Ventura Blvd February/March 2017 by Moon Tide Media

WHERE WE LIVE

TH E

ARTS ISSUE

OURVE N T U RA B LV D.CO M

SIX DOLLARS

FEB/MAR 2017

Late-night gallery hours!

ON VIEW AT THE SKIRBALL THROUGH MARCH 12, 2017

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2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 skirball.org • (310) 440-4500 FREE on-site parking; street parking strictly prohibited

PICTURED: THREE-DIMENSIONAL RE-IMAGINATION OF ROY LICHTENSTEIN’S BEDROOM AT ARLES IN THE EXHIBITION POP FOR THE PEOPLE. PHOTO BY ROBERT WEDEMEYER.

Feb 24

CEO/FOUNDER NIMES CAPITAL DAVID NAZARIAN

B.S. (BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION)

ith 330,000 alumni like visionary entrepreneur David Nazarian, the LAEDC recognized CSUN as the 2015 Eddy Award winner for its positive economic impact. David has spent his career discovering and investing in winners, but he achieved his highest ROI by investing in his alma mater. CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics is one of the 10 largest accredited business schools in the nation, helping the business community connect with the wealth of talent found in our region’s diversity. The college’s accreditation places CSUN among

the top 5 percent of business-degree-granting institutions in the world, and the bachelor’s program in accounting and informational systems is ranked the third best in the nation by College Choice. The Nazarian College’s part-time MBA is ranked as one of the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report, and the College consistently ranks among Princeton Review’s Best Business Schools and Financial Planning magazine’s Best Schools for Financial Planners. The Nazarian College helps students reach their greatest potential and impact. They rise higher — and when they rise — we all do.

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Scenes & Songs ber ngra i e t rS Tho tor, c e r i ve D cuti Exe

Few stories are more enduring than these two. Romeo and Juliet become Tony and Maria. Cervantesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1605 masterpiece becomes the 1964 Broadway sensation.

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Where We Live 26 Media

16 Q & A

Playlist Creator Clark Dinnison 18 Great Outdoors

Bare-Root Beauties

Get Hands-On with Art

28 Datebook

Cultural Doses 30 Arts

NoHo's Gallery 800

20 DIY

Artist and Teacher Miles Lewis 22 Style File

Dressing Your Nest 24 Local Talent

Terra Sculptures

32 Weekender

The Andaz in Scottsdale 34 Dinner w Friends

Tips from a Pro 46 SEEN

Faces Spotted Around Town

The Sauce 38 East Coast Vibe

Hamptons 818 42 Organic, On the Rocks

The Natural Mixologist 44 Where Art Meets Food

Dining at The Huntington

Features 53

Art Advancement

Collectors and curators offer an inside look at the personal process of collecting art.

And Then Some...

58 Sweet

74 Profiles

Movers and Shakers in Real Estate 99 Real Estate

Spectacular Local Listings

Salsa Your Heart Out

Photograph of Clark Dinnison by Monica Orozco

Divine Light

With a Valley-based second generation on board, the Paul Ferrante lighting and furniture company kicks off its 60 th year in business.

122 Last Word

Cover

Harmony

A couple of empty nesters in the music biz creates a space that befits their noteworthy art collection.

Artistic Amsterdam

From exquiste galleries to high-end hotel design, discover Amsterdam like never before.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

GROUP PUBLISHER

Linda Grasso

Jared Sayers

ART DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher | Mia L. Pierre-Jacques

Michelle Villas

EDITORIAL Editorial Director | Darren Elms

310-880-0559 | mia@moontidemedia.com

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Account Executive | Derek Poole

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CONTRIBUTORS

Account Executive | Erika Carrion

Heather David, Susanna Cullen Hamilton,

310-897-2424 | erika@moontidemedia.com

Eliza Krpoyan, Kathleen Laccinole, Hadley

Account Executive | Marcie Gutierrez

Meares, Susan Spillman

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Make EVERY meal in your home an EVENT to remember.

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Decorative Plumbing

Outdoor Barbeques

STUDIO CITY CALABASAS 12050 Ventura Boulevard 26767 Agoura Road Fine Kitchen Appliances Decorative 818.755.1111 818.880.0011

Plumbing Outdoor Barbeques

The Best Brands. The Best Prices. The Best Service. All in one Place. www.uakc.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR’S LETTER | LINDA GRASSO

Shane O’Donnell PHOTOGRAPHER “Sweet Harmony,” page 58

Shane is a Wisconsin-born photographer whose documentary and commercial training bring a realistic and refined style to his work. He photographs catalogs, advertisements, architecture and travel and has shot for such clients as Budweiser, Hershey, Syfy Channel and Vespa. We love him because he puts his heart into everything he does.

Hadley Meares WRITER “Secret Showcase,” page 30

Hadley Meares is a journalist who loves art, history and grand adventure. She also enjoys helping others discover LA and leads historical tours for the exploration group, Atlas Obscura. She is a frequent contributor to LA Weekly, Curbed, Aeon, KCET and Malibu magazine. This petite powerhouse is also a huge fan of college basketball.

Tameka Jacobs PHOTOGRAPHER “East Coast Vibe,” page 38

Tameka Jacobs has been behind the lens for more than 10 years. (She was in front of it for about that length of time too—but that’s another story.) Tameka credits her artistry to having a keen eye for people’s moods and her passion for capturing life’s energy. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy perusing the Boulevard for good food and live music.

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Interpretation Rules

rt can be fancy. And intimidating. But this ART-themed issue of Ventura Blvd magazine is not. Here we make a concerted effort to share inspiring, accessible and creative endeavors of our talented locals. With so many residents who devote their lives to the arts, it is no surprise the artistic community in the Valley is thriving. In this issue, we uncover some hidden jewels. Who had any idea the DGA regularly puts on art exhibits at the historic Lankershim Arts Center in NoHo that feature its members’ works (“Secret Showcase,” page 30)? Or that Valley dwellers are involved in creating some of the most exquisite, high-end lighting fixtures in the world (“Divine Light,” page 64)? In more revelations, you’ll meet a petite landscape designer who creates gigantic sculptures (page 24). And with bare-root rose planting season in full swing, you’ll discover the most breathtaking varieties—according to a world-renowned curator (page 18). For all our readers who plead for “more food coverage!” we highlight some visually enticing edibles at The Huntington’s newly revamped restaurants (page 44) and some cocktails from an imaginative mixologist (page 42). The issue also delivers a powerful message: great and meaningful art can be found in all shapes, sizes and prices—and artists come from all walks of life. Some are revered; others are emerging. What makes art special? Meaning. Relevance. Resonance. The very same chords we try to strike with you, our readers. Enjoy!

P.S. Got an interesting story idea? Email me

at linda@moontidemedia.com.

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WHERE WE LIVE Ground Swell

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALI ALTRI/KIKUCHI + KANKEL DESIGN GROUP

Sculptures that are one with nature–that is Jennifer Gilbert Asher’s mission. More on page 24.

WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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Q&A | WHERE WE LIVE

The Ultimate Playlist Noon Pacific’s Clark Dinnison wants to be the soundtrack of your life. WRITTEN BY

RICH THOMAS

| PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA

Keeping up with new music is a fulltime job. That’s why Clark Dinnison scours the internet to compile and deliver new mixes straight to your inbox—via Noon Pacific—every Monday at noon. Clark’s curated weekly mixtape of the best songs handpicked from the best music blogs currently goes out to more than 200,000 subscribers. We joined him at his studio to listen in.

How do you curate the 10 tracks that go on any given mix? “There could be a Kanye track, the next one could be from James Vincent McMorrow, and the next one is someone you’ve never heard of. I think that’s important. It’s subjective, of course, because it’s what I’m choosing, but it also says, ‘This track is on par with Kanye, so at least give it a listen.’ I think the problem with blogs is that it’s someone’s voice writing a subjective review. Just because you read some text, you

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OROZCO

might not press play—which I don’t think is fair.” What influenced your aesthetic? “My dad had an old record player in the basement, and me and my brothers’ first memory is of The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album. That has been the stand-alone record that’s influenced me, but I grew up discovering new artists. My brothers would always share music, whether it was making mix tapes on cassette or burning CDs. I wanted to translate those tangible things to digital.” Tell us about your journey in creating Noon Pacific... “I’d moved down to California from Washington, and part of that move was inspired by surf culture and a love for water. So I moved into this spot in Hermosa. There was a view of the ocean, and I could just sit there and listen to music. At the time I was working for a tech company and learning to code websites. One day I was making a playlist on Spotify or something and trying to come up with a name. It was noon and it was a beautiful day out, and I started thinking, ‘What’s wrong with blogs?’ There are subjective reviews, which cause me to not play tracks. The experience sucks. You have to scroll down forever just to find certain songs. It’s an embedded player, so it’s ugly. All the blogs look like WordPress. So I tried to take all those components and package up a mix tape and deliver it at a certain time so people would expect

it—almost like a little Christmas present. I was doing the digging for people and delivering music to them in a beautiful package. As of today we’re driving 10 times as many plays as the blogs. A guy from Republic Records told me that he’d rather have his song featured on the Top 10 of Noon Pacific than any blog out there.”

My brothers would always SHARE MUSIC, whether it was making mix tapes on cassette or burning CDs. I wanted to translate those tangible things to digital.”

What’s the ultimate goal? “I think the goal is to be the face of new music across all the different verticals and lifestyle brands, whether it’s coffee or T-shirts or a vinyl release. You know those Now Music compilations? If we could be that for up-and-coming music, that would be cool. We’re even working on a concept for dinner parties. Just being everywhere but still intimate and personal.” Something that feels cool but inclusive as opposed to exclusive. “Exactly. Something that a 17-yearold could listen to but also something my parents would be into.” Sign up for handpicked music at noonpacific.com.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | GREAT OUTDOORS

Petal Power With planting season in full swing, Tom Carruth, curator of the legendary rose collection at The Huntington, shares his top five artistic varieties.

BLUE FOR YOU Not quite blue but a good effort. Smoky-grey lavender blossoms come in large clusters. They open to reveal a white “eye” inside each flower, accentuating the unusual near-blue tones. Very vigorous and clean, it matures to a good-size shrub.

KOKO LOKO Warm, leather-tanned buds unfurl to shapely café latte-colored flowers that finish as light lavender. A powerhouse when it comes to producing flowers, this floribunda blooms early and repeats readily. This is currently Barbra Streisand’s favorite rose. (The Barbra Streisand rose is one of my hybrids. I’ve worked with her and a consultant since about 1999.)

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

MAURICE UTRILLO Although the namesake was known for his drab cityscapes, the floral scape of his rose is always exciting and bright. Each petal of this large-flowered, hybrid tea variety is striped uniquely with red, yellow, pink and cream. Hard to find but worth the hunt.

GOOD AS GOLD You might think it to be an orange-yellow or a pure gold, but what makes it truly outstanding in the garden is its depth of color and color retention. Naturally vigorous and clean, the bushy plant fills out well, pumping out long-stemmed bloom after bloom after bloom. CINCO DE MAYO With an indescribable color of smoked raspberry with lavender tones, this freeflowering vigorous shrub/floribunda can match the Iceberg variety for bloom production. It is also more disease resistant and gets bushier. The hues can change in different temperatures but always look good against the dark red new growth.

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WHERE WE LIVE | DIY

BOLD STROKES Miles Lewis (right) helps a student at a class.

Miles of Art

Up-and-coming artist Miles Lewis prides himself on discovering and fostering creative talent. WRITTEN BY HEATHER DAVID

or a typical college student, juggling a fulltime course load and a part-time job might be overwhelming, but Miles Lewis seems to flourish with that kind of pressure. In 2009, while studying printmaking at California State University, Northridge, Miles was also educating others—teaching life drawing and painting classes to local teens out of his family’s residence in Woodland Hills. “When I began as an artist there was a sort of apprenticeship ethic to how I was learning. So at 17, I was teaching 10-year-olds, and by the time I was 19 my students were 14and 15-year-olds. I wasn’t much older than they were! I was, in a sense, working parallel with them while leading them forward. I found that to be really rewarding,” Miles recalls. After graduating in 2013, Miles grew his fledgling business to launch the Valley Art Workshop—a hub for a wide range of artistic endeavors including art exhibitions, classical and jazz concerts as well as weekly classes. Two nights a week students drop in for $15 painting and drawing classes, and on Sunday mornings Miles teaches a kids’ class. There are also occasional invitational arts work-

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

shops aimed at tapping local talent and connecting artists with the community. Miles partners with the North Hollywood-based nonprofit 11:11 Creative Collective, which sends eager students his way. “Art has always been relatively underserved in public education, so students are able to come here to learn about and work on new ideas. The 11:11 group is trying to raise the level of art in the Valley through exhibitions, street fairs and murals,” he says. He keeps his studio in the Valley by design. “The LA fine art scene in the past few years is practically equal to that of New York. The Valley has that small-town, suburban quality, but at the same time it’s filled with high-level creative people,” explains Miles. Now 27, Miles’ portraits capture his classical training in a youthful way. Watercolor paintings and ink drawings often feature symbolism dealing with political and social issues. This has garnered Miles international attention as well, with his work being showcased in galleries across Europe and Southern California. For more, go to valleyartworkshop.com 

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WHERE WE LIVE | STYLE FILE

Spoonflower takes custom design to a new level with wallpaper, fabric and gift wrap. This head turner is “Arrows” wallpaper by Holli Zollinger. Rolls overlap so the design works across the wall.$60 for standard 2’ x 12’ roll. spoonflower.com Jonathan Adler’s white ceramic owls add whimsy and style to any bookshelf. Set of two, $195; wayfair.com

Imaginative Interiors Designer Timothy Corrigan’s new five-piece, gold-accented Jardin Francais china collection was inspired by the ornamental gardens in France. Produced by Royal Limoges, the line is microwave and dishwasher safe. Five-piece collection, $375; gearys.com

Think art is just for walls? From fabric to dishware, home design gets artistic like never before.

With the Century Signature Collection, you pick the fabric, dimensions, number of panels and top design of a screen. This particular one is 7 feet tall with five panels and a rounded top. $5,625; centuryfurniture.com PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRITTANY AMBRIDGE

Brooklyn artist Wayne Pate translates his original paintings into a playful and sophisticated collection of fabric and wallpaper. $67.50 per yard; studiofournyc.com

Brooklyn-based illustrator Julie Rothman focuses her talents on a new line of removable tile (photo above, top) and fabric. This design, Daydream, is $80 per yard in fabric and $58 for 2 tiles. hyggeandwest.com

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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WHERE WE LIVE | LOCAL TALENT

Heavy Metal Sculpting metal dates back thousands of years, but in the foothills of Topanga Canyon the ancient art is getting a modern twist. WRITTEN BY HEATHER

DAVID GROSSMAN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ADAM

erra in Italian means “from the earth.” With her contemporary garden creations that appear to seamlessly emanate out of the ground, sculptress Jennifer Gilbert Asher takes that literally. The west Valley-based “self-taught” artist and owner of Terra Sculpture says she was strongly influenced by her travels across Europe. “I lived in Italy to study art and was of course heavily inspired by Italian design as well. My sculptural style is all about coming from the earth and growing out of it,” she says. Raised in a highly-creative household in Marin County with a clothing-designer mother, art and the surrounding environment have always been a big part of Jennifer’s life. “Growing up in the Bay Area, nature got a hold of me at an early age. It was my initial exposure to the power and beauty of using the outdoors as a palette that encouraged me to explore my creative side.” After getting a degree in landscape architecture at UCLA, she had a successful career designing outdoor spaces for several years. Then her career started to shift organically as Jennifer began creating original metal works of art for her clients’ private gardens. Word quickly spread among her designer peers about her abstract pieces like “Kismet,” which displays ribbons of metal woven together in suspended animation. Soon they started commissioning Jennifer for their own jobs. “I realized sculpting was my passion. It was calling to me really strongly. I began growing my studio and it quickly took on a life of its own.” Jennifer ended up teaming with a business partner and marketing expert and hired someone to oversee the metal shop. They sell directly to consumers from their online store, terrasculpture.com. “Our clientele is really vast. We started out in private home gardens and it has grown to sculptures in city parks, commercial spaces, hospital healing gardens and libraries.” The substantial works of modern art average about 200 pounds and start around $2,500. Finishes range from the more polished look of stainless steel, to the rustic, oxidized look of weathered steel, to the bright eye-popping hues created with a powder-coating process. She and her team use brute strength—literally—to shape the material into contemporary works of art. “Some machines help us bend and cut the metal but a lot of it’s still done by hand all at our metal shop located in south LA.” Just like the works Jennifer creates, her career as an artist has been filled with its own magical twists and turns. 

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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WHERE WE LIVE | MEDIA

THE ULTIMATE IN ART ACCESS 3 great websites for art enthusiasts For some, Artsy is about perusing art displayed at top galleries and auction houses all over the world. For others, it’s simply about enjoyment and the opportunity to learn about fine art. Artsy displays thousands of goods made available to users via partnerships with more than 600 museums, institutions and art fairs. Includes top-tier artists, rare, highend sculptures and photographs, jewelry, furniture and accessories. artsy.net

AskART is an online database and a monthly subscription service that allows users to follow the galleries of their choice (essentially like “friending” on Facebook) and to be alerted about events such as shows and exhibitions. Find out what a piece of art is worth, get access to millions of international auction records for original paintings and sculptures, and get alerts for upcoming auctions. Also a vehicle for buying and selling. Subscriptions from $15 for a single-day use to $30 a month. askart.com

All Hands on Deck From curating to coloring, get interactive with art.

oloring isn’t just for kids anymore. In recent years adults have been getting in on the act. One of the most inspiring books to hit the market is The Accidental Naturalist: Exploring the Flora and Fauna of Laguna Beach and Beyond (Brooks Street Books). In this large-format, heavy-stock coloring book, author and illustrator Jo Situ Allen features over 40 of Laguna Beach’s most iconic plants and animals. They include the majestic California grizzly bear, which is now extinct, and the Laguna Beach liveforever, a rare and endangered plant that is endemic to the area. One cool feature: the binding of The Accidental Naturalist allows pages to be removed for framing. Allen, who lives in Laguna Beach, has been drawing for most of her life, even though she pursued an education and career in science. With the publication of her new coloring book, she combines her love for art and nature. Colorful, indeed. 

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Sure, Minted does terrific holiday cards. But tucked within the site is Minted Home which offers affordable fine art prints—by a community of independent artists—ranging from commissioned original pieces to photography. Interior designer Allison Knizek often uses Minted Home for groupings. “I’ll pick one interesting and possibly multi-colored centerpiece and then work simpler, monochromatic, abstract, organic or geometric images around that centerpiece. The Minted purchases serve as subtle complements to the more significant piece.” minted.com

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WHERE WE LIVE | DATEBOOK

WINTER WONDERS JIMMIE DURHAM, MALINCHE, 1988-1992. STEDELIJK MUSEUM VOOR ACTUELE KUNST (SMAK), GHENT, BELGIUM. IMAGE ©S.M.A.K. / DIRK PAUWELS. IMAGE CREDIT: GUSTAVE BAUMANN, REDWOOD, 1934; PRINTED 1960. COLOR WOODBLOCK PRINT, 12 7/8 X 12 7/8 INCHES. THE ANN BAUMANN TRUST, COURTESY OF THE ANNEX GALLERIES.

Breaking News: Turning the Lens on Mass Media

The Getty Center Work by artists who use juxtaposition and imitation to create photographs and videos that comment on the role of the news media in determining the meaning of images. getty.edu

Jimmie Durham: At the Center of the World The Hammer Museum This retrospective of a compelling and inventive visual artist features nearly 200 pieces—made from objects like bones and trash— dating from 1970 to the present. hammer.ucla.edu

Gustave Baumann in California

Pasadena Museum of California Art Gustave Baumann was a pioneer in the development of the color woodcut. Twelve powerful woodcuts depict the natural beauty of the Golden State—all inspired by Baumann’s long drives up the scenic coast. pmcaonline.org

February 1 For Piano and Harpo A pianist wakes up to find himself in a hospital psych ward and goes on a harrowing and hilarious journey from addiction to redemption. Runs through March 5. falcontheatre.com David Bowie: Among the Mexican Masters For the first time ever, The Forest Lawn Museum displays 27 photos from the musician’s 1997 trip to Mexico. On display through June 15. forestlawn.com 11 Trunk Show at the Autry Store On the opening day of the annual Masters

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

of the American West Art Exhibition and Sale, visitors can peruse artisanal goods like turquoise jewelry and silver buckles. theautry.org

19 The Harlem Globetrotters Watch ball-handling wizardry and basketball artistry as the players debut the sport’s first 4-point line. staplescenter.com 11 & 25 Screen Print Workshop A two-day class on printmaking—aimed at creating pop art prints in the Lichtenstein style. Materials are supplied. skirball.org 23 Little Children Dream of God Having braved a perilous journey to escape a violent husband and politically-charged

climate in Haiti, a woman strives to find a better life in America. Runs through April 15. roadtheatre.org

25 Global Current A rousing performance with infectious rhythms by The Nile Project, a collective of 12 international artists. valleyperformingartscenter.org

March 19 Springtime Easter Festival Load the kids in the car and head to Moorpark for a day of nonstop fun on the farm, including an animal show and tractordrawn wagon ride. Runs through April 3. underwoodfamilyfarms.com

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LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL IN THE BIG EASY Located downtown between the historic French Quarter and Warehouse Arts District, Le Méridien New Orleans offers chic guestrooms on the Mardi Gras parade route. Indulge in an intoxicating escape and enliven your getaway with Southern-inspired cuisine and cocktails, contemporary hotel designs and unique cultural experiences at every turn. Book now for Mardi Gras season, February 11 - 28, and Jazz Fest, April 28 - May 7. For more information or to make a reservation, visit lemeridienneworleanshotel.com or call +1 504 525 9444. N 29° 56’ W 90° 03’ DESTINATION UNLOCKED

©2017 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Aloft, Element, Four Points, Le Méridien, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates.

WHERE WE LIVE | ARTS

Secret Showcase Home to a theatre company and the site of a bustling art gallery, discover the creative heart of the NoHo Arts District. WRITTEN BY HADLEY PHOTOGRAPHED BY

HALL MEARES TAMEKA JACOBS

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

rivers and pedestrians along busy Lankershim Boulevard zip by every dayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;most of them completely unaware they are passing not only a registered cultural landmark but also one of the busiest art hubs in the Valley. For over 20 years, the Lankershim Arts Center, overseen by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, has flourished. The center started its life as a building for the LA Department of Water and Power, circa 1939. By the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s, the structure had fallen into disuse and was in need of a purpose. At the same time, an effort by a group of arts-inclined locals was underway to create the NoHo Arts District. The district was formed in 1992 and after extensive renovations, including the addition of a second-floor, 99-seat Equity theater, the Lankershim Arts Center became its hub.

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ARTS | WHERE WE LIVE

Today the Center is home to The Road Theater Company, a nonprofit troupe, which administers the building in lieu of rent. The Road produces exciting socially and politically relevant original productions throughout the year. An annual highlight is the much-touted, eight-day Summer Playwrights Festival. “There are between 35 and 40 staged readings of new plays over the course of those eight days. Usually between 1,000 and 1,200 people come through the building over the course of the week. We have readings upstairs in the theater, downstairs in the gallery, and there’s a parking lot out back that we convert into a cantina,” explains Center administrator and playwright Meagan Daine. Live music and receptions are held there after the shows. That’s half of the action at the Center. The other half happens downstairs where Gallery 800, the art gallery of the IATSE Local 800 Art Directors Guild, mounts six annual shows. Scenic artist and volunteer Leslie Diller Zollo sees the gallery as a way for the guild to showcase the considerable talent within its ranks. “It is a venue for us to show our fine artwork because we do all the grunt work crap over there,” she explains, motioning toward the studios. The gallery is currently featuring an exhibition (through March 4) exploring the work of the late Jaroslav “Jerry” Gebr, a renowned Hollywood scenic and portrait artist known for his work on such projects as Murder She Wrote and The Sting.

If you want to collaborate on something, if you want somewhere to produce your project—THIS IS A GOOD SPACE FOR IT.” The Center also serves as an affordable, well-maintained resource for a plethora of artistic groups in the area. “But there is a lot of room for people to come in,” Meagan explains. “If you want to collaborate on something, if you want somewhere to produce your project—this is a good space for it.” She adds, “Downstairs we have classes. We also have performances occasionally. We have meetings with different government groups or art organizations … upstairs in the theater we have other groups that come in and perform, and we currently have two groups running outside productions.” Though “under the radar” in some respects, the Center continues quietly on its purposeful way. The walls are lined with beautiful works of art and vibrant production posters. Inside the theater, the stage waits for The Road’s next thoughtful production. The feeling of contentment and creativity is everywhere. “It’s a cool service to provide to the community,” Meagan says, smiling. “It’s a wonderful thing that the city does, that they support this building and support the arts here, so being able to be part of that—just to make it happen—is really a good feeling.” Gallery 800 is open Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. For more go to adg.org. 

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | WEEKENDER

Desert Designs With the arrival of the new Andaz, a vibrant art scene takes center stage in Scottsdale. WRITTEN BY DARREN

ELMS

he paintings and pencil drawings of Mark McDowell offer a window into a storied life that includes a stint in a traveling circus as a young man. There are beautiful acrobats balancing on horses, floating instruments, vehicles in motion … all rendered in vibrant color palettes and affable sincerity. For much of his 30 years as a frequently-exhibited and published artist, Mark has enjoyed a prominent residence at Cattle Track Arts & Preservation. It’s a literal residence if you count his home, also located on the property. Opened in 1936, the compound serves as a haven for creatives—including artists, jewelers, potters, blacksmiths, printers and performers—to craft their works in an environment that prizes collaboration and creativity. When Mark moved to Scottsdale a few decades ago, the landscape of his adopted city was more desert than development. Over a beer at a local bar where a trio of buddies (first-class acts who performed with the likes of Glen Campbell and Bruce Springsteen) plays for an enthusiastic clientele, he laments the physical changes to the area—a smattering of new homes and resorts that often overwhelm the serenity of the Camelback Mountain neighborhoods. But there are exceptions. When the Andaz announced it would take over an outdated resort only a few blocks from the Cattle Track compound, Mark and his fellow artists might have raised a weary eyebrow at the specter of more unsightly alterations. Instead the Andaz honored the low-profile setup of the previous resort and even formed a mutually-beneficial partnership with its new neighbors. Alongside a design team brought on to bring modernity into the existing structures and expansive grounds, Mark was employed by Andaz to breathe some mid-century whimsy into the ambience. His curated assemblage includes sculptures by Jonathan Adler, folk art by Alexander Girard and a prominent display of Cattle Track originals and reprints throughout the rooms and common areas. Even the colorful mugs waiting on the breakfast table are handmade by local ceramic artist Mary Van Dusen. The blueprint of the new Andaz is nearly identical to the Cottonwood Suites it replaces. Rather than build up, the hotel preserved the 201 onestory bungalows scattered around the property to maintain the stunning views of Camelback Mountain. The overall aesthetic takes cues from the era of Eames, with its mod furniture choices, wood accents and colorful palette. In fact, each bungalow is marked with its own signature hue, taken from the traditional color wheel of the local Zuni tribe. The wall-to-wall glass of the lobby and adjoining restaurant brings the outdoors in for an immersive experience. Chef Adam Sheff’s kitchen functions in full view of his guests as he makes creative dishes to rival the artistic inspirations of his venue. These include small-plate and shareable dishes that draw influence from the Sonoran desert, local specialties and Chef Adam’s Middle Eastern background. Joined with a craft cocktail or glass of wine, you’re in for a real treat. When you’re not taking advantage of the spa, pool or fitness center located on property, the Andaz encourages you to explore the Paradise Valley it calls home. This includes a visit to the Cattle Track Arts Compound, where Mark will gladly give you the VIP tour. For more on Andaz Scottsdale, visit scottsdale.andaz.hyatt.com. To learn more about Cattle Track Arts Compound and its resident artists, visit cattletrack.org. 

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

CREATIVE COMMUNE Mid-century inspirations at the new Andaz; below: Cattle Track artist Matt Magee

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WHERE WE LIVE | DINNER WITH FRIENDS

Sunday Supper Whether it’s a kick-back pool party or an elegant holiday affair, a savvy entertainer takes the stress out of it by plotting a master game plan. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRACY

GITNICK GEORGIADES

ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE

ering of friends, all of whom work in the TV industry. David co-owns Renegade 83 Studios, which produces, among other things, Naked and Afraid; Maira is a former TV executive. “For a dinner like this with good friends on a Sunday evening, I keep the vibe and the menu casual and simple. I cook what I feel like and what I think everyone will like. But I always have two main courses, just in case someone, for example, doesn’t care for meat.” On this occasion Maira prepared her perennial crowd pleaser: roasted chicken along with grilled shrimp tacos. Proper prepping is one of her secrets. She made all the marinades and dressings the day before, including the homemade BBQ sauce for the tacos. “It’s a concoction of Coke, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, steak sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder and garlic salt,” Maira

o matter what the occasion, some people just know how to entertain. Maira Suro is one of them. The frequent hostess and cooking enthusiast says part of what makes it all work is her open-air, spacious home. “We have this big table outside— perfect for alfresco dining—and a big seating area with a fire pit. Both are great for having fun, lively conversations.” Her Encino contemporary, which she shares with husband David Garfinkle (and two teenage daughters) was recently the site of a gath-

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

gea looks in fall— felt really elegant.” Before guests began arriving at 6 p.m., Maira turned on “my mellow Sunday playlist,” which included songs from the ‘70s as well as current artists like Coldplay, Adam Levine and Sheryl Crow.

A light afternoon drizzle interfered with plans to dine alfresco in the couple’s sprawling backyard. “No worries,” quipped the consummate hostess, a firm believer in having a Plan B. “We’ll have cocktails outside by the fire pit. Then dinner inside. It’ll be really cozy.” 

explains. She also ordered the flower arrangements from Casa De Flores in Encino. “I asked them for a rich feel with dark pink and green. I knew I would be using my mauve tablecloth and all those colors—similar to how a hydran-

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THE SAUCE Museum Munch The Huntington is experiential dining at its best now that two of LAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most revered chefs are at the helm. More on page 44...

THE SAUCE

ON A ROLL The lobster roll served with homemade potato chips

East Coast Vibe

The owners of the popular Vibe Café transform the nightspot into a charming, airy Hamptons-style eatery. WRITTEN BY JOSHUA

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

LURIE JACOBS

he Hamptons, a cluster of posh villages that form the sleepy south fork of Long Island, spring to life in summer with jet-setting New Yorkers arriving in droves. Last summer, Sherman Oaks residents Rafik Louka and his brother Ramy vacationed there and happened to meet Massimo Noja De Marco, partner in PH+E restaurant consultancy. That chance meeting helped plant the seed for what was ultimately a complete transformation of their Sherman Oaks lounge, Vibe Café. “I just loved the feel of the Hamptons—the food, the architecture, the colors, the excitement,” explains Rafik. “With a lot of thought, including hiring an interior designer and an architect, we began creating Hamptons 818.” The Louka brothers grew up in Alexandria, Egypt. Ramy moved to LA and built a hospitality career. Rafik later joined him, running markets and smoke shops and developing a hookah brand before teaming up with his brother on Vibe Café, on the former site of what many middle-agers will remember as The Wiener Factory. The lounge performed well, but Rafik had big plans for daylight, recognizing the need for better breakfast and lunch options in the Valley. Rafik and Ramy completely flipped the space, from furniture and fixtures to silverware. Brick walls now support a retractable brown roof, white-framed windows, rustic wood tables and blue banquettes. On sunny days, when the roof peels back and the windows are open, you can practically feel an ocean breeze. Pop music like Katy Perry’s “Hot n Cold,” Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” and Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” play.

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THE SAUCE

The menu melds influences from the Hamptons and LA. Breakfast brings a fleet of omelets and Benedicts, including one variation with lobster, grilled tomato and saffron Hollandaise sauce. Other standouts include cornflake-battered French toast and “The Valley,” white chocolate pancakes layered with peach compote and applewood-smoked bacon. Kale and quinoa hash browns are a default side for cage-free egg dishes. Later in the day, expect an array of salads, sandwiches, skewers and a signature burger. The Egyptian spread references the brothers’ heritage, complete with falafel, stewed fava beans, tahini, pickles and pita. Desserts are on the light side, including fruit salad sweetened with agave nectar and a watermelon plate with Feta cheese, apparently in anticipation of bikini season, though you can indulge in chocolate cake or crème brulee. After 9 p.m., dining tables lower to lounge height and families make way for singles as Hamptons 818 goes 21+. Rafik is particularly proud of two cocktails: Vibe’s Berry, a vodka and berry concoction with a Serrano chile kick; and White Grape Crush, a gin-based grape and mint martini. Rafik also busts out hookahs. Live it up. You’re in the Hamptons.  Hamptons 818 | 14917 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks | hamptons818.com

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

mall event, large event or no even The craving is all you need! Small event, large event or no event, the craving is all you need! —Cheryl Canter, CEO

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THE SAUCE

Organic, On the Rocks The Natural Mixologist is generating buzz with its healthier, creative cocktails.

e’ve all gotten pretty health conscious with our meals. The Natural Mixologist (thenaturalmixologist.com), a beverage catering company, aims to have our cocktails catch up. “My goal is to bring the farm-totable movement into the cocktail glass. If you are going to have a cocktail, have the healthiest one possible,” owner Marsha Meyer explains. The Natural Mixologist creates custom drinks by using high-quality, organic ingredients and adding superfoods like blueberries. Gluten-free and vegan beverages are other options. And now with the debut of the company’s new mixer line, Mixtress, customers can create healthful cocktails at home. Concoctions like Lime, Lemongrass & Ginger as well as Lemon, Sour Cherry & Rose Petals can liven up anything from vodka to tequila. Personalized flavors are available upon request. 

TALL ORDER One of The Natural Mixologists’s gin-based cocktails that features their Mixtress Pineapple & Goji Berry Syrup

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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Great way to start your morning with our New Acai bowl ... local, organic and Delicious!

Organic Coffee & Tea

Farm Fresh Salads

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Small Bites

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Also be sure to check out our neighbor:

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THE SAUCE

CURATED CUISINE Most of the fare now served at The Huntington is locally sourced, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Where Art Meets Food The historic Huntington puts its eateries on par with its world-class collections and stunning gardens. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MAX

PELZNER

t The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Garden in San Marino, visitors can peruse the early editions of Shakespeare’s works as well as one of the most comprehensive collections of 18thand 19th-century British and French art. They can stroll 120 acres of one of the most prolific botanical gardens in the world. Now they can also enjoy some of the most celebrated cuisine in LA. The facility is featuring custom-crafted menus by three esteemed local chefs at its numerous on-site eateries. Border Grill cofounders and the so-called mothers of gourmet Mexican fare, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, along with Blue Window co-owner Kajsa Alger, have launched several new dining concepts at The Huntington. “We tried to bring what we think is so important here in LA: all the various cultures—from sushi to Asian to Latin foods,” explains Mary Sue. “Hopefully it will remind people, young people in particular, what a special environment this is. They can come here to enjoy a delicious lunch or just grab a bite and go outside and read a book in the gardens.” Visitors will also notice fresh, revamped faces on The Huntington’s restaurants including the 1919 café, the Rose Garden Tea Room, and the Freshwater Dumpling and Noodle House. 

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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THE SAUCE

BORDER GRILL’S PERUVIAN CEVICHE Serves 4 1 pound skinless, boneless, sustainable fish (like wild Alaska Halibut or Mahi-Mahi), cut in ¼ inch dice 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice ½ red onion, diced 1 jalapeño chile, stem and seeds removed, diced 1 aji Amarillo chile charred, stem and seeds removed, minced 1 ½ teaspoons aji Amarillo paste ½ inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced or grated ½ bunch cilantro, chopped 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Salt, to taste Plantain or tortilla chips Pickled red onions (recipe below) Sliced California avocado In a large bowl, combine fish and enough lime juice to cover. Marinate for 20 minutes. Drain fish, reserving 1/4 cup of lime juice. Combine fish with remaining ingredients and reserved lime juice and stir gently to combine. Chill thoroughly and serve in a chilled martini glass garnished with chips, pickled red onions and avocado.

Straight to the source to reveal Valley food trends!

PICKLED RED ONIONS Makes 5 ½ cups 1 pound red onions, thinly sliced 1 cup white vinegar 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 1 teaspoon roughly chopped cumin seeds 1 teaspoon dried oregano 4 cloves garlic, sliced 2 tablespoons sugar 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 beet, trimmed, peeled and cut into 8 wedges Place onions in medium saucepan and pour in enough water to cover. Bring to boil, and remove from heat. Strain and set onions aside. Combine remaining ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, and cook 10 minutes. Add blanched onions and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a container, cover and refrigerate at least a day before serving. Will keep in refrigerator up to a month.

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The Destination For Valley Foodies.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

All-Star Salute

A birthday party for Olympic gold medalist (hurdler) Joanna Hayes drew a star-studded crowd. The party was thrown by another gold medalist, Allyson Felix (track and field sprinter). Guests included Shawn Crawford and Miesha McKelvey-Jones (both hurdlers) and former NBA player Sheldon Williams.

Isaac Hayes and D’Sean Ross

Amy LaFalce, Joanna Hayes, Miesha Jones

Ginnie Crawford, Sheldon Williams, Allyson Felix

VB magazine’s Mia Pierre-Jacques and Joanna Hayes

Rick Horne and Kam Horne

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS

Ginnie Crawford, Joanna Hayes, Allyson Felix

Jason High and Ann Gaffigan

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

Raising the Bar

The Federal Bar in North Hollywood hosted a benefit for SHE-IS, a local nonprofit aimed at helping victims of sexual abuse. SHE-IS believes in using the power of dance to aid in the recovery process. The organization showed the film AIMEE, directed by Lee Whittaker, which sheds light on the issue of child sex trafficking in the U.S.

Fanatix Dance Company

The Community Built for Life.® belmontvillage.com

Eddie Van Halen, Jamie Timmons, George Lopez

VenturaBlvd_2_2017_fit.indd 1

1/5/17 1:33 PM

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RENA COLETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

FIND US SOCIALLY /OurVenturaBlvd

@OurVenturaBlvd

/OurVenturaBlvd

SHE-IS founder, Isabella Grosso

Lee Whittaker

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Show Some Skin!

Castle Dermatology Institute in Tarzana hosted a soiree to celebrate the holidays and its nearly 15 years in practice. The latest innovations in dermatology were showcased by Dr. Peyman and Dr. Pedram Ghasri, as guests enjoyed great food, drinks and entertainment.

Entertainment was courtesy of Carl Saunders and his band.

The physicians with raffle prize winners and patients, Joan and Jim Rubin

The physicians with with two of their team members, Mari and Flor

Beata Ghasri and Sharona Ghasri

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Dr. Peyman Ghasri and Dr. Pedram Ghasri

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The details make the difference. But it’s not just our attention to detail that sets us apart. It’s that we get to know our clients, how they live and what details are important to them—the result is a beautiful and functional kitchen personalized for their lifestyle. Visit our Showroom in the La Cienega Design Quarter or hollywoodsierra.com

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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Melodic Moments

Education Through Music-LAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual gala was hosted by Andy Richter and featured performances by Moby, Lisa Loeb and Dustbowl Revival. The nonprofit provides funds for music in disadvantaged schools. Actor/Musician Ed Helms and educator Richard Meyer were honored for their contributions to music.

ETM-LA students from Rio Vista Elementary performing

Angela Kinsey and Christina Applegate making a congratulatory speech honoring Ed Helms

Moby

Ed Helms

Richard Meyer, Ed Helms, Andy Richter with students

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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Art

Advancement From buying your first piece of art to cultivating a collection, a guide to enjoying the process. WRITTEN BY SUZANNA

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CULLEN HAMILTON |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY NANCY

PASTOR

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

DISCOVERY ZONE Art Advancement

Patrons at the LA Art Association Open Show at Gallery 825 last year.

ntimidation. It’s an unwelcome feeling that entering an art gallery or delving into the realm of art collecting can induce, regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status. Point of fact: in most cases, buyers aren’t particularly knowledgeable about art or trying to make an investment. Most art is purchased on an emotional level. The process of actually curating a noteworthy collection, however, is one that involves equal amounts of passion, courage and commitment. It’s as much an evolution of the buyer as it is the curated collection, with most collectors simply interested in having a life enriched by art. That said, entering a world-renowned gallery can be daunting. Svelte, well-coiffed attendants glide through hushed perfectly-lit spaces where prices are not listed. However one should never be intimidated about going to any gallery. Galleries aim to sell art to all kinds of buyers. Here is a step-by-step guide to buying— whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned auction house aficionado. THE BEGINNER For the novice, it’s important to see many types of art in various different settings. There is no better education than visiting museums because the eye will

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

be trained by viewing the works by acclaimed artists. However don’t discount community art associations. Most frequently, artists of a specific area comprise the association; however there are some associations that are open to national artists. Exhibitions at art associations are frequent, and emerging artist prices are affordable. Furthermore, opportunities to meet both the artists and the other collectors are abundant, making it easy to cultivate relationships. The Los Angeles Art Association (LAAA) is the oldest art association in California. Founded in 1925, the LAAA’s first exhibit focused on European Masters—a collection that was donated to LACMA in 1933. At that point the LAAA turned its focus on featuring pieces by local and regional emerging artists. Today the LAAA has an extensive roster of member artists from across the nation whose works are shown at Gallery 825 on North La Cienega in West Hollywood. Shows are held every six weeks and are juried by guest curators and directors from major national museums and renowned galleries. Closer to home, the San Fernando Valley Art Club is aimed at advancing and promoting the fine and allied arts in the Valley (sfvac.org). The nonprofit holds a number of juried and non-juried shows each year at various locations across the Valley.

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Art Advancement

“We bring attention to environmental issues through the power of photographic ” .

art

THE EXPERIENCED VIEWER Galleries have something of a stigma that they are financially out of reach. But the truth is there are lots of opportunities to acquire art by documented artists at affordable prices. One of them is the G2 Gallery in Venice, which represents both internationally renowned and emerging artists—and often at reasonable price points. Founded in 2008 by Dan Gottlieb and Susan Gottlieb, the gallery focuses on nature and wildlife photography with an emphasis on philanthropy. Shows change every eight weeks and all proceeds are returned to environmental charities including the Western National Parks Association, Earthjustice, the Wilderness Society and Audubon California. “We bring attention to environmental issues through the power of photographic art, so our roster of represented artists includes some of the world’s most renowned photographers whose work is not only in museums, films and books but who’ve also been nationally recognized for accomplishments that have shaped the environmental movement,” says gallery director Lisa Fimiani. Images from acclaimed photographers such Ansel Adams, Alan Ross, Tom Mangelsen and Robert Glenn Ketchum line the walls next to several Los Angeles

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GOLDEN EYE Lisa Fimiani, the new director of the G2 Gallery in Venice

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

Art Advancement

nature photographers including J.J. L’Heureux and Ian Shive. Stunning images in black and white or color can be acquired for prices as reasonable as $400.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY AARON FALLON

THE COLLECTOR As buyers become collectors, the process shifts. Collectors focus on intrinsically valuable pieces due to rarity, date of creation and the significance as it relates to the overall collection. Furthermore, broad art collecting shifts to very specific markets that are usually defined by geographical location, period and medium. Although most people think of fine art as paintings and sculpture, it includes decorative arts and objects of all kinds. One of the most specific niche markets in the art world is Oceanic art: pieces created by the native peoples of the Pacific islands, including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia, prior to Western tourist arrival in the 1950s. Michael Hamson is internationally renowned for his knowledge of Oceanic art and his vast experience in both collecting and selling. After pursuing a master’s degree in African and Oceanic art history, Michael spent 20 years combing the remote areas of Papua New Guinea on field collecting trips, amassing an extensive inventory. Oceanic art objects range from the symbolic to the utilitarian; however all have a sculptural quality that translates a unique message and meaning. From shields to masks to earrings, Michael’s inventory tells the story of a spiritually-engaged people who understood and appreciated beauty and ritual. Michael is based in Palos Verdes, but he exhibits internationally, including at the prestigious Parcours des Mondes in Paris.

“The interesting thing about exhibiting in Europe is that people of all ages and socioeconomic levels are interested in all types of art. Even if they’re not potential buyers, they appreciate the pieces and enjoy looking, but that’s not as common in America.” Michael notes that he often guides a first-time buyer to make a smart purchase. “Oceanic art is not a field in which most people have extensive knowledge, so I want them to feel comfortable and make good decisions about what to buy so that they enjoy the process of collecting. My integrity is the key to that relationship,” he shares. Global luxury market expert and art connoisseur Robert Ross began collecting Oceanic art through Michael 10 years ago. Robert’s collecting expertise is extensive as evidenced by the depth of his varied collections. Having amassed previous collections as diverse as Northern European 15th century prints and classic automobiles, Ross believes it is critical to work with dealers who aren’t just knowledgeable but who exhibit integrity. “Michael is a rare dealer due to his experience in field collecting, underpinned by his academic credentials and years of research. He became a trusted advisor when I started collecting and continues to be a valued friend and resource,” says Robert, who lives in the Valley. Robert only buys a few pieces each year, but he knows that if Michael calls with a great discovery, it’s already vetted and worthy of investment. The cornerstone of their relationship is that the two share an appreciation and a passion for collecting authentic, period Oceanic art; the capstone is the friendship and mutual respect that has resulted from the process of collecting. 

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Art Advancement

Collecting Tips

Shop around a while before committing to a first purchase. The extra effort will train your eye to make a better investment.

You can ask if a gallery can do better on price or terms, but haggling and making exceptionally low offers is considered offensive.

HOME EQUITY Robert Ross (right), in his Woodland Hills home with some of his Oceanic Art collection alongside dealer Michael Hamson.

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If you feel pressure to buy, take a cooling-off period and reconsider.

Have the confidence to buy what you like and the integrity to understand what you are purchasing.

Never buy art to match furniture or a rug. Those items come and go. Great art is forever. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD 57

WARM WAYS The sun-filled “great room” of Bob and Amy Mair’s home features a painting by the abstract expressionist artist Walter Plate. The sculpture on 58 VENTURAmantle BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 the fireplace is by Seymour Lipton.

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SWEET A 14-year remodeling journey—that escalated in recent years—culminates in in an impressive space that befits a west Valley couple’s noteworthy art collection. WRITTEN BY LINDA

GRASSO O’DONNELL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE

Sweet Harmony

hen Amy and Bob Mair moved from the central to the west Valley 14 years ago, it was primarily to be near Amy’s horse, which was boarded in Hidden Hills. The couple, who work together in their music publishing business, purchased in Amy’s words, “a 1970’s turquoise stucco, split-level concrete box.” The structure was typical of the era, with scraggly-edged, dark-hued stone walls, puzzling elements like varying split levels (indoors and out) and a narrow staircase with a 90º turn that dumped out right in front of the fireplace. “Weird, right?” laughs Amy. “Why would anyone put that there? You literally couldn’t sit in front of the fireplace!”

POINT OF VIEW Clockwise from top: A bronze sculpture by George Spaventa sits adjacent to the couple’s rare art book collection in the TV room; a painting by Michael Sokolis in the dining room; Amy relaxing on the new staircase.

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“I’m a huge fan of Giacometti, for example, but he is out of my price range. Spaventa reminds me of his work. I like to find hidden gems like that.”

STATEMENT MAKERS An oversize custom door in the entry sets a sunny, welcoming tone for visitors.

Sweet Harmony

SLOW JAM Bob and Amy work together in their independent music publishing firm. Bob is a musician, songwriter and producer; Amy handles all the administration.

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Cut to 14 years later, and the handsome Spanish-style home and artfully-designed gardens are hardly recognizable. The dramatic transition was gradual with improvements made project by project up until four years ago. That is when the Mairs took on a major renovation— gutting all of the first floor and adding a great room with high, vaulted ceilings and wood beams, a dramatic, sweeping staircase and a new kitchen. “It was time. Our daughter still was in high school—she always had a lot of friends over—and we work from our home. Plus, we just really love it out here, kind of away from it all. And then there’s the art,” chuckles Amy. The Mairs, particularly Bob, have a passion for fine art. Before the remodel, the couple owned smaller pieces like photography, engravings and oil paintings. Once the renovation was complete, seeing the space they had to work with, the couple had the freedom to acquire more art—the “right pieces that spoke to us” according to Amy. Their tastes reflect the art movement that emanated from New York’s East Village in the ‘50s and ‘60s. While artists like Jackson Pollack and Willem de Kooning are the most celebrated from that era, Bob says he much prefers lesser known but equally as talented ones. “For example, I’m a fan of George Spaventa. He created alongside all those abstract expressionists but never achieved the name recognition.” Bob points to a large bronze sculpture by Spaventa in the family room. “I’m a huge fan of Giacometti, for example, but he is out of my price range. Spaventa reminds me of his work. Spaventa may not have gotten the accolades, but among his peers there was deep appreciation for his work. I like to find hidden gems like that,” he says. Bob shares another place he discovers such gems: “I look to the wives of famous artists, women like Elaine de Kooning and Lee Krasner (Jackson Pollock’s wife), for example. They got very little recognition and they were tremendously talented.” Décor is purposefully casual and accessible. “I wanted the house to be a place that you could relax and sit

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ASIAN FUSION “For plants, we kept with the Mediterranean style of the house: for eclectic flair, we introduced Asian-style elements, carved stone fountains and a Ganesh statue, which we turned into a water feature,” says landscape designer Zabra Yee.

anywhere. We have two dogs going in and out all the time and our daughter comes home from college and everyone is welcome here. That is how it has always been and how we wanted to keep it,” shares Amy. Hues of warm gold on the walls allow for strong accent colors. In the great room, the orange and eggplant tones in a dramatic painting by Walter Plate is echoed by a striking rug purchased at NW Rugs. Rusty coral and turquoise hues on pillows complement the palette. The couple hired electrician Rick Jackson (out of Glendale) to properly light their art; they also used an art installer to hang the paintings. Landscape design is by No-Ho-based Zabra Yee, known for her droughttolerant mindset and ability to masterfully mix tones and textures. Visitors are greeted by Acacia Puplera trees, which come December, are covered with yellow blossoms. “I chose that variety because it does not lose its leaves. I wanted to see those silvery leaves there all year long,” says Amy. Various water-wise shrubs and non-fruiting olive trees are dotted along an oval-shaped, decomposed granite path. “It is kind of funny because we moved out here for my horse and now we don’t keep my horse out here anymore. But it’s OK. We’ve created the perfect place for us and I think we’re here to stay,” Amy says. 

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Divine

Light For over half a century Paul Ferrante has created custom, high-end lighting fixtures. In recent years, the company has added furniture to the mix. As the family-owned company positions itself for a successful second half, its fate lies partly in the hands of two Valley dwellers. WRITTEN BY SUSAN

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SPILLMAN |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;DONNELL

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Divine Light

rom the 28 vintage-inspired wrought iron and glass lanterns that illuminate the Ojai Valley Inn’s iconic 200-year old oak tree to the Queen Anne chandelier suspended from the ceiling of a hillside home on Majorca, some of the most exquisite lighting fixtures in the world are handcrafted at the Paul Ferrante factory in Culver City. Early weekday mornings, well before the 405 freeway becomes gridlocked, Elizabeth Kaplan of Valley Village and Alex Menegaz of Studio City make the trek to Paul Ferrante’s 28,000-square-foot factory. At the bustling site, the pair has been instrumental in running the business for over two decades. By the time they arrive about 7 a.m., artisans are already at work—meticulously creating made-to-order fixtures and one-of-a-kind, handmade custom pieces for the design industry’s discerning elite. On any given day you might find a painter delicately gold leafing a nearly six-foot-long hanging fixture shaped like a tree branch, a glasscutter working on panes of a “St. Tropez” hanging lantern or a craftsman stringing crystals on a “Valentina” chandelier. Depending on the complexity, each piece takes between three and six pairs of hands and 10 to 14 weeks from the time it’s ordered to the time it’s ready to be shipped somewhere fabulous. Achieving just the right aesthetic requires a specific recipe of multilayered paint, rubs and other finishing techniques, none of which are actually written down. “They’re all in the guys’ heads,” says Alex. New artisans apprentice for years to master the necessary skills and formulas. Luckily most employees stay a long time. Several are also related. The team includes three sets of brothers and three sets of cousins, with duties ranging from painting to electrical work. Only the finest materials are used. Jumbo chain links and paper candle sleeves are imported from France. Toward the center of the factory, hundreds of extraordinary lighting fixtures hang from special rigs. Among these are samples from the company’s everexpanding line, as well as authentic antiques. Some of the antiques are sold at Paul Ferrante’s

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“Thereisnoone source for

inspiration.

I look at everything.”

HEAD HONCHO Company chief Tommy Raynor, now 85, remains at the helm.

Divine Light

SIDE BY SIDE A worker uses an antique sideboard as a reference for a replica he is building. Below left: Alex Menegaz, who oversees production at the Culver City factory

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renowned showroom on Melrose Place, which is currently closed for a complete renovation. It’s slated to reopen in April, just in time for the company’s 60th anniversary. Other vintage pieces serve as reference models to ensure authenticity in creating reproductions. “I could have sold some of these antiques 10 times over, but they’re more valuable as a reference,” explains Alex, who oversees production. “This way I have a side-by-side comparison.” Company chief Tommy Raynor procured many of the antiques over decades of buying trips to Europe. At 85, Tommy, a longtime business partner of the company’s late founder and namesake, Paul Ferrante, still runs the show with help from his family. Elizabeth is actually Tommy’s niece. Her mom (Tommy’s sister) Grace Saroyan and another of Grace’s daughters, Julie Urbanek, are also key players. Grace and Julie oversee sales, and Elizabeth handles the business side. Grace and Julie spend most of their time at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, one of several showrooms across the country where Paul Ferrante wares are sold exclusively to the trade. “We’re an Italian family, so were very vocal and very loud at times,” admits Elizabeth. “There’s a lot of screaming, but we don’t think we’re screaming. At the Melrose Place showroom, we’d be screaming across the showroom. Customers would look, then we’d say ‘Oh it’s okay. We’re family.’” It was actually Grace who convinced her brother to venture into manufacturing his own designs. Tommy joined Ferrante, who died in 1994, in the late 1950s. Back then the company sold antiques and specialized in rewiring antique objects into custom lamps. The original showroom was on La Cienega Blvd., before moving to Melrose Place and helping to establish the street as an international design destination. Tommy’s knack and love of design were apparent early on. “Growing up I’d come home and the living room would be different,” recalls Elizabeth. “My uncle would have found two great chairs that he thought my mom would like. He’d bring them over and then he’d be like, ‘Oh, you need a new table,’ and out would go the old table.” Tommy’s first two original pieces for Paul Ferrante were the “Knuckle”

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Divine Light

sconce and “Windsor Wall” lantern. The collection now boasts over a thousand different items, including gold-leaf candelabras, double-tiered, bronze chandeliers and hanging iron pendants. Though the majority of designs are considered traditional, styles run the gamut. Last year Architectural Digest named Paul Ferrante’s modern, plaster-white Marina chandelier with sprouting blossoms one of “15 MustHave Products.” “There is no one source for inspiration. I look at everything,” explains Tommy. Lighting accounts for 75% of sales. Furniture and accent pieces represent the other 25%. In addition, the company provides its unparalleled expertise and craftsmanship to build one-of-a-kind creations envisioned by top designers and architects for their discriminating clients. LA designer Joan Behnke tapped the Ferrante team to build custom glass and wrought iron lanterns for supermodel Gisele Bündchen and quarterback Tom Brady’s former Brentwood estate. When the legendary Cloister at Sea Island Resort in Georgia underwent a $40 million renovation in 2006, designers turned to Paul Ferrante to construct custom chandeliers for the lobby. The three-tiered, crystal-adorned creations measured 136 inches in diameter. Although the finished pieces were spectacular, Alex recalls, “We realized they were too big to get out of the factory. The doors weren’t big enough.” Catastrophe was averted when Alex had the chandeliers split into three sections and then reassembled outside. Clients have come to expect nothing less than such perfection. “They know with us they’re going to get superb quality and customer service,” says Elizabeth of the company’s longevity and success. Achieving this is due in no small part to the pervasive pride and family culture that extends beyond bloodlines. Not only does management eschew formal titles, they don’t believe in time cards either. Employees routinely cook up feasts for the entire team while a group of 20 exercises together at lunch, running the Culver City stairs. And everyone leaves at 3:30 p.m. “It keeps people happy,” says Alex “to get home in time to have dinner with their kids.” 

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CRY UNCLE Tommy and Elizabeth at the Culver City factory

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MMMMM...

Mexico $319,000 | 3 bedroomS | 2 baths | wrap-around decks A stunning 3 bedroom oceanfront condominium at the pristine Playa Grande Resort, 25 miles north of Manzanillo

ituated on a spectacularly peaceful beach, Playa Grande is a beautiful condominium complex featuring gorgeous pools, full service amenities and unforgettable sunsets. One of only 6 condos that directly front the ocean, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath unit is nicely appointed with dark woods, Mexican tiles and arched ceilings.

Disappearing glass doors open to wrap-around decks that ensure no sunset or breaching whale is missed. The charming towns of Barra de Navidad and Colima are a fun water taxi away and the Grand Isla Navidad resort and golf club are a short drive. A direct 2.5 hour flight from LAX leads to an incredible tropical paradise.

CALL 424.220.6321 FOR MORE INFORMATION Also Available for Lease

An artful itinerary in Hollandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eclectic capital WRITTEN BY ELIZA

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KRPOYAN

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Feature Hed

msterdam in and of itself is a work of art. The colorful capital city of the Netherlands is celebrated for its architecture, canals built in the 16th century and preservation of centuries-old buildings. It has also served as home for artists including Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Vincent Van Gogh and Piet Mondrian (just to name a few). It’s a must-visit destination for art aficionados and history enthusiasts. Among the world’s most renowned—and largest—art museums is the Rijksmuseum. Located in Museum Square, the 19th-century building closed its doors for 10 years as it underwent renovations. The 375 million renovation (in euros) was unveiled four years ago. The collection of works covers 800 years of Dutch history— from the Middle Ages to present day. The castle-like museum houses masterpieces including Van Gogh’s Self-portrait, Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and four 17 th-century works by Vermeer including The Little Street and Woman in Blue Reading a Letter. Near the Rijksmuseum are two more must-visit museums: the Van Gogh Museum, which exhibits the richest collection of his work, and the Stedelijk Museum, where 90,000 modern and contemporary art and design works are on display. “The Rijksmuseum took twice as long to complete and twice the budget,” says Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam’s creative director, Jacu Strauss. “It was worth it.” The South African interior designer tapped for the refurbishment of the historic hotel drew inspiration from the Rijksmuseum. “It’s a spectacular museum,” he says. Seeing the “Old Masters” and how they were showcased inspired him most. Like the Rijksmuseum, Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam, which sits along the canals, is protected from any structural changes. The hotel is comprised of 25 canal houses built in the 17 th and 18 th centuries. They are connected to each other through a labyrinth of corridors. “I loved that bit of mystery,” Strauss says about the unknown history of some of the buildings. “Sometimes I would lay awake at night and come up with dreams of the memories that may have lived here at some stage.” Guests walking through the corridors can distinguish where a building begins and ends because each canal house is adorned with a different wall and carpet color. Strauss quips that it wasn’t until he ordered the carpets for the corridors that he understood the scale of the hotel. Throughout the hotel, numerous old portraits hang from brass railings. The lobby displays Strauss’ biggest splurge: an oversize contemporary painting by Richard Kuiper. At first glance the work appears to be a still life portrait like that of Old Masters from the 17th century. Upon closer examination, it’s apparent that the items in the portrait are formed from plastic. Every room, hallway, courtyard and corner of the hotel offers a chance for discovery. For instance, one of the three inner courtyards displays a five-story bicycle installation. Twenty salvaged bicycles from Amsterdam’s canals (up to 15,000 bicycles are retrieved from the canals every year) are

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suspended along the courtyard’s stark white wall. There’s more art to discover in the hotel’s “Extraordinary Suites.” In addition to the hotel’s 225 rooms, five suites reflect what Strauss imagined the homes of various Dutch collectors would look like. Each suite has its own private entrance like a canal house. The Art Collector’s Suite showcases art collected by the hotel over the years. In the wide, gallery-inspired hallway is a massive interpretation of The Last Supper. Hals Brunch by Thierry de Cromieres features cans of beer, M&Ms, hamburgers, a laptop, cellphone and skateboard. Other suites include the Antique Collector’s Suite and the Music Collector’s Suite. To see how an Old Master lived in real life visit the Rembrandt House Museum, where Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn lived for 20 years. Located in the center of Amsterdam, the museum exhibits not only his life but also an almost-complete collection of his etchings as well as paintings by other artists including his teacher Pieter Lastman. Visitors to Amsterdam Canal Painting can learn to paint like Vincent Van Gogh. Owned by Dutch artist Minerva, the sundrenched studio is a short bike ride from Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam. Choose from one of Van Gogh’s masterpieces to recreate and learn about his life and work while painting and sipping mimosas. Enjoy art in the form of food at Chef Jaimie van Heije’s namesake restaurant. Choose from a three- to eight-course dinner with wine pairings and enjoy a memorable meal. Attention is paid to every detail of each dish and its presentation. Decked out with noteworthy art, the restaurant, in collaboration with Dutch neo-pop artist Selwyn Senatori, could also pass as a gallery. 

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Real Estate & Mortgage

Our homes are where we recharge and connect. They’re the places where memories are made. And for most of us, they are the most important investments in our lives. With so much at stake and amidst today’s complicated marketplace, it is essential to make informed, smart decisions. That’s where an accomplished real estate agent comes in. Whether buying or selling, you want an agent who has the experience and skills to complete a smooth and successful transaction. That describes the local real estate professionals you’ll meet on the following pages. They’re seasoned experts who know not just how to get a job done—but well done.

EDITED BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS

76 CAROL WOLFE Rodeo Realty 78 GAIL STEINBERG & INGRID SACERIO Dilbeck Real Estate/Christie’s International Real Estate 80 CRAIG STRONG Strong Realtor 82 EMIL HARTOONIAN, CRAIG KNIZEK & MICHELLE SCHWARTZ The Agency 84 DONOVAN HEALEY Aaroe Estates at John Aaroe Group

86 CALVIN LARSEN & RUSSELL GASKAMP LA Techs

93 JUDY ROSS & DOUG ROSS Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, California Properties

88 GAIL SALEM Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

94 JODIE FRANCISCO Dilbeck Estates/Christie’s International Real Estate

89 HARRIET CAMERON & ANDREW SPITZ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

95 OREN DAVID MORDKOWITZ Pinnacle Estate Properties, Inc.

90 STEPHANIE PAYAB Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, California Properties

96 DANA ROSE SAFFRON & JOIE WILSON Wish | Sotheby’s International Realty

97 ANDREA KORCHEK Wish | Sotheby’s International Realty

JAMIE PEARSON Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

92 TAMMY JEROME Coldwell Banker

FAST FACT Carol’s slogan is “Nobody Does it Better.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage CAROL WOLFE

Broker Associate, CRS, e-Pro, Luxury Home Specialist Rodeo Realty 17501 Ventura Boulevard, Encino 818-285-3688 CarolWolfe.com | Carol@CarolWolfe.com

or more than four decades, estate broker associate Carol Wolfe has assisted clients in buying and selling properties throughout the San Fernando Valley, particularly Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Calabasas. She is a licensed broker, a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), e-Pro, Architectural Specialist and Certified Negotiator. In 2016 Carol had another record-breaking year, ranking among the top agents at Rodeo Realty and the #1 agent for Rodeo Realty throughout the San Fernando Valley. Rodeo Realty is associated with the largest recognized luxury networks, positioning Carol to market high-end properties internationally. With the ability to specifically target exclusive Asian and European markets, Carol and Rodeo Realty utilize the latest technology and resources to increase global exposure. Carol is an active member of the Encino Chamber of Commerce and supports the local community. She and her husband, Bruce, a real estate developer, have two children: daughter, Alex, who works with Carol, and son, Adam, a computer consultant. When she’s not working, Carol enjoys traveling and spending time with her two grandchildren: David, 6, and Eden, 4.

What’s most rewarding about your work? “The many friendships I’ve made. To have clients thank me in the end for a job well done and refer me to their friends and families is the best reward. Here are some examples.”

What does it take to be the best in the real estate business? “What I bring to the table is outstanding client representation, detailed market knowledge and high-tech marketing solutions. I have always been on the cutting edge of technology. I am very good at negotiating the best price for my clients and great at problem-solving. Another thing that makes me successful is the great relationships I have with other Realtors®. I’m known to be very cooperative and easy to work with.”

‘Thank you for the exemplary way in which you handled the sale of our home. Your dedication to working for us is unparalleled, as you were after every detail and on top of all that was going on. The sale of our home went flawlessly due to your persistence, dedication and attention to detail.’ — Bob and Carol Turner

What trend is defining the real estate industry today? “Transactions have gotten more complex over the years, and there are often many difficulties. Many of my clients have expressed a desire to work with me because they trust that things will be handled with expertise and the utmost professionalism. My clients often include referrals from business managers, attorneys, CPAs, real estate agents and past clients.” What would you like potential clients to know about you? “I will take good care of them; they have chosen the best agent in the area. I will work relentlessly to make sure my clients get the best possible results.”

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‘In my capacity as business manager to high net worth individuals, I have closed literally hundreds of real estate purchase, sales and trades. I can honestly say that Carol’s participation in any deal adds great dimension, efficacy and technical skills too few brokers possess.’ — Howard M. Borris, CPA/PFS,ChFC, CLU ‘Carol was compassionate and extraordinarily sensitive to all our emotional needs, as well as amazingly competent in every aspect of real estate! She is a total professional in every way and without a doubt the best. But more important than anything else, she is a very good person, which in my opinion is the core of her success!’ — William Alberts, MD ‘Thank you for being a terrific person and the best real estate person that we have ever been involved with. You are one of a kind.’ — Harry and Judy King

‘We want to let you know how much we appreciate everything you did to facilitate the recent sale of our home. You were there for us every step of the way, for the open houses, the showings, inspections and through the closing of escrow. In addition, your referrals for various trades and service people we needed along the way were great! As professionals ourselves, we recognize the importance of experience and professional service, prompt and timely action, and efficiency. We could not have asked for more.’ — Stephen and Linda Monroe ‘Thank you so much for your dedication, professionalism and extremely hard work. I could not have been more pleased with the results you achieved (you obtained a sale price well over our list price)! You were sensitive to our needs and always an absolute pleasure to work with.’ — Joel Schwartz

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Real Estate & Mortgage GAIL STEINBERG & INGRID SACERIO Dilbeck Real Estate/Christie’s International Real Estate 12164 Ventura Blvd., Studio City gailsteinberg.com | 818-425-1036 ingridsacerio.com | 323-333-7018

ail Steinberg and Ingrid Sacerio, a real estate team in the Los Angeles luxury real estate market, sell homes from the Hollywood Hills to the Westside and all parts between. They have more than 32 years of experience between the two of them. Gail had successful careers in marketing, sales and merchandising before she switched to real estate. She has been married for more than 32 years and has a daughter who is a criminal defense attorney and a son who is attaining his master’s degree abroad. Ingrid was born in Spain, raised in Southern California and educated on both sides of the Atlantic. She holds a B.S. in neuroscience and an M.A. in education. She has been married for 15 years and has a 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter who attend school in the Valley. What’s your #1 tool for marketing your business? “Our clients are our #1 marketing tool. We provide a premier service tailored to each client’s needs, concerns and desires. We have pride in what we do and a passion for the business. Our satisfied clientele speak volumes. Positive word of mouth is our most effective marketing tool. Jay G. from Encino wrote, ‘Gail and Ingrid were fantastic from start to finish. They were fun, thorough and smart. And they were both graceful and tireless in their determination to get every last thing right. The great thing about having a team is that if one wasn’t unavailable, the other one was. They always made sure that someone was getting back to us and getting things handled. They work seamlessly together. We love Gail and Ingrid! We recommend them wholeheartedly and will never work with anyone else.’” Tell us about some of your achievements in your industry. “Experience and passion are the two words that best describe our team. Our hard work, business savvy and creative strategizing have earned us the highest level of respect among our peers. We have consistently been #1 company-wide since 2013, President’s Council members, Award of Excellence recipients and in the Wall Street Journal’s top 250 agents nationwide.” What distinguishes you as a top professional in your field? “Our professional experience and competence ensure only the smoothest of transactions and closings. Our reputation is recognized and respected in all corners of the industry. Anna L. from Studio City wrote, ‘Ingrid and Gail sold me this property originally, and I was very impressed with

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them from the perspective of being on the other side of the purchase deal. I can’t think of agents who have a more impressive combination of professionalism, poise, caring and—when needed—determination. My sales experience with Gail and Ingrid was absolutely outstanding. They were incredible advocates, and I felt protected and skillfully guided through the entire process. They are detail-oriented and tireless workers—and they consistently go above and beyond to close the deal that’s in the best interest of their clients!’” How do you make each client feel important? “Every client’s vision is unique, and each family wants to make a house their dream home. We take the time to know our clients on a personal level, understand their needs and wants and turn that into a reality. We get to know their families, their children, their habits and lifestyles. Our greatest assets are our passion and vision. We know how to find the perfect place for our clients’ lives to evolve and grow.”

FAST FACT Gail and Ingrid have been the #1 agents company-wide since 2013.

What are your guiding principles in your daily work? “Passion, detail, expertise and persistence guide our day-to-day efforts. These qualities of our work ethic and business acumen consistently produce professional and well-executed deals.” Why are you passionate about the field of real estate? “We are passionate about helping people realize their hopes and dreams. Finding a house is not just about quantity of bedrooms or square feet; it’s about that special place where memories are made, where children grow up and where one ultimately calls home. Finding that perfect place is one of the most important journeys of our clients’ lives.” Why should potential clients trust you to do the best job for them? “We have seen and dealt with every possible situation in real estate. We have an in-depth understanding of the climate of the market, the trends and the inventory. Our unparalleled service, network of real estate relationships and tenacity lets our clients know they are in the best possible hands. We always endeavor to acquire the most intricate understanding of our clients’ needs, wants and concerns.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

CRAIG STRONG

Director of Aaroe Estates Strong Realtor 10154 Riverside Dr. Toluca Lake 310-439-3225 strongrealtor.com

raig Strong has been recognized as being in the top 1% of real estate agents nationwide for his work as a director of Aaroe Estates with the John Aaroe Group. A native New Yorker, Craig formerly worked with Point Blank Body Armor, a four-generation family company that produces specialized body armor. He was vice president of manufacturing for the firm before relocating to Los Angeles and becoming a high-level property investor. He then transitioned to the field of real estate 16 years ago and joined the John Aaroe Group in 2011. Craig is an award-winning Top Producing sales agent. In 2016 he sold more than $100 million dollars in real estate. What’s your #1 tool for marketing your business? “I am very hands-on with my marketing department to make sure I remain consistent and true to my branding. I also do my best to stay ahead of the curve with fresh, innovative ideas. Being a part of my neighborhood council and public safety helps me be very hands-on with the community. I help by raising money and safety awareness in town, which goes hand-in-hand with selling homes in the community.” What trends do you foresee for the 2017 real estate market in Southern California? “In 2017 I believe we will see a rapid decline in the building of ‘McMansions’. Also with the interest rates going up, the prices of singlefamily homes will have to adjust to make it affordable for buyers.” What is the biggest challenge facing your clients today? How do you help them with those challenges? “Right now I am faced with the challenge of finding the right house for my clients. Inventory is so low that I have to essentially do everything I can to find homes that are not on the market.

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This is a challenge because I do not want to ever mislead a seller since I have an actual buyer who is interested in their home. A lot of sellers today are receiving letters from agents saying they have buyers for their homes—when in fact they don’t. They are just trying to see if the homeowners are interested in selling and trying to get a listing.” What distinguishes you as a top professional in your field? “Honesty, integrity, hard-working, professionalism and my extreme knowledge of the market. “ Why are you so passionate about the field of real estate? “I met some pretty amazing people and a few influential agents who really opened my eyes to the world of real estate. I saw how much I could help people with one of their biggest life purchases. I love seeing my clients’ reactions, whether they are selling their home or buying a new home. I do everything I can to ensure my clients are happy and supported through a difficult transaction. This is really the motivating factor for me.” Tell us about your family. “I am married to Tara Strong, one of the top voiceover actresses in the industry. We have been married for 17 years and have two sons, Sammy and Aden. The boys go to Campbell Hall, an independent co-ed school in Studio City. Our family supports local businesses to help make the community better.”

FAST FACT Craig is in the top 1% of real estate agents nationwide for the John Aaroe Group.

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FAST FACT Michelle has been known to host dance parties in her kitchen after her Shabbat and dinner parties.Â Emil is known throughout The Oaks for his homemade chicken and steaks on the grill. Craig played his entire baseball career at West Hills and El Camino Real.

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Real Estate & Mortgage

EMIL HARTOONIAN CRAIG KNIZEK MICHELLE SCHWARTZ The Agency Calabasas | Sherman Oaks | Studio City TheAgencyRE.com | 424-230-3700

mil Hartoonian and Craig Knizek recently opened the Calabasas office of The Agency, a luxury real estate brokerage founded in 2011. Craig, along with Michelle Schwartz, is also opening offices in Sherman Oaks/Studio City. Emil, who brings more than a dozen years of real estate and mortgage lending experience to the team, is an active member of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors. Craig spent 20 years working in film and TV before moving into real estate. Michelle is one of the founding team members of The Agency. She uses skills and tactics from when she owned a marketing and public relations firm in her current work in the real estate industry. Tell us what The Agency has in store in 2017. Emil: “We’re very excited to open our Calabasas office in the heart of the city. We’ve assembled a great group of agents who are working together to create and contribute to our unique culture that serves our clients so well. Our collaborative work model enables and empowers clients with the best representation possible.” Craig: “Emil has shepherded the introduction of our brokerage to the community. We proudly donated reusable shopping bags at a Calabasas farmers market and hosted one of the best open house parties ever at Prado del Grandioso. The event epitomized the level of brand awareness we’re capable of creating.” Michelle: “We are also super-excited to announce that Craig and I have identified space for our new Valley office in the Sherman Oaks/Studio City area. The company’s Valley-based agents are doing so much business that it’s a natural progression to establish a physical presence here!” What does the company’s logo “Re-defining Real Estate” mean? Craig: “Collaboration. Our steadfast dedication to constantly communicating with each other as colleagues means that we offer a better service to every client.” Michelle: “Not only do I give my clients the best of my abilities, I give them the insights and support of all our agents. I offer detailed knowledge from virtually every area of the city—because I literally sit next to those topperforming agents in my office from those specialized areas. As a team we strive for excellence, ease, education—to truly serve our clients not for one transaction

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but for life, through all their transactions. When you are working with an agent at The Agency, other agents and clients out there know you are working with the best!” Emil: “The Agency’s dedication to world-class marketing re-defines the real estate experience. As a seller of luxury homes in Calabasas and Hidden Hills, we offer deeper connections to interest buyers. Our association with worldwide international leader SAVILS means that top agents around the world are offering your home for sale. Our 30-person marketing firm not only has created an outstanding branding experience for the properties we represent, but it is so good that it’s hired by outside leading brands!” What about your background has led to your success? Michelle: “I am my target market. I have bought and sold two of my own homes and have started to develop homes too. So that’s seven personal transactions in Sherman Oaks and Studio City in six years! My children attend our LAUSD home school, Little League, sports teams, local parks. I owned my own PR company for 10 years. I understand and function with foresight of target markets and clientele. All these factors make me excellent at what I do.” Craig: “My wife and I have built 15 homes. That entrepreneurial/investor approach of making or losing money based upon how I buy—and what we improve—gives me a keen sense of value for my clients. I’ve also enjoyed living in my own family home for more than 21 years, and I recognize that at its core, buying a house is establishing a lifestyle. It’s of supreme importance, and I never forget that.” What is your outlook on the housing market in 2017 here in the Valley? Emil: “Calabasas and Hidden Hills have always maintained demand year-round. Families move here for the lifestyle, the award-winning schools, the gated communities, the privacy and security and to be surrounded with families whose interests are relatively similar. 2017 will be another amazing year in the real estate market here.” Craig: “Rising interest rates are going to compel buying behavior in the first four to six months of the year. We’re still at historically low rates, so it’s still an ideal time to buy. But as interest rates rise, the buyer is getting de-leveraged. I don’t think sales prices will immediately reflect that, and thus I think we’ve still got some ‘bull market’ left.”

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FAST FACT

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATCHSTICK

Donovan is extremely passionate about animal rights and environmental issues. He is an avid surfer and strongly believes in the need to protect our marine life and oceans.

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Real Estate & Mortgage DONOVAN HEALEY

Director Aaroe Estates at John Aaroe Group 12915 Ventura Blvd., Studio City 310-903-1867 DonovanHealey.com | DonovanHealey@gmail.com

or the past three years of his 10+-year real estate career, Donovan Healey has worked with the John Aaroe Group. He is a Luxury Estates Director with the Aaroe Estates division of the company, working as both a listing agent and buyer’s agent.

the average agent. I’m the type of agent who creates new comparable sales for an area, and I set the bar high. I’m not afraid to take on a challenge, and I am straightforward from the start with every client I’m fortunate enough to represent and work with. I expect to sell your home for the most money possible, and home owners really appreciate that.”

What would you like potential clients to know about you? “I offer a different experience. My team and I have a unique, proven marketing strategy that allows us to give our buyers more options to choose from than what they would find on the open market. Our sellers receive our constant attention and daily dedication, no matter the price point. We bring good energy to the properties we represent for sale, and we use the latest technology and most effective media to present each listing in the best possible light until it is sold.”

What are some of your favorite neighborhoods? “Fryman Estates is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Studio City. I also have a long history with Longridge Estates, and I’ve sold many homes in both areas. Longridge Estates will always be my favorite neighborhood in the Valley, since this is where my real estate career began.”

Tell us about your team. “My team consists of my licensed Director of Operations, Brittany Malik, and several agents who assist with listings and buyers. We also have our own in-house marketing coordinator who handles all design work and exposure for our listings.” Why are you passionate about the field of real estate? “I’m a mid-century enthusiast at heart, but I appreciate all types of architecture and all homes—big or small. I have an eye for properties with potential and upside as well as land ideal for development. I enjoy the art of putting deals together and making my clients happy. Living in LA, I get to work with the most amazing clientele; that keeps me excited to work every day.” Tell us about some of your achievements in your industry. “I’m ranked Top 1% nationwide, and I’m the #2 agent with John Aaroe Group between our Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Toluca Lake offices. I’ve had significant recordbreaking price-per-square-foot sales in 2016. I sold more than $32 million in Malibu properties in September alone, and I sold homes in Bel-Air for more than $3,000 per square foot in 2016.” What distinguishes you as a top professional in your field? “I have a track record of success, a reputation for being brutally honest, and my average sale price is much higher than

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What are your guiding principles in your daily work? “I grew my business and career by committing to the key principle that ‘The reason my business exists is to make people’s lives easier when buying and selling property.’ To this day I live by these words. I focus on my clients’ needs first—and the fact that we provide an exceptional service in a service industry. My team and I rely heavily on our belief system and our intentions when representing our clientele in the best possible way with the best possible outcome. We focus daily on our attitude, and we visualize the desired outcome we set out to accomplish. I am grateful every day to have such an amazing real estate career and even more amazing clients.” What’s your #1 tool for marketing your business? “Client referrals and word-of-mouth. By making the satisfaction of my clients my #1 priority, I’ve been able to grow my business at an incredible rate.” What areas do you primarily specialize in? “Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Fryman Estates, Longridge Estates, Malibu, Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills. I do not limit myself to one specific area. We specialize in a large area of Los Angeles County and the most desirable neighborhoods. I’ve sold estate properties in the beach communities, the Valley and on the Westside.” What trends do you foresee for the 2017 real estate market in Southern California? “I see interest rates going up and I see prices coming down. I also see no shortage of new construction homes coming to market. The market will remain stable and it will absolutely be a buyers market in 2017.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage CALVIN LARSEN & RUSSELL GASKAMP LA Techs

Sherman Oaks & West LA 310-919-5452 latechs.com

alvin Larsen and Russell Gaskamp, owners of LA Techs, provide IT support and managed services for large residential and business properties. Their services include home integration and automation such as audio/video, lighting systems, internet connectivity (WiFi), security cameras, advanced networking and pre-wiring. They started their business in 2006 after attending Pepperdine University. Both Calvin and Russell have extensive knowledge of home and business IT systems. How long have you worked in this area of California? “We have been working in Los Angeles—specifically the Westside and South Valley—for more than 10 years.” Tell us about some of your achievements in your industry. “Keeping up with the latest trends in technology is a difficult task, and we pride ourselves in always providing our clients with the latest, most modern solutions for their offices and homes. Our young team of tech and gadget lovers helps us keep on the bleeding edge of entertainment and office technology. Complete familiarity with the latest products is key to providing the best support for clients.” What are your guiding principles in your daily work? “We strive to provide long-lasting solutions for clients, not Band-Aid fixes. Our goal is to leave you confident in the work performed and happy with the results.” How do you provide assistance to home buyers? “We can provide a ‘tech score’ to assist a home buyer in their purchase. This involves the following: how ‘wired’ the house already is, how easy it will be to integrate existing systems, the age of any existing components, accessibility and approximate cost to outfit the house

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based on the request of the future homeowner. From there we can build a comprehensive plan for a modern tech house.” What distinguishes you as a top professional in your field? “Our dedication and level of response to our clients.” How do you make each client feel important? “We provide dedicated onsite and remote support. Clients receive the full support of our trained IT staff. They receive the mobile numbers of their technicians and are not pooled into a generic general (e.g., Geek Squad) tech inbox where their tech can change day to day.”

FAST FACT In his free time, Calvin enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children. He is an avid private pilot and golfer. Russ travels the world playing in Ultimate Frisbee tournaments.

What is the biggest challenge facing your clients today? How do you help them with those challenges? “Dealing with the constant change in the technology field. New devices come out so frequently that clients can be confused on which will best solve their problem and which will be the best fit for their budget. We can quickly assess the client’s needs and match them with the appropriate tech solution.” What’s your #1 tool for marketing your business? “Word of mouth from satisfied clients. We feel a great recommendation is the #1 way to market our services.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

GAIL SALEM

Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 16810 Ventura Boulevard, Encino 818-516-1546 gailsalem.com

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOANNA DEGENERES

fter working as an actor in TV, theatre and commercials, Gail Salem transitioned to the real estate industry and has been recognized as one of the Top 4% Realtors nationally for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Over the past 14 years, she has closed an average of $10 million to $25 million in residential properties each year in the San Fernando Valley and Greater LA area. With a BFA from the University of Miami, Gail is a longtime member of the National Association of Realtors and Southland Regional Association of Realtors. She is a Certified Relocation Professional, a Trust Sale Specialist and a Certified Short Sale Expert. What trends do you foresee for the 2017 real estate market in Southern California? “I think we’re going to see residential real estate prices continue to rise. As a result, we’re also

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going to see more ‘move-up’ buyers who reinvest the equity from the sale of their current homes.” How do you give back to your community? “As a board member of The Berkshire Hathaway Charitable Foundation, I’ve helped raise thousands of dollars for 200+ local charities— serving children, the homeless and providing education to the community, among other causes. Within my profession, I serve as a mentor to new agents.” What distinguishes you as a top professional in your field? “I hold my clients in the highest esteem, treating them with the utmost respect for their wants and needs. By always making time for my clients and providing the dedication and commitment to persevere until the best price is received, I have built longstanding relationships and a productive network of referrals.”

What are your guiding principles in your daily work? “I am both professional and gregarious in my approach to business, which not only helps me build new relationships with others, but it also helps my clients achieve maximum exposure for their listings. My commitment is to always provide a positive experience for my clients.” What do you enjoy doing in your free time? “I enjoy cardio kickboxing, which I’ve been doing for the past 25 years. It’s my passion and a great stress relief. In addition to spending time with my family, I support local theatre and am still trying to score Hamilton tickets.”

FAST FACT Gail is a 30-year resident of Sherman Oaks and has worked in real estate for the past 14 years.

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Real Estate & Mortgage

ealtors Harriet Cameron and Andrew Spitz have a combined 68 years working in the real estate industry and have been business partners for more than two decades, primarily focusing on Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Calabasas. Additionally, Harriet has experience working as an escrow officer, and Andrew has a background in marketing and sales. Tell us about some of your achievements. “We both are distinguished members of the elite Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award winners—the top 1/2 of 1% of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ agents nationwide. In 2015 we received our 15-year Legend Award for continuously being in the Chairman’s Circle. We are in the top 100 in both categories of production and number of transactions closed. In 2015 we were #19 nationwide out of 42,000+ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ agents.” How do you make each client feel important? “We offer exemplary service through every step of the sales process. We have created aggressive and innovative marketing campaigns and tailor the strategies specifically to each listing to maximize exposure for every property.” What are your guiding principles in your daily work? “Goals have to be set; otherwise you are flying by the seat of your pants. We are both incredibly organized and both have our own set of strengths, which we use to focus on creating a tight-knit team that provides exceptional service. We are dedicated, confident and are continually researching trends and strategies to make sure we are on the top of our game. We strive for excellence—not only for ourselves but also for our clients. We want every buyer and seller we represent to be completely satisfied.” Tell us about your team. “We are dedicated and determined to provide topnotch customer service to each of our clients. We have a great team of seven licensed Realtors, including our own transaction coordinator, marketing director and a showing facilitator. We know our market, have strong negotiating skills and network with business managers, attorneys, builders, vendors and other real estate agents both in and outside our company. This provides connections to our clients that they would not normally have, making it a win/win situation for them.”

HARRIET CAMERON & ANDREW SPITZ

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 14141 Ventura Blvd. #8, Sherman Oaks | 818-380-2151 16810 Ventura Blvd., Encino | 818-817-4284 AndrewSpitz.com | HarrietCameron.com

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FAST FACT In 2016 Harriet and Andrew had one of their best years to date, closing nearly $100 million in sales.

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Real Estate & Mortgage

tephanie Payab has worked full-time in real estate for the past decade. She first joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (formerly Prudential) in 2003. Most of her listings involve properties in the San Fernando Valley. Why should potential clients trust you to do the best job for them? “Real estate is my passion, and my clients are my priority. I love what I do, and I pride myself and my team on providing exceptional customer service with transparency through the entire transaction. When a client hires me, they know what they are getting: experience, knowledge and authenticity. I am always available to answer questions and guide clients toward the best possible outcome. My primary source of clients is referrals. Recommendations to friends and family and repeat business are the biggest compliments a prior client can give me, as it shows they trust me and feel that I did a great job representing them.” What are your guiding principles in your daily work? “I want to know that I exceeded the expectations of each of my clients. I work incredibly hard to provide a positive experience and great outcomes during a very stressful process. My business is about helping people, and I treat everyone as I would like to be treated when I am the client. I’m respectful of everyone’s time, and I approach my work with integrity. At the end of the day, I want to provide a service to my clients that I can be proud of, and I work hard to achieve that goal.”

FAST FACT Stephanie has worked in the real estate industry for the past 13 years.

STEPHANIE PAYAB

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, California Properties 16810 Ventura Boulevard, Encino 818-269-2796 stephaniepayab.com | SPayabTPG@gmail.com

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What is the biggest challenge facing your clients today? “Buying or selling any property can be a very stressful experience. Whether it be an experienced seller or first-time buyer, every transaction is unique and can have unexpected hiccups. In my role as broker, I help my clients navigate the complex arena by being completely hands-on from start to finish. In addition, my ability to creatively solve any complex situation that arises—coupled with my no-nonsense, straightforward style— helps pave the way for transactions to go as smoothly as possible.” Disclaimer: ©2016 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. CalBRE 01394407

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Real Estate & Mortgage

amie Pearson is a full-service real estate professional specializing in sales and services throughout Los Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods and lifestyles. He has worked in the industry for the past 36 years and joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in 2010.

FAST FACT Jamie is a third-generation Angelino resident.

Why are you passionate about the field of real estate? “While real estate can be a challenging business, it comes with great rewards. I see it as my responsibility to not only provide the best financial outcome for my clients but one that is as stress-free and memorable as possible. I want my clients to look back at these moments with the fond smile they deserve and the knowledge that they had a trusted advocate who truly had their back.” What distinguishes you as a top professional in your field? “I helped more than 40 buyers and sellers in 2016, and for the last several years in a row I’ve been in the top 2% nationwide in sales production. However, my greatest professional accomplishment remains customer satisfaction. While it’s true that today’s buyer wants elitelevel experience and local knowledge, they also want someone in their corner who is doing whatever it takes to make their lives easier. For me, that means staying on top of the latest technology, following trends and continuously looking for innovative new ways to market homes and service clients.” What’s your #1 tool for marketing your business? “I use a combination of direct marketing, referrals, local advertisements and social media. But I have found that today’s buyers and sellers need more. They want services and resources that will help them not just with their real estate needs but their whole life.” What is Jamie P. Nation? “My goal will always be to put my clients into their ideal home at the perfect price. But more than that, I want to help them enjoy their home to the fullest.” JamiePNation.com is my real estate website and personal mission to help share the Los Angeles experience. It is a guide to the best Los Angeles has to offer: homes, entertainment, places to eat. People aren’t just putting a down payment on a piece of property; they’re staking a claim to the life they want to live. I want to help them find that life in every way I can.” Disclaimer: ©2017 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. CalBRE 00817566

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JAMIE PEARSON

Estates Director Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 14141 Ventura Blvd., Suite 8, Sherman Oaks 818-380-2198 | 818-601-2260 jamiepnation.com | jamie@jamiep.com

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Real Estate & Mortgage

TAMMY JEROME Associate Broker Coldwell Banker

12930 Ventura Blvd. #202 Studio City 818-903-5854 | TammyJerome.com

ealtor Tammy Jerome has worked in the real estate industry for the past two decades and has been with Coldwell Banker since 1999. She specializes in Studio City, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Valley Village and all the surrounding areas. Why should potential clients trust you to do the best job for them? “My dedication to my clients. I don’t sugarcoat a situation just to gain a point, but rather I constantly discuss and analyze the market’s evolving conditions with them and how it affects their property. Then I leave them to decide. I’ve been very lucky to have great clients, and as a result Coldwell Banker has consistently ranked me in the top 1% of Realtors nationwide. When clients refer me to their friends and family, it tells me that the job was well done and they

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were satisfied with my performance. It really energizes me.” How did you get to be such a successful real estate agent? “I was a documentary filmmaker in Israel, and I believe that the demand of the film business helped me greatly in dealing with people in real estate. I also think that my studies at Tel Aviv University as well as UCLA helped me solidify the creative aspects of real estate. Also, I come from a family of people who persevere: My mom was a professional dancer, one of my sisters is an educator and the other is an architect. We all believe that hard work leads to excellence.” Tell us about some properties you represent. “An amazing property on Avenida Del Sol is a custom designed and built Studio City Hills home with spectacular views. The house has a

FAST FACT Coldwell Banker has ranked Tammy in the top 1% of Realtors nationwide for many years. unique floor plan; I love its original architectural style. The bedrooms, the den—even the media room—have views of the surrounding hills and the Valley below. Just around the corner on Alta Mesa I represent a home with four bedrooms plus an entertainment area—all with stunning views. There’s also a bonus area that can easily be used for a sound studio or an office. The neighborhood is secluded and yet quite central—just moments to Ventura Boulevard’s dining and shopping and within moments of all of Hollywood’s major studios and just minutes to Beverly Hills.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

FAST FACT Judy and Doug recently received the prestigious 15-Year Legend Award, presented to Berkshire Hathaway agents who have performed at a consistently high level for five, 10 and 15 consecutive years.

JUDY ROSS & DOUG ROSS Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 16810 Ventura Blvd., Encino 818-427-5991 DougRoss05@gmail.com | JudyandDougRoss.com

udy Ross and Doug Ross are Luxury Properties Specialists and Estate Directors with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, California Properties. Their “Power of Two” teamwork approach helped earn them the 15-Year Legend Award this year—one of only two agent teams to earn that honor throughout the company’s entire Los Angeles region, which comprises approximately 700 agents. Working in the industry for more than 25 years, these residential and estate property specialists have also been recognized in the Top 100 Agents in the Berkshire Hathaway Los Angeles region for the past several years. Judy has an extensive background in finance and accounting, and Doug specializes in marketing and sales. They are active in several charitable organizations and are proud to have received the Mayor’s Award for service.

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Tell us about your team. “We have assembled a superior team of respected and reliable specialists who can magically transform your home in order to obtain the highest and best possible sales price.” How do you market your business? “We pride ourselves on the fact that more than 90% of our business is generated from referrals from past clients and fellow agents. Many of our clients are service professionals who expect and know the value of excellent service. Since we do not use assistants, we return each message personally and make each client feel like they are #1.” What do your clients say about you? “We constantly receive accolades from clients regarding our unique and highly sought-after personal concierge service. One of our clients wrote, ‘When you listed my home of 46+ years,

I was overwhelmed as to where to begin. You both took over with your attentive and personal service and made the process so easy and stress-free for me. I could not have done it without you both and could not have imagined a more qualified, professional and detail-oriented team of Realtors anywhere.’” What would you like potential clients to know about you? “We are very passionate about what we do and love to make sure our clients feel safe and protected throughout the entire transaction. The bottom line is: ‘We love what we do and do what we love.’” Disclaimer: This is not intended as a solicitation if your home is currently listed with another agent. BRE License #00920986 | BRE License #01010343

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Real Estate & Mortgage

JODIE FRANCISCO

Estates Director Dilbeck Estates/ Christie’s International Real Estate 12164 Ventura Blvd., Studio City 818-970-3936 JodieFrancisco.com

odie Francisco is a Realtor® with Dilbeck Estates, working with both buyers and sellers of residential real estate. She has worked in the industry for the past 16 years and specializes in the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of Los Angeles. What trends do you foresee for the 2017 real estate market in Southern California? “I see a continuation of what we saw in 2016. There is still a lack of inventory in the market, and the demand remains high. But buyers are pushing back when they see that prices are set beyond what is realistic. This has tempered the appreciation rate to a much more realistic 4% to 7%, rather than the 20+% in the mid 2000s. Interest rates are bumping up slightly, so this should give those who are on the fence a little push to jump in before the

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rates rise even more.” How do you make each client feel important? “I am not part of a team, so when someone hires me, they get me 100% of the time.” How do you give back to your community? “I donate a portion of every check to the Dilbeck Charitable Foundation, which supports local charities. Some of the other organizations that I work with are MusiCares (the charitable arm of the Grammy organization), LA Family Housing, Warrior Canine Connection, Cause for Paws and Entertainment Aids Alliance.” What do your clients say about your work ethic? “This is what Sara R. from Los Angeles recently wrote: ‘I’ve never written a review for a real estate agent. Jodie found a house for us when

we weren’t even actively looking. She hears you and understands your needs. She doesn’t waste your time showing you everything that hits the market. She doesn’t try to increase your budget. I was SHOCKED at her integrity and honesty during the entire process. We were so impressed with her that we used her to sell our old home too. This was a huge deal because we have many friends and relatives who are Realtors that we could have worked with and given the commission to. It was a pleasure working with her. I highly recommend her to anyone who is selling or buying.”

FAST FACT For the past three years Jodie has been selected for the Best Businesses of Encino award in the real estate agents category.

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Real Estate & Mortgage

ren David Mordkowitz, Estates Director for Pinnacle Estate Properties, Inc., handles all aspects of residential real estate, including new construction/development opportunities, exchange properties and investments. He works primarily in the communities surrounding Ventura Boulevard.

FAST FACT Oren has worked in the real estate industry for the past 20 years.

Why are you passionate about the field of real estate? “Simply put, I love what I do. Being in a position to meet so many new people every year and help them to successfully accomplish their goals is rewarding on so many levels. I enjoy working through tough issues while knowing that I am responsible for my client’s smile at closing. I have friendships with clients that date back to my first months in the business. I look forward to each day bringing new opportunities to cultivate relationships, while providing a positive experience and exceeding their expectations!” Why should potential clients trust you to do the best job for them? “To deliver unsurpassed service with unsurpassed results is my daily mission! For me it is about the quality, not the number of transactions I can close in a given year. My clients have come to trust that when I make a commitment to them, I am present to handle any and all issues. I am entrusted to oversee what can be one’s biggest asset. It is a task I personally ensure is handled with great care, and one I take very seriously!” Tell us about some of your achievements in your industry. “For the past 10 years, I have been a Diamond Club recipient at Pinnacle Estate Properties, representing the top 10 agents company-wide out of more than 1,000 agents. For the last three years, I have been designated the #1 agent in the entire company.” How do you make each client feel important? “It doesn’t matter what price point a deal lies in. What is important is that each client understands that I take the job of representing their interests with great care—taking the time to understand their needs, making sure I am available for any situation and giving them all the time necessary to make sure all details are handled professionally and with the utmost integrity! Whether it is a difficult circumstance or walking a novice through their first home purchase, ensuring I tackle every aspect of importance for each client is essential.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

OREN DAVID MORDKOWITZ Estates Director Pinnacle Estate Properties, Inc.

17327 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 100, Encino 818-933-5866 OrenEstates.com

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

Real Estate & Mortgage

FAST FACT Dana and Joie have a combined 35 years of real estate experience.

DANA ROSE SAFFRON & JOIE WILSON

Wish | Sotheby’s International Realty 13501 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks Dana: 818-370-2745 | Joie: 818-633-1881 SaffronWilson.com

affron Wilson is a residential real estate partnership within Wish | Sotheby’s International Realty serving buyers and sellers in the South Valley luxury market. Both graduates of UCLA, Dana Rose Saffron and Joie Wilson—together with their families—are longtime residents of Sherman Oaks and Studio City, respectively. What are your guiding principles in your daily work? “Service. Integrity. Insight. Operating with a clear sense of duty and responsibility, our attention to detail, transactional expertise, and customized solutions serve our clients’ best interest. Our in-depth market knowledge is strengthened through our experience, research and analysis, and by the relationships we’ve developed within our communities.”

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

What trends do you foresee for the 2017 real estate market in Southern California? “Prices should continue to increase, albeit likely at a slower pace than seen in recent years. The continued demand for real estate in our market and the limited supply should outweigh the recent uptick in mortgage interest rates. With interest rates still at historic lows, it is a great time to buy properties in Los Angeles.” How do you make each client feel important? “Our clients’ needs are paramount, so we listen first and together we form the strategy that will see their goals achieved from beginning to end. As with any relationship, communication is key, and during a real estate transaction, people need to know that they are not alone. It’s all about our clients!”

What’s your #1 tool for marketing your business? “Technology, including targeted advertising and social media, of course, but we also appreciate the tried-and-true methods of good old-fashioned relationships, both with our colleagues and database of buyers and sellers.” Why should potential clients trust you to do the best job for them? “With our corporate background, we have developed a strict work ethic and a strong sense of professionalism. We strive to maximize the value of our clients’ time and ensure that the multiple facets of the transaction process are expertly and sensitively managed. We work to exceed our clients’ expectations and build relationships that last. There is no higher compliment than repeat business. That is what drives us.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

Real Estate & Mortgage

ndrea Korchek grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduating from Taft High School. She practiced law for seven years—specializing in business litigation and primarily representing real estate and banking clients— before transitioning into the real estate industry in 2001.

FAST FACT Andrea earned her B.A. from Gonzaga University and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law.

Why are you passionate about the field of real estate? “Selling real estate is unlike any other business as you become intricately involved with your clients, their homes, their families and their beloved pets. I am able to make a very positive impact on my clients’ lives, and I learn so much from them. I am passionate about the people I represent, the job I perform for them and the person I have become thanks to all of their life lessons.” What distinguishes you as a top professional in your field? “I will stop at nothing to be the best and deliver the best outcome. I have a unique set of skills and talents that make me perfectly suited to sell real estate. From my days in law, I am an exceptional negotiator and am proficient in drafting and interpreting contracts. With a trained eye in design and an eagerness to exploit the latest technologies and platforms, I implement a beautiful, robust marketing plan with maximum local and international exposure for my properties. With strong intuition and ‘people skills,’ I have great relationships with my colleagues and can use those relationships to achieve my clients’ objectives. The result: My clients know they are in the best of hands as I deliver a smooth and lucrative transaction.” How do you make each client feel important? “Each client IS important! I am representing my clients in the purchase or sale of one of their largest investments: their home. My clients always feel important as I keep them completely informed, insulated from any drama and in complete control of their transaction.”

ANDREA KORCHEK

Wish | Sotheby’s International Realty 13501 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks 818-371-0933 andrea@andreakorchek.com

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

What’s your #1 tool for marketing your business? “Killing it transaction after transaction! Word travels fast. My clientele is almost exclusively existing clients, their family and friends, and referrals from other agents. I am VERY proud to be a top producing agent based on a history of success and a stellar reputation.” Disclaimer: Andrea Korchek is no longer “active” in the State Bar and represents her clients solely as a real estate agent.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

“Children are our most valuable resource.” - President Herbert Hoover

This April, we’ll introduce an array of local businesses and schools devoted to making the Valley a better place for our children. Whether you’re on the hunt for exemplary education programs, well-qualified doctors or summer fun, Ventura Blvd Magazine has you covered in our annual All About Kids section.

ALL ABOUT KIDS

310.376.7800 | ourventurablvd@moontidemedia.com | ourventurablvd.com

REAL ESTATE DEP | WHERE WE LIVE

OURVENTURABLVD.COM/REAL-ESTATE

Paso Fino Estate Calabasas, CA Price Upon Request www.countryridgecalabasas.com Michelle Schwartz & Craig Knizek The Agency 424-221-5039 Turn the page for more information.

ourventurablvd.com S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

FEBRUARY/MARCH HOLIDAY 2016, 2017, VENTURA BLVD

JEWEL OF THE WEST A new, private community in coveted Calabasas redefines modern, luxury living.

ometimes you reach a point in life where you want it all—and sometimes—you can actually have it. When it comes to buying the home of a lifetime, the estate community of Country Ridge is beyond compare. Located at the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and nestled in a picturesque Valley setting, the community is minutes from the heart of Calabasas and a mere 10-minute drive from the best beaches of Malibu. Four estate residences and five expansive private home sites are set amid sweeping canyon and mountain views. Offering the utmost in space and serenity, exquisitely crafted residences feature timeless architecture, an intoxicating bounty of comforts and a seamless connection to nature. ARCHITECTURE The homes are inspired by the distinct architectural style of Wallace Neff, the father of California’s “Golden Age,” and evoke the Spanish Hacienda style that is indigenous to the Calabasas area. Williams Homes Inc. designed the residences with David Ko as chief architect. “I’m fascinated by the homes of 1920s ‘Old Hollywood’ and the honesty of their design. I grew up as an immigrant in Chinatown and the surrounding neighborhoods, but I took advantage of bus rides to explore areas like Sunset and Fountain, Hancock Park and other neighborhoods where you could see these beautiful courtyards. I would admire these old homes and wished that one day I could live in or design them,” says Ko. For Ko, that dream became a reality with the Country Ridge project, which embodies his affinity for modern living in an old world manner. “Downstairs, lots of plans nowadays only have one great room because of the scarceness of land. I try to hold on to the old-fashioned, Old Hollywood idea of having a formal living room and dining room. I let the house speak for itself with light and shadow and not many accessories on the outside. Nothing is purely decorative; everything serves a purpose,” Ko explains.

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S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

O N THE E M A R MARK KE ET T

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017, VENTURA BLVD

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INTERIORS Exquisitely crafted interiors showcase the finest contemporary materials. Modern design concepts blend with classic Spanish Hacienda style to complement the naturally lit, open floor plan. Neutral, clean color palettes radiate warmth, while refined finishes, rich colors and exquisite detail infuse each space with a distinct personality. CRAFTSMANSHIP Every detail of each home has been meticulously curated, from the custom wood floors to the intricate tile work. High-end materials— from Calcutta Gold Marble to White Quartz—add an upscale aesthetic while chrome and polished nickel fixtures add chic sophistication. Artful colors and textures enliven each area—all meant to enhance the soaring, open living spaces and add a tasteful, casual charm. SPECIAL FEATURES With dining and entertaining at the forefront of the design, professional chef-caliber kitchens are equipped with the finest state-of-theart appliances, such as Sub-Zero stainless steel refrigerators, Wolf dual ranges and professional convection steam ovens with warming drawers. Designed for entertaining, the gourmet kitchens are as beautiful as they are functional, with spacious center islands, cozy breakfast nooks and seamless access to indoor and outdoor dining areas. Spa-style bathrooms feature a range of finishes and luxuries, including rain showers, hand-carved stone sinks and cast iron tubs. La Cantina bi-fold glass doors recede to connect interiors with the magnificent outdoor living areas; each is designed to complement the picturesque surroundings. The covered outdoor living room is an extension of the great room and designed with plush, ample seating for lounging by the fireplace. Spacious sundecks surround the zeroedged pools—ideal spaces for daybeds, children’s play and evening gatherings beside the fire pit. CALABASAS Calabasas has emerged as one of Southern California’s most coveted communities and not just because of celebrities seeking more space and privacy. There is something undeniably attractive about its small-town charm and peaceful “get away from it all” vibe. With a historic Old Town, acclaimed shopping and dining, extraordinary family and community amenities, numerous equestrian centers and idyllic state parks, Calabasas also boasts some of the best private schools in all of LA. Viewpoint School, MUSE School and Louisville High School are all within easy reach. The region is also part of the highly-regarded Las Virgenes Unified School System, which offers several top-rated public schools. 



An exclusive private estate community offering a distinct style of living at the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Nestled in a picturesque valley setting minutes from the heart of Calabasas, four estate homes and five homesites are set amidst sweeping canyon and mountain views.

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Each estate is designed in architectural harmony with the unspoiled surroundings and offers a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living, a highlight of living in Southern California. Homes range in size from 5,835 to 7,478-square-feet, and are situated on spacious homesites ranging from 5 to 40 acres.

VENTURA BLVD, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

ON THE MARKET

Calabasas, CA Price Upon Request www.countryridgecalabasas.com

Michelle Schwartz & Craig Knizek The Agency 424-221-5039

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve added to the family with new offices in

CALABASAS

SHERMAN OAKS

STUDIO CITY

(Coming Soon)

2014, 2015 and 2016 San Fernando Valley Sales

2016 Total Sales Volume - $105,468,540 | 2015 Total Sales Volume - $66,076,750 | 62.6% increase from 2015 to 2016

CRAIG KNIZEK

EMIL HARTOONIAN

MICHELLE SCHWARTZ

C K N I Z E K@T H E AG E N C Y R E .CO M 818.618.1006

EMIL HARTOONIAN@THEAGENCYRE.COM 8 1 8 . 9 24 . 2 8 0 6

MSCHWARTZ@THEAGENCYRE.COM 4 24 . 2 3 0 . 3 7 1 6

you can also find us in

BEVERLY HILLS

BRENTWOOD

VENICE

PACIFIC PALISADES

MALIBU (Coming Soon)

PALM SPRINGS

phoenix (Coming Soon)

LOS CABOS

LU XU RY R EA L ESTATE AT T H E AGE NCYR E .CO M

SAN FRANcISCO

TURKS & CAICOS

PUNTA DE MITA

Oren David Mordkowitz ESTATES DIRECTOR | REALTOR Â®

818-933-5866

CalBRE License #01246402

oren@orenestates.com

16701 Bajio Court | $5,729,000 www.16701BajioCourt.com

20301 Ruston Road | $1,395,000

16677 Calneva Drive | $1,799,000

www.20301RustonRoad.com

www.16677CalnevaDrive.com

4464 Bergamo Drive | $2,365,000

18165 Sweet Elm Drive | $1,889,000

JUST SOLD

www.OrenEstates.com

TOLUCA LAKE

9956 Toluca Lake Avenue $6,495,000

find open houses now

Spectacular one-of-a-kind Paul Williams 5bd, 6ba lakefront masterpiece.

aaroe.com

9956TolucaLakeAve.com Craig Strong 310.439.3225

SHERMAN OAKS ENCINO

SHERMAN OAKS

4620 Rubio Ave Alan Taylor

$3,999,000 818.650.1603

STUDIO CITY

3861 Kingswood Rd Tracey Raphael

$2,579,000 818.744.6655

STUDIO CITY

3449 Longridge Avenue $2,299,000 Immaculate 4bd, 4ba traditional home in the desirable Longridge Estates. 3449Longridge.com 4203 Beeman Ave Eric Lieberman

$2,449,000 818.535.8755

STUDIO CITY

$1,999,000 310.903.1876

STUDIO CITY

11205 Dilling St Gary Steinberg & Donovan Healey

SHERMAN OAKS

11503 Laurelcrest Dr Donovan Healey

STUDIO CITY

$1,899,000 818.642.9927

TOLUCA LAKE

4318 Bellingham Ave Craig Strong

BEVERLY HILLS

BRENTWOOD

Donovan Healey & Joan Duffy 310.903.1876

SHERMAN OAKS

$1,799,000 310.439.3225

SUNSET STRIP

3946 Davana Rd Alan Taylor

BALDWIN HILLS/VIEW PARK

$1,365,500 818.650.1603

PASADENA

DOWNTOWN LA

John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of sq. footage, lot size, or other info concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy.

John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. Alan Taylor CalBRE 01369255

KevinDriscollHOMES.COM Extraordinary Seller Representation!

ENCINO

BEL-AIR

16131 Royal Oak Road $2,399,000

1032 Casiano Road $3,749,000

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SHERMAN OAKS 3531 Alana Drive $2,195,000 3531Alana.aaroe.site

STUDIO CITY 3734 Reklaw Drive $2,799,000

KEVIN DRISCOLL

3734Reklaw.aaroe.site

Top 1% Nationwide Director, Aaroe Estates

818.398.0797

KevinDriscollHomes@gmail.com John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. This is not intended as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker. CalBRE 01270052

SOLD OVER $100 MILLION IN 2016

9956 TOLUCA LAKE AVENUE, TOLUCA LAKE AVAILABLE | OFFERED AT $6,495,000

STRONG REALTOR

5Bd | 6Ba | 7,728± sf | 44,278± sf lot

TOP 1% NATIONWIDE 2016

AVAILABLE | TOLUCA LAKE

Bob & Dolores Hope Estate 8Bd | 8Ba | 14,876± sf | 5.21± Acre lot

AVAILABLE | STUDIO CITY

4352 Vantage Ave $2,095,000 5Bd | 5Ba | 4,069± sf | 7,002± sf lot

AVAILABLE | STUDIO CITY

AVAILABLE | TOLUCA LAKE

$12,000,000

AVAILABLE | TOLUCA LAKE

$1,799,000 4700 Placidia Ave 4Bd | 3Ba | 1,826± sf | 10,078± sf lot

10331 Valley Spring Lane 5Bd | 5.5Ba | 5,078± sf | 9,098± sf lot

AVAILABLE | STUDIO CITY

4172 Beck Ave $1,824,000 5Bd | 5Ba | 3,600± sf | 6,800± sf lot

$3,799,000

AVAILABLE | STUDIO CITY

4057 Farmdale Ave $1,949,000 5Bd | 3.5Ba | 3,222± sf | 6,756± sf lot

AVAILABLE | TOLUCA LAKE

CRAIG STRONG Executive Director, Aaroe Estates 310.439.3225 CalBRE 01450987 STRONGREALTOR.COM

4318 Bellingham Ave $1,779,000 5Bd | 5Ba | 5,254± sf | 7,001± sf lot

10505 Bloomfield St $1,499,000 4Bd | 4Ba | 3,154± sf | 6,320± sf lot

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Who is actively managing your mortgage? I manage my client’s mortgages which in many cases is the biggest liability they have. You have people managing your assets, but who is managing your biggest liability? I constantly monitor your mortgage for opportunities to meet your goals like maximizing monthly cash flow or minimizing the interest you pay over the life of the loan. Call Now for your Free Mortgage Review.

Trevor Lane - Your Local Mortgage Expert and Sherman Oaks Resident

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Beverly Hills

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tlane@mortgcap.com

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mortgagecapitalpartners.com

12400 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 900 Los Angeles, CA 90025

23564 Calabasas Road, Suite 204W Calabasas, CA 91302

9595 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 205 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 5701 Lindero Canyon Road, Ste 203 Westlake, CA 91362

1200 Newport Center Dr. Suite #185 Newport Beach, CA 92660 1842 Washington Way Venice, CA 90291

This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. Minimum FICO, reserve, and other requirements apply. Programs are subject to change at any time until locked in. LTVs are based on appraised value. Not all applicants will qualify. Mortgage Capital Partners, Inc. is a lender under California Real Estate License #01858965. NMLS #239902. © 2017 Mortgage Capital Partners, Inc.

MICHAEL BERGIN |

FOR SALE

LUXURY ESTATES DIRECTOR

FOR SALE

11411 Decente Court, Studio City

4172 Beck Avenue, Studio City

SOLD

Offered at $1,700,000

4170 Kraft Avenue, Studio City Offered at $2,379,000

Offered at $1,824,000

4257 Farmdale Avenue, Studio City Offered at $2,495,000

“ YO U R # 1 N E I G H B O R H O O D E X P E RT ” MICHAEL BERGIN REAL ESTATE

MICHAEL BERGIN | 310.600.0715 | BerginHomes@gmail.com | CalBRE 01845572 FRIEND

FAMILY

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A wide array of competitive mortgage programs

Finance your home with one of the nation’s leading retail mortgage lenders. You may benefit from: • • • • • • •

A wide selection of conventional loan programs Low mortgage rates Fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) Renovation mortgage programs PriorityBuyer® preapproval Owner –occupied and investor mortgage programs available The attentive service of knowledgeable mortgage professionals

Contact Richard Kosoff, your Mortgage professional with 25+ years experience. Richard Kosoff Home Mortgage Consultant 17404 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91316 Office: 818-808-1140, Cell: 818-625-9358 richard.kosoff@wellsfargo.com www.wfhm.com/richards-kosoff NMLSR ID 459585

Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N. A. © 2011 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. AS2944280 Expires 02/2017

ng Co

ratulations

MATTEPSTEIN.COM SOMATT@AOL.COM 818-789-7408

Matt Epstein #1 #2 #5

Agent San Fernando Valley Agent Los Angeles Agent Nationwide

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

CalBRE# 01121162

With proven results from the market leader, why call anybody else?

3925 Woodfield Dr. - SO - $1,945,000 - 4Br+4.5Ba in 5,794 SqFt on a 9,700 SqFt lot - Gated south of the boulevard Traditional on corner lot in quiet neighborhood with all spacious rooms plus backyard with pool and spa 12948 Galewood St. - SC - $3,750,000 - 6Br+6Ba in 5,200 SqFt on a 26,800 Lot - Gated South of the boulevard Traditional with magnificent views plus an open floor plan and all spacious rooms. Quite secluded street. Pool, Spa & panoramic viewsÂ 15113 La Maida St - SO - $799,000 - 3Br+1Ba in 1,140 SqFt on a 6,750 Lot - Cute traditional on desired street in Sherman Oaks. Close to the Galleria, shops, restaurants and entertainment plus easy freeway access. Grassy front and back yards

#KeepingItRealEstate

Call for your FREE market analysis! ÂŠ2016 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting this information. Based on information obtained from the MLS as of (11/1/2016). Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. CalBRE 1317331

3848 Sunswept Dr. - SC $2,895,000 - 3Br+3.75Ba in 3,589 SqFt on a 23,002 Lot - Amazing East and West panoramic valley views. Spacious grounds with pool, spa, BBQ area, cabana, flowing stream and large grassy yards

5350 Bevis Ave - SO $699,000 - 3Br+1.75Ba in 1,614 SqFt on a 6,012 Lot - Traditional with great curb appeal. Large front and back yards. Wood floors thru-out. Living room w/ fireplace. Family room. Formal dining. Large kitchen

WWW.GILANDMARILYN.COM

GIL&MARILYNSPIEGEL 818.388.6565 Sold@GilandMarilyn.com

Tarzana | 455 La Barca Drive | $1,150,000 | 4BD/3BA Warm and inviting mid-century with pool.

Tarzana | 5370 Vanalden Avenue | $2,895,000 | 5BD/8BA Entertainer’s dream home. www.HouseonVanalden.com

Encino | 4785 Park Encino Place | $750,000 | 2BD/2BA Condo living at its finest.

Encino | 5154 Petit Avenue | $3,500/Month | 2BD/2BA Great location, wood floors with updated master bath.

©2017 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. CalBRE 01317331/ 01351635 / 01369282

When

your accomplishments have made a statement… add another!

4136 Hayvenhurst Drive, Encino South, 91436 www.4136HayvenhurstDr.com

STRIKING, PRIVATE CONTEMPORARY SHOWPLACE WITH 180˚ VIEWS! • 6 Ensuite BRs/8 BAs in 8,500sf of Living Space • Long, Gated Driveway to 28,000sf Hilltop Lot • Indoor-Outdoor Flow – For Grand Scale AND Informal Living • Entertainer’s Great Room Opening to 800sf Covered Patio • Luxurious Screening Room with 120’ Screen • Decadent Master Suite For Indulging Your Innermost You

• Multiple Terraces • 12’ and 14’ Ceilings And LED Lighting Throughout • Security System With 8 Cameras • State-Of-The-Art Crestron “Smart Home” Technology • Resort-Like Backyard With Infinity Pool/Spa + Sport Court • 4-Car Garage Parking + Motor Court

Offered at $6,995,000 COMING SOON! FRENCH COUNTRY MANOR IN GUARD-GATED ROYAL OAKS COLONY WEST - $8,000,000

PAT PHILLIPS Delivering Exceptional Service to Exceptional People

818.535.4920

www.patphillipsREALTOR.com patphillips.realtor@gmail.com Cal BRE license# 01303792

Fine Estates®

sold

sold over list price!

3925 Archdale Rd., Encino $5,499,000 www.ArchdaleEstate.com

17437 Palora St., Encino $1,925,000 www.PaloraStreet.com

in escrow

sold

16167 Royal Oak Rd., Encino $4,449,000 Royal Oaks

18001 Karen Dr., Encino $1,799,000 www.KarenDriveVilla.com

sold

3857 Hayvenhurst Dr., Encino $3,500,000 www.HayvenhurstDriveEstate.com

sold

16754 Ashley Oaks, Encino $2,799,000 www.AshleyOaksEncino.com

5240 Genesta Ave., Encino $1,699,000 Amestoy Estates

New ListiNgs ComiNg sooN 4121 Longridge Ave., Sherman Oaks $7,500,000 14839 Round Valley Dr., Sherman Oaks $1,499,000

just listed

5110 Louise Ave., Encino $1,699,000 www.LouiseAvenueEncino.com

Nobody does it better... just listed

4811 Encino Ter., Encino $2,499,000 www.EncinoTerraceEstate.com

818.285.3688

www.CarolWolfe.com

just listed

4510 Charmion Ln., Encino $1,599,000 www.CharmionLane.com

#1 Agent

in escrow

16672 Ashley Oaks, Encino $2,299,000 www.EstateOnAshleyOaks.com

Rodeo Realty San Fernando Valley

CalBRE #00477745

sold

3757 Hayvenhurst Ave., Encino $1,499,000 www.HayvenhurstAvenue.com

EXCLUSIVE ESTATES DIVISION STUDIO CITY | ENCINO | BEVERLY HILLS

The Newest Luxury Real Estate Office in Encino 17279 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Just Sold

Coming Soon

4960 Amigo Avenue, Tarzana Sold for over $3 million!

5004 Veloz Avenue, Tarzana Sold for almost $4 million!

11240 Dona Lisa Drive, Studio City Price Upon Request

Meet the team...

Over $1 BILLION sold in Real Estate Assets

Nick Tatone

offers his clients a rare combination of talents: insightful business savvy, seasoned multi-billion dollar negotiating skills, and caring, nurturing support. His reputation for extraordinary service and in-depth knowledge of the business has made him a highly sought-after expert. Nick honed his superb management, financial and negotiating abilities over two decades as a top financial executive in the entertainment industry. Today, those strengths have made him one of the leading real estate professionals in Southern California.

Samara Saffian

has been providing exemplary service to home buyers and sellers in the San Fernando Valley for over 25 years. Samara is currently the number one agent in her office, winning her membership on the Elite President’s Council. Dilbeck Realtors/Christie’s International has presented her with the “Award of Distinction” in recognition of Samara’s dedication and commitment to her clients. As an Estates Director for her company, Samara specializes in exclusive homes in the Los Angeles area.

Information from sources deemed reliable but not verified or guaranteed. Dilbeck Real Estate is independantly owned and operated.

LAST WORD

Sweet on Salsa A woman’s search for love ends—and begins—on the dance floor. Written by Kathleen Laccinole | Illustrated by Christine Georgiades

asn’t Valentine’s Day just yesterday? Or was that New Year’s Eve? Was Valentine’s Day the day before New Year’s Eve? It feels like it was. Frankly, it’s difficult to keep track of the never-ending cycle of lovers’ holidays pummeling me faster and more furiously with each passing year. And now it is Valentine’s Day again … and I am still single. My neighbors are coupled, my family is coupled, most of my friends are coupled. My daughter is away at college and my son … well, my son is 15. I cannot force him to take his mom to yet another V-Day dinner. So what will I do? I know exactly what I will do. Last summer, while still in pajamas at three o’clock in the afternoon, I realized I was depressed and lonely. I needed to get out of the house, back into my body and back into the land of the living. But I wasn’t up for bars or the hassles of parking at the beach. Gelson’s could provide only so much social stimulation. Online dating was a bust—and don’t even get me started on Tinder. This is when a wise and happy-in-her-own-skin, single-mom friend suggested I join a Meetup. The website helps people with shared interests—from ornithology to sushi making—connect at planned events. The universe pointed me in the direction of salsa dancing. I’d always wanted to be one of those beautiful girls with the fancy dress and sparkly shoes, dipped and twirled to the clave rhythm of bongos, timbales and brass. I wanted to spin. Why not give it a try? We were a motley crew at the Blue Starz dance studio in Sherman Oaks: some Latin dudes half my age, a Russian gentleman, a couple of bewildered happy-hour gals, a dar-

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ling Eastern European teacher and me—a middle-aged, brokenhearted ex-housewife who was easily a foot taller than anyone in the room. But when we started to move to the beat—those basic steps of 1-2-3-hold-5-6-7—we came to life. Differences like age, language and size melted away. I began hitting the local clubs, all of which offered inexpensive classes before opening the floor to “social dancing.” I was moving my body, meeting new people, dressing up and whirling to the music. Suddenly I was far from lonely. I’ve discovered salsa is everywhere, every night, in every part of town—lessons, teams, magnificent live bands, pool and birthday parties. Everyone is invited, always. In salsa, it is appropriate for a woman to go clubbing solo. With no pressure to drink, she can dance the night away for less than a movie theatre ticket. But my favorite part of salsa is the courtly manners. Built on the principles of how a gentleman should treat a woman, with respect and thoughtfulness, salsa is a dance of the fingertips. It operates on the philosophy of connection; a dance based on touch, eye contact and smiles. Another bonus: I have danced away 10 pounds. I can now totally rock the pretty dress, not to mention the sparkly shoes. And while I may not yet have a special someone, this Valentine’s Day when the world is canoodling, I will be on a dance floor, surrounded by sound, getting lost in the music … ah the music. And given the right partner, I will spin and spin and spin.  Kathleen Laccinole is a freelance writer and contributor to esme.com. She also writes on the site under the pseudonym P. Charlotte Lindsay for the regular column “Tinder Loving Care.”

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Coming up at the Getty… Villa Theater Lab: Sapo

Degas’s Dances

February 17–19, times vary

Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m.

Performance based on Aristophanes’s The Frogs. Tickets $7.

Performance by pianist Inna Faliks. Free, advance ticket required.

“It is Difficult” Thursday, February 23, 7 p.m. Talk with artist Alfredo Jaar. Free, advance ticket required.

Bouchardon and Charles Ray: Sculptors Past and Present Wednesday, March 22, 7 p.m. Talk with sculptor Charles Ray. Free, advance ticket required.