ORANGE COUNTY
THE NEW NORMAL
6.2019
Namaste Be Like Wellness Retreats, Weed Encouraged
Redesign with Raad
Like Botox, But for the Outdoors
Green Gather the Practicing Sustainability
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 3
4 JUNE 2019 Southern California
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 5
6 JUNE 2019 Southern California
ISSUE 6 //VOLUME 2 //6.2019
FEATURES
SP EC IAL R EP OR T
34 Greener Green
The cannabis industry needs to live up to its sustainability potential.
40 Hotcasting
After languishing for nearly two decades, the podcasting medium is having its moment.
34
NO HYPE Time to go green.
every issue 09 Editor’s Note 11 The Buzz 18 GreenHouse
26
22 Women, Weed & Wellness
RECONNECTING WITH THEIR CANNA-ROOTS
26 LifeStyle
BRIGHTEN UP!
30 TravelWell
SUNNY DAYS Color it up!
CANNABIS PLANT LIFE CYCLE
GLAMPING WITHOUT APOLOGY
36 HomeMade
SWEET SUMMER
50 HereWeGo
THREE’S COMPANY
Sensi magazine is published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2019 SENSI MEDIA GROUP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 7
sensi magazine ISSUE 6 / VOLUME 2 / 6.2019
EXECUTIVE FOLLOW US
Ron Kolb ron@sensimag.com CEO, SENSI MEDIA GROUP
Tae Darnell tae@sensimag.com PRESIDENT, SENSI MEDIA GROUP
Alex Martinez alex@sensimag.com CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
EDITORIAL sensimediagroup
Stephanie Wilson stephanie@sensimag.com EDITOR IN CHIEF
Dawn Garcia dawn.garcia@sensimag.com
MANAGING EDITOR, SENSI SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Leland Rucker leland.rucker@sensimag.com SENIOR EDITOR
Robyn Griggs Lawrence CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Dr. Angie McCartney askangie@sensimag.com A.J. Herrington, Seffrah Orlando sensimagazine
COLUMNISTS
Eli Dupin, Melissa Glazewski CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
A RT & D E S I G N Jamie Ezra Mark jamie@emagency.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Rheya Tanner, Wendy Mak, Josh Clark em@sensimag.com sensimag
DESIGN & LAYOUT
BUSINESS & A D M I N I S T R AT I V E Karen Petersen karen.petersen@sensimag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, ORANGE COUNTY
Vanessa Fleur vanessa.fleur@sensimag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, SAN DIEGO
Amber Orvik amber.orvik@sensimag.com CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
Andre Velez andre.velez@sensimag.com MARKETING DIRECTOR
Neil Willis neil.willis@sensimag.com PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hector Irizarry distribution@sensimag.com DISTRIBUTION
M E D I A PA RT N E R S Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy
8 JUNE 2019 Southern California
SUMMER ADVISORY BOARD
editor’s
GREENS
NOTE
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Sustainability is one of those words that used to seem like something an ivy-leaguer would say to impress a room full of investors, but it’s a word that carries some weight. Sustainability emits a sense of responsibility and purity that we can’t afford to ignore. This issue, we’re getting down to the brass tax of green living, cannabis mindfulness, exploring the outdoors, the confluence of art and social impact, and fun in the famed Southern California sun. We’re proudly upping our camping game, understanding the
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female and male virtues of the leaf, the value of a healthy
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eco-system, the revival of rice sacks and the yesteryear of fash-
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ion, painting the town happy—or rather your home, and learning how to give vegan food some serious vavoom. Did you know that there is a subconscious emotion conveyed through color? There is—and designing your outdoor space into your own little mecca of bursting colors of the rainbow may be just what the doctor ordered. From glamping seaside in luxurious yurts or climbing into a twig nest made-for-two, this month has more to offer than the promise of a high electric bill. Whether you’re into listening to podcasts or daring to start your own, skip out on adulting and join summer grownup camp, or get a little saucy at the OC Night Market, June is shaping up to be one daring launch into summer. In other words, it’s time to loosen the reigns, open your mind, and embrace the green—and the ocean blue. Live boldly and without apology,
Dawn Garcia
M ANAG I NG E D I TO R
SENSI SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 9
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SAN DIEGO
Surreal
David Russell Talbott Art Show back in San Diego. After previews in Portland, Sacramento, Long Beach, and LA, pulp surrealist David Russell Talbott’s latest works, “Zombies Amongst Us,” are back home in San Diego for a showing at the Dia del Café on Adams Avenue. The series of original paintings explores the cultural disconnects between modern society’s digital age and traditional values. A selection of reproductions will also be
available. The month-long show debuts with an opening reception beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, accompanied by local vendors, food trucks, DJs, and live music in the adjacent “alley shutdown.” Free for all ages; kids and dogs welcome. The Dia del Café is at 2873 Adams Avenue, San Diego. –A.J. Herrington DAVIDRUSSELLTALBOTT.COM // DIADELCAFE.COM
Jazz On Tap
Craft brews and toe-tapping jazz. San Diego’s jazz and craft beer communities will join forces at Waterfront Park on June 29 for Jazz on Tap, a benefit for Water for People, a charity working to bring safe drinking water and sanitation to developing countries. The concert lineup includes local jazz favorite Gilbert Castellanos along with Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Monette Marino World Jazz Ensemble, JazzKatz Orchestra, and The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio. Local breweries will be serving a selection of craft beers, and food vendors will tempt the palate. The music begins at 2 p.m. and will continue until 10 p.m. as the stars shine on San Diego Bay. Jazz on Tap is presented by Avista Technologies and radio station KSDS Jazz 88.3. Tickets to the pet-friendly
event for all ages are available in advance through Eventbrite for $10 or at the door for $15. –AH JAZZONTAP.ORG // Waterfront Park // 1600 Pacific Highway // San Diego
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 11
ORANGE COUNTY - GET OUTSIDE
OC Night Market The locals come alive.
The OC Night Market celebrates its sixth year at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa June 14-16. If the offerings from more than 200 vendors aren’t enough to keep you eating and shopping, there are activities and entertainment including an art walk, performances from live music DJs, dance competitions, eating contests, and more. Billed as the largest (and only) night market festival in the county, The OC Night Market offers food, crafts, and other merchandise Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. until midnight and Sunday from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m.. Single tickets ($5) and weekend passes ($12) are available online. A limited number of individual tickets will also be available at the door for $5, cash only.
–AH
OC Fair and Event Center // 88 Fair Drive // Costa Mesa // OCNIGHTMARKET.COM 12 JUNE 2019 Southern California
OC Parks Summer Concert Series Music to our ears.
The County of Orange and OC Parks is back with its free outdoor concert series. Featuring 10 concerts, including performances by swing kings Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Lit, ska veterans The English Beat, The White Buffalo, and more, the series takes place every Thursday night starting June 27. Concertgoers can grab a picnic basket, blankets, and friends and family to enjoy music under the night sky. Locations include Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. There will be a beer and wine tent to purchase drinks on-site, as well as food trucks. The event opens at 5 p.m. for guests to save their spot on the grass and enjoy food and drinks before the concert starts at 6 p.m. Parking is free after 5 p.m.
–Dawn Garcia
#OCSummerNights // OCPARKS.COM
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 13
Grown-Up Camp
Leave the kids at home and get your adulting on at summer camp. An hour outside the city, there is a place you can go that taps into your inner child. an adult camp called Camp No Counselors, where you can play in the water, play with your friends, sing silly camp songs, and pretend—if only for a while—that you are not required to be so damn serious. Want to dress up in a fuzzy onesie and jam to music, go canoeing, practice archery, or dare to sit on the edge of a blowup blob on the river to get catapulted into the air while you scream like a six-year-old? Whether you want to team build, feel uninhibited, or simply spend some time with friends, Camp No Counselors may be that sweet spot you’ve needed. Bunks can sleep up to 16 people. Book your camp experience for the September summer camp session taking place September 26 - 29. –DG Rates start at $550. // CAMPNOCOUNSELORS.COM
14 JUNE 2019 Southern California
Star Wars At The Zoo PHOTO COURTESY OF OC PARKS
Grab your light sabers and battle in the wild.
The Orange County Zoo is tapping into its inner Jedi and offering Star Wars fans a chance to join the Force for one fun-filled day. Encouraged to dress up in full Star Wars gear, kids and adults alike can head to the zoo for
SAN DIEGO'S FAVORITE STOREFRONT
fun and games centered around this epic cosmic world. The day will include normal zoo activities as well as Star Wars-themed games, crafts, and photo ops. The first 100 children 12 under will receive a free gift and a free train ride at the Irvine Park Railroad.
–DG
Parking is $5 per car. // OCPARKS.COM/ZOO
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sensimag.com JUNE 2019 17
{greenhouse } by A . J . H E R R I N G T O N
CANNABIS PLANT LIFE CYCLE Understanding the male and female properties of cannabis.
When you’re learning to cultivate cannabis, knowledge
soil or another growing medium, or you can germinate them
of the plant’s life cycle as it grows in nature can help you
first by placing them between moist paper towels. Within a
understand how to nurture your garden. Cannabis has an
few days to a week or more, the seed shell will crack open,
annual life cycle; this completes in one year in the wild.
followed by the emergence of a taproot and a pair of embry-
New plants sprout from planted spring seeds and grow
onic leaves, known as cotyledons, joined together on a stem.
through the summer until the plant flowers in autumn.
The first pair of true leaves, which have the iconic serrated
Once fertilized flowers mature, the plant fades and dies,
edge but only one blade, appears between the cotyledons,
leaving nature to take over. Ripe seeds are then dispersed
extending the seedling’s stem as it grows. The process con-
by birds and weather. With an understanding of this natu-
tinues with a new pair of leaves emerging from the middle
ral life cycle, you can mimic or even manipulate your gar-
of the previous set, with the number of blades growing in
den’s conditions to produce ripe, resinous flowers.
odd numbers until the maximum for the strain is reached.
IN THE BEGINNING
VEGETATIVE GROWTH
A cannabis plant begins with a seed in the ground that
When a seedling begins to put out its true leaves, it
sprouts in the warming temperatures and moist soil of
enters a stage known as vegetative growth. As the days
spring. Many home cultivators also start each plant from
lengthen through spring into summer, the plant soaks up
seed, either in the spring for a plot outdoors or throughout
abundant sunlight, growing taller and filling out with side
the year for indoor gardens. Seeds can be planted directly in
branches. Most of its eventual size will be reached during
18 JUNE 2019 Southern California
vegetative growth. Given the ideal conditions and a long growing season, cannabis plants cultivated outdoors can soar to the size of trees, eventually dwarfing the gardener who nurtured them. Several weeks into this cycle, plants will reach sexual maturity and be able to flower when the conditions are right.
IT’S FLOWERING TIME! As autumn approaches, longer nights stimulate cannabis plants to begin to flower. Cannabis is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. Male plants produce staminate flowers that resemble tiny footballs until the petals open to release pollen. Female pistillate flowers consist of a teardrop-shaped calyx, with fine hair-like pistils protruding, waving in the wind to catch grains of pollen. Individual flowers are quite small, but female flowers grow in masses to create the buds we all recognize. When a female flower is fertilized with pollen, the calyx swells as a seed for the next generation grows inside.
MATURATION AND DECLINE After releasing pollen, male flowers decline and die away as the season ends. Once a female plant has been pollinated well, it stops producing new flowers, putting its energy into producing seed instead. The seeds swell, darken, and harden as they mature, with a tiny embryonic member of the next generation tucked inside. As the plants decline and dry up, they often collapse under the weight of the bounty of seeds, spreading them as the desiccated flower clusters shatter on the ground. The seeds then wait out the winter for the arrival of spring to begin the cycle anew.
APPLYING YOUR UNDERSTANDING Gardeners can exploit knowledge of the cannabis plant life cycle to control growth and flowering. For example, the fact that plants begin to flower with the onset of long nights means they can be kept in vegetative growth with 16 to18 hours of light per day until they reach the desired size. They can then be induced to flower by switching the lighting to equal 12-hour increments of light and dark. Gardeners can also take advantage of the dioecious nature of cannabis plants by removing males from the garden at the onset of flowering, once sex can be determined. Denied of pollen, the females will continue to produce flower after flower in a fit of sexual frustration. The resulting flower clusters will be larger and more potent than if they had been allowed to be pollinated and produce seed. In future installments, we’ll explore how the cannabis plant’s other natural tendencies can be used to the gardener’s advantage. For example, pinching away the growing tip of a branch can result in two new shoots, increasing the number of flowering sites. The propensity of a cut shoot to grow roots when placed in a moist growing medium means gardeners can do away with one step of the natural life cycle completely, creating the next generation by propagating new plants with clones instead of seeds. It’s an exciting time to cultivate. Come grow with us! sensimag.com JUNE 2019 19
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{WW&W } by S E F F R A H O R L A N D O
WOMEN RECONNECT WITH THEIR CANNA-ROOTS A growing surge of cannabis wellness retreats is focusing on women. For centuries, women have come together in support of
History shows that the connection between women,
one another to discuss and find solutions for life situations
weed, and wellness dates back over 4,000 years. In a
that include intimate and personal issues. Seeking advice
2017 interview with Vice, Ellen Komp, author of Tokin’
and support on topics ranging from fertility and health to
Women: A 4,000 Year Herstory, shares how Queen Vic-
emotional and physical healing, we had a sense of com-
toria used weed to quell the aches and pains of men-
munity that allowed us to thrive and feel like we had a
struation and how in the third millennium Ishtar, a pre-
village. Unfortunately, in recent times there has been a
dominant Siberian goddess, was associated with the
shift in the societal narrative that tells us to be wary and
cannabis plant.
untrusting of one another, causing a detrimental wedge
However, decades upon decades of disconnection have
among us that negatively impacts our ability to thrive and
left women depleted and longing for a reconnection—and
nurture our well-being. This disconnection not only per-
there is hope! We are on the verge of a shift. The recent
tains to each other, but it also relates to a detachment to
surge in the female-driven wellness and self-care move-
nature and natural healing practices.
ment has reignited women’s natural inclination to unite
22 JUNE 2019 Southern California
HISTORY SHOWS THAT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN WOMEN, WEED, AND WELLNESS DATES BACK OVER 4,000 YEARS.
and engage in restorative healing practices and seek so-
movement of sisterhood and connection through cannabis.”
lace from the tedium of our daily lives.
This emerging trend, coined feminism wellness by a report
As women continue to pioneer the wellness movement
published by the Global Wellness Summit in 2018, is only an-
and establish themselves as a driving force in the cannabis
ticipated to grow in the years to come. A Google search for
industry, the merging of these two female-centric indus-
“women’s cannabis retreats” generates roughly 3.2 million
tries is upon us. As a result, there is a rise in women-only
results. Add “in California” to that, and you’ll get just over 1
cannabis retreats across the United States—and the world.
million results. So, ladies, if you’re searching for the perfect
Given the moniker “cannabliss retreat,” these getaways of-
female-empowered “trip,” your options are plenty.
fer yoga and meditation and provide an atmosphere that en-
As science delves deeper into the cannabis sphere, I find
courages women to reconnect with one another and them-
it inevitable that a resurrection of the female connection
selves while fitting in a “sesh” at their leisure–no judgment.
through cannabis will continue to emerge. The women of
In a 2017 article by Erin Magner on Well+Good, Sailene Os-
today cannot afford to keep on keepin’ on the way we’ve
sman, co-founder of Ganja Goddess Getaway, stated, “The vi-
been: overworked, overstressed, overlooked, overpre-
sion is to offer women a way to connect with their divine fem-
scribed, and overwhelmed. We are left with no choice but to
inine and to connect to each other as sisters, and we feel that
regain control over our own health and well-being and re-
cannabis is the ideal tool to accomplish both. We’re creating a
establish our connection to other like-minded women. sensimag.com JUNE 2019 23
24 JUNE 2019 Southern California
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 25
{lifestyle } by DAW N G A R C I A
BRIGHTEN UP! Using design to set the summer mood.
Design is personal, intimate, expressive, and, when
refinement is beyond impressive. Based in San Clemente,
done well, can tell a story that connects you to something
Ghantous creates design that takes any space he’s working
real, something magical, that can completely transform
with and curates design that is entirely unique. Whether he’s
your personal or commercial space. As the weather tran-
working on a high-end day spa within hotels like the Four
sitions into the rays of sunshine we’ve been craving, time
Seasons or Monarch Beach Resort; working on eateries like
to start reinvigorating your indoor and outdoor space to
the Long Beach Taco Company; or working with homeown-
gear up for outdoor Southern California living. Whether
ers on maximizing and personalizing their spaces, he’s the
you’re starting from scratch or simply embracing your
man to go to when you need to liven up your space.
backyard’s terrain, a few tips and tricks can make designing for summer a breeze.
Wearing an apropos canary yellow button-up shirt with a Bespoke pin-striped blazer and upscale jeans, he sits back
Orange County designer Raad Ghantous’ portfolio
in the bright orange chair at the Long Beach Taco Compa-
(RAADGHANTOUS.COM ) extends throughout Southern Cali-
ny—a restaurant he designed—to discuss the joy of out-
fornia and reaches back to 1998. Ghantous’ ability to turn
door living. We begin by talking about color. According to
private homes, spas, restaurants, and whatever he’s asked
Psychology of Color, “Color psychology is a well-known yet
to work on into spaces that emit emotion, passion, and
less explored branch of the study of how our brain perceives
26 JUNE 2019 Southern California
what it visualizes. Color is, simply stated, broken-down
ing for. “I like what Restoration Hardware, Brown Jordan,
white light, and yet we feel color. Color perception is subjec-
Weatherend, and other commercial-grade vendors offer
tive, and certain colors have a very universal significance.”
because in areas like California, we really use our outdoor
Ghantous agrees, explaining that while there are tons of
furniture extensively throughout the year. Most of that
brands to choose from, with the breadth of work he does,
time, we leave our cushions and seating uncovered due to
he uses Pantone colors most often. “Some of my staples
inconvenience of constantly covering to protect them and
and all-time favorites to use, especially on California proj-
have them last longer and uncovering them to use. So, to
ects, are rich urban Jester Red, Enlivening Turmeric, Radiant
me, it’s an important investment that should last as many
Fiesta, and Happy Aspen Gold. More recently, though, I have
seasons as possible. Other more pricey European brands
had an interest in also experimenting with softer colors like
used in resorts and high-end properties such as Tribu and
coral, Pepper Stem, and Mango Mojito. What works so well
Roche Bobois are still nice options, but on a budget, you
with these colors is that they pair very well with the line’s
can find some quality pieces at affordable prices at Pier
base neutrals, which makes designing far more endearing.”
One or World Market. One can—and I have done so in the
That said, being outside in our yards, on the beach, or
past—pair those commercial/hospitality brands with fun
on a quick escape to the mountains make living in SoCal
accent pieces and decorations from some of the big box
something to be grateful for. Our options seem limitless,
stores I mentioned. It keeps costs more reasonable.”
and nothing quite makes us feel that tinge of summer like
Another great aspect of living where the sun regularly
bright, happy colors and giving our yards and spaces a little
shines and brisk winters rarely come (this year excluded),
summer update. With so many incredible local consign-
planting edible gardens is second nature for Californians,
ment, home décor, and furniture stores to choose from,
and repurposing some of what you have laying around
Ghantous has a few suggestions for redecorating your
can prove cost effective and visually interesting. “I have
outdoors or bringing the outdoors inside. “I am very into
installed repurposed rain gutters on walls, turning them
oversized teak modern/minimalist styled furniture. Add-
into edible wall gardens growing anything from strawber-
ing oversized cushions in neutral shades paired with retro
ries to herbs. Also, you can repurpose a shipping pallet and
1950s colorful accent pieces, combined with contrasting
turn it into a standing garden where miniature vegetables
color scalloped umbrellas, makes outdoor spaces glossy
or succulents can be grown.” Keep in mind that in addition
ready—and great for entertaining.” Throwing in subtle ac-
to planting vegetables, herbs, and fruit, it’s also a great
cents like putting unique tablecloths over an umbrella of-
time to try your hand at growing cannabis at home. (See
“In order to create a blissful environment, we always try to infuse some element of nature, bringing the outdoors in.” —Raad Ghantous fers character and provides ample shade, he says. “Getting
“GreenHouse” on page 18 for wonderful resources that
creative with something as simple as an umbrella cover
will give you the ins and outs of home cultivation).
can personalize outdoor living spaces, lending to fun conversation starters and bringing life into an existing space.”
Creating blissful outdoor spaces at home can be the difference between sanity and chaos. There is something love-
When it comes to where to shop for interesting pieces,
ly about turning your backyard into your very own serenity
it takes curiosity and exploration to find what you’re look-
space or taking that room you’ve been wanting to redecorate sensimag.com JUNE 2019 27
“I would say the one rule of thumb to always remember is that, in the end, it is your home, your space. It has to be meaningful and functional for you.” —Raad Ghantous
and making it yours. Ghantous is well-versed in creating am-
product to play with is acacia wood, which is becoming more
bient, soothing spaces. His very first design gig happened in
and more of a must-have material for outdoor furniture. This
the Indian Ocean, designing the Givenchy Spa on the island of
sensitivity to the environment also extends to toxin-free
Mauritius, and he’s continued to design elevated spaces ever
materials being used in all-weather wicker type furnishings.
since. He offers great ideas for creating tranquility. “In order
Additionally, when it comes to fabrics, Sunbrella, for exam-
to create a blissful environment, we try to always infuse
ple, recycles all fiber and fabric remnants generated in their
some element of nature, bringing the outdoors in. We do this
process to be used for alternative applications. Their unique,
with the use of custom wall backgrounds such as scenic mu-
sustainable manufacturing process also avoids harmful liquid
rals, or unique water features, or even green walls. In a re-
and solid waste associated with conventional methods.”
cent installation at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point,
With the belief that design should be multifaceted and
we installed a mural of breaking waves that spanned three
accommodate different uses from sitting outside with a
walls and used a commissioned professional photograph of
freshly brewed cup of coffee in hand, yards abundant in
a nearby beach to anchor the scene to the locale. We then
adventurous options for kids to enjoy, to picturesque spac-
also set up a two-tiered L-shaped trough that hugged the
es that fuel inspiration, creative, lively outdoor spaces can
base of two of the walls and were filled with beach sand as if
offer you the literal staycation you’ve dreamt of.
the continuation of the sandy beach from the mural project-
“I would say the one rule of thumb to always remember
ed forward in 3D into the space. We also set up meditative,
is that in the end it is your home, your space. It has to be
artistically placed stone stacks. This not only worked for the
meaningful and functional for you. So, regardless of what
aesthetics at Monarch Beach’s Miraval Spa, but it’s a great
it may say in a magazine or is championed by experts, the
idea to try at home. Blending the elements gives a sense of
bottom line is, there is no right or wrong way to do it. If an
calm, creativity, and is immensely inviting.”
item is meaningful to you or something you like, then any
In today’s world of more eco-conscious consumers, home
qualified professional should be able to build you a person-
decorators have quality, environmentally responsible choices,
alized space around it in your specifications. And if you do
many of which are certified sustainable. “A great sustainable
it on your own, above all, have fun!”
28 JUNE 2019 Southern California
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 29
{travelwell } by DAW N G A R C I A
GLAMPING WITHOUT APOLOGY Everything you ever wanted to know about glamping.
Glamping is real camping. Ask anyone, just not the die-hard campers—they think it’s cheating. This newfound way of being one with nature appeals to those of us who appreciate the outdoors while also equally enjoying a comfy bed and running water. Say what you will, but sleeping on the hard dirt has never been one of those things that beckoned my name—which is frustrating, considering how much I love spending time in nature. Thankfully, I’m not alone and the surge of glamping has become a preferred form of camping. Much like the tiny house movement, glamping has a wide range of appeal and is now a regular part of our modern vernacular. Regardless of that “look” traditional campers give you, when you want to sit at Joshua Tree or another spiritual locale under the stars, there’s no shame in upping your camping game, and California has a resounding number of options.
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PHOTO BY AUBRIE PICK
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 31
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area. So much so, they bought some property and, along-
under a night sky plentiful with stars. The nest and hut
side their kids, started Treebones Resort. The resort is
both offer small picnic areas and futon pads, though you’ll
comprised of several glamorous yurts (tent-like circular
need to bring your own sleeping bags and pillows.
fabric structures with wood lattice frames) nestled deep
Dining options are the Wild Coast Restaurant and The
into the cliffside and forests of the Central Coast. Cap-
Sushi Bar. The Wild Coast Restaurant, where prices range
tured in the stories of legendary writers Henry Miller and
from $9 to $45, excluding market-priced items, serves
Jack Kerouac, the appeal of Big Sur is one that engages
locally sourced produce, fish, and meats. The Sushi Bar
the senses and invites mystery and danger, romance and
offers a refined Omakase tasting experience for $90 per
infinite beauty. With multiple ecosystems in play on any
person. There are also local grocers, restaurants, winer-
given day, the area is ideal for camping, and while there
ies, and more in the neighboring cities of Big Sur, Cambria,
are several camp sites, it is the allure of glamping sites
Monterey, and Carmel by the Sea.
like Treebones that are taking center stage for travelers far and wide.
While there, consider taking a Big Sur Hike hosted by Central Coast Outdoors (CENTRALCOASTOUTDOORS.COM )
Each Treebones yurt is gently raised above the land,
that will be a full day’s adventure through rocky beaches,
leaving the surrounding area as undisturbed as possible.
historic sites, waterfalls, and redwoods. The hike includes
Each environmentally friendly yurt is made with materials
a gourmet picnic lunch that hikers will enjoy by a cascad-
found locally, making sustainability a priority long before it
ing creek. Book a massage at the Treebones Eco Resort in
was en vogue. There are several little gems on the proper-
the private massage studio or a yoga class in its on-site
ty including a human nest, or twig hut made for two with
yoga retreat on a panoramic outdoor platform.
handmade ladders leading into a nook made of branches
Prices start at $175 (yurts $320) per night, depending
that you can lie down in and watch the crashing waves
on season, and are subject to change based on availability. sensimag.com JUNE 2019 33
34 JUNE 2019 Southern California
PHOTOS BY JOHNNIE GALL
HAPPY GLAMPER Glamping throughout California requires little more than research, a zest for life, a desire for beautiful surroundings, and the need for a comfy bed. The experience will bring you closer to nature, harmonize your inner sense of self, and immerse you into exquisite beauty.
Strawhouse Resort
Trinity River // STRAWHOUSERESORTS.COM/LODGING/YURT
AutoCamp Russian River 14120 Old Cazadero Rd., Guerneville // AUTOCAMP.COM The Russian River is home to some of California’s most prominent natural resources, including wine and culinary prowess. It’s also now home to luxury Airstreams and glamping sites. Partnered with the silver bullet of greatness, Airstream, AutoCamp is an adult-centered glamping site in Sonoma County. Each one offers luxurious sleeping Airstream buses and glamping tent sites with modern design interiors in Airstream suites, redwood suites, and canvas tents outfitted with the finest furniture, amenities, and ambiance. Staying in nature is glamorous and mid-century modern at Autocamp. The unique camping site offers wind-swept views of the redwood trees canopied all around you, lulling you each night with the sounds of nature and greeting you each morning knowing you are well-rested. Located only a short distance from the town of Guerneville and the Russian River, Autocamp offers endless options for what to do each day and evening. In town, you can stop off and experience one of the best-decorated and curated Mexican restaurants, El Barrio, spearheaded by visionary chef and hotelier Crista
Yurts are all the rage, though in truth they’ve been around for centuries. This 30-foot, two-story yurt has a clawfoot bathtub, electric fireplace, microwave, bamboo flooring, coffee pot, two queen beds, and private river access.
Redwood Tree House
Russian River // REDWOODTREEHOUSE.COM
Tree houses are more than childhood whims; they’re perfectly acceptable forms of luxury. Located in Sonoma near Healdsburg, this two-bedroom tree house has high thread-count bedding, cozy pillows, a sofa, TV, and an outdoor wraparound deck with a Weber barbecue and plenty of seating for up to 10 people.
Costanoa Lodge
Pescadero // COSTANOA.COM
Want to stay in a tent bungalow? Costonoa is it. These wood- or metal-framed bungalows with waterproof canvas covering offer electricity, sliding windows, Adirondack seating, indoor hot showers, and heated concrete floors. The property includes a 24-hour sauna and an outdoor fireplace.
Ventana
Big Sur // VENTANABIGSUR.COM/GLAMPING
Want to sleep Huckleberry Finn-style in the middle of the Big Sur splendor? If so, Ventana’s glamping options are ideal. With the luxuries of pristine accommodations, the intrigue of the Redwoods, a bath house, heated floors, a full bathroom, and all the comforts you’d expect from a hotel, Ventana is glamping done well.
Luedtke (who also happens to be the woman behind the Guerneville transformation restoring a flooded town into a thriving culinary, bar, and boutique retail store scene). There are plenty of grab-n-go options in town, including the gourmet yet affordable Big Bottom (BIGBOTTOMMARKET.COM ) general store. On the river, you can go canoeing or fishing, and in the neighboring terrain, you can bike ride, hike, or just explore. There are wine, beer, snacks, and camping essentials available in the clubhouse, someone on site to help plan your adventures, quiet space for yoga and meditation, and
Glamping means you can feed your nature beast and
indoor and outdoor fire pits for story time, s’mores, or a little
your inner debutante simultaneously. Go ahead. Settle in
romance (cue bow-chicka-bow-wow).
for the night, and do so with a little extra panache. sensimag.com JUNE 2019 35
{homemade} by M E L I S S A G L A Z E W S K I
SWEET SUMMER Guilt-free treats to help you beat the heat.
As we dust off our outdoor furniture, clean up our bar-
crazy, it’s a still healthy sweet fix. Please note you can in-
becues, don our summer dresses and vacation attire, it’s
corporate CBD into the smoothie as desired.
time to brush up on healthy eating and embody the heat
INGREDIENTS
wave. Whether you are planning a brunch or deciding to put some more love into your breakfast, these recipes for granola and a strawberry smoothie will bring on the summer lovin’… and happy, healthy living.
Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie As the sun rolls in—in full effect—we start craving cold, crisp, refreshing foods, like smoothies! This smoothie can be served for breakfast or any time of day when you need
• 2 cups frozen strawberries • ½ frozen banana • 1 cup non-dairy milk (coconut works best) • ¼ cup cashew butter • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 tsp cinnamon • ¼ tsp nutmeg • 1 tbsp vanilla protein powder (optional) • 1 date (optional)
a nice sweet cool down. For a decadent finish, you can add
INSTRUCTIONS
whipped cream to taste, and as long as you don’t go too
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
36 JUNE 2019 Southern California
Grain-Free Granola This is a big enough batch of granola to turn breakfast into an event or feed you for a while—if you can resist eating it all in one sitting. This is a great snack to take on the road, a hike, or a beach day. It’s also perfect atop yogurt or pancakes, in a bowl with milk, or with desserts such as parfait or trifle. The best part is that there are no refined sweeteners or weird fillers like most store-bought granola, making this a health-conscious option that’s relatively easy to make. INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup raw almonds • 1 cup raw pecans • ½ cup raw walnuts • ¹⁄₃ cup raw sunflower seeds • ½ cup unsweetened coconut shreds • ¼ almond flour/meal • 2 tbsp flax meal • 3 tbsp coconut oil • 3 tbsp maple syrup • 2 tbsp coconut nectar (or honey if not vegan) • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp vanilla INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. STEP 2: Combine almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a food
processor and pulse a few times until only a few whole pieces remain. STEP 3: In a large bowl combine nut pieces with sunflower
seeds, coconut shreds, almond flour/meal, and flax meal. STEP 4: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together
STEP 8: Bake at 275°F for 30 minutes.
coconut oil, syrup, coconut nectar or honey, and cinnamon,
STEP 9: Once done, remove from oven and let cool for 20
and cook until it just reaches a boil, about 2-3 minutes.
minutes. The granola should be one large piece that you can
STEP 5: Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla.
break apart however you like.
STEP 6: Pour the liquid mixture in the bowl with dry ingre-
STEP 10: Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
dients and stir to combine, making sure no dry ingredients are left at the bottom. STEP 7: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and
evenly spread out the mix.
MELISSA GLAZEWSKI is a plant-based personal chef in Los Angeles and creator of Forkin’ Plants (FORKINPLANTS.COM ). She’s always in the kitchen, testing new recipes and hosting events, demos, and workshops. She is a firm believer that people can live their best, healthiest lives through taking small steps with diet and lifestyle.
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 37
SPEC IAL REPORT
Greener Green As the cannabis industry matures, it needs to live up to its sustainability potential. by L E L A N D R U C K E R
38 JUNE 2019 Southern California
LONG NOTHING MORE THAN THE PROVINCE OF “STONERS” GETTING HIGH, CANNABIS TODAY IS
part of a healthy, woke, environmental lifestyle. SEEN AS
Almost two thirds of states have medical cannabis programs of some kind, and more than eight in 10 Americans are in favor of legalizing it for therapeutic purposes. Cannabis compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) are marketed for their health benefits just as THC is for its relaxing and elevating qualities. People who buy and consume cannabis are more interested than ever in healthier, environmentally sound options, and they’re willing to pay for them. A recent Brightfield Group study found that consumers in all age groups are concerned about consistency and safety when it comes to how pot is grown and processed and whether it’s been tested for quality and impurities, and they’re ready to pay a premium for quality. But let’s face it. Much cannabis, whether by design or through regulation, is grown indoors, often in retrofitted industrial warehouses, with all the attendant concerns about pests, insects, and mold. It takes a lot of electricity—many grow operations run 24 hours a day—and energy is expensive and a drain on the electrical grid. Even when it was illegal, cannabis growing operations used up one percent of national electricity use. Today the more than 300 grow facilities in Denver alone account for four percent of the city’s total electricity demand. As for people’s concern about whether or not the cannabis products they’re consuming are organic, it’s nearly impossible to know. Because cannabis is illegal on a federal level, the government hasn’t created nor will it certify any cannabis as organic, as it does with other agricultural products. That leaves it to states and individual testing companies to come up with and maintain quality standards. Cannabis packaging, much of it originally designed with child resistance as the primary concern, is often excessive and inefficient. Then there’s the water and waste involved in producing cannabis products (a lot of both), all which need to be considered as we become more aware of environmental impacts on health and well-being. Consumers and company owners alike are coming to grips with the issue. “2019 is the year that people are paying attention,” says Derek Smith of the Resource Innovation Institute, a Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit that promotes communication and sustainability amongst all parties in the cannabis industry. “We have the opportunity to be the biggest and best industry, one that stands for more than just selling stuff.” sensimag.com JUNE 2019 39
40 JUNE 2019 Southern California
What Can You Do? Most cannabis users who are looking for environmentally conscious and safe products have no idea where their cannabis comes from. The variety of products is staggering, and more are added every day. Given the complexities of cannabis production, what can you do to make sure you’re getting environmentally healthy products you can trust? Everybody I spoke with agreed that education is key. If you’re concerned about what you’re buying, find out more about how the cannabis is grown and which practices they’re using. Which means, ask your budtender or dispensary owner questions. Lots of questions. “I think consumers need to go in and talk to people and ask them about their practices,” says Emily Backus, sustainability advisor for the city and county of Denver. “If you’re shopping with vertically integrated companies, that’s easy. But it’s harder otherwise.” Josh Bareket, founder of BUSHL, a California organization dedicated to clean, sustainable cannabis products, says it comes down to knowing your source. “That doesn’t mean knowing the brand or logo, but actually who is behind the products. Who is the owner? Who is the grower? What’s the story? What do they use to produce it?” Adds Franciosi, “You just gotta ask the budtender. What soil was used? What was the medium it was grown in? Were there chemicals used that will wind up downstream?” When it comes to packaging, consumers have choices and should make their complaints known every time they go into the store. “Telling them you want better packaging is a big deal,” says Backus. “This is one of the areas where we’ve had a few bright spots. A number of companies have started making compliant packaging cannabis using recycled materials.” Not everyone has this option, but the best way to make sure you know what you’re getting is to grow your own. That way you’re in control throughout the process. Otherwise, educate yourself. Below are a few websites to help you get started: Resource Renovation Institute // RESOURCEINNOVATION.ORG City and County of Denver Cannabis Sustainability //
Sustainability was far down on the consideration list when states began to legalize. Business owners had to start their operations from scratch, while state regulators had to devise common-sense rules for something that had been illegal for decades. There were no best practices to start from. “I think there’s lots of room for improvement. But it’s also time for the industry to embrace it,” says Emily Backus, sustainability advisor for the city and county of Denver. “They don’t have this long legacy of bad operators to overcome. They’re consolidating, and there are big-money players, which creates an easier financial path for making investments. I think at this point we see that the only way to go is up.” Backus works with all sectors of the industry to promote communication and cooperation between business owners, governments, and other affected parties such as electric companies to develop strategies for lowering costs and building sustainable business models. Lowering electricity costs could be beneficial to everyone, Backus says, but there are many nuances. “It’s tricky to talk about sustainability in this industry because there are so many techniques and styles,” she says. “Hydroponic grows won’t have the same requirements as outdoor grows.” Lighting is the major factor to consider, even for home growers. Creating an environment that mimics sunlight and the outdoors is daunting, and we’re just beginning to develop practices to do that. Outdoor cultivation has a lower electricity footprint, and regenerative soil practices can improve carbon footprint because you’re restoring carbon into the soil. “But the reality is that no matter what type of cultivation a farm is employing,” says Smith, “we can all do better.” To that end, more companies are employing LED (light-emitting diode) lighting for their operations,
BIT.LY/DENVERCANNABIS
Smith says, but the cost has been prohibitive for many
Honest Marijuana Company // HONESTMARIJUANA.COM
smaller growers. Today, more options and financial in-
BUSHL // SHOPBUSHL.COM
centives are available to help lower the upfront costs. “LED is one of the clear options for improved lowering operating costs,” says Smith. “There are studies that are beginning to show there may be quality benefits.” RII offers a primer on LED pros and cons on its website as part of its free resources for growers. “If you’re thinking about making the switch, it’s what you need to know before you make that jump,” Smith says. As part of its commitment to lowering the industry’s footprint, RII has gathered a huge amount of data for farms and grow operations to use. The Cannabis Power Source Tool allows owners to benchmark their companies against others to make decisions about how to cut sensimag.com JUNE 2019 41
Brand Development Graphic Design Trade Show Produccon Website Design Photography
inclusivecannabis.com 42 JUNE 2019 Southern California
energy usage. “More than 200 farms have given us data
with arthritis or aging hands. I can still remember pur-
that we hold confidentially,” Smith explains. “We provide
chasing two small Tootsie Roll-sized candies wrapped
that benchmark so they can know their strengths and
in foil, then sealed in plastic bags, then sealed a second
weaknesses and get resources to become more efficient.”
time in a tall, plastic, box-like container that could hold
The possibilities seem endless, and more solutions are
fifty of the two items I bought.
coming online all the time. A micro-grid company called
More options are now available. Sana Packaging,
Scale has a system that brings together solar, battery
which specializes in 100 percent hemp-based plastic,
storage, and natural gas generators, potentially cutting
has added reclaimed ocean plastic to its line of stor-
energy costs by up to 35 percent. Another one, GrowX
age containers pre-roll tubes, and vaporizer pens. Soul-
Aeroponics, is designing systems to improve yield while
shine Cannabis, a Renton, Washington, processor, uses
reducing water consumption.
100 percent compostable and biodegradable products.
Another problem is HVAC, or air-conditioning systems, which are critical parts of any operation. Smith
N2 Packaging, based in Twin Falls, Idaho, has created a stainless steel can for cannabis products.
saysgrowers need to be aware in the design stage of
Water resources, especially in California and Colorado,
what they will need. “The most important way to lighten
are scarce, and states have different rules for recycling
“Cannabis produces a lot of recyclables. We’re making sure companies know how to compost and be compliant.” —Emily Backus, Sustainability Advisor for the City and County of Denver
your electricity load is to size it properly as you’re de-
and composting waste. “We don’t have any ordinances
signing and setting up the facility. Once it’s up and run-
that require businesses to recycle or compost,” says Back-
ning, it’s hard to swap out an HVAC system.”
us. “It’s up to the business owner. Cannabis produces a lot
Backus says that everyone is trying to get away from
of recyclables. We’re making sure companies know how
designing facilities on the fly. “Today there are profes-
to compost and be compliant. It’s an area of opportunity.”
sors and engineers who are finding out how to take tech-
Once cannabis is legalized on a federal level, many of
nology from one thing and tweak it for cannabis.” States have struggled to come up with packaging that eliminates smell, keeps products fresh, and is child-
these inconsistencies will vanish, clearing the way to let farmers and processors do what they need to do instead of what they are told to do.
proof. Plastic is everywhere, because it’s as useful as it is
Until then, says Smith, “We have the chance for an
destructive to the planet—and is often a requirement to
open playbook for good policy, and there’s a need to
child-proof a product.
share and learn and grow and create an increasingly
Packaging is improving. Early on in Colorado, the joke was that child-proof also meant adult-proof for those
good reputation for the industry. But people will have to work together to make it a reality.” sensimag.com JUNE 2019 43
If it seems like everyone is listening to podcasts (or thinking about starting one), it’s because they are. After languishing for two decades, the medium is having its moment. by R O BY N G R I G G S L AW R E N C E
CASTING SINCE RACHEL KENNERLY, A CPA IN LUFKIN, TEXAS,
DISCOVERED PODCASTS THREE
YEARS AGO, THEY’VE BECOME HER MAINSTAY WHEN SHE DOES MINDLESS TASKS HER JOB REQUIRES LIKE DATA ENTRY. NOT A FAN OF TRADITIONAL MEDIA AND DISGRUNTLED BY HER POLITICAL “CHOICES,” KENNERLY GETS HER NEWS FROM PODCASTERS LIKE LIBERTARIANS TOM WOODS AND JASON STAPLETON. A stark contrast to to the nightly news broadcasts her
outlawed until a few years ago, when a close acquaintance
parents watch as religiously as they attend church, the
moved to Colorado so she could legally treat her son’s sei-
podcasts expose Kennerly to ideas and viewpoints worlds
zures with CBD oil (after a local doctor threatened to turn
away from what she can find on the TV dial in East Texas.
her in to child-protective services if he discovered she had
Programmed by D.A.R.E., Kennerly—along with pretty
tried CBD). As Kennerly’s mind was further opened by the
much everyone else in her conservative Christian com-
liberty-based podcasts she listens to, she began to see the
munity—believed cannabis was evil and deserved to be
injustice of prohibiting a plant that could benefit so many.
44 JUNE 2019 Southern California
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 45
SO, YOU WANNA START A PODCAST… There’s no shortage of courses out there to help you get started and be successful. Before you bother with any of them, make sure you can answer the question, “This is the only podcast that…” A little advice from the experts: • Keep it short, valuable, and consistent. • Include interactive content such as games or lessons. • Tell stories. • Stick to a theme rather than letting conversation wander. • Create at least five episodes before uploading the first one. Post at least three for your debut.
thing about the podcast world is that I can just kind of get out there and say whatever I want,” she says. “I could never get on the radio in Lufkin, Texas, and talk about cannabis and how we should decriminalize it. I don’t know any other forum I could get on in East Texas and talk about the subjects I talk about and not get run out on a rail.”
THE POWER OF THE PODCAST A mishmash of iPod and broadcasting, the term describes digital audio files that can be downloaded and listened to on a computer or digital device. Podcasting has been around since 2001, when the iPod was introduced. It began as a way for individuals to get out their message and build community within their niche, and it has evolved to encompass high-production, wide-reaching shows by TV and radio networks, podcast networks such as Gimlet Media (now owned by Spotify), comedians, churches, even the FBI—all bringing in more than $700 million in advertising revenue annually.
Last year, she quit her day job to start an accounting and compliance firm for cannabis businesses and set out to learn as much as she could as quickly as she could about a substance she had vilified but never actually encountered. “When I was growing up, they told me all these people would be offering me drugs, and they were just way off,” she jokes. “All those years they told us to just say no, and I never got to.” Kennerly wanted to learn more about cannabis, and she couldn’t rely on her inner circle for anything other than propaganda. “What better way to do that than with a podcast, where I can actually speak with people affected by cannabis and then share their stories with other people?” she says. She launched “Cannabis Heals Me,” a podcast that tells the stories of patients who have healed everything from lupus to Hashimoto’s disease with cannabis, last October. The podcast focuses on stories because “you don’t change people’s minds by citing them a bunch of statistics,” she says. About 100 people—most of them in Texas but a few from as far away as South Korea—download the podcast every Monday. Recently, Kennerly added a Thursday podcast featuring experts who give the stories context. Kennerly says her podcast’s message is counter-intuitive to her Christian family and friends (though she does have to question, “what part of the Bible does Jesus talk about putting people in a cage over a plant?”). She knows they don’t agree with her stance, but she hopes they’re tuning in. “The nice
The technology is destined to emerge as a player in the 2020 election, as media-savvy candidates like Pete Buttigieg and Andrew Yang take to the podcast circuit. “Podcasts are really hot right now, and I think underappreciated,” Lis Smith, Buttigieg’s communications adviser, told CNN. The first podcast that garnered any mainstream attention, former MTV VJ Adam Curry’s “Daily Source Code,” debuted in 2004 (the year Apple began supporting podcast technology with iTunes 4.9) and attracted more than half a million subscribers. But podcasting was a fringe media populated mainly by niche-minded extremists until National Public Radio broke the two-guys-talking mold dominating the medium (think: “Joe Rogan Experience” without Joe’s charisma) with “Serial,” a true-crime series about a murder investigation, in 2014. The show ran for three seasons and has been downloaded anywhere from 175 million to 420 million times, depending on which source you believe. Whatever the number, “Serial” had a lot of people addicted, and the buzz opened a lot of eyes to the possibilities of podcasts. NPR now keeps more than 40 of them active, reaching over 16 million people. “I believe 2019 is a time for hockey stick growth and diversification of the audience and the offering,” Courtney William Holt, head of global studios for Spotify, which began offering podcasts last year and now captures more than a quarter of all listeners, told Medium. The 2020 election will be no small contributor to that growth, added Dane Cardiel of podcast host and distribution company Simplecast, as more candidates launch podcasts “to earn trust and win over voters in crowded primary races.” Podcast listeners— generally educated and leaning liberal—are just the kind of voters Democratic contenders are looking to reach.
46 JUNE 2019 Southern California
sensimag.com JUNE 2019 47
There are now more than 700,000 podcast shows in more than 100 languages out there, according to Podcast Insights. (Comedy is the most popular genre, followed by education and news.) Fifty-one percent of Americans have listened to a podcast, and one in three listen to at least one every month. (Edison Research found that 40 percent of people between ages 12 and 24 identified as monthly podcast listeners, and baby boomers have been slower to adapt to the new medium. In 2019, 17 percent of people 55 and older listened to a podcast every month.) This year for the first time, on-demand audio streaming accounts for the majority of total audio consumption, according to Adweek. “I think we hit a tipping point,” Tom Webster, senior vice president for Edison Research, told the New York Times. Consumers looking for curated, searchable podcast content have no shortage of options. Earlier this year, Luminary launched a podcast subscription service it calls “Netflix for podcasts,” featuring exclusive shows from A-listers like Lena Dunham and Trevor Noah. Luminary caught everybody’s attention when it took in $100 million in funding, but it doesn’t have an easy road ahead in a market already dominated by Spotify and the leading podcatcher, Apple Podcasts, which is included on all iOS devices. Industry titans including Google, Pandora, and iHeartRadio have entered the market, alongside scrappy new companies like Wondery, a podcast publisher known for emotionally immersive podcasts, and Stitcher, which bills itself as the easiest way to listen to podcasts on your iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, or smart speaker. Stitcher CEO Erik Diehn predicts better curation and discovery, a more reliable listener experience, and better support will bring exponentially more listeners this year. Chances are, we’ll see a lot more podcasters like Kennerly as well. Why not, when you can get started with absolutely no experience and a shoestring budget? Initially, Kennerly used a free app from Anchor.FM (now owned by Stitcher) to record her podcast and a free program from Audacity to edit it. A couple months later, she bought herself an Audio Tecnica mic for Christmas and upgraded to Hindenburg editing software, both of which have improved her podcast’s quality—but she’s quick to point out it can be done without them. “I spend far more time working on the podcast than I should,” Kennerly admits, but there’s no question it’s a labor of love that she believes is well worth it. Podcasting is the foundation of her quest “to do my tiny part to convert people once like me into people who believe the federal government has no right to tell us what we can and can’t put into our bodies.” Her advice to anyone considering a similar quest (no matter what the topic)? “Stop talking about it and go do it.” ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE, author of The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook and Pot in Pans: A History of Eating Cannabis, secretly wants to be the Joe Rogan of cannabis. 48 JUNE 2019 Southern California
12 GREAT PODCASTS FOR SUMMER LISTENING Adam Dunn Show // A cannabis legend and friends dish about 25 years in the industry. Against the Rules with Michael Lewis // Journalist and bestselling author looks at what’s happened to fairness “in a world where everyone loves to hate the referee.” Brave New Weed // Conversations with the healers, politicians, scientists, and “troublemakers of all sorts” who have contributed to cannabis liberation. Broken Record with Malcolm Gladwell, Rick Rubin, and Bruce Headlam // Longform conversation about music “for a world without liner notes.” Getting Doug with High // Doug Benson of “Super High Me” fame partakes and talks with guests. Great Moments in Weed History // Abdullah Saeed and David Bienenstock delve into humanity’s long relationship with cannabis. I’m Too Effing High // Stoned comedians take on challenges and play games. Jalen & Jacoby // Jalen Rose and David Jacoby break down sports and pop culture. The Jimmy Dore Show // “The Marijuana-Logues” writer discusses his raw takes on the news with top comedians and comedy writers. The Joe Rogan Experience // The granddaddy of them all, JRE has been around for nearly a decade, and Rogan has been called “the Walter Cronkite of our era.” Ron Burgundy Podcast // Will Ferrell reprises everyone’s favorite role, conducting interviews that “have a tendency to go off the rails, and we find out things about people we never knew we wanted to know.” WTF with Marc Maron // The comedian’s conversations with icons such as Robin Williams, Keith Richards, and President Barack Obama have garnered more than 250 million downloads.
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{HereWeGo } by DAW N G A R C I A
THREE’S COMPANY Getting happy with rice sacks and vintage style in the LBC. Somewhere between Los Angeles and San Diego is Long Beach (aka the LBC). The city of nearly half a million residents is one of the few in the area that can tout its own identity in the California story. This port city is abundant in culture, food, and a colorful array of locals. It also happens to be home to a rather impressive number of female-owned-and-operated retail stores, a thriving LGBTQ district, and a hub for cruise ships heading to Mexico and Catalina Island. One local spot in particular makes basking in the golden
open eyes to vintage and antique clothing. The most fulfilling
California sunshine the easiest decision you’ll ever make. The
part of what we do is the idea that we’re not creating waste
3 Women Company, founded by Natalie Mumford and Crystal
and we’re making a dent in the toxic fast-fashion industry.”
Early, upcycles antique and vintage textiles. They turn reus-
The store is a design house and collaborative space that
able cotton sacks from the Depression era, for instance, into
opened its doors in 2017 after Mumford and Early gleefully
a line of jumpers, jackets, wrap dresses, and halter tops. They
sold vintage clothing together at flea markets. After a month
also sell a gorgeous array of vintage clothing, accessories,
of doing that, they took the leap and opened the brick and
knickknacks, and the like, dating as far back as the 1800s. It’s
mortar in the East Village neighborhood of Long Beach.
not just an impressive selection, it’s the women’s charismatic
Mumford and Early have called Long Beach home for years
and upbeat attitude that makes this store so special. When I
and knew this is where their retail story would begin.
stopped into their store on 1st Street to talk to both Mumford and Early, their love for what they do was apparent. “We are honored to carry on the Depression-era practice of resourceful homemakers of repurposing rice or feed sacks into clothing. Our designs are working class and also chic,” says Mumford, “Our first rice sack jacket was used from the muslin bags from Crystal’s grandparents’ Chinese import business during the 1950s.” Carrying1930s style shoestring halter tops, beach jumpsuits, and 1970s style wrap dresses, Early chimes in and says, “We have an obligation to the planet and our community to 50 JUNE 2019 Southern California
WHERE TO KEEP THEM COMPANY: The Rose Bowl Flea Market, Pasadena
Second Sundays monthly 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pickwick Vintage Show, Burbank
June 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Visit our website www.allpointsdistro.com or email info@allpointsdistro.com for more information. A10-17-0000040-TEMP | A11-17-0000010-TEMP | C11-18-0000265-TEMP | A10-17-0000028-TEMP