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January 2026
Style & Color with Haus of Meeshie page 4
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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 A Haus full of color: Inside Haus of Meeshie Westchester/Playa Food Scene Putting the pieces of the puzzle together Five ways to get involved in 2026 In Pictures: Inaugural Holiday Stroll
AHOMETOWN LOOK INSIDE THIS MONTH'S HTN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Davis, Publisher HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Shanee Edwards, Contributing Jeff Blair, Contributing Writer Writer Zsuzsi Steiner, Photos ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS Sylvia Wilson, Contributing Writer ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS HOMETOWN STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS ABOUT THE HOMETOWN NEWS
04 10 14 20 30
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: Meeshie Fahmy poses for a photo at her Westchester design studio, located in the Triangle. Meeshie was recently included as a feature designer for the second year in a row on Architectural Digest’s AD Pro Directory. Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
l a c o L p o Sh ! 6 2 0 2 in 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 2026– it’s not just a slogan, it helps keep the businesses we love thriving!
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2026 • Page 3
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner Photo by Stephen Paul
By Shanee Edwards \If you step into Haus of Meeshie’s new interior design studio in the Westchester Triangle, the first thing you feel isn’t just color, it’s warmth. The walls glow in a rich terracotta hue, the kind that makes you want to take a deep breath, settle in, and stay awhile. It’s intentional. For Meeshie Fahmy, founder and creative director of Haus of Meeshie, design isn’t about perfection or trends. It’s about how a space makes you feel. “I want people to feel welcomed and nourished the moment they walk in. Your home and your workspace should support you emotionally,” she says. That philosophy has guided Meeshie through a career that’s as layered and eclectic as her design style. A Los Angeles native born in Tarzana and raised in part on the Central Coast, she grew up surrounded by both creativity and community. Though her parents owned and ran their own pharmacy, art was always central to family life. Her father studied fine arts in Egypt before immigrating to the U.S., and Meeshie was raised with a deep respect
Page 4 • January 2026
for culture and history, along with an early immersion in color, pattern and richly layered environments. Today, she brings those influences into her client projects, guiding them to embrace bold, expressive choices that feel personal and lived-in. Vintage remains her greatest teacher, and she encourages clients to embrace character over perfection, mixing heirloom finds with contemporary pieces. Before founding Haus of Meeshie, Meeshie built her career creating unforgettable experiences in the world of high-end hospitality and event production. Her resume includes stints with SBE’s luxury properties, behind-the-scenes work at the Playboy Mansion, and five formative years at the Getty Museum, where she split time between the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. “Being surrounded by that level of art every day was life-changing,” she says. “You can’t help but absorb it.” That experience quietly redirected her future. While working at the Getty, she got her first apartment and began experimenting with DIY projects, slowly discovering a passion for interiors. (Continued on page 16)
At top: Meeshie gets to work putting together colors, textures and images to inspire her next design project. At left: A colorful bathroom that blends flowery wallpaper and art deco tile. Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2026 • Page 5
TheHTN.com Photo courtesy LMU
Business & Nonprofit News
LMU welcomes new president. On December 9, Loyola Marymount University celebrated the inauguration of its 17th president, Thomas Poon, Ph.D., in front of a crowd of nearly 1,200 community members and guests. During his address, Poon championed the theme of “Hope, Made Here,” envisioning a university filled with purpose and possibility. “Honoring our legacy begins with hope,” said Poon during his address. “Hope isn’t passive. It is, as the Jesuits say, ‘contemplatives in action.’ Hope rolls up its sleeves and asks, ‘What’s the work we need to do to make things happen?’”
Guild applauds Holiday Light Tour winners. Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Westchester Mental Health Guild’s Sixth Annual Holiday Lights Tour & Contest! The “Fan Favorite” home, chosen by tourgoers, was the Condron family. The Milligan and Chandra families took home second and third, while the Flanagan residence brought home the event’s new award “Favorite Newcomer.” The tour ran every evening from December 12 through 28, with 25 houses in Westchester and Playa del Rey participating. For a $15 donation, supporters received a map of the homes for a self-guided tour of the area’s most dazzling decorations. The money raised helps the Guild support Airport Marina Counseling Service and its mission to provide affordable mental health services. This is just one of the many events and fundraisers the nonprofit hosts throughout the year, including a casino night held in the fall. Next up for the Guild is a restaurant fundraiser on February 11 and 12 at Playa del Rey’s El Rincon Criollo. Diners who present a flyer, which is located on the Guild’s
Page 6 • January 2026
Now open! Shokudo Westchester greeted its first official guests during its soft opening on December 18. While they are in their soft launch phase, the restaurant, which took over the space formerly occupied by Cafe Solar, is serving dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The owners plan on starting a breakfast service in late January if all goes according to plan. The restaurant is already gaining buzz with local diners who are enjoying the new spot and its homemade udon and Korean rice dishes. Shokudo Westchester is located at 6224 Manchester Ave. in Westchester.
website, will have a portion of their bill donated to the cause. Learn more at westchestermhg.org and amcshelps.com.
Piano competition prepares to wow attendees. Some of the world’s best young pianists will be performing at the
Fourth American International Paderewski Piano Competition, held at Loyola Marymount University on February 9-14. The event received more than 90 applications from pianists ages 16 to 30 from the most prestigious conservatories and universities in the world, which were narrowed down to just 27 performers. The elite international jury will be led by Paderewski Music Society’s Artistic Director and LMU Professor, Dr. Wojciech Kocyan, who won first prize at the Paderewski Competition in Poland and is known internationally as a pianist, adjudicator, lecturer and scholar. The jury will also include Grammy winner Gloria Cheng, Gramophone magazine critic Jed Distler from New York, Adam Wibrowski, founder of several international piano festivals, and Wojciech Switala, jury member of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Tickets are available to the public beginning at $15, and the event will be held at LMU’s 200-seat Murphy Recital Hall. Learn more at paderewskimusicsociety.org/ support-attend.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WITH PERSONALIZED HEALTH AND WELLNESS CARE FOR ALL AGES.
Help create a library. Westchester/Playa area Girl Scouts are inviting the community to help them create a library for the families at Red Tail Crossing, Westchester’s first 100 percent affordable housing building, which opens this month. As part of their service project, they’re collecting new and gently used books, as well as board games and activity books, which can be dropped at a donation box at The Book Jewel, located at 6259 W. 87th Street in Westchester. Gift cards to the bookshop are also appreciated. The last day for the donation drive is January 20.
(continued from previous page) LA28 ticket registration opens. Excited about Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics? The registration for the ticket draw opens on January 14, which is the first step in having an opportunity to buy tickets for the LA28 games! Fans that live in the Los Angeles area will have access to tickets early, and after registering, may receive a time slot to purchase seats during a ticket drop, expected to occur later this year and in 2027 for the Paralympics. Events will be held throughout SoCal at some of the region’s most popular and iconic venues, including the Venice Boardwalk, Rose Bowl Stadium, L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Intuit Dome and Dodger Stadium. Learn more at LA28.org.
round of meetings this month at the The Book Jewel, located at 6259 W. 87th Street in Westchester. If you’ve ever considered preserving the memories that have helped shape your life on paper and creating a readable legacy to share with your family and friends, you’re encouraged to join the supportive group on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meetings generally include a writing prompt, and participants sharing stories. People of all writing levels are welcome. The class is facilitated by Madeline Nella, a retired associate professor from Santa Monica College. For more information or to RSVP, please email lifestories90045@gmail. com with “Life Stories” in the subject line.
Share Your Life Story at Writing Workshop. The Westchester Life Stories Writing Group is starting its next
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Westchester/Playa Food Scene: Three dishes that keep me coming back
1. 14th Street Breakfast Sandwich at Truxton's Right in the heart of Westchester, Truxton’s American Bistro has become our go-to neighborhood table, offering a menu that feels as familiar and comforting as our own living room. It’s the kind of place where the staff starts to feel like family, whether you’re there for a celebratory “cheers” or a relaxing Sunday brunch. They are known for their gourmet twist on American and international comfort foods, as well as exceptional craft cocktails. For brunch, my go-to order is the 14th Street Breakfast Sandwich, a local legend for a reason. Imagine two perfectly fried eggs with golden, runny yolks, creamy brie melting into toasted sourdough, and the crunch of applewood-smoked bacon. A handful of peppery, fresh arugula and a swipe of garlic mayo tie it all together. I always order the crispy tater tots as a side; each bite is salty, heavenly perfection. • What makes it special: That brie. Swapping out the usual breakfast cheese for brie elevates this sandwich from good to addictive without being over-the-top. Every bite is perfectly balanced. • Pro Tip: My daughter swears by their mocha—a rich blend of chocolate and coffee that’s perfect when you need a little jolt to get through the day. It has become her Truxton’s ritual, and now I can’t go without grabbing one, too.
2. Pad Woon Sen at Ayara Ayara has been nourishing our
Page 10 • January 2026
Photo courtesy Ayara
There’s something special about how a great meal connects us—whether it’s a quick restaurant recommendation to a neighbor over the fence or swapping recipe tips at the Westchester Farmers’ Market. Food brings people together, and this column is my way of pulling up a chair with you. I want to share the local bites that make me smile, encourage you to finally step into that spot you walk past every morning, and, most importantly, hear what’s on your plate. Here are three local favorites that represent the amazing flavors of our neighborhood:
Photo courtesy Truxton’s
By Cory Birkett
neighborhood with chef-driven, award-winning Thai food for two decades, and their outdoor patio, nestled on 87th Street, is one of the best spots in town to unwind. It’s a place where a hectic Wednesday suddenly feels like a mini-vacation. I’m a creature of habit here—I always go for the Pad Woon Sen, with chicken or tofu depending on my mood. Those glossy glass noodles come loaded with fluffy scrambled eggs, sweet tomatoes, crisp carrots, mushrooms, onions, and napa cabbage. It’s light–but filling– comforting with just the right amount of spice, and every forkful offers a great mix of spongy noodle and crisp veggie textures. • What Makes It Special: It’s Thai comfort food that feels “homecooked.” You can tell the Asapahu family puts real heart into every recipe and dish, making it a true staple of our local food scene. Ayara is also one of only two Westchester restaurants that are included in the Michelin Guide! • Pro Tip: If you want to bring a taste of Ayara into your own kitchen, they offer a selection of their beloved sauces as well as noodle and curry meal kits to enjoy at home. It’s a wonderful way to support a local favorite while sharing those flavors with family and friends. These products are also available online and can be shipped.
3. Homemade Chicken Soup at Benny's Benny’s has been a 90045 fixture for years, known primarily for their amazing tacos and burritos. You’ll always find a lively mix of LMU students and neighbors here, especially on the covered patio. It’s a great, casual spot to meet a friend and share a meal. Their homemade tostada bowls are a popular lunch choice but for me, their “secret weapon” is the Homemade Chicken Soup; it’s pure comfort in a bowl. When the marine layer rolls in or you’re feeling a little under the weather, this dish is like a warm hug. It features a rich, golden broth packed with tender, all-natural rotisserie chicken and handcut vegetables. It comes with rice and warm tortillas, allowing you to build your own perfect bite. • What Makes it Special: It’s honest, simple food that reminds you that someone in the kitchen is looking out
Ayara’s Pad Woon Sen and Truxton’s breakfast sandwich are definite crowd pleasers.
house-made udon noodles and katsu dishes are delicious. 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 Join the Conversation hi if you see me at the market. Let’s These dishes represent what I love keep swapping favorites! Email me at most about our neighborhood: quality birkettcory@gmail.com. you can taste and the feeling that we’re Cory Birkett is a foodie, and admin for all part of the same story. Whether the “Quarantine Cooking-Westchester you’re celebrating at Truxton’s, catching & Silicon Beach” Facebook Group. up on Ayara’s patio, or finding comfort When she’s not trying new recipes at Benny’s, you’re supporting the people or checking out local restaurants, she who make our community unique. spends her days as a real estate agent Next Month: I’m exploring a new and long-time community volunteer, restaurant, Shokudo Westchester, which includes serving on committees for which popped up in the spot formerly the Westchester/Playa Neighborhood occupied by Cafe Solar. It opened just Council. last week, and the buzz is that their
for you. That’s the Benny’s way. • Pro Tip: I like to tear the warm tortillas for dipping first, then stir in the rice to soak up every last drop of that broth.
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
COACHING
January 2026
Creating Momentum that Lasts Try this simple exercise:
Christine Shanley
Every January, attention turns to goals. Intentions are set with excitement & optimism, yet for many of us, the real challenge isn’t getting started — it’s sustaining momentum once life resumes its normal pace. When focus is scattered or expectations are unclear, followthrough becomes harder. Too many priorities compete for attention, and even well-meaning intentions lose traction. What’s often missing isn’t effort — it’s focus, structure, and a realistic way to keep moving forward.
Schedule a 30 minute COMPLIMENTARY Breakthrough to Clarity Session NOW!
Rather than setting bigger goals or starting over again, it helps to pause and reset the approach. Progress becomes easier when focus is narrowed and intention is connected to a small number of clear actions.
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Take five minutes and write down: • One intention you want to focus on right now • Why it matters to you • How you will feel when accomplished • Three specific actions you can take to support it Writing it down creates focus. Repeating small, intentional actions builds consistency over time. When intention is paired with action — and action becomes consistent — momentum builds naturally. Forward movement feels steadier, more intentional, and easier to sustain well beyond the start of the year.
January 2026 • Page 11
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Join us in raising a glass to a brighter future for LMU students.
Loyola Marymount University Loyola gratefully Marymount Unive A fundraiserLoyola to supportMarymount the University Loyola gratefully Marymount Univ thanks Hometown News thanks readers Hometown for News LMU Arthur P. Carroll Jr. Endowed Scholarship thanks Hometown Newsthanks readers Hometown for New voting us … voting us … Featuring wines from: voting us … voting us …
Arns O’Shaughnessy Barnett Best University Progeny (LMU) Best University (LMU) Black Stallion Saddleback (LMU) Best University Best University (LMU) Best Childcare Provider (LMU Best Children’s ChildcareCenter) Provider (LM Foxen Tensley Best Childcare Provider (LMU Best Children’s ChildcareCenter) Provider (LM Krupp Brothers ZD Lewelling We appreciate And more... the love! We appreciate the love!
We appreciate the love! We appreciate the love!
Next LMU Neighborhood Advisory Next LMU Neighborhood Advisory Committee Next LMU Meeting Neighborhood Advisory Committee Next LMUMeeting Neighborhood Advisory Committee Meeting Committee Sept. 10 | 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 |Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Buy tickets and learn more at lmu.edu/wineclassic or scan the QR code.
Sept. 10 | 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will be held in University Hall,will ECC Wine Tasting and Silent Auction | 2–5 p.m. The meeting be1857. held in For directions andECC more info, University Hall, 1857. go bit.ly/ LMUNAC91025. Fortodirections and more info, go to bit.ly/ LMUNAC91025. The meeting will be held on-campus Wednesday, Jan. 21 - 6:30 p.m.
2025
Sept. 10 | 6:30 p.m.
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2026
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January 2026 • Page 13
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
PUTTING THE PUZZLE PIECES TOGETHER
From Michigan woods to Westchester streets, Jennifer Zychowski has built a life of service, science and justice By Sylvia Wilson
she enrolled in Grossmont Community College’s respected Forensic Technology When Westchester resident Jennifer program. Zychowski steps onto a crime scene, “That decision changed everything,” she brings with her not only decades Jennifer says. of technical expertise, but also the An internship at the same lab opened curiosity of a girl who once spent the door to job applications, and in her childhood exploring the woods, 2005 she joined the Santa Monica Police devouring mystery novels, and watching Department as a Forensic Specialist. She “Law & Order” with her family. has been there ever since, promoted to Today, Jennifer is the Forensic Lead Forensic Specialist in 2015 and to Supervisor for the Santa Monica Police Forensic Supervisor in 2016. Department, but her path to forensic Along the way, she earned a Master science began far from Southern of Public Administration from Cal California. She spent her early years in State Dominguez Hills, while working Michigan before her family moved to full-time and pregnant with her third 82 acres of Tennessee forest when she daughter. was 10. She and her twin sister, Angela, “I’m very proud of that degree,” she spent their days riding bikes, building says. “Our girls were able to see me forts, and staying outside until the sun receive my diploma. I hope it inspires disappeared behind the trees. It was them to continue their education.” the quintessential 80s and early 90s Rounding out her resume, Jennifer childhood of camping trips, fishing with is also a Certified Crime Scene extended family, and a steady rotation Investigator through the International of Stephen King and James Patterson Association for Identification. mysteries. Inside the Work of a Forensic “I read any kind of mystery book I Supervisor could get my hands on,” she says. Today, Jennifer oversees a team Jennifer poses in her Westchester front yard. Television only fueled her fascination. of Forensic Specialists who respond daughters recently received dual citizen“Our Forensic Section is the best “I grew up watching “Law & Order,” to everything from burglaries and ship with Luxembourg, opening the around,” she says. “They have such “Dateline,” “Unsolved Mysteries,” robberies to assaults, homicides, and door to future international adventures. passion for doing the job well and “Court TV,” “America’s Most Wanted,’” suicides. They photograph scenes, At home, life is joyful chaos: three she recalls. collect DNA, process evidence for latent improving the field. It makes my job a lot easier.” daughters, a cat named Cinnamon, a dog She admired Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia prints, analyze fingerprints, and testify A Westchester Life Rooted in named Colonel Mustard, and a family Benson, and when the O.J. Simpson trial in court. As supervisor, she serves Belonging that loves board games, puzzles, movgripped the nation, it gripped young as the bridge between her team and Jennifer and her husband, Jeff, moved ies, and travel. Jennifer’s favorite game, Jennifer, too. She was captivated by detectives or department leadership, to Westchester in December 2010, fittingly, is Clue. the evidence, the science, and the way often responding to major incidents shortly after their oldest daughter, She and Jeff, who works at LMU, the facts emerged piece by piece in the herself. Whitney, turned 1. Today, Whitney is have been married for 17 years. They courtroom. She enjoys the work and the people. 16 and driving, while Audrey (14) and first met in San Diego through mutual By the time she was 12 or 13, she She is on call every day she’s not in the Everly (9) keep the family’s schedule friends. Eventually, they both moved to knew she wanted a career in forensics. office. lively. Los Angeles. A Path Built on Determination “I love working for the Santa Monica The family has embraced Westchester “A big group of us were always hangand a Little Serendipity Police Department and being part of a wholeheartedly. Living near the Triing out at the beach together, someone’s Jennifer and Angela watched their team that works so well together,” says house or a local bar. I actually thought parents navigate financial challenges, Jennifer. “What drives me is helping the angle, they often walk to the Farmers’ Market, Westchester Bakery, or The he would be perfect for my friend and their mother and father often community, making it safer, helping to Book Jewel, where Audrey never skips a Jenny,” Jennifer laughs. “Thankfully, she encouraged them to pursue stable solve crimes. I’m a rule follower, and stop for flan before browsing the shelves wasn’t interested.” government careers. Both daughters I love putting the pieces of a puzzle of the bookstore. Her grandmother eventually pointed listened: Angela is now an FBI Special together.” “We love to visit Paiges the cat at The out how often she talked about “this Agent in Florida, while Jennifer pursued One of her most memorable cases Book Jewel,” Jennifer says with a smile. Jeff guy,” suggesting she had feelings for the scientific side of criminal justice. came early in her career: an attempted Two of the girls attend Visitation him. One day, everything clicked, and “Initially, my sister and I were both homicide in 2008 where the victim things changed between them. interested in joining the FBI,” she says. survived after fighting back. The suspect School. “Visitation is our parish, and we love A Life of Purpose Jennifer earned her Bachelor of cut himself during the attack, leaving his the community the church and school From the Tennessee woods to Science in Biology from the University DNA behind. Jennifer collected more have provided us,” says Jennifer. “The the crime scenes of Santa Monica of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where an than 100 pieces of evidence, including friends we’ve made here are truly like and childhood mysteries to real-life anthropology class sparked her love for blood swabs. Detectives arrested the family. Westchester has a small-town investigations, Jennifer Zychowski detailed analysis. suspect based on the evidence she feel in a larger community, and we has built a life grounded in service, “I liked looking at little details to gathered. He was convicted of the curiosity, and justice. figure out what bone I was looking at,” attempted homicide and two additional really appreciate that.” Crafts, Travel, and a Hint of And here in Westchester, between she remembers. homicides in 2019, more than a decade Mystery bakery visits, strolls to the bookstore, That curiosity led her to San Diego to later, and is also charged with a 1993 Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys and evenings with her family, she’s pursue forensic science. A tour of the homicide. crocheting, learning embroidery, readfound the place where all the pieces of San Diego Crime Lab shifted her plans: She beams when talking about her ing, and traveling with her family. Her her life’s puzzle come together. instead of entering a master’s program, team. Page 14 • January 2026 Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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January 2026 • Page 15
Color psychology plays a major role in her work, guiding how she helps clients choose palettes based on how they want to feel in their home and how they want their space to support their everyday lives. Meeshie’s Westchester studio is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Red Earth, a warm terracotta tone chosen to evoke comfort and groundedness.
clients walk into our office, I want them to feel something right away, the same way I want them to feel when they step into one of our finished spaces. We’re trying to bring some color to the lifeblood of L.A. and the people that hire us,” she says. From full home renovations, to a hidden basement speakeasy, and mid-century Palm Springs maximalist desert retreats, Meeshie’s portfolio reflects clients with a distinct point of view and a shared willingness to take creative risks. That same philosophy carries into every project she touches, including children’s rooms. Meeshie is a firm believer in exposing kids to the full color spectrum. “It’s stimulating and healthy,” she says. “I’ve had clients tell me their children became more engaged with color and even learned their color names faster. That kind of feedback means everything.” For those who’ve never hired an interior designer before, Meeshie says that the most effective way to get the most out of the process is to call the interior designer first, even before you call a contractor. “What we do is map out a design plan that’s not just “It’s a favorite color of mine as of late. We’ve used simply paint colors and picking pillows and furniture. it in several projects and different applications,” says We’re fleshing out what materials are going in. Are Meeshie. “We thought long and hard about what color we changing a kitchen layout? Are we doing a kitchen to use in the office. I wanted it to be this beautiful renovation, a bathroom renovation? Is anything color wash–color drenching, as they call it.” changing footprint-wise? What materials are we The adjoining room is a crisp white, allowing her using? What are the light fixtures? What is the scope and her clients to see colors and patterns without of work?” she says. distraction. After answering those questions, Haus of Meeshie’s “It’s about creating harmony,” she says. “When studio creates a beautiful design plan with the client. “You’re going to get a much more accurate bid from your contractor or your builder, once they know exactly what they’re doing. If they don’t have that direction, they’re just kind of working in the best way they know how with the client, and sometimes, the client doesn’t know what they’re asking for, or what they need, and it can be confusing,” she says. When asked for simple ways people can spruce up their home or office, Meeshie keeps it refreshingly real. “I would say color is the first go-to. It’s the simplest and the most cost-effective way to make the biggest impact,” she says. She encourages people to make adventurous color choices. “I always say, you’re not tattooing your face,” she laughs. “Test big swatches. Live with them. Let the light tell you the story.” After five years of working from her dining table, opening a brick-and-mortar studio last year on 87th Street felt like a full-circle moment. Drawn to the area’s mid-century architecture and preserved charm, Meeshie felt instantly at home. “There’s such a respect for history here. It’s rare in L.A., and it matters,” she says. She also values the neighborhood’s sense of community. She shares walls with the Westchester/ Playa Historical Society and is within walking distance to local eateries like Ayara Thai and Tomat. “There’s so much potential here,” she says. “And such good energy.” Now firmly rooted in Westchester, Meeshie continues to build a woman-owned business grounded in collaboration and gratitude. She’s quick to credit the community that helped her get here, including Karen Dial of Drollinger Properties who supported her first brick-and-mortar leap. “She really helped to give me an opportunity to inhabit this space and make it so that it worked with my budget. I’m just very grateful. I feel like a lot of women have stepped in and helped along the way. Success is truly a collaborative process,” she says. At the heart of everything Meeshie does is a simple belief: spaces should tell stories, reflect real lives, and bring people joy. “Design should feel fearless,” she says. “And it should feel like you.” Get inspired and embrace bold color choices in 2026 by following @haus_of_meeshie on Instagram or scan the Above and opposite page: A look at some of Meeshie’s favorite design projects she has worked on QR code. recently that showcase her “creatively unhinged” style.
“
Design should feel fearless. And it should feel like you.
Photo by Aaron Snyder
Photo by Stephen Paul
Photo by Stephen Paul
(continued from page 4) “It was never the plan,” she says. “I wish I’d known earlier, maybe I would’ve gone to school for it. But I also think not knowing all the rules helped me find my own way.” That instinct-led approach eventually became her signature. When she and her partner (now husband) began renovating their condo, she documented the process on Instagram. The response was immediate and organic. Before long, she landed her first styling job with an interior designer in Pasadena, simply by saying “yes” when an opportunity arose. “She asked if I’d styled before,” Meeshie laughs. “I said, ‘Yes, absolutely!’ and figured it out.” By the start of the pandemic, she took a leap of faith and launched her own studio. “I had absolutely no idea what I was doing,” she says candidly. “Design is beautiful, but 90 percent of it is project management, logistics, and running a business.” Fortunately, entrepreneurship was familiar territory. Her parents had run a business for decades, and their example helped her build a company from the ground up. Meeshie describes her style as “creatively unhinged,” a joyful embrace of color, pattern, and bold choices that still feel deeply personal. “So many people love color, but they’re afraid of it,” she says. “I love empowering clients to take risks, trust their gut, and lean into bold color and pattern in a way that feels joyful and personal.”
Page 16 • January 2026
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Photo by Yoshihiro Makino Photos by Aaron Snyder
Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
January 2026 • Page 17
Photos by Catherine Lacey Dodd
REPRESENTATION MATTERS LMU freshman sets the stage for inclusion in
By Shanee Edwards
lives just two miles from the LMU campus and says selecting the school was an easy choice because, “I have After attending high school at WISH Academy as an honors student, a very good connection with the community.” Reuben Dodd recently completed One of the strongest experiences his first semester as a freshman studying theater at Loyola Marymount tying him to LMU began the year before he applied. As a teenager, University. For many young people, Reuben became affiliated with the attending college is a long-held university’s men’s water polo team dream. For Reuben and his family, it through Team Impact, a nonprofit is a hard-won milestone shaped by extraordinary perseverance, steadfast that pairs youth with serious medical optimism, and more than a few conditions and disabilities with college athletic teams. medical miracles. “I was paired with the LMU water Reuben is profoundly deaf and has CHARGE Syndrome, a rare genetic polo team,” Reuben says, “And I was really, really happy to be part of that.” condition. He also has KlippelFor him, the partnership created Feil Syndrome, where some of the more than an athletic mindset: it bones in his neck are fused together, created belonging. That feeling of causing his head to tilt. Since birth, being welcomed into the larger LMU he’s had 22 surgeries, including two community has continued into his open-heart surgeries and dozens of college experience. procedures. Cochlear implants now Choosing theater allow him to hear and his voice is Reuben has worked professionally strong and expressive. as a film actor since the age of 11. He When Reuben speaks about appeared in the film “I Still Believe,” college life, his tone is grounded and playing a supporting role as the son optimistic–less focused on what he of actors Shania Twain and Gary has overcome, and more on what lies ahead. Sinise. For Reuben, that experience A Westchester native, Reuben was meaningful, not just because it Page 18 • January 2026
was a professional film, but because it proved to him that he belonged in storytelling spaces. But while film opened the door to acting, live theater is his current focus. “The reason why I’m doing theater is because over the last couple of years I have enjoyed stage productions more than having to wait for an audition, and then recording the audition with all the self-tape equipment,” he says. Anyone who has spent time around working actors these days knows the stress of self-taping auditions on short notice, waiting for the phone to ring, and then dealing with rejection over and over. The process can take a toll. Reuben’s mother, Catherine Lacey Dodd, a professional photographer, says he’s had at least 150 auditions– and counting. To her that seems like a lot, but she was recently reassured by the words of a famous actor. “There was a George Clooney quote the other day. He said, ‘You have to do 100 auditions to book a part.’ That’s the tenacity that you need, and Reuben does have that tenacity,” says Catherine. “He also
has that really cheerful disposition. He gets frustrated sometimes, but it’s that determination, that resilience– and that’s really a part of CHARGE syndrome that we universally see.” Reuben also likes the structure and camaraderie live theater offers. “Theater has been a bit better for me, because instead of looking into the camera, I’m looking out into a live audience,” he says. “I think that’s a better experience, and I enjoy making new friendships along the way during rehearsals.” Finding momentum on campus Even in his first semester, Reuben has already begun performing at LMU. He recently appeared in a staged reading of “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.” “It was a great way to end the semester for me,” he says, noting the production ran nearly three-and-ahalf hours–no small commitment for a student balancing coursework and rehearsals. His entire family, including his 17-year-old brother Callum and dad Jason, was in the audience. (Continued on page 22)
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
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January 2026 • Page 19
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner
Get a membership! If 2026 is your year to connect and meet new people, it’s time to get a membership to a local organization! For those that want to focus on fitness and building community, the Westchester Family YMCA is a great option. From group classes and swimming to movie nights for teens and programs like Adventure Guides, our local Y has no shortage of programming and activities to keep the whole family busy. It’s also a hub for events and volunteer days, including assisting at food distributions that are currently taking place on Thursday mornings. Groups like the Westchester Mental Health Guild and the Emerson Avenue Community Garden also offer annual memberships that start at $25 so supporters can donate to their causes, and hopefully get inspired to get more involved!
Sign up for the Rock Roll & Run If you’re passionate about education and looking for a fun, easy way to make a difference, mark your calendar for the Sixth Annual Rock Roll & Run, presented by the LAX Coastal Education Foundation, in partnership with LMU! Registration opens this month at laxcef.org, and participants can opt to join in the festivities for the 5K walk/run, 1K Kids’ Run or as a virtual runner. After the Saturday, March 7 fun run at 8 a.m., stick around the beautiful LMU campus for the community fair featuring live music, giveaways, a pancake breakfast and free family-friendly activities. The event is the foundation’s largest fundraiser, with the money raised going to support 25-plus Westchester/Playa area schools and K-12 grants for things like art, beautification, P.E. and more. Email info@laxcoastaledfoundation for event questions and sponsorship info!
Sponsor or volunteer at an event If you love attending local events and want to ensure they stick around for years to come, consider donating your time, talent or treasure to support your favorite Westchester/Playa happenings. To name a few volunteer roles: at the Rock Roll & Run, helpers are needed to ensure runners stay on course; at the Fourth of July Parade, hundreds of community members assist in building floats and getting the street set up for spectators, and at WAM, dozens of people are on hand to ensure the block party runs smoothly. Of course, these events can’t happen without financial backing, so if you’re a business looking to get your name out there while aiding a good cause, there are plenty of opportunities! If you don’t know where to start, send us an email at htn@thehtn.com, and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
Support more local art
If you enjoy seeing colorful landscapes, and would like to see more public art on neighborhood streets, check out the work of David Russell. An artist and LMU and Otis lecturer, David has created some of the area’s most iconic murals, including “Dream Big” at the YMCA, and “Welcome to Westchester” on the Drollinger Building. He now has his sights set on creating a new mural in 90045’s downtown business district to honor fallen firefighter Brent Lovrien with the support of the historical society and is raising funds through a Gofundme.
Page 20 • January 2026
Join a service organization If you want to expand your social circle while rolling up your sleeves and bettering your community, Westchester/Playa has a plethora of service organizations and local clubs that are always interested in meeting potential new members. From the local Rotary Clubs–our area has three: Westchester, Playa Venice Sunrise and Marina del Rey–and the Playa del Rey Woman’s Club to Clean Up Westchester and the LAX Kiwanis, there are plenty of causes to rally around that can make you feel like you’re making a measurable impact, no matter how small! The community needs more helpers, and neighborhoods thrive when people give back, so make 2026 your year to lend a hand! Visit thehtn.com for more info.
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January 2026 • Page 21
Representation matters (cont’d) (Continued from page 18) His love of theater goes back to high school, where he played the Wizard of Oz in “The Wiz” with the Kentwood Players and had roles in “Legally Blonde,” “Mean Girls,” “Cinderella” and “Frozen” with Puttin’ on Productions Manhattan Beach (POPs). One of the most meaningful memories from that time, his mother Catherine says, is when the LMU water polo players showed up to watch him perform. It was an early sign of the support he’s surrounded with that continues today. Advocacy through visibility Reuben’s ambitions as an actor are closely tied to his belief that representation of disabled people in TV, film and theater matters. “Everyone deserves a chance to get what they want in life. And everyone who wants to pursue an acting career should be able to have some sort of backing,” he says. He also spoke about the limited number of roles available to disabled performers and the frustration of seeing those roles go to non-disabled actors. “They’re few and far between anyway,” he says, underscoring why authentic casting is important. The support behind the success For Catherine, watching her son thrive at LMU carries deep emotional weight. Early medical prognoses painted a far more limited future than the one Reuben is now living.
“Shortly after birth, I remember one doctor saying, ‘Do you want us to do everything for him?’ You know, almost as if to say, ‘Do you want to allow us to let him expire?’ Another doctor said he’s likely to have the intellectual capacity of a 2-month-old at 16. I mean, it was really shocking,” says Catherine. “I’ve pushed him quite a lot as a result because I feel like I’ve almost had to sort of over-prove things. I haven’t put those limits on him. I’ve let him explore everything possible.” When asked how he keeps motivated, Reuben says it’s the people around him who inspire him. “I get the support of my family and friends, and I get help from my teachers,” he says. Looking ahead Reuben is optimistic about having a career as an actor, whether it be on stage or screen. “I’m happy that I’m already getting out there,” he says. “I didn’t think it would be that easy for me.” For now, the fact that he’s already building momentum is enough. He’s been cast in another staged reading for next semester and is eager to keep performing. Reuben Dodd’s story is not just about resilience, it’s about possibility, community, and a young actor giving a voice to so many disabled people who have been overlooked. At LMU, he isn’t just studying theater; he’s living it.
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January 2026 • Page 23
Discovery Center’s 2026 exhibits pay tribute to local celebrities
By Cozette Vergari
You might be surprised to learn about the dozens of famous residents who at one time resided, or still live, within the Westchester/Playa community. The Westchester/Playa Historical Society (WPHS) will be paying tribute to these celebrities and notable locals who grew up in our community, or at some point called the area home, all year-long through exhibits at the Discovery Center. More details on these hometown celebs, and their neighborhood connections will be shared in this column, as the year progresses! From careers ranging from sports and entertainment to politics and other notable professions, Westchester/Playa’s history boasts many famous and influential personalities who were nurtured by and drawn into this community. The list of area notables includes: • Aerospace magnate and film producer Howard Hughes • St. Bernard High School graduate Astronaut Kevin Chilton, who piloted the Endeavour into space • The Turtles, originally the Crossfires, who first met one another at Westchester High School • Actor and comedian Phil Hartman • Laker’s CEO Jeanie Buss • Academy Award Winner Hilary Swank • Mouseketeer Sherry Alberoni • Laker’s seven-time NBA All-Star James Worthy There was even a former California Governor, who temporarily moved California’s state capitol to Playa del Rey, where he resided. Sadly, there are also the few infamous people
At top: Astronaut and Four Star General Kevin Chilton, third from right, poses with his STS-49 crew in front the Endeavour, which is now located at the California Science Center. Chilton, who grew up in Westchester, will be one of the many local celebrities highlighted in the WPHS’s 2026 exhibits. Top photo courtesy NASA.
who called the area home, including Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, part of the convicted Manson Family, involved in the Tate-LaBianca murders, and Phil Spector, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, who was convicted of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. These are just a few of our local notables, but please stay tuned for details on all these and more of the personalities, as the WPHS curates our “2026 Celebrity Exhibits!” The WPHS’s first exhibit opens on Sunday, January 11. The Discovery Center is open to the public on Sundays, between 9:30 a.m. and noon during the Westchester Farmers’ Market, or by appointment. Visitors can also assist in research, as the WPHS’s archives are codified and digitized. The WPHS Discovery Center is located at 6207 W. 87th St. in the Triangle in Westchester. 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.
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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
NCWP Rings in the Ho-Ho-Holidays at Winterfest
The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa was proud to join Council District 11, the CD11 Foundation, and Recreation & Parks in sponsoring the first ever WinterFest holiday celebration at the Westchester Recreation Center on Saturday, December 13.
The Playa Venice Rotary Club served up pancake breakfasts, there was an epic skate jam, a festive photo booth, hands-on arts & crafts, a tree adoption, and even real snow in Westchester! It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season together as a community. Thanks to everyone who made this great event possible! NCWP wishes you and yours a very Happy New Year!
Next Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa Board Meeting:
6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 3, 2026 @ CD11 Community Room | 7166 W. Manchester Ave., in Westchester
www.ncwpdr.org
Page 26 • January 2026
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista HomeTown News
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2026!
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January 2026 • Page 27
Random Notes/Opinion Returning to exercise after time off
By Jeff Blair
is safer for tendons and ligaments. This injury prevention strategy is another Opinion: Since many New Year’s good reason to go a little slower than resolutions include exercising more, your instincts might tell you when this month, I take on the topic of returning to exercise. returning to exercise after a layoff. 2. Make sure you know what you’re Always consult with a doctor before doing. I once took a trapeze class to starting an exercise program or celebrate my birthday. I had never increasing the intensity of exercise. “trapezed” and it seemed like everyone 1. Consider starting a little slower else in the class was an aspiring than your instincts might be telling Olympic gymnast. The feeling of not you. People often feel it’s important knowing what I was doing made me to make a big splash when returning feel uncomfortable and self-conscious, to exercise. Some might feel like they like I was the worst one in the class. want to get off to a fast start, or that As the class continued, I learned a few they’ve simply wasted too much time techniques and those uncomfortable in the past. Whatever the reason, some feelings slowly lifted. When it comes people overdo it when restarting an to sustaining motivation to exercise, exercise program. While I appreciate the most important factor is usually the enthusiasm, I encourage people feeling like you know what you’re to consider thinking of exercise more doing. When we feel like we know like a marathon than a sprint. Twenty what we are doing, that creates greater minutes per day can be a good starting feelings of competence. Competence point if you are exercising daily or is usually the foundational step for a nearly daily. If you are exercising just lasting desire to do anything. If you a few times per week, you might start are considering running a marathon with 30 or 40-minute sessions. If you or other race, search the Internet for enjoy exercise and find it relaxing, some possible online or in-person that might open the door to longer coaching from a knowledgeable exercise sessions. Like many things in professional. If you want to start life, individual preferences should be strength training, hire a trainer or a considered when deciding on what is physical therapist to teach you basic best for you. With respect to strength form. As you learn how to perform training, our tendons and ligaments strength-training exercises properly, usually take longer to adjust than you will often find your confidence muscles do. Ramping up weights slowly improves, and you may experience
greater satisfaction and even some enjoyment from your sessions. This process can lead to internalization of exercise’s benefits, where you start to feel like exercise is part of your personal identity. Some people reach the stage where part of their self-image becomes, “I am someone who exercises consistently, and I value exercise to enhance my health and quality of life.” I have seen this happen many times over my career, and it is always very cool to see. 3. Find Your Tribe. Social support can be incredibly helpful when returning to exercise. Exercise classes, hiking groups, support groups, personal trainers and dieticians can all lend a hand in your journey. Workplaces often form walking or other groups to promote a more active lifestyle. Exercise buddies can also be a great asset. Social support can even add an element of fun to exercising that might not otherwise be there. Whenever an element of fun is added to exercise, this can reduce stress and improve emotional and mental wellbeing. My mom and my aunt ride to the gym together twice per week. They work out, and then go to lunch together when they’re done. When one does not feel like going, the other encourages her to go. Their postworkout meal adds a pleasurable ritual after the exercise is complete. While
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exercise might not be their favorite thing to do during the week, their social support of one another makes it more likely each will continue. Although neither considers herself to be a gym person, they have followed that pattern for almost 15 years, so apparently it is working for them! Jeff Blair (MS, CSCS) has been a Certified Personal Trainer for over 20 years. He founded the SoCalSport Personal Training Studio in 2012. Reach him at jeff@socalsport.com for questions or comments.
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Therapy Corner with Ann O’Brien By Ann O’Brien
Opinion: As we begin a new year, many readers have asked me some version of the same question: How do you retire well—and how do you navigate the transition without your partner driving you nuts? To explore this, I spoke with Sue Henderson, LCSW, a recently retired therapist and longtime Playa del Rey resident. Sue generously offered both her professional insight and a deeply honest reflection of her personal experience. Ann: From your perspective as both a therapist and a recent retiree, what helps—or hurts—marital satisfaction most during retirement? Sue: The first thing to consider is when and why you’re retiring. I didn’t retire until age 84, and while part of me would still like to be working, it really was time. As a therapist, I formed deep relationships with my clients, and ending that work involved real loss. I had to grieve it. Many people— regardless of profession—experience a similar sense of loss in retirement, and it’s important to acknowledge that. Some people also expect retirement to fix a problem in their life or marriage, only to discover that it doesn’t. When that happens, I encourage people to seek support, including therapy. Ann: So what I hear you saying is that it’s important to attend to one’s individual experience of retirement— not just the impact on the marriage. Sue: Exactly. And to give yourself the space to process it. Ann: What has surprised you most about retirement? Sue: I have loved sleeping in and having more time. I have enjoyed reading more. It’s true what people say—you’re not retiring from life; it’s just a new stage. Lifelong learning is important. That said, I’ve also noticed I’m much more emotionally sensitive to the news. I find myself worrying more about others—especially my grandchildren and the kind of world we’re leaving them. That may be partly because I simply have more time to pay attention. Ann: That makes sense. Research shows that as people age, they often become more compassionate. So, there may be several factors converging: more time, greater emotional attunement, and, as many would argue, a more hostile political landscape. Together, that can be a lot to hold emotionally. Sue: Yes, I agree. Ann: What advice would you offer couples navigating retirement together?
TOMAT HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026! Sue: Relearn how to communicate— just as you did when you first married or had children. The positive is that you’re returning to the relationship with more perspective. Be honest about needing time alone. Maintain interests and friendships outside the marriage. And look for new shared activities or rediscover old ones. My husband retired at 60 and modeled retirement beautifully. He developed so many new interests and, without work stress, he was happier. Now that we’re both retired, we have more time for shared activities. We’ve always done home projects well together, and now we’re doing that again, just more slowly at 85 and 84. Patience becomes essential, especially with physical health challenges. Apologize when needed. And remember to laugh—really laugh— together. Ann: Ahh, yes, I’m increasingly convinced that laughter and just downright playful fun are a couple’s most underrated survival skills. A big thank you to Sue for her insights! Like every major life transition, retirement brings challenges and opportunities. When couples make room for individual adjustment, shared growth, and a sense of humor, this stage of life can become not just manageable, but genuinely enriching. I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please email your thoughts and questions. You can find me at annobrientherapy.com. Here’s to a 2026 filled with curiosity, connection and a few delightful surprises along the way. 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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HOLIDAY EDITION IN THE WESTCHESTER TRIANGLE
The Westchester Triangle was abuzz with activity at the latest installment of the Second Saturday Stroll: Holiday Edition held on December 6th. With the Triangle closed off, 87th Street was transformed into a holiday wonderland featuring Santa, snow, entertainment, arts and crafts, and plenty of treats. While the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary served up hot cocoa, Church Playa and WPNS helped the event’s Page 30 • January 2026
littlest attendees make creative ornaments. Families also delighted in decorating sugar cookies and writing letters to Old St. Nick with assistance from Visitation students. An “Elf on the Shelf” Scavenger Hunt kept participants busy as they went from community booths and local businesses searching for the mischievous characters. At The Book Jewel, guests enjoyed story time with holiday favorites like, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
With crostinis from Starcuterie and churros by El Esquite in hand, local residents got into the spirit of the season with the a capella choir, the Oceanaires, the LMU Jazz Quartet and DJ Big Rob, playing Christmas tunes. After waiting in line for a turn at the claw machine to win a prize, neighbors had a chance to catch up and support local businesses like Tomat, Transport Station, Brooklyn Projects, Ayara, Triangle Wines, LA
Photos by Elaina Taylor
SECOND SATURDAY STROLL
Flex and Olive It, all while taking in the magic of the season and what makes Westchester such a special community! The Second Saturday Strolls will take place seasonally in 2026, with a tentative schedule of May 9, August 15, October 10 and December 5. Save the date for these events! Interested in sponsoring a Stroll, hosting an activation or volunteering? Email the event committee at secondsaturdaystroll@gmail.com.
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Page 32 • January 2026
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