Westchester/Playa Hometown News November 2024 edition
THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU
MONTH
YOU A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN
ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
Tomat brings farm-to-table to Westchester 04
A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN
Giving back in time for the holidays 12
NCL Beachside brings moms and daughters closer 14
Hear from your community: Marina del Rey Rotary 22
A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
In Pictures: Halloween Spooktacular 26
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
Stephanie Davis, Publisher
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
Shanee Edwards, Contributing Writer
Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer
Zsuzsi Steiner, Photos Robert Higgins, Photos
ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS
ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS
ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS
The HomeTown News is a monthly community newspaper dedicated to providing information about the people, events and happenings of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista. Look for the HomeTown News the first Thursday of the month at your home or at one of our drop-off locations, including The Book Jewel, Westchester Family YMCA, Playa Pharmacy, Loyola Village Library, Playa Vista Library, Truxton’s American Bistro and Cantalini’s Salerno Beach.
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Front page: Tomat owners, Harry Posner and Natalie Dial, pose for a photo in their new restaurant, which opened for dinner service on October 30. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
Shop Local in 2024!
The Westchester Town Center BID is home to great businesses, restaurants, retail and services providers! Check them out for all your shopping needs!
Please make “Shop Local” your mantra for 2024 – it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love thriving!
TOMAT BRINGS CALIFORNIA FARM-TO-TABLE TO WESTCHESTER
By Shanee Edwards
Husband and wife duo, and Playa del Rey residents Harry Posner and Natalie Dial, are proud parents of two wonderful children: Saffi, a oneand-a-half-year-old beautiful baby girl with luscious curls and a sweet smile; and their new addition, Tomat, the recently opened restaurant in the heart of Westchester, featuring seasonal farm-to-table dishes, housemade pastries and cocktails made from locally sourced ingredients. Natalie says it’s the most wonderful family she could ever have imagined.
“It’s really wonderful to be a parent with the person that I’m opening a business with, in the sense that Harry and I are very much mom and dad to Saffi, and we get to bring her to the restaurant and she gets to run around. We also get to be parents in this business together, as well. It feels so important to take care of everybody,” says Natalie.
While the original anticipated opening date of the restaurant coincided closely with Saffi’s arrival, the city’s extensive permitting process led to lengthy delays. Natalie says she’s grateful for the extra time it gave her and Harry to navigate being first-time parents and enjoy all the milestones and lessons you gain along the way.
“We needed some experience before we opened Tomat. Learning patience is maybe the first thing you figure out as a parent, also learning how to pivot and just roll with things. It’s been quite a journey,” she says.
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Harry agrees, saying, “The restaurant is definitely kid number two. We’re excited to see how it grows and develops, too.”
Located in the Westchester Triangle, the highly anticipated eatery opened for coffee and pastries on October 15 with dinner service launching on October 30. Tomat has a large, airy dining area, a rooftop terrace perfect for drinks while planespotting, a second-story event space and its own garden, just down the street.
Tuesday through Sunday, the dining area is open for coffee and pastries from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pastry chef Bex Tilton has created a menu of baked treats that have already created a buzz in the community and five-star reviews online.
If you’re craving something on the sweet side with your LAMILL coffee, Harry suggests the pain au chocolat or the seasonal roasted nectarine Danish.
“Over the summer, it was very hot and we drove up to Fresno and picked all these nectarines and peaches. We then roasted them and froze them so they could wait until the restaurant opened,” he says.
If something savory is more to your taste, Harry recommends the tomato Danish or the mouth-watering pistachio croissant. But you may just want one of each. Add a trio of gigantic organic dates from the Coachella Valley for an unexpected pairing for breakfast.
(continued on page 18)
At top: Tomat owners, Harry Posner and Natalie Dial, pose at the restaurant’s counter.
At left: A view of Tomat’s dining room. On next page: A few of the restaurant’s dishes and design elements.
Photos
Zsuzsi Steiner
Business & Nonpro t News
AMCS announces 2025 Spring into Wellness honorees.
Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) recently announced that Janie Guthrie Skjervem, Mark Skjervem and Sylvia Wilson will be honored at the nonprofit’s 2025 Spring into Wellness Celebration scheduled for next spring.
During the May 22 event, Janie and Mark will be given the “Champion of Mental Health” award, while Sylvia will be presented with the “Community Builder” award.
Playa del Rey’s Janie has served as the President of the Westchester Mental Health Guild—AMCS’s fundraising arm–since 2021. She is also currently a member of the AMCS Board of Directors, and has been fundamental in organizing the group’s fundraising efforts.
Mark is a partner at the Paslay Group–a longtime supporter of AMCS–and has served as the company’s program director at airports, including LAX and around the globe.
Westchester resident Sylvia Wilson will be recognized for her volunteer work in the community, as well as building connections between people and groups. She is currently a member of the AMCS and the Westchester Family YMCA Board of Directors, and served as an elected member
of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa from 2019 to 2023.
She has been a steadfast supporter of community mental health, and of AMCS in particular, and recently held a wine fundraiser for the nonprofit.
Sylvia is also an active admin with the “Parenting Sisterhood in Westchester, PDR and PV,” and a proud member of the Rotary Club of Westchester.
“All three of our honorees have been incredible partners to our community
and to the clinic,” said AMCS President/CEO Eden Garcia-Balis.
“We are proud to recognize all that they have done for our area.”
Learn more about AMCS, mental health services and supporting their efforts at amcshelps.com.
Education Foundation hosts art show in Westchester Triangle.
The LAX Coastal Education Foundation (LAXCEF) is readying
to host its Fifth Annual Art Show + Competition! The yearly event is a chance for local TK-12 students to showcase their creativity. Artists from 18 participating schools will be tasked with creating paintings or drawings that express the theme, “I Love Los Angeles.” Each participating school will hold an independent contest, with the winning pieces being provided to the foundation to display in the Westchester Triangle. The artwork will be showcased at various businesses along 87th Street from December 5 to December 17 for the community to enjoy.
The artwork will be judged by local creatives, with winners in each age category receiving a cash prize. The first place winner in each age category will also receive a certificate for an extension art class, courtesy of Otis College of Art & Design.
Students who attend a foundation school that is not participating in a school-wide contest, are invited to submit artwork as well.
Interested in supporting the arts? LAXCEF is currently looking for sponsors to support this event! Local businesses are encouraged to email the foundation for details.
(continued on next page)
Save the date for the Playa del Rey Toy Drive. Community members are invited to participate in the 21st Annual Playa del Rey Children’s Hospital Toy Drive and Animal Shelter Collection (benefiting Pet Harbour) on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at Triangle Park. Hosted by Jane St. John and Felicia St. Denis, the event is a way for neighbors to come together to spread holiday cheer. Pictured: Collection drive participants celebrate their haul at last year’s event.
Sylvia Wilson (left) and Janie Guthrie Skjervem and Mark Skjervem will be honored by the mental health nonprofit AMCS at its May 2025 Spring into Wellness Celebration.
Photo by Venice Paparazzi
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
Producers Leo Bloom (Darian Calderon) and Max Bialystock (Karl Schott) welcome attendees to opening night of their can’t-miss flop in Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” opening at the Westchester Playhouse on November 15.
(continued from previous page) Proceeds support art grants to community schools. For more information about the Art Show+ Competition, please email LAXCEF President, Lory Sarlo at info@ laxcoastaledfoundation.com.
Senior Center readies to honor Veterans.
The Westchester Senior Center will hold a veteran’s appreciation event on November 15 at 1 p.m.
The event will feature a panel of esteemed guests, a bbq lunch, and a chance to honor local veterans.
The Senior Center is located at 8740 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester. For more info or to RSVP, visit laparks.org/scc/Westchester.
‘The Producers’ opens at the Westchester Playhouse.
The Kentwood Players are ready to wow audiences with their next production of “The Producers.” The show opens on Friday, November 15 and runs through December 14 at the Westchester Playhouse.
Performances run on Friday and Saturday evenings, with matinees on select Saturdays and Sundays.
The classic musical comedy is co-
written by comic legend Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and tells the story of “a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, and his mildmannered accountant who come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit!”
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at kentwoodplayers.org. The Westchester Playhouse is located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester.
The HTN is looking for a new columnist.
Calling all writers! The Hometown News is looking for a new monthly columnist! We are looking for a writer who loves the Westchester/ Playa area and is interested in contributing a unique, monthly column sharing their expertise or point of view on a variety of subjects (food, community musings, mental health, humor, etc).
Send your ideas to westchesterhometown@yahoo.com!
Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com.
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Grateful Community FOR OUR
This Thanksgiving, we'd like to give special thanks to our readers, advertisers, friends and Community Partners. Our publication would not be possible without your support!
Wishing you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!
thank you to our community partners:
Robin Zacha, Zacha Homes
Drollinger Properties
Stephanie Younger Group | Compass
Jane St. John | RE/MAX
Neighborhood Council
Westchester/Playa
Loyola Marymount University
Westchester Lutheran School
Westchester Town Center BID
Airport Marina Counseling Service
St. Anastasia School
Visitation School
Amy Nelson Frelinger
Douglas Elliman Properties
vergari & napolitano
SoCalSport & Fitness
UCLA Health
Westchester Rotary Club
Westchester Family YMCA
The Book Jewel
Decron Properties
The Kohl Team
Trans Port Station
Westchester Pharmacy
Design Street Studios Balloons
LAX Coastal Chamber
Hollywood Park Casino
cw business center
westchester farmers market
tomat
the Holiday Spirit
Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, Dec. 6, 5 – 8 p.m. Alumni Mall LMU is again hosting this exciting annual holiday tradition for the whole family. There will be music, crafts for kids, food trucks, and photos with a special guest from the North Pole. This event is free and open to the public.
If you do not have access to a computer or Zoom, you can call into the meeting at 669.900.6833. Meeting ID: 849 7686 6942. Next LMU Neighborhood Advisory Committee Meeting Dec. 4 | 6:30 p.m.
Register for the meeting and view the agenda at: https://community.lmu.edu/NACmeeting
Reflecting on Westchester’s birthday
By Cozette Vergari
As we head into the holiday season, we must also remember to include reflection into the ironically proclaimed “birth date” of the Westchester community on December 6. During the depression of the 1930s, a chance encounter of two men at the beach, just west of what we now know as the Playa del Rey Lagoon, would trigger a lifelong friendship and professional alliance.
As vice-president of Dickenson & Gillespie real estate firm in Los Angeles, Fritz B. Burns, moving west from Minnesota, coordinated the Palisades Del Rey real estate sales office during the ”Roaring 20s,” selling to the wealthy and famous of Los Angeles and Hollywood. This building still exists in Playa del Rey at the southeast corner, where Culver Boulevard turns south onto Vista del Mar. The marketed Riviera lots sat on the hill above the sales office. Burns worked his sales force almost like a military camp. They lived in tents just across from the sales office, near the lagoon. Burns was compensated through grants of parcels of land throughout Palisades Del Rey, known to us today as Playa del Rey. However, due to the stock market crash of 1929, considered the worst economic event in world history, Burns ended up owning several acres of undeveloped land, but spent much of the 1930s living in a tent on the beach. There he encountered a young student from Loyola University, William Hannon.
As a young ambitious high school senior, William Hannon lobbied for admission to Loyola University, with a promise to pay his tuition immediately after graduation once gaining employment, as his parents could not afford to pay his tuition. He was successful in his negotiations and was accepted as a freshman in 1933. William kept his promise and much, much more. His ongoing generosity to the university abounded through the foundation he created in 1983. In between his studies, William often traveled to the beach, and his chance encounter with Fritz B. Burns, 14 years his senior, eventually led to a business relationship between the
two. When oil was discovered on one of the parcels of land owned by Burns, located near what is now the corner of Manchester and Tuscany Avenues in Playa del Rey, Burns’ prospects changed dramatically. Upon graduation in 1937 and looking to fulfill his promise to pay back his tuition, William Hannon accepted an
offer from Fritz B. Burns & Associates and began working.
This led to the ironically proclaimed “birth date” of the Westchester community in 1941. The first homes built in Westchester were sold as affordable housing and offered only to those working in the defense industry in anticipation of being
drawn into the European Theater in World War II. The first irony is that Fritz B. Burns, once selling only to the rich and famous, was now selling affordable housing with a perspective that real estate ownership was not just for the wealthy, as well as a philanthropic spirit that benefited many through his own foundation. The groundbreaking, considered the founding of Westchester, was the laying of the foundation of the first house in that affordable housing development on December 6, 1941. The second irony was of course, that it was just one day before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which vaulted the U.S. into World War II.
The Westchester/Playa Historical Society’s current exhibit, “Salute To Our Schools” will continue through December at the WPHS Discovery Center. All local students who attend the exhibit will be given a mystery gift card to The Book Jewel, which is the exhibit’s sponsor. The Discovery Center is open to the public on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon and otherwise by appointment. It has hosted class reunions, presentations of scholarships to students by local organizations, as well as other memorial or social gatherings. Our next exhibit, “The Drollinger Legacy,” will open in January.
Visit the Westchester/Playa Historical Society (WPHS) Discovery Center, located at 6207 W. 87th St. in the Triangle in Westchester. WPHS Board of Directors are Cozette Vergari, Mike Heffernan, Art Wexler, David Russell, Grant Francis, Chris Spry, Denny Lennon and Terry Marcellus. The board thanks its donors, who support the WPHS! They are a nonprofit and depend upon community support!
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.
Top: Building houses in Westchester for “War Workers Only.” The ads said houses were being sold for $99 down circa early 1940s. Bottom: Palisades Del Rey Real estate sales circa 1920s.
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Giving Back
Join the Clean Up Westchester crew
November 16 & December 7 at 9 a.m.
Check out these ways to spread kindness in time for Thanksgiving!
If rolling up your sleeves and helping beautify Westchester is one of your goals this month, donate your time to Clean Up Westchester!
Since 2021, this grassroots group of passionate volunteers, led by Westchester resident Grant Francis, have donned yellow T-shirts and made a powerful impact collecting garbage and debris from local streets. Today, the Clean Up Westchester crew has built a reputation for being a dedicated team with the vision to make 90045 cleaner and more visually appealing–and engage neighbors to connect and collaborate on projects that better the community. They’re also highly sought after volunteers for the Fourth of July Parade and the Westchester Arts & Music Block Party!
The group welcomes everyone to join in on the efforts, including families and community groups. This month, volunteers will meet November 16 at Lincoln and Manchester to clean up near the library; and December 7 at Manchester and Hastings near Westchester High. Get involved at CleanUpWestchester.com.
Participate in the Holiday Lights Tour
Sign-ups due by December 5 at 5 p.m.
The community is invited to help spread holiday cheer and raise money for a good cause by participating in the Fifth Annual Holiday Lights Tour & Contest hosted by the Westchester Mental Health Guild. If decorating your home for the holidays is one of your favorite things, sign up by December 5 for a chance to win fabulous prizes worth hundreds of dollars for the “Fan Favorite” and first- and second-place homes.
Registered tour-goers will receive a map of participating homes for a self-guided tour of the neighborhood, as well as the ability to vote for the most dazzling locale. Learn more and register at westchestermhg. org.
Donate to the PdR Toy & Animal Shelter Drive
December 7 from 9 a.m. to noon
Playa del Rey business owners Jane St. John (RE/MAX) and Felicia St. Denis (Flowers by Felicia) are teaming up next month for their 21st Annual Toy & Animal Shelter Drive!
Donations of toys (new, unwrapped) for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and animal shelter supplies (treats, toys, beds, etc.) can be dropped-off at Triangle Park (Waterview and Trask) in PdR on December 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.
After you deliver the gifts, stick around to enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with your neighbors!
Contribute to a local donation drive for the holidays
WISH Academy High School 11th grader, Joseph Hood, is partnering with his high school and nonprofit Deaf Latinos y Familias for their annual holiday event. The nonprofit organization serves deaf, hard of hearing, and special needs children in the Los Angeles area. Joseph is currently a third-year honors ASL student.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children, gift cards for teens, and nonperishable food for families for an upcoming Holiday Toy Drive are being sought and donation boxes are located at: WISH Academy High School, WISH Middle School, WISH Elementary School, the Westchester YMCA and Hollyway Cleaners in Playa Vista.
Is your group or nonprofit holding a donation drive in November or December? Email us the details at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com!
Support your local nonprofits and their missions
The holidays are a great time to find a cause you’re passionate about. In honor of Giving Tuesday (Tuesday, December 3), consider donating your time, talent or treasure during November and December.
Following Westchester/Playa nonprofits on social media is an easy way to show support, cheer on their initiatives, and learn about ways you can help their missions! Some of our favorite local nonprofits include: Airport Marina Counseling Service (mental health), LAX Coastal Education Foundation (education); Grassroots Neighbors (food insecurity); Westchester Family YMCA (community services and healthy lifestyles); Westside Pacific Villages (seniors); Westchester Mental Health Guild (mental health), Friends of the Ballona Wetlands (environment) and local Rotary Clubs (community programs).
November 17 at 10 a.m.
The Westchester Family YMCA and Westside Activists are teaming up this month for a “Warm for the Holidays” service project benefiting Safe Place for Youth (S.P.Y.), Grass Roots Neighbors and the Girls Club of Los Angeles.
Volunteers are invited to help put together cold weather kits for people in need this holiday season.
The event will take place on Sunday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Westchester Family YMCA’s Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester.
Donations of items like hand warmers, beanies, gloves and scarves are also being sought. Organizers hope to receive enough supplies to put together 500 kits to distribute.
For more information, to view the Amazon Wishlist and to RSVP, please visit bit.ly/ HolidayWarmth2024.
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Photos
Zsuzsi Steiner
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Nonprofit spotlight: NCL Beachside brings moms and daughters closer by volunteering
By Shanee Edwards
Mothers and daughters have always shared a special bond. But most mothers will tell you that connection can get a bit spotty as their daughters enter their teenage years. Luckily, National Charity League, Inc. is on a mission to strengthen that bond through a six-year program for girls in 7th through 12th grade and their mothers, through philanthropy, community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.
National Charity League, Inc. (NCL), has been around for nearly a century and has chapters all across the country. But the Beachside Chapter of NCL is particularly special due to its small-town, neighborhood vibe. Serving the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and El Segundo areas, the Beachside Chapter has grown from 100 to 250 mothers and daughters since its inception almost 10 years ago.
Co-Founder of the Beachside Chapter and current President, Grace Pak is dedicated to making a difference in the local community–in big and small ways.
“In my role as president this year, one of the things that was brought to my attention is that a lot of the philanthropy partners we work with are actually local,” said Grace. “We work with Grass Roots Neighbors, which is in Playa del Rey. We work with the Rotary Clubs. We work with the schools. And it’s a great opportunity for our girls to realize that even in our community–and I think we’re a pretty comfortable
community–there are still needs that can be met as a mother-daughter team, leading the way and being role models.”
Grace excitedly reports that Beachside Chapter members have volunteered more than 4,000 hours of service so far this year, and are on track to surpass last year’s numbers.
Ticktockers
While the mothers in NCL are called Patronesses, the daughters are called Ticktockers, but not because of the app TikTok. Though the NCL Ticktockers can certainly be positive community influencers, the term goes back nearly 100 years, according to the Vice President of Ticktockers, Debbie Shields.
“In 1925, when the organization was initially founded in the Los Angeles area, it was just for the moms
who were trying to help their local community. The daughters would be waiting for the moms during their meeting, and they would be sitting outside the meeting going, ‘Tick tock, tick tock!’ So, they called themselves Ticktockers because they were counting down the minutes until their moms would finish with the meetings. Then they decided they would create an organization that included the daughters. But the nickname stuck long before there was an app,” says Debbie.
These days, NCL prepares the Ticktockers to be leaders in a variety of ways including their most cherished event, the annual mother-daughter tea.
“The girls learn and practice etiquette and are recognized for outstanding philanthropy service
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through an awards presentation,” says Grace, who shares that the entire chapter participates.
Creating the next generation of leaders
Leadership is an important skill for young women to learn especially if they want to make a difference in their community. President-Elect Jennifer Kalvestran and her daughter first joined the Beachside Chapter during the pandemic when NCL meetings were held on Zoom.
“The first year I joined there were no meetings in person and the philanthropy opportunities were pretty much slim to none. That said, my daughter was chosen to be the Communications Chair her first year. She was unsure about being the Communications Chair at the beginning of the year. But by the end of the year, she actually put herself up for another board position and she’s been on the board every year of her involvement with NCL, so far!” says Jennifer. “I’ve seen growth in her ability to lead, even at her young age. I didn’t have that ability until maybe college.”
Personal connection
For past President Kim Lawrence and her daughter, NCL has provided many great opportunities for making connections with people they normally wouldn’t have a chance to meet. One of Kim’s favorite memories comes from working with the Exceptional Kids Organization (EKO), a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the special needs community.
“We’ve had wonderful experiences (continued on next page)
Top: NCL members Debbie Shields, Kim Lawrence and Jennifer Kalvestran pose for a photo in Westchester. Their nonprofit now has more than 250 members. Bottom and next page: Moms and daughters volunteer at a walk to help end Alzheimer’s and with Habitat for Humanity.
Photo
Robert Higgins
(continued from previous page) with EKO. I have a cousin who’s differently abled, so I have a piece of my heart for people who are differently abled and how sometimes they’re overlooked or people are afraid to approach or don’t want to have those conversations. And yes, you have to know going into a situation to be patient and kind, but know that they want to have conversations just like we do,” she says.
One of the exceptional kids she and her daughter connected with was a young man.
“He has almost a photographic memory, a memory that can remember dates and data that is incredible. Once you tell him your name, your birthday and where you live, he remembers that forever. We would come in and every time he would run up to us and say, ‘Hello, Kim, you live in Westchester and you’re this many years old!’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to keep the part about my age under wraps there,’” Kim says with a big laugh.
Kim beams as she shares that this young man earned a college scholarship and will be using his talent for remembering numbers by becoming a math teacher.
“We got to know him over the years that we’ve been doing this. And we got to see him blossom,” Kim adds.
Volunteering with local groups
One of the local charities Beachside likes working with is the Friends of Ballona Wetlands. For Jennifer, volunteering with the Friends is a great opportunity to get her daughter out in nature despite living in a big city.
“I’m from the Midwest and one
philanthropy project that my daughter and I really like going to is Friends of Ballona. You literally pick weeds, but the first time we were there, we were pulling out the non-native weeds, and she kept talking about how satisfying it was because the root would come all the way up. And back when I was growing up in the Midwest, that was
the first thing you learned–make sure you pull the whole root all the way up so it doesn’t come back. She loved it! I like to say she’s a little bit Midwestern deep down because she does enjoy getting out there, getting dirty and being in nature,” says Jennifer.
NCL strengthens the motherdaughter bond
Beyond serving the local community and making an impact on others, one thing Grace, Jennifer, Kim and Debbie all agree on is that being part of NCL has prepared their daughters for adulthood in ways unique to the organization–and brought them closer.
“NCL provides the opportunity to hang out with your daughter during the middle school and high school years when they tend to get ready to leave the nest. And it just provides you the opportunity to spend some time with them and maintain a relationship that you wouldn’t have otherwise,” says Jennifer. “There’s a lot of influences out there and it helps keep the lines of communication open. It also gets her off the screen and it gets her out there and doing something productive.”
For more information about the Beachside Chapter of NCL, visit nationalcharityleague.org/ chapter/beachside and fill out a membership inquiry form or email them at membershipbeachside@ nclonline.org.
T omat (continued)
(continued from page 4)
Bold Vegetable Starters
The current dinner menu offers a spectrum of California farm-to-table dishes that will please meat-lovers, pescatarians and vegetarians alike. A unique feature of the restaurant is its open kitchen, giving diners the chance to get a glance behind the scenes while chef Harry and his team work their culinary magic.
While Tomat’s dishes are influenced by their favorite flavors, travels and time spent living in London, Natalie and Harry are thrilled they have a great team beside them.
“We have an amazing Sous Chef named Rohan Pratap–he is a force of positivity in the kitchen. You’ll be able to see everyone at work the moment you walk in, the art and the theater of Tomat is very much about the kitchen,” says Natalie.
Like all good performances, there is nothing static about the menu either.
“It’s a very seasonal menu and we will be changing it with the seasons. We’ve started off with the end of summer changing to fall. We have chili peppers, we’re getting some squashes now and the last of the eggplants. And of course, the end of the summer tomatoes, which are incredible here. So, we are currently starting off the menu with a lot of bold vegetable dishes. We’ve got our tomato salad, we’ve got an awesome cucumber preparation that is really delicious and then a few different types of market green salads,” says Harry.
And, of course, nothing goes better with a salad than freshly baked bread.
“We’re doing a take on a Persian bread with a tomato butter. We have dehydrated tomato around the outside to give it a little bit of a kick, and we smother the bread with ash from the fire that we’re cooking everything else on and it creates this awesome crust on top,” says Harry.
From the Pacific Ocean
On offer are California whelks with aioli, and raw fish of the day served with English mustard that Harry says is reminiscent of wasabi.
“We’re working with some amazing fishermen. At the moment we’re getting Californian halibut, black cod and rockfish. We have a 100-pound tuna in our dry-ager currently, which is probably the last of the tuna of the year. We’ll also have spiny lobsters that are coming into season now,” he says.
Birds of a feather
While the minced chicken skewer with turmeric yogurt sounds fabulous, Tomat won’t overdo chicken offerings.
“The chicken will come and go a little bit–we don’t want to over poultry everyone–but the duck is from an amazing farm up north that we’ve been buying from for ages. We do an amazing pomegranate and walnut sauce with it, kind of reminiscent of a couple of dishes from my background, but we also make it kind of like a mole, which is really fun,” says Harry.
Something a bit meatier
If the beef tendon with daikon, a type of radish with a hint of sweetness and peppery notes, has your taste buds perking up, you may also want to consider the pork chop.
“The pork chop we do with a fennel salad and serve it with roasted apples and tomatillo, which is kind of my take on pork and applesauce, but the tomatillo and a little bit of dried chili gives it more of a Californian twist,” Harry says.
And for dessert...
While Tomat offers a variety of afterdinner treats, including a selection of cheeses, the dark chocolate mousse with candied fruit will certainly pique your curiosity. But if you want something more traditional, Harry recommends a favorite from across the pond.
“I know it’s very British, but we’ve tied it into California in an obvious way. It’s a sticky toffee pudding, which is essentially a date cake, but you cover it in butterscotch sauce and a scoop of burnt milk gelato on top,” says Harry, who grew up in England. “Whenever anyone tastes it, they’re just like, ‘Oh my God, this is so delicious!’”
Locally sourced cocktails
For those who enjoy a cocktail with their dinner, Tomat’s drink menu has some classics, but with a twist.
“What I would say is unique is that we’re trying to thoughtfully source what alcohol we put into our menu,” says Natalie. “For example, we love martinis, especially me. There are some fantastic distillers in Los Angeles.”
One of her favorite gin distilleries is Future, “a woman-owned, queer-owned company that created a London dry-style gin that’s meant for a martini. You can really taste the effort that was put into that,” she says.
Natalie also loves Amass gin, which has a distillery in the L.A. Arts District.
“It’s another gin that’s locally sourced, but tastes completely different, that we’re using for a Negroni that kind of just plays off of the bitters and the punchier flavors,” she says.
Serving Westchester
When it comes to knowing Westchester, Natalie’s family has a long history, with her great-grandmother Ella opening the community’s first commercial buildings in the 1940s. Eventually, Ella and her son, Howard B. Drollinger would found Drollinger Properties. Today, Natalie’s mother, Karen Dial, is the company’s president and the proud owner of The Book Jewel that is nestled next to Tomat. Both Natalie and Harry are working to continue her family’s legacy of keeping Westchester a thriving, family-centric community.”
“I’m fourth generation in this community and it’s gone through so much evolution and different versions of itself,” says Natalie. “I just feel so lucky to be setting down roots here. We are really proud of Tomat, and we hope the community is proud of us, too. Everyone is welcome in here.”
Tomat is located at 6261 W. 87th St. and is open Tuesday through Sunday at 8 a.m. for coffee and pastries. Dinner service and the rooftop terrace are open Wednesday through Sunday starting at 5 p.m.
Visit tomat.la or scan the QR code for more info.
Noodle Wigglebuns
Twilight Kobe
Our Fifth Annual Pet Photo Contest once again proved that Westchester/Playa residents have the cutest pups and cats in town!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest and filled our inbox with photos and stories of their four-legged family members! Every year, we enjoy reading about the positive impact these furbabies have on their companions and the joy, laughs and cuddles they bring!
All the photos we received for this year’s contest were uploaded to our Facebook.com/thehtn page to share with the community. Everyone who viewed the album was invited to give a “like” to all their favorite pictures.
While every pet featured deserved the “2024 Cutest Pet” title in our book, this year’s top vote-getters are Noodle Wigglebuns and Twilight! Noodle Wigglebuns is known around Westchester for her signature head tilt and piercing blue eyes. When she’s not helping her humans win trivia contests at Three Weavers, she enjoys trips to Petco and playdates at Nielsen Field with her besties. Twilight loves to roam outside, especially if that means he can climb somewhere high and strike a pose. This year, we’re also naming Kobe, a pit bull-mix with soulful eyes and great camera skills, who loves going for walks as our “Hometown Favorite!” These three pets will receive a gift card to Petco Westchester! In honor of Giving Tuesday, we will also make a donation to Noodle’s family’s pet charity of choice. We wish we could showcase all of the pet photos in print, but here are some of our favorite entries. You can also view the full gallery on our Facebook page. Considering adding a pet to your family? Visit a local shelter or check out these area rescues: Lange Foundation, Annenberg PetSpace, Rover’s Retreat, Purposeful Rescue, Wags and Walks, Best Friends Animal Society, Forte Animal Rescue and the Lovejoy Foundation.
Hear from your co unity The magic of Rotary manifests in Marina del Rey
By Marina del Rey Rotary
Marina del Rey is a charming, maritime gem, and it was the largest man-made small-craft marina in the world until Dubai surpassed it, yet it still holds the record for the most boats in the Northern Hemisphere. Marina del Rey (MdR) is a vibrant hub for locals and tourists alike, with top-notch hotels, restaurants, shops, condos and apartments, all bordering the majestic waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Considering the vibrant, unique locale of the Marina, it was hard to believe that it had been untouched by the “magic of Rotary” until a few months ago, when the Rotary Club of Marina del Rey was chartered! Just three short months from conception, on July 1, the club launched with 29 members.
Within the first 100 days, the club made a strong introduction to the community, and in return, it has been embraced by the Marina. Business owners and residents alike have recognized that the club is what the Marina needed as a conduit for positive change. Kindness, respect, enthusiasm and the sharing of ideas are keystones of the organization, and the new club has found that people are excited to join them in making a difference, both locally and globally!
The club’s president Kurtis Sundblom and the board of directors recognize that every Rotarian has unique strengths and talents and the board empowers each member to have a voice to help make things happen. One of the club’s founding principles is to allow individuals to succeed within the group by offering fresh ideas and programs through collaboration. By allowing each member to have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way, the group has flourished—the membership is diverse in age, ethnicity, nationality, career, and socio-economic backgrounds. This has allowed for unique perspectives, and the common thread of enthusiasm for “Service Above Self” is universally shared by all.
The club recently joined up with the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club to hold their meetings, and this picturesque location has become a hub for ideas, planning and camaraderie twice a month.
Making Waves: key projects and fundraisers
After talking and listening to community members, so far, the club has developed five impactful local projects and two successful fundraisers, generating a whopping
$83,000 for various causes in just one month. Barely three weeks after their charter, members embarked on their first major project—raising awareness about human trafficking. With the help of Rotarians, and coordinating with the 1736 Family Crisis Center, endurance athlete Rob DeCou–along with six other kayakers–took on the challenging 29-mile ocean crossing from Catalina to San Pedro. They made the trek in six hours to help shine a spotlight on the issue of human trafficking, and the club helped raise an impressive $30,000 for the cause. That same summer day, the club launched “Rotary in the Village,” an initiative designed to boost local
businesses at Fisherman’s Village, while offering the community a chance to enjoy live entertainment and great food. This event promises to become a staple of Marina del Rey’s cultural calendar, drawing people together in celebration and support of their neighborhood.
Sunset and Success: crowning achievements
While the club has accomplished much in its first few months, perhaps its crowning achievement so far is its Sunset Cruise Fundraiser. In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club, this event featured plenty of fun, delicious food, drinks, dancing and entertainment, and raised
an incredible $53,000 in just five weeks! This success was driven by a combination of social media outreach, flyers, and personal interactions within the community, proving that when Rotary mobilizes, the results are nothing short of amazing.
The funds raised from the Sunset Cruise will benefit the club’s foundation, which supports ongoing community programs, and the Boys & Girls Club’s Sailing Program. The program provides essential waterrelated activities to 2,000 kids across the greater L.A. area.
In September, MdR Rotary, as a member of Rotary District 5280 and Rotary International, was recognized for becoming a club with 100 percent Paul Harris Fellows, signifying its commitment to be connected with the needs of both their local district and on an international level.
The club also addressed a pressing social need with their “Purse Drive” in collaboration with the Marina del Rey Brighton Collectibles store. During the drive, Brighton customers were encouraged to trade in their “slightly” used bags to be donated to local organizations that support women in need. This resulted in 110 purses being collected.
The club saw the opportunity to go the extra mile and held an event at George Petrelli Steak House. The goal was to raise money and put together more than 30 donated tote bags and toiletries to benefit the organization “People of Concern,” a local women’s shelter.
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At top: MdR Rotary board members have fun during their Sunset Cruise Fundraiser. At bottom: The club presents a check to support the Boys & Girls Club Sailing Program.
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It was an amazing evening that resulted in raising awareness and $5,000 for the shelter. This initiative exemplifies how small acts of kindness can have a significant impact when coordinated through a committed group!
During the last few months of the year, the club is embracing the opportunity to learn more about the needs of the community and has had several guest speakers from notable organizations. In the near future, expect to see more events and programs aimed at the heart of the Marina community! The club also has plans for an Adopt-A-Family program at Christmas, to help spread holiday cheer to some
seniors and families.
With a dedicated group, including four newly inducted members, a clear vision, and a deep commitment to service, the MdR Rotary has shown that even the newest chapters can make a substantial difference. As the Rotary Club of Marina del Rey continues to grow and serve, one thing is clear—the magic of Rotary is alive and well in this coastal community, and its future is as bright as the California sun!
The MdR Rotary meets every other Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club. Learn more at mdrrotary.org!
HERE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
Michael Tipton is the committed Realtor you’ve been looking for. We promise to listen to your concerns and keep you informed of the nuances in our local market so you can reach all of your real estate goals. Reach out today for help with your home buying, selling, or investing needs!
michael.tipton@cbrealty.com 11661 San Vicente Blvd., LA IG @MICHAELTIPTONREALESTATE
Random Notes/Opinion
How fitness changes at 50
By Jeff Blair
Opinion: Kids and teens experience numerous benefits from consistent and vigorous exercise. Exercise can help those in their 20s and 30s establish a foundation of health for future decades. However, at or around 50, fitness takes on a much greater sense of urgency for many people. This month, I will dig into some of the reasons that is the case.
1. Your doctor’s voice becomes much louder in your head. When you were in your 20s and even your 30s, the health benefits of exercise might have seemed abstract. You might not have seen many people your age experiencing health issues. You could put exercise off for a while. Your doctor might have encouraged you to exercise, but you were busy with life and career. As you approach 50, it is not quite as easy to put off exercise. Certain health metrics like blood pressure, cholesterol and weight might be going in the wrong direction. Your doctor might have become even more insistent that you take action. A sense of anxiety might arise when you think about exercise. In your heart, you know you need to face the music, but you might be afraid to start or even wonder if you have put it off too long. In my experience, all these feelings about
exercise are very common for those near 50.
2. You sense your own physical vulnerability more than you once did. When my dad passed away several years ago, I developed a heightened sense of my own mortality. I have heard similar stories from friends. None of us like to think about these issues, but completely ignoring or denying them feels impossible. Career and family may have been clear priorities for many years, but near 50, exercise and health may jump up your priority list. The necessity of exercise simply becomes more urgent at this age.
3. You do not feel as good as you once did. You may remember burning the candle at both ends in your 20s. That may feel impossible as you approach 50. You may feel a noticeable loss of strength and your energy may be lower than it once was. Some activities that once took little effort may now feel like huge chores. You might remember having more energy when your exercise was more consistent, and you may even experience greater energy when you exercise now. Despite knowing exercise will help you feel better, achieving consistency might prove difficult and may lead to frustration and loss of confidence.
4. You see peers struggling with health and fitness. I have seen friends I still remember as being young and healthy develop a variety of serious health problems as they approach 50. In my mind, they are still the person I knew from many years prior, but their health doesn’t indicate that. Whenever this happens in my peer group, I experience a heightened sense of vulnerability.
5. You hear about the benefits of exercise everywhere. I often say the battle for educating the public about exercise’s benefits feels won. Almost every time I turn on the news a new study announces another exercise benefit. These stories and studies have filled daily news and online and print media for decades now. Most people seem to understand exercise is incredibly good for you. However, knowing and doing are very different things. Establishing a consistent and sustainable exercise routine remains elusive for most Americans. Doing whatever you can to achieve a consistent exercise routine should be a top priority for most people as they approach 50. While many struggle with a variety of feelings about exercise, research shows consistent exercise at mid-life and later can produce tremendous health benefits. By finding a committed and supportive
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER / PLAYA
Working together to improve our communities!
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.”
~ Plato
In the wake of the national and citywide elections, 91 of LA’s 99 Neighborhood Councils will be having elections this season! All Neighborhood Council elections will be vote by mail. The election for the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025 and applications for board candidates will open next week. Join the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment via Zoom to learn tips for candidate filing, running a successful campaign, and connecting with
See session dates once they are announced at empowerla.org/elections/ RSVP to get info to join online or by phone.
The Candidate Filing Period for NCWP begins on Friday, November 15, 2024 and ends on Monday December 30, 2024. The following seats will be on the 2025 ballot:
Large – Affirmation
2
Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m., Thursday,
exercise partner, joining a class or hiring a certified personal trainer, you can achieve consistency. Consistent exercise can improve your chances of delaying or avoiding serious illness until much later in life. Even more importantly for many people, it can dramatically improve your quality of life today.
Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) is a certified personal trainer, fitness author and former adjunct professor of human movement. He has been featured in U.S. and international fitness media. He founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in 2012. The studio has provided tens of thousands of personal training experiences over the last 12 years. Email jeff@socalsport.com for article comments or questions.
HOSTED BY THE WESTCHESTER FAMILY YMCA | OCTOBER 25
The Westchester Family YMCA was the most chilling and thrilling place to be on October 25 for the organization’s annual Halloween Spooktacular.
A sold-out crowd of more than 1,000 attendees RSVP’d to participate in the festivities, which included a haunted maze hosted by WISH Community School, lots of carnival-style games, a photo booth, music, face painting, a movie and more! As with any good Halloween celebration, thousands of pieces of candy were handed out, thanks to generous community members and sponsors.
The community also came to the rescue when the Y put out a call that they needed donations of Halloween decorations. Answering the call, supporters donated skeletons, pumpkins, spiders and more to make sure the event space looked amazing.
“The Spooktacular has now
become a highly anticipated event. The YMCA transforms into a fully decorated, safe space for all children and local families,” said event chair Aisha Harris, who is also part of the Y’s Family Engagement Committee. “We also had a wonderful donation from Holy Nativity this year, which provided hundreds of pumpkins for decorating and a caricature artist. The goal is to make sure that there are plenty of laughs, tons of smiles and bags of candy. I definitely think we achieved that!”
Major sponsors of the event included Katie’s Kreations Events, WISH Community School, LAX, Councilmember Traci Park, Holy Nativity Parish, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor and Westchester Pediatric Dentistry.
Follow the Y at facebook. com/WestchesterFamilyYmca to learn about their upcoming events and programs!
