The Argonaut Newspaper — January 13, 2022

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PAGE 2 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

ON THE COVER: Cash Warren, David Ehrenberg and Alan Stuart are the co-founders of Pair of Thieves, a Culver City-based men’s apparel line. Photo: Vivian Killilea. Design by Arman Olivares.

Local News & Culture

The Westside’s News Source Since 1971 CONTACT US (310) 822-1629 Letters, News, Tips & Event Listings: kkirk@timespublications.com EDITORIAL Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timespublications.com Editor: Kamala Kirk (310) 574-7654 kkirk@timespublications.com Contributing Writers: Bridgette M. Redman, Haley Beyer Editorial Interns: Holly Jenvey, Sebastian Lipstein ART Graphic Designers: Arman Olivares Kate Doll Staff Photographer: Chris Mortenson

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CONTENTS LETTERS....................................... 5 OPINION..................................... 6 COMMUNITY.............................. 7 FOOD & DRINK.......................... 9

HEALTH & WELLNESS............... 10 SPORTS...................................... 11 COVER STORY.......................... 12 TRAVEL...................................... 14

ARTS & EVENTS....................... 15 WESTSIDE HAPPENINGS........ 18 ADVICE GODDESS................... 22

ITEMS WANTED! Please donate ...

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JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 3

N E W S

HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE Coronavirus by the numbers and local updates Compiled by Kamala Kirk Cases and deaths by neighborhood as of Jan. 8: Culver City: 4,861 (deaths 118); Del Rey: 64 (deaths one); El Segundo: 1,921 (deaths 11); Marina del Rey: 1,223 (deaths four); Mar Vista: 4,809 (deaths 37); Palms: 5,407 (deaths 70); Playa del Rey: 308 (deaths one); Playa Vista: 1,514 (deaths 12); Santa Monica: 11,580 (deaths 198); Venice: 4,577 (deaths 20); Westchester: 5,493 (deaths 61) Total Westside cases: 41,757 Total Westside deaths: 533

Total confirmed cases in LA County: 1,921,890 Total deaths in LA County: 27,772 Total new cases as of Jan. 8: 34,448 Total new deaths: 16 Hospitalizations: 3,200 Positivity rate (seven-day daily average): 22.78% Total number of people tested: 10,269,014

This is the perfect way for your business to reach active consumers who care about healthy living, looking good and staying fit.

This issue will focus on a variety of health, wellness, and beauty topics relevant to Westsiders.

Don’t miss this chance to kick-off new year business by reaching health-conscious Westsiders!

Materials Due January 21 • Publishes January 27 TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE CALL (310) 463-0633

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The Westside has become a top destination for people who love great food.

Let hungry Argonaut readers know you’re OPEN! Indoor & Outdoor dining • Take-out • Delivery Help your eatery stand out from the crowd — because our audience has the means and ability to dine out often, you want them to think of your establishment when hunger calls.

CALL TODAY: 310.822.1629 PAGE 4 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

L E T T E R S seating could have extended from the storefront serving facilities out to the central walkway/emergency access corridor.

How much better it would have been to be seated at a table watching pedestrians and scooter/bicycle walking people strolling by than to be sandwiched between noisy vehicle traffic close by on one side and a narrow sidewalk populated be many potentially contagious folks close by on the other side — the Main Street we have now? Imagine if the city and its business people creatively collaborated on providing the assets and arrangements to make a popular attraction that could observe Santa Monica and the wider surrounding area for the present and into the future.

We did have four weekends of experimental street closures that were generally well received, but these arrangements were ad hoc, which made the area far less attractive and functional than if it had been the piazza we could have had with a better planned and developed walkaround Main Street.

We had a crisis that could have

PHOTO CREDIT: KRIS DAHLIN

A wasted crisis Editor: It is a shame that when the Santa Monica City Council began considering the Main Street Alfresco Plan, it didn’t consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We now know that our best mitigations are vaccination, face masks, and avoiding indoor public gatherings or where there isn’t plenty of fresh air, as in outdoor dining.

The missed opportunity was to recognize that a permanent attractive outdoor dining, shopping and socializing area would be a valuable asset for our vibrant city. Instead we kluged together a parklet plan with a busy thoroughfare through its center, bifurcating the area with traffic and concrete K-rail barriers that killed the potential European-style outdoor piazza we could have had.

Imagine how much more valuable it would have been for our businesses and our people if they fully considered what we could have had if instead we closed the area to traffic and leveled out the curbside parking areas. Then the restaurant/bar

Sun setting off Venice Beach in 2022. set us on the road to developing a more valuable asset, but instead we got something that looked like a devastated no-man area until the ugly concrete K-rails got their decorative paint jobs. But the painting was indeed just a feeble effort that doesn’t deliver the benefit we could have now if a better considered permanent goal without the cement barriers had been selected.

As a side note, I have followed the Alfresco development

process carefully since its first announcement, and know how the pressure of the moment led the council to choose the off-the shelf parklet plan that had been promoted and prototyped along Montana Avenue and elsewhere for a couple of years. It was the convenient solution that allowed them to move on to the myriad of other COVID-19-related issues.

However, we now know that we will be living with pandemic issues well into the future, so shouldn’t we now take the time

to consider a better future for Santa Monica’s ailing Main Street business district?

Tim Tunks

Santa Monica

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Send compliments, complaints and insights about local issues to kkirk@timespublications.com

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OPINION: POWER TO SPEAK

Booster Vaccinations

An important tool to continue COVID-19 protection

By Dr. Salvatore J. Giorgianni Jr. en’s Health Network (MHN) applauds the recommendations from CDC and NIH announced on Aug. 18, 2021, to make COVID-19 booster vaccinations available for those who are at higher risk of COVID-19 infections, including nursing home residents, health care providers, and those older than 65 years of age. These were the majority of those to first get vaccinated in December and January.

People should begin getting the third vaccination starting eight months after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Data from studies of a booster vaccination in immunocompromised patients have shown side effects from a third jab to be the same as seen with the initial two doses.

COVID-19 continues to pose a real and substantial danger to the health of all and continues to put strains on most every aspect of our lives, our families, our communities, our health care systems and our nation. These boosters will provide long-term and durable protection against hospitalization and death, and are critical to curbing COVID-19.

Men are at particular risk of dangerous outcomes if they contract COVID-19. While this dangerous virus and its mutations infect males and females at approximately the same rate, approximately 56% of the deaths associated with COVID-19 infections in the United States and worldwide occur in males. While the reasons for this

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are not yet clear, it should be noted that men are more likely to suffer from medical conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, and those conditions are associated with more severe infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The fact is that men die at higher rates from nine out of the 10 leading causes of death in America and are now dying at higher rates from COVID-19.

Men’s Health Network urges men to talk with a physician, pharmacist, nurse or other health care professional in their community about COVID-19.

They can provide you with advice about the virus that is specific to you, your family and your community.

Read about the impact of COVID-19 on male minority and vulnerable populations at bit.ly/34ca43P. We urge men to man up to COVID-19 and get the jab. If you have completed the first two vaccinations, get the booster eight months after your final dose. If you have not gotten fully vaccinated, get vaccinated.

We also encourage men, particularly fathers and grandfathers, to bring those you love

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Dr. Giorgianni is the principal founding partner of Griffon Consulting Group Inc., a consulting providing consultant pharmacist, medication therapy management, clinical pharmacist practice, as well as voluntary health and industry consulting. He is the author of over 70 peer-reviewed and general public publications in men’s health, health policy, and pharmacotherapy. He is an advocate and recognized health in men’s health. He is one of the

founders and chair emeritus of the American Public Health Association’s Men’s Health Caucus.

He is senior science adviser and spokesperson for the Men’s Health Network in Washington, DC. He earned a doctor of pharmacy and bachelor of pharmacy degrees from Columbia University in the city of New York and has held faculty appointments at Columbia University, and as founding faculty and executive administrative faculty at Belmont University Colleges of Pharmacy.

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C O M M U N I T Y

National Plan For Vacation Day

New holiday encourages people to start scheduling time off

By Kamala Kirk ccording to the United States Travel Association, American workers left an average of 33% of their paid time off on the table in 2020, a trend that has remained the same every year sans the pandemic. About 76% of full-time employees report experiencing job burnout at least sometimes.

On Jan. 25, National Plan For Vacation Day will debut and is a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the rest of the year. The holiday will be celebrated on the last Tuesday of January every year.

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism is joining the 7,000-plus participating organizations including the United States Travel Association to celebrate and help people wave goodbye to the burnout by planning for their time off. They encourage locals and visitors to travel responsibly by following

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current health orders, taking advantage of public transportation, and bringing patience and vacation spirit when visiting local businesses.

“As Americans in general are

encouraged to take a vacation, and Santa Monicans specifically are urged to enjoy a staycation within their own cityscape, there are enormous opportunities for Angelenos in the region to

alleviate the burnout of routine and everyday stresses of work,” said Misti Kerns, president and CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.

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nia physician and New York Times best-selling author Dr. David Agus said employees may see numerous benefits from a vacation, including having higher mental acuity, feeling more engaged in the workplace, experiencing better interpersonal relationships with co-workers, undergoing improved self-esteem and confidence on the job, and returning to their jobs with increased energy and feeling more rested.

“Taking time off is critical for productivity,” Agus said. “Down time has been shown to recharge one’s creative side and enable one to do more. I would encourage everyone to go with the science and take some time away from work with family and friends.”

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism santamonica.com

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C O M M U N I T Y

Moving into a New Role

Christina Davis named executive director of PBID

By Kamala Kirk fter 17 years as the president/CEO for LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, Christina Davis accepted the executive director role for The Gateway Los Angeles Property Business Improvement District (PBID).

Her last day with the Chamber will be Jan. 14.

PBID oversees 40 properties adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport where property owners tax themselves to make their community cleaner, safer and more vibrant for visitors, employees and businesses.

“Christina has been a dynamic CEO and I know that our membership will miss her leadership in the organization, said Board Chair Rae Lamothe.

“Under her leadership, the Chamber has flourished and become a vital organization for local businesses to join. Her leadership will be missed, but we know she will continue to contribute to the chamber in new ways.”

Davis started her career with the chamber in December 2004 and was promoted to the role of president/CEO in April 2006.

During her time at the chamber, she has grown the organiza-

: COURTESY PHOTO

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LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Christina Davis recently accepted the position of executive director of The Gateway Los Angeles Property Business Improvement District (PBID). tion’s budget, membership numbers and prestige, earned the chamber countless awards and accolades, and launched a multitude of programs to support small and large businesses.

She also continued to grow the chamber’s community initiatives including the

beloved LAX Coastal Fourth of July Parade and the Teacher Eddy Awards. During the pandemic, she led her team through the quick move to virtual programming, creating a robust offering of ways businesses could connect, network and find support while keeping the membership and

budget stable.

“The LAX Coastal Chamber and the communities we serve hold such a special place in my heart,” Davis said. “The chamber has made great strides during my time here, and it has truly become a force in supporting business and community in our area and beyond.

“I am incredibly pleased with the work we have accomplished, but what I am most proud of is our financial stability, Leadership Academy program, and the formation of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation. I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead the chamber and work with some wonderful business leaders.”

Most recently, Davis and incoming Board Chair Joe Coleman helmed the organization’s first comprehensive strategic plan, ensuring the organization continues to thrive, remain relevant and serve its 500-plus members.

“I always say our chamber is about building relationships with people,” Davis said. “I have been honored to serve in this role and be able to connect so many wonderful people and businesses together to create a stronger community. In my new

role at Gateway, I will continue to be an advocate and fierce supporter of the chamber and its programs, including Leadership Academy.”

Chad Maender, vice president of membership, has been promoted to the role of president/CEO for LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce. He previously served as executive director of the Mid-Valley YMCA, running an operating budget of over $3 million annually.

“Shifting into the CEO role, I plan to build on the incredible foundation that Christina has built during her tenure,” Maender said.

“Christina has left a profound impact on the many businesses and organizations across our community and has built this chamber from the ground up.

All of the great qualities of our organization came from the culture she created. It’s an exciting time in LA, and in particular the LAX Coastal community, as we are set to be the ‘front door’ to the world in the next seven-plus years. We will be maximizing our resources to be a relevant and strategic partner so that all of our businesses can thrive and benefit.”

New Executive Director

John Kearns appointed to oversee Santa Monica History Museum’s operations

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president. “With his experience in museum fundraising, our board is confident that we will be able to secure new funding and foster new relationships for SMHM.” Kearns earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and a Master of Arts in history from California State University, Northridge. With more than a decade of museum senior experience, he has held numerous leadership positions, including several director of development positions with Heritage Square Museum, Long Beach Museum of Art, Vincent Price Art Museum and Grand Performances. At these institu-

PAGE 8 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

tions, he was responsible for all fundraising and community activities. He helped secure significant funding ranging from individual gifts to corporate and private foundations.

“I’m thrilled to be joining SMHM, as the museum board has entrusted me in stewarding this remarkable institution into the future,” Kearns said. “I look forward to working closely with our staff and the communities we serve in Santa Monica, and to make sure that we are fulfilling our mission to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of Santa Monica for generations to come.”

COURTESY PHOTO

By Kamala Kirk he Santa Monica History Museum recently appointed John Kearns as its first executive director.

Kearns began his tenure with the museum in September and oversees all museum operations including development, education and public programming, finance, external communications and staffing.

“I am delighted to welcome John Kearns as the very first executive director for the museum and I look forward to working with him and introducing him to our wonderful community,” said Susan Gabriel Potter, SMHM museum

John Kearns was recently appointed as Santa Monica History Museum’s first executive director and will oversee all museum operations.

F O O D

&

D R I N K

A New Kind of Note

Santa Monica’s Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden celebrates the good life

By Kamala Kirk fter a long and successful career in the Latin music industry, Mayra Vazquez decided to switch gears and pursue her passion for tea. Just last week, she and her fiancé, Marcelino Miyares Jr., opened Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden in Santa Monica.

“I’m a foodie and before I fell in love with tea, I was studying wine and took courses,” Vazquez said.

“Then tea found me. Wine and tea have share a lot of similarities in terms of the different notes, characteristics and growing regions. During the pandemic, I used my free time to educate myself all about tea.

Once you start studying its origins and history, it’s hard not to fall in love. I had always dreamed of owning a little café in the community where everyone knows your name. It’s been an incredible tea journey.”

Buena Vida is Spanish for “good life,” and the tea shop reflects Vazquez’s love for entertaining friends and family.

“I’ve always loved having people over and this is like an extension of having friends come hang out in your backyard,” Vazquez said.

A Santa Monica resident since the 1980s, Vazquez walked by the cozy space on Montana Avenue when it was a flower shop.

“I was in love with the space, it was so cozy,” Vazquez said.

“Then magic happened and I was able to get it.”

From the matcha green cabinets and the rose gold

PHOTOS CREDIT: BARNET PHOTOGRAPHY

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Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden was founded by Santa Monica resident Mayra Vazquez to offer the community a cozy space to enjoy a good cup of tea.

In addition to a wide range of loose leaf teas sourced from different places, Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden also serves scones, tea sandwiches and baked goods.

Teapresso machine to the lanterns and plants on the outdoor patio space, Buena Vida Tea Bar shares an eclectic and bohemian European vibe.

Vazquez works with a tea distributor and curator, who formerly managed a tea plantation in Sri Lanka. The menu offers a diverse assortment of approximately 30 loose leaf teas sourced from all over the world including China, Africa and South America. A state-of-the-art Teapresso machine brews the perfect cup of tea in 90 seconds, which can be served hot or cold. Their most popular varieties include Earl Grey and Rosa de Jamaica, which blends hibiscus leaves and lemon myrtle.

pastry chefs to serve an assortment of sweet and savory items including scones with clotted cream and organic jam, empanadas, shortbread, cookies, baklava, and tea sandwiches such as egg salad, salmon with cream cheese, and chicken tarragon.

Soon, Vazquez will offer high tea by reservation.

In the meantime, they are offering a trio of sweet and savory items with a pot of tea for $20.

Vazquez also looks forward to hosting tea talks led by experts who will educate the community about tea and its benefits.

“It’s so rewarding when all of the locals and neighbors compliment our tea and the

“MAKING A DENT” (1/6/22)

By MATT SKOCZEN

“Most of our teas are organic and kosher,” Vazquez said.

“It’s amazing what tea can do for you. It gives you energy and it helps you relax. Tea is about taking a break in the day and one of our mantras is that there is a time for any tea and a tea for any time. On any given day I have five or six different kinds of tea.

“In the morning I start with matcha, then mid-morning I like my Earl Grey with a splash of milk. After lunch I’ll have lemongrass peppermint, then I’ll drink rooibos after dinner. I also drink our hibiscus tea throughout the day and it’s delicious hot or iced.”

Aside from tea, Buena Vida Tea Bar collaborates with

space,” Vazquez said.

“It’s a lot of fun, we are all about community and offering a place where people can come to relax and take a little break from their day.

“We have a very California coastal tea approach. We don’t worry about the rules, we just strive to find the perfect cup of tea.”

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden 726 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica 424-234-6757 Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. buenavidatea.com

If your business is located in Los Angeles County, we can publish your FBN notice • Cost is $50 for the required 4 weeks of publication.

• You must have filed your FBN statement with the LA County Clerk recently.

• Deadline is Friday for publication the following Thursday.

FOR ASSISTANCE ON DBA’S PLEASE CONTACT ANN TURRIETTA AT 626-584-8747 OR EMAIL ANN@ARGONAUTNEWS.COM JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 9

H E A LT H

The Power of Us

Venice Family Clinic merges with South Bay Family Health Care

By Haley Beyer enice Family Clinic and South Bay Family Health Care recently completed their merger to operate under the name Venice Family Clinic.

Previously, both organizations provided over a century of health care to Los Angeles County residents in need.

By working together, they can better meet the needs of the 45,000 patients they serve while simultaneously providing care to approximately 430,000 individuals whose needs go unmet.

From the Santa Monica Mountains to the South Bay, residents will have access to a one-stop health system that offers dental care, substance use treatment, mental health services, vision services, child development services, health education, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services and health insurance enrollment.

“The need for more comprehensive health care and greater access to that care has never been clearer,” said Elizabeth Benson Forer, CEO of Venice Family Clinic.

“This merger comes during a global public health crisis of historic scale, and at a time when communities throughout LA are wrestling with the consequences of inequities in access to health care and in the delivery of that care.

“Venice Family Clinic and South Bay Family Health Care have been longtime allies in the fight to overcome health care disparities and, together as one organization, we will continue to provide access to high-quality health care for people in need, build health equity and deliver better outcomes for our parties and the communities we serve.”

The two organizations have worked together for a while and share the same mission and goals.

Coming together allows them to expand high-quality health care to everyone who needs it regardless of status. Within the merger, The Power of Us was born. The initiative calls on the community to join Venice Family Clinic in fundraising and to prove how powerful a collective support can truly be in

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VENICE FAMILY CLINIC

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Venice Family Clinic and South Bay Family Health Care recently completed their merger and will move forward as a single organization operating under the name of Venice Family Clinic. advancing a greater health equity in the larger community.

Naveena Ponnusamy, chief development and communications officer at Venice Family Clinic, focuses most of her time on nonprofit development and communications.

She previously worked with research organizations, so she understands the significance of building resources to solve big problems, like The Power of Us “It was a natural coming together and will bring the best of both organizations together,” Ponnusamy said.

The initiative will focus on six key components: achieve health equity, build mental health access, control pandemics and epidemics, defeat homelessness, end hunger, and fight for children.

“These are some of the greatest challenges our society faces,” Ponnusamy said. “They’re all connected, and one cannot be solved without solving them all.”

Venice Family Clinic wants to ensure that none of the six solution areas take a back seat to COVID-19.

They don’t want to let the pandemic take the attention away from ongoing struggles.

“If anything, we are focusing on these things more than ever before because the pandemic exposed what was already there and made it more noticeable,” Ponnusamy said.

The Power of Us will focus on integrated care. There are a lot of ways to approach health care and Venice Family Clinic doesn’t want patients to just come into the center for a

PAGE 10 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

doctor’s visit.

They want to offer resources and direct help with each individual’s specific issue.

The biggest problem the initiative faces is getting the word out and encouraging others to spread the word. Venice Family Clinic must meet its fundraising goals and engage people who are passionate about creating programs and resources in conversations about finding long-term solutions.

The clinic encourages the public to get involved by donating, voicing their support

for volunteering their time at food distribution centers.

For more information, visit the Venice Family Clinic website and watch each of the videos that represents the six components of the initiative.

The health equity video focuses on ensuring that everyone has access to care regardless of their income, insurance or immigration status.

Addressing mental and physical health, the mental health video supports patients through in-person visits as well as telehealth, and specifically

addressing the trauma caused by the pandemic.

The video on pandemics and epidemics will continue the protection against COVID-19, other pandemics that arise and epidemics by providing vaccines and other treatments.

Homelessness will be addressed by treating it as the health crisis it is and ensuring the unhoused community receive care in clinic and on the streets through the innovative street medicine program.

The hunger video explains how Venice Family Clinic will supply nutritious foods and continue to maintain the healthy habits.

The organization will fight for children in the area by investing in their development and well-being, and setting them up for a stable future. The organization plans to solve the biggest challenges of the country, in their community.

“It takes all of us, there is a lot of opportunity when people come together with expertise and ideas of innovation,” Ponnusamy said.

Venice Family Clinic venicefamilyclinic.org

The nonprofit community health center is expanding the scope and comprehensiveness of its services to the 45,000 patients the two organizations serve and to people without care in their combined areas.

H E A LT H

Free COVID-19 Testing

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles offering free tests at 12 locations

By Kamala Kirk ue to the sudden surge of the Omicron variant, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is now offering free COVID-19 testing at 12 Y-LA branches throughout Metro LA. Appointments are not necessary and PRC tests will be administered with results available in 24 to 48 hours. The Y-LA has served the community throughout the pandemic and urges residents to take advantage of the free testing available at their locations. For the complete list of locations and testing times, visit the YMCA website.

The Y-LA is committed to rebuilding communities by providing equitable programs and services to empower all Angelenos. The Y-LA is focused on fighting food insecurity, providing equity in education, making sure every

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provided showers for the homeless, flu and COVID-19 vaccines, as well as medical and mental health assistance.

COVID-19 testing locations on the Westside include Culver City and Westchester with testing times as follows: Culver-Palms Family YMCA 4500 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City (rear parking lot) Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. to noon

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is offering free COVID tests at 12 locations including Culver City and Westchester. child has the opportunity to experience the joy of sports, ensuring kids and teens have a safe place to grow, learn and live a healthy lifestyle.

The Y-LA’s health and wellness initiatives offer medical and mental health resources to ensure everyone has access to basic health

needs. During the pandemic, the Y-LA provided millions of meals, hundreds of thousands of hours of free child care, arranged critical blood drives,

Westchester Family YMCA 8015 S Sepulveda Boulevard, Westchester Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. to noon YMCA-LA ymcala.org

S P O R T S

2021 Football Champions

Venice High Gondoliers win first city title in school’s 110 years

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coach, Angelo Gasca played for the school in the 1970s.

“We’ve had a lot of good teams and a lot of good players at Venice High, and we’ve been close so many times, but this is the team that finally broke through,” Gasca said. “They’ll always be the first team to have won a championship and that’s significant. We’re proud of them.”

Multiple generations attend the neighborhood school. It’s a dying trend as youth leave their hometown school in pursuit of athletics or academics.

Many of the football coaches are former Venice players who return to the school because of their love for the game and the facility.

Throughout the year, and especially during the playoffs, there is a large home crowd and supportive atmosphere due to the team’s strong ties in the

PHOTO COURTESY OF VENICE HIGH SCHOOL

By Sebastian Lipstein he Venice High Gondoliers started their football season 1-3, missing 12 players a week and over half of their defensive starters at one point due to COVID-19 protocols like contact tracing.

During this tough beginning, junior varsity players were forced to step up and VHS barely had enough kids to field a team.

After a rough start, the team was reassembled and went on a seven-game winning streak, including the four-game tournament for the 2021 Division 1 CIF LA City Championship.

The tournament ended with VHS defeating Canoga Park 36-9 in the championship game.

This year’s football team are LA City champs for the first time in the school’s 110 years.

In his 22nd year as VHS head

The Venice High Gondoliers football team won its first city championship in the school’s 110-year history. community.

VHS’ storied history now includes one more accomplishment: 2021 LA City Division 1 CIF Champions. This championship isn’t just for the players and the coaches, it’s for everybody who has been a part of the

Venice and VHS community.

The school raised $19,195 to help purchase varsity lettermen jackets and championship football rings.

“Everybody who ever played here who I’ve coached or have been lucky enough to be around

has a hand in this championship, their fingerprints are on this too,” Gasca said.

“To me, all of Venice should share in this. Our community, our former players, teachers and coaches. I’ve told them all, ‘This is all of ours.’”

JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 11

C O V E R

S T O R Y

Accessible Apparel Pair of Thieves co-founders are changing the fashion game for men PHOTO CREDIT: VIVIAN KILLILEA

David Ehrenberg, Alan Stuart and Cash Warren are longtime friends and founders of Pair of Thieves, a Culver-City based line of high-quality and affordable basics for men.

By Kamala Kirk air of Thieves has come a long way since its humble beginnings a decade ago.

The sock brand evolved into a multimillion-dollar line of affordable basics for men that is sold in thousands of stores across the country, including Nordstrom and Target.

Headquartered in Culver City, the company was founded by three friends – David Ehrenberg, Alan Stuart and Cash Warren – who discovered a gap in the apparel industry and decided to do something about it.

“Pair of Thieves was founded

P

in 2012, after years of feeling underwhelmed by the offerings in men’s basics,” Warren said.

“I couldn’t figure out why you had to sacrifice comfort if you wanted to be fashionable or why you had to spend $40 to buy a pair of breathable underwear. We saw white space in the market and we went for it. Our brand resides at the intersection of quality, style, performance and affordability.”

Stuart and Warren met in middle school, then Ehrenberg entered the equation in college.

The trio started Pair of Thieves when they were all living in different places. In 2016, they opened their office on the

PAGE 12 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

Westside.

“When we started, I was in Chile, Cash was in Los Angeles and Alan was in Portland,” Ehrenberg said. “When I moved back to LA, we wanted a location central to Cash and me, but also convenient for the team. Culver City has a rich artistic history and throughout the years has become a hot spot of food and culture for the team to enjoy.”

As longtime friends, Ehrenberg, Stuart and Warren share a special camaraderie that contributes to their successful dynamic in the workplace.

“Cash and I met in eighth grade and I was lucky enough to

latch on tight,” Stuart said.

“Cash had, and still has, an incredible ability to make even the most mundane task magical.

David and I met in college and he’s definitely the jam in this sandwich…his natural talents include operations, finance, and ruining all group pictures with a special ‘face’ he makes. We love him for all of it. And work?

Oh right, well it sure doesn’t feel like that.”

Since its founding with just a few SKUs, the brand has gained a devoted following as a result of its high-quality products and materials.

“Pair of Thieves has emerged as a favorite in men’s basics

departments because of our great design, performance and value,” Warren said.

“The fabrics are amazing, providing the most comfortable basics you can find in the market. I dare you to try one pair…you will seriously want to replace your whole drawer.

“Today, underwear is the largest revenue driver. With men, there’s a loyalty with underwear that’s different from socks.

“Guys will often buy socks from any brand, but when they fall in love with a pair of underwear, it’s a marriage in holy matrimony. Our SuperFit boxer briefs are our best-selling

ArgonautNews.com

product, but loungewear, which launched late last year, is flying off the shelves.”

Stuart added, “I love that we can have fun with it. With commodities, they are inherently boring. That means it’s on us to make buying socks and underwear an experience.”

Last year, the company launched inclusive sizing for its best-selling products, giving customers even more access to the brand.

“This has been a long time in the making and I can’t begin to tell you how exciting it is to see the products come to market,” Warren said.

Despite their success, the co-founders pride themselves on continuing to operate a midsize and nimble company, something that sets them apart from other businesses.

“We play in mass market, but we run a very lean operation,” Stuart said. “A big part of this is not taking on investors. Another element is our very talented 60-person team. This equals less red tape, more communication and quicker reaction time. Don’t share our secrets with the other guys.”

As for their decision not to raise money and take on investors?

“Cash and I raised money to fund our prior businesses, raising money is time-consuming,” Ehrenberg said. “It can be distracting and all-consuming.

It can pull you away from building a great idea into a success-

Among the brand’s best-selling items are its SuperFit boxer briefs and high-quality loungewear featuring soft fabrics and a flattering fit.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAIR OF THIEVES

In addition to partnering with various nonprofit organizations, Pair of Thieves also created National Sock Day and donates millions of pairs of socks to those in need every year.

thing about it. We’ve worked with The Trevor Project for a few years now, giving valuable resources to the LGBTQ youth community. With our Good Fits ‘Never Alone’ socks, we give to Bring Change to Mind, a great organization focused on mental health. This project holds a special place in my heart as it all started when a friend’s 17-year-old son took his own life. Since then, we’ve been able to spark thousands of conversations around mental health and raise even more dollars.”

Looking ahead at the next decade and beyond, Ehrenberg, Stuart and Warren have many programs launching this year.

They’re excited to expand and innovate while staying true to their company’s mission.

“Building a brand is the most rewarding professional experience I’ve ever had,” Warren said. “I’ve always loved the process of turning ideas into

ful business. We have seen so many entrepreneurs fail because they are more focused on raising money rather than successfully running their business.

“We also didn’t want the pressure of having to report to investors. We were confident in our concept, the broader opportunity and our ability to build a successful brand and business on our own terms.

“Ultimately, we started the business with a small self-funded investment of a couple of thousand dollars each. That, a little ingenuity, plenty of hard work and some luck has gotten us to where we are today.”

When asked about the inspiration for the brand name, Stuart said it holds many meanings for them.

“We all give different answers to this question, but they’re all good,” Stuart said. “We consider ourselves the Robin Hood of basics…taking technologies and quality from the high-end and giving it to everybody. That’s what we’re here to do, and if we have to sneak up on the old, crusty incumbents, then so be it.”

In 2016, Pair of Thieves created National Sock Day, which falls on Dec. 4.

Giving back is also an important part of the company ethos, and every year it shuts down for the day so the team can volunteer.

“We created National Sock Day as a way to celebrate socks

and all that they bring to the world,” Warren said. “However, the holiday has since evolved into a celebration of giving back. Pair of Thieves is proud to donate millions of pairs of socks every year, but we are just scratching the surface. We can, and will, do so much more.”

Last month, they partnered with Baby2Baby, a national organization that provides essential items to families in need, to pack duffels containing essential items for people in need during the holiday season.

“In our first year working with Baby2Baby, Pair of Thieves was able to donate more than 380,000 pairs of socks to the children that B2B serves,” Warren said.

“In addition, we assembled over 1,000 warm weather kits for families in need, which included a pair of gloves, a blanket, hygiene items and socks from Pair of Thieves. We also wrapped holiday gifts for the beautiful children at the Dream Center.”

Pair of Thieves and its co-founders are passionate about a lot of different causes, and continue to dedicate their time and partner with various nonprofits throughout the years.

“With our Blackout Whiteout Sock Collection, we have been able to donate 3 million socks to those in need,” Stuart said.

“Socks are the most requested and least donated item at shelters. When we learned that, we knew we had to do some-

tangible products, and with Pair of Thieves, I get to do that every single day.”

Ehrenberg added, “Our goal is to build Pair of Thieves into the next legacy brand in basics.

So while you won’t see us launching designer jeans any time soon, rest assured we will continue to innovate and develop products that meet the needs of our fellow comfortseeking humans. Making Pair of Thieves a reality does not happen without the involvement and support of so many great people. Our team, suppliers, retailers and customers are all comprised of individuals that play a different yet equally important role.

We love every single one of them.”

Pair of Thieves pairofthieves.com

JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 13

T R A V E L

On the Road

Travellers Autobarn camper van rentals offer budget-friendly getaways with unlimited mileage

By Haley Beyer uring his travels, Peter Burke saw plenty of backpackers who benefited from a camper van.

Inspired, he founded Travellers Autobarn, which rents camper vans with unlimited mileage.

The company launched two years ago in the United States, but was established in Australia and New Zealand in 1993 and 2016, respectively.

Through the creation of Travellers Autobarn, Burke learned the true meaning of “It’s not work when you’re having fun.”

“My favorite part about the camper vans is the freedom they provide,” Burke said.

“Some of the best stories include the most unexpected things because they weren’t planned. I want people to detour. Take turns off your route. COVID-19 taught us that we need to look for true freedom again. A road trip is one of the last true forms of adventure in my opinion.”

Travellers Autobarn’s most popular camper van model is the Kuga, which sleeps up to three people comfortably and has a kitchen space with a microwave, fridge, sink and gas stove – all powered by solar panels, decreasing the need to stay at a powered campsite to recharge batteries for the fridge and lights.

The camper vans also include an extra preparation pack in the winter to help keep campers warm, including space heaters, an extra battery pack and hot pads.

Camper vans are a better option compared to regular RVs, 5th wheel campers, tents and motel/hotel stays because of how practical and simple they are.

“These camper vans are our own design, and they were built for the renter rather than for luxury or style,” Burke said. “If something’s not needed, it’s not in the van.”

Other rental options include the HiTop campervan, that fits two to three people and has functional cooking and storage areas, as well as the minivan, which suits up to five people and can be used as a cheap car rental solution while camping.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVELLERS AUTOBARN

D

For safer travel during COVID-19, Travellers Autobarn offers budget-friendly camper van rentals with unlimited mileage.

Travelers also have the option to rent a living equipment pack for $45. It includes a tent, camping chairs, table, gas cooker and cooking equipment.

Prices vary depending on the trip, but the per-day cost goes down the longer the vehicle is rented.

The average cost for a 10-day trip is approximately $89 per day, and there is a minimum rental requirement of four days.

Customers tend to rent the vehicles for five days, but one paid for eight months.

“The longer you go, the cheaper it gets,” Burke said.

Adding to its convenience, Travellers Autobarn’s camper vans do not need to be returned to the rental location.

There are pick-up/drop-off locations in San Francisco,

PAGE 14 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas and in Los Angeles right by LAX. Burke recommended several popular travel spots that are just a few hours’ drive from LA including Idyllwild, Lake Arrowhead, Oak Glen, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs and Big Sur. Travellers Autobarn also provides itineraries on its website for those without a specific location in mind.

Renters must be 21 or older, and provide a driver’s license and credit card for security purposes. Booking can be done online via Travellers Autobarn’s website.

Travellers Autobarn travellers-autobarnrv.com

The Kuga camper van is the most popular model and sleeps up to three people comfortably. It also boasts a kitchenette powered by solar panels.

A R T S

&

E V E N T S

New Venue

Venice Underground Comedy moves to the Marina PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF KILLER SHRIMP

wasn’t always easy, but it was always real and fun.”

On Jan. 12, Venice Underground Comedy hosted its opening show at Killer Shrimp. Shows will be held weekly on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online.

“Venice Underground is special to us, we love that our little show became part of the cultural fabric of Venice Beach,” Jones said.

“I’m excited about moving to

Killer Yacht Club. The room is gorgeous with a similar speakeasy vibe that we loved at Townhouse. Plus, Killer Shrimp has amazing food, and get this, parking. There are boatloads and boatloads of parking spaces, um, by the boats.”

Venice Underground Comedy 4211 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey veniceuground.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY ATTOR N EYS After a decade of weekly shows near the Venice Sign, Venice Underground Comedy has relocated to Killer Yacht Club at Killer Shrimp in Marina del Rey.

By Kamala Kirk fter a decade of performing weekly shows at Townhouse Venice just steps from the Venice sign, Venice Underground Comedy recently moved to Killer Yacht Club at Killer Shrimp in the Marina.

“Venice Underground is one of the longest-running entertainment acts on the Westside, so we are excited to be part of the longtime local tradition,” said Kevin Michaels, CEO of Killer Shrimp.

“We have admired the show over the last 10 years.”

For the past 10 years, Venice

A

Underground Comedy has remained one of the hottest stand-up shows in Southern California. Hosted by Bronston Jones and Matt Devlin, it has featured some of the biggest stars in stand-up including Bill Burr, Tiffany Haddish, Theo Von and Reggie Watts. Venice Underground Comedy has also won The Argonaut’s “Best of the Westside Comedy Show” multiple times over the years.

“Few things in life are more stressful than moving,” said show producer and host Bronston Jones.

“Fortunately, jokes don’t weigh

much. Then again, we tackled some pretty heavy material over the years – especially during the last administration. When Matt and I founded Venice Underground in 2011, we wanted to honor the raw, real and honest nature of Venice by bringing in honest comedians who make light of heavy subjects. I think we’ve done pretty well.”

“We’ve got 440 shows under our belt, so we’ve introduced literally thousands of comedians,” added show producer Matt Devlin.

“Venice loved most of them. Most Venetians can be a tough crowd. It

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Bronston Jones and Matt Devlin are the producers and hosts of Venice Underground Comedy, one of the hottest stand-up shows in Southern California that has featured stars such as Tiffany Haddish and Bill Burr.

p p p o s s p p p o o s

To advertise in the Professional Services Directory, Call 310-463-0633 JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 15

A R T S

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E V E N T S

Creating Frescoes

Venice artist Lawrence Levy combines modern technology with ancient art form PHOTOS BY CHRIS MORTENSON

Lawrence Levy is a local artist from Venice who makes frescoes, an old art form that dates back to the Bronze Age.

By Bridgette M. Redman awrence Levy has found a new way to create a very old art form.

Frescoes date back to the Bronze Age when the Minoans created frescoes on Crete more than 4,000 years ago. They showed up in many civilizations after that from Egypt and Morocco to the Greek and Roman empires. They also showed up in the religious art of the Byzantine Empire and the Renaissance.

Frescoes are a form of art in which color pigments are mixed with water and then applied directly to a freshly laid plaster surface, usually on a wall or a ceiling. They caught Levy’s attention during a trip to

L

Northern Italy.

Before the trip, he’d been playing around with processes where he transferred film and photographic images to other surfaces such as wood. But during his trip, Levy became enamored with frescoes and decided that was what he needed to do. He returned to his Venice studio in California and began figuring out a process.

“I had worked with photos in some form all of my life, either as a designer or a maker,” Levy said. “I came up with the idea of doing frescoes on plaster as they had been done (in ancient times). I developed a process that puts the photograph on the wet plaster. I worked on it for

PAGE 16 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

quite a while until I got it perfected. I’m still working on it and finding new things, having both frustrations and triumphs.”

Another difference between the traditional frescoes and Levy’s work is that he doesn’t create his work on walls or ceilings. While he’s not opposed to the idea — and would do it if he were ever commissioned to do so, he creates work for a society that no longer puts down deep roots in a single location.

“I had determined that the conceit of this idea was that in the much more mobile lives that we live, we can’t put our stories on walls anymore and expect to live our whole life in

one unit,” Levy said. “If I were to do this — and I loved the texture of the plaster and the image — I would have to find a way to do something you can transport and actually hang on your wall as a piece of art.”

Levy’s photo frescoes tell a story, following the tradition of paintings and frescoes as a way of telling family stories. His stories are sometimes real and sometimes fiction. One of the shows of his work was titled “The Past Is Not Where You Left It,” and that is the theme he continues to follow. The title comes from a line of poetry by British poet Ruth Padel.

“The solitude of the pandemic and the daily counts of people dying accelerated my art

practice producing my own frescoes, telling the stories of my own past, both real and imagined,” Levy said. “It’s as though the plaster panels were ripped off the walls of my imaginary past.”

The images that Levy photographs for the frescoes are made up of actors and models who play the roles of his relatives and people who have passed through his life. He stages images and events that are both real and imaginary.

He’s even had some self-portraits among his work. Some of Levy’s work is taken from pictures of homeless people and used with their permission or from old family photographs.

“The idea is that this is all a

ArgonautNews.com

The solitude of the pandemic and the daily counts of people dying accelerated Levy’s art practice producing his own frescoes, telling the stories of his own past, both real and imagined. part of me and my past,” Levy said. “By combining different images that have interested me along with pictures of people I have known, makes it the narrative of my past, but with the past not being where you left it, it changes both in imagination and memory. Some things are there, others have changed. It’s a way to tell a story in the broadest possible terms. A friend of mine said she thought I was cinematic without being stuck in the cliches of cinema.”

While Levy’s paintings create a narrative when seen together, his goal is to make individual works of art that are standalone. He’s not creating a past that might be found in someone’s photo scrapbook, but rather a made up narrative that comes from his imagination and fantasies.

Rather than creating the work on a cement or plaster wall, Levy uses a slab of plaster as his canvas. It can be transported and sold individually, and travel with its owner as

opposed to traditional frescoes that always stay wherever they are created.

Along the way, Levy has refined his process and figured out what worked and what did not. He starts the work by selecting a photograph or by planning an image and photographing it. It then has to be translated through Photoshop into something that he can print and transfer to the plaster.

Early on, he learned that too much color made the transfer process muddled — what looked beautiful on computer and paper did not always transfer to plaster.

“The frescoes in olden days were painted and that works very well,” Levy said. “It is not like a canvas you paint over. The artist has to get it right the first time. There have been times when I have done it, it hasn’t worked and I’ve basically sanded the whole thing off the plaster and started afresh. It’s not something I like to do, but I’ve had to do it a few times.”

When working with the image on the computer, he breaks it up into smaller pieces. In the final creation, it is possible to see a grid of lines dividing the plaster into squares.

“They become a part of the aesthetic,” Levy said. “Even if I had a way to do it in one solid image, I like the lines.”

Levy’s work has shown up in shows across Los Angeles and he invites people who are interested in his work to visit his website. There are pictures of his work there, but he encourages people to see them in person.

“Part of what fascinates me and keeps me working on it is that they are textured,” Levy said. “Sometimes they aren’t perfect. Sometimes little parts didn’t get transferred. Sometimes I’ll fill them in, but sometimes they look good the way they are.”

Lawrence Levy lawrencelevy-catapult.com

Levy makes the frescoes by transferring photographic images to wet plaster, a unique process he developed. One of his frescoes is highlighted in “Art and Hope at the End of the Tunnel” a show curated by Edward Goldman on display at the USC Fisher Museum in Los Angeles.

JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 17

WESTSIDE HAPPENINGS Compiled by Kamala Kirk

PHOTO CREDIT: TODD LECHTICK

Have an event for the calendar? Send it to kkirk@ timespublications.com Marina del Rey Farmers Market Saturday, Jan. 15 This weekly outdoor event allows Westside residents to support local produce sellers and other vendors. Food from a wide variety of businesses is available for purchase. Masks are required and only 40 people are allowed to shop at any one time. Held in parking lot 11.

14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey, 8 to 9 a.m. (seniors), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (general public), beaches.lacounty.gov/ mdrfarmersmarket Ballona Wetlands Community Restoration Event Saturday, Jan. 15 The Ballona Wetlands Community Restoration Project focuses on removing invasive iceplant and other non-native vegetation that can impact native California plants such as pickleweed, salt grass and alkali weed. Participants will help to remove non-native plants by hand.

Capping at 30 participants. Face masks and social distancing will be required. Sign up online.

303 Culver Boulevard, Playa del Rey, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., santamonicabay.org/events Mushroom Workshop Saturday, Jan. 15 Come learn (almost) everything about mushrooms. Connor Young from Westchester Farms (from the Westchester Farmers Market) will share all about the amazing mushroom, from important health benefits to how to grow them at home. Free event at Emerson Avenue Community Garden.

80th Place, Westchester, 12:30 to 2 p.m., eacgc.org

Beginning Jan. 15, Westside School of Ballet is offering a new lineup of three divisions of boysonly ballet classes with two introductory classes available on Sunday afternoons.

Westside Ballet Boys Classes Saturday, Jan. 15 Westside School of Ballet announces a new line-up of three divisions of boys-only ballet classes – with two introductory classes available on Sunday afternoons, beginning Jan. 15.

Boys ages 5 to 7 are offered ‘Boys A’ on Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., with ‘Boys B’ (ages 8 to 10) immediately following from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The third boys’ division, ‘Boys C,’ offers classes on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, and focuses on allegretto, pirouettes, variations and pas de deux for intermediate/ advanced male dancers (12 to 18) with at least four years of previous ballet training. For more information and the complete list of offerings, visit the website.

1709 Stewart Street, Santa Monica, various times, westsideballet.com/boys, 310-828-2018

PAGE 18 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

Mar Vista Farmers Market Sunday, Jan. 16 This vibrant, year-round market offers local produce, prepared foods, kids crafts and live events.

12198 Venice Boulevard, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., marvistafarmersmarket.org Motor Avenue Farmers Market Sunday, Jan. 16 The Motor Avenue Farmers Market enhances the farm-totable connection and availability of fresh, local produce to residents of the Palms, Cheviot Hills, Beverlywood and surrounding communities. The market is dedicated to cultivating a sustainable food system through its operation and educational programs. The market consistently provides a wonderful opportunity to create synergy between local businesses and residents while promoting a healthy city and a vibrant community. Open every Sunday, rain or shine.

10418 National Boulevard, Los

Angeles, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., motoravenuemarket.com Westchester Farmers Market Sunday, Jan. 16 Certified farmers market brings together some of the region’s best small and microfarmers from the Central Coast and Ventura counties with over 30 local food businesses, kids activities and live bands. Held in the heart of Downtown Westchester adjacent to many new and thriving local businesses from an independent bookstore to local eateries with plenty of free parking. Held every Sunday rain or shine!

6200 W. 87th Street, Los Angeles, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., westchesterfarmersmkt.com The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Monday, Jan. 17 Celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this live virtual event. Festivities will include music by the Linda Alvarez Trio and spoken word

by Get Lit: Words Ignite.

Kids’ March for Equality 2022 Monday, Jan. 17 Join Westside Activists on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for its fourth annual Kids’ March for Equality to celebrate diversity and promote equality.

This is a safe, positive, nonpartisan event, suitable for children and youth of all ages.

The event will last one hour, will be outside, and masks are required. Meet at the northwest corner of Sepulveda and La Tijera.

Northwest corner of Sepulveda and La Tijera Boulevard in Westchester, 10 a.m., bit.ly/kidsmarch “Betty White; A Celebration” Monday, Jan. 17 In honor of what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, the film “Betty White: A Celebration” offers an opportunity to remember White’s life and career. It includes White’s final on-camera appearance, recorded just 10 days before her death. Tickets can be purchased online or at participating theater box offices.

Various locations; 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., fathomevents.com

Send event information at least 10 days in advance to kkirk@ timespublications.com COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

In honor of what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, “Betty White: A Celebration” can be seen in select theaters on Jan. 17 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Santa Monica Main Street Farmers Market Sunday, Jan. 16 Shop for local fresh produce and prepared foods from local restaurants. You can also enjoy musical entertainment from featured weekly bands, face painting, balloon designs, and if you catch it on the right week, a cooking demonstration featuring local produce.

2640 Main Street, Santa Monica, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Education awards will be presented to local students and a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to longtime community activist LaVerne Ross. Keynote speaker L.Z. Granderson is a sports and culture columnist with the L.A. Times and the host of the “Life Out Loud” audio podcast.

Online, 9 a.m., mlkjrwestside.org

At 9 a.m. Jan. 17, the 37th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will be livestreamed.

A Younger home gets noticed.

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Stephanie Younger Group 310.499.2020 | DRE 01365696 stephanieyounger.com | @stephanieyoungergroup 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.

JANUARY 13, 2022 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 19

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“Stroll the tree lined front yard and paver walkway to be greeted by large picture windows in the front living room.

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Call Rebecca Bermudez at 310-463-0633 or rebecca@argonautnews.com

THE ARGONAUT REAL ESTATE BUSINESS NEWS

What is the Hardest Part of Buying a House?

Everyone experiences things differently, and that includes buying a house. You may think one element or purchasing a home is hard, while someone else could find another more challenging.

With that being said, in general, the following are some of the things many people say are most difficult when they’re buying a home.

Home Price Home prices have been soaring since the pandemic. Homeowners say even after they’re able to purchase a property, when they look back on the experience, the prices were the most challenging part of everything.

In certain markets currently, major bidding wars are going on, especially for starter homes but often for properties across all budget ranges.

There’s a limited inventory of homes, people are afraid to sell because they don’t know if they’ll find something else, and mortgage rates remain at record lows.

All of these factors can make it feel impossible to buy a home.

The Paperwork When you decide to buy a home, you may find the paperwork most challenging, although how hard this is depends on the type of loan you’re applying for and your job and financial situation.

For example, if you’re self-employed, the paperwork and loan process itself can be more difficult. You’ll have to show several years of tax returns and bank statements, just to start.

As you’re waiting to finalize the loan, you may find that it creates a lot of anxiety. Your loan often isn’t finalized until just a few days before you close.

You have to wait in limbo until the last moment, and you may not have a clear idea of what’s happening with it during this time of uncertainty.

The Emotions You may not realize it until you actually start the process but buying a home can be highly emotional in

PAGE 20 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION JANUARY 13, 2022

different ways. You might find yourself falling in love with a house that’s way out of your budget for example, and overspending. When you work with a great realtor, they can help you stay objective so you don’t put yourself in a precarious financial situation because of your emotions.

It’s easy to start to feel overwhelmed and discouraged when you lose out on a house as well.

You overall have to learn how to manage your expectations when you go into the home-buying process. You have to prioritize the most important things and be ready to walk away if something like a bad inspection happens.

Saving for a Down Payment The down payment is related to the cost of the home you plan to buy, and it’s one of the biggest hurdles to buying a home. It can be incredibly challenging to save for a substantial down payment when you’re already paying rent.

Agreeing If you’re buying a home with your partner, agreeing might end up being the hardest part for you.

You may have an ideal home in your mind that’s completely different from what they have in mind. You could fall in love with something that your partner says absolutely no to. It can be challenging, but you can void some of these pitfalls by having in-depth discussions about what you both want early on.

Many of the other hardest things about buying a home can be navigated by an experienced real estate agent—that’s what they’re there for—to make things easier on you and bring their expertise to an otherwise stressful situation.

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTION CAME FROM:

Bob & Cheryl Herrera, Professional Real Estate Services 310-306-5427 DRE: 00910858 DRE: 01332794

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COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Brian Szczerbinski, 6601 Springpark Ave, Apt. 15 Los Angeles, CA 90056. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY an Individual. The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant know to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)). REGISTRANT/CORP/LLC NAME: Brian Szczerbinski.

TITLE: Owner. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: December 13, 2021. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions code). Publish: Argonaut Newspaper. Dates : 01/06/22, 01/13/22, 01/20/22, 01/27/22

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Venice Farmers Market — 7 to 11 a.m.

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Santa Monica Downtown Farmers Market 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Arizona Avenue, between 2nd and 4th streets, Santa Monica

smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket Santa Monica Pico Farmers Market 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave.

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S U N D AY S Mar Vista Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Heritage Square, 2640 Main St., Santa Monica

Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

Westchester Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please recycle me.

Farmers markets, essential for the health of local communities, remain open but are making some changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Expect to see wider spaces between vendors, no samples, more gloves, possible waiting lines, and other precautions. As always wear a mask and practice social distancing.

smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket/ The Triangle, 6200 W. 87th St.

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JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 21

LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE “MONDEGREENS” By PETER KOETTERS

NEEDY GONZALES

I’ve saved some of your columns about how women evolved to seek successful men who seem commitment-minded (more likely to stick around and provide). I’ve noticed that women in pop culture (movies and books I’ve read) constantly choose the bad boy (the “jerk”) over the guy next door (the “nice guy”).

This doesn’t seem to make sense, given a woman’s evolutionary desire to find a mate who a) won’t leave her and b) will provide for her offspring. Do the “jerks” get the girl, or does it just seem that way?

— Curious Though some women go through a bad boy phase – sometimes for decades – women, in general, aren’t seeking a “jerk” but a man whose assertiveness role model isn’t a plastic container of hummus.

Bad boys, in the extreme, are feral, rule-breaking, narcissistic rebels with the air of someone who’s been in prison – or probably should be.

Women of course don’t make “My Perfect Man” checklists like: “Lying, womanizing, bar-fighting jailbird who’ll put $2K in booze and strippers on my debit card.”

However, the fictional women you bring up are a special category and choose bad boys for good reason.

Consider the novelist’s challenge: keeping the reader’s attention. This takes conflict – constant obstacles to a character getting what they want. If a fictional woman does get a “happily ever after” – the bad boy realizes he can’t live without her and vows to go good – it can’t come in Chapter Two. Over here in real life, there’s this idea that only “damaged” women choose bad boys. Nuh-uh. In fact, many strong, emotionally together women are drawn, at least initially, to the bad boy – though not because he’s bad.

“Bad boys tend to have lots of positive traits that come along for the ride” with the badness, cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman explains.

“When women say they like ‘bad boys,’ they seem to mean ... men who are exciting”: extroverted, fearlessly assertive, unpredictable thrill-providers.

In short: Women don’t want jerks; they want guys who aren’t boring. Bad boys are also fiercely masculine, and there’s nothing that makes a woman feel uber-feminine like her polar opposite.

Women don’t lust after these renegade misfits because they’re into being mistreated. In fact, evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller notes that, “Around the world, women list ‘kindness’ as one of the most desired traits in a boyfriend” (in a massive global study by evolutionary psychologist David Buss). Miller drills down on the

sort of kindness that’s the biggest draw: “Displays of real altruism – empathy, thoughtfulness, generosity and selfsacrifice.”

That said, the motivation behind this matters. The lady-pleasing guy gives to make things better for others who are struggling. The needy beta boy gives to get, hoping he can bribe a woman into wanting him by becoming her never-say-no chore slave.

In other words, though “nice guys” lament that they’re just too considerate, generous, and decent to get the girl, they’re wrong. It isn’t nice guys women reject, but overly nice guys: weaselly suck-ups who need the companion app to “Find My iPhone,” “Find Me Testicles!”

Bad boys have special appeal for two groups of women: women who just want some hot hookuppy fun and women with high levels of “sensation seeking.” The term, coined by social psychologist Marvin Zuckerman, describes a personality trait marked by a longing for novel, varied, intense experiences and a willingness to take risks to have them.

Certain contexts -– like war, famine or constant gang violence – can shift bad boys into consideration as possible romantic partners. Evolutionary anthropologist Jeffrey Snyder and his colleagues find that “the greater a woman’s self-perceived vulnerability to violent crime,” the stronger her preference for a mate who can protect her: a big scary-dude human hammer other men know better than to tussle with. However, that preference “can be a double-edged sword,” because “the use of aggression for personal gain outside of the home is one predictor of partner abuse.”

Ultimately, the answer to your question, “Do the jerks get the girls?” is: Often, yes – often temporarily. Bad boy qualities like narcissism – playing out in selfishness, attention-seeking, and an overblown view of one’s own greatness – are obviously undesirable in a long-term relationship. However, narcissists rule at first impressions, exuding confidence and charisma and drawing on what psychologist Gregory Louis Carter describes as a “‘used-car dealer’ ability to charm and manipulate.”

The dark side isn’t without a bright side. Bad boys often become teaching tools for the women who’ve been burned by them – though the takeaway is not “Just gotta find me a wimpy suck-up” but to hold out for a strong, confident man with signs of good character. (The meek, sadly, will inherit the trowel – and the privilege of drywalling a woman’s house while she’s off having sex with the guy who tried to cheat on her with her sister.)

GOT A PROBLEM? Write to Amy Alkon at 171 Pier Ave, Ste. 280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or email her at AdviceAmy@aol.com.

©2021, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Alkon’s latest book is “Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence.” Follow @amyalkon on Twitter or visit blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon.

PAGE 22 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 13, 2022

ACROSS 1 Heat in “The Heat” 6 Pickle piece 11 Eschew 15 On its way 19 Scouting party?

20 2018 CVS Health acquisition 21 Prepare to be shot?

22 x, y and z, in math 23 Song in which Pat Benatar challenges the owner of an aquarium? (1980) 27 Trapped by a winter storm 28 It’s not an option 29 Split in two 30 Song in which The Beatles say goodbye to a girl on a big bird?

(1965) 35 Zipped 36 IRS exam 37 Tokyo, once 38 Peruvian pronoun 39 Gibbons on TV 41 Answered an invite 43 Song in which Johnny Rivers unmasks a Far East spy? (1966) 49 Puritan pronoun 50 Judge’s seat 52 Release money 53 Big pitcher 54 Like some office jobs 58 Checkout task 59 Bit of sediment 60 Song in which Peter Gabriel bakes a simianshaped dessert?

(1982) 64 Volkswagen model 65 Veracruz neighbor 66 Ending with calc and sod 67 “Amen” 68 Drag racer’s fuel,

briefly 69 Song in which the Plastic Ono Band promotes legumes? (1969) 75 Good card for lowball 76 Explorer Hernando de __ 77 Former renter 78 Oral health org.

79 Tool in a wheeled bucket 81 Polite address 82 Biblical twin 86 Song in which Culture Club dons lizard costumes to teach punctuation?

(1983) 90 Nickname for Chicago’s Ernie Banks 91 Pretentious 92 Ewe wish?

93 Apt name for a chef?

95 “We __ the World” 96 Mid-calf pants 99 Song in which The Clash knocks over a wedding reception? (1982) 103 Ninja Turtles’ ally April __ 104 Pension __ 106 Pablo’s “precise” 107 Song in which AC/DC plays nasty tricks on livestock? (1976) 114 Actress Watson 115 Nabisco cookie 116 Home on the range 117 Calculus pioneer 118 Negotiation ender 119 Ballroom basic 120 Remove 121 Brontë sister DOWN 1 Ultimate degree 2 Singer Grande’s debut fragrance 3 Hogwash

4 Larry the Cable Guy, for one 5 Dotted (with) 6 Declined 7 Small, at the Sorbonne 8 Culture: Pref.

9 Even one 10 ’90s Indian prime minister 11 Jag 12 Crossed-fingers sentiment 13 Yard sale adjective 14 Hoops hanger 15 Very hot and dry 16 Glorify 17 Chutzpah 18 Expressed disdain for 24 Neaten the garden, perhaps 25 Scandal, to a politician, perhaps 26 Captain Marvel’s magic word 30 E-commerce icon 31 “Quiet!”

32 “If only __ known ... ” 33 Tape deck button 34 Leb. neighbor 35 __ Sanders, only athlete to play in both the Super Bowl and World Series 39 Jousting weapon 40 Homework assignment 42 South American pig relative 43 Vexed state 44 “__ homo” 45 Job 46 Mink cousin 47 Acid type found in vinegar 48 Cancel out 50 Composer Bartók 51 Altar in the sky 55 In __ parentis 56 French friend 57 Jeweler’s tool 59 Con, half the time 60 Cold relief brand 61 High style, maybe

62 It can take a yoke 63 Truth or Consequences st.

64 Father of Julian Lennon 67 Con job 69 Some black-clad teens 70 “Possibly” 71 “Va-va-__!”

72 Prefix with sphere 73 Half-brother of Julian Lennon 74 Santa __ winds 76 Splinter groups 79 With suspicion 80 Argentine icons 83 Worker during a walkout 84 Ambiance 85 Ride provider 87 Kind of vows 88 Chocolate __ 89 First responder: Abbr.

90 Rave review word 93 Rake over the coals 94 Sinaloa street snack 96 Like apps 97 Cartoon genre 98 Prefix with frost 99 Odorless basement hazard 100 Temporary tattoo dye 101 C-suite VIPs 102 “Meh” 104 Major quinoa producer 105 Creepy look 108 Web address component 109 Hip-hop Dr. 110 Propeller with just one blade 111 Philanthropist Broad 112 Fish that may be jellied 113 Meddle

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JANUARY 13, 2022 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 23

MAY 13–15TH, 2022 REDONDO BEACH, CA

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