The Meints Family of Bell Canyon Living Life in Balance
Bon Appétit
The Best Local Restaurants and Tasting Rooms
The Perfect Island Getaway For the Whole O’hana (Family)
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Note from the
r o t i Ed
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n this issue, we take the time to celebrate our fine dining community. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or would rather just not eat alone, we bring you the very best places in town to eat. From seasonal menus and hip gastropubs to fine Italian dining and romantic oceanside eateries, our list covers the bases. The philosophy of social dining uses meals as a specific means to connect with others: eat to socialize, and we hope to inspire this with this restaurant issue. On the culture front, we were delighted to learn more about the newly renovated Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. This museum is a total mecca for car and museum lovers alike. Its incredible architecture is a sight to be seen, and we encourage readers to check it out the next time they’re in the Mid-Wilshire area. Earlier this year, we had the privilege to take a trip to Hawaii’s Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. On this media getaway, we learned all about the history and architecture around this premier resort, experiencing everything there is to offer on the beautiful grounds, from fine dining to paddleboarding to Aunty’s Beach House to nights filled with shows, like the Starlit Hui, and breakfasts at the Makahiki, where we dined with Disney characters. Whether you’re a family or newlyweds, we highly recommend staying at the Aulani the next time you decide to travel to Hawaii. As we move into spring, we hope this issue inspires you to eat well, live well and not be afraid to indulge in sweet treats every once in a while. Just make sure to read up on our favorite selections of desserts before you do! Correction: In our last issue (January/February 2016), we posted the incorrect bio for Dr. Tania Baker of Calabasas Dental Spa in the Health Check section. We have included her correct bio in this issue.
Irene Marshall, Editor stylepublishing@gmail.com
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CHARLES SCHWAB
Ribbon Cutting
AT THE VILLAGE
Robert Blunt, AAMSŽ Vice President and Branch Manager, welcomed clients, guests, and community representatives to attend the grand opening of the new Charles Schwab branch location at The Village at Westfield Topanga on January 21st. The event also provided the opportunity for the community to meet the experienced team of Charles Schwab financial advisors who provide personalized help in wealth management, investment advice, retirement planning, and portfolio management. Their objective is to provide personalized service to help their clients reach their own specific financial goals by providing transparent, straightforward answers to their questions. Special guests Matthew Vallecilla, field representative from the U.S. House of Representatives Brad Sherman’s office and Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Los Angeles Council District 3, and field deputy Arielle Bernard were on hand to present certificates. In addition to the new Woodland Hills branch, Robert Blunt also serves as the Vice President and Branch Manager at the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Branch.
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PUBLISHER Gayle Barnes EDITOR Irene Marshall CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elissa Linick ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Linda Perry ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE Deborah Ryback EDITORIAL AND ACCOUNT COORDINATOR Rachel Knopfler STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Marvin Steindler CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Gia Garganese Debbie Vaccarello Melissa Westervelt STAFF WRITERS Elizabeth Hunter Elena Richards CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Pax Ansley Lori Berezin Marc Cohen Dr. Anna Guanche Beth Cone Kramer Dustin Troyan Mark Wendell Tammy Randall Wood CALENDAR EDITOR Amanda Ragatz COPY EDITOR Nicole Schubert ACCOUNTING Karen Dafesh SUBSCRIPTIONS $18 per year ADVERTISING & INFORMATION 310.494.6250 stylepublishing@gmail.com calabasasstyle.com 860 Hampshire Rd., #H Westlake Village, CA 91361
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Readers... From our
Calabasas Style receives many phone calls, emails, Instagram comments and Facebook posts from our clients. We would like to share some of them with you. As a bride-to-be, Calabasas Style’s bridal section was such a wonderful spread! Thoughtful, modern and inspiring, I really enjoyed seeing the best local venues on display, and the featured photos taken by the best bridal photographers in the area. I have a good sense of what venue I’ll choose based on this past issue. Thank you, Calabasas Style! ~ Rachel H., Calabasas
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I loved reading your January/February Dining in Style article featuring The Six Chow House. After trying the brussel sprouts, we were sold! Thanks CSM for introducing us to our new favorite spot in Calabasas to dine. ~ Debbie K., Westlake Village
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I so enjoyed reading your article on Dr. Miller and her amazing story of survival! The Holocaust survivors endured so much and it is inspiring to see someone come away from that as such a positive and motivated person. There are not many Holocaust survivors left, I think it is great you dedicated your cover article to Dr. Miller and her family. ~ Stephanie M., Calabasas
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Q: I have a suggestion of a great family who I think you should feature in your magazine. How do I go about contacting you to give you this information and do you want suggestions? ~ Jack K., Agoura Hills A: We welcome any suggestions from our readers on our cover stories or any other articles or events that they think are interesting. To make a suggestion, please email us at stylepublishing@ gmail.com.
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We just moved here and need to find all new doctors, so your Medical Directory was really helpful! ~ Petra A., Calabasas
We want to hear from you! stylepublishing@gmail.com calabasasstyle.com 860 Hampshire Rd., #H Westlake Village, CA 91361
310.494.6250
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/CalabasasStyle Instagram: @CalabasasStyleMagazine
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Table of CONTENTS Auto
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150
Petersen Automotive Museum Reopens with Curves of Steel
Beauty 44 Taking the Mystery Out of Skin-Care Products
Calendar of Events 118 March 120 April
Wine and Dine: Your Way from the Valley to the Sea
96 Fireman’s Brew: A Beer Crafted by Firefighters for Firefighters 100
Simply Irresistible: Sweet Treats and Dessert Favorites
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SIP
126 Ask the Pharmacist 130 Calabasas Dental Spa: Technologically Advanced Dental Care in a Spa-Like Environment
Home Furnishings
Fashion
50 A Room for Roses 54 Décor
38 42
Technology
Spring Fling Focus On: Spring
98
Can My Smartphone Make Me Fat?
Community
Financial
106 108
Calabasas’ 25th Anniversary
Put some Kash in Your Pocket: Kash Chandani & Company, CPAs
Travel
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The Perfect Island Getaway for the Whole O’hana (Family)
Inspirational People
Foxtrax: Making Music in Calabasas and Beyond
Cover Feature 26
The Meints Family: A Life of Balance
Country Club Life 66
Calabasas Country Club
Dining
69 Bon Appétit:
Best Local Restaurants, Eateries, and Tasting Rooms
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Obstacles to Financial Success
Health and Fitness
144
62 Grossman Burn Center 64 Train with Fit Core Smart Moves 88 Protein: The Building Blocks of the Human Body
90 Green Leafy Vegetables 92 Grains: The Resurgence of Ancient Superfoods
94 Gluten: The Misunderstood Protein
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Keep Your Posture Up: It Will Never Let Down
The Meints Family of Bell Canyon Living Life in Balance
Bon Appétit
The Best Local Restaurants and Tasting Rooms
The Perfect Island Getaway For the Whole O’hana (Family)
ON THE COVER: The Meints Family Photography by Marvin Steindler
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CALABASAS DENTAL SPA Tania Baker, DDS 4937 Las Virgenes Rd.,#203 Calabasas 818.880.5520 calabasasdentalspa.com
Tania Baker, DDS, will not only change the way you feel about going to the dentist, but she will change the way you feel about your smile. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Baker has a unique way of making you feel important and cared for. Dr. Baker graduated in 1980 from a prestigious academy of dental medicine in Europe and spent a few years teaching before moving to California with her family in 1984. Here, Dr. Baker successfully established her professional credentials and received her dental degree at Loma Linda University in 1990. Her unique, genuine style and holistic approach to creating beautiful smiles comes through in everything she does, from providing preventive and family dentistry to offering the most advanced aesthetic care in full-mouth reconstruction cases and smile makeovers. Dr. Baker understands that going to the dentist is probably not on your list of favorite things to do. That is why she has created a dental practice with a delightful balance of high-quality dentistry and spa pampering. Dr. Baker wants you to love your new smile and enjoy the process. With a true artist’s passion, Dr. Baker has created an environment where anyone who walks through her doors can have an amazing and life-enhancing experience. When you come to Calabasas Dental Spa, you can expect a welcoming staff, a guilt-free environment, and the most advanced dental care available today, including lasers, digital and infrared diagnostics, and CAD/CAM technology. n
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A Life of Balance:
The Meints Family
By Pax Ansley Photography by Marvin Steindler
L
ife can be likened to a pair of weighted balance scales. There must exist a type of equilibrium of elements in order to lead a fulfilling life. Work, play, exercise and food have their places in our lives and on our figurative scales. For the Meints family of Bell Canyon, life revolves around wellness and what it means to live a balanced life. An inspiring family of four, the Meints are dedicated to helping others achieve the balance and well-being that they have found and enjoy. Originally from San Diego, JD Meints has been on the entrepreneurial side of the business world for as long as he can remember. Coming of age in a family of entrepreneurs led him to an obvious choice in higher education. JD received his B.S. in Finance from San Diego State University. He has been CEO and founder of more companies than most people have a chance to work for in their lives. Dealing
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with high-stress business wheeling and dealing, JD eventually got caught on the slippery slope of alcohol addiction. However, JD’s alcoholic coping mechanism led to something truly beautiful. After decades of fighting his addiction, he finally emerged from the battle as the victor. With his newfound freedom through sobriety and knowing how hard the journey to that point truly is, JD helped found the NuLife Treatment Center and became its CEO. The center aims to deal with addiction in new ways. They explore the impact of addiction on not only the sufferers, but also those who love them. He also founded the Hope and Recovery Foundation, geared towards those in the entertainment industry who suffer from addiction. By his side, JD has an equally passionate woman, Samrah Meints. Samrah is the director of the Hope and Recovery Foundation. A Porter Ranch native, Samrah spent years in the beauty industry before joining
her husband in the fight against the demons of addiction. She has used her eye for beauty in designing much of the décor and many of the buildings of both treatment centers. Her love for those who suffer does not stop with humans. Samrah loves animals and is involved in causes that support fair treatment of animals. The Meints have two girls in whom they impart the love, passion, balance, and wellness that drives their family. Alexis is a 12-year-old 6th grader at A.C. Stelle and a recent graduate of Bay Laurel. She is an avid volleyball player. Alexis plays at Club Koa of Calabasas. Mackenzie, their youngest, is an 8-year-old 2nd grader at Bay Laurel. Very active, like the other members of her family, Mackenzie has played soccer with the West Valley Soccer League since she was 3years-old. She plans on playing club soccer one day. To round out an already busy 8-year-old’s schedule, Mackenzie practices gymnastics at Monarchs Athletics and is involved in Girl Scouts.
“Our family is about balance and wellness. As a family, every day we look to maintain a good balance between work, school, activities and dedicated family time to discuss what is going on in our lives and our strong spiritual commitment.”
The impassioned Meints family joined the Bell Canyon community three years ago, after moving up from San Diego. “I was sold on Bell Canyon the first time I visited the community with my wife,” says JD. “It reminded me of the rural area where I grew up but was still close to everything.” The peace and security of Bell Canyon was one of the major draws to the area. This — combined with the diversity of homes, the school district, the safety and security and the hiking trails — was enough to prompt the Meints family to call Bell Canyon home. Together with their three rescues — Max, the golden retriever, and Olympia and Sydney, their two cats — the Meints family enjoys many outdoor activities. From skiing and snowboarding in the winter to beach days, runs and daily workouts, this active family is always moving. They plan to start golfing together soon. Even with their packed calendar, the Meints still find time to dedicate to family. According to JD, “Our family is about balance and wellness. As a family, we look every day to maintain a good balance between work, school, activities and dedicated family time to discuss what is going on in our lives and our strong spiritual commitment.” n If you know a great family or individual to profile, please contact us at: stylepublishing@gmail.com.
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Marc & Rory Shevin Proudly Present 2737 B eacont ree L ane, C a l aba s a s
Nestled in the foothills of the Calabasas/Mulholland Corridor, boasting profound 360o panoramic sunrise to sunset views of the Santa Monica Mountains from all areas. Lovingly created in 2002, the main house boasts 9,200 sq. ft., with a separate 800 sq. ft. carriage house. Enter thru double gated entry on a 6/10mile driveway to this magnificent estate, sited on 2.5 acres of manicured grounds, with 1 acre of sweeping lawns, rose gardens, citrus grove, stone fountains, 2 exterior fireplaces, BBQ center, plus an additional .25-acre pad for sports or equestrian pursuits. Interiors feature an exquisite gentleman’s office, game room, theater with upholstered walls, glass conservatory-with museum quality glass design, and a chef ’s dream kitchen with every imaginable amenity. Additional features include 7 bedrooms, 8 baths, 14 fireplaces, elevator, intricate iron work, hand-picked stone & marble from European quarries, Italian 30-foot cupola ceilings finished with Venetian marble and Alabaster lighting. The master suite is a sanctuary all its own-with seating area, wood burning fireplace and spiral staircase to the grounds below. The spa-like master bath shines with honey onyx marble, double Jacuzzi tub, mood lighting, dry sauna and 12 x 12 steam shower.
O f f e red a t $ 5 , 2 5 0 , 0 0 0
Marc & Rory Shevin (818) 251-2456 • (818) 251-2476 Marc: CalBRE #00559629
Rory: CalBRE #00671618
theshevins.com
23925 Park Sorrento, Calabasas, CA 91302
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Marc & Rory Shevin Proudly Present
5717 Round Meadow, Hidden Hills
Open floor plan. 6 Bedrooms, 9 baths, gourmet chef ’s kitchen, formal living & dining, spacious family room, library, master with retreat, walk-in closets, deck & fireplace. Picture windows, concrete floors, beam ceilings, wine cellar, maids quarters. Pool, spa, garage for 12 cars.
O f f e red a t $ 5 , 5 9 5 , 0 0 0
5182 Garrett Court, Calabasas
Gated, beautifully finished, 6 bedrooms, 6 ½ baths, gourmet granite kitchen open to family room, first floor master with fireplace. Wood & stone floors, surround sound, built-ins. Theater, game room, library, wine room, bonus room, guest house. Four-car garage, sports court.
O f f e red a t $ 3 , 9 9 5 , 0 0 0
Marc & Rory Shevin (818) 251-2456 • (818) 251-2476 Marc: CalBRE #00559629
Rory: CalBRE #00671618
theshevins.com
23925 Park Sorrento, Calabasas, CA 91302
Marc & Rory Shevin Proudly Present 2 5 2 4 2 Pr a d o D e l G r a n d i o s o, C a l a b a s a s
Located in The Estates of The Oaks, Calabasas newest and most prestigious development. A custom masterpiece, built in 2006, boasting over 12,200 sq. ft.-designed for grand scale entertaining. Enter into the two story rotunda with intricate mosaic tile floors and Venetian plaster walls, where custom iron doors open to the center courtyard patios. Boasting a wide open floor plan finished with stunning details, including hardwood & stone floors, custom iron railings, moldings & trims, tumbled stone & slab granites and inlaid marbles. With six bedroom suites, two powder rooms, stunning fully equipped gourmet kitchen-open to the wonderful family room, with full wet-bar & fireplace, formal dining with comfortable seating for 12+ guests, wine cellar, fully paneled office, fully equipped theater and sumptuous master suite with two large, fully detailed walk-in closets, fireplace, steam & spa, plus large walk-out balconies. The expansive grounds include a lagoon style salt water pool & spa, with Pebble Tec finish, cascading waterfalls, cabana with fireplace, complete BBQ center, fountains, firepit, covered patios with electric heaters, and endless travertine patios that will accommodate large scale entertaining.
O f f e red a t $ 8 , 4 9 5 , 0 0 0
Marc & Rory Shevin (818) 251-2456 • (818) 251-2476 Marc: CalBRE #00559629
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Rory: CalBRE #00671618
theshevins.com
23925 Park Sorrento, Calabasas, CA 91302
Marc & Rory Shevin Proudly Present
25045 Ashley Ridge, Hidden Hills
Hampton’s Style Estate. 6 Bedrooms, 8 baths, gourmet kitchen, great room, dining room with fireplace, music room, master suite with dual baths & balcony. Tennis court, lawns, rec room with gym, kitchen & bath. Outdoor kitchen, BBQ center, fireplace, pool/spa, slide, firepit.
O f f e red a t $ 6 , 9 9 5 , 0 0 0
25225 Prado De Rosado, Calabasas
Stunning view estate, The Oaks. Model sharp, 5 bedrooms, 6 baths. Custom center island kitchen, theater, 3,000 bottle wine cellar, office, gym, two story living room. Master suite with spa bath, steam shower, dual closets, view balcony. Pool, spa, BBQ center, sweeping views.
O f f e red a t $ 3 , 9 9 9 , 0 0 0
Marc & Rory Shevin (818) 251-2456 • (818) 251-2476 Marc: CalBRE #00559629
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Rory: CalBRE #00671618
theshevins.com
23925 Park Sorrento, Calabasas, CA 91302
Marc & Rory Shevin Proudly Present
6914 Solano Verde, Somis
$4,100,000
42 Cinch, Bell Canyon
$3,650,000
25436 Cumberland, Calabasas
$2,750,000
24929 Lorena, Calabasas
$1,625,000
4030 Prado De La Mariposa, Calabasas
$3,195,000
4151 Prado De Los Zorros, Calabasas
$2,289,000
Beautiful Mediterranean, over 22 acres (per assr.). Main & guest houses, gym facility, spanning over 28,000 sq. ft. (per builder). 8 Bedrooms, 12 baths, theater, library, office, game & bonus rooms. Yards, tennis court.
Mountain View Estates. 6 BD, 7 BA, gorgeous remodel. Entry with iron staircase, stone floors, gourmet kitchen, family room with wet bar. Master suite with dual baths, three closets, views. Pool, spa, BBQ center, patios.
Highly upgraded, former model. 5 BD, 6½ BA, chef ’s kitchen, two family rooms, game room, office, casita, interior courtyard. Master suite with retreat, gym, dual closets. Wood & stone floors, beam ceilings. Pool, spa.
Guard gated Bell Canyon. 5 BD, 6½ BA, plus 1 BD, 1 BA guest house, chef ’s kitchen, family, living & dining rooms, theater, game room. Master with fireplace, stone bath, balcony. Pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, tennis court.
Calabasas Park Estates. 4 BD, 3½ BA, granite kitchen open to family room, upstairs bonus room, master with fireplace & sitting area. Wood floors, cathedral ceilings, picture windows, three fireplaces. Pool, spa, BBQ, views..
The Oaks. Upgraded Santa Barbara style, 5 BD, 5½ BA, chef ’s kitchen open to family room. Bonus room, office, master with fireplace, sitting area. Pool & spa, fireplace, BBQ center, gated motor court, 4-car garages.
Marc & Rory Shevin (818) 251-2456 • (818) 251-2476 Marc: CalBRE #00559629
Rory: CalBRE #00671618
theshevins.com
23925 Park Sorrento, Calabasas, CA 91302
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SPRING FLING FASHION FINDS 2016 ››
DOLCE & GABBANA
RODIN TERRY
FRANCESCO RUSSO
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
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We break down the best finds of the season for all things Spring.
CHLOÉ
PROENZA SCHOULER
SEE BY CHLOÉ
ÉTOILE ISABEL MARANT
KAREN WALKER
CHAN LUU
CURRENT/ELLIOTT Calabasas Style 39
Sharon Segal Nina Segal the closet and the American Heart Association
Shop for a Cause Event
Guests shopped for a cause at Sharon Segal Nina Segal the closet on February 3. Light bites and refreshments were provided by Public School 805 and Kreation Organic with 20 percent of the total sales going to The American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign. Sharon Segal Nina Segal the closet offers both women’s and men’s clothing, as well as a jewelry atrium by Nina Segal! The casual yet hip boutique features a denim bar, luxury tees, cashmere, and unique jewelry and accessories. Shoppers will find iconic brands such as Ariel Gordon, Burning Torch, Cotton Citizen, Nina Segal Jewelry, NSF, Raquel Allegra, Terry Snider, The Great, and more.
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LOVE WHAT YOU WEAR
MENS: COTTON CITIZEN | RELWEN | 3X1 NYC | HAPPY SOCKS | AUTUMN CASHMERE | RETRO BRAND WOMENS: NINA SEGAL JEWELRY | ARIK KASTAN | RAQUEL ALLEGRA | NSF | THE GREAT | LIVEN CO. REBECCA MINKOFF | MCGUIRE DENIM | CLOSED DENIM | FRANK & EILEEN | MAJESTIC | HAT ATTACK
160 PROMENADE WAY #E WESTLAKE VILLAGE 805.777.7019
Sharon Segal, Shanel Malonson, Nina Segal
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FOCUS ON: Spring BLUSH BOUTIQUE If you want to get in step with the hottest casual styles –visit Blush! Blush is obsessed with the newest fashions – with the knack of perfectly styling the young to the young at heart customer! Think “Spring” with jeans in every shade of blue, paired with tops, hats, and accessories – all at amazing prices! Thousand Oaks 1610 E. Thousand Oaks Bl. Thousand Oaks 805.497.6100 shopmyblush.com
Calabasas The Courtyard at the Commons 23671 Calabasas Rd. Calabasas 818.222.5874
BEAD LOUNGE Originating from Zen and Buddhist tradition, the Bead Lounge embraces a “do-it-yourself” and “made by you, worn by you” philosophy. Discover your passion for making your own unique and one-of-a-kind pieces with fun daily classes – or shop for their finished jewelry made of precious and semi-precious stones! 4873 Topanga Canyon Bl. Woodland Hills 818.704.5656 thebead-lounge.com
SHARON SEGAL NINA SEGAL THE CLOSET Love What You Wear all season long with fabulous apparel for guys and gals—fashion-forward jewelry, handbags, and accessories all found in this chic boutique! You’ll love their great collection of merchandise, including these Rebecca Minkoff bags—straight from the NYFW runway! The Promenade at Westlake 160 Promenade Way Westlake Village 805.777.7019
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BESITOS BOUTIQUE Spring is in full bloom at Besitos Boutique with a unique collection of dresses by Elana Katan, stylish pants by Eva Varro, and lovely lace tops by Arianne. If your spring wardrobe calls for casual, classy, comfy, or chic, you’ll find your style at Besitos! 23504 Calabasas Rd. (next to Pedalers Fork) Old Town Calabasas 818.591.7300
MANYA Manya Jewelers’ goal is to provide customers with an exclusive line of luxury jewelry at an affordable price. The company prides themselves on the creativity, originality, and authenticity of each custom jewelry piece, which is designed and crafted with love and passion. You’ll find amazing selection at their new location in The Village at Westfield Topanga! The Village at Westfield Topanga 6320 Topanga Canyon Bl. #1633 Woodland Hills 818.703.6200 manyajewelers.com
GRAYSE
BY KELLY AND MARIE GRAY GRAYSE by Kelly and Marie Gray is a modern collection of specialty separates designed to dress women who love quality, luxury, and style. SEXY...GLAMOROUS...SOPHISTICATED with a high value on timeless elegance. Each piece is designed with attention to detail and fitted to ensure the most flattering silhouette. Westfield Topanga Lower Level – Luxury Court next to Neiman Marcus 6600 Topanga Canyon Bl. Canoga Park 818.710.9940 mkgrayse.com
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Taking the Mystery Out of
Skin-Care
Products
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By Anna D. Guanche, MD Bella Skin Institute
T
here are a myriad of skin-care products on the market — online, at the grocery store, at the mall, everywhere! I am asked at least once per week about a product line that is new to me. In the case of these new lines, I ask myself several questions. What is the active ingredient? Will its molecular size penetrate the stratum corneum (uppermost layer of the skin)? Will it stay active, at the correct pH balance, so that it is effective? I also take into consideration other factors, such as safety, allergenicity and potential irritation. Most importantly, I ask: Will this person consistently follow their skin-care regimen? Of course, the best regimens are tailored to specific skin types and show results fairly quickly in order to inspire continued use. Let’s break down the components of a regimen.
Cleansers Cleansing the skin every night is a must. Going to bed with makeup and grime on causes puffiness of the eyes and congested pores — just what we are trying to avoid. For dry, sensitive skin, we recommend milky lotion cleansers. For acneprone or oily skin, we recommend glycolic or benzoyl peroxide cleansers, such as Jan Marini or Neutrogena Acne Free. For skin types with excessive redness or rosacea, we recommend a line of cleanser and toner that has an herbal, soothing anti-inflammatory quality.
Sunscreens There are many formulations of sunscreen on the market. We recommend micronized-zinc- or titanium-dioxide-based products for broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher coverage. Some formulations are more cosmetically elegant and less likely to cause congested pores. Physical blocker type sunscreens are also less likely to cause burning or stinging of the eyes upon perspiration. One common complaint about sunscreen is the white, shiny appearance that it can cast on the skin. For this reason, we carry lightly tinted sunscreens that allow great coverage without as much shine and glow. Please apply and re-apply every two hours when outdoors.
Retinoids Almost every dermatologist you meet is personally using a nightly retinoid. Retinoids — Retin A, Adalpalene, Tazorac®
— are vitamin A derivatives that find a nuclear receptor in skin cells and regulate cell division. They do cause a bit of redness and sun sensitivity in the first six weeks of use, but after that, it is smooth sailing as long as sunscreen is consistently applied. Retinoids are powerful anti-aging, anti-pigment and anti-acne agents. True retinoids (which Retinol is not) require a prescription from your doctor and should only be used at night.
Glycolics Glycolic-acid-based products are effective in micro-exfoliating the skin, thus allowing a fresh, dewy glow. Plus, they have the added benefit of dropping the skin’s pH, thus making bacteria uncomfortable. The original use of glycolics dates back to the days of Cleopatra, who took soured goat’s milk baths to smooth and exfoliate her skin. That was lactic acid at work, a slightly less-savory cousin of glycolic acid. In our office, we recommend glycolic cleansers, serums or toners and even sunscreen depending on skin type and where it fits in to the remainder of the regimen.
Moisturizers Moisturizers vary immensely in consistency. For dry, winter-chapped or post-menopausal skin, we recommend very emollient creams to hydrate and “plump” the skin cells. Rosacea-prone skin varies since it is sometimes oily and sometimes dry. Normally, we would go to an herbbased formulation to soothe redness. For acne-prone skin, we recommend a light, oil-free moisturizer, occasionally containing glycolic acid.
effect, but very valuable to many, even just as a primer before applying makeup. One thing must be said: Skin-care products work only when applied to the skin. They cannot reach you from the jar on your shelf. Many people purchase products — anywhere from simple to ambitious regimens — and don’t actually apply them. This is like buying a 12-pack of Pilates classes and only attending one. The results will be equivocal. Skin-care products can be a challenge to decipher. A few rules, however, consistently followed, allow for nice results. Washing the face at night is a must, and daily sunscreen is an absolute must. (In recent news, both Hugh Jackman and Troy Aikman have been treated for skin cancer). From there, the number of additional products will depend on your skin goals and condition and your personal fastidiousness. Choosing great products with the help of a trusted professional, followed by consistent use, will result in visible improvements. n
The statements in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not substitute for individual medical advice. Dr. Guanche is not a consultant for, nor receives consulting fees or compensation from, any of the product or device companies mentioned in this article.
Eye Cream Eye creams with caffeine and antioxidants work best for daytime in order to reduce puffiness. At bedtime, the best eye creams are balmy and soothing in order to hydrate and smooth out the “crepe-y” look. Vitamin C-based eye creams are popular, but if there is irritation, sensitivity or allergy, they can lead to more visible wrinkling.
Firming Creams Firming creams are the icing on the cake. They are very popular these days. Some definitely work better than others, but few, if any, give long-term results. The firming creams and serums work much like albumin in egg whites. When they dry, they contract, leaving the skin tighter and smoother looking. This is a temporary
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Alzheimer’s
Fundraiser Raises Hope and Awareness in Calabasas
GRAYSE by Kelly & Marie Gray, Polacheck’s Jewelers, and West Hills Hospital and Medical Center joined forces to host a special fundraising and awareness raising event to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. The event was hosted by Calabasas residents Toni and Rod Yamin at their home, where friends and supporters enjoyed a great afternoon of shopping, socializing, and sharing about the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in our community. The event was appropriately named, “Shop for a Cause” where attendees got to Sip & Shop at this stylish soiree. Joe Piazza and Anna Gurevitch from Polacheck’s in Calabasas and Lisa Kaufman, General Manager at GRAYSE by Kelly and Marie Gray donated 20% of the shopping proceeds to the Alzheimer Association - California Southland Chapter. John Seiber, V.P. and Yolanda Van Dyke from this Alzheimer chapter provided attendees with information and the local resources for individuals and families affected by this disease.
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A Room for Roses By Tammy Randall Wood, ASID
T
hough I am an interior designer, creating outdoor “rooms” has always been a natural extension of the work I do inside, and oftentimes becomes my favorite part of a project. Some of the best and most cherished rooms I’ve ever created have been outdoors! Creating a sense of sanctuary is one of the aims I have for almost every space I design, but I think no space in a home has as much unifying and grounding potential as one’s own private plot of earth. The haven of peace and prosperity a well-designed garden can impart is the reason it receives the most prompt attention in any new home I inhabit. I cannot seem to function on all cylinders without a garden to anchor my soul and launch my day. After many years of planting, working, and enjoying the fruits of my labor, no flower has ever been as captivating, as versatile, or as
generous to me and my beloved gardens as the rose. Volumes have been written about roses and rose gardens, and prose and insights on the topic span every era and reach across cultures to describe a myriad of methods for the art of growing the queen of flowers. Master gardeners, from Ger-
Won’t you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you. ~ Richard Brinsley Sheridan
trude Jekyll to Martha Stewart, have inspired and instructed gardeners for generations. In addition to the masters, I rely on the invaluable instruction of the American Rose Society. They are an incredible resource for rose growers, whether one is just beginning or is already a venerated old pro. Here is just a spadeful of sources I would encourage any enthusiast to consult, in addition to a few tricks, tips, and rules that I’ve cultivated along the way: • To select the roses that I want for my garden, I do two things. First, I consult the American Rose Society Handbook for Selecting Roses, which is available for purchase online. The ARS gives every rose a rating which is “a national average based on overall performance, taking into account the variety’s vigor, disease resistance, flower form, and quickness of repeat bloom.” After I’ve done this, I cut and paste images of each rose I’m considering onto a digital page so I can balance the color values and place complementary tones and growing habits next to one another. This has not only helped me purchase the best choices, but it works as an excellent “map” for where each rose is to be located on planting day. • I love roses, but I also like a tailored look to the approach of a house. Landscape roses in the front of a home can be beautiful in limited palettes, neatly kept along walkways and embankments, or climbing a wall, but I think a formal rose garden really shines as a private, sequestered space away from the front of the house. In the same way that the impact of a single flower is magnified when it’s gathered into a bouquet, concentrating many varieties of rose into one magnificent patch creates a fantastic display. • Structure is the key to any great garden, and this is never more the case than with roses. Take some time to think about the bones of the space, and sketch it out before a single bush is purchased. Vertical supports can give you a sense of architecture. A beautiful way to punctuate the space is with a Tuteur, an elongated pyramid for your roses to climb.
Cream Veranda: Floribunda
Yves Piaget: Hybrid Tea, Romanitca
Love Song: Floribunda
Ebb Tide: Floribunda
Moondance: Floribunda
Walking on Sunshine: Floribunda
Michelangelo: Hybrid Tea
Liv Tyler: Hybrid Tea
Twilight Zone: Grandiflora
• I love to plant roses in raised beds of brick, stone, or (depending on your style) railway ties. This creates a stunning pedestal for them to be perched on, and I find that they are easier to care for in raised beds. Soil amendment stays put, weeds are kept at a minimum, and the roses perform beautifully. This can also help create desirable architecture. • Take the time to create rich organic soil for your roses and they will thrive. Excavate your beds two feet deep, and amend them with manure and compost- my very favorite is Kellogg’s Organics GroMulch 2-in-1 Planting Mix & Mulch. Keep your beds top dressed in this as well; the dark blanket of nutrients will hold in moisture and give the earth a beautifully finished touch. • Roses do best when their bodies stay dry and their feet are kept moist. Drip systems are the optimal irrigation choice, helping to keep mildew, blackspot, and other diseases that roses are prone to at a minimum. Drip systems also save 20-50% of landscape water as compared to sprinklers.
are worth it. Happily, I can report that no place I’ve ever grown them is as easy or more rewarding than it is right here in Calabasas. Dry air and sunny days make for perfect cultivating conditions, and the most amazing roses I’ve ever grown. Here’s to all the roses you will grow, and to creating your own Noble Spaces! n Tammy Randall Wood, ASID, is the founder and principal of Interior Archaeology. She has designed an extensive array of projects coast to coast -- from seaside cottages on Martha’s Vineyard, metropolitan penthouses and formal Beltway manors to cultivated West Coast compounds. Her firm brings a fresh approach to tailored interiors. Tammy Randall Wood, ASID INTERIOR ARCHAEOLOGY 818.991.0365 InteriorArchaeology.com facebook.com/InteriorArchaeology instagram.com/interiorarchaeology
• Don’t be afraid to prune hard! Here in Southern California, roses can bloom all year round if you let them, but it’s essential that they be forced into dormancy in winter. This so that they can rest and store energy for brilliant blooms the rest of the year. My ritual is to prune my roses on New Year’s Day. I take all but the climbers down to about 24” tall, removing all leaves and sprouts and cleaning all debris from around their bases. • No red roses. Wait, what? That’s what I said! It sounds cruel to exclude such a classic convention, but I’ve found that if I keep the lipstick red roses out, almost all other colors play together nicely. • This is my favorite tip, and a time-honored interior design trick. Plant colors that look great in your house! The very best part of growing roses is cutting them and bringing them inside. Make a point of choosing an array of colors that compliment your interiors. I’ve had the pleasure of growing roses in every region of the country, and no matter the effort required for each climate, they
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Décor CALABASAS ST YLE ’ S FAVO R ITE ELEM ENTS BRONT MATTRESS At Bront Mattress, their goal is to provide you with the perfect bed so that you sleep well tonight to bring on tomorrow. With a wide range of beds to choose from, you can shop with confidence to find your perfect bed, like the Kingsdown Sleep Haven, featuring the most luxurious and technologically advanced materials. 22110 Ventura Bl. Woodland Hills 818.914.4061 brontmattress.com
PATIOWORLD Patioworld features a wide array of international cutting-edge designs. This exclusive lounger is skillfully upholstered using the highest quality marine grade synthetic leather onto hand-woven, lightweight, and powder coated aluminum frames. The fiber is UV resistant and cool to the touch, even in hot weather, and the resin wicker is textured in appearance and requires minimal maintenance. 419 E. Thousand Oaks Bl. Thousand Oaks Coming Soon to Woodland Hills! 1.888.777.2846 patioworld.net
ELEGANT FIREPLACE MANTELS Elegant Fireplace Mantels carries the largest collection of fireplace mantels in North America, with the ability to create and recreate all styles and designs. Their work draws inspiration from ancient times to the latest modern trends They can create mantels using their trademark Renaissance Stone™ and from materials like French limestone, Turkish travertine, Italian carra cast stone, and natural stone. 7450 Greenbush Ave. North Hollywood 818.759.4800 elegantfm.com
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Calabasas Style has perused the local area to locate some of our favorite home décor elements, and we are excited to share them with our readers!
CHANDELIERS & TULIPS Merging vintage-inspired designs with contemporary custom furnishings, Chandeliers & Tulips features their custom upholstered mid-century arm chair with the Swiss Cross Reversible throw, handcrafted in the USA. Whizin Market Square 28857 Agoura Rd. Agoura Hills 805.444.1586 chandeliersandtulips.com
GLOBAL SOURCE LIGHTING Global Source Lighting, featuring the world’s finest lighting and accessories, is proud to bring the beauty of their lighting collections to your home. From the selection process to installation, they are there to cater to your needs and will also custom design and size any lighting fixture to suit your specific design vision. Choose from area’s largest collection and selection! 28501 Canwood St., #B Agoura Hills 818.707.6000 globalsourcelighting.com
CALIFORNIA FURNITURE GALLERIES Iconic movie star Humphrey Bogart’s zest for life was extraordinary. Known for his magnetic personality, Bogart personified the romanticism and sophistication of his era. This exquisite Falcon Hall Chest is just one example of the new Humphrey Bogart Collection by Fine Furniture Design, now available at California Furniture Galleries. 7939 Canoga Ave. Canoga Park 818.883.0890 californiafurnituregalleries.com
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The cast of The Princess of Bridle Trail Hidden Hills Valentine’s Charity Show for 2016 featuring L-R (Front Row) Beverly Horowitz, Brian Milman, David Stanley, Bret Katz (Back Row) Patrick Finn, D. Jay Ritt, Tamika Watkins, Lucia Jacobson, Bryan Campbell, Laura Goldwasser, Lesley Marvin, Alexander Werner, Mike Resnick, Michael Bloom and Mark Nassab. Photo courtesy Bret Katz Photography.
The Princess of
Bridle Trail
Much to the delight of a sold out crowd February 5 and 6, some very talented residents of Hidden Hills acted out the supposed medieval history of the neighborhood as told to a young boy by his grandfather. Over the course of a little more than an hour, the tale that unfolded began with Butterbutt who “grew up in a tiny 6000-square-foot home on Bridle Trail Road” and fell in love with the farmboy Eastley, was kidnapped by The Three Amigos and forced to marry the evil Prince Humperthing, but in the end, finds true love. There was fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, chases, escapes, songs we loved from West Side Story and hated from The Sound of Music, plus lots, lots more. All to raise money this year for spcaLA, Calabasas High School, and Safe Passage. Bravo!
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Train with
FIT CORE SMART MOVES to Live the Stress-Free, Strong, Full Life You Desire By Pax Ansley Photography by Marvin Steindler
O
ne of Calabasas’ best kept secrets is Fit Core Smart Moves. High-profile professionals, business owners and busy parents retreat to this charming boutique studio by the creek to strengthen, tone and restore. The studio offers a shift away from quick fix makeovers and exercise gimmicks to programs that create profound and sustainable change. “I’ve seen my body change and have gained physical strength I never thought I could have,” shares Noelle, one of Fit Core’s clients. “Yes, a great body is one of the benefits of the training, but it is just a small part of the complete health and fitness transformation,” explains the owner of the studio, Karolina. Fit Core’s signature workout uses the best of personal training, yoga, Pilates and TRX, not only combining the different disciplines, but having one practice enhance the other. “The process is amazing,” says Arleen, another Fit Core client. Each program has 12 comprehensive sessions. Each session is an experience. You will feel your body becoming leaner and lighter and more athletic — every muscle stronger, every movement freer. Nothing will be overlooked. Your breathing will be full and effortless, your heart healthy and your brain fully alive. Karolina reminds us about the importance of natural alignment and energy flow. “We are most effective when our actions are whole hearted and unconflicted,” she says, “when there is no other place we’d rather be. The same is true for our movements.” Because of stress — physical, mental and emotional — muscles get tight and pull in different directions. This constant tug of war pulls your structure out of its natural alignment, creates discomfort and drains your energy. Posture gets compromised, affecting the natural flow of life force through the body. “How can we live our life fully when our body is all tied up into knots?” she asks.
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“Yes, a great body is one of the benefits of the training, but it is just a small part of the complete health and fitness transformation,”
Best selling author Dr Tanya Altmann, speaks at Parents Club Fit Core Smart Moves uses a signature workout with four basic principles.
Fit Core Signature Workout 1. Movement Prep A perfect warm-up brings tight muscles to their healthy, relaxed state and prepares the body and mind for movement. Foam rolling, Yoga Tune Up, breathing techniques and traditional stretching are excellent ways to start. Relaxed muscles, unlike tight muscles, don’t obstruct movement. They are good conductors; they make it easier for the heart and the brain to do their jobs. As a result, blood vessels can easily bring fuel to every cell, and nerves easily carry signals to and from the brain. Even a few minutes of such a warm-up will make your workout significantly more productive. 2. Foundation: Stabilizers and Core The basic yoga fundamental is to always build from the ground up. When the foundation is strong, you feel supported and you can find ease. Small stabilizer muscles, which keep your joints in place as you move, are the foundation. These muscles keep your hips, shoulders and spine stable. This is where all movement originates. Before every movement occurs, effective stabilizers activate and hold your joints strong. If these muscles are not in their optimal health, they are not effective as stabilizers,
leaving your joints vulnerable to injury and pain. It is weak stabilizers that make neck, shoulder and lower-back pain so common. The solution is often so simple. Strengthening these muscles at the beginning of each class and keeping them active throughout the workout is key. That is why every repetition should be done in proper form. Karolina says, “Our bodies are incredibly intelligent. When the foundation is strong, the body senses that it is safe to work at higher intensity. Strong core and stabilizers will unlock levels of fitness never thought possible before.” 3. Main Training Every simple yet challenging exercise is quickly incorporated into total-body, multiplanar, compound movements, performed in a circuit. Each new workout offers a new way to elevate your heart rate and exhilarate your spirit. Your body and mind will train to work efficiently as one coordinated unit, maximizing caloric burn during and for up to 48 hours after the workout, while building overall real-life functional strength. 4. Recovery When muscles are fatigued after a sweaty workout, it is time for a deep stretch. The heat generated during the strength training makes it easy for muscles to lengthen and start to restore. When you include re-
covery time on the mat, your mind starts to unwind and your thoughts settle. Slow, deep breathing relaxes your nervous system, in turn relaxing muscles even more. Your body feels spacious and at ease, your mind clear and receptive. There is an overall sense of renewal and well-being. Fit Core Smart Moves offers a family-friendly “boutique studio experience,” where clients enjoy privacy and flexibility when it comes to bringing kids and scheduling workout times. Private sessions are available at any time. Semi-private sessions are offered Monday through Friday at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. and at additional times. RSVP is required for all sessions. There are no commitments. You can choose a program to focus on pre- and post-natal conditioning, injury prevention and postrehabilitation, or even a signature program for parenting, relationships, and career. Teacher training programs are available as well. Parents Club meetings are complimentary and welcome everyone to learn from leading experts. n 23480 Park Sorrento, #117A Calabasas 805.469.2020 fitcoresmartmoves.com
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club life CCC is the Camaraderie Center of the Valley CCC is dedicated to making sure members and their guests enjoy the fun and camaraderie. The expanded Social Calendar included a sold out Casino Night where everyone was a winner!
Love Was In the Air on Valentine’s Day! Great food, romantic music, flowers, and champagne provided a special ambiance at CCC. Members and their guests enjoy all of the holiday and monthly themed dinners in the newly designed Grill Room Private events (member and non-member) held in the Grill Room enjoy the special atmosphere and spectacular view. Please contact Rachel Gluckman at 818.444.5545 or Rachel@calabasasgolf.com.
For information on membership contact Steve Gincig: 818.444.5548 or steve@calabasasgolf.com
at Calabasas Country Club We Love Our Kids! While parents love working out in the 6,000 square foot Health and Fitness Center – Kids are having a blast learning karate and yoga. Little Ninja and Yoga Kid classes are available each week for kids aged 5-9. No martial arts or prior yoga experience is necessary to partake in these fun, healthy, and invigorating classes!
Golf Lessons are in Full Swing Members and guests enjoy the one-on-one personalized golf school and training by Hank Haney Certified instructors to learn the methods used by Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara and over 200 touring professionals. The One Day Total Game Golf School can identify and correct players’ “Big Miss” and lower scores quickly by improving all aspects of their swing including chipping, pitching, bunker and putting. Pictured are PGA Academy Director Jeff Silverstein, David Franks, PGA Director of Instruction and Yumi Veronica, Golf Instructor. The state of the art Better Golf Performance Center, the extraordinary driving range and Dave Pelz designed short game area all combined for a unique golf experience.
General Information: 818.222.8111 | info@calabasasgolf.com | calabasasgolf.com
Round Meadow Elementary School
Black and White Fundraiser
Round Meadow Elementary School located in Hidden Hills held a stunning “Black and White” dinner fundraiser on January 30, 2016 at the Four Seasons, Westlake Village. Guests bid on amazing gift baskets, trips, and opportunities to attend highly coveted shows while they mingled to live jazz by Brunel All Stars and enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Friends and supporters also enjoyed fun-filled casino games, dancing, delicious food, laughter and wine sponsored by Erica and Tiffany of Sotheby’s Calabasas. The party was highlighted with a beautiful cake by Royal Cakes that displayed original artwork from the students at Round Meadow. The Black and White Party was an incredible success thanks to the support and generosity of sponsors, donors and everyone who attended!
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bon APPÉTIT Calabasas Style Presents Our Favorite Restaurants, Eateries and Tasting Rooms in Town This special food and wine guide profiles establishments in the following categories:
Lake View Romantic Dining Favorite Fine Dining Old World Steakhouse Best Winery Classic European Bistro Best Dancing and Nightlife Ideal Special Occasion Artistic American and Raw Bar Fresh Seasonal Menu Rustic Hidden Gem Culinary Mexican Creations Best Burgers and Brew Sizzling Seafood and Sunsets Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar Pub Grub and Entertainment Favorite Asian-Inspired Cuisine Best New on the Scene Favorite Family Style Dining Best Pizza Spectacular Oceanfront Dining Best Deli Fresh and Innovative Sushi Most Delicious Veggies A+ Gastropub Calabasas Style 69
BEST WINERY g THE STONEHeAisUthSe area’s most popular meetinne
wi This idyllic venu over coffee or ests can relax gu and e er ch wh lun e, plac y breakfast, enu of health arkling sp m fro and a new m e ng ra . Wine flights varietals and dinner options e to Rhône gn pa am ch ly paired with ct wines and rfe n, and are pe no ig uv aggio sa et rn cabe cuterie or form delicious char ra Rd., ou Ag 9 03 one of their 32 Inn, estlake Village haus.com boards. The W .1152. the-stone 83 8.4 81 . ge lla Westlake Vi
an bistro classic europe MEDITERRANEO y in
ckyard at your own ba urant and sta re Discover Tuscan ed at t-r a top Zaga tro. Their bis an Mediterraneo -Europe of an Old World emporary nt co bar reminiscent d an c ssi guests with cla rnian menu tantalizes nean and Califo sunny Mediterra ing fus s, s from all ne wi favorite he nic ng wine list featuri oura influences with a ge Inn, 32037 Ag e Westlake Villa Th . rld wo e st.com. -re over th ed m . 05 .91 llage. 818.889 Rd., Westlake Vi
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BEST dancing an d nightlife BOGIE’S
Bogie’s offers the are a’s best nightlife wit h an intimate stage, great dance floor and a state of the art sound system. There’s gre at music and da ncing on the weekends, plus a wo rld-class music scene on Tuesday and Thursday evening s, where locals can pop in to see incredibly talented musicians in a friend ly and relaxed setting. The Westla ke Village Inn, 320 01 Agoura Rd., Westlake Village. 818 .889.2394. bogies-b ar.com
favorite
fine dini ng
RIVIERA RESTA
URANT AND LO Riviera Rest UNGE aurant and Lounge offe dining in the rs world-cla heart of Cal ss abasas. The includes a fu diverse men ll Italian, Am u er ican and in selection of ternational recipes from the best rest world! The Ri aurants in th viera is a favo e rite neighbor spot for loca hood dining ls and a wel coming dini area visitor ng delight fo s. 23683 C r alabasas Rd 818.224.2163 ., Calabasas . rivieracala . basas.com.
ing omantic din r w e i v e k a l
old world steakhous
e
MORTON’S T
AMERICANAke ZIN BISTRO sid e in Wes tla
Bi st ro Vi lla ge , Zin ious ac ke sp la , d tio le pa st -lit Ne a scenic fire es tic ur an at m fe ro a e an Americ nt dining. Th ea and lakefro ched ar at m ge e un ar lo s r, ng ba rroundi d beautiful su dishes and ambiance an ntemporary co l na io pt cuisine and ic lg sta by the exce flect the no re at th od America. fo up comfort s that make ding of culture Village. ke tla es W , synergistic blen nyon Rd,, #111 Ca ro de Lin 32131 . westlake.com 818.865.0095. zin
HE STEAKHO Morton’s Th USE e Steakho use is the for dinner, perfect de thanks to stination their exten prime-age sive wine d beef, suc collection, culent sea desserts. Fo food and cusing on q decadent uality, con hospitality, sistency an Morton’s p d genuine rovides a and a me memorable morable e cuisine xperience higher stan as well. D dard of ste iscover a akhouse a The Steakh t legendary ouse! 6250 Morton’s Canoga A 818-703-72 ve., Wood 72. mortons land Hills. .com
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Gem Rustic Hidden
DGE its l surroundings, SADDLE PEAspKecLO tacular natura ed
aim Saddle Peak’s critically accl c elegance, its for on ssi pa r ei history, its rusti th menu, and e an th ic of er e Am New to make it on le ts, all combine dd Sa . ns tio na pleasing gues t desti ning and even lds apart. most iconic di away, but wor es ut in m st ju 222.3888. 8. 81 s. Peak Lodge is Rd., Calabasa on ny Ca ld 419 Co dge.com. saddlepeaklo
ican Creations Culinary Mex IA & CANTINshAlocal produce and PLATA TAQUER xican recipes. Fre s
he Generational Me nal Mexican dis s. Offering origi nt , die ole re am ing t ac es gu the fin e tortillas, tch, homemad Elvia! ef Ch of s ion made from scra at e cre s, mole and mor r jalapeño tamales, carnita aturing cucumbe fe s, rita ga ar m ts, full bar, en ev The freshest te iva ge! Catering, pr sa rry be side Dr., ck ad bla Ro and re, 28914 izin Market Squa m. .co na nti happy hour. Wh ca ta pla ls. 818.735.9982. #110, Agoura Hil
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Best Burgers Brew AN D more
HQ GASTROPUB
HQ Gastropub serves unique high quality meals, small plates, gourmet burgers and more in a casually fashionable environme nt. It’s an ideal pla ce to lounge while being ent ertained by their exc lusive music video station, ma jor sporting events or select VJ appearances. 20969 Ventura Bl., Woodland Hills 818.887.2337 (BEER). hqg astropub.com
ideal SP ECIAL
OCCASION
MASTRO’S
A trip to M astro’s is a culinary ad refinement venture of and excelle pure nce. Their Ocean C Steakhouse lub Seafo od locatio and prime stea ns offer th ks and pre e finest mium fresh class servic seafood, w e and live orldentertainm energetic ent in an e atmosphere legant, . 20 Thousand 87 E. Th o usand Oaks Oaks. 805. 418.1811. 18 Bl., Hwy., Malib 412 Pacific u. 310.454. Coast 4357. mast rosrestaura nts.com.
fresh sea sonal
menu
w bar rican and Ra Artistic Ame THE GALLERYale
rite come a favo eatery has be ive sc at up ov , inn ek This sle w bar and n ood, chops, ra ica er Am nt ga for its fresh seaf t ele y is a casual ye ler s al es G wl e fla Th is ils. il cockta ion to deta ant. Their attent usal Ca t. ar of e gourmet restaur a piec each dish like Westlake and they treat The Shoppes at e. bl la ai av is Village. ke tla es outdoor seating W ell Ranch Rd., ss Ru 8 76 30 Village e.com. egallerywestlak 818.889.1338. th
PAUL MARTIN
’S AMERICAN Pa u l M a rt in GRILL ’s A m e ric a n G ril l is a n a l re st a u ra u p sc a le c n t se rv in g a su m a d e -f ro m Their menu -s c ra tc h d offers 100% is h e s. “never eve range all na r” beef, fre tural chicke en, seasona sustainable l produce, seafood. En and joy lunch, happy ho u r fr o m 3dinner, da 7p .m ., o r ily 100 S. Westla Su n d a y b ke Bl., Wes ru n c h ! tla ke Village. paulmartins 805.373.9300 americang rill.com. . Calabasas Style 73
Inspired Favorite Asian-
Cuisine
INA BISTRO P.F. CHANG’S CHBist ro features a
blend of highP.F. Chang’s China d Am eri ca n an e isin cu d ire qu ali ty, As ian -in sp orary bistro mp nte histicated, co hospitality in a sop and wok ts ien red ing st she fre setting. Using the losion of exp an into each dish cooking, they transform nd Oaks usa Tho E. 0 225 e. prid d flavor, with passion an Oxnard St., 805.277.5915. 21821 Bl., Thousand Oaks. . om s.c ng ha pfc . 491 0.0 Woodland Hills. 818.34
the ScenE BEST New on
Favorite Fa mily Style Dining MAGGIANO’S LI TTLE ITALY Let the Maggi ano URANTS e” JOEY RESTA on th e Sc en
Th e re st au ra nt at ey th , EY Be st “N ew ng a. At JO rs an d es tfi el d To pa er bo ld fla vo f ar e Vi lla ge at W ov sc di to ld af or st w r ei e Th th l s. tra ve re ci pe to sig na tu re to cr ea tin g tu rn th em in t, co m m itt ed gu es t. Th e af cr r ei th m as te rs of fo r ev er y ex pe rie nc e pa ng a a m em or ab le tfi el d To pa ng a, 63 44 To 56 39 . 0. es W 34 8. at 81 . ge lls Vi lla d Hi 0, W oo dl an C yn . Bl ., #1 01 co m . s. nt ra jo ey re st au
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family take ca size, any even re of yours for “any t and any lo cation.” Thei dining rooms r private and elegant ba nquet facilities accommodat e any type of can function, big or let them cate small. Or r your event w ith traditional Ita cocktail food lian and packages to su it any celebrat To pa ng a C yn ion. 6100 . Bl ., W oo dl an d Hi lls . 81 8. 88 7. maggianos.c om. 37 77 .
Sizzling
Seafood a nd Sunset s
THE SUNSET
RESTAURANT Located o n Zuma Be ach, this re unique din staurant offe ing experie rs a nce unma The historic tched in So al beach Cal. bungalow views thro p ro ughout vides ocea offering a n vintage Am diverse m ericana and ix of seaside ele eclectic m enu serves gance. The up classic C ir with a twist alifornian c . 6800 Wes uisine tw ard Beach 310.589.1007 Rd . thesunsetre staurant.com ., Malibu. .
Pub Grub and Enter tainm
ent
r se AND Wine Ba Prime Steakhou
FLEMING’S PRIME INE BAR r pairs a passion STEAKHOUSESte&akW house & Wine Ba t
fines Fleming’s Prime dients with the seasonal ingre . At list ne wi d te for service and ra cu and a perfectly s. ef itie be e bil ssi im pr po USDA th indulgent y visit is filled wi 05. .10 46 8.3 81 . lls Fleming’s, ever Hi and Cyn. Bl., Woodl 6373 Topanga . om .c se ou kh flemingsstea
THE SIX CHO
W HOUSE This moder n locavore eatery in th Town Cala e heart of basas serv Old es up inve grub and b ntive Amer ooze in a co ican ol, casual en gastropub vironment. has becom This e a favorit dinner, alo e for lunch ng with gre and a t live music night enterta and comed inment. Hap y py Hour is ce day of the lebrated ev week! 2353 ery 6 C a 818.222.6969 labasas Rd ., Calabasa . thesixresta s. urant.com.
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PUBLIC SCHO
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best Pizza ROSTI TUSCAN KITC
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Wine & Dine
Your Way from the Valley to the Sea Follow Our Wine and Dine Trail to Globally Inspired, Locally Sourced Gourmet Cuisine By Lori Berezin
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hen it comes to great dining, Calabasas and surrounding communities seem to have it all. How appropriate that a city named after the Spanish word calabaza, meaning “pumpkin,” should boast so many tempting eateries. Follow our delicious wine and dine trail as we taste our way from the Valley to the ocean. Whether you yearn for some spicy Asian fusion, healthy vegetarian, glute free Italian or free range filet mignon, look no further than your own backyard. We’ll show you where to treat yourself, family and friends to some of California’s tastiest creations on a culinary journey from elegant Tuscan-inspired vineyards to chic bistros by the sea. Our first stop is the striking Westlake Village Inn, surrounded by 17 pristine acres of vineyards, waterfalls, and lakes. This everpopular boutique hotel and winery houses three of the region’s finest restaurants, all prime spots for a romantic evening or a wine tasting dinner with friends. In the mood for Italian? Mediterraneo’s delightful European-inspired bistro offers an inno-
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vative twist on Old World Italian, Greek and French cuisine. Try some classic rigatoni bolognese with meat sauce from Northern Italy’s renowned Emilia-Romagna region. Or sweeten your Sunday with light lemon mascarpone berry crepes dusted with powdered sugar. Thirsting for the perfect Cabernet Sauvignon? Sip some outstanding wines at the enchanting The Stonehaus, a stunning gem reminiscent of the serene vineyards of Provence and Tuscany. Pair your flight with a traditional charcuterie board of assorted fresh salami, prosciutto, and formaggio. Salsa nights at Bogies suggest far more than just great food. Before dancing the night away, toast your day with one of their delicious Tropical Fishbowls, overflowing with Ketel One Oranje, peach moonshine, Blue Curacao and Red Bull. Get the party started with some tasty shrimp tostaditas, mouth-watering lamb chops or fried calamari, followed by an aromatic truffle hunter burger with black truffle sheep’s milk cheese and onion aioli. Top it off with their ultimate chocolate fantasy. We’ll leave the rest of the evening to your imagination. Continued on p.80
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If your party is split between meat lovers and seafood connoisseurs, divide and conquer at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Thousand Oaks and Malibu. Feast on Sunday brunch, starring such opulent ocean delicacies as Maine lobster benedict, smoked salmon and seared Ahi tuna. Please the landlubbers in your group with a juicy rib eye or rack of lamb cooked to perfection. Both spots offer a first-class dining experience that will please the most sophisticated palate. Is your family in the mood to go out for some great Italian home cooking? Travel to Maggiano’s Little Italy in Woodland Hills where everyone feels like a paisano. Enjoy family-style dining with such Italian-American favorites as delectable baked ziti and wineinfused chicken Marsala. While no one cooks as good as your mama, zesty favorites, such as luscious lemony chicken, classic lasagna and creamy fettuccine Alfredo, should come close. They also serve gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. Save on plane fare and enjoy a touch of Tuscany in Southern California with family and friends. Feeling in the mood for lighter, Asian-inspired fare? Visit P.F. Chang’s China Bistro at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, or Woodland Hills, where every day tastes like Chinese New Year. From the moment you walk past the stately stone lions guarding the entryway, the smell of garlic and ginger awakens your senses. You’ll soon crave such dishes as their popular spicy orange peel shrimp, crispy hand-folded crab wontons or coconut curry veggies. They even offer tempting gluten free and vegetarian items. They also strive for sustainability. This year alone, the company used 10 percent less water and 40 percent less plastic resin in their takeout containers. All provide ample reasons to celebrate.
The Six Chow House in Calabasas was inspired by the Society of Six, an eclectic 1920s Prohibition era group of six bohemian Northern California artists who turned their home into a “Chow House” filled with home-made meals, brews and art. Its modern counterpart, created by restaurateurs Will Karges and Jake King, opened in 2010 and expanded to Calabasas. Embracing the Slow Food movement, this unique gastropub offers ever-changing farm-to-table, sustainable cuisine. It serves up “six delicious starters, six savory entrées, six red wines, six white wines, six brews on tap and six desserts” daily. Their “six” mac n’ cheese fritters with chipotle peach BBQ sauce are sweet and savory, and the crispy Brussels sprouts are highly recommended. Chow down and let your taste buds relish this historic bohemian rhapsody. Continue down memory lane to Thousand Oaks and Public School 805, where the menu and décor are way too cool for school. With myriad locations throughout California, Arizona and Texas, their education-themed restaurants score high marks for their nostalgic take on au courant gastropub cuisine. From spicy chorizo mac and cheese to zesty BBQ bison burgers, this is unlike any school lunch you’ve ever eaten. The recess, or happy hour menu offers plenty of enticing plums at budget-friendly prices. Plus, they get extra credit for sourcing most of their food from local Farmers Markets and seasonal ingredients. After school, visit the casual Veggie Grill at the Village at Westfield Topanga or Thousand Oaks for healthy veggie faire with a playful twist. Employing only vegetable-based proteins, items such as grilled “chicken” tacos provide a flavorful blend of proteins, cabbage, tomato-corn salsa and organic corn tortillas. Continued on p.82
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Refusing to sacrifice taste, this high-protein, low-calorie food comes packed with flavor. Eating all your vegetables never tasted so good.
around. Or simply let Q Sushi & Kieu Hoang Wine Lounge cater to your every whim with their exclusive banquet room and full bar.
If you’re yearning to satisfy your inner caveman, Morton’s The Steakhouse in Woodland Hills will surely satisfy those cravings. Providing “quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality” for more than three decades at countless locales across the globe, Morton’s award-winning menu includes tender prime cut steaks and succulent seafood. Still hungering for more? Take a peek behind the scenes at the restaurant’s secret recipes and legends with Morton’s Steak Bible and Morton’s The Cookbook.
Game for a romantic dinner of wild emu, bison, rainbow trout, or elk? Look no further than the rustically charming Saddle Peak Lodge, only slightly off the beaten path near Malibu Canyon in the picturesque Santa Monica Mountains. Become part of their legendary 100-year history of serving extraordinary meals to a fascinating mix of cowboys, hunters, fishermen and such Hollywood elite as Errol Flynn, Clark Gable and even Charlie Chaplin. From enchanting weddings to memorable family brunches, the Lodge accommodates up to 200 people. Just bring your loved ones and appetite for adventure.
There’s no time to sing the blues at Woodland Hills HQ Gastropub. From the moment you enter, the wall of vintage guitars sets the musical tone. A beer and wine bar boasting more than 100 brands will further inspire. HQ Gastropub is the perfect location to enjoy favorable meals of high quality in a casually fashionable environment. They offer exceptional small plates, gourmet burgers, and items not normally found anywhere else. HQ is the ideal place to relax and lounge while being entertained by their exclusive music video station, major sporting events or select VJ appearances.
Executive Chef, Chris Mills, of the recently opened JOEY Woodland Hills inspires young chefs and patrons alike as he prepares classic dishes with a modern twist. JOEY restaurants aim to give back to their communities. Clearly, no one goes away hungry. From Korean cauliflower to wild duck poutine, their food reflects an internationally inspired menu, while their reasonable prices and relaxed vibe keep locals coming back for more.
For a tempting twist on sushi, experience the upscale Q Sushi & Kieu Hoang Wine Lounge scheduled to open this March at the Shoppes at Westlake Village. Pair your sake or delicious California wine from Kieu Hoang’s Napa Valley vineyards with a mouth watering mélange of rare creations, such as spicy tuna with forbidden rice or rich-flavored, buttery Kobe beef. Cater your next affair or pop-up event with some of the finest Japanese cuisine
Another fine dining option is Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Woodland Hills. From decadent pan-crisped pork belly and jumbo lump crab appetizers to North Atlantic lobster tails and Newport filet mignon, their tantalizing dishes will send your senses straight to heaven. Continue on high with a dark chocolate truffle martini or Latin latte, designed to create sweet dreams and lasting memories. Try the Filet Mignon Eggs Benedict at the new Sonoma Sunday Brunch. Continued on p.84
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Wake up your taste buds with some piquant Mexican specialties at Plata Taqueria & Cantina in Agoura Hills. Try their huevos con nopal, a south of the border take on a spicy egg scramble with jalapeño and cactus. Or savor the essence of the sea with a bowl of sopa de mariscos, overflowing with shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari in a flavorful guajillo tomato broth. This family-owned restaurant serves up authentic Mexican food all day long using such traditional ingredients as chipotle syrup, fresh hibiscus and blackberries and sage. Continue on your culinary adventure to one of the area’s most popular happy hours and fine dining spots at the Riviera Restaurant and Lounge in Calabasas. Enjoy mouthwatering appetizers, drink specials and such traditional Mediterranean fare as creamy penne alla vodka or rustic seafood cioppino. They also have a great bar menu that you can enjoy while socializing with all of the “Cheers crowd” while taking in the great live entertainment on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Additionally, Riviera has a great private dining room to book special birthday or special event celebrations for friends and family. For a slice of New York in the heart of Westlake Village, visit Brent’s Deli, voted #1 in Zagat’s for 18 years in a row. In 1969, Ron Peskin reimagined the restaurant, coincidentally named after his son. Brent’s continues to serve up such authentic deli favorites as lox, matzo brie, potato latkes, whitefish and blintzes along with more traditional made-to-order omelets, generous salads and sky high sandwiches topped with creamy coleslaw and Russian dressing on fresh, double-baked rye. From their signature Tuscan-style chicken to wood-fired pizzas with homemade marinara, ROSTI in Calabasas, Encino and Santa Mon-
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ica delivers. Kevin Goldfein, owner of all three Rosti locations, even expanded his mouthwatering menu to incorporate a wide range of specially prepared items, from gluten free pizza and penne to vegan rigatoni, soups and salads. Their traditional handmade pizzas and variety of Italian specialties will satisfy any appetite, day or night. They’ll even create personal picnic boxes and cater to every whim. The artful preparation of New American cuisine is the focus of The Gallery restaurant in Westlake Village. From locally sourced herbs to fresh seafood and chops, the chef carefully weaves his edible tapestry. Their palate includes prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, with such creative items as grilled watermelon and shrimp salad, deconstructed short rib Wellington and mushroom black rice “risotto” topped with saffron cream. If that isn’t enough to squelch your appetite, finish your skillfully crafted meal with some decadent “Death by Chocolate.” Owners Brian Bennett’s and Paul Fleming’s dream of providing seafood from sustainable fisheries, free range and 100 percent natural meats and poultry, artisanal cocktails made with house-infused spirits and craft beers became a reality when they opened Paul Martin’s American Grill throughout California and Texas. Start with a round of roasted butternut squash soup, kale Caesar salad and Castroville artichokes, followed by cedar plank salmon or hearty braised short ribs. Luckily for us, the nearby Westlake Village location provides the perfect spot to dine with family and friends, where an extra-long table offers the ultimate communal dining experience. Looking to dine à deux? Catch a romantic sunset over the lake at Zin Bistro Americana, a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Continued on p.87
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This charming Westlake Village eatery, named for the Americanharvested Zinfandel grape and wine, incorporates a melting pot of flavors, including hearty Maine lobster risotto, fragrant spaghetti Bolognese and colorful red snapper Veracruz. After the sun goes down, cap off the evening with live music and dancing. Kick back or kick up your heals with your sweetheart and toast the remaining day. If celebration is your goal, drive through the canyon for panoramic ocean views at Duke’s in Malibu. Ideal for weddings and anniversaries, this breathtaking spot is about as close to the cascading waves as you can get without jumping in. You might even share the occasion with a pod of dancing dolphins. If you can turn your attention to the décor, you’ll discover memorable photos highlighting legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic Gold Medalist-turned-Hollywood-movie-star Duke Kahanamoku. From an enticing Sunday brunch to a succulent seafood dinner of Tahitian or crispy coconut shrimp, zesty poke tacos, mouthwatering mango BBQ baby back ribs and more, Duke’s serves up much-needed aloha right in the heart of Malibu. Finally, follow the setting sun over the Pacific to Malibu’s popular seaside-chic pearl The Sunset Restaurant, rated by Zagat as one of the top “15 restaurants worth the drive in Malibu.” This historical Zuma Beach bungalow offers fine dining with a laidback vibe. From top-neck clams, fresh Maine lobster and briny oysters to Mediterranean octopus, Scottish salmon and shrimp Louie, you’ll feel as if they just plucked your meal right out of the sea. Enjoy the scene and scenery with friends and family, day or night, plus happy hour Monday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to closing. With such sumptuous food and surroundings, life truly is a day at the beach. n
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Protein
The Building Blocks of the Human Body By Pax Ansley
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hile many health experts stand divided on carbohydrates and fats, most agree that protein in its many forms is necessary for a healthy diet. From weight loss to building muscle, consuming protein has many proven health benefits. However, eating protein does not have to mean a steak for every meal. There are numerous options for reaching your daily recommended intake of protein, and animal by-products are only one avenue. Daily protein intake should come from a range of different sources. For those who are vegetarian, vegan or simply trying to limit meat consumption, there are plenty of healthy alternatives.
Broccoli — Compared to most other vegetables, broccoli is considerably high in protein. Along with being high in protein, broccoli also contains cancer-fighting minerals and nutrients as well as vitamins K and C, fiber, and potassium.
Eggs — Whole eggs are one of the most nutritious food options out there. Containing a full range of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, whole eggs are incredibly high in protein. If you want to skip out on the yolk, egg whites are almost pure protein.
Lentils — A type of legume, lentils are high in fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, folate, copper, manganese and various other nutrients. Because of their high protein content, lentils are considered one of the best plant-based protein alternatives for vegetarians.
Almonds — A vegan option, almonds are low-fat tree nuts that contain a very high amount of protein. They are also loaded with other important nutrients, such as fiber, vitamin E, manganese and magnesium. Chicken Breast — Extremely easy to cook, chicken breast (without the skin) is a protein powerhouse. Most of the calories of chicken breast come from protein. Oats — An incredibly healthy grain, protein accounts for 15 percent of the calories from oats. Oats also contain healthy fibers, magnesium, manganese, thiamin (vitamin B1), and several other nutrients.
Tuna — Low in fat and calories, much of tuna is pure protein. Like other fish, tuna contains necessary omega-3 fatty acids. Quinoa — Considered by many to be a superfood, quinoa is extremely high in protein for a seed/grain. It is high in many vitamins, minerals, fiber, and is loaded with antioxidants.
Ezekiel Bread — While breads are not usually considered a food rich in protein, Ezekiel bread stands apart from the rest. It is made of organic and sprouted whole grains and legumes, including millet, barley, spelt, wheat, soybeans and lentils. This grain powerhouse contains more calories from protein than any other bread. Pumpkin Seeds — Not just for autumn times, pumpkin seeds are an incredibly healthy source of protein all year round. Not only that, they are high in many nutrients, including iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Cottage Cheese — Low in fat and calories but high in protein, cottage cheese tops our list as one of the healthiest breakfast foods. Pair it with fresh fruit for a delicious breakfast that will also supply your body with calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B12, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and various other nutrients.
Turkey Breast — Like chicken, turkey is low in fat and calories and tastes delicious. Try protein-rich turkey alternatives to higher-calorie favorites like substituting a turkey patty for a beef hamburger patty or even turkey bacon for the traditional pork.
Greek Yogurt — An incredibly thick and flavorful type of yogurt, Greek yogurt not only contains a very high protein content, but it acts as a natural probiotic for digestive health. Delicious by itself or paired with fruit, Greek yogurt is excellent for any meal.
Brussels Sprouts — Another vegetable with a surprising amount of protein is Brussels sprouts. Extremely versatile, you can cook Brussels sprouts in a variety of different ways. Related to broccoli, Brussels sprouts contain fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients.
Milk — If you are not one of the approximately 65 percent of humans who suffer from a lactose intolerance, milk is a good protein-rich product that contains a little bit of almost every nutrient needed by your body.
Peanuts — As well as being delicious on their own or crushed into peanut butter, peanuts contain a good amount of protein. They are also high in fiber and magnesium; many studies show that they can even help you lose weight. n
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Green
Leafy Vegetables
By Pax Ansley
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eafy dark green vegetables are possibly the most underrated food. Considering the powerful dose of minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidants provided by chard, collards, dandelion, kale, spinach and other greens, it’s a surprise we can even live without them. Leafy green vegetables have more nutrition per calorie than any other food. Greens make up a significant source of vitamins A, C, E, and K as well as several B vitamins. They are rich sources of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. They are rich in fiber, extremely low in fat and carbohydrates and provide an excellent source of protein. Best of all, you can drink most of your leafy vegetables mixed into fruit smoothies with pineapple, mango and banana. Spinach — One of the most nutritious greens of the produce aisle, the benefits of spinach are almost too numerous to name. This favorite delivers loads of vitamin K, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and vitamin C. It is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, protein and choline. Kale — King kale is among the world’s most nutrient-dense greens. A member of the cabbage family, kale offers immense health benefits when cooked properly. When steamed, kale offers over 100 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamins A, K ,and C. It is also a powerhouse of manganese, vitamin B6, calcium, copper, potassium and magnesium. Swiss Chard — In the same family as spinach and quinoa, Swiss chard is incredibly nutrient-rich. As well as having more than enough vitamins K, A, and C, Swiss chard also helps regulate blood sugar, has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, and even supports bone health. Collard Greens — Along with lowering cholesterol, collard greens contain anti-inflammatory properties, are extremely rich in antioxidants, support cardiovascular health and even aid in digestion.
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Dandelion Greens — Who knew that the scourge of suburban gardeners could contain so many health benefits? The tender greens of the wild dandelion plant have been utilized for decades for their various medicinal qualities. A potent liver tonic and powerful diuretic, dandelion greens also function as a blood-sugar regulator and a natural digestive aid. Turnip Greens — The bitter taste of turnip greens is an indication of the calcium content within. With anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, turnip greens aid in detox and champion digestive and cardiovascular health. Turnip greens are often overlooked and discarded in favor of the root. Beet Greens — For those who live a gluten free lifestyle, beet greens are an excellent source of folate to supplement your diet. Also rich in iron and even protein, beet greens have an unusually comprehensive nutritional value. Bok Choy — This favorite of Asian cuisine is gaining more and more popularity stateside. Along with its long list of vitamins and minerals, bok choy has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants and has even been linked to helping decrease the risk of certain cancers. Parsley — Often ignored as a plate garnish, this delicious and nutritious Mediterranean favorite is shown to inhibit tumor formation and block the effects of certain carcinogens. Parsley supports a healthy heart, is rich in antioxidants and is known to protect against rheumatoid arthritis. Arugula — An Italian favorite, also known as rocket salad, arugula is shown to lower blood pressure, provide detoxification benefits and antioxidants and improve blood vessel function. Romaine Lettuce — This popular dark lettuce is known to keep your heart young. Romaine helps prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, a dangerous step towards heart attacks and heart disease. A delicious base for any salad, romaine also contains fiber, potassium and folic acid. n
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Grains
The Resurgence of Ancient Superfoods
By Pax Ansley
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ince the days of the Atkins diet, a fear of carbs has swept our nation. What most people do not realize is that by skipping out on carbs, they rob their bodies of essential nutrients found only in grains. Instead of forgoing carbs completely, opt for a healthy alternative to that empty white bread. Those who include healthy, whole grains into their daily diet put themselves at a lower risk for certain chronic diseases. Grains are a key provider of dietary fiber, a necessity that helps to regulate bowel function and even lowers cholesterol and obesity rates. Grains also supply our bodies with key B vitamins, folate and minerals, such as iron and magnesium. Where most grains do have some form of the often feared carbohydrate, whole grains actually help promote healthy weight loss, quicken the metabolism and even promote a healthy heart. Your daily grain intake does not have to come from bread and pasta. In fact, for most of the healthy whole grains on your list, you can skip the heavy stuff completely.
can use freekeh in salads, soups, sauces or basically anywhere you would use a whole grain.
Millet — A gluten-free grain, millet is mild in flavor but huge in fiber content. Treat it like rice or try it in place of quinoa as a healthy base to your salad.
Farro — An ancient grain that boasts a rich nutty flavor and hearty texture, when cooked correctly, you will find farro has a very satisfying chew. Originally found in the fertile crescent, farro has been found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and on the dinner plates of Roman emperors. From salads to cereals, farro’s versatility will amaze you.
Wild Rice — A favorite of the Native American people, wild rice is actually not rice at all. This healthy alternative to rice grows in lakes and streams as a type of grass. Extremely heart healthy, wild rice can be used as a beautifully colorful side dish. Pair it with wild mushrooms or butternut squash for a gorgeous seasonal entrée. Barley — A versatile cereal grain with a rich, nut-like flavor and a chewy, pasta-like texture, barley’s health benefits are incredibly extensive. From decreasing risk of heart disease to preventing gallstones to protection against cancer to lowering risks of diabetes, consuming barley will give you an overall health boost. Wheat Berries — The whole grain form of wheat, wheat berries are wheat grain in their natural state, before the refining process robs them of their organic nutrients. Because of their toughness, wheat berries can take a while to cook. Simmer them in a pot for about an hour, then use them like you would rice. You can even prepare them ahead of time and freeze them for later use. Freekeh — An awesome source of protein and fiber, freekeh is an ancient super grain that is making a big resurgence. Low in fat and low on the glycemic index, freekeh is ideal for weight loss as it will leave you feeling full longer. Also high in fiber, calcium and zinc, this super grain acts as a probiotic, encouraging healthy bacteria in your digestive system. Earthy, nutty and slightly smoky, you
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Amaranth — A staple of the Aztecs, amaranth has been cultivated for 8,000 years. Considered a “complete protein,” amaranth contains all nine essential amino acids. Gluten free and high in fiber, amaranth is often used as a thickener in sauces and soups. Prepared like a pasta or eaten raw, amaranth can have a light, nutty or peppery crunchy texture and flavor. Sorghum — Another gluten free option, sorghum is extremely high in fiber and is said to prevent certain types of cancer and even lower risks of diabetes. Sorghum is a versatile grain enjoyed worldwide but often overlooked in the states. With a mild flavor and a hearty texture, sorghum can be used in place of barley or other hearty grains.
Rye Berries — Used as the basis for pumpernickel bread, some beers, some whiskeys and even some vodkas, rye berries, with their rich, hearty taste, are wonderfully healthy in their whole-grain form. Rye berries promote weight loss, decrease risks of diabetes and prevent gallstones, along with other incredible health benefits. Spelt — A water-soluble grain, spelt and its numerous nutrients are easily digestible. Exceptionally high in vitamins and minerals, including amino acids, spelt is used as an alternative to wheat flour and has many health advantages to those suffering from a range of chronic diseases, such as allergies, cardiovascular disease, IBS, diabetes, arthritis, migraines, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol and autoimmune disorders. Quinoa — A superfood that has quickly swept the nation, quinoa is an ancient Incan grain that holds extreme health benefits. The light flavor and texture of this incredible grain make it an amazing alternative to rice, a wonderfully flavorful addition to salads and even a base for cookies and muffins. Quinoa packs a nutrient-heavy punch while staying relatively low in carbs. Also high in protein and naturally gluten free, this pseudo cereal is actually not a grain at all. Superfood quinoa is in the same family as spinach and chard. n
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Gluten:
The Misunderstood Protein
By Pax Ansley
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here is a buzzword going around the diet world these days, striking fear into the hearts and nutrition plans of Americans everywhere. This infamous concept, this unfounded terror, is gluten. Misunderstood by many, gluten often falls into the “stay away” category with carbohydrates and all types of fat. But what is gluten, really? Why, in the 21st century, is everybody suddenly allergic to those nasty little gluten buggers? And why is it that no one can quite explain what gluten really is? Most people know that gluten has something to do with flour. That is also where the average person’s knowledge of gluten ends. Gluten is a mixture of proteins that is primarily found in wheat, barley, rye and some oats. Gluten is Latin for “glue.” This protein mix acts as a binding agent for many types of doughs. It gives bread products the elasticity that makes for a soft, “chewy” consistency. Contrary to popular belief, gluten does not instantly convert to tummy pooch. No, gluten will not turn straight into thunder thighs. Gluten actually has very little to do with weight gain. People who are negatively affected by gluten are those who suffer from celiac disease. According to a study done by the University of Chicago, one in 133 Americans suffer from celiac disease. That is roughly 1 percent of the population that has an actual gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. When the sufferer of celiac disease consumes gluten, it damages the lining of the small intestine, therefore making the organ unable to absorb necessary nutrients. So, is there an epidemic of celiac disease sweeping the nation? Although the number of diagnoses has slightly increased from the 1950s, from right around zero cases to the current 1 percent, don’t
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alert the WHO just yet. Most people who live a gluten free lifestyle have never been diagnosed and do not suffer from celiac disease. Before jumping on the newest diet fad bandwagon, do some research about what nutrients you will be cutting out because completely eliminating gluten from your diet is likely to do more harm to your body than good. By forgoing fortified breads and cereals, you rob your body of the necessary nutrient called folate. A lack of folate leads to an increase in the amino acid called homocysteine. Overproduction of this acid has been known to raise the risk of heart attack as much as 200 percent. The average healthy American should be getting around 400 to 600 micrograms of folate daily. If you think you will get the necessities from gluten free alternatives, more often than not, you will be very much mistaken. According to a study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, only 5 percent of 58 gluten free breads, pastas and cereals were fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of folate. If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, make sure your gluten free alternatives are enriched with folic acid. Also, you can add folate-rich leafy greens and a daily vitamin to your diet. If your gluten fears have still not been put to rest, opt for healthy carbs. Whole-grain bread and cereals that are fortified with vitamin B and fiber will give you a power punch of necessary vitamins and minerals without leaving you with empty calories. Remember, when the next diet trend comes around, do your research before jumping on board. Diet fads are always changing. Diet killers from last year are the new superfood. Balance and moderation are the constants in this ever-evolving world of nutrition. n
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Fireman’s Brew
A Beer Crafted by Firefighters for Firefighters By Lori Berezin
E
ver wonder what firefighters do once they put out a fire? In the case of Los Angeles firemen Rob Nowaczyk and Ed Walker, after battling a Glendale-area brushfire, the two men, tired and parched, sat on the hill remarking how much they’d love a cold beer. They discussed the possibilities of homebrewing to raise money for firefighters and their families. That day, they even conceived their slogan, “Extinguish your thirst...Ignite the party.” From that initial spark, the entire Fireman’s Brew enterprise was kindled. It takes guts and determination to build a successful business. A firefighter for nearly 20 years, Nowaczyk clearly possessed that and more. Plus, he already had experience as a homebrewer. After trial and error, this heroic firefighter and entrepreneur led the Fireman’s Brew team to victory. Their collection of microbrews includes three distinct varieties: Fireman’s Brew Blonde (Pilsner-style lager); Fireman’s Brew Brunette (German-style double bock); and Fireman’s Brew Redhead (amber ale). Each is brewed using all-natural ingredients to deliver smooth, full-bodied taste. With every product sold, Fireman’s Brew donates a portion of its profits to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg, Maryland, that is dedicated to serving the families of fallen firefighters across the nation. According to the Brewer’s Association, craft beer is a $19.4 billion market across the globe. In 2014, the number of operating breweries in the United States grew by 19 percent, to more than 3,400. Fireman’s Brew has been growing since its conception in 2000. The company incorporated in 2004, and the first beer was sold in 2006.
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That year, Walker took a stock buyout, and USC Marshall School of Business graduate David Johnson was added to the mix as COO and CFO. Originally created by firefighters for firefighters, the brew can now be found in bars, restaurants, stadiums and grocery stores — such as Ralphs, BevMo, Staples Center and Dodger Stadium — all across Southern California and beyond. “In addition to traditional beer festivals and tasting events,” remarked Nowaczyk, “we continually partner with the local firefighter community and other charities through events, fundraisers, golf tournaments and more.” The beer has even been featured on such television shows as The Big Bang Theory, Mike and Molly and Two and a Half Men. “We’ve had tremendous success in the United States, growing our distribution to over 16 states in the last 10 years, and we are so excited to take Fireman’s Brew to the next big level with international distribution,” noted Nowaczyk. From their initial investment of only $80,000, they’ve emblazoned a trail across the globe. Fireman’s Brew is currently available overseas in mainland China and Panama. They hope to expand distribution to Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, wherever thirsty firefighters serve. They’ve even released Fireman’s Brew sodas and a coffee line, aptly named “3 Alarm Blend” and “False Alarm Decaf.” They refer to their beer as “off-duty drinks” and their coffee and sodas as “on-duty drinks” aimed at local firefighters and others who often work long hours with little sleep. Most enterprises begin with a flash of inspiration. In the case of Fireman’s Brew, it took an entire fire to ignite a creative spark into an award-winning, multimillion-dollar business with heart. n
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CAN MY SMARTPHONE
Make Me Fat?
By Marc Cohen
I
think one thing most of us can agree upon is the joy we find in food and drink. I, personally, love a good buffet and tend to gain about five pounds per sitting. Of course, I spend the next five days working it off, but that’s a story for another time. For now, let’s ponder this question: Is an hour of pleasure worth a week of despair? Apparently, in my case, the answer is yes. So, how do I find the best places to go for dinner? Naturally, I run to my smartphone for the answer. The go-to place for most people is Yelp. You can find almost anything on their great app, and once you find what you are looking for, you can read reviews to get a more clear idea of how good a restaurant really is. You have to be careful with Yelp because some reviews might be written by the restaurant owners or friends of the family, but with this in mind, you can simply read only reviews by people that have commented on many restaurants or bars. If someone tends to give all bad reviews or all good reviews to everything, I would disregard that person’s comments. If someone’s reviews are balanced, they are worth a glance. As for the location, the more reviews the better. Even if you are looking for a quick fast food meal, like a Del Taco drivethrough, you can find reviews at Yelp. A nicely laid out food app is Zomato, formerly known as Urbanspoon. It is also available on the web. It gives you reviews by users, along with delivery and take-out options. I found some cool suggestions for the best doughnuts. After all, who doesn’t love doughnuts? In fact, it lists a hole-in-the-wall doughnut place called Donut Friend in Eagle Rock with some of the best combos ever. You actually have the option of building your own! That’s right folks, run, don’t walk. I have my own built-in app — my daughter — that helped me find this place last year.
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If you travel the world, check out Happy Cow. It contains reviews and blog entries, and if you are a vegetarian like my wife, it will direct you to the best veggie options worldwide. If you happen to love wine, then check out intowine.com. This site will not only recommend a wine type, but it will offer a specific bottle just for you. It has more than 100 selections from which it can help you find the best wine and food combinations. The app runs $1.99. Another great option is Food & Wine magazine’s app, which has been well-received. You can carry the magazine around with you electronically instead of carrying a hard copy. It’s free and is a great resource. Vino for Dinner searches for affordable wines at $30 or less for a bottle and helps pair your wine and food. Personally, I prefer my wine in a box with a straw, but I might be a tad more sophisticated than you. Remember the good old days when you pulled out the Yellow Pages for the best choices of restaurants? Well, it’s a whole new world thanks to technology. Actually, I really think it’s a better one, too. Gotta run! Hometown Buffet is holding my reservation. Hope they don’t run out of food before I get there! See you on the radio! Marc Marc Cohen Host of Computer and Technology Radio computerandtechnologyradio.com
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Simply Irresistible! SW EET TR EATS AND DES S ERT FAVO R ITES JUICE KARMA
Try Juice Karma’s Acai Bodhi Bowl. Made with organic acai blended with almond milk, antioxidant blend, banana, and topped with homemade gluten free granola. Choose your favorite three toppings. Choices include: strawberry, blueberry, banana, gogi berries, cashews, chia seeds, coconut flakes, hemp seeds, bee pollen, and cacao nibs. Freshly made raw, organic, cold pressed juices and smoothies are also available. 22267 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas 818.222.9642 juicekarma.net
NOTHING BUNDT CAKES
From “Happy Birthday” to “Just Because,” nothing says it sweeter than a Nothing Bundt Cake. Choose from 10 delicious flavors and four different sizes, each crowned with their signature cream cheese frosting. Make someone’s day by making your way to Nothing Bundt Cakes. Every delicious bite-sized bundtini, miniature bundtlet, and sharable bundt cake is baked fresh daily.
6524 Platt Ave. West Hills 818.340.2253
1610 E. Thousand Oaks Bl. Thousand Oaks 805.446.3082 nothingbundtcakes.com
CALABASAS CAKE & COOKIE COMPANY Indulgent, Inside and Out These decadent 4-ounce cookies have two parts: they conjure up memories of mom¹s favorite recipe on the outside and are Stuft with a yummy surprise inside. They are individually wrapped and can be custom labeled for any event or occasion. Flavors include: Chocolate Chip Cookie Stuft with Fudge Brownie, Fudge Brownie Cookie Stuft with Peanut Butter and Pretzels, Confetti Cookie Stuft with Birthday Cake, Sugar Cookie Stuft with Lemon Bar. $47.95 per dozen.
stufteats.com 855.55.STUFT
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To help you satisfy your sweet tooth, we’ve selected some of our top picks for sumptuous goodies. Whether you’re constantly craving or just want something sinful, get your daily fix with these picks. BRENT’S DELI
If you are craving something sweet, you’ll find over 35 delicious dessert items at Brent’s Deli, including everyone’s favorite lemon bars. Brent’s also has a fresh selection of puddings, cookies (including their popular black & whites), tarts, mandel bread, muffins, layered cakes, cheesecakes, jelly rings, marshmallow twists, brownies, and the best rugulah in town. 19565 Parthenia St. Northridge 818.886.5679
2799 Townsgate Rd. Westlake Village 805.557.1882 brentsdeli.com
TIFA CHOCOLATE AND GELATO
Tifa Chocolate and Gelato uses real fruit, nuts, chocolates, milk and cream, to achieve an authentic flavor with an American twist. You’ll also love their handmade chocolates, artisan chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, and espresso drinks. From their family to yours, everything at Tifa is crafted with quality ingredients and served with a passion for customer service. 28888 Roadside Dr. Agoura Hills 818.879.0685 tifachocolate.com
30760 Russell Ranch Rd., #A Westlake Village 805.796.1893
SPRINKLES CUPCAKES
Sprinkles, the world’s first cupcake bakery, is a deliciously sophisticated update on an American classic. Their cupcakes are handcrafted from the finest ingredients. This delightful company also scoops up homemade ice cream and cookies! Sugar addict? Join their brand-new loyalty program to earn free cupcakes and more!
The Promenade at Westlake 180 Promenade Way Westlake Village 805.370.5306 sprinkles.com
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Bon Appétit DIRECTORY Bogie’s Bar 32001 Agoura Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361 818.889.2394 bogies-bar.com
Mediterraneo 32037 Agoura Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361 818.889.9105 med-rest.com
Brent’s Delicatessen & Restaurant 2799 Townsgate Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361 805.557.1882
Morton’s The Steakhouse 6250 Canoga Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.703.7272 mortons.com
19565 Parthenia St. Northridge, CA 91324 818.886.5679 brentsdeli.com
Paul Martin’s American Grill The Promenade at Westlake 100 S. Westlake Bl. Westlake Village, CA 91362 805.373.9300 paulmartinsamericangrill.com
Duke’s Malibu 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265 310.317.0777 dukesmalibu.com Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 6373 Topanga Cyn. Bl. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.346.1005 flemingssteakhouse.com HQ Gastropub 20969 Ventura Bl. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818.887.2337 (BEER) hqgastropub.com JOEY Restaurants The Village at Westfield Topanga 6344 Topanga Cyn. Bl., #1010 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.340.5639 joeyrestaurants.com Maggiano’s Little Italy 6100 Topanga Cyn. Bl. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.887.3777 maggianos.com Mastro’s 2087 E. Thousand Oaks Bl. Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805.418.1811 18412 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265 310.454.4357 mastrosrestaurants.com 102
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for additional locations
P.F. Changs China Bistro 2250 E. Thousand Oaks Bl. Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805.277.5915 21821 Oxnard St. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.340.0491 pfchangs.com Plata Taqueria & Cantina Whizin Market Square 28914 Roadside Dr., #110 Agoura Hills, CA 91301 818.735.9982 platacantina.com Public School 805 The Promenade at Westlake 120 N. Promenade Way Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805.379.3909 publicschool805.com Q Sushi & Kieu Hoang Wine Lounge 30770 Russell Ranch Rd., #A Westlake Village, CA 91362 818.540.3231 qsushi.com Riviera Calabasas 23683 Calabasas Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302 818.224.2163 rivieracalabasas.com
ROSTI Tuscan Kitchen Parkway Calabasas Shopping Center 23663 Calabasas Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302 818.591.2211 rostituscankitchen.com Saddle Peak Lodge 419 Cold Cyn. Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302 818.222.3888 saddlepeaklodge.com The Gallery Westlake The Shoppes at Westlake Village 30768 Russell Ranch Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91362 818.889.1338 thegallerywestlake.com The Stonehaus 32039 Agoura Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361 818.483.1152 the-stonehaus.com The Six Chow House 23536 Calabasas Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302 818.222.6969 thesixrestaurant.com The Sunset Restaurant 6800 Westward Beach Rd. Malibu, CA 90265 310.589.1007 thesunsetrestaurant.com Veggie Grill The Village at Westfield Topanga 6316 Topanga Cyn. Bl., #1180 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.340.6360 3825 Thousand Oaks Bl. Westlake Village, CA 91362 805.379.9304 veggiegrill.com Zin Bistro Americana 32131 Lindero Cyn. Rd., #111 Westlake Village, CA 91361 818.865.0095 zinwestlake.com
BLUE TABLE F
THE STONEHAUS F
The Stonehaus has a selection of their private label wines from around the world. Guests can SIP, TASTE and DISCOVER dozens of wines in an authentic European setting. Wine flights range from sparkling wines and Champagne to Rhône varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon with expert wine stewards on premise. The Westlake Village Inn, 32039 Agoura Rd., Westlake Village. 818.483.1152. the-stonehaus.com.
Blue Table is a European-style cafe with sidewalk seating, communal tables and an eclectic atmosphere! Featuring an extensive cheese and wine list and specialty food items prepared in-house with fresh, local and seasonal produce. Catering, custom gift baskets, wine and cheese parties. Whizin Market Square, 28912 Roadside Dr., Agoura Hills. 818.597.2583. 4774 Park Granada, Calabasas. 818.222.5195. bluetable.net.
SIP
LADYFACE ALE COMPANIE F
Ladyface is a European-inspired brewpub that features awardwinning ales handcrafted on site. Enjoy Belgian and Americanstyle beer, house-infused cocktails, a glass of wine and honest food served with a smile. The outdoor patio with views of the Santa Monica Mountains is a local favorite. 29281 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills. 818.477.4566. ladyfaceale.com.
KREATION ORGANIC F
Stop by Kreation for one of their healthy and delicious drinks designed to invigorate the body and mind. Marjan’s Favorite is great for digestion, hair and skin, blood circulation, immune system boost, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Serenity is a powerful liver detoxifier and boosts the metabolism. 180 Promenade Way, Westlake VIllage. 805.497.8888. kreationjuice.com.
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Mayor James Bozajian Photo courtesy of Calabasas Media Operations Department
Calabasas!
Happy 25th Anniversary,
By Beth Cone Kramer
A
pril 5 marks 25 years since Calabasas residents voted by a margin of nine to one to break away from Los Angeles County and incorporate as a city.
On April 5, 1991, Calabasas officially became the 88th city in Los Angeles County. According to Bob Hill, one of the city’s initial founders and a longtime resident, the drive towards cityhood was a long road, including several previous attempts that had fallen apart for budgetary reasons. “We wanted our tax dollars to be in local control; we wanted our city to hold to higher environmental standards than the rest of the county, and another issue was L.A. business taxes, which took away from profits,” says Hill. “It is hard to imagine that 25 years have passed since the City of Calabasas formally incorporated,” says Calabasas Mayor James Bozajian. “The city’s infrastructure has grown exponentially. We now have a beautiful civic center and operate 10 other parks and recreational facilities. We offer hundreds of diverse educational and recreational activities to our residents annually. After a quarter of a century, Calabasas has really evolved into a wonderful place to live, work and visit.” The newest member of the Calabasas City Council, Alicia Weintraub, shares Bozajian’s sentiments. “I think that the city has come
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a long way in 25 years,” she says. “There’s still a lot that the city can work with, based on the original principles of why we became a city, slow growth, supporting seniors and families. We’re continuing to build upon the foundation the city founders were working on 25 years ago. We want to maintain the character of the community and work on preserving what’s special and unique about Calabasas. We haven’t strayed much from the original vision.” Calabasas wasn’t always known as the home of a certain reality show family or The Commons. In fact, Calabasas resident Stacey Cohen Westfall, who grew up in the city, says, “Calabasas went from nowhere to somewhere.” When she was a student at Calabasas High School, her debate club opponents from other schools would joke that they didn’t even know where they were. Celebrities have always been attracted to Calabasas, she says, because of the great public and private schools and family-friendly lifestyle, just a short ride to Los Angeles or the beaches of Malibu. Peter Gardner, who lived in Calabasas from 1969 through 1992, says Calabasas is immortalized by the 1963 film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, which features a shot of Valley Circle and Calabasas Road. The actor/filmmaker, who grew up in Mulwood, says that growing up in Calabasas was living in a small town with lots
of fun activities, such as the Pumpkin Festival and joining friends at the Calabasas Country Club for the Fourth of July. Calabasas has a rather illustrious past, from its days of Chumash settlements, with squatters, a hanging tree and Miguel Leonis, the Basque “King of Calabasas,” who acquired a ranch and 1,100 acres when he married Espiritu Chijulla. Leonis was often a step ahead of the sheriff, hiring gunmen to expand his lands, bribing witnesses, and threatening settlers. Years later, the city and environs became shooting locations for many movies and television shows. Since becoming an incorporated city, Calabasas has been a leader in environmental impact issues, from the 2004 ban on polystyrene to the passage of the Secondhand Smoke Ordinance, which went into effect 10 years ago this month, and the 2011 ban on non-reusable plastic bags. Both the city hall and public library
were awarded a LEED Gold Certification by the United States Green Building Council in January 2010. Does the city have any special events on tap to celebrate the silver anniversary? Mayor Bozajian says that planned events include a weekend of activities from June 24 to 26, with a Friday night reception at Founders Hall, featuring historical exhibits from the city’s past and held in conjunction with the Calabasas-Las Virgenes Historical Society. The much-anticipated grand opening of the senior center will be held Saturday, along with a street party. A civic-themed competition for students will also be held that weekend, as well as trolley tours of the city with a focus on historical sites of interest. A special concert at Calabasas Lake will conclude the weekend’s festivities. “On April 5, the actual date of the 25th anniversary, the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce will host the Mayor’s Luncheon,” shares Bozajian. “My remarks will highlight the city’s historical journey over the past 25 years.” For more information on anniversary events: cityofcalabasas.com or calabasaschamber.com n
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Foxtrax Making Music in Calabasas and Beyond By Beth Cone Kramer
R
egulars at The Six and The Stonehaus have probably heard Foxtrax play a set or two. The Calabasas-based band, featuring Jared Stenz on bass, Jon Stenz on drums and Ben Schneid on vocals and guitar, says they’re “loving Calabasas so far! The energy and youthfulness of the neighborhood drive us every day to improve at our craft.” Band members add, “Being surrounded by so many successful entertainers makes us hungry to get better. The people here have been great to us so far and have welcomed us into the community with open arms.” The members of Foxtrax didn’t always live in Calabasas. All three grew up in Oceanside, New York. When brothers, Jared and Jon graduated from Syracuse University and Ben graduated from Cornell University, they decided to pursue their passion for music, which they say led them on their journey to Calabasas. Right after graduation, the three headed to North Carolina, where they spent six weeks in a cabin, taking long walks through the Blue Ridge Mountains to get inspiration for their music. During their excursions, they often followed fox tracks leading to hidden areas of
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the woods. The three musicians realized they were following their own fox tracks, courageous in their pursuit of the artistic life. The music they wrote during their stay eventually became the tracks to the critically acclaimed EP, The Cabin. The band returned to New York as headliners at notable venues in the city before relocating to Los Angeles to begin work on a follow-up album. Foxtrax received the NYC Deli Artist of the Month in November of last year and the Conejo Valley Artist of the Month in December of last year. “We have a residency at The Stonehaus in Westlake, and we play there pretty much every week. Each week, the day might change but the dates are all listed on the website,” says Jon. The band plays regular gigs at Santa Monica’s Harvelle’s and The Six in Calabasas to a full house of local fans. The music of Foxtrax is influenced by a myriad of styles, from sixties soul, rock and blues to indie and alternative music. See the band’s website for local dates: foxtraxband.com. n
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Inspirational People
AMANDA MILES: HANDLING A COMPLICATED DISEASE WITH GRACE When you meet Amanda Miles, you will quickly learn that she is a sweet, beautiful, intelligent 15-year-old sophomore and captain of the JV Charger Spirit Team at Agoura High School. She comes from a loving family, has a younger brother, a wonderful group of friends, and has lived in Calabasas her whole life. What you don’t know about Amanda is that she is also one of the bravest girls you will meet. At 9-years-old, Amanda was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic, inflammatory, bowel auto-immune disease that she battles with every day of her young life, with all its debilitating and painful symptoms and side effects. There is no cure for this complicated disease. So, in addition to taking a handful of pills every night, Amanda sits patiently and bravely during the long drive and three hour visit at the hospital every six weeks while an IV is inserted in her arm so that she can get the medicine she needs to keep the symptoms of her disease manageable. Ever since she was diagnosed, Amanda has asked every one of her doctors and nurses if they also have her disease and is surprised that she has not met one yet. So, when you ask Amanda what she wants to be when she grows up, she will tell you that she wants to be a doctor or a nurse who treats children, like herself, who have ulcerative colitis, so she can comfort them and explain to them that she understands exactly what they are going through and that they can still live a happy, fulfilling life. Amanda participates in many clinical studies and her hope is that she will see a cure of this disease during her lifetime.
TRACY SMITH: DESIGNED A RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS PARTY
This year for her birthday, realtor Tracy Smith wanted to do something different. She feels blessed to have overcome challenges in her life as many others have. Recently, Tracy overcame a battle with breast cancer. And so, that feeling of gratefulness and the appreciation for life pushed her to think of something new and different to do to celebrate her birthday. Something that focused not on gifts for her, but on gifts for others — giving back. She designed a “Random Acts of Kindness Party” and enlisted good friends to participate. Once they arrived at her home, they were put into teams and given a list of random acts of kindness with point values to be completed within an hour. The team with the most random acts of kindness points wins. First stop was picking up flowers at The Commons’ Ralphs to give away. Other random acts of kindness were to buy ice cream for people at Menchie’s, buy coffee at Starbucks, pack and carry groceries, drop food at the fire station and do a cartwheel in the grass between Toscanova and Marmalade to make restaurant guests laugh. And they even had to come up with some random acts of kindness of their own. They had to text photos of the random acts of kindness as they were completed for proof. Once participants arrived back and began sharing their random acts of kindness, joy filled the room. They were elated to have given back and to tell the stories. It was by far the best and most joyful birthday for Tracy. In her eyes, small random acts of kindness can be the greatest gifts as we never know how a small task may help some unsuspecting soul.
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Inspirational People
BERNIE OTIS: TEACHES US HOW TO PREPARE FOR OLD AGE
Having been involved in design and construction of Disneyland food services, Bernie Otis understands the hospitality business. And in 2015, Bernie was commissioned by the Los Angeles Library Commission to write the history of the San Fernando Valley restaurant industry, in which he was very involved. But beyond knowing how to feed and house people, Bernie helped ITT, Hewlett Packard, Barclay’s Bank and Tiffany’s over his 65-year business career. But wait, how can anyone have a 65-year career in business? Simple: Bernie is 87 years young! His new book, How to Prepare for Old Age (Without Taking the Fun Out of Life) is a love story. The message from this extraordinary man is about living the best life you can for as long as you can with love in your heart and a passion for living at any age. In this touching, often humorous and very personal account, Bernie shares his 87 years of life, love, loss and laughter as an inspirational guide to what it means to age without growing old. His advice on love after 60, how to talk with family members about illness, what you should be prepared for when confronting tragedy and loss, what it means to be a caregiver to a loved one and many other of life’s challenges are a must for family members young and old. This book will help its readers on multiple levels as it addresses some hard facts about aging, along with suggestions for staying young at heart physically, mentally and spiritually. Bernie Otis has given us a gift that has intrinsic value and which has no expiration date. How to Prepare for Old Age is a must-read for all ages.
DAWN SMITH-THEODORE: HELPING THOSE WITH EATING DISORDERS Dawn Smith-Theodore has lived in Calabasas for nearly 30 years and is a specialist in treating eating disorders. Dawn currently works for Monte Nido Residential Treatment center in Malibu and specializes in working with women suffering from anorexia, bulimia, and exercise addiction. She has worked as a primary therapist as well as a facilitator with the weekly multi-family group, cognitive behavioral, dance therapy, and creativity groups. In addition, she has worked for six years as an eating disorder consultant for Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, where she helps adolescents who suffer from drug addiction and alcoholism in addition to having an eating disorder. Previously, Dawn was the clinical director of the Eating Disorder Center of California in Brentwood for five years and the owner of Carousel, a transitional living home for women with eating disorders and chemical dependency. Up to 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from some type of eating disorder. It’s great to know people like Dawn are out there doing everything they can to help this cause. Dawn shares, “Eating disorders are a message from the soul that something is problematic in your life…Be sure that you listen and pay attention to yourself or your loved one.” Dawn is also a former professional dancer and owned her own dance studio for 25 years. She is the author of the book Tutu Thin. Dawn continues to teach dance and is currently working with dance conventions and ballet companies to educate them about eating disorders in the dance world.
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Disc bulges and herniated discs ~ Gentle manipulation and massage ~ Physical therapy ~ Weight loss and metabolism enhancement ~ Bio identical hormone evaluation and treatment
KEEP YOUR POSTURE UP It Will Never Let You Down A Calabasas Style Conversation with Dr. Michael A. Spagnoli of Trillium Sports Medicine 114 Calabasas Style
By Elena RIchards Photography by Marvin Steindler
CSM: How long have you been in practice, Dr. Spags?
MS:
I opened my first practice in 1986.
CSM: What inspired you to become a chiropractic physician?
MS:
My entire family went to the chiropractor. So, in my childhood, I realized how important it was to treat the cause instead of the symptom.
CSM: Can you give us examples?
MS:
The best examples are my patients who incorporate what I teach them. Treat your body as the most important asset in the world. Get adjusted, posture trained, and interventional deep tissue therapy on a regular basis. Practice maintenance care. It’s the best investment you can make. Period.
CSM: We heard you make house calls?
MS:
Yes. All doctors should be available for their patients when they need them. I make house calls and travel to movie sets. I also travel for some athletes I treat.
CSM: We hear about the celebrities and famous athletes that come to see you. Do you enjoy that?
MS: Of course, it’s always fun to meet people in the spotlight. But they have the same bodies and issues with their bodies just like the rest of us. I’m just very good at getting my message across to most patients, and usually, they listen to me and implement what’s taught.
It is all about the patients and getting them better safely. You don’t have to get old if you don’t want to. They say you gotta get “Spagged.” It’s a coined phrase a patient gave my total vision of health care and my philosophies. I love when patients want to learn the truth about the logic and science of having a better more functional body. n
CSM: What motivates you?
MS:
Educating patients in the power of interventional medicine. As a society, we are bombarded with a drug for this, a shot for that and then the knife. Not at my office; we teach you how to avoid all the previous options for patients that were given no safer alternatives.
CSM: What are your good habits?
MS: I treat my body like a high-quality machine.
CSM: We hear you talk about gravity and our health. Why?
MS:
Because gravity is a detrimental force on the body affecting all physiology. It compresses the spine and is constantly affecting your posture. Bad posture and decreased oxygen to your entire body results in poor health overall. Most of my new patients have no idea how bad their posture is and how to permanently change it.
CSM: So what is your main emphasis at Trillium?
MS:
Delivering intelligent treatment and therapies. We always perform a proper history and examination first. There are chiropractors, medical doctors and physical therapists at Trillium working together.
“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but interest their patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” ~ Thomas A. Edison
Trillium Sports Medicine 818.225.5900 23693 Calabasas Rd. Calabasas trilliumsportsmedicine.com
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Calabasas Chamber of Commerce 2016 Photography by Marvin Steindler
Installation Gala
The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce introduced its 2016 Board of Directors at a dinner installation gala at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village. Installed as the new board chairperson was Bonnie Mulholland of Keller Williams Realty. Prior to launching her career in real estate over 10 years ago, Bonnie had a successful 15-year career in the high-end hospitality industry as Managing Director for The Regency Club and Sherwood Country Club and then as Regional Director for the West Coast for BVLGARI. Congratulations were also in order for the honoree of the night, Toni Yamin. Lilianne Chaumont presented Toni with the 2016 Spirit of Calabasas Award in recognition of her outstanding and invaluable service to the Calabasas community. Over the past 17 years, Toni has held many positions and chaired many committees such as Installation Gala Chair, Pumpkin Festival Chair, Membership Chair, First Vice Chair and in 2005 she became Chairman of the Board.
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calendar of events march MARCH 1 – JUNE 28, 10:30 A.M. – 11:45 A.M. BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP Breastfeeding support group every Tuesday, free to all moms in the community. This group offers a non-judgmental approach to breastfeeding, guided support in a warm and friendly setting, help learning to understand baby cues. Dads learn to better understand their role in supporting mom. Expert guest speakers monthly. For more information or to RSVP, call 661.299.4059. MARCH 4, 6:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. WIG & STACHE SPRING FUNDRAISER PARTY 2016 Hosted by the Westlake Village Juniors Women’s Club at The Four Seasons Westlake Village, this event promises to be a night of laughs and crazy fun. Sport a wig or mustache and come to enjoy cocktails, food, dancing and a silent auction. Tickets are $95 per person. To purchase tickets, go to westlakejuniors.org. MARCH 5, 2:30 P.M. 13TH ANNUAL SUPERSTARS OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley hosts an exciting and inspirational fun-filled afternoon that recognizes excellence in club members and volunteers. A main highlight will be the Youth of the Year recognition, the cornerstone of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s vital Character and Leadership Development Program. For more information, visit bgcconejo. org. MARCH 12, 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center is hosting its 10th annual FREE St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and everyone is welcome to join the festivities. The celebration will feature live music, entertainment, food, activities, contests, games, raffles from local businesses. Located at 27040 Malibu Hills Rd., Calabasas. MARCH 19 GREAT RACE OF AGOURA HILLS Over the past 30 years, the Great Race has donated more than $1.6 million to local school programs. The 10K runs adjacent to Cheeseboro Canyon at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and meanders through the horse community of Old Agoura. Enjoy one of the most scenic road races in California. For more information, visit greatrace.run. MARCH 20, 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. LET’S BAKE A DIFFERENCE A spoonful of sugar makes a sweet difference in giving hope to children, adults and their families affected by cancer. No one should face cancer alone. This is the perfect way to use your sweet tooth to help others. Proceeds from the event benefit Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara. Located at Westlake Village Inn. For more information, visit cancersupportvvsb.org.
april APRIL 9, 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. CALABASAS EARTH DAY FESTIVAL The City of Calabasas will host its annual Earth Day Celebration/ Green Expo featuring educational booths, eco-friendly games and activities, a live animal show and entertainment. Over 60 exhibitors will help participants take actions that will save them money through efficiency while protecting our planet. Located at Las Virgenes Creek on Agoura Rd., Calabasas.
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APRIL 14, 10:00AM – 3:00PM ANGELS OF THE ALLIANCE ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND BOUTIQUE Designer boutiques, silent auction, table decorating competition and luncheon at the Hyatt Hotel in Westlake Village. Proceeds to benefit “Kids and the Arts Program” of the Alliance for the Arts. Tickets are $100 per person (advance purchase only). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit allianceforthearts.org or call 805.449.2590 ext. 225. APRIL 15, 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. FASHIONS ON PARADE “A WALK IN THE PARK” Westlake Women’s Club will host its Annual Fashion Show Luncheon. Boutique shopping, door prizes, silent auction, money wreaths and a delicious gourmet lunch. Enjoy an afternoon of fun and new friends. Located at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel. To make reservations, call Ann Nelson at 818.991.2790. APRIL 16, 6:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. HOPE AND RECOVERY PLACE BENEFIT Join HARP – The Hope and Recovery Place – for a great benefit with dinner and a concert at the beautiful Calabasas Country Club in Calabasas to raise funds for musicians and artists who are in need of treatment for drug addiction or alcoholism. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit harpgives.org or call 818.783.4071. APRIL 17 – MAY 15 PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE OF DESIGN The Pasadena Showcase House of Design revisits a Mission Revival, 2-acre estate that exudes stately elegance and a sense of early California style. The 16,000-square-foot main house, along with its 2,032-square-foot guesthouse, has contributed to the architectural and historical context of La Cañada Flintridge. Tickets on sale now. Visit PasadenaShowcase.org or call 714.442.3872. APRIL 17, 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. CALIFORNIA JAZZ & WINE FEST The luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village will be filled with enthusiasts ready to enjoy premier wine, microbrews, boutique spirits, gourmet food and to top it off, the best jazz around! Proceeds from the event support the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and other nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit californiajazzwine.com. APRIL 21, 5:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. THE TASTE OF THE VALLEY – 17TH ANNUAL FOOD, WINE, SPIRITS AND MICROBREW FEST Over 1,000 connoisseurs from all over the Valley will gather to experience the ultimate in dining indulgence from local restaurants, wineries and microbreweries. Enjoy the evening in the beautiful 20,000-square-foot garden venue at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 818.704.1358.
april/may APRIL 30 & MAY 1, 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. THE 19TH ANNUAL CALABASAS FINE ARTS FESTIVAL Housed on the grounds of the Commons at Calabasas and the beautiful Calabasas Civic Center, the event features over 150 painters, jewelers, potters, sculptors, photographers, glass artists, woodworkers and more. Participating exhibitors travel from all over the western United States to showcase beautiful works of art. For more information, visit calabasasartscouncil.com. MAY 21ST 2:00 PM & 7:00PM PETER PAN Pacific Festival Ballet, the Resident Ballet Company at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza presents... Peter Pan. Along with “Olympiad” - a special tribute to the 2016 Olympics & “Tree of Life” - an homage to painter Gustav Klimt. Bursting with pixie dust, adventure and dance, this timeless classic comes to life with all your favorite characters. Located at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre. To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com. Send in any calendar submissions three months in advance to: calabasasstylecalendar@gmail.com.
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Comprehensive Knowledge, Highest Ethics, Best Results • 95% of patients have significant pain relief from the first treatment • Immediate appointments available for acute pain • Open access to patients needs (concierge without fee) • Removal of the disc without surgical incision • The best results of PRP (platelet rich plasma) • Stem Cell Therapy for sports injuries • Kyphoplasty for vertebrae fracture • New treatment for Fibromyalgia and bladder pain
“California Spine and Pain Institute is the best choice to treat your pain.”
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WEST HILLS HOSPITAL HEART-HEALTH SEMINAR In honor of February’s American Heart Month, West Hills Hospital & Medical Center hosted a heart-health seminar on Thursday, February 4. The event was moderated by cardiovascular disease specialist and board certified cardiologist, Dr. Farhad Rafii, and included hands-only CPR training from the American Red Cross. The heart-health seminar also featured a testimonial from West Hills Hospital patient Brandon Paith, 29. Paith experienced a complete blockage in a major heart artery and first responders brought him to the emergency department at West Hills Hospital. He was quickly transported to the hospital’s Cath Lab, where Dr. Ramin Farshi and his team performed an emergency angioplasty and stent placement of the artery. In July, West Hills Hospital was recertified as a PCI Accredited Chest Pain Center for its expertise in dealing with patients experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack. For more information on West Hills Hospital’s services, visit westhillshospital.com.
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Ask the
Pharmacist Q A
How can I dispose of old medications?
This is a question we frequently get at my pharmacy. There used to be a time when most people simply flushed them down the toilet. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says medications are an emerging contaminant in our waterways and could negatively affect aquatic life. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a different opinion. The FDA says certain medications should be flushed as they pose a risk if they are found and ingested by children; they also pose a risk for potential abuse. Both the EPA and FDA do agree, however, that the ideal way to dispose of medications is to deliver them to a take-back program. We are very lucky to have a take-back program in our community at the Lost Hills Sheriff Station. The facility has medication disposal bins located outside the building and takes back any medications, needles and syringes. Although some people may think holding on to expired medications is harmless or even wise, the FDA stresses that keeping drugs past their expiration date can be dangerous for both patients and their communities. People in the U.S. abuse prescription drugs at alarming rates, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Many of those abused drugs, which often result in accidental overdose, are obtained from the medicine cabinets of family and friends. In addition, manufacturers only test a drug’s stability through its expiration date. This means that some medications intended to treat acute or even lifethreatening conditions could lose potency and not work past their expiration dates. Medications can lose their potency faster when exposed to light, certain temperatures and humidity. To prevent this, medications should be stored in a dresser drawer, closet shelf or kitchen cabinet. If a drug’s external appearance has changed, it should no longer be used. The safest choice is to properly dispose of any medications you are no longer using, whether they are outdated or not. If you are unable to use the Lost Hills Sheriff Station disposal bins, there is another method for disposal. Medications can be mixed with cat litter, dirt or used coffee grounds in a sealed bag and placed in your trash. However, the safest and most environmentally friendly solution is a trip to the sheriff’s station. n Brenda Johnson, R.Ph. Calabasas Pharmacy Owner Inside Gelson’s Market 22277 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas M – F: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. P: 818.223.8656 F: 818.223.8750 calabasaspharmacy.com
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FOOD, FASHION, AND FRIENDS AT BESITOS BOUTIQUE Besitos Boutique celebrated the holidays in style just in time for everyone to find their perfect holiday outfits and gifts. With so many great items to choose from, everyone enjoyed the shopping, festivities, and sisterly love of owners Eva Lucero and Joy Palmer! Guests also enjoyed the special Uno de 50 jewelry trunk show of exquisite handcrafted jewelry made in Madrid, Spain. Besitos has carved out a niche in the community by dressing women in styles that make them look beautiful and stay on top of the latest trends. Besitos provides a warm, friendly, comfortable atmosphere where women can enjoy themselves shopping, socializing, and sharing a few laughs. No matter what the occasion, you’ll always find the perfect outfit, accessories, or gifts of fashion-forward styles that withstand the test of time! Besitos is located in Old Town Calabasas.
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CALABASAS Dental Spa Technologically Advanced Dental Care in a Spa-Like Environment By Elena Richards Photography by Marvin Steindler Calabasas Dental Spa is a unique place where you will find a serene and spa-like cosmetic and laser dentistry practice. The practice takes great satisfaction in helping its patients maintain optimal oral health with the most technologically advanced and minimally invasive procedures available. Calabasas Dental Spa is devoted to holistic dental care, meaning they don’t just treat a patient’s teeth, but they treat the patient as a whole. After your initial diagnostic consultation with the doctor, you’ll have a full range of services available to you, including, but not limited to, teeth cleaning, teeth whitening, veneers, periodontal disease treatment, cosmetic dentistry, laser dentistry, CEREC 3D same-day crowns, oral cancer screenings, infrared diagnostics of cavities and much more. When you come to Calabasas Dental Spa, you can expect a welcoming staff, a guilt-free environment , and the most advanced dental care available. We met with Dr. Baker and asked her a few questions about the different procedures that she uses in her practice and their importance.
WHY IS ORAL CANCER SCREENING IMPORTANT? Oral cancer screening is a very important part of the dental visit for a patient. With the advances in modern technology, we are now
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able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier than before. The ability to do this is extremely important. We are also able to address any issue prior to it becoming a major, irreversible problem that may become life threatening. Through the process of multi-spectral fluorescence, this technology can dramatically improve our ability to recognize oral cancer and save lives. Annual oral cancer screenings are very important for everyone, especially if you are a smoker or a heavy drinker, so please make sure to get regular screenings when you visit your dentist.
WHAT TYPES OF LASER DENTISTRY DO YOU PROVIDE? At Calabasas Dental Spa, we use the most advanced lasers in dentistry, and we are pleased to offer this state of the art technology to our patients. Laser dentistry allows us to treat many dental conditions in a minimally invasive way. Some of the most common procedures we use are gum treatments and restorations (fillings). The non-Invasive laser gum treatment, called LANAP, can save teeth and actually regrows bone and reverses bone loss. The laser energy not only eliminates the harmful bacteria associated with gum disease, but it also has the added benefits of laser biostimulation, which allows for faster healing of the gums.
The best part of using a laser for teeth-colored restorations (fillings) is that most of them do not require the use of anesthetic (needles) and do not damage teeth like the dental drill does. We also provide laser treatment of canker sores and cold sores. If you have ever been uncomfortable, nervous or dreaded going to the dentist, consider laser dentistry. At Calabasas Dental Spa, we use less-invasive dental procedures as well as the most-advanced lasers to ensure your comfort and well-being at all times
WHAT ABOUT TEETH WHITENING? Keeping your teeth white is a lot more difficult than it sounds. Coffee, tea, wine, smoking and other foods, even citrus, can stain your teeth on a daily basis. You may think that proper maintenance will alleviate the issue of discoloration, but over time, just about all of us will view our once-pearly whites as a bit lackluster. Teeth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them shades whiter than your natural color. To accomplish the whitening of the teeth, we utilize a safe whitening gel and a low-intensity light to activate the gel which allows us to make your teeth a few shades lighter in about an hour! There is a new product called Smile Perfected, a combination of an in office-whitening and take-home kit that is becoming very popular on the East Coast. We are the only practice on the West Coast that uses Smile Perfected and the response of our patients has been fantastic!
WHAT IS A ONE VISIT CROWN? IS THIS FOR REAL? Having a crown placed used to be a long procedure requiring several visits. At the first visit, the tooth needed to be prepared, impressions taken and the crown fabricated in a laboratory, so you generally had to wait two weeks between the first procedure and the final crown placement. Fortunately, here at Calabasas Dental Spa, our patients have their crowns made and placed at the same visit, thanks to our CEREC 3D. CEREC 3D is an advanced dental technology that we use to restore decayed, cracked or chipped teeth. With CEREC 3D, we can make full crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers. The CEREC machine crafts a beautiful, life-like crown in a matter of minutes. The most beneficial feature of having a CEREC crown is that it only takes one visit. In addition, there is no uncomfortable impression material to bite on or an ill-fitting temporary to wear. The procedure is very simple. The first step is to shape your tooth and to take a full-color digital scan. We then design the restoration right in front of you. Once the design is completed, a special computer mills the restoration, almost like a “digital printer.� This step takes approximately 15 minutes. You can actually watch this process if you would like to. When the crown is finished milling, we glaze it and bond it to your tooth. The entire appointment should take just a couple of hours. While we prepare your crown, you can enjoy our full-body massage chair, watch your favorite show or catch up on your email. Call us if you have any questions or need a crown and you will be amazed by the experience. n Calabasas Dental Spa 4937 Las Virgenes Rd., #203 Calabasas 818.880.5520 calabasasdentalspa.com
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Calabasas Chamber of Commerce “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” ~ Sir Winston Churchill How quickly we get discouraged in business when we only try once and it doesn’t work and we give up. If Alexander Graham Bell had acted this way, we might not have the phone communications we have today. If Thomas Edison gave up after many attempts at creating the light bulb, it may not have been invented until many years later. Thomas Edison nearly quit several times but found the will to keep going, as exemplified in two of his famous quotes: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” and “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Both Bell and Edison persisted through their failures until they finally succeeded. When we take a closer look at the great thinkers throughout history, a willingness to take on failure isn’t a new or extraordinary thought at all. Failure is as powerful a tool as any in reaching great success. However, most people don’t believe that and some corporate cultures don’t support it. Instead, they play it safe, repeating the same decisions over and over again. They don’t attempt anything great or take risks; that’s a recipe for corporate demise. Some employers are no longer shying away from failure — they’re embracing it. According to a recent article in Bloomberg Businessweek, many companies are deliberately seeking out those with track records reflecting both failure and success, believing that those who have been in the trenches, survived battle and come out on the other side have irreplaceable experience and perseverance. The prevailing thoughts of today’s progressive corporations, such as Google and Facebook, are that great success depends on great risk.
Bridget Karl President & CEO 23564 Calabasas Rd., #101 Calabasas 818.222.5680 calabasaschamber.com
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CELEBRITIES GIVING BACK TO CASA PACIFICA On Saturday, February 6, Casa Pacifica’s residential kids and youth had a special celebrity visit from actor Jaden Smith, Keeping Up with the Kardashians TV star and model Kylie Jenner, social media star and model Jordyn Woods, and singer Harry Hudson! The celebrities signed autographs and donated hats, shirts and pullover hoodies from MSFTS republic clothing line. “We’re so grateful for the joy you’ve brought to our kids!” said a Casa Pacifica spokesperson. Chief Advancement Officer, Vicki Murphy, presented Jaden Smith with a kidssigned T-shirt with the words “Thank you” on it as a way of showing appreciation for Smith’s recent visits, heartwarming support and generous donations to the Casa Pacifica youth. Casa Pacifica offers several different opportunities to financially support its programs and services which positively impact abused, neglected, and at-risk children and youth and their families. Visit their website at casapacifica.org to learn more about all the ways you can contribute.
BRIDAL PREMIERE AT THE HYATT WESTLAKE PLAZA Brides to be had the opportunity to start making their wedding plans at the 2016 Bridal Premiere that was held this January at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza. This event was filled with beautiful displays of exciting wedding destination venues including the Moorpark Country Club, Epona Estate, and the Sheraton Agoura Hills, and The Gardens at Los Robles Greens as well as the Santa Barbara Silver Safari for bridal party rentals. Brides also got to meet with wedding planners, photographers, and caterers to plan their special day and see a stunning display of the top wedding dress styles for the upcoming season. Beautiful floral arrangements from Luna Gardens and other florists set a fragrant backdrop throughout the exhibit. Visitors also enjoyed sampling delicious foods and cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes and other bakeries for the sweet finish of their wedding day celebrations. Now in its 33rd year, the Bridal Premiere is one of the oldest and finest bridal shows in Southern California.
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CALABASAS SAVVY SENIORS WINTER LUNCHEON Calabasas Savvy Seniors enjoyed their annual winter luncheon on Thursday, December 10 at Sagebrush Cantina. Entertainer Tatjana Geary performed her one-woman show singing Broadway musicals and classics to rock and roll, along with her exciting impersonations. Having entertained throughout the United States and Europe, Tatjana’s vocal and dance abilities, together with her glamorous costumes, make her performance a unique experience. Mayor James R. Bozajian, former Mayor Lucy Martin, Councilmember Fred Gaines, Mayor pro tem Mary Sue Maurer, Councilmember Alicia Weintraub and Councilmember David J. Shapiro attended this festive event. Jeff Rubin, Director of Community Services, also provided attendees with the Winter Calabasas Recreation Brochure with new classes, lectures, and excursions available in city. The Sagebrush Cantina was proud to once again host this amazing luncheon event for all of our Savvy Seniors.
STILLPOINT GOLF CLASSIC AT NORTH RANCH COUNTRY CLUB After nine years in Calabasas, The Stillpoint Golf Classic moved their successful tournament to the upscale and beautiful North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village. Guests and golfers enjoyed a beautiful day in the hills, a sweeping continental breakfast, on-course contests, and an InN-Out truck serving lunch to all, with a fourstar dinner to wrap up our event. Tee time was at 10. A field of 129 golfers, including 16 celebrities, competed in the 10th annual Ross Porter/Stillpoint Golf Classic and the best score in the Scramble format was 18 under par, recorded by the team of Ric Say and Paul Sears of Calabasas, Jason Rosenkranz and Al Gerlach. Proceeds went to Stillpoint Family Resources to serve individuals and families in crisis. Stillpoint Family Resources is committed to changing lives, strengthening families and shaping culture, with a heart for helping underserved people. Through their counseling and educational efforts, they are making an important difference to families in greater Los Angeles and beyond.
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INFINITY FASHION SHOW AT SILVERADO MEMORY CARE CALABASAS Silverado Memory Care in Calabasas delighted residents, family and friends at a special Fashion Show hosted by Diane Blessing, owner of Lifestyles by Infinity. Infinity is a unique clothing collection designed exclusively for the mature woman who stylishly embraces what is important her; her personal goals and passions. The garments, designed and manufactured in the USA, are designed to accommodate the dressing needs of maturing women with “easy to wear and easy to care for,” designs and fabrics. The Fashion Show was even more memorable by having many of the actual Silverado residents model the clothing line – demonstrating the active and meaningful lifestyle which Silverado Memory Care provides. Silverado’s Memory Care communities are committed to offering the highest quality care to those with memory-impairment and are dedicated to enhancing the lives of the residents and their families. Silverado also serves as an important resource in the community by providing at-home care and hospice care to non-residents and their families.
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Put Some Kash in Your
Kash Chandani and Company CPAs
By Pax Ansley Photography by Marvin Steindler
T
hree letters in the English language, when said in a certain order, strike fear and anxiety into the hearts of the American people. Those three letters are IRS. For years, taxpayers have struggled with complicated forms, confusing legal jargon and maybe even the all-dreaded audit. Fortunately, Kash Chandani, CPA, is here to help. A former IRS agent, “Kash and his staff relish the opportunity to take on the IRS and the FTB on your behalf.� Offering services in tax-return preparation for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts and nonprofits, Kash Chandani and Company CPAs also offers services regarding audits, installment agreements, wage levies and garnishments, offers in compromise and innocent spouse claims.
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Kash was born in India in 1943. His family was forced to flee the country in 1946 due to religious beliefs, and he arrived in the United States in 1963 at the age of 20. He had $20 in his pocket, but his mind was rich with thoughts of the American dream. He quickly taught himself what he needed to enter American college. Kash enrolled in Xavier University of Cincinnati, Ohio, with a scholarship. He received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1965, and in 1973, he received his CPA license. With this newly acquired knowledge, he was able to start his own firm. Located in Westlake Village, Kash has been helping the 805 and 818 areas with tax concerns for 42 years now. He also serves those who do not live directly in the area, including some out-of-state clients. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a gold member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers. Kash and his staff are committed to getting the best results for his clients, as well as getting to know them throughout the process.
“Our business is not a big tax resolution firm that does not know your name and does not care. We put our experience to work against the bureaucracy, and we enjoy the challenge.”
When asked what makes his firm different from others, Kash replies, “Our business is not a big tax resolution firm that does not know your name and does not care. We put our experience to work against the bureaucracy, and we enjoy the challenge.” Kash has also been a member of several community organizations throughout the years, including the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Westlake Village. With an impressive 80-percent success rate in offer in compromise, Kash Chandani could be the light at the end of your long, dark tax-debt tunnel. He and his dedicated staff work with the IRS to negotiate the lawful reduction or elimination of tax debts for qualified cases. His years with the IRS, as well as his experience in all facets of taxation, have led to hundreds of successful outcomes and happy clients. Kash offers a half-hour free consultation for qualified potential clients. Don’t take on the IRS by yourself. A task as daunting and complicated should be handled by someone who has spent time on the other side of the situation. Kash Chandani is a man who knows the ins and outs of the business and will “put Kash in your pocket.” n
Kash Chandani and Company, CPAs 2815 Townsgate Rd., #335 Westlake Village 800.537.7447 less4irs.com
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5th ANNIVERSARY OF NOTHING BUNDT CAKES WEST HILLS
Bonnie Abel of Nothing Bundt Cakes hosted an anniversary celebration at the West Hills location to mark the store’s 5th anniversary. It was also Bonnie’s 1st anniversary as the new owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes West Hills. In addition to the great store of West Hills, Nothing Bundt Cakes has a sister location in Thousand Oaks.
THE 52ND PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE OF DESIGN ANNUAL ‘EMPTY HOUSE PARTY’ More than 450 design enthusiasts and patrons of the arts joined the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (PSHA) in La Cañada Flintridge for their annual Empty House Party on January 22nd. Held at an elegant 1918 Mission Revival estate, the event unveiled the 52nd Pasadena Showcase House of Design. The Empty House Party was chaired by Dana Marevich and Karen Butcher, where guests were treated to a sneak peek of the property before it begins its magical transformation at the hands of 20 interior designers and eight exterior designers. The Pasadena Showcase House of Design is one of the oldest, largest, and most successful house and garden tours in the United States. Each year, Southern California’s most prominent interior and exterior designers renovate an estate of architectural significance using the latest design products and concepts. The 2016 Showcase House will be open to the public April 17, 2016 to May 15, 2016. To purchase tickets or for more information about PSHA, please visit pasadenashowcase.org
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The Perfect Island Getaway for the Whole O’hana (Family) By Irene Marshall
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estled in the small town of Ko Olina, Oahu, this beautiful resort, with a gorgeous lagoon and beach, is located only about a half an hour from Waikiki. Ko Olina means a place of joy, which is the perfect name for this setting. Oahu means energy and the island correspondingly offers an abundance of beauty — with everything from mountain ranges, lush valleys, volcanoes, and natural rain forests to miles of beaches and lagoons — with just the right amount of culture and history available to enjoy.
From the moment you approach Aulani, with the outrigger roof lines on its towers, you can see that it stands out as a premier resort. Disney really took measures to bring the Hawaiian culture and architecture into play, along with a little Disney magic, to give you this breathtaking Hawaiian resort. You enter the hotel and walk into a tropical vacation paradise as you gape at the magnificent high ceilings and view of the water. The 200-foot mural in the lobby surrounds you like a lei, telling a story in tribute to Hawaiian history with its balance of masculine and feminine and vivid colors. Throughout the resort, you can enjoy breathtaking art as Aulani is the home to one of the world’s largest private collections of contemporary Hawaiian art.
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But that is not all, because 21 acres of oceanfront property awaits for your full enjoyment and relaxation. There is the world-class Laniwai Spa, oceanfront restaurants and lounges, and a lush oasis with canopy trees called the Waikolohe Valley, complete with lazy river, pools, water slides, and Aunty’s Beach House, where kids enjoy their own bit of Disney magic. There is so much to do during the day that it would take more than a week to do it all. There are seven acres of water-designated areas to play in at the resort, with two water slides, the Waikolohe Stream (the lazy river), three pools, the Menehune Bridge water structure, the Keiki Cove splash zone for little kids and Rainbow Reef snorkel lagoon. If you prefer the beach, you can enjoy the gorgeous warm sands and warm, sparkling-blue water. Paddle boarding and kayaking are available at the beach along with beachside lounges with awnings. It’s no wonder we Californians flock to this place! For golfers, there is a Ted Robinson-designed, 18-hole, championship golf course across the street. The Laniwai Spa offers pure bliss and caters to your every need in a serene and tranquil setting. The word Laniwai means freshwater haven, and it truly lives up to the name. There are 150 treatments and 15 treat-
ment rooms, including a room for family massages and a couple’s room. Signature treatments include the Lomi Lomi, a traditional Hawaiian massage with warm stones and lava sticks used on pressure points, a technique passed down by Hawaiian elders. The KiliKili treatment rejuvenates your mind, body and spirit with exfoliation and massage with coconut oil under jets of warm, streaming water. The Haweo Magical Glow facial is a skin-refining exfoliation with a vitamin-rich mask that reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Guys love the traditional shave, which starts with a hot towel and ends with a nourishing scalp massage. One cannot leave the spa without a visit to the hydrotherapy garden, which has six warm, rainstyle showers outdoors; private pools; and mineral baths, and you can blend your own body polish at the mixology station. Teens can be pampered in the Painted Sky Teen Spa, which offers a mixology station and a menu of special spa treatments. The Mikimiki Fitness Center is a fully equipped gym that is 23,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with everything from group spin classes to one-on-one training and sunrise yoga on the beach. Aunty’s Beach House and Uncle’s Garage make up a cozy clubhouse for children ages 3 to 12, where they can hang out and have fun for a few hours or
all day long. We wondered why it was named after an Aunty and Uncle and found out that it is because all caretakers in Hawaii are called Aunt or Uncle. When you travel with children, you know it’s all about keeping track of them while entertaining them at the same time. Aunty’s Beach House allows you to hand that responsibility over to qualified, trained staff so you can have a few hours or a whole day of adult R&R without the guilt. Your children won’t even miss you because they’ll be thrilled to spend time at Aunty’s Beach House. Children fill their time playing games on interactive touchscreen game tables, doing arts and crafts, watching movies in a screening room, tinkering in Uncle’s Garage, learning the hula, playing dress up, hanging out with Disney characters when they drop in, learning about the Hawaiian culture and playing outside in one of the tree houses or at an aloha party or dance party. There is also an amazing tech room which gets very busy, but there are time limits so your child won’t be playing video games all day. The children are supervised and entertained the whole time, and the best part is that there are no extra fees for Aunty’s Beach House. You will not go hungry at Aulani. The ‘AMA ‘AMA restaurant offers a spectacular view so you can watch the sunset as you settle into this rustic, thatched hut with open walls and jeweled fishing nets hanging
from the ceiling. For dinner, they offer the freshest seafood, served in many different ways, and light yet decadent desserts. Lunches are filled with sliders and fries and breakfasts feature macadamia nut and red velvet pancakes that are to die for. The chefs use only fresh, local ingredients to create their signature dishes with a local flare. Makahiki restaurant features a breakfast with Disney characters. The food is delicious and abundant, and the entertainment is great. The children are thrilled to interact with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Daisy. And Aunty leads the children with songs and dances and keeps them engaged during breakfast, which is buffet style. Nights are filled with shows and entertainment. The Starlit Hui show, hosted by Uncle, is a celebration of the traditional Hawaiian entertainment featuring dancing and singing, mixing in hula dancers, Hawaiian music and a uniquely talented ukulele duo. They also offer movies under the stars and a nightly beachside fire pit that comes alive with storytellers and songs that fill the air with ancient tales of the islands. While there is no reason to ever leave Aulani since there is so much to do, if you do venture out, there
are many places and activities to enjoy. You can take a catamaran sailing trip to see whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Or you can enjoy the hike up to the top of Diamond Head; this is a good way to burn off a few Mai Tais. Kakaako is a little town with an up-and-coming art and culture scene, so you can take in the galleries, flea markets, street festivals, hip vendors with jewelry, and fun night scene with bars and restaurants. An enjoyable morning can be spent at the Kualoa Ranch, which was once the residence of kings, a training ground for royalty, and is considered a sacred place. On the ranch, you can visit movie sets from Jurassic World and see Godzilla’s foot prints. You can also try the zip line with an ocean view, horseback ride, ride bikes, and take Jeep tours all through the lush beautiful mountains. n
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SOPHIE ROSE MUSICAL SHOWCASE AT THE SIX CHOW HOUSE
Musical prodigy Sophie Rose hosted an intimate music showcase and lunch on Friday, January 15th at The Six Chow House in Calabasas. She performed a few of her favorite songs while guests enjoyed lunch and grooved out to her edgy-pop tunes. At 16-years-old, Sophie has written over 250 songs, collaborated with some of the top writers and producers in pop music, and is currently signed to a publishing joint venture between hit songwriter Ester Dean and Dr. Luke’s Prescription Songs. Ever since Sophie was young, singing and performing have been a part of her. She began writing songs at age 9, deeply inspired by Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and Katy Perry. Sophie’s song “Friends Forever” was licensed by MasterCard for their Stand Up To Cancer campaign that aired during the 2015 Major League Baseball season on ESPN. Sophie is using her talents to help others by supporting charitable causes including ACT Today! Autism Care and Treatment and the American Red Cross.
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS DREAM HOUSE RAFFLE Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) will launch its seventh Dream House Raffle (DHR), one of the largest house raffle fundraisers in Southern California, offering a $5 million, 7,400-squarefoot Hidden Hills home or $3 million cash. In addition to the Dream House, raffle participants have the chance to win several luxury prizes including vacations and cars. The odds of winning a prize are one in 40. “Those who support the Dream House Raffle enable Special Olympics Southern California to provide year round sports training and competitions at no cost to the athletes and their families,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO, Special Olympics Southern California. Tickets are $150 each, 3-packs for $400, or 5-packs for $550. In March and May, there will be two drawings for those who purchase tickets early, allowing for additional cash prizes ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 or a choice of a vacation or luxury vehicle. To purchase tickets or for more information call 800.816.6108 or visit socalraffle.com.
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Obstacles to
Financial Success By Mark Wendell
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n many respects, people can be their own worst enemies in their quest for financial security. When you consider that our lives are nothing more than a culmination of the decisions we make each day and if we tend to make more bad decisions than good decisions or, worse, if we can’t make decisions at all, it shouldn’t be a surprise when financial security remains elusive. When it comes to finances and investment decisions, many people are simply not wired to be able to make decisions dispassionately, without emotions clouding their reasoning, and that’s when people tend to make the most behavioral mistakes with their financial decisions. Understanding these behavioral mistakes and how to avoid them is crucial to achieving financial security.
How many of these behavioral mistakes have you made? Making impulse purchases – We’re all prone to an impulse purchase now and then, but for some people, it’s more of a pattern than a one-off indulgence; and when these purchases add to debt, the damage is compounded. Paying the debt on yesterday’s pleasures with today’s income is self-defeating. Using bonuses or salary increases to add to lifestyle and not savings – When people lack a goal or a vision or a purpose, they are more likely to want more lifestyle than savings. You will thank yourself later by putting a portion of your increased compensation away for retirement. Trying to pick the winners – When investing, do you spend your time looking for the top-performing mutual funds in hopes of jumping on the train to riches? Very rarely does a top-per-
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forming mutual fund repeat its winning performance. A long-term strategic approach to investing usually eliminates the temptation of trying to outsmart the market. Following the herd – While investing, many people have a fear of being left behind, which is why the human tendency is to follow the herd in times of stock market exuberance or panic. Invariably, this leads to buying near the top of the market or selling near the bottom or getting out of the market entirely due to the stress of watching the portfolio value move around. Then, too often, we add insult to injury by being too fearful to invest again. To diminish this temptation, having a professional involved with our investments to guide us through our highs and lows may help smooth out our emotional and impulsive nature. Procrastinating – Procrastination, typically brought on by the inability to make a decision, is one of the primary causes of financial distress. This distress is a reason people procrastinate further and is usually due to their inability to perceive the importance of placing financial matters high on their daily priority to-do list, with the resulting consequence of “never gettin’ nuttin’ done,” Trying to avoid risk – Many of the behavioral mistakes people make are a result of the lack of understanding of the role risk plays in investing. Without risk, there are no returns; and without returns, achieving financial security is almost impossible. If you think you are avoiding risk by avoiding the stock market, you are actually inviting other, more corrosive forms of risk, such as inflation risk, longevity risk and interest rate risk. While it is important to consider how you feel with a specified degree of risk,
or account value fluctuation, it is equally important to think about the investment alternatives that would provide realistic returns that you desire. Likewise, the tradeoff between investment income and risk must be taken into account to be sure your monthly cash flow needs are addressed. Therefore, first and foremost, your investment objectives must be considered; and remember that a well-diversified, occasionally rebalanced, long-term investment plan is of paramount importance. Careful consideration of your investment strategy that takes into account your calibrated risk-adjusted return should be the overriding theme from the outset. These common, costly behavioral mistakes typically result from a lack of planning with no clear vision or purpose to guide decisions. Instead, decisions become reflexive responses to emotions that are allowed to dominate our thought process in the absence of the discipline, logic and reasoning that a wellconceived plan can engender. Taking care to avoid the self-defeating and insidious Big-I’s is absolutely vital to financial success: Impulsiveness, Indolence, Insolence, Indifference, Incompetence and Improvidence. Studies indicate that people who have welldefined goals, a clear purpose in life, an ear to professional guidance and a thoughtfully prepared plan in place are better able to check their emotions and muster the necessary discipline to follow their plan. In doing so, they are more likely to avoid many of the behavioral mistakes that can cost them their financial security. n Copyright © Mark Wendell 2016. All Rights Reserved.
WINTER WALK AT THE WHIZIN CENTER Winter Walk is fast becoming a holiday tradition at The Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills. Shops showcased unique gifts items, clothing, jewelry, and home decor, both vintage and new. Helping shoppers to choose the perfect gift were boutiques The Agoura Antique Mart, Chandeliers & Tulips, Changes interior design, The Flying Owl, Provence Chic Antiques & Design, A Beautiful Mess Home, Monica Designs and Via Allegra. Blue Table, TIFA Chocolate & Gelato, Plata Taqueria & Cantina and Hugo’s made for great dining breaks. The Walk featured pet adoptions in front of the unique Shaggy Chic Pet Boutique, providing pet lovers with the perfect opportunity to choose their perfect new family addition as well as high end pet accessories and treats. Live music, wine tastings and a scavenger hunt were also showcased throughout the mall. Guests were able to make donations to Manna Food Bank’s charity food drive to share in the spirit of giving.
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Petersen Automotive Museum Reopens with Curves of Steel Written and photographed by Scott Martin
S
trip the City” on the Science Channel is a very interesting cable TV series that goes down layer after layer to uncover the way in which a city was built. Some of the better episodes were in Venice, Italy; New York City; and Dubai because you can really see the changes from the first layer to the most recent city skyline. Although, only going back to 1962, the building that houses the Petersen Automotive Museum consists of multiple layers, beginning with the construction of Seibu Department Store at Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, gateway to the original Miracle Mile and current Museum Row. All construction during the 1930s and 1940s along this one-and-a-half-mile drive going east on Wilshire to Highland Avenue was designed by developer A.W. Ross with the modern concept of shopping while commuting. The buildings faced the boulevard but the entrances were at the back where all the cars were accommodated so that traffic would flow more easily along the main corridor. Seibu, the first Japanese department store in mainland U.S., was built with the same car-oriented design across the street from the 1939-completed Streamline Moderne May Company building. That structure was most recently known as LACMA West but is currently being repurposed as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, set to open in 2017. Seibu Department Store lasted only two years, with the outer façade of the building enjoying a revamp when Ohrbach’s department store took it over in 1965. Orbach’s closed in 1986 and remained empty for several years until it was one of several properties presented to magazine-publishing icon Robert E. Petersen. He was looking for new office space because Petersen Publishing needed to expand, and although he didn’t like the building for offices because there weren’t any windows, Mr. Petersen thought it would make a great automotive museum due primarily to the absence of direct sunlight. So, the exterior of the building facing Wilshire was rebuilt again, the interior was gutted and partitioned for auto-related displays and Petersen Automotive Museum opened its doors in 1994. The one constant to the complete complex, that encompasses a whole city block, has been the attached concrete parking structure. Aside from multiple parking usage, the large expanse has been a boon to the museum over the years, providing overflow space for special exhibits and events; a large area for car shows, which the museum calls “Cruise-Ins;” and an enclosed basement level, now known as “The Vault,” where as many as 300 vehicles
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can be stored and about 120 at a time are featured in specially scheduled Vault tours. Even during the 13 months when the Petersen was closed for renovation, a whirlwind of activity continued for most of the museum staff. Public outreach had steadily climbed in the two years before closing and that momentum was successfully maintained. Special cars in the permanent collection continued to be loaned for car shows and special concours events. There were almost monthly Cruise-Ins, the online presence of the museum was expanded and gift purchases remained strong through the Petersen Store. Upon closing for construction on October 19, 2014, a partnership was announced with the Reagan Library wherein three phases, or groups of cars, were transferred to the Simi Valley complex for display from October 2014 through May of 2015 in the Amazing Automobiles: The Ultimate Car Exhibit. The annual Carroll Shelby Birthday Cruise-In during that time was a big success with Cobras and Shelby Mustangs meeting first at the Petersen parking structure and then driving en masse to the Reagan Library, where trophies were awarded in several collector car categories. Beginning December 7, 2015, the reborn Petersen Automotive Museum opened to rave reviews. Although some people miss the old building façade and the historic “streetscape” dioramas that were a fixture in the museum for 20 years, most Angelinos have welcomed the almost iconic reimagining with open arms. The board of directors set out to create “one of the great museums of the world” and to make sure they secured Los Angeles’ position as the center of the automotive universe. The new exterior was originally conceived to create the feeling of speed and movement, as in racing or moving vehicles. The image that is consistently shown is one of a 1955 Mercedes Benz Gullwing coupe with the air flowing over it as if it were in a wind tunnel. Architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, in conjunction with Matt Construction, worked with A. Zahner Company, who constructed 308 pieces of angel-hair, stainless-steel ribbons and 140,000 custom, stainless-steel screws that all fit together perfectly on the exterior when shipped from Kansas City to L.A. The structure is topped by what they call the “Bird’s Nest,” which soars high above the top of the walls held up by “trees” or steel posts. The new interior was designed by detail-obsessed Ulf Henriksson and Sean Culhane with Ron Gould and their company, The Scenic Route. It very successfully compliments the striking imagery of the exterior, but in a much more subtle manner.
Technology in the museum has also come out of the dark ages. Everything is computer controlled and linked via a secure wireless system. Even teens can take an active role when visiting the Forza Motor Experience using Microsoft Xbox technology. Plus, younger kids can walk around with a CARSpad from the Disney Pixar Cars Institute and design their own virtual cars to race against Lightning McQueen. A satellite branch of Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design is also located on the second floor across from the Cars play area. Education has been and will continue to be a big focus of The Petersen. Their previous school-visit programs will begin again in the fall of 2016 and will be expanded to encompass even more K-12 groups. This is made possible by all the new technology and additional staff. Despite all the hoopla about the reopening, many people I have spoken with recently didn’t even know the museum was closed or said something like ‘I haven’t been there in years; is it any different?’ Hopefully, more locals and out-of-towners will be able to take advantage of the visual and educational opportunities that the new Petersen Automotive Museum offers and will tell their friends and family around the world about this great new cultural addition to the city of Los Angeles. Petersen Automotive Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution located at: 6060 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles, CA 90036. For questions or event schedules, go to petersen.org or call 323.930.2277 n Please note: During peak periods, such as weekends and holidays, the Cars Mechanical Institute will be accessible by hourly timed entry only. Families wishing to experience the gallery or the CARSpad must reserve a time slot at the front desk, upon admission. The Cars Mechanical Institute Family Experience timed tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis.
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GPM GENERAL PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT With all of the talk about our drought leading into the expected El Niño, thoughts are turning toward property maintenance and the potential need for post-apocolyptic repair as Californians go through an unchartered time in history. If you have deferred maintenance, 2016 is the year you’ll be paying for it. Your streets are the welcome mat to your community. Your community is being judged by potential buyers, who may find streets in poor condition a reflection of your community’s management and financial stability. GPM, General Pavement Management, is a well-known name in the hoa industry and associations quickly refer out to Gordon and his team to please members of their communities. Appealing to a broad spectrum, GPM takes pride in providing special services for higher end developments, such as Lake Sherwood, Bridgehaven and Country Club Estates. A concierge service of note is offered via high-end transportation of homeowners to and from their home with the use of golf carts to alleviate any disruption during the paving and sealcoating processes. Gordon Miller, President of GPM, is modest when asked about his reputation as ‘Sealcoater to the stars’. Instead he mentions “Our company was founded on the principles of honesty, dependability, and client support.” With that, GPM has been a proven leader in pavement construction and maintenance for a quarter century. Remember, El Niño is coming. Get ready by clearing drain lines, rain gutters and slope drains of debris, and ensuring that your roofer is on hand and prepared to jump in if leaks appear. Also be prepared for the aftermath with a pavement rejuvenation plan. It is likely that your common area streets will take a considerable toll from El Niño. GPM is the proven leader in asphalt and concrete pavement management, from project planning to completion. You can trust GPM to treat your residents with the care they expect and deserve. n
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850 Lawrence Dr., #100 Thousand Oaks 800.834.8488 gpmincorporated.com Estimates and Pavement Plans: Mark Watson mwatson@gpmincorporated.com 805.732.5314
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SOLD
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10721 Atlantic Ave. Grocery Anchored 11 Tenant Shopping Center in Lynwood, CA $
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7,200,000
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2711 Ellendale Place, Office Los Angeles, CA 90007 P: 323.731.4312 C: 310.962.7210 F: 323.476.1234
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