WHERE WE LIVE
OURV E N TU R A B LV D.CO M
SIX DOLLARS
NOVEMBER 2017
Calabasas | Encino | Sherman Oaks | Studio City | Tarzana | Toluca Lake | Woodland Hills
VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Humachina (2003)
N I R E G B IN VEM M CO NO DIAVOLO 25-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Sat Nov 11 | 7PM
Also Performing The Veterans Project Honoring U.S. Armed Forces FREE FESTIVAL Starts at 11 AM Full day carnival-style festival of performances, movement workshops,
FLAMENCO LEGENDS BY JAVIER LIMÓN THE PACO DE LUCÍA PROJECT Flamenco guitar tribute Sat Nov 4 | 8PM
family activities, food and fun! As seen on America’s Got Talent
THE SACHAL ENSEMBLE—SONG OF LAHORE Onstage Sessions: East meets West jazz fusion Tue Nov 14 | 8PM
Gaby Moreno LA- based singer-songwriter and Latin Grammy winner
BERNSTEIN ON STAGE John Mauceri, Conductor New West Symphony Bernstein’s compositions for the stage Fri Nov 17 | 8PM ILE / SPECIAL GUEST GABY MORENO Traditional boleros & classic Latin sounds Sat Nov 18 | 8PM IMAGO THEATRE, LA BELLE, LOST IN THE WORLD OF THE AUTOMATON Retelling of Beauty and the Beast Sun Nov 19 | 3PM ANAT COHEN TENTET Israel’s hottest clarinet virtuoso Thu Nov 30 | 8PM
JOIN US ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org
#MUSICKNOWSNOBORDERS
VPACatCSUN
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Discover Aldik Home, LA’s Favorite Winter Wonderland For More Than 60 Years!
7651 Sepulveda Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91405
AldikHome.com (818) 988-5970
The Best Cosmetic Facial Services in Southern California Dr. Namazie is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology and of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Namazie does extensive facial plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures as well as his otolaryngology specialty, including balloon procedures for sinus obstruction, surgical procedures for sleep apnea, surgery procedures for thyroid disorders, and much more. He is qualified to treat the full range of medical and surgical ailments for all ages of patients with interests in aesthetic surgery, acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, cancers of the head and neck, surgery for snoring and sleep apnea and disorders of the voice.
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OPEN HOUSE: NOVEMBER 14, 7-8:30PM CHAMPS Educates, Guides, and Inspires Creative and Critical Thinking through Artistic Experience.
RSVP 818-994-7614, Parking Available on-site
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AN INVESTMENT The Providence Saint Joseph Foundation & Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center are honored to acknowledge a
$10 MILLION GIFT $ CUSUMANO FAMILY.
For more than 50 years, the Cusumano Family and their property development firm have helped build and shape communities throughout the Los Angeles region. Their vision has added to the fabric of our neighborhoods and supported our city’s journey to world-class status. Their commitment to philanthropy is a shared family value, and has been expressed beautifully through a generous commitment to support urgent and emergency care services at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. On behalf of all the Providence Saint Joseph caregivers, and the hundreds of thousands of residents in our service area who will benefit from this gift, we humbly extend our heartfelt thanks for their extraordinary leadership and support.
I was one of our nation’s hungry kids growing up. Today, 1 in 6 children in America struggle with hunger. But when they get breakfast, their days are bigger and brighter. Learning, attention, memory and mood improve. Together, we have the power to get breakfast to kids in your neighborhood — let’s make it happen. Go to hungeris.org and lend your time or your voice. Viola Davis, Hunger Is Ambassador
Hunger Is® is a joint initiative of the Albertsons Companies Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
Photo By: Peggy Sirota
MAKE BRE AKFAST HAPPEN SO KIDS CAN BE HUNGRY FOR MORE
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NOVEMBER 2017
where we live 22 MISS MANNERS Holiday Etiquette 26 FLU FIGHTERS Holistic Remedies 36 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Home & Family Cast 40 BE SEATED Chic Chairs for the Table 42 DATEBOOK Fun Stuff To Do
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50 WEEKENDER Tulum, Mexico 72 SEEN Faces Spotted Around Town
the sauce 54 BENTO BLOCK Going Off Boulevard in Valley Village 58 MANHATTAN MEETS ENCINO Davenport’s in Encino
54 features
84
and then some...
28 DANCE RECORD Take a peek at Inside the Dancer’s Art, a coffee-table book by photographer Rose Eichenbaum.
90 PROFILES The top dentists of the Valley
44 COUGAR CROSSING Learn where the mountain lions live in our hills and why they are a threatened species.
122 LAST WORD Surfway to Heaven
98 REAL ESTATE Spectacular Local Listings
62 LAKE HOUSE See the exquisite lakefront property that made one couple move, build and fall in love all over again. 76 THE MOGUL & THE VINEYARD Find out what Rupert Murdoch is doing in our backyard. 84 DESTINATION THAILAND Discover the ultimate in adventure.
COVER Photograph of the mountain lion known as P-22; courtesy of National Park Service
“…seriousness of purpose with a sense of play.” — from Oakwood’s Statement of Philosophy
SAT, October 28
9am
Secondary School Prospective Parent Event
SUN, November 12
9am
Visiting day for prospective 7–12th grade students
SUN, January 21
9am
Oakwood School and the 21st Century Girl: a special presentation and workshop for female applicants and their parents
TUES, February 6
6pm
Understanding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Oakwood: an event for all parents with children applying to grades 7-12
Join us at one of Oakwood Secondary School’s upcoming prospective parent & student events. RSVP at
oakwoodschool.org/visit
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
GROUP PUBLISHER
Linda Grasso
Jared Sayers
ART DIRECTOR
PUBLISHER
Michelle Villas
Robin Sanders 818-427-2050 | robin@moontidemedia.com
EDITORIAL Editorial Director | Darren Elms
ADVERTISING Account Executive | Sue Williams
Copy Editors | Peggy Jo Abraham,
818-625-3515 | sue@moontidemedia.com
Laura Watts Account Executive | Erika Carrion Graphic Designer | Christine Georgiades
310-897-2424 | erika@moontidemedia.com
VB’s The Sauce eNewsletter Editor
Account Executive | Marcie Gutierrez
Joshua Lurie
424-220-6337 | marcie@moontidemedia.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Account Executive | Amy Tetherow
Heather David, Kathleen Laccinole, Jennie
424-220-6338 | amy@moontidemedia.com
Nunn, Anne M. Russell, Karen Young PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Becker, Matthew Cooke, Tameka Jacobs, Shane O’Donnell
MANAGING PARTNERS Charles C. Koones
Todd Klawin
MARKETING & OPERATIONS Partner/Brand Publisher | Emily Stewart Partner/Managing Director, Media & Analytics | Warren Schaffer Brand Publisher | Hannah Lee Associate Brand Publisher | Cherice Tatum Director of Digital | Charles Simmons Director of Film & Video | Bryce Lowe-White Art Director | Angela Akers Operations Manager | Allison Jeackjuntra Director of Events | Danielle Price Marketing Manager | Rachel Gotko Accounting | Janet De La Cruz 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. Please send letters to: Reader Response Department, Ventura Blvd Magazine, PO Box 3760, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Please include your name, address and email. Edited letters may be published. SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: info@moontidemedia.com or phone: 310-376-7800. Subscriptions are $29 per year. 200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110, El Segundo, CA 90245 Tel 310-376-7800 | Fax 310-376-0200 | MoonTideMedia.com | OurVenturaBlvd.com
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VENTURA BLVD | NOVEMBER 2017
YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
OPEN HOUSE TK-5th grades: Nov. 9, Jan. 18 6-8th grades: Nov. 19
Come learn about our robust academic programs, and experience the nurturing Heschel community you’ll discover at our state-of-the art campus. We offer multiple bus routes to our campus from Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Calabasas.
For more information, visit us at heschel.com/openhouse
Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School 17701 Devonshire Street Northridge, CA 91325 (818) 368-5781
editor’s letter | LINDA GRASSO
Think BIG. Start SMALL.
Kindergarten – 6th
17100 Ventura Blvd., Encino
OPEN HOUSE EVENINGS Wed. OCTOBER 18, 2017 Wed. NOVEMBER 29, 2017 TOURS WEEKLY • RSVP online
losencinosschool.org/rsvp
After one of the hottest summers I can remember, the weather has changed, and just about everyone seems grateful. We can dial back the watering, open the windows and start eating hearty dishes again. Speaking of food, I’m always hearing from readers how much they like VB’s restaurant/ bar coverage. If you haven’t signed up for VB’s Tuesday email blast, The Sauce, head to ourventurablvd.com and subscribe. You’ll never wonder where to dine out in the Valley again. In this issue, we cover four eateries (beginning on page 53) including the new steak/ seafood spot, Davenport’s in Encino. It’s pretty swanky but stills feels like a place where you can just hang out—a combination I find particularly appealing these days. My two pet peeves are loud noise and overly bright lighting. Regarding Davenport’s, quite a bit of thought was given to noise control during the design phase (including padded walls and tables), so even when the eatery is packed, you can actually hear. And lights are perfectly dimmed. Bravo. A couple years ago, I was about to head out to one of my son’s football games, and as I walked alongside a tall ficus hedge, something caught my eye. I turned to see an animal jump out of the hedge. It resembled a cat but it was larger, like a medium-size dog. Instead of snapping a photo, I stood paralyzed. The creature started trotting down our driveway, hopped over the gate and ran down the street. Over the years several conversations in my family have ensued about this sighting. What was the animal? A baby mountain lion? Some sort of smaller cougar? Anne M. Russell’s piece (page 44) makes me think it was probably a young mountain lion. It is a fascinating article that details how and where they live in our hills. I had no idea mountain lions are now threatened with extinction—all because they can’t cross our freeways to reach suitable mates. As you’ll see in Anne’s article, one local group is trying to change that with an overpass on the 101. Happy Fall everyone!
(818) 990-1006
Think BIG
Start SMALL.
www.losencinosschool.org
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VENTURA BLVD | NOVEMBER 2017
Linda Grasso Editor-in-Chief
Follow me on Instagram @linda.grasso and my podcast @she_sez
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OPEN HOUSES October 14 and November 18 RSVP at buckley.org/openhouse
Louisville High School Louisville High School 8th GradeVisit Day OPEN HOUSE Shadow Tour Days
Practice High School Placement Test
Friday, November 3, 2017 Sunday, December 3, 2017 November - March Saturday, November 11, 2017
22300 Mulholland Drive Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-346-8812 www.louisvillehs.org Half Page Oct 2017.indd 1
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9/18/2017 1:26:43 PM
november SPOTTED
Mountain Lions—they’re the neighbors we don’t want to see. But extinct? More on page 44....
NOVEMBER 2017 | VENTURA BLVD
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Get Your Etiquette On
Dress up your holiday etiquette with Beverly Hills Manners founder Lisa Gaché PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL
As CEO of Beverly Hills Manners and the author of Beverly Hills Manners: Golden Rules from the World’s Most Glamorous Zip Code, Lisa Gaché advises clients on the “how-to’s” of being polite. Here VB editor in chief Linda Grasso queries her on how to be a great guest and host—and resolves a long-standing manners squabble with her husband.
which retails for under $25 and is sold at Ralphs, Trader Joe’s and Costco. But if it is quality wine, price point shouldn’t matter. What is the rule about bringing a date to a party? Guests should never arrive at any party with extra people in tow. If you would like to bring someone, clear it with your host well in advance and be accepting of their answer either way. Sometimes when I’m conversing with someone at a party, they pick up their phone and start checking social media or emails. Would walking away be rude? I think it’s wise to always give someone the benefit of the doubt first before taking action. Wait a beat, and if they continue to be distracted, it is perfectly acceptable to move on.
Are there some instances where a hostess gift is unnecessary? A hostess gift is highly recommended whether you know the host personally or not. It is not necessary, however, for very large parties or last minute casual gatherings. What are some creative hostess gifts? Consider an indulgent gourmet item like imported truffle oil, a beautifully illustrated cookbook or a gift for their much-loved pet. If you bring flowers, do arrive with them arranged in a vase or if bringing a homemade treat, have it presented on a serving piece. When it comes to wine, what is an appropriate expenditure? A ballpark price of $25 to $30 is very generous. I have turned many a host on to my favorite Pinot Noir (Meiomi)
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How do I get guests to stop checking phones at my dinner table? Have a collection basket at the door and request that your guests check their tech. If someone is truly concerned about an emergency, offer them your home phone number to text to loved ones. I often send gifts to out of state relatives. I get no response—not even a brief text. Should I stop? First reach out to make sure they actually received the gift. At that time, hopefully a thank-you would follow. If not, then putting a sanction on sending gifts may be the best remedy. Actions always speak louder than words. I’ve had vegan guests make snarky remarks about the food
served—even though I’m also offering vegan fare. Is serving dishes with animal products rude when a vegan is coming to dinner? I don’t think it’s offensive at all, especially if you have other guests who will appreciate a more varied menu. A gracious guest cannot hold everyone accountable to their ways. What is the acceptable time frame in which to rsvp? Proper etiquette dictates that one should try to respond within a 24 to 48 hour time frame. The purpose of this is to respond before a potential second invitation arrives and to assist the host with coordinating the other details of the party. Should hosts ask first before filling up a person’s wine glass? Part of the job as host is to determine the guests’ cut-off point. A gracious host will always inquire first before assuming a guest wishes to have more wine, especially if that guest is driving. I try to wind down a party around midnight. I offer coffee and stop serving liquor. It is not a hint for guests to leave. For me, it’s more about safety. My husband thinks that this is impolite and that guests should have pours until they leave. Thoughts? Your instincts are correct, of course. When will husbands learn that we wives are always one step ahead? Switching to coffee at the end of a festive night is an insurance policy for your guests. This ensures their safety and shows you’re a thoughtful host who pays careful attention to every last detail. Who wouldn’t appreciate that? ■
NOVEMBER 2017 | VENTURA BLVD
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goldenstate.is The digital content destination celebrating the very best of California.
@ourgoldenstate
preschool - eighth grade
BRINGING CHILDHOOD BACK
NO HOMEWORK elementary OPEN HOUSE - 10 AM OCT 12, 25 | NOV 15 | DEC 7 middle school OPEN HOUSE - 9 AM NOV 2 RSVP: 818-769-2511
www.country-school.org
NOVEMBER 2017 | VENTURA BLVD
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Flu Fighters From ancient herbs to time-tested treatments, here are a few eastern medicine alternatives for staying healthy during the winter months.
WRITTEN BY HEATHER DAVID
You know the feeling. It starts with a little tickle in your throat and before you know it, you’re down and out with a flu bug. If you’re looking for an alternative to overthe-counter pharmaceutical standbys, Chinese medicine, which has been used for more than 4,000 years, is worth investigating. Licensed acupuncturist and owner of Golden Monkey Healing, Matt Schwartz, says acupuncture treatments are a terrific preventative alternative. “The idea is that if you come in with a level of consistency, you then keep energy moving in the body, so there’s no place for disease and sickness to hide,” he explains. If you do find yourself under the weather, here are few of Matt’s treatment suggestions. While some must be administered and monitored by a trained professional, other remedies may be items you already have at home. ■ Golden Monkey Healing 15335 Morrison St., Suite 226 Sherman Oaks goldenmonkeyhealing.com
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YU PING FENG WAN This herbal medicine helps boost the immune function before cold and flu season begins. When used preventatively, it can strengthen immunities and fight off pathogens.
GINGER ROOT & GREEN ONION TEA Not the most appealing sounding tea, but it’s great for the initial onset of a cold or flu and helps the body fight off a virus. Just boil fresh ginger and onion to make this tea.
SANG JU WAN This formula moistens the lungs to alleviate lung congestion and coughing. It’s best taken when the illness (fever and sore throat) is in its early stages and when a cough is just starting.
LEMON & LIME Both lemon and lime go alkaline when they enter the body, meaning they immediately start detoxifying your organs. This helps allocate more energy toward the immune system.
GUI ZHI TANG WAN With cinnamon twig essence as the main ingredient, this treatment warms the body and helps ward off chills. It is also useful for nasal congestion, and joint and muscle pain.
PEPPERMINT OIL When your child gets a fever, put a little peppermint oil in his or her belly button. The oil acts as a cool-down agent.
NOVEMBER 2017 | VENTURA BLVD
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datebook
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SHUTTER BUG Rose started her career with a Hasselblad but now shoots with a digital camera. She says she’ll never get rid of her trusty original. “It reminds me of the long and challenging journey to a successful photographic career.”
Dance Record
Award-winning photographer Rose Eichenbaum shares with us her new coffee-table book, Inside the Dancer’s Art, highlighting some of the Valley stories behind the images. ROSE PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL BECKER | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ROSE EICHENBAUM
Encino resident Rose Eichenbaum is known as the preeminent photographer in dance. For more than three decades, she has photographed hundreds of dancers of every style—from ballet to break dancing to ballroom. Rose has loved dance as long as she can remember and, in fact, originally wanted to be a professional dancer herself. But she married at 21 and soon had three kids. After a clerk at a photo developing shop told her she had a good eye, she took a six-month workshop, started shooting for Dance Magazine and before she knew it, had a full-fledged career. However one aspect was unfulfilling. “It used to rip my heart out when people would throw away the magazines. I thought, ‘I need to create something that would stand the test of time.’” That “something” turned out to be a book. Her first, Masters of Movement, was published by Smithsonian Books in 2004. And now she is on number six. Her new book, Inside the Dancer’s Art (Wesleyan University Press), juxtaposes photos of well-known industry legends with emerging young artists. “Being a dancer myself has really been a great skill for all of this. Dancers feel like I am one of them. It is so gratifying. Being a dance photographer was really my true calling.” Here in her own words, Rose highlights some of her favorite images of the local dancers she has captured with her lens—along with their stories.
ASHLEY EVERETT Ashley Everett, known as “Beyoncé’s dance captain,” was one of the featured dancers in the music video Single Ladies, that won Music Video of the Year at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards; it has generated more than 400 million views. Ashley has also performed alongside Usher, Robin Thicke and Jennifer Lopez—among others. When I was choosing artists for my book, Ashley topped my list. I felt she would bring a powerful energy to the project—and she did. A hop from her Valley Village apartment to my home photo studio in Encino, she arrived fully prepared for our shoot. With makeup and hair done and ready for a morning of dancing, all I needed to do was turn on the music. Ashley recreated moments from the Single Ladies video and then improvised with some moves that can only be described as soulful. This is one of my favorite images from that joyful morning. UNTITLED This photograph of a young dancer stretching is among my very first dance images and my most personally meaningful. Taken in 1985 at the ballet studio where I trained, it represents the shift in my life from aspiring professional dancer to career photographer. I had dreamed of a performance career since I was a teenager, but I married young and before I knew it, I was the mother of three. Pursuing a performance career while taking care of my family proved more than I could handle. I had to accept that being on stage would not be in my future. Then quite unexpectedly, while taking pictures of my children, I discovered a new passion—photography. It didn’t take me long to realize that I could combine these two unique art forms—dance and photography—and in order to get hired by choreographers, artistic directors and magazine editors, I knew I’d need to create a portfolio. This image of a dancer (whose name I never knew) was among the very first images to fill my black book. With dramatic lighting, it illustrates (or shows) a lone dancer preparing for class with determination and grit. It helped open doors to my photographic career.
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AMANDA BALEN AND MARK KANEMURA When Dance Magazine contacted me in 2012 to photograph Lady Gaga’s backup dancers, Amanda Balen and Mark Kanemura, I suggested we do it right here in the Valley. Not only did the dancers live in North Hollywood, I knew of a perfect location that would have the industrial look that the magazine’s art director was after. Our shoot took place inside my husband’s company, Business Machines Consultants. With a bit of imagination, we transformed its warehouse into a streamlined commercial photo studio. Amanda and Mark, both extraordinarily well-trained commercial dancers whose credits include So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Got Talent, La La Land and live shows for Janet Jackson, Celine Dion and Carrie Underwood, pulled out a number of moves and jumps, giving me the opportunity to capture their amazing talents.
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DYLAN GUTIERREZ AND JERALDINE MENDOZA I first photographed Dylan Gutierrez when his mother, Andrea Paris-Gutierrez, owner of Encino’s Los Angeles Ballet Academy, hired me to take pictures of her teenager. Watching him move before my lens, I knew immediately that he was destined for a successful dance career. Today Dylan is a principal with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. When I began work on Inside the Dancer’s Art, I knew that I wanted to include Dylan. When he accepted my invitation to be photographed, he asked if his girlfriend and fellow Joffrey principal, Jeraldine Mendoza, could join us. For our photo, I suggested we leave the dance studio and instead try to create something that might blend the
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elegant line of the dancer’s body with the beauty of nature. We drove over to the Balboa Nature Preserve just off Burbank Boulevard, where I composed this image of the two in a classic pose, situated on a wooden bridge over a running stream. By demonstrating their skills, these two talented young dancers enabled me to produce one of the most compelling photographs in the book. NATALIE WILLES The moment I laid eyes on dancer Natalie Willes, I knew I wanted to photograph her. Her exotic beauty and gentle spirit drew me to her like a magnet. Born in Hollywood, Natalie says that her mother, dance teacher and studio owner Karen Willes, took her straight from the hospital to her Carousel Dance Studio
in Canoga Park. Natalie would learn to dance before she could walk. Our first photo session took place on the beach in Malibu, where she performed for me along the shore. It was my first experience creating images under the spell of a muse. Natalie captivated me with her talent and technique and made me aware of the power of collaborative art making. A few years later, I reached out to her one more time, but this time we met in her mother’s dance studio in the Valley. Wearing a jazz shoe on one foot and a pointe shoe on the other, Natalie gracefully demonstrated her ability to communicate the beauty and artistry of dance—regardless of style. ■
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ALI FEDOTOWSKY-MANNO We’re in the process of looking for a new home. So our hope is that by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, we will be all moved in and can have our feast there. We want to start making memories in our new home for our 15-month-old daughter, Molly, so we’re staying put for the holidays.
MARK STEINES This year is really special since we welcomed our new baby, Parker, in July. It will be our first Christmas as a family of seven (five people/ two dogs). Between hosting Home & Family and the Rose Parade broadcast on KTLA, we need to stay local—which is what I prefer. We love to decorate the house, shop for gifts that are both fun and meaningful, take lots of photographs and maintain holiday traditions.
DEBBIE MATENOPOULOS I’m headed back east to visit my family in Virginia, where I grew up. I love having quality time with my mom, my sister, my brother, my sister-in-law and my brother-in-law ... and of course my nieces and nephews! One of my favorite things is being able to see my best friend who, believe it or not, has been my best friend since second grade.
Home For the Holidays
The cast of Home & Family on the Hallmark Channel shares their holiday plans.
LARISSA WOHL This holiday season I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my family. Even though it sounds cliché, my entire family leads such busy lives that we don’t often have time to gather and unwind in one place. It is even more important to me now that we have multiple generations to celebrate. My grandma is in her 80s and loves to tell stories of the past.
MATT IZEMAN Thanksgiving is spent at my parents’ house in Denver, where I grew up, and the house is filled with memories. My favorite time of year is when I walk into the house and smell my mom’s Thanksgiving dinner. It is my favorite meal of all time. I always have second helpings of pecan pie. MARIA PROVENZANO Normally for Thanksgiving we go visit my family in Michigan. But this year I will have a newborn baby, so we’ll spend time with our family that lives here in California. I am, however, always in charge of desserts, and last year I made eight pies! We always spend Christmas at home. Since I am an Italian girl, on Christmas Eve I always make “The Feast of the Seven Fishes,” cioppino. My grandfather made this dish every year when I was growing up.
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FallAdCampaign-2017.qxp_VenturaBLVD 9/26/17 6:53 PM Page 1
OPEN HOUSES
ELEMENTARY (K-6) OCT 21
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CAMPUS TOURS AND OTHER ADMISSIONS EVENTS, VISIT:
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OPEN HOUSE
Kindergarten - 5th Grade November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. November 30th at 9:30 a.m. • •
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Middle School November 15th at 7:00 p.m. November 30th at 9:30 a.m
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Technology & Robotics Program NEW Sanford Harmony Mindfulness Program
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818.345.3002
woodcrestschool.org NOVEMBER 2017 | VENTURA BLVD
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e provide Nursery (3-year-old) to 8th Grade students with an outstanding, inspiring, and nurturing education environment focused on unlocking each child’s potential. ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE Sunday, November 5
WEEKDAY TOURS Thursdays at 9:30am October 12, 26 November 16 December 7, 14 January 11, 18, 25
@BerkeleyHallSchool • #BerkeleyHall • 310-476-6421 An Independent Coeducational N-8 Day School 16000 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
License #191604221
Beyond
the textbook
Online admissions application now available!
Serving grades 5-12
Oaks Christian School is one of the top faith-based independent schools in the nation with 100% acceptance rate to a four-year university. Woven into every academic lesson is an opportunity to prepare students to fulfill their God-given passions and talents. Our teachers excite students to dream big, beyond what they think is attainable. With our state-of-the-art MakerSpace classrooms, our entrepreneurship program, and our new Mac labs for film, animation, graphic design and photography, students have many opportunities to experience learning beyond the textbook. Join us at one of our upcoming admissions events. Pre-register online. Admissions Open House
Sunday, November 5 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
or
Admissions Information Night
Visit our website at www.oakschristian.org or call us directly at 818.824.9492.
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Thursday, January 18 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
WE ARE OAKS CHRISTIAN Preparing Minds for Leadership and Hearts for Service
31749 La Tienda Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362
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We offer a unique seven-year learning experience that combines a rigorous academic curriculum with
robust offerings and extra-curricular activities. We prepare students for success in college and beyond while fostering in them deep moral values and a commitment to service that is grounded in the Catholic faith.
OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 5
NOVEMBER 19
19800 Devonshire St. Chatsworth, CA 91311 818.363.8127
7500 Chaminade Ave. West Hills, CA 91304 818.347.8300
Middle School 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
High School 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
CAN’T MAKE IT TO OPEN HOUSE? CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A CAMPUS TOUR.
chaminade.org A WCEA/WASC accredited school. Sept-Oct 2017.indd 1
8/17/2017 12:45:31 PM NOVEMBER 2017 | VENTURA BLVD
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7
1 4
Take a Seat
Everyone can have a place at the holiday table when there’s extra seating. Here are some great choices to help expand your dinner party. 6
1. Ainsley Dining Chair, $349. Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com
5
2. Ethel Side Chair in Orange, $450. Bend Goods, bendgoods.com 3. Kaishi Mesh Chair, $599. CB2, cb2.com 4. Larchmont Dining Chair in Navy, $698. Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com 5. Rauschenberg Scoop Back Chair, $99. West Elm, westelm.com 6. Odger Chair, $75. Ikea, ikea.com 7. Caprice Dining Chair in Grey, $179. Room & Board, roomandboard.com
3
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2
TK-6th Grade Prospective Parent Open Houses November 2 • January 10 9:30 a.m. Learn about our mission, curriculum, collaboration with Stanford University’s d.school K12 Lab Network (the foremost institution in the field of Design Thinking), and how ADAT is making great strides forward in Jewish education from our students, teachers, and administrators. To RSVP or to schedule a tour, contact Sarah Schultz, Director of Admission & Community Relations, at sschultz@adatdayschool.org or 818.766.4992. 12020 Burbank Blvd. • Valley Village, CA 91607 • aaedayschool.org
324 Madeline Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105 • Westridge.org Bus transportation available from Los Feliz and the San Fernando Valley
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datebook
Street Scapes
Going On Now
Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit A touring museum exhibit based on the Peabody Awardwinning television series. Through January 15. discoverycubela.org
Topanga Night Market A new California Certified Farmers Market open each Friday evening from 5 to 10 p.m. Located alongside Victory Blvd. at The Village. westfield.com/topanga
Found in Translation An exploration of design and architecture dialogues between California and Mexico, with items ranging from furniture to ceramics to textiles. lacma.org
Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Hollywood’s popular annual event runs through November 4. universalstudioshollywood.com
October 21 & 22 Calabasas Pumpkin Festival A two-day kiddie funfest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. calabasaspumpkinfestival.com
25 Lit Crawl LA
Bernstein on Stage The Soraya
Katy Perry
Staples Center
Surface Tension
Skirball Cultural Center
The New West Symphony celebrates the centenary of Leonard Bernstein with a performance of his compositions at CSUN’s newly renamed performing arts center on November 17. valleyperformingartscenter.org The pop singer performs songs from her new album, Witness. Her tour hits the Staples Center for three nights: November 7, 8 & 10. staplescenter.com An exhibit of more than 100 images by photographer Ken Gonzales-Day depicting Mexican muralism. On display: modern murals, signage and graffiti in LA. Through February 25. skirball.org
Writers and artists converge in NoHo for six hours of storytelling and performances. litcrawlla.org
27 - 29 Pasadena Craftsman Weekend Tour Craftsman houses to see the work of noteworthy architects and tile makers. pasadenaheritage.org
29 Kitchen Gladiators Come to BLVD KITCHEN to compete or cheer at this benefit competition before celebrity judges. wearehere4.ucpla.org/gladiators
November 14 Don McLean A night with the singer-songwriter best known for the hit “American Pie.” wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com
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A distinctive and dynamic K-12 independent college preparatory school. Excellent academics with an ethos of innovation and continual improvement in a nurturing environment.
Come for a visit! Weekday individual tours
Kindergarten Saturday Open Houses - Oct. 28 and Dec. 2 Upper School Open House - Saturday, Oct 14 Middle School Open House - Saturday, Nov 18 Middle and Upper School Admission Preview Day - Saturday, Dec 2 www.viewpoint.org or 818-591-6560 23620 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302
MARYMOUNT
OPEN HOUSE Sunday, November 19, 2017 | 12:30pm - 4:00pm Grades 5-10 welcome Come to our beautiful campus to meet Marymount’s incredible faculty, staff, and Student Ambassador Team! This is an interactive and exciting event featuring various breakout sessions, giving you the opportunity to learn everything from academics to college counseling and athletics to STEAM!
RSVP: mhs.la.org/visit
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Cro s sing a Hemmed in by deadly freeways, the Santa Monica Mountains’ iconic cougars are facing near-certain extinction. What local groups are doing to provide them with a safe passageway in their hunt for suitable mates—and to ensure their future.
NIGHT VISION One of the mountain lions being monitored by the National Park Service
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
WRITTEN BY ANNE M. RUSSELL
Co ug ar
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M
ost of us Valley dwellers enjoy the beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains. As we pass them each day, we see them as a gorgeous, seemingly open and endless expanse. But for the animals that live there, in what essentially is a national park, the hilly terrain may as well
be an island. No animal is suffering more from the consequences of living in a circumscribed territory than the West’s native mountain lions. Confined by high-speed freeways that prevent them from accessing new mates, the lions are breeding with their own family members. An academic study published last year predicts that the Santa Monica Mountains’ lion population will suffer genetic collapse—known to scientists as “inbreeding depression”—within 50 years, leading to their extinction. Even good news—the August discovery of two darling kittens known as P-59 and P-60—was tempered by the fact that they are the product of generations of feline incest. Their father is P-12, who is also the father of their mother, P-53, as well as their mother’s mother and their mother’s grandmother. The kittens’ sire P-12 (the P in the naming system stands for “puma,” which is the scientific name for mountain lions) had the rare good fortune to successfully cross into the Santa Monica Mountains from the north, meaning that he survived traversing eight lanes of speeding traffic on the 101. Most mountain lions aren’t so lucky. Being locked on a small island has two consequences for the big cats, both lethal. When male kittens mature and seek to establish a territory and find a mate, they run into conflict with the dominant males, resulting in a fight to the death. “The No. 1 cause of cougar mortality is cougar-on-cougar. They can’t get out of each other’s way. These cats are on top of each other,” explains Beth PrattBergstrom, the National Wildlife Federation’s regional executive director for California and point person for the fund-raising campaign Save LA Cougars. The other main danger occurs when driven by the desire for unclaimed turf, the young cougars take their chances crossing the 101 or 405, which can and does result in fatal (to them) vehicle collisions. Animal-car crashes injure humans, too. Last year they cost Californians $276 million in property damage and personal injuries—not to mention the cost of lost time and frustration due to traffic disruptions.
“We d on’t want to find o ut what happens when the l ast l arge carnivore is g one. It’s not an experiment we want to conduct.” 46
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DINE AROUND Cougars caught feasting in the Santa Monica mountains by one of the National Park Services’ wildlife camera traps
Proposed Liberty Canyon Undercrossing Improvement Area
Proposed 101/Agoura Road Wildlife Overcrossing improvement Area
October 2013 Lion Kill Site
Proposed Tunnel Access
A WAY OUT The National Park Service has been tracking and studying the Santa Monica Mountains’ cougar population since 1996, and at any given time has radio collars on 8 to 10 of the 10 to 15 resident lions. “Mountain lions are the last large apex predators left,” says Seth Riley, PhD, a wildlife ecologist with the Park Service, who has worked on the study since its inception. Southern California’s native grizzly bears and gray wolves are long gone, he notes. (The black bears that are residents of the San Gabriel Mountains are non-natives, having originally been brought down from Yosemite by humans, Dr. Riley explains.) “We don’t want to find out what happens when the last large carnivore is gone. It’s not an experiment we want to conduct,” he says. ROAD TO FREEDOM The cougars’ last, best—and only—hope for the freedom of movement critical to survival lies in the construction of a wildlife overpass. A diverse group of public and private agencies are now working to make that happen. A small stretch between the Liberty Canyon and Chesebro freeway exits in Agoura Hills is the only area where there is open space on both sides of the freeway. Plus at night, it’s the darkest spot along the 101 because there are no street lights and development is sparse on either side. “The land is already protected,” says Pratt-Bergstrom. “There’s no bad guy here.” (She means no threat of eminent domain being exercised on private landowners.) “There’s almost nowhere left where there’s natural habitat on one side of the freeway, much less both sides,” says Dr. Riley. “This wildlife crossing would be a pretty cool thing.” BUT WILL THEY COME? One of the most common inquiries Pratt-Bergstrom and Riley field at educational events is, “How will the animals find the crossing?” After all, wildlife can’t read signs or access social media. One answer is suggested by the pings transmitted from the radio collars, which occasionally show lions prowling the
margins of the freeways after dark, apparently looking for a safe exit. Inevitably, most turn back to take their chances against fellow cougars in the overcrowded mountains. Other evidence comes from images from an old camera trap in an underpass along the 118 Freeway that caught nighttime photos of cougars strolling through the tunnel from points north, such as the Los Padres National Forest. In fact, it was a remote camera that revealed the startling fact that P-22, a young male, had miraculously crossed both the 101 and 405 to claim the urban island of Griffith Park as his home range back in 2012. During a routine review of images, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana was stunned to spot an image of P-22 walking away from the camera. In the new documentary by Tony Lee, The Cat That Changed America, about P-22 and the dangers that LA’s cougars face, Ordeñana says even after five years of solitary existence in Griffith Park, P-22 still makes what’s known as a “contact call,” vocalizing to seek the presence of other mountain lions. This raises another common question: “Why can’t the Park Service or Department of Fish and Wildlife bring the nowmiddle-aged P-22 a girlfriend since he already has his own Tinder account and Facebook page?” The simplest answer is that it’s not within either agency’s mission to interfere in natural ecosystems. The more complex answer, however, is that even if they did, it might not have a happy outcome. Male mountain lions need territorial ranges of around 250 square miles apiece and P-22 is squeezed into a mere 8 square miles in Griffith Park. Although it is rare for a male mountain lion to kill a female, it happened in 1999 near Malibu Creek State Park when the late P-1, the first tracked cougar, killed his mate, P-4. Perhaps she was defending her kittens; the wildlife biologists don’t know for sure, but the animals’ inability to get away from each other certainly does contribute to fatal fights. BRIDGE TO LIFE Although there is strong public support for the wildlife
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OH, BABY Two kittens discovered in the Santa Monica Mountains
crossing, including from some of the area’s homeowners associations and donors as far away as Hong Kong and France who have contributed $3 million to date, there is also the predictable fear that anything new engenders. The two-year environmental review for the wildlife crossing is complete and now open for public comment. Among the concerns: that the bridge will cause a flood of mountain lions to pour into the Santa Monica Mountains. Given that male mountain lions ideally require 250 square miles of territory and the whole of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is only 275 square miles, this is not a realistic worry. If anything, we are likely to see an exodus, as the uncomfortably crowded cougars are finally able to disperse, via the Simi Hills, to points north. Because the crossing as proposed is multiuse for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, some people have wondered aloud whether cougars might lurk there to pick off unwary humans. Again, according to actual data, this is a senseless fear. Says Arthur Eck, chief financial officer of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO), which is NWF’s local partner in Save LA Cougars, “Based on where the radio collars indicate the mountain lions are at given times of day, the collective bunch of lions probably sees a couple thousand people a day.” In other words, our cougars have ample daily opportunities to attack and eat people. Yet despite that, there have been no documented attacks on humans in SMMNRA. On the contrary, all evidence shows they simply don’t want to be around people and would much prefer to hunt and consume deer.
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NEXT HURDLES To get to Phase 2—the creation of the final design and construction plan in 2018 and 2019—more money is needed. SAMO and NWF will continue with their joint fund-raising efforts and hope that more big donors will step up. The Annenberg Foundation has already pledged $1 million. Former State Senator Fran Pavley, who left the legislature last year after 14 years in office, is working part-time as an environmental consultant for Save LA Cougars. She lives in Liberty Canyon, so the wildlife crossing is literally close to home. And she was instrumental in some of the historical decisions that have made it possible. “Liberty Canyon Road was going to go straight through [what is now Malibu Creek State Park] to Mulholland,” she recalls. “In the early ‘80s, the county planning commission had approved 460 apartments for Liberty Canyon.” To defend its turf against overdevelopment, Agoura Hills incorporated in 1982 and elected Pavley its first mayor. She facilitated the purchase of the disputed Liberty Canyon land by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and also helped fend off the construction of a medium-security prison in what is now the very popular Chesebro State Park. “It’s been a concerted effort over the last 30 years to acquire the land,” she says. It’s indeed ironic that land that was designated to house a human prison may prove to be the key to freeing our mountain lions to roam as nature intended. ■ Learn about P-22 and his cohort during the second annual Urban Wildlife Week October 15 to 22. It culminates the last day with a festival at Griffith Park. More at urbanwildlifeweek.org and nwf.org/save-la-cougars
Mo untain L ions BY THE NUMBERS
$55 million
Estimated cost, including an endowment for continued mountain lion research, for the construction of the Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing
0
Existing number of wildlife overpasses in the SoCal freeway system. There are a few underpasses, including an equestrian tunnel under the 118, that cougars have used.
20%
Increase in the number of large animals killed or injured by California motorists in accidents in 2016
43
Number of mountain lions involved in traffic accidents in California in 2016
10-15
100
Number of cougars killed by cars in California last year, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation
$7,500
Approximate annual cost of a radio collar and satellite data reporting, paid by the Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO)
1
Number of cougars living in Griffith Park, aka P-22, “the tragic poster child of urban fragmentation,” as Beth Pratt-Bergstrom calls him
2022
Projected year for completion of the Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing
Number of adult cougars believed to be living in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
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#MegaMayan
A weekend getaway on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula might bring out the Instagram warrior in you. WRITTEN BY DARREN ELMS
Ever get super-envious of your friends when they post amazing vacation pictures? You know the ones, where they look tall, sun-kissed and lovely posing on an exotic beach with a margarita in hand? Many scoff at the humble photo brags littering their social feed. Yet when I see those, I often start thinking future trips. After all, who can you trust more than your friends for candid scoop on where, when and how to kick back and relax in style? You can have your Yelp reviews and TripAdvisor. I’m sticking with social media for my referrals. This brings me to Tulum. Tulum. Tulum. Tulum. Everyone is in Tulum. This place had never even crossed my radar until friends started posting photos online. This place was clearly HOT. I just needed to figure out where it was. After a little help from Google Maps, I discovered this charming getaway was only a few hours south of the States on the Caribbean
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coast of Mexico—not far from its famous, bigger neighbor Cancun. When a press trip popped up in my inbox with an invitation to explore the Riviera Maya, including a stop in Tulum, I replied with a resounding “si.” We flew into Cancun, home to the international airport for the region, and made our way down the coast to the community of Mayakoba (mayakoba.com). This private property is home to four resorts, a golf course, walking trails and a manmade river that winds through it all like the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland. Apparently there are resident crocodiles, though we didn’t come upon any for a photo op. But I did see plenty of birds—some locals and others migrating their way through, vacationers in their own right. Our home base for the weekend was the wonderful Banyan Tree (banyantree.com). A resort chain mostly known throughout Asia, Banyan and its brand of hospitality was top-notch throughout the
stay. Dining options ranged from a steak house with a huge outdoor grill and giant portions to a more intimate, Thai-inspired experience at the signature restaurant, Saffron. But the most memorable meal of the trip had to be the Mayan dinner on our second night. The evening began with a ritual performed by several men in Mayan war paint and headdresses, accompanied by two comely women with incense and offerings. No human sacrifice, fortunately, but I did sip from a bowl with juice meant to represent blood. When I sent pictures of the ritual to my friend, he said it looked like a Janet Jackson video. Though I couldn’t argue with that visual assessment, the intensity of our Mayan guides in person was anything but a gentle “escapade.” We ultimately feasted on a fusion of Mayan and Mexican dishes, including roasted whole pork cooked in a traditional sub-ground oven. All specialties were washed down with healthy pours of tequila. Our evening concluded with an American touch—the roasting of s’mores on an open fire—while we enjoyed another performance from our Mayan friends. Judging from their ferocious expressions and impassioned chants, I wouldn’t have been surprised if we were on the menu for dinner tomorrow. The following afternoon we did make it to Tulum, also home to an important Mayan archeological site. Spanning a large swath of land right on the Caribbean coast—turquoise and scorched with sun—the ruins offered a glimpse at what life would have been like for its early inhabitants. The temples, the oceanfront houses, the market areas … each had its own purpose and plan in the bigger picture. One could imagine the stone structures once painted in brilliant blues and reds, or the rituals performed on the steps leading up to the places of worship. Absolutely magnificent and worth the drive down the coast. The trip was short but very sweet. I’m the one now posting pictures online for all my friends to see. Don’t be envious and grumble. Just get on a plane and see the Mayan Riviera for yourself. I promise not to judge you when your own photos hit my feed. Well, just a little. ■
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Good Food. Good Friends.
“
Amazing!
The space is beautifully designed, the service was impeccable from host to the the owners, and the food was delicious.�
Sara R.
Reservations Suggested
(818) 855-1203 16120 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA | davenportsrestaurant.com
the sauce
PERFECT SLICE
Off the Boulevard? Yep. Discover a trio of eateries on a block in Sherman Oaks that is fast becoming a foodie destination. For more, turn the page...
Bento Block A quiet stretch along a block in Sherman Oaks emerges as a culturally diverse dining destination. WRITTEN BY JOSHUA LURIE PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS
No longer is Whole Foods the best reason to exit the 101 at Coldwater Canyon. The intersection of Coldwater and Riverside Drive features a strip of creative restaurants that offers a dizzying array of varied tastes.
Rock’n Pies
This summer, when the pizza joint Rock’n Pies paid tribute to late, great Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington with a mural in their parking lot, the restaurant instantly became a major draw. Co-founder Jim Conners is a drummer and serious music fan. He and his two partners also commissioned murals of Foo Fighters star (and Valley dweller) Dave Grohl and former Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain having a slice.
CO L C A N D WAT E YO N R AV E
RIVE
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RSID
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The style of pie they serve is New York thin crust. Cheese pizzas are available with toppings that range from meatballs to artichoke hearts. They also offer occasional specials, including white pizza piled with ricotta, mascarpone and spinach. [Just ask.] House-made roast beef and provolone sandwiches, pungent garlic parmesan wings and garlic knots dipped in zesty marinara help to round out the menu. Pair with a solid beer program that includes California craft options from breweries like Bootlegger’s and Firestone Walker. Interiors carry on the rock and roll theme. The bar is coated with Rolling Stones concert posters; flat screen TVs play music videos; and album covers hang on walls. It’s essentially a neighborhood play on Hard Rock Café—plus some pretty decent slices. 12920-½ Riverside Dr., 818-788-5050
Monster Thai
Next door, at Monster Thai, the menu is downright monstrous. Dozens of dishes fall under 13 different headers, including Monster Noodles, Monster Curries and Monster Munchies (snacks like boneless stuffed “angel” wings, satay and house-made pork jerky). The Monster Combo pairs strips of marinated grilled pork sirloin with a puffy fried egg, fried rice and piquant chili lime sauce. Garlic pepper shrimp with broccoli and duck curry are equally fierce. This casual spot also houses a surprisingly large amount of music memorabilia. Rock music plays, and gold and platinum records line the walls, including “The Who Sings My Generation” and The Beatles’ “Let It Be.” One partner used to play in a band. 12920 Riverside Dr., 818-990-5206
Sushi Sazanami
If Rock’n Pies and Monster Thai are rock and roll, then Sushi Sazanami is smooth jazz. Chef Jimmy Koshino and business partner Jayvee Regala preside over a soothing Japanese restaurant, with woven chandeliers and framed fish prints on the walls. The name sazanami translates from Japanese as “calm wave,” and diners can relax and dine here at ease. Jimmy crafts a focused sushi menu with recognizable fish like Spanish mackerel and red snapper. More unusual prepared dishes include duck breast dressed with blueberry sauce and sinus-clearing wasabi, and collagen-rich yellowtail collar simmered with daikon slabs, soy sauce, sugar and fish jus. Sushi Sazanami encourages sake and wine pairings for this refined Japanese cooking. Perhaps a plate of grilled chicken hearts with a splash of Hakutsuru plum wine? 12918 Riverside Dr., 747-998-5244 ■
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We love to get our groove on during the holiday season and hope you’ll join us! Spend an evening under the sycamores on our spacious patio, or keep things intimate in our private dining room. Whether it’s an office get together, impressing your out-of-towners or surprising the in-laws, let us do the heavy lifting. It’s why we built the place. Your neighborhood go-to spot for the holidays. (818) 255-7290
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THEFRONTYARDLA.COM
4222 vineland avenue, north hollywood, ca 91602
“BIG PARTY IN A LITTLE HOUSE”
NOW POURING ON 12 TAPS 12 X THE FUN! “BEST HAPPY HOUR IN THE VALLEY” M-F from 3PM - 6PM 4524 Saugus Avenue, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 | 818-990-2583 | BlueDogBeerTavern.com
Manhattan Meets Encino Dining out in the West Valley kicks up a notch with the debut of Davenport’s. WRITTEN BY JOSHUA LURIE
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Valley dwellers who live west of Sepulveda have put up with a serious lack of great restaurants for decades. Recently they feel like they’ve hit the jackpot with the opening of four, eclectic, side-by-side eateries at an Encino strip mall. And now they’re over the moon with yet another interesting choice along the Boulevard: Davenport’s—a New York style meat-meets-seafood eatery with an elegant vibe. Featuring twin marble bars, upholstered (sound muffling) walls, pressed tin ceiling and black cushioned booths—Davenport’s offers the best of both worlds; it is sophisticated but unpretentious. The eatery is a place where you could do a fancy celebratory dinner or simply hang out, sipping wine on the outdoor patio. Seasoned chef and co-owner Nigel
SIGNATURE DISH Davenport’s Lobster Bites
Davenport previously worked as a corporate executive chef for Larsen’s Steakhouse (a local chain with a branch just across the street). His father, Carl, is co-owner. Lobster factors into what is most certainly one of LA’s most beautiful Cobb salads. Vivid piles of tomato, bacon, hard-boiled egg, shaved red onion, cubed, dill Havarti cheese, avocado and pencil-thin asparagus are piled on chopped lettuces, dressed with house-made tarragon vinaigrette. A paprika dusting, lemon squeeze and thorough mixing complete the experience. Dover sole meunière is a French classic starring flaky, pan-fried white fish bathed in a tangy parsley, white wine, lemon and caper sauce. The fish, a bargain at $21, is boned tableside and served with buttery mashed potatoes and firm English peas.
Nigel is just as skilled with turf as surf. For one entree, he dry rubs baby back ribs with spices like cayenne, cumin and paprika before slow cooking for six hours. Racks are sprayed with apple cider to boost caramelization and then cooked on a mesquite and oak grill. Each order is brushed with a balanced tomato-based BBQ sauce, accented with garlic and molasses, and served with thin, skin-on fries and slaw with hearty kale. A humble cheeseburger is a great test for any chef, and Nigel nails his coarse, house-ground brisket, chuck and short rib patty. Each burger is wood-grilled and stacked on a brioche bun with cheddar, thick-cut tomato and onion, lettuce and pickles. Nigel’s trips to visit sister Chris in New Orleans inspired the burger’s spicy
remoulade, as well as Davenport’s crab beignets and oysters Rockefeller. To finish, baklava cheesecake is a fun hybrid. A massive mascarpone slab is enlightened with lemon zest, crowned with crushed nuts and flaky phyllo, and drizzled with floral orange blossom honey. When mapping out the menu, Nigel considered featuring dessert at the long counter (a remnant from previous tenant, Dupar’s) located between the elegant entry and the step-down dining room. Instead he went with a raw bar. At Davenport’s, you can have your cake and eat oysters too. ■ 16120 Ventura Blvd., Encino (free parking in the back), 818-855-1203, davenportsrestaurant.com
T R A D I T I O N A L J A PA N E S E C U I S I N E
747-998-5244 SUSHISAZANAMI.COM 12918 RIVERSIDE DRIVE SHERMAN OAKS
the sauce
T H E D E S T I N AT I O N F O R VA L L E Y F O O D I E S
S I G N U P & E AT W E L L O U RV E N T U R A B LV D.C O M
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Lake House A sophisticated, contemporary farmhouse turns out to be the third-time charm for a couple in Toluca Lake. WRITTEN BY HEATHER DAVID PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL
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B
urbank natives and high school sweethearts, Tim and Paula Davis, have built three homes in their 47 years of marriage, but their latest project stands apart from the rest. First, it wasn’t exactly in the cards. The couple were perfectly content in their Burbank home. Plus, going through construction again wasn’t appealing. But Tim, a member of Lakeside Golf Club, and Paula shared a growing affinity for Toluca Lake. And they just couldn’t get the notion of living with a water view out of their heads. “Tim and I agreed that at this point, the only way we would move is if we found something on the lake. So when our realtor showed us this property in 2011, we said, ‘We’re going to build one more time,’” Paula fondly remembers. The project turned out to be anything but
STRIKE A POSE Gold-accented, handmade wallpaper by designer Kelly Wearstler—along with a baby grand piano—create a dramatic entrance.
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easy. The original structure, built in 1951, was in total disrepair. “We had to completely demolish the house and reengineer everything down to the foundation,” says Tim. The couple hired Abel Builders and Kay Hicks Design for the building phase. “Kay helped me pick every tile, cabinet and material—painstakingly experimenting with me for the perfect color on the exterior,” recalls Paula. After two years of construction, the structure was complete—a two-story, contemporary farmhouse featuring ¾-inch, handscraped walnut floors throughout. When it came time for the decor, the couple turned to local interior designer Orit Srour, who lives just a stone’s throw away. Orit, who Paula describes as “an artist,” was instantly inspired by the sprawling 4,800-square-foot space that opens up to
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CLASSIC LINES A mix of stone material makes the kitchen visually interesting, including a white Calcutta marble center island, a grey-flecked stacked Carrera marble backsplash and dark Caesarstone countertops.
sweeping views. Although the architecture is traditional, the duo planned interiors with a contemporary vibe. “We agreed on a chicmeets-comfortable theme that could stand up to large parties and family dinners with their five grandchildren,” shares Orit. The couple really wanted something impactful to greet visitors. So Orit suggested wallpaper. “The entryway features handmade wallpaper with gold metallic lines that’s meant to be like art. It’s by the dynamic designer Kelly Wearstler,” says Orit. But the bold look didn’t catch on immediately. “I was scared to do it and Orit gently pushed back. Now I’m absolutely in love with it,” Paula says. The main living space is also somewhat
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“It’s not just about one chair or rug, but it’s how everything makes you feel together.”
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dramatic—largely due to the use of statement lighting, which Orit refers to as “the jewelry” of the home. “They really wanted to push boundaries with the fixtures. They’re a perfect representation of Paula’s personality—bold, stylish and dramatic,” the designer explains. Dangling gracefully over the dining table are custom-etched, glass teardrops by Apparatus, a high-end lighting company out of New York. Handsome pendant lights in the adjacent kitchen compliment the dark tones. The couple, who also own a vacation home in Laguna Beach, are art aficionados. “We like to buy in Laguna, but we also have purchased items at auctions,” Tim says, gesturing to two Salvador Dali etchings that flank the fireplace. Originally they wanted to install metal doors leading to the spacious backyard, but they decided to play with metallic paint shades instead. “It was going to be quite an expense, and there were other things we wanted to splurge on. Paint helped us achieve the exact look we desired,” shares Paula. Orit chose the Farrow & Ball paint color, Railings, which is a brown/black shade
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DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION The color black is threaded throughout the main living space—creating contrast and a sense of sophistication. Opposite: One of a pair of Salvador Dali etchings that flank the fireplace.
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evocative of a metal look. While the home is filled with premium finishes, fixtures and amenities, it also includes touches of practicality. For the mid-century modern chairs in the main sitting room, they decided on an ivory acrylic, indoor/outdoor material by Perennials Fabrics. “You can just give it a scrub and stains will come right off, even though these chairs look like linen,” says Orit. Paula continues, “It’s not just about one chair or rug, but it’s how everything makes you feel together.” For her, it was all about creating a vibe of casual elegance. “When people walk in here, I want them to feel relaxed and comfortable, like they’re at a resort.” And as their most frequent guests—the Davis’ two kids and five grandkids all agree—mission accomplished. ■
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FREE
PICK
-UP &
DELI
VERY
Academic Excellence and Character Development Within the Circle of Family Lower School Open Houses October 18 & December 5 Middle School Open House November 4
13646 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks
(at the corner of Woodman & Ventura) Parking In Rear
818.906.2345
Call 818-508-4717 or email admissions@wesleyschool.org to make a reservation.
Mon-Fri 6am-10pm | Sat 8am-8pm | Sun 9am-5pm | Overnight Service WWW.STEAMERCLEANERS.COM
4832 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601 ~ www.wesleyschool.org
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seen
Stadium Art
Stanley Silver and family of Sherman Oaks attended the Green Bay Packers Collection opening celebration at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin. Silver was commissioned to produce six larger-than-life original oil paintings celebrating the Packers’ legacy, which are now on display at the newly renovated stadium. His contemporary works are featured at several stadiums and arenas throughout the country.
Ryan, Stanley and Karen Silver
The Silver family
Giving Back LemonAID Warriors partnered with Blazing Saddles Indoor Cycling for an event benefiting American Red Cross Hurricane Relief. The youth-run nonprofit has a new president, Madison Stein, taking over for founder Lulu Cerone, who now attends college. Lulu, by the way, was recently featured in a Forever 21 ad campaign at stores nationwide.
Forever 21 ad with Lulu Cerone
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LemonAID Warriors new president, Madison Stein
A P L U S S I Z E FA S H I O N B O U T I Q U E
Abundance is one of the very few upscale independent plus size fashion boutiques in the entire United States. From comfortable to casual or dressy - classic to funky and fun. Abundance has it all!
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seen
Curtain Rising
CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison and guests raised glasses of Prosecco in celebration with Younes and Soraya Nazarian and family to kick off the new season of the performing arts center. The highlight was a screening of the Oscar-winning film Amadeus, accompanied by the LA Chamber Orchestra and members of the LA Opera Chorus. The festivities also celebrated the curtain rising on a new era. The performing arts center’s name has been changed to the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, (“The Soraya” for short), in recognition of a gift from the Y & S Nazarian Family Foundation.
Alumni association president Cindy Chernow greets Younes Nazarian.
The performing arts center will now be known as “The Soraya.”
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Sharon Nazarian, president of the family’s foundation
CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison with Younes and Soraya Nazarian
Beauty and the Ball Two sisters from Encino, Haley Lynn and Chelsea Anne Worrell, will make their debut at the Coronet Debutante Ball on November 25. The young women were selected based on philanthropic service and volunteer acts in their community.
Greetings from Dr. Tolbert HAD A SURGERY BUT STILL IN PAIN? NEED TO REDUCE YOUR OPIOID DEPENDENCE? AFRAID TO BE IN PAIN? Dr. Tolbert specializes in minimally invasive procedures & treatments to rehabilitate and get rid of pain. If dependent on medication, we can reduce or eliminate your dependence and pain.
Alice Wilson Gould, Haley Lynn Worrell, Chelsea Anne Worrell
818.784.7197
High Notes The City of LA proclaimed September 19 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day. The nonprofit, The Ovarian Cancer Circle, as well as its founder and president Paulinda Babbini, were among those recognized for their dedication to educating others and working to find a cure.
Call NOW To Schedule A Private Consultation!
“OUR job is to make you FABULOUS”
Donna Richard and Paulinda Babbini
17609 Ventura Blvd., Suite 114 Encino, CA 91316 Phone: 818.784.7197 Fax: 818.784.3060
www.Center4rehab.com
Hear Dr. Tolbert’s CNN interview
www.snappytv.com/tc/1886415 Circle supporters with Paul Koretz, Nury Martinez, Monica Rodriguez, Paulinda Babbini and Sanaz Memarzadeh
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The Mogul
&
The Grapevine With Moraga Vineyards, Rupert Murdoch takes on wine and a legacy, just a stone’s throw from the Valley. WRITTEN BY KAREN YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MORAGA VINEYARDS
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“S
ometimes I want to blindfold people and ask where they think they are,” quips Scott Rich, as he stands under a canopy of towering oak
trees, gazing out at the expanse of Moraga Estate and Vineyards in the hills of Bel Air. The idyllic site is where the winemaker is marking his 21st harvest.
NOTEWORTHY NEIGHBORS Moraga Vineyards with The Getty and the Pacific Ocean in full view
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Concealed behind an unassuming, rustic wood, double-door gate, the 16-acre estate, that includes a 7,500-square-foot, singlestory home, winery and seven acres of rolling vineyards, is located on a tree-lined street named for Spanish explorer José Joaquín Moraga. The vineyard may be in the middle of a residential neighborhood and a mile or so from the 405, but from the moment you clear the gate, you feel as if you are exploring the terroir of Tuscany in Italy or the Rhône Valley in France. The most dramatic views of its vine-covered, terraced hills are seen from overhead—or from a certain vantage point at The Getty Center, across the Sepulveda Pass. With a history spanning over eight
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decades, the estate has played host to U.S. presidents, dignitaries, moguls and movie stars. President Ronald Reagan was known to go home with fresh chicken eggs after visiting. Within the last 30 years, its two wines have been made in a Bordeaux fashion— a pure Sauvignon Blanc; and the red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. They have been poured by some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurateurs, including Alain Ducasse, Wolfgang Puck and Piero Selvaggio. The vineyard is private, with access only through membership to The Club at Moraga Estate. Moraga’s annual yield of approximately
10,000 bottles is made up of roughly 30% white and 70% red, depending on the “kindness of Mother Nature,� as Rich puts it. Both wines are produced completely onsite with grapes handpicked, processed and bottled in a state-of-the-art stainless steel tank fermentation cellar. In an adjacent structure is a 200-foot wine cave dug into a hillside and filled with single-use 100% French oak barrels. The property was originally a horse ranch in the late 1930s, developed by Academy Award-wining film director Victor Fleming (The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind). Regular visitors included Vivien Leigh, Jean Harlow and Spencer Tracy, while Clark Gable is said to have kept his horses in the
DISTINCT PAIRING Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch
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A GOOD YEAR Ruth and Tom Jones, Moraga Vineyards’ 80 VENTURA BLVD original owners
| NOVEMBER 2017
stables. The street itself is where the Moraga Spit and Polish motorcycle club, organized by Fleming, rode through the canyons with Gable, aviation pioneer Bill Lear, actor Keenan Wynn and others. Yet despite Hollywood lore and its oenophile reputation, Moraga remained a hidden gem—so much so that many were taken by surprise when in May 2013, Australian born, American media tycoon Rupert Murdoch tweeted: “About to celebrate buying beautiful small vineyard right in LA. Great wine, Moraga, owned by great Angelino, Tom Jones. Time cover, 1961!” The purchase price was $28.8 million. The “Tom Jones” Murdoch referenced was not the Welsh singer, but Thomas V. Jones, the former chairman of airplane manufacturer Northrop Grumman, who, with his wife Ruth, had owned the property since 1959— when it was filled only with chaparral and oak trees. “I was looking for a house in LA, not necessarily one with a vineyard, but when I saw an ad in the Wall Street Journal regarding the estate and winery, I was immediately interested,” says Murdoch, 86, who had previously met Jones on a couple of different occasions with President Ronald Reagan. “Tom had been looking to sell Moraga for about three years,” explains Rich. “His biggest fear was that someone would come in and subdivide the place and turn it into a bunch of houses and sell it off. He was looking for someone without financial incentive.” Murdoch came to Moraga to meet with Jones several times, and eventually, “over a handshake and a glass or two of wine,” agreed to Jones’ one major condition—to
President Ronald Reagan greets Tom Jones
keep the property as is. Murdoch kept his promise, only gutting the interior of the house to update the décor. The home exterior and gardens, including the Castilian roses (illustrated on the Moraga label), remain untouched, as do the 1937 stables, now used as offices. Ever the entrepreneur, Murdoch did raise the price of a bottle of red from $125 to $175 and white from $65 to $110. “We felt that the wines were worthy of the price adjustment,” reasons Murdoch. “We are certainly in line with the great wines of Napa.” Asked about future expansion, Murdoch states, “We merely aim to make better wine every year. Not more.” Murdoch, who owns homes around the world, including New York and London, says he spends about “a quarter of the year” at Moraga with his fourth wife, Jerry Hall, 60. “It is definitely my favorite home. I feel a bit more relaxed; it’s hard not to be as the setting is so lovely.” Winemaker Rich, 60, divides his time between Moraga Vineyards and Talisman Vineyards in Glen Ellen, which he co-owns with his wife. He reveals his relationship with Murdoch is very similar to how he worked with Jones. “Tom was on the cover of Time magazine in 1961 because he was the first American captain of industry to really and truly embrace the idea of hiring good people and letting them do their job. He was always interested in what we were doing and why we were doing it,” explains Rich. “Rupert has been the same way with the winemaking … he’s very good for Moraga.” Murdoch, who describes himself as a
“lifelong student of wine” explains, “As I do most of my companies, I rely on the best in the industry to do what they do best. Scott and I have a good working relationship. I was just there in August … the vineyards are looking wonderful … the rain this year really helped.” THE HISTORY Before Napa and Sonoma, Los Angeles was California’s original wine country. French immigrant Jean-Louis Vignes became the first commercial winemaker when he imported Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc vines in 1833 and planted a 104-acre vineyard called El Aliso, near downtown and along the LA River. The winery was the first of over 100 that eventually developed at the time, only to close down years later due to plant disease, and ultimately, Prohibition. The word vignes means “vine” in French—Los Angeles’ Vine Street is dedicated to his legacy. “Tom and his wife would travel back and forth between California and France, becoming increasingly interested in wine,” explains Rich. “Initially they thought to start a vineyard somewhere else in California, until Tom thought about Vignes’ success and discovered the soils at Moraga seemed similar to those in Bordeaux and Burgundy. They decided to give it a try and planted the first 40 vines, imported from France, in 1978.” THE FIRST SEASON The vines took and more blocks were planted. The oldest vine on the property is from 1985. A series of esteemed winemakers from Napa were brought to Moraga, and the first vintage was bottled in 1989. Scott Rich
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MAN & MAKER Rupert Murdoch with Scott Rich
“We merely aim to make better wine every year. Not more.”
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arrived in 1996. “The distinct Bordeaux profile of Moraga wines can’t be compared to other local wines due to its unique landscape,” says Gary Fishman, the domestic wine buyer for Wally’s Wines & Spirits, which has carried Moraga since its first vintage when the shop’s founder, Steve Wallace, served as Jones’ initial consultant. Author Jay McInerney, in his book, The Juice: Vinous Veritas, wrote, “The steep hillside of Moraga Canyon is reminiscent of the best vineyards in Cote Rotie or Chianti.” Wine critic Robert M. Parker Jr. called Moraga vintages “serious wines made with a French orientation.” THE STARS ALIGN The unique Bordeaux similarity, Rich says, is due to a “serendipitous intersection of climate and soil,” influenced by a 600 to 900 foot elevation, lower temperatures, increased rain and a breeze from the Santa Monica Bay. The Sauvignon Blanc grapevines line
the lower vineyard and run through a low spot with natural cold air drainage, which he says “is like heaven for sauvignons.” The red grapes are situated on higher ground under calcareous, uplifted seabed and create “a unique wine with a soft fruity-herbal finish.” “My job is to let everything that’s special about the vineyard show through in the wine. We mess with it as little as possible, we pick grapes at the right time and get flavors we want,” says Rich. “The varietal makeup of the red wine changes with every vintage because sometimes Mother Nature gives us more of one grape than another.” Both Rich and Murdoch agree that there are no “best years—just different years.” Murdoch hopes “wine lovers everywhere will have the opportunity to understand the unique nuances of our specific soil at Moraga and how that translates into the amazing wines we create. We are not Napa nor Bordeaux—we are Moraga and deserve a place at the table with the rest of the world’s top wines.” ■
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n o i t a n i t s De d n a l Thai Discover the magic of Thailand—beyond Bangkok. WRITTEN BY JENNIE NUNN
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For nearly two decades as a magazine editor and writer, I’ve met people who travel for a multitude of reasons. Some simply want an escape. Others are trying to find meaning and purpose, reach a difficult life decision or fulfill a “bucket list.” Regardless of motivation, everyone seems to ask me the same question: “Where should I go now?” If there’s one place that’s right at the top of my list, it’s Thailand. From canoeing to a private, tented luxury camp to learning to ride an elephant to experiencing a fairytalelike setting surrounded by manicured rice fields and gardens, Thailand is the ultimate in exploration.
CHIANG MAI
Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand, is perhaps best known for its beloved Night Bazaar—lined with souvenirstocked shops, restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs and even Muay Thai boxing rings.
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FOUR SEASONS RESORT CHIANG MAI Set amid 32 acres of pristine gardens and terraces, the lush property with 99 pavilions and residences is dotted with lily ponds, lakes, four restaurants, a spa, a cooking school and a working rice farm replete with water buffalo. The resort offers complimentary activities such as Thai language classes, sunset yoga, nature hiking with a local expert and mountain biking. Should you want to venture off the premises, catch a ride on the in-house shuttle that runs several times daily to and from downtown Chiang Mai, where you can cruise around the city like a local in a tuk tuk, or rickshaw. At Chiang Mai National Museum, explore sculpture, artwork and artifacts from the Lanna kingdom. If you enjoy the outdoors, pack a picnic and head to a waterfall/ swimming hole like Monthathan Waterfall or Huay Kaew Waterfall. fourseasons.com/chiangmai
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, CHIANG MAI Opened 10 years ago, the 277-room property features guestrooms decorated with calming earth tones and Asian artwork. There is even a pillow menu, where you can choose between a feather pillow, antisnore, buckwheat, foam or bolster. For a personal reboot, head to the yoga pavilion, outdoor swimming pool or Chi Spa and opt for the Wild Flower Body Glow with an aromatic blend of Chiang Mai herbs, followed by an exfoliation and massage. shangri-la.com/chiangmai/shangrila
CHIANG RAI
FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE Don’t let the word “camp” fool you. Opened six years ago, this luxury property in Northern Thailand, approximately 490 miles from Bangkok, is comprised of 15 tents tucked in a bamboo jungle, situated along the Ruak and Mekong rivers. Laos and Myanmar (formerly Burma), can be spotted in the distance. To get to your suite, framed by canvas walls, you cross an Indiana Jones-style wooden bridge, suspended high above a large pond. The spa is located in a series of converted treehouses with open-air salas hovering above the jungle. Just as unique are the treatments, which include the new kala coconut massage, using kala, smoothly
finished half coconut shells and virgin coconut oil made exclusively for the resort. For the experience of a lifetime, sign up to learn to be a “mahout”—an elephant rider or trainer. The program is a partnership with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, an organization dedicated to rescuing non-wild elephants from cruel conditions. Students learn basic commands (“pai” or go; “bean” or turn; and “how” or stop), go elephant trekking and become a trained mahout for the day. Other activities include a city visit to a local market with fresh seafood and produce, an 800-year-old temple or Wat Pa Sak—home to the Chiang Saen Museum. On display are artworks by local hill tribes and ancient Lanna-style artifacts. fourseasons.com/thailand LE MÉRIDIEN CHIANG RAI RESORT, THAILAND Located approximately a one-hour drive from the Golden Triangle, the property features an on-site spa, swimming pool, manmade lake and two 100-year-old rain trees. Guestrooms are appointed with cool tones of charcoal and lilac, flat-screen televisions and rain showers. Activities range from a Mae Kok River cruise to a visit to Rai Mae Fah Luang (or the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park)—a botanical garden and museum. lemeridienchiangrai.com ■
Getting There Airline passengers can choose from one of three flights daily on a Boeing 777-300ER to Hong Kong (one until October only) on Cathay Pacific Airlines (cathaypacific.com). In business class, maintain privacy in a roomy pod-like cabin complete with a fold-out entertainment screen, a reading light, power outlet, small storage compartment with a mirror and a fully reclining seat powered by the touch of a button that lowers into a bed. Thanks to partnerships with notable guest chefs, hotels and wineries including Mandarin Oriental and Chef Daniel Green of Food Network’s Kitchen Inferno, the onboard culinary experience is a not-to-miss event. The airline was one of the first to offer rice cookers, toasters and skillets to prepare everything from steamed rice and toasted bread to eggs. From Hong Kong, you can fly direct to Chiang Mai on Cathay Dragonair.
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Craft Your Next Chapter. Passion. Purpose. Possibilities. Sometimes we need to reinvent to put them within reach. That’s where SheSez comes in. SheSez is a master class taught by the world’s most fascinating women. Listen in on Intimate conversation that offers key strategies, radical inspiration—and everything in between. Download the podcast, hosted by Linda Grasso, on SheSez.com, Apple Podcasts and Google Play. New episodes released every Tuesday.
COMING THIS FALL:
INTERACTIVE OPEN HOUSE EVENTS CALENDAR Ventura Blvd Magazine will host a comprehensive calendar of the finest Open House events for schools in our area. Plan your fall using this easy to navigate guide. Find it live mid-September at
OurVenturaBlvd.com/OpenHouses
Want to include your events? Find out how by contacting Robin Sanders at 818-427-2050 or robin@moontidemedia.com
“We are devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using state-ofthe-art procedures, which will result in long-lasting smiles. We are a comprehensive dental care practice that believes preventative dental care and education are key to optimal dental health. Our treatment plans are tailored to address the main concerns of each individual, with a focus on overall dental health.” – DR. MARK EXLER & DR. ROSEMARIE WHITAKER, ENCINO CENTER FOR ADVANCED PROSTHODONTICS
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PRO FILES
top dentists WRITTEN BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATTHEW COOKE & TAMEKA JACOBS
A smile. It is the first thing you notice about a person and equally as important as a firm handshake or a great outfit. So for most of us, having a beautiful set of pearly whites and maintaining them is a priority. The professionals on the following pages are passionate about just that. They aim to ensure that you and your family look and feel your best. From the latest in oral hygiene practices to complete smile makeovers, meet and learn about what some of the top practitioners of the Valley are doing for their patients.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
92 LASKY PEDIATRIC DENTAL GROUP Dr. Michael Lasky, Dr. Jill Lasky & Dr. Adi Genish
95 ESTHETIC PROFESSIONALS Dr. Kristi Crispin & Dr. Bruce Crispin
93 ENCINO CENTER FOR ADVANCED PROSTHODONTICSÂ Dr. Mark Exler & Dr. Rosemarie Whitaker
96 CALABASAS ORTHODONTICS Dr. Stuart Hoffman
94 SOUTHLAND DENTAL CARE Dr. Michael Abaian & Dr. Delaram Hanookai
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top dentists
Lasky Pediatric Dental Group
Michael Lasky, DDS, Jill Lasky, DDS, & Adi Genish, DDS 12930 Ventura Blvd., Suite 226C, Studio City 818-465-7545 | laskypediatricdental.com
T
he doctors at Lasky Pediatric Dental Group are longtime health care practitioners in the LA area who practice a whole-child approach to dental care. As specialists in behavior modification techniques, they treat high-anxiety, ADHD and special needs patients. The office is available 24/7 for emergencies and offers convenient evening and Saturday hours. What makes your practice unique? “Lasky Pediatric Dental Group’s goal is to make both parents and children feel comfortable and safe. Our families enjoy that our waiting area is homelike and serene. Parents are always included in the decision-making process, and we make sure they understand all treatment options and recommendations. Children are examined where they are most receptive: on their parent’s lap, on the floor or by our toy box. Lastly, parents appreciate being able to call or email us between visits.” Tell us about your staff. “Our practice wouldn’t be as successful if we didn’t have a strong team of experienced registered dental hygienists and assistants supporting us. We are blessed that our team has become part of our extended family and they, like us, love what they do.” When should parents first take their child to the dentist’s office? “Parents should look for their child’s dental home before or soon after their baby is born or if they move to a new neighborhood. We have found that it is comforting for parents to identify a pediatric dentist before there may be a medical need or emergency. Hopefully we won’t need to see your child until their first visit on or around their first birthday.” How do you give back to your community? “We believe that in-office patient and parent education is the foundation of your child’s oral health and helps them learn and maintain good oral care habits. We also believe that it’s important to take this message out into the community. In making regular visits to nursery and elementary schools, parenting groups and community organizations, we promote the importance of health and teach proper oral care techniques to parents and children.”
“Lasky Pediatric Dental Group’s goal is to make both parents and children feel comfortable and safe.” 92
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Tell us your exciting news! “Join us in welcoming our new pediatric dentist Dr. Adi Genish. An accomplished graduate of UCLA Dental School and mother of two, she’s a wonderful addition to our LPDG team.”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
top dentists
L to R, back: Meg Hayes, Jessica Ross, Dr. Exler, Dr. Whitaker, Kathi Urias, Sherri Schreiber. Front: Arnold Marasigan, Mali Clark.
“The guiding philosophy of our practice is our commitment to providing the highest quality restorative, cosmetic and prosthetic treatments available.”
Encino Center for Advanced Prosthodontics
E
ncino Center for Advanced Prosthodontics is a dental practice specializing in restorative, cosmetic and prosthetic treatments. Dr. Exler is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He volunteers with the Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program, an organization that provides dental care for Holocaust survivors. Dr. Exler enjoys spending time with his three children and playing golf. Dr. Rosemarie Liao Whitaker graduated from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC, where she volunteered for AYUDA, a mobile clinic that served local and international communities. She completed advanced prosthodontics training at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Whitaker’s spare time includes spending time with her husband and 1-yearold son. She is an avid hiker and loves sailing.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
How does your practice provide personalized attention to patients? “From first phone contact with you to your first appointment in our office, we focus on you as an individual. On your first visit, prior to paperwork and details, we offer you a personalized tour of our office to welcome you to our home. We want you to tell us about your chief concerns and how we may help you achieve the comfort, function and smile that you deserve. We focus on running an efficient practice considerate of our patients’ individual needs and concerns.” How would your patients describe your approach? “As described by one of our long-term patients, Bob M.: ‘Everything about the Dr. Mark Exler experience is remarkable. He is not only an amazing dental artist, but he is also incredibly thorough and competent in the medical aspects of his profession.
Mark D. Exler, DDS, FACP, & Rosemarie L. Whitaker, DDS 16311 Ventura Blvd., Suite 530, Encino 818-647-1696 | markexlerdds.com
But that is only part of the story. The experience begins with the front office where the staff is always friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. Everyone in the office, including the doctor, is concerned with patient comfort and satisfaction. In the many years I have been seeing Dr. Exler, I have never once been kept waiting. Patient comfort during dental work is always a top concern. The hygienic procedures are second to none. After visiting Mark Exler’s office and seeing the way it should be done, one will realize how deficient many other offices are. Dr. Exler is extremely informative. He always takes time to explain and to answer any questions, making sure the patient is completely familiar with all aspects of the work being done, or to be done. Dental artistry, professional excellence, attention to detail, respect for the patient—this is the Dr. Mark Exler experience.’”
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top dentists
“I have always believed in giving back to the local community that has supported your business endeavors.”
Calabasas Orthodontics
C
elebrating 25 years of orthodontic care, Calabasas Orthodontics provides personalized specialty orthodontic care to patients of all ages. Owner Dr. Stuart Hoffman treats every patient himself and is proud of his practice’s “on time” reputation. A specialist in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, Dr. Hoffman earned his DMD from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine and fulfilled an advanced orthodontics residency at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Since 2005, he has been a part-time clinical instructor of orthodontics at the Ostrow School. How does your practice differ from others? “Calabasas Orthodontics provides personalized specialty orthodontic care in a very warm and personalized environment. The office continues to strive to run on time—respecting patients’/parents’ time. Patients who arrive on time are usually seen on time!”
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Dr. Stuart J. Hoffman Owner
4764 Park Granada, Suite 104 Calabasas 818-222-0090 | forbraces.com What is your specific area of expertise? “I specialize in the area of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics using different treatment modalities (traditional metal braces, clear esthetic braces and clear aligners) along with nonsurgical treatments for myofacial pain dysfunction and TMD (temperomandibular dysfunction).” How does Calabasas Orthodontics provide personalized attention to patients? “Unlike many large/busy offices, I personally treat and work on all patients 100% of the time—never delegating treatment to my assistants. I have always believed that if you are seeking treatment at a private practice office, the doctor should be hands-on when delivering orthodontic care.” Address the pricing of your services. “Calabasas Orthodontics maintains extremely fair and competitive fees for orthodontic services. The office is also ‘in network’ with most dental PPO insurance
plans. For most patients with PPO dental insurance, staying in network allows them to maximize their benefits and keep their outof-pocket costs down.” What type of music do you play at your office? “Calabasas Orthodontics plays the best mix of ‘80s alternative, ‘90s alternative, classic rock and contemporary alternative music. Each day the office plays a different genre of music. Parents especially enjoy the ‘flashback’ days, while patients enjoy the current alternative contemporary music days.” How do you give back to your community? “Calabasas Orthodontics and the Hoffman family support many of the local public schools, private schools and religious institutions. I have always believed in giving back to the local community that has supported your business endeavors.”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
top dentists
Esthetic Professionals
Dr. Kristi A. Crispin & Dr. Bruce J. Crispin Owners 18981 Ventura Blvd., Suite 300, Tarzana 818-654-7100 | estheticprofessionals.com
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ather/daughter dental team Dr. Bruce Crispin and Dr. Kristi Crispin and their team at Esthetic Professionals offer patient-focused dentistry in a state-of the-art facility. Both are 1 of only 400 worldwide accredited dentists in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and participate in extensive continuing education to stay on top of the latest technologies in dentistry. Dr. Bruce is a boardcertified prosthodontist and world-renowned lecturer. Dr. Kristi is a lecturer, general dentist and co-director of Esthetic Professionals Education Center with Dr. Bruce. What do your patients like best about you? “When patients visit our facility, they feel like they’re more than just patients. We try to make them feel like family —listening to their needs first and foremost. Once we feel we really understand what’s important to them, we educate them on the issues and provide an individual plan for their treatment, as well as the tools and knowledge to maintain their overall oral health in the long term.” How do you distinguish yourself from the competition? “For us, good enoughis never good enough, and that’s more than just lip service. We’re always striving to be at the very forefront of dentistry. Not only do we treat patients, we actually teach dentists from all over the country to become better dentists. We also maintain a full-service, on-site laboratory with a master dental ceramist. This ensures that our patients receive top-quality materials and optimal esthetics suited to their individual needs.” Tell us about your team. “Because our patients are our top priority, we take great care to train our staff to be the very best at what they do. This is the only way to ensure that every patient gets the care and attention they deserve.”
How does themedia help or hurt your business? “Without question, media exposure benefits dentistry as it helps educate people on the many incredible things dentists can do. We change lives and can literally transform our patients.” Do you offer a free consultation fornew patients? “Of course! We understood long ago that patients simply need to meet their dentist and see the office before committing to anything. We offer a free ‘meet- and-greet’ consultation along with an office tour for all new patients. This goes a long way for them determining if we’re the right fit for them.”
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top dentists
Southland Dental Care Dr. Michael Abaian & Dr. Delaram Hanookai Owners 4312 Woodman Ave., Suite 100 Sherman Oaks 818-788-8787 southlanddentalcare.com
“We are committed and determined to give you the best dental care possible!”
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outhland Dental Care is a multispecialty office that offers smile makeovers, porcelain veneers and crowns, full-mouth reconstruction and dental implants. Dr. Michael Abaian is a general advanced cosmetic dentist, and Dr. Delaram Hanookai is a certified periodontitist and dental implantologist. The husband-and-wife team both studied at USC School of Dentistry and together have more than 20 years experience in health care. What is the philosophy of your practice? “We make sure that you are treated with respect, loyalty and integrity. We believe that you deserve to be happy, healthy and feel good about yourself and your smile. We are committed and determined to give you the best dental care possible! Why is going to the dentist regularly so important? “Regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. During your appointment, we will evaluate your gums, perform a head and neck examination, and examine your mouth for any indications of oral cancer, diabetes or vitamin deficiencies. Early detection of any of these is very timesensitive and crucial.” What technology does your practice offer patients? “Here at Southland Dental Care, we have the most advanced technology available in dentistry. We have a CT scan machine and Platelet Rich Plasma to help with dental implants, and a 3-D cone beam CEREC machine to fabricate porcelain crowns in our office within hours. We realize that there are a lot of patients who feel nervous going to a dentist, so upon the patient’s request we offer IV conscious sedation or oral sedation or nitrous oxide.” Tell us about your “smile makeovers.” “From porcelain veneers to full porcelain crowns, our smile makeovers entail two parts to create the perfect smile: the teeth and the gum tissue. We have an initial consultation to evaluate the level of the bone around the teeth, examine the
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gums and analyze the bite. With a complete questionnaire we learn about what the patient desires, and then we design a comprehensive treatment plan. Each patient’s smile design is very individualized and customized. We have had many patients who have been so pleased with the results, they have made YouTube videos. We encourage potential patients who are seeking veneers or crowns to refer to these videos.” How does your practice provide personalized attention to patients? “We have variety of patients—from celebrities and professionals to homemakers and their children. We look at the patient as a family member, and we treat them like a family member of our own. Throughout the years of treatment, we build a relationship with our patients and make sure they are taken care of at all times.” In addition to brushing and flossing, what are the best ways to maintain oral health? “This involves getting the right oral care products, as well as being mindful of your daily habits. 1. Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth. 2. Brush properly. 3. Don’t neglect your tongue. 4. Use fluoride toothpaste. 5. Treat flossing as importantly as brushing. 6. Don’t let flossing difficulties stop you. 7. Consider mouthwash. And don’t forget to always first floss and then brush your teeth!” Address the pricing of your services. “At Southland Dental Care, we never let finances to get in the way of doing the right work. We have affordable financing, and we accept most insurance as well.” How is your practice unique? “Being a husband-and-wife team, both Dr. Abaian and Dr. Hanookai follow the same philolosophy, which enables them to be in harmony as far as treatment planning. With Dr. Abaian being an advanced cosmetic dentist and Dr. Hanookai being a periodontist and dental implantologist with extensive continuing education, we have treated thousands of patients with various levels of needs.”
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real estate
ROBERT ANDERSON, AIA TUTOR REVIVAL
4656 Balboa Ave, Encino. $2,950,000 AlanTaylorRealEstate.com Represented by Alan Taylor CalBRE 01369255 John Aaroe Group 818-650-1603 Info@AlanTaylorRealEstate.com For more information see page 109
Oren David Mordkowitz ESTATES DIRECTOR | REALTOR ® CalBRE License #01246402 818-933-5866 oren@orenestates.com
COMING SOON
JUST LISTED
NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
www.4957EdgertonAve.com
www.4143HayvenhurstDrive.com
4957 Edgerton Avenue | $3,299,000
4143 Hayvenhurst Drive | $4,200,000
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JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
www.16613OldhamPlace.com
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16613 Olham Place $2,199,000
17361 Hamlin Street $565,000
4046 Strawberry Place $1,589,000
JUST LISTED
IN ESCROW
SOLD
www.16725OakViewDrive.com
16725 Oak View Drive $1,249,000
17067 Escalon Drive $1,249,000
www.OrenEstates.com
17230 Luverne Place $1,620,000
4715 ALONZO AVENUE
6,250 sq. ft. // 19,039 sq. ft. lot
$4,295,000 // 5 beds // 7 baths
Encino
This modern farmhouse is the perfect environment for relaxing and entertaining. Privacy, warmth and sophistication permeate the home. Perched on a knoll within a forest like setting, this home features five bedrooms with walk-in closets, private balconies, and seven bathrooms. Unique to this home is a master suite with dual closets, plenty of storage, office, pool house with bathroom, formal dining, breakfast area and much more. Outside, find a beautiful garden with a salt water pool and spa.
4715Alonzo.com
JIMMY A HIRSCH
An international associate of Savills
THE AGENCYRE.COM
JHIRSCH@THE AGENCYRE.COM 310.413.7414 CALBRE#01970186
T he agency Welcomes Ingrid Sacerio
“Ingrid is a vibrant advocate of your interests during your real estate experience. She is one of the best agents around with her unparelled integrity, tenacity and negotiation expertise. We are delighted to have her.”
– M AURICIO UMANSKY | FOUNDER/CEO
WOODHILL CANYON
POOL HOUSE
3657 WO O DHILL CAN YO N R OA D | S T UD I O C I T Y
GUEST HOUSE
MAIN HOUSE
$8,500,000 | 11 BEDS | 11 BATHS | 8,449 SF | 3.6+ ACRE LOT
An extraordinary property that embodies the true definition of a sprawling compound. Over 3.6 acres of serenity, total privacy and endless possibilities. This rare estate site offers three adjacent homes on five separate parcels adjacent to the coveted Fryman Canyon trails. Located south of the boulevard in the heart of Studio City with close proximity to highly regarded restaurants, shopping and the Carpenter Charter Elementary School. | Agncy.re/WoodhillCompound
CR A I G KNIZEK
INGRID SACERIO
CKnizek@TheAgencyRE.com 424.230.3718 CalBRE# 01377932
ISacerio@TheAgencyRE.com 323.333.7018 CalBRE# 01905431
An international associate of Savills
T HE AGEN CY R E .C O M
JUST LISTED
4107 VENTURA CANYON AVENUE | SHERMAN OAKS | $5,250,000 5 BEDS | 6 BATH | 7,357 SQ. FT. | 16,180 SQ. FT. LOT
JUST LISTED
4145 WOODCLIFF ROAD | SHERMAN OAKS | $1,099,000
2 BEDS | 2 BATH | 1,624 SQ. FT. | 8,902 SQ. FT. LOT
745 MORENO AVENUE | LOS ANGELES | $3,600,000
5 BEDS | 3 BATH | 2,995 SQ. FT. | 9,909 SQ. FT. LOT
IN ESCROW
17085 RANCHO STREET | ENCINO | $8,750,000
7 BEDS | 8 BATH | 10,600 SQ. FT. | 67,058 SQ. FT. LOT
FOR LEASE
8641 METZ PLACE | LOS ANGELES | $20,000/MO
3 BEDS | 4 BATH | 2,244 SQ. FT. | 11,860 SQ. FT. LOT
FOR LEASE
4630 ENCINO AVENUE | ENCINO | $75,000/MO
6 BEDS | 9 BATH | 10,104 SQ. FT. | 76,104 SQ. FT. LOT
ANDREA KORCHEK
ANDRE A .KORCHEK@THE AGENCYRE.COM 818.371.093 3 An international associate of Savills
THE AGENCYRE.COM
STRONG REALTOR TOP 1% NATIONWIDE 2016
820 GRINNELL DR, BURBANK AVAILABLE | OFFERED AT $4,700,000
SOLD OVER $100 MILLION IN 2016
5Bd | 5.5Ba | 5,129± sf | 16,309± sf lot
PENDING | TOLUCA LAKE
4818 Ledge Ave.
AVAILABLE | TOLUCA LAKE
$1,425,000
AVAILABLE | TOLUCA LAKE
10125 Valley Spring Ln.
Bob & Dolores Hope Estate
$22,000,000 $22,000,000
PENDING | TOLUCA LAKE
$3,996,000
SOLD | SHERMAN OAKS
4274 Navajo Ave.
$1,749,000
PENDING | VALLEY GLEN
CRAIG STRONG Executive Director, Aaroe Estates 310.439.3225 CalBRE 01450987 5261 Ventura Canyon Ave.
$899,000
5905 Hillview Park Ave.
$1,599,000
STRONGREALTOR.COM #1 AGENT SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
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
ENCINO
17841 Palora Street $2,395,000
find open houses now
Stunning, newly built, 5bd, 5.5ba Cape Cod-style pool home located S. of Boulevard.
aaroe.com
17841palorastreet.aaroe.site Kristin Neithercut 323.397.0800
SHERMAN OAKS VALLEY VILLAGE
12515 Addison St Eric Lieberman & Nancy Gerber
SHERMAN OAKS
$2,849,000 818.535.8755
TOLUCA LAKE
4334 Kester Ave $1,799,000 Randi Lieberman & Maggie Schireson 818.961.7579 SHERMAN OAKS
5445 Buffalo Avenue $1,295,000 Gorgeously updated and expanded to a serene 3 bedroom and 2.5 bath home. 5445buffalo.aaroe.site 4274 Navajo Ave Craig Strong
$1,749,000 310.439.3225
SHERMAN OAKS
3947 Benedict Canyon Dr Bryan Abrams
SHERMAN OAKS
STUDIO CITY
3724 Dixie Canyon Ave Michael Bergin
$1,469,000 310.600.0715
STUDIO CITY
$1,399,000 818.266.4300
TOLUCA LAKE
4535 Wortser Ave Alan Taylor
BEVERLY HILLS
BRENTWOOD
Beatrice Stambulski 818.480.0776
CALABASAS
$1,399,000 818.650.1603
SUNSET STRIP
3556 Elm Dr Scott Hillenbrand
BALDWIN HILLS/VIEW PARK
$1,149,000 818.621.1805
PASADENA
DOWNTOWN LA
John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of sq. footage, lot size, or other info concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy.
FINE ARCHITECTURAL ESTATES Robert Anderson, AIA - Modern Tudor Revival 4546 Balboa Avenue, Encino
$2,950,000 | www.4546Balboa.aaroe.site
Benton & Park, AIA Mid-Century Modern 3301 Longridge Terrace, Sherman Oaks
$2,595,000 | www.3301Longridge.aaroe.site
ALAN TAYLOR | 818.650.1603 | Alan@AlanTaylorRealEstate.com | AlanTaylorRealEstate.com bROKER 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 01369255
KevinDriscollHOMES.COM SO LD O W VE IT R H1 AS 5 KI OF N F G ER S
Extraordinary Seller Representation!
10429 Ravenwood Court $1,425,000 10429Ravenwood.aaroe.site
ENCINO 4517 Firmament Avenue $4,149,000
S O OL VE D R IN AS 1 KI DA N Y G
4517firmament.aaroe.site
ROYAL OAKS 15715 Woodvale Avenue Encino $1,999,000
ENCINO 17428 Oak Creek Court $2,499,000
KEVIN DRISCOLL
17428oakcreek.aaroe.site
Top 1% Nationwide Director, Aaroe Estates
818.398.0797
KevinDriscollHomes@gmail.com John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. This is not intended as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker. CalBRE 01270052
MICHAEL BERGIN |
LUXURY ESTATES DIRECTOR
FOR SALE
IN ESCROW
Offered at $1,469,000
Offered at $2,599,000
3724 Dixie Canyon Avenue, Sherman Oaks
JUST SOLD
4548 Van Noord Avenue, Studio City Offered at $2,599,000
4177 Kraft Avenue, Studio City
JUST SOLD
4557 Cartwright Avenue, Toluca Lake Offered at $1,199,000
“ YO U R # 1 N E I G H B O R H O O D E X P E RT ” MICHAEL BERGIN REAL ESTATE
MICHAEL BERGIN | 310.600.0715 | BerginHomes@gmail.com | CalBRE 01845572 FRIEND
FAMILY
NEIGHBOR
REALTOR©
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 01845572
Featured Agent
David Emanuel W
to navigate even the most difficult of real estate transactions and consistently exceed his clients’ expectations. The Emanuel Group has been able to obtain the highest possible market value and consistently set records for their clients’ properties on nearly every transaction, most notably in Woodland Hills, as of August 2017 where they set the highest price sale for the city*. They are the go-to real estate “We sold two properties with David, both professionals to work with the neighboring cities on of them at highest price per sq.ft. in the the Ventura Blvd. Corridor. If you would like more information or like to neighborhood... -Jasmine B.” schedule a time to meet David Emanuel, he The Emanuel Group has years of transaction can be reached at (818) 621-9141 or by e-mail: experience from the hundreds of thousands to david@davidsellsla.com. the multi-million dollar range. They have assisted everyone from out of state buyers to developers and real estate investors who look to experts in the field in order to amass their portfolio. The Emanuel Team’s professionalism and discretion has led them to become high demand agents who have assisted high profile clients and Hollywood elite. ith local roots in Woodland Hills and Calabasas, the Emanuel Group has cultivated its experience into becoming an industry leader. Nearly 20 years of real estate experience has allowed this team to accumulate the tools necessary to assist homeowners with the sale of their homes and buyers looking for their dream home.
Team Leader David Emanuel is one of the most trusted real estate professionals in Southern California and is a member of an elite group of Realtors who are among the top 1% of producers nationwide. Deemed an elite agent at Keller Williams Realty, David utilizes his unique blend of real estate experience and background in finance
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818.621.9141
David@DavidSellsLA.com
CalBRE# 01825239 | REALTOR ®
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. *Contact agent for more details.
NEW LISTING in high demand ROYAL WOODS. FANTASTIC TRADITIONAL w/ CONTEMPORARY CLASS: $2,200,000 3508 Alana Dr. – Sherman Oaks. Stunning 5 Beds, 4 Baths, 4200 sq. ft. Formal entry. Den, Bonus room, Master Suite, entertainer’s back yard w/city light view. Pool, Deck. Westside access in minutes. Great Community Involvement. www.3508ALANA.com
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ELEGANCE & BEAUTY! UPDATED ROYAL WOODS MID CENTURY: $2,200,000 15949 Tobin Way - Sherman Oaks. OVER 4500 Sq.ft, 5 Beds, 4 Baths. Beautiful home. Designer upgrades throughout, champagne & caviar! Pool & spa, views, deck, quiet culdesac street, EZ access to Westside. www.15949TobinWay.com
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GREAT LOCATION IN ROYAL WOODS SINGLE LEVEL, VALLEY VIEWS: $1,600,000 15708 Castlewoods Dr – Sherman Oaks. 4 Beds, 3 Baths, near 3000 sq. ft, 12,000+ lot. Quiet neighborhood, fast Westside and Valley access, first time on market in 40 years. Fabulous community.
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SWEETEST SPOT OF SHERMAN OAKS - White Picket Fence, Corner Lot, Won’t last! : $1,100,000 4480 Sherman Oaks Circle. 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1700+ sq. ft. Move in perfect! Huge Rear Yard. www.4480SHERMANOAKSCIRCLE.com
BILLY WYNN
818-261-3400
text/cell billywynn@pacbell.net | www.billywynn.net
olson estates
“No agent has more transactions in Royal Woods of Sherman Oaks than Billy”
Nobody does it better...
sold
4121 Longridge Ave., Sherman Oaks $7,350,000 www.NewLongridgeEstate.com
sold
3833 Hayvenhurst Dr., Encino $3,799,000 www.RoyalOaksColony.com
sold
16214 Morrison St., Encino $1,539,660 www.HomeOnMorrison.com
#1 Agent
Rodeo Realty San Fernando Valley 2017 YTD
sold
3925 Archdale Rd., Encino $5,499,000 www.ArchdaleEstate.com
sold
5421 Amestoy Ave., Encino $2,350,000 www.AmestoyAvenueEstate.com
sold
16716 Alginet Pl., Encino $1,532,500 Encino Hills
coming soon 17437 Palora St., Encino $4,500,000 New Construction
sold
4811 Encino Ter., Encino $2,199,000 www.EncinoTerraceEstate.com
sold
14839 Round Valley Dr., Sherman Oaks $1,520,000 www.RoundValleyDrive.com
sold
16167 Royal Oak Rd., Encino $4,449,000 Royal Oaks
active
3856 Vista Linda Dr., Encino $1,699,000 www.VistaLindaEstate.com
in escrow
19660 Greenbriar Dr., Tarzana $1,299,000 www.HouseOnGreenbriar.com
818.285.3688
www.CarolWolfe.com
CalBRE #00477745
Mortgage Capital Partners
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12400 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 900 Los Angeles, CA 90025
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1200 Newport Center Dr. Suite #185 Newport Beach, CA 92660 1842 Washington Way Venice, CA 90291
This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. Minimum FICO, reserve, and other requirements apply. Programs are subject to change at any time until locked in. LTVs are based on appraised value. Not all applicants will qualify. Mortgage Capital Partners, Inc. is a lender under California Real Estate License #01858965. NMLS #239902. © 2017 Mortgage Capital Partners, Inc.
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MATTEPSTEIN.COM SOMATT@AOL.COM 818-789-7408
to
Matt Epstein #1 #2 #5
Agent San Fernando Valley Agent Los Angeles Agent Nationwide for
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Follow me on Facebook: MattEpsteinRealty Top one-half of 1 percent of more than 1,250,000 REALTORS® nationwide
Follow me on Twitter: @SoMattEpstein CalBRE# 01121162
With proven results from the market leader, why call anybody else?
11239 Canton Dr. - SC - $1,560,000 - 3Br+3Ba in 1,754 SqFt on a 8,337 SqFt Lot – Serene, charming California ranch located s. of the boulevard in a quiet cul-de-sac in the hills off Laurel Canyon. Feat. Gorgeous hardwood flooring, thoughtful amenities & large, lush front/back yards. Ideal venue for intimate gatherings or large scale entertaining. 3727 Meadville Dr. – SO $2,495,000 – 4Br+3.5Ba in 4,877 SqFt on a 11,300 Lot –S. of the blvd contemporary home in highly sought after SO area. Living room w/ walls of glass & FP. Updated kitchen w/ wood floors & stainless appliances. Master suite w FP + huge BA w spa tub. Backyard has amazing views, pool & spa & covered patios. 15323 Coldwater Canyon Ave # C. - SO - $675,000- 2Br+2Ba in 1,635 SqFt Amenities galore in rear-facing, end-unit townhouse. Unit has wood flooring throughout and a brand new HVAC system. Easy parking with two-car garage with direct access. Community pool and spa. Great location!
#KeepingItRealEstate
4117 Davana Road. – SO - $1,499,000 – 3Br+2Ba in 2,099 SqFt on a 10,056 Lot – S. of the blvd home in highly sought after SO area. First time on the market in over 20 years. Living room has wood burning/gas fireplace, hardwood floors. Plenty of room for a pool!
Matt’s Pockets Encino and Studio City Magnificent gated estate in 15,000 square feet of interior living and 1.5 acre lot. Beautiful S. of the Blvd home with amazing views. The home has 4 + 4 with a 16,000 SqFt Lot.
Call for your FREE market analysis! ©2016 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting this information. Based on information obtained from the MLS as of (11/1/2016). Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. CalBRE 1317331
AVAILABLE LISTINGS
3610 Stone Canyon Avenue Sherman Oaks $1,399,000
3505 Loadstone Drive Sherman Oaks $1,359,000
15498 Briarwood Drive Sherman Oaks $955,000
4 Bedrooms 3 Baths 2,500 sq. ft. 32,694 sq. ft. lot
3 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths 2,265 sq. ft. 15,532 sq. ft. lot
3 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1,888 sq. ft. 9,677 sq. ft. lot
RECENTLY SOLD
Haskell Avenue Encino $2,360,000
Marmaduke Place Encino $2,103,000
La Maida Street Valley Village $2,100,000
Chandler Blvd. Sherman Oaks $1,750,000
Weslin Avenue Sherman Oaks $1,649,000
Greenleaf Street Sherman Oaks $1,579,000
Parral Place Sherman Oaks $1,425,000
Encanto Drive Sherman Oaks $1,407,000
BARRY DANTAGNAN 818.426.8677 barrydantagnan@gmail.com
Š 2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell BankerŽ is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned By a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by 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. If your property is currently listed for sale, this is not intended as a solicitation. CalBRE #01020477
Top 1% at Coldwell Banker Agents Nationwide
BRE Lic. #00978722
818.903.5854 TammyJerome@gmail.com TammyJerome.com
Some of the properties Tammy Jerome Exclusively Listed, Sold (or leased) this year:
Avenida Del Sol
Alta Mesa Dr.
4916 Colfax Ave., Valley Village (in escrow) 12424 Sarah Street, Studio City (in escrow) 3621 Alta Mesa Drive, Studio City (sold) 4242 Willis Avenue., Sherman Oaks (sold) 4458 Saint Clair Ave. Studio City (listed) 22040 Viscanio St., Woodland Hills (sold) 10920 Camarillo St., Toluca Lake (in escrow) 905 North Ford Street, Burbank (sold) 13262 Ventura Blvd. Studio City (leased) 5003 Tilden Ave. 108 Sherman Oaks (sold) 14844 Dickens St. 103, Sherman Oaks (sold) 20651 Roscoe Blvd I, Chatsworth (sold) 4915 Tyrone Ave. 221, Sherman Oaks (sold) 10908 Camarillo 3 Toluca Lake (leased) 5110 Tujunga Ave 2 No Ho Arts District (sold) 5102 Tujunga Ave 6 No Ho Arts District (sold)
Colbath Ave.
4374 Troost Avenue, Studio City (sold) 10637 Landale Street, Toluca Lake (in escrow) 3389 Wrightview Place, Studio City (in escrow) 5309 Wilkinson Avenue, Valley Village (sold) 5048 Cahuenga Blvd., Toluca Woods (sold) 5052 Cahuenga Blvd., Toluca Woods (sold) 3637 Avenida Del Sol, Studio City (sold) 6833 Hinds Avenue., North Hollywood (sold) 4339 Radfrord Avenue 3, Studio City (in escrow) 16730 Mesa Oak Lane, Fontana (sold) 4416 Colbath Ave., Sherman Oaks (leased) 11744 Moorpark St. L, Studio City (sold) 11640 Woodbridge 202, Studio City (leased)
Wrightview Place
Viscanio St.
Studio Village Vose St.
Valleyheart Dr.
Sarah St.
Landale St.
11856 Moorpark St. B, Studio City (sold) 12633 Moorpark Street 201, Studio City (sold) Camarillo St. 4401 Moorpark Way, 207, Toluca Lake (listed) Woodbridge 4189 Vineland Ave., 113, Studio City (leased) Authentic Spanish architectural on a corner lot in Carpenter School District! Dripping with charm home with arched doorways, tiled roof, 2 arched fireplaces, coved ceiling & Saltillo 4425 Whitsett Avenue 217, Studio City (sold) tiled floors. Very private yard enjoys the beauty & shade of mature trees. Located near Studio City Library, Beeman Park, Golf Course and in prestigious Carpenter School District. 5700 Whitsett Avenue 3, Valley Village (sold) Valley Village - $750k 12917 Valleyheart 7, Studio City (leased) 23106 Vose Street, West Hills (sold) 000 15446 + 15450 Rayen St., North Hills (listed) $10, US! BON Whitsett Ave. 3944 Kentucky Dr. 9, Hollywood Hills (leased) 4249 Longridge 304, Studio City (leased)
St. Clair Ave.
Moorpark St.
Mesa Oak Lane
We’re launching the Pre –Sale of 8 brand new condos in Kailua- Kona Hawaii. Prime Valley Village oversized Gated mini estate - 4 blocks to Universal Studios, at the end of a Cul De Sac! A few yards to Universal City Walk restaurant’s, amusements and to an3 BRoasis built in the heart of downtown fun! Approximately 1/4 of an acre, with wood deck, covered patio, pool &Aloha! spa. ThisWelcome home has 3 suites: / 3 BAbeing each & an independent corner lot! (S.E. Corner of Guest Quarters, spacious living room, formal dining, family room with wood beam ceiling & dual brick fireplace. Across from Weddington park & Morrison St. & Colfax) Kaulua-Kona, Hawaii. It is an ecologically responsible 8 unit minutes to all major studios: Disney, Warner Brothers, Sony -- and to Hollywood! condo project, made from sustainable bamboo and situated on top of a hill with ocean view! Starting price: $650,000 For more info please call Tammy Jerome! Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licenced to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Broker does not guarantee the accuarcy of square foorage. lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by 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 the appopriate profeesionals.
datebook
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horaceheidtestates.com haleakalaapartments.com
818.784.8211 818.784.8212
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
2017
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@hheidtestates
@horaceheidtestates
@horaceheidt
Integrity. Experience. Service.
Every home is different, and so is every homebuyer. That’s why I’ve spent 23 years focusing on meeting the unique needs of every home loan client. As your lending specialist, I’ll take the time to understand your priorities and help you find the best possible financing solution.
Trust your home loan to John Musso
As a Bank of America lending specialist, I can offer you: • Low, competitive rates — call for a personalized quote • A range of loan options, from loans with lower down payments to loans for higher-value homes • Integrity, experience and personalized service so you can feel confident throughout the home loan process • Jumbo loans up to $5 million on owner-occupied properties, and up to $2 million on second homes1
Enjoy the peace of mind of working with a dedicated mortgage professional. I’m looking forward to helping you get started.
Wealth Management Lending Officer, VP President’s Club NMLS ID: 448606 818-518-1008 Office johnmusso@bankofamerica.com mortgage.bankofamerica.com/johnmusso
Contact me today.
Minimum down payment requirements vary by property type and location. Loan amount, interest-only payment option, loan-to-value percentage, property and/or occupancy type may require a higher level of reserves and/or post-closing liquidity. For loan amounts greater than $3 million, certain minimum reserve amounts are required to be held in a Bank of America and/or its affiliates (Merrill Lynch and/or U.S. Trust) account. Two separate full appraisals may be required. Excellent credit required, including proof of recent consistent housing payment history. Not available on all loan programs. Other restrictions apply, ask for details. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. l Equal Housing Lender. © 2017 Bank of America Corporation. HL-121-AD ARDC33CJ 11/2016 1
Surfway to Heaven Discovering the joys of riding waves in Malibu—and beyond WRITTEN BY KATHLEEN LACCINOLE | ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES
We spend much of our childhood learning things and much of our adult life learning to be afraid of things: earthquakes, cancer, war, boogeymen. For me, it’s the ocean—my invitation to death, my one-way ticket to heaven. I’d been working on this one for a lifetime. I grew up in Calabasas at a time when the rigors of high school consisted of a few classes, a job at Sears and marinating the perfect tan. After school was a drive to Zuma to oil up and flop down. But I’d only watch the surfers in their fearless, fascinating water dance. Giving it a try never entered my mind. I’d dip a toe and frolic in the foam, but going in further terrified me. As I journeyed into real life, surfing remained my forbidden desire—the bad boy who’d give you a beer, a cigarette and then your first kiss. Except for me the kiss never came, and my obsession grew. When my son started surfing, there was an ache of unrequited love, growing more intense as I tipped toward the second half of life when one starts looking behind instead of forward. I’d hit the bucket list phase, and at the very top was surfing. I’d stockpiled too many regrets and “what-ifs” to let this one go.
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I began to train, pulling my hips from retirement while hoping for the miracle that would get this water-phobic gal up on a piece of foam that floated on waves and spit me back onto land alive. The stars aligned and my friend fell in love with her surf instructor. “Come out Sunday. Travis wants to put you on a board,” she said. Everything moved slowly, yet happened quickly—dreamlike, on the gurney and being rolled into open-heart surgery. He zipped me into a wetsuit. It’s happening too fast. We dragged boards to the water. Hang on! He wrapped a leash round my ankle. But, but … and out we went. That’s when everything changed. The water wasn’t as cold as I’d imagined. I could swim. We paddled on our stomachs. A wave headed towards us. We arched into upward dog and the wave slid under. It was a miracle. I tried to get up. Fell … and fell again. I cried. Tried more. Fell more. I got seasick. Went home. Cried. Threw up. Then I did it all over again. I didn’t die. I learned seasickness was normal. Vomiting okay. I learned about the pecking order. To
not put down my feet. Dive into the horizon. Push away the board. Cover your head. Swim under the waves if they’re too big. I marveled at the museum-worthy bruises that appeared on my legs at night. I saw seals, dolphins and learned the names of the other surfers. I forgot to be afraid. The first time I got up, heard the rush of the wave and the surfers cheering—I was hooked. And the first time I surfed with my son, I stopped looking backwards. I still fall a lot. But falling helps me stop thinking about my slips, falls, breakups and bad choices. Now if I fall, there’s a soft ocean to catch me. And the early morning drive to Malibu, with clouds dripping over mountains like marshmallow fluff, opening to an expanse of sea and sky blue, is indeed my one-way ticket to heaven. ■ Kathleen Laccinole is a freelance writer. Her endeavors include writing under the pseudonym of dating expert P. Charlotte Lindsay. More at kathleenlaccinole.com and pcharlottelindsay.com.
Andrew & Harriet Results That Will Move You! IN
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16067 Valley Wood Road, Sherman Oaks $3,545,000 www.16067ValleyWood.com
Andrew & Harriet Did It Again! Ranked In The Top 1,000 (#90) Out of 1.25 Million Realtors/Teams Nationwide! Andrew Spitz & Harriet Cameron of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties named one of America’s Top 1,000 real estate professional as advertised in The Wall Street Journal
teams by
Nearly $100,000,000 In Closed Transactions in 2016 AndrewSpitz.com 818-817-4284 BRE#924610 Realtor®
HarrietCameron.com 818-380-2151 BRE#675971 Realtor®
2017 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be vafified by broker or MLS. CalBRE 01317331
HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s17) The Walking Dead © 2017 AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserved. ©2017 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. 17-ADV-22191