• a c o r n n e w s pa p e r s •
Beyond
Fall 2015
The Acorn
Treasure Hunting Designer Discovers Vintage Gems
Chocolate Sweet Object of Desire
The Beauty of the Ride Collector Shares His Prized Motorcycles
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table of contents
Fall 2015 16
Features 24 cottage of curious finds
Designer Jennifer Grey takes flea market treasure hunting to a whole new level.
28 family affair
The story behind Maria's Italian Kitchen, a family saga spiced with great food.
32 ride of a lifetime
Daniel Schoenewald shares his remarkable motorcycle collection and offers a glimpse of the passion that fuels it.
36 the faces of chumash
Departments
FEELING GOOD 48 bath therapy
8 Welcome from beyond Greetings from the editor.
NEIGHBORS 12 All Hail the king of pop
Nelson De La Nuez is self-proclaimed royalty in the art world, covering his canvases with color and wit.
14 guitar hero
Joe Till's custom guitars are infused with beauty and soul.
ACORNUCOPIA 16 rain check
When El Ni単o hits and gray skies water the land, don't get caught unprepared in the downpour.
SHOPS 18 threads
Our roundup of children's clothing stores offers something for every taste and budget.
AROUND THE TABLE 20 sweet seduction: CHOCOLATE
24 On The Cover:
Vintage books topped with a bird's nest make an intriguing statement in designer Jennifer Grey's living room. (Story on page 24)
Cover photo by JOAN PAHOYO
READERS CORNER 51 season's needings
24
We asked our staff to reveal what tradition defines the holidays for them.
OUT AND ABOUT 53 around town
The area is bustling with things to do. Our calendar can keep you busy through New Years.
RESOURCES 64 A guide to the people and vendors
mentioned in this issue.
SNAPSHOT 66 Bottle Village
20
Who doesn't love it? Indulge yourself in these luscious dishes from three local chefs.
NESTING 44 STAGING your Home for the holidays
Design pros offer tips on how to spruce up your home with seasonal flair.
LOOKING GOOD 46 tressing up
6 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
Sure, it feels great to soak in the tub, but did you know it can also offer significant health benefits?
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For thousands of years, Chumash people have called this place home. Meet a few tribe members who are keeping alive the Chumash ways.
Stylist Billy Lowe shows how changing your hairstyle can transform your holiday party persona.
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From the Editor
I
t’s curious what people are drawn to, isn’t it? For some, it’s a spanking new contemporary design with clean edges and muted tones. But for others, like interior designer Jennifer Grey, there’s nothing as compelling as a room filled with odds and ends that have survived the years. I’m a lot like that. I wonder what stories an object could tell, if it could tell us anything, that is. And, I’m of the mind that, if you listen . . . really listen . . . an object can reveal to you a lot about where it has been and what it has seen. Jennifer’s Newbury Park home is brimming with unusual objects with stories to tell. Many of them came from flea markets. And, not to be taken lightly, many of the oddly wonderful things she has collected have come with very small price tags—an added benefit for the bargain-conscious. Jennifer takes us inside her Cottage of Curious Finds on page 24. In this issue we also go on another kind of journey into the past. This one takes us back to the roots of the land upon which our communities are built. Before the settlement of the Conejo Valley, Calabasas and Camarillo—way back, that is—the Chumash people lived and thrived on this land, in harmony with the natural world they utilized and nurtured. Meet some of their descendants who are keeping the Chumash fires lit in our story on page 36. We also begin to prep for the holiday season with fun home decorating ideas from the pros as well as versatile and easy party
hairstyles for anyone planning to dress up and step out in style. Looking ahead, I’d like to invite you to be part of an upcoming Beyond article. Our publisher, Lisa Rule, took an old microwave tray, painted it turquoise, suspended it next to her hammock and, voila, a quick weekend project yielded a fun and unusual spot for her wine (or hot cocoa, as the season requires). Is there anything you have repurposed? Anything that you thought about tossing but then instead, with a fresh coat of paint or a new placement, gave new purpose to? If so, we’d like to see it. Send in a photo and brief description, along with your name and contact info, and we’ll include it in our next Readers Corner. This issue of Beyond is overflowing with stories and ideas. Hope you enjoy it!
Leslie Gregory Haukoos Editor-in-Chief beyond@theacorn.com
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Beyond The Acorn
Publisher Lisa Rule Editor-in-Chief Leslie Gregory Haukoos Advertising Director Nick Oliveri Creative Director David McMartin art director Timm Sinclair photography director Richard Gillard editorial Contributing Writers Lisa Finn, Kyle Jorrey, Ela Lindsay, John Loesing, Allison Montroy, Erin Newman, Darleen Principe, Stephanie Sumell Copy Editors Erin Newman, Ela Lindsay editorial assistant Allison Montroy ART contributing designers Sarah Ely, David Lopez, West Ma채tita, Karma Christine Salvato, Beth Thayer WEB DESIGNER Beth Thayer
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advertising account executives Mona Uttal, Richard Singer, Sue Martin, Jennifer Carlo-Valdez, Diane Verner, Stacey Janson, Stephanie Alatorre Administrative controller Andy McGinnis administrative assistants Marilyn Burin, Donna Bondy Beyond the Acorn is published by the Acorn Newspaper Group in association with J. Bee NP Publishing, Ltd. Address correspondence to 30423 Canwood St., Ste. 108, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 706-0266. Send editorial comments to: beyond@theacorn.com For advertising: beyondsales@theacorn.com
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Perks of the job: Beyond photographers Joan Pahoyo and Michael Coons do a little taste-testing during the photo shoot at Maria's Italian Kitchen in Oxnard (page 28).
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ADVERTORIAL
Martin’s Journey—A Camarillo Hospice Story Martin contacted Camarillo Hospice in the fall of 2010, about nine months after the death of Susan, his only child. Forty years old at the time of her death, Susan had been in a devastating car accident when she was 23 that left her with multiple medical challenges. Although her overall health was compromised, she had been medically stable for years, so it came as a great shock when Susan came down with a respiratory infection and died suddenly while Martin and his second wife were out of town on vacation. The focus of treatment with Martin early on was typical of the free grief counseling offered at Camarillo Hospice. Martin’s therapist worked to normalize his experience, provide him with tools to help him manage his heightened anxiety and tremendous sadness, and offer a space for him to remember his daughter’s life and wrestle with her sudden death. The counseling focused on the regrets of not being with Susan when she died, questioning what else he might have done for her in life, and how to create meaning for a future without her. Martin often struggled with messages he received from family and friends: although many were sympathetic to his loss in the beginning, Martin reported that over time, many people tired of hearing of his sadness, and wanted him “to move on” and “try to get over” the death of his beloved daughter. At Camarillo Hospice, Martin learned that there was no timetable for his grief, and that his journey of integrating the loss would be unique to him and to his relationship with Susan. He often shared that his therapy session provided him with the only safe place he had to cry. After about 12 months of counseling that focused primarily on his grief, Martin received other devastating news: his wife Lillian was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. With the help of his therapist, Martin learned about the disease and its progression, and was connected to resources,
including a local support group for Parkinson’s patients and their loved ones. Martin was Lillian’s primary care-giver, and soon he was overwhelmed with managing medications, doctor’s appointments, shopping, cleaning, and his own personal activities, including therapy. Martin’s therapist encouraged him to make self-care a priority, as he could not properly care for his wife if he was continually depleted. In addition to continuing therapy for support of his new care-giving role, Martin worked with our Director of Volunteer Services to establish “friendly visitor” support for Lillian. A volunteer was assigned to Lillian who came to their house weekly. During those visits, Martin was able to leave the home without worrying about Lillian’s health and safety. He used that time to go to therapy, his own doctor’s appointments, exercise, meet friends for lunch, and get a break from the demands of care-giving. Martin and Lillian continue to receive services from Camarillo Hospice as the disease progresses. Lillian has recently required more care, so Martin made the decision to hire a care-giver who comes to their house several days a week to help with daily needs. Their Camarillo Hospice “friendly visitor” has become a friend and resource to both Lillian and Martin, providing another avenue of support for each of them. Martin continues to see his therapist twice a month in order to process the demands of full-time care-giving. Camarillo Hospice has been an integral part of Martin’s life since 2010. Although events have unfolded these past few years in ways he never could have imagined, he has found support and comfort from our services. He tells his therapist often that he does not know what he would do without our support. For all of us at Camarillo Hospice, it is gratifying to know we have made such as meaningful difference in the life of a community member during such a challenging time.
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Nelson De La Nuez
All Hail
the
neighbors
King OF POP
Written by Darleen Principe Photo by michael coons
It’s about noon on a Monday in early August. Nelson De La Nuez sports a white, V-neck T-shirt and blue jeans, both stamped with his own logo: a crown adorned with the words “King of Pop Art.” He settles comfortably into his off-white living room sofa, perches his right arm on the armrest and, without being asked a question, begins talking. “We’re in the midst right now of getting ready for Art Aspen,” he says, referring to the annual summer art fair in Aspen, Colo., in which only the country’s most high-end galleries are invited to participate. His tone is casual, but matter-of-fact. Authoritative, yet friendly. It’s the tone of a man who’s tasted success, but hasn’t let it get to his head. As De La Nuez continues speaking, he slouches further back into the couch and crosses one leg over the other. 12 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
His right arm, accessorized by three bead bracelets—red, gray and black—dangles over the edge of the armrest, while the other arm is outstretched along the top edge of the couch. He relaxes. “This is our second year doing Art Aspen and it’s just been a great show for us,” he continues. “And I’ve got to drop off about 10 pieces at Bruce Lurie Gallery in Beverly Hills this Friday, so that’s why I’ve been working and pulling allnighters for the last week and a half.” De La Nuez is used to keeping weird hours. The night is the 56-year-old pop artist’s favorite time to escape to his private Simi Valley studio and lay paint to canvas. A recent product of one such session hangs on the wall above the artist’s head, making a striking living room centerpiece. The painting, an early edition of his work titled “Graffiti is Not Art,” features Monopoly’s iconic Rich Uncle Pennybags being dragged away by a cop holding a baton. The image is just like the board game’s “Go to Jail” Community Chest card, except instead of the plain yellow background, there’s
a colorful graffiti-filled wall. A can of spray paint is strewn on the floor and where the words “Go directly to jail” should be, it instead reads: “No graffiti.” The piece is only one of dozens hanging throughout the Simi Valley home De La Nuez shares with his wife of 15 years, Stacy Bell De La Nuez—actress turned president of her husband’s Pop Land Studios. Yet it’s the perfect example of the artist’s M.O. “It’s the fact that I’ve taken an iconic character and put him in a different situation he’s never been in before,” he says. “The cleverness and the genius behind it is I take these characters and juxtapose them and use them as satire, and create a scene where . . . you kind of shock the viewer.” But even more than that, this particular piece yells out De La Nuez’s strong stance against street art, a movement that has invaded the mainstream art world in recent years thanks to Banksy, Shepard Fairey and the like. Although he credits both Banksy and Fairey for being “clever enough to use graffiti as a means of marketing themselves,” most other street art, De La Nuez says, “is like a dog pissing on a wall to make its mark.” “It’s just such a cheap shot,” he says. For the Cuban-born artist, graffiti is nothing more than vandalism. And it’s the wrong way to earn success, he says. “You have to have art that’s controversial. You have to offend people. You’ve got to make them laugh. You’ve got to do all these things. But I’d rather do that through a gallery than become anonymous and play this whole hide-and-seek game just to get fame.” Over the past decade especially, De La Nuez has worked very hard to make a name for himself and stand apart from other pop art big hitters like Peter Max and Michael Godard. What makes him unique, he says, is he’s not married to just one style. He’s influenced by surrealism just as much as the images of pop culture. And his craft is constantly evolving. “I don’t want to box myself into a specific look like some of these artists in the past,” he says. “I like to just take it up a notch and outdo myself. And that’s really what my audience looks forward to. It’s like I’m a magician and they don’t know what tricks I have up my sleeve.” This strategy has proven to be a smart one. Today his original works fetch thousands of dollars. His top collectors have included A-list celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and the late Michael Jackson. His work hangs in a Madison Avenue gallery in New York and he’s also recently been commissioned by Delta Air Lines to create an original set of paintings to hang in the exclusive Delta One VIP lounge. How did he get here? “I’ve just gotten better at my craft. My No. 1 thing is if I get better at my craft, I will be more successful. It’s just that simple.” Nelson De La Nuez’s work will be on display locally until midJanuary at Bagatelle bistro at 755 N. La Cienega Blvd. in West Hollywood.
The artist is pictured with his piece "Material Girl." At left, "Take the Money and Run."
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neighbors
Joe Till Craftsman performs sweet solo making custom instruments
Guitar Hero Written by JOHN LOESING
Photos by RICHARD GILLARD
Joe Till keeps an eye out for unusual wood he can use to build his custom guitars, which may mean repurposing a redwood-burl coffee table or vintage bookshelves.
Do what you love, and love what you do. How many of us get to say that about our professional careers? In Westlake Village there’s a 55-year-old electric guitar maker whose whole life has been built around the love of his craft. Joe Till, who grew up in Calabasas and Agoura Hills and went to Las Virgenes schools, followed in his father’s footsteps and tinkered with carpentry at a young age. Joe preferred playing the guitar—he made a living touring professionally with the Box Tops and the Drifters in the ’80s—but when his stage career slowed down he decided to put his woodshop skills to use. “My drummer and I sat down after some $40 gig and decided to find something else to do. So I got into woodworking.” Joe moved into a dusty, 800-square-foot La Baya 14 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
Drive workshop in 1992 and began a second career as a carpenter and cabinetmaker. His foray into guitar building came four years later when he found a beat-up flying V electric guitar at a swap meet one day and decided to rebuild it. “My first chore was to see if I could make a new neck, and it just came to me. It was easy. . . . From that moment I knew what I wanted to do.” Joe remains a one-man band (he’s not married), and often toils seven days a week in a shop strewn with tools, hardware, wood samples and guitars in a various stages of production. Nothing appears orderly, but everything is in its place. He’s made more than 210 individually numbered guitars and basses. He used to sell them in retail music stores until the recession forced him to pull back. Today he marches to the beat of his own drum and only makes
guitars to order. “That’s what drives me, and the end product is so satisfying.” The world of Joe Till is all about wood selection, string intonation and neck construction— and doing it just exactly so. It takes him about 100 hours to build a single guitar. Made in America is important to Joe. He sources wood locally and installs pickups manufactured by Santa Barbara-based Seymour Duncan. It all starts with the wood. Till necks are often maple and attached to bodies made of alder topped by maple laminate. Mahogany is sometimes a choice. His favorite is myrtlewood, grown only on the West Coast. Some fretboards are made from the beautiful purpleheart wood. And he’s not afraid to think outside the box. He built a doubleneck bass and six-string from a 200-year-old desk made of Hawaiian koa wood (the grain is stunning). And once he made 15 instruments out of a redwood-burl coffee table that he found at a Simi Valley swap meet. From the birdseye wood of a 1940s bookcase that he bought for $20 at a Camarillo Goodwill store, he constructed 10 guitar bodies, 20 necks and 15 fretboards. “Everywhere I go I’m looking at tables and furniture to see how I can make a guitar,” he says. “One of the thrills of the business is
working with different woods. If it’s pretty it becomes a guitar.” One special style guitar that Joe calls Lady on the Beach has a multi-piece maple and walnut laminated neck with a rosewood fretboard and cherry wood body. “I own three to four different go-to guitars and that is one of them, along with a Les Paul,” says Brian Watson, a West Hills musician who’s known Joe for decades and purchased a Lady on the Beach. “It really is a beautiful guitar.” Most guitar manufacturers employ computerized modeling, but not Joe. He might use the same body template over and over, but he does all the subsequent cutting, gluing and assembling of the wood by hand. Calabasas resident Chris Soulios, a Till guitar player from the popular L.A. rock band Gone By Sunrise, calls Joe’s work “the best kept secret on the West Coast.” Joe offers seven different body shapes at prices that range from $1,500 to $3,000. Compared to big-name models made in gargantuan quantities (think Gibson, Fender), the price is more than attractive. “It’s a super competitive field and he does his best to differentiate himself,” Brian says. The best part, says Joe: “No two guitars are ever the same.” That in itself is priceless.
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acornucopia
Shops Written by Erin newman Photos by joan pahoyo
Threads KIDS' CLOTHING
Locally owned shops are rare these days, but Popular in Calabasas is an exception. A range of trendy styles for babies, kids, tweens and even moms and dads can be found there at mid-range prices. Head north to the funky beach community near Pierpont Beach in Ventura for The Crabby Baby, a great little shop with hip clothing, cool shoes and unique toys that can’t be found anywhere else. Bigger chain retailers can offer value along with originality. If you’re looking to outfit tots in edgy yet luxe attire, search no further than M.Fredric, a chic L.A.-based boutique with trendsetting designer pieces for the whole family. Its two Conejo Valley locations are stocked with duds dedicated to infants, teens and everything in between. Those looking for clothing that is traditionally classic in style should check out Janie and Jack, which offers timeless pieces for children up to age 8. Gymboree is known for its darling, themed collections that are not only adorable but high-quality and durable for newborn to age 12. The Children’s Place carries stylish and fun togs for babies, boys and girls at prices that won’t put a big dent in your wallet. For families on a strict budget but still looking for variety and quality, thrift and consignment shops may fit the bill. Cribs 2 Teens 2nd Time Around in Simi Valley is chock-full of gently used name-brand clothing for infants through size 14 at 50 to 75 percent below retail. Baby gear and toys are also available. Worth the drive to midtown Ventura is Little Birdy Lane, an adorable kids and maternity consignment shop whose owners are dedicated to fostering an ecoconscious society by providing “like-new” clothing and equipment. The shop also offers a free music and movement class each week. Also, a variety of used babies’ and children’s clothing can be found at the Arc Thrift Stores, with locations in Oxnard and Ventura.
Where to Shop Popular Parkway Calabasas Shopping Center 23528 Calabasas Road, Calabasas (818) 222-2511 www.thepopularstore.com
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Gymboree* The Commons at Calabasas 4719 Commons Way, Calabasas (818) 876-0094
M.Fredric Kids Gelson’s Village, 22283 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas (818) 223-8400
The Oaks, 290 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks (805) 496-1510 www.gymboree.com
Westlake Plaza, 982 S. Westlake Blvd. Suite 14, Westlake Village (805) 777-1007 www.mfredric.com/kids
The Children’s Place* The Oaks, 190 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks (805) 449-1713 www.childrensplace.com
Cribs 2 Teens 2nd Time Around Thrift Store 2139 Tapo St., Simi Valley (805) 306-1246 www.cribs2teens.biz Little Birdy Lane 2538 E. Main St., Ventura (805) 667-8232 www.littlebirdylane.com The Arc of Ventura County Thrift Stores 625 North Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard 265 East Main St., Ventura (805) 650-8611 www.arcvc.org * These retailers also have outlet locations at: Camarillo Premium Outlets 740 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo (805) 445-8520 www.premiumoutlets.com/camarillo
Top: for children who want to feel like mini movie stars, M.Fredric Kids may be just the place. Above: the pajama wall at Popular is complete with cuddly dolls and pillows to bring to bed.
around the table
Mexican Drinking Chocolate
sweet Seduction
Chocolate “If there’s no chocolate in Heaven, I’m not going.” —Jane Seabrook, “Furry Logic Laugh at Life” Photos by Richard gillard and Michael coons
S
infully sweet and so indulgent. And now we’re hearing reports that chocolate (specifically dark chocolate) can actually be good for you. Its main ingredient, at least, has landed on the list of foods with positive health benefits. Cocoa, from a plant grown in equatorial regions, is full of antioxidant flavonoids—naturally occurring molecules and compounds that protect many plants from dangerous wounds, pests, disease and self-destructive cells. Those flavonoids are good for people too, reducing the risks of cancer, high cholesterol and strokes all while encouraging a healthy heart. Before Milton Hershey, John Cadbury and Henri Nestle had their way with it, chocolate was not so deliciously sweet. According to Aztec legend, the cacao plant was first brewed into a frothy, spicy divine drink of Mesoamerican gods in ancient Central America. Quetzalcoatl, the god of delight who loved his people as much as his chocolate, believed that everyone should be able to enjoy cocoa. Risking everything, he stole the cacao plants from the other gods, brought them to earth and taught the Toltecs to harvest the pods so that they, too, could enjoy the aphrodisiacal drink, which they called xocolatl. Once chocolate hit Europe in the 17th century, people got creative with it, grinding the cocoa into powder, molding chocolate bars and adding sugar and butter to make the creamy confections we all know and love today. —Allison Montroy
20 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
For the folks at Tifa, with shops at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills and at The Shoppes at Westlake Village, the secret ingredient to making wonderful chocolate is making it as a family. Candace Orr whipped up this luxurious drinking chocolate for us, a smooth, rich dessert with a snap of spice.
Mexican Drinking Chocolate
Serves 2 5 oz. dark chocolate (64-70%) ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. ground cayenne pepper 4½ oz. half and half 2 dollops whipped crème fraîche Break chocolate bar into small pieces and place in small mixing bowl. Add cinnamon and cayenne (adjust cayenne for heat level). Place bowl in larger mixing bowl containing hot water to soften chocolate. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk crème fraîche until thick. Refrigerate until ready to serve. In small pan, on low to medium heat, warm half and half to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add half and half to chocolate mixture, stirring with a small whisk or spatula until chocolate is melted. Mixture should be warm and thick, the consistency of pudding. Pour into glass. Spoon dollop of crème fraîche on top and serve immediately.
*Actual analysis of a bird seed mix commonly sold in major chain stores.
Chef Mary Bergin, director of culinary operations at Westlake Culinary Institute, has a rich history with chocolate. Among her many credentials: serving several years as Spago’s executive pastry chef and authoring the award-winning cookbook “Spago Chocolate” with Judy Gethers. Her Tartufo is positively decadent.
Chocolate Tartufo
Serves 8-12 9 oz. bittersweet chocolate bar 3 egg yolks ⅓ cup granulated sugar ½ cup water 1 cup heavy cream 2 Tbsp. raspberry liqueur, Chambord or framboise Grate 3 oz. of chocolate and place in medium bowl. Chill until needed. Cut remaining 6 oz. of chocolate into small chunks and, in a medium bowl, melt chocolate over a double boiler. Keep warm. In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whip, whip egg yolks until thick. While the egg yolks are whipping, in a small saucepan over high heat, bring the sugar and water to a boil until the syrup spins a thread (230 degrees). Remove the syrup from the heat and, with the mixer running on lowest speed, carefully pour the syrup into the egg yolks. Raise the speed to medium and continue beating until the mixture is
In the Whole Foods Plaza
720 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
cooled and very thick. Scrape in the melted chocolate and beat until incorporated. The mixture will be stiff. Gradually, pour in the heavy cream, beating at medium to high speed as needed until smooth. Add the raspberry liqueur and continue to beat for another 30 seconds. Pour the mixture into a shallow pan and freeze, covered with plastic wrap, until firm enough to shape, about 3 hours.
Chocolate Tartufo
To shape the Tartufo: Line a baking sheet with parchment. Scoop out the tartufo with an ice cream scoop and roll in the grated chocolate. Form a large, smooth oval and set each one on the baking sheet. Freeze until firm. Serve right from the freezer. Recipe courtesy of Mary Bergin and Judy Gethers, “Spago Chocolate,” Random House, NYC.
Sandrine and Ludovic Gaudin, the owners of Chocolatine in Thousand Oaks, offer a luscious—and versatile—truffles recipe, a customer favorite. A simple change of topping gives these yummies a whole new flair.
Chocolate Truffles
Makes 20 truffles 10 oz. 68% chocolate bar * 3½ oz. unsalted butter 2 egg yolks 4½ oz. powdered sugar 1 Tbsp. whole milk 1½ oz. whipping cream Break chocolate bar in small pieces and place in medium saucepan. Chocolate ON PAGE 56
Chocolate Truffles
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Cottage of
curious finds Written by Leslie Gregory Haukoos Photos by Joan Pahoyo
I
t’s not unusual to see Jennifer Grey leaving her Newbury Park home at 4:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning in her empty pickup truck, equipped only with a flashlight and her taste for a great flea-market find. First thing in the morning is when you’ll happen on the real gems, she says. Sometimes she spots them when the vendors are still unpacking their trucks before sunrise. That’s why Jennifer brings a flashlight, so she can get a closer look at just what’s coming off those trucks and nab the good pieces before anyone else has a chance to even see them. She’s on the lookout for what she calls “curious finds,” things quirky, sometimes valuable, but mostly unexpected. Flea marketing kind of runs in the interior designer’s blood. Her grandparents used to sell things at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, one of the oldest markets in town. “My mom would take me to the Salvation Army when I was a kid,” she
says. “I’d have my $2 to spend. When I was about 8 years old I found a Baby Ben clock. The man at the Salvation Army said, ‘You don’t want this. It’s broken.’ But I said, ‘Yes, I do.’” That clock was one of Jennifer’s first treasures. “Even early on I loved the old stuff.” Jennifer credits a neighbor with training her in the ways of flea marketing. “I was 24 when I met her. I would see her coming home with her old red wagon filled with things. I saw she could make a living at it.” That neighbor taught Jennifer about crystal, glass and jewelry as well as how to detect flea market treasures. “At some point I thought it would be fun to bring these things into my home. I wanted to live with these pieces.” That, coupled with what she describes as “being thirsty Cottage ON PAGE 59
There are stories behind so many of Jennifer Grey's home furnishings. Right, the master bedroom headboard is an old fireplace mantel. Jennifer spied it looking neglected in someone's yard. She stopped her car, asked the homeowner if she was willing to sell and brought it home with her. Above, a detail from the dining room shelves where cotton branches make an unexpected appearance in a vintage pitcher.
Courtesy of Jennifer Grey
Jennifer Grey, an antique dealer and interior designer, began her online business and blog 12 years ago. The blog, found at her website www.theoldpaintedcottage.com, has over 30,000 followers.
The kitchen island does double duty as a breakfast counter and workspace. Jennifer painted the surface with chalk paint to imitate the look of slate. Left, the children's armoire in the entry is one of the designer's flea market treasures, discovered as it was being unloaded from the vendor's truck.
26 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
Jennifer's husband, Adam, built the wall-to-wall dining room buffet. Shelves above are ideal for showcasing antiques and vintage finds. Right, an oversized mirror rests against the living room wall. The coffee table is an old factory cart.
Feeling inspired? If you like Jennifer’s cottage style, check out Topanga Vintage Market. That’s the designer’s favorite source for the kinds of treasures she has in her home. Located on the Pierce College campus, Victory Boulevard at Mason Avenue in Woodland Hills, Topanga Vintage Market is open the fourth Sunday of every month. www.topangavintagemarket.com Another fun source is the Ventura Flea Market. Held on Sundays, six times a year, Ventura’s only and original flea market is steps from the ocean at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. www.rgcshows.com
Fall 2015 | beyond The Acorn.com 27
Family Affair Home-cooked meals steeped in tradition is what Maria's Italian Kitchen is all about Written by STEPHANIE SUMELL
Photos by MICHAEL COONS
M
adelyn Alfano looks back with nostalgia on the days when she and her four siblings worked alongside their parents, Donald and Maria, at their Brentwood market. The family of seven, who moved to California from New York when Madelyn was still in elementary school, spent long afternoons together mopping, cashiering, helping customers and stocking shelves before heading home in the evening for a home-cooked meal in their tiny West Los Angeles home. Arguments were inevitable, she remembers, and the theatrical nature of her Italian-American family was not lost on the customers. “Half the time, people would come in for the entertainment value,” Madelyn remembers. “My mother would be yelling at my father, my father would be yelling at my mother, people were cursing . . . my friends say my family is like the show ‘The Sopranos’ without the violence.” Every day at the store was different, but one thing remained the same: selling, serving and eating fresh and delicious food was at the heart of everything they did. It still is. With the help of her family, Madelyn has built a successful chain of restaurants that pay homage to neighborhood eateries of another era. Maria’s Italian Kitchen, named for Madelyn’s mother, now 82 years old, has locations in Agoura Hills, Brentwood, Encino, Marina del Rey, Northridge, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, West Los Angeles and Woodland Hills. The newest Maria’s Italian Kitchen opened at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard in January. The restaurants, all of which are lined with framed photographs of her immediate and extended family, have a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The displays include her grandparents’ wedding photos, pictures from her childhood, shots of her Uncle Mikey with Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland in the 1950s and images of her own children. “I have an Italian heritage and I am proud of that Maria's Italian Kitchen namesake Maria Alfano and her daughter Madelyn are the heart and soul of the business. Photo courtesy of Maria's Italian kitchen
Menu
Serves 4 to 8, family style
When the family sits down to this harvest feast, no one will leave the table wanting. Clockwise, from foreground: pumpkin ravioli, roasted cauliflower, pumpkin harvest lasagna, organic baby lettuce and spinach salad and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Organic Baby Lettuce and Spinach Salad Roasted Cauliflower Pumpkin Ravioli Pumpkin Harvest Lasagna Roasted Brussels Sprouts Pumpkin Cheesecake Apple Cake Milan Cocktail
For dessert, Maria's apple cake and pumpkin cheesecake. And while you're lingering at the table, try a Milan cocktail, a Maria's original.
Italian heritage. Our culture is not something written on a piece of paper. We live it,” Madelyn explains. She says guests come to the restaurants to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. The meatballs and sausages are family recipes—made entirely from scratch—and the rosemary bread is practically famous. Maria’s meat lasagna, a winning combination of homemade meat sauce, pasta, seasoned ricotta and mozzarella, is one of its bestsellers. The eggplant Parmesan, which takes hours to prepare, is also popular. Executive chef Jose Gonzales says every dish—from the pasta Bolognese to the classic cheesecake—is thoughtfully prepared. The restaurant does not use many heavy creams or sauces, but rather, opts for “clean and fresh” flavors that complement each other. “Italian food is about simplicity,” he says. “It’s about building layers of flavor so that every ingredient has a purpose.” That kind of care preparing, cooking and serving food follows a precedent set many years ago by Madelyn’s mother and grandmother. Madelyn’s Hoboken, N.J.-born mother, Maria, learned by watching her mother, a native of Naples, Italy, make home-cooked meals for her family. Those cooking lessons came in handy later on when Maria and her husband moved their young family across the
country to open their Brentwood grocery store. Maria, who refused to let surplus meat and produce go to waste, began cooking meals for the family on a portable skillet in the back of the store. Customers liked what they smelled and, before long, the matriarch was selling freshly-cooked meals at the market. The makeshift operation expanded in 1975 when the couple converted a garage next to the grocery store into a take-out restaurant. The original Maria’s Italian Kitchen was open for business— and it thrived. It was not unusual to see a line of customers winding around the parking lot waiting to order. Madelyn continued to help her parents run the two family businesses on weekends and during breaks while studying psychology at UCLA. The admitted “organizer and list maker,” was especially helpful in creating job descriptions and establishing uniform codes. “They did everything old school. I brought some more business acumen to the business.” She continued to work for her mom and dad after college until they sold the market to a new owner. The transition was an opportunity for the young businesswoman to strike out on her own. “The person they sold the market to did not know how to run the meat department and my mother volunteered me to help.” FAMILY AFFAIR ON PAGE 60
Pumpkin Ravioli
Staff at Maria's are like extended family. District Operations Manager Don Froehlich, who has been on the Maria's team for 30 years, went to high school with Madelyn.
Organic Baby Lettuce and Spinach Salad 16 3 6 8 6 6 6
oz. mixed greens oz. crispy pancetta oz. blue cheese crumble oz. white button mushrooms, sliced oz. toffee walnuts oz. balsamic vinaigrette oz. dried cranberries
Combine all ingredients except the greens in a mixing bowl, tossing well. Place greens in a separate serving bowl. Top with mixed ingredients. Serve.
Roasted Cauliflower
2 2 2 2 4 2 1
heads cauliflower oz. extra virgin olive oil pinches of kosher salt pinches of black ground pepper oz. lemon vinaigrette dressing* oz. bread crumbs lemon for lemon zest
Remove leaves from cauliflower, wash. Cut cauliflower into 1 oz. florets. Place in a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt, pepper and mix well. Place cauliflower on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven at 450° until lightly browned, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a large platter. Top with lemon dressing, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and lemon zest. Serve hot. * Lemon vinaigrette dressing is available at most major supermarkets.
3 6 ½ 2
lbs. pumpkin ravioli* oz. butter oz. fresh sage, chopped oz. Parmesan cheese, shaved Kosher salt to taste Ground black pepper to taste
Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Boil ravioli until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes. Strain. In a large sauté pan, combine butter and sage and cook until light brown. Season with salt and pepper. Mix ravioli into the brown butter sage sauce and coat well. Place on a large serving platter and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Serve hot. *Available at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market or through Maria’s Italian Kitchen.
Pumpkin Harvest Lasagna 8 5 34 32 32 16 16
oz. béchamel sauce 6" x 8" carrot pasta sheets* oz. pumpkin puree oz. cooked ground chicken oz. roasted butternut squash oz. fontina cheese, shredded oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350°. Spread 2 oz. of béchamel sauce on the bottom of a 6" x 8" baking dish. Place one sheet of pasta on top of spread. Spread 2 oz. of pumpkin puree and 2 oz. of béchamel sauce on top of pasta. Place 8 oz. of ground chicken, 8 oz. of pumpkin puree, 8 oz. squash and 4 oz. of each type of cheese evenly in pan. Repeat three times, finishing with a layer of pasta on top. Spread remaining béchamel on top of the top layer of pasta. Cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Bake for 50 minutes. *Available at Whole Foods Market or through Maria’s Italian Kitchen. MARIA'S RECIPES ON PAGE 61
RIDE OF A LIFETIME D
aniel Schoenewald can still describe in detail the bike that birthed a lifelong obsession. A British-made Norton Commando, the motorcycle belonged to a man from Libya’s Fezzan region named Salah. Schoenewald, 14 at the time, the son of a Mobil Oil geologist living in the historic city of Tripoli, was en route to the beach with two friends when they spotted a dust cloud rising from a nearby sand dune. Out from the dust rode Salah on a bright red Commando, its engine screaming. “I yelled ‘Hey, hey, come over here!’ and waved him down. And we got to talking, and talking and talking, and pretty soon, the girls take off to the beach and I’m still sitting here talking about the motorcycle,” he recalls. “I went home that night and put a sheet over my head and . . . all I could hear was the parallel-twin (engine), the hemispherical head. I knew then what a motorcycle should look like, what it should sound like. And I said, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to buy a bike just like Salah’s.’ And now I have all of them.”
Written by Kyle Jorrey Photos by Michael Coons
;
Motorcycle collector extraordinaire Daniel Schoenewald stands with one of his most prized possessions—actor Steve McQueen's 1942 Indian Scout, the King of Cool's favorite bike.
;l
“I look at that bike and I see art, the art of the motorcycle,” says collector Daniel Schoenewald.... “You find a really good balance in a motorcycle; it's part art, part finely engineered product.”
Schoenewald’s complete set of Commandos—one of the sport’s most sought-after models—is like few others in the world. But the 11 bikes made between 1968 and 1976 are just a small taste of what the successful businessman has in his one-of-a-kind collection. Since 1993, Schoenewald has taken into his possession no fewer than 120 motorcycles, 118 of which he currently stores on the second floor of his Camarillo business, Advanced Motion Controls, a leading manufacturer of servo drives, essential components in motion control systems used by a wide range of industries. “I’ve sold a few bikes, and I’ve given a few bikes away. . . but since ’93, I decided not to let many go,” he says, trying to hide a smile. “I look at that bike and I see art, the art of the motorcycle,” he goes on, pointing to a vintage Indian Triumph just a few feet from the over-sized elevator used to transport the bikes to the street. “There’s a balance between engineering and art. You find a really good balance in a motorcycle; it’s part art, part finely engineered product.” Arranged row by row, grouped according to year, make and model, Schoenewald’s fleet of high-performance sport bikes (there’s no Harley in this lot) is one of Ventura County’s best-kept secrets, stowed away in a nondescript 85,000-square-foot industrial building off Flynn Road. But more impressive than the sight of so many rare Ducatis, Triumphs and Kawasakis in one place, is the fact that nearly all are in perfect riding condition. Schoenewald, who says he’s ridden all but two of the bikes, doesn’t label his motorcycle mecca a museum because it’s more of a super garage, a place where the bike fanatic can keep his play things, because, well, where else could he park them? “I don’t want to be the guy that says ‘Don’t touch it, don’t look at it, just be happy for me.’ I want a bike that rides.” A CEO of an international company responsible for 140 employees and millions in annual revenue, Schoenewald still regularly rides a motorcycle to and from work. When he’s not on the job, the father of two loves nothing more than to grab a few friends and take his toys out on the road, usually at high speeds. He’s taken groups on rides from Seattle and St. Louis to California in recent years. Schoenewald prides himself on acquiring all of the bikes in a particular set; for instance, he owns all the Ducati Desmosedicis (top). He also collects historic bikes, like the 1937 Vincent Black Lightning and the 1969 Kawasaki H1.
“There’s nothing like having six great friends on all these bikes that look alike,” he says of his Norton collection. “You’re coming through town—the sound, the fury, the smoke, the glamour. There’s nothing like it.” The speeding bikes help quench the 61-year-old’s lifelong thirst for adventure, a trait he picked up from his father, a native of Casper, Wyoming. Born in Anaco, Venezuela, Schoenewald spent the first 16 years of his life living abroad while his father chased new caches of oil, including in Libya, where Schoenewald saw the bike that started it all. “Up until that point I was all about baseball. Baseball, baseball, baseball. But the moment I saw that bike, I mean I was just mesmerized,” he says. In spite of his obsession, the younger Schoenewald wouldn’t get his own bike until after high school, when his father finally bought one to “shut me the (heck) up,” as he tells it. Having traveled so much of the globe, Schoenewald has a unique appreciation and understanding of world history, and his collection is no exception. Besides the impossible to find Japanese, Italian and British sport bikes, the Schoenewald Collection also includes Steve McQueen’s beloved 1942 Indian Scout and a 1937 Vincent Black Lightning, the same type of motorcycle used by the legendary Rollie Free to break the land-speed record in Bonneville Salt Flats in 1948. One of his most prized? A Rickman Metisse he bought from a local pharmacist for $8,000. The bike is valued at over $20,000. “It’s the Holy Grail,” he says of the Metisse. So how can you see Schoenewald’s collection? Well, you can’t, at least not without a personal tour from the collector himself. He does lend out his motorcycles for exhibit from time to time in support of local nonprofits like the Santa Paula Oil Museum, but otherwise, the bikes are mainly for family and friends to enjoy. At least for now. Schoenewald, who calls the motorcycles his “401(k),” says he may one day open up a “collection within a collection” and display a few of the bikes at a time. For now, he’s too busy enjoying them. “They find me, and I find them,” he says of his motorcycles. “Sometimes I’m just minding my own business and a bike shows up. . . . Motorcycles are like drugs, they’re everywhere. Only I can say ‘no’ to drugs.”
Head out on the highway...
Gaviota Wind Caves photo: Josh McNair, CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com
photo: Josh McNair, CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com
1
Refugio State Beach is a paradisiacal pitstop just north of Santa Barbara.
21
The Gaviota Wind Caves are fascinating sandstone formations.
One of many great local rides is the loop that hugs the coast past Santa Barbara, heads north/east to Solvang then follows the 154 past Lake Cachuma and back to Santa Barbara. For other rides, check out www.motorcycleroads.com.
3
Feed the 50 roaming emus and ostriches at Ostrichland USA.
Buellton
4
The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum houses a collection of rare motorcycles.
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5
3
78.5 miles Approximately 1 hr. 40 min.
4
Solvang
154
5
101
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Lake Cachuma has great fishing, boating and shady picnic spots.
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Once a stagecoach stop, Cold Spring Tavern is now known for its legendary tri-tip.
7
Old Mission Santa Barbara is the 10th of 21 missions founded by the Spanish in the 1700s.
2 Gaviota
1 101
Santa Barbara
7
Chumash The Faces of
An ancient culture lives on through descendants who keep the fires lit Written by Ela Lindsay and Erin Newman Photos by MICHAEL COONS
T
he modern population of Southern California is not the first to enjoy the region’s spectacular beauty, rich resources and temperate climate. Several groups of Native Americans have flourished here for thousands of years, including the Chumash—pronounced Shumash—whose settlements stretched from Malibu to San Luis Obispo along the coast, in valleys and on the northern Channel Islands. Evidence of Chumash civilization dates back 10,000 to 12,000 years. The Chumash people existed in simple relationships with each other, the land, animals, sky, wind, the sun and the moon. They believed that everything had a spirit and that those spirits communicated with one another. Families lived in thatched domed houses, called ’aps. Ground acorns were a staple food, along with sea life. Chumash fisherman traveled up and down the coast in plank canoes, called tomols, hunting marine resources. The Chumash lived fairly peaceably with other local tribes, often trading with them using shell beads as currency.
The people thrived until the mission system imposed by the Spanish in the late 1700s and early 1800s devastated the Chumash, whose way of life and language suffered greatly. European diseases nearly wiped out the Chumash—only 200 were left by 1900. Today, people with Chumash ancestry are scattered throughout the Central Coast and number between 4,000 and 5,000. Ventureno Chumash, named for their dialect, are prevalent in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. Chumash descendants do not have a tribal land to call their own aside from the Santa Ynez band, the only federally recognized group of Chumash, known for their Chumash Casino. Other bands include the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, the Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Mission Indians, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council and the Barbareno Chumash Council. Today’s Chumash people strive to keep their cultural inheritance alive through songs, storytelling, language, basketry and canoeing. As a group they are also committed to protecting the lush land that their people have inhabited for thousands of years.
Beverly Folkes Thousand Oaks resident Beverly Folkes has listened to the stories of her ancestors all her life; stories told by her grandfather Antonio Ortega and mother, Vera Ortega Salazar. She carries on this tradition, appearing as a storyteller at special events in the community. A Chumash elder, Folkes often represents the Native community at blessings and groundbreaking events. As an active member of the Native American Monitoring Group in Thousand Oaks, she works with archaeologists and other public works teams to oversee sacred native areas to ensure any remains and artifacts are handled according to Chumash tradition. She strives to leave a legacy of teaching the importance of protecting the land. Right: the sun sets behind a replica 'ap, or dwelling, at the Chumash Discovery Village in Malibu.
Mati “Little Hawk” Waiya Chumash ceremonial leader Mati Waiya, “Little Hawk,” a lifelong resident of Ventura County, created the Wishtoyo Foundation in Malibu in 1997. The nonprofit promotes cultural and ocean conservation through its Chumash Marine Stewardship Program. In teaching about environmental preservation and his tribe’s values, and to preserve the culture, language and history of the Chumash, Waiya often appears in full regalia to present programs in the community. He also performs with fellow Chumash Dolphin Dancers and sings tribal songs. Waiya is the first Native American to be named a “Keeper” in the Waterkeeper Alliance created by Robert Kennedy, Jr., a global movement for “swimmable, drinkable and fishable water worldwide.”
Dennis Garcia Educator and storyteller Dennis Garcia teaches about traditional ways through music and presentations. In Chumash regalia, wearing tribal necklaces and red face paint traditionally donned for protection, Garcia sings songs and tells stories while also displaying rattles and clapper sticks. He also displays the soapstone carvings made by his brother, Chief Ted Garcia Jr. Garcia is of Chumash, Tataviam, Tongva and Vanyume ancestry. The Garcias’ father, Ted Garcia Sr., and grandmother, Chief Mary Cooke Garcia, are direct descendants of early 1700s members of the Chaguayabit village, now known as Castaic Junction.
Above, center: Chumash ceremonies, blessings and celebrations are held in this gathering circle at Discovery Village in Malibu.
Alan “Spirit Hawk” Salazar
As a traditional storyteller, Alan Salazar makes it his mission to share Chumash culture with students and communities throughout California and abroad. This past summer, he visited Bath, England, lecturing at the American Museum and at several schools about the Chumash ways. Salazar, who lives in Ventura, is also a traditional paddler of Chumash ocean plank canoes, called tomols, and has paddled all of his ancestors’ longestablished, historic routes from the mainland to the Channel Islands. As a Chumash monitor, Salazar also works to protect ancient village hunting and rock-art sites.
In a word
The influence of the Chumash is all around us. Here are some familiar names that evolved from Chumashan, a family of languages now extinct.
Simi Valley (Shimiyi): “threadlike clouds” Tapo Canyon (Ta’apu): “yucca” Malibu (Humaliwo): “the surf sounds loudly” Topanga (Topa’nga): “above” Calleguas (KayÏwÏsh): “my head” Satwiwa: “the bluffs” Point Mugu (Muwu): “beach” Port Hueneme (Wene’mu): “resting place” Pismo Beach (Pismu): “tar” Castaic (Kashtiq or Kashtük): “my eyes” Saticoy (Sati’koi): “sheltered from the wind” Ojai (’Awha’y): “moon” Anacapa Island (Anyapah): “mirage”
Coyote Brush Treated poison oak rashes and used as kindling. Deer Grass Inland Chumash used stalks as weft in traditional coil-weave baskets. California Poppy California’s state flower was also the Chumash symbol of love. Basket Grass Primary material used in outer strands of Chumash Indian basket weaving.
California wild rose
Mugwort (Molush) Powerful astringent, antibacterial and vasoconstrictor. Also used as a purifying smudge smoke in the form of moxibustion (burning of an herb on certain points on the body). Coffeeberry (Puq’) Bark used as laxative and purgative. Blue Elderberry Hollow stems split and used to store small items or made into musical clapper sticks, a rhythm instrument. Berries made into jam and syrup.
California blackberry
California Hummingbird Sage (Qims) Used for tea, medicinal remedy, and antimicrobial healing salves. Toyon (Qwe’) Red berries a nutritious food source. Wood used to make traditional big-game arrows, harpoons, digging sticks, acorn mush paddles, long needles, fish hooks and hide scrapers.
Blue elderberry
Giant Wild Rye (Stemelel) Stalks used for arrows, roof thatching material, and as a food source. California Blackberry (Tiq’itiq) Berries known for juicy, sweet flavor. Leaves and flowers heal bruises and scrapes. Lemonadeberry (Walqaqs) Berries are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, Vitamin C. Wood used as firewood. Plant closely related to poison oak.
Coffeeberry
California Lilac (Washiko) Rot-resistant wood used for fence posts, feathered ceremonial poles and to treat inflammation and infection. California Wild Rose (Washtiq’oliq’ol) Dried, powdered petals used as baby powder; rosehips eaten for calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin C.
Toyon
California Sagebrush (Kopsheek) Powerful medicine that supported the body during acute bacterial and viral infections, postpartum troubles and muscle and joint pain. Dried sticks made good fire drills for starting small fires. California Sycamore (Xso’) Wood used for bowls, cups and construction. Leaves played key role in leaching toxins out of acorn flour. 40 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
Lemonadeberry
Explore
Experience the world of the Chumash by venturing out to these centers and events The Chumash Indian Museum, a living history center, is located on an historic Chumash site in the Lang Ranch area of Thousand Oaks and features exhibits, events and educational programs. 3290 Lang Ranch Pkwy., Thousand Oaks www.chumashindianmuseum.com (805) 492-8076 The Wishtoyo Foundation’s Chumash Discovery Village offers a glimpse of what Chumash life was like. This recreation of a village with dwellings, canoes, tools and handicrafts serves as a center for ceremonies and celebrations. Guided tours are available by appointment. Nicholas Canyon County Beach Park 33904 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu www.wishtoyo.org (424) 644-0088
California wild rose and California blackberry Courtesy of NPS/Keir Morse
The Chumash people lived in close harmony with their natural environment. Many of the native plants we are familiar with served very practical purposes in daily Chumash life. Here are a few, with their Chumash name included when available.
In addition to a permanent exhibit that explores the Chumash and their natural world, the Museum of Ventura County has added a new outdoor children’s learning space that includes a Chumash ’ap (dwelling) reconstructed by an Eagle Scout. 100 East Main St., Ventura www.venturamuseum.org (805) 653-0323 Working closely with the Chumash community performing ongoing research and artifact identification, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is the region’s center of Chumash knowledge. The collection features rare Chumash basketry, photographs, dioramas and original manuscripts of the lost Chumash languages and dialects. 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara www.sbnature.org (805) 682-4711 Explore ON PAGE 63
Courtesy of NPS
Native Plants
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nesting
Staging
Home for the
Holidays
Written by ela lindsay Photos by richard gillard Styling by Leslie Gregory Haukoos and Allison Montroy
O
ur homes are blank canvases which we splash with seasonal sparkle. And, especially during these three months when holidays are back to back, it’s fun to find ways to change the mood of your home without doing major renovations. Joann Baker of Joann Baker Interior Designs in Thousand Oaks says creating a holiday feeling can be as easy as adding accents to your window coverings. “Dress it up with scarves and fabric, or silver or gold that goes with your decor,” she says. “And then change things out for the different holidays like orange and brown for Thanksgiving or include holly and poinsettias to signify Christmas.”
Also appeal to the sense of smell to create a mood. Try having something with pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg aromas brewing around Thanksgiving or the sweet scent of peppermint and gingerbread to evoke a sense of Christmas as guests come through the door. Smith suggests using “locally sourced eucalyptus pods as well as small branches to create subtle and fragrant holiday displays.” One simple strategy for holiday decor is to fill a collection of apothecary jars with items that speak to the season. Orange candies and bows, or brown branches and seed pods say autumn and Thanksgiving. Refill those same jars with red items for Christmas
Are you a PLANNER or a or blue and white for Hanukkah. For some family fun, get everyone involved in creative ways to fill the jars. Then, when the next holiday comes, switch out the goodies with new ones to suit the special day. Interior designer Pam Smith from Ventura County Home Staging says homeowners should consider texture when creating a mood. “Fur throws, fringed pillows, sisal rugs, pine cones and bare branches” evoke images of winter, she says. Nancy Cranford of Nancy’s Design in Wood Ranch says the holidays are her busiest time of year. She has clients who go as far as reupholstering dining room chairs for the holidays and many who make new throw pillows for existing furniture to reflect the holiday spirit. Here are some other great ideas from the pros: Candlelight: For a look that will carry you from Thanksgiving to New Years, use “masses of candleholders in varying heights and styles for a centerpiece. That’s amazingly festive,” Smith says. The kitchen: “It’s the heart of the home and everyone hangs out there during the holidays,” Cranford says. “Put up a cute holiday-themed valance . . . and use cushions and a tablecloth in holiday fabric.” Navy blue for Hanukkah: “This is a perfect choice to add for a more stylized take. . . . as it blends so easily with most neutrals,” suggests Smith. “Look for pillows, throws and area rugs. Mix in mercury glass for its glittery festive qualities.” But avoid using navy with white, she cautions, because it may come across as nautical rather than holiday. Still life: Baker suggests creating vignettes using your existing special pieces. “Gather china pieces and other items from around the home,” she says. “Create a little scene and mix in the color of the season and some lights and leaves. Play around with it and be creative.” Bare branches for Christmas: “Have the kids learn how to create origami cranes to use as decorations,” says Smith. And for something a bit other than the traditional red and green, she suggests “soft pink with a soft jade green for a very interesting take on typical Christmas colors.” Light it up: Replacing light bulbs in lamps with colored bulbs is an easy way to create a festive environment. “Use string lights on a table or on a counter,” adds Baker. Or put tiny battery-operated lights in your glass vases or bowls. Fabrics of the Highlands: “Plaid evokes cooler weather to me,” says Smith. “Football games and plaid blankets go hand in hand. Consider using a plaid fabric at the base of the Christmas tree, or bring in a plaid blanket as a throw on the sofa. Houndstooth is definitely more graphic and dramatic.” If you’re feeling creative, fill one of your glass vessels with homemade houndstooth ornaments. “So fun!” she says. Private places: Cranford reminds homeowners not to forget about bathrooms. “Get towels and mats with holiday colors,” she says. Stepping out: Don’t forget to take the festivities outside. “Adding white lights on shrubs and trees always provides a beautiful holiday glow,” says Smith. “Last year I used topiary rosemary bushes strung with tiny white globe lights as outdoor Christmas trees. They were so beautiful and very inexpensive to put together.” But, says Smith, the bottom-line question to ask yourself when planning your holiday decor is “What emotion are you trying to impart to visitors to your home?” Armed with that answer and your own creativity, all that’s left is the fun.
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looking good
Holiday hair
Tressing
Up
Photos by Richard Gillard
T
is the season to dress up— the one time of year when even most homebodies get into their dancing shoes to attend a party or two. Stylist Billy Lowe created several fun and elegant hairstyles that will make even the most humble (or humdrum) of women feel like a princess for the night. Our model, soprano Kaitlyn Wolf, is used to donning the bling when she’s on stage. But, just like a performer, any woman dressing for a fine night out can transform her look just by changing her hair.
Unstructured Up Do
Chignon
Classic Ponytail The Veronica Lake
Style pro Billy Lowe demystifies the dress-up “do”
The best seat in the house.
Chignon — A chignon is classic and elegant. Tease hair in back to add fullness, using hair spray or texture spray for hold. Gather into low off-center ponytail at nape of the neck, leaving a soft curl or two free near your faceline. Secure with hair elastic that matches your hair color. Twist and wrap ponytail around itself and secure with bobby pins.
The Veronica Lake — The Veronica Lake look is sultry, soft and oh-so-sexy. Begin by creating barrel curls. Using a medium-to-large curling iron and, working in 2" sections, curl hair under, securing each section with a duck-bill clip to allow time for cooling and setting. Comb out gently, encouraging "S" type, undulating curls.
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Classic Ponytail — Don't overlook the classic ponytail. This versatile style can take you from a day at the park to an evening on Park Avenue. Tease hair at roots to add some height. With a deep side part, smooth and gather hair into a high ponytail. Twist a small section of hair and wrap around to cover the hair elastic. Use a curling iron to curl ends.
Unstructured Up Do — An unstructured up do is deceptively easy—and very romantic. After barrel curls have set, do not brush out. Instead, pick up curls, one by one, and place them on the crown of your head, using bobby pins to secure.
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feeling good
Bath therapy Soak your soul and your weary muscles in a watery ritual that is as old—and as true—as time Most of us run on two speeds: fast and full blast. Today’s women—and men—are busier now more than ever. Flexible schedules and the Internet allow us to pack in all our dreams and goals in a 24-hour period. And when we get overwhelmed and need some help, there are various organizational apps which we can tap and swipe to help keep the crazy going. That is exactly why, when the day draws to a close, most of us could use some rejuvenation. Back in ancient times, the Romans would come in droves to public bath houses to get clean, hit each other up for the week’s gossip and retreat into a relaxing neck massage. They were the creators of what we now know as the euphoric spa experience 48 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
Written by LISA FINN
that restores the soul as much as the body. But with today’s therapeutic products readily available and homemade detoxification remedies we can quickly whip together, it’s easy to treat yourself to a bit of bath therapy even when you can’t indulge in one of those glorious spa days. Jan Tucker, owner of the online store White Lotus Living, recommends mixing aromatherapy and essential oils for bath pleasure. She warns, however, that not all products suffice. “Oils used for true therapeutic purposes should be of the highest quality and cold-pressed rather than chemically extracted. There should never be any unwanted chemicals or artificial fragrance on the product label.” So shoo the kids away and ignite some candles. Make it a point to submerge yourself in a relaxing, rejuvenating holistic bathing ritual that is earth-derived . . . and heaven sent. Prepare a sensual soak Fill the tub about halfway before adding essential oils and bath potions. The temperature can range anywhere from 92° to
110° depending on how much steam you want. Steam offers a moist heal and is beneficial for soothing nasal passages, easing muscle tension and reducing cramps. Soak no longer than 20 minutes and give the bath a burst of cold water at the end, while draining the tub, for the proper cool down. Be careful getting out of the tub as steam can lighten your senses. Slip on a robe and head straight for bed. Ahhhhhh. Rejuvenate and relax Whirl away the day’s anxiety with stress-melting scents such as eucalyptus and Bulgarian rose otto oil. To stimulate sluggish skin, mix equal parts olive oil, honey and sugar and then rub it on your body from head to toe before stepping in the tub. The act of physically washing your skin not only sloughs away the dead skin cells, but helps you mentally transform. Detox devotion Decompress the mind and draw out the body’s toxins with a special detox bath. The warm water by itself encourages mild sweating, which starts the detoxification process through the skin, kidneys, lungs, colon and liver. When allergies act up or you’re feeling flu-ish, create an oxygen detox bath with 2 cups hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon dried ginger powder. If you’re looking to
help heal your skin and draw out impurities, add about 8 drops of jojoba oil. Refresh and repair Kelly Teegarden, owner of Newbury Park-based Kelly Teegarden Organics, says essential oils such as rose, Roman chamomile and French lavender not only smell incredible, but help soothe eczema and other skin issues. She recommends adding oils to a “carrier,” such as coconut oil, to make your skin super soft. Soothing serenity Sore muscles, arthritis and tension headaches call for Epsom salts. This pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate helps nerve function and reduces inflammation. Rosemary oil also has antiinflammatory properties ideal for muscle pain. If you’re having trouble unwinding, add frankincense or lavender to induce a sleepy state. Add whatever accessories you need to make your bath time ritual radically revitalizing. Rest your head on a scented pillow (add some drops of bergamot if you’re feeling down), cover your eyes with a silk mask, wrap your hair in a warm towel or apply a facial mask such as Kelly Teegarden Organics’ Rejuvenate Hydration Masque. This is your time. Set aside the technology and take to tranquility.
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From the heart
Season’s Needings
Acorn newspaper staffers share their holiday must-haves
“For my Filipino family, Christmas is not complete without our Noche Buena meal: a late dinner that starts around 11 p.m. Christmas Eve that consists of macaroni chicken soup and sandwiches made with baked ham and slices of queso de bola (a ball of Edam cheese) on pandesal bread, washed down with peanut butter hot cocoa. Then we exchange gifts at midnight! It is by far my favorite family tradition.” —Darlene Principe, editor, Simi Valley Acorn “In my book, Christmas doesn’t truly happen unless we watch the movie “Elf” at least once— but usually more.” —Caitlin Trude, staff writer “I count the days until I can spend the holidays with my 86-yearold mom, who lives in Canada. When she visits, she fills the air with the wonderful smells of home-cooked food I remember from my childhood, and we laugh together about the smallest things. She is a precious and loving being who I would choose to be with, even if she weren't my mom.” —Ela Lindsay, copy editor, Beyond the Acorn “If I didn’t bake, Christmas wouldn’t feel like Christmas. I bake 15 to 20 different things and make trays for family and friends.” —Kim Cummings, advertising assistant “My holidays aren’t complete without Thanksgiving Day football watching with friends and family and Mom’s homemade-breadfilled stuffing.” —Kyle Jorrey, editor, Thousand Oaks Acorn “Setting up the nativity figurines I received as a child in Sunday school.” —Sally Carpenter, typesetter/proofreader “It isn’t Christmas unless my wife insists that I help her decorate the tree, then proceeds to take off the tinsel (that I have already put on) and re-hang it strand by strand. Even in the years we don’t actually put tinsel on the tree we laugh about it.” —Andy McGinnis, administrative controller
Illustration by ANDrea RULE
“My mom always makes Almond Roca—my grandmother’s recipe—at Christmastime. If we can’t be together, she mails a tin of it to us!” —Erin Newman, copy editor, Beyond the Acorn “Handmade ornaments that my mother and mother-in-law made over the years. Also, our traditional Christmas Eve celebration with my large, extended family is a must.” —Stephanie Bertholdo, staff writer “Tamale Day! My family is of mostly Irish and Scottish descent, so it surprises my Hispanic friends who grew up with the tradition that we do it too. For the last two decades, my parents have hosted friends, neighbors and family to spread masa on corn husks, fill them with chicken, pork or beef and roll them tightly before we cook them up and have a huge Mexican feast.” —Becca Whitnall, staff writer “I can’t live without cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Ever since I was little, I’d be the first one up to put the Pillsbury rolls in the oven to fill the house with the fresh-baked smell before running in to wake up the rest of my family. I've since found an amazing recipe and now make homemade rolls for the entire family.” —Melissa Simon, staff writer “I need to take our family photo with both of my children on Thanksgiving Day for our holiday cards. It always makes the holidays so much more special and meaningful!” —Joan Pahoyo, staff photographer “Grandmother would be in the kitchen laboring over a hot stove making her famous latkes for the holidays. We could smell that familiar aroma and just couldn’t wait to eat them.” —Marilyn Burin, administrative assistant “For me, it’s not Christmas without a new Hallmark ornament. I only collect one series but I’m always looking for more snowmen.” —Sarah Ely, graphic designer “The peace of Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with my family: listening to choir-sung carols and bells, seeing a Nativity display, reflecting on the past year and what’s ahead.” —Anna Bitong, staff writer
Fall 2015
Sat., Oct. 24
around town Fall’s in the air and, as always, there’s a whole lot going on. Here are a few highlights.
HALLOWEEN THURS., OCT. 15
Big Horse Corn Maze & Harvest Festival 33320 Temecula Parkway Temecula www.bighorsecornmaze.com (951) 389-4621 Largest corn maze in So. Cal. Runs thru Oct. 31.
FRI., OCT. 16
Reign of Terror House 197 N. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks www.rothauntedhouse.com (805) 492-1864 Weekends thru Oct. 31. 7 to 10 p.m.
Dead Zone 805 5353 Walker Street, Ventura www.deadzone805.com Post apocalyptic zombiethemed Halloween haunt. Runs through Oct. 31 7 to 10 p.m.
SAT., OCt. 24
Halloween Fest ’n’ Films Arroyo Vista Community Park 4550 Tierra Rejada Road Moorpark moorparkca.gov (805) 517-6306 Outdoor screening of "Monsters University," costume contest. 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Dia de los Muertos Festival
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles. The theme is “Shamanic Visions of the Huichol.” www.ladyofthedead.com Noon to midnight.
Thrill the World Cal Lutheran University Kingsmen Park 60 W. Olsen Road Thousand Oaks Michael Jackson tribute; participants dress as zombies and dance to
“Thriller” for world record. www.callutheran.edu (805)241-8505 Noon to 4 p.m.
SUN., OCt. 25
Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade Rancho Tapo Community Park
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SAT., NOV. 7
Wed., Oct. 21
“My Fair Lady” Rubicon Theatre Company 1006 E. Main St., Ventura www.rubicontheatre.org (805) 667-2900 Runs thru Nov. 15
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road Camarillo www.facebook.com/ DiaDeLosMuertosVentura (805) 482-1959 11a.m. to 6 p.m.
FRI., OCT. 30
THEATER
SAT., OCt. 31
Fri., Oct. 16
“Damn Yankees” Cabrillo Music Theatre T.O. Civic Arts Plaza 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks www.cabrillomusictheatre.com (800) 745-3000 Runs thru Oct. 25 “H.M.S. Pinafore” Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company Theatre on the Hill Hillcrest Center for the Arts 403 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks www.hillcrestarts.com (805) 381-2747 Runs thru Oct. 25 “Nine” Camarillo Skyway Playhouse 330 Skyway Drive Camarillo www.skywayplayhouse.org (805) 388-5716 Runs thru Nov. 8
SAT., OCT. 17
The Pan Am Experience Air Hollywood 13240 Weidner St. Los Angeles www.airhollywood.com (818) 890-0444 Relive flying on a Pan Am 747 with a first-class gourmet meal. 18 and over. Thru Nov. 21 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
“Coasta Titanica–The Lovely Boat” Melodrama High Street Arts Center 45 East High Street Moorpark www.highstreetartscenter.com (805) 529-8700 Runs thru Nov. 22 “The Addams Family” Cultural Arts Center 3050 E. Los Angeles Ave. Simi Valley www.simi-arts.org (805) 583-7900 Runs thru Dec. 6
Wed., Nov. 11
“Under Fire” Black Box Studio Theatre Cal Lutheran University 60 W. Olsen Road Thousand Oaks www.callutheran.edu/ theatrearts Stories of combat veterans across generations. Thru Nov. 22 8 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 12
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“South Pacific” Smothers Theatre Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu arts.pepperdine.edu (310) 506-4522 Continues through Nov. 21 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 13
“Follies” Conejo Players Theatre 351 S. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks www.conejoplayers.org (805) 495-3715 Runs thru Dec. 13
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FRI., DEC. 11
“Winter Wonderettes” Cultural Arts Center 3050 E. Los Angeles Ave. Simi Valley www.simi-arts.org (805) 583-7900 Runs thru Dec. 27
SAT., DEC. 19
“Home for the Holidays” Skyway Playhouse 330 Skyway Drive Camarillo www.skywayplayhouse.org (805) 388-5716 Runs thru Dec. 20
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Ronny and the Classics Cultural Arts Center 3050 E. Los Angeles Ave. Simi Valley www.simi-arts.org (805) 583-7900
SUN., Nov. 8
“An American in Paris” Samuelson Chapel Cal Lutheran University 60 W. Olsen Road Thousand Oaks Arete Vocal Ensemble. www.callutheran.edu/music 2 p.m.
FRI., NOV. 20
Singer/Songwriters Bernice Lewis, Laura Zucker Camarillo Café 1605 E. Burnley St. Camarillo www.camarillocafe.com 8 p.m.
SAT., DEC. 5
Holiday Lights Concert: Handel’s Messiah Moorpark College Performing Arts Center 7075 Campus Road Moorpark sunny.moorparkcollege.edu (805) 378-1485 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
ART SAT., DEC. 5
Holiday Art Market & Gallery Studio Channel Islands Art Center 2222 Ventura Blvd., Oxnard www.studiochannelislands. org (805) 383-1368 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
COMEDY SUN., OCT. 18
Clean Comedy Show Fundraiser High Street Arts Center 45 E. High St., Moorpark (805) 501-6716 Benefits Moorpark City Library. 7:30 p.m.
SAT., NOV. 21
Conejo Improv Players Conejo Players Theatre 351 S. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks www.conejoplayers.org (805) 495-3715 11:59 p.m. Runs thru Nov. 22
FAIRS & FESTIVALS SAT., OCT. 17
Steampunk Fest Downtown Oxnard’s Heritage Square 715 S. A Street, Oxnard www.oxnardsteampunkfest. com Costumes encouraged. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fall Harvest Festival Underwood Family Farms 3370 Sunset Valley Road Moorpark www.underwoodfamily farms.com (805) 529-3690 Pumpkins, corn maze. Continues weekends through Oct. 31 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival Juan Bautista de Anza Park 3701 Lost Hills Road Calabasas www.calabasaspumpkin festival.com Continues Sun., Oct. 18 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ojai Day Street Fair Ojai Ave. www.ojaiday.com 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SUN., OCT. 18
Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair Moorpark Road from Hillcrest to Wilbur Thousand Oaks www.thousandoaksrotary.org 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Love Ride 2015 Motorcycle Rally From Glendale to Castaic Lake www.loveride.org Longest-running single-day motorcycle charity event in
the world. Benefits Wounded Warriors Project. 7 a.m.
SUN., OCT. 25
Adolfo Camarillo’s Birthday Celebration Camarillo Ranch 201 Camarillo Ranch Road Camarillo www.camarilloranch.org Noon to 4 p.m.
SAt., NOV. 7
Nottingham Festival Simi Valley Civic Center Park 3855 Alamo St., Simi Valley www.nottinghamfestival.com Renaissance Faire and marketplace. Continues thru Nov. 15 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WED., NOV. 11
Veterans Day Commemoration Ronald Reagan Library and Museum 40 Presidential Drive Simi Valley
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HEARING AID THAT CAN HEAR LIKE YOUR EARS DO.
www.reaganfoundation.org/ events (805) 522-2977 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
www.roamnrelics.com (805) 583-2965 Pre ’70s vehicles. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SAT., DEC. 5
SUN., NOV. 8
Oxnard Tamale Festival Plaza Park, 500 S. C St. Downtown Oxnard www.oxnardtamalefest.com 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
FAMILY FUN SAT., OCT. 17
Star Party Oak Canyon Community Park 5600 Hollytree Drive Oak Park www.oakcanyonastro.com Stargaze while listening to live music. Also Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 Starts at dark
SUN., OCT. 25
Roam ’n’ Relics Car Show 233 High St. Moorpark
SnowFest Arts and Crafts Fair Rancho Madera Community Park 556 Lake Park Drive Simi Valley www.rsrpd.org (805) 584-4400 Snow, sledding, live entertainment. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SAT., NOV. 14
Kids' Swap Meet Thousand Oaks Community Center 2525 N. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks www.crpd.org/tocswap (805) 381-2793 Kids can sell their toys, clothes and sports gear. 8 a.m. to noon
West Coast
Hearing and Balance Center In affiliation with West Coast Ear Nose & Throat.
West Coast Ear Nose and Throat
West Coast Hearing and Balance Center
From left to right: Abhay Vaidya, M.D., Martin Wareham, M.D., S. Tricia Kho, M.D., Nick Fettman, M.D., Jaesung Lee, M.D., F.A.C.S., G. Scott Voorman, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Left to right front row: Carissa Bennett, Au.D., Erin Richardson, Au.D., Janna Cline-Chanes, M.S., and Hang Lam, Au.D. Left to right back row: Gregory Frazer, Ph.D., A.uD., Emily Darchangelo, Au.D., John Davis, Au.D., Jennifer Kwast, M.A., and Lance Nelson, Au.D.
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Thousand Oaks
301 S. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
1-888-494-6937 Oxnard
1700 N. Rose Ave., Suite 460 Oxnard, CA 93030
1-888-427-1443
Simi Valley
2876 N. Sycamore Dr., Suite 303 Simi Valley, CA 93065
1-888-725-4230 Camarillo
2438 N. Ponderosa Dr., Suite C110 Camarillo, CA 93010
1-888-775-6352
HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES FRI., DEC. 4
“. . . And on Earth, Peace” Cal Lutheran University 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks Choral ensembles, University Symphony perform. www.callutheran.edu/music (805) 493-3306 Dec. 5, 6 at 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
SAT., DEC. 5
Holiday Homes Tour Westlake Village area www.cancersupportvvsb.org (805) 379-4777 Thru Dec. 6 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter Wine Walk and Holiday Street Fair Main Street Downtown Ventura www.venturawinterwine walk.com Noon to 8 p.m.
SUN., DEC. 6
Hanukkah Festival Chabad of Moorpark 4219 Tierra Rejada Road Moorpark www.jewishmoorpark.com (805) 242-2232 4 to 5:30 p.m.
SAT., DEC. 12 Parade of Lights Channel Islands Harbor www.channelislandsharbor. org noon to 8 p.m.
FRI., DEC. 18
Parade of Lights, Fireworks Ventura Harbor Village 1583 Spinnaker Drive Ventura www.venturaharborvillage. com (805) 477-0470 Parade Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m. Submit event info to elindsay@ theacorn.com by Nov. 20.
Chocolate from PAGE 22
Our goal is to simply have you blown away. Not just your first day, but your second and third day as well. Our stylists will deliver the highest quality of professionalism and create an experience, all while keeping you beautiful.
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Just wash, blow and go! Mon-Sat 8am to 7pm • Sun 9am-5pm tel: 805-‐777-‐1057 • www.justblownaway.com 3825 E.Thousand Oaks Blvd #Q Westlake Village CA, 91362
Melt slowly over low heat while gradually adding milk, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until mixture is smooth. Cut butter into small chunks and gradually add to chocolate mixture, stirring constantly over low heat. Stir in egg yolks, followed by whipping cream. Continue to stir. Pour mixture into glass bowl and place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Mixture will set to consistency of a heavy paste. Take by teaspoonful and roll by hand into small balls, smaller than a ping pong ball. Finish with topping of your choice. Topping Choices A variety of truffles can be created by rolling individual truffles in coatings. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cocoa truffles: roll in cocoa powder until coated. Pistachio or macadamia truffles: Roll in chopped nuts. Coconut truffles: Mix equal parts unsweetened shredded coconut and powdered sugar and roll truffles in mixture. Hazelnut truffles: Roll in chopped hazelnuts. Dip in melted 68% chocolate.
*Chocolatine uses 68% dark chocolate from Santa Barbara Chocolate Company (found at www.santababarachocolate.com). Any good quality 68% dark chocolate bar may be used.
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Finally, A Breakthrough in the Treatment of Back & Leg Pain and Sciatica Caused by Bulging, Herniated or Squashed Discs In this doctor’s opinion, the best breakthrough treatment for serious back pain of our age is NOT surgery, but a non-surgical, safe & painless, state-of-the-art technology now available in Camarillo A very well known surgeon told one of my very first patients... “That won’t hurt you, but it’s not going to help.” Those were the words of this well-known surgeon. He was referring to my new disc machine that reduces and eliminates the back pain and sciatic pain out of those with disc problems. I really could not believe that a surgeon would make that comment about a new treatment they obviously knew nothing about. Back Surgeon Was Dead Wrong! Lucky for my patient, he chose to take my advice. After a thorough examination, I determined he was a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression. I recommended a course of treatments, and to my patient’s pure delight, the severe back pain he had been taking drugs for was going away. By the end of his treatment, he was totally pain free! He was pain free and off the pain medications for good. Do You Have A Disc Problem? If you experience any of the following in your back or neck, chances are your pain is due to a disc bulge, herniation or degeneration: • A vice-like squeezing feeling in your back • Sitting causes back or leg pain • Stabbing pain at the belt line or in your neck • Can’t turn over in bed without hurting • Numbness in your toes or fingers • Fire down your legs • Searing pain radiates into your arm • Prickling in your legs or toes Finally, Some Good News If you’ve been suffering with back pain or arm/leg pain caused by a disc bulge, disc herniation or squashed or compressed discs. I guarantee that you will be accepted for treatment only if I truly feel that you can be helped. It’s all because of 15 recent medical studies on spinal decompression. Until recently, the only advice for many of you suffering in pain was to try what you’ve been told: • Try exercising • Try physical therapy • Try pain medications • Try muscle relaxers • Try pain shots • Try dangerous back surgery • Just live with it If you’re like most, none of these have worked for you or you are afraid of what could happen if you do try some of these. Exercising makes you hurt more, pain medications and muscle relaxers cover up the problem and give you side effects. Pain shots can cause more pain, don’t work or don’t last very long or FIX the problem, back surgery didn’t work or made you worse. Or maybe you were one of
If you are suffering with back pain or sciatica pain due to a bulging, herniated or degenerative disc, this may be the most important article you read this year.
Caution! Decompression is DIFFERENT than old time traction or hanging upside down or inversion machines which can make your muscles squeeze the discs even harder!
the lucky ones that back surgery actually helped, but now the problem is back with a vengeance. Whatever your situation, you owe it to yourself to check into a Breakthrough Computerized Non-Surgical Treatment for back pain and sciatic or leg pain caused by a bulging, herniated or squashed disc or discs. It has helped hundreds of people who were suffering just like you. This new treatment machine I’m calling my squashed disc machine. How Does This Machine Work? Haven’t you ever had the thought... “Gosh, if somebody could just pull me apart...I would feel a whole lot better.” Yeah, I know you have. And it makes a bit of sense. Well someone else, actually a medical manufacturer, back pain specialists, neurosurgeons and engineers have come up with just that. A machine that gently pulls you apart, stretches the discs to a certain point that causes a drop in pressure inside the disc (like a little vacuum in the middle of the cream filling) causing the cream filling to suck back in! In my clinic, I’ve treated hundreds of patients with nonsurgical spinal decompression with great results so there should be no reason your back pain should be any different. Actually, I’m so sure we can help you with your back problem, I’m willing to back it up...but not with hot air. I Guarantee to accept your case only if I truly feel that you can be helped. That’s right. I can guarantee your acceptance because there are only a small percentage of people that we can’t help. Call our 24 hour helpline anytime. We can get started with your consultation exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more joyful life. Sincerely, Dr. Edmond Dooman, D.C. And that’s why I’m giving you this for a limited time...
most serious back pain sufferers are very skeptical of this new procedure, as skeptical as I was when I purchased my first decompression machine. So if you are skeptical... Here’s what an applicant said after they were told they couldn’t be helped. It was in mid-November 2013 when the pain in my lower back and left leg prevented me from working. So I did the most prudent thing I could think of, I went to my doctor, tried a couple of treatments with his suggestions, including an MRI. The MRI indicated I had a herniated disc at the L4/L5 area of the spine. With that information, I went to see an orthopedic surgeon and I was looking at surgery. I did have the surgery, a “microdiscectomy”, but that was not as successful as I’d hoped it would be. After recovering from the surgery, and suffering from overwhelming unbearable sciatic nerve pain, it was recommended that I have another surgery, a more comprehensive procedure. I was in so much pain I just wanted to pain to go away, so I agreed to the second surgery. In the meantime, friends from a local church encouraged me to check out Dr. Dooman and his Spinal Decompression. After suffering with this pain for at least nine months, I saw Dr. Dooman. His low key demeanor and friendly attitude gave me a glimmer of hope. After examining the x-rays, he said he could ‘help me’ ...without surgery! I said “yes, let’s do it” with the most enthusiasm I had in months. I completed the course of treatment and I am so MUCH BETTER now than I was previously. The treatments are really pain-free, easy to do and the treatments WORK! Dr. Dooman’s staff is friendly, courteous and knowledgeable. I regret that I did not seek his help any sooner, or I probably would not have missed so much work and an active social life, but it is with much praise to Dr. Dooman that I did the Spinal Decompression treatment. So if you are suffering from back pain associated with a herniated disc, seek out the office of Dr. Dooman, his treatment really does work. Spinal Decompression really works! David Miller - Camarillo
The FREE 19 Point “Damaged-Disc” Qualifying Evaluation Yes. No cost to you and no obligation to do or buy anything. But you will find out if you are a candidate for the revolutionary new therapy. You won’t be left wondering if this new nonsurgical treatment would have helped you be pain-free. During your evaluation we’ll examine your: ligament integrity, muscle function, hip joints, pain levels, reflex responses, disc structure, tendons, spinal column, pelvis balance, range of motion, motor nerve activity, sensory nerve function and MRIs if you have any. X-rays are included. Expires 12/31/15
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Dr. Edmond Dooman, D.C. Camarillo Spine & Nerve Institute 4087 Mission Oaks Blvd. #B, Camarillo www.camarillospineandnerveinstitute.com
celebrate the holiday season at the camarillo ranch all proceeds benefit crf preservation & programs
at the ranch
a food & wine tasting event saturday, december 5th, 4pm-8pm
experience a true victorian christmas while touring the 1892 camarillo ranch house. cozy up in the red barn and indulge in seasonal treats from premier ventura county wineries & eateries. live entertainment, silent auction, photo booth, free parking, 21+ event. tickets available at camarilloranch.org: $45 in advance, $55 at-the-door.
Santa Nights wednesday, december 2nd, 9th & 16th, 4:30pm-7:30pm monday, december 21st, 3:00pm-6:00pm take your child's photo with santa & mrs. claus in the 1892 camarillo ranch house. visit santa's workshop in the red barn. come early, free parking, 12 & older $5 admission, gates close 30 min. prior to end time. thank you for supporting the camarillo ranch foundation. your donations help preserve this historic community gem.
201 camarillo ranch rd., camarillo, ca 93012
camarilloranch.org
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3195 Willow Lane, Westlake Village (corner of Hampshire & Willow)
cottage from PAGE 24
with very little water to drink”—in other words, possessing a passion for great old things without much budget to spend on them—explains the evolution of the charming cottage which Jennifer shares with husband, Adam. It’s the couple’s first home. Though just 1,200 square feet, the Greys’ house is chock full of charm and innovative solutions to creating great design without spending much. The result is not only unique, but is infused with Jennifer and Adam’s blood, sweat and tears—literally. The kitchen is a great example, a DIY project that cost the Greys around $3,000 (appliances included). Of course, the couple accomplished that by providing most of the labor themselves after shopping around for the best buys on materials and appliances. That meant Adam cut the subway tile for the backsplash and Jennifer set it. She chose white for its classic, timeless appeal. The farmhouse sink, butcher block countertop and kitchen cabinets were Ikea finds. And the freestanding island came from J.C. Penney. But accessories came from flea markets and antique stores and Jennifer uses them in unexpected ways. Her vintage plates are displayed in an antique barbershop comb and brush rack and old player piano scrolls have become an unusual centerpiece. The dining room chandelier is another of Jennifer’s finds—$5 at a garage sale. Adam built the 11-foot dining room buffet out of 2-inch-by-6-inch planks and Jennifer hung burlap from it to create some storage space. A carpenter built the massive shelves above, which she uses to display small antiques. “I try to get away from using a lot of little tchotchkes.” That’s part of her strategy of introducing surprisingly large pieces in what are modest rooms. A large mirror rests against the end wall in the living room, clearly bigger than what you might expect for a room that size. “Small things in a small room make it feel small,” she explains. “It’s the psychology of design.” That would explain the oversized chair and massive coffee table—actually an old factory cart—and the armoire, which originally lived in a nunnery somewhere. “I love it,” Jennifer says. “It’s so imperfect.” But it is the child’s armoire in the entry that really speaks volumes. It was one of Jennifer’s 5 a.m. flea-market finds. “They were unloading it when I spotted it.” She paid $30 for the piece, which has all the original appliques intact. Jennifer gets a kick out of describing how she faked board and batten in one of the bedrooms using gardener’s bender board and lattice. And how she bought an end table for $5 and cut it in half lengthwise, creating two separate occasional tables. The master bedroom has yet another of Jennifer’s creative concoctions. She spotted a fireplace mantel outside someone’s home, parked her car and offered the owner $100 for it. That mantel now serves as headboard for the master bed. Jennifer placed tufted fabric in the space where the fireplace would go and now has a charming—and soft—headboard. But the designer is quick to say that, for the most part, she doesn’t get too attached to any of her curious pieces. She’s usually ready to part with them when the time comes to make room for a new, old friend.
“From First Home to Dream Home”
Julie Knutson Luxury CollectionSM Specialist
Direct: 805.377.1117
jknutson@bhhscalhomes.com www.JulieKnutson.com LIC# 01254803
A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC.
Now Serving Sandwiches & Salads More of the Brownies, Cookies & Scones you already love Fresh Bread made on premises Mention this ad and Get ½ OFF Baked good w/purchase of Deli item
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Call 805-389-0033 or email orders to: orders@finesconehengebakingco.com
Vintage
Garden & Bloom
• Garden-inspired gifts • Specialty pottery • Mid-century statuary • Weathered iron garden accents • Handcrafted barnwood birdhouses 805.379.1418 | vintagegardenandbloom.com 1696 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks (at intersection of Erbes Rd & TO Blvd.)
Mon-Sat 11-5 | Closed Sundays Fall 2015 | beyond The Acorn.com 59
Christian education isn’t expensive.
family affair from PAGE 30
It’s priceless.
Since 1977 Hillcrest has partnered with parents to provide an outstanding Christian education to our students. While the world’s values have changed, ours haven't. Come find out what this could mean for your family.
Erbes Road Campus - Grades K-12 Hillcrest Christian School
384 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks 91362 Grades: K-12 Accredited: WASC & ACSI Mrs. LuAnn Malcolm, Dir. of Admissions lmalcolm@hillcrestcs.org
(805) 497-7501 x 204
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE l CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED LEARNING
Skyline Drive Campus - Preschool Hillcrest Christian Preschool
101 N. Skyline Drive, Thousand Oaks 91361
Accredited: WASC & ACSI
Full and Part-time programs Ms. Cathe Jackson , Director cjackson@hillcrestcs.org
(805) 495-5513
www.hillcrestcs.org
Madelyn, who was freshly out of college at the time, took over. She rented out that portion of the market to create an international deli with meats, fish, cheese, sushi, salads and other sides and worked there for several years before the owner sold the grocery store, including the meat department, to someone else. Madelyn was contemplating her next move when she received an offer she couldn’t pass up. The owner of a pasta restaurant across the street from the Brentwood market, a fellow UCLA alum, asked her if she knew of anyone who wanted to buy his business. He wanted $20,000 for the place. “I said, ‘You know, it’s funny. I have to leave here, but I don’t have any money,’” Madelyn recalls. “He came back the next day and said, ‘You know, if I’m going to lose money to someone, I’d rather lose it to someone I know. You just take over the lease.” And that was that. He handed her the keys and she negotiated her first lease to open Maria’s International Deli in 1984. The next year, another business opportunity fell in her lap. The owner of a building in Sherman Oaks asked if Madelyn could help one of her tenants, who was not paying rent at the time, turn his fledgling deli around. Madelyn used her modest savings to buy the business and, inspired by her first trip to Italy the year before, opened her first sit-down restaurant. “I bought used equipment and built it from scratch. I thought it would be great to have a little neighborhood trattoria.” She opened her next location in Woodland Hills not long after and the rest was history as Madelyn continued to open locations throughout the region. Although she has confidence in her three regional managers, Madelyn says she stops by each of the locations as often as her schedule allows. “I don’t just point my finger,” she says. “If the pizza guy didn’t show up, I’d go back there and make pizzas. I’m not a very good bartender, but I can pour wine.” And she wouldn’t have it any other way. The Encino resident says she is proud to carry on her family’s legacy by bringing quality cuisine to the masses. The restaurateur, who has several childhood friends on her staff, says two of her siblings are involved in the chain’s daily operations. Her sister, Louise Berardis, designs the interiors of the eateries; brother, Matthew Alfano, addresses plumbing and electrical issues; and nephew, J.J. Berardis, is a sous chef for the successful chain. And Maria? Madelyn says her mother, a food aficionado, is “as feisty as ever.” “My mother tells me everything I do wrong,” Madelyn laughs. “She isn’t shy about giving criticism and advice.” Perhaps mom knows best, especially as Maria’s Italian Kitchens continue to be a home away from home for many of its regular customers. “I love people and I love pleasing people,” Madelyn says. “We treat everyone who comes through the doors as guests in our home.”
maria's recipes from PAGE 31
Béchamel Sauce 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. butter 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 cup milk ½ tsp. salt ⅛ tsp. nutmeg, freshly grated Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Add flour and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture turns a light golden color (about 6 to 7 minutes). In a separate pan, heat milk until just below boiling. Gradually add hot milk to butter mixture, whisking continuously until very smooth. Bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and season with salt and nutmeg. Maria’s Ground Chicken 2 oz. olive oil 1 oz. shallots, chopped 2 lbs. ground chicken 2 oz. Marsala wine 2 oz. water Kosher salt to taste Ground nutmeg to taste White pepper to taste Saute shallots and oil in a hot 12" pan until light brown. Add all other ingredients. Cook over lower to medium heat until chicken is done and liquid has evaporated (about 5 to 8 minutes).
Roasted Brussels Sprouts 2 oz. oil blend (75% canola, 25% virgin olive oil) 4 oz. pancetta or bacon, diced into ¼" squares 2 lbs. Brussels sprouts 3 oz. butter 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, shaved Salt to taste Pepper to taste Balsamic reduction* In a large saute pan, cook pancetta with oil until halfway done. Add Brussels sprouts and butter. Saute until butter is browned and Brussels sprouts are hot. Season with salt and
pepper. Place in a large platter, garnish with Parmesan and balsamic reduction. Balsamic Reduction ¼ cup sugar 1 cup balsamic vinegar In a small saucepan, combine sugar and balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, simmering until vinegar mixture has reduced to ⅓ the original amount (about 10 minutes). Cool. *Balsamic reduction, also known as balsamic syrup, may be purchased at most supermarkets.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Crust 16 oz. graham cracker crumbs 4 oz. granulated sugar 4 oz. butter, melted ⅛ tsp. mace 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice Combine ingredients and press into bottom of greased springform pan. Filling 2 lbs. cream cheese 8 oz. granulated sugar 2 oz. heavy cream 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract 1½ oz. egg yolk 3 whole eggs 1 lb. pumpkin puree 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice ⅛ tsp. nutmeg ⅛ tsp. mace 1 tbsp. molasses 2 oz. all-purpose flour Combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add cream, vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Add nutmeg, mace, molasses and flour until just blended. Do not over mix. Pour filling into crust and bake at 325° for one hour until cheesecake is set. Cool. Topping 6 oz. butter 6 oz. powdered sugar 1 lb. cream cheese ¼ tsp. nutmeg
8 oz. pumpkin puree 1 Tbsp. molasses Mix ingredients and spread on top of cooled cheesecake. Serve.
Apple Cake ½ cup melted butter 1 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced ⅔ cup all-purpose flour ¼ tsp. nutmeg ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. kosher salt 2 whole eggs 1 egg yolk 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ tsp. grated lemon zest Preheat oven to 300°. Melt butter. Set aside ¼ cup. Mix ¼ cup of butter with apples in saute pan over medium heat and saute until apples are brown and soft. Set aside. In a metal bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, beat eggs and egg yolk for two minutes at medium speed. Do not over beat. Add sugar, vanilla and lemon zest to eggs and mix for one minute. Add dry ingredients and continue mixing until everything is incorporated, then add butter and apples. Line greased 9" to 10" springform cake pan with a circle of parchment paper. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Note: Cake will not rise much.
Milan Cocktail 1½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 8
oz. Absolut vodka oz. orange juice oz. lime juice oz. simple syrup oz. Limoncello drops cranberry bitters Lime twist
Combine ingredients in shaker. Fill halfway with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with lime twist.
Fall 2015 | beyond The Acorn.com 61
Thousand Oaks
18 Featuring: Over 370 Vendors - Live Entertainment Kids Zone - Easy Parking FREE ADMISSION
Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks
jbfsale.com
OďŹƒcial Host Hotel BEST WESTERN PLUS
explore from PAGE 40
Chumash cave paintings and pictographs are plentiful, but their locations are not provided to the public to avoid vandalism—with one exception. The Chumash Painted Cave Historic Park near Santa Barbara offers visitors a glimpse of colorful rock art created by the Chumash several centuries ago. Directions provided on website www.parks.ca.gov (805) 733-3713 Newbury Park’s Stagecoach Inn Museum contains authentic Chumash relics as well as carefully crafted recreations of tools, games and items for everyday use. Step outside to see a Chumash home, or ’ap. 51 South Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park www.stagecoachmuseum.org (805) 498-9441 King Gillette Ranch periodically offers easy one-mile walks that show how the Chumash have utilized resources in nature. 26800 Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas www.lamountains.com (818) 878-0866 ext. 228 The Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, established by the National Park Service, features Native American hosts and rangers who answer questions during the weekend hours. The center also hosts occasional workshops and programs. 4121 Potrero Road, Newbury Park (805) 370-2300 (National Park Service) (805) 375-1930 (culture center) www.nps.gov/samo Powwows, although not traditional to Chumash culture, provide the community with an educational and cultural experience featuring music, dancing, arts, food and customs. •The annual Children of Many Colors Powwow is usually held in summer at Moorpark College: www.redbirdsvision. org/manycolors.htm •The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians hold an intertribal powwow as well as Chumash Culture Days, both typically in October in the Santa Ynez area: www.santaynezchumash.org •The Chumash Day intertribal powwow in Malibu takes place in early April: www.malibucity.org
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resources
People and vendors in this issue
NEIGHBORS Page 12
“All Hail the King of Pop” Nelson De La Nuez www.kingofpopart.com Page 14
“Guitar Hero” Joe Till www.tillguitars.com AROUND THE TABLE Page 20
“Sweet Seduction" Chocolatine 2955 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks www.chocolatine.net (805) 557-0561 Westlake Culinary Institute 4643 Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village www.westlakeculinary institute.com Beyond_Acorn_9-16-15_Layout 1 (818) 991-3940
Tifa Chocolate and Gelato Whizin Market Square 28888 Roadside Drive Agoura Hills www.tifachocolate.com (818) 879-0685 The Shoppes at Westlake Village 30760 Russell Ranch Road Westlake Village (805) 796-1893 FEATURE STORIES Page 24
“Cottage of Curious Finds” Jennifer Grey Interiors jennifergreyinteriors@gmail.com www.theoldpaintedcottage.com (805) 428-3903 Kitchen cabinets, counter, sink: IKEA www.ikea.com Appliances, French door: The Home Depot 9/16/15 9:16 AM Page 1 www.homedepot.com
hera health care Medical practice
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64 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
Kitchen island: J.C. Penney The Oaks, 280 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks www.jcpenney.com (805) 497-6811 “Bakery” letters: online Lighting: www.ebay.com Art, entry cabinet: flea market Dining room chandelier: garage sale Living room coffee table: vintage factory cart from Z Gallerie www.zgallerie.com Jute area rugs: Cost Plus World Market www.worldmarket.com Linens: Pom Pom available through Jennifer Grey Interiors
Page 28
Topanga Vintage Market Pierce College campus www.topangavintagemarket.com
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(310) 422-1844
Ventura Flea Market Ventura County Fairgrounds www.rgcshows.com (323) 560-7469
“Family Affair” Maria’s Italian Kitchen The Collection at Riverpark 2711 Seaglass Way Oxnard www.mariasitaliankitchen.com (805) 988-3300 29035 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Agoura Hills (818) 865-8999 El Camino Shopping Center 23331 Mulholland Drive Woodland Hills (818) 225-0586 “Ride of a Lifetime” Refugio State Beach 10 Refugio Beach Road Goleta www.parks.ca.gov (805) 967-0066 Cold Spring Tavern 5995 Stagecoach Road
Women’s Travel Made Easy Call Mary Barnett & SITA World Tours to book your next tour to the exotic destination of your choosing.
Colors of India + Pushkar Fair & Nepal: Only 2 rooms left - Guaranteed Shares November 11, 2015 Southern India with Backwater Cruise: January 15, 2016 China: Shanghai, Xian, Beijing plus Ulan Batar, Mongloia Extension October 10 - 20, 2016 Enchanting Morocco - Christmas 2016 December 23 - December 30, 2016
800.421.5643 ext. 1518
email: maryb@sitatours.com www.sitatours.com
Santa Barbara www.coldspringtavern.com (805) 967-0066
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“The Faces of Chumash” Chumash Indian Museum 3290 Lang Ranch Pkwy. Thousand Oaks www.chumashindianmuseum.com (805) 492-8076
Ostrichland USA 610 E. Hwy. 246, Buellton www.ostrichlandusa.com (805) 686-9696
Chumash Discovery Village Nicholas Canyon County Beach Park 33904 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu www.wishtoyo.org (424) 644-0088
Gaviota State Park www.parks.ca.gov (805) 968-1033 Lake Cachuma 2225 Hwy. 154 countyofsb.org/parks
Old Mission Santa Barbara 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara www.santabarbaramission.org (805) 682-4713
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“Staging your Home For the Holidays” Ventura County Home Staging wwwventuracountyhomestaging. com (805) 409-4317 Joann Baker Interior Design www.justbeautiful interiors.com (805) 300-5040 Nancy’s Design www.nancysdesign.net
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2559 Puesta del Sol Santa Barbara www.sbnature.org (805) 682-4711
Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum 320 Alisal Road, Solvang www.motosolvang.com (805) 686-9522
NESTING
Krown www.shopkrown.com FEELING GOOD Page 48
“Bath Therapy” White Lotus Living www.whitelotusliving.com (805) 222-5102 Kelly Teegarden Organics www.kellyteegardenorganics.com (805) 498-8181
LOOKING GOOD Page 46
“Tressing Up” Billy Lowe Regency Salon Studios 2839 Agoura Road, Studio 14 Westlake Village www.billylowe.com (310) 430-4045
Chumash Painted Cave Historic Park www.parks.ca.gov (805) 733-3713
Hair Bling: Courtesy of Westlake Florist 2851 Agoura Road Westlake Village
SNAPSHOT Page 66
Bottle Village 4595 Cochran St. Simi Valley www.bottlevillage.com (805) 231-2497 Stephen Shafer www.habsphoto.com
Quality care, Grooming, Boarding and Full-service Animal Hospital • Full Physical Exams
• Spay/Neuter
• Outdoor Play Area
• Wellness Plans
• Surgery
• Heartworm Testing
• Vaccinations
• Dentistry
• Geriatric Care
• Prescription Diets
• Pain Management
• Care Credit Accepted
• Health Certificates
• Boarding
• Parasite Treatment
• Grooming
Evening & Weekend Appointments On Call for Emergencies (during Business Hours)
FREE
Vaccine Clinic Office Visit EVERY Saturday for one pet
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10am-1pm
Expect a short wait time.
Dr. Lina Yetishefsky
Jenna
Jenny
Edgar
30849 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village
Dr. Erin Goodwin
818-707-0700 | www.doctoryanimalhospital.com Mon-Fri 8am-7pm • Sat 8am-5pm
snapshot
Bottle Village
Grandma Prisbrey’s dream house “Anyone can do anything with a million dollars. . . . But it takes more than money to make something out of nothing.” —Tressa Prisbrey Photo by Stephen shafer
66 beyond The Acorn.com | Fall 2015
T
hose are the words of the late Tressa Prisbrey, the visionary who built what came to be known as Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village. But her words hardly explain what motivated the then-60-year-old grandmother to begin a project that would result in 15 structures all constructed of discarded bottles and other odd found items. The first structure, a 6-foot wall, was meant to block the feathers from the turkey farm next door. But others say Tressa began building because she needed some place to put her collection of pencils, which eventually numbered 17,000. Clearly the village became a kind of obsession for the woman who hailed from the Midwest, married a much older man, and eventually migrated to Simi Valley. In her most prolific years—1956 to 1961—Grandma Prisbey was commonly spotted driving her truck to the dump or picking through discarded TV tubes. Those tubes now line the main walkway. Bottle Village was, and is, a quirky work of folk art, infused with Tressa Prisbrey’s wry sense of humor (she fashioned one garden using trashed industrial springs because “every woman should have a spring garden”). Today the property is one of California’s Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments and a California Historical Landmark. The 1994 Northridge earthquake caused major damage to the buildings and faithful supporters are fundraising with hopes of restoring Bottle Village to its original odd splendor. But even with many of its structures downed, it regularly attracts visitors from all over the world. Grandma Prisbrey, who had several hundred varieties of cactuses on the land, didn’t care much for cactus plants. “They remind me of myself,” she said in her memoirs. “They are independent, prickly, and ask nothing from anybody.” —L.G.H.
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