Westchester/Playa Hometown News September 2022 by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

September 2022 YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER HAVE THE CUTEST PET IN WESTCHESTER/PLAYA?...PAGE 23

Page 2 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News 7421 EARLDOM AVE. List Price: $1,789,000 8515 FALMOUTH #218 List Price: $665,000 INESCROW JANE ST. JOHN ST. JOHN & VANDERVORT RE/MAX ESTATE PROPERTIES (310) JANEANDCARLI@GMAIL.COM567-5971 CalBRE #00998927 ...to Our Educators for Welcoming Children ThankBackYou! to School! 7015 RINDGE AVENUE List Price: $3,699,000 10706 CRANKS ROAD List Price: $2,375,000 SOLDSOLD SOLD 12120 MITCHELL AVENUE List Price: $1,475,000 SOLD1025 CEDAR STREET List Price: $1,950,000 SOLD10775 FLAXTON STREET List Price: $1,750,000 SOLD 8239 TUSCANY AVENUE List Price: $1,599,000 SOLD6817 W 88TH STREET List Price: $1,349,000 SOLD10925 STEVER STREET List Price: $1,750,000 SOLD

Now, more than ever, Westchester retailers and service providers need your help. Slammed by the pandemic, our small businesses need your help to survive. Please make “Shop Local” your mantra for 2022 – it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love and the families they support alive! Shop Local in 2022! Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 3 help you promote organization or event Contact us for rates westchesterhometown@yahoo.comandusonFacebook! up-to-date with news and help you promote organization or event Contact us for rates westchesterhometown@yahoo.comandusonFacebook! up-to-date with news and 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, including: The Book Jewel, Westchester Family YMCA, Playa Pharmacy, Loyola Village Library, Playa Vista Library, Ralphs Sepulveda and Cantalini’s Salerno Beach. Connect with the HTN: Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn • Instagram: instagram.com/thehometownnews The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month. This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer Shanee Edwards, Contributing Writer Courtenay Edelhart, Contributing Writer $100 million Lulu’s Place proposed for Westchester/Playa 4 L.A. SeaStars are back in sync at LMU 8 WAM & Elks Car Show top local events for September 14 Third Annual Pet Photo Contest 23 In Pictures: 22nd Annual Pancake Breakfast 26 Front page: A collage of photos from last year’s Westchester Arts & Music Block Party. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, September 24 and will include live music performances, food trucks, vendor booths, tons of free activities, a beer and wine garden and more. Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner for the Westchester/Playa Hometown News. Zsuzsiphotography.com.

The educational component would be a learning center to be built on a portion of the campus of St. Bernard Catholic High School adjacent to the LAWA property. The plan is for the center to offer tutoring and enrichment in science, technology, engineering, art and math. The vision is for the center to be open to all schools and students during the school day and after school.

After the collapse of talks for a large mixed-use commercial development on vacant land north of Los Angeles International Airport, the airport’s governing body is moving forward with the open space and recreation portions of the project, but holding off on commercial development for now.Los Angeles World Airports, or LAWA, is negotiating a lease with the New Jersey-based Kimmelman Family Foundation to build Lulu’s Place, a planned 35-acre, $100 million complex of education, sports and wellness facilities. Some of the project’s partners include the foundations of golfer Tiger Woods and the U.S. Tennis Association, or USTA. Most of the project will be on about 30 acres of land that LAWA— which oversees LAX and Van Nuys airports—owns between the north airfield of LAX and Westchester and Playa del Rey. Among other things, plans call for tennis courts, pickle ball courts, athletic playing fields, a dog park and walking trails. “It really would bring a lot of amazing, state-of-the-art facilities to that area,” said LAWA chief sustainability and revenue management officer Samantha Bricker.TheNeighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP), an advisory group that serves as a liaison between the Los Angeles City Council and area residents and businesses, hasn’t taken an official position on the project because it’s still waiting for final details. At first glance, though, most seem “super excited,” said president Paula Gerez. “We’re looking forward to community outreach and input into the open space part of the project,” she said. “It’s terrific that an organization is looking to put in the resources for this without any obvious revenue generation. It’s just for community benefit.”

The complex is named for Carol “Lulu” Kimmelman, a former teacher at the Raymond Avenue School in South Los Angeles who played tennis for the University of Southern California and served on the USTA Foundation board before dying of cancer in Kimmelman2017.was passionate about the children she worked with when she taught elementary school, said project spokeswoman Malina Brown. “She saw the great potential of the children, but knew that they didn’t have the same resources as children with more economic means,” Brown added.After Kimmelman died, her family thought filling that need would be an appropriate way to honor her memory.“There was some discussion of should it be education or should it be sports, and lo and behold, it became both,” Brown said. So far, approximately $80 million has been raised for the project, according to Brown.

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$100 million Lulu’s Place could bring new open space, recreational facilities to Westchester/Playa

Page 4 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

By Courtenay Edelhart

The Kimmelman Family Foundation is collaborating with the Los Angeles Unified School District about how best to serve the larger community. (continued on page 10)

A conceptual rendering of a potential layout for the Lulu’s Place project, which could feature a community garden, dog park, playground equipment and youth sports fields to the west of Falmouth Ave. and more than a dozen tennis courts and learning center to the east of the street.

A conceptual rendering of what the site could look like facing north towards St. Bernard High School.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 5

• September 15: Lifestyle Fall Prevention Tips • September 22: Safety at Home • September 29: Balance & Mobility RSVP for these events by calling (310) 695-7030 or by emailing rsvp@ thewpv.org. The YMCA is located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. New 441 unit mixed-use property proposed for Westchester Business District. Developer Cityview submitted an application to the Los Angeles Department of City Planning on August 22 for a proposed project at 6136 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester, as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles

Harry Posner, Natalie Dial, Jim Drollinger and Andi Drollinger enjoy their plant-based burg’rs at Hart House’s grand opening celebration.

The design features an eight-story building on the Manchester side, with a gradual decline to four- and fivestories on the La Tijera side. Building amenities could include rooftop decks, club room, fitness center and outdoor plaza. The proposed project is located in the heart of Westchester’s business district, which would give residents easy walkable access to the farmers’ market, restaurants and shops near the Westchester Triangle. Expect the project to come before the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa’s (NCWP) Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) as it makes its way through the city review and approval process. During PLUC meetings, NCWP stakeholders have the ability to learn more about local projects and participate in public comment.Othernearby housing projects in various states of completion include a six-story building with 87 apartments at the site previously occupied by the Grinder restaurant at Sepulveda and Manchester; and a five-story building on Sepulveda at Center Drive that will feature 176 apartments. Plans are also in the works for an eight-story building with 362 apartments at Sepulveda and Centinela in place of the strip mall that currently houses Dinah’s restaurant.

Pictured: Representatives from the LAX Coastal Chamber and Hart House cut the ceremonial ribbon during the grand opening.

Page 6 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

page) TheHTN.com

Westchester/Playa schools receive more than $50,000 in grants from SoCalGas and Ed Foundation.

A crowd of more than a 100 people excitedly waited on Sepulveda Blvd. and Howard Drollinger Parkway to be one of the first customers at Hart House during its grand opening on August 25. The new plant-based fast food eatery is the flagship location for the soon-to-be chain founded by actor and comedian Kevin Hart. The menu features burg’rs, chick’n sandwiches, chick’n nuggets, fries, tater tots, two salad options, all-natural sodas and oat milk-based shakes. Meals start at $7.49 and up. Hart House is located at 8901 Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester in the Ralphs Shopping Center at the site formerly occupied by Boston Market.

LAX Coastal Education Foundation President, Lory Sarlo, recently announced that local schools will be receiving more than $50,000 in STEM grants for the upcoming school year through the foundation’s partnership with SoCalGas. Every school in the foundation’s footprint, which includes Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey, that applied for a grant, received funding. The schools will use the grants to fund decathlon teams, robotics courses, coding, STEM supplies, gardening projects and more. Next month, the foundation will announce the recipients of approximately $10,000 in art grants, and will share plans for funding for STEM-related field trips. Save the date for the nonprofit’s signature event, the Rock Roll & Run for Education on March 4, 2023 at LMU, and visit their booth at WAM on September 24 to learn more about how they support education. More info can also be found at laxcef.org. (continued on next

Westside Pacific Villages hosts Fall Prevention Series. More than 25 percent of Americans age 65 and older fall each year, resulting in more than 3 million injuries treated in the emergency room annually. Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) is working to combat these statistics with a Fall Prevention Community Series this month. Led by WPV’s Healthy Aging Committee, the series aims to educate and provide tips and tools to mitigate the risk of falls. The free workshops will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. weekly during September, which is also Fall Prevention Month, at the Westchester Family YMCA. The schedule and topics include:

• September 8: Independent Living and Fall Risk

The developer is seeking entitlements for a mixed-use residential building, located at the intersection of Manchester and Truxton Avenue to the north and La Tijera Blvd. to the south. The site currently contains a Pep Boys and a Del Taco. The project proposes 441 apartments and just over 16,000-square-feet of commercial space on the ground floor. Sixty-six apartments would be set aside as very low-income units in exchange for a density bonus.

Business & Nonpro t News

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West Coast Dash 5K at Dockweiler Beach. Join the nonprofit Sharsheret on Sunday, September 18 at 8 a.m. for their first annual West Coast Dash in support of their breast cancer and ovarian cancer work. The family-friendly run/walk will include a 5K, 10K and event festival. A Family Fun Race will be held at 9:15 a.m. All ages, abilities and strollers are welcome. Tickets are $40 for the 5K; $20 for the Family Fun Race; and $36 for virtual runners. Dr. Amy Kusske, Co-Director of UCLA Santa Monica Breast Center, is the event’s Grand Marshal.TheWest Coast Dash is being held at Playa del Rey’s Dockweiler Beach.Sign up and learn more at sharsheret.org/westcoast. Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us forwestchesterhometown@yahoo.comatachancetobefeatured.

Thanks to a partnership between LAUSD and the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, the recreational area of Open Magnet Charter School’s campus is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays through October 22. Visitors can use the playground, basketball courts, picnic tables and other facilities by entering from Osage Avenue between W. 78th and W. 77th Streets. The district prohibits dogs, skateboards and bikes on the property, but allows scooters. The pilot program was made possible through funding provided by the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa, Council District 11 and the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation. Community members are hoping to be able to expand the program to other campuses, including Cowan Ave. Elementary School.

Chamber readies to honor “Amazing Women of L.A.” at City of Angel Awards. On September 20, the LAX Coastal Chamber will host its City of Angels Gala celebrating “Amazing Women of Los Angeles.” This event is a chance for the chamber to honor individuals and companies that have done something extraordinary to enhance the Los Angeles region. This year’s honorees include Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger and Maryam Brown, President of SoCalGas. During the event, held at the LAX Airport Marriott, chamber members celebrating milestone anniversaries will also be recognized for their years in business.OnSeptember 15, the business organization with nearly 600 members, will hold its annual membership meeting, as well. Learn more at laxcoastal.com.

Pictured: A park visitor enjoys a book while utilizing the shade from the handball court.

SteinerZsuzsibyPhotos

The L.A. SeaStars team was formed in 2015 and is comprised of adult swimmers of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds.

L.A. SeaStars are back in sync at LMU pool

Head coach Valerie Williams–known as Coach Valerie around the pool–is back at the helm after the long break. She says that while a handful of team members moved out of Los Angeles during the pandemic, she was surprised at the flurry of interest from new swimmers whose fresh, noseclipped faces are eagerly showing up forAftertraining.growing up in Northridge and taking advantage of all the aquatic opportunities offered at the public pools across the Valley, Williams realized she had a knack for coaching. She went to school to study teaching and always understood the sport from a teaching perspective, not just the performance aspect. “Even now, I still love all of those moments in training, understanding the progression of skills, and how to approach working with different age groups–even more than I like the competitions sometimes,” she says.

Westchester resident and librarian at LMU, Jamie Hazlitt said she found the SeaStars when she was looking for swim opportunities for her daughter.

Top: The L.A. SeaStars pose for a group photo during a recent practice at LMU. Below: Experienced members of the team work on their formations during a warm up.

Hazlitt was invited to try out a synchro practice herself and enlisted two friends, Jen Pate and Maire Ford (also Westchester residents and LMU professors) to join her. They ended up having a blast. “Holy cow!” said Hazlitt. “This is one of the most fun things we’ve ever done!”Atthe time, the practices were being held in either Mid-City or at Pali High. Because it’s L.A. and no one likes to drive more than they have to, Hazlitt had an idea. “Why don’t we try to get the practices at LMU because we live in Westchester?” she said. The SeaStars have been practicing at LMU ever since, and Hazlitt even rides her bike to practice. For Hazlitt, synchronized swimming provides her with an opportunity to play. She says she had recently read the book “Overwhelmed” by Brigid Schulte which suggests that women aren’t always good at letting loose and having fun and it struck a chord. “I saw myself reflected in that and often felt guilty if I took time to go for an ocean swim in the morning. But then I thought, ‘When was the last time I put myself out of my comfort zone to try something new?’ It really filled that gap!” she says. Christiana Butera also coaches the team, and previously competed at an elite level with Team USA in college. For her, not being able to do synchronized swimming during the pandemic felt like being shipwrecked on a deserted island. “It was awful and so sad! It’s really hard when you’re a creature of the water to not be in the pool. So many pools were closed and wouldn’t let anyone swim, not just teams,” says Butera.Butmore than just coaching or competing, Butera missed the social aspect of the sport. “A lot of us are friends so we had text chains to try to create a sense of community. This outlet is so important and so powerful. We had long email chains where everyone was checking in and supporting each other. It was hard; it felt like a little part of you didn’t get to be alive,” says Butera.Now a research scientist and postdoctoral scholar at USC, Butera says she can’t wait to get to know all the new team members.

Page 8 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

After a two-year pause, local synchronized swimming club, the L.A. SeaStars, are once again kicking their superbly straight ballet legs out of the water in perfect unison. Their practice pool at Loyola Marymount University recently reopened after closing in 2020 when COVID hit, and the team started meeting up again this summer. But for this special group of women–including several Westchester residents–their activities in the water are about more than competing as a team or expressing their creativity: it’s about creating community.

By Shanee Edwards

“When I hear about what people do for a living or where they’ve lived or different aspects of their lives, it’s all so diverse,” says Williams. “It’s really fun to connect 20-year-old kids who graduated from a club team and want to keep swimming with 40-yearold moms and 50-year-olds who are just starting. Some are lawyers, veterinarians, art directors–they have all types of different careers,” she says.When Williams isn’t coaching the SeaStars, she also performs and choreographs aquatic routines for film, music videos and private events, including a party for the reopening of the famed Neptune pool at Hearst Castle. But for now, she’s happy to get everyone back in the pool.

“A lot of people are early in their exposure to synchro. It’s so fun to get to watch an adult learn something new and fall in love with our sport as so many of us who have years of experience got to do when we were (continued on next page)

As excited as the SeaStars are to be back in the water, Coach Valerie says it will be at least a few months before the team is ready to begin choreographing actual swim routines.“Competitive opportunities will probably begin in 2023. Right now, they’re working on skills and conditioning for when they start the choreography,” says Williams, adding it may take eight to 10 months before they are ready to compete.ButButera says she doesn’t mind waiting now that the swimmers are back together again. “I’m excited to have something to look forward to and work on together,” she says. The SeaStars practice once a week at LMU, and the training schedule goes year-round. The team is currently looking for new members. Visit laseastars.com for more information.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 9 (continued from previous page) kids,” she said. As beautiful and effortless as the SeaStars appear as they glide through the water, synchronized swimming (now called artistic swimming in the Olympics), is deceptively difficult. Shannon Simonds, a facilities manager for the entertainment industry and former member of another local synchronized swimming group Aqualillies, tries to explain exactly what’s happening during a synchro routine.“Number one, imagine just treading water. Then you’re doing tricks and stuff while trying to figure out where you are in the pool in relationship to other people. Sometimes you’re not able to see them depending on what you’re doing, especially if you’re doing gymnastics or you’re upside down in the water. It’s crazy! I give the professionals so much credit. They are strong, strong women,” says Simonds.ForSeaStars original member Deb Novak, a dietician when she’s not wearing her swim cap, the sport has really helped build her confidence. “When you’re underwater and you have to stay underwater for a long time, you have to say to yourself, ‘I can do this! I can do this!’ It’s a confidence builder, it’s creative, it’s physical. You get to move to music through water, and water is so healing and therapeutic.” Novak says she’s also learned the value of “Synchroteamwork.teaches people that this is not about you, it’s about your team. You also have to pay attention and know your part. If you don’t know your part, someone gets hurt. I’ve had ribs broken because I went one way and someone else went the other way,” she says.

AUTUMN CROPS FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES! Happy September, hint of fall is in the air! Enjoy last of the season summer crops with stone fruit, grapes and even summer corn and watermelon right alongside our first of the season persimmons! Follow us on social media for updates on going updates & cheers y'all to building community through good food, health choices, and family fun!

Purchasedprograms.withFederal Aviation Administration grant money, LAWA acquired the parcel, dubbed the LAX Northside Plan Area, in the 1970s and ’80s to provide a buffer between LAX and neighboring communities. It is largely vacant other than a Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation storm water diversion and reclamation facility on the western portion of the property.

The Argo Drain Sub Basin will remain, much of it underground to accommodate above ground development, according to LAWA. A 2016 update to the LAX Northside Plan significantly reduced the 4.5 million square feet of permitted development under the old plan and envisioned “175,000 square feet of community and civic uses, and nearly 50 acres of new recreation and open space.”

(continued from page 4) The Lulu’s Place location is exciting not just because of its advantageous proximity to LAX and freeways, Brown said, but also because it’s surrounded by 16 public, private and charter schools, as well as Loyola Marymount University and Otis College of Art and Design. Plus, many families in surrounding communities send their children to Westchester for after school

Theoretically, Lulu’s Place could break ground in the next 18 months if all of that goes smoothly, but “there are a lot of processes that have to go forward in order for this to happen,” BrickerLAWAsaid.decided to move ahead with the Kimmelman Family Foundation project without going out for bids, after clearing it with the city attorney.

$100 million Lulu’s Place project proposed (continued) Page 10 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News Your RealtorTrusted® For 17+ Years Amy Nelson Frelinger Realtor® | DRE# 01484711 M amy.frelinger@elliman.com310.951.0416 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 150 EL CAMINO DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212. 310.595.3888. Amy Nelson Frelinger Realtor® | DRE# 01484711 M amy.frelinger@elliman.com310.951.0416

LAWA issued a request for proposals to develop approximately 88 acres in the LAX Northside area last year and received two bids to build out the area. It selected Lincoln Property Company for the commercial part, and Lincoln brought in the Kimmelman Family Foundation to develop the recreational components. Ultimately, LAWA and Lincoln were unable to reach a deal, and LAWA intends to seek another round of bids when economic conditions for commercial development are more favorable. In the meantime, the Kimmelman Family Foundation opted to go ahead with Lulu’s Place on its own. As airport and Lulu’s Place representatives gave their first presentation to the community at the June NCWP meeting, there were reservations among some that the proposed uses would create traffic, parking and security issues. Online, some local residents questioned why the entire parcel couldn’t stay undeveloped.Thatisunlikely, said LAWA’s Bricker. Plans to develop the property have been in place for decades, including a middle area called the bowtie (because it’s shaped like one on a map) that the agency is eyeing for office, research and educational uses. There is also a section reserved for airport uses such as the airport police facility, which was unveiled in December 2021. But planning was drawn up with sensitivity to community needs in mind, Bricker said. That’s why a portion of the land was set aside specifically for open space and recreation, and ideas for that part were conceived after numerous design charettes with community leaders who said they favored recreational uses, she said. Ongoing meetings for lease negotiations with the Kimmelman Family Foundation are underway to hammer out details such as maintenance, security and parking. Tentative plans call for using some of the St. Bernard land for an as yet undetermined number of surface level parking spaces. The foundation and LAWA also need to work with the city to figure out access issues that could involve vacating parts of W. 92nd Street or Cum Laude Avenue. Any proposal would have to be in compliance with Environmental Impact Report guidelines for the area, and the city would need to sign off, Bricker said. Protections for the Argo Drain Sub Basin will have to be incorporated, as well.

“The type of use that could be done on this portion of the land is very limited,” Bricker said. “There’s not really a profit to be made here…It’s too small for things like a golf course or other things that would typically generate revenue. Really this is just a community benefit, and there are not a lot of folks out there willing to invest $100 million in a project and maintain it at no cost to LAWA.” Reps from Lulu’s Place and LAWA have met with community groups and service clubs, and say they want to keep communication open. Anyone with questions or feedback can email laxnorthsideopenspace@lawa.org to comment or set up a meeting, Brown said. Representatives from LAWA and Lulu’s Place will have a community booth at the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party on September 24 as part of their outreach efforts. Learn more at lulusplace.org.

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In the decade that Jerry Jen has been a part of the Westchester/ Playa community, he has become a dedicated ambassador for small businesses, community groups and local Whenevents.looking for a location to set up his law firm, specializing in collection services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, he was drawn to Westchester simply because of its convenient location close to many of his clients, and the fact that he could carpool with his wife, Delia Chi, who worked near LAX. After networking with local groups, like the LAX Coastal Chamber and Rotary, he quickly discovered he had lucked out in finding this “small town, in a big city.” “I was looking for things to do and places to volunteer, and I was introduced to these two organizations at about the same time,” said Jerry. “I was able to meet so many great people, and instantly wanted to get more involved with this community.”

5 QUESTIONS WITH... ROBIN ZACHA

What is your favorite neighborhood tip or trick?

If you’re looking for the perfect evening out, where are you going? You know, the perfect night out doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to be fun. I was recently introduced to the ribeye steak at Mo’s Place. For a perfect night out, I’d take Delia for a walk on the beach, hang out there for a bit, and then come back to Culver Blvd. for a nice juicy steak at Mo’s with an Old-Fashioned! We’ve been there now a few times to hang out, and it’s a great place to relax and watch a sports game. It’s a great place to people watch, too. The place has a good energy, it’s low-key, and you can go in with shorts and flip-flops.

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

Some of Jerry’s hobbies include playing the guitar and ukulele, and practicing his cooking skills while trying new cuisines.

I would tell them that they made a great choice whether they intended to come here or not! The draw here is that the Westchester/Playa area is really a community. We’re in a big city, but this community has a small town feel. It’s one of those places where you can literally walk down the street and recognize people and they say “hi” to you. I’d recommend getting involved in the community and all it has to offer; you get out of it what you put in!

MY FAVORITE PART OF BEING A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY IS HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND MEET WITH REALLY WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME GOAL OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY, MAKING IT BETTER AND SEEING IT THRIVE. “ “

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

PhotographyPellinMariannebyPhoto

Giving back has always been an im portant aspect of Jerry’s life—in high school he was part of the Interact Club, and in college, he joined a coed community service fraternity, where he met his wife while volunteering.

Jerry Jen

Page 12 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News 42135

I’ve been traveling so much recently, so this has been my trick to get in and out of LAX quickly. There’s a lot of shuttles and parking locations on Century Blvd. There are certain places that have more frequent shuttles than others, and those are the ones that you can select to do business with. Before you pick a place to park, not just based on the price or even location, check their shuttle frequency. With all the people traveling now, a faster shuttle pickup can be the difference between waiting two minutes versus waiting 30 minutes to get out of the airport.

Currently, Jerry serves on the boards for both the chamber and the Mar Vista Family Center. He is also a past president of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club. He was recently honored with the Hugo Francis Volunteer of the Year award for his work leading the chamber’s Network for Change committee, co-chairing the annual Fourth of July Parade and for his service to the local area. If you see Jerry around town serving in his latest role as Westchester’s Honorary Mayor, welcoming new businesses to the area with ribbon cuttings and sharing ways to get involved with the neighborhood, make sure you say “hi!” We recently sat down with Jerry and asked him to share his thoughts, so here is “5 Questions With...Jerry!” What do you tell people that are new to the area about Westchester/Playa?

I believe the most rewarding thing about volunteering with local community groups is that you get to meet, learn and work with like-minded volunteers who all love and want to make things better for the residents, businesses and the local neighborhood. While we all volunteer for philanthropic reasons, the unintended benefit is that you end up meeting and establishing lifelong connections, which in turn, continues to motivate me, and others, to keep volunteering. It is also a wonderful reminder that while it just takes a single person to make a difference, we can do even more by working together.

Cool Fact Cool Fact

I’m going to have to say SoCalSport! Jeff, Rob and Carisa have built a great community in terms of no judgment and no ego. The inclusiveness makes me want to come back and work out, otherwise, I would not feel motivated to go. When I first joined the studio, I was in OK shape, and taking some martial arts, but I never felt fit, and was a little overweight. The doctor told me I needed to bring down my BMI and that’s when I approached the studio. Now, I’ve been a member for around five-plus years. It’s helped me feel stronger and get healthier. As a business owner, because we are working so many hours, your health can suffer; you end up working too much; you don’t sleep, and you don’t work out. Joining the studio has helped me become stronger, more committed, and I’m feeling healthy because of that. I promise they did not pay me to say that!

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 13 stephanieyounger.com 1,000+ “Real estate, like life, is all about getting the details right.” PERFECT CLIENT REVIEWS 5988 W 76TH STREET 5 BED | 5 BATH | $3,995,000 810 MANHATTAN AVENUE 5 BED | 5 BATH | $4,495,000 8326 KENYON AVENUE 4 BED | 3 BATH | $1,995,000 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. DRE 01365696

Visit the Westchester Elks Lodge for their 22nd Annual Car Show & Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, September 10. Check out dozens of classic cars and chat with the owners before making your way to the cook-off tents where you can sample chili from a variety of neighborhood chefs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite to see who will take home the 2022 People’s Choice Award! The event is free to attend, with food, merch and raffle tickets available for purchase. The Elks Lodge is located at 8025 Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. The money raised helps support the lodge’s community service projects.

Page 14 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Visitation Concert in the Park(ing Lot)

Friday, September 9 | 5 to 10 p.m.

Westchester Elks Lodge Car Show

Westchester Arts & Music Block Party

Get ready for the Seventh Annual Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (WAM)!

This popular community event is back this month with great bands, tons of vendor booths selling art and handmade items, yummy food trucks, and a 21-and-older beer and wine garden, hosted by the Stephanie Younger Group. Guests are reminded to bring their IDs to enter the garden and credit cards for purchases. Beer will be provided by Firestone Walker and Three Weavers, and wine is available from Sweetzer Cellars at $9 each. Pretzels will also be available for WAM’spurchase.live music kicks off at noon with the Wayback Daddies. Rose’s Pawn Shop will close out the event with what is sure to be a rocking show starting at 5:50 p.m. In between bands, attendees can enjoy dance performances from Loyola Marymount University students showcasing “Cabaret,” the Westchester Lariats and more. Dozens of local businesses and organizations will be hosting activitiesfamily-friendlythroughoutthe day, including succulent planting, ornament making and portrait painting. Make sure to stop by the Zacha Homes pop-up to have your picture taken in their photo booth! WPNS will also be hosting a slew of kids’ activities, including Bubble Mania and a bean bag toss, in the Emerson Avenue Community Garden from noon to 4 p.m. Before you head home after a fun day at WAM, visit the info booth to purchase an all-new official event T-shirt, and grab a free ice cream courtesy of the Kinecta Federal Credit Union truck, to round out a perfect day in Westchester. New for this year, the event will benefit the Westchester Family YMCA’s teen health and wellness program. WAM is held on Emerson Ave. between 80th St. and 80th Pl. in Westchester. The street is closed for the day’s festivities. Get the full scoop on this year’s activities and event lineup at wamblockparty.org.

Saturday, September 24 | noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 10 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Join Visitation for a night of live music, food and fun as they host a party in their parking lot! The whole community is invited to attend, so bring your friends, family and low-back chairs to enjoy an evening out with your neighbors under the stars. We also recommend saving the date for Visitation’s Fall Carnival–featuring rides, bake sale, beer garden and more–taking place on October 21-23!

SEPTEMBER Events

Visitation is located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. The event is free to attend, with food and beverages available to purchase.

FUN

Organized by Westchester resident Grant Francis, the group is comprised of dozens of volunteers of all ages, who meet one Saturday a month to pick up trash and debris at a popular Westchester locale. Volunteers have cleaned up areas along Lincoln, the Westchester business district, the Westchester Triangle and more. This month, they’ll be at the corner of La TIjera and Airport Blvd., and will also be helping clean up after WAM on September 25. As a perk for joining the all-volunteer group, attendees receive a fluorescent yellow shirt to add to the camaraderie and gain the attention from passersby who might be interested in joining their efforts!

the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center to host the

blood and bone marrow drive.

eligible donors

Blood

Saturday, September 17 | 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join HŌMTOWN Yoga as they celebrate their third anniversary in business with food, music and community, plus prizes and giveaways! During their open house, stop by the studio, located near HHLA, for Vinyasa flow yoga and mindful eating classes in the morning. Then throughout the afternoon, learn about antiinflammatory nutrition, receive a free posture analysis and get tips on yoga for stress and anxiety.

partner

& Activities Calendar Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 15

University and Crimson Circle Service Organization are

HŌMTOWN Yoga Open House

2022 and Bone Marrow Drive

Loyola Marymount happy to with fall Date: Oct. 12 and 13 Where: LMU campus, St. Robert’s Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. All will For questions, please contact Yadi Enciso at yadira.enciso@lmu.edu or 310.338.2959. Use the QR codes below to register: Oct. 12 Oct. 13

Saturday, September 17 | 9 a.m. Roll up your sleeves, grab a trash bag and join your neighbors for a monthly opportunity to beautify the community with the Clean UP Westchester group!

receive a free movie ticket!

Guests are invited to stop in just to say “hi” or stay for the entire day to enjoy the free activities. Some classes require RSVPs due to space, so please visit homtownyoga.com for more info and a full schedule of activities. The studio is located at 5921 Center Dr. in Westchester.

Auditorium

Clean UP Westchester

The clean ups usually end with some coffee and treats, as well. RSVP for their next volunteer event and learn more about their beautification efforts by emailing organizer Grant Francis at granttfrancis@gmail.com.

Westchester Scouts recognized with highest honor for community service projects visitation CATHOLIC SCHOOL www.visitationschool.org | 8740 Emerson Avenue, Westchester | 310.645.6620 Join the Visitation family and give your child the gift of academic excellence in a supportive community! Schedule a tour today! JK - 8th Grade 2022 THANK YOU FOR VOTING VISITATION BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL GRADES JK-8

Page 16 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

• John Blessing developed five goshawk trap stands to humanely secure the birds near LAX. As a senior at El Segundo High School, he led the electronic sports club and plans to pursue a career in medicine.

• Greg Griffin managed a project to construct wood benches for Fort MacArthur Museum in San Pedro.

Griffin will attend UCLA this fall and plans to major in chemical engineering.

• Samuel Biner led the design and building of several buddy benches for Westchester Lutheran’s elementary and middle school campus. Biner is now a rising junior at Loyola Marymount University studying information systems and business analytics.

• Kevin Griffin chose to develop and construct a memorial honoring a pilot killed in action during the Vietnam War. The memorial is located near Westchester Park at the corner of Lincoln and Manchester. Griffin recently graduated from UC San Diego.

From left to right: John Blessing, Samuel Biner, Kevin Griffin, Greg Griffin and Jonah Hiraoka pose at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Local Scouts Samuel Biner, John Blessing, Greg Griffin, Kevin Griffin, and Jonah Hiraoka were recognized in August for earning Scouting’s highest rank of advancement, the BSA’s Eagle Scout Award. The five were honored at a group ceremony held at Westchester Lutheran Church, which had been delayed because of the pandemic. The Scouts are members of Westchester-based Troop 927, and rank among only approximately four percent of all Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Ed Lesnansky. Over the course of their involvement in Scouting, in order to earn the Eagle Scout Award, members must demonstrate mastery of Scout skills, serve as youth leaders for the troop and perform community service work. They must also earn 21 merit badges and successfully lead other Scouts in completing a community service project that they initiated and planned. Their Eagle Scout projects included:

• Jonah Hiraoka designed and installed sun shade structures to protect outdoor meeting and social space at the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey’s clubhouse located on Manchester Ave. Hiraoka plans to attend Temple University in Tokyo to prepare for studies in economics. For more than 60 years, Troop 927 has been active as a Westchester Scouting organization chartered by Covenant Presbyterian Church. The troop includes boy, girl and Venture units for young men and women, offering a variety of activities including camping, backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, model rocketry, cycling, field sports and more.Community members can learn more about the troop at troop927. com.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 17 The Suarez Team makes no warranties or representation about the content of this flyer. This data has been secured from sources we believe to be reliable. We make no warranties, expressed or implied as to the accuracy of the information. This advertisement is not intended as a solicitation if your home is currently listed with another broker. James Scott Suarez DRE #01433992. DRE# 01428775 Interested in selling and want to feature your home here? Call The Suarez Team. (424) 402-5386 hello@thesuarezteam.com YOUR NEXT HOME IS JUST A CALL AWAY. SCHEDULE YOUR PRIVATE TOUR TODAY. 5 BD | 4 BA | 4,803 SQFT | $19,995/MONTH 7584 W COASTAL VIEW DR. 2 BD | 2 BA | 1,130 SQFT | $1,078,000 4211 REDWOOD AVE #312 2 BD | 3 BA | 1,675 SQFT | $1,250,000 5625 CRESCENT PARK W #136 4 BD | 4 BA | 3,250 SQFT | $2,895,000 8234 REES ST. 5 BD | 4 BA | 3,130 SQFT $2,795,000 7726 W 79TH ST. 3 BD | 2 BA | 1,930 SQFT $1,950,000 684 MILDRED AVE. UNIT 1: 2 BD | 2 BA & UNIT 2: 1 BD | 1 BA $1,199,000 4852/4854 S CENTINELA AVE.

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Hurry time travelers! We are boarding our time travel machine for a ride back to the 1960s, where more and more expansion and transformation of the Westchester and Playa del Rey communities is happening. There are two extensive projects happening that will immensely change the makeup of our small sleepy neighborhoods; to some degree it parallels the metamorphosis going on in the U.S. in general. That will be another visit to come. Our first stop is to the southernmost edge of Westchester and Playa del Rey, where we witness the ongoing growth of the Los Angeles International Airport. We see many homes taken through eminent domain and purchased by the airport at a designated value. We also hear families being given another option of actually relocating their house by transporting it over to a new street and to some other empty plot of land they can find in Los Angeles. Most families, not happily in all cases, opt to sell. Some are moving their structure to another location. A couple of families are refusing to leave.Onthe positive side, we are observing the final construction of the now iconic Theme Building, which is dedicated on June 25, 1961 by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive white building resembles a flying saucer that has landed on its four legs. The initial design was created by James Langenheim of Pereira & Luckman and was subsequently brought to fruition by a team of architects and engineers headed by William Pereira and Charles Luckman. The team also included Paul Williams and Welton

By Cozette Vergari

A look at the construction of the Theme Building circa 1960s. The building was most recently used as a restaurant, but currently sits dormant and in need of some TLC at LAX.

Traveling back in time to 1960s Westchester/Playa

Tatiana Ruiz More, Agent 8705 Truxton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90045 tatiana@coveredwithmore.com310-450-8833

2007005 Page 18 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Thanks, Westchester/Playa. I love being here to help in a community where people are making a difference every day. Thank you for all you do.

Becket.Weare learning, as we travel into the beginning of the Space Age, that the building will later be considered an example of how aeronautics, pop culture, design and architecture came together in Los Angeles in the 1960s. Decades later in 1993, the L.A. City Council will designate the Theme Building a historic-cultural monument.Ourtime machine is now taking us to the northern edge of Westchester and Playa del Rey, where we look down over our other 1960s expansion project, which is also changing the landscape of our quiet little community. Where there were once oil wells and the southernmost remnants of the original Venice Canals, built in 1905, construction of what we now know as Marina del Rey is in full swing. We are learning that nearly 50 years of discussion at the county, state and federal levels regarding the development of this geographic footprint for use as a harbor, went on until in 1953 when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized a $2 million loan to fund construction of the marina. Since the loan only covered about half the cost, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed, Public Law 780, making construction possible. Groundbreaking began shortly thereafter.Withconstruction almost complete, we are witnessing the marina in danger from 1962 through 1963 due to winter storms. The storms are causing millions of dollars in damage to both the marina and the few small boats already anchored there. As a result, we see a plan unfolding to build a jetty at the mouth of the marina. We are able to observe the meeting at which the L.A. County Board of Supervisors are approving another $2.1 million to build the jetty. On April 10, 1965, Marina del Rey was formally dedicated. Shortly thereafter, we see the first restaurant being constructed, then Charley Brown’s, which we now know as Tony P’s.Stay tuned for our next time travel adventure!Duetothe many positive responses to our articles on the history of the Giant Holiday Candles, our fall workshops to create these decorations are already sold out for this year. If you are interested in making your own red or blue giant holiday candle to display in your front yard and help revive this Westchester tradition, please contact us at info. wphistorical@gmail.com to be placed on a waiting list. If you don’t get a chance to make one this year, we plan on holding these workshops again next year. The Westchester/Playa Historical Society Discovery Center is located in the Westchester Triangle at 6207 W. 87th St. and is open to the public on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the Westchester Farmers’ Market. The center’s current exhibit is “MAPS: Telling the story of a city, a community and its people.” Cozette is an attorney and lifelong resident of Westchester. She is the President of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 19 6390 Riggs Place, Westchester SOLD: $5,750,000 8201 Calabar Avenue, Playa del Rey SOLD: $1,975,000 5956 W. 74th Street, Westchester SOLD: $2,950,000 7947 Westlawn Avenue, Westchester SOLD: $2,005,000

Alchemy

6030 Seabluff #112 Offered $2,300,000 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,005 SF

Alchemy Works

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is com piled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

Spotlight on Playa Vista

Next time you’re at RUNWAY and FreeMarket, stop by to experience why this is one of our favorite shops in LA.

Kris kris.zacuto@compass.comZacutokriszacuto.comDRE01972897

Spotlight on Playa Vista

The flagship store for FreeMarket Playa Vista , Alchemy Works is a coastal California retail, gallery, and event space concept. Playa Vista is blessed to have Alchemy Works in its back yard while there are other locations at Lido Marina in Newport Beach, California, in Denver, Colorado, & in Napa Valley in Yountville, California as well as 1 new Los Angeles location to come in 2022.

Kris kris.zacuto@compass.comZacutokriszacuto.comDRE01972897

Page 20 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Next time you’re at RUNWAY and FreeMarket, stop by to experience why this is one of our favorite shops in LA. 6030 Seabluff #112 Offered $2,300,000 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,005 SF Works

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 21 Rotary Club of SinceMakingWestchesteraDifference1950!tomakeWestchesterabetterplace! www.rotary-westchester.com You're invited...Join us at AYSO Region 7's Opening Ceremony on Friday, September 2 at 6:30 PM. We'll be celebrating our recent donation of $45,000 to the Youth Foundation for improvements at Nielsen Field and the dedication of Westchester Rotary Field! Makeover Project | Book Sale | Scholarships | WAM | Fourth of July Parade | Supporting YMCA Programs...and so much more! Westchester Club

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Page 22 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Working together to improve our communities! “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” CWP~ Plato Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Monthly Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2022 via Zoom

OPICA Offers Free Program for Caregivers

Representatives from the Neighborhood Council of Westchester / Playa recently participated in the 2022 National Night Out at Playa Vista.

National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

OPICA, which provides support for adults with memory loss and their families, is offering a program that will help you acquire the tools you need to care for Youyourself.willlearn techniques to: Reduce personal stress; Communicate your needs effectively; Manage emotions when coping with difficult situations. This FREE program consists of class on SIX consecutive Wednesdays August 24, 2022 through September 28, 2022

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

NCWP board members had a great time meeting the men and women tasked with law enforcement in our neighborhood!

NCWP

Location: Virtual on Zoom Time: 10am – 11:30am Pacific Time Instructors: Carol Hahn, MSN, RN and Tara Guden, LCSW This program is offered free of charge, made possible by the generous support of OPICA donors. You may like to purchase the companion book for $30. For more information and/or to register for this program please contact Carol Hahn at CarolHahnRN@gmail. com or (310) 612-9064.

Joins 2022 National Night Out

Are you responsible for the care of a loved one?

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There are great things happening at the Westchester Senior Center. To find out more about all the Senior Center does, please visit the NCWP website or follow this link to download the Center’s latest newsletter: https://ncwpdr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SUMMER-2022-NEWSLETTER-canva.pdf

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News WE HASWESTCHESTER/PLAYAKNOWTHECUTESTPETS! Show off your photo skills and capture a picture of your pet doing what it does best: being adorable, funny or hanging with your family. Email us your photos by September 14 for a chance to be featured in our October edition! Photos will be uploaded to facebook.com/thehtn for the community to enjoy and vote for their favorites. Our fun contest is meant to raise awareness about pet adoptions, while showcasing how pets can be an awesome addition to your family. PET CONTEST! Scan QR code for more details. Or visit thehtn.com Send photos to: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com

1. Strength-training reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Disease reduction is probably the most important way strength training increases lifespan. One study found diabetes risk was reduced by 30 percent for women who perform strength training and the risk of cardiovascular disease is reduced by 17 percent. Whatever we can do to reduce the risk of these diseases is a great step in the right direction.

Five ways strength training can help extend lifespan

2. Strength training can help you maintain a healthy weight by keeping your metabolism high. As we age, we lose muscle which lowers our Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). The

By Jeff Blair Opinion: While I usually focus on how strength training can improve people’s quality of life, a recent research review caught my eye for another reason. The review of 16 studies found just 30 to 60 minutes of strength training per week is associated with an increase in life expectancy of between 10 and 17 percent. As the saying goes, exercise can put life in your years and years in your life! This month I will dig into five ways strength training can extend your lifespan.

3. Strength can provide brain health benefits. One amazing study found the strongest top 10 percent of a senior living group had a 61 percent less chance of developing Alzheimer’s Disease over the next four years compared to the weakest 10 percent. Alzheimer’s Disease is associated with reduced life expectancy. In addition to extending lifespan, stronger muscles were also associated with a less general cognitive decline. One theory why strength improves brain health is that stronger people tend to stay more active overall since movement is easier for them than for someone without the same level of strength. Consistent movement impacts the brain in various positive ways and this may be at least part of the reason greater strength is associated with better brain health.

4. Strength training can improve bone health. Bone tissue responds to strength training much the same way muscle does and consistent strength training can increase bone density. The lumbar spine, hips, wrists and femurs are the areas at greatest risk of fracture when it comes to bone density. A well-designed strength training program will target these areas, slow loss of bone and even help strengthen it. If you have been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis, always check with your doctor before beginning a strength training program, as certain exercises should probably be avoided.

5. Strength training can make you happier. Exercise of various types can release “feel good” chemicals in your body. Most people have heard of endorphins, sometimes called the “feel good chemical.” But serotonin, norepinephrine, BDNF and dopamine are also released by exercise. These chemicals can improve your mood and might even lessen anxiety and depression. The Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry published a study in 2018 supporting the link between strength training and a reduction in depressive symptoms. The American Psychological Association notes exercise can help people better deal with anxiety, create a sense of accomplishment and may make people more likely to create other healthy habits. Better nutrition choices, more social bonds with others and even better sleep habits can sometimes cascade after beginning a strength training program. Since happier people tend to live longer than non-happy people, the psychological benefits of exercise might actually increase your lifespan.Onefinal note: noting the longevity benefits of strength training should not be interpreted as a criticism of cardiovascular training. Performing an hour or two of strength training and consistent cardiovascular training is associated with a greater longevity benefit than strength-training alone. Those performing both had a 40 percent reduction in overall premature death and a 46 percent reduction in death via cardiovascular disease. 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. The studio was recently voted 2022’s “Best Of” Personal Trainer in the Hometown News poll. Comments are welcome at jeff@socalsport.com.

TheHTN.comRandom Notes/Opinion Page 24 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News Brittany Dean, LMFT. #113749 Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100 Wednesdays | 6:30 - 8pm | Mark at ext. 246 & Daniel at ext. 137 via Zoom • Wednesdays$15/session|5:30-7pm | Morgan at ext. 179 via Zoom • $15/session Tuesdays | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | Maya at ext.150 via Zoom • $95 for 10 sessions Thursdays | 5:00 - 6:30pm | Mark at ext. 246 & Hannah at ext. 136 via Zoom • $15/session

RMR is how many calories your body burns daily when it is not exercising. A higher RMR can be a huge asset in keeping extra weight off as we age. In addition to helping create a higher RMR, strength training burns calories throughout your workout. These two factors are very important to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

• You have assumed another person’s memories (such as your parents’ memories) into your own reality.Swimming can be used as an example of how experiences could be different. You might have considerable capability swimming and diving in pools. Another person might have developed skills swimming in a lake, where waves, currents, or natural dangers occur, such as rocks or submerged tree limbs. Conversations about swimming will bring up quite different memories for each of you.Some folks may tell you to ignore troubling thoughts and feelings and instead focus “only on the positive.” Ignoring memories will simply gloss over them with the result of their uncomfortable reemergence at inopportune moments. You may have heard of the “gloss over” as “toxic positivity.” In reality, all of your emotions are valid. In acknowledging and naming what is troubling you, you can begin to transform the discomfort into a new awareness. However, it is important not to continuously dwell, live and grumble about your difficulties. One path is to allow yourself to grow and heal; the other path is to become bitter.

By Fay Craton Opinion:

Do you remember playing in water as a child? Most of us have memories of visiting a beach or a pool to enjoy sunshine, swimming, or maybe building a sandcastle. Memories give your life perspective and a standpoint to help you organize your thoughts and feelings. It is normal to look back at memories and make judgments about how good or how meaningful you are as a human being. They also give guidance as to what you want in the future. It is through your memories that you can understand the sensory world surroundingSometimesyou.memories are pleasant and other times they are troubling. People can experience the same situation, yet perceive circumstances completely differently. This is because either: • You focused on dissimilar aspects of the occurrence.

I’m reminded of the myth where a grandfather tells his grandson that within people there are two wolves always fighting. One represents darkness and despair, and the other is light and hope. The grandson asks which wolf wins, and the grandfather answers that it’s whatever one you choose to feed. When you allow yourself to continue on a path of bitterness, you feed darkness and despair. When you choose to look within yourself to heal your suffering and personally grow, you feed light and hope.There is a paradox when considering memories. We all need them to give context to life, yet memories can be painful. A few things to consider about memories is that they help us experience a congruent life, and while lighthearted memories can bring us contentment, dwelling and living in unhappy memories can create resentment and depression. The broader and more supple the context is, the easier it is to navigate exceedingly difficult encounters. When a rigid context becomes frayed or fractured, your mind, body and soul can become disoriented.Memories can change over time due to new understandings, a shift in what is important, or sadly, a change in mental capability. While it is not healthy to live too much focused on the past, I encourage you to consider what memories you are creating today. When tomorrow arrives, today will be a memory. What type of life do you want tomorrow? What memories will help you to achieve who you want to be? When thinking back on today, will you remember happy and light-hearted moments, or will you remember resentment and anger? What is most important to you? Is resentment worth holding onto at the cost of having painful memories? Do you sufficiently want to remember love and laughter enough to let go of frustration or anger? My wish is for you to have the same sense of fun that you had as a child building sandcastles at the beach. Future peace and contentment can be intentionally created by how you choose to live today. The choice is up to 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.

Memories help give your life perspective

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• Your frame of reference to the situation was different from another person’s outlook on life.

Hundreds of pancakes were served to smiling community members at the Saturday, August 27 Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station #5. The 22nd annual event was hosted by the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club, with proceeds going to the station to help fund kitchen essentials, household equipment andAftermore.atwo-year hiatus, Rotarians were happy to be back meeting with neighbors and raising money for one of their favorite local causes with the help of their sponsors. The pancakes were served by a team from the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, and Rainbow Acres Natural Foods provided the bounce theonfinishedWhenhouses.thecrowdschowingdownpancakeswithallfixings,theyhad a chance to meet with firefighters, purchase LAFD merch and learn about the station’s tools and equipment. The firefighters also wowed the crowd with a demonstration of the truck’s ladder, which towered above attendees to reach a couple of stories high. Other activities included bounce houses, balloon animals, face painting and a chance for kids to be junior firefighters for the day with help from the heroes at Westchester’s main fire station. Fire Station #5 is located at 8900 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. During July, the station responded to 939 incidents with an average turn out time of 59Learnseconds.more about the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club at playavenice.org.

Page 26 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News September 2022 • Page 27 Follow us @vistamarschool Vistamar prepares students with the skills they need to excel in college & life. Join us at an open house: Sept. 10, Oct. 22, Dec. 10 There’s a better way to do high school. Learn more at vistamarschool.org/admissions VM 2022 Hometown News 1/2 page 10x6.75.indd 1 8/26/22 7:26 AM www.drollingerproperties.com310.417.8048 8929 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, #130 Westchester, CA 90045 www.DrollingerProperties.com “ We are so excited to welcome Hart House to the Westchester neighborhood! Their incredible, fully plant-based menu features chick’n, chick’n nuggets, tots, burgers, salads, fries, and more. Thank you to Kevin Hart for choosing Westchester. We know the community will embrace Hart House immediately.” Karen Dial DrollingerPresident/CEOProperties 310.417.8048 www.drollingerproperties.com 8929 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, #130 Westchester, CA 90045 PROPERTIES

Page 28 • September 2022 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News wamblockparty.org With additional support from: Playa Venice Rotary Club • 3L Properties • Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa • Ramey Law, P.C. OTIS College of Art and Design • Westchester Family YMCA • SoCal Gas • Kaiser Permanente • Team Tami West San Gabriel Valley Boys & Girls Clubs • Zacha Homes • WPNS Learning Center • RE/MAX Estate Properties THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 SPONSORS! All proceeds from this event will support the Westchester Family YMCA Teen Health and Wellness program. WESTCHESTER ARTS & MUSIC BLOCK PARTY September 24, 2022, 12pm–7pm Emerson Ave. at W. 80th St. WAM22_HTN_August_r3.pdf 1 8/29/22 8:42 PM