Ventura Blvd Holiday 2016 by Moon Tide Media

WHERE WE LIVE

OURVE N T U RA B LV D.CO M

SIX DOLLARS

'Tis othne Seas

HOLIDAY 2016

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Create new family traditions in a land where holiday cheer includes poolside sunsets, cozy star lit fire pits, and gingerbread sand castles.

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TE R R AN EA .CO M/ TR AD ITI O N S | 8 5 5. 416. 39 28

‘Tis the Season to mark your calendar for Terranea Traditions! S E A S A LT WO R K S H O P December 3 C E L E B R AT I O N OF THE SEASON December 4 B R E A K FA ST W I T H S A N TA December 10 F U L L M O O N YO G A December 13 SILENT NIGHT M E D I TAT I O N AT T H E S PA December 14 H O L I D AY SHOPPING NIGHT December 17 WINTER BREAK JR. GOLF CAMP December 19 - December 22 December 26 - 29 HANUKKAH C E L E B R AT I O N S December 24 - January 1 CHRISTMAS D AY D I N I N G December 25 NEW YEAR’S EVE E X T R AVA G A N Z A December 31

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH THE SKIRBALL!

COMEDY

Jackie Hoffman Presents A Chanukah Charol Wednesday, December 7

FESTIVAL

Hanukkah Family Festival: Light for the People Sunday, December 18

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Audrey’s Museum Store

LEARN MORE/BUY TICKETS: (877) SCC-4TIX, skirball.org, or on site 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 skirball.org • (310) 440-4500 FREE on-site parking; street parking strictly prohibited

Elena Rumack, D.D.S. Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Lecia Harmer, D.D.S. Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

little smiles are a

big deal.

24-Hour Emergency Care Comfort/Sleep Dentistry Hospital Grade Sterilization Low-radiation Xrays Weekend & Evening Hours

ENCINO OFFICE

CALABASAS OFFICE

16542 Ventura Blvd Ste 506 818.943.8228

23622 Calabasas Rd Ste 119 818.222.4543

www.ToothFairyDentists.com

Find Something They’ll Love This Holiday at the Getty Store—Your Destination for Artful Gifts Find unique gifts for everyone on your list, from artisan jewelry and hand-painted vases to awardwinning arts publications and elegant scarves and ties. The Children’s Shop is sure to inspire the younger set with hands-on activity kits, toys that encourage creative play, and beautifully illustrated books for all ages.

A Wintry Mix ber ngra Stei r o Th tor, irec eD v i t cu Exe

Trinity Wall Street

Holiday delicacies, hailing from the world’s winter climes— Ireland, Vienna and New York

VIENNA BOYS CHOIR Christmas In Vienna Fri Dec 2 | 8PM CHOIR OF TRINITY WALL STREET Handel’s Messiah Wed Dec 7 | 8PM SPONSOR, KATHLEEN P. MARTIN

DANÚ A Christmas Gathering: Féile Na Nollag Sun Dec 11 | 7:30PM

Warm Up the Holidays

Vienna Boys Choir

The Hot Sardines

CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Tue Dec 13 | 8PM

with Latin beats and hot jazz FIESTA MEXICANA Feliz Navidad Sat Dec 3 | 7PM BEYOND LA BAMBA: A NEW AMERICAN SOUND WITH LAS CAFETERAS Fri Dec 9 | 8PM THE HOT SARDINES Holiday Stomp Sat Dec 17 | 8PM

JOIN US 818.677.3000 VPACatCSUN

Make EVERY meal in your home an EVENT to remember.

Fine Kitchen Appliances

Decorative Plumbing

Outdoor Barbeques

The Best Brands. The Best Prices. The Best Service. All in one Place. It’s not just about the brands. It’s not just about the prices. It’s not just about the selection. It’s about our people. About the follow up. About the knowledge. It’s about delivering a wow experience every time. Come be WOWED at our Studio City and Calabasas showrooms.

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

Plumbing Outdoor Barbeques

an entrepreneur

I am...

a game developer A

R E H C R A E S E SCIENCE R a surfer

Apply Now! The application deadline is Monday, December 12, 2016.

15800 Zeldinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Way, Los Angeles, CA 90049 | 310.440.3553 | milkenschool.org Milken warmly welcomes students of all national, ethnic, and racial backgrounds.

Make EVERY meal in your home an EVENT to remember.

Fine Kitchen Appliances

Decorative Plumbing

Outdoor Barbeques

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

Plumbing Outdoor Barbeques

HOLIDAY 2016

Where We Live 36 Datebook

28 Q & A

Dancing with Artem Chigvintsev

Curated List of Happenings

37 Tips

Eco-Friendly Savings

30 Local Talent

Baker Katie Auerbach

38 Style File

The Art of Consignment

32 Weekender

Rancho San Bernardo Inn

40 Media

Concierge Apps

34 DIY

High-Tech Family Room

42 SEEN

Faces Spotted Around Town

The Sauce 48 Ramen Rising

Super Bowls 51 The Italian Job

Pasta Do's and Don'ts 52 Platter It

Salad Centerpiece

Features 64

On the market for three years, the Bob Hope estate is now in limbo while city preservationists decide whether the multi-million dollar property is historic.

And Then Some... 86 Profiles

Spa, Beauty & Fitness 94 Real Estate

Spectacular Local Listings

Holding Out Hope

70 Glass

Master

Discover how a local artisan puts his talents to work restoring church and synagogue stained glass windows.

114 Last Word

Encino's The Rancho 76

Coming Home

Meet a woman who made her dream of owning her childhood home—a sprawling estate in Encino—a reality.

Picture This

From wine to pasta, explore the best of the romantic island of Sicily.

Cover

Photograph of KT Cakes cupcakes by Shane O’Donnell

Greetings from Dr. Tolbert HAD A SURGERY BUT STILL IN PAIN? NEED TO REDUCE YOUR OPIOID DEPENDENCE? AFRAID TO BE IN PAIN? Dr. Tolbert specializes in minimally invasive procedures & treatments to rehabilitate and get rid of pain. If dependent on medication, we can reduce or eliminate your dependence and pain.

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

Copy Editors | Peggy Jo Abraham,

310-663-4609 | dt@moontidemedia.com

Laura Watts

Senior Account Executive | Robin Sanders

Graphic Designer | Christine Georgiades

818-427-2050 | robin@moontidemedia.com

Senior Account Executive | Dale Tiffany

VB’s The Sauce eNewsletter Editor

Account Executive | Derek Poole

Joshua Lurie

310-266-3846 | derek@moontidemedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Account Executive | Erika Carrion

K. Pearson Brown, Bonnie Graves, Diane

310-897-2424 | erika@moontidemedia.com

Haithman, Hadley Hall Meares

Account Executive | Marcie Gutierrez

PHOTOGRAPHERS

424-220-6337 | marcie@moontidemedia.com

Tameka Jacobs, Shane O’Donnell, Lauren

Account Executive | Amy Tetherow

Pressey, Vince Trupsin

424-220-6338 | amy@moontidemedia.com

Call NOW To Schedule A Private Consultation!

818.784.7197

MANAGING PARTNERS Charles C. Koones

“OUR job is to make you FABULOUS”

17609 Ventura Blvd., Suite 114 Encino, CA 91316 Phone: 818.784.7197 Fax: 818.784.3060

Todd Klawin

www.Center4rehab.com No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Moon Tide Media, LLC. Any and all submissions to this or any Moon Tide Media, LLC publication become the property of Moon Tide Media, LLC and may be used in any media. We reserve the right to edit.

Hear Dr. Tolbert’s CNN interview

www.snappytv.com/tc/1886415

TO OUR READERS Ventura Blvd magazine welcomes your feedback. Please send letters to: Reader Response Department, Ventura Blvd Magazine, PO Box 3760, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Please include your name, address and email. Edited letters may be published. SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: info@moontidemedia.com or phone: 310-376-7800. Subscriptions are $29 per year. 200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110, El Segundo, CA 90245 Tel 310-376-7800 | Fax 310-376-0200 | MoonTideMedia.com | OurVenturaBlvd.com

The coolest apparel, shoes and gifts from around the world! Rundholz Elemente Clemente Alembika Cauliflower by Issey Miyake Dress To Kill Trippen Shoes Planet P Taylor Clothing Grizas Art Point Go Silk ...and so much more!

13201 Ventura Blvd. Studio City 818-907-7027 layeredstyle.com

EDITOR’S LETTER | LINDA GRASSO

Kindergarten – 6th

17100 Ventura Blvd., Encino

Home for the Holidays

I OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 16, 2016 + TOURS WEEKLY = RSVP online losencinosschool.org/rsvp (818) 990-1006

Think BIG

t is funny how things get whittled down as you get older. When I was a young adult, I cared about being super successful (and making sure everyone knew it). I had a desire to feel important and for the trappings of wealth. Those sentiments have changed—essentially morphing into a desire to love and be loved by the people who matter most and for financial security. And at no time of the year does this scaleddown, simplistic outlook ring more true than the holidays. It is not about gifts or going to fancy vacation destinations or getting invited to posh parties anymore. For me, it’s about seeing and enjoying family and close friends. I don’t care where we go or what we do. And when it comes to my immediate family, I just want my boys to be home and all of us to be together in the house we call home. I get a sense that this sentiment is shared by Gail Silverton and Joel Gutman, owners of the spectacular home featured in our holiday issue (p. 76). With their five kids all grown, the couple did something outside “the norm.” They bought a sprawling compound in Encino—the property where Gail grew up with her sister, restaurateur/chef Nancy Silverton. Gail and Joel envisioned the Spanish Colonial-style home as a place they could enjoy with their grandchildren and they‘ve renovated it with an authenticity and attention to detail that is quite impressive. Another home featured, the Toluca Lake estate of Bob and Dolores Hope, has ignited something of a controversy. The large property has been for sale for three years and a contract clause that prevented development expired this year, allowing the estate to be sold to buyers with plans to subdivide. However city officials—concerned that the estate should be preserved as a historic landmark—stepped in with emergency legislation. It’s an ongoing issue in an area rich with celebrity homes. Writer Diane Haithman explores all sides of the situation beginning on page 64. I keep hearing from readers about how much they enjoy The Sauce section; you’ll note increased food coverage in this as well as future issues. Here, we zero in on the growing local ramen trend and share some pasta tips from a Tuscan native, as well as the recipe for a scene-stealing holiday salad. At my last dinner party, some of my guests lobbied me to put it in the magazine. So, viola and Happy Holidays everyone!

Start SMALL.

www.losencinosschool.org

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

at linda@moontidemedia.com.

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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GREG S. KHOUNGANIAN, MD MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

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The ideal location for your getaway. Midway between SF & LA, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is an ideal location for your getaway. This elegant, all-suite resort offers an experience unlike any other. Indulge in California Cuisine at Lido Restaurant or rejuvenate with treatments at The Spa. Escape the Ordinary at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa.

2727 SHELL BEACH ROAD PISMO BEACH, CA 93449

CALL 800.516.0112 FOR RESERVATIONS

Fresh Gelson’s Finest or Diestel Turkeys for your Holidays

“Carve” out some time this Thanksgiving season to discover Gelson’s Meat Department, starting with the finest turkeys anywhere. Both Gelson’s Finest and Diestel turkeys are raised with care by family owned turkey growers. Each have their own unique methods for raising range fed, antibiotic-free toms and hens in the best possible conditions. Whichever you choose, you will certainly enjoy! When planning your holiday, Gelson’s carries Free-Range, Locally Raised, Antibiotic Free and Vegetarian Fed turkeys, available in our Meat Department.

Gelson’s Finest Fresh Turkeys are now GMO FREE

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A FRESH GELSON’S FINEST OR DIESTEL TURKEY PURCHASE LESS THAN 20 LBS IN WEIGHT Excludes Service Deli Turkey and Dinners Expires 01/01/17 PLU#8149

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NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR REBECCA MIELIWOCKI M.A. (Secondary Education)

roducing more teachers annually than the entire UC System combined, CSUNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Michael D. Eisner College of Education is a powerful elevating force for the region. Its graduates dominate the ranks of the Los Angeles Unified School District Rookies of the Year and Teachers of the Year winners. In recent years CSUN Eisner grads have been honored as the Most Inspiring Coach in the Nation and with the Presidential Award for

Excellence in Science Teaching. Rebecca Mieliwocki, the 62nd National Teacher of the Year is just one example. A seventh-grade English teacher, Mieliwocki was honored at the White House. Her enthusiasm that every day is an opportunity to inspire and change lives is raising the standard for education in the United States. CSUN prepares teachers like Mieliwocki to lift the sons and daughters of Los Angeles and the nation.

CSUN.EDU/RISE

Los Angeles Summer Dance Intensive Internationally Recognized Faculty July 10 - August 4 2017

photo credits - Iker Gutierrez

Join LABA’s outstanding Summer Intensive Environment. Return to dance in the fall improved and in top physical shape. Personal attention, excellent supervision, safe location. Housing available upon request. Private coaching & choreography available. Faculty includes top International ballet coaches, LA’s best contemporary master teachers & choreographers plus LABA Faculty. Photo/Video submissions are accepted. Choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks • Ages 8 & up • Evaluations available • International Guest Teachers plus LABA Faculty. Auditions dates and locations available on the LABA website www.laballet.com

Los Angeles Ballet Academy

16422 Ventura Blvd

Encino

CA 91436

818 382 2500

www.laballet.com

Celebrate the Flavors of Fall TUESDAY – SATURDAY 5–11PM HAPPY HOUR 5-7PM 19100 Ventura Blvd. #N, Tarzana, CA 91356 | 818.457.4255 | www.peasantwinebistro.com SAVE 10% ON HOLIDAY PARTIES BOOK BY 12.01.16

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2015

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MICHELLE SCHWARTZ, THE AGENCY

REAL ESTATE & MORTGAGE

Home Sweet Home F

inding your dream home is one of the most important investments you’ll likely experience in your lifetime. It can also be one of the most daunting.

We’re here to help. In the next issue of Ventura Blvd you’ll meet the pros who know the local marketplace better than any of us … we call them the Valley’s leading real estate and mortgage professionals.

For information contact Robin Sanders 818-427-2050 | robin@moontidemedia.com ourventurablvd.com

License #191604221

Nursery: 3 years old • Early Kindergarten: 4 years old • Kindergarten: 5 years old

Take a tour of our Early Childhood facilities and our K through 8th grade classrooms on our beautiful 66-acre campus above the Encino hills. PLEASE RSVP ONLINE OR CALL.

Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2017

An Independent Coeducational Nursery-8th Day School 16000 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 • 310.476.6421 • www.berkeleyhall.org

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2015

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Tinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TREES Celebrating

40 YEARS

SHERMAN OAKS 4827 Sepulveda Blvd. Between the Galleria and 101 Freeway 818-990-2571 9 AM-9 PM Daily

CALABASAS

23611 Calabasas Road In Old Town Calabasas 818-224-4665 10 AM-9 PM M-F 9 AM-9 PM Sat/Sun

Christmas Trees Wreaths and Garland Flocking Flameproofing Delivery Available www.tinastrees.com

Many Varieties of Quality Christmas Trees

Prospective Parent Open House TK-Grade 6 Thursday, December 1 9:30 a.m. To RSVP or learn more about ADAT: www.aaedayschool.org or 818.766.4992 12020 Burbank Boulevard Valley Village, CA 91607

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2015

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;DONNELL

WHERE WE LIVE

Sweet Treats Baker Katie Auerbach combines artistry with cuisine. Discover more on page 30...

WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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Q&A | WHERE WE LIVE

From Russia With Rhythm Artem Chigvintsev hasn’t yet won on Dancing with the Stars but the Studio City dweller insists he’s having a ball. PHOTOGRAPHED BY

VINCE TRUPSIN

From Lea Thompson to Mischa Barton, Russian-born Artem Chigvintsev knows what it’s like to twirl and shimmy with a famous woman. This season on Dancing With The Stars he partnered with Maureen McCormick from The Brady Bunch. Editor-in-chief Linda Grasso goes toe-to-toe with the 34-year-old on how an out-of-control puck ended his hockey career and why he began his new life in the Valley.

Of all your partners on DWTS, who had the most natural ability? It would have to be Lea Thompson. She had natural movement. We finished in sixth place. On a personal level, Patti LaBelle was the most fun. What were your thoughts when you were paired with “America’s sweetheart,” Maureen McCormick? I have never seen The Brady Bunch! But this season was really great. We had some rough moments with injuries, but Maureen is terrific.

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When and how did you become a dancer? I used to play hockey, but one time the puck flew into my face and practically broke it. My parents said that was the end of hockey and I needed to try dancing. They took me to ballet but it didn’t go well—my turnout was not good enough. They wanted to break my hips, but my parents said no. That is when my parents introduced me to ballroom dancing.

Tell us why you chose to live in the Valley. It is very low-key. I like a very simple life. I like my own cafes and restaurants. I don’t like to drive too far, and it is a very family-oriented place. In my opinion the best part is Studio City, where I live. You get the beautiful street of Ventura Boulevard and access to everything. Plus, the people here are so nice and lovely.

So you aspired to be a professional dancer? No, I never thought that I would be a dancer. I couldn’t imagine that it would be this fulfilling. But when I started dancing professionally, I realized that I am quite good and I really enjoy it. It then became my life.

Do you have any favorite places you like to go there? There is a great Mediterranean place [in Tarzana] called Hummus Bar. It is one of my favorites; I used to literally go there all the time for lunch and dinner. I see that place growing. It started as a hole-in-the-wall, then all of the sudden became a beautiful restaurant. Now if you try going between 6 and 8 p.m. you will never get a table, because it is so busy. I also really love Coffee Fix, which is right near me. They treat every customer like they are family. They also support local artists.

I imagine DWTS has exceeded your dreams in terms of career expectations… As a ballroom dancer, being on DWTS is the best job you can have in the world. It gives you opportunities to be a teacher, a choreographer, and it even makes you a better person. What does your family think of your success? My parents still live in Russia so they can’t visit often, but we frequently Skype. My mom calls me after every performance. They both support me completely and they have practically given up their lives for me, so it is important for me to give back. And I feel like with DWTS, it is kind of a payoff for them. When they watch, they’re seeing the result of their investment.

Describe your home. My home is very modern. I actually just remodeled it, and it is almost finished. I like things to be very clean and contemporary. I have two cats, Hudson and Orlando. They are both pixie bobcats. If you weren’t a professional dancer, what would you be? If I wasn’t a professional dancer, I honestly don’t know what else I would be. I love watching motorcycle racing, so maybe I’d try that. 

HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | LOCAL TALENT

Icing on the Cake Katie Auerbach takes baking to a new level, creating artistic treats inspired by just about any fancy. PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE

O’DONNELL

atie Auerbach was motivated to bake at an early age; it was fun but even then it was a means to an end. “I used to make cakes for my brother when he had friends over after school. It was the only way he’d let me hang out with them,” she laughs. The bubbly 25-year-old continued her hobby through high school and USC—all the while honing her impressive icing-making skills by viewing YouTube tutorials. “I learned to work with fondant completely on YouTube. I’ve always been pretty artistic in terms of recreating things I see, so it really wasn’t that hard.” Then a few years ago, while working at a talent agency, she was asked to make some cupcakes for a baby shower. Just for fun, she posted a few pictures on Instagram and Facebook. “Four people called me and wanted to order them. I didn’t have any idea what to charge even. Right then I thought, ‘Gee maybe I could do this.’” Katie quit her talent job and kicked off her business under the

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

banner KT Cakes. She bakes out of her dad’s kitchen in Woodland Hills (former Warner Bros. TV executive, David Auerbach) and when she gets bogged down with a big order, her mom pitches in. “She still has a job and works—but she is there when I need extra help. My mom is where I get my work ethic and drive from,” explains Katie. While she readily admits that the market is flooded with cupcakes, Katie says her approach is what makes KT Cakes different. “With a company like Sprinkles, they have a list of what they do and you look at the pictures and pick. With me, you describe your vision and I create. It is all completely custom.” She shares that “Some orders are even a little strange. Once I made cupcakes with chickens wearing lingerie. It was for a bachelorette party and apparently the groom’s nickname for the bride was ‘hens’. It never surprises me what people come up with!” For more on KT CakeS, check out ktcakesbakeshop.com 

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FIND US SOCIALLY

/OurVenturaBlvd

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@OurVenturaBlvd

/OurVenturaBlvd

HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | WEEKENDER

Sugar & Spice Escape the holiday madness with a sweet retreat at Rancho Bernardo Inn. WRITTEN BY DARREN

ELMS

ith its inland location and late-season warmth, Northern San Diego makes an ideal getaway during the last months of the year. One of the most popular destinations for locals is the charming Rancho Bernardo Inn, a sprawling resort that conveniently snuggles up next to an 18-hole championship golf course. Family-owned for 60 years, the ranch-style property sparkles with personal touches— from the scattered glowing fireplaces to the beautiful fountains shipped home from travels abroad. Threaded through all these features is a magnificent array of plants and trees enhancing the resort’s romantic, earlyCalifornian ambience.

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

CHECK IN

Rancho Bernardo Inn, 888-976-4417, ranchobernardoinn.com

CHECK OUT

Afternoons and evenings bustle with energy at the resort’s watering holes. Breakfast and lunch shine at Veranda, a casual eatery with a heated patio that overlooks the scenic golf course. Brunch is especially delightful, with either the buffet or à la carte menu options. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Skillet Cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel. Just above Veranda is the resort’s signature restaurant, Avant. The owners sent chef de cuisine Aaron Thomas and his cooking staff to Provence to study with three-Michelinstarred chef Michel Guérard, author of Cuisine Minceur and a driving force in the nouvelle cuisine movement. Chef Aaron and his team brought many of those refined, healthy-cooking techniques back to the resort for the clientele to enjoy. Cap off dinner with a sip-worthy tequila, specially bottled for the resort in small batches in Guadalajara. The bar also offers a wide selection of wines and locally-crafted beers, including the tasty offerings of Mother Earth Brew Co.

DON’T MISS

Just in time for the holidays, the Rancho Bernardo Inn Spa reveals “Soothing Spice”—a full-body treatment including a cinnamon

sugar scrub, ginger oil massage, and bergamot and shea butter hand and foot treatment—all topped off with a complimentary, refreshing, house-infused ginger beer. 

CINNAMON SUGAR SCRUB

1 cup sugar ¼ cup turbinado sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 cup coconut oil Mix all the dry ingredients together until thoroughly mixed. Slowly add the coconut oil and mix until coated. Using a circular motion, scrub the skin; rinse and pat dry.

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The teachers taught me to love learning...I respect them both as teachers and role models.”

“No other school is so committed to the arts...I’ve learned how to express myself in new ways.”

“My coaches place great value on sportsmanship and character – it’s about life lessons, not just winning.”

“I appreciate that I can learn within the context of Christian values. The positive environment is encouraging”

A college-preparatory school serving grades 5-12

Oaks Christian School Experience the difference... Come visit us! Admission Application for Academic Year 2017-2018 Now Available

Admissions Information Night

Thursday, January 12 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Apply Online www.oakschristian.org

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | DIY

Modern Family

A Nuria Mora 2015 Artist Event Print from IKEA echoes the geometric design theme.

An outdated family room gets a makeover by a tech-savvy interior designer. WRITTEN BY K.

PEARSON BROWN

he situation the Brown family was in is not uncommon. Family members were all pretty technologically adept from a personal standpoint—but their home was still in the dark ages. Interior designer Andee Ferrer (andeeferrer.com) was brought in to transform the family room of the 1930s Spanish-style duplex into a contemporary, tech-smart haven. One of the key moves from a design standpoint: housing the TV in a custom-made “pop up” cabinet by Cabinet Tronix (cabinet-tronix.com). The TV, which lifts up out of the cabinet when you want to watch it, was upgraded to a 43-inch TCL Roku. Since the family watches most of their shows via streaming, they cancelled their cable subscription. Instead, they use a TERK Trinity Indoor Amplified HDTV antenna to access basic cable. Atop the cabinet, a stylish Sonos Playbar connects to the TV via optical cable and lends rich AV sound. The app-controlled system connects with other Sonos speakers in the house to stream free and paid playlists from sites like Pandora and Spotify. To amplify Wi-Fi throughout the house, a TP-Link VR900 modem/router is paired with the eero Wi-Fi extender system. The system provides a boost to bufferless audio and video streaming. Wall space above the cabinet is used as a screen for a ZTE Spro2 projector, which transforms the room into a cinema, streaming directly from the device or connecting to other devices via USB or HDMI cable. The finishing touch: wire designs by Wall Play accent and frame out the projection space. Once everything was in place, HelloTech, the socalled “Uber of tech,” set everything up and coordinated functionality throughout the house. 

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

Bronze-colored wall sconces by Robert Sonneman

Bright colors enhance the contemporary theme; accents are done in eyecatching, geometric patterns.

A bright, comfortable sectional with a lounger sidecar from Article is the room’s centerpiece.

Safavieh hand-woven natural kilim ivory wool rug from Overstock

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DIY | WHERE WE LIVE

A Liberty Furniture Brookview Writer’s Desk provides space for parents to work or kids to study.

Roman shades by Pottery Barn

A custom-built TV cabinet by Cabinet Tronix conceals the TV. Inside, the TV is connected to a half dozen media peripherals.

In keeping with the gold and silver theme, Andee found an elegant silver bowl from Beatriz Ball Collection.

The floral-patterned side chairs are from La-Z-Boy. Grey, lacquered coffee table by Blu Dot; two Safavieh woven rattan benches from Wayfair; gold geometric “gardening stool” by IMAX (serves as end table).

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | DATEBOOK

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Festival of Carols

Walt Disney Concert Hall Ring in the holidays at Walt Disney Concert Hall with your favorite songs of the season sung to perfection by the Master Chorale. Includes traditional carols, new arrangements and undiscovered gems. December 3 & 10. lamasterchorale.org

The Nutcracker

TOP LEFT PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE PHAM, TOP RIGHT PHOTOGRAPH BY REED HUTCHINSON, BOTTOM PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSEPH CULTICE

Alex Theatre Make Los Angeles Ballet’s original production of The Nutcracker a holiday tradition for your family. Features colorful dreams of faraway lands, dancing snowflakes and a memorable Mouse King. December 3 & 4. losangelesballet.org

Winter Family Festival

Beeman Park Join hundreds of kids as they romp in more than 70 tons of snow. Bring a canned good or clothing item to donate. studiocityresidents.org

Going on Now Science of Gingerbread Build and race a candy car; decorate cookies; check out award-winning Gingerbread Competition entries displayed throughout the Discovery Cube. Through January 1. discoverycube.org Merrily We Roll Along A rarely-staged Stephen Sondheim musical that travels backwards in time to navigate the bumpy history among three friends. Through December 18. thewallis.org Little Drummer Bowie The Troubadour Theater Company production boldly reimagines the classic story of the drummer boy while playfully spoofing the melodies of David Bowie. Through January 15. falcontheatre.com

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

Creature From avatars to icons, this installation highlights works by over 25 artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. Through March 19. thebroad.org

December 9 Snowed Inn The guests and staff of a Colorado inn find themselves trapped inside—and cabin fever takes hold. Through December 18. snowedinntheatre.com School of Prince Writers, musicians, and cultural critics gather to pay tribute and explore the forty-year career of Prince. kcrw.com/events

11 Leon Russell The music legend serves up everything from pop to rock to blues. canyonclub.net 17 The Hot Sardines Holiday Stomp New York’s acclaimed ambassadors of swing perform. valleyperformingartscenter.org 18 Hanukkah Family Festival Revel in the spirit of the holiday with music, dance, printmaking, storytelling; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. skirball.org 20 Breaking News: Turning the Lens on Mass Media Photographs and videos that comment on the role of the news media. Through April 30. getty.edu

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TIPS | WHERE WE LIVE

ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES

Get Smart

Two money-saving ideas for becoming eco-friendly in the new year

WATER An increasing number of people are turning to recycling household water to irrigate their yards. “Greywater,” as it’s called, is gently-used water from bathtubs, showers and laundry that is recaptured and used. Recycling greywater for landscape irrigation saves water and money, replenishes local aquifers—and is now legal. In 2010 the state of California rewrote building codes to allow residential greywater reuse. Systems typically save a household 10,000 to 50,000 gallons per year. The simplest method involves a diverter valve that intercepts water before it gets to the sewer and redirects it out to a single spot in the landscape, where it infiltrates into the soil through wood-chip mulch. More people, though, use a branched-drain system, which distributes greywater over multiple outlets and relies on gravity. Greywater is collected at one or more fixtures and is rerouted through a diverter valve in the crawl space or basement. In the yard, greywater flow is subdivided, irrigating up to eight mulch basins. For more go to greywateraction.org.

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POWER Solar panels have come a long way in recent years—not just in terms of power output—but also in general attractiveness. “Manufacturers are now making panels that are less obstructive,” says Amir Salahi, residential sales manager with Solar Optimum in Glendale. Below is a trio of the latest and greatest offerings in solar paneling that’s efficient and nice-looking. LG makes panels with the new “NEON” technology, which increases panel efficiency to 18.9%. This means more power per panel. “The LG 320 NEON has become popular in a short period of time. It offers a high efficiency while maintaining competitive pricing—30% to 40% less expensive compared to similar panels with high efficiency,” says Amir. Another option comes from Solar World, a U.S.-based manufacturer. “They’ve been in business for about 40 years with a good track record.” Amir recommends the SW280 model because it is economical. SunPower, another American manufacturer, has the highest efficiency product (21%), and panels are long-lasting (45 years) due to their advanced technology. “But they are expensive when compared to LG and SW,” explains Amir. He says the SunPower panels are a good option for homes with a lot of shade or limited roof space. 

HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | STYLE FILE

Comeback Couture Stylists chime in on why shopping at consignment stores can be a smart—and even thrilling—experience. PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

PRESSEY

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

magine a place right down the street where you could buy a chic black leather moto jacket for half the price you would discover online or a Chanel bag in great condition from one or two seasons ago—for a steal. These are the types of “finds” you can often score at consignment stores. Unlike shopping online for one-of-a-kind, pre-loved pieces, you get to see them, feel them and try them on. While that can involve more time, many shoppers admit to enjoying “the hunt.” When it comes to consignment, stylist Andrea Lubin (andrealookbooks.com) likes Crossroads in Studio City. “It is great because it is a ‘two-fer’! I can sell my old clothes there as well as shop for new finds. The best thing I ever got there was an Isabel Marant maxi dress. Bought it seven years ago and still wear it!” Andrea says. She also frequents Iguana Vintage in Studio City for unique pieces. “I just found the most incredible pair of vintage Levi’s for $25. Doesn’t get better than that.” Stylist Allison Rae Marsh (Facebook: Allison Rae Style) has also scored with Levi’s. “I bought my very favorite oversize, very distressed Levi’s jacket five years ago. It is still my favorite piece in my wardrobe. And another fantastic item I bought is a beautiful vintage Chanel silk scarf,” says Allison. She frequents Slone Vintage in Burbank. “Great hidden treasures! You have to be willing to look but I found an amazing woven dress by Missoni from the first year their line came out in stores,” she says. Allison stresses it helps to have an open mind. “I look for anything from Levi’s, to scarves to flannels. I often go in looking for something specific and then am inspired by a whole different piece, which gives me an entirely different approach to my styling vision.” 

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STYLE FILE | WHERE WE LIVE

REAL ESTATE & MORTGAGE

CONSIGNMENT 101 Cleaning out the closet? Here is how selling works. 1. DUST OFF THE GOOD STUFF Sort through your closet and pull out the quality designer items that you want to get rid of. Keep a keen eye on condition. Anything that is too worn (aside from denim) or stained will most likely be rejected. Pay attention to the time of year. Most shops only take items that are in season. For example, wait until August or September to try and sell faux fur and wool. Wait until March or April to take sundresses and swim cover-ups to stores. 2. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT Once you arrive, the store employee will pick which items they want and you can price them together. Listen to what they suggest; they typically know how to price items to sell. 3. WAIT IT OUT Some shops offer a trial period (60 or 90 days) for first-time consignors. A check is cut for anything that sells, and unsold items can be picked up or stay on the racks. After the trial period, consignors can keep bringing in items to consign and check with the store every month to see what has sold.

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The finest professionals in theValley HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | MEDIA

Concierge on Call Discover how the latest apps make it possible to satisfy just about every need or desire— without ever leaving home.

INSTACART This shopping app allows users to order delivery from outlets ranging from Ralphs to Costco to Petco. The fee depends on size of order and the delivery time. Just like Uber, during busy times, expect surge pricing. To avoid higher fees, order for delivery a day in advance. A tip fee (10% of order total) is automatically added to the bill. At some stores (like the Van Nuys Costco) selection is limited. instacart.com AMAZON PRIME NOW Amazon Prime Now gives existing Prime members (already paying $99 per year) free, two-hour delivery on the retailer’s large cache of items. It is standard protocol to tip the delivery drivers. Users can shop for Amazon items as well as for groceries at Bristol Farms. amazonprimenow.com AMAZON FRESH Amazon Fresh is much like Instacart, but in addition to being able to shop for groceries, you can also purchase premium products at various LA shops. The service is only available to Prime members and it costs an additional fee of $15 per month. Includes goods from swanky outlets like Canter’s Deli, Santa Monica Seafood, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills and Marconda’s Meats. amazonfresh.com POSTMATES Craving sushi but don’t feel like waiting for a table or battling traffic? With the Postmates app, users are connected with local couriers who can deliver store and restaurant items to your doorstep in minutes. A service of 9% is automatically applied to purchase price or order. postmates.com PURPLE Running around like a mad person with no time to stop for gas? Try the Purple app. Whether at home or the office, Purple will bring you the type and amount of fuel you want at a competitive price. There is a $6 charge for one-hour service; $4 fee for the three-hour window. purpleapp.com VENMO No need to stress out over splitting a dinner check any more. With Venmo, IOU’s are a cinch. You can send another person money from your bank account (or a Venmo account) directly to theirs. Sign up everyone from the babysitter to your freelance employees. If you send money using your Venmo balance, bank account, debit card or prepaid card, there are no fees. If you use a credit card, a 3% fee applies. venmo.com RENT THE RUNWAY Blow off shopping for a new holiday outfit that you know you’ll wear a few times and then tire of. With Rent the Runway, you can choose from thousands of designer dresses and accessories and just return items when you are done; they take care of the dry cleaning. Rent for four or eight days. Works best when you plan in advance; wait until the last minute and the best items are often not available. renttherunway.com GLAM The Glam App is essentially beauty on demand. Glam delivers experts to your front door, for services that range from blow-dry to manicure to fullon makeup application. Prices are competitive. Standard tipping applies. theglamapp.com

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Twinkle Twinkle

The Fulfillment Fund held the 22nd annual STARS Benefit Gala at Universal Studios Hollywood. Over $1.9 million was raised to help LA students overcome obstacles and pursue a higher education. Jeff Shell, Rich Ross, Madeleine Sherak

Skye Everly and Mark Hoppus

Monica Austin and Kenny Rogers

Jeff Shell, Chris Meledandri, Kenny Rogers

Eric Esrailian and Melina Esrailian

Fulfillment Fund founders Cherna Gitnick and Gary Gitnick

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan

Lyn Talbert and David Talbert

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

In Focus

Sponsored by The Village at Westfield Topanga and Ferrari Los Angeles, the Andrei Duman Gallery hosted a party for Art Wolfe. The photographer is known for his unique ability to capture people, landscapes and wildlife within their natural elements.

Laura Slade Wiggins and photographer/ gallery owner Andrei Duman

Art Wolfe and Andrei Duman

Cheyenne Phillips and Andrei Duman

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Eva Marnie, Andrei Duman, Jen Svejda, Heath Patton

HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Framed!

JINS Eyewear celebrated the opening of its second LA store in Westfield Fashion Square with a ribbon cutting and party.

HOLIDAY MAGIC “PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME” 4524 Saugus Avenue, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 818-990-2583 | bluedogbeertavern.com

BEST HAPPY HOUR IN THE VALLEY M-F from 3PM - 6PM NOW SERVING WEEKEND BRUNCH!

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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‘Tis the season to discover Aldik Home, LA’s favorite Winter Wonderland for more than 60 years!

7651 Sepulveda Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91405

AldikHome.com

(818) 988-5970

We are excited to announce the opening of our newest Scratch Restaurants concept,

Oh Man! Ramen

Award-winning chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Luke Reyes have partnered in bringing Encino their spin on the ramen phenomenon! An eclectic and inspired menu, deeply rooted in their combined passion for the ultimate comfort food. Oh Man! Ramen adheres to the same philosophy that built their sister restaurant Scratch Bar & Kitchen – dedication to the artisanal “from scratch” approach to hospitality.

Scratch Restaurants are available for all your holiday planning needs: catering, in-house, takeout.

DINE WITH US

16101 Ventura Blvd. 2nd Floor, Encino Plaza, CA 91436

818.646.6085

scratchrestaurants.com

THE SAUCE

Souped Up

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS

The ramen trend explodes along the Boulevard. To check out our favorite spots, turn the page...

THE SAUCE

SUPER BOWL Dragon Ramen at Kai Ramen

Ramen Rising From limited-edition lobster to burnt miso paste, exotic ramen dishes deliver in the Valley. WRITTEN BY

JOSHUA LURIE JACOBS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA

amen, the comforting Japanese noodle soup featuring broth typically coaxed from slow-simmered pork or chicken bones, hasn’t been popular in the warm climate of the San Fernando Valley. But over the past couple of years, ramen eateries have flooded the Boulevard. And now with the announcements that high-profile chefs Andre Guerrero of Ramen Room and Phillip Frankland Lee and Luke Reyes of Oh Man! Ramen will soon be joining the fray, the trend is reaching new levels. As we anticipate those openings, here are my three favorite ramen spots—along with some honorable mentions. JINYA RAMEN BAR Tomo Takahashi helped launch the local ramen craze when he debuted this eatery next to a Marshalls in 2010. Jinya has atypical bowls like ones with seafood and truffles as well as my favorite bowl—a luxe lobster version that is limited to 10 orders a day. In this dish, a murky pork broth cooks for eight hours every morning. Three lobster and shrimp wontons float on top, joining the crustacean’s decorative red shell. Brussels sprouts, thin-shaved scallions, a soft, runny egg and thick noodles fill out the bowl. The motto on a triptych of photos featuring a ramen eater confirms how you feel after devouring this dish: “No Ramen No Life.” KAI RAMEN Kai Ramen, a simple space limited to eight chairs at a wood counter and a dozen two-top tables, belies all the thought that’s gone into their ramen. Tokyo native

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THE SAUCE

Tomo Nishimura seems to have a thing for dragons. “White dragon” ramen incorporates corn kernels and a pat of butter. “Red dragon” packs heat from chile paste. “Black dragon” is moderately fierce, featuring a pork broth cooked for 12 hours, a float of black sesame oil, complementary accompaniments like bean sprouts, sesame seeds, scallions and wood ear mushrooms, and a medium-cooked egg. Thin noodles come standard, but you can sub in thicker “jumbo” noodles that tend to hold the broth a bit better. RAMEN BY OMAE Chef Takeshi Omae takes the concept of low and slow to extremes at his eponymous ramen bar that debuted in a Sherman Oaks strip mall in 2013. In the kitchen behind a sleek blonde wood counter, the crew of this Michelin-starred chef from Japan boils pork bones for 40 hours to yield rich, flavorful broth. Burnt kogashi miso ramen features a flavorful patch of burnt miso paste in the center of the bowl. Ground pork joins the mix, along with soft egg, scallions and crunchy bean sprouts. Chicken broth has become standard for this bowl but you can sub in pork broth and score a blast of richness for an extra buck. HONORABLE MENTIONS Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop utilizes a secret blend of slow-cooked vegetables to produce broth. Build your own bowl from four different bases, or better yet, opt for a prescribed combo like the popular mayu garlic jalapeño. Fried garlic slivers and roasted jalapeños (seeds and all) deliver a one-two punch, with balance courtesy of baby bok choy, earthy black beans, fibrous slabs of jicama and wood ear mushrooms. Iroha Sushi of Tokyo is a Japanese institution set back from the Boulevard in Studio City. Over the years, sushi has ceded menu space to ramen, but diners now revel in more than a dozen soup choices, including soy sauce-stained pork broth with crimped noodles, fish cakes with pink spirals and juicy chunks of chicken karaage. Iroha is equivalent to ABC when learning Japanese, but this bowl is anything but basic. Tamashii Ramen House, by JINYA graduate Akira Imamura, offers spicy miso ramen with plenty of pop and utilizes pork in at least three ways (that we know of ). Still, I recommend the black tonkotsu. The dish’s pork broth requires 15 hours to prepare and gets bolstered by black garlic oil, wood ear mushrooms, a gooey soft-boiled egg and braised pork chashu. 

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RAMEN RUNDOWN GOKOKU VEGETARIAN RAMEN SHOP 4147 Lankershim Blvd., Studio City, 818-505-8113 IROHA SUSHI OF TOKYO 12953 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-990-9559 JINYA RAMEN BAR 11239 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-980-3977 KAI RAMEN 15030 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-789-3944 RAMEN BY OMAE 14425 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-784-8981 TAMASHII RAMEN HOUSE 14531 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-990-1268

BOWLED OVER

HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD Miso Ramen Burnt Kogashi

at Ramen by Omae

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

C AT E R I N G . C A F E . P R I VAT E D I N N E R S CATERING  CAFE  PRIVATE DINING 14543 erwin street van nuys, CA 91411 14543 erwin street van nuys, CA 91411 818.787.0601 bakeditmyself@sbcglobal.net www.bakeditmyself.com 818.787.0601

bakeditmyself@sbcglobal.net

www.bakeditmyself.com

nt.

THE SAUCE

The Italian Job Cook like the nonnas of Tuscany with these tips from Café Fiore’s Saverio Posarelli.

sk Saverio Posarelli where he learned to cook and you won’t hear the names of fancy cooking academies. “My grandmother. She was a Tuscan nonna and she cooked very simply— straight out of her garden.” He tends to do the same thing, via farmers markets, at his Woodland Hills restaurant, Café Fiore. The chef, who grew up in Florence, has a distinct and commanding stage presence while teaching cooking classes at his 5,000-square-foot eatery but thus far has eschewed the TV chef thing. “Chef? What exactly does that mean really? Aside from really distinguished chefs like Alain Ducasse or Wolfgang, if you take away the pedestal, we are all just cooks,” he says emphatically. Here Saverio offers some easy tips to maximize flavor and help you cook like a nonna. DO use olive oil with labels that say Olio Novo. The literal translation is new oil. Typically from Tuscany, these oils are unfiltered and made from olives harvested during the early part of the season. They tend to be more fruity tasting and flavorful than others. I often see them at Costco (Kirkland brand) in January and February. The label says Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tuscano. When you see it, buy it! DON’T chop garlic. When making sauces, use whole cloves. You’ll get much better flavor. You don’t even have to smash them. Cook them slowly and they’ll dissolve into the sauce. I only smash the cloves in seafood sauces. DO go to farmers markets for the best herbs. I like to buy from Country Fresh Herbs at markets. It is owned by a couple with a farm in Tarzana. DON’T cut fresh basil. The metal in the knife oxidizes the basil and it loses flavor. Break it up with your hands or toss the leaves in whole. DO integrate seasonal vegetables into dishes. In the fall, I love to buy the fairytale pumpkin at farmers markets. Sauté it in olive oil, garlic and shallots, and add to pasta. Or roast it with a little brown sugar on top. Some grated cheese at the end—delicious! DON’T always feel the need to create a sauce. If you have a good soffrito [spice base] you can add things like guanciale or prosciutto for more flavor. And you can add a little wine, olive oil and some pasta water (left over from cooking the noodles). That’s your sauce right there. DO salt the water when cooking pasta. The pasta absorbs the salt and it adds flavor. DON’T rush. The most important ingredient in cooking? Time. 

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

THE SAUCE

Oh Baby!

Make this stunning baby lettuce salad served on a platter the star of your holiday buffet. WRITTEN BY LINDA PHOTOGRAPHY BY

GRASSO SHANE O’DONNELL

t’s the little touches that separate the stand-out entertainers from the average ones. It’s like my friend Tracy. She takes a seafood boil to another level simply by placing long, warm sourdough baguettes from Bay Cities Bakery on the table. Wrapped in crisp, white napkins, the baguettes stretch across the entire table and offer a communal, festive vibe to the gathering. Or my friend Elissa, who greets guests with a large, square, bamboo chopping block turned into a farm-fresh crudité platter. Dotted with various savory dips, it is so colorful and delicious, you barely care what’s for dinner. This plattered salad, with its medley of holiday hues, has that same kind of “wowing” effect. Shop at your local farmers market for the most colorful and tasty heirloom lettuce and beet varieties. You can’t top the pure flavor and crisp texture of a veggie that has not been refrigerated. 

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

BABY LETTUCE HOLIDAY SALAD 3 medium or 2 large red or pink beets 1/3 cup rough chopped, roasted marcona almonds ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon honey 1 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar Zest of ½ lemon 3 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2/3 cup pomegranate seeds 2 heads chartreuse baby lettuce 2 heads maroon or dark red baby lettuce ¼ cup flat leaf parsley ¼ cup slivered red onion Feta cheese – preferably a goat cheese version Preheat oven to 350º. Set beets in pan with ¼ inch water. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 1 hour. Let cool. Whisk oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, honey and lemon zest. Rub beets with paper towel to remove peel. Cut into matchsticks. Combine beets, 1 tablespoon of dressing and ½ cup of pomegranate seeds. In large bowl, toss dark lettuce leaves, half of the nuts and half of the parsley with half the remaining dressing. Repeat with a large bowl containing chartreuse-colored lettuce. On platter, arrange vertical line of green lettuce, then vertical line of dark lettuce. Repeat until platter is covered. Arrange beets on top—in between the lines of lettuce. Top with crumbled feta cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Serves 10.

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Organic Coffee & Tea

Farm Fresh Salads

In House Desserts

Open Mon-Sat 7am-7pm Sun 8am-6pm

Just for Kids

Pressed Samies Smoothies & Juice

3413 W Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA

Small Bites

Local Pastries

Breakfast Specials

Also be sure to check out our neighbor:

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;DONNELL

j i n s Eyewear Hitoshi Tanaka

Westfield Fashion Square 14006 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks 818-946-7129 | jins.com JINS is the ideal place to find a great gift this season because customers can receive their prescription eyewear in less than 30 minutes. They can also select from more than 1,000 unique styles of sunglasses and optical frames all artfully designed in Tokyo. Prices of frames start at $60 and include single-vision lenses with standard coatings.â&#x20AC;? 1. Woodtone 023 in Dark Oak. $120. Online and at Santa Anita, Union Square and Valley Fair stores. 2. Sunglasses: U922 in Amber, LPF-15S-U1094 in Anemone, LRF-15S-U1132 in Silver Smoke. $70 each. Online and at Fashion Square, Santa Anita, Union Square and Valley Fair stores. 3. MCF-15A-U029 in Burning Crater. $100. Online and at Fashion Square, Santa Anita, Union Square and Valley Fair stores.

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

Soto Jodi Perlman & Pamela Frank

4865 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills 818-346-7686 2899 Agoura Road, Westlake Village 805-497-2257 13814 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 818-817-9775 Soto is a store where we cater to the individual needs of our customers. We carry lines that are trendy, classic and affordable for everyone. The beauty of Soto after 10½ years is that we really know what our customer wants, and we make sure we have it for them. Customer service is our #1 priority, and we know how to find what you will love for yourself or for someone else. We provide wrapping and a generous return policy. If you or someone on your list loves jewelry, scarfs, hats, cozy jackets or the most stylish clothing, you will love our fall/holiday collections.”

1. Long silk dress $59, sweater $39. 2. Jeans $76, plaid shirt $39, velvet body suit $36. 3. Bomber jacket $59. 10% discount if bought as a group.

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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S o t o Lifestyle 1

Jodi Perlman, Pamela Frank & Phyllis Steinberg 4863 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills | 818-992-3340 2895 Agoura Road, Westlake Village | 805-496-4777 12262 Ventura Blvd., Studio City | 818-980-7686 Soto Lifestyle employees are there to help guide customers in choosing the perfect gift. We love developing relationships with our customers and getting to know their style. Our home accessories give a vast assortment of choices for those looking for something special. Our books, jewelry, candles, purses and activewear clothing make our store a very exciting and unique place to shop. Come see us at one of our three locations, as you will surely find that holiday gem.” 1. Vintage Havana sweats $46. 2.. Cheese board $41, his/hers plates $11 each, pineapple $34, 2 books $25. 3. Swell bottles – large $46, medium $34. 4. T-shirt $68. 10% discount if bought as a group.

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

Monica Columbia Fine Jewelry

18717 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana 818-887-9514 | mcfinejewelry@gmail.com @mcfinejewelry It’s a beautiful thing when a career and passion come together.” 1. 14K white gold, sliced diamond and organic aquamarine earrings surrounded by traditional diamonds. Price available upon request. 2. 14K yellow gold pave diamond ring. Price available upon request. 3. 14K rose gold and diamond lariat necklace. Price available upon request.

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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Jerusalem Sandals

Angela Matalon 4325 Woodman Ave., Sherman Oaks, 818-568-8082 | JerusalemSandals.com Our collection is inspired by the sandal-making heritage of the Ancient Land, Biblical figures and archeological findings. We have a great selection of handcrafted leather sandals and bags made by skilled craftsmen in East Jerusalem using traditional techniques that have existed for centuries. The chemical-free natural tanned leather wear and age beautifully over time. We also carry some jewelry items. There is definitely something for everyone!”

1. The Good Shepherd. Women’s $76, Men’s $79. 2. Golan. Women’s $76, Men’s $79. 3. Leah. Women’s $76. 4. Ariel. Women’s $76, Men’s $79.

1 4

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

Abundance A Plus Size Boutique Michele Varon 13604 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks

818-990-6128 | AbundancePlusSizes.com People are often stressed out during the holidays because they are searching for the ‘perfect gift’ for a friend or family member. Let’s face it, there is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ gift. So pick something that you love and that you would be proud to give or receive. A gift certificate from Abundance is always the right size, color and style! She will love you forever for introducing her to one of the most unique plus size boutiques in the country. The best gifts we receive are often the ones we give ourselves ... so why not treat yourself to something wonderful this year! 1. Lightweight papier-mache, rubber and metal necklace and earrings by OC Designs. Available in a variety of colors and combinations. Necklace $95, earrings $39. 2. Museum-inspired 100% silk art Koi Print kimono jacket by Cocoon House, paired with a Sympli tank and Sascha hand-dyed Asian-inspired necklace. Kimono $110, tank $100, Sascha necklace $118.

3. Margaret Winters reversible cotton cowl-neck sweater paired with a contemporary wired necklace by OC Designs. Reversible sweater $135, necklace $74.

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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The Spice Way LA

12238-B Ventura Blvd., Studio City 818-919-8443 | thespicewayla.com The Spice Way is a specialty tea and spice store that also offers a variety of infusions, blends, salts, olive oils and vinegars, honey, halva and more! Combine any of these items to create a personalized gift basket for someone special. We also have a variety of pre-packaged gift baskets perfect for special events.â&#x20AC;? 1. Rice/quinoa mixes. $2/ounce. 2. Fruit infusion. $3/ounce. 3. Customized gift basket. Price varies.

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

B E V E R LY H I L L S

433 N. Camden Drive Suite 600 Beverly Hills, CA 90210

C ALABASAS

23501 Park Sorrento Suite 103 Calabasas, CA 91302

1.800.655.4766

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The law firm of Feinberg & Waller, APC, is known as a formidable force of attorneys practicing in all aspects of complex divorce and family law matters. Feinberg & Waller’s lawyers have dealt with the top family law attorneys in the nation. The law firm is at the forefront of family law thinking, leadership, information, and continuing legal education in California. We derive great satisfaction from practicing in such an all-encompassing, complicated, and challenging field. We are honored to have the privilege to be in this profession; it allows us to problem-solve and help develop individually tailored solutions for people, children, and families of this community. We enjoy promoting creative strategies with our highly skilled team of attorneys, paralegals, staff, and extensive network of experts. A hallmark of our practice is nuanced experience, distinctive in-depth perspectives, and our empathetic approach to your matter.

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HOLDING OUT

HOPE Former home to a well-known entertainer that can be sold and subdivided? Or historic LA landmark that should be preserved? The family of Bob Hope can’t sell the sprawling Toluca Lake estate—until the city decides. WRITTEN BY

DIANE HAITHMAN BOB HOPE LEGACY

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE

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Holding out Hope

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Holding out Hope

ob Hope may have gotten four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But from 1939 to his death at age 100 in 2003, the entertainer’s favorite place in Los Angeles was on the other side of the hill—at 10346 Moorpark Street in Toluca Lake. Hidden from the street behind fences and dense privacy hedges, passersby would never guess that the Bob and Dolores Hope estate occupies 5.16 acres with a two-story main house of almost 15,000 square feet. Other structures on the expansive property include a two-bedroom guesthouse with staff quarters, a swimming pool, rose garden and one-hole putting green. Although the couple owned a second home—a distinctive mushroom-shaped Palm Springs residence designed by Modernist architect John Lautner—daughter Linda Hope has called the Toluca Lake residence that her parents shared for more than 60 years the couple’s “dream house.” (The Palm Springs home, built in 1980, has also been for sale since 2013.) While you can’t see the home from the street, the Toluca Lake community is well aware that Bob Hope slept here. Says journalist Susan King, creator of the Los Angeles Times’ Classic Hollywood column and a 24-year Toluca Lake resident, “I still love to pass the Hope mansion because it’s truly from an era long gone.” During her years covering entertainment, Susan visited the Hope estate. “I had lunch with Hope at his

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house in 1991 for Christmas. He always had lunch with reporters in a family room that looked like it had been decorated from the Vermont Country Store catalog,” Susan recalls. “But what really stood out in that room was the bay window where the table was located. I felt like I really stepped into old Hollywood looking out that window during the interview and seeing that expansive acreage perfectly manicured, that just seemed to go on forever.” Dolores Hope died in 2011 (at the age of 102), and the estate is now owned by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission to help the needy as well as to support U.S. military personnel. As the house remains hidden from view, the Hope estate has recently been thrust into the spotlight by a debate over whether the property should be designated a historic and cultural monument because of its prominent owner. The Toluca Lake estate was originally put up for sale for $25 million. Two years later, in 2015, the price was dropped to $23 million. Then this past summer the listing suddenly and dramatically changed. The new listing, repped by realtor Craig Strong with the John Aaroe Group, offered only part of the property—the main house and some of the land—for $12 million. The insinuation was clear; the rest of the property would ultimately be available to a buyer, possibly for development.

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Holding out Hope

POSH PAD

The Hopes moved to the estate in 1939, and it’s been added onto and expanded many times over the years.

In September, the city got involved. City councilmember David Ryu, whose district includes Toluca Lake, moved to have the property considered for preservation as a historic and cultural monument. Ryu took action after Linda Hope filed for demolition permits for some structures on the property. Turns out Dolores Hope’s will included a title restriction that prevented a buyer from subdividing the property for five years after her death; the clause expired in 2016, allowing Linda Hope to request permits for a potential buyer. Once demolition permits are given, the city loses its option to halt demolition. Ryu’s motion was unanimously passed by the City Council. The next step: The Cultural Heritage Commission, part of the city’s planning department, will make its recommendation. While the property can still be sold, a historic designation may complicate the sale by limiting the buyer’s options on what that buyer may do with the property. And if the designation thwarts a sale, maintenance costs—an estimated million dollars a year—will continue to cut into the Hope Foundation’s resources. Craig Strong declined comment—saying he wanted to wait until the situation was resolved. But he was quoted in The Hollywood Reporter saying a probable sale by a qualified buyer “went south” after the emergency legislation. Strong said the buyer planned to restore the main home and was only considering tearing down a detached office space and a garage. “The closing was just two weeks away and the city didn’t ask what was going on—they just acted,”

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Strong said in the article. Linda Hope also declined our request to be interviewed. Her spokesperson says she has been asked by city officials to refrain from speaking to the press until after an inspection of the property. Through that same spokesperson, the Hope family issued a statement saying Linda had been “surprised” upon a return from travels to find a whirlwind of “misinformation” swirling in the press about the estate. The statement reads in part: “The Hope family and The Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation have been diligently making every effort to make the final wishes of both Bob and Dolores a reality. First and foremost in this attempt, is that the money raised by the sale of the estate will be a source of ongoing support to those organizations that bring “Hope” to those in need and those who served to protect our nation ... ” In the meantime, some are wondering if the property meets the criteria for a historic designation. As the estate was being put on the market, a 2013 Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey listed it as “potentially historic.” The main structure was designed by architect Robert Finkelhor and extensively updated and expanded in the 1950s by architect John Elgin Woolf. Woolf was an architect to the stars; clients included Cary Grant, Judy Garland and Katharine Hepburn. Ken Bernstein, principal city planner and manager for the city’s Office of Historic Resources, says that with so many celebrity resi-

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Holding out Hope

dences in Los Angeles, there is a “fairly high bar” for designation. “It’s the Los Angeles equivalent of the ‘George Washington slept here’ syndrome back East,” he jokes. First, no B-list stars, according to Bernstein. Second, a house must be associated with a “productive period” of the celebrity’s career. And finally, the home’s architectural significance plays a role. For example, a year or two ago a Marilyn Monroe residence in Valley Village came under consideration. But she only lived there for about a year, Bernstein said. Plus she lived in Valley Village in the early days when she was still an unknown named Norma Jean. Certainly Bob and Dolores Hope far exceed the bar in terms of spending their productive years in the Toluca Lake home. Earlier this year, Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport was officially renamed Hollywood Burbank Airport to increase geographical recognition with passengers outside of Southern California. But locals will most likely associate the Toluca Lake estate with Hope forever, no matter who lives there.

“I STILL LOVE TO PASS THE HOPE MANSION BECAUSE IT’S TRULY FROM AN ERA LONG GONE.”

VOX POPULI We asked for opinions regarding the Hope estate on Our Ventura Blvd’s Facebook page and here is some of what we heard. ANDREW MEISNER Is there anything architecturally significant about the house? Besides the fact that Bob Hope owned it, it just looks like thousands of other suburban homes. TRESA GLENN PROTZMAN NO! We already have a builder tearing down homes on every block and replacing them with tract looking houses. They sometimes build more than one on the site of an individual tear down. This has to stop! STACI TERRACE GOLDFARB What is wrong with people? Leave it be and do some reno. God knows there don’t need to be anymore boxes on either side of the property. The Valley is all but ruined! MARLA K. GOLDSTEIN This is some prime bullpucky right here. I’ve been in that house and there’s nothing significant about it. This is an illegal taking by people for no reason. If some entity wants the house preserved, then let them buy it at whatever the asking price is and have at it. TARA MOORE Have the city buy it for 27 million to make the neighbors happy or shut up. What happened to property rights? Look around—we live in a city!

Stories abound about drop-ins from neighbors Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Those who grew up in the neighborhood remember awesome Halloween loot including full-size candy bars, silver dollars and kazoos shaped like Bob Hope’s distinctive ski-slope nose. Dolores Hope reportedly stopped the lavish tradition after chartered buses full of trick-or-treaters began showing up at the house. Bernstein is quick to point out that a historic designation may not be as limiting as one might think. The distinction may be applied to the home and not the ancillary buildings. Sometimes historical significance can increase the value of the home. Remodels, additions and even demolition may still be possible. There is also no requirement that the home ever be opened to the public. Both Bernstein and a spokesperson for city councilmember Ryu acknowledge that communication between the city and the Hope family should have happened earlier to avoid the “surprise” that may have led to the unraveling of a sale. Bernstein says the purpose of the 2013 Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey was to allow for “early flagging” of such properties. However, though the information was published on city websites, it was not sent directly to property owners. Ryu has been out of the country and unavailable for comment. But his spokesperson, Estevan Montemayor had this to say: “I think what happened was, we had put this motion in, and it raised some eyebrows because the communication between ourselves and the property owner was nonexistent.” Montemayor adds that the councilmember acted quickly because “the moment a [demolition] permit is pulled, we can’t do anything. Councilmember Ryu’s statement is that this is a potentially historic property … we don’t want to infringe on the property owners (but) we want the city to have the opportunity to review it.” 

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VAL DOWLING A landmark? Please! He was an overpaid comedian not some giant significant historical world-changing figure. There is no architectural brilliance about the place. Are we seriously having this conversation? GILBERT SPIEGEL Leave it. The house may be ordinary but the fact that it was Bob Hope’s home will add significant value to a buyer. CHERI PRATT Every famous person’s house cannot be saved. The city needs money for other things. JOAN FORSYTHE Keep it, and pay her off. Maybe Hollywood people can contribute.

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GLASS

master

Local churches and synagogues bask in the glow of gorgeous stained glass windows—many of them courtesy of a passionate Valley artisan. WRITTEN BY HADLEY

HALL MEARES |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE

O’DONNELL

HOLY VISIONS It took Earl three months to refurbish the stained glass windows at Community Church at Holliston in Pasadena. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really love the work I do on churches because it lasts. Plus, I know that people are there every Sunday seeing the light come in the windows. If a window is broken they notice it,â&#x20AC;? he says. ourventurablvd.com

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Glass Master

IN THE ACT Earl uses a custom-made chisel and hammer as his primary tools to refurbish stained glass. “Some people might call this a dying art,” he surmises. “There just aren’t a lot of people who do this by hand.”

arl Beard may be well into middle age, but he’s got the energy of a teenager. The effervescent glass artist practically dances through his cluttered home studio in Van Nuys. The radio plays hits from the 70s while his longtime partner and the owner of Flash Glass Art, Joyce Dudknick, works on a small Arts and Craftsstyle window. Earl picks up beautiful bowls, caresses sculptures, tinkles wind chimes, brushes dirt off colorful bricks and points to details in windows that are works in progress. All these objects are Flash Glass creations, made of every kind of glass under the sun. “Your imagination is the only limit. I have people say, ‘Can you do that? Can you do this?’ and I say,” he pauses dramatically, “yes.” Earl’s love affair with the medium began when he was still a teenager. He joined the Navy, and aware that he would have many long, tedious hours on a ship in the middle of the sea, thought, “I need a hobby.” So the California native bought a book called How to Make Stained Glass. By the time his tour of the Far East was over, he had made his first glass creation, a window that said “Mother.” After graduating from college, he worked briefly as a studio camera operator before turning to glasswork full time. “How many jobs do you get to have where you’re having fun? Or helping people?” Earl asks. “Whatever it takes, it’s a matter of making things better.” A perpetual student, Earl can do it all—reinforce, restore, paint and create stained glass windows, mix glass, mold glass, and blow glass. “We’ve done big jobs, we’ve done little jobs,” he says. From creating intricate jewelry to restoring stained glass windows in a church, while perched on a 70-foot-high scaffold, Earl looks at it all as a grand and exciting experiment. “What can you imagine? What do you want to do next?” Earl asks. “There’s no end to what you can do. It’s just a matter of doing it.” One of his favorite projects was restoring and refurbishing the exquisite antique blown glass windows at Temple Beth Hillel in Valley Village. “The trickiest part is making the glass panels fit correctly. Each window has to be customized to fit in the frame, and no two windows are the same exact size,” he explains.

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Glass Master

“WHAT CAN YOU IMAGINE? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO NEXT? THERE’S NO END TO WHAT YOU CAN DO. IT’S JUST A MATTER OF DOING IT.”

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Glass Master

For the legendary art deco Oviatt Building in downtown Los Angeles, Earl restored the iconic marquee. He also recreated the molded crystal panels in the elevators, which had broken. To match the original panels, designed by artist René Lalique, Earl made his own intricate wax molds, since the originals had been lost. Flash Glass also creates custom glasswork for clients—ranging from homeowners to art collectors—all over Southern California. To celebrate the retirement of a former pilot of Air Force One, Earl was commissioned to make a custom window featuring the famous airplane and the Presidential Seal. “The guy had served as pilot for three terms—12 years in all—and someone commissioned the piece as a gift to him,” Earl recalls. The artisan has also been hired to create windows featuring mermaids, dragons, butterflies and even a marathon runner. Today this perpetual student is also a master teacher, introducing locals to the art and fun of glasswork. Earl teaches classes on blowing glass, creating stained glass and even bead making, at both his home studio as well as the McGroarty Arts Center in SunlandTujunga. After 30 wonderful years in the business, Earl, a sprightly man who literally whistles while he works, doesn’t see himself quitting anytime soon. “If I was working with CBS still, I’d be retired or out of it, one way or another,” Earl says. But instead he keeps “learning more, teaching more and doing better.” Earl gives a wry smile as the sun streams through a myriad of hues from a stained glass window, onto his pleasant face. “I don’t see me stopping.” 

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Coming Home + An Encino native moves back into her historic childhood home and renovates—with a deference to the past and a nod to the future. WRITTEN BY LINDA

GRASSO O’DONNELL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE

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Coming Home

rowing up in her parent’s 1920s Spanish Colonial in Amestoy Estates, Gail Silverton had something of an idyllic childhood. “My family moved here in the early 1960s. There was nothing but walnut groves and sheep, really. Much of it was still zoned as horse property,” Gail explains. Her mother was a writer for the soap opera General Hospital and her father was an attorney. Gail’s sister is well-known chef/restaurateur Nancy Silverton. Originally, Nancy wasn’t a fan. “When I first moved into the house I was 10 years old and I hated it,” Nancy says. “I’d been living in a traditional tract home in Sherman Oaks and this new house was so different than anything I had seen.” But that soon changed. “Because of the spacious yard, combined with the personalities of my parents, it ended up being the place my friends preferred. The house became a treat for me—and my friends.” After their dad passed away two years ago, the sisters inherited the property. And although both women felt an affinity for it, it made more sense for Gail to own it. “My life is so centered around my work and my restaurant [Osteria Mozza/ Pizzeria Mozza] is near Hollywood. Gail’s life is more in the Valley,” Nancy says. So Gail and her husband, Joel Gutman, packed up their beloved Studio City home. “It wasn’t something I really wanted to do to be honest,” says Joel. “But I realized how important it was to Gail. I knew what this house meant to her. She wanted to relive her old memories and we figured we could create new ones with our growing family.” Children are a constant presence with the couple. Gail founded and is the director of The Neighborhood School in Studio City. Joel, a retired media rep, also works there, as does daughter Allie, who is a teacher. The next year and a half were a blizzard of activity as the couple went about repairing and renovating the property. Preservation was the central goal. The footprint is the same; every wall remains standing. She says the house was built on land that was at

FULL THROTTLE The couple’s grandkids Camila and Lorenzo let loose along the front porch—as intended.

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KICK BACK The family relaxes on the back patio. Left to right: Joel, Gail, daughter Allie Ludwig and her baby, Max. “We spend nearly as much time outdoors as indoors,” quips Gail, who was married on the property, as was her daughter.

Coming Home

FRESH AIR An outdoor room adjacent to the main house has a wall adorned with African art. “Back in the day this ‘sala’ is where guests would sleep. They’d just draw curtains for privacy,” Gail says.

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Coming Home

one time part of the Los Encinos Ranch. (For more on the historic property go to Last Word on our final page.) “Because this house is pretty small—comparatively—we think it was a caretaker’s house,” Gail says. The ranch was originally comprised of more than 4,000 acres that sprawled across what we now know as Encino. Gail worked with designer Lori Erenberg on interiors. The duo decided on a color palette of five hues, all colors of the period—light blue, red, golden yellow, emerald green and terra cotta. All of the fabrics used were made prior to the 1940s. The furnishings and accents reek of Mexican authenticity. Talavera tiles, scattered throughout, were purchased in Puebla. Most of the furniture and accessories were bought in Oaxaca and on firstdibs.com. There is a fireplace in every room. Now happily settled in their new digs, it is hard to tell who loves it more, Gail or Joel. “Since we moved in, we’ve only had one family dinner inside. Everyone gathers around the table right over there,” she says, pointing to one of the large, rectangular umbrellacovered tables that dot the property. “I’ve got to admit it is pretty great,” adds Joel, who takes a short break from reading a book to granddaughter Camila. Gail sits on the floor setting up a train set with grandson Lorenzo. “You just really have to keep an eye on these little guys,” he laughs. “Especially Camila. She just loves to wander off and explore!” 

“SINCE WE MOVED IN, WE’VE ONLY HAD ONE

family dinner

INSIDE. EVERYONE GATHERS AROUND THE TABLE RIGHT OVER THERE.”

ROMPER ROOM Gail and Joel, along with daughter Allie and their grandchildren, play in the guest bedroom used for the younger set.

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Coming Home

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… t i e r u t Pic A place of legend and lore, Italy’s famous island is much more than the Corleones. History, wine and cuisine set the stage in Sicily for a beautiful romance. WRITTEN BY BONNIE

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GRAVES

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s a sommelier, I have been lucky enough to travel to most of the major wine-producing regions in Italy. When the villa rental company, The Thinking Traveller, invited me on a trip to Sicily, it gave me reason to pause. I realized that perhaps I’d spent so much time exploring the proverbial boot that I’d somehow missed the football. I decided to give it a kick. I planned on a few days with fellow writers (hopefully witty and prone to drinking) and planned my childcare strategy (hopefully free and with Grandma and Grandpa). What I did not plan on was falling in love. I fell in love with Sicily—madly, deeply and irrationally so. I speak of it in besotted tones to anyone who’ll listen. Delete that Francis Ford Coppola soundtrack and related Hollywood caricatures from your mind and get to know the real Sicily. Because of its geolocation, Sicily is both an island nation-state and a watercrossroads. And because Sicily’s political affiliation with mainland Italy is relatively new, Sicilians consider themselves Sicilians first, Europeans second and occasionally Italians … but only if pressed. Variously visited by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Normans, Visigoths, Byzantines, Capetians and Habsburgs, it’s a rich cultural compost that nourishes a culinary tradition without par outside of maybe Shanghai or New York City. The meals I ate in Sicily—whether casual trattoria fare by the sea, elaborately plated multi-course meals or simple breakfasts—rank as the best dining I’ve ever experienced. If you like to eat, you’ll love Sicily. If you like wine, you’ll love Sicily. If you like unspoiled beaches, you’ll love Sicily. If you like handsome men, you’ll love Sicily. Just saying. Our itinerary was confined to the southeastern part of Sicily, considered by many to be the gastronomical epicenter—no offense to Palermo on the other side. Flights go through Rome into Catania and are likely to be filled with tanned Romans on weekend break or savvy Europeans who appreciate the villa culture of the island. The Thinking Traveller specializes in villa rentals that cater to families or larger groups, in addition to its local concierge services, which are superb. (Ask for Max, the British ex-pat who speaks Sicilian with both mouth and heart after 20 years of living la dolce vita there.) For our stay we were booked into Don Arcangelo all’Olmo, or just Olmo for short, and it is nothing short of divine. You can sip your coffee (espresso and a short pull) on your private veranda as citrus mixed with saline tang scents the air. Surrounded by lush lemon orchards, Olmo is the crown jewel in their rental portfolio, and it’s where Jude Law and other British celebs are prone to hide out with their kids. But it’s also a homey place where you can wander down to the kitchen and help yourself to another coffee, as those of us with Starbucks-sized

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Feature Hed

caffeine needs did each morning. The vibe of Olmo reflects that of the region, as the day’s rhythms are decidedly dictated by meals. Sicilians’ staple breakfast items are fresh fruit and pastry, and this briosche is often stuffed with gelato, likely made with local pistachios. As mentioned, you can’t help but love Sicily, where they eat world-class ice cream in a bread bowl. For breakfast. And as a pasta course is ubiquitous at dinner, Sicily isn’t for the glutensensitive. As someone who survived a disastrous summer gig at Olive Garden as a teenager, I admit that I rarely eat pasta at home. (PTSD is real, folks.) But those gelatinous, gigantic masses of corporate pasta have little in common with their Sicilian forbearers where shape, texture and sauce always trump portion. A plate of pasta at dinner is typically half a cup—if that—but is prepared with meticulous detail. My favorite was the Pasta cu Maccu, a regional dish made with fava bean purée. Sicilian cuisine reflects the staples of the classic Mediterranean diet—pasta, tomatoes, seafood, lemons, EVOO and herbs—but is enhanced with local specialties like capers, sardines, raisins, pistachios, eggplant, tuna, swordfish and red chilies. My own dogged, droughtplagued lemon tree here in Los Angeles can only aspire to the brilliant flavor of Sicilian lemons. Cue Limoncello, as humans tend to ferment whatever is most bountiful. On the topic of fermentation, I was drawn to this part of Italy mainly due to the opportunity to walk the vineyards of Mount Etna. The wines produced in this region are lately the darlings of the sommelier community in the U.S.—and with good reason. If you’re looking for a textbook example of what the French call “terroir,” or place expressed in wine, this is it. One doesn’t need to be a wine expert to taste the impact of volcanic soil in this area, and Sicily’s relative isolation from mainland Italy means its native varieties continue to flourish. Here, nerello mascalese, carricante and cataratto dominate, although international grapes like chardonnay and merlot have been more recently introduced. The must-see winery is Planeta, a family operation run by three cousins who were determined to prove that Sicily could produce world-class wines. That Sicilian wines get exported at all is largely due to their zealousness; otherwise, thirsty locals would jealously guard and drink them. Max also conveniently arranged to have Etna erupt while we were in the area, and while no one was in harm’s way, the sight of lava spewing into the evening air was indelibly dramatic. Now there’s a concierge for you. If pressed to pick a favorite day in Sicily, it would be a toss-up between these two: a market morning spent in Siracusa, the legendary Greek town that defeated Athens in 413 and that gave us Archimedes, or hiking on Mount Etna with Lorenzo, our Italian vulcanologist who looks like JFK Jr. crossed with Brad Pitt. It was easy to stumble on that hike. For foodies, the legendary market of Siracusa is truly without compare. You can wander for hours amidst astonishing mountains of still-warm vegetables, nuts and citrus while fishmongers expertly hawk their wares with knives sparkling in the sun. The sheer sensory experience of the market is itself a holiday. It’s the finest farmers market you’ll ever find— you can trust this thinking traveller. And because I spent my childhood summers exploring Yellowstone National Park, I’ve always had a thing for geothermal activity. Hiking on Mount Etna is the real deal: strenuous and exhilarating and dangerous. Hire a guide from Etna Finder, and cross your fingers that you get Lorenzo, who besides being gorgeous is more importantly an impressive polymath who speaks something like seven languages. You’re welcome. I recently opened a new savings account, and no, it’s not for my kids’ college expenses. It’s for my next big birthday, which I plan to spend at Olmo with my closest girlfriends. Sicily is magic, and I can’t wait to go back (and eat, eat, eat) again. 

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Spa Beauty & Fitness For most of us, maintaining our health is imperative. We want to look and feel as good as we possibly can to live life to the fullest. Here in the Valley, we are fortunate to have year-round beautiful weather and plenty of room to exercise outdoors. In addition to these natural benefits, we have some of the best professionals in the country dedicated to improving our health. From fitness to relaxation to cosmetic procedures, meet some pros who can help you achieve your personal best. EDITED BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS Â

88 TERRANEA RESORT Marcella Piersol

89 BURKE WILLIAMS Diane Hibbard

92 THE OAKS AT OJAI Cathy S. Cluff

90 BELLA SKIN INSTITUTE

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

Spa, Beauty, & Fitness

TERRANEA RESORT Marcella Piersol Fitness Supervisor 100 Terranea Way Rancho Palos Verdes 310-494-7891 terranea.com

arcella Piersol joined The Spa at Terranea as a fitness instructor in 2013 and was promoted to fitness supervisor last year. Spanning 50,000 square feet, The Spa at Terranea boasts 25 treatment rooms, an oceanfront yoga studio, full-service salon, Spa Cafe and boutique. The Fitness & Wellness Center features treadmills, elliptical crosstrainers, and upright and recumbent bikes as well as classes that include Pilates, circuit training, TRX, water aerobics, indoor cycling and a signature boot camp fitness class.

the happiest place on earth, and I am fortunate to love my job. I recently launched a 2-mile fun run/walk for groups that can be geared to an unlimited number of guests who can go their own pace through the course that takes them throughout our pristine property. We also offer personal training and private classes with skilled instructors who tailor workouts to your individual needs. Private group classes and fitness activities for all levels are also available by appointment.”

What would you like potential clients to know about you?

“The Fitness & Wellness Center amenities are available to all Terranea guests. The local community is also welcome through our exclusive Spa Membership Program, as well as through joining us at the Spa for spa treatments of 60 minutes or longer. We encourage our guests to take full advantage of the wellness offerings, perhaps an invigorating Seaside Cycle class or

“One of the most enjoyable aspects is sharing the passion and spirit of fitness. Having guests book a private training session or take a class and share their positive feedback to say that it helped jump-start their own wellness program at home is so rewarding. I refer to Terranea as

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

Tell us about your amenities.

relaxing yoga class before enjoying their relaxing spa experience.”

How do you maintain your own fitness?

“All my life I have been very active; fitness is a way of life for me. I am used to waking at 4:15 a.m. to get in a workout before I start my day. I retired as a lieutenant from the Los Angeles Police Department in 2006 after a 22-year career, and I always made sure working out was a priority and did it before I started my shift. Working out has also been such an incredible way to reduce stress.”

FAST FACT Marcella tried out with 1,500 contestants and was selected as one of the competitors on the original American Gladiators TV show.

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Spa, Beauty, & Fitness

BURKE WILLIAMS

Diane Hibbard Vice President of Treatments and Development 866-239-6635 burkewilliamsspa.com

urke Williams created the original urban day spa in 1984, drawing inspiration from worldclass European day spas. With more than 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, Diane Hibbard started with the company as an esthetician and went on to hold instructional, executive and developmental roles.

FAST FACT Diane is a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. She has made multiple appearances on the TV show The Doctors and was guest editor for New Beauty magazine.

What would you like potential clients to know about you? “You can go anywhere and receive a treatment. There are plenty of day spas all over

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California and the country, but what Burke Williams has created is a sacred space for our guests and our employees—a place where real connection and healing happens. It’s a place where you’re cared for and part of a bigger community, and where service and experience are a priority.”

Do you offer a unique service?

“Everything we create at Burke Williams is a service that you can only receive here. We research proven modalities, therapies and technologies in the realms of skin care, nail care and massage, and then bring them to the market in a way that feels fresh and new. We create excitement about a service you may already be familiar with by revitalizing it, and continue to evolve with the market without being gimmicky or trendy. We stay authentic and current.”

What’s most rewarding about your work? “Watching my team grow and seeing the

pride our therapists and service providers exude in their work. I love hearing how the treatments and education that we provide help transform our guests’ day. Seeing people leave the building with a fresh, new look on their face is amazing. For staff as well, who I often see leaving with the pride of accomplishment in a job well done.”

Tell us about your staff.

“Burke Williams is a unique community, where we empower each other and all of our service providers to achieve their highest potential through ongoing training, workshops, and health and wellness programs. If our employees choose us first as a day spa in their spare time, guests will naturally follow. Our employees deeply invest in our brand and what we offer, and we promote and grow leaders from within. We create a culture of pride, and we believe in our staff and in providing the best guest experience possible.”

HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

Spa, Beauty, & Fitness L to R: Jenny, Liz, Ananda PA, Dr. Anna Guanche, Rosemary, Nancy – esthetician. Not pictured: Tiffany, Monika and Lisa – esthetician.

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

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Spa, Beauty, & Fitness BELLA SKIN INSTITUTE 23622 Calabasas Road, Suite 339 Calabasas 818-225-0117 bellaskininstitute.com

ella Skin Institute is a full-service dermatology, laser and aesthetic surgery practice offering services including red-carpet facials, light treatments, oxygen treatments and detailed skin care regimens. Owner Anna Guanche, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with more than 14 years of experience specializing in aesthetic treatments. She is a member of the dermatology staff at UCLA Medical Center, Olive View, as well as a clinical instructor for UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. She is also fellow of the American Board of Dermatology. When she’s not at work, Dr. Guanche loves working out and practices SoulCycle, Vinyasa yoga, hip-hop dance, Pilates and kickboxing.

What would you like potential clients to know about you?

“Our services are unique because we have extensive experience in the field of beauty both on the aesthetician side and the medical side. Patients are evaluated as a whole, with their overall health in mind while doing aesthetic treatments.”

What’s most rewarding about your work?

“The most rewarding thing is to have a very happy patient thank us for our services and leave fully satisfied and delighted with their results.”

What do patients like about you and your practice?

“We strive to listen and understand the patient’s specific goals and concerns and provide them with satisfying results. We endeavor to make the patient’s visit as comfortable and pleasant as possible, making our best effort to take the pain out of beauty. My staff and I approach our work with absolute joy and infectious enthusiasm, which is felt throughout the practice.”

Why did you choose to open your business in the Valley?

“We almost opened in Beverly Hills but later reconsidered Calabasas because there is a real need for high-end services in this area. Not

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everyone wants to drive over the hill to see an excellent dermatologist or aesthetician.”

Tell us about your practice.

“The state-of-the-art Bella Skin Institute facility has been designed to be warm and engaging while focusing on providing clients with the newest, most innovative procedures available to perfect skin. We use highly advanced equipment and specialize in procedures that require little or no downtime for the convenience of our clients. The Bella Skin Institute is dedicated to combining medical science and cosmetic beauty to provide each client with customized treatments to meet their needs— from dermatology services to minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed at the facility. For our patients’ convenience and privacy, we offer valet parking and a private waiting room available upon request.”

How do you stay on top of the latest trends and advances in your field?

“We attend specialty meetings to discover what the latest and greatest treatments are. We offer procedures and treatments that really work—not fad treatments—but still with the latest effective technology.”

What are some of the services you offer?

“Procedures performed include resurfacing, hair removal, Fraxel™ and laser therapy; facial and body peels including dermasanding for acne scars; Thermage™, mini “S” lift, blepharoplasty and liposuction; the latest injectables including Juvéderm™ Injectable Gel, Radiesse™, Dysport™, or BOTOX® Cosmetic injections for wrinkle removal; and more. Aesthetic services include SilkPeel microdermabrasion and dermalinfusion, dermaplaning; facials; and waxing. General dermatology services include skin cancer screening and surgery, acne, rashes, eczema and more.”

FAST FACT Dr. Guanche has appeared on the TV shows Extra and The Doctors, sharing her expertise.

HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

Spa, Beauty, & Fitness

he Oaks at Ojai is an all-inclusive destination spa that offers weight loss, fitness, healthy and delicious meals, and relaxing and therapeutic treatments in a casual, supportive environment. Guests can visit for the day or stay multiple nights. The Oaks was started in 1977 by Sheila Cluff, mother of president/CEO Cathy Cluff. Cathy grew up in the business and participates in extensive round-table workshops annually with the International Spa Association.

How do you make sure your clients are satisfied?

“We stay flexible and listen to their needs. We evaluate weekly guest feedback as a team.”

FAST FACT The philosophy of The Oaks at Ojai is: “It’s not just what you lose, it’s what you gain.”

Do you offer a signature or unique or noteworthy service?

“We have several. Our Ojai Olive Oil Soufflé offers a unique experience of being engulfed in warmth and hydration using local Ojai Valley olive oil. We also offer Hot Himalayan Salt Stone Massage. The minerals from the salt stones are absorbed into the skin and have a beneficial effect on the body.”

Why did you choose to open your business in the Valley?

“Ojai is not only a beautiful place to work, but it is suited perfectly for a health and wellness spa. The easy access to hiking trails, amazing weather and small-town, ‘chain-free’ downtown makes an ideal location for a destination spa.”

Tell us about your staff.

“We have such a dedicated group of employees that we have second and even third generations working here. We have several employees who have been with us for over 30 years. Guests rave about the care and kindness they experience from the Oaks employees. We are a small family business, so there is a lot of heart.”

Tell us about your typical client.

“The typical Oaks client is a 40+-year-old female looking to lose a few pounds and reduce stress. We have guests who travel here from across the country and beyond. They appreciate the relaxed, non-corporate environment and return time and again for their ‘me’ time.”

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

THE OAKS AT OJAI Cathy S. Cluff President/CEO

122 E. Ojai Avenue, Ojai 805-646-5573 | oaksspa.com

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o nd le! na ilab r a e Av nF Sa y Bus lle Va

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REAL ESTATE DEP | WHERE WE LIVE

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RANCHO ESTATES CONTEMPORARY VIEW HOME 4639 Encino Avenue Encino Leasing at $50k per month Represented by Andrea Korchek Wish Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty 818-371-0933 For more information see opposite page.

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HOLIDAY 2016, VENTURA BLVD

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 for

Follow me on Facebook: MattEpsteinRealty Follow me on Twitter: @SoMattEpstein

Berkshire Hathaway

CalBRE# 01121162

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

12948 Galewood St. - SC - $3,750,000 - 6Br+7.5Ba 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. Quiet secluded street. Pool, Spa & panoramic views

#KeepingItRealEstate

3848 Sunswept Dr. - SC $2,995,000 - 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

3925 Woodfield Dr. - SO $1,995,000 - 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

2156 Roscomare Road - LA - $1,450,000 - 2Br+2Ba in 1,712 SqFt on a 14,762 Lot - Mid-century traditional. Desired Roscomare location close to shops, restaurants and school. Views of Pacific ocean and Catalina island. Pool and spa

3540 Woodcliff Road - SO - $1,199,000 - 3Br+2.75Ba in 2,208 SqFt on a 10,400 Lot - South of the boulevard with valley views. Open living & dining rooms with wood floors and fireplace. Updated kitchen w/ island. Backyard with pool & spa + views.

Call for your FREE market analysis! ÂŠ2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity. CalBRE# 01317331

in escrow

sold over list price!

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

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

sold

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

3656 Westfall Dr., Encino $1,899,000 www.WestfallDrive.com

sold

active

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

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

New ListiNg ComiNg sooN Longridge Estates New Construction with over 9,000 Sq. ft. $7,500,000

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

Nobody does it better...

818.285.3688

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

www.CarolWolfe.com

#1 Agent

sold 3833 Hayvenhurst Dr., Encino $2,250,000 www.ColonyWestEncino.com

Rodeo Realty San Fernando Valley

sold

CalBRE #00477745

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

TOP 1% NATIONWIDE 2015 Executive Director, Aaroe Estates CRAIG STRONG

TOLUCA LAKE 9956 Toluca Lake Avenue $7,995,000 Beds: 5 Baths: 6 Size: 7,228 ± sq ft Lot Size: 44,290 ± sq ft 9956TolucaLakeAve.com

TOLUCA LAKE

10405 Sarah Street $3,995,000 5 beds | 5.5 baths | 5,310 ± sq ft | 5,979 ± sq ft lot STUDIO CITY

TOLUCA LAKE

SHERMAN OAKS

10331 Valley Spring Lane $3,799,000 5 beds | 5.5 baths | 5,078 ± sq ft | 9,098 ± sq ft lot TOLUCA LAKE 3681 Kingswood Road $2,495,000 or lease $10,500/mo Beds: 4 Baths: 4 Size: 3,514 ± sq ft Lot Size: 33,093 ± sq ft

4057 Farmdale Avenue $2,149,000 5 beds | 4 baths | 2,871± sq ft | 6,755± sq ft lot GLENDALE

905 E. Mountain Street $1,395,000 3 beds | 3 baths | 2,619± sq ft | 6,491± sq ft lot

4700 Placidia Avenue $1,799,000 4 beds | 3 baths | 1,826± sq ft | 10,078± sq ft lot BURBANK

637 E. Grinnell Drive $1,249,000 4 beds | 3 baths | 2,328± sq ft | 8,959± sq ft lot

StrongRealtor.com Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/cstrongrealtor Download the Strong Realtor app from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

3861Kingswood.com

ENCINO

16910 Magnolia Blvd $1,179,000 3 beds | 3 baths | 2,637± sq ft | 8,968± sq ft lot

CRAIG STRONG Executive Director, Aaroe Estates 310.439.3225

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. CalBRE 01450987

TOLUCA LAKE

10331 Valley Spring Ln $3,799,000

find open houses now

Stunning Toluca Lake traditional entertainerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home near Lakeside Golf Club.

aaroe.com

10331ValleySpringLn.com Craig Strong 310.439.3225

ENCINO TOLUCA LAKE

TARZANA

9956 Toluca Lake Ave Craig Strong

$7,995,000 310.439.3225

STUDIO CITY

4775 Topeka Dr Alan Taylor & Aaron Kirman

$4,795,000 818.650.1603

STUDIO CITY

4620 Rubio Ave $3,999,000 Stunning JR Davidson Mid-Century modern. Truly one-of-a-kind offering. 4620Rubio.aaroe.site 3734 Reklaw Drive Kevin Driscoll & Bryan Abrams

$2,799,000 818.398.0797

STUDIO CITY

$2,449,000 818.535.8755

SHERMAN OAKS

4325 Vantage Ave Craig Strong

SHERMAN OAKS

4203 Beeman Ave Eric Lieberman

$2,095,000 310.439.3225

STUDIO CITY

TOLUCA LAKE

4334 Kester Ave Randi Lieberman

BEVERLY HILLS

BRENTWOOD

Alan Taylor 818.650.1603

STUDIO CITY

$1,199,000 818.903.8007

SUNSET STRIP

4518 Wortser Ave Alan Taylor

BALDWIN HILLS/VIEW PARK

$1,099,000 818.650.1603

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.

Wishing you a Joyous Holiday Season! ALAN TAYLOR WINNER OF THE 2015 PLATINUM CIRCLE AWARD Director, Aaroe Estates Director, Aaroe Trust and Probate Top 1% company-wide 2015

818.650.1603

Alan@AlanTaylorRealEstate.com | AlanTaylorRealEstate.com

ACTIVE

5255 ENCINO AVENUE, ENCINO

4620 RUBIO AVENUE, ENCINO

Offered at $5,999,000 | 5255EncinoAve.com

Offered at $3,999,000 | 4620Rubio.aaroe.site

ACTIVE

3946 DAVANA ROAD, SHERMAN OAKS

4719 ATOLL AVENUE, SHERMAN OAKS

Offered at $1,199,000 | 3946Davana.aaroe.site

Offered at $739,000 | 4719Atoll.aaroe.site

ANDREW MANNING

Mulholland Park

South of Valley Vista

3720 Litchfield Lane, Tarzana 5BD/5.5BA

4107 Madelia Avenue Sherman Oaks 4BD/3.5BA

$2,799,000

Coveted Mulholland Park Estates customized & highly upgraded apx 6400 sq ft home

$2,435,000

Sprawling Spanish Estate

Prime Encino

4342 Talofa Avenue Toluca Lake 4BD/4.5BA

4441 Densmore Ave Encino 4BD/3.5BA

$2,150,000

Classic Spanish w/ huge great rm w/ fplc, cooks kit w/BK area, adj media/FR & crt yrd w/ liv/din spaces & pl/spa.

Landmark 4+3.5 gated & updated traditional on sweeping corner lot in Prime S. of Valley Vista Sherman Oaks. Pool.

$1,999,000

Immaculate 1 story tradtional contemp on tree lined street on a sweeping corner lot.

Tarzana Showplace

Rancho Estates

4401 El Caballero Dr. Tarzana 5BD/5.5BA

4655 White Oak Ave Encino 4BD/4.5BA

$1,949,000

Dramatic over 5400 sq ft mainly 1 level entertainers showplace w/ pool & privacy

$1,795,000

Gated traditional 1 level 4+4.5 has yard w/diverse array of entertaining spaces w/pool

Andrew Manning - REALTORÂŽ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties 14141 Ventura Blvd., Suite 8, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 818.380.2147 | www.andrewmanning.com | andrew@andrewmanning.com CalBRE#: 00941825 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. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. CalBRE 00941825

$3,650,000 | 3167 Stone Oak Dr, Brentwood | 6BD/7BA Francine Chalme Meyberg (Co-listed) | 818.987.7653

$2,789,000 | 3815 Marfield Ave, Tarzana | 6BD/7BA Julie Solnit | 310.922.5965

The best move you’ll ever make

STARTS WITH US

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

$1,469,000 | 11301 Dona Pegita Dr, Studio City | 3BD/2BA Don Linden | 818.515.8936

$2,495,000 | 4948 Vanalden Ave, Tarzana | 4BD/4½BA Maurice Kozak | 818.612.0204

If your life revolves around the San Fernando Valley, it’s good to know our agents’ lives do, too. Dedicated, highly trained, and professional, they make every transaction as seamless as possible. You can be confident that their unparalleled local market knowledge will result in your ideal home purchase or sale. Put the strength, quality, and innovation of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties to work for you. Contact us for a complimentary market analysis, and view spectacular listings throughout Southern California, at bhhscalifornia.com

$1,379,000 | 4829 Gaynor Ave, Encino | 4BD/3BA Pearson/Gordon | 818.601.2260/818.298.8344

$618,000 | 5259 Coldwater Canyon Ave #C, Sh Oaks | 3BD/3BA Francine Chalme Meyberg | 818.987.7653

©2016 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

Two Estate Homes & Four Lots Remaining ESTATE HOMES

M O D E L E STAT E O P E N TUESDAY – SUNDAY 11AM – 4PM

Starting at $3,750,000 HOMESITE LOTS

Starting at $1,350,000

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CR A IG K N I Z EK

W H AT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N E W I N LUXU RY R E A L ESTATE

4444 LIBBIT AVE E N C I N O | $ 4 , 9 9 5 , 0 0 0 5 BEDS | 6 BATHS | 6,182 SQ. F T. | 4 6, 351 SQ. F T. LOT 4 4 4 4LIBB IT.COM

18625 WELLS DR TA R Z A N A | $ 2, 9 9 5 ,0 0 0 6 BEDS | 8 BATHS | 6,182 SQ. F T. | 4 6, 351 SQ. F T. LOT 18625WELLS.COM

2717 COUNTRY RIDGE C A L A B A S A S | $ 4 , 8 5 0 , 0 0 0 6 BEDS | 6.5 BATHS | 6,68 3 SQ. F T. | 5.76 ACRE LOT HT TP: //AG NC Y. RE /COUNTRY RIDG E V IDEO

COUNTRY RIDGE ESTATES T H R E E P E R M I T R E A D Y L O T S F O R 5 , 7 0 0 S F H O M E S | 40 -ACRE LOT WITH PL A NS F OR 10,800 SF MU LTI -STRUCTU RE COM POUN D

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C K N I Z E K@T H E AG E N C Y R E .CO M 8 1 8 .61 8 .1 0 0 6

An international associate of Savills

THEAGENCYRE.COM

Mortgage Capital Partners

Number of Properties Sold (September) Average Days on Market (September) Sold Price per Square Foot (September) Month's Supply of Inventory

182

112 30 30 $615 3.7

an d

 55  37  $532  3.3 

148

$1.04m

$2.08m

$824k 

    

 22  54  $459  4.5 

 65  37  $375  3.3 

    

98 34 48 $439 2.9

100

 32  46  $504  4.6 

Total Properties Currently for Sale

$1.76m

W oo

$1.47m

sa s

$1.22m

Ca lab a

Sh er m an

Average Sales Price

St ud io Ci ty Ta rz an a

Single Family Homes

En cin o

O ak

H ill s

Aimee’s Neighborhood Market Update

214

Based on information from California Real Estate Technology Services. Due to MLS reporting methods and allowable reporting policy, this data is only informational and may not be completely accurate. Therefore, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage does not guarantee the data accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS's may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Exciting New Jumbo Option

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Aimee will help you get where you want to go! As a Realtor® and a licensed attorney, Aimee has excellent listening skills and is always attentive to helping you realize your real estate goals.

*This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. The advertised loan is a 5/1 ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) with a 30-year fully amortizing term. The initial interest rate is 2.5% for 60 months. The disclosed APR is based on 1 discount point, $1,495 lender fee and $1,500 in additional prepaid finance charges which will be due at closing. For a $100,000 loan, there is a 2.77% APR with an initial monthly principal and interest payment of $395 for the first 60 months. After the initial period, the variable interest rate and payment will adjust every year and equal the total of the 12-month LIBOR index plus a margin of 2.25%. The maximum periodic change in the interest rate is 2% with a maximum rate increase of 5% above the initial interest rate. If the interest rate adjusted to the maximum rate (which could not occur until after the fifth year), the maximum monthly payment would be $699 for $100,000. There is no prepayment penalty. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is variable and is subject to increase or decrease, so your payments may increase or decrease each year after the initial period. Disclosure Assumptions: 780 Fico score with a maximum loan-to-value of 65% on a primary residence purchase. The actual interest rate, APR and payment may vary based on the specific terms of the loan selected, verification of information, your credit history, the location and type of property, and other factors as determined by Lenders. Interest rate and APR are variable and subject to increase Not available in all states. Rates are subject to change daily without notice. Payment amounts shown do not include taxes or insurance. If your property is currently listed, this is not intended as a solicitation. Mortgage Capital Partners, Inc. is a lender under California Real Estate License #01858965. NMLS #239902. © 2016 Mortgage Capital Partners, Inc.

Thinking of selling or leasing your home? We would love the opportunity to show you how we are different. Please feel free to call or email us today!

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12530 Kling Street | Studio City IVE

3753 Avenida Del Sol IN

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15484 Hamner IN

OW CR ES

4211 Teesdale LD

Represented Buyer

14947 Greenleaf

5242 Vesper #10 LD

3170 Lindo LD

3550 Alana

4247 Teesdale

DEN N I S C H E R NOV C OR E Y K E S S LE R REALTOR速 | CalBRE Lic #01850113

R O XY G ONZ A LE Z

REALTOR速 | CalBRE Lic#01878880

445 West Elm IN

OW CR ES

10308 Woodbridge LD

17909 Palora

4105 Bellingham SO

15834 High Knoll

OW CR ES

11356 Dona Lola

5252 Amestoy IN

13446 Valley Vista

OW CR ES

T AC

4146 Allott IN

12308 Debby

Represented Buyer

IVE

T AC

REALTOR速 | CalBRE Lic #01882925

Y A NA C H E R NOV

AC Q U I S I T I O N / M A R K E T I N G M A N AG E R

14806 Otsego LD

4114 Beck

K E V IN S ILV E R REALTOR速 | CalBRE Lic #01888127

H E LE N H ILLO

O P E R AT I O N S M A N AG E R

818.432.1524 | info@chernovteam.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is listed with another Broker, this is not a solicitation. Keller Williams Realty 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 or other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection with appropriate licensed professionals.

Oren David Mordkowitz ESTATES DIRECTOR | REALTOR ®

818-933-5866

CalBRE License #01246402

oren@orenestates.com

16701 Bajio Court | $5,895,000 www.16701BajioCourt.com “Oren takes the time to listen and implement a personally tailored strategy to get your home sold. Assisting with pre-marketing

4464 Bergamo Drive | $2,399,000 www.4464BergamoDrive.com

preparations, providing exceptional negotiating skills, advice and integrity, while implementing a firstclass global marketing plan.” Call Oren to discuss your next move!

16677 Calneva Drive | $1,999,000 www.16677CalnevaDrive.com

www.OrenEstates.com

Fridays & Saturdays

Open House

Haleakala Luxury Apartments 14227 Magnolia Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

10am to 2pm

2011-2016

LAST WORD

Last Parcel Standing Photograph courtesy of Los Encinos Docent Association

his 1945 photograph documents a property known as “The Rancho” that at one time sprawled across most of modern-day Encino. The road in the foreground is Ventura Boulevard. Until the late 19th century, the property was the hub of human habitation in the Valley. Because of the natural spring, Tongva Indians lived at the site of the park for hundreds of years. The water from the spring was reputed to be so sweet that animals would come for miles to drink from it. The property passed through many hands—going from Indian to Mission to Californio (Spanish term for a descendant of a person of Spanish ancestry who was born in California) to French and Basque control. It was sold to two Basque brothers in 1869 and one of them built the two-story limestone farmhouse

114

VENTURA BLVD, HOLIDAY 2016

or “adobe” that still stands today. The land changed hands three times in the following 20 years and was eventually acquired by Dominique Amestoy in 1889. The fields were used for wheat farming, as was most of the Valley, after Isaac Newton Van Nuys introduced dryland farming there. In 1916, the Amestoy family sold off 1,170 acres that would become the community of Encino—further subdividing the ranchlands. At one point, the adobe was to be torn down and the land used as commercial property. Concerned neighbors led a successful fight to save it and the spring, which were both purchased by the State of California in 1949. That last intact parcel of The Rancho can be enjoyed today at the Los Encinos State Historic Park, where the spring now feeds a duck pond. 

ourventurablvd.com

Harriet & Andrew Ranked in the top 20 of all Berkshire Hathaway Agents nationwide.

4529 Gloria Ave, Encino $4,995,900

4840 Encino Ave, Encino $4,395,000

Reimagined Sophistication - 8 bedroom 10 bathroom 8400 square feet

Private, Gated, Luxurious - 6 Bedroom 10 Bath 9269 Square Feet

Harriet Cameron Andrew Spitz

16998 Encino Hills Dr, Encino $2,849,000

15459 Dickens St, Sherman Oaks $1,900,000

Amazing Architectural Modern - 6 bedroom 5.5 bath 4660 Square Feet

Incredible South Of The Boulevard Location 5 Bedroom 4 Bath 4496 Square Feet

Results That Move You! HarrietCameron.com 818-380-2151 BRE#675971 Realtor™

AndrewSpitz.com 818-817-4284 BRE#924610 Realtor™

2016 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 vafified by broker or MLS. CalBRE 01317331

Harriet’s & Andrew’s 2016 Sales Confidential* Jim Bridger, Hidden Hills Off Market High Knoll, Encino 16745 Bosque Dr, Encino 19425 Shirley Ct, Tarzana* 16688 Ashley Oaks, Encino 16266 Bertella Dr, Encino 16401 Garvin Dr, Encino 15605 Woodvale Rd, Encino 4921 Avenida Oriente, Tarzana 15531 Del Gado Dr, Sherman Oaks 3401 White Rose, Encino 4531 Noeline Way, Encino* 145 S. Avon St, Burbank 4745 Yarmouth Ave, Encino 17437 Tarzana St, Encino 14915 Rhinestone Dr, Sherman Oaks 17149 McCormick St, Encino* 3919 Westfall Dr, Encino Off Market Empress, Encino* 4411 Alfarena Pl, Tarzana

$9,000,000 $5,750,000 $2,797,000 $2,610,000 $2,569,000 $2,413,000 $2,225,000 $2,103,000 $2,035,000 $1,850,000 $1,827,500 $1,815,000 $1,795,000 $1,650,000 $1,577,780 $1,575,000 $1,568,000 $1,550,000 $1,565,000 $1,495,000

$83,000,000+ in Closed Sales 4908 Noeline Ave, Encino 3522 Stonewood Dr, Sherman Oaks 4820 Gaviota Ave, Encino 14632 Valley Vista, Sherman Oaks* 22623 Califa St, Woodland Hills 4649 Louise Ave, Encino 3849 Scadlock Ln, Sherman Oaks 3620 Sheridge Dr, Sherman Oaks 4720 Park Encino #320, Encino 16939 Otsego St, Encino 17403 Sumiya Dr, Encino 4960 Stern Ave, Sherman Oaks Off Market Oak View Dr, Encino Off Market Alonzo Ave, Encino Off Market Meadville Dr, Sherman Oaks 5128 Libbit Ave, Encino* 4601 Saloma Ave, Sherman Oaks 10648 Woodbridge Ave #127, Toluca Lake 5433 Tampa Ave, Tarzana 14521 Benefit St #305, Sherman Oaks 15207 Magnolia Blvd 127, Sherman Oaks 5301 Balboa #P4, Encino* *Represented Both Buyer(s) and Seller(s)

$1,490,000 $1,425,000 $1,360,000 $1,275,000 $1,260,000 $1,211,650 $1,205,000 $1,189,000 $1,180,000 $1,155,000 $1,105,000 $1,075,000 $1,000,000 $980,000 $890,000 $827,500 $765,000 $725,000 $699,000 $675,000 $409,000 $285,000