time and events. What you can do is to learn to navigate your

own course within the flow. In this way you regain some power over your life. Charting your course requires expanding your knowledge. Here are some steps to help you: • Learn and practice listening without judgment to important people around you in order to take small steps toward enlarging your understanding.

• Create a daily habit of sharing of yourself to another person. Accept when someone is sharing of themself.

• Keep a gratitude journal.

• Care enough about yourself, family and friends to learn new ways of coping with uncomfortable life situations.

You may need to seek a counselor if you are ready to take a step but are having trouble making it happen.

Right now, we are in the midst of a pandemic which has resulted in extreme changes to all of our lives.

I never envisioned living through a pandemic. However, I have learned to not be rigid in my thinking and allow myself to listen to what another person perceives. I have learned to value positive thinking over negative thoughts and to seek out opportunities to be grateful. My personal history enters into the internal process I use to make meaning of what is happening.

Each of us can either resist the changes caused by our current emergency by becoming angry, resentful and ill or we can grow by finding new possibilities. We can seek out what is positive to inoculate ourselves from depression. From this experience we can also try to find a richer meaning in life.

My wish is for you to be healthy and to have the ability to have positive growth as a result of the adversity caused by the pandemic. May this time of staying at home be a pause in routines and expectations so you can see new possibilities for yourself and your loved ones.

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), and she has an office in Westchester. For more info, please visit communicationtriangle.com or contact her at (310) 645-6762.

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

May 2020 • Page 23

We love our local restaurants and miss being able to dine in! Until it’s ok to do so again, please consider ordering takeout or delivery, buying gift cards, showing some love on social media or lifting their spirits with positive reviews. These restaurants are being creative with new specials, working to keep their restaurant family employed and still being generous with donations to frontline workers, seniors and others in need, despite sales being down.

Below are a few of our favorite local businesses open and ready to serve the community. Don’t forget to check out their Mother’s Day specials!

facebook.com/CantalinisSalernoBeach to view weekly specials.

• Hours: Cantalini’s has expanded its hours to 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with lunch and dinner now served every day.

• Curbside pickup: Yes. • Are you offering home delivery? Yes.

Ayara Thai.

Why we love Truxton’s: This Westchester favorite has been offering great specials including rotating daily $7 adult and $3 kids’ meals and 25 percent off regularly priced meals.

For Mother’s Day, order ahead for a $10 brunch being served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items on the menu include quiche and French toast. For another $12, pick up their mimosa special!

Visit truxtonsamericanbistro.com to order.

• Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily • Curbside pickup: Yes. • Are you offering home delivery? Yes, with free delivery.

Why we love Ayara: With not a lot happening in the Westchester Triangle these days, Ayara has added colorful streamers to its storefront to make customers smile. Curbside pickup of your favorite Thai dish, whether it’s massaman curry or pad see ew, is also super easy, thanks to lots of parking in front of the restaurant.

For Mother’s Day, they’re serving up a special dish and offering a curry crab meal that includes a whole Dungeness crab cooked in coconut milk, eggs, curry powder and Chinese celery. The dish is served with a side of Ayara’s chili-lime sauce. New this month is a spring roll home kit, where you can pick up all the items to make your own shrimp rolls.

Visit ayarathai.com to order and view their specials.

• Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Curbside pickup: Yes. • Are you offering home delivery? Yes.

The Good Pizza.

Melody Bar & Grill.

Truxton’s American Bistro.

Why we love Good Pizza: If you’re craving pizza, these giant pies are just an order away. Use The Good Pizza app or order through their website for a 25 percent discount from the restaurant’s Westchester or Playa del Rey location. They’ve also just launched a $20 fixed menu, where customers can order a salad, pasta and an order of garlic knots or breadsticks. If you’ve seen the Good Pizza cars in the neighborhood, they might be making a home delivery or on their way to feed frontline workers at local hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey. Visit thegoodpizza.com to order or download their app.

• Hours: At the Playa del Rey location, The Good Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Cantalini’s Salerno Beach.

Why we love Cantalini’s: This Playa del Rey restaurant is open for carry out and delivery and offering specials like a 50 percent off wine bottle of the week and date night specials for $75, which even include a candle.

There’s also a weekly family special for four that’s $40 and includes an entree, salad, bread and dessert.

For Mother’s Day, the menu includes lobster ravioli and the Mother’s Day Cannelloni Value Meal.

Visit salernobeach.com to order and view

Page 24 • May 2020

Why we love Melody Bar & Grill: This longtime neighborhood hangout closed temporarily in March, but is now back serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a lot of its cocktails to go.

Visit Melodylax.com to check out their menu and brunch items.

• Hours: Weekdays 3 to 9 p.m.

• Curbside pickup: Yes. • Are you offering home delivery? Yes, for orders over $30 and within three miles of the restaurant.

Bacari PDR.

Why we love Bacari PDR: Not only can you order home-cooked meals from Bacardi PDR, but you can also order groceries from their pop-up market.

Check out this Playa del Rey spot for some tempting Mother’s Day specials, including a pastry box for two, a French toast box complete with strawberries and cream, and a trio of cocktail flights.

Visit bacaripdr.com for a full list of available grocery items and weekly specials.

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Curbside pickup: Yes. • Are you offering home delivery? Yes. Is your restaurant open for business? Email us at Pictured from top: 1. The Good Pizza’s Nando is ready to westchesterhometown@yahoo.com. serve you delicious pizza. 2. Truxton’s is offering free local delivery. 3. Cantalini’s owner, Lisa Schwab, poses with Councilmember Mike Bonin, while helping feed seniors through WPV Cares.

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

Business spotlight: Westchester family knows their wine

Everyone’s business could use a little help these days, so we’re featuring some companies owned by local residents or located in Westchester/Playa to help promote shopping local and supporting community members.

Here’s the scoop on Chapter 4, owned

by Westchester residents Scott and Nicole Torrence!

Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A. Scott has lived in SoCal since attending and graduating San Diego State University. Starting in the early 2000s he was the Lead Fine and Rare Wine Specialist for Christie’s Auctions in North America based in Beverly Hills and held that job through early 2019.

For years, he was one of those early Tuesday/Thursday morning cyclists training on Westchester Parkway. It was all part of his weekend hobby racing as a nationally ranked criterium racer. As the family grew from two, then three and now four with the addition of our daughter Piper in 2018, the desire to risk life and limb racing lost some of its appeal, and he started to focus more on being closer to home enjoying early development moments with the kids.

Nicole, originally from Germany, has been in SoCal since 2010. Nicole has a background in child development and now has devoted her time to the family wine business and her children. Nicole enjoys connecting with the community in Westchester and loves to be outdoors.

They have been Westchester residents for over five years now.

Q. Please tell us a little bit about your business? A. Our name “Chapter 4” comes from Scott’s evolution as a professional wine specialist. This business represents the fourth chapter of a career that began in the mid-1990s when he helped to open, then run the wine department at Cost Plus World Market on Westwood Blvd. Later as a Christie’s Wine Specialist, he could see there was a growing opportunity to serve a certain lifestyle clientele in the retail format that wasn’t getting access to quality, well cellared, vintage wines at affordable prices. After surveying the retail landscape, we decided to open a dedicated online wine shop that could serve the

Photo Cheryl Cantu Photography/Cherylcantuphotography.com.

Nicole and Scott Torrence pose in Playa Vista with two of their children.

desire for something better than local brick and mortar wine shops, while offering superior quality and value, as well as top end rare selections. Our bottle prices range from $10 to $16,000.

Our most unique aspect is our ability to competently advise clients with significant collections through an auction or retail consignment negotiation. Last year, we brought over $2 million of wine into auctions on behalf of our clientele. We also work closely with local Estate Advisory firms to help evaluate wine cellars for both estate taxes and deaccession purposes.

Q. How have you shifted your business since COVID-19? A. One significant shift in our business is recognizing that our neighbors have lost the option to pick up a weekly bottle of wine on their local grocery trips. In recognition of this, we quickly quadrupled our selections below $25 and have assembled so called “Wine Kits,” we call them “Survival Kits,” of very well chosen, value oriented selections in bottle packs of 4, 6, 9 and 12. These kits range from $50 to $400 with regular savings of 20 percent or more off retail. We keep it interesting with vintage selections from Napa to Italy to France and as far away as New Zealand. Very soon, we will be offering a kit subscription service for those desiring regular monthly options–visit our website soon to see what we come up with!

Q. Anything else you’d like people to know about your business? A. Chances are if you see someone from Chapter 4 delivering your kits, its either myself, my wife Nicole or our sister-in-law, Jane–so please say hi! We are the very definition of a local, family-run business; we do everything!

Q, What are some of your favorite local businesses? A. Our family members are fans of Ayara Thai, Good Pizza, Kanpai and Benny’s. We also order our cakes at Westchester Bakery and get most of our groceries at “Little Vons.” We love our community and support them as much as we can, especially during these difficult times.

Visit chapfour.com for more details.

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

May 2020 • Page 25

Stephanie Younger Group — 310.499.2020 hello@stephanieyounger.com stephanieyounger.com @stephanieyoungergroup DRE 01365696 Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 310.230.5478.

Page 26 • May 2020

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

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.

What’s your big wish right now? That’s the question that was posed to local families that attend WISH Charter School on a recent week in April as students readied to resume their online learning after two long weeks of spring break.

and T.P.,” “We wish we could be with our friends and family” and “We wish everyone health.”

While students can’t all be together on campus for the time being, their greetings showed you can still share To get back in the learning mode and positivity with your friends and surprise some of their schoolmates, neighbors, connect even while you’re families took to their front yards holding apart and the importance of community. signs with heartfelt messages ranging from the serious to the silly. Some of the We wish our readers health, happiness signs read,“We wish you kindness, love and hope this month!

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

*All photos were taken with a long-range lens observing social distancing.

May 2020 • Page 27

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