A LI V E EDI T I ON
#96 START YOUR MORNINGS WITH ORANGE RICOTTA HAUTE CAKES IN NEWPORT BEACH FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT WITH DATE THE CITY’S PERFECT SUMMER OUTINGS
Scotty Sire L I F E O F T H E PA R T Y
GET THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE FAMOUS BALBOA BAR’S ORIGINS PAWS WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND SEE WHAT RUPERT IS BARKING ABOUT HOUSE OF BLUES ANAHEIM
22 LOCALE MAGAZINE
Hakkasan Nightclub, Las Vegas ¢ Hakkasan Nightclub in Las Vegas recently unveiled their Hakkasan Grid, a multimillion-dollar, custom-built kinetic light installation that is composed of 57 four-foot individual triangles that connect via 169 winches to the 12,000-pound, 30-foot showpiece with pixel mapping and color mixing technologies. 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.891.3838 | www.hakkasannightclub.com
LOCALE MAGAZINE 23
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THE TEAM ERIK HALE Publisher + Founder erik@localemagazine.com | @local_e ASHLEY SMITH COO + Co-Founder ashley@localemagazine.com | @ashleyelainexo REILLY HEINE Art Director + Co-Owner reilly@localemagazine.com | @localereilly | @reillyek
EDITORIAL ANNIE KIM Senior Editor annie@localemagazine.com | @akorakim JORDAN NISHKIAN Editor jordan.n@localemagazine.com | @wordsbyjordan DEANNA NGUYEN Editor deanna@localemagazine.com | @deefordaydreams
DESIGN COLIN GREY VOIGT Graphic Designer colin@localemagazine.com | @colingrey
PRODUCTION KALYNN NGUYEN Production Manager @kalynncnguyen ALISON BARKER Production Coordinator @albarks
SALES & MARKETING MIKE TODD SMITH Vice President of Sales & Marketing mts@localemagazine.com | @miketoddsmith JASON KOSKY Sr. Market Manager jason@localemagazine.com | @locale_jason SCOTT MABRY Market Manager scott@localemagazine.com | @locale_scott KEVIN DROLET Market Manager kevin@localemagazine.com | @kevindro BRIANNA ROMANO Partnerships + Marketing Director brianna@localemagazine.com | @briannaontheweekend LAUREN DURAN Social Media Manager lauren@localemagazine.com | @laurenkduran DOMINIQUE GILPIN Partnerships + Marketing Assistant dominique@localemagazine.com | @dominiquegilpin JEN WHITAKER Event Manager jen@localemagazine.com | @jenwhitaker RENEE CALDER Operations Manager renee@localemagazine.com | @reneecalder
FINANCE VALERIE KERR Accountant accounting@localemagazine.com
DISTRIBUTION RICK RAMIREZ & ROBERT JONES
*For full information on our team go to www.localemagazine.com/about LOCALE MAGAZINE 2755 Bristol St Ste 295, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.436.8910 • www.localemagazine.com @localemagazine • #localemagazine
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THE CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS AMEIHIA TURINGAN iridescentglimmer.wordpress.com | @ameihia ASHLEE POLAREK inspirationfromexploration.wordpress.com | @thegreatbigwonder BRITTANY LAWRENCE theblaw.com | @the.b.law DIEGO E. GAXIOLA @d.gax ELISE EDWARDS @luxeangelesmom ERICA JOHNSON onmogul.com/erica-johnson-85 | @ericabjohnson @phitn53 GABY GARCIA gabygarcia.com | @gabymiami JANE ADLER domainbyjane.com | @janemcgradler JESSICA YOUNG @racingcupcakes KERI BRIDGWATER keribridgwater.com | @littlesundaysun MICHELLE JACO @theycallme_mj MAYANDRA ROBBINS @mayajro NEAL HRUBY datethecity.com | @date.the.city | @nealhruby PRISCILLA NG @mintyfrogbunny RAPHAEL MADRID @rawrphael RUPERT DEBRINCAT @thatdogrupert
PHOTOGRAPHERS ANDREA DOMJAN andreadomjanphotography.com | @andrea_domjan_photography ANGEL MANUEL angelmanuelphotography.com | @angelmanuelphoto CARLOS VALLE vallephoto.com | @vallephoto CELINE HAEBERLY celinehaeberly.myportfolio.com | @celinehaeberly CHARLIE CHIPMAN charliechipman.com | @charliechipman DANIELLE JACKSON daniellejacksonphotography.com | @daniellejackson_photography ED VISIONS @edvisions ERIK ISAKSON erikisakson.com | @erikisakson HANNAH WILSON frenchcalifornian.com/photography-portfolio | @frenchcalifornian HUNTER COLE huntercolephotography.com | @huntercolephoto JAMES TRAN jtranphotos.com | @jtran_photos JENNIFER CHONG jchongstudio.com | @jchongstudio JOSIE GONZALES photos.byjosiegonzales.com | @josgonzales KAMBRIA FISCHER kambriafischer.com | @kambria_fischer_photo LEE WALTERS & JEN STROMAN www.leewaltersphotography.com @leewaltersphotography | @aperfectbitephotography LUIS GARCIA luisgarciafoto.com | @luisgfoto MATT MISISCO mattmisiscostudios.com | @mattmisiscostudios MARIVIC DIVINA marivicdivina.com MICHAEL WESLEY polarizedstudios.com | @polarizedstudios NATHAN WHELAN ngwhelan.com | @ngwhelan NICK ISABELLA nickisabella.photography | @nickisabella.photography RYAN HENSLEY ryan-hensley.com | @ryan__hensley STEFANIE PARKINSON stefanieparkinson.com | stefanieparkinsonphoto.com @sp_foto | @parkinson_photo TAE KWON taekwonphoto.com | @taekwonphoto TRAVIS MCCOY travismccoy.com | @travis_mccoy_photography
FA S H I O N S T Y L I S T S TERESITA MADRIGAL bornorigingal.com | @bornorigingal
BEAUTY STYLISTS BRIAN BOND brianbondmakeup.com | @brianbondmakeup
PROP STYLISTS DEVON RIESENBERG AND FELA BARNETT sparkleandtoast.com | @sparkleandtoast
*For full information on our contributors go to www.localemagazine.com/about LOCALE MAGAZINE 2755 Bristol St Ste 295, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.436.8910 • www.localemagazine.com @localemagazine • #localemagazine
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Editor's Note 125 Feature
SWEET CREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS
As someone who is barely five feet tall, I never considered becoming an athlete because I believed sports such as basketball and volleyball had a height requirement. Silly and untrue, I know. The ball was never in my court as far as those two sports go, but I danced throughout college and enjoyed every practice and performance despite the physical and mental exhaustion. From that experience, I learned to go at my own pace, which, truth be told, applies to life overall. Most importantly, it’s the strides you make during that journey, regardless of how many steps it takes. In the same vein, we’ve taken many strides with this issue, and we couldn’t be happier with how the stories unfolded, like the blanket you spread out on the warm sand at the beach or on the dewy grass at the park. Orange County’s perfect weather invites you to the outdoors, so we’re meeting up with pro athletes from OC, LA and SD in our Alive Experts (pg. 67) who inspire us to go for gold. We’ll then shape up our mentality with Persian Medium (pg. 100) before heading out to the beach and cleaning up plastic with Surfrider Foundation (pg. 82). Our journey continues with Yucataninspired dishes at Chaak Kitchen for Two Things We Love (pg. 132) before we melt into our Sweet Spots feature (pg. 125) where six dessert locations not only prove that their treats are tasty in quality but also in aesthetics. We still have room in our stomachs for VS (pg. 135), which
compares veggie and regular pizza, tacos and burgers from LA, OC and SD. After having our fill, we’re taking notes on pro tips from BoConcept (pg. 160) and Realtor Stacey May (pg. 174) about home interior design and finding a home in OC, respectively. Our road trip around Southern California doesn’t stop there as we hold hands with Date the City (pg. 163) for unique date ideas. Next, Rupert DeBrincat—the French Bulldog Instagrammer with his tongue sticking out on one side—shares his favorite pet-friendly places in That’s What He Barked (pg. 147). To round off our journey, we’re heading south to OMNIA Dayclub where Kaskade performed (pg. 176). Of the many themes that this issue carries, one is “go big or go home.” This is true for our cover star, Scotty Sire, whose Vine and YouTube fame led him to music through which he can relay mental health issues with his angst-filled lyrics. His presence on-camera speaks volumes, but even when he’s off-camera, his confidence still reverberates in the room. As we stroll along the shore with the ocean waves lapping over our feet, we look back at our footprints and reflect on how far we’ve come. We all start somewhere, and along the way, we leave deeper imprints that beckon for others to follow. Orange County is full of incredible individuals, and with their influence spread across our magazine, we pass it along to you.
DEANNA NGUYEN Editor deanna@localemagazine.com | @deefordaydreams
All rights reserved © 2019, the entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any forms or by any means without express written prior permission of the copyright owner.
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MAKING ISSUE
LOCAL E M AGAZI NE 949.436.8910 info@localemagazine.com
the
Locale Magazine is printed by SOUTHWEST OFFSET PRINTING 13650 Gramercy Pl Gardena, CA 90249 310.323.0112 www.southwestoffset.com
COVER
Photographed By: Travis McCoy, travismccoy.com | @travis_mccoy_photography Model: Scotty Sire, www.scottysire.com | @vanilladingdong Location: House of Blues Anaheim, 400 W Disney Way, Ste 337, Anaheim, CA 92802 714.778.2583 | www.houseofblues.com/anaheim Written By: Diego E. Gaxiola, @d.gax Styled By: Teresita Madrigal, bornorigingal.com | @bornorigingal Groomed By: Brian Bond, brianbondmakeup.com | @brianbondmakeup Shirt Provided By: Ashley Isham, @ashleyishamofficial Suit Provided By: Oren Kash, www.orenkash.bigcartel.com Shoes Provided By: New Republic, www.shopnewrepublic.com Jewelry Provided By: Jonas Studio, @jonasstudionyc
SHIRT PROVIDED BY: DOPE www.dope.com JACKET PROVIDED BY: Oren Kash www.orenkash.bigcartel.com PANTS PROVIDED BY: Soulstar www.soulstarclothing.com/usa SHOES PROVIDED BY: New Republic www.shopnewrepublic.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Jonas Studio @jonasstudionyc
The moment Scotty Sire arrived at House of Blues Anaheim, his presence illuminated the set with a mix of undeniable confidence and pure excitement. Sire is no amateur when it comes to working in front of the camera, whether it’s creating content for his wildly-popular YouTube channel or uploading entertaining posts for his nearly 2.6 million Instagram followers to enjoy.
T
THE TEAM
Travis McCoy
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LOCALE MAGAZINE
Diego E. Gaxiola
Teresita Madrigal
Brian Bond
Before the photoshoot, a team of passionate individuals had been thoroughly preparing, from collaborative set walkthroughs with LOCALE’s production team and photographers to an assortment of ravishing outfits chosen by Designer and Stylist Teresita Madrigal. When asked about the process she went through while selecting outfit choices for Sire’s shoot, she said, “Scotty seemed pretty fun with his wardrobe based on his Instagram. I tried my best to stay away from black!” Madrigal truly delivered with a mix of vibrant red floral and Japanese-inspired prints.
Before putting on his outfits, Sire spent some time with expert Makeup Artist Brian Bond to make sure he was cover-page ready. “I am so excited to be working with Scotty. I heard he shaved his head so my job today will be pretty easy,” joked Bond. Though a full face of makeup was not necessary for Sire’s shoot, Bond informed us on beauty products that help a person’s skin thrive in front of the camera. “When you’re doing men’s grooming, it’s all about primers so the skin photographs well.” Complete with a lively outfit and camera-ready face, Sire took the main stage at Anaheim House of Blues, microphone in hand as stage fog slowly engulfed the space. With the swagger of a true rock star, Sire brought the energy to every photo taken of him, conveying both his lighthearted sense of humor and true professionalism as a performer. Whether on or off camera, he exhibited a sense of comfort, allowing the LOCALE team to truly capture an accurate depiction of the individual he is today.
LOCALE MAGAZINE
TA BL E CO NTEN T S of
J U LY 2 0 1 9
THIS ISSUE: ALIVE 67
94
Experts
Balboa Bar
BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS
Local Professionals Show Us What Sets Them Apart From the Rest
80 KARMA
REVVIN’ UP THE REVERO
Ride in Style With the 2020 KARMA Revero GT
82 Humanitarian Feature
PLANET PLASTIC OR PLANET EARTH?
Surfrider Foundation of Huntington Beach and Seal Beach Chapter Spreads Awareness Instead of Waste
BEHIND THE BAR Balboa Bar Founder Dips Into His Origins With the Iconic Dessert
96 Profile
HEARTS AND CRAFTS
NanoCraft CBD Founders Todd Erwin and Stefan McKellar Are Making CBD NBD
100 Persian Medium
THE SPIRIT OF SEEING
Predicting the Unpredictable With the Persian Medium
102 First Timer’s Guide
GET ON MY [SEA] LEVEL
Dive Into Our Guide to Getting PADI Open Water Certified
89 Guide
ORANGE COUNTY IS SO BORING
Said No One Ever
LIQUID ADRENALINE DIVERS 21122 Amberwick Ln Huntington Beach, CA 92646 714.330.6891 www.liquidadrenalinedivers.org Photoshoot Location: CATALINA ISLAND
32 LOCALE MAGAZINE
PHOTOGRAPHED BY: HUNTER COLE
LOCALE MAGAZINE
TA BL E CO NTEN T S of
J U LY 2 0 1 9
121
160
Foodie
Escape
108
160
Feature
Pro Tips
Be Your Own Bartender With These Easy, Breezy Libations
BoConcept’s Stephanie Duval Shares How to Integrate Modern Design Into Your Home
B.Y.O.B.
GOING DUTCH
114
163
Profile
THAT’S THE SPIRIT!
Feature
DATE THE CITY
This Hendrick’s Brand Ambassador Is #Ginning
Date the City Plans Your Next Outings in OC, LA and SD
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147
First Bite
QUESO, YOU GOTTA TRY THIS
Fall in Love at First Bite With Descanso: A Modern Taqueria
121 Meals Deconstructed
IT’S GETTING HAUTE IN HERE
Shoppe
You’re Going to Flip for Haute Cakes Caffe’s Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes
144
125
When It Comes to Your Car, Be Extra
Feature
SWEET CREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS
A Roundup of Summer’s Sweetest and Trendiest Treats in Orange County
132 Two Things We Love
¡DELICIOSAS!
These Yucatan Peninsula-Inspired Dishes Encompass Traditional and Modern Cuisine
135 Feature
VEG(GIE) VS. REG(ULAR)
Tacos, Burgers and Pizza Go Head-to-Head in This Meat Versus Plant-Based Showdown
34 LOCALE MAGAZINE
BRABUS USA
PARTY LIKE A WIDESTAR
147 That’s What He Barked
RUPERT KNOWS BEST
This Insta-Famous Pup Is Living Life Unleashed
170 Feature
WELCOME TO FUNNER, CALIFORNIA
Harrah’s Resort SoCal Has Never Been Funner
174 Pro Tips
LIVE, LOVE, LOFT
Tips on Finding Your Perfect OC Loft According to REALTOR® Stacey May
176 Feature
CREATING A VIBE
Kaskade Had OMNIA Dayclub in Los Cabos Spinning
152 Profile
A SAINT IN THE MAKING
This Sister Duo’s Future Is so Bright, They Gotta Wear Shades
156 Medterra
PAWS-ITIVE HEALING
Medterra CBD’s New Pet Line Is Something to Bark About
CHECK OUT EXTENDED STORIES AND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE AT Localemagazine.com
LOCALENDAR A SUMMERY SUMMARY OF ORANGE COUNTY’S BEST EVENTS WRITTEN BY: BRITTANY LAWRENCE
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August 30-September 1
September 27-29
September 10-11
EAT AROUND THE WORLD
¢ A diverse spread of 42
food and alcohol booths await on 15 nationallythemed streets—need more be said? The Orange International Street Fair comes back this Labor Day weekend packed with music, food, drinks, crafts and more! www.orangestreetfair.org
BEERS TO THE WEEKEND ¢ Soak up the sun and
some good music at Ohana Festival, a three-day music event at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. Enjoy a diverse music lineup as well as craft beverages and various artisan food options. www.ohanafest.com
FAREWELL ELTON JOHN
¢ Elton John’s Farewell
Yellow Brick Road Tour will be his last ever tour, stopping at the Honda Center in Anaheim, two of over 300 shows. The performance will take you on a journey through his 50-year career. www.hondacenter.com
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MAKE SOME MAGIC August 23-25
¢ Grab your Mickey ears and the family, and head to the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center! From celebrity appearances and exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming Disney movies to what is coming to Disney parks, there is magic for all to find at this three-day event. www.d23.com
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GET READY FOR A FAMILY CLASSIC! July 19
¢ Be ready for all the feels and watch your furry childhood friends come to life in The Lion King. Grab the family or some friends and watch from the comfort of your own fully reclining leather chair at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas. www.cinepolisusa.com
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FOOD, WINE AND EVERYTHING FINE August 17-18
pacificwineandfood.com
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August 23-25
September 28-29
TAKE A NIGHT ADVENTURE ¢ Head out to the OC
Night Market at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. Bring the whole family and enjoy all the different food and drink offerings and shop through over 200 vendors!
¢ Get your country on and cruise on down to FivePoint Amphitheater in Irvine to see Florida Georgia Line’s Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour with Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen and Canaan Smith.
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www.ocnightmarket.com
NAMASTE ON THE BEACH July 27-28
¢ Get your Zen on at
the OC Yoga Festival at Huntington Beach. This two-day festival includes yoga workshops, meditation, vendors, food and drinks, DJs and dancing, a 5K and more! www.dola.com
36 LOCALE MAGAZINE
CAN YOU SAY YOU’RE COUNTRY?
orangecounty.eventful.com
BEER AND BRATS! Begins September 8
¢ Start Oktoberfest off early with Old World Huntington Beach. From the bratwurst to the beers, you’re in for a fun night every Wednesday through Sunday in Huntington Beach. www.oldworld.ws
Photos - D23 Expo: © Disney | Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas
¢ What can be better than food and wine? Food and wine on the beach! The Pacific Wine & Food Classic in Newport Beach will delight your senses with fine wine, craft beer and cocktails and summer-inspired food from local chefs.
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LOCALENDAR A SUMMERY SUMMARY OF ORANGE COUNTY’S BEST EVENTS WRITTEN BY: BRITTANY LAWRENCE
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TAKE YOURSELF OUT TO THE BALLGAME September 26-29
¢ Head to the Big A and watch the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim take on the Houston Astros. Cheer on your Halos as they go for the win, and don’t forget the Saturday night fireworks on the 28th. www.mlb.com
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WILL YOU GO TO PROM WITH ME? July 20
¢ Guests ages 14-20 are invited to attend the annual LGBT Center’s OC Queer Prom from 7-10 p.m. All identities, genders and expressions are welcome to come socialize and dance. www.lgbtcenteroc.org
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FUN AT THE FAIR July 12-August 11
¢ It comes every year!
Get ready for the 2019 OC Fair at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. Whether you’re into the outrageous food options, winning prizes or spinning on rides, the fair always has something for everyone. www.ocfair.com
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WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, YES WE DO! July 25-August 15
¢ Support your team! Head to UC Irvine to watch the LA Rams Training Camp. Admission is free and open to the public. Get there a couple hours early to be part of the fan activation zone and get the chance to interact with your favorite players! www.destinationirvine.com
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WATCH ART COME TO LIFE July 7-August 31
¢ Experience art so lifelike, you won’t believe your eyes! The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach features classical and contemporary works of art with real people posing to recreate the original piece. This year’s theme is “The Time Machine.” www.foapom.com
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NIGHT OUT AT THE OPERA July 10-21
www.scfta.org
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August 9-11 and 15-18
August 4
A NIGHT TO LAUGH ¢ Prepare to laugh until
you cry with Jo Koy’s Just Kidding World Tour at the Brea Improv. With shows selling out, you won’t want to miss this.
¢ Run for fun through the OC Fairgrounds bright and early at the OC Fair Fun Run! Participants will have 90 minutes to complete the 5k.
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July 14
August 30-September 1
www.jokoy.com
GO LOCO FOR COCO! ¢ Grab the family and head to Casa Romantica Cultural Center to watch Disney’s Coco under the stars in the courtyard! Don’t forget blankets or low chairs to make yourself comfy. www.patch.com
38 LOCALE MAGAZINE
GET OUT AND RUN
www.ocfair5k.com
GO FOR THE BOOS! ¢ Get in the spooky spirit early at the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival in Santa Ana. The days consist of film screenings, panels, parties and networking! www.hifilmfest.com
Photos - OC Fair: OC Fair & Event Center
¢ Enjoy a night out and head to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa as ˮThe Phantom of the Operaˮ returns to the OC. The production is bigger and better with a cast and orchestra of 52, one of the largest productions on tour right now.
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PARKIT! OC PARKS HAS A TON OF AMAZING WAYS TO ENJOY YOUR LOCAL PARK THIS SUMMER WRITTEN BY: BRITTANY LAWRENCE
July 25 enjoy The English Beat at Irvine Regional Park! They have been making beats for over 40 years!
enjoy the classic movie The Goonies! If you have never seen this film, do yourself a favor and put this on the calendar.
August 8
August 2
¢ Rock out to the Tom Petty tribute band, Room at The Top, at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley for what is sure to be a great show.
¢ It is time to go back! Mason Regional Park will be hosting Back to the Future, the film we all know and love.
August 15
¢ Enjoy the second chapter to a family favorite with Mary Poppins Returns at Irvine Regional Park and watch as Emily Blunt brings the character to life again.
¢ Come dance and
Music lovers at all ages will be able to rock out at the OC Parks Summer Concert Series performances.
¢ Watch as the
Sweet & Tender Hooligans pay tribute to Morrissey and the Smiths like they have for more than two decades, at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley. August 22 ¢ Jam to the sounds of Tijuana Dogs, a band based out of OC, and Family Style at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
August 29 ¢ Lit, American rock
band from Orange County best known for the song “My Own Worst Enemy,” will close out the 2019 OC Parks Summer Concert Series with a free show appealing to both rock and country fans at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
OC Sunset Cinema
¢ Head to Yorba Regional Park to
August 30 ¢ Fall in love all over again with this fairy tale adventure, under the stars with The Princess Bride at Laguna Niguel Regional Park.
September 6 ¢ Get all the summer vibes with Lilo & Stitch at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach and movie-surf into some family fun time.
September 13 ¢ End the summer with Bruce Brown’s iconic surfing documentary, The Endless Summer, at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach, where it all began.
Movie Series is a great way to catch up on classic flicks you haven’t seen yet.
40 LOCALE MAGAZINE
OC PARKS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Thursday Nights at 5 p.m. www.ocparks.com/events OC PARKS SUNSET CINEMA MOVIE SERIES Friday Nights at 6 p.m. www.ocparks.com/events
Photos - Photography Provided By: OC Parks
July 19
August 9
NATIVE KNOWLEDGE BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO SPEND YOUR DAYS
Hey Boo Boo
“Sunset picnics at Treasure Island Park in Laguna Beach can’t be beat.”
PICNIC EXPERT LAUREN RIVARD SHARES HER TOP PICNIC SPOTS IN THE OC
EXPERT: Lauren Rivard CREDENTIALS: Owner, The Picnic Collective
FOR THE LOVER OF THE BAREFOOT LIFESTYLE ¢ This true OC gem is a must for your picnic priority list. Between the harbor, park and ocean views, Lantern Bay Park gives you a little taste of everything Dana Point has to offer. www.danapoint.org
FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY ¢ Pines Park in Capistrano Beach sits on a bluff directly above the ocean. It’s a great place to roll out a picnic blanket while taking in bright blue ocean views and listening for the echoing sound of waves crashing below. www.danapoint.org
FOR THE STAYCATION SEEKER ¢ Located near Montage Resort, you can find some of the prettiest views along Orange County’s coast. Sunset picnics at Treasure Island Park in Laguna Beach can’t be beat. You may even catch whale sightings at this grassy park above the surf! www.visitlagunabeach.com
FOR THE SUNSET-CHASER ¢ “Picnic Park” is actually in the name of this beach park located on the northern side of Laguna Beach’s Heisler Park. The park above the
beach offers grassy areas to spread out on as well as many picnic tables. www.visitlagunabeach.com
FOR THE NATURE LOVER ¢ A tranquil park tucked behind the OC Fairgrounds, Tewinkle Park hosts a large pond, which is home to ducks, turtles and geese. The well-kept grounds offer beautiful walking trails and an abundance of mature trees for shade. www.costamesaca.gov
FOR THE LAID-BACK, LOCAL EXPERIENCE ¢ Bring on the beach days! This iconic surf spot is off the beaten path. San Onofre State Beach is one of [my] favorite hangouts because you can drive right up to the sand and enjoy a laidback gathering under strawthatched beach huts. www.parks.ca.gov/sanonofre
FOR THE ZEN-SEEKER ¢ Explore Huntington Beach’s peaceful, nature-filled Central Park where there’s always a cool breeze blowing, courtesy of the Pacific Ocean. The quintessential space for families and friends to enjoy a day amongst acres of nature. www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
THE PICNIC COLLECTIVE @thepicnic.collective Photoshoot Location: TREASURE ISLAND PARK S Coast Hwy Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949.497.3311 www.visitlagunabeach.com
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PHOTO BY: Hunter Cole
NATIVE KNOWLEDGE BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO SPEND YOUR DAYS
Bend and Stretch THIS YOGI KEEPS HER BODY STRONG AND HER LUNCHTIMES FLEXIBLE
EXPERT: Laurie Koss CREDENTIALS: Instructor, Ra Yoga
GET IN SOME TEA TIME ¢ If I’m meeting a friend for coffee or tea, Milk & Honey is my jam. The warm customer service and unique aesthetic make it the perfect place to have a midday snack. You have got to try their açai bowl—it’s so refreshing!
www.milkandhoneycostamesa.com
GETTIN’ HAUTE IN HERE ¢ When I’m in between teaching classes at Ra Yoga Newport, I love to walk over to Haute Cakes Caffe. My friends and I love their gluten-free, blueberry pancakes and their AllAmerican Scramble. www.hautecakescaffe.co
SWEET, SWEET NEKTER ¢ I love to start my day with a Green Apple Detox juice from Nekter, but their vegan ice cream is the best thing to satisfy my sweet tooth. www.nekterjuicebar.com
SO THANKFUL ¢ Whether it’s a work meeting or a casual lunch with friends, Cafe Gratitude is the perfect place to go. It’s a plant-based cafe, so some of the menu items might sound unfamiliar,
RA YOGA STUDIOS | IRVINE 854 Spectrum Center Dr Irvine, CA 92618 949.727.7407 www.rayoga.com
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“When I’m in between teaching classes at Ra Yoga Newport, I love to walk over to Haute Cakes Caffe.”
but they are sure to amaze your tastebuds! www.cafegratitude.com
HOO-RA! ¢ If you are looking for a genuine community and a wonderful workout, Ra Yoga is the place for you! For the past five years, it’s been my home away from home and I love it so much! www.rayoga.com
OFF TO THE MARKET ¢ Seed Peoples Market has everything from stationary to camping supplies and most of the products in the store are sustainably sourced, local or eco-friendly. I love browsing through this store solo to find inspiration and allow creativity to flow. www.seedpeoplesmarket.com
BACK IN BLK ¢ The staff at BLKdot Coffee knows my favorite coffee and treats me like a queen. Added bonus? I am PUMPED UP for the rest of the day. This Vietnamese-style coffee will get your mood right and kick start your day. www.blkdotcoffee.com
PHOTO BY: Hunter Cole
NATIVE KNOWLEDGE BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO BE MONDAY-SUNDAY
Ready, Set, Burpee! THIS FITNESS BUFF SHARES WHERE TO ENJOY YOUR CALORIES AND HOW TO BURN THEM
I love celebrating Taco Tuesday at my favorite place: Sancho’s Tacos in San Clemente.
EXPERT: Brenna Cliver CREDENTIALS: Trainer, Renaissance ClubSport
MONDAY ¢ My Mondays are very busy, so I will usually complete a short, intense workout (10 rounds of 10 box jumps with step down, 10 alternating jumping lunges and 10 lateral jumps) and then refuel at Citrus Fresh Grill in Renaissance ClubSport. www.renaissanceclubsport.com/ aliso-viejo/citrus
TUESDAY ¢ I love celebrating Taco Tuesday at my favorite place: Sancho’s Tacos in San Clemente. But first, do five sets of 10 reps each of this quick shoulder burner: seated dumbbell presses, dumbbell lateral raises, dumbbell alternating front raises, dumbbell upright rows and rope cable face pulls. www.sanchostacos.com
WEDNESDAY ¢ Humpday deserves a killer leg session—four sets of 15 reps each: leg press, Smith machine hip thrusts, dumbbell walking lunges, prone hamstring curl machine and leg extension machine—followed by the best poke spot: Big Fish Little Fish. www.bigfishlittlefishpoke.com
THURSDAY ¢ Mix up your cardio at Renaissance ClubSport! Try the cardio step interval class with Michele at 8 a.m., or the 9 a.m. spin class with Juliet. When it’s almost Friday, you need a
little something extra. Bosscat Kitchen and Libations has exactly what you’re wanting. www.bosscatkitchen.com
FRIDAY ¢ It’s Friday! Do this killer HIIT/ Core routine—four rounds of 30-second workouts with 30-second rests, complete all reps of one exercise before moving on: bicycle crunches, Russian twists, mountain climbers, elbow plank and plank thrusters. Then, try my all-time favorite restaurant: Driftwood Kitchen. www.driftwoodkitchen.com
SATURDAY ¢ Saturday is for steak and seafood. Get the best of both at Salt Creek Grill in Dana Point. But give your upper body a workout first with five sets of 20 reps each: lat pulldowns, dumbbell tricep kickbacks, barbell bicep curls, seated cable rows and chest press machine. www.saltcreekgrille.com
SUNDAY ¢ Try Fusion Flow Yoga at 9:30 a.m. with Caroline, or do maximum rounds in 20 minutes of: 10 kettlebell swings, 10 overhead medicine ball slams and 10 burpees. You should be done in time to have brunch at the Ramos House Café. www.renaissanceclubsport.com/ aliso-viejo/group-fitness www.ramoshouse.com
RENAISSANCE CLUBSPORT 50 Enterprise Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949.643.6700 www.renaissanceclubsport.com/aliso-viejo
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PHOTO BY: Hunter Cole
NATIVE KNOWLEDGE BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO SPEND YOUR DAYS
Thai It All Together THIS FASHION DESIGNER GIVES A TOUR OF LITTLE SAIGON’S MOST AUTHENTIC SPOTS
EXPERT: Thai Nguyen CREDENTIALS: Fashion Designer and Creative Director, Thai Nguyen Atelier
IT’S GOING GOWN ¢ Thai Nguyen Atelier is where you can have a oncein-a-lifetime experience with a custom-made, to-order design, whether it’s a bridal gown, evening gown or ao dai—a Vietnamese traditional gown. I will design and sketch a one-ofa-kind dress in front of you! www.tnatelier.com
HIS ABSOLUTE FAVORI(TE) ¢ Favori Restaurant makes the best ca nuong (baked whole catfish) and lau bap chuoi hai san (seafood and banana blossoms in hot pot) in all of Little Saigon. www.favorirestaurant.com
ALL YOU CAN SEA ¢ You must order the Newport Seafood Lobster at Tan Cang Newport Seafood. It’s their world-famous lobster served in their signature sauce. The perfect place to have dinner with your whole family. www.tancangnewportseafood.com
NO HUE ¢ When I need something delicious and fast, I always go to Kim Long Hue Food To Go. They have the best bun bo hue and many other different
THAI NGUYEN ATELIER 3303 Harbor Blvd, Ste D2 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.766.4370 www.tnatelier.com
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Favori Restaurant makes the best ca nuong (baked whole catfish) and lau bap chuoi hai san (seafood and banana blossoms in hot pot) in all of Little Saigon.
Hue (Central Vietnam) food. You can have a quick lunch or dinner at the place, order to-go or order by tray. 714.636.9558
WHAT A VU ¢ After you have found the perfect dress at Thai Nguyen Atelier, glam is next! Travis at Travis Vu Salon has cut my hair for the past 10 years; he will be able to create amazing hair and makeup looks for every occasion! www.travisvuthesalon.com
NAILED IT! ¢ Taking care of your nails is a lifestyle you deserve to have! After your hair is done, get your nails did! Come see Kelly at HB Nails Salon—she will pamper you! hbnailssalonhuntingtonbeach.com
HE BE-LEAVES ¢ Desserts for Vietnamese [people] are mostly milk tea and boba! 7Leaves has many locations because they’re GOOOOOD! I love their signature drinks, Mung Bean Milk Tea and Herbal Tea! My own signature drink is Herbal Tea with aloe vera and grass jelly! www.7leavescafe.com
PHOTO BY: Hunter Cole
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Years Publishing My Blog
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Flights to Hawaii
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Photo Editing Apps on My Phone (But I Only Use 2)
“I shoot a lot of my images in the late afternoon, ‘golden hour,’ when the shadows are most dramatic.”
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Jonathan’s Gram THE LIFESTYLE BLOGGER SHARES TIPS, STATS AND WHO TO FOLLOW
TIPS TO BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL LIFESTYLE BLOGGER 1.
Figure out your point of view and focus your content around that.
2.
Be aware of your feed grid—a cohesive theme will make people more apt to follow.
3.
Use hashtags to expand your potential audience.
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Use Stories to supplement and engage with your audience.
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Be consistent in your posting times. 910 L I KES
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OF JONATHAN’S FAVORITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
I love following accounts that bring a bit of humor, nostalgia and a smile to my day! @bittycar @newagecocaine @presentandcorrect 50 LOCALE MAGAZINE
JUST KEEP GROWING
25k August 2014
50k
750 L IK E S
February 2015
75k June 2017
Follow Jonathan Lo
@happymundane
100k January 2018
Written By and Photography Provided By: Jonathan Lo
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“My favorite images are the ones I take when I travel. Getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to notice things you might not normally see.”
LETTER TO… HANNAHLEI CABANILLA WRITES AN OPEN LETTER TO ASPIRING DANCERS
Dear Aspiring Dancer, As I am still a young dancer, I am certainly not a master at my profession or know all the tricks of the industry. I am still learning how to grow and thrive as a successful dancer, just like you. Throughout my 17 years of dance training, I have gathered some knowledge and developed a mindset that helped me fulfill my dreams, such as winning Season 15 of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Recently I learned that I am the type of person that goes “all or nothing” in life and especially in dance. I believe that is an important mindset to have as an aspiring artist because if you want to pursue a career in this industry, you can’t hold back or give half effort into your craft. Learn how to give 100 percent to everything and nothing less. You can also apply this mindset physically while you are dancing. Try a class in a new style. Try out a new trick or turn. Try going in the front of the class. Step outside your comfort zone and give it all you got. You will never know the outcome unless you go for it. Throughout my dance career, it took me several years and auditions just to book my first job in the industry. It also took me several years just to place first overall for my solo at a dance competition. I’m telling you this because I want you to know that you shouldn’t give up if something doesn’t go your way the first time. If you get knocked down, look at it as an opportunity to grow and come back even stronger. I promise it will pay off in the long run. I also make sure to focus on myself and my own career. On social media, everyone posts the highs and successes of their lives and it is easy to compare your life to others. What others post shouldn’t discourage you or make you wish you were like them. Use their posts as inspiration to work hard and make your dreams come true. Everybody will have their own time and place to shine.
Hannahlei Cabanilla Dancer, Season 15 Winner of “So You Think You Can Dance”
Lastly, remember why you love what you do. I love to dance because there is no better feeling in the world than when I’m dancing—it is where I feel at home and the happiest. I couldn’t bare to live without dance. It has made me who I am. It’s so easy to get caught up and forget why you’re doing it in the first place. Reminding yourself why you love to dance sets your whole intention and perspective of the chaos of this dance industry.
Wiz Kid • Even the pros get stage fright! Cabanilla says that she “peed onstage at a competition when [she] was six.”
Adora-Bowl • A superstar deserves a superfruit: “I’m obsessed with acai bowls,” Cabanilla shares.
Born This Way • Cabanilla was destined to become a showstopper. “My middle name is Dazle,” she says.
Hannahlei Cabanilla
Dancing Through Life Hannahlei’s Words to Live by
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Be yourself.
When one door closes, another one opens.
Be confident.
HANNAHLEI CABANILLA @hannahleidazle
Photography Provided By: Michael Higgins, Adam Rose (FOX)
Xo,
LIFE
of the
PA R T Y Internet Sensation SCOTTY SIRE Opens up About Music, Inspiration and Success WRITTEN BY: DIEGO E. GAXIOLA PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TRAVIS MCCOY STYLED BY: TERESITA MADRIGAL GROOMED BY: BRIAN BOND
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SCOTTY SIRE www.scottysire.com @vanilladingdong Photoshoot Location: HOUSE OF BLUES ANAHEIM 400 W Disney Way, Ste 337 Anaheim, CA 92802 714.778.2583 www.houseofblues.com/anaheim
“For me, music is my creative outlet right now. I get to write down lyrics and get to talk about how I feel and that really helps me feel better.”
SUIT PROVIDED BY: Oren Kash www.orenkash.bigcartel.com SHIRT PROVIDED BY: Geoff Duran www.geoffduran.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: New Republic Man www.shopnewrepublic.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Jonas Studio @jonasstudionyc
—SCOTTY SIRE
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In person, Sire exudes a confidence that distinguishes himself in any setting, while still having a personality that encourages comfort and trust.
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SHIRT PROVIDED BY: Ashley Isham @ashleyishamofficial SUIT PROVIDED BY: Oren Kash www.orenkash.bigcartel.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: New Republic www.shopnewrepublic.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Jonas Studio @jonasstudionyc
S C O T T Y S I R E is an artist, musician and composer whose impressive social media presence has created a name for himself in the entertainment industry. The Vine and YouTube star-turned-musician and composer released his first album, “Ruin Your Party,” in October of 2018. The alternative-pop and hip-hop influences throughout the album help give each song its own unique sound while the lyrics express important topics surrounding mental health. With a cross-country tour under his belt and an electrifying performance set for July 13 at the House of Blues Anaheim, Sire is proving to be an overall powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
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Sire was born and raised in Orange County, growing up in Huntington Beach with his parents and two younger brothers. Reminiscing about his childhood and how his parents incorporated music in his life, Sire recalls, “My dad used to sing us ‘King of the Road’ by Roger Miller before bedtime.” As he got older, Sire began to realize he loved entertaining people, especially his peers, and decided to focus more of his time and energy in the ever-expanding realm of social media. Sire’s dad used to say, “An idle mind is the devil’s playground,” and Scotty knew that social media would keep him busy and, more importantly, allow him to set goals focused on maintaining a career in the entertainment industry. Sire first gained popularity through the social media platform Vine, where his witty and hilarious six-second video clips amassed millions of viewers. While discussing the reasons why he first began uploading content onto his Vine and YouTube channels, Sire says, “It was just a lot of fun and I liked to entertain my friends.” However, Sire also distinguished social media platforms as a way of jump-starting his career in the entertainment industry. “Maybe if I go and build an audience on
Vine, I can catapult myself into a more traditional career path like getting into acting or maybe doing a commercial,” says Sire. Due to the fast-growing popularity of his Vine account, Sire soon began to upload content regularly and developed friendships with other popular social media influencers. From 2015 to 2016, he was given the opportunity to showcase his acting skills in the movies Summer Forever and FML. FML, a movie about a pair of internet stars embarking on a cross-country road trip, was written and directed by Jason Nash, a friend of Sire’s and a fellow Vine star. Unfortunately, in January of 2017, the Vine app changed completely, leaving many like Sire unable to upload new videos to their accounts. Thankfully, Sire’s YouTube career had already taken off, allowing him to continue to reach his growing fanbase with his notoriously amusing video content. When going through Sire’s YouTube channel, you can find a multitude of enjoyable videos to watch, from completely covering his buddy’s house in wrapping paper to surprising his mom with an amazing new Christmas gift. His Youtube channel is also where Sire’s alternative-pop and hip-hop style of music can be found, allowing fans a glimpse at both his personal and professional life.
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SHIRT PROVIDED BY: Geoff Duran www.geoffduran.com SUIT PROVIDED BY: Malan Breton www.malanbreton.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: New Republic www.shopnewrepublic.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Jonas Studio @jonasstudionyc
Sire first gained popularity through the social media platform Vine, where his witty and hilarious six-second video clips amassed millions of viewers.
Scott of All Trades • Before gaining popularity via social media, Sire worked in construction and later as a bartender in Costa Mesa. He was creating some of his earliest Vines while still working as a bartender, but ultimately moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his career. Bro Wrestlers • Sire was a member of the wrestling team back in high school, alongside friend and social media influencer Toddy Smith.
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Screen Time • Though Sire doesn’t have too much free time these days, he’ll try to squeeze in an episode or two of “The Office” or “Umbrella Academy” before bed. Bear It All • Tattoo art is another form of expression Sire has come to love. After turning 18, Scotty got his first tattoo, a snazzy bear complete with a gold chain, anchor and hat adorned by a lucky four-leaf clover.
As he got older, Sire began to realize he loved entertaining people, especially his peers, and decided to focus more of his time and energy in the ever-expanding realm of social media.
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JACKET & PANTS PROVIDED BY: Bohemian Society www.thebohemiansociety.com SHIRT PROVIDED BY: ONS Clothing www.have2have.it/onsclothing BELT PROVIDED BY: Magill www.magill-la.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: ReStyled Vintage www.shoprestyled.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Jonas Studio @jonasstudionyc
“If you’re musicallyinclined, focus on building yourself up in other ways outside of music so you will have a platform to build up from.” —SCOTTY SIRE
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“[I loved] doing the meet and greets. You get to meet a lot of people and sometimes I’m the first internet celebrity they’ve ever met and they freak out—it’s nice to know they care.” —SCOTTY SIRE
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When asked what musical genre he feels he fits into, Sire discussed how he shares the same philosophy as singer and songwriter, Post Malone. Malone is notorious for expressing that he does not want to be limited to one single genre because he actually finds inspiration in many different types of music. “That’s what I’m trying to do, too,” Sire explains. “Whatever feels right to me.” He feels that though his music may sound a certain way or possibly fit into a certain genre, he is continually inspired by individuals in diverse genres of music such as “Post Malone, twenty one pilots, broadway music and Britney Spears.” His new song “Take Me Away” is a great example of his music style, mixing his sense of humor with self-reflection and irony. And his recent album, “Ruin Your Party,” doesn’t just sound phenomenal, it also touches on mental health issues that many individuals deal with every day. For Sire, a word of advice for those struggling with mental health issues is to try to find a creative outlet. “For me, music is my creative outlet right now,” he says. “I get to write down lyrics and get to talk about how I feel and that really helps me feel better.” In March of this year, Sire traveled with his team across the country for his Ruin Your Party tour, hitting 13 major cities. Looking back at the tour highlights, Sire says, “I think one of the highlights of my Ruin Your Party tour was actually performing and seeing how people react to my songs.” He adds, “[I loved] doing the meet and greets. You get to meet a lot of people and sometimes I’m the first internet celebrity they’ve ever met and they freak out—it’s nice to know they care.” Though Sire has garnered millions of followers across his various social media accounts, he still has managed to stay down-to-earth and appreciative
of his continued success. In person, Sire exudes a confidence that distinguishes himself in any setting, while still having a personality that encourages comfort and trust. When asked what possible advice he’d give to someone just starting out their careers in the entertainment industry, Sire states, “If you’re musically-inclined, focus on building yourself up in other ways outside of music so you will have a platform to build up from.” Sire is using his own platform to spark change within his Southern California community by focusing his attention on a number of important social issues that resonate with him. While discussing one of the events he and his girlfriend, Kristen McAtee, took part in, Sire says, “The Bright Flight was an opportunity for me to use my platform for good in order to make people aware of what is going on with the environment.” Sire and McAtee took a hands-on approach during this event by walking around the Santa Monica Pier and taking the time to educate individuals on the negative effects plastic straws have within our oceans. Sire explains, “The ocean is filling up with waste and it’s predicted that there will be more plastic than fish by 2050.” Involvement within his community, whether it be through social media or events like The Bright Flight, is something Sire takes very seriously. Even as he makes strides in the music industry and travels across the country, he always returns to where he first began. Though Sire’s sold-out US tour officially ended in March, there is still a chance for you to see him perform at House of Blues Anaheim on July 13. Sire, as well as his good friend Toddy Smith, put together a mindblowing performance for fans and are even offering an intimate meet and greet for those interested. Get your tickets now before they sell out!
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AT H L E T E S /// ACTI VI TI E S / / / A D R E N A LI N E
EXPERTS Find out What It Takes to Go Pro
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KARMA Take an Inside Look at the 2020 KARMA Revero GT
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HUMANITARIAN FEATURE Save the Shores With Surfrider Foundation of Huntington Beach and Seal Beach
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GUIDE Your Eat, Drink, Do and Explore Guide to All the Hidden Gems in Orange County
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BALBOA BAR Discover the Rich, Chocolatey History of Orange County’s Beloved Balboa Bar
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EXPERTS Blood, Sweat and Tears
Local Professionals Show Us What Sets Them Apart From the Rest
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PROFILE This CBD Company Pairs Education and Outreach With TopQuality Products
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PERSIAN MEDIUM The Persian Medium Channels Her Spiritual Energies for the Greater Good
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PAULINA GRANADOS @paulinagrana2 Photoshoot Location: ALLIANCE MMA GYM 646 H St Chula Vista, CA 91910 619.947.6375 www.alliancegym.com PHOTO BY: Nick Isabella
FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE We Dropped Into the Ocean With Liquid Adrenaline Divers for a FirstTimer’s Experience
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BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS Many of us grew up with a favorite sport or extracurricular activity, but while most of us hung up our cleats or our helmets years ago, some took it to the next level. When it comes to inspirational stories, there are few more stirring than that of the local who made it to the big time. Within the next pages, you’ll find the stories of six locals who had what it takes to become a professional in their field—whether it be racing towards the finish line, touring the globe with a worldrenowned dance company or racking up three Olympic gold medals.
LOCAL PROFESSIONALS SHOW US WHAT SETS THEM APART FROM THE REST WRITTEN BY: ELISE EDWARDS, JORDAN NISHKIAN & ANNIE KIM PHOTOGRAPHED BY: CHARLIE CHIPMAN, RYAN HENSLEY, NICK ISABELLA, ERIK ISAKSON & MATT MISISCO LOCALE MAGAZINE 67
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The Drift King
“I tell myself I can do this. Let’s just push it 100 percent. If the car breaks, it’s okay...my loyal mechanics can fix it.”
THIS PRO DRIFTER LIVES LIFE IN THE FAST LANE WRITTEN BY: ANNIE KIM PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ERIK ISAKSON
EXPERT: Ken Gushi CREDENTIALS: Professional Drifter and Owner of Ken Gushi Motorsports Ken Gushi, a Japanese-American professional drifter and owner of Ken Gushi Motorsports, is not one to hold up traffic or be caught driving slow in the fast lane (or any lane for that matter). Known as the Drift King, Gushi has mastered the art of drifting—a controlled slide in a vehicle that terrifyingly hugs the turn of a road at a rapid speed. Drifting is all thrill with zero room for error, a diminutive margin Gushi viscerally lives to push his limits in. “Behind the wheel, I can express myself,” he says. “Whether it be aggressive driving next to a wall or sliding 120 miles an hour sideways.”
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To be successful in the realm of drifting, one must have unwavering confidence combined with remarkable mental toughness. Aside from mental training, Gushi trains three to five hours (sometimes 10 hours) daily on a racing simulator at home which allows him to
practice on multiple tracks that are exact replicas of the ones he competes in. “Eighty percent of drifting is all mental. You have to tell yourself ‘Fuck it… Whatever happens, happens,’” says Gushi. “The moment you feel like this is scary is the moment you should probably retire or look for another career because in that moment, there’s no way you’re going to propel [or] push yourself into being a better version of what you currently are.” Gushi’s next big goal is to win a championship in the Formula Drift series. From there, he hopes to pass his crown off as the “Drift King” to a young, talented driver and bring them on to Ken Gushi Motorsports for the future of drifting. But for now, Gushi lives his life fearlessly in the fast lane. The same adrenaline he gets today when behind the wheel is exactly the same adrenaline he felt when he first got behind the wheel 24 years ago. “I’ll continue to do it as long as I feel the same rush,” says Gushi. Early Start • Gushi’s first taste of driving a car was at eight years old when he helped his father, an owner of a car maintenance shop, move cars around.
STATS:
20
Years of Drifting
3
Major Car Accidents
2
Drifting Championships
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Anime-ted • At age 13, Gushi’s interest in drifting stemmed from watching a Japanese street racing anime series called “Initial D.” Flow Into the Drift • “Don’t worry about trying to make it pro. Don’t worry about the sponsors,” advises Gushi. “If you’re passionate about drifting, and just drifting, then the pro aspect will come looking for you eventually.” KEN GUSHI @kengushi Photoshoot Location: BOOST BRIGADE HQ 9 Vanderbilt Irvine, CA 92618 949.588.8300 www.shop.boostbrigade.com
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All A-Boat It MAKING WAVES IS SECOND NATURE TO THIS SAILING DUO WRITTEN BY: ELISE EDWARDS
“The first step is fundraising and getting sponsors. You then have to build a boat and then you have to build a team all while you keep yourself focused and in shape.” —Mike Buckley
EXPERT: Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield CREDENTIALS: Professional Sailors Mike Buckley got his first taste of sailing as a child growing up on Cape Cod. “My mom found some little crappy boat that had a little sail. It was wooden and leaked and she used to push me off the beach in it with a rope tied onto a tree on shore. I used to go out there until the thing would half sink and then come back and try again.”
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Buckley and Canfield are currently knee-deep in the creation process of a 75-foot race boat that’s as
STATS:
10
Years Competing Together as a Team
1
Year to Build a Race Boat
7
Teams Competing in the Upcoming America’s Cup
As the country watches this first all-American entry in over 15 years to challenge for the Cup, it’s impressive to note the combination of work ethic, attitude and commitment to social change that has helped make them an inspiration to so many. “We have this incredible platform to inspire people, to teach kids what the American dream is and what hard work can get you. If you have a dream, it’s not gonna find you on the couch. You have to go out and do it. Take risks, work your butt off and good things usually happen.”
The Dream Team • Their dream crew member is Michael Phelps. They’d love for him to be a grinder and come sail with them. Unstoppable • Buckley cites taking a vet who lost his leg to sailing as one of the coolest moments of his life. When they met, he said he wouldn’t be able to sail without a leg, but he just competed in his first handicapped sailing event. A Rocky Start • Buckley jokes that when he and Canfield first sailed together 10 years ago, they vowed to never do it again, but after a few years they decided to give it another shot.
MIKE BUCKLEY starsandstripesteamusa.americascup.com @mikejbuckley TAYLOR CANFIELD starsandstripesteamusa.americascup.com @taylorwcanfield
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Photography Provided By: Matt Knighton courtesy of Stars + Stripes USA & Matthew Brush courtesy of MUSTO and Stars + Stripes USA
Sitting in that boat, Buckley could never have imagined the position he’d be sitting in today—preparing alongside partner and fellow sailing world champion, Taylor Canfield, to lead an all-American team to sail in America’s Cup in 2021. Between staying in shape, fundraising, building a team and building a boat, it’s an objective that’s all-consuming.
technologically advanced as a modern-day aircraft and capable of reaching speeds between 50 and 60 mph. “We toured Virgin Orbit in Long Beach where they build rocket ships and there’s a lot of parallels between what they’re doing and what we’re doing. Their craft flies to space while ours flies above the water, but there are so many similarities,“ Buckley explains.
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Acing It THIS OLYMPIAN’S SELFLESS MENTALITY CULTIVATES TEAMWORK WRITTEN BY: ANNIE KIM PHOTOGRAPHED BY: RYAN HENSLEY
“I always grew up playing for those who couldn’t play…when I complained about being tired, my dad would be like, ‘Well there’s somebody in the hospital bed or a kid out there with cancer.’ You got to play for those who can’t play.”
EXPERT: Misty May-Treanor CREDENTIALS: Former Professional American Beach Volleyball Player In volleyball, most successful players have a height advantage. Standing at five feet and nine inches tall, the genetic disposition of Misty May-Treanor didn’t set her up to succeed in the game of volleyball, but her perspective did. “It’s a thinking game,” explains May-Treanor. “You may not be the fastest or strongest but you can outthink your opponent, and that’s what I love about it.”
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Ever since she could remember, the Santa Monica native grew up peppering with her parents. Both her parents were very supportive and heavily involved in the game. May-Treanor’s father, known as Butch in the tight-knit volleyball community, was just as loving as he was tough on her. “He’d put me in the corner and nail balls at me… I didn’t mind,” laughs May-Treanor as she reminisces of her earlier days. May-Treanor was a dominant force and versatile player in both the indoor and beach game. Her game was a rare sight to witness—embodying the elements of finesse and power.
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13
Years as a Beach Professional
3
Olympic Gold Medals
112
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Without a doubt, the volleyball star was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of player. From leading her California State University, Long Beach team to an NCAA championship title in 1998 to winning three back-to-back Olympic Gold medals with her then partner Kerri Lee Walsh Jennings, May-Treanor not only outsmarted her opponents, but her selfless mentality also always cultivated a team environment that helped her teammates improve both as players and as people. “It can’t be about you—it’s about teamwork,” says May-Treanor. “It’s about making the person next to you better, and ultimately making the team better and ultimately making you become better.” Although retired, May-Treanor hasn’t stopped making the teams that she’s a part of become better. Currently as the Director of Volleyball Operations at Long Beach City College and owner of Dream in Gold volleyball club, her impact on the game of volleyball goes beyond the court lines. May-Treanor continues to be an incredible leader and role model— back then as a player, and now, as a mother, mentor and coach. Like Father Like Daughter • May-Treanor played her first beach volleyball tournament with her father, Butch, when she was eight years old. Bittersweet Milestone • One of her proudest moments was when she qualified for her first Olympics—it was the only Olympics her mother, who passed away from cancer, got to see her play in. Learn From the Best • “If you want something bad enough, you put blinders on and become tunnel vision on that one goal,” says May-Treanor. “Don’t focus on what other people are doing [or saying], just focus on yourself.” MISTY MAY-TREANOR @mistymayvb Photoshoot Location: ROSIE’S DOG BEACH 5000 E Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 90803 www.hautedogs.org/beach.html
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Tackling a New Field NOTHING CAN STOP THIS NFL LINEBACKER-TURNED-FIGHTER WRITTEN BY: ELISE EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHED BY: CHARLIE CHIPMAN
EXPERT: Shawne Merriman CREDENTIALS: Former NFL Linebacker, Founder of Lights Out Brand and Lights Out Xtreme Fighting If you ask NFL legend Shawne Merriman what he’s most proud of from his career, he’ll tell you it’s the people he got to play with. “In my 2006 season, we had 11 Pro Bowlers and three or four Hall of Fame guys on one team. I mean, how many times does that happen?”
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Despite retiring in 2013, the former San Diego Charger doesn’t have much time for reflecting these days. He launched the MMA league, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, has his own line of athletic clothing and, in April, was one of 64 legends chosen to take part in NFL Draft Day. “It was cool for me because they could have asked anybody. So to have me out for that, it was an honor and a pleasure. And craziness. I walked out on the stage and I have no problem talking to crowds, but 200,000
STATS:
257 Total Tackles in His NFL Career
3
Time Pro Bowl Player
12th
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people was a whole different story. I felt like I was at a Beyoncé concert.” Merriman knows firsthand that not much compares to the day a player is officially drafted. To those lucky enough to secure a spot, he says, “Enjoy the day and having your name called. A lot of these guys dreamt of this when they were kids, so the first part of your dream is done, but the real work is just starting. Now you have to go make your mark. Nobody cares what you’ve done—it’s what you do now that will solidify your legacy.” As for himself, Merriman feels like he’s getting to leave his legacy for a second time. “I had a great career where I accomplished exactly what I set out to do. The only thing that I was missing was probably a ring or two. But I’ve been grateful for everything in my career… I’m getting a chance to live out my dream and my dream after my dream.”
“When you enter the world of combat sports, you have to make it your life, so until I was ready to do something full-time, I didn’t want to take that next step.”
Weigh to Go • Merriman discovered the weight room at his high school as a freshman, and despite the fact that it was rundown, he became a “workout freak.” Years later, he went back and helped renovate the entire gym at the school. Brains and Brawn • Merriman currently gives lectures at colleges on intellectual property and patent infringement. He learned about it from defending his own name and trademark, “Lights Out.”
SHAWNE MERRIMAN www.lightsoutxf.com www.lightsoutbrand.com @shawnemerriman Photoshoot Location: RUNYON CANYON PARK 2000 N Fuller Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046 818.243.1145 www.laparks.org/park/runyon-canyon
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Bend, Don’t Break FROM OC TO NYC, THIS DANCER’S CAREER IS ALWAYS EN POINTE
“I love it because it’s the most freeing experience. When I’m dancing, it feels like nothing else is really going on except for this present moment. It feels like a sacred prayer.”
WRITTEN BY: JORDAN NISHKIAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MATT MISISCO
EXPERT: Danica Paulos CREDENTIALS: Dancer When speaking with Danica Paulos and watching her dance, it’s clear to see that she is living the life she was meant to. “I’ve always known that I wanted to be a dancer,” she says, reminiscing of how her grandmother started putting her in classes at Huntington Beach’s Orange County Dance Center when she was five years old. Now, 20 years later, she is a member of one of the most prestigious dance companies in America, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
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Through years of trials and tribulations, Paulos’ hard work never wavered. Her passion for her craft and her tenacity pushed her to where she is and who she is today. “The greatest challenge I’ve had to overcome is to know my worth,” she explains. When she first joined her current company, she was
STATS:
20
Years Dancing
10
Tours With Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
200
Performances a Year 76 LOCALE MAGAZINE
given a temporary contract; she was only supposed to fill in for an injured dancer for one international tour. And while she was grateful for the opportunity to live out this dream, there was a nagging feeling that she wasn’t worthy and that “they didn’t want [her] for a long time—only a short time.” Thankfully, Paulos found her worth and her joy. “I realized that my time is now and that I’m here for this, and I’m going to enjoy every single moment.” That revelation came to her five years ago, and she has been dancing with the company ever since. When asked what her words would be to her younger self, Paulos answered that she “would tell her that her love for dance is the most important aspect of this whole experience, and not to let the opinions of others, whether positive or negative, blind her. Stay true to that inner calling of who you are.” Stepping Forward • 2018 marked Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 60th Anniversary. What began in March of 1958 has become an era of exploring the African American experience through modern dance. Back to Her Roots • “The first time I performed in Orange County with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for my friends and family, there were about 40 young students from Orange County Dance Center there. It was really overwhelming to see my two worlds colliding. That was the moment it really hit me.” DANICA PAULOS @danfreaka @lens_of_the_heart Photoshoot Location: DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION 135 N Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012 213.972.0711 www.dorothychandlerpavilion.net
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Hit Like a Girl THIS MMA FIGHTER HITS HARD AND TRAINS HARDER
“[In Mini Mermaids, we] talk about positive words versus negative words, trust and honesty. You know, stuff they might not be getting talked to about at home.”
WRITTEN BY: ELISE EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NICK ISABELLA
EXPERT: Paulina Granados CREDENTIALS: MMA Fighter After high school, Paulina Granados found herself in a downward spiral. She had been an athlete her whole life, even winning an honor created for her called the “Energizer Bunny Award” for playing six sports in one year. But, once that stopped, she got bored and started experimenting with alcohol and drugs. That’s when she went on MySpace and saw a picture of MMA Fighter Gina Carano throwing a flying knee. “I was like, ‘Who is that and what is she doing?’ I started investigating the sport, found a gym and never left. It pretty much saved my life.”
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With her rigorous training, the 31-year-old doesn’t mess around when it comes to being in shape. It’s a dangerous sport and she knows firsthand how devastating the injuries can be. She’s had two surgeries, fractured her nose about three times, injured her meniscus, partially tore
her ACL and broke her orbital bone. “The doctor who did the surgery on my knee pretty much told me that I wouldn’t be able to do the intense stuff that I do now. When he was telling me, I thought, ‘You watch me. I’m gonna recover from this and be sprinting uphill.’ And I did.” That doesn’t make it any easier for her parents as spectators. “My dad doesn’t watch my fights. My mom watches and she makes my fight skirts. Growing up, she would make our clothes and I used to hate that she couldn’t buy us stuff, but now I appreciate it so much more. I know she makes those garments with love, and it’s what I go into battle with.” When not in battle, Granados enjoys going to the beach, doing “girly” things like getting her hair and nails done, and eating pizza and tacos. She also coaches high-risk kids through a program called the Mini Mermaid Running Club. “I talk to them about exercise and life stuff. The getting is in the giving. That’s what really makes me feel powerful.” Birds of a Featherweight • When Granados became serious about training, she moved from Texas to San Diego to train at the Alliance Training Center because that’s where all her favorite fighters were.
STATS:
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Years Spent Training
5
Training Sessions a Week
5
Hours in a Training Session
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Natural Athlete • As a kid, Granados participated in multiple sports including soccer, track and volleyball. Just Keep Moving • On her recovery days, she makes sure to stay busy doing what she calls “active recovery,” even if that’s just taking the dog for a long walk. “Anything to keep me from being home and stuffing my face!” she jokes. PAULINA GRANADOS @paulinagrana2 Photoshoot Location: ALLIANCE MMA GYM 646 H St Chula Vista, CA 91910 619.947.6375 www.alliancegym.com
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Revvin’ up the Revero RIDE IN STYLE WITH THE 2020 KARMA REVERO GT
WRITTEN BY: AMEIHIA TURINGAN
Since its inception five years ago, Southern Californiabased KARMA Automotive has aimed to help shape the future of driving through its vehicles and business direction. With the 2020 luxury electric KARMA Revero GT, KARMA Automotive offers new levels of innovation by utilizing improved design, technology and performance capabilities for higher functionality.
Origin Story • The original KARMA Revero was based on the Fisker Karma, incorporating much of its original design and aesthetic.
New Beginnings • KARMA Automotive started in 2014 and is headquartered in Irvine.
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A BMW TwinPower Turbo, three-cylinder, in-line engine powers an on-board electric generator to keep the Revero going for up to an additional 280 miles, giving the car a total range of up to 360 miles. The enhanced technology found in the 2020 Revero GT also improves zero to 60 miles per hour performance; the car will hit that mark in 4.5 seconds, nearly a full second faster than the model it replaces. “We created a world-class electric vehicle drive system that delivers the performance and packaging requirements of the new
Revero,” says Bob Kruse, KARMA’s Chief Technology Officer. “Alongside a series of other technological advancements, the new 2020 Revero is as fast as it looks.” In terms of interior design and function, KARMA Revero’s interior comes with sixway adjustable seats. Each vehicle can be customized to the customer’s liking as the Scottish leather comes in eight different colors and three multi-colored themes. The Revero is equipped with features like 3D touch steering wheel controls, parking assist and an eight-speaker audio system for a quality driving experience. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa and Google Home help Reverso drivers and riders stay connected on the road. “The KARMA brand is driven in part by owner experiences that are both personal and special,” says John Maloney, KARMA’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We believe ownership is about more than just our beautiful Revero GT—it’s about becoming part of our brand and connecting with those who stand behind it.”
KARMA | WESTLAKE 250 S Cord Ave Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 844.935.0800 www.karmawestlake.com KARMA | PASADENA 285 W Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91105 833.205.6602 www.karmapasadena.com KARMA | ORANGE COUNTY 950 W Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663 844.527.6262 www.karmaoc.com
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Photography Provided By: KARMA Automotive
Show and Tell • KARMA Automotive showcased the Karma Revero GT, along with the KARMA Pininfarina GT and KARMA SC1 Vision Concept at Auto Shanghai in April 2019.
The 2020 KARMA Revero GT is an electric vehicle that the company calls “a bridge to the future.” KARMA’s team of designers and engineers worked on the new car to provide essential redesign, technology improvements and elevated aesthetics. The new Revero is now 357 pounds lighter due to its aluminum base structure, and a refined dual-motor electric propulsion system that increases all-electric range up to 80 miles when fully charged.
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PLANET PLASTIC OR PLANET EARTH? SURFRIDER FOUNDATION OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND SEAL BEACH CHAPTER SPREADS AWARENESS INSTEAD OF WASTE
WRITTEN BY: ANNIE KIM PHOTOGRAPHED BY: CELINE HAEBERLY
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The goal of SF H/SB’s education is to teach the younger generation from the beginning how to practice good habits and understand that every decision they make in this materialistic society has potentially large outcomes for the fate of the earth.
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION HUNTINGTON/SEAL BEACH www.hsbsurfrider.org @hsbsurfrider SURFRIDER FOUNDATION www.surfrider.org @surfrider Photoshoot Location: HUNTINGTON STATE BEACH 21601 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, CA 92646 LOCALE MAGAZINE 83
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Above and Beyond • After each beach cleanup, Pedroza takes home all hard plastics collected at the beach cleanup and personally recycles them.
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Hold on to Your Butt • Norma Sellers, the Chair of Hold on to Your Butt, collects the cigarette butts from the installed canisters in Huntington Beach and Seal Beach and ships them to TerraCycle— where they recycle the plastics from the cigarette buds and repurpose them into plastic pallets and ashtrays. “It’s a good idea instead of being in the landfills and polluting the environment.”
By 2050, there could be more
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plastic swimming in the world’s oceans than fish in weight. This
prediction was made by various renowned sources such as The
United Nations and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Society is well aware of
the first step to the solution in solving this ecocatastrophe: pick up your
Ocean Friendly Restaurants • “We started Ocean Friendly Restaurants in 2011 [where] we convince restaurants to use alternatives rather than styrofoam and plastics,” says Soriano. This was such an eco-brilliant idea that headquarters in San Clemente took it over.
trash and dispose of it in the correct color bin. Getting everyone to care enough to take action-based steps
and turn them into daily eco-friendly
habits is where the difficulty lies. Cue
Surfrider Foundation (SF), a nonprofit
organization of coastal defenders with over 82 chapters worldwide.
In particular, the mission of their Huntington/Seal Beach (H/SB) chapter is to fight apathy by cultivating communitybased awareness through digestible education targeted at the youth, and reducing (and eventually eliminating) plastic pollution in the ocean with their diverse range of programs. At every beach cleanup hosted by SF H/ SB chapter, expect several blue canopies set up with registration tables displaying various educational tools on how to take care of our planet—colorful, reusable water bottles, samples of water testing, several wide-mouth plastic jars filled with cigarette butts and young, eager volunteers greeting fellow volunteers with a warm welcome and a reusable bag for the beach cleanup. Adjacent to the registration tables sits another blue canopy known as their “pit.” 84 LOCALE MAGAZINE
“We may think that one straw...doesn't make a difference. But accumulated together with everyone else's straws, it does.” —Surfrider Foundation Huntington/ Seal Beach
“I see a lot of apathetic people...people don’t really think twice about throwing something out the window, which is a shame, but it still happens. They don’t really make the connection that those things go into storm drains and get washed down in the ocean.” —Stephanie Pedroza
The pit, spearheaded by Stephanie Pedroza, the Chair of SF H/SB chapter, is where the central point of change occurs. All collected trash goes to the pit and is then separated into the correct category: hard plastics, straws, bottle caps, cigarette butts and syringes. “The pit is where most of the action takes place...everybody’s role is important,” says Pedroza. Loudly situated on the outskirts of the pit are more educational tools to demonstrate the wastefulness and damage we are doing to our oceans—a large wheelbarrow filled with plastic straws, a clear storage bin brimming with plastic bottle caps and several informative signs— one reading: “We may think that one straw...doesn't make a difference. But accumulated together with everyone else's straws, it does.” The ecological action and education at the pit is where the chapter hopes a shift in perspective may take place for a new volunteer (or a passerby) who may be lackadaisical about using single-use plastics for daily convenience. “It's all about awareness—that's what we're here for,” explains Pedroza. “We’re here to expose and educate people on the effects of single-use plastics.” At the end of every beach cleanup, Pedroza and her pit crew weigh the total amount of garbage gathered from the cleanup. SF H/SB’s website holds seven years of data from previous beach cleanups. On May 4, 2019, the chapter’s beach cleanup at Beach Blvd. State Beach gathered 683 volunteers—from all walks of life, organizations and schools—who collected a total of 591 pounds of trash and a real sense of camaraderie and fulfillment. Beach Cleanups is just one of SF H/SB’s 10 programs. Some of their other coast-protecting programs are: Blue Water Task Force, Help Your Harbor, Ocean Friendly Restaurants, Rise Above Plastics, Ocean Friendly Gardens and many others. “When you have education at the beach like this, the little kids remember the stories that were here and why they came down,” says Tony Soriano, the Staff/Advisor 86 LOCALE MAGAZINE
and former Chairman of SF H/SB who has been with the organization for 14 years. “That’s what was created here at our chapter—[bringing] awareness to the community and awareness to education for the students at all levels.” From school presentations regarding pollution to helping students start an environmental club, SF H/ SB understands that real environmental change will take off with this next generation. Their Blue Water Task Force program, chaired by Manuel Florence, submitted grants and raised funds to build labs and purchase all equipment for water testing purposes for Edison High School and The Pegasus School in Huntington Beach. The goal of SF H/SB’s education is to teach the younger generation from the beginning how to practice good habits and understand that every decision they make in this materialistic society has potentially large outcomes for the fate of the earth. However, preventative steps can be taken now by everyone. It is everyone’s responsibility. Pedroza says that you can start by taking responsibility for the garbage you use and create. “I see a lot of apathetic people...people don’t really think twice about throwing something out the window, which is a shame, but it still happens,” she says. “They don’t really make the connection that those things go into storm drains and get washed down in the ocean.” By taking action and spreading awareness, SF H/SB is cultivating a responsible community through education whose goal is to save and preserve the beaches we love and the earth we live on. “It is easy to get involved and participation is important...or just being proactive within themselves because if every person just changed one thing—not buying single-use plastic water bottles—that would make a world of difference,” explains Pedroza. Planet Plastic or Planet Earth? You decide.
Photos - Mike Trout: Michael Wesley | Four Sons Brewing: Mathew Martinez | Low Tide Aliens: Provided by Low Tide Aliens | SOCIAL Costa Mesa: Erik Hale | The Resort at Pelican Hill: Provided by The Resort at Pelican Hill
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ALIVE /// GUIDE
Orange
COUNTY
Is So Boring Said No One Ever
WRITTEN BY: PRISCILLA NG
[ With the passing of June gloom, summer has officially arrived! We’ve curated a special summer guide for Orange County locals which includes some never-before-seen activities, artists and, of course, food! New places are always emerging in Orange County and we’re offering secret intel on all the newest and latest hot spots. There is something for everyone as our guide is catered to the lifestyles of a diverse crowd. Grab your bestie and enjoy the fun!
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1 ALIVE /// GUIDE
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SUMMER PLAYLIST [ “Carry On” by Kygo, Rita Ora [ “Summer Days” by Martin Garrix feat. Macklemore & Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy [ “Sunflower” by Post Malone [ “I’m So Tired” by Lauv, Troye Sivan [ “Here With Me” by Marshmello feat. CHVRCHES [ “Sixteen” by Ellie Goulding
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For The Relative Who Loves Beers and Getting Their Steps in
[ No need for a designated driver here! Craft Brew Tours is a beer-party bus company that offers 16 different routes to choose from, each of which consists of three different breweries on the itinerary, which includes a 45-minute stop at each one. So instead of paying for multiple Ubers to accommodate a party of five or more, Craft Brew Tours offers a party bus for a larger group of people. It’s lit up inside with colorful LED lights which really sets the party mood. This is a great way to catch up with friends and family, especially for all the beer-loving dads out there! CRAFT BREW TOURS 240.620.3957 | www.craftbrewtours.com
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FOR THE
Aspiring Sandcastle Builder LOW TIDE ALIENS @lowtidealiens
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[ The stunning sand art created by Low Tide Aliens combined with breathtaking views of the beach is a sight you won’t want to miss. Laura and Darla Wright, a mother-daughter duo, are the talented artists of Low Tide Aliens. They create huge, stunning kaleidoscope murals directly on the sand for everyone to
enjoy. On Instagram, they are known as Low Tide Aliens or the Intergalactic Sand Etchers. Follow them on Instagram for their upcoming Dharma Mandala adventures and seek them out for some exquisite photo backdrops. We guarantee people will be asking you about them as soon as you post on Instagram.
F O R T H E C O U P L E W H O N E E D S A N E W D AT E I D E A [ If you’re looking for a new summer date spot, Electric Boat offers easy-to-drive boats for a short romantic getaway. It’s as easy as driving a golf cart. You can take the boat around Newport Bay and enjoy the views in private with your significant other. Scott Tiernan, the owner, recommends reserving a boat around August and September because that’s when all the vacationers leave and it’s a great time for the locals to enjoy the ride. After going for a ride, you can also take a walk around the quaint town of Lido Marina Village, where the boat rental office is located.
ELECTRIC BOAT RENTAL 3424 Via Oporto, Ste 101 Newport Beach, CA 92663 949.612.8248 www.eboatsrental.com
Photos - Craft Brew Tours: Mathew Martinez | Low Tide Aliens: Provided by Low Tide Aliens | Angel Stadium: Provided by Angels Baseball LP | Cinépolis: Provided by Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas
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FOR THE
5
BIG BROTHER THAT REALLY, REALLY LOVES THE LATE-’90S
For the Friend Who Can’t Stop Snacking Every Two Hours
[ Orange County loves their rock bands. This summer, Garden Amphitheater and Covert Booking are hosting a tribute to all of SoCal’s best rock bands, including Blink 182, Sublime, No Doubt and The Offspring. It’s only $9 to see some of the best rock bands in California—a wallet-friendly deal you definitely can’t pass up!
[ Along with rooting for your favorite team, one of the best parts about baseball games are the snacks. The food scene at Angel Stadium has come a long way from just the traditional hot dogs and soda. Angel Stadium has everything
from sweet eats to Instagrammable treats—yeah, we’re looking at you, Helmet Nachos! Get the ideal sugar rush with the Red Velvet Whoopie Pie or get comfy during the seventh inning with a deep-fried tamale. Their Big A Burger always hits it out of the park!
GARDEN AMPHITHEATER 12762 Main St Garden Grove, CA 92840 949.415.8544 www.gardenamp.com
6 FOR THE
Cinema Snob Who Could Afford to Upgrade Their Movie-Viewing Experience [ Catching a movie at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas is an experience. They have seats paired in two (perfect for couples) that recline back for extra viewing comfort and an exquisite dining menu which includes Champagne, quesadillas, signature nachos and burgers. You can even host parties and events here by renting out an entire theater just for your group. This is a world-class enhanced movie experience that’s perfect for families, couples and enthusiastic movie goers. Reservations are available, and so is a full bar! Anything you can think of to make your movie a better one, they most likely have. CINÉPOLIS Laguna Niguel | Rancho Santa Margarita www.cinepolisusa.com
ANGEL STADIUM 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806 | 714.940.2000 | www.mlb.com/angels/ballpark
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FOR THE FRIEND WHO LOVES SINGING GOSPEL PRAISES [ The World Famous Gospel Brunch at House of Blues Anaheim is one of the biggest events in Orange County. This ticketed event occurs only on select Sundays in the Music Hall and often sells out! Come join their gospel choir for an uplifting performance that will feed your soul. The mix of traditional and contemporary gospel songs are sure to get you on your feet! The all-youcan-eat buffet is freshly prepared by the in-house culinary team. It’s a great family-friendly event where everyone can participate and experience a very uplifting and fulfilling Sunday morning! HOUSE OF BLUES ANAHEIM 400 W Disney Way, Ste 337, Anaheim, CA 92802 | 714.778.2583 | www.houseofblues.com/anaheim LOCALE MAGAZINE 91
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ENTHU SI AST
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V O C AL S
[ If you’re looking for some chill summertime fun, come enjoy a show with UK artist Elvis Costello & The Imposters, and the American rock band Blondie for some alternative rock music. They are uniting for a US summer tour and are coming to Irvine to perform at the FivePoint Amphitheatre on Aug. 4. After a decade of being away from the spotlight, Costello is finally back and ready to perform, this time alongside Blondie. Costello & The Imposters just issued a new album, “Look Now,” and Blondie also just released their 11th record, “Pollinator.” FIVEPOINT AMPHITHEATRE 14800 Chinon, Irvine, CA 92618 | 949.988.6800 | www.livenation.com
9 For the Authentic Vietnamese Foodie Who’s Looking for a Twist
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For the Friend With a Case of Disco Fever
[ Come here for $1 oysters during happy hour on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m.! SOCIAL Costa Mesa is a fitting name for their open spaces designed with a plethora of comfortable sitting areas for you and your friends to socialize. With aesthetic couches and chairs in all styles
and shapes, each place serves as the perfect photogenic spot for you to pose with your cocktail. On top of that, some nights they’ll host disco-themed events, so if you’re into the ‘70s vibe, come dressed for the theme and try their Disco Inferno cocktail.
[ Orange County locals have access to a variety of authentic Vietnamese restaurants, but if you’re ever looking for a fancy twist, Bluegold has plenty to offer—including a hidden restaurant that transports guests to District 1 in Saigon known as LSXO. From afternoon tea offerings to a more traditional menu, LSXO is your doorway to another country without actually leaving Orange County. They specialize in combining the strong street flavors of Vietnam and notes of Chinese influences with the enhanced sophistication of fine dining. And if that hasn’t convinced you of their splendor, they received the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award! BLUEGOLD | LSXO 21016 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste D200 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714.374.0038 www.dinebluegold.com
SOCIAL COSTA MESA 512 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 | 949.642.2425 | www.socialcostamesa.com
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BEST FRIEND WHO’S GOING TO LIVE WITH SIX CATS IN THE FUTURE 92 LOCALE MAGAZINE
[ Here’s some meow-some news for cat lovers: Catmosphere Laguna is Orange County’s first cat café! Opened less than a year ago, it is currently home to a number of adorable cats. You might wonder how they acquired some of these cats, and the answer is incredibly wholesome—one cat’s owner got deployed out of the country, so instead of abandoning the cat, the owner was able to find a new cat-friendly home with Catmosphere Laguna. Another awesome fact about this place is that it doubles as a cat shelter, and they’ve helped over 40 cats get adopted since they opened.
CATMOSPHERE LAGUNA 381 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 | 949.619.6369 | www.catmospherelaguna.com
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T BUT NOT LEAST
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WINE NOT? [ Take a morning helicopter ride from The Resort at Pelican Hill to Daou Vineyards & Winery for an afternoon tasting.
For the Coffee Addict Who Wants to Stop and Drink the Roses
[ For anyone who loves rosé, Philz Coffee just launched their new Iced Coffee Rosé. Made with real rose water, each sip is like walking through a garden of fresh roses. Upon receiving your drink, you might wonder where the latte gets that nice rosy color. The secret to that is beet powder. Fortunately, beets don’t have a strong flavor, and the essence of the rose water conveniently masks any lingering beet flavors. It’s the perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up made with wholesome and flowery goodness.
Photos - Bluegold | LSXO: Provided by Pacific City | SOCIAL Costa Mesa: Erik Hale | The Resort at Pelican Hill: Provided by The Resort at Pelican Hill | Philz Coffee: Photography Provided By Philz Coffee
PHILZ COFFEE Costa Mesa | Fullerton | Huntington Beach www.philzcoffee.com
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FOR THE
Bougie Bridal Party
[ Are you looking for an unforgettable bridal party experience for you and all your girlfriends? The Resort at Pelican Hill offers a private and all-inclusive vineyard experience with a luxury helicopter ride to one of California’s most exclusive vineyards, located high in the Daou Mountains. It’s good for four to eight
guests and starts off with a morning flight on a helicopter, then a lunch prepared by a private chef, a full tour of the entire vineyard and a moment to enjoy an unforgettable sunset together with a full bottle of their specialized wine to celebrate a lucky brideto-be’s upcoming wedding.
THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL 22701 S Pelican Hill Rd, Newport Coast, CA 92657 855.467.6800 | www.pelicanhill.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 93
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Behind the Bar BALBOA BAR FOUNDER DIPS INTO HIS ORIGINS WITH THE ICONIC DESSERT
WRITTEN BY: GABY GARCIA PHOTOGRAPHED BY: LUIS GARCIA
Crediting an inquisitive mind and serendipity, along with lessons learned from his father and greatest source of inspiration, Armand Hammer, Bob Teller, creator of the “Beach Bar,” doesn’t want you to call him smart or wise. Rather, he wants to inspire and have fun while reflecting on a life filled with chance encounters and huge successes. “You don’t know where opportunity is coming from—it’s serendipity,” says Teller. “It always happens because you have an open personality. You’re extremely comfortable with your ignorance, with what you don’t know. Getting comfortable with our stupidity is the key to success.” Teller’s Frozen Banana story began during college when he proposed the idea of selling food at the local Arizona State Fair to his high school sweetheart, Rita. She suggested they sell a frozen, chocolatecovered banana like the one they had
“I HATE RULES, EVEN MY OWN. I BREAK THEM ALL THE TIME.” —BOB TELLER
Photoshoot Location: BALBOA PIER Newport Beach, CA 94 LOCALE MAGAZINE
So, Teller decided to go for a walk. As he was out, he heard a ride attendant yelling through the loudspeaker about the Matterhorn—one of Teller’s many “aha” moments. He fitted the booth with a loudspeaker (in violation of his contract), played music, became his own live promoter and the line of customers grew. Teller ultimately convinced the vendor organizer to allow him to keep the speaker, and business boomed. “I hate rules, even my own. I break them all the time,” says Teller. While visiting California in 1963, Teller and Rita decided to visit the Original Frozen Banana in the Fun Zone on the Peninsula. Teller had heard that they were so successful that they were buying their chocolate in 50-pound drums. But when he arrived, he saw that the business was closed by the health department. At another shop selling frozen bananas, Teller had told the clerk that he sold frozen bananas at the Arizona State Fair, and a man who had overheard walked over to Teller and offered to rent him a store across the street of The Original Frozen Banana. The next morning, Teller took him up on his offer, risking the possibility that the shop would reopen and put his new venture out of business before it had gotten off the ground. As luck would have it, the shop never reopened and Teller’s Banana Rolla Rama went on to become iconic.
GONE BANANAS! • The Original Frozen Banana shop on Balboa Peninsula Fun Zone sold over 250,000 bananas per year.
SUGAR ‘N SPICE 310 Marine Ave Balboa Island, CA 92662 949.673.8907 sugarnspicebalboaisland.com
enjoyed while on a trip to Lake Arrowhead. The idea was pitched and Teller was in business. Unfortunately, by midday on the first day of business, not one frozen banana had sold.
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HEARTS & CRAFTS NANOCRAFT CBD FOUNDERS TODD ERWIN AND STEFAN MCKELLAR ARE MAKING CBD NBD WRITTEN BY: JESSICA YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JAMES TRAN
PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: NANOCRAFT CBD
“
By harnessing the health benefits that CBD offers, without the “high” that THC provides, the pair believes they can blend science and nature to benefit everyone’s wellbeing.
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STEFAN MCKELLAR
TODD ERWIN
CO-FOUNDER OF NANOCRAFT CBD
CO-FOUNDER OF NANOCRAFT CBD
NANOCRAFT CBD www.nanocraftcbd.com @nanocraftcbd Photoshoot Location: NANOCRAFT SCIENCES, INC. La Jolla, CA LOCALE MAGAZINE 97
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“We really want to change the CBD market and our community with our products. And we have a number of ways we’re doing that with our innovation, our unique products and the charities we work with.” —Todd Erwin, Co-Founder of NanoCraft CBD
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In a new market scene that is literally ablaze with a constant influx of new products, San Diego-based NANOCRAFT CBD has set themselves apart from others trying to make a name for themselves in the cannabidiol arena. Not only do they use top-quality, hemp-derived CBD products scientifically engineered for “the athlete in all of us,” but NanoCraft also sets itself apart with their dedication to philanthropy through their charitable organization, NanoCraft Kids.
Going With the Flow • The idea for NanoCraft CBD was actually born out of Erwin and McKellar’s original idea for a business venture—they wanted to create and market CBD-infused coconut water. As they worked to develop and scale their business idea, they branched out beyond just creating a line of waters into a full range of CBD products.
“We really want to change the CBD market and our community with our products,” says NanoCraft CBD Co-Founder Todd Erwin. “And we have a number of ways we’re doing that with our innovation, our unique products and the charities we work with.” Erwin and his business partner, Stefan McKellar, founded NanoCraft CBD three years ago with an ambitious mission. They wanted to change the perception of CBD products and help people see the benefits they provide. They wanted to disassociate from the negative stigma that has attached itself to marijuana and identify as an industry leader in the health and fitness market. Simple education was one of their greatest obstacles—consumers needed to know that CBD products aren’t synonymous with weed. “We really want to stop people in their tracks. We need to be able to address the misconceptions and be able to tell people, ‘No, this isn’t the same thing as weed. CBD is different, and here’s why, in order to get them to recognize the benefits of our products,” Erwin explains. 98 LOCALE MAGAZINE
H2-Oh! • NanoCraft waters will soon be available in three varieties: CBD water, CBD Energy water and CBD Recovery water. These waters are gluten-free, vegetarian, organic and non-GMO. They contain only CBD derived from hemp. What’s Next? • As the market changes to adapt to the widespread use of CBD products, Erwin and McKellar are hoping to get their products on the shelves of big box stores like CVS, Wal-Mart and GNC, as well as popular gyms and fitness centers.
THC vs. CBD • Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are the two primary cannabinoids that occur naturally in marijuana plants. THC is the agent responsible for the “high” that recreational marijuana users experience. CBD, on the other hand, is nonpsychoactive and does not have these effects.
“We work hard to make sure that every part of our user experience is excellent, from our packaging to our website, and of course the taste.” —Stefan McKellar, Co-Founder of NanoCraft CBD
By harnessing the health benefits that CBD offers, without the “high” that THC provides, the pair believes they can blend science and nature to benefit everyone’s wellbeing. Their line is unique and varied, including soft gels, enhanced water, supplements, pain sticks and drops. This variation promises a safe introduction to CBD products that new users can be comfortable with as well as a range that those who are more familiar can explore. “What we want people to see is that they’ve got options. The hope is that people can use CBD to reduce their dependence on the drugs that do harm. You hear of people getting hooked on Xanax and opioids—these people are just looking for relief. And while everybody is different and nothing is guaranteed, some people are seeing great results using CBD without the unwanted side effects,” McKellar says. While promoting health benefits and fostering education and understanding around CBD is very important for Erwin and McKellar, they also aim to be a leading brand in the CBD market that consumers could trust. “We like to think of ourselves as the Nike of the CBD market,” notes McKellar. “We are a top-tier brand that provides a top-quality product. We work hard to make sure that every part of our user experience is excellent, from our packaging to our website, and of course the taste.” In order to build trust in their brand, NanoCraft CBD makes science-based information readily available to consumers via data-based blogs and research on their website. NanoCraft CBD also
heads the second-largest CBD education group on Facebook. Additionally, the company has dedicated itself to philanthropy, contributing $1 from each product sold to charitable organizations, such as the Mauli Ola Foundation and Child Hunger Sucks, through NanoCraft Kids. “We wanted to make sure that we could put something back into the community with what we were doing. The two organizations that we work with are really focused on helping out kids and that’s really important,” McKellar explains. “We’ve already been able to give about $10,000 [through our charitable organization] so far this year. We’re hoping to reach our big goal of being able to donate $100,000 by the end of the year. We’re on track to reach that and I really think we can.” While the popularity of CBD continued to grow rapidly over the last several years, the use of CBD health products by athletes and other individuals is still under question. NanoCraft CBD is doing their part to bring awareness and promote the benefits that CBD promises. Fortunately, the athletics industry is making strides by connecting NanoCraft CBD sponsorship agreements with athletes in a variety of sports including surfing, tennis and golf. “There were times when we were literally bootstrapped, trying to make this happen. We had to keep pushing through all of that. And we couldn’t do it without the team we have here,” says McKellar. “We’ve been able to surround ourselves with people who have our same vision. And we’re so lucky for that—none of this would be possible without them.” LOCALE MAGAZINE 99
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The Spirit of Seeing PREDICTING THE UNPREDICTABLE WITH THE PERSIAN MEDIUM
WRITTEN BY: JANE ADLER PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ED VISIONS
Fiona Johansson wakes up every morning at 4:30 a.m. just in time for her first session of the day with one of her over 27,000 clients from across the globe. She follows her wake-up call with a sweat session in her in-home sauna as she connects with herself and meditates on the day. Fiona then replenishes with some of her ‘Persian power tea’ and indulges in her favorite form of sustenance: bread and butter. A dab of lipstick, a flick of mascara and an empowering outfit choice later, Fiona is out the door and doesn’t break until around 9:30 or 10 p.m.
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“Everything is a choice. Attitude is a choice, happiness is a choice, and if you choose wisely, then you are always going to succeed no matter what you are doing,” explains the Persian Medium. Fiona is a medium and a psychic. She is the ultimate human-to-human translator, helping others decode and decipher their past, present and future. Her body is a vehicle for information, her mouth a portal out of which people can connect with loved ones lost or dreams realized. But what you may not know about Fiona is that she is a wife and mother as well.
FIONA JOHANSSON, THE PERSIAN MEDIUM 2711 East Coast Hwy Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 www.persianmedium.com www.avidadvice.com www.avidawakening.com 100 LOCALE MAGAZINE
“Life is about bringing attention and passion to people who need your attention and passion,” notes Fiona. Fiona uses her gifts for the benefit of others, never for personal gain. Her platform, which includes her 1.3 million followers on Instagram, is a means for her to spark positive change and inspire the good in others. Fiona preaches that people must learn to be open to the unknown and alternative frequencies and energies. “Life is too short, and people who are very logical are never going to change their life,” she says. “There is no logic in life. Everything is based on the energies you are sending and the frequencies you are receiving. Your right brain has to work together with your left brain to be successful.” Although Fiona says she is never quite able to turn off her paranormal powers, she has found ways to channel her infinite energy into hobbies like painting, traveling, fashion and makeup. She has a makeup and clothing line coming out soon, as well as a new book titled Success Strategies, co-written by Jack Canfield, who is the co-founder of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series. But first and foremost, her priority is her clients.
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FIRST TIMER'S GUIDE
Get on My [sea] level Dive Into Our Guide to Getting PADI Open Water Certified WRITTEN BY: BRIANNA ROMANO PHOTOGRAPHED BY: HUNTER COLE
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THE RIGHT DIVE • Depending on where you are going for your ocean dives, you might want to enter straight in from the beach or from a boat. In my opinion, I think entry from a boat is easier, as you typically don’t have to deal with the extra stress of reading tides. So if you can arrange a boat for your first ocean dive, I would suggest it. DIVER RANKS • You must be training for or have a dive certification in order to go diving. Once you become an Open Water Diver, you can continue your education by becoming an Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver or even Divemaster. Personally, I am an Advanced Diver!
From my own experience, I've found that private sessions are much better when you are learning to dive. You are able to have a more flexible schedule and get through the skills faster. — Brianna Romano
LIQUID ADRENALINE DIVERS 21122 Amberwick Ln Huntington Beach, CA 92646 714.330.6891 www.liquidadrenalinedivers.org Photoshoot Location: CATALINA ISLAND LOCALE MAGAZINE 103
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WITH 71 PERCENT OF THE EARTH COVERED IN WATER,
there is a whole world below the ocean’s surface that many people never get to experience. Diving will open your eyes to a realm where everything is a little more colorful and a little more Dr. Seuss—and you can breathe underwater! Luckily, Southern California is home to an abundance of marine life and a handful of great dive locations, some easily accessible right off the beach in Laguna and Catalina. Whether you’re planning a tropical vacation or just looking for a new adventure in your own backyard, scuba diving is an addicting activity to add to your list of skills. It will also connect you to a global community of divers, and a deeper relationship to the ocean and its protection.
The first certification you will need is your PADI Open Water Diver. Here are the steps to getting PADI OpenWater Certified:
DIVING FORCES • While most people have heard of PADI, the largest scuba organization in the world, you will learn that there is not one diving certification agency, with SSI and NAUI being the two other most widely recognized accreditations.
1. FIND AN ACCREDITED DIVE INSTRUCTOR OR SCHOOL. Liquid Adrenaline Divers is a team of certified instructors based in Southern California. With their flexible schedule, overall knowledge and calm demeanor, I felt like I was in good hands diving with one of the two owners, Ruth Harris. 2. TAKE AN ONLINE COURSE. The online course is where you will learn the “Dive Theory” basics about scuba through instructional videos, reading materials and quizzes. 3. CONFINED WATER DIVES. This can be done in one day. Here, you will get to put into practice the essential scuba skills you read about in the online course. You will learn how to set up your equipment, how to use your equipment, removing and adjusting equipment underwater, sharing air, buoyancy control, as well as act out different scenarios for safety procedures. There is also a bit of a physical component where you will be required to tread water for 10 minutes and swim 200 yards at your own pace without stopping.
Most courses will require you to have your own mask, snorkel and fins. The one piece of larger equipment I would suggest investing in is a dive computer.
With [Liquid Adrenaline Divers’] flexible schedule, overall knowledge and calm demeanor, I felt like I was in good hands diving with one of the two owners, Ruth Harris.
LARGE GROUP CLASSES VS. PRIVATE SESSIONS • From my own
experience, I�ve found that private sessions are much better when you are learning to dive. You are able to have a more flexible schedule and get through the skills faster. You are also able to focus more closely on skills you are struggling with. I personally struggled with removing my mask and putting it back on underwater, so it was nice to be able to work on that until I really felt comfortable. I also felt more confident in the open water dives since I was the only person the instructor was focused on. 104 LOCALE MAGAZINE
EQUIPMENT • Most courses
will require you to have your own mask, snorkel and fins. The one piece of larger equipment I would suggest investing in is a dive computer. Other equipment like regulators, buoyancy control device (BCD), scuba tank and weight system can be rented. For cold water diving in California, you will also need a thick wetsuit, gloves, booties and possibly a hood.
POPULAR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVE LOCATIONS:
Shaw’s Cove & Diver’s Cove, Laguna Beach • You’ll see plenty of Garibaldi, the California state fish, and might get to swim with some sea lions. Catalina Island
• The kelp forest is home to giant
black sea bass, moray eels, leopard sharks and spiny lobster, just to name a few of my own sightings! La Jolla Cove, San Diego
• Also known for its kelp forest;
during certain times of the year, sevengill sharks aggregate here. HMCS Yukon, San Diego
• This is a shipwreck dive that’s perfect to train for Advanced Open Water diving!
4. OPEN WATER DIVES. There are four open water dives that you will have to complete; this can usually be completed in two days. You will demonstrate everything you learned in the pool, as well as experience what it’s like to dive in the ocean!
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JULY 2019
B R E A K FAST / / / B E R R I E S / / / B I TE S
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FEATURE Make These 3 Essential Summer Sippers at Home
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MEALS DECONSTRUCTED It’s Getting Haute in Here You’re Going to Flip for Haute Cakes Caffe’s Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes
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PROFILE Mark Stoddard Shares Why Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Is Every Gin-Lover’s Dream
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FIRST BITE Descanso’s Plancha Experience Gives a Delicious First Impression
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MEALS DECONSTRUCTED This Sweet and Savory Menu Staple Is Selling Like Haute Cakes
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FEATURE These Orange County Desserts Are Sugar-Coating Our Cravings
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TWO THINGS WE LOVE Chaak Kitchen Digs Into the Root of Mexican Cuisine
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FEATURE It’s a Food Battle of Reg vs Veg in OC, LA and SD
HAUTE CAKES CAFFE 1807 Westcliff Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.642.4114 www.hautecakes.cafe PHOTO BY: Jennifer Chong
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B.Y O.B Be Your Own Bartender With These Easy, Breezy Libations
Set the Mood • “Rio Ancho Instrumental” by Paco de Lucía • “Tres Notas para Decir Te Quiero” by Vicente Amigo • “Samba Delight” by Govi
TEQUIL’IN ME SOFTLY Kick It up a Notch With This Spicy Spin on the Paloma Cocktail We’re definitely not saying there’s anything wrong with your traditional Paloma, but we’re also not saying that we’re opposed to giving it a twist. Sweet and spicy mingle beautifully in this take on a citrusy classic, proving that change can be a good thing—especially when it involves Milagro. Drink Name: Milagro Ancho Paloma Recipe: • 1½ oz Milagro Reposado Tequila • ½ oz Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur • ½ oz Lime Juice • 3 oz Grapefruit Soda • 1 Lime Wedge • Salt (Rim) • 1 Grapefruit Wheel (Garnish) Instructions: • Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of a highball glass and coat half the rim with salt. Squeeze the lime wedge into the glass, then discard the squeezed wedge. Fill the glass with ice, Milagro Reposado Tequila, Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur, lime juice and grapefruit soda, and stir to combine. Garnish with a bright and delicate, thinlysliced grapefruit wheel.
MILAGRO TEQUILA www.milagrotequila.com Photoshoot Location: PIRCH COSTA MESA 3303 Hyland Ave, Ste D Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.429.0800 www.pirch.com
WRITTEN BY: JORDAN NISHKIAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DANIELLE JACKSON STYLED BY: DEVON RIESENBERG AND FELA BARNETT 108 LOCALE MAGAZINE
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MODELO CERVEZA www.modelousa.com Photoshoot Location: PIRCH COSTA MESA 3303 Hyland Ave, Ste D Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.429.0800 www.pirch.com
B.Y O.B Be Your Own Bartender With These Easy, Breezy Libations
MODELO CITIZEN Modelo’s Baja Michelada Is Reminiscent of Ocean Breezes and White Sand Beaches
Songs to Set the Mood • “El Perdón”
Relaxing on a beach in Baja sounds nice and all, but kicking your shoes off and enjoying your patio sounds pretty amazing, too. Whether you’re a homebody reminiscing vacations past or a wanderer gathering inspo for future getaways, a Baja Michelada is what we’d recommend for you! Drink Name: Baja Michelada Recipe: • 1 Bottle Modelo Negra® or Modelo Especial® • 2½ oz Tomato-Clam Juice • ¾ oz Lime Juice • 4 Dashes Mexican Hot Sauce • Kosher Salt (Rim) • Cocktail Onions (Garnish) • Smoked Oysters (Garnish) Instructions: • Salt the rim of your preferred glass and fill halfway with ice. Combine tomato-clam juice, lime juice and hot sauce, then add Modelo Cerveza. Top with garnishes of your choice.
WRITTEN BY: JORDAN NISHKIAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DANIELLE JACKSON STYLED BY: DEVON RIESENBERG AND FELA BARNETT
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by Nicky Jam • “Bailar” by Deorro • “Mi Gente” by J Balvin
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LILLET www.lillet.com Photoshoot Location: PIRCH COSTA MESA 3303 Hyland Ave, Ste D Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.429.0800 www.pirch.com
Be Your Own Bartender With These Easy, Breezy Libations
YES WAY, ROSÉ This Light and Summery Spritz Is the Perfect Way to Toast to Warmer Weather
Songs to Set the Mood • “Elysée tango Tango” by
As the epicenter of all things simplistic and beautiful, we think that integrating a French vibe into your cocktail hour is always a good idea. Clean, refreshing and just the right amount of sweet, the Lillet Rosé Spritz has a certain je n’ais sais quoi that we absolutely adore. Drink Name: Lillet Rosé Spritz Recipe: • 3 oz Lillet Rosé • 3 oz Lillet Tonic • Fresh Strawberries (Garnish) Instructions: • Pour Lillet Rosé and Lillet Tonic into your desired glass, then garnish with fresh strawberries or berries of your choice—it’s that easy!
WRITTEN BY: JORDAN NISHKIAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DANIELLE JACKSON STYLED BY: DEVON RIESENBERG AND FELA BARNETT
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James Leseur • “Chez moi” by Emilie-Claire Barlow • “Dance Me to the End of Love” by Madeleine Peyroux
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S ’ T T A HE H T SPIRIT!
This Hendrick’s Brand Ambassador Is #Ginning
WRITTEN BY: MAYANDRA ROBBINS AND JORDAN NISHKIAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JOSIE GONZALES
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HENDRICK’S GIN www.hendricksgin.com @hendricksgin Photoshoot Location: HUNDRED PROOF 4130 Park Blvd San Diego, CA 92103 619.501.6404 www.hundredproofsd.com
“[Hendrick’s] innovative nature pushed the gin industry to transform and begin to experiment with new botanicals in gin." —MARK STODDARD
How to Make: The Midsummer Spritzer Ingredients: • 1½ oz Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin • 5 oz Sparkling Water • ½ oz Elderflower Syrup • Edible Flowers or Fresh Herbs and a Slice of Lemon (Garnish) Instructions: • Fill a wine glass with ice and a splash of Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin. Throw in a dash of elderflower syrup and top with sparkling water. After a quick stir, garnish with your favorite herbs and flowers for that endless summer flair.
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CATCH IT WHILE YOU CAN • Midsummer Solstice is a seasonal gin that will only be around for late spring and throughout the summertime.
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MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM • “[Midsummer Solstice] opens doors to a whole new world of creativity!" Stoddard says. “It shines when you incorporate botanicals.” A MAN OF MANY TALENTS • Not only is Stoddard a World Champion Mixologist, but he also has an amazing green thumb and participates in amateur bird watching.
There are plenty of ways to use Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin, but Stoddard recommends creating a spin on the classic spritzer.
Solstice, which Stoddard describes as “a deeply floral expression of Hendrick’s Gin.” Midsummer Solstice takes “special edition” a whole new meaning—its conception began as a wedding gift for one of Hendrick’s brand ambassadors. Sticking to what she does best, Gracie decided to make a special gin for the couple by infusing the flowers from the bridal bouquet and distilling it into the spirit. It was such a huge hit that Gracie decided to perfect the recipe until it became what we now know as Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice. The newest member of the Hendrick's Gin brand pays homage to the flora kingdom in an array of floral essences—a combination that is only known to Gracie. And since she’s the only one who knows the true bouquet of ingredients that creates the summery spirit, the rest of us will have to test our senses. However, Stoddard has his own thoughts about the secret combination.
Gin has always held a special place in Hendrick’s Gin Brand Ambassador Mark Stoddard’s heart. “I've always had a love for gin, specifically, because of the rich history behind it and how it lends itself to creating a cocktail." After competing against thousands of other mixologists across the globe and earning the title of 2010 Cocktail World Cup Champion, Stoddard began his dream job with William Grant & Sons, Hendrick’s Gin’s parent company. As someone who has always "admired the Hendrick's brand,” this opportunity turned out to be a match made in heaven. Since then, Stoddard has combined his passion for travel and gin to spread the magic of Hendrick’s across the globe.
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For those who have enjoyed Hendrick’s, it’s easy to notice that it’s not your typical gin. And that’s because, well, it isn’t. Nestled within the rolling hills of Scotland, Hendrick's Gin’s benefits from over 130 years of family distilling heritage. Then, in 1999, the creative genius of Master Distiller Lesley Gracie took over and added some neverbefore-seen flair to the gin world. A chemist by trade, Gracie emphasized the importance of quality control and presented a desire to use more of the gifts that Mother Nature has provided—making Hendrick’s the first (and only) gin at the time to infuse rose and cucumber into their product. “It's distilled unlike any other spirit out there," Stoddard remarks. “[Hendrick’s] innovative nature pushed the gin industry to transform and begin to experiment with new botanicals in gin." Hendrick’s latest innovation? Its limited-time-only Midsummer
He describes the Midsummer Solstice as a party for anyone's palate, and that this newfound floral expression is "balanced, harmonic and sphericalshaped." Upon first experiencing Midsummer Solstice, you’re instantly flooded with the scent of seasonal, fresh blossoms reminiscent of the summer solstice. The first sip is rich with a symphony of warm floral and spicy notes before drifting to a hint of citrus blossom. After, the gin relaxes into Hendrick’s signature cucumber and Bulgarian rose, which is then finished off with the nice, peppery kick of the juniper, which ties the smooth, dreamy gin all together. There are plenty of ways to use Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin, but Stoddard recommends creating a spin on the classic spritzer. Stoddard shares that “[the Midsummer Spritzer is a] simple and refreshing summer drink meant to be enjoyed outside in a garden." We couldn’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate the summer season!
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Queso, You Gotta Try This
FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST BITE WITH DESCANSO: A MODERN TAQUERIA
WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE JACO • PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NATHAN WHELAN
Upon entering this Costa Mesa restaurant, you’re greeted with echoes of booming laughter married to the cheers-ing of happy hour toasts. A look to the left and you’ll find a plush display of walled succulents, housing a luminous sign that reads “Descanso: A Modern Taqueria.” Descanso, defined as “a place to rest” in Spanish, is perfectly fitting in its name—when you’re here, you feel at ease. As Head Chef Sergio Ortega explains, “[The comfortable atmosphere] is one of those things that immediately brings you back to a certain place and time.”
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FOOD • Descanso: A Modern Taqueria is a pairing of classical downhome Mexican dishes with an edge (menu options vary, depending on plancha and main dining room seating).
Conceptualized from his hometown of Morelia, Chef Ortega continues, “The restaurant’s look was inspired from the city and textures of Central Mexico.” Alluringly tarnished murals, multi-colored walls made of red brick, limestone and brushed drywall all provide that nostalgic city ambiance. Owner Rob Arellano wanted to create an atmosphere that paid homage to Mexican tradition in the 21st century, and he did just that.
DECOR • The ambiance reflects the calm streets of Central Mexico to create a relaxed space.
Beyond the forefront of the restaurant, beautifully detached behind an ornate iron wall, is the plancha experience. Similar to teppanyaki-prepared cuisine, this option offers group seating (parties of eight to 10) at a stove table grill where your meal is artfully prepared before your very eyes, so close that you can truly appreciate the smell of spices and ingredients evolving into a deep aroma, activating your taste buds. The multi-course meal begins with a soup or salad starter, followed by your personal chef, preparing the restaurant’s coveted signature: Mexican Fried Rice with chopped peppers, scrambled eggs and a drizzle of chile morita aioli.
PRICE • Starters and appetizers start at $3, with main course options ranging from $9 to $46 for those indulging on cheat day.
CHEF-TESTED, ABUELAAPPROVED • Chef Ortega’s Sweet Corn “Pozole Verde” sopa—available on weekends only—is his grandmother’s original recipe!
VERDICT
For the main course, you have a choice of three traditional Mexican dishes: tacos, quesadillas and alambres, all of which feature an added twist. The highlyrecommended steak quesadilla comes with two open-faced quesadillas with a full-bodied taste garnered from their signature tres quesos blend, salsa verde and lots of cotija cheese. The grilled, cheese-topped layer adds a crunch to every bite, while the tender, juicy steak adds a dynamic richness to the traditional Mexican dish. With a unique concept and tantalizing dishes, Descanso is, in fact, a modern taqueria that adds literal flair to the dining experience. Salud! 118 LOCALE MAGAZINE
• Descanso truly makes one feel at home as they offer free and convenient parking, a warm ambiance and even free WiFi— oh, and of course, savory eats.
DESCANSO: A MODERN TAQUERIA 1555 Adams Ave, Ste 103 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.486.3798 www.descansorestaurant.com
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in Here You’re Going to Flip for Haute Cakes Caffe’s Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes
Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes Deconstructed
HAUTE CAKES CAFFE 1807 Westcliff Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.642.4114 www.hautecakes.cafe
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WRITTEN BY: ERICA JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JENNIFER CHONG
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With generations of devoted patrons, Haute Cakes Caffe has continued to be one of Orange County’s favorite brunch spots.
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Haute-Spot • Haute Cakes Caffe offers catering, and the cafe and courtyard are available for intimate special occasions. For more information, send inquiries to hello@ hautecakescaffe.com. Drink It in • Haute Cakes Caffe proudly serves Common Room Roasters Coffee as well as mimosas, wine, beer and kombucha on tap.
Haute Transformation • The Taddeos consulted with Steven Jones of BetterShelter for the remodel of the Haute Cakes Caffe space. According to Tania, “We were so blessed to have Steven work with us to transform the space so beautifully.”
The setting: you are sitting in a beautiful garden courtyard when suddenly, the aroma of sweet, fluffy pancakes hot from the griddle with a hint of fresh orange floats through the air. You are here with your delicious cup of coffee and your main squeeze having an incredible breakfast in one of the coziest spots in town. You are at Haute Cakes Caffe in Newport Beach and on your plate is one of the best-loved items on the menu: Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes.
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Lots of places make great pancakes, but if you’ve never had Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes, it’s about time that you did! Family owned and operated for nearly 30 years, Haute Cakes Caffe is a Newport Beach favorite that’s known for its lovely atmosphere and delicious, next-level food. All of the pastries, breakfast and lunch items are prepared fresh daily. With generations of devoted patrons, Haute Cakes Caffe has continued to be one of Orange County’s favorite dining spots. Haute Cakes Caffe has been a Westcliff Court favorite since 1990. Owned and operated by Paul and Tania Taddeo, this chic little cafe has recently undergone an extensive renovation and now features updated indoor and outdoor seating, vintage bakery cases, walls of gorgeous, hand-glazed English tile and custom tables of white French oak. Sophisticated yet comfy is the vibe, and with so many delicious choices on the menu, it’s a true favorite for Newport locals. Tania adds, “Our very first customer still comes in. We have had some of our customers’ kids work here throughout the years. We love this community and we’ve been so blessed.” After first serving only pastries and coffee, Haute Cakes Caffe became a full restaurant thanks to Paul realizing that the time was right for more. “There was kind of a void at the time when it came to really great desserts and pastries,” he explains.
“They have been a favorite here for 20 plus years and people just keep coming back for more!” —PAUL TADDEO
“Then we added a coffee bar and slowly added dishes to the menu.” And that menu had a rising star: the Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes. Friends and customers alike instantly fell in love with “their fluffy goodness.” According to Paul, “They have been a favorite here for 20 plus years and people just keep coming back for more!” The cakes are airy and light while the ricotta keeps them moist inside. Tania explains, “The fresh orange zest really enhances the flavor. We serve them with a warm, housemade, fresh berry compote.” The dish is a complete meal in itself, but if you care to make it a Haute Combination, you can add applewood smoked bacon or pork link sausage and two eggs your way. In addition to the Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes and the rest of the delicious breakfast menu, Haute Cakes features lunch items that are sure to impress. Sandwiches such as the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast and the B.L.T.A. will make your mouth water. Impressive salads, such as the Roasted Salmon and Chicken Paillard, feature tasty housemade dressings. One of the (many) wonderful things about Haute Cakes Caffe is that everything is made fresh every single day. All of the pastries, batters and even salad dressings are made from scratch with top-notch ingredients. Breakfast and lunch menus are available all day so you’ll be able to enjoy whatever you happen to be craving in the moment. Orange Ricotta Haute Cakes as a midday snack? Yes, please! LOCALE MAGAZINE 123
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c r e t a e e m w s s Are Made of This A ROUNDUP OF SUMMER’S SWEETEST AND TRENDIEST T R E AT S I N ORANGE COUNTY
HONEY & LAVENDER 18539 Yorba Linda Blvd Yorba Linda, CA 92886 714.340.3224 @honeylavender.oc
WRITTEN BY: DEANNA NGUYEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: HANNAH WILSON
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“It’s a really small mom-and-pop shop, and we put a lot of effort in it. I just wanted flowers and sweets mixed.” — Y U N I A U M , O W N E R O F H O N E Y & L AV E N D E R
Nothing is sweeter than digging your spoon into an ice cream croissant or sipping a fluffy milkshake through a turquoise straw under summer’s embrace. These days, dessert spots are popping up at every corner and luring those with and without a sweet tooth to try something new, delicious and trendy. To minimize your search, we’ve handpicked six sweet spots that are on the rise in Orange County—much like the temperature— that check off all the boxes. So before you melt from the heat, these special sweet treats will melt your tastebuds, all while feeding your Instagram with delectable aesthetics. 126 LOCALE MAGAZINE
MUST HAVE
Shut up and Take My Honey g While Aum teased that everything on the menu is a signature dessert or drink, some popular picks are Chocolate Lavender Cake, Honey Lavender Soft Serve, Hokkaido Milk Tea and Taro Slush. Gold flakes are sprinkled on the soft serve ice cream for an elegant finish. The Chocolate Lavender Cake is always on the menu due to popular demand.
honey lavender soft serve
H O N E Y & L AV E N D E R As soon as you step inside Honey & Lavender, pastel colors with gold accents welcome you. What stemmed from a love for flowers and a trip to the Lavender Festival grew to become a pink and lavender space that offers soft serve ice cream, cakes and milk teas. “It’s a really small mom-and-pop shop, and we put a lot of effort in it,” said owner Yunju “Yuni” Aum. “I just wanted flowers and sweets mixed.” She also explained that the floral taste can be subtle and gentle rather than overpowering, which is why it goes really well with sweets. Every morning, Aum comes in and decides what will be on the menu; the cake menu changes every day. She tries dozens of ice cream bases as well, and the teas are brewed every morning. While the pretty aesthetics and high-quality flavors of her desserts are most important, she cultivates passion rather than simply running a business. Because of that, her desserts are growing, nurtured by that same passion and love (for honey and lavender!). 18539 Yorba Linda Blvd Yorba Linda, CA 92886 714.340.3224 @honeylavender.oc
MUST HAVE
vanilla unicorn
T H E M O O G E L ATO Born from a love of myths, magic and fantasy is The Moo Gelato where you can find mythical and legendary creatures such as unicorns and mermaids in the form of colorful and dreamy ice cream. “Our goal [for The Moo Gelato] continues to be an ideal spot for guests of all ages to come and experience the desserts that [are] not only delicious, but also decorated in the most fun ways,” said owner Stefanie Bui. Creating the desserts is all about the twist, and Bui ensures she and her team find inspiration from seasonal fruits, popular chocolates and anything trendy. From puffle cones to a straw pierced through a slice of cake, the sparkly and magical desserts are perfect for your foodie Instagram page. “Above all, we value customer experiences, so if you’re coming in whether it’s your first time or for a celebration, we always want you to leave happy with your choice of gelato,” explained Bui. Before you pick out your dessert, don’t hold back on their unlimited samplings! 7170 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714.465.9881 | @themoogelato
Over the Moo-n g Behold the Vanilla Unicorn wrapped in a puffle cone! “Our vanilla gelato provides that classic taste, yet colorful look to it with its pink and blue swirl. Adding to it—a unicorn horn and ears to top off its magic!” exclaimed Bui. The step-bystep process is as follows: choose your puffle cone flavor, gelato, toppings and additional add-ons such as cake slices, macarons, cupcakes and more.
MUST HAVE
hot as hell D R I L L’ D I C E C R E A M
You Know the Drill’d
“Our goal [for The Moo Gelato] continues to be an ideal spot for guests of all ages to come and experience the desserts that [are] not only delicious, but also decorated in the most fun ways.” — S T E FA N I E B U I , O W N E R O F T H E M O O G E L ATO
g The Hot As Hell is a bestseller at Drill’d, a mixture of vanilla ice cream and Xxtra Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and dusted with Hot Cheeto Dust. The contrasting sweet and spicy flavors may confuse your tastebuds, but that won’t stop you from eating it till you’re reaching for a cup of water. Due to its cult following, the Hot Cheetos was a definitive ingredient to showing how Drill’d’s “outof-the-norm” concept works.
The challenge with ice cream is creating flavors that no one has ever done before— and making sure it exceeds expectations through quality. For Steve Kim, owner of Drill’d Ice Cream, he had no qualms about being “wacky” and pushing boundaries, especially when it came to the tool that they use: an aeronautic grade steel drill. “We pretty much had inspiration from the East Coast,” shared Kim. “There were some places over there that have been using the drill machine... for 10 to 20 years but for yogurt.” Curious about the potential of the machine for ice cream, Kim and his business partner, Eugene Inose, decided to try ingredients that went beyond the realm of desserts such as chips and avocados. They also ventured into cereals; Kim explained, “I really wanted to be able to bring together different age groups with cereal, toppings and different flavors, and have them create their own childhood memory.” One of their main goals is to improve the quality of what they give. “We’re always going to be innovative. We’re always going to create new flavors,” said Kim. 18279 Brookhurst St, Ste 2, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 @drilldicecream | www.drilldicecream.com
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crocream
CHURNED CREAMERY Within the bustling Union Market at The District lies Churned Creamery. Owner Tuan Le, who used to work in mechanical engineering before he got introduced to the dessert industry, explained the concept of fresh, churned ice cream, saying “Customers like to see things being made in front of them.” And that’s exactly what you see when you stop by: canisters of different ice cream flavors in a constant churning process in order to produce a premium, artisan quality. “Without that churned consistency, it would just be regular Baskin-Robbins ice cream,” said Le. What makes his location different is that it’s the core of where they bring out innovative ideas. One example is the emoji macarons, which go perfectly with ice cream. Le said, “It’s the quality that’s most important that we try to accomplish with our customers first. Then it's cosmetics, which is Instagram-worthy.” With an extensive menu filled with unique flavors, their signature CroCream and drinks, Churned Creamery is sure to churn up the summer! 2493 Park Ave, Ste 21, Tustin, CA 92782 714.258.8000 | www.churnedcreamery.com
Churned, Not Stirred g A cup or cone isn’t the only holder for ice cream. Enter CroCream, which is a croissant with scoops of ice cream packed in and finished with a variety of toppings. You can customize it to your liking, and while eating it with your hands is one option, we suggest using a spoon just in case it gets too messy.
His Milkshake Is Better Than Yours
“Without that churned consistency, it would just be regular Baskin-Robbins ice cream.” —TUAN LE, OWNER OF CHURNED CREAMERY TUSTIN 128 LOCALE MAGAZINE
g One of the most popular milkshakes is The Street, aka the “Cookie Monster Milkshake.” A blend of chocolate cookies and French vanilla ice cream and topped with blue whipped cream and more cookies, The Street recalls summer nostalgia. Second to this is La Bella Donna, which is a tiramisu milkshake. Among the newer shakes, the Cherry Lemonade is a pop of sour pink!
MUST HAVE
cherry lemonade milkshake THE STRAW Imagine walking into a bar, but the bartender slides you a milkshake in a martini glass on the counter instead. That’s what you’ll experience at The Straw, a milkshake parlor that owner Patrick Nguyen created out of a desire to step into the dessert industry while honing his bartending expertise. “Making a milkshake isn’t that different from making a cocktail,” said Nguyen. From the creation process of the drink menu to the service offered, The Straw has the semblance of a bar but the essence of a familyfriendly dessert location. “It’s not just ice cream and straw,” said Nguyen. “We really put in a lot of love and thought in terms of how we want to present our milkshakes.” Growing up Vietnamese and eating the food with contrasting textures and flavors, Nguyen implemented the principles of Vietnamese food into his milkshakes, emphasizing that he didn’t want just one texture. And as for the purpose behind using a martini glass, the stem is so that your hand doesn’t melt the drink, making it the ideal drink during the summer. Side note: they do serve “boozy” milkshakes! 1215 Baker St, Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.852.3772 | www.thestrawoc.com
“We use all-natural ingredients so some flavors are hard to do. We try to listen to our customers and be creative with our flavors.” —JACKY CHAN, OWNER OF POPBAR H U N T I N GTO N BEACH
MUST HAVE
This Bar Is Poppin’ g A couple of signature Popbars are the Birthday Cake Pop, topped with all-natural rainbow sprinkles, and the Green Tea Crunch dipped in chocolate dipping. Chan described the latter as “a frozen version of a green tea Kit Kat.” At the end of the day, the choice is yours—the customizable options allow you to get creative and concoct the perfect Popbar for your specific sweet tooth.
green tea crunch POPBAR You might’ve come across the decorative, handcrafted frozen treat on a stick at various locations before, and there’s a reason why. Popbar has become a pop-ular franchise with its customizable options, fruity and sweet flavors and plentiful toppings. Jacky Chan, owner of the Pacific City location in Huntington Beach, believes that the aesthetic and the quality are both essential to running a dessert shop. He revealed that they would sometimes run polls to hear feedback from customers as far as what flavors they’d like to see Popbar produce next. “We use all-natural ingredients so some flavors are hard to do,” said Chan. “We try to listen to our customers and be creative with our flavors.” The Popbar is an entirely different concept from your standard popsicle. “Comparing to other concepts, we’re a healthier option,” explained Chan. What he hopes is for families to think about Popbar whenever they crave for desserts, especially during the summer. If you’re in LOT 579 at Pacific City, swing by Popbar after you’ve had a meal—or skip it and go straight to dessert! 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste M122, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714.369.8212 | www.pop-bar.com
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F O O D I E /// TWO THINGS WE LOVE
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CO C H I N I TA PIBIL
• Chaak’s Cochinita Pibil is a gorgeous example of how Chef Gabbi mixes elements of traditional Mayan cuisine with techniques of the 21st century. From the careful banana-leaf wrapping of the pork shoulder to the 11-hour smoking of the protein over red oak, your tastebuds will be left wanting so much more.
N AT I V E KNOWLEDGE
• “‘Cochinita’ means ‘little pig’ and ‘pibil’ means ‘to cook underground,’” explains Chef Gabbi. The Mayans, as well as other ancient civilizations from Yucatan, utilized this same underground cooking technique to prepare their protein.
Cochinita Pibil Ingredients: • 11-Hour Red Oak Smoked Pork Shoulder • Achiote Paste • House-Made Tortillas
Chaak Kitchen, a stunning new restaurant located in the heart of Old Towne Tustin, is bringing the flavorful influences found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula to Southern California. “I started realizing that Yucatan cuisine was not being represented properly in the States,” says Owner and Executive Chef Gabbi Patrick while reminiscing about a family trip she took to Mexico. Chaak Kitchen’s menu features a mouthwatering selection of exceptional dishes with Spanish, Caribbean and Mediterranean influences—two of which we absolutely love!
SWITCHING HATS • At 17, Chef Gabbi took on the responsibility of helping her mother manage the front-of-house of her three LA-based restaurants. Ultimately, her curiosity for the wonders of the kitchen led her to enroll in culinary school.
MADE WITH LOVE N AT I V E KNOWLEDGE
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¡Deliciosas! THESE YUCATAN PENINSULA-INSPIRED DISHES ENCOMPASS TRADITIONAL AND MODERN CUISINE WRITTEN BY: DIEGO E. GAXIOLA PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MARIVIC DIVINA
Camarones en Recado Negro Ingredients: • Tiger Prawns • Mojo de Ajo • Chilmole Rice • Salpicon
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• While explaining the months he spent perfecting this dish alongside Chef Gabbi, Executive Chef Vincent Espinoza states, “I wanted it to taste refreshing and light.” Trust us when we say he truly succeeded!
CA M A R O N E S E N R E CA D O NEGRO
• Recado negro, a burnt chili ash paste, is what inspired the creation of the Camarones en Recado Negro dish. Chef Gabbi further describes the exciting process, explaining, “We burn 30 pounds of chili at a time till it becomes ash. Then, we put in roasted garlic and various other toasted spices.”
• Before the restaurant officially opened, Chaak’s Kitchen Executive Chefs— Vincent Espinoza and Gabbi—spent several months on the dishes to ensure Chef Gabbi’s love for Yucatan cuisine is properly represented.
RAISE THE BAR • The Martinez, a mix of Automatic Gin No. 5, Del Professore Vermouth Rosso and Clear Creek Cherry Liqueur topped with orange bitters and an orange peel, is a must-have. CHAAK KITCHEN 215 El Camino Real Tustin, CA 92780 657.699.3019 www.chaakkitchen.com
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mad dog pizza
Tacos, Burgers and Pizza Go Head-to-Head in This Meat Vs. Plant-Based Showdown
hawaiian pizza
Photos - Stefanie Parkinson
VEG(GIE)
VS
REG(ULAR) WRITTEN BY: ASHLEE POLAREK PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MARIVIC DIVINA, STEFANIE PARKINSON & JOSIE GONZALES
CAFÉ GRATITUDE 512 Rose Ave Venice, CA 90291 424.231.8000 www.cafegratitude.com
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dominic pizza
MOD 8985 Venice Blvd, Ste K Culver City, CA 90034 424.345.9282 modpizza.com
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You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy the veggie tacos from Taco Asylum. With bold flavors and sophisticated combinations, you’ll have a hard time choosing your favorite. We recommend ordering the chimichurri taco with delicious and savory sautéed mushrooms. INGREDIENTS:
• Sautéed Mushrooms • Fried Potatoes • Chimichurri Sauce • Sautéed Onions and Peppers • Flour Tortilla
mushroom chimichurri taco
TACO ASYLUM 2937 Bristol St, Ste B102 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.884.3717 www.tacoasylum.com 136 LOCALE MAGAZINE
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Photos - Marivic Divina
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Order one (or six) of the chicken soft tacos from Naugles. Grilled and marinated chicken call a super soft flour tortilla home, but no matter how delish the base is, it’s all just a vessel with which to consume their signature white sauce. INGREDIENTS:
• Grilled Chicken • Shredded Lettuce • Naugles Signature White Sauce • Grated Cheddar Cheese • Diced Tomatoes • Flour Tortilla
chicken soft taco
NAUGLES TACOS & BURGERS 18471 Mt Langley Fountain Valley, CA 92708 657.845.7346 www.nauglestacos.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 137
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VEG(GIE)
Café Gratitude reigns supreme when it comes to vegetarian and vegan food, and the story is no different when it comes to pizza. Ancient grain flatbread serves as the delicious crust for their “Giving” pizza topped with amazing seasonal veggies and locallysourced ingredients. INGREDIENTS:
Hawaiian Pizza • Pineapple • Coconut Bacon • Blackened Tempeh • Marinara • Cashew Mozzarella • Brazil Nut Parmesan Roasted Butternut Squash Pizza • Brussels Sprouts • Marinara • Cashew Ricotta • Basil • Smoked Salt
roasted butternut squash pizza
CAFÉ GRATITUDE 512 Rose Ave Venice, CA 90291 424.231.8000 www.cafegratitude.com
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mad dog pizza
Photos - Stefanie Parkinson
REG(ULAR)
Sure, you can build your own pizza at MOD—and with all the fresh ingredients, the possibilities are endless. Trust us, you can’t mess it up! But first, do yourself a favor and order the Dominic. If you’ve never had a white pizza, now is the time to start. INGREDIENTS: Mad Dog Pizza • Red Sauce • Mozzarella • Pepperoni • Mild Sausage • Ground Beef • Original Crust
Dominic Pizza • White Sauce • Asiago Cheese • Fresh Chopped Basil • Red Onion • Sliced Tomatoes • Mild Sausage • Original Crust
dominic pizza
MOD 8985 Venice Blvd, Ste K Culver City, CA 90034 424.345.9282 modpizza.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 139
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VEG(GIE)
The Vegan Royale from Royale! is a huge win for vegans. The black bean and quinoa patty comes topped with mushrooms, spicy veganaise and pickled veggie slaw. Even if you’re not a vegan, this burger is outstanding! INGREDIENTS:
• Black Bean/ Quinoa Patty • Fried Eggplant • Sautéed Mushrooms • Pickled Veggie Slaw • Spicy Veganaise • Whole Wheat Bun
ROYALE! 4204 Voltaire St San Diego, CA 92107 619.431.5653 www.royalesd.com 140 LOCALE MAGAZINE
vegan royale
HODAD’S 5010 Newport Ave San Diego, CA 92107 619.224.4623 hodadies.com
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REG(ULAR)
Photos - Josie Gonzales
The relaxation and chill of the beach meet classic American burgers at Hodad’s. Put on your boardshorts and stop in for a cheeseburger, where the burger is so good you don’t need all the extra frills to distract you. INGREDIENTS:
• Ground Beef Patty • Cheese • Mayo • Mustard • Pickles • Tomato • Lettuce • Sesame Bun
double cheese burger
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SHOPPE PE T S /// S U N G LA S S E S / / / LU XU RY
JULY 2019
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BRABUS USA Reign in Extra Horsepower With the BRABUS WIDESTAR
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THAT’S WHAT HE BARKED That Dog Rupert Knows How to Hit Paws and Unwind
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PROFILE Adjust Your Sunglasses With the Founders of Saint Owen
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MEDTERRA This CBD Line for Pets Is Getting Tails Wagging
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THAT’S WHAT HE BARKED Rupert Knows Best This Insta-Famous Pup Is Living Life Unleashed
RUPERT DEBRINCAT @thatdogrupert Photoshoot Locations: PASÉA HOTEL & SPA 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, CA 92648 855.622.2472 meritagecollection.com/pasea-hotel PHOTO BY: Lee Walters & Jen Stroman
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Party Like a WIDESTAR WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CAR, BE EXTRA WRITTEN BY: GABY GARCIA When it comes to luxury automobiles, Orange County is a virtual showroom of high-end, exotic whips. There’s one ride, however, that challenges the definition of “extra” in this competitive space and it’s the BRABUS WIDESTAR. Germany-based BRABUS starts with a base model Mercedes Benz G 550 or G 63 and tunes it into a super customized, high performance, power off-roader that is as much muscle as it is bling. The result is a head-turning WIDESTAR that comes in 700 or 800 horsepower variations, with interior and exterior finishes that are as limitless as the imagination (and wallet) will allow!
PURE PLATINUM
SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND
• BRABUS’ “Platinum Edition” option brings Monoblock, high-tech, 23-inch forged wheels into the equation, setting the vehicle even further away from the crowd. “Our forged wheels are stronger, lighter, more resilient and stiffer than cast wheels,” explains Tokumoto.
• Every BRABUS
supercar is a custom production and tailored to the driver’s preferences. Custom elements include a seemingly infinite selection of leather, carbon fiber, wood and stitch options.
ONLY ONE
BRABUS USA | GERMAN TUNING CORPORATION 1711 McGaw Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949.229.1770 www.brabus.com/en germantuningcorporation.com/ brands/brabus
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• Stunning LED-lighting features adorn the car’s exterior and interior. Integrated LEDs illuminate the running boards between the flares as soon as a door handle is pulled or when the central locking system is keylessly activated by approaching the vehicle.
A POWERFUL STEED • The BRABUS 800 Package gives the G 63 an additional 215 horses, which translate into a total of 800 horsepower for the twin-turbo engine. “With its lower displacement and higher horsepower, the 2019 Mercedes Benz G 63’s new engine power plant makes it a lot peppier to start,” says Cameron Tokumoto, Head of Marketing for BRABUS.
Photography Provided By: BRABUS USA
• BRABUS’ stainless-steel sport exhaust system adds both functionality and finesse. While optimizing performance and adding striking visual highlights with two tailpipes exiting in front of the rear wheels on either side, the sport exhaust system also allows the driver to control the vehicle’s sound.
A STAR IS BORN
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T H AT ' S W H AT H E B A R K E D
Rupert Knows Best This Insta-Famous Pup Is Living Life Unleashed
WRITTEN BY: RUPERT DEBRINCAT PHOTOGRAPHY BY: KAMBRIA FISCHER, ANGEL MANUEL, LEE WALTERS & JEN STROMAN
RUPERT DEBRINCAT @thatdogrupert
LOCALE MAGAZINE 147
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Hi, I’m Rupert DeBrincat, a 6-year-old, well-traveled and well-fed French bulldog living in Orange County. I live my life through a simple mantra: “Born and bred to rip and shred.” But, if you follow me on Instagram, it’s really a bit more like “born and bred to lay in bed.” Either way, I’m one lucky pup who’s been able to get out and do some cool stuff. Thanks to my supportive parents, I’ve never had to work a day in my life. I love snuggling with Mom and Dad, pushing the limits of fashion, meeting new people and, of course, sleeping and eating. But my favorite things in life either roll or bounce. Stick with me through the next few pages and I’ll show you some of my favorite spots across Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
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Sit Saint Marc American Cuisine & Pub Ú Did somebody say
bacon? Seriously, like every single kind you could ever imagine! Located in Huntington Beach’s Pacific City shopping center, Saint Marc has a great vibe, the nicest staff and an outdoor patio that’s friendly to little guys like me. Plus, if you look around, you just may find their secret speakeasy bar, private enough to serve up a couple puppuccinos for you and your buddies.
SAINT MARC AMERICAN CUISINE & PUB 21058 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714.374.1101 saintmarcrestaurant.com
Play Huntington Dog Beach
Orange County
Ú Can I just say
I’d like to start a movement to change it from Surf City to Dog City? I know, not the same ring, but this town seriously loves dogs. Furreal. At the north end of the city is a beach just for me…and you, too. Huntington Dog Beach is a place where we can run free, take a go at surfing or just bask in the sun and get a tan. Leashes are optional at Dog Beach, but fun and a sandy face are mandatory.
HUNTINGTON DOG BEACH 100 Goldenwest St Huntington Beach, CA 92648 www.dogbeach.org
Snack TOP DOG *barkery *bath *boutique Ú Being local to Orange County, I gave a couple
of high fours straight away when we walked in the door. The gang at Top Dog are serious when it comes to baked goods—even for the food sensitivitychallenged. This is my go-to spot when somebody asks what kind of cake I want for my birthday. They have so many different treats, toys and other pooch-friendly necessities. Did I mention the peanut butter cupcake was my must-have favorite? Don’t cheap out on us four-leggers. We deserve some good treats for dessert, too! TOP DOG *BARKERY *BATH *BOUTIQUE 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste A-160 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714.960.3647 www.topdogbarkery.net
Stay Paséa Hotel & Spa Ú As a guy who sleeps on your pillow and snores at volume 10, I’ll take
whatever I can get to block it out so my mom and dad can have a quiet night’s rest—and the soothing sound of crashing waves right outside the window seems to do the trick! This new hotel is so plush and comes with all the amenities you could ask for: fire pits, cabanas and even a huge puppy play park with a lifeguard tower. My only complaint about the Paséa is that they have a beautiful and amazing outdoor bar shaped like a tree, but peeing on it is frowned upon. Before you leave, be sure to give a belly rub to the dog of the house and Director of Barketing, Lago.
COLLAR PROVIDED BY: Puppies Make Me Happy www.puppiesmakemehappy.com
148 LOCALE MAGAZINE
PASÉA HOTEL & SPA 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 855.622.2472 | www.meritagecollection.com/pasea-hotel
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Stay Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
San Diego
Ú Want to get whisked away to Hawaii
without leaving California? Then the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is right for you! Located on the shoreline of San Diego’s Mission Bay, this resort is a tropical paradise. Be sure to catch the hotel’s dogfriendly patio, located at its outdoor lounge Moray’s, for delicious bites and cocktails. My favorite? The Greyhound, of course!
CATAMARAN RESORT HOTEL AND SPA 3999 Mission Blvd San Diego, CA 92109 858.488.1081 www.catamaranresort.com
#RupertFace
People think my smile is cute, and I agree. So, I created a hashtag to show off photos of me and new friends doing their best “Rupert Face.” It’s not just Tongue Out Tuesday—it’s Tongue Out Every Day.
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Snack Urban Wolf Ú If you’re a health-minded pup
Table-Side Service
Rustic Root checks all the boxes I look for when getting out on the town with my pawrents.
If you’re inviting me over for dinner, you better have a seat at the table ready. I have it good, I know.
parent, look no further. The team at Urban Wolf is so confident in their kitchen, they’ll open their doors wide enough for both of us to go check it out. Their food is sourced locally and prepared on-site. So fresh and so clean! Sure, eating healthy might cost a bit more, but we’ll make it up to you by going to the vet less and sticking around a lot longer. And let’s be honest: you want that. Still not convinced? Do some homework on how grocery store kibble is made. You’ll never shop anywhere other than Urban Wolf ever again. URBAN WOLF 475 Tenth Ave San Diego, CA 92101 845.328.0364 www.urbanwolfusa.com
Play Petco Park | Park at the Park Ú With so much to do and so
Sit Rustic Root Ú It’s summer, so let’s shout it from the rooftop (bar)! Rustic Root checks all the boxes
I look for when getting out on the town with my pawrents, although there’s really just one box: the one that says I’m invited. If you find yourself in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, be sure to stop by for a happy hour that includes food and drink specials like $5 local craft beers. Grab a sofa and kick your feet up while these guys take care of making the rest of your sunny afternoon awesome.
RUSTIC ROOT 535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 619.232.1747 | www.rusticroot.com
much to see in San Diego, the Park at the Park is a great spot to put your belly on the grass to relax a bit while catching a Padres game. It’s a park in the Park. How cool is that? Got a couple of bucks to spend? Feel free to invite me and my folks to join you in a Barkyard Dog-Friendly Suite out in left field. There’s only a couple of these available, but they come with four-people seats and two pet seats. Can you say “ultimate date night?” PETCO PARK | PARK AT THE PARK 100 Park Blvd San Diego, CA 92101 619.795.5555 www.mlb.com/padres/ballpark
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Sit Ashland Hill Ú Finally, a restaurant with
an outdoor beer garden and a curated craft beer list that even my Frenchie buddy Pablo Escobeer would appreciate! And for dogs… The first Tuesday of every month is Yappy Hour. It’s a who’s who of meetups with cocktails and small bites for the bigs and a special dog menu for us. But even better, proceeds from the night go to support local petrelated nonprofits.
ASHLAND HILL 2907 Main St Santa Monica, CA 90405 310.392.3300 www.ashlandhill.com
Snack Healthy Spot Ú This was my favorite
A Little Help Please
I won’t jump on or off the bed or chairs. Is it because I’m welltrained or too scared? You decide.
Stay Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel Ú My stay at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel was suite! Great rooms, a great pool
and great service—what more could you ask for? How about an unobstructed view of the beach and Santa Monica Pier that even a little, vertically-challenged guy like me can appreciate? Loews really does love pets! So much in fact that they had room service drop by with a chicken dinner and a pet-friendly gift basket when we arrived. Be sure to say hi to my new friends Nick and Silvia when you check in and let them know you want to see a Rupert room key card in the future. Even though we live nearby, I can’t wait to come back for a staycation soon.
LOEWS SANTA MONICA BEACH HOTEL 1700 Ocean Ave Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.458.6700 www.loewshotels.com/santa-monica
Roll Bounce
If it rolls or bounces, count me in! I go beyond fetch into attack mode with everything from balls to skateboards. Balloons and roller suitcases? Yep. Those make the list, too.
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spot when I lived in Costa Mesa—you could say I was a regular. I’m so happy to see Healthy Spot locations popping up all around Southern California. This boutique pet store has the best gear and the hippest vibe all with healthy and natural options to keep man’s best friend feeling and looking great. They even have a doggie day spa! Because what pup wouldn’t want a massage and a blueberry facial?
HEALTHY SPOT 1110 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.458.2004 www.healthyspot.com
Play Santa Monica Pier Ú Who doesn’t love long
walks on the beach? I know I do. Santa Monica is one of those picturesque Los Angeles towns that you need to see in person. From the Promenade on Third Street to the Amusement Park on the pier, there really is something for everybody. Grab your leash and take a stroll on the boardwalk to see one of those famous Southern California sunsets that are even more beautiful than any photo. SANTA MONICA PIER 200 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.458.8900 www.santamonicapier.org
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THIS SISTER DUO’S FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT, THEY GOTTA WEAR SHADES WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE JACO PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ANDREA DOMJAN PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: MEILANI COTTRELL
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“MICHELLE AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN THE FASHION REALM AND VERY STYLE-CENTRIC.” —VALARY SANDERS
SAINT OWEN www.saintowen.com @saint.owen PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION: Huntington Beach, CA LOCALE MAGAZINE 153
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BEFORE IT WAS COOL • Before larger-framed sunglasses became a trend, Haner and Sanders used to shop in the men’s section to achieve that oversized look.
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BUILDING GENERATIONS • One of Saint Owen’s earlier designs, “Triumph,” was named after the first twin-engine Triumph motorcycle that Haner and Sanders’ father built. The look was also inspired by the motorcycle goggles.
mix was Matt, Sanders’ husband and Haner’s brother-in-law. Sullivan and Matt were close and would later form the band Avenged Sevenfold with fellow bandmate Brian, who is now married to Haner.
Dedicated to perfectionism with an edge and reaffirming what is authentic, this familyowned-and-operated sunglasses brand, run by twin sisters, is breaking the monotonous cycle that the eyewear industry has begun to stifle into over the last 30 years. With a sunglasses brand offering more than what meets the eye, Michelle Haner and Valary Sanders have constructed a unique, vibrant company from the ground up, bypassing the industrialized procedures of their industry counterparts and priding themselves on building a new type of enterprise with purpose and intent. To them, that is authenticity. That is Saint Owen.
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The motivation behind the company’s hallowed name was to honor their late childhood friend, James Owen Sullivan. Haner and Sanders grew up in Huntington Beach, California and came to know “Jimmy” Sullivan as children and developed a friendship that would span almost two decades, up until his untimely passing in 2009. Remembered for his innovative spirit, vibrant personality and, as Sanders put it, someone who wore the “craziest glasses ever,” Sullivan was attributed to being a great inspiration to the sisters’ creativity. It’s only fitting the sister duo would draw inspiration from those closest to them, as Saint Owen’s origins truly stem from family and lasting friendships. Another major element in the brand’s beginnings comes full circle in their backstory: Haner, Sanders and Sullivan were childhood friends who grew up in the heart of Surf City, attending concerts and punk shows. Included in that
With the defining impact of music playing a role in much of their early years and into adulthood, the sisters toured the world with their rockstar husbands and still do to this day; Sanders took on the role as their tour manager for five years. During that time, Matt and Brian suggested their wives take a shot at designing some custom frames for an upcoming show. Haner and Sanders collaborated and got to work. The end product was so wellreceived that they decided to turn it into a business, and now here we are, full circle. “Michelle and I have always been very involved in the fashion realm and very style-centric,” states Sanders. Haner adds that they wanted to “create something personal but that had a lot of edge.” Since its launch in 2017, Saint Owen’s personal commitment still holds true in ensuring every aspect along the design, development and construction process is touched by hand in an effort to bring an intimate quality to the products—a quality lacking in most of today’s markets. Sanders elaborates, “We just felt like the whole industry was getting monopolized…by huge giants who were doing mass-market production.”
IT’S ONLY FITTING THE SISTER DUO WOULD DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THOSE CLOSEST TO THEM, AS SAINT OWEN’S ORIGINS TRULY STEM FROM FAMILY AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS.
Every pair of Saint Owen sunglasses is crafted in either Italy or Japan, as both countries have a prestigious reputation for creating high-end quality. “We specialize in limited edition pieces and exclusivity. We wanted to create something that can’t be replicated,” says Sanders. Each piece possesses an intricate detail—a result of the careful handcrafting with only simple frames being mass-produced. When asked about a typical day in the design process, the sisters made clear that no day is typical at Saint Owen. It’s a rarity to come across a sunglasses brand founded by women—sisters at that—but what makes this brand so unique is how involved both Haner and Sanders are in the design process. The two wear many hats, and that means playing a role in not only the design, but also the product development, product research and even creative directing; they appear to sincerely love what they do. In describing one of the most memorable moments from the job,
Haner and Sanders agreed that client feedback takes the cake. Reminiscing over an emotional email, Haner shared a customer’s experience after receiving a pair of sunglasses in the mail. The customer expressed how instantly confident and beautiful she felt after putting them on. “That was my most gratifying moment. It was just uplifting,” says Haner. Sanders adds, “And that’s what we wanted. Put ‘em on and feel something. Feel emotion. Feel like a badass. Feel like they could conquer the world. It sounds above and beyond for just a pair of sunglasses, but I feel like sunglasses have that [power].” Sanders goes on to say, “Everything about the brand is embedded in us.” Haner interjects “Or, everything about us is embedded in the brand.” The two share a playful laugh and agree that their main focus is to disrupt the eyewear industry by merging edge with quality because that’s what their customers deserve. Haner concludes, “We want it to be elevated, gritty and edgy, but classy as well.”
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PROPS PROVIDED BY: Charlie & Me charlieandme.us
Paws-itive Healing M EDTE RRA CBD’S N E W P E T L I N E I S SOM ET HING TO BA R K AB O U T WRITTEN BY: RAPHAEL MADRID PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ED VISIONS Wellness products derived from hemp plants have been sprouting at a rapid pace since California’s legalization of CBD. These products are non-psychoactive, have zero THC and are said to be beneficial to men, women and pets alike. While the medical benefits have yet to be widely accepted, companies like Medterra are working to remove the stigma associated with hemp cultivation. As one of only 13 brands in the country with a US Hemp Authority Seal, Medterra hopes to educate people on the efficacy of CBD while upholding federal standards of quality and consistency.
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Created by a group of individuals passionate about the power and potential of CBD products, Medterra works attentively to provide a consistent product every time. Single-sourced from their own farm in Kentucky, their delicate process extracts the CBD from organically grown, nonGMO hemp, leaving the THC behind and generating a product for medicinal
purposes. While the use of hemp products are not anything new for humans, its wellness properties have also been discovered to be of great benefit to our four-legged friends. CBD is a naturally-occurring compound found in plants, cultivated for centuries for its mediation with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) found in humans and dogs. The receptors in the ECS play a pivotal role in the physiological processes related to mood, memory and pain. In simple terms: CBD products have a variety of therapeutic potency, while leaving out the toxic effects. Medterra’s CBD line for pets has the potential to ease anxiety, regulate appetite and support joint health. For dogs and other mammalian pets who are picky eaters, have underlying trauma or struggle with debilitating mobility, these medicinal products can help treat issues preventing a healthy, fulfilling life with their forever families. These can be given as a treat or be infused with their usual meals, and differ in doses, subject to your pets’ needs.
Don’t Chew Want Some More? • Medterra’s soft chews for pets are handcrafted with 10 milligrams of pure CBD and natural peanut butter flavoring, plus additional ingredients like glucosamine to help promote healthy joints. It’s a guarantee the good boy (or girl) in your home will see it as another treat. Uno, Dose • Medterra’s blend of CBD and MCT oils come in the right amount of dosage for pets of all sizes—in natural beef and chicken flavors formulated to give them natural relief. This can be given directly to your furry friend with a special plastic dropper, or masked within their food.
MEDTERRA CBD 9801 Research Dr Irvine, CA 92618 800.971.1288 www.medterracbd.com 156 LOCALE MAGAZINE
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PRO TIPS Take Interior Design to the Next Level With BoConcept’s Savvy Tips
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FEATURE Don’t Waste Another Minute of Date Night Trying to Figure out What to Do
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BoConcept’s Stephanie Duval Shares How to Integrate Modern Design Into Your Home
FEATURE Plan Your Next Couple’s Getaway at Harrah’s Resort SoCal
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PRO TIPS Tips on Finding Your Perfect OC Loft According to REALTOR® Stacey May
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FEATURE Kaskade’s Set at OMNIA Dayclub Was Full of Sunshine and Good Vibes
BOCONCEPT | ORANGE COUNTY 3311 Hyland Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92626 657.267.0100 BOCONCEPT | LOS ANGELES 434 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.433.7118 www.boconcept.com PHOTO PROVIDED BY: BoConcept
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pt -Owners, BoConce PHANIE DUVAL, Co STEPHANE AND STE
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GET FAMILIAR WITH THE WORLD AROUND YOU • “First of all, we need to understand how you live. There are many elements that will help a design consultant show you the right products; pets, kids or if you often [host] are all things that should be taken into consideration.”
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BE THE HOST WITH THE MOST • “Boconcept’s versatile furniture designs, such as the extendable tables, are possible products to consider if during the week you are alone, but on the weekends, you often host friends and family.”
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I WANT IT, I GOT IT • “Today, functionality and customization are key. When looking at a space, communication between a design consultant and customer is very important... Don’t buy something that you are not 100 percent convinced about.”
The Duvals currently own two stunning showrooms in both Los Angeles and Orange County, allowing you to work with an expert design consultant familiar with the endless customization possibilities that BoConcept is known for providing.
One and Only • The customization options of every BoConcept product, down to the handle on a single drawer, is endless! “I am never going to sell the same exact piece of furniture twice,” Stephanie Duval says.
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Going Dutch BOCONCEPT’S STEPHANIE DUVAL SHARES HOW TO INTEGRATE MODERN DESIGN INTO YOUR HOME
WRITTEN BY: DIEGO E. GAXIOLA HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JEN STROMAN PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: BOCONCEPT
The Denmark-based lifestyle brand BoConcept, continues to revolutionize the design world. CoOwners Stephane and Stephanie Duval chose the extraordinary brand for its continued goal of creating furniture that exhibits “simplicity, craftsmanship, elegant functionality and quality materials.” The Duvals currently own two stunning showrooms in both Los Angeles and Orange County, allowing you to work with an expert design consultant familiar with the endless customization possibilities that BoConcept is known for providing. Check out these five savvy tips that Stephanie has formulated to guide you when incorporating modern design in your home!
Instant Inspo • Social media influencers, interior design-focused magazines and, of course, the gorgeous LA and OC BoConcept showrooms are excellent places for you to derive inspiration when designing a space.
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LESS IS MORE • “What we as design consultants are continuing to notice is that people are embracing the philosophy of ‘less is more.’ They want to hide anything they can to make their space look clean, cool and relaxing.”
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SMALL SPACE, NO PROBLEM! • “Take into consideration the dimensions of your space and a design consultant can help you come up with the best solution for your living, even in smaller spaces often found in Southern California.”
“Today, functionality and customization are key. When looking at a space, communication between a design consultant and customer is very important... Don’t buy something that you are not 100 percent convinced about.” —Stephanie Duval
BOCONCEPT ORANGE COUNTY 3311 Hyland Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92626 657.267.0100 www.boconcept.com
BOCONCEPT LOS ANGELES 434 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.433.7118 www.boconcept.com
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D AT E DAT T H E CITY TH From first dates to anniversaries, spending time with your partner is what keeps the butterflies in your stomach fluttering. Whether you’re starting something new or rekindling an old flame, a well-planned date is a universal way of saying “I love you”...or maybe just “I really, really like you” if you’re not there yet. To take the pressure off the planning, we’ve turned to an expert—Neal Hruby, Creator of Date the City—to curate three unforgettable summer outings in Laguna Beach, Santa Monica and Del Mar. No matter who you’re sharing your time with, these dates are bound to bring you and your summer crush closer than ever.
DAT E T H E CIT Y P L A N S Y OU R N EXT O U T IN GS IN O C , LA AN D S D
DATE THE CITY @datethecity www.datethecity.com
WRITTEN BY: NEAL HRUBY PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TAE KWON, CARLOS VALLE AND MICHAEL WESLEY MODELS: DIONNA CHAMBERS & PAUL KEATING OF PEAK MODELS & TALENT, www.peakmodels.com & XAVIER GUTIERREZ, MYLES OROSCO, ADAM SANTA CRUZ AND RAYNA VALADE OF BRAND MODEL & TALENT AGENCY, www.brandtalent.net LOCALE MAGAZINE 163
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Date The City Orange County Edition
Essentials
2 (People)
5 p.m.
Laguna Beach
Music to Our Ears
• The Wine Gallery is no slouch when it comes to live music. Stop in Tuesday and Thursday nights when they have a live band.
$65-$90 per person
Bring Dancing Shoes
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Summar y Along the “unassuming” stretch of Laguna Beach coastline known as Woods Cove, you’re sure to spot sandy couples scuttling to their cars and surfers squeezing out of their wetsuits as the beach day comes to a close. Happily dry and sand-free, you turn in to The Wine Gallery and receive the kind of welcome normally reserved for a neighborhood regular. Take your seat at the high table and listen as your energetic waiter dishes out wine and food specialties. Italian “tapas” à la meatballs and roasted cauliflower arrive as the energy in the tiny venue slowly builds along with your glass of wine. When your pizza arrives, snack, sip and repeat as necessary. Once you’ve maxed out your cheese consumption for the evening, it’s off to the races. Two entrances serve The Seahorse Bar, but the back driveway more adequately introduces the concept of this one-time auto parts store-turned-boutiquewatering-hole. Once inside, time slows down a while for the always-busy OC, so soak in the old school
bohemian vibes. There is a theme to everything you see, and uncovering the little mysteries means it’s worth repeat visits. The makeshift bar serves an eclectic mix of beer, wine and a surprisingly refreshing “adult kombucha.” Plop down on a vintage couch next to the record player emitting a bygone era’s top hit and pretend it’s 1963. Relax and rehash old times while sipping on a freshly poured glass of the good stuff. Soon, you’ll be dancing worlds away. The multilevel castle of Mozambique’s maze baffles you as you pass live toucans and giggling couples en route to your final stop. Above the high-brow dining room is a party gearing up for your arrival. Pass into the energetic room and squeeze up to the bar in time to order before the band takes the stage. Go with an African Mojito or Drunken Elephant to pair with the Peri Peri Prawns or Blackened Salmon to whisk you to faraway lands just as the first beat of a classic rock anthem engulfs the room. To wait at the bar or hop on the dance floor, that is the question.
MOZAMBIQUE 1740 S Coast Hwy Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949.715.7777 www.mozambiqueoc.com
5 p.m. The Wine Gallery
6:15 p.m. The Seahorse Bar
WINE GALLERY 1833 S Coast Hwy, Ste 110 Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949.714.8744 www.winegallerylaguna.com
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Just Bique-ause 7:30 p.m. Mozambique
• Mozambique was originally a Mexican cantina called Tortilla Flats. This is where Javier Sosa, owner and namesake to Javier’s Restaurants, started his culinary career years ago.
Photos - Carlos Valle | Models - Adam Santa Cruz & Xavier Gutierrez of Brand Model & Talent Agency, www.brandtalent.net
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Date The City San Diego Edition
Essentials
2 (People)
10 a.m.
Del Mar
$115-$165 per person
Sneakers Encouraged
PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKES www.pedegoelectricbikes.com
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Summar y The welcoming archways of The Cedros Avenue Design District greet you as you begin to rubberneck from art store to adorable café. Stepping inside the Pedego Bike Shop, you will be greeted by none other than The Lord of Fun and his elderly Chihuahua, Chica. With a full afternoon of cruising, get yourself and your partner sized, serviced and strapped in to the day’s vehicle: the electric tandem cruiser. After a few test-runs, you’ll be set up to roll out and win the day. As you traverse hilltops and dodge other fun-loving cyclists, you’ll casually arrive at your destination: the ivy-laden Café Secret. Take a seat under the sidewalk pergola, as your respite from the road begins with freshly squeezed mimosas. Dig in to their menu of ceviches and saltidos-galore. The “secret” here may be the effortlessness with which it takes to enjoy yourself prior to the food arriving. Then, a colorful display of fresh fish, indigenous veggies and mango salsas engulf your senses. Each bite sends you a kilometer closer to Peru,
but your next stop is in a different direction. Follow the echo of “skwaaawk” as you turn for the next destination, Free Flight. Push open the gate to reveal a mini oasis of exotic birds scattered throughout a tropical oasis. After a lesson from the docent, purchase a bowl of fruit from the “tiki bar.” Cautiously step from parrot to parrot, and gather the courage to invite one on your arm; laughs and unsure moments are all part of the game. When that perfect Insta-photo has been captured, take a short ride to your final destination. Inside the warehouse of Viewpoint Brewing, join the packed scene of locals, passing cyclists, aspiring cornhole pros and various sun-worshippers sipping a brew. With beer flight in hand, don’t get suckered into a normal place to sit—look around and make your way to the swings on the far patio. It’s your “private” floatyseat—the perfect space to relax after a day’s ride. Before too long, the hardest decision of the day is to return for another round or return the tandem. You decide.
10 a.m. Pedego Bike Shop
11:45 p.m. Café Secret
VIEWPOINT BREWING CO 2201 San Dieguito Dr Del Mar, CA 92014 858.356.9346 www.viewpointbrewing.com
1:15 p.m. Free Flight
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What’s the Viewpoint?
• Enjoying the scenery at Viewpoint Brewery? Buy a Bird a Beer then, why don’t you! For $5, your proceeds will go to the San Dieguito River Valley Conservatory.
Photos - Michael Wesley | Models - Rayna Valade & Myles Orosc of Brand Model & Talent Agency, www.brandtalent.net
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Date The City Los Angeles Edition
Essentials
2 (People)
4 p.m.
Santa Monica
$20-$35 per person Winged Victory
• The massive plane outside the museum is a Douglas DC-3. During WWII, 30,000 of these were sent to fight and were eventually credited as one of the four things that won the war.
Smart but Casual
Timeline
Summar y Overlooked World War II hangars sit in plain view behind the chain-linked fences lining Santa Monica’s Airport Avenue An area once boasting America’s top-of-the-line plane manufacturing capabilities now houses artist stalls and casting studios. Above the east end of the street is a floating Douglas DC-3 marking the location of your first stop: The Museum of Flying. As you step foot inside the modernized hangar, you’re dwarfed by flying machines of old. Pay your dues and wander like a kid under wings and cockpits of Santa Monica’s goldenera of aviation. After soaking in all you can, head out to experience a flight of your own. Walk along the tiny airport to find the hidden, miniature sign directing you to the Observation Deck. Circling around the far side, take in the expanse of the field as the mutterings of the air traffic controller are heard over a loudspeaker. With front row seats, look off into Century City’s skyline and find the distant speck, or “PJ,” dropping in line for landing. Within moments the jet careens to a thump, as
you cheer for the plane’s safe arrival. The exuberance of this scene is something only your inner child knew you’d be excited for. After a few more successful passes, head away from the propellerexcitement and duck into your own “plane” to dine on something much more enticing than airplane food. Spitfire Grill shines in the golden-hour sun like an ancient beacon of aeronautical greatness. Cross over where the runway used to be before making your way through the white-picket fence into an air-fan’s dream. Gawk at the classic photos as you wander through the original WWII-era “bar.” Find a seat among the local crowd who dutifully sip their wine and ponder the miracle of flight. With a drink in hand, you head out to the patio then place an order of fish and chips—like any Navy man would’ve back home from a recent tour. As the sun sets down beyond the silver hangers and guiding lights of the runway, focus in on your internal flight pattern: it’s time to make some history of your own.
SPITFIRE GRILL 3300 Airport Ave Santa Monica, CA 90405 310.397.3455 www.spitfiregrill.net
2:30 p.m. Museum of Flying
4 p.m. Observation Deck
MUSEUM OF FLYING 3100 Airport Ave Santa Monica, CA 90405 310.398.2500 www.museumofflying.org
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My Cheeseburger Is My Co-Pilot 6:30 p.m. Spitfire Grill
• The inside of the Spitfire Grill is the original bar, which was fashioned to mimic the inside of a commercial Douglas DC-3 airplane, making the pilots feel right at home with their cheeseburgers.
Photos - Tae Kwon | Models - Dionna Chambers and Paul Keating of Peak Models & Talent, www.peakmodels.com
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W E L C OM E TO FUNNER, CALIFORNIA Harrah’s Resort SoCal Has Never Been Funner
HARRAH’S RESORT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way Funner, CA 92082 760.751.3100 www.harrahssocal.com
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WRITTEN BY: KERI BRIDGWATER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: HARRAH’S RESORT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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• Sign up for the Caesars Rewards loyalty program and enjoy perks including discounted hotel stays and pre-sale show access. The tier credits that you earn every time you play using your membership card can also be used to enter monthly Mayor’s Millions drawings and other promotional giveaways.
Play the Tutorial
• Bewildered by Black Jack? Ask any dealer at an empty table for a gaming tutorial and they’ll happily offer pointers to help you brush up on the rules.
Located in the epicallynamed city of Funner, California, Harrah’s Resort SoCal is the perfect weekend getaway for couples, minus any major travel days. Boasting stylish suites, beautiful pools, a Swim-Up Bar and
romantic restaurants, this hip casino hotel meets buzzy (and
award-winning) resort is just an hour drive from San Diego. There’s a state-of-the-art Fitness Center and full-service luxury spa, plus
entertainment aficionados will dig the bustling gaming floor and a wide range of big-name shows.
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Native Knowledge
• Southern California’s first Native American-owned brewery, SR76 Beerworks offers craft beer brewed on-site plus handcrafted cocktails made to your liking.
deserved upgrade? Want extras like a Vitamin C shower, Philips Wake-Up Light, hand weights and yoga mats? Try a Zenfully Suite! It’s a spacious living area and separate bedroom with a king bed, private balcony and luxe bathroom—complete with an oversized soaking tub—or go big with the Oh So Suite. Director of Resort Marketing Amber Lussier said, “Harrah’s Resort SoCal prides itself in offering unique experiences that can only be found in Funner, California.” ACTIVITIES + SPA
PLAY • There are slot machines aplenty, weekly poker tournaments and table games including Rincon Craps, but the new jewel in the casino floor crown is the Topgolf Swing Suite––and another first for Harrah’s Resort SoCal. Square off for an interactive date night game of zombie dodgeball, virtual ice hockey or golf in one of two private luxury lounge areas. They can each be rented by the hour and include a dedicated server, plus access to a full bar and special food menu. POOLSIDE
FOOD AND DRINK • For bespoke cocktails fashioned with exclusive spirit brands, housemade syrups and artisanal ice cubes, stop by prohibition-style bar, Spiked. Bartenders here specialize in creating custom libations that inspire guests to explore new flavor profiles and lesser-known liquors like FernetBranca and vermouth. Next, get cozy in the private Champagne room and snap a free keepsake pic in the LED mirror selfie circle before heading to Oyster Bar for an intimate dining experience. Tucked inside the awardwinning Fiore steakhouse, their menu highlights include fresh-shucked oysters, sushi, a majestic seafood tower and solid sake list.
• Gambling aside, there are a ton of fun activities, amenities and happenings to explore, including Movie Night Under the Stars every Thursday, plus regular karaoke and DJ nights every weekend. There’s the monthly maker series, Get Crafty, plus an A-list line up of entertainers that come through The Events Center. Hike the one-mile Nature Trail or treat yourselves to a couple’s massage at The Spa at Harrah’s––a modish haven of tranquility that also features a barbershop, nail and hair salon, soothing salt water baths and two relaxation lounges. “Don’t be shy!” exclaimed Beau Swanson, VP of Marketing. “Our teammates are here to guide you to your best experience, so bend their ears, make new friends and discover your ‘funner!’”
Gambling aside, there are a ton of fun activities, amenities and happenings to explore, including Movie Night Under the Stars every Thursday, plus regular karaoke and DJ nights.
• Towering palms and cascading waterfalls set the scene at Harrah’s Resort SoCal’s gorgeous outdoor oasis which comprises the distinctivelyshaped main Dive pool, separate swim-up bar and meandering 400-foot Lazy River. Secure prime poolside seats with a private cabana package––the ‘Brunchbana’ special includes a Mimosa or Bloody Mary Bar, chips and salsa, plus your own server. Guests also get access to the Dive Concert Series, which showcases live bands and DJs––think upbeat sounds on Fridays and Saturdays with reggae on Sundays––every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. STAY • With over a thousand rooms and suites spread across two towers— some with pool views—there are lots of lodging options. And, while all are modern and well-appointed, why not make the weekend super special and elevate the experience with a well-
Take a Dive
• If you can only “splash and play” for a day, the ResortPass provides guests 21 and over access to all of the pools at Dive including the 400-foot Lazy River, the state-of-the-art Fitness Center and free self-parking. LOCALE MAGAZINE 173
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CENTRAL
CANNERY LOFTS
ty Lofts, Nook Real TOR®, Orange Coun STACEY MAY, REAL
• Orange’s sophisticated Depot Walk is an innovative loft community perfect for individuals who commute often. The Orange Train Depot is directly behind the complex and Old Towne is a short walk from your front door. DEPOT WALK N Batavia St and W Maple Ave Orange, CA 92868
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FAMILY COMES FIRST • All of the South Brea Lofts offer a separate front retail door and, not to mention, the city of Brea has an exceptional school district. SOUTH BREA LOFTS S Brea Blvd and E Elm St Brea, CA 92821
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AN ENTERTAINER’S PARADISE • Costa Mesa’s stylish 17 West loft community features opulent living spaces ideal for individuals looking for a modern work, live and play space. Costa Mesa’s Westside is going through a major new age revitalization and, in general, the area has a younger vibe. 17 WEST BY MERITAGE HOMES W 17th St and Superior Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92627
“Get pre-approved with a lender who specializes in funding live and work properties.” —Stacey May
OK, HOA! • Make sure to do some research about a loft community’s HOA to get familiar with what types of businesses can be operated within them. May adds, “Always ensure that a business is approved before making an offer on a property.”
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“Always ensure that a business is approved before making an offer on a property.” —Stacey May
Estate
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COMMUTER BLUES, NO MORE!
T PARK WES
Live, Love, Loft TIPS ON FINDING YOUR PERFECT OC LOFT ACCORDING TO REALTOR® STACEY MAY
WRITTEN BY: DIEGO E. GAXIOLA PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: DAVE MARDINI
From luxurious, multi-level homes located a block from the sand to phenomenal residences focused on offering individuals commuter-friendly living, Orange County Lofts continues to provide buyers with a multitude of pristine community options. “Loft living,” as Realtor Stacey May calls it, allows individuals to enjoy the endless amenities a city has to offer, while still maintaining a bright and welcoming living space. Like what you hear? May has highlighted five Orange County loft communities, each catering to a specific type of lifestyle.
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ARTISTIC CITY LIVING, AMPLIFIED! • The spacious Harbor Lofts community, located a short walk from the renowned Anaheim Packing District, is home to an array of exciting and customizable floor plan options. You have all the conveniences of an urban downtown right outside your door. HARBOR LOFTS S Harbor Blvd and Lincoln Ave Anaheim, CA 92805
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THE EPITOME OF LUXURY • Newport Beach’s Echo56 community truly exemplifies luxurious Southern California beach living, offering stunning, open concept floor plans perfect for those looking to enjoy the finer things in life. There’s all kinds of stuff to do on PCH, from shopping to tons of dining options. ECHO56 Pacific Coast Hwy and 54th St Newport Beach, CA 92663
HARBOR LOFTS
A HIGHER AD-VANTIS • For those ideally looking for a South County location with stunning views and easy access to fabulous communities like Laguna Beach, the upscale Vantis community offers live/work properties with breathtaking Saddleback Mountain views and bright front patios.
ORANGE COUNTY LOFTS 949.302.2414 orangecountylofts.com
NOOK REAL ESTATE 424 32nd St, Ste F Newport Beach, CA 92663 www.nookrealestate.com
CREATING
KASKADE www.kaskademusic.com @kaskade OMNIA DAYCLUB Vidanta Los Cabos Resort Boulevard San José s/n Lote 12 Campo de Golf San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, México C.P. 23406 800.887.0376 www.OMNIAloscabos.com
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A VIBE Kaskade Had OMNIA Dayclub in Los Cabos Spinning WRITTEN BY: RAPHAEL MADRID PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: CABO HAKKASAN GROUP & GRUPO VIDANTA
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ESCAPE Hello, Bungalow • OMNIA Los Cabos Dayclub features an exclusive two-story, private bungalow equipped with an infinity pool.
Teacher’s Pet
The moment Kaskade stepped into the DJ booth at OMNIA Dayclub in Los Cabos, Mexico, there was a sudden shift in the atmosphere—a wave of undeniable energy filled the room from everyone brimming with excitement. A talent that needed no introduction, and an adventure unmatched, the dayto-night experience within the Vidanta Los Cabos Resort disarmed attendees with a unique getaway from the mundane resort life. Boasting three distinct experiences that blended perfectly together, this lavish experience took guests inches away from the sun and the sand, and seconds away from the fun. Paired with the vibes that Kaskade brought, it was easy to realize you couldn’t find this anywhere else. “I’m always excited to return to OMNIA [Los Cabos],” Kaskade said. “It’s always such a treat to share these kinds of venues and moments with my audience. It’s beautiful...grand—the location is feet from the sand and the ocean. I’m fascinated with the idea of creating these experiences in exotic locations.”
OMNIA Dayclub, located within the serene Vidanta Los Cabos resort in San José del Cabo, is the second dayclub venue from Hakkasan Group (with OMNIA Bali being the first). The dayclub celebrated its one-year anniversary this past March with Kaskade headlining the weekend celebrations.
There has been a sort of gradual shift in the entertainment industry where your typical nightclub experience has to bring something extraspecial to the table for it to be memorable. It’s becoming increasingly normal for people to take the opportunity to travel to a remote or exotic location to experience a musical event—extending that “staycation” to a legitimate vacation and finding a home away from home.
“There’s really nothing quite like the OMNIA brand. The food is amazing [at Casa Calavera], beautiful club, the hotel is incredible—and I’m really excited to check out Bali because everyone has been telling me…‘You’re not going to want to leave,’” gushed Kaskade. “It’s amazing what’s being done at these exotic locations; building it to a real destination point.”
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Like many musicians— especially as decorated
• Kaskade’s favorite record is Daft Punk’s 1997 classic, “Homework.”
Fun in the Sun • Kaskade’s music festival, Sunsoaked, returns to Long Beach, California on July 13-14.
SHOREBAR
fpo
HERRINGBONE
“There’s really nothing quite like the OMNIA brand. The food is amazing [at Casa Calavera], beautiful club, the hotel is incredible...”—Kaskade
CASA CALAVERA
Creating a vibe takes more than amazing talent headlining a show— it takes the right ambiance and environment to balance it all out.
as the multi-Grammynominated DJ/Producer Kaskade, finding a balance between family and tour life can get difficult. “I guess I kind of have this ‘father’s guilt,’ and that’s the sacrifice you have to make to be in this business,” Kaskade explained. “You miss birthdays, Christmases, etcetera, but there are workarounds… It’s hard when you do what you love. I think we’ve done about 118 shows over the past [calendar] year, but I've gradually slowed down...because the shows have become much larger over time; I’m doing less nightclub appearances and more arenas and festivals.” Kaskade, who was voted “America’s Best DJ” in 2011 and 2013 by DJ Times, is slowly approaching the golden age of 50, but is still easily a massive influence in the Electronic Dance Music community since his debut in the early 2000s. His music and accolades have taken him to music’s biggest stages like EDC and Coachella, performing for over 100,000 people, but he said his most fulfilling experiences have been the dance parties he’s headlined at home with his three daughters. Life as a world-renowned DJ has a lot of pressure tied to it—and being the maestro to the
audience’s vibe and overall attitude over the course of one to two hours can be a daunting task to experience. It’s like attempting to navigate yourself through the forest with no path, so choosing your set takes both a bit of planning and spontaneity. Kaskade noted, “I know what I'm going to play first and maybe second, but I’m constantly refining it all the time. I also look at what fans may want to hear, get them nostalgic about a song I played at a previous show, so maybe I'll throw that in there. My sound is all about creating a vibe.” Creating a vibe takes more than amazing talent headlining a show—it takes the right ambiance and environment to balance it all out. And his performance at OMNIA Dayclub was just a taste of what is being brought to the table at Vidanta Los Cabos. You may start the day with refreshing drinks at SHOREbar, then an afternoon full of energy and excitement with Kaskade at OMNIA before settling into the evening with an authentic taste of the local culture at Casa Calavera, an open air concept overlooking the Sea of Cortez. All this was designed with the ultimate vacation experience in mind. LOCALE MAGAZINE 179
T H A N K YO U TO OUR PARTNERS
Ace Agency
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Avila’s El Ranchito
Paséa Hotel & Spa
Balboa Lily’s
Perspire Sauna Studio
Body Electric Tattoo
Promenade Pub
BRABUS USA
Pure Barre | Newport Beach
Catalina Island Company
RA Yoga
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Charlie & Me
Rancho Capistrano Winery
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Classic Club
Riva de Balboa
Compass Real Estate
Sephora South Coast Plaza
Concierge Podiatry & Spa
Starfish
Constellation Brands
Swiss Watch Gallery & Fine Jewelers
Descanso Restaurant
Tavern House
Dr. Sanjay Grover
The Boston Beer Company
Eat.Drink.Sleep
The Cannery
El Mercado Modern Cuisine
The District at Tustin Legacy
Goodwill of Orange County
The Hobbit
Grayse
The Quiet Woman
GuacAmigos
Think Together
Harrah’s Resort Southern California
Tourneau
Haute Cakes Caffe
UGP
Karma Automotive LLC
Union Market Tustin
Ken Grody Ford
URBANA Mexican Gastronomy
Keys On Main
Viejas Casino & Resort
La Quinta Resort & Club
Warren Christopher
La Serena Villas
Wdowin NMD
Lillet
Where’s The Party
LMC: A Lennar Company | Core
Wild Taco
Love Serve Remember | Café Gratitude, Gratitude, Gracias Madre
William Grant & Sons
Mimi et Cie
Winston’s Crown Jewelers
Mozambique Restaurant
Zislis Group
NanoCraft CBD
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