Playa Vista Direct — August/September 2021

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

D I R E C T

LIFE LESSONS ‘Ezmerelda’ reveals secrets behind bullying

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION Pages 26-33

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Contents EDITOR’S NOTE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

6 Back to School

22 Maverick Community supports wellness professionals and entrepreneurs

PEOPLE 15 Marissa DiSimone’s novel reveals secrets behind bullying CULTURE 18 Deutsch LA’s digital book serves as resource for queer themes, talent and culture in media

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION

D I R E C T

LIFE LESSONS

26 Santa Monica’s PS1 Pluralistic School celebrates 50 years

‘Ezmerelda’ reveals secrets behind bullying

30 Happy Camper Hangouts bring camping, connection and confidence to kids 32 Sycamore Community School to open for 2021-2022 school year

FOOD

PET ADOPTION

40 PB&J Macarons are a nostalgic sweet treat

46 Meet Lola, a friendly and affectionate feline

BUSINESS

CALENDAR

10 Tucked + Covered helps families sleep better

38 Check out fun local events including the Silicon Valley of LA Tour and the Marina Drum Circle

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION Pages 26-33

On the cover: Marissa DiSimone’s new book teaches kids to rise above bullying.

Photo by Luis Chavez Design by Arman Olivares

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JESSE WEINBERG AND ASSOCIATES DRE #01435805 This is not intended as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker/agent. Based on information from the CLAW MLS as of Aug. 17, 2021. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Back to School

I

t’s hard to believe that fall is right around the corner and school will be back in session. Even though my favorite season will be missed, there are many things to look forward to in the fall – including pumpkin lattes.

For our “Spotlight on Education” issue, we highlight local schools and programs that offer creative and impactful approaches to education. Santa Monica’s PS1 Pluralistic School is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall, and for the past half century has nurtured children’s socioemotional development, creativity and interconnectedness using pluralism as both their goal and method.

Sycamore Community School is a new K-8 school opening in Santa Monica this fall that will have a curriculum that, while recognizing the importance of technology, will emphasize reading, outdoor classes, field trips and more recess to get kids outside and foster more independence, resilience and creativity.

Happy Camper Hangouts is a program dedicated to bringing camping, connections and confidence into the lives of kids who do not have access to the same extracurricular activities that most get to experience. In addition to in-person events and year-round engagements, kids can also participate in other activities via a portal to the program that is open 24/7 so the fun, learning and support never stops.

We also highlight several Playa Vista residents and businesses that were inspired to create solutions and help others by thinking outside of the box. Tired of being sleep deprived when her son was waking up every night due to his bedsheets, Stefanie Huber created Tucked + Covered, a patented bed sheet system that keeps kids covered and promotes better sleep for the entire family.

After being bullied when she was younger, Marissa DiSimone later penned a novel that mixes magic and self-discovery to teach kids to rise above it. Friends and entrepreneurs Michael Fishman, Christian Straka and Steve LePore joined forces to start Maverick Community, a new fitness and wellness business that provides professionals with sophisticated and fully equipped studios to grow and expand their personal businesses.

We hope that these personal stories will inspire and encourage you to dream big, innovate and pursue your goals. All it takes is one idea to make a difference in your life and the lives of others.

Kamala Kirk Editor • kkirk@timespublications.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timespublications.com EDITOR Kamala Kirk GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Arman Olivares Kate Doll CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Luis Chavez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Chavez, Bridgette M. Redman, Haley Beyer, Andres de Ocampo, Nicole Borgenicht INTERN Holly Jenvey ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Peter Lymbertos plymbertos@timespublications.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rebecca Bermudez rbermudez@timespublications.com

CONTACT US ADVERTISING Rebecca Bermudez rbermudez@timespublications.com

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BUSINESS

SWEET DREAMS

Stefanie Huber created Tucked + Covered to help families sleep better STORY BY KAMALA KIRK | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

T

ired of being sleep deprived when her 4-year-old son was waking up in the middle of every night, Stefanie Huber realized that his kicked-off sheets were the reason behind his frequent awakenings.

Huber tested the theory by fastening the bed covers so the sheets were steady.

Her son began sleeping through the night.

Ultimately, this sparked a business that would help other parents and their children experiencing the same issue.

“My son had just transitioned to his big boy bed and he was waking up every night,” Huber says.

“I didn’t understand why he was waking up at first, but then I saw that he was kicking off his sheets and couldn’t cover himself. He was coming to me because he didn’t know what else to do. When I tried fastening the covers together, he slept through the night, and I realized that a lot of other families could benefit from this solution as well.”

Huber founded Tucked + Covered, a patented bed sheet system that keeps kids covered at night to promote better sleep for the entire family.

“Having an idea with no business experience, it has taken me several years to manifest my product for the market,” Huber says.

“But I am happy to say it’s here to share with other families suffering from nighttime wake-up calls, or even families who would like their child’s bed to stay neat night and day without the laborious chore of bedmaking.”

The sheet set is made from 100% cotton with easy-to-secure elastic and oversized durable buttons to keep everything in place and eliminate the need for bed making.

10 10 PLAYA PLAYA VISTA VISTA DIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

Stefanie Huber is the founder of Tucked + Covered, a patented bed sheet system that keeps kids covered at night to promote better sleep.

“What’s really great about the design are the buttons,” Huber says.

“They’re not locked to the bed, they stretch and the sheet moves with them so they don’t have to adapt to the sheet.

Kids can smooth and straighten their beds because the buttons keep the sheets on the mattress where they belong and that’s one less thing for Mom to do. I think we tend to get caught up in how the bedroom looks but what’s more important to me is knowing that my child is covered at night.”

Each three-piece set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcase. The buttons and elastic allow for adjustable sizing and are available in twin and

full sizes, in addition to fun stars and moonlight prints. They are designed for kids ages 2 to 12, but Huber is working on a new concept for adults and teens as well.

“I’m planning to offer more designs in the future and I’m also working on compatible blanket designs that I tailored,” Huber says.

“All the layers will be able to attach to one another and you can leave a button open, in case you get hot. It’s adaptable for each person.”

Other features that parents and kids love about the sets are that kids can (Continued on page 12)

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BUSINESS

(Continued from page 10)

stick their legs out and play under the sheets like a tent, and parents can also hide things in the pillowcase like tooth fairy presents and they won’t fall out. In addition to being washer and dryer safe, the easy-care fabric makes for wrinklefree sheets.

Huber says that the response to her product has been incredible and she’s received great feedback from happy parents.

“Once parents try it, they love it,” Huber says. “They love that their kids stay covered, sleep through the night and they don’t have to keep making the bed.

For the kids it’s a self-esteem builder as well because they don’t have to have mommy around to keep them covered.

One mom told me that her child dances around the bed because she’s so excited about her sheets. I’m just thrilled that I can help parents and kids sleep through the night.”

As a result of Tucked + Covered, Huber has connected with many moms and formed friendships.

“It feels really good to be able to help

Tucked + Covered sheets are comfortable, secure and come in different sizes and prints.

other moms,” Huber says. “There’s this unspoken bond and we just want to help each other. If I can help someone’s kids get the sleep they need, I’m really excited that I’ve been able to touch their lives in a positive way.”

Huber has lived in Playa Vista for seven years and loves the family-friendly community.

“We absolutely love living here,” Huber says. “We lived in Venice before and I was always concerned for my kids’ safe-

ty. Living in Playa Vista is such a breath of fresh air. It’s safe, everyone is nice and we all share the same agenda. We just want the best for our kids and ourselves.

I find peace every day raising my two joy-filled children in this community. It’s reassuring knowing hundreds of families with likemindedness surround us to give our families a beautiful life.” tuckedcovered.com

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PEOPLE Playa Vista resident Marissa DiSimone published a novel that teaches kids to rise above bullying.

14 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

PEOPLE

LIFE LESSONS

‘Ezmerelda’ reveals secrets behind bullying STORY BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

M

arissa DiSimone was bullied when she was younger.

Wanting to teach kids to rise above it, she penned “Ezmerelda and the Discovery of Her Magic,” a middle-grade novel that mixes magic and self-discovery.

“She’s an average sixth grader who has bullying issues,” DiSimone says about Ezmerelda Huffington. “I wanted to tie in real-life issues with her ability to hear people’s thoughts.

“We always worry what other people are thinking. She starts to realize the bullying isn’t about her. It’s about their own insecurities. I like to throw magic into a life lesson. I want it to be about something bigger than magic. Each book will have a new magical power and a new way of looking at the world.”

A 13-year Playa Vista resident, DiSimone “discovered” the storyline for the October 2020-released book when she and her husband visited the south of France five years ago.

“We were just driving past the town of Eze when the story came to me,” DiSimone says. “I never wrote anything before. I started jotting down a couple chapters on this trip.”

She took a six-week sabbatical from her job at Lululemon’s Ivivva to write the 254-page book, which came to her organically. When she was finished, she shelved it. In 2020, she moved forward, finding an editor and joining a Seth Godin Akimbo Workshop.

“You write every day,” she says. “It helped me cut in half my 120,000-word manuscript. I did lots of rewrites and edits and had kids read it. When I was pregnant, I decided the due date for this book was going to be before the baby comes. I ‘birthed’ the book and she came less than two weeks later.”

The mother of two girls, Kyle and

DiSimone with daughters Kyle Jolie and London Jaymes as well as husband, Michael.

London, DiSimone has been writing the sequel to her first book since March.

DiSimone finished “Ezmerelda and the Discovery of Her Magic” in four years. “Ezmerelda: When Time Stands Still” is going quickly.

“With the first one, I didn’t know what I was doing,” she said. “I was terrified of getting it out in the world. It helped when I sent it to kids and they returned with positive feedback. I knew I was on the right path.”

She wrote a chapter a night once her children fell asleep. The Akimbo workshop encourages writers to finish a project in six months. DiSimone isn’t satisfied with that. She wants them to be a year apart.

“It’s nice to have those people cheering you on and keeping you accountable,”

she adds.

She is having 20 children — over half of whom live in Playa Vista — read the first draft of “Ezmerelda: When Time Stands Still.” She also rejoined the Akimbo Workshop.

“Kids are always incredibly honest, and their feedback gives me the necessary changes to move forward with the next draft in order to publish this fall,” DiSimone says.

“I’m going to make the changes they suggest. I love kids. They’re honest. You don’t get that as much from adults. It’s such a fun journey to do with kids. That’s why I wrote it in the first place. It’s for them and their feedback is important.”

She said the kids had clever ideas for (Continued on page 16) PLAYA PLAYAVISTA VISTADIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2021 2021 1515

PEOPLE

(Continued from page 15)

the book.

“They said one part didn’t make sense to them, another part was moving too fast,” she says. “This is really great feedback. They’re so well spoken. Within the first group, several of the kids finished the book within one day.

“They’re crazy fast readers. They enjoyed it, which makes me feel good. I did this with my first novel, too.”

DiSimone self-published the first book through Amazon. She hopes her books leave readers encouraged.

“The character has a lot of similarities to me,” says DiSimone, who grew up in Santa Monica and studied dance, psychology and education at UC Irvine. “She does a lot of activities—dances, swims and does theater. There are definitely a lot of elements—she has a younger sister, who has unique characteristics.

“My parents are divorced. I wanted to have elements that I and the readers could relate to.”

In a way, the Ezmerelda books helps DiSimone work through her own problems.

“Ezmerelda and the Discovery of Her Magic” is available on Amazon.

“We tend to hold onto those things,” she said. “How amazing would it have been to know all those kids who were being mean to me were just really having the same issues as me? How amazing to know that at 12 instead of 28.

“I just wanted to infuse those things that I wish I could have learned at a younger age. The biggest takeaway is

I need to believe in me. I was worried about being corny with that message, but there’s a surprise that’s revealed.”

“Ezmerelda and the Discovery of Her Magic,” Available on Amazon https://bit.ly/Ezmerelda

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C U LT U R E

EQUAL REPRESENTATION Digital book serves as resource for queer themes, talent and culture in media STORY BY KAMALA KIRK

Deutsch LA’s employee resource group, The Alphabet People, launched a digital book “In Our Own Words” that defines terms used often when talking about the LGBTQIA+ community.

H

istorically, queer individuals have not had the opportunity nor the influence to change how they are represented in the media.

Playa Vista-based ad agency, Deutsch LA, is on a mission to change that with its LGBTQIA+ employee resource group, The Alphabet People (TAP). The group serves to connect queer colleagues of all backgrounds with each other to provide a safe place to talk about work, life and everything in between. TAP’s mission is to empower the queer community, in advertising and beyond, by sharing their stories, resources and creative ways to ensure the authentic representaAUGUST--SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2021 2021 18 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST

tion of the LGBTQIA+ community in the media.

Recently, TAP launched “In Our Own Words,” a digital book that defines terms used often when talking about the LGBTQIA+ community and pays homage to vernacular coined by the Black and brown trans women who began the movement for LGBTQIA+.

“We came up with the idea for this project because it was both a way to celebrate our community and Pride Month, while also educating those within the media industry and beyond,” says account supervisor Griffin Templeton.

“We wanted to do something that had

an impact on the way our community is represented in media, and we think this list of terms is one way we can enlighten those in the advertising industry and everywhere else on how to better understand and authentically speak about the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, we wanted to honor those who came before us and started this movement by including popular, mainstream vocabulary that was really born from the Black and brown trans community and ballroom culture.”

“In Our Own Words” is available for download at deutschla.com/tap-digitalalphabet-book.

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PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021 19

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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

MAVERICK FITNESS AND WELLNESS BOOM Building entrepreneurs and a socially conscious community in Playa Vista STORY BY NICOLE BORGENICHT | IMAGES COURTESY OF MAVERICK COMMUNITY

T

Maverick Community is a new fitness and wellness business in the heart of Silicon Beach that is 100% focused on professionals so that they can become successful, risk-free entrepreneurs.

22 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

he stage is set as fitness and wellness entrepreneurs perform their craft at Maverick Community in Playa Vista. Personal training, physical therapy, masseuse, spinning master, yoga and dance instructors work in the 7,500-square-foot location, which includes 30 spin bikes and a 1,500-square-foot studio for classes and events preset with optional live streaming.

Maverick’s co-founders have been friends for a decade, and together represent leading entrepreneurs of the fitness and nonprofit industries. Michael Fishman recently sold Pure Cycles, his profitable lifestyle bicycle company with worldwide distribution. He is the nonprofit board chair at Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition working toward safe bicycling for all neighborhoods, cultures and kids.

Christian Straka, a former professional tennis player and coach, is also a featured mindfulness coach for companies like Amazon, Facebook and an Adidas Runners Mindset Coach. Steve LePore has 30 years of experience as an executive director of nonprofits and founded three successful nonprofit organizations.

Uniting the co-founders’ nonprofit and fitness journeys and ingenuity, Fishman shared details about their Maverick Community and how it will help create a positive atmosphere for wellness, growth and service.

“We’re the first gym or wellness center to build an equitable workforce model with our creator platform that enables wellness professionals to become thriving entrepreneurs,” Fishman says. “We provide fitness and wellness entrepreneurs with studio space, high(Continued on page 24)

PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021 23

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

(Continued from page 22)

Located at the RUNWAY Playa Vista shopping mall, Maverick Community provides fitness and wellness professionals with sophisticated and fully equipped studios to grow and expand their personal businesses.

end equipment, team members help for cleaning and check-in, and production equipment for filming and live streaming fitness classes. We are also the first wellness brand to stand for increasing access, equity and inclusivity by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that will run in parallel with our for-profit to build at least 20% of our wellness centers in underserved, lower-income communities.”

While coaches pay rent to Maverick, they receive 100% of the proceeds from clientele and build their brands with video, fast internet space and community networking. Maverick Community is a new kind of fitness and wellness space, where instructors and clients have multiple resources to enjoy a safe and effective environment. An integral element in the fitness industry, safety is secured with properly maintained equipment, instructor insurance with current certifications.

Furthermore, in building a fitness and wellness community, Maverick schedules local nonprofits from various sectors such as Free Arts for abused children, utilizing art to 24 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

build self-esteem.

“Additionally, we plan to have free meditation sessions in the early mornings and late evenings,” Fishman says.

Maverick Community has designed new ways to give back with a nonprofit element that relates to the happy lifestyle their company projects.

We’re the first wellness brand to stand for increasing access, equity, and inclusivity by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Maverick Forward, that will run in parallel with our for-profit, Maverick Community, to build at least 20% of our wellness centers in underserved, lower-income communities,” Fishman says. “We believe in ‘partnering forward.’

Poor and underserved communities want partnership and Maverick Forward will provide these community members with the opportunity to be low-risk entrepreneurs (wellness professionals) who do well by helping their neighbors become healthier and happier. Maverick Community and Maverick Forward are social enterprises that will combine the heart of a nonprofit with the scalability and innovation of a for profit.”

In the future, Maverick Community’s founders envision expansion throughout Los Angeles, the country and world. Fishman projects their business as having a “network effect” deriving from the success of each location.

Simultaneous with growth, Maverick has devised a “One-Fifth Location Pledge” which asserts one-fifth of its centers will be in underserved communities.

“We plan to make Maverick Community a place for nonprofits to use,” Fishman says. “We want giving back to be a consistent theme with our business.”

As the first and model community, Playa Vista is designated as a 10-plus year course of action. The goal for this location is that entrepreneurial trainers and health specialists signify Maverick Community as an ideal Westside center for industry professionals. updates.maverick.community Book classes: bemav.co/book

S P O T L I G H T O N E D U C AT I O N

EDUCATIONAL MILESTONE Santa Monica’s PS1 Pluralistic School celebrates 50 years STORY BY BY ANDRES DE OCAMPO | PHOTOS BY MARISSA ROSEILLIER

Independent K-6 school PS1 Pluralistic School in Santa Monica is celebrating 50 years in education this fall.

PS1 Pluralistic School, a Santa Monica-based private elementary school, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall.

The school, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade, offers a creative and impactful approach to education, which it calls pluralism. PS1 “nurtures children’s socioemotional development, creativity and interconnectedness using pluralism as both the goal and the method,” according to its website.

Joel Pelcyger, PS1’s founder and head of school, explains that the idea behind the school was birthed in 1970, in col26 PLAYA PLAYA VISTA VISTA DIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2021 2021 26

laboration with Eleanor Coben and Mel Suhd. They questioned the traditional school system in America and wanting to change the way children were schooled.

In 1971, PS1 opened with six students and twelve teachers. Twenty-eight students enrolled by 1972 and in 1975 PS1 settled in its permanent location on Euclid Street in Santa Monica.

“My path (in education) was to start our own school,” he says. “Sometimes schools are named after the street they’re on or the person that started it; ours is based on an idea. With the questions, ‘How do you make society a better

place?” and ‘How do you make life better for each child?’ in mind… you build on those ideas and out comes the school.”

“E pluribus unum,” a Latin phrase and the nation’s motto meaning “out of many, one,” is the inspiration for PS1’s name and, coupled with a vision to change schooling for children, provides a unique cornerstone for the school.

Pelcyger explains how the Latin phrase ties into the school’s philosophy of pluralism: “You start realizing everybody’s different. It’s the differences among us that are the most interesting, it’s not how we are the same as everybody else. It’s the uniqueness of each being, that our backgrounds are different from each other.

The idea of pluralism is, ‘Out of many,’ or recognizing our differences, and ‘one,’ what can we build together.”

John Waldman, a 26-year PS1 teacher who has the experience of teaching both of his children when they were in fifth grade, says PS1 is about helping with the development of the students alongside teaching them.

“When this job became available to me, I thought that this job is what my philosophy of education is, which is speaking to the individual and helping to develop the individual to be a part of the community,” Waldman says.

Pelcyger elaborates on how PS1 strives to make an impact on their students, which speaks to their philosophy, by making them feel like they matter.

“You have to start by making everyone feel empowered, like they make a difference,” he says. “If you have that idea in mind and you work toward it, then pluralism can happen.”

The idea of pluralism manifests itself in many ways at PS1, according to Pelcyger, in students and the teaching staff.

(Continued on page 28)

To expand your child’s compassion and ambition

At PS1, children grow up in—and help shape—an exceptionally joyful, empathetic, dynamic learning Located in the heart of Santa Monica, PS1 Pluralistic School is a coeducational day school for children in grades K-6. At PS1, pluralism is our highest aspiration—for our children and our world. It also describes our methods for achieving that goal. The school’s name intentionally echoes our nation’s motto, E pluribus unum: Out of many, one. As our students master essential skills and knowledge, we ensure they understand themselves as individual learners and human beings, and as members of numerous larger communities.

Why does pluralism matter? By attending to each child as a unique and valued individual, we build a kind, cooperative, dynamic learning community that models the larger world as we think it can and should be: one that considers, honors, and welcomes every person, so all can joyfully contribute their best selves to the greater good. When your child spends their earliest years in this carefully designed educational environment, they step forth prepared and energized to put their values into practice wherever they go. Today, we need such delightful, dedicated, effective thinkers and citizens more than ever.

For more information visit: www.psone.org

community. From this intentionally created microcosm your child emerges excited and prepared to change the wider world for the better.

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S P O T L I G H T O N E D U C AT I O N For students, it might be that during circle time they talk with their classmates about what it means to be different or what they are proud of.

For staff, pluralism shows in their teaching and their evaluations. Before writing an evaluation, all teachers must discuss what they honor, value and cherish about each student, Pelcyger said.

There are no grades given to students at PS1, and from a teacher’s perspective, Waldman explains PS1’s no-grade approach to education: “In a graded environment, the grade often becomes the end all or be all. It becomes defining and, in that environment, a child can perceive themselves to be something, and it can be inhibiting. At PS1, that’s not our perspective.”

Though there are metrics for student evaluations from teachers, Pelcyger says he believes elementary school is more about engagement, expressing yourself, being open to opinions of others and developing critical thinking. Performance and achievement have a place in elementary school, along with meeting academic goals, but it should start later, he says.

“It makes you step back and think that it’s more than reading, writing and arithmetic. It’s more than a project that students work on,” Pelcyger says. “Those things are important but, in the end, it’s about who the students are as a person and what they’re going to take from this school when they go on in life.”

Richard Turner, whose daughter attends PS1, recalls a time when everything was academically well with his daughter, but that she was quiet and observant and he wanted her “to advocate for herself.”

After discussions with teachers and Pelcyger, they suggested to Turner his daughter should join the student council to find her voice.

“It was out-of-the-box thinking,” Turner says. “She got to meet other friends and she felt like she was doing something to help the school and she found her voice in the process.”

The 50th anniversary and upcoming events the school has planned are exciting for everyone involved in the PS1 community, with the biggest events being held in April and May. The plans for the anniversary include bringing alumni back to the school to see their classmates and organizing the events by decade, which 28 PLAYA PLAYA VISTA VISTA DIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2021 2021 28

(Continued from page 26)

Joel Pelcyger is PS1’s founder and head of school.

coincides with who students might have known during their time at PS1.

There will also be a speaker series where PS1 will bring in people from different backgrounds to talk about pluralism in their career field and how pluralism comes together and plays a role in their thinking. Pelcyger encourages people to visit the PS1 website for updates and more information.

Coupled with the 50-year anniversary, PS1 will be going through another big change in 2023 when Pelcyger will retire from being the head of the school.

“It feels good,” Pelcyger said. “PS1 has always been my baby, but my baby is 50 years old…Something that I’ve been able to give the school through the years is stability and I think that the school will continue to have consistency and sta-

bility. The people who will run PS1 will make it better.”

Pelcyger says he is optimistic for the future of PS1 and that he embraces the future changes and evolution that the school will go through.

Waldman’s perspective as a teacher is a hopeful one and he has confidence that the PS1 community will carry on the essence of the school navigate changes accordingly.

“The essence of the school is not going to change because people are here for of the essence of the school,” he says. “Be excited by the prospect of change. ( Joel’s retirement) is not going to change who PS1 is fundamentally but expect that who we become is going to speak to the needs of the children and families in the future.”

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S P O T L I G H T O N E D U C AT I O N

HAPPY CAMPER HANGOUTS Program brings camping, connection and confidence to kids STORY BY HALEY BEYER | PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAPPY CAMPER HANGOUTS

Happy Camper Hangouts is a program dedicated to bringing camping, connections and confidence into the lives of kids who do not have access to extracurricular activities.

H

appy Trails for Kids, a camp for boys and girls growing up in foster care, partnered up with Happy Camper Live, Comfort Cases and Alternative Family Services to start a program called Happy Camper Hangouts.

This program is dedicated to bringing camping, connections and confidence into the lives of kids who do not have access to the same extracurricular activities most get to experience. The idea for the camp started in 1976 when a boy named David Abrams was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 years old.

He survived cancer, but his treatments left him epileptic and with intellectual 30 PLAYA PLAYA VISTA VISTA DIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2021 2021 30

disabilities.

Because of Abrams’ illness, no sleepaway camp would allow him to stay, so his mother, Pepper Edmiston, started her own called Camp Good Times, which was changed a year later to Happy Trails.

Happy Trails hosted families who were raising seriously ill or incapacitated kids (either kids of their own or through foster care) for 13 years.

David’s sister, Susan, became an attorney who represented kids in foster care.

In 2009, she took over as president of Happy Trails and focused the mission of the program on kids in foster care with and without disabilities. From that point on, The Salters (David’s grandparents),

Abrams and Edmiston families continued to support Happy Trails for Kids, both to honor the memory of David and in recognition of the value camp holds for every child in need.

Lindsay Elliott, executive director of Happy Trails for Kids, has been a longtime advocate for youth in foster care. She has worked at the Children’s Law Center of California since 2008, putting her effort into laws, policies and statewide coalitions to better support and prepare youth leaving the foster care system to live happy and healthy lives.

She found the perfect place to continue pushing this mission forward.

Happy Trails for Kids has returned

to in-person events, like exploring the great outdoors, staying for an overnight summer camp and participating in yearround extracurricular engagements.

“It was such a heartwarming and rewarding thing to see once the camp was cleared to open again after COVID-19 because I got to watch them connect in person after spending so much time virtually,” Elliott says.

Once campers attend Happy Trails, they become a permanent member.

Their motto is “Once a camper, always a camper” for multiple reasons.

The camp is building a community and support system so once children have found a place that brings them comfort and happiness, they will forever have a place there.

This is especially important when working with children in foster care because regardless of how many foster homes or other changing circumstances, they never have to worry about their place at camp. Happy Trails for Kids is in Los Angeles and serves mostly around the Santa Monica area.

For those who can’t make it to camp, there is also an online version.

Allison Miller, owner and operator of Happy Camper Live, has been running summer camps for more than 20 years in Florida. Her camp has been home for more than 10,000 children.

Through her years of experience, she has found there is truly nothing like summer camp and she wants to make that available to any kid who wishes to attend.

“We want to bring summer camp to kids who can’t come to camp, and not only in the summer, but all year round,” Miller says.

Her goal is for the kids at camp to find their passion, bring it out into the world to share with everyone, and use their skills to explore as many paths as possible.

Unlike other summer camps, the virtual Happy Camper Live did not have to shut down during the pandemic.

These two organizations put their heads together to create Happy Camper Hangouts, a camp for kids in foster care who are unable to attend in person but still want to learn, laugh, play and succeed.

Though every camper’s story is different, all are connected through the bond

S P O T L I G H T O N E D U C AT I O N

Though every camper’s story is different, all the campers are connected through the bond of foster care — a system where opportunities to grow, learn and become who they are meant to be are not always accessible.

of foster care — a system where opportunities to grow, learn and become who they are meant to be are not always accessible. These camps want to let kids live out their childhoods as any child should while celebrating adventure, exploration and friendships.

“One of our main goals is to create equity and community among our campers,” Elliott said.

Children are transformed by the power of positivity and possibility, and are equipped with skills and surrounded by support to live happy and healthy lives. A team of counselors, most who emerged from the foster care system themselves, are always ready to help.

“They have a depth of understanding from that lived experience that can’t be found in others who didn’t go through it,” Elliott says.

“They are true role models who are able to push the kid towards their goals and passions unlike anybody else could, while simultaneously displaying that they are not the only ones having to go through foster care.”

The portal to the program is open 24/7 so the kids have access at any given time. They never feel alone and can count on some consistency in their lives, so the fun, learning and support never stops.

There are lessons in anything that interests each child from magic and cooking to musical instruments and sports.

The organizations want Happy Campers to be just that, happy campers. They do their best to make all kids’ dreams come true at camp.

A subscription includes live programming where kids can actively participate, weekly happy talks with well-known speakers, content creation aligned with the kids’ passion, lessons to promote leadership skills, prerecorded content to ensure ongoing engagement and to encourage exposure to new concepts and more.

The average age of kids attending camp is anywhere from 7 to 17, but there have been some younger kids before because siblings of the campers will join in on the video calls.

The program doesn’t have a maximum capacity, so no one will be turned away from living the summer camp experience.

Camp is in session now and there are also opportunities for volunteer work and donations to keep the camps going. happytrailsforkids.org happycamperlive.com PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021 31

S P O T L I G H T O N E D U C AT I O N

FOSTERING GROWTH AND RESILIENCE Sycamore Community School to open for 2021-2022 school year STORY BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF SYCAMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

T

he sycamore tree, found throughout the Los Angeles area, grows fast, is resilient, and experiences annual regrowth and regeneration. These are the qualities that are inspiring a new K-8 school opening in Santa Monica in time for the 2021-2022 school year.

The founding of Sycamore Community School is in response to the way children were educated during the pandemic, but also sprouts out of a lifelong dream of the principal and the way she believes children should be educated.

“We see our school as fast-growing and our curriculum is designed to foster resilient kids who have high self-esteem, feel good about themselves and have empathy toward others,” says principal Mary Ann McQueen.

Sycamore Community School will have a curriculum that, while recognizing the importance of technology, will emphasize pencils, crayons, markers, paint, manipulatives and, most of all, real books – the kind you hold in your hand and turn the pages.

“When you think about kids (during the pandemic) having to learn virtually and primarily through a device, it is very limiting,” McQueen says. “Not because technology is bad, but because as a medium of learning, it can be tiring. It’s not as effective when it comes to things like reading.”

McQueen says they plan to use technology intentionally, carefully and thoughtfully, and not let such things as digital reading replace reading out loud and together in groups. Even their oldest children in the upper grades will be read out loud to.

McQueen formed many of the school’s philosophies throughout her life, while others were a direct response to how education took place during the pandemic.

32 PLAYA PLAYA VISTA VISTA DIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2021 2021 32

Mary Ann McQueen is the school’s principal with more than 30 years of experience as an educator.

“Ever since I was a small child, I always viewed my own experience in schools through a lens of what I would do differently if I was in a position to have that kind of impact,” McQueen says. “A lot of the things that we’re doing and that the team has put in place are things I’ve believed for a long time about what works well with kids.”

She recalled that when she was growing up, kids constantly played outside with little to no supervision. They made up their own games, learned to

get along, and experienced the outdoors no matter what the weather.

“We really want to get kids outside in ways that foster more independence, more resilience and more creativity,” McQueen says. “Kids are so programmed now, they spend so much time in the car, they don’t have the opportunity to use their imaginations and their personalities to navigate with people and to have a give and take, to just have fun without a lot of pressure to perform.”

S P O T L I G H T O N E D U C AT I O N

Sycamore Community School is a new K-8 School that is set to open in Santa Monica for the 2021-2022 school year.

In pursuit of such goals, Sycamore Community School will have more recess, outdoor classes, and field trips that involve walking to places and taking public transit. One such trip will be biweekly walks to the library, which is three blocks away.

They are working to develop strong reading lists for all their classrooms and filling them with actual books that provide opportunity to talk about topics that promote socioemotional learning. One of their focuses will be responding to what kids have gone through over the past 15 months.

“For kids, it was over a year,” McQueen said. “Their whole life got thrown upside down. Kids experienced loss, isolation and depression. We really want to use this opportunity to have a jumping off point for discussions.”

Enrollment for the school is now open and they have students in every grade but eighth. There are five teach-

ers, all of whom McQueen has worked with in the past and who have experience with each other.

With tuition costing $15,000 a year, the school’s goal is to keep the school affordable and to offer scholarships to those who need them. They plan to forge partnerships with parents and relationships between families so that they have a cohesive community.

“People have the opportunity to be part of something new and be the pioneers,” McQueen says. “It is special to be a part of a start-up school and help develop the traditions and events and culture of the school.”

Every morning, school will start at drop-off time with a community gathering in their courtyard, where there is a decades-old sycamore tree. They’ll have announcements, community leaders will address the school, and people will have the opportunity to connect.

Parents will have opportunities to volunteer in the classroom and on

field trips and outings. The school plans to reach out to and partner with such organizations as the Boys and Girls Club, religious organizations in the community, the public library, the Santa Monica Y, and organizations that serve homeless people.

There are already plans in place for afterschool enrichment programs such as coding, art, musical theater, chess and yoga. Other activities will be offered based on the needs and interests of the students.

“I really hope to parlay over 30 years of experience as an educator in K-12 schools with my colleagues into developing a really excellent and affordable option for parents that has a rich curriculum with rigor,” McQueen says. “We’ll have a smaller teacherstudent ratio.” sycamorecommunityschool.org PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021 33

FOOD

NUTTY NOSTALGIA RECIPE BY EMILY CHAVEZ | PHOTO BY LUIS CHAVEZ

S

eeing the little kids in my neighborhood head to school for the new year reminds me of my first day.

I enjoyed the simple school lunch of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich just as much as the elaborate meals my mother or grandmother would make for my sister and me.

The PB & J sandwich is nostalgic for many people and even serves as a comfort food when a break is needed from the hectic “grown-up” life. The traditional flavor pairing of peanut butter and jelly — my classic choice being grape— is reimagined in these macarons. It delights texturally with the delicate crunch and chewiness of the macaron and the creamy peanut butter and jelly cream filling.

PB & J Macarons Active time: 35 minutes Total time: One hour Yields: 24 macarons Ingredients 2/3 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar for syrup 4 1/4 ounces egg whites, at room temperature 1/4 cup water 1 1/3 cups almond flour 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar 1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthways and seeds scraped out 3 1/2 ounces cream cheese 1 3/4 ounces peanut butter 1 3/4 ounces grape jelly Optional food coloring for the macarons Instructions Stir the almond flour, powdered sugar and vanilla bean seeds in a bowl.

Add half of the egg whites and stir until a paste is formed and set aside.

To make the sugar syrup, stir together the 2/3 cup sugar and water in a small pot until the temperature reaches 245 degrees.

While the sugar syrup is heating up, whisk the remaining egg whites in another bowl until frothy. Then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and continue whisking until fluffy.

Once the sugar syrup mixture reaches 249 degrees, carefully pour it into the fluffy eggs. Whisk until the mixture is stiff, fluffy, and holds its shape.

Optional: If you want to add food coloring, add it to the meringue at this step.

Stir in a spoonful of the meringue into the almond paste to loosen it. Then gently fold in the remaining almond paste into the meringue with a spatula.

Put the mixture into a piping bag, and pipe 1 1/2-inch flat circles onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake at 320 degrees for about 12 to 14 minutes, until firm to touch being careful they don’t brown.

To make the filling, combine half of the cream cheese with the peanut butter in a bowl and mix together until smooth and fully incorporated.

In another bowl, combine the remaining half of the cream cheese and jelly and mix together until smooth and fully incorporated.

Decoratively pipe the filling on a macaron half or apply with a small spatula and then top with another macaron half.

34 PLAYA PLAYA VISTA VISTA DIRECT DIRECT || AUGUST AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2021 2021 34

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PET ADOPTION

Adoptable Pets

FROM ANNENBERG PETSPACE The coolest buddies in Playa Vista are waiting for their new forever homes

REMY

TINK

LOLA

Hello there, my name is Remy. I’m an adult who likes a bit of personal space for himself. I’m looking for a home where I can be your one pup. I’ve got lots of energy, so it’d be great to get out and do lots of exploring and activities together.

Let’s meet up soon!

Hey, I’m Tink. I’m young, sweet and full of fun energy! I’m totally ready to make new friends and go on adventures together. I’m not a big fan of other pups, so I would prefer a home where I’m your only dog. Looking for a trusty companion? Pick me! Pick me!

Hello, my name is Lola. I’m an adult cat who is quite friendly. I like to show affection to people I can trust. I’m fairly chatty too; it’s one of the ways I show love.

Stop by for a visit soon, I’d be happy to see you!

Trainer Tip – Positive Social Interactions Katie McGuire, CPDT-KA Annenberg PetSpace

Every dog has unique preferences for how they socialize, or choose not to, with other dogs. Practice these habits when planning social outings: • Find activities and fellow dogs that work for your dog’s play style. If their body language looks uncomfortable or like they could be reactive to another pet, that’s

the chance to step in and prevent negative reactions.

• When arriving at a dog park or other gathering, stay with your dog while they play. Give your dog some space, but monitor activities to see what they’re doing and that communication between each dog continues being fun and safe.

To learn more about pet adoption, or to see other available pets, visit annenbergpetspace.org 36 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

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EVENTS

Saturday, September 4

Playa Vista Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Located in vibrant RUNWAY, this every-Saturday market happens rain or shine.

Marketgoers will find organic fruits, seasonal vegetables, local meat, fresh flowers, baked bread, French pastries, artisanal cheese, nut butter, salsa and guacamole, Peruvian arepas, wood-fired pizza and handmade jewelry. The market hosts live music and a KidZone with interactive performances and crafts. Ample parking available in the RUNWAY shopping center parking garage.

12775 W. Millennium Drive, Playa Vista Playa Vista Community Compost Hub, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Food is the No. 1 item in landfills, and when it rots it creates methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than CO2. But when food scraps are composted, they build soil and encourage plant growth – which pull carbon from the atmosphere. Now you can drop your food scraps at the Playa Vista Market Compost Hub. They accept all organic matter, but please no compostable plastics. “Compost Goalie” volunteers are needed to help make sure non-compostables stay out of their pile. Interested in volunteering? Email

— Compiled by Holly Jenvey

volunteer@sproutsofpromise.org 12775 Millennium Drive, Los Angeles Marina Drive-In Summer Series, 5 to 10 p.m.

Gather with your family and friends to watch movies on the big screen by the sea in Marina del Rey. The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors presents Marina Drive-In Movie Nights at Parking Lot #2 Public Boat Launch. $20 per car admission plus service fee. visitmarinadelrey.com

Sunday, September 5

Marina Drum Circle, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Head to Burton Chace Park for a dose of interactive drumming led by Christopher Ramirez of Freedom Drum Circles. All ages are welcome to learn how to make beats and sounds with others. Choose from two 60-minute sessions (11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.) The event is held every Sunday through September 26. The Marina Drum Circle is presented by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors. Attendance is free, but you will need to register at https://bit.ly/marinadrumcircle 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey COURTESY OF ANNENBERG PETSPACE

Annenberg PetSpace offers Mutt Manners Dog Training for owners and their pets.

38 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021

COURTESY OF

CALENDAR

The Playa Vista Farmers Market takes place Saturdays, rain or shine.

Wednesday, September 8

The Sounds of Summer Concert Series, 6 to 8 p.m.

Shop, stroll and dine while listening to free live music this summer at The Point in El Segundo. After 15 months, The Point is welcoming back the return of its summer concert series, The Sounds of Summer, a family-friendly concert series happening every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., July through September 29. Every week, The Point will feature a new musician and band with tunes ranging from folk rock to reggae. This all-ages, outdoor event is for the whole family to enjoy as guests are welcome to pack a picnic, lawn chairs and relax on the lawn. Restaurants and shops including Mendocino Farms, North Italia and Hopdoddy are also offering special promotions and picnic baskets for guests to purchase in advance and enjoy.

850 S. Pacific Coast Highway, El Segundo

Sunday, September 12

Mutt Manners: Beginner Dog Training, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Join Annenberg PetSpace for a four-week series of dog training classes. Cost is $140.

To register, visit annenbergpetsspace.org Mutt Manners: Intermediate Dog Training, 11:15 a.m. to

12:15 p.m.

Join Annenberg PetSpace for a series of dog training classes.

This course is for those who completed a beginner level. Cost is $140.

To register, visit annenbergpetsspace.org

Friday, September 17

Silicon Valley of LA (Playa Vista) Tour, 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Come and visit beautiful Playa Vista, a community built in 2003 that included a new elementary school, a library and a preserved area of the wetlands just east of Playa del Rey and north of LAX. Playa Vista is also known as Silicon Valley South due to companies like Google and YouTube calling it home. This tour will show you the outside of the legendary aircraft hangar that was used by Hughes Aircraft Company and later Boeing and movie studios for filming the movies “Titanic” and “Independence Day.” Google has transformed the aircraft hangars into a unique office space. The tour will start at Google’s offices then make its way to the heart of Playa Vista, where there are businesses such as a movie theater, CVS and restaurants. The tour will end at Sol Mexican Cocina for mingling.

Tickets cost $18.50 to $25.

Register at https://bit.ly/ PlayaVistaTour

We are Committed to Excellence & Comfort Your comfort during dental care is just as important as your results, we look forward to treating you in a secure, friendly environment.

Marina Dentistry ALL DENTAL SPECIALTIES

• Easy Payment Plans/Zero Interest • No Insurance • No Problem • All Insurance Accepted • Nitrous Oxide Available • We Accept All Other Competitors’ Coupons • Se Habla Español

Dr. Sameer Aljanedi

DENTAL IMPLANT

699

$

INVISALIGN $ STARTS AT

REG 1,999 $

ABUTMENT AND CROWN ARE EXTRA NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH AD NOW THROUGH 9-30-21

PORCELAIN VENEERS $ 699Each. REG 1,400 COMPLETE $

NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 9-30-21

PORCELAIN CROWN $

DENTURE $

BUILD UP IF NEEDED IS EXTRA PORCELAIN FUSED TO METAL NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 9-30-21

NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 9-30-21

399 REG 999 $

799 REG 1800 $

MARINA DENTISTRY 4292 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, CA 90292 (Above Starbucks)

2500 FREE

CLEANING SPECIAL

www.marinadentistry.com

$2,999 WITH THIS AD. NOW THROUGH 9-30-21

TEETH WHITENING SPECIAL

89

$

ONLY

00

Regular $749

ONE HOUR IN-OFFICE ZOOM! WHITENING AS SEEN ON ABC’S “EXTREME MAKEOVER” INCLUDES X-RAYS & EXAM

Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offer

Regular $149

X-Rays, Exams, Cleaning, Oral Cancer Screening, TMJ Evaluation, Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

NEW PATIENTS ONLY!

Periodontal Root Planning Not Included • With Coupon Only • Insurance Programs Billed At Regular Fees • Exp. 9-30-21

CONSULTATION INCLUDING FULL MOUTH X-RAYS & EXAMINATION NEW PATIENTS ONLY EXP 9-30-21

DEEP CLEANING

SPECIAL

75

$

PER QUAD

REG $499

NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 9-30-21

310-305-9600 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021 39

Trust Your Eyes to Assil Eye Institute

Please see what we are doing to comply with CDC recommendations to keep our facilities clean and safe for our staff and patients at www.assileye.com Our world-class LASIK, cataract, & retinal surgeons provide compassionate care, and cutting edge procedures in ophthalmology, including these conditions:

ABOUT DR. AVNEET K. SODHI GAUR

Dr. John May, Dr. Avneet K. Sodhi Gaur, Dr. Kerry Assil, Dr. Lindsay Harris

ABOUT THE ASSIL EYE INSTITUTE • The Assil Eye Institute is nationally recognized for its compassionate patient-centric care, its commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology and its dedication to supporting the health and well-being of not just its patients, but also of their community.

• Dr. Assil’s life-long commitment to advancing the field of ophthalmology is evident in his body of work developing new surgical techniques and advances in laser surgery.

• Dr. Assil lectures internationally and has taught state-of-the art surgical skills to well over 10,000 thousand ophthalmologists worldwide.

• The Assil Eye Institute has participated in dozens of FDA clinical trials, either as lead investigator or as a member of a multi-center team, testing new ophthalmological devices and surgical techniques.

• Local resident of Playa Vista with her husband and two boys • She is the Director of Glaucoma at Assil Eye Institute and a Board Certified, Fellowship trained Cataract, LASIK, and Glaucoma Specialist, with training and experience developed at nationally renowned ophthalmic institutions • She has performed thousands of surgeries including EAGLE vision LASIK, PRK, ICL as well as Laser-Assisted Cataract surgery.

• She has extensive experience in glaucoma surgical procedures as well as the latest advancements such as iStent, iStent inject, Hydrus, endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP), OMNI 360 , Xen gel stent • Voted Top Doctor 2020 in LA Magazine and was named 2019 Power Player in Angeleno

assileye.com 450 N. Roxbury Dr., 3rd Floor | Beverly Hills, CA | 90210 | 310-651-2300 2222 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 107 | Santa Monica, CA | 90404 | 310-382-5050

@avneetsodhigaurmd @assileye

40 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021