About 30 years ago, GW Williams started a book club, and shortly thereafter, actress and author Denise Nicholas joined the group.
Years later — in the spring of 2018 — Nicholas called Williams to share that one seat remained for the writing workshop.
Williams declined because she wanted the seat. The Longwood Writers Workshop was named after Nicholas’ street, where the group assembled around her dining room table. . . .
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It seems unbelievable that Marina del Rey is only 60 years old, considering the land was a salt marsh for centuries. However, on April 10, 1965, after funds were raised and laws signed, Marina del Rey was completed. This month, the Marina del Rey Tourism Board and its partners are planning a birthday celebration, featuring restaurant and activity specials with a community event in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Harbors, the Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, and Fisherman’s Village.
“Over the past 60 years, Marina del Rey has transformed into a vibrant destination for tourism,” said Janet Zaldua, CEO of the Marina del Rey Tourism Board. “Significant investments from local hotels and restaurants have breathed new life into the area, making it a strong competitor to nearby destinations such as Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.”
According to a 2024 tourism study, Marina del Rey attracted more than half a million overnight visitors, supported over 4,100 jobs and generated $617 million in total economic impact. Visitor spending reached $396 million. . . .
Read the entire article at The Argonaut.
Los Angeles has suffered significant losses in property and human life, and the city is in urgent need of good cheer and upliftment. Fortunately, just such a spirit boost is on the horizon. Later this month, the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers will play at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Arizona for Spring Training.
The Dodgers will play 20 games starting on Thursday, Feb. 20, during the 2025 Cactus League schedule.
One of the biggest draws of Spring Training is that fans can catch the Major League action up close, and this upcoming season — which officially begins at Dodger Stadium against the Detroit Tigers on March 27 — promises to be another one for the history books. . . .
Read the full article at LA Downtown News.
Check out who The Argonaut readers voted Best of The Westside 2024. I wrote short bits for the 109 winners.
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In 2022, Secret Walls toured the United States with its “Support Your Local Artist” Tour, visiting 30 markets in 60 days.
“It was like a rock ‘n’ roll bus tour,” stated Kevin Collins, the three-year CEO of Secret Walls. “We would battle and drive overnight to the next city. It was one of those post-pandemic moments. We wanted to go everywhere and remind people what we do. But what we learned is that we want to stay longer in each city.”
Secret Walls produces competitive live art events. It began in 2006 in bars and warehouses in Shoreditch, East London, and over the past 18 years the Secret Walls Universe has hosted 2,000 battles in more than 100 cities in 50 countries. The featured contemporary artist performers include graffiti writers, muralists, illustrators, cartoonists and digital artists. . . .
Read the full article at LA Downtown News.
Whiskey is Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder’s drink of choice, and when they decided to make their own brand to sell, they knew exactly what they wanted to put in the bottle.
“We knew how we liked to consume whiskey,” von Schroder said. “It needed to be something that worked well, neat and with a rock in it. It should not water down too quickly and has enough character and backbone that it will stand up to other ingredients in a cocktail.”
As cousins and business partners in the music and film world for more than a decade, the two women already knew that they loved working — and worked well — together. When the film and music worlds came to a screeching halt during the pandemic, they looked at each other and made a quick decision: Step away from work and pivot to try to make whiskey for people like them. . . .
Read the full article at The Argonaut.
Upon entering the Los Angeles Ninja Academy, guests are greeted by the Mega Wall, Triple Salmon Ladder, Pipe Coaster, Spider Wall, and Devil Steps, obstacles that may look familiar from the reality TV show, “American Ninja Warrior.” The 7,000-square-foot facility filled with black and red obstacles on Jefferson Boulevard in the Del Rey section of Culver City is the first ninja warrior training facility in Los Angeles. Owner Madelyn Scarpulla is hoping to turn the West Coast into a hotspot for ninja warrior training.
“On the East Coast, ninja warrior is popular as a sport for kids,” said Scarpulla, who traveled hours with her son from her home in New York to train at ninja warrior gyms before opening her own in New York City. “Kids compete in the World Ninja League, which is prominent in New England and the Northeast and is growing in the Southeast. My goal is to bring awareness to the sport for kids and adults and to help grow the league.” . . .
Read the full article at Playa Vista Magazine.
Check out who Lovin’ Life readers voted Best of Lovin’ Life 2024. I wrote short bits for the winners.
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When esthetician Kiana Dotson arrived at Suite 110 ready to see clients on Aug. 3 at Marina del Rey’s Phenix Salon Suites, she was greeted with a notice from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department instructing all businesses to vacate five days later.
“It was heartbreaking,” shared Dotson, a single mother and owner of Waxing in Harmony who was the first to arrive at Phenix. She immediately texted her co-workers about the unexpected news.
“I had been there for almost 10 years,” she said. “I started my business there; it was like my second baby. We were all good and loyal tenants. We paid our rent weekly, and it was disheartening to be treated like that after being there for so long.” . . .
Read the full article at The Argonaut.
Check out who Chandler Arizonan readers voted Best of Chandler 2024. I wrote short bits for 39 of the winners.
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Jessica Koslow 