Jessica Koslow

It’s Sunday just after noon, and the students and staff of Sholem, a secular community and school, have gathered together to sing the lyrics to “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie and “Bim Bam” by Nachum Frankel. Most Sundays, at the end of class, Rebekka Helford, Sholem’s vice principal, teacher of the youngest class starting in pre-K, and mother of two Sholem students, accompanies a group sing-along on her acoustic guitar.

“This is a bonding, family activity,” Rebekka said after the students had left for the day. “It is a commitment to belonging. As a society we are so fragmented, lonely and isolated, and that is not our birthright. As humans, we are used to living in groups, which helps us to be well and at ease. People schlep here to be surrounded by faces who they can bond with and make a community with. It is a place to belong, where you can be of value and be valued and connect to your family in a deeper way.” . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

Local musicians are playing familiar tunes. The food and drinks are flowing for the hundreds of community members in attendance. Dozens of neighborhood businesses have donated to the silent auction. Each year for the past 22 years, Venice Community Housing (VCH) has hosted a champagne brunch with live jazz to raise money for its mission: To develop comprehensive solutions to rising rates of homelessness and an increasing need for affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.

VCH is on a roll, according to Linda Lucks, the Community Engagement and Special Events Coordinator. The Corporation recently broke ground on a 78-unit project on 20^th Street and Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, and 2024 saw the opening of three projects: Marian Place, which houses formerly unhoused families; The Journey Apartments in Venice, which provides permanent supportive homes for transition aged youth (18-25) and other formerly unhoused people; and Aviation Apartments in the Del Aire neighborhood. . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

The city of Buellton has experienced two time periods: B.S. and A.S., referencing the 2004 Oscar-winning film “Sideways” about a road trip to the Santa Barbara wine country. Buellton and its neighbor, Solvang, were featured prominently in the film, and because of the exposure, tourism to the area skyrocketed. Unfortunately, one of its claims to fame, Pea Soup Andersen’s, which had been a major draw since 1924, closed in 2024 just before its 100th anniversary. Fortunately, Buellton has so much more to offer, including wineries, breweries, new eateries, horseback riding, a botanic garden, a petting emu and ostrich farm, a zipline experience and an adventure park course. . . .

Read the entire article at Playa Vista Magazine.

On Thursday, Aug. 21, Thomas Safran & Associates (TSA) hosted the grand opening of Thatcher Yard, consisting of 98 affordable and supportive housing units for seniors and non-age-restricted residents located at 3311 S. Thatcher Avenue in Marina del Rey. 

Both founder Thomas Safran and Jordan Pynes, the president of TSA, were on hand mingling with guests, including LA Councilmember Traci Park; Elizabeth Selby, director of development and finance for the Los Angeles Housing Department; Carlos Van Natter, director of Section 8 at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and Paul Buckland, senior vice president of fund investments for Wells Fargo.

In 1974, Safran left the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to start his own company, and for over 50 years, TSA has specialized in developing and managing high-quality properties. It has created 6,500 units of luxury, affordable and mixed-use rental housing in Southern California. . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.