Westchester/Playa Hometown News January 2024 edition by Westchester/Playa del Rey HomeTown News

westchester

•

playa del rey

p l a y a v i s t a • m a r i n a d e l re y

January 2024

CREATING INSPIRING SPACES

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU

A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN AA LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN Getting involved in your community in 2024 04 LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN THIS MONTH BRINGS Business Spotlight: DeiaTHIS Candle Company YOU A LOOK INSIDE MONTH'S HTN 10 The hidden gems of dentistry Shaping a better future In your hometown with...the Matyas family

STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS AHOMETOWN LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Shanee Edwards, Contributing Fay Craton, Contributing Writer Writer Zsuzsi Steiner, Photos ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Robert Higgins, Photos ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS

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The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations, including The Book Jewel, Westchester Family YMCA, Playa Pharmacy, Loyola Village Library, Playa Vista Library, Truxton’s American Bistro and Cantalini’s Salerno Beach.

ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS CONNECT WITH THE HTN:

Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com Website: thehtn.com Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn Instagram: instagram.com/thehometownnews Story ideas & Advertising: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com Front page: Ben and Vanessa Ballentine pose at their boutique architecture studio located on Manchester Avenue in Westchester. Photo by Robert Higgins | roberthigginsphotography.com

r u o y t a Wh s e o d D BI The Westchester Town Center BID creates a vibrant, clean, and safe business area, delivering services and improvements above and beyond the baseline services provided by the City of Los Angeles. From security ambassadors and twinkle lights during the holidays to sidewalk maintenance and more, the BID is working to make Westchester the best it can be.

shop dine enjoy www.westchestertowncenter.com Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

January 2024 • Page 3

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner, WTC and Robert Higgins

Local groups offer ways to get involved, give back in 2024

Clockwise from top left: 1. Volunteers work check-in at the Fourth of July Parade. 2. Westchester Team Challenge participants high five during the summer competition, which raises money for the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association. 3. The LAX Coastal Chamber’s philanthropic committee, Network for Change, cheers on 5K runners at the Rock Roll & Run at LMU. 4. Grant Francis promotes the Clean Up Westchester crew that meets twice a month to help beautify the area.

It’s a New Year, which means a fresh start to get involved with your community and make a positive impact! For those who’ve included volunteering and giving back to their neighborhood to their list of resolutions for 2024, there are a plethora of organizations always looking for support and to welcome new volunteers. Here’s our list of local groups and opportunities that can help you connect to your community and make a difference over the next 12 months.

Get volunteering!

If rolling up your sleeves and donating your time is one of your goals, there’s no shortage of area organizations that offer regular chances to be of service, including: • Clean Up Westchester is helping beautify the community, one street at a time. In March, the grassroots group will celebrate three years of bringing people of all ages together for the common goal of making the neighborhood cleaner and vibrant, wherever they’re needed. This little act of kindness, started by Westchester resident Grant Francis, has had a ripple effect and since starting, the group has grown tremendously. They now meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Besides meeting fellow do-gooders and the feeling of accomplishment, another perk of joining the Clean Up Westchester crew is getting an official yellow shirt for participating! The group is kicking off the New Year with cleanups on January 6 at La Tijera and Airport and January 30 at Manchester and Ramsgate. Learn more at cleanupwestchester.com. • Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) Executive Director, Ben Nguyen, describes the nonprofit as an organization that is “dedicated to connecting neighbors with neighbors to support one another and create

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a diverse and inclusive network of services where people can age in their communities, remaining active and engaged.” With a commitment as little as an hour a week, volunteers can join the roster of dedicated individuals that help older adults with a variety of needs from errands and transportation to chores around the house and pet care. To learn more about volunteering with WPV, please visit thewpv.org or email info@thewpv.org. • In 2023, The Friends of Ballona Wetlands removed 30 tons of invasive plants thanks in large part to volunteers who logged more than 6,000 hours working to improve this important natural habitat. Volunteering with the Friends not only provides a chance to connect with nature, but also be part of a team that is making a measurable impact. The nonprofit holds monthly restoration and creek clean up days to ensure native plants continue to thrive and the area is free of trash. Check out ballonafriends.org to view their upcoming volunteer days, including a Creek Clean Up on January 13 and Habitat Restoration on January 27. • Grass Roots Neighbors (GRN) has built a dynamic volunteer base ready to support those facing food insecurities. The organization currently delivers food to 60 local families, and there are multiple ways to contribute to their efforts each month, whether you’re interested in donating food or supplies to be assembled into bags for the families they serve; making jam with donated fruit so it doesn’t go to waste or becoming a monthly donor. Learn how you can assist their efforts at grassrootsneighbors.org. • Join your neighbors at the all-volunteer Emerson Avenue Community Garden (EACG) to help keep this organic green space and community hub flourishing!

The EACG holds monthly community volunteer days where everyone is welcome to help maintain and beautify the garden by watering, mulching, weeding, organizing and more. Upcoming work days are scheduled for January 6 and February 3. Learn more at eacgc.org and consider becoming a member of this area gem for a donation of $25 a year.

Try out a local club or service organization.

Joining a club or service group is one worthwhile way to meet people with similar interests and expand your social circle. Local clubs excel when it comes to charitable giving, providing hands-on projects that better the community and creating a network of new friends. Some groups meet weekly, monthly or more sporadically, depending on their missions, and most require at least a small financial commitment to help fund projects. Some of the area’s most active clubs include: • Rotary Club of Westchester. Since 1950, the Rotary Club of Westchester has been 90045’s premier service organization. The club meets weekly for lunch, a happy hour or a project, and also has a Young Professionals group that meets regularly in the evenings. This month, Rotarians are collecting items for Camp Pendleton and hosting a shopping spree and lunch for families in the Lennox School District. Throughout the year, the club’s major projects include a Book Sale over Memorial Day weekend and a bi-annual Makeover Project. Learn more about getting involved at rotary-westchester.com. • Westchester Mental Health Guild. The Westchester Mental Health Guild is one of the community’s longest running nonprofits, and since 1962, members have been raising money to support Airport Marina Counseling

Service and ensure that everyone can have access to affordable mental health services. Throughout the year, the Guild holds numerous fundraisers like wine tastings, teas and dinners, but their major event is the Holiday Lights Tour and Contest, which takes place every December. Next up for the organization is a casino night planned for the spring. Membership to join the Guild starts at $35 a year. For more info, visit westchestermhg.org. • Beachside Chapter of National Charity League. The Beachside Chapter of National Charity League, Inc., which includes Westchester/ Playa, provides a platform for mothers and their daughters to volunteer with many local nonprofits including GRN, For Goodness Cakes, the LAX Coastal Education Foundation, Friends of Ballona Wetlands, Rotary Clubs of El Segundo and Westchester and the Special Olympics Southern California. (continued on page 18)

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Happy New Year! CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES A PORTION OF EVERY COMMISSION JANE EARNS IS DONATED TO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES IN HER CLIENT’S HONOR.

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January 2024 • Page 5

TheHTN.com Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

Business & Nonprofit News

Students get ready to participate in the 1K at last year’s Rock Roll & Run for Education at LMU. Signups for the 5K or 1K open in mid-January at laxcef.org. Proceeds benefit local elementary, middle and high schools and community members can select the school they wish to support during registration.

Get ready to Rock Roll & Run and raise money for local schools. Save the date for Saturday, March 2 for the Fourth Annual Rock Roll & Run hosted by the LAX Coastal Education Foundation (LAXCEF) in partnership with LMU! The event starts with a 5K fun run around the beautiful campus of LMU at 8 a.m., followed by a kids’ fun run at 10 a.m. In between the races, community members are invited to check out an expo featuring live music, booths sponsored by local businesses and nonprofits and enjoy the family-friendly activities. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club will also be hosting a free pancake breakfast. The event raises money for participating K-12 schools. When registering for the event, runners can select the local school they’d like to support, and the more people register, the more money each school will receive. Event signups will launch in midJanuary on the foundation’s website at laxcef.org. Early bird rates will be available for a limited time and a “virtual runner” option is also available for people who can’t make it on race day. Since launching in 2017, LAXCEF has given back more than half a million dollars to area schools to fund important projects. In addition to the fun run, the major projects the foundation supports include STEM grants with SoCalGas, an annual spelling bee and an art show and competition.

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WDRLL President Jim Evans (left) and Rotarian Tim Johnstone celebrate the dedication of Nielsen Park’s new picnic area during last year’s closing ceremonies. The league will kick off its 50th anniversary season on February 24.

Interested in learning more about having your business sponsor the Rock Roll & Run or having a booth at the expo? Please email info@ laxcoastaledfoundation.com for more details. Celebrating 50 years of softball & expansion. Westchester Del Rey Little League Softball and Tee Ball (WDRLL) is excited to announce that this year they are celebrating a significant milestone–the 50th anniversary of Little League softball! As WDRLL prepares to commemorate this momentous occasion with an opening ceremony on Saturday, February 24, registration has begun for another exciting spring season on the dirt and

grass at Nielsen Park. WDRLL remains a vibrant part of Westchester and Playa del Rey, serving as the home to more than 300 actively involved families and fostering a strong, closely-knit community. The league caters to a diverse population of kids, with girls’ softball players aged 7 to 16 and coed tee ball players aged 4 to 6. The league promotes unity and shared achievement across various age groups. Additionally, WDRLL proudly boasts a history of success in Little League, including teams that have participated in the prestigious Little League Softball World Series. As the local home for softball, boasting one of the strongest recreational programs in the area,

WDRLL is pleased to announce that Little League Softball is expanding to the South Bay. WDRLL is adding the communities of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach to the list of girls’ softball players eligible to play. This marks the first major expansion of WDRLL’s Little League charter in decades, providing girls in more areas access to the world’s largest and most respected youth sports organization. League officials are optimistic that 2024 will continue the recent trend of increasing player enrollment postCOVID. For the upcoming season, the registration rate is as low as $210 for the co-ed Tee Ball (4 to 6u) and MiniMinor (8u) divisions. Registration is scheduled to close on January 21, allowing a couple of weeks for teams to be formed, coaches to organize their teams and game and practice schedules to be assembled before practice starts in early February. WDRLL is also the local home for T-Ball. If you have a son or daughter aged 4 to 6 years old, WDRLL invites you to enroll your child in their program. While the league has a high retention rate and many experienced players, the league welcomes firstyear players of every age, every year. With the league’s focus on developing character, teamwork and sportsmanship, players of all ages and experience levels have a home at WDRLL. Register and learn more at wdrll.org. Questions can also be sent to league President Jim Evans at PresidentWDRLL@gmail.com. (continued on next page)

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

GET IN THE GAME!

Join our community’s soccer league for ages 4 - 18. Register today to lock in our early bird rate ($185). Practices begin at the end of February. Games begin in early March.

Come out and play!

This month, the LAX Coastal Chamber–with help from local business leaders–will celebrate the men and women who keep our community safe with their annual Protectors’ Appreciation Week. During the week’s activities, volunteers will be dropping off goodies, baskets, meals and cards from elementary school students to say “thank you” to a wide variety of agencies from the LAPD to the Coast Guard. Pictured: 2024 Protectors’ Appreciation Week Chair, Tajh Henderson (left), poses with firefighters from Century Blvd.’s Station #95 and Drollinger Properties’ new COO Christina Davis, during last year’s event.

Tickets available for LMU Wine Classic. LMU’s 41st Annual Arthur P. Carroll Jr. Wine Classic is back next month on Sunday, February 4. The wine tasting event, which also includes a robust silent auction, features more than 100 varieties from California’s top wineries. Representatives from the wineries will also be sharing their knowledge about chardonnays, pinots and everything in between. The event is open to those 21

Spring Season Registration is OPEN!

and older and raises money for scholarships. In its four decades, more than $1 million has been raised for students in need. Tickets are $110 through January 7, and then the price increases. Tickets include entry, drinks, souvenir wine glass and appetizers. Purchase a ticket at lmu.edu/ wineclassic. Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.

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January 2024 • Page 7

Robin Zacha

OWNER/REALTOR® | BRE#01263946 310.293.3043 RZacha@aol.com www.zachahomes.com

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6605 W. 80th Street, Westchester, CA 90045

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

The Book Jewel wishes you a

Give yourself the gift of reading for pleasure and self-improvement in 2024. Let’s make this our year. Let’s go to The Book Jewel. THEBOOKJEWEL.COM | 6259 W 87TH ST., WESTCHESTER, CA

N TIO A R IST S G RE END 1 1/2

Player Evaluations Jan 20 & 27 Team Announcements

Feb 5

Opening Day

Feb 24

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Nothing is better than lighting a candle and cozying up on the couch with a good book or the latest mustsee movie. Bonus points if the candle smells amazing and fills the whole house with an aroma that reflects your personality, mood or your favorite scent profile. Enter Westchester’s Deia Candle Company! Since launching last year, Leana Da Silva-Taylor has been handcrafting these luxe and elegant candles which are named after the Latin word for “joy,” and reminding customers that even in the darkest time there is always light and hope. Read this month’s business feature to learn the story behind Deia Candle Company, its dedication to mental health, and check out their online store to stock up on candles to illuminate your home in the New Year! Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A. I am a first-generation Canadian born to Portuguese parents. I immigrated to the USA, specifically California, in 2019, and settled in Westchester in 2020. I am married and have a fur baby named Alfie. When I’m not crafting candles, I am a corporate paralegal. Along with candle-making, my hobbies include traveling, skiing, hiking, experimenting with new recipes and reading. Q. What is the story behind Deia Candle Company? A. Deia was born out of the desire to do something that honored both my late father and late brother’s legacies. In 2014, my father took his own life-shattering mine and my family’s lives into a million pieces. There was never any inkling that he was suicidal or even experiencing depression. As you can imagine, processing something like this is extremely difficult and not everyone in my family was able to move through the grief. In 2016, my brother then took his own life. This sent the surviving members of my family into a deep spiral of grief. Slowly, yet surely, we did make it through. I always knew that I wanted them to be remembered, and one day it hit me, I could turn my hobby into a business…in their honor. Ten percent of all my proceeds are

Da Silva-Taylor shows off one of her candles at the WAM Block Party. Check out this Westchester entrepreneur’s online shop and follow her at @deiacandle to learn about upcoming pop-ups events.

donated to mental health and suicide prevention initiatives in their names. I believe that with funding, these organizations can help reduce the stigma around mental health. Q. What are some of your favorite aspects of being an entrepreneur and some of your challenges? A. As I previously mentioned, I am a corporate paralegal, and as you can imagine, there’s not much creativity in that line of work. Deia provides me with an outlet that allows me to create candles, scents and a brand! I also love being out in the community, and sharing my story and candles. I hope that I am able to inspire people to continue to persevere even in the face of life’s challenges.

I would have to say establishing a work-life balance is probably the most difficult aspect of being an entrepreneur. I often find myself wearing many hats and it can be overwhelming at times. Thankfully, I do have a supportive family that reminds me when I need to take time out to relax and decompress. Q. How do you create the scent profiles for your candles? What are your favorite candle scents? A. Each candle scent is a unique blend of non-toxic fragrance and essential oils. Once I blend the oils, I then thoroughly combine them with the wax, then hand pour them into their respective vessels. Personally, my favorite scents are “fogo,” “felix culpa,” and “arancia.” My

best sellers are “arancia,” “aequoreus,” and “felix culpa.” I think what makes Deia unique is that each fragrance tells a story and is inspired by either my family, my Portuguese heritage or some place I’ve traveled. For example, my “saudade” candle smells exactly like my grandmother’s garden in rural Portugal. The “fogo” scent was inspired by the smoky aroma of the chimneys in Zurich as my husband and I strolled around the city just after getting engaged. My candles are also handpoured right here in Westchester! Q. What is your vision for your business in 2024 and beyond? How can people get your candles? A. Our vision for the business in 2024 and beyond is to continue creating unique and meaningful experiences through our candles. We aim to expand our product line, enhance customer satisfaction and explore new markets. We’re also hoping to develop relationships with retail stores and be available in actual storefronts. Currently, we have a pop-up planned for February 10 at Artists and Fleas in Venice. Stay tuned for announcements on our website and Instagram for any upcoming events or pop-ups in your area. Our candles are available for purchase on our official website deiacandle.com. We offer a convenient online shopping experience with secure payment options. We also have upcoming pop-ups throughout the westside. Q. What are some of your favorite local small businesses that you like to support? A. We have so many fantastic local businesses in Westchester and some of my favorites include, The Book Jewel, Sunstone Yoga and The Boy & The Bear Coffee! Check out the candles and learn more at deiacandle.com or by scanning the QR code!

Thanks, Westchester/Playa. I love being here to help in a community where people are making a difference every day. Thank you for all you do. Tatiana Ruiz More, Agent 8705 Truxton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-450-8833 tatiana@coveredwithmore.com 2007005

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State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

Business spotlight: Deia Candle Company creates handcrafted luxurious candles with an important mission

st LMU Arthur P. Carroll Jr.

Join us for a tasting experience that’s uniquely Californian – and uniquely LMU. A FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT THE LMU ARTHUR P. CARROLL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

02.04.24

Wine Tasting and Silent Auction: 2-5 p.m. To buy tickets and for more info, go to lmu.edu/wineclassic

24_wineclassic_ADv2.indd 1

11/15/23 8:28 PM

Trusts & Estates

• Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning • Probate • Trust Administration ©2021 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH AffiliatesLLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for your listing.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

January 2024 • Page 11

Beyond the basics: unveiling the hidden gems of dentistry

By Dr. Varisha Parikh

Happy New Year Hometown News family! As we navigate the realms of oral health, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the lesser-known wonders that your dentist brings to the table. While we all appreciate the routine check-ups and cleanings, there’s a whole array of surprising services and treatments that your dental professional might offer. From Botox to advanced whitening techniques, let’s delve into the hidden gems of dentistry that might just redefine your perception of a dental visit. 1. Botox for Beauty and Beyond. Yes, you read it right—your dentist might just be your new go-to for Botox treatments! Many dental professionals are expanding their skill set to include facial aesthetics, offering services like Botox and dermal fillers. Wrinkle Reduction: Botox injections are renowned for their ability to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a refreshed and youthful appearance. Your dentist, with their precise knowledge of facial anatomy, can administer these injections with skill and precision. TMJ Pain Relief: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw area. Botox injections can be used to alleviate TMJ-related pain by relaxing the jaw muscles, providing relief for those suffering from jaw tension and headaches. Gummy Smile Correction: If you’re bothered by a gummy smile, where too much of your gums show when you smile, your dentist can use Botox to relax the muscles responsible for this, creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile. By offering Botox treatments, your dentist becomes a versatile provider, addressing not only your oral health but also contributing to your overall facial aesthetics. 2. Advanced Teeth Whitening Techniques. While traditional teeth whitening procedures are well-known, your dentist might have access to advanced techniques that deliver

Follow Dr. Parikh on Instagram @dr.varishaparikh for more dental tips.

exceptional results. Laser Teeth Whitening: Step into the future of teeth whitening with laser technology. This technique involves the use of a laser to enhance the effects of whitening agents, providing quicker and more noticeable results. Customized Whitening Trays: Your dentist can create customized whitening trays molded specifically to your teeth, ensuring an even and thorough application of whitening agents. This personalized approach leads to more effective and comfortable whitening experiences. Combination Therapies: Some dental professionals offer combination

therapies, combining in-office treatments with at-home maintenance for a comprehensive and enduring whitening solution. By exploring advanced teeth whitening techniques, your dentist is equipped to elevate your smile to dazzling new heights. 3. Digital Smile Design: Crafting Your Perfect Smile! Enter the world of digital smile design, a cutting-edge approach that allows your dentist to envision and plan your ideal smile digitally before any actual treatments take place. Virtual Smile Makeovers: Using digital tools, your dentist can create a virtual representation of how different

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

Hear from your community

treatments, such as veneers or crowns, would impact your smile. This allows for collaborative decision-making, ensuring you’re involved in the design process. Predictive Treatment Planning: Digital smile design enables your dentist to plan treatments with incredible precision. They can anticipate the final results and make adjustments digitally, providing a road map for achieving your dream smile. Enhanced Communication: With digital smile design, your dentist can communicate more effectively with you about the proposed treatments, ensuring a clear understanding of the expected outcomes and fostering a collaborative and informed approach to your dental care. By embracing digital smile design, your dentist is utilizing technology to tailor treatments that align with your unique vision of the perfect smile. 4. Innovative Solutions for Bruxism. Bruxism, the clenching and grinding of teeth, can be a significant concern for many individuals. Your dentist is at the forefront of providing innovative solutions beyond traditional methods. Custom Night Guards: In addition to Botox, your dentist can offer custom night guards as an effective solution for managing bruxism. These oral appliances are crafted to fit your teeth precisely, providing a comfortable barrier that prevents grinding and clenching during sleep. Biocompatible Materials: Night guards are often made with biocompatible materials, ensuring they are safe for extended use. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with sensitivities or concerns about the materials used in dental appliances. Digital Occlusal Analysis: Leveraging advanced technologies, your dentist can conduct a digital occlusal analysis to assess your bite and identify areas of excessive pressure. This data allows for a more precise design of custom night guards tailored to your unique oral anatomy. (continued on next page)

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Hidden gems of dentistry (cont’d) (continued from previous page) By offering innovative solutions like custom night guards, your dentist is not only addressing the symptoms of bruxism but also providing personalized and biocompatible options for long-term relief. 5. Sleep Apnea Solutions. Did you know that your dentist can play a crucial role in addressing sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep? Custom Oral Appliances: Your dentist can design custom oral appliances that help reposition the jaw and tongue, preventing airway blockages during sleep. These appliances are comfortable, portable, and offer an alternative to traditional Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. Collaboration with Sleep Specialists: Dentists often collaborate with sleep specialists to provide comprehensive care for individuals with sleep apnea. This team-based approach ensures that both oral health and sleep-related issues are effectively addressed. Ongoing Monitoring: Your dentist can monitor the effectiveness of oral appliances and make adjustments as needed to ensure optimal results. Regular check-ups allow

for proactive management of sleep apnea symptoms. By offering solutions for sleep apnea, your dentist is contributing to your overall health and quality of life, emphasizing the interconnectedness of oral health and sleep. In conclusion, your dentist is a multi-faceted professional, offering a range of services that go beyond the conventional expectations. The next time you visit your dentist, consider exploring these hidden gems of dentistry, and you might just discover a whole new dimension to your oral care experience. Here’s to a future filled with healthy, beautiful smiles and the innovative contributions of your dental professional! Dr. Varisha Parikh is a Prosthodontist with an office located in Westchester. She is committed to helping her patients flourish by enhancing their smiles so they can live life to the fullest. When she’s not at the office working with her team and patients, she enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family, especially if it involves hiking.

Pastor, Larry Becker

Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. (INDOORS & LIVESTREAM)

Sunday, January 21, 2024 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Infants to 8th Grade Communion Services January 7th and 21st

Learn more at prosthoqueen.com or by scanning the QR code!

7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Westchester, CA 90045

310.670.5422 • www.WLCS.org

2023

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January 2024 • Page 13

By Shanee Edwards

As an architect, Ben Ballentine is used to transforming spaces, but after moving to Westchester, he and his wife Vanessa are also dedicated to shaping a better future for their community and family.

Assembling the Design Team. Ben and Vanessa first met back in 2008, when they worked in the same office building in Santa Monica. Vanessa looked forward to stealing glances of the “very cute man” whom she could occasionally glimpse through a window on the second floor. She’d purposefully walk by his office as often as possible, but never quite worked up the courage to introduce herself. “This went on for several months,” says Vanessa. “And then I was moving offices. I wasn’t going back to that building anymore, so I gave my card to my assistant who was turning in her garage clicker and I said, ‘There’s this cute guy on the second floor. Give him my card, tell him to call me.’” Turns out, Ben had also noticed Vanessa’s flair and beauty the many times she walked past his office. But when her assistant came by to give him Vanessa’s card, he wasn’t sure it was romance Vanessa was looking for. “I thought, ‘She probably needs a house designed or some architecture work,’” says Ben. But he was pleasantly surprised to

discover she wasn’t looking to hire him, just getting to know him. “We started dating and the rest is history! We’ve been together for 15 years,” says a joyful Vanessa. The happy couple were married in 2012 and now have two children: Piper, 8, Lucy, 6, and a Great Dane named Ford.

Building the Foundation. Though Ben grew up in nearby Venice Beach, and the couple had their first home there, he’s always had deep roots in Westchester. Ben’s maternal grandfather John Barth was a pilot in World War II and was injured during the war. When he got out of the hospital, John bought a lot in the original Westchester residential tract in 1948. “They built the family home, and they raised 12 kids there! My grandfather just loved how close he was to the airport, and they would take their lawn chairs over to the park and sit there and watch the planes. He would teach each of the kids about every single plane that was flying over them. He worked in aerospace, in El Segundo,” says Ben. (continued on page 16)

At left: The Ballentine Architects Studio (BAS) team poses for a photo at their Manchester location. Additional photos: The Ballentine family enjoy their Westchester lifestyle. Page 14 • January 2024

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

Photos by Robert Higgins

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

January 2024 • Page 15

Getting to Work. With love and encouragement from Vanessa, Ben founded Ballentine Architects Studio in 2015. Last year, he relocated the business to a storefront on Manchester Ave. that once held a psychic’s shop, across from the library at Westchester Park. Now the space is a beautiful boutique studio that specializes in luxury and custom design for homes and commercial spaces throughout Southern California. And for Ben, every project is personal. “We do mostly residential architecture. So, helping people to rework their properties in a way that works for their families is really important to us,” he says. Locally, one of the big trends Ben is seeing is a desire to modernize the aesthetics and spaces of Westchester’s original homes. “Given that Westchester is such a desirable and unique neighborhood, many of our long-time neighbors understandably don’t want to relocate. They are instead calling on us to remodel and design

additions to their homes. We love being a part of the revitalization of this community’s aging properties. It’s been incredible to see our work every day as we walk to school, head to the office or visit with friends,” he says. When it comes to commercial space in the area, Ben sees a lot of opportunities to manage needed revitalization, while adding amenities and protecting local businesses. “Westchester is in an interesting phase right now where there’s a lot of community-based energy,” he says. “Rather than just tearing everything down and building high-rise condos, it’s nice to preserve some of the community amenities—the restaurants and the retail. It’s something that I think has been neglected. I always try to advocate for that.”

“

Helping people rework their properties in a way that works for their families is really important to us Projects that are innovative and carefully crafted are hallmarks of Ben’s work, and he’s using his skills to transform spaces to create a better future for students at Loyola Marymount University.

“We’ve been helping LMU with their initiatives to provide thoughtfully designed housing for their students and staff. It’s been important to the university to provide staff housing that enhances the community experience and helps retain the talented professors the students depend on,” said Ben. “We recently worked with the university on their Recovery House, that provides students with a specialized home to help foster their sobriety.” There’s also a special project Ben’s working on at Visitation, something very close to his heart considering his family history with the school. “We’re assisting with the Renew Visitation campaign by providing architectural guidance and design for various community spaces on the campus. Being parishioners and parents, lending our insights and expertise to Fr. Matt [Wheeler] and Principal Watson has been an exciting way that we can invest in, and support, the school and church in their mission to implement improvements for the future,” he says. Vanessa is also all-in when it comes to making positive contributions to the town she calls home. By day, she works as a Chief Operating Officer in the beauty industry, but she’s just as enthusiastic when it comes to volunteering. She single-handedly runs the Visitation Uniform Exchange Program where she collects, washes, sorts and repairs uniforms to help alleviate the high cost of school uniforms and keep them out of landfills. “It’s definitely something I’m passionate about because I grew up in a single-parent family. We were on a budget,” says Vanessa. “I think the cost of uniforms is really expensive, but I’m also very big on recycling and being eco-friendly. I like that we’re using these uniforms year after year. I mean they’re literally indestructible. They last forever, these skirts and rompers.” But she says there’s another benefit to running the program. “It’s a good way to get to know all the different parents that are in the community. So many times at school you just get to know the parents of the kids that are in your class, but I get to be personally involved with so many more parents because of it,” she says.

Project photos courtesy BAS

(continued from page 14) Ben’s mom, Debbie, and all 11 of her siblings went to Visitation School, which is where his daughters go now. Ben says that when he and Vanessa had their second daughter, they started thinking more about the ideal place to raise a family. “We needed a larger home, and we wanted to be part of a community. We’d always known and been involved with Westchester. First, we bought our house here and then it just made sense that when our business was out-growing the little building in Venice, that we’d move that to Westchester as well,” he says.

Building for the Next Generation.

Clockwise from top: A transformed dining area in a home located on Stewart Avenue in Kentwood. A luxe bathroom in a Hollywood Hills residence. Ben looks over blueprints. Page 16 • January 2024

The Ballentines hope the work they are doing in the community makes an impact on their daughters–in both big and small ways. “We have a model of ‘Just be kind,’ right? Our biggest, most important thing in raising our kids is: be kind, be empathetic. Always be aware of your community and your surroundings. Friends and families are important,” says Vanessa, who mentions she is always looking out for her neighbors. “If I see an ambulance at someone’s house or I hear someone’s sick, I’m baking them a cake, I’m knocking on the door, I’m checking how they are. I think your kids learn by example, and so they see us doing these things and being a good neighbor,” she says. “I think it’s just old school etiquette to be grateful. That’s just really important to us. I think that still exists in such a strong way in Westchester, specifically,” says Ben. Westchester’s “small town in a big city” feel has made the Ballentines one of the community’s biggest cheerleaders, which has led to their friends and family wanting to move to 90045. “We have six or seven of our very best friends who have bought homes in Westchester, and Ben has been able to help them make those homes their dream home via his architecture business. And now everyone lives within a mile of us,” says Vanessa, who is proud to be part of the next generation of Westchester families. “I think it’s just fun to be a part of the cycle that started with Ben’s grandparents. I think it’s really special.” Ballentine Architects Studio is located at 7123 W. Manchester Ave. Call (424) 835-4338 or visit ballentinearchitects.com for more details.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

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Local groups offer ways to get involved (cont’d)

(continued from page 4) Members are known for their navy blue T-shirts, which you may have noticed at WAM, Open Charter’s Fall Festival or the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The group is open to 6th and 7th grade girls and their mothers who are interested in volunteering and serving in leadership roles. This month, the group is holding informational sessions to share about membership. Learn more by emailing membershipbeachside@nclonline.org or at nationalcharityleague.org/ chapter/beachside. • Westchester Elks Lodge. There is much more to the Westchester Elks than their annual car show and chili cook off. Members are equally passionate about having fun and supporting causes like Veterans’ issues and education. Once a member, you can enjoy social functions at the Lodge on Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey and participate in meetings. Women can join the Lady Elks, who host a variety of events throughout the year, including a fashion show luncheon and pop-up boutiques. If you don’t know a local Elk, you can fill out a membership inquiry form at elks.org, but you will need a sponsor to join. • The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club. This local service group is one of the community’s most active, and there’s never a shortage of projects or social gatherings on their event calendar. The club meets weekly for breakfast at Whiskey Red’s in Marina del Rey, and is known for hosting the Santa Tour, a Cultural Dinner in the fall and their annual summer pancake breakfast at Fire Station #5. The club is kicking off 2024 with its Teacher Mini Grant breakfast, where tens of thousands of dollars will be distributed to help fund classroom supplies, and in March, the club will be serving up hotcakes to runners at the Rock Roll & Run at LMU. Learn more about joining at playavenice.org. • Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey. Check out the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey for a group that seamlessly blends fun and philanthropy. The club meets September through June for a monthly luncheon, and members enjoy a variety of social activities including beach walks, coffee meetups, movie nights, wine socials and more. The group, which was founded in 1938 and has its own clubhouse on Manchester, is a big supporter of education, and raises money each year to provide thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students. Learn more about the club and Page 18 • January 2024

membership at wcpdr.org.

Mark your calendar for a community event.

Make 2024 your year to attend more community events! Local groups and volunteers work hard at organizing and producing some of Westchester/Playa’s most beloved festivities, many of which double as fundraisers. Showing up to an event not only creates a day of fun, which is often low-cost or free, but also ensures that the event continues to happen! The more attendees, the more potential for sponsors and organizers having the funds to create quality family-friendly activities! Below is a list of some of our favorite can’t-miss community happenings by month (exact dates for events are TBD unless noted): February: • LMU Wine Classic, to raise money for scholarships on February 4 March: • LAX Coastal Education Foundation’s Rock Roll & Run, 5K/1K to raise money for local schools on March 2 • Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club’s BingoFest, raising money for community projects May: • Teacher Eddy Awards, celebrating 41 years of supporting local teachers and education • Westchester Rotary Annual Book Sale, raising money for community projects during Memorial Day weekend • AMCS Spring into Wellness at LMU, fundraising for mental health

on May 16 July: • Fourth of July Parade, parade down Loyola Blvd. in Westchester on July 4 • Shakespeare on the Bluff, performances of classic works held at LMU August: • Westchester Team Challenge, a day of friendly competition raising money for the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association on August 3 September: • WAM, featuring live music, arts and a block party vibe on Saturday, September 21 • Westchester Elks Lodge Car Show & Chili Cook Off, classic cars and a chili competition at the Lodge in Playa del Rey October: • Spooky story writing contest hosted by The Book Jewel • Fall Family Festival at Open Charter Magnet School December: • Holiday Lights Tour & Contest presented by the Westchester Mental Health Guild, featuring local homes decorated for the holidays • Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, decorated boats cruise the marina • Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary’s Santa Tour, Santa and guests tour the community with help from LAPD, LAFD and community members To get more information on these and other events as they become available, check out our Community Calendar at thehtn.com/events.

Connect with local business leaders.

More than 650 local businesses– from Fortune 500 companies to solopreneurs–are members of the LAX Coastal Chamber. It’s not always easy running your own business or creating a network of business contacts, but the chamber is a valuable resource when it comes to supporting, connecting and promoting their members. Throughout the month, the chamber offers numerous in-person and virtual networking events and a variety of committees that meet on topics like Education, Lifestyles and Public Policy. They also host special events, like the State of LAX luncheon that is attended by more than 600 leaders in the aviation and construction industries, and of course, the annual Fourth of July Parade. This month, the chamber is celebrating the people who keep the community safe with their Protectors’ Appreciation Week. The chamber recently unveiled a new logo and website to reflect its dynamic membership, its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and its programming, from ribbon cuttings and anniversary celebrations to Leadership Academy and Networking at Night. Learn more about what the chamber has to offer business leaders at laxcoastal.com. What’s your favorite way to connect with your neighborhood? Share your tips with us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.

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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

January 2024 • Page 19

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA Working together to improve our communities!

“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” ~ Plato

How the Neighborhood Council Helps Your Neighborhood By Lisa Gaines, Westchester resident since 1987 Until recently, I didn’t know what the Neighborhood Council (NC) did. I imagine there are many neighbors in the same situation. So, here’s some basic information: First and foremost, the NC is a group of dedicated volunteers that spend an inordinate amount of time to get current on issues that impact our communities of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. It is comprised mostly of residents. The goal of the NC is to provide the city council member with a pulse of how the community views relevant issues. The NC has nine special committees that dig deep into the details of the issues and then bring their research to the NC board for review and voting. The committees include: Airport Relations, Budget & Finance, Community Services, Community Plan Ad Hoc, Education, Government Affairs, Outreach, Planning & Land Use, and Public Safety. All are open to the public to attend; the agenda and minutes of what has been discussed is available for public to review. We encourage you to send an email to the committee members with your ideas and/or provide a short comment during the meetings.

In order to prepare for the upcoming 2023/24 Wet Weather Season, LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) has updated the annual Wet Weather Plan in order to protect the public health and safety during a wet weather event. This plan is implemented during the official wet weather season spanning each year from October 15 to April 15. As part of the implementation of this plan, LASAN has been: Meeting regularly to discuss issues encountered during the 2022/23 wet weather season, implementing lessons learned. Reviewing wastewater collection system flow monitoring locations and performing modeling studies to update action trigger levels to ensure resources are allocated when needed. Training designated staff on Storm Commander duties to ensure effective communication during wet weather events. This training covers not only the historic wet weather

challenges in Los Angeles but also recent observations and any necessary considerations related to active collection system construction projects.

Training staff to review and report on the 180+ collection system flow monitoring sites during wet weather events.

Enhancing existing reporting protocols through the use of standardized forms and distribution lists. Developing maps and schematics of the wastewater collection system in order to make informed decisions during wet weather events. Preparing LASAN’s wastewater and stormwater infrastructure through inspecting,cleaning, and maintaining components in order to optimize overall system performance.

Want to help your neighborhood? Tell your neighbors about the NC and invite them to get involved. Simply, go onto the website: NCWPDR. org where you can sign up for the newsletter and updates.

Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Board Meeting:

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 9, 2024 @ CD11 Community Room | 7166 W. Manchester Ave., in Westchester

www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Page 20 • January 2024

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

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January 2024 • Page 21

Random Notes/Opinion

TheHTN.com

Part 2: Prehabbing your way to better health & wellness

By Jeff Blair

mobility exercises, strengthening exercises and cardiovascular exercises. I will use a fictional client, “Susan,” to Opinion: Last month, I wrote about demonstrate how this would work. how performing rehab-like strength Susan is 50 years old and feels some training exercises before injury occurs pain and stiffness in her right hip. Her (called “prehab”) can lessen pain and twin sister recently had hip replacement improve quality of life. This month, surgery. Susan’s doctor tells her she is I am going to cover how prehab not injured and not a current candidate can benefit those facing potential for surgery. The doctor encourages her joint replacement surgery–whether immediately or sometime in the future. to begin a prehab program to improve A well-designed prehab program might her hip and overall health. The doctor knows if Susan starts prehab now even help you avoid or delay joint she may be able to fend off or delay a replacement or allow you to have a much speedier and healthier recovery if replacement down the line. Mobility exercises. Susan follows you do ultimately have surgery. When facing immediate joint replace- an eight-minute body weight mobility ment surgery, prehab is performed by a routine before her strength training sessions. She does squats, single-leg physical therapist–rather than a personal trainer–to specifically prepare for exercises and a few hip stretches. This warms her up for strength training, the scheduled procedure. Since these improves her hip mobility and lessens situations are considered medical, I am stiffness. The routine includes both not going to comment on any specifics moving (dynamic) and non-moving other than to acknowledge this prehab (static) stretches. Susan’s doctor tells strategy. her that consistently performing these If you are not facing immediate joint mobility exercises can improve the replacement but have some aches that do not rise to the level of injury, prehab overall health of her hips. Strengthening exercises. Susan may be the key to avoiding more serious issues in the future. This type of prehab, performs strength training twice weekly and always includes hip and core which I wrote about last month, can be strengthening exercises. She uses bands, done by a personal trainer. Prehab in this context usually involves kettlebells and free weights under

the supervision of a personal trainer. As the muscles around her hips get stronger, Susan notices her pain lessens and her daily movements get better. Susan finds strengthening the muscles around her hip also takes stress off the hip joint. She is able to hike again after avoiding it for the past five years, since it was painful. When her trainer tells Susan “strength is the foundation of all movement,” Susan nods her head in agreement since she is living proof. Cardiovascular exercises. Since Susan is experiencing less pain and is hiking regularly, she starts to perform even more cardiovascular exercise. She takes up biking and is fitting in four workouts a week, with activities she enjoys. When she tells her doctor this, the doctor tells Susan both types of training can improve her hip health. Susan begins to sleep better due to her exercise routine and even starts to slowly reduce alcohol intake and make some better nutritional choices. These choices cause her to lose 10 pounds, which is also great for her hip health! By incorporating mobility, strength and cardiovascular exercises into her lifestyle, Susan improves her overall health in an endless number of ways. She may also be avoiding future joint replacement. If she ever eventually

needs surgery, her commitment to prehab greatly improves her chances of a speedy and effective recovery. Happy and Healthy New Year, everyone! Jeff Blair (M.S., CSCS) is a certified personal trainer, 50 and over strength training specialist and fitness author. He founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in Westchester in 2011. The studio has provided approximately 50,000 personal training experiences during the last twelve-plus years. Reach him at jeff@socalsport.com. This article is not medical advice. If you are facing a joint replacement and have questions, please reach out to your doctor or physical therapist for specifics.

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Integrate past experiences to increase your understanding of the world By Fay Craton Opinion: Happy New Year! On the ongoing wheel of life, we are now at the start of winter–a point in time in nature’s cycle. The high-energy festivities closing out last year are now complete. It is normal to experience an emotional slump as our bodies adjust from the adrenaline high of the holidays. In addition, the shorter days may result in our bodies experiencing lower energy and feeling sleepy. In nature’s flow, winter is a time of inactivity. Fields are bare and are waiting for spring. Plants have stored their energy to sustain them through the winter. Similarly, memories of life events from last year have been stored within you. The natural slowing down at the start of winter is a good time to reflect on last year’s major events and new possibilities for the year ahead. It is time to integrate past experiences into a new way of understanding our world. The reflections are the final harvest of the year just past. What were the major events in your life last year? Have you taken the time to reflect on them? Was there a birth in your family? A wedding? A change in your job or housing situation? A significant accomplishment? Were there hardships? Reflection may include many different feelings, ranging from sadness to joy. For me, the reflection includes grief from the death of my mother. It also includes comfort from the improved relationships with my brother and sister. Major events can shake up the mental framework in which we understand and guide our lives. It is easy to get complacent and picture life as only possible one way or with very specific conditions. When something happens to crack that framework, suddenly a new possibility may appear, but only if we are willing to see and accept it. A possibility is just that. It is defined as “a thing that may happen or be the case.” Accepting the possibility does not mean our views or values have changed. It just casts light on something we have not previously considered or accepted. Journaling is a great resource to provide fodder to look at during the time of reflection. If you kept a journal this past year, look at it. What did you write about? In

looking back at your entries, what possibilities do you think about now? If you did not journal, begin the reflection process by making bullet points of the big highlights of the year. Review your list. While looking at your highlights, write down what you learned about yourself, other people and situations in general. Write from a brainstorming vantage point. Open yourself up to all possibilities–even if you are cynical when writing it down. Gently allow your mind to expand to take in more information and more feelings than you previously allowed. Look at what you wrote down while brainstorming. Is there anything on your list you may not have given much weight to in the past? Imagine what it would look like if the items you discounted in the past were true. Next, ask yourself if you want it to be true? How willing are you to open yourself up to the possibility it could be true? How willing are you to take steps to determine if it is true? While reflecting, are you discovering areas where you have pain? Do you sometimes ignore emotional pain, pushing it into the back recesses of your awareness? I want you to know, it is okay to hurt. It is okay to cry. Pain is normal, and you do not need to be ashamed of it. If the pain feels so overwhelming you fear you cannot bear it, or you won’t be able to stop crying if you start, seek out a licensed therapist to help you. Pain that is denied or ignored will restrict your ability to connect with others. It will also create physical illness. My wish is that while you are curled up this winter, you take time to reflect. Are there new ideas or thoughts you want to consider during this upcoming year? Will exploring a new possibility improve a relationship? Maybe expanding what you see will take some pressure off a difficult memory. By taking the opportunity to rest and reflect you may find yourself in a better position to navigate the upcoming year. Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (mfc40011), which is the psychology license specializing in relationships (with ourselves or with others). She has an office located in Westchester. If you have any questions, please contact Fay at (310) 645-6762.

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Happy New Year! We are excited to bring in the new year together with all good things health, wellness, and community. So much abundance at your local farmers’ market.

January 2024 • Page 23

The secrets and surprises in our own backyard By Cozette Vergari Some who live in the Westchester/ Playa community may know of Jet Pets, which sits between Falmouth and Pershing on a large acreage of open land. If you do know of Jet Pets, chances are you think they board your pets while you travel. Surprise, surprise, the story of “then and now” reveals a much different history of what lies within Jet Pets’ property dating back from 1954 through today. Most of its history goes unnoticed, making it one of the neighborhood’s best-kept secrets. In 1954, this 44-acre parcel, and much more land that no longer remains undeveloped, was home to two of more than a dozen subterranean tombs existing beneath military bases along the coast from the Los Angeles Sea Port up through the South Bay and onto the Westside. These tombs housed Nike Missile Silos with six such silos bordering Pershing, just west of the runways at the time at Los Angeles International Airport. Known then as Silos 7A and 7C, they were ballistic missile launch sites protected and overseen by approximately 100 military personnel. The ballistic missile, a 38foot pencil-thin projectile that had a range of 25 to 50 miles, was the first class of American ballistic missiles. It was named after the winged Greek goddess of victory, Nike. These military batteries were to serve as the final line of defense against offshore enemy attacks and were kept battle-ready day and night up until the mid-1960s. The entrance to the military base sat on Pershing Drive with a guard shack stopping all vehicles before they entered. That guard shack was demolished when Westchester Parkway opened to all and replaced the road onto the military complex. In 1974, Silos 7A and 7C became the first of the local bases to “disappear.” But, did they? The structures that housed the military personnel remain standing and are currently occupied by Jet Pets for their business operations, going largely unnoticed by passersby and community members. Currently, under U.S. Compliance Code Section 93.1, Jet Pets quarantines animals that have flown into LAX for a required period of four days to make sure the animals meet the appropriate health standards to be released into the region, while also tending to any health conditions that may have arisen. At any given time, you may be surprised by what animals Page 24 • January 2024

Visit the Discovery Center starting January 14 to see the newest exhibit featuring a look at Jet Pets and its history.

are visiting our neighborhood from elephants, lions, tigers and bears, to more common creatures like horses and pets. While the company started with boarding small animals like cats and dogs, today it is clearly a different story. The “now” started with the founder of Jet Pets, Frank Hasenauer and his wife Catherine. It is now run and operated by their son David John, his wife Lindley, and third-generation family members, Jonathan and wife, Amanda, and Micaelin Hasenauer. The family members have visited the underground vaults that still exist by taking elevators consisting of an immense steel platform, illuminated by a sliver of light from high above, down into the darkness. The reverse is how the missiles were transported into a launch position. Initially, Frank Hasenauer was approached by a close friend at the time of the “dismantling” of the Nike Silos 7A and 7C to see if he was interested in leasing the land. In 1963, through his creative vision, he started small and moved his family onto the abandoned base. There he created a one-of-a-kind travel agency. It was a combination kennel, federal quarantine station for horses (the first in the nation) and a home for stray animals. He had worked in the airline industry and understood the need for the proper handling of traveling animals, so he decided to devote his life to finding a remedy for this.

numerous celebrities. They have said hello and goodbye to million-dollar racehorses, abandoned animals and creatures of all kinds from the most common to the most exotic–almost beyond imagination. Curious to learn more? The Westchester/Playa Historical Society will open “Then And Now, Secrets And Surprises Behind Jet Pets,” on January 14. View the exhibit by visiting the historical society’s Discovery Center located at 6207 W. 87th St. in the Westchester Triangle from 9:30 to noon on Sundays, and otherwise by appointment. Learn more at wphistoricalsociety. org/discovery-center. Cozette is an attorney and lifelong resident of Westchester. She is the President of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.

In the decades since, the Hasenauer family has worked with

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By Shanee Edwards As a family who’s been deeply involved with the Cub and Girl Scouts, the Matyas clan knows the importance of being prepared. But until that preparedness is tested in real-time, it’s hard to know exactly how well you will respond. On a recent evening in November, the entire Matyas family would face an emergency that would put all those Scouting skills to the test. In fact, their lives may have depended on it. A Busy Family Michael Matyas is the first American-born member on his father’s side of the family. Page 26 • January 2024

“My grandparents both escaped the Holocaust in Hungary, met, then escaped to Sydney, Australia, where they had my dad. My grandfather built a clothing company called Dale Slacks. When my father was 15, they sold the business and everything they had, then took a boat to America. They bought their first property in the Hollywood Hills in the 1960s, which we still have. I’ve been building off their success since then,” says Michael, who now owns 16 residential properties and is the proud manager of the family business. While Michael grew up in Beverly Hills, he and wife Jessalyn have called Westchester home for the last 12

years and love the community. Jessalyn is a thriving Pilates instructor with her own private practice. The athletic, vibrant couple have two kids: Jenifer 16, and Maxwell 10, who attend WISH Academy and WISH Community School respectively. Together, they are a typical family: busy every minute of every day. The kids play a ton of sports including soccer and baseball. Maxwell currently plays on the Del Rey Sea Devils travel team and dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. Jenifer hopes to one day put her keen archaeology skills and geologic knowledge to use by hunting treasures

around the globe. Also on the schedule are Girl Scout and Cub Scout meetings and advanced scouting activities. Jenifer has been a Girl Scout since she was six and has earned the organization’s highest ranking of Senior Cadet in Troop 1835. Jessalyn is Maxwell’s Cub Scout Troop leader of Den 9 with Pack 748. The Scouting motto of “Be Prepared” would play a big role in the family’s safety on the evening of November 1. A Love of Water Despite all the varied interests and activities, Jessalyn says that first and foremost, they are a “water family,” and look to get in or near the ocean every chance they get.

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Jenifer agrees, saying, “On a warm summer day, we usually grab the surfboards and go down to Surfrider Beach and start there for a few hours.” If the surf isn’t great, she’ll comb the beach looking for unusual or rare rocks to add to her growing collection. With their love of ocean-based activities, it’s perhaps ironic that this “water family” would be challenged with something so diametrically opposite as a fire, but that’s unfortunately what happened. Luckily, their preparedness and flexibility have led to the family’s resilience. Jessalyn’s Home Business During the pandemic, Jessalyn started doing Pilates and loved it so much that she decided to go through a rigorous training program to become a certified instructor. Though it took her 400 hours of training and testing, Jessalyn calls it, “One of the greatest decisions of my life!” Preferring to work with clients one-on-one, Jessalyn and Michael decided to turn the ADU unit of their Westchester home into a private Pilates studio. They decked out the space to create a welcoming exercise area complete with workout equipment and a reformer, a large, rectangular exercise platform that glides back and forth to create resistance and help build core muscles. On the night of November 1, the Matyas family was sitting down for dinner. It was dark out and Maxwell and Jenifer were setting the table. Michael went to get some more drinks from their outdoor refrigerator when he noticed something startling. “There was an orange glow behind our ADU–the entire fence was on fire! There were 30 to 40-foot flames shooting up into the tree,” says Michael. Michael yelled for someone to call 911, but Jenifer was already on it. Having prepared for the unexpected, Jenifer began to follow her Girl Scout emergency plan. “We go through multiple survival situation programs, including what would happen if there’s a fire, what to do, how to respond. So that definitely helped,” says Jenifer, who shares that her survival instinct kicked in. “Get the dog, get whatever you can, grab your brother and get out of the house!” After setting the dining room table, Maxwell had gone to his bedroom and closed his door. “I heard screaming, and when

I looked outside, the whole fence was on fire!” he says of the scary situation. Seeing his sister grab the dog, 15-year-old Theodore, Maxwell exited the house to find safety with a neighbor. Michael says you don’t know how frightening a fire can be until you actually experience it. “It was pretty hectic,” says Michael. “Then the building went up in flames, and the first thing Jess yelled is, ‘My reformer! I can’t lose it!’” “That piece of equipment is my livelihood, my business,” adds Jessalyn. “So, the two of us are dragging out the reformer, but it gets stuck in the doorway. We try to adjust some stuff and just as we set it down, the windows blow out! The flames spread so quickly, and we’re sitting there trying to disassemble this reformer as flames are coming in and we finally get it out,” says Michael, who ventured back one more time into the burning ADU to save a safe containing important documents out of the attic. “In retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have done that,” he says. “But you just don’t really think when there’s a fire until you’re absolutely stopped at the last moment. I just went until I could not go anymore.” A Full-Circle Moment “The fire department came rather quickly, and they did a wonderful job. It was Fire Station 5, who we’ve done lots of Scout work with so it was a very full-circle moment to have them actually come and help us in a time of need,” says Jessalyn. Luckily, the fire did not spread to the main house or any of the neighbors’ property. The fire department ruled that it was an electrical issue from a clear string of lights adorning the fence. “I take clients as early as six in the morning, so I turned them on so there was some light for my clients. They don’t know if something broke or if an animal chewed on something, but it caught the fence and it went from nothing to consumption and total loss of the ADU really quick,” says Jessalyn.

Due to smoke and water damage in the main house, the family had to relocate to an Airbnb. Fortunately, Jessalyn was able to bring her Pilates reformer to the temporary home and continued taking clients just a few days later. A Calamity with a Silver Lining Though going through a fire is a terrifying experience, the Matyas family all felt completely supported by the people around them. They’re grateful for the friends and family who rallied behind them to offer help. “Our community fed us for about a month with a meal train, and it really meant the world to us. People opened up their homes to us. It was very touching. We didn’t realize what a great community we actually lived in until, unfortunately, something like this happens and then everybody comes out,” says Jessalyn. For now, Jessalyn is grateful to be working with clients in her temporary studio, and helping people achieve their fitness goals in 2024. She’s looking forward to being back training at her ADU once its finished later this year. In the meantime, the incident has brought the family even closer than they were before. Jenifer has this advice to anyone who might experience a fire: “Grab the pets, grab your [siblings]. That’s what’s savable. Don’t put yourself in any danger trying to save your stuff; things can be replaced!” It’s a sentiment shared by the entire Matyas family who urge everyone to make an emergency plan–just in case. And though that plan certainly helped, the real silver lining is the Westchester community. “It makes me very emotional just talking about it because the people here are super, super sweet,” says Jessalyn.

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Meet the

How long has Westchester been your hometown? Westchester has been our home since 2010. We first moved into a rental on McConnell Ave. We fell in love with the area and bought our current home in the Westport Heights neighborhood in 2012.

What does the perfect day in Westchester look like to you?

Our perfect Westchester day would consist of going to the Westchester Farmers’ Market in the Triangle, followed by a visit to The Book Jewel so we can visit the shop cat Paiges and grab a new book. After, we’d head to Westchester Park, where our daughter could be found practicing in the skate park and our son would certainly be throwing or kicking a ball or playing at the playground with a friend he ran into. We’d end our perfect Westchester day by grabbing some tacos from any of the amazing trucks or street vendors in the area and head to the beach to catch the sunset, maybe some waves and build a bonfire with our friends.

Since you’ve made Westchester your home, what is the biggest change you have seen in the community?

Since first moving to Westchester, we’ve noticed a major increase in homeless-related issues in the community. We miss the Wednesday Farmers’ Market and community activities that used to take place in the library parking lot and adjoining park.

There are so many great people and businesses in this community; is there anyone you would like to give a special shout-out to? Big shout out to all my clients who are mainly locals, they know who they are. I wouldn’t have the business I’m blessed to have today if it wasn’t for them, and I would not have been able to bounce back from the loss of my studio in November without their love and support.

As a family, we are so thankful for the organizations that have helped us build our community family. Starting with WISH Community and Academy Schools who have taught and nurtured our children by meeting them where they are as individuals and helping them succeed, all while instilling a deep sense of compassion, kindness and inclusion. Del Rey American Little League is a big part of our lives, between regular season and the travel baseball team, Del Rey Sea Devils. Many thanks to all the coaches and board members for the time, hard work and guidance they give, on and off the field. Same can be said for the coaches, refs and organizers of our local Region 7 AYSO program. Last but not least, shout out to the families and leaders of both our kids’ scout troops: Girl Scout Troop 1835 and Cub Scout Pack 748.

January 2024 • Page 27

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WINTER CROPS

Happy New Year! We are excited to bring in the new year together with all good things health, wellness, and community. So much abundance at your local farmers’ market.

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January 2024 • Page 29

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