Newport Beach Lifestyle February 2014

Newport Beach february 2014

NewportBeachLifestylePubs.com

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Mar Vista

Meet Renowned Artist Randy Morgan

Taj Mahal India Revealed

Valinda Martin The Art of Inspiration

A Salute to Our Veterans CDM Middle School embraces the gift of giving

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Editor's Letter

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

— Charles M. Schulz

february 2014 publisher

Randy Harding | RHarding@LifestylePubs.com

Along with being the shortest month of the year, February is also the month of love, romance and chocolate—for those of us with a Valentine that is. Historically, Valentine’s Day has been a remembrance of martyr and saint, Valentine of Rome, who clandestinely married couples before being executed for not converting to Roman paganism. What happened? What do heart-shaped candies, oversized teddy bears and expensive jewelry have to do with selflessness in the name of love?

editor

Lysa Christopher | LChristopher@LifestylePubs.com

contributing writers Kimberly Brockhoff-Faris , Heidi Darby, Megan Harvey, Stacy Collins Johnson

contributing photographers Deirdre Palladino, Gary Mathieson

copy editor

To most people, Valentine’s Day is an outdated holiday, one that emphasizes monogamy and consumerism more than real love and affection. Many people in relationships stress about “V-Day” due to the pressure to quantify their love with trinkets and expensive dinners. On the other hand, singles feel the need to drown their loneliness in chips and ice cream, or purposefully ignore any mention of the holiday out of spite.

Has Valentine’s Day become nothing more than the emblem of holiday-themed consumerism, or is there value in having one day of the year devoted to love? I’ll leave you to debate the issue.

Mary Nesfield

National Brands Account Manager Karinna Zarate

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For now, let’s put the business of Valentine’s Day aside and focus on a love of the arts.

This month we dedicate Newport Beach Lifestyle to artists and aspiring artists everywhere. From the tiniest macaroni artists in elementary school to the epic works of French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, thank you all for sharing your gift.

Personally, I am passionate about art in a variety of forms. My love for art came at an early age when my fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Von K. said, “Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines.” At the time, I was way too young to understand the metaphor but her words resonated with me.

Art in its purest form is a courageous combination of expression and risk. I also think it’s the ability to stand up for what you believe in with an unabashed “critics be damned” boldness.

chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore national editor | Lisa Cooke Harrison director of marketing | Brad Broockerd national art director | Carrie Julian advertising director | Mike Baugher production director | Christina Sandberg regional art director | Sara Minor ad coordinator | Cyndi Vreeland national copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham senior web developer | Lynn Owens it director | Randy Aufderheide

So there it is … perhaps Valentine’s Day is little more than self-expression; even if it comes in the form of a huge teddy bear and silly heart-shaped candy.

by Community ™

Lysa Christopher , Editor LChristopher@LifestylePubs.com

| NewportBeachLifestylePubs.com |

on the cover Bad dog: A 24-foot-tall creation by sculptor

Richard Jackson is making its mark and getting passers-by to take notice at the Orange County Museum of Art. Photography by Deirdre Palladino 4 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

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10500 Barkley, Suite 228 Overland Park, KS 66212 Proverbs 3:5-6 Newport Beach Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Kingdom Holdings LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Newport Beach’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Kingdom Holdings’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Kingdom Holdings does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Newport Beach Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

February 2014

16

Departments 8

Good Times

10

Around Town

14

Locals Only

16

Giving Back

30 Lifestyle Calendar 34

Parting Thoughts

20 Mar Vista Magic

Meet Renowned Artist Randy Morgan

24 Taj Mahal

14

India Revealed

24

20

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Good Times

Mayor’s Reception and Chamber Volunteer Awards Ceremony

The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce recognized outgoing Mayor Keith Curry and incoming Mayor Rush N. Hill II. The Chamber’s Silver Anchor Award and Ambassador of the Year Awards were also announced.

Fig & Olive Grand Opening

Fig & Olive extends an olive branch to Newport Beach with the arrival of its flagship Orange County restaurant located at Fashion Island.

8 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

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Around Town which supplements the school district’s core science curriculum to provide students with a deeper understanding of the subject.

In an effort to equalize the science teachers’ workload across the district at the behest of the union, science specialist Phil Schinhofen has been prohibited from teaching as usual the sixth-grade enrichment program this year. Parents and students voiced their concerns about the elimination of the extra instructional time during a Newport-Mesa Unified board meeting in December 2013.

Kaiser is the only elementary school in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District that has a science enrichment program.

A SLICE OF NEWPORT HISTORY CLOSING

SAGE HILL’S GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: SECTION CHAMPS For the third time in Sage Hill’s 14-year history, the school has claimed a section championship.

Crean Lutheran spoiled Sage Hill’s attempt at finishing perfect in league, but no one would deny the Lightning a perfect ending in the Division 3A playoffs.

Sage Hill’s unprecedented third straight section finals appearance concluded with it on top, as the top-seeded Lightning prevailed against No. 2 Crean Lutheran, 25-18, 25-21, 25-17, at Cerritos College.

CORONA DEL MAR WINS STATE TITLE AND FINISHES UNDEFEATED

Perry’s Pizza located in Newport Beach will be closing for good sometime in February. Owner Jess Bingaman and his wife are poised to lose their beloved slice of Newport Beach, where friends and families have met year after year to enjoy the ocean views over pizza and beer in a jug.

Bingham has been working at the eclectic Balboa Peninsula pizza parlor since 1986 and has co-owned it with his wife, Dawn, since 1996.

“Thus, the story goes that Perry’s hasn’t changed much since opening in 1973, and that’s how its devoted fans like it,” says Bingaman, 56. “If you’d change anything in here,” he said, “they’d be very upset.”

But change seems inevitable. A new owner recently bought the building, and Bingaman was told in November 2013 that his lease isn’t being renewed. By sometime in February—he is not sure of the exact date—after 40 years in business, the Perry’s team will be shutting off the ovens, unhooking the kegs and collecting the decades of mementos adorning the walls.

Not only did Corona del Mar High School extend its school-record winning streak, it made a bit of history with a convincing 27-15 triumph over Atherton Sacred Heart Prep in the CIF Division III state championship bowl game at StubHub Center in Carson.

The Sea Kings became the first California team to win 16 games in a season and they did it by turning to the potent rushing attack that has been a trademark of the program during its run to three consecutive section titles.

“To be the first team in California to go 16-0 is special for our guys,” says Coach Scott Meyer. “It’s a lot of games, but we made it through somehow. It’s an amazing accomplishment.”

KAISER SIX-GRADERS LOSING SCIENCE TIME Kaiser Elementary School, located in Costa Mesa, recently changed its science curriculum. While Kaiser students still learn science, they have lost instructional time.

For years, Kaiser sixth-graders have received 90 minutes of science instruction a week, including 30 minutes of an “enrichment program,” 10 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

Newport Beach Lifestyle is your neighborhood publication. To share your news, email LChristopher@LifestylePubs.com.

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A Community Treasure Valinda Martin has Art for the Soul

Article Heidi Darby Photography Deirdre Palladino

V

alinda Martin is a modern day treasure hunter. For the last fifteen years she’s traveled the United States seeking items for her two Art for the Soul stores located on Balboa Island and Laguna Beach. Each of her finds, whether it be a tiny pocket angel or a massive wall hanging, is placed in her stores with the intent of bringing joy, laughter or peace to the future owner. And while her treasures may not fall into the traditional sense of the word, Martin believes they find a way to those who will hold them dear.

Walking through the Balboa Island store reveals a myriad of fairy boxes, handmade jewelry, niche books and custom artwork. Martin describes each item she passes with ease, recounting where the piece came from and the artist who created it. Her attention to detail and excellent memory convey a passion for her stores that have garnered 15 years of success at the flagship Balboa Island location and ten10 years of steady “visitors”—the term she uses for customers—at the Laguna Beach store.

Ensuring that her merchandise holds a degree of meaningfulness is extremely important to Martin, who found hope through similar pieces of art after a boating accident left her paralyzed from the waist down in 1993.

Martin spent time living with her sister in Sacramento following the accident. While adjusting to her new life, her sister would encourage weekend trips to small communities to build Martin’s maneuverability in her chair.

14 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

“My sister was a gem. She helped me get over many of my fears, and I had to learn a lot about myself and she helped me through that,” Martin shares. “We’d go to cool little communities and check out street fairs and art shows. I started picking up things that were energetically beautiful and had messages that helped me with my day.

They put a smile on my face and made me giggle. What I got from those stores up north is what I brought down here.”

Nearly a year later, Martin moved back to Orange County.

She immediately set out to find the right location to open a store that would house items similar to the pieces she discovered while spending time in Northern California. After discovering an opportunity on Balboa Island, she found herself dealing with an

initially skeptical building owner. Spirit and determination led Martin to persuade the landlord to give someone with no experience running a business a shot at owning her own store. Ten years of success at the Balboa location led to the natural progression of opening a second Art for the Soul store in Laguna Beach. Considering her lack of experience and the unstable financial climate of the 2000’s, her success not only vindicated her vision but beat the odds.

“My store is the place where people go when they need to feel inspiration when they’re down,” she says. “Mine is the place you can find the perfect piece for someone who has everything, or the right gift someone who doesn’t have anything … It’s so wonderful to be a part of a gift that’s being given. I love hearing stories of why people love the item they found.”

Every piece that’s carried in both Art for the Soul locations is hand-picked by Martin, who prides herself in only carrying artwork by people she respects on a personal level.

“My merchandise has to have meaning. It’s a meaning store. I only buy what I like, from people that I like. I know a lot of people say that’s not how to create a successful business. Well it’s been that way for me.”

Martin’s charisma is contagious, a claim supported by her employees who assert that their employer makes a habit out of collecting friends wherever she goes. Trinkets and treasures are tucked in every corner of Art for the Soul, including a hand paint-

ed sign made from recycled tobacco wood that reads, “You are a perishable item. Live accordingly.” Martin’s undeniable charm paired with items like the wooden sign have led her to cultivate a business that continues to thrive and inspire.

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Giving Back

A Salute to Our Veterans Corona del Mar Middle School students embrace the gift of giving Article Lysa Christopher | Photography Gary Mathieson

A

lthough the holidays have passed, we look back on a quiet tradition that deserves to be recognized with great fervor.

It’s the annual Corona del Mar Middle School Veterans Holiday Breakfast. This beautiful, time-honored tradition takes place each year during the first week of December, when seventh- and eighth-grade students travel to the Long Beach Veterans Administration hospital to spend the day with veterans.

The event provides students and their families the opportunity to recognize, honor and thank the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. The goal of the program is to teach students to appreciate the sacrifice others have made—a life lesson that simply cannot be taught in the classroom. During the program, students serve food and entertain veterans. They also distribute gifts (donated by the community and individual businesses).

But perhaps the most valuable lesson students learn occurs as they hear veteran heroes share their stories of unbelievable acts of cour16 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and ‘she-roes!’”

— Maya Angelou

age.

“This is a wonderful program for the students as well as the veterans,” says Middle School Principal Guy Olguin. “To be made aware of the veterans that served our country presents a priceless opportunity.”

The students are not the only ones who benefit from this incredible program. Spending time with the students and volunteers is something the veterans also enjoy as they witness the energy and exuberance of youth and the pure joy these young people exhibit. In addition, it’s a perfect opportunity for the veterans to take a break from their daily routine and come together in the spirit of friendship and brother- and sister-hood.

As the saying goes, “It takes a village,” and that’s exactly what is required to execute a program of this magnitude. The community literally comes together in support of this event. Local restaurants and hotels donate food and confections, the student’s parents make homemade treats and local businesses donate the items continued >

February 2014 | Newport Beach Lifestyle 17

Giving Back

(continued)

necessary to make the day a grand success.

At the helm of last year’s program were Cami Young and Kris Holton who, along with an army of volunteers, worked tirelessly to ensure the day went off without a hitch.

“We started preparing for the event in September,” says Young. “It’s all worth it when you see the interaction between the students and veterans. It is so heartwarming to watch the compassion the students show toward the veterans who are so grateful, and appreciate everything. We are so proud to honor them and let them know how much we care.”

Seventh-grade student Rita Debbaneh summed up the overall sentiment best.

“Our freedom is a gift that came with the sacrifices of many in this nation. Veterans are a reminder of those sacrifices,” she says.

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February 2014 | Newport Beach Lifestyle 19

Mar Vista

Meet Renowned Artist Randy Morgan Article Stacy Collins Johnson

Randy Morgan applying finishing touches to a custom bronzed bas-relief tropical fish 20 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

installation in a luxury suite at the Esperanza Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.Â

W

hen I sat down recently with renowned Laguna Beach bas-relief sculptor Randy Morgan at his Laguna Beach studio, he’d just returned from a week at the luxurious Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Did he enjoy himself? Absolutely. Poolside with a view? Sure, overlooking the sweep of Cabo San Lucas bay with whales frolicking in the distance.

Morgan was in his element in Cabo. He was there to install the first of several bronzed bas-relief pieces from his Mar Vista collection. This exciting new body of work celebrates the “life-aquatic,” depicting the serenity of the sea and the power of the waves. It celebrates the incredible sea life of our Pacific coastline.

Sculpting as we chatted, Morgan began telling me about his life.

He’s a natural-born storyteller. As a child, he spent hours sketching thrilling tales of pirate life—only to live adventurously a few years later on the same shores where the swashbucklers roamed.

“All men are pirates at heart,” Morgan says, “We all have a little Errol Flynn in us.”

Not surprisingly, this has influenced his work. Parrots, pelicans, palm trees and island girls are often his subjects. As with most great artists, he’s driven by his craft.

“I’ve always been inspired by Diego Rivera (the Mexican muralist known for his WPA Frescos, and his famous artist wife, Frieda Kahlo) and Ivan Mestiovich (the Croatian artist known for his European bronze sculptures), and by Pablo Picasso—for his lifestyle!”

Rather interesting because Randy the man reminds me a bit of Picasso. His bronze pieces seem to strike a similar balance of strength and feminine earthiness as does a Mestiovich sculpture. The influence is clear.

Morgan is primarily known for his eclectic, exclusive bas-relief bronzed doors for the home and garage, and architectural elements.

Above: Tuscany Door. Custom bronzed bas-relief. Randy Morgan Collection; Above, Left: World champion surfer Alisa Schwarzstein-Cairns with Randy Morgan relaxing in front of Morgan’s block-long bronzed mural, The Waterman’s Wall, in Laguna Beach.

His attention to detail and eye for gorgeous patinas has enabled him to create art that is absolutely breathtaking.

A lot of Morgan’s work has an archeological feel to it as well.

Looking at some of his pieces, I felt transported to a faraway time and place. Enter Tuscany through his bronzed Tuscany door, swim beneath tropical fish in your spa tub, or dream away the hours in the South Pacific with a tribute to Gaugin—the options are limitless.

Your home can truly be your Shangri La. Morgan—the storyteller—also honors communities with his public art commissions. For the City of Upland, it’s a whimsical mural celebrating California’s rich agricultural history. For Lundberg Farms in Northern California, it’s a golden state treasure paying homage to our natural wetlands and farmlands. And, most recently, for the City of Laguna Beach, it’s the first Waterman’s Wall. This block-long bronzed mural, located on the historical Hobie Sports building in downtown Laguna Beach, honors the local heroes and heroines of ocean culture. The community was encouraged to participate in the experience, and so the unveiling of the finished piece was quite an event. continued >

February 2014 | Newport Beach Lifestyle 21

mar vista magic (continued)

“I was stoked to be able to share my vision in honoring the many watermen that I have had the pleasure of knowing over the past 40 years,” Morgan says.

The Waterman’s Wall project brought people together. Serendipitously, Australian surf legend Ian “Kanga” Cairns met Morgan during the planning stages, and since then, the two have become fast friends and artistic collaborators. Cairns’ wife, world champion surfer Alisa Schwarzstein Cairns, is one of the locals depicted in the mural. Cairns and Morgan have since collaborated to create additional Waterman’s Wall projects, with one in the planning stages to honor LA South Bay surf culture. There’s a possibility for future Waterman’s Walls in Huntington Beach and Malibu as well.

And, taking the Waterman’s theme even further, Cairns and Morgan are collaborating on a series of sculptures, The Waterman’s Icons, which celebrates the lives of surf legends throughout the world as part of Morgan’s Waterman’s collection.

“It’s really fun to be able to collaborate with Ian on what, in my mind, are truly hall-of-fame sculptures, and to be able to hear the stories from someone who was actually out there with guys like Eddie Aikau, when the rest of us were on the beach, knees knocking,” Morgan says. In fact, Morgan was busily sculpting one of “the Hawaiians” when we met.

22 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

Collaboration on Watermans Icons: renowned bas-relief artist Randy Morgan (left) and surf legend Ian Cairns. Below: Morgan used a natural patina process when creating his Cabo Mar Vista murals.

Cairns says he enjoys the collaboration.

“I love working with Randy, coming up with the images that illustrate the lives of the amazing people I have surfed with over the years,” says Cairns.

Morgan is a South Coast waterman in his own right. During the 1960s and 70s, he was catching waves daily at Doheny and Trestles.

“We’d go to Church on Sunday. If it wasn’t breaking, we’d walk up to Lowers,” he recalls.

When legendary Newport Beach architect, Arthur Valdes, saw the Laguna Beach Waterman’s Wall, he made the effort to track down Morgan in his Laguna studio.

Valdes then commissioned Morgan to create a series of murals and architectural elements for three luxury suites at the coveted Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas.

The bronzed patina murals depict whales in their natural habitat—which apparently was meant to be, since whales naturally frolic in the bay at the Esperanza. It seems that all of these connections to the ocean— the south coast, art, adventure, beauty and the life aquatic—have converged in the beauty of Morgan’s latest Mar Vista works.

Morgan’s life so far has been pretty colorful—and most of it has been spent near the coast. His career spans more than four decades, and he has long held ties to the Newport Coast. More than 35 years ago, Morgan designed the signage for CDM’s beloved Quiet Woman restaurant for his good friend, well-known chef Michael Leech. When Leech and his wife, Toni, opened Café Zoolu in Laguna Beach some years later, they asked Morgan to create a collection tropical-themed pieces, which are on permanent display at the popular restaurant.

So, whether it’s a custom bronzed door, delicate tile, sculpture, impressive public mural or one of his Waterman’s or Mar Vista fine art pieces, if it’s a Randy Morgan creation, it tells a story, and if you’re lucky, it could be yours.

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Taj Mahal India Revealed Article and photography Colin Roohan

T

ravel abroad is challenging. It puts forth myriad trials, and at times can turn a calm, collected traveler into a fiery ball of rage. I started expanding my travel resume in 2009 while teaching in Seoul, South Korea.

During a three-year sojourn outside of the United States with a newly purchased camera and childlike curiosity, my wanderlust was fueled by my extensive travels throughout southeast and central Asia. I combed white sand beaches in Vietnam and developed a taste for curry in Malaysia during my holidays away from work. Upon visiting five other Asian countries, strange travel occurrences became familiar and I felt compelled to visit the one place that intimidated me the most—India.

Throughout my travels I met people who shared stories of India’s wild and delightfully peculiar vibe. When asked, most had difficulty summarizing their experiences in words, but while attempting to explain the country their demeanor seemed similar across the 24 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

board; each one expressed equal parts of smirks and grimaces topped off by chuckles and scoffs. No one declared their love for India. The more common response was, “You should go and experience it for yourself.”

India seemed to be a complex mystery— one that offers an experience not easily absorbed. After some contemplation, I decided to take the leap and visit after completing a work contract. This would give me plenty of time to explore India. To get a full taste of India’s offerings, I hoped to experience a mix of the spiritual, the modern and the historic. I decided on a route that took a little more than two weeks to complete. It would lead me from Delhi to Kolkata with stops in Agra, Varanasi and Bodhgaya.

My previous trips to Bangkok and Siem Reap, and experiences with tourist traps, helped prepare me for the great unknown, yet I remained fearful of travel in India. Stories I had read or heard about the country revealed details that ranged from common commis-

sion scams to shocking tales of travelers intentionally poisoned with bacteria-ridden food. While the latter was a rare occurrence, the mere fact that these experiences had been reported was cause for nightmares. To make matters worse, the Taj Mahal in Agra, one of the places I planned to visit, was known for running the gamut of tourist scams. “The Taj” is portrayed as one of the most beautiful structures ever created. Despite the dishonesty of some of the nearby population, and I was willing to tolerate any frustration to see it firsthand.

I traveled by train from Delhi to Agra with my wife. The train was scheduled to arrive in Agra Cantt, Agra’s main station, about two hours after our departure. While onboard, we conversed with the Sikh gentleman who shared our cabin. He was a traveling on business. My wife and I were both drawn to him as his appearance and mannerism reminded us of my father. He inquired about our destination and offered to call the guesthouse

where we had a reservation to confirm that a driver would pick us up at the station. He made the call and sternly, but politely, informed the guesthouse staff member of the name of the train we were on, and its arrival time. When he hung up, he turned to us and said, “Maybe this guesthouse is no good, but they said they will be there.” We thanked him for his generosity.

As the conversation slowed, our fellow passenger ordered a cup of chai from a quick-moving wallah and then turned his attention to his briefcase. He began shuffling papers when, to everyone’s surprise, a rat scurried across the floor and passed under my wife’s feet. She caught a glimpse of the rodent, quickly drew her knees to her chest and let out a high-pitched shriek. The passenger was amused and let out a little chuckle. I’m not sure if the rodent or my wife’s shriek was more alarming but it gave us all a good laugh.

As the train chugged forward, the passenger ordered another chai and went back to sorting his papers. He finished the tea and placed the cup on a small table next to his seat. He retrieved a chain and a lock from his briefcase, which he closed and slid under his seat. He wrapped the chain several times around one leg of his seat after threading the chain through the handle of his briefcase.

He closed the lock with a click. Later, as the blood-red sun was in mid-descent, we noticed the man had crossed his legs and closed his eyes. He was murmuring under his breath.

My wife and I attempted to hide our curiosity with idle stares into our books, all the while enchanted by the man’s conversation with a higher power.

Shortly after the passenger’s prayer ended, the train eased into Agra’s Cantt Station. The passenger again offered to contact our guesthouse, but not wanting to inconvenience him further, we declined his offer, collected our luggage and said goodbye. As we exited the train, we were met by overwhelming swarms of mosquitos and taxi drivers, both competing for our attention. To our surprise, there was no guesthouse driver in sight, no sign bearing our name, no royal greeting. In the center of a circle of flamboyant drivers all bidding for our fare, we sat down and doused ourselves with insect repellant. We applied the spray so liberally that most of the mosquitos and drivers fled. When the fog cleared, the spray had eliminated all but a few drivers. I picked one and began bartering, a well-rehearsed routine in India.

The driver pulled up to a dimly lit, ramshackle establishment with no sign. I went inside, and after receiving confirmation that we were at our intended destination, I grabbed our luggage and paid the driver. I gave my name at the check-in desk and informed the concierge of my reservation. He searched through a large binder for my listing, looked up and said, “It appears you never made a reservation, sir.” His answer took me by complete surprise. After telling him about the Sikh’s

previous conversation with the guesthouse management, the concierge called for the owner of the guesthouse. He arrived, greeted us with a grin, and served as mediator while the concierge and I each told our side of the story. The owner apologized, confirmed there was no room available that night and told us to come back the following day. I said I had proof that a reservation was made, and asked to use the guesthouse Wi-Fi to show him the email I had received from a staff member who had confirmed the reservation. He led us into a courtyard and provided the establishment’s Wi-Fi password. I quickly opened the email and shared it with him. He skimmed the message and, without a word, he got up and headed toward the front desk.

After a loud discussion, the owner returned and said, “I apologize, but whoever took your reservation didn’t write it down. And since the email you showed me had a time and date along with my employee’s name I was able to call him to see if he spoke with you. Indeed, he had.

However, as I stated earlier, all of our rooms are full tonight. To this I apologize.”

We pleaded with him for options. Following a few seconds of contemplation, the owner excused himself and walked back to the front desk. After an engaging conversation with the concierge, the owner came back to our table, offered us a room which is usually used as an office, and said the staff would “bring in a cot continued >

February 2014 | Newport Beach Lifestyle 25

TAJ MAHAL

(continued)

and convert it into a room.” My wife and I were in disbelief but our fatigued bodies welcomed the makeshift room. By the time we settled in, I was beginning to think this would cast a fog over our travels.

The next morning, we woke poorly rested, but were soon delighted by the news that there was a real room awaiting us. The transition was quick and pleasant. After coffee and a light breakfast, we were ready to see Agra.

We planned to spend the day seeing some of Agra’s lesser-known historical monuments such as Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daula’s tomb. Both displayed beautiful examples of Mughal architecture. We ended the day on the banks of the Yamuna River, which flows behind the Taj Mahal. The riverbed was fairly dry, but as the sun cast its pinkish-golden hue, the view of the rear of the Taj Mahal was divine. We sat watching the crowds walk through the complex while the monument’s huge white domes towered over them. It built up our excitement for the following day when we would see the Taj Mahal up close.

The next morning, we awoke to see our driver and the car’s slightly illuminated headlights waiting outside. The driver flashed a smile as we hopped into the auto rickshaw.

The trip was surprisingly quiet until we got close to the Taj Mahal’s compound. We could tell we were in the presence of something buzzworthy from about five blocks away.

Vendors, guides and salesmen came flooding into the street, approaching anything that breathed. “Guided Tour? Best views? Cold

water?” This continued relentlessly until we reached the entrance where the touts were deterred by AK-47-carrying guards. The staff searched visitors from head to toe after leading them through metal detectors. The crowd wasn’t enormous, but the small line starting to form behind us was an indicator of things to come.

I planned to head straight to the Taj Mahal, saving all other destinations within the complex for the latter part of the morning. We walked as quickly as we could, passing groups of up to 20 people. The arched gateway at the entrance of the grounds is grandiose, with its dark looming overhead presence adding to the romanticism of it all. We passed through the threshold and stood in silence staring at the huge structure in the foreground. The morning light bounced off the ivory-white marble causing an illuminated aura to surround the Taj. She was truly divine. The lawns were carefully manicured and the water from

the fountains sparkled. One quick look was all it took for us to forget the annoyances we experienced during our journey. The closer we got to the Taj, the higher it seemed to loom. I looked around and noticed the diverse crowd in a state of awe. There were tourists, both foreign and Indian, all taking in the moment.

Most of them stared up in silence. Some were so moved they turned to the power of prayer.

I couldn’t help but wonder if the Taj Mahal had been built in any other city, would its beauty compete with the hulking skyscrapers and vast skylines? I found my answer shortly after, while walking to the rear of the structure. The early morning light, which we were facing, had diffracted around the Taj. The structure looked virtuous and every bit deserving of the foundation upon which it sat.

In that moment nothing could compete with the Taj Mahal; not skyscrapers, not even tourist scams. It was divine.

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Lifestyle Calendar

February

FEBRUARY 2 SURF CITY MARATHON & HALF MARATHON HUNTINGTON BEACH

This exclusive oceanfront course is a California dream. Run on Pacific Coast Highway past the famous Huntington Beach pier and wind through the legendary surfing beaches of Southern California. Retro surf bands entertain along the way and the finish line party includes a beach side beer garden. Finishers receive surfboard medals. Info@ RunSurfCity.com

FEBRUARY 3-6 LAGUNA BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL LAGUNA BEACH

FEBRUARY 1

From Brooklyn with Love: This festival is dedicated to artistic excellence and innovation, featuring an internationally acclaimed Mentor Musician or Ensemble along with other talented artists in a week-long blend of performances and education. For venues and ticket information: LagunaBeachMusicFestival.com

GET OUTDOORS

FEBRUARY 6

MURTH CENTER AT UPPER NEWPORT BAY

CINEMA ORANGE FILM SERIES

Happier, healthier, smarter. Join the Murth Center for outdoor activities geared to inspire your family to spend time outside. Easy naturalist-led hikes, nature crafts and more. Noon to 3 p.m. This event is free.

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FEBRUARY 1-16

Now in its tenth season celebrating the cinematic works of emerging and established independent filmmakers, OCMA and the Newport Beach Film Festival present the 2014 Cinema Orange film series. 6:30– 8:30 pm. Soho Taco food truck onsite. Film screening (TBD). OCMA.net

A QUEST FOR BEAUTY: THE ART OF VAN

FEBRUARY 7-9

CLEEF & ARPELS

TET FESTIVAL

BOWERS MUSEUM

GARDEN GROVE

For Van Cleef & Arpels, jewelry is an art form and its influential story will be told through four design categories: nature, orientalism, elegance and femininity. This stunning exhibition features more than 200 unique pieces from the private collections of Van Cleef & Arpels. 714.567.3600.

Year of the Horse: Come experience the Tet Festival. Sponsored by the Union of Vietnamese Students Association. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the first day of the lunar year. The event is held annually in February in Garden Grove Park. For detailed event information: TetFestival.org

FEBRUARY 1-28 ANIMAL GROSSOLOGY

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Animal Grossology gets to the nitty-gritty of some of the yuckiest stuff found in the animal kingdom. This unique exhibit combines scientific learning with disgusting fun, and visitors will experience some of the slimiest, stinkiest and downright yuckiest creatures on Earth. Hands-on, interactive displays introduce scientific concepts to kids in ways that make them giggle. Get en-GROSS-ed in this exhibit to learn how blood, vomit pellets and more can be fun, funky and fascinating. 714.542.2823.

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30 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. SCFTA.org.

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32 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

Health and beauty.

Dr. Bunkis is a Harvard Trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Newport Beach. With the start of the New Year, getting fit is on the minds of many people.

Dr. Bunkis will answer a question with before and after photos from actual patients.

JURIS BUNKIS, M.D., F.AC.S.

“I hate my inner arms. I am 56 years old, have never been fat, I eat well and exercise almost every day. My muscles are strong but the skin of my inner arms jiggles when I move my arm and my arms look gross. I saw a plastic surgeon who tried to talk me into having inner arm skin excised and showed me some photographs. I could not believe the scar! A friend of mine had her inner arms liposuctioned but her arm skin still jiggles.

Are there any other alternatives?”

—J.L., Corona Del Mar

elasticity, it would be unlikely for a liposuction alone to improve the inner arm skin laxity. Fortunately, we now have an alternative for the “in between” patients who are too lax for a liposuction alone but not bad enough to warrant the long and visible scar along the inner arm.

Our new option is a radiofrequency treatment in which, after a liposuction, through the same tiny stab wounds, a radiofrequency probe with a temperature sensor near the tip is inserted into the layer just beneath the skin and the skin heated to 60 degrees Celsius, a temperature that scientists have found will cause significant skin shrinkage without causing surface burns. Orange County Plastic Surgery was the first medical practice in Orange County to acquire this unique new technology in 2012, the hottest new radiofrequency procedure now available.

Dr. Juris Bunkis has developed an extensive experience with this technology and has been asked by the manufacturer, ThermiAesthetics®, to be on the company’s Clinical Advisory Board and to serve as a teacher to other physicians wishing to use this technology. This minimally invasive procedure works well for inner arms, necks, abdomens and thighs. Patients who have a significant excessive amount of skin excess will still be better served with a facelift, tummy tuck, arm or thigh lift or other traditional procedure. But this procedure is ideal for any patient who is not bad enough for the aforementioned procedures but wishes a tighter neck, tighter inner arm, less folds above the bra or in front of the axilla, less abdominal or back folds, with cellulite, or inner thigh laxity, not severe enough to warrant a skin excision. If you have any specific questions about cosmetic procedures, your best bet would be to see a qualified plastic surgeon to review your options. Please feel free to contact our office at 949-888-9700 to schedule a consultation. You may also visit our web site at www.orangecountyplasticsurgery.com to see further examples of similar patients.

Before and after photo of Inner Arm ThermiAesthetic® procedure in a fit, thin, 67 year old female, certainly not with enough skin laxity to warrant a brachioplasty. Actual OCPS patient. Results may vary.

We would have to see you in person to let you know what options would be best suited to your situation.

Treatments do range from a simple liposuction procedure to an excision of inner arm skin. Inner arm skin excision is called a brachioplasty and is an excellent procedure for patients who have a massive skin excess following weight loss. But you are correct in saying that the resultant scar extends from the arm pit to the elbow, will usually spread and be noticeable, and is not appropriate for most patients who are not in the massive weight loss category. In someone who has lost a hundred pounds and began with a lot of excess skin, the scar is an acceptable trade off to having the extra skin. Liposuction is another alternative but is most effective in younger patients who do have a mild fatty excess, no skin excess, and still have good skin tone. But if your friend is similar to you in age, with some loss of skin

Before and after photo of Neck ThermiAesthetic® procedure in a 40 year old with minor neck laxity but not enough to warrant a facelift procedure. Actual OCPS patient. Results may vary.

Parting Thoughts

Art is Education Words Lysa Christopher

T

echnology may be king but it appears to be sucking the creativity right out of our children. Forget video games like Call of Duty, Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto; what ever happened to arts and crafts, playing pretend and using your imagination?

According to a report created by The Education Fund in 2012, the importance of art and art education in the development of a child’s overall personality and skills is undeniable. The report shows that exposure to art education promotes self-directed learning, improves school attendance and sharpens critical and creative skills. In fact, several recent studies have concluded that the creativity and innovation utilized in the artistic process will be highly valued by employers in the United States in the coming years as we continue to shift into a global economy.

Teachers are the first to point out how creative arts programs have strongly influenced their students’ self-image and increased their academic success in the areas of math, science and language. But, sadly, during these difficult economic times, arts programs are the first to be sacrificed. In addition, in many schools where classroom space is limited, art “studios” are now only contained in a cart that is wheeled by teachers from room to room, severely limiting the education students receive.

Does art education really help?

Creativity

During art programs, students are often given materials and asked to draw whatever comes to mind. Such free-flowing art activities foster creativity in children and help develop their imagination as well as decision-making skills.

Critical Thinking and Communication Skills

Art develops a child’s intelligence. Studies have shown that exposure of children to art helps in promoting brain activity. A child learns how to problem-solve. They also learn how to convey their thoughts 34 Newport Beach Lifestyle | February 2014

and ideas in numerous ways. During art classes, various pieces of art are discussed in detail. This discussion makes students capable of expressing themselves well during debates or in speech classes.

Personality Development

Art forms such as drama activities develop the overall personality of a child. They build a child’s self-esteem and make them disciplined.

Due to their engagement in art, a child becomes much more creative and innovative. They develop motivation and also learn how to cooperate with others.

Observational Skills

Art activities for children improve their observational skills. For example, the skills that are required to draw a sketch of a house are the same that are required to understand the solar system or to figure out why a particular classmate is behaving in a particular manner.

Inquisitive Spirit

Kids’ art activities make them curious. A child learns how to question things by participating in arts. After drawing a sketch, if a child does not like the final outcome, they erase and re-draw certain portions. Thus, they learn “trial and error” through art and applies it to real-life situations.

The importance of art education can be understood from the fact that the whole of human history has been conveyed to us through various art forms such as literature, music, visual arts, dance and drama. Art transcends all boundaries—geographical or cultural. Art can bring imagination to life and give life to imagination.

It may be difficult to pry the video controller from your kid’s hands but keep this fact in mind: Engaging in art activities is a must for children for their social, emotional, intellectual and personal development. Let's save creativity, embrace the arts!

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