More than a team: LA Waves build friendship, community and a path to Nationals
When the LA Waves take the field this month at the 2026 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Smyrna, Tennessee, they’ll be competing against some of the best youth soccer teams in the country. But for this group of girls, many of whom have been playing together...
A 2,500-mile journey of healing: local dad walks to raise awareness for men’s mental health
When Robb Pollard stood at the Playa del Rey breakwater before sunrise on April 27, the Pacific Ocean behind him and 2,500 miles of road ahead, he wasn’t thinking about publicity or raising money. He was thinking about survival. The Playa del Rey resident had just...
Coast Academy brings surf camp, community and ocean stewardship to Playa del Rey
For third-generation Westchester resident Devin Bonney, the beach has always been more than a place to spend a summer afternoon. It’s where he learned to swim, where his father taught him to surf, and where generations of his family built memories together. Now, at...
Finding her Rhythm
Nanette Pietroforte Marcus has built a life tuned to imagination, community and family If you ask Westchester resident Nanette Pietroforte Marcus where her story begins, she’ll take you back to Visalia, a Central California town where farmland stretches toward the...
Wine and charcuterie boards in the heart of the Triangle
There is something special about discovering local businesses that work together to create the perfect neighborhood experience. Recently, I hosted a small group at Triangle Wines in Westchester for an evening of wine tasting, conversation, and beautifully prepared...
Midlife strength training for beginners
Opinion: Meet Susan* a 58-year-old client. She played volleyball in high school and was somewhat athletic. When she went to college, sports were mostly off the radar, although she would jog for weight management and take exercise classes at the student center. She...
Therapy Corner with Ann O’Brien
Opinion: For this month’s column, I am responding to a reader’s question that likely resonates with many families: “My husband and I both value our kids’ involvement in sports, but we disagree on how much to push them and how much to sacrifice for the sake of kids’...
A hometown hero’s journey: Soccer star John O’Brien reflects on going from Playa del Rey to the World Cup
Meet John O’Brien: Playa del Rey native. Retired U.S. soccer star! At 16, he left for AFC Ajax’s renowned academy, rising to its first team, winning the Dutch League and Cup, and became the first American to play in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. For the...
Summer mode activated!
Summer fun at LMU: Shakespeare on the Bluff & Movie Nights Various dates | 8 p.m. LMU’s popular Shakespeare on the Bluff series kicks off on June 11, 12 and 13 with three performances of “The Comedy of Errors,” directed by lacy Hornick. Then stop by the university...
More than a senior center: Westchester’s hub for connection, joy and a 100-year celebration
When Patrick Zilliacus turns 100 this month, he won’t be celebrating at a fancy ballroom or a private club. Instead, he’s chosen a place that feels far more meaningful: the Westchester Senior Center, where he has built friendships, shared stories, and found a true...