Westchester/Playa Hometown News March 2026

westchester

•

playa del rey

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

March 2026

LACE UP FOR EDUCATION

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

THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN AA LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN THIS MONTH BRINGS YOU A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN Ed Foundation readies for Rock Roll & Run A taste of Italy comes to Playa del Rey

Rooted in resilience and wellness From Westchester to a global sensation In Pictures: WDRLL celebrates 2026 season

04 10 14 16 26

AHOMETOWN LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Cory Birkett, Contributing Writer Sylvia Wilson, Contributing Writer Shanee Edwards, Contributing Jeff Blair,NEWS Contributing Writer ABOUT THE HOMETOWN Writer Zsuzsi Steiner, Photos ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS 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.

ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS 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 Story ideas & Advertising: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com Front page: Father and daughter duo, Rob and Cece Wilk, are all smiles as they cross the 1K finish line together at last year’s Rock Roll & Run for Education at LMU. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, March 7. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

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March 2026 • Page 3

Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner

Attendees of all ages can participate in the Rock Roll & Run, and the first 1,200 runners to pick up their bibs will receive a limited edition soft cooler bag.

Education Foundation invites community to ‘lace up’ to raise money for local schools Grab your spirit gear, get hydrated and don’t forget to stretch!

The LAX Coastal Education Foundation (LAXCEF) is readying to host its Sixth Annual Rock Roll & Run in partnership with Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, March 7th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The nonprofit, which supports 26 area K-12 schools, is encouraging local families, running enthusiasts and neighbors to participate.

“This event is our one chance a year to bring our whole education community together,” says LAXCEF copresident Traci Cox. “The unfortunate reality is that all schools have to fundraise, whether it’s to fund field trips, bring in a special P.E. program, purchase books for their libraries or add more arts instruction. We try to make this event as easy–and fun–to participate in as possible, so schools can focus on doing what they do best, and we can take care of all the organizing and logistics.”

Since relaunching in 2017 from the Westchester/Playa Education Foundation to LAXCEF, the nonprofit has increased the number of schools it represents, updated its mission to include public, charter, private and parochial schools, and most importantly, has raised more than half a million dollars–through partnerships and events–that has gone directly back to classrooms.

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While the Rock Roll & Run is LAXCEF’S main fundraiser of the year, the foundation also hosts an art show and competition in the fall, partners with SoCalGas to distribute STEM grants, aids the LAX Coastal Chamber with their annual Teacher Eddy Awards, hosts a STEAM-themed project at WAM, and sponsors the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary’s Teacher Mini Grant program. Last month, the foundation also collaborated with the Stephanie Younger Group (SYG) to promote kindness, which led to banners going up on school fences throughout the community to highlight the initiative.

“We’re always looking for ways to create new opportunities and connections for our foundation schools,” says Traci. “We would love to hear from more area businesses and like-minded foundations that want to team up to strengthen education, champion our teachers, inspire students and bolster the enrichment programming the schools offer.”

When it comes to the Rock Roll and Run, the foundation is gearing up to welcome thousands of students, families and neighbors to LMU, and the event has already raised nearly $100,000 (as of press time).

Participants will start the morning with a 5K run/walk around the university’s beautiful campus at 8 a.m., rain or shine. To get pumped for the festivities,

Sooper Awesome will be playing hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000s live on the Drollinger Family Charitable Stage.

After the 5K, attendees are invited to stick around for the community expo featuring a free pancake breakfast, courtesy of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club and visit 25-plus sponsorhosted booths with giveaways and family-friendly activities. Kids can also enjoy face painting, balloon animals, an arts and crafts tent and a visit from Bubblemania. The Laker Girls will be on hand to pose for photos and sign autographs, as well.

At 10 a.m., elementary school students will get their chance to cross the 1K crepe paper finish line, and receive a medal (while supplies last) from the SYG team. The 1K Kids’ Fun Run is what the event is all about, and dozens of volunteers make it even more memorable by cheering on the K-6 students with noisemakers and by holding up encouraging signs throughout the route.

“To see hundreds of kids cross the finish line with huge smiles on their faces makes all the work of putting on the event more than worth it,” says event chair Lory Sarlo. “It shows they can do anything they put their minds to, and they’re supporting their school at the same time. For the parents to see that, it’s a really priceless experience.”

With outside funding continuing to be a priority for schools, LAXCEF is

committed to finding ways they can bridge the gap between donors and education.

“There are so many ways to assist our local schools,” says Traci. “It just takes people and businesses stepping up to see where they can help, and we’re happy to be that conduit.”

Register to run/walk in the Sixth Annual Rock Roll and Run 5K, 1K or as a virtual runner at laxcef.org. Major sponsors of the event include LMU, Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, the Stephanie Younger Group and LAWA.

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

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

March 2026 • Page 5

Business & Nonprofit News

TheHTN.com

Protectors’ Appreciation Week. The LAX Coastal Chamber wrapped up another successful Protectors’ Appreciation Week on February 23 to 27. The seventh annual event, which the chamber created to thank and honor the men and women who help keep the community safe, featured business leaders dropping off baskets filled with goodies, passing out cards created by local students, serving meals, and more. By the end of the week, nearly 50 stops were made to locations like Fire Station #5, LAPD Pacific Division, the Marina del Rey Sheriff’s Station, L.A. County Lifeguards, and UCLA Health offices. Cedars-Sinai was the title sponsor. Pictured: Representatives from Drollinger Properties and the Stephanie Younger Group pose with firefighters from Fire Station #5 in Westchester.

Lulu’s Place reaches construction milestone.

Lulu’s Place is on track to welcome students, families and athletes in mid-2027, according to an update on the project. On February 20, the team behind the state-of-the-art facility celebrated a major construction milestone with a topping out ceremony to place the final beam on the 34-acre campus’s Welcome Center.

“Watching my wife Carol’s dream come to life on this campus and seeing our family’s vision take shape has been extraordinary,” said Doug Kimmelman, founder and chairman of Lulu’s Place. “This campus will serve as a gateway to opportunity—a place where young people will discover new passions, build confidence, and begin their journeys towards a brighter future. We look forward to welcoming the community through these doors.”

In addition to the 13,000-squarefoot Welcome Center, which will serve as the primary access point to Lulu’s Place’s 24 tennis courts and eight multi-use courts, the campus will feature a TGR Learning Lab, three soccer fields, a multi-use athletic field and other recreational

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away in 2017 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Learn more about Lulu’s Place, which is located on Westchester Parkway near St. Bernard High School, by visiting lulusplace.org.

Lulu’s Place. Since beginning construction in April of last year, Lulu’s Place is now 31% complete, according to the organization’s website. When open, the site will operate under the pillars of: academic enrichment and support; athletics and fitness; career and college readiness; and health and wellness. Pictured: Doug Kimmelman poses with his two sons at the future site of Lulu’s Place.

opportunities. More than 10,000 students from approximately 50 Title I schools within a 10-mile radius of the site are expected to be served each year through integrated academic enrichment, athletic, and wellness

programming.

The project is named for Carol “Lulu” Kimmelman, a Southern California native, former public elementary school teacher and lifelong tennis player who passed

High school seniors invited to Corsages and Cufflinks.

Aisha Harris, owner of event planning company Katie’s Kreations Events, remembers how it feels to be a high school senior who wanted to feel fabulous and special at their high school prom, but had financial barriers in making that happen.

That’s why she created Corsages and Cufflinks to ensure that seniors wouldn’t have to skip this important milestone. Now in its fourth year, Aisha spends months planning the event and collecting donations of swoon-worthy dresses, sharp suits, glittery high heels, bejeweled purses and other glam accessories from community members, so that students can “shop” for their dream look during the complimentary experience.

With the help of volunteers, the goal is for each student who walks (Continued on next page)

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

Photo courtesy Kentwood

• Traditional Thai • American Thai • Swedish & Thai Combo

Be kind! Kentwood Elementary School is kindness certified! The school recently participated in the Great Kindness Challenge to help continue the school’s tradition of empathy, building relationships and creating a sense of belonging for all. Students were encouraged to complete as many acts of kindness during the week as possible, while the school hosted activities like making a quilt and creating letters and drawings to share with first responders. To wrap up the week, students and teachers posed to create a heart while reflecting on what they learned during the challenge.

(Continued from previous page) through the door to feel belonging, dignity, and joy.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Suite #105 in Westchester. Walkins are welcome, but registration is encouraged.

For more details, visit Instagram. com/katieskreationsevents.

Kentwood Players readies for next performance.

The West Coast premiere of “Guilty Pleasures: An Unapologetic Comedy” will open at the Westchester Playhouse, home of the Kentwood Players, on March 13. This fastpaced witty farce is written by Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Ken Levine, known for his work on “M*A*S*H,” “Cheers,” “Frasier” and “The Simpsons.” He was also the playby-play announcer for three Major League Baseball teams and hosted Dodger Talk from 2008 to 2010. “‘Guilty Pleasures’ is irreverent, quick and very funny. In other words, you’ll laugh your butt off!

Kentwood Players is excited and honored to present this show to West Coast audiences for the first time,” said producer, cast member and Westchester resident Lou Saliba. “This is a great opportunity for people to enjoy high-quality contemporary theater right in their own neighborhood.”

The play focuses on two couples who set sail on a romantic Mediterranean cruise in hopes of reigniting their rocky relationships.

A playful agreement and a series of misunderstandings produce a hilarious journey fueled by oneliners and pithy banter reminiscent

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of classic Noel Coward. The play is intended for mature audiences.

“Guilty Pleasures” runs Friday, March 13 through Saturday, April 4, at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave. in Westchester.

For more information and to make reservations, visit kentwoodplayers.org.

Save the date for these spring events.

Spring is in the air, and local organizations are busy planning events that are fun and free for the whole community!

Mark your calendar for these upcoming happenings: • Second Saturday Stroll. The first installment of the 2026 Second Saturday Stroll will take place on Saturday, May 9. Combining art, music, dining, shopping and connection, the event closes down 87th Street in the Westchester Triangle for an evening of celebrating Westchester and supporting local businesses. Get involved and sign up to sponsor the event by contacting secondsaturdaystroll@gmail.com.

• Battle of the Bands. The Westchester Family YMCA is getting ready to rock at its Fourth Annual Battle of the Bands, featuring talented musicians from local middle and high schools. Up to 10 groups will compete to see who is named this year’s winner, which includes a $500 grand prize. Musicians are encouraged to apply by March 31, and the event will take place at the YMCA Annex on Saturday, May 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. Learn more at facebook.com/ westchesterfamilyymca.

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

March 2026 • Page 7

A VIP Progressive Dinner for Mental Health.

Benefiting Airport Marina Counseling Service Returning by popular demand, Gateway LA is excited to host the Century Stroll for Mental Health — an elevated take on the beloved Progressive Dinner. This unforgettable evening begins at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport and concludes at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport, offering guests an exclusive culinary journey across two premier venues.

Marriott Menu / Theme

Hilton Menu /Theme

This year, Marriott will debut a curated selection of new signature dishes from Hangar 18 Bar + Kitchen and JW Steakhouse under the theme “La Pista de los Chefs”—a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and standout flavors taking center stage.

Mexican Cuisine focusing on different Regions from Mexico.

Featured Menus Items Lobster Roll | Esquite | Korean Tacos | Steak Frites | Mezze | Matcha Brûlée | Specialty Cocktails | Velvet Embrace | Cinder Sprig

Featured Menus Items Taco Station with Locally Sourced Tortillas– Flavors from the Capital of Mexico | Tamale Station with flavors of the Western Region of Mexico | Seafood Station with flavors of the Coastal Region of Mexico | Specialty Cocktails | Hibiscus Mezcal | Pomegranate Margaritas

RSVP: bmorgan@amcshelps.com Ticket link: https://onecau.se/centurystroll Page 8 • March 2026

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

“Noni Olabisi: When Lighting Strikes” Exhibition at LMU’s Laband Art Gallery A free public exhibition celebrating South Los Angeles artist Noni Olabisi, whose paintings and iconic murals tell honest stories of Black life, resilience, and hope, becoming lasting landmarks in neighborhoods throughout L.A. Date:

Now through March 28

Hours:

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Location: LMU’s Laband Art Gallery community.lmu.edu 310.338.2759 community@lmu.edu

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March 2026 • Page 9

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner

Tony and Nando pose for a photo outside their latest venture, The Local Market and Deli, located at the site of the former Gordon’s Market on Culver Blvd.

By Cory Birkett Playa del Rey has a new neighborhood gem, and locals are already lining up for a taste. The Local Market, a charming Italian-inspired gourmet market and deli, has quickly become the talk of the Playa del Rey and Westchester community.

Behind the venture are two familiar faces—longtime neighborhood business owners Tony Cotrufo and his partner, Nando de Stefano. Tony and his wife, Mary February, are well known as the owners of the popular Caffe Pinguini, the neighborhood restaurant they have operated for more than 20 years. Nando also brings deep local roots as the owner of Playa del Rey’s The Good Pizza. Mary, and Nando’s longtime partner, Cindy Orozco, also lends her talents to the market.

The idea for The Local Market was born out of passion, experience, and a shared love of Italian food culture.

The shop offers a thoughtfully curated selection of gourmet Italian products and fine international wines, alongside a just-opened deli, serving what customers are already calling some of the best sandwiches in town.

Tony says the partnership with Nando came naturally.

“We have a great respect and trust for each other,” he explained. “Nando is more the chef—he’s the one with the inspiring food ideas. I’m more of the Page 10 • March 2026

wine guy.”

He gestured toward the shelves, pointing out a few favorites, including Castello La Leccia Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, the full-bodied Tuscan red produced exclusively from Sangiovese grapes.

It’s a collaboration that blends decades of local business experience with genuine culinary creativity. The shelves are stocked with gourmet pasta sauces, imported olive oils, quality canned Italian tomatoes, aged balsamic vinegars, specialty pastas and jams—alongside everyday essentials like toothpaste and mustard. This is a neighborhood market, after all.

A Visit to the Deli Counter When I stopped in to try the sandwiches, it felt personal from the moment I walked through the door.

Mary was behind the deli counter, taking orders and greeting customers.

You could tell immediately that this is the kind of place where people are known by name.

The deli serves a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, plus a rotating selection of hot items sold by the pound—lasagna, Italian sausage, broccoli rapini, eggplant parmesan, chicken piccata, and more. I ordered three sandwiches for my family to sample, and each one told its own delicious story.

The Jon Goti: A Classic Done Right My husband chose the Jon Goti, their

take on a classic Italian sandwich— piled high with Genoa salami, mortadella, capocollo, soppressata, and provolone, then topped with lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini, red onion, and Italian vinaigrette.

He loved the combination of hearty meats, crisp vegetables, and tangy dressing. But what he kept coming back to was the bread. All sandwiches are served on house-made focaccia rolls, and honestly, the bread alone is worth the trip.

The Sud Tirol: Sweet Meets Savory I ordered the Sud Tirol—smoked prosciutto, creamy Brie, fig jam, and fresh arugula. One bite in, I was sold.

The smokiness of the meat, the richness of the Brie, the sweetness of the jam, and the peppery bite of the arugula all worked together beautifully. It felt thoughtful without being fussy.

The Trolley Way: A Pleasant Surprise My daughter chose the Trolley Way: prosciutto cotto, Brie, olive tapenade, grilled zucchini, and arugula. She loved how the savory ham balanced the creamy cheese, briny olives, and subtle smokiness of the zucchini. Every sandwich here feels intentional—satisfying without being heavy, balancing savory and sweet with something fresh to round out the flavor profile.

Creating an Italian Experience For Tony, the heart of The Local

Market is about more than food.

“I want people to feel like they’re walking into a small market in Italy with friendly staff, where it feels like home, where people feel comfortable,” says Tony.

If the early reception is any indication, that’s exactly what’s happening. The Local Market is the kind of place where you run into neighbors, the staff remembers your order, and you leave with something special for dinner—and maybe a bottle of wine you hadn’t planned on buying.

The Local Market is located at 303 Culver Blvd in Playa del Rey. Stop in and see what everyone is talking about.

Join the Conversation I want to hear from you! What is your go-to local dish—the one you’d tell a new neighbor they have to try?

Drop a comment, send me a message, or say hi if you see me at the market.

Let’s keep swapping favorites! Email me at birkettcory@gmail.com.

Cory Birkett is a foodie, and admin for the “Quarantine CookingWestchester & Silicon Beach” Facebook Group. When she’s not trying new recipes or checking out local restaurants, she spends her days as a real estate agent and longtime community volunteer, which includes serving on committees for the Westchester/Playa Neighborhood Council.

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

March 2026 • Page 11

Hear from your community SING! Another hidden gem in Westchester: The Concert Singers

By Paris Salido

pop and jazz songs.

I am thrilled to have My goals were simple: found The Concert Singers preserve brain health, have fun right here in my own and get more involved in my neighborhood. My daily community. practice keeps my brain Since I elevated a few active. My voice has gotten years ago–I’ve never called stronger, and I’ve expanded it “retirement”–it seems my range. like every other month Since we need to learn I’d read a story about the 16 to 18 songs for each benefits of music for seniors’ concert, that keeps me brains. Learning to play an busy and helps me focus on instrument, singing in a group, something positive every or just singing out loud is good day. As a single senior, I for brain health. find fulfillment in that.

Then a friend mentioned Singing with The Concert a choral event she attended Singers is lots of fun. I enjoy every December. That practicing, and I’m making reminded me of how much new friends. Goals met!

I had loved singing in school My advice: just sing; The nearly 80-year-old choir group, The Concert Singers, get ready to perform at their most recent concert. choirs and how contributing even humming is good for Singers, an advanced choral group. downtown and the Hollywood Bowl, to, and being enveloped in, the your brain. Everyone can I attended their June concert and was but also in Austria and the Czech harmonious sounds of adult choirs sing along to their favorite tunes, in absolutely stunned. It was just what I Republic. Wow! was so uplifting. Could I find a secular the shower, in the car or even to pets. was looking for and, best of all, they are I contacted them about auditioning. group to join?

They’ll love you for it! based in the neighborhood, where I’ve Luckily, I had studied piano and violin Last January, I started looking for The Concert Singers, which were lived most of my life. I couldn’t believe for five years in grade school, so that choral groups in the L.A. area. One established in 1948, is made up of that I had never heard of them. background helped me a lot, even group sang just for fun, but it wasn’t a about 40 people from various areas.

Their lively June concert program though I haven’t touched an instrument They perform three concerts a year at match. Another one sounded better, but showcased Broadway tunes, and they since. I recognized that, with my was too far away.

Covenant Presbyterian Church, located sounded great, professional and very average voice, I needed to take some Then one day, a friend I volunteer at 6323 Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. talented. After hearing the first two lessons to prepare. I’m doing that with said that her senior center had Concerts are held in December, the songs, I knew my search had ended, now with lessons from Dr. Stephanie a sing-along group. I thought, “Hmm, spring and one in the summer, which and I really wanted to join them.

Hutchinson. Then, I joined The Concert even includes a very popular ice maybe that would satisfy my urge to As I read the program notes and the Singers in September. sing.” So, I checked out a couple of local cream social. Please join us at our next credentials of the leaders, I understood The variety of songs that we sing groups. They were casual and fun, but performance! why this group is so impressive: The makes for a good brain workout, their schedules didn’t fit mine. Lucky For more information, visit Concert Singers director, Colleen and some can be challenging. Our for me, while at the second sing-along theconcertsingers.com.

Cronin, has two master’s degrees December holiday program included group, I mentioned that I was looking Paris Salido is a long-time Westchester from Stanford in choral directing, one song in German, one in Latin and for a group to join. Immediately, resident. Since her “elevation,” she now plus extensive other graduate one in Hebrew. Our upcoming spring Joyce, the lady sitting in front of me fills her days by volunteering at nearby St. work.

Stephanie Hutchinson, their concert, “Homeward Bound” on March Margaret’s Center in Lennox and reading (who has a beautiful voice), turned accompanist/pianist, has a Ph.D. from 22, will feature a song in Italian from a around and told me about a concert for the blind at the Los Angeles Radio USC in piano performance. Over the Verdi opera and a song in Swahili. I’m coming up a few days later right here Reading Service. That is, when she’s not years, the group has performed not also looking forward to our summer in Westchester: it was The Concert exercising at the YMCA. only at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion concert (June 28), which will feature

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

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

March 2026 • Page 13

Photo by Sophie Saunders

ROOTED IN RESILIENCE & WELLNESS

For Taylor Henry, loss, healing and motherhood has shaped her desire to protect what matters most

By Sylvia Wilson

toxicity, launching her into a yearlong detox involving monthly IV When Westchester resident Taylor treatments.

Henry talks about her life, she speaks “People don’t realize that the with a quiet steadiness, the kind symptoms often show up during that comes from having weathered detox, not before,” she says. “It felt profound loss and discovering like being trapped in my own body.” purpose on the other side. Her story The experience forced her to begins far from the neighborhood she rethink everything she consumed. now calls home, yet the themes that She shifted to a plant-based diet run through it: family, healing, and and immersed herself in learning intentional living, have shaped every about food quality, sourcing, and chapter. ingredients. It was the beginning A Childhood of Love, Nature, of a new chapter, one centered on and Connection wellness and, eventually, a new Taylor was adopted at birth and career. raised in Pacific Palisades in what A Love That Grew Naturally she describes as a “deeply loving Around this time, something else home.” She grew up alongside her quietly transformative happened: older brother, who was also adopted, Taylor reconnected with someone and the two spent their childhood who had always been in her orbit. outdoors, playing soccer, traveling, Her husband had long been part and developing a bond with nature of her extended social circle, her and animals that would stay with her best friend’s brother was his best for life. friend, so their paths had crossed for But when Taylor entered 10th years. After college, their friendship grade, everything changed. Her deepened naturally. What began with brother, just 16, died in a car accident. easy conversation and shared humor The loss was shattering. grew into something steadier and “High school is hard enough,” she more intentional. reflects. “But losing my brother at After seven years of dating, Taylor that age defined me in ways I didn’t knew he was “the one” during what understand for years.” was supposed to be a simple weeklong The grief carved depth into her family vacation to Cabo. When life, but it also planted the seeds the COVID-19 pandemic hit, that of resilience, a quality that would short trip unexpectedly stretched become essential in the years ahead. into three months, with Taylor, Searching for Direction After her now-husband, and her parents Loss living together in Mexico. Navigating After high school, Taylor attended uncertainty, close quarters, and daily the University of Colorado Boulder, life in a foreign country became a majoring in Fine Arts with a focus defining moment. Any lingering on landscape photography. Boulder’s doubts about their future disappeared. wide-open spaces felt healing, but Honoring Her Brother Through by graduation, a difficult experience Global Service with a professor left her disconnected Travel has continued to shape from the art form she once loved.

Taylor’s life and values. In the years She returned home unsure of her since, she and her husband have path, helping with her family’s real visited destinations around the world, estate properties while searching for including the Democratic Republic something meaningful. of Congo. There, they spent time at The turning point arrived The Congo Peace School in Mumosho, unexpectedly: a suggestion to test her a school built by Taylor’s family in mercury levels after years of eating memory of her brother. The school sushi. The results revealed mercury teaches peace and nonviolence

Taylor holds one of her favorite green cleaning products at her home in Kentwood.

through the principles of Martin Luther King Jr. and provides daily meals to its students, many of whom are orphans. For some children, it is the only dependable meal they receive.

Taylor describes the work being done at the school as transformative.

Beyond education, she says, it offers stability, dignity, and opportunity in a region where resources are scarce.

A Career Rooted in Clean Food and Conscious Living Driven by her growing interest in nutrition, Taylor enrolled in a six-month culinary program. What she saw in professional kitchens– processed ingredients, low-quality oils and additives–only strengthened her desire to cook differently. She became a certified health coach and began interning with a private

chef, preparing meals in clients’ homes using whole foods and clean ingredients.

“It felt like my dream job,” she says.

For five years, she built a thriving practice as a holistic chef.

Life shifted again when she became pregnant shortly after her wedding.

Three months into her pregnancy, her father suddenly fell critically ill. One day he was golfing with her husband; the next, he was in the ICU. Limited in hospital exposure due to her pregnancy, Taylor navigated the heartbreak of watching her father decline from a distance. He passed away while she was expecting her son.

“Carrying new life while grieving such a profound loss was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced,” she says.

(Continued on page 22)

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March 2026 • Page 15

From Westchester to a global sensation: How LMU helped shape the writers of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

Page 16 • March 2026

Image courtesy Netflix

For Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez, the journey to writing Netflix’s biggest animated hit of all time didn’t begin on a studio lot or in a pitch meeting. It began in the Loyola Marymount University campus’s classrooms, dorm rooms, and on student film sets, where collaboration mattered more than competition.

Today, Hannah and Danya (both class of 2018) are the writers behind “KPop Demon Hunters,” a globally successful animated feature about a K-pop girl band who secretly battle demons while navigating friendship, identity, and self-acceptance. The film has earned major industry recognition, sparked international fandom, inspired many Halloween costumes and turned the former LMU classmates into two of Hollywood’s most closely watched emerging voices. The film also earned them an award for Best Writing at last month’s Annie Awards, which honors excellence in animation.

But when they look back on their time at LMU, the writers don’t point to prestige or pressure. They talk about community and how that supportive environment shaped not only their careers, but how they work together to this day.

Choosing LMU and Choosing Collaboration Both Hannah and Danya arrived at LMU as freshmen with big creative ambitions and very human anxieties about starting college. Like many students, they were weighing options, expectations and the idea of what success was “supposed” to look like.

“I do not thrive in an environment that is so cutthroat like that,” Danya says of more competitive film school cultures. “I thrive in love and community. Who wants to be on edge all the time? That sounds awful.”

That sense of community has become the foundation for everything.

“We all help each other and it honestly has kind of informed how we write with each other, and how we work with co-workers, how we try to bring up our friends. It really has just infiltrated our entire lives,” Danya says.

Hannah agrees, noting that while LMU may not always be the flashiest film school in industry conversations, its culture prepared them for the realities of professional storytelling.

“At LMU, you learn really quickly because you can start going on sets from day one,” she says. “Freshmen can go on set, which is something that doesn’t happen everywhere.”

That early, hands-on access helped demystify filmmaking and helped students see each other as collaborators and teammates rather than the competition.

Finding Friendship Before Finding a Writing Partner Danya and Hannah met early in their freshman year, bonding almost immediately–but not over career goals.

“At that time, our headspace was not

Photo by Jamal Reeves

By Shanee Edwards

Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez have reached global success as the writers of Netflix’s most watched movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters, with more than 325 million views.

at all about our careers,” Hannah says.

“We were both in survival mode, trying to make friends, trying to figure out college, being away from home for the first time.”

Though both are California natives– Hannah grew up in the woods outside Yosemite, while Danya is from Orange County–they initially believed they were creative opposites and didn’t write together during their first two years at LMU. They took the same screenwriting classes, but their creative instincts seemed different. One leaned more dramatic, the other more comedic.

“At the time, we were like, ‘We could never write together. We’re so different,’” Danya says with a laugh.

Looking back, they now see how similar their work actually was.

“All of our stuff was the same types of characters and stories,” Hannah says.

“It was just slightly more dramatic or slightly more comedic. The same vibe.”

That realization wouldn’t fully click until later, but LMU gave them the space to grow individually before becoming a team.

A Semester Abroad and a Weird Subway Scene The shift from friends to collaborators happened during a semester abroad in Budapest. They describe their lodgings as unusually intimate.

“We were staying in a lover’s hostel,”

Danya says, laughing.

The housing arrangement placed the two of them in a single room where they shared a bed, while another student slept above them in what Jimenez describes as, “A bunk bed treehouse situation.”

Things got even weirder, though, when they started riding the Hungarian subway. In Budapest, the subway stations function as communal living spaces for the unhoused in a way that felt radically different from the U.S. “It was like a dorm setup,” Danya says. “There were posters on the walls, mattresses. Basically, bedrooms within the subway system.”

This strange underground world prompted an idea for a TV show–one they would write together.

“We were like, we’re going to be hanging out together every single second of the day anyway. It just made more sense,” Hannah says. “We wrote a British mockumentary, which is not okay to have written because it’s about a group of unhoused people living in a subway system in London, which neither of us has ever experienced.”

They may not have ever experienced homelessness, but they saw a lot of it deep in the bowels of the Budapest Metro, proving you never know where inspiration will strike. Despite its unusual premise, the script was proof that they were good at writing together.

“It was a comedy, but with heart,” says Danya.

“Which is how we deal with most things, with heart,” says Hannah.

That script earned them a prestigious fellowship that helped them secure representation and opened the door to their first professional opportunities.

“That was the moment where it felt very clear,” Hannah says. “We were about to graduate, about to enter the real world, and suddenly this felt like a sign. Like, maybe we’re supposed to do this together.”

Learning By Doing and By Rewriting After graduation, Danya and Hannah steadily built their careers as a writing team, developing projects for major studios and working in television writers’ rooms. They credit LMU with preparing them not just to write, but to rewrite–a skill that became essential on “KPop Demon Hunters,” which took years to develop.

One of the biggest lessons they carried from their education was the importance of clarity.

“We had versions of this movie that were incredibly complicated,” Hannah says. “And the biggest lesson we learned was always to simplify.

If you’re confused, your audience is definitely confused.”

That instinct, to strip a story down to its emotional core, is something they say was encouraged at LMU, where professors and peers focused on character and theme over car crashes and spectacle.

In “KPop Demon Hunters,” that meant centering the story on shame and self-acceptance, rather than overloading the story with mythology.

It’s a choice that resonates with audiences worldwide and one that reflects the writers’ own experiences of growing up, finding confidence and learning to trust their voices.

Coming home to Westchester Recently, Danya and Hannah returned to LMU for a special screening of “KPop Demon Hunters” at Mayer Theater, followed by a conversation with students eager to follow in their footsteps. Sitting in the same neighborhood where their careers began, the moment felt surreal.

“It’s crazy to come back and realize how much LMU shaped us,” Danya says. “We’re still best friends with so many people we went to school with.

That community doesn’t go away.”

For students and families in Westchester, their story is a reminder that global success can grow out of local roots–and that a supportive environment can be just as powerful as ambition.

As Hannah reflects, “People in this industry don’t really care where you went to school. What they care about is how you work, how you collaborate, and whether you have a voice.”

Thanks to their years at LMU, Danya and Hannah found all three, which carried them from Westchester to screens around the world.

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March 2026 • Page 17

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Something Rotten! JR

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St. Anastasia Catholic School students wowed the audience during their annual musical! The Panthers really shined on stage on February 6 and 7 at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center with their hilarious performance of “Something Rotten! JR.” The Broadway hit, set in 1590s England, features the story of two struggling brothers who are playwrights as they try to find success. Living in the shadow of William Shakespeare, the brothers decide to create the first musical. Next up for St. Anastasia is their Denim and Diamonds Parish Ball on March 7. Learn more at school.st-anastasia.org.

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March 2026 • Page 19

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-N-Out Plans New Location on Century Boulevard, Will Present to NCWP on April 7 The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa will hear a presentation from In-N-Out Burger at its April 7 meeting seeking support for a new location planned for 5430 Century Boulevard, just west of The Westin Hotel LAX. The Neighborhood Council’s Planning and Land-Use Committee (PLUC) recommended that the NCWP support the proposal with the recommendation that further study be done to evaluate air circulation for seated patrons at the proposed restaurant.

OOD DUNCIL COUNCIL COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER OF WESTCHESTER WESTCHESTER / PLAYA /burger PLAYA / chain PLAYA TheOF newest location of the popular would Working ether ng together to together improve to improve to our improve communities! our communities! our communities! include a 2,038-square-foot restaurant building, a OOD DUNCIL COUNCIL COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER OF OF WESTCHESTER WESTCHESTER / PLAYA / PLAYA / PLAYA trash enclosure and restroom building. It would also Working ng together together improve tointerest improve to our improve ouraffairs our not uUNCIL ando take interest notto an take interest in an the affairs in the of incommunities! affairs your the government, ofcommunities! your ofcommunities! government, yourseats government, OOD Dether COUNCIL COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER OF OF WESTCHESTER WESTCHESTER / 31 PLAYA / PLAYA / PLAYA include 36 outdoor and on-site parking

you then doomed are youdoomed to arelive doomed to livethe tounder live ruleunder the of fools.” rule theofrule fools.” of fools.” spaces.

Working ether ng together together improve tounder improve toour improve communities! our our not uandotake interest nottoan take in an the interest affairs the in affairs your the affairs government, ofcommunities! your ofcommunities! government, your government, ~ interest Plato ~ in Plato ~ of Plato

you then doomed are youdoomed to arelive doomed under to livethe tounder live ruleunder the of fools.” rule theofrule fools.” of fools.” not uandotake interest not an take in an theinterest affairs the of in affairs your the affairs government, of your of government, yourofgovernment, ~ interest Plato ~ in Plato ~The Plato planned hours operation are 10:30 a.m. to 1 you then doomed are youdoomed to arelive doomed under to livethe tounder live ruleunder the of fools.” rule theof rule fools.” of fools.” a.m., Sunday through Thursday; and 10:30 a.m. to

ood hood Council Council Council isa.m.,Proud is is Proud to be toto be A be Sponsor AA Sponsor Sponsor 1:30 Friday andProud Saturday. ood hood Council Council Council isRoll Proud isRoll is Proud Proud toin& be toRun to be Aat be Sponsor ALMU A Sponsor Sponsor In-N-Out Burger was founded 1948 by HarryLMU and at ar’s Year’s s Year’s Rock, Rock, Rock, Roll & Run & Run at LMU ood hood Council Council isRoll Proud isRoll is to& toRun to be A be Sponsor Aat A Sponsor Sponsor Esther Snyder inProud Baldwin Park, as be the first drive-thru ar’s Year’s sCouncil Year’s Rock, Rock, Rock, &theProud Run & Run at LMU at LMU LMU hamburger stand Roll in state.

Known for its simple deaths of the founders and their son Rich Snyder, menuRoll and low prices, chain,& which does not leadership eventually passed to granddaughter Lynsi ar’s Year’s s Year’s Rock, Rock, Rock, Roll Roll &theRun & Run Run at LMU atat LMU LMU franchise its restaurants, expanded slowly across the Snyder, who now owns the company.

nce Coastal oll & nce sque Coastal oll & nce 2026! sque Coastal oll & 1K, as 2026! sque ng ys and 1K, as 2026! ies ng DJand to ys 1K, as ies ng DJand to ys munity ies DJ to and munity

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~ Plato ~ Plato~ Plato

western U.S. while staying privately owned. After the

Due in large part to patrons traveling to and from LAX, the existing Westchester location on Sepulveda Boulevard is often cited as one of the chains highest producing locations.

NCWP is Proud to Sponsor Saturday’s Roll, Roll & Run

The LAX Coastal Education Foundation is proud to once again host the Rock Roll & Run for Education on the picturesque campus of Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, March 7, 2026! The event will feature a 5K and 1K, as well as an after race expo featuring family-friendly activities, giveaways and a pancake breakfast. The festivities will also include live music and a DJ Big Rob to kick-off the fun at 8 a.m.

NCWP will be sponsoring the event and we look forward to seeing you there!

RACE DAY TIMELINE * 7 a.m. - Sign-ups Start for New Registration for 5K/1K 7 a.m. - Bib Pick-Up Starts 7:45 a.m. - LMU Street Closure (Drollinger Lot Closed/Park at U-Hall) 7:45 a.m. - Expo Begins, Ga.m.es, Food, and More 7:50 a.m. - Warm Up 8 a.m. - 5k Start

5K/1K Fun Run Music, Crafts, Pancakes Support local schools

8:15 a.m. - Live Music 9:15 a.m. - Welcome / Thank Yous 10 a.m. - 1k Kids’ Run Start 10:45 a.m. - DJ Rob Spin the Tunes 11 a.m. - Event Concludes * Subject to change

Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Board Meeting:

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2026 @ CD11 Community Room | 7166 W. Manchester Ave., in Westchester

www.ncwpdr.org

eighborhood Next Next Neighborhood Neighborhood CouncilCouncil of Westchester/Playa Council of Westchester/Playa of Westchester/Playa Board Meeting: BoardBoard Meeting: Meeting:

eighborhood Next Next Neighborhood Neighborhood Council of March Westchester/Playa Council of Westchester/Playa of Westchester/Playa Board Meeting: Board Board Meeting: Meeting: Page 20Council • 2026 6:30 p.m., 6:30 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, p.m., Tuesday, Tuesday, March March 3, March 2026 3, 2026 3, 2026

eighborhood Next Neighborhood Neighborhood Council Council of Room Westchester/Playa Council of Westchester/Playa Board Meeting: Board Board Meeting: Meeting: @Community CD11 @Next CD11 Community Room Community | Room 7166 W. | 7166 Manchester | Westchester/Playa 7166 W.ofManchester W. Ave., in3, Ave., Westchester in2026 Westchester in Westchester 6:30 p.m., 6:30 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, p.m., Tuesday, Tuesday, March March 3,Manchester March 2026 2026 3,Ave.,

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March 2026 • Page 21

Resilience & Wellness (cont’d) (Continued from page 14) The experience deepened her understanding of the connection between emotional and physical health, a lesson that would later influence her work.

Finding Home and Purpose in Westchester In 2025, Taylor and her family moved from Mar Vista to Westchester, drawn to its quiet streets and family-friendly feel. She loved being a stay-at-home mom to her son, Bodhi, but she also felt the pull to build something of her own again.

Motherhood brought a new wave of research: safe skincare, clean household products, non-toxic baby items, supplements and ingredients.

“The amount of information and misinformation is overwhelming for parents,” Taylor says.

Friends and clients had always asked her for healthier product swaps, and she realized she had a unique skill set: she genuinely loved researching formulations, testing products, and holding brands to high standards.

That’s when the idea for The Natural Edit came into focus.

Launched in January, The Natural Edit is Taylor’s carefully curated online store featuring non-toxic products and supplements she

personally uses and trusts. From bath and body care to baby essentials to household cleaners, every item is vetted with meticulous attention to ingredients and sourcing.

“The Natural Edit is really the culmination of everything I’ve lived,” she says. “Loss, healing, motherhood, everything shaped my desire to protect what matters most.”

A Life Built on Intention Today, Taylor’s son Bodhi is two-years-old: “brilliant, hilarious, thoughtful, and a giant ball of energy,” she says with a smile. He keeps her grounded and reminds her daily why her work matters.

Taylor balances multiple roles: full-time mother, business owner, and Board member for the Dillon Henry Foundation, established in honor of her brother. In her limited downtime, she prioritizes staying physically active and dedicating focused time to brand and product research.

Maintaining her health and refining her standards, she says, keeps her energized, disciplined, and aligned with the purpose behind her work.

For Taylor Henry, wellness isn’t a trend. It’s a life built from resilience, intention, and the belief that healing, in all its forms, is possible.

Check out her website at thenaturaledit.co.

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In the heart of Westchester’s coveted North Kentwood, where $4, 5,and 6 million dollar homes sell, is a gem of a property that embodies both comfort and potential. This charming three-bedroom, three-bath home welcomes firsttime buyers with open arms, offering a primary suite complemented by two additional well-sized bedrooms and bathrooms. Upon entering, one is greeted by an open-concept design that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living spaces, perfect for entertaining or enjoying quiet afternoons. As sunlight filters through the new vinyl windows, the hardwood floors reflect a warmth that invites relaxation. The original bathroom, characterized by its nostalgic pink and gray tiles, serves as a charming nod to the home’s history, while an additional en suite off one of the bedrooms enhances practicality for guests. This property not only caters to first-time homebuyers but also appeals to savvy investors seeking a foothold in a neighborhood known for high-value homes.

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From Kentwood–the heart of Westchester–this exceptional new listing embodies charm and modern luxury. Situated in one of the area’s most coveted neighborhoods, the home is filled with natural light, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere throughout its thoughtfully designed interior. Upon entry, a spacious living room greets you with a classic wood-burning fireplace that adds timeless character and visual appeal. The adjacent dining room is ideal for entertaining or everyday meals, enhanced by sunlight streaming through large windows. At the center of the home is a beautifully remodeled kitchen featuring sleek stainless steel appliances and a generous workspace, offering the perfect balance of style and functionality for daily living and hosting alike.

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March 2026 • Page 23

Random Notes/Opinion

TheHTN.com

Strength training is crucial while taking GLP-1s

By Jeff Blair

muscle and other healthy tissue. This can potentially have negative longOpinion: term impact on strength, metabolism, According to a survey published ability to perform daily tasks, posture

by RAND, approximately 12% of and other issues that impact people’s Americans had used a GLP-1 for quality of life. People typically lose weight loss as of August 2025. Another about 8% of fat-free mass per decade 14% said they were interested in through their life, so the rate of fattrying them in the future. Nearly one free mass loss is much higher when quarter of the American population has someone is on GLP-1s than what most taken, or is interested in using, these people experience with typical aging. medications.

It is important to note that nearly While originally approved by the any rapid weight loss will cause a FDA for the treatment of diabetes and loss of fat-free mass. That means the related issues, some physicians are now recommendations in this article would prescribing GLP-1 for weight loss. The also apply to all forms of rapid weight number of prescriptions for GLP-1s loss. has more than tripled since 2020 with Strength training is the best 50 to 64 being the age group with the exercise to preserve and build muscle highest usage. while on GLP-1s (or at any time).

For a variety of medical reasons According to Harvard Medical beyond the scope of this article, School, strength training two to three GLP-1s can reduce appetite and food times per week is the best way to intake, and this often produces weight build strength and muscle. Strength loss. The choice to take GLP-1s is a training can be done with traditional private decision between people and weights, exercise machines and even their medical provider, and I do not rubber bands designed to increase offer any opinions pro or con on that strength. Workouts should focus on question. In this month’s article, I will the entire body: chest, back, arms, discuss important fitness strategies shoulders, legs and calves. Harvard if you do choose to use GLP-1s after recommends doing 10 repetitions per discussion with your doctor. set, with good form as a starting point.

Rapid weight loss can also lead to Over time, you might increase your loss of fat-free mass like muscle. weights and decrease the repetitions According to a study done at the to between six and eight for some University of Virginia, when people workouts. If done consistently over lose weight on GLP-1s, about 25 to 40 time, strength training two or three percent of the loss comes from fattimes per week is the best strategy for free mass. This can mean the loss of retaining muscle while using GLP-1s. I

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always recommend getting professional instruction and a doctor’s approval before starting a strength-training program.

Possible special physical concerns with strength training while on GLP1s may include possible side effects like nausea, especially at the outset of taking the medication. Some medical experts recommend initially starting a little lighter with your weights for this reason. It is usually a good idea for anyone to start with somewhat lighter weights to give your entire body and all its systems some time to adapt to the new challenge of strength training.

This is especially true while taking a GLP-1.

Protein is important, too.

Adequate protein intake is another important GLP-1 fitness strategy.

As calories reduce, it becomes more important than ever to be intentional about adequate protein intake, because protein is the most important macronutrient for retaining muscle.

Due to the potential increased fatfree mass loss with quick fat-loss approaches (including GLP-1s), protein becomes more important than ever.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends 20 to 30 grams of protein per meal while taking GLP-1s. While daily recommendations can vary, most experts encourage aiming for 0.5-0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight. That means a 160-pound person should aim for 80 to 144 grams per day. Great sources of protein

include chicken breast (26 grams in three ounce serving), soybeans (about 15 grams per half-cup serving), salmon (20-25 grams in three ounce serving) and Greek yogurt (around 19 grams per serving). Protein exists in more foods than we realize, so it can be good to use an app to track your intake and find out how much you are actually eating.

Jeff Blair (M.S., CSCS) is a Certified Personal Trainer with over 23 years’ experience. He founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in 2012.

Contact him jeff@socalsport.com for article feedback.

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Therapy Corner with Ann O’Brien

By Ann O’Brien

Opinion: This month, I’m choosing to write about narcissism.

After last month’s column on managing politics and the news cycle, a reader asked (paraphrased): Is a rise in narcissism a core reason for the increasing social and political tension? And if so, is there any hope in changing it?

It’s an important question. While too complex to fully answer here, it’s worth beginning the conversation.

What narcissism Is—and Isn’t “Narcissism” is often used as a catch-all term for behavior we find self-centered or disagreeable.

Psychologically, however, it refers to a pattern of grandiosity, a strong need for admiration, and limited empathy.

At its extreme, it can involve rage when challenged, exploitation of others, and rigid defensiveness.

Narcissism, however, exists on a spectrum and is not all bad. Feeling special can foster confidence, creativity, and risk-taking. Big dreams require belief in oneself. The opposite extreme—chronic self-doubt—can contribute to anxiety and depression.

It becomes problematic when the need to feel special overrides openness to differing perspectives. When relationships are shaped primarily to reinforce self-importance, growth is hindered and division widens.

What causes narcissism?

As a therapist, I often see grandiosity and shame as two sides of the same coin. Deep feelings of inadequacy or emptiness—often rooted in early relational wounds—can make shame feel unbearable. Moving into a “one-up” position can temporarily alleviate that pain. Over time, it becomes a habitual defense against inner distress.

Traditional theories link narcissism to early relational trauma or disconnect. More recent research explores cultural influences. Some scholars suggest shifts in 1980s and 1990s parenting that emphasized bolstering self-esteem by praise without corresponding expectations may have unintentionally fostered entitlement rather than resilience.

This research is debated but thoughtprovoking.

Social media may amplify selfpromotion and image-based identity.

And, in an individualistic culture that often glamorizes wealth, power, and personal success, self-focus can be rewarded. In politics, some argue that visibility and self-promotion increasingly overshadow a humble public service ethos.

I refuse to believe we are doomed to hate-filled division. But culture and psychology do interact in powerful ways.

How do we counter narcissism in ourselves and our communities?

One promising concept from

research is what psychologists call the “Quiet Ego.” This identity is neither overly self- nor other-focused, but balanced—able to incorporate others without losing oneself.

What might that look like in daily life?

• A balance between self-concern and concern for others.

• A focus on the whole human, not mistaking the whole being for just status, appearance, or ideology.

• Prioritizing personal growth over winning.

• Cultivating an inclusive identity that recognizes our interconnectedness.

• Practicing detached awareness—the ability to observe without immediate defensiveness or ego-driven reactivity.

In practical terms, it might mean asking ourselves: • Am I investing in performance or substance? Is there a healthy balance?

• Are my more public relationships balanced by deeply intimate ones?

• Do I balance expressing my views with listening?

• Does acknowledging my subjectivity make me more curious about truth?

As for hope, while we cannot singlehandedly change cultural trends, we can examine the spirit with which we engage one another. Cultivating the “Quiet Ego” may help.

Division thrives on noise. As a therapist, I have seen that growth, by contrast, can often be quieter, but far more powerful. I see evidence of the Quiet Ego all around me–in neighbors respectfully disagreeing, in parents teaching their children kindness, in community members showing up, not for applause, but for one another.

Perhaps the Quiet Ego Movement is also underway, but it’s just harder to hear. Collectively, we can give it voice.

Wishing you all a lovely March.

Please continue to write in!

Ann O’Brien, LCSW, MSc, is a Playa del Rey resident and therapist, specializing in relationships. Contact her with questions or comments at ann@annobrientherapy.com or visit annobrientherapy.com. You can also visit her Substack, Relational Insights: at annobrientherapy.substack.com.

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The Westchester Del Rey Little League (WDRLL) kicked off their 52nd season with a memorable opening ceremony on Saturday, February 21 at Nielsen Field.

Not only were 16 girls’ softball and 10 co-ed T-ball teams represented during the morning’s festivities, but L.A. Mayor Karen Bass made a special appearance to meet with players and their families.

Page 26 • March 2026

Mayor Bass was also on hand to recognize the 2025 West Region Championship team, which made it all the way to the World Series of Softball during the summer.

After each team was announced, players had a chance to run the bases and pose for a picture. As part of the tradition, Kingston Clarke representing T-ball and Mikayla Gonzalez representing softball, threw out the

first pitch.

“We’re incredibly excited to kick off the 2026 season,” says league president Jim Evans. “Opening Day is always special, but having Mayor Bass join us to recognize our 2025 West Region Championship team made it truly memorable. It meant a great deal to our players and families to see their hard work honored at that level. Her presence reinforced how important

Photos by Elaina Taylor

WDRLL OPENING DAY CELEBRATION

youth sports are to building confidence, teamwork, and community pride.

We’re looking forward to building on that momentum this season— continuing to expand opportunities for girls in softball and T-ball and creating a positive, competitive experience for every player who steps on the field.”

WDRLL is open to softball players ages 6-14 and T-Ball players ages 3-6.

Learn more at wdrll.org.

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