Westchester/Playa HomeTown News January 2022 edition

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playa del rey

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

January 2022

Creating some of Westchester's most beautiful homes page 4 10+ things to know about Westchester/Playa in 2022...page 14

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

This Month Brings You

help you prom help you prom nization or even l a c o L p Sho nization orin 20even 22!

A look inside your HTN

Transforming Westchester one home at a time 04 NCWP Monthly Update 08 10+ things to know about Westchester/Playa in 2022 14 5 Questions With...

24 In Pictures: Holiday Lights Tour & Contest Winners 26

HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher

Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Fay Craton, Contributing Writer

Lydia Smith, Contributing Writer Consuelo Israelson, Contributing Writer

Front page: Alison White of Alison White Homes stands in front of her Kentwood residence. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

About The HomeTown News (HTN)

The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations.

Connect with the HTN:

Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745 Westchester, CA 90045 • Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com • Website: thehtn.com • Facebook: facebook.com/thehtn • Instagram: instagram.com/thehometownnews The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of each month.

act us for rates and act us for rates and hesterhometo Now, more than ever, Westchester retailers and service providers need your help. Slammed by the

We’ll help maximize your benefits from the new tax laws.

pandemic, our small businesses need

hesterhometo your help to survive. Please make “Shop Local” your

mantra for 2022 – it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love and the families they support alive!

us on Faceboo to-date with news and us on Faceboo Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

January 2022 • Page 3

By Consuelo Israelson

Alison White loves walking in her Kentwood neighborhood in Westchester. She calls it “making her rounds.” A stroll is even better if she happens to spot a home that needs some TLC, and if it’s for sale, she might even consider buying it and that’s when the work really starts.

“Once I’m inside, I know within five minutes what I’d like to do with the house and what style would fit best,” says Alison, owner of Alison White Homes, a boutique firm that renovates houses before offering them for sale.

She also takes on select clients to work with to build their dream homes.

This is a second career for Alison.

In her previous life, she worked as a lawyer and realized that as a single mom with two children, she wasn’t getting as much time with her family as she’d like. She decided to try a new hobby to see where it would go and got her real estate license. When she had free time, she’d spend it looking at homes.

“I saw male developers weren’t catering to women and families,” she said. “For example, a lot of showers weren’t being built with a ledge, which women need in order to shave their legs. Little things like this can mean a lot.”

She watched trends and studied the real estate market until one day when she ran into a childhood friend who was interested in the same thing. They teamed up for a year, before Alison joined a new venture with fellow Westchester mom Megan Blu. They worked together for several years as Blu and White Homes, but Alison wasn’t quite ready to quit her day job.

“Our first house was on Cowan.

Other people in real estate thought we were crazy when we removed some of the house to make the backyard bigger to make it feel more like a resort. That ended up selling the house! We realized we were onto something with familyfriendly homes,” Alison said. “I felt I had a unique perspective that wasn’t being captured.”

In 2019, she was ready to leave her law firm and started out on her own with Alison White Homes. She loves being the boss and being hands-on with all of the homes she takes on to remodel in Westchester, as well as surrounding communities like Culver City.

“I work with an architect and a contractor, but I drive the project.

I figure out on paper what we need and what makes the most sense. My knowledge of the real estate market is what lets this happen,” said Alison.

A self-described “control freak,” she usually focuses on about five Page 4 • January 2022

Alison White sits in her living room.

houses per year because she likes to be involved in all aspects of a home’s transformation. So far for 2022, she has three projects in Westchester, one in Culver City and another in Long Beach that are slated to be finished this summer. Since she has built a strong reputation for creating beautiful homes for modern family living, full of custom finishes and thoughtful touches, she recently was able to sell a home before the renovations are even completed.

When it comes to construction, she’s partial to creating Coastal Cape Cods, Modern Farmhouses and Spanish styles, but most of all it’s about bringing a home’s potential and charm to the forefront with carefully curated design choices.

“My favorite part is seeing an idea come to life. There’s something really special about homes. With people staying at their houses now more than ever, it’s so important to have a place that works for you,” she said.

As it turns out, real estate is in her bones; growing up, her parents bought houses to fix up and were always on the lookout for their next project. And

when it came time to pick a home of her own, Westchester was an easy choice, thanks to her mother Kathy Sultan.

“

I felt I had a unique perspective that wasn’t being captured.

Kathy currently runs the beloved preschool at Covenant Presbyterian and has worked in Westchester for more than 20 years.

“My mom has always loved Westchester and kept pushing my sister and me to live there. She described it as a village,” Alison said. “We fell in love with it and in 2011 moved here. I went

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

Alison White Homes hopes to transform Westchester one home at a time

to little Vons, and it felt like everyone knew each other. Within a few months, that was me! It really is a small town within Los Angeles. I never knew something like this existed.”

Because Alison lives in the same area as most of her remodels, she knows how important it is to be a good neighbor.

“It’s not fun living next door to construction,” she said. “We always try to be respectful and mindful.”

Another perk of keeping most of her projects local is getting to leave her creative mark when it comes to the feel of the community.

“One of the reasons I like picking houses nearby is because then I can have a little control over the look of our neighborhood,” she says. “I’m not always a fan of what people from outside the area do.”

While Alison and her team are constantly researching the next big thing in design and coming up with new, creative ideas, she prefers to make her signature homes look classic, so they won’t be out of vogue in five years.

She says they tend to stay away from trendy colors and styles to ensure the finished product is timeless and a good fit for the area.

“We try to prioritize responsible building over profits. We don’t always make as much money as other people, but we try to do the right thing,” she said. “Our decisions are often based on what’s best for the neighborhood rather than being solely profit-driven.”

Alison’s focus on community and her desire to be a resource, led her to create the Westchester Renovations Group on Facebook last year as a place where members can ask questions about home improvement projects, get opinions on things like tile choices and paint colors, share remodeling woes and ask for referrals. She likes sharing her expertise and offering her opinions with the group when she can because she knows just how daunting a remodel can be.

Her passion for design and the motivation to create some of Westchester’s most beautiful one-of-akind homes has not only made Alison White Homes a much sought-after name for those looking to buy their Westchester dream locale but has also captured the attention of Hollywood.

Some of her properties have been used for filming, the latest being an ADT commercial featuring the Property Brothers. She has also been approached by production companies about pitching shows to HGTV but turns them down because her favorite perk of owning her own business and being the boss is that she gets to spend more time with her children, Peyton, 11 and Preston, 8.

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

WISH continues to thrive due to the incredible support of the Westchester community, strong parent partnerships, and a commitment to high-quality meaningful and engaging public education for all students by our amazing team of educators! be valued and understood be held to high expectations experience exciting & engaging curriculum receive a chromebook have the opportunity to join a sports team participate in exceptional art, music, technology & PE instructional experiences have high quality SEL, STEM, & GATE instruction receive hands-on project based learning benefit from university & business partnerships take rigorous High School pathway courses in Engineering, BioMedical Science, Social Justice & Performing Arts

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

January 2022 • Page 5

Business & Nonprofit News

TheHTN.com

The LAX Coastal Chamber and Gateway to LA welcome new leadership.

After 17 years at the LAX Coastal Chamber, President/CEO Christina Davis has announced that she has accepted the position of Executive Director of The Gateway Los Angeles Property Business Improvement District (BID). Davis’ last day with the chamber will be January 14, and she replaces longtime Executive Director Laurie Hughes who retired at the end of last year.

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

The chamber’s current Vice President of Membership, Chad Maender, has been promoted to the role of President/CEO. “The LAX Coastal Chamber and the communities we serve hold such a special place in my heart. The chamber has made great strides during my time here, and it has truly become a force in supporting business and community in our area and beyond,” said Davis.

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

Davis, who grew up in Westchester, started her career with the chamber in December 2004 and was promoted Page 6 • January 2022

Photos by Ballerini Cooley Studios.

The community is invited to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the third annual Kids’ March for Equality on Monday, January 17 from 10 to 11 a.m. Hosted by the Westside Activists, the event is organized as a positive, non-partisan family-friendly activity that celebrates diversity and equality. The event will take place on the northwest corner of Sepulveda and La Tijera Blvd. in Westchester. In year’s past, more than 100 community members with colorful, positive signs have participated in the march. For more info and to RSVP, visit bit.ly/KidsMarch.

This month, current LAX Coastal Chamber President/CEO Christina Davis will take on a new role at Gateway to LA after 17 years at the community organization. Chad Maender will step into the role as head of the business group, which also hosts the Fourth of July Parade, after serving as its Vice President of Membership.

to the role of President/CEO in April 2006. During her time there, she has grown the organization’s budget, membership numbers and prestige, earning the LAX Coastal Chamber one of the L.A. Business Journal’s top 15 spots for Largest L.A. County Chambers and countless accolades, including AMCS’ Community Builder Award. Always working to promote members and the vitality of local business, she is responsible for launching a multitude of programs to support small and large businesses including LAX Coworking, State of LAX, Power Hour, Protectors’ Appreciation Week, City of Angels Awards Gala, DEI initiatives, Binge Live!, the LAX Coastal Magazine, and increasing corporate memberships.

She also continued to grow the chamber’s community initiatives including the Fourth of July Parade and the Teacher Eddy Awards. During

the pandemic when many chambers suffered, Davis led her team through navigating the quick move to virtual programming, creating a robust offering of ways businesses could connect, network and find support, while keeping the membership and budget stable. Most recently, Davis and incoming Board Chair, Joe Coleman have overseen the organization’s first comprehensive strategic plan, ensuring the organization continues to thrive, remain relevant, and most importantly, serve its 500-plus membership.

“Of course, none of our accomplishments could have happened without our amazing team, members and partners,” said Davis. “I could not be more pleased to have Chad step in as the President/CEO. He understands the issues of our businesses and the communities we serve. We have been working side by side since he joined this team and I know the transition

will be seamless and the organization will prosper under his leadership.”

Over the last 17 years, Davis says the relationships that have been formed at the chamber are what she values most.

“I always say our chamber is about building relationships with people,” said Davis. “I have been honored to serve in this role and be able to connect so many wonderful people and businesses together to create a stronger community. In my new role at Gateway, I will continue to be an advocate and fierce supporter of the chamber and its programs, including Leadership Academy.”

“Christina has been a dynamic CEO and I know that our membership will miss her leadership in the organization,” said Board Chair, Rae Lamothe. “Under her leadership, the chamber has flourished and become a vital organization for local businesses to join. Her leadership will be missed, but we know she will continue to contribute to the chamber in new ways.”

Maender steps into the position with a wealth of experience as the Chamber’s current Vice President of Membership. He previously served as Executive Director of the Mid-Valley YMCA, running an operating budget of more than $2.3 million annually.

“Shifting into the CEO role, I plan to build on the incredible foundation that Christina has built during her tenure,” said Maender. “Christina has left a profound impact on the many businesses and organizations across our community and has built this chamber from the ground up. All of the great qualities of our organization came from the culture she created. (continued on next page)

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

Photo by Venice Paparazzi.

The 59th Annual Marina del Rey Boat Parade was the largest yet, with more than 70 boats participating in the Saturday, December 11 event. The theme was “On the Water” and Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital’s Joanne Laguna-Kennedy and Dr. Steven Krems were honored as the parade’s grand marshals. More than a dozen boats were recognized after the event for their outstanding efforts, including Best Overall winner Nosso Lar, which wowed the crowd with decorations depicting Santa riding on an elephant and featured five small boats full of animals trailing behind.

(continued from previous page) It’s an exciting time in Los Angeles and in particular the LAX Coastal community as we are set to be the ‘front door’ to the world for the next 7-plus years. We will be maximizing our resources to be a relevant and strategic partner so that all of our businesses can thrive and benefit.”

The chamber will roll out its strategic plan in the first quarter of 2022. The organization has been serving the community since 1953 and currently serves more than 550 members.

Community invited to join Mental Health Guild.

The Westchester Mental Health Guild will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this month at its annual membership meeting. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 26 at 10 a.m. This year, to be COVIDsafe, it will be held via Zoom. All members and prospective members are invited to attend. The meeting link will be available on the Guild’s website a week before the meeting.

The Westchester Mental Health Guild is a nonprofit organization which has for the past 60 years worked to raise funds to support Airport Marina Counseling Service.

Among other activities, the Guild operated a gift shop called The Guilded Cage from 1975 through 2016, and conducted 37 annual indoor tours of homes decorated for the holidays in Westchester and Playa del Rey. When the pandemic began, the Guild began to hold mostly online fundraiser events, including wine tastings, cooking, flower-arranging demonstrations and a trivia night.

Their next fundraiser is January 24 through January 27 at Tony P’s Dockside Grill in Marina del Rey. The restaurant will provide 20 percent of the proceeds to the Guild from all diners presenting a coupon that can be found on the Guild’s website.

RSVP for the meeting and learn

In these crazy times, have you completely given up on the real estate market?

If not, don’t hesitate to call me.

more at westchestermhg.org.

Rotarians ready to host 5K in Westchester to raise awareness for human trafficking prevention.

For more than a decade, January has been dedicated to raising awareness about the different forms of human trafficking. The Rotary International Districts of Los Angeles, which includes the Westchester/ Playa area, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco are joining forces this month for the California Rotary Human Trafficking Prevention Campaign. The four districts are collaborating, in partnership with nonprofits, to assist victims and survivors within their regions, to raise awareness during the entire month and encourage all Californians to help spread the word. California is currently one of the top three states with the most reported cases of human trafficking.

The community’s two local Rotary Clubs–Westchester and Playa Venice Sunrise–have been supporting efforts to fight this issue and help victims, and will be hosting a non-competitive 5K run/walk on January 16 at 1 p.m.

The event will be held in Westchester and will feature Playa Venice Sunrise Rotarian and ultra-sport athlete, Rob DeCou. Through participating in ultra-endurance events, including the Uberman Challenge, DeCou has helped raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for this cause.

For a $15 donation, participants can sign up as virtual walkers. General admission tickets are $40 and include a tote bag. A $100 VIP ticket is also available.

For more details, visit rotariansfightinghumantrafficking. org/events.

Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.

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

Amy Nelson Frelinger Realtor® | DRE# 01484711 M 310.951.0416 O 424.281.7603 amy.frelinger@elliman.com

Robert Milligan, Partner Business, Intellectual Property and Employment Counseling & Litigation (310) 201-1579 rmilligan@seyfarth.com

January 2022 • Page 7

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

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

CWP~ Plato

2022 Greater LA Homeless Count Preparations Begin Preparations for the 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count are officially underway! Recently, there was a virtual launch with over 200 stakeholders from across the Greater Los Angeles area where the latest developments for the upcoming count were shared. You can watch the launch video at bit.ly/3xHVJ9L The 2022 Greater LA Homeless Count will be held between Tuesday, January 25 to Thursday, January 27. Register for the Count by going to www.theycountwillyou.org.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires each Continuum of Care (CoC) to hold a biennial Point-InTime (PIT) Count during odd-number years.

Beginning in 2016, the Los Angeles CoC started holding the Homeless Count annually to analyze the trends of people experiencing homelessness. The annual Homeless Count is an essential component in getting vital information that helps us provide an accurate picture of the state of homelessness in Los Angeles and deliver services where they are most needed. It also increases general homelessness awareness with the public and increases engagement with leaders,

residents, and stakeholders.

This year, Homeless Count volunteers will be able to download Akido Connect “LA Homeless Count App” from their Apple or Android App Stores. Akido Connect, the App developed by Akido Labs, will replace the pen and paper tally system, and volunteers will mark their tallies directly in the mobile app. Deployment Site Coordinators will have access to a dashboard where they can view the tallies for specific Census Tracts. LAHSA will be able to securely access the data in real-time for data analysis.

The results will be released to the public in Summer 2022, at which time the presentation and data summaries will be published at www.lahsa.org/homeless-count/

NCWP PLUC to Review Proposed “Dinah’s” Project The NCWP Planning and Land-Use Committee will review the development project being proposed by Fairfield Residential at the current Dinah’s Family Restaurant site at Sepulveda Boulevard and Centinela Avenue at its next meeting.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18 via Zoom. Please visit www.ncwpdr.org for Zoom link information.

The owners of the shopping center at 6501 S. Sepulveda Boulevard - a combination of individual investors and family trust - have partnered with San Diego-based developer Fairfield Residential on a project which would replace surface parking and small commercial buildings with apartments.

Plans call for the construction of an eight-story building featuring 362 apartments above approximately 3,700 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a 520-car garage.

Fairfield has proposed a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom dwellings within the project, including 41 units of very low-income affordable housing that would be provided in exchange for density bonus incentives permitting a larger structure than otherwise allowed by zoning.

The existing Dinah’s Family Restaurant, a roughly 7,000-square-foot space that has been in operation continuously since opening, will be retained and restored to its original appearance, removing previous alterations. However, construction will require the addition of new columns to support a cantilevered section of the new building.

Fairfield’s project follows on the heels of two similar multifamily developments to the north - a recently-completed project from Hanover Company and an under construction apartment complex from Sandstone Properties.

Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Monthly Board Meeting:

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022 via Zoom

www.ncwpdr.org • 213.473.7023 Page 8 • January 2022

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

40

th ANNUAL

WINE CLASSIC 02 . 06 . 22

JOIN US TO SIP AND SUPPORT THE ARTHUR P. CARROLL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Wine Tasting and Silent Auction: 2-5 p.m.

To buy tickets and for more info, go to lmu.edu/wineclassic

Next LMU Neighborhood Advisory Committee Meeting Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Register for the meeting at https://community.lmu.edu/NACmeeting You can call into the meeting at 669.900.6833. Meeting ID: 874 9964 1933.

Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News Wine_Classic_Cover_2022_Hometown News _10x6.75.indd 1

January 2022 • Page 9 12/15/21 3:12 PM

Westchester/Playa Historical Society welcomes community to its first exhibition, “AVIATION”

By Cozette Vergari

airplanes, vintage uniforms, videos of aviation pioneers and an autographed photo of Howard Hughes. At the “Design and Build” workshop area, interactive projects for visitors will include building model balsa wood airplanes. On January 30, visitors of all ages can express their creativity through an artistic collaboration on an interactive mural painting, which celebrates the community’s heritage tied to flying.

IHOP Westchester and J. Anthony Kouba are generously sponsoring the exhibit. The Flight Path Museum & Learning Center is also supporting the exhibition by lending artifacts for display. Flight Path is located in Westchester on the airfield at LAX’s southernmost edge. Its collection includes a DC-3 aircraft, airline history displays and more. It’s also responsible for overseeing the Flight Path Walk of Fame located along Sepulveda Blvd.

The Discovery Center is located in the Westchester Triangle at 6207 W. 87th Street in Westchester.

For more information on the Westchester/Playa Historical Society, please visit wphistoricalsociety.org.

Cozette is an attorney and lifelong resident of Westchester. She is the President of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.

The Westchester/Playa Historical Society (WPHS) is proud to announce the opening of its first themed exhibition, AVIATION, at the WPHS Discovery Center. The exhibit will be open to the public starting January 9 through March 6 every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or by appointment.

The genesis of the word “aviation” is the Latin term “avis,” meaning bird, a creature that travels through air. The exhibit embraces Westchester’s 110-year history of air travel, starting with the first air show in 1912 held in what was then rural outskirts of the city of Los Angeles at Mines Field, which is now the eastern edge of the footprint of LAX. Prominent in the exhibition will be the stars of early flight who brought their genius and pioneering spirits to contribute achievements way beyond initial expectations for air travel and air defense. Featured among these heroes will be Will Rogers, Wily Post, Bessie Coleman and Howard Hughes. The exhibit will also focus on the historical significance and influence of the aviation industry in the birth and development of Westchester/Playa.

Expect to learn about the air races of 1928, 1933 and 1936, the mooring of the Graff Zeppelin in 1929, the SST Concorde visit in 1974 and the arrival of the space shuttle Endeavor in Westchester as it made its way to the California Science Museum.

Guests to the Discovery Center will have the chance to check out art deco aviation graphics, model

At top left: Hughes D-2 circa 1942.

Bottom left: The WPHS’ exhibition poster.

Courtesy the WPHS.

YOU CAN HELP! FOOD PANTRY, LAX

Emergency Food Distribution to those explore the in richneed. history of aviation in the westchester/playa community, spanning 110 years, from the first airshow at mines field in 1912.

Sponsored by the Westchester Clergy Association

“Aviation”

Open Tuesday & Friday, 10am-12pmexhibition opening 355 Beach St., Inglewood sunday,

january 9th 2022 • 9am-1pm

Bring donations of non-perishable food to Covenant Presbyterian Chuch. Volunteers and money donations also welcomed and encouraged!

For more information, please call (310) 677-5597 Ad donated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church

Page 10 • January 2022

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

Wishing you and yours a healthy and wonderful 2022!

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

January 2022 • Page 11

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SPRING REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Register today to join our community soccer league.

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Left photo by: David Sowell

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

PASEO DEL REY NATURAL SCIENCE MAGNET

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

January 2022 • Page 13

22+THINGS 10+ THINGS

A New Year means a new opportunity to get involved with the community, connect with your neighbors and learn more about Westchester/Playa! We love answering our readers’ questions, so we’ve put together a list of some of our most popular queries to help you get a head start on all the things you should know about Westchester/Playa in 2022!

We hope you learn something new, and if there’s a burning question you have about the community, please reach out! Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com, and we’ll do our best to answer it.

TO KNOW TO KNOW ABOUT ABOUT WESTCHESTER WESTCHESTER && PLAYA PLAYA IN IN 2022 2022

From left to right: 1. A local band rocks out at the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party. 2. The giant KAWS BFF statue in Playa Vista. 3. Shoppers enjoy the Westchester Farmers’ Market.

Q. What are some local volunteer opportunities? A. People in Westchester/Playa love to give back to their community, so there’s multiple organizations that host regular volunteer opportunities.

One of our favorites is Clean UP Westchester. Once a month, community members with a passion for beautification team up for an hour-long cleanup activity. Join this enthusiastic crew at their next meetup on Saturday, January 22 at 9 a.m.

Volunteers will meet at 83rd Street and Lincoln, and trash grabbers and bags will be provided. To RSVP and to learn more, email granttfrancis@ gmail.com. In addition to the fun volunteers have trying to see who can pick up the most garbage, attendees are provided with special T-shirts.

Another group that loves working with volunteers is the Friends of Ballona Wetlands. Check out their calendar of events to find ways you can help with their Ballona Creek cleanups and restoring the wetlands.

They’re currently accepting volunteers for their Habitat Restoration event on Friday, January 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. Volunteers should be at least 7-years-old, and kids must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so RSVPs are required. Learn

Page 14 • January 2022

more at ballonafriends.org.

Other community groups that regularly have volunteer opportunities include the Westchester Family YMCA and Playa del Rey’s Grass Roots Neighbors.

Ballona Discovery Park in Playa Vista. When visiting this “museum without walls,” you’ll learn about the Gabrielino-Tongva people, discover the different habitats in the Ballona Wetlands and read about the plants and animals that call the area home, thanks to the numerous interpretive signs.

Ballona Discovery Park is located at 13110 Bluff Creek Dr. in Playa Vista.

Each market has different vendors and products, so if you have the time, make sure to visit both to see which one fits your shopping needs.

Q. Where can I view art in the community? A. While the community has its fair share of public Q. Where can I learn more art (including a painting dedicated about the history of the area? to Maya Angelou in the parking lot A. If you’re a history buff or just next to Truxton’s; multiple large-scale curious about your community, we murals in the Westchester business recommend visiting the Westchester/ Q. Where are the local farmers’ district; a giant KAWS BFF statue Playa Historical Society’s (WPHS) in Playa Vista and almost a dozen Discovery Center. The center is open markets? A. The Playa Vista Farmers’ Market is the largest in the utility box murals), Westchester is on Sundays during the Westchester also home to two art galleries. On the area and runs Saturdays from 9:30 Farmers’ Market (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) campus of Otis College of Art and a.m. to 2 p.m. The market is located and houses a large digital archive of Design, there’s the Ben Maltz Gallery. photos and other artifacts. The center in Runway Playa Vista, and shoppers is located in the Westchester Triangle can expect to find lots of organic fruit Loyola Marymount University is and veggies, as well as a large number home to the Laband Gallery. While and is staffed by knowledgeable right now both locations are closed to of artisanal food vendors and booths volunteers ready to answer your the public due to the pandemic, the selling clothing, jewelry and more. questions and get nostalgic.

Laband’s current exhibition is “June Visit farmermark.com for more info.

On January 9, WPHS will open its Edmonds: Full Spectrum.” Depending The Westchester Farmers’ Market first themed exhibition, which will runs Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in on LMU’s visitor policy for the spring focus on aviation. If you enjoy your the Westchester Triangle. In addition semester, reservations may open to time at the center, consider making to fruits and veggies (we like the pick community members next month a visit to the Flight Path Museum, through a preregistration system on three for $5 booth at the end of the which also has an aviation-focus. the gallery’s website. Learn more market), check out vendors selling The museum is located on Imperial about upcoming exhibits by joining bread, pastries, gifts, salsa, tamales Highway in Westchester and has and more. wonderful displays focused on all their mailing lists at cfa.lmu.edu/ Follow the market on Instagram for labandgallery and otis.edu/ things flight and LAX. an update on what’s in season To learn more about the early ben-maltz-gallery. @westchesterfarmersmarket. history of the area, stop by the (continued on page 16)

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

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

January 2022 • Page 15

Things to know...(cont’d) (continued from page 14) Q. What community events should I mark on my calendar? A. After a two-year hiatus, most community events are currently scheduled to take place in person in 2022. Below are the area’s most popular events by month (exact dates for events are TBD unless noted): January: • Kids’ March for Equality, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on January 17 February: • LMU Wine Classic, to raise money for scholarships on February 6 March: • Rock Roll & Run, 5K raising money for local schools (canceled this year) • 2nd Annual LAX Coastal Education Foundation Art Show & Contest, showcasing student art in the Westchester Triangle • Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club’s BingoFest, raising money for community projects May: • Teacher Eddy Awards, celebrating local teachers and education • Westchester Rotary annual Book Sale, raising money for community projects July: • Fourth of July Parade, parade down Loyola Blvd. in Westchester on July 4 • Shakespeare on the Bluff, performances of classic works held at LMU September: • WAM, featuring live music, arts and a block party vibe • Elks Car Show & Chili Cook Off, classic cars and a chili competition at the Lodge in Playa del Rey December: • Marina del Rey Boat Parade, decorated boats cruise the marina • Santa Tour, Santa and guests tour the community with help of LAPD, LAFD and the Rotary Q. What are the best restaurants in the area? A. We have our favorite local spots, but we always love hearing from community members to get recommendations and suggestions on the best places to eat. Once a year, we ask our readers to vote for their favorites, and we reveal the results in our Best Of issue out in August.

You can view the results of our latest poll and get a handy list of reader recommended picks at issuu.com/ westchesterpdrhometownnews.

Hopefully you’ll see some of your favorites on the list and get inspired to try some new places. If you’d like to participate in our eleventh annual poll, voting will start in June.

Q. How can I get more involved with the community? A. Westchester/Playa is full of community groups and organizations looking for new members and to connect people.

Each one is unique and has a different focus, but some of the most active groups include the Westchester Elks, Page 16 • January 2022

the Women’s Club of Playa del Rey, the Westchester Rotary Club, the Westchester Mental Health Guild and the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary.

These groups meet regularly and offer a variety of activities, fundraisers and social events for members. Visit their websites to read about their programs and membership requirements.

Q. How can I share my thoughts on proposed developments in the area? A. The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) has an active Planning, Land Use & Development Committee that meets once a month to discuss proposed projects, hear from developers and get feedback on a variety of issues that impact the areas of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. The meetings are currently held via Zoom on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

Community members are invited and encouraged to share their opinion during the committee’s public comment period. Any recommendations the committee makes will then go to the NCWP’s full board for a vote.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18.

While the full agenda has not been released yet, the group is scheduled to discuss the proposed “Dinah’s project,” which would transform the shopping center located at 6501 Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester into an eight-story building featuring 362 apartments.

The existing Dinah’s Restaurant, which has been there since 1959, would be incorporated into the design. Sign up for updates and agendas at ncwpdr.org.

Q. Where can I connect with other local business owners? A. Give the LAX Coastal Chamber a call.

The chamber is a membership organization made up of more than 500 businesses located in the areas around LAX. There’s a yearly fee to join, but membership has a variety of perks including networking events; a monthly mixer; access to committees focusing on topics like planning and land use, education and construction; and opportunities to meet and connect with fellow business leaders.

Reach them at (310) 645-5151 and learn more at laxcoastal.com.

Q. Where can I learn about local schools and education? A. Visit the LAX Coastal Education Foundation’s website at laxcef.org to get an overview of the community’s schools.

The NCWP’s Education Committee is also a great place to connect with parents and community members to ask questions and hear from school administrators. The committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Sign up to receive their agendas at ncwpdr.org.

Check out more FAQs on our website at thehtn.com!

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

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

January 2022 • Page 17

Stefanie Huber displays her comfy sheets, complete with giant buttons that keep users tucked in all night, at the Playa Vista Farmers’ Market.

Business Spotlight: Playa Vista mom hopes to bring families a restful night’s sleep with Tucked + Covered As a mom of two, Playa Vista’s Stefanie Huber knows the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. But when her youngest kept waking up in the middle night, she become determined to find out why. That’s when she realized that when the sheets fall off, it often wakes the child, who then wakes their parents. Determined to find a solution, she got to work creating a new type of bedsheet that was comfortable, cozy and kept her kids cocooned all night and Tucked + Covered was born.

Read how this new entrepreneur is hoping her innovative sheets help the whole family feel more rested in this month’s business spotlight!

Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A. My name is Stefanie Huber, mom inventor of Tucked + Covered bedsheets for kids. Living in Playa Vista with my supportive hubby, two beautiful children, and fun-filled pups for more than seven years, many of our closest friends reside in Westchester, Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey. The calming seaside landscape coupled with the Ballona wetlands and serene hillside villages breeds positive inner chi, just like my favorite hot yoga class! It’s easy to begin my work day with inspirational ideas amongst the dreamy surroundings we call home.

Being an elementary school teacher

Page 18 • January 2022

before starting my own family, I’ve always had an innate soft spot for helping kids build self-esteem. And since my patented stretch and flow button design keeps our little ones comfy covered without a parents’ help, they fall asleep and awake feeling proud. Plus, with my neatly tailored button hold, children succeed in the traditional chore of morning bed making! All they have to do is simply smooth and straighten with no more tucking.

Q. When did you start Tucked+ Covered? What was your inspiration for starting this business? A. Living on broken sleep close to a decade ago, my four-yearold son, Max, sparked the start of my innovative kids’ bedding design.

Desperate to find the root cause of Max waking up throughout the night, I began searching his bed for clues.

Finally, deciding to fasten his messy kicked off twin sheets together stopped his 2 a.m. risings, so I decided to develop my idea for market! Although building my business from the ground up with zero experience is challenging and a slow burn, my motivation fuels daily as I awake comfy covered in my fully functioning adult prototype. Yes, I have successfully ended the nightly tug of war over bedsheets with my hubby!

Q. Do you consider yourself a sleep expert? What are some of your best sleep tips for families?

A. Since my high-quality kids’ bedding design centers around giving families the very best rest, I guess some would say I’m a child sleep expert. Every week I research, write and post blogs on my website concentrated around getting children to sleep through the night with lots of tips and tricks for parents.

Q. What do you love most about what you do and being an entrepreneur? A. Designing, creating and evolving bedsheet designs for all ages is my passion. I have an entire line of designs ready to be manufactured, but the hurdle of funding is still one I need to jump. It’s frustrating to see the same old traditional bed linen designs produced for the masses when they do not fulfill their intended purpose. After all, isn’t the job of bedsheets to keep us comfy and covered all night? Think about the broken sleep and messy morning beds we all experience from wrestling with untucked bed sheets and ask yourself, “Isn’t it time someone changes the face of bedding?” Well, I have!

Q. Is there anything else you would like people to know about your business? A. If you would like to see in person how my bed sheet design can

help you and your family sleep better, visit me at the Playa Vista Farmers’ Market. I’m there once a month, so email me at hello@tuckedcovered. com for upcoming dates. With my family-first, community approach, I welcome any questions, comments or suggestions. It takes a village to build a solid business foundation!

Q. What are some of your favorite local businesses?

A. Having a small business, I realize firsthand the heart and soul family business owners feel with their community offerings. During the height of the pandemic, so many could not withstand the financial fall of closed doors. Experiencing this tragedy was heartbreaking since small businesses give our communities a creative hometown feel we crave like a breath of fresh air. Here’s a big shout out to some of my most visited local small businesses: In Westchester: The Book Jewel and Tanner’s Sewing and Vacuum Center.

In Playa del Rey: Kinder Alchemy.

In Marina del Rey: Hot Yoga Los Angeles and Koyama Chiropractic and Acupuncture.

In Playa Vista: See You Monday Marketing Boutique and Brella Child Care Services.

To learn more about Tucked + Covered, visit tuckedcovered.com.

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

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

January 2022 • Page 19

Random Notes/Opinion

TheHTN.com

Take advantage of the Fresh Start Effect for your 2022 goals

By Jeff Blair Opinion: January means New Year’s Resolutions for millions. Can New Year’s resolutions actually help us improve our lives or do they simply set us up for disappointment? This month, I will consider that question and provide some helpful strategies to improve your chances of making real change in 2022.

Some days of the year stand out more than others. Your birthday is one example. Your favorite holiday might be another. January 1 can feel like the single most important day of the year for many people. Even the first of each month somehow feels more important than the eighth or 17th day. Is the feeling of the added importance of these days meaningful and important?

According to Professor Katy Milkman of the University of Pennsylvania, the answer is yes. Special days of the year, which she calls “temporal landmarks,” can increase motivation through what is known as the “Fresh Start Effect.”

This “fresh start” can be an important asset to achieving fitness goals.

One problem with fitness goals is many have previously tried and failed

Page 20 • January 2022

to achieve them. After trying and not succeeding several times, many lose confidence. We might even become self-critical and even self-condemning.

This creates an obvious vicious cycle and quite a bit of baggage. As a trainer, I see this as one of the biggest obstacles for most people as they try to improve their health. Past difficulties make people hesitant to even try again.

The cool thing about the Fresh Start Effect is it allows us to psychologically put those past struggles behind us.

As cliche as the “new year, new you” phrase might sound, most of us respond to that idea. This is one reason New Year’s resolutions are so common. The Fresh Start Effect allows us to view ourselves as someone different on January 1 than we did on December 31. This allows us to drop past baggage, gives us a motivational boost and can propel us forward with more confidence.

While the Fresh Start Effect can be an effective motivational tool, it is not always enough by itself to allow you to reach your fitness goals. More steps are usually needed. I recommend the following steps to help you achieve your New Year’s goals:

1. Find some social support for your healthy choices. This could be a workout buddy, personal trainer or a group that supports you. I’m a strong believer in the power of positive peer pressure. It is very difficult to succeed when no other person in our life supports our efforts.

2. Find some physical activity you don’t hate. You do not have to love your mode of exercise, but look for something you don’t hate. If you hate running but you are considering running because your neighbor started, I would suggest choosing something different to help you achieve your goals. You do not have to feel like you’re at a theme park when exercising, but some level of enjoyment or pleasure should probably be part of the picture.

3. Schedule workouts or have an appointment to exercise. Calendaring workouts or having a mostly consistent schedule seems about 1,000 times more effective than exercising when the mood hits. Most people who wait to exercise until they feel like it are going to be waiting a long time. Create a personal schedule that includes a realistic amount of exercise for

you based on your professional and personal demands. While a schedule is key, do not get discouraged when life interferes with your schedule.

Reschedule when necessary and then get back on track.

My final suggestion for New Year’s fitness is to keep in mind that many things do not happen immediately.

Professor Milkman talks about how the Fresh Start Effect can also boost motivation on the first day of the week, the first day of the month and even the first day of spring or summer.

If you drop off after the New Year, look for another fresh start opportunity.

Fresh starts are often hiding in plain sight if we look for them.

“How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where You are to Where You Want to Be” (2021) by Katy Milkman is recommended for anyone looking to make lasting changes in fitness or other health-related areas.

Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in Westchester in 2011. He has been featured in American and international fitness publications. He is a Certified Personal Trainer and fitness author.

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

Are you frozen in past habits?

By Fay Craton

saw what she could do and there was nothing left to hide anymore. At that Opinion: It is winter. It has been rainy, point in the movie, she had given up and the temperature outside is cold. This what she had been taught to be and weather requires a warm fuzzy sweater started to test what she could do to or a puffy jacket. It makes me smile to develop her talent. One of the most remember when a client came to my memorable parts in the movie is when office with her soon-to-be-husband she declares, “I am never going back. The dancing and singing, “Let It Go” while past is in the past. Let it go!” telling me I “have to go see the movie What do you need to “let go” of in orFrozen.” der to release the fear and mind chatter While life does not include the keeping you locked into old habits which imaginative fantasy portrayed in Frozen, no longer serve you? What needs to grow it can parallel the movie’s story. In the within you for you to experience your tale, the main character Elsa enjoys her joy? While “aha” moments that break the talent of forming and using ice and snow frozen stuck energy holding your ancient while playing with her younger sister. habits in place might happen as a burst In one scene, she accidentally injures of anger, you do not need to get mad in her sister Anna with her magic because order to break free. However, changing a her skills were not fully formed. Elsa habit does require being ready to disrupt is told that fear will be her enemy, and your own perspectives. she is encouraged by her parents to hide A simple example of this is when her special magical skills. She decides someone makes a New Year’s resolution to distance herself from other people, to take off the pounds gained over the especially her sister, to keep them safe, past couple of years. To take off the and in doing so loses a source of joy and weight and keep it off requires changing a big part of herself. your perspective about how you view Do you remember a time in your life food and healthy living. Just saying when you decided to stop expressing you want to change usually will not be yourself fully? It could be you were sufficient. There needs to be enough laughing and having fun and someone motivation and support to break through said something to you and made you the entrenched old habits and mind feel wrong. It could be you overheard chatter. a mean-spirited comment and applied Motivation happens when you have it to yourself. Or perhaps a bully did more reason to do something than not something to harm you, and you stopped to do something. When you make a expressing yourself to protect yourself goal, a very clear image or statement in from further harm. There are many your mind as to why you wish to achieve reasons why your joy could have become the goal is important. Love can be an locked away. At the point of time the important motivator. But what is love? decision was made to lock away a part of One definition is putting someone’s life yourself, a habit was also started. That before yours. Support is important when habit was to hide and function from fear. challenges arise making it difficult to stay Quite frankly, the decision might have on track toward meeting your goal. been the best choice for you to survive What are you ready to release in order what was happening in your life. But to fully express your talents? Are you years later, with the conditions in your ready to embrace love so you can grow life changed, do you still have the same joy? Are you willing to place another habits? The emotion of fear is still part person’s needs over your own? Are of the habit even though you no longer you willing to embrace connection and have anything to threaten you. Along support from others? What are your with the old fear may be mind chatter current goals in life? I encourage you to undermining your efforts to change. think about all these questions. It is okay Habits formed many years ago can not to have immediate answers. While derail your happiness, success and reflecting, also consider your support your talents, while keeping you from systems. Do you have support? Where can you obtain it? experiencing good relationships and My wish is for you to experience joy forming healthy behaviors. Your habits may also have impacted the lives of loved expressed from your heart. You have talent within you waiting to be put into ones. In Frozen, Anna’s life was also action—all you need to do is to let go of curtailed. She needed her sister. Their what is no longer needed and allow space parents had died and both girls were all in your life for new and life-enhancing alone. Anna became “love needy” and ended up falling too rapidly for someone expression. I hope you experience love and connection during 2022! who, it turned out, did not have Anna’s Fay Craton, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage best interests in his plan. and Family Therapist (mfc40011), which Deeply entrenched habits can be is the psychology license specializing very difficult to change. Frequently, it in relationships (with ourselves or takes a major “aha” moment to begin with others). She provides video-based the process. For Elsa, that moment was counseling and is located in Westchester. If when she became angry, and displayed you have any questions, please contact Fay her talent to control ice and essentially at (310) 645-6762. “freeze” her kingdom. Everyone finally Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

January 2022 • Page 21

Try the no diet approach when it comes to New Year’s goals

By Sheri Weitz, RDN, CDCES Contributing Columnist Opinion: Here’s to 2022 bringing the “Roaring 20s” vibe we thought we’d get before the world fell apart after New Year’s Eve two years ago. It’s been a heck of a tumultuous ride, and along the way perhaps you’ve gained some unwanted weight and not been exercising as much as you would like.

Maybe you find yourself vowing to do what you’ve done after the start of other new years: start a diet! Are you vowing to stick to intermittent fasting, paleo, keto or some other diet du jour?

Many friends and clients, despite my advice to the contrary, begin diets on January 1 each year. Ninety-five percent of all diets fail, often leading to binge behaviors, feelings of guilt and shame, and unhealthy weight cycling.

Weight loss and healthy eating plans come in and out of fashion like bell bottoms and Calvin Kleins.

Low fat diets used to be all the rage, then it was low carb. There was the

South Beach diet, the cabbage soup diet, Weight Watchers (now called WW) and so on. Many have healthy components to them, but diets simply don’t work!

There are more than 200 peer research studies which show when people go on a diet, they go off it at some point, and the picture isn’t pretty. Many, including my private patients, lose 20 pounds then gain 30 pounds, lose 30 then gain 40, lose 40 then gain 50….you get the idea.

What starts as a weight loss journey becomes a weight gain trip that isn’t exactly a pleasure cruise. There are serious health consequences to weight cycling. Research shows it can be more dangerous to our health to lose and then gain than it is to stay at a stable weight, even with a BMI which is considered overweight.

If you’re struggling to lose weight, there’s another way: it’s called “intuitive eating,” or the “non-diet approach.” The classic book “Intuitive Eating” was first written 25 years ago

by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, both eating disorder dietitians. I highly recommend this book, along with checking out HAEScommunity. com which stands for “Health at Every Size.” This amazing movement seeks to de-stigmatize weight and has transformed lives with its message about compassionate self-care. There are many excellent books, support groups and podcasts on the topics; a good therapist can also help us make peace with our bodies and food.

Intuitive, or mindful, eating involves listening to your hunger and fullness cues, along with gentle goal setting that doesn’t exclude any food groups.

If you hear, “Don’t eat any sugar,” how do you feel? How about, “Avoid all high fat foods?” What’s the first thing you think of? For me, it’s “I want a cookie!” I had a patient years ago who lost 100 pounds while eating a candy bar every day. When one of her wellness advisers told them to stop eating it, they gained all the weight back!

Focusing on what you do want instead of what you can’t eat is a powerful psychological tool that works for both weight loss and achieving overall improved health. How do you want to feel? Would you like to have more energy? More focus? Less joint pain? Perhaps you have smaller sized clothing you want to fit into again? Many people require the gentle support of a professional who is trained in the non-diet approach. The right professional can help teach you about nutrition and exercise without creating diets or meal plans which can be cheated on or “failed.”

Let 2022 be the year when you’re a gentle cheerleader for yourself and your lifestyle goals, without the dreaded “D” word. In my next article, I’ll give helpful tips to put mindful eating into practice. Cheers to a happy and healthy New Year!

Sheri Weitz, RDN, CDE is a Registered Dietitian and functional nutritionist with a private practice in Westchester.

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

In 2022, resolve to help yourself and your neighbors

By Jason Ramos, Contributing Columnist

Opinion: It’s always exciting to change the calendar from December to January. A new year is filled with potential and the chance to start fresh.

And after the busy holidays filled with celebrations and tables of delicious treats, it’s not surprising that many people make a goal to exercise more in the New Year.

But what if your New Year’s resolution could benefit more than just yourself? When you join a community-based organization like the Westchester Family YMCA, you’re committing to more than simply becoming healthier; you’re supporting the values and programs that are here to strengthen the community where you live.

Membership at the Westchester Family YMCA helps provide support for programs such as our youth sports leagues and enrichment classes, swimming lessons, summer sleepaway camps, food insecurity, teen leadership development and mental health programs, just to name a few.

The Y doesn’t just strengthen bodies— it strengthens people, families and neighborhoods. When you join the YMCA, you’re not simply joining a gym, you’re joining a community.

The Y brings together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations and ensures that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.

In 2022, the Westchester Family YMCA is building on our successful programs and is looking forward to adding to our offerings, especially for kids and teens. When it comes to working out, in addition to our fitness and cardio equipment, we offer group exercise classes (yoga, Pilates, strength training, boot camp, HITT, Sit & Tone, cardio dance and cycle), water aerobics and more. For youth and families, we offer swimming lessons, sports leagues and enrichment classes like ballet and martial arts. Kids interested in basketball? Our girls’ and coed division Clipper Basketball starts January 24th. Kids interested in learning how to shoot a puck? The L.A. Kings Ball Hockey for boys and girls ages 5-12 starts January 10. If you’re looking for quality bonding time based around activities, arts & crafts and giving back, check out one of our most popular programs–Adventure Guides—where fun memories are guaranteed to be made. For teens looking for leadership opportunities and who have an interest in politics,

we invite them to participate in Model United Nations and Youth & Government.

As far as community initiatives, our weekly free food distribution event will continue on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. Blood Drives will occur weekly and COVID testing is available daily in our Annex. Like us at facebook.com/ westchesterfamilyymca to learn about our ongoing volunteer opportunities that include helping care for our 24/7 Community Food Pantry.

As you can see, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get involved with our Y in 2022, whether you’re looking for healthy living, social responsibility or youth development.

To help kick off the New Year, here are some tips to start and stick with your healthy habits in 2022 from a YMCA Healthy Lifestyles coach: • Choose a specific goal. Rather than committing to “losing weight” or “getting in shape,” make that goal more specific. For example, commit to losing 15 pounds by regularly attending yoga and strength classes at the Westchester Family YMCA. Be sure to make your goal realistic. Committing to a more specific goal gives you the ability to plan and sets you up for a greater rate of success.

• Set one goal at a time. I know we all want to start the new year off with a bang, but when we overload our resolutions and ambitions, we often are unrealistic and expend too much energy by spreading ourselves too thin. Set one goal at a time and commit. You’re always welcome to set new goals throughout the year. Remember, January isn’t the only month to set resolutions.

• Start with small steps. Committing yourself to “losing 15 pounds” or “I want to complete a marathon” are both specific and attainable goals. These are, however, goals that require energy, time, commitment and potential lifestyle/habit changes. Goals that require lifestyle changes can be difficult. So, start small. If your resolution was to run a marathon, start by going for brisk walks or jogs two days a week. Slowly build up to runs or longer durations per week. Utilize the fitness facility at the Westchester YMCA to keep on track with your runs. Starting slowly can help make it easier to stick to your new lifestyle habits and increases the likelihood of long-term success.

To learn about the Westchester Y and its programs, call (310) 670-4316 or visit ymcaLA.org/westchester.

Jason Ramos is the Associate Executive Director at the Westchester Family YMCA.

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

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January 2022 • Page 23

For the last 37 years, Robin Zacha has called Westchester home, and there’s nothing she loves more than serving her community.

With a background that includes careers in the military, the movie industry and the media, she found her calling when she started Zacha Homes in 1995.

Photo by Neil O’Loughlin.

5 QUESTIONSROBIN WITH...

ZACHA “WESTCHESTER IS AN INTERESTING COMMUNITY,

Her dream job allows her to combine her passion and knowledge for the Westchester/Playa area with helping her clients find the perfect place to call home. Big on giving back and helping her neighbors, she enjoys supporting her favorite events like the Fourth of July Parade and WAM, local schools, youth sports and mental health.

AND IT’S REALLY WELL WEAVED TOGETHER. WE’RE REALLY LUCKY IT’S SUCH A SMALL, TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY.

Not your typical realtor, she specializes in helping her clients and friends renovate their homes before they’re ready to sell.

Last summer, Robin sold Westchester’s most expensive home to date–a 6,000-square-foot modern residence with fabulous views on Riggs–for $5 million. She says with the way the current market is going, it’s just a matter of time before a home in Westchester goes for sale in the $6 million-plus range.

EVERYONE IN THIS TOWN KIND OF WORKS TOGETHER.”

When she’s not making the rounds buying and selling in Westchester, she loves traveling with her husband Jeff, cooing over her granddaughter, practicing her golf swing and relaxing with her favorite drink at home or at one of her local hangouts.

We recently sat down with her and asked her to share her thoughts, so here is “5 Questions With...Robin!”

1

If someone says “Robin Zacha,” what would you want them to say afterward?

2

What do you tell people that are new to the area about Westchester?

3

If you’re looking for the perfect evening out, where are you going?

4

What’s one local spot you couldn’t live without?

5

What’s something the neighborhood needs more of?

I’d want them to say, “She’d give you the shirt off her back. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt anyone.” People know that if they need help, they can ask me. If I can’t do it, I’ll find someone who can. With me, you’ll also always get honesty–some people don’t like it–but I’m pretty straightforward. I’m a straight shooter; I’ll tell you how it is.

This is a great neighborhood that is wonderful for families. I laugh when I tell people that have just moved here that you’ll be at a stop sign and someone will wave you on. Then you’ll get to the next stop sign, and someone will wave you on again! It’s the funniest thing because people are so nice. Little Vons is always a great place to shop. I can’t even walk in there anymore though, because I end up being there forever talking to everyone I know!

I’m going to Truxton’s to sit at the bar because we know everyone that works there. We always run into so many people we know, so it’s like eating with your extended family at a restaurant. I like to order the sliders, which are not on the menu right now because they can’t get the buns. Please bring them back! Some of my other top picks are The Manchester, Hacienda and Thai Talay.

My office! It’s like my house. It’s the only place I’ve never sold. I’ve moved everywhere, but I’ve been in my office (on 80th Street and Emerson) for 27 years. I walk outside and I get to see everyone–from old and young to everything in between. It’s a great place to be in the center of neighborhood action.

We need more food places and more entertainment places, but I don’t know where you’d put them. I’m excited to see what food and drink options open at The Book Jewel. That will be amazing. I’ve been enjoying taking golf lessons at Westchester Golf Course, so it would be nice to have more places for outdoor activities.

*”5 Questions With...” is a new feature where we talk to an interesting community member and get their take on the neighborhood. Email us your suggestions on who to talk to next at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.

Page 24 • January 2022

Cool Fact

Cool Fact

Cool Fact

Robin is the original owner of the HomeTown News.

Robin is very patriotic and served 10 years in the U.S. Army reserves.

Robin worked as a sound editor on movies like Wonder Boys, What Woman Want and Patch Adams.

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

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TOTAL YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE ON FACULTY

100%

GRADUATES ACCEPTED TO HIGH SCHOOL OF FIRST CHOICE

UPDATED WITH ADVANCED 100% CLASSROOMS PPE AND AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS

Learn more at our

OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES Wednesday, February 2 @ 7 PM

visitation CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Join the Visitation family and give your child the gift of academic excellence in a supportive community! Schedule a tour today! JK - 8th Grade www.visitationschool.org | 8740 Emerson Avenue, Westchester | 310.645.6620

HOME OF THE 2019 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONS!

GIRLS SOFTBALL AGES 6-15

BOYS & GIRLS TEE BALL AGES 4-6

www.WDRLL.org WDRLLREG@gmail.com Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News

January 2022 • Page 25

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presented by the Westchester Mental Health Guild

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LIGHTING UP WESTCHESTER/PLAYA There’s no shortage of creativity and holiday spirit when it comes to the Westchester/Playa area! More than 20 families helped bring some much needed cheer to the community by signingup their home for the Second Annual Holiday Lights Tour & Contest hosted by the Westchester Mental Health Guild (WMHG). The event was a fundraiser in lieu of the Guild’s annual Holiday Home Tour and raised more than $15,000 to support mental health services at Airport Marina Counseling Service.

For a $10 donation, community members were provided a map to view these fabulously decorated homes. During the self-guided tour, families admired the dazzling displays, decorations and inflatables, and also had the fun task of voting for their top home for the Fan Favorite Award.

Three judges–last year’s winners Jeanne Ronay and Robert Milligan, and LAX Coastal Chamber honorary mayor Marsha Wietecha–had the unenviable job of selecting who would take the other top spots in the categories of Best Theme, Best Lights and Most Whimsical.

Congratulations to this year’s winners! Thank you for lighting up Westchester/Playa with your magical displays!

1. Best Lights: The Greenwald Family 2. Best Theme: The Vuchsas Family 3. Fan Favorite: Jon and Tina Vanderjagt 4. Most Whimsical: Paul Condran The event was sponsored by the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, Edgar Saenz, Jane St. John, Otis College of Art & Design, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, Suarez Team, Women’s Club of Playa del Rey, Stephanie Younger Group, HomeTown News, Zacha Homes and the Westchester Rotary Club.

This month, the WMGH kicks off their 60th anniversary of serving the community.

Page 26 • January 2022

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

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.

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WINTER CROPS

Happy New Year!

We are so excited to bring in the new year together with all good things health, wellness, and community. So much abundance at your local farmers’ market, follow us on social media for updates!

FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES!

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

January 2022 • Page 27

Page 28 • January 2022

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