Ballona Discovery Park connects neighbors to nature 04
SB 79 and the future of development in Westchester 10
A LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN
Local ways to give back this holiday season 12
A life scripted in theater and community 14
In Pictures: Second Saturday Stroll 30
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS
Stephanie Davis, Publisher
Shanee Edwards, Contributing Writer
ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS
Sylvia Wilson, Contributing Writer
Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Zsuzsi Steiner, 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.
CONNECT WITH THE HTN:
Mailing Address: 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110 #745
Westchester, CA 90045
Email: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com
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Story ideas & Advertising: westchesterhometown@yahoo.com
Front page: Ballona Discovery Park board members and a representative from Friends of Ballona Wetlands pose by the “Monument to the Ancestors, the Gabrielino-Tongva” created by Robert Dorame. This month, the park will honor Native American Heritage Month, which takes place in November. From left to right: John Skidmore, Jody Skenderian, Lisa Fimiani, Eric Strauss and Samaya Rubio. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
The Westchester Town Center BID is home to great businesses, restaurants, retail and service providers! Check them out for all your shopping needs! Please make “Shop Local” your mantra for 2025– it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love thriving!
Nonprofit spotlight Ballona Discovery Park connects neighbors and students to nature and local history
By Shanee Edwards
At the base of LMU’s Westchester bluffs, where sagebrush meets sidewalk and hawks soar over tech offices and family homes, Ballona Discovery Park invites visitors to slow down and be present. Tucked beside the Ballona Freshwater Marsh, this 1.7-acre “museum without walls” is small on a map but huge in spirit and meaning.
An outdoor classroom, cultural touchstone, and community commons, Ballona Discovery Park was created through a rare partnership with Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Friends of Ballona Wetlands, and Playa Vista Parks and Landscape Corporation (PVPAL), as part of the creation of Playa Vista.
“We love what we do. We teach about the balance between the wild and the urban,” says Lisa Fimiani, Drollinger Environmental Fellow at LMU’s Center for Urban Resilience and president of the nonprofit board that manages the park.
Her path to the park started with volunteering for the Friends of Ballona Wetlands more than 35 years ago; today, she helps care for the place where nature, science, history, and civic life meet every day in the sunshine.
A Gateway to L.A.’s Living Watershed
Ballona Discovery Park opened in 2011 with a clear purpose: tell the Ballona story, including how water shaped this landscape and how humans have shaped it in return. Located at
the trailhead of the Ballona Wetlands, the last remaining wetlands in L.A., interpretive panels in the park trace that history from the 1800s to modern day, guiding visitors along a short watershed walk that becomes a lesson in Los Angeles ecology. Native plants bring butterflies and birds. Shade and seating turn learning into thoughtful lingering.
For Eric Strauss, President’s Professor of Biology at LMU and founding executive director of the Center for Urban Resilience (CURes) and Ballona Discovery Park, the park is both a symbol and an engine.
This park thrives because of community generosity. Every donation, visit and volunteer hour makes a difference. “
“To me, the park is an invitation and a welcome mat for people to learn more about the ecology of Los Angeles and about the opportunities at LMU for participation,” says Eric.
Courses from across campus use the space: sciences and engineering, education, liberal arts, and even restorative justice programs and admissions tours visit the one-of-a-kind space. With Wi-Fi and power discreetly
integrated, the site can host poetry readings, lectures, and small concerts, while remaining a natural refuge.
“It can function as a traditional kind of rustic park,” Eric says. “But at the same time, it’s undergirded with the infrastructure that lets us do some very sophisticated things.”
That blend of practical and poetic runs throughout the park. Consider the oak story: when the park was planted, only a handful of coastal live oaks took root as part of the original plan. Over time, however, things took off.
“Birds and other wildlife voluntarily deposited acorns, which germinated. We went from about 10 oak trees to about 80,” Lisa says, calling the oak tree a “keystone” species at the top of the pyramid of important plants for the ecosystem benefits it provides.
Meanwhile, CURes and Friends of Ballona Wetlands run regular bird surveys here because, as Eric puts it, “Birds can fly, they’re diurnal, and they vote with their wings. This makes them an immediate assessment of the health of an ecosystem, whether our restoration and management projects are successful.”
Many researchers and nature enthusiasts share their observations on the eBird and iNaturalist apps, transforming neighborhood sightings into globally studied data.
For Jody Skenderian, LMU’s Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives and a Ballona Discovery Park Partners board member, the draw is daily.
“I love that it’s so accessible,” she says.
Traveling between LMU’s Playa Vista Campus and Westchester, she often stops for, “Great moments just to unplug for a few minutes and enjoy the sounds of nature. And the peace.”
A Unique Vision that Reconciles the Past, Present, and Future
When Playa Vista’s development was approved, it came with many considerations, including building a park to tell the Ballona story and reconstructing a 51-acre freshwater marsh. Rather than create a park in name only, the developer partnered with LMU, PVPAL, and Friends of Ballona Wetlands, and a nine-member board (three from each partner) was formed to manage the park for the public.
“This is an extraordinary project and serves as a model for others invested in sustainability, education and cultural preservation,” Lisa recalls, witnessing genuine respect among all parties during the development process. “The relationships forged there continue in the park’s storytelling.”
The result is a space where students and visitors encounter the Gabrielino Tongva story of Juana Maria (the real story that inspired the book, “Island of the Blue Dolphins”) and discuss the Catholic Missions’ legacy, colonization, and faith. The hope was for the process to be one of healing with the park’s tagline being, “Neighborhood wellness begins here!”
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Members of the Ballona Discovery Park Board (Lisa Fimiani, Eric Strauss, Jody Skenderian and John Skidmore), Friends of Ballona Wetlands support staff (Samaya Rubio) and dedicated volunteers (Geoff Shawcross, Russ Stone, Miriam Sidanius, Yuni Amey, Randi Parent and Susan Levinson) pose for a group photo at the park in Playa Vista. Board President Lisa Fimiani (bottom right) shares that November, National Native American Heritage Month, is a great time to visit the park to learn about the history of Ballona and the Indigenous people who still call the area home.
At right: The park features a model of a “Kiiy” and numerous interpretive signs to explore.
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner
Business & Nonpro t News
Celebrating 10 years at Yoga Bliss. Local yoga studio, Yoga Bliss, celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 10. Since opening, almost 10,000 people have practiced yoga at the boutique studio on Manchester Ave., which offers a variety of daily yoga classes, as well as sound baths, prenatal yoga, international retreats, and yoga teacher trainings. Part of what makes Yoga Bliss unique is its diversity and welcoming community, says owner and founder Lara Estrada. The instructors are deeply connected to the philosophy and lifestyle of yoga and unity, which goes beyond the physical practice. Lara, who lives in Westchester with her partner and their two dogs, Jackson and Nina, says she’s grateful and humbled to have been able to share yoga with the community for the past decade. Yoga Bliss offers an intro special to new clients of three classes for $30. Yoga Bliss is located at 6218 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. Visit Yogabliss-studio.com to learn more.
Emerson Avenue Community Garden launches Growing Healthy Kids program.
The Emerson Avenue Community Garden Club (EACGC) is celebrating the launch of its “Growing Healthy Kids” education program! The program launched in late October and is made possible through a $5,000 grant from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. The program, held at Wright STEAM and Gifted Magnets, brought together 16 enthusiastic students for an afternoon of handson garden learning, exploration, and excitement about growing their own food.
Students were fully engaged as they learned how seeds grow, explored soil health, and worked alongside volunteer UC Master Gardeners to plant vegetables that they’ll nurture and harvest over the coming weeks.
“The kids were receptive and excited about learning,” said program coordinator Terrie Johnson. “Seeing their curiosity and joy reminds us how powerful hands-on experiences can be in shaping healthy habits.”
Over the course of 10 weeks, students will continue to participate in a special lunchtime garden program.
Lessons will cover key concepts such as seed science, composting, pollinator support, and sustainable gardening practices. Each session also ties in nutrition education, giving students opportunities to taste and prepare the foods they grow.
“We are honored to partner with Wright STEAM and Gifted Magnets
to provide students with a hands-on learning experience that connects gardening and healthy eating,” said Gayle Lee, President of EACGC.
“Thanks to the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, we can inspire the next generation to make healthier choices and to appreciate the role they play in caring for the
environment.”
For more information about Emerson Avenue Community Garden and its programs, please visit EACGC. org.
Start your holiday shopping at the Makers’ Market.
The community is invited to attend the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey’s 5th Annual Makers’ Market on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Stop by the market to shop with more than 60 unique vendors selling handmade items, home-baked goods and more. Attendees can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to take home one of the 50-plus items donated by local artists starting at noon! Proceeds from the event help support the group’s projects, including its scholarship program.
The event is held in the parking lot behind the group’s clubhouse, located at 8039 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey. As is their tradition, the club will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Food Pantry, LAX.
Learn more about the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey at wcpdr.org.
Fun in the Emerson Ave. Garden. A student enjoys learning how seeds grow during the Emerson Avenue Community Garden’s “Growing Healthy Kids” program. The program is made possible through a donation from Sprouts.
Photo courtesy Yoga Bliss
Midfield Avenue had another great celebration for its 9th Annual Halloween Block Party! Organizers say they had more than 500 visitors this year to enjoy the festivities, which included a bounce house, live band, petting zoo, a piñata, costume parade, face painting, pony rides and lots of treats, like ice cream sundaes courtesy of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club. The event is funded by bake sales and generous local businesses that sponsor the fun. Next year’s block party will take place on October 31 from noon to 5 p.m.
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Visit St. Jerome’s Holiday Craft Fair.
Stop by St. Jerome’s Parish on Saturday, November 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, November 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair!
There will be more than 40 tables selling handmade arts and crafts items, a raffle with 25 unique prizes, and a game of Split the Pot. There will also be refreshments for sale, and holiday music to get everyone into the shopping spirit!
St. Jerome is located at 5550 Thornburn St. in Westchester.
Elks host poker tournament.
The Westchester Elks Lodge is hosting the Inaugural Craig Hoffman Poker Tournament on Saturday, November 15 from 6 to 11 p.m. The entry fee to participate is $75 and includes a tournament, dinner, snacks and a drink ticket.
The proceeds from the event benefit the Craig Hoffman College Scholarship Fund.
For more info and to RSVP, please email twhitley634@gmail.com. The
Westchester Elks Lodge is located at 8025 Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey.
NCWP asks for input on Community Plan Update.
The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) has launched a new survey and is asking for the community’s help in shaping the future of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Ladera Heights.
The city is in the midst of updating the area’s Community Plan, which is the key planning document that determines density, zoning and the types of uses that are allowed throughout the area.
The NCWP wants stakeholder input to help ensure that the needs, priorities and concerns are reflected in the updated plan, and that the vision created serves all residents, businesses and visitors.
Visit ncwpdr.org/take-thecommunity-plan-update-survey for details.
Have info to share about your business or nonprofit? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured.
The Drollinger Legacy continues at year-end exhibit
By Cozette Vergari
As the Westchester/Playa Historical Society heads into the holidays, we’re excited to feature our last installment of the “Drollinger Legacy,” which kicked off in January. Running through the end of the year, the exhibit features Karen Drollinger, her daughter Natalie Dial, and a recap of the family’s journey.
In 2006, Karen Dial stepped into a legacy, not just as the new president of Drollinger Properties, but as the steward of a deeply rooted family mission to invest in people, places, and purpose. Having spent years learning the business under the careful mentorship of her father, Howard Drollinger, Karen was affectionately known by him as his “trainee,” a title that spoke to her humility and willingness to learn. When she assumed leadership, it was with the dual goal of honoring her father’s legacy and forging a path forward that reflected her own vision for the future of Westchester. And Karen leads with her heart.
While she’s built a reputation as a compassionate business leader, Karen’s influence stretches far beyond the bounds of her company. A passionate community builder, she has been instrumental in major efforts to revitalize and uplift the area. As a founding force behind the Westchester Town Center BID and a key supporter of the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association (WSIA), Karen has helped transform key commercial corridors into clean, vibrant, and welcoming spaces. The installation of the festival lights along Sepulveda and the Westchester Triangle and the complete renovation of Sepulveda from HHLA to Manchester, are just a few examples of her vision made real.
Karen also served as an LMU Trustee from 2011 to 2020, a role she describes as “one of the biggest honors of my life.” During her nearly decade-long tenure, she worked alongside university leadership, faculty, and fellow trustees to support LMU’s mission of academic excellence, ethical leadership, and community engagement. Karen brought her business acumen and deep love for the Westchester area to the board, advocating for strong connections between the university and the broader community. She often speaks of the invaluable lessons she learned during this time, lessons in collaboration, vision-setting, and the power of education to transform lives. Her service on the LMU Board further strengthened her belief in investing in people and institutions that shape the
future, and it continues to inspire her work in Westchester to this day.
Perhaps one of Karen’s most beloved contributions to the neighborhood is opening The Book Jewel, a cozy and thoughtfully curated independent bookstore that just celebrated its five year anniversary in August. For years, Karen dreamed of bringing a bookstore to Westchester. She envisioned a place for community, conversation, and connection, and it has become just that. Looking ahead, Karen remains deeply committed to shaping a Westchester that reflects the values of its residents. She speaks often of her goals to further enhance the Westchester Town Center, inviting in new restaurants, improving parking, and elevating the overall experience for locals and visitors alike. Her emphasis is always on thoughtful curation: choosing businesses that enhance the character of the neighborhood and encourage people to shop, dine, and gather close to home.
Karen’s vision for the Westchester Triangle remains as strong as ever, with her sights set on transforming 87th Street into a vibrant, pedestrianonly promenade someday within her lifetime. As a preview of this dream, Karen has partnered with WSIA and the BID to launch a new seasonal event
Karen is excited about Natalie’s accomplishments and contributions to the community.
Natalie was born and raised in Montana, where she initially started her career in microbiology. She received master’s degrees from both UCSF and USC in global health and went on to become a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Having worked in global health for over a decade before moving back to L.A. to open Tomat, her research brought her from the western U.S. to the UK, Africa, and India. Experiences with food and community impassioned her to open a restaurant with her husband, Harry Posner, where her expertise and vision are now focused on enhancing dining options, public spaces, and the built environment in Westchester. As CEO of Tomat, she aims to provide an openhearted restaurant with delicious food, and usher this wonderful neighborhood into redefining its sense of place and purpose within the gateway to L.A.
series: the Second Saturday Stroll. The successful three-part series invited the community to explore local shops and restaurants, engage with interactive art installations, and enjoy live performances from local musicians. This event series is a glimpse into Karen’s long-term vision for the Triangle as a cultural and commercial centerpiece of Westchester. The Second Saturday Stroll brings together everything she values most: creativity, connection, and community. The event was such a hit with the community and businesses, a Holiday Stroll is now being planned for December 6th.
Karen’s commitment to lifting up Westchester businesses and residents is deeply personal. Her heart beats Westchester. Every tree planted, business supported, and sidewalk improved carries her signature of care and purpose. Through her leadership, vision, and enduring love for this community, Karen continues to shape Westchester into a place where families thrive, businesses grow, and neighbors feel at home.
Proud of her daughter, Natalie Dial, who steps into the “Drollinger Legacy” as the fourth generation to bring inspiration and creativity to the Westchester/Playa Community,
Natalie credits her parents with lighting the fire in her life in different ways. Her father, Ken Dial, is a scientist and planted the seeds for Natalie’s appreciation of the natural world in all its beauty and fragility. She was lucky to have traveled from a young age with her parents, which sparked a fascination with how life is lived in different pockets of the world. While working in Tanzania during college, Natalie contracted malaria, which spurred her to spend the next 15 years of her life studying parasites and the underserved populations they burden. Natalie sees her mother as one who radiates joy and connection in every room she walks into, and as a community leader who has focused much of her love and energy into Westchester. She admires her mother’s selflessness and perseverance. Natalie dreams of how this community will continue to evolve and strengthen in generations to come.
She sees her family’s legacy as a place maker in Westchester and the compelling reason why she and Harry moved back to the Westchester/Playa area, wanting to set down roots and raise a family in a community with meaning. She is so grateful to have opened Tomat, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary, with Harry, and to be raising their daughter here. The restaurant continues to receive rave reviews from locals, food critics and publications like Forbes and more, and even received a Michelin Guide recommendation.
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Natalie and Karen pose for a photo in Westchester.
Photo by Mike Harriel
Hear from your co unity
SB 79 and the future of development in Westchester: balancing housing, safety and common sense
State housing law could reshape neighborhoods near LAX—planning discussions focus on safety, infrastructure, and responsible growth.
By Cory Birkett
A new California housing law, Senate Bill 79 (SB 79), could bring major zoning changes to communities across Los Angeles. While the law is designed to increase affordable housing near public transit, its potential effects on Westchester/Playa present unique planning and safety questions because of the area’s proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
What SB 79 Does
SB 79 requires cities to permit higherdensity housing—often four to eight stories—within roughly a half-mile of major transit stops.
In Westchester, areas currently identified as likely to qualify for SB 79 include the Manchester and Sepulveda Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop, which could upzone large portions of primarily single-family neighborhoods in Emerson Manor, Kentwood, and Westport Heights. The Veterans Station Metro Line is also a qualifying SB 79 location and could upzone much of the single-family Osage neighborhood. These areas are being identified based on proximity to high-frequency transit bus routes and Metro stations.
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is expected to release formal SB 79 eligibility maps showing exactly where upzoning will apply across the Los Angeles region.
City Planning released new Community Plan Update maps in October, showcasing meaningful collaboration between planners and residents by largely removing the proposed single-family upzoning from earlier maps in response to extensive community feedback. However, the newly released maps now show large “gray bubbles” representing areas that fall under SB 79 eligibility—effectively reintroducing upzoning through state mandates rather than local planning.
Why Westchester Is Different
Unlike many areas targeted for transit-oriented development, Westchester sits adjacent to one of
the busiest airports in the world. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has identified multiple “significant and unavoidable” impacts in its environmental studies, including aircraft noise, particulate emissions, and roadway congestion.
Large portions of Westchester lie within the 65-decibel CNEL noise contour, which federal guidelines classify as incompatible with standard residential use. LAX is also a major source of fine and ultrafine particulate matter, and its surrounding traffic network already experiences chronic congestion during peak hours.
These are not abstract planning issues—they are public-safety concerns. In a major emergency such as an aviation accident, hazardous-materials release, or earthquake, the same streets needed for evacuation are often gridlocked with airport traffic. Adding thousands of new residents without addressing these evacuation and access limits could put lives at risk.
Local Planning Response
The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) is considering how best to address these challenges within the Community Plan Update process. The CPU committee is evaluating the potential need for:
• A joint public-safety and evacuation assessment involving LAFD, LAPD, LAWA, and the City’s Emergency Management Department to understand how new housing could affect emergency operations; and
• An Airport Safety Overlay Zone, which could recognize environmental and operational constraints near LAX, while still meeting state housing targets.
The CPU Committee is also reviewing the possibility of using an Alternative Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan under SB 79. Importantly, the City of Los Angeles must first formally adopt and agree to a citywide Alternative TOD Plan before SB 79 can be applied in local neighborhoods. This plan would allow cities to redirect density to lessimpacted areas while maintaining the same overall housing capacity. For the 2021-2029 Regional Housing Needs Assessment cycle, the City of Los Angeles has a target of 456,643 new housing units by 2029. The NCWP’s Westchester/Playa Community Plan Update Committee has repeatedly asked for the target number of units for Westchester/Playa, but planning has not provided this number.
The Path Forward
The Westchester/Playa Community Plan Update process, which has been
ongoing since 2019, is now moving quickly, with the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping period expected to begin before the end of 2025. The process is expected to take 12-18 months according to city planning. That makes this the critical moment for residents to share their feedback.
Balancing the state’s housing mandates with the realities of living beside LAX demands data, transparency, and common sense. Emergency access, noise exposure, air quality, and infrastructure capacity must be fully understood before approving additional density.
With coordinated planning and strong community engagement, Los Angeles can pursue housing growth without compromising safety or livability. The future of Westchester depends on striking that balance.
Cory Birkett serves on the Planning & Land Use, Community Plan Update, and Airport Relations Committees for the Westchester/Playa Neighborhood Council. A local real estate agent and long-time community volunteer, she advocates for thoughtful, balanced planning that supports both housing goals and neighborhood livability.
The newest CPU maps released last month show gray circle areas that fall under SB 79 eligibility for upzoning.
Giving Back
out these ways to spread kindness in time for Thanksgiving!
Volunteer at the YMCA’s Food Distribution event
Thursdays (ongoing)
Help families in need by volunteering on Thursday mornings at the Westchester Family YMCA! The local Y is helping fight hunger by launching a new community food pantry, which opened on October 30.
Volunteers are being sought to help break down pallets, create grocery bags, distribute food and assist with traffic control during the distribution. Shifts are available from 7:30 to 10 a.m.; and 10 a.m. to noon.
The food distribution events are currently taking place on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Westchester Family YMCA Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone Ave. in Westchester. Volunteers are asked to sign up via a link available at Facebook.com/WestchesterFamilyYMCA.
Those needing food assistance are invited to visit the pantry and stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Organizers are working to expand their offerings to non-perishables in the future, so please check the YMCA’s social media for updates.
Help Clean Up Westchester
November 15, December 6 and December 20
Join the Clean Up Westchester movement and help keep 90045 beautiful! Twice a month, a group of passionate volunteers of all ages meets at a popular intersection with the mission to beautify the neighborhood, engage community members and promote environmental stewardship! Since launching in 2021, the crew has picked up thousands of pounds of trash, which otherwise would be left on local streets and possibly headed to the ocean.
Led by Westchester resident Grant Francis, the group’s next cleanup is scheduled for November 15 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Lincoln and Manchester Ave. (near the library).
Get involved–and the full schedule–at cleanupwestchester.com!
Drop off donations for a food drive
Through November 15
Contribute to a canned food drive for the LAX Food Pantry hosted by SoCalSport! The Westchester personal training studio is opening up collections to the community this year, and are hoping to beat last year’s record of 1,500 items donated.
Donations can be dropped to the studio during regular hours on Monday and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 11 a.m.; and 4 to 7 p.m.; and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. The studio is also open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For alternate drop-off times, please call (310) 497-0863.
SoCalSport is located at 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #111 in Westchester. Learn more at socalsport.com/giving-back-2025.
Sign up to participate in the Holiday Lights Tour
Get out your giant inflatables! It’s time to help raise money for mental health while spreading holiday cheer in the neighborhood by being part of the Sixth Annual Holiday Lights Tour & Contest! Hosted by the Westchester Mental Health Guild, organizers are inviting homeowners that are interested in creating dazzling displays to sign up to participate for the fundraiser by December 5.
As part of the fun, decorators will have the chance to win fabulous prizes worth hundreds of dollars for being a “Fan Favorite.”
You can also support the Lights Tour by purchasing a map of participating homes for a self-guided tour of the neighborhood, which provides the chance to vote for the most eye-catching and sparkling locale. Learn more about participating and register at westchestermhg.org.
Support your favorite nonprofits with time, talent & treasure
This holiday season, consider supporting a Westchester/Playa nonprofit that is making a difference in the community with your time, talent or treasure!
Following neighborhood nonprofits on social media is another way to show you care, support their initiatives, and learn how you can contribute. Some of our favorite local nonprofits include: LAX Coastal Education Foundation (education); Airport Marina Counseling Service (mental health); 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).
December 6 from 9 a.m. to noon
Playa del Rey business owners Jane St. John (Estate Properties) and Felicia St. Denis (Flowers by Felicia) are again joining forces for good by organizing Playa del Rey’s 22nd Annual Toy & Animal Shelter Drive!
Donations of new, unwrapped toys for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and animal shelter supplies, including treats, toys, beds, etc. can be dropped off at Triangle Park (Waterview and Trask) in PdR on December 6, from 9 a.m. to noon.
After you generously deliver your items, feel free to stick around to enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with your neighbors!
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
The Westside’s Favorite Real Estate Team
Once again, we are honored and grateful to be voted a Favorite Real Estate Team on the Westside of Los Angeles*. Thanks to our clients and fans!
Invested in your vision, your success, and our community.
From Charleston’s stages to Westchester scenes, Dana Resnick has a devotion to bringing people’s stories to life and entertaining an audience.
By Sylvia Wilson
In the heart of Westchester, where magnolia trees sway and neighbors exchange greetings on quiet walks, lives a woman whose life unfolds like a play: rich in character, layered in meaning, and rooted in story. Dana Resnick’s journey began far from the Pacific coast, on the cobblestone streets of Charleston, South Carolina, where history and theater intertwine like ivy on a wrought-iron gate.
As a child, Dana was drawn to the backstage hum of the Dock Street Theatre, the oldest operating playhouse in America. It was there, beneath velvet curtains and the warm glow of footlights, that her love for storytelling first bloomed.
“I was 12 when I played Alice in ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” she recalls. “It was a highlight of my childhood. I knew then, when I was in that play, I never wanted to leave.”
Though Charleston is known for its Southern charm, Dana never picked up the accent. With parents from New Jersey and a youth spent studying acting, her voice was shaped more by Shakespeare than by sweet tea. Her upbringing was rich with Jewish tradition, community involvement, and summers spent on the Isle of Palms, where lazy beach days turned into lifelong memories. Years later, she would marry her husband, David, on that very same shore.
Her path was clear early on. In high school, Dana directed her first play and declared in her senior speech that she’d return to Charleston to direct professionally. She did just that in her mid-20s. After graduating with top honors in theater from Washington University in St. Louis, she became the first student to direct a mainstage production. Dana’s journey took her from Milwaukee to Chicago, nannying by day and directing by night, before landing at Carnegie Mellon for graduate studies in directing.
Then came New York, a city of dreams and serendipity. There, Dana met David, a brilliant artist and inventor whose talents span music, technology, and emotional wellness. Their first date was at an Indonesian restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen. Their first kiss sparked more than romance, it ignited a spark of partnership
rooted in compassion and innovation. David’s app, Breezy Mindful Vibrations, now helps their family and many others navigate emotional regulation through sound and haptic feedback.
When David was accepted to UC Irvine, they braved a year of longdistance love, winning a JetBlue contest that gifted them 14 flights to stay connected. Eventually, they settled in Los Angeles, and she found her way to Loyola Marymount University, where she’s now a fulltime Theater faculty member. For 14 years, Dana has taught acting and directing, producing shows that challenge and inspire.
As a professor, she says, “I have always said I don’t feel like I have a story inside of me that I have to tell, but I do feel like I have the gift of bringing other people’s stories to life.”
Dana’s work at LMU has drawn praise from legends. A few years ago, Liza Minnelli and Ben Vereen attended her production of “Cabaret,” calling it “unforgettable.” Minnelli stayed after the show, offering lifechanging advice to the cast and crew. It was a full-circle moment for Dana, since she was the stage manager for the “Cabaret” production in her freshman year of college, and now its director. As a creative, she reimagined the musical production finale.
“I leaned into the meaning of escape versus escapism,” she says. “It was one of the scariest finales I’ve ever directed.”
It was also one of the most successful. Today, her productions are a hot ticket.
In 2023, Dana founded D.R. Cabarets, a company born from a desire to bring high-caliber musical theater to the Westside at The Mint on Pico. Four shows later, The Mint on Pico has become a haven for talent and community, blending students and professionals in vibrant productions.
This year, she’s collaborating on a new farce called “The Good Oligarch” and mentoring LMU’s New Play Festival. Despite challenges, she remains committed to uplifting student voices and pushing the boundaries of theatrical storytelling.
Dana recalls some of her most powerful teaching moments,
“where we give our students the space to grow and give them the encouragement, information and tools they need. I get to watch them cross over from fear to bravery of spirit, free from the confines of social media and society. Where they stop watching themselves and they become free thinkers, and real artists who are ready to be exactly who they are meant to be.”
Her course “Jewish Spirit and Drama” was featured in the Jewish Journal, and this semester she’s pioneering “Queer Theater,” exploring global narratives of identity and resilience.
Westchester, she says, feels like a small town with the perks of a big city.
“I love that my kids can ride their bikes to a friend’s house. I love that when people fly into LAX, we’re their first or last stop, and we show them a side of L.A. they didn’t expect,” says Dana.
She enjoys margaritas at Hacienda, the Bluff Trail, and all the Halloween and Christmas decorations that light up our local streets each year.
Her children, Avalon and Elias, are thriving at WISH Charter. Avalon,
a budding performer, is preparing for her bat mitzvah and starring in “Into the Woods.” Elias, known affectionately as “Buckets” for his popcorn-bucket hat, is a joyful whirlwind of soccer, capoeira, Dungeons & Dragons, and soon, pickleball. Their puppy Lula, a rescue from Annenberg PetSpace, rounds out the family with tail wags and neighborhood charm.
She’s also a Girl Scout troop leader, a community advocate, and a fierce believer in equity. Her mother, she says, set the blueprint.
“My mom was the soccer mom, the Girl Scout leader, the substitute teacher,” says Dana. “She drove every carpool. And it’s funny—when I look at my life, even though I’m pursuing the career of my dreams, I’ve taken on many of the same responsibilities.” Dana’s path from Charleston theater to a Westchester spotlight illuminates how expression and connection can shape a life as vibrant as the stories she brings to the stage.
Her voice may not echo with a Southern drawl, but it resonates with something deeper: a lifelong devotion to storytelling, community, and the kind of artistry that transforms lives.
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
Dana in her element at LMU’S theater department.
Drollinger legacy (cont’d)
(cont’d from page 8)
Being a Westchester/Playa resident and business owner has allowed her to get to know more about her grandparents, Howard and Jewel Drollinger, and their powerful impact upon the growth of Westchester, often hearing stories of her grandfather’s shrewd business tactics and her grandmother’s tenacity and elegance. She feels and senses their presence. She wonders what advice they’d give them, what food they’d like the most, and what their regular cocktail order would be. Her great grandmother, Ella Drollinger, is truly her hero figure, and she quotes one of her favorite poems by Rupi Kaur entitled ‘Legacy’ in her honor…
“i stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me thinking what can I do to make this mountain taller so the women after me can see farther”
Natalie’s daughter, Saffi, wears the title of the fifth generation of the Drollinger legacy. Natalie’s hopes and intentions for her own future in the community are grounded in her family’s past influence, as well as the many businesses since the 1950s that have contributed so much to the richness of the community. She and
Harry invite and welcome guests to the rooftop of their restaurant, Tomat, to experience a commissioned mural by Westchester’s very own David Russell, which celebrates these iconic businesses and buildings that created dynamic community spaces and fostered togetherness through many decades and iterations. Tomat is housed in what was once the Karl’s Toy Store building, next to The Book Jewel.
Visit the WPHS Discovery Center, located at 6207 W. 87th St. in the Triangle in Westchester to view the “Drollinger Legacy” exhibit. The center is open Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the farmers’ market. The WPHS Board of Directors are Cozette Vergari, Mike Heffernan, Art Wexler, David Russell, 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! Get involved at wphistoricalsociety.org.
Cozette is an attorney and lifelong resident of Westchester. She is the President of the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Together with a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization is working on creating new programming and events to celebrate the history of the area and engage the community in preserving it for future generations.
YMCA ANNUAL HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
OCTOBER 24, WESTCHESTER FAMILY YMCA
Halloween fans lined up at the Westchester Family YMCA for the organization’s annual Spooktacular event on October 24.
Organizers, staff and volunteers brought the thrills and chills, thanks to a haunted scare maze created by WISH Community School, giveaways, a photo booth, a magician, a DJ, and games, like pumpkin tic-tac-toe. There were also lots of opportunities for guests dressed as witches, pop stars, skeletons, video game characters and more, to stock up on treats and get an early start on their candy collecting!
“Spooktacular continues to be a signature event for the Westchester YMCA. It is so important to provide a fun, safe space where children can be themselves–even dressed up as something
else–and for families to come together and feel like they are part of a strong, healthy community,” says the Y’s Executive Director Aaron Donahue. “For adults and teens, it is wonderful to see leadership and healthy living through the volunteerism. This is why attendance continues to be strong...this was one of our best years yet!”
Major sponsors of the event included Presenting Sponsor LAWA, as well as Thomas James Homes, Westchester Pediatric Dentistry, WNS, Stephanie Younger Group, LMU, Drollinger Properties, Westchester Pharmacy and Holy Nativity Parish.
Follow the Y at facebook.com/ WestchesterFamilyYMCA to learn about their upcoming events and programs!
by Elaina Taylor
Photos
NCWP Salutes 100 Years of LAPD Pacific Division
Join the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa in saluting the LAPD and thanking the men and women of Pacific Division on their 100th anniversary at a special celebration at 11 a.m. on November 15 at the station, 12312 Culver Boulevard.
The event will run until 3 p.m. and will include FREE food, community booths, displays, station tours, music, and more! The public is invited to attend. There will also be a program honoring the 100th anniversary of Pacific
Division, which began on February 23, 1925, when the City of Los Angeles annexed Venice and the officers of the local police force officially created LAPD’s Pacific Division. Today, the Division protects and serves the communities of Del Rey, Ladera, Mar Vista, Oakwood, Palms, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Venice and Westchester.
For more information about this special anniversary celebration, please visit: pacificboosters.org/100-year-anniversary/
Gratitude and thankfulness for our village
By Emily Ingistov
There’s an old African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This couldn’t ring more true for educators trying to foster a love for learning and helping students discover talents, dreams, and goals. As an educator in our local Westchester/ Playa del Rey community, I have often leaned on families, businesses, and members to partner with me to provide engaging and meaningful educational experiences for my students.
In August, members of the local “Westchester Buy Nothing” Facebook group gifted me some school supplies and yarn for my Crochet Club. In September, the Hometown News responded generously to my request for old newspapers for students in my, “Intro to Design” course. Students transformed these newspapers into intricate fashion designs, and proudly walked the classroom runway to showcase their creations. After that project, some students discovered career aspirations to become fashion designers!
In October, in preparation for Wright Middle School’s annual STEAM in Action event (happening November 20 from 4 to 6 p.m.), our local, wellloved optometrist, Dr. Ryan Stybel from Look! Optometry spoke with students about colorblindness for the students’ Project-Based Learning unit.
During this project, they will explore creating a world that is more accessible for individuals with colorblindness.
After Dr. Stybel’s informative session on genetics and the science behind colorblindness, the seed was planted for some students to pursue a career in optometry. In addition to giving his time to educate students, Dr. Stybel also came to the rescue a few years ago for one of my students. She expressed
to me that she could not see well, but her family could not afford an eye exam or glasses. When I reached out to Dr. Stybel to see if he could help her, he didn’t hesitate to provide her with an exam and glasses.
Our village also includes many
has awarded many local teachers, including myself, with teacher minigrants for materials to supplement student learning. These mini-grants, handed out in January at an event in partnership with the LAX Coastal Chamber’s Education Committee, have made it possible for teachers to purchase items that make learning more accessible, engaging, and impactful for students.
My students will never forget the diameter, radius, or circumference of a circle after reading Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander, a book I purchased with mini-grant funds.
And one of my favorite community events is the Rock, Roll & Run for Education at LMU, which is hosted and organized by the LAX Coastal Education Foundation. This annual event raises thousands of dollars for our local schools that directly impact our students. Save the date for March 7, 2026 to participate in this fun run and community expo!
So as we head into the holidays and celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to our Westchester/Playa del Rey community members and organizations. I am truly grateful for
At left: Students have fun in the Crochet Club. At right: Dr. Stybel teaches student about colorblindness.
October 7
November 6
December 4 January 13 February 12 March 24 May 5
COMPETITIVE SPORTS PROGRAM
Westchester is celebrating one of its most beloved longtime residents, Elaine King who turned 90 years young on Halloween! Elaine has called Westchester home for more than 50 years, and it’s where she raised her four daughters, all proud attendees of Westchester High School.
Her family has grown beautifully over the years with her daughters blessing Elaine with 7 grandchildren, who in turn blessed Elaine with 10 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way!
Elaine’s warmth, strength, and devotion to her family, church and community have touched the hearts of all who know her. Her loved ones are thrilled to celebrate this incredible woman and her remarkable milestone!
Ballona Park (cont’d)
(cont’d from page 4)
Annual migration celebration and more ways to get involved
Since opening, more than 300,000 visitors, including 30,000 LMU students, have passed through Ballona Discovery Park for classes, tours, and calming nature visits.
Another 4,000 school visitors from over 200 schools around the region come each year as part of Friends of Ballona Wetlands and LMU CURes education programs.
“This makes the park an extension of community classrooms across the region,” Jody says.
Programs range from pre-K field trips led by Friends of Ballona Wetlands to college and postgrad research through CURes. Interdisciplinary educational events, cultural celebrations, and tours, invite new audiences to find their way to experience the park.
Each May, the Friends of Ballona Wetlands hosts a Migration Celebration, which draws more than 700 people to the park for handson activities, wildlife talks, wetland tours and tables staffed by local environmental groups. It’s a fun entry point if you’re new to the park, and a community builder for long time supporters.
In its 14th year, the park has also begun building a digital front porch, recently launching its first official
website and social media presence to make it easier for neighbors to follow events, sign up to volunteer, and support operations.
This summer, the park board hosted a fundraiser called, “Nature’s Pairing: A Craft Brew & Wine Walk,” which drew more than 75 supporters for tastings, music, and guided tours.
“While our partners provide essential support, public contributions are just as critical to Ballona Discovery Park’s future,”
Lisa says. “This park thrives because of community generosity. Every donation, visit, and volunteer hour makes a difference.”
A Small Park with a Big Invitation
Ballona Discovery Park isn’t just a place in nature, it’s an invitation to participate, learn, reconcile, and belong. Grateful to be a part of this dynamic community, Lisa smiles as she says, “Every day presents a teachable moment and provides a new adventure.”
Ballona Discovery Park is located at 13110 Bluff Creek Drive in Playa Vista, at the trailhead to the Ballona Freshwater Marsh.
For more info, visit ballonadiscoverypark.org or follow the park on Instagram @BallonaDiscoveryPark or on Facebook at DiscoveryParkBallona.
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Mindfulness can enhance human experience
By Jeff Blair
Opinion:
I was cut from my high school baseball team when I was 14 years old. I was crushed. My dad was a college baseball player and our youth coach. Two brothers were also college baseball players. I felt like I had let my family down, as baseball was a huge part of our family dynamic when I was a kid. While I was a good defensive catcher, I did not hit well enough during the tryouts to make the very competitive high school team.
Shortly after that, I stumbled across a book called, “Psycho Cybernetics.” Some ideas from this book have held up, and some have not. Using visualization or imagery to increase sports performance is one idea that has held up. I learned to imagine as many details as possible that occur during a successful baseball hitting experience. Done consistently over time, this creative use of the brain can increase confidence, improve coordination and increase hitting performance.
I used visualization in addition to traditional batting practice over the next 12 months. The next year I made the team (yay!), and went on to become one
of the top hitters on the best baseball program in my home state. From that experience, I have been hooked on the idea of using mindfulness to enhance human experience in a variety of ways. Scientific research has since confirmed that those who add visual practice to physical practice outperform those who use physical practice alone. I will give a brief overview of three mindfulness techniques other than visualization in this month’s column.
1. Breath work. Breath work involves controlling the breath in a specific pattern to achieve a variety of physical and mental benefits. Diaphragmatic–or deep-breathing is a common feature of breath work. One way to test whether you are performing diaphragmatic breathing is to place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach when you’re breathing. The stomach should move more than the chest as you inhale air. Benefits of this deep breathing include potentially lowering blood pressure, lowering stress and lowering heart rate. A 4-7-8 is one pattern where someone inhales for four seconds, holds their breath for seven seconds and then exhales for eight seconds. The Navy Seals use a technique called box breathing, where they inhale for four
seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds and then hold for four more. Box breathing can increase mental clarity and calm people in stressful situations. Many other patterns and types of breath work exist and are used by a variety of groups and individuals.
2. Meditation. Meditation may be the most well-known form of mindfulness. While there are many misconceptions about meditation, one definition is a practice that trains the brain to increase attention, calmness and focus. Meditation can increase gray matter volume in the brain and improve attention and memory. Similar to breath work, various meditation strategies exist. I personally use something called “body scan” where I move my attention to different parts of my body (right knee, left shoulder, right ankle, etc.) for maybe a minute at a time, while allowing background thoughts to come and go. One analogy for meditation is to imagine you are driving down a country road. You keep your eyes on the road (primary focus of your attention), but you also want to be aware of things just beyond the road in your peripheral vision. Training to focus on the road while being aware of what is outside the road can provide various measurable
benefits.
3. Nature Meditation. Nature meditation emphasizes immersion in natural environments to create many of the benefits experienced from other forms of meditation. One theory is the natural stimulation of nature draws our attention, and this tends to have a relaxing effect on the brain and body. Nature meditation is heavily emphasized in Japan and doctors even prescribe “forest bathing” for overstressed and ill people.
Remember, any mindfulness skill is learned. Much like learning to play a musical instrument, very few are good at it from the outset. Results begin to show on brain scans after eight weeks. Ten minutes per day can produce benefits if done consistently.
Please note that some people may experience negative psychological reactions to certain forms of mindfulness. Talk to your doctor before beginning any mindfulness practice and never alter medications without first getting medical approval.
Jeff Blair (M.S., C.S.C.S) is a certified personal trainer and founder of the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in Westchester. Reach him at jeff@ socalsport.com for article comments.
Therapy Corner with Ann O’Brien
By Ann O’Brien
Opinion:
Dear Ann,
Since we’ve become parents, our romantic connection has stalled. I feel like my partner is a third child. How can I rekindle the attraction when I feel like I’m parenting my spouse?
Dear Curious Reader,
This is such an honest and relatable question. As a couples therapist, I’ve heard a version of this quite often: the romantic spark fades as couples transition into the demanding, beautiful, and exhausting phase of parenting.
At first glance, it makes sense: sleepless nights, endless to-do lists, and the constant pull of responsibilities leave little bandwidth for romance. If that’s the case, it can be helpful to remind yourself that this period is temporary and that even a little romantic connection can go a long way. But sometimes the issue runs deeper than fatigue. It’s not that you’re tired. It’s that you’re not impressed. Attraction is often fueled by fondness and admiration. When you don’t see your partner showing up well— following through, sharing the load, or taking initiative—it’s hard to feel desire. The relationship can start to feel more like parenting than partnering.
So, what can you do?
First, take a fair look at your own narrative. Are you accurately seeing your partner, or are exhaustion and resentment shaping the story? When we are overwhelmed, it’s easy to interpret a partner’s bid for connection or support as neediness or incompetence.
Second, make space for a bigger process that fosters growth and reconnection.
Take a step back and think about what’s really bothering you: what you wish your partner would do differently and how you tend to handle the conflict.
Do you avoid addressing frustrations, letting them build until everything your partner does feels like proof of incompetence? Or do you get snappy and critical, leaving your partner deflated or ashamed?
Neither of these patterns leads to change, but curiosity, kindness and directness can. Try something like:
“I’d really like to talk about [blank]. I know this has been hard, and I want to be supportive, but I also want to see you rise up to this challenge.”
As a therapist, I often explore what lies beneath our struggles. Sometimes one partner simply hasn’t had good role models for being emotionally available or balancing work and family. Other times, what’s missing are relational
intelligence skills—self-awareness, motivation, empathy, communication— that can absolutely be learned and strengthened.
Once you have clarity on what underlies the presenting issue, you can work together encouragingly on solutions. Clear goals plus the right supports equal the ability to rise up to a challenge.
Growth in a relationship doesn’t happen overnight, but I’ve seen time and time again how couples can use moments in which they at first feel like the other is failing them turn instead as positive turning points. When both partners commit to showing up differently—with patience, honesty, and openness—and then see change come about, trust and admiration deepen. This is key to sustaining love over time.
And here’s the wonderful thing: when you see your partner growing, it often rekindles admiration and desire. Likewise, when you notice your own growth—your capacity to advocate effectively for yourself and to trust wisely—it strengthens your own confidence and emotional presence. These are the conditions where attraction naturally re-emerges, even if the toddlers are melting down and the house is a mess.
So, keep at it kindly, intelligently, and with a bit of humor. Love, after all, isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing to grow together.
Until next time, as the Irish blessing goes, may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
Please write in with comments or questions for future columns.
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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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
UCLA Health
Hollywood Park Casino
Neighborhood Council
Westchester/Playa
Loyola Marymount University
Poulter & Co
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
Westchester Rotary Club
Westchester Family YMCA
The Book Jewel
St. Mark School Venice
Decron Properties
Trans Port Station
Westchester Pharmacy
LAX Coastal Chamber
CW Business Center
Westchester Farmers Market
Tomat
LA Flex
Casa Martinez Construction
Inspire to Achieve
SECOND SATURDAY STROLL: OCTOBER EDITION
OCTOBER 11, WESTCHESTER TRIANGLE
The Westchester Triangle was the place to be on October 11th, for the latest installment of the Second Saturday Stroll. The Stroll, presented by the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association and the Westchester Town Center BID, is a new event series aimed at transforming 87th Street into a pedestrian-only gathering place celebrating everything local–art, live music, food and the beloved shops and businesses in the area.
During the event, hundreds of community members came out to participate in the Halloween and fallthemed activities. Guests were treated to performances by dance groups the
Westchester Lariats and Folklorico Macias. With the help of DJ Big Rob and Soul Line Dancing, attendees were able to get into the groove with line dancing demonstrations.
The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary delighted attendees with a homemade hot cocoa and cookie bar, while pop-up vendor Starcuterie offered the perfect autumn dessert, yummy caramel apples! The free elote and churros were also a big hit with the all-ages crowd. Other activities included a pumpkin painting station, crayon art with Wright STEAM Magnet, Play-Doh playscapes with Messiah Christian Preschool, face painting and a claw machine, with prizes hosted by the Hometown News
Businesses like Tomat, Ayara and Olive
It offered special promotions and menu items during the event, while The Book Jewel welcomed the community to its popular LPS Poetry Night. A scavenger hunt and a raffle for those dressed in costumes rounded out the event.
The event was made possible by sponsors: the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, LAWA, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, Jane St. John-Estate Properties, Amy Nelson Frelinger Real Estate, Hometown News, Councilwoman Traci Park, the LAX Coastal Chamber and the Westchester Family YMCA.
While the Second Saturday Stroll was originally slated to be a three-part
series from August through October for 2025, the event was such a success, organizers have decided to host one more event to finish out the year: the Holiday Stroll! This event will have a special date of Saturday, December 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. and will feature seasonal treats, shopping opportunities, ornament making, free activities, a tree lighting ceremony, photo ops, promotions from local businesses and more.
Interested in supporting, volunteering, hosting a booth or sponsoring the Holiday Stroll? Email secondsaturdaystroll@gmail.com for more information on how to get involved!
