Playa Vista Magazine March/April

Flexible Mortgage Solutions

Flexible Mortgage Solutions

Looking

Flexible Loans

Flexible Loans

Fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages

Conventional, Federal Housing Association (FHA), Veterans Association (VA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans, and jumbo loans

Fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages

Conventional, Federal Housing Association (FHA), Veterans Association (VA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans, and jumbo loans

Cash-Out refinancing and Interest-Only payment2 options available

Cash-Out refinancing and Interest-Only payment2 options available

Piggyback Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) may be combined with a first mortgage up to $2,250,000 to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)3

Piggyback Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) may be combined with a first mortgage up to $2,250,000 to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)3

Mortgage Loans up to $10,000,0004

Mortgage Loans up to $10,000,0004

Flexible Down Payments5

Flexible Down Payments5

As little as 5% cash down on conventional loans and jumbo loans up to $850,000

As little as 10% cash down on jumbo loans between $850,000 and $1,000,000

Let’s talk today

Let’s talk today

Debt to Income (DTI) ratios up to 60% with qualifying residual income and liquidity/reserve requirements

Debt to Income (DTI) ratios up to 60% with qualifying residual income and liquidity/reserve requirements

Only one appraisal required for most loans

Only one appraisal required for most loans

Non-warrantable condos eligible for financing, restrictions apply

Non-warrantable condos eligible for financing, restrictions apply

Non-Retirement accounts may be used as additional qualifying income through asset dissipation

Flexible Underwriting Rate Discounts

Flexible Underwriting Rate Discounts

Non-Retirement accounts may be used as additional qualifying income through asset dissipation

Ask us about the advantages of refinancing an existing BOTW mortgage Receive

Ask us about the advantages of refinancing an existing BOTW mortgage Receive

a new or existing Bank of the West personal checking or savings account6

Relationship pricing discounts7 start at 0.125% if you have $100,000 in qualifying assets and rise to 0.75% with $3 million or more

Ryan Woodward, Sr. Mortgage Banker, DIRECT 310.776.0434 NMLS 700492

Ryan Woodward, Sr. Mortgage Banker, DIRECT 310.776.0434 NMLS 700492

Ryan Woodward, Sr. Mortgage Banker, DIRECT 310.776.0434 NMLS 700492 Ryan.Woodward@BOTW.com botw.com/mortgage/rwoodward

Bank of the West is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Banking products and services are subject to approval and are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A.

Ryan.Woodward@BOTW.com botw.com/mortgage/rwoodward

Ryan.Woodward@BOTW.com botw.com/mortgage/rwoodward

To qualify, all accounts must be branded Bank of the West. BMO branded products and services do not qualify and are not eligible for the offers contained herein.

Bank of the West is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Banking products and services are subject to approval and are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A.

To qualify, all accounts must be branded Bank of the West. BMO branded products and services do not qualify and are not eligible for the offers contained herein.

1 All loans subject to credit approval, standard mortgage qualifications, and underwriting requirements. Additional fees, conditions, and restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Contact a mortgage banker for details.

2 Interest-only payment mortgages provide for interest only payments for a set period of time followed by fully amortizing payments of principal and interest for the remainder of the loan term.

3 Piggyback loan is a Home Equity Line of Credit that is combined with a first mortgage for up to 9.9% of the property value for a maximum combined LTV of 89.9%.

1 All loans subject to credit approval, standard mortgage qualifications, and underwriting requirements. Additional fees, conditions, and restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Contact a mortgage banker for details.

4 Maximum loan/line amounts are subject to credit score, property type, occupancy and Combined Loan-to-Value (CLTV) limitations.

5 Down Payments amounts that result in an LTV greater than 80% may require Private Mortgage Insurance.

2 Interest-only payment mortgages provide for interest only payments for a set period of time followed by fully amortizing payments of principal and interest for the remainder of the loan term. Piggyback loan is a Home Equity Line of Credit that is combined with a first mortgage for up to 9.9% of the property value for a maximum combined LTV of 89.9%.

Maximum loan/line amounts are subject to credit score, property type, occupancy and Combined Loan-to-Value (CLTV) limitations.

5 Down Payments amounts that result in an LTV greater than 80% may require Private Mortgage Insurance.

6 Automatic payment discount of 0.125% discount off the standard rate requires applicants to establish automatic monthly payments from a new or existing Bank of the West checking or savings. For adjustable rate mortgages, discounts are applicable only during the initial fixed-rate period. All terms and conditions applicable to the checking or savings account apply, including fees and minimum opening deposits.

6 Automatic payment discount of 0.125% discount off the standard rate requires applicants to establish automatic monthly payments from a new or existing Bank of the West checking or savings. For adjustable rate mortgages, discounts are applicable only during the initial fixed-rate period. All terms and conditions applicable to the checking or savings account apply, including fees and minimum opening deposits.

7 Relationship Pricing Discounts may be available for eligible Bank of the West deposit customers, Bank of the West Global Investment Fiduciary Solutions investment clients, and investment customers of BancWest Investment Services with at least $100,000 in assets under management (AUM). For adjustable rate mortgages, the discounts are applicable only during the initial fixed-rate period. Discounts are not eligible for deposits or other AUM held in insurance accounts, the name of a business, or the name of the trustee of an irrevocable trust. Balances owed or available on lending or credit products and any account or asset where inclusion for relationship pricing eligibility might breach the owner’s fiduciary duty or breach any law or regulation applicable to the owner or Bank of the West are also ineligible (contact us for more details).

7 Relationship Pricing Discounts may be available for eligible Bank of the West deposit customers, Bank of the West Global Investment Fiduciary Solutions investment clients, and investment customers of BancWest Investment Services with at least $100,000 in assets under management (AUM). For adjustable rate mortgages, the discounts are applicable only during the initial fixed-rate period. Discounts are not eligible for deposits or other AUM held in insurance accounts, the name of a business, or the name of the trustee of an irrevocable trust. Balances owed or available on lending or credit products and any account or asset where inclusion for relationship pricing eligibility might breach the owner’s fiduciary duty or breach any law or regulation applicable to the owner or Bank of the West are also ineligible (contact us for more details).

Bank of the West Wealth Management offers products and services through BMO Harris Bank N.A. and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Securities and variable annuities are offered through BancWest Investment Services, a registered broker/dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC Registered Investment Adviser. This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business. BMO Harris N.A. and its various affiliates and subsidiaries are not tax or legal advisors. BancWest Investment Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMO Harris Bank N.A.

Bank of the West Wealth Management offers products and services through BMO Harris Bank N.A. and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Securities and variable annuities are offered through BancWest Investment Services, a registered broker/dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC Registered Investment Adviser. This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business. BMO Harris N.A. and its various affiliates and subsidiaries are not tax or legal advisors. BancWest Investment Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMO Harris Bank N.A.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timeslocalmedia.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Morgan Owen mowen@timeslocalmedia.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Courtney Oldham

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Arman Olivares

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Chris Mortenson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Srianthi Perera Kamala Kirk

Jessica Koslow

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Peter Lymbertos plymbertos@timeslocalmedia.com

ASSOCIATE GROUP PUBLISHER

Rebecca Bermudez rbermudez@timeslocalmedia.com

CONTACT US

(310) 574-7655 PO Box 1349 South Pasadena, CA 91031

Playa Vista Direct is direct-mailed every other month to homes and businesses in the 90094 area code, with additional distribution to multiple office and retail locations throughout the Playa Vista area.

VICE PRESIDENT: Michael Hiatt

PRESIDENT: Steve Strickbine

Photo by Chris Mortenson Design by Arman Olivares

Challenging Social Injustice

Playa del Rey mom is fighting back with Westside Activists

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

When Ahmanise Sanati was looking for a career change in 2006, a relative introduced her to a hospital social worker.

The organization’s code of ethics contained the words “challenge social injustice.” It felt like a calling.

“There was no turning back,” recalls Sanati, who currently counsels youth affected by foster care, homelessness, and the juvenile justice systems in LAUSD. “I didn’t know what exactly I would do, but I knew I would have many options, all rooted in the name of values by which I live.”

Today, Sanati’s options have included establishing a family-friendly movement called Westside Activists; working in mental health for over a decade at the LA County’s Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where she is establishing a permanent library; being a Delegate for the California Democratic Party; and being the regional director with the National Association of Social Workers, California.

Politically active, she is the vice president of political affairs in the Westchester/Playa Democratic Club, the assembly district 61 delegate and executive board member to the California Democratic Party.

Many caps to wear as a wife to accountant husband Ken, and mother to two children ages 7 and 10.

“Since I became a mother, I felt an inherent obligation to do everything I can to make this world better,” Sanati says. “I often feel overwhelmed with sadness and anger about the world I chose to bring my children into as tragic events seem to be happening more and more often.

“But I’ve learned that nothing will change on its own; it’s up to us to be the change.”

Born to Iranian Mexican parents (their

Continued on page 8

Ahmanise Sanati established the family-friendly movement called Westside Activists. In February, it held the fifth annual Kids’ March for Equality. (Chris Mortenson/Staff)

Continued from page 6

first names, Ahmad and Denise, were combined for her first name, Ahmanise), Sanati was raised in Southern California. She earned a degree in philosophy from the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and moved to Santa Monica in 2005 “to defrost from Boston.” Since 2013, she has resided in Playa del Rey.

She has also earned a master’s degree in social welfare from UCLA and is now a licensed clinical social worker.

Sanati has always been an activist in one form or another, but the arrival of children dampened things for a time.

Then, the general election of 2016 took place. “I knew that my vote was simply not enough and that I needed to do more, I just didn’t know what that looked like,” she says, realizing that it had to involve her family, with two children under age 5 at the time.

She was further spurred when she heard about the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Going downtown to demonstrate was not an option, so she and a friend held signs on a street corner.

Thus began Westside Activists.

“As we organized more events relating to matters we care about, I remember, at one of our Global Climate Strike demonstrations, people were asking, ‘How can we find out about your events?’ At that moment, I realized we needed a centralized way for people to see what we do,” Sanati says.

“Westside Activists” seemed best to capture the gist of the unofficial group, which incorporates many mothers who live on the Westside and believe action is necessary for change.

So far, Westside Activists has organized events to support race, reproductive rights, immigration, and climate justice, to give a voice to the community as it relates to social justice. It has organized neighborhood cleanups, Pride and Get Out the Vote events. In February, it held the fifth annual Kids’ March for Equality.

“Because we are a group of moms who balance many obligations, we have a mutual understanding that we do what we can within our capacity, which is also why we aim to focus on matters that are relatively local,” Sanati says. “Also, since we have children, we ensure every event is family friendly.”

Sometimes, Sanati must contend with

people who drive by and yell an unsavory remark.

“Our children are learning by experience how to literally stand up for the values in which we believe, in the most simple and accessible way possible,” she says.

Sanati is equally passionate about establishing a permanent, sustainable library at the LA County Jail, which was her workplace for a decade. She worked in the mental health sector starting as an intern and rising to the position of a supervisor. During the pandemic, she saw the restrictions with no transfers or court visits and visitors disallowed.

“I knew that this was a time when books really could make a difference because for so many, they literally have nothing else in their cell but a suicide gown, rubber clogs and a blanket on a metal bed,” she recalls.

She had a practice to bring books for the staff, and one day, she came upon empty shelves. It occurred to her that this should not be a volunteer project, but a permanent feature.

“Otherwise, how can we refer to this as ‘rehabilitative’ and ‘mental health treatment’?” she says. “I realized I was in a position to do something, so I did.”

The project has been going on for a few years and book drives are held from time to time.

“It seems to be getting a lot more attention,” she says.

Last year, she moved to a new job counseling troubled youth in LAUSD, which she calls “humbling.”

“It’s been so interesting doing this work with my background, working with students who are most likely to slip through the cracks and sadly, end up in our jail system,” she says. “I’m reminded daily how we have deep-rooted problems in our society, and that is why I do what I can, whenever I can.”

Ahmanise Sanati is politically active in Playa Vista. (Chris Mortenson/Staff)

Thinking About the Future

Playa Vista building installs electric chargers for residents

BY MORGAN OWEN

Every year, electric vehicles become more popular. As the charging infrastructure grows and pricing becomes more affordable, more Americans are buying into the idea of electric vehicles. But for Angelenos who live in rented apartment complexes or own a condo, the logistics of installing an electric charger poses a very real barrier to adoption.

Two years ago, Eric Thomasian approached the governing board in his residential building with a request to install an electric vehicle charger in the building’s garage. The board approved Thomasian’s request, but it got them thinking about the broader implications of Thomasian’s request and the infrastructure of their garage at 13173 Pacific Promenade.

“Not only does it future proof the building, but as more residents demand chargers, the board is in a situation where they can’t say no, by law,” Thomasian says. “So, they better get ahead of that (because) with everyone installing their own, it’s just not scalable. It can lead to power outages and all sorts of (issues).”

Both the board and Thomasian were sure other requests would follow. After all, their building is in Playa Vista, where electric vehicles are popular among residents employed in the technology industry.

To install individual chargers for every person in the building who requests it wasn’t as simple as plugging it into an existing outlet; it would require the owner of each unit to hire an electrician to install wiring from their parking spot to the building’s electrical room. In the electrical room, a switch would need to be installed with all the necessary equipment and the building’s infrastructure would reach its limit far before demands were met.

When the contractor Thomasian hired to install his EV charger told him about a program through LADWP that would allow

Continued on page 12

Eric Thomasian stands in front of his electric vehicle in the parking garage where it all started. (Chris Mortenson/Staff)

COMMUNITY

Continued from page 10

the entire building to subsidize the cost of installing chargers, the board jumped at the opportunity.

The program, titled the Commercial EV Charging Station Rebate Program, was created by LADWP to incentivize the installation of electric vehicle charging equipment. Before applying, applicants must submit electrical and infrastructure plans along with a more general application.

“The application process through LADWP was straightforward, but there are more applicants than funding, so it goes to a lottery. And we, fortunately, won,” Thomasian says.

The grant LADWP awarded Thomasian’s building was for $160,000. With that, Thomasian and the board were able to install 40 chargers in the building’s two garages. Now, each of the building’s 81 units has access to at least one electric vehicle charging station.

Residents pay for the cost of charging through their HOA, and the board gets to set the price of how much charging costs per kilowatt-hour. As of right now, residents pay only 25 cents compared to public chargers, which often cost 40 to 50 cents per kilowatt hour. In the future, Thomasian says he and the board plan to create a time-based surge during popular times to encourage residents to charge throughout the night.

Thomasian explains the feature that makes it so easy for the building to keep track of who is charging at what times is the digital infrastructure that came along with the chargers. Because they received Tesla-branded chargers through the LADWP grant, Tesla sets each resident up with an account, charging them directly before reimbursing the building’s HOA. The chargers are universally compatible.

The building’s HOA president, Ken Dauer, says residents are loving the new feature. Some residents, he says, are even trading in their gas-powered cars for electric ones.

“The homeowners are very satisfied, and

they are very excited. Homeowners are saying this is a great way to increase their property value, whether (they) get their own car, sell (their unit), or lease (their) unit to a tenant. Now there is interest. It’s a great property value enhancer.” Dauer says.

Thomasian says installing the electric chargers is a major asset to the building as we move into a new era of technology. He thinks that, as electric vehicles become

increasingly popular, having those chargers will become an increasingly important incentive in multifamily housing.

Thomasian says he hopes that this story empowers other buildings’ staff in Playa Vista to take the same step forward. As he put it, Playa Vista is an affluent community where many people have electric cars, but right now, there isn’t a solution. This, Thomasian believes, is one way to tackle that problem.

Although the chargers are Tesla-branded, they can be used by any electric vehicle.

(Chris Mortenson/Staff)

Shaping the Future of Fashion

Parker Clay launches fundraising campaign

BY KAMALA KIRK

Parker Clay, a B-Corp and Ethiopian leather goods brand on a mission to uplift at-risk women, recently launched a new fundraising campaign that will empower sustainable consumers to play a more direct role in shaping the future of fashion.

“By investing in the first B-Corp to hold a community fundraising round, you’ll enable us to scale up our hiring, expand our production, and create more impact,” says co-founder and CEO Ian Bentley, who founded the company in 2014 with his wife Brittany. “With your investment, we’ll prove that ethical and sustainable fashion can be profitable too—paving the way for other brands to follow.

Thanks to Regulation A+, our entire community can be part of this with us— accredited and non-accredited because we believe in the democratization of finance and want our customers, partners, and communities to have access to invest because it’s you who have helped us build what Parker Clay is today.”

The fundraising campaign will be open for 12 months from November 17, 2022, or raising up to $15 million. Parker Clay is one of the only brands in the world that owns the majority of its supply chain, and since it owns its factory, the company has a direct relationship with the community, impacting each step of

Parker Clay, a B-Corp and Ethiopian leather goods brand on a mission to uplift at-risk women, has launched a fundraising campaign to further the brand’s vision to create economic empowerment. (Parker Clay/Submitted)

the process. It hires at-risk women, pays living wages and benefits, and provides skills training, career advancement, and financial literacy opportunities to all of its employees.

“This public fundraising effort gives us an incredible opportunity to expand the voice and reach of Parker Clay and further our vision to create economic empowerment,” Ian says. “Dignified and ethical employment of women enables us to carry a better bag while putting the power back in the hands of those who will change the world. We believe in building a better way, and that happens through community. Simply put, our community is why we exist. As a B Corp, we also believe in transparency and raising the standards within the fashion industry, and our community support is the backbone of Parker Clay. We have also experienced tremendous growth over the past years and we see a great opportunity and demand in the market to expand our products to the world. As we look to expand our supply chain and business opportunities we wanted to invite our community to be part of this through investing and becoming a coowner with us.”

Since the formation of Parker Clay, the company has partnered with an organization called Ellilta Women at Risk (EWAR), with a goal of restoring independence to women who have been exploited through prostitution, ultimately fighting to end prostitution in Ethiopia.

Its partnership with EWAR operates beyond the traditional charity model and extends into the skills training and job creation opportunities that are made available at its factory in Ethiopia.

Parker Clay has developed methodologies to create economic opportunity, leveraging a trade model built out of mission.

Parker Clay opened its first store in Santa Barbara in 2016. The brand now has four locations including San Luis

Obispo, Denver and Playa Vista Free Market, which opened in April 2022.

Ian adds, “We believe that creating better choices for consumers does not have to be complicated. Our business model began with a commitment to empowering women in Ethiopia with living wages, benefits, and more, and we’ve shown that this model is not an act of charity – it’s just good business in a world with increasingly mindful consumers. We’ve succeeded in making a better bag, in a way that’s better for the people who make it. Now it’s time to take that

model to the world. We’re building the future of fashion in Africa, and we want our community to join us at the table as co-owners.”

To contribute to the fundraiser and for more information, visit invest.parkerclay.com.

Parker Clay

12751 Millennium Drive, Los Angeles 805-699-5144

parkerclay.com

The campaign gives the public the opportunity to invest in Parker Clay, which will enable them to expand production capacity, hire and create impact for more employees, and scale up their retail capacity and market share.

(Parker Clay/Submitted)

Butterflies, Birds and Ballona

Wetlands ‘friends’ teach children about the environment

BY MORGAN OWEN

Before the Westside was a city, it was a coastal wetland rich with plant and animal diversity. Today, one remnant of this ancient ecosystem remains, the Ballona Wetlands. Carolyn Everhart, the manager of environmental education at Friends of Ballona Wetlands, teaches children about this once-great landscape that defined Santa Monica Bay.

Friends of Ballona Wetlands is one of many environmental groups on the lower Westside dedicated to preserving the Ballona Wetlands. One way they accomplish

this is by offering the Explore Ballona program for schools across Los Angeles County to foster a sense of ownership and understanding about the wetlands.

On a typical Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Everhart can be seen escorting children throughout the wetlands, teaching them about the environment and the plants and animals that live there. Many groups are repeat visitors, returning each year to learn something new about Ballona.

Everhart explained that Friends of Ballona tailors their school tours to align with the science standards for each grade as

mandated by the state of California. For second graders, Everhart will teach about plants and pollinators, while fourth graders focus on endangered animals.

It’s a great hands-on learning experience where students get to use binoculars, magnifying glasses and geoscience tools, Everhart says — and for many kids, this is one of the only times they get to be in a wide-open space.

“We get a lot of ‘woah’ (from the students) because they’re coming in from parts of the city where everything is ce-

Continued on page 28

Students are often impressed with how much open space they see when they visit Ballona Wetlands. (Friends of Ballona Wetlands/Submitted)

and Grit Grace

BY MORGAN OWEN

Teens shuffle around the dance studio at Westside School of Ballet. They all wear matching black leotards with skin-pink tights, laughing and stretching as the instructor and pianist prepare for class. Then they begin. Suddenly, the studio is alive with music. The dancers seem to grow several inches as they conduct their drills in pace with the pianist, disciplined and graceful.

The second students walk through the door, they present their best selves, says Allegra Clegg, the owner and executive director of 56-year-old dance school. Poise, etiquette, and perseverance are the values instilled in every student, in line with what Clegg’s mother, Yvonne Mounsey, intended when she began the school in 1967.

Clegg says everything in her mother’s life was about ballet. Mounsey founded

Allegra Clegg upholds a mother’s legacy

Owner, Allegra Clegg, center, stands with her Westside School of Ballet team, including Associate Executive Director Adrian Blake Mitchell; Artistic Director Martine Harley; Westside Ballet Company Board President Judith Meister and Managing Director Richard Tahvildaran Jesswein. (Chris Mortenson/Staff)

COVER STORY

Westside Ballet with Rosemary Valarie after being a principal dancer for the New York City Ballet in the 1950s.

After her mother passed away in 2012 at the age of 93, Clegg took over ownership of the school. Although Clegg now works professionally as an executive vice president at Paramount, she works closely with the current management and artistic staff at the ballet school.

“I could see how passionate my mother was about ballet and the lessons ballet taught the kids. No matter what the talent of the child, they learned to work hard to become the best dancer they could be. Most importantly she taught them that life is difficult, and you have to show up and work hard, day in and day out,” Clegg says. “It was something I didn’t want to let go of.”

Mounsey had a way of inspiring the children, Clegg says. She remembered once when a student’s brother came with her to class. Mounsey bent down and asked him, ‘why aren’t you in class too?’ The boy, four years old, says he didn’t know why. That boy, Clegg says, stuck with the program to the end of high school and is now studying at the Tisch School of the Arts in New York.

That passion and love for ballet are what Mounsey, and now Clegg with the current artistic staff — led by Artistic Director Martine Harley — hope to instill in every student. But ballet, like most children’s sports, is not free; that is why Westside Ballet has a robust scholarship program to help students fund their ballet education.

Clegg explains the artistic staff doesn’t just aim to teach students ballet; they strive to teach them valuable life lessons that launch them into adulthood. Clegg says that is what she loves being a part of the most.

“Being the owner, I love to see what Westside Ballet is doing for the community. I feel it’s essential to grow good adults, and kids that go through the school have a little extra … I think that’s a gift, and I love being part of it,” Clegg says.

When the world shut down three years ago because of the pandemic, Clegg says the camaraderie of ballet was a shining light for the students during a dark time. Even though they had to scramble to figure out how to teach ballet virtually, the community came together to support the school.

Westside Ballet is a small business after all, Clegg says, and they were in danger of closing if they could not raise money through performances and ticket sales. Their Volunteer Guild jumped into action with a crisis relief campaign. With community and alumni support, they raised more than $300,000. Between that, and special relief grants, Clegg was able to keep the school open.

That same summer, when the initial lockdown ended, the school reopened using their rear studio (which has a bay wall exposing the studio to the open air) and a new outdoor studio space constructed by Morley Builders.

“(My mother) would have been so proud. I feel like that was in my DNA, with

my mother being the way she was. (I was) very strong and said, no, we are going to figure this out,” Clegg says. “My mother would have been very proud of our community. We came together and figured out how to save this amazing institution.”

Summer programs and year-round classes

Over the summer, Westside Ballet offers several weeklong intensive programs for different skill levels. The school’s staff have designed the programs to strengthen young dancers’ technique and allow them to improve at an accelerated rate.

For intermediate to advanced dancers, the school offers intensives in styles from ballet to jazz to modern. For advanced students aged 13 to 19, the intensives focus on “Swan Lake,” Balanchine, and international styles.

Westside Ballet also has children’s day camps throughout the summer. Each day

Continued on page 26

Westside Ballet Artistic Director Martine Harley, describes the school’s summer camp for children as their “favorite storybook characters brought to life through dance and design.”

(Anne Slattery/Contributor)

A Story of Success

Michelle Martino’s finesse brings real estate success

She was quickly recognized as one of the California Association of Realtors’ top 15 agents — topping 275,000 others.

Her skills at negotiation are surpassed only by her notoriety at achieving near 100% buyer success, the first time out.

That’s including the ultracompetitive world of multiple offers.

Now, she works as the executive director of luxury homes at KW Advisors in the Marina. The key to Martino’s success is her genuine honesty, strategic thinking and sheer tenacity to make every deal a spectacular success.

As her sales grew, so did her reputation for knowing the markets, the neighborhoods and the most effective way to negotiate a deal.

Martino, who graduated with four majors from Loyola Marymount University and was invited to become a Mensa member, has elevated client care to an elite status by offering her clients staging, concierge estate services and chauffeured neighborhood tours.

Her success is an amalgamation of her family’s rich traditions and ingrained values. And yet, even growing up in Beverly Hills didn’t affect her down-to-earth style and graceful approach that captivates all who meet her.

It’s that easy approach that clients and peers find so refreshing and memorable.

BY PLAYA VISTA MAGAZINE STAFF

Michelle Martino is a superstar. In her first career in the creative arts, she amassed numerous awards for her work as a writer, radio and TV commercial producer and as a creative director.

As a testament to Martino’s status, Jay Chiat of the renown TBWA\Chiat\Day advertising agency personally held a seat for her as creative director whenever she wanted it.

When the financial crisis hit, she parlayed her creative talents, strategic thinking and super smarts into real estate.

Long inspired by her family’s legacy — where their custom homes were built from dirt lots and a commitment to extraordinary standards, to her two sisters who are stars themselves at The Agency in Beverly Hills and Sotheby’s in Montecito — Martino jumped in.

Martino was on fire from the time she landed her first client. Even though she switched careers just as the market crashed, she relied on her innate ability to outthink, outservice and outperform for every single client, regardless if they were looking to purchase, sell or lease.

The results have been remarkable.

Martino says, “Regardless of the size of your home or the price, I strive to consistently deliver beyond your dreams. Which means making everyone in the deal feel listened to, important and understood.

“In the end, my passion for real estate drives me to do my best for my clients, while also remembering to be gracious, tenacious and absolutely unforgettable.”

Michelle Martino KW AdvisorsSilicon Beach/Marina del Rey 310-880-0789, marinadelreylistings.com

Michelle Martino. (Michelle Martino/Submitted)

LA Friendly

Sarah Kim warms her neighbors with Moto Ramen

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Restaurateur Sarah Kim calls her latest venture, Moto Ramen in Culver City, a trip back home.

She grew up in the city, feels comfortable with her neighbors and loves feeding them. Kim, who has spent two decades in the industry, said the location just made sense.

“I see the neighborhood changing,” she says. “There are a lot of old and new faces. I want to be part of that growth. We’ve grown with the customers we’ve had for the 10-plus years expanding between the restaurants. We want to grow with other families and people we know.”

An LA native, Kim opened Moto Ramen in June 2020 with chef Yuki Nakamoto, with whom she has worked since 2004.

Moto Ramen is driven by the flavors and traditions of Okinawa and serves ramen, bento and small plates with an extensive sake list.

“Our ramen is not the usual rib-sticking fatty broth, rather it’s a lighter style, which I like to consider more LA friendly,” she says.

“However, the chicken karaage—the fried Japanese chicken—seems to have stolen the spotlight. We do it a little differently. It’s a little bigger than what people are used to— juicier inside, crispy on the outside. We have our own special marinade that we use.”

Tan Tan Men ($16.50) is another signature dish, with its rich bone soup with spicy, sesame and nutty flavors. It’s topped with ground pork, soft boiled egg, bok choy and bean sprouts.

“It’s a little different from the traditional ramen that we find,” she says. “A lot of people are used to the classic ramen. It’s like pizza, depending on where you go it’s made

a little differently. Our Tan Tan Men brings a little more nuances with spicy and sweet.”

The menu also boasts small plates ranging from garlic edamame ($5) to Okinawa chashu, pork belly marinated in Okinawan sweet soy sauce. Rice bowls bring a bit of carbs to the fold, with options like beef, chicken karaage don, albacore don, salmon don, yellowtail don and spicy tuna don ($15.50 to $20). Weekday lunch diners can enjoy bento boxes featuring tofu with yuzu mushroom sauce ($17.99); chicken karaage ($19); beef yakiniku ($20) or miso salmon ($21).

Kim, who earned an art degree at UC San

Diego, says the restaurant business was a natural creative outlet for her.

“I love that I get to meet people,” Kim says. “We have people who I’ve worked with for over 10 years. There’s really that sense of family at home and at work, which I really appreciate.”

Sarah Kim. (Moto Ramen/Submitted)

IN BUSINESS

Local Market Expert

Tami Humphrey helps clients find their dream homes in Playa Vista

BY PLAYA VISTA MAGAZINE STAFF

Real estate has been a big part of Tami Humphrey’s life since she was a child. Her parents were real estate partners who owned a brokerage, and family conversations at the dinner table were often centered around new clients, interesting escrows and solving real estate problems.

Initially, Humphrey didn’t intend to follow in her family’s footsteps. She knew that she wanted to help people, but at the time she didn’t know what career path she wanted to pursue.

“I helped my parents along the way, but I never felt like I was going to work in real estate until I received my license at 24,” Humphrey says. “I fell in love with helping people on their real estate journeys and that set me on my path to where I am now.”

Humphrey has been a real estate agent in Playa Vista and its surrounding areas for over 17 years. She grew up in Thousand Oaks and moved to Playa Vista when she was 24. Humphrey truly knows and loves the area and has watched it evolve over time. In 2015, she wrote “Your Guide to Buying, Selling and Living in Playa Vista,” a book that lays out everything potential buyers and renters need to know about the community from floor plans to shopping and amenities. She was also previously featured on an episode of the HGTV series “House Hunters” in 2013.

“One of the reasons I wanted to do the episode was because not everyone knew about the community, people would drive by and think it was just apartment complexes,” Humphrey says. “Playa Vista is so different from the rest of Los Angeles.”

Eight years ago, her husband, Chad Aronson, joined her in real estate and they officially started their team, Team Tami, with Palm Realty Boutique. Humphrey has since grown the team

to nine people with an office manager, marketing manager, a leasing agent and four buyers agents, allowing the couple to focus on helping people sell their homes. During the Great Recession, much of Humphrey’s business consisted of short sales and helping people avoid foreclosure by negotiating with banks. Now her business serves a much different purpose.

“Housing inventory is so low within the community,” Humphrey says. “Playa Vista is a special place and people are just out there waiting for that right property.”

Humphrey says it’s the trust she has established with the community plus her experience and repeat clientele that keeps her in Playa Vista. From helping people find their first home to working with savvy investors, she prides herself on educating her clients and helping them achieve their real estate goals.

In the last year, she and Aronson started a property management division, per their clientele’s suggestion.

“A good number of clients who we helped lease out their property were asking for property management company referrals,” Aronson says. “The trick was we couldn’t find a company that strove to provide a level of customer service, communications and expertise that we wanted for our clients. Recently, we took the step of establishing Fostr Property Management with the goal of providing an excellent experience for landlords and tenants. Tami got her broker’s license, we set up all of the accounting and maintenance support systems and are already helping homeowners in Playa Vista, Westchester and Playa del Rey.”

She and her husband also give back to the community through sponsorships and community outreach like music in the park with ice cream sundaes or hosting a block party for everyone in

the area.

“Playa Vista is where we do business, it’s where we’re trusted and we’re super grateful for that,” Humphrey says. “It’s great to see the communities grow and we love to give back as much as possible so we’re constantly looking for ways to continue doing that.”

When Humphrey sits down with new or returning clients looking to sell their homes or move to the area, she makes it a point to learn what their goals are and find out what’s most important to them. For buyers, she also shares what makes Playa Vista so unique and explains the different complexes and floor plans.

Humphrey also teaches clients about past sales and walks them through the process so that when the right house becomes available, they will be prepared and ready.

“We want buyers to feel more confident in their choices because there’s so little housing inventory right now,” Humphrey says. “We’ve had so many first-time buyers and first-time sellers, and we try to do as much as possible to make it an enjoyable experience.”

For people looking to buy or rent in the area, Humphrey says they should have a feel for what’s important to them, as well as what they want and don’t want in their new home.

“It’s such a huge milestone,” Humphrey says. “It’s amazing to be able to experience the excitement of our clients’ successes.”

Tami Humphrey

Playa Vista Living Real Estate playavistaliving.com

Tami Humphrey. (Playa Living Real Estate/Submitted)

COVER STORY

7, students generally attend one or two classes a week. At ages 8 to 9, they begin their first performances with the older dancers. By the time students are in high school, they are in the studio anywhere between 15 to 25 hours per week, which can add up in cost.

“We average about $100,000 in financial aid to families who can’t afford ballet for their children per year. I never want to turn a kid away — my mom was like that. If they have that desire, why shut the door? I think (ballet) gives (kids) the grace and grit you don’t learn in many places,” Clegg says.

camp has a different theme, including “Toy Story,” “Puss ‘n Boots,” “Swan Lake,” “Encanto” and “Jazz Extravaganza.” The camps are designed to bring children’s favorite storybook characters to life though dance and design.

But the school doesn’t just focus on teaching children the joys of ballet. Westside School offers adult and teen Summer Intensives, designed to strengthen basic form and knowledge of the discipline.

“All the adults, they just love it. They love hearing the music and experiencing the joy of dance. It doesn’t matter how experienced they are; they’re just having a good time and enjoying the music and the camaraderie,” Clegg says.

Students at Westside Ballet, whether they are children, teens or adults, form meaningful relationships with instructors and peers that shape their approach to life. The friendships students create often carry on throughout students’ lives, Clegg says, because of how much they have been through together.

“A great deal of (the students) say that the friendships they form here are such a gift. It’s because they’re performing to-

gether. They’re in class together. They’re struggling together, and they’re achieving together. And then it does give them that discipline,” Clegg says.

Students practice and perform together. On May 26 and 27, Westside Ballet will perform its Spring Showcase, “Masters of Movement: Ballet through the Centuries” at the BroadStage in Santa Monica. The program presents new and established classical and contemporary works. The Friday night Soirée includes a preshow special cocktail, hors d’oeuvres and special guest performers.

“I love going to performances and seeing our kids go from (playing little parts) in the ‘Nutcracker’ to doing the Sugar Plum Fairy. To see the trajectory is amazing,” Clegg says.

Performances like these, especially the “Nutcracker,” are great learning opportunities for students to practice performing with a live orchestra. Unlike many dance studios Westside Ballet trains their students with live music, giving them important skills.

Westside Ballet begins teaching children as young as 3 years old in its Creative Movement classes. From there, they progress into pre-ballet. From ages 3 to

Clegg says she wants to grow Westside Ballet’s adult and boys programs. Even though there is still a stigma, Clegg says she feels many of their male students wear their ballet skills as a badge of honor, proud of all they have accomplished.

Another avenue the school is exploring is expanding its home-school training programs for advanced students with professional potential. Many of those students, she says, train at the level of Olympic athletes and have built their life around ballet training.

“I think my mom would be very proud of the direction Westside Ballet is heading. Since her death, the goal has been to ‘Raise the Barre’ and continue the legacy she and her partner, Rosemary Valarie started,” Clegg says.

“My mom was always looking for ways to make things better, to grow the school and the company. She always wanted to do more, to reach more children and to introduce more children to the wonderful world of ballet.”

Westside School of Ballet

For more information on Summer

Intensive Programs and year-round classes at Westside School of Ballet, visit westsideballet.com/summer. Enrollment is now open.

Continued from page 21

Allegra Clegg is dedicated to keeping her mother Yvonne Mounsey’s legacy alive for another five decades. One of George Balanchine’s original New York City principal dancers, Mounsey founded Westside School of Ballet in 1967. (Chris Mortenson/Staff)

EDUCATION

also only ask for an honorarium payment of $5 per person but assure schools that an inability to pay will not impact their ability to schedule a trip.

Another difficulty is that Friends of Ballona has a limited number of trips they can schedule through Explore Ballona. Staff and time are both limitations they must contend with. The good news is that Explore Ballona isn’t the only educational program available to the public.

In addition to Explore Ballona, Friends of Ballona Wetlands also tries to schedule public weekly tours. Each tour has limited spaces and must be booked in advance. Once they know who is going on the trip, the educator leading the trip will create a lesson plan catered to those attending.

Continued from page 16

ment. To come around this corner beyond the bushes and, suddenly, it’s all nature. It’s a really eye-opening moment. We get a lot of wonder and excitement,” Everhart says.

Explore Ballona doesn’t stop there. When Everhart isn’t in the wetlands leading field trips, she travels back to the schools for pre-trip and post-trip learning sessions. Pre-trip sessions usually prepare the kids for what they will experience. Sometimes, especially for the younger kids, she needs to reassure them that Ballona Wetlands is safe and free of lions, tigers and bears.

In the post-trip sessions, Everhart offers activities with the kids that solidify what they learned on their visit. For the second-grade classes, who learn about plants and pollinators on the trip, she will play a game where kids split up into groups — one pretending to be the plants and the other pretending to be the pollinators.

“What happens if we have kids walking off trail stepping on plants? How’s that going to affect the pollinators? (The students) start to think, ‘dude, this is not cool’ because they play as a pollinator,”

Everhart says.

The concepts taught in these post-trip sessions become more advanced as students age. To tie in with the concepts of endangered species for fourth graders, Everhart teaches about habitat loss and how Ballona is only 5% of the historical habitat many of these species lived in.

While Friends of Ballona advocates for protecting the wetlands, Everhart says it’s not her job to teach the kids what she believes is right and wrong, simply presenting the facts.

“It’s really important for us to provide the information but not necessarily provide the ‘right’ answer. We might come to different conclusions, and that’s OK … Usually, after they’ve been out there, they are coming to conclusions that are in line with what the broader environmental field hopes for, but our job is to give them information and let them come to their own conclusions,” Everhart says.

In terms of their learning, Everhart says almost every grade level is receptive and excited to be taught about Ballona Wetlands. The challenge, instead, is the logistics of getting the kids to the wetlands.

Friends of Ballona offers transportation vouchers to schools to help pay for busing the kids to the ecological preserve. They

“It depends on who shows up,” says Alexis Elias, manager of communications and community engagement. “We get a lot of scouts that come out to our tours. If there’s a majority of students, (our docents) will carry it more like a student tour. Whereas if it’s more adults, they’ll go into more detail about complex things.”

The community tours are open to everyone interested in learning about Ballona Wetlands, and Elias and Everhart encourage those interested in learning about the environment to sign up, weather permitting.

For people in the community interested in doing more than just a tour, Friends of Ballona Wetlands also leads community habitat restoration tours. That program allows students, families, volunteers, and retirees to get dirty doing restoration work planting native species and removing invasive plants.

“I think the most important thing is the exposure of not only the students but (the adults) that come out to natural places. To give students the opportunity to explore (the wetlands) and have a little bit of wonder will hopefully ignite in them a desire to learn more about natural places,” Everhart says. “Hopefully one day they will want to care about it and maybe that day is today.”

Students are often impressed with how much open space they see when they visit Ballona Wetlands. (Friends of Ballona Wetlands/Submitted)

Advertising Works!

Playa Vista Magazine is the only local magazine mailed directly into every address in 90094. Your advertisement will reach a community with a median income of $121,000! And with so many families staying closer to home, our readers are closely paying attention to each issue.

COMING IN

MAY: SUMMER FUN ISSUE

Ad Space deadline

Wednesday, May 17

Publishes May 25

For more information, please call 310.574.7655

Just What the Neighbors Ordered

Misael Villa has created a comfortable, quality eatery

BY JESSICA KOSLOW

Neighbors was the first word that popped into Misael Villa’s head when he looked at the space formerly occupied by Hal’s Bar & Grill.

The Venice institution once flourished on Abbot Kinney and opened its second location on Runway Playa Vista before closing in 2018.

“When the space was offered to us, as I walked around the neighborhood and ran things in my head, I realized that our clientele was going to be all those directly around us,” says Villa, who opened his restaurant’s doors in November 2022. “Our neighbors were who we wanted to cater to.”

That’s exactly who he’s catering to with Neighbors, a brunch and dinner spot in Playa Vista. In a few months, customers count among their favorites the crispy chicken sandwich; the Neighbors burger with Swiss, bacon, arugula, caramelized onion, and aioli on a brioche bun; pesto pasta; chicken piccata; and their breakfast items, which range from a breakfast burrito to French toast with seasonal berries, orange zest whipped cream, and hibiscus bourbon reduction.

They offer happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, with a weekly rotating cocktail from the regular menu at happy hour price. Neighbors also offers catering and delivery.

“The first month was really rough,” Villa says. “After our first three weeks we were able to finally have a full team, and it’s been a big weight off our shoulders. Fortunately, we’ve had a lot of locals that became regulars from the beginning and have been spreading the word about us with their friends, and we couldn’t be anymore grateful for them.”

Chef María Manzano leads the culinary team armed with 20 years of experience. Villa boasts that Manzano was born in Oaxaca, a world-famous culinary desti-

Neighbors is a new brunch and dinner spot in Playa Vista that was founded by Misael Villa to fill a void that was missing in the neighborhood. (Arely Ruiz/Contributor)

nation. The two put their experience and passion together to create a menu that would fill the void they saw in the neighborhood.

“Our menu was created by Playa Vista, by Runway, by our neighbors,” Villa says. “The menu was created by taking a walk around Runway, around the neighborhood, and realizing what was missing in the area. We understood who our clientele was going to be, and that’s how Neighbors the concept and menu came about.”

Villa has learned a few things while opening his own restaurant in Los Angeles, especially about himself.

“I’ve learned that I love what I do more than I thought I did,” he says. “It brings joy to see the place in full swing, to walk

into a loud kitchen getting orders out, to hear our guests laughing and enjoying themselves, to see our front of the house moving quickly because we’re trying to keep up the pace. It may seem like I’m exaggerating, but to me when we’re busy I see it as a work of art in motion.”

Villa’s family has roots in Puebla, Mexico, and he was raised in Los Angeles. As a student attending Cal State LA, Villa dipped his toes into the restaurant/bar industry.

“That’s how I paid for college,” he says. “I was going to school for business management and the longer I spent time in a restaurant I realized that this industry owned my heart. I love the good and the bad. There’s never a dull moment. I managed multiple different restaurants (Co-

cinas y Calaveras in Mercado Los Angeles and Malo in Silver Lake) before venturing into where we are now.”

These days Villa spends most of his time in Playa Vista — about 12 hours a day. He’s completely hands-on, from the initial conception to the day-to-day running, and he’s very clear about how Neighbors serves its neighbors.

“A lot of people say we have a highend vibe but don’t offer high-end dishes,” Villa explains. “We offer high-end quality food in a casual setting. We want to provide a beautiful space for you to enjoy any kind of dining experience, whether it’s brunch with your friends, dinner with the family, or a drink before a movie. We want to have a space that welcomes everyone.”

The menu features a variety of delicious items, including customer favorites like the Neighbors burger, crispy chicken sandwich, breakfast burrito, and French toast with seasonal berries, orange zest whipped cream, and hibiscus bourbon reduction. (Arely Ruiz/Contributor)

From Pizza to Playa Vista

The Samsons stand out with a bright California osteria

ing 16 at a communal bar and 10 bar seats. Outside, there is a capacity for 20 on the patio and 20 on the terrace.

Dina Samson co-owns it with her husband, Steve, chef-owner of Downtown LA’s Rossoblu. They connected with Lemonade founders Heidi and Alan Jackson to take over the space and open Superfine Playa. One of the kitchen’s main attractions is Steve Samson’s signature New York x Neapolitan hybrid-style pizza, which he serves at Superfine Pizza, a walk-up window in the Fashion District in Downtown Los Angeles.

“The menu is equal parts Italy and California,” says Steve Samson about Superfine Playa. “We want the menu to be light, bright and approachable.”

The menu boasts housemade pastas, wood-grilled meats and fish, and dishes highlighting fresh produce from the Playa Vista Farmers Market. Chef Mo Marvel leads the kitchen with Steve Samson, having moved over from his position as sous chef at Rossoblu.

Ella Zoller of Honey House curated the beer list, the centerpiece of the full-service bar.

Superfine Playa serves house-made pastas, woodgrilled meats and more.

(Emma Arends/Contributor)

BY JESSICA KOSLOW

Superfine Playa’s electric blue building and bright red letters near the roof boldly announce its arrival at Silicon Beach’s RUNWAY Playa Vista. The playful structure is energizing and eye-catching. What used to be The Bull and Butterfly Steakhouse transitioned to a casual California osteria on January 1 and officially opened its doors on March 22.

It was a quick turnaround, explains owner Dina Samson, who shares that her team had to hit the ground running, repurposing

and refinishing.

Although they kept much of the prior restaurant’s design, the place was given a chic makeover. They added wooden planters outside handmade by Victory Gardens and filled with native plants, many of which were transplanted from the nearby Ballona Wetlands.

The bespoke wallpaper in the bathrooms is beautifully illustrated with the same plants popping out of the outdoor boxes; it’s brightly colored in the women’s bathroom and more muted in the men’s.

The space has 86 indoor seats, includ-

Because the restaurant specializes in natural wines, wine jails divide the bar section from eating area, showing off rows of shiny bottles of different hues. The wine list focuses on family growers and winemakers and was curated by James Saidy and Dina Samson. Brunch service is available, too.

It’s somewhat of a departure from their previous establishments, Rossoblu and Sotto, but the chef remains committed to quality Italian meals and open-armed hospitality.

“Foodwise, my mom and nonna were my biggest influences,” Steve Samson says. “Personally, my mom and dad gave me everything I ever needed to become a decent person. We strive to treat our guests like we treat our family and friends, with compassion and understanding.”

The Jacksons opened Bull and Butterfly Steakhouse for business in 2020 during the pandemic, which made success near impos-

FOOD

sible. Although today’s culinary climate is more optimistic, launching a restaurant is no piece of cake.

“Opening a restaurant is overwhelmingly hard,” Steve Samson says. “There are so many moving parts and details that constantly jump out at you. It’s physically and mentally demanding. I’ve learned I’m getting too old for it.”

Superfine Playa offers outdoor dining on the patio and terrace, a feature that now seems to be a must-have for places after the pandemic.

“The pandemic has affected the restaurant industry in so many ways,” Steve Samson says. “One of the positive things is that people in LA finally enjoy dining outdoors.”

Despite the long days and nights, Dina Samson’s excitement for what’s to come gushes as she points to the little and big additions to the space on a recent tour. Her enthusiasm trickles down to the 100-year-old host stand, which they found on eBay from a church in Missouri, and the Italian-imported tiny tiles that spell Superfine Playa on the floor when you first enter the front doors.

“They were stuck in Turkey during the earthquake,” she reveals.

Kids are always welcome at Superfine Playa, which is a plus in a community where children are the order of the day. The Samsons live in neighboring Westchester, and their 10-year-old twins, Gaia and Luca, attend WISH Charter Elementary School.

“We’ve watched Playa Vista grow from a strictly residential community to one with incredible amenities that attract shoppers and diners who live elsewhere,” Steve Samson says. “We love raising our kids in this community, so it’s super important for us to make Superfine Playa a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant.”

Once Dina Samson’s day-to-day routine settles into business as usual, she’s looking forward to meeting her neighbors, especially the female restaurateurs. She’s the co-founder of Regarding Her, a nonprofit hub highlighting women-identifying and nonbinary food and beverage entrepreneurs. The website includes an LA and Washington, D.C., guide listing food and drink experiences inspired and curated by women-owned businesses.

As Dina Samson stands in front of her latest dining endeavor, she points at the brightly painted Superfine Playa letters near the roof: “I need to get a spotlight,” she says, which is one more way she’ll make sure Superfine Playa stands out at Runway Playa Vista.

Superfine Playa

12746 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 2200, Playa Vista

superfineplaya.com

Dinner: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays

5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Brunch: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Superfine Playa has a curated beer and wine list that focuses on family growers and winemakers. (Emma Arends/Contributor)

Stand Up for Pups Comedy Show

Friday, March 31

Join Wallis Annenberg

PetSpace for a night of comedy with your pet at your side. Headlining will be Michael Blaustein followed by Willie Macc, Tian Chen, Roger Smith, and Scotty Cav. Food will be available from 5 Elementos LA food truck. A portion of the ticket sales will go to the PetSpace Extraordinary Care Fund.

Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, 12005 Bluff Creek Drive, Playa Vista, $20 general admission, $25 table seating, 6:30 to 9 p.m., annenbergpetspace.org

Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, April 2

Search for the golden egg during Runway’s annual event. Bring a basket and come early. Afterward, stay for a special story time with a live Easter Bunny. Storytime will feature TheStoryLady, Little Bunny Foo Foo, and The Easter Bunny.

RUNWAY, 12775 Millennium Drive, Playa Vista, 9:30 a.m. egg hunt, free admission with registration, 10 a.m. story time, runwayplayavista.com

Grow Native Gardening Club

Tuesdays, April 11 and 25

Get down and dirty at Ballona

Discovery Park learning about urban ecology. At this gardening club, you will be helping remove invasive vegetation in the Ballona Wetlands to help the native ecosystem thrive. Registration is required and the activities are recommended for ages 7 and up. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle. Ballona Discovery Park, 13110 Bluff Creek Drive, free with registration, 10 a.m. to noon, ballonafriends.org

LMU Dance Concert 2023

Wednesday, April 12 to Saturday, April 15

Loyola Marymount University’s spring showcase will feature student-choreographed work along with a piece by professor Laura Ann Smyth. LMU’s dancers will also perform a Senior Showcase (April 28) and Senior Thesis Concert (April 28). Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, 12105 W. Waterfront Drive, Suite 200, $20 general admission, $10 students, 8 p.m., lmu.edu

Bay Cities Coin Club

Thursday, April 14

Meetings for Bay Cities Coin Club are the Thursday of every month at the Westchester Masonic Center. Meetings have an educational presentation, coin auction and raffle. Parking is at the rear of the building.

Westchester Masonic Center, 7726 W. Manchester Avenue, Playa Del Rey, free admission, 6:30 to 9 p.m., baycitiescoinclub.com

Bird-Watching Tour of Ballona Wetlands

Saturday, April 15

Join the Playa Vista Branch Library for a tour of Ballona Wetlands. Expect to catch glimpses of herons, pelicans, black-necked stilts, and cormorants. To attend,

meet outside of the library. Playa Vista Branch Library, 6400 Playa Vista Drive, Los Angeles, free admission, 9:30 a.m., lapl.org

Creative Communal Artisan Market

Saturday, April 15

Support local retailers at RUNWAY at this pet-friendly, kid-friendly market. Browse more than 40 local artisans, with brunch, barbeque and live music. RUNWAY, 12775 Millennium Drive, Playa Vista, free admission, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., runwayplayavista.com

P.C. Pitstop Cars and Coffee

Saturday, April 29

Stop by for Cars and Coffee at the Main Drive at RUNWAY. Every month, car enthusiasts can meet up with their peers to view each other’s vehicles over a hot latte. The event is hosted by Free Market Playa and nostalgia car retailer, Period Correct.

RUNWAY Main Drive, 12775 Millennium Drive, Playa Vista, free admission, 9 a.m. to noon, runwayplayavista.com

Compiled by Morgan Owen

Every month, like-minded car enthusiasts gather at RUNWAY. (RUNWAY/Instagram)

Ballona Wetlands has several areas open to the public. Check with local organizations for tours and other environmental programs (Chris Mortenson/Staff)