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Westchester Secondary Charter School sixth grade students enjoy an interactive exhibit on a field trip to LACMA during last semester.
Westchester Babe Ruth Baseball team rallies to win World Series championship By Bob Cody
The Westchester Babe Ruth under 15 baseball team staged two seventh inning rallies to tie games and then won both in extra innings to take home the World Series Championship for their age bracket in
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Lawrenceburg, Tennessee on August 20. In the semi-finals the team was down to Mid-Atlantic 2-0 and then 4-2 before a seventh inning rally fueled by a Joe Fortin double scored Garrett Spicuzza to tie the game 4-4. Pitcher Maxwell Sterner worked out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth
and left runners on first and third in the ninth, before Joe Fortin singled in Michael Gonzalez for Westchester’s 5-4 comeback victory. In the finals, Westchester was up against the hometown team Lawrenceburg. With some estimates that as many as 6,000 fans were
Westchester Babe Playa Vista’s Resort Ruth Baseball showcases green design team wins World Series
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in attendance in a town of 10,000 people, Westchester, down 2-0 in the last inning, again had to rally to tie the game. After Nate Llorens scored Westchester’s first run, Michael Gonzalez doubled, tying the game (continued on page 2)
LMU students start year with state of the art Life Sciences Building
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The Westchester Babe Ruth team poses behind their 2015 World Series championship banner. Pictured back row (left to right): Manager Daniel Helms, Coach John Lapatto, Mason Goodman, Michael Gonzalez, Max Sterner, Ryan Gervais, Garrett Spicuzza, Adrian Morales and Coach Alex Francis Galaviz. Front row (left to right): Hunter Lynch, Glen Gardner, Fabian Galvan, Kennedy Guillen, Joe Fortin, Carlos Flores, Nate Llorens, Mateo Camano and Bat Boy Andrew Kidd. Not Pictured: Coach Dean Jelmini, Alex Krakovsky and Bat Boy Sean Helms. Photo by Mac Brown Photographers, Lawrenceburg, TN.
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Page 2 • September 2015
Westchester Babe Ruth Baseball team rallies to win World Series (continued) (continued from page 1) on Joe Fortin’s clutch RBI single. After Sterner set down Lawrenceburg in the top of the eighth, Mateo Camano, who started the inning with a single, came around on Adrian Morale’s gamewinning hit to initiate Westchester’s championship celebration. Not only did Westchester have to rally in the semi-finals and championship, but they had to come back after a heart-breaking loss 8-3 in their first pool game at the World Series when the Southwest area champs rallied with a sevenrun seventh inning. It was not a good start to the tournament, but the Westchester boys came back to win the pool by hammering their remaining three opponents. Each of the games went only five innings as the Westchester boys beat Eastern Tennessee 21-3, Pacific Northwest 16-0 and Southeast also 16-0. Against Eastern Tennessee as a sign of things to come, Joe Fortin scored five times and Adrian Morales scored four runs (with three hits) in front of Max Sterner, who had five RBIs while going 4-4 at the plate. Against Pacific Northwest, Westchester’s two lead off hitters, Michael Gonzalez and Adrian Morales, each scored four times, with Ryan Gervais and Max Sterner
plating three RBIs each. Against the Southeast team, it was more of the same with all of the top of the lineup contributing, with Gonzalez and Morales each scoring twice; Fortin with three hits, three runs and four RBIs; Sterner with three hits and two RBIs and Kennedy Guillen with two hits and two RBIs. Joe Fortin was honored as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and Batting Champion. Making the All-Tournament team from Westchester were Fortin at third base, shortstop Adrian Morales and outfielders Max Sterner and Mike Gonzalez. Nate Llorens won an AllDefensive Team award for his fine play in the outfield. The area’s Babe Ruth baseball program remains one of the hidden gems of Westchester. Chris Lynch, who has served as the league’s president for the last twelve seasons, noted that this year’s U15 team follows in the footsteps of the 2013 teams when Westchester had both its U14 and U15 teams make the finals, with the U14 team winning the championship. The league’s fall seasons runs September 13 through November 22 at the Ivan Miller Field in Playa del Rey.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Westchester Babe Ruth Baseball wins World Series 02 Playa Vista showcases green design 04 zpizza Tap Room opens in Westchester 08 Celebrating our Local Schools 13-22
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Sarah Ahern, Contributing Writer Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer
Fay Craton, Contributing Writer David “Duke” Dukesherer Sr., Looking Back
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Airport Marina Counseling Business & Professional Covenant Presbyterian Church Custom Design & Construction Drollinger Properties El Segundo Car Wash Elks Lodge Food Pantry, LAX Kevin and Kaz Gallaher Gateway to GO! Guilded Cage Hopdoddy Burger Bar Jane St. John Keck Medicine of USC LA Arts Collective Loyola Marymount Loyola Marymount FoS
08 25 25 12 21 02 10 25 23 26 07 05 23 07 16 04 22
Marina del Rey Hospital 28 Neighborhood Council 27 Otterstrom and Orenstein 11 Oula Westchester 06 Paseo Elementary School 14 Socal Sports and Fitness 26 St. Anastasia School 19 Tony P’s Dockside Grill 10 Vergari and Napolitano 05 Visitation School 17 Westchester Lutheran 03, 15 08 Westchester/Playa Village Westchester Secondary Charter 18 Westchester Town Center BID 03 Westside Neighborhood School 16 WISH Charter School 20 Zacha Homes 24
About The HomeTown News (HTN)
The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.
Connect with the HTN:
Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Phone: (310) 641-1016 Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn
The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
YOU’RE ALWAYS AT Start theCelebrate New Year Year looking lookingFreedom! in WELCOME the right right direction...Up! direction...Up! Start the New in the WESTCHESTER LUTHERAN!
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Star theNewYearlo kingintherightdirection. Up! Freedom from doubt. Freedom from fear.
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Join us at Westchester Lutheran Church, Westchester Lutheran and embrace the freedomSchool found inbegan a loving, forgiving relationship with the on Wednesday, September 2nd. Lord. Join new friends in a celebration of Call that us for a tour or more everything is possible when you live in harmony with the Word. information!
All are welcome. Come celebrate with us!
Visit us for Sunday Worship and Sunday School at 10 a.m. Weekly Worship programs Sundays at 10ages a.m. Special for all Summer Choir Rehearsal Sundays at 9 a.m. throughout the Week Vacation Bible School July 29-August 2
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7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester, CA 90045 310.670.5422 www.wlcs.org
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2015 • Page 3
Playa Vista’s Resort showcases green design at sustainability open house By Sarah Ahern The developers of The Resort at Playa Vista, Brookfield Residential, recently teamed up with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, SoCalGas and Tecogen Inc. to host a sustainability open house to showcase Playa Vista’s newest community center. While The Resort serves as an activity hub for local residents looking to meet up with friends, exercise or lounge by the pool, it also is a building designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, reflecting Playa Vista’s design mentality as a whole. The Resort is a modern, 25,000-square-foot, two-story center surrounded with glass walls located on Runway Road, just steps away from the shopping, tech and living district of Playa Vista that is steadily expanding. It will serve the growing community of thousands of residents, as well as those who will soon occupy the four developing residential communities in the Runway mixeduse complex in “downtown” Playa Vista. The Resort provides a completely new array of recreational activities for residents, serving as an upgrade to the
Page 4 • September 2015
original multi-purpose community center, the CenterPointe Club. The facility includes a junior Olympic swimming pool, a lounging pool, a wading pool, two spas, cabanas, a catering kitchen, a demonstration kitchen, a general-purpose classroom space and a two-level indoor/outdoor fitness center. Upon entrance to the building, guests are able to use and view an interactive dashboard that displays the levels of energy being used around the building at various times of the day. Viewers are also able to view the electricity supply break down for any given day and the kilowatt-hours of electricity produced. This energy is largely provided by the natural gas combined heat and power system, or CHP, that has been donated by SoCalGas. The 75-kilowatt natural gas powered engine generates electricity for the facility at night and on coastal, cloudy days and provides 40% of the center’s energy. The heat that is created by this engine is seized and processed through a shell and tube heat exchanger, which heats the facilities various swimming pools. Also being a cogeneration system developed by Tecogen Inc., this highly efficient process generates
The Resort’s green roof is just one of its energy efficient features.
both electric energy and heat energy, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions that would normally be correlated with electricity and hot water production. “Not only is natural gas clean, affordable and works to reduce greenhouses gases, but we are also saving thousands of dollars in energy,” said Gillian Wright at the event, vice president of customer services for SoCalGas. During the day when there is no
coastal fog, the 251 rooftop paneled 63 kilowatt Photovoltaic Solar Power System, serves a majority of the building’s electricity needs. Electricity that is created in excess of The Resort’s consumption during the daytime is exported to the LADWP power grid through the net metering process. During the open house, Randy Johnson, the executive vice president of Brookfield Residential, was given the “Award of Excellence” for saving (continued on next page)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
The Resort (continued) (continued from previous page) the Playa Vista Master Homeowner’s Association over $20,000 annually through the use of natural gas, cogeneration heat and power and solar photovoltaic technologies. When residents are enjoying the various activities throughout the building, they are easily transported from room to room by the figure 8 design of the building. The rooms contain sliding glass doors that can be opened or closed when necessary to help maintain comfortable temperatures, utilizing the facilities proximity to the coast and recurring ocean breezes to reduce the amount of reserve heating, cooling and forced-air ventilation that would otherwise be compulsory. The rooftops of the buildings are predominately green roofs, with planted vegetation that absorbs sunlight to serve as ventilation, as well as absorb rainwater to reduce street run off. The 7,800 feet of planted green roof rises over the lobby and gym area, allowing the natural outdoor elements to become a part of the indoor Resort experience. Drip irrigation is used for the rooftop vegetation and landscaping, and LADWP provides the plants around The Resort with locally recycled
water. The areas of the rooftop that are not green roofs are called cool roofs, which are painted white to reflect sunlight and keep the center cool. With the myriad of energy and water efficiency measures being taken at The Resort, it is a building that is approaching zero net energy, meaning that the amount of energy used by the building annually is approximately equal to the amount of renewable energy that is created on the site. “The Resort at Playa Vista serves as a model of what housing should look like in the future. When innovations like these become the standard, the City of Los Angeles will have surpassed its goal of 15 percent increased energy efficiency by 2020 and taken a major step toward a greener more sustainable future,” said David Jacot, LADWP Director of Efficiency solutions in a press release. While The Resort is exclusively for Playa Vista residents, the multipurpose rooms are available for rent and lease to the general public. For more information and to learn more about the sustainable practices at The Resort, visit playavista.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2015 • Page 5
Business & Nonprofit News YMCA receives donation. The Westchester Family YMCA recently received a $10,000 grant from The CarMax Foundation in support of its Physical Learning Activities for Youth (P.L.A.Y.) Program. Designed to help lower the childhood obesity rate, P.L.A.Y. is a free physical education program offered to students of underfunded local elementary schools that are unable to offer comparable curriculum. “We are very thankful to The CarMax Foundation for their generous contribution toward our P.L.A.Y. Program,” said John Loussararian, Westchester Family YMCA Executive Director. “It is our desire to support our schools in encouraging healthful habits among our youth and without the generosity of donors and volunteers, we would be limited in the impact we’re able to make in people’s lives. We look forward to working with The CarMax Foundation to improve the quality of life for more of our youth, adults and families.” To help combat childhood obesity and encourage healthy habits, the Y’s 60-minute P.L.A.Y. sessions are taught by specially trained Y coaches who teach exercise and fundamental motor skills while encouraging positive associations with physical
Page 6 • September 2015
TheHTN.com
YMCA board members and representatives from the CarMax Foundation celebrate the donation to the P.L.A.Y. Program in front of the Westchester Family YMCA.
activity. P.L.A.Y. sessions are held during the school day and take place one to three times a week. Flight Path celebrates 20th Anniversary with gala. Flight Path will celebrate its 20th anniversary on October 1 with a gala to benefit its Flight Path Museum. The museum, located at 6661 Imperial Highway,
is operated in conjunction with Los Angeles World Airports and houses aviation memorabilia, flight simulators and a vintage aircraft. The gala, themed “Flying Into the Future: Celebrating Two Decades,” will highlight the nonprofit’s service to the aviation community, as well as the group’s mission to preserve Southern California’s aviation history
and encourage careers in aviation and aerospace. The event will include an international buffet, entertainment and airport tours and a presentation of the Clay Lacy and Charles “Pete” Conrad Scholarships to students planning careers in aviation. Tickets are $100 and available at flightpathmuseum.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2015 • Page 7
zpizza Tap Room Los Angeles opened on Monday, August 31 and is serving up fresh brick oven pizza, salads, craft beers and desserts.
zpizza serves up brick oven pizza. Westchester’s newest pizza joint, zpizza Tap Room, opened on Monday, August 31 and is located at 5933 W. Century Blvd. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the new Marriott Residence Inn and seats 41 guests inside. Guests can also dine in an outdoor patio area. zpizza Tap Room Los Angeles is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. “We wanted to open a zpizza Tap Room because it’s the kind of place we would be proud to take our family and friends,” said owners Jen and Maurice Ehrencron. “We’re excited to bring this unique dining experience to the Westchester and LAX community and look forward to serving the many residents, travelers and businesses that surround us.” The restaurant specializes in
Help Us Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary, Sept. 19th, 2015!
brick oven baked pizzas made with premium ingredients, including certified organic tomato sauce and non-GMO flour. In addition to pizza, their menu includes salads, pastas, flatbreads and desserts. Want to bake your own pizza? Guests can order ahead to pick up a “Take N Bake pizza.” Have a budding culinary superstar? Junior chefs can build their own 8” pizza right at their table when dining at the restaurant. Also unique to the location is its self-serve beer tap wall with 12 local craft beers available. Customers are able to pour their own beer by using wristbands they scan at the taps that track the amount poured. For more info, visit zpizza.com. Have something to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
Giveaways and a discount for each customer!
The Guilded Cage
has been operated for 40 years entirely by volunteers to support the Airport Marina Counseling Center, which provides low-cost mental health services to our community.
Please visit us. All new merchandise and hand-crafted items. 8917-B So. Sepulveda Blvd, across the parking lot from Ralphs and CVS.
Page 8 • September 2015
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Random Notes/Opinion
TheHTN.com
Make a goal to experience contentment By Fay Craton
Opinion: As September begins, collectively we begin the last leg of the year. Students are heading back to school after taking a summer break. For those who are no longer in school, the push is on to complete this year’s career goals. As the months march on, before we know it, the holidays will be here. Right now is a good time to take a few minutes to think about what you want to experience during the last few months of the year. Goals should not be just about how many tasks you accomplish. Goals can also be about shifting your default setting for your level of contentment. Let’s start with reflecting on this year’s experiences up to now. How you mentally and/or emotionally engage with what you are doing or is occurring around you can change whether you suffer or feel invigorated. Your experience does not need to be the same as what another person is experiencing in the same situation. It is always personal to you. However, how you experience an occurrence can also ripple over to how another person feels about the same occurrence. In this way another person can be influenced by you. Can you say that what is happening in your life is bringing you peace, contentment, or happiness to both you
and significant people around you? If the answer is “yes” then keep doing it. But if you are stressed, unhappy, frustrated, bored, angry, constantly sad, or using a substance to escape, then it is time to stop and look at what is working in your life and what is not working in your life. When your feelings are more “yucky” than “yummy,” it is time to look at your own beliefs, words and behaviors. Are you thinking the problem has nothing to do with you? Do you find yourself frequently sharing about the awful things others are doing which lead to your anguish or misery? As I look around me, I observe people blaming the actions of others for causing them grief. As a result, they say mean things to put another person down or with the goal of undermining someone’s self-confidence. I hear people saying ongoing small lies, cruel words and making highly controlling demands on others in attempts to feel better. How you treat others often gets reflected in how they treat you. In addition, your words and behaviors demonstrate your thoughts and beliefs about what you consider to be valuable to you. We can see examples of how people make themselves and others miserable by tuning into any reality TV show. The game of one-upmanship does not create lasting satisfaction
and an overall enjoyable life. The reality shows demonstrate how when you place control of your emotions on occurrences outside of your own being, you relinquish your own rights to determine how much happiness you experience. You can reclaim your right to choose internal contentment in spite of a condition occurring around you. Are you wondering how you can make the choice to be contented or happy instead of feeling stressed, frustrated or angry? It requires changing your thinking, beliefs and habitual negative outbursts to what occurs around you. To make deep and lasting changes may require seeking assistance of a trained mental health professional, but you can make an effort toward creating this shift on your own. The lessons about change pop up in many different settings. Here is one example of the kind of experience where you can learn to make a new choice. When something happens around you which generates annoyance for you, become an observer by paying close attention to the details of what is unfolding. At your first quiet opportunity after the occurrence, stop and reflect about what happened. Look only at the facts, which means you let go of any interpretations you placed onto what others were doing or saying at the time of the occurrence. Externally, were there other possibil-
ities than what you were interpreting at the time? Internally, were your feelings what you were choosing or were they habits you have formed to guard against the world around you. In reviewing the situation, did your automatic reactive feelings and actions bring you contentment? Did your actions reflect what you choose to experience in the future? The next time a similar happening occurs would you like to try to have a different experience? My wish for you is that you experience contentment and sense of being of value in this world. For this to happen, it is important to first understand what you are seeking to establish is a healthy relationship with yourself. If you do not first have a healthy inner balance, it is difficult to have good relationships with other people. When you regain a sense of your values and strengths your self-esteem becomes healthy. Self-esteem does not mean having a big ego where you seek to control other people. Self-esteem is about respecting yourself. Relationships with other people are reflections of how you are doing with reclaiming a healthy interior stability. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011). She has an office in Westchester. Contact her at visitcommunicationtriangle.com or (310) 645-6762.
Three ways resistance training turns back the clock By Jeff Blair Opinion: It seems like people are always looking for the Fountain of Youth in a pill, bottle or cream. The “quick fix” appeals to most of us, but we eventually realize these overnight solutions are too good to be true. The closest we have to an actual fountain of youth is resistance training. By resistance training, I mean weight-lifting (such as dumbbells, barbells or kettlebells) or other forms of resistance such as elastic bands. A third form of resistance exercise is using your own body weight (think pushups or pullups). Resistance exercise places external stress on your body and provides what is called an “adaptation” or an “improvement.” How does resistance training improve your body? Let’s discuss three major ways. 1. Strength Improvement. When we are young, we ride bikes, climb trees, run up hills, etc. As we reach our mid to late teens, this activity mostly stops. Instead of running on a field, we surf the Internet. Rather than jump rope, we scan cable channels. As the years (and decades) pass, with little strenuous activity, we steadily lose strength. This loss of strength causes
use to feel tired and can lead to pain and sometimes even injuries to shoulders, low back and knees. Resistance training allows us to regain much of the strength of youth. By challenging the muscle in an appropriate way in a workout, muscular strength increases. Resistance training has been proven to work at any age, even people in their 90s can see a significant strength increase from resistance training. The increase in strength allows us to move and feel better as most don’t realize that all movement requires muscle. As our muscles weaken through the years, daily activity such as caring for kids or grandkids, doing housework or even playing golf can become more difficult and more draining. By increasing muscular strength through resistance training, we can increase energy and feel happier. 2. Increases Muscle. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, youthful physical activity keeps us strong. As we get busy with jobs, kids and other responsibilities, these activities get pushed way down the priority list. Less activity means our muscles start to lose their shape and our appearance may suffer as a result. By incorporating resistance exercise into our
lifestyle, we can regain much of the muscle lost and our appearance and self-esteem can improve. I am not talking about huge “bodybuilder-type” muscles either, just a healthy and more athletic appearance. Whether it is a 45 year old male looking for broader shoulders or a 50 year old female looking to tighten up her arms, resistance training can help us reach our appearance goals. It has been said “muscle is magic,” and I believe that after seeing how an increase in muscle can provide the psychological boost of enhanced self-esteem and greater confidence. 3. Fat Loss. When most people think of losing fat through exercise, they think of running or some other form of cardiovascular exercise. Resistance training, however, is an even better way than cardiovascular exercise to fight fat over the long-term for several reasons. As I previously mentioned, resistance exercise increases muscle and improves strength. By increasing muscle, our metabolism will increase because more muscle causes our bodies to burn more calories 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. By increasing strength, we are better able to maintain daily physical activity which
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
can also help keep excess fat away. Resistance training (especially done in particular ways) can also burn a high number of calories both during the workout and after the workout (this post-workout calorie burn is called “EPOC”). These three changes your body goes through after resistance training are the closest we have to a Fountain of Youth as they will lead to increased energy and improved self-esteem. A typical workout program does not require you to “live in the gym” either; you can see very good results working out 3 hours per week. If you’re unsure where to get started, it’s a good idea to get professional instruction from a certified personal trainer or other trained exercise professional. Good luck and shoot me an email with your success story! Before you start any fitness routine, please consult your doctor. JEFF BLAIR (M.S.) owns a personal training studio located in Westchester. He was voted “Best Of” Personal Trainer in the Hometown News’ 2015 Readers’ Poll. Email jeffblair@jeffblairfitness.com for fitness story ideas or comments. September 2015 • Page 9
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Calendar Ongoing monthly events: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club at its Wednesday morning meeting at 7:15 a.m. The club is now meeting at Whiskey Red’s, located at 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more info, visit playasunrise.org or call (310) 429-3808.
Rotary Club of Westchester The Rotary Club of Westchester meets every Wednesday at 12 noon for lunch at the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel, located at 5985 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester. The cost of lunch is $20 and validated self parking is free. Guests are most welcome! Reservations are not required. For information regarding the upcoming luncheon programs, visit rotary-westchester.com.
LAX Kiwanis Club The LAX Kiwanis Club is looking for new members. The club meets every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, located at 9620 Airport Blvd. in Westchester. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. The LAX Kiwanis raise money every year for such causes as providing scholarships, holiday baskets for needy families and back to school shopping sprees. For more information about the club or to RSVP to attend one of their meetings, please email laxkiwanisclub@gmail.com or call president Jeff DeLarme at (310) 7212869.
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TheHTN.com The Life Story Writing Group meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. The donation to the YMCA is $12 a year. For information, please call Mary Sage at (310) 397-3967.
September events: Kentwood Players present Ravenscroft Next up for Westchester’s Kentwood Players is Don Nigro’s comedic murder mystery Ravenscroft. Ravenscroft is a stylish, witty mystery-thriller where a detective investigates a murder at an English country estate inhabited by five intriguing women and finds that he is caught in a web of deceit and lies. He learns that everyone is a suspect and everyone has a motive! The mystery unfolds with comical twists and turns until the unpredictable ending reveals all. The play will run September 11 through October 17 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Tickets are $20. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (310) 645-5156 or visit kentwoodplayers.org.
Laband Art Gallery presents “Touching Strangers” Join LMU’s Laband Gallery on Saturday, September 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. for the opening reception and artist’s talk for their newest exhibit “Richard Renaldi: Touching Strangers.” Since 2007, Richard Renaldi has been working on a series of photographs made by approaching complete strangers to physically interact with each other while posing for a portrait. He pairs them up and invites them to pose together in ways that people usually reserve for their
loved ones and close friends. Renaldi creates spontaneous and fleeting relationships between strangers for the camera, often pushing his subjects beyond their comfort levels. These relationships may only last until the moment the shutter is released, but the resulting photographs are moving and provocative and raise profound questions about the possibilities for positive human connection in a diverse society. The exhibition features thirtytwo photographs and two videos and will run through November 22. The Laband Art Gallery is located on the LMU campus in the Fritz B. Burns Fine Art Building. For more information, please visit cfa.lmu.edu/laband.
Wine Tasting Fundraiser for American Cancer Society Custom Design and Construction is holding a wine tasting featuring Quintessential Wines on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. to raise money for the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life of El Segundo. The money raised will help fund the American Cancer Society’s patient programs and research grants. The cost to attend is $20 per person or $30 per couple, which may be paid at the event. The wine tasting will be held at Custom Design and Construction Design Center, located at 2001 E. Mariposa Ave. in El Segundo. RSVP is required. Please RSVP at VisitCustomDesign.com or call (310) 815-4815
Food Truck Friday Nights
featuring beer, wine and margaritas. The September event will have a Rock and Roll 50s theme. For a list of the food trucks and for more info, please visit visitationschool.org.
Westchester Lariats Open House The Westchester Lariats, a nonprofit youth international dance troupe that has served Westchester since 1950 is inviting the community to an open house on Monday, September 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Guests will have the chance to learn more about the organization and the classes they offer for girls and boys in kindergarten through 12th grade. At the event, there will be a dance showcase and refreshments will be served. The event will take place at the Westchester United Methodist Community Room, located at 8065 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. No RSVP is needed. For more information, visit westchesterlariats.org.
Pacific Art Guild Meeting The Pacific Art Guild will meet Wednesday, September 23 at 7 p.m. in the Westchester Community Room, located at 7166 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. The guest demonstrator for September is David Deyell. Deyell graduated from architecture school and after many years as an architect, retired and returned to watercolor painting. He is an Emeritus member of AIA. He paints very loose and colorful paintings and gives watercolor classes at Yosemite, Agoura Hills and Oak Park. He has also just published a beautiful new book, The Art of Plein Air Watercolor. Deyell will be demonstrating a watercolor landscape painting at the meeting. For more information, please call Vickie Myers at (310) 322-5059.
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Life story writing class
Thinking about your life story? Learn a simple method to recall and then write your memories.
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Join Visitation for its next Food Truck Friday Night event on Friday, September 18. The event is located on the school’s campus at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. Guests can enjoy food from more than a dozen food trucks, while enjoying live music, hoop dancing, face painting and a dessert shop cafe. For adults, there’s O’Malley’s Pub
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Whether you are an owner with a space to sell or lease or a buyer or tenant with space needs we can help.
Whether you are an owner with a space to sell or lease or a buyer or tenant with space needs we can help.
TWO MORE SPACES. Whether you are an owner with Richard Otterstrom, Whether you
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LMU starts school year with new Life Sciences Building
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Dean of the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering,Tina Choe (center), poses with members of architecture firm, CO Architects, and construction firm, C.W. Driver on the second-level teaching terrace of the Life Sciences Building.
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DESIGN / BUILD | KITCHENS / BATHS | REMODELING | ADDITIONS | NEW CONSTRUCTION Page 12 • September 2015
Loyola Marymount University started its fall semester on Monday, August 31 with the opening of its new $110 million Life Sciences Building. The three-story, 100,000 square-foot building took two years to complete and is the first building designed under LMU’s Master Plan. The building was funded through fundraising and no tuition dollars were spent. The building houses programs in biology, chemistry, environmental science, health and human sciences and urban ecology. There are 35 research and teaching laboratories, as well as 9,000 square feet of faculty research space, that according to Dean of the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, Tina S.W. Choe, will give undergraduate students access to equipment and technology usually only reserved for doctorate students. “We couldn’t be more pleased to open the doors of this building to our students,” said Choe. “What’s so exciting is that with our new facilities, LMU will be at the forefront of educating the next generation of scientists for decades to come.” The interior design of the building is a play of transparency and solid, with its glass panels, exposed concrete and metal features. The 35 teaching laboratories have been created to put “science on display” with glass walls allowing students and guests to be able to see what goes on in the rooms and help “demystify” science. According to Choe, there are no traditional classrooms in the building. All learning spaces are flexible, with the ability to change the layout of the tables and chairs and for students to hook their computers up to screens that can display their work to their team or to the entire room. Because the building has a fifty-plus year lifespan, it was important to make the interior
design modern, yet easily adaptable for changing tastes in color palettes and furniture. During its lifetime, more than 60,000 students are expected to use the building and its laboratories. Another feature of the building is its state of the art 273-seat auditorium. Advances in screen technology allow the auditorium to remain bright, letting students and visitors engage in the material without getting drowsy or distracted by the need to make the room dark. Choe hopes to host programs and events in the auditorium that are open to the community. “Openness and transparency are hallmarks of our design, which puts science on display, encourages collaborative interaction and engages the greater campus,” said Paul Zajfen, FAIA, design principal at CO Architects, which designed the building. Creating a building that was sustainable and energy efficient was also a vital component to the project. Some of the building’s sustainability features include a three-story green roof that will act as a “living laboratory” for research on soil runoff and drought-tolerant landscaping and the use of more than 8,200 square feet of solar panels that will produce approximately 10 percent of the facility’s energy needs. The building is expected to receive LEED Gold Certification. “LMU’s goal for the new Life Sciences Building was to provide a cutting-edge space that would allow faculty and students to tap into the latest technology and grow as scientists,” said Matthew Wilt, project manager at C.W. Driver, which constructed the building. “As a result, the construction process also entailed a variety of technologies and innovative processes to deliver the new standard in science classroom spaces.”
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
children. To achieve its goals, the Education Committee works with elected officials, school representatives in the public and private sector, local residents and others in the community. The types of activities the committee engages in varies, but include: • Serving as a forum for local residents to express community concerns related to schools. The committee attempts to facilitate productive school and community relations and problem-solving partnerships. • Serving as a resource for local schools to engage community, city and county support. • Recognition of outstanding local education successes. • Collaborations with other local education groups including the LMU Family of Schools, LAX Coastal Chamber Education Committee and the Westchester/Playa Education Foundation. One of these collaborations yielded a document to help address questions about the accessibility, function and options available to families with school-aged children. As a coordinated effort with the LMU Family of Schools, the NCWP Education Committee developed a FAQ to “demystify” the local school options for our community’s residents. This FAQ for neighborhood stakeholders is available for download at ncwpdr. org/westchesterplayaschools-faqs-neighborhoodstakeholders. (continued on page 14)
PHOTOS COURTESY WSCS.
The Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles were established to promote more citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs. The communities of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista have their own Neighborhood Council and among its committees is one solely focused on education chaired by Dr. Michele Cooley-Strickland and co-chaired by Grace Yao. The Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Westchester Municipal Building Community Room. These meetings are open to the public. The NCWP Education Committee’s primary goal is to engage the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista community in support of advancing the success of the local elementary, middle and high schools, as well as that of the local colleges and universities. We work to do this by enhancing school resources and students’ educational experiences; encouraging parental involvement and through community partnerships. The committee believes that it is in the best interest of all of the stakeholders and residents of Westchester/ Playa, whether or not they have school-aged children, to support the success and improve the quality, access and structure of our local schools. It enhances property values and, importantly, contributes to the health and well-being of our most valuable citizens: our
Top photo: Sixth grade students enjoy an interactive exhibit on a field trip to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Bottom photos (left to right): Middle school students practice the triangle pose in yoga class. Students compete in Get Lit’s citywide spoken word competition.
WSCS starts semester at new location, raising funds for programs Westchester Secondary Charter School (WSCS) is thrilled to have a space for the next couple of years at the First Baptist Church of Westchester, located at 8540 La Tijera Blvd., where we hope to build a longterm home. In our third year, we will serve more than 300 students in grades 6-11 and are boasting a student faculty ratio of 14:1. We’re offering not only several AP courses to our current sophomores and juniors, but also continue to provide a thriving elective program that includes yoga, guitar, theatre and art. All of these curricular offerings fulfill our vision of
creating a comprehensive liberal arts program that is rigorous, personal and communityfocused. Last year, over 90% of our 10th grade students passed the CAHSEE (high school exit exam) at their first sitting. We had over 60% of our drama students place in the Regional DTASC Shakespeare Competition and had two middle school students place (second and third) in the nationwide Selma Reflections writing contest sponsored by Charity Jordan, one of the stars of the movie. Additionally, five of our students were selected to sit on the prestigious Mayor’s
Youth Council where they work regularly with Mayor Garcetti and advise him on issues related to young people in Los Angeles. WSCS is currently in the middle of our Dream Fundraising Campaign; our goal is to raise $20,000 for the school in less than 60 days through direct donations from the school community, local foundations and businesses and individuals who support public education and the school. Now firmly rooted in Westchester, its time for the school to thrive and this campaign supports a firm foundation in the community. To donate, visit westchestercharter.org.
A Message from the HomeTown News It’s Back to School season and we are proud to present the Third Annual “Celebrating our Local Schools” section in the pages of the HomeTown News! For this special section, we invited our local Westchester/Playa schools to share information with us that
they would like the community to know about their campuses, so we could share that information with our readers. There are great things going on at each of our local public, private and charter schools that the community can be proud of! The information provided in these
pages is proof that the local schools are working hard to provide their students with innovative programs, engaged teachers and robust arts, sports and science programs. The HomeTown News is a proud supporter of our local schools. We support education through
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Back to School
our sponsorship of events like the Race for Success and the Teacher Eddy Awards; by donating to silent auctions; and of course, by inviting all of our schools to contact us with their achievements so we can share them with you, our readers! Here’s to a great school year! September 2015 • Page 13
Getting involved can help make schools flourish “Schools that are serious about fulfilling every student’s promise must develop structures and relationships that nurture the strengths and energies of each student.”– Dennis Littky, The Big Picture. While this idea is both insightful and provocative, it cannot be assumed that schools will accomplish the task of developing adequate structures and relationships without the support of all stakeholders. Schools are microcosms of the larger society and must work collaboratively with community partners to identify, understand and commit to meeting the needs of all learners. In the Loyola Marymount University Family of Schools, our students come from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds. They are middle class, economically disadvantaged, gifted and talented, have special needs and learning disabilities, live with their biological parents, are being raised in foster homes, U.S. citizens, immigrants and of a variety
of cultures, ethnicities and faithbased traditions. As a result, each year we work to support our partner schools as they continue to develop environments where all children are able to thrive. In support of inclusive education, culturally relevant and responsive teaching, Title I programs, English language development and other intervention and enrichment opportunities, the LMU Family of Schools seeks to engage civic, business and educational leaders in the co-creation of school cultures that are affirming and student centered. We believe all children should receive an education that prepares them for college and career success and provides the tools for them to serve others as responsible and compassionate citizens. The LMU Family of Schools also recognizes the negative impact that societal biases, prejudices and discrimination have on the lives and schooling of our children. As we work to support schools in building healthy environments, we will reduce the ill
effects of these factors and level the academic playing field. However, in order to do so, WE MUST SOLICIT YOUR HELP because education is everyone’s business (Littky, 2004) and strong schools are a present and future asset to everyone in our community. I went to school in the Westchester/Playa community and I know it is replete with entrepreneurs, community activists, parents, educators, coaches, mentors and a host of other educational stakeholders. With the start of the 2015-2016 school year comes new opportunities to operationalize your passion to care for the socialemotional well-being and foster the academic achievement of our children. Today, we are challenging and encouraging all community members to join with us and take advantage of the opportunities to know, grow and positively impact your local educational community. GET INVOLVED! You don’t have to know all the terminology, nor all the key players, you just need to exercise
Darin Earley, MS.ed Director, LMU Family of Schools.
the courage and willingness to contact our office or the local school of your choice and let them know you want to help. We look forward to hearing from you! Darin Earley, MS.ed is the Director of the LMU Family of Schools.
NCWP works to promote education (continued) • Participating in community outreach events, including the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce’s Local School Expo. • Obtain objective understanding of the community’s views on local education. A brief (and ongoing)
Page 14 • September 2015
survey was developed by the NCWP Education Committee and the initial results are posted on our website. You can participate in the survey by visiting SurveyMonkey.com/r/5JNVD8X. In the future, the NCWP Education Committee plans to host a Westside
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Public School Education Event featuring elected officials and local school representatives so parents and stakeholders will have the opportunity to have a Q&A with their local officials to understand their plans for strengthening the quality of our local
publicly-funded schools. The event is being planned for late Fall 2015. Please visit the NCWP Education Committee at ncwpdr.org/education to learn more about education in the community and to get involved.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Back to School
September 2015 • Page 15
St. Jerome welcomes students back to school
St. Jerome faculty and staff are pleased to be back to school and welcome all new and returning students and their families. The energy was positive and we know that with this kind of enthusiasm, it will be a terrific year! The Mini Pep Rally in the courtyard and the ice cream social in the afternoon were some of the highlights of our first day of school. We are off to a great start and we hope you will join us at some of the amazing events we have in store of the upcoming year. Please visit our website at st-jeromeschool.org to get more information about our events and to schedule your school tour!
Page 16 • September 2015
Westside Neighborhood celebrates 35th anniversary of creating lifelong learners Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Westside Neighborhood School’s (WNS) mission is to create a community of lifelong learners that nurtures students from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential and inspires them to contribute to the world with confidence, creativity, curiosity, conscience, and compassion. As a DK-8 independent school located adjacent to Playa Vista with a forward-thinking curriculum and an emphasis on project/problem-based learning, WNS gives its students a solid foundation for success in the 21st century. Social learning and social thinking are an integral part of the learning environment and emphasized at every grade level. In addition, a plethora of leadership and activity opportunities are available for students including sports teams, electives, performing and visual arts, robotics, family groups, after school classes and so much more. This past summer, WNS also implemented a new Global Studies Program for middle school students, which culminated in a summer trip abroad to Costa Rica. WNS uses a co-
Back to School
During a trip to Costa Rica, WNS students had the opportunity to zip line in the rain forest, juice sugar cane at a local organic farm and learn about sustainability at an eco-lodge.
teaching model and has a 12:1 student to teacher ratio, allowing us to provide each child with an individualized education that meets the needs of different learning styles and a range of abilities. With our four pillars of success– academic excellence, character,
diversity and community– forming the backbone of our education model, WNS continues to provide an exceptional environment for our students and their families. For more information and to learn about what makes the WNS community so special, please visit wnsk8.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Back to School
September 2015 • Page 17
WISH inspires learners to reach highest potential These last five years have proven to be an incredible journey and we are so grateful to begin a sixth year with the Westchester community. The WISH community has enjoyed support from the Westchester community in so many ways. This year the elementary program continues to co-locate with Wright STEAM Magnet and WISH Middle school is now co-locating at Cowan Elementary School. We love being a part of the community and are grateful that so many of our families can walk and ride their bikes to school! WISH Charter Elementary and WISH Middle are free public, independent charter schools authorized by LAUSD. The WISH mission is to maximize every scholar’s learning potential within an atmosphere of caring and belonging. The WISH instructional philosophy rests upon the concepts of hands on learning, meaningful instructional activities, systematic instruction and a collaborative group of professionals working together to make the learning environment exciting for students. Core tenets of the WISH model include: • Optimal class size. All kindergarten through 3rd grade classrooms have approximately 20 students. Grades 4 through 8 have
Page 18 • September 2015
WISH students work on creating a solar oven during a hands on learning assignment.
approximately 25 students. • Collaboration and co-teaching. Highly qualified, credentialed educators are partners in planning, teaching and assessing each child. In addition to classroom teachers, teaching specialists support each grade level and move between classrooms to enrich learning opportunities. Music, art, PE, technology and specialty teachers utilize a co-teaching model to increase adult to student ratios, provide tailored instruction and demonstrate best practices for all scholars. Each staff member
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participates in a 30-minute debriefing session daily. During this time, staff members reflect on the day and share a success, challenge and action plan for serving children better. • Differentiated instruction. WISH empowers and inspires learners to reach their highest potential. With an emphasis on academic achievement using a variety of modalities, developing character, building technology skills and a deep understanding of the world, WISH prepares students to be leaders. • Family partnerships. The
WISH Community Association (WCA) is comprised of parents, students, teachers, staff members and community members. Working together, we have built an incredible public school that is responsive to each student we serve. Volunteers are central to the success of WISH. The partnerships built with families have led to a rich and nurturing environment for children. • All students growing and thriving. Each class builds a strong, inclusive community together! Important academic, social and ethical skills and attitudes are developed when students with various strengths, needs, and backgrounds learn together. During the summer, teachers attend professional development institutes on gifted and talented education, technology and differentiated instruction. Come visit one of our open houses and see our learning environment where you can expect passion, rigor, joy and meaningful and engaging lessons! We have the very best teachers and we are grateful for their service every single day. For more information, visit our websites at wishcharter.org and wishmiddle.org.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Visitation works to enhance sports program for students
Visitation students practice their dribbling skills at the St. Bernard High School gym.
Visitation School is off to an amazing start this year! With the addition of several new staff and faculty members, the school is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. Additionally, Msgr. Jim Forsen, pastor at Visitation, has been instrumental in creating a culture of growth at the school. Most recently, Visitation has welcomed Nicholas Galvan to its team as the new athletic director. Director Galvan has been working hard since the end of last year and all summer to revolutionize the sports program at Visitation. Most recently, he coordinated a full scale basketball skills camp for all levels of competition at the school with the help of parents and community
stakeholders. The fall sports teams have been working out and practicing all summer as well. Under Mr. Galvan’s athletic leadership, Visitation sports will now, without a doubt, be a driving force in athletic competition in Westchester. Mr. Galvan will be continuing a tradition of excellence at Visitation, whose athletic accomplishments includes many CYO championship titles, most recently in girls’ soccer. Visitation School is led by their principal, Christopher Watson. For more info, please visit visitationschool.org or email cwatson@visitatonschool.org.
St. Bernard High School continues positive momentum At St. Bernard, we are proud of our continued growth and positive momentum. The school celebrates a tradition of academic excellence that continues with the addition of the class of 2019, as well as incoming transfer students from 39 different schools. New students are coming from local schools, including Visitation, Westchester Lutheran, St. Jerome, St. Augustine, Culver City Middle, Wright Steam Magnet, Westchester Secondary Charter and Animo Westside Charter Middle. Our incoming students come with a rich background in academics, community involvement, student leadership and athletics. St. Bernard High School proudly boasts a 100% college acceptance rate for students who applied to a 4-year institution. The graduating class of 2015 did not disappoint! 96% of 65 seniors will be attending a 4-year or 2-year college this fall. As the end of last semester, 65 St. Bernard students had been accepted to over 167 colleges and universities
and received an extraordinary $1,500,000 in grants and scholarships. Students have been accepted to the University of Notre Dame, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, USC, Howard, Gonzaga, LMU, Fordham and St. John’s just to name a few. St. Bernard graduates were not only strong academic candidates, but also were accomplished student leaders, athletic champions, and active participants in our thriving ASB, cheer, drama and campus ministry programs. Said St. Bernard Vice Principal, Rosie Roberts, “The key to our students’ success is their desire to reach higher and go farther. We just try to help them get there. We are so very proud of our students.” We invite you to campus to discover the St. Bernard community. Please contact Christina McCole at (310) 823-4651x 113 or at cmccole@ stbernardhs.org for more information or to arrange a campus tour today.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Back to School
September 2015 • Page 19
Westport Heights incorporates next generation science standards in classrooms We have built a community within our school where students, teachers, staff, parents and administration work together to provide an educational setting that is conducive to good learning and understanding. We are still an Instructional Technology Initiative School with one-toone iPads for all students. We are excited to share with you upcoming programs at Westport Heights this year like our new partnership with Playa Vista Elementary and LMU to begin incorporating Next Generation Science Standards in the classroom instructional program. Our dedicated staff has formed professional learning communities to offer focused specialties such as robotics, coding, and arts to our students! In addition to all of the good teaching and learning that takes place in our school, we also have a schoolwide Positive Behavior Plan to foster positive relationships with a focus on our three school rules: Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe; “Character Counts!” expectations, and Bucket-filling socio-emotional learning activities. Our Booster Club at Westport had a very fruitful year. We had our inaugural “Mother and Son Dance,”
Paseo del Rey Natural Magnet Dates: School Tour Dates: September 15 October 13 November 17 Paseo Island Festival: Saturday, May 7
St. Bernard High School Dates: Admissions Tour, BBQ and Football Game: September 4, starting at 4 p.m. September 18, starting at 4 p.m. October 9, starting at 4 p.m. November 6, starting at 4 p.m. Open House: November 14 Special Reception with Principal Lynch: December 3
St. Jerome Dates: High School Information Night: October 7, 7 p.m. St. Jerome School Tours: October 13, 10 a.m. November 10, 10 a.m. December 8, 10 a.m. January 12, 10 a.m. February 9, 10 a.m. March 22, 10 a.m. April 12, 10 a.m. May 10, 10 a.m. Spring Carnival: April 21 to 24
Westchester Secondary Charter Dates: Prospective Family School Tour: September 16, 9 a.m. Music Department Fall Concert: October 6, 6 p.m.
Page 20 • September 2015
which had a phenomenal turnout! Our Booster Club constantly celebrates our dedicated staff with catered food donated from our community partners. We also had successful community days in partnership with our stakeholders to revitalize both of our playgrounds with murals and to repaint our play areas. We are ecstatic about the opportunity to partner up with our new Booster “sister school” West Hollywood Elementary this year. This new partnership will allow us to increase community-building among stakeholders across the district. We believe education doesn’t stop when summer begins, so we had amazing summer programs for our students including LMU arts training sponsored by Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Scholastic Summer Lit Camp sponsored by LitWorld and LMU, YMCA camp sponsored by Kiwanis and school shopping sponsored by Kiwanis We invite you to visit our school website at westportheights.org for any of our upcoming events and school news or to see the wonderful activities going on around our campus through our school and classroom blogs. GO CONDORS!
WISH announces reduced price meals in the national school WISH announces reduced-price meals in the national school lunch program lunch program
WISH Charter recently announced today announced itsWISH policyCharter for providing free and its policy for providing and rereduced-price mealsfree for children duced-price meals for children served served under the California National under the California National School School Lunch Program. Each school Lunch school and/orProgram. the centralEach office has a and/ copy of or the central office has a of the the policy, which may be copy reviewed by policy, which may be reviewed by any any interested party. interested party. size and income The household The household size and income criteria identified below will be used criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free, to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price, or full-price meal reduced-price, or full-price meal benefits. Children from households benefits. Children from households whoseincome incomeisis at at or or below below the the levels levels whose shown here are eligible for free or shown here are eligible for free or reduced-pricemeals. meals. Children Childrenwho who reduced-price receive Food Stamp (FS), California receive Food Stamp (FS), California WorkOpportunity Opportunityand andResponsibility Responsibility Work to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship GuardGuardianship Assistance Payments ianship Assistance Payments (Kin(Kin-GAP), or Distribution Food Distribution GAP), or Food Program Program Indian Reservations on Indian on Reservations (FDPIR) (FDPIR)are benefits are automatically benefits automatically eligible for free meals the income eligible forregardless free mealsof regardless of the of the household in whichin they reside. income of the household which they Eligibility for a foster is child basedison reside. Eligibility for achild foster abased separate and solelyand on the on aapplication separate application amount of the child’s “personal use” solely on the amount of the child’s income.
WSCS Haunted Harvest (community Halloween festival): October 31, 10 a.m.
Westside Neighborhood School Dates: Admissions Presentation and Tours: September 29, 9:30 a.m. to noon October 6, 9:30 a.m. to noon October 20, 9:30 a.m. to noon November 12, 9:30 a.m. to noon November 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm (middle school) December 10, 9:30 a.m. to noon January 7, 9:30 a.m. to noon WNS Speaker Series, Christine Chaille: October 7, 7 to 9 p.m.
WISH Charter School Dates: Elementary School Open Houses: December 2, 6 p.m. January 13, 9:30 a.m. February 10, 9:30 a.m. March 9, 6 p.m. Middle School Open Houses: December 1, 6 p.m. January 12, 9:30 a.m. February 9, 9:30 a.m. March 8, 6 p.m.
Wright STEAM Dates: School Tour Dates: October 7, 9 a.m. October 15, 9 a.m. October 21, 9 a.m. October 29, 9 a.m. November 4, 9 a.m. November 12, 9 a.m.
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“personal use” income. Application forms are being disApplication forms are being tributed to all households with a letter distributed to all with informing them ofhouseholds the availability a letter informing them of the of free and reduced-price meals for availability of free Applications and reduced-are enrolled children. price meals for enrolled children. also available at the principal’s office Applications are also available at the in each school. To apply for free or principal’s office in benefits, each school. To reduced-price meal houseapplymust for free or reduced-price meal holds complete an application benefits, mustfor complete and returnhouseholds it to the school processan application andmay return it to the at ing. Applications be submitted any timefor during the school year. The school processing. Applications information households on the may be submitted at anyprovide time during application will be used to determine the school year. The information meal eligibility and may be application verified households provide on the atwill anybetime during the school year by used to determine meal school or program officials. eligibility and may be verified at any Requirements school time during the for school yearofficials by school to determine eligibility for free and or program officials. reduced-price benefits are asofficials follows: Requirements for school For households receiving Food to determine eligibility for free Stamp, and CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benreduced-price benefits are as follows: efits – applications need only include For households receiving Food the enrolled child(ren)’s name, Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDFDPIR benefits – applications need PIR case number, and the signature of only include the enrolled child(ren)’s an adult household member. For housename, Food Stamp, CalWORKs, holds who do not list a Food Stamp, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household
member. For households who do CalWORKs, or FDPIR case not list a FoodKin-GAP, Stamp, CalWORKs, number, the include Kin-GAP, orapplication FDPIR casemust number, the the names of all household members, application must include the names of thehousehold amount and source ofthe theamount income all members, received by each household member, and source of the income received andeach the signature corresponding by householdand member, and the Social Security number of anSocial adult signature and corresponding household member. If the household Security number of an adult household member who signs the application does member. If the household member not have a Social Security number, the who signs the application does not household member must indicate on have a Social Security number, the the application that a Social Security household member must indicate on number is not available. theUnder application that a Social Security the provisions of the free and number is not available. reduced-price meal policy, the deterUnderofficial(s), the provisions of the freeby the mining as designated and reduced-price meal policy, the sponsor/agency, shall review applicadetermining official(s), as designated tions and determine eligibility. Parents by the sponsor/agency, or guardians dissatisfiedshall withreview the eligiapplications bility ruling and maydetermine discuss theeligibility. decision Parents guardians dissatisfied with with theor determining official on an the eligibility ruling maymay discuss informal basis. Parents alsothe make decision thefor determining official a formal with request an appeal hearing of the decision and may do somay orally or on an informal basis. Parents in writing the sponsor/agency’s also make with a formal request for an hearinghearing official.ofParents or guardappeal the decision and ians should contact their child(ren)’s may do so orally or in writing with school(s) for specific hearing information the sponsor/agency’s official. regarding the name of the determining Parents or guardians should contact official and/or hearing official for a their child(ren)’s school(s) for specific specific school, agency, or district. information regarding the name of the If a household member determining official and/orbecomes hearing unemployed or if the household sizeor official for a specific school, agency, increases, the household should contact district. the school. Such changes may make If a household member becomes the children of the household eligible unemployed or if the household for benefits if the household’s income size increases, the household should falls at or below the levels shown contact above. the school. Such changes may make the children of the Sponsors/agencies thathousehold use direct eligible for benefits if thethe household’s certification should add following income falls or below levels paragraph toattheir publicthe release: shown above. Households that receive Food Stamp, HouseholdsKin-GAP, that receive Stamp, CalWORKs, or Food FDPIR CalWORKs, orcomplete FDPIR an benefits may Kin-GAP, not have to benefits mayfor notFree haveortoReduced-Price complete an Application Application forMilk. Free or Reduced-Price Meals or Free School officials Meals or Free Milk. Schoolforofficials will determine eligibility free meals based on documentation obtained will determine eligibility for free meals directly the Food Stamp, Calbased onfrom documentation obtained WORKs,from Kin-GAP, or Stamp, FDPIR office directly the Food that a child isKin-GAP, a memberorofFDPIR a household CalWORKs, office currently receiving Food Stamp or that a child is a member of a household FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit currently receiving Food Stamp or receiving CalWORKs or Kin-GAP FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit benefits. CalWORKs School officials will notify receiving or Kin-GAP households of their eligibility, but benefits. School officials will notify those who do not want their child(ren) households of their eligibility, but to receive free meals must contact the those who do not want their child(ren) school. Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kinto receive free meals must contact GAP, and FDPIR households should the school. Food Stamp, CalWORKs, complete an application if they are not Kin-GAP, and FDPIR households notified of their eligibility by Septemshould ber 15, complete 2015. an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by September 15, 2015.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester Lutheran starts school year celebrating 65th anniversary Westchester Lutheran School began its 65th year on Wednesday, September 2. With a humble beginning of fourteen kindergarten students meeting in the church kitchen area in 1950, we have grown to serve preschool through eighth grade. Westchester Lutheran offers a classic, foundational academic education presented with forwardthinking methodology. Our students benefit from being in a community where being well-rounded is encouraged and excellence is the norm. Our S.A.T. scores continue to be well above average, our athletic program is outstanding and our performing arts presentations top quality. We have been blessed to have outstanding teachers that have touched the lives of thousands of children throughout the years. Our teachers are the heart of our program
WLCS’ float took home top honors in this year’s Fourth of July Parade.
and continue each year to give above and beyond to ensure that their students receive the best possible learning experience. It is interesting to
note that eleven of our staff members attended Westchester Lutheran School as students. Our student body also includes children of former students.
Westchester Lutheran School parents have always been an important part of our program. We are thankful to them for being dedicated and dynamic partners in the education of their children. They contribute many hours of time and talent to help make Westchester Lutheran the best it can be. Working together, staff, parents and students are planning for another terrific year. We look forward to a year of excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. We congratulate our students on past achievements and anticipate more of the same for 20152016. At Westchester Lutheran School, all are welcome, all are valued and all are enabled to excel. Check out website at wlcs.org. or call to arrange for a tour at (310) 6705422.
Paseo provides academic excellence and cultural diversity Located in Playa del Rey since 1962, Paseo del Rey Natural Science Magnet started as a small, neighborhood school. Over the past 50 years, it has grown into a Natural Science Magnet with a diverse student population from throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Teachers, parents, students and alumni, as well as the local residents and business community, enthusiastically support Paseo. This support has provided our children with opportunities for greater academic excellence and cultural diversity, without losing the personal caring, nurturing, safety and intimacy of a neighborhood school. Some of our school’s highlights include: • Seven of our teachers are proudly part of the Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching Fellowship. The mission of the program is to develop gifted teachers through mentoring to promote high quality teaching. • We are a Common Core Lab School for LAUSD Educational Service Center West. Other schools come to learn from us! • We are a Natural Science Magnet with a science and computer lab. • This year, Planet Bravo will teach a full technology curriculum for all grades in our on-site upgraded computer lab. • We offer elementary art and dance and have a school orchestra!
Paseo students learn about plants, succulents and cacti during a field trip.
• We have a school library and librarian. • We offer STAR before and after school programs and a Beyond the Bell after school program. • We offer the STAR physical education program for all grades. • We offer pre-k and kindergarten to residents who live within the school’s boundaries. • We offer STAR preschool onsite. Paseo del Rey is tried and true. Our caring staff, teachers and active Parent Teacher Organization all work together to support our students and make Paseo del Rey a wonderful place to attend elementary school!
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Back to School
September 2015 • Page 21
Things have been very busy at Saint Anastasia Catholic School. Two years ago, our school developed a social emotional learning committee that included teachers, parents and community supporters. The mission of this committee has been St. Anastasia school administrators learn more about how to improve the “emotions matter”at a training this summer at Yale University. social and emotional so that they can focus, learn and development of do their best in school. Increasing our students. After much research, our students’ emotional intelligence the school has adopted RULER, a is important because: emotions research based program to develop influence teaching and learning, the skills of emotional intelligence in emotions influence decision making, all educators, staff, students and their emotions influence physical and families. Four staff members spent a mental health and emotions influence week at Yale University’s Center for the quality of our relationships. The Emotional Intelligence this summer, faculty and staff are inspired by the learning how to apply the RULER process and looking forward to a Approach. This group then facilitated wonderful school year ahead. a week-long training with the entire For more information about Saint faculty and staff of the school in Anastasia Catholic School and our preparation to roll out the program at social emotional learning program, the beginning of the school year. please visit our website at Research shows that students with school.st-anastasia.org. higher emotional intelligence are better prepared to manage their lives
Wright STEAM Magnet’s Week of Welcome promotes collaboration Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet launched into the 2015 16 school year with our 3rd annual Week of Welcome (WOW). During this opening week of school, students participated in grade level team activities to promote collaboration, gender break-out sessions and arts integration lessons that promote creativity. This week offers our diverse student population an opportunity to become acclimated with our school community and connect with their peers both academically and socially. Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet is an engineering and design school supported by the Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) grant. Project Based Learning (PBL) is our teaching method for building 21st century skills and the capacity to investigate and respond to complex questions, problems and challenges. In addition to interdisciplinary projects, our students are challenged and excel in elective courses that include Project Lead the Way (Green Architecture, Energy and the Environment; Design and Modeling; Flight and Space and Automation and Robotics), orchestra, music production, theatre, fashion design and Spanish.
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO.
St. Anastasia rolls out new emotional learning program
Orchestra students show off their drum skills at this year’s Fourth of July parade.
Our interdisciplinary PBLs are showcased during our STEAM in Action events on November 10th and March 17th. Please join us on these dates as our students showcase and present their STEAM projects. This is also a great opportunity to meet our staff and experience our curriculum. Our future families are invited to see how we design and engineer learning at Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet on the following tour dates at 9 a.m.: • October 7, 15, 21 and 29 • November 4 and 12 If your student desires a future in engineering and design, then apply to Wright Engineering & Design through echoices.lausd.net beginning October 1, 2015.
The Loyola Marymount University Family of Schools would like to welcome our partner schools and stakeholders to the 2015-2016 school year. • Cowan Avenue Elementary School • Kentwood Elementary School • Loyola Village Elementary School • Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School • Paseo Del Rey Natural Science Magnet • Playa Vista Elementary School • St. Anastasia Catholic School • St. Bernard High School • St. Jerome School • Visitation Catholic Elementary School • Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets • Westport Heights Elementary School • WISH Charter Elementary and Middle School
Page 22 • September 2015
Back to School
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
September 2015 • Page 23
Page 24 • September 2015
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
A Look Back at Westchester/Playa
TheHTN.com
By David J. “Duke” Dukesherer, Sr.
Looking Back at the early days of Westchester... If you are one of the four or five people in town that get past the good writing and local news contained in this publication and turn back to and read what I refer to as “my column,” then you might remember that for many years it was called “One Reader Writes.” The idea was that you, the readers, would write to me regarding some significant historical topic, and I would do my best to research that issue and respond to you. I had to change the title of this column, as very few people ever wrote, but I persevered, and for good reason. Today I received a humdinger of a letter from a local residence that recounts over 70 years in Westchester. The story begins during WWII, when a serviceman on leave and his young bride, then living in Culver City, decide to rent horses from
Sepulveda Boulevard looking south in about 1949. I wonder how many local residents can identify the structures in this photo? Most of these building still remain. Courtesy the author from Westchester Part II.
a stable down the hill and ride up to what was then the new town of Westchester. In 1945, well over 80% of Westchester was still dedicated to farming. Barley and Lima beans were the principal crops, but enterprising
real estate and banking interests had begun to subdivide the area that is today Kentwood. When the couple saw the vacant expanse, they pronounced that one day they would build a home there. When the war ended, they did just that, and they
Please email comments to: dukepdr@gmail.com
YOU CAN HELP!
Come Join your Friends at
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FOOD PANTRY, LAX
Emergency Food Distribution to those in need. Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association
Worship Service 10:30 am Canines@Covenant 5:00 pm Sunday Covenant is on the corner of 80th and Sepulveda Blvd.
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!
Church School for Young People during Service. We have an Orchestra and Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs. Email: cpoffis@pacbell.net Childcare is provided-For more information, Call (310) 670-5750.
purchased a lot near 80th Street and Dunfield Avenue where they have continued to live for nearly 70 years. A few weeks ago, Marvin and Bettye Donsker celebrated their seventy-first wedding anniversary. Thing have changed since the time they moved to Westchester when there was no phone service or you had to hike to Kentwood and 80th Place to pick up your mail, but they have loved every minute of their time together in Westchester. One thing that has never changed with Bettye and Marvin was their eternal commitment and love they feel for each other, which has endured these past seven decades. I have not yet met Mr. and Mrs. Donsker, but they are a real inspiration to me, and I am sure that they would agree with me when I say that a successful marriage requires falling in love many times...and always with the same person. Happy Anniversary!
For more information, please call (310) 677-5597 Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church
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September 2015 • Page 25
In Pictures
TheHTN.com
The Guilded Cage Celebrates 40th Anniversary. Westchester’s only nonprofit gift shop, The Guilded Cage, will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Saturday, September 19 with a party at the shop that will feature discounts, giveaways and refreshments for customers. The shop has been operating in Westchester since 1975, when a group of volunteers with the Westchester Mental Health Guild decided to start a gift shop to raise funds to assist the Airport Marina Counseling Service. Today, more than 35 volunteers conduct all of the operations of the boutique, which features a wide variety of gifts, cards, jewelry and handcrafted items for sale. The Guilded Cage is located at 8917-B S. Sepulveda Blvd. (in the Ralph’s shopping center) in Westchester.
Volleyball champ. Westchester resident, Gianna Tagoa’i, 9, recently participated in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior National Beach Volleyball Championships in Hermosa Beach. Tagoa’i and her partner placed third in the 10U division winning the bronze medal. Tagoa’i attends WISH Charter and has been playing volleyball since she was 7 years old. She currently plays both indoor club volleyball and sand volleyball. As an avid volleyball lover, she has attended the LMU Volleyball camp for the past two years. She also attends every LMU home game, where she has had the opportunity to befriend several of the players and coaches of the LMU Woman’s Volleyball team by sitting directly behind the team to cheer them on. Tagoa’i says her dream is to one day play in the Olympics.
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FABULOUS FOOD ON FOUR WHEELS.
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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
September 2015 • Page 27
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News