Ventura Blvd Magazine - May/June 2015 by Moon Tide Media

May/June 2015

NoHo: From Nowhere to LA's Off-Broadway p.61

WHERE WE LIVE

arts the

issue

MARK JACOBSON

PHOTOGRAPHIC LEGACY

OURVE N T U RA B LV D.CO M

Moon Tide Media

SIX DOLLARS

MAY/JUNE 2015

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MAY/JUNE 2015

Where We Live 1 6 Tips

24 Datebook

Invigorating ways to kick off spring

Fun stuff to do around town

20 Q & A

26 Local Talent

Arts guru Danielle Brazell

36 SEEN

22 Style File

A glass artist on his craft

Sunbrella pillows

Local faces spotted on the party circuit

The Sauce 30 Public School 818

Barrel & Ashes

The how-to on smoked brisket

We give it a pop quiz

31 Idle Hour

A historic, hipster spot for cocktails

32 The Culinary Garden

Cultivated picks from a pro

Features 39 Aspiring Arts

Clockwise from top: Sarah Cain’s paintings mounted on music sheets; a burger from Public School 818; Nancy Cartwright sculpting in her home studio

Meet a highly regarded expert, two prolific Valley collectors and a trio of exciting artists.

50 The Voice of an Artist

Actress and sculptress Nancy Cartwright invites us into her home studio.

54 The Silence of the Lens

The story of how—from his Valley shop—inventor Irving Jacobson changed photography forever.

Curtain Rising

A look at NoHo—fast becoming LA’s Off-Broadway theatre district.

High Notes

The hilltop home of Monica Mancini and Gregg Field.

Lost Coast

A group of 30-something buddies go on a daring surf adventure.

And Then Some...

Profiles: Top Dentists

The leading professionals of the Valley

80 Real Estate

Spectacular local listings

102 Last Word

Sherman Oaks Little League way back when

On the Cover:

Mark Jacobson, photographed by Michael Becker

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

we’ll save a seat for you. A new neighborhood gathering place is opening soon at The Garland, freshly renovated and ready to reintroduce ourselves to the community. The Front Yard showcases LA’s diverse food culture in a setting as casual and comfortable as an evening at the neighbors’ house. Starting in early summer, come on over anytime and we’ll set you a place around the table.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Linda Grasso

Ajay Peckham EDITORIAL

Editorial Director | Darren Elms Food Editor/VB’s The Sauce Editor | Karen Young Copy Editor | Laura Watts Graphic Designers | Elena Lacey, Michelle Villas CONTRIBUTORS Karen Jordan, Staness Jonekos, Melinda O’Brien, Karen Silver, Judith A. Stock, Michael Ventre, Chad Whistler PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Becker, Tracy Gitnick, Hugh Hamilton, Paul Joyner, Monica Orozco, Sierra Prescott, Lauren Pressey, Entropic Studio, Lu Tapp ADVERTISING

310-502-8262 | jared@moontidemedia.com Erika Carrion | 310-897-2424 | erika@moontidemedia.com Jared Sayers |

MARKETING & OPERATIONS

Director of Marketing | Cherice Tatum Marketing Manager | Kaleena Cano Operations Manager | Allison Jeackjuntra Business & Financial Consultant | Karina Aguiar

MANAGING PARTNERS

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The finest professionals in theValley 10

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

Todd Klawin

Emily Stewart

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. TO OUR READERS Ventura Blvd magazine welcomes your feedback to our magazine and stories. Please send your letters to: Reader Response Department, Ventura Blvd Magazine, PO Box 3760, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Please include your name and address and email address. Letters may be published. We reserve the right to edit. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe by email: info@moontidemedia.com or phone: 310-376-7800. Subscriptions are $29 per year. 58 11th Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Tel 310-376-7800 • Fax 310-376-0200 MoonTideMedia.com OurVenturaBlvd.com

PERSKY SUNDER FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Keeping Our Community In Good Health Whether you are maintaining health or fighting challenges, there is nothing more important than finding the services of the right doctor or medical practitioner. From alleviating pain to erasing wrinkles, the medical professionals featured in the next issue of Ventura Blvd are some of the most accomplished in their fields and all have the same goal ... putting you and your family squarely on the road to good health.

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310.376.7800 | ourventurablvd@moontidemedia.com | ourventurablvd.com

EDITOR’S LETTER | LINDA GRASSO

CONTRIBUTORS

DYNAMIC DUO

ast fall I visited the Jeff Koons exhibit in New York City. It was not my cup of tea. A ceramic statue of Michael Jackson with his chimpanzee? Close-up paintings of Koons' porn star wife’s intimate body parts? What is wrong with me, I thought, that I can’t appreciate this worldrenowned artist? (In all candor, on the heels of that thought came: What is wrong with all the rabid Koons fans oohing and aahing over this stuff ?) Suffice it to say, it was a perfect example of the fact that, whether perusing priceless works at the Louvre or mixed media in Venice Beach, art is subjective. Art is also exploration. We hope you enjoy navigating our cornerstone article—as well as other art-oriented stories—in this annual arts issue. We curate a super-interesting group of experts, collectors and artists to uncover the inspirations and motivations behind creating and owning meaningful art. Perhaps you’ll learn something about what inspires and excites you in a creative visual medium. I know I did. We also touch on the art of live theatre. Once a depressed area, NoHo has become a vibrant, growing quadrant of the Valley. Part of that can be seen in the burgeoning theatre scene that, in recent years, has evolved into something akin to LA’s version of New York’s Off-Broadway district. Find out how it came to be that way and how you can experience it. As you may have noted, here at Ventura Blvd we put a premium on photography. So we are thrilled to bring you the captivating profile of unsung photography inventor Irving Jacobson. Back in the ‘60s he developed the sound blimp—used today on virtually every sound stage in LA. It silences the sound of the shutter snap so entertainment photographers can capture images without disturbing actors. As Fast & Furious 7 plays on movie screens, you’ll also discover how Irving’s 1965 invention of a radio-controlled system that remotely operated camera heads enabled movie fans to experience virtual car racing before “virtual” was even part of our vocabulary. It is the kind of story we like to share: local man, relentless passion and an indelible mark on the world.

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

at lindagrasso@moontidemedia.com.

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

Staness Jonekos is a veteran TV producer and the author of Eat Like a Woman and The Menopause Makeover. Michael Becker is a celebrity/ entertainment photographer and an Oscar- and Grammynominated songwriter/producer. In this issue, the married couple joins forces to produce our cover story, “Silence of the Lens.” Why did you pitch this story to Ventura Blvd?

Staness: Many don’t know when they see exciting, behind-the-scene photos in their favorite magazine that those moments were captured candidly because of the Jacobson sound blimp. It has been part of movie-making for decades. Michael: The history of Mark Jacobson and his father, Irving, is a fascinating story that has flown under the radar. We felt their story might be appreciated by other TV and movie buffs—many of whom reside in the Valley. What was it like working together?

Michael: Staness and I have supported each other’s careers since we met. Because we have complementary skills, we thought it would be great fun to work on some projects together. The idea of traveling, writing and taking photos to tell stories appealed to both of us. Staness: As with any collaboration, we knew we had to create boundaries because we are both perfectionists. He did not read my story until it was finished and edited, and I did not review his photographs until they were ready for submission. It was a treat to see them merge seamlessly.

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WHERE WE LIVE

Cultural Catalyst Public arts advocate Danielle Brazell grew up Valley— and she’s never forgotten it. More on page 20. PHOTOGRAPHED BY

MONICA OROZCO

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MONTH 20XX, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | TIPS

Bring On Spring

Feast on Flowers

Visit Carlsbad Ranch. Each spring from March until early May, 50 acres of this North San Diego County sprawl transform into a spectacular and coordinated display of natural color and beauty, thanks to Giant Tecolote Ranunculus blossoms. theflowerfields.com

A dozen ways to kick off the season in high style and spirits.

Bottle It

Create an ode to spring. This colorful display was created with vintage glass bottles collected over the years at flea markets. Get different sizes, shapes and colors. Use simple yard cuttings (both flowering and non-flowering) to make a meadow.

Color Your World

There is nothing like a splash of color to freshen decor. This spring Sherman Oaks-based interior designer Kate Nolan suggests two shades by Benjamin Moore.

COURTESY OF THE FLOWER FIELDS AT CARLSBAD RANCH; FLOWERS IN ESCONDIDO/LA COSTA.

“Herb Bouquet feels like a neutral; it is clean and fresh and acts as a chameleon, picking up on greys, greens or blues. Brilliant for bathrooms. On walls it imbues serenity akin to a spa or glossy cabinetry—a sophisticated departure from plain woods or boring whites. Stunning set against pale stone, dark wood or black tile floors accessorized with natural materials (rattan baskets) and polished nickel fixtures.” Complementary colors: Ashland Slate and Sweet Spring.

Get Hazmat Cool

Snag a Yeti Hopper 20 portable cooler. The leakproof, soft-sided cooler can keep ice cold for days. Built with indestructible materials to withstand even the roughest of camping trips (or tailgate parties!) $299, yeticoolers.com

“Bourbon Street is a warm and embracing color, but with its grey undertones it feels current and fresh. I see this in a family room. It works especially well with mid-century furnishings, and as an art wall framed family photographs stand out nicely. Great with pale cabinetry and floors, creamy soft accents like a pale Moroccan area rug, upholstery in pale blues, warm wood accent tables and hints of antique brass hardware.” Complementary colors: Wales Gray and Silver Fox.

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

ourventurablvd.com

TIPS | WHERE WE LIVE

Create Casablanca

Gaze at Grace

See the Appalachian Spring exhibit, which showcases vintage photographs of the 70-year-old Martha Graham Dance Company. Barbara Morgan captures the artistic innovation by the legendary choreographer with her beautiful photographs. The exhibit at Valley Performing Art Center’s art gallery runs through May 15. valleyperformingartscenter.org

Play Ball

Hit a Dodgers game. After last year’s trip to the playoffs, Big Blue returns to Chavez Ravine with its roster of pricey players. Season runs through October. Tickets start at $28.

Get Buff

Get in shape the old-fashioned way. At the new Novo Body Fitness studio, Miguel Novo—who just moved his hub from Brentwood to Encino (to be closer to home)— eschews “trends and fads” for a backto-basics approach that embraces weights, barbells, bumper plates and seated benches. “I’m about educating and teaching clients how to effectively build lean muscle, lose fat and increase strength,” says the personal trainer. After six classes or private sessions, the thoughtful, soft-spoken, self-described “fitness freak” promises results. Looking at him, we’re inclined to become believers. novobodyfitness.com

ourventurablvd.com

Pucker Up

Gather all the lemons off your trees. It is healthier for the tree to remove them now rather than leaving on or letting drop. Make something you can enjoy for months like lemon curd or salt-preserved lemons (a game-changer when cooking with tangines). Lemon Curd ¾ stick butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 egg yolks ½ cup lemon juice 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and yolks. Mix in lemon juice and zest. Cook in saucepan on low, stirring until smooth. Increase heat to medium, stirring until thickened. Do not let boil. Pour into container. Chill or freeze.

Eat Better

Immerse your palate in the bounty of fresh fruit and veggies of the season. Can’t make it to the market? Order fresh organic produce delivered to your doorstep and devise your daily menu from what is ripe and ready. For a list of local farms go to localharvest.org.

Dot your patio with colorful, environmentally friendly, eye-catching lanterns that have patterns and geometric shapes etched into solid steel. They come in three styles, four sizes and a dozen different colors. Available at Pacific Patio Furniture in Agoura Hills. pacpatio.com

Sip a Cold One

When it comes to sipping a cold one, opt for craft beers that are a bit lighter in alcohol content to ensure the flavors do not overwhelm the taste of BBQ and smoked savories. At Blue Dog in Sherman Oaks, they’re particularly keen on Bell’s Oberon Ale, which has returned to the tavern for the warm-weather months. Another option: Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier—a full-bodied, sweet, fruity style of beer. Hefeweizens are typically made with Bavarian yeast and offer fun notes of banana and citrus. Tip: Pair grilled meats with a Rauchbier—that’s German for “smoked beer.” This variety is brewed with grain cured over smoldering wood chips. bluedogbeertavern.com

Get Groomed

Ward off the heat with a sleek cut and a smooth shave. Make it ridiculously convenient and hire the Luxury Mobile Barbershop, In a tricked-out Mercedes van, they will come straight to your door. Cut/shave combos; prices start at $200. luxurymobilebarbershop.com 

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MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A

ART JUMP-START Danielle Brazell in front of The Great Wall of Los Angeles, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest mural at 2,740 feet, in the east Valley. At the helm of world-renowned muralist Judy Baca, the public art project kicked off in 1974 and was recently restored.

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Q&A | WHERE WE LIVE

Arts Advocate LA cultural affairs head honcho Danielle Brazell on what the job entails, how her LAUSD experience shaped her life and how discovering a passion for art saved it

second, she demonstrated trust and respect—traits I instinctively wanted to return. Barbara created the opportunity to imagine my life, a critical tool for charting one’s future.

Over the past 20 years, Danielle Brazell has earned a reputation as a passionate supporter and dogged fundraiser of the arts. One could view it as a nobrainer when, nearly a year ago, Mayor Eric Garcetti nominated her to be general manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). Danielle has oversight of a $56 million portfolio of facilities, programming and initiatives providing arts and cultural services in Los Angeles. The Reseda native attended Grover Cleveland High School but lacked the credits to graduate, making her a rare LA city department head without a high school diploma. Here are some excerpts from her one-on-one with Ventura Blvd editor-in-chief Linda Grasso.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

MONICA OROZCO

ourventurablvd.com

I understand that a seminal experience was meeting your high school drama teacher. Yes, my Cleveland drama teacher, Barbara Yanuck, took one look at me, introduced herself and shook my hand. In that

So you didn’t get your diploma. That surprises me. You seem so driven. My mother used to say that my emotional scale was like that of a piano—“an infinite number of notes, melodies and rhythms.” I didn’t have a vehicle to express those feelings. Language eluded me, so I left high school functionally illiterate. My journals from that time affirm this deep struggle. I floundered. Any cultural experiences you remember while growing up here? My parents didn’t have the resources or the awareness to take me to cultural events. But I had the opportunity to see a little play called Bugs in 1976. It was the first time I stepped into any theatre, much less the grand Ahmanson Theatre. I had never experienced anything so fancy. I was completely captivated. The play was a comedy about bugs in New York City. The cockroach was my favorite character because I too had many living in the apartment I shared with my mother, sister and brother. I learned that they are just trying to survive like every other bug on the street. It was the first time that a

spark ignited inside of me. Share more on your background. My most recent past position as executive director for arts for LA made me the seasoned arts advocate I always wanted to become. I transitioned that organization from an ad hoc steering committee comprised of local executive arts leader-

WALK WITH ME A new app brings together the past and present of the Valley. The Walk With Me app blends interviews, music, historic sound clips, natural sounds and “live noise” into an interactive walking art installation that reveals itself differently for each user. Stroll the Boulevard, and your phone’s GPS accesses data points that allow you to hear an evolving soundscape. The app is the result of a partnership between the LA Department of Cultural Affairs and app developers Dutch Culture and CicLAvia. Go to the Apple store for the free download.

ship to a highly visible arts advocacy organization serving the greater LA region. Valley DCA projects? We operate and manage the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center and the Madrid

Theatre; partner with Sony on the Sony Pictures Media Arts Program that will soon take up residence at Pacoima City Hall; fund many organizations like Deaf West Theatre providing services to the community; and support important projects like the Lit Crawl LA: NoHo. I understand you are a big supporter of graffiti artists. Murals are a signature art form and a great way of making arts and culture visible and accessible. They also help define a community by reflecting the uniqueness of the place and people. The City Council has appropriated funds for mural restoration and the creation of new murals, so we are currently working with all the council districts to determine the best way to creatively and effectively deploy those funds for the greatest impact. Why is art important? Art saves lives. It fosters empathy and respect for those different from you. Art is pedagogy; it teaches, informs and inspires learning. Public support for the arts helps to connect people that otherwise would not have access to these vital tools. Simply having access to the tools is what can make the difference in someone’s life. It made a major difference in mine. That is why I do what I do. 

MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | STYLE FILE

PILLOW TALK A splash of colorful, weatherproof Sunbrella pillows for inspired outdoor living PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN STYLED BY KAREN

PRESSEY

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1. Custom sunbrella in Capri (20 x 20)

4. Malibu Medallion (24 x 24)

Custom-made to order. Aum & Garden in Sherman Oaks, aumandgarden.com 2. Custom Sunbrella in Bouquet (18x18)

Pottery Barn at Westfield Fashion Square, Sherman Oaks, potterybarn.com 5. Astrid Trellis (20 x 20)

Custom-made to order. Aum & Garden in Sherman Oaks, aumandgarden.com 3. Custom Sunbrella in Deveron (20 x 20)

Also available in blue and orange. Pottery Barn at Westfield Fashion Square, Sherman Oaks, potterybarn.com 6. Arusha Zebra (18 x 18)

$85

Square, Sherman Oaks, potterybarn.com 7. Elaine Smith Metallic Block Lumbar (12 x 24)

$49.50

$68

$92

Universal Patio Furniture in Studio City, unifurn.com 8. Willis Sunbrella in Azure (20 x 20)

$45.50

$78

$175

Custom-made to order (Sunbrella fabric also available by the yard). Calico Corners in Studio City, calicocorners.com ď Ź

$39.50

Custom-made to order. Aum & Garden in Sherman Oaks, aumandgarden.com

Pottery Barn at Westfield Fashion

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VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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WHERE WE LIVE | DATEBOOK

CULTURE CLUB

CURTAIN CALL CSUN’s teen workshop culminates on stage

June 6-7

Teenage Drama Workshop CSUN, Northridge

Enroll your kid in a six-week workshop for acting, dance and voice, or technical theatre arts. Auditions June 6-7. Culminates in two shows. csun.edu/tadw May 30 & 31

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Hollywood Bowl

Enjoy an evening with two musical powerhouses: an 80-something-yearold crooner and one of the most popular female recording artists of today. May 30 & 31. hollywoodbowl.com June 26, July 24 & August 21

Roaring Nights

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JAMIE PHAM

LA Zoo

The zoo kicks off its summer music series Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m., featuring a live band, food trucks, fullservice bars, zookeeper talks and animal encounters. lazoo.org

Going On Now Dead Sea Scrolls

600 ancient artifacts including portions of the 2,000-year-old texts and a 3-ton stone from the Western Wall. Plus Jerusalem 3D in IMAX. californiasciencecenter.org

Pasadena Showcase House

Visit distinguished 1910 San Marino estate—an eclectic English Tudor combined with Craftsman elements “decorated to the nines.” Through May 17. pasadenashowcase.org

Berry Picking

Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries at Underwood Family Farms in Somis. underwoodfamilyfarms.com

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

May 7 Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution

A retrospective about the career of rock impresario Bill Graham (1931–1991), who promoted ‘60s legends Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. Through October 11. skirball.org

16 Saturdays Off the 405

Enjoy outdoor music, breathtaking views of the city and refreshing summer exhibitions. getty.edu

17 Garden Show

A delight for anyone with a green thumb. mytarzana.org

24 Topanga Vintage Market

Featuring 180 booths with vintage items, antiques, art and collectibles. topangavintagemarket.com

June 10 Tedeschi Trucks Band

He is a former member of The Allman Brothers Band. She is a singer with an alluring voice. Together, the couple will have you on your feet. greektheatrela.com

13 To Kill A Mockingbird

Based on Harper Lee’s beloved novel, a compelling story about the loss of innocence. theatricum.com

ourventurablvd.com

A WORLD OF ANSWERS.

THE SHERI AND ROY P. DISNEY CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AT THE DISNEY FAMILY CANCER CENTER

Ora Karp Gordon, MD, MS Medical Director, Integrative Medicine & Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program

One in three Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime and at least 10 percent of these cancers are hereditary. For Dr. Ora Karp Gordon, knowledge is power. As the Medical Director of Integrative Medicine and Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program at the Roy & Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, Dr. Gordon and her team know that blending the best of traditional and complementary medicine can provide a world of answers.

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WHERE WE LIVE | LOCAL TALENT

HOUSE OF GLASS Steven Lenchner at work in his home studio.

Glass Master

An artist pursues his passion for creating art from glass in new and inventive ways. WRITTEN BY KAREN

JORDAN JOYNER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

estled on a nondescript street in Reseda, an artist has created his dream home. Steven Lenchner has transformed his house into his own version of paradise. It is filled with his personal tableware designs, backsplashes, countertops and decorative wall murals—all made of glass. It is part of his plan to one day make a living doing what he loves to do: create art from glass. “To me that is kind of my field of dreams,” Steven says. “I figured somehow, someway I would connect with people, because I really want to work as a commissioned artist.” The art of glass is something Steven accidentally stumbled upon. His girlfriend at the time was intent on helping him find a creative outlet. They attended a glassmaking class together in 2002 in Santa Cruz, and he was immediately hooked. “It’s my passion,” he says. “From that very first class I took, I heard this voice in my head going, ‘I could see myself doing this when I’m 80.’” Steven’s garage is now his studio; his kitchen is also a showcase for his designs, with countertops and a backsplash crafted from colorful glass. After buying a kiln— he has two—Steven worked on cultivating his distinct style.

ourventurablvd.com

LOCAL TALENT | WHERE WE LIVE

BOWLED OVER A sampling of the artful pieces Steven creates.

His projects all begin with a sketch. Then he creates a mold of the design with clay or a 3-D printer. Next a firing mold is made using a casting mix formulated for glass. The mold is then placed into a kiln, cured and holes are drilled into the object, which allows the melting glass to push air out of the bottom of the mold as the glass melts into the mold. Later, the mold is put on ceramic sticks to allow air to vent the bottom as the glass melts. Once cooled, the glass disk is removed from the casting mold and placed in another mold. It is heated again, ultimately taking the desired form. The artist currently has three lines of tableware, ranging in price from $800 to $1,450 for four-piece place settings. He believes his designs appeal to a certain artistic sensibility: people who “get” the skill involved in creating a piece and who appreciate his unique style. 

ourventurablvd.com

MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

SP_Ad-VenturaBlvd-May-June-2015.qxp_Layout 1 4/7/15 4:12 PM Page 1

SUMMER PROGRAMS 2015 at C AMPB E L L HA L L

June 8- July 31 • Full & Half Day Camps • K-9th Grades

CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY theater • music • dance • improvisation • fencing original theatrical production • outdoor games & activities mixed media free art • costume and prop design • ﬁlm

CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPS robotics • chess • baseball • basketball • football • soccer softball • sports & games • volleyball • dance • tennis • cheer STEAM • magic • extended day program

www.campbellhall.org/summer

Campbell Hall • 4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd • North Hollywood, CA • 91607 • (818) 505-2415

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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THE SAUCE New Old School

The team behind one of Beverly Hillsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; swankiest grills opens their newest concept on the Boulevard. For more on that and other culinary adventures, turn the page ...

NOSTALGIC NIBBLES Speck & Eggs at Public School 818

MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

THE SAUCE

Head of the Class With a prime Valley location, Public School 818 opens to boffo business. WRITTEN BY

CHAD WHISTLER

acked by the Grill Concepts team, which also owns the longtime showbiz hotspot The Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills and the Daily Grill chain, Public School 818 is a modern gastropub with a seasonally inspired menu that has opened at the highly visible intersection of Sepulveda and Ventura. While it features many of the same kinds of contemporized dishes

Public School 818 Opens at 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 15300 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

The generous space,

that have recently captured the fancy of American chefs—deviled eggs, ahi tacos, trickedout burgers and desserts in Mason jars—the carefully crafted eats here are a cut above that of most casual eateries. Classic cafeteria dishes are served with a SoCal twist: crisp bacon cheddar tots are accompanied by sriracha ketchup; an insane mac ‘n’ cheese features chorizo and kale. The menu also steps outside typical burgers-

EVOCATIVE OF A CLASSROOM,

is comfortable with plenty of booths. Shuffleboard and dartboards add a fun, retro vibe.” wings-and-beer fare with entrees like the Colorado lamb burger—perfectly cooked and enhanced by a delicious spread of tomato cranberry jam, arugula and brie. The pan-seared salmon with farro and wild mushrooms and the flat iron steak with truffle butter are two other delights.

Meats are tender; presentation is appealing. Portions are generous but not Cheesecake Factory-overwhelming. PS818 features an interesting, eclectic craft beer selection with 24 taps in all. The generous chalkboard-filled space, evocative of a classroom, is comfortable with plenty of booths. Shuffleboard and dartboards add a fun, retro vibe. The outdoor patio wraps around the busy intersection, but the noise doesn’t seem to be dissuading diners. Tip: A pay parking lot is available on Dickens Street, accessible just south of the building off Sepulveda. The place has been packed since it opened. While our service on two occasions was terrific, we have heard some grumblings about snail-paced waiters who seem overwhelmed. Could just be growing pains—kinks that are worked out in time. With three other LA outlets (different area codes in name), Public School seems to have stumbled on a formula for growth. In our preliminary exam, we’re giving the new kid an A.  ourventurablvd.com

THE SAUCE

Staring Down The Barrel A renovation brings a landmark NoHo building with a storied past back to life. WRITTEN BY KAREN YOUNG

Idle Hour 4824 N. Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, 818-980-5600, idlehourbar.com

PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM BRADFORD

“W

ith our other bars we’ve recreated an era, but with Idle Hour this is the first time we actually got to restore history,” says Bobby Green, co-owner of the 1933 Group—the company that resurrected the “watering hole” earlier this year. The iconic, whiskey barrel-shaped building has stood on Vineland Avenue for more than 70 years. Bobby credits Chris Nichols, Los Angeles Magazine associate editor and preservationist, for the structure’s survival. The journalist’s “Ask Chris” column brought Idle Hour to light, helping it achieve LA historical landmark status in 2010. Bobby, who grew up nearby, says he was always enamored by the building. So back in 2011, when Chris alerted him that it was being auctioned off by the county, Bobby sprang into action—ultimately casting the winning bid and adding Idle Hour to 1933 Group’s list of a half dozen LA venues.

THE BACKSTORY

Commissioned in 1941 by Michael Connolly, a film tech at Universal Studios, and built by Silver Lake engineer George F. Fordyk, Idle Hour Café (as it was called) was constructed as an example of “programmatic architecture”—meaning buildings that look like the things they serve. “Los Angeles was filled with crazy, colorful roadside creations meant to catch the eye of drivers and pull them in,” explains Chris. ourventurablvd.com

“I have heard there were more than a dozen barrel-shaped buildings in Southern California at one point, but it was the sheer variety and insanity of these creations: an owl that served ice cream, a tamale filled with tamales, a hot dog selling hot dogs, an orange you could drink juice out of … genius stuff. Total fantasy-land.” The building changed hands in 1971 and turned into a flamenco dinner theatre complete with red carpet, velvet-flocked wallpaper and white exterior. Owner Dolores Fernandez closed the restaurant in 1984 but lived a hermit’s life inside the second-story apartment for more than two decades. After she died, the property was auctioned off.

THE PRESENT

After a three-year renovation, the architectural integrity of the building remains intact—including the original stained-glass barrel art, meticulously duplicated on every door. On the back patio sits the Bulldog Café (a copy of the original pipesmoking icon that sold tamales and ice cream) which was rescued from the Peterson Automotive Museum. There is a creative offering of craft cocktails and 24 beers on tap— mostly local craft varieties. Wine is limited to one variety each of pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, prosecco and rosé. Bar bites include steak frites, beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips, sloppy joes and mac ‘n’ cheese.  MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

THE SAUCE

Smoke Show The grillmasters at Barrel & Ashes ruminate on smoking the perfect brisket. PHOTOGRAPHED BY

SIERRA PRESCOTT

When it comes to smoked brisket, no one does it better than Barrel & Ashes in Studio City. Here is the eatery’s “how-to” on selecting, preparing and cooking their famous meltin-your-mouth meat. • Choose a large brisket with a good, even fat cap on top. Trim the fat cap to about 1/4-inch.

• Keep meat as cold as possible before it’s seasoned and goes into the smoker. • Generously season with salt and freshly ground black pepper all around. • Make sure to cook brisket with the thickest side, or the point,

closest to heat source. • Set smoker to 225º, maintaining even temperatures throughout cooking . • Make sure in the first 4 to 6 hours the brisket comes up to temperature as slowly as possible in order to get a better

smoke ring. • Cook for about 12 to 14 hours. • Let the brisket rest for 20 to 30 minutes after you pull it out of the smoker. • For slicing, separate the point from the flat and slice both going against the grain. 

Backyard to Table A curated list of what to cultivate in your garden this summer.

MENTHA SPICATA MINT (spearmint) My favorite herb! I grow it everywhere in my garden. For teas, salads, chutneys and sauces … delicious with tomatoes.

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

Our long, hot summers make the Valley a prime veggiegrowing region. Cat Gantz of Cat’s Culinary Garden (catsculinarygarden.com) shares some of her favorite heirlooms tomatoes as well as some other stand-out plants.

SUYO LONG CUCUMBER Extra long with light and dark green stripes. Delicious taste, almost seedless. Must have strong trellis support if grown vertically. PURPLE OPAL BASIL Beautiful color, mild taste with a hint of licorice. It’s easy to grow in the summer and into fall. Adds a splash of color to salads. FRENCH BREAKFAST RADISH This classic variety is white-tipped, mild and crispy, and they grow well all year round. In France we eat them with butter!

GIANT BELGIUM TOMATO Gargantuan, dark pink fruit. It takes two hands to hold just one! Great for salads. BLACK KRIM TOMATO Dark black, green, reddish fruit. Matures quickly and has a unique taste that tomato connoisseurs will appreciate.

COSTOLUTO FIORENTINO TOMATO Ugly with uneven shapes but super tasty. Great for slicing fresh off the vine or cooking down into a rich sauce. 

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prime steaks. Legendary service.

Fine Wine • private dining • exceptional menu

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When it comes to hair color, there actually is a better way.

Justin Anderson, Creative Director, dpHUE

dpHUE was founded because women needed a way to make their hair color fast, easy and empowering– while still delivering superior results. Now there’s a space for women to get those professional results without sacrificing convenience. The education in the dpHUE colorBAR and its groundbreaking Italian crème color and products are casting a whole new light on the way we color our hair. Salon color services and take home kits available. Rethink your routine.

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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Top Honors

Clubbing It

Encino resident Michael P. McNamara became a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers at an induction ceremony in Key Biscayne, Florida. The college is composed of the best of the trial bar from the U.S. and Canada, and fellowship is extended by invitation. Michael is a partner in the firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP.

The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley held their annual Youth of the Year Luncheon.

Youth of the Year award winner Stephanie Gomez

Back (L to R): Jeff Sacks, Susie Nudelman, Susan Ng, Ben Wong, Max Reyes Front (L to R): Barbara Cooper, Marty Cooper, Kimberlee Leonard, Jane Bainter

Michael McNamara and Teresa McNamara

Youth Climb

The Sky is the Limit held a fundraising breakfast at Sportsmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lodge and Events Center. The money the nonprofit raised goes toward sending disadvantaged teenagers, who are in crisis, to wilderness (therapy) programs. Lynn Carteris, Lani Dorff, Rochelle Bochner, Chris Keck, Gabrielle Carteris

Adam Arkin and Jay Silverman

Linnea Lukatch, Nancy Moore, Jill Lerner

Color Fest

Neiman Marcus Topanga held a fashion show to showcase the best in spring fashion at their Luxury Lifestyle event.

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

Celebrating the Golden Age

En Pointe

Genevieve Waldorf and Callahan Porter performed at the The Music Center’s 27th annual Spotlight Program, which recognizes high school students in the performing arts. The dancers, who both train at the Los Angeles Ballet Academy in Encino, were finalists in the competition and received $5,000 scholarships.

Belmont Village residents enjoy exceptional hospitality, luxurious amenities and premier programs for health and wellness. Senior Living has never looked better!

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LABA’s Andrea ParisGutierrez with the girls

Winner of the George Mason University Healthcare Award for the Circle of Friends© memory program for Mild Cognitive Impairment. Provider to the NFL Player Care Plan. RCFE Lic 197608468, 197608466, 197608467, 198601646, 565801746, 197608291 © 2015 Belmont Village, L.P.

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ASPIRING

The Los Angeles art scene is on fire with more galleries, curators and artists here than ever before. We can see it locally in the arts district in NoHo, with numerous noteworthy galleries popping up in recent years, following in the footsteps of established, thriving art hubs like Venice and Culver City. On the next pages, we check in with a professional art advisor, two passionate Valley collectors and a group of emerging LA artists to learn their inspirations and visions for creating and owning fine art.

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MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

The

ADVISOR

Drawing a “fine” line with art guru and consultant Victoria Burns INTERVIEWED BY

DARREN ELMS PHOTOGRAPHED BY

LAUREN PRESSEY

Victoria Burns at the Blum & Poe Gallery in Culver City featuring photographer Florian Maier-Aichen.

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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“One eye sees; the other feels,” said Swiss-German painter Paul Klee describing art. For art advisor Victoria Burns, this delicate duality applies not only to her personal tastes but also to the satisfaction of her fine art-collecting clients. Victoria spent most of her adult life in Chicago, where she received a bachelor’s degree in art history at Northwestern University. Surrounded by the rich architecture and prominent museums of the Windy City, she began her career there as an adviser. In recent years, she moved west and now bases her business in Los Angeles. We caught up with Victoria to discuss the booming LA arts scene, her own passion for art and how she helps clients find theirs. work initially provokes a physical response quickly followed by psychological or emotional connection to the work. For example, she created a carpet constructed of stick pins. When you first see the work, you sense beauty and sensuality, but when you come closer, you realize how violent it would be to step on.

What artist are you currently finding captivating? Ai Weiwei, who was arrested and has been detained in China for producing his works of art, which protest his government’s stance on democracy and human rights. They are powerful objects: beautiful, thought-provoking and made out of interesting, culturally relevant materials such as tea, jade, local woods, bicycles.

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Any others? Maurizio Cattelan is an Italian artist who makes shocking, satirical sculptures targeting social systems and the art world. Jim Hodges, an American artist producing exquisitely beautiful objects with emotional overtones—he uses materials from everyday life, transforming them into magical objects. Also Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum, whose

Let’s talk about your job. Walk us through a typical interaction with a new client. First I visit with them in their home or office, which tells me a lot. I can see their environment, and we have a discussion about what art they already know and like … and more important, why they are interested in collecting. I usually arrive with a huge stack of books to get the conversation going about what’s out there now and which direction I might take them. I focus our discussion on a few ideas: Do they prefer a certain medium such as photography or painting, do they prefer figurative vs. abstract, are they political, do they travel and think about

global issues? Understanding their answers allows me to be more effective.

work is enigmatic, so that there is always something new to be discovered.

How does the purchasing process work? I typically take the client to galleries and art fairs both in Los Angeles and around the world. Once we’ve found an object that they want to acquire, I’m able to use my relationships with

What is your own collection like? My husband and I started collecting in the ‘90s primarily, when photography was particularly hot and accessible. Many of our images are both beautiful and also provocative with a second layer of meaning. For example, the Ori

I look for artists whose work fits into the trajectory of art history but SOMEHOW CHALLENGES what we already know.” galleries and other art world connections to negotiate a favorable discount, which I pass on to the client. What specifically do you look for in fine art? I look for artists whose work fits into the trajectory of art history but somehow challenges what we already know. I also appreciate it if a

Gersht is an image of an all-white, overexposed, 600-year-old olive tree on the border of Israel and Palestine. It’s called “Ghost” and references death but also a peace offering. In a perfect world, what do you hope for in a new client? Open-mindedness. While I have to work with a client’s taste,

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The Advisor

VICTORIA’S NONPROFIT ARTS HIT LIST: HAMMER MUSEUM K.A.M.P. (KIDS ART MUSEUM PROJECT) So fantastic. Everyone with little children should head up on the weekends, where professional artists work with children to create projects. Painters, sculptors, architects and creative types of all kinds lead inventive, hands-on workshops in the carefree atmosphere of the Hammer Museum courtyard. LAXART An independent, nonprofit space that produces experimental exhibitions and public art initiatives, offers the public access to a new generation of artists and curators, supports both risk and dialogue, and produces new work for new audiences. Their events are happenings and are often open to the public. LAND (LOS ANGELES NOMADIC DIVISION) A nonprofit organization founded in 2009 committed to curating site-specific public art exhibitions in Los Angeles and beyond. LAND believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience innovative, contemporary art in their day-to-day lives. In turn, artists deserve the opportunity to realize projects, otherwise unsupported, at unique sites in the public realm.

having a client who is open to multiple types of art (photography, painting, sculpture, video) or themes within art (nature, war, portraits, etc.) helps me build the most interesting and valuable collection I can for them. How would you describe the state of the LA art scene? The LA art world is on fire! Many artists, galleries, curators and collectors have moved here from New York and elsewhere, so LA has developed into a truly international art scene. Artists love living here. It is a hotbed for creation and innovation with the movie industry,

great universities and art schools, fabulous museums and also the rise of the “Silicon Beach” tech scene. Any parting advice you can give to a Valley resident interested in upping their art game? Be open-minded, seelots of art in galleries and museums to educate your eye, read and learn about those artists you like. Learn the basics of art history if you can so you can contextualize new work, which often refers to something made in the past. Make time for it. Like any other hobby or investment project, knowledge is cumulative. 

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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The

COLLECTORS

For some, accumulating fine art is about more than creating a financial asset. Meet two Valley collectors who view their passion as an investment in culture. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA

OROZCO

Jim Fox (West Valley) Prized Possession

The painting that I’m photographed with (above the fireplace) was part of a collection of a family friend who collected art since the early ‘20s. He was a famous silent film star, and it was his favorite piece. It is just amazing to think of the hands it passed through … the people and faces it has witnessed. If only it could only speak.

What Catches My Eye

I collect art for its eclecticism and the ability to see beauty, pain, happiness and sorrow through the eyes of a person who lived 100 or even 500 years ago. I find that really compelling. The use of camouflage to hide a second story also appeals to me.

On My Radar

My favorite artists, aside from Alonso Cano, are Caravaggio, Dali, Lautrec vintage posters, Lotte Jacobi and Londono. I am fascinated by the emotion of their work as seen on the canvas or a photo negative. I love to think about what were they thinking, what happened in the world, where they were when they did the piece, etc.

My Collection

It is really a mélange of 14th-century to 17th-century paintings and sculptures. I collect from all over the world out of love rather than value. Art is so subjective, and of course everyone has their opinion. Some love it, some hate it—that’s the fun of collecting it.

One Fancy

I also collect late 19th-century and 20th-century camera works. One of my favorite photographers is Lotte Jacobi. My family had many photos taken by her; she was perhaps the Annie Leibovitz of her day.

First Love

My father was an avid collector who would acquire pieces while we traveled the world. My first piece was a Lautrec Chanteuse that was almost comical. She made me smile and wonder what Paris was like in the early pre-war years.

Featured on following page

The Advisor

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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The Collectors

Darcy Wilding (Studio City)

Prized Possession

I love the painting I’m pictured with (above the table) because of the way the subject’s skin glows—something the artist, Wade Reynolds, was known for. She’s in a very natural, effortless pose. And you don’t see her face, which lends some intrigue to the painting. Also I love the rusty, reddish-brown color; it very much reminds me of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and it was in fact painted in 1965.

Motivation

We buy art because we love having something one-of-a-kind, an original creation. If we have the chance to meet the artists and get to know them a little bit, that’s ideal; it makes for a real, personal connection with our new piece.

Key Artists

We have a lot work by C.L. Higgins, a Ventura artist who works with varied media and styles too. We have some of his landscapes from the Ventura area, one of a scene in Europe and a small still life as well. And a watercolor of a sailing ship that is not a seascape—it looks more like builder’s plans. Also we recently bought a landscape by Fred Holcomb, a Seattle artist.

Our Collection

It is really a combination of beautiful pieces that we’ve bought over the years, gifts and pieces from our families. My mother used to paint, and we have a few of her pieces that are favorites of mine. My husband’s uncle, D. Henry, is a painter as well, and we have some of his. Some of our favorite pieces were done by a close family friend.

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Philosophy

To me the value is entirely aesthetic—whether you spend $10,000 or $100, it’s all about whether it looks wonderful in your home and works well with what’s around it. So while we’re

very happy to be in a position to buy things we love, it’s really not about the financial investment.

First Big Buy

The first “real” art that my husband and I bought was

the Wade Reynolds piece. We visited the gallery more than once because we couldn’t get the painting out of our heads. At the time it was very expensive for us, but we loved it and had to have it. 

MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

The

TALENT

Meet three extraordinary artists putting Los Angeles front and center in the contemporary art scene. WRITTEN BY MELINDA

O’BRIEN OROZCO

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA

volving at a steady pace, the current art scene of Los Angeles—invigorated by a talented strain of artists who continue to test the boundaries of the creative realm through a variety of mediums and unique perspectives—offers art lovers the opportunity to collect beautiful, unusual and thought-provoking works. And while there is a plethora of quality art being produced, getting acquainted with the specific types of work that resonate with one’s personal taste can be challenging. We put the spotlight on three local artists who are proving to be innovative forces on the city’s art front. Perhaps some of their creative expressions will strike a chord or simply inspire you to take your own personal exploration into what is inspirational or exciting in a visual medium.

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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SC Sarah Cain

ARTWORK COURTESY OF HONOR FRASER GALLERY IN LOS ANGELES PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF MCLANE AND JOSHUA WHITE/JWPICTURES.COM

painter

Sarah Cain creates everything from small objects to giant room-size works on-site. Her creative process is similar to that of jazz, poetry or stand-up comedy, whereby she allows herself to absorb the energy of her environment before improvising and throwing something exciting back at her audience. She shares, “I never plan. It’s basically an attack-and-resolve method. I tend to work on 20 or so pieces at a time and build toward exhibitions. Usually I will have the title of the show—which represents a loose theme—in mind and a few ideas of new challenges that I want to accomplish with the work.” When you view any of Sarah’s on-site works, you can feel the heightened state of present tense and risk behind them. Their force is palpable, and as Sarah surmises,

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“Their energy is hard to contain, and it hits the viewer in a very accessible way.” This accessibility is certainly part of what draws people into the artist’s work. In the latter part of 2014, Sarah made a permanent exterior painting entitled hey babe take a walk on the wild side on the headquarters building of Los Angeles Nomadic Division, a nonprofit organization committed to curating site-specific public art exhibitions in Los Angeles and beyond. The execution of the project required Sarah to work in a fully exposed area, right on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Los Angeles. A mecca of wild activity, the location is filled with a constant frenetic energy. “You never know what’s going to happen there,” Sarah admits. “I was definitely outside of my comfort zone while making the work, but overall the experience was pretty amazing. So many people outside of the art realm—a lot of people living on the fringes— thanked me for adding beauty to the world.” sarahcainstudio.com

Above: Sarah Cain in her studio. Left: California (2013). Below: hey babe take a walk on the wild side LAND headquarters installation (2014).

MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

The Talent

MB Matthew Brandt photographer

just part of the projects’ compositions as a whole,” according to the artist. Matthew explains, “Actually there is no specific point that I try to bring to an audience through my work. And I think the fact that there is no bold hypothesis or agenda to any one of my works makes it possible for a viewer to relate more objectively to the work.” When viewing Matthew’s Rainbow Lake WY G1 (2013)—a grid of 12 chromogenic prints soaked in Rainbow Lake water—it seems that the artist has catapulted the art of photography into some sort of psychedelic realm marked by intensified colors and misshapen elements. One might think the work is a compilation of disfigured views captured through a wonky kaleidoscope. A symmetry that could define the image is replaced with an imperfect yet perfectly beautiful combination of shapes that come together to tell a vivid story. The best part is that the viewer gets to decide the meaning of the tale. matthewbrandt.com

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

Above: Matthew Brandt surrounded by some of his work. Below: Rainbow Lake WY G1 (2013).

As Matthew Brandt prefers to not be associated with—and thus perhaps limited by—a specific genre, he shares that he “works with photography to make things.” This somewhat vague explanation of his art form leaves things wide open, possibly just the way Matthew likes it. Each individual art project he takes on starts with a material, an event or a photograph that he has. He considers this initial object to be a seed or kernel—one that hopefully grows into something that serves as an interesting interpretation of something else. “The brewing stage is the most important part of making a work,” Matthew says. During this stage “there is a lot of experimenting and playing that goes into tinkering something into a work of art,” he adds. Some of Matthew’s works circumstantially touch on issues like droughts, industrialized foods and dying bees, but “these are just elements the works encounter in their making, and thus are

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The Talent

KF Kim Fisher painter

Kim Fisher is a Los Angelesbased artist who primarily executes projects—many of them about the City of Angels—with paint. She finds inspiration in surface as a sociological obsession. And as an extension, she is also fascinated by the literal surfaces and textures of the city in which she works. “The physical appearance, cultural history and the sometimes extremely oppressive climate of Los Angeles are mirrored in the paintings I make,” she explains. Kim also finds a great deal of inspiration in fashion and music, to the point that she does a lot of brainstorming when she is listening to music while driving. She will take the thoughts from a brainstorming session back to her studio

and begin making several collages out of small clippings from newspapers or magazine pages. “The quality of the original scraps and the subsequent paintings made from them reflect the effect the Los Angeles sun and heat have over time on materials. The constant sunshine and warmth deteriorate much of the city’s surfaces, revealing states of impermanence and dissolution,” Kim explains. In the end, her paintings are interpretations of the initial collages she creates. In her work Magazine Paintings—Water, Kim illustrates the influence that light can have on a surface. In this case, the light is being absorbed by and reflected off the water, moving across it with a liveliness that somehow makes the frozen image feel as though it is in motion. Perhaps this energy is the work’s spirit, demanding to be acknowledged in its fight against the elements. 

Left: Kim Fisher at rest. Above: Installation shots of her series Magazine Paintings, from Made in LA 2014 at the Hammer Museum.

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MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

THE VOICE of an Artist Actress Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson for more than a quartercentury, brings art to life without saying a word.

WRITTEN BY

LINDA GRASSO PHOTOGRAPHED BY

MICHAEL BECKER MAKEUP BY

MARYLIN LEE FOR EMBRYOLISSE

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

The Voice of an Artist

s the voice of Bart Simpson on the long-running animated series The Simpsons, actress Nancy Cartwright is used to sharing herself with the world. But in a quiet northwest quadrant of the Valley, she takes on a completely different artistic endeavor. The actress recently discovered a love of and a talent for sculpting. It all began by taking a class and then, as Nancy describes it, the art “just came out of my fingertips.” She is currently fully immersed at her home art studio on her fourth piece, an oil-based clay sculpture of a friend’s torso. “I’d say I’ve spent about 10 hours total on this piece so far,” she estimates. Her studio is actually a tastefully tricked-out shipping container that was “delivered and literally plopped down one day right here,” shares her assistant, Monica, gesturing at the small structure (20 x 8 x 10). With the

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help of a designer, the container was transformed from a rudimentary rectangle to a bright, airy space that seamlessly abuts a building housing Nancy’s gym, theatre, recreation room and garage for her two electric cars. A main house and a guesthouse are also on the sprawling compound, where Nancy has lived since the mid-‘90s. She and her ex-husband bought the property after the Northridge earthquake. “He actually found it. I was out of town, and he called me and said, ‘Wow, it’s got a pool and a tennis court!’” Her parents live nearby. The petite actress is currently serving her 11th year as honorary mayor of the North San Fernando Valley. At her induction ceremony earlier this year, Nancy gave an overview of the last 10 years—her “campaign promises” as well as her assertion that her “eat dessert first” promise was becoming a widely held health benefit.

The container, which has sides that slide completely open, was slightly enlarged … and then it was time for decor. There were several additions: red-paned French doors, a linoleum floor that looks like wood, running water and electricity. A succulent garden with its own watering system was installed on the roof to keep the unit cool. “It is the perfect space,” she says, her bright blue eyes shining. “I come out here all by myself and on a sunny day open it up and put on music. Sometimes really loud. No cell phone. Just my creation and me. I can be out here for hours and hours. And when I’m here, I feel like I can do anything.” Dual GoPro cameras are attached to the ceiling over Nancy’s workstation. They capture how much time she spends on each piece and offer “proof to friends that I actually made them!” she laughs. While in college at Ohio

University and working part-time at a Dayton radio station, Nancy discovered she had a special talent for voice-over. Convinced she needed to pursue her passion, she got the phone number for Daws Butler, known for voicing animated characters such as Elroy Jetson and Yogi Bear. As the now-famous story goes, she left a message in a Cockney accent on his answering machine, and the actor immediately called her back. A mentorship blossomed, and Nancy ultimately transferred to UCLA to pursue her showbiz dream. “At that point, I just knew that was exactly what I wanted to do,” she shares. Becoming a sculptress has been a more subtle, unexpected pleasure—a mid-life gift.” Nancy has spent a relatively short time at her craft, but it is evident that she shows promise. Share that with Nancy, though, and she is low-key. “Oh, I think everyone has an artist inside of them,” she says.

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The Silence π

OF THE

LENS The story of how Irving Jacobson forever changed the art of photography and how, in a small NoHo studio, his son Mark is keeping his memory and legacy alive. WRITTEN BY STANESS

JONEKOS BECKER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL

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The Silence of the Lens

n a crisp and chilly morning back in 2006, I got a frantic phone call from my husband, Michael, who was working on the CBS Studio Center set of Malcolm in the Middle as the unit photographer. He was busy snapping Cloris Leachman and Bryan Cranston as they exchanged their typically snarky, snappy dialogue. “I am using a sweater, and it is not working,” he blurted out. “If they notice I don’t have it, I’ll probably get fired. You’ve got to go get it ASAP. Thanks. Love you. Gotta go.” The it was a piece of professional photography equipment called a sound blimp, a must-have device for a photographer trying to get images on a TV set while actors work nearby. The blimp mutes the jarring, metallic click of a camera’s shutter, which can easily disturb an actor in the middle of a scene. So I raced down Laurel Canyon to search out to the only man in Los Angeles (or at that time, the world) who would either save the day or potentially end my husband’s career. We’d always heard rumors about Mark Jacobson. Photographers whispered that he had no competition and could make photographers wait for months for this specialized piece of equipment. I called Mark from my car. After a long pause on the other end he calmly stated, “I don’t have a new blimp available, but you can come over if you want,” and hung up. The ratty, grey sweater my husband had wrapped around his Canon DSLR camera on the set of General Hospital the week before had been much appreciated by the crew there, which had described his “rig” as the most creative shutter-silencing they’d seen yet; he figured they were just being kind. I arrived at Jacobson Photographic Instruments, located on the corner of an industrial street in North Hollywood, and the unglamorous shop took me aback. I felt like I had entered Doc’s garage from Back to the Future. Rows of small, 8” x 8” matte-black boxes and lens tubes packed with dense, foam soundproofing filled the shelves, surrounded by archaic machines. In front of them stood the man himself, holding one of the small, black boxes. He looked like a professor, dressed in a faded, cotton plaid shirt neatly tucked into his belted slacks. Breathless (and feeling desperate), I stammered who I was and what I needed. Mark peered over his rimless glasses at me. “Yes, I know what you want. You already told me on the phone. Here is your blimp. I assembled it just for Michael,” he said, clearly savoring the moment as my knees practically buckled in relief. I was so relieved, in fact, that I nearly forgot to hurry over to the set and save my husband’s job.

Behind the Lens

This story would have ended there, but we’d never forgotten Mark’s kindness, and we showed up at his shop earlier this year for a much belated thank-you. We also wanted to find out more about the history of the sound blimp and his father, Irving Jacobson, who’d

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The Silence of the Lens

π My dad and I

not did not

necessarily always agree and had battles about the sound blimp, so we made an agreement that Dad continued to invent

new designs and I did all the repairs.”

TIME CAPSULE One of Irving's inventions helped photographers capture the lift-off of a NASA rocket in the '60s. Left: Irving Jacobson's 1964 drawings of the sound blimp. Upper left: Irving Jacobson demonstrating the synchronizer.

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The Silence of the Lens

invented it more than a half-century ago. We sat down at his old metal desk with a laminate wood top and an original electric typewriter (that Mark still uses), and he explained that his father had been born to Eastern European immigrant parents in 1906, grew up with them in Chicago and always loved tinkering in the garage next to his father’s hardware store. Irving never graduated from college. Tired of the Chicago winters, a 20-something Irving packed his tools and moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to tinker. A friendship with a newspaper photographer, Frank Filan, became the catalyst that changed Irving’s life in 1937.

The Power of One

Back then, news photographers equipped with a fedora and a press pass tucked in its band were forced to hold a heavy and cumbersome 4” x 5” large-format bellows camera in one hand and a light source in another. Because the light and camera were two separate units, photographers needed to shoot numerous times, hoping the light was perfectly timed with the shutter so at least one shot would be properly lit. Irving’s photographer pal was fed up with having to over-shoot, and according to Irving’s wife, Sylvia, “kept complaining about it. And Irving finally told him, ‘For heavens sake, stop griping. I’ll fix it.’ And this established Irving’s initial curiosity in photo-mechanical problem-solving.” Irving created a synchronizing device using a solenoid—a specially designed electromagnet switch that was powered by D batteries. He called this new cylinder-shaped invention a synchronizer. It fit next to the camera body, and the batteries powered the connection to the shutter. It worked perfectly. When Irving’s pal was assigned to cover a terrible plane accident in the north San Fernando Valley, he showed up, took one quick, perfectly synched shot and left. His colleagues were shocked (and a little peeved) by his speed and confidence—and clamored for Irving’s brilliant invention. Irving filed his first patent in 1937 and continued to make synchronizers one at a time in his garage until Graflex, a major camera manufacturer in New York, purchased his patent and offered him a job. They wanted him so badly, that when he said he’d love to work for them but no way was he moving his wife and the two children from the Hollywood Hills back

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to harsh winters, they opened a West Coast division in LA. Smart move. Irving had friendships with several famous photographers, including Ansel Adams. As a fun getaway, Irving and his wife would visit Ansel at his home in Yosemite. As his son tells it, Irving would never charge Ansel for any

needed services. “In the mid-1940s, Ansel wanted to show his appreciation and asked Dad to take one of his prints,” Mark says. “Naturally the picture my mother and dad wanted was the famous Moon Over Hernandez. They always had great taste. Ansel preferred that they pick another. Then

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The Silence of the Lens

his wife proceeded to ask them for $500, stating it was their special ‘friends’ rate. My mom responded, ‘Thank you, but no thank you.’ She never forgave Ansel’s wife, and that was the last time they went to visit.”

The Space Between Us

In 1955 Irving left Graflex and opened his own business on Vine Street in Hollywood. When the race to be first in space was particularly newsworthy, Life magazine photographers were determined to shoot from the side of a cylinder mounted on a test rocket so their readers could see a liftoff from that unique perspective. Irving came to the rescue again. “You’d have a camera mounted on the inside of the cylinder,” Mark explains. “Then there was an opening on the side, and my dad used prisms to take pictures down the outside. It had to be gravity-activated to turn it on.” Photography was a regular part of the Jacobson family activities. “When I was a kid my very first camera was a little Leica, but I did not have the talent nor do I still have a talent to be a photographer,” Mark admitted. “My dad was a pretty good photographer but never a professional. My older brother who had the talent, Phillip, did become a successful professional photographer.”

He was never the greedy type of

Dad was honest, straightforward, very conscientious and almost fanatical person.

far as being a perfectionist with his work.”

Original Prints

Mark smiles and walks to the safe in his office, where he pulls out a family treasure: an original Nikon F, built “like a tank.” In 1959 the Nikon F became the first successful professional 35mm SLR camera. Pros loved it as it featured a battery-driven motor to advance the film, but the batteries didn’t directly attach to the actual camera. Photographers had to carry the battery pack on their shoulders or belts with a 3-foot connecting cord. “It was a pain in the butt,” Mark says. “When you moved around, you’d lose contact.” In 1963 Irving created and patented a motor power supply using common AA batteries. This eliminated the need for a separate pack by attaching the battery pack directly to the motor drive. He called it the PowerCon and made about 1,000 of them at his shop before Nikon started making their own cordless battery packs. Irving apparently got his best ideas when sleeping—and then upon awaking became obsessed about creating his dreams. By then Mark had started working in his dad’s shop after school.

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It was around that time that Bill Willoughby, the first freelance photographer hired by the major studios to shoot for Life and Look magazines, came to Irving with a problem. “In those days a photographer could not shoot during a scene because of the shutter noise,” Mark says. “When the director got the take he wanted with the actors and then wrapped that scene, everybody was exhausted and wanted to go off to their dressing rooms. So when the photographer steps in and says, ‘We have to re-pose this scene so I can shoot it,’ that makes the photographer the most unpopular person on set.” Bill asked Irving if there was a way to silence the shutter and keep the actors and director contented. Irving was happy to oblige with the device that would seal his place in photography history. Bill only had one condition: “I will pay you for the design and coming up with the solution,” he told Irving, “but do not make another for anyone else for six months.” Irving agreed, and his ingenious sound blimp was born. And it became extremely popular after the six-month moratorium. In 1962 Irving filed a patent on soundproof camera enclosures he’d invented, and in 1963 another one for a camera control attachment used to trigger the shutter. “My dad and I not did not necessarily always agree and had battles about the sound blimp, so we made an agreement that Dad continued to invent new designs and I did all the repairs,” Mark admits. “Except for amateur photographer Yul Brynner, who would only let my famous-for-solving-problems father work on his cameras, I did all the repairs. Dad didn’t care that Yul was a famous movie star—only that he was a wonderful photographer. ” Mark continued working part-time with his dad while pursuing his master’s degree in urban and regional planning. Upon graduating he discovered a scarcity of jobs in that field, so he went to work full-time in Irving’s shop. He has no regrets. “I don’t know if I could have dealt with the politics. You have to have a certain personality and demeanor,” he says, sounding somewhat cheerful. In 1967, Popular Mechanics featured a story about John Stephens, a 31-year-old camera operator for MGM’s action film Grand Prix, directed by John Frankenheimer and starring James Garner, and their novel way to photograph the racing cars in action. It was the first time audiences felt as if they were behind the wheel of a Formula 1 powerhouse, roaring along curving streets at speeds up to 140 mph. This “virtual” feeling (in the days before “virtual” was even part of our vocabulary) was due to Irving’s 1965 invention of a radio-controlled system that remotely operated the camera heads.

Recognition Remiss

Despite his noteworthy contributions both to photography and entertainment, with the exception of more recent photo-buff bloggers, there has never been any mention in actual historical photography timelines of Irving Jacobson, who died in 1994. Not one. “My dad was a natural inventor and may have been a great engineer, but he was not necessarily the world’s best businessman,” Mark says. “He was never the greedy type of person. Dad was honest, straightforward, very conscientious and almost fanatical as far as being a perfectionist with his work.” To both my husband and me, as the son spoke about his father, it sounded somewhat poignant. At this moment we realized he could have just as easily been talking about himself.

MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

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Curtain Rising With dozens of active theatres, North Hollywood has become a lively center for stage productions. We explore how it went from understudy to star statusâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ultimately becoming known as the Off-Broadway of LA. WRITTEN BY MICHAEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY LU

VENTRE TAPP

SPREADING WINGS The impressive Falcon Theatre, owned by showbiz veteran Garry Marshall. ourventurablvd.com

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Curtain Rising

North Hollywood

doesn’t pretend to be Hollywood.

It has its own identity, thank you, and it doesn’t need to define itself by its glitzier cousin. By the same token, the theatre community within the North Hollywood Arts District isn’t trying to be Broadway’s doppelgänger—or even Off Broadway’s distant kin. Rather it’s living by its own show business credo: “If I can make it here, that’s as good as making it there.” In recent years, NoHo has stepped out of nondescript-understudy status and into the spotlight by creating an impressive array of local theatres featuring top-shelf talent and audacious productions that receive big-city attention. In doing so, the surrounding area—already swelling with residents and artists of all types, thanks to the Metro stop and related development—has burgeoned into a veritable hive of creative activity. “There has been an onslaught of restaurants and nightclubs in the last the five years,” says Nancy Bianconi, president and CEO of NoHo Communications Group, which liaisons with many of the local theatres and businesses. “That’s one of the reasons new businesses have come here to the district—because the crowds are coming. More crowds mean more business. It’s been very, very positive. The area has become an international tourist destination, to come here and take tours and attend theatres. We have many, many film festivals due to having an art house here.” In 1992 then-city councilman Joel Wachs, a staunch supporter of the arts, led a crusade to rejuvenate what was a blighted area in and around the center of North Hollywood. The plus side of a rundown part of town is that the rents are cheap. Those affordable rents slowly helped lure theatre folk there, as well as dancers and other artists in search of space. Then in June 2000 the NoHo’s Metro station opened with the Red Line, and five years later the Orange Line was added. Those two factors were game changers: For the first time, getting there was a cinch. That new foot traffic ultimately ignited residential construction and in turn attracted businesses. Today in a roughly one-square-mile hunk of NoHo, there are 24 theatres, including The Road Theater Company, which recently staged a boffo production of Sharr White’s critically acclaimed The Other Place in the theatre housed in the NoHo Senior Arts Colony. Sam Anderson, The Road’s co-artistic director and an accomplished actor who co-starred in The Other Place, says the company and other theatre troupes in the area make a particular effort to attract young people. “Once the subway came in and all the lofts and apartments were built, it brought a contingent of younger people in their 20s who

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work at the studios or in the Valley or who commute downtown,” Sam explains. “We really reached out to that community. We got them to see a show and then did an informal soiree with wine and cheese. We met so many people in their 20s and 30s who had never seen a theatre piece before. We try to do things to shock the heck out of people who only had seen such things in movies.” That wave, in turn, has been good for area business. “I always say Saturday between 5 and 7 p.m. are my favorite two hours of the week,” notes Steve Simon, general manager of The Federal Bar, “because it brings in a crowd that is going to the theatre that probably otherwise wouldn’t be visiting a gastropub.” Of course, as with every dramatic scenario, there’s conflict. Actors’ Equity is proposing a change to its Los Angeles 99-seat theatre agreement that would require actors to be paid for rehearsals and performances. Many in the NoHo theatre community believe that change would make it difficult for many theatres to survive. “Most of these theatres don’t make a profit,” Nancy states. Sam, for one, hopes to keep building on what already exists. “When I first came here, you wouldn’t see people on the streets after 6:30 at night. Now look at it.”

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Curtain Rising

play list[

The square-mile NoHo Arts District has, at any given time, more than 20 playhouses putting on shows. Here are a few selections of theatres and their productions.

1. EL PORTAL THEATRE

9. ACTORS FORUM THEATRE

5269 Lankershim Blvd.

10655 Magnolia Blvd. Playing now: Outta My Head – Part 6. Three one-act plays by Eugene H. Butler. Runs through May 2.

Renovated 1926 art deco stage. Playing now: Violet by Brian Crawley and Jeanine Tesori. Off-Broadway hit about a scarred woman’s journey to find true beauty. Runs May 15-31. 2. THE ANTAEUS COMPANY

5112 Lankershim Blvd. Playing now: Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare. Runs through May 3.

10. FALCON THEATRE

4252 W. Riverside Dr. A 130-seat performing arts space on the edge of Toluca Lake that was built and is owned by showbiz veteran Garry Marshall. The Trouble We Come From written by and starring Scott Caan runs June 4 to July 12. 

3. THE ROAD THEATRE

5108 Lankershim Blvd. Known for featuring the works of on-the-rise playwrights. Playing now: Things Being What They Are by Wendy MacLeod. A comedic look at “maleness” in the suburbs. Runs through June 21.

NoHo

theatre district

4. ZOMBIE JOE’S UNDERGROUND THEATRE GROUP

Tujunga

4850 Lankershim Blvd. Playing now: Witch Ball. The fantastic adventures of a magical orb. Runs through May 9. 5. CROWN CITY THEATRE COMPANY

6. ACTORS WORKOUT STUDIO

Magnolia

4735 Lankershim Blvd.

The hub of Fran Montano, who has been teaching acting for more than 30 years and offers edgy productions.

8. THE GROUP REP AT THE LONNY CHAPMAN THEATRE

10900 Burbank Blvd. Don’t miss Lombardi by Eric Simonson. A look at legendary Redskins coach Vince Lombardi during one dramatic week of the 1965 NFL season. Runs July 24 through September 6.

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9 Cahuenga

7. THE WHITMORE-LINDLEY THEATRE CENTER

11006 Magnolia Blvd. Artistic director Edmund Gaynes presents bold choices at a theatre named in part for veteran actor James Whitmore.

Burbank

Vineland

m shi ker Lan

11031 Camarillo St. Playing now: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Larry Gelbart, Burt Shevelove and Stephen Sondheim. A musical that tells the story of a slave and his attempts to win freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. Runs through May 24.

170 Hwy

Camarillo 6

134 Hwy 101 Hwy

Riverside

For information on upcoming events in the Arts District as well as tips on bars and restaurants and other places of interest in the area, visit nohoartsdistrict.com

MAY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Two music powerhouses, Gregg Field and Monica Mancini, create a harmonious abode in the hills of Studio City. WRITTEN BY JUDITH

A. STOCK TAPP

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LU

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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High Notes

HILLTOP HARMONY Below left: The fireplace mantle in the couple’s living room is lined with awards including Gregg’s seven Grammys and Henry Mancini’s Best Score Oscar from Victor Victoria. Below right: Monica playing a piano that belonged to her father, on which he composed the awardwinning song “Moon River.”

ven before you set foot on the property of Monica Mancini and Gregg Field, among the contemporary lines and carefully appointed plantings you sense something almost lyrical. The compound sits on top of a hill on a narrow, winding street—the kind that makes drivers slow down nervously, anticipating a tight squeeze from oncoming traffic. But once you arrive on the property: pure harmony. “This home was built in 1990 by a dentist who built his dream house and spared no expense,” explains Monica. “He left us with a pristine, architectural, lightfilled house. I call this my happy house. From every window there is green, lots of light and a tremendous view of the San Fernando Valley.” Indeed, from every vantage point— whether swimming laps in the pool or relaxing in the infinity spa— there is a view. And the home is often filled with the sound of music. Monica is a two-time Grammy nominated recording artist and concert performer and the daughter of legendary composer Henry Mancini. Gregg is a seven-time Grammy award-winning record producer and drummer. After a few years of residence, the couple decided they wanted more space. They bought the house next door and had it torn down. Working with architect David Serrurier, they created a pool house for relaxing and entertaining. Features include a vaulted ceiling with bi-fold doors

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High Notes

made in Germany—giving the structure an almost open-air pavilion quality, which is great for the summer months. A spectacular California sycamore tree is a focal point of the pool house, which is adorned with Zen-like water fountains. The open floor plan of the eight-room main home, a glass and metal structure, features four bedrooms on the second floor. “We use one as the gym and the other as a music library,” Monica says. “We just have lots of music around here.” The real music hotspot, though, is the recording studio (created from a dirt basement) on the bottom level, where Gregg—as part owner of Concord Records—works with artists on albums and music sets. “We’ve had many artists including Dave Koz and Arturo Sandoval record here, as they love the big, open sound that the space provides,” shares Monica. “We are never without music coming up through the kitchen floor.” Monica chose the decor of the home, which makes sense considering her former profession of interior design. “I started the design business working on my parents’ Malibu Beach home, which they bought in the mid-‘60s. We did a complete remodel.” After that came Rob Reiner’s house above Coldwater Canyon, then Billy Crystal’s and Michael Keaton’s houses. But eventually she realized that music was taking a backseat to material swatches and floor plans. o she got back on track, devoting herself full-time to her “true passion”: music. Much of the artwork came from Monica’s parents’ house in Holmby Hills. After her father passed away, her

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INSIDE TRACK The couple at their home recording studio.

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High Notes

mother sold the house. Paintings, sculptures and smaller pieces were divided among the three children. “I love art and started collecting in France years ago. Nothing too expensive, but I love Fernand Leger and have several framed art pieces around the house. There’s a favorite one called

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This home was built in 1990 by a dentist who built his dream house and spared no expense. He left us with a pristine, architectural, light-filled house. From every window there is green, lots of light and a tremendous view of the San Fernando Valley.” ourventurablvd.com

High Notes

‘The Sisters’ [The Two Women, Two Sisters] that reminds me of my sister and identical twin, Felice,” she says. She relays how they discovered the property. “We were actually looking on the Westside, but one Sunday Gregg was driving around

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looking at open houses.” He called Monica at 5 p.m. right before the open house was due to close. He told her to come see the property, so she raced across town from her Westwood condo. “I saw our dream house. I never thought we could afford it, but the price was

rock-bottom for the neighborhood. We just made it work,” the singer recalls. That was the beginning and the end of the couple’s house-hunting adventure. And for the record, they have no plans to ever leave their house on the hill.

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Lost Coast the

Like a scene from the ‘80s buddy film Stand By Me, a handful of 30-something dads seek adventure far up in Northern California.

A WRITTEN BY

s a 30-something-year-old male with a wife, two boys, a career and somewhat of a social life, it’s easy to slip into a certain type of life rhythm. And I think most of us will agree, that rhythm is good. There I was, mid-rhythm at the park, early in the morning on a Saturday, pushing my firstborn on the swing with a vice-like grip on my oversized cup of coffee—attempting to shake off the social life from the night before. The dialogue

JARED SAYERS

with my two-year-old, combined with the hypnotizing back-and-forth of the swing, was enough to slip me into a trance-like state. The trance was suddenly broken when I saw a familiar face across the playground: another dad and son, park regulars with whom we recently became acquainted. Within moments we strike up the cordial dad dialogue, like “Yo, where you been?” and “What’s been goin’ on? How’s the wife? How are the kids? How’s work?”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

ENTROPIC STUDIO

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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THE ROAD LESS TAKEN

Clockwise from top left: mapping the adventure; eye-catching natural relics; mandatory beer breaks; strange and satisfying encounters.

All questions that stay very much within a life rhythm that is what we know and are comfortable with. And consequently all the answers are ones that you would’ve guessed before even asking. But then the fellow park dad asked, “Got any trips planned?” I was slightly caught off-guard. I don’t have a canned answer for this one. So I paused, thought, and said, “You know what? Yes! Yes, I do have a trip planned.” It was a quick guys getaway up to Northern California to Marin, just outside San Francisco. Link up with some old friends, maybe surf, maybe mountain bike, maybe just go where the wind blows. Park dad’s eyes lit up. “Surf up north?” “Yeah,” I said. “Possibly.” “Well if you’re going that far up you might as well look into going a little further and surfing the Lost Coast of California.” It was like a 2x4 to the side of the face. “The lost coast of what?” I asked myself. I’ve surfed my entire life and have never heard of such a place. The Lost Coast of California is a stretch of coastline around the Humboldt/Mendocino area that is only accessible by foot. It is home

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to a few point breaks that are very good with the right conditions and swell direction … and more importantly, not crowded. A total anomaly these days. Just like that, my life rhythm was disrupted, and so many new questions began to percolate. How did you hear about this place? What

We were greeted by an old salty dog at the front desk who looked at us like we were a bunch of city kids filled with overly zealous hopes and dreams—which, looking back, we were.” was it like? Did you drive? Can you fly? Where do you stay? Are the waves really that good? Are there sharks? Has anyone died?

And oddly enough, all his answers continued to pique my interest and had me inquiring further. That was it. The tipping point. My current life rhythm and comfort zone were instantaneously disrupted, and the obsession began. I was going to the Lost Coast of California. It was February, and I had just landed in San Francisco to meet up with the crew of guys who had committed to seeing this stretch of coastline together. All part of a very closeknit group who, self-admittedly, has a screw loose somewhere. But that’s why we enjoy each other so much. Anticipation levels were at an all-time high, and after months of research, planning, email chains and convincing our wives that we were somehow serving the greater good, the time had finally come. We were doing it … out to explore what was total uncharted territory for us. We had all the necessities that would get us through a 10-mile hike in and an overnight camp: surf gear, food, water. And if anything went wrong, it would be okay because we had beer. We loaded everything into our buddy’s ’91

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The Lost Coast

Westfalia, and off we went—embarking on a six-hour drive further up the coast, even though we were leaving three hours behind schedule. But who cares? We had thoroughly disrupted our typical life rhythms, and for now it felt good. After more like a seven-hour drive, we arrived at our final destination: a sleepy little beach town on what felt like the middle of Mars. A few small homes were perched on the cliff with a small inn where we figured we should go poke around and possibly gather some valuable local knowledge for the trek ahead. We were greeted by an old salty dog at the front desk who looked at us like we were a bunch of city kids filled with overly zealous hopes and dreams—which, looking back, we were. We inquired about the hike, and he looked at us with disgust. Apparently the entire hike consists largely of walking seven or so miles north in soft sand up the coast to where the cliffs meet the rocky coastline and then proceeding to rockhop for about another three miles before the incoming tide sweeps you out to sea. The salty dog claimed they suffer about three casualties every year for those who don’t time the tides correctly. Was he attempting to deter us? Because it was working. But we were determined. We knew at the end of the journey there were waves—good waves, with no one around, and that was enough for us to press forward. Plus, if anything went wrong we would be

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

fine. We had beer. So the packs went on, boots got tied up and we were off. Mile 1 … This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Mile 2 … Stream crossings prove tricky with the heavy packs, but out of it comes a newfound confidence once complete. Mile 3 … Walking in sand with this stuff on my back is beginning to test my good cheer. Mile 4 … Should we stop for a beer break? Mile 5 … We are collectively in the zone. Feet hurt, back hurts, but we press forward. We know there is a looming incoming tide, and time is our enemy. Mile 6 … Shit, maybe we should break up the trek over two days. Mile 7 … Break time. Need food, need water. Miles 8, 9, 10 … A true test of one’s mental and physical limits. All of us are in good physical condition, but we never anticipated the weight of our packs to be as heavy as they were. Combined with deep sand hiking and toenails starting to fall off, things were getting dicey. Then we were met on our right by a 100foot cliff with nowhere to go. To our left, the Pacific Ocean. Normally a welcoming sight, but with only a 20-foot-wide asteroid field as our path to the promised land, that was quickly disappearing with the incoming tide. We had to move fast—a true test of agility, because, this far in, a rolled or broken ankle would have been catastrophic. We now found ourselves in a very different rhythm than that of a month ago in the park on a

Saturday morning. This was something different—part of which is a little unnerving … but also feeding something inside very primal. In what can only be described as a sadistic sort of way, it felt good. Squeaking by the incoming tide, we arrived at our final destination. A very large, flat piece of greenery overlooking a right-hand point break that was hosting a diminishing swell, but enough to enjoy … without a soul in sight except for my friends and a deer walking the beach. The water was cold, and the kelp was thick. If this stretch of coast was known to have bears, deer and coyotes on land, one can’t help but think what could be under the water. You try not to think about it, but it seems inevitable there is a very large fish somewhere close by. Anxiety builds, and then the first set shows out the back. You paddle toward the horizon, ignoring all your brain’s natural cues telling you to paddle toward land and safety. Senses heightened, aware and present. I realized months after: It wasn’t about waves. Rather it was about the process, the people and finding new life rhythms that help us keep our lives on an even keel, ensuring we excel at all facets of life. That next Saturday morning—back at the park, pushing my son on the swings—it was like the first time. Time slowed, I became aware, present. And once again, I had never felt more alive. 

ourventurablvd.com

Top Dentists Charles Reade, a 19th-century author, quipped, “Beauty is power, and a smile is its sword.” A beautiful, healthy smile is often the first thing you notice about a person. The power of pearly whites, healthy gums and fresh breath cannot be underestimated. In this section, we feature local dentists who are passionate about helping you achieve that for yourself and your family. Whether you’re seeking ways to improve your smile, alleviate pain or practice preventative maintenance, check out the following pages for some of the leading practitioners in the Valley. They are right here, and they are enthusiastic about providing all your dental needs. Now that is a reason to smile!

EDITED BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRACY GITNICK, HUGH HAMILTON & PAUL JOYNER

74 M ICHAEL LASKY, DDS JILL LASKY, DDS RONEN KRAUSZ, DDS Lasky Pediatric Dental Group

76 BRUCE F. BEARD, DDS MANNY FERNANDEZ, DDS Complete Health Dentistry Of Woodland Hills

75 FOUY CHAU, DDS, MS Encino Orthodontics

77 DR. CORY RABONZA Healthy Smiles Dental Office

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78 DR. ELYSA KAHAN Kahan Orthodontics 79 GUY A. MANGIA, DDS

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| Top Dentists |

FAST FACT Dr. Michael and Dr. Jill see patients in both locations—even on Saturdays, and they are available for emergencies 24/7.

MICHAEL LASKY, DDS JILL LASKY, DDS RONEN KRAUSZ, DDS Lasky Pediatric Dental Group LaskyPediatricDental.com

amilies travel from all over the greater Los Angeles area to Lasky Pediatric Dental Group, a family-owned, child-nurturing practice. Last year, Dr. Michael Lasky and Dr. Jill Lasky welcomed Dr. Ronen Krausz to the practice, which now has more than 45 years of combined dental experience.

What do your patients like best about you?

“When our families walk into our office, our waiting areas are decorated like a home on purpose, which makes our families feel

comfortable and safe. We always make sure parents are included and understand their child’s treatment plan before we begin. We encourage parents to call or email us between visits, and we are available after hours for emergencies. Our goal is to give our young patients (and their parents) a fearfree experience. Children are always treated where they are most receptive—on their parent’s lap, on the floor or by our toy box.”

Tell us about the staff at your practice.

“Our practice is very successful because we have a strong team of experienced registered dental hygienists, dental assistants and front office staff supporting us. We are an extended family that always welcomes you into our dental home.”

What is your area of specialty?

“The entire LPDG team is highly trained in caring for children with special needs— ranging from fearful or high-anxiety cases to those with more complex mental and physical issues. Our offices are devoid of

any unnecessary noise or stimulation—no TVs! We have had great success treating even the most difficult special needs cases without sedation with proven behavior modification techniques.”

When should your child first see a pediatric dentist?

“Your child’s first visit is recommended around their first birthday. Ideally, parents should identify their child’s ‘dental home’ before or soon after their baby is born. Having a pediatric dentist to answer your questions or in case of a dental emergency is important to have before you need it.”

Anything else you want parents to know?

“Most parents don’t realize that the mouth acts as a gateway to their child’s body. Without healthy teeth and gums, your child is at greater risk for illness and other health issues. Lastly, parents should be modeling the dental behavior they want to develop in their children because good oral health care starts at home.”

12930 VENTURA BLVD., SUITE 226C, STUDIO CITY | 818-465-7545 | 19510 VENTURA BLVD., SUITE 207, TARZANA | 818-708-2393

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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| Top Dentists |

FOUY CHAU, DDS, MS Orthodontist/Owner

Encino Orthodontics

r. Fouy Chau is an orthodontic specialist for children and adults. He has worked in the medical field for the past six years, and his practice provides braces and Invisalign. Dr. Chau attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate degree, UCLA for dental school and University of Nebraska Medical Center for his master’s degree and orthodontics specialty training.

Why did you choose to go into dentistry?

“My teeth were very crooked as a child, so I wanted braces but didn’t qualify under the Denti-Cal program. Finally at age 17, my dentist referred me to the Assistance League of Long Beach, which gave braces to underprivileged

children. I was one of the lucky kids chosen. When I got my braces off in college, it changed my life and my self-confidence. I then switched from applying to medical school to dental school in a heartbeat, because I knew I only wanted to be an orthodontist. I have the privilege to provide that life-changing smile to all my patients. I love it!”

FAST FACT Dr. Chau works closely with the nonprofit foundation Smiles Change Lives, which provides braces to families in need.

How does dental health contribute to overall good health?

“Since dental health and overall health are closely linked, having a healthy smile and bite are very important. For example, crowded teeth makes it difficult to floss and brush, making patients more susceptible to cavities and tooth loss. By aligning the teeth, it helps reduce the amount of bacterial buildup and

allows for easier access for oral hygiene. In addition, having a proper bite helps reduce premature wearing and aging of the teeth.”

Do you offer in-house dental insurance? “We have in-office financing, and we work closely with Care Credit and SpringStone for financing.”

How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?

“I have a passion to provide the very best care to all my patients—that same care I was given as a child. We dedicate time to all of our patients and make sure to listen to every concern they have.”

How do you give back to your community?

“My ongoing goal is to always give back to the community. Since I grew up with Denti-Cal, I am privileged to be a Denti-Cal provider for underprivileged kids. Being able to give back this way is a life fulfillment of mine. I will forever pay it forward every chance I get.”

5363 BALBOA BLVD. SUITE #328, ENCINO | 818-784-5086 | ENCINOORTHO.COM S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

M AY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

| Top Dentists |

BRUCE F. BEARD, DDS & MANNY FERNANDEZ, DDS Complete Health Dentistry of Woodland Hills

r. Bruce Beard, Dr. Manny Fernandez and their long-term team members at Complete Health Dentistry of Woodland Hills offer a complete range of dental services including a complimentary comprehensive consultation for new patients. With advanced dental technology, patients can save time and have a convenient and comfortable experience. To ensure patients’ comfort, the practice offers clients music, sedation, warm towels, water bottles and five-star service.

What trend is defining your practice today?

“There are many oral health conditions that have significant impact and consequence to the rest

of the body. For instance, gum disease is linked to heart disease, diabetes, etc. One must also evaluate for oral cancer, oral airway and sleep apnea, TMJ—headaches and migraines, proper bite and dental decay. These connections between the mouth and the body highlight the importance of good oral health and dental stability in assuring better overall health.”

What is a common health condition you run across?

“Periodontal disease and severe gingivitis are common inflammatory conditions of the mouth that interrelate to systemic health. We often discover high blood pressure or sleep apnea, which requires medical management. Whole-body wellness is enhanced with good oral health.”

How do you give back to your community?

“We offer our community ‘Dentistry from the Heart.’ This is a fantastic day of free dental services that we donate for the Pacific Youth Lodge and for the West Valley Women’s Center. This an emotional and rewarding experience for all involved. We also lecture and educate the public on implants and complete dental health.”

FAST FACT Both doctors are highly accomplished musicians. Dr. Beard can be seen around town performing with his band, and Dr. Fernandez is known for his development of the unique sounds found on Yamaha keyboards.

What’s unique about your business?

“Besides being committed to a comfortable and painless experience, we collaborate with physicians to work closely on our mutual patients’ needs. We must all be invested in the understanding of the inflammatory pathway and how the science of the oral systemic associations impact our patients’ lives.”

What is your professional goal this year?

“‘To save lives … one smile at a time.’ Our doctors are health care leaders working to change professional and public behaviors and address the importance of oral health as it relates to whole body health.”

22600 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 204, WOODLAND HILLS | 818-225-0046 | CHDWH.COM

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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| Top Dentists |

DR. CORY RABONZA

Healthy Smiles Dental Office

ealthy Smiles Dental Office, owned by Dr. Cory Rabonza, is a family dentistry practice that offers cosmetic, restorative and reconstructive procedures including implants, root canals and Invisalign.

What do your patients like best about you?

“I am honest and straightforward with my diagnosis. I enlighten my patients on what caused the problem, and I give them the possible solution. I may have a recommendation, but in the end the patient will decide what he or she wants to do. My philosophy in dentistry is that I educate my patients so they have an increased knowledge of dental care and will take an increased level of responsibility toward it.”

What is your area of specialty? “My specialty is cosmetic dentistry. I perform full-mouth reconstruction to the patient’s full satisfaction. I restore—or rehabilitate—smiles. Technology has gone really far; I am fortunate to work with laboratories whose ceramists are artists.”

How do you earn your patients’ trust?

“I earn the trust of the patient over a period of time. I allow them to get to know my staff and me. I tell them that it is really important for us to have a level of affinity so I can work my best on them. I understand human emotions, and I respect the time they need to get comfortable in a foreign environment. I trained my staff to know the feelings and expectations of our patients so they can take the extra step to care for them.”

Tell us something unique about Healthy Smiles Dental Office.

“Every week we have a staff meeting to evaluate how we performed in the last week—to

FAST FACT Healthy Smiles Dental Office is located in the historic La Reina Movie Theatre in Sherman Oaks. improve our level of service. One of the things we are cultivating is the culture of reflection. We really look at ourselves honestly and from there create a battle plan to get better and better in serving our patients.”

How does your team support you?

“My well-trained staff supports me by ensuring that they are doing their tasks at hand. Each one is in a post that has sub-products that contribute to the overall result. When everyone is intentional and purposeful in their actions, we accomplish more and my job becomes easy. I have an amazing team! They are a group of people who comes to work happy and ready to be of service.”

14622 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 202, SHERMAN OAKS | HEALTHYSMILESDENTALOFFICE.COM | 818-788-3168 S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

M AY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

| Top Dentists |

r. Elysa Kahan graduated at the top of her class with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She completed her Orthodontic residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, where she earned her Certificate in Orthodontics. Dr. Kahan opened her Tarzana practice last summer.

What can patients expect when they visit your office?

“At Kahan Orthodontics, you can expect one doctor, one location and one focus—you! I have an ‘open-doctor policy’—I am available before, during or after all appointments to answer any questions. We consider you to be a patient for life after we remove your braces. We are always here to keep smiles looking perfect, even after our patients leave for college!”

What do your patients like best about you?

“I truly enjoy developing relationships with my patients and families and believe it’s important to take the time to listen to their needs to develop custom treatment options. Children and adults love our warm, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere and know we like to have some fun along the way! Even those with a fear of going to the dentist find our office approachable and feel free to ask all their questions about braces or Invisalign.”

FAST FACT Dr. Kahan is happy to be practicing in the Valley, where she went to high school at Harvard-Westlake School on Ventura Boulevard.

What question or concern do you frequently hear from patients?

“Patients and families are usually concerned about the length of overall treatment time, appointment flexibility and the need for extractions to straighten teeth. We are there for our patients every step of the way and are excited to offer the latest bracket and wire technologies. We offer Damon braces that not only reduce treatment time by up to six months but also require fewer appointments and a reduced need for extractions, expanders and headgear.”

How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?

DR. ELYSA KAHAN Owner

Kahan Orthodontics

“We believe in orthodontic treatment centered on overall facial esthetics, lip support and profile. We want to establish functional, healthy bites while taking into account how faces will look now, in 10 years and in 30 years. Our treatment approach allows our patients to smile confidently for many years to come.”

Do you offer a free consultation for new patients?

“Our consultations are complimentary and focused on giving our patients extensive information on their treatment options. We make financial arrangements customizable and affordable.”

18372 CLARK STREET, SUITE 201, TARZANA | 818-578-8782 | KAHANORTHODONTICS.COM

VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2015

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| Top Dentists |

GUY A. MANGIA, DDS Owner

r. Guy Mangia, a graduate of USC School of Dentistry, has been practicing dentistry in the San Fernando Valley for 33 years. His practice provides comprehensive oral health care, along with dental education and information. With a combined total of more than 97 years of experience, Dr. Mangia and his team share a passion for dentistry and patient care.

What can patients expect when they visit your office?

“In our beautiful, computerized, modern office offering digital X-rays and computer-controlled anesthesia systems, patients can expect to be welcomed in a warm, caring and professional atmosphere, where they will be provided with quality comprehensive dental treatment that

has been tailored to meet their specific needs. We like to build a level of trust with our patients, discussing both their wants and needs, answering questions and simply spending the time they need to be comfortable with their dental care.”

What do your patients like best about you? “Patients tell us they feel we are an extension of their families. They agree our office provides ‘an unmatched level of dental care’ and that we treat our patients with the ‘utmost care and professionalism,’ where our patients are the only ones that matter!”

What is your area of specialty?

“We offer beautiful veneers, cosmetics, restorative procedures, implant restoration, Invisalign, and the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders. We are certified to make sleep apnea appliances, and we assist our patients with maintaining their optimum periodontal health.”

How do you earn your patients’ trust?

“Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients

FAST FACT Dr. Mangia is a member of the San Fernando Valley Dental Society, California Dental Association, American Dental Association, the Pankey Institute Alumni Association and The Frank Spear Study Group. may feel about their dental visits and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.”

How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?

“I am one of the small percentage of dentists who have invested in post-graduate training at the world’s premier continuing dental education institutes, The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. We ascribe to the institute’s principles and practices for optimum oral health, so the comprehensive treatment received here may be unlike any you have everexperienced.”

4910 VAN NUYS BLVD, SUITE 300, SHERMAN OAKS | 818-785-0750 | GUYMANGIADDS.COM S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

M AY/JUNE 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WINNER OF THE 2014 GOLDEN CIRCLE AWARD Director, Aaroe Estates | Top 3% company-wide 2014 | Top 2% nation-wide 2014

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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

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BONUS ROOM:

1 BD / 1 BD

Built in 1932 for an early entertainment legend and later occupied by several notable figures including an astronaut and famous choreographer, this trophy home is in a prime Encino location, just moments from Libbit Park home to Encino Baseball League and in the prestigious Hesby School District. Situated on over half a flat acre, the four-bedroom mission-style home feels like a private villa and has been lovingly restored by the current owner to retain its original charm and footprint. Vaulted wood ceilings, arched entry doors and alcoves, stained glass windows, American Encaustic tiling finishes, and original signed tile floors in the main house all contribute to a sense of timeless elegance. Sprawling yards on either side of the home are meticulously maintained and equipped with outdoor patios perfect for indooroutdoor entertaining. Designed by renowned landscape architect Christine London, the fully gated and secure grounds include 16 imported mature olive trees, an array of citrus and fruit trees and beautifully curated shrubs and greenery framing picturesque scenes throughout the property. An oversized heated swimming pool neighbors a pergola-covered dining patio and graciously-proportioned one bedroom guest/pool house, equipped with a full kitchen, living room, full bath and secluded garden area in the back. Secure-access parking entrance and additional bonus room with en suite full bath off the garage. This magical home must truly be “experienced” and is now awaiting its next leading role!

DANA CATALDI call 310.804.9207 | email dana.cataldi@thepartnerstrust.com

Partners Trust Real Estate Brokerage & Acquisitions 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. CalBRE# 01869103. | Cataldi CalBRE# 01758948.

BRIAN

PANE EXCELLENCE

We have Just SOLD in your neighborhood, in Record Time, for Record Prices! Let us do the same for you! 15701 Royal Oak Road, Encino Sold within 1 week of being instructed and as a POCKET LISTING!

14480 Valley Vista Blvd, Sherman Oaks Sold as a FIXER for $519 per sq-ft within 1 month!

Smith & Ken Los Angeles 818 386 8040 14556 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, 91403 BRE License Number 01956597 www.smithandken.us

4757 WHITE OAK AVE, ENCINO Kozak/Geibelson 818.612.0204/818.606.8820 6BD/6BA Arch’l Cntmp on 21,000+ sq ft lot (per assr). Pool, spa, zen garden, theater. 4757WhiteOak.com $7,995,000

10505 CAMARILLO ST, TOLUCA LAKE Gary Dean & Traci Ruebsamen 818.908.2420 1936 Toluca Lake Colonial Revival estate. Restored and upgraded. Grand lot with pool. 4BD/5BA. $2,395,000

15501 AZZURE CT, BEL AIR Mary Randall 310.230.3759 5BA/4½BA, nu décor. 2-story ent, skylight, wood floor. LR with FP. DR, FR w/ FP, bar, french doors. Pool. $2,300,000

5457 VILLAWOOD CIR, CALABASAS Ann Cohen 818.590.8366 Mountain View Estates. 6BD/6BA gorgeous pool home with a huge grassy area. Gourmet kitchen. $2,250,000

13329 INWOOD DR, SHERMAN OAKS Jim Pearson 818.599.0178 Newly completed 3BD/3½BA masterpiece with canyon views. White oak plank flrs & high ceilings thruout. $1,985,000

18025 RANCHO ST, ENCINO Sue Hart 805.750.0096 Gated oasis, 4BD/3BA, w/ guest house & bonus rm w/ kit & bath. Pool/spa. www.18025Rancho.com $1,900,000

19841 REDWING ST, WOODLAND HILLS Francine Chalme Meyberg 818.987.7653 Impressive and classy 1-story remodeled 4BD/4BA estate with guest house, waterfall, pool, spa. $1,679,000

17235 SILVER LN, ENCINO Selko/Meyberg 818.400.9667/818.987.7653 Exquisite Amestoy Estates 4BD/3½BA approx 4,100 sq ft (per assr), FR, gym, pool/spa, on gated street. $1,479,000

3926 STANSBURY AVE, SHERMAN OAKS Jim Pearson 818.599.0178 Ranch-style home w/3BD/2BA, den, 2 FPs, wd flrs, waterfall and pool. So. of the Blvd, Sherman Oaks. $1,295,000

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© 2015 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. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of 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 and with appropriate professionals. CalBRE# 01317331

In Focus LA a weekly lifestyle newsletter

Andrew Manning

#8 Agent Nationwide for BHHS! NEW CONSTRUCTION!

4508 Longridge, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 - Offered at: $1,995,000 Light filled 5bd/5.5Ba Smart Home is apx 3600 sq ft. with exception detail. Pool & spa.

This next year will mark Andrew’s 30th year in real estate, as he continues to break sales records by remaining among the TOP 10 of all Berkshire Hathaway’s agents in the COUNTRY! From Condos to Castles, Andrew SELLS them ALL!

SOLD 4845 Andasol Ave.

SOLD 14521 Margate Street

SOLD

13480 Contour Drive

12342 Laurel Terrace

3736 Sunswept Drive

SOLD 5806 Ranchito Ave

SOLD

16405 Otsego Street

3931 Berry Drive

Featured Communities

Sherman Oaks

Studio CIty

Toluca Lake

Valley Village

Encino

Tarzana

Andrew Manning - Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | 14141 Ventura Blvd., Suite 8 | Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 818.380.2147 | www.andrewmanning.com | andrew@andrewmanning.com | CalBRE#: 00941825 © 2015 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.

MATTEPSTEIN.COM SOMATT@AOL.COM 818-789-7408 CALBRE# 01121162

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

3901 Longridge Ave | SO | 5Br+8Ba in 7,888 SqFt on a 26,848 Lot | $5,995,000 | Gated Estate located South of the blvd in the Longridge Estates 17085 Rancho St Encino 7Br+6Ba in 6,236 SqFt on an over 1/2 acre lot $4,995,000 Gated Estate located South of the blvd on park like grounds

15833 Castlewoods Dr.

18730 Paseo Nuevo Dr. Tarzana 5Br+4Ba in 3,482 SqFt on a 12,549 Lot $1,249,000 South of the blvd pool home close to El Caballero country club

12236 Rye St Studio City 3Br+1.75Ba in 2,547 SqFt on a 6,985 Lot $1,250,000 Fabulous traditional with a pool on this tree lined street in a quiet neighborhood

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

Sherman Oaks 4Br+4Ba in 2,592 SqFt on a 20,699 Lot $1,495,000 Updated South of the blvd Mid-Century Modern on large lot

LAST WORD

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VALLEY TIMES COLLECTION/LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY

Play Ball!

owboy actor Roy Rogers and wife Dale Evans with members of Sherman Oaks Little League getting ready for NBC’s coast-tocoast Salute to Baseball telecast. Kids (L to R): Benny Samuel, Bruce MacLeod, Tommy MacLeod. Photo dated April 13, 1956.

The famous couple lived in Chatsworth on a large ranch off Lassen Street from 1955 to the mid-‘60s—and their influence can still be seen today. Roads that run through their former acreage bear names such as Dale Court and Trigger Street,

102

VENTURA BLVD, MONTH 20XX

named after Roy’s horse. This is one of more than 8,000 images that comprise the Valley Times Collection and are now accessible through the LA Public Library’s website. For more information visit valleytimes.org.

ourventurablvd.com

Named In The Wall Street Journal Top 250 Teams Nationwide

Terranea is a land unto itself. A land with its own culture and way of life. Where sunsets are celebrated daily and late into the night.

100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 310.265.2800 www.Terranea.com Come discover a |land not far away. For reservations contact your travel professional, call 866.802.8000 or visit Terranea.com.