Ventura Blvd May/June 2016

WHERE WE LIVE

TH E

ARTS

ISSUE

OURVE N T U RA B LV D.CO M

SIX DOLLARS

MAY/JUNE 2016

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Where We Live 16 The Great Outdoors

26 Reinvention

Art Rebel

Wall of Topanga 18 Local Talent

28 Chic Boutique

Goorin Bros.

Carrie Preston 20 Style File

30 Datebook

Fun stuff to do

Artful kicks

32 SEEN

22 Q & A

On the party circuit

Lauri Firstenberg

40 Weekender

24 Tips

Summer job search

Getaway planning

70

28

The Sauce 46 Coveted Cocktail

Ice cream beer floats 47 New Kid on the Block

The Sherman 48 Tea Time

High Tea Cottage 49 In Season

Features 52

Life in the Round

Step inside the exquisite Encino home of LA Modern Auction’s owners.

62 Transformational Talent

Spring radishes

62

And Then Some...

42

Staycations Six blow-your-mind resorts for summer

78

Profiles The top dental professionals of the Valley

88

Real Estate Spectacular local listings

Meet five local artists and see their stunning creations.

70

First Position

Learn the remarkable story of how a small dance studio in NoHo grew to become one of the most prestigious studios in the country.

106 Last Word

Oh baby!

Cover

Mary Mason at Millennium Dance Complex Photographed by Jeff Berting

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TOP DOCTORS & HEALTH

PRACTITIONERS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTOR

Linda Grasso

Michelle Villas EDITORIAL

Editorial Director | Darren Elms Copy Editors | Peggy Jo Abraham, Laura Watts Graphic Designers | Elena Lacey, Christine Georgiades VB’s The Sauce eNewsletter Editor | Diane Haithman CONTRIBUTORS Jeannie Doran, Diane Haithman, Kathleen Markel, Anne M. Russell, Elaine Sir, Susan Spillman PHOTOGRAPHERS Jeff Berting, Matthew Cooke, Shawn Flint Blair, Tracy Gitnick Kremer Johnson Photography, Shane O’Donnell, Sharon Suh, Lu Tapp

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PERSKY SUNDER FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Keeping Our Community In Good Health Whether you are maintaining health or fighting challenges, there is nothing more important than finding the services of the right doctor or medical practitioner.

From alleviating pain to erasing wrinkles, the medical professionals featured in the July issue of Ventura Blvd are some of the most accomplished in their fields and all have the same goal ... putting you and your family squarely on the road to good health.

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PRACTITIONERS

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EDITOR’S LETTER | LINDA GRASSO

CONTRIBUTORS

Anne M. Russell “Transformational Talent”

Anne M. Russell is a writer and editor living in Woodland Hills. She has held editor-inchief titles for both VIVmag and Shape. Prior to that, she was the editorial director of Fox Television’s Health Network, where she oversaw the network’s website as well as on-air content.

Anne has also worked at Vegetarian Times and run her own custom-publishing company, Extra Special Media, whose clients included Family Circle and Woman’s Day.

H

ands down—one of the best parts of my job is that I get to meet fascinating people. I put Shannon and Peter Loughrey (“Life in the Round” on page 52) in that category. The couple founded the specialty auction house, Los Angeles Modern Auctions, 25 years ago and have built it into one of the most prestigious auction houses in the country with an increasing number of people turning to LAMA in North Hollywood instead of competitors in New York.

During this past February’s auction (they have three a year) the company broke a record, selling a painting by Richard Prince for $1.58 million. Peter, always fascinated with mid-century modern design (“I just love the functionality of so much of it”), moved to LA in the mid 80s, a decade before the style took off. Throughout his career, the Maryland native has delighted in discovering things—whether it be an artist or genre—before they become popular; he is particularly enthralled with the stories behind objects. In Susan Spillman’s feature, she takes you not just to the auction house, but inside the couple’s 1972 home designed by Donald Park, who worked for modernist architect A. Quincy Jones. Shannon and Peter furnished the spacious hilltop home with restraint. “The house itself is art and design,” Shannon explains.

While so many homebuyers are taking Valley houses down to the studs and building brand spanking new (mostly white and traditional, it seems) homes, I found it really interesting to see how the couple has integrated into their Encino digs. The duo—with a treasure trove of sought-after furniture, art and accessories at their fingertips— took a minimalist approach when they moved in four years ago. The pool was barely touched; the purple and pink kitchen cabinets as well as the lawn green carpeting and drapery in the living quarters—remain intact. “Instead of ripping out, sometimes you can just tune up,” Peter explains. And, of course, it helps when you have stunning art and magnificent one-of-a-kind furniture pieces and accessories to take center stage.

With their highly trained eyes and carefully curated collection, The Loughreys, to me, personify art. So do the five artists featured in the “Transformational Talent” piece that kicks off on page 62 and the dancers from the prolific, NoHo-based Millenium Dance studio who literally burst off the pages starting on page 70. We hope you enjoy their stories—plus all the other gems—in this special ARTS issue.

Shane O’Donnell “Artful Kicks”, “Rebels with a Cause” and “Life in the Round”

Shane is a Wisconsin-born photographer living in the South Bay. His documentary and commercial training bring a realistic and refined style to his work. He photographs catalog, advertising, architecture and travel and has shot for such clients as Budweiser, Hershey, Syfy Channel and Vespa. seelikeshane.com

Neil Kremer and Cory Johnson “Transformational Talent”

Neil and Cory are a photography team specializing in environmental, studio and narrative portraiture. True collaborators at heart, they formed Kremer Johnson Photography to explore a combined creative vision and share all duties from ideation and preproduction through shooting and post. Both live at the beach in Los Angeles. kremerjohnson.com

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

at linda@moontidemedia.com.

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WHERE WE LIVE

Glow Art Meet the owners of Art Rebel, their dreamcome-true painting studio in Studio City.

WHERE WE LIVE | THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Off the Wall The Great Wall of Topanga has amused and confused Valley commuters for half a decade. Meet the wry genius who created it.

WRITTEN BY ANNE PHOTOGRAPHED BY

M. RUSSELL LU TAPP

W

ho is the man behind the wall of art you can’t miss while driving the winding Topanga Canyon Boulevard? It’s Rick Denman, the Great Wall’s owner, curator, creator and social commentator. He has owned his hillside Topanga property since 1998 but didn’t start work on the Great Wall until 2011. He initially began adorning the retaining wall as a deterrent to graffiti vandals.

A veteran Hollywood technical coordinator and camera operator, Rick is responsible for the wall’s many artful assemblages of reclaimed materials.

Recalling a self-appointed critic who commented on the wall’s Facebook page that, “All your art is trash,” the 58-yearold laughs and says, “That’s right! It is. It would be landfill otherwise.”

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MOUNT RUSHHOUR The two giant heads he made out of junk have inspired Rick’s newest project: He wants to add two more similar faces and call the grouping Mount Rushhour, in tribute to the national presidents’ memorial in South Dakota.

The tiki-esque head was the first to go up. “I’m extremely proud of the face,” he says. “It went together in a matter of minutes.” It includes a car ramp for a nose, a boogie board for the tongue, a toilet-paper holder as a nose ring and discarded street–sweeping brushes for eyebrows. Rick occasionally uses a broom handle to reposition the eyebrows. “It’s all in the eyebrows. They can be mean or happy,” he notes.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS | WHERE WE LIVE

ACCOUNTABILITY This stencil of a Native American by the local graffiti artist who goes by the pseudonym Accountability is the art wall’s ground zero. Many people mistakenly believe the stencil is the work of the British street artist and political activist, Banksy. Rick explains: “Banksy was in town for the Academy Awards for his documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop and everyone thought this work was by him. That’s what started the whole thing; it attracted a lot of attention.”

Rick began inviting artists (including his then-preschool-age son) to contribute art to the wall, which they did, on panels of HardieBacker waterproof board that can stand up to weather, dirt and the owner’s periodic pressure washing.

KIDS Originally this piece composed of salvaged boards read “20 Kids.”

It was Rick’s memorial for the 20 children shot to death in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. “It was important to me to say something—it was kids, it was first graders,” says Rick, who is the father of two young children. “How can you just let that go?”

After a while, a neighbor complained that the memorial was depressing, so Rick compromised by taking down the number 20, turning it into a simple celebration of childhood. Prior to that, however, an unwelcome collaborator rearranged the boards one night so they spelled out “20 Lies”—a reference to the fringe belief that Sandy Hook was a staged “false flag” event. The artist promptly put them back to read “Kids” again.

ourventurablvd.com

MAY/JUNE 2016, VENTURA BLVD

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WHERE WE LIVE | LOCAL TALENT

ON CARRIE’S RADAR PAUL CHATEM Paul creates these illustrative–style, interactive, multi-geared pieces out of wood that are hypnotizing and grotesque and even amusing.

FRANCES STARK This artist appeals to me because she incorporates words into her work, both on paper and in video. It is interesting to see how she keeps reinventing herself using text.

DIANA THATER Diana paints nature with video. It is arresting to get that close to the natural and animal world, which feels so real, and yet you still know it is a piece of art.

JACK RUTBERG FINE ARTS GALLERY I kept revisiting the exhibition of Joel–Peter Witkin and Jerome Witkin that they had in 2014.

And because of that, I now always trust that they will have something interesting to explore.

C.A.V.E. GALLERY Michael [husband] and I bought our Paul Chatem piece from there. So whenever we are strolling around in Venice on Abbot Kinney we poke our head in there, knowing they will have something engaging.

LACMA has James Turrell’s “Breathing Light,” which I did not get to see in New York City and hope to catch here. It is supposed to be a really stunning experience.

Eye of the Beholder Emmy–winning actress Carrie Preston elaborates on her love of art.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHAWN

FLINT BLAIR

W

ith The Good Wife airing its final episode in May, Carrie Preston isn’t skipping a beat. The actress is already on to her next “thing,” co-starring in Crowded. On the new sitcom, Carrie plays Martina, a woman who was enjoying an empty nest with her husband (played by Patrick Warburton) until her two daughters unexpectedly move back into the family home.

If acting is Carrie’s first passion, art is a close second. In her down time, she loves to visit galleries and museums and discover new artists with her husband, actor Michael Emerson.

“My mother instilled a love of art in me from the moment she brought me into the world.

I grew up doing all kinds of visual art from drawing to painting to sculpting to puppetry.”

Her mother is a watercolor artist and Carrie proudly displays several of her paintings in both the couple’s Valley home and their place in New York.

For VB’s annual arts issue, Carrie shares some of her favorite artists and galleries as well as a few exhibits she’d like to see. l

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GRONK’S THEATRE OF PAINT For this installation at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, they are transforming the gallery into an interactive theater set. Gronk is known for his set designs for Peter Sellars, so I imagine it will be something fascinating and will appeal to my theater side.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CRAFT & FOLK ART MUSEUM; IMAGE OF “BREATHING LIGHT” COURTESY OF LACMA, PHOTO BY FLORIAN HOLZHERR

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WHERE WE LIVE | STYLE FILE

Artful Kicks

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WHERE WE LIVE | Q & A

Discovery Zone As the founder of LAXART, Valley native Lauri Firstenberg helms one of the most exciting alternative art spaces in LA, without which many artists would go unnoticed.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHARON

SUH

Lauri Firstenberg has always been smart. The Encino native attended Harvard-Westlake and then went on to graduate from University of California, Berkeley. She later founded the contemporary art exhibition hall, LAXART, as a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard.

Over the past eleven years, as the nonprofit’s director, she has produced over 500 experimental exhibitions, many devoted to on-the-rise LA artists.

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From shows like the installation where visitors walked over safety glass, to a look back at the influential LA art collective Deep River, LAXART fills the gap between larger art institutions and the for-profit gallery scene. It presents new work that often wouldn’t be supported otherwise.

Here Lauri chats with VB editor-in-chief Linda Grasso about the gallery’s epic first decade, its move last year from Culver City to Hollywood and some major changes ahead.

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Q & A | WHERE WE LIVE

When you reflect on the past decade or so – what is it specifically that accounts for the nonprofit’s success?

Artists set an example for giving and they keep independent spaces alive.

Artists hope that the growing community of cultural philanthropists in LA follow their lead.

LAXART has the incredible support of an amazing community of artists who are dedicated to working and helping sustain an independent contemporary art space in LA, and to artistic and curatorial freedom.

Tell us about your new space. It has quite a history …

LAXART’s new home is in the heart of Hollywood on the corner of Orange and Santa Monica boulevards.

It was formerly called Radio Recorders—a 1920s recording studio with a phenomenal history. It was the site where artists like Elvis, Billie Holiday and Jimi Hendrix recorded, and we have retained architectural elements that hark back to its history.

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I understand exhibitions are just a part of what goes on.

The space is a hub for diverse artistic and educational programming. We recently debuted a film by local legendary experimental filmmaker William Leavitt.

The organization has just launched a new membership group—LAXARTXDESIGN—and has a dense schedule of staging lectures with leading and emerging artists, architects, designers and critics.

In terms of artists, what strikes a chord with you?

We have an extraordinary curatorial team including Deputy Director and Chief Curator Catherine Taft and Adjunct Curator Eric Stone. LAXART has served as an incubator for the next generation of curators who have gone off to major institutions nationally.

Through travel and research, the programming is being molded over time and is largely generated from artist studio visits. Curators respond to inspirational work in the context of the artist studio, and that is the point of departure typically, for collaboration.

What gets you really excited when it comes to art?

I recently went to the studio of an artist, Dashiell Manley, who I have worked with since he graduated from school. I have had the opportunity

to work with him over time in various contexts. Each time I visit there is a new body of work that takes risks and pushes his language forward, yet always speaking to his larger practice. This new work—exceptional dense abstract paintings—blew me away. I was speechless. They were incredibly powerful. He spoke about them as “war paintings.” Previously he was chronicling international news mediated through The New York Times. The text became further abstract and this most recent strategy was to abandon the attempt to represent trauma—an impossibility—through the creation of meditative abstract paintings. Those are the days where I am exceptionally grateful for the work we get to do.

I understand you grew up in the Valley. Tell us a bit about your younger years here.

My mom has kept the house—in which my sister and I were born—intact. It is a mausoleum to our youth. I remember making cappuccinos at Paradise Dance Studio after dance company rehearsals in Encino in the 80s. It may have been my first job.

What initially struck your interest in art?

I went off to college to become a choreographer and came out a curator. When I was at Berkeley in the early 1990s, there were extraordinary profes-

sors including an art historian named Anne Wagner. I also studied with literary critic Barbara Christianson, and both inspired me to research, write and teach. Curating directly came out of writing.

Artists set an example for giving and they KEEP INDEPENDENT SPACES ALIVE.”

What are you most proud of when it comes to LAXART? I have learned so much from working with exceptional artists. They have informed my worldview. And they helped shape and create an interesting institution for LA.

I understand you are stepping down as director this spring to pursue other opportunities.

Elaborate.

I am remaining on the board of LAXART as the founder and developing a few new projects. One is a nonprofit to support artists with medical and financial needs called Artists in Crisis. We are currently working on a grant for a local artist. And I’m working on several new endeavors that focus on art production and philanthropy.

I also get to focus on my family for the first time in a decade … l

MAY/JUNE 2016, VENTURA BLVD

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WHERE WE LIVE | TIPS

Hitting the Pavement

As the school year ends, some suggestions to share with your child on how to snag a summer job.

WRITTEN BY JEANNIE

N

ow is the time when thousands of high school and college students in the Valley launch their searches for a summer job—and whether paid or unpaid—it ain’t easy.

“High school students run up against age limits,” says Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Counseling at Campbell Hall School in Studio City. “They’re often competing with older college students or adults.”

Here are a few job search tips from Simpson and some others in-the-know.

CAST A WIDE NET Apply to many places. Never limit yourself to one or two favorites.

Target businesses that have seasonal work, like ice cream, yogurt and bake shops, and companies that you know hire teenagers and students. Don’t be dissuaded when you walk into a fancy retail shop with all adult employees. Sometimes these stores have stock boys/girls.

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK Students may have more contacts than they realize. Ask friends who are older and adults who may own businesses. Go to your school’s counseling office, which may maintain a list of jobs and internships.

Talk to people at your church or synagogue, even at a yoga class.

“Think creatively,” says educational planner Stephanie Mead, founder of The Collegiate Edge in Sherman Oaks. “I encourage students to think about the jobs they’re interested in and who they know who works in that field.”

THE RESUME Though most employers don’t expect students to have a very deep, extensive resume, applicants should prepare a semblance of a first resume, which describes any prior jobs, community service activities and academics, even a GPA if it’s good. If you can find people to write recommendations on your behalf, bring copies with you on a job interview.

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DORAN

WALK THE WALK If there’s a particular retail store or place you want to work, wear an outfit that that makes it look like you already work there. This is especially true for retail stores like Brandy Melville, Free People and Urban Outfitters, all of which market their own distinctive style. “We definitely like to hire people who have compatible looks,” confirms Hunter Treuhaft, manager of Brandy Melville in Studio City.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES While a high-profile job at a studio or talent agency may be desirable for its “cool factor,” classic summer jobs can teach students the value of earning a buck and, if one is lucky, translate into a terrific college essay. The Collegiate Edge’s Mead cites one of her applicants who waitressed for the summer and was inspired to write an essay on how the experience forever changed her perception of people who serve her. “There’s a lot to be said for what may be learned scooping ice cream, walking a dog or mowing lawns for a summer job,” says Mead.

IT’S ALL IN THE PRESENTATION In a job interview, remember that you’re presenting yourself to professionals, not to other students. Be mindful of how you come off and will be perceived, and also what the interviewer is looking for.

Consult with parents and teachers about questions to ask. Exhibit a confident handshake and strong sense of energy.

While it’s tempting for high school students to think of what plays well vis-a-vis college admissions, very few institutions are, in fact, looking for people who take a summer job because it looks good on their application. “That level of strategy just doesn’t cut it anymore,” says Campbell Hall’s Simpson. “Look for a job in an area that truly interests you. You’re more appealing if you’re coming from a place that is authentic and organic.” l

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WHERE WE LIVE | REINVENTION

Rebels With A Cause How a Valley couple switched career gears to share their love of art and its healing powers WRITTEN BY ELAINE PHOTOGRAPHED BY

P

onti Lambros and Sabine Abadou met as children on the playground at The Buckley School. It was a foreshadowing experience; years later, as a married couple, you might say they are still “playing together.”

In addition to both being accomplished artists, they are now the entrepreneurs behind Art Rebel, an art community center in Sherman Oaks. From celebrities like Dave Grohl and Jessica Alba to a 94-year-old cancer patient battling the side effects of chemotherapy—all sorts of people come to the studio to experience the joys of painting.

For some it’s a therapeutic outlet. For others it’s about unwinding after a hectic day at work or simply reconnecting with the creative side many of us left behind as kids.

As the son of a prominent attorney, Ponti chose a “safe” career to please his parents.

He worked long hours as an investment banker in London, all the while missing theater and the arts.

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After high school, Sabine gravitated toward art immediately. She attended the Art Institute of Chicago and began working as an artist—but then felt a calling toward alternative medicine. She left the art world and embarked on a career in London (and later LA) as a homeopathic healer.

With long, stress-filled days, both Sabine and Ponti found themselves eagerly awaiting the time until they could get home and paint together.

In 2008, a friend, who was a homicide detective, stopped by their house. After sharing how emotionally exhausted he was, the couple suggested he pick up a paintbrush. For the first time in 25 years, that night, the detective slept like a baby.

This was the lightbulb moment that led to Art Rebel. Right then and there Ponti and Sabine decided to switch career gears and follow their passion.

“I think there are some people that specialize in one career and that’s what they were destined to. There are also those of

SIR SHANE O’DONNELL

us individuals who live life like a perpetual bucket list and we happen to be in that group. It’s what appeals to us, it just makes life exciting,” Ponti says.

What began as a safe haven for adults has grown into terrain for people of all ages. The studio offers everything from baby art classes to summer camps to corporate retreats.

“We don’t believe in a cookie-cutter approach to creativity. We aren’t ‘paint by numbers.’ We want to provide an environment where people can create lasting memories; where a mom can come and paint with her baby, a couple can create together or an adult can celebrate a milestone birthday,” Sabine explains.

Ponti and Sabine hope to grow their brand with like-minded artists who share their commitment to the democratization of art, healing and giving back. l Art Rebel 14382 Ventura Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, 818-784-2010, artrebel.net

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WHERE WE LIVE | CHIC BOUTIQUE

HEAD TURNERS Showstoppers for Spring

BIG BOY KRIS Paper straw with blue and tan grosgrain ribbon, $55

THE LOYALIST Half-paper straw and half-wool with feather accessory, $70

Top it Off PHOTOGRAPHED BY

TRACY GITNICK

When it comes to being in vogue, like everything else, hats come and go. A look at why Goorin Bros. has remained relevant for more than a century.

H

ats are more than something to wear on your head. They are tied to history. Just ask the folks at Goorin Bros., which has been around for over 100 years. Did you know, for example, that the Panama hat is actually from Ecuador? When President Roosevelt went to check out the Panama Canal, he was wearing a hat he’d picked up in Ecuador. Despite its misleading name, the style skyrocketed in popularity. And how about the effect that President Kennedy had on the industry? He was not a fan of hats and bucked tradition by going bareheaded. Sales took a serious nosedive. The trend continued during the turbulent ‘60s when people didn’t wear hats at all.

Goorin Bros., which opened its fifth LA-based store in Studio City in November, has quite a history of its own. The 30-store chain was started by a Pittsburgh man in 1895 and passed down from generation to generation. Now, four generations later, it is still family-owned.

The Studio City boutique has a stylish and colorful vibe. Customers can browse at the accessory bar, which offers items like feathers and embellished leather bands. The store manager, or “shopkeeper” as they call him, says the boulevard location has been fantastic. “The demographic is perfect and there is always someone new coming in,” observes August Sargenti.

Prices start at around $50 and can reach several hundred dollars. The top-of-the-line Heritage Collection offers handmade creations like the classic fedora, the flapper-style cloche and the eight-panel Gatsby.

Many items are unisex. Take the wide rim fedora with the unfinished rim. It started out as a traditional men’s hat, but the company created a floppier, less-structured version that is popular with women.

Changing with the times, it seems, is a secret to Goorin’s success. l

DECEMBER 26TH Made to wear the day after Christmas. 100% wool with grosgrain ribbon, $75

THE ACCOUNTANT Wide brim fedora. 100% rabbit fur with leather band and feather accessory, $220

Goorin Bros., 12192 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, goorin.com

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We are honored to have the privilege to be in this profession; it allows us to problem-solve and help develop individually tailored solutions for people, children, and families of this community. We enjoy promoting creative strategies with our highly skilled team of attorneys, paralegals, staff, and extensive network of experts. A hallmark of our practice is nuanced experience, distinctive in-depth perspectives, and our empathetic approach to your matter.

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Combined, we bring more than 60 years of business and legal experience to the table.

The lawyers of Feinberg & Waller have the tenacity to negotiate the results you deserve and the ability to obtain those results through legal advocacy when necessary. We treat clients compassionately, in a respectful, discreet, and non-judgmental manner. Our goal is to adhere to principled, universal codes of ethics, and the delivery of excellent “all around” personal service that caters to the needs of our discerning clientele. *Attorney shareholder, not available for individual retention, services limited to management of Feinberg & Waller, APC

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WHERE WE LIVE | DATEBOOK

SPRING INTO ACTION Cave Temples of Dunhuang The Getty

Resulting from a 26-year collaboration between the Getty and the Dunhuang Academy, this exhibit includes three replica caves showcasing Buddhist paintings and sculptures from China’s Silk Road. Opens May 7. getty.edu

15th Annual Dance Media Film Festival

The Ancient Forest

Descanso Gardens See what the landscape might have looked like 175 million years ago with Descanso Gardens’ newest green space.

175 plants, several of them endangered species, are on view in their redwood grove. descansogardens.org

Going on Now

Brett Weston: Significant Details Close-up abstractions by one of the most prolific photographers of the 20th century.

Through September 11. pmcaonline.org Pasadena Showcase Tour the house and grounds of a Mission Revival home built in 1918. Through May 15. pasadenashowcase.org Agnes Martin The works of an artist considered to be the pioneer of abstraction. Through September 11. lacma.org

May

7&8 Rotary Art Show More than 100 artists exhibit their crafts at

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Moorpark Park in Studio City. rotaryartshow.org

everything at this popular event in Oxnard. strawberry-fest.org

8 MoMentum Place On her special day, take mom to enjoy aerial and circus performers, dancers, and musicians in a rustic outdoor amphitheater. theatricum.com

June

20 & 21 Art Affaire LA From paintings to jewelry, artists display works at this outdoor benefit show at the Skirball Cultural Center. Admission, $10. artaffairela.com 21 & 22 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival From pizza to beer, strawberries flavor

11 Tacolandia Taco vendors, live mariachi music and cash bars. laweekly.com 17 Tennessee Williams UnScripted Impro Theatre starts with a single audience suggestion and builds improvised, full-length plays. Through July 31. falcontheatre.com 24 Roaring Nights at the LA Zoo The zoo’s popular summer music series returns with food trucks and cocktails. Age 18+. lazoo.org

ourventura blvd.com

4. CAVE 85, DETAIL OF WALL PAINTING OF MUSICIANS, LATE TANG DYNASTY (848–907 CE). MOGAO CAVES, DUNHUANG, CHINA. PHOTO: LORI WONG. © J. PAUL GETTY TRUST

CULTURE CLUB A painting from the Dunhuang exhibit at the Getty.

MOCA and UCLA Explore dance through film and live performance at this public event.

Includes everything from modern to ballet to hip-hop. More than 35 films will be screened over the course of the festival.

June 11 and June 16-19. dancecamerawest.org

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Meeting of the Minds

Gary and Cherna Gitnick, co-founders of the nonprofit Fulfillment Fund, held an Educational Town Hall on Super Bowl Sunday at their Encino home. Panelists included Alex Johnson, Joanna Flores, Thelma Melendez, Marshall Tuck and Michelle Siqueiros.

Sean McNabb, Christine Devine, Cherna Gitnick, Gary Gitnick

Cherna Gitnick, Gary Gitnick, Wendy Greuel, Dean Schramm

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELAINE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Robert Hertzberg and Gary Gitnick

Alex Johnson, Carrie Porter, Joanna Flores, Thelma Melendez, Marshall Tuck, Michelle Siqueiros

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ourventurablvd.com

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Going on Strike Bowlero Woodland Hills, formerly AMF Woodlake Lanes, celebrated its grand opening with a familyfriendly, fun-filled afternoon hosted by actress Tiffani Thiessen of the Cooking Channel’s Dinner at Tiffani’s.

Tiffani Thiessen with daughter, Harper

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ourventurablvd.com

THE BEST PLACE TO SEE

BEYOND HORIZON THE

IS FROM DEEP IN THE VALLEY

This is where individuals rise, and through them, we all do.

See how CSUN graduates elevate Los Angeles at CSUN.EDU/RISE

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Close Encounter

The Cheetah Conservation Fund, an organization whose mission is to conserve and save the endangered cheetah, held its fifth annual “Meetah Cheetah” fundraiser at the Sherman Oaks home of real estate agent Elizabeth Marquart. The event was co-hosted by VB’s The Sauce writer Diane Haithman and her husband, Alan Feldstein, owner of Infinite Safari Adventures. Dr. Laurie Marker, CCF’s founder who resides in Namibia, made an appearance.

Diane Haithman and Nancy Nenow

Tango, an “ambassador cheetah,” who travels to promote awareness of the endangered cheetah (only 7,000 remain in the wild).

Event hostess Elizabeth Marquart with guests

Jill Holden and Sara Holden

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ourventurablvd.com

SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

Dance Fever

More than 6,000 fifth-grade students from all over LA County kicked off the 46th Annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival at The Music Center Plaza.

The students, including some from three Valley schools, celebrated with a simultaneous performance of hip-hop dance on the Plaza. The Festival is presented by The Blue Ribbon of the Music Center, which is committed to giving students access to the best of the performing arts from a young age.

2/3 AD Distinctive Residential Settings | Chef-Prepared Dining and Bistro Premier Health and Wellness Programs | Award-Winning Memory Care Professionally Supervised Therapy and Rehabilitation Services BURBANK | ENCINO | RANCHO PALOS VERDES HOLLYWOOD HILLS | WESTWOOD | THOUSAND OAKS

The Community Built for Life.® belmontvillage.com

1 197608466, 4/13/16 4:02198601646, PM © Hudnall_April16_Ad_Master.pdf 2016 Belmont Village, L.P. | RCFE Lic 197608468, 197608467, 565801746, 197608291 VenturaBlvd_2016_dining.indd 1

4/11/16 7:42 AM

C

M

Y

CM

Students from Chatsworth Hills Academy

MY

CY

CMY

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE MUSIC CENTER

K

Students from Laurel Hall

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Discover a Land

NOT FAR AWAY

There is a land within Los Angeles, where people come to escape.

A land with its own culture and way of life.

And endless room to roam.

TERRANEA .COM | 8 5 5.416.3928

WHERE WE LIVE | WEEKENDER

BIG DIPPER The Coliseum pool at The Resort at Pelican Hill.

Stay-Put Summer Forget exotic and foreign this summer. Here are some great ideas for planning a staycation that could cost you less—but deliver more.

F

or most of us, taking time off means reducing stress. That said, with all the turbulence abroad, many people will opt to vacation close to home this summer. The good news is that a staycation can be just as relaxing and enjoyable.

“Sometimes you just do not want to hassle with airports, TSA agents, long lines and long plane flights,” shares Alan Feldstein, owner of the Tarzana-based Infinite Safari Adventures.

“For me and my wife, Diane, it is so nice to be able to hop in the car, drive to one of our favorite places and just have a good time discovering what is in our own backyard, and then come home rested and recharged. And as one who organizes detail-oriented African safaris for people and the person responsible for all logistics, it is wonderful to go somewhere without much planning.”

Travel writer Mary Herne concurs. “While we think nothing of getting on a plane to go to some exotic destination, some of our favorite trips have been road trips right in our backyard, more or less,” Mary says. Another plus: “We can go to Dairy Queen without guilt—not to mention all those drive-ins, diners and dives celebrated on the Food Network!”

If you are planning a staycation this summer, make reservations extra early and consider booking through a travel agent. Kristin

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VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2016

Taylor is an independent travel consultant with Frosch Classic Cruise & Travel in Woodland Hills. She suggests booking through an agency that belongs to a consortium such as Signature Travel Network or Virtuoso.

“A number of highly-screened hotels and resorts are included in the programs. Special negotiated rates with amenities (that are not normally available through direct bookings) can result in savings, more perks and better service,” Kristin says. She shares that a recent reservation she made for a client included: breakfast for two (at same hotel rate without breakfast), a $100 food and beverage credit, a $100 spa or golf credit per stay, as well as a room upgrade upon arrival, early check-in and late check-out options (based on availability).

Kristin adds there are often other advantages like receiving preferential treatment when it comes to the best rooms in a particular category. “If one books online, he or she is an unknown entity and may more likely receive a room near the elevator or another one of lesser appeal,” Kristin says. Finally, she points out if there is a concern or problem with a reservation, the person who booked with a travel agent has more recourse. “The good agent will work for his or her client to resolve any issues,” she explains. l

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WEEKENDER | WHERE WE LIVE

DRIVE-TO DESTINATIONS Recommendations from three prolific travelers KRISTIN TAYLOR TRAVEL AGENT La Quinta is fantastic for families. There are tennis and golf clinics/lessons for all ages, horseback riding, cycling/bike rentals, hiking, a Junior Spa for 10 to 14-year-olds and Camp La Quinta for four to 12-yearolds. The resort puts on movies at the main pool. A huge screen is set up and kids can swim and watch the movie. For adults there are world-famous golf courses, tennis courts, an award-winning spa and fitness center.

One of my favorite accommodations is the Pueblo Suite (1,350 square feet) connected to a room with two queen beds, giving you a total of 1,812 square feet. It has a private yard and pool and accommodates a family of five. The resort is also pet-friendly.

For “off campus” fun, there are jeep tours, opportunities to explore Old Town La Quinta, The Living Desert (a wonderful outdoor museum in Palm Desert) and the Aerial Tram in Palm Springs.

For a couples’ weekend, I love The Resort at Pelican Hill. It has an exquisite setting on the ocean in Newport Beach, terrific accommodations (especially the villas), superb service and dining, as well as top golf and spa facilities.

MARY HERNE TRAVEL WRITER My husband and I love going to Borrego Springs. About 90 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, it is a bit off the grid and less developed than Palm Springs. Great desert hiking, stargazing and a Tom Fazio-designed, first-rate golf course, Ram Hill. We like to stay at the upscale, historic and recently renovated La Casa Del Zorro Resort, located in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It has a spa, tennis courts, swimming pool and nice restaurant.

ALAN FELDSTEIN OWNER, INFINITE SAFARI ADVENTURES We enjoy Ojai, where my wife and I spent our first romantic weekend away together. We love to walk in town, browse the shops and have great meals. It is also a terrific place to bring Alley, our three-year-old shepherd/husky. If Ojai is too hot, we head to Santa Barbara. Besides hitting amazing restaurants and wine bars, we love to just stroll Main Street. Also, I am an avid kayaker so I can put my kayak on top of my car and go for an early morning paddle.

SCENIC ESCAPES Top to bottom: The Aerial Tram; Ram Hill Golf Course; Casa del Zoro; the Ojai Post Office.

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MAY/JUNE 2016, VENTURA BLVD

41

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The recently refreshed Kona Kai Resort & Spa, a Noble House Hotels & Resorts property, is a legend reborn with fresh, California-contemporary, islandinspired décor on the tip of San Diego’s historic Shelter Island with amenities and experiences that embrace its unique location and historic past. Located just ten minutes away from the San Diego Airport and the happening Downtown Gaslamp District, Kona Kai Resort & Spa is a prime destination for locals and visitors alike with its close proximity to local attractions including the world famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, USS Midway and LegoLand making it a perfect choice for families and couples looking for an easy, convenient getaway.

Malibu Beach Inn is a luxury boutique hotel located along a strip of Carbon Beach nicknamed “Billionaire’s Beach” on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Each of the 45 well-appointed oceanview rooms and suites offers a private balcony for guests to enjoy the breathtaking views and magical sunsets over the sea. Sit beachfront at Carbon Beach Club for a gourmet meal or listen to the waves while pampering yourself at the tranquil on-site Spa Suite. Malibu’s pristine white sands and stunning Pacific Ocean views create the perfect setting for your next vacation.

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MAY/JUNE 2016, VENTURA BLVD

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THE SAUCE

Sea Fare

An inventive take on Seared Scallops at The Sherman. For more turn to page 47....

THE SAUCE

Sweets on Tap

The romance brewing between beer and ice cream PHOTOGRAPHED BY LU

TAPP |

WRITTEN BY DIANE

HAITHMAN

W

e first felt the passion at North Hollywood’s Idle Hour after tasting their crazy delicious adult root beer float—vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream enhanced with Ballast Point Fugu vodka and Not Your Father’s Root Beer, a spicy craft ale from Small Town Brewery in Illinois. Then there it was again on the menu at Calabasas’ Industry Bar & Grill— Not Your Father’s Root Beer with a vanilla scoop and once more at NoHo’s The Federal Bar—ice cream floats with the beer of your choice. The scary love child of HaagenDazs and Bud Light springs to mind.

If this all sounds a bit strange—we get it. “No one suggests that ice cream goes well with most macro-brews,” says Lauren O’Neill, general manager of Burbank’s Tony’s Darts Away. “I would say nothing light like a pilsner, which the macrobrands are based on,” Lauren tells us. Why? “It won’t be able to stand up to ice cream. You always want to match the intensity of the flavors when you are doing pairings.”

But Lauren says many of today’s craft beers, ales and porters can compete with a scoop. Those with chocolate or coffee overtones go naturally with vanilla. A couple of her favorites: Smog City’s Coffee Porter and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout.

Less traditional pairings can work too. Citrusy Berliner Weisse wheat beer is often served with raspberry or woodruff (herb) syrup to cut its sourness so why not try a raspberry sorbet float instead?

As the popularity of craft beers grows, so does the desire to experiment. “We are seeing so many more craft beers now, so I think people are starting to have more fun with it,” Lauren says. “Mixing ice cream with an appropriate beer has the potential to truly create a new experience,” agrees Small Town Brewery’s Tim Kovac.

It’s challenging for most bars to keep stocked with ice cream. So for that reason, Federal Bar is not currently offering beer floats, and Tony’s Darts Away features them with a special summer event. On the evening of June 7, Tony’s will serve floats made with craft beer from North Coast Brewing Company and Phantom Carriage.

But hey—that’s no reason not to whip up a beer float at home right now. “It’s the best of both worlds, right? Dessert and alcohol,” Lauren says with a laugh. 

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THE SAUCE

Fresh Take

The old Tipple & Brine space re-emerges as The Sherman— a casual eatery serving up sophisticated plates.

WRITTEN BY DIANE

HAITHMAN

D

on’t say “gastropub” around Theo Mavro and Phil Felton, owners of the Sherman and its upstairs bar, the Attic. They want the upscale establishment in Tipple & Brine’s (as well as Tunnel Bar’s) former space to have a friendly “Cheers mentality” instead of the hip and trendy vibe that the word gastropub invokes. There’s even a kids’ menu.

Even though they’re going for that neighborhood atmosphere, the eclectic menu ventures far beyond craft beer and buffalo wings. Chef Jason Francisco’s inventive creations include lobster ceviche with blood orange juice, crispy plantains with fresh coconut, and waffle and brie grilled cheese. For a main dish try the wild boar porchetta or the baby back ribs. And who could resist a side of gremolata fries with chopped garlic, fresh parsley, and lemon oil and zest?

Tipple & Brine’s oyster bar has been turned into a “fresh bar” of fruit and herbs to be muddled into creative cocktails. Cleverly named, the list includes the Duke (a John Wayne tribute with lemon, Glenlivet 12-year scotch and ginger) and the 405 (strawberries, lime, mint, Voli light vodka and elderflower liqueur).

The Sherman has maintained most of the former tenant’s rustic-industrial décor with distressed wood paneling and seating that includes high and low tables, as well as booths.

In a nod to the location’s formidable history, black-and-white wall photos feature the eatery’s namesake—Moses Sherman, founder of the LA Railway and part of an investment group that purchased 47,500 acres in the south San Fernando Valley in 1909. Included in that property—a parcel that later became the neighborhood of Sherman Oaks, named for him. l The Sherman, 14633 Ventura Blvd., 818-485-2200, theshermanla.co

AT THE HELM The Sherman owners Phil Felton and Theo Mavro.

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47

THE SAUCE

Spot of Tea You don’t have to go to England to enjoy a proper cup of tea. A small cottage on the Boulevard offers that and more.

WRITTEN BY DIANE

HAITHMAN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LU

TAPP

L

ifting your little finger when holding a teacup is no snobbish affectation, says Jenn Dodsworth, owner of High Tea Cottage in Woodland Hills. When pinching the handle between your fingers (never shove fingers through the delicate handle to avoid cracking the porcelain), the extended pinkie helps balance the cup.

Avoiding accidents is important when serving on vintage Lady Hamilton china, a tradition at the charming establishment. Manager Richard James assures us that no guests have broken the dishes in its 11–year history.

Some etiquette websites frown on pinkie extension—but one can’t help but prefer Jenn’s no-nonsense advice. She’s the voice of authority, overseeing the cottage’s several small tearooms. Multi-course tea service choices often include some combination of petite tea sandwiches and house-baked scones with Devonshire cream and jams.

One particularly festive item: diminutive desserts served on a tower that get sweeter as you go from bottom to top.

Jenn, an Australian who has lived in England, has taken tea with dignitaries and royals throughout the world, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Oh the stories Jenn can tell you about the Queen’s little corgis, so upset during the Princess Diana-Prince Charles divorce that an animal psychiatrist was apparently called in. The expert sug-

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gested the split no longer be discussed in front of the dogs.

Expect not only dainty delicacies, but also a comprehensive tea education from Jenn, Richard or Jenn’s husband, Dr. Ken Dodsworth, a certified tea sommelier and tea master. More than 100 varieties of tea are served, and each has a story.

A recent whirlwind of sampling included: bright Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose, spicy Royal Bengal Tiger (“the ginger claws out at you,” says Richard), a smoky Czar Nicholas Russian Caravan, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse herbal infusion, a soothing blend of Egyptian chamomile, South African Rooibos and vanilla. We’re told the Palace variety was favored by the Duchess of Cambridge during her pregnancies.

High Tea Cottage does not serve coffee but offers iced teas (sometimes attractive for men who find hot tea too “girly”) and lemonade for children who often arrive with their moms—all dressed to the nines— for birthdays and sparkly special occasions. Young guests receive a festive menu and are told to be sure to “keep an eye out for our tea fairy,” who always provides a surprise. She is welcome at our table too—as long as she keeps her tiny hands off the tarts.  High Tea Cottage, 21938 Costanso St., Woodland Hills, 818-887-2117, highteacottage.com

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THE SAUCE

Crunch Time

The spring radish resurges in colorful, fresh ways.

I

f you’ve been to a farmers market in recent years, you’ve come across them: clusters of radishes in deep hues of fuchsia, red and purple. The newest radishes are bursting with flavor, offering a peppery satisfying crunch with every bite.

The greens are edible.

Roast them along with the radishes. Then toss in butter and lemon. Or use the greens in a salad.

Easter egg radishes (these are the bundles you generally see at farmers markets) come in a vibrant mix of pink, white, red and deep purple.

The French breakfast radish is red, elongated and shaped like a small cucumber.

Though radishes are available year-round, they hit their peak from April through July.

Radishes make a perfect crudité with a creamy hummus or sliced superthin in a watercress and fresh herb-based salad (the mild lettuce flavors allow the radishes to be the star).

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Try the White Icicle—a white carrot-shaped variety that dates back to the 16th century.

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THE SAUCE

© COLUMBIA PICTURES, COURTESY OF PHOTOFEST

© WARNER BROS., COURTESY OF PHOTOFEST

© UNIVERSAL PICTURES, COURTESY OF PHOTOFEST

Skirball Outdoor Screenings

Film Schedule

Fridays at 8:30 p.m.; Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

FIELD OF DREAMS May 20 | 42 June 10 | A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN September 16 Celebrate the exhibition Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American with a lineup of classic family films about baseball. Before the screenings, explore the galleries, enjoy a DJ set, and indulge in hot dogs, Cracker Jacks, and other ballpark concessions available for purchase.

Advance tickets recommended BUY NOW: (877) SCC-4TIX, skirball.org/take-me-out-to-the-movies, or on site 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90049 skirball.org • (310) 440-4500 FREE parking; 50on-site VENTURA BLVD, MAY/JUNE 2016 street parking strictly prohibited

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Fun, Craft Beer and Great Food!

YOUR LOCAL SCENE FOR LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR, DINNER, AND NOW WEEKEND BREAKFAST! “Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name”

Feel the Neighborhood Vibe

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Open ‘til midnight Fri & Sat, ‘til 11 pm Sun-Thurs

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Our summer programs are designed to combat summer learning loss—we’ll help your kids retain all they learned in math class this year, so they’re well equipped for a strong start in the fall!

Mathnasium of Encino

12427 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604

17330 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91316

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LIFE IN THE

ROUND A couple of art aficionados, who own one of the preeminent contemporary art auction houses in the country, find an architecturally significant home in Encino that befits their eclectic collection.

WRITTEN BY SUSAN

SPILLMAN |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE

O’DONNELL

Life in the Round

hen Peter Loughrey first moved to California he was so enamored by the modernist homes he’d pass while driving through Brentwood and Bel Air that he’d often stop, ring the doorbell and ask the owner for a tour.

“A little old lady would answer and I’d say ‘Is this a Neutra house?’” recalls Peter, referring to pioneering AustrianAmerican architect Richard Neutra.

“She’d say ‘Yes! How did you know?’

Then she’d let me in, make me a sandwich and show me around.”

That was back in the 1980s, well before Peter and his wife Shannon built Van Nuys-based Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) into a prominent international auction house, specializing in selling 20 th century modern art and design. And well before the couple moved into their own architecturally significant and uniquely stunning abode.

Passersby aren’t likely to randomly stumble upon the Loughrey’s 5,400-square-foot nest, though. The property, which realtor.com describes as “mid-century modern meets Las Vegas glam,” sits on 1.3 acres atop a dead-end street. Perched high in the hills near Lake Encino, it boasts 250 degree views of the canyons and Valley.

The home’s most striking feature is its shape, which consists of two rotundas connected by a glass walkway. LA architect Donald G. Park, who spent a decade working for acclaimed modernist A. Quincy Jones, built the home in 1972 for nightclub titan Joby Lewis and his wife, Helen.

“Park always wanted to build a custom circular house but had to wait until he found someone willing to spend what it would cost,” says Peter, who invited the architect over to reminisce when he and Shannon bought the home from the Lewis’ trust in 2011.

The circular structures, (they’re technically “dodecagons” comprised of 12

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Life in the Round

ARTISTIC TOUCHES The much beloved conversation pit. Below: A painting by Ilya Bolotowsky (1960), a Charles & Ray Eames speaker and a wooden kangaroo make for an eye-catching vignette. Opposite: A glass lighting fixture from the ‘70s that Peter purchased in Amsterdam, a painting by Mike Bidlo and a framed print by Ellsworth Kelly are focal points in the dining room.

“IF YOU GO TO SOMEONE’S HOUSE YOU TEND TO SIT AROUND THE DINING TABLE AFTER THE MEAL AND IN ABOUT 20 OR 30 MINUTES SOMEONE SAYS ‘I HAVE TO GO’ AND THE WHOLE THING BREAKS UP. AS SOON AS THE LAST BITE OF DINNER IS DONE, WE GET EVERYBODY UP AND OVER TO THE CONVERSATION PIT, AND THEY WIND UP STAYING FOR HOURS.”

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Life in the Round

faceted surfaces), as well as the numerous floor-to-ceiling glass panes, provide one of the home’s most attractive features. They are also one of its greatest challenges—in terms of decor.

While the expansive glass allows light to stream into rooms from multiple angles, offering jaw-dropping views, the lack of wall space limits the amount of furniture that fits and art that can be hung.

“We moved from a 2,800-square-foot house in Sherman Oaks to one that’s almost double the size, but we have less furniture,” says Shannon.

Despite being avid dealers and collectors, Peter and Shannon, who’ve been married 21 years, skillfully pared down, selectively blending their favorite new and vintage pieces.

In the dining room five small paintings by contemporary LA artist Richard Pettibone hang above a cabinet

by Italian designer Gio Ponti. In the hallway, a small black and white drawing of flowers by contemporary LA artist Jonas Wood hangs opposite a large colorful Henri Matisse tapestry.

“Jonas Wood is a great young artist whose work has elements of Matisse,” explains Peter. “I love coming down the stairs and seeing the way these two pieces dialogue with each other.”

Having an eye, not to mention a vast inventory, certainly helped. A circa ‘72 glass, bowl-like light fixture, dug out of a box in the Loughrey’s warehouse, turned out to be the perfect piece to hang over the dining room table.

“I bought it in Amsterdam about 18 years ago,” says Peter. “When we moved in, it just dawned on me that I think I have the right fixture.”

Among the home’s most loved spaces is the “conversation pit,” a cozy, sunk-in seating area, straight out of Don Draper’s Manhattan apartment in Mad Men. “It encourages interaction,” says Peter. “If you go to someone’s house you tend to sit around the dining table after the meal, and in about 20 or 30 minutes someone says ‘I have to go’ and the whole thing breaks up. As soon as the last bite of dinner is done, we get everybody up and over to the conversation pit, and they wind up staying for hours.”

Also adding to the house’s coolness quotient: small steps that lead up and down between rooms, partial walls and the incorporation of nature.

Palm trees bloom from planters built into the floor along the glass walkway. Granite rocks sourced from the property and hand chopped during construction cover several walls, while California old-growth redwood lends warmth throughout.

Since moving in, the Loughreys have made minimal changes to the interior. “We basically just did a lot of editing,” says Shannon. That mostly consisted of removing lots of heavy swag drapes and floral wallpaper.

For now though, the Hello Kitty-themed pink and

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THE VIEW FROM HERE Clockwise: With mature palm trees and glorious Valley views, the home’s exterior is quintessential California modern; a guest bathroom the couple decided to leave intact; A concrete chair

by Tejo Remy and RenĂŠ Veenhuizen sits at the foot of a wood and metal curved staircase; Peter in his library, which is filled with design and art books.

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Life in the Round

purple kitchen is staying as is.

“At first I was like ‘Wow. This is a really bright kitchen,’” admits Shannon. “But after living here for a few years, we realized it really mimics the colors in the sunsets you see from the kitchen window. We have the most gorgeous sunsets.”

The avocado-green guest bathroom with its pieshaped shower is a keeper too. “It’s so crazy we just decided to leave it,” says Peter.

He and Shannon are totally at home in their spectacular digs, yet it’s a long way from the van, boat and friend’s garage—places Peter crashed when he first arrived in LA from Salisbury, Maryland over two decades ago.

Peter was in his early 20s when he moved out to help his brother Joe, who’d started an antique business and had just been diagnosed as HIV positive.

“I took a year off college to help him and fell in love with the business,” he explains. “We started out selling out of little garage in West LA and a few years later

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opened a gallery on La Brea.”

Economics motivated them to focus on underappreciated modern designers, like Charles Eames and Neutra, who had only cult followings at the time. “It was easier to go and get those things than it was to try and get pieces from big names. How do you get to Frank Lloyd Wright when you’re a kid?”

Peter still has a soft spot for unsung talent. Among his personal favorite pieces is a large painting by Russian-born Ilya Bolotowsky, a follower of Mondrian whom he calls “incredibly underappreciated.” He also purchased a one-of-a-kind concrete chair by Tejo Remy because he was disappointed nobody showed up for the designer’s show at the Pacific Design Center.

When Joe died in 1993, Peter closed the business and went to work for a medical software company. Almost as soon as he realized that was a mistake, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. While undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Health, Peter reconnected with Shannon, a childhood friend, who is also from Mary-

BAR STARS The Loughreys changed the bar from pink vinyl to red leather. However, they kept the (original) pink and purple kitchen cabinets—seen in the distance. “I’m not one of those people who feels the need to rip out and replace everything when I buy a home,” says Peter.

WORK SPACE LAMA’s auctions typically draw over 300 potential bidders. The atmosphere is always “fun and lively,” says Shannon.

Authentic Eames plastic chairs provide seating for the auctions, which are held three times a year.

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Life in the Round

land’s Eastern Shore, and was working at NIH. It was the start of a beautiful romance and business partnership, as well as Shannon’s art education. “Peter had a Vitra [from the Vitra Design Museum in France] design poster of 1000 chairs on his hospital room wall and went through and explained each one to me,” she recalls.

Up until that point, Peter himself had been strictly selftaught, but after finishing his treatment at NIH, he went to London to work and study at Sotheby’s.

The following year he and Shannon moved to LA and opened LAMA on Beverly Boulevard. Their timing couldn’t have been better. It was the early 1990s and the sleek lines, geometric forms and use of nontraditional material in modern design were suddenly the rage. And Peter already had relationships with the most coveted designers, such as Julius Shulman, Vladimir Kagan, George Nelson and Charles Eames.

In 2003, they moved their base to the Santa Monica Airport and then later to the Pacific Design Center before winding up at their current location in 2008—a 10,000square-foot facility in Van Nuys.

Peter is the artist/curator of the business. Shannon, who double majored in college in accounting, and business and finance, is the planner. “At first we did everything ourselves,” she says.

Now LAMA employs a staff of nine and holds up to three auctions a year, plus a recently added annual warehouse sale. The auction house handles a full scope of art and furniture from the 20th and 21st centuries, ranging from resin sculptures by Peter Alexander, to ceramic works of Pablo

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Picasso to Paul Frankl tables and chairs.

In February, LAMA set a new company record, selling Richard Prince’s Bedtime Story (1988) painting from the artist’s series of Monochromatic Joke Paintings for nearly $1.6 million, the highest price for a single work of art sold

by LAMA. LAMA has also held auctions of many prominent Southern California estates, including that of late actor Jack Larson and his partner, writer-director James Bridges, who owned the famed George D. Sturges Residence built in Brentwood by Frank Lloyd Wright. The prized archive included original dining room chairs that Wright designed for the house and art collected by the couple. Among those pieces were several original works that were gifts from the artists themselves, including David Hockney, Andy Warhol and Alex Katz.

“The actual auctions are really fun,” says Shannon. “People are excited, we bring in food trucks. It’s a great day.”

Each auction offers between 300 and 500 lots and lasts most of the day. Prospective customers—there are usually over 300—receive a glossy coffee-table-worthy catalog of the items to be sold. If you’re among the first 100 to show up, you’ll get to sit in an authentic Eames molded plastic side chair.

These days, however, many buyers are from Asia and Europe who scout the offerings on LAMA’s website and bid by phone.

“The internet has totally changed the business,” says Peter. “You don’t need to be on the Westside anymore. It’s allowed us to be right here in the Valley.” l

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INTRICATE DETAIL Wood carver Dennis Skinner in his basement studio in Studio City.

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TrAnsfoRmationaL

TaleNt i

Meet five talented local artists. Each has a unique and remarkable vision, which fuels creative impulses inspired by ordinary objects the rest of us overlook.

Viewing their work is to glimpse a magical, amazing world where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary and takes on new meaning.

WRITTEN BY ANNE PHOTOGRAPHED BY

M. RUSSELL

KREMER JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Transformational Talent

For Gioj De Marco, whose first name is pronounced “Joy,” becoming an artist was a gradual process. She moved from Luxembourg to LA at age 18 with vague plans to act, but slowly gravitated toward making art. “One day you wake up and you’re an artist,” she says. “You do artist things and you live an artist lifestyle.” That’s not to say she lacks credentials; Gioj holds a BFA from Cal State Long Beach, an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and speaks five languages.

Now living and working in her multi-level studio in Chatsworth, Gioj is also an adjunct professor at Cal State University, Northridge. Her current project, “Plot Coupons,” involves sculpting replicas of key props

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from Alfred Hitchcock films—his so-called MacGuffins.

Made of a mixture of unfired clay and paper, the trueto-scale artworks include the wine bottles from Notorious, ski poles from Spellbound, and cymbals from The Man Who Knew Too Much.

She begins creating by sketching and experimenting in her dry studio. “I’ve got to have a plan,” she says. “I am not a stream-of-consciousness artist.” She then moves to her wet studio to build the replicas coil-and-slab style, typically over a two-to-three-week period, creating a fragile, unique sculpture referencing an expendable background item. “There’s something really touching about the public history these objects represent,” she says.

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Transformational Talent

Parnell Corder has known he was an artist since he was six years old. “I had a moment where I decided,” he says. “It was a very distinctive experience.” He grew up in Indianapolis, later studying at the Art Institute of Chicago. He has lived in California for the last two decades—the most recent 12 years in Sherman Oaks. His bright, book-lined studio is in his home, an Edward Fickett ranch house from the 60s.

Parnell says he is sometimes asked if he is a botanist, but he is not; he is a self-taught botanical painter. His fascination with plants and flowers is not for their taxonomy, but for their shape and structure. “I’m drawn to the elegantly gnarled,” he says. He may find a dried

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seedpod or a curled leaf during one of his walks off Mulholland where the pavement becomes parkland, or choose an orchid from his small backyard garden. As he paints in watercolor, he stops to examine the details of his subject with a magnifying glass or to photograph the work in progress to get a new perspective.

Parnell works quickly, sometimes completing a small, 8-by-10-inch painting in four to five hours. Some of his work is commissioned, such as his studies of prize-winning orchids. Viewing his orchid creations, it is not surprising to learn he has won awards for them.

He snagged first place in 2014 at the Santa Barbara International Orchid Exhibition.

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Transformational Talent

Dennis Skinner spent his career as a commercial food photographer but now retired, he can follow his true passion: furniture building and wood carving. Since starting woodcraft as a hobby in his 30s, he’s taken a few master classes but is mostly self-taught. And yes, he’s had some close calls with electric saws but still has all 10 fingers.

He works in a modest, but well-equipped, shop under his home in Studio City. His material of choice is pine although Dennis also uses basswood (linden) and black walnut. “I’ve always got my eye open for something that looks like I could carve it,” he says of his search for inspiration. His fascination with entwined grapevines began while visiting Florence, Italy, where he spotted a grape-themed panel on the outer doors of the city’s cathedral.

Dennis always begins by making a small test piece.

He doesn’t carve from a single block of wood. His magnum opus, a nearly life-size flying eagle, is made of several finished pieces glued together including two separate wings, epoxy feet and bone claws. He keeps meticulous track of the hours he invests in each work; by his calculations, he’s put 200 hours into this one.

“It’s thousands of little tiny cuts,” he says. “I don’t like to start unless I can spend four to five hours.”

See Dennis on page 62

Until she was nine years old, Alexsandra Papoban didn’t realize she sees the world differently. It’s not that she found her artistic vision early; she has a visual defect known as amblyopia, where the optic nerve doesn’t communicate well with the brain. “I always saw this ghost image,” she says.

In her teens Alexsandra began making portraits—playing with that ghost image. Now as a 24-year-old grad student at Cal State University, Northridge, her work focuses on the intersection of art and human anatomy. Both on canvas and in ceramics, she explores the fragility of the eye. In fact, that awareness of vulnerability is at the core of her efforts. “Ceramics is so thrilling,” she says. “Painting on something so fragile is exciting.”

She works in her tiny corner of a six-person shared studio or in CSUN’s classrooms or kiln area, as many as 16 hours a day. Her firedceramic pieces are intricate.“Three hours will go by and I will only have done an inch of work,” she says. When she paints, she usually starts with acrylic to define the image and then finishes it in oil. She uses photos she’s taken of people for reference, sometimes manipulating the images in Photoshop to create effects she wants to capture.

“In my head, I’d like to finish [a work] in a week,” she says. “As an artist, you have to teach yourself when you’re done.”

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Transformational Talent

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Transformational Talent

Mike Stilkey grew up in and around the Valley in the ‘80s, but not happily, due to a troubled family life. “Art was an escape for me,” he says. “I was a terrible artist, but I loved making art.” History, however, suggests Mike was somewhat of a prodigy since his very first show, held while he was in his 20s, sold out.

His paintings and especially his painted-book sculptures continue to be very popular, attracting commissions and invitations for installations all over the world. He’s currently working on a big project for the iPic movie theater chain; his next large book sculpture and accompanying paintings will soon go into iPic’s

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Westwood location.

Working from his spacious converted garage in Sierra Madre, Mike’s inspiration comes from within: “I work with a feeling,” he says. “A lot of the time I’ll just start painting and let what’s happening happen.” In addition to stacks of discarded books, the garage contains a pool table and Mike is a top-ranked competitor in the game. He’ll work on a painting somewhere between a day and week. “Usually the ones that take a day are the best,” he says. He paints with acrylic because, he explains, “I’m too impatient to work in oil.” l

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First Position From Justin to Britney to Usher, Millennium Dance has been the premiere spot in LA to train and rehearse. Now well into its second decade, the studio isn’t just surviving, it is thriving—by putting young talent on the front lines.

WRITTEN BY

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DIANE HAITHMAN |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF

BERTING

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W

alk into North Hollywood’s Millennium Dance Complex on a weekday morning and you are struck by opposing images. In the main studio, students with perfect posture and pointed toes execute classical ballet moves to Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers. On a screen, Britney Spears and her background dancers are grinding and gyrating to Baby One More Time on a video loop.

That’s the reality at North Hollywood’s Millennium, considered by many to be the epicenter for commercial dance training in LA. Known by the dance community throughout the world, Millennium—established in 1999 by New York performers AnnMarie Hudson and Robert Baker—is a place where performers from both the ballet studio and the streets come from all over to train for work in music videos, pop music tours, TV ads, Las Vegas shows and all breeds of showbiz entertainment.

A quick dance lesson: Commercial dance is not to be confused with concert dance—programs performed by ballet, modern and contemporary companies with an emphasis on art, not commerce. For New York dancers, the commercial scene is Broadway.

Here, it’s hip-hop. Both commercial worlds attract the “gypsy” dancer, always looking for another gig. While there is certainly some overlap between the coasts, dancers who want to get jobs in video, pop music and the like usually head for the west coast.

There are other noteworthy dance centers in North Hollywood, including Evolution Studios and Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio (since 1979). But Millennium, located in the heart of NoHo’s arts district on Lankershim Boulevard, stands out from the crowd.

It’s not just location—it’s celebrity sizzle. Britney, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Pink, Diddy and Robin Antin of the Pussycat Dolls are among the performers who have trained here, filmed here or used Millennium choreographers and dancers in their work.

“It’s the best known commercial studio in the world,” says Marty Kudelka, Timberlake’s choreographer, who teaches there when he’s in town. “They’re at the top of their game.”

In 2014 Millennium opened franchises in Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City and Tokyo. The studio is currently considering a new location in Studio City. Right now, NoHo is the flagship operation.

“This is the mecca for dance for sure,” says faculty member Michelle “Jersey” Maniscalco, who teaches Millennium’s “Hottie Heels” class. Here dancers learn to shift their technique to dancing in the high-heeled shoes preferred by many of today’s choreographers.

Jersey, who borrowed her nickname from her home state, first came to Millennium as a dancer for MTV’s The Wade Robson Project dance series (2003), which filmed at the studio. “Everyone from all over the world knows Millennium,” Jersey says.

“Everyone wants to come here. Everyone wants to train here.”

Millennium, known as MDC, is also the heart of the area where many dancers live due to lower rents—although that’s changing as NoHo gets progressively more chic. In NoHo, “artists’ loft” usually means high-rent apartment housing with a

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mixed-use appearance. Robert says dancers are now being forced to move either farther north or to Burbank.

Nancy Bianconi, longtime marketing representative for NoHo’s theaters, art galleries and dance studios, says Millennium represents a major attraction for the area. Its students and faculty bring money to local boutiques and restaurants, and it’s been a magnet for other arts entities. “Several dance studios have come in because Millennium is here—choreographers and dancers have all moved to the area,” Nancy says. “They have been a real beacon of light.”

As part of her marketing efforts, Nancy arranges NoHo tours for young artists. “They come from all parts of the world—South Africa and western Europe and Taiwan,” she explains. “The first thing all the dancers say is ‘Where’s Millennium?’”

The Millennium phenomenon has come as somewhat of a surprise to AnnMarie, 55, and Robert, 52, who met in a jazz-funk dance class in New York City in 1988. Now divorced, the couple were married for 25 years and have three children: Luke, 17, and twins Sean and Avalon, 10. AnnMarie and Robert maintain an amicable business partnership.

Robert, from South Carolina, moved to New York as a teenager to pursue his career as an illusionist. He studied music and dance and began to land parts, including in the Broadway musical Dream Girls. AnnMarie, who studied dance in New York from age 10, created several dance and fitness businesses in her native New Jersey. In 1983, she moved to New York and managed dance studios there, including Broadway Dance Center.

Robert eventually went from performing to writing, and the couple moved to LA. He secured a writing/producing deal with Warner Bros., doing TV movies-of-the-week. “Shows how old I am— they don’t even have those anymore,” Robert says with a chuckle.

Meanwhile, AnnMarie was busy in the dance world, managing Moro Landis Studios in Studio City. After three months on the job, the tenant was evicted from the space and AnnMarie rented it as her own studio, keeping the Moro Landis name.

In 1999, the owner of the space decided to close it, so AnnMarie was forced to find a new place. Robert helped her locate the current studio space on Lankershim Boulevard. The couple were able to pay for the new studio with money from the first TV movie Robert produced and sold: 1997’s Payback, starring Ed Asner and Mary Tyler Moore. The pending turn of the century led to the new name for the dance studio—Millennium.

Robert had stepped in to help the then-pregnant AnnMarie get started in the new space. For him, it was a temporary move.

“I said I’ll give you six months and I’m gone,” Robert says. “And I basically fell in love with it again—the whole dance thing, the spirit of it.” Today Millennium remains a family business. Son Luke, a musician and recording artist, works the front desk on Monday nights.

The Studio City house the couple once shared—still AnnMarie’s home—has become part of the Millennium business. A former multi-car garage has been transformed into an affordable living space for young dancers. The “dance dorm,” as they call

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First Position

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First Position

“Everyone wants to come here.

Everyone wants to train here.”

MOTION MASTERS AnnMarie Hudson and Robert Baker.

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First Position KICK SPLIT Scarlette Palacios

it, has 14 bunk beds. “The nicest thing is to see single girls who are coming from all over have immediate friends,” AnnMarie says.

Since 1992, Robert and AnnMarie have watched NoHo transform from a rough-edged, dicey industrial zone into an attractive enclave with an artsy feel. The NoHo Red Line station, opened in 2000, creates easy access for arts students from all over town.

“Isn’t it amazing, the changes?” enthuses AnnMarie. “I just feel like it’s a mini-New York.

We’re from New York, and sometimes at night I feel like I’m in Greenwich Village. There’s that feeling of young people who are here for the dance, or the [FIDM] Fashion Institute —and they are out in the street.”

Robert and AnnMarie have also had to keep up with electrifying changes in the dance world.

In their performing days, even jazz-funk dancers trained at the ballet barre and could expect that most choreography would allow them to remain on their feet. Hip-hop can require more acrobatic skills—including, at least for some, a willingness to dive onto the floor, balance on one hand or spin on their heads. The studio recently started offering yoga in order to replace the stretching and warm-up that dancers used to get in ballet class.

The language of hip-hop is always changing: breaking, popping, locking, krumping (an energetic offshoot of hip-hop created in South LA). The internet makes it all move even faster, creating ever-younger dance stars via social media. AnnMarie says there are always new influences finding their way into hip-hop.

Right now, she observes new choreographers borrowing from the classical Indian dance form Bharatanatyam. They’re also telling stories with “tutting,” a form of interpretive dance involving intricate movements of the fingers. And it will be something else tomorrow.

So how do two dancers in their 50s keep it fresh?

“The way we’ve survived so long, and had the ability not to become old after 25 years, is to keep handing it down to the young up-andcomers,” AnnMarie explains. “Dance is such a young business, and it changes like music—it’s all 15-year-olds that are breaking and producing now. It keeps getting younger and the same thing with dance. So we keep handing off, putting younger people on the front lines.” l

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Top Dentists A smile. It is the first thing you notice about a person and often the thing that stays with you for weeks, months—sometimes even years. The power of a beautiful smile and healthy gums cannot be underestimated. Here we feature a group of esteemed Valley dentists who are passionate about helping you and your family achieve the most gorgeous, healthiest smile possible. Whether you’re seeking ways to improve your pearly whites, alleviate dental pain or simply practice preventative maintenance, the following pages are a terrific resource. Read on to get acquainted with the Valley’s top dental practitioners. Now that’s a reason to smile!

EDITED BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATTHEW COOKE

80 CALABASAS ORTHODONTICS

Stuart J. Hoffman, DMD, MS 81

HEALTHY SMILES DENTAL OFFICE Dr. Cory Rabonza

82 HERITAGE ORAL SURGERY AND

IMPLANT CENTERS Dr. R. Dean Lang, Dr. Don Kim & Dr. Payam Samouhi 83 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER

FOR ORAL AND FACIAL SURGERY Jay B. Reznick, DMD, MD

84 COMPLETE HEALTH DENTISTRY

OF WOODLAND HILLS Bruce F. Beard, DDS & Manny Fernandez, DDS

| Top Dentists |

CALABASAS ORTHODONTICS Stuart J. Hoffman, DMD, MS, Owner

D

r. Stuart Hoffman opened Calabasas Orthodontics in 1992 after earning his Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine in 1989 and completing his Advanced Orthodontic Residency/master’s degree in Craniofacial Biology in 1991 from the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. He and his wife, Lisa, have lived in Calabasas since 1992 and have two boys, Eric and Jonathan.

Which comprehensive services do you offer patients?

“We understand that each patient’s orthodontic treatment is different, and we promise to give you the personal attention you deserve.

At Calabasas Orthodontics we offer traditional metal and clear esthetic braces as well as

Clear Correct™ clear aligners. We also treat non-surgical TMJ/myofacial pain dysfunction therapy via removable splint appliances. Both child and adult patients are welcome at Calabasas Orthodontics.”

What makes you passionate about orthodontics?

“I enjoy helping patients achieve the esthetic and functional smile they are seeking. I love the challenge of looking at each patient’s unique facial and dental features and developing individualized treatment plans that ultimately will achieve correctly aligned teeth, ideal jaw function and a great smile. Working hand-in-hand to optimize my patients’ oral health and create beautiful smiles is my ultimate goal.”

What are some of the latest advances in orthodontics today?

“Most braces are bonded directly to front surfaces of the teeth instead of using bands around the entire tooth. Wires are tied into the braces with colorful elastomeric ties instead of metal ligature ties. Esthetic clear brackets are an option, as are removable clear aligners for patients who qualify. Only digital radiography is used for taking X-rays, significantly reducing radiation exposure for our patients. Digital

scanning for clear aligner treatment replaces the old fashioned impressions techniques.”

How do you earn your patients’ trust?

“Our office encourages questions from both the patient and parents. I spend time discussing everything from the treatment plan to the treatment contract. There is no treatment coordinator to deal with—only the doctor.”

How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?

“We maintain a small, private orthodontic practice, which allows for more personalized care and genuine relationships with patients.

You can expect to receive one-on-one attention from me at every visit—not an assistant.

Our office is known for our efficient schedule and minimal appointment waiting times. Our staff enjoys getting to know our patients and their families.”

FAST FACT Dr. Hoffman and Calabasas Orthodontics support local schools, churches, synagogues, sports leagues and various charities.

4764 PARK GRANADA, SUITE 104, CALABASAS | 818-222-0090 | FORBRACES.COM

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| Top Dentists |

L to R: Dr. Ori Levy, Periodontist Dr. Parisa Eshaghian, General Dentist Dr. Cory Rabonza. Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Vatche Keklikian, Endodontist

HEALTHY SMILES DENTAL OFFICE

Dr. Cory Rabonza, Owner

H

ealthy Smiles Dental Office is a group practice of dentists and specialists offering restorative, reconstructive, cosmetic, family and implant dentistry. In practice since 1998, Dr. Cory Rabonza opened Healthy Smiles in 2002 and has continued to expand the scope of patient care with additional services and practitioners.

FAST FACT Healthy Smiles Dental Office now has an in-house endodontist, periodontist and anesthesiologist as part of its team.

Which comprehensive services do you offer patients?

“In addition to our general practitioners and hygienists, we have a root canal specialist, an implant specialist and an anesthesiologist inhouse. These clinical experts are part of our expanding vision of providing more comprehensive care to our patients for their oral and dental health.”

What makes you passionate about dentistry?

“The people I work with and our patients.

It is about building relationships and delivering services that will optimize the quality of life of people. For example, I had a patient that just had full cosmetic porcelain restoration. As his smile was being transformed over the course of weeks, his confidence level, mood and tone improved greatly. I felt glad and fulfilled in being part of that change.”

What do your patients like best about you?

“Being meticulous and being true to the

integrity of my work have been my stamp as a health care provider. I share this disposition with my colleagues as well, because it is very important for me that who I work with is on the same page as I am. And I am very lucky to be working with very competent and responsible doctors and people of integrity.”

Tell us about your standards for quality care.

“We provide the best standard of care for our patients. During staff meetings we emphasize best practices—from customer service to services rendered. The people we have are very highly trained to ensure that each patient experience is comfortable, easy, satisfying and smooth.”

How does your team support you in being the best you can be?

“I have the best team. If you have the right people on your team, then half the battle is solved. And you know that each patient is in good hands. Our goal is a happy patient with healthy teeth and gums.”

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

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| Top Dentists |

HERITAGE ORAL SURGERY AND IMPLANT CENTERS

Dr. R. Dean Lang, Dr. Don Kim & Dr. Payam Samouhi

T

he doctors of Heritage Oral Surgery and Implant Centers boast more than 50 years of combined medical experience.

They offer advanced techniques in oral surgery and dental implant services including all aspects of dental surgery, wisdom tooth removal, dental implant placement, bone grafting, biopsy and treatment of cysts and tumors of the oral cavity and jawbones, full arch reconstruction, as well as corrective jaw surgery. The practice also provides in-house 3-D imaging and general anesthesia.

What do your patients like best about you?

“Simply put, we make oral surgery easy. We

take our patients through the process of consultation, surgery and recovery while alleviating their fears, helping them understand the steps and know what to expect.

Several times a day we hear the patients say, ‘This was much easier than I expected.’”

FAST FACT Dr. Lang, Dr. Samouhi and Dr. Kim each completed a hospital-based residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery with strong emphasis on bone grafting and dental implant surgeries.

Tell us about your standards for quality care.

“We provide the same level of care for our patients as we would for our own families.

We have very high standards for our pro-cedures and outcomes. Before introducing a new procedure or technique, we research it thoroughly and make sure it has very high success rates. We stand behind our work and have the training and experience to address any potential complication.”

How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?

“Attention to detail and focus on the patient’s experience are some of the features that set us apart. We make sure that from the moment patients walk in the door until treatment is completed, they are properly cared for and satisfied.”

How does your team support you in being the best you can be?

“Our staff members have years of experience when it comes to caring for patients. They are very well trained in their tasks. This allows them to set everything up the ideal way for surgery as well as assist us during surgery. They offer great support to the patient during the immediate postoperative period and answer all their questions. This certainly makes our job a lot easier.”

How do you ensure your patients’ comfort at your office?

“Our offices are welcoming and designed with a warm touch. Our surgery rooms are spacious and comfortable. We offer several anesthetic options, including local anesthesia, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), moderate intravenous sedation and deep intravenous sedation/general anesthesia.”

22142 SHERMAN WAY #201, CANOGA PARK | 818-703-8200 | HERITAGEORALSURGERY.COM

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| Top Dentists |

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ORAL AND FACIAL SURGERY Jay B. Reznick, DMD, MD, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

D

r. Jay Reznick, owner of Southern California Center for Oral and Facial Surgery, has been practicing oral surgery for 22 years. He is a consultant for many dental and surgical manufacturers and has developed instruments and techniques used by clinicians throughout the world. He is also a frequent speaker at continuing education meetings and has published many articles.

Which comprehensive services do you offer patients?

“Our practice specializes in the full spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgery. We

see patients for wisdom teeth, extractions, growths of the jaws and face, and infections.

We also provide state-of-the art treatment for replacing missing teeth with dental implants and utilize advanced grafting techniques to improve the bone and tissues that support implants. We also see patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and offer a variety of treatment options.”

FAST FACT Dr. Reznick volunteers at the Greater Los Angeles Childrens’ Dental Center, providing oral surgery services to lowincome children and their parents.

What do your patients like best about you?

“Our patients truly love it that everyone in my practice is genuinely nice and concerned with their health—and the service and quality of care they receive. Patients tell us that they actually look forward to coming to see us because we make them feel very comfortable, respected and we try to run on time. They rarely get that at other doctors’ offices. Our

staff members’ longevity in our practice is a testament to how well we all work together to bring the ultimate care to our patients. Not a single employee in my practice has been with us for less than 10 years. Some of them have been here over 20 years.”

What are some of the latest advances in dentistry today?

“When it comes to oral surgery, the most incredible advances have come in the areas of digital 3D imaging and CAD/CAM technologies. These have led to improvements in diagnostic ability, allowing us to see things that were previously almost invisible and to deliver our care with unmatched precision and accuracy.”

How do you earn your patients’ trust?

“Our patients appreciate the fact that we always have their best interests as our primary focus. We always discuss their treatment options and concerns so they are educated participants in their health care. We are always available for our patients’ questions, and we try to make the experience in our office as easy and stress-free as possible.”

18372 CLARK ST., SUITE 224, TARZANA | 818-996-1200 | SCCOFS.COM S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

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| Top Dentists |

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

invested in the understanding of the inflammatory pathway and how the science of the oral systemic associations impact our patients’ lives.”

t Complete Health Dentistry of Woodland Hills, our doctors are health care leaders working to change professional and public behaviors and address the importance of oral health as it relates to whole body health.

Dr. Bruce Beard, Dr. Manny Fernandez and their long-term team members offer a complete range of dental services including a complimentary comprehensive consultation for new patients.

What is a common health condition you run across?

How do you give back to your community?

What trend is defining your practice today?

What’s unique about your business?

COMPLETE HEALTH DENTISTRY OF WOODLAND HILLS Bruce F. Beard, DDS & Manny Fernandez, DDS

A

“There are many oral health conditions that have significant impact and consequence to the rest of the body. For instance, gum

“Periodontal disease and severe gingivitis are common inflammatory conditions of the mouth that interrelate to systemic health.

We often discover high blood pressure and sleep apnea and refer to physicians for cooperative medical management. In turn, physicians are becoming aware of the oral systemic connection and make timely and appropriate referrals to dentists for evaluation. Whole-body wellness is enhanced with good oral health.”

“Besides being committed to a comfortable and painless experience, we collaborate with physicians to work closely on our mutual patients’ needs. We must all be

What is your professional goal this year?

“To save lives … one smile at a time.”

“We offer community-public lectures on implants and complete dental health.

We feature showings of the Say Ahh documentary and support local charities, donate our services and participate in local service clubs.”

FAST FACT Both doctors are accomplished musicians—Dr. Beard performs around town with his band, and Dr. Fernandez developed some of the unique sounds found on Yamaha keyboards.

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

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LAST WORD

Oh Baby!

A Valley mom reflects on the exact moment when motherhood “gets real.”

Written by Kathleen Markel

I

have this theory: the universe delights in “bitch-slapping” new moms into the realities of motherhood. It’s a phenomenon that’s flown under the radar of parenting “experts” for years, but I’ve been paying attention. And I have anecdotal evidence.

A recent conversation with my sister further supports it.

Exhibit A. My sister lives in New Orleans and had her bitch-slap moment with her four-week-old baby during a strange event involving an unorthodox memorial service and a Mardi Gras parade in a dicey part of town. She and her newborn, dressed as a hen and its chick (long story), became separated from the rest of the flock during the parade on the way to the service. She got misdirected down a sketchy alley, where her new stroller fell apart. Frustration turned to panic when she realized she couldn’t fix it and they were stranded.

That was the moment the universe slapped her upside the head with the true magnitude of motherhood. Thankfully, it also eventually sent a couple of nice drunks down the alley to help her out.

Exhibit B. Just days after the cesarean birth of my first child, I found myself in a good news/bad news situation. The good news: my pre-baby C-cup breasts had achieved porn star proportions. The bad news: they were so engorged they were useless. On the way to a lactation specialist, my truck died in the middle of Hollywood—during rush hour. This was back when “mobile devices” were a luxury, not a necessity. My post-surgical self, my arthritic mother and my newborn baby dodged lanes of whizzing cars to get to the only open oasis—an adult bookstore. I explained my situation to the clerk and asked to use the phone. As he denied my request, I noticed he had a

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gun tucked in his waistband and fewer teeth than I had options. Fortunately his Hustler magazine-reading buddy intervened with “Let her.” I’d like to think it was because he recognized the frailty of the human condition and saw an opportunity to exercise compassion.

More likely, it was because my boobs dwarfed the ones in his magazine. Anyway, the call was placed, help arrived and after thoroughly disinfecting my phone-dialing hand, all was well. And I had my very first bitch-slap story.

Over the years I’ve collected similar harrowing “mom tales.” The lyrics differ but the song remains the same; one crazy moment early in motherhood smacks us with the weight of our new responsibility. It’s then we realize we’re all that stands between this fresh and fragile little being, and the hazards and heartbreaks of the world—and as they grow—we continue to feel a slap. It comes when we leave our children in the care of others, when they have their first sleepover and when they walk into a public restroom alone. We feel it when they get called a name, don’t get picked for the team or aren’t part of the clique. It’s there when they miss curfew and every time they get behind the wheel of a car.

Imagine advising a new mom: “From now on your life will be a series of metaphorical slaps in the face. The first one is really hard, but don’t worry, you get used to them. They get softer— or maybe we get tougher— but they never stop coming.” You’d never say it, but it’s true.

And every slap is worth it. l Kathleen Markel lives in Toluca Lake with her husband, Dan, and three kids. Her eldest daughter is away attending college.

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