Westchester/Playa Hometown News October 2022 edition

This Month Brings You

Westchester/Playa gets spooky with Halloween events

Room helps raise women’s spirits

raises more than $20,000 for YMCA

Spotlight on Schools

Pictures: Third Annual Pet Photo Contest

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS

Stephanie Davis, Publisher

Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer

Craton, Contributing Writer

Edwards, Contributing Writer

About The HomeTown News (HTN)

The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated

help you promote organization or event

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

drop-off locations, including: The Book Jewel, Westchester Family YMCA, Playa Pharmacy, Loyola Village Library, Playa Vista Library, Ralphs Sepulveda and Cantalini’s Salerno Beach.

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Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045

Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com

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Front page (clockwise from top right): The Book Jewel promotes their Scary Story Contest; a snapshot of the rides at Visitation’s last carnival; a ghost haunts the stacks at the Haunting of Hannon Library; community members show off their costumes at the Westchester Farmers’ Market Halloween event; a jack o’lantern carved by Hendrik S. from last year’s carving contest hosted by the HTN and the pumpkin display at RUNWAY Playa Vista. Haunting of Hannon Library photo courtesy LMU

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Westchester/Playa gets spooky with Halloween events, haunted houses, fall carnivals and more

Fall is here, and October is jampacked with fun events and activities so everyone can have a ghoulishly good time this month. Whether you’re looking for haunted libraries, spinetingling mazes, carnivals with rides and scary delicious treats or spooky ghost stories, local organizations and businesses are bringing the scares to Westchester/Playa.

Here are our top 10 picks for local Halloween fun.

Haunting of Hannon X Friday, October 21st Saturday, October 22nd 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The stacks are haunted at LMU’s 10th Annual Haunting of Hannon Library! Attendees are promised chills and thrills courtesy of LMU’s Theater Arts program, as they make their way through the labyrinth of books!

This year’s theme is “Widdershins” to correspond with the library’s special collection exhibit on fairies. Audiences will walk widdershins (counter clockwise) through Hannon “until they open the gates of the Fae and then the scary stuff really starts!”

This event is not suitable for children or the faint of heart. There will not be a family-friendly version of the event this year.

For more info and to RSVP, visit cal.lmu.edu/haunting_of_hannon_x.

Carnival in the NINE double oh FOUR FIVE Friday, October 21st through Sunday, October 23rd Various times

For more than 50 years, Visitation has been hosting its every-other-year carnival and the beloved community tradition is back this month for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. In addition to regular carnival fare, like rides and games, there’s also a prize room, live music, two beer & wine gardens, raffles, a book walk, tons of food, a bake sale and more!

Visitation is located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. Discounted presale tickets are available through October 14 at e.givesmart.com/events/sCp.

Halloween Spooktacular at the Westchester Family Y Friday, October 28th 5 to 8 p.m.

The Westchester Family YMCA is batty about providing fun, familyfriendly activities for the community, and they’re excited to host this year’s Halloween Spooktacular, complete with a “Creepy Crawlers” theme!

Attendees will have the chance to enjoy a haunted maze, carnival games, face painting, a magician, costume parade, food trucks, and lots of treats!

For teens, the Y will screen “A Quiet Place” from 7 to 9 p.m.

For more info and to RSVP, scan the QR code on the Y’s ad, located on page 15. The Westchester Family YMCA is located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester.

Halloween Scary Story Contest at The Book Jewel Friday, October 28th 6 p.m. Saturday, October 29th 12 p.m.

Have the writing skills to craft the next great horror story that would make Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker proud? Westchester’s favorite independent bookstore, The Book Jewel, is inviting the community to participate in numerous Halloween-themed contests this month, geared toward all age groups.

The Halloween Picture Contest is open to those 4 to 6. Kids are invited to create their best frightening piece of artwork on paper and submit it to the shop by Friday, October 21st at 8 p.m. Three winning artists will be selected to receive a $25 gift card.

For aspiring writers, The Book Jewel is looking for the best original creepy tale. Stories must be submitted to the shop by Friday, October 21 at 8 p.m. on paper and include the writer’s name, age and contact information.

Stories should be scary, yet familyappropriate, and be five minutes or less when read aloud. Participants must be available to share their creative fiction at The Book Jewel on October 28 at 6 p.m. or Saturday, October 29 at noon depending on the category.

Two authors in each age group (seven to 12; 13 to 18 and adult) will receive a $25 gift card and one grand prize story winner will receive a $50 gift card to The Book Jewel.

The shop is located at 6259 W. 87th St. in Westchester. For more info, please visit thebookjewel.com.

Trunk or Treat with LAPD Friday, October 28th

5 to 8 p.m.

Join the Airport Police and the LAPD Youth Cadet Program for their Third Annual Trunk or Treat celebration.

Stop by during the event to check out the food trucks, music & dancing, car decor competition, enjoy an outdoor movie, and of course, fill up on candy!

The Trunk or Treat is held at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center, located at 5651 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester.

Open Fall Festival

Saturday, October 29th 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After a two-year hiatus, Open Magnet Charter School’s Fall Festival is back this month. Expect lots of familyfriendly activities like a tour through the magical Fairyland, craft booths, pumpkin decorating, a bake sale, face painting, games, food and music. For those looking for a scare, there’s also a Haunted House!

Visit opencharter.org to purchase discounted tickets before the event. Open Charter School is located at 5540 W. 77th St. in Westchester.

Halloween fun at the Farmers’ Market Sunday, October 30th 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Celebrate Halloween a day early at the Westchester Farmers’ Market! Stop by the market on October 30th for special festivities including a pumpkin patch, lots of community booths, Halloween story time with The Book

Jewel at 11:30 a.m., and maybe even some treats! The farmers’ market is located in the 6200 block of 87th St. (between Coffee Co. and Truxton’s).

Follow them on social media @westchesterfarmersmarket for more details as they get announced.

Annual Monster Dash 5K on Sunday, October 30th

10 a.m.

Prepare for all the Halloween candy you’ll be eating by signing up for the Third Annual Monster Dash in Playa Vista. Grab your friends and your best costumes to participate in this devilishly fun run/walk that will take place along Bluff Creek Dr.

The cost to register is $50 for adults and $30 for children 15 and under (plus fees). Local vendors, goodie bags and custom medals for runners round out the event.

For more info and to RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/monsterdash2022.

Halloween Bash at Runway Sunday, October 30th

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit RUNWAY Playa Vista for a family-friendly outdoor experience that is sure to scare up some fun!

The shopping center will be transformed into a ghoulish party, and while details are still pending as of press time, based on previous events, you don’t want to miss out on the activities and treats! Don’t forget your costumes! RSVP at runwayplayavista. com/events.

RUNWAY is located at 12775 W. Millennium Drive in Playa Vista.

Westchester Recreation Center’s Halloween Zone October 31st

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Stop by Westchester Park for a wicked good time on Halloween!

Attendees will enjoy lots of candy, a moon bounce, costume contest, games, face painting and more!

Tickets are $2 each and food and snacks are available for purchase.

For more info and to RSVP, visit laparks.org/reccenter/Westchester.

The park is also hosting a haunted house with the theme “Rebirth: Park of Pain.” Tickets are $5. The haunted house will run Friday, October 28 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, October 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 30 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday, October 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Food and snacks will be available for purchase on Halloween.

For more info on both events and to RSVP, visit laparks.org/reccenter/ Westchester.

Is your group or organization holding a Halloween event this month? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com to be added to our list!

Community members are invited to enter The Book Jewel’s Second Annual Scary Story Contest by October 21.

Nonpro

News

Metro’s K Line with station in Westchester opens October 7.

Local residents will be able to hop on the 8.5 mile-long K Line, formerly known as the Crenshaw/LAX Line, when it opens to the public shortly after noon on Friday, October 7. To celebrate the project, the first new rail built in L.A. in more than a decade, Metro will be offering free rides during the opening weekend. Normal rates are $1.75 for 1-way trips or $3.50 for an all-day pass through the end of the year.

The K line is currently seven stops: Westchester/Veterans, Downtown Inglewood, Fairview Heights, Hyde Park, Leimert Park, Martin Luther King Jr. and Expo/Crenshaw. The Aviation/Century stop is planned to open in 2023 and the LAX/Metro Transit Center is scheduled to come online in 2024. Once the LAX/Metro station is open, it will connect to the LAX People Mover. According to Metro, this will be the first time that reliable and low-cost rail transit has serviced the area since the Yellow Cars stopped service in the 1950s.

“Metro is about to be the fastest, most convenient choice for LAX employees, travelers, residents and visitors,” said local councilmember and Metro Board Member Mike Bonin in a statement. “When the K Line opens, the Westchester/Veterans station will connect Westchester residents and Inglewood businesses to the broader regional transit network. It’s my hope that these new stations will change the lives of residents

and future generations of Angelenos who need fast and efficient access to Downtown Los Angeles, the Westside, South Bay and other job and commerce centers.”

Each station has unique artwork and the Westchester/Veterans station features a mural created by Geoff McFetridge entitled “Us as a Measure of Openness.”

The work “depicts communities of people interacting with large abstract shapes. From mothers and children to gardeners and lawyers, the figures are unique and expressive.”

Learn more about the K Line and its stops at kline.metro.net.

Raise money for mental health with the Westchester Guild.

The Westchester Mental Health

Guild is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and members are encouraging the community to get involved with their events and fundraising efforts to support the important mental health work at Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS). The Westchester-based therapy center recently reopened for in-person treatment.

On October 10 and 11, Cantalini’s Salerno Beach restaurant in Playa del Rey, will be hosting a fundraiser for the Guild. Anyone presenting the coupon from the Guild’s website (westchestermhg.org) will have 20 percent of their order, excluding tax and tip, donated to the nonprofit. Shifting to the holidays, the Guild is planning to host its Third Annual Lights Tour & Contest and

is looking for Westchester and Playa del Rey homeowners to participate!

Local residents who are interested in decorating their homes for the holidays and helping raise money for AMCS, should contact info@ westchestermhg.org for details.

While Guild members hope to be able to hold their Holiday Home Tour, which has traditionally been its largest fundraiser, in the near future, they are grateful to be able to raise money with the Light Tour.

To make up the difference, the Guild has hosted a variety of other smaller events, including takeout nights, an online trivia contest, Zoom flower arranging and virtual wine tastings.

Learn more about the Guild, as well as donating or volunteering at westchestermhg.org. To learn more about AMCS, visit amcshelps.com.

Calling all flight attendants!

The local chapter of Silverliners International, a social and philanthropic organization of current and former flight attendants from any airline, is seeking new members for fun and fellowship.

Members have the opportunity to share their stories with others who also experienced a career like no other, while flying across the country and internationally. The group was founded in 1954, and members are looking to form a new LAX chapter.

For more information, please visit thesilverliners.org.

AYSO Region 7 kicked off its fall season with an opening ceremony and dedication for their newly renovated field on September 2. At the event, representatives from the Westchester Rotary Club were on hand to celebrate a $45,000 donation to the Youth Foundation, which oversees Nielsen Park, and included $25,000 for improvements to the field. Thanks to the generosity of the club, which has served Westchester since 1950, the soccer pitch was renamed “Westchester Rotary Field.”

Pictured: Former Westchester Rotary President, Erin Cueto (second from right), gets ready to speak while current AYSO Region 7 Commissioner Gregg Deluga shares about the improvements.

Westchester’s K Line stop is located at Hindry and Florence Avenues near the Westchester Playhouse.

Photo courtesy Los Angeles Metro

than 20 pieces that imagine

and humans’ impact on nature are now on display through Saturday, December 10. The artists’ lecture and tour will be held on Friday, November 18. Learn more about the show and gallery at

future of global climate

Westchester Park unveils its first memorial bench in honor of Les Watt.

Westchester Park had its first memorial bench dedicated last month in honor of Les Watt, a longtime champion for the park and other community groups, who passed away in June. The Los Angeles Parks Foundation placed the bench in the Westchester Tennis Court area, a spot that was near and dear to Watt’s heart.

The tribute was a befitting honor as over the years, Watt was involved with the Parks & Recreation Board, Kentwood Home Guardians, Westchester Vitalization and the Westchester Tennis Club. Most recently, he served as the President of Westchester Vitalization and was instrumental in reenergizing the Westchester Farmers’ Market.

Although Watt enjoyed his involvement in many community groups, tennis was his passion. In 2014, he was instrumental in getting the Westchester Tennis Courts upgraded through a program he named “Turn on the Lights.” He found unused city resources and

gathered local family and friends to organize fundraisers and events to pay for new lighting for the courts. He was also able to raise enough funds to have the courts resurfaced and upgraded. Throughout the years, he organized hundreds of tennis events and was the President of the Westchester Tennis Club for many years.

The memorial bench was funded through donations raised from friends and family, who wanted to honor his memory and create a place in the park that the whole community could enjoy.

Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.

Loyola Marymount University’s Laband Art Gallery’s latest show

Westchester’s Helen’s Room helps raisewomen’s spirits as they battle cancer

By Shanee Edwards

According to the National Cancer Institute, it’s estimated that 287,850 women in the United States will develop a new case of breast cancer in 2022, with breast, lung and colorectal cancers accounting for 50 percent of all diagnoses. With treatment, the majority of women with these cancers will become survivors. But the road to healing looks different for every woman depending on their resources.

Playa del Rey resident Monica Kahn has never had cancer. But her lifelong best friend Helen Rindfleisch wasn’t so lucky. Helen was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1990. For two years, Helen fought for her life with all the strength she could muster, and despite how sick she might have felt, she took great pride in looking her best.

“She was extremely beautiful,” remembers Monica. “For her, it was very important to get out of bed, get dressed, put on her makeup and look as good as she could.”

Though Helen battled cancer with ferocity and grace, she passed from the disease in 1992, leaving Monica heartbroken. To honor her friend, she began to volunteer at the bygone Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital as a RIG (resource, information and guidance) Volunteer in the oncology department. After seeing how many women showed up to chemo in simple shower caps or with no head coverings at all, leaving their bald heads exposed, Monica knew her friend Helen would want something better for them. Monica asked herself: could there be a way to help these women to feel good about their appearance and gain confidence while the chemo ravaged their bodies? Monica knew the answer

was yes and decided to create Helen’s Room in 1998.

Starting out in a room the size of a small doctor’s office at Daniel Freeman, Monica raised money herself with the mission to serve low-income, uninsured and underinsured women as they battled every kind of cancer and provide them with free wigs, headwear like hats, turbans and scarves, breast prostheses and mastectomy bras. Monica knew from Helen that looking better during chemo could raise a woman’s spirits, but says she was surprised by the one aspect that women struggled with most.

“If I hadn’t been doing this for so long, I would never have realized that the hair loss for almost every single woman, I’d say 99.9 percent, is the most traumatic event. They will apologize to me and say they feel vain, they feel silly–they’re dealing with a life-threatening disease, but what are they most traumatized about? Hair loss!” she says. “It is huge, so when someone comes in, they sit and share first. It’s an environment where they can come in and cry. They talk about where they’re at emotionally, and then we start fitting wigs and hats. Wigs can be very beautiful. People can walk out feeling reinforced, feeling good about this particular part of their illness, and that they can handle this.”

Monica says it was important from the beginning to provide all items and services–including weekly support groups–for free. She never asks about a woman’s income. She relies on donations and sometimes uses her own money, if necessary, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It took me a long time to realize the only way I can do this is to focus on the positive, on what I can do for them,

and not what I can’t do,” says Monica. “I cannot change the medical outcome of their disease, but if I can make a difference in this huge part of the disease, then it makes me feel pretty good. They walk out an hour later with a free bag full of beautiful, brand-new goodies.”

Board member and long-time volunteer, Naomi Jones was at the opening of Helen’s Room in 1998.

bras, and I’m now wearing the most comfortable bra I’ve ever had since 1989,” she says, adding that due to complications, one side of her chest was left indented. “I have different sized prostheses that both fit. If you look at me in clothes you probably wouldn’t know that I’ve had a radical double mastectomy!” says Jane.

Jane also asked Monica for help finding a wig when she lost her hair after her second round of breast cancer. Her own hair started to grow back in a sparkling silver color which was difficult to match. But Monica found two wigs Jane loved.

“I wore that wig from December until June. But Monica bought me two so all I had to do was swish it around in the sink then fluff it back up on the foam form,” said Jane. “You put it on the next day and off you go!”

A cancer survivor herself and mother of a cancer survivor, Naomi says, “Monica’s kindness is an infection. It is a joy to see her work her magic.”

While serving this community helped Naomi to heal, she never felt the need to use Monica’s services during her own battle with cancer. But another board member, Jane St. John, did reach out.

A three-time breast cancer survivor, Jane’s last cancer treatment was in 2020, and she had to have a double mastectomy.

“After that surgery, I got on the phone to Monica and said, ‘I need you!’” says Jane.

“I went down and we tried on several

While Helen’s Room has been located in a few spots over the years, Monica is happy that her nonprofit has found a home in the Paradise Building on Sepulveda in Westchester, not far from her home in Playa del Rey. The beautiful space is about 1,000-square-feet, with a sitting area and a changing room. Although there are a lot of responsibilities in running an organization with such an important mission, she’s confident she can face any challenges that come her way because she loves what she does.

“The work is my lifeline,” says Monica. “It’s what keeps me going.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from Monica’s services at Helen’s Room, please call (310) 5249429 or email mkahnhelensroom@aol. com. All services are by appointment only; they are unable to accommodate walk-ins to ensure the privacy of their clients.

People can walk out feeling reinforced, feeling good about this particular part of their illness, and that they can handle this.

“

Monica Kahn surveys her collection of wigs available for clients at Westchester’s Helen’s Room.

Photo courtesy the LAX Coastal Chamber

Playa Vista Farmers’

of the best farmers’ markets in all of LA, the Farmer Mark Playa Vista Farmers’ Market is located at RUNWAY each Saturday, rain or shine, from 9-2pm. You will find the freshest organic fruits, seasonal vegetables, fresh flowers, baked breads, fresh pastries, handmade jewelry, and so much more! The market hosts live music each week, and provides and interactive KidZone for the community to enjoy! Parking is easy throughout the neighborhood or at the

Mall parking garage.

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QUESTIONS WITH...

Courtney O'DonoghuE

If there was a contest to see who has the most neighborhood pride, Courtney O’Donoghue would definitely be in the running.

Born and raised in Westchester, Courtney never thought she’d end up staying in the community where she grew up. But after meeting her husband Brendan at The Gillis Volleyball Tournament, her fate was sealed and she wouldn’t have it any other way. As a recent New York transplant, he had no plans to give up California’s perfect weather.

Now with three kids of her own–Addy 12, Gabe, 11 and Jared, 7–Courtney is excited to see them creating memories that are reminiscent of her own.

“I feel so blessed for my kids to be going to the same school I went to, “ says Courtney who attended Visitation and St. Bernard High School. “Seeing them involved in the same activities I loved as a kid, like youth sports and scouts, really brings things full circle.”

While Courtney has a full-time job as Director of Renewals for

the MPLC, a company that issues licenses to play movies in public settings, she could be considered a full-time volunteer as well.

Over the years, she has coached numerous team sports, been a Girl Scout leader and is passionate about supporting her church, Visitation, where she’s Director of Development, which has earned her the affectionate nickname “the Church lady.”

This month, Courtney is chairing the school and church’s “Carnival in the NINE double oh FOUR FIVE,” and she’s inviting the whole community to stop by the weekend of October 21 to join in on the fun, hop on some rides, spin the prize wheel and meet their neighbors.

The only downside about staying in the town you were raised in?

“It’s never fun to run into your exboyfriends when you’re shopping at Little Vons,” she says with a laugh.

We recently sat down with Courtney and asked her to share her thoughts, so here is “5 Questions With...Courtney!”

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

I love to stay local and walk to date night with my husband. Our go-to spot is Truxton’s American Bistro. We have a drink at the bar, monkey bread for an appetizer and try something new for dinner. It’s a bonus when we can take friends and leave the kids at home. They get a party, and we get adult time.

What is your favorite neighborhood tip or trick?

The best way to see Santa is on the streets of Westchester. Nothing is better than hearing the fire trucks, LAPD sleigh and the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotarians with loads of holiday cheer outside your door. While we wait for Santa and his helpers to arrive, we gather with neighbors and friends, while drinking hot cocoa and enjoy other yummy treats. Save the date for this year’s Santa Tour, which is scheduled for December 19.

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

Westchester is the gateway to the entire city of Los Angeles for visitors that land at LAX. We need to clean up and present ourselves better as a community. I love the lights on Sepulveda Blvd. that the Westchester Town Center BID has put up, but we need to clean up the streets and get housing and services for the homeless. We need more businesses, and welcome our visitors to L.A. so they say, “wow.”

What’s a local business you’d like to give a shout-out to?

Playa del Rey’s Cantalini’s Salerno Beach is my family’s number one spot. They make us feel like family, we are recognized, and they always serve the kids’ their meals with loads of cheese on top. We celebrate all our milestones there, and we even order catering when we have too many people to take into the cozy restaurant. My family jokes that someday my daughter is going to work there and greet everyone with a smile just like they have given us all these years. My favorite thing to order is the homemade ravioli.

What is the most rewarding thing about volunteering with community groups?

I love to give back and see it in action. I’ve been working on rebuilding and beautifying Visitation for the last few years. It is so rewarding to see the kids hanging out under the trees that have been planted and the parishioners enjoying the courtyard after mass. It has become an even greater gathering place. Another thing I enjoy after all my years volunteering with Girl Scouts, youth sports and throughout the community, is watching the kids grow over the years.

ROBIN ZACHA

Cool Fact Cool Fact

Courtney achieved the highest rank in Girl Scouting and has been the leader of her daughter’s troop for the last eight years.

In her free time, Courtney enjoys planting succulents, shopping cabi, and supporting her favorite teams: the L.A. Dodgers and the USC Trojans.

WHEREVER I GO, AND PEOPLE ASK ME WHERE I’M FROM, I NEVER SAY L.A. I ALWAYS SAY, ‘I’M FROM WESTCHESTER!’

“ “

Halloween: Kid Zone

NCWP Participates in WAM Block Party

Representatives from the Neighborhood Council of Westchester / Playa recently participated in the Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party – an annual, free day-long community event benefiting local non-profit organizations, with live music and dance, art, vendors and community booths, kids activities, garden tours, food

trucks, and socializing – plus a beer and wine garden!

Proceeds from the event were donated to local non-profit organizations serving the community. This year’s event proceeds went to the Westchester Family YMCA for its programming supporting teen health and wellbeing.

Rec Center to Hold Haunted House

Westchester Recreation Center will hold its annual outdoor haunted house, “Rebirth: Park of Pain,” from Friday, October 28 through Monday, October 31. The event is recommended for ages 12 and up and will include a self-guided maze. Food and snacks will be available for purchase on October 31 only.

The haunted house will operate during the following hours:

Friday, October 28 – 8 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, October 29 – 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, October 30 – 8 to 10 p.m. Monday, October 31 – 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5/person, and presales are open now at www.laparks.org/reccenter/westchester ... tickets will be

sold for cash only on the day of the event.

The center will also hold a Halloween Kid Zone event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 31, including face painting, games, a costume contest, moon bounce and lots of candy.

Tckets are $2/person and presales are open now at www.laparks.org/reccenter/westchester ... tickets will be sold for cash only on the day of the event.

LAWA Launches New Residential Soundproofing Program

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has launched the LAX Residential Sound Insulation (RSI) Program. The LAX RSI Program offers eligible neighboring homeowners in the Cities of Los Angeles and El Segundo the opportunity to participate in a sound insulation program that will result in noise reductions for a quieter home. The program is voluntary and there is no cost to the homeowner.

For more information and to find out if you qualify, please visit the LAX RSI Program website, or contact the LAX RSI Homeowner Liaison at laxrsi@lawa.org or call (424) 646-7444.

LAWA implemented the RSI Program for dwellings within the City of Los Angeles in 1997 and sound insulated 7,327 units through the life of the Program, which was deemed completed and closed in 2014. In El Segundo, 1,851 units have been previously sound insulated. To address the untreated units in El Segundo and the City of Los Angeles, LAWA has taken steps to establish the current LAX RSI Program. Under this new Program, LAWA will provide an opportunity for eligible owners of noise-impacted dwelling units within the approved noise contour in the City of Los Angeles and the City of El Segundo to receive sound insulation upgrades. LAWA plans to mitigate these homes with sound insulation improvements over the next seven years.

7th Annual Westchester Arts & Music Block Party

Community members flocked to Emerson Ave. to enjoy the festivities at the 7th Annual Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party on September 24, and if you weren’t there, you definitely missed out on the weekend’s most talked about event in the 90045.

Event producer John Sharpe estimates that upwards of 7,000 people visited WAM, an attendance record for the block party, which features all-day entertainment from live bands, dance performances, food trucks, community booths, art vendors, and of course, the ever popular beer & wine garden. WAM was at max capacity this year, stretching completely from 80th Pl. to 80th St., thanks to almost 90 booths and

sponsors who stepped up to support this neighborhood tradition.

Besides hanging out in the beer garden and enjoying the sounds of Rose’s Pawn Shop and Omar Torrez, standout activities included pumpkin painting and ornament making with the Rotary Clubs, swag courtesy of LMU, getting one of 5,000 ice creams handed out by Kinecta, taking photos in the Zacha Homes photo booth, wood crafting with the Home EC Center, dancing in the 3D video booth hosted by the Suarez Team and playing basketball on the giant inflatable court provided by the Westchester Family Y.

“WAM really is a testament to our community. The whole thing is about connection and bringing people

together,” said Sharpe. “Walking down Emerson, I’d hear snippets of conversations between friends and people making new acquaintances and the vibe was so positive. The WAM Committee and I have a tremendous sense of pride in pulling this event off every year, and we’re so happy to bring this to Westchester and see how it continues to grow.”

Sharpe is excited to share that the event raised an estimated $20,000 that will benefit the YMCA’s Teen Health and Wellness programs.

Save the date for the 8th Annual WAM scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2023. Thank you to this year’s sponsors: Platinum: The Drollinger Family

Charitable Foundation and Stephanie Younger Group. Gold: Westchester Rotary. Silver: Decron Properties, Los Angeles World Airports, Loyola Marymount University, Gerber Kawasaki. Premium Plus: Suarez Team. Premium: NCWP, 3L Properties, Ramey Law, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, Kaiser Permanente, RE/MAX Estate Properties, Team Tami, Otis College and Cedars Sinai. Basic: Zacha Homes, SoCalGas, LAX Coastal Ed Foundation and Playa Vista Orthodontics. The HomeTown News is also a proud sponsor of WAM. Interested in supporting, volunteering or sponsoring the event in 2023? Email wamblockparty@gmail.com for more info on how to get involved!

John

Beth Dreyfuss, Russ Watson, Lydia Smith, Beverly Perez-Yes, Geoff Taylor, Julie Henriksen, Aisha Harris, Grant Francis, Christina Davis, Stephanie Davis, Lisa McKendall, Paul Davis, Karla Garcia, Michael

Alena

Photos

SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL SCHOOLS

in grants to local schools

St. Anastasia School starts year with exciting changes and updated traditions

The LAX Coastal Education Foundation (LAXCEF) is your local nonprofit focused on supporting our community schools! The foundation is always excited to welcome our principals, teachers, students and staff back to campus, and last month, we kicked off the school year by awarding more than $63,000 in grants to benefit our classrooms!

At the September LAX Coastal Chamber Education Committee meeting, we awarded $51,300 in STEM grants in conjunction with our partnership with Southern California Gas Company, and we awarded $12,000 in art grants as a result of an art competition we hosted in spring. This month, we are offering transportation grants to our K-12 schools to help offset the huge increase in bus costs for field trips.

The mission of the foundation is to support and enhance the educational environment for students, educators and parents in the LAX Coastal area, which includes Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. Since its inception, LAXCEF has given back more than $350,000 in grants, and we are working to promote local schools through community outreach, partnerships, recognition and sharing information. Another priority of the foundation is creating strategic partnerships with educators, families and the business community to strengthen education. We love when businesses and corporations reach out to us to ask how they can get involved! Recently, Tegria, a healthcare consulting and technology services firm, contacted us and asked for our help in distributing donations the company had collected. Thanks

to their employees’ generosity, we were able to give backpacks filled with school supplies to our foundation’s principals. Is your company looking to host a donation drive? Do you work for a large corporation that has a department dedicated to charitable giving and community outreach? Email us, and let’s partner to positively impact our diverse, special and dynamic local schools!

Next up for LAXCEF, we are excited to bring back many of our signature events for 2022-2023, including a Spelling Bee for second and fifth grade students, the Third Annual Art Show + Competition and our Rock Roll & Run in partnership with Loyola Marymount University!

This 5K fun run, complete with a kids’ 1K, community booths, pancake breakfast, music and more, is the foundation’s largest fundraiser. All of our schools are invited to participate, and we’ll have some fun surprises in store for everyone who attends! This is an event the whole community can rally behind to support Westchester/ Playa education, so mark your calendars for March 4, 2023!

You can find info about our local schools, along with the foundation’s events, partnerships and initiatives, as well as ways to donate, on our website at laxcoastaledfoundation. com. The foundation is also interested in growing its board and is looking for dedicated volunteers.

- Lory Sarlo, Foundation President

The St. Anastasia School family is excited for a year full of new changes, updated traditions and community events for 2022-2023. We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Amanda Kraivanger, Vice Principal, to our faculty. We have also added Mrs. Perry in second grade, Mrs. Almaraz in third grade, Mr. Golder in 4th Grade, Ms. Jimenez as classroom support, Ms. Romo as classroom support and Mrs. Taylor as our receptionist. Mrs. Taylor is also developing our new art program.

This year, we are excited about several new programs to improve student learning. We have welcomed Outreach Concern to our campus. Outreach Concern provides our students with a counselor two times a week. This counselor can help students with their emotional and academic needs. Second, we have invested in a new social emotional program that is based on our faith as a Catholic school. Through Friendzy, we are able to have important conversations with our classrooms and help our students with selfawareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness and relationships. Our final big update is to our reading program. We shifted to a more comprehensive reading program, Amplify CKLA (Junior Kinder through fifth grade) and Amplify ELA (sixth through eighth grade). After much research, this was the best program to meet the needs of all our learners at our school. The students are already engaged in all our new programs and are seeing the

benefits.

We also kicked off the year with a campus-wide beautification day. This only enhanced the beautiful new paint and lighting that we had already completed over the summer. Our families came together to clean, paint, assemble play structures and garden. It was a great community-building event that helped improve our physical campus. In addition, we have made improvements to our campus safety through hiring full-time security, installing privacy fencing, and adjusting school policy to ensure that our students are safe as they learn.

We can’t wait for our musical in February, where our fifth to eighth grade students will be performing “Grease!” We hope that you will join us on February 3rd or February 4th to see our amazing Panthers shine! Performances will be held at the El Segundo High School Performing Arts Center.

All in all, St. Anastasia is off to a great start. We are thankful for the support of our faculty, parents, parish and students. We look forward to everything this school year holds for us as we get closer to celebrating 70 years of St. A’s! If you are interested in joining our Panther family, we will open our applications for the 2023-2024 school year this month and would love to give you a tour! Please contact us through our website at school.st-anastasia.org or email our Admissions Director, Mrs. Clare Thomason, today!

Contributed by St. Anastasia School.

Photo by Marianne Pellin

Foundation board members (from left to right) Vice President Janet Landon, Jennifer Sullivan and President Lory Sarlo volunteer at WAM.

Students play on the field after a game of football.

Open Magnet Charter builds community

Like an oasis away from the busy city, Open students, parents, and staff come together to build a true community of respect where students learn through meaningful experiences. Open is one of the most unique schools in the district, being both a magnet and an affiliated charter elementary school serving LAUSD students from kindergarten through grade five. Our school is the best of both worlds, with our magnet program allowing us to have a diverse student body by offering transportation to students who reside in the city of Los Angeles, while our charter provides curricular autonomy to our highly skilled teachers. Founded back in 1977 by innovative, like-minded parents and teachers who envisioned a school that would provide a nurturing and stimulating learning environment, Open Magnet Charter continues to strive toward excellence.

As you walk onto our beautiful campus, nestled in the quiet community of Westchester, first you will encounter our students, happy and full of joy. Then you will see our green landscape with mature trees throughout the corridors that were thoughtfully planted by TreePeople. Then you might see our large playground with a soccer field and learn that there is a cistern built under it to capture rainwater. After that, you may find your way to our awardwinning garden and sit under the gazebo or get to know one of our animal friends (chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, tortoise, or the fish in the pond). People

who come to our campus can feel the heart of our school. But when you make your way into our constructivist classrooms, you will see where the magic really is, the magic of learning, the buzz of children constructing their own learning. Collaboration is at the heart of our school where teams made up of two teachers share the same “cluster” of multi-age students. Two brains are definitely better than one as our teachers design their lessons to tailor to their class. As they bounce ideas off each other, the teachers also bring their passions and personal interests to their students, and the energy reverberates. Each cluster has its own theme that connects subject areas and concepts throughout the year. This thematic approach is not textbook-based, but instead allows the teachers to be the architects of the curriculum and put students’ interests and needs above a prescribed pacing

plan. The focus is not simply on learning about something, but also questioning it, thinking about it, and using what has been learned in a meaningful way.

We invite you to come see and feel what we’re about during one of our school tours to find out how to enroll for the Fall 2023 school year.

We will be giving tours on October 11, October 18 and November 1 at 8:45 a.m. in the auditorium. No RSVP required. But before you come to see our unique school, we hope that this information gives you a sneak peek. To apply through LAUSD, please visit lausdmagnets.com.

You can also join us for our annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open School has been recognized as a National Magnet School of Merit and three-time California Distinguished School. Contributed by Open Magnet Charter School.

Paseo offers new Spanish Dual language immersion program

Welcome to Paseo del Rey Natural Science Magnet, home of the Stingrays! Paseo is a campus rich with a diverse student body, highly committed and skilled teachers and a rigorous curriculum. The relationship among teachers, families, students and our community partners allows us to attend to each student’s academic and social needs. Paseo del Rey is proud to offer enrichment programs such as:

• Planet Bravo

• Chess

• Mobile STEM Lab

• Dedicated Science Lab and Computer Lab

• Musical Orchestra

• YMCA Yoga

• Gardening

There are also exciting, new quality instructional programs at Paseo del Rey, including:

• Residential Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program. This program will be available to transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students. Parents may apply at apply.lausd.net.

• Residential ETK Program. These programs are designed for residents in Playa del Rey and the surrounding communities for students as young as four years old.

• Residential Magnet Program. Our residential magnet program has a natural science focus and includes transportation. Parents may apply at: echoices.lausd.net.

For more info, please call (310) 823-2356.

Contributed by Paseo Elementary School.

NCWP Education Committee readies for Local School Showcase

The Neighborhood Council of Westchester Playa’s (NCWP) Education Committee will continue meeting virtually on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

The committee is looking forward to a year of community collaboration in the name of education. Through the work of our committee and the newly formed Westchester/Playa Parent Collaborative Network, we’re excited to help host the inaugural Westchester/Playa Local School Showcase at Loyola Marymount University’s Lawton Plaza. This event, which will take place on Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will provide a forum for our Westchester/ Playa schools–public, private, charter and magnet–to show off their specialized programs, instructional

practices, social-emotional support and student work. So far, schools scheduled to participate include: Kentwood, Paseo, WISH, Loyola Village, Westport Heights, Katherine Johnson STEM Academy, Wright STEAM and Gifted Magnets, St. Anastasia, Open Magnet Charter School, Argo Navis, Santa Monica Preparatory, Braddock Elementary, Portal Schools, LAUSD Virtual Academy, WISH Academy, Goethe and Venice High School.

Please stop by this event and learn more about the amazing things happening at our local schools!

The Ed Committee is hopeful that together we can continue to strengthen, empower, and advance our schools. Our focus is to strengthen

relationships and pathways between local schools, revitalize partnerships with community organizations, engage youth stakeholders to get involved in local government and encourage parent leaders to network and work together. Please visit the NCWP Education Committee website to learn more about opportunities for you to get involved at ncwpdr.org/education.

It truly takes a village and the Ed Committee thanks you for supporting our local schools and tomorrow’s leaders. We look forward to you joining us at LMU on Saturday, October 8 and at our next Zoom meeting on Wednesday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Contributed by Heather Tuttle, NCWP Education Committee Co-Chair.

Heather Tuttle is the Co-Chair of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa’s Education Committee.

Paseo Principal Colette Boston poses in front of a school mural.

Open students visit the school’s pumpkin garden.

Mariners chart a new course at Saint Monica Preparatory

The 2022-2023 school year marks a new chapter in the nearly 100-year history of the schools formerly known as St. Monica Catholic Elementary School and St. Monica Catholic High School. As one unified school, Saint Monica Preparatory (SMPREP) offers a dynamic, comprehensive learning environment for students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.

Saint Monica Preparatory provides a faith-based education that fosters academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, individual talents and Christian service. It boasts an incredibly diverse (drawing from more than 70 Zip codes) and close-knit community where students are known, seen, challenged and nurtured.

At Saint Monica Prep, the faculty agrees that the most meaningful education connects theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to the world around them. This year, there are expanded opportunities for TK-12 students’ experiential learning in the MakerSpace, Mariner Ocean Research Institute (MORI) and throughout campus. The Upper School’s STEM program, which last year saw students build and test drive an electric car, will focus this year on how to protect our planet from climate change.

From kindergarteners learning about 3D printing to bringing written names to life, to fourth graders practicing design thinking and building skills, and to seventh graders learning about the biology of the plant cell via a hydroponic garden, SMPREP students thrive with project-based learning.

The eighth grade class is entering

Located in the heart of Westchester since 1945, Kentwood Elementary School is a small, local neighborhood school. But Kentwood is more than just a school, it’s a family and a place where everyone will know your name. The teachers, staff, students and parents are what make our Kentwood Koala campus a special place to learn and grow. Please read on for some parent and student perspectives about our wonderful little school with a lot of heart and pride!

“We love our local neighborhood school! Our family has been a Kentwood family for six years and have enjoyed being a part of such a welcoming community. The teachers are dedicated to their craft and the staff is friendly and helpful. Our children have thrived each year and always feel safe at school. We are a proud Koala Family!” - The Delfosse Family

“I love Kentwood because I’ve met a lot of friends and my teacher is the best! She teaches me sight words and math. I learned the “Kentwood Rules” the first week of school, and they are

the Flocabulary Rap Contest (last year the school boasted being a finalist) and planning an expanded East Coast trip to Washington, D.C., New York

City and Boston. International travel opportunities including a Catholic highlights of Italy tour with a private mass at the Vatican, and a STEM trip

to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador, await Upper School students.

Saint Monica Preparatory believes that a sound body contributes to the formation of a sound mind. In addition to its robust curriculum, SMPREP’s Upper School fields 18 competitive teams including Mariners football, year-round cheer, volleyball, golf and baseball. At the Lower School, eight sports are offered starting in the third grade such as flag football, basketball and track & field. Core Prep Academy is offered as well, which gives gifted middle school athletes sport-specific training that will allow them to excel.

From fine art and dance to music and theater, the visual, media and performing arts come alive at Saint Monica Prep. Art begins as a core subject in TK. The Upper School is planning productions of “Clue” and “Into the Woods.” After school enrichment programs for the Lower School include chess, STEAM and music, and for the Upper School, a variety of more than 25 clubs engage students with diverse interests. Also beginning in TK, Spanish is offered multiple times per week. Upper School students choose between Spanish, Japanese and American Sign Language.

Guided by Catholic values, Saint Monica Preparatory allows students to explore areas of learning that stimulate the processes of self-discovery. Discover all that the school has to offer at saintmonicaprep.org, and stop by the Open House on November 6 or attend the Fall Ball Thriller tournament hosted by SMPREP on October 21 and 22. Contributed by St. Monica Preparatory.

really important at school and at home: ‘Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.’ Got Game aftercare is really fun, and I get to do lots of artwork. - Charlotte, Kindergarten

“I’m a new Transitional Kindergarten mom, and what I appreciate most about Kentwood is the close-knit community created by the families, staff and

“I love being at school and learning, making friends and my after school program. We have the nicest teachers, and I’ve made my best friends at Kentwood.“ - Maddy, Third Grade

“As transplants to California, we had been looking for ‘our place’ for several years; we’ve found that at Kentwood

Elementary. Since starting kindergarten (remotely) three years ago, we’ve been welcomed by the PTO, staff and fellow Koala families. Add to that the top-notch, award-winning teachers and staff and our engaging and dynamic principal, and we are excited to call ourselves Kentwood Koalas for the next several years!” - The Nagelin Family

“What I love about Kentwood is the Robotics program because we have the opportunity to work as a team and learn from one another. Plus, our coach, Mr. Liebowitz, is really great because he taught us all how to figure things out on our own, but still be strong together. I wish all kids could be at a school like Kentwood where they have Robotics and an Innovation Lab. I’m really glad I’m here.” - Ezra, Fifth Grade

Upcoming tours at Kentwood will be held on Thursday, October 20 and Wednesday, November 9 at 9 a.m.

To RSVP for a tour and for more school info, visit: Kentwood-lausd-ca. schoolloop.com. We are #KoalaStrong!

Contributed by Kentwood.

Upper School students pose in front of SMPREP.

teachers.” - Katherine Kaewart

Kentwood creates special place to learn and grow for students and families

Kentwood Principal Helene von Schreiber-Morgan takes a photo with students.

St. Jerome offers foundation to prepare students for high school

Founded in 1952, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet first opened the doors of St. Jerome School to the community with a humble eight classrooms. While St. Jerome first provided instruction exclusively for grades one through eight, it has since expanded to include kindergarten instruction and pre-school education.

St. Jerome now proudly provides a comprehensive Pre-K through eighth grade curriculum that builds a foundation based on the values of our religious community and prepares our students for the transition into high school.

St. Jerome strives to provide a well-rounded education that is centered around Roman Catholic teachings. Incorporating aspects in the classroom unique to religious institutions, St. Jerome looks to instill a mindfulness of God, as we focus on developing academic excellence in the core subjects of math, science and English. Our students are provided the opportunity to exercise their religion through prayer and a weekly mass led by Father Bill.

Unique to St. Jerome is our Pre-K curriculum. St. Jerome proudly offers families the opportunity to begin their child’s educational journey at the early age of two-and-a-half

through a specialized preschool program that seeks to transition the student from home life to the classroom setting. Through the Pre-K program, students learn about both interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships and are introduced to the concepts of the Roman Catholic

Carousel serves Westchester for more than 45 years

Carousel has been serving our community for 45 years, which includes providing care for children who are typically developing, and children and adults with special needs. The Preschool and Infant Center provides care to children birth to five years of age in a nurturing, stimulating and family-centered environment. The Early Intervention Program delivers services to children from birth to three years of age who are at risk for developmental delays in a full inclusion therapeutic classroom setting. The Non-Public School offers Special Education services to students with disabilities 3 to 22 years of age, which includes speech, occupational and physical therapy, counseling and roundtrip transportation.

Carousel’s Adult Day Program delivers services for participants 18 to 59 years of age with developmental disabilities. The goal is to provide care for adults with a spectrum of abilities at our designated locations, and out in the community. The weekly lessons focus on cooking, finance, independent living, health, fitness, workshop activities and computer skills. Leisure activities include music, art and themed dances. Other

activities include a talent show and holiday performances. One of the main focuses of the program is to give back to the community while allowing the participants to have a sense of purpose by achieving new goals. This includes making care kits for the homeless, delivering meals to the elderly and developing pre-work skills at Petco.

For more info, please call (310) 645-9222 or visit carouselschool.com.

Contributed by Carousel.

faith in their most basic form to build a meaningful foundation for future teachings. Our students enjoy instruction that allows them to develop important social skills and a religious foundation all while adhering to the California State Preschool Foundations. St. Jerome’s

unique Pre-K program offers students a hands-on educational experience that seeks to guide them into the classroom and provide the necessary skills and tools for future success.

St. Jerome attributes its continued success to the dedication of its teachers, staff and religious leaders. As part of the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, St. Jerome is staffed by dedicated lay teachers. At the helm is Principal Tom MacDonald. With more than 20 years of experience, Principal MacDonald continues to foster a learning environment that encourages parental collaboration and involvement that has led St. Jerome to be considered one of Los Angeles’ premier Catholic Schools.

St. Jerome offers small class sizes and a dedicated staff that takes students’ religious and educational experience to the next level. At St. Jerome, we strive to ensure the success of our future leaders and citizens of tomorrow. Visit us today, or schedule a tour of our amazing school.

Learn more at st-jeromeschool.org. Contributed by St. Jerome.

Students enjoy time in the St. Jerome library.

A teacher makes P.E. fun at Carousel School.

Notre

Academy redefines the high school

for young women

As the world grows increasingly complex and connected, Notre Dame Academy (NDA) continues to adapt its curriculum and offerings to prepare young women to be tomorrow’s leaders. This flagship Catholic institution has reimagined the high school experience by supporting and expanding NDA’s excellent curriculum with unique learning opportunities in and outside of the classroom.

Through a combination of inquiry, experiential learning, and community-wide symposia, expert faculty and staff challenge students to grow as they gain a deeper knowledge of the world around them, develop passions and work toward solving real-world problems. Innovative learning spaces, customized schedules and individualized support enable students to collaborate and explore cross-curricular connections.

“The symposium exemplifies our efforts to redefine high school,” said Lilliam Paetzold, President and Head of School. “It’s a year-long space for every member of the NDA community to learn, discuss and act upon the important issues and ideas that we face today. It encourages curiosity, deep learning and critical

analysis across campus. This year, we’re focusing on the city of Los Angeles as we expand beyond our gates and invite our hometown into the classroom.”

NDA teachers create educational experiences and spaces that reward curiosity, celebrate innovation, and encourage collaboration; they infuse these skills and concepts into every course over four years. As a complement to curriculum and symposia offerings, experiential learning offers students a chance to apply their growing skills beyond the classroom in a variety of industries. Nearly one-third of NDA seniors are currently taking advantage of research trips, guest lectures, job shadows, externships, internships, and more, all over Los Angeles.

“Our students benefit from an approach to education that enables them to look at academics through the context of real world challenges, and it’s integrated into every facet of the NDA experience,” said Ms. Paetzold. “We’re proud of our efforts to honor the long tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame as we continue to prepare young women to thrive in college and beyond.”

Contributed by Notre Dame Academy.

Vistamar students develop tools to succeed

Vistamar believes there’s a better way to do high school. Founded in 2005, Vistamar is a college-prep day school serving 260 students in grades nine through 12. Vistamar was founded with a commitment to academic excellence, learning through discovery and building a community where every student is known and valued.

The school’s curriculum combines the best of American independent schools with the most innovative educational practices from around the globe to prepare students to meet the social, cultural and technological challenges ahead. Every student graduates from Vistamar having developed a set of future-facing goals and a pathway to personal success through college and beyond. We focus on teaching students how to think, not what to think.

Vistamar’s intimate school size and community-oriented environment provides students the opportunities to take risks, explore and discover unique talents and passions. With a 7:1 student/teacher ratio and an average class size of 14, Vistamar’s exceptional faculty provide strong

individual support as students navigate the rigorous and innovative academic curriculum and wider school program. The wide range of extracurricular activities includes 20 athletic teams, 30 student-led clubs and affinity groups and an active performing arts department.

The colleges and universities our graduates attend reflect the selectivity and variety expected from one of

L.A.’s finest independent schools. Our four-year college prep process and 23:1 student-to-counselor ratio helps students build their life skills, understand their strengths and develop a college plan that aligns with their values. Students develop the tools to succeed beyond Vistamar, and excel in college, do meaningful work, be engaged with their communities, and sustain fulfilling relationships.

Colleges and universities appreciate our intellectually engaged and culturally competent graduates.

On October 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the community is invited to attend Vistamar School’s 14th Annual Multicultural Student College Fair. Our campus is located at 737 Hawaii St. in El Segundo. A wide range of top colleges, universities and service academies from across the country will be represented at the fair.

Over the last several years, the list of attending institutions has included some of the nation’s most selective colleges such as Harvard, Stanford, Dartmouth College, MIT, Princeton, UCLA and the University of Chicago. There are also many private liberal arts colleges, public institutions from numerous states across the country, and several historically Black colleges and universities in attendance.

There will also be workshops on financial aid basics offered in English and Spanish and on the Historically Black College and University experience. Admission is free and open to all.

Contributed by Vistamar.

Get the scoop on Wright STEAM & Gifted Magnets

Interested in learning more about Wright STEAM and Gifted Magnet Middle School? Check out this Q&A to answer the most frequently asked questions about this dynamic junior high!

Q. Where is Wright? A. Wright STEAM and Gifted Magnets can be found right across the street from Little Vons on 80th Street!

Q. What are the students like?

A. If you visit, you’ll see smiling and engaged students. In addition to traditional students and gifted/ highly gifted students, Wright also serves students in Special Education, including two special day classes and an alternate curriculum program.

Q. Can you tell me about the curriculum? A. Wright has a robust STEAM program, initiated with a

grant awarded by the Magnet Schools of America Program. We received a six-year WASC accreditation in 2021. Wright embraces projectbased learning and holds interactive “STEAM in Action” nights showcasing student projects. The theater and music departments are award-winning and comprehensive. LAUSD Teacher of the Year, Elleni Maureas, leads Wright’s music program that features orchestra, band, choir and drumline! Project Lead the Way manifests itself through both in-class and extracurricular Robotics programs. This year, we were even selected to partner with NASA on a Q&A with an astronaut on the International Space Station!

Q. Does Wright offer any unique electives? A. Student programs

also include cartoon animation, flight & space (we even have a flight simulation lab!), and a newly refurbished Music and Creators Lab where the students produce and record original songs.

Q. What are Wright’s core values? A. Our motto “Be REAL” encompasses our core values of respect, empathy, ambition and leadership.

Q. What is Wright’s campus like? A, Our campus is unique. Designed by architects Spaulding and Rex, it is an example of a mid-century modern school. It features pavilion-like buildings allowing for free indooroutdoor flow. The auditorium and circular cafeteria open to a central courtyard. Wright’s campus was also recently renovated with upgrades that include a state-of-the-art robotics’ lab,

science lab and updated auditorium and library.

Q. Can I visit Wright? A. Yes! Here are some upcoming events: School tours will be held on October 6, 13 and 20 and November 3 at 8:30 a.m. On October 7, 14 and 21 and November 4, tours are at 2 p.m. The community is also invited to attend our Winter Festival performances in December. Later this month, fifth graders will be invited to “A Day in the Life of a Seahawk” to experience being Wright Middle Schoolers for the day.

Q. How can I get in touch? A. Call us at (310) 258-6600. Follow us on IG @WrightSteam. You can also email us at communications@wrightms.org.

Contributed by Wright STEAM Magnet.

JOIN US FOR

HALLOWEEN-THEMED

Visit Vistamar for their upcoming college fair on October 16.

In the fall of 1947, the Westchester community, growing in size after the end of World War II, welcomed a brand-new school focused on Christian values and academic excellence. This school, Visitation, has continued to thrive and educate our local school-aged children ever since. We have prided ourselves on this high standard of academics woven through a supportive and tight-knit community for 75 years. As we celebrate this landmark anniversary of serving the neighborhood, we focus not just on where we have been, but also on where we are going.

An interesting perspective on this was offered by our lead second grade teacher, Christina Locke, who was a student at Visitation between 2000-2009. When she attended the school, Visitation provided Ms. Locke a comforting and safe environment for her curiosity to flourish and grow. Now, returning as a teacher, Ms. Locke values her direct contribution in helping to make Visitation the best it can be for her own students.

“Whether it’s as a teacher, coach or religious coordinator, I truly value the impact that the roles I have play in the school,” says Ms. Locke. “I look to further help Visitation be a special place for students for years to come, just as it has always been for me.”

Ms. Locke’s love of Visitation is everpresent in her classroom. Under her tutelage, our second grade Bulldogs find themselves exploring the sciences, advancing their reading and writing skills, learning about important heroic icons of history and securing their mathematical skills for a foundation and understanding that will continue with them throughout their school years. And for our Catholic students, they are also lucky enough to have

Ms. Locke prepare them for their First Holy Communion.

Our staff is joined this year by several new and enthusiastic faculty members and the school year has started with a reenergized student body. Our new junior high science teacher, Stacey Abney, brings with her an infectious passion for science. Mrs. Abney’s dedication to helping students meet their fullest potential by providing a safe environment for risk-

taking and collaborations is present in each of her classroom activities.

For instance, currently, the sixth and seventh graders are learning about cells. They have been able to view living organisms under a microscope and recognize the differences between animal and plant cells. During a recent creative exploration, students spent class time crafting models using items from around the house from watermelons and cakes to pumpkins and shoe boxes.

“Middle school students love to move around the class, build and play! When there is an opportunity to complete a lab in the class, I always try to get the students moving and doing. I am OK with a noisy classroom,” jokes Mrs. Abney.

These teachers are just two examples of our enthusiastic staff and faculty, all devoted to providing an outstanding academic experience for our students. We welcome you to tour our school and to meet our faculty, students and families. We also invite you to one of our neighborhood events, including the Carnival in the NINE double oh FOUR FIVE on October 21 through 23, to find out for yourself what makes Visitation this special little school in the heart of the Westchester community for 75 years and counting. Contributed by Visitation.

Ms. Locke works on an art project with her second grade students.

Argo Navis School expands to Playa Vista community

Argo Navis is a private, Spanishimmersion school that offers a strong academic, progressive curriculum to students from preschool through 8th grade. The school is research-based and provides real-world learning opportunities daily through field trips and field studies. Argo Navis was founded with a mission to break away from the traditional school model, providing individual attention to every student. This translates into students engaging daily in a Spanish Language Immersion curriculum, multi-weekly field trips that utilize the city of L.A. as an additional campus and small class sizes (8:1 student to teacher ratio in K-fourth and 10:1 student to teacher ratio in fifth-eighth).

At Argo Navis, the goal is for students to find “joy in learning” by connecting learning to personal experiences. The administration and faculty aim to discover how each

The 2022-2023

student uniquely learns by valuing their passions and curiosities and by implementing individual learning plans for each student so that they

may succeed through their own measure of success. Curriculum is guided by California Common Core, Next Generation Science, World

Language and Computer Science Teachers Association standards.

“It’s time to demand change to education’s status quo,” explains Argo Navis Head of School, Ryanne Plaisance. “We are not serving our children with large classroom sizes where a student’s success is measured by rote memorization. At Argo Navis, we provide opportunities that foster an intrinsic desire to problem-solve and master curriculum so they will be able to navigate their world with confidence and innovation. We’re excited to expand and bring our research-driven curriculum to a new group of families.”

Argo Navis was founded in October 2015 in the Mid-Wilshire area. Over the course of seven years, the school has expanded to more than 130 students and recently opened facilities in Playa Vista.

Contributed by Argo Navis.

Education

Random

Five lessons from 20 years in fitness

By Jeff Blair

Opinion: Twenty years ago this month, I rolled into Los Angeles carrying only what I packed into my car from Kentucky three days prior. I did not have a job or a place to stay. I knew some people in town but was mostly here on my own. After finding an apartment in Palms, which was the cheapest location I could find on the Westside, I applied at the old Spectrum Club at Howard Hughes. I interviewed a few times and was hired as a trainer. My only personal training client to that point had been my mom, who paid me $10 per session.

Although I was hopeful, I was also not completely confident that coming to Los Angeles to pursue a fitness career was a good plan. But as they sing in the Broadway hit, “Hamilton,” I wanted to take my shot. If it did not work out, I could always go back to Kentucky or Ohio, where I had spent my entire life. I was only sure of one thing. I did not want to look back one day and wish I had tried.

Tens of thousands of personal training sessions and hundreds of clients later, I have learned a few things about fitness and people. This month, I am going to share five of the

most important lessons.

1. Exercise can help you feel better. A recent survey showed people value the emotional and psychological benefits even more than the physical benefits of exercise. As is sometimes said, you are just a workout away from a better mood. Exercise can also be an incredible way to reduce everyday stress and increase energy. These positive “feel good” benefits can also help sustain long-term motivation.

2. Consistency is better than dramatic results. Fitness marketing often focuses on “miraculous” 30-day successes. The problem with these campaigns is something called reality. While many people can follow a very strict approach for 30 days, those approaches are very difficult to sustain for 90 days or longer. If you are a beginner, focus first on small, “boring” habits like walking 30 minutes per day or strength-training a couple of times per week. Your long-term likelihood of success will improve dramatically.

3. Exercise is medicine. Medicine’s recognition of exercise’s health benefits has been one of the most exciting trends of the last two decades. Paraphrasing from a 2015 JAMA Internal Medicine article, “No medication treatment can positively

influence as many organ systems as physical activity can.” Exercise can “treat” chronic disease much in the same way medications do. Fall reduction, weight maintenance, arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many cancers are all positively impacted by consistent physical activity.

4. Physical activity helps keep our brains healthy. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity can keep blood flowing and help maintain protective chemicals around the brain. Consistent exercise can also lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, improve memory and just keep us sharper over the years.

5. Strength training can dramatically alter the aging process. We know strength training can dramatically improve strength which typically declines with aging. But how old is “too old” and at what age does strength training no longer work for people? The all-time study on this was published in 1990 by Fiatarone in JAMA. The study was limited to people over 90-years-old and the participants performed only one single leg-strengthening exercise for eight weeks. One participant was 96-yearsold! The results were incredible.

Average strength increased by 170 percent and increased by 400 percent for some. Most even gained muscle during the two month study. A walking test showed 44 percent improvement. Two people who used canes prior to the study were able to get rid of the walking aides. This is an example of how a small time investment in strength training can dramatically improve quality of life at almost any age.

My 20 year personal training journey has been challenging, interesting and rewarding. Along the way, I earned a Master’s Degree in Human Movement and wrote a fitness book. I even opened a personal training studio in 2011 that is still going strong today. But the personal satisfaction that comes from two decades of trying to help people in our community live healthier and better lives has been my greatest achievement.

Cheers to 20 more years of the same!

Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) is celebrating 20 years as a Certified Personal Trainer in Westchester this year. He has been featured in a variety of fitness publications and he founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio.

Contact him at jeff@socalsport.com.

By Fay Craton

Opinion: Several years ago, I saw a poster of a fossil with the caption, “That which does not change dies.” Change is important. Learning new information is important. Allowing perceptions to grow and expand is important. Applying new understandings to life is important. The ability to change, learn and expand viewpoints is the best defense for when overwhelming change happens. When life experiences go beyond the ability to cope is when we become stuck. Psychology calls this “stuckness,” trauma. Trauma is a fancy term for something we all experience to varying degrees throughout our lives.

When talking about trauma, it is not possible to define each situation as traumatic or not. What one person can cope with another person may not be able to cope with. If you cannot cope in a situation, it does not make you less than a person who can cope. Some traumas might be from a hidden situation and some traumas are very visible, such as having a home washed away in a hurricane, or a fire burn your home. Examples of hidden traumas are abuse, domestic violence or inability to conceive a child. I have seen people relegate childhood abuse to insignificance because of a perception that they deserved it, or that others have experienced something worse. Some trauma is compounded by shame. Or there could be trauma resulting from one’s own actions such as going to war. The way people respond to trauma is varied. For many years we all have been taught the normal response to stressful situations is to fight or run. Actually, there are more normal responses such as freeze or to mentally disconnect from the situation.

Do you remember times in your life when what was happening was just more than you could deal with? A lot of people felt this way about the rapid shut down caused by COVID. Do you have times in your life where you do not remember anything? Do you blame yourself for what happened to you? If so, take a deep breath and relax. You are normal. Many good people experience times when their ability to cope is either not present or very diminished.

A challenge is during “traumatizing” situations you might have come to conclusions which were not the truth. For example, people might believe an assault was their fault. The truth is it is never the fault of a child when they are assaulted by an adult. Another

example, could be an adult who is not supported on a job can begin to feel helpless, overwhelmed and conclude they have no value. Traumatic stress can be held as ongoing tension in your body, increasing stress hormones and creating illness. What can you do about it? Bad feelings and stuck memories need to be expelled from inside of you. The key is to move them into the light of day so you can start experiencing them in a different way. Along with the new ways of experiencing the memories, new decisions can be made. Here are some ways to express them:

• Talk to safe people. Find a peer group. Work with a therapist.

• Journal or draw your thoughts and feelings.

• Express through dance. Movement is helpful to shift feelings which might not have words attached to them.

How can you build your capacity to recover quickly from overwhelming situations? Here are some suggestions:

• Train your mind to default to gratitude and what is working well in your life.

• Be a lifelong learner. Keep your mind fluid and able to take in new information.

• Develop a sense of humor. Laughter helps us carry difficult loads.

• Take care of your body. Eat healthy food. Exercise. Take time to relax.

• Be willing to challenge yourself to explore new experiences.

• Develop your sense of integrity.

• Have compassion and empathy for yourself and others.

• Practice being calm. When anxious, it becomes harder to think clearly. When you are calm you will be able to navigate difficulties easier.

• Know your long-term goals. Understanding why something is important to you will improve your desire to find solutions to barriers.

My wish is for you to never be touched by trauma, but if you are, be gentle on yourself. You can increase your protection from trauma by increasing your resilience. If you are holding trauma within your mind and body, you can work toward reducing or shifting its effect on you. You are valuable and good. You are deserving of the release of trauma from within 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 has an office located in Westchester.

If you have any questions, please contact Fay at (310) 645-6762.

WESTCHESTER ELKS

PET CONTEST!

After scrolling through all the photos in our Third Annual Pet Photo Contest, there’s no denying that Westchester/Playa residents have the cutest pets in town!

While we loved seeing all the photos of the dogs, cats and even chickens that our readers sent us, the stories people shared brought even bigger smiles to our faces. Like the story of photogenic Vinny who went from being a rescue to a beloved member of the PUPs (Pets Unstressing Passengers) team at LAX, providing comfort and stress relief to passengers at the airport. Then there’s what was shared about Tom Tom whose serene demeanor has the ability to calm the anxieties of everyone he meets, whether at home or at the office. It’s clear that our pets play such important roles in our lives!

All the photos we received were uploaded to our Facebook.com/thehtn page to share with the community who were invited to give a “like” to their favorite pictures. While all of our pet photo contestants are adorable and deserve the honorary titles of Cutest Pets for 2022, this year’s top vote-getters were Sgt. Pepper, a Husky, Siberian, German Shepherd, Boxer and Great Dane-mix that looks a lot like Scooby Doo and Jack Louis, a playful cat with piercing eyes. This year, we’re also naming Biscuit, a sweet terrier-mix who was rescued all the way from Korea before making his way to Westchester, as our “Hometown Favorite,” for his award-winning smile and perfect posing skills with his toy squirrel. These three pets will receive a gift card to Petco Westchester! We wish we could showcase all of the pet photos in print, but here are some of our favorites. You can also view the full gallery at Facebook.com/thehtn.

If you’re considering adding a pet to your family, check out these local rescues: Lange Foundation, Forever Fido, Annenberg PetSpace, Rover’s Retreat, Purposeful Rescue, L.A. County Shelters, Wags and Walks, LaBelle Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society and the Forte Animal Rescue.

A big thank you to everyone who shared their photos and stories to participate in this fun contest that highlights the human-animal bond.

Sgt. Pepper

Biscuit

Luna & Ziggy

Mishka

Bixby

Miley

Josie

Jack Louis

Kobe

Calvin

Super

Smokey

Lily

Carmel

Hamlet