Newport Beach December 2015 by City Lifestyle

Newport Beach DECEMBER 2015

NewportBeachLifestylePubs.com

™

Holiday

ROOSEVELT CHRISTMAS MEMORIES HOLIDAY HOME TOUR YULETIDE IN NEW YORK ADDICTION AND THE FAMILY

Karen Santaniello

Bryce Santaniello

Global Real Estate Advisor

949.705.7373

714.600.3719

karen.santaniello@evusa.com

bryce.santaniello@evusa.com

CalBRE #00621533

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©2015 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principals of the Fair Housing Act. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing.

YACHTING

art

Where and individual meet.

style

At Cottage Colour our artisan-designed fashion personifies the distilled essence of luxury, comfort and form. As purveyors of exclusively hand-woven, 100% silk couture, luxurious comfort and practical elegance are hallmarks of our creations.

2836 East Coast Hwy - Corona del Mar, California

949.656.6015

CottageColour.com

Lifestyle Letter

The magic of the holidays.

DECEMBER 2015 publisher

Randy Harding | RHarding@LifestylePubs.com 714.600.4759

o say that I love Christmas is an understatement! I love everything about it–selecting and purchasing our Christmas tree, shopping for loved ones, decorating our home, singing Christmas Eve service at our church, preparing Christmas dinner and enjoying the smells emanating from the kitchen, taking that first bite of mashed potatoes and gravy and then the turkey, seeing the delighted expressions on loved ones faces as they open their gifts. I could go on and on.

co-publisher

Ana Launes editor

Donna Bunce | DBunce@LifestylePubs.com contributing writers

Corie Goodson, Ana Launes, Deirdre Michalski, Sarah Mosqueda, Andrea Poe, Jenn Tanaka contributing photographers

Ann Chatillon, Rick Chatillon, Matt Fukushima,

Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Noblesville, Indiana, I remember Christmas as a special time for our family. My mother made it so. Our house was always beautifully decorated, and mother's Christmas dinner was a precursor to mine today. My sister and I duplicate her cornbread dressing and green bean casserole (you know, the one with mushroom soup and onion ring topping), and she was a master at gravy making. Luckily, I've been able to create a yummy gravy for that special meal as well. I don't remember what we had for dessert, but I have since figured out how to make a luscious apple pie, complete with a brown sugar, butter and chopped walnut topping that knocks your socks off. My family yearns for it every year! It always seemed to snow at or around Christmas in Noblesville. It was part of the magic of the season. My family bundled up on Christmas Eve and headed to church for the midnight service, where my entire family sang in the choir. The "Hallelujah Chorus" was usually our musical finale. Those days are long gone, and Doug and I have been in sunny California for many years, but I remember watching the Rose Bowl games on New Year's Day in Noblesville and wondering how it could possibly be that warm and sunny while I was freezing in the Midwest. Well, we've enjoyed those warm, sunny Christmases for years, and, frankly, sometimes we yearn for the snow and cold. Be careful what you wish for!

Nick Koon, Ryan Miller, Ron Remy, Carla Rhea, Teresa Taylor senior sales executive

Bryan Grupe account managers

Ken Finocchio

corporate team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

| Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER

| Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ART DIRECTOR EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AD COORDINATORS

| DeLand Shore | Brad Broockerd

| Sara Minor | Nicole Sylvester

| Cyndi Harrington, Chelsi Hornbaker

COPY EDITOR

| Kendra Mathewson

APPLICATION ARCHITECT WEB DEVELOPER

| Michael O’Connell | Hanna Park

As we approach this special time of year, whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, or enjoy the season without any religious connotation, I am hoping we will all want to reach out to others with acts of kindness. Christmas is a lot about giving. I wish you peace and joy and a large dose of happiness this holiday season. Happy Holidays! Donna Bunce, Editor DBunce@LifestylePubs.com Donna Bunce, Editor DBunce@LifestylePubs.com

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ON THE COVER We hope the joy of the season lights up your holidays this month. 4

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

TALK TO US

P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 Newport Beach Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications 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 Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications 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.

December 2015

Departments

24 New York’s Noel Kiss

Good Times

Around Town

Style Wise

Hot Spot

Sold Properties

Locally Owned

Lifestyle Calendar

Parting Thoughts

A Big Apple salute to the holidays.

28 Addiction and the Family

Guidance to top treatment centers.

32 Treasured Remembrances

Mary Roosevelt shares Christmas memories.

40 Home for the Holidays

Don't miss the 19th annual Balboa Island Home Tour.

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Good Times

Newport Beach Fire & Lifeguard Honors

Three hundred guests gathered in the Rose Garden at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel for the 18th Annual dinnerÂ hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. Balboa Bars were the dessert of choice!

Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce President/ CEO Steve Rosansky with City of Newport Beach Assistant City Attorney Leonie Mulvihill

Left, Andy Matsuyama, Seasonal Lifeguard of the Year

Newport Beach Fire Department Chief, Scott Poster with Firefighter of the Year Casey Blythe

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Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

Cheers to 25 Years

Working Wardrobes celebrated 25 years of empowering women and men to confidently enter the workforce at its anniversary gala at Hotel Irvine. Founder/CEO Jerri Rosen received a beautiful commemorative piece for her efforts. PHOTOGRAPHY ANN CHATILLON

Working Wardrobes' Jerri Rosen accepting honor

Working Wardrobes Board Chair Kim Shepherd

December 2015 | Newport Beach Lifestyle

Good Times

Beat the Drum for the Arts

Costa Mesa High School Foundation held an Asian-themed fundraiser at the Garden Terrace at South Coast Plaza, where music arts department head Jon Lindfors was presented CMHS's "Vision Award." PHOTOGRAPHY NICK KOON

South Coast Plaza executive Werner Escher, gala CMHS Principal Jacob Haley, Vision Award Honoree Jon Lindfors, center, with his wife Michele chair and foundation chair Katrina Foley honoree Jon Lindfors, Supervisor Steele's District Lindfors, left, and his mother Judy Lindfors Representative Jim Whitacre

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Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

Celebrating Advocacy and Entrepreneurship

More than 100 National Association of Women Business Owners–Orange County (NAWBO-OC) members celebrated their 25th anniversary at the Irvine Marriott. Eleven past presidents shared memories and cake and champagne were de rigueur. PHOTOGRAPHY TERESA TAYLOR

Current NAWBO-OC President Penny Fox with President Elect Elisabeth Camaur and member Lori Yamato and Past President Linda Pinson NAWBO National CEO Jen Earle Cynthia Hackler

Immediate Past President Dee Elliott and member Katy Triefenbach Past Presidents Susan Johnson and Kathy Dawson

David Shahoian, past president Loreen Gilbert and Sherry Powers

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Good Times

A Red Carpet Affair

Discovery Cube's Hollywood-themed gala at its new Julianne Argyros Showcase Theater and Exhibition Hall netted $457,000 for its science education and programs, led by gala co-chairs Janet Ray and Mechelle Lawrence-Adams. PHOTOGRAPHY ANN CHATILLON, RICK CHATILLON, MATT FUKUSHIMA

Arnold O. Beckman Award presented to Julia and George Argyros, center

Linda White-Peters, second from right, received the Spirit of Discovery Award

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

Fighting Hunger with Fashion

The Harvesters 23rd Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon at Segerstrom Center for the Arts featured top-drawer fashions, sponsored by South Coast Plaza, and a sumptuous luncheon, which netted $675,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank. PHOTOGRAPHY CARLA RHEA AND RYAN MILLERÂ

Event co-chair Susan Croul, SHFB CEO Nicole Suydam, South Coast Plaza Marketing Executive Director Debra Gunn Downing, event chair Melissa Knode

Harvesters Excutive Board member Jennifer Segerstrom and her husband Anton Segerstrom, Managing Partner, South Coast Plaza

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December 2015 | Newport Beach Lifestyle

Around Town than 500 scholarships and graduate fellow-

powering women and girls, both locally

ships were funded and 50 academic chairs

and globally, has inspired many commu-

endowed. Here! Here!

nity projects over the years–providing the

UCI.edu/Shaping-the-Future

original land for the Girls and Boys Club of Costa Mesa, now Girls Inc. being one. Attending were the Mosaic Teens, part of the club’s new “Dream It. Be It.” initiative for mentoring and educating young girls to be leaders.

Celia Lerum, Michael Fletcher, Cathy Bramnick, Leslie Figge, Greg Figge

CAPTURING LIFE’S MOMENTS The revered Figge family, known for their iconic photography business in Newport Beach, celebrated their 70th anniversary with 200 of their loyal clients, closest friends

Photo: Ann Watson Photography

and supportive family at the Port Theater in Corona del Mar. The event featured comfort

THE RITZ IS BACK!

food bites, including mini-sliders, signature

Saddened by the closing of one of our

martinis, the musical stylings of The Hi-Fi

favorite Newport Beach icons, The Ritz

Honeydrops and, of course, a photo booth

Restaurant and Garden has risen from the

for guests to photograph themselves at the

ashes and reopened as The Ritz Prime Sea-

Mad Men-themed party. The evening cele-

food in the old Chart House location on PCH

brated Bill and Melba Figge, who started the

in Newport Beach. Kudos to the team for

business in 1945. FiggeStudio.com

creating an elegant contemporary setting with a jawdropping waterfront view. Chef

‘ART IN THE PARK’ SHINES

Phil Kastel’s sumptuous menu is perfection.

More than 1,100 visitors attended the 12th

However, in a nod to the past, it was nice to

Annual “Art in the Park” at the Newport

see the caviar-topped Ritz Egg on the menu.

Beach Civic Center. Presented by the New-

RitzRestaurant.com

port Beach Arts Foundation, 107 artists and artisans sold original artwork and fine crafts, with some visitors creating their own art project with the Chuck Jones animation stu-

BAKING FOR CHARITY

dio. Funds generated support free “Concerts on the Green,” Shakespeare in the Park” and

Chris Trela, Newport Beach Indepen-

docent-led tours of the sculpture park each

dent editor and adjunct professor of PR

Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.

at Chapman University, has another tal-

NewportBeachArtInThePark.com

ent–he bakes cookies. His cookies have

FUNDRAISING PAID OFF UC Irvine announced it has reached its

Dalia Lugo, second from right, with Mosaic teens (l-r) Taylor Smith, Allison Crandell, Sophia Thomas, Ashley Branca and Natalia Wojtasek

goal to raise $1 billion in private donations over a 10-year period. The Shaping of the

received ribbons at the OC Fair. They’re that good! He is launching Sweet Charity Cookies this month. Monthly, he will be offering half the net profits from all cook-

LET’S HEAR IT FOR 60 YEARS!

ies sales to a different nonprofit. The busi-

Future campaign, led by fundraising guru

The Soroptimist International Newport

ness name is a takeoff on musicals, such

Doug Freeman, attracted more than 113,000

Harbor Area Club celebrated its 60th an-

as his “Phantom” Chocolate Chocolate

donors and invested in energy and the envi-

niversary at the home of President Dalia

Chip, “Damn Yankees” Peanut Butter and

ronment, global leadership, health, learning

Lugo and husband Mike in Newport Beach.

“Wicked” Dark Chocolate Butterscotch.

and the mind and support of students. More

Its mission of inspiring, educating and em-

Yum! SweetCharityCookies.org

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

Style Wise

ARTICLE ANA LAUNES PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Gift Sripoowong and Ellis Wongsearaya, Cottage Colour owners, at their store in Corona del Mar

wo months ago, while I was driving through Corona del Mar, a

search of new ventures. After realizing that he could not find any-

new store with a different and innovative style caught my eye. I

thing in Thailand at that time, he decided to explore the U.S. market.

was certainly intrigued, so I decided to pull over and visit the store.

It was at this time that Gift suggested the idea of a new venture in

I was about to meet the most refreshing and inspirational fashion

fashion design. The original idea lacked definition, but had the firm

designer in Orange County.

intention of forming and consolidating a U.S. silk network to repre-

Gift Sripoowong and Ellis Wongsearaya, owners of Cottage Colour,

sent and introduce the cultural heritage of the Thai handwoven silk

enthusiastically told me about their brand and the story behind it. The

communities. Gift, possessing a strong knowledge and training in the

friendly and happily-married couple run the business together. Ellis

business of handwoven silk, in addition to her extraordinary passion

acts as a principal and managing partner alongside his talented wife

for fashion design and financial training, was the perfect complement

and fashion designer, Gift.

to this initiative. Their initial idea has transformed into what we know

Gift, originally from Isaan, Thailand, had a passion for design from

today as Cottage Colour.

a very early age. She grew up immersed in the commerce and trade of artisan woven silk in the northeastern region of Thailand, famous for the production of handwoven silk. This complicated industry not

THE HISTORY OF THAI SILK

Empress Si Ling Chi of China is credited

only requires the expert to have been breastfed on the Thai culture

with discovering silk. History tells us that

and traditions, but to impeccably master the laws of commerce and

while the empress was sitting under a

finance. For this reason, Gift’s father persuaded her to graduate with a

mulberry tree in a palace garden having

college degree before getting involved in the world of fashion design

tea, a silkworm's cocoon reportedly fell

and the silk trade. Once she finished her Bachelor of Arts in finance,

out of the tree into her cup. While removing

Gift became a stockbroker for five years, a risk-management agent

it from her tea, she discovered the fine silk fil-

for another five years and, finally, she spent two years as a financial

ament of the cocoon beginning to unravel.

advisor for the Thai Military Bank.

Silkworm and cocoon

This secret was guarded by the Chinese for millennia by putting to

In 2009, while working in the wealth management division of the Thai

death anyone found guilty of smuggling silkworm eggs, cocoons, or

Military Bank, she was assigned to a new account, Ellis Wongsearaya. The

mulberry seeds. Silk became the cloth of emperors and royalty and

couple had a business relationship, which evolved into a friendship, and

a great source of wealth. However, about 1900 years ago, a Chinese

ultimately, into a sweet love story that resulted in a 2013 marriage.

princess, who married an Indian prince, is reported to have success-

During 2013, Ellis, who holds a master’s degree in zoology, a JD, or

fully smuggled silkworm eggs out of China in her headdress and then

graduate law degree, from the University of Vermont and a second

fed them the leaves of the Indian mulberry tree. Since then, silk pro-

master’s degree in public policy, was exploring the Thai market in

duction has spread to other Asian countries and the world. CONTINUED >

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

w w w . l a f o n t . c o m

WESTCLIFF OPTOMETRY

DR. H. MICHAEL SHACK T h e r a p e u t i c O p t o m e t r i s t 1 7 2 5 We s t c l i f f D r i v e , N e w p o r t B e a c h , C a l i f o r n i a 9 2 6 6 0

9 4 9 .7 2 0 .0 2 0 4

shackeyes@aol.com

E Y E E X A M I N AT I O N S CO N TAC T L E N S E S DESIGNER EYEWEAR BRANDS PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED

Style Wise

(CON TI N U ED)

Dyed Thai silk threads

Preparing Thai silk thread for weaving

Thai silk weavers at work

Thai silk is produced by Thai caterpil-

The silk is created by individual, indepen-

Pierre Cardin, famous for his geometric

lars raised on Thai mulberry leaves by

dent women weavers at their homes, using

shapes and motifs that frequently ignore the

Thai weavers in the northeastern region

traditional methods and their own looms.

female form, is also the father of "the bubble

of Thailand. Once the cocoon is pulled

Thai silk is made with one color for the warp

dress,” introduced in 1954. He is responsible

from the mulberry bush, it is placed in a

and another color for the weft. This produc-

for the fashion concepts of timeless, fresh,

tank of boiling water, which separates the

es the sheen and luster of Cottage Colour

and simplistic designs. On the other hand,

silk thread of the cocoon from the cater-

silk and creates the unique blends, which

Valentino is synonymous with extravagance

pillar inside. The silk from Thailand's cat-

change depending on the angle of light.

and is responsible for the femininity and de-

erpillars varies in color from light gold to

In contrast, imitation polyester silk shines

tail-oriented couture of Gift’s designs.

very light green. A cocoon is comprised of

white, regardless of the angle of the light.

Each Cottage Colour design is a timeless and

one thread that is 500-1,500 meters long.

The process to obtain the fabric is tedious

unique piece of art, which implicitly displays

A single filament is too thin to use alone,

and time consuming, and its short supply

the cultural heritage and values of the Thai silk

so many threads are combined to make

justifies its high economic market value. Cot-

communities. The intention is to introduce these

a thicker, more practical fiber. Thai silk is

tage Colour pieces show the magnificently

pieces to the Orange County market, so that

usually soft, but has a relatively coarse tex-

rich, exotic beauty of Thai silk. These pieces,

the local community can embrace these cultur-

ture with uneven, slightly knotty threads.

with proper care, can last a century or more.

al traditions. Visit the Cottage Colour boutique

These traits make it extremely suitable for

This is why each Cottage Colour piece is a

and experience an exhibition of extraordinary

weaving by hand. The weavers wash the

unique work of art.

hand-woven 100 percent silk couture, custom

raw silk threads, bleach them and soak

In addition, each Cottage Colour piece has

them in hot water. Finally, the threads are

been designed incorporating the influences

washed again, stretched, and put through

of its creator. Gift, as a designer, is a passion-

Cottage Colour, 2836 East Coast Hwy., Corona del

a final dying process. When that is com-

ate follower of the works of the Italian-born

Mar, CA 92625, 949.656.6015 CottageColour.com.

pleted, the threads are wound onto spools

French fashion designer, Pierre Cardin, and

Store hours: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat-

or drums in preparation for weaving.

Italian fashion designer, Valentino.

urday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, by appointment only

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

linen and cotton pieces.

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Hot Spot

‘Tis The season

The Veranda's rooftop setting seats 80

A UNIQUE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION STARTS WITH AN UNEXPECTED OC LOCALE ARTICLE JENN TANAKA | PHOTOGRAPHY MOZAMBIQUE

ecember is flooded with festive happenings. Galas, dinners and charity events dot the cal-

endars of the county’s most illustrious residents. However, the occasions that we most fondly re-

Durban Bar & Grill seats 42 and features a private bar, cigar room and fireplace

member are the comforting meals that we share with our closest loved ones. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a large dance party affair, Orange County is afflux with hidden gems, such as Laguna Beach’s Mozambique Steakhouse, that make for an ideal, albeit unexpected, backdrop for a spirited holiday soirée. Since it opened in 2005, Mozambique has transported diners to a South African-inspired Bedouin hideaway. The cobalt blue tiles and green palm fronds at the restaurant’s Pacific Coast Highway entrance add to its hacienda-style architecture. The restaurant’s avian ambassadors, colorful macaws named Byera and Pemba, welcome Mozambique’s guests with lively squawks and caws. A friendly toucan named Nancy and a violet turaco called Beep complete the feathered menagerie. The birds seamlessly fit with the restaurant’s exteri-

Shebeen Room's open space dining seats 94 20

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

or, which is accented with dusty red bricks and iron-rod light fixtures.

Mozambique’s décor is a vibrant mélange of African art melded with a Mediterranean flair and enhanced with subtle modern flourishes. The owner, Ivan Spiers, spent several summers of his youth trekking through Mozambique and South Africa with his family. The restaurant’s menu and ambiance are an ode to his fond childhood memories. The cavernous rooms that wind throughout the restaurant add to its rustic hideaway allure. The rooftop bar, which is a notable local hotspot, provides unique views of Laguna. From this vantage point, you see both the blue Pacific and the expansive, highly coveted homes encased in the hills.

Garden Patio seats 50

On a recent evening, the lavender-tinted clouds speckled the horizon as the sun set into the ocean. The vibrant swashes of orange and fuchsia danced off the palapas hoisted outside. Mozambique is packed each evening, thanks to its extremely popular rooftop happy hour service, but the restaurant’s 12,00- square-feet space dedicated

Boma Room, Mozambique's most popular room, seats 85

to private events is what really impresses OC party planners. Based on the size of the event, Mozambique strives to make each experience unique, from customizing menus to staging photos with the restaurant’s resident macaws. The space is so massive that gatherings range from small and intimate family affairs to expansive large parties with up to 350 guests and live entertainment. Mozambique is well known for its lively music and refreshing libations. Fortunately, the staff is also aware that one too many drinks can lead to a disastrous outcome. So, the owners devised a genius plan. Mozambique provides complimentary local transportation for up to 45 guests. Which means your partygoers will not only arrive safely, but in style. The luxury black car service is another one of the highlights of hosting a celebration at this Laguna Beach destination. Another reason is the food. For newcomers, Mozambican cuisine is a culmination of several cultures blended together. Spices from Africa and Asia combined with Portuguese-inspired dishes create a cornucopia of vibrant flavors. For expats, Mozambique’s peri peri seasoning is the closest thing that one can get locally to the flavors of their homeland. Over the years, Spiers honed his taste for southwestern African-inspired art and, at the same time, he also grew quite fond of the area’s flavorful cuisine. Wood-grilled prawns with a smoky essence are served shell on, with sweet mango salsa and the restaurant’s signature peri peri sauce, which is a blend of several ingredients, including crushed chilies, paprika and citrus peels. The menu fea-

PDR, the executive board room with fireplace, seats 20

Mozambique's resident toucan, Nancy

tures seafood towers of chilled Atlantic lobster tails, freshly shucked oysters, large prawns and ceviche to hearty 22-ounce prime bonein rib eye steaks. However, Spiers’ commitment to Mozambique’s patrons extends beyond the dining room. When a small fire ignited in June 2013, the restaurant was forced to close temporarily. The one problem: Mozambique was scheduled to host a wedding that evening.

Chilean Sea Bass, seasoned with Moroccan spices and served with a potpourri of artichokes, fennel, tomatoes, asparagus, pesto-mashed potatoes and a buerre blanc saffron sauce

Amid the chaos, Spiers jumped into action. He knew how special this day was for the couple and their families. So rather than disappointing the bride, he instructed his staff to pack up everything for the wedding into two trucks. To the surprise of everyone, the trucks headed directly to Spiers’ own home. He saved the day and left a lasting impression on Laguna. MozambiqueOC.com December 2015 | Newport Beach Lifestyle

Holiday & MEET GREET

Dr. Smrecek and Team invite you to join us in our annual Open House. Come by our office to meet the staff and learn about our office. We want to celebrate you because you are the best part of what we do. Discover the magic of our Itero速 scanner with a complimentary digital scan for Invisalign速.

Join Us for Food, Drinks and Holiday Cheer. Friday, December 18, 2015 4:00-8:00pm Dr. Peter T. Smrecek, D.D.S., Inc. 1401 Avocado Avenue, Suite 806, Newport Beach, CA 92660

(949) 759-8606 | www.petersmrecekdds.com

BIG APPLE! A SALUTE TO THE

There’s no place like New York at holiday time.

Rockefeller Center and its iconic Christmas tree/Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer Gregory Scaffidi

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

ew York is at its most atmospheric during the holiday season. I was born in Manhattan, and I am not immune to the city’s considerable charms come December. I like to bundle up, layering against the chill that whips between skyscrapers, and simply walk amid the crowds. New York’s busy streets take on new meaning at this time of year, as people navigate the snowy sidewalks, jostle with shopping bags in hand and dart into cafes to meet friends, while visitors from around the world meander wide-eyed, taking it all in. Of course, the tree at Rockefeller Center is an iconic image, and rightly so. Every year I make a pilgrimage to salute this enduring symbol of the season. The tree lighting remains a spectator sport, not unlike the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square. Back in college, my roommate and I waited six hours on a particularly frigid night to secure the perfect spot for the very first tree lighting of the year. We also skated beneath the tree at the compact rink. It’s a must-do, if only once.

ARTICLE ANDREA POE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

The very best place to ice skate is at the pop-up rink behind the New York Public Library in Bryant Park, where skating is free. This is a local favorite. People gravitate here during their lunch hours, for evening dates and on weekends with their families. After a few passes around the rink, wander to Celsius, a temporary two-story white confection that looks as if it were spun from ice. Take a seat beneath a heat lamp on one of the lounge-y sofas, order hot chocolate and watch the skaters. Then wander among the artisan kiosks in the European-style holiday market. Strolling down Fifth Avenue to gaze upon the fantastical department store windows was a rite of passage for those of us who grew up in New York. Over the years, many stores have shuttered and others have scaled back the elaborate designs, but the tradition of complicated mechanical storyland tableaux is still very much honored at Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. No one does the Nutcracker better than the New York City Ballet. Where else does the Christmas tree grow from 12 to 40 feet to audible gasps from the audience? The sheer scope of the performance with 90 dancers, 60 musicians and colorful wonderland sets make Balanchine’s fantasy come to life. Radio City Music Christmas Spectacular epitomizes the city’s holiday spirit. Tickets are not cheap and they have to be booked far in advance, that’s true, but when the Rockettes start their synchronized high kicks, you can’t help but feel you are in exactly the right place at precisely the perfect time. As an antidote to the “big holiday” vibe uptown, I like to Radio City Music Christmas Spectacular veer down to Greenwich with the Rockettes Village to Washington Square Park. I order a cappuccino from one of the many cafes in the artsy neighborhood and plant myself on a bench to people watch. There are brooding chess players, scampering children, mellow folk guitarists and tightly wound cellists, flamboyant magicians, NYU students playing hacky sack and dogs tumbling on the frosty grass. As evening slips into night, the 45-foot Christmas tree that sits beneath the famed marble arch twinkles with hundreds of lights, casting a Victorian glow so sublime you can almost imagine Henry James stepping out of one of the brownstones that flanks the park.

To tap into the glamour of New York, I plan for a proper cocktail at Bemelmans Bar nestled inside The Carlyle, a luxe hotel on Central Park. The bar, with its whimsical murals of the city created by Ludwig Bemelmans, author of the Madeline books, is a perfect perch for weary travelers. Time it right and you may find yourself swept beside the piano singing holiday carols. A few blocks away Washington stands the Plaza Hotel. As Square Park famous as it is and as touristy as it may seem, don’t let that keep you from ogling its opulent decorations. This year, the quirky fashion designer Betsy Johnson has created the decorations in honor of fictional resident Eloise. If you can secure a table for high tea in Palm Court, do it. Generations of mothers, daughters and grandmothers have gathered here in the gold-gilded, palm-fringed lobby tearoom for dainty tea sandwiches and buttery scones, and you should too. Although I’m not Jewish, friends have opened doors to Hanukkah traditions that go beyond Chinese food on Christmas Eve, a New York ritual among many Jewish families. Ever since 1654, when Jews landed in the city that was then known as New Amsterdam, Hanukkah has been celebrated here. Now the city claims the largest menorah in the world, which soars to 32 feet and weighs 4,000 pounds. Every night for eight nights, this massive menorah is lit at the entrance to Central Park at 59th Street around sunset. New York also happens to be home to some of the country’s best Kosher restaurants, including a couple of particularly unique ones, like The Prime Grill on West 56th Street, a glatt steakhouse, and Le Marais on West 46th Street, a Kosher French bistro. Perhaps the event that most encompasses the spirit of the holidays is the secular Winter Solstice Celebration at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which this year will take place from December 17 to 19. Making a pilgrimage to Harlem will reward you with a vibrant experience that involves artists, musicians and dancers from around the world. The cathedral with its 150-foot ceiling and cascade of eaves is widely believed to have the best acoustics in New York. Ultimately, joining the fellowship of hundreds of other people in this most beautiful place to reflect on the year that’s passed and in anticipation of the year to come is a fitting way to mark the holiday season, which is, after all, defined by gratitude.

December 2015 | Newport Beach Lifestyle

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ADDICTION & THE FAMILY Addiction ravages homes and families and leaves hurting spouses, parents, children and loved ones in its wake. ARTICLE DONNA BUNCE

ddiction is sometimes coined a “family disease.” The person’s

of choice, medical and psychological history, legal history or history

addiction creates a domino effect that touches everyone

of abuse, previous attempts for treatment, socioeconomic standing,

around them. Drug and alcohol dependency is disruptive–and potentially devastating–for those left at home.

cultural/religious backgrounds. Not only is the addict’s treatment crucial, but it is just as import-

David Ludington, founder and CEO of Connection2Recovery (C2R)

ant to help the families, who are often in crisis. C2R and CRN staff

and Christian Rehab Networks (CRN), has seen first-hand how diffi-

walk alongside each client and their families throughout the recovery

cult and confusing the process of seeking treatment can be for fami-

journey, fostering hope through counseling and building long-lasting

lies and their struggling loved ones.

relationships to sustain lifelong recovery.

“Families are in a desperate situation,” Ludington says. “It is differ-

“Connection 2 Recovery and Christian Rehab Network were

ent than dealing with a family member with cancer because there is

launched to help families and their loved ones get the best possible

usually compassion for the afflicted. With addiction, it becomes more

treatment available based upon their personal stories,” Ludington says.

difficult for the family and loved ones to understand and sometimes

“It is free to the public, and we work with the client, whether they have

even love the addict, as addicts often take advantage of those closest

the financial means or not.”

to them. This near-constant burning of bridges can tear a family apart.”

Ludington knows his topic. His life in alcohol and drug recovery began

The quest to find a loved one the best treatment, one that offers an

at the age of 18. After going through a myriad of treatment centers himself,

in-depth, honest-to-goodness recovery instead of short-term babysitting

he became a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor and later served

fixes can be harder than expected.

as director of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) in Texas, one of the

“In today’s market, the treatment of addiction has become ‘big

largest adolescent drug treatment centers in the country.

business,’" says Ludington. "The patients become a number–fulfilling

Ludington states, “It is my belief that together we can all work to

treatment center quotas to fill beds. Sadly, clients often check out

increase the opportunity for people suffering from the disease of addic-

untreated because they are only being treated for symptoms of their

tion to overcome their dependences and live a life in recovery, becom-

illness, rather than the underlying cause or causes.”

ing responsible and productive members of society.”

“All treatment centers cannot treat all things,” Ludington continues.

And, on a more personal level, Ludington says, “My passion is to

“It is most vital that clients are placed into centers best equipped in all

help the hopeless because I was once hopeless. Now, I know through

areas to service the whole patient, not just their symptoms.”

sobriety, anything is possible.”

Before being placed into one of the network’s nationally accredited

Connection 2 Recovery and Christian Rehab Network consists of

and preferred treatment centers, a specialist thoroughly assesses the

some of the country’s top-rated, highly-qualified, accredited treatment

client’s entire life situation, including, but not limited to: substance

centers. Here are a few of the treatment centers they recommend:

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

SERENITY LODGE

Crest Park, California

10 ACRE RANCH

Riverside, California

Located on 22 acres in a serene mountain setting, Serenity

The drug and alcohol residential rehab

Lodge is a unique substance abuse treatment center for men.

program at 10 Acre Ranch offers a warm,

Medically assisted and adept at dual diagnosis treatment,

cheerful and homelike atmosphere, in

all medical, psychological and therapeutic care is provided

which men can experience a sober and

onsite. The Serenity Lodge treatment team and the majority

drug-free lifestyle. The Southern Cali-

of its staff have recovered from alcohol and addiction them-

fornia drug rehab is small (six beds) by

selves, helping to understand individual struggles on a per-

design, according to Executive Director

sonal level. The 12-step, amenity-rich program features pri-

Keith Goshay, so they can accommodate

vate rooms, complete with televisions and queen-size beds,

residents’ therapeutic needs, encourage

a heated pool, computer lab, professional recording studio,

fellowship and relationship building. Pro-

1,500-square-foot-gym with a relaxing sauna.

gram benefits include: pre-program detox assistance, disease education and didactic therapy, individual and group therapy sessions, meditation and spir-

AJ’S AMETHYST HOUSE

itual growth, physical fitness and soft-

San Jacinto, California

ball teams, recreational activities and

AJ Truax, executive director of AJ’s Amethyst House, and her

outings, nutritious meal preparation, life

husband Bernard L. Truax, have enormous love and compassion

skills lessons, anger management ther-

for women facing the challenge of addiction. Collectively, they

apy and 12-step program guidance and

have been sober for nearly 60 years and have come to realize re-

aftercare participation (AA, NA, CA).

covery is a lifetime journey of hard work. AJ and Bernie want to be a beacon of light to women to lead them on their path to recovery. The program is founded on a spiritual based, 12-step, 12-traditions model that focuses on the individual personality and emotional needs of the addict–not just the addictions. They provide a safe

NEW START DETOX

Santa Ana, California

and healthy environment for those committed to recovery and

The professional staff at New Start De-

ready for their new beginning, their new life of sobriety. The house

tox fully understands the hesitation and

rests on the simple, yet powerful motto: “When you are ready, we

confusion that accompanies an initial con-

are here to help.”

tact for help. Detox starts with an assessment by the clinical staff to determine the level of physical and psychological with-

SAFE HARBOR

drawal. Treatment and time spent in de-

Costa Mesa, California

tox depends on several factors, including

Velvet Mangan, founder and CEO

types of drugs or alcohol, how much, cli-

of Safe Harbor Treatment Centers, is a

HOPE BY THE SEA

ent’s age, environment and length of time

San Juan Capistrano, California

transformational activist in the recovery

involved. If needed, medications, which

Hope by the Sea’s Christian

community, focusing her efforts on the

are strictly controlled, are provided and

treatment center provides com-

healing and well-being of young wom-

tapered down with treatment. Safety, se-

passionate, faith-based addic-

en. Located in the heart of sunny Costa

curity and comfort are provided, with the

tion programs for clients battling

Mesa, California, Safe Harbor offers three

facility boasting Tempur-Pedic beds and

substance abuse and other ad-

distinct residential inpatient programs,

private chefs to cater to cravings and diets.

dictions. In addition to receiving

each of which are dedicated to providing

The medical team, therapists and counsel-

comprehensive,

cutting-edge

women with an environment where they

ors at New Start Detox are committed to

treatment and Christian coun-

can heal the mind, body and spirit. The

helping the client.

seling, clients will begin to see

center provides an all-inclusive, integra-

themselves - and their addiction

tive program to support women through

- through the eyes of Christ.

their own healing process.

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Mary Roosevelt treasures her holiday childhood memories in England and one particular Christmas in France with her beloved late husband James Roosevelt. ARTICLE DONNA BUNCE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

ary Roosevelt remembers with fondness a particular Christmas in Nice, France, that wasn’t supposed to be in France.

The year was 1971.

Jim, Mary and Rebecca at their Seaview home in Newport Beach, 1987

“Jim was flying in from New York and because the weather was terrible in Geneva, he had to land in Nice. So, I packed up myself and our 9-month-old daughter Rebecca - and a miniature fold-up Christmas tree, which I bought at the last minute - and flew to Nice to meet him. The weather was horrible, but we made it.” Jim arrived first and had booked the Presidential Suite in Hotel Negresco, and when Mary and Rebecca arrived, they unpacked Mary’s tiny gold artificial tree and celebrated the holiday. “We had a wonderful Christmas,” Mary remembers. “However, compared to our usual tree, which filled our living room, this one was less than two feet high and a scrappy little thing, but it was Christmas as far as we were concerned.” Mary Winskill’s childhood Christmas memories take her back to England, where she lived on the border of England and Wales, in farming countryside. “We lived near the village of Bromborough in Cheshire County,” Mary says. Since Mary was born in 1939, the year World War II started, she doesn’t remember much until she was 4 or 5, but she does remember there was very little food - certainly no special meals at Christmas and no candy or toys. “I was a little girl, but I remember how we looked forward to Christmas, and because it was wartime, we didn’t have much. Mother would stuff our stockings with an orange and apple, a new penny and maybe some note paper. It was war time, and there certainly weren’t dolls as gifts for little girls.” However, Mary’s mother, who was a trained teacher, was also a master carpenter, who set up a workshop in their garage to craft wooden gifts for her children and the children in the neighborhood. “You couldn’t buy new dolls during the war, so Mother found some beat-up old dolls, redid their faces and hair and dressed them in clothes she made from her old clothes,” Mary says. One particular gift for Mary and her brother Andrew delighted them. “Mother made miniature copies out of wood of my bedroom furniture and a miniature train set with an engine for my brother,” she remembers. And, since there were no party dresses for young girls at the time, Mary’s mother cut down her evening dresses and made party dresses for her and her best friend, Susan. On one occasion, Mary remembers her mother taking down the dining room drapes and making an Elizabeth I costume for her for some special event. The family did have a Christmas tree during the war. They cut down a tree from a nearby forest every year. “I remember the tree being in the entryway, and we loved decorating it,” Mary says. “Mother would add lights to the tree, and, as it was in a room with no windows, we did not violate the blackout law.” Mary’s father was a machine tool engineer, who was also part of the Home Guard and managed the air raid shelters and ammunition factories in the area.

“

“ Mother would

stuff our

stockings with an

orange and apple, a new penny and

maybe some note

paper. It was war time, and there

certainly weren’t

dolls as gifts for little girls. ”

CONTINUED >

December 2015 | Newport Beach Lifestyle

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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES (CON TI N U ED)

After the war, the street lights came on, and candy, toys and lights for Christmas were back.

Mary Winskill in the south of France, 1964

“We had food–turkeys with all the trimmings, including fruit and mince pies,” Mary recalls. After graduating from the Queen’s School in Chester, where many of the girls spoke Welsh, Mary decided that teaching children was what she wanted to do. She had always loved children. With her mother’s permission, she had played with groups of abused boys of all nationalities in an old manor house in Bromborough for six years and that experience solidified her decision to be a teacher. Mary received her teaching credential from the Froebel Educational Institute in London and taught in the slum areas of the city for two years. “I would have 40+ kids in my classroom at a time,” she says. “Many of their parents were in prison, and they had horrible lives. It was a challenging, eye-opening experience.” Mary had a dream of teaching at the International School of Geneva, in Switzerland, in order to travel the world and explore different cultures, so she set up an interview with the director general of the school. She had been told that she needed to wear a hat for the interview, and, indeed, all the ladies being interviewed wore hats. Mary hated hats, so she didn’t wear one. The director grilled her and said she would find it difficult teaching overseas and also as a single person, versus one with a family. Mary’s and Jim’s wedding photo taken in the garden of Eleanor Roosevelt's Valkill home at Hyde Park in New York State, October, 1969

“I argued that it would make more sense to have all the teachers - married and single - reside in a contingent of apartment buildings owned by the school,” Mary told the director. Mary didn’t get the job, but six months later, after she had returned to Chester to teach at the Queen’s School, where she had been a student, she received a notice that there was a teaching opportunity available for her in Geneva and that her furniture would be shipped to a beautiful, new apartment complex on the shores of Lake Geneva. She was delighted and ended up helping develop the International Elementary Curriculum at the school. It was also fortuitous because it was in Geneva that Mary met James Roosevelt, the father of one of her students and the oldest son of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They became friends. After six years in Geneva, Mary moved to New York City to take the job as principal of the Junior House of United Nations International, and, to her surprise, Jim was there to greet her at the airport. They continued their friendship, but when Jim kept showing up at airports in many different parts of the world that she visited for her job, she got suspicious. “I found out my secretary was giving Jim my travel schedule,” Mary says. It wasn’t long before Jim asked her to marry him. “I was perfectly happy with my single life and had wonderful men in my life. I wasn’t interested in being married. But, he tried

The Roosevelt children rarely got together for Christmas because everyone had huge families and were scattered everywhere. This gathering was welcoming New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller for a political event at Hyde Park, May 1972, and included, from left, Dr. William Halstead (Anna Roosevelt Halstead’s husband), Elliott Roosevelt, John Roosevelt, Mary and James Roosevelt, Anna Roosevelt Halstead, and Franklin Roosevelt, Jr. 36

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

for a year, and I finally gave in. It’s ironic that he became the love of my life!” Jim insisted on traveling to England and asking Mary’s father, Joseph Winskill, for her hand. She thought it was silly and didn’t go, so Jim went alone.

“My father said, ‘You don’t have a very good track record and Mary is impossible, but if you really want to marry, it is alright with me.’” Actually, Roosevelt was a catch as a highly decorated Marine war hero and had been a member of the famous Carlson’s Raiders of the 2nd Marine Raiders Battalion, said to be the first United States special operations forces to form and see combat in World War II. Their raid on Makin Island in the Pacific fighting the Japanese was historic. “He loved the Marine Corps, and even after his passing, the Marines invited me to their Birthday Balls and their Raider reunions,” Mary says. So, the unlikely pair was married in 1969 at Valkill Cottage, the cottage FDR built for Eleanor at Hyde Park, and began what turned out to be a wonderful 25-year marriage. After their honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, they returned to Geneva for their first Christmas in their new home, in the little village of Jussy. Jim was working in Geneva at the time. But, it wasn’t long after the unexpected Christmas in Nice a few years later that the couple, infant in hand, made their new home in Newport Beach, California. To say they lived a larger-than-life marriage is an understatement. Mary fit right in, becoming friends with Prince Charles, heads of state around the world, corporate titans, and friends of Jim’s in his old stomping ground, Hollywood. Jim loved her for that. After Jim’s passing in 1991, Mary, who had received an American California Teaching Credential in 1974, con-

Christmas, 1971, in Nice, France with Jim and Rebecca and the infamous Christmas tree

tinued her work with UC Irvine, where she taught and supervised student teacher programs until she retired in 1999. Her work led to major changes in the UC Irvine teaching curriculum, and together with her work with the UCI Foundation, UCI Chancellor’s Club and as President Emeritus of the University of California Research Associates, Mary received the UCI Medal in 1990, the university’s highest honor. Today, Mary’s life is filled with grandchildren–Rebecca and Victor have four children: Kolby, Jamie, Shannon and Ryan. They are the delight of her life, and she is a part of their lives every afternoon after school. Mary relates that their Christmases are as follows: “The grandkids come over to my house in Corona del Mar on Christmas morning with their parents, and we open gifts and have lunch. They go home, and I drive over to their house for Christmas dinner and spend the night there.” It is a cherished Christmas tradition, among the many this dynamic lady has enjoyed over the years.

Formal photo taken of Mary and Jim for the Methodist Church address book in Newport Beach, late 1970's Mary’s home in Corona del Mar, Christmas 2013, with her grandchildren, from left, Shannon, Kolby, Ryan and Jamie

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for the HOLIDAYS Balboa Island Holiday Home Tour ARTICLE SARAH MOSQUEDA PHOTOGRAPHY JON REMY

here is no place like home for the holidays. And, there are no homes like those on Balboa Island. Each year, the quaint seaside cottages and homes deck the halls and hang the holly to create a festive display incomparable to any other Christmas presentation in Orange County. Hosted by the Balboa Island Improvement Association, with the help of the volunteers of the Home Tour Committee, this year’s Balboa Island Holiday Home Tour takes place on Sunday, December 13. Running for more than 19 years, the tour has become a highly anticipated an40

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

nual event for residents, both on and off the island. “The idea of opening homes to the public for the purpose of recognizing the talents of homeowners in decorating their homes for the holidays, as well as sharing with the public the unique architectural details of our islands’ homes, was the primary motivation for the creation of the Holiday Home Tour,” says Jeff Herdman, who served as chair of the event for the past 8 years. “Many times we have new home owners who just want to showcase their beautiful new homes, while others just like to par-

ticipate and really decorate to the hilt,” says Terry Janssen, this year’s chair. The home tour is also the only annual fundraiser the Balboa Island Improvement Association holds, and they count on the tour to provide the association with operating funds for the year. Since the holiday traditions inception, the home tour has exhibited 228 homes on the Big and Little Islands. “Typically, we gather eight houses and they can either be apartments, single family homes or duplexes, and they can be owners or tenants,” says Janssen. “My goal this year

was to do 10. And, we have a record number this year; we have 12.” Some homeowners volunteer to showcase their homes, while other homes are recruited by personal invitation from the chair of the home tour, or a home tour committee member. “We have reached out to some people and asked them if they would like to participate, but that is less then half of the 12,” Janssen says. Businesses located on Marine Avenue, the island’s main thoroughfare, also participate in the holiday home tour by offering special items and discounts to home tour participants. “This year we a have a new business, and it’s a mermaid shop, where kids can dress up as mermaids,” Janssen says, referring to Once Upon An Island at 118 Agate Avenue. “They are going to be on the tour, decorated in the holiday theme, and I think that will be a great draw.” Musical groups are also hired to perform in some of the homes and at least one residence this year will feature a live Santa Claus. Home tours of Christmas past have included performances by the Balboa Bachelors, Sweet Adelines and the St. John Viannay Choir. Each guest is provided with a map and a list of the houses on the tour, though there is no set route for the tour, as guests are encouraged to explore freely. “You can start on the West end or you can start on the East end, whichever is your preference,” Janssen says. “It actually works better that way because it doesn’t seem to get backed up as much.” Usually, only a portion of the home is opened for viewing, and a number of volunteer docents are assigned to each home, depending on its size. The head docent and the committee chair meet with each homeowner to determine the traffic pattern through the home, as well as establish any “off limits” areas within the home. The head docent also holds an orientation in the homes before the event to familiarize the team with the houses. “The docents have information about each home and are able to explain the features of the home,” says Janssen.

BALBOA ISLAND HOLIDAY HOME TOUR PROPERTIES

127 Onyx 127 Agate A 127 Agate B 538 South Bay Front 213 Topaz 122 Agate 118 Agate 222 Sapphire 498 Park Avenue 313 Amethyst 204 Amethyst 118 Apolena

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Sunday, December 13, 2015, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the Balboa Island Improvement Association at 949.675.1773 or visit MyBIIA.com.

CONTINUED >

December 2015 | Newport Beach Lifestyle

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

(CON TI N U ED)

Some homeowners, however, choose to be in their homes when the home tour takes place. “Last year, we had a few homes that were restored homes and it was really kind of cool to have the owner explain why they did certain things and why they retained certain things,” Janssen says. “Some of the houses have been in the family for a long time and they were very proud of what had been passed down in their family and what they were able to do to the home.” Commemorating the unique structures on Balboa Island is one of Janssen’s favorite things about the home tour. “A couple months back, there were 21 houses on the island that were under construction,” he says, “and every one of those homes that were under construction were probably an old cottage at one time.” Initially, when Janssen decided to head up the holiday tour, he wanted to feature mostly over-the-garage apartments, as those homes tend to be older. The tour does include a few of them, and Janssen is pleased with the assortment guests will find. “This year we have a wide variety of homes,” Janssen says. “We only have one new house, and I believe it is about a year and a half old and is spectacular from the outside as well as the inside. There will actually be four houses on Agate Avenue and that includes the Balboa Island Hotel Apartments, which gives a flavor of the old Balboa Island.” Two years ago, the Balboa Island Museum was added as a stop on the home tour and has remained a permanent part of the tour roster ever since. “The museum provides refreshments for home tour participants and a fabulous display of island history,” Herdman says. Balboa Island and its homes are a significant part of Orange County’s rich history. The island itself is man made and was dredged and filled before World War I. Original lots sold for just $250, while today property sells in the millions range. The Balboa Island Home Tour is a festive tradition that brings residents, tenants and visitors together in a truly historic neighborhood. “It is really cool for me to see all the folks dressed up in their Christmas outfits going to the next home on the tour,” Janssen says. “In addition to being a fundraiser for us, I think it is also a community event. “ Tickets are priced at $25 and are available for purchase at multiple businesses on Marine Avenue, including Caldwell Banker, The Persimmon Tree, Heart of the Island Gallery, Island Home, and Balboa Island Museum. The Museum will also sell tickets the day of the event.

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

“This year we have a wide variety of homes,” Janssen says. “We only have one new house, and I believe it is about a year and a half old and is spectacular from the outside as well as the inside. There will actually be four houses on Agate Avenue and that includes the Balboa Island Hotel Apartments, which gives a flavor of the old Balboa Island.”

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Locally Owned

The Passionate Collector ARTICLE SARAH MOSQUEDA PHOTOGRAPHY JOSH CLIMACO, THE PASSIONATE COLLECTOR

usan Shieldkret is a woman of many passions. And, her Newport Coast boutique, The Passionate Collector, combines a majority of them. “The Passionate Collector is a store that sells jewelry and accessories,” says Shieldkret. “However, I like to think of it as a place where women can really amplify what they are wearing so that they are truly noticed. I think that is really important, and that’s what we do here.” Shieldkret began the concept for The Passionate Collector nearly 10 years ago. “It was very different then,” she says. “I was just selling at a couple of fundraisers locally, and then I decided to sell a couple times a year, just out of my home and have big parties that way.” Which is good, because parties are another passion of Shieldkret’s. “I love to throw parties,” she says. “My mom always threw great parties. She made sure we had plenty of food whenever people came over. She knew good food and drink is a great way to get people to be friendly and enjoy themselves.” Shieldkret’s annual shopping parties eventually evolved into securing a permanent storefront, first on Balboa Island and then in Laguna Beach. “The party tradition is something we have always done. And, it just grew from there.” Today, she sells exclusively at her location at Newport Coast Shopping Center and online. “I have always enjoyed finding beautiful pieces that I would like to wear and that I think other people would like to wear as well.” Shieldkret, who has a keen eye for style, carefully curates the inventory at The Passionate Collector. CONTINUED >

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

Susan Shieldkret, The Passionate Collector owner

“The Passionate Collector is a store that sells jewelry and accessories,” says Shieldkret. “However, I like to think of it as a place where women can really amplify what they are wearing so that they are truly noticed. I think that is really important, and that’s what we do here.”

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Locally Owned

(CON TI N U ED)

“I love all my designers, but my brand new favorite is a line we started carrying called Mara Labell," she says. "The designer is from Naples, Florida, and she creates everything herself and just has such a beautiful design sense.” Shieldkret stocks all manner of jewelry, from hand-made, highend fashion to fine jewelry. “I don’t care what it costs, “ she says. “It doesn’t have to be expensive, but I want to see that it is a well-made piece and there is a reason for it. It can’t look like every other piece. Women need to have options and most need more than just a few pieces of jewelry so they can optimize their outfits.” Besides jewelry, you’ll also find a broad range of handbags, belts, umbrellas, watches, scarves and an assortment of gift items. Almost all items in the boutique are hand-made. “We also have some men’s things like cufflinks, jewelry, watches, ties and our new bow ties and pockets squares, not to mention our custom hand-made Italian umbrellas," she says. The Passionate Collector is staffed by a fashion savvy team who are happy to offer styling advice to any client. Complimentary gift-wrapping is always available, and The Passionate Collector even exercises a hassle-free repair policy on items made by their designers. Since opening in Newport almost two years ago, Shieldkret says the reception from the community has been very warm. “When it is the right store for the person who walks in, they just find a million different things in here to look at and be amazed by.” And, Shieldkret still hosts big parties.

“I think it’s a good thing because we do the parties mainly at night. When people are done with work, they want to relax and The Passionate Collector can be a great venue for people to relax in.” Parties happen several times a year, and past in-store events have included a Scotch tasting with gift giving tips for Father’s Day, trunk shows and fundraisers for Circle of Red, Boys Town California, Sage Hill School and Newport Coast Elementary, to name a few. Shieldkret’s party season kicked off this October with an in-store event benefiting an organization called Traveling Stories. Dedicated to outsmarting poverty, one book at a time, the San Diego-based non-profit, that is also active in the Costa Mesa area, is another one of Shieldkret’s passions. “As a former librarian (library coordinator in Malibu, to be exact), it is very close to my heart,” she says. “What they do is work with underprivileged kids to help them with their reading. It makes a big difference in the skills of the kids and the lives of the parents if English is not their first language. It is a huge, huge part of their schooling.” Shieldkret’s work with Traveling Stories will continue through the holiday season, as she collects donations for the nonprofit at her store. “At Traveling Stories, they request donations of toys and prizes to use as incentive gifts,” she says. “The kids finish reading a book and they can pick a prize, so one of the things we are going to do is have a barrel here for donations.” Beyond the holiday season, Shieldkret’s plans for the new year include pursuing her many passions while continuing to serve the Newport Beach community. “We are really different from a fine jewelry store. It’s just a totally different take. And we are definitely in the right community,” Shieldkret says. “I think we can service them really, really well.” The Passionate Collector, Newport Coast Shopping Center, 21115 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Beach 92657 949.673.0440 | ThePassionateCollector.com

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

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Lifestyle Calendar

December DECEMBER 10-20 “THE NUTCRACKER” SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS, COSTA MESA American

Ballet

The-

atre’s West Coast Premiere of its new production showcases a cast of 100+ performers, who accompany Clara on a dreamlike journey amid colorful, larger-than-life scenery, magical toy soldiers, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, and a glittering Christmas tree. Visit website for performance times and prices. Photo: Gene Schiavone SCFTA.org

DECEMBER 13 NOV. 27 THROUGH JAN. 6

KIDSINGERS AT NIXON RICHARD NIXON LIBRARY'S EAST ROOM, YORBA LINDA

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Celebrating the holidays, the award-winning KidSingers will kick off

MISSION INN HOTEL & SPA, RIVERSIDE

their 19th season at the Richard Nixon Library for their annual free

Enjoy the four million dazzling holiday lights, appearances by Santa

holiday concert. Held in the East Room of the library, the at-risk

Claus, the world’s largest manmade mistletoe (12’x8’), horse-drawn

youth will spread the joy and inspiration of the holidays through mu-

carriage rides, freshly fallen snow, and an elaborately decorated

sic. KidSingers.org

Christmas tree in the hotel lobby. The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights is an annual gift to the community. RiversideFestivalofLights.com

DECEMBER 5 & 6 "OH MOTHER, WHERE ART THOU?" ST. WILFRID OF YORK EPISCOPAL CHURCH, HUNTINGTON BEACH, AND NEWPORT HARBOR LUTHERAN CHURCH, NEWPORT BEACH The Orange County Women's Chorus is performing two holiday concerts as they follow the Virgin Mary around the world in songs from medieval Europe, modern-day Japan and everything in between. December 5th performance at St. Wilfrid's - 7 p.m.; December 6th concert at Newport Harbor Lutheran - 3 p.m. OCWomensChorus.org

DECEMBER 12-24

DECEMBER 13

"THE NUTCRACKER"

"WITH WONDER AND CHEER"

IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE, CHENG HALL

SOCO AND THE OC MIX, COSTA MESA

Festival Ballet Theatre presents the enormously popular production. Set

Bring the whole family to celebrate the holidays with live music, hol-

to the timeless score of Peter Tchaikovsky, a young girl named Clara re-

iday activities, photos with Santa, face painting, and a photo booth.

ceives the gift of a nutcracker soldier from her mysterious godfather, and

Look for restaurant specials and complimentary gift wrapping at Far-

the magical journey begins. FBT's professional dancers and exceptional

row & Ball for a suggested donation to benefit Project Hope Alliance.

young talent are featured. FestivalBallet.org

SouthCoastCollection.com/event/soco-holiday

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

DECEMBER 16-20 107TH NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE NEWPORT HARBOR Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Chamber of Commerce, the annual boat parade will light up the harbor on five consecutive nights. Yachts, kayaks, canoes and other small boats, many of them richly decorated with animated Christmas scenes, provide an incredible sight that has delighted millions of people for a century. ChristmasBoatParade.com

DECEMBER 19

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS...

Happy Holidays!

"THE NUTCRACKER" CITY NATIONAL GROVE OF ANAHEIM The Anaheim Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, the classic heartwarming tale of Clara and her nutcracker doll who changes her woeful winter into a feast in candy land, features athletic Russian dancers, prancing Bon Bons and Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers." There are two performances: 2 & 7 p.m. AnaheimBallet.org

DECEMBER 20-21 TIS THE SEASON RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Celebrate the season as the splendid voices of the Pacific Chorale and talented musicians from the Pacific Symphony, under the baton of Pacific Chorale Artistic Director Designate Robert Istad, perform with resounding brass

NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES AND THE BOAT PARADE

instruments and angelic children's voices. December 20 - 5:30 p.m.; December 21 - 8 p.m. PacificChorale.org

DECEMBER 21 THE HOLIDAYS WITH CANADIAN BRASS IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE, CHENG HALL Under the auspices of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, the beloved Canadian

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business directory ANIMALS & ANIMAL CARE

Newport Animal Hospital (949) 706-8380 newportanimalhosp.com

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY Randy Higbee Gallery (714) 546-2156 randyhigbeegallery.com

AUTOMOTIVE

Elite Valet Services, Inc. (626) 484-6917 elitevaletservices.net

CHARITIES & FUNDRAISERS Halo Dance 4 Autism (949) 285-0803 halodance4autism.org

DENTISTS & ORTHODONTICS Dmitriy’s Dental Studios (818) 500-8448 dmitriyds.com

Peter T. Smrecek, Jr. DDS (949) 759-8606 petersmrecekdds.com

ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION Classic Party Rentals (714) 540-6111 classicpartyrentals.com

Newport Beach Tennis Club (949) 644-0050 nbtctennis.com

FASHION & ACCESSORIES Cottage Colour (949) 656-6015 cottagecolour.com

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

The Passionate Collector (949) 673-0440 thepassionatecollector.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES & PLANNING Back Bay Funding (949) 650-0770 backbayfunding.com

Liquid Leverage Group (949) 445-3836 liquidleverage.com

HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS

AB Kitchen & Bath Design (714) 974-3600 abkitchenandbathdesign.com Builder Boy (877) 391-4648 builderboy.com

HOME SERVICES The Maids - Tustin (714) 838-2278 maids.com

What A View (714) 504-6998 whataviewwindowcleaning.com

LEGAL SERVICES William B. Hanley (949) 263-0040 hanley-law.com

MEDICAL CLINICS & FACILITIES

Dr. Brennan’s Cosmetic Center (949) 644-1641 drgeorgebrennan.com Scott Nelson, D.O. (806) 433-5582 newportbeachbioidenticalhormones.com

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Christian Rehab Network (877) 310-9545 christianrehabnetwork.com

PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE

Leo Goldschwartz (714) 719-0670 themcmonigleteam.com Santaniello Affiliates (949) 705-7373 newportbeach.evusa.com Teles Properties, Inc. (949) 280-9762 tomunvert.com

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE True Seasons (714) 462-9223 trueseasonskitchen.com Wilma’s Patio (949) 675-5542

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December 2015 | Newport Beach Lifestyle

Parting Thoughts

In Search of a New Holiday Tradition WORDS DEIRDRE MICHALSKI | PHOTOGRAPHY 21 OCEANFRONT

never thought I would be in my late 50s and have to get creative about finding a new Christmas Eve tradition. But, indeed, that is exactly where I found myself last Christmas. Our son announced he would be traveling with his girlfriend to visit her family in Northern California. We were glad for him to get away and enjoy a vacation during their winter school break. It was called "sharing.” And, that's what the holidays are all about. Right? However, it quickly occurred to me that I had to figure out a "new" Christmas Eve tradition that my husband and I could share together. Christmas Day is spent with our larger, extended family. After extensive research, I found the perfect spot. It was 21 Oceanfront Restaurant in Newport Beach. The restaurant is a fine-dining “steak and seafood” spot. During the holidays, it is elegantly decorated in red and gold, with garlands and white lights framing the windows ever-so-perfectly. The cuisine is delicious, with a focus on classic preparations. The views are spectacular, and the old-world charm plays right into my hand of a home-spun feeling to our evening out on the town. The 21 Oceanfront building has quite a rich history–with many restaurant facades–from Red Car, to Rex’s, Alley West and The Ritz. Tucked into the first floor of the historic McFadden Building, with an Inn on the upper floors, this iconic building was built in the late 1890s by landowner brothers James and Robert McFadden. The original McFadden Wharf connected the transport of goods from incoming boats to the railroad and then inland. The Pacific Electric Railroad (also known as the Red Car) used to pass right along the street on its route to the Balboa Pavilion. At the base of the pier was the Dory Fishing Fleet, a beachside fishing cooperative founded in 1891. The fishermen used to place their boats on rollers and ride up on the beach with umbrellas to sell their fish. A dock was built later, and still today, at 5:30 a.m., fishermen arrive to sell their catch.

Newport Beach Lifestyle | December 2015

In researching this article, I had the pleasure to chat with Luis Tzorin. He was the executive chef for over a decade in the 1980s at 21 Oceanfront. Chef Luis described his holiday menu of Christmas goose drizzled with a dark, sweet cherry reduction sauce. This was served with creamy mashed potatoes. And, for his German clientele, he would make them a special side of cabbage. As he described the preparation–the cabbage was marinated with green apples, sautéed with cider, butter and brown sugar. Reminiscing about the past, Chef Luis spoke of the fun the staff would have when they were treated by the owners to a boating adventure in the harbor. They would toast to the holidays and gaze at all the lovely homes decorated for the season. It was a special time of comradery and thankfulness. Last Christmas Eve, our evening began with vintage cocktails and a magnificent sunset overlooking the ocean. As we ascended to the elegant dining room, we were taken back by the decor and attention to detail. It was just perfect. We started with Caesar salads. A creature of habit, my favorite entrée is the filet Oscar–a filet mignon, adorned with Alaskan king crab and a rich béarnaise sauce on the side. My husband enjoyed the New Zealand rack of lamb, prepared in an onion, rosemary and paprika marinade. Our two favorite sides, of which there are many, included: au gratin potatoes and sautéed brussel sprouts with diced pancetta. It turned out to be a perfect Christmas Eve. It marked a brand new custom for us. In fact, we look forward to doing it again this year. Here's to being flexible, and finding a new way to enjoy the holidays, and embracing all that brings my way! Deirdre Michalski is a travel and culinary writer covering topics near and far. You can read more about her adventures on her website TastesAndTravel.com.

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