Westchester/Playa Hometown News September 2024 Edition by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

BLOCK

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS

Stephanie Davis, Publisher

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS

Shanee Edwards, Contributing Writer

Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer Zsuzsi Steiner, Photos Robert Higgins, Photos

ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS

HOMETOWN NEWS

ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS

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, Truxton’s American Bistro and Cantalini’s Salerno Beach.

ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS

CONNECT WITH THE HTN:

Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745

Westchester, CA 90045

Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com

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Story ideas & Advertising: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com

Front page: L.A.-based rock band Cuffed Up perform at last year’s Westchester Arts & Music Block Party. This year’s festival includes six bands with a headline performance by Dr. Wu. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner | zsuzsiphotography.com

We’re proud to be home to these “Best of” winners...

LAX Coastal Chamber

Drollinger Properties

Westchester Veterinary Center

Truxton’s American Bistro

The Coffee Company

Ayara Thai Cuisine

Cafe Solar

Westchester Pharmacy

SoCal Sports & Fitness

Edgar Saenz

The Book Jewel

The Ramen Joint

360 Self Defense Studio

Olive It Soundsations

Yoga Bliss

Dr. Kazuo Tomimatsu

Westchester Bakery Kanpai

Melody Bar & Grill

LaRocco’s Pizzeria

Manchester Medical

LA Vista Cleaners

Tenshin-Kai Tai Chi & Karate

GET READY FOR WAM!

Mark your calendars for September 21st and head to Emerson Ave.

Summer’s not officially over in Westchester until the WAM Block Party rolls into town on September 21 from noon to 8 p.m.! Now in its ninth year, the day-long celebration on Emerson Avenue has become a highly anticipated community event, where art, music and community combine for a good cause.

Guests this year can expect the same family-friendly atmosphere and festivities that the event is known for, as well as a few marked improvements, including a bigger outdoor bar area and new vending hours. With community booths shutting down at 6 p.m., but the party continuing in the beer & wine garden until 8, organizers hope that the volunteers and vendors who usually miss out on the entertainment will get a chance to enjoy a frosty brew and the headlining band.

“I’m so excited for our music lineup this year, and I think our closing band, Dr. Wu, is going to hit it out of the park,” said new event producer Courtney O’Donoghue, who has taken over the reins from event founder John Sharpe. “I love watching all the bikes and the strollers roll into the event, and community members having the chance to meet with their neighbors and catch up. WAM really is the perfect way for our town to say ‘goodbye to summer’ and kick off the fall season.”

Whether you plan on meeting up with friends and staying all day in the beer garden, dropping by for an hour to check out the musical entertainment, or spending your afternoon walking up and down Emerson Ave. with your family to shop, dine and take part in activities, here’s the scoop for this year’s WAM:

1. Organizers say this year’s

entertainment lineup is one of the best yet. The tunes kick off at noon with MI-6, an indie rock group featuring local students, with a new band hitting the stage each hour. In between musical acts, community groups like The Lariats, Kentwood Players and Loyola Village’s African Drum Dance Ensemble will perform. This year’s stellar lineup includes something for everyone, from jazz guitar (Transatlantic Trio), alternative (Trapdoor Social), pop (ionie) and R&B (Francois Dean Band). The night winds down with a two-hour set starting at 5:50 p.m. from Steely Dan tribute band, Dr. Wu, which is sure to get the crowd yelling “Do it Again!” Visit the full schedule of performances at wamblockparty.org.

2. Visit the community booths for fun and goodies. Sponsors are planning lots of interactive activities and giveaways at their tables to keep families entertained for hours. To name a few booths worth checking out, visit the LAX Coastal Education Foundation booth for bracelet making; the Westchester Rotary Club will be passing out stickers and candy; Team Tami will have face painters; LMU will be passing out swag from athletics and KXLU, and the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary will be offering temporary tattoos and passing out pencil pouches.

3. The beer & wine garden is bigger and better (and there’s pizza!). Organizers have enlarged the outdoor bar area for 2024 to increase occupancy, provide more room for games and keep the lines down. The garden is presented by the Stephanie Younger Group with bartenders serving up a variety of wines from Madora Vineyards, Highland Wines and Sweetzer Cellars, including

organic offerings. Can’t decide what to order? A sommelier will be on hand to share their knowledge and provide recommendations about what pairs best with the festival’s food truck offerings. If beer is more your jam, this year’s drink menu includes bottled and canned options from 805, Firestone and Three Weavers, including their Goldie Lite Lager and Citra Puffs Pale Ale. Windsor Pizza will also be stationed near the bar where they’ll be serving up cheesy slices all day long.

4. Head to the Emerson Ave. Garden for family-friendly activities. Westchester Parents Nursery School will be stationed in the Emerson Ave. Community Garden ready for WAM’s littlest attendees to participate in arts and crafts galore from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be a music station where kids can practice their ukulele and percussion skills, bubble mania and more! Once you’re done crafting with the family, take a tour of the garden and admire the work that volunteers put into cultivating the one-acre space.

5. Bring your ID and credit cards for food and drinks. Don’t forget to bring your ID and credit cards to visit the cashless beer & wine garden. Head to the ticket booth and show your ID to a WAM volunteer to get a wristband for access to the area and purchase drink tickets for $9 each. When you’re in the mood for a meal, head down Emerson Ave. to view this year’s food truck lineup, including returning favorites Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Baby’s Badass Burgers and the Tropic Truck, as well as newcomers The Ugly Bao, LA LA Lasagna and Flavas by Ed, serving up soft serve.

6. Support local businesses and pick up some gifts for yourself

and your loved ones. More than 50 local vendors will be selling art, crafts, ceramics, jewelry, products and desserts during WAM! Take time to shop and support these local entrepreneurs, including neighborhood favorites like Lily Love Boutique, Sugar Kane Bakeshop, Steve O’Loughlin Art, Piña Prints and the Westchester Mental Health Guild with their handmade crafts. Other festive booths include Design Street Studios Balloons, which will be creating a fallthemed balloon photo backdrop for Instagram-worthy pics.

7. WAM is a fundraiser. While WAM’s main purpose is to bring the community together for a day of music and neighborhood spirit, equally as important is its role as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit! For the last three years, WAM has partnered with the Westchester Family YMCA to support their Teen Health & Wellness Initiatives, and so far, the event has been able to donate more than $60,000 to support events, activities and programs for area youth, as well as help renovate the Y’s teen space. All of the proceeds from the beer & wine garden and the net profit from the event will be presented to the Y in the form of a big check later this year!

8. Have questions while at the event? Ask a volunteer wearing a turquoise WAM shirt, and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction!

The WAM Block Party will take place on Saturday, September 21 from noon to 8 p.m. on Emerson Ave. between 80th Pl. and 80th St. in Westchester. The street will be closed during the event. For more info, please visit wamblockparty.org.

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner

WAM festivities include musical entertainment, an outdoor bar, more than 80 community and vendor booths, and activities for the whole family.

The Westside’s Favorite Real Estate Team

Business & Nonpro t News

New affordable housing project proposed for business district.

A new development featuring 413 low- and moderate-income apartments is being proposed for Westchester’s downtown business district. As first reported by Urbanize LA, plans for an eight-story building at 8819 Sepulveda Eastway–at what is now a parking lot behind the former site of the Bed Bath & Beyond–is at city planning. The project would also include parking for 81 vehicles.

The apartment is being proposed by SCAH-LA and designed by 64North with requests for a density bonus. This follows two other nearby large housing projects on the horizon that are sure to transform the shopping district off Sepulveda Blvd. The other projects include a two building mixeduse senior housing complex with a total of 266 units planned for what is now Staples and a parking lot adjacent to the Westchester Triangle; and Cityview, an 8-story building with 489 units and approximately 16,000 square feet of commercial space planned off Manchester in the lot that currently houses Del Taco and Pep Boys.

CIRCLE Team Program launches in Westchester/Playa.

On August 25, the city expanded its CIRCLE (Crisis and Incident Response Through Community-Led

Engagement) program to include Westchester and Playa del Rey, as well as Manchester Square, Palms and Mar Vista.

Community members can now access CIRCLE through the nonemergency line at 877-275-5273 or 877-ASK-LAPD and request a response to incidents involving unhoused individuals that include well-being checks, noise disturbances and loitering.

CIRCLE aims to quickly respond and stabilize incidents and create positive outcomes by creating rapport with unhoused individuals and connecting them to services.

WPV hosts fall prevention workshop.

One in four older adults report falls each year, and Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) is helping build awareness of this important topic by

hosting a free workshop. To coincide with National Falls Prevention Week (September 23-27), WPV is inviting community members to a free webinar on Thursday, September 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. Carol Hahn, a registered nurse and certified personal trainer, will speak about what people can do to help prevent falls and stay safe at home and in the community.

To receive the Zoom link, please RSVP to RSVP@thewpv.org or call the WPV office at (310) 695-7030.

WPV is a Westchester-based nonprofit membership organization that helps older adults age in place by offering services like transportation, social visits, technology assistance and more, provided by volunteers. Learn more at thewpv.org.

LAX Coastal Chamber readies to honor its 2024 City of Angels honorees.

Every year, the LAX Coastal Chamber recognizes extraordinary individuals who have made a positive impact in the region at its City Of Angels Award Gala. This year’s event will be held on September 11 and will celebrate L.A.’s tourism, sports and entertainment industries by honoring Adam Burke, President/CEO of the L.A. Tourism & Convention Board; CD11 Councilwoman and the chair of (continued on next page)

Elks Lodge Car Show & Chili Cook Off. The whole family is invited to the Westchester Elks Lodge’s 24th Annual Car Show & Chili Cook Off on September 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get there early to participate in the judging for the chili cook-off and vote for your favorite recipe, and then cruise the parking lot to admire the coolest classic cars in town. The event is free to attend, but a BBQ lunch and raffle tickets are available to purchase to support the club’s projects and causes. The lodge is located at 8025 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey.

The Kentwood Players’ production of “Misery” opens at the Westchester Playhouse on September 13 and runs through October 5. Based on the novel by Stephen King and adapted by William Goldman, the play follows romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who after a car accident is rescued by his number one fan, who is anything but. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at kentwoodplayers.org. Pictured: Annie (Juanita Guzman) takes care of Paul Sheldon (Aaron Frank) while coercing him to rewrite a novel that she doesn’t like the ending to.

Photo by

Gloria Ramirez-Plunkett

Playa Royale. The Silicon Beach Volleyball Club will host its second annual “Playa Royale” on Saturday, September 28, starting at 9 a.m. The community is invited to attend this coed quads beach tournament, taking place at the Playa del Rey courts just north of Tower 42, and cheer on the teams. Organizers hope to help fill the local beach volleyball gap left by the legendary Gillis tournament, which held its last event in August 2022. Learn more at instagram.com/siliconbeachvolleyballclub. Pictured: Playa Royale organizers pose with Gillis co-founder Steve Cressman at last year’s event.

(continued from previous page) the city’s 2028 Olympic Committee, Traci Park; Hollywood Park and the Los Angeles Rams.

At the event, local businesses that are celebrating milestone anniversaries will also be recognized, including the Westchester/Playa Historical Society (5 years); Wine with Traci (10 years); Playa Pharmacy (15 years); Zacha Homes (25 years); Hollywood Park Casino (30 years); and Flowers by Felicia (35 years).

For more info about chamber events and networking opportunities, visit laxcoastal.com.

Playa del Rey resident to receive Sunrise Community Service Award.

The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club will honor Lory Sarlo with its Sunrise Service Award at its October 23 Cultural Dinner fundraiser held at the Westchester Elks Lodge. Sarlo is being recognized for her work supporting local schools, teachers and students, as the President of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation and the cochair of the chamber’s Education Committee. Tickets to the event

are $150 per person, and the event has an Oktoberfest-theme. Recent recipients of the award include Eden Garcia Balis, Jane St. John and Nanci Edwards.

Learn more at playavenice.org.

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

Lory will be honored on October 23 at the PVSR’s Cultural Dinner fundraiser.

Business spotlight: Serenity Bakeshop helps make clients’ days with freshly baked cookies

Who doesn’t love dessert?

Westchester mom of three boys, Sarina Grady, is making it easy for locals to treat themselves with her new home baking business, Serenity Bakeshop. Since launching late last year, Sarina has been delighting her customers with deliciously baked-to-perfection cookies, and this month, she’s looking forward to being a vendor for the first time at the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party!

Read this month’s business spotlight to learn more about Serenity Bakeshop and make sure to visit her booth on September 21 to pick up a dozen!

Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. I grew up in Irvine and moved to L.A. in 1998 to attend UCLA, and have been an L.A. girl ever since! My family and I moved to Westchester in 2015 and it has been such a wonderful place to raise kids. We love the community and neighborhood feel here.

After graduating UCLA, I worked as a CPA for many years, but then left the corporate world to focus on raising our three boys. I launched Serenity Bakeshop in early 2024, as I didn’t want to return to the corporate world, and it was always a dream of mine to have my own cookie bakery. My other hobbies–besides baking, of course–include photography. I actually took classes for two years, which has really helped with starting my business as I can use those skills to photograph my products for my website! I also love to run, which is definitely needed now more than ever with all the cookies I eat; I am constantly taste-testing to make sure the products are just right. And in any other free time I have, I love spending time with my boys and watching them play basketball. We are a big basketball family and most of our do it. However, after a lot of my friends and family kept suggesting to me that I should follow my passion, I finally decided to go for it and that

cookie flavors out there, I also have a cardamom pistachio and toasted coconut cookie which reflect the flavors of my Indian

community at this event!

Q. What are some of your favorite aspects of being an entrepreneur?

A. I think my favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur is that I can set my own work schedule and work around my kids’ schedules. As a mom of three young boys who are all athletes and extremely active, I don’t have a lot of free time right now. But I can fulfill orders and bake in the early mornings or when they are at school, and I love doing it, so it is an enjoyable activity for me to do when they are not around. I would say the most challenging aspect is marketing and keeping the business growing. I do have several repeat customers and do gain new customers by word of mouth, but since I don’t have a storefront, it can be challenging as an online business to let people know about the bakery.

Q. What does a typical workday look like for you as a home baker?

A. I typically check my emails in the morning to see what orders have come in during the prior 24 hours. Then I try to bake as many as I can after the kids are dropped off at school. For any orders that I complete, I will spend an hour or two delivering that afternoon. And for those not yet completed, I will make a list of what needs to be done the following morning. I try to fulfill all orders within 48 hours, unless it is a very large order that might require a little more time.

My typical clients include schools who need cookies for events, parents who order for birthday parties, and really just friends, and friends who refer me to other contacts who love cookies! Most of my business has been through referrals or word of mouth.

Q. What are some of your favorite local small businesses that you like to support?

. As a small business owner, I love to support other small businesses, too! I love to buy books at The Book Jewel and also support a lot of the small restaurants in our area, such as Ayara Thai, LaRocco’s Pizza and Hacienda.

Craving a sweet treat? Visit serenitybakeshop.com or scan the QR code to check out their website and view their current cookie menu!

by Zsuzsi Steiner

Sarina shows off her fall flavor–the Reese’s Candy Cookie–while posing in her Kentwood kitchen.

Photo

Hear from your co unity

The hidden costs of upzoning: What’s at stake for our community?

By Sarah Howard and Jolie Delja, One Voice Westchester

Opinion: For over a year, our community has been abuzz over the issue of upzoning. In 2023, with the prospect of thousands of homes in Westchester slated for upzoning into high-density housing districts, our community rallied together. We advocated tirelessly with elected officials and urged City Planning to protect our residential properties in the Westchester Playa Ladera Community Plan Update (CPU). Thanks to the dedication of Councilwoman Traci Park and the efforts of community members, we achieved a significant victory. The revised CPU released in March 2024 protects many of our homes from upzoning. This win is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. Your voice matters!

The Fight Continues

Now, we face the continuation of a process that is far from settled. Though we have made significant strides in protecting residential areas, these hard-won victories are now at risk. The Citywide Housing Incentive Program (“CHIP,” an Ordinance of the Housing Element), designed to incentivize affordable housing through density bonuses and reduced parking requirements, poses a new issue. While the initial version of CHIP aimed to eliminate single-family zoning across Los Angeles, protections for singlefamily residences were added in the revised draft released in June 2024. Pressure from special interest groups in support of aggressive development lobbied City Planning to reopen public comments through August 2024. Now, the fate of protections for single-family residences in CHIP remains uncertain. Additional revisions are expected and a public hearing is set for September 26. The CPU and CHIP processes are iterative and ongoing. Through One Voice Westchester, we aim to highlight the potential impact of upzoning on our community and the unintended consequences it could bring. Many of our commercial, industrial, and faith-based parcels are slated for excessive upzoning, potentially allowing high-rises of six, eight, or even unlimited stories, next to homes.

While upzoning is promoted as a way to create more housing and stimulate economic growth, it is community members who will bear the costs and burdens of this growth, while developers and corporations stand to make millions. Without thoughtful planning and community input, we risk increased traffic, strained infrastructure, and the erosion of the unique character that makes our community special.

The Impact on Small Businesses

One of the most immediate consequences of commercial/ industrial upzoning is the pressure it places on property owners to sell. When a property is upzoned, its value initially increases. While this might seem like a win for property owners, it comes with significant economic pressures to build highdensity housing, because state and local governments are heavily

incentivizing such development. These developments sometimes provide a mixture of affordable units and market-rate units, while other times they are 100 percent affordable housing.

When property values increase due to upzoning, business owners often find themselves priced out of the very neighborhoods they helped build. Consider the potential loss of cherished local businesses: if a commercial parcel is upzoned, like Little Vons in Kentwood or Olive It in the Westchester Triangle, developers will likely come knocking, offering substantial sums to buy the land. If the property owner sells, these beloved establishments could be replaced by high-density housing developments. Even if the owner chooses not to sell, rising property values might lead to higher rents, making it difficult for businesses to survive. The local sandwich shop,

the family-owned restaurant, and the local grocery store—all of these are at risk when the property is upzoned. The Reality

of Massive Development

The push toward upzoning is already manifesting in significant ways. Even before the CPU is finalized, massive developments are currently in the pipeline, including:

• 8819 Sepulveda Eastway: 8-story, 413-unit 100 percent affordable housing project with 81 parking spots and no mixed-use (no shops or restaurants on street-level for community use) on the parking lot behind the former Bed Bath & Beyond

• 8704 and 8711 S. Sepulveda Blvd.: 7-story, 146-unit senior housing and 8-story, 120-unit assisted living units to replace the Staples and adjacent parking lot

• 6136 W. Manchester Ave.: 8-story, 489-unit mixed-use residential building with 549 parking spaces (for residents and retail customers) to replace the current Pep Boys and Del Taco

While these projects may address certain needs, they also set a precedent for the size of developments that are profitable in our area. Our major corridors are already strained by the impacts of LAX and the growing influx of 80plus million annual visitors. Unlike any other community in Los Angeles, we face the unique challenges that come with having a world airport as a neighbor. While sharing a community with LAX has its benefits, it also places burdens on residents and businesses, limiting how much housing our community can reasonably support or accommodate.

A More Conservative Approach to Planning Our Community

One Voice Westchester is for fair housing and we understand that some development is needed and appropriate. While the projects above are already in the pipeline, we are advocating for a more measured, conservative approach to future development. In our response to the CPU, we have outlined requests that aim to balance the need for growth with the preservation of our community’s character. We believe that new development should be sustainable, thoughtful, and—most importantly—inclusive of the voices of those who live and work here.

(continued on page 22)

by Zsuzsi Steiner

Jolie and Sarah pose in front of Little Vons in Westchester.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Farmers’ Market Anniversary

Join the Westchester Farmers’ Market for its 8th anniversary on Sunday, September 8!

Visit the market for a morning of family fun, and plenty of opportunities to stock up on healthy items for your fridge. Fruits and veggies currently in season include stone fruits like peaches and nectarines, grapes, tomatoes, corn, carrots and more!

The anniversary festivities include kids’ activities, community booths, live music and a special visit from Councilwoman Traci Park and her field deputies. Attendees will also have the chance to win market tokens! Visit the market’s info booth on September 8 for all the details.

The Westchester Farmers’ Market takes place every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Westchester Triangle (6200 W. 87th St., 90045).

Havana Casino Night fundraiser

Join the Westchester Mental Health Guild for its inaugural “Havana Casino Nights” fundraiser on Saturday, September 28 from 6 to 10 p.m.

For a $100 ticket, attendees will receive chips to play a variety of Vegas-style games, while enjoying a Latin jazz trio, a light buffet and a chance to win prizes. Lucky gamblers will be able to use their winning chips to bid on a variety of items. The event will take place at the Playa del Rey’s Knights of Columbus Hall and will raise funds to support the important mental health work at Airport Marina Counseling Service. Purchase tickets at westchestermhg.org.

Westchester Park Community Showcase

Visitation Carnival in the 90045

There’s no better fall event than a classic fair with rides and games, and Visitation’s “Carnival in the Nine Double Oh Four Five” is back this year on October 18 through the 20!

This biannual event will feature rides, games, music, a beer garden, food, book walk, raffles, face painting, entertainment, prizes and more!

Stay tuned for next month’s edition for more info! Visitation is located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester.

Are you in the know about all the activities and events that your local park hosts each month? The park wants to highlight all its happenings and is hosting a Community Showcase on Saturday, September 28 from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Visit the park to check out skating sessions and community booths from 3:30 to 6:30 and then at 7 p.m., attendees will be treated to a viewing of “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” Don’t forget your beach chairs, blankets and picnic baskets!

Learn about classes, workshops, events and more at laparks.org/reccenter/Westchester.

YMCA Spooktacular

The YMCA is preparing for its largest community event of the year: its annual Halloween Spooktacular!

Save the date for Friday, October 25th from 6 to 9 p.m. for the most ghoulish family fun in Westchester! Reservations to attend the free event will launch next month, and activities will include games, candy, a haunted maze, entertainment and more. Food will also be available for purchase.

Follow the Y at facebook.com/westchesterfamilymca to learn more about their upcoming events!

Salsa Fest VII

LMU’s independent radio station KXLU 88.9 and its popular Alma Del Barrio show will host their 7th Annual Salsa Fest on Sunday, October 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The community is invited to attend this free event for a day of music, dancing and celebration of Latin music. This year’s lineup includes Silvia Nicolatto & Friends, Invasion Latina and Yari More Latin Band.

The event will take place in the university’s Lawton Plaza. LMU is located at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester.

Photo by Robert Higgins

Live music helps connect neighbors

By Shanee Edwards

From Dance MDR to the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party, attending an outdoor music festival is a highlight of many people’s year.

For Westchester resident John Sharpe, creating a local concert series has turned into a passion to highlight both local and touring bands and bring the neighborhood together.

Sharpe and his wife Irene have

lived in Westchester for 31 years, raised their family here, and love the cozy, small-town vibe. Though both kids are grown and living their own lives now, John says music played a huge part in the Sharpe family, considering instruments like drums and guitars were everywhere in the home.

“I had a fantasy of having a family band. When the kids were young, we had lots of instruments around. My kids love music, but they didn’t take to playing instruments

themselves. Both of them gave it a shot, but neither of them stuck with it, so it’s just me,” says drummer John.

But he eventually had an epiphany: Who needs a family band when you live in the middle of a tight-knit musical community?

On top of John’s musical talents, he spent years representing commercial artists with his company, Sharpe and Associates. There, he honed his talent for promoting artists, making him the perfect guy to create the annual Westchester Arts & Music Block Party (WAM) in 2015. He served as executive producer of WAM until this year, when he passed the role to fellow Westchester resident Courtney O’Donoghue, but he’s still in charge of booking artists.

For this year’s block party, he’s excited to have booked MI-6, an indie rock band that includes very talented students from WISH; Transatlantic Trio, a finger-style Jazz guitar group; ionie, a pop soul artist; alt-rock music from Trapdoor Social; R&B from the Francois Dean Band, and the smooth sounds of Dr. Wu, a Steely Dan tribute band. Thanks to the support of sponsors, the event provides a chance to see all these bands for free.

But John’s need to create community music events doesn’t just stop at WAM. Every April, he helps put together the Battle of the Bands at the Westchester Family YMCA, where he now serves as Board Chair. During the spring competition, 10 middle and high school bands compete for prize money and a chance to play at the L.A. Coliseum for Healthy Kids Day. If that’s not enough, in 2018 he started HouseMusic 90045, where he invites bands to play in his Kentwood-area backyard that seats 80 people.

He had a good two-year run before COVID hit and the shows had to pivot.

“When COVID hit, we decided that we would do a weekly concert every Friday night. I started with local musicians that I had already had contact with and used them to get referrals to other folks. We called the shows Friday Night Live and would stream them through the Instagram account for WAM. We would pin their Venmo to the bottom of the screen to

let people pay, and the artists actually made really good money for sitting in their living room,” he says, adding that all proceeds go to the musicians.

Thankfully, HouseMusic 90045 is back to in-person shows, and next month, John and Irene will host the last show of the season featuring The Carlile Family Band, Annabel Lee and a special guest. The event is scheduled for October 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40.

“I’m building this show around the Carlile Family Band,” said John. “Having met them in Washington a couple of months ago and hearing them play a show there, I’m thrilled that their tour will bring them to L.A. and to Westchester. Their vocal harmonies are off the charts!”

For John, hosting the backyard concerts and giving artists a platform, while creating opportunities for community members to gather is key. He says it all begins and ends with the human connection.

“I feel like the more digital we become, the more people actually have an internal desire to connect with other people, so I really love bringing people together for the experiences,” he says, adding how lucky he feels that so much talent is percolating in his own neighborhood. “When people leave our house, I’ve heard them say, ‘Oh, my God! I love what I just saw and I can’t believe this is in Westchester!’”

Check out HouseMusic90045 at linktr.ee/housemusic90045.

Interested in more music?

• Check out Dance MDR, happening every Friday night in September from 7 to 10 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to dance the night away with salsa, disco, line-dancing and hip hop-themed DJ nights at Burton Chace Park. More info beaches.lacounty.gov/ dancemdr.

• Stop by the Westchester Farmers’ Market on Sunday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to hear live music by the Teddy Bang Jazz Group.

• Westchester-based Wayback Daddies, who excel in playing fun classic rock, will be performing on September 21 at Hermosa Beach’s Saint Rocke with Led Zeppelin tribute band, Led Zepagain. Learn more at waybackdaddies.com.

by Zsuzsi Steiner

John Sharpe poses in front of the WAM stage at last year’s event. While he’s not producing this year’s event, he still is in charge of booking all the bands.

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CASINO Nights

Get back on track with focus on health

By Jeff Blair

Opinion: Linda Recendez works as a teacher. She lives in Westchester with her husband and two young kids. As you might imagine, she has a very busy life with many demands on her time, energy and attention. Three years ago, she was experiencing physical challenges and pain. She suffered emotionally as a result. She was discouraged and not sure what she should do.

Yet, she was determined to do something to improve her quality of life. Fast forward to 2024, and Linda recently celebrated three years of consistent strength training. She has greatly increased her strength; her quality of life and her outlook have changed dramatically. I asked if she would share how she did it with HTN readers and she graciously agreed to do so. Here is her story.

JB: What were the biggest obstacles you faced three years ago?

LR: Two of my biggest challenges before returning to working out were a prior injury and time. Every attempt I made to try to get back into working out was cut short when my injury would flare up. I was so afraid of reinjuring myself that I would often opt out of working out despite having time to do

so. When I was feeling better, I would say, “I’ll go tomorrow,” but rarely did. When I did make it to the gym, I would leave disappointed because my workouts were not as challenging as they used to be. It was during this time that I found myself becoming less physical.

JB: How did those challenges make you feel?

LR: My most difficult time emotionally was when I struggled to do simple activities with my children. I stopped picking them up and running after them. We’d go to museums, and I would have to take a break because I simply could not keep going. The pain was unbearable. It was at this point in my life that I realized I needed help.

JB: What changed once you started strength-training?

LR: I reconnected with some personal trainers, and with their knowledge and expertise, I quickly learned that many of the choices I made to avoid injury had an adverse effect on my mobility. I was doing less, but yet, always in a lot of pain.

JB: What specific results have you experienced?

LR: Fast forward to three years later, I feel stronger physically and emotionally and have not reinjured myself. With very intentionally designed strength

training routines provided by my trainers, I’ve been able to build muscle, develop strength and have learned to trust my body. I’ve learned to trust my body so much that I actually volunteered to referee soccer! To go from limited mobility to running up and down the sidelines has made me a believer in the process. When I first started working out, my goal was to do everyday tasks without feeling pain. Now, I’m focused on getting stronger and staying consistent.

JB: What would you say to someone considering beginning a strength training program?

LR: I’d say start with a personal trainer that is knowledgeable and understands your needs. My trainers knew my personal needs way before I did and created a program that worked for me. By taking out all the guesswork of working out, I was able to focus on simply working out. That was exactly what I needed to stay consistent and see results.

Congratulations, Linda, on your focus, persistence and determination! While Linda gives her trainers accolades–and it is true that even Luke Skywalker needed a Yoda–Linda is the one who prioritized her health by taking action. She showed up and performed the exercises on a

weekly basis. She overcame adversity and found success. Now, she gets to enjoy the fruits of her efforts. Those are all reasons to be very proud, Linda. Thanks to Linda for being willing to share her challenges and successes with us!

Jeff Blair, MS CSCS is a certified personal trainer and founder of the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in Westchester, which recently won its ninth “Best Of” award in the Hometown News readers’ poll. He has been featured in national and international fitness media and is the primary author of a peer-reviewed research article. Reach out to him jeff@socalsport.com for comments or questions.

Discover Playa Del Rey Beach Living...

Finding meaning after lo ss

By Fay Craton

Opinion: September strikes me as both an ending and a beginning. Summer is wrapping up, days are becoming shorter, the last of the garden produce is being picked, and I can hear the ducks quacking as they begin to migrate further south. Yet, at the same time, schools are starting new terms, there is an excitement in the air of something new, and soon the crisp days of fall will start. Despite fall almost being here, a part of me does not want to let go of summer. I want it to stay. In a Neil Diamond song, “September Morn,” the lyrics say, “Stay for just a while. Stay and let me look at you. It’s been so long. I hardly knew you. Standing in the door.”

Life unfolds one day at a time. Before we know it, a season has passed. It seems as if we take a walk, blink a couple of times, talk to a friend and maybe dance and sing a little bit, and a whole year has passed. During all of it we are growing, changing and building closer connections with significant people. Hopefully, with each step, we have learned how to let emotional baggage go, opened our hearts, and have been more authentic and loving with our words and our behaviors. The lyrics continue:

“Stay with me a while

I only wanna talk to you

We’ve traveled halfway ‘round the world

To find ourselves again

Look at what you’ve done

Why you’ve become a grown-up girl

I still can hear you crying

In the corner of your room

And look how far we’ve come

So far from where we used to be

But not so far that we’ve forgotten

How it was before September morn

We danced until the night became a brand new day.”

Nights become days. Days become years. Sixteen years ago in March 2008, I wrote my first article for the HomeTown News. It was about grief, letting go and the paradox of how we need both joy and sadness. I wrote, “…all loss can be hard. Even after the immediacy of it fades and more life unfolds, a hole inside of us remains. Often a fresh loss brings up memories of other losses in our lives; family and friends who have left us or losses reflecting tragedy in our lives. It is tempting to simply block the event away from our awareness, so that we can return to being happy. But does blocking losses really mean happiness?

“The road to happiness is in our relationships, one to another, in each and every moment of the day. It is a paradox that happiness and meaning demands that we feel joy and sadness. It is in the relationships that we have with ourselves, and with others, that the

possibility of happiness emerges. The place where the connection happens is the place of magic, a place of possibility. This link is sometimes the most strong at times of great emotion, both of great joy and great grief.

“Happiness is defined by Webster’s as a ‘state of wellbeing and contentment.’ Wellbeing demands that we strive toward healthy perspectives within ourselves, about the world around us, and that we embrace the wholeness of life. To be happy requires looking within ourselves to find essential meanings. Being fully present at the times of loss is part of moving toward wholeness, toward a place of contentment.”

Loss and letting go provide an opportunity for growth. When we let go, we create a place in our consciousness for a new possibility to emerge. When we do not let go, life becomes stagnant, empty and without meaning. This does not mean we cannot go back and visit our past. It simply means visiting and quickly moving on to a new experience offering fresh meaning and opportunity. How do we let go? We let curiosity out to play. We brainstorm ideas like, “What could happen if I allowed myself to do something different?” We consider the perks we gain through new experiences. Neil Diamond sang, “We danced until the night became a brand-new day. Do you remember how we danced that night away?” Memories of dancing, of what is “no more” continue. We use the past as a platform for a new perspective in life.

After a year of processing grief and letting go of “stuff,” both emotional and material, I am on the verge of a new experience in my life. As fall starts, my home will be in Northern California where I have family. While it means I have to let go of summer, this move gives me the opportunity to see my grand nephew and grand nieces grow up. It is hard letting go of the home I know. However, in the same way I kept in contact with family through Zoom, I will be able to keep in touch with friends and clients in the same manner.

My wish for you is for you to have a life full of possibilities and positive supportive relationships. As change happens, as loss happens, I encourage you to love yourself enough to acknowledge it, building from it new possibilities and meaning for your life. If you wish for me to support you in this effort, I will be available to meet with you through Zoom starting in lateOctober. My email address is faycraton@ yahoo.com.

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).

• Immunizations: COVID, flu, RSV, pneumonia, shingles and more.

• Transfer your prescriptions: Call us, and we’ll handle the rest

• Compounding: including hormones, pain creams and pet medications

• Herbs and supplements

Upzoning ( continued)

(continued from page 12)

Our approach emphasizes three key themes:

1. Opposition to Unlimited Heights: We strongly oppose any zoning changes that allow for “No Limit” on building heights.

2. Opposition to High-Rises Next to Homes: We strongly oppose mid- to high-rise structures (5- to 8-stories) next to single-family and duplex homes.

3. Consideration of Density Bonuses: We urge City Planning to carefully consider the negative impacts of state density bonuses–such as those outlined in Assembly Bill 1287–on homes and businesses when planning our community’s future.

It is easy to get lost in the technical details of zoning laws and community plans, but at the heart of this issue is the human element. Our neighborhoods are more than just buildings and streets—they are communities where people live, work, and raise their families. The changes being proposed will affect the lives of real people, from the small business owner who has been a fixture in the community for decades, to the young family just starting out, to our beloved seniors.

A call to action

Now, more than ever, it is crucial for

community members to get involved. The decisions being made today will shape the future of our community for decades to come. We encourage you to join us in advocating for a balanced approach to development—one that respects the needs of residents and businesses while allowing for thoughtful growth.

You can stay informed and engaged by following us on social media @onevoicewestchester and visiting our website at onevoicewestchester. com. Together, we can advocate that our community remains a vibrant, welcoming place for all.

About the Authors:

Sarah Howard, a local Realtor, understands how zoning changes impact property values and community character. Jolie Delja brings experience in community engagement and advocacy. Together, they are passionate about ensuring that community members and small businesses can flourish in Westchester, Playa, and Ladera. They established One Voice Westchester in 2023 to help inform community members about upzoning and its potential impacts.

Interested in learning more?

Scan the QR code to view One Voice Westchester’s Instagram account.

27 years!

We know you’re only as good as your last meal and we strive to make every meal with us your favorite!! See you soon!

SPECIALIST FOR Wills Trusts Probate

Wills Trusts Probate

•

LMU STEM Outreach Expo 2024

Sheriff Luna to Speak at Public Safety Meeting

On September 24, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna will be in person to speak at the Public Safety Committee of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester / Playa del Rey.

This will be a special meeting, and Sheriff Luna will discuss topics including his department’s role in Los Angeles County, Homeless Outreach, jurisdiction within Westchester / Playa del Rey / Playa Vista as well as partnerships with LAPD, LAX PD and other law enforcement agencies. He will bring a unique insight into the challenges

of protecting the most populous county in the nation, which includes beaches, harbors, mountains, deserts and 10 million people.

A native Angeleno, Sheriff Luna was formerly the Chief of the Long Beach Police Department before being elected as the 34th Sheriff of Los Angeles in 2022. A storied history, the LA County Sheriff’s department, established in 1850, is the largest Sheriff’s department in the country and employs more than 9,000 sworn officers.

The Public Safety Committee’s mission is to help navigate the bureaucracy of our city to best support the needs and interests of the community of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. Safety in our community is our core issue and our committee is excited to host Sheriff Robert Luna

This special event is open to the public and will take place in the Community Room at the LAX Police Department on Westchester Parkway at 6:30pm on September 24 in Westchester.

Academic Excellence

LGBTQIA PROCESS

Clubs Character Building

GROUP:

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session

Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Mimi Hoang, Ph.D. (she/her) #PSY22006

Before & Afterschool Care Westchester Lutheran School teaches students from preschool through 8th grade to believe in themselves, in each other, and their ability to make a difference in the world. Our dedicated faculty and staff reach not just their minds, but their hearts and souls.

NAVIGATING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF AND OTHERS

THERAPY GROUPS

JOIN ONE OF OUR THERAPY GROUPS

LGBTQIA PROCESS GROUP: NAVIGATING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF AND OTHERS

LGBTQIA PROCESS

JOIN ONE OF OUR THERAPY GROUPS

LGBTQIA PROCESS GROUP: NAVIGATING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF AND OTHERS

GROUP:

LGBTQIA PROCESS GROUP:

GROUP:

LGBTQIA PROCESS GROUP:

AND OTHERS

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Kathy at ext. 146

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

GROUP FACILITATORS

LGBTQIA PROCESS GROUP: NAVIGATING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF AND OTHERS Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tayler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

NAVIGATING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF AND OTHERS

LGBTQIA PROCESS GROUP: NAVIGATING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF AND OTHERS

NAVIGATING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF AND OTHERS

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

WOMEN’S PROCESS GROUPS

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

WOMEN’S PROCESS GROUPS

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Mimi Hoang, Ph.D. (she/her) #PSY22006

Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tayler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

Thursdays | 5 - 6:30pm via Zoom • $15/session Tyler (she/they) at ext. 140 & Adriana (she/her) at ext. 180

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Mimi Hoang, Ph.D. (she/her) #PSY22006

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Mimi Hoang, Ph.D. (she/her) #PSY22006

WOMEN’S PROCESS GROUPS

Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Alexis at ext. 167

WOMEN’S PROCESS GROUPS

Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Alexis at ext. 167 & Kathy at ext. 146

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Mimi Hoang, Ph.D. (she/her) #PSY22006

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Kathy at ext. 146

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7pm via Zoom • $15/session

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Kathy at ext. 146

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Kathy at ext. 146

Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7pm via Zoom • $15/session

Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Alexis at ext. 167 & Kathy at ext. 146

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

Alexis at ext. 167 & Kathy at ext. 146

Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Alexis at ext. 167

Alexis at ext. 167 & Kathy at ext. 146

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Gabe at ext. 175

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Kathy at ext. 146

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Gabe at ext. 175

Thursdays | 10 - 11:30am in-person at AMCS • $15/session Kathy at ext. 146

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100 EMERGING

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

EMERGING ADULTS:

EMERGING ADULTS: NAVIGATING YOUR 20s

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

EMERGING

ADULTS:

Thursdays | 5:30 - 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Rebecca at ext. 170 & Gabe at ext. 175

EMERGING ADULTS:

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

EMERGING ADULTS: NAVIGATING YOUR 20s

NAVIGATING YOUR 20s

Thursdays | 5:30 - 7pm via Zoom • $15/session

Thursdays | 5:30 - 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Rebecca at ext. 170 & Gabe at ext. 175

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100 EMERGING ADULTS: NAVIGATING YOUR 20s Thursdays | 5:30 - 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Rebecca at ext. 170 & Gabe at ext. 175

Thursdays | 5:30 - 7pm via Zoom • $15/session

Rebecca at ext. 170 & Gabe at ext. 175

Thursdays | 5:30 - 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Rebecca at ext. 170 & Gabe at ext. 175

Rebecca at ext. 170 & Gabe at ext. 175

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

NAVIGATING YOUR 20s Thursdays | 5:30 - 7pm via Zoom • $15/session Rebecca at ext. 170 & Gabe at ext. 175 GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

GROUP FACILITATORS SUPERVISED BY

Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP #60100

To join us for one of these educational therapy groups please call 310.670.1410

7891 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045 | www.AMCShelps.com

Historical Society

The Westchester/Playa Historical Society (WPHS) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and its role in creating a community organization that highlights the area’s past, present and future.

Visit the nonprofit’s Discovery Center on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to noon during the Westchester Farmers’ Market to view their latest exhibit, “Salute to Our Schools,” which highlights the history of local campuses and education. The exhibit is on display through the end of the year and is sponsored by The Book Jewel.

This month, take a trip to the past with some of our favorite photos from the 1940s and 1950s from the WPHS’ archive!

Pictured:

1. A paper drive at Westchester High School, 1955.

2. The Broadway Department Store at the corner of Sepulveda and La Tijera, 1956.

3. The Miss Westchester Contest, 1949.

4. Westchester Circus Day outside of Western Auto, 1949.

5. An overhead view of 87th St. and Karl’s Toy Store, 1952.

6. The Westchester Woman’s Club gets ready for the Westchester Fair Parade, 1948.

7. The Westchester Chamber hosts a ribbon cutting, 1964.

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