YO U R
C O M M U N I T Y,
•
playa del rey
YO U R
C O M M U N I T Y
p la ya v is ta • m a r ina d el rey
N E W S PA P E R
June 2020
congratulations CLASS OF
CELEBRATING GRADS...PAGE 6
Clockwise from top right: Graduating students from St. Bernard, WISH, Westchester Lutheran, Katherine Johnson, Wright, WESM, Visitation and St. Anastasia appear on the cover this month to celebrate the Class of 2020.
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner and courtesy of schools.
westchester
Stephanie Younger Group — 310.499.2020 hello@stephanieyounger.com stephanieyounger.com @stephanieyoungergroup DRE 01365696 Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 310.230.5478.
Page 2 • June 2020
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
This Month Brings You
help you prom help you prom nization or even nization or even A look inside your HTN
Parade committee starts new tradition Celebrating the Class of 2020 In your hometown with...the Mininsky Family Quarantine cooking with Cory Neighborhood Council Update
04 06 18 20 30
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher
Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer
Kirby Israelson, Graphic Design Consuelo Israelson, Contributing Writer
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 • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.
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us on Faceboo to-date with news and us on Faceboo Visit us online to see our virtual offerings!
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
June 2020 • Page 3
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.
Local Girl Scouts carry the official parade banner down Loyola Blvd. during last year’s event.
With the Fourth of July Parade canceled, committee calls for community support for new tradition The LAX Coastal Parade Committee announced this week that for the first time in 20 years, the Westchester Fourth of July Parade that travels down Loyola Blvd. has been canceled. “We waited as long as we could to see if a parade would be possible this year, but due to the pandemic, there is no way we could hold this event with social distancing,” said LAX Coastal President/CEO Christina Davis. “Our first goal is to keep everyone safe, so we had to make some hard decisions. We know how important this celebration is to our community, and we know people look forward to it every year.” What started as a small one-time event to celebrate the millennium has now become an important part of the fabric of the neighborhood and a yearly tradition that draws thousands of spectators to the nearly mile-long route. It has been featured in local and national press and even received international recognition when a documentary team from Ireland visited to film the event. The parade is organized and hosted by the LAX Coastal Chamber and a parade committee led by local residents and business leaders. While the parade is not happening this July, the committee is working to make sure the spirit of the day is still
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WISH students show off their “Better Together” float at the 2019 parade.
evident in Westchester. “We have a very special community,” said Davis. “We always come together for the common good and to get things done. Last year’s theme was ‘Better Together,’ and echoing on those sentiments we’ve changed this year’s to ‘We’re all in this together.’ During these unprecedented times, with so much uncertainty, it’s important that we are united, support each other and uplift everyone.” With that in mind, the parade committee is starting a new tradition and is calling on the residents of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista to bring the community spirit that is evident along the parade route
to their front yards to participate in the inaugural Fourth of July Home Decorating Contest. “So many people in the neighborhood are spectators at the parade, design floats or participate in the entries,” said Davis. “We ask that people take that same enthusiasm to their homes and to their blocks to make some really fantastic displays or decorations for their neighbors to enjoy.” Those interested in participating are encouraged to decorate their homes by Wednesday, June 24 and upload their photos to Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtag #laxcoastalonparade and tag @laxcoastal. You can also email a photo of your decorated home to
laxcoastalonparade@gmail.com. The committee and parade sponsors will judge all entries. The winning home and family will receive a prize, bragging rights and have the chance to be featured on the cover of the HomeTown News’ annual Fourth of July edition. For details, please visit laxcoastal.com. Other festivities include banners being displayed throughout the community, plans for a pop-up art display, a fly-over and other surprises that will be announced on the chamber’s website once they are confirmed. The pylons at LAX will also be lit red, white and blue from July 1 through July 5 in honor of Independence Day and to show support for the community’s celebration. “This year looks a lot different, but the importance of community and coming together is more important than ever,” said Davis. “While a lot of community’s are canceling their events, we think this is a good way to pivot and still bring joy and unity when it’s needed the most. We hope the community joins us in making this special, especially for the kids in the neighborhood.” Questions, sponsorships and ideas on this year’s celebration can be directed to laxcoastalonparade@gmail.com.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
YMCA team members pose in front of the building on Sepulveda Blvd.
YMCA helps those in need thanks to local support While the Westchester Family YMCA has been closed for its regular activities since mid-March, the local institution is still operating as a community hub. At the beginning of April, the organization that serves approximately 4,000 households pivoted to become a place for unsheltered neighbors to shower, receive food, supplies and other resources. The YMCA is now supporting more than 170 weekly visits from those in need and the support from the community to aid their efforts keeps streaming in. Neighbors have dropped off non-perishable food, restaurants like Benny’s Tacos have donated boxed lunches and businesses and local organizations have dropped off towels, hygiene items and clothing to help make care packages for YMCA visitors. “The outpouring of support and contributions from our community have been absolutely heartwarming and a true demonstration of how truly special our community is,” said
Executive Director John Loussararian. “As a nonprofit charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of our neighbors to address our community’s most critical needs and serve our most vulnerable populations.” Thanks to the Y’s partners at LAX, Southwest Airlines, DFS and Bob Hope USO, this month the Y is holding a “Fly by the Y Movie Night” on Friday, June 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. (while supplies last). Those interested can stop by the Y for a free grab & go goodie bag with treats to enjoy for a family movie night at home. If you’d like to contribute to the Y’s efforts, they’re in need of donations of water, individually packed meals, nonperishable food items, excess harvest from fruit trees, paper items and more. Contact the Westchester Family YMCA’s Executive Director John Loussararian at (310) 981-5347 or JohnLoussararian@ymcaLA.org to learn how you can help.
Looking to make local high school seniors feel important and celebrated, Westchester resident Hallie Hawk, knew she wanted to act. After seeing an Adopt-A-Senior program started for her alma mater in Colorado, she decided to start one for neighborhood grads. With the support of fellow moderators Aisha Harris and Melissa Remer, she launched the “Adopt-A-Graduating Senior Westside Los Angeles” Facebook page and is encouraging those that want to help commemorate the occasion for students to join, pick a senior and find ways to make their day. “Graduating is such an important time in young people’s lives and it’s special that they are being acknowledged by someone they don’t even know,” said Hawk. “It’s great that the community is welcoming them to the next steps in their lives.” For now, the page has connected more than 30 graduating seniors with families who have dropped off or mailed gifts like decorations, cupcakes, balloons, gift cards and even a Keurig to take to college. Thanks to these
thoughtful gifts, the page is now filled with pictures of smiling grads posing with their goodies, showing that these acts of kindness will not be forgotten during a graduation season that is unlike any other. Hawk, a mother of two, recently adopted a senior she instantly connected with. The student is planning to study to become a Child Life Specialist, someone that works in pediatric hospitals to help children and families cope with the challenges. With a child battling an illness, she knows this student will play an important role in people’s lives. “With so much going on, it’s nice to take your mind off things by helping other people,” said Hawk who adds that her kids love helping out with the page. “It’s been really fun to think of things to get them.” Have a senior you’d like to add to the page or interested in adopting a senior? Search “Adopt-A-Graduating Senior Westside Los Angeles” on Facebook. com. The last day to participate is June 21.
Adopt-A-Senior gives neighbors chance to celebrate local grads
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
June 2020 • Page 5
Congratulations of CLASS 2020!
With graduation and celebrating students' accomplishments looking a lot different this year, the HomeTown News wanted to do our part to commemorate our local Class of 2020 and let them know the community is supporting them! We put out a call for families with graduating students to send in their photos and the following pages feature these grads from more than ten local high schools and middle schools. We salute all Class of 2020 students and look forward to the positive change you will make in the world!
Rickey McGregor
Evan Franzen
St. Bernard High School Will be be attending attending UC Will UC Berkeley Berkley
STEM 3 Academy Will be attending West LA City College
Naomi Suber
Jada Davenport-Barber
Homeschooled Will be attending UVA
Stefanie Patrick
Grant O’Leary
St. Monica Catholic H.S. Will be attending SMU
Annie George
St. Bernard High School Will be attending UCLA
Scott Melton
Maya Batiste
St. Monica Catholic H.S. Will be attending CU Boulder
El Segundo High School Will be attending El Camino
WESM Will be attending UC Riverside
Ryan Bochner
Michael McEntee
Kendra Thornburgh-Mueller
Nyyah Henry
El Segundo High School Will be attending SDSU
WESM Will be attending Humboldt University
Lisa Crockett
Caitlin Finberg
Jermaine Criss Jr.
Page 6 • June 2020
Justin Smith
LACES Will be attending UC San Diego
St. Bernard High School Will be attending CS Dominquez Hills
St. Bernard High School Will be attending ASU
St. Bernard High School Will be attending SMC
Greta Davis
LACES Will be attending U of Oregon
WESM Will be attending UCLA
Marymount Will be attending University of Chicago
WESM Will be attending UCLA
Danielle Morales
Max Potruch
St. Monica Catholic H.S. Will be attending UCLA
LACES Will be be attending attending SU-Polytechnic ASU-Polytechnic Will
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
CLASS 2020!
Jordan Christopher Booth
Bella Meadows
St. Bernard High School Will be attending CS Northridge
St. Monica Catholic H.S. Will be attending OTIS
Boston Taylor
Sophie St. Denis
Keenen Brackett
Alexis Maria
WESM Will be attending UCLA
St. Bernard High School Will be attending CS Fullerton
Sydney Guerra
Catherine Martinez
WESM Will be attending UCLA
Notre Dame Academy University of Washington, Seattle
University of San Francisco
WESM Will be attending Pacific Union College
Natalia Kolesnikow
Jerome Bennett Jr.
Notre Dame Will be attending McGill University
Trinity Mullins
WESM Will be attending CSUN
Aleah Perez
WESM Will be attending Hawaii Pacific University
Jonathan Hale
St. Bernard High School Will be attending UC Davis
WESM Will Will be be attending attendingUC UCBerkeley Berkley
Mateo Holguin
Venice High School Will be attending UC Santa Cruz
Atithi Kaur Multani WESM Will be attending LMU
Hamilton High School Will be attending San Francisco State
Isabella Lee
Jazmin Choyce
Zoe Conyers
Nicholas Barner
El Segundo High School Will be attending SCAD
WESM Will be attending UCLA
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
DaVinci Will be attending UCSB
All photos submitted by parents or students’ schools.
Congratulations of
Jaren Rhodes
Westchester Lutheran Will be attending Harvard Westlake
June 2020 • Page 7
Congratulations of CLASS 2020!
Michael Drucker
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Axelle Roberts
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Notre Dame Academy
Mackenzie Thompson
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy Will be attending El Segundo High School
Christian Fernandez Westchester Lutheran Will be attending Vistamar
Christopher Schroeder
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending Venice High School
Congratulations of CLASS 2020!
Dylan Smith
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending St. Monica Catholic H.S.
Luke Campbell
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
With graduation and celebrating students' accomplishments looking a lot different this year, the HomeTown News wanted t
Hannah Suber Caden Fuller Blowis supporting them! Nicholas commemorate our local Class of Zachary 2020 and let them know the Amaree community We putJurado out a call for families
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy students to send Will be attending King Drew Medical
We salute all Class of 2020 students and look forward to the positive change you will make in the worl
Lucas Bohorquez Rickey McGregor
Visitation Catholic St. Bernard HighSchool School Will be attending Loyola High School Will be attending UC Berkley
Naomi Suber
Antonio Gomez
WISH Community Middle School
Page 8 • June 2020
Westchester Lutheran Katherine Johnson STEM Academy Visitation Catholic School in their photos and the following pages feature these grads from moreWillthan ten local high schools and m Will be attending Bishop Montgomery Will be attending Palisades High School be attending DaVinci Science
Homeschooled Caprice Kayem Will be attending UVA Westchester Lutheran Will be attending Palisades High School
Paige Evan Franze Franzen
St. Anastasia School STEM Catholic 3 Academy Will bebe attending Notre Academy Will attending WestDame LA City College
Jada Davenport-Barber
St. Bernard High School Alicia Helmstetter Will be attending CS Dominquez Hills St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Vistamar
Summer Lucas Grant O’Leary
WISHSt. Community Middle H.S. School Monica Catholic Will be attending SMU
Annie George
St. Monica Catholic H.S. Marrero WillAlexis be attending CU Boulder Visitation Catholic School Will be attending El Segundo High School
Ian Born Greta Davis
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy LACES Will bebe attending WISH Academy Will attending UC San Diego
Scott Melton
El Segundo High School Draxton WillMolly be attending El Camino WISH Community Middle School
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
W
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
June 2020 • Page 9
Congratulations of CLASS 2020!
Antonio Catanzariti
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Ella Turgeon
Charles Agbonkpolor
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy
Amor Covington
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending St. Monica Catholic H.S.
WISH Community Middle School
Skiye Bell
Casey Richardson
WISH Community Middle School
Josh Kobata
WISH Community Middle School
Page 10 • June 2020
Westchester Lutheran Will be attending St. John Bosco
Thomas Taja
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Hannah Jamison
Kaya Ghobrial
Westchester Lutheran Will be attending Notre Dame Academy
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Notre Dame Academy
Jacob Salazar
Isabelle Rose Balderrama
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending DaVinci High School
Alex Wilson
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Zaxxon Rehm
Westchester Lutheran Will be attending El Segundo High School
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Louisville High School
Mareon Mott
WISH Community Middle School
Catalina Cifuentes
WISH Community Middle School
Aidan Goldstein
WISH Community Middle School
Bryce Austin
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy
Abby Pelka
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending Notre Dame Academy
Esmé Sozio
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending St. Monica Catholic H.S.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
June 2020 • Page 11
Congratulations of CLASS 2020!
Cole Sozio
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Jennifer Tomlinson
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy Will be attending DaVinci Design
Hayley Herber
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending Notre Dame Academy
Gabriel Koppula
WISH Community Middle School
Page 12 • June 2020
Jimmy Lincoln V
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy Will be attending El Segundo High School
Luke Hofmann
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Kristian Townsend
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy Will be attending DaVinci Schools
Coryn Harris
Wright STEAM Magnet
Jack Kirkland
Westchester Lutheran Will be attending Notre Dame H.S
Natalie Lim
Dillon Bonner
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Liat Berhanu
Westchester Lutheran Will be attendingHarvard Westlake
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending Bishop Montgomery
Kabeer Nayyar
Christopher Ornelas, Jr
Westchester Lutheran Will be attending Loyola High School
Nathan Chouinard
Katherine Johnson STEM Academy
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Harvard-Westlake H.S
Hudson Comer
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending El Segundo High School
Drew Taylor
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Loyola High School
Kameron Johnson
St. Anastasia Catholic School Will be attending Notre Dame H.S
Mia Spica
Visitation Catholic School Will be attending Notre Dame H.S
Ethan Dumper
Wildwood Elementary School Will be attending Wildwood Middle School
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
June 2020 • Page 13
Westchester/Playa Historical Society looks for COVID-19 stories for archives By Cozette Vergari We are all living through this historical moment, with many challenges, some great, some small. We have all been impacted in our daily lives and been asked to make many sacrifices. Trying to bravely move forward through this time of uncertainty stirs many emotions. It has been brought to my attention by one of our readers that the Westchester/Playa Historical Society is in a great position to capture the feelings of our community members in the midst of this COVID-19 crisis. There is fear and frustration of dealing with the uncertainty and disruption. There is also empathy that has been demonstrated in helping where and how we can, as well as pride in seeing that happen. The Westchester/Playa Historical Society invites you to share your thoughts, as you live through the COVID-19 crisis, which itself will be recorded, remembered and long reviewed. We are interested
in hearing from all ages, from our youth through our more seasoned neighbors. Our thoughts and feelings will certainly be of interest to future generations. You may send your comments via email to wphistorical@ gmail.com. We will capture, save and share these emails, which will be available through our electronic archives and open to public research in the future. Imagine in another 100 years, as we now look back to the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic, how future generations will be able to look back and read what was on our minds and in our hearts. This month’s article would have been about the success of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society’s May 16 Historical Walking Tour and the May 17 Historical Driving Tour. We were so excited with how businesses and organizations came together in support of our efforts in preparation for both tours. Unfortunately, Safer at Home protocols forced us to postpone. We had to email all the
Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
Page 14 • June 2020
A display at the historical society discovery center, which is undergoing a complete makeover.
people that signed up to walk on Saturday and those that signed up to ride the bus on Sunday, along with those folks wait-listed for each of the tours, that we were postponing. Though disappointing, fortunately, we will reschedule and will use the time to make the tours even better. As life stabilizes and becomes more certain, we will announce our new tour dates. In the meantime, we are in the process of developing, with a complete makeover, the Westchester/Playa Historical Society Discovery Center, through a collaboration with students at Otis College of Art and Design. We are creating a space that will be open on Sundays, by appointment and
for school field trips, equipped with devices enabling our visitors to discover the historical jewels hidden within the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista communities. There is a rich history to be discovered. We look forward to announcing the grand reopening of the space and other projects and plans we are excited to share. Cozette is a lifelong resident of Westchester and is leading the charge to reinvigorate the Westchester/Playa Historical Society’s nonprofit status. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.
Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
June 2020 • Page 15
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
We’ve been here since February 2007.
By Consuelo Israelson
understand what it’s like here because New York is very segmented. I try to explain it to people. L.A. is a massive, Traditions are very important to the spread out place and it all blends Mininskys, and the family has a way of together. The different communities making them refreshing and infectious; all have a different vibe to them and before you know it, everyone is joining in on the fun! Allison and Mike, who got Westchester is like a small town. We tell them, you have to come and see for married in 2005, have two boys, Sean, yourself.” 11, and Colin, 7, and live in the Loyola Sports are an important pastime on Village part of Westchester. Allison works as a children and family therapist both sides of the family and play a big part in the Mininskys’ lives. at Providence Saint John’s Child & “My dad was always coaching my Family Development Center in Santa softball teams and my brother’s baseball Monica. She also supervises graduate teams growing up and being involved in students who are getting their masters that way is so important when raising in social work. Mike is the General Manager for El Cholo restaurant in Santa children. I look back fondly at those memories and I’m so glad Mike is doing Monica. While Mike was growing up in a small that for our kids,” Allison said. Mike added, “I think the experience town in Long Island, his father owned two eateries in New York, so he became we both had growing up, playing different sports and living by the beach quite comfortable around restaurants was so great that we wanted the same and decided to continue in the family thing for our boys.” tradition. Mike has cherished memories of “I grew up in a very sociable, playing lacrosse, a sport that, while welcoming family, always hosting prevalent on the East Coast, was not parties, so it was a natural move for me easy to find in Southern California when to be in charge of an operation like El he moved here. Over the years, the sport Cholo and get paid for it,” he said. He ended up on the West Coast when has grown in popularity, and now both Sean and Colin play for Westchester he heard a friend from college was Lacrosse. It’s no surprise that Mike is moving to L.A. coaching both of them. “My cousin had an empty apartment “Coming from Long Island where it’s in Santa Monica, so we drove out. It was like a home for boys. People would move a huge sport, I had a lot of fun playing out here from the East Coast and live on and thought my kids would really like it. In the past five years, the program has the couch while they figured out what they were going to do,” Mike said. “Over grown tremendously. We have friends who knew absolutely nothing about it the course of 10 years, probably about who are now huge fans because their 15 people lived there at different times. kids play for me and they love it,” Mike The infamous apartment!” said. “They say it’s the fastest sport on Since both Mike and Allison grew two feet!” up in small towns (Allison grew up in Another important custom for the Pacific Palisades) with close to idyllic whole family is golf. childhoods, they wanted to recreate “We have a family golf tournament that when it came to their own family. that’s going on 67 years, started by my Both are very active at their children’s grandparents in the 1950s. It happens school—Visitation—where Allison is every summer in San Diego and my dad a room parent and involved with the and my cousin are organizing it now. It’s Gateway to Art program and Mike a big event where kids are encouraged to serves as the PTO President co-chair. photos by play. We have participants from age 9 to “We love Westchester. It’s definitely si Steiner home. Coming from the towns we grew their 80s,” said Allison. “So my dad was really excited when our boys wanted up in, this seemed like such a logical to learn to golf. He comes down to take next step for our family and how we them out golfing and to the driving want our kids to grow up,” Mike said. range in Westchester. The boys even “My friends from the East Coast would have their own sets of clubs.” ask, where do you live? Westchester Mike is also co-chair for the O’Grady or Los Angeles? They don’t really
Golf Classic, a popular fundraiser for their church and school, which was canceled in March due to the Coronavirus pandemic. “We have a lot of fun playing every year. We try to get the whole community involved, not just people from the school,” he said. “As we went through the cancellation process, a lot of people told us not to worry about it. They said, ‘Just keep the money. We’ll see you next year.’ They were so generous.” Even though the kids haven’t been able to participate in team sports during the quarantine, the family still gets plenty of exercise with lots of bike rides, playing Frisbee or catching a football on the bluffs in between their lessons. “We’re both balancing working and all the online schooling with the kids,” Allison said. “Apparently, I’m a first-grade teacher now,” Mike says with a grin. With their number one hobby on pause for the time being, the kids are enjoying learning how to cook by helping Allison. “They love to contribute and I finally feel like we have time for that,” she said. During these months at home, Sean has also shown interest in following in his grandfather’s footsteps and has started his own newspaper, complete with cartoons. “He does all the work and then delivers it to his friends in the neighborhood. Both of my parents’ lives revolve around newspapers,” Allison said. “My father was the managing editor of the Palisadian Post for 20 years.” For the Mininskys, school, sports, local news and trips around the neighborhood to their favorite spots all help add to the ever-expanding web of camaraderie and community feel in Westchester. “We didn’t fully realize what Westchester was until we moved here,” said Mike. “We had no idea you could get that small town feeling here. And everything we get involved in— Visitation, community sports—adds to our network of friends and families. We’ve met people who have lived here for 30 to 50 years and they’ve been so welcoming to us. You have this natural bond with everyone in the neighborhood.”
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Our perfect day would definitely be hosting a barbecue and enjoying our friends and family. All the kids would be running around out front. We’d play music and then jump over to Tower Pizza to say ‘hello.’
More families. I don’t know if that has to do with us being a family and noticing others, but when you see houses for sale and new people moving in, most of the time what you see are more families. Westchester has become this magnet for families. We’re also seeing a lot of remodels and new construction. I think that’s a good sign.
Local contractor Tim Leigh remodeled our house last year. We met him because our kids go to school together. Tim grew up in Westchester and he did a fantastic job! Also, Tower Pizza: we love those guys. We spend a lot of time there because of all the kids’ sports teams. It’s our local haunt, for sure. We’ve met some great people through the restaurant. We also want to give a shout-out to the Visitation community. We looked at all different school options, but when we met the principal Chris Watson, that’s when we realized we wanted our kids to go there. The people at the top are great, Chris and our pastor, Father Jim, are amazing. You just know you’re in good hands. They’re really comforting, supportive and concerned. It plays into that Westchester family thing. All the pieces just fit together perfectly. It’s a good fit. We love it. Lastly, shout-out to our cousins the O’Brien family.
June 2020 • Page 19
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner. Photos courtesy the chefs.
Quarantine cooking with Cory At the beginning of April, stuck at home with limited items in her cupboard and a shortage of many staples on the shelves at local grocery stores, Westchester’s Cory Birkett took to Facebook. Someone that has always loved to cook, she was looking for new meals for the age-old question of “What’s for dinner?” She created the “Quarantine Cooking Group” as a way to share recipes and get some inspiration from friends, but with so many people looking for ideas on what to feed their families, the group quickly grew. “Even people who love to cook get stuck in a rut. During quarantine, people have become adventurous because of limited ingredients and are working within their pantry,” said Birkett a realtor with ERA Matilla in Playa del Rey. “I was surprised by how it has grown. It started off with a few friends and now we have a lot of people sharing what they are making throughout the day. While 90 percent of the people are from Westchester/Playa, we have someone from as far away as Italy and even a few professional chefs.” Now the group has more than 800 members who are pushing their culinary skills, trying new dishes and adding variety to what could have otherwise been a bland menu for the last few months. Birkett grew up eating a lot of traditional American comfort foods made by her mom, who was a great cook. But after moving from Northern California to L.A. to attend LMU, she felt the need to expand her palate and try different types of cuisines. Tons of cookbooks and internet research later, her favorite things to make are now Chinese and Indian dishes. Feeding her vegetarian daughter and a meat-loving husband, she looks for recipes where proteins can easily be substituted and that make full use of her garden’s supply of zucchini, Swiss chard, tomatoes and berries. “I love seeing all the styles of cooking,” said Birkett, who tries to acknowledge each post with positivity. “I have been inspired by many of the chefs on the group and bought some new ingredients, like red curry paste and white miso, hoping to mimic these amazing dishes. It’s also great to see everyone’s hacks for how to jazz up simple meals.” Checking out the feed of homemade pastas, all types of Pictured from top: 1. Cory Birkett holds a colorful foccacia. 2. Debbie Hunt shows off her impressive breads, desserts galore and foods Memorial Day feast. 3. A coconut carrot soup made by Christie Kobata was popular with members. usually reserved only for holidays, 4. Bahar Geslin posts a picture-perfect rosemary loaf. has been good motivation for the Page 20 • June 2020 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey
group’s participants. “The Quarantine Cooking Group has been a fun resource for recipes and ideas as we have been sheltering at home and unable to grocery shop as often as I used to. It’s also been nice to be able to connect with others in the community while we are social distancing and unable to see friends,” said Westport Heights resident Christie Kobata. “Honestly, my favorite endeavor has been jumping on the sourdough bandwagon. Although there is a learning curve to it, it’s been so satisfying to make my own bread and to also use the starter to make other things like pretzels, pancakes, croutons and muffins.” Echoes Bahar Geslin, “It’s been a great place to get inspiration and come together with neighbors about a common passion such as cooking. I love reading recipes even if I don’t intend on making them. I can get inspiration to use spices, flavors and textures in ways I am not accustomed to using them. Recently, members have been sharing stories about the origins of their dishes which has been enlightening.” In addition to great meals, sharing tips, recommendations for cooking tools and outstanding dish presentations, the group has also had some unexpected positive benefits. “It’s given people a source of entertainment and togetherness. For a lot of people food is comfort,” said Birkett. “Cooking has also brought a lot of families closer together and, in some ways, our community closer together as well.” While businesses start to reopen and items become easier to find, Birkett hopes the group will continue to be a hub for new recipes, collaborations and encouragement as members continue to excel in the culinary arts. “I’ve loved being part of this group and I love that it has brought us together during a difficult time to inspire us to try new things in the kitchen with our families,” said Birkett who has been blown away by dishes like Nam Tok Neua and Beef Wellington that people have shared. “I hope it continues. I’d miss seeing all these local chefs posting their amazing pictures and recipes.” Want to participate in the fun and show off your meals? Search “Quarantine Cooking– Westchester & Silicon Beach” on Facebook. • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Random Notes/Opinion
TheHTN.com
Coping with COVID stress through exercise By Jeff Blair Opinion: As we have moved into lockdown month three, we are all trying to navigate through this unprecedented scenario. Some of us are still facing dramatic struggles while others seem to have reached a balance. Life circumstances certainly play a big part in that. If your kids are in their late 20s, parenting might not be much different on a daily basis than it was three months ago. But if you have young kids, your life has been turned upside down. Some are enjoying no commute days and working from home, while others might have suffered a job loss or dramatic financial insecurity. This month, I’m sharing fitness strategies and goals people are using during quarantine. While fitness might not be a top priority right now, strategies can light the path when we are struggling. Realistic goals can build confidence when they are reached. Social media has allowed me to maintain a fitness dialogue with friends, family and clients. While we might face worries about our kids,
careers and even our health, I am a true believer in the power of fitness to lift our spirits and our physical conditions. Exercise can release endorphins, make us feel better and relieve stress. Exercise helps manage depression and anxiety. People often feel a sense of achievement after an exercise session which can improve self-esteem and happiness. It can also give us a sense of control when we experience unpredictable events. Since one study has shown American activity levels have dropped 39 percent since the pandemic started, many are missing physical activity’s benefits. I asked friends and family in May about their fitness goals. The responses, submitted via social media included, “ride a bike every day for 30 minutes since I face knee surgery in June,” “to move daily,” “to walk more,” “walk three to four times per week and do some exercise videos,” “stay consistent with my little home workouts,” “be physically active every day for 30 minutes and maintain my current weight,” “start doing anything daily,” “do anything at all,” “to not
gain any weight during the quarantine although I’m up three pounds,” “not gain the COVID-19 pounds,” “trying a slow jog during my walk,” “lose a bit of weight” and more. While some aspired to bigger goals such as running a 5K and one was even training to climb Mt. Rainier, most simply hoped to become or stay reasonably active. Thirty minutes of activity several times per week was a common goal. I like the 30 minute goal since it isn’t overwhelming, but you can get a great cardio or resistance workout during that period. I also asked people what helped them turn things around with fitness during the pandemic. The answers included, “I started tracking food and did a pushup,” “just getting up and trying it again,” and “I set up a plan for activity and eating.” Many people have struggled and then turned it around with a small but specific action. Some other suggestions I have found helpful include scheduling your workouts, starting small rather than trying to overdo things and finding an accountability partner. Accountability has disappeared for many people
these past months, but checking in can spur us to exercise even when we don’t feel like it. Friends, partners and even online fitness professionals can provide needed accountability. I want to offer you the same encouragement I have offered many of my friends and family on social media. If you feel like you’ve been going down physically and maybe even emotionally, things can turn around today with one walk, one run, one bike ride or one set of pushups. Simply taking action can change your perspective and attitude in less than 30 minutes. If you’d like to follow my fitness tips, just reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram @socalsport. I’d love to make the connection! Please observe social distancing and follow other local and state safety guidelines while exercising outdoors. Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) has been a certified personal trainer in Westchester since 2002. Contact him at jeff@socalsport.com. *Before you start any fitness routine, please consult your doctor.
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
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Taking control of your own life
By Fay Craton
Opinion: Right now, there is a lot of uncertainty in our lives. With ongoing crises all around us, there is one aspect of life we can anticipate being constant this year: June gloom. These dark, humid, foggy days can add to dampened moods and to a general sense of despair. The weather, fears created by COVID-19, isolation created by the health safety lockdown, the constant reporting of deaths, the high rate of unemployment, global instability, horrific acts of violence, civil unrest and riots leave me feeling off-kilter. It is enough to create a sense of helplessness. If you are feeling down, you are not alone. With what is happening in our country right now, it may seem to be difficult to gain control over your life. I sometimes find looking at psychology studies helps me to normalize what I experience. They also frequently give me a sense of direction to regain control within my own life. In a series of studies conducted in the 1960s and 1970s, Martin Seligman, one of the fathers of positive psychology, did a series of experiments. One of the things these studies found is depression occurs when people believe they have no control over their life. What was very noteworthy was that about 30 percent of the people in his study did not become depressed (even though the study did its best to create a sense of helplessness). In looking
closer at the 30 percent, it was discovered the way they thought, interpreted life and analyzed what was happening gave them protection from depression. Applying what was learned from the study, the psychologists worked with children to teach them to take control of their lives by identifying and challenging their underlying thoughts and assumptions. For example, if the underlying belief is that they are not smart or unlovable, the work is to shift their thinking to something more optimistic, such as believing they are lovable and intelligent. As the children aged through puberty, it was found depression dropped by 50 percent. The lesson we can take from the study is that by looking at our own thoughts and beliefs we can gain control over our own lives. We can reduce our own sadness. How do you do this? First, start by being willing to try new ways of thinking. Just because a situation hurt you in the past does not mean it needs to stalk you throughout your life. Are you ready to challenge your underlying thoughts and assumptions? Do you believe what is happening in your life right now (not the life of another person) is permanent, pervasive and uncontrollable? Are you willing to change this belief? Keep your attention on your own thinking. This does not mean you ignore the needs of others or what is happening with another person. Good relationships include people respecting the needs of others. However, by keeping
your effort on your own underlying thoughts and assumptions, you are in control of yourself instead of becoming sucked into a collective thinking of helplessness. Stay focused on understanding your own beliefs and perceptions. One of your goals is to recognize life as always changing. What is true sometimes, is not always true. Look at when in your life a pattern you believed to be always true was broken. With even small changes, you have a chance to view circumstances from a new perspective. With each new awareness the opportunity for you to be in control of your life increases. While you are not able to control other people, you always have control over your own thoughts and behaviors. This is true even in the direst of situations. Victor Frankl, survivor of a WWII concentration camp and founder of Logotherapy, wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” The more you are trapped in stagnant thinking, the more assistance you might need. Be willing to reach out for help. Call a friend or a therapist to help you. Sometimes using self-help apps on your phone or computer may be of assistance. One app you may find to be helpful is “Headspace,” which provides several guided medi-
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
tations. It is available for free during 2020 to all residents of L.A. country at headspace.com/lacounty. Another resource you may find beneficial is the National Disaster Helpline at 800-9855990, where counselors are available to help. If you are considering harming yourself, you may wish to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. The month of June might be foggy and overcast. When looking at my assumptions about June gloom, I realize the weather does not need to determine my mood. I have the choice to think June is depressing or to change my opinion. I have the choice to look at all of the upheaval in our country from a place of pessimism or from a place of optimism. I am not helpless because I get to choose my own attitude at all times. And so do you. My wish is for you to see kindness, understanding and respect in your life. When life is gloomy, I hope you are able to take pause, take a breath, and instead of despair see the good. I am grateful you are present in this world. Each person has gifts to share. I hope you know you have value. 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 info, please visit communicationtriangle.com or contact her at (310) 645-6762.
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Good pizza is always on the menu at this local eatery He’s traveled all over the world as a chef on a cruise ship and worked at some of the best Italian restaurants on the Westside, but the moment Nando De Stefano drove through Westchester he knew he had found the place he wanted to be. De Stefano, the owner of The Good Pizza, was born and raised in Naples, Italy, where his family still lives today. Being from an area known for its pizza and having a mom that liked to cook, meant good food was everywhere while De Stefano was growing up. He didn’t always know he wanted to be a chef, but when he missed the deadline to attend a flight academy, he ended up enrolled in a school focusing on the culinary arts. There he would study for five years and find his calling. With a dream to eventually open a restaurant in the USA, he traveled to New York where he landed a job as a janitor in an Indian restaurant. Eventually, he was hired at an Italian eatery as a bus boy, and he became determined to work his way up into the kitchen and to learn English
fluently. After about nine months of studying the language, he was confident in his conversation skills and promoted to server and then the kitchen. Eventually, he was ready for a new adventure and headed west to Los Angeles to learn more about the restaurant business and hone his chef skills. By 2008, with experience cooking at popular spots in Malibu and Beverly Hills, De Stefano started looking for a place to open his own pizzeria focusing on food from his childhood when he found Westchester. “We saw an ad to sublease a restaurant here, and we didn’t know where Westchester was,” recalls De Stefano. “I told my business partner I wanted to see the neighborhood before we got to the location, and it was love at first sight. I said ‘OK, we are going to open here and get this deal done.’” More than a decade later, The Good Pizza has locations in Westchester and Playa del Rey, and is known for dishes like its black ink linguine,
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meatballs, and of course, its Neapolitan-style pies. He uses his mother’s recipes for the eggplant Parmesan and the meatballs, but everything else on the menu is his own creation. “Having always worked at fine dining restaurants, making the move to casual dining was difficult Nando poses with a signature Margherita Pizza in front of the Playa del because I don’t Rey location. know how to take for two you can add to your order. De any shortcuts,” Stefano also plans on holding pop-up said De Stefano. “Our meatballs have Neapolitan pizza days, where pizza 16 ingredients and take a couple of is cooked in a wood-burning oven on hours to make, but I don’t know how the sidewalk in front of the Playa del to make them any other way. I’m not Rey location. going to miss any steps.” “Being a neighborhood pizza parlor During this difficult time is great and challenging at the same for restaurants and most small time. You want to make sure the businesses, The Good Pizza is offering neighborhood loves you and likes new promotions and items to help what you’re doing,” said De Stefano. draw in customers and their loyal fan Visit thegoodpizza.com for more base. There is the $20 fixed menu that info and to check out their menu. includes a salad, pasta and garlic knots and an enticing homemade sangria
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Try these superhero, superfoods By Sheri Weitz, Contributing Columnist
Opinion: Do you sometimes look in the mirror when you wear a mask and think, “Wow, I kind of look like some kind of superhero?” Well, it’s time to eat like one! Just imagine how much your immune system will thank you. Not a day goes by without seeing another piece of news about how to strengthen our immunity through better nutrition. New research regarding Vitamin D, for example, is very convincing. So many vitamins, so little time! During COVID-19, it’s even more important to keep ourselves in top form. But scientists have long maintained the best way to obtain our nutrients and boost our immunity is from real food. Supplements are good nutritional insurance for a less-thanperfect diet, and I do recommend them, but they’re not a substitute for a nutritionally dense diet. There are countless co-factors in foods which scientists haven’t yet discovered. By eating whole foods, we ingest a variety of complex nutrients, not to mention getting more fiber and building up our microbiome. Many nutrients in whole, plant-based foods are considered prebiotics that support the production of healthy probiotics in our gut. Science has shown a diverse gut microbiome is immune-enhancing and
also helps us keep our weight down. Superfoods symbolically wear a cape because they soar above other foods when it comes to their nutritional value, giving our immune systems a boost. Let’s give these edible superheroes the shout-out they deserve, and perhaps we can add them to our basket the next time we’re at the grocery store or farmers’ market. Each of the 10 following superfoods listed below are available at our Westchester Farmers’ Market (open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.): 1. Broccoli: This definitely deserves superhero food status. These little green trees are extremely high in Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants and research shows broccoli can help prevent cancer. Steam it, chop and add to a salad, or maybe make a broccoli slaw. 2. Blueberries: These are high in Vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants and low in sugar. Make a fruit smoothie with them, drop some in yogurt, or enjoy a handful just by themselves. They are delicious. 3. Yellow Peppers: These are twice as high in Vitamin C as green peppers. Red peppers are a close second, and they both add lots of fiber and color to recipes. Try eating them sliced raw as a quick and easy snack. 4. Spinach: Known for making Popeye strong, spinach is very high
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in potassium, fiber and many other nutrients. Consider adding spinach to your eggs to sneak in more vegetables with breakfast. It tastes surprisingly good and is easy to prepare. 5. Strawberries: These berries are plentiful at the farmers’ market and are high in Vitamin C and potassium and low in sugar and carbs. 6. Raw honey: Help fight allergies naturally by consuming local honey, which contains more vitamins and minerals than other forms of sugar. Because honey is still a form of sugar, keep your portion small. 7. Mushrooms: Mushrooms contain fiber, selenium and also a small amount of Vitamin D and protein in addition to being a good source of glutathione, an important antioxidant. 8. Kale: One of the world’s most nutrient-dense foods, kale is especially high in Vitamin K and C. Mix kale with butternut squash to cut down its bitterness. An easy way to enjoy this veggie is by dicing up squash and kale, sauté until softened and experience the yum. 9. Yogurt: This probiotic-rich food helps support a healthy microbiome. Choose Greek yogurt for a higher protein content and try to avoid overly sweet or artificially sweetened yogurt. 10. Walnuts: These superstars contain the highest Omega 3 content of all nuts. Add them to your oatmeal or granola, and because of their protein, fiber and healthy fat content, they’ll keep you full longer. Think of ways you can incorporate these and other superfoods into your
Weitz is a local dietitian and enjoys teaching Zumba at the Westchester Family YMCA and other local spots.
daily life. You might just feel more energy and a greater sense of wellbeing. For recipe ideas, put a superfood or a combination of them in a Google search for an abundance of inspiration. Here’s to staying healthy and trying some superfood heroes during this trying time! Sheri Weitz, RDN, CDE is a Registered Dietitian with a private practice in Westchester, and she provides clinical nutrition services for Manchester Medical. Sheri also teaches Zumba classes… her “happy pill.” To find out more about her services or for a free consultation, go to MovetoWellness.net.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Available to View by Appointment
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June 2020 • Page 27
Melissa Gerber shows off one of her clothing boxes at a local business expo.
Business spotlight: Clothing gets a second life thanks to eco-friendly company Here’s the scoop on Deux Life, owned by Playa Vista resident Melissa Gerber!
Everyone’s business could use a little help these days, so we’re featuring some companies owned by local residents or located in Westchester/ Playa to help promote shopping locally and supporting community members.
Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A. Hi! I’m Melissa Gerber, a
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Q. Please tell us a little bit about your business? A. We’re not your average children’s clothing company. Deux Life was founded within the Business Incubator program at LMU and is a mission-first company. First and foremost our goal is to reduce clothing waste in landfills and give more clothes a second life. Each thrift box is filled with 10 pieces of quality inspected, brand-name, pre-owned clothing for kids sold at a fraction of the price of the original retail value. Growing up doesn’t have to be expensive. Deux Life Thrift Boxes makes shopping for kids clothes easier, more economical and better for our planet.
Q. How have you shifted your business since COVID-19? A. The good news is kids are still growing and still need “new” clothing, so Deux Life can still be a part of every parent’s life. We have added our upcycled-textile masks to each order to further reduce waste. Additionally, we’re still buying clothes from neighbors! For people interested in selling, they can leave the clothing out on their porch or driveway, and I will pick it up and pay $1 a piece electronically (via Venmo or Paypal) for what I keep. I will responsibly donate the remaining. Or, if the person wants it back, I can drop it off again. Visit our website for a list of guidelines for what I buy. You can also reach out to us for a contact-less pickup and electronic payment arrangement.
Photo courtesy Melissa Gerber.
Playa Vista resident originally hailing from Chicago. I’ve lived in Playa Vista with my now-fiancé (fingers crossed our August wedding still happens!) for four years and my favorite part of the area is the proximity to the beach and being able to surf before work! I completed my MBA at Loyola Marymount University in 2019. I have 10 years of marketing experience, but while in grad school found a passion for social entrepreneurship and started a company last year called Deux Life. We take pre-owned children’s clothing, repackage and resell it to parents at a discounted price with the mission of keeping it out of landfills.
Q. Anything else you’d like people to know about your business? A. We take boys’ and girls’ clothing in sizes 3T to 14/16. No shoes, accessories, undergarments, swim or toys, please. All appointments can be contact-less during the Safer at Home ordinance. Q, What are some of your favorite local businesses? A. Stacy’s Cookie Lounge has made fun quarantine projects, I love getting coffee from SACHI.LA, and of course tacos from Benny’s! Visit deuxlife.co for more info.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News