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Community leaders, including representatives from the Drollinger Charitable Foundation, the LAX Coastal Chamber, the William H. Hannon Foundation, Westchester Rotary and AMCS, get ready for the ceremonial cake cutting at the Westchester 75th Anniversary Cocktail Reception. They are joined by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (far right).
Community celebrates Westchester, Westchester Day planned at City Hall More than 250 community members celebrated Westchester’s 75th anniversary at a cocktail reception held at Loyola Marymount University on Thursday, October 27 hosted by the Westchester 75th Anniversary Committee in conjunction with the LAX Coastal Chamber and Loyola Marymount University. At the event, longtime Westchester residents Mary Ellen Cassman and
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Rowena Ake were honored for being pioneer women who helped shape Westchester into the close-knit and engaged community that it is today. Cassman was recognized for being instrumental in the founding of the Westchester Family YMCA and the Airport Marina Counseling Service. Ake was recognized for helping blaze the trail for women in Westchester, as the first woman in the Westchester
Rotary Club, as well as its first woman president. Ake was also the first woman president of the LAX Coastal Chamber. Both women were presented with a giant ceremonial “Key to Westchester” by Karen Dial, President of the Drollinger Charitable Foundation and Drollinger Properties. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Assemblywoman Autumn Burke and
Councilmember Mike Bonin were also on hand to celebrate and presented the women with certificates from their offices. During the ceremony, Councilmember Bonin announced that Tuesday, December 6 would be declared “Westchester Day” at L.A. City Hall. The community is invited to head to council chamber’s on that date to be part of the special presentation.
Holiday Home Tour
Westchester Art Contest Winners
75th Anniversary Event Pictures
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At Marina Del Rey Hospital, we offer 24/7 emergency care. Our hospital is located right in your community, giving you access to convenient, quality care whenever you need it.
This Month Brings You A look inside your HTN Local homes showcased at home tour Historical society photos Business & Nonprofit News Westchester 75th Anniversary photos
04 05 06 22-23
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher, Editor Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer
David “Duke” Dukesherer Sr., Looking Back Rebecca Hill, Secret Recipes of the Inn
Advertisers’ Directory
Airport Marina Counseling 21 Cedars-Sinai 02 Covenant Presbyterian Church 21 Drollinger Properties 20 Food Pantry, LAX 21 Gateway to GO! 12 Gateway to LA Holiday Concert 23 Holy Nativity 20 Jane St. John 19 Kevin and Kaz Gallaher 19 LA Arts Collective 14 LAX Coastal Chamber 14 Loyola Marymount 04, 21
Marina del Rey Hospital Neighborhood Council Socal Sports and Fitness Southland Vinyl Visitation School Vistamar School Westside Neighborhood School Westside Pacific Village Westchester Farmers’ Market Westchester Lutheran Westchester Town Center BID WISH Zacha Homes
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About The HomeTown News (HTN)
The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.
Connect with the HTN:
Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Phone: (310) 641-1016 Website: thehtn.com Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn
The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
Start the theCelebrate New Year Year looking lookingFreedom! in the the right right direction...Up! direction...Up! Start New in
Give Thanks!
As we enter this season thanks, we have so much to be Freedom! Start the theCelebrate New Year Year looking in ofthe the right direction...Up! Start New looking in right direction...Up! grateful for – a lively church, a vibrant school, a loving
Celebra Start the the New New Year Year lo lo Start
StaSr theNewYearlo kingintherightdirectionU.p!Up! Freedom doubt. from fear. community. Andfrom we are grateful forFreedom the chance to get to know you. Join us at Westchester Lutheran Church,
JoinFreedom us at a seriesfrom of special eventsFreedom in Novemberfrom and December doubt. fear. and embrace the freedom found in a as we rejoice in all our blessings– especially each other.
loving, relationship with the Join usforgiving at Westchester Lutheran Church,
Lord. JoinWORSHIP new a celebration of WEDNESDAY SHOW: Ain family worship and embrace thefriends freedom found in a Wednesday, experience with a Pokemon-themed message. everything that is possible when you live loving, forgiving relationship with the November 9,Join 6:30 p.m. inLord. harmony withfriends the Word. new in a celebration of everything that is possible when you live CHRISTMAS TREEwith LIGHTING AND FESTIVAL: Friday, in harmony the Word. December 2, 7 p.m.
All are welcome. Come celebrate with us!
HANDEL’S MESSIAH: Sunday, December 4, 4 p.m. Join the chorus; rehearsals areAll the first Sundays in November at 1 arethree welcome. p.m.
celebrate us! us. Come look up up with us. with with Come look with us. Give Come thanks with us.Celebrate Come look look up up with us. Come Allwith are us. welcome. Weekly Worship
Sundays at 10 a.m.
Parents Summer Night Out, Friday, November 4, 6-10at p.m. Choir Rehearsal Sundays 9(call a.m.to register) Weekly Worship Sundays 10ata.m. Vacation Bible School July 29-August Weekly Worship and Sunday School, Sundays Summer Choir Rehearsal Sundays at 9 a.m. at210 a.m. Vacation Bible School 29-August Confirmation and Adult Bible July Stud, Sundays2 at 8:45 a.m. Midweek Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Enrolling
7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester, CA 90045 Westchester, CA 90045 310.670.5422 310.670.5422 www.wlcs.org www.wlcs.org
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 3
Guild hosts Home Tour for the Holidays Volunteers from the Westchester Mental Health Guild have selected their homes for the 34th annual Holiday Home Tour and the community is invited to get a glimpse of some of the area’s most beautiful homes while raising money for a good cause. Since 1982, this enjoyable community tradition has helped neighbors get to know each other and has served as the Guild’s largest fundraiser benefiting Westchester’s Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS). The nonprofit, which is located on La Tijera Blvd. in Westchester, provides thousands of hours of child, adult and family mental health counseling services annually to people in the community, with fees established on a sliding scale. In recent years, the clinic has established outreach programs to local elementary and high schools, providing child therapy and preventive intervention. AMCS also trains mental health therapists. This year, the Holiday Home Tour will take attendees to five distinctive houses in Westchester and Playa del Rey all decorated for the holidays. These homes include a new two-story Playa del Rey beach home decorated for a coastal Christmas; a two-story Playa del Rey view home filled with art and antiques, also decorated for Christmas; a completely renovated
The tour will feature five homes in Westchester and Playa del Rey, including the two pictured here, decked out for the holidays.
Westchester bungalow decorated for Halloween; a mid-century modern one-story home decorated for Thanksgiving; and a two-story Westchester farmhouse, recently renovated by a designer for her own use and decorated for New Year’s Eve. After taking the self-guided tour, guests are invited to attend a festive reception at the Westchester Elks Lodge, where they can browse a special one-day holiday marketplace with a variety of vendors selling everything from jewelry to dish towels to chocolate. The reception and marketplace will be open from noon until 5 p.m. The 2016 Holiday Home Tour takes place on Sunday, November 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $30 (with a service fee) at wmhgtour2016.eventbrite.com. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the home tour for $35 at the Westchester Elks Lodge, located at 8025 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. Children under 12 will not need tickets if they are accompanied by an adult. There is no photography allowed during the tour and guests are asked to wear flat shoes. For more information, please visit westchestermhg.org or visit airportmarina.org.
Sunday, November 6 LMU’s University Hall Booth Expo: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Guest Speaker: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Guest Speaker Dr. Anna L. Fisher (NASA Astronaut & first mother in space)
Science Challenge for Junior High & High School Students (Sponsored by Boeing)
Aviation & Aerospace Expo
Complimentary Lunch
Presented by
www.lawa.org/dayofdiscovery Page 4 • November 2016
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
celebration of Westchester’s 75th anniversary taking place through next year, we’ll be highlighting photos and Westchester history
in the HomeTown News. The pictures featured below depict the community in the 1940s and 1950s. Interested in getting involved
with the historical society? Visit facebook.com/westchesterplayahistory to stay up-to-date with news about the organization.
Westchester, 1948.
Westchester Welcome Wagons and Sutton Used Car Lots, looking north up Sepulveda Blvd., 1952.
951.
,1 ontestants C n e e u Q ter Westches
Rooftop parking on Millirons Department Store, 1940s.
8800 block of Sepulveda, 1952. Westchester Welcome Wagon, 1950s. 1950. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 5
Photos courtesy the Westchester/Playa Historical Society.
The Westchester/Playa Historical Society contains many photos from the early days of Westchester. With the
Business & Nonprofit News
TheHTN.com
Pacific Division officer Ken Lew, founder of Badge of Heart, is hoping to raise $10,000 for the organization’s Second Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. Drollinger Properties, located at 8929 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #130 in Westchester, is a drop-off location for donations through November 8. Officer Lew is pictured here with Officer Brianna Brown in a file photo.
WSIA dedicates garden. The Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association (WSIA) recently honored Congresswoman Maxine Waters with a plaque naming a stretch of Sepulveda that she helped secure funds for the “Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ Garden.” After WSIA approached Congresswoman Waters in 2008 about the condition of the sidewalks on Sepulveda Blvd. between 80th and 84th Streets, she worked to obtain a $1 million federal earmark that was eventually used to take out non-native ficus trees that were upturning the sidewalks and install new sidewalks and landscaping. Page 6 • November 2016
“Knowing how important this project was to the residents of Westchester, I was pleased to be able to work with the late Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and his successor, Councilman Mike Bonin, to help the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association see it through to completion. As a longtime lover of flowers, I am particularly touched by this honor,” said Congresswoman Waters.
WSIA members (left to right) Sue Piervin, Sheila Mickelson, Barbara Musella, John Ruhlen, Don Duckworth and Marc Hoffman pose with Congresswoman Maxine Waters (center) in the “Maxine Waters’ Garden” on Sepulveda Blvd. Photo by Shari Barrett.
Helping families celebrate Thanksgiving. Local police officer Ken Lew is looking for the community’s support of his nonprofit Badge of Heart for the holidays. Inspired by his 26 years of service with LAPD and encountering families who are struggling to get by, Badge of Heart is looking for donations for its Second Annual Turkey Drive. The organization is looking to feed 500 families from the communities of Westchester, Palms, Culver City, Venice and Mar Vista. The LAPD Pacific Division, as well as local schools, churches and youth groups are helping identify the families that will benefit from this program. For more info, visit badgeofheart.org.
Frederick checks to see if “the monster” is alive in Kentwood Players’ Young Frankenstein.
Kentwood Players present Young Frankenstein. The Kentwood Players’ production of Young Frankenstein opens on Friday, November 11. The story follows bright, young Dr. Frankenstein as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. But this musical comedy hit is not without scary and hilarious complications. With such memorable tunes as “The Transylvania Mania,” and the famous “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” this show is scientifically-proven to be monstrously good entertainment! The musical will run through Saturday, December 17, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting kentwoodplayers.org or by calling (310) 645-5156. The Kentwood Playhouse is located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. (continued on next page)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo courtesy Wagz.
Westchester-Venice American Legion Post presents Outstanding Citizen Award. Westchester resident Marlene Kaufman was recently honored by American Legion Post 177 of Westchester-Venice with its Outstanding Citizen Award. Kaufman was recognized for her many years of service to local organizations and charities, including visiting and assisting ill and homebound seniors of Visitation Catholic Parish, holding garage sales to benefit local charities, adopting pets in need, providing volunteer meal service for the Knights of Columbus and assisting with meeting and luncheon preparations for the American Legion. Wagz moves to Westchester. Wagz has moved from its Playa del Rey location to a new home in Westchester near Staples on Sepulveda Blvd. Wagz provides full-service dog and cat grooming and bathing; daycare and boarding; dog rehabilitation; and a dog boutique. “I am so excited to relocate to Westchester,” said owner Angela Anzalone. “We can’t wait to make lots of dog and cat friends in our new neighborhood!” To celebrate their new location, Wagz is offering a $5 discount to any new customers that visit. The store is located at 8728 ¼ S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. For more information, please visit
Wagz owner, Angela Anzalone, sits in front of the new store with two of her canine pals.
wagzinc.com or call (310) 306-1090. Because the facility is cage-free, reservations are required. Westchester’s 75 leaders. Do you know a leader in Westchester that deserves to be recognized for their dedication to the community? The Westchester 75th Anniversary Committee is looking for nominations of people who either live, work or volunteer in Westchester that have enriched the community through their time, talent or donations. Those interested in nominating someone will be asked to include a brief writeup on their nominee. The list will be published in a future edition of the
HomeTown News. For more information or to receive a nomination form, please email westchesterhometown@yahoo.com or visit thehtn.com. Marina del Rey Historical Society looks to archive collection. The Marina del Rey Historical Society is looking for donations to help archive its collection. The organization has recently acquired a large photo, slide and artifacts collection from Marina del Rey photographer, Greg Wenger, who passed away on October 1. The group is looking to raise $15,000 to purchase supplies and to
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
help build a digital catalog that can be searched online. For more information, please visit marinadelreyhistoricalsociety.org. State of LAX. The LAX Coastal Chamber is hosting its inaugural State of LAX event on Wednesday, November 16. The State of LAX will offer updates by city and industry leaders on modernization efforts at LAX involving construction and technology. The airport’s economic impact will also be discussed. Los Angeles World Airport’s CEO Deborah Flint will serve as the keynote speaker and will discuss her vision for LAX, as well as what it will take to transform the airport into a world-class travel destination. Additional speakers include Board of Airport Commissioners Vice President Valeria Valasco and Councilmember Mike Bonin. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, November 4. The cost to attend is $85 per person. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, located at 5855 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, please call (310) 645-5151. Just opened for business? Celebrating an anniversary? We want to hear about your business or nonprofit! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
November 2016 • Page 7
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo courtesy Wright Middle School.
Elementary school students learn about the types of classes and opportunities available at Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet including Audio Recording Technology (ART) and robotics.
Wright welcomes elementary schools to campus. On October 26, Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet in Westchester hosted “A Day in the Life of a Seahawk.” This event gave 5th graders from local elementary schools an opportunity to spend time at a middle school, meet current students and teachers, and learn more about what it’s like to be a middle schooler. The experience is designed to help prepare students for the transition to middle school and to share with the community the variety of classes and opportunities available at Wright. Approximately 320 students from Cowan Avenue Elementary, Kentwood Elementary, Loyola Village Elementary, Paseo del Rey Natural Sciences Magnet and Westport Heights Elementary accompanied by parents and teachers arrived on buses and spent the morning escorted by Wright Middle School Cavaliers– the student leadership club–and parent volunteers. After an introductory presentation from Principal Christina Wantz, tour groups spread out across campus for different experiences. The 5th grade guests saw the 3D printer in the computer lab, observed real 6th grade classrooms, and experienced the Ghost Walk collaborative playwriting project. The classes who visited the flight lab had a chance to
fly a virtual plane. Others did real catapult and paper rocket activities, competing to see whose projectile went the farthest. Student participant Skiye Bell reported that her favorite part was visiting the ART program. ART, short for Audio Recording Technology, is a popular elective taught by Phillip Scott III, a Grammyaward winning producer and sound engineer. He is also a Wright alumni. In the Music Lab elective, students learn the basics of DJing and music production utilizing computers, software and related materials. The guests finished their visit with lunch on the quad, and enjoyed entertainment provided by the Wright Drumline, mixes from student DJs, the Glee Club and the Jazz Band. For interested prospective students, the remaining tour date this fall at Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet is November 10. Tours start at 9 a.m. in the front office and RSVPs are not required. The middle school is located at 6550 W. 80th St. in Westchester. Visitation hosts Homecoming Carnival. Visitation will host its biannual carnival on Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 6. The carnival will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on
Friday; 12 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Activities include rides, carnival games, food and raffle prizes. Visitation is located at 8740 Emerson Avenue in Westchester. New middle school coming to Westchester. In a letter dated October 17, Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education and LAUSD announced plans that they were “planning for a new middle school academy on the site of Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet.” The letter stated that the school will serve as a demonstration site, and it would serve students matriculating from Playa Vista Elementary School, as well as students from the area and throughout the district. The school would build on LMU’s School of Educations work at Playa Vista Elementary School by “utilizing progressive, research-supported teaching practices and curriculum that is developmentally appropriate” in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The goal is to be ready to serve grades 6-7 starting in August 2017 and grades 6-8 in August 2018. A community meeting with information on the new middle school has not been scheduled as of
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
press time. Westport Heights Carnival. Westchester’s Westport Heights is inviting the community to its annual carnival on Saturday, November 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will include food, face painting, games, flea market and health & wellness expo. There will also be a raffle drawing with prizes including Lakers’ tickets, an X-Box and more. Westport Heights is located at 6011 W. 79th Street in Westchester. St. Bernard hosts open house. St. Bernard High School is hosting an open house on Saturday, November 5 at 1 p.m. Attendees will get the chance to tour the school, meet teachers and talk with students. St. Bernard High School is located at 9100 S. Falmouth Ave. in Playa del Rey. RSVPs are requested at stbernardhs.org/admissions. Save the Date! The Annual Race for Success held at Loyola Marymount University is scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2017. Last year the 5k and 1k race, which benefits local participating schools, had more than 2,500 attendees. Have something to share about your school? Please email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
November 2016 • Page 9
Grand Prize: Jolene C., 13. Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet.
1st Place: Kaila I., 14. Westchester Lutheran.
1st Place: Sophie B., 13. Westchester Lutheran.
75th ANNIVERSARY ART CONTEST WINNERS! In September, the Westchester 75th Anniversary Committee put out a call for student artists in the area to create drawings using the theme “Our Little Piece of Paradise: Celebrating 75 Years of Westchester.” The committee received more than 100 entries from students ranging from 5-16, which displayed their artistic talent while highlighting Westchester. Judges from the committee and Councilmember Mike Bonin loved all of the submissions and selected a grand prize and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winning drawings in the age groups of 5-9; 10-13; and 14-18. The winning drawings will be displayed in Councilmember Bonin’s Westchester office. Congratulations to all of the student artists who participated in the contest!
1st Place: Conrad O., 9. Westchester Lutheran. Page 10 • November 2016
Winners Ages 5-9 1st: Conrad O., WLCS 2nd: Joseph I., WLCS 3rd: Katie, WLCS
Winners Ages 10-13 1st: Sophie B., WLCS 2nd: Joseph R., WLCS 3rd: Isai P., WLCS
Winners Ages 14-18 1st: Kaila I., WLCS 2nd: Kate E., WNS 3rd: Kaila M.J., WSCS
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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The best education the world has to offer. November 201610/24/16 • Page 11 3:50 PM
Recipes from the Inn: Thanksgiving edition My favorite teacher, Oprah, has long encouraged all of us to keep a “gratitude journal” as a way to train our minds to seek out the good in our lives. With Thanksgiving approaching, the Inncrowd and I have started a kind of a “verbal gratitude journal.” I recently asked some of my co-workers what they are grateful for. Maggie told us she is thankful for her grandma, Margi. She said she is fortunate to have a grandparent in her life, whom she feels so close to and added, “Grandma Margi is an optimistic, fun-loving, open-minded person who is curious and inquisitive about the world. She has taught me how to be empathetic and forgiving towards others, and that a good sense of humor will almost always help in a difficult situation.” Margarita shared she is thankful that she and her family are healthy. She added, “I’m also grateful that I have 2 jobs I love. I especially love working at the Inn because I’ve gotten to know many beautiful people, both the people I work with and the guests.” I’m also thankful for my wonderful co-workers, especially Margarita.
Photo by Liz Hall.
By Rebecca Hill
Add an easy sugar glaze to these bars for an extra Thanksgiving treat.
Margarita and I work side-by-side at night and together we make sure the guests are happy and taken care of. In addition to helping me with
guest services, Margarita is teaching me Spanish! In our first lesson she taught me how to say, “Would you like a chocolate chip cookie?” since
this is usually the most pressing conversation the guests and I have. I did well repeating it back to her and then, several hours later, as she was getting ready to go home, I asked if she’d like to have a “chocolate gato.” I thought she’d be impressed that I’d retained my lesson, but instead she laughed. I said, “Why are you laughing?” Margarita informed me, that “gato” means cat, and the word she’d taught me earlier, “galleta,” means cookie. “So, I just asked if you’d like a chocolate cat?” I said. “Yes!” Margarita laughed as she headed out the door. I also asked Kristin what she is grateful for and she said she is most thankful that she has terrific parents. Kristin says she’s “always loved Thanksgiving because it’s the anniversary of my mom and dad’s first date. Their first date was at a place called The Plaza Lights Ceremony in Kansas–each building in the outdoor plaza was outlined in colored lights and when they flipped the switch on, the whole plaza lit up and everyone cheered the start of the holiday season.” Or maybe they were cheering Kristin’s folks’ first date? (continued on page 14)
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Page 12 • November 2016
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 13
From the Inn (cont’d) (continued from page 12) When we talked, Kristin was in the process of baking our homemade cranberry oatmeal bars, which seem absolutely perfect for the holidays. Here’s the recipe in case you’d like to make these as dessert for your family feast. Happy Thanksgiving from the Inncrowd to you and yours! Cranberry Oatmeal Bars • ¾ cup butter, softened • ½ cup granulated sugar • 1 cup brown sugar • 2 eggs • ½ tbsp. vanilla •½ cup applesauce • 2 cups all-purpose flour • ½ tsp. baking soda • ½ tsp. salt • ½ tsp. allspice • 1 tsp. cinnamon • ½ tsp. ground nutmeg • ½ tsp. ground ginger • 2 ½ cups oats • ¼ cup vegetable oil • 1 ½ cups dried cranberries • Cinnamon sugar (for topping) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally spray 9”x13” ceramic pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cream together butter and sugars.
Page 14 • November 2016
Add eggs, vanilla and applesauce. In a separate bowl combine the flour, oats, spices, baking soda and salt. Add the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Add oil and cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared pan and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes or until firm. Let cool and cut into desired shape for bars. Drizzle with glaze. Glaze: ¾ cups powdered sugar ½ tbsp. milk ¼ tsp. vanilla Whisk together and drizzle over baked bars. The Inn’s recipes have been lovingly collected over the past 20 years. Some are original recipes, others are well-known recipes that have been adapted and some are recipes that have been handed down by our innkeepers’ mothers and grandmothers over the years. Rebecca Hill is an innkeeper at the Inn at Playa del Rey and a published writer. Her stories have appeared in Redbook magazine and in over a dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 15
Calendar Ongoing monthly events: Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Join the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club every Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. for its weekly meeting. The club meets at Whiskey Red’s, located at 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. The cost of the meeting is $25, which includes breakfast. Guests are welcome and reservations are not required. For more info, visit playasunrise. org or call (310) 429-3808.
Rotary Club of Westchester The Rotary Club of Westchester meets every Wednesday at 12 noon for lunch at the Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel, located at 5985 W. Century Blvd. in Westchester. The cost of lunch is $25 and validated self parking is free. Guests are most welcome! Reservations are not required. For more information or to reserve a seat at the luncheon, please contact Bob Smith at (310) 643-9350.
LAX Kiwanis Club The LAX Kiwanis Club is looking for new members. The club meets every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, located at 9620 Airport Blvd. in Westchester. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. The LAX Kiwanis raise money every year for such causes as providing scholarships, holiday baskets for needy families and back to school shopping sprees. For more information about the club or to RSVP to attend one of their meetings, please email laxkiwanisclub@gmail.com.
November events: Singers wanted for Christmas Concert The Worship, Art and Music Commission of Westchester Lutheran Church has issued a call for singers (no experience necessary) for its 47th Annual Messiah Concert to be held on Sunday, December 4. Rehearsals are every Sunday in November from 1 to 3 p.m. “We would especially like to extend a welcome to anyone who has wanted to sing this work, but has been afraid to try,” notes Tom Gerhold, Chairman of the Worship, Art and Music Commission and director of Music at Westchester Lutheran Church. “No experience
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TheHTN.com necessary! We are eager to teach you the music.” The concert, directed by Marshall Ramirez, features professional solo artists, a large chorus of singers from local area choirs and a 20-piece orchestra, featuring Donna Anderson as Continuo. For more information, please contact the church office at (310) 670-5422. Westchester Lutheran Church is located at 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester.
Playa Vista Community Yard Sale Head on down to Playa Vista for the community’s yard sale on Saturday, November 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse through a variety of items for sale at this bi-annual event at the community’s Concert Park. Concert Park is located at Concert Park Drive and Runway Road in Playa Vista.
Pies and Tarts Baking Class Join Fresh Food in a Flash for their 7th Annual Pie and Tarts Baking Class, just in time for Thanksgiving, on Thursday, November 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees will learn how to make homemade pie crust; a sour cream apple crunch pie with raisins and apricots; sticky-toffee pecanpumpkin pie and more! The class is led by Patricia Rose who will also whip up a salad and a vegetarian shepherd’s pie to serve for dinner. The cooking class fee is $50 when you reserve by November 7 and $55 thereafter, if space is available. To reserve your spot, please email Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash.com. Classes are held at the Holy Nativity Community Hall, located at 6700 West 83rd St. in Westchester.
Young Frankenstein at Westchester Playhouse The Kentwood Players’ production of Young Frankenstein opens on Friday, November 11. The musical will run through Saturday, December 17 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. All shows are performed at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at kentwoodplayers.org.
Photography Exhibit Opens at Flight Path Museum Aviation photographer Jeanchristophe Dick will introduce a collection of his innovative work
during the Flight Path Speaker Series on Saturday, November 12, at 10 a.m. at the LAX Flight Path Museum. Dick, a licensed pilot, also has exhibited his photos at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, the Museum of Flight in Seattle, the Los Angeles Fine Arts Building and numerous other venues in Southern California and nationwide. He received a first place photography award for his collection at the 2016 Beverly Hills Art Show. The Speaker Series program will open a week-long exhibit of Dick’s work at Flight Path. Public hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 12 and Tuesday through Friday, November 15-19. Flight Path is closed on Sunday and Monday. “Dick’s work reflects the beauty of today’s aircraft, the airports that serve them, and the open skies where they fly,” said Lynne Adelman, museum president. “He captures a spectacular drama of light and color in each of his photos.” Following college graduation, Dick pursued flight training in Montreal and Santa Monica to qualify for his pilot certificate. Combining this skill with a lifelong love of his camera, he has traveled six continents to build a unique collection of aviation-related photographs. He also serves as a photographer and consultant to the HNTB Corp., a worldwide developer of airport improvement projects. The Flight Path Museum is located at 6661 W. Imperial Highway in Los Angeles (southern border of LAX). Admission and parking are free.
Digital Parenting Workshop Westchester Lutheran is hosting a free workshop on Digital Parenting on Saturday, November 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. According to a recent study, kids spend a shocking 9 hours in front of screens a day. As parents and educators, what are you supposed to do to ensure kids become good digital citizens? The workshop will help parents learn when their child should get a smartphone, how to talk to their children about the internet and how to limit websites that your children can access. The workshop will be led by cyber education expert Jon Moffat. To RSVP, visit eventbrite.com and search “Westchester Lutheran.” Westchester Lutheran Church and School is located at 7831 S Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester.
Otis Open House Otis College of Art and Design is
hosting an open house on Saturday, November 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to meet faculty and current students; tour the new residence hall, dining commons, library and studios and get feedback on your portfolio. Portfolio reviews will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendees can register at otis.edu/ calendar/otis-college-open-house. For more information or questions, please call (310) 665-6820 or email admissions@otis.edu. Otis is located at 9045 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.
Arts & Crafts Fair St. Jerome Church will hold its Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, November 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, November 13, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will be held in the Parish Hall, located at 5550 Thornburn St. in Westchester. There will be many handcrafted items to choose from and proceeds will be used to support St. Jerome Parish. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.
Elks Charity Ball The Westchester Elks Lodge #2050 will be holding its annual charity ball on Saturday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. The theme is “cops and robbers” and proceeds will benefit the LAX Airport Police K-9 Unit, as well as the Elks National Foundation and the Elks Major Project, which benefits disabled children. The cost is $40 and includes a luau style dinner with roasted pig and more prepared by Billy Tompkins of Tompkins Square. There will also be raffles and silent auction items. To attend, please call the Elks Lodge at (310) 821-3005. The Elks Lodge is located at 8025 W Manchester Ave. in Westchester.
YMCA Honors Veterans The Westchester Family YMCA will honor veterans on Friday, November 11 from 9 to 10 a.m. by holding a traditional flag ceremony. The event will take place in front of the Westchester Family YMCA. After the ceremony, light refreshments will be served in the welcome Center. The event is open to YMCA members and veterans. The YMCA is located at 8015. S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Sunday Monday Tuesday
November
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Admissions Presentation @ WNS
Saturday
Homecoming Carnival @ Visitation School
Homecoming Carnival @ Visitation School Carnival @ Westport Heights Open House @ Vistamar
Day of Discovery @ LMU
1 Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza
Homecoming Carnival @ Visitation School
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Triangle
7 Preschool Admissions Presentation @ WNS
8 Gateway to Go! @ Crowne Plaza Admissions Presentation @ WNS
Arts & Craft Fair @ St. Jerome Church Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
13
Wednesday Worship Show @ Westchester Lutheran
3 Pies and Tarts Baking Class @ Holy Nativity
LMU Neighborhood Advisory Committee @ Westchester Senior Center
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Triangle
6
2
Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
9
Veterans Day Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
5
Digital Parenting Workshop @ Westchester Lutheran Arts & Craft Fair @ St. Jerome Church Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
10
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
11 Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
Photography exhibit @ Flight Path Museum
12
Let There Be Joy Concert @ Holy Nativity Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista
State of LAX @ Los Angeles Airport Marriott
Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse Elks Charity Ball @ Elks Lodge
14
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Triangle
15 Holiday Luncheon Concert @ LAX Marriott
16 Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
17 Happy Thanksgiving!
Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
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4
Open House @ St. Bernard
21
Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Triangle
22 Admissions Tour @ WNS
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18 19 Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
Farmers’ Market @ Playa Vista Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
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Westchester Farmers’ Market @ Westchester Park
Young Frankenstein @ Westchester Playhouse
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 17
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 19
Random Notes/Opinion Managing your anxiety during new situations TheHTN.com
Opinion: Most of us have experienced entering a room full of people and not knowing anyone. Do you remember a time when this has happened to you? It could be a classroom, a meeting or a social gathering. This generally causes people to have some apprehension. The amount of discomfort varies a lot between people. For some people, the uneasiness of entering a room is so great they are not able to do it. Do you sometimes have this kind of dread? Or do you know someone who frequently avoids going to new activities? The avoidance could be tied to the same kind of anxiousness. Fear is always about something that could happen. Your stress and anxiety come from something you dread occurring. Often times, you might not know what might actually happen. Not knowing what to expect means something uncomfortable could happen. When you enter a new setting filled with unknown people, you may be wondering if there will be people you like or whether or not they will like you. You could worry about being ignored, or bored, or if you will be able to intelligently converse. In other words, you might be wonder-
ing if you will fit with the other people and if you will be accepted. Since you do not know what could happen, you could imagine all sorts of uncomfortable scenarios. Having the confidence to enter new situations may take understanding what you can anticipate. Being fully comfortable may not happen until you feel accepted and a sense of belonging–or connected–to other people at the activity. So how can you handle your discomfit in a way that you are able to enter situations where you might not know anyone? How can you help someone else feel accepted? Let’s look at the first question. If you are entering a new situation, what can you find out about it before you participate? If you are considering taking a class, you may wish to contact the school about more information. You can ask somebody at the school about what you can anticipate. Think about your concerns. Do you want to know the backgrounds of other people attending? Perhaps you want to know what the meeting room looks like, or how many people will be there? Certainly, if it is a class you can ask about what you can anticipate you will learn. If it is a social gathering, do you know anyone who has
Holy Nativity presents
Let There Be Joy! Annual Benefit Concert and Fundraiser Featuring •“We The Folk”
$15/pp $10/students
(fiery folk fusion)
• Awesome Raffle Items • Dessert Reception
already participated in a past gathering? Ask the person you already know what the people are like, or how people dress or what normally goes on at the event. You look at the setting and you begin to explore what facts you can obtain. By investigating you can discover if the occasion is something you will find meaningful, safe or fun. In this way you can begin to understand what you can anticipate. You can replace what you imagine could happen with information about what history says happens at this type of activity. Based on the facts you discover you can decide whether or not you wish to attend. Let’s now look at the second question and how you can help someone else. Remember how earlier I said some of the anxiousness could be about whether or not there will be an experience of being accepted? You can help someone by “walking along side” of them and being a person who accepts that person. You can say, “hello” and smile. You can keep your conversation positive and include others. By being friendly to someone else, you create a feeling of belonging for both another person and for yourself. You can reduce your own anxiety by being accepting of others. In addition to increasing your ability
to navigate situations, you can also practice healthy ways to shift how you hold anxiety in your body. Here are some ways to do this: • Take deep breaths, pulling air down into your abdomen and make your exhale twice as long as your inhale. This practice will help your body to generate a sense of calm. • Be fully mindful about what is actually around you, and keep your attention to the present, not the future. • Try to be centered or grounded. One way is to imagine your body as being rooted down into the planet, pulling nourishment from the earth. • Take walks or other exercise. • Eat well-balanced meals. • Avoid engaging in destructive behaviors or misusing alcohol or other substances when you are anxious. They will decrease your ability to think clearly and could make your life experiences even more unhappy. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011), which is the psychology license specializing in relationships (with ourselves or with others), and she has an office in Westchester. For more information, visit communicationtriangle.com or contact her at (310) 645-6762.
Join Us in Supporting LAPD’s Badge of Heart Turkey Giveaway Help Badge of Heart deliver 500 turkeys to local low-income families. Make your donations through November 8 at Drollinger Properties 8929 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite #130 Make checks out to “Badge of Heart”
“
During this holiday season, let us remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. A small donation will go a long way in making sure some of our local families have a Happy Thanksgiving! – Karen Dial, President
“
By Fay Craton
Saturday, November 19 • 6 PM 6700 West 83rd Street in Westchester holynativityparish.org or 310.670.4777
310.417.8048 www.hbdrollinger.com
8929 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, #130 Westchester, CA 90045
w w w. D ro l l i n g e r P ro p e r t i e s. c o m Page 20 • November 2016
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
5 strategies to end the year with a bang By Jeff Blair Opinion: As our days shorten, many people became less active and many also turn to more comfort foods. Our bodies are probably programmed to slow down a bit at this time of year, and that can be a big challenge for some. We are also nearing the holiday season and that brings other food “temptations.” While it might be tempting to just “give in” and say what the heck, I make an even bigger commitment to fitness at this time of year in order to overcome these challenges. My advice is to “Commit to be Fit” through the end of the year. In November and December, it is just too easy to slide down the slippery slope of overdoing it and lowering your activity until you look up and it is New Year’s Day. By taking some consistent actions, you can avoid this situation and actually begin the New Year with confidence and peace of mind. By maintaining, increasing or beginning a fitness program now, you will be able to enjoy the coming holidays without the guilt of thinking “I wish I would have listened to Jeff!” Here is your blueprint to achieve fitness now: 1. Begin each day with exercise. Whether you work out with weights, go to a cycling class or power walk around your neighborhood, begin your day with exercise to start the day feeling good and accomplished. As the day rolls forward, it is easy to put exercise on the back-burner as work, kids or other issues may interfere with your plans. 2. Every little bit counts. In addition to your resistance training and challenging cardio, remember less intense activity counts too. Walking, yoga and even stretching can burn some extra calories. While this activity is not going to have an immediate, dramatic impact on fat loss, over the weeks and months it can make a positive difference. Here is an example: by burning an extra 100 calories a day through exercise, you can burn over 10 pounds per year. A 150 pound person can burn 100 calories by playing
Frisbee or mini-golf for 30 minutes or washing the car for 20 minutes. The little things really do add up. 3. Focus on small gains. Everyone wants to lose weight or get stronger today. This is basic human nature. However, people who succeed are consistent and make small, steady gains over days, weeks and months. Set a goal and share it with a supportive friend. Then track your results with pen and paper or an app. This is a proven formula for success. When you reach your goal, congratulate yourself and celebrate as this will reinforce your actions. 4. Team up. By partnering with a friend or supportive person, you increase your chances of success. If you feel like you are the only person following a fitness program, it will be hard to maintain your motivation. If you team up, you will find you are more likely to show up for a workout since none of us wants to let other people down. 5. Get in the weight room. So many people believe running or other forms of traditional cardio activity are the only ways to lose fat. Weight training can have a huge, positive impact on maintaining a healthy weight and help you lose weight. Weight training burns calories, can increase your metabolism and helps you retain the muscle that burns calories 24/7. I place weight training number one on my list of exercise choices for losing fat and keeping it off for any long period of time. By beginning each day with exercise, doing extra low-intensity workouts, focusing on small gains, teaming up with a partner and getting in the weight room, you can finish 2016 with a bang. Whether your goal is to get stronger or lose some weight around the middle, follow these tips and you will be on your way to achieving your end of year fitness goals. Before you start this or any fitness routine, consult your doctor. Jeff Blair is 5-time “Best of” Hometown News Personal Trainer. He has operated a personal training studio in Westchester since 2011.
Come Join your Friends at
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Worship Service 10:30 am Canines@Covenant 5:00 pm Sunday Covenant is on the corner of 80th and Sepulveda Blvd. Church School for Young People during Service. We have an Orchestra and Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs. Email: cpoffis@pacbell.net Childcare is provided-For more information, Call (310) 670-5750.
YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX
Emergency Food Distribution to those in need. Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association
Open Tuesday & Friday, 10am-12pm 355 Beach St., Inglewood
Bring donations of non-perishable food to Covenant Presbyterian Chuch. Volunteers and money donations also welcomed and encouraged!
For more information, please call (310) 677-5597 Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 21
Photos by Glenn Marzano.
LET’S CELEBRATE WESTCHESTER! Westchester came out in full force to celebrate the community’s 75th anniversary at a cocktail reception held at Loyola Marymount University on Thursday, October 27. More than 250 people were in attendance to eat, drink, browse Westchester/Playa Historical Society memorabilia and pay tribute to some of the community’s founders and pioneers including Fritz B. Burns, William H. Hannon, Ella Drollinger, Hugo Francis, Lloyd Hild, Mary Lou Crockett, Howard Drollinger, Shirley Pfeil, Morrey Plotkin and Alan Cassman. At the event, Rowena Ake and Mary Ellen Cassman were given a ceremonial “Key to Westchester” by title sponsor Karen Dial of the Drollinger Charitable Foundation. The cocktail reception was hosted by the Westchester 75th Anniversary Committee, Loyola Marymount University and the LAX Coastal Chamber. The event is part of a yearlong celebration of Westchester that kicked-off with the Fourth of July parade and will end in June of next year. The event was sponsored by the Drollinger Charitable Foundation, The William H. Hannon Foundation, Zacha Homes, Loyola Marymount University, the LAX Coastal Chamber, the HomeTown News, the Plotkin Family Foundation and Cozette Vergari.
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photos by Venice Paparazzi/venicepaparazzi.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
November 2016 • Page 23
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News