This fall, I got ready for my commute. I tied my shoes, grabbed my water bottle, headed out the door, and walked 451 steps to my office.
You see, after almost 25 years commuting to a corporate job downtown and later in the West Hills, I’m thrilled to say I’ve traded my daily drive to a job I no longer loved for a new one right here in my own beloved Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood.
My new office is about two blocks from my home. On my walk, I see familiar sites and friendly faces. I say hello each day to Kerby, the elder canine statesman of my building, preparing for his daily job guarding the office next door. I sometimes catch a glimpse of my son walking to school. I smell the pastries of the bakery.
My affection for my neighborhood only grew one day when I witnessed a dramatic car crash along the way. Dr. Kiran Mistry, our neighborhood dentist, rushed out with a fire extinguisher. The folks at Grand Central Bakery brought knives to cut the car’s airbags and seat belts. I stayed and made sure the police had all the information and the passengers were safe before walking on.
I felt so proud to live where we come together to help others.
It is not just the saving of time and money that makes me happy. It’s a feeling of belonging to a place I love and being around people who make it a community.
Katy Fackler has lived in B-W since purchasing her home near Fremont Street 25 years ago. She raised her family here, and is now thrilled to be able to walk to work at our local Edward Jones office — on Fremont Street.