Southbay May|June 2022

THE STYLE ISSUE

SOUTHBAY.GOLDENSTATE.IS

Making an Entrance GREET A NEW SEASON WITH THE BEST IN LOCAL FASHION

SIX DOLLARS

MAY/JUNE 2022

More Neuro Experts.

TORRANCE MEMORIAL AND CEDARS-SINAI’S AFFILIATION BRINGS MORE EXPERT CARE AND INNOVATION TO THE SOUTH BAY. More access to state-of-the-art technology and minimally invasive treatments. More multidisciplinary specialists and clinical research. More expert care for our patients and the South Bay. Learn more at MoreNeuroExperts.org Left to Right: Richard Krauthamer, MD, Interventional Radiologist; Jeffrey Quinn, MD, Neurologist; Paula Eboli, MD, Neurosurgeon; Ben Tseng, MD, Neurologist. Opposing page: Monquen Huang, MD, Neurologist.

More Innovation.

CALIFORNIA’S FIRST AND OLDEST HOUSE RAFFLE - OUR 19th YEAR

PALOS VERDES DREAM HOUSE RAFFLE

GRAND PRIZE PALOS VERDES ESTATE OR $5,000,000 CASH GRAND PRIZE DEADLINE JUNE 16

Call 833-604-1604

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PVac PALOS VERDES ART CENTER Beverly G. Alpay Center for Arts Education

EARLY BIRD 1

DEADLINE MAY 12

EARLY BIRD 2

DEADLINE JUNE 2

Tickets Only $150

KRISTIN EGAN M.D. FACS Super doctors 2016-2021 Minimally invasive & Surgical treatments for Skin rejuvenation We offer cutting edge procedures to address the aging face and neck: Laser Facelift, CO2 Laser, Facial Plastic Surgery, Fillers and Botox Call 310-426-8415 for your complimentary consultation

KRISTIN EGAN, MD, FACS 2809 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach 3655 Lomita Blvd, #300, Torrance www.DrKristinEgan.com

general dentistry cosmetic dentistry

implants sleep apnea

31 0 . 6 4 0 . 2 0 2 5 w w w. H u t c h i n s o n D D S . c o m 51 2 M a i n S t . , # 4 | E l S e g u n d o

Our Gift to Mom

Enjoy a complimentary enhancement when you book a 50 or 80 Minute massage*

The NOW Massage South Bay 710-A S Allied Way 310.455.6766 thenowmassage.com/south-bay | @thenowmassage *Use code 'SOUTHBAYMOM’ to receive complimentary enhancement promotion. Offer valid through 6.30.22 at The NOW Massage South Bay only. One-time use only, cannot be combined with any other offers.

Photo: Shane O’Donnell

CUSTOM LUXURY MENSWEAR Shop Sartorial Menswear in Downtown Manhattan Beach

We create & design garments using the finest Italian & English fabrics • Zegna • Dormeuil • Loro Piana • Ariston Made - to - Measure • Suits • Trousers • Jackets • Shirts • Formal wear • Jeans & Khakis Italian Ready - to - Wear • Shirts • Dress Shoes • Jeans • Sneakers • Sweaters & Polos • Accessories

815 Manhattan Ave, Ste B, Manhattan Beach CA, 90266 | 503-358-0332 | www.bespokebychase.com Open Monday-Saturday 11-7pm – Private Appointments Available

WHEN FINE ART AND FINE APPLIANCES BECOME ONE...

GAGGENAU. EXPERIENCE IT LIKE NEVER BEFORE IN THE SOUTH BAY 22850 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance

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Fine Kitchen Appliances

Decorative Plumbing Outdoor Barbeques

The Best Brands. The Best Prices. The Best Service. All in one Place. www.uakc.com © 2022 Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. All Rights Reserved

70 Years of Saving Lives. Daily.

2022 is the 70th Anniversary of The Lundquist Institute.

Here is a sampling of what took place during these 70 years: • The successful fertilization through artificial implantation of the ovum, which would lead to the first ovum transfer birth 20 years later.

• The first paramedic model and first nurse practitioner training program.

• The test for high cholesterol that is still in use today.

• The first Thyroid Deficiency Test for newborns.

• Tens of millions of children born prematurely are alive today due to the development of Synthetic Lung Surfactants that allow newborns with underdeveloped lungs to breathe.

• The manufacture of low-cost eye drops to treat eye infections in newborns, especially effective in developing countries, saving the eyesight of hundreds of thousands.

• The creation of Enzyme Replacement Therapy to treat Hurler-Scheie Syndrome.

• The invention and production of infant heart monitors to prevent SIDS, and test for congenital heart disorders in newborns.

• The first treatment for sickle cell disease ever approved for children.

And so much more…from groundbreaking work in developing the first male contraceptive to advances in noninvasive breast cancer detection, our trailblazing research continues.

SUMMER JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER

JUNE 16-SEPT 12

Fly Advanced Airlines direct into Mammoth Lakes Airport from Hawthorne.

No hassle, no lines, private termnals WWW.

A D V A N C E D

A I R L I N E S

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Exclusively At

40 IN THE BAG Hammitt’s Tony Drockton

42 STAY A WHILE Un Caffè Altamura

76 HEART AND SOLE Yumayo

92 FUSION FANTASTIC RYLA

100 WEEKENDER Healdsburg getaway

104 BRIGHTER DAYS Sunny summer finds

106 THE TOUR TURNS 10!

A decade of Tour de Pier

128 SEEN Who’s who around the South Bay

76 92

42

154 LAST WORD The Human Heart

COVER Photographed by Shane O’Donnell For fashion credits see page 58

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BAND OF BROTHERS

THE LONG WAY HOME

SPRING FLING

Creativity in people is a nuanced

Ken Pagliaro, a commercial photographer

Curated seasonal finds from local retailers

phenomenon. Some say it’s inherent, and

whose passion for adventure, surfing and the

some believe it’s nurtured. Brothers Blake

outdoors has lured him all around the world,

80

Jones and Miles Jones have proven it can

takes us on a journey through his work.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

be both.

The Germain DiCarlo Wealth Management

124

Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

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DESIGNED TO INSPIRE

HERE COMES THE SUN

Ruben Rojas is on a mission to spread his

96

We get pastoral on the Peninsula to shine a

message of hope through art.

AGENT SPOTLIGHT

light on this season’s style trends.

70

Jenny Morant Group

ALSO...

THE CARETAKERS

110 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Palos Verdes couple Vicki Turbeville and

38

Steve Nelson combine individual passions

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

into a stylish treasure trove for all to enjoy.

The Portofino Hotel & Marina

Christina Real Estate Investors

130 PROFILES

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45

SHEAR JOY

RESTAURANT GUIDE

With his signature charm and a knack for

Amazing dining spots throughout the

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community-building, Anthony Morrison sets

South Bay

REAL ESTATE

out to make his Hermosa hair salon a cut above the rest.

Financial Services

Spectacular local listings

PVac PALOS VERDES ART CENTER Beverly G. Alpay Center for Arts Education

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

The Circle of Palos Verdes Art Center would like to thank our sponsors of the 2022 Home Tour and Art Affair, a special event to raise funds for the Art Center’s visual art exhibitions, education, and outreach programs. Guests enjoy a very special evening touring a spectacular home and the owner’s stunning art collection. A wide variety of delicious cuisines are presented in the luxuriant estate gardens. With over thirty renowned Southbay artists on hand to share their artwork, attendees enjoy bidding on their favorite works of art. A most fabulous evening for all!

Collected Treasures Estate Sale & Silent Auction

Beautiful linens, china, ceramics, silver, glass, clothing, fine and costume jewelry...you will find all these and other unique estate offerings at the 2022 Collected Treasures Estate Sale, a curated collection of special items offered to you at special prices.

R A N C H O PA LO S V E R D E S

This year's collection includes artworks and artifacts from all over the world.

ENTERTAINING FRIENDS Events Catering

Palos Verdes Art Center / Beverly G. Alpay Center for Arts Education

JUNE 3 & 4, 2022 10am - 4pm @ PVAC - FREE ADMISSION Information at pvhomestour.org

5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90375 | pvartcenter.org | 310-541-2479

Why Vistamar? Reason #6: Student-athlete-musician-artist-actor-leader. Multi-hyphens happen here.

Visit us at vistamarschool.org See all the reasons you’ll succeed here.

@vistamarschool We believe there’s a better way to do high school. Vistamar is a private independent high school in the South Bay.

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

PUBLISHER

Darren Elms

Michelle Villas

Amy Tetherow | 424-220-6338

COPY EDITOR

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Laura Watts

Ajay Peckham and Yuiko Sugino

DIRECTOR OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

DEPUTY EDITORS

DIGITAL MARKETING

erika@thegoldenstatecompany.com

Bonnie Graves (Food & Wine)

Paul Fisher

amy@thegoldenstatecompany.com

Erika Carrion | 310-897-2424

Kara Mickelson (Food)

DIRECTOR OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

Tanya Monaghan (Style)

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Marcie Gutierrez | 424-220-6337

Jennie Nunn (Home)

Jeff Berting, Siri Berting,

marcie@thegoldenstatecompany.com

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS

Angela Daves-Haley, Dylan J. Ho,

Sara Debevec, Beth Follert,

Tameka Jacobs, Zac Jones,

Jen Turquand | 310-528-5351

Linda Grasso, Hadley Hall Meares,

Javier Leguizamo, Shane O’Donnell,

jen.turquand@thegoldenstatecompany.com

JL Cederblom, Michael Costa,

Jesika Miller, Liam Monaghan,

Monica Orozco, Ken Pagliaro,

Brenda Randall

Lauren Pressey, Zoom Theory

DIRECTOR OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

SOUTHBAY IS A DIVISION OF THE GOLDEN STATE COMPANY

MANAGING PARTNERS Charlie Koones

Todd Klawin

MARKETING & OPERATIONS PARTNER/BRAND PUBLISHER | Emily Stewart PARTNER/MANAGING DIRECTOR, MEDIA & ANALYTICS | Warren Schaffer DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL | Charles Simmons DIRECTOR OF FILM & VIDEO | Bryce Lowe-White OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | Allison Jeackjuntra ACCOUNTING | Emilie Artacho, Janet De La Cruz, Tanisha Holcomb To learn more about us, visit thegoldenstatecompany.com.

No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from The Golden State Company, LLC. Any and all submissions to this or any of The Golden State Company, LLC publications become the property of The Golden State Company, LLC and may be used in any media. We reserve the right to edit.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: info@goldenstate.is or 310-376-7800. Subscriptions are $29 per year.

TO OUR READERS: Southbay welcomes your feedback.

Please send letters to Reader Response Department, Southbay magazine.

Please include your name, address and email. Edited letters may be published.

200 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 110, El Segundo, CA 90245 Tel 310-376-7800 | Fax 310-376-0200 | goldenstate.is | southbay.goldenstate.is

Time to Shine Creativity is often born in times of hardship because it

our South Bay life; and the talented shoe designer Jackie

is one of the most powerful tools we have for finding

Leguizamo of Yumayo, who hand-makes beautiful

meaning. We have survived a very challenging few years

leather sandals in Tuscany.

as a community, and we hope we can now see the light.

As the coming summer invites our beaches to return to

This issue focuses on the creators within our com-

life, my hope is that this issue invites you to explore all

munity—entrepreneurs such as Anthony Morrison, who

the creativity around us, which shines through from so

created an outdoor oasis of a hair salon in Hermosa

many in our wonderful community.

Beach as a way to survive the pandemic; musicians Blake Jones and Miles Jones, who created music in their home garage to share with the world; cuisine-conscious Alexa Altamura, who created a welcoming place to commune around good food and coffee; artists such as local photographer and waterman Ken Pagliaro, who captures

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Tanya Monaghan, Guest Editor

LAUREN PRESSEY | Lauren has been photographing homes and humans for more than 15 years. She resides in South Redondo with her family and is a longtime contributor to both Southbay and Southbay HOME magazines. When she’s not photographing throughout Los Angeles, she’s dreaming up the next excuse to photograph beautiful spaces worldwide.

SHANE O’DONNELL | Shane is a Wisconsinborn photographer living in the South Bay. His documentary and commercial training bring a realistic and refined style to his work. He photographs catalog, advertising, architecture and travel and has shot for such clients as Budweiser, Hershey, Syfy Channel and Vespa. seelikeshane.com

SARA DEBEVEC | Sara is a journalist, curator and copywriter based between Los Angeles and Berlin. She was born in Belgrade and spent most of her life moving between different cities including Warsaw, London and New York. Her interest lies in the intersection between art and technology, and she works in e-commerce.

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SIGjewelry WARD

SHOWROOM OPEN BY APPOINTMENT 1219 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE SUITE 113 MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 902266 (310) 871-5360 | SIG@SIGWARDJEWELRY.COM |

@SIGWARDJEWELRY

MAY/JUNE 2022 IN HER SHOES South Bay designer Jackie Leguizamo finds a perfect fit with handcrafted leather sandals.

More on page 76.

band of brothers CREATIVITY IN PEOPLE IS A NUANCED PHENOMENON. SOME SAY IT’S INHERENT, AND SOME BELIEVE IT’S NURTURED. BROTHERS BLAKE JONES AND MILES JONES HAVE PROVEN IT CAN BE BOTH. Written by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Michael Costa

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ZAC JONES

Blake Jones and Miles Jones were not

rap, let me get on a beat that you’re making. And he

raised in a traditional environment.

was kinda like, ‘Whatever, shut up, go play basketball.’

Both brothers were homeschooled in

Eventually we decided to try it out and collaborate.”

What started as a joke and having fun turned into

a co-op, driven by an out-of-the-box

something much bigger than they ever imagined. Blake

way of learning. Blake believes this

had friends and connections with people who were in

greatly influenced their creativity.

“Our main teacher would let us just pick what to do sometimes,” he says. “She would give us creative reign.

the music industry from DaVinci High. The brothers showed their first song to them and were pleasantly surprised by how much they loved it.

In Miles’ senior year of high school in 2019, their

I think that allowed our imaginations to be the driving

first single started to gain some attention. With the

force going forward.” The curriculum placed a heavy

help of their older brother, local surfer Hunter Jones,

emphasis on creative writing, poetry and the arts, and

and a bunch of their friends, they shot a music video.

music was always playing as they learned.

They came up with an entire marketing plan for their

Although Blake and Miles, now 25 and 21 respec-

first single—a grassroots effort of tapping into their

tively, are a few years apart, their classes were not

community for support, blasting on social media and

separated by age. “We were always together but would

reaching out to connections through friends and school.

be given different things to focus on,” explains Blake.

And it worked. People loved the song, and they start-

As they grew up, they chose different paths. “Blake

ed to create a bit of a buzz. The tipping point came with

was always very music-based, and that has been his

TikTok, where their youthful soundtracks, fresh beats

thing ever since,” says Miles. “I was more focused on

and mad style have accumulated more than 150 million

athletics when I was younger. So we kind of came from

views and millions of followers—growing every day.

the same seed of creativity and had the same schooling

Going simply by Blake and Miles, the music duo says

experience, but then as we got older we went with our

growing up in the South Bay has a great influence on

own interests.”

their music—a nostalgic soundtrack to their coming

After their homeschooling years, Miles attended El

of age. They want you to feel that release of freedom

Segundo High School, where he invested further in

when you hear it, inspired by the infinite promise and

sports—specifically basketball. Blake attended DaVinci

potential of youth.

Science High School, where he took guitar as an elective and remained fully immersed in music.

Blake played for the church band at Bridge South Bay

Miles paints the picture perfectly: “A lot of our music will sound like cruising down PCH by the beach with the windows down. When we’re trying to make an

church in El Segundo from middle school age on and

upbeat song, that’s where our minds are because the

fell in love with music as a whole. Miles is self-taught

South Bay has such a place in our hearts.”

in music, learning to mix and produce as well as play guitar, bass, drums and piano.

They operate from their home garage, where they work on a little bit of everything—creating, marketing,

Later in high school, the brothers’ paths merged.

promoting. Hunter and the brothers’ childhood friend

“Whenever I’d come home from school, I’d hear Blake

Easton Jones play a huge part in their success, creating

making music in the garage. That’s what he did,”

content for their social accounts and collaborating on

shares Miles. “And so one time, I was like, ‘Yo, let me

their music videos.

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35

“We go in together and start from nothing,” says Miles. “Our style and process of creating have definitely evolved from when we started. And I think that’s important too, just to keep things fresh and interesting.”

“When we were younger, we hated each other … there was no Blake and Miles,” shares Blake. “I think it was age and the dynamic of three boys. Hunter and I are older than Miles, and we are much closer in age— like about a year. Miles and I are 3½ years apart, so there’s a gap.”

Miles adds, “But as we’ve gotten older, all three of us have become involved in each other’s career paths and lives. I mean, it’s beautiful. Like a mastermind group. We’re blessed to have it. I think it’s one of our greatest advantages. We are on the same page, have the same goals and are willing to drop everything and do whatever it takes to help each other. And on a musical level—on a creative level—there are times when Blake can finish the sentence that I’m trying to say and vice versa. We have such a bond, which is really helpful for our process.”

Their authenticity is perhaps their X factor and key to

“EVERYTHING IS SO ORGANIC, AND THAT WORKS TO OUR ADVANTAGE BECAUSE THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT BEING ABLE TO CREATE FROM YOUR HOME AND BEING VULNERABLE WHILE YOU’RE MAKING MUSIC. THAT’S SO IMPORTANT.”

their success. Miles agrees: “Everything is so organic, and that works to our advantage because there’s some-

alternative. And that is now bleeding into our music a

being vulnerable while you’re making music. That’s so

lot more,” says Blake.

important. When you step into ‘studio 357-B’ in a ran-

The brothers attribute a lot of their success to their

dom building in Hollywood, it’s completely foreign and

parents, who have always offered unconditional support

you’re with people in the room who you don’t know.

and kept them musically cultured. “They raised us all

It’s just not a vibe—it’s hard to get inspired. For us,

to dream without limits,” says Miles. “As we continue

everything’s very organic and home-based—down to

to release music, I think people will see the diversity in

our location. We’ve been here since we learned to walk.

our tastes and how that plays into our music.”

We feel like we can open up and be completely vulnerable in our music.”

The brothers’ music is a pop/hip-hop crossover, but they revealed they are sitting on a trove of unreleased material that touches on every genre from rap to rock

36

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“The music we were listening to was beachy and

thing about being able to create from your home and

Blake and Miles have released seven singles to date, available on all major streaming platforms. They have many more songs in the bank and are excitedly working on their upcoming album.

“We are confident that this album is going to change

and even country. They didn’t grow up listening to hip-

everything for us,” says Blake. “We feel like it’s our

hop; it was something they appreciated later in life.

best work.” ■

C AT E G O R Y

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COME TOGETHER Enjoy luxurious accommodations and celebrate the outdoors with friends and family—without leaving town.

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estled on a serene Redondo Beach

the Noble House portfolio, The Portofino staff

peninsula within the historic South

is serious about service—without ever taking

Bay area, The Portofino Hotel &

themselves too seriously.

Marina is a haven that feels worlds

The Portofino Hotel & Marina is dedi-

away but is just a stone’s throw from the

cated not only to reflecting the surrounding

excitement of Los Angeles and Hollywood.

environment in essence and design, but to

Sophisticated but never pretentious, The

protecting and sustaining it as well. The hotel

Portofino isn’t just a place to get away; it’s a

strives to provide fundamental and innova-

place to get together.

tive practices that eliminate waste and sup-

Opened in 1962 by race car enthusiast Mary Davis, it was famously the final destina-

port a sustainable future for the planet.

In partnership with REI, The Portofino

tion of the Cannonball Run—a car race from

Hotel & Marina has launched a nonprofit

New York to Los Angeles that began in 1971

initiative where guests can “adventure for

and was turned into a feature film in 1981.

good.” During the May 15 lunar eclipse,

Race enthusiasts still make the trip today, and

an expert REI guide will take participants

the hotel has built a following based on its

out for an evening kayak under the stars,

vibe of luxury with a touch of levity.

with a portion of proceeds from every ride

The hotel recently completed a multi-

going to support the Marine Mammal Care

million-dollar refresh that includes an

Center in San Pedro. A representative from

updated waterfront Living Room lobby

the center will also be present to share

perfect for sunset cocktails with next-level

details of their local marine mammal care

views. The upgraded guest rooms, baths and

conservation efforts.

luxury suites evoke a glammed-up beach feel

A Sir Barks A Lot sea lion stuffed animal

with mirrored glass décor and crisp nautical

is in every guest room and is available for

details. Rooms on the ocean side come with

purchase from the front desk. Portions of

private balconies that seem to float over the

each purchase also are donated back to the

water, while rooms on the marina side offer

Marina Mammal Care Center.

dock views of sailboats and basking sea lions.

It’s been an unprecedented time of for-

Celebrating the outdoors is a must at this

going celebrations over the past two years.

161-room resort. A heated pool and jacuzzi

From missed birthdays and anniversaries,

overlook the ocean. The oceanfront bike

delayed girls’ getaways, and canceled

path spans more than 27 miles along the

family vacations, make up for your missed

California Coastal Trail—all the way up to

memories at The Portofino Hotel & Marina

Malibu! Complimentary cruiser bicycles are

this summer. Warm ocean breezes, stun-

always available, and the on-site Dockside

ning golden sunsets, and the picturesque,

Activity Center offers kayaks, paddleboards,

legendary beaches of Redondo Beach,

scuba, deep-sea fishing and boat charters

Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach,

for those looking for ocean adventures.

combine to ensure your California vacation

BALEENkitchen and BALEENlounge are

“MAKE UP FOR YOUR MISSED MEMORIES AT THE PORTOFINO HOTEL & MARINA THIS SUMMER.”

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ing a romantic backdrop for playful seasonal

260 PORTOFINO WAY, REDONDO BEACH

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310-421-4195

Like guests find at all of the hotel brands in

HOTELPORTOFINO.COM |

39

In the Bag TONY DROCKTON BRINGS ENTHUSIASM AND ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOW-HOW TO THE SOUTH BAY’S FAVORITE ACCESSORY. Written by Sara Debevec | Photographed by JL Cederblom

Tony Drockton is a ray of light you can feel across the

sold his house and couch surfed for two years while

you up with his positive energy and magnetic smile that

investing in the business. “We really took off when we

keeps glowing. It’s the same kind of smile you see on

created our in-house design team around Jeanne Allen,

the faces of women wearing his handbags.

our current designer,” he says. “She found her wings

“Is that Hammitt?” Their faces light up as they bring their handbags closer to their hearts. For Tony, Hammitt’s cofounder, the bags are all about community.

Tony earned an MBA from Bowling Green in his home

The unique and rich leather designs, signature rivet detail and effortless functionality make Hammitt the brand of choice for a woman who wants to go from coffee to cocktails—that one handbag she could carry any-

Bay after celebrating his 18th birthday on the sands of

where. “We weave in a lot of cool little secret features

Hermosa Beach. After several entrepreneurial endeavors,

that people don’t even know are there until you know

such as selling advertising and managing a construc-

the story of the design,” says Tony. “There is a secret

tion company, he sought out a new investment and met

little red line on every bag somewhere, and we started

Stephanie Hammitt, the South Bay artist and creator

doing more functionality like a drop pocket for the cell

behind Hammitt handbags. That was 14 years ago.

phone on the outside.”

From working at his father’s grocery store at the age

about five years before we met, and she needed an in-

of 10 to running a leading California luxury handbag

vestor,” he shares. “I came in first as an investor, and

business, Tony is a success story that keeps getting

then in the first year she decided she really wanted me

better. “My gut told me to stick with that first little

to take over and run the company.”

home party and realize that eventually the world could

He didn’t know handbags, but his love for art, architecture and design drew him into this business. Tony was also inspired by the home parties that Stephanie

be that home party—very welcoming, doors unlocked,” he shares. “And that is the brand we still are today.”

Positive, inspiring and with his heart in each hand-

threw for Hammitt and other South Bay brands—show-

bag, Tony shares that his job title is “chief cheerleader”

casing their work together and mingling with people

of Hammitt—a term that goes a long way toward cap-

over wine, cheese, art and music.

turing his playful essence and impeccable vision. ■

“Everybody says they have high-quality bags. But it’s about fostering that connection between people, and Stephanie taught me that well,” adds Tony.

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when Andrew Forbes, our CEO, joined.”

state of Ohio. He knew he wanted to live in the South

“Stephanie was making these beautiful bags for

40

The first couple of years were challenging. Tony

room. He is the kind of person who will instantly cheer

Stay a While ALEXA ALTAMURA OFFERS PLENTY OF REASONS TO LINGER AT HER NEW CAFÉ IN MANHATTAN BEACH. Written by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Lauren Pressey

In a busy, to-go world, Manhattan Beach’s Un Caffè

Florida. Her education is in management consulting

Altamura is an oasis of slow-brewed community. It’s

and interpersonal relations, but while in Florida she

a place to pause awhile, sip your coffee and connect.

also attended culinary school and wrote a curriculum

Alexa Altamura is the curator of that community,

for children’s understanding of tolerance and cultures.

founded in Italian family traditions and deeply rooted in the South Bay.

connection. The student body was very diverse: 74% of

Altamura, taking a little time to connect warmly with

the parents were from immigrant families, and most of

every person along the way. It’s hard to resist her

the students spoke a different language at home.

taurant to chat.

Additionally, she worked with sensorial-oriented kids from 12 months to 12 years old from different coun-

Alexa has a long family history in Manhattan Beach.

tries and accustomed to different foods. “The lunch

“As the youngest of four children, I joke that I am like

tables look noticeably different from my upbringing

a survivor,” she says. “I come from a very community-

in Manhattan Beach, which was a lot of peanut but-

involved family. I’m Italian; my dad is first-generation

ter and jelly sandwiches,” she shares. “We had kids

Italian. He came out here to be a teacher, and he taught

from Ukraine, Columbia, France, Italy and Russia. It

at Culver City High School. One day he drove off the 405

was such a mix, and it was beautiful. Helping the kids

down Rosecrans where the hill drops toward the ocean.

understand how to engage at the lunch table was giving

He was like, ‘What is this place? I need to figure out

me that little bit more drive.”

how to live here.’”

Alexa would often travel to Italy because the cur-

Her father, John Altamura, left teaching to pursue

riculum at her school was connected to theirs. In one

the restaurant business. He started a successful chain

region, retired chefs were teaching the children how

of pizzerias and sports bars and ultimately made the

to eat. The teachers all sat at the tables with the kids,

move into real estate and development. His two sons,

bringing a consciousness and enjoyment to each meal.

Giovanni (Gio) and Vincenzo (Vincent), joined that

“I just have an affinity for that. I worked with the chefs

business with an office located on Manhattan Beach

on how to engage with children. I think we are really all

Boulevard. That office is adjacent to BLVD—the suc-

just kids pretending to be adults.”

cessful and beautifully curated fashion boutique owned

by Brieana, John’s eldest daughter.

Alexa, however, left Manhattan Beach to spread her wings. She attended USC along with her twin brother,

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region in northern Italy, to which Alexa felt an instant

She glided over to meet me at my table at Un Caffè

down-to-earth charm. We sat down in her buzzing res-

42

Serendipitously, that school was connected to a

Alexa started cooking along the way just for fun. “I have always been into food, and I enjoyed being involved in my mom’s kitchen growing up,” she shares.

She also attributes much of who she is and the inspi-

Vincent, but then went further afield–ultimately

ration for her restaurant to her mom, Kathi, who made

running an international school in Pompano Beach,

her children the ultimate priority in her life. “The family

dynamic is really strong because my mom was able to be

was going to move to Europe to get her master’s degree

present. Home was always our base,” she says.

when the pandemic shut everything down. But during

In the Altamura household, dinner was always on the table by 6 p.m., and the family would slow down, sit and eat dinner together. Alexa brought the preciousness

lockdown, Alexa started cooking for a friend, dropping daily meals off on his doorstep.

At that stage, cooking was just a hobby and a way to

of taking time over a meal into the experience at Un

help out. Then a family friend heard of a space opening

Caffè Altamura.

up in Manhattan Beach (formerly Homie) and asked

She hadn’t planned to open a restaurant. In fact, she

Alexa if she could put her in contact with the previous

owner. The opportunity was too enticing to turn down,

our food and not build up intolerances. And the fruits

and Alexa dove in—turning a hobby into her passion

of summer, like red bell pepper and tomatoes, have a

and daily work.

natural SPF for your skin. My food is very consciously

The space has since been fully remodeled, offering both indoor and outdoor seating with comfortable booths and a wonderful flow—reflecting Alexa’s im-

Alexa also hopes to transform the restaurant into a wine bar at night, with food items on the menu paired

you may feel at a local European café,” she says. “The

with wines based on the notes of the soil. Look for that

relationship is all about community and being open to

expansion this summer.

Alexa drew inspiration for her menu from her strong

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you’re giving people.”

peccable taste. “I want to create a level of intimacy that

having a conversation with the person next to you.”

44

curated. There needs to be a level of integrity with what

We finish our conversation with a coffee together, which is fitting given that Un Caffè means ‘a coffee’

Italian roots, exposure to different lifestyles and cul-

in Italian. “I think that we Americans are constantly

tures, as well as growing up in California. “We offer

carrying a to-go cup on the road,” Alexa notes. “In

California seasonal food, depending on what our land

Europe, it’s the opposite. People pause and commune

offers us,” she says. “There is science behind why we

over their coffee. It was this experience that I wanted to

eat seasonally. The changing seasons help us rotate

create here: pausing and enjoying.” ■

INTRODUCING OUR NEW

Restaurant Guide The South Bay community is out and about these days, and our local restaurants welcome back your business. We offer a closer look at venues ready to take your reservation and give you a wonderful dining experience.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

restaurant guide

Captain Kidds Fish Market & Restaurant

COMPAGNON Wine Bistro

Gabi James

COMPAGNON Wine Bistro pays tribute to

We bring Spanish and coastal French

Serving the freshest seafood in the South

the classic southern French bistros where

food with California soul to the South Bay,

Bay since 1976. A Redondo Beach land-

good food, good wine and friends come

alongside an innovative bar rooted in gin

mark in the heart of King Harbor. Multiple

together to create the special joie de vivre.

that’s not to be rivaled.

335 W. 7th St., San Pedro

1810 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach

424-342-9840

310-540-4884

209 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach

compagnonbistro.com

gabijamesla.com

310-372-7703 | captainkidds.com

IG: @compagnon_winebistro

IG: @gabijamesla

IG: @captainkidds

FB: @compagnonwinebistro

Mercado Restaurant

Nine24 Kitchen

Primo Italia

Founded by Jesse Gomez with partner/

Nine24 Kitchen is an elevated restaurant

For generations, our families have enjoyed

chef Jose Acevedo, Cocinas y Calaveras

focused on combining clean ingredients

the tradition of homemade pastas, sauces,

restaurant group offers elevated Mexican

with healthy intentions—also gluten-free,

vino e dolci—and we invite you to partici-

cuisine that is accessible to everyone!

dairy-free, organic and local.

pate in that culinary heritage.

Manhattan Village

924 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach

24590 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance

3212A N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach

310-921-8505

310-378-4288 | eatprimo.com

310-545-0388 | IG: @mercadomanhattanbeach

nine24kitchen.com

IG: @primo_italia

cocinasycalaveras.com/mercado-mb-menu

IG: nine24.kitchen

indoor-outdoor patios and seafood delivered daily.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

restaurant guide

Pura Vita

R/10 Social House

Riviera Mexican Grill

100% plant-based Italian restaurant serving

Located in Redondo Beach’s Marina, R/10

Serving the best Mexican food in the

house-made pastas and Neapolitan pizza.

Social House is a neighborhood gastropub

South Bay since 1996. Enjoy our famous

Organic, sustainable, clean ingredients and

offering farm-to-table food, handcrafted

fish tacos and margaritas; multiple out-

gluten-free options. Enjoy our full bar serv-

cocktails and a selection of intriguing,

door patios. See you at the Riv.

ing natural biodynamic wines and organic

affordable artisan beers and wines.

craft cocktails with a sunset view.

1615 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach 179 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach

310-540-2501 | therivmex.com

320 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach

310-798-2500 | r10socialhouse.com

IG: @therivmex

424-304-2247 | puravitalosangeles.com

IG: @r10socialhouse

IG: @puravitaredondo

Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ

Slay Italian Kitchen

Slay Steak + Fish House

Healthy chargrilled Brazilian and South

Fresh. Authentic. Innovative. A rustic

An upscale, one-of-a-kind restaurant

American cuisine paired with craft beer

Italian, rotating menu featuring fresh and

offering creative renditions of classic

and specialty drinks on the Hermosa Beach

dried pastas, meats, seafood, pizzas,

American cuisine incorporating locally

pier. Voted “Best Local BBQ” since 2009.

local vegetables and wines from Slay

sourced food & wine from their farm, Slay

Estate and Vineyard.

Estate & Vineyard.

310-376-6855 | silviosbbq.com

1001 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach

1141 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach

IG: @silviosbbqhb

424-257-8301

310-504-0902

slayitaliankitchen.com

slay.la | slaysteakandfishhouse.com

20 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach

| IG: @slaysteakandfishhouse

IG: @slayitaliankitchen

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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restaurant guide

Sugar Dayne Cookies

The Rex Steakhouse

Owner Katy Metoyer creates vibrantly

Seaside steakhouse focused on local

decorated cookies with a local flair. Check

markets and seasonality, crafted cock-

out her daily creations, or custom-order

tails and exceptional wine pairings. Our

cookies that will be the showstopper at

unparalleled event spaces boast sweep-

your party.

ing views of the ocean and the Riviera.

308 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach

221 Ave. I, Redondo Beach

310-465-9534

310-316-9041

sugardayne.com

therexsteakhouse.com

IG: @sugardayne

IG: @therexsteakhouse

Be a part of the next Restaurant Guide in our upcoming food issue.

Contact amy@ thegoldenstatecompany.com

The Rockefeller

Zane’s Restaurant

The South Bay’s original gastropub, with

A full bar and menu everyone loves: fresh

locations in Redondo Beach, Hermosa

seafood, irresistible pastas, mouthwater-

Beach and Manhattan Beach. Locally

ing steaks and lots more. Come see what

owned since 2011.

the buzz is all about.

1707 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach

1150 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach

418 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach

310-374-7488

1209 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach

zanesrestaurant.com

eatrockefeller.com | IG: @eatrockefeller

IG: @zanes_restaurant

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

New location.

New team members.

New way to think about banking.

Marco Franco

1120 N. Sepulveda Blvd. at the corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Welcome to Kinecta.

Laura Tompkins

Retail Service Manager, Sr. 562.293.8601

Private Banking Manager 424.352.6550

Please reach out to us via phone while we await the opening of our beautiful new branch, coming this Spring.

We are thrilled to introduce Marco Franco and Laura Tompkins who have joined our team in the new Manhattan Beach branch. Many of you already know them, and now you know where to find them.

Bank | Borrow | Insure | Invest ©2022 Kinecta Federal Credit Union. All rights reserved. Federally insured by NCUA.

kinecta.org 27105-01/31/22

here comes the sun WE GET PASTORAL ON THE PENINSULA TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THIS SEASON’S STYLE TRENDS. Styled by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Shane O’Donnell at Catalina View Gardens Styling assistance by Brenda Randall | Hair by Jesika Miller | Makeup by Beth Follert

Strappy vintage floral dress; $150; Beach & Beverly in Hermosa Beach.

Turquoise rings, $188 to $215 each; Third Gallery in Manhattan Beach.

Left: Flutter blouse by Sea New York, $250. Utility jumpsuit by Shona Joy, $420; BLVD in Manhattan Beach. Pearl scarf, $40; Bone

by Dawn in Manhattan Beach.

Black gum boots, $30; Target in Manhattan Beach.

Chambray ruffle top by Fate, $76; Waverly in Manhattan Beach. Button-front denim by Ramy Brook, $225; Third Gallery in Manhattan Beach. Black woven paper boy cap, $125; Bone

by Dawn in Manhattan Beach.

Avia Dress by Ulla Johnson, $796, and yellow cowboy boots by Isabel Marant Etoile, $1,650; Wright’s in Manhattan Beach. Handwoven Panama hat with white peacock feather, $175; Bone by Dawn in Manhattan Beach.

Palma shoulder bag, $46; Gum Tree in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.

Violette midi dress by Sea New York, $466, Aliette embellished belt

by Isabel Marant, $990, and tulip basket bag by Ulla Johnson, $426; Wright’s in Manhattan Beach.

Right: Gabrielle dress by Xirena, $296; The Beehive in Manhattan Beach.

African Padre glass beads on leather lariat necklace, $48; vintage hand-painted wooden bangles from Central America, $12 each; Right Tribe in Manhattan Beach.

Turquoise rings, $188 to $215 each; Third Gallery.

Ivory embroidered floral dress

by Free People, $298; Beach & Beverly in Manhattan Beach.

Woven hat, $62; Waverly Boutique in Manhattan Beach.

Vintage hand-painted wooden bangles from Central America, $12 each, and vintage scarf, $12; Right Tribe in Manhattan Beach.

Geometric perforated belt by Calleen Cordero, $188; Wright’s in Manhattan Beach. Turquoise gem stone rings, $188 to $215 each; Third Gallery in Manhattan Beach.

On Cover: Black fold sandals by Roam, $140; The Beehive in Manhattan Beach.

Antique white dress by LoveShackFancy, $596; The Beehive in Manhattan Beach.

Turquoise gem stone rings, $188 to $215 each; Third Gallery in Manhattan Beach. Black gum boots, $30; Target in Manhattan Beach.

Right: Knit sweater vest by Apiece Apart, $426, and T-strap Mary Jane shoes by GANNI, $346; The Beehive in Manhattan Beach. Wild Side midi dress by Jen’s Pirate Booty, $209; Beach & Beverly in Hermosa Beach.

Geometric perforated belt by Calleen Cordero, $188; Wright’s in Manhattan Beach. Handwoven Panama hat with white peacock feather, $175; Bone by Dawn in Manhattan Beach.

GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOURSELF The planned giving programs at Torrance Memorial Foundation can make a lasting difference for your community through your estate planning. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income during retirement, reduce taxes, eliminate capital gains tax or pass assets to family members at a reduced cost, planned giving provides many benefits to you and Torrance Memorial. Your future gifts help others receive expert care and treatment for years to come. We can help you discover the best programs for you and your loved ones today.

Learn more about starting your own legacy at TMPlannedGiving.org

STYLE GUIDE

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION EDITED BY LAURA WATTS

Maison Luxe

1. Gwyneth rug in denim/sky, Amber Lewis x Loloi, 6’ x 9’, $2,419 (available in multiple sizes) 2. Kelsey pillow, $75 3. Crochet throw in cream, $55 4. Nick chair, $410

5. Seagrass chip & dip basket, $24 6. Half Baked Harvest: Every Day cookbook, $30 7. Glass ice bucket with bamboo handle, $95 8. Stainless steel and resin appetizer utensils, $38

138 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach 310-372-5552 maisonluxehome.com @maisonluxehb

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Tabula Rasa Essentials

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919A Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach 310-318-3385 tabularasaessentials.com @tabularasamb

1. Spongelle Tunisian Moon body buffer, $20 2. Nest Gray Malin Sicilian tangerine candle, $48 3. California resin trim bamboo cheeseboard, $98 4. Custom rope resin surfboard wall art, $298 to $398 each

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Sig Ward Jewelry 1219 Morningside Dr., Suite 113 Manhattan Beach 310-871-5360 sigwardjewelry.com @sigwardjewelry

1. 14K YG morganite heart gypsy necklace, $2,900 2. 14K YG reeded gold kiss necklace, $1,500

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3. 14K YG Orbis diamond earrings, $3,600 4. 14K YG Rose De France amethyst gypsy ring, $5,000

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Bespoke by Chase 815 Manhattan Ave., Suite B, Manhattan Beach 503-358-0332 bespokebychase.com @bespokebychase

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4 1. Suit made-to-measure, Loro Piana fabric, starting at $1,895 2. Sartoria Tramarossa jeans, made in Veneto, Italy, $375 3. Lavender stripe linen sport shirt, handmade in Naples Italy, $345 4. Scarpe Di Bianco The Firenze loafers, made In Italy, $750

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kalihi

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach 310-431-9133 shopkalihi.com @shopkalihi

1. Bora Bora halter midi dress, $112 2. Salty Pismo hoop earrings, $32 3. Natalie hat, $58 4. Blue Planet polarized sunglasses, $65

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xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Written by Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | Photographed by Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

xxxxxxxxx the caretakers xxxxxxxxx PALOS VERDES COUPLE VICKI TURBEVILLE AND STEVE NELSON COMBINE INDIVIDUAL PASSIONS INTO A STYLISH TREASURE TROVE FOR ALL TO ENJOY. Written

by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Shane O’Donnell XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Written by Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | Photographed by Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Vicki Turbeville and Steve Nelson come from different worlds. Vicki, a poet and performer, flourished in

They met at a trade show in Santa Fe and bonded over shared experiences, including both having two children from their previous marriages. Steve invited Vicki to visit his home above the Palos Verdes Bluffs,

fast-moving cities like New York and

and the spark soon became a flame. They got married

London. Steve, an industrial designer

and live together in that same house today.

and nature-lover, thrived in his native California and made a happy

Vicki and Steve also share Mountain Lion Trading Post in Redondo Beach. A huge wooden lion stands guard in the front window of the store—an artifact

home in Palos Verdes. It was their

from the original Mountain Lion Trading Post on Route

shared passion for Native American

66. Vicki curates an exquisite line of Southwestern jew-

artifacts and jewelry that brought their worlds together in 2008.

elry, while Steve proudly offers treasures collected over 50 years of expert hunting and gathering.

Steve was born in San Francisco in 1940 but grew

up in San Carlos, 30 miles south of the city. He spent his youth chasing animals in wide-open fields and exploring creeks and the ocean. Steve also fell in love with carpentry and working with his hands—skills he learned from his grandfather, who brought covered wagons from Oklahoma to California.

Steve was close to his grandfather, who helped raise him. “He told me stories,” shares Steve. “He got me interested in all kinds of stuff. I still have a lot of his old tools. I have a lot to thank him for.”

Steve jumped at the chance to attend UCLA for a four-year program in industrial design. During his time there studying art and design, he also played football, joined the wrestling team and was the commander of the ROTC. One of his art teachers, who appreciated Steve’s passion for Asian art, recommended he apply for a job with a friend at the Harry Franklin gallery in Beverly Hills. Steve worked there part time throughout college and subsequently while he earned his master’s degree in medical design. He achieved great accolades in this field—not only designing the first disposable surgical instrument tray but also selling it to Becton, Dickinson and Company.

Because ROTC paid for his education, Steve committed to 3-1/2 years of service with the Army. “I was fortunate because I didn’t have to go to Vietnam,” he says. “That’s probably why I’m still here.”

After serving, Steve got a job at Mattel—a 20-year career that started in design and evolved to executive senior vice president of research and development. He spent his free time going to Mexico to look for artifacts and then ventured to the Southwest to find more. His passion for artifacts grew so much that it was a natural move for Steve to open a shop after leaving the toy business.

Vicki’s story looks much different. Born and raised in Iowa, she attended the University of Northern Iowa, where she double-majored in art and English and minored in Spanish. She yearned to broaden her horizons and travel. After graduation she took off to the Middle

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73

East, where she spent six months teaching English.

She then planted herself in New York after visiting a friend. Within a year she got a job at Ms. magazine

eye, and she was hooked on the whole process.

Her big break came when she put on a show in the

work at many other publications, including Seventeen,

Hamptons. It was small, so she was surprised when she

Cosmopolitan and Good Housekeeping.

got a call from an intern at Elle that following Monday.

The intern told her fashion director Nina García saw

stay home to take care of her while also finding the

her collection at the show and asked her to bring some

time to pursue her love of poetry. For about 20 years

pieces to the magazine’s offices. Of course, Vicki jumped

she was the president of the artistic board of directors

at the opportunity and promptly hopped in a cab.

of The Poetry Project, housed in St Mark’s Church-in-

When she got to the offices, all of the senior editors

the-Bowery. Her poetry earned well-deserved recog-

had been called away. The intern was apologetic, and

nition when Vicki was included in The Best American

Vicki suggested she show her the collection anyway.

Poetry 2005. Her poem from that anthology was widely

“I opened up the cases, and she went crazy,” Vicki

used in textbooks.

remembers. “She started taking pictures.”

After Vicki and her then-husband welcomed a second

It worked. Within a week, Nina’s assistant called and

daughter, the young family moved to England for his

said they’d like to borrow items for a shoot. Nina used

work. During those five years Vicki enjoyed London and

Vicki’s jewelry on Uma Thurman for the cover of Elle

did a little bit of poetry performance, but it didn’t have

in January 2005. The bracelet that Uma wore drew so

the same artistic intensity as New York.

much attention, Vicki’s website crashed.

It wasn’t until she visited the London townhouse of a

“Women went wild all over the country,” Vicki recalls,

friend with a penchant for the Southwest that she began

“and I had to figure out how to get that bracelet made.”

to truly feel homesick. They had saddles and Native

With Nina as a great supporter and fan, many other

American jewelry strewn about their home.

magazines followed suit and started using her jewelry.

She remembers saying to her husband, “When we

Vicki decided to open a store in NYC after a woman

get back, we need to take the kids to the West. They

with a tiny shop selling Native American and Mexican

need to see America.” She explains: “I was really say-

jewelry walked right up to her at a show and said she

ing that I need to see America. So after five years we

wanted Vicki to take it. “We met with the landlord,”

came back, and that first summer we went on a trip

she shares. “There was an empty shop right next to

through the Southwest.”

it and he said, ‘I will double the size of your shop and

Vicki fell in love with the art and landscape while hiking through mesas and red rocks with her children.

break through and build it for free.’”

It was a wonderful showroom and a fun place to do

She wanted to buy some jewelry but was surprised at

business—constantly buzzing with customers, buyers,

the cost. “I started looking at pawnshops. Then we

stylists and even some notable celebrities. The jewelry

jumped from one pawnshop to another buying pieces

graced more covers and has been seen in many major

I loved. When I got back to New York, I gave them as

fashion publications worldwide. Her collection has been

gifts to friends who were having significant birthdays.”

worn by Britney Spears, Cindy Crawford, Mary J. Blige,

Soon after that, a friend asked Vicki to get some things for a church fundraiser. Vicki bought a small

|

people loved what she had chosen. She clearly had an

as a production director. This was the springboard to

When her first daughter was born, she was able to

74

collection of items and was stunned by how much

Zoë Kravitz and Beyoncé.

Over the years Vicki has become an expert in Native

American jewelry. Her Southwestern collection of

it’s art,” Vicki says. “I also love that the jewelry is

jewelry is handcrafted from semiprecious stones like

handmade. You feel the hand of the maker, and it has

turquoise, coral, jet and lapis lazuli and set traditionally

a warmth to it. It connects you to history, to a culture,

in sterling silver. Each piece is truly made with love.

to a place. It’s like jazz. It is our art form. Wearable

“My Native American friends told me that their grand-

art is an original American art form. It’s handmade in

parents said to never work when you’re unhappy,” she

the United States from start to finish—from mining to

says. “It goes into the work because the stones are porous

polishing—and never imported.”

and handmade. It’s called energy transfer. A Navajo

The passion that Steve and Vicki have for their work

silversmith named Steven Yellowhorse says that while he

is palpable. When they got married, it made sense to

works, he always thinks about the person out there whom

bring the jewelry and the artifacts together under one

the piece is going to. He’s aware of the connectedness

roof—just as their worlds came together in 2008. As

that he has to his buyer. The idea is that if it’s made with

proprietors of Vicki Turbeville Southwestern Jewelry

love, the art piece will be worn with love.”

and Mountain Lion Trading Post, the two consider

Vicki carries both vintage and contemporary collections. Her vintage collection includes pieces from the 1920s to the 1970s and is made of styles traditional to

themselves curators—each piece they choose is special and unique.

And through that care, they have built a loyal client

Native American nations of the Southwest, including

base—some spanning decades. When they present a

Navajo, Hopi and Zuni. She also showcases pieces by

show, it’s like seeing old friends. “It’s quality, not

sought-after contemporary artists.

quantity,” says Vicki. “You could say we are caretakers.

“It’s never the same. It’s always changing because

We find new homes for things we honor.” ■

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Heart and Sole WITH HER TIMELESS SANDAL COLLECTION, JACKIE LEGUIZAMO FINDS QUALITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN. Written by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Javier Leguizamo

As Jackie Leguizamo prepared to name her small-batch

Jackie’s new life in California and her love of wander-

sandal collection, she found inspiration in her Yuma,

lust and experiencing other cultures. Expert Tuscan

Arizona, roots. Yuma will always be a special and sacred

artisans make her designs come to life using centuries-

place to Jackie—not only because it’s where she spent

old Italian shoemaking techniques.

her formative years as the middle child of five, but also because of her love of the Southwestern landscape.

“To distill the vision, mood and direction of our first

factory located in the heart of Italian leather culture to

spaces and stillness,” shares Jackie. “The Southwest,

bring them to life.”

fect location to reveal our intimate collection.”

Also firmly anchored in her present, Yumayo reflects

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process. “We then work closely with a small family-run

collection, we took to the road—to places of wide-open with its vast deserts, dunes and sun, provided the per-

76

“Every sandal we design starts with beautiful materials and the story that inspired them,” she says of the

Jackie’s passion for beauty, art and culture began at a young age. After Yuma, her family relocated to Japan for three years, where she became enthralled

with the Japanese aesthetic: intricate wood carvings

industry including sourcing fabrics, beading, sewing

and beautiful furniture. They returned to the California

and patternmaking.

coast when her father, a Marine, was stationed in Camp

She remembers the experience as a fashion boot

Pendleton, San Diego. Jackie would finish her schooling

camp that would catapult her career. She went on to

in Southern California with an ambition to do some-

work for various iconic fashion brands such as Velvet,

thing creative with her life.

Eva Franco and Trina Turk.

She paid her way through college to earn a fashion

Although it was rewarding to help bring others’

degree from Long Beach State University. She followed

visions to life, Jackie needed a creative outlet to

that with a coveted internship at clothing company

amplify her own voice and dream. With a love for

BCBG, which led to a full-time job. One of the few

sandals and shoe design, she decided to create her

design houses that still creates its products under one

own line. After contacting many factories, she formed

roof, BCBG exposed Jackie to every facet of the fashion

a bond with a wonderful woman at a family-owned

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factory in Tuscany. She understood Jackie’s vision and agreed to take her on.

Together Jackie and her new production partner made countless prototypes over a three-year period. During a 2016 visit to Tuscany, Jackie tapped into a familyowned leather consortium in the same neighborhood, as well as another family-owned business committed to perfecting the heels of the shoes.

“We only use vegetable-tanned leathers sourced from a Tuscan tannery consortium that works closely with the tanneries to ensure the quality and origin of the leathers,” she notes of the environmental guidelines. “It also guarantees the leather is processed using nontoxic, natural tannins in a production cycle that has a low impact on the environment.”

Despite the obstacles of getting things made in Italy—including the distance and language barrier—she is proud of the product created with her Tuscan artisans. As many of the local businesses know each other, the process and product feel that much more intimate and personal. “They are slowly made by hand, for those who value quality and champion the craftsmanship of yesteryear,” she explains.

Jackie attributes the success of her brand to having an amazing, supportive partner in her husband, Javier, her high school sweetheart and father to their son, Roman. Javier is a graphic designer and helped create the logo, photography, website and so much more.

Jackie became the model in her photos by accident when Javier took photos of her on their travels wearing the sandals. Not only did they recognize the cost savings, but also that the images of Jackie wearing her own creations in epic landscapes felt authentic and truly representational of the brand.

She dreams of building Yumayo into a fully realized lifestyle brand in the future. The care she puts into every piece shines brightly, like the sun-drenched landscapes that first inspired her. “Listen to that inner voice,” she says. “I hope you will also follow your passion, no matter the obstacles.” ■

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C AT E G O R Y

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

B U S I N E S S S P OT L I G H T

SELLING POINT Local wealth advisors guide clients on when, why and how to sell their business.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SIRI BERTING

W

hen it’s time to sell your most

future cash needs. Also consider your on-

specific industry and can identify potential

valued asset—your business—

going role with the buyer and the role other

suitors? What are the company’s market capi-

the right team and the right

family members and management have in

talization and geographic location?

planning can make all the

the business after a sale.

“We have an extensive network of advi-

difference. Private wealth financial advisors

“Selling is a big decision,” Vinnie points out.

sors whom we have worked with for years

Jeff Germain and Vinnie DiCarlo have more

“Founders put years of hard work and untold

and can confidently introduce to our clients,”

than 45 years of diverse financial advising

hours into building a business. The company

Jeff says. “We also consider the intangibles.

experience, including generational wealth

becomes part of their identity. To some, the

Selling a company can be very stressful and

management and financial and tax plan-

company is one of their children. They care

will require hours of teamwork, communica-

ning, which truly separates their team from

about their employees and the continued

tion and coordination. Knowing our clients

other advisory groups. Wells Fargo provides

legacy of the business after they exit. It can

and understanding their personalities and

Jeff and Vinnie with resources that help them

be a very emotional process for the founder

dispositions allow us to better identify pro-

present timely solutions aligned with their

and their families, above and beyond the

fessionals whom they will be able to relate

clients’ goals.

technical aspects of the deal.”

to. This helps ease the human aspect of the

IS IT TIME?

TEAM-BUILDING

“One of the most common conversations

Jeff and Vinnie frequently have clients or pros-

PLANNING WITH PURPOSE

we have had with clients and prospects

pects ask for introductions to other profession-

Jeff and Vinnie pride themselves on advo-

over this past year has been whether or

als to build their team—accountants, attorneys,

cating for their clients. By understanding

not it’s the right time to sell,” Jeff states.

investment bankers. They consider various fac-

each client’s desired outcome, they can

Market conditions in 2021—combined with

tors when identifying other advisors: Who has

work with their advisors to implement plan-

the concern for potentially higher tax rates

the appropriate experience within the client’s

ning suggestions.

deal process.”

in 2022—led to an increase in merger and acquisition activities, and that elevated pace has continued this year.

So is it time to sell your business? “There are a number of topics for founders and their families to consider beyond just the valuation of the company,” says Jeff. “We’re here to guide families through these discussions, prioritize their goals, build a plan and, when necessary, build an advisory team to help them transition from business operators to managers of their family wealth.”

Important factors to keep in mind include trends in your company’s industry, valuation multiples, available purchasers, management succession planning and the owner’s |

81

C AT E G O R Y

“Investment bankers bring the company to market,” Jeff explains. “Attorneys and

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

options before choosing a path.

“It can feel very daunting to trade a busi-

RECOGNITION & DESIGNATIONS

accountants negotiate the contracts, focus-

ness you have control over for a lump sum of

ing on the economics of the deal. We focus

cash and to have to build a plan to invest the

Jeffrey R. Germain, CIMC®

on the founders and their families. We have a

proceeds to maintain your family’s lifestyle,”

Managing Director – Investments

discovery process and moderate conversa-

Vinnie says. “We’re here to guide our clients

• Best-in-State Wealth Advisor,

tions with the family to identify and prioritize

through that transition so they can feel

their financial goals and vision for their family

confident in the investment plan we develop

governance. We take our time to educate our

with them.”

clients about the pros and cons of various

Forbes: 2020, 2021, 20221 • Top 1,200 Advisors, Barron’s: 2019, 2020, 2021, 20222

“It’s never too soon to start presale plan-

techniques we propose for their needs so they

ning, but it can be too late!” says Jeff. “My

Vincent DiCarlo, CFP®, ChFC®

can be more confident in their decisions.”

advice is to have these conversations and

Senior Vice President – Investments

Although Vinnie no longer practices tax

understand what tools and techniques are

• Best-in-State Wealth Advisor,

compliance, his background in tax and plan-

available now. There’s no harm in being

ning helps the team look at the full picture

educated early.”

• Certified Public Accountant

“Too frequently sellers wait until it’s too late

THE GERMAIN DICARLO WEALTH

• Master of Business Taxation 8/2011 –

to engage in presale planning conversations

MANAGEMENT GROUP OF

or to incorporate techniques that can have

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS

a significant impact before a letter of intent

JEFFREY R. GERMAIN, CIMC®

is signed, such as gifting to family members

VINCENT “VINNIE” DICARLO, CFP®, CHFC®

using valuation discounts or integrating

2141 ROSECRANS AVE., SUITE 4100

of the sale process through the seller’s eyes.

(nonpracticing)

philanthropic vehicles like charitable trusts or

EL SEGUNDO

donor-advised funds.”

310-426-3924 | GERMAINDICARLO.COM

He shares that some of the techniques they propose can be complex and require time to educate the client. It’s important to give them that time so they can weigh their

Disclaimer: Wells Fargo Advisors is not a legal or tax advisor. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used

by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED / NO BANK GUARANTEE / MAY LOSE VALUE

82

|

Forbes: 20201

University of Southern California

1-The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking algorithm is based on industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. Investment performance is not a criterion.

2-The Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors rankings are based on assets under management, revenue generated for the advisors’ firms, and the quality of the advisors’ practices. Investment performance isn’t an explicit factor because clients have varied goals and risk tolerances.

Thank you for supporting friendship bowl 2022. Because of you, walk with sally is able to ensure no child walks alone in the face of a loved one’s cancer journey.

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shear joy WITH HIS SIGNATURE CHARM AND A KNACK FOR COMMUNITY-BUILDING, ANTHONY MORRISON SETS OUT TO MAKE HIS HERMOSA HAIR SALON A CUT ABOVE THE REST. Written by Tanya Monaghan Photographed by Shane O’Donnell

Had I just discovered a hidden

and they moved to England for better opportunities—

oasis steps from one of the busiest

settling in London. His mother had three children before

streets of Hermosa Beach? Climbing

turning 25 but tragically passed away giving birth to her third, Anthony’s youngest sister.

the steps of the corner building on

He remembers somberly, “My father went into the

Aviation Boulevard, the scent of an

hospital with two children under 5 and came back with

English garden invited me forward, and I was met by fresh, beautiful

three children and no wife. I was 3, my older sister was 4 and my baby sister was a newborn. We were well taken care of, but I always think about my dad moving

spring flowers. The building itself

to England, to a foreign country at a very young age,

was completely covered in green,

losing his wife and having to navigate being in a land

and there was music playing on

he knew nothing about.”

His dad passed away in 2004, and Anthony remem-

the outdoor speakers as happy

bers him as the most incredible man and father. “He

plants seemed to cascade down

was the kindest, sweetest, most giving guy you’d ever

every surface. I had arrived at The Londoner salon—a place more aptly

imagined. He did a really good job raising all of us and taking care of us.”

Thankfully, Anthony had a large family living in

described as an experience, created by

England while he was growing up. They were able to

the amazing Anthony Morrison.

offer much-needed love and support to all of them. He

I was greeted by a tall, handsome man with just

had more than 20 aunts and uncles, and his aunts first sparked Anthony’s fascination with hair. At 15 he left

about the brightest smile I had ever seen. His charming

school to pursue his dream and entered into a five-year

British accent made him even more fabulous. Anthony

apprenticeship in hairstyling.

introduced himself and welcomed me into his hair

By the time he was 20, he was fully qualified and

salon. He ushered me through another door into an

working at one of the top salons in London. Shortly

outdoor courtyard that instantly felt like some sort of

afterward, he opened his own salon with his cousin.

magical sanctuary. I could feel the moisture on my skin

In his mid-20s, during what initially was to be a quick

from all the plants as butterflies danced about and birds

visit before moving to Amsterdam, Anthony arrived in

chirped. Anthony created more than a space to get your

Los Angeles and never looked back. He fell in love with

hair done; he has created a dream.

the healthy lifestyle and sunny climate of the South

His fascination with hair began at a very young age.

In fact, he says he knew he was going to be a hair-

Bay—a huge departure from a cold and grey London.

At first he stayed in Torrance, turning to the Yellow

dresser from the age of 8. But that joy was preceded by

Pages for work opportunities. Knowing he wanted to

unimaginable heartache.

work in Manhattan Beach, he found a listing for a salon

Anthony was born 30 miles north of London in

named Michael’s on Highland and Rosecrans and called

Hertfordshire to Jamaican parents who emigrated to

them. He reached the owner, Michael, who fortunately

England in the late ’50s. They were young and in love,

for Anthony urgently needed someone that same day.

Michael fell in love with Anthony’s work and offered him a job, assisting him with work permits and eventually a green card. Anthony worked there for 4½ years until Michael sold the salon. He will forever be grateful to Michael, who passed away just a year later.

Anthony then worked for hair care company Joico as part of the international artistic team traveling the world. They went to Asia, the Pacific Rim and Australia, teaching people how to cut and color. One of his team members was Bravo star Tabatha Coffey. She had auditioned for the Shear Genius show in New York and encouraged Anthony to audition in L.A. The show’s premise was a battle between 12 hairdressers for the title of #1 hairstylist in the U.S. Anthony auditioned along with 16,000 other hairdressers nationwide and was chosen as one of the lucky 12.

He describes the experience as nothing short of amazing. “It was the inception of reality TV. On the show, I was the guy who literally flew under the radar.

I kept cool, calm and collected for the entire show.

I didn’t create a lot of drama but just nailed every challenge,” he shares.

And that strategy worked; Anthony won best hairstylist. He attributes this to his training and experience, coming up now on his 43rd year of doing hair.

For Anthony, the highlight of the Shear Genius experience was when Vidal Sassoon, one of the judges (and one of Anthony’s idols), said that he’d never seen a better exhibit of haircutting and styling. Anthony was dumbfounded. He remembers falling asleep still holding one of Vidal Sassoon’s precision-haircutting books, as he used every spare moment to study his idol’s techniques. He still pinches himself thinking about that moment.

That experience motivated Anthony to start his own business, a 32-chair salon down the street on Aviation, where he employed 22 stylists. Twelve successful years later, Anthony began to tire. Between the rising cost

of rent and the demands of managing a large staff, he

together and take trips to do all these things. I take

lost his spark.

people straight out of school and train them as my

Fate stepped in when Anthony ran into hairstylist

assistant for a year. And then once they’ve trained,

and entrepreneur José Eber at a restaurant in Beverly

they get put on the floor as a stylist. I believe that if

Hills. José asked what Anthony was up to and told him

you have a gift, you should teach it to somebody else

to come and meet with him. Anthony followed through,

… give it away. And the only thing that I always ask

and José offered him the position of artistic director at

my trainees to do is to teach what they have learned to

José Éber salon. It proved to be another great experi-

somebody else. It’s the gift that keeps giving.”

ence, but deep down Anthony knew he was happiest

Since he moved back to the South Bay, Anthony

as a leader, an entrepreneur and someone who creates

has become even more involved in the community.

opportunity. It was time to create something he could

He sits on the board of the Hermosa Beach Chamber

call his own—something truly special.

of Commerce and works to promote economic

Through a friend, Anthony got word that another

development in all of Hermosa—not just downtown.

South Bay salon space was coming available when the

“My job right now is to make sure that all the

owner retired. When Anthony saw the space, he was

businesses in the area get supported,” he explains.

sold. The hard part would be finding a way to stand out.

“I thought, ‘OK, I am known around here, but how

Anthony even went so far as to make flower baskets for all the lampposts and trees going down Aviation—

can I separate myself on hairdresser’s row? How can

his effort to beautify the area. He has also worked with

I make my salon uniquely different?’ It’s got to be so

Councilman Ray Jackson in helping the homeless at

much more than just hair. I’m going to assume that

the beach.

everybody does decent hair. So customer service is

On January 1 each year, Anthony takes on a new

#1—it has to be amazing. And #2, create an incredible

thing to do. But unlike most people’s resolutions that

experiential environment.”

are broken by February, Anthony sticks to it all year.

From that vision, The Londoner salon was born—a

This has made him adept in such diverse activities as

delightful refuge where every aspect boasts an English

photography, guitar, floral arranging, French cuisine,

theme. While your color is processing, you can sip tea

ballroom dancing, Portuguese, enology (the study of

or champagne and snack on proper English scones

wine) and marathon running, amongst other things.

shipped directly from the U.K. Some customers love

His joy is contagious as he describes those activities, as

the experience so much, they bring their friends with

well as how much he is looking forward to planning his

them for a social hour of sorts. During the pandemic,

wedding with his longtime partner, Mark.

Anthony tented the parking lot to bring the entire hairdressing operation outside.

The salon’s success remains rooted in the culture

We finished our conversation, and Anthony saw me out of the salon with a giant smile and a bear hug. Even though we’d met just a short time before that, I left feel-

Anthony created and the care he has for his employees.

ing as though we’d been friends forever. I realized that

They are all salaried and receive bonuses and commis-

it’s perhaps Anthony’s joyful way of being that sparks

sion, as well as a 401K.

that joy in others, and it is that joy that helps transform

“We do education together,” he says. “We train

The Londoner from a salon to a destination. ■

|

89

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Fusion Fantastic DELICIOUS DISHES AND TOP-NOTCH SERVICE MAKE HERMOSA’S RYLA A HOT DINING TICKET. Written by Bonnie Graves | Photographed by Dylan J. Ho

I did 17 years of hard time in restaurants before paroling

heritage gets a nod with the Umeboshi Roast Chicken

myself. Even these many years later, I still have flash-

with baby bok choy and plum chicken jus.

back dreams of missing orders, crazed line cooks, angry guests and shifts that last for an eternity. When friends

successful fusion. What I think Ray and Cynthia also

casually suggest that I should open my own restaurant,

fuse quite successfully are cooking techniques refined

I thank them and then ask them if they’re insane. Who

by years of steady apprenticeship and practice. Chef Ray

in their right mind would want to go back to that kind of

spent nearly 10 years cooking within the David Lefevre

pressure-cooker, leg-ruining environment?

mini-empire (M.B. Post, Fishing With Dynamite, The

It’s funny, then, that I have been having bizarre restaurant yearnings since my recent and downright inspiring meal experience at South Bay newcomer

Providence under Michael Cimarusti.

You don’t work at Providence without learning perfect fish technique along the way, and I think the New

famous “you had me at hello” line. From the gracious

Zealand Tai Snapper I ate at RYLA is possibly the most

hostess who walked us around to three different table

delicious fish dish I have ever eaten—not praise I give

options to the busser who cheerfully fixed our wobbly

lightly. Served with spicy makrut lime coconut broth,

table, the welcome and warmth at RYLA are immedi-

mussels, purple daikon and Fresno chiles, that fish dish

ately apparent.

alone merits your attention.

And you don’t do 10 years in the South Bay’s most

luxe, Japanese-inspired room of lush greens, crane-

successful restaurants without learning how to bal-

festooned wallpaper and dark woods. The place was

ance high volume with guest experience. I am privately

bustling but simultaneously serene, which is not easy to

hopeful that this marriage works as seamlessly behind

achieve. Adult cocktails were ordered, water was poured

the scenes as it does professionally onstage at RYLA.

and Shirley Temples arrived for the kids.

What then to eat at this Japan-meets-Taiwan by way

Additional menu highlights included the Hot Chicken Karaage with charred scallion mayo, which reduced my

of California fusion concept? The answer is everything.

kids to a rugby scrum in search of the last few delicious

You should eat absolutely everything at RYLA—and

bits. The Tonkotsu Miso Ramen accented with pork

then come back and do it again.

belly, egg, serrano chiles and lime was portioned bigly;

Helmed by a husband-and-wife team with serious

|

Arthur J), while Chef Cynthia worked as a sous chef at

RYLA. If Tom Cruise were to dine there, he’d repeat his

My own reaction was “swoon” as I surveyed the

92

Intertwining cultural cuisines is only one aspect of

it came home as leftovers and reappeared in thermoses

culinary pedigrees, the food at RYLA for me redeemed

for two days straight. And the kitchen was kind enough

the whole sometimes dubious notion of “fusion.” Chef

to send out the Black Truffle Fried Rice with Chinese

Ray Hayashi draws on his Japanese roots for dishes

sausage, egg, scallion and pickled ginger. Black truffle?

like the heavenly Hokkaido Milk Bread with Tobiko

Pickled ginger? All worries were resolved within a

nori spread, while Chef Cynthia Hetlinger’s Taiwanese

single bite of this odd but very successful fusion dish.

I don’t even like dessert, and when the Matcha

few pandemic-constrained years. I wanted to mention

Tiramisu arrived, I was compelled to break the “no

someone else by name, though: general manager David

phones ever at dinner” rule and immediately photo-

Ruivo. As I said earlier, I worked a long time as a server

graph this stunning dish. It’s modern art on a plate and

and as a sommelier under a variety of GMs—some

tastes delicious too. Matcha works in Italy as it turns

more challenging bosses than others. So I know quality

out, at least when handled by a talented chef. The Nama

management when I see it.

Chocolate Tart with rice cracker crust, sea salt and whiskey was a similar home run of integrated flavors.

Fusion also rules the beverage program, where

for new plates. David bussed it quickly and efficiently,

Californian wines. I felt my glass of Graham Tatomer’s

and when the busser guiltily came running to take the

Vandenberg riesling from Santa Barbara was just about

plates from the boss, he was waved off with a cheerful

the perfect sip with the array of distinct food flavors.

“I’ve got this” and no break in conversational flow.

The overall feeling of teamwork, collaboration and,

good day, opted for the quirky cocktail aptly called

frankly, flat-out fun at RYLA made me unexpectedly

Grandma’s Cigarettes—an east-meets-west drink if

wistful for my restaurant days. No other industry asks

ever there were one: Penicillin with bancha tea-infused

so much nor creates quite the same kind of camaraderie.

Suntory Toki, Laphroaig 10-year haze, ginger liqueur

I might pick up a few sommelier shifts again if they’ll

and a dash of honey. I finished it for him.

have me, just so I can eat a family meal and share a

Chefs often get all the praise when a great new restaurant opens, and RYLA is just that—easily one of the best new openings in Los Angeles over the last

|

was behind a bit, and our table needed to be cleared

top-shelf sakes share space with both French and

My husband, not much of a drinker even on a

94

David’s effortless command of the room and his all-hands-on-deck approach are apparent. A busser

shift drink with this extraordinary team of talents. But mostly, I just want that truffle fried rice again. ■

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C AT E G O R Y

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

AG E N T S P OT L I G H T

NEXT GEN Taking her cue from four generations of her family, Jenny Morant guides clients with empathy and simplicity.

WRITTEN BY LAURA L. WATTS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY SIRI BERTING

I

t all started four generations ago. Samuel

more on real estate, and she was ready

Safir was an experienced real estate

to leave the cold of Colorado. Tyler was

developer in Wisconsin. He had such a

also ready for a change from his career in

foothold on the local market that some

competitive professional skiing, so the two

of Milwaukee’s streets are named for his children. Little did he know his great-grand-

relocated to the South Bay in 2009.

“I bought our first home in Manhattan

daughter Jenny Morant would follow in his

Beach without Tyler ever even stepping foot

footsteps decades later on the West Coast.

in the South Bay!” Jenny shares. “It turned

Jenny grew up in Santa Monica, where

out to be the biggest adventure of my life

her parents owned and self-managed many

because it eventually set in motion every-

boutique apartment buildings. She was

thing we have now, which is truly a life I feel

basically immersed in the real estate industry

so blessed and grateful to be living.”

from the day she was born. They custom-built

“MY CLIENTS ARE EITHER ALREADY MY FRIENDS, OR THEY ARE BECOMING MY FRIENDS!”

Since then the couple married and

the home where Jenny grew up just north of

became parents of two daughters. They love

to Los Angeles and the hustle and bustle of

the Santa Monica Pier, and it was considered

the idyllic, family-friendly, small-surf-town

the big city.

architecturally significant—featured in the

vibes of Manhattan Beach—as well as the

June 1991 issue of L.A. Style magazine.

convenience of being just a 30-minute drive

“Living in Manhattan Beach is unlike anything I experienced growing up in Santa

Jenny attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While there she met Tyler Morant—the man who would eventually become her husband.

She moved to New York City in 2006 to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned a degree in fashion merchandising management. However, she realized the fashion industry wasn’t a fit, so she followed her heart back to Boulder, where Tyler was still living.

GOING BACK TO CALI Jenny started managing her family’s 20-unit apartment building in nearby Fort Collins.

The part of the job she enjoyed most was facilitating showings with prospective tenants. Soon she realized she wanted to focus |

97

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEVE GAFFNEY

C AT E G O R Y

The Morant family, L to R: Basha, Jenny, Marnie, Sadie, Tyler, Bella

Monica or living in Boulder, Barcelona and

industry, making connections and work-

New York City,” Jenny says. “It did not take

ing with people through some of the most

long for Tyler and me to agree that this was

important moments in their lives,” Jenny

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

the place we wanted to stay forever and

shares. “I know this sounds cliché, but help-

As busy as this active working mom is, she

would be the perfect place to raise children.”

ing people buy and sell their homes is a

focuses on the guiding principle of simplic-

privilege because everyone’s home is a

ity in her work and her personal life. “Overly

A LIFELONG PASSION

large part of their entire life story, as it was

complex solutions often create confusion,”

Jenny got her real estate license, joined

for me.”

she points out. “By keeping things simple, you

Compass and started the Jenny Morant

To become a successful residential

daughters’ Manhattan Beach schools.

reduce confusion and thus reduce errors.”

Group, where Tyler is vice president. He uses

Realtor, it’s essential that you make yourself

Cutting through the emotional part of a

his previous experience as an attorney to

available to clients because inventory and

deal, keeping everyone focused on the long-

ensure winning deals for clients and help

deals move fast. Jenny’s team prides them-

term goals and following through on her

address and limit risks in the transactions.

selves on that availability, yet Jenny and Tyler

promises are Jenny’s strong suits—and why

Jenny relies on her expertise as an investor,

feel it’s also critically important to spend as

clients keep coming back.

her in-depth knowledge of the local market

much quality time as they can with their kids.

and her training in psychology to help clients

So they emphasize a reasonable work-life

out of personal relationships and referrals,”

find the perfect properties, get their offers

balance—and encourage their team mem-

she shares. “My clients are either already my

accepted and close on time with as little

bers to do the same.

friends, or they are becoming my friends!”

stress as possible.

“Jenny helped us sell our first home,” a

“My business has grown almost entirely

Jenny is a social butterfly who thrills at spending time with family and friends. She

seller she recently represented shared. “She

prioritizes her well-being by walking the hills

JENNY MORANT GROUP

knows the market well and is great about

in the Manhattan Beach Tree Section, skiing,

JENNY MORANT, PRESIDENT

breaking it down for you so you understand

taking Pilates classes, learning to play ten-

MANHATTAN BEACH

it. She is so thorough, smart and profes-

nis and practicing regular meditation. She

424-409-8976

sional. We can’t wait to work with her again!”

contributes to charities that help families in

JENNYMORANT.COM

“Residential real estate is my true pas-

need find housing and food security, and

@JENNY_MORANT

sion because I love the personal side of the

participates in fundraising activities at her

DRE #01874517

98

|

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A Taste of Healdsburg A THREE-DAY WINE COUNTRY WEEKEND ITINERARY THAT COMBINES LIBATIONS AND RELAXATION Written by Linda Grasso

Experiencing Healdsburg is a slow-paced affair that combines the best of wine tasting with small-town

memorable, full-bodied 2017 Negroamaro.

We checked into Montage Healdsburg, about a five-

charm. Nestled along the Russian River in the heart of

minute drive from the town plaza. Ambling up the long,

Sonoma wine country, it is just an hour (or so) north of

scenic driveway, one easily gets a sense of the size and

San Francisco.

scale of the 258-acre resort. It took 16 years to develop

The town lies in the Sonoma Valley, where three

the property, which opened in late 2020. One of the

famous wine regions meet. Alexander Valley is known

holdups was a mandate to leave the existing trees on

for cabernet sauvignon, Russian River Valley for pinot

the property intact. Indeed, one of the resort’s best fea-

noir and chardonnay, and Dry Creek Valley for its zin-

tures is the beauty of its stunning mature trees, which

fandel and sauvignon blanc. Suffice it to say that it is a

include manzanita, oak, olive and hazelnut.

favorite of oenophiles.

Wine not your thing? Healdsburg is anchored by a

The contemporary architecture and subdued interiors of Montage Healdsburg are understated, and some

charming historic plaza offering retail shops and res-

guests might feel underwhelmed. But everything is

taurants. And away from town, you can kayak or canoe

meant to highlight the land and natural beauty. The

the Russian River or explore Armstrong Redwoods State

130 modular, bungalow-style guest quarters—built on

Natural Reserve, about a 40-minute drive away.

stilts—are nestled among the trees and hillsides and

For our visit, we decided on a mix of activities.

Here’s our three-day itinerary, equal parts libation and exploration.

are imbued with ample windows and decks for enjoying the views.

In particular, we enjoyed reading on our spacious deck and appreciated the generous bathroom, which

DAY 1

included an outdoor shower. One note: The rooms and

Hitting the town of Healdsburg, we decided to dive

suites are located up a steep hill from the main build-

right in. We stopped for a wine tasting at Orsi Family

ings of the resort. Guests can call for a golf cart shuttle,

Vineyards, a multigenerational, family-run operation

but this can take time. This aspect of the resort could

known for 11 estate-grown, limited production Italian

be a challenge for anyone with limited mobility. (Guest

varietals. We settled into a table on the patio overlook-

cars are valet-parked at the main building and not al-

ing the property’s 150-year-old olive trees. Noshing

lowed up the hill).

on a hearty cheese and charcuterie board and visiting with the charming owner, we sampled six varietals ranging from a yummy, spicy 2018 Schioppettino to a

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After checking in, we relaxed with a cocktail and a swim at the resort’s zero-edge heated pool.

The highlight of our stay was a truly five-star meal

A fish entree at Hazel Hill, Montage Healdsburg’s signature eatery. Above: The contemporary architecture at the resort was designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the environment.

Left: The recently renovated tasting room at Orsi Family Vineyards.

The charming, French garden-like setting at the pool at Hotel Healdsburg. Above: Scallops in puff pastry at Valette and the eatery’s chic dining room.

at Hazel Hill, the resort’s signature restaurant. The

pour of caviar-flecked champagne beurre blanc—and a

open-air interiors were appealing, but we chose to

perfectly cooked duck breast set atop forbidden rice.

sit outside overlooking the vine-covered hills. The menu’s French-influenced cuisine, highlighted by

DAY 3

seasonal vegetables, felt fresh and original. When I

For a completely different experience, on our third day

have someone who is clearly a top-tier waiter, I tend to

we checked into Hotel Healdsburg, right on the edge

follow their suggestions; such was the case here. It was

of the town plaza. While Hotel Healdsburg is more

a good move. In fact, the dish I was least excited about,

modestly priced than the upscale Montage Healdsburg,

an heirloom tomato and melon soup, turned out to be

you really don’t feel like you are giving up much. The

my favorite.

three-story boutique hotel features 50 handsomely appointed guest rooms, six suites, a spa and a charming

DAY 2

garden area. Just off the lobby is a chic bar. After

We considered renting e-bikes or hitting one of the

checking in, we grabbed a glass of wine and headed to

pickleball courts but decided instead to take a brisk hike

the pool. Despite the hotel’s central location, it was

on the property’s winding paths alongside the resort’s

surprisingly peaceful.

15 acres of vineyards.

Next we hit Spa Montage for a workout at the

The hotel offers several “experience” packages, and we chose Hike the Harvest at Bella Winery. We met our

fitness center, followed by a treatment. Inspired by the

guide, local health coach and nutritionist Karen Austin,

rituals and seasons of wine country (like the Harvest

and quickly got on our way.

Honey Ginger Infusion Ritual), the tranquil space

The hike up the hills and through Bella’s vineyards

features an array of services. I opted for the 90-minute

was a feast for the eyes, and Karen was lovely as she

Sonoma Blend Massage. It was a uniquely customized

answered our questions about the region, pointing out

experience infused with the aromatics of the high-end

this and that. We stopped several times to enjoy the

Ode skin care line.

360-degree views of Dry Creek Valley, and we even

For dinner we headed off-campus to highly touted Valette, helmed by Dustin Valette—a local who honed

spotted a bald eagle!

Back at the winery, we sat down for a wine tast-

his craft at Michelin-starred Aqua in San Francisco

ing and delicious gourmet picnic provided by Hotel

and Napa Valley’s Bouchon. Dishes are inventive,

Healdsburg’s on-site eatery, Dry Creek Kitchen.

artistically plated and paired with some of the

Though Bella Winery’s specialty is handcrafting small

country’s best boutique, small-production wines.

lots of zinfandels, we also loved their pinot noir.

You feel kind of cool just being in Valette’s hip

For dinner, we walked a couple blocks to the casual

vibe with dandelion-like light fixtures, concrete walls

Spanish eatery Bravas Bar de Tapas for a well-timed

and U-shaped banquettes. Valette is meant to be an

presentation of enticing small plates. We enjoyed the

experience, and what goes on behind the scenes is part

octopus served with fingerling potatoes and olives, the

of it. The open kitchen faces out toward the dining room,

savory duck meatballs and the Andalusia-style chilled

and above it is a glass-fronted case with aging meats.

gazpacho. It was a fitting finale to a thoroughly enjoy-

We opted for the five-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Highlights included scallops tucked into squid

able wine country weekend—a full immersion into one of the best towns in Northern California wine country. ■

ink puff pastry—then infused by our waiter with a

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Brighter Days SEIZE THE SUNSHINE WITH THESE LOCAL SUMMER FINDS. Curated by Tanya Monaghan

4 1 2

3 5

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1. Tropical print slip dress, $79; Waverly

3. Del Mar sandal, $40; Maison Luxe

5. eBike G20 Cargo in green, $2,299;

in Manhattan Beach

in Hermosa Beach

STRAND eBikes in Hermosa Beach

2. Gemma straw tote in Montauk,

4. Bo Bridges custom surfboard

6. Los Angeles, Portrait of a City by Jim

$156; Gum Tree in Manhattan Beach

for Leadership Hermosa Beach, price upon

Heimann, $70; Waterleaf Home in

or Hermosa Beach

request; bobridgesgallery.com

Manhattan Beach

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8

9 10 7

12

6 11

13

7. Great Escapes USA, $66: Waterleaf Home

9. The Tortoise bandeau in sandstone by

11. Olive wood with resin serving board, $85

in Manhattan Beach

Anemone, $145; BLVD in Manhattan Beach

to $110; Maison Luxe in Hermosa Beach

8. Ophelia Palm hat by Sunshine Tienda,

10. The hipster mid-rise bottom in

12. Paisley Bay beach umbrella, $199;

$112; Gum Tree in Manhattan Beach or

sandstone by Anemone, $135; BLVD in

businessandpleasureco.com

Hermosa Beach

Manhattan Beach

13. Paisley Bay Tommy chair, $299; businessandpleasureco.com

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The Tour Turns 10!

REMEMBERING THE FIRST DECADE OF THE TOUR DE PIER WITH THE DEDICATED TRIO WHO STARTED IT ALL. Interviewed by Darren Elms | Photographed by Angela Daves-Haley & Zoom Theory

Jon Hirshberg, who started the first L.A. Cancer

excitement surrounding that first year were incredible.

Challenge after the loss of his father, Ron, in 1997,

The inaugural Tour de Pier was held in May 2013 and

came across the idea of doing a spin bike fundraiser

raised over $339,000 for our charities. We had 171 bikes

after learning about an event that raised more than $3

and about 600 riders at the four-hour event.”

million in one day at cycling studios across the country.

How has Tour de Pier changed since the initial one?

time cycling enthusiast, about the idea of putting on

“The event has grown over the years to include more

a one-day event in Manhattan Beach where they both

than 375 bikes and 1,500 riders. We added a fifth ses-

live. Coincidentally, Heath had participated in a similar

sion (growing the event from four hours to five hours),

event in Barcelona during the 2009 Tour de France and

and we also added a sunset ride the evening before Tour

vividly remembered the spectacle of hundreds of riders

de Pier called Ride the Nite. Every year, we invite differ-

moving in unison all for a common cause. His response

ent local celebrities, college and professional athletes,

was, “I’m all in.”

and Olympians to participate on stage as our celebrity

They immediately looped in Jon’s sister, Lisa

ments into each hour, from live performances to dance

Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, to produce

troupes to cheerleading teams and our signature Flyover.

the event. Almost immediately, planning for the Tour

While much has changed, at our core we are sticking to

de Pier began. We caught up with John, Heath and Lisa

our motto: Ride in Place. Move Charity Forward.”

a full decade later.

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riders. Each year we add different entertainment ele-

Manheim, executive director of the Hirshberg

to learn how this signature South Bay event has evolved

106

Jon approached Heath Gregory, his friend and long-

How are the beneficiaries chosen for the event?

“Unlike other events that are produced by produc-

What was the first ride like?

tion companies or third parties, the Tour de Pier

“The hardest part was being a first-time event and

beneficiaries are the same people producing and

trying to market ourselves, and get people to sign up

planning the event. Lisa and Jon are both with the

without having any photos of a previous event. The idea

Hirshberg Foundation, and Heath founded the Uncle

was so new and different that it was hard for people to

Kory Foundation. We connected with Cancer Support

imagine what we were talking about. We borrowed bikes

Community South Bay in the second year as we were

from Fit On Studios and brought them down to the beach

looking for a local charity that was helping patients

to stage a photo shoot for our marketing materials that

with all types of cancer. Cancer Support Community

first year. The energy, the feedback, the success and the

South Bay manages all the volunteers for the weekend,

amongst other duties. All three of the charities collaborate to make the event happen.”

I’m sure you’ve encountered plenty of challenges over the years, not to mention a global pandemic.

“Trying to make each year better than the last and to keep growing our reach is definitely a challenge, but we are fortunate to have so many team captains who return year after year and say the Tour de Pier is the best day of their year. We are also blessed to have really dedicated and committed sponsors, as well as a team of instructors who pour their heart and soul into their hours. Aside from those challenges, the past two years and managing the ups and downs of a global pandemic were hard on everyone. 2020 looked a whole lot different than we expected, but our Tour de Pier spirit didn’t stop. While we couldn’t ride together in person, we never gave up the fight to cure cancer and we held a virtual event. In 2021 we returned with a smaller, more socially distanced, in-person event that some said was the best ever. We look forward to returning to prepandemic numbers in terms of both fundraising dollars and participants.”

It was great to get back on a bike last year! What has been particularly rewarding about this effort?

“The most rewarding thing is knowing that all the time and effort we put into the event is making a difference in the lives of so many—all three beneficiaries have been able to do such great work because of Tour de Pier. Prior to this year, we have raised more than $9.1 million, and when we surpass the $10 million mark in May, we will all be ecstatic and proud.”

What can we expect at the 10th anniversary event?

“Our 10th anniversary will be our best year yet! You can expect all the ‘feels’ of Tour de Pier with both laughter and tears—but also an added element of celebration and reflection as we hit this 10-year milestone.” ■

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TEN YEARS OF LOVE

10TH ANNIVERSARY • MAY 2 2 • MB PIER • JOIN OUR FIGHT AGAINST CANCER AT TOURDEPIER.COM

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the long way home KEN PAGLIARO, A COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER WHOSE PASSION FOR ADVENTURE, SURFING AND THE OUTDOORS HAS LURED HIM ALL AROUND THE WORLD, TAKES US ON A JOURNEY THROUGH HIS WORK. Written by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Jeff Berting & Ken Pagliaro

Ken Pagliaro’s undeniable talent is augmented by his ability to deeply connect with his subjects and surroundings. It is anchored by an empathy borne from personal hardship while growing up. His early struggles in life helped him appreciate the beauty in each moment, which transforms his images from pictures to inspiring stories.

Ken was born far from the South Bay in the small city of Trenton, New Jersey. Life wasn’t easy for him growing up. His parents divorced when he was 6 years old, which began a period of turmoil. “It was a very volatile time,” he shares. “I was experiencing a lot of emotions that I didn’t know how to process. There was a lot of stuff I wished I hadn’t witnessed at such a young age.”

Ken is one of three children, bookended by two sisters.

When his parents split, his dad bought a horse farm in the country. His mom, who was just scraping by, had to rely on relatives to house herself and the kids. She has 10 brothers and sisters, so the family bounced around living with relatives for well over a year.

Thankfully, they all lived close to one another, but it was difficult and Ken hated watching his mother struggle. It was also hard for him to move around to different schools.

“I had a lot of anxiety at a young age because I was always afraid of going to new schools, knowing that I couldn’t rely on my parents for support,” he says. “It was just a weird way to start out my formative years.”

Luckily, he and his siblings had each other and were very protective and supportive.

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Ken lived with his mom in the city during the week.

Life there could be brutal, and Ken was often bullied and attacked. “I would just be walking to class and

until years later. Ken’s dad was in the Navy, so Ken grew up on boats and around the water.

“I spent a lot of time at the beach,” he shares. “As

someone would punch me in the face,” he remembers

long as I can remember—even in the city—my friends

of the tensions between the neighborhoods.

would tell me I didn’t belong there. I always felt like

After school one day, Ken was beaten badly. Like a scene from Goodfellas, he walked back to his neighbor-

my energy and my way of being was lost.”

Ken was also creative. He drew constantly—his mode

hood crying and covered in blood. Thankfully, traumat-

of creativity at the time. He expressed an early inter-

ic experiences like these made him more empathetic.

est in architecture, attending high school for the first

“This is what some people have been experiencing

half of the day and then vocational school for drafting

daily for a long, long time,” he says. “It was very pow-

the second half. He did well, and as top of his class he

erful to have that epiphany and not be angry.”

managed to get a job in an architect’s office.

Ken had somewhat of a dual childhood experience.

At first he loved it, yet soon he realized that he

Although his parents only lived 30 minutes apart, their

loved the creativity but not the engineering aspects.

worlds were completely different. Ken lived with his

He moved into home construction, using many of the

mom and went to school during the week in the city,

handy skills he had learned from his dad.

and then spent time at his dad’s horse farm on the

It was on the construction site that he began a flirta-

weekends—training, racing and taking care of horses.

tion with photography. He’d bring a disposable camera

He learned to be street smart as well as appreciate

with him to work, documenting the process of build-

country life.

ing as well as the crew’s shenanigans. One of the crew

“I had my friends in the city and my farm friends

members asked if he could help him build a roof for his

on the weekends,” Ken shares. “I learned how to hunt

own house, and in lieu of payment he gave Ken his first

and fish and use my hands to build things. My dad and

SLR camera.

grandfather are very handy. I’m so grateful they taught me all of that.”

When Ken was 16, he moved in with his dad because city life was proving to be too hectic. Though protective of his mother, he needed a male figure in his life. Being

“I have one of the first photos that I’d taken on this camera, and I have it stuck on my refrigerator to remind me of it,” Ken says. “I thought that was the coolest thing.”

He became so taken with photography that he de-

out of the city and living in an outdoor environment

cided to take a class at a community college. After the

was good for him and allowed him to breathe more

first class, he was hooked. In his mid-20s, while still

easily. Though the farm life suited Ken, there was still

focusing on photography, Ken met his wife, Christine.

something missing.

She was working at Merrill Lynch and would fly to Los

“The funny thing is, even as a young kid I always had my sights on California,” he says. “I would read the

Angeles for work once a month.

The newly married couple bought a house in New

surf magazines, and I was the only kid who skate-

Jersey, and Ken remodeled the house by himself. It was

boarded in my neighborhood.”

the home he always dreamed of having when he was

Ken started surfing at the age of 17. His cousin gave him his first surfboard, but it just hung in his room

a kid. Just after it was fully remodeled, however, his wife’s company asked her to relocate to California. Ken

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117

“WATER IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SUBJECTS. IT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING TO ME, AND I NEVER GET BORED OF IT.”

was hesitant, but when he visited the place Christine had in mind for them—Manhattan Beach—he instantly

America, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Europe and across

felt at home.

the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Ken has estab-

They settled into their life in California, and Ken

and he is a veteran on the red carpet for the Academy

further pursue his love of photography. He took every

Awards and music events like iHeart Radio Awards,

night class available and worked at a photo lab in

Kids’ Choice Awards, BET and Soul Train Awards.

His most recent artistic project was showcased at

Ken met several celebrities as they dropped off their

the prestigious ART1307 gallery in Naples, Italy, a

film, including Harrison Ford and Jamie Lee Curtis.

collaborative installation from artists featured in the

This level of accessibility helped him muster the

film MANA. Ken, who stars in the film with nine other

courage to ask if he could photograph them; he was

artists, was the only photographer featured in the

amazed when a few agreed.

art documentary profiling his influence on southern

Soon after, Ken realized that the digital age was quickly taking over the photography world and adapted

California’s surf culture.

Ken’s love of the ocean and surfing has added a

by teaching himself Photoshop and offering retouching

depth to his work. And it’s the authentic connection he

services. When the store owner closed up shop, Ken was

has with people that sets his work apart. He is down-

finally ready to proclaim himself a photographer.

to-earth and patient, which allows him to capture more

When Ken and Christine split up, he found his pho-

than just an image. He gets the real moment. The em-

tography helpful and began shooting anything he could.

pathy he learned the hard way as a kid helps his images

He met many good people through that process, some

tell the story at a deeper level.

of whom mentored him. Cynthia Smalley, an acclaimed

Throughout all his travels and high points, some of

professional photographer focusing on portraits and

Ken’s most joyful moments are the simple ones—like

headshots, was a key influence. “She really taught me

returning home to Manhattan Beach. Twenty years

how to direct and connect with people, to help them

later, it still feels more like home to him than any

feel comfortable,” he explains.

other place.

Steve Fredriksz, another Manhattan Beach local and

“Whenever I come back here and lay my eyes on the

friend, helped push Ken forward—inviting him to join a

water for the first time, there’s a calmness and a peace

Coors Light shoot in Alaska. Ken’s images of the Coast

that just enters my body,” he says. “I have met some

Guard helicopters on that shoot, which Steve shared

of the best friends in the world here, and most of them

with Chevy, helped him land a job with the company.

live on my street. They have become like family to me.

He was there for the next six years.

It just feels like home.”

Ken’s prolific work can now be seen on national

Ken laughs that the neighborhood kids (some of

TV, print ads and billboards for clients like Chevrolet,

which are his godchildren) all call him Uncle Kenny.

Patagonia, Target, Coors, Nikon, Vans, Alcon, Bausch +

Almost on cue, a kid passing by shouts, “Hi, Uncle

Lomb, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and many more.

Kenny!” Ken looks up, smiling with his wide-open grin,

His portfolio extends to published images in magazines,

and waves back. ■

news journals and books.

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lished a strong client base in the entertainment world,

enrolled in the renowned ArtCenter in Pasadena to

Larchmont Village, near Paramount Pictures. There

120

His sense of adventure has taken him to Central

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designed to inspire RUBEN ROJAS IS ON A MISSION TO SPREAD HIS MESSAGE OF HOPE THROUGH ART. Written by Hadley Hall Meares | Photographed by Monica Orozco

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125

“There’s no right way to love,” artist Ruben Rojas says, spreading his muscled arms wide. “It’s art. It’s

year he partnered with Westfield Topanga to create a five-piece art installation called Summer of Love, which included both murals and sculptures. If you visited the

time. It’s storytelling. You name

outdoor mall this past summer, you may have seen the

doesn’t matter.”

This inclusive ethos has been a guide for Ruben’s life

towering, Instagram-worthy heart scrawled with the word “love.”

Ruben hopes these works serve as a form of motivation. “It seems like the world is in chaos and

and may account for his success in so many areas. He

out of control, but you can do something. You have

has been working as a muralist and sculptor for nearly

the power,” he says. “No, you don’t have to be the

a decade, and by selling his creations and merchandise

president. You don’t have to be a great inventor or a

from his website, he has also become an entrepreneur.

celebrity. You can just be you and effect change in your

It’s a radical departure for a man who once focused his

life, with your kids, with your friends, and then go from

life on climbing the corporate ladder.

there. It’s a ripple effect.”

Ruben grew up in working-class Panorama City as a

In 2018, he put his belief in the healing power of art

three-sport athlete. Although he always had an artistic

to the test, working with inmates at the state prison in

impulse, he aimed toward a career in medicine and grad-

Lancaster to create a mural that reads “Forgive/Forgiven.”

uated from Cal State Northridge with a degree in kinesi-

“We have to forgive ourselves before we can ask for

ology. After school, he focused on financial success and

forgiveness,” he says. “That just came about in conver-

dove into the freewheeling pre-2008 real estate scene.

sations with these inmates.”

But Ruben lost everything in the recession and was

This past year Ruben has seen his practice expand

forced into bankruptcy. He rebuilt his life, working as a

in new ways as a result of the pandemic. He focused

financial advisor for 10 years. Then he suddenly realized

on pieces with informative, inspirational slogans like

he wanted something more. “I was just miserable,” he

“You Can’t Quarantine Love” and “Love is Standing

recalls. In an effort “to heal,” he began tapping into his

Six-Feet Apart.”

creative side and was soon moonlighting as a muralist throughout the Southland.

In 2013, Ruben realized it was time to cut the

To grow his message of hope through art, Ruben has also been cultivating his business via his website (rubenrojas.com), where he sells branded clothing,

corporate tie off once and for all. “I’m like, ‘I just can’t

sportswear, inspiration boxes and commemorative

go to the office anymore,’” he says. “Even my clients

prints, including a striking piece dedicated to Kobe

were telling me, ‘You need to go do that and stop doing

Bryant. “I started making my art as accessible as I

this. We’ll be fine.’ Those were all the hints and the

could for everyone. A T-shirt is easy, you know—$40

signs. And I finally just did it. I had to bet on myself.”

for a T-shirt. And then we are walking billboards of

The artist’s signature works are colorful, large-scale pieces that often repeat an affirmative mantra—the

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France to Florida to the San Fernando Valley. This

cooking. It’s hugging. It’s quality it. Boy-girl, boy-boy, who cares? It

126

Today his endeavors can be found everywhere from

what we believe in.”

An entrepreneur at heart, the artist is intent on mak-

word “love”—in bright, swirling script. “I use the

ing “the love logo as big as the Nike swoosh slogan.”

urban landscape as my canvas. Beige and grey is

Instead of saying “Just Do It,” he hopes people will say

boring,” he explains.

“Live Through Love.” ■

SEEN

Humanitarian Food Drive Palos Verdes teenagers assisted in the collection of more than 40,000 pounds of canned and packaged food that would be distributed to those in need. Approximately 24,000 cans and packages of food were given to individuals in more than 1,000 cars that came to the site.

Water & Wood Hosted at Resin in Hermosa Beach, this event features the art of the South Bay Artist Collective, as well as submissions from the public. All art exhibited is united by the

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TOM COCKING

theme of water and wood.

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32nd Annual Seahorse Classic Golf Tournament Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital presented the 32nd annual Seahorse Classic Golf Tournament on April 11, with proceeds benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The day’s activities included a scramble golf format, barbecue lunch, helicopter ball drop, putting contest, exciting hole-inone opportunities, skins game, raffle prizes, online auction and post-round

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MAUREEN HAZARD

alfresco cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Rick Mayer, Allison Mayer, Kim Brothers, Chris Brothers

Jacquie Leimbach, Carey Romer, Buck Page (CHLA), Terry Greene (CHLA), Mike Lichty (CHLA), Kelly Walsh, Sue Wilkinson

Molly Leimbach, Chuck Leimbach, Kaitlin Leimbach, Jacquie Leimbach, Joe Leimbach

Jim Artiano, Brock Palmer, Vaughn Eldstrom, Lewis Cook

Tory Todaro, Kathryn Arafat, Kellie Stender, Cathy Eades

Recognizing Graduating Seniors 2022 Congratulations to the 19 graduating high school seniors from the Novas of Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

Collectively they contributed more than 7,500 service hours of service to support patients and staff particularly during the pandemic. Since September 2020, they have been incredibly good to health care workers by treating them to more than 42,000 baked good items.

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“As longtime South Bay residents and business owners, we have worked with many local professionals.

When it comes to managing clients’ wealth, we regularly function as the quarterback among a collaborative team of CPAs, attorneys, Realtors® and other trusted advisors.”

L to R: Vince A. DiLeva, MS, CFP®, AIF, Managing Senior Partner Eric C. Pritz, CFP®, CMFC, Senior Partner Len Hirsh, MBA, CFP®, AIF, Financial Advisor

– SIGNATURE ESTATE & INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC®

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Peace of mind is something money can’t buy. But one way to keep anxiety at bay is to be smart with your money—with the help of a solid team of financial experts. The local wealth management professionals on the following pages can help you conquer today’s financial challenges and make smart decisions to meet your life goals.

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SIGNATURE ESTATE & INVESTMENT ADVISORS

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DORSEY WEALTH MANAGEMENT ANGELA DORSEY

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GUZMAN LAW GROUP DENISE M. GUZMAN

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NAVIGOE WEALTH MANAGEMENT SCOTT LEONARD

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KINECTA WEALTH MANAGEMENT SEAN TOMPKINS

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TORTUGA WEALTH MANAGEMENT

WRITTEN BY LAURA L. WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

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FINANCIAL SERVICES

SIGNATURE ESTATE & INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC

S

ignature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC® (SEIA) is an independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm offering wealth management and financial planning services to affluent individuals, families and business owners.

SEIA manages more than $13.6 billion in client assets as of December 31, 2020, and has been recognized by financial publications such as Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms, Financial Times’ Top 300 Registered Investment Advisors, RIA Channel’s Top 100 Wealth Managers and LA Business Journal’s 100 Largest Money Managers.

With a combined 50 years of wealth management experience and multiple advanced degrees and financial designations, Vince DiLeva, Eric Pritz and Len Hirsh are proud residents and supporters of the South Bay community.

They work in a fiduciary capacity, delivering comprehensive and unbiased investment advice while employing a team approach with an open-door policy so clients can always reach someone at the firm with any question. As personal financial concierges, the SEIA teams help with investment management, retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, tax planning, philanthropic and family foundation management, college savings and insurance.

HOW IS SEIA DIFFERENT? SEIA was established in 1997 with the goal of only doing what’s best for our clients.

We have guided generations of families through numerous market and economic cycles and various life changes. Accordingly, we understand that priorities shift, goals evolve and unexpected needs arise, and we know that cookie-cutter investment solutions rarely get the job done. So we incorporate a range of strategies, and we maintain flexibility to tactically address new market challenges and opportunities as they arise. This includes customizable and personally-crafted portfolios that incorporate our investment committee’s extensive

research and thoughtful market analysis.

We even offer a unique “nondiscretionary” approach where clients retain final decisionmaking authority on investment strategies, specific holdings and trade timing. It’s a great stepping-stone solution for those accustomed to managing their own portfolio and who are thereby hesitant to “turn over the reins.”

WHAT ARE SOME UNIQUE STRATEGIES SEIA HAS ACCESS TO? With stock and bond prices at these current levels, the Alternative asset class looks attractive. We would consider investing in things like middle-market lending, private credit, private real estate and market/neutral strategies. Also, we would recommend investments in some noncorrelated, small-cap growth companies through private equity funds. For clients looking for some downside protection, you can also consider buffered/structured notes or ETFs. The Alternative strategy we choose depends on a client’s goals and objectives.

Alternative investments are speculative and may not be suitable for all clients, as investors must be willing to bear the high economic risks of the investments.

HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS PLAN FOR AND MANAGE RETIREMENT? As CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™, we offer financial plans that are unique to our clients. They’ll see a clear snapshot of where they stand, including their projected portfolio growth and year-over-year cash flow. And with our industry-leading financialplanning software, we can help them see potential pitfalls ahead to help ensure they don’t outlive their money and that they have some left over for their children and/or favorite charities. We can help them look at the potential financial impact of various life decisions, which also guides us in determining the allocation that makes the most sense—both now and later in life. In short, everything we do is designed to help

our clients achieve freedom from worrying about their finances so they can sleep well at night.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BENEFIT YOUR CLIENTS GAIN FROM WORKING WITH SEIA? Novice investors might evaluate an advisor’s worth by simply comparing portfolio performance to that of a market index. Advisors can add three to four percentage points (known as advisor alpha) over time—and especially in moments of crisis—through thoughtful advice on asset allocation, portfolio rebalancing, spending/ withdrawal strategies, product cost cutting and behavioral coaching around investors’ emotional tendencies.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors’ and do not necessarily represent the opinions of SEIA. Third-party rankings or recognition from rating services or publications are no guarantee of future investment success. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the Advisor by any client. Nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation or experience. Additional important information can be found at seia.com/disclosures.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

All investments involve the risk of potential investment losses, and no strategy can assure a profit. Royal Alliance Associates and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice; therefore, it is important to coordinate with your tax or legal advisor regarding your specific situation.

SEIA is an SEC-registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and no inference to the contrary should be made. Securities offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA) member FINRA/ SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through SEIA, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067, (310) 712-2323. RAA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of RAA. (CA Ins. License Len Hirsh #0L46886, Vince DiLeva #0B84300, and Eric C. Pritz #0E55966)

1848 S. ELENA AVE., SUITE 100, REDONDO BEACH | 310-712-2320 | SEIA.COM

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L to R: Vince DiLeva, Chelsea Traub, Sara Hendrix, Len Hirsh, Charley Edson, Eric Pritz, Stephanie Chow, Jeff Zuanich, Tammy Patterson, Kyle Demshki

FINANCIAL SERVICES

DORSEY WEALTH MANAGEMENT Angela Dorsey, CFP , Founder ®

D

orsey Wealth Management is a feeonly financial planning firm providing wealth management and retirement planning for women and couples. The firm’s founder, Angela Dorsey, and her team partner with clients so they are confident with their decisions about their money and can enjoy retirement without worrying and maintain the lifestyle they’ve worked so hard to achieve. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Angela has invested for family and friends for more than 25 years and opened Dorsey Wealth Management in 2011.

She earned her undergraduate degree in computer science from Loyola Marymount University and an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. She became a Certified Compensation Professional and served as a senior compensation consultant in corporate America for 20 years before following her dream of starting a financial planning firm.

WHY DID YOU START YOUR FIRM? I started my firm because I had a lifelong passion for financial planning. While in the corporate environment, I helped many of my friends who were smart and successful professional women. But I noticed many didn’t have the knowledge and confidence to manage personal finances well. Many felt embarrassed and ashamed about their finances while promising to get their finances in order “someday.” From this experience, I saw the need for financial planning for women and followed my dream of starting a financial planning firm.

WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOUR PRACTICE FROM OTHERS? We help women retire in style to a life they love! As a woman-owned firm, our personalized approach to wealth management addresses the unique financial planning needs of women who are single or who take the lead in managing their

household’s finances. Typically, our clients are planning to retire, recently lost a spouse, or received an inheritance or settlement.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BENEFIT CLIENTS GAIN FROM WORKING WITH YOUR FIRM? Financial peace of mind. Enjoying the retirement that you love without fear of running out of money is priceless.

IN WHAT WAYS IS YOUR WORK MEANINGFUL? I take the time to understand my client’s priorities and values. I then ensure that the work we do aligns their money with their priorities and values. Helping clients achieve or maintain the lifestyle they desire is incredibly meaningful.

HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS BE MORE TAX EFFICIENT? Being tax efficient begins with the investment strategy. Having a well-diversified portfolio of low-cost mutual funds with a long-term perspective is a time-tested strategy proven to be better than trying to time the market.

For my clients who are near retirement, we analyze the tax impacts of doing annual Roth IRA conversions. Meaning, does it make sense to pay taxes now or in the future? For clients in retirement, we work to ensure they are making tax-efficient withdrawals from their portfolios.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WITH THEIR MONEY? The most common money mistakes I see are letting fear and greed drive financial decisions. That is why it’s so valuable to have a trusted advisor on your side to prevent you from making those mistakes and remind you of your priorities and values. Some might call it “talking you off the ledge.”

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR CLIENTS WHEN THE MARKET SEEMS CHAOTIC? Market turbulence is normal. Prepare for turbulent markets before they occur. By creating an investment strategy consistent with a client’s priorities, values and risk tolerance, we focus on long-term factors that you can control, rather than market turbulence.

DOES YOUR FIRM SPECIALIZE IN A PARTICULAR MARKET NICHE? Our niche is helping successful women in the South Bay retire in style. Our clients are primarily South Bay women a few years from retirement. We help them implement a plan so they can retire to a life they love.

Our focus on the South Bay allows us to have a local network of experts to help clients navigate life’s twists and turns.

Being a South Bay resident allows me to be intimately familiar with the joys and challenges of preparing to retire here.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FIRM? Visit our website and subscribe to our free monthly newsletter, Finance and Fun – How to Retire in Style in the South Bay. The newsletter provides monthly guidance on how to retire to a life you love and have fun along the way, with financial tips and interesting things to do in the South Bay. WHAT IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2022?

I look forward to a family vacation in Miami Beach. We all went to Kauai last year and had an amazing time! Being able to spend time with those you love and experience the fun and adventure of a vacation together is priceless!

21250 HAWTHORNE BLVD., SUITE 500, TORRANCE | 310-370-7776 | DORSEYWEALTH.COM

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Caption

FINANCIAL SERVICES

GUZMAN LAW GROUP, PC Denise M. Guzman, Founder/Principal Attorney

WHAT TYPES OF CASES DO YOU FIND THE MOST INTRIGUING? Denise M. Guzman, Business and Estate Planning Attorney: Those that are the most difficult, where my years of experience make the biggest impact. I also enjoy working in our team environment to help solve our clients’ problems. Whether it is a difficult merger or acquisition or trying to reduce estate taxes for an individual’s assets. I enjoy finding a resolution and negotiating it successfully.

WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU SOLVE FOR CLIENTS? Edward Powell, Corporate, Securities, & Finance Attorney: We help clients find a legal solution to their business needs, whether the need is to raise capital for a new idea, borrow money to fund operations or buy a complementary business. The goal is always to find

a cost-effective solution that maximizes the investment in legal expertise and achieves the client’s goals.

protect themselves and their beneficiaries or helping them navigate the process of administrating the estate of a loved one.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BENEFIT CLIENTS GAIN FROM WORKING WITH YOUR FIRM? Marcus Chang, Business and Estate Planning Attorney: When clients work with my firm, they gain an ally to assist them with their legal and non-legal needs. Our attorneys and staff truly want what is best for our clients, and we use our knowledge, experience and network of resources to assist whenever we can.

Denise M. Guzman: There is a sense of satisfaction when you have brought a client through a difficult period in their business or personal life and provide them with a positive outcome. Whether it's a sale of a business, a litigation case or a trust administration, bringing closure in someone's life is very rewarding.

Denise M. Guzman: The biggest benefit that clients gain from working with our firm is the years of experience our senior attorneys provide to a client. We all have varied experiences and rich backgrounds in our careers. Some attorneys have the big-firm experience; others were in-house counsel for a variety of businesses, including a hedge fund company. Those experiences shape how we guide clients.

IN WHAT WAYS IS YOUR WORK WITH GUZMAN LAW GROUP MEANINGFUL? Edward Powell: Being a part of the client’s business for the life span of the company is rewarding. We often represent ambitious clients from their initial ideas and incorporation to growing and running a successful business and ultimately to their exit strategy. These exit strategies can include passing down the business to their children or to an employee group that shares the company’s values and excitement for the business, or prepping and handling the sale of a business to an outside group such as a larger company in the same line or to a private equity group looking to grow and expand the company even further.

Marcus Chang: I truly believe that I am providing a service to my clients, whether it is giving them peace of mind by helping them complete and understand their estate plans to

WHAT SKILLS ARE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN YOUR INDUSTRY? Edward Powell: Unlike some fields such as litigation, financial services law can be a win-win for both our clients and their counterparties. This requires a calm, measured approach to issues that arise during negotiation and documentation, and creative problem-solving to develop answers that appeal to all the parties in a deal.

Marcus Chang: I believe that compassion is necessary to achieve success in the area of estate planning, trust administration and probate. When I work with my clients, I want them to feel that we understand the position they are in—whether they have recently lost a loved one and are now overwhelmed with what to do or they are involved in a dispute with a relative—and know that we are here to help guide them through the process.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR TEAM? Charles Shelton, Litigation Attorney: Two things: First, we have real depth of experience in the area of trusts, estates and business.

Second, we leverage the expertise of the other lawyers within our firm. When I was in business school, I noticed that a small group of people working together could inevitably produce better results than even the smartest person could working alone. Guzman Law Group understands the value of teamwork.

1230 ROSECRANS AVENUE, SUITE 650, MANHATTAN BEACH | 310-321-6640 | GUZMANLG.COM

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARISA GUZMÁN-ALOIA

M

anhattan Beach-based legal firm, Guzman Law Group has been advocating for the South Bay community for more than 30 years.

Their clients represent the diverse industries that define the vibrancy and innovation of the South Bay. The firm provides highcaliber legal services in business and finance transactions, trust and civil litigation, estate planning and trust administration. With the proximity to Hollywood, Guzman Law Group also focuses on entertainment law and celebrity estates. The firm is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Founder Denise M. Guzman is a noted business, estate planning and trust attorney who earned her bachelor’s degree from USC and her law degree from UCLA. She functions as virtual in-house corporate counsel for many clients and is an integral part of their key decision-making and ongoing operational activities. She is a frequent guest lecturer on business, estate planning and trust administration issues.

L to R: Attorneys Alisha R. Swain-Fall, Carol T. Contes, Drew C. Hallett, Edward Powell, Denise M. Guzman, Charles Shelton, Marcus Chang, Maaha Khan, Jane S. Lee

FINANCIAL SERVICES

NAVIGOE WEALTH MANAGEMENT Scott Leonard, Owner

N

avigoe is a South Bay fee-only financial fiduciary that works with families, business owners and executives concerned with maintaining and growing their financial prosperity. Owner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Scott Leonard has more than 30 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management. For the past four years, Navigoe has been selected as one of the Best Financial Advisors & Wealth Management Firms in Los Angeles by AdvisoryHQ. IS THERE AN OVERRIDING CONCEPT THAT BEST DESCRIBES NAVIGOE’S SERVICES? We call it Family Wealth Preservation. Our clients have worked hard, made sacrifices and saved to achieve or get on the path toward financial independence. They are looking to generate a steady income stream in retirement for themselves while still preserving their financial legacy for subsequent generations.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE DIFFICULT TASK OF WEALTH PRESERVATION? Our entire service model is set up to design, implement and oversee a custom financial strategy that integrates all the aspects of family wealth preservation: investment management, tax mitigation, estate planning, retirement income, wealth transfer, charitable giving and asset protection.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT NAVIGOE’S FAMILY WEALTH PRESERVATION VERSUS OTHER TRADITIONAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES? What is unique is the focus on both preservation and income. There are many different factors that can impact a family’s financial health. Most firms primarily focus on investments. However, other elements such as taxes, expenses and complexity are much greater forces affecting the long-term

value of capital and its ability to generate spendable income. We use a holistic approach to the preservation of capital— always seeking to determine if it can be accomplished for less money, less complexity, less risk and lower taxes.

WHAT TYPES OF CLIENTS ARE BEST SUITED FOR NAVIGOE’S WEALTH PRESERVATION SERVICE? Family Wealth Preservation is best suited for families that have already accumulated a seven-figure net worth. However, it is extremely beneficial for those who are still in the accumulation—or saving—phase of their lives. Since taxes are one of the biggest expenses for most people, doing proper multiyear tax planning early is critical to minimize the effects of taxation later in life.

Planning earlier for financial independence and family wealth preservation leads to a higher probability of achieving these goals.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP YOUR CLIENTS THROUGH THIS TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED UNCERTAINTY? A unique feature of our investment approach is that it does not require us—or anyone else— to forecast what is going to happen. I know that we cannot predict the future, but we can plan for it. This allows our clients to have peace of mind that the strategies put in place for them to fulfill their goals are not disrupted by these difficult and tragic times.

I liken this approach to planning for an earthquake. In this analogy, most wealth management firms spend their effort trying to predict when and where the next earthquake may strike. At Navigoe, we focus on being ready for “the big one.” If it never occurs in our lifetime, excellent. If it does happen, we are prepared to minimize the after-effects and move on with our lives as smoothly as possible.

NAVIGOE IS AN INTERESTING NAME; WHAT DOES IT MEAN? “Navigo” is Latin for “navigate” or “to sail.”

The translation may specifically be “to navigate a sailboat across oceans.” At Navigoe we believe that we serve as our clients’ financial navigators, helping them achieve their goals and doing so in a secure and enjoyable manner.

YOU PERSONALLY KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT NAVIGATING OCEANS. Yes, in 2011 my family and I departed on a 2½-year sailing trip through the Caribbean Sea and the South Pacific. I worked remotely on the boat with periodic trips back to the South Bay for meetings. In the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression, I literally sailed off into the sunset ... and we did not lose a single client as a result of the trip. I attribute that to the incredible staff of Navigoe, our commitment to service, and the peace of mind we provided to our clients during the Great Recession and market crash.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO BEGIN WORKING WITH NAVIGOE? At Navigoe, we are seeking lifelong relationships with our clients—to be a partner in helping them achieve all that matters to them in their financial lives. To play off the theme of being our clients’ financial navigator, we do not just hand our clients a chart and push them off the dock. Rather, we board their boat and assist in navigating through their financial lives.

For families looking for an ongoing relationship with an experienced financial services firm, the first step would be to contact us and schedule an introductory meeting.

The purpose is for you to learn more about Navigoe and our bespoke approach to wealth management and for us to learn about your unique financial situation and to explore whether working together would be beneficial.

417 BERYL STREET, REDONDO BEACH | 310-697-0400 | NAVIGOE.COM

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L to R: Jennifer Okamura-Albert, Diana Bouch, Scott Leonard, CFP®, Eric Toya, CFP®

FINANCIAL SERVICES

KINECTA WEALTH MANAGEMENT Sean Tompkins, Wealth Advisor

A

s a financial advisor at Kinecta Wealth Management, Sean Tompkins assists individuals and families with financial planning, retirement planning, wealth transfer, insurance and college savings. A South Bay native and USC graduate, Sean joined Kinecta in 2020 and has worked in the financial industry for the past decade.

WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOUR PRACTICE FROM OTHERS? I take an educational approach, outlining the process and ensuring that each of my clients understands how we are going to address their goal—whether it is having enough money for retirement, sending kids to college or leaving a family legacy.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUR YOUNGER CLIENTS? Invest, Invest, Invest! Even if it’s only a little bit every month, time is on your side. The sooner you start investing, the more time you have for compounding to work—it’s like magic.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE WHEN THE MARKET SEEMS CHAOTIC? A good financial advisor becomes most valuable to their clients when markets are chaotic. When I work with clients, we make careful investment decisions based upon their goals, time horizon and feelings about risk. The likelihood of a chaotic market is baked into the plan, and we talk about that. I reach out to my clients when I see the market is headed downward to remind them of why we made the decisions we did, verifying that their goals and time horizon have not changed.

WHAT COMMON MISTAKE DO PEOPLE MAKE WITH MONEY? The most common mistake is making emotional decisions when there is volatility in the market. This is one of the reasons it is so important to work with a financial advisor who will help you stay the course and prevent decisions that could be costly in the long run.

Disclaimer: The financial advisors at Kinecta Wealth Management are registered representatives with and securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Kinecta Federal Credit Union is not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Kinecta Wealth Management and are employees of Kinecta Federal Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Kinecta Federal Credit Union or Kinecta Wealth Management. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are: Not insured by NCUA or Any Other Government Agency

Not Credit Union Guaranteed

Not Credit Union Deposits or Obligations

May Lose Value

3635 PACIFIC COAST HWY., TORRANCE | 310-643-3252 | KINECTAWEALTH.ORG/TEAM/SEAN-TOMPKINS

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FINANCIAL SERVICES

L to R: Kevin Bidenkap, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, Angela Park Sheldon, CFP®, Rachel Liao, Aurora Levchenko, Christine Chui, Jeff Weston and Sierra the dog

TORTUGA WEALTH MANAGEMENT

T

ortuga Wealth Management was founded in 2010 by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ Angela Park Sheldon and Kevin Bidenkap with the goal of assisting clients in every aspect of their financial lives. Their team has nearly seven decades of experience working with clients in the wealth management industry.

IN WHAT WAYS IS YOUR WORK IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY MEANINGFUL? Our work is meaningful because we have been able to hold our clients’ hands through various stages of life. We have clients who have long passed, and now we are working with their children and grandchildren. It is so meaningful to see the legacy that the original clients have created! Also, we have many clients who are very charitable-minded, and it has been really impactful to see their dollars at work in local charities that have benefitted from these funds—such as in underserved communities or benefitting local arts programs.

HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS BE MORE TAX EFFICIENT? We help clients be more tax efficient with everything from creating qualified plans, which help reduce their tax liability, to finding ways to defer capital gains taxes from a larger transaction. We create strategies to optimize their income from their investments once they are retired. That way they have taxable income stream from retirement funds, and potentially tax-free income stream from other vehicles.

DOES YOUR FIRM SPECIALIZE IN A PARTICULAR MARKET NICHE? We specialize in helping our clients with business succession planning and charitable gifting strategies. We help them set up everything from donor-advised funds to directing them to a charitable trust that could help reduce their tax liabilities while helping others in need. We also help them with an appropriate strategy to sell their company or real estate holdings so their tax

liability is as minimal as possible.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR CLIENTS WHEN THE MARKET SEEMS CHAOTIC? When the markets seem chaotic, the smart way to navigate is to follow the map—the financial plan our clients have made with us. It is a guide to help us remember that while the waters may be turbulent right now, eventually we will get to calmer waters. Ultimately, as long as we stay the course, we have a sturdy ship that can get us to our destination. Just like the story of the turtle vs. the hare, we believe that “slow and steady” wins the race.

Disclaimer: Kevin Bidenkap, Christine Chui, Jeff Weston, and Angela Park Sheldon are registered representatives with and securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Tortuga Wealth Management, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

1957 W. CARSON ST. #100, TORRANCE | 310-935-0275 | TORTUGAWEALTH.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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DRE#00967574

Palos Verdes Estates Situated on a huge, flat, 32,000 square foot lot, this stunning home features 8100 square feet, 7 bedroom suites and breathtaking ocean and coastline views! The spectacular backyard with pool, spa, cabana and lushly landscaped, expansive grounds completes this gated estate! $8,500,000

R E A L E S TAT E

Coastal Elegance in Manhattan Beach Situated on a desirable corner lot with views of town and the ocean beyond, this custom-built home features high end quality finishes and a walk-to-town location in a delightful neighborhood. Five bedrooms and six baths in 5,014 square feet of living space, is a rare find on this street and enables the owner to reside in a private, luxurious haven just steps from downtown Manhattan Beach, the greenbelt, the pier, and the Strand. A rooftop deck and offer gorgeous views. The primary suite includes corner windows with Pacific views and a wide balcony for relaxing after a long day. $5,795,000 Jen Caskey 310-200-5900 Listed by Jen Caskey Group | Compass Realty DRE #01075946

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LU X U RY B O U T I Q U E . G LO BA L R E AC H .

L E F T TO RIG HT : STAR R D ILL (D RE 02 102 8 8 8 ), STAC I A JA N U S ( D R E 0203 3 0 9 9) , E R I C FO N O I M OA N A ( D R E 01 4 3 2787) , JE N CAS KE Y ( DR E 0107594 6 ), ELIZ AB ETH W ELC H (DR E 01 5 01 74 6) , A L I S N I D E R ( D R E 01 1 221 875 ) , PAT R I C E R A D D E N ( D RE 02 1 0 0 059) , AVERY HA ZEL RIG G (D RE 020 94 5 23), N OT P ICT UR E D : J I L L I A N K A P L A N ( D R E 0 91 4 4 3 25 )

INFO@ J E N C ASK E YG ROU P.COM @ J E N C ASK E YG ROU P 8 05 M A N HAT TA N AVE N U E , SU I TE 201 M A N HAT TA N B E AC H, C A 90266

PENDING

FOR LEASE

5 57 3 R D ST R EE T H E R M OSA B EACH

9 1 7 3 R D ST R E E T HE R M OSA B E AC H

4 B E D | 4 B AT H | 2 , 3 5 0 S F | 2 , 4 9 4 S F L O T

4 B E D | 4 B AT H | O C E A N V I E W

$3,000,000

$13,000/MONTH

LISTED BY JEN CASKE Y

LISTED BY JEN CASKE Y

DRE 01075946

DRE 01075946

FOR SALE

PENDING

1 1 45 F I S H E R AVE N UE M A N H AT TA N BE ACH

2 1 05 N M E A DOWS AVE M A N HAT TA N B E AC H

5 B E D | 6 B AT H | 5 , 0 1 4 S Q F T

4 B E D | 3 B AT H | 2 , 2 6 9 S Q F T

$5,795,000

$ 2 , 59 9, 0 0 0

LISTED BY JEN CASKE Y

LISTED BY JEN CASKE Y

DRE 01075946

DRE 01075946

JEN CASKEY GROUP

310.372.2200

J E N C A S K E Y G R O U P. C O M

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

TOP PRODUCER

#9

Testimonials “We worked with Daniel and he was fantastic. He is professional, responsive, kind, a straight shooter and very experienced. We had been searching for a home in a very desirable, competitive market which was already difficult. When the pandemic happened, less homes were available in an already scarce inventory

Daniel Assayag Realtor®, DRE # 01762501 Daniel@LiveInLA.net 310.493.2100 liveinla.net

@dan_realestate

which caused competition to skyrocket. We searched for almost a year and found THE PERFECT forever home. We love it so much. We’re so happy Daniel was our agent through this wild ride. He advocated for us and answered every question we had promptly.

He is a good person...which counts for a lot.

We recommend Daniel to everyone” ~E. Kim

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working together with Mr. Assayag on numerous real estate transactions. Mr. Assayag is very knowledgeable, efficient, and a true pleasure to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend him to others in need of a competent and personable real estate agent to handle their real estate needs. I am also grateful that after so many business

1801 S. Catalina Ave,

transactions, I can now consider Mr. Assayag my

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

friend and personal confidant.”

Each office is independently owned and operated

~L. Stoller

Featured Sale of 2021

617 31st Street, Manhattan Beach 7 Bed 8 Bath 5,084 sq. ft. $4,835,000 Represented Buyer

IN ESCROW: 131 Covina Ave, Belmont Shore 2 bed 1 bath 1200 Sq Ft

JUST SOLD: 135 Siena Drive, Belmont Shore 4 bed 3 bath 2386 Sq Ft $1,600,000

JUST SOLD: 26010 Rolling Hills Road, Rolling Hills Estates 4 bed 4 bath 5290 Sq Ft $2,850,000

COMING SOON!

• Hermosa Beach Single Family Residence • Torrance Townhome • Rancho Palos Verdes Single Family Residence • Manhattan Village Plan 3, Fully Remodeled

Coming Soon in the Valmonte neighborhood of Palos Verdes Estates 4 bedrooms / 4 bathrooms | 2,950 square feet | 15,000+ sq. ft. corner lot $2,950,000

310-704-4014 | cariandbritt.com | Britt: BRE# 01799654 | Cari: BRE# 00850678

999 Paseo La Cresta, Palos Verdes Estates | $9,688,000 | www.999paseolacresta.com 7 Bd | 8 Ba | 10,484 sq.ft | 42,718 sq.ft lot | (Almost 1 Acre Lot) | 4 Car Garage

629 Via Horquilla, Palos Verdes Estates | $9,399,000 | www.629viahorquilla.com 7 Bd | 10 Ba | 7,464 sq.ft. | 26,494 sq.ft. lot | 4 Car Garage

1112 Via Mirabel, Palos Verdes Estates | $7,199,000 | www.1112viamirabel.com 5 Bd | 7 Ba | 6,666 sq.ft. | 22,081 sq.ft. lot | 3 Car Garage

LILY LIANG

LL.COM

EDBYVARIOUS NFORMATION.

+1 310 373 3333 | 310 902 7799 Text HOME TO THE FINEST COLLECTION HOME TOESTATE THE FINEST COLLECTION OF REAL EXPERTS IN THE SOUTH BAY. OF REAL ESTATE EXPERTS IN THE SOUTH BAY.

STRANDHILL.COM STRANDHILL.COM

STRAND HILL | CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE LICENSE #01968431. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SQUARE FOOTAGE AND/OR

STRANDHILL|CHRISTIE’SINTERNATIONALREALESTATELICENSE#01968431.THEINFORMATIONCONTAINEDINTHISDOCUMENT,INCLUDING,BUTNOTLIMITEDTO,SQUAREFOOTAGEAND/ORACREAGE,HASBEENPROVIDEDBYVARIOUS ACREAGE, HASMAY BEEN PROVIDED

BY VARIOUS WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE SELLER, PUBLIC RECORDS, THE LISTING OR OR OTHER SOURCES. BROKER HASINFORMATION. NOT AND WILL SOURCES WHICH INCLUDE THE SELLER, PUBLICSOURCES RECORDS, THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OR OTHER SOURCES. BROKER HASMULTIPLE NOT AND WILL NOT SERVICE INVESTIGATE VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THIS

NOT INVESTIGATE OR VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION.

lily@lilyliang.com | www.lilyliang.com 716 Yarmouth #202, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274 BRE# 00837794

Through our network, we expose our clients to properties all over the world. No matter where your dreams may take you, we’ve got you covered.

The Retreat at Moonstone Beach

Cambria, California Offered for $40,000,000 5 bed / 6 bath / 3 half bath / Approx. 12,188 sq ft / Approx. 78.5 acres Sotheby’s International Realty | Montecito Wrapped in 180-degree protected ocean views and surrounded by pristine state park lands, The Retreat at Moonstone Beach is a gated and supremely private 78-acre coastal sanctuary offering unrivaled relaxation and recreational opportunities.

DARIN DERENZIS 310.418.6210 | darin@vistasir.com DRE# 01760239

MEREDITH JOHNSON DERENZIS 310.600.7973 | meredith@vistasir.com DRE# 01907722

Our neighborhood, your home.

ROSE GAVAGAN 713.264.1275 | derenzis@vistasir.com DRE# 02157998

Each office is independently owned and operated.

For women who don’t want to stand still.

Check out the new SheSez.com.

Now, much more than a podcast.

Follow @she_sez

IT FEELS GOOD

TO GIVE A GIFT THAT GIVES BACK TO OCEAN CONSERVATION + CRAFTED FROM CALIFORNIAN BOTANICALS FORAGED ALONG THE MIGRATORY PATH OF THE GRAY WHALE + SEVEN TIMES DISTILLED IN SMALL BATCHES IN SONOMA. IT ALSO TASTES INCREDIBLE, OR THAT’S WHAT THESE FANCY AWARD PEOPLE TELL US.

“ ...the perfect martini.”

-Men’s Health Magazine, Gray Whale Gin Review,

GMO & GLUTEN

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Drink Responsibly. Distilled & bottled by Golden State Distillery, Sebastopol, California.

LAST WORD

The Human Heart REMEMBERING THE JOYFUL GOODNESS OF IACT’S KATIE-JAY SCOTT AND GABRIEL STAURING Written by Liam Monaghan

“Joy! It’s our open secret.” That was the reason Katie-Jay Scott

part of their mission. They embraced everyone into the global

and Gabriel Stauring gave for doing what they did. From their

family they brought together for the cause.

home base in the South Bay, they traveled to the most forgotten

They were the visionary founders of iACT, an organization

parts of the world—helping refugee communities recover from

dedicated to helping refugee communities around the world.

atrocities beyond human comprehension. The coexistence of that

iACT thrives today thanks to their inspiration and the immovable

joy amid such heartache was a paradox they lived every day.

foundations they built through their tireless work and sacrifice.

They used whatever resources they could get together and created award-winning preschools, soccer academies, food programs, refugee employment and so much more—always

They were also dear friends, beloved family and doting parents to their three children.

They are gone far too soon, taken from us all in a tragic car

with the guiding principles of mindfulness, providing dignity

accident last year. The world was made better by their amazing

and being refugee-led. Wherever they went—Chad, Cameroon,

light and the way they inspired us to believe that we all have the

Central African Republic, Tanzania, Armenia and so many more

power to help others. We have been robbed of their contagious

places—they went with empathy, determination, humility and,

joy, but they have taught us that we all have that within us too—

of course, joy.

unleashed every time we take action in the service of others.

It was that joy that burst through in every interaction with

Their legacy lives in all of us lucky enough to have met Katie-

them, born from lives full of love, purpose and meaning. It was

Jay and Gabriel. As we continue their work, their open secret

contagious too—you couldn’t help but ask how you could be a

lives on joyfully. Get involved at iact.ngo. ■

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Explore the new side of a California Classic Come experience the newly refreshed Portofino Hotel & Marina, your premier oceanfront staycation destination. With complimentary cruiser bicycles, an onsite Dockside Activity Center offering ocean adventures, elegantly-appointed guestrooms and suites, top-notch food and out-of-the-box craft cocktails at BALEENkitchen—meet the all-new Portofino.

HOTELPORTOFINO.COM | 260 PORTOFINO WAY, REDONDO BEACH, CA | 310.372.1202

T O R R A N C E M E M O R I A L I S A G A I N T H E O N LY HOSPITAL IN THE SOUTH BAY AND ONE OF FIVE IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO RANK IN THE WORLD’S 250 ELITE HOSPITALS BY NEWSWEEK. We are leading the way in the South Bay for expert care. Learn the facts.

Visit TMFirst.org

#1 Ranked Hospital in the South Bay