Playa Vista Direct is entering its fourth year of publication and I have good news: we’re growing. Instead of six issues in 2020, we’ll be 
publishing eight and I couldn’t be more excited. What does that mean for you? More personal stories, more exciting events, more new restaurants and businesses, and more opportunities for community building. For me, it means I’m going to be very busy!
In this first of 2020’s eight issues, I track down a female esports gamer, Emmalee Garrido, who’s known on the world-wide esports stage as EMUHLEET. Her team will soon be practicing and training out of a brand new 5,500 square foot facility on Verizon’s campus. When she’s not gaming, Emmalee serves as a mentor to young girls eager to compete around the world.
I was thrilled to find out that Shireen Jaffa, co-founder of Edvo, a new type of job recruitment company based in Playa Vista, recently made the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30: Education list. I really enjoyed our conversation and hearing about her childhood as an immigrant from Pakistan and discovering she had a knack for being an entrepreneur. Congrats Shireen!
I also had the chance to visit a Girl Scouts meeting for Playa Vista’s newest Troop 70935. It’s cookie time right now so I encourage everyone to support the troop by getting your very own box of Samoas or Caramel Chocolate Chips. My personal favorites are Do-si-dos and Thin Mints, just in case anyone is wondering.
As part of our issue expansion, we are also going to be expanding out and covering other parts of Silicon Beach. As a lover of Vietnamese food, I chose to cover Westchester restaurant MVP (Most Valuable Playa) and their delicious pho that makes one of the best winter meals.
As always, I loved putting this issue together and meeting so many more of my neighbors. Have a suggestion or want to be part of the magazine? Shoot me an email: shanee@playavistadirect.com.
Shanee Edwards
Managing Editor · shanee@playavistadirect.com
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