SCENE SOUTH BAY by MediaNews Group Targeted Products

THE SILICON VALLEY WOMAN’S GUIDE TO STYLE

GREEN REPORT Women eco-warriors save the Earth, with style

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fresh From splashes of color to pretty florals, fashions fit for spring

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Take the Macy’s Fashion Challenge and win the Daily Prize. To learn how, visit macys.com/ fashiondirector

THE TIE-DYED DRESS BY I.N.C INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS® Only at Macy’s Off-the-shoulder dress with beads and sequins. Rayon/spandex. Misses’ S-XL. Imported. $79.

To order, call 1-800-45-MACYS. Advertised item may not be at your local Macy’s. For store locations and hours, log on to macys.com MACY’S BY APPOINTMENT Call Linda Lee and her personal shoppers for our free service. Call 1-800-343-0121.

utting it all together – that’s the magic of Macy’s

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Quality construction and exclusively designed for comfort that lasts

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Furniture for the way you live!

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SATURDAY, MAY 1 12PM & 3PM TICKETS $40

Visit www.SantanaRow.com To Purchase Your Tickets

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84 72

features 56 Spring is in Fashion goes pretty, flirty and floral as the weather heats up. By Donna Kato and Joanne Ho-Young Lee

72 Shoe showcase Footwear that goes the distance in stilettos, platforms and sandals. By Donna Kato and Joanne Ho-Young Lee

74 Passion for purses An array of handbags in the season’s softest colors. By Donna Kato and Joanne Ho-Young Lee

Icons: Scene’s green report 76 84

Zem Joaquin is on a mission to mainstream environmentalism — stylishly. By Julia Prodis Sulek. Photos by Patrick Tehan Rising eco-star Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins’ biggest priority? Her family. By Julia Prodis Sulek. Photos by Patrick Tehan

105 SPACES Spring/summer color trends, local designers’ fave furnishings and much more. Information about image at top left on Page 151

10 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Exclusive Authorized Dealer for Valley Fair Mall 2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 1099, Santa Clara, CA 95050

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35 45

departments 23 The Insider

Top fashion trends, wearable art, Santana Row fashion show and more.

29 Indulge

Engagement rings and other things with a wedding day theme. By Crystal Chow

35 Shop Talk

These boutiques have presents for Mom, your BFF and others. By Crystal Chow

42 Body & Soul

Mindfulness meditation can teach you how to be here, now. By Melinda Sacks

Beauty Report

Intense Pulsed Light therapy: Does it erase skin damage? By Donna Kato

More advances in turning back the clock with tissue tightening, facial injections and more. By Kaitlin Lockhart

90 Entertaining

Valley philanthropist and party-giver extraordinaire Charmaine Warmenhoven puts the social in gathering. By Julia Prodis Sulek

98 Getaways

A sophisticated respite awaits at Las Vegas’ new CityCenter. By Mark Whittington

151 Behind the Scene

Magic happens on the style front when a team of pros gets to work.

152 Seen

San Jose Rep honors Lina Broydo, plus the National Charity League and the Princess Project.

154 Makeover Winners – and a new contest Revealed: the winners of Scene’s first reader contest.

12 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Legendary Porsche performance with four passengers. We’re definitely defying the laws of something. No one has the capacity to break the rules more than Porsche. And now, the new Panamera. The legendary sports car driving experience built for four. The staggering Porsche power is unmistakably present. As is the relentlessly precise handling. And with the addition of a second row of executively seated passengers, there’s no end to the rules you can break. Porsche. There is no substitute.

The Panamera. Experience pure Porsche performance for four.

Carlsen Porsche 3636 Haven Avenue Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 701-9200 carlsen.porschedealer.com Porsche recommends

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Rebecca Hall-Lucero Art Director Kristine M. Carber Editor, Spaces Magazine Donna Kato Contributing Fashion & Beauty Editor Crystal Chow, Julia Prodis Sulek Contributing Writers Joanne Ho-Young Lee, Patrick Tehan Contributing Photographers Rebecca Parr Copy Editor Kaitlin Lockhart Intern Scene Magazine Vol. 2, No. 1, ©2010 by the Bay Area News Group. All rights reserved. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. Make sure you receive every issue of Scene Magazine. Email scene@mercurynews.com, or write to Scene Magazine, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190. Visit us at SceneBayArea.com

Join us! Fall issue - publishing August 13 Fall arts, fall fashion

Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Thinkstock

Holiday - publishing November 19 Holiday glamour and gifts

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Josie Lepe

Katharine Fong Editor & Publisher

Learning to ride out the waves Spring is always an optimistic time, fresh and green, full of hope and anticipation. We’re moved to start anew and do great and wonderful things with life, from our work and outside activities to our personal care and appearance. Your spring Scene reflects all this, and more. For one, we give you real-life heroines who lead and inspire: Zem Joaquin, founder of Ecofabulous, an ardent advocate for sexy, sustainable style. Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, who balances a high-profile career in environmental justice with the three young nieces who share her life. And Charmaine Warmenhoven, whose good works stem from an unshakable belief in giving back. For another, we feature fashion that’s easy, fun and sleek (“Fresh and Pretty,” Page 56). Feminine dresses and tops, shapely suits, punches of vibrant color amid the neutral hues – just right for valley living, just right to take you from spring to well into summer. We also look at renewal in the beauty realm, in this case the ongoing quest for healthy, luminous skin. We now have an arsenal of tools at our disposal, from lasers to creams to surgical procedures. Our stories explore a first-hand experience with Intense Pulsed Light therapy (Page 45), one of the more popular treatments, as well as other methods being used to tighten skin. Finally, the story on mindfulness meditation (Page 42) captures the essence of our issue. It’s not news that life’s ups and downs have been particularly difficult of late. Sometimes it’s hard to see and appreciate the here and now, and easier to dream of a day when everything is perfect. But ignoring the beauty and joy of today, while acknowledging life’s darker moments, is a waste. Mindfulness meditation can help you be present – to feel the warmth of the spring sun, smell the new grass, hear a child’s laughter – and in being present and nonjudgmental, become fulfilled, even happy. “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf,” says mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn. Agreed. Spring is a great time to get on the board and learn how to ride out the waves. I wish you happy surfing.

Katharine Fong Editor & Publisher

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contributors

Crystal Chow

Julia Sulek

Patrick Tehan

is an inveterate shopper with a weakness for gift stores and vintage collectibles. She has been an editor and writer at the San Jose Mercury News for almost two decades.

gets to the heart of her profile subjects with superb interviewing skills and a keen eye, and then weaves it all together into a riveting story. She is a reporter at the San Jose Mercury News, and cofounder of home interiors site Lookiloos.com.

has been a finalist in the Newspaper Photographer of the Year and Pulitzer Prize contests. A Mercury News photographer, he has contributed to several books in the “Day in the Life” series, as well as “Baseball in America” and “24 Hours in Cyberspace.”

Scene Advisory Board Karie Bennett Founder and Master Artist, Atelier Aveda lifestyle

Mac Tully President & Publisher Bay Area News Group Michael Turpin Vice President Advertising & Marketing Bay Area News Group

Julie Kelly Director of Marketing and Business Development, Stanford Shopping Center Collette Navarrette West Coast Marketing Manager, Federal Realty–Santana Row Amanda Sinclair Strategic Account Manager, Future Electronics Kalpana Trivadi CEO, World Information Network

Ginny Banuelos Director, Retail Advertising Bay Area News Group

Laura Vestal Marketing Director, Westfield Valley Fair

John Stoeser Targeted Publications Director

Nanci Williams Founder/CEO, Orloff/Williams

Monica Balistreri Product Manager

Lily Yacobi CEO, Sarah and David Interactive

Monica Balistreri Product Manager, Scene and Spaces Magazines Ginny Banuelos Director, Retail Advertising, Bay Area News Group Kristine Carber Editor, Spaces Magazine Donna Kato Contributing Fashion and Beauty Editor, Scene Magazine

18 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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g n i t a r Celeb ears! 35 Y Bedell Investment Counseling

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Bold. Sexy. Different. May 29 - 30 The Flint Center Tickets 800.745.3000 The Spring program includes world renowned choreographer Jirí Kylián’s masterpiece, Petite Mort, a brilliant blend of postmodern dance and swordplay set to Mozart. Continuing the program is Ma Cong’s fabulous French Twist which simply explodes on stage. An extremely energetic fanciful ballet with wit, and quirky humor. Rounding out the program is Michael Smuin’s Songs of Mahler. A vivid ballet that flows through a range of emotions from playful to dramatic and passionate.

Photographer: Christopher Jean-Richard

smuinballet.org

Celia Fushille, Artistic & Executive Director

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Kenneth Cole

theinsider

nautical Anchor your wardrobe with candy stripes and seafaring shades of navy blue, plus yachtworthy accessories (think rope and brass).

Bettye Muller

tribal

Marc Jacobs

The warrior princess look isn’t complete without a statementmaking obi belt or chunky necklace of wood, chains, feathers or metal.

Nordstrom

from runway to south bay

floral Dresses go full-on “heavy petal,” but these bright blooming botanicals are anything but garden variety.

5 top trends for spring Keep your look up-to-date. For more detailed fashions of the season, including shoes and bags, see Page 56. By Stephanie Simons

Diesel Diesel

military Blazers and jackets stand at attention this season, thanks to masculine hardware and utilitarian touches in camouflage, khaki and army green. Kenneth Cole

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transparent Feather-light, see-through party dresses are made for layering, and Lucite heels and handbags give new meaning to the term “goes with anything.”

Diesel

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Tasting Room Open Daily 11am to 5pm

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theinsider Emiko Oye’s Cartier Blanc, repurposed LEGO®, rubber cording and sterling silver.

Photos courtesy Style 2010

Eric Silva’s handmade collection of wearable sculpture is made with ecoconscious materials.

ready to wear

art show gems made for every body

An elegant bag by Suzanne Rubenstein of Palo Alto.

Mark your calendars for “Style 2010: Wearable Art Show and Sale.” The show, in its sixth year, takes place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road. Style 2010 features unique artisan-made clothing, jewelry and accessories by some 35 artists from Northern California and around the country. Many of the artists will be in attendance, along with models showing off their creations. Style 2010 is also a fundraiser that benefits children’s art education programs at the Palo Alto Art Center. Diane Master, manager of the Gallery Shop at the center and producer of the show, promises “wearable art to suit all budgets, all ages, and, for the first time this year — men, as well as women.” Free admission for Palo Alto Art Center Foundation members; $10 for nonmembers. www.paacf. org/style; (650) 329-2366.

Celebrate Earth Day in style: Join Westfield Valley Fair at a special benefit event on Saturday, April 24. Proceeds from the fun and glam evening go to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. Festivities include a fashion

runway show, music, sumptuous treats and divine drinks. Visit www. westfield.com/valleyfair or facebook. com/westfieldvalleyfair for more information about the program and tickets.

Dai Sugano

giving back goes glam

26 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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reader contest: scene at santana row Win tickets to “A Poolside Soiree” at Santana Row! Scene magazine is partnering with Santana Row on one of its most popular events on Saturday, May 1. Take your seat poolside at Santana Heights, Santana Row’s residential complex, for sizzling runway fashion shows (one at noon, another at 3 p.m.) showcasing the coolest looks for hot summer days. You’ll see the newest styles from Anthropologie, Donald J. Pliner, H&M, Anne Fontaine, Brooks Brothers, BCBG Max Azria, Pink Stripes, Tommy Bahama, Cole Haan, Urban Outfitters, Boutique Harajuku, Furla and more. Plus, Priscilla of Boston will show the latest in bridalwear designs. Scene will be on site shooting red-carpet photos as guests mingle at the Style Boutique (where you can check out the clothes and accessories up close). Tickets are $40 and include poolside seating at the show, access to the boutique, champagne and wine, light hors d’oeuvres, postshow party in a premier residential loft and a chance to win a “Weekend for Two on the Row” valued at $1,000. One lucky reader will win tickets for four to the soiree by entering Scene’s reader contest: In 250 words to scene@mercurynews.com, tell us how you or your BFF – friend, mom, whoever – makes the valley a greener place. Deadline is April 23, so hurry! See contest details, Page 151.

earth-friendly candles bring calm Just in time for Earth Day: Karma Beauty Group scented candles, made from organic wax and lead-free wicks in glass containers. KBG was launched earlier this year by Oscar Armenta, 43, who was raised in San Jose. He worked his way up from a job at a local department store cosmetics counter to a national position with LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), all the while nurturing his artistic impulses by painting. The trio of candles, in fact, are named after his abstract acrylic paintings: Karma, Kizmet and Mind’s Eye. The 8-ounce candles burn for 45 hours and sell for $32. Armenta will add organic body scrubs, body moisturizers, shaving creams and other items in the fall. Available at Pueblo Viejo Imports in San Jose and www.karmabeautygroup.com.

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indulge

Handcrafted platinum ring with oval-cut 2.48-carat natural fancy pink diamond and 1.78-carat pavé-set diamonds by Jack Kelege, $495,000 from CH Premier Jewelers.

bridal bling Only the bride shines brighter than these wedding-worthy jewels

The ring is the thing, of course, when vows are exchanged, but so are pendants, bangles and other assorted glittery pieces. Whether worn by the bride, the mother of the groom or any other member of the nuptial party, each adornment must meet — if not exceed — the promise of the occasion itself. In other words, it must be an object of beauty and a joy forever. Story by Crystal Chow

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indulge Necklace of platinum-set diamonds with emerald briolettes, $275,000 at Tiffany.

Semi-mount ring featuring 0.36-carat total weight natural round white diamonds and 0.65-carat total weight natural princesscut white diamonds in 18-karat white gold, $3,300 (not including center stone) at Milner’s Jewelers.

18-karat rose gold ring with filigree-style pavé set with 2.30-carat diamonds, $4,775 at Joe Escobar Diamonds.

Earrings with morganite briolettes Semi-mount ring featuring

totaling 77.63 carats, in 18-karat

0.84-carat total weight natural

rose gold and accented with

round white diamonds in

platinum-set diamonds, $40,000

18-karat white gold, $3,080,

at Tiffany.

or platinum, $4,180 ( not including center stone) at Milner’s Jewelers.

Semi-mount ring featuring 1.03-carat total weight natural round white diamonds and 0.09-carat total weight natural round pink diamonds in 18-karat white and rose gold, $4,180 (not including center stone) at Milner’s Jewelers.

30 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Platinum earrings with pear-shape blue sapphires, 9.20-carat total weight, and diamonds, 1.12-carat

Cultured freshwater pearl bracelet

total weight, $17,575 at

with diamond links and toggle,

Joe Escobar Diamonds.

1.60-carat total weight, by Mastoloni, $5,740 at Lustre Pearls & Gems. Pendant in 18-karat white gold with cushion-cut 8.17-carat tanzanite with

0.39-carat diamonds, $8,125 at Joe Escobar Diamonds. Platinum necklace with 0.52-carat 18-karat white gold earrings with 1.23-carat pear-shape diamonds

Asscher-cut center diamond and round brilliant cut diamonds, 1.15-carat total weight, $24,250 at Heller Jewelers.

and 1.23-carat total weight round diamonds surrounded by micro pavé diamonds, $8,200 18-karat white gold earrings with pavé 1.48-carat total weight diamonds and cultured

at Heller Jewelers.

18-karat white gold ring with 0.91-carat radiant-cut center diamond; two matching radiant-cut stones, 0.72-carat total weight; and round brilliant-cut diamonds, 0.29-carat total weight, $12,900 at Heller Jewelers.

Tahitian pearl enhancers, by Gellner, $7,500 at Lustre Pearls & Gems.

Diamond semi-mount engagement rings, from $5,200 in 18-karat white gold to $13,100 in platinum (not including center stone), from the Tacori Crescent Collection, available at Lustre Pearls & Gems.

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MORNING ACADEMICS AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

Schoo and c l a rolle mp d into one t err summ ific er!

SUMMER CAMP K-Gr. 8 • • •

• • •

ZAP IT Explore the worlds of electricity and magnetism in this class by building different circuits – from simple to complex. How do you build a battery? Power an amplifier? How can a simple magnet turn on a fan? Learn this and more! But be careful – we wouldn’t want to short-circuit!

O U T S TA N D I N G S U M M E R P R O G R A M S F O R OV E R 5 0 Y E A R S

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Two innovative talents. Two unique voices. Two concerts you can hear only in San Francisco! This April, singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik and the sensational Audra McDonald join the San Francisco Symphony for not-to-bemissed concerts.

Duncan Sheik with the San Francisco Symphony Apr 7-10 Duncan Sheik vocalist Edwin Outwater conductor Works by Gounod, Vivier, Poulenc, and featuring the world premiere of a suite of songs by Grammy® and Tony Award® winner Duncan Sheik

Audra McDonald with the San Francisco Symphony Apr 26 Audra McDonald soprano Ted Sperling conductor The two-time Grammy® Award-winning singer returns for an intimate evening of standards, favorite showtunes, classic songs from the movies, and original pieces.

UPCOMING APRIL CONCERTS Apr 1-3 Vasily Petrenko conducts Grieg and Shostakovich Apr 11 San Francisco Symphony Chorus Apr 15-17 Chaplin’s The Gold Rush On-Screen with the San Francisco Symphony Apr 17-18 Saint Louis Symphony with Gil Shaham Apr 18 Music for Families with the San Francisco Symphony Apr 19 Lang Lang and the Schleswig-Holstein Orchestra Apr 21, 23-24 Jeffrey Kahane conducts Mozart and Mendelssohn Apr 25 Emanuel Ax in Recital Apr 29-May 1 Schumann’s Symphony No. 4 Groups of 10 or more save 20%! Call (415) 503-5311 Box Office Hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts Walk Up Grove St between Van Ness and Franklin

TICKETS start at $15

Concerts at Davies Symphony Hall. Programs, artists, and prices subject to change.

CENTENNIAL PARTNERS

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MEDIA SPONSOR

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indulge

Handcrafted platinum ring with radiant-cut 8.38-carat natural fancy yellow diamond and 2.74-total carat diamonds by Jack Kelege, $205,000 from CH Premier Jewelers.

18-karat white gold diamond lariat, 7.30-carat total weight, set with rose-colored South Sea pearls, $17,000, by Garvani for Derby Jewelers.

Where to buy CH Premier Jewelers Westfield Valley Fair 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1235, Santa Clara 408.983.2688, www.chpremier.com Derby Jewelers 411 Hartz Ave., No. 0, Danville 925.855.0700, 510.604.3009 Joe Escobar Diamonds 450 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell 408.341.0300, www.joeescobardiamonds.com Heller Jewelers 2005 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon 925.904.0200, www.hellerjewelers.com Lustre Pearls & Gems Westfield Valley Fair 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1099, Santa Clara 408.296.3686, www.lustrepearls.com Milner’s Jewelers 2058 Treat Blvd., Walnut Creek 925.938.3915, www.milnersjewelers.com Tiffany Westfield Valley Fair 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1247, Santa Clara 408.243.7771 149 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto 650.328.2552 1119 S. Main St., Walnut Creek 925.939.6300, www.tiffany.com

Marrakesh blue enamel and 18-karat yellow gold ring, $2,200, and 18-karat yellow gold bangle, $4,500, by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany.

34 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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shoptalk

just the thing From girly goods to one-of-a-kind items for your home, these shops have what you want Emily Joubert Home & Garden

It’s a Girl Thing

Astor Gift and Home

There are stores galore in Silicon Valley for savvy shoppers to peruse in search of the perfect gift. But after visiting treasure-filled boutiques like these, narrowing the choice to a single gift becomes one tough task. Story by Crystal Chow Photos by Kerry Hiroshi Paul

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A message from Pamela Ball-VonPinnon, Audiologist and Owner of Golden State Audiology ’m an early boomer and have an inherited hearing loss. I am always interested in looking my best and discreetly hearing my best. I have a 36-year career as an audiologist and business owner in Silicon Valley which allows me to meet many people of all ages and walks of life. I meet moms, attorneys, chefs, chocolate factory workers, artists, landscapers, veterans, physicians, musicians, engineers, students, grandpas, and lots of other people like you and I that have a hearing loss.

As we go along in life more and more of us share something in common: we don’t hear as well as we would like to and we’re really wishing the problem would go away. We certainly don’t want to pay our hard earned or hard saved money for something we don’t want for a condition we don’t want! We don’t think of ourselves as ever needing, and certainly never wanting, those huge squeaky things our parents had to wear.

The solution to this dilemma is unique and simple and fits well into our more active lives. Hearing aids like the dot2 are virtually invisible when worn… even if you have short hair or no hair, hearing aids of today can take that outdated stigma of hearing loss away. A hearing loss is more noticeable than today’s tiny hearing aids! Imagine not being embarrassed anymore because you didn’t hear the question or get the joke. Imagine laughing at the joke because you think it’s funny, not just because other people are laughing. Wouldn’t you like to stop missing what was said? Technology has come a long way in hearing aids, just as it has in everything else. Come in for your free consultation and see for yourself what a difference these tiny hearing devices can make. We offer free hearing screenings to determine if you may benefit from hearing aids. Can you spot the dot2 hearing aid in the photo above? • 50% Off MSRP Resound dot2 until 5/30/10 •

We Take Pride In Our Work We Work Hard To Earn Your Trust We Are Your Advocates For Hearing

(408) 294-0644 1275 Lincoln Avenue. #6B, San Jose 90 Trial Period Most Insurance Accepted • 0% Financing OAC

Serving Silicon Valley for 36 Years • In the Heart of Willow Glen Located behind CVS (Long’s) Drugs at the corner of Lincoln & Brace. Very easy access and easy parking.

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shoptalk

it’s a girl thing Need a present for a special gal pal, an awesome sister or world’s best mom? A consignment shop might not pop into mind as the place to go — unless your fave female favors chic fashion accessories and designer labels. Think of It’s a Girl Thing as a fantasy walk-in closet, devoted to sumptuous jewelry, handbags, shoes and hats. Much of the inventory is high-end. Purses boast names like Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Dior. Owner Cindy Sanders even has a Judith Leiber rabbit minaudiere for $1,100 off its original $3,500 price. As for shoes, of course you’ll find Manolo Blahniks, Jimmy Choos and other Carrie Bradshaw-worthy footwear. Prices for anything gently used are generally 40 percent to 50 percent off the original tag. Savings on brandnew items are 10 percent to 20 percent. Thanks to the Web, guys are just as likely to cross the threshold as

women, seeking gifts for birthdays and anniversaries. Girls, meanwhile, love to get creative when they buy It’s a Girl Thing’s vintage jewelry: They’ll put showy clip-on earrings on kitten heels, say, or turn brooches into pretty pendants. Sanders’ 3-year-old boutique may be in Willow Glen, but it’s well hidden in a strip mall, “on the opposite corner of Mandarin Chili and kittycorner from Scott’s Video,’’ as her blog says. One upside of not being on nearby main drag Lincoln Avenue, a locale she originally sought: the ample parking. It’s a real bonus during the store’s once-a-month charity events, when commerce and philanthropy turn into crazy fun with themes like bra fittings, a red velvet cake tasting, psychic night and “pleasure parties.” Business for Sanders, not surprisingly, is as fabulous as her merchandise.

Cindy Sanders’ consignment store always carries designer labels like Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo, above right. This Judith Leiber purse, above middle, is priced at $2,400.

860 Willow St., Suite 400, San Jose. 408.287.7288, www.itsagirlthinginc.com Hours: 11:30-7 Tuesday through Friday, noon-5 Saturday and Sunday

SPRING 2010 • SCENE • 37

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A New Treatment for Toenail fungus • Latest in laser technology • Painless without anesthesia • No harmful UV radiation • Free consultation

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shoptalk

emily joubert home & garden For a shop with such limited space, Emily Joubert in Woodside prides itself on offering an astonishing range of gracious things. To begin with, it’s known primarily for spectacularly lush and elegant floral arrangements. It also features high-end home lines such as Match pewter, Juliska ceramics and William Yeoward crystal. “We have worked with heads of state, international royalty, prominent members of society, film stars, celebrities and businesses,’’ its Web site proclaims. It’s an indication of the standard set by owner Judy Sieber, who bought the business in 2004 and named it after her beauty-loving grandmother. Emily Joubert is right across the street from Roberts Market and a few doors down from Buck’s Restaurant — in fact, a good time to drop in would be while waiting to dine at the famously eccentric eatery. Random offerings that reflect Sie-

ber’s refined taste include handbags by Woodside designer Lisa Rissetto (an Italian lambskin hobo sack goes for $595); dupioni silk pillows for $46; an unusual quartz rock vase for $781; and botanical candles by Rosy Rings, $50. For sweets lovers, consider treats by Bay Area chocolatiers Recchiuti and Maison Buche. The jewelry selection at this shop rivals that of any boutique’s and is reason enough to seek it out. Best-sellers are round gold filigree and Swarovski crystal earrings for $114, for instance, that will complement nearly any outfit. Outside, dozens of unusual planters, pots and other garden delights await inspection. Fermob, maker of French furniture such as bistro tables and chairs, strikes a modern note amid vintage fountains, troughs and birdbaths. Finds like these keep the customer base happy — it’s also why others need to discover the store for themselves.

Judy Sieber’s small shop carries everything from furniture to jewelry. The filigree and Swarovski crystal earrings, above center, are popular.

3036 Woodside Road, Woodside. 650.851.3520, www.emilyjoubert.com Hours: 9:30-6 Monday through Saturday, 10-5 Sunday

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shoptalk

astor gift and home For the first few months of its existence last year, the gift shop Astor in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village had to suffer the construction hubbub of nearby Trader Joe’s. Visitors were scarce. Now the din and parking obstructions are gone, and the neophyte business is finally being discovered. That’s good news for owner Carrie Anderson, a former securities arbitration lawyer turned first-time entrepreneur. Astor was conceived as a place with something for everybody, but the emphasis soon shifted to home ware. You won’t find conventional knickknacks here, however. Anderson offers what she calls “hidden gems’’ that will personalize an abode beautifully, from art objects to serving pieces to bed ensembles. Folk art-like metal bird sculptures in the center of the store, for instance, are fantastically whimsi-

cal. Duvet covers and quilts by Berkeley-based Raksha Bella are luxurious. There’s even a selection of pewter stirrup cups — named centuries ago when riders quaffed libations from the stylish vessels before galloping off to the hunt. Astor’s offerings are ideal for hostesses and special occasions such as Mother’s Day. Mom would appreciate comfy pajamas by Bed Head ($145), or perhaps elegant bath and body products by Nougat of London (starting at $12.50). At the jewelry counter, you’ll find accessories made by hand. No massproduction here. Pearls and other natural treasures dominate, mostly in free-form shapes. It’s fitting that a small decorative sign asks, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?’’ You cannot fail to be impressed by Astor. S

In her shop, Carrie Anderson offers “hidden gems’’ that add personality to a home, like these fanciful metal birds, above left, that look like folk art.

Town & Country Village, Palo Alto. 855 El Camino Real, No. 109 650.322.4438, wwwAstorGiftandHome.com Hours: 10-7 Monday through Saturday, noon-5 Sunday

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body&soul

being here Mindfulness meditation, which stills the mind and lets you be ‘present’ in life, is a powerful weapon against stress When I signed up for a mindfulness meditation class, I figured I was the average stress junkie – always doing at least three things at a time, quick to get irritated and a veteran insomniac. Increasing migraine headaches and occasional heart palpitations were confirmation I needed to find a better way to cope. What I learned during my eight-week course was that while I seem hardwired to imagine the worst and often react too quickly in stressful situations, I could, even as a slightly older dog, learn some life-changing new tricks. Most of us are aware of the prevalence of stress and its ill effects, yet often there seems little that we can

do to change things. The good news is that mindfulness meditation, the practice of stilling the mind and tuning into the body and the present moment, has proven a powerful way to combat stress and the negative impact of a hectic lifestyle. Even small changes can make a big difference. Mindfulness isn’t just the latest New Age trend: The Journal of Behavioral Medicine, the American Journal of Psychiatry and the American Journal of Cardiology are just a few of the scientific publications that have noted how mindfulness meditation can markedly improve both physical and mental health. Margaret Cullen, a marriage and family therapist in

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Story by Melinda Sacks

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body&soul Walnut Creek and Oakland who has taught mindfulness meditation for 15 years, says, “The practice has the power to dramatically shift your relationship to your experience so that nothing on the outside needs to change in order for you to live a more fulfilled and balanced life.” While transcendental meditation, or TM, teaches repetition of a verbal mantra and concentration to help people slow down, mindfulness meditation focuses on bringing awareness to the body in the present moment. It is a practice that is relatively easy to weave into your daily life – even your workday. Formal training in mindfulness, along with books and CDs that teach the techniques, are available and popular. But even following a few simple steps on your own can slow the heart rate, decrease blood pressure and calm the mind. “Mindfulness is much broader than meditation,” says Renee Burgard, a licensed clinical social worker based in Palo Alto who teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). An eight-week program founded in 1995 by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts, MBSR has been acknowledged in medical journals for giving people the tools to cope with myriad life challenges. Burgard says mindfulness as defined by Kabat-Zinn is “paying attention on purpose in a particular way in the present moment with non-judging awareness.” Students of MBSR learn to spend from five to 45 minutes a day sitting or lying quietly in meditation. Guided by the teacher or a recorded voice, they focus their attention on breathing, feeling and “scanning” the body, or gentle yoga stretches to still the mind. “Because of the pace of life and the number of inputs we all experience, people need help in learning to stop and to modulate their reactions,” says Burgard, who notes most of her students are female. “Meditation addresses the human tendency to react instead of to respond.” Cullen, who studied with Kabat-Zinn and teaches meditation to Kaiser patients, doctors, teachers and families, describes MBSR as a secular way to learn how to meditate. “If you have a mind and a body and a desire to meditate, and some sense that there is another way to be,” you can meditate, she says. By practicing as little as 20 minutes a day, Cullen’s students report significant reduction in anxiety, improved mood, greater ease and calm, better decisionmaking, more energy, clarity, less reactivity and greater sense of self-control. The practice can lead to physical changes as well. When Charles Johnson, a retired chemical engineer, began his mindfulness practice eight years ago, he had borderline high blood pressure and was consider-

mindful every day Mindfulness teachers offer the following tips for applying the teachings to everyday life: Follow a simple practice for several minutes, ideally several times a day: Close your eyes. Focus on an image you find relaxing, or focus on your breath. Pay attention to breathing in and breathing out. Use any everyday task as a mindfulness exercise, from brushing your teeth or taking a shower to doing the dishes or walking the dog. Notice what you are doing and how your body feels – the water on your skin, the pavement under your feet. Teachers call this being present in your life. Remind yourself to be mindful. This can be anything from pasting a sticker on your office phone or refrigerator door handle to an audio reminder, such as the ring of your cell phone. Every time you touch or hear this reminder, stop for 10 seconds and pay attention to your breath. Mentally say, ”I am breathing in, I am breathing out.” Replace an unproductive cycle of worry with recognition and observation. Say to yourself, “Here is my worry.” Shift your attention to your breathing or sensations in your body. Paying attention to the body often quiets the mind and interrupts a repetitive cycle of worry. When you are multitasking, notice what you are doing. If you can stop and do one thing at a time, do that. If you can’t, notice each thing you are doing. While eating, pay attention in a different way. Put a bite in your mouth and don’t chew right away. Notice the taste of your food. Try eating in silence. To cope with anxiety, allow for what is wrong, then move your thinking to what is not wrong, even if it is as simple as the fact that you can walk outside and breathe fresh air. Ask yourself what there is to be grateful for, or to appreciate. Next time you are at a red light or waiting in line, rather than getting impatient, use the time to check in with how you are feeling. If you get mad, notice that you are mad. Finally, if you want to try sitting or lying meditation, pick a time of day and a quiet location where you won’t be interrupted. Sit for two to five minutes at first, only paying attention to your breathing or, if you prefer, scanning your body, from your toes to your forehead, noticing how each part of you feels.

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body&soul web sites www.umassmed.edu/cfm Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, University of Massachusetts www.mindfulnesshealth.com/audio_files Renee Burgard’s guided meditation audio files www.stressreductiontraining.com Stress Reduction Training, founded by Charles Johnson and offering East Bay classes

books and cds “The Miracle of Mindfulness, An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation” Thich Nhat Hanh, Beacon Press, 1999 “Wherever You Go, There You Are,” Jon Kabat-Zinn, Hyperion, 2005 “Guided Mindfulness Meditation,” (Audio CD), Jon Kabat-Zinn, Sounds True, 2005 “A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook,” Bob Stahl and Elisha Goldstein, New Harbinger Publications, March 2010

kb t /Thi k t

ing taking medication. Since then, he has founded his own company, Stress Reduction Training, and has worked with Kaiser in Oakland, Vacaville and Vallejo, as well as the University of California-San Francisco’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Today, his blood pressure is normal without medication, which Johnson attributes to having learned to be mindful and present. “Everyone comes to meditation class for a reason,” he says. “People are trying to affect some sort of change in their lives.” As a “graduate” of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, I can’t honestly say I am now stress free, but I can say I have tools that get me through those 2 a.m. worry sessions and help me fall back asleep. The headaches are less frequent, as are the episodes of my racing heart. A little Velcro sticker on my office phone reminds me to take 10 seconds to pay attention to my breathing a few times a day. And when I walk my dog, instead of talking on the cell phone and doing lunges I didn’t have time to finish at the gym, I try to remember to really hear the birds, or notice the feel of the squishy wet grass under my feet. It’s a beginning. S

You can’t know what the future will bring. But you can be prepared for it.

J h F

/St

To find out how you can gain the peace of mind shared by Pat Brown and all our Life Care residents, call Pam Marron at 650.424.4307, and ask about our new contract options.

The Sequoias–Portola Valley is an accredited continuing care retirement community. 501 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 | Tel: 650.851.1501 | www.sequoias-pv.org The Sequoias–Portola Valley is a not-for-profit community of Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Services. License# 410500567 COA# 075

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beautyreport

seeing the light Intense Pulsed Light treatment can rejuvenate sun-damaged skin

John Foxx/Stockbyte/Thinkstock

Story by Donna Kato

My mother has every right to tell me she told me so. As a teen, I soaked in the sun in the back yard from mid-morning to mid-afternoon on warm days, refusing her offer of a wide-brimmed hat and ignoring her pleas to come inside the house. In college, I’d come home for the summer, already browned from spring break trips and baby oil-only sunning sessions. I ignored Mom’s warning that one day my fair skin would pay the price. While I braced for wrinkles, what I didn’t expect was that sun damage would make my complexion splotchy, spotty and sallow. One of my best physical features became my worst. As a result, for most of the past two decades, I’ve tried almost everything to even out my skin tone, from topical skincare regimens using a hydroquinone such as Obagi, to glycolic acid like MD Formulations. I tried prescription creams such as Retin-A and Tri-Luma. All helped slow or lighten the discoloration – but any exposure to sunlight meant the return of brown spots. The most effective of the treatments was a chemical peel. The results were measurably great and lasted for about a year. But it wasn’t without some trauma:

HOLIDAY ISSUE 2009 SPRING SCENE 2010 MAGAZINE • SCENE • 45 l

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beautyreport

Courtesy Dr. Min-Wei Christine Lee

I was allergic to the salicylic acid in the peel and needed best answer for those who want to reduce the appearan allergy shot to deflate my puffy face. Recuperation ance of freckles, broken blood vessels, blotchy skin and also took longer than usual, forcing me to hide out for a discoloration caused by sun damage, says Dr. Min-Wei full 10 days. My first social engagement post-peel was Christine Lee, a dermatological surgeon and director of the East Bay Laser & Skin Care dinner with friends, who made Center in Walnut Creek. sure we got a dark corner table “It’s become a standard treatat a restaurant so that I wouldn’t ment, one of the many things scare other diners. someone can do to rejuvenate Last spring, my dermatologist the face,” says Lee, who is also suggested I try Intense Pulsed an assistant clinical professor Light, or IPL. It’s a treatment of dermatological surgery at the that uses a device that gives University of California-San off light energy to destroy unFrancisco and author of “The wanted pigmentation beneath Ultimate Guide to the Best Skin the epidermis. Also called PhoEver: Lasers” (AuthorHouse, toFacial and FotoFacial, the $19.98). process gradually improves sun- Before, left, and after Intense Pulsed Light While treatments can be addamaged skin over the course treatment. ministered by a doctor, nurse of four or five treatments, done or medical practitioner, both about a month apart. Physicians Gladstone and Lee recommend believe it stimulates cellular reasking questions during a congeneration, and those fresh cells sultation, particularly if you have remain undamaged until ultradarker skin or are Asian, black violet rays hit them, stimulating or Latino, because ethnic skin pigmentation again. tends to be more sensitive and “It’s one of the best treatments scar-prone. for hyperpigmentation that isn’t “Like any medical procedure, too deep,” says Dr. Hayes Gladthere are many, many variables, stone, director of the division of and there’s no way you can tell dermatological surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, The treatment can reduce the appearance whether it will work,” Lee says. “It’s important to see someone who recommends IPL for mild of freckles, plus sun spots. experienced and talk about your to moderate sun damage. “It’s a expectations.” good way to significantly clean How does The treatments themselves up sun spots without down IPL work? are relatively quick and stresstime.” free, as I found out. In a doctor’s But, Gladstone says, “It has IPL can reduce hyperpigmentation office, I reclined on an examinits limitations: It won’t help with and sun damage on the face, neck, chest and hands. ing table and was given protecwrinkles or sagging skin, and tive glasses. A cold gel was put it’s an investment.” Since IPL Light energy emitted from a medion all over my face to help the is considered a cosmetic procecal device is absorbed into target IPL device conduct energy more dure, it is not covered by most cells beneath the surface of the skin. efficiently. insurance policies. Gladstone’s The light energy is converted to The device was applied to the office charges $2,300 for five heat energy, which zeroes in on the area of my face with sun damage, treatments. damaged areas that cause hyperpigand then light energy was zapped Developed in the late 1990s mentation. to my skin surface in pulses. by Silicon Valley dermatoloA medical professional determines Each zap, to me, felt like a hard gist Patrick Bitter Jr. to treat a the amount of energy that is safe rubber-band snap. The nurse redness-causing skin condition and effective for your skin condition. who administered my treatment called rosacea, FotoFacial and went over some areas twice. PhotoFacial also were found to Immediately after, my face felt hot and sunburned. improve sun-damaged complexions. While there have been new technologies to tackle But the discomfort subsided within an hour. Other than other aging-related cosmetic issues, IPL remains the a little redness and swelling, I looked and felt fine. I was

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beautyreport told to stay out of the sun and to use sunscreen, even for the car ride home. In the next day or so, I noticed brown spots darkening, followed by slight scabbing. I was able to cover the dark spots with makeup. (It’s important to let the small scabs flake away, as picking at them can cause scarring.) And although I thought my face looked smoother, my doctor says it was because my skin was rejuvenated, and had a healthier, less-stressed appearance, and not because IPL smoothed lines or wrinkles. Gladstone says rejuvenation is often more dramatic when IPL is used in conjunction with other cosmetic treatments, such as Botox. In fact, results from IPL can seem glacial. The full course of treatment, given every three to five weeks, takes several months to complete. Still, many people prefer it to more invasive procedures or surgery that require recovery time – such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser surgery. For me, it took two full weeks after each treatment to see results. After each one, my skin appeared brighter and more even-toned. I saw the most dramatic results after my last IPL treatment in October, with my most troublesome dark splotches significantly lightened. I’ve been warned by my dermatologist that this won’t last if I’m outside for prolonged periods of time, with or without a strong sunscreen. It was explained to me this way: Sun exposure will “wake up” the sleeping melanin that causes dark spots and blotchy pigmentation. Sunscreen and shade will help keep discoloration from rising to the surface of the skin. So, I’ve been diligent about sunscreen and wearing ugly sunhats that often get the eye roll from friends who aren’t sympathetic to my face-saving vanity. It’s a sacrifice for me, too, I tell them. I’d much rather be wearing a sleek Chanel headband than an ungainly North Face hiking hat. My doctor told me that I may need “booster” IPL treatments from time to time. That may be the case in the next month or so: I’m heading for a vacation in Hawaii and unless it rains every day, I’m bracing for a blast of skin-damaging rays. S

What can I expect? Time commitment: Four to five treatments, done three to four weeks apart. Depending on the size of the area, each procedure takes about 20 or 30 minutes in a doctor’s office. In the office: You wear protective eyeglasses. Some doctors apply a cream to numb the skin. A cold gel that helps the IPL device conduct energy more efficiently is put on your face. The device is applied to damaged skin; light energy is delivered to the skin surface in pulses. Pain: Minimal; each zap feels like a rubber-band snap. Immediately after, your face feels hot and sunburned, but within an hour you should look and feel fine. Post-treatment: Brown spots darken in the next days, and may scab. Scabs will flake away. You should see results within a week or two, with substantial lightening of dark spots after the entire series. How long the treatment lasts depends on your diligence with sunscreen and with staying out of the sun. Cost: $300 to $500 per treatment.

Questions to ask: Dr. Hayes Gladstone and Dr. Min-Wei Christine Lee recommend asking these questions during a consultation in addition to other questions addressing your concerns about IPL: 1. Who is doing the treatment and how much experience does the doctor, nurse or medical practitioner have with IPL and in treating my specific type of skin? 2. What can I expect given my age, sun damage, ethnicity? 3. Will you do a test spot if I’m concerned about how my skin will react? 4. Do you have before and after photos that I can see?

Many people prefer IPL to more invasive procedures that require recovery time, such as chemical peels and laser surgery. SPRING 2010 • SCENE • 49

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beautyreport Three ‘lunchtime treatments’ can get your skin looking radiant again

getting your bounce back

Hemera/Thinkstock

Story by Kaitlin Lockhart

Who wouldn’t want a little lift for spring? We’re talking literally. Recent developments in skin care mean you can restore your skin’s elasticity and banish the sagging and bagging that come with age – and do so without going under the knife, or spending hours in a doctor’s office. As you age, your collagen production slows and your skin is less firm. “Your skin is like a balloon that is slowly letting out the air,” says Dr. F. Richard Noodleman of AgeDefy Dermatology & Wellness of Campbell, “similar to a grape [turning] into a raisin.” Enter procedures that use Titan, Thermage and Sculptra. They’re among the “lunchtime treatments” now available that can lift, tighten and stimulate natural collagen growth and fill out skin on face and body. All have gained in popularity since being approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The skinny:

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beautyreport Titan

Thermage

The Titan device can be used on moderately sagging areas on the stomach and upper arms, along the jaw line and under the chin. According to Dr. Jyoti Sarma, an Alamo-based internist specializing in cosmetic dermatology, the best candidates for Titan are those 40 to 50 years old who are just starting to experience looseness in their skin. “But if there is too much loose skin or too much fat, it is not going to work,” she cautions.

Thermage treatments can target cheeks, jaw lines, “turkey neck,” skin around the mouth and the forehead. It can be used to reduce excess skin on upper eyelids, wrinkles on eyelids and crow’s feet. It can also tighten stomach, arms, legs, hands and buttocks and decrease the visibility of cellulite. According to Noodleman, Thermage (and Titan too) has a “shrinkwrap effect” that slows down the skin’s sagging.

How it works: The device uses infrared light to go beneath the skin’s surface and heat the dermis. The heat causes collagen to contract and thicken, not only re-plumping the existing collagen, but also creating micro-injuries that stimulate the growth of new collagen. The device simultaneously cools the outer layer of skin to protect against breakage. The procedure takes about an hour, and most people have two or three procedures over four to six weeks.

Procedure: The Thermage device uses radio frequency technology to heat the collagen both in the dermis and in subcutaneous fat tissue. The heat makes the collagen contract and thicken, and stimulates new growth. The device cools the top layer of skin to protect and prevent burning sensations. The procedure lasts about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on area treated.

Results: Because new collagen needs time to grow, results are not fully seen for about six months, and can last up to two years. The good: No anesthesia, no downtime. Can be used on all ages and skin types. Infrared has been shown to not injure fat cells under the skin (which otherwise could create lumps under the treated area). The bad: Some feel a brief “heating” sensation or discomfort during treatment. Some notice redness and mild swelling on the treated area post-procedure, which dissipate within an hour or two. Costs: $500 to $2,500 depending on area treated, as well as how many procedures are needed.

Results: Results are fully seen after about four months, and last for about two years. Thermage claims that because of its deep penetration, a single treatment may be all you need. The good: No anesthesia, no downtime. Can be used on all ages and skin types. The bad: After the procedure, some people notice a redness and mild swelling on the treated area, which dissipate within an hour or two. More serious side effects have been reported, including lumps under the treated area, burns and blisters, and skin irregularities. Costs: The price for one face procedure could run $1,000 to $5,000. Treatment around the eyes and for cellulite is more expensive because of special, single-use equipment used.

Resources As with any medical procedure, you should research every option to find what is optimal for you and your body. Both Noodleman and Sarma stress that’s it’s important to find a board-certified, experienced medical professional and have a realistic consultation with them to decide what procedure would be best for you. For more information: Titan www.tightenmyskin.com Thermage www.thermage.com Sculptra www.sculptraanesthetic.com

American Academy of Dermatology www.aad.org American Society of Dermatologic Surgery www.asds.net

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beautyreport Sculptra Sculptra treatments are a series of injections that restore volume to the face, including deep lines and concavities. Sculptra also stimulates production of your own new collagen. But it is more complicated than other fillers, says Dr. Sara Wasserbauer, who specializes in aesthetic medicine and cosmetic services in Walnut Creek. “Because Sculptra lasts longer, is more volumizing and can require multiple visits,” she says, “it is essential that patients seek out either doctors or nurses with both advanced training and substantial experience with this particular filler treatment.” Procedure: A powder form of polylactic acid mixed with water, Sculptra is considered a liquid implant. It is a one-time treatment regimen of up to four injection sessions, usually scheduled three weeks to a month apart. Results: Most people will see results in as little as three weeks, and will continue to see results for the next four months. The results can last between one and two years. The good: The Sculptra procedure does not require any lasers or incisions, and the material is naturally absorbed by the body. It does not contain any human, animal or bacterial components, and there is no required allergy testing before treatment. The bad: The face is numb for about an hour after treatment. Some people experience injection site discomfort, redness, bruising, bleeding, itching, swelling and – rarely – infection. Aftercare is required, including icing, massaging and temporarily avoiding UV light. Costs: Each vial can cost from $700 to $1,500. Depending on the size of the area treated, each of the three to four injections can use up to a full vial. S

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Simple, cheery blossoms say warm weather is here. Mcginn floral sundress, $195, and Tory Burch faux croc embossed thong sandals, $195, Nordstrom, Valley Fair.

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springstyle

fresh &pretty The forecast is bright: fetching florals, splashes of color and a casual elegance There’s a joyous, hopeful sense of renewal that comes each spring and with it, a yearning for a fresh presentation. We’re ready for lightness and warmth, both in spirit and in what we wear. Spring 2010 embraces chic versatility. It’s about bringing your own sense of style into the mix – as long as the end result is neat and sleek, artfully edgy or charming and feminine. This season calls for fewer rules and playing with textures and colors and even with notions of what defines a basic. Common khaki, for instance, gets an update when paired with a vivid print, luxe accessories or sky-high platform heels. Florals, another seasonal tradition, are

modernized to give flowers a techno, futuristic flair. Appropriate, too, are muted blooms, reminiscent of an Impressionist’s garden. Among this spring’s essentials are utilitarian looks inspired by military uniforms and safari clothes. There’s a definite global influence in the ikat fabrics and tribal touches. Neutral shades like butter, caramel, vanilla and latte evoke comfort and familiarity, while punches of bright pinks, yellows, blues and purples complement our newly revved-up, energetic selves. The style story this season is about the evolution of classics, bold finishes, easy statements. A fashion moment when upto-date never means over-the-top.

Story by Donna Kato Photography by Joanne Ho-Young Lee SPRING 2010 • SCENE • 57

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A hint of tribal expressed with an abstact watercolor swirl makes this a perfect nouveau print dress for the season. Taylor silk dress, $68, private label straw hat, $36, both from Ibiss, San Jose. Aqua necklace of chunky Lucite stones, $68, Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center. Coach platinum sandals with rosettes, $158, Coach store, Valley Fair.

58 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Kiss spring hello in a dress splashed with fanciful bouquets. Betsey Johnson strapless bouquet border dress, $425, and ombre cardi, $198, at Betsey Johnson boutique, Valley Fair. Frye boots, $348, Kate Spade charm bracelet, $255, and Lauren Ralph Lauren set of bangles, $38, all Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center.

HOLIDAY ISSUE 2009 SPRING SCENE 2010 MAGAZINE • SCENE • 59 l

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Spring staples include pretty pastels, whimsical prints and must-have shorts. MAC flared cardigan, $36, Ibiss, San Jose. Patterson J. Kincaid bird-print top, $88; Vince shorts, $195; Corso Como cork wedges, $159; Lauren Ralph Lauren earrings, $40, all from Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center. Hessnatur organic silk tee, $58, worn under top, www.hessnatur.com.

60 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Play with proportions and textures. Calvin Klein cropped leather jacket, $399, Rebecca Taylor floral tunic, $345, and Daddy Long Legs denim-look leggings, $38. With Guess cage sandals, $99, all from Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center. Oakley “Deception” sunglasses, $190, from Oakley store, Santana Row. Easy dress-up options call for a stunner trench. Shorts and wedges make it right for 2010. 3.1 Phillip Lim raw chambray trench, $675, and matching sashed shorts, $265. Worn with Burning Torch blouse made from vintage scarves, $265, and Burning Torch necklace of recycled vintage beads and stones, $150, all from Crimson Mim, Los Altos.

61 SCENE MAGAZINE HOLIDAY ISSUE 2009 l

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Lacy transparency and a pop of color add feminine flourish. Rachel Rachel Roy slit-back dress, $119, Macy’s, Valley Fair. Rachel Weisman sparklestretch headband, $24, Anthropologie, Santana Row. BCBG “Myra” rosette sandals, $250, Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center.

64 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Beautiful blossoms go high style. Moschino Cheap & Chic floral dress, $750, and Christian Louboutin “Bianca” cork pumps, $695, Nordstrom, Valley Fair and Stanford Shopping Center. Carolee Lux “Love” bangles, $125 each, Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center.

HOLIDAY ISSUE 2009 SPRING SCENE 2010 MAGAZINE • SCENE • 65 l

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Elegant extras add up to sleek glamour. Nanette Lepore ruffled silk blouse, $268; Dolce & Gabbana D&G pencil skirt, $335; Jimmy Choo “Quito” Elaphe blue python cage stilettos, $1,295, all from Nordstrom, Valley Fair. Cara stack of bangles, $68, and R.J. Graziano lacecovered pearl necklace, $45, both Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center.

66 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Walk out the door in luxurious, picture-perfect pieces. 3.1 Phillip Lim “Monet” draped floral skirt, $425, and cropped linen trench coat in waterproof, lizard-stamped linen polyurethane, $595. Loeffler Randall “Keira Loira” sandals, $695, all Crimson Mim, Los Altos. Luluvia blouse, $52, Pink Stripes, Santana Row. Lauren Ralph Lauren oval loops necklace, $58, Bloomingdale’s, Stanford Shopping Center.

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Structured, sharp and sleek define spring’s best suits. Narciso Rodriguez self-belt jacket, $1,695, and cropped pants, $695; Yves Saint Laurent “Tribute” platform sandals, $760, all from Nordstrom, Valley Fair and Stanford Shopping Center. Blue topaz and pearl earrings, $100, Flying Lizard Design, Santana Row.

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Instant chic is a timeless wrap dress in a most modern botanical print. Trina Turk â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kikiâ&#x20AC;? cap-sleeve wrap dress, $348, Crimson Mim, Los Altos. Valentino wedge espadrilles, $495, Footcandy, Santana Row; Ibi Oluwole for Ibiss double flower filagree earrings, $20, Ibiss, San Jose.

Shot on location at Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasanton (see Page 147). Models Ashley, Kylie and Paula N. from Look Model Agency, San Francisco. Makeup by Elizabeth Bozzo; hair by Natalia Prager, both of Aveda Atelier SalonSpa, Santana Row. Styling assistance from Stacy Diaz, Alexandria Diaz, Kari Gohd and Kaitlin Lockhart.

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IN :A

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TR BU TH IBU RN E TE TH CO T E FI LO O T FLO D D LE G R P HE OR R R U B M S ON EAS RP EAT AM TO T E LE L ES M MP HE A RO M O IA F !

PHOTO BY PAUL KOLNIK

ANNOUNCING THE 2010-2011 SEASON

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BROADWAY SAN JOSE: ANNOUNCING

THE 2010-2011 SEASON As we come to the end of our first season, we want to say “thank you” for all of the enthusiasm we received during our premier season in San Jose! Our first season has been an electrifying journey over the past 6 months and we’ve enjoyed some of the best that Broadway has to offer. Looking forward, we’ve just announced our 2nd season in San Jose and some of Broadway’s most recent blockbusters will be making their way to San Jose as part of our 2010-11 Season. First off, we’re thrilled that next season includes seven exciting shows! Our season starts out on September 21st with a show guaranteed to knock your socks off! The international dance sensation, straight from a record-breaking run on Broadway, BURN THE FLOOR. We’ve all Sept 21-26, 2010 seen shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance?” With BURN THE FLOOR, you’ll feel, live on stage, all the passion, drama and sizzling excitement of 20 gorgeous champion dancers. The second show in our line-up will have you singing and dancing in the aisles as the Fab Four - or at least a tribute to the Fab Four will be in San Jose. RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES opens October 26th and runs Oct 26-31, 2010

through October 31st. It’s the next best thing to seeing and hearing the Beatles live and includes amazing hits like Let it Be, Hey Jude, While My Guitar Gently Weeps and many, many more. RAIN is a spectacular show that you’ll want to share with the entire family. Our next show is a “soaring and joyful” musical about love that comes from the classic Pulitzer-Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. We are thrilled to bring THE COLOR PURPLE to San Jose, November 23-28, 2010. It’s an Nov 23-28, 2010 inspiring story of hope, love, self-discovery, and triumph over adversity and a show we are proud to present. Our next two shows are giants of musical theatre. First, we are presenting an allAmerican favorite that looks at the sub cultures of high school life in the 1950’s. Yes - GREASE will be “the word” Jan 18-23, 2011 in San Jose January 18-23, 2011. Our next Tony-Award winning show is a look at tradition and one of our absolute favorites. We are proud to present to you FIDDLER ON THE ROOF March 15-20, 2011. This musical has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal. Its March 15-20, 2011 timeless classics include such memorable songs as

Tradition, Matchmaker Matchmaker,r If I Were a Rich Man and Sunrise Sunset. We are thrilled to bring this glorious tradition in musical theatre to the CPA. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE... After securing your Season Tickets for the 2010-11 season, you will be given priority access to reserve the best seats in the house for two special events. Come see what all the noise is about when STOMP returns April 12-17, 2011 to San Jose for an encore performance in 2011. Using your not-so-typical instruments such as garbage can lids, brooms and Zippo lighters - we know this unique theatrical experience will have you thinking about rhythm in a whole new way. STOMP will be in San Jose April 12-17, 2011. Finally, we end our season with another “get happy” hit featuring the timeless music of ABBA. Yes, you guessed it - we are bringing back MAMMA MIA! June 7-12, 2011. We are thrilled to be closing our second season with this worldwide phenomenon about June 7-12, 2011 love and identity that over 40 million people worldwide have fallen in love with. Wow! We have a really amazing and fun-filled season - but it won’t be the same if you’re not here! We’re saving you a seat! Get more information at broadwaysanjose.com or call 866-395-2929. Get your season ticket online today and save $10 on each season ticket.

All shows held at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Get a season ticket for as little as $115. Buy online at broadwaysanjose.com and save up to $10 per season ticket.

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shoefetish

Badgley Mischka Ruffle a foot in shoes that mimic what’s on clothes this season. Badgley Mischka satin T-strap shoes, $215, Footcandy.

It’s easy to put your best foot forward in these gorgeous shoes Story by Donna Kato Photos by Joanne Ho-Young Lee

72 72 • SCENE SCENEMAGAZINE • SPRING 2010 HOLIDAY ISSUE 2009 l

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shoefetish Bourne A shoe that pulls together several trends of the season. Purple snakeskin-embossed suede pump finished with a crystal-kissed flower applique, $245, Footcandy.

Christian Louboutin Shoe expectations are high when the red soles are a giveaway. Be conventional in “Bianca” cork platform pumps by Christian Louboutin, $695, Nordstrom.

Valentino Wedges and rope-y espadrilles are back in a big way this season. Dress them up or dress them down with Valentino’s bow-trimmed espadrilles, $495, Footcandy.

Yves Saint Laurent Wish-list shoes include these YSL heels, which pay homage to the fine footwear the French design house has been making since the early 1960s. Pebbled leather T-strap “Tribute” platform sandals by Yves Sain Laurent, $760, Nordstrom.

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bagfetish

happybags Fashion-forward purses add the perfect finishing touches to any ensemble Story by Donna Kato Photos by Joanne Ho-Young Lee

Valentino Lighthearted and whimsical, Valentino “Summer Flower” napa leather tote, $2,690, Footcandy

74 •SCENE SCENEMAGAZINE • SPRING 2010 HOLIDAY ISSUE 2009 l

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bagfetish Kate Spade Bold blue is a basic this summer. Kate Spade Brookyln Heights collection “Stevie” shoulder tote in Bluebell, $365, Bloomingdale’s.

Ashley Watson Eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean drab carry-all totes. Consider this “Phoebe” bag of recycled leather by Ashley Watson, $309, Olive, Danville.

Marc Jacobs Carry an instant classic with a Marc Jacobs bag. “The Single” quilted shoulder bag with chain inset strap, $550, Bloomingdale’s.

Coach When your coloring just won’t let you wear yellow, carry the color with the Coach “Kristin” slouchy hobo bag, $398, Coach stores.

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icons: scene’s green report

the green goddess With her eco-friendly lifestyle Web site, Zem Joaquin is taking the movement to the mainstream – and bringing sexy back Story by Julia Prodis Sulek

Desiree Northend

she was destined to make a name She was born in 1970 with a name for herself in the environmental that means “earth” in Czech on a movement. Unlike her parents’ gencommune in Palo Alto called “The eration that reveled in the counterLand.” culture fringe, though, she is helpZem Joaquin was a dark-haired ing create a modern movement in pixie with patchwork pants who the mainstream. played with chickens, danced in And she’s doing so with her own the central longhouse and sang with sense of rebellion: She’s making Joan Baez in the squatters camp off green glamorous. Page Mill Road. Founder of Ecofabulous, she creThe darling of the draft resisters ated a Web site that gives readers back then, she became the subject eco-friendly lifestyle options, from of their illustrated fairy tale about modular furniture made from re“Zem, the little queen” who unites Recycled, recovered chairs cycled paper to chic throws made of a strife-torn world. Even Baez, who enliven Joaquin’s home. hemp and flax. Going green needs founded the commune and lived to be less about sacrifice, she realthere for a time, included “Zem Zem” ized, and more about motivation. (The site’s motto: in her 1975 song, “Children and All That Jazz.” Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that “sexy.sustainable.style.”) After all, she muses, “Peo-

“Being fabulous is feeling like you’re getting what you really want. At the same time, you’re not taking more than you need, and you’re giving back.” 76 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Patrick Tehan

Joaquin, pictured with her daughter in the Ecofabulous offices, created a green home – and blogged about it – to protect her family’s health. SPRING 2010 • SCENE • 77

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icons: scene’s green report Standard who took her to theaters, boutiques and Paris for weekends and “taught me everything I know about design.” Joaquin (then Spire, her maiden name) finished her degree in organizational communications at Pepperdine, where she started a recycling program. And after a stint managing male models in Italy (she followed a boyfriend there), she returned to San Francisco in the late 1990s to help her best friend, Gina Pell, start Pell’s fledgling fashion and beauty Web site, Splendora. “She was my VP of business development because she’s so good with people. She has a way of developing and nurturing connections,” Pell says. “I always told her that if she was a superhero, that would be her superpower – the ultimate connector.” It was Pell, though, who connected Zem with her husband, tech entrepreneur James Joaquin. They met at a cocktail party in 1999 in San Francisco, married and had two children. She was volunteering for homeless causes and political campaigns when her children were diagnosed with severe asthma. The family was living in an old Craftsman in San Francisco at the time, spending many a night in the emergency room when she decided she had to “save my children and create a healthy home.” The Marin County house, tucked among blackberry bushes and towering trees, became her eco-incubator.

ple weren’t too interested when organic cotton looked like oatmeal and felt like a burlap sack.” Step inside the 1960s-era home in Marin County that she remodeled for her family and you’ll see what she means. At 39 years old and just 5 feet tall, she opens the front door with bare feet and a big smile. Behind her, vintage black-and-white curtains she found at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire frame a pair of chairs she recovered in remnant lime green silk. Sleek kitchen counters are made from newspaper wood pulp and fly ash. Her vintage Laszlo dining room chairs are refilled with natural rubber. “Being fabulous is feeling like you’re getting what you really want,” she says. “At the same time, you’re not taking more than you need and you’re giving back.” So how did this commune kid become such a design diva? She may have been raised on granola, but she came of age living in London for two-and-a-half years in her early 20s with her godmother – a stylish critic for the Evening

Photos by Desiree Northend

Joaquin’s dining room features vintage Laszlo chairs refilled with natural rubber and a chandelier made of hundreds of transparent flowers.

Joaquin bought Regency chairs on eBay, then repainted them before having them refilled with natural latex and covering them in a Q Collection organic cotton fabric. She painted the wall to complement the color on the chairs.

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icons: scene’s green report “People weren’t too interested when organic cotton looked like oatmeal and felt like a burlap sack.” —Zem Joaquin

Old painted beams were stripped with beeswax, wallto-wall carpeting was replaced with recycled wine-cork flooring and solar panels were added to the roof. But finding sustainable products, and stylish ones at that, wasn’t easy. “I realized there was this enormous gap,” she says. “There were no resources for eco-design and people interested in design.” It was her husband who handed her a copy of “Cradle to Cradle,” the environmental manifesto of architect William McDonough, whom James Joaquin had heard speak at the 2004 TED conference for technology, entertainment and design in Monterey. “This is what you’ve been talking about,” he said at the time to his wife, “what you’ve been spiraling in towards.” She was so enthralled by the book, which professes ecologically intelligent design, that she invited McDonough to lunch with “some of my friends that I think can change the world.” The guest list included her husband’s good friend, eBay founder Pierre Omidyar; Segway inventor Dean Kamen, whom she had met at a dinner party; and inventor, entrepreneur and Disney “imagineer” Danny Hillis. This time, it was McDonough’s turn to be impressed. He invited her to attend his annual eco-summit in Iceland the following year with some 20 “thought leaders” and activists. Unlike some in the environmental movement who preach doom and gloom, he says, Joaquin takes a positive approach. “It’s a big dark world out there, and we need brightness,” he says in a phone interview from Abu Dhabi where he was talking to real estate developers about green design. “Zem is a sparkle.” And she knows how to throw a party. Over the past several years, she has raised nearly $1 million dollars for Global Green, an L.A.-based nonprofit that activates its Hollywood base to bring attention to green issues,

1 2 Saving H20: Zem’s top picks Just on the subject of water conservation alone, Joaquin has ID’ed her favorite things for both home and personal style. 1. Cascade Lancashire Chandelier by artist Michelle Brand – plastic bottles turned into strands of flowers, $12,000; www.lisafontanarosa.com 2. Recycled silver water necklace by designer Linda Loudermilk – proceeds go to water conservation, $149; www.lindaloudermilk.com 3. FRESH fabric made of recycled plastic water and soda bottles; www.valleyforge.com 4. Bio-Glass countertops made of 100 percent recycled glass; http://coveringsetc.com 5. At-home carbonating system for making sparkling water – $90-$200; www.sodastreamusa. com 6. Non-toxic dishwashing tabs to avoid chemical run-off to streams – $6.50; www.methodhome.org 7. Pedal-operated, hands-free faucet that saves water – $350; http://pedalvalve.com

5 7

ZEM continues on Page 150

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icons: scene’s green report

magic time She’s a rising star in the move for a clean-energy economy. But for Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, staying close to home is the bigger priority. Story by Julia Prodis Sulek

path diverged into teen pregnancy and She’s young, she’s smart, she’s going addiction. It’s a fate that Ellis-Lamkins places. knows too well could have been her own It’s a sentiment that’s been attached to and one she is committed to preventing Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins since she was 27 for her nieces. and leading the powerful South Bay La“Nothing is more important than bor Council in San Jose. And it remains making sure they grow up healthy, loved a familiar refrain now that she’s 32 and and confident and have everything they running Green for All, a national organineed to do whatever they want to do,” zation based in Oakland that pushes for she says. working-class jobs in the emerging green To those who know her well, she is a industry. woman of substance and style, passion A woman of color who grew up as a and conviction. child on welfare and bounced among Ellis-Lamkins heads up Green Carl Guardino, president of the prodomestic violence shelters with her for All, based in the East Bay. business Silicon Valley Leadership mother and younger sister, she still manGroup, is an unlikely ally who has beaged to earn a university degree. Along the way, she became as tough as she is charming, as come a close friend. “It’s incredible what she does quietly for so many likely to partner with big business as put up a fight with the local elite. Her tenacity landed her enticing offers to people,” he says. “This is a single woman who has a big career, significant responsibilities, yet invests the maswork in the Barack Obama administration. But she did not want to go to Washington, no matter sive amounts of time it takes to take a big role in the how prestigious the offer. And because of, or perhaps lives of three young relatives. How many people would in spite of, her decisions, she says, magical things have do that?” Ellis-Lamkins not only talks the talk about wanting happened. She has personal reasons to remain in Northern Cali- to make people’s lives better, he says, but she also walks fornia, and to some they are as surprising as they are the walk. Phaedra, her first name, came from the lyrics of a illuminating about who Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins really is. Ellis-Lamkins, who is single, has become the guard- Nancy Sinatra song; her last, Ellis-Lamkins, from the ian of her three nieces, ages 6, 8 and 10, the children combined surnames of her Jewish mother and Africanof her sister who was raised alongside her, but whose American father. Her upbringing was “chaotic,” she

“Nothing is more important than making sure [my nieces] grow up healthy, loved and confident and have everything they need to do whatever they want to do.” 84 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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Patrick Tehan

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, pictured in her office, keeps in shape with spinning classes and healthy food. Her fitness goal: “As long as every year I’m lighter on my birthday, I feel I’m doing good.”

SPRING 2010 • SCENE • 85

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Patrick Tehan

icons: scene’s green report

The idea that her work can help create a sustainable planet, create opportunities for working people and “the fact that it’s hip, that’s magical.” The vibe is so positive, Ellis-Lamkins says, she’s finding new joy in her life.

says. Three times her mother packed up her two daughters and fled from her husband, once to a shelter in San Francisco, another in Fairfield, and a third time they moved to Hawaii, an ocean away. While children of violence tend to repeat the pattern and spiral into failure, Ellis-Lamkin’s mother knew her oldest daughter was different. “My mom tells me a story of when new people moved in across the street,” she recalls. “I took a book across the street and said, ‘Do you want to read?’ ” She did well in school, eventually attending California State University-Northridge, and graduating in 1998 with a degree in political science. She moved to San Jose as a labor organizer shortly after and worked her way up to executive director of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council in 2003. Working in the labor movement was exhilarating, she says, but it was confrontational, too, as she struggled over living wage and other labor issues. “I’m tough, it’s fair to say,” she says. “We were building power, and we were building power on behalf of poor people, working people, people of color who had no access.” She learned that getting a politician elected sometimes isn’t as important as shepherding through lasting legislation. And winning at all costs isn’t as important as making other people feel like they’ve won, too.

The Promise of a Green Economy Green for All aims to improve the lives of all Americans – particularly those living in poverty and people of color – through a clean-energy economy. It partners with business, government, labor and grassroots communities to increase quality jobs and opportunities. Some current activities: • A partnership with the Black Eyed Peas on their 2010 The E.N.D. Tour (in concert in California cities the first week of April) to change the face of environmentalism, provide advocacy opportunities and educate audiences. • Work with cities to build local clean-energy economies; for example, it has teamed up Portland, Ore., on a home retrofit effort that will create jobs, reduce pollution, lower energy bills and expand business opportunities. • Runs the Green for All Academy, which expands, educates and engages support for climate solutions and a clean-energy economy. See www.greenforall.org for more information, particularly about local Earth Day activities.

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P A I D

A D V E R T I S I N G

This technology, known as the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, is one of the biggest breakthroughs in cataract surgery in the last decade.

s the space shuttle Discovery carried the rotor that he helped design and develop to the space station Ben Murach had his mind on another type of space: his immediate environment. For more than 30 years Ben Murach had been wearing glasses or contact lenses to see objects at near and far distances. A recent advance in eye surgery allowed him to eliminate glasses and contact lenses permanently. This technology, known as the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, is one of the biggest breakthroughs in cataract surgery in the last decade. “I don’t need my glasses or contact lenses for reading, working at my computer or driving,” said Ben Murach. He was convinced to have cataract surgery performed by Dr. Randal Pham, founder of Aesthetic & Refractive Surgery Medical Center, after meeting Odine Wiens, who wore glasses since she was 5 years old. Odine Wiens who just retired from her 20-year job as a child nutrition assistant at Evergreen school district, had the procedure done by Dr. Pham more than one year ago. “My grandson asked me why I don’t wear glasses anymore?” said Odine Wiens. “I told him ‘grandma had eye surgery and doesn’t need to wear glasses’ and he said ‘but grandma always wear glasses; if she doesn’t wear

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order to place a man-made lens inside the capsule. If the capsule is broken during the procedure and there is a large tear in the capsule the substance that normally stays behind the capsule moves forward. This substance is called vitreous. When this happens, the surgeon cannot place the man-made lens inside the capsule where the natural lens normally sits; the surgeon may place a different type of lens either in the corner between the iris and the capsule or in front of the iris. These lenses are called sulcus-fixated if they are placed in the corner between the iris and the capsule. If they are placed in front of the iris they are called anterior chamber lenses. When sulcus-fixated or anterior chamber lenses are used because their locations are not where the natural lens sits, the resulted power of the eye may differ from the calculated power which was measured before the surgery with the natural lens sitting inside the capsule. This difference in the calculated power and the resulted power may cause patients to require glasses or contact lenses after surgery. Ashley Stice, representative of Alcon Inc., the manufacturer of the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, confirms that of more than 150 Acrysof ReSTOR lenses implanted by Dr. Randal Pham, there has been no conversion to sulcus-fixated lens or anterior chamber lens implanted. “It is of utmost importance that you choose the right surgeon for this procedure,” said Odine Wiens. Ben Murach agreed: “You only have two eyes; for a procedure that requires exceptional skills and knowledge of refractive surgery I did extensive research to find a surgeon who is competent in both lasik and cataract surgeries.”

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glasses she can’t be grandma’,” laughed Odine Wiens. The human lens is like a camera lens. It helps focus light onto the retina, which is like the film of the camera. The human lens is made up of mostly water and protein. The protein lets light pass through and focus on the retina. As the eye ages the protein clumps together and starts to cloud a small area of the lens. The clumps also make the lens hardened; this hardening of the human lens causes people to have difficulty seeing up close. This loss of ability to see up close is called presbyopia. The cloudy area in the human lens is called a cataract. For years surgeons across the U.S. removed cataracts and implanted manmade lens to replace the natural lens. This procedure is called cataract surgery. “This is one of the safest procedures performed in the U.S. today,” said Dr. Pham. Each year millions of Americans undergo cataract surgeries across the U.S. Patients who undergo conventional cataract surgery still need to wear reading glasses after surgery. Because the Acrysof ReSTOR lens works like progressive glasses patients who have this lens can perform most daily activities without any glasses. “To implant the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, however, requires very precise and skillful work,” said Dr. Pham. Because patients who undergo implantation of the Acrysof ReSTOR lens have high expectations-they expect to be less dependent on glasses after the procedure, measurements made before the surgery and the surgery itself must be extremely accurate. The natural lens of a normal eye stays in a clear sac called the capsule. To remove the cataract, the surgeon first makes an opening in the capsule. The surgeon then removes the cataract from the capsule using ultrasound. The surgeon must save the capsule in

*An independent study found 85% of patients who received the Acrysof ReSTOR intraocular lens never had to wear glasses. Mrs. Odine Wiens and Mr. Ben Murach are actual patients of Dr. Randal Pham. Neither of them receives any monetary compensation for their testimonials. This ad was reviewed and approved by the Medical Board of California.

3/19/10 9:04 AM

She was named one of the 100 most influential people in Silicon Valley by San Jose Magazine. Last year, Essence Magazine named her one of the 25 most influential African-Americans in the country. Unlike her labor council job, where “every day felt like a fight,” she says, “it feels like an opportunity every day” at Green for All, an organization she describes as combining the environmental movement with social justice. And that’s when she began to believe in magic. Everything she stands for she is able to pursue in Oakland, and “for some incredible reason, people see it as righteous,” she says. “The thing that hurts me so much is that for all the righteous things the labor movement does, it doesn’t get to be seen that way.” She’s working on a national stage now, with trips to New York for a United Nations leadership summit on climate change, and to Washington, where she was one of a dozen sitting with the president at a jobs summit meeting. She is partnering with the hip-hop band Black Eyed Peas to work on green campaigns. The idea that her work can help create a sustainable planet, create opportunities for working people and “the fact that it’s hip, that’s magical,” she says. The vibe is so positive, she says, she’s finding new joy in her life. And part of that joy comes from her nieces, who have been a big part of her life since they were infants. The oldest was born with a heart condition, which was too much to handle for Ellis-Lamkin’s sister, who was struggling in a violent marriage. One by one, the girls came to spend time living with Ellis-Lamkins in San Jose or her mother in Fairfield. Two years ago, the youngest, who was 4 at the time, moved in full time with Ellis-Lamkins. But it was clear the sisters needed to be together. The job in Oakland brought Ellis-Lamkins closer to her 64-year-old mother, and in February, she sold her house in San Jose and bought a new one in Fairfield. When Ellis-Lamkin travels, her mother is just five miles away. Ellis-Lamkins hosts slumber parties for her nieces on weekends and makes sure the girls get to their dance classes and math tutoring. Sometimes she wishes she were married with her own children. That day may come. Meanwhile, she knows her sacrifice is worth it. “It’s hard not to be in D.C., but I don’t think I could be anywhere else,” she says. She figures that when the girls are off to college in another dozen years, she will be just in her early 40s, with plenty left to contribute. “I’m going to spend those years in my life making sure the girls are confident and do well in school,” she says. Because in the end, she knows, professional standards alone will not be how she measures her life. S

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In February, Ellis-Lamkins and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas announce the partnership between Green for All and the hip-hop group.

Phaedra’s new style It’s one thing for a young woman to be smart. It’s another to be cute. And after a lifetime of being the smart girl, Phaedra EllisLamkins is finally happy to embrace the cuteness. And after she lost 85 pounds over the past four years, her signature darling dimples are smiling in a whole new way. “When you lose weight, it’s like you hear music and the world opens up,” she says. Instead of being able to shop at one or two stores for her wardrobe, “the whole mall is open to you. The most exciting thing is being able to walk into any store and being able to purchase something.” She started getting serious when she was 29 and lost 50 pounds in a year through the L.A. Weight Loss Program. When the program went bankrupt, she took it upon herself to keep losing. Depending on the schedules of her nieces, she tries to take morning spin classes, squeezes in brisk walks and trains for a marathon once in a while. Her diet philosophy is less about what she eats but how much. “Today I had Thai soup and brown rice, because yesterday I had a piece of cake from a birthday,” Ellis-Lamkins says. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be a size five or six, because I love food.” She’s not actively losing weight anymore; she says she’s “actively maintaining.” As long as every year I’m lighter on my birthday, she says, “I feel I’m doing good.” At a recent NAACP awards event, she wore a cobalt blue, full-length Badgley Mischka gown – size 10, she’s happy to report. “It was the most glamorous night of my life,” Ellis-Lamkins says. “It was like, ‘la la la la la!’” She has nothing against smartness. It got her where she is today. “But being cute,” she says, “is a new experience.” —Julia Prodis Sulek

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entertaining

Desiree Northend

an open door Charmaine Warmenhoven knows the value of sharing her home with others Charmaine Warmenhoven was in high school in 1964 when news of the notorious murder of Kitty Genovese on the streets of New York spread across the country, a shocking story because even though many heard her screams, apparently no one did a thing to help. Charmaine was fascinated, though, less about the bystanders who did nothing and more about the idea of those who “try to do something.” With a strong foundation as a woman of faith and a

psychology degree from Princeton, reaching out to others in need has become a guiding principle of her life as a philanthropist and educator of special needs children. “It’s part of our value system,” she says. “You are meant to provide service to others. I’ve been doing so ever since I can remember.” From the graceful Monte Sereno home surrounded by acres of gardens that she shares with her husband, Network Appliance board chairman Dan Warmenhoven,

Story by Julia Prodis Sulek

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Courtesy Charmaine Warmenhoven Desiree Northend

Tables and umbrellas are set up on the terraces in the back yard for an outdoor party.

The dining room, with its warm, intimate feel, is perfect for hosting formal dinners.

Desiree Northend

the couple open their doors to fundraisers benefiting causes ranging from cancer research to local arts groups to Catholic charities. In June, she is hosting the Silicon Valley Heart Gala for 250 to raise money for the American Heart Association. With Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz chairing the event, the nonprofit is expecting the guest list to include some of the valley’s tech luminaries. If all goes well, the charity hopes to raise more than half a million dollars (maybe a million, dare they hope) at this single event. “Dan and I feel we’ve been given a lot, and we need to give and to share,” she says. “It’s more than a habit. It’s a lifestyle.” And Keri Janssen, CEO of the Silicon Valley American Heart Association, couldn’t be more grateful. “They are very down to earth and very dedicated to making a difference in the community,” Janssen says. “Opening your home to an event is totally different than giving money. They are dedicated to the mission and the cause and have been for over 10 years.” Hosting the fundraiser at a home rather than a hotel is much more intimate, she says. Besides, “who wouldn’t want to see the Warmenhoven home?” A winding driveway leads you past oak trees and a sunken Japanese tea garden to the grand estate atop a hill. A 17th-century wishing well and a stone gazebo adorn the front garden that overlooks the lights of the valley below. The back yard, with terraces surrounding a pool and cabana house, will be the setting for the June party. A saxophonist will play during cocktail hour from the balcony, and tables will be set up around the pool. Each guest will be given a candle to light, representing heart disease survivors, and float them in the pool. “It will be the feel of a romantic, starry night,” Janssen says. The causes Warmenhoven supports are close to her heart. As a child, her mother was a concert pianist, and she was a dancer. As an adult, she has served on the boards of Ballet San Jose and the Montalvo Arts Center. With her father in the military, her family moved around a lot, she says, and going to Catholic church on Sundays wherever they happened to live “felt like family and it gave me a sense of stability and belonging.” After teaching disabled children for a number of years, she went on to work for the Catholic Diocese in Santa Clara County, helping people with disabilities feel included in church life. Just last year, the Warmenhovens hosted a garden party for the Knights of St. John, an organization ounded to take care of wounded soldiers but that now donates frequently to children’s hospitals. Charmaine’s father died of cancer when she was 13, and the Warmenhovens have been supporters of the

A sunken Japanese tea garden, which features a pond, enhances the Monte Sereno estate’s atmosphere of calm.

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Courtesy Charmaine Warmenhoven

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A table is set with a white tablecloth, matching napkins and silverware at an outdoor party hosted by the Warmenhovens at their Monte Sereno home.

grand plans Going to a party at the Warmenhovens? Charmaine tells you what to expect Drinks “Dan and I have become fond of Italian wines – brunello and pinot grigio are our favorites to serve right now. I also love to serve champagne, and I usually have that on hand as well.”

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Hors d’oeuvres “Dan’s favorite is a good ahi tuna sashimi, and I love a good crab or artichoke dip.” Desserts “We usually go for a light dessert – fresh berries with a touch of Grand Marnier and a dollop of cream is our favorite.” Music “For large events when possible, we have live music – a pianist, mariachi band or string trio, depending on the event. If not, we usually play a CD of classical music.” Flowers “I use seasonal flowers: lots of tulips in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in the fall, and fresh pine, amaryllis and poinsettias in the winter. I love orchids and use them frequently. Also, fruit – citrus, persimmons, apples – look great in bowls for centerpieces.” Sit-down or buffet? “When we have lots of family for the holidays, we typically serve buffet style. That way, all the kids and grandkids can fix their own plates or have Mom and Dad help them. For friends and hosted events, we usually do sit-down, except for holiday open houses and more casual receptions, which are buffet.” Indoor or outdoor? “We love entertaining outdoors as much as possible. For family and close friends, we have a fun time with our pizza oven, each person making their own personal pizza. We supply the dough, and they put on whatever toppings they like.”

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Courtesy Charmaine Warmenhoven

entertaining

Charmaine Warmenhoven leaves planning of big parties to the pros. “I just sit back and applaud and open the door.”

American Cancer Society’s Cattle Barons’ Ball each year. “I do a variety of different things,” she says, “but they all make sense to me.” She and her husband met sitting next to each other on a plane on their way back to Princeton from the West Coast when she was a junior and he was a senior. “He asked me to dinner,” she says, “and we were married two years later.” After moving around the East Coast with his jobs for IBM and HP and hers in teaching, they arrived in Santa Clara Valley in the early 1980s. In the mid-1990s, Dan Warmenhoven became president and CEO of Network Appliance, employing 45 people at the time. It has since grown to 8,000 employees worldwide. The Warmenhovens moved from their house in Saratoga, which their son and daughter-in-law now own, to the Monte Sereno estate three years ago. Even though the house is grand, the rooms feel intimate. And she loves the indoor/outdoor flow of the house, which is perfect for entertaining. She enjoys planning gatherings for her family and close friends, but she leaves the big parties to the pros. She has her list of favorite local party planners, florists and caterers. “I just sit back and applaud,” she says, “and open the door.” S

gala with a heart The Silicon Valley Heart Gala celebrates the American Heart Association’s work, donors, volunteers and lives saved. Chaired by Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at the home of Dan and Charmaine Warmenhoven, Monte Sereno. $1,500 per seat; table sponsorships available. www.heart.org/siliconvalley caheartball; 408-977-4950. Another American Heart Association event of interest: Silicon Valley Go Red For Women Luncheon – encouraging women to become champions of heart health. Keynote: Dr. Marie Savard, author and ABC News medical contributor. 10 a.m. Friday, May 7, Fairmont San Jose, 170 S. Market St. $150 a seat; $2,500 a table. www.heart.org/SiliconValleyCAGoRedLuncheon; 408-977-4950.

For more photos of Charmaine Warmenhoven’s home, see www.lookiloos.com

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We ended the evening on a swing, alone in the middle of the city. It had been a perfect day of decompression – a hot-stone massage, a bite at a patisserie, people-watching in a pocket park, a magnificent sunset and a lingering dinner. Relaxation is not what you expect from a getaway to Las Vegas. But CityCenter, the newest resort on the Strip, is unexpected. Vegas resorts lure you with luxury, then seal you inside so that you gamble in their casinos and spend your money at their celebrity-chef restaurants, posh shops and trendy nightclubs. MGM-Mirage and its partners spent $8.5 billion to provide another kind of elegance at CityCenter. They hired internationally known architects to transform its 67 acres into an urban hub and spent $40 million on fine art to create an aesthetic treat for visitors. They created “green” buildings that invite the daylight inside. The buildings themselves are not connected, apart from a few covered walkways and enclosed areas. But the layout allows guests to wander in and out of the three hotels – Aria, Vdara and the Mandarin Oriental, past the leaning condo towers of Veer and through its crazily angular high-end shopping mall, Crystals. This exploration is best done on foot, so save the stilettos for clubbing. You might wind 23 floors up in the Mandarin’s Sky Lobby for tea (or cocktails) with a striking view of the Strip. You could zone out in the meditation rooms of the Aria’s 80,000-square-feet spa.

Las Vegas’ sophisticated CityCenter brings respite from the Strip

Courtesy CityCenter

Story by Mark Whittington

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Vdara’s rooms let you control curtains, lights and TVs with the flip of a switch.

You can spend your inherited or newly made fortune at Crystals, a 500,000-plus-square-foot emporium with couture and luxe shops. You most certainly can eat and drink beyond your heart’s content at the many bars and restaurants. We sipped sherry with pata negra jamon, gazpacho and stuffed dates at Julian Serrano in Aria. The next night we took a foodie trip from Asia to the Mediterranean at Silk Road in Vdara. You can sample Eva Longoria Parker’s family recipes at Beso. Dinner here puts you on the guest list for her nightclub, Eve. You can get the full bustle of Vegas at Aria, which has a casino and a high-tech nightclub. But CityCenter is one resort where you could be happy to stay in your room. Vdara, where we stayed, is nonsmoking. The décor is modern but warm. The bed swallows you, and the tub is deep enough for a long soak. There is even a table for two in the kitchen. At the hotels – and throughout CityCenter, for that matter – you can feel good about your carbon footprint: The complex boasts that it improves by more than 30 percent the energy efficiency over standard building codes. The rooms are techie delights. Curtains, lights and TV are controlled with the flip of a switch – or the remote or touch screen at Aria,

room rates Aria $159 and up for weekdays $259 and up weekends Vdara $159 and up weekdays $229 and up weekends Mandarin $325 and up weekdays $259 and up weekends www.citycenter.com

which also remembers your preferences for your next stay. Both hotels have media hubs for all your electronic devices and a giant flat-screen with 250 channels – including one to check the flight home. But don’t forget to look out the window. We watched the sky turn salmon, turquoise and ashes of roses, then got a repeat performance as the sunset reflected on Aria’s glass skin. And that was before the lights came alive in the city.

the spas Each of the three hotels has its own spa, salon and fitness center on two levels. Each has

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getaways

Photos courtesy CityCenter

separate women’s and men’s as well as co-ed facilities. You can get a foot bath and then relax with a view of the Strip at the Mandarin or sip Veuve Cliquot with your ginger hand treatment at Vdara. You could spend all day at the Aria’s 80,000square-foot, Japanese-themed spa complex with redwood saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms and hot plunge pools inside and an infinity treatment pool on the balcony outside overlooking the hotel’s pool and lounge. Sixty-two treatment rooms offer hydrotherapy, Vichy showers and a full menu of massages, including couples, Swedish, Thai poultice, ashiatsu (barefoot massage) and hot stone. There are two meditation rooms. The “ganbanyoku” features beds of heated stone, which are popular in Japan. It’s more comfortable than it sounds, and the mineral bed supposedly emits negative ions and infrared rays to increase metabolism, improve blood circulation and aid in detoxification. The “shio” features illuminated walls of salt bricks and salt lamps. The salt-infused air reputedly heals skin irritations and helps with respiratory problems. The lounge chairs in this room vibrate to the gentle pulse of the piped in New Age music.

the art CityCenter is impressive by design. The owners hired big-name architects – Cesar Pelli, Rafael Vinoly, Norman Foster, Helmut Jahn, Daniel Libeskind, David Rockwell and Kohn Pedersen Fox – to make a grand statement. They worked independently, and the result definitely isn’t a cookie-cutter complex of unified designs. The quirkiest are Libeskind’s Crystals shopping complex and Jahn’s leaning condo towers at Veer. From the outside, Crystals’ multifaceted, jagged roof looks like metal-skinned sheds smashed together. Inside, however, the elegant, airy space has a feel similar to New York City’s Guggenheim. The museum-quality, corporate art collection by the likes of Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, Henry Moore, Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Richard Long, Julian Schnabel, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, is almost casually on display. I nearly missed the Stella, with its big, bold geometric stripes, hanging behind the cheery woman who was checking me in to Vdara until I took a step back. And I stumbled right by the Rauschenberg as I walked

Left: The Aria’s “shio” meditation room features salt walls and lamps that reputedly help restore health. Right: Maya Lin’s “Silver River” stretches over the Aria’s check-in desk.

VEGAS continues on Page 148

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Most of us have strong preferences when it comes to color. For some it’s yellow for its uplifting quality. For others, it’s a soothing blue. And yet others are happy surrounding themselves with neutral creams and white. On the pages that follow, you’ll see a spectrum of hues. Our featured home, for instance, is inspired by the owner’s love of Provence, while in Inside Design, we witness the 2010 trend to grays and orange. But no matter what the motivation, it always comes down to surrounding yourself with the colors you love. Enjoy the issue.

Kristine M. Carber Editorial Director

The premier magazine of design

editorial director Kristine M. Carber art director Timothy Tsun contributing designers LeeAnn Nelson Robin Siegfried staff writer Crystal Chow contributing writers Joan Chatﬁeld-Taylor Joan Jackson Barbara Jones Charles Neave contributing photographers Margot Hartford Kerry Hiroshi Paul

Make Spaces for Everything with Master Suite

Spaces Vol. 4, No. 2 ©2010 by the Bay Area News Group. All rights reserved. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. for advertising information, call 925.943.8259 or 408.920.5793. For other information, call 408.278.3464.

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HauteStuff cool

Like an extra pair of hands, a tray can be helpful in countless ways. Although simple in design, its value goes far beyond the main function of bearing canapés, cocktails or tea for two. For one thing, everything looks classier when placed on a tray. And when the server or platter is an object of beauty, that makes it ﬂat-out fabulous. — Crystal Chow

Get into spring and summer mode with these white-trimmed lacquered trays from Plantation. Featuring wood construction, they’re available in five tropical colors. 15 by 12 inches and $125 at www.plantationdesign.com.

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HauteStuff

Tapas and other small bites will look appetizing indeed atop this Blomus-designed stainless-steel and porcelain serving tray. Imported from Germany for Nova68. 11.8 by 5.1 inches, it’s $49.99 at www.nova68.com.

5 Inspired by folk art and the bright colors of Central America, designer Alexander Girard created this Millerstripe-pattern tray of high-grade duroplast. It’s 18 by 14 inches, made in Germany and available at the Museum of Modern Art Design Store. $80 at www.momastore.org.

This handsome tray is a fine example of folk art tole painting, which dates to 18th-century New England. It’s formed of pressed sheet iron and hand-painted, measuring 24 by 18 inches. $119 through Wisteria at www.wisteria.com.

6 Put a little (mirror-polished) steel in your serving ritual with this gorgous Recinto tray by Alessi. Available in two sizes, $168 and $196, from Velocity at www.velocityartanddesign.com.

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HauteStuff

Go dotty with this black-and-white number from Jayson Home & Garden. Handcrafted of stoneware and porcelain and measuring 14.75 by 6.5 inches, it’s $135 at www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com.

The open pattern on this Bisanzio tray is almost too pretty to cover up, so best to pair it with see-through glass and plastic items. Manufactured in Italy of bent wood in two sizes and three colors. $160 or $175 from TableArt at www.tableartonline.com.

You want sparkle with that martini? Then serve your drinks on this Preston Tray by Z Gallerie. The faux croc finish is lined with rhinestones for lots of flash. There’s lots of surface, too, with measurements of 21 by 13 inches. $59.95 at www.zgallerie.com.

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SPRINGLOAF CATERING Owner

Caroline Somary Age: 39 Hometown: Born in Cheshire County, England but now lives in Lafayette

Background: Studied graphic design and moved to San Francisco to work in marketing. Met her Swiss-born husband, Darius, who also worked in marketing but whose dream was to become a chef. He left his job to attend the California Culinary Academy, where he graduated with honors in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts. In 2003, Darius founded SpringLoaf and Caroline joined him to manage the business.

Mentors: Donna Hay, the Australian equivalent to Martha Stewart but much more contemporary, and Jamie Oliver of the United Kingdom. “Their philosophy is all about simple, honest food.” Inspiration: Both Darius and I grew up with mothers who loved to cook so good food was a way of life for us. Our families would always cook for friends rather than go out to dinner.

What motivates you: Variety. People ask why we don’t start a restaurant but in catering no two events are ever the same so there’s no monotony. The menu is always changing and always based on the season and the client’s taste. Your culinary philosophy: Buying seasonally, and using local products, especially organic ones.

SpringLoaf Catering 415.699.1816 Peninsula and San Francisco 925.962.9369 East Bay www.springloaf.com 116 • SPACES • SPRING 2010

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AtTheTable

Photos by Kerry Hiroshi Paul. Table design by Caroline Somary.

Biggest food trend you see: More dessert bars, and a movement away from classic desserts like cakes at weddings to desserts like pies, ice cream bars, etc.

Signature dish: Beet napoleon. We’ve converted so many people to beets. And Cornish hens stuffed with pine nuts and cranberries. Favorite food: Dessert, especially fruit tarts.

Southern cuisine; for Cannery Row, we had a seafood station, and for Joy Luck Club, we featured Asianinspired dishes. The dessert station was based on Dr. Seuss books with quirky dishes like a Cat in the Hat. It was a huge success and really brought the community together.

If you weren’t a caterer, what would you be: A stay-at-home mom. I have two children, 3 and 5, and one loves to eat and the other is fussy.

And when you aren’t working: Most memorable event: The opening of the new library in Lafayette. We created the food based on American classics. For Huckleberry Finn, we served

We’re outside enjoying California. We love to camp and have the best food in camp. We even make our own marshmallows. — Kristine M. Carber

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AtTheTable

6 easy steps to a successful summer party Be creative next time you plan an event. Here are a few tips from Caroline Somary.

1) Don’t overdo the decorations Keep decorations simple and let the food be the focus. Caroline suggests a neutral palette, getting color from candles or linens, like napkins. To dress up serving platters, garnish with ﬂowers or greens. Ribbon also works well, such as red and white for the holidays or pink for a baby shower.

2) Choose seasonal dishes Before planning the menu, check Quesa.org for its chart of what’s in season in the Bay Area. Food should be honest and simple, says Caroline, who also eschews expensive bottled water for homemade iced tea or pitchers of tap water with slices of fruit.

3) Try a family-style menu By putting out large platters of food, everyone gets to taste what’s offered, plus it’s a good conversation starter since people interact when food is shared.

4) Think beyond ﬁnger food You have a much greater selection of dishes, Caroline says. For example, try serving a small summer salad in a cosmos glass or a shrimp cocktail in a martini glass, both of which look beautiful and add elegance to the event.

5) Print menus A simple menu (printed on your home computer) lets guests know the names of the dishes being served and the local farm or producer providing the ingredients. At the end of the meal, guests have a special memento to take home.

6) Remember that you’re outdoors Spring and summer are wonderful times for outdoor parties but don’t forget the afternoon sun, especially in the Bay Area. Consider renting patio umbrellas to shelter guests from the heat.

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InTheGarden

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InTheGarden

Vine times

ould a modern-day Jack settle for an ordinary green beanstalk? Probably not. Instead, he’d wish for one of the fast-growing annual vines that produce gorgeous scented flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. These vines are especially enticing because they are easily started from inexpensive seeds. They grow quickly in sunny areas, climb effortlessly to cover fences, trellises or teepees and — the bonus — many self-sow for next year’s garden. Cardinal climber, for instance, shines with clusters of scarlet heart-shaped flowers that serve as tiny fastfood outlets for visiting hummingbirds. Grow by a window to watch the hummers swoop in for their treats. Morning glory does just what its name suggests. The trumpet-shaped flowers open to catch the early rays and close toward day’s end. It is a relentless climber and can reach 15 feet or more given enough sun. Magic is the word often used to describe the romantically fragrant moonflower. A member of the morning glory family, moonflower also fulfills the promise of its name. The white trumpet-shaped flowers open at sunset — or even on a cloudy day — and fill the air with a heavenly scent. This plant needs plenty of summer heat to bloom. Gardeners who like two-for-one deals appreciate the runner bean vine, a.k.a. scarlet runner bean vine. It grows quickly and produces clusters of scarlet or orange flowers that turn into edible bean pods. But, wait, there’s more. When left on the vine, the pods fill with large purple and black swirled beans that are perfect for the soup or stew pot. The secret to growing these flower-intensive vines is to choose the sunniest spot in the garden. Seeds can be sown directly into the soil or started in small pots to transplant into specific locations. For gardeners with limited space, a container and a trellis to climb on is all it takes. — Joan Jackson

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A Paris accent

Designer Joan Osburn’s home is testament to her passion for color and travel By Charles Neave Photographs by Margot Hartford

et at the end of a quiet lane, behind a set of decorative iron gates, sits the home of designer Joan Osburn and her husband Steve. It is a modernized bit of France set in the southern part of wine country, with dozens of decorative rose bushes and a kitchen garden behind, above a small wooded tributary to a nearby river. In front of the house, which sits on an acre, the landscaping is strictly but casually European. When the Osburn’s built this comfortable two bedroom, three bath house five years ago, they had very specific ideas. One of them was art, the other, as Joan, the self-

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Opposite page: Coral and melon hues are carried into the kitchen, with its French bistro stools and Italian silver tile island made to mimic metal. Above: The master bedroom has 12-foot doors opening to a view of the garden. Walls are Provence yellow, and furnishings include an antique dresser and French café tables collected on Joan’s travels.

described ‘color wizard’ is the first to say, is color. There is not a single white wall — or ceiling for that matter — in the entire 2,000-square foot dwelling. “It is really all about art, isn’t it?” she says, as she walks from room to room. As she has said for years, she looks at every threedimensional space as her canvas, and color is her most important tool. The color palette that has been employed here runs the gamut, but in every space it works so that even on cloudy days the rooms shine; on sunny days they absolutely glow. Lighting is well thought out, so at night the colors continue to stand out, if more subtly. Windows are ideally spaced and for the most part large, and French doors lead from the master bedroom and the combined kitchen and dining room. What they call the ‘café’. “The house is carefully infused with color and texture that flows from one space to the

next,” Joan says. “Nothing jarring, but there is nothing tepid about the way the color is selected and applied. Downstairs all the wall and ceiling surfaces are layered in hues and topped with opalescent finishes, each with a different brushstroke texture. This color technique catches the light in different ways as the light of the day, and the seasons, change.” Furnishings are an enchanting mix of antique and contemporary French, for the most part, ranging from the whimsical to the practical. Fabrics vary in pattern, color and texture, and the emphasis is on the practical, the comfortable and often the whimsical. They provide color, and at other times by their very presence and positioning, highlight it. “In addition to the wall and ceiling colors, all of the fabrics, rugs, furniture objects and lighting were selected to harmonize and juxtapose one with the other to

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Above left: This alcove sports an antique French door and a 20th century marble bar from a bakery in Paris. Above right: Two of Joan’s paintings hang in the stairway, which also features vintage glass-fringe chandeliers and a custom railing. Opposite page: The Osburns eschewed bright colors in the bath for soothing blues to evoke a spa-like feel.

create an interior that is of-a-piece.” It takes time to digest the sheer volume of objets and furnishings found throughout the house. From the dining room table — a circa 1900 French antique cast iron base with a sandblasted glass top in the French Directoire style — to the collection of espresso cups and sauces in the salon. “Trends in furniture are always shifting, and yet furniture is a purchase that needs to last for years, possibly generations ... It is important not to get stuck with a trend that will look dated in ten years. Rather, I suggest using a mix of well designed and interesting pieces where function and form are equally important. In other words, do not sacrifice one for the other. Scale is often the most overlooked element in furniture selection ... It is a trick to balance all the pieces together both functionally and aesthetically.” To create an interesting dynamic, mix antiques with modern. Antiques add patina and texture and since they are ‘recycled (they have already lived a life elsewhere) antiques are essentially ‘Green’. “Many of the items

she finds in her travels she features on her Cafe Society Store website. Quite a few are one-of-a-kind, and come from a range of periods from Belle Époque, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, French Deco and beyond. Other categories include newer items, a line of metal outdoor furniture and hand-selected jewelry. The art on the walls and the small sculptures here and there are also a mix, of found treasures and her own contemporary works. She studied painting in Paris and at Cal Arts in Los Angeles and not surprisingly her paintings are colorful, but at times they are more subdued than the walls on which they hang. “My work is very loose and ‘painternly’, with color, yet at the same time, highly restrained. I like to combine the brush stroke with geometric forms. “Both Steve and I were fortunate enough to go to art school before we went to design school. All of the elements of art and design align beautifully, but the art part of it gives our work a creative twist. In fact we like to say that our design is, in fact, classic/modern with a twist.” And, of course, with a Parisian touch of color as well. s

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Take a seat

Three designers share their favorite chairs By Joan Chatfield-Taylor

ears ago, the formal dining room was considered so important that it was often larger than the living room — or the parlor, as it was often referred to in those days. Even the smallest house squeezed in a room devoted only to dining, a space almost inevitably furnished with a rectangular table and a parade of matching chairs. It was a setting that seemed to emphasize proper etiquette rather than comfort. Everyone sat up straight, no elbows on the table, children were seen and not heard, and when the hostess turned from conversing with the man on her left to the person on the right, all the guests promptly did the same. Along came World War II, the servants went off to work in wartime factories, and things were never the same again. Modern architects ripped down walls, and the dining room either shrank or disappeared entirely, replaced by that amorphous space known as the dining area. As the dining room contracted, the kitchen grew and practically everyone got used to the idea of eating family meals there.

The growing informality inspired a new kind of furniture for dining. With even formal meals served in an extension of the living room, chairs and tables had to harmonize with the larger room’s style and provide extra seating there when needed. Grandmother’s ladder-backed antiques didn’t always fit into this picture. The purchase of dining room chairs is not to be taken lightly, given the numbers needed, so we asked several Bay Area designers to choose some of their favorites and to offer some tips on making what may be a very long-term commitment. Ruth Livingston, an interior designer in Tiburon, says, “The first piece of furniture I ever designed was a dining room chair, because they were so hard to find.” Created in 1994 for a client in Atherton, the Athena chair, a skirted style with a high, curvaceous back, went on to become a bestseller and spawned countless variations. “They all have a back detail, because that’s what you see most of a dining room chair.” In the case of the Athena,

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the back has an inverted pleat fastened with a fat round button, suggesting an elegant silk cocktail dress. Her newest design is her variation of the oval-backed Louis XV chair that has been re-interpreted in everything from gilded wood to Lucite. She has stripped the familiar shape down to its essentials, a slender, unframed oval back perched above an upholstered seat and four sturdy wooden legs. Palo Alto interior designer Pamela Pennington has a sleek, understated favorite. It’s the Cadette chair by Dakota Jackson, a New York-based designer whose studio and factories are in Long Island City. “This chair is extremely comfortable with its high back and padded seat,” she comments. “I love the fact that it offers so many options. You can do an upholstered chair with your own choice of fabric. It also comes with the wood back with upholstery just on the seat, for a more informal look. It also comes as an armchair and now, with the Cadette II, you can have a cutout back for a more retro look. It’s a classic, and it’s made in this country.” San Francisco designer Jay Jeffers, known for his lighthearted, colorful interiors, offers some practical suggestions for picking the right chairs. “Think about how much they will be used. If they’re for everyday dining, comfort should be a factor. If they’re only used

for occasional dinner parties, you want your guests to be comfortable, of course, but style can play a larger part. There should be a comfortable seat and a nice pitch to the back, not too straight up or not too slanted back, or your food will end up in your lap. I always look for chairs that look good from the back, because that’s how they will be seen most of the time. “We tend to use out of the ordinary chairs, and we mix them. For example, we might use a wooden side chair with an upholstered seat, but we would use fully upholstered wing chairs as the armchairs at the ends of the table. You can use different chairs to add interest as long as the seats of the chairs are the same height.” His own dining area in San Francisco is an example of his free spirited approach. He’s lined the sides of the gleaming wooden table with six side chairs dating from the 1960s. At the ends, two imposing armchairs with fretwork backs seem to have arrived from a garden terrace; in fact, he acquired them from the estate of the late Vivian Vance, the television actress best known for her role as Lucy Arnaz’s best friend. The trellis pattern is repeated in the skirt around a nearby console table that serves as sideboard. It’s a relaxed setup that our grandparents undoubtedly would not have understood. s

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The perfect palette Creams to coral: use updated colors to transform your home By Barbara Jones

olor is the most exciting element of design — not only because it can make the biggest impact, but because it’s the easiest to change. A weekend spent with a brush and a gallon of paint can enliven a staid living room, update a bathroom or bring tranquility to a bedroom. “A home isn’t just a house, it’s a place of comfort and feeling,” says Sara McLean, the color marketing manager for Dunn-Edwards Corp. “Color speaks to who you are, so you shouldn’t be afraid of it,” A veteran of studio design, McLean now tracks color trends as she develops consumer and trade-friendly tools for the California company. Dunn-Edwards offers nearly 1,700 custom colors, so the opportunities for creativity are virtually endless.

McLean notes that some people choose a palette because it represents a connection to a personal experience, ethnic heritage or even a social cause. For others searching for inspiration, she suggests experimenting with a color wheel, an artist’s tool which shows the relationships among an array of hues. Then select analogous colors — those included within a pie-shaped slice of the wheel — to create a monochromatic, sophisticated scheme; and complementary, or opposing shades to evoke energy and visual excitement. And if a budding decorator is still feeling overwhelmed, McLean advises turning to nature. “Look at a landscape, pick a bunch of flowers. Then take what you like, what makes you happy, and create a color scheme

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InsideDesign

around it.” To help guide that process, McLean relies on the so-called 60-30-10 rule. Very simply, 60 percent of the décor is your primary color, usually the walls; 30 percent is a secondary hue, which can be used for furniture, window or floor coverings, or a focal wall; and the remaining 10 percent is an accent color that can be carried out with striking accessories. Whatever, the hue, McLean adds, it’s very important to carry it throughout the house. “If red is a favorite color, use shots of it in every room. It may be a throw pillow or the mat in a picture frame, but it should feel like it’s the same house,” she says. “Color is an important element that helps create a unified whole.”A member of the Color

Marketing Group, which forecasts trends in the industry, McLean predicts that cream tones will face stiff competition from gray as the predominant neutral shade. Cool smoky pigments are coloring the walls in many contemporary homes, rich charcoal is warming more traditional spaces and deep slate is making a frequent appearance on shutters and front doors. However, beiges tones with hints of organic hues will continue to be a staple for creating sophistication and elegance.

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InsideDesign InsideDesign

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InsideDesign

Here is McLean’s take on other trends for 2010: Red: New colors are crisp, with blue undertones creating rich berries and crimsons. Don’t rule out Russian red, which remains an iconic hue for conveying energy and drama, passion and femininity. Orange: Considered a “social” color, orange is an attractive accent for neutral cream or gray, and also pairs well with purple, fuchsia and red. Look for shades in expressions of nature, such as citrus, melon, pumpkin and clay. Yellow: The contemporary version of this optimistic color goes vibrant, with undertones of green, black and gold. Hues are reminiscent of faint candlelight, bright sunflowers and roasted squash. Green: The true colors of nature — think grass and clover — come to the forefront, with blue replacing yellow as the predominant undertone in the real “green” movement. Blue: The most peaceful of all colors continues to evoke a feeling of tranquility. Pale blue-gray creates a classic neutral shade, with red-based berry colors coming in their own. Purple: Monochromatic combinations of blue- and red-based purple create sophistication and romance and hearken back to the days when purple was the color of royalty. s

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We’re off to...

Santa Barbara Santa Barbara may be an old town, but it’s far from outdated. Throughout its scenic streets are chic shops, ﬁne restaurants and a slew of delightful buildings. Here are 5 of our favorite reasons to visit.

Shop till you drop

The shopping never ends in Santa Barbara, but here are a few standouts: Rooms and Gardens, with its wooden floors, high ceilings and shelves of soap, candles and tabletop décor; Maison K, catering to contemporary tastes; and Brostrom’s, for the antique collector who loves browsing for Asianinspired gems.

Haute hotels

A longtime Hollywood haven, Santa Barbara and its resorts are legendary. Old World elegance is the hallmark of the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, set on lush grounds with a spectacular view of the ocean. A must-stop is the Ty Lounge for Oprah’s Pomegranate Martini, named for the talk show host who stayed at the hotel while house hunting in the hills above town. B&B fans will like the Victorian Cheshire Cat just a short walk from restaurants and boutiques.

Acres of orchids

One of the largest orchid-growing regions in the country, Santa Barbara is the place to find that special cymbidium or phalaenopsis. Among the top growers are Gallup & Stribling, CalOrchid and Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, all open to the public for buying a bloom as a souvenir of your visit.

Ven Lilac ‘The Lip’

Brostrom’s

Red-tile tour

Park the car and follow the red tiles for 12 blocks past 22 historic buildings, including the Spanish colonial county courthouse (be sure and climb the clock tower for its sweeping view), the Spanish deco-style post office, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and Plaza de la Guerra, where the first city council met in 1850.

The Biltmore

Divine dining

With seven-figure homes the norm, it’s no surprise that fine dining is de rigeur here. French fare can be found at Bouchon Santa Barbara, boasting a Wine Spectator award of excellence wine list. Seagrass is the first coastal cuisine eatery, dishing up spiny lobster, oysters and seared giant sea scallops. And for great service at great prices, head to the Cajun-inspired Palace Grill, a hit since it was founded in 1988.

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picture perfect Casa Real is a Livermore Valley wine country gem Event center Casa Real, opened two years ago, was the ideal spot for our spring fashion editorial shoot. Located in the heart of the Livermore Valley wine country, it boasts a lovely outdoor courtyard and elegant indoor spaces – perfect for weddings, meetings and parties. The center is adjacent to the Ruby Hill Winery tasting room. Architect George Phillips designed Casa Real to be suggestive of a Mediterranean villa. Hand-carved wooden doors and handcrafted limestone elements imbue the center with Old World charm. The rooms are grand, and feature a 2,000-square-foot entrance hall, a 12-foot-high limestone fireplace in the Amber Room and a ballroom that seats up to 550 people.

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VEGAS continued from page 101

from the bar to my room. It’s well worth stopping by the concierge desk at the Aria for a walking tour map of the collection. The showstopper is Rubins’ “Big Edge” – a bouquet of real boats, metal and often colorful, full-sized canoes and rowboats, exploding in the middle of the traffic circle between Aria and Vdara. I returned several times to a bench in a tiny pocket park with shade, water and trees. Here you can watch the crowds trying to make sense of Moore’s massive “Reclining Connected Forms,” an abstract marble sculpture that suggests a human form – but not really. The park provides a good view of people lifting their eyes to take in Lin’s graceful “Silver River,” a depiction of the flowing length of the Colorado River in shiny silver that looks almost molten and flowing, that stretches over the check-in desk at the Aria. The official fine-art collection doesn’t provide all the visual delight in the resort. There are wonderful touches everywhere, from the wall of water and rainbow fountains by the taxi stand at the Aria to the fantasyland cakes that decorate Jean Philippe Patisserie. Watch out for surprises such as the series of Christopher Walken paintings outside the Deuce

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Lounge. There also are easy-to-find galleries featuring glass by Dale Chihuly, sculptures by Richard MacDonald and wilderness photographs by Rodney Lough Jr. But art fans should walk downstairs toward the Mandarin’s porte-cochere and check out the CENTERpiece gallery, which features works by CityCenter artists and architects as well as Las Vegas artists. It’s also a consulting service – for example, if one of the condo owners wants to buy a Richard Long, they’ll go out and find it for her. You won’t see one of the most whimsical Henry Moore’s “Reclining Connected pieces – Holzer’s “Ve- Forms” gas” with its scrolling message board – unless you are picking up your car at the Aria’s north valet. While I waited, this message served as coda to my trip: “When you are trying something new, you are torn between anticipating a delightful surprise and thinking you’re a fool to ignore what you like.” S

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Desiree Northend

GO share your memories Joaquin and her husband, James Joaquin, met at a San Francisco party in 1999.

ZEM continued from Page 81

including the sustainable rebuilding of New Orleans and Haiti. At her first party she threw at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco several years ago, Leonardo DiCaprio showed up. Salma Hayek and Orlando Bloom came to the second. “She actually seduces people into doing the right thing,” Ariana Huffington of the Huffington Post said when she presented Joaquin with Global Green’s Founder’s Award last year. “She always makes people feel that the right thing is the fun thing.” Plus, she added, “she’s adorable.” While Joaquin founded Ecofabulous in 2006 to chronicle her environmentally friendly remodeling resources, she has since expanded it to include organic beauty, fash-

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ion and lifestyle choices. She consults with such companies as eBay and Safeway and has been a frequent “green” guest on radio and TV shows. She raises chickens in her side yard, grows tomatoes and herbs, and even has her 6-year-old daughter weighing in with her opinion about kids’ green products. And over the past few years, she’s convinced every one of her closest friends to drive a hybrid. So what’s next? “I never thought in a million years I would want to have a commune,” she says. But lately, she’s thinking about it, maybe bringing her closest friends together, living sustainably off the grid. She doesn’t have the details worked out yet, but one thing is certain: Unlike the A-frames and outhouses she grew up with, she says, “this commune would be stylized.” S

Courtesy of Global Green USA

Joaquin received Global Green’s Founder’s Award last year, presented by actor Adrian Grenier and the Huffington Post’s Arianna Huffington.

For more photos of Zem Joaquin’s home, see www.lookiloos.com

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behindthescene Fashion information from Table of Contents, Page 10:

A Betsey Johnson dress and cardigan are steamed to remove wrinkles.

the storm before the calm The end result is always glamorous: beautiful models wearing chic clothes and accessories in a lovely setting. But getting to this point requires hours of prep and detailed coordination. On the day of the shoot, garments must be steamed; shoes need to be taped to protect the soles; earrings, necklaces and bangles are carefully sorted so a good match can be made for each outfit. Meanwhile,

Talula floral leggings, $30; Community organic hemp and silk cocoon wrap sweater, $110, worn over Community organic bamboo and rayon tank, $40, and Wilfred lace racer-back tank, $55, all from Aritzia, Valley Fair. Bernardo sandals, $129, from Crimson Mim, Los Altos. Aqua cascading leaves necklace, $55, from Bloomingdale’s.

the hair and makeup artists work their magic. Scene was fortunate to have good weather (it was February, after all) and a team of pros working together. Fashion editor Donna Kato had spent days pulling the right pieces. Photographer Joanne Ho-Young Lee ended up shooting several thousand photos (!), later edited down to what you see in this issue.

Scene magazine’s reader contest! Contest rules: Email scene@mercurynews. com by 5 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2010. Scene and Santana Row will choose the winner with the most inspiring 250-word answer to the question: How do you or your BFF – friend, mom, whoever – make the valley a greener place? You must be 18 years old and a legal California resident to enter. Employees of the Bay Area News Group and their families are ineligible. Limit one entry per person, per household. The winner may be photographed by Scene magazine; the photo may be featured in the summer 2010 issue. Photos by Joanne Ho-Young Lee

A special thank-you to Rob Barker, Ed Eke, Rudy Knight, Natalie Martinez, Janet Kim Paik, June Stephens, Mark Yamamoto

Left, Aveda Atelier’s Natalia Prager (hair) and Elizabeth Bozzo (makeup) prep model Ashley. Above, outfits are carefully sorted. Below, Kari Gohd tapes the bottom of shoes to protect the soles.

SPRING 2010 • SCENE • 151

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Kerry Hiroshi Paul

seen

Nancy Maldonado

Simona Awel

Lydia Rivera

Karla Alarcon

Cherise Chang

We stopped by a Princess Project Silicon Valley gown giveaway in Santa Clara in March, as several high school girls picked out dresses and accessories perfect for prom. The Princess Project, founded in the Bay Area in 2002, has served some 9,000 young women over the years. Volunteers work all year to round up new and gently used gowns, which are distributed before prom season.

out and about Kaitlin Lockhart

The San Jose Repertory Theatre celebrated Mardi Gras, Carnival and all that jazz at its Just Misbehavin’ gala in February. Honorary chairwoman Lina Broydo held court among the merrymakers, including gaily dressed and masked guests, a jazz band, magicians and stilt walkers. The “street party” revelry took place at Club Auto Sport, which meant exotic and high-performance cars were on display as well.

Lina Broydo and emcee S.J. Rep Artistic Director and KPIX weather anchor Rick Lombardo, S.J. Roberta Gonzales Mayor Chuck Reed, S.J. Rep Managing Director Nick Nichols

Gala committee members Susan Swensson, Andria Dewitt and Alicia Barela

Former S.J. Councilman Forrest Williams and wife Dorothy

Gala auctioneer Frank Sunseri and Joy Mulhern

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Maureen, Hilary and John Machado

Christopher, Chelsea and Pamela Blackwell

Kim, Samantha and Ted Tsang

Kerry Hiroshi Paul

Maya, Emily and Kenji Baba

Bruce, Nicole and Pam Swanson

Ronnie, Hailey and Karen Lott

William, Sophia and Doris Cooper

“Pearls of Hope” was the name of this year’s senior recognition event at the National Charity League, SaratogaLos Gatos Chapter, held in March at Villa Ragusa in Campbell. NCL fosters mother/daughter relationships while focusing on community service and leadership development. The class of 2010 included 27 young women who gave 5,117 hours of service to the community over the past six years.

in silicon valley Juan Raul Hernandez

Karma Beauty Group held its launch party at Pueblo Viejo Imports in San Jose in February. Karma is the brainchild of Oscar Armenta, whose local-boy-does-good story (born in Mexico, raised in San Jose, a successful career in the cosmetics industry for more than two decades) has resulted in his own company with a line of organic candles, bath and beauty products. (See story, Page 27.)

Oscar Armenta and Rose Hill of Eye Candy People

Party guests Carla Tersini, Diane Tiry, Carlos Armenta, Kirsten Coy and Sara Trea

Patti Hughes, Oscar Armenta, Lorraine Frambes

Jose Guzman, owner of Pueblo Viejo Imports, and Claudia Armenta-Guzman, Pueblo Viejo public relations director

SPRING 2010 • SCENE • 153

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Patrick Tehan

contestwinners

Shaffer, a landscape designer who attended Independence High School in San Jose and then Santa Clara University, is always willing to lend a hand – and to lead. For example, Chou says, Shaffer is the organizer of beautification day at Gunn High School in Palo Alto. “Not only does she inspire parents and students to help,” Chou says, “she even sharpens and brings all of her personal tools to share. Lori rakes, prunes and pulls weeds as hard and long as all the volunteers.” Shaffer is also very active in her synagogue, and has three children with husband Ted: Sam, 20; Joel, 18, and Rachel, 16. Her BFF Chou, who has a master’s in business administration from Santa Clara University, has three teenage daughters.

Karen T. Borchers

In our fall/winter 2009 reader contest, Scene magazine, with an assist from Bloomingdale’s Stanford and Valle Monte League, asked entrants to tell us about their BFF (best friend forever) who is making the world a better place. Our grand-prize winners are Lori Shaffer and Sue Chou, both of Los Altos Hills, who won a “day of beauty” courtesy of Bloomingdale’s Stanford. Honorable mentions went to Jan Davenport and Stevi Barton (both of Santa Cruz), and Annie Bosel (Mountain View) and Margaret Mayfield (San Jose).

Lori Shaffer and Sue Chou

Courtesy of Margaret Mayfield

Volunteerism, community key to the BFFs who win makeovers

Patrick Tehan

winning pairs

Jan Davenport and Stevi Barton Both Davenport and Barton are mothers of children with special needs. Barton notes that Davenport shares her selfless spirit not only with adult daughter Cindy, who requires constant care, but also with everyone around her. “From the guys at the fire station next door to her to the local hot-dog vendor,” Barton says, “Jan’s incredible attitude toward life inspires all of us who love and admire her.” Davenport gives to everyone, Barton says, “and never asks for anything in return.”

Annie Bosel and Margaret Mayfield Mayfield’s BFF is her daughter, Bosel, a preschool/kindergarten teacher at St. Paul Lutheran in Mountain View, where her mother also taught. Among other things, Bosel has spent her past two summer vacations in Korea teaching English to middle school students. This July, she goes to Malawi to work with orphans. Bosel also teaches Sunday school, and donates monthly to Save the Children. “Every day, in small ways, she makes a difference in other people’s lives and influences others to do the same,” Mayfield says. “It’s a lot easier to change the world if we can all do it one small step at a time.”

Another chance to win! Tell us how you’re making the valley a greener place — on Earth Day or every day — and you could win tickets to Santana Row’s summer fashion show event. Details on Page 27.

154 • SCENE • SPRING 2010

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