Jessica Koslow

Amy Salzmann loves Scouts BSA (familiarly known as the Boy Scouts of America) because of the organization’s whole-child approach. Salzmann, who has a 13-year-old boy in BSA, is the committee chair of Troop 113 of Culver City.

“Unlike getting involved in sports, where you’re mostly focused on the fitness, BSA includes the obvious, being outdoors and being connected to nature and being a good steward of the Earth. And you’re also caring for your body because you need to be fit and strong in order to hike and camp and backpack,” Salzmann said.

She likes the Merit Badge component of the program. A comprehensive list of approximately 130 to 140 badges are available for scouts to obtain, covering nearly every topic imaginable, from electrical engineering to dentistry to astronomy.  . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

On the Thursday after the Los Angeles wildfires broke out in January, an email circulated in the inboxes of art therapists in the area suggesting a Zoom call be set up to discuss what could be done to help the community.

Nicole Rademacher, a board-certified art therapist, LMFT, and interdisciplinary artist, was very interested.

“When the fires were happening, I think a lot of people who weren’t in areas that were directly affected were traumatized by what was going on in our city,” Rademacher said. “I felt helpless.” . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

After 40 years in business, Bill Baldwin, CEO of HartmanBaldwin, one of the leading design/build firms in the nation, is as excited to get up and go to work as he was the first day the company opened its doors. Baldwin cannot brag enough about his talented, tenderhearted team. 

In conversations about the company, clients and projects, the topic inevitably circles back to his incredible staff. They are not just doing their jobs; it is more like a calling.

“There is something most everyone has in common who works here,” he said. “It is not just about trying to create the most beautiful and well-built projects; it is also the relationships we build with our clients, especially when they are involved teammates. That is the magic of it all. Some of these relationships will last a lifetime. That is the real richness of this type of work.” . . .

Read the entire article at Arroyo Monthly.

Brian Knight loves The New York Times crossword puzzle. In his line of work, each day is a problem-solving exercise. 

He loves his constant companion, Nico, a Whippet named after the ’60s pop German singer/model, who accompanies him to the office daily. 

The one-time musician loves Japanese art. The essay, “In Praise of Shadows,” by author Jun’ichirō Tanizaki about Japanese aesthetics has influenced him and his work.  

He loves gardening, and two years ago he transformed his own space into a Zen-like cloister.

These are just a few of Knight’s favorite things and offer a glimpse into the mind of the BFK Architecture founder.   . . .

Read the entire article at Arroyo Monthly.

Although the hotel was built in 1986 and has been hosting travelers for decades, now is the time to visit Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes. At the end of last year, the property completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its guestrooms and suites, fitness center and the outdoor dining area of the lobby bar, charging into 2025 with a whole new vibe to greet its guests.

Modern amenities and upgrades aside, the most stunning attribute of The Buttes, as it is affectionately known, is its location: It is built into the Tempe Butte, which locals refer to as “A Mountain” due to the 60-foot-tall gold-painted letter A near its summit.

At check-in, travelers are treated to 180-degree views of expansive blue skies and color-streaked sunsets from Downtown Phoenix to the Superstition Mountains in the East Valley. . . .

Read the entire article at LA Downtown News.

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. . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

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.

Read the entire issue.

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.