Beyond The Acorn Fall 2016 Camarillo by Beyond the Acorn

Beyond • A C O R N N E W S PA P E R S •

FALL 2016

THE ACORN

Cozy Up

FALL

Honest Eats at The Old Place Cool Gadgets for Hot Coffee

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table of contents

FALL 2016

FEATURES 36 NEW LIFE FOR THE OLD PLACE

This Cornell watering hole hasn't changed much in 45 years—and folks like it that way.

40 SERENE SCENE

Elyssa Parton's Asian-inspired home blends several design flavors to create a tranquil retreat.

46 GHOST STORIES

Are there spirits hanging around our neighborhoods? Or are stories of hauntings merely that—just stories? Either way, they sure make for good reading—just maybe not at bedtime.

DEPARTMENTS

10 WELCOME FROM BEYOND

Greetings from the publisher and editor.

NEIGHBORS 16 GUY WITH THE BIG PHAT HEART

Big Phat Band frontman Gordon Goodwin talks Grammys, reviving the jazz movement and the importance of music.

20 A PLACE OF THEIR OWN

Rose Van Weir Hein is building a very special ranch where developmentally disabled adults can live and thrive.

ACORNUCOPIA 24 NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE Get your caffeine fix with these top

40 46

notch coffee gadgets and accessories.

SHOPS 28 LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS

In this age of digital everything, a bookstore shines like a local treasure.

AROUND THE TABLE 32 POPPIN' WITH FLAVOR

Nearby popcorn shops share delicious recipes for fall fireside time.

NESTING 50 PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES

Find out how to get comfy in home furnishings made of stop signs, car parts and airplane engines.

LOOKING GOOD 52 THE EYES HAVE IT

Make-up artist Miranda Riddle demonstrates three ways to dress up your eyes for haunting.

READERS CORNER 55 CREATIVE COSTUMES

Readers share pictures of their most innovative Halloween getups.

OUT AND ABOUT 58 AROUND TOWN & BEYOND

Great ideas on how to celebrate this holiday season.

RESOURCES 65 A guide to the people and vendors

mentioned in this issue.

SNAPSHOT 66 THE HANGING TREE

Straight out of the Wild West, the Hanging Tree in Calabasas is a reminder of the town's rambunctious past.

Cover photo by MICHAEL COONS

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A Fun Evening Out With Friends! Ayaan Hirsi Ali

From the Publisher

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ozying up to autumn— it’s what we dream of doing. By the time this issue of Beyond has reached your doorstep, most young families have settled into the reshuffled schedule of school, sports and just making life work after the hopefully more casual days of summer. The pace can be mindboggling, especially for families with multiple children. One and a half hours between kids’ practices? Can I get off the field and back again in time? Then there are always simultaneous games and children in different afterschool activities. Can that doctor’s appointment be fit in here and “What do you mean, you haven’t finished your homework?” (Oh right, we haven’t even gotten home yet.) Mom is driving one child this way and Dad has taken the other two another way. And God bless the single parents—you’re miracle workers. It isn’t even Halloween yet and the days are flying by in a blur. Keeping up this frenetic pace has its challenges. Somehow we do it and then hit that groove that carries us through this season. The art is to make sure to take the time for yourself so you can enjoy your family. Carving out the “you” time (or “you and hubby” time) isn’t selfish. Loving yourselves just refills that “loving cup” inside you so you can cherish and laugh through the family antics rather than pulling your hair out and asking, “Why me?” So make it a priority to make room in that schedule for quiet moments to snuggle in with a book or with your someone special. If it takes a chisel to carve out time, do it. Twenty minutes will work wonders. Enjoy our beautiful outdoors for some inner peace. Or put the family on a one-day lockdown—just once in while—to just be a family. No friends, just you and the kids. So, I say get your cozy on—your schedule will recover.

Lisa Rule Publisher lisabeyond@theacorn.com

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From the Editor

hen the first whiffs of summer begin to warm the air it sparks a kind of hunger in me, a longing to be barefoot and free of responsibilities. And in the weeks before everyone's kids are out of school, I find myself desiring summer like it’s a long lost love. Who would ever want it to end? But, after long weeks in summer slow-motion, I really do begin to crave fall. It sneaks in quietly. First a tiny bite to the air first thing in the morning. A nibble really. Then there’s something different about the breeze. I find myself thinking about what I’m going to bake. Asking myself when I can pull out the scarves. When can I cozy up to autumn? In this issue of Beyond we do quite a bit of cozying. Our special popcorn recipes will help set the mood. And if you’re not of the mind to go near the kitchen, a trip to The Old Place in Cornell will not only invite in autumn but transport you to an earlier time, when folks gathered around a long bar to swap stories and eat honest food grilled over a wood fire. It’s a good thing we didn’t ask our ghost hunters to investigate The Old Place. Who knows what, or whom, they may have encountered. But we do explore other local haunts, beloved places in the community where rumors of lingering spirits just can’t be shaken. Are they real? Or are they no more than local legend? We certainly aren’t going to answer that one. But with Halloween coming soon, it’s fun to let ourselves scare a little. Turns out our readers are all about Halloween. When we asked you to send in photos of your most creative costumes, we were inundated with wild and weird images. I invite you to go to the website to see more of them. And, by the way, it’s great to hear from you all. Next up, we are aching to see your most romantic moments (PG only) captured on camera. We want to see your epic proposals, your sweet anniversaries. Maybe you have a creative date or a magical moment to share. After all, love is in the air. But for now, it’s time to put another log on the fire and settle in for a nice long read. Until next time,

Leslie Gregory Haukoos Editor-in-Chief beyond@theacorn.com

on Ventura Boulevard Provides charming shopping & dining experiences for Camarillo locals & out of town visitors. It’s also the site for the weekly Farmer’s Market. Dating back to 1910, Camarillo was a packing town built beside the Southern Pacific Railroad depot. With its rich history, sculptures, Spanish bell tower, giant clock and fancy streetlights, Old Town became the go to street for quaint restaurants, cute shops & boutiques.

Old Town is the strip of Ventura Blvd. that runs parallel to Highway 101 between Oak Street & St. Mary Magdalen Church 2000 - 2500 block of Ventura Blvd. Free Parking

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Studio Channel Islands Studio Channel Islands is a nonprofit nonp organization dedicated to advancing the creative life of Old Town Camarillo and the communities within Ventura County, fostering connections between artists and visitors, and celebrating the cultural identity of our community.

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When it comes to Italian cuisine, nobody provides the right ambience to make you feel like you are actually sitting in Italy like Verona Trattoria does. Our authentic Italian cooking is so much more than food. It’s an experience! Our famous dishes include chicken piccata and scallops. Come by for a taste of Italy. We also can cater your event at the restaurant or at your home.

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From CONTEMPORARY

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 Stephanie Bertholdo, Ela Lindsay, Allison Montroy, Erin Newman COPY EDITORS Erin Newman, Mark Wyckoff EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Allison Montroy

TO TRADITIONAL

ART CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Sarah Ely, West Maätita, Beth Thayer, Robert Ramirez, Karma Christine Salvato WEB DESIGN Beth Thayer PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Coons ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mona Uttal, Richard Singer, Sue Martin, Jennifer Carlo-Valdez, Diane Verner, Stacey Janson, Stephanie Alatorre, Carolyn Clark 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

www.beyondtheacorn.com @beyondtheacornmag

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BEHIND THE SCENES: Photographer Michael Coons moves in close to shoot the step-by-step process of turning model Daisy Hydar into a ghoul for our story "The Eyes Have It" on page 52.

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Gordon Goodwin

THE GUY WITH THE XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX

BIG PHAT HEART GRAMMY-WINNING JAZZ COMPOSER JUST KEEPS ON SWINGIN’

Written by ALLISON MONTROY

hen multiple Grammy and Emmy award winner Gordon Goodwin thinks of success, the collection of gold trophies perched on his living room mantel isn’t what first comes to mind. The musician, composer, conductor and Big Phat Band frontman leans back in his chair at the kitchen table of his Thousand Oaks home, remembering a letter he received 16 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

Photo by REX BULLINGTON

several years ago about a young fan named Jesse who had just passed away from cancer. Jesse’s mother shared with Goodwin how, during the teen’s decade-long battle, the Big Phat Band had become Jesse’s secret weapon in the midst of increasingly difficult chemotherapy treatments. To prepare for each session, Jesse put on his headphones and blasted the funky, rich sounds of Goodwin’s 18-man jazz ensemble—a sort of pump-up

playlist for a boy fighting an unimaginable battle. “I don’t know what’s more meaningful than that—is a Grammy more meaningful than that? Stories like Jesse’s let me know I made the right call.” That “call” was the decision Goodwin made in 1999 to step back from a burgeoning career writing music for film and television and pursue his lifelong passion for jazz. It was the year he created Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. “I apologized for many years for being so into jazz,” Goodwin says. While working at Disney and Warner Bros., Goodwin recalls he “wrote what the director wanted. They would always tell me ‘more Carl Stalling, less Gordon Goodwin,’” he said, referring to the legendary “Looney Tunes” composer. “And at some point I asked myself, ‘am I ever going to just . . . write music that is me?’” Finally, he did, and “everything just came into balance.” His success with the ensemble led to seven jazz albums, multiple Grammy nominations—“every time is just as exciting as the first time”—and three Grammy awards, including one for his arrangement of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in 2012. A fourth Grammy for his work on the Disney Pixar “The Incredibles” film and three Emmy nods round out his collection of statuettes. Goodwin’s achievements have also given him opportunities to influence music on a local scale. The Big Phat Band performs at music conferences, charity events and high school jazz festivals. Goodwin has also composed and arranged pieces for Colina Middle School and Westlake High’s jazz bands (some of which ended up in several of Big Phat’s albums) and even sat in with the high school ensembles on stage. It’s important, Goodwin says, to break down musical barriers and introduce younger generations to genres not typically heard in today’s pop culture. “They don’t just see a bunch of old guys on stage, they see musicians who are having a blast.” Goodwin’s a staunch supporter of arts in education and doesn’t shy from the opportunity to share his opinions about keeping music programs in schools. “Without arts programs, kids are coming out of school able to take a test, but do they know who they are? We need people in this world that can think and reason and question . . . things that arts can teach you. I believe the coarseness of our overall culture can be traced back to the decline in arts education.” Goodwin—a self-professed “band geek”—attributes his own experiences in school music programs to his present-day success. “This was me. I didn’t like sports then and I wasn’t interested in pop culture. Band was the reason I got up in the morning.” It was his band director, Robin Snyder, who sparked Goodwin’s love for jazz when he called the young musician into his office and introduced Goodwin to a Count Basie record, which left an indelible impression on the seventh-grader. “It was like a movie moment. The camera just zoomed in and I had an epiphany.” And Goodwin hasn’t stopped since—he pursued music at Cal State Northridge and shortly after landed a gig as a performer at Disneyland. When he was asked to write the Mousketeers reunion music, it launched his longstanding career with Disney as a composer. It was at Disneyland that he met his wife, Lisa, also a performer, about whom Goodwin gushes—she’s his rock.

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Down the hall from where Goodwin sits in the home he and Lisa share (their three kids now grown and on their own), a grand piano gleams in the afternoon sun; behind it, the coveted, goldbodied trophies, stately symbols of the musician’s success and yet oddly juxtaposed with his friendly, easygoing demeanor. It’s been about 15 years since the Big Phat Band’s first album, “Swingin’ For the Fences,” and there’s no question Goodwin’s contemporary flair on ’30s big-band sounds has made jazz cool again. Even the most devoted pop enthusiasts can’t resist toe-tapping along to his infectiously captivating charts. After returning from shows in Tokyo and the summer release of the first album by his Big Phat spin-off ensemble, The Little Phat Band, it’s clear the jazz icon has no plans to slow down anytime soon. In the meantime, Goodwin still composes for Disney, and on Saturdays, hosts his own radio show, “Phat Tracks with Gordon Goodwin” on KJazz 88.1 FM. Any time for himself? “Of course,” Goodwin enthuses, mentioning a trumpet concerto for a friend in Australia among several other jazz pieces, “I’m working on a bunch of fun new songs.” And yet, even with so many projects always in the mix, Goodwin didn’t think twice before he and the Phat Band guys packed up their instruments and hopped on a plane to Oakland, after reading Jesse’s mother’s letter, to play a benefit concert in honor of the late teen. (Concert proceeds funded a scholarship in Jesse’s name.) Keeping long hours is second nature to the prolific composer, who cracks a smile as he references Malcolm Gladwell: “Well, to excel, you have to put 10,000 hours in.” And then some.

Goodwin formed the seven-man jazz ensemble, Little Phat Band, three years ago with musicians from the Big Phat Band and describes the group as having "a little more musical freedom and spontaneity." Its first full album, "An Elusive Man," came out Sept. 9.

neighbors

Rose van Wier Hein

A Place G of Their Own

Written by STEPHANIE BERTHOLDO

RANCH FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED ADULTS EMERGES FROM A MOTHER'S LOVE AND DETERMINATION

20 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

Photo by RICHARD GILLARD

olden Heart Ranch may be just a short canyon drive into the mountains, but the center, well on its way to becoming a model for sustainable, residential living for developmentally disabled adults, seems worlds apart from suburbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commotion a few miles away. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just the bucolic mountain ambiance with its oak groves and rustic vintage buildings that create the haven-like feeling at the ranch. The vibe at the property is one of exhilaration, hope and anticipation of a communal purpose for the scores of disabled adults who will benefit from the programs aimed at helping them become more self-sufficient and independent. Programs, classes and opportunities for productivity are already up and running, including hikes, birthday and supper clubs, art, woodworking and cooking classes, plus work days and field trips. And for some, the ranch will become a forever home when they can no longer live under the protective watch of parents or other caretakers, as residential living cabins will eventually dot the property. To that end, Golden Heart Ranch owners Rose van Wier Hein and her husband, Billy Hein, have been fine-tuning a model program in

Manhattan Beach since 2009, but the couple’s determination to implement a grander plan that encapsulates big-picture dreams is being realized at the 22-acre ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains portion of Agoura Hills. The Heins’ mission to create a haven for disabled adults is personal. Their son, Justin, experienced his first grand mal seizure just before he turned 2. Diagnosed with epilepsy and autism, Justin was gripped by grand mal seizures two to three times each day for the next 20 years. Sometimes the seizures were so violent his bones were broken. Life as the Heins knew it changed forever. Rose gave up a successful house-sitting business that enabled her to earn money and keep her kids close by. Billy hunkered down with his lighting business to make sure they could provide Justin the best care possible. Justin’s condition put the couple and their older son, Sam, in a constant state of alert. “It’s like having an intruder in your house with a gun and you never know if it’s going to go off,” Rose says. “It’s like we have PTSD.” The stress of raising a disabled child seeped into every aspect of the Heins’ family life. Socializing with friends became a struggle. Watching a TV show as a family was impossible. “As much as you try to take that child with autism or seizures (out), it didn’t really work for us,” Rose says. “It becomes easier not to go.” Rose realized she had to come to grips with the reality of her son’s disability. “There was a very distinct moment in my life when I knew there wasn’t going to be a cure, Justin’s condition wasn’t going to change,” she recalls. “In the floor-to-ceiling windows, he was standing there in the sunlight, looking out the window.” “A huge wave hit me and the only thought I had was he was always going to be standing on the other side of the glass. No football teams, no friends, no parties. At that moment I knew that I had to accept the fact that it was what it was.” But that didn’t mean she had to accept the limited choices in store for his future. Rose, a pretty, tool-belt-toting blonde, exudes a can-do attitude that is emblematic of her country girl upbringing. She fought to enroll Justin in a specific school—and won. As he grew, she sought a variety of services available for disabled adults, but the programs never seemed to provide quite enough. Then, in 2006, Rose took a trip to the Netherlands to visit her cousin, her namesake Rose, whose child is also disabled. “We always said we’ll never let our kids go, they’ll always be with us,” Rose says of her and her cousin’s fierce determination to protect their vulnerable children. But after Cousin Rose took California Rose on an outing to Maartenhuis, a sustainable farm for disabled adults, their outlooks changed.

I would go to the ends of the earth for my child, but it became bigger than that...

That farm showed Rose a different way to approach her son’s adulthood and gave her new hope that he could have a quality life. Her resolve grew stronger. “I came home, started research and took one step at a time,” she remembers. “I would go to the ends of the earth for my child, but it became bigger than that.” The enormity of what her son would need to survive—and thrive—when she and Billy could no longer care for him motivated Rose to act. While still living in the South Bay, she launched the Golden Heart Ranch program in 2009, basing it on the Netherlands’ model of sustainability. She now has a solid base of participants engaged in various programs including cooking, track and baseball. The first golden heart For all of his struggles, Justin is a happy young man with a sweet disposition. His grandmother called him “golden heart” when he was just a tot. One day, Justin will reside at Golden Heart Ranch. But for now there is still plenty of work to get done at the mountain acreage off Kanan Road, the site of the former Sunny Skies Day Camp. Ranchers—as the Heins call the residents and visitors in the program—gain practical skills by working on the property, and communal work days bring out ranchers and community members alike. On one particular day in the spring, about 40 people joined together to paint, build and complete a variety of projects. Mexican feather grass and bougainvillea were planted, the cooking center cabinets were finished, and a new wheelchair ramp was installed in the woodworking shop. RA_Acorn_8-25-16_Layout 1 9/1/16 1:26 PM Page 1 Rose said that the 1ranch will continue to1offer for-credit service HERA_Acorn_8-25-16_Layout 9/1/16 1:26 PM Page

opportunities for high school students and it welcomes volunteer work crews from various local businesses and nonprofits. Programs galore kicked off this summer. The Healthy Happy Hike Club allows ranchers to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding trails and mountains, while the Supper Club gives them the chance to enjoy a night out for dinner and socializing. In August, the “Let’s Explore the World Around Us” program opened with field trips to the beach, local farms, exotic animal compounds and other destinations. But the Heins envision far more for eventual residents and daytripping ranchers that come to the site through associated regional programs. When Golden Heart is completely renovated and in full operational swing, ranchers will participate in a variety of purposeful activities. They will cultivate gardens and harvest veggies and fruit. The animal husbandry program will equip them with skills to care for animals, including chickens whose eggs will provide breakfast fare at the ranch and may even be sold at local farmers markets. Rose is hoping to raise alpacas on the ranch one day. The woodworking shop and art center encourage creativity and give ranchers a chance to earn money by selling their artwork, food and other one-of-a-kind products at farmers markets, ranch events or online. Cooking classes are also available in the program. Swimming pool repairs are the next big fix needed, and some large corporations are already expressing interest in financing the endeavor. But even in its present state, the ranch exudes a vacationlike ambiance. “This is the place we want to be,” Billy says. “Why shouldn’t our kids have this, too?”

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE RE-ENERGIZE YOUR CAFFEINE ROUTINE Written by ALLISON MONTROY

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Below, Bookends Bookstore. Right, Bank of Books. Far right, Bart's Books. Below, former owner Mary Littell with Mrs. Figs' Bookworm's owner Connie Halpern.

Last of the Independents Independent bookstores have become like rare gems to be discovered and explored, their bounty to be relished. Here are a few remaining independently owned and operated local treasures that offer new, used and rare books as well as other unique finds. Written by ELA LINDSAY Photos by RICHARD GILLARD and ELA LINDSAY

BART’S BOOKS One of the largest independent outdoor bookstores in the U.S., Bart’s is a must-see for book buffs everywhere. Even its exterior and open-air interior is as unique as its history. In the mid-’60s, Richard “Bart” Bartinsdale’s love of collecting books became so great that he built bookcases along the sidewalk to share his findings with passersby. Thus was born Bart’s tradition of selling books on the honor system as patrons dropped their cash in coffee tins on the bookcases. People can still buy discount books from cases that line the outside of the store or peruse its indoor offerings that range from gently used selections to rare, out-of-print first editions and art books. Patrons can also bring in their own collections and “trade” them for ones from Bart’s bounty. 302 W. Matilija St., Ojai (805) 646-3755 www.bartsbooksojai.com 28 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

MRS. FIGS’ BOOKWORM Connie Halpern, aka “Mrs. Figs” and owner of the Bookworm, says she “accidentally” bought the bookstore in 2009 when she went there to purchase a book and discovered the store was closing. “I somehow ended up on the other side of the counter . . . and have been there ever since,” she laughs. Opened in 1973, the Bookworm flourished with its previous owners. When Connie bought it, she added “Mrs. Figs’” for Faith In God Shows. “The name came to me in the middle of the night as I was panicking about running a bookshop,” she recalls. Although she considers the bookstore more a “gathering place for the community,” the store still offers a wide variety of books for everyone in the family. She even built a porch inside to beckon visitors to “come, sit a while, visit, rest and read.” 93 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo www.mrsfigs.com (805) 482-1384

JEWELRY FOR YOUR HOME 31133 Via Colinas, Suite 106, Westlake Village, 91362 818.889.0087 | www.wlvlighting.com THE BOOK CELLAR A nonprofit used bookstore run by volunteers of Friends of the Agoura Hills Library, The Book Cellar is literally a hidden gem, tucked underneath the library. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is well worth a visit. Proceeds fund library materials and programs and scores of books are donated to schools here and abroad. Agoura Hills Library 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills (818) 889-2278 agourabookcellar.com

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BOOKENDS BOOKSTORE & OTHER CURIOSITIES Part books, part collectibles, this charming shop is the brainchild of Celeste Matesevac and Marcia Doty, who renovated a former church to accommodate their dream venture. BookEnds offers a wide range of books in a beautiful setting, along with estate bookends for which the shop was named. And the community-minded owners are as unique as the store. They wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss hosting events like Worldwide Knit in Public Day and they post a pair of big dogs, named Will and Reed, to greet customers. Visitors will also want to check out the outdoor-themed books housed in the yard in an ever-so-cool 1961 Airstream trailer called Addendum. 110 S. Pueblo Ave., Ojai www.bookendsbookstore.com (805) 640-9441 FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 29

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THE CALICO CAT BOOKSHOP Lovers of used and rare books will adore this shop in the heart of downtown Ventura that has the feel of a classic European bookstore. Operated for 30 years by hands-on owners Bente and Peter Margenat, the shop gets its name from a calico cat that, for many years, slept in its window next to a sign saying, “quiet, daysleeper on premises.” Complementing its eclectic secondhand and collectible books is an extensive cookbook section. Calico Cat also carries a rich selection of books on history, philosophy, modern art, religion and Shakespearean studies. It’s always been the Margenats’ hope that “the store will give rest and inspiration to visitors’ lives, and remind them of mankind’s rich heritage of thought, truth and beauty.” 495 E. Main St., Ventura www.calicocatbooks.com (805) 643-7849

BANK OF BOOKS & ABEDNEGO BOOK SHOPPE Between these sister stores situated about a mile apart on Main Street in Ventura and their warehouses, the husband and wife team of Clarey and Debby Rudd have about 2 million new and used books. Since the late 1990s, in addition to offering hands-on service, fair prices and events like book signings, music nights and fundraisers, Bank of Books has been voted the No. 1 Independent Bookstore for Ventura County many times. Abednego is one of the top cookbook stores in the nation and carries one of the largest inventories of new, used and rare Christian books in the western U.S. Get ready to spend many hours perusing both stores as they are literally jam-packed with books. And, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, someone will hunt it down for you. 748 E. Main St., Ventura www.bankofbooks.com (805) 643-3154

Abednego Book Shoppe 2682 E. Main St., Ventura www.abednegobookshoppe.com (805) 643-9350

THE OPEN BOOK Offering new and vintage books, this cozy 2-year-old shop at The Oaks mall is one of two owned by Greg Schwabe of Simi Valley. The other at the Valencia Town Center has been open for 10 years. In addition to great prices for bestsellers and classics to suit all ages and interests, the store has also become known for its selection of vintage vinyl records, CDs and DVDs and comic books. The shop also regularly hosts community events that promote literacy and the arts, like open mic night, story time and book club, and local fundraisers. The Oaks mall 512 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks www.theopenbook.biz (805) 494-5056

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around the table

Popcorn

POPPIN’ with FLAVOR

Popcorn, the classic movie-time treat, isn’t just for the cinema anymore. Our region is full of companies specializing in sweet and savory gourmet varieties great for snack-time cravings or gifts. Written by ERIN NEWMAN Photo by MICHAEL COONS

CALIFORNIA KETTLE CORN If you’ve purchased kettle corn at a local fair, farmers market, concert or other community event, there’s a good chance that Richard Buchalter sold it to you from his California Kettle Corn booth. Bags of the crispy, salty and sweet snack are ubiquitous in our area. Richard, a former movie exec, switched to the popcorn business in 2007 after a lightbulb moment when he saw a long line for kettle corn at a fair in his hometown of Moorpark. Richard also produces savory flavors like his bacon cheese and white cheddar, plus sweeter fare like caramel corn and a colorful splash of multicolored popcorn he calls the Rainbow. Richard compares the Rainbow mix to Froot Loops and Fruity Pebbles cereals and gives credit to one of his customers, Eric, for the

idea, originally called Spring Mix. “Eric, who formerly worked at the Sheraton in Agoura Hills, wanted something unusual to present to his customers and guests at the hotel. Maybe a mixture of flavors would be cool, he suggested. So I tried it and voilà . . . he liked it.” The idea took off and is now a staple for all seasons. California Kettle Corn can be found at many supermarkets, hotels and retailers in the region, or visit the shop in Newbury Park to check out all the flavors. 3321 W. Kimber Drive, Unit B, Newbury Park www.cakettlecorn.com | (805) 715-1500

POPPED FRESH Stroll into the Popped Fresh storefront on Kanan Road and prepare for a dizzying array of popcorn flavor choices, ranging from the traditional movie theater butter and caramel corn to the more obscure Southwest Hot Wings, Dill Pickle, Green Applicious, and Puppy Chow (peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar with Chex cereal). Popped Fresh’s varieties can also be used as a base for popcorn bars, as in the recipe for Pop Krispies on the following page, which begins with their vanilla popcorn. For owner Barbara Sheets, who opened the store with her husband in 2014, the huge selection is just part of the experience. “When my husband retired, we wanted to open a store that created a totally unique experience for customers, appealing to all their

senses . . . delicious tastes and smells, exciting visuals and an upbeat atmosphere plus friendly, helpful service. Popcorn seemed like the natural choice to make and sell.” Getting to know her customers and helping them plan popcorn products for their weddings, birthdays, baby showers and bar/bat mitzvahs has been so rewarding, she says. The shop also offers tins decorated with trademark sports teams logos. Customers can choose from a selection of nearly 70 flavors of Popped Fresh’s popcorn, all popped in coconut oil. Barbara can’t zero in on one flavor she likes best. “All the flavors are like my children. It’s hard to have a favorite!” 5013 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills poppedfresh.com | (818) 707-7200

SANTA BARBAR A POPCORN COMPANY You’ll have to head north for Christopher Pollastrini’s artisan popcorn that’s sold at co-ops, gourmet shops and at the farmers market at UCSB, which is Christopher’s alma mater and where the seed of popcorn production took root. Balsamic Vinegar & Basil is the flavor that kicked off his business. “Until I did it, nobody put balsamic on popcorn,” Christopher says. “It’s the most special to me . . . plus it’s my favorite.” Santa Barbara Popcorn Company’s origins go back to Christopher’s days teaching high school biology, when he provided the school with his popcorn creations for their fundraisers. His health-oriented and eco-friendly products quickly grew popular in the greater community. Visitors to Santa Barbara’s famed State Street can pick up a

few bags at Isabella Gourmet Foods, an early supporter and distributor of Christopher’s tasty creations. All five varieties—including Maple & Brown Sugar and Jalapeño Jack—are organic, non-GMO, vegan and gluten free and the packaging is recyclable. The kernels are grown on a family-owned sustainable farm by California’s only organic popcorn farmer. Success hasn’t come without a few hiccups along the way. Christopher jokes about his attempt to use coconut oil in his honey Dijon blend, which was “surprisingly not good!” Aside from that, he’s proud of the high quality, unique popcorn he creates. “All small batch made by the artisan—me!”

FACTOIDS

www.sbpopcorn.com | (805) 628-2177

• Popcorn is gluten free and can be used as a substitute for breadcrumbs • Popcorn has more iron than spinach • A kernel of popcorn will pop when it reaches 347° • Movie theaters began to sell popcorn during the Great Depression, as it was a low-cost luxury at the time • Native Americans made beer and soup out of popcorn in addition to eating it plain

Caring for Camarillo’s most treasured residents for over 25 years.

POPCORN RECIPES California Kettle Corn

Rainbow Mix 2½ 1½

cups uncooked popcorn kernels Canola oil Tbsp. Flossine* in each of the following flavors: grape, strawberry, blue raspberry, green apple and lemon

Place ½ cup kernels in enough hot oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Add one flavor of Flossine before popping begins. Pop and remove from pan. Repeat with each flavor. Combine each batch of flavored popcorn together in a large bowl when finished.

* Flossine is a concentrated granular sugar available online.

Popped Fresh

Pop Krispies 1 1 4 4 1 1

stick butter 10-oz. package marshmallows quarts fresh popped popcorn* cups Guittard imported dark chocolate chips cup salted pretzel twists cup mini M&M’s

In a large saucepan, slowly melt 3 cups chocolate chips over low heat. Pour into 9x13x2-inch lined pan until bottom is coated evenly. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add popcorn to butter/marshmallow mixture. Stir until well coated. Using buttered spatula, press mixture evenly on top of chocolate. As it cools, press pretzels and M&M’s into popcorn. In a large saucepan, slowly melt remaining 1 cup chocolate chips over low heat. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. When cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

*For a sweeter taste, substitute Popped Fresh Vanilla Popcorn.

Santa Barbara Popcorn Company

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Balsamic Vinegar & Basil Popcorn ½ 2½ 2 2 1 1 1 2

cup organic popcorn kernels Tbsp. organic olive oil Tbsp. balsamic vinegar Tbsp. brown sugar Tbsp. dried basil leaves tsp. dried oregano tsp. dried thyme pinches sea salt

Pop popcorn using 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Combine remaining ingredients and toss with popcorn in a large bowl. Drizzle with remaining olive oil. Serve immediately. * Fresh basil pulsed in food processor may be used for a flavor burst.

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THE OLD PLACE Written by LESLIE GREGORY HAUKOOS Photos by MICHAEL COONS

ometimes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. That’s what it’s like at The Old Place, a charming, welcoming watering hole and eatery in the Cornell area of Agoura Hills. The Old Place is the kind of spot where you slide onto the long bar bench, order a beer and strike up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to you. And, after chewing the fat awhile, you

realize he’s not such a stranger after all. Though The Old Place has been open some 45 years, it’s not unusual for local folks to say, “I’ve driven by a thousand times and never knew it was there.” That’s because the vintage building, with its well-worn Old West facade, is the antithesis of flashy. Rather, it seems to blend into the scenery, as if it grew out of the earth. And now, decades after it was raised in what was then a remote mountain area, The Old Place just aches to tell its story.

Above, Morgan Runyon, right, owner of The Old Place, raises his glass with chefs Jose Bernabe and Robert Bouters. Right, a full spread is waiting for hungry diners in The Mailroom. Steamed clams and a juicy steak grilled over a wood fire are staples in the restaurant which, says Morgan, is known for serving "honest" food. But plenty of vegetables are grilled on that same wood fire, as seen in the Oak-Grilled Vegetable Salad. The Noodle & Cheese Bake may not sizzle on the grill, but its cheesy goodness is definitely worth a taste. Guests can reserve The Mailroom, which seats up to 12 in a cozy space that still has the built-ins from its former incarnation as one of the area's early post offices.

The structure was likely constructed in the 1920s as an unassuming tin building in what is now the Peter Strauss Ranch. Not long after, it was “dragged across the street” to its present location, explains owner Morgan Runyon. The original wood-lined box served as a general store and, over the years, it grew a few yards at a time to the size it is now— barely a pillbox with eight dining tables and a long bar. An adjacent private dining room that seats 12, called The Mailroom, still bears traces of its former life as a local post office. In all, it’s a small place, serving “honest food” in the tradition started by Morgan’s father, a colorful local character named 38 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

Tom Runyon. From the day Tom opened the restaurant in 1970 until he passed away in 2009, the menu offered just two choices: steak and clams. And, if there weren’t enough guests to fire up the wood grill, Tom and his wife, artist Barbara, would turn customers away. But when those wooden doors did swing open, The Old Place was a hopping gathering spot attracting what Morgan calls, “the crowd in the hills.” It was “full of characters, a bit rougher than now, and also movie people escaping the city.” THE OLD PLACE ON PAGE 63

Clockwise from left: One-of-a-kind gift certificates, handmade by Morgan, are often kept as keepsakes rather than turned in for their value in food. The Cheese & Cured Meat Plate goes well with a cold brew. A painting by Morgan's mother, Barbara Runyon, hangs in The Mailroom. Fixtures and furnishings are delightfully mismatched. Just about anything can cook over a good oak fire. Tom Runyon riding on Smoke. An old "cash only" sign still hangs above the bar, a reminder of how things were when Tom ran the place. The restaurant's exterior could be straight out of an old Western movie.

Common-sense Grilling

Cooking over a wood fire has been around thousands of years. It’s simple, fundamental. Here’s grilling advice from Morgan Runyon, owner of The Old Place: • Buy seasoned wood. • All hardwoods have different flavors. “Our regional taste is coastal live oak.” • You want a little flame to make the fat on your meat crisp. • Use a log on the grill. If not, you can use wood chips. • “We use very little seasoning other than salt and pepper. The oak is our flavor.” • Get your log burning a good 15 minutes before you put on the meat.

• Burn off kindling before you put on the meat. • Don’t use pine, which “makes your food taste like piss.” • The highest flame is in the middle of the grill, so instead of adjusting your grill, move the food around to place it above the best heat level. “That’s where the art comes in.” • “Potatoes are great to grill. Parboil them, cut them in half. Add a little olive oil, a little seasoning. Slow cook it on the grill.” • “It’s not rocket science; it’s common sense.”

Serene Scene Written by LESLIE GREGORY HAUKOOS Photos by MICHAEL COONS

he world is a rough and tumble place. Each day we are bombarded by noise and nastiness. It’s in the news, in the media, on the freeways and as we bump shoulders with others scurrying around in daily life. Amid the swirl, there is solace in the thought of home. It’s a personal sanctuary, a space we can create just as we wish. It’s where we can retreat from the madness, where we introduce just those elements that make us feel good. That’s going to mean different things for each person. For interior designer Elyssa Parton, it means designing with an Asian flavor, peppered with antiques and animal prints. “That’s why people hire me,” she explains. “I create a sanctuary—a sense of peace and harmony.” And that’s just what she has done in the Oak Park home which has evolved over the 17 years she has shared it with her husband and now-grown son. The result is an elegant, sophisticated sanctuary, a serene place that invites guests to exhale the outside world and breathe in the calm. Elyssa’s penchant for Asian design traces back to her family. Her father, Maurice Richlin, traveled extensively for his work as a screenwriter. (He won an Oscar for “Pillow Talk,” was nominated for “Operation Petticoat” and created the beloved Inspector Clouseau in “The Pink Panther.”) “My father brought a lot of pieces home, mainly figurines,” she explains. “When he was home I was on his

lap on the movie sets. . . . I would attribute my flair for the dramatic to those years, when I was surrounded by the glamour and romance of Hollywood.” How many people can say they sat on Cary Grant's lap? The designer was 2 at the time. “But the Asian style is definitely from my mother.” Elyssa’s mother, a script analyst for MGM before she became a stay-at-home mom, raised her children on the teachings of Quan Yin, the goddess of compassion. “She taught us to always give loving kindness and be compassionate to others, especially animals.” Most of the pieces in Elyssa’s home are from China, Indonesia or Thailand and most are 19th-century antiques. “Every room needs a little Asian because of the beauty it brings in, whether it is a beautiful blue and white porcelain vase or an intricately carved wood panel,” says the designer. “But you can always use a little animal print which brings in a warmth. Animal prints are timeless.” Combining the two elevates the level of sophistication. But not all of the pieces in Elyssa’s home are Asian. The dining room set, a newer piece, has more of a retro look. And most of the good fabrics are from Italy or France (the designs of Bergamo, Donghia and Kravet). “It’s never just one style,” the designer explains. “Asian goes with everything, but the lines of contemporary design go particularly well with Asian style.” “When you see something you fall in love with, it will always work in your home. I never force a client to accept a

Above, Elyssa found the hanging plate, a personal favorite, on a trip to Casablanca. Pairing it with an Asian vase to create a stunning still life is one way the designer blends styles with a lovely result. Right, a demure geisha looks down on the dining room and living room beyond. 40 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

Clockwise from top: A detail of the dining room mirror shows light refracted in countless directions. A hand-embroidered wall hanging from Thailand graces the master bedroom study. A 19th-century Chinese cabinet is the setting for yet another tasteful grouping.

42 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

The dining room set is new, with retro lines and animal print fabric from Kravet. "Animal prints are timeless," says Elyssa.

FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 43

Elyssa Parton brings her early professional experience in fashion and fabrics to her current work. "Fashion and interior design go hand-in-hand because, after all, you want to look good sitting on your sofa!" she says.

Above, the master bath is a tranquil retreat with copper metallic paint. Left, a collection of crystalline glazed vases from Laguna artist Jon Price are displayed in the master bedroom.

44 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

piece, because they have to love it,” she says. Still, she says she may encourage them to give it a try. “Sometimes they don’t know until you bring them to it.” That’s all part of the dance of bringing good design to other peoples’ lives. “I really get to know my clients, their lifestyle, the colors that will make them feel good. . . . It’s how you feel when you walk in a room, how you look when you are sitting on the sofa.” Elyssa, who owned Pacific Rim Home, a home furnishing store in Westlake Village, closed her store after nine years

to spend more time doing interior design. She had launched her career working with fabrics and clothing as a buyer and in management at Bullock’s department stores. “Fashion and interior design go hand in hand . . . when I design a client’s home, whether it is contemporary, Mediterranean, French or an eclectic mix, I definitely take into consideration the colors they look good wearing.” The designer’s advice for anyone creating their personal home sanctuary: “First, surround yourself with things you love.” FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 45

Behind every suburban legend lies a whisper of truth

GHOST STORIES

The show must go on If your chair feels a bit chilly at the Conejo Players Theatre, it might be because you’re not the only one occupying it. Albert, the local haunt hanging out at the Thousand Oaks theater, is known for lending a helping hand to actors and crew, moving around props or preventing pratfalls, and is said to be a theater aficionado who isn’t afraid to voice his criticisms. Sandy Carlson, a local ghost hunter, says that the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark is notorious for one early 20th-century performer who never quite made it offstage. She’s been known to frequent the theater’s office, gliding past widened eyes in her flowy white Victorian-era gown, hair in curls, singing a haunting Hungarian melody. Sandy calls her Zala. The legend goes that Zala, a traveling singer, ar-

An empty veranda at Camarillo State Hospital circa 1940. When it opened, Camarillo was the largest mental hospital in the world, housing over 7,000 mentally ill, developmentally disabled and criminally insane patients.

rived in Moorpark in 1919, but never left. The singer was killed on the land where the theater (originally called El Rancho) would be built eight years later. Details of her demise are unclear. When Sandy’s husband Steve Carlson, a former manager of High Street, was working on theater renovations, one of his demolition workers complained that a woman was singing loudly in a foreign language. Steve decided not to tell him about Zala. During an investigation, Sandy recorded a 22-degree temperature drop in the same corner of the theater where Zala was known to appear. Curious about the mysterious woman, Sandy and Steve spent hours combing through microfilm and archived newspapers but never found mention of a woman killed at that location. “It’s hard to differentiate from urban legend and fact, so maybe the female entity is some form of residual energy or a performer that imprinted on the theater,” Sandy guesses. Current High Street general manager Ken Rayzor says in his many years at High Street, he’s yet to experience any of Zala’s visits. But rumors surround the entire historic neighborhood: there’s a ghost at Cactus Patch Restaurant who pinches ladies he fancies and the sounds of

Courtesy of BROOME LIBRARY, CSU CHANNEL ISLANDS

Flickering lights, moving objects, unexplained voices—it sounds like the setting for a classic paranormal flick. But in our little corner of Southern California, there might be more going on than meets the eye.

Scary Dairy: EDWARD CONDE

— BY ALLISON MONTROY —

w A remnant of the Camarillo State Hospital compound, the decaying old barn, nicknamed "Scary Dairy" and now covered in graffiti, seems to attract paranormal activity.

Some believe that may be part of the reason for its paranormal popularity.

children laughing when there are none around have been reported. Though the stories vary, there is a tragic truth that lurks in the undercurrents of High Street’s spirited folklore. Close to midnight on March 12, 1928, the walls of the St. Francis Dam 50 miles east of Ventura gave way, sending 12 billion gallons of water rushing down the narrow San Francisquito Canyon in a massive, unstoppable 80foot wave that plowed through towns on its way to the ocean. At least 450 people died that night, but some estimates put the number closer to 700. In the flood’s wake, many High Street buildings were turned into makeshift morgues for the recovered bodies.

Come on Inn In Newbury Park, the Stagecoach Inn Museum, once called the Grand Union Hotel, gives visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich history with relics and recreations that bring different eras to life. Some visitors to the hotel-turned-museum may believe that the Inn brings a little too much to life—or is it afterlife—as some of the relics are rumored to contain more than just memories. Several decades ago, a woman donated an antique baby cradle to the museum. It was a family heirloom, she says, passed down to her when she had a child. When she heard her baby begin to cry one day, the woman went to tend to her child. But she discovered someone—or something—else already there. The woman was horrified to see an unknown figure rocking the cradle. She quickly rid herself of the family heirloom cradle and it’s been on display at the Stagecoach Inn ever since.

Someone—or something— else was already there . . . an unknown figure rocking the cradle.

Blood is thicker than mud The Leonis Adobe Museum sits in a rustic portion of Calabasas adjacent to the freeway. The original property was purchased and owned by Miguel Leonis, a powerful and widely feared Basque man who came to be known as the King of Calabasas. When Miguel was killed in a wagon accident in 1889, many speculated that his death was no accident, but instead a premeditated murder. Upon his death, Miguel’s wife Espiritu, who was Chumash, fought 16 years to keep control of the property. She finally won her case—one year before her own death.

They’re filled with misunderstood memories of loneliness and pain from patients who lived and suffered there. You can check out, but you can never leave There’s a reason abandoned mental institutions have a reputation for paranormality. They’re often filled with misunderstood memories of loneliness and pain from the long-gone patients who lived and suffered there. Until 1997, the Camarillo State Mental Hospital housed the developmentally disabled and mentally ill. Over its tenure, there were numerous reports of mistreatment, unmerited shock therapy treatments and overdoses on prescribed drugs. “The thing about mental hospitals is . . . they all have stories,” says Sandy Carlson. During its 61 years, more than 1,000 deaths occurred at the hospital. Some patients succumbed to illness, others to old age after a lifetime behind barred windows, and others died of neglect or abuse. Part of the compound included a dairy and animal unit that supplied food to hospital. For a while, higherfunctioning patients would be sent to GHOST STORIES ON PAGE 64

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

When spirits come around, this team investigates Imagine lying in your hotel room bed and seeing objects moving on their own. When medium Brandon Azoo found himself comfortably settled on the bed in one of the Glen Tavern Inn’s two notoriously haunted rooms during an investigation in 2011, he noticed a chain dangling from his wallet being tugged toward the edge of the bed, as if a hand had reached up and grabbed it. Such an experience would send most people sprinting for the nearest exit. But for Brandon and the Ojai Paranormal Investigators, it meant that they had found exactly what they were looking for: spirits. You could say that Ojai Paranormal Investigators’ Jill Webb and mother-son duo Jo Jo and Brandon Azoo are ghostbusters, but the truth is, they don’t do much busting—unless it’s Jo Jo cracking up mid-conversation with a ghost (“Spirits are funny!”). The trio, who always donate

their time, usually visit local homes and people struggling with a spirit presence or who are looking to connect with a deceased loved one. Their trip to Glen Tavern in Santa Paula was one of the few nonresidential calls they’ve done. Jill, an empath (someone who feels the physical presence of spirits), remembers getting dizzy and, as she reached for a chair, she heard a voice offering her a seat in a gentlemanly drawl: “go ahead, sit down.” The three believe that they were in the presence of a cowboy named Calvin. Brandon, who is a videographer, usually begins investigations looking to debunk. “I always go into these places as a skeptic.” But at Glen Tavern, any doubts he may have had vanished when a thermal handprint appeared on Jo Jo’s arm while she was entering the closet where stories say a prostitute was OJAI PARANORMAL ON PAGE 64

MICHAEL COONS

Since Espiritu’s death, visitors have witnessed apparitions and heard crying and mysterious footsteps in the otherwise empty house. In the 1930s, a woman claimed that a ghost saved her from falling from a second-floor porch railing. And many say that Espiritu continues to roam the second floor, lightly pattering from room to room.

From left, Jo Jo Azoo, Brandon Azoo and Jill Webb call themselves Ojai Paranormal Investigators. Behind them, an LED laser grid used to detect shadow spirits. Brandon holds a Phantom Lite, which he uses with his video camera during investigations.

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nesting

Furniture made from things that move

PLANES,TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES PUTTING A LUXURIOUS TWIST ON TRANSPORTATION

1. ‘Connect 13’ bike chain chandelier by Facaro, www.facaro.com, $4,800 2. KC-97 front landing gear door-turned ‘Stratotanker Sink’ by MotoArt, www.motoart.com, $8,500 3. Peterbilt semi ‘Fender Lounge’ by Seminal Studios, www.seminalstudios.com, $3,000 4. ‘BroadWay Armchair’ made of traffic signs by Boris Bally, borisbally.com, $2,500

50 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

1. VINCENT MARTINEZ 3. ©BRITTANY ANZEL APP 4. Courtesy of BORIS BALLY

7. 9.

5. ‘Radial Engine Piston Lamp’ made from vintage aircraft engine pistons by MotoArt, www.motoart.com, $250 6. ‘Daybed’ from tires by Retyred, retyred.com, €649 7. ‘Randonneur Chair’ made to order from bicycle frame tubing by Two Makers, www.twomakers.co.uk 8. Vintage Vespa ‘Scooter Chair’ by Bel & Bel, belybel.com, €1,470 9. ‘Sofa 600 Low Rider’ made from SEAT 600 D car by Bel & Bel, belybel.com, custom piece FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 51

looking good

Makeup secrets

The Eyes Eyes Have It

Written by ALLISON MONTROY Photos by MICHAEL COONS

Makeup artist Miranda Riddle knows Halloween. In fact, the self-proclaimed “monster maker” helps the spirited holiday come to fruition every year by transforming people into zombies, clowns and ghouls (oh my!) as an artist at Six Flags Magic Mountain’s annual autumn Fright Fest. Armed with a small valise of brushes, paints and powders, Miranda, who is also managing director of CSUN’s summer teenage drama workshop (TADW), usually has two hours each morning of Fright Fest to turn a team of 80 human-faced performers into a spook-tacular array of characters fit for scaring. Miranda recreated a few classic looks on model, actress and Fright Fest stiltwalker Daisy Hydar for folks to try at home this Hallows’ Eve.

white or the palest concealer or foundation you can find to entire face. With gray and black eyeshadow, Face of Death Apply create sunken-in features where shadows fall: under cheekbones, sides of nose and temples. Use a black eye

pencil to emphasize crow's feet and use a makeup sponge to soften hard edges. Repeat on the inner corners of eyes. Apply black eyeshadow from the edge of eyelids to the bottom of eyebrows and under the eyes to create a sunken look. As a final touch, use a flat eyeliner brush to rim the lash line with red powder (new, unused red lipliner works as well).

DOs and DON’Ts DO moisturize before application and after removal—stage and costume makeup tends to be drying and clogs pores. Miranda calls coconut oil her secret skin-protection weapon. DO keep baby wipes handy: “They’re good for sensitive skin and easily remove makeup.” DO clean and disinfect brushes with soap and water after every application. 52 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

DON’T wear special effects contacts if you’re not comfortable with them. If it’s your first time, get fitted by an optometrist and order contacts that fit the shape of your eye instead of buying generic ones. DON’T panic when you make a mistake: “That’s the thing with makeup—you can always take it off.” DON’T share makeup, especially for the eyes.

contact lenses (these are Banshee FX lenses from Gothika). Apply orange powder (or paint) to face perimeter, The Tiger Insert bridge of the nose and across the forehead with a foundation brush, blending with an eyeshadow or small powder

brush. A white cream paint (also called clown white) goes on the end of nose and around the eyes. With a darker orange shade, create a widow's peak and curved lines from the nose line to eyebrows to create a feline face shape. Sketch out a nose tip and add tiger stripes on eyebrows, forehead and cheekbones using a black liquid liner. Keep an eyeshadow brush and black shadow on hand to blend wobbly lines. To create wide cat-like eyes, line with black liquid liner, bringing the line past the inner corners of the eyes and slightly down. Can also add a winged cat-eye (“the key is to use small, short strokes”). For the finishing touch, use a few drops of water, makeup setting or eyedrops with several shades of orange to darken and intensify colors. Use hairline strokes to give illusion of fur and depth.

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FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 53

look is not product-heavy, but is a great skill to have in your arsenal because it is so easily manipuInstant Aging This lated into other looks such as a witch or gypsy woman. Apply a very pale foundation, then scrunch your

face to see where wrinkles naturally fall. Use that as the canvas for the wrinkle lines, sketching in using a light brown brow pencil. Focus on the eyes, forehead and smile lines, making everything natural by smoothing harsh lines and edges using a finger. Then deepen the wrinkles by highlighting lines with a light vanilla-toned eyeshadow and a small shadow brush. Finally, using a very fine brush, add a broken capillary near the eyes and a hint of red under eyebrow arches. *Watch full tutorial at beyondtheacorn.com

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readers corner

Dress-up

That's a full house: the Glaubke family from Thousand Oaks were dealt a good hand last Halloween.

Franken Berry and Medusa, better known as Steve and Janice Prouty of Simi Valley, pause for a pic.

C R E AT I V E COSTUMES Beyond readers know how to spook, scare, startle and celebrateâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;see even more locals decked out for All Hallow's Eve at www.beyondtheacorn.com Cory LeBlanc shows off her colorful parrot costume made by mom Alyre LeBlanc of Camarillo.

Zombie Nikki Pink of Simi Valley is on the hunt for brains.

Sisters Gayle Hooker of Agoura and Samantha Sherman of Thousand Oaks totally scare as the twins from "The Shining."

Gary Wetzel gave Shirley Vivion of Newbury Park quite a fright in his ghoul getup.

Jazz guitarist Dave Smith of Westlake Village transforms into a blood-sucking vampire on Halloween.

Scot Walker of Newbury Park catches his buddy, Buster the lab, pillaging and plundering the backyard.

Dia de los Muertos comes alive with Agoura Hills' Sharon Meyer.

Here's another classic from the Glaubke family of Thousand Oaks from the year they posed as car window stick figures.

Daylin might look like the king of the jungle, but underneath the costume he's just Debbie Erickson's pup in Thousand Oaks.

Paula Nathan of Thousand Oaks gives spiderwebs a glamorous touch.

56 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

Nobody loves Spider-Man more than his mother, 94-year-old Jeanette Paige of Camarillo, shown here with her brother Stan Benson.

Maisie Adler Teesk of Agoura Hills is ready for her close-up as "Sunset Boulevard's" Norma Desmond.

The granddaughter of Camarillo's Cheryl Cummings delights as an adorable pink poodle. Thousand Oaks' Melissa Berenstein was Simi Valley High School's sexiest senior citizen on Halloween in 1983.

There's no question: Genna Hanna of Simi Valley has gone to the dark side as Darth Maul.

Terry DuVarney of Westlake Village dons her wedding dress and matching Dia de los Muertos faces with husband David.

See the rest of our readers' Creative Costumes at www.beyondtheacorn.com

COMING UP: Love is in the air and we want to see your most romantic moments captured on camera (keep it PG, you lovebirds).

Dinner is served and its Bill Schultz's head on a platter circa 1973 in Thousand Oaks.

Rosie Salcido of Simi Valley made this costume for granddaughter Katlyn Acosta so she could clown around on Halloween.

SEND PHOTOS TO: beyond @ theacorn.com before Nov. 14

Fall 2016

HALLOWEEN OCT. 1 - 31 – Reign of Terror Haunted House More than 21,000 square feet of horror  Above Gold’s Gym at Janss Marketplace 197 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks (805) 492-1864, www.rothauntedhouse.com

OCT. 1 - 31 – Haunted Hayride

Riders will leave the safety of their wagon to confront “the Ghosts of Hayrides Past”  Griffith Park Old Zoo 4730 Crystal Springs Ave., Los Angeles (310) 993-8289, losangeleshauntedhayride.com

SEPT. 29 - OCT. 31 – Dark Harbor

“Blood-curdling terror” awaits aboard the historic ship  Queen Mary 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach (877) 600 4313, www.queenmary.com

OCT. 30 – Dia de Los Muertos

Simi Valley Historical Society celebration with mariachi music, dancing, crafts, face-painting and altar displays  Strathearn Park 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley (805) 526-6453, simihistory.com

OCT. 14 - 29 (Fri. & Sat. nights) – Voodoo on the Bayou

Interactive haunted house casts you as the protagonist trying to save a bunch of kids after a seance goes terribly wrong.  Sports Academy 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd., Thousand Oaks (844) 747-3100, www.sportsacademy.us

HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES DEC. 1 - 4 – “Broadway Christmas Wonderland”

Theater League promises high-kicking chorus girls and more than 1,000 glittering costumes in this musical revue  Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (800) 776-7469, theaterleague.com

DEC. 2 – Vienna Boys Choir

“Christmas in Vienna” concert features carols from the past six centuries  Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000, www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

DEC. 2 & 3 – Village Voices Chorale

The 70-member troupe performs holiday classics  Scherr Forum Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787, www.villagevoices.org

58 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

NOV. 22 – Estampas Porteñas Tango Company

The Argentinean dance troupe transports audiences from a rural train station to a bustling outdoor plaza in Buenos Aires  Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu (310) 506-4522, arts.pepperdine.edu

DEC. 2 - 11 – “Christmas Magic!”

Listen to holiday carols and learn the stories behind them  High Street Arts Center 45 E. High Street, Moorpark (805) 529-8700, highstreetartscenter.com

DEC. 2 - JAN. 1 – Winter Fantasy Music & Light Show An eye-popping spectacle with 30,000 flashing colored lights, animated characters, lit trees and holiday music  Plaza Park 500 S. C Street, Oxnard (805) 385-2705, www.bit.ly/2bv1QXZ

DEC. 6 – “A Rockapella Holiday”

The vocal group puts an a cappella spin on seasonal classics  Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu (310) 506-4522, arts.pepperdine.edu

DEC. 7 – Handel’s “Messiah”

New York’s Choir of Trinity Wall Street and the Trinity Baroque Orchestra perform the beloved oratorio  Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000, www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

DEC. 10 - 31 – Candy Cane Lane

Since 1952, residents have been transforming this neighborhood into a wonderland of decorations and lights  Lubao Avenue and Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills www.woodlandhillscc.net/candy_cane_lane

DEC. 11 – Homes for the Holidays

Tour Pleasant Valley homes all decked out in holiday splendor  Various locations (805) 279-8909, meadowlarkserviceleague.com

DEC. 11 - 25 – Christmas Tree Lane

One of Ventura County’s largest holiday light displays  F and G streets, Oxnard www.bit.ly/2bihaI1

DEC. 16 & 17 – Parade of Lights

Boats decked out in twinkly lights sail through the harbor  Ventura Harbor 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura (805) 477-0470, www.venturaharborvillage.com

DEC. 17 & 18 – “The Nutcracker”

New York City Ballet dancers join Pacific Festival Ballet  Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787, www.pacfestballet.org

DEC. 18 – “Blue Christmas with Elvis”

Tribute artist Raymond Michael performs a King-sized holiday show  Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley (805) 583-7900, www.simi-arts.org

DEC. 21 – “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

The 1964 TV classic has been turned into a stage musical  Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (800) 776-7469, www.theaterleague.com

OCT. 7 - 23 – “The Sorcerer”

A love potion causes chaos in this Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company production  Hillcrest Center for the Arts 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks (805) 381-2747, hillcrestarts.com

OCT. 7 - 30 – “The Young Man from Atlanta” Drama by Horton Foote  West Valley Playhouse 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park (818) 884-1907, www.wvplayhouse.com

OCT. 13 - 23 – “Night of the Living Dead”

Zombies roam the Earth in this stage adaption of the 1960s film  Moorpark College Performing Arts Center 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark (805) 378-1485, www.moorparkcollege.edu/PAC

OCT. 14 - 23 – “Evita”

Cabrillo Music Theatre’s season opens with this classic about Argentinean leader Eva Perón  Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787, www.cabrillomusictheatre.com

OCT. 14 - NOV. 20 – “Curtains”

Murder and musical comedy collide in comic whodunnit  Camarillo Skyway Playhouse 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo (805) 388-5716, skywayplayhouse.org

DEC. 23 – “White Christmas” singalong

On-screen lyrics help you join in the 1954 movie musical  Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 850-2000, www.laphil.com

DEC. 25 – Chanukah Festival

Featuring comedian and illusionist Rob Rasner  Vons Shopping Center 4225A Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark (805) 242-2232, www.jewishmoorpark.com

DEC. 27 – Menorah lighting Free Hanukkah celebration features latkes, music, entertainment  Constitution Park Carmen Drive and Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo (805) 383-7882, www.chabadcamarillo.com

THEATER OCT. 1 & 2 – “Merrily We Roll Along”

Concert version of the 1981 Stephen Sondheim musical  Rubicon Theatre Company 1006 E. Main St., Ventura (805) 667-2900, www.rubicontheatre.org

OCT. 6 - 16 – “Bring It On: The Musical”

Panic! Productions stages one of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pre-“Hamilton” hits  Scherr Forum Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787, civicartsplaza.com

#BEYONDSAVORSSUMMER: Leila Tebyani won a 4-pack of movie tickets (with popcorn) at Muvico Theaters for her photo taken at Shenandoah National Park in Beyond the Acorn's first-ever social media contest. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more. FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 59

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OCT. 21 - NOV. 13 – “The 39 Steps”

Intrigue and danger course through this Alfred Hitchcock-inspired melodrama  High Street Arts Center 45 E. High Street, Moorpark (805) 529-8700, highstreetartscenter.com

OCT. 26 - NOV. 13 – “Return to the Forbidden Planet” This campy send-up of the 1956 sci-fi flick features a galaxy of rock-pop hits, from “Good Vibrations” to “Monster Mash”  Rubicon Theatre Company 1006 E. Main St., Ventura (805) 667-2900, www.rubicontheatre.org

OCT. 29 - DEC. 4 – “Ragtime: the Musical” Epic musical about early 20th century America  Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley (805) 583-7900, www.simi-arts.org

NOV. 4 - 20 – “Shrek Jr. the Musical”

A loner ogre must rescue a feisty princess in this Young Artists Ensemble production.  Hillcrest Center for the Arts 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks (805) 381-2747, hillcrestarts.com

NOV. 10 - 19 – “Crazy for You”

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Pepperdine students stage this Tony-winning George Gershwin revue  Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu (310) 506-4522, arts.pepperdine.edu

NOV. 11 - DEC. 11 – “Side Show”

Siamese twins become Depression-era stars in this musical  Conejo Players Theatre 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks (805) 495-3715, www. conejoplayers.org

DEC. 2 - 11 – “Elf the Musical Jr.”

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The Will Ferrell movie comes to life in this Youth Musical Theatre production  Hillcrest Center for the Arts 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks www.youthmusicaltheatre.com

DEC. 4 - JAN. 15 – “Amélie: A New Musical”

Phillipa Soo, a Tony nominee for “Hamilton,” plays the title role in this musical adaptation of the hit 2001 French film  Ahmanson Theatre 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles (213) 628-2772, www.centertheatregroup.org

MUSIC OCT. 5 – London Philharmonia Orchestra

Esa-Pekka Salonen leads this British ensemble in works by Sibelius and Beethoven  Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000, www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

OCT. 8 – Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Wynton Marsalis leads the group  Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000, www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

OCT. 13 – Smokey Robinson

The Motown legend performs “Tears of a Clown” and other classics  The Canyon club 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills (888) 645-5006, www.canyonclub.net

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OCT. 14 – Kelli O’Hara

A solo show by the Tony-winner  Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000, www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

NOV. 4 & 5 – New West Symphony

The orchestra, with guest pianist Vadym Kholodenko, plays works by Rachmaninov, Schoenberg and Stravinsky  Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center (Nov. 4) 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard  Kavli Theatre at Civic Arts Plaza (Nov. 5) 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (866) 776-8400, newwestsymphony.org

NOV. 5 – Pasadena Symphony and Pops

Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” suite and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”  Ambassador Auditorium 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena (626) 793-7172, pasadenasymphony-pops.org

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OCT. 21 - 23 – Ralphie May

The stand-up star riffs on everything from Bon Jovi to physiology  Levity Live 591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard (805) 457-5550, oxnard.levitylive.com

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NOV. 9 – John Cleese and Eric Idle

Monty Python icons will crack wise and take audience questions  Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787, civicartsplaza.com

NOV. 12 – Dana Carvey

“Saturday Night Live” alum brings his stand-up show to town  Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787, civicartsplaza.com

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NOV. 18 – Don Rickles and Regis Philbin

Celebrate Rickles’ 90th birthday with classic stories and film clips  The Canyon club 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills (888) 645-5006, www.canyonclub.net

DEC. 16 & 17 – Rob Schneider

The comic rose to fame “makin’ copies” on “Saturday Night Live”  Levity Live 591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard (805) 457-5550, oxnard.levitylive.com

DANCE OCT. 2 – "Shadowland" by Pilobolus

Coming of age story told in modern dance  Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000, www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

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FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 61

FINE ART

WINE AND SPIRITS EVENTS

SEPT. 16 - DEC. 2 – “Balancing Act”

Abstract illusionist paintings by Jack Reilly  California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks (CMATO) 1948 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805) 405-5240, www.cmato.org

OCT. 1 – Moorpark Beer Festival

A celebration of local craft beer and food  High Street in downtown Moorpark www.moorparkbeerfestival.com

OCT. 13 - 16 – Calabasas/Malibu Food & Wine Festival

Self-guided studio tour of more than 60 artists  Various locations in Ojai www.ojaistudioartists.org

Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley  The Village 6220 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills (818) 217-0024, www.malibufoodandwinefestival.com

NOV. 3 - 26 – “Street/Urban”

DEC. 3 – Winter Wine Walk

OCT. 8 - 10 – Ojai Studio Artists Tour

Edgy art by Charles Magallanes and Sam Kevenchy  Studio Channel Islands Art Center 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo (805) 383-1368, studiochannelislands.org

NOV. 10 - JAN. 12 – “The Nature of Jungles”

Sample spirits and listen to live music as you window shop  Main Street, downtown Ventura (805) 628-9588, www.venturawinterwinewalk.com

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Exhibit explores jungles today  William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art, California Lutheran University 160 Overton Ct., Thousand Oaks rollandgallery.callutheran.edu

OCT. 1 - 31 – Fall Harvest Festival

THROUGH DEC. 4 – “Altered Reality”

OCT. 6 - 9 – Reyes Adobe Days

Pumpkin picking, pig races, wagon rides, a corn maze, live music  Underwood Family Farms 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark (805) 529-3690, www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com

A look at the interaction between camera and computer  Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu (310) 506-4851, arts.pepperdine.edu/museum

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Family festival with historical demos, general store and tours  Historic Reyes Adobe Rancho 30400 Rainbow Crest Drive, Agoura Hills (818) 597-7361, www.reyesadobedays.org

OCT. 7 - 9 – Seaside Highland Games

Scottish/Celtic festival features pipe bands, dancing, traditional food  Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura (818) 886-4968, www.seaside-games.com

OCT. 15 & 16 – Calabasas Pumpkin Festival

Carving demonstrations, pumpkin beer, giant slide, reptile shows  Juan Bautista de Anza Park 3701 Lost Hills Road, Calabasas www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com

OCT. 16 – Thousand Oaks Street Fair

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Rotary Club fundraiser with vendors, a kids’ fun zone and music  Moorpark Road, between Hillcrest Drive and Wilbur Road, Thousand Oaks (805) 378-5106, www.thousandoaksrotary.org

OCT. 22 – “Goodnight Moon and the Runaway Bunny” Margaret Wise Brown’s classic bedtime stories come to life  Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu (310) 506-4522, arts.pepperdine.edu

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NOV. 5, 6, 12 & 13 – Nottingham Festival

Journey back in time at this award-winning Renaissance festival  Civic Center Park 3855 Alamo St., Simi Valley www.nottinghamfestival.com Send calendar listings to beyondcalendar@theacorn.com.

THE OLD PLACE FROM PAGE 38

Yellowing photos on the walls recall times when Jason Robards, Katharine Ross, Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen were regulars. “When it got busy, Steve would help out and tend bar,” says Morgan, who grew up hanging around The Old Place with his sister Alessandra while Tom and Barbara grilled steak and steamed clams for their friends. In the last decade or so before Tom died, Morgan says things were winding down at The Old Place. Then Morgan, who works as an art director for television commercials, stepped in, breathing new life into The Old Place while carefully retaining the character that makes it so unique. “The magic is to keep it as it is,” says Morgan. “It was a bit quirkier then,” he recalls. “But I needed to expand it.” For one, Morgan changed the “cash only” policy his father observed for 40 years and The Old Place now takes credit cards (guests can disregard the old “cash only” sign still hanging in the bar). Also, Morgan has expanded the selection so diners now have more choices than the steak and clams of old—although those favorites are still on the menu. Wood-fire grilled vegetables, a sumptuous noodle and cheese bake and chicken pot pie are just a few of the things Morgan brought to the table, evolving the menu with the help of chefs Robert Bouters and Jose Bernabe. Morgan also began serving breakfast and lunch on the weekends, offering hand-cut applewood bacon, homemade cinnamon rolls and blue cornmeal flapjacks. But in the spirit of The Old Place, the restaurant is still open just four days a week, keeping the tradition Tom started all those years ago. Though the menu has changed, lots of things remain from The Old Place of yore: The wood-fire grill, original to the restaurant, is still used for the meat and grilled veggies. Using local oak in the grill gives food that flavor regulars count on. “We use coastal live red oak, mixed with scrub oak and white oak to get our flavor, a particular West Coast flavor” says Morgan, who still cuts all the wood used in the grill. “Another guy helps me split it and load it.” The wood is mostly from fallen trees in the area. Morgan lets the wood dry and season for about six months before throwing it on the grill where it contributes to that rich, woody flavor. “We cook over a log,” he says. “We’re grilling over an open fire.” Because a visit to The Old Place is something like stepping back in time, the website cautions guests that the place is small, particular choices on the menu may run out, and they’ll have to walk outside to the restrooms. So, if someone wants finger-snapping customer service, The Old Place is not for them. But, those who want to breathe in the richness of a time past, rubbing elbows with friendly folk while dining on honest food, will not be disappointed. When asked if the décor at The Old Place has changed over time, Jeff Thomas, who has been meeting his three buddies at The Old Place every Thursday night for the last eight years, says, “not at all, thank God.” And that’s the beauty of it.

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Beyond the Acorn magazine (818) 706-0266 | www.beyondtheacorn.com FALL 2016 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 63

GHOST STORIES FROM PAGE 48

Arrive in Style

Special Occasion Dresses Quinceañeras Homecoming – Prom Bridal – Decorations Tuxedo Rentals Kids Formal Party Dresses

the dairy to learn a trade. The abandoned, decaying barn, still standing down the road from the main buildings, is commonly called Scary Dairy for its notoriety as a hotspot for paranormal experiences. When the hospital closed its doors in 1997, the empty institution was a prime filming location for thrillers. In 2002, “The Ring” was filmed at the closed asylum (you might recognize the well on the hill), and the grounds also made several appearances in “The X-Files” series. During the several years after the hospital was closed, people reported hearing loud footsteps down empty stairwells, the shrill squeak of a rusted swing set that no longer exists and feeling ill at ease or suddenly dizzy in certain parts of the campus. Sandy believes that the renovation of the abandoned hospital that transformed it into California State University Channel Islands cleared away many of the supernatural cobwebs that housed lingering spirits. “The university has brought a lot of ‘happy’ back to the grounds,” she explains. And these days, those that search the campus corridors for ghostly beings are much more likely to stumble upon a zombie-faced student trudging home from a late night at the library. As for which is scarier . . . you decide.

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OJAI PARANORMAL FROM PAGE 48

decapitated. And, during the same investigation, an orb careened from the bed into the video camera. They were in the room where Calvin had been shot to death. Jo Jo wasn’t surprised to find spirits roaming the hotel, which opened in 1911 and fell onto hard times during the Prohibition era. “It feels like walking back in time,” Jill says. Jo Jo laughs, “There’s a staircase that looks like it could be in ‘American Horror Story.’ I don’t think I’d go there alone at night!” Still, the empath speaks of her paranormal encounters like they’re visits from old friends. And sometimes they are. When people call the team looking for answers or wanting to connect with lost loved ones, Jill, Jo Jo and Brandon usually arrive armed with video cameras, equipment to record any EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon) and open minds, ready to listen to whatever the spirits might want to share. Their goal, they say, is to help people find peace. The trio compare ghost hunting to a treasure hunt, and to that end, they’ve always struck gold. “Spirits are everywhere, but not everyone is open to experiencing them,” Jill explains. Jo Jo agrees. “People tend to think this is scary, and sometimes it is, but it’s usually not. We really try to remove the fear associated with paranormal activity.” 64 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

resources

MASTER BED AND BATH: Mirror, jar, Thai wall hanging: Pacific Rim Home

People and vendors in this issue

NEIGHBORS Page 16 “The Guy with the Big Phat Heart“ www.bigphatband.com Page 20 “A Place of Their Own” Golden Heart Ranch 3190 Triunfo Canyon Road, Agoura Hills www.goldenheartranch.org FEATURE STORIES Page 36 “New Life for The Old Place“ The Old Place 29983 Mulholland Hwy., Cornell www.oldplacecornell.com (818) 706-9001 Page 40 “Serene Scene” Elyssa Parton Pacificrimhome.com (818) 424-5433 LIVING AND DINING ROOMS: Geisha painting, mirror, occasional table, dining

room set, fireplace hearth, wall hanging, burnt orange pot: Pacific Rim Home Fabric on dining room chairs and living room wing chair: Kravet, www.kravet.com Dining room wall hanging: Horchow, www.horchow.com Dining room chandelier: Westlake Village Lighting & Accessories 31133 Via Colinas #106, Westlake Village (818) 889-0087 FAMILY ROOM: Framed mirror: Pacific Rim Home Sectional: Nathan Anthony Furniture, www.nafurniture.com Upholstered ottoman: The Sofa Guy 2520 Thousand Oaks Blvd.,Thousand Oaks thesofaguy.com (805) 497-3222 HALLWAY: 19th-century cabinet, sculptures, wall hanging: Pacific Rim Home

Master bedroom crystalline glazed vases: Jon Price, www.jonpriceceramics.com Paint: Kilim beige by Sherwin Williams, www.sherwin-williams.com Master bathroom wall covering: Decor Color & Design 2820 Thousand Oaks Blvd.,Thousand Oaks (805) 495-7097 Wall paint throughout home: Wooded Acre by Dunn-Edwards, www. dunnedwards.com Page 46 “Ghost Stories” Ojai Paranormal Investigators www.ojaiparanormalinvestigators.com (805) 798-1215 LOOKING GOOD Page 52 “The Eyes Have It” Miranda “Pip” Riddle mirandariddle.com (818) 857-7849 Daisy Hydar, @daisyhydar

Residents are the heart of our community. AlmaVia of Camarillo, a non-profit community opened in 2001, prides itself on its intimate setting and the close friendships that develop among its residents and staff. This community, located near St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital, celebrates the dignity and individuality of its residents while focusing on best-in-class, personalized care. AlmaVia of Camarillo provides a holistic approach to wellness, and encourages a fun and active lifestyle.

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Call today to schedule a visit! 805-388-5277 2500 Ponderosa Dr. N, Camarillo, CA 93010 | www.eldercarealliance.org AlmaVia of Camarillo, an Elder Care Alliance community, is a nonprofit, faith-based assisted living and memory care community cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Midwest Community & the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic. #565800682. ©2014 Elder Care Alliance

Local lore

Courtesy of MARC WANAMAKER, BISON ARCHIVES

snapshot

The

Hanging Tree “Every new (town’s) got to have its hanging tree. Makes folks feel respectable.”

— “The Hanging Tree” starring Gary Cooper (1959)

66 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | FALL 2016

Truth be told, there’s no historical evidence that anyone was hanged by the neck until dead from the gnarled old oak tree known as The Hanging Tree in Old Town Calabasas. A rumor persists about men from Tiburcio Vasquez’s outlaw gang being hanged there, though the gentleman bandido met his fate dangling from a rope in San Jose. But there’s no doubt that Calabasas sprang from the Wild West. And somewhere along the way, this 200 to 250-year-old oak tree outside Kramer’s Grocery Store came to represent the town’s rambunctious past. Some think Kramer claimed the name for the tree outside his store to promote business and believe the actual hanging tree towered across the street by what is now the Sagebrush Cantina, site of the old jail. That oak was mortally wounded when the gas company drilled near its roots. That insult was compounded when Rocketdyne needed clearance to transport a rocket to Santa Susana Field Lab in 1965. The lifeless tree was moved by crane to clear a path, and residents put what remained of the tree’s trunk in concrete outside the Cantina, hanging a noose from a large branch stump. When it fell during a winter storm in 1995, the trunk was laid to rest in Calabasas Creek Park. What’s left of Kramer’s tree (shown here in 1951) is still standing. Sickly branches of that oak were removed in 2015 and only the trunk remains, a shell of its former self. —LGH

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