Ventura Blvd April|May 2024

Faces of the Future

BALLERINA KATIE CHEN

CREATE THE FOUNDATION FOR A WONDERFUL

Secure your spot at Wisteria.

With recent approval to begin pouring the “All Important” foundation, construction at Wisteria at Warner Center is well underway. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor so you can experience a retirement lifestyle like no other.

LA’s newest Life Plan Community will offer residents so much more, including a large campus with a new park, a convenient location, multiple dining venues and a comprehensive plan for the future.

MORE CHOICES.

Set on 17 beautiful acres, Wisteria will have a variety of floor plans so you can choose the well-appointed and rightsized home for you.

MORE PEACE OF MIND.

Residents will have priority access to the adjacent health center for assisted living, memory care and long-term care in a skilled nursing center, if ever needed.

MORE FUN.

Enjoy theaters, libraries, a pool, pickleball, tennis, bocce and more resort-like amenities just steps from your front door.

MORE VALUE.

Instead of several monthly bills, residents will pay a monthly fee that covers many costs of daily living, including maintenance, life-enriching amenities and dining.

Many of your future neighbors have already joined the Pre-Construction Depositor List to secure favored pricing and select their homes.

Call 1-866-788-3659 or scan the QR code to learn how you can lock in our lowest prices – before it’s too late!

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Third Night Complimentary

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THE GODFATHER OF DENIM

Meet jeans pioneeer Adriano Goldschmied.

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BON VOYAGE

From spring break to summer vacay, the latest in resort wear.

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HUB & HEART

An architect comes to the rescue during a reno in Studio City.

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HIGH NOTE

Cleveland Charter High School’s esteemed marching band.

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FACES OF THE FUTURE

Eight Valley teenagers and their extraordinary endeavors.

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CRYO BABY

Pause Studio opens in Studio City.

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GUIDING EYES

Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar is enabling people to lead active lives.

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FULL-BODIED EXPERIENCE

A world-class spa at Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal’s wine country.

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SMART HEALTH TECH

Discover mindful mirrors, glasses that help you hear—and more

APRIL/MAY 2024

AND THEN SOME...

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CAMPS GUIDE

A comprehensive summer camp list.

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

A showcase of some of the top schools in the Valley and the people who run them.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS PROFILES

Local professionals who aim to make you look and feel your best.

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REAL ESTATE

Spectacular local listings.

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LAST WORD

A heartfelt farewell to a Valley institution.

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COVER

Katie Chen photographed by Shane O’Donnell. Styling by Elise Wilson.

Something’s in the air.

Get seasonal allergy relief at our Urgent Care.

It’s that time of year. Runny nose, sore eyes, and—bless you. If you’re experiencing the effects of seasonal allergies, we can help. Dignity Health Medical Group’s Urgent Care offers a variety of treatments to relieve symptoms. We’re open seven days a week with extended evening hours. Walk-ins are welcome or you can schedule your arrival time online. Learn more about our comprehensive services at dignityhealth.org/northridge/urgentcare.

18460 Roscoe Blvd., Ste. 100, Northridge, CA 91325 (818) 717-3110

Scan here to schedule an estimated arrival time.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Linda Grasso

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Darren Elms

COPY EDITORS

Bob Howells

Laura Watts

CONTRIBUTORS

Heather David

Diane Haithman

Robert Earle Howells

Chelsee Lowe

Richard Lowe

Tanya Monaghan

Jessica Ritz

Elise Wilson

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle Villas

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Ajay Peckham

Yuiko Sugino

DIGITAL MARKETING

Paul Fisher

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eric Dearborn

Rodrigo Gaya

Tracy Gitnick

Cara Harman

Manolo Langis

Shane O’Donnell OURVENTURABLVD.COM

| @OURVENTURABLVD

CO-GROUP PUBLISHERS

Jill Epstein | 213-309-0052 jill.epstein@thegoldenstatecompany.com

Syd Hersh | 310-890-0107 syd.hersh@thegoldenstatecompany.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Jen Turquand | 310-528-5351 jen.turquand@thegoldenstatecompany.com

DIRECTORS OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

Erika Carrion | 310-897-2424 erika@thegoldenstatecompany.com

Marcie Gutierrez | 310-947-5404 marcie@thegoldenstatecompany.com

MARKETING & OPERATIONS

PARTNER/BRAND PUBLISHER | Emily Stewart Baker

PARTNER/MANAGING

| Warren Schaffer

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY | Charles Simmons

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | Allison Jeackjuntra

ACCOUNTING

I’ve never been so thrilled to see spring arrive. I mean, what a winter! February was the wettest month in LA since 1998. With over 12 inches of rain drenching the city (I recorded 9 inches in my backyard from February 4–6), it was the fourth-wettest February in years.

Fortunately, our ground was so dry from the megadrought that we didn’t have as many mudslides as in other torrential rain years. Still, lots of people had water damage to their homes. Our pool overflowed—we don’t have an automatic overflow valve, and the drains were clogged. The water flowed into the back of the house. Worse, we got it from both sides! Our neighbor’s pool also overflowed, spilling into our front yard. Another bummer: The damage to our house wasn’t covered by our homeowners policy. Unbeknownst to us, the fine print excludes coverage for water damage resulting from “acts of God.” I’m sharing this simply with the hope that it might help someone else avoid an unpleasant surprise.

Overall, more than 17 inches of rain fell from December 1 through the end of February—the 13th wettest LA winter on record. The good news from all of this

is, of course, the fact that a wet winter means it’s going to be a glorious spring filled with beautiful blossoms and lush greenery. I always notice an uptick in both during winters with good rain. Another superbloom is expected this year for California wildflowers. And I’ve marked my calendar to hit The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch to see the ranunculus. (You can call the Theodore Payne wildflower hotline at 818-768-1802 to hear weekly recorded reports on where to see the best blossoms in SoCal.)

Spring officially arrives on March 19, right around when you receive this issue. For me, it really starts the weekend of March 23 when I’ll hit the Tomatomania sale at Tapia Bros. produce stand on Hayvenhurst Avenue in Encino. I see the same people there every year. Friends. Neighbors. Fellow gardeners in the community. I always leave the sale ruminating on what a small town the Valley feels like at times, and what all the seedlings in the back of my car will produce. It is a mystery that unravels in a unique way each year. Much like spring itself. ■

Linda Grasso, Editor-in-Chief

A legacy of innovative, compassionate care

Serving the San Fernando Valley since 1944, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center has maintained a reputation for clinical excellence and award-winning care. Our distinguished services include care in cancer, cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics and women’s health.

We are honored to be our community’s trusted health care partner for eight decades and counting.

Learn more: 844-987-0488 | providence.org/saintjoseph

The Godfather of Denim

ADRIANO GOLDSCHMIED, WHO PIONEERED THE CONCEPT OF DESIGNER JEANS 50 YEARS AGO, CONTINUES TO CREATE AND INNOVATE—NOT ONLY FOR HIS LA-BASED BRAND, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD OF DENIM.

Written by Robert Earle Howells | Photographed by Shane O’Donnell

I’m old enough to remember when jeans were jeans. Meaning, jeans were Levi’s 501s. Deeply indigo, stiff as a board. But oh, what service they gave over a lifetime of washing and fading, growing softer and more supple, and more and more an object of deep affection.

We loved them, wore them everywhere. We were rebels without a cause, unless that cause was keeping our jeans alive forever.

All that was before the Godfather of Denim came along. That would be Adriano Goldschmied, the man you can thank for the transcendence of jeans from workaday or teen-rebel wear to designer status—as lovable as our old 501s, but with fashion flair and eye-popping prices.

Adriano, who is 80, has had a thing for jeans since he was a lad in postwar Trieste, Italy, where he admired the Levi’s worn by occupying American and British soldiers in their off-duty hours. “After that first exposure to denim, it was love for life,” he recalls. But his first foray into fashion was sparked by his admiration for the swinging London music scene of the early ’70s and the “mod” designs of Mary Quant.

“I didn’t go to design school,” he says, sitting in his cluttered downtown LA studio. “My school was street markets, music, concerts. My inspiration was social life.” He opened a shop in Cortina d’Ampezzo, an upscale Italian ski town whose jet-set habitués were a ready market for the pricey fashions Adriano brought over from London. “Denim at the time was just Levi’s. But I was young, with a lot of energy and desire. I developed a very strong interest in innovation: new fabrications, colors, materials, fit. The center of this became denim.”

Adriano launched his first denim brand, Daily Blue, in 1974—arguably the world’s first designer jeans. And the world’s first expensive jeans. At a time when Levi’s were selling for about $16, Daily Blue was offering $120 jeans. “I was for sure one of the first to bring denim into a different life. Back then it was mainly working people. We changed

the approach. We took denim from $5 to $1,000. Today on the runway there’s not a single collection that doesn’t include denim.”

The success of Daily Blue prompted Adriano to form the Genious Group in 1981, something of a think tank for denim, where he guided a team of young, creative designers and founded brands such as Diesel and Replay.

During this period, Adriano befriended the legendary editor of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani, who became a mentor and inspiration. “Franca was so creative, so much vision for the future. She’s the one teaching me: When somebody tells you to do something, do exactly the opposite. You have to fly all the time out of the box.” It was Franca Sozzani who dubbed Adriano “the Godfather of Denim.”

An example of flying out of the box was his next brand, AGOLDE Jeans, whose message was sustainability and whose denim was made of Tencel rather than cotton—foreshadowing Adriano’s current passion for bringing environmentally responsible practices to the denim industry. That was 1992. Two years later, he launched AG Jeans, his best-known venture, still a wildly successful brand, and one that epitomizes the concept of designer—and expensive—jeans.

Did the success of AG Jeans surprise him? “Not at all,” he says. “I had a clear vision at the time of what was going to happen.” The vision was born of a sense that consumers were becoming more sophisticated and would be willing to pay more for quality jeans. “We created a better product for better consumers who understand why it is more expensive. I’m very proud of establishing the quality design concept, and proud that AG is still doing well (he sold his share in the company in 2004) and that the product is still similar.”

Adriano is renowned in the denim industry not only as a designer, but as an expert in finishes, washes, and accessories. He pioneered the stonewashed, pre-faded look. “It was a gigantic innovation. We created a new industry—but it wasn’t a clean industry. All the washings, all the chemicals. When we realized, my God, we’re destroying the planet, we knew we had to fix it.”

At the same time, America was beckoning. He had spent time in the U.S. working with the Gap to design

and bring to market the popular 1969 jean. In 2000, he decided to uproot his family and business and settle here permanently. “It was very easy to move here,” he recalls. “It was like a soccer player going to compete in the first division.” He decided on Los Angeles because he was friends with Ron Herman, who ran the Fred Segal shop on Melrose. LA was also exactly the right place for man who relishes creativity. “As a designer, I can go to Starbucks in Silver Lake and design a whole collection just from watching people on the street.”

Adriano has not only launched numerous denim brands; he’s had a powerful impact on most others. “He’s incredibly creative,” says Jonathan Greenberg, president of two LA-based denim brands—KUT From the Kloth and Edyson. “A lot of people in our industry follow what happens. He pioneers. He starts it. He’s always on the cutting edge.”

It’s natural to wonder if such a creative spirit ever feels hemmed in by so much focus on denim. “Not at all,” Adriano says. “There’s so much aesthetic flexibility.” It’s also clear that he reveres denim for the same reasons we all love our favorite jeans. “You love the fit, the color, the wash, the material, the functionality.”

After a half century in denim, Adriano remains busy and passionately dedicated, not only to designing jeans for the made-in-LA Daily Blue brand he recently revived, but also to raising the environmental standards of the denim industry. For example, he designed a jean for Chloé to be 100% biodegradable (think wood buttons and thread in place of rivets). He regards Daily Blue as “a research brand.” He scrutinizes every component for sustainability and sources fabric made by socially responsible manufacturers who utilize organic and recycled fibers.

Of course, creating products that last is one key to sustainability. “Yes, I’m a fashion animal, but mainly let me design something that lasts years and years. I don’t buy anything. I have T-shirts for 20 years. I have maybe five pairs of jeans.” He is, of course, wearing jeans, so I ask what brand they are, guessing perhaps AG. “No, they’re Levi’s,” answers the Godfather of Denim, a man who has launched dozens of brands of jeans. “I’ve been wearing Levi’s all my life.” ■

“I didn’t go to design school. My school was street markets, music, concerts. My inspiration was social life.”

DESTINATION: STYLE THE COLDWATER CURVE

Designed by world-renowned architect Rudolph Schindler in the 1940s, the historic shops at Coldwater Curve (12638-12672 Ventura Blvd.) continue to inspire design enthusiasts across the county. Today the

property hosts an inspiring and unique mix of Studio City shops and eateries, each with their own special history. The structures may be decades old, but this collection of stores brings a fresh and

forward-thinking perspective to a new generation of stylish clientele. Here, Gisele Tune, Sy Devore, Calleen Cordero and Emerald Forest Gifts preview their favorite items for the spring season.

Gisele Tune | 12660 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City | @tunegisele

Emerald

Calleen Cordero | 12666 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City | @calleencordero

Sy Devore | 12672 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City | @sydevoreofficial

Gisele Tune

Bringing style to Studio City for nearly 30 years, this adored boutique is a must-visit destina tion for the latest in women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Gisele offers a curated collection of merchandise that includes unique finds from her travels around the world and everyday wardrobe essentials.

’90s cargo pocket column denim skirt with front split, $198

Emerald Forest Gifts

Sy Devore

Opened in 1987, this shop now owned by Kristen Tarnol provides a curated mix of gifts for every occasion, including housewares, jewelry and eclectic items from around the world.

Caddis reading glasses in Hopper, $140; sterling silver heart pendant necklace with Australian sapphire and green opal, $116; Greek collar necklace with chrysoprase, $132; opal and moonstone tassel bracelet, $154; labradorite, blue topaz, opal and Iolite tassel bracelet, $130; 14k gold-filled earrings with chalcedony and pearl, $108

Calleen Cordero

A California native, Calleen, in her 20-plus years as a designer, has become an iconic lifestyle brand. Her handmade luxury leather footwear, handbags, belts, home goods and accessories blend style, comfort and quality. Come visit her newly opened lifestyle boutique.

Padre Abejas wristlet, $285; the “Classic” Pia A80 handscuplted wood heel featuring padded insoles and handmade in embossed leather, $540

Sy Devore continues to innovate the world of men’s clothing while celebrating 80 years of creating history. Come in, have a drink and we will show you.

Knit overshirt by Maurizio Baldassari, $1,295; sport shirt by Sy Devore, $285; cotton pullover by Sy Devore, $295; jogger pant by Tombolini, $395; socks by Marcoliani, $40; shoes by Rubirosa; $450

Bikini top, $128, and bikini bottom, $118, both by Zulu and Zephyr at blvdmb.com

Under the Sun

FROM SOFT PASTELS TO BOLD, BRIGHT HUES, EXPECT EVERY COLOR OF THE RAINBOW FOR RESORT WEAR THIS SEASON. WHETHER YOU ARE DASHING OFF FOR SPRING BREAK WITH THE FAMILY OR A ROMANTIC WEEKEND WITH YOUR HONEY, HERE ARE A FEW EYE-CATCHING LOOKS.

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell | Styled by Tanya Monaghan | Hair and Makeup by Cat Sherwin

Cobalt and black one-piece by Bond-Eye, $200 at Nordstrom Westfield Topanga; Clementine braided bag by Hereu, $600 at Bloomingdale’s Westfield Fashion Square; Gold bangle by Cult Gaia, $268 at cultgaia.com

Yellow bikini top with colored trim, $80, and bottoms to match, $76 by It’s Now Cool at revolve.com; Gold earrings by Gorjana, $80 at gorjana.com; 18k

by Chan Luu,

at

Left page Terry cloth poncho by Simone Fan, $350 at simonefan.com; 14k gold-fill circle ring, $70 at The Bungalow in Hermosa Beach; Delphi bracelet by Cult Gaia, $218 at Neiman Marcus Westfield Topanga; Vintage jade ring, $118 at gumtreela.com

Meridian Necklace with blue opal

$225

chanluu.com; Mixedgem knotted necklace with 9k gold chain by Lena Skadegard, $490 at gumtreela.com

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.

Eco Landscape is a full-service landscaping firm that brings 20+ years of custom design and installation experience to residential projects in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Our mission is to collaborate with our clients from concept to completion, creating modern landscapes that complement and enhance their homes. We strive to create beautiful, functional and relaxing outdoor living spaces that inspire our clients to spend more time outside and provide them with a sanctuary away from everyday chaos. We specialize in drought-tolerant gardens that look beautiful year-round and are easy to maintain.

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS.

Mutual respect, trust and clear communication create the most ideal working relationships with our clients and allow us to do our best work. From setting a clear aesthetic and design direction during the design phase to communicating the small adjustments that inevitably need to be made during the build, we build a trust with each client that allows us to do what we do best. This is always the formula for the most successful working relationships and also the best results.

ECO LANDSCAPE DESIGN & BUILD

Jennifer

& Brad Klein

818-518-9928

INFO@ECOLANDSCAPE.NET

ECOLANDSCAPE.NET

@ECOLANDSCAPELA

WHAT IS YOUR HALLMARK WHEN RENOVATING A LANDSCAPE?

Eco Landscape’s signature style is modern simplicity in design, material palettes and plant selections. Limiting the number of different materials we use allows our landscapes to become visually relaxing and thoughtfully designed. Although it can be challenging at times, less is always more.

WHAT IS ECO LANDSCAPE’S SILVER BULLET?

We have two! The first is the unique synergy between the designer and builder (who are married) and our crew, all of whom have been with us for 10+ years. Being a design-build firm allows us to design with the builder’s input and build with the designer’s guidance. Our crew understands our design vision, and they bring a level of expertise that improves every aspect of our installations.

The second is our ability to design and execute landscapes that not only bring to life our clients’ goals but also meet their budget expectations. There is nothing worse than a landscape design that never gets executed because it does not fit with the clients’ goals or budget. We strive to design landscapes that will get built and that people will enjoy for many years.

HUB

HEART

AFTER THE RENOVATION ON A FAMILY HOME IN STUDIO CITY GOES AWRY, ARCHITECT MAY SUNG COMES TO THE RESCUE—RESULTING IN A HOME THAT PERFECTLY SUPPORTS THE LIFESTYLE OF AN ACTIVE COUPLE AND THEIR FOUR KIDS.

Written by Jessica Ritz | Photographed by Manolo Langis

A designer’s role might seem transactional on the surface. But May Sung’s evolving relationship with a family through the process of remodeling their Studio City home proves that this dynamic can make all the difference.

When homeowner Gina Rossen reached out to May, a partner at SUBU Design Architecture, Gina desperately needed help managing what had become a daunting project that snowballed. During the pandemic she and her husband, Jeremy, bought a classic ranch-style house that came with plans to expand the square footage. Both have busy careers (he is general counsel for the digital media and internet company Ziff Davis; she is a part-time clinical trial consultant in drug development), but they were up for the renovation. They loved the neighborhood and were excited to move from Mandeville Canyon to be within walking distance of Harvard-Westlake School—which two of their children, Micah and Ava, attend. But the home wasn’t quite large enough to accommodate their family, which also includes twins Zachary and Asher, college freshmen.

“We thought it would be easy. We gutted everything, and then realized we were in way over our heads,” Gina recalls. By the time construction was through the framing phase, the Rossens pivoted from their initial plan, which was to work directly with a contractor and without a design professional. In short, the situation was not ideal.

Then by a stroke of luck, the couple met May though a mutual friend. The architect seemed to quickly grasp Gina and Jeremy’s design sensibility, and perhaps more importantly, the needs of their extremely busy household.

“She’s the one who got me through this whole thing,” Gina gratefully exclaims, clutching May’s arm.

“She came in and knew exactly what to do to help me with the finishes and the design and the whole aesthetic and feel.”

May envisioned the property as an opportunity to create a beautiful environment, streamline the family’s logistics, and function as a welcoming hub of activity. She immediately grasped the Rossens’ desire to have a stylish yet unpretentious home where teenagers can have their own spaces, yet with areas—both indoors and out—where everyone could be together.

May realized this vision using contemporary materials and a neutral, calming palette. Exterior surface treatments were simplified with lightly colored plaster, leaving a clean finish and accentuating the geometric forms of the architecture. Approaching the entrance, “We transformed the prerequisite utilitarian rain garden into a stone garden vignette with a vintage fountain and composed the scene with an ornamental tree,” the architect explains.

Inside, carefully planned custom elements throughout reflect Gina and May’s clear communication and shared eye for detail. A smartly conceived storage area directly next to the entrance manages the physical realities of teens constantly coming and going. The open floor plan in the great room enables Gina, a skilled cook and inveterate entertainer with a warm, ebullient personality, to frequently host friends and family— whether it’s a team celebration or a wine and cheese party for fellow parents.

The double kitchen island arrangement serves multiple purposes. The second island is an ideal homework station, and come mealtime fits seven so that there’s always room for at least one more guest. Nearby, the oversized Anapo collection dining table from Driade seats a dozen. “Now I know that I can fit 19 people,” Gina states.

The expansive Minotti living room sofa upholstered in performance fabrics from Perennials is another spot that encourages comfort and connection. “My husband wants a big TV, and of course I want a fireplace,” Gina says. To give this space a distinct identity, the fireplace was clad in a dusty gray etched stone and is flanked by floating shelves with soft illumination. Outside of these shared spaces, the bedrooms allow for quiet retreat, each with its own personality.

Gina, Zachary, Ava, Micah, Asher and Jeremy Rossen in the kitchen with the family’s Australian labradoodle, Dexter.

From the living room, guests can wander into the backyard and sleek pool area, where a hot tub is capacious enough to hold an entire sports team. An alluring daybed from Bali covered in rich grayish blue upholstery lies at the ready, and triangular-patterned tile accents add a jaunty flourish to set the vibe for lively garden parties. Ultimately, these intentional touches help this family home come to life. ■

The living room, which combines shades of taupe, ivory and black, opens up onto the backyard. Right: a powder room features wallpaper with birds taking flight. “We definitely have an affinity for nature and love when we can capture it in our home,” says Gina.

AN OASIS AT HOME

Deck out your backyard with spectacular alfresco enhancements.

After a couple months of dodging crazy rainstorms, we’re all ready to reclaim our outdoor space. And if we’re being honest, after all this rain, our patios could use a makeover. For more than half a century, Aldik Home has been a go-to source for anyone in Los Angeles looking to beautify their homes. For those looking to create their perfect backyard paradise with high-quality patio furniture, Aldik Home’s collection of Summer Classics patio furniture hits every note.

The line is meticulously crafted from premium materials using both age-old building methods and state-of-the-art finishing processes to ensure the furniture will last for years to come. While other manufacturers may be more well known, Summer Classics is built to the highest standard and level of comfort.

All of Summer Classics teak furniture is made with marine-grade, sustainably harvested teak and is available in two finishes: Natural, and a pre-weathered, low-maintenance finish called Oyster. Center-cut from the heartwood of Indonesian teak, this wood performs flawlessly even in coastal environments.

All Summer Classics furniture is constructed from premium materials, including the gorgeous resin wicker and aluminum furniture. It is stylish and sophisticated—as luxurious as indoor furniture and built to last. With more than 35 collections represented, Aldik Home invites you to stop in and check out its fine showcase of Summer Classics furniture.

If you’re looking to turn your outdoor space into the hottest new hangout, Aldik Home is proud to feature American Fyre Designs fire tables and bowls with a gorgeous collection made from durable GFRC. This composite material is strong, weather-resistant, fire-retardant, impermeable and simply stunning. These fire tables and fire bowls are perfectly suited to even the harshest marine environments. Accented with your favorite selection of fire media, such as reflective fire glass, these American Fyre Design pieces are spectacular and will stand the test of time.

Beat the sweltering summer heat under the gorgeous canopy of a Treasure Garden cantilever umbrella. With 360-degree rotation, front-to-back and sideto-side tilting, and gorgeous fabric options, it’s easy to see why craftsmanship, beauty and ease of operation sets Treasure Garden apart from other umbrella manufacturers. Custom order the umbrella of your dreams, or choose from Aldik Home’s in-stock collection for an instant backyard transformation.

All of these beautiful outdoor furniture collections, fire tables and umbrellas are interspersed among the most realistic artificial trees, gorgeous floral arrangements and so much more at Aldik Home. Discover everything you need to turn your home into an oasis. Prepare to be inspired: There’s no place like Aldik Home. ALDIK HOME

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818-988-5970

ALDIKHOME.COM @ALDIKHOME

A highlight of the 2023 season: the Cleveland Charter High School marching band auditioned for and was selected to perform in the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Disneyland last December.

High Note

WITH DETERMINATION AND PERSEVERANCE, CLEVELAND CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL’S MARCHING BAND EARNS ACCOLADES.

Written by Chelsee Lowe

You might say the success of Cleveland Charter High School’s marching band was against all odds. Students at the Reseda campus formed the marching band club eight years ago. It was the humblest of beginnings. Despite having limited resources and no teacher on staff to guide them, a handful of students started meeting. Some had never even played an instrument. But they were determined to work hard, learn and build something great.

That passion, paired with steady efforts from parents, diligent fundraising and some support from the LA Unified School District, has helped the band go from underdogs to champions. Now with more than 80 musicians, a band director and an assistant band director, the band won first place at the 2023 Los Angeles Unified School District’s Band and Drill Team Championship. Not only did they win their division, but their score was the highest of any band, regardless of size, in the competition. The Cleveland band also earned first place in their division in all five Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) tournaments they competed in this past season—pretty impressive given that the association encompasses 11 counties in SoCal and includes 1,000 public and private schools.

What makes the band’s accomplishments even more astounding is that Cleveland is a no-cut band—meaning they allow students with no experience to participate.

Percussionist Jake Thomas, class of 2026, joined the band with minimal experience himself freshman year. “I didn’t know how to read sheet music, I couldn’t play a snare drum, I couldn’t play a bass drum,” Jake says. “But

I joined with an open mindset and was taught everything. And my bandmates propelled me to learn more.”

While welcoming students of all musical abilities may put the band at a competitive disadvantage (some school bands hold auditions to select members), the students make up for it by devoting vast amounts of time to practice. During the fall term, which is peak season, the marching band is on the field for an hour every day before school starts—and then continues right on through first period. They practice for multiple hours after school on select days and spend more than 100 hours on the field in summer, even in broiling temperatures.

“They are not only learning music, but discipline and leadership skills too,” says Lisa Thomas, Jake’s mom and vice president of Cleveland’s band boosters. “And many do

all of this while taking a full course load of AP classes.”

Band member and senior Allie Sherman—who plays clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophone—held the leadership role of head drum major last year. She says the lessons she’s learned from being in the band extend beyond music.

“I’ve learned how to work toward a goal, and I’ve seen that hard work pays off,” Allie says. “I know how to plan, how to manage my time, how to work with other people—even people I might not want to work with—to accomplish something great. And I’ll take those skills with me after graduation.”

Lisa, her fellow boosters and band director Cameron Yassaman work year-round to raise money for expenses, which are extensive. Funds are needed for musical instruments, sticks and mallets, a percussion

coach, a color guard coach, sound equipment, costumes, and more. The boosters even created their own annual fundraising event: the All-Valley Band Tournament, held at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Last year thousands of spectators came to watch 23 Southern California high school bands perform at the competition.

A marching band performance is more elaborate than you might think. It is not the kind of “pep band” stuff you see at sporting events. Nor is it a single song played while marching in formation on a football field. These performances entail costumes and props and pageantry. A recent one drew inspiration from the Beatles and the Georges Seurat painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and featured large painted canvases as backdrops.

Shows like that one are indisputable highs for

“THEY ARE NOT ONLY LEARNING MUSIC, BUT DISCIPLINE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TOO.”

the students. But the rewards extend beyond the performances.

“If I’m ever having a bad day, or a rough time with something, I default to the band room,” Jake says. “There will always be people there to help. It’s a really, really supportive community—I’d say it’s a home.” ■

faces of the fut

faces ure

Eyes on the Goal

WHEN IT COMES TO SCORING SOCCER GOALS, THEO OTTOSSON IS ONE OF THE BEST IN HIS LEAGUE.

Photographed by Eric Dearborn

Theo Ottosson may have started playing soccer at the age of 4, but only recently started taking the sport seriously. “I thought, ‘I’ll never play in college. I’m just going to enjoy it.’ But in the last two years something clicked.”

Indeed, Theo, named the 2023–24 Mission League Most Valuable Player, is at the top of his league. This season, Theo scored 17 goals and had 15 assists helping his Harvard-Westlake School team win its second Mission League title in a row. Last year’s championship was the first for the school in 25 years, upsetting an eight-year streak by Loyola High School. “Loyola is a big rival of ours. It was great to be able to take that away,” the 16-year-old quips with a slight smile.

Also this season, the team was CIF Division 1 and made it to the CIF Southern Section Semifinal and the CIF State Quarterfinal—both for the first time in the school’s program history.

Theo plays two positions: striker—essentially a goal maker—and left wing, which he describes as “more of a creative position. You’re supposed to get as wide as you can and as high as you can. So you have an opportunity to go at a guy one-on-one. Soccer is a team game, but in that particular position, it’s about: Are you better than your guy?”

As for what he loves about the sport, it comes down to finesse and competitiveness: “In soccer it can get very heated and tense. It’s enjoyable to be able to stick a tackle the same as in football. I can’t grab the guy and throw him to the ground, but I can put him on the ground in other ways.”

Theo’s performance has netted him a position on the elite club team LA Surf MLS Next—and put him on the radar for college recruiters. He has already accepted a verbal offer to attend the University of Pennsylvania in fall of 2025.

Theo comes from a lineage of high achievers. His dad, Paul Ottosson, has won three Academy Awards for sound editing and sound design, including one for the 2008 movie The Hurt Locker. His mother, Karen Han-Ottosson, is one of the world’s most accomplished musicians playing the erhu, a Chinese two-stringed instrument. His parents are both immigrants: Paul is Swedish; Karen, Chinese.

“My mom and my dad are two of the hardest-working people I know,” says Theo. “They both came here with absolutely nothing and made all their dreams come true. They succeeded with hard work and they’re always pushing those values. I’m fortunate that they don’t want me to just be comfortable with what I have.”

Striker and left wing Theo Ottosson (#9) on the soccer pitch.

It’s Her Serve

SYDNEY SMITH COUPLES SMARTS WITH A STRONG WORK ETHIC TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Photographed by Cara Harman

Straight-A student Sydney Smith is a starting player on Calabasas High School’s varsity tennis team. Last year, she had 23 wins and three losses, helping lead Calabasas to the CIF Southern Section Championships.

Do her parents push her? “No, not at all. I push myself.”

She also pushes herself when it comes to philanthrophy. Sydney volunteers for the nonprofit ACEing Autism, and she cofounded Tennis For All, a school club aimed at bringing awareness to the organization.

Five years ago she went to pick up her sister, who was volunteering at a camp run by the Harold Robinson Foundation.

“It was closing ceremonies and the kids were expressing how happy they were to be at the camp. Some spoke about being grateful to have three meals a day. It’s kind of crazy to think that there are people my age focusing on just surviving.”

That perspective inspired Sydney to found the 501(c)(3)

nonprofit Lil Dreamers Big Dreams Club, which supports the Harold Robinson Foundation as well as United in Harmony. So far, Sydney has raised $6,000 for the two nonprofits.

Sydney’s nonprofit work made her brain start ticking about the fact that healthy produce is not easily accessible in some of LA’s economically challenged communities. She was accepted by a pre-college program at UC Davis last summer to study sustainable food production.

Later, she examined 10 urban community gardens in LA, and cowrote a research paper about how cultural factors impact urban garden sustainment and food insecurity.

Sydney was invited to become a member of the American Anthropological Association, and last year she won its Junior Anthropologist Award. She says she doesn’t work for recognition, but rather “it helps remind me that all the work is worth it—it matters.”

Moving Gracefully Through Life

DANCE IS THE CENTER OF KATIE CHEN’S UNIVERSE.

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell

With her long legs and lithe physique, 17-year-old Katie Chen is a vision of elegance and grace as she floats across the stage. You can see why she is considered one of the most accomplished dancers at Los Angeles Ballet Academy in Sherman Oaks.

Her journey to become a premier ballerina started at the age of 4, when she was living in Shanghai, China. “Like most little girls, I found ballerinas to be very beautiful and inspirational,” she says.

When her family moved from Shanghai to Arcadia, California, in 2018, her hub became LA Ballet Academy. Every day after school Katie heads to the studio, which follows the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) curriculum, originating from the Royal Ballet in England. Katie has taken RAD exams every year for the past eight years, passing with distinction each time.

In March she will take the Solo Seal exam. Designed to assess whether a student is ready for a professional career, Solo Seal takes place in a theater before an audience and a panel of judges. Fewer than 10 dancers attempt this exam each year; even fewer pass.

“Passing the Solo Seal would be a great culmination of my dance career, but I ultimately value the journey more than the end result,” she says.

In addition to her RAD distinctions, Katie has earned honors in Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the biggest national ballet competition in America. Last year she won Top 24 Senior Category Classical Variation as well as Top 12 Big Group Contemporary and Ballet.

Competing is one passion; performing is another. Katie has danced with LA Ballet Academy in shows such as The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland and Sleeping Beauty. She has also auditioned for and been accepted into such summer programs as New York’s Bolshoi Ballet and School of American Ballet.

Katie says the rewards of dancing extend beyond the performance. “Dancing has helped me with my stage presence in real life—how I present myself to others. It has helped me build confidence as well. Plus it’s great to wind down at dance practice after a long day at school and to express myself through movement.”

When she’s not dancing, she is studying. The HarvardWestlake senior has a 3.99 unweighted GPA. In college, she plans to study STEM and chemistry.

Star in the Making

SOULFUL SINGER-SONGWRITERGUITARIST MOLLY

SIERRA

EVOKES COMPARISONS TO FIONA APPLE AND JONI MITCHELL AS SHE PURSUES A CAREER AS A FOLK-POP MUSICIAN.

Written by Heather David | Photographed by Rodrigo Gaya

As far back as Molly Sierra can remember, she’s been obsessed with music.

“My earliest memory of music is listening to Adele’s Rolling in the Deep when I was about 5 and thinking, I have to be just like her. And I began taking voice and piano lessons.”

With her parents as her biggest fans, Molly played at such Valley venues as Republic of Pie and Vitello’s.

Now 18, Molly Sierra is intent on developing her passion into a career as a folk-pop musician. This past fall she traveled to Miami for National YoungArts Week, an invitation-only event of master classes, performances and showcases for the top 150 high school arts students in the country. She received the 2024 Winner With Distinction honor in the singer-songwriter category.

“It was so inspiring to be around such talented, passionate creatives,” she beams.

Molly attended Oakwood School through eighth grade, but then switched to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). Artistically driven kids from all over the county compete for coveted spots.

Over the last four years she’s been expanding her musical horizons, thanks to the diverse curriculum offered at the public school. “I’ve gotten to take gospel choir and vocal jazz songwriting classes. Then a few years ago, I started taking a music tech class that opened my world to something that I realized I really wanted to do, which is production.”

During the pandemic, Molly began sharing her original songs on a YouTube channel “because I was feeling isolated and in search of a community.” Turns out she discovered that community—and more. “I’ve reached people from Brazil to the Philippines. People have talked about music getting them through hard times, and that’s what it does for me. So it’s been amazing.”

After graduation, she’ll continue pursuing singing and songwriting, attending the elite Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Molly will be one of 60 students in the freshman class.

Best Foot Forward

OWEN

SACCHI HAS EXPERIENCED THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF PLAYING SPORTS. NOW HE WANTS TO EXPAND THAT OPPORTUNITY TO OTHERS.

Written by Heather David

Owen Sacchi was like a lot of kids during COVID. Isolated from his friends, he fell into a depression. What saved him during the 18-month lockdown was his love of basketball. The 5-foot, 10-inch junior, shortest player on the Oakwood team, has played varsity point guard since he was a freshman.

“Basketball was a safe space, like a stress-release valve. When I’m on the basketball court, it really clears my mind.”

Upon his return to campus in 2022, Owen started thinking about how he might support less-fortunate youth in their desire to play sports. He recognized that one hurdle for those kids is access to high-quality shoes.

“I thought, there’s some kids who don’t have the proper footwear. I started Shoes to Use to give back to young athletes so they have the same opportunity to play.”

With Shoes to Use (shoestouse.org) Owen collects new and gently used athletic shoes at Oakwood basketball games and

sporting events.

“Fast-forward seven months and we’ve donated over 300 pairs of shoes to the 109th Street Recreation Center in Watts,” Owen beams. “The most heartwarming thing about this experience is seeing the kids get the shoes and then immediately lacing them up and playing in them.” The nonprofit also donated than 200 pairs of shoes to the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima.

While appropriate footwear offers benefits like support and durability, Owen believes that it means even more.

“If you have the right pair of shoes on, you’ll be more confident, and you’ll have that kind of swagger, like, ‘Oh, man, I’m playing in LeBron James’ shoes or I’m playing in Kevin Durant’s shoes.’ You 100% feel the difference. My hope for young athletes is that they have confidence in themselves and a belief that hard work and commitment can level any obstacle.”

Alina Lifts Off

ALINA VORONINA HAS ONE EYE FOCUSED UKRAINE, THE OTHER EYE FOCUSED ON SPACE.

Photographed by Cara Harman

Alina Voronina wrote her first scientific paper as a 12-year-old student in Ukraine. Her parents own an elevator company and the topic was an idea for storing and saving energy for elevators. She had no way of knowing it at the time, but soon her “energy accumulator” would become much needed.

“When there’s no power in the buildings, which we have consistently due to war, you don’t have power. An elevator stops and the person is stuck for hours. With the accumulator, when the power is off, the elevator has enough energy to come to the closest floor and open.”

In another paper, she created a contactless signal system for elevators, which after COVID, her parents also started using. “Put your hand close to the button and it reacts. No contact. No bacteria.” That paper got the ninth grader invited to be a member of Ukraine’s prestigious Junior Academy of Sciences.

At age 15, leaving her parents behind, she moved in with an

older brother in Woodland Hills and attended public school. It was supposed to be for a year, but when the war started, Alina enrolled in EF Academy in Pasadena, a private day and boarding school where she is now a senior.

Last June Alina returned to Ukraine for the Inscience Conference 2023 in Kyiv, where she met some of the team at SpaceBox, a start-up that assists scientists with laboratory facilities for biomedical research in space. Intrigued, she reached out to try and get involved.

Today, as Chief Business Development Officer for Domestic Investment and Foreign Integration, Alina represents the company at conferences to secure partnerships and funding.

“Our population is increasing, and we must find a new planet and resources to just continue humanity and evolution. We must do research; there are a lot of uncovered things. That is what drives me.”

Leading With Mind & Heart

FOR BRANDON WARNER, A LEADER ON THE CAMPUS OF VIEWPOINT SCHOOL, IT ALL STARTS WITH THINKING OF OTHERS.

Photographed by Cara Harman

This year, with a 3.99 unweighted GPA, Brandon Warner made Cum Laude Society at Viewpoint School. That means he is in the top 1% of his class. But that is not what the senior—who is captain on the school’s varsity baseball team and who made the 2023 All Gold Coast League first team—is most proud of.

“I’m prouder of the community outreach stuff I’ve done. This past fall I took my baseball team and we raised $6,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. And over the summer I volunteered as a counselor for ETTA, which provides services for adults with disabilities. I’m proud of the impact that I’ve been able to make in my community.”

That community extends to Viewpoint. As senior class president, this past fall he launched a program to spotlight members of the janitorial and security staff in the school paper.

“Of course teachers are great, but I also wanted to feature the security guards, the janitors, people like that—the cool people behind the scenes who make our beautiful school run.”

Brandon also implemented the Letters of Gratitude program at Viewpoint in which students send cards of appreciation to teachers.

“I think kindness and trying to make a positive impact on people’s lives is important. And that what you give out comes back to you.”

Brandon is also vice president of Viewpoint’s Jewish Student Union. After October 7, he and a friend who is JSU president at Harvard-Westlake School organized a Shabbat dinner between the two schools that 60 students attended.

“I think we all really needed it. Everyone was really down and sad. Even though there had been this big disruption, we were able to come together and support each other.”

As for where he gets his philanthropic bent, Brandon says, “I think my parents have done a good job instilling in me a good work ethic and being appreciative of all I have. I feel like the best way for me to take advantage of that is to give back, be involved, really strive to have the highest standard.”

Mila’s Magic

MILA MIJAILOVIC PARLAYS ATHLETIC SKILL AND ACADEMIC DRIVE INTO A FUTURE THAT LOOKS BRIGHT.

Photographed by Tracy Gitnick

Mila Mijailovic may be soft-spoken, but when it comes to playing on Campbell Hall’s varsity girls volleyball team, she is anything but reserved. As an outside hitter, the team captain is responsible for “attacking from the front row,” as she puts it.

That fierce mindset, coupled with Mila’s athletic skills, helped the school win its first girls volleyball CIF State Division II championship last November. It was the culmination of a stellar year for the senior. Mila had 623 kills (an act that leads directly to a point) and 65 aces (a serve that results directly in a point). Also this past season, Mila made All-CIF Division 3 for the second time and was named all-league MVP.

Discussing her accolades, Mila is conversant and pleasant, but she really lights up when the topic turns to her passion.

“Volleyball is just a really fun sport to play. It’s fast-paced

and entertaining. There is never a boring moment. You’re always doing something. Something is always happening.”

The state victory was something of a surprise, coming after a disappointing three-games-to-one loss in the CIF Southern Section Division championship match. Advancing to the state competition, the team came back with a vengeance.

“It was crazy, especially knowing it was the last game of my high school career. It was a really trippy feeling, but it was a great game.”

Mila also excels academically. With an interest in math and science, she has a weighted GPA of 4.85. This fall she will attend Yale University, where she intends to major in the arena of physics, perhaps astrophysics.

“I think space and the solar system are really cool.” ■

Kids Camps Summer Programs

ADVANCE LA SUMMER PROGRAM

CAMP INTEGEM

CAMP RAMAH IN CALIFORNIA

Specialized program for young adults with mild to moderate needs

Academic, art, robotics & tech day camp

Jewish overnight camp, 2 or 4 weeks based on age

DEGAS DANCE STUDIO Dance camps & intensives

DESTINATION SCIENCE CAMP Day camp

KIDS LIKE ME SUMMER CAMP

Specialized day camp for children with autism & other special needs

Ages 18–22 Sherman Oaks

Ages 5–18

Burbank, Santa Monica, San Marino & 12 other locations

Grades 2–11 (rising) Ojai

Ages 3–5 (half-day), 6–12 (full-day), 8–23 intensives Encino

Ages 5–11 Multiple LA locations

Ages 6–17 Sherman Oaks

RAMAH DAY CAMP LA Jewish day camp Grades 1–4 (rising) West Hills

SUMMER@STRATFORD

SUMMER AT VIEWPOINT

Academic, day, specialty camps Early preschool–grade 8 Altadena & Mission Viejo

Day & sports camps (K–8), high school for-credit classes, counselor in-training program

Grades TK–12 Calabasas

VBSDS CAMP KEF Day camp Grades K–6 Encino

SPECIALTIES INSTAGRAM WEBSITE PHONE

Art workshops, building life & social skills, making friends, exploring the community

AR, coding, AI, robotics, 3D, game design, art, animation, space/nature exploration

Sports, art, swimming, hiking, Israeli dancing, archery, cooking, ropes course

Ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, modern, musical theatre, acrobatics

STEAM, science, maker

Fun & fitness, games, arts & crafts, science experiments; siblings welcome

Dance, sports, art, swimming, gardening, science, infused with vibrant Jewish tradition

STEAM-based curriculum, Mandarin bilingual program, early preschool

Specialty day camps, field trips, service learning, academics

Engaging, well-rounded experience where campers feel welcomed, gain knowledge, make lasting friendships, develop skills, confidence & Jewish pride

@thehelpgroup thehelpgroup.org/ young-adults-summer-program 877-943-5747

@integeminc camp.integem.com 408-459-0657

@ramahcalifornia ramah.org

@degas_dance_studio degasdancestudio.com

310-476-8571

info@ degasdancestudio. com

@destinationscience destinationscience.org 888-909-2822

@thehelpgroup thehelpgroup.org/camps 877-943-5747

@ramahdaycampla ramahdaycampla.org 310-476-8571

@stratfordschool stratfordaltadena.com | stratfordmissionviejo.com

626-794-1000, 949-458-1776

@viewpointsummer summeratviewpoint.org 818-591-6591

@vbsdayschool vbsds.org/campvbs campkef@vbsds.org

Kids Camps Summer Programs

ALL ABOUT KIDS PROFILES

When it comes to raising a family, the Valley is a hard place to beat—partly because the Valley is home to some of Los Angeles’ best schools. Whether you are interested in a traditional or progressive program for your child, there is no region of the city with more top-notch educational resources. In this All About Kids profiles section, we showcase some of those schools, introducing you to their teaching philosophies and missions as well as on-campus resources. These organizations and their dedicated, focused professionals aim to educate students and put them on the road to being happy, healthy, productive adults.

57 dE TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL

58 STRATFORD SCHOOL

60 VALLEY BETH SHALOM HAROLD M. SCHULWEIS DAY SCHOOL

61 THE HELP GROUP SCHOOLS

62 THE COUNTRY SCHOOL

63 VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

64 EF ACADEMY PASADENA

65 THE WESLEY SCHOOL

WRITTEN BY LAURA L. WATTS

ALL ABOUT KIDS

d E TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL

Founded in 2002, de Toledo High School offers a coed, college preparatory Jewish education that includes an extensive slate of AP and honors-level courses along with dedicated pre-med, robotics, engineering, computer science, and speech and debate programs. The school features award-winning theatre and arts education and competitive sports teams.

WHAT MAKES YOUR SCHOOL UNIQUE?

While our students’ success in gaining admission to the nation’s finest universities is second to none, what truly sets our school apart is the “de Toledo Difference.” We weave ethical principles into every step of the student journey and create a tight-knit, trusting community where our students’ happiness and emotional well-being are paramount. Though we focus on academic accomplishment and intellectual inquiry, our students know that becoming an A+ human being represents the core of our school’s ethos and culture of kindness. Supported by broad circles of friends, our students are encouraged to become the very best, most ethical versions of themselves while exploring their innate talents, developing a deep sense of life purpose, and navigating their teenage years with confidence and joy.

HOW DO YOU PROMOTE A GLOBAL MINDSET?

Among de Toledo’s most highly acclaimed and unique offerings is our Global Jewish Education program, giving our students the opportunity to study overseas at Jewish schools alongside peers while living with host families. We also host the same international students who hosted our kids. Earlier this semester we had the honor of hosting a dozen Israeli high school students—all hailing from towns near the Gaza Strip—who were intimately affected by the terror attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. They utilized their stay with us to recover and recuperate.

TELL US ABOUT AN INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC PROGRAM AT YOUR SCHOOL .

The de Toledo Medical Science Academy is a three-year specialized course of study encompassing college preparatory academics, lab work and surgery internships for students interested in careers in medicine, nursing, physical therapy or veterinary medicine Participating students can join international medical missions. Last semester, de Toledo seniors traveled with the nonprofit Mending Kids to Tanzania to support a surgical team providing life-changing care to 34 children.

ALL ABOUT KIDS

STRATFORD SCHOOL

Founded in the Bay Area in 1999 by educator Sherry Adams, Stratford School is celebrating 25 years in 2024. The school has 29 campuses throughout California. The Altadena campus serves early preschool through middle school and features a Mandarin bilingual preschool and pre-K program. A new transitional kindergarten program will open on the campus this fall. The Mission Viejo campus serves preschool through middle school.

DESCRIBE THE STRENGTHS OF STRATFORD SCHOOL.

We understand that every child has interests and passions and contributes in their own way. Our purpose statement speaks for all of us: “Stratford School – Connecting students to their unique futures.” Our motto, Summa Spes, Summa Res (Highest Hopes, Highest Things), embraces our spirit of uplifting education, while our advanced hands-on STEAM curriculum confidently prepares students for every step of their educational journey.

Stratford’s balanced approach to learning combined with real-world application sets our students up to be critical thinkers, imaginative innovators and thoughtful, confident leaders who are ready for success in college and beyond. As we have continued to grow from our early stages, we have retained many of our founding families and founding teachers, which provides a great sense of community. Students (and parents) have become part of the Stratford family, both inside and outside school.

DOES YOUR SCHOOL INTEGRATE PROJECT-BASED LEARNING INTO ITS CURRICULUM?

As a STEAM school, we often integrate project-based learning into all facets of our curriculum. In science, for example, we use Next Generation Science Standards to help promote critical thinking and collaboration among students.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU CELEBRATE DIVERSITY?

We live in an increasingly diverse world where children encounter people of various cultures, backgrounds and abilities. Teaching children about diversity and inclusion is paramount as we focus on raising tolerant, accepting and empathetic children. So how can we teach children to have a positive attitude and approach?

Be a Role Model. Message to children at an early age that diversity is not just a nice-to-have, feel-good goal. It is a smart goal. Groups that are more diverse make smarter decisions than homogenous groups. Inclusion policies and practices can bring deep and long-lasting benefits to team dynamics, organizations, and interactions among children in the classroom and on the playground.

Explain Differences—Do Not Ignore Them. When developing curriculum and programming related to diversity and inclusion, one of our favorite resources is Beyond the Golden Rule, published by

Teaching Tolerance. The 50-page book is free and features advice and resources for parents of toddlers, teenagers and all ages in between. When we help children understand these differences, they will be one step closer to respecting and celebrating the differences in all people, cultures and experiences—and how those differences ultimately can bring the joy of living into our world.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ADMISSIONS POLICY.

The admission age criteria for our early learners is 2 years old for our early preschool class and 2.5 years old and potty-trained for preschool. Our pre-K students need to be 4 by December 2, and kindergarten students need to be 5 years old by December 2. We also offer a transitional kindergarten for children who turn 5 between September 2 and February 2. An entrance exam is required for transitional kindergarten through grade 8.

WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DO YOU OFFER?

For our younger students, examples include chess, sports, art, dance, music and culinary arts. For our older students, we offer leadership opportunities such as student council, math club, Spanish club, 3D printing club and multicultural club.

HOW DO YOU INVOLVE PARENTS?

Our door is always open for parents to be involved in their child’s education. We have monthly Parent Committee meetings to brainstorm ideas for the campus and numerous opportunities for parents to be involved, such as Multicultural Week, Career Week, Fall Festival, book fairs, holiday parties and reading in our library.

HAS YOUR CAMPUS HAD ANY RECENT EXPANSIONS?

Our Altadena campus has continually grown over the last eight years, starting with three classrooms (PS/PK/K). We have expanded our programs through grade 8 starting this fall. Over the summer, we will continue to expand on the south side of our campus by adding a new upper school area.

DO YOU SUPPORT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS?

An important part of our philosophy is to give back to our community. Throughout the years, we have worked with Elizabeth House, American Heart Association, Los Angeles Food Bank, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Long Beach Rescue Mission, Ronald McDonald House and the Assistance League of Pasadena.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER EDUCATION.

Social-emotional learning can be seen each day through modeling, reading, role-playing and assemblies. We focus on the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

2046 ALLEN AVE., ALTADENA | 626-784-1000

24741 CHRISANTA DR., MISSION VIEJO | 949-458-1176

STRATFORDSCHOOLS.COM

Head of school Judy Burbank with elementary and middle school students

ALL ABOUT KIDS

VALLEY BETH SHALOM HAROLD M. SCHULWEIS DAY SCHOOL

Valley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School is a K–6 Jewish elementary school that teaches Jewish values, critical thinking, socialemotional learning, creativity, leadership, and social justice. Founded 45 years ago, the school offers an athletics program, Innovation Lab, art studio, robotics, musical theatre, chess and visual arts.

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR AT VBS?

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Kimberly Schwartz, a highly respected leader in the independent school community, as our incoming head of school for the 2024–2025 school year. Also this year, we are proud to incorporate AI (artificial intelligence) as an educational tool for our teachers to use to benefit their students’ academic growth.

HOW DOES YOUR SCHOOL INCORPORATE INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS?

We took a three-year deep dive into differentiation by hiring a coach to guide us. With the idea of reaching all types of students, teachers tailored lesson plans to address the spectrum of learners in their classes and are able to better meet the needs of students. We adopted a social-emotional learning program, RULER, and initiated an educational program, Challenge Based Learning, which centers the student in the educational wheel.

HOW DO YOU CONNECT CLASSROOM LEARNING WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD?

Guided by the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, fixing the world, students are exposed to topics that teach community responsibility. Hineni Action Day connects to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and inspires students to take action to benefit others. This year’s theme for the all-school Generations’ Day performance highlighted the diversity of cultures that have made Israel a thriving country.

DESCRIBE YOUR RECENT RENOVATIONS.

The new library boasts hundreds of books, state-of-theart technology and reading nooks. Our classrooms and art studio have undergone renovations, and our new gym houses our robust athletics program. The synagogue renovated its sanctuary and assembly hall, creating a beautiful space to pray and welcome Shabbat on Fridays, and a gorgeous stage for our performing arts club's musical productions.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRISHA HARRISON

THE HELP GROUP SCHOOLS

The Help Group, a nonprofit organization and provider of nonpublic education, operates nine specialized schools and educational programs for children with social, emotional and learning differences from preschool through high school, as well as transition-age programs. The schools, recognized by the California Department of Education, apply prescriptive teaching methods, maintain small class sizes and offer individualized curricula to optimize the learning experience. Counseling, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy complement the curriculum. Over 1,000 students are enrolled at four campuses in Culver City, Sherman Oaks, Valley Glen and Van Nuys.

WHICH STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM YOUR PROGRAMS?

Students with special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays and emotional challenges, thrive in our specialized educational programs. We customize pathways to their goals, whether they’re college-bound or focused on vocational and independent skills development.

HOW DO YOUR SCHOOLS HELP KIDS SUCCEED?

Our schools provide comprehensive support and education for

children with diverse needs, ensuring every child’s success and well-being. We offer a wide range of academic and enrichment programs to help students explore their interests, foster compassion and make a difference in the world. These programs range from our award-winning STEM and robotics to competitive California Interscholastic Federation athletics and intramural sports, student councils, creative and performing arts, and much more.

HOW CAN THE HELP GROUP SUPPORT MY CHILD?

We provide a unique learning environment to enable students to realize their fullest potential of independence and skills across all academic areas. We offer individualized attention from staff who use an interactive, hands-on, multisensory approach. Intensive intervention and other support services are part of the curriculum.

HOW DO YOU BOOST STUDENTS’ EMOTIONAL HEALTH?

Our highly trained clinicians provide individual and group mental health services and offer therapeutic support during challenging moments—empowering students with strategies to remain calm and focused. Our educational teams ensure the holistic well-being of our students, allowing them to thrive socially and emotionally.

THE COUNTRY SCHOOL

For 75 years The Country School has served Los Angeles as a leader in progressive education, embracing personalized learning and overall student wellness. The school educates students from transition preschool through middle school, offering a project-based curriculum and a robust enrichment program that includes technology, musical arts, foreign language, drama, chess, yearbook, ceramics and stop motion.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOLISTIC APPROACH.

We offer an innovative educational approach that extends beyond conventional textbooks and exams. Personalized, relationshipcentered education is a cornerstone of our culture and curriculum.

DESCRIBE SOME OF THE COUNTRY SCHOOL’S NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS.

Each year our graduates are accepted to Los Angeles’ most competitive high school programs. For postsecondary school, our students have gone on to attend the best colleges and universities across the country, including top liberal arts schools. Above all, we are committed to helping our students find the right fit for them. We are proud to serve as founding members of The Southern California People of Color in Independent Schools as well as

Private School Village. Both organizations foster greater diversity and belonging in independent schools.

WHAT WELLNESS PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER?

For decades The Country School has sought to address the epidemic levels of stress and anxiety our society places on children. We have fostered an environment that “does right by kids” by prioritizing student wellness. We successfully eliminated homework for elementary students while enacting a “no cell phone” policy. Both have proven to reduce stress and buy more time for our kids to be kids. Additionally, we teach daily meditation and recentering practices so our children learn how to effectively handle anxiety, with the ultimate goal of cultivating independent and secure teenagers ready to take on the challenges of high school.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ATHLETICS PROGRAM.

We pride ourselves on a phenomenal athletics program that competes in the San Fernando Valley Private School League. We offer year-round athletics: boys flag football, basketball, volleyball and soccer and girls basketball, soccer and volleyball. Our girls soccer team recently completed their season, finishing undefeated at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams.

ALL ABOUT KIDS

VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

Founded in 1961, Viewpoint School educates 1,200 students in grades TK–12 on a scenic 40-acre campus in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Head of school/president Mark McKee has been a leader in education for more than two decades and at Viewpoint for nine years.

DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR NOTABLE EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.

Each year, Viewpoint punctuates its first week of school with an All-School Convocation. It opens with our kindergarten class walking through the human tunnel of our senior class (see photo). Students from each division share their thoughts about the school year, and we recognize valued faculty and staff with prizes for excellence.

Last fall our varsity boys cross-country team was the Division 5 CIF champion for the second year. Our varsity girls cross-country team was the Gold Coast champion. Our middle school swim team won the San Fernando Valley Private School League championship.

Our student filmmakers brought home Best Film and Best Ensemble at the Calabasas Film Festival. We enjoyed memorable theatre productions and strings, choir, and band concerts throughout the year.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU CELEBRATE DIVERSITY?

Viewpoint is a school community where families value and honor unity in diversity. We strive to work collaboratively, continuously deepening much-needed levels of trust, curiosity and respect—especially during these challenging times. Our Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Life has collaborated across departments to offer new programming schoolwide. Throughout the year, we honor and continue to build upon existing initiatives and host events to build community. We learn about traditionally marginalized folks from guest and in-house speakers, and through specially curated events and celebrations.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAMPUS UPGRADES.

Viewpoint recently transformed our original weight room into our 1,800-square-foot Peak Performance Center for athletic training and sports medicine. This full-service facility, made possible by generous donors, provides space for our trainers to better serve students and employees—both physically and emotionally. It features a dedicated ice bath and freezer area, four therapy tables, and a redesigned strength and fitness space.

EF ACADEMY PASADENA

EF Academy is a private day and boarding high school offering highly individualized, hands-on, project-based learning to a community of students from 30+ nationalities.

The school first opened the doors to its 16-acre campus in 2022 and will have its first graduating class this year. It offers a sports program complete with a new gymnasium and a sand volleyball court, as well as an e-sports team for competitive online gaming. Students can pursue interests such as robotics, performing and visual arts, model UN and cultural clubs such as language exchange. EF Academy also has campuses in New York and Oxford, England.

TELL US ABOUT PROJECT-BASED LEARNING.

EF Academy believes in mastery of skills rather than memorization of facts. Research shows that students understand their academic subject more deeply when they can participate in hands-on learning. Competency and project-based learning are at the center of each class we teach. Our field study program takes students outside the classroom to learn more deeply about a subject they are studying in class.

HOW DOES EF ACADEMY CELEBRATE DIVERSITY?

EF Academy offers local students the opportunity to study abroad from home while offering international students the chance to immerse themselves in a global community with classmates from over 30 nationalities. Students’ classes and activities are opportunities for them to expand their worldview with multiple perspectives while sharing their own culture and traditions with their peers. Our annual culture fair, organized by students, showcases aspects of their cultures to the broader school community.

IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR SCHOOL FOCUS ON GLOBAL ISSUES AND INSPIRE STUDENTS TO BECOME ACTIVE CITIZENS?

Our signature program, Innovation and Impact, allows students to design meaningful, community-driven projects that align with one of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students participate in the program each year they are on campus. Through these projects, students work in multicultural teams to come up with a game-changing solution and build real prototypes—all while being mentored by teachers from the disciplines most able to help the ideas succeed.

THE WESLEY SCHOOL

The Wesley School is a coeducational K–8 independent day school established in 1999. The school’s new mission statement is: “Within a community of belonging, we nurture joyful, confident learners to think critically, creatively and compassionately.”

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE K–8 SCHOOL MODEL?

It provides a safe space for children to come of age at an appropriate pace, and a place where they can avoid some of the social pressures found in a secondary-school environment. Our middle schoolers have the opportunity to mentor younger peers and be leaders on campus. The well-rounded and exemplary academic program ensures that by the end of eighth grade, our children are ready to take on the best independent high schools in the Los Angeles area. They are more mature and better equipped to handle the rigors of their next educational chapters, thanks to the extra two years we give them to blossom and prepare. Wesley gives students a safe place to grow and develop while providing them the academic foundation to be successful in the next step of their academic journey.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL.

Greg Armbrister will become our new head of school starting with the 2024–2025 academic year. Greg joined Wesley in 2022 as assistant head of school for academics and made an immediate impact on the entire community. He embodies the authenticity and humility that are cornerstones of Wesley culture. Greg has a love for the work and an abiding commitment to contribute meaningfully to Wesley’s evolution.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU CELEBRATE DIVERSITY?

We believe our community is stronger and our program is more dynamic when we make diversity, equity and inclusivity central commitments of our school. They enrich the lives of all our school constituents and deepen student learning—helping children become more creative and collaborative problem-solvers, empathetic friends, engaged citizens and productive contributors to a global society. Twice a week, the entire school participates in morning community gatherings to strengthen our connection, learn lessons, tackle difficult questions and share experiences. During this time we celebrate our differences by learning from one another.

THE SWEET SPOT

With the rock-solid support of her family, Sari Megan Kern has flipped for the pancake business.

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

It’s a weekday morning, and your house is a flurry of activity. As you scramble to get the kids out the door for school, your youngest begs to have pancakes for breakfast. Your parental resistance kicks in, and you mentally list the reasons this is a bad idea: Too much hassle! Takes too long! Not healthy! A mountain of dishes!

Never fear: The family behind Zen Stax has your morning solution. Their gourmet pancake batter is packed with superfoods. It’s plant-based and nutritionally sound. It’s lower in sugar and higher in nutrients than dry pancake mixes.

And you’ll be amazed at how easy it is. Just pour-and-flip! No measuring, no recipe, no mixing bowls, no mess.

“Our mission is to make mornings hasslefree—especially on those busy school days,” shares owner Sari Megan Kern. “It’s about breaking up breakfast boredom.”

It all started when Sari was 20 weeks pregnant in 2022. She was running a consulting firm, and the idea for a food-related business wasn’t on her radar. However, she enjoyed making uniquely flavored pancakes for her family using ingredients like Meyer lemons and matcha green tea.

Her friends and family encouraged her to make the pancakes more widely available. Sari was reluctant—not only because she was pregnant, but also because her batter flavors had wet ingredients and she didn’t want to enter a saturated market of powdered mixes.

“Then I realized I could offer a pourable batter for busy families,” she shares, “and Zen Stax was born. The name embodies

the balance of indulgence and nutrition, inspired by zen rocks in Hawai’i as well as stacks of pancakes.”

She launched a Shopify website, made her first online sales and quickly outgrew her home kitchen. Currently the batter is available through the Zen Stax website, at weekend farmers markets in Calabasas and Porter Ranch, and through home delivery.

You can even hire Sari and her team for catering services. Imagine a pancake bar with a variety of toppings for your kids’ sleepover parties, unique mom gettogethers, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and school or corporate events. A Zen Stax brick-and-mortar restaurant is on Sari’s wish list, and she announces pop-ups on her Instagram page.

The wet batter is sold frozen, so no preservatives are needed. To cook, you just defrost and pour onto the griddle. Choose from an abundance of mouthwatering flavors: Guava Strawberry, Banana Chocolate Chip, Banana Buckwheat,

Pineapple Coconut, Cookies & Cream and plenty more. Zen Stax offers options for organic, gluten-free and no-sugar-added, and boasts whole-food ingredients like raw cacao, organic bananas and dates, and fair-trade cane juice.

Besides being a breakfast superhero, Zen Stax is a favorite for school lunches and camping meals. It’s the ultimate win for picky eaters and a convenient time-saver that removes stress from meal planning—all while upping the nourishment game.

“Zen Stax, in a nutshell, is all about bringing joy to family meals,” says Sari, whose biggest fans are her husband, Justin Kern, and sons Kai, Bodhi and Jaxon. “Our brand is infused with the aloha spirit—a nod to the joy I feel with my family in Hawai’i. It’s more than pancakes—it’s a whole vibe!”

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE.

As the region’s most preferred orthopedic practice,* our doctors at Southern California Orthopedic Institute provide you and your loved ones with the most advanced bone, joint, and muscle care available—when and where you need it.

With seven full-service orthopedic clinics throughout the region, our experts are here for you, offering world-class, specialized treatment to get you back to doing what you love. From state-of-the-art diagnostics and care options to expert physical and occupational therapy to help you recover quickly and get stronger, we have you covered.

Van Nuys (Main Office) | Bakersfield | Valencia

Simi Valley | Westlake | Beverly Hills | Porter Ranch *Independent

To schedule an appointment, please call (818) 901-6600 or scan the QR code to request an appointment online.

www.scoi.com

HEALTH

Pups in Training

THE VALLEY IS HOME TO ONE OF THE BEST GUIDE DOG TRAINING FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

FOR MORE GO TO PAGE 74.

Cryo, Baby!

PAUSE STUDIO OPENS IN STUDIO CITY, A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL THE LATEST IN SPA TREATMENTS AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS THERAPIES.

Written by Chelsee Lowe

Dressed in a robe, socks and slippers, a headband covering my ears, hands ensconced in giant gloves, I stepped into the cryo chamber and closed the door behind me. Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” pumped through the speakers overhead, and teeny ice flakes whirled through the air. To make it through my one-minute cryotherapy session in this minus 140° chamber, I sure as hell sang along with Queen Bey.

While it may sound like a spa experience at a luxury resort, I am actually right on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City at the newest of five Pause day spa location in Los Angeles.

The Valley is home to all kinds of themed day spas, including ones where you can heat out impurities, and ones where you can inhale salt in an effort to improve your respiratory health. The offerings at Pause cover a wide range of health and wellness themes—some of which are cutting-edge.

Instead of the traditional dry or wet sauna, for example, Pause offers saunas that use infrared light to heat the body. Most of these saunas are buddied up with cold plunge pools in private rooms.

Another offering is contrast therapy, which pairs an infrared sauna with a 45° ice bath ($75 for 30 minutes). Claimed health benefits include relief from chronic pain, calorie and fat burning, skin purification and an immunity boost. Contrast therapy rooms at Pause accommodate up to three people, so you can plan a solo visit in the name of self-care, a date night, or a healthful hang with friends.

The float chamber—a clamshell-shaped sensory deprivation tank filled with magnesium-fortified warm water—is another offering ($75 for 60 minutes). Ideally, users float nude in the water, allowing

the body to absorb magnesium all over. The mineral is said to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels and support muscle and nerve function. As I floated, I drifted into a meditative state. Significantly larger than a bathtub, the float chamber is a relaxing experience that you can tailor. You can opt for a silent, fully dark experience (hence “sensory deprivation”) or float with a low blue light and calming music. Could you replicate this at home in a large tub with a pack of magnesium sulfate? Maybe. But as many of us parents know, doing it without interruption is a true luxury.

My cryotherapy experience (which I touched on at the beginning) was the opposite of meditative. New to the therapy, heart pumping and anxious, I stayed in the icebox-sized chamber for just one minute. Those with experience are allowed to stay in as long as three minutes and can advance to minus 175°. Ten minutes from start to finish, the experience is priced at $40. Cyrotherapy is a big thing right now among fitness enthusiasts who extol its benefits: burning calories, producing collagen, reducing inflammation and improving circulation. If you’re stacking your therapies, the cryo chamber is a good place to start—you can go from a true high back down to a more relaxed state.

IV vitamin drips, an LED light bed, and compression therapy are other options on Pause’s menu. For those interested in trying nearly all of them in one visit, the studio offers the Hero’s Journey package. It’s aptly named—after about four hours of hyperfocused selfcare, you would feel like a hero, ready to take on any challenge. ■

The float chamber with its soothing blue light. Below: the cryotherapy chamber (left) and a vitamin infusion treatment underway (right).

A NEW ERA OF CARE

Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center uplevels its offerings with a new patient tower and a renovated NICU.

Building on a 50-year legacy of care in the San Fernando Valley, Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center is expanding their offerings as part of their Tarzana Reimagined modernization plan. The five-story, 200,000-square-foot Friese Family Tower welcomed its first patients in October, and the renovated NICU opened in December.

Built to withstand an 8.7 earthquake, the Friese Family Tower features 150 spacious patient rooms; an expanded emergency department; a new pharmacy; and pediatric, cardiovascular, and critical care units. Updated technology will advance patient care, and comforts such as recliners and sleeper sofas in patient rooms will provide care for families. The nature-oriented design theme offers a healing environment, complete with a contemplative garden and original art from local artists.

As the region’s largest Level III NICU, the new space provides a soothing environment for premature and critically ill newborns and their families. Amenities include advanced medical equipment; an isolette crib to transport newborns safely to the hospital from other facilities; the AngelEye CameraSystem™, allowing loved ones to livestream video of infants; and Giraffe OmniBeds, which create a temperaturecontrolled microenvironment.

Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center has provided comprehensive care in the Valley since 1973. Upcoming plans in the Tarzana Reimagined project include an advanced diagnostic and treatment center and five new operating rooms.

PROVIDENCE CEDARS-SINAI TARZANA MEDICAL CENTER

18321 CLARK ST., TARZANA

818-881-0800

PROVIDENCE.ORG/TARZANA

@PROVIDENCECEDARS

Guiding Eyes

GUIDE DOGS OF AMERICA IN SYLMAR IS ABOUT HELPING THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED STAY ACTIVE. TERESA BLEVINS KNOWS BOTH SIDES OF THAT ARRANGEMENT.

Written by Diane Haithman | Photographed by Cara Harman

In 2009, Teresa Blevins was a busy woman, a 70-words-per-minute typist with a plum job as administrative assistant and human resources liaison at a U.S. Army airfield in Alabama. Then, overnight, everything changed.

“I woke up and all I saw was red,” she says.

Teresa, now 63, suddenly found herself in a different, more perilous world. Diabetic retinopathy had struck, causing bleeding in the blood vessels behind the eyes, leaving her virtually blind. After a frustrating year of multiple surgeries, she was able to regain only about 15% of her vision in one eye—and then only in optimal lighting conditions.

“The doctor stated there was nothing else to be done,” recalls her husband, Tony, who had spent the year rearranging furniture and even food on her plate, trying to create patterns she could learn, and sightguiding Teresa through their home and neighborhood. “But Teresa, without a pause, said, ‘Sure there is.’”

As luck would have it, Teresa’s solution was right at her fingertips. For the previous 10 years, she had been a volunteer fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines, headquartered in Sylmar, which trains dogs for the visually impaired.

Instead of waiting for a medical miracle or closing herself off from the seeing world, Teresa applied for a guide dog through the nonprofit.

In Teresa’s version of the events of 2009–10, it was Tony who made the call. “My husband said, ‘So I guess you need to fill out an application.’ I said for what? And he said, ‘A guide dog.’

“I’d been doing all these fundraisers and telling

everybody about Guide Dogs of America, but never thought I would be putting in an application for one. I started crying.”

Indeed, a few teardrops leaked out from behind her glasses during a recent sit-down chat at the 7 1/2-acre Sylmar facility, which raises and trains these special dogs. Her most recent companion, a 4-year-old yellow Labrador named Delilah, lay patiently at her feet. “I’m sorry—when I got to talking, it brought things back.”

However, it only took seconds for Teresa to regain her trademark positivity in describing what came next. “I’m not the kind of person that sits back. I can’t sit back and I can’t stay at home. I’m just not that type of person.”

Tony, we should mention, was also connected to the organization. He served as the president’s assistant for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the union founded Guide Dogs of America in 1948. In 2020, Guide Dogs of America merged with Tender Loving Canine Assistance Dogs (TLC), which provides skilled service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and for people with autism, as well as facility dogs that are deployed to schools, hospitals and other institutions.

Since the merger, dogs that don’t make the cut to be guides for the blind can switch paths to become service canines. The program also breeds specifically for service dogs.

Recently, the Blevinses have become even more involved. The couple has relocated from Alabama, and Tony has taken a job as assistant director of GDA | TLC. Teresa has officially joined the organization as a fulltime volunteer. Her duties include involvement in the puppy program, which places new pups born at the facility in private homes for up to 18 months. During this period the dogs gain socialization and basic behavior skills before returning to the facility to train as guide or service dogs.

But back to 2010: Through her experience as a volunteer, Teresa knew that qualifying for a canine companion would be more complicated than just filling out an application. Acceptance into GDA’s program is not automatic. First, she would have to go through mobility

training with a cane to demonstrate her ability to train with a guide dog, which she did via the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind.

Even after successfully completing the mobility training and meeting rigorous qualification requirements, it took a year for a spot to open for Teresa in GDA’s residential program, where she would work with her first guide dog. Taking steps toward independence began when the nonprofit arranged for Teresa to fly solo to Los Angeles. The trip turned out to be less stressful than Teresa anticipated. She was sight-guided by friendly airport staff onto the plane and to the baggage area, where she was met by a GDA representative.

“When I came to Guide Dogs, it was like walking in to a second family.” Teresa says. “They take you in here. They treat you just like family.”

The guide dogs themselves become family members too. “For the spouse of someone with a guide dog, you must always tell yourself this is not a pet,” Tony says. “I had to adjust to backing off as the sight guide. This was Delilah’s job now. I had to allow them to make mistakes together.”

A guide dog brings freedom to everyone in the blind person’s life, says Zack Gittlen, director of development and marketing for Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines. “Teresa is a perfect example of the independence that our dogs bring to folks. It’s not just about moving easier. It’s about going places on your own.”

And there’s no place Teresa and Delilah don’t go— with a driver, of course. Aside from work, Teresa enjoys traveling with Tony and cooking Southern specialties— and points out that she remains an excellent bowler.

Teresa continues to work on behalf of GDA at conventions and fundraisers, but now she can call on personal experience. “Now I’m actually going out and doing public speaking on what happened to me, what happened overnight, what can happen to anyone,” she says.

She adds with a smile: “There’s nothing you can’t do if you get a guide dog.” ■

For more on GDA | TLC’s programs, come to the open house on June 8 or visit guidedogsofamerica.org

Teresa and Delilah on the Sylmar campus of Guide Dogs of America.

Bottom: At 8 weeks old the puppies are placed with a volunteer, staying until they are 16 to 18 months old. Then they return to the Sylmar campus to begin formal training to be a guide or service dog.

Full-Bodied Experience

THE UPSCALE WELLNESS-ORIENTED SIX SENSES RESORT CHAIN AIMS TO ACTIVATE ALL OF YOUR SENSES DURING A VISIT. ITS DOURO VALLEY OUTPOST IN THE HEART OF PORTUGAL’S WINE COUNTRY DOES ALL OF THAT AND MORE.

Written by Linda Grasso

Lisbon and Porto seem to be the “it” destinations for Portugal these days. We decided to mix it up for our trip this past October. We stayed in Lisbon a few days at the enchanting Palacio Ramalhete. Then we headed north to Portugal’s wine country, staying at the Six Senses Douro Valley. We took the two-and-a-half-hour train trip to Porto, where the resort picked us up in a Mercedes sedan for the scenic 90-minute drive to the resort.

The Six Senses Douro Valley is perched on a hill overlooking the Douro River. As we drove up, I glimpsed the Quinta Vale de Abraão, the 19th-century manor that is the heart of the resort and was originally the residence of a prominent winemaking family. The Six Senses chain took over the property in 2015 and embarked on a complete restoration. The sight made

me catch my breath. I thought: This is a place I’m not going to leave in our four days. I was right.

The beauty of the manor is matched by the landscape. Dotted with vineyards, the property and surrounding forest is filled with stunning mature trees including Atlantic and blue cedars and verdant ferns.

I was surprised to discover that the majority of patrons are Americans. Our driver explained it: “We have the option of traveling all over Europe. The notion of going to the countryside to vacation has no appeal for the Portuguese or many Europeans.”

Aside from enjoying the delicious array of local wines—mostly red blends—most guests come to Six Senses for the spa. It is perhaps the best—and at 23,000 square feet, certainly the largest—spa I’ve ever

visited. It goes above and beyond the standard highend resort spa in every way.

The highlight is the large indoor pool, which is dramatically set off by wall-to-ceiling windows. It has several basins, including a cold plunge, a warm whirlpool bath, and three separate massage stations for head, back and feet. A gigantic faucet spouts a hot massage jet. Jump from basin to basin, and then afterward you can listen to underwater meditation music.

The spa offers two saunas, including an infrared and Finnish. There are also salt and herbal warm rooms and a steam room. One sauna has glass walls with enchanting forest views.

The spa menu is progressive, offering guests the opportunity to have their sleep or skin analyzed. I opted

for an above-par full-body massage and then did a wellness screening. An electrode placed on your finger measures key biomarkers to address body needs and overall health. You get more than a printout; you get to discuss the results with a wellness consultant.

The classes and activities are also nonpareil. Sure there’s yoga, and you can take e-bikes out for a spin. But there’s also an Alchemy Bar where you can take a workshop, choosing from a range of aromatic herbs, salt, fruits, spices and oils to create your own scent, exfoliating scrub, sleep balm, soap, bath salt or candle. At the Earth Lab I dove into a workshop on making pickles, yogurt and sprouts. I also toured the organic vegetable garden.

Combining sophisticated contemporary decor and the charm of traditional architecture that includes original

tiles from the 17th century, the resort is luxurious and comfortable. The rooms and suites in the main structure overlook either the river or the vineyard, and some have decks and hot tubs.

Tucked away in the gardens is a recently renovated old wine lodge with nine elegant rooms and suites that can be reserved individually or together. All the accomodations have access to a shared garden and gazebo, as well as a heated pool and whirlpool. The lounge at the entrance of the structure offers a perpetual array of fresh juices, homemade cakes and snacks. We stayed in a suite, and I loved padding out in my robe to the lounge in the morning to grab coffee and fresh fruit.

For dining, guests can eat in the casual Quinta Bar & Lounge, which has pool tables for those inclined to play. Or you can go more upscale and dine at the resort’s flagship Vale de Abraão Restaurant. It features an open kitchen with wood-fired ovens, oversize fireplaces and several cozy spaces including a charming terrace. During summer you can dine in the garden.

The Wine Library, with cork floors and ceiling, is a focal point of the resort, and it offers tastings of local wines every evening. At the automatic wine bar, you can order a glass of wine with your room card at the push of a button.

Menus throughout are health-oriented, but in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing anything. All dishes are made with produce from the organic garden, and most are gluten- and lactose-free.

A don’t-miss for foodies: Experience the Chef’s Table, an intimate dinner with the chef at the open-air kitchen. I love to cook, and watching all the preparations and being able to converse with the chef about our gastronomic experience was a treat.

The Six Senses Douro Valley is much more than a resort stay. I felt transported to a bygone era, and yet had all the modern luxuries. It was a fully immersive, unforgettable experience where, as the name suggests, all my senses were activated. My sixth sense tells me I will return someday. ■

For more, go to sixsenses.com

A sauna at the expansive spa with enchanting forest views. Above right: an Alchemy Bar workshop underway—one of a plethora of all -inclusive activities offered at the resort. Many of the ingredients used in the classes are sourced from the on-site organic garden.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

The Nuance Audio Glasses are designed to lessen the impact of mild hearing loss by utilizing technology that amplifies the voice of the person you are talking to. Available in late 2024 at essilorluxottica.com

COOL YOUR JETS

Sweltering on a hot day? Try the Coolify Cyber, which acts like a personal air conditioner and has a ceramic cooling plate that wraps around the back of your neck. Available later this year at torraslife.com.

Smart Health Tech

FROM MINDFUL MIRRORS TO GLASSES THAT IMPROVE HEARING, WE SHARE SOME HIGH-TECH INNOVATIONS AIMED AT OPTIMIZING YOUR WELL-BEING.

PORTABLE RAYS

With Bestqool Pro300 you can get red light therapy at home. The device covers the full body and is said to improve skin appearance by stimulating collagen production and increasing blood circulation. $890 at bestqool.com.

BETTER BRUSHER

The Laifen Wave Electric Toothbrush promises a threefold increase in brushing efficiency, thanks to its 66,000 vibrations per minute while oscillating to clean the entire tooth. $69 on amazon.com.

MINDFUL MIRROR

The BMind is an AI-powered mirror said to be capable of identifying mood and helping to manage stress by offering personalized recommendations. A darling of the 2024 CES show, manufacturer Baradoca has not yet announced a release date.

HEALTH & WELLNESS PROFILES

As most of us know, finding good health care providers can be a challenge. And we don’t want to endure long commutes to see them. On the following pages we highlight local health care professionals who are at the top of their game and have the track record to prove it. Whether you aspire to improve your smile or your overall appearance, these Valley practitioners are available to help you feel and look your best.

EDITED BY LAURA L. WATTS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

KAHAN ORTHODONTICS ELYSA KAHAN, DMD

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

I always strive to learn the newest techniques to care for my patients. Being a lifelong learner helps me give patients quality care and stunning smiles. We work with speech therapists, ENTs and myofunctional therapists to make sure we are treating the whole person—not just the teeth.

SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED

I believe that what you give is far more important than anything you get in return. I give back to the Los Angeles community and donate my time regularly to speak and provide dental education at local schools and mommy groups. We sponsor organizations in the Encino-Tarzana community and participate in Adopt-A-Family for the holidays each year.

SHOW THAT SMILE

Taking care of your teeth is more than good oral hygiene; it is being confident in your smile. We love every single smile we see. Seeing our patients’ faces after they have completed their smile journey with us is like no other feeling in the world.

FORMING BONDS

I live with my family in Encino and enjoy having my orthodontic practice in the same community so I truly feel connected to my patients and their families. My husband and I have two daughters, ages 3 and 5. Becoming a mother and treating my children’s friends and siblings has added a rich layer of fullness to my practice. We treat each patient like family. I am honest, caring and very thorough with the advice and treatment plan options I offer. It is a priority to me that everyone has a great experience while in treatment. Our customer service and the quality of the relationships we form with our patients and families is very special.

WOMEN IN DENTISTRY

Our goal is to continue our Women in Dentistry series, empowering and supporting colleagues and creating community across the San Fernando Valley. We have held self-care, work-life balance and yoga events. Not only is it important to support other women, it is imperative that we all take a breath and take care of ourselves in this field.

PATIENT PRAISE

Everything we do at Kahan Orthodontics is grounded in our patients having a positive experience while in the chair. A few years ago, a teenage boy had just finished

SERVICES OFFERED

• Free consultation & exam

• Custom braces & Invisalign for kids, teenagers & adults

• Advanced technology with digital treatment planning

• Realistic smile simulations

• Flexible financing; most major PPOs accepted

wearing braces. I saw him grow into a confident, self-assured person. After his braces were off, he told me I had changed not only his smile but his outlook on his life. Impacting others makes it all worthwhile.

STRESS-FREE ZONE

Our office offers a happy, calm, positive atmosphere for families to escape the day. It is modern with warm wood accents, lots of windows and amenities designed for the comfort of our patients. We have memory foam chairs, a coffee bar, snacks, a homework nook for after-school appointments and exciting contests with prizes. Patients come to their appointments and take a break from the stress of the day.

THE YOUNGEST PATIENTS

Checkups for kids as young as 7 years old allow us to prevent serious problems like crowding and abnormal jaw growth. Early intervention makes orthodontics easier and treatment can be more conservative.

MICHAEL A. PERSKY, MD, FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

FACIAL REJUVENATION

I have been an active, double boardcertified facial plastic surgeon in Encino since 1985. For rejuvenation services, I now limit my practice to nonsurgical aesthetic and “pre-juvenation” treatments (to prevent early signs of aging). I continue to perform blepharoplasty and otoplasty under local anesthesia, which avoids the risks and expenses of general anesthesia and an operating room. Eyelid surgery gives people who feel they look tired the greatest “bang for their buck.”

SIGNATURE TREATMENTS

Patients who are candidates for nonsurgical face and neck lifting under local anesthesia are given a combination of treatments in one sitting. Sculptra is injected to restore lost facial volume. Profound RF (radiofrequency with microneedles) is then performed with the application of plateletrich plasma, producing elastin and collagen while stimulating growth factors and stem cells. Since the patient is already numb from their hairline to their clavicles, a laser is used to remove brown spots and tighten the skin further. Results last for years.

For the majority of our patients who want a reliable “pick-me-up,” injectable treatment, foundational Sculptra, Botox and SkinVive are perfect. SkinVive is the latest microdroplet injectable. It is a skin booster and hydrator that results in glowing skin that appears well hydrated. Patients rave that they look like they are wearing makeup without having any on. Treatment is quick, easy and maintained every six months.

ALL-NATURAL INJECTABLE

For patients who prefer not to use fillers, we use their own blood. It is processed by heating and cooling to create the blood protein albumin, as well as platelet-rich fibrin. They are combined to form the 100% natural injectable ezGEL—great for

fine lines around the mouth and eyes as well as volume loss in the cheeks, nasolabial folds and under the eyes.

SERATOPICAL REVOLUTION

I am a spokesperson, along with actor Nicole Kidman, for Seratopical Revolution skin care. We believe that affordable, scientifically based skin care is essential. Seratopical has a patented tripeptide that facilitates penetration into the skin, improving hydration, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles.

DEVELOPING TRUST

My three favorite words are “I trust you.” I personally perform all treatments— bringing experience, anatomic knowledge, board certification, trustworthy ethics, skill, quality and natural artistic vision to the table, thus ensuring that my patients receive safe, natural and effective results. They trust that I will listen to them and never overdo their treatment. I am grateful

SERVICES OFFERED

• Natural facial rejuvenation, facial injectables, lasers, Ultherapy

• 100% natural bio-regenerative ezGEL

• Profound RF

• Silhouette Instalift (threads)

• Blepharoplasty (eyelids) & otoplasty (ears)

for their trust and privileged to help each patient achieve and maintain their aesthetic goals.

YOUR SECRET IS SAFE

No one should know that you have had “work” done! Just you and me—and whomever you wish to share your beauty “secret” with—are the only ones who should know that you have had facial cosmetic treatments.

The one-year progress of Sculptra and Ultherapy treatment at two-month intervals

4624 COOLIDGE AVENUE | CULVER CITY

SQFT. LOT

AT

21149 ENTRADA ROAD | TOPANGA

SQFT. LOT

6312 MIRROR LAKE DRIVE | LOS ANGELES

6 BEDS | 9 BATHS | 7,005 SQFT. | 11,432 SQFT. LOT OFFERED AT $6,199,000 | $45,000/MO LEASE

4730 COLUMBUS AVENUE | SHERMAN OAKS

5 BEDS | 6.5 BATHS | 3,905 SQFT. | 7,645 SQFT. LOT OFFERED AT $3,425,000

5347 NATICK AVENUE | SHERMAN OAKS 5 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS | 4,274 SQFT. | 6,504 SQFT. LOT

AT $3,595,000

11442 DONA CECILIA DR | STUDIO CITY

5 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS | 3,993 SQFT. | 49,844 SQFT. LOT

10453 WHIPPLE ST, TOLUCA LAKE

10333

The Final Round

A FAREWELL TO WEDDINGTON GOLF & TENNIS IN STUDIO CITY.

Written by Richard Lowe | Illustrated by Yuiko Sugino

The older I get, the less I surprise myself. I’ve embraced the fact that I’ve become a creature of habit. When I go to my favorite pizza joint, I order the mushroom without a glance at the new offerings, much to the dismay of my more adventurous spouse. For exercise, I don’t have an ounce of curiosity about the trendy new fitness studios on Ventura Boulevard. Running suits me perfectly.

So when I became obsessed with golf two years ago, it rocked my middle-aged world. I found myself watching golf swing videos on YouTube and pro events on weekends. I read about the latest shafts and golf ball technology and practiced my swing in public. A large part of this obsession I owe to Weddington Golf & Tennis. Two minutes from my house, its no-frills public facilities and ridiculously affordable fees made falling in love with the sport easy.

In April, Weddington will close its doors for good. (The land has been purchased by the Harvard-Westlake School.) It’s been a Valley institution since 1957, and I’m sad I only discovered it in its twilight. But I’ve made the most of it, going at least once a week for the past year, usually to the driving range, sometimes to the par-3 course, and rarely to the putting green. (Perhaps that’s why I still three-putt far too often.) Occasionally friends would tag along, but the unassuming vibe made it easy to go solo. Regardless, memories abound. I’ll never forget the early Sunday morning round when my friend Steve hit a hole in one on the first hole. Or the time fellow newbie golfer Ted nearly

took out a grazing rabbit with a worm-burner on hole 4. Or when lefty Grant hit out of bounds on hole 9, ricocheting a ball off of a neighbor’s well-placed fence. Most vivid are the twilight rounds I played by myself in the summer, often getting the last tee time, with the warm sun setting and the evening gnats flying around my head while I tried to split the 7-foot gap between the towering eucalyptus trees on hole 5. And I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sound of my ball hitting one of the oil drums on the driving range, the deafening clank of successful aim.

I consider Weddington my first golf course. It’s where I “grew up” as a player. It’s where I experimented and tinkered with my swing. It’s where the game finally clicked for me, only to lose it the next time out. It will forever be included in my category of firsts, along with first kiss, first car, first pet, etc. Like those memories, Weddington has made an indelible mark on my life.

I’m planning my last visit before April. I know it will be bittersweet. I’ll buy a large bucket and take my swings at the range. I’ll head to the course and play my last round alongside the frightening number of ground squirrels. Maybe I’ll even putt a little. As I pull out of the parking lot for the last time, I’ll say goodbye and offer my gratitude to the humble golf course that became one of my life’s sweetest surprises. ■

Richard Lowe lives in Studio City with his wife Chelsee and their two daughters.