Team captain EMUHLEET is driving her all-female esports team to make history Story by Kellie Chudzinski | Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner Tucked in with the large media companies that call Playa Vista home is esports team Dignitas, one of the best all-female teams in the world. Led by team captain Emmalee ‘EMUHLEET’ Garrido, the team […]
Meet Playa Vista’s Newest Girl Scout Troop
These Empowered Young Girls Do a Lot More Than Sell Cookies Story by Robyn Paris | Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner Loosen your wallets and open up a notch on your belt – it’s Girl Scout cookie season again. We all love indulging in our favorite Thin Mints, Do-si-dos or Tagalongs but most of us don’t […]
The Art and Science of Entertainment
The John Hughes Institute is helping visual effects professionals keep their edge Story by Shanee Edwards | Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner Everyone loves watching movies. They transport us to new places and emotional experiences using a skillful combination of art and science. When filmmakers incorporate visual special effects into movies, there’s literally no limit to […]
Local company Edvo makes Forbes 30 Under 30 list
At just 26, Shireen Jaffer is busting the paradigm of old-school job recruiting Story by Shanee Edwards | Photos Courtesy of EDVO Playa Vista resident and entrepreneur Shireen Jaffer, 26, started her first company when she was just 18-years-old. Born in Pakistan, her family moved to the affluent suburb of Palo Alto, California, when she […]
Financially Literate Kids
Playa Vista resident and financial advisor Hatem Dhiab shares 6 pro tips for creating money-savvy kids By Hatem Dhiab | Photo Courtesy of Hatem Dhiab Most parents agree that raising kids is the toughest job you’ll ever learn to love. We know teaching our children life skills like emotional intelligence, healthy eating habits […]
A Classical Flutist Goes Hip Hop
Year-long Sunday Service gig with rapper Kanye West kept Gina Luciani on her toes Story By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner Playa Vista flutist Gina Luciani performed with rapper Kayne West at Coachella and his Sunday Service dates throughout the last year. She learned something most people would expect from the controversial West: […]
Childcare for the 21st Century
Brella offers working (or just exhausted) parents an exciting new resource Story By By Jessica Koslow | Photo by Brella Everything is available on-demand these days. So why should childcare be any different? That’s the concept behind Brella, a new childcare model launched in Playa Vista in November. Say you and your friend are new […]
Sisters in Step
Twin dancers double down on the American Dream Story by Jessica Koslow | Photo by Maria Martin “You guys are the cutest things on planet Earth,” gushed “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Vanessa Hudgens. “My heart is melting for you guys.” “You guys are adorable,” added judge Mary Murphy. “I wish I could […]
Alexis & Joe: A Playa Vista Love Story
Local lovebirds get engaged with a Rose Ceremony of their own Story By Kelby Vera | Photo by Nikki Ryan Photography For Alexis Wirth and Joe Talarico, Playa Vista is more than home — it’s where their fairytale love story began … and still continues every day as they walk their dog Everly around the […]
21st Century Problem Solvers
The Katherine Johnson STEM Academy is leveraging a Google grant to produce STEM wizards with strong people skills Story By Shanee Edwards | Photos by Kyle Hunsberger Playa Vista resident Kyle Hunsberger is the principal of the Katherine Johnson STEM Academy, just around the corner in Westchester. Part of the Loyola Marymount University Family of […]