Westlake Magazine_Sept.Oct 2012

20th A

P r E m i E r

W E s t

C o A s t

L u x u r y

P u b L i C A t i o n

ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Est. in 1992

KENNY LOGGINS THE UNIMAGINABLE

LIFE OF A ROCK & ROLL IDOL

CRISTINA FERRARE

WLM'S NEW CULINARY LIFE AND HOME EDITOR

MICHAEL WESTMORE BEAM ME TO

SEPT/OCT 2012

$3.50

"MAKE-UP" SCOTTY

WWW.WESTLAKEMAGAZINE.COM

ART & PHILANTHROPY IN THE CONEJO // EXOTIC TRAVEL DESTINATIONS // STRIKING WESTLAKE LANDMARKS // ENTERTAINING WITH CHAMPAGNE

PRESTIGIOUS PROPERTIES OFFERED BY BILL AND MICHELLE

Artfully Uniting Extraordinary Properties With Extraordinary Lives

CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE This state-of-the-art contemporary, at the top of Country Club estates, is set in a gated 1.7 acre compound. Designed by Michael Chan, nearly 16,000 sq. ft. of opulence beckons the connoisseur of classic art, wine, and automobiles. Amenities include a two-story rotunda entry, fabulous European chef’s kitchen plus an extended caterer’s kitchen, music conservatory, two-story professional THX theater, computerized 1200 bottle wine cellar and tasting room, two gyms, formal library, expansive master suite, 6 extra bedrooms and 7 baths, pool and cabana, 7 car garage, and massive motor court for guest parking. Offered at $8,995,000 s www.1087VistaRidge.com

OLD WORLD EUROPEAN VILLA This stunning Mediterranean estate, sited on almost one acre behind the gates of Sherwood Country Club, offers approx. 8500 sq.ft. of luxury living. The impressive entry ushers you into the two story foyer with travertine flooring, exquisite chandeliers and an artfully designed staircase. A Creston system provides high-tec security and smart home features. A sumptuous master suite is located downstairs plus three additional upstairs bedrooms with ensuite baths. The grand dining room showcases an 800 bottle wine cellar. A gourmet kitchen with the ultimate in amenities, great room with 23 ft. ceilings, library, pub/pool room, theater/media retreat with a giant drop screen, electronic window drapes. A magnificent loggia with a massive fireplace, covered gazebo, outdoor bar, BBQ area, horseshoe pit and fire pit overlooking the 1st fairway of the Sherwood golf course.

Price Reduced to $5,995,000. Also For Lease s www.2658Ladbrook.com

When you meet Bill Carter and Michelle Ouellette, you can feel their charismatic enthusiasm and genuine desire to deliver the type of service that has unfortunately become a thing of the past. In this “quick-fix” world we have grown accustom to just the opposite. They concentrate on providing their clients with great service, accurate information, and solid guidance.

“Being associated with Sotheby’s International Realty provides us with an extensive web marketing and multi-media international network that is unparalleled within the industry.”

FABULOUS TRENTWOOD TOWNHOME

Located behind the gates of the renowned Sherwood Country Club Estates, this end unit townhome sits on a prime low density street making it an extremely private site. No expense was spared on the upgrades. The gourmet kitchen features Viking appliances, granite counters and an island with a vegetable sink and seating. Upstairs there is a huge private master suite with a corner fireplace, large his-and-her walk-in closets and a balcony with panoramic views. There are 2 additional bedrooms, each with its own bath, and a full laundry room. The generous bedroom suite downstairs boasts its own outside patio. The attached two-car garage has extra space for your golf cart or mini-vehicle. This cul-de-sac also offers extra parking for your guests.

Price Reduced to $1,449,000 s www.2330Heatherbank.com

Their impeccable reputation in the real estate community combined with unquestionable integrity and superb negotiating skills rank them in the top 1% nationally. They love their job and it shows!!

Contact Bill and Michelle for a confidential consultation.

For Sophisticated Service in the Marketing of Luxury Properties from North Ranch to Sherwood, and Hidden Hills to the Beach...

FEATURES

WESTLAK E MAGA ZI N E ESTABLIS HED SIN CE 1992 SE P TE MBE R .OCTOB ER .2 012

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ART & PHILANTHROPY

The California Art Institute

The Ventura County Community Foundation’s Third Annual Community Leadership Awards

Sculpting Better Lives for Children

A New Era for the New West Symphony

By Charlotte Gibson

By Julia Shapiro

By Julia Shapiro

By Bailee Ahern

By Casey Hands

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24 34

26 36

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28 40

In The Name Of Art: The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

Jessica Preston’s Love Is ‘Furever’

The Tireless Artistry of Martin Sturman & Joyce Rumack

Hessam Abrishami: Life In Technicolor

Jerry Canter: Making Charity a Way of Life

By Kari Rodems

By Niki Chopra Richardson

Mystery Masterpiece: Studio Channel Islands Art Center’s Anonymous Art Show & Benefit

Ventura’s 20th Anniversary Westside Art Walk

By Casey Hands

22 30

Laura Sharpe, the Woman Who Fell From the Sky, Gets Back in the Saddle

By Charlotte Gibson

By Bailee Ahern

By Lex Kumar

By Lex Kumar

68 years of

WESTLAKE MAGAZINE WE’VE SHARED HAPPY MEMORIES, WONDERFUL MOMENTS AND SPECTACULAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT

1999 The Euro enters the world's economy and the world population reaches six billion.

THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF

WESTLAKE

BY JOAN TROSSMAN BIEN

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THE PAST 20 YEARS IN THE WESTLAKE COMMUNITY. YOU, OUR DEVOTED READERS, HARD-WORKING STAFF-MEMBERS, ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS, AND LOYAL ADVERTISERS HAVE MADE WESTLAKE MAGAZINE THE PREEMINENT PUBLICATION THAT IT IS TODAY, AND WE PROUDLY CELEBRATE OUR ACHIEVEMENT WITH YOU. WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT’S IN STORE IN THE NEXT 20!

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Celebrating

Expansive meadows and fields set the peaceful tone in Hidden Valley.

An occasional park provides a path up into the mountains.

An authentic Japanese > Pagoda sits amidst a koi pond in the Japanese Garden.

Roses abound at the peak of their blooming season in the English Garden.

1995 Match.com launches its new platform to help its users find love and astronaut Valeri Polyakov breaks the world record for the number of days spent in space consecutively: 437.7!

1993 Michael Jordan retires (for the first time) and "Cheers" airs its final episode with the final words: "We're Closed!

2010 An Icelandic volcano erupts, causing the largest air traffic shutdown since World War II.

2006 The U.S. population tops 300 million for the first time and Facebook opens to anyone over 13.

2000 Angelina Jolie kisses her brother, the last original "Peanuts" comic strip appears in newspapers and the world celebrates the new millennium.

1997 Leonardo DiCapri becomes "king of the world" as "Titanic" hits movie theaters.

2005 Tom Cruise jumps on Oprah's couch and Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.

2003 On August 14th, a massive blackout hits New York City and Saddam Hussein is captured.

2008 Bethel, Maine builds the world's tallest snowman, 122 feet and 1 inch tall and weighing 13,000,000 lbs.

2012 Westlake Magazine turns 20 and the U.S. wins 104 medals at the 2012 London Summer Olympics!

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

1994 Tonya Harding attempts to injure her ice skating rival Nancy Kerrigan and police chase O.J. Simpson in his infamous white Ford Bronco.

2002 Michael Jackson dangles his son, Prince Michael II, off a hotel balcony in Berlin and Fox's "American Idol" premieres.

1998 Monica Lewinsky becomes a household name and Carmen Electra marries Dennis Rodman (for nine days).

1992 Riots break out in L.A. and the U.S.'s largest shopping mall, Minnesota's Mall of America, opens!

2004 Janet Jackson has a wardrobe "malfunction" during the Super Bowl's halftime and the people of the Himalayan nation Bhutan get credit cads...for the first time ever.

2011 Wikipedia turns ten and the Egyptian Revolution results in Hosni Mubarak's resignation.

2009 Pilot Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger successfully crash-lands a US Airways jetliner in the chilly Hudson River.

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1996 Oprah starts her book club; Binti Jua, a gorilla at the Brookfield Illinois Zoo, saves a 3-year-old who fell in her cage; and Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to ever be cloned, is born.

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'REAT 'ETAWAYS

FOR 'UYS AND 'ALS

YOU MIGHT THINK THAT YOU NEED TO LEAVE THE CONEJO VALLEY TO SEE NATURAL BEAUTY. YOU DON’T—IN FACT, IT’S HOME TO HIDDEN GEMS THAT MAY SURPRISE EVEN LONGTIME RESIDENTS. WHETHER YOU’RE CRAVING AN HOUR-LONG HIKE IN THE MOUNTAINS REWARDED WITH A CLASSIC WATERFALL, PREFER TO STROLL THROUGH SPECTACULAR GARDENS OR JUST WANT TO WATCH THE SUN SET OVER A SHIMMERING LAKE, YOU CAN STAY RIGHT HERE IN THOUSAND OAKS AND WESTLAKE VILLAGE. THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF THE AREA LIES JUST AROUND A CORNER OR AT THE END OF A MOUNTAIN ROAD, AS LONG AS YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

GARDENS OF THE WORLD

2007 Paris Hilton spends 23 days in jail, Britney Spears shaves off all her hair and Lindsay Lohan goes to rehab for the third time.

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SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

KENNY LOGGINS: CELEBRATING A ROCK ICON

By Robyn Flans Photography by Stephen Morales

341 Williamsburg Way, Thousand Oaks www.sherwoodlakeclub.com

HIDDEN VALLEY / POTRERO ROAD Just behind the shops and homes of Westlake Village lies Hidden Valley. Bucolic fields line Potrero Road in the green rolling hills dotted with ranches and country-style homes.

Iconic white fencing lines the road, the ranches and the meadows. Each parcel is at least 20 acres and the private spaciousness has appealed to celebrities for decades.

Head south on Westlake Blvd. (Hwy 23) to where Potrero Road begins.

WILDWOOD REGIONAL PARK / PARADISE FALLS

A horse lazily looks up from his afternoon grazing.

Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks has been a popular locale for more than 8,000 years.

The Chumash called it home until it was annexed in 1803 by the Spanish, as part of the Rancho El Conejo. The 1,765-acre park is still populated by wildlife such as mule deer, coyotes, bobcats and the occasional mountain lion.

If you are looking for Paradise Falls, it’s an easy one-mile hike. The 70-foot waterfall makes for lovely photos but don’t even consider jumping into the pool beneath. Park rangers say it’s highly polluted. Watch out when heavy winter rains arrive—the volume of the falls can increase tenfold.

Located at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles in Thousand Oaks.

68 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

LAKE AT WESTLAKE VILLAGE This manmade lake is the jewel of the masterplanned community of Westlake Village. It is a private lake but public businesses and restaurants occupy part of the eight-mile shoreline.

Some 1,300 homes have recreational access to the lake, safe for playing in as it’s only eight feet deep. The dam that created the lake, the Westlake Dam, is one of the country’s largest privately owned dams.

32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Thousand Oaks

69 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

WESTLAKE LANDMARKS The Hidden Beauty of Westlake

By Joan Trossman Bien

ON THE COVER

The lake at the David Murdock-developed community of Lake Sherwood has a storied past. It was a meadow until 1905 when a dam was built to hold water for a local ranch that eventually became the city of Westlake Village. The lake and surrounding woods substituted for English forests in the 1922 film “Robin Hood.” The community and lake were named for the film and the famous Robin Hood forest.

The upscale development at Lake Sherwood now includes a famous 18-hole golf course and a country club.

Open Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks www.gardensoftheworld.info

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2001 Bjork dons the infamous swan dress to the Oscars, Britney Spears dances with a python at the MTV Video Music Awards and Apple's first iPod is released.

LAKE SHERWOOD LAKE

Situated across from the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the Gardens of the World offer a sampling of horticulture from other countries. The Japanese Garden features an authentic pagoda and a koi pond.

A waterfall is the centerpiece of the French Garden. The Mission Courtyard reflects early California history with hand-painted murals and a Spanish fountain. Don’t miss the English Perennial and Rose Garden and the Cypress trees and grape arbor that distinguish the Italian Garden. And try to catch a concert at the old-time American Bandstand’s grassy amphitheater.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL SMITH

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North Ranch View Estate With Magnificent Golf Course Views

One of a kind, North Ranch estate! Located on a privately gated cul de sac & situated on the 4th green of prestigious North Ranch Golf Course. Highly desirable first floor master suite. Two ensuites plus den/oďŹƒce/children's retreat with fireplace also on the 1st level. Two ensuites upstairs. Entertainer's yard with unobstructed golf course views with unsurpassed privacy. Sparkling salt water pool, spa & water features all surrounded by 5 ancient Oaks.

Offered at $2,495,000 • www.4290oakplace.com

818.879.2999 www.sigiandpam.com email:sigipam@aol.com North Ranch Pavilions Center, 1155 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA 91362

DEPARTMENTS

WESTLAK E MAGA ZI N E ESTABLIS HED SIN CE 1992 SE P TE MBE R .OCTOB ER .2 012

PROFILES

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Justice Richard Aldrich: Bringing Justice to the Community

To Infinity and Beyond … with Legendary Makeup Artist, Michael Westmore

By Alisa German

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Audley Harrison, Heavyweight Champ, Punches Back

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Fazio Cleaners Celebrates Its 65th Anniversary

Mike Nickeas of The Mets Comes Home

The Wise and Wonderful Tracey Gold

By Lex Kumar

By Lex Kumar

Simply Siv: De-Cluttering Closets and Lives

By Charlotte Gibson

By Robyn Flans

By Casey Hands

By Lex Kumar

100 78 72

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FASHION

TRAVEL

CULINARY LIFE & HOME

Fabulous Dreamcations with Family & Friends

From Market to Table with Cristina Ferrare Thomopoulos

By Linda Lang

PSYCHOLOGY To Happy (and Healthy) Anniversaries

By Dr. Kat Derrig-Palumbo

HEALTH & WELLNESS

94 18

Screening for Breast Cancer: The Three-Stage Approach

SOCIAL SCENES

By Kelly Miller

IN EVERY ISSUE 12 14 66

EDITOR’S LETTER PUBLISHER’S LETTER MONEY MATTERS: Give a Gift (It’s On the Government)

By Kelly Trevethan

76

TIPS & VIEWS Please, No Flowers

By Sandy Francis

Something to Thrift For, the ALCV’s New Thrift Shop Opens

By Casey Hands

Middle East Meets West: Afghanistan’s Ayenda Foundation Holds Benefit Dinner in Santa Barbara

By Samantha Gold

Look Out for The Lookout

By Christine Mango

Thousand Oaks Teen Center Health & Beauty Expo

84 96

DITL - DAY IN THE LIFE DATEBOOK Hometown Happenings

By Casey Hands

106 107

RESTAURANT GUIDE THE FOUNDER’S COLUMN As I See It: Born To Win

By M. Dayle Thomas

SOCIAL SCENES KENNY LOGGINS: Celebrating a Rock Icon

By Robyn Flans Photography by Stephen Morales

A P r E m i Er WE s t CoA s t Luxu ry P u b L i C At i o n

A PrEmiEr WEst CoAst Luxury PubLiCAtion PUBLISHED BY POWERHOUSE LUX MEDIA, INC. PUBLISHER Rebecca Gray Grossman EDITOR IN CHIEF Monique Reidy CREATIVE DIRECTOR Antoni (Tuan) Pham | ap@anhcreatives.com DEPUTY EDITOR Lex Kumar ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Kevin Foley Kevin@WestlakeMagazine.com | www.FoleyPhoto.com CHIEF CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Stephen Morales | www.MoralesPhoto.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Brereton | www.picturehealing.com Koury Angelo, Candace Biggerstaff, David Brand, Ryan Burch, John Creston DuBois, Jane Ebel, Ryan Michael Hackett, Benny Haddad, Bradley Meinz, Becky Reams, Paul Smith EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT FOR EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Contact Monique Reidy | Monique@WestlakeMagazine.com

new

To access our iPad version, visit our website at www.westlakemagazine.com or visit www.itunes.apple.com to download the free app.

TRAVEL EDITOR Linda Lang FOR TRAVEL SUBMISSIONS Linda@WestlakeMagazine.com ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Robyn Flans CULINARY HOME & LIFE EDITOR Cristina Ferrare Thomopoulos MEDICAL EDITOR Hannah Grossman, M.D.

To view the WLM

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS - AT - LARGE Joan Trossman Bien, Christina DeCamp, Sandy Francis, Alisa German, Samantha Gold, Niki Chopra Richardson, Kat Derrig-Palumbo, Ph.D., Kari Rodems, Kelly Trevethan

“Behind The Scenes Cover Shots”

EDITORIAL INTERNS Charlotte Gibson & Casey Hands

scan tag below!

FOUNDER M. Dayle Thomas ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Holly Correa | Dawn McCarthy | Rose Wiltshire advertising@WestlakeMagazine.com (818) 707-4416 FOR MEDIA KIT www.WestlakeMagazine.com

EstAbLishEd in 1992

free

Download App to scan at: www.exectag.com

©2012 Westlake Magazine, Inc. is a lifestyle magazine published bi-monthly as a community update. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Please send comments to the attention of the publisher.

TO OUR READERS: Westlake Magazine Inc. invites you to share with us your reactions to our stories. Letters are not for publication but please include your address in case we need to contact you.

MAILING ADDRESS:

Westlake Magazine, Inc. 3835 R East Thousand Oaks Blvd., #341 Westlake Village, CA 91362

Phone: 818.707.4416 Fax: 805.435.1706 Web: www.WestlakeMagazine.com Email: sales@WestlakeMagazine.com

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Experience everything Exp rything istian School Scho l has too offe off offerr. Meet our teache teachers, ything Oaks Chr Christian coaches, ches, hes, and staff. staff ff.. Talk to our students. Tour the campus. Discover Disco a new world opportunities life forever of opp unities that could shappe your student’ss life for f r.

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Please visit our website at www.oakschristian.org t RSVP and tto llearn more, to or call us at 818.824.9492 for additional information.

APPLY ONLINE Admission Application for f Academic Year Y 2013-2014

THURSDAY,, OCTOBER 4, 2012 THURSDA 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Admissions Information Night SUNDAY,, NOVEMBER 4, 2012 SUNDA 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Admissions Open House THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 THURSDA 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Admissions Information Night To de dedi dicate ourselv lves to Ch Chrrist in the pursuit of acadde demic excell lle lence, artistic exp xppression, and athle letic di distin nction while le growing in kn nowle ledg dge and wisdo dom th throuug ugh gh God’s abunda dant gra race.

O U R M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T

A COLLEGE PREP PA A R AT O RY RY SCHOOL SER RV V I N G 6 TH T H R O U G H 1 2 TH G R A D E S T U D E N T S

Oaks Christian istian School Sc l 31749 La Tienda ienda Drive D Westlake Village, CA C 91362 www.oakschristian.org www istian.org 818.824.9 818.824.9492

EDITOR

Monique Reidy Editor-In-Chief Monique@westlakemagazine.com

IT DOESN’T SEEM THAT LONG AGO THAT WE WERE PREPARING TO CELEBRATE WESTLAKE MAGAZINE’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY. Now, suddenly, we’re at the 20-year mark. I was the editor at WLM during our 10th year celebration and at some point between then and now I left to complete my graduate studies at Pepperdine University. With my master’s degree tucked securely under my belt, I resumed my role as editor two years ago when my good friend Rebecca Grossman took over as publisher. While each anniversary at Westlake Magazine has been momentous, the last two, of course, hold special meaning for me.

I have a particular fondness for anniversaries—in somewhat of a quirky way.

Yes, I remember important milestones but I seem to have a penchant for remembering the meaningless anniversary dates of random events. I can recall to the day how many years it’s been since we closed escrow on our house, brought our first puppy home and even which day of what month in what year I cleaned out my closet last. (I consider this peculiar memory phenomenon one of my few talents, while my family seems to find it highly annoying.) You can imagine the big deal I make to honor the truly significant anniversaries, each deserving of a unique observance of its own: 18 years since my near-fatal accident, 11 years since my mom passed away, three years since my beautiful granddaughter was born and 20 years since Westlake Magazine launched its first issue.

The simple fact that a regional magazine has survived for 20 years, especially as we watch national magazines disappearing, is huge, and for that alone we have much to celebrate. Although Westlake Magazine has had its ups and downs over the past couple of decades, we’ve enjoyed a steady upswing these last few years, thanks to a remarkable staff and an incredibly supportive community.

We’ve gone through a series of transformations as we have grown with our rapidly evolving culture. Our style has clearly changed, our demographic has widened, our readership has increased and we now offer readers a number of digital options. Our objective has always been to provide our community with the very best magazine we could produce, and we all work tirelessly to that end.

I hope you enjoy reading our Anniversary issue. And as you do, I want to extend my gratitude to you, our devoted reader, for your consistent support and inspiration. Westlake Magazine has made it to 20 thanks to you!

Looking forward …

Keep in touch …

Facebook: facebook.com/monique.reidy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/moniquereidy Twitter: @TheSavvyGal Pinterest: pinterest.com/monique_reidy/ Blog: www.TheSavvyGal.com

~ Charles Schulz

12 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

® Your Place or Ours?

Let Brent’s do it right..

Yours?

From a small get together to a family ily reunion, early morning business meetings orr box lunches for the whole crew on the go - we deliver anywhere in southern California from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

Choose from a large array of delicious hot and d cold hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, fruit and veggiee dinners with homemade dessert trays and more. e. Call our catering experts for your next event, no matter what size, and see how easy it really is. Outrageously ageously good food and excellent service will make yourr event the one everyone remembers as perfect.

Ours?

We have the perfect spot. Comfortable ind indoor or outdoor dining in our Westlake Village location will make any event you have coming up delicious and easy! Our newly renovated dog friendly patio includes an outdoor waterfall and a flat screen TV. A sun or shade option is always available, complete with outdoor heaters for your comfort.

Reserve our patio for your group, large or small, and have the option of ordering from our incredible in-house restaurant menu, or, choose from our catering menu for

NORT HRIDGE 19565 Parthenia Street Northridge CA 91324 818-886-5679 WESTLAKE VILLAGE 2799 Townsgate Road Westlake Village CA 91361 805-557-1882

brentsdeli.com

OF STAMINA AND SURVIVAL

Rebecca Gray Grossman Publisher Rebecca@westlakemagazine.com

Over the years, all of us here at Westlake Magazine have learned that we don’t have to travel far outside neighboring communities to discover some of the most astonishing people in the world. We have featured extraordinary achievers, sports figures, local athletes, teachers, performers, politicians and celebrities, as well as, amazing and passionate individuals who simply qualify as “off the charts” remarkable.

In this 20th year anniversary issue, we are, once again, proud to feature a number of individuals from many walks of life, including art and philanthropy that are, in countless ways, true trailblazers.

In addition to reaching our own milestone, we also highlight a number of area businesses that are rejoicing landmark anniversaries. It’s forever entertaining to see how individuals choose to celebrate signature moments. My husband and I recently enjoyed our 12th anniversary of marriage and decided to celebrate by donning jetpacks and flying over the ocean in Newport Beach.

Scan the QR Tag below to view our first JetLev™ anniversary flight soaring to new heights! Looking for something wildly divergent? Add this to your bucket list.

Two decades of serving one of the most dynamic and appealing regions in the country is definitely something to celebrate and we invite you, our readers, to share a toast with us for our 20th year anniversary and community mixer at the private residence of Triunfo Creek Ranch and Winery triunfocreekwinery.com.

Also celebrating their 20th anniversary is Wood Ranch Restaurant and we will be celebrating together. Come raise your glasses in cheer to “stamina and survival” and enjoy great atmosphere, AWESOME Wood Ranch BBQ, friends, food, wine and champagne on us Wednesday, September 12th from 6:30pm to 9pm at Triunfo Creek Ranch and Winery (see our website and Facebook page for all the details.)

Special guests will include celebs from past covers and a drawing by Aston Martin!

WLM ADVISORY BOARD

PUBLISHER

Twenty Years HERE’S TO

Ken Waters, Ph.D. Chair, Communication Division Professor of Journalism, Pepperdine University

Peggy Hart Insurance Broker, Thorson Insurance Services

Louis Masry Senior Settlement Consultant Millennium Settlement Consulting

Ellen Leyva ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor, Los Angeles

Scott Harris President, Mustang Marketing

LaVerne Milazzo Studio and Set Stylist / Veteran Makeup Artist

Les Shapiro, CPA Les Shapiro CPA

Patricia Jones, MBA Senior Vice President, Home Helpers Former President, Alliance for the Arts Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

Cheers,

Erica Miller, Ph.D. Author, Psychologist and Entrepreneur

J. Lynn Reynolds, Ph.D. Communication Research Human Communication and Mass Media

JetLev Anniversary Flight www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRP3DK5_XfQ&feature=plcp

14 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

CREATORS

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O R V I S I T H I S S M I L E G A L L E R Y AT W W W . Y O U N G E R S M I L E S . C O M

Rosemary Allison (805) 491-2100 RosemaryAllison@aol.com www.CallRosemary.com

When it comes to Ventura County Real Estate, why settle for LESS when you can hire the BEST? Advertising is what keeps a realtor on the forefront of his or her market. Moreover, having a budget for advertising, shows they are producing and are true career real estate professionals. If you are selling your home, you need an agent who believes in marketing and exposure. As one of the country’s most successful Realtors, Rosemary has set the standard for excellence throughout her career and is truly a legend. Her vision and reputation as a trendsetter in the science of marketing Ventura Counties finest estates, established her as the most innovative leader in Ventura County real estate. Rosemary’s dedication to this community and strong work ethic have earned her a reputation as one of the most trusted and admired real estate professionals. Call Rosemary for a confidential consultation to discuss your real estate needs.

Private European Castle in Santa Rosa Valley

A Priceless Opportunity in North Ranch

www.2351Applewood.com

www.5135IslandForest.com

Majestic chateau, 4BR + 4.5BA. Features gourmet chef’s kitchen & full theater w/built-in projector. Extraordinary finishes blending entertaining, relaxation & recreational amenities. Resort-styled rear yard w/pool, spa, gazebo, putting green & firepit. Double sided fireplace, family rm w/entertainment center & wet bar. Kitchen w/cherry finish & granite counters. Stunning master BR suite w/infinity styled sunken BA. Steam shower. Lg balcony. Now Reduced to $1,499,000

Island Forest, this extraordinary property is located in the heart of the renowned North Ranch Country Club golf course. In perhaps the most exclusive estate setting in Ventura County, this residence provides breathtaking golf course views. While the classic lines of the exterior are imposing, the interior evokes the elegance and warmth of a Europe’s most storied estates. Exquisitely composed, each space appears as a perfect tableau, yet the residence unfolds with grace and harmony. The huge great room/family room ideal for large scale entertaining forms the nexus of the estate.

Throughout all the ceilings are remarkable and include a massive master bedroom suite upstairs with balcony highlighted by a remodeled master bath gorgeous curved master bathtub retreat. The main floor secondary bedroom suites with each their bathrooms.Gorgeous resort styled rear yard with built-in outdoor cooking center with built-in barbecue. Huge swimming pool, spa and slide. Reduced to Only $2,399,000

Rosemary Allison (805) 491-2100 RosemaryAllison@aol.com

* 2010

GOLDLINE

RESEARCH AWARD WINNER

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Copyright C 2012 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company.

Equal Housing Opportunity Owned and Operated by NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker Residential does not guarantee or verify the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with the appropriate professionals. CA DRE Lic # 00545184. *in 2010 According to the Wall street Journal and Real Trends in 2011

SOCIAL SCENES Sundra Bross was first in line to enter on opening morning.

(L-R): President Pam Johnson and Co-Chairs Linda Baagason and Gail Warekois

Crowds of shoppers anticipate the opening of the Thrift Shop.

SOMETHING TO THRIFT FOR, THE ALCV’S NEW THRIFT SHOP OPENS Thrift store lovers eagerly

Children and book section of the store

awaited the opening of the Assistance League of Conejo Valley’s new Thrift Shop on June 19th. As the doors opened and the shoppers entered, co-chairs and store managers, Linda Baagason and Gail Warekois, instantly jumped into action, welcoming customers.

From children’s clothing to antique furniture, the shop provides a large variety of boutique shopping at prices carefully selected by ALCV members.

The Assistance League of Conejo Valley is a nonprofit organization that develops and funds multiple charity programs to aid local families. The proceeds from the Thrift Shop will go toward the ALCV’s many philanthropic programs, including their signature program, “Operation School Bell.” It helps local underprivileged children shop for new school clothes during their Target Shopping Night.

Pam Johnson, ALCV’s president, not only attended the opening but also worked it. “It’s hard to fundraise these days,” said Johnson.

“We have a lot of programs that need to be funded and this is going to be our main source of revenue now.”

Donations to the Thrift Shop are encouraged and accepted.

For more information, visit www.alcv.net. BY CASEY HANDS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY LONI HANDS

Debra Stanfield, Pouran Etezandi, Michael Grillo, Liz Pahle and Jennifer Malkin of Santa Barbara

Hostesses Elizabeth and Margaret Baker of Montecito

Judy Roberstson; Brian Robertson, Vice President of the Channel City Club; and Judith Hill, CEO of the Channel City Club

The Thrift Shop provides a variety of different items for purchase.

Austin Bailey of Washington, D.C. and Layli Sobhani of Santa Barbara

MIDDLE EAST MEETS WEST: AFGHANISTAN’S AYENDA FOUNDATION HOLDS BENEFIT DINNER IN SANTA BARBARA

Mrs. Shamim Jawad teaches Afghan girls how to use computers at the Ayenda Foundation Learning Center Computer Lab, opened in 2011

On July 14th, Margaret Baker and her daughter Elizabeth welcomed neighbors to the intimate Ennisbrook Clubhouse in Montecito for an evening to benefit the Ayenda Foundation’s Afghan Children Initiative. Founded in 2006 by Shamim Jawad, wife of Afghan Ambassador to the U.S. Emeritus Said Jawad, the Ayenda Foundation, “supports projects that enhance the welfare, education, health, shelter, safety and artistic and athletic abilities of Afghan children—especially girls.”

The Foundation builds schools, computer labs and soccer fields in Afghanistan, and it also supports students through scholarships, training and skills development programs. Margaret and Elizabeth Baker introduced Ambassador and Mrs. Jawad, who spoke about the challenges facing Afghanistan and how the Ayenda Foundation is addressing them through education.

Ayenda means “future,” and a better one is exactly what Ambassador and Mrs. Jawad hope to secure for Afghan women and children. Mrs. Jawad said that she “established Ayenda to build a better and peaceful world. It is a small step, but in Afghanistan, every step toward peace and prosperity is significant.” Guests then gathered outside to enjoy the Ennisbrook grounds during a picturesque sunset. The fragrance of orange blossoms permeated the air as guests savored a traditional Afghan dinner under the stars.

For more information about the Ayenda Foundation, visit www.ayendafoundation.org.

BY SAMANTHA GOLD // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITTANY STEPHENS

Ambassador and Mrs. Jawad, Founder of the Ayenda Foundation

LOOK OUT FOR THE LOOKOUT Look out! The

Moet: Sponsored by Moet & Chandon

latest place to see and be seen is at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. On July 19th,The Lookout launched its chic outdoor lounge located next to “The Bar” and “ Lobby Lounge” with views overlooking the cascading waterfalls and lush gardens. The Lookout is a new destination lounge, built to help you savor Southern California nights with views of the sun setting behind the Santa Monica Mountains.

Stylish outdoor lounge furniture including tables inset with fire pits provide relaxing spaces for groups of friends or you can relax on canopied daybeds while black and white film classics silently play on the wall. As exclusive as any Los Angeles or Malibu nightspot, guests at The Lookout can sip a selection of Champagnes, wines and signature cocktails, including a Rosé Champagne Mojito and Pineapple Jalapeño Margatini. The "Savor" menu of light bites features a selection of small plates such as Sonoma duck rillette, smoked salmon flatbread and a presentation of Kumamoto oysters and American caviar.

Monday—Friday: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Thirsty Thursdays 6-10pm featuring live DJ. Sunday—Thursday 5pm-midnight, Friday & Saturday 5pm-1am. BY CHRISTINE MANGO Actress Mariel Hemingway and Bobby Williams

Robin Kaplan, Sue Carlson, Laney Ziv, Chris Breed, Lisa Hess, Lisa Ashley and Christine Mango

The Lancôme team applied makeup and offered tips to guests.

Real Housewives of Orange County cast member Gretchen Rossi, Four Seasons Hotel General Manager Michael Newcombe, Vaughn Kastro, Host Chris Breed, Actor Alan Thicke

(L-R): Kara Pacitto, Dani Jacoby and Kara Pacitto hold up the “Be Heard” sign as a pledge against teen bullying.

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THOUSAND OAKS TEEN CENTER HEALTH & BEAUTY EXPO On June 23rd, the Thousand Oaks

Food Network’s Cupcake Wars Winner, Sweet Arleens presented a display of sweet treats at the event.

Teen Center Health & Beauty Expo invited local teens and their families to participate in a day of health, beauty and women’s empowerment. Expert makeup artist and the event’s creator, Kristina Goldberg, invited local businesses—such as Sweet Arleen's, Lancôme, Ferro Cosmetics and many more— to set up booths within the expo.

Goldberg, who teaches makeup classes at the Teen Center, was inspired by her students to organize the event. “I saw how excited these teens were when they learned about beauty, hair and skin care. Their eyes lit up. I wanted to give teens and their families a day of beauty and bonding.”

Guests were invited to get their hair and makeup done by the expo’s featured professionals. Celebrity sisters, Katelyn and Kara Pacitto, made a special guest appearance at the event and Dani Jacoby, a fashion expert of BP Nordstrom, set up a booth inviting teens to sign a pledge against teen bullying. Beauty was radiating from the inside out and no guest left without a makeover and a smile! BY CASEY HANDS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANE SHA

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If we’ve dIscovered anythIng In the 20 years publIshIng westlake MagazIne, it’s that our hometown is

filled with not only natural beauty but also beauty of the handcrafted and spiritual kind. In our anniversary Issue, we showcase the artistic and philanthropic efforts of our talented and compassionate neighbors.

In the following pages, enjoy the stirring stories of local artists, musicians and philanthropists—stories that just may inspire you to add a little more color to your life.

21 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Mystery Masterpiece: Studio Channel Islands Art Center’s Anonymous Art Show & Benefit

By Casey Hands Photography by Candace Biggerstaff

art and Mystery will collide at the studio channel Islands art center’s upcoming “Mystery Masterpiece.” the community is invited to take part in an evening of elegance and intrigue. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take home original works from local and internationally-renowned artists.

Internationally renowned photographer has donated this print to Mystery Masterpiece.

Mystery Masterpiece Official Poster

L-R): Carol Henry, Rich Brimer and Elana Kundell of the Mystery Masterpiece Committee holding 3 of the 200 artworks that are being donated for the event.

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This three-day art exhibit and benefit, held on the weekend of September 28th, features over 40 artists, including celebrities such as Howie Mandel, Ray Parker and Roman Loranc. Where the mystery lies is in the anonymity of each piece: the signatures of the artists of the 200 carefully selected works will remain hidden. Guests are invited to view, enjoy and take home a piece from this exclusive collection, all to benefit this vital regional arts organization.

The exhibit’s theme, “Seeds,” meant to symbolize the planting of an artistic seed within the heart of the community, was chosen by resident artist—and visionary behind the event—Carol Henry. Board President of the Studio Channel Islands Art Center, Rich Brimer, explained, "Exposing the art center to a broader audience is one of the goals of this unique event. The art center is a gold mine with great art programs, resources for teachers, children and classes for all ages in all media. It's an exciting place to explore your creative side." Saturday, September 29th from 125pm, the gallery doors will be open to the public for free for an opportunity to buy unsold works at incredible value.

The event opens with a ticketed opening party on Friday, September 28th from 6 to 9 p.m. where guests can enjoy wine, food and live music as they peruse the gallery. On Saturday, September 29th from 12 to 5 p.m. the gallery doors will be open to the public, affording everyone an opportunity to buy unsold works at incredible prices. Concluding this artistic weekend, on Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m., will be a chance for locals to visit the center’s open studios.

For tickets and more information on “Mystery Masterpiece,” visit studiochannelislands.org or call 805-383-1368.

Ventura’s 20th Anniversary Westside Art Walk

By Charlotte Gibson Photography by Jane Ebel

the 20th annIversary of the ventura westsIde art walk

took place on saturday, July 21st and sunday, July 22nd in ventura’s westside cultural district and downtown area. the all-volunteer twoday event celebrated the unification of ventura’s vibrant art community with its dozens of galleries, studios and pop-up venues.

Beautifully Crafted Ceramic Bowls featured in "Bowl Hop" fundraiser

Aiming to benefit the community, this year’s Art Walk presented a unique fundraiser: “Bowl Hop.” Visitors could purchase a beautiful, handcrafted ceramic bowl and then “hop” around to numerous restaurants throughout downtown Ventura. All proceeds from the “Bowl Hop” went to Project Understanding of Ventura.

Additionally, the inaugural “Artist of Distinction” honor was presented to the first-ever recipient, Donna Granata, founder and executive director of Focus on the Masters of Ventura County.

Local artist Jon Nelson remarked, “Life is inspiring and I am so fortunate to be a part of a growing society of art and creativity, to do what I love and to help others along the way.”

The 20th Anniversary of the Westside Art Walk truly captured the essence of a community bonding, through art and creativity.

Local Artist Jon Nelson

Community Art featured at Bell Arts Factory

Exhibition Studio at Bell Arts Factory

Student Anne Mainieri practices her artwork by painting a model during the three hour uninstructed figure class.

The California Art Institute

By Julia Shapiro Photography by Stephen Morales

“asked by a woMan if

he would look at her son’s paintings to see if the boy had ability, rembrandt said, ‘I don’t need to see his paintings, show me his drawings.’” these words, found at westlake’s california art Institute, epitomize the school’s philosophy and curriculum. this small, rustic academy dates back to the late 1800s. fred fixler, the school’s founder, studied under frank reilly who studied in france under Jean-léon gérôme during the rise of the historic european art salons.

Buddy Shulman has been the institute's owner since 1989.

CAI’s classes—ranging from drawing, painting and sculpting to animation—are all taught in its spacious studios by professional artists. Student Anne Mainieri decided that CAI was the best place for her because of the “caliber of instructors, many of whom have made their mark on the world right from this institute.”

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Along with specific, taught classes, there are three uninstructed classes weekly where students can spend time practicing their craft while classical music plays in the background. A variety of courses begin with 20 to 40-minute teacher demonstrations after which the students begin working on their own. Class sizes range from five to twelve students, allowing the teacher to spend time with each student.

The students are largely self-motivated and at CAI, they don’t worry about competition. Here, they only draw for themselves. CAI instructors follow the philosophy that art is a skill to be learned rather than a talent one is born with, that anyone can be taught to draw.

“We teach students tonal drawing, which is the basic technique and approach to art,” said former student and current instructor, George Paliotto. “75% of all art comes from what is learned in drawing, after which it is easy to transition to other art forms.”

The great emphasis on, first, learning how to draw is what sets CAI apart from other institutions. Though the original teachings of Fixler remain, the teachers use their own individual approaches to teaching. For example, painting and drawing specialist, Johanna Spinks, a former student and teacher of five years, believes that “one should paint in one’s own time period, reflecting the world as we see it today. Borrow from the past, but don’t try to repeat it.”

CAI students, from all different backgrounds and professions, get the chance to express themselves and explore their artistic passion. From passion to pencil, at the California Art Institute, everyone is an artist.

Owner Buddy Shulman poses with a past student’s sculpture.

Teacher Johanna Spinks poses with her portraits and fine art drawings that are displayed in the California Art Institute gallery.

Students in the 10:00 a.m. head figure drawing and painting class with teacher Mark Schwartz.

25 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

More than 150 people gathered at the Museum of Ventura County for the 2012 Community Leadership Awards.

The Ventura County Community Foundation’s Third Annual Community Leadership Awards

By Julia Shapiro

Next Generation Award Winner Jessie Peterson of Oxnard, left, with her sister Billy Beard. Both Peterson and Beard were in the foster care system.

Mary Schmitz, Director of Development at Community Memorial Hospital, with VCCF Board Chair Pierre Tada.

the ventura county coMMunIty foundatIon hosted its third annual

community leadership awards on May 23rd in the Museum of ventura county. with almost 25 years of experience, the vccf works to promote philanthropy and community growth through grantmaking, scholarships and numerous workshops and leadership training.

The four individuals and two organizations honored not only possess VCCF’s core values—respect, service, privilege and excellence—but also utilize them to improve the community.

The Philanthropist Award was presented to Dorothy Loebl who dedicates her time and talent to educational establishments in Ojai. Verizon was awarded the Organization Award for its active and financial participation in many nonprofit programs such as Destino: The Hispanic Legacy Fund and the Center for Nonprofit Leadership. Jessie Peterson, an advocate for changing the foster care system, acknowledged for her policy recommendation report to revolutionize child services, was given the Next Generation Award. The Chairman’s Award went to United Way of Ventura County, for their work in improving social services through education, income and health awareness.

“There is much more work to be done in our community and [we] need to continue to demonstrate a leadership role in making a difference,” said CEO and president of United Way, David Smith. “This award reinforces the positive work being done.”

Director of the Bell Arts Factory Youth Program and visionary for the nonprofit group, ARTesia, Michele Foster, was bestowed with the Kesa Ryono Award. Foster, an activist fighting against domestic violence, uses art as a tool for healing. The Founders Award, presented to a VCCF board member, went to Bill Bang. A founder of the New West Symphony, Bang is a valuable asset to VCCF. These leaders inspire all of us to endeavor, like them, to create a better future for our community.

“Each of them are honored because of the respect they have earned and the trust they built from not only their leadership, but also the causes that they invest in, nurture, lead and sustain,” said CEO and President of the VCCF, Hugh Ralston, in his keynote speech. “They make a difference, and because of them, we can be a better community.”

All proceeds raised from this event went to the Mary Schwabauer Leadership Fund to further support VCCF plans. For more information on the Ventura County Community Foundation, visit www.vccf.org.

VCCF President and CEO Hugh Ralston and VCCF Board of Directors Chair Pierre Tada, second row left, honor the 2012 VCCF Community Leadership Award winners after the ceremony at the Museum of Ventura County.

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archIe, the lovable therapy dog, has self-

Sculpting Better Lives for Children

By Bailee Ahern Photography by Stephen Morales

lessly served the children of casa pacifica since he was a puppy. vicki Murphy—archie’s ‘Mom,’ westlake local and chief advancement officer and director of alumni services at casa pacifica of camarillo—explained, “[archie and casa pacifica] provide hope and help to abused, neglected or at-risk kids.” to immortalize casa pacifica’s mission and archie’s work, edward hogan of the gardens of the world in thousand oaks commissioned a bronze statue by sculptor robert cunningham.

Unveiled at Casa Pacifica’s annual Food & Wine Festival in 2009, this bronze sculpture of Archie and three children serves two purposes: to bring attention to Casa Pacifica and function as a place to receive donations, engraved with the words “Feed Archie to care for his children.” But Vicki Murphy points out, “the greatest piece is that Archie will live forever…”

Robert Cunningham isn’t the only artist bringing bronze beauty to our area. Growing up near a Native Canadian reservation where she would go to the river to collect clay, Delesprie, master sculptor and Westlake resident, discovered her favorite medium as a child.

With over 200 bronze statues to her name, locals are sure to have seen a Delesprie creation. “Joy to Life,” “Man on Bench,” “Catching a Whopper” and “Anything but Homework” are all hand-sculpted works by Delesprie, all found in the Westlake Promenade.

In addition to her ongoing 30-year career, Delesprie is changing children’s lives around the world through art. At Conejo Elementary School, and also in Haiti and Nicaragua, she teaches art to poor and disenfranchised children through Art Help, an outreach program organized by Calvary Community Church. While having an outlet to express their hurts and pain, Delesprie said, “they also get to share their visions, their dreams, their families and their friends.”

When asked about the uncanny, life-like quality of her bronzes, Delesprie said, “I believe my gift comes from the Spirit, and what I did with that gift is that I studied four years of anatomy and worked off cadavers and ballet dancers.” Delesprie considers herself blessed, as do Westlake locals who get to experience, right here in their own neighborhood, the work of both Delesprie and Cunningham.

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Marcelo Lehninger

A New Era for the New West Symphony

By Casey Hands

The New West Symphony Orchestra

iCadenza Co-founders Julia Torgovitskaya and Jennifer Chernick

an orchestra of sophIstIcatIon and endless talent,

the new west symphony is composed of some of the most prestigious musicians in los angeles. for 18 awe-inspiring years, this professional orchestra has brought major symphonic works to life for audiences in ventura county, the san fernando valley and west los angeles.

Now, the New West Symphony is adding a new chapter to their history of excellence with their newest conductor, Marcelo Lehninger. Lehninger, 33, taking over for founding music director, Boris Brott, is a star on the rise in the conducting world, currently serving as assistant conductor to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In recognition of his recent appointment, the New West Symphony is hosting a big opening concert entitled “Marcelobration!” at the end of September.

Described as “dynamic and exceptionally talented” by the symphony’s communications manager, Kerrie Sadler, Lehninger has already guided the orchestra to great success. On June 6th, The New West Symphony League, a volunteer-run organization supporting the New West Symphony, received the Gold Book Award of Excellence from the League of American Orchestras in Dallas, Texas. Alda Donohue, president of the New West Symphony League, accepted the award on behalf of the league for their annual summer fundraising event, “The Pleasure of Your Company.”

The symphony’s latest endeavor is partnering with iCadenza, an arts-based company in Los Angeles, to launch their new “SymphoNet Young Artist Competition.”

An internet-based, classically-trained vocal competition created by the iCadenza cofounders, Julia Torgovitskaya and Jennifer Chernick, contestants are encouraged to submit audition videos on YouTube between August 5th and September 15th.

Finalists will be chosen to perform in front of a panel of judges including Marcelo Lehningner. Winners of the contest will perform as guest soloists in three performances with the New West Symphony, receive a $2,500 performance contract and be granted three months of personalized career consulting with iCadenza. For more information about this exciting, new competition visit www.symphonet.org.

For more information on the New West Symphony and upcoming events and performances, visit www.newwestsymphony.org.

(L-R): Linda Hamilton, Sandee Kane, Alda Donohue, Marilyn Sutton and Pat Croner receive the Gold Book Award of Excellence from the League of American Orchestras

28 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

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Just four years ago, her husband watched as her plane went up in flames and their daughter pulled her out from the wreckage, by her hair. a tragic 2008 helicopter crash left laura sharpe in a coma for one month, with 43 fractures, 40% of her body burned, a partially amputated foot, the near-loss of her left eye and completely immobile for two years. but when speaking to sharpe, it is not the voice of a victim one hears, but that of a survivor, and an energetic one at that.

Laura Sharpe, the Woman Who Fell From the Sky, Gets Back in the Saddle

By Lex Kumar Photography by Koury Angelo

Laura Sharpe

30 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

George Ferrante

“I’m a testament to what’s possible,” says Sharpe. “Joy and gratitude are what drive me.” After the crash, Sharpe, working with six acclaimed artists, documented the long process of her recovery, exhibiting her complicated transformation, “The Laura Project: Re-Membered,” in 2011 at the James Gray Gallery in Santa Monica. Soon after, Sharpe founded Artists for Trauma, an organization connecting artists with Level 1 trauma survivors, helping them regain a sense of control, hope and beauty during their difficult recoveries. “The most powerful glue is the human spirit,” says Sharpe, whose quiet confidence is palpable.

“It’s about the spark, not the program,” explains Kathie Ferrante of Ferrante Ranch, where Laura was photographed and currently rides. “It takes a village to recover from a trauma 1 injury,” explains Sharpe, adding that Kathie, who worked with her for eight years—even before the accident—helped push her through all the pain. “Everybody around the person is healing as much as them,” notes Kathie.

Fourth generation horse ranchers Kathie and George Ferrante—who met on the ranch they now run—remember when Westlake was “horse country.” They emphasize how much one can learn from horses. “George always says, less is more … not over-handling a person or a horse, letting the healing process happen … and how you can’t get greedy. It’s a long process,” says Sharpe. The ”long process”—which for Laura began with the blinking of her eye—is what Artists for Trauma means to address, in ways that medical treatments cannot. “It’s about finding what speaks to the heart of the trauma victim … to show them that they can transcend the pain … how to refocus on positivity and possibility,” she explains.

“It really takes an expansive network” of artists, art therapists, medical professionals and administrators to bridge the medical and artistic communities. “We make sure we take the process seriously,” says Sharpe, especially important when working with survivors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). AFT now reaches out nationally to veterans and just began working with UCLA’s Operation Mend, a surgical reconstruction program for the military. Recently, at Washington D.C.’s National Veterans Park, CNN’s Sanjay Gupta interviewed AFT member, Angela Jones, a 22-year-old Westlake local who told the story of her recovery from two strokes rendering her legally blind. “From this level of trauma, everything is new territory. You’re reinventing yourself,” said Sharpe who, wanting to get Jones engaged again wondered what form of art making would be most effective— smiling, she exclaims, “ceramics!”

>> “George always says, less is more … not over-handling a person or a horse, letting the healing process happen … and how you can’t get greedy. “

31 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE Kathie Ferrante

laura sharpe, the woMan who fell froM the sky, gets back In the saddle

AFT’s “whole body reconstruction”—of the mind, body and spirit—involves up to ten hours of artistic engagement, and not just for the trauma survivor but also the survivor’s primary caregiver. The forms of artistic expression are varied and individual: AFT’s first member, Ford Austen, felt revitalized by Italian opera lessons. “The artists give time, we provide all the art materials, the infrastructure and facilitate the process,” explains Sharpe.

The AFT network now consists of 40 artists including its first celebrity ambassador, Andre Miripolsky, a nationally recognized artist and Level 1 trauma survivor. With his recent “Pershing Square Cityscape Mural” in downtown L.A., Miripolsky has helped marshal awareness for Artists for Trauma. Just under a year old, AFT is also planning a haute couture fashion fundraising event at A’Maree’s in Newport Beach this coming spring.

Sharpe explained how emotional it was for her to get back in the saddle after the crash. Riding, she says, helped her remember how to get back into a harmonic zone with her horse, Marcus a.k.a. “Son of a Grand Slam” —reflecting Laura’s outer and inner healing. Laura’s youngest daughter, Estelle, also rides and won accolades at the last Santa Barbara Fiesta Horse Show & Rodeo. “I want to guide the next generation … show them how to express our gratitude in a way that’s manageable to all of us.” An inspiration and reminder of all that is possible, Laura Sharpe hopes “to be one powerful grain of sand.” And what a powerful one she is.

“I want to guide the next generation … show them how to express our gratitude in a way that’s manageable to all of us.”

For more on Ferrante Ranch, visit ferranteranch.com. And Laura and Artists for Trauma invite and encourage the public, medical community and Level I Trauma survivors and family members to visit artistsfortrauma.org.

32 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Children and adult patrons alike enjoy the spectacular fountain shows that occur throughout the day.

In The Name Of Art: The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

By Bailee Ahern

the cultural affaIrs departMent (cad), overseen by the

thousand oaks civic arts plaza foundation and the alliance for the arts, have provided local philanthropic organizations and performing groups the opportunity to present their art, help diversify the artistic experiences available to the community while also supporting a good cause. the alliance for the arts’ mission is “to raise money and to endow programs in the conejo valley and specifically at the civic arts plaza,” said gary Mintz, technical facilities Manager of cad. It provides grants for performers and cad’s operations, “to the tune of $300,000 a year.”

Even without the support of the Alliance for the Arts, CAD would still pursue its unending quest, as expressed in their mission statement, to enrich “the lives of the citizens of Thousand Oaks

and the surrounding communities through the presentation of local, national and international performing arts programming.” To live out their mission, the CAD—similar to the Alliance for the Arts—often generously provides “grants to performing groups to subsidize the cost of performing in our theatre,” Mintz explained.

Don’t miss out on the philanthropic events happening at the Civic Arts Plaza year round. Over the last five years, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Virgenes and Ventura County have held several fundraising concerts. The India Friends Association and the Chinese Cultural Foundation regularly use the Civic Arts Plaza’s theaters for events like their annual Chinese New Year performance.

Some question the use of city funding for these artistic and philanthropic events. To this, Mintz asserts, “It’s my personal belief and part of the belief of the government of the City of Thousand Oaks that cultural enrichment is one of the basic benefits that a society ought to be sharing with its citizenry … what we have to give to the world is the arts.”

On November 16th, the Alliance for the Arts will hold a fundraising dinner and Natalie Cole will perform in the Fred Kavli Theatre.

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The facade of the Civic Arts Plaza features a multi-tiered garden, especially beautiful when lit at night.

Jessica Preston’s Love Is ‘Furever’

By Charlotte Gibson

local pepperdIne graduate

and young entrepreneur, Jessica preston, founded the jewelry company, furever luv, to raise awareness and funds to benefit local animals. after starting her own jewelry company, Jessica & co., in 2010, preston says the idea for the furever luv jewelry line was a result of “seeking something with more meaning and where I could give back somehow. I have a huge love for animals so I brainstormed to come up with a name for the jewelry line and a logo. next thing you know it all came together.”

Currently, Preston and Furever Luv are working alongside Robin Kahrs of Malibu Pet Companions and The Agoura Animal Shelter.

All of the donations received from Furever Luv purchases are given quarterly to both organizations.

In order to purchase a stylish bracelet and help a furry friend in need, go online to etsy.com/shop/fureverluv or visit J Girl Lingerie in Westlake Village.

For more information about Furever Luv, email Preston at info@fureverluv.com.

Right after graduating, Preston’s father gave her the idea of breaking into the jewelry business. She was working in retail, buying and selling jewelry. “It wasn’t just the experience of working in retail [J Girl Lingerie] that benefited me, but [finding my] mentor who guided me and encouraged me every step of the way—Jodye Marder, the owner of J Girl,” explains Preston. Marder’s support for Preston’s entrepreneurial efforts is no secret: J Girl was the first retail store to carry Preston’s jewelry line and put Furever Luv on the map.

Furever Luv features trendy bracelets strung with gold or silver beads and colorful Swarovski crystals on stretch cords. Preston wanted to make sure her design was something “that everyone enjoyed at all ages.”

With each bracelet sold, Furever Luv donates 10% of the proceeds to help support local animal shelters.

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The Tireless Artistry of Martin Sturman

By Lex Kumar A Walk in The Park

at 79 years old, Martin sturman knows a thing or two about reinvention. after practicing law for 40 years, he “saw a steel sculpture that I thought was fascinating," says sturman. suddenly inspired to sculpt, his works reflect—metallically—the beauty of recasting oneself so late in life.

When this fascination with steel sculpting took hold, Sturman began spending evenings at a former client’s metal working shop. His works, commissioned by individuals, national organizations and corporations—including Royal Caribbean, Hyatt and Kaiser Permanente—all bear Sturman's handcrafted care, the steel’s surface burnished to give the metal a three-dimensional look. "There's a vitality as light hits the different grooves in the steel ... the surfaces make the difference between something that looks alive and vital or just dull," explains Sturman.

His sculpture of dancers evokes this sort of liveliness, literally: “from time to time, little children try to strike the same dancing poses next to it,” says Sturman.

A Westlake local since 1995, he admits he keeps quite a few of the sculptures at home. His works, site-specific, reflect and highlight the space in which they sit— they’re "specific sculptures for specific spaces."

The perfect fusing of space and sculpture is exemplified by the double doors he made for a Beverly Hills condo he calls “Adam and Eve.” The cleverly crafted man and woman fill the space the owners felt was an eyesore. The magic of the sculpture lies in its secret split: to open the door, you must grasp the man’s hand.

"Steel is very hard but when my sculptures are completed, they look soft." From a retired lawyer to a celebrated sculptor, Sturman shows how transformation—of not only steel but also the human spirit—is entirely possible, and beautiful.

Martin Sturman

Girl with Ball

Seated Lady & Plant

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&

&

Joyce Rumack Joyce Rumack

westlake local and world traveler Joyce rumack paints to "complete the journey." from asia, africa, south and central america to the Middle east, rumack finds that when she returns home, she longs to capture the wonder she felt on her travels.

Experimenting with acrylics, watercolors and collage, Rumack aims to express emotional truths that her travel photographs—the original inspiration for most of her paintings—just can’t. The “certain quality to painting” that Rumack emphasizes—a visible soulfulness—gives her the chance to share the personal, powerful connections she makes on her travels with those back home.

“I’ve been doing art my whole life,” Rumack explains, surrounded by paintings in her studio at the Sherwood Country Club. “My mom bought me books on how to draw and I could sit for hours copying and copying.”

Despite all this passion for art, Rumack kept it at bay—as a hobby. “I always wanted to get as much art as I could … yet it wasn’t going to be my major when I went to school. I was always afraid that because it was such a pleasure, that if I did it as a living, it would take away from the fun.”

But soon she found herself volunteering as an art docent at her children’s school and eventually began teaching. Over the years, Rumack taught many art classes—to children and adults—but especially appreciates the discovery she made at Montclair College Prep. “Hand/eye coordination is the same for drawing and athletics. I had several athletes, boys who realized they could draw and ended up pursuing careers in art.” While inspiring others to discover their artistic sensibilities, Rumack never stopped developing her own. She has exhibited her work in galleries including one right here at the Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks.

When standing in front of one of her paintings with the original travel photo in hand, the difference between the two is profound: how she employs color and underscores the subtleties of the subject’s expression tells the person’s story in a language anyone can understand.

Gramps (Cuba)

Embera Indian Children (Panama)

For more on Martin Sturman, visit sturmansteelsculptures.com. To learn more about Joyce Rumack’s works and travels, email her at therumacks@msn.com.

Street Cooker (Korea)

Moroccan Rug Dealer

In my Arms

Hessam Abrishami: Life In Technicolor

By Kari Rodems

known the world over for his entrancing use of vibrant hues, hessam abrishami entices his audience to imagine “life as it should be—beautiful, full of happiness, dancing, loving and full of color.” Most days, he can be found in his westlake village art studio (tucked behind the recently opened abra gallery owned by his son, kabeh) doing what he loves best: “painting, 12 to 15 hours a day.”

Born in Shiraz, Iran, Abrishami recalls how his passion for painting was unleashed by a teacher who encouraged him early on in his artistic talent. “It was then I started to paint, it was all I wanted to do.” His work, even as a young artist, garnered Abrishami attention and accolades including a coveted first prize in Iran’s National Painting Competition.

After graduating from high school and serving in the military, Abrishami moved to Italy to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art. Studying in Italy was transforming: “In Italy, I studied with great passion. I learned to expand my expressive style and was filled with new experiences in one of the historically great epicenters of art.”

"My colorful paintings are how I dream life should be."

Untitled

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Dream Memory

Wings of Freedom

Abrishami’s preferred medium is acrylics, noting, “The acrylics dry fast so I can convey my feelings faster—that way it is closer to my heart, it is pure.” When asked where his inspiration comes from, he quickly replies, “… My experiences growing up in Iran and the people and atmosphere of Italy all influence my art. I paint from my heart, my experiences, ideas, what happened to me the day before, the week before, months before … I stand in front of a blank canvas with no idea what I will paint, just my emotions. Then I start to play with a single color and then others and the picture begins to emerge…when I am sad … the other side of my brain paints in black and white. My colorful paintings are how I dream life should be.”

A lover of many art forms and an avid art collector himself, Abrishami’s personal collection has roughly 60 original pieces, amassed during his travels. But Abrishami has kept very few pieces of his own work and contends that “the worst place for an artist’s art is in the artist’s studio. The art doesn’t belong to me, they have to go, they belong to the people.”

Aside from his highly sought-after abstract expressionist work, he is also an accomplished portrait painter and sculptor. But, he explains, “I don’t do portraits anymore. They can become very technical, tedious, very exacting, but in my abstracts I can talk, I express myself and my sculptures are exactly like my paintings but in 3D.” Hessam Abrishami’s art is currently on display in more than 100 galleries worldwide. His art is featured in nine sociology textbooks and six beautiful books have been published on his paintings. To see more of his work, stop by the ABRA Gallery at 30941 Agoura Road, Westlake Village or visit hessam-artist.com.

Essence of Night

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“When you have an opportunity to give back to people, that’s what you do—that’s what I do.”

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Jerry Canter: Making Charity a Way of Life

By Niki Chopra Richardson Photography by Bradley Meinz

when people retIre, they usually travel, take up a hobby or embark upon a second career. Jerry canter, however, decided to spend his retirement helping people who don’t have his expertise in business, wealth and personal management. no, this is not a second career—this is something he does, simply because he can.

Canter retired at age 56 from Universal Gribin where he served as president for 27 years. During his 38-year career in corporate America, he amassed a wealth of information in all aspects of business. He utilizes almost four decades of experience to advise people from all walks of life who hear about him from former recipients of his generous help.

In this capacity, he has arbitrated a divorce; played the role of business manager, financial advisor and management consultant; and has even overseen new home and remodel construction, both for private parties and numerous doctors’ offices in the Conejo Valley. A friend, for whom he was a personal affairs manager, recently passed away and Canter was named trustee of his estate and finance manager for his children. Whatever their need, they trust Canter will be there to help.

He feels fortunate that he had an amazing mentor, Mickey Gribin, the man whose company he ran for 27 years.

“When you have an opportunity to give back to people, that’s what you do—that’s what I do.”

In philanthropy there are two resources, one finite and limited and the other variable: time and money. Jerry Canter has made it his business to give as much time as he can to people in need of financial help and advice: a priceless gift to the people he helps.

Grooming for Mr. Loggins-MUA Kristina Goldberg www.kristinagoldberg.com

BY ROBYN FLANS PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN MORALES

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “icon” as: “a person who is the object of extreme devotion.” That definition should also mention longevity and success. Bind those words and most definitely, Kenny Loggins is indeed a most revered icon.

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KENNY LOGGINS: CELEBRATING A ROCK ICON

“ Loggins has been in the public eye for more than four decades. He got his first songwriting credits at the age of 22 on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s hit album, Uncle Charlie. Oddly enough, he says that at 8 years old he knew he’d be able to write songs after watching "Yankee Doodle Dandy," the story of George M. Cohan, starring Jimmy Cagney.

“At the end, he wrote a song on the spot for a famous female singer and I remember thinking, ‘I can do that,’ and I have no idea where that came from,” recalls Loggins. “I knew that was what I was going to do.”

A couple of years later when his older brothers were trying to write a rock ‘n’ roll song, he thought, “It’s not that hard. I could do this in an hour.”

A more-than-lucky break came to Loggins after writing one of his early songs, “House at Pooh Corner” which the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band wanted to record. Loggins had no idea Disney owned the rights to the Winnie the Pooh characters until attorneys got

involved. A senior in high school, he happened to be dating Marnie Walker at the time, the daughter of the Disney CEO, Card Walker.

“I just happened to be telling my girlfriend this and she says, ‘Oh, let me talk to daddy.’ He said, ‘Well, let me meet this boy and hear the song.’ I go over to their house, I sit down on his floor and sing ‘House at Poor Corner.‘ He said, ‘Oh hell, what harm can it be for this kid, he’s a friend of my daughter’s.’ So he calls the attorneys and says, ‘Call off the dogs, let him have his song.’ And I build a frickin career on it. I make no bones about thanking Marnie for the help she gave me.”

That same year—1970— Loggins was introduced to Jim Messina who had success with the bands Poco and Buffalo Springfield. While Messina was supposed to help him put out a project, his input was so immense and fruitful and the harmonies so lush that the album was entitled, “Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin’ In” and an accidental duo was born.

After five successful years, Loggins decided to strike out on his own and soon, he was hired to open for Fleetwood Mac, just as they were riding high on the success of their album, “Rumours.”

“I had not had a hit record, I was playing clubs and the next thing I know I’m playing stadiums with Fleetwood Mac. I become friends with the band and Stevie [Nicks] says, ‘If you ever need a singer, call me and I go, ‘Right, I’ll be sure to do that.’”

“Whenever I Call You Friend,” sung with Stevie Nicks (written with Melissa Manchester), was Loggins’ first hit as a solo artist. Many hits followed, including “Celebrate Me Home,” What a Fool Believes”—the Grammy song of the year,“ “This is It” (the last two written with Michael McDonald) and of course, “Footloose.”

Currently, Loggins has embarked on a new musical endeavor called Blue Sky Riders, which recently wowed audiences when they opened up for his own band at our very own Canyon Club.

Besides Loggins, the trio consists of veteran songwriters Gary Burr, who has written for everyone from Michael Bolton to Randy Travis, and Georgia Middleman, who wrote a recent hit for Keith Urban. At 64, Loggins says he’s gained a perspective that comes only with age.

“Certainly I recognize now when I’m being ego-motivated vs. motivated in the point of what’s best for the group, whereas it was tougher to recognize that when I was a kid.

I also recognize when I’m being motivated by decisions I

44 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

made from being 22 and in a band and having been burned.

It’s sort of like once you’ve been through a difficult love affair and a bad break-up, you make decisions that may not necessarily serve your next relationship. You have to be open to the possibility that it’s not going to look anything like it looked last time.”

He is feeling excited about being this creative again.

“I needed something to turn me on again. And I learned what inspiration feels like. When it feels like fun, that’s when it’s right.”

PSYCHOLOGY

TO HAPPY (AND HEALTHY)

ANNIVERSARIES

BY DR. KAT DERRIG-PALUMBO

AS WESTLAKE MAGAZINE CELEBRATES ITS 20TH YEAR, THE MEANING OF VALUES AND ANNIVERSARIES OF ALL TYPES COME TO MIND. Champagne bottles pop as people celebrate an anniversary … the date of some life-changing event. This specific date—whatever the occasion—is so special that we feel the need, the desire and the pull to not only remember and celebrate it, but to also commemorate it every year.

Some may plan an event, a trip or a party to celebrate. Some may forget it and pay dearly. To others, an anniversary can mark the day of something tragic … a death, a natural disaster, a national tragedy or something far worse. But that very same tragic anniversary can emerge as a celebration of life, determination, courage and strength.

An anniversary can also be something we create, on our own, just by deciding to do something different in our lives. It becomes a marker for something to live up to, a goal to reach or a way to recommit to something we’ve always wanted to achieve.

Dear Dr. Kat: Every year my husband does nothing for our anniversary. NOTHING! I am frustrated beyond words. I want to celebrate it. He is great in every other way. He says we celebrate every day. Forget that. What should I do?

Sincerely, Josephine Dear Josephine, I’m glad to hear that he is great in every other way—it sounds like he may be willing to try something new. Try asking him what he would want to do to celebrate your anniversary: is there some activity he wants to try or a place he’d like to go? He may just not share the same ideas on how to celebrate this special date. Instead of buying gifts for each other, shop for one gift for the both of you. It could be a home improvement project, a new TV or even just go together to pick out separate gifts. Just shop together. Plan a trip together. Get him interested and excited and let him know your expectations. Be sure to listen to his expectations and, most of all, remember to have fun!

Dear Dr. Kat: I want to change my life. I want to live healthier. I want a new relationship that is good and healthy. I want a new career path.

I want change.

Any ideas?

A Bit Lost Dear A Bit Lost, This is a tall order but definitely doable. Good for you! I recommend that you take the time to map out exactly what you want to do. Discover and develop tangible, time-specific goals. Set a long-term goal and several shortterm goals to go along with it.

Here’s an example: “Long-term: I want to lose 12 pounds in three months. Short-term: I will lose one pound per week.” This formula can be used for almost anything… almost!

46 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Here’s another example: “I want a new career.

Long-term: I want to decide what this new path will be in four months. Short term: during the first month, I will research what I would like to do. By the end of two months, I will have narrowed it down to two choices.”

Having time-specific goals will allow for more progress and less procrastination and fear. As for eating healthier, start today. Make better food choices. And mark down the day you decide to start your new life journeys.

This is definitely a day of celebration and the mark of a new anniversary for you!

Dr. Kat Derrig-Palumbo 818.615.4722 kdp@mytherapynet.com

PROFILE ::

JUSTICE

RICHARD ALDRICH

BRINGING JUSTICE TO THE COMMUNITY

BY ALISA GERMAN // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRADLEY MEINZ

J

USTICE RICHARD DENNIS ALDRICH has been practicing law since 1963, enjoying every aspect, twist and turn of his successful legal career. “Law is the glue that holds a civilized society together, setting legal and moral boundaries on human conduct. It truly is the most important factor in a civilized society.”

Justice Aldrich is a Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Three, in Los Angeles. Before his elevation to the Court of Appeal, he served as a Judge in the Ventura County Superior Court and prior to taking the bench, he had his own law practice for 28 years.

“I was thinking of retiring and thought ‘what do I do next?’ I wanted to give back to the community and a friend asked if I thought about being a judge. It was a great way to give back to the community, so I applied and it was then Governor George Deukmejian who appointed me in 1991 and I’ve been enjoying the career change ever since.”

Aldrich not only loves the law but his community as well: his passion for local justice has been a common theme in his illustrious career. He graduated from Loyola University and went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from UCLA in 1963. While an attorney, Aldrich took on some high profile cases but there is one case that stands out for him, the one he is most proud of: “I represented a 9-month-old little girl living in an apartment with her mother. A terrible fire killed her mother as she desperately tried to save the baby who was burned, over 70% of her little body. I sued the landlord on behalf of this little girl and I spent 14 years making sure the landlord and responsible parties were sued until we got her enough money to take care of her for the rest of her life.

Today she is married and has a little girl of her own.”

As a Justice, Aldrich continues to serve the community. He singlehandedly made California the first state court system to accommodate people with disabilities, allowing them greater access to the courts. “I had polio as a child and walked with a cane and leg brace. I just accepted my disability until I was a judge and received a call from [the organization] ‘Employment of Attorneys with Disabilities’ asking if I would speak to a group of attorneys. When I walked into that room it floored me – here were attorneys with disabilities. What a heroic group of people. I made it my business to get a rule of court passed ensuring access to all people into our courthouses so no one would suffer indignity.”

Aldrich is responsible for Ventura’s “Multi-Door Courthouse,” allowing people to resolve issues through mediation, settlement or arbitration. He also serves on several committees, bridging the judicial system and local community. He lives in Sherwood with his wife of 33 years, Joan, and has three grown sons.

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PROFILE ::

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND …

WITH LEGENDARY MAKEUP ARTIST,

MICHAEL WESTMORE

BY LEX KUMAR // PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN BURCH

I

N MICHAEL WESTMORE’S 50-YEAR CAREER, he’s garnered one Academy Award, nine Emmy awards, three Academy Award nominations and 42 Emmy nominations. Best known for his 18 years making up the famous faces of “Star Trek’s” fleet (and all the aliens), he’s also worked with countless movie legends including Betty Davis; Elizabeth Taylor, who still remains Westmore’s all-time favorite; Cher, whom he worked with on 1986’s “The Mask” for which he won the Academy Award; Sylvester Stallone in the celebrated “Rocky” movies; and Robert DeNiro in the iconic “Raging Bull,” the film that stands out as the favorite one of his career.

In 2009, the Hollywood Walk of Fame welcomed the Westmore family. Their long legacy as leaders in makeup artistry began in the late 1800s when Michael’s grandfather began making wigs. Since then, all the Westmore men have gone onto work in film and television. “I had relatives, including my father, heading the makeup departments at every major studio, except MGM, in the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s and even into the ‘60s.”

His father, Monte Westmore, worked on such classic films as “Gone With the Wind,” and Michael’s own children are all entwined in the entertainment industry. His son Michael is a film editor, his daughter Michele is the controller of a major entertainment firm and his daughter McKenzie currently hosts Syfy’s popular reality show, “Face Off,” where amateur makeup artists compete against each other (and Michael has appeared as a guest judge).

Originally, Westmore didn’t plan on following in his family’s footsteps. But he finally accepted a makeup apprenticeship from his uncle with the understanding that, “I could leave if I didn’t like it.” He went onto apprentice with acclaimed makeup artist, John Chambers—famous for his Academy Award-winning work on the original “Planet of the Apes”—and was hooked.

In 1988, “Star Trek” producers, while interviewing makeup artists in search of one who could also design a universe full of individual and original aliens, kept hearing the name “Michael Westmore” come up. They soon realized that they could go straight to the source. For the next 18 years, Westmore worked on “Star Trek” (“The Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine,” “Voyager” and “Enterprise”), designing all the aliens that showed up on the show’s scripts each week. “They’d say something like, we need an alien in the bar, and I’d make one.”

Westmore revealed that “Star Trek” creator, Gene Roddenbury, wanted the popular character, Data, “to be bubblegum pink. But I talked him out of it—that's how we got the gold Data we have today.” Data is Westmore’s favorite character from “The Next Generation,” and his favorite guest-starring alien is related to Data: Data’s daughter, Lal—a head-to-toe golden alien with no nose, no mouth and no ears.

>>

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PROFILE ::

Even before Westmore joined the “Star Trek” team, his wife, Marion, while pregnant with their first child, watched the show religiously. “We couldn’t leave the house on Thursday nights.” They met at Universal Studios while working on the studio tour, never speaking to each other until, explains Michael, “the curtains opened and she was wearing the wedding dress that Rosemary Forsyth wore in Shenandoah—the Jimmy Stewart movie—a dress designed by Edith Head, one of the most famous costume designers in Hollywood history. Our eyes locked and I said, ‘Do you want to get married?’ She said, ‘Let me change and I’ll come back and we can discuss it.’ We went out every night for the next two weeks and three months later, we got married.” Forty-seven years later, they still are.

Westmore’s career, like his love life, is far from predictable. After retiring from Paramount in 2005, he became the favorite makeup artist of one of India’s biggest movie stars, Kamal Hassan, whom he met decades earlier when Hassan’s first wife apprenticed with him. For Hassan’s remake of “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Westmore created 100 faces—50 for the North Indian version and another 50 for the South Indian.

Westmore has also stretched the uses of makeup, far beyond film, working with plastic surgeons to develop makeup techniques that help severely scarred patients. Still keeping busy, he currently writes for Make-Up Artist Magazine and is working on his autobiography. As Spock would put it, Westmore’s soon-to-come life story is sure to be “fascinating.”

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New York Style Of Shopping Comes To Thousand Oaks.

A RESALE & RETAIL BOUTIQUE

At Eco-Fashionista Boutique we are Proud & Dedicated to Bringing High-End & Affordable, Designer Fashions & Accessories, for Ladies of Every Age, Style, Size & Budget!!!

•New Retail Designer Handbags, Shoes, Apparel & Accessories •Pre-Loved Designer Handbags, Shoes, Apparel & Accessories •Vintage"One-Of-A-Kind"Designer Handbags, Shoes, Apparel & Accessories

1610 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. #J • Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (corner of Thousand Oaks Blvd. & Erbes)

(805) 777-8884 (Consigners please call ahead for appointments)

BUY . SELL . TRADE . RENT . CONSIGN CHANEL, ST.JOHN, ESCADA, GUCCI, CAROLINA HERRERA, AKRIS PUNTO, GEORGIO ARMANI, RALPH LAUREN, HALSTON, DOLCE & GABBANA, FERRAGAMO, TAHARI, DANA BUCHMAN, ELLEN TRACY, EMMANUELLE SALLET, GIANFRANCO FERRE, MAX MARA, AG, SEVEN, BITTEN, AND MANY MORE !!!

PROFILE ::

“I HAVE HAD THE HIGHEST HIGHS AND THE LOWEST LOWS, BUT I HAVE NEVER GIVEN UP ON MYSELF AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO LOOK AT MYSELF HONESTLY IN THE MIRROR AND KNOW THAT IT HAS JUST BEEN A PART OF MY JOURNEY.”

AUDLEY HARRISON

BY CHARLOTTE GIBSON // PHOTOGRAPHY BY KOURY ANGELO

F

OR BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION AUDLEY HARRISON, his life isn’t a “boxing journey, but rather a life journey.” At the age of 19, Harrison, a London native, began his amateur boxing career and ten years later won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. But, prior to his success, Harrison faced many obstacles. He was raised in a broken home, expelled from two schools and served time in a young offenders institution. “When you look at my story, it’s about resilience, redemption, overcoming adversity and finding a way to get it done no matter what…in my career I have always been able to find the sunshine.”

After his gold medal win at the Olympics, Harrison went on to win national titles and major championships across the globe. Harrison also founded A-Force Promotions in 2001 in the pursuit of maximizing his image and influence, and creating opportunities for himself in the Heavyweight Division. At the height of his professional boxing career, Harrison was living life in the fast lane. Soon, he realized that he had burnt himself out. It wasn’t until early 2005 when he moved to Las Vegas that Harrison’s life drastically changed—for the better. “I had to find balance in my life ... Falling in love with Raychel [now his wife] was what brought me to America, but it also gave me a chance to turn back the clock. Really, I was headed in the wrong direction.”

With the birth of his daughter, Ariella, in 2006, Harrison’s life had come full circle. In America, Harrison was able to find some happy normalcy: “Before I left England it was all about me, myself and I ... Now, my priority is my wife and my daughter. My career is very important to me but my career had to fail in order to find out other things in life that are important ... Kind of like my career imploded in order to let me see what else there is in life.”

For career woman and wife, Raychel—CEO of Calabasas’ Salon Nuuvo—marrying a professional heavyweight champion came with its ups and downs, but “the biggest thing is that I definitely stand behind my husband. I have so much confidence in his ability and I have so much confidence in him ... When he goes into a fight, it’s almost as if I’m there ... For me, I always remember that he is doing something he is passionate about and he loves it.”

Today, 12 years after winning the gold medal in Sydney, Harrison is ready for a 2012 Redemption and renewal of his boxing career. On October 13th, Harrison will take on British heavyweight champion and 2008 Bronze Olympic medalist, David Price, in “The Battle of the Olympians” at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. Harrison’s 2012 Redemption can be attributed to the total turnaround he’s made: “My whole life now is perfect ... and the last thing I need to fix is my career and that’s what’s going to happen on October 13th.”

Despite the public’s disapproval of Harrison’s 2012 Redemption against Price, his wife Raychel proclaims, “Don’t underestimate Audley because I know that when he shows up, he is capable of extraordinary things.”

Currently, the Harrisons reside right here in Westlake Village. For the busy married couple, the most important task is to raise Ariella in a healthy and virtuous environment.

They regularly make time to give back to their community. Recently, they helped raise over $200,000 for the Las Virgenes School District in an effort to reduce class sizes and re-employ faculty members.

“I have had the highest highs and the lowest lows, but I have never given up on myself and I have always been able to look at myself honestly in the mirror and know that it has just been a part of my journey,” he explains. From notorious heavyweight champion to kindhearted family man, Audley Harrison shows how the encouragement from one’s family—in this case, his beautiful wife and daughter--can push you through adversity to continued success.

PROFILE ::

A

FRIEND ASKED STEVE FAZIO’S grandfather, a barber, if he wanted to take over a local laundry business on Chicago’s south side. Before deciding, he first went home and asked his wife and two sons. They all said yes. Around a dinner table in 1947—65 years ago—the first Fazio Cleaners was born.

“When I say little, I mean little…about 800 square feet. My grandmother worked the counter and my dad did the dry cleaning.” Then in 1962, “Dad left Chicago on an extremely cold Chicago day to arrive in beautiful, sunny California.” He found a location in Beverly Hills and soon expanded the business into Los Angeles.

In April 1978, Steve Fazio started as an assistant manager. “My dad really wanted me to be his successor. So being the dutiful son, I took over … It was a friendly partnership.” In 1990, Fazio grew the business from three locations to ten, in greater L.A. and Nevada’s Summerlin Valley. “We still pride ourselves on customer service, quality and doing everything we can to never lose a customer.

That truly is our lifeblood—that value system that was there from inception is still in place.”

This year, Fazio Cleaners celebrates its 65th anniversary. “We feel good that we’ve been able to endure through whatever economic winds have challenged us,” says Fazio. He points out that it isn’t just the economic downturn that has affected the cleaning business. There have been cultural changes too, like the smoking ban and a more casual dress code.

But 65 years later, Fazio Cleaners still stands having survived all the changes, cultural and economic. Fazio explains it simply: “Customers are loyal and we’re loyal to our customers.”

Fazio is not just loyal to his customers but also to his community—he’s served as an active line reserve member of the L.A.P.D. for decades. And L.A.’s Mayor Villaraigosa just appointed Fazio to the L.A. City Fire Commission where he’ll help oversee the budget of the nation’s second largest fire department.

Primarily located in high-income communities (like our illustrious Westlake), Fazio is aware that his customers are often involved in local charities, and follows in their footsteps, supporting many charities and organizations including Westlake’s schools and multiple chapters of the Boys and Girls Clubs. “We are the first ones to raise our hands and ask how we can help. We’ve never said no, ever.”

Fazio insists that there’s a “palpable love” found at his company—a significant number of employees have been working there for over 15 years. “Many started working here in high school and are now executives,” he explains. The family values that gave birth to Fazio Cleaners still hold true: “The company’s like a family.

Once you’re in, you don’t leave.”

Assistant Manager, Nashely Contreras, started at Fazio’s Westlake Village branch at the tender age of 19. Now, 24, she affectionately says, “I love my customers.” “As they love her,” adds Nicole Drapkin, Director of Corporate Development. Contreras points out that “even though [the company is] big, it feels small … You’re known.”

Weekly, the Westlake branch alone dry-cleans, launders and alters 600 pieces of clothing per day. Open seven days a week with free pickup and delivery, all services are done in-house. For more information, visit faziocleaners.com.

56 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

STEVE FAZIO

CLEANERS CELEBRATES ITS 65TH ANNIVERSARY

BY LEX KUMAR // PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN BURCH

Before

After

AFTER YEARS OF BEING AN EXHAUSTED, OVERWEIGHT AND HORMONALLY IMBALANCED MOM, A DEAR FRIEND IN THE HEALTH AND FITNESS FIELD INTRODUCED ME TO NUTRITIONAL REBALANCING AND COACHED ME THROUGH MY OWN PERSONAL WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY THROUGH ISAGENIX.

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In the six months that I have been using these products, I have LOST 34 lbs. and more than 45 inches. I have GAINED mental clarity, incredible energy and have finally become consistent with a workout routine. Plus, I have been able to kick my caffeine addiction … a $5 per day expense that adds up to more than $1,800 a year!

These products are all natural, casien free, soy free, gluten free and stimulant free. As perfect nutrition, they are safe for pregnant and nursing moms, children and athletes. Having experienced remarkable results, I have developed a passion to help as many people as are willing—male or female, new mom or menopausal woman—get to their ideal weight and perform at their fullest potential.

I’ll help you launch your own success story—contact me and you can get started on this amazing product for less than $10 a day! Opportunities are available to get your product paid for!

Got questions or need more information? Contact me!

Nicole, Nutritional Cleanse Coach (805) 338-4689 mycleansedlife@gmail.com www.Nicoleschmidt.isagenix.com

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the BRM V8 Gulf mechanical chronograph is limited to a numbered edition of just 200 pieces. Wear it, and live the legend every minute of every day.

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PROFILE ::

MIKE NICKEAS

BY LEX KUMAR // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENNY HADDAD

60 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

T

HIS SUMMER, WESTLAKE WELCOMED HOME MIKE NICKEAS of the New York Mets. From one coast to another, Nickeas couldn’t help but be excited to play on the very field that he idolized as a child.

“I grew up such a big Dodgers fan. My pop-pop would take me out of class to every opening day.”

After graduating from Westlake High School in 2001, Nickeas went on to study at Georgia Tech and in 2004, was drafted by the Texas Rangers. Traded two years later to the New York Mets, Nickeas says humbly, “So far so good … I started rough and I've been playing much better as of late.”

“Our team is so awesome—just good guys. It's a blast right now.” For Nickeas, the beauty of baseball is that he basically gets to, as he puts it, “hang out with friends and play a game” for a living. But playing at a higher level demands more from Nickeas than just fun. He credits his father, who played professional soccer, with teaching him all he knows about the sacrifice involved in pursuing—and achieving—one’s goals.

He’s still surprised at “how you can start feeling comfortable when there are 55,000 people screaming at you. I've surprised myself at how I could adapt and enjoy that part of the game … the adrenaline rush!”

Nickeas hit his first home run last year and earlier this year hit a grand slam he describes as “definitely a highlight.” It was the “first game I got to start. I had 40 family members come out to the game and it turned out to be the winning run.”

Twenty-nine-year-old Nickeas, married to his college sweetheart Rebecca for six and a half years, lives in Atlanta with her and their “pseudo-child,” a female English bulldog named Jacket. Although Nickeas has to split his time between Manhattan and Georgia, he maintains that he and his wife “don't go two to three weeks without seeing each other.”

And how does he feel about the Yankees? “We definitely want to beat them when we play them … There's more of a rivalry between the Mets and the Yankees fans than the players,” adding, “they're a classy group of guys”—just like Nickeas—our very own homegrown, hometown baseball hero.

61 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

PROFILE ::

SIMPLY SIV

DE-CLUTTERING CLOSETS AND LIVES

BY CASEY HANDS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BRAND

BEFORE

AFTER

“I TRY TO DO SOMETHING THAT GIVES BACK BECAUSE THAT’S DEAR TO MY HEART.”

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W

HEN WESTLAKE MAGAZINE’S OWN PUBLISHER, Rebecca Grossman, decided to clean out her closet, she got more than hangers and shelves—she got an original renovated masterpiece by Siv Cotton. Former model and star of Norwegian Hollywood Wives, Cotton has transformed her life-long passion for fashion, organization and healthy living into a successful business: Simply Siv. True to its name, Simply Siv is all about simplifying clients’ lives, one closet at a time.

Cotton will come to your home, help you choose a color theme to bring uniformity to your closet and then jump right into renovation. She’s right there with you, helping you weed through the mess. “It’s funny how most people are afraid to go into their closet in the morning. You want to be able to find something easily and walk out the door. It’s all about simplifying! I’m here to help.”

For Cotton, it’s not just about organizing your closet. “Having an organized closet makes for an organized life. When you’re crowded by a mess all the time, it slows you down.” Having refurbished countless walk-in closets, Cotton notices similar, easy-to-solve problems. “No closet has the same hanger and colors tend to be all over the place.”

Cotton personalizes a closet based on her client’s specific tastes and needs, so when it came to Westlake Magazine’s publisher, Rebecca Grossman, she paid attention to Grossman’s unique selection of clothing.

“Rebecca had all these long gowns and fabulous jackets. We had to break up her closet into sections that were appropriate for her [diverse] wardrobe.”

Cotton’s latest endeavor with Simply Siv is its new philanthropic arm, “Siv’s Closet.”

She collects clothing donations from her clients after their closet renovations and puts them to good use. Cotton works with various charities as well as victims of domestic violence, providing them with clothing for job interviews and more. “I try to do something that gives back because that’s dear to my heart,” and, she points out simply, “It makes you feel good.”

So what did Grossman have to say about the closet upgrade? “It’s amazing! I start my day in an organized and balanced environment. Simply Siv keeps you organized, starting with the place we spend a majority of our time: our closets.”

Simply Siv is Cotton’s way of promoting beauty, fashion and healthy living. For more information, visit www.simplysiv.com.

PROFILE ::

THE WISE AND WONDERFUL

TRACY GOLD

BY ROBYN FLANS

F

OR TRACEY GOLD, named this year’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County’s Wise and Wonderful Woman of the Year, the honor, with its badge of wisdom, was not easily earned.

The actress best known for her role as Carol Seavers on hit TV series, "Growing Pains," attained the kind of wisdom that comes hard-earned: from overcoming obstacles. Gold battled anorexia intensely from age 19 to 23, still struggling for many years after.

She says the turning point for her was “when I was sick and tired of being sick and wanted to live life. All the things I wanted in life, like wanting to marry my boyfriend, wanting children, wanting my career back, were on hold because of the eating disorder.”

Gold says having a support system—her family and her husband to whom she’s been married nearly 18 years—and goals were imperative to her rehabilitation.

But she points out that you learn from the things you go through in life. “The hard times are going to come and it’s how you handle them that shows what you’re made of,” she says. “What I learned about myself was that in tough times I am one of those people who can gather myself up from my bootstraps, be strong and do things in a relatively classy way.”

Sometimes that can be hard in the public eye. She began acting at age four, and at 8-years-old, realized she was more talented than the average kid. “I could cry when I needed to and I loved being on a set. I loved the crew and the whole experience; learning lines, school on the set, auditions, all of it.”

She loved the work and knew that was what she wanted. "'Growing Pains' was great," Gold says. "It was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was 16 when I got it and it was a joy to go to work every day. I loved the cast, it was fun, it was consistent. Obviously toward the last two seasons, the eating disorder took hold and shaped a lot of my time there, but I met my husband on the show and it has a lot of significance and importance [in my life].”

She met Roby Marshall through Joanna Kerns, her mother on the show, and describes it as love at first sight for both of them. They now have four boys, ages 15, 13, 8 and 4.

“Motherhood was an awakening,” Gold reveals. “I was coming out of the eating disorder and for the first time I was responsible for someone other than me. An eating disorder can be very selfish.”

Aside from "Growing Pains," Gold says some of her favorite work includes her recent LIfetime show, "Starving Secrets," which she developed, produced and cast, as well as the TV movies, "For the Love of Nancy" and "Face of Evil," "where I played a bad girl, which was so much fun!”

Even though she admits she’s had some tough times, this “Wise and Wonderful Woman” knows this much for certain: “I’ve had a really awesome life, a really great life and I feel extraordinarily blessed.”

65 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

MONEY MATTERS

MONEY MATTERS:

GIVE A GIFT (IT’S ON THE GOVERNMENT)

BY KELLY TREVETHAN, RFC, CIMA™

For most of us, receiving a gift from the U.S. Government is a rare and surprising concept to swallow, but believe it or not, we have been given an amazing one-time gift that needs to be acted on this year, before they realize how good it really is for us American taxpayers.

This year our current tax laws provide an unprecedented opportunity allowing for the transfer of $5,120,000. On top of this phenomenal transfer-of-wealth opportunity, the law also allows each person to make annual gifts up to $13,000 to any person or entity without having to report it to the IRS. To this end, in many of my discussions with clients regarding prior gifts, I have been surprised to find that gifts involving the transfer of real property went unreported to the IRS. In essence, gift tax returns were not filed for gifts in excess of the $13,000 gift exclusion.

Our government has put in front of us a lifetime gift of a $5,000,000 due to expire at the end of the year. Simply stated, this is a huge tax break. Never before has this type of gift been handed to so many wealthy Americans. Until the end of 2012, the gift-tax exemption has been raised to $5,000,000 ($10,000,000 for couples).

This means a couple can give away up to $10 million dollars in assets to their heirs without paying a nickel in taxes.

In addition to this gifting opportunity, the government has also granted a lowered estate tax rate of 35%, reduced from the scheduled 55% rate due to return at the end of 2012. Before you jump to restructuring your estate plans and retooling the strategies you have in place, there are important considerations—emotional and financial—to take into account. Here are some helpful ideas, shared with us from Trust &

Estate attorney Steve Siner, the Managing Partner at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel: goal in gifting is not only to remove 1/ One a taxable asset from your estate, but to also remove all appreciation of that asset as well. For example, if you gave away a stock portfolio that's worth $1,000,000 today but when you die it's worth $1,200,000, you have effectively shielded $1,200,000 from taxation and you only used $1,000,000 of your exemption to do so. effective way to maximize the 2/Another use of your exemption is to give fractional or partial interests in an asset.

Here's another example: you own a piece of real estate that has a fair market value of $1,000,000. You give a 30% interest in the property to your child. On paper, that interest is worth $300,000.

However, because it's a minority interest that can't control the property, no one would buy that interest for $300,000.

The IRS recognizes minority and noncontrolling discounts so if you applied a 33.3% discount to the gift, you're really using only $200,000 of your exemption, meaning that you've gotten an extra

$100,000 out of your estate, tax-free. Of course if that property later appreciates, 30% of all that appreciation also escapes Federal Estate Tax. In conclusion, if your goal and intention is to pass as much wealth as you can to your family and future generations while minimizing estate, gift and Generation Skipping Trust taxes, then act now, as many of these strategies may not be of available in the near future. That near future may be as short as the end of 2012.

If you need guidance, visit us at our United Capital office in Westlake Village.

Kelly Trevethan, RFC, CIMA™ is Managing Director of United Capital.

He can be reached at (866) 695-0969 or at Kelly.Trevethan@Unitedcp.com.

For more information, visit www.UnitedCapitalsf.com.

Steve Siner is a 35-year attorney and the Managing Partner of Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, Inc. He can be reached at (925) 224-7780 or at SDS@hogefenton.com. Please also see www.hogefenton.com for more information about Steve and his firm.

Important Disclosure: United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC (“United Capital”) provides advice and makes recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. For clients with managed accounts, United Capital has discretionary authority over investment decisions. Investing involves risks and clients should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph or marketing piece to make decisions. The information contained in this newsletter/email is intended for information only, is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, and should not be considered investment advice. United Capital does not provide tax advice. Investors should consult their tax professional with questions about their particular circumstances. United Capital is not affiliated nor endorses Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel Inc. or Steve Siner.

66 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

THE ART OF CULINARY EXCELLENCE FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY Monrose Catering is a full service catering company. We pride ourselves on our ability, based on 30 years of experience, to create and orchestrate an occasion that will be remembered by you and your guests for many, many years to come. Monrose has access to many exquisite oceanfront locations. Our selected locations can accommodate 25-2500.

Monrose Catering Co.

31117 Via Colinas #403 • Westlake Village, CA 91362

818.707.7307

www.monrosecatering.com

THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF

WESTLAKE

BY JOAN TROSSMAN BIEN

An authentic Japanese > Pagoda sits amidst a koi pond in the Japanese Garden.

Roses abound at the peak of their blooming season in the English Garden. >

GARDENS OF THE WORLD Situated across from the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the Gardens of the World offer a sampling of horticulture from other countries. The Japanese Garden features an authentic pagoda and a koi pond.

A waterfall is the centerpiece of the French Garden. The Mission Courtyard reflects early California history with hand-painted murals and a Spanish fountain. Don’t miss the English Perennial and Rose Garden and the Cypress trees and grape arbor that distinguish the Italian Garden. And try to catch a concert at the old-time American Bandstand’s grassy amphitheater.

Open Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks www.gardensoftheworld.info

WILDWOOD REGIONAL PARK / PARADISE FALLS Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks has been a popular locale for more than 8,000 years.

The Chumash called it home until it was annexed in 1803 by the Spanish, as part of the Rancho El Conejo. The 1,765-acre park is still populated by wildlife such as mule deer, coyotes, bobcats and the occasional mountain lion.

If you are looking for Paradise Falls, it’s an easy one-mile hike. The 70-foot waterfall makes for lovely photos but don’t even consider jumping into the pool beneath. Park rangers say it’s highly polluted. Watch out when heavy winter rains arrive—the volume of the falls can increase tenfold.

Located at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles in Thousand Oaks.

68 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL SMITH

YOU MIGHT THINK THAT YOU NEED TO LEAVE THE CONEJO VALLEY TO SEE NATURAL BEAUTY. YOU DON’T—IN FACT, IT’S HOME TO HIDDEN GEMS THAT MAY SURPRISE EVEN LONGTIME RESIDENTS. WHETHER YOU’RE CRAVING AN HOUR-LONG HIKE IN THE MOUNTAINS REWARDED WITH A CLASSIC WATERFALL, PREFER TO STROLL THROUGH SPECTACULAR GARDENS OR JUST WANT TO WATCH THE SUN SET OVER A SHIMMERING LAKE, YOU CAN STAY RIGHT HERE IN THOUSAND OAKS AND WESTLAKE VILLAGE. THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF THE AREA LIES JUST AROUND A CORNER OR AT THE END OF A MOUNTAIN ROAD, AS LONG AS YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

> >

Expansive meadows and fields set the peaceful tone in Hidden Valley.

An occasional park provides a path up into the mountains.

LAKE SHERWOOD LAKE The lake at the David Murdock-developed community of Lake Sherwood has a storied past. It was a meadow until 1905 when a dam was built to hold water for a local ranch that eventually became the city of Westlake Village. The lake and surrounding woods substituted for English forests in the 1922 film “Robin Hood.” The community and lake were named for the film and the famous Robin Hood forest.

The upscale development at Lake Sherwood now includes a famous 18-hole golf course and a country club.

341 Williamsburg Way, Thousand Oaks www.sherwoodlakeclub.com

HIDDEN VALLEY / POTRERO ROAD Just behind the shops and homes of Westlake Village lies Hidden Valley. Bucolic fields line Potrero Road in the green rolling hills dotted with ranches and country-style homes.

Iconic white fencing lines the road, the ranches and the meadows. Each parcel is at least 20 acres and the private spaciousness has appealed to celebrities for decades.

Head south on Westlake Blvd. (Hwy 23) to where Potrero Road begins.

A horse lazily looks up from his afternoon grazing.

LAKE AT WESTLAKE VILLAGE This manmade lake is the jewel of the masterplanned community of Westlake Village. It is a private lake but public businesses and restaurants occupy part of the eight-mile shoreline.

Some 1,300 homes have recreational access to the lake, safe for playing in as it’s only eight feet deep. The dam that created the lake, the Westlake Dam, is one of the country’s largest privately owned dams.

32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Thousand Oaks

69 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Celebrating 1999 The Euro enters the world's economy and the world population reaches six billion.

1995 Match.com launches its new platform to help its users find love and astronaut Valeri Polyakov breaks the world record for the number of days spent in space consecutively: 437.7!

1993 Michael Jordan retires (for the first time) and "Cheers" airs its final episode with the final words: "We're Closed!

2000 Angelina Jolie kisses her brother, the last original "Peanuts" comic strip appears in newspapers and the world celebrates the new millennium.

1997 Leonardo DiCapri becomes "king of the world" as "Titanic" hits movie theaters.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1992 Riots break out in L.A. and the U.S.'s largest shopping mall, Minnesota's Mall of America, opens!

1994 Tonya Harding attempts to injure her ice skating rival Nancy Kerrigan and police chase O.J. Simpson in his infamous white Ford Bronco.

1998 Monica Lewinsky becomes a household name and Carmen Electra marries Dennis Rodman (for nine days).

1996 Oprah starts her book club; Binti Jua, a gorilla at the Brookfield Illinois Zoo, saves a 3-year-old who fell in her cage; and Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to ever be cloned, is born.

70 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

2002 Michael Jackson dangles his son, Prince Michael II, off a hotel balcony in Berlin and Fox's "American Idol" premieres.

2001 Bjork dons the infamous swan dress to the Oscars, Britney Spears dances with a python at the MTV Video Music Awards and Apple's first iPod is released.

years of

WESTLAKE MAGAZINE WE’VE SHARED HAPPY MEMORIES, WONDERFUL MOMENTS AND SPECTACULAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE PAST 20 YEARS IN THE WESTLAKE COMMUNITY. YOU, OUR DEVOTED READERS, HARD-WORKING STAFF-MEMBERS, ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS, AND LOYAL ADVERTISERS HAVE MADE WESTLAKE MAGAZINE THE PREEMINENT PUBLICATION THAT IT IS TODAY, AND WE PROUDLY CELEBRATE OUR ACHIEVEMENT WITH YOU. WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT’S IN STORE IN THE NEXT 20!

2010 An Icelandic volcano erupts, causing the largest air traffic shutdown since World War II.

2006 The U.S. population tops 300 million for the first time and Facebook opens to anyone over 13.

2005 Tom Cruise jumps on Oprah's couch and Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.

2003 On August 14th, a massive blackout hits New York City and Saddam Hussein is captured.

2008 Bethel, Maine builds the world's tallest snowman, 122 feet and 1 inch tall and weighing 13,000,000 lbs.

2012 Westlake Magazine turns 20 and the U.S. wins 104 medals at the 2012 London Summer Olympics!

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

2009 Pilot Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger successfully crash-lands a US Airways jetliner in the chilly Hudson River.

2004 Janet Jackson has a wardrobe "malfunction" during the Super Bowl's halftime and the people of the Himalayan nation Bhutan get credit cads...for the first time ever.

2011 Wikipedia turns ten and the Egyptian Revolution results in Hosni Mubarak's resignation.

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2007 Paris Hilton spends 23 days in jail, Britney Spears shaves off all her hair and Lindsay Lohan goes to rehab for the third time.

71 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Buccy

FASHION

Wardrobe: Nieman Marcus Jewelry: Louise Camille / Esprit Arts Photography: Kevin Foley Make-up: Christa Carlson Models: Sawyer Buccy and Sam Meyerson

FASHION

Wardrobe: Nieman Marcus Jewelry: Louise Camille / Esprit Arts Photography: Kevin Foley Make-up: Christa Carlson Models: Sawyer Buccy and Sam Meyerson

BY SANDY FRANCIS

A few friends came over for a simple barbecue last weekend. I served the usual: grilled chicken, grilled veggies, coleslaw … you probably know the menu by heart.

No one dressed up—just jeans and tee shirts. Each couple kindly offered to bring something, which I refused because I needed nothing (I’m so sorry I didn’t create something just for them to bring). Three couples brought beautiful roses (I have a massive rose garden). Two couples brought Sees candy (which I promptly planned to recycle) and one single woman brought a scrumptious homemade cake (the only gift I loved).

Here’s my problem: why must we feel the need to bring gifts every time we’re invited somewhere? I truly didn’t want anyone to bring anything to my barbecue and had stated that. That seemed to make them feel even more obligated to come bearing gifts—no one came empty-handed.

“

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. APPARENTLY, NO ONE BELIEVES THE WORDS, “BRING NOTHING,” WHETHER WRITTEN OR SPOKEN.

“

TIPS & VIEWS

PLEASE, NO FLOWERS

76 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

A wedding I recently attended emphatically stated on its invitation, “ABSOLUTELY NO GIFTS.” Most of the people walked in carrying beautifully wrapped boxes, which they placed on a table specifically set up for the gifts.

I obeyed the invitation and felt like a fool for bringing nothing. The next day I mailed our gift.

Something is wrong with this picture. Apparently, no one believes the words, “BRING NOTHING,” whether written or spoken. If you walk into a wedding after being asked to bring nothing and bring a gift, you hope you didn’t make a wrong choice. If you walk in seeing people carrying gifts and you didn’t, you’re sure you made the wrong choice. You’re “damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” (though more damned if you don’t).

When going to a friend’s home for dinner, the first thought I have is about what to bring. Sometimes I don’t even want to go because I worry so much about the “gift.” Wine and candy are nice, but boring. Flowers are lovely, but you need to start fussing with cutting the stems and placing them in the right vase. I grow evermore uncomfortable about inviting people to visit our home because I know they find themselves in the same “what-to-bring?” conundrum.

Last year when my husband and I had a dinner party to celebrate our anniversary, along with a written invitation stating “no gifts,” I phoned each guest to let them know that we REALLY meant “no gifts.” I was firm in my tone (nearly threatening) and, believe it or not, they listened—they brought nothing but themselves!

Please keep in mind, that should you come to our home for dinner, you will be most welcomed, sans gift.

A phone call the next day, if you wish to say you enjoyed the visit, would be joyfully received. But please … no candy, wine, nuts or flowers. However, a good bottle of vodka … well, that’s another story.

Make-up Kristina Goldberg

TRAVEL

Fabulous Dreamca W I T H

F A M I L Y

&

F R I E N D S

LET YOUR IMAGINATION SOAR! COST ASIDE, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO? WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL ESCAPE? HOW WOULD YOU GET THERE? BY PRIVATE JET? ON A SLEEK YACHT? Luxury, great dining, total pampering, your favorite indulgences from spa treatments to golf to sunbathing with chilled mojitos on the deck of your private yacht or by a sparkling infinity pool overlooking the sea or under a thatched beach cabana watching the spent waves rhythmically bathing the white sand—with your Kindle and MP3 player … or not. It’s your call.

You may be surprised to find that your dream vacay may be quite doable, especially if you like to travel with friends and family. Renting a stunning villa in Europe or the Caribbean or a private residence in a posh resort affords all the amenities, services and privacy for you, your friends, the kids and their BFFs at rates often comparable to individual hotel bookings at luxury hotels. And getting there in style and comfort? That, too, can be part of the package.

78 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Villa Lunada features luxurious outdoor as well as indoor living.

best

The villa’s large deck features an infinity pool and Jacuzzi.

OF MEXICO’S RIVIERA NAYARIT

ations

BY LINDA LANG

LOCATED IN THE luxury resort community of Punta Mita just north of Puerto Vallarta are exclusive residence rentals from Mita Residential that offer every amenity and include access to the resort’s recreational facilities, two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, private beaches, restaurants and other amenities. One such find in the prestigious La Punta Estates is Villa Lunada, 5,500 sq. ft. of posh, hilltop living with uninterrupted views of the Bay of Banderas, golf course, championship surfing beaches and spectacular sunsets.

The four bedrooms, sleeping eight, are air conditioned with ceiling fans and their own en suite baths. The master is a magnificent suite with an office, library, its own living room and views of the bay from a large soaking tub. There is also a bonus room which can be used as a media room, kids’ hangout or a king suite, if there are 10 of you.

Outdoors, you can test your skills on the beach volleyball court, relax in the Jacuzzi, cool off with a dip in the infinity pool edged by a large patio and enjoy a beverage or two from the full-size bar in the lounge as you and your companions take in the panorama.

There’s even a fire pit for cooler evenings as well as an organic garden for fresh farm-totable cuisine.

Expect all the modern perks including satellite TV, iPod docking station, wireless hi-speed Internet, state-of-the-art Miele appliances and more. In addition to daily maid service, there’s a surfing coach and the villa has its own private yoga instructor.

Your stay also includes use of SUPs (Stand Up Paddle boards) and lessons; access to both golf courses (green fees are extra) and you can request a private chef and full staff through the residential concierge services provided by Mita Residential. They can also arrange airport transfers, stocking of groceries and beverages, baby sitting, car rentals, reservations for restaurants and excursions and more. Call 1-877-308-3729 or go to www.mitiresidential.com.

79 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Magical sunsets along the resort’s coastline fill the sky.

Punta Mita offers two Jack Nicklaus-designed championship courses.

TRAVEL

GETTING THERE IN

Style Private charters offers service from Camarillo and Van Nuys.

PRIVATE AIRCRAFT CHARTERS are increasing in popularity, especially among those who value time and service. There are a number of excellent companies such as Magellan Jets which can arrange a charter from Van Nuys or Camarillo in as little as 10 hours to Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas or just about any other place you’d like to go.

With access to thousands of private aircraft worldwide, Magellan offers many flight options. You can also capitalize upon the reduced rates of thousands of empty-leg flights with a click on your computer or take advantage of one of their membership programs. One is the ”25 Hour Getaway Card” which provides the simplicity and flexibility of fixed-price charter flights. This concept, the only of its kind in the industry, is available for a total of 10 aircraft and locks in the fixed hourly rate for a 12-month period, assuring you will not pay extra for fuel, regardless of price fluxuations. Voyager Member Jet Card holders enjoy complimentary upgrades, no repositioning costs, arrival and departure airport transfers, full gourmet catering, 365 day/24-hour concierge service and more. Magellan also has a Private Jet Search iPhone app that allows you to search, book and sign for a private charter from your iPad or iPhone in a matter of minutes, any time, from anywhere.

Check out the possibilities at www.magellanjets.com or call 1-877-550 JETS. Magellan Jets private charters offer maximum comfort and convenience.

The balconies of Villa Dorata feature all the comforts of outdoor living.

Royalty

LIVE LIKE

ON THE ALMALFI COAST

HIGH ON THE Almalfi Coast above the glistening Mediterranean and ancient village of Positano is Villa Dorata, a plush private palazzo fit for royalty. Decorated throughout in ornate, high-Baroque style, the rooms are posh displays of tasseled draperies, elegant chandeliers, frescoed ceilings, vaulted alcoves and gilt-framed artwork.

Fine furnishings throughout include sumptuous sofas and chairs highlighted by rich jewel tones. Adjoining the living room is a magnificent formal dining room serviced by a fully-equipped professional kitchen with a large stone fireplace and pizza ovens.

Downstairs is a complete spa with Turkish steam bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, oxygen-therapy, massage room and a tiled

The villa’s formal dining room comfortably seats 12. © www.wimco.com

All plushly-furnished bedroom suites have stunning views. © www.wimco.com

pool with waterfall and resistance-swimming option. Views from the private terrace are complemented by an antique-tiled fountain. On the first floor are two elegantly-furnished master bedrooms with sitting rooms and en suite baths that open onto a spectacular sea-view terrace. On the second floor are two queen suites with marvelous views of the sea and Positano that open onto the gardens. You’ll also find all the modern amenities—satellite TV, surround-sound music system, office with Internet access and fax, air conditioning, a private wine cellar, and even your own private chapel.

Floral gardens and fragrant citrus groves invite relaxation and dining alfresco, with a full staff including a local chef and gardener attending to your every need. In addition to Positano, you can explore, shop and dine in marvelous ancient towns including Ravello, just four miles away, Amalfi and Sorrento—10 and 19 miles respectively, and Pompeii is just a 29-mile drive.

Villa Dorato is available for rent through WIMCO, a leading luxury villa vacation specialist representing hundreds of private villas in Europe, Greek Islands, New England, Mexico, Hawaii and a dozen islands in the Caribbean for over 27 years. Call 1-800-449-1553 or go to www.wimco.com for complete details on the properties and concierge services offered.

81 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

Laucala’s Plantation Residences epitomize South Seas romance.

Spacious bedrooms in the residences afford every comfort.

Paradise SOUTH SEAS

PERHAPS YOU ENVISION a picture-perfect South Seas island complete with swaying palms and tropical foliage, warm sand beaches embraced by crystal clear waters, turquoise lagoons festooned with coral reefs and a shimmering cerulean sea that becomes one with the sky on the horizon.

If so, welcome to Laucala, the one private-island resort we are including due to its exclusivity, exquisite natural beauty and posh pleasures. Upon arrival at Fiji’s Nadi airport, you are escorted to a private plane for a 45-minute scenic flight over the islands to the north. Upon landing on Laucala’s private air strip, you are warmly welcomed with song and smiles of the gracious Fijian staff that will be looking after you.

The 3,000-acre private isle personifies the perfect union of luxury and nature at its tropical best with just 25 residences with private pools overlooking powder-white beaches and blue lagoons.

Made with local timber, thatch and stone, each uniquely reflects Fijian tradition, design and is positioned for maximum privacy.

Of particular note is the exquisite Peninsula Residence offering spectacular views across the turquoise waters with spacious living areas dramatically connected by rope bridges. It has a natural pool carved into the rocks, secluded beach and dock of its own. And South Seas luxury is no doubt epitomized in the spectacular Hilltop Residence set 500 feet above sea level with a breathtaking 360degree view of the sea and neighboring islands. Accommodating

The resort offers five fine dining options.

up to six guests in three residences around a panoramic pool garden, you have approximately three acres of indoor/outdoor living area that comes with a private cook, chauffeur, nanny and other perks.

In addition to private, candlelit dinners on the beach and in other romantic settings, there is fine dining in the elegant Plantation House, Asian delicacies in Seagrass, finger food at the Pool Bar and barbecue fare at the Beach Bar. Water sports include everything from a fleet of luxury boats to diving and snorkeling around the coral reefs, jet-skiing, sailing and day and night game fishing on the resort’s yacht. Horseback riding through the plantations and coconut groves, 18-hole championship golf and the exceptional hilltop spa fill your days. There’s also a kids’ club filled with activities and island adventures. They even have golf clubs for 5-year olds. Check it out at www.laucala.com.

Relaxation and tranquility are part of the Laucala experience.

Luxury yacht Noble House currently cruises the South Pacific.

luxury

ISLAND HOPPING BY PRIVATE YACHT CALLING AT PORTS on the glamorous French Riviera, sailing the fabled Greek islands, discovering the delights of the Caribbean or island hopping in the South Pacific aboard your own private luxury yacht is another possibility for you, your family and/or best buds. Among the top superyacht charter brokers is London-based Burgess Yachts which specializes in luxury vessels over 130 ft.

Founded in 1976 and today with 10 international offices, the company is expert in working with you to find exactly the right yacht and itinerary. And if you end up wanting to buy one, they can arrange that, too.

The 176-ft. vessel’s main saloon features every comfort.

The yacht’s formal dining room easily accommodates 12.

Among their offerings is the elegant 176.9-ft. motor yacht, Noble House, that comes with its own 35-ft. air-conditioned fishing boat. The inviting décor conveys luxury without rigid formality, encouraging an ambience of relaxation and comfort. In the Skylounge, you’ll enjoy panoramic views as well as the full bar and state-of-theart entertainment system. A Yamaha grand “player” piano is one of the entertainment attractions in the Main Salon which offers extensive seating and its own full bar.

There’s dining on deck as well as in the large, formal dining room that comfortably seats 12. The six spacious, well-decorated staterooms include a large master with 50″ flat screen TV, surround sound, Blu-ray player and access to the onboard movie and music libraries. In the master bath you’ll find a large spa tub, steam shower and his-and-hers vanities.

There is also a full workout gym, Jacuzzi as well as Wi-Fi Internet access, satellite and, of course, all the obligatory water sports toys—jet skis, water skis, wakeboards, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear and two tenders.

Noble House is currently cruising the South Pacific.

For details on this and other super yachts positioned around the world, go to www.burgessyachts.com.

83 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

Day in the Life

DESIGN

Arizona Leather Nobody does what we do with leather. Nobody creates quality leather furniture in over 100 styles, 400 colors and 1000’s of configurations so you can choose sofas, sectionals and chairs designed specifically for you, your family and your home. Our experts have years, even decades of experience. One of them can help you select the exact piece you're looking for.

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Urban Home Use it for china display, books, photos or linens. This unique Robin's Nest Cabinet is another great value from the extensive selection that Urban Home has to offer. If you are looking to rejuvenate the style of your home, nothing beats the quality, top of the line customer service and affordable prices.

Agoura Design Center is your one-stop home furnishings and lifestyle destination for Conejo Valley and surrounding counties. With an array of retailers including Alpert’s Kidz Interiors, Berk’s Patio, Ethan Allen, Hold Your Horses Tack, Keyboard Concepts Pianos, My Party Playhouse, Power of Home Furnishings, Sit ‘n Sleep, The Mattress Store, and Video & Audio Center, they are certain to meet all your needs.

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Brad Fowles Design Art & Design are elements that help create the right atmosphere for the right setting. Along with custom designed exterior landscapes and installations, Brad has also been providing decorators and individuals with custom murals and fine art paintings. Weather its for an outdoor setting or a great room mantel, custom acrylics on wood panels can add the perfect accent.

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MODERN MOTORING

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Day in the Life

DINING

Fleming’s Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Woodland Hills introduces a NEW MEMORABLE MEAL — $99* FOR TWO. A 3-course menu with an exceptional triple entrée of broiled seasoned filet, braised beef short rib and herb-baked shrimp, appetizer and dessert for each guest.

Also available at $49.50 for one. 9/1– 9/30 only.

For an additional $25, pair your meal with a flight of 3 wines from the Huneeus Vintners Portfolio including Quintessa. * Excluding tax and gratuity.

6373 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Woodland Hills 818.346.1005 www.flemingssteakhouse.com

The Sunset Room brings old world Hollywood glamour to Agoura Hills. Our spacious, vibrant venue is fitting for all occasions and any theme. Host your event in the main room, dining room or under the stars, with the intimate cabanas providing inviting outdoor celebrating. Plan your memorable occasion for 2 guests or up to 500 guests, at the premier destination for unforgettable events.

Mastro’s Restaurant Twin Lobster Tails are twice as nice! At Mastro’s Steakhouse, choose twin 7-ounce broiled lobster tails and have fun selecting the sides. With over a dozen options that include a twice-baked potato, Alaskan King Crab Black Truffle Gnocchi, Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Spinach, either steamed or sautéed, it will not disappoint. Mastro’s Steakhouse is truly an unparalleled dining experience.

Holiday Parties ~ Bar/Bat Mitzvahs ~ Class Reunions ~ Wedding Receptions

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29020 Agoura Road Agoura Hills 818.991.4007 www.sunset-room.com

Sweet Arleen’s

Napa Tavern With a carefully selected menu developed by culinary experts and an extensive collection of over 90 wines, the Napa Tavern is sure to provide a memorable dining experience. The enchanting atmosphere of the dining room and outdoor patio serve as the perfect place to host special occasion lunches, dinners and business meetings. For a weekend treat, visit the Napa Tavern from 12-6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday to enjoy tastings from some of Napa Valley’s finest wineries.

Enjoy Back-to-School fun and fundraising with Sweet Arleen’s Cupcake Mobile at your school events! Sweet Arleen’s donates a portion of all sales to the hosting school's organization.

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Dr. Yuly Gorodisky Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Westlake Village and Oxnard 805.983.1999 www.drgorodisky.com

THE PREMIER M.D. & PHYSICIAN DIRECTORY FOR VENTURA AND L. A. COUNTY

Talia Emery, M.D. Cosmetic Dermatology Remedy Skin + Body 3723 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Westlake Village, CA 91361 805.497.9400 www.remedyskinandbody.com

Dr. Walter A. Thomas Orthopedic Surgery/ Sports Medicine 696 Hampshire Rd., Ste. 200 Westlake Village, CA 91361 805.497.0817 www.wathomasortho.com

Dr. Gorodisky specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast and body. His most popular procedures include breast augmentation, brazilian butt lift and the West Coast Lift—a facial rejuvenation procedure with no general anesthesia. Recipient of patient recognition awards for his care and surgical results, Dr. Gorodisky uses modern technology and safe techniques at his fully accredited, certified, private surgical facility.

Talia Emery, M.D. is recognized as one of the nation's top practitioners ofaesthetic medicine. A cosmetic dermatologist and certified trainer for Botox and Juvederm, her patient retention rate is unprecedented. Dr. Emery is also an advisor to industry leaders in aesthetic medicine and top-tier resorts and hotels looking to establish a medical spa presence.

Dr. Walter A. Thomas is a board certified, fellowship trained Orthopedic Surgeon, specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery.

Dr. Thomas is the team orthopedic surgeon for the men's Olympic Water Polo team. He specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, knee and hip. Dr. Walter A. Thomas is also a Qualified Medical Examiner for the state of California.

Dr. Keith A. Robertson Orthopedic Surgeon 696 Hampshire Rd., Ste. 200 Westlake Village, CA 91361 805.497.0817 www.keithrobertsonmd.com

Dr. Shira Miller Concierge Menopause and Anti-Aging 562 S. San Vicente Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90048 310.734.8864 www.shiramillermd.com

Dr. Alen N. Cohen ENT / Head & Neck Surgeon C/V ENT Surgical Group 7345 Medical Center Dr., Ste. 510 West Hills, CA 91307 818.888.7878 www.socalsinus.com www.cvsurgicalgroup.com

Dr. Shira Miller, M.D., is board-certified in internal medicine and an expert in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine.

Recognized in Concierge Medicine Today’s “Docs to Watch,” she pioneered The Luxurious MenopauseTM for “no-nonsense” women who are seeking the best menopause treatment solution currently available.

Visit Facebook’s Most Popular Menopause Doctor, Shira Miller, M.D., at www.facebook.com/menop ausedoctor

Dr. Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.S., is the Founder and Director of the Southern California Sinus Institute (SCSI) and Director of the Minimally Invasive Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery Program at West Hills Medical Center. He specializes in minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery as well as minimally invasive imageguided sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty. Dr. Cohen has consistently been recognized as one of America’s Top Surgeons.

Dr. Keith A. Robertson has served Ventura County for over nine years as a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and has dedicated his career to personal and professional service. Dr. Robertson’s specialties range from general orthopedic care, such as operative treatment and fracture care, to specialized state-of-the-art treatments. A comprehensive treatment plan is created for each individual patient that comes into the office.

Dr. Elena Rumack Pediatric Dentistry Calabasas Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 23622 Calabasas Rd. #119 Calabasas, CA 91302 818.222.4543 www.calabasastoothfairy.com Dr. Elena Rumack is a Board Certified pediatric dentist, and currently on faculty at UCLA. She provides gentle, exceptional care to children and young adults in her state-of-theart dental office, located in Calabasas. Dr. Elena is married to William Rumack, M.D., and loves being a mom to her two young children. She is also an active member of ADA, CDA, AAPD and CSPD.

Dr. Iris Stone Hearing Hear Clear Audiology, Inc. 7345 Medical Center Dr., Ste. 511 West Hills, CA 91307 818.312.9430 www.hearclearhearingaids.com Iris Stone, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the American Speech Language Hearing Association and the California Academy of Audiology.

Her clinical expertise is in diagnostic testing, including Comprehensive Hearing Testing, Tinnitus Evaluations and Management, with a specialty in Hearing Aid Fittings and Rehabilitation. She treats all ages.

Dr. Daphne Panagotacos Dermatological Surgery 32144 Agoura Rd., Ste. 106 Westlake Village, CA 91361 805.379.3376 www.daphnepmd.com Dr. Daphne I. Panagotacos offers highly reputable services as a board-certified Dermatologist whose practice includes dermatological surgery, cosmetic dermatology and her specialty, Mohs micrographic surgery. As a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Panagotacos is a widely respected expert in her field.

Dr. Rajesh Khanna Lasik, Cataract & Prelex Surgeon 179 Auburn Court, Ste. 1 Westlake Village, CA 91362 805.230.2126 www.KhannaInstitute.com www.youtube.com/khannalasik Rajesh Khanna, M.D., has been trusted for over twenty years by youngsters wanting Lasik and those over 45 desiring Prelex to rid oneself of reading glasses or Cataract surgery. Voted the Best Lasik Doctor in Los Angeles, he is also a voluntary clinical instructor at UCLA. Newsweek showcased him as one of the top 15 Lasik surgeons in the country.

Dr. Pearl Zadeh General & Bio-Compatible Aesthetic Dentistry 6325 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Ste. 311 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.716.6722 www.PearlZadeahDDS.com With a doctorate in dental surgery from NYU, Dr. Pearl Zadeh, DDS, is a Bio-Compatible Cosmetic & General Dentist. Her focus is to restore patients to a state of optimum oral & full body health. We cater to chemically sensitive, phobic, immune-challenged patients. Her cosmetic eye and gentle touch will always result in a happy & healthy smile.

Agoura-Los Robles Podiatry Centers Podiatry for Children & Adults 555 Marin Street, Ste. 290 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 805.497.6979 www.ConejoFeet.com Drs. Michael Zapf, Darren Payne and Steve Benson, of the Agoura-Los Robles Podiatry Centers, provide foot and ankle care from ingrown nails to ankle arthroscopy including diabetic wound care. They offer non-surgical approaches to heel pain and laser treatment of fungal nails at their offices in Old Agoura and Thousand Oaks. All three are Board Certified (ABPS).

Dr. Marc M. Kerner Sinus & Nasal Reconstructive Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery Westlake Village, Northridge 805.230.1111 www.marckernermd.com www.dermatiqueskinspa.com

Dr. Sarmela Sunder Facial Plastic Surgeon Beverly Hills, Encino & Agoura 818.501.3223 www.sunderplasticsurgery.com www.facebook.com/FacialSurgeon

Stephen J Reidy, MD Anesthesiology 215 W. Janss Rd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 805.244.5159 www.losrobleshospital.com

Dr. Sarmela Sunder is a board-certified and fellowship trained surgeon specializing in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery. Dr. Sunder's training includes Johns Hopkins, Cornell and Stanford. She focuses on mini-lifts, facelifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid lifts, forehead lifts, as well as fillers and Botox. Representing a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective, Dr. Sunder offers her patients a unique and exclusive experience.

Dr. Stephen Reidy is a board-certified anesthesiologist who graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed his residency at U.C.L.A. He has served as chief of staff at Thousand Oaks Surgical Center, as well as president of the Los Robles Anesthesia Group at Los Robles Medical Center, both hospitals at which he is currently on staff. Dr. Reidy is also on staff at Los Robles SurgiCenter, where his pain practice is located.

Christine Farrell Natural Hormone Therapy 32144 Agoura Rd., Ste. 102 Westlake Village, CA 91361 818.865.8500 www.bioidenticalwellness.com

Dr. Anthony A Virella Complex Spine, Brain Tumors and Cerebrovascular Surgery 1250 LaVenta Dr, Ste. 200 Westlake Village, CA 91361 805.449.0088 www.dr-virella.com

Dr. Hannah Grossman Obstetrics / Gynecology 558 N. Ventu Park Rd., #A Newbury Park, CA 91320 (805) 498-0240 www.grossmanobgyn.com

Christine Farrell, MSN, FNP-C,is a nationally board-certified nurse practitioner who specializes in the treatment of hormonal imbalances for both men and women. Farrell has been in medical practice for over 17 years, and is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA. Certified in Vitapel(tm) hormone pellet therapy, Farrell believes in treating the whole patient by addressing each patient's hormonal, nutritional, physical and emotional well-being.

Dr. Anthony A. Virella, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon practicing in Westlake Village. A leading authority in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, he has helped develop many of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cutting-edge techniques. Trained at Columbia, UCLA and The Cleveland Clinic, patients from across the country travel to California for his top-notch minimally invasive spine care.

Dr. Hannah Grossman M.D. divides her time between Los Robles Hospital as the Chief Medical Officer and a busy OB/GYN practice with Robert, her spouse.

Born in Ireland, she is very happy to live in the Conejo Valley by way of U.C.L.A. and U.S.C. Her best achievements include being the first female chief of staff, mother of four kids, three rescue dogs and a home vineyard filled with Cabernet grapes.

Dr. Marc M. Kerner, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a board-certified specialist whose expertise lies within a broad variety of fields. Voted best ENT Physician and Surgeon in Los Angeles by the LA Times Magazine in 2009, Dr. Marc M. Kerner specializes in sinus, sleep apnea, nasal reconstructive surgery, craniofacial deformities, facial plastic surgery and minimally invasive cosmetic surgery of the face.

Peter H. Grossman M.D., F.A.C.S Director Grossman Burn Centers West Hills Hospital and Medical Center West Hills, CA 91307 818-981-2050 www.grossmanburncenter.com Dr. Peter H. Grossman is a Board-certified plastic surgeon whose private medical practice is divided between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and the care of the burn-injured patient. Dr. Grossman served as the President of the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons for eight years and is a member of many honorary societies. He has authored or co-authored over 35 articles in medical journals and contributed to six text books.

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Day in the Life

LISA GUTMAN Over the last 24 years, top real estate agent Lisa Gutman has chased down horses that escaped from barns, sneaked celebrities into properties and set records for selling the most expensive properties in Hidden Hills, an affluent community in the San Fernando Valley. She averages $30 to $40 million a year in sales volume. She represents estate properties priced from $1 million to $10 million in Hidden Hills and its betterknown neighbor, Calabasas.

Whether it’s a 1950s original ranch style home, a $20 million French Country mansion or a sprawling 5-acre lot with a teardown, she always maintains her signature hands-on approach with clients.

“Dedicated,” “knowledgeable,” “experienced” and “friendly” are the words they might use to describe Gutman, who prides herself on being available 24/7.

THE PREMIER RESOURCE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S REALTORS

DANA OLMES & JEFF BIEBUYCK Dana Olmes & Jeff Biebuyck, a realtor team with Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, have over 35 years of combined experience in representing clients for the leading luxury real estate company in the Los Angeles & Ventura counties of Southern California. Working locally in Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, Agoura, Bell Canyon and Malibu, they offer local expertise in an international market. Dana & Jeff are also deeply involved in the community, donating time and resources to important causes and charitable organizations.

Dana Olmes 818.581.6068 Jeff Biebuyck 818.486.1763 www.DanaAndJeffLuxury Homes.com

MARC & RORY SHEVIN The Prudential Calabasas team of brothers, Marc and Rory Shevin, utilize their 65+ years of combined real estate expertise to provide their clients with the best possible service in the marketing and sale of fine homes and luxury estates in the communities where they live and work. The Shevin brothers represent developers, investors, lawyers, entertainers, athletes and lenders with a focus on the communities where they live and work, mainly in Calabasas and Hidden Hills. Their own expertise as investors and spec home builders has given them the “edge” in selling and marketing properties in any price range and under any economic condition.

818.251.2448 www.TheShevins.com

818-879-2999 www.SigiAndPam.com

TRACY & DAVID SMITH David and Tracy have extensive knowledge in all aspects of real estate. Their development and lending backgrounds expanded their sales with standard buyers and sellers to many short sales and bank owned properties.

Intently focused on delivering incomparable experiences to their clients, their concierge-like impeccable services established them as a premier listing team in Calabasas and Westlake Village.

Highly regarded among local and out-of-town homebuyers alike, the Smiths are the go-to agents for buyers from all over the world.

818.657.6504 www.TeamSmithCA.com

805.491.2100 RosemaryAllison@aol.com

818.535.0862 www.HiddenHills.com

SIGI ULBRICH & PAM MORAN Honored for their presence in the industry’s top 1% nationwide in earnings, this powerful, highly dedicated professional Real Estate Team, Sigi Ulbrich & Pam Moran have lead their office with the highest sales volume and earnings for the last 20 years. They are annually honored at the National Prudential Convention. There is no substitute for experience and dedication.

ROSEMARY ALLISON Leader of Prestige Estate sales throughout Ventura County, Rosemary Allison redefines the art of marketing luxury estates by utilizing her unique marketing techniques and strong negotiating skills. Rosemary specializes in marketing residences in the upscale neighborhoods of Santa Rosa Valley, North Ranch, Somis, Westlake Village and Camarillo. Ranked among “The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals,” Rosemary was named as one of America’s top real estate professionals by The Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends. In 2010, Rosemary was awarded the designation of “Society of Excellence” by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, an award bestowed upon the top 1% of all Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate sales associates.

KAY FIELDS Located out of Hidden Hills, Prudential Realtor Kay Fields works relentlessly for her clients in order to find that perfect home. Whether seeking a new home or wanting to place property on the market, Fields will put in all necessary work so that they get the best deals in today’s market. Fields raised her family in Hidden Hills and understands the benefits of living in a community that is dedicated to education and family.

818.419.1172 www.Kayfields.Prudentialcal.com

MICHELLE OUELLETTE & BILL CARTER Living embodiment of the Sotheby’s International Realty mantra: “Artfully Uniting Extraordinary Properties with Extraordinary Lives,” Michelle Ouellette and Bill Carter have been recognized for selling and listing over one billion dollars worth of real estate and are currently ranked in the top percentile of all REALTORS® nationally. In 2009, the partner team sold the highest priced luxury property amongst agents in their market. With several decades of combined experience, there is no task that Ouellette and Carter find too daunting to tackle. They specialize in Westlake Village, North Ranch, Thousand Oaks and the beach.

Michelle: 805.427.1333 Bill: 818.378.0952 www.BillAndMichelleEstates.com

DUNCAN BRAVO Southern California's most prolific real estate sales agent, Duncan Bravo consistently uses an extremely effective, dynamic and robust proprietary marketing plan to ultimately get his clients the highest possible net price the market will bear.

With over a decade of experience and numerous awards for record sales and innovative global property marketing, Bravo and his capable team specialize in selling fine homes & estates for Top Dollar!

818.518.1334 DBravoCentury21@aol.com

KAREN CRYSTAL & NICKI LAPORTA Karen Crystal and Nicki LaPorta are the dynamic realtor team with Sotheby’s International Realty® Ewing & Associates group. Serving clients for the leading luxury real estate company in the Los Angeles and Ventura areas of Southern California, Crystal and LaPorta work locally in Thousand Oaks, Hidden Valley, Lake Sherwood, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Agoura and Malibu offering local expertise in a global market. Crystal brings a unique blend of efficiency, honesty, integrity and business-savvy to her clients, alongside her partner, LaPorta, who utilizes her exemplary negotiation and communication skills, as well as her painstaking attention to detail.

805.625.0304 www.NikiAndKaren.com

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SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

SCREENING FOR

: BREAST CANCER THE THREE-STAGE APPROACH

BY KELLY MILLER

THE PINK RIBBON, THE UNIVERSAL SYMBOL OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS, MAKES US, WHEN WE SEE IT, STOP AND THINK. We think of our mothers, sisters and friends who have been affected by this disease.

One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and eighty percent of the cases reflect no family history of the disease.

That pink ribbon serves as a beacon to remind us to seek early detection, by getting a mammogram, seeing a doctor and doing monthly checks. For many women, this is the last thing we’re thinking about. All of us savvy gals have busy lives and this doesn’t seem like a priority.

One gal in particular didn’t make it a priority in time. Leanne is the energetic single mother of two boys, Robby, 14, and Alex, 11. Her life is busy with her nursing career, taking the boys to their sporting events and just trying to keep up. This all came to a crashing halt in May of 2006, when she discovered a lump. Leanne had been faithful about going in for her yearly gynecological exam, but the referrals to get a mammogram lay forgotten on her desk. As she began calling her doctor to take the next step, she looked at the referrals and felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and regret. “I knew that if I had just gone in for a mammogram this lump would have been discovered the year before,” she said, “and I would be at a different point in my life right now.”

DETECTION IS THE KEY We’ve all heard it before, but let’s say it again; early detection can lead to a better outcome when dealing with cancer. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization is a great place to discover valuable information about breast cancer. This group is the result of a promise between sisters. Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

The information on the nonprofit’s website, ww5.komen.org, recommends a three-step approach to breast cancer screening that includes a combination of mammography, clinical breast exams and breast self-exams. They suggest annual mammograms beginning at age 40 and a clinical breast exam at least every three years beginning at age 20, and annually from age 40 on.

94 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

We all know that we should be performing a monthly self-examination, but do we really know what we’re doing? Having a clinical exam done at a yearly gynecological appointment might be the best place to start. Your physician or nurse can demonstrate how to do a self-exam and explain of what changes you should be aware. And in the meantime (not meant as a substitute for a professional’s advice) you can get more information and instructions at the American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society has these suggestions on what to look for in your monthly exam: “[Take notice] if a change occurs, such as development of a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk. Should you notice any changes you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for evaluation. Remember that most of the time, however, these breast changes are not cancer.”

Leanne admits she wasn’t very consistent with self-exams. “I went in for my yearly appointment, but didn’t remember on a monthly basis to do them at home.” When she began experiencing pain and found the subsequent lump, she thought, “I’ve killed myself. I knew there were things I could be doing to screen for breast cancer, but I thought that happens to other people. It’s a shock when you realize that it’s your turn.”

MAMMOGRAMS In the United States, in order to make sure mammograms are safe and being run by qualified people, the Mammography Quality Standards Act was created. The National Cancer Institute explains the act this way: “The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) is a Federal law designed to ensure that mammo-

Non Surgical Liposlim™ “...ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS BEGINNING AT AGE 40 AND A CLINICAL BREAST EXAM AT LEAST EVERY THREE YEARS BEGINNING AT AGE 20, AND ANNUALLY FROM AGE 40 ON.”

grams are safe and reliable. Through the MQSA, all mammography facilities in the United States must meet stringent quality standards, be accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and be inspected annually.”

Countries around the world have taken similar steps to ensure the safety of mammography. We’ve all heard the stories about the procedure itself: the “vise,” and the “squishing.” Katrin Wooldrige, a registered radiologist in radiography mammography said that every day, she hears the same thing, “I have women who come in and say, I hate this, I hate you and I don’t want to be here. I don’t enjoy having them done either, and, know this is invasive and not fun; but, I also know it saves lives.”

RN Linda Kottmann advises women to set up an appointment at a time during the month that can minimize the discomfort. She recommends right at the end of the menstrual period through that first week after the period for menstruating women.

A radiologist with special training in mammography will then read the x-ray. If something questionable is discovered, additional procedures will be needed. Linda explains, “Depending on what is found and the patient’s own personal history, the next step could be a stereotactic needle biopsy, or an ultrasound, or even an evaluation with a surgeon who has experience with breast abnormalities—meaning a physical exam and review of the mammogram.”

Leanne had several procedures after her mammogram. In the end she was diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer and had a bi-lateral mastectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy. It has been a painful year for Leanne and her children. “I look back on pictures of myself before I knew about the cancer and think, I had cancer and didn’t even know it.” Because of her own journey Leanne strongly urges women to get a mammogram, do self-exams and see the doctor. “It can’t be said enough; early detection makes all the difference.”

START THE HABIT NOW Pick a day during the month to do a self-exam and call and remind a friend. Make it a monthly habit. Download instruction cards and hang them up on a mirror or laminate them and place them in your shower. There is nothing like a daily reminder to keep us aware of what we need to do to stay healthy.

When you begin having mammograms, get into the routine of making the appointment. Wooldrige shared, “Many women come in on their birthdays to do their mammograms.” This is the one day a year you can’t forget. Make an appointment for your gynecological exam at the same time and get everything done for the year. Then treat yourself to lunch!

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DATEBOOK HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS SEPT/OCT2012 SEPTEMBER September through October 8 The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley presents a new art exhibit, Yin Yang Summer, in The Galleria at Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. This invitational show has original artworks by 12 professional artists keeping with the theme of Yin and Yang. This show can be viewed daily from 9 am until 5 pm at no charge. For more information, visit www.conejoarts.org.

September through November 11 7:30—10:00pm Whodunnit Diner, an interactive murder mystery dinner theater, presents "The Silent Movie Murder" every Sunday night at the Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Road in Thousand Oaks.

You will enjoy a three-course meal, a Charleston contest and participate in the solving of a crime. All tickets $57, inclusive of dinner and show. Reservations at www.xcelproductions.com.

August 31—September 2 The 10th Annual Ventura Nationals Hot Rod & Motorcycle Show and Music Festival. Custom cars, live music, hot rods, motorcycles and a swap meet mark this special event at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Boulevard. A kickoff party takes place on Friday, August 31st at Fast Frame, 3954 East Main Street, Ventura. Attractions for the show on September 1st and 2nd include over 700 pre-1969 American hotrods, customs, classics, trucks, lowriders and motorcycles, live music and even a pin up contest judged by legendary Ramone’s drummer, Marky Ramone, and infamous celebrity auto customizer, George Barris. For more information, visit www.venturanationals.com.

September 6 6:00pm Malibu Country Mart is celebrating Fashion’s Night Out with The Bumbys!

Gill and Jill Bumby, anonymous New York performance artists, provide their fair and honest appraisals of guests’ appearances. There will be couture carnival-themed events from a glamorous red carpet entrance and a rocking local band to tarot card readings, henna tattoos, food trucks and more. Many of the designer and luxury retailers will have in-store events, promotions, sales and raffles to celebrate. Visit www.facebook.com/MalibuCountryMart.

September 6 6:00—9:00pm Neiman Marcus and 805 Living Magazine Presents Fashion’s Night Out, an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence and put the fun back in shopping created by a collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company and the City of New York.

Join editors, stars, models, fashionistas and designers as they flood Neiman Marcus in Topanga, 6550 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

September 8-9 The 35th Annual Conejo Valley Home & Garden Show is the place to go for home improvement ideas. The fall show is Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village.

September 8-9 The Aloha Beach Festival returns to Ventura's recently restored Promenade Park to celebrate the spirit of Aloha through Polynesian and hula dance, delicious Hawaiian and Thai food, fun beach activities for both spectators and participants, and of course, a refreshing beer garden. Highlights include live music, great food, K9 Frisbee demos, outrigger canoe and paddleboard races and a surf contest. Please visit www.alohabeachfestival.us for further information.

September 8—December 15 Saturdays 9:00am—noon Gold Coast Theatre Conservatory offers its cornerstone Saturday classes in all aspects of theatre arts for grades 3 to 12. Registration is $350. In addition, it presents The Acting Academy for Autism, Mondays from 4:00—5:30.

Classes are designed specifically to encourage emotional perception through acting exercises in young people with high functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Contact 805.427.5314, GoldCoastTheatre@Gmail.com or visit goldcoasttheatreconservatory.com.

September 9 The Powered By Youth Foundation announces the “Summer End Celebration” benefit at the Sunset Room in Agoura Hills. This red carpet event will be hosted by FOX TV personality, Mike Pereira, and includes tastings prepared

by Celebrity Chef, Jeffrey Saad, live entertainment, teen testimonials, casino room, live auction, celebrity guest appearances and much more. Companies are invited to join FOX Sports, Four Seasons Westlake Village, Global Management Partners and others to participate as a sponsor. Proceeds directly benefit the Powered By Youth Foundation's valuable programs.

September 15 7:30—11:00am The Wounded Warrior Half Marathon/5k/Military Mile, hosted by Naval Base Ventura County, will honor our Wounded Warriors. All participants will receive a collectors 'Finisher Medal', T-shirt and sponsored goodies. Enjoy live bands and encouraging cheers along the way at the Naval Base in Ventura County, Point Mugu, 311 Main Road, Oxnard. Visit navylifesw.com/ventura/events.

September 15 4:30—8:30pm Boccali’s 11th Annual Tomato Festival and Wine Tasting featuring a farm fresh produce stand, live music, door prizes and wine tasting. Come meet your local wineries and enjoy a sampling of wines from the Ojai Valley. General Admission tickets are $25 and include all-you-can-eat-buffet. Wine Tasting Tickets are $10 and include a commemorative glass. Contact 805.646.6116 or visit boccalivineyards.com/BV_Events.html.

Boccali's Ojai is located at 3277 East Ojai Avenue.

September 15—16 The California Beer Festival returns to Ventura at beautiful Mission Park.

Celebrating autumn with over 130 craft beers and delicious BBQ. On Sunday, September 16, bring your appetite for the BBQ competition and Blues Festival where 15 teams from all over the state will compete for the "Best BBQ" title, and YOU get to be one of the judges! Tickets are on sale now at californiabeerfestival.com.

September 15—16 The California Street Longboard Classic celebrates a quarter century of surf, making it the longest running surfing contest in Ventura County. The event includes long and shortboard competitions, and to keep things interesting, an "Old Log" event, where competitors can only use boards that are 35 years or older. Join at the Surfer's Point. Visit venturasurfclub.org/cstreet for more information.

September 14—16 The 4th Annual Ink for a Cause at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a threeday, family-friendly tattoo convention advocating generosity through body art.

A portion of the proceeds will go to School on Wheels, aiming to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children. The event celebrates fine art by featuring tattoo and piercing artists, arts and crafts, live bands, burlesque performances, vendors and a silent auction. Tickets are available at the box office or at www.inkforacause.com.

September 19—23 12:00—11:00pm (times vary) The 2012 Simi Valley Fair & Music Festival will be held at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Avenue.

This is the 28th consecutive year of this great community event, featuring a music festival, carnival games, contests and prizes, free samples and giveaways, Polynesian Village, shopping, arts and crafts, great food, family entertainment, car show, 5K/10K run, rides and much more. Visit www.svfamf.com.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through September 15 The “Western Salon” Exhibit at the William Rolland Stadium and Gallery of Fine Art showcases the $170,000 in Western art donated by former game show host Bob Eubanks and his family to California Lutheran University. It includes works from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum collection. For details visit callutheran.edu/calendar.

September 22 11:30am The 2012 Ventura Hillsides Music Festival will take place in the "natural amphitheater" at Arroyo Verde Park.

The Festival will afford a rare opportunity to enjoy superb live music in one of Ventura's most beautiful outdoor settings with the enjoyment of food, vendors and a kids' play area. For more information visit www.venturahillsides.org.

96 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

September 22 7:00pm The Humane Society of the United States will host its first ever couture fashion event at the iconic Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles.

Celebrating the latest in designer men and women's wear for conscious living, H-Couture is the new fashion calendar essential, with celebrity hosts, live entertainment and celebrity attendees.

Proceeds from this event will benefit The HSUS's fur-free campaign. Tickets start at $200 each. Purchase tickets online at regonline.com/h-couture2012 or call 310.440.0600.

September 24—30 The 2nd annual Ventura Comedy Festival features local and national comics alike, with shows in five different venues across Ventura. Preliminary rounds are scheduled every Sunday in September at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club at 7:00 p.m. A total of 36 people will make it to the three semi-final rounds held during the festival. Visit www.venturacomedyfestival.com for full details.

September 24 10:00am Ventura Teen Challenge is hosting their 17th Annual Golf Tournament and Banquet at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Enjoy a great day of golf at the Five Star Ojai Valley Inn Resort and help support a life changing organization at the same time. Contact 805.585.4028 or ventura@teenchallenge.org for more info and sponsorship opportunities.

September 27 5:00—8:00pm The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts the 4th annual Taste of Conejo at the Four Seasons Westlake Village featuring an unforgettable evening of exceptional food and spirit tastings paired with music, fashion and entertainment. Open to the general public from 5-8pm this year, there will also be special VIP admission sold exclusively through BOGOPOD, giving guests early access to the event from 4-5pm. Purchase tickets at conejochamber.org or call 805.370.0035 for more information.

September 28—30 6:00—8:30 Friday 11:00am—5:00pm Saturday & Sunday At Paint Ventura, each day provides a new challenge to artists and a new spectacle for visitors. Painters are tasked with painting as many Venturainspired works as they can, followed by a "Best of Show" and a sale of the homegrown works. Additionally, tents and umbrellas will line Main Street where artists will display and sell their work, while musicians and folk dancers entertain crowds.

Visit www.paintventura.com.

September 28—30 New music director Marcelo Lehninger will lead the New West Symphony in the opening concert of its Eighteenth Masterpiece Series season, “Marcelobration!” at three separate locations. All tickets may be purchased by phone at 866.776.8400 or at newwestsymphony.org.

DATEBOOK HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS SEPT/OCT2012 September 28—30 The Studio Channel Islands Art Center Gallery Opening Art Party, “Mystery Masterpiece,” will feature artworks by celebrities including Howie Mandel, Ray Parker Jr. & Julie Carmen displayed anonymously next to pieces by prominent visual artists from Ventura county and beyond. Live art selection: Friday, September 28, 6-9pm, tickets available at www.studiochannelislands.org or by calling 805.383.1368.

Gallery free and open to the public on Saturday, September 29, noon-5pm.

Open Studios: Sunday, September 30, noon-5pm, located at 2221 Ventura Blvd. in Camarillo.

September 22 11:30am The 2012 Ventura Hillsides Music Festival will take place in the "natural amphitheater" at Arroyo Verde Park. The Festival will afford a rare opportunity to enjoy superb live music in one of Ventura's most beautiful outdoor settings with the enjoyment of food, vendors and a kids' play area. For more information visit www.venturahillsides.org.

September 29 6:00pm My Stuff Bags Foundation presents an evening of food, fun and games with fabulous wine tasting, gourmet food and silly contests for prizes and getaways.

All proceeds help the My Stuff Bags Foundation provide new belongings to foster children across America. At the Leonis Adobe Museum, 23537 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. Tickets are $75. Email info@mystuffbags.org or call 818.865.3860.

September 29 6:00—11:00pm The Centennial Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles announces this year’s gala, “Light the Way.” Hosted by David H. Murdock at the Ventura Farms in Thousand Oaks, the event will be attended by over 500 people, including community leaders and celebrities. Support the hospital by attending the event, becoming a pponsor, advertising in our event program or donating an auction item. Contact Debbie Gengos, Publicity Chair at centennialguild@aol.com. Visit www.centennialguildchla.org.

OCTOBER October 1—31 10:00am—dusk Come spend a day in the fresh Ojai country air at Boccali’s Pumpkin Patch. Offering a great selection of pumpkins, including “Big Mac” pumpkins, a wide variety of squash, gourds, Indian Corn, seasonal farm-fresh produce and a free kids hay maze. Don’t miss the Haunted Hayride. Starts October 12th, Friday and Saturday nights from 7-9pm. Admission is $7 at Boccali’s Ojai, 3277 E. Santa Paula-Ojai Road.

Visit www.boccalis.com.

October 1 7:00pm The Pacific Pearl Music Association will present a Chinese Moon Festival Concert, a free evening of traditional Chinese and Western compositions featuring orchestral music, chorus and

Chinese instruments at the Samuelson Chapel. For more information, contact Debby Chang at ddchang@callutheran.edu or go to www.callutheran.edu.

October 5—7 The Harvest Festival Original Art and Craft Show is the largest show of its kind on the West Coast. Children can enjoy art and craft activities and pose for photos with costumed festival participants, while adults indulge in a variety of gourmet food and enjoy live entertainment at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. To purchase tickets, visit www.harvestfestival.com.

October 6 8:00—11:00am The October Classic Walk, Wheel or Run for Your Life 5K and 10K events will take place at Nordhoff High School in Ojai, 1401 Maricopa Highway.

All proceeds will benefit the Ojai Valley Community Hospital. Wheelchair participants are free. $200 cash prizes for top 10K male/female overall runners.

Pre-register for the event by visiting www.octoberclassic.org. Or register the morning of the event beginning at 7:15 a.m.

October 6—7 11:00am—4:00pm Ladyface Oktoberfest Beer Garden at the Reyes Adobe Park & Historical Site features hands-on children’s activities, entertainment, food vendors, pony rides and a petting zoo at 30400 Rainbow Crest Drive in Agoura Hills. Visit ci.agoura-hills.ca.us for details.

October 14—17 Don’t Miss The Representational Art Conference where master artists, critics and thought leaders from around the world will come together to discuss representational art’s place in the 21st century at Crowne Plaza, 450 East Harbor Blvd. in Ventura.

Visit www.trac2012.org.

October 8—12 Día de la Raza and Fiesta and CLU’s Hispanic Heritage Week celebration occurs during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15th. Admission is free at the Lundring Events Center. For information, call Daniel Lawrence at 805.493.3302.

October 19 10:00am CLU’s Founders Day is held annually to give thanks for the university’s heritage and accent its mission of educating leaders for a global society. This year’s keynote speaker is Rev. Frank Nausin, senior pastor of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks.

Admission is free. For information on Founders Day events including the Friday evening, Suzanne Freeman Memorial Concert, visit www.callutheran.edu/music.

October 11 5 p.m. (Reception at 4:30 p.m.)

Globalization, Transcultural Music and Ethnic Identities with Christopher Dennis, an associate professor of Spanish language and Latin American literatures and cultures at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

Dennis explores how hip-hop artists use music and digital media to rework ethnic identities. Admission is free at the Lundring Events Center. For information, call 805.493.3694 or email CEJ@callutheran.edu.

October 5—31 7:00—10:00pm The 13th Annual Reign of Terror Haunted House in Thousand Oaks invites the public for ten bone chilling nights at Janss Marketplace at 197 North Moorpark Road. This year, the haunted house will host two days of special “Lights On” tours for the community’s youth and true haunt enthusiasts on Saturday, October 20th and 27th from 1-4pm. Tickets are $15. Visit www.rothauntedhouse.com.

October 6 5:00—8:00pm Pier Under the Stars is Ventura's premiere annual food and wine benefit for the preservation of the historic Ventura Pier. 50 local businesses provide some of the best food and spirits in the county.

Guests can sip wine, dance to live music and mingle with guests for a great cause.

For tickets and further information, visit www.pierintothefuture.org.

October 6—7 The 2012 Bike MS Coastal Challenge takes off from San Buenaventura Park in Ventura. Route options are available for every level of cyclist, ranging from 30-160 miles. Enjoy delicious meals, strong support and rest stops every 15 miles during your ride. Afterward, a festival with great food, beer, music and a massage tent awaits. Visit bikecal.nationalmssociety.org.

October 6 1:00-5:00pm The "Bravery Uncorked" benefit for Disabled Sports of Eastern Sierra, re-introducing disabled veterans to the thrill of outdoor sports, features a silent auction, wine tasting and live jazz at the Westlake Landing Grill & Sushi Restaurant.

Visit braveryuncorked.eventbrite.com

October 20 The 2012 'Stand Up for Kids' Gala Dinner & Auction for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley takes place at the Four Seasons Hotel, Westlake Village. This fundraising event honoring Mary & Richard Carpenter, world patrons of the arts, will have silent & live auctions, gourmet dining and entertainment. Call 818-706-0905 or visit www.bgcconejo.org.

October 12 5:00—10:00pm Based on an Old-World tradition dating back to 1314, The Highland Games celebrates Celtic heritage at the beautiful Seaside Park in Ventura. Men in kilts demonstrate feats of strength and cunning, lads and lasses show off their best footwork in highland and country dancing, talented fiddlers compete for prizes and contemporary Scottish bands perform. Enjoy a traditional whisky tasting at the Four Points Hotel. The Festival hours continue on October 13—14, 9 – 5pm, at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Visit seaside-games.com.

October 20—21 10:00am—5:00pm At the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival at De Anza Park, there will be live bands, contests, reptile and wildlife shows, inflatable rides, a giant slide, youth carnival games and on Sunday, a car show. Pumpkins are everywhere: at the Pumpkin Patch, try pumpkin foods, pumpkin baked treats, pumpkin beer, make pumpkin crafts and meet a professional pumpkin carver. Visit www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com or call 818.222.5680.

October 13—14 The 2012 Ojai Studio Artists Tour is a feast for art lovers: a journey involving 46 artists and 42 studios located throughout the sumptuous Ojai Valley.

New features this year: a guided "Concierge Tour" option along with the traditional self-guided tour, plus surprise musical guests. Purchase tickets at www.ojaistudioartists.org.

October 31 5:30—8:30pm The Fright Fest Community Halloween Carnival in Camarillo, at Camarillo Community Center Park, 1605 E. Burnley Street, happens on Halloween night, featuring a Trick-or-Treat Village, Carnival Games, Costume Contest and much more. Visit www.pvrpd.org/recreation/calendar.asp.

October 13 8:00—10:00pm CD Release Concert: “All This Because Of You” featuring CLU alumnus Michael Falcone singing and playing the piano while performing his original music and random comedy. This first album will be released the day of the concert. Admission is $10; free for children 12 and doors open at 7pm at the Samuelson Chapel. Visit www.MichaelFalconeMusic.com.

October 31 5:30—8:00pm Oak Park's 7th Annual Indoor Halloween Carnival will take place at Oak Park Community Center, 1000 Kanan Road. Children ages 11 and under may bring their parents along for an evening of games, attractions, food and prizes.

The carnival will be held indoors and everyone is encouraged to wear costumes. Tickets are only $2 for children age 2 and up, $1 for the younger kids and parents are free. For details, visit www.rsrpd.org or call 818.865.9304.

October 14 At the Ponies by the Sea Mustang Car Show, held by the Tri-County Mustang Club, proud Mustang owners can enter their cars for a "people's choice" contest with a trophy award and this year's bragging rights on the grass at Ventura Harbor Village. Visit www.tricountymustangclub.com.

97 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

To include your event in our Datebook email:

Kari@WestlakeMagazine.com

Banquet Private Rooms | Catering Weddings | Rehearsal Dinners | Baby Showers Birthday Parties

CULINARY LIFE & HOME

FROM MARKET TO TABLE WITH CRISTINA FERRARE THOMOPOULOS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN CRESTON DuBOIS FARMERS MARKET PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY REAMS

I’m honored to join the Westlake Magazine family. I’ll be writing about what I’m most passionate about: family, home, food and cooking!

A recent transplant to Westlake Village from Beverly Hills (where I’ve lived most of my life), I’ve been residing in this paradise for a little more than a year and I’ve never been happier.

I wake up every morning at the crack of dawn with a smile on my face.

I look out my bedroom window at the mountains and watch the light outside slowly change as the sun rises. I love the way the air smells out here especially in the early morning. The aroma of the fresh herbs I’ve planted everywhere arouses my senses and I immediately start to plan the menu for the day.

I can’t help it—I smell fresh basil and want to cook an omelet.

For those of you who are familiar with my body of work you know that I’m passionate about my family and home and that I’m totally obsessed with cooking and feeding everyone I meet! For those who don’t, let me introduce myself.

My name is Cristina Ferrare. I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, ex-model, commercial spokesperson, actor, professional speaker, chef, author and TV talk show host.

I grew up in a great big loving Italian family and meals in our home were a celebration of love and appreciation. I was always in the kitchen helping my grandmother and mother prepare meals. When they would bring the bowls to the table, I felt as if they were serving big bowls of love.

I always knew that my calling had something to do with food but along the way, like most of us, I got sidetracked. At 14, I started modeling and at 16, I became the spokesperson for Max Factor. I had the privilege to be on the covers of major magazines including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Good Housekeeping. I starred in two movies, The Impossible Years and JW COOP, and made guest appearances on TV. I co-hosted shows including A.M. Los Angeles with Steve Edwards, Live with Regis & Kathie Lee, Good Morning America and Men Are From Mars, Women From Venus with Dr. Drew Pinski. I did two hours of live television from Universal Studios for The Family Channel’s Home & Family Show, hosted Cristina & Friends for Disney and most recently, my own cooking show on Oprah’s network, OWN, called a “Big Bowl of Love.”

100 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

On my first day co-hosting A.M Los Angeles I was asked what I’d like to contribute. Right away I said I‘d like to do cooking segments. A kitchen was built and everyday for over five years I cooked and shared recipes and kitchen tips, long before there was a “Food Network.” I found my element—I’m happiest in the kitchen!

In between hosting jobs I took professional cooking and baking classes, traveled to Europe to study the cuisines of Paris, Spain and of course, my heritage, Italy. I love Italian cooking and learned from the best in Rome, Tuscany and Naples.

I’ve written five books including a New York Times bestseller, “Okay So I Don’t Have a Headache” and my most recent cookbook, “A Big Bowl of Love.” I’m currently working on a new one, “From the Heart,” featuring heart-smart recipes.

I curate opensky.com/cristinaferrare , an online store that features my recommendations on the latest kitchen and cooking “finds,” from exotic olive oils to the latest gadgets. I’m also an official Tastemaker on www.foodily.com/u/cristinaferrarecooks where you can find the best recipes from all over the world. I comb through that site on a daily basis so I can share my “FAVE” recipes. When I’m not in the kitchen tweaking recipes, I’m writing about them—I love sharing my recipes and finds … which leads me back to my newfound obsession: my new neighborhood!

“...FOR OVER FIVE yEARS I COOKED AND SHARED RECIPES AND KITCHEN TIPS, LONG BEFORE THERE WAS A “FOOD NETWORK.” I FOUND My ELEMENT—I’M HAPPIEST IN THE KITCHEN!”

CULINARY LIFE & HOME

The first thing I did before moving to Westlake was to find the farmers markets where I could shop for my organic fruits, vegetables, eggs, spices, breads and flowers.

When I cook, it’s important to me to use the freshest ingredients, not only to enhance the flavor but also the meal’s nutritional value. I also love the fact that I’m supporting our community and our local farmers.

I had known about the Calabasas Farmers Market for years but had never visited until I moved here. It has a charming, small town feeling—the locals call this area at the Calabasas Junction, “Old Town,” for good reason. While it’s not a huge market, it certainly doesn’t lack in variety and farm-fresh produce. The first time I went, I walked through the whole market before buying anything—everything looked so beautiful. The second pass was more fun: I filled up my cart so many times I had to keep going back to the parking lot (three times) to empty it out!

The market is peppered with early bird shoppers, the ones who know what they want, get in and out before it gets crowded and spend time talking to the friendly vendors. By 10 a.m. there are happy shoppers everywhere and families eating delicious breakfasts from food vendors like GC Crepes (with its namesake served hot off the grill) and Euro-Mex Cuisine (the tamales are my favorite).

This market not only has the usual fare of fruits, vegetables and flowers but also fresh seafood and baked goods of all kinds, including gluten-free.

I love it all—the freshly squeezed fruit juices, nuts, fresh dates, fresh pastas & spreads, olive oils, flavored balsamic vinegars, eggs, honey, tea leaves and the best variety of mushrooms I’ve seen assembled in one place! You can even find lovely jewelry, organic body lotions and adorable treats for your pets. If you’re a foodie like me, you’ll love every minute.

The moment I get there, I make a beeline for one of my favorite organic growers: John Givens Farms. Their fresh, local, organic produce is excellent all year round. Ask for Hank—you can’t miss him or his ponytail. He’ll greet you with a huge smile and take the time to answer any of your questions. He seems to know a lot of people by name—a good sign because you know customers are coming back. He’s my go-to guy for strawberries and heirloom and vine-ripened tomatoes.

I like to support as many vendors as I can as I go about finding the perfect ripe peach, the sweetest corn on the cob and the perfect blend of fresh herbs and spices. At the market, fruits and vegetables taste like

“

I LOVE IT ALL—THE FRESHLy SqUEEzED FRUIT JUICES, NUTS, FRESH DATES, FRESH PASTAS & SPREADS, OLIVE OILS, FLAVORED BALSAMIC VINEGARS, EGGS, HONEy, TEA LEAVES AND THE BEST VARIETy OF MUSHROOMS I’VE SEEN ASSEMBLED IN ONE PLACE!

“

102 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

they’re supposed to taste (and last a lot longer) because they’re coming directly from the farm to the table. And what a difference it makes!

You need a little nosh? Stop by and say hello to Cindy Daniels. Her booth, “A Little Nosh,” is where I go for homemade brownies, teacakes and cookies. Cindy makes you feel like you’re sitting in her kitchen talking to a friend. She’ll let you sample anything. My personal favorite teacake is the Lemon Poppy Seed. I look forward to having that with my tea, snuggled on the couch with my husband and pups.

Then it’s off to “Livia’s Kitchen” for glutenfree and vegan cookies that I get for my daughter Alexandra who has celiac disease. There are delicious varieties of cookies, brownies and more to choose from.

My husband is Greek so I always make sure to stop at “Aliki Greek Taverna” where I pick up olive oil, Greek feta, fresh pita bread, hummus, tzatziki, marinated garbanzo beans (so good), stuffed grape leaves and other Greek treats. I always buy two cartons of stuffed grape leaves because I end up eating one on the way home!

Salt brings out and enhances the flavor of foods—it’s essential—and I found an amazing salt company: Hepp’s Salt Co. I am a huge finishing salt fan and these flavored salts from around the world are the best I’ve found. It makes the difference between a good dish and a great one. My favorite is Ghost Pepper Salt. Wow is it spicy—just the way I like it!

Since I love organic greens so much, I buy plenty when I’m at the market, from buttery tender Bibb lettuce to peppery wild arugula.

After the salad has been dressed with a simple lemon and infused olive oil dressing, I love to finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Leonardo e Roberto’s Gourmet Blends have the best balsamic vinegars, along with herb and fruit infused olive oils. I drizzle the balsamic vinegars over sliced tomatoes, grilled veggies, chicken, meat and fish. I love combining olive oil with either of the Traditional, Raspberry, Vanilla Fig, Pomegranate or Black Currant balsamic vinegars and dipping in a freshly baked piece of crusty bread.

I even found the best natural and organic body washes, oils and lotions from Zona. Made without any preservatives or harsh chemicals harmful to the skin, Zona’s products are rich in antioxidants. Stop by and speak to Pietro who I discovered on my first day at the market. I’ve been using his products for over a year now and give them out as gifts. I keep the lavender oil in my car and take a whiff when I’m stuck in traffic—it calms me down like nothing else!

The Calabasas Farmers Market is in Old Town on Calabasas Road across the street from the Sagebrush Cantina, open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with plenty of free parking. For more information, call (818) 591-8161.

CULINARY LIFE & HOME

SUMMER SAUCE I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU PURCHASE A CHINOIS. A CHINOIS IS A STRAINER FOR SOUP AND SAUCES. YOU CAN PURCHASE ONE AT WILLIAMS-SONOMA ONLINE—I SUGGEST THE “RÖSLE CONICAL STRAINER & PESTLE” IT HAS PERFECTLY SIZED HOLES FOR MAKING THIS SAUCE.

I want to share a recipe with you using the tomatoes I bought from my friend Hank at “John Givens Farm.” It’s now the end of the summer growing season and the one thing I will miss are vine-ripened tomatoes. Once they are out of season I won’t buy them again until next summer. Once you’ve tasted a tomato the way it’s supposed to taste, you can never go back.

This is a sauce made of fresh tomatoes.

Simple to make, you can use it as a pasta sauce or enjoy it as a soup, served hot or cold.

On warm days, I serve it chilled and garnish it with crumbled Greek feta or goat cheese, homemade croutons, chopped basil with a drizzle of olive oil and a flavor-infused balsamic vinegar. During the winter (yes, it does get chilly here in beautiful Westlake), I heat it up to make a deliciously satisfying bowl of soup, adding homemade croutons, chopped jalapenos, crumbled crispy bacon and a dollop of sour cream.

At the end of every summer, I buy cases of tomatoes to make pasta sauce and “can” them. This way I can have that sweet summer tomato taste all year.

For more on all the different ways to use this sauce and how to can it, visit my website at www.cristinaferrarecooks.com.

You can also follow me on Twitter @CristinaCooks, find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cristina.ferrare.9 and let me know about anything Westlake. I’d love to hear from you. And if you try the recipe, let me know what you think—I always love feedback!

16 vine-ripened round tomatoes 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and sliced thin 4 scallions chopped, green parts too ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp. kosher salt and pepper 1 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional) 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 8 basil leaves staked and rolled into a cigarette and sliced super thin (do this at the last minute just before you serve your pasta)

Heat a large heavy saucepan on medium high heat for 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and swirl to cover the bottom of the pan. Immediately add the onions and scallions, cook for 8 to 10 minutes to bring out the juices and natural sugar in the onions.

Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper. Add red pepper if using. Mix everything together well, lower the heat to medium.

Cover with a lid slightly ajar. Gently boil the tomatoes for 50 to 60 minutes to cook down most of the liquid. Check every 15 minutes, use a wooden spoon each time to smash the tomatoes to further release their juices. If the tomatoes have thickened before the hour is up, turn off stove and go to the next step.

In blender add 2 to 3 cups of the tomato/onion mixture and blend for 2 whole minutes.

Pass the mixture through a chinois into a clean pot to remove the skin and seeds.

Continue this process until all of the tomatoes have been blended and strained.

Add more salt and pepper if necessary.

Cook your favorite pasta according to package direction.

Pour 1 to 2 ladles of pasta sauce over your favorite cooked pasta. Mix gently.

Plate a portion and add extra sauce over each serving. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese with the basil slices.

To serve as a soup for a chilly night, heat the sauce thoroughly until piping hot (add 1/2 cup of whole, 2% or non-fat milk) and mix until blended. Sprinkle over 4 to 5 croutons a drizzle of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of crumbled Greek feta or goat cheese and chopped fresh basil.

I always like to use a pinch of finishing salts with my recipes. It brings out an added element of taste and flavor. I found this outstanding salt company at the open market and I use these salts to enhance my dishes. Hepp’s Salt Co has an array of reasonably priced salts from all over the world. My personal favorite is ghost pepper, a mixture of salts with a fiery peppery flavor! You can find them at: www.heppssalt.com.

If you want to serve the sauce as a chilled soup, just serve right from the fridge.

Add extra virgin olive oil or truffle oil with croutons and shaved Parmesan. You can also crumble in some crisp bacon bits, chopped tomatoes and lettuce for a BLT Soup!

104 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Westlake

>> SEAFOOD

CALABASAS

>> ITALIAN

Fins 982 S. Westlake Blvd., Ste. 8 Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 494-6494 www.finsinc.com

>> SEAFOOD

Boccaccio’s 32123 Lindero Canyon Rd. # 104 Westlake Village, CA 91362 (818) 889-8300 www.boccacciosonthelake.com

>> JAPANESE

Kings Fish House 4798 Commons Way Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 225-1979 >> GOURMET DELI

Bellini Osteria 951 S. Westlake Blvd.

Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 497-8482 www.belliniosteria.com

Sushi Planet 951 South Westlake Blvd.

Westlake Villege (805) 379-9844 www.sushiplanet.net

Blue Table 4774 Park Granada Calabasas, CA 91302 818-222-5709

>> PIZZA

Thousand Oaks

Malibu

Fresh Brothers 180 Promenade Way Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 777-8448 www.freshbrothers.com

>> AMERICAN

>> CALIFORNIAN

>> DELI

The Grill 120 E Promenade Way Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (805) 418-1760 www.thegrill.com/westlake.html

Geoffrey’s Malibu 27400 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265 (310) 457-1519 www.geoffreysmalibu.com

Brent’s Delicatessen & Restaurant 2799 Townsgate Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91359 (805) 557-1882 www.brentsdeli.com

Lazy Dog Café 172 W. Hillcrest Dr. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (805) 449-5206 www.lazydogcafe.com

Agoura Hills

>> AMERICAN Zin Bistro Americana 32131 Lindero Canyon Rd., Ste. 111 Westlake Village, CA 91361 (818) 865-0095 www.zinbistroamericana.com Napa Tavern 101 S Westlake Blvd.

Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497-4911 www.thenapatavern.com Mediterraneo 32037 Agoura Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361 (818) 889-9105 www.med-rest.com >> CATERING Monrose Catering 31117 Via Colinas Westlake Village, CA 91361 (818) 707-7307 www.monrosecatering.com

Mastro's Steakhouse 2087 East Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-418-1811 www.mastrosrestaurants.com The Mermaid Tavern 1345 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805.777.7418 http://www.mermaidtavernand restaurant.com >> ITALIAN Vitello’s Trattoria 3316 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 (805) 496-3333 www.vitellostrattoria.com Marcello Italian Ristorante 140 West Hillcrest Dr. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (805) 371-4367 www.marcelloristorante.com

>> AMERICAN The Lindero Bar and Grill 5719 Lake Lindero Dr. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 735-3530 www.linderocc.com Wood Ranch 5050 Cornell Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 597-8900 www.woodranch.com/loc_agoura.html Sunset Room 29020 Agoura Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 991-4007 www.sunset-room.com The Lab Brewing Co. 30105 Agoura Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91302 (818) 735-0091 www.labbrewingco.com

If you would like to be included in our Restaurant Guide, please contact Holly Correa at Holly@westlakemagazine.com

PHOTO BY RAYMOND OCAMPO

FOUNDER

/, $* ("3 06/(& AS I SEE IT: BORN TO WIN

BY M. DAYLE THOMAS

You may travel to Paris, Rome, London or New Delhi, but you cannot escape yourself. No matter where you go, there you are. Since you have to live with yourself, you have the option to become your own best friend or your worst enemy.

A common barometric evaluation for measuring friendship is the acceptance of the total person, as he/she is. A true friend is one with whom you can be yourself, without explanation. Many people are sympathetic to friends and yet have such unbending demands on themselvesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they cannot allow for their own human frailties. To win at life, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessary to establish some direction. To attain worthy results, you must first establish worthy goals.

What have you won if you gain public recognition for being the most outstanding bank robber of the century, the richest patient in the hospital or achieved perfection at being "perfect strangers" in a relationship?

What then is the key to winning in life? If you would like to gain new courage and self-confidence, overcome stress and tension and turn your dull everydayness into glowing accomplishmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;YOU CAN! The way to this marvelous discovery is an inward journey.

Get back in touch with the real you. Look closely at this uniquely designed human masterpiece that bears your name. There is no other in the entire universe with your fingerprints, your smile, your dreams or that sparkle in your eyes.

You are God's magnificent design. You were patterned like no other therefore no one can fill your place but you. That makes you very special. Get on good terms with that special person: you. Believe in the "you" that you are and you will become a champion. Review, if you will, these simple guidelines for winning over the mediocrity of daily living.

Shift from average to extraordinary! Who wants to be just average anyway? With "The Best" being at the top and "The Worst" at the bottom, to be "average" simply means you are the "worst of the best" or the "best of the worst." Think about it. The pride of the win is determined by the goal that is accomplished. Champions become "the best of the best.â&#x20AC;?

One of the first, simple ingredients for reaching your goals is enthusiasm! You must create your own enthusiasmâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find it in pill form and no one can thrust it upon you. It must come from within.

Enthusiasm is a thought acted upon, kinetic energy turned into performance. Enthusiasm requires belief in yourself, propelling you to your destination. The belief that you can reach the top is half the climb.

Go for it! The hurdles are there for you to overcome. The victory is there for someone to win. To win, however, requires action. Act now.

Remember, the ship is safe sitting in the harbor, but that's not why ships were made.

That's how I see it.

107 SEPT/OCT2012 I WESTLAKE MAGAZINE

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“It’s the show you have to see...”

Photo: Véronique Vial Costume: Dominique Lemieux ©1998 Cirque du Soleil Inc.

— Daily Variety

Written and Directed by Franco Dragone

Tickets online at bellagio.com and cirquedusoleil.com or call 888-488-7111

Celebrating

20

years of

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