SOCAL ADVENTURES ISSUE
CELEBRATE DISCOVER EXPERIENCE
SAN DIEGO’S
GASLAMP DISTRICT
ORANGE COUNTY’S
CULTURAL COMMUNITIES
GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
PATTI LaBELLE
SCENIC SOUTHLAND DRIVES
SOCAL MOVIE STUDIO TOURS MARCH/APRIL 2017
$5.95US
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THE CHANDELIER ROOM AT SANTA ANITA PARK
There’s Always
More to Sea™ in Redondo Beach...
Where skies are crystal blue, and palm trees sway from cool ocean breezes is a picturesque beach community that is classic Southern California. Redondo Beach is the perfect blend of ideal coastal beauty and fun in the sun. Just seven miles south of LAX, but removed from the hustle and bustle of the big city. This is the place where you can either get away from it all or do-it all.
For more information visit or call:
www.visitredondo.com | 800.282.0333 #VisitRedondo
T R I L O G Y PA C K A G E Enjoy up to $1,000 in added value when booking this special package. Includes a choice between: 2 rounds of golf, one-hour tennis lesson, or one-hour surf lesson. Plus complimentary Barber & Blade experience for men and signature blow dry for women and resort credit per stay, per room category up to $400 in value. Travel by December 18, 2017. TO BOOK YOUR STAY, PLEASE CONTACT A SMART FLYER TRAVEL SPECIALIST: NEWPORT@SMARTFLYER.COM *Terms and conditions: Minimum 3 nights stay. Applies to new bookings only. Valid on stated travel dates only. Booking dates: Now through December 15, 2017. Travel Dates Now through December 18, 2017. Package subject to availability at the time of booking and subject to closeouts. Minimum 3 consecutive nights stay required. Package Offer apply to Ocean Front Premier Room and above (excluding Villa One and Villa Cortez). Rates are per night in USD based in double occupancy. Activity and Salon Experience are per stay for two and requires a 24 hours advanced reservation. Resort credit once per stay. All other terms and conditions apply. One&Only Palmilla reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any time. All normal booking, payment, cancellation procedures and policies apply. All mandatory taxes, service charges and gratuities apply. Not combinable with any other offers.
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Feature MARCH/APRIL 2017
ON THE COVER
36/
SANTA ANITA PARK: THE LEGEND CONTINUES FE ATU R E
54/ ROLLER GIRLS
A LOOK INSIDE L.A.’S SUPER TOUGH ALL-STAR ROLLER DERBY LEAGUE, THE DERBY DOLLS By Erika Thomas
The Santa Anita Derby attracts racing's best.
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P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y KELLY SERFOSS
By Linda Lang
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CO N T E N TS
Departments
10/ On January 12, Cadillac and The Andy Warhol museum celebrated the Los Angeles opening of the Letters to Andy Warhol exhibition.
MARCH/APRIL 2017
78/ Midnig ht at the Oasis - Airstreams g leam in the nig ht under artdeco-ish lig hts.
10/ AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER Letters to Andy Warhol Exhibition
12/ AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER Fit 4 The Cause
14/ LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER/ EDITOR.IN.CHIEF
46/
Monique Reidy
World-class aerial school and performance center with classes in more than five different disciplines.
16/ SIGNATURES & LANDMARKS
Gaslamp Quarter Historic District By Sheryl Nance-Nash
50/
72/ 66/ FIVE FAVES
The 5 Best Scenic Drives in Southern California By Dustin Clendenen
72/ THE HOOD 22/ ENCHANTING ESCAPES Escaping to the Alps of Southern California By Linda Lang
The OC’s Cultural Communities By Linda Lang
78/ TO-DO-LIST 28/ SO CAL CULTURE
Traveling Through Hollywood History with Three Studio Tours By Imaan Jalali
60/ Host Patti LaBelle and special guest Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, as se en on Cooking Channel’s Patti LaBelle's Place, Season 1.
The Caravan Outpost “Airstream Hotel”: The Silver Bullet Express to Your Next Ojai Adventure By Jenni Keast
43/ TRENDING TALK
82/ FAMILY FUN
46/ OFF THE BEATEN PATH
88/ PERFECT PICKS
Celebrating Reconciliation By Esther C. Bleuel, MA, MFT, MDR
Flying High / Soaring By The Sea / Defying Gravity: TSNY Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Pier By Karma Christine Salvato
50/ BUBBLES & BREWS
Tea Time, Southland Style By Julie Carlson
60/ THE GOURMAND
Soulful Cooking with Grammy Award Winner PATTI LaBELLE By Robyn Flans
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Indoor Amusement By Robyn Flans
The Bridges of SoCal By Jenni Keast
92/ CALENDAR
Events and Happenings
95/ RESTAURANT RAVES 96/ SOOO CAL
It’s Raining! By Scott Harris
98/ MY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Jeremy Zema
A stunning tropical island in St Vincent & the Grenadines offering the ultimate getaway for privacy and seclusion. Established over fifty years ago Mustique is a well kept secret and a seaplane away from St. Lucia, Barbados and Canouan. Create a bespoke experience in a fully staffed and privately owned home from The Villa Collection; or choose to stay at The Cotton House, a 15 bedroom boutique hotel. Barefoot Luxury ~ Pristine Surroundings ~ Secluded Beaches ~ Effortless Elegance ~ Private Island Community Destination Celebrations ~ Romantic Getaways ~ Family Holidays ~ Curated Retreats ~ Bespoke Experiences For more information about the island and to find your perfect villa on Mustique contact your Smartflyer Travel Advisor Newport@Smartflyer.com mustique-island.com cottonhouse.net
C E L E B R A T E
D I S C O V E R
EDITORAL
E X P E R I E N C E
PUBLISHED BY ELYSIAN MEDIA GROUP, LLC.
MONIQUE REIDY
ROBYN FLANS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ENTERTAINMENT & PROFILES EDITOR
ANTONI PHAM CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SHERYL NANCE-NASH
BENNY HADDAD
LANDMARKS & HISTORICAL FEATURES EDITOR
MONIQUE REIDY PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
SCOTT HARRIS
CHERYL DALTON SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, SALES & DIGITAL PLATFORMS
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
SPORTS & "SOOO CAL” EDITOR
JANINE GOLDBERG
NICOLE POLLASTRINI
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & CIRCULATION
IMAAN JALALI
JANINE GOLDBERG CALENDAR OF EVENTS EDITOR
STYLE & BEAUTY EDITOR SENIOR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
ESTHER BLEUEL
LINDA LANG
COMMUNICATION & ADVICE EDITOR
TRAVEL EDITOR
HEIDI WOOD-BROWN ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
STEVE BLIMAN SALES & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
VANESSA SHAPIRO
DUSTIN CLENDENEN, JENNI KEAST, ERIKA THOMAS, JULIE CARLSON, KARMA CHRISTINE SALVATO CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
BOOKKEEPER
CONNIE SCHUH CIRCULATION CONSULTANT
DOUG BITTO
ERICA GODDARD, JEREMY ZEMA
LEGAL COUNSEL
EDWARD COREY, ESQ. ADVISORY BOARD
SOCAL ADVENTURES ISSUE
On The Cover: C EL EBRATE DISCOVER EXPERIENCE
SAN DIEGO’S
GASLAMP DISTRICT
ORANGE COUNTY’S
CULTURAL COMMUNITIES
GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
PATTI LaBELLE SCENIC SOUTHLAND DRIVES
SOCAL MOVIE STUDIO TOURS MARCH/APRIL 2017
$5.95US
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THE CHANDELIER ROOM AT SANTA ANITA PARK
SANTA ANITA PARK: STEEPED IN TRADITION, THE ELEGANT CHANDELIER ROOM HAS WELCOMED THE WORLD'S ELITE AND HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY SINCE THE 1930s.
CATHERINE JAYNE, PH.D, STEVE BARDWIL, ESQ., BILL BLEUEL, PH.D, ESTHER BLEUEL, MA, MFT, MDR, ELENA NIKITINA, DOUG SYLVESTER, MARY WAGSTAFF, DEBBIE WIDERØE, KELLY TREVETHAN, SCOTT HARRIS, PATTY MACMILLAN, DIANE DREYER SUBSCRIPTIONS
INFO@SOCALLIFEMAG.COM EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL@SOCALLIFEMAG.COM ADVERTISING
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Photography by KELLY SERFOSS
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
JENNIFER HURLESS WEBSITE DESIGN | DIGITAL SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
MIKE KAISER, KAREN KAISER I WWW.SEARANCHIMAGES.COM
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIFE MAGAZINE 3625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 232 Westlake Village, CA 91362 Tel: 805-777-0080 Fax: 805-370-8181 www.socallifemag.com /socallifemag
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIFE MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY ELYSIAN MEDIA GROUP, LLC. ©2016 ELYSIAN MEDIA GROUP, LLC. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIFE MAGAZINE IS REGISTERED US PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIFE MAGAZINE ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL EXPRESSIONS OF ELYSIAN MEDIA GROUP, LLC. ELYSIAN MEDIA GROUP, LLC DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIONS OF ITS READERS. THE CONTENTS WITHIN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIFE MAGAZINE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS HEALTH CARE OR HEALTH MANAGEMENT ADVICE. THE MATERIALS HEREIN ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDER REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF CONTENT IN THIS MAGAZINE. RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN ANY FORM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. PUBLISHER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ALL ADVERTISING MATTER. PUBLISHER DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS, OMISSIONS, AND/OR CHANGES IN ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL MATERIAL. PRINTED IN THE USA.
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Stella Schnabel
JOHN SALANGSANG
BILLY FARRELL
JOHN SALANGSANG (2)
A F FA I R S TO R E M E M B E R
Heidi Klum
Brian Wolk, Natasha Bassett and Claude Morais
JOHN SALANGSANG
On January 12, Cadillac and The Andy Warhol museum celebrated the Los Angeles opening of the Letters to Andy Warhol exhibition, a collaborative project between Cadillac and The Andy Warhol Museum that celebrates Warhol’s legacy through imaginative, co-created content and experiences. Exhibit collaborators Brian Atwood, JJ Martin and Chiara Clemente, along with Heidi Klum, Rachel Zoe, Kim Raver, Lady Victoria Hervey, Cleopatra Coleman, Natasha Bassett, Stella Schnabel and more attended the
J.J. Martin, Brian Atwood and Chiara Clemente
art exhibition’s preview at a special celebration held at 101/EXHIBIT in West Hollywood, which features rarely seen artwork and personal letters showcasing Warhol’s intimate connection to fashion, music and art, as well as artistic contributions from several modern-day cultural creators.
Lady Victoria Hervey BILLY FARRELL
BILLY FARRELL (2)
LETTERS TO ANDY WARHOL EXHIBITION
Maeve Reilly and Brian Atwood
JOHN SALANGSANG
Cleopatra Coleman and Kilo Kish
Moran Atias
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JOHN SALANGSANG
Rachel Zoe
BILLY FARRELL (2)
Kim Raver
ove
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lastsforever
at the Palm Garden Hotel.
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elebrate your special day with the Palm Garden Hotel. With over 7 event locations set across 8 1/2 acres of natural beauty, our incredible banquet spaces and one-of-a-kind event packages are perfect for any wedding. Enjoy the love you both share as our first-class event team plan a wedding that ensures memorable moments for years to come.
S ome of our unique wedding features include:
Over 10,000 Sq. Feet of Event Space • Large-Scale Private Events • Intimate Event Spaces • Incredible Chef-Catered Cuisines Indoor & Outdoor Spaces • Plush Gardens • Gazebo • Custom Audiovisual • Complimentary Shuttle Service Event packages Starting At $25 Per Guest
495 N. Ventu Park Rd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 (805) 716-4335 www.palmgardenhotel.com sales@palmgardenhotel.com
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A F FA I R S TO R E M E M B E R
All 2017 Honorees Fit 4 The Cause founder Cindy Rakowitz with 4 gala honorees
FIT 4 THE CAUSE
Cindy Rakowitz and Lesli Moore Dahlke
Lesli Moore Dahlke and Cindy Rakowitz
Lesli Moore Dahlke, 64, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Second Annual Fit 4 The Cause “Miracle of Movement Gala” on Jan. 21, 2017 at North Ranch Country Club. Moore is a survivor of sarcoma, diagnosed in 1990. She currently lives daily with leukemia, diagnosed in 2010, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diagnosed in 2011. In 1970, Moore traveled to Vietnam as a volunteer during the war to support American troops under the auspices of the USO and the United States Army. While in Vietnam, she was exposed to Agent Orange, the carcinogenic herbicides used to defoliate the dense jungles of Vietnam. Her three cancers are on the Veteran Administration’s list of presumptive diseases caused by Agent Orange, but it’s rare for a woman or a non-military person to suffer from Agent Orange-related cancers. Moore is being treated by the City of Hope with radiation, chemotherapy and other medications and is an advocate for war veterans. Moore has faced years of struggles but does not let cancer define her. Her health has improved dramatically since she began training with Fit 4 the Cause in October 2015. Fit 4 The Cause brings Zumba®, strength training, Tai-Chi, Yoga and kickboxing to people at free community classes and programs for those who previously had little or no physical activity. A team of volunteers, medical professionals and fitness professionals provide at least 40 hours a month of wellness education to those in need, including children and fragile seniors. For more information on Fit 4 The Cause visit: www.fit4thecause.org.
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escape to your
MALIBU MOMENTâ„¢
CONTACT YOUR SMART FLYER TRAVEL ADVISOR TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE MALIBU BEACH INN NEWPORT@SMARTFLYER.COM
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THE PUBLISHER / EDITOR.IN.CHIEF
O
ne of the many benefits of life as a magazine editor is that I am continually e-mailed by
readers and publicists about upcoming events, special activities, new restaurant openings and little-known hidden gems. is is useful information to a magazine whose chief focus
is advising readers about where to go and what to do in and around Southern California. Even as a lifelong resident of this area, one simply can’t know every nook and cranny of this massive region. Our team at SoCal Life thought it would be fun to extend the opportunity to anyone who’d care to tell us their favorite hangouts and destinations in the Southland. ere are a multitude of praiseworthy establishments and we’d like to give those that are most popular proper recognition. We will announce the winners of what we are calling the “SoCal Superstars” in our summer issue, which hits newsstands in July. We invite you to join in this effort by e-mailing us with your votes. You can find more information about the “SoCal Superstars” and how to participate on page 21. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy our current SoCal Adventures issue which features a myriad of entertainment options for you to enjoy this Spring. A host of activities, from a trapeze thrill to a television show taping and best scenic drives, are spotlighted in the pages ahead. And for an especially fun experience, grab a big hat and head to Santa Anita Park for a day at the races. Read all about the Park on page 36. Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year here and we hope you are able to get out and enjoy the flurry of activities available in Southern California this season. Warm wishes,
MONIQUE REIDY
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HERE, EVERY PLACE WILL BECOME
Y O U R N E W FAV O R I T E P L A C E .
LANA‘I BY FOUR SEASONS On an island of contrasts, you’ll find a world beyond compare. Contact your Smart Flyer Travel Advisor to book your stay at Four Seasons Resort Lana‘i: Newport@Smartflyer.com
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S I G N AT U R E S & L A N D M A R KS
GASLAMP
H i s t
BY
SHERYL NANCE-NASH
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QUARTER
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When you think of the Wild, Wild West, Nevada, Colorado and San Francisco come to mind. It’s long overdue to add San Diego on the list. H WWW.S O CA LL I FE MAG .CO M
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The McGurck Block Building and a view down 5th Avenue
ealthy William Heath Davis was smitten with San Diego and saw the potential for a new city nearer to the action of San Diego Bay, though the area was full of sage brush and rabbits, so much so it was nicknamed “Rabbitville,” but the beauty of the harbor was undeniable. Building the “New Town” wouldn’t be easy. For one thing, there were no trees to provide the material to build homes. Davis worked around that by getting pre-fab homes and shipping them to the area. And that was far from the only obstacle. He saw his fortune go up in flames with a warehouse fire in San Francisco. e fledging “New Town” came to a halt. “But then came along Alonzo Horton who bought 960 acres on San Diego Bay for 27 ½ cents an acre. e rest is history. He was one of the original entrepreneurs,” says Sandee Wilhoit, the historian for the non-profit Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, which works to preserve the architecture, culture and history of the Gaslamp Quarter. e area is a 16 ½ -block area designated as an historic district and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Way back then it was true as it is now, “build it and they will come,” and they did – people, businesses, and beautiful Victorians. “Every building was unique. Folks like Wyatt and Josie Earp and George Marston lived here,” Wilhoit says. e seaport was thriving, bringing in sailors who had been at sea for six months. “Let’s just say they wanted entertainment, libations and female company,” she adds. ere were about 120 salons and brothels like in the westerns. e area from the waterfront between Sixth and First Avenues up to Market Street was called the Stingaree. “You could get stung quicker
The Grand Hotel 1880 (now the Horton Grand Hotel)
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GASLAMP QUARTER HISTORICAL FOUNDATION (3)
W
NesmithGreeley Building circa 1888
Allegro Talent Group
proudly congratulates its clients and friends
Dustin O’Halloran and Volker Bertelmann (Hauschka) on their well-deserved "Best Original Score" nominations for the motion picture
LION
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nomination (Oscar) British Academy Award Nomination (BAFTA) Golden Globe Nomination Critic’s Choice Nomination
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GASLAMP QUARTER HISTORICAL FOUNDATION (2)
S I G N AT U R E S & L A N D M A R KS
The McGurck Block building (Ferris and Ferris)
here than from critters in the water,” says Wilhoit of all the riotous living. Before long there would be a game changer – the railroad. Development increased. e son of President Ulysses Grant built the magnificent US Grant Hotel there to honor his father. e district is full of landmarks. If the walls could talk, they would surely have many a story to tell. “Every building has a story,” says Wilhoit. Take for example the Louis Bank of Commerce built in 1888 on Fih Avenue. According to the Gaslamp Foundation, it was the jewel of the Gaslamp and was noted for its twin rising towers. It was the first granite building and is a striking example of Baroque Revival Architecture. e four-story building was a bank until 1893 when the owner opened an oyster bar that was frequented by Wyatt Earp. Eventually, the upper floors became the Golden Poppy Hotel, a well-known brothel run by a fortune teller and marketing guru Madame Cora. e Gaslamp Foundation shares that her ladies paraded through the street by day and hand colored marbles that matched the color of their dresses to potential clients. Come nightfall, men would bring their precious marble and be guided to a room of the same color to meet their “date.” ese were not boring times. For some, the party never ended. “Every Friday we do a tour of the ghosts of the Gaslamp. Every single one of these buildings are haunted. ey liked it so much they never le,” says Wilhoit, who lives in the area and says she has seen and heard things. “I call them my dear friends.” e past is still very much present in the Gaslamp District. “So much has been renovated and retrofitted. Today, we’re a tourist destination.” e waterfront is the heart of the district, along with the shops and restaurants. e popular Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop was once home to the Casino eater where, according to Wilhoit, for ten cents you could watch two or three main features, a serial chapter of the Lone Ranger or other hero, a comedy short featuring e ree Stooges and a cartoon. e Davis-Horton House, built in 1850, is the oldest standing structure in downtown San Diego. Today it’s the office of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and the Gaslamp Museum. Says Wilhoit of the significance of the Gaslamp Quarter, “We’re the historical heart of San Diego. You get history and a real good time.” ❖
THE DISTRICT IS FULL OF LANDMARKS. IF THE WALLS COULD TALK, THEY WOULD SURELY HAVE MANY A STORY TO TELL. “EVERY BUILDING HAS A STORY,” SAYS WILHOIT.
The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House (Formerly the William Heath Davis House)
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ENCHANTING ESCAPES
ESCAPING TO T BY
ALPS
LINDA LANG
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ENCHANTING ESCAPES
THE of Southern California
Boating life on Lake Arrowhead
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ENCHANTING ESCAPES
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igh in the crystal clear mountain air of the San Bernardino National Forest are two of Southern California’s prized alpine resorts - Lake Arrowhead at an altitude of 5,100 feet and Big Bear at 6,750. Both not only offer championship snow skiing and other winter sports but a virtual cornucopia of outdoor activities during the rest of the year attracting millions of visitors annually. Set amid forests of fragrant pine, cedar and dogwood, there's a tranquility and sense of being that has drawn both visitors and residents to these mountains for centuries. Wildlife populations also live peacefully in their natural habitats, completing the feeling of being one with nature. e area offers a complete range of accommodations spanning from alpine inns, lodges, chalets, and luxurious lakeside mansions to rustic cabins, camping and RV sites. While Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community built around a private lake, Big Bear is a city within San Bernardino with a larger public lake. Both offer great dining, shopping, spa pampering, entertainment and outdoor activities such as biking, horseback riding, lake and area guided tours, and other activities. While you'll see a lot of motorboats, kayaks, sailboats, water skiing and other activities on both lakes, access to Arrowhead Lake is limited to homeowners in an area known as Arrowhead Woods and members of the Arrowhead Lake Association.
Mountain biking trails are found throughout both resort areas.
Lake Arrowhead Village
Lake Arrowhead Lake Arrowhead Village — part of the Lake Arrowhead communities including Blue Jay, Cedar Glen, Twin Peaks, Sky Forest, and Rim Forest — is the central activity center for visitors and area locals. ere is, of course, an excellent selection of fine restaurants, cafés, ice cream shops and confectioners, as well as fashion boutiques and outlets, galleries, gi shops and a supermarket for those preparing meals in their vacation rentals. On Friday and Saturday nights from May through September, the Village offers a free summer concert series featuring a beer garden and variety of bands ranging from rhythm and blues to classic rock and country. ere's also the Village Easter Egg Hunt and Fourth of July Weekend with fireworks over the lake. Summer events also include a weekly farmers’ market, Antique & Classic Wooden Boat Show, Cruisin’ the Village Classic Car Show, Kid’s Activities Day, and the Annual Fireman’s Bonfire. Entertainment in local establishments includes Sunday Brunches with Live Music & Artisan Fair, Wednesday Burgers & Brews featuring rock, jazz and blues bands, and Friday Night Supper Club with fine dining and smooth jazz — all in Tudor House, a building once owned by mobster Bugsy Siegel. Attractions around the area include Santa's Village, e Rim of the World Historical Society
Museum, and Wildhaven Ranch — a sanctuary protecting indigenous endangered animals, and Mountain Skies Astronomical Society Astronomy Village for stargazers. Although use of the lake is limited to Arrowhead Lake Association members and their guests, visitors can enjoy limited access via a lake excursion aboard e Lake Arrowhead Queen, by water skiing with the McKenzie Water Ski School, or walking along the shoreline in the village. Unrestricted water access is available at surrounding lakes, rivers and creeks. Outdoor activities also include paragliding, horseback riding, off roading, rock climbing, mountain hiking and biking, road cycling and helicopter tours. e latest flicks are found about a mile from the village in the recently-renovated Blue Jay Cinema. Area fishing is abundant with trout, bass, kokanee salmon, catfish, and crappie. Lodge and hotel choices include Saddleback Inn, which is just a five-minute walk to the village and lake. Amenities include rock gas log fireplaces, double whirlpool baths, air conditioning, refrigerators, suite combinations of one to three bedrooms, some pet friendly cottages, and a four star restaurant and bar which is a favorite among locals. Vacation rentals range from rustic cabins in the forests to
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BIG BEAR COOL CABINS
GREG ZOOK PHOTOGRAPHY
ENCHANTING ESCAPES
Picnic tables are stationed in the parks along the lake at Arrowhead.
Lake Arrowhead Village borders right on the lake.
“VACATION RENTALS RANGE FROM RUSTIC CABINS IN THE FORESTS TO COTTAGES, CONDOS AND LUXURY LAKESIDE HOMES.”
Coots, ducks and other birdlife are plentiful during summer.
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ENCHANTING ESCAPES
cottages, condos and luxury lakeside homes. Big Bear Cool Cabins, which represents more than 400 properties in Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear and surrounding areas, is a good place to start. www.bigbearcoolcabins.com For further details, go to www.lakearrowhead.com.
Crestline A 15-minute drive from the Lake Arrowhead Village are Crestline and Lake Gregory where you can fish, swim, waterslide, and go boating. Lakeview Trail, a scenic path around the lake, takes you through towering pines, along sandy beaches, small creeks, and wooded areas dotted with picnic tables. ere are a number of eateries ranging from La Cocina De Tony, Mandarin Garden, and La Casita Mexican Restaurant to Stockade Grub & Whiskey, e Loose Caboose, and if you're truly in need, McDonald's. Accommodation options include Crest Lodge Historic Mountain Inn, a great place for families featuring updated cabins; a kids' playground with e Simpson Family, Kung Fu Panda, and Alvin and the Chipmunks as life-sized characters; and a kids' picnic table, merry-go-round, swings, slide, climbing wall, and playhouse. www.cityofcrestline.com Set amid forests of fragrant pine, cedar and dogwood, Big Bear offers the perfect summer escape.
Big Bear
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BIG BEAR VACATION RENTALS
DAN MCKERNAN (2)
HOLLOWAYS MARINA
Like Lake Arrowhead, the heart of Big Bear is Big Bear Village, a larger, year-round alpine community that recently underwent a make-over adding heated sidewalks, The largest selection of boat seat walls, outdoor fire pits, landscaping, decorative signage, lighting and other rentals at Big Bear lake is found amenities. Its boutiques, outlets, galleries, furniture showrooms, cra stores and at Holloways Marina. gi shops are constantly keeping up with the latest trends. Dining includes a potpourri of fine dining, cafés, pubs, candy shops, and ice-cream parlors. Options include everything from Continental, Italian, French, Mexican, American, ai, and Nepalese to steak house, seafood, deli, BBQ and fast food. e village is also the area's main entertainment center where each weekend there's a comic or other live act at e Cave, a state-of-the-art concert hall where every seat places you close to the artist. At the movie theatre you'll see the latest films and at the north end of the village is e Bowling Barn with 16 lanes, bumper bowling for the kids, and glow bowling nightly. Big Bear Funplex features an arcade, indoor ice skating rink and laser tag. And, of course, you can stroll to the lake as well as two parks and still stay near all the action. e lake has three main marinas with public access to all water activities - Big Bear, Pine Knot, and Holloway Marina and RV Park. Here you'll find all sorts of boat rentals, fishing boats, single and tandem kayaks, paddleboards, SUPs, jet ski rentals and parasailing. A lake tour aboard the Miss Liberty Paddlewheel Tour Boat includes a 90-minute commentary sharing highlights of Big Bear's colorful history, fun facts, folklore, celebrity happenings and more. Accommodations in the center of village activity Evergreen offers spectacular views while dining on California include the Lodge at Big Bear Lake with a wide choice cuisine including specialty steaks and seafood. of rooms including a 600-square-foot family suite, Stillwells Restaurant, and a fully-equipped fitness center. Sherwood Forest, across the street from the lake, MasalaCraft's authentic Indian cuisine features features 16 romantic spa units with views and fireplaces. Masala, Paneer and Big Bear Frontier on the lake and Honey Bear Lodge Tandoor dishes. just two blocks from village are also good choices. For vacation rentals, a good place to start is Big Bear Vacations which offers more than 350 properties . For more suggestions on what to do and where to go, check out www.bigbearguide.com. Discover the treasures of our mountains. ey are magical. ❖
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Big Bear Village is the center of the community activity.
Paddleboats and SUP rentals are among the equipment rentals available at Big Bear lake.
Big Bear Village is filled with boutiques, galleries, gift shops and more.
DAN MCKERNAN (5)
“THE LAKE HAS THREE MAIN MARINAS WITH PUBLIC ACCESS TO ALL WATER ACTIVITIES - BIG BEAR, PINE KNOT, AND HOLLOWAY MARINA AND RV PARK.”
From rustic cabins to luxurious homes with every amenity, there is a wide selection of rental properties for every taste and budget.
Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve is a stunning place to visit, especially at sunset.
BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN WITCH
Pontoon boats are great for family fun.
Delamar Mountain trails feature easy to moderate hikes amid ponderosa pines and meadows of beautiful wild flowers
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Mountain Witch Tea Company in Big Bear Villages offers more than 50 flavors of gourmet loose leaf tea, all hand-crafted in their workshop.
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The television shows and movies that are conceived and filmed in Hollywood have not only entertained us, but shaped our culture by offering shared experiences. The
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tours offered at these studios inform us about what we grew up watching, what is entertaining us today, and the collaborative effort that is required to create real worlds out of finite spaces and soundstages. H
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Water Tower
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
"Batman" car vault
3400 W. Riverside Dr. Burbank, CA 91505 (877) 492-8687 www.wbstudiotour.com w Though the regular studio tour is an option, the six-hour “Deluxe” expedition, replete with a fine lunch, is highly recommended for it best impresses upon the scope of WARNER BROS., which has its own bank, gym, gas station, security, fire department, transportation office, and zip code. One cannot go wrong with any of the tour guides, particularly Thom, who does an incredible job detailing how the studio’s pioneering success of the first talking picture, “The Jazz Singer,” preceded the lot purchase from First National Pictures in 1928. The tour thereafter proceeds on a cart where visitors are shown a jungle area where part of the T-Rex chase sequence in “Jurassic Park” was filmed, and an adjoining lagoon where George Clooney “saved” another during an episode of “ER” (which was also filmed on Stage 11). Of course, there are also the “practical” and “facade” (which means no actual interior) house-like buildings where films ranging from “East of Eden” to “The Music Man,” and TV shows from “Gilmore Girls” to the “The Mentalist” were shot. And for those who have seen “La La Land,” the site of the coffee shop is also pointed out. As one learns, there are eight miles of costumes (stored in a subterranean level) for the actors, and a four-story prop shop with every type of phone, clock, piece of furniture, and light fixture imaginable that can be leased by other studios, and have been used in Warner Bros. films such as “Casablanca” and “The Matrix.” In the latter part of the tour, participants will usually visit the “Ellen” and “The Big Bang Theory” soundstages, along with the legendary 31,000-square-foot Stage 16 (e.g., “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Inception”). Completing the experience are the various artifacts to be seen from “Harry Potter,” the “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” the DC Universe: The Exhibit, as well as the opportunity for fascinating photo-ops, including the chance to recline on the “Friends’” “Central Perk” coffee shop set. H
Fantastic Beasts
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After Dark Tour
Bumblebee from "Transformers"
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour 5515 Melrose Avenue Hollywood, CA 90038 (323) 956-1777 www.paramountstudiotour.com
Tom Cruise's jacket in "War of the Worlds"
w PARAMOUNT PICTURES offers three tours, and perhaps the most unique one might be the “After Dark” choice, where visitors have the privilege of enjoying a champagne toast before being led, with flashlights in tow, around the college campusesque property and its 29 stages. One of the guides is the personable Chris, who walks around with an iPad and intersperses the experience of significant sites, such as the century-old Gower Theatre (used as a screening room) and “Dr. Phil” set, with bits of historical trivia. For instance, did you know that the studio invented the phrase “movie star,” given that each star around the original Paramount logo originally represented each of its contracted big-league actors? How about the fact that Fay Wray’s scream in 1933’s “King Kong” (filmed on Stage 31 and 32) occurred because the mechanical hand malfunctioned and squeezed the breath out of her? Or, that the actors of “The Godfather” (filmed on Stages 27-30) befriended members of the mafia, who had specific
demands about their portrayal in the iconic trilogy? Lastly, what about the scandalous knowledge that Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson went streaking during a break from “Cheers”? Paramount also oversaw a series of landmark developments in Hollywood history, inclusive of revolutionary film techniques employed by Orson Welles in “Citizen Kane” (filmed on Stage 19), the showtimes concept used by theaters thanks to Alfred Hitchcock’s insistence that “Psycho” be viewed from the very beginning, and the Fleischer Brothers’ rotoscope invention, which has led to modern-day motion capture. Interestingly, it is also home to the first daycare at a studio, which was instituted by Lucille Ball (when Paramount was home to Desilu Productions), and is still in use today. H
Shot of premises during After Dark Tour
Costumes from "Zoolander" and more
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Thalberg Building
Sony Pictures Studios 10202 West Washington Boulevard Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 244-8687 www.sonypicturesstudiostours.com
technology of the day. With regard to sound production, those who sign up will visit the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage where, for Rainbow tour which pays homage to example, the orchesThe Wizard of Oz tras for “Gone with the Wind,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “E.T.” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” were recorded. Also, there is the Foley studio, where talented audio techs physically involve themselves in the process of recording the "crude" sounds that we take for granted. This includes the clopping footsteps synchronized with film and TV characters, as well as clinking glassware, the rustling of tree branches, ruffling of clothes, cocking of guns, and more. ❖
JOSHUA WHITE (4)
w Located in Culver City, SONY PICTURES STUDIOS, which was previously the location of MGM Studios between 1924 and 1986, provides an affordable two-hour walking tour with interesting minutiae and visuals. For instance, the grounds, which is also home to subsidiaries such as Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures and Screen Gems, offers sights of ongoing show sets like “Jeopardy,” “Masters of Sex,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and “The Goldbergs.” This is offered in conjunction with absorbing facts about erstwhile sitcoms such as “Married With Children” and “The King of Queens.” In addition, from a historical standpoint, there is Stage 15, which is the second biggest soundstage in the world, as well as Stage 27, where “Munchkin Country” was set up for 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz.” In the years prior to that classic film, as the tour guide may mention, child star Judy Garland received much of her education at an on-site edifice in between filming. As one will discern, the property is beautifully maintained in large part due to the $100 million investment by Sony to update the look of the buildings and structures that make up the 45 acres of land. Many of these are post-production offices that boast some of the finest digital effects
Breaking Bad RV
Stage Tour
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Sa nta Anit BY
LINDA LANG PHOTOS COURTESY OF
KELLY SERFOSS
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Fans can enjoy trackside views during the Big 'Cap. KELLY SERFOSS
The Family Fun Zone offers jumps, games and other activities for little jockeys. KELLY SERFOSS
Fans pack the Club House stands for the Santa Anita Derby. KELLY SERFOSS
mong our signature Southern California landmarks is Santa Anita Park which has long made history in the international world of oroughbred racing. e Great Race Place officially opened on Christmas Day in 1934. It was here that Affirmed and Laffit Pincay, Jr. won the Santa Anita Handicap a year aer the colt captured the 1978 Triple Crown. It would be another 37 years before the next Triple Crown was won in 2015 by Santa Anita-based American Pharoah. Perhaps the most popular fan favorite of all time is the legendary Seabiscuit who raced 11 times at Santa Anita Park during his remarkable career from 1935-1940. His appearances on the track, co-founded by Hollywood producer Hal Roach, generated a lot of interest in the sport, particularly aer the 2001 release of Laura Hillenbrand's best seller Seabiscuit: An American Legend. e ensuing motion picture starring Fighting Ferrari in the role of the small horse with a huge heart still greets fans today in the Infield's Seabiscuit Enclosure. Santa Anita Park hosted the first of many Breeders' Cup World Championships in 1986. A record crowd saw four-yearold filly Lady’s Secret — whose father was 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat — win the Distaff and become the first Breeders’ Cup champion to be named Horse of the Year. Zenyatta, another racing Hall-of-Famer, won the 2008 Distaff, became the first filly or mare to win the Classic in 2009, and was named Horse of the Year in 2010 despite losing the Classic by only a nose in her first-ever defeat. Now immortalized in bronze, her life-size statue stands near those of Seabiscuit and John Henry who won the 1981 and 1982 Santa Anita Handicaps - one of only four horses with back-to-back victories in the race's 79-year history.
Santa Anita doesn't just offer some of the best Thoroughbred racing worldwide. There's a continuing program of activities and events throughout the season. The Infield is a great place for family outings, and Infield admission and parking through Gate 6 are free.
A Park for All Ages Santa Anita doesn't just offer some of the best oroughbred racing worldwide. ere's a continuing program of activities and events throughout the season. e Infield is a great place for family outings, and Infield admission and parking through Gate 6 are free. You can bring your own picnic and blankets or enjoy
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Crowds fill the Infield during big race days such as the Santa Anita Derby. KELLY SERFOSS
The San Gabriel Mountains present a stunning backdrop to action at Santa Anita Park. KELLY SERFOSS
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New to racing? Stop by the Wagering Ambassador tents to learn more about the sport of betting. ZOE METZ
the picnic tables and children's playground. ere's also a Family Fun Zone package with all sorts of amusements for little jocks from jumpers and games to pony rides. ere are concession stands throughout the park and numerous dining options including the popular Turf Terrace patio-style restaurant and e FrontRunner where reservations are recommended. Early risers can watch the horses during their morning workouts and rub elbows with Hall of Fame trainers and jockeys while enjoying free coffee and the full breakfast menu offered daily at Clockers’ Corner. Parking and admission are free. Tram Tours are also offered each weekend and allow fans an all-access excursion led by knowledgeable staff to the stable area, through the jockeys' quarters, Paddock Gardens and a visit with the carriage horses including fan-friendly Clydesdales Sally and Nora.
Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah could regularly be seen training from Clockers’ Corner. ZOE METZ
Fun Events on Race Days Thousands of fans participate in the annual Derby Day 5K.
Zenyatta was guided to victory by jockey Mike Smith. BENOIT PHOTOGRAPHY
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Glamorous and fun-filled events on key race days are as much a part of the scene as the action on the track. Saturday, March 11, is the 80th running of the Big 'Cap or Santa Anita Handicap, one of racing's biggest, which in addition to Seabiscuit, has seen such winners as Spectacular Bid, Round Table, Tiznow, Alysheba, Lava Man and Game On Dude. On the same day, the Big 'Cap Beer & Cider Trackside Festival kicks off. Fans can enjoy frosty cra beers and ciders along the homestretch and grab some tasty bites from food trucks parked around the Kingsbury Fountain. e trackside event package also includes a San ManuelSponsored Cooler Bag Giveaway. On Saturday, April 1, the Winner's Circle BBQ Championship in the Infield welcomes vendors from all over the Southland, some of whom overnight in their RVs as they cook, marinate and prepare for the next day's competition. H
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Be sure to celebrate the 80th running of the Santa Anita Handicap in the Chandelier Room’s Big Cap Day Extravaganza March 11 • 12 - 4 pm Santa Anita Park 285 W. Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA Racing fans dress in their best fascinators and fashions to celebrate Kentucky Derby Day at Santa Anita. KATE JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
Laffit Pincay, Jr. in the silks he wore when he and Affirmed won the Big 'Cap a year after the colt captured the 1978 Triple Crown. BENOIT PHOTOGRAPHY
For $10 off your Chandelier Room package use promo code SOCAL17 For all upcoming events and promotions at Santa Anita Park make sure to follow all social accounts @santaanitapark
The Eddie Logan Suite with its spectacular location and nearly 360-degree view provides a spectacular private setting for VIP’s and/or special events. ABRAN RUBINER
Jockey Corey Nakatani signs his autograph for a fan at Clockers’ Corner. ZOE METZ
Saturday, April 8, is the 24th running of the Santa Anita Derby Day 5K. Starting at 8:00 a.m., thousands of fans break from the official starting gate to take their turn around the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and eventually make their way back to complete the course on the racetrack. One of the park’s most fun-filled family days, there are heats for every age, live entertainment in the post-event expo area and free admission to the aernoon’s racing for every participant. e Infield will be alive with activity including the KROQ Beer Festival. THOROUGHBREDS Club members will also receive a free one-of-a-kind Santa Anita Derby-themed T-shirt. Horses reclaim the track later in the day with the $1,000,000 Santa Anita Derby. e featured race — the West Coast’s most important stepping stone to the First Saturday in May — has produced seven Kentucky Derby winners, including I'll Have Another in 2012 and California Chrome in 2014.
Partying at Santa Anita Steeped in tradition, the elegant Chandelier Room has welcomed the world's elite and Hollywood royalty since the 1930s. e track's $40 million renovation included restoration of the space to its original glory while adding modern amenities including large HDTVs, a luxurious private entrance and an elevator. Its signature balcony accessed by two majestic staircases
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Steeped in tradition, the elegant Chandelier Room has welcomed the world's elite and Hollywood royalty since the 1930s. KELLY SERFOSS A life-size statue of Seabiscuit greets fans at Santa Anita. ZOE METZ
encircling the room and original chandeliers reflect a timeless grandeur. Accommodating up to 500 guests for receptions and 175 for sit-down dinners, this opulent room presents a magical year-round setting for social galas and private business events. In addition to events hosted by Santa Anita Park, individuals and companies can rent a wide variety of state-of-the-art facilities on racing as well as non-racing days for meetings, weddings, fundraisers, school proms, banquets, holiday parties and more. Accommodating 20 to 10,000 guests, event space comes with in-house catering, table décor, and audio/visual systems — all set against a magnificent panoramic view of the San Gabriel Mountains. Other options include the newly-constructed private Suites and recently-renovated Directors' Room with retractable glass doors, extended patio and glass railing, both of which offer luxurious indoor and outdoor seating, catering and bar services, monitors and other perks for groups up to 90. Overlooking the track with unobstructed views, e FrontRunner, enclosed with its own heating/air conditioning, offers seating for 20 to 500 guests in 400 feet of casual dining elegance with a 215-foot-long bar. For information on arranging your event, go to www.santaanita.com/host-an-event. Contact eventsales@santaanita.com or call (626) 574-6400 to book premium spaces.
The new 100 to 1 Club, three floors above Santa Anita’s fabled Club House turn, features panoramic views, lounge-style seating, live tellers and private bar. KELLY SERFOSS
Looking for a Film Location? From the beginning, Santa Anita Park's unique location and expansive acreage have provided settings for dozens of movies, TV shows and commercials. In addition to Seabiscuit, you may recall Bobby, Public Enemy; TV's Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, e Bachelorette, NFL's Monday Night Football opening; and commercials for Aleve, AT&T, Disney, GEICO, Mercedes Benz and more. If Santa Anita sounds like the place to shoot your film project, contact Pete Siberell, (626) 574-6373, psiberell@santaanita.com. To check out the upcoming racing calendar, events and ticket options, go to www.santaanita.com/eventsand-tickets. ❖
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CELEBRATING RECONCILIATION
BY
ESTHER C. BLEUEL, MA, MFT, MDR
While browsing an article about holidays, I came upon Reconciliation Day, which is celebrated each year on April 2nd. Because so much of my work is about communication and having meaningful relationships, I was curious about the holiday’s origin. H
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As it happens, credit is given to newspaper columnist Ann Landers, who in 1989, in response to a reader’s letter, began annually promoting April 2nd as Reconciliation Day. Encouraging her readers to repair their broken relationships, she dedicated each April 2nd column to letters concerning just such relationships. Reconciliation Day is intended to patch up relationships and to take that step that will repair misunderstandings, unintended slights or thoughtless mistakes that can damage relationships. It is a day to reach out to loved ones to apologize, make amends or make a fresh start. I think that Reconciliation Day is a grand idea! However, I think it’s even better to be mindful about our family and friends, not once each year, but everyday. We all know how quickly time passes. Because our human connections matter, don’t allow distance, misunderstandings or un-mended fences to separate or create barriers. Ask yourself, is it more important to prove that you are right, or to achieve a positive result? If the person is important to you, there are several ways to initiate reconciliation. • Write a letter. Yes, a real letter. By putting pen to paper you can clarify your thoughts and feelings, and determine the result you seek. • Write an email. Sleep on it, then read it aloud before you hit ‘send.’ Anticipate how your message will be interpreted. • Pick up the phone - What a concept! A real telephone call - not a text. This gives you the opportunity to hear the person’s inflection, tone and attitude. • Invite a face-to-face meeting by phone or computer if you want to have an “in person” conversation but live in different cities. It’s not quite the same
“PICK UP THE PHONE - WHAT A CONCEPT! A REAL TELEPHONE CALL - NOT A TEXT. THIS GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE PERSON’S INFLECTION, TONE AND ATTITUDE.”
as being in together, but it does give you the ability to see and hear each other in real time. • Send a text if you must, only to invite a connection, meeting or conversation. No substantive or complex messages. • Keep these conversations private and avoid social media. Always show care and respect with an important person, even if you have been estranged or distant. Tips for successful reconciliation:
• Identify and communicate the outcome you desire and why it’s important to you. Be genuine. • Take responsibility for your part in the situation. • Hear and acknowledge the other person’s perspective. • You cannot change another person or the past. • Anticipate the other person’s response. • If the person is unwilling to engage, simply restate your good intention for reaching out and wish them well. So, don’t wait for April 2nd to patch up relationships. Life is too short to hold a grudge. Decide to let go of the past and be in the present. Reach out today or tomorrow. I think you will be really glad that you did. ❖
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Ann Landers Newspaper Columnist
Instagram: TheAdventuresOfCamelliaN Facebook: The Adventures of Camellia N.
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Flying High / Soaring By T
/ Defying
TSNY LOS ANGELES AT BY
KARMA CHRISTINE SALVATO
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As humans, we often have a tendency to block ourselves from blossoming by creating barriers for our bodies, minds, and spirits. We don’t allow them to evolve and reach new levels because fear of the unknown holds us back. Stepping outside of our comfort zone isn’t always easy — but is often necessary — if we desire growth and change in our lives. Although the journey is different for each of us, there comes a time for everyone where we must step forward with courage, spread our wings, and boldly leap from the ledge of life!! It is time to stop accepting our self-imposed limits, and as the song says in the musical Wicked — ‘it’s time to try defying gravity.’ H
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ooking for a wild new challenge? Want to break out of your daily rut? Ready to finally cross off another “Bucket List” item? Craving adventure, but have limited free time to spare? Trapeze School New York™ (TSNY) located at the Santa Monica Pier might be just for you! Dedicated to making flying trapeze available to any individual looking for a little inspiration or desiring to lose themselves in a few hours of a fantastical daydream, TSNY Los Angeles’ mission “is to create a safe, fun, challenging environment where our students strive to surpass limitations and more richly enjoy their lives.” Founded in December 2001 by Jonathon Conant, Anne Brown, and David Brown, the original Manhattan location of Trapeze School New York™ was made famous aer being featured on an episode of the popular hit show, Sex and the City. e Santa Monica Pier location was featured on an episode of Modern Family, bringing the school even more fame and attention. Conant, Brown, and Brown created the school because they “were inspired by the power of flying trapeze to provide people with a renewed sense of possibility, and forever transform their outlook on life.” TSNY currently has four schools throughout the United States: New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Chicago. Located in sunny Santa Monica, TSNY at the Santa Monica Pier opened in the Spring of 2008. It is a world-class aerial school and performance center with classes in more than five different disciplines. ere are several flying trapeze
CAROL HAYNES
The facility is “committed to working with people of all abilities, shapes and sizes to experience the transformative power of flying trapeze and aerial arts.”
TSNY LOS ANGELES TRAPEZE SCHOOL NEW YORK / LOS ANGELES SANTA MONICA PIER 370 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 394-5800 www.losangeles.trapezeschool.com
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class options for individuals at all levels as well as intensive multisession workshops for more advanced flyers. No matter the level of your athleticism — or the lack thereof — the TSNY Los Angeles program is designed to accommodate individuals from varying degrees of experience. First-timers and beginners are welcome. e school also offers private and group classes in static trapeze and silks. e trapeze arts are not only for aspiring acrobats and circus wannabes. It is an intense workout and a way to discover hidden potential while pushing through fears and shattering limitations. For more detailed information about classes, be sure to check out the “Classes” section on the website. Also check the site for current prices and discounts. You can contact the school to request more information if you don’t see the type of class you are interested in taking. If you are looking for an unconventional group bonding experience, the Santa Monica Pier location also produces corporate events, team-building workshops, and one-ofa-kind parties. e facility is “committed to working with people of all abilities, shapes and sizes to experience the transformative power of flying trapeze and aerial arts.” Certain factors that are taken into consideration before any individual is permitted to ‘fly,’ include: weight, body shape, and grip. Safety is always a priority at TSNY Los Angeles, allowing individuals to fully enjoy this unique opportunity with the confidence that their health and wellness matters to all who are involved. Clearly visible to visitors and passersby of the pier, the open-air school is not only a fun escape for participants, but for onlookers as well. However, every individual must ask himself or herself one important (and necessary) question: Do I want to be an onlooker in life, or a participant? Go ahead, step outside of your comfort zone. You know you want to. It’s time to stop sitting around wondering “What if?” It’s time to give TSNY a chance and have some fun! Take the leap — and defy gravity! Your future self will thank you. ❖
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TEA TIME, SOUTHLAND STYLE BY
JULIE CARLSON
Tranquil Tea Lounge
106 W. Wilshire Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832 (714) 869-3577 www.tranquiltealounge.com
Tranquil Tea Lounge, a great “alternative to a bar or coffee shop,” is owned by siblings Jonathan Munsayac and Michellee Phelps. ey offer more than 95 varieties of specialty and organic loose leaf teas, including dishes, such as “smoky sundried tomato hummus infused with souchong tea served with a warm pita,” or a Margherita sandwich and salad “sprinkled with homemade white tea vinaigrette,” and white chocolate lavender scones. “Take a moment to rejuvenate from the daily stresses of life, socialize with friends and family while supporting a local business,” says Phelps. ey also recommend their calming Matcha Float.
The Tea House on Los Rios 31731 Los Rios St. San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (949) 443-3914 www.theteahouseonlosrios.com
Surround yourself with roses, while sipping on Ceylon black tea infused with vanilla and a hint of grenadine at The Tea House on Los Rios, a quaint 1911 cottage owned by Allan and Claudia Niccola. “From the moment our guests step into e Tea House, they are transported to another time and place – literally,” says Damian Orozco, GM. “We want our guests to have a truly magical experience when they visit us.” Victorian Tea features champagne, greens, soup, assorted finger sandwiches, raspberry scones and dessert. Bring a book for a quiet aernoon or have your wedding here.
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American Tea Room
401 N. Canon Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 271-7922 www.americantearoom.com
e luxury American Tea Room has reopened their Beverly Hills flagship shop. Visitors can drink and shop for tea at this sleek 2,400 square-foot contemporary space. More than 200 of the brand’s rare and premium teas await you. CEO and Tea Master David Barenholtz selects the teas and “travels four times per year to meet with growers around the globe.” Try the Earl Grey blends, foamy matcha, and sweets while shopping for unique tea ware.
Coral Tree Tea House 2490 Heritage Park Row San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 291-5464 www.coraltreeteahouse.com
Set in a picturesque 1887 Victorian mansion, Coral Tree Tea House is owned by Pamela and Blanche Catania. Delight in their Queen’s High Tea or Aernoon Tea. Munch on warm savories, finger sandwiches, chocolate toffee scones, and scrumptious desserts, along with a steaming pot of their specialty black tea blend with chocolate and coconut. Stop by their gi shop showcasing jewelry, hats, and teapots. e Tea House is also haunted by the original proprietaries, the McConaughy family. is is a perfect spot for your book club, bridal shower or séance. H
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Tpumps
524 S. Lake Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101 (510) 398-8499 www.tpumps.com
Started in the San Francisco Bay area in 2011, Tpumps has six locations, including Pasadena. Usually catering to a line out the door, they follow a traditional brewing method, controlled temperature and timing for their loose leaf teas. Customers enjoy mixing them up like Rose Vanilla Jasmine Green Milk Tea - a “saffron ice cream taste.” Grab a hot or cold cup of mango, peach and passion fruit tea to go or purchase to brew at home.
Tea-Upon-Chatsworth
2180 Chatsworth Blvd. San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 858-2848 www.teauponchatsworth.com
“Tea-Upon-Chatsworth is like the country tea rooms throughout the United Kingdom,” says owner Elizabeth Savage. “We cater to couples and families. e rest of the world drinks tea as a social affair for everyone – not just ladies.” Expect a warm and cozy atmosphere, while marveling in their two-hour High Tea service on English Bone China. Not sure which of the 55 different tea varieties to choose? Step up to the Tea Sniffling Wall, before you order a pot. Two tea favorites are their Chatsworth House Blend of Assam, Ceylon and Darjeeling and the “silky, golden flavored” Monkey Picked Oolong. Enjoy alongside a scone, just like Savage’s Irish grandmother used to make.
The Andersen's
1106 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 962-5085 www.andersenssantabarbara.com
For over 40 years, The Andersen’s has been a family-owned Santa Barbara institution. e Danish Bakery and Restaurant serves High Tea daily with “time honored charm and traditions.” Teas offered are a mix of Tazo and Twinnings. Tiers of High Tea includes scones, apple strudel, petite fours, cream pastries along with champagne and farm to flute mimosas. ❖
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A look inside L.A.’s super tough
BY
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY
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Derby Dolls' Junior League, the L.A. Ri-Ettes
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The Varsity Brawlers and the Tough Cookies
Tough Cookies' Kit Kat Go Boom
ince its inception in 2003, the Los Angeles Derby Dolls have become the premiere all female roller derby league in California. Headed up by co-founders Rebecca Ninburg and Wendy Templeton, the all-volunteer organization that’s one of only 14 bank-tracked leagues in the Unites States (two of which are in California), has grown to more than 150 skaters and volunteers. Part sisterhood, part subculture, the Derby Dolls embody the tough-as-nails spirit of the female athletes that first set foot — or skate — onto a treacherous banked track in Chicago back in 1935. Practicing a rigorous six days a week in their 31,000 square-foot command center aptly named the “Dolloseum,” the Derby Dolls are putting the extreme sport back on the map. Los Angeles Derby Doll Amber Greenburg (aka “Oblivienne Westwood”), says, “It’s a contact sport, so it’s definitely physical; we’re also very competitive. Our all-star team has the honor of having been national champions for the last five years at the Battle of the Bank tournament. All of the skaters are incredibly talented; they’re powerful, strong athletic women. It can be fierce competition, which is difficult, because while we compete against one another, we’re all friends. So you’re competing against your best friend but at the end of the day, you’re working toward the common goal of winning.”
“With unstoppable athleticism and humanitarianism, the Derby Dolls continue to be a source of empowerment for all who join their league.” e league is made up of a diverse group of women who make reaching out to underrepresented groups throughout Los Angeles a major priority. “We’re an all-volunteer league and a big part of what we do is to help the community through the programs we offer. We’re a non-profit and we’re in the process of becoming a 5013c. Many of the women who join our league come from a mix of lifestyles, ethnicities and economic backgrounds. Working as a team is the common thread they can connect with,” says Greenburg. As a result of the league’s aggressive outreach, they become like family not only through volunteerism, but pushing themselves in competition and athletic ability. “Our greater L.A. outreach has grown a lot. This year we’re participating in the ninth annual Family Health Fair, with vendors who offer vision, dental and medical services either for free, or at a low cost,” Greenburg says. They also partner with numerous environmental groups, such as the Great Los Angeles River Cleanup and CicLAvia, L.A.’s energy and fuel-saving cycling brigade. The Derby Dolls also offer Derby Por Vida, their opento-the-public fitness program. H
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Amber Greenburg aka Oblivienne Westwood
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It’s through their many philanthropic endeavors that they’re shepherding a brand new generation of girls. “One of the best things about us is that we have Junior Derby Dolls, for girls ages seven through seventeen. ey get to try something they’ve never done, and be a part of an amazing group of women at the same time. e girls can start off coming to practice as little or as much as they want and usually, they practice for about nine months before they skate in public.” ough the costumes of roller derby’s more recent past have been known for being flamboyant, the sport is evolving and many of the clothing now leans toward the athletic, ultimately improving performance. Skater Victoria Yarnish (aka “Vick Dagger”), says, “e games all have differSkater ent themes. We have a glam Victoria squad that does our makeup and Yarnish aka Vick hair for every game. Depending Dagger on the theme, the girls still wear tutus and fishnets, but with the sport growing the way it is, the uniforms now are taking on a more athletic look. You can definitely skate better in athletic gear that allows you to move better. As roller derby becomes more serious, what we wear does too. ere’s still an aspect of theatrics to it, especially with our individual skate names and home team names — the Varsity Brawlers, the Tough Cookies, the Sirens and the Fight Crew.” Greenburg admits her raucous skate persona Oblivienne Westwood is much more in-your-face than her off the track self. “e names are unique to the skater. It’s whatever the girls come up with that reflects their personalities the best.” With unstoppable athleticism and humanitarianism, the Derby Dolls continue to be a source of empowerment for all who join their league. Yarnish says, “ere’s been a lot of talk about having a team for the U.S. Olympics, which is a goal for the global roller derby community. It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world, but there isn’t a lot of awareness about it. It’s in every country; Japan, Australia, not just the United States. With the Derby Dolls and with roller derby overall, we’re a community that support one another in a really profound way; the Olympics could actually happen.” ❖
The Fight Crew and the Tough Cookies
The Varsity Brawlers and the Sirens
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Soulful Cooking with Grammy Award Winner
PATTI
LA BELLE BY
ROBYN FLANS /
PHOTOS BY
COOKING CHANNEL
Host Patti LaBelle and special guest Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, as seen on Cooking Channel’s Patti LaBelle's Place, Season 1.
IT’S NO SURPRISE PATTI LABELLE IS KNOWN AS THE GODMOTHER OF SOUL. EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHES IS SPRINKLED WITH SOUL. H
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“I don’t sing when I cook. I think. I think about tomorrow’s dinner. I think about food. I’m a foodie.”
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well known entity since the early ‘60s as the lead singer of the vocal group Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, which subsequently became LaBelle, the dynamo eventually went solo, recording the popular “You Are My Friend,” among others, and later, in 1986, the No. 1 duet with Michael McDonald, “On My Own.” She added acting to her repertoire with a small film role in “A Soldier’s Story” in the mid ‘80s and continued in the early ‘90s on TV’s “A Different World” and later, “American Horror Story: Freak Show.” While most know her for her music, and probably even her acting roles, it may come as a surprise that the Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter has been cooking up a soulful storm since she was a little girl. Last fall she scored her own six-episode series on the Cooking Channel, Patti LaBelle’s Place. LaBelle began to experiment around 50 years ago with salsas, hot sauce and ketchup in her childhood Philadelphia garage which she describes as a shed. To this day, LaBelle makes special sauces such as her Asian Chicken Marinade, her Hot Flash! Hot Sauce and Sweet Agave Bourbon BBQ Sauce, available on her website. She also has a line of products, Patti’s Good Life, which includes pies, cakes, cobblers and banana pudding, sold at Walmart. Both of LaBelle’s parents were cooks. “I grew up watching them,” she says. “It was before I knew I could sing.” “I never thought about singing until I was in the choir. My mother made me join the choir because I was pretty homely and very shy,” LaBelle admits. “Really, I was pitiful. I joined the choir and I was told then that I had a great voice, that I should be singing lead instead of hiding in the choir.” She was around 16 at the time, and despite the revelation, she kept cooking. She’d still be in the garage and got more and more elaborate, developing recipes, taking her parents’ recipes and making them her own. By the time she got on the road, she’d found a way to cook in her hotel room and even for those who were traveling with her. “I’d find a Whole Foods and find fresh food and I’d cook for the entertainers I toured with like Richard Pryor,” she says. “I cooked for him, Arsenio Hall - I made liver and onions for him. I cooked for the Rolling Stones and Elton John.” Like for many, cooking is therapeutic for LaBelle. “I don’t sing when I cook. I think. I think about tomorrow’s dinner. I think about food. I’m a foodie,” she admits. She likes to eat what she cooks, although she can’t always eat it. Sometimes she has to modify her recipes as she’s a diabetic, so she’ll cook two sets of the same meal. “And if I make something for you and you say you don’t want seconds, I’m insulted,” LaBelle says with a laugh. She asserts that her recipes are very easy. “My friend watched me make a beef stew which was so easy and she couldn’t believe it. You saute the meat for half an hour. en you cook the vegetables so they’re not hard, but al dente,” she says, stressing she doesn’t like her veggies mushy. “And I throw in the fresh tomatoes and it’s 45 minutes.” She makes some dishes in five minutes, some in 10 minutes, and others take 25 minutes. H
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Recipe
JAMMIN’ BLACKBERRY JAM CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING Every Southern cook has a recipe for jam cake somewhere in his or her culinary past. I have a Bundt pan version in another one of my books. But this recipe is for a spicy layer cake that is even more suitable for special occasions. e fruit flavor isn’t very strong, so to play up the berries more, I add fresh ones between the layers and as a garnish. It is topped with a caramel icing that is another oldtime favorite. Makes 12 to 16 servings INGREDIENTS JAM CAKE • Softened butter and flour, for the pans • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature • 1 cup granulated sugar • 3 large eggs, at room temperature • 1 cup blackberry or elderberry preserves (one 12-ounce jar) • 3/4 cup buttermilk • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans • 1/2 cup seedless dark raisins BERRY FILLING • 1/2 ounce (about 2 2/3 cups) fresh blackberries or blueberries • 1/2 cup blackberry or elderberry preserves (see Patti’s Pointers) CARAMEL ICING • 1 cup packed dark or light brown sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
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• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract DIRECTIONS 1. To make the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter the insides of two 9 x 12 round cake pans. Line the bottoms with waxed paper rounds. Dust the sides of the pan with flour. 2. Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and salt together. Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer set on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in the granulated sugar. Continue beating until the mixture is light in color and texture, about 3 minutes. One at a time, beat in the eggs, beating well after each addition. Beat in the preserves. Reduce the mixer speed to low. In thirds, beat in the flour mixture, alternating with two equal additions of buttermilk, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula, and mix just until smooth. Fold in the pecans and raisins. Divide the batter equally among the pans and spread it evenly. 3. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean and they have slightly pulled away from the sides of the pans, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool for 10 minutes. Run a dinner knife around the inside of each pan to release the cakes. Invert and unmold the cakes onto the racks and discard the paper. Using a wide spatula, turn the cakes right side up and cool completely. 4. Place one cake layer, upside down, on a 9-inch cardboard cake round or the removable bottom of a 9-inch tart pan. 5. To make the filling: Reserve about 10 of the best-looking berries for garnish. Gently toss the remaining berries with the preserves in a small bowl. Arrange the coated berries in a single layer on the cake layer. Cover with the second cake layer, top side up. Place the cake on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
6. To make the icing: Do not make the icing until the cake is assembled. Bring the brown sugar, cream, butter, and corn syrup to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking almost constantly. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the mixture cook at a low boil, without stirring, for 2 minutes (use a timer). Remove from the heat. Whisk in the confectioner’s sugar and vanilla and mix until smooth. Place the bowl in a larger bowl of ice water and stir just until the icing cools a bit and thickens slightly but is still pourable, about 30 seconds. 7. Using a rubber spatula, immediately scrape and pour the warm icing over the top of the cake. Using an offset spatula, smooth the icing over the cake top, coaxing the excess icing down the sides and letting it drip randomly. Garnish with the reserved berries. Let the icing set. (The cake can be stored at room temperature, covered with a tall cake dome, for about 8 hours.) Slice the cake with a thin, long knife dipped in hot water between slices, and serve.
Patti’s Pointers: You can use just about any kind of berry preserves for this recipe. Even though the recipe says jam, preserves have a little less sugar and work well. Do not use jelly. Country cooks would make preserves from wild fruit, with blackberries and elderberries topping the list. You can buy elderberry preserves at specialty markets. But be aware that raw elderberries are toxic. Caramel icing is delicious, but tricky. Some people make a double batch and use it to frost the sides of the cake with a wet icing spatula, but you have to work very quickly before it sets up. It really isn’t worth the trouble, and the dripping icing and exposed berry filling looks very cool. The texture of the icing is like pralines—that is, a little firm and sugary, almost a candy. Excerpted from the DESSERTS LABELLE by Patti LaBelle. Copyright © 2017 by Patti LaBelle. Reprinted with permission of Grand Central Life & Style. All rights reserved.
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Recipe CRANBERRY ORANGE SCONES Scones are supposed to be triangular, which is one way to tell them from biscuits. ey are also on the sweet and rich side, as this recipe will show. Dried cranberries pair nicely with the orange, but currants are good, too. Another time, try it with coarsely chopped dried cherries. Makes 6 scones INGREDIENTS • Finely grated zest of 1/2 orange • 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice, divided • 2/3 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried cranberries • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for patting out the dough • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, thinly sliced • 2 teaspoons turbinado (raw) sugar (see Patti’s Pointer), for topping DIRECTIONS 1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. Combine the orange zest, 2 tablespoons of the orange juice, and the heavy cream in a liquid measuring cup. Toss the dried cranberries and remaining 2 tablespoons orange juice in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes.
3. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture is mostly crumbly with some peasized pieces of butter. Add the heavy cream mixture and stir just until moistened. Add the cranberries with their juice and stir until the dough comes together. 4. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Pat the dough into a 7-inch round about 3/4 inch thick. Using a large knife, cut the dough into 6 equal triangles. Arrange the scones on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush very lightly with additional heavy cream and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. 5. Bake until the scones are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.
Patti’s Pointer: If you don’t have the turbinado sugar, just use sanding sugar (the kind for cookies) or even plain granulated sugar for the topping. Excerpted from the DESSERTS LABELLE by Patti LaBelle. Copyright © 2017 by Patti LaBelle. Reprinted with permission of Grand Central Life & Style. All rights reserved.
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One of LaBelle’s favorite and most simple dishes is shrimp fried rice, which she learned to make out of necessity. “When we were in Japan I learned how to make that because it was so expensive to buy food over there,” she explains. She bought a wok and would buy the food to prepare in her room - the shrimp, sprouts and rice - and everyday they would eat that. “I love making kale greens, which I used to hate. And now I love them because I make them Patti’s way,” she says. She sautes them with a turkey leg and she doesn’t drown them with a lot of water. “It’s just the certain way you cook things,” LaBelle says. She loves to cook her macaroni and cheese, make her potato salad and apple pie.
PATTI LABELLE’S PLACE IS SPECIAL BECAUSE OF LABELLE’S OWN BRAND OF PERSONALITY ALONG WITH HER ABILITY TO TAP INTO A WEALTH OF ENTERTAINMENT GUESTS INCLUDING WHOOPI GOLDBERG, GAYLE KING AND RAPPER 50 CENT.
LaBelle says they have a lot of fun on the show and laughs recalling the premiere show with 50 Cent’s clumsiness. On April 25, Desserts LaBelle, her fourth cookbook will be available alongside her others, LaBelle Cuisine, LaBelle Lite Cuisine and Patti LaBelle Recipes for the Good Life! “It’s any dessert you can think of, maybe 200 desserts,” LaBelle says. And in May, a new record, Belle Hommage, will be released. “It’s mostly a jazz album - Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, James Moody, songs that people might not expect from Patti LaBelle,” she says. LaBelle is also touring, and when she’s not, she comes home, hangs out with her puppy and entertains. “I had a great big anksgiving dinner. I had a big Christmas dinner and whenever I want to have a few friends over, I’ll make something and we’ll play 500 gin rummy,” LaBelle says. “I’ll make a pasta with a white sauce - a linguini with lots of garlic, fresh clams, lobster and shrimp and that takes about five minutes to prepare.” When you ask her where she finds the time for everything, she says, “Oh girl, there’s so much time. I can do all of this and more.”❖
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THE 5 BEST SC i n
BY
DUSTIN CLENDENEN
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CENIC DRIVES C a l i f o r n i a
The only thing more famous than SoCal’s endless sunlight is the lush, gorgeous and geographically diverse landscapes it’s shining down on. Southern California has some of the most scenic locales not only in North America, but the entire world. From rolling hills
along the blue ocean coast to winding mountain roads, and even highways snaking through the desert, SoCal has the biggest selection of terrains in the nation, all within a 100-mile radius. Just in time for spring, this issue’s Five Faves is a roundup of the most scenic drives you can take in this blessed region. H
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Pacific Coast HIGHWAY Starting at the far south of our State, the stretch of the Highway 1 or PCH) from San Diego to Los Angeles is a worldrenowned scenic drive that practically defines what it means to live here. Spring is the perfect season to hop in your car and make the 100-mile trek along the winding coast, with the blue waves of the Pacific crashing on the shore beside you as the sea breeze whips through your hair. is is what convertibles were made for!
Pacific Coast Highway (also known as
ough it will take you out of Southern California, if your gas tank will allow, keep going past Los Angeles and as far up the coast as you can. e stretch along the Big Sur coastline will lead you far into California’s legendary Redwood Forest. is part of the jaunt is arguably one of the most breathtaking drives in the country. Don’t be surprised if you lose track of time and make it all the way to Eureka, where PCH merges with the 101.
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2 Angeles Crest HIGHWAY is drive gives a practically birds-eye view of all the breathtaking beauty Los Angeles has to offer. e mountainous northeast region of Los Angeles County, north of Glendale and Burbank in an area called La Canada-Flintridge, the journey starts on Angeles Crest Highway at Foothill Boulevard and goes east, winding up through the Angeles National Forest high country above a body of water known as the L.A. Basin. Towering green trees, ridges and peaks take over the scenery aer ascending above the residential area, and the drive climbs all the way to 7,900 feet at an area called Dawson Saddle. is area is replete with campgrounds, hiking spots and the Mt. Waterman ski resort. Pro-tip: Do not make this drive in the winter if you want to enjoy yourself.
3
Mulholland DRIVE Mulholland Drive is one of the most famous streets in
the world, thanks in no small part to its epic views of Los Angeles, its star-studded list of residents and a certain film by David Lynch. Various lookout points along the road offer unparalleled looks at the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, West Hollywood and all of La La Land to the south. Take the drive during the day for some truly breath-taking views, back at night to experience it through a different sense. e most famous stretch of the drive is between the 101 and 405 freeways, basically taking drivers across the entire east-west axis of Los Angeles. You’ll have a rare chance to look down on e Hollywood Bowl, and if you take the journey from east to west, you’ll have the distinct pleasure of being able to end the drive at e Getty Center, for some world-class food and a scenic experience of a completely different kind. H
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4 Rim of the WORLD SCENIC BYWAY is is another drive to take to experience part of SoCal where we actually have winter. e 107-mile route takes drivers through the wilderness above the L.A. Basin all the way to Big Bear Lake, and begins at the Mormon Rocks Fire Station just north of San Bernardino. To follow this awe-inspiring route, take Highway 138 east to Crestline, where it merges with Highway 18. Keep going east to the west-side dam of Big Bear Lake and follow the highway around the lake to its end at Mill Creek Ranger Station. is is the border of San Bernardino National Forest, which is another gorgeous sight-seeing adventure in its own right, if your gas tank will allow.
5 Palm to PINES is leisurely drive isn’t just meant for you to drive through and take in the sights — it’s best experienced in episodes, pulling over to spend some time at each vista. The Palm to Pines route is the most scenic route out into the desert (specifically Palm Desert), taking revelers down a breathtaking stretch of Highway 74 through several towns along the way, including Idyllwild. ere’s so many places you’re going to want to pull over and have a picnic, make sure you clear your schedule and pack lots of food for the trip. ❖
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SEREN
Sold Exclusively at www.serenapothecary.com An enticing fragrance composed around Os-
manthus blossoms. The wearer will be trans-
ported to a vintage convertible on a country road. Just imagine, worn leather seats and the gentle hum of the engine as warm
summer air envelopes the body. This hypnot-
ic essence introduces refreshing top notes of lemon, hints of gardenia and a kiss of sheer Jasmine. Base notes of tea and bergamot
give Willow an intoxicating warmth. This delicate and fresh scent is uniquely seductive.
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CITY OF IRVINE/MARCIE GONZALEZ (2)
The cultures of the world come alive in Irvine with more than 100 performances during the Global Village Festival in Irvine.
THE
OC'S CULTURAL COM BY
LINDA LANG
VISIT ANAHEIM (2)
Anaheim Brewery, a revived preProhibition brewery with Tasting Room and Beer Garden, features Taco Tuesday.
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Gypsy dancers are among the entertainers at the Irving Global Festival.
MMUNITIES Brodard Chateau is an expression of culture as well as food in Little Saigon, the largest settlement of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam.
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1. Exchanging the red envelope during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year is a way of wishing good luck, health, success, and happiness. 2. Chinatown in Yorba Linda is a popular center for locals as well as tourists. 3. U.S. News includes Cal State University at Fullerton on its list of national universities selected for “Best Ethnic Diversity.” 4. Ginger jam and tea are among the dishes served during the Vietnamese Tet Lunar New Year. 5. The Browers Museum, just 4 miles from Disneyland, houses pre-Columbian Mesoamerican, Native American, Asian, African, and Oceania art. 6. Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish of white rice, sautéed seasoned vegetables, chili pepper paste, soy sauce, fried egg and sliced meat.
e all know Orange County is home to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, the Valencia orange industry and great beaches. It is also the birthplace of world-class surfing and a major international surfing industry that includes Hobie's sailing and surfing equipment; surfing publications, film productions and surf rock music; Fender's electric guitars; Blizzard Entertainment’s video gaming empire; and food innovators such as Carl's Jr., Ruby's and In-NOut Burger. What you may not realize is that Orange County is also home to one of Southern California's most diverse family of ethnic communities that includes European, Middle Eastern, Greek, Asian, Vietnamese, Latino, East Indian, Native American, and Pacific Islander. In neighborhoods throughout the county, you can find truly authentic ethnic foods, shops, and events offering great opportunities to experience the many cultures that make e OC such a special place. Tasty dining is everywhere. For starters, the bustling retail center of Diamond Jamboree in Irvine has 20 eateries where you can sample dishes from Taiwan, Japan, China, Korea, France, Italy and Greece. e OC Food Truck industry is also booming with culinary diversity. You can check it out at the OC Fair & Event Center grounds on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. and ursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and in August at the OC Foodie Fest in Anaheim. Discovering the many ethnic neighborhoods and dozens of festivals is another way you can experience life in e OC.
Year, attracting more than 100,000 visitors who immerse themselves in the customs, traditional foods, entertainment and games during the three-day weekend. e Viet Film Fest in April, the largest Vietnamese film festival in the world, celebrates work by and about the country's people and history on the biggest stage in the industry.
ASIAN CULTURES Garden Grove has the second largest Korean American community aer Los Angeles. Little Seoul on Garden Grove Blvd. is the business and social hub. To experience the colorful traditions and flavors of the culture, visit the Korean American Festival of Orange County in Garden Grove in April. e City of Irvine also designated January 13th as “Korean American Day” and the holds the Annual Irvine Korean Cultural Festival in May. Since the 1890s, the Japanese-American community has played a major role in developing OC's agricultural industry. eir contributions are displayed in the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum in Fullerton, and a visit to Irvine's Tanaka Farms will introduce you to one of the county's last family-owned farms. e OC also began growing a small Chinese community in the 1800s that built a sizeable truck farming industry and operated stores, restaurants and laundries. Today, there are small Chinatowns in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Orange where you can experience the food and ambience as well as during the Bowers Museum's Annual Chinese New Year Festival in February.
LITTLE SAIGON Orange County is home to the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. Little Saigon, which spans the border between Westminster and Garden Grove, is the birthplace of the first Vietnamese newspaper, first Vietnamese-American to hold public office, and the first Tét Festival in the U.S.. Held each January, the festival celebrates the Vietnamese Lunar New
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Huntington Beach offers authentic German food, beer, music and entertainment. 8. Celebrating Oktoberfest for over 55 years, The Phoenix Club also presents Anaheim Karnevalsgesellschaft — a major German Mardi Gras festival. 9. Wiener Dog Races are among the most popular events at Huntington Beach's Oktoberfest at Old World Village. 10. The Global Festival features five stages, plus roaming performers. 11. Irvine Global Village Festival, the city's signature event, celebrates its 16th anniversary on Sept. 23 at Bill Barber Park.
CITY OF IRVINE/MARCIE GONZALEZ
Garden Grove is home to the Arab, Persian, Islamic, and Turkish Anatolian cultures. Irvine, site of one the nation's largest Persian New Year celebrations, is the center of the Iranian-American life. ose
ON THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: 7. Oktoberfest at Old World Village in
VISIT HUNTINGTON BEACH
MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURES
VISIT ANAHEIM
Orange County also has a hearty sampling of many European and Mediterranean cultures. e OC Greek Food Festival and St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church Festival both offer traditional Greek food, music, dancing, vendors, and fun for the entire family. e OC Greekfest in May also features a marketplace of imported artifacts, paintings, clothing, jewelry and a Kidz Zone with carnival rides. Irvine’s annual Taste of Greece Festival in June is a similar event. ScottishFest on Memorial Day Weekend at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa is one of the largest Scottish Games and Gatherings in California. Entertainment features Highland dancing, piping and drumming, professional entertainers along with whisky tastings, Scottish and Irish foods. You can also compete in athletic events such as the caber (pole) toss, throwing the weight and hammer throw. Oktoberfest at the Old World German Village Center in Huntington Beach September 10-October 29 will offer authentic German food, beer, bands from Germany, competitions, games and more as will the Phoenix Club's Oktoberfest in Anaheim that also includes jugglers, parades, hay and pony rides, sausage eating and beer drinking contests.
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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: 12. Limbo, a traditional dance contest from Trinidad can be seen at the Irvine Global Village Festival in Irvine. 13. Spam Musubi is one of the dishes served during the Pacific Islander festivals. 14. The 13th Annual Battle of the Mariachis will be held May 13 at Mission San Juan Capistran. 15. The Irvine Global Festival has more than 40 different restaurants offering everything from tacos to Taiwanese teas to German bratwurst. 16. Disneyland's many annual events include the celebration of the Asian Lunar New Year and Cinco de Mayo. 17. Mural Painting is one of the many kids' activities held during the annual Irvine Global Village Festival. 18. Irvine is the site of the annual Global Village Festival, the county's largest multicultural event. 19.The 2017 Pacific Islander Festival in Huntington Beach celebrates Hawaii, Marshall Islands,Samoa, Tonga, Guam, Papua New Guinea, Maori and Tahiti.
NATIVE AMERICANS To experience the best of Native American culture, check out the Southern California Indian Center Pow Wow held in August at the OC Fair & Expo Center in Costa Mesa. Participating are more than 1,000 dancers from over 300 tribes and nations at the West Coast's biggest pow wow. You'll also find lots of authentic Native American goods including blankets, baskets, pottery and jewelry.
attending the Arab American Festival in Garden Grove in September celebrate with authentic Middle Eastern food, entertainment and merchandise. e Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove is Southern California’s largest Muslim community center. e Persian New Year Festival - Norooz in the spring and Persian Festival of Autumn-Mehregan, both held in Irvine, feature family events including arts, music, poetry, ethnic foods and children's activities. In October, the Anatolian Cultures & Food Festival in Costa Mesa showcases civilizations of the Turkish region dating back to the Trojans, Romans and Ottomans.
PACIFIC ISLANDERS e introduction of surfing at Huntington Beach in 1907 began a nationwide love affair with everything Hawaii and other Pacific islands have to offer. In addition to popular spots
LATINOS OC's Latino Culture dates back centuries to when the land
was under Spanish and then Mexican rule. Its heritage is evident with names including Yorba, Pico, Avila, Rios and Sepulveda representing some of the county's oldest families. Celebrations include the Rancho Days Fiesta in May which commemorates the county's Mexican Ranchos and Native American tribes and Mariachi Festival in June at San Juan Capistrano. During September are Mexican Independence Day, New World Flamenco Festival in Irvine, and OC Film Fiesta in Santa Ana.
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like Duke's and Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach and e Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach, there's the Irvine Barclay eatre which regularly features Hawaiian performers. In September, Huntington Beach also hosts the Pacific Islander Festival where you can experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Polynesia, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and other island nations.
FROM MANY COME ONE e ethnic communities all come together for the Orange Street Fair on Labor Day weekend in Old Town Orange. Here you'll find 15 ethnic streets with 42 food and alcohol booths run by local non-profits who receive all the proceeds. ere are handmade arts and cras featuring the works of local artists, eight stages of ethnic bands, street of cras and games for kids, booths showcasing the non-profits and local businesses. September 23 marks the 16th anniversary of the Irvine Global Village Festival, the county's largest multicultural festival featuring more than 50 societies with 100 performances on five stages featuring everything from African Drums and German Oompa to hula dancers and stilt walkers to kung fu, taekwondo, and karate and energy bagua. ere are also foods and vendors from every culture, interactive demonstrations, a kids' village and much more. For a complete list of Orange County festivals, go to www.orange county.net/html/fests.html. ❖
Be sure to celebrate the 80th running of the
Santa Anita Handicap in the
Chandelier Room’s Big Cap Day Extravaganza March 11 • 12 - 4 pm Santa Anita Park 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA For more information visit www.santaanita.com/events WWW.SO CALL IFEMAG.CO M
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For $10 off your Chandelier Room package use promo code SOCAL17
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THE CARAVAN T h e S i l v e r B u l l e t E x p r e s s t o Yo u r BY
JENNI KEAST
MATT ALBERTS
Midnight at the Oasis Airstreams gleam in the night under artdeco-ish lights.
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OUTPOST
“AIRSTREAM HOTEL”
Next Ojai Adventure Who doesn’t love an Airstream trailer? Not many. And over the last 85 years, there have been plenty of them to love. With fondly bestowed nicknames like Silver
Bullet, Silver Burrito, Silver Twinkie and Toaster-on-Wheels, the iconic silver streamlined Airstream trailer has always cut a distinct figure on America’s highways as it conveys its proud owners — in futuristic style — from one adventure to another. H
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ut in Southern California’s charming town of Ojai, a small cache of Airstream trailers with quirky names like “Diego” or “Yeti” and, with a nod to Hollywood, “La-La,” are content to be “homebodies” — cheerfully accommodating a revolving door of urban escapees and other travelers looking for an altogether different kind of travel experience. Enter the Caravan Outpost Adventure Hotel — an adventure in and of itself. is is not your grandma’s RV park, but it’s also not your posh, but impersonal, hotel. At Outpost, you’ll encounter something altogether different — a level of “handcraed hoteling” built around community. From the moment you check in to this eclectic-themed Airstream caravan park, you’ll be welcomed in a chill, small-townCalifornia friendly way. As you stand in Outpost’s unique JamesDean-meets-Western-chic-meets-60s-rock “hotel” lobby (or melt into their oversized cracked-leather couch), the sounds of Nat King Cole, African folk music, and David Bowie will likely pop up as part of a “Best Of” shuffle. Aer a laid-back check-in, you’ll then be escorted to one of eleven Airstream hotels — your very own cozy “Silver Burrito,” nicely situated in a semicircle alongside its Airstream cousins. Privacy conscious? No worries: each space has just the right amount of foliage and private patio area to maintain healthy boundaries with neighbors. en it’s time to step inside your personalized caravan, where you’ll immediately feel at home. Granted, the 21- to 32-foot Airstream may be considerably smaller than your “real” home, but it’s cozy, comfortable and oh-so-stylin’ in a groovy kind of way. It’s not just the caravan itself that will wow you — it’s also the surroundings. Framed by towering palm trees and lush vegetation, the grounds are not so much a campground as an artsy botanical garden dotted with tin sheds, a brightly painted vintage water tower, and a huge wood outdoor dining table just begging for your next family reunion. Nighttime emphasizes the underlying Miami “art deco glam” look with blue-and-pinkish LED lights strung through the camp. No tacky, bland RV park experience here; as befitting its millennial-friendly rebranded name, “Caravan Outpost,” this is true “early Airstream” — with an Ojai-style faceli. Here in this haven for artists and outdoor adventure lovers, Caravan Outpost invokes a “No Room and Bored” policy. Feel free to leave your cell phone and your laptop with “Diego” or “La-La,” as you’re about to closely interact with real people (what a concept!). To help facilitate this communal experience, Outpost hosts a nightly campfire cookout where you can sit around a fire pit, cook your own food on cast-iron skillets (if you so choose), roast s’mores, and enjoy a glass of wine or beer (BYOB), all while sharing stories and laughs with fellow guests. Aer a few nights at Outpost, William Butler Yeats’s adage becomes delightfully true: “ere are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met.” In the daytime, numerous outdoor activities abound, many of which Outpost will help facilitate, such as hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing and surfing. Biking on any one of the easily accessible bike paths is always encouraged, made all the more easy through the free use of Outpost’s retro-style PUBLIC brand bikes. Don’t be sur-
prised if you find yourself inviting one of your “new best friends” you made around the campfire to join you in your morning bike ride — perhaps followed by a visit to nearby Bart’s Books, “e World’s Largest Outdoor Bookstore.” In addition to all those activities, there are also popular events like Outpost’s “Tone and Tonic” aernoons that combine a yoga class followed by a pop-up wet bar, food and music, and their yummy “Chili con Caravan” nights that just beg for a cold beer to help wash it all down. And music is always on the menu. Be it a live concert or the continual sounds of jazz, blues, folk or fiies rock waing through the campground, Caravan Outpost is all about the music, the arts and the Great Outdoors — helping you enjoy one of the most unique “adventure hotel” experiences in one of the prettiest areas in all of Southern California. ❖
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805.836.4891
MATT ALBERTS (4)
www.caravanoutpost.com
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“In the daytime, numerous outdoor activities abound, many of which Outpost will help facilitate...”
to the skies … without reaching for your wallet. Low-cost yoga classes for all at Caravan Outpost. 2. Getting an early start on dinner before friends arrive. 3. Going PUBLIC - Retro-style bikes are eager to take you for a ride. 4. In Ojai, books and bodily exercise go hand-in-hand. After a day of outdoor fun, head on over to Bart’s books — “world's largest independently owned and operated bookstore.” 5. The table is set - ready for your next family reunion, wedding party … or other big happy event! 6. Diego never looked so good. Or La-La … or Claire … or Mali Mish … or … each Airstream is as unique as their names.
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JENNI KEAST
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: 1. Reach
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AMUSEMENT
LOS ANGELES AND SURROUNDING AREAS
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If you are on the Santa Monica Pier you will not want to pass up the PLAYLAND ARCADE with its old timey pier fun including the old favorite skeeball. Located right on the beach. It is unique in every way.
ROUND ONE has it all – bowling, billiards,
karaoke, carts, ping pong and arcade games. Extreme overload for an entire day of major fun, with shooting games like Starwars Battle Pod, Jurassic Park and Transformer. ey have racing games including Mario Kart DX, Batman and Show Down and Arcade cabinets/sports games like Pac Mac Man Battle DX, Pac-Man Smash and Super Street Fighters and so much more. Many Southern California locations: Main Place Mall:
2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana
350 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
Lakewood Center Mall:
401 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood
www.playlandarcadesmpier.com
Moreno Valley Mall:
22500 Town Circle, Moreno Valley Puente Hills Mall:
1600 S. Azusa Ave., City of Industry www.round1usa.com
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Around for more than 40 years, FAMILY ARCADE is a mix of up-to-date equipment and nostalgia immersed in a cool back in time neon setting. Pinball, fighters, air hockey, dance, pool, basketball with prize redemption games has made this venue a popular choice.
876 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles www.familyamusement.com/family_arcade.php
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NEON RETRO ARCADE offers more than 50 classic ‘80s and ‘90s favorite games of yore with a few new ones thrown in, just because. Go back in time with such classics as Donkey Kong and Pac-Man and be a pinball wizard if you wish.
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28 South Raymond Ave., Pasadena www.neonretroarcade.com
6 ere is an actual MUSEUM OF PINBALL with more than 1,100 vintage and modern pinball machines and arcade games. In January, 2016 they held Southern California’s largest arcade expo ever with their next Expo on March 17-19, 2017.
700 South Hathaway, Banning www.museumofpinball.org
7 A completely new “arcade” experience touted as the wave of the future is reality based offered at MAZE ROOMS where you travel through rooms, solve puzzles, find clues and use tips to advance. You collect keys and open the door to victory. You are the person in the game.
19347 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana 132 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles 1147 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles 1182 S, La Brea, Los Angeles 14429 Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles 3535 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Los Angeles 4365 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 1328 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles www.la.mazerooms.com
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BOWLMOR has multiple Southern
California locations as well and they have way more than just bowling. ere’s billiards, laser tag, and bocce, as well as a full arcade packed with the latest and greatest interactive video games. Not only those, but air hockey and skeeball, too!
3545 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena 2405 Park Ave., Tustin 234 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica www.bowlmor.com
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Whoa! ere are more than 120 games at NICKEL! NICKEL! Why is it called that? Because the classic game coin operated games cost 5 cents. ere are other games like simulators and videos that average from one to six nickels and redemption games, and this venue touts the largest redemption counter in Orange County.
12827 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove www.nickelnickelhb.com
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Only open select weekends, the very unique 2084 ARCADE is a private collection of what
they call the “Golden Age of Arcade Video Games,” representing the era of the greatest popularity and technological innovation for arcade video games. ey consider the beginning at the release of Space Invaders in 1978 and the end in the mid 1980’s. Some of the games at their facility include Asteroids, Baby Pac-Man, Battlezone, Centipede, Crazy Kong, Donkey Kong, Dragons Lair, Frogger, Mario Bros, Pac-Man, Paperboy, Space Invaders Deluxe, Star Trek (SOS), Star Wars, Stargate, and Super Mario Bros.
520 S. Claudina St., Anaheim www.2084arcade.com
PALM SPRINGS DAVE & BUSTERS is a popular chain that has restaurant/arcades all over
Southern California with special games only available to the chain like MarioKart Arcade GP DX. ey have simulator experiences, billiards, bowling and everything you can think of.
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles 661 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine 6081 Center Dr., Los Angeles 4821 Mills Circle, Ontario 2931 Camino del Rio North, San Diego 2501 El Camino Real, Carlsbad www.daveandbusters.com
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VIRTUAL PLAY ZONE is all
about virtual reality with full immersion virtual reality and 3D gaming experiences. e introductory access pass gives you access to enjoy the VR headsets with tons of games, virtual moves or play on the PlayStation 4s VR or Xbox stations.
1699 Main St., San Diego www.virtualplayzone.com
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It’s as unique as it comes – in a truck! GAMEZ IN MOTION brings a video game party to you for a group of 20. It includes five 50” flat panel TV’s, one Xbox, a Playstation 4, four Xbox Elite consoles (1) equipped with Kinect, Wii U console with tablet and controllers, four regular Wii consoles with 16 controllers and nunchuks/multiple racing wheels, Playstation 3 consoles (1) equipped with Move! plus games. www.gamezinmotion.com. ❖
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12 Month Pr int Pl us Di g i t al S u bsc r i p ti on (6 i ssu es ) $ 19 . 99
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THE BRIDG
A B r i d g e To o F a r, a B r i d g e t o N o w h e r e
JENNI KEAST
COURTESY OF PASADENA HERITAGE
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GES OF SOCAL a n d a B r i d g e “ T h e B a r d ” Wo u l d L o v e
Most people love bridges, though they can’t always tell you why. Perhaps it has something to do with the euphoric feeling of “lift off” — however tame the ascent or short the ride. Sir Isaac Newton championed building more of them, saying, “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” Less philosophically, bridges are just fascinating to behold. Be they suspension or cantilevers, arches or cabled, trusses or trestles, we love our bridges! Here are just
a few of SoCal’s more dramatic and interesting bridges — spanning from San Diego to Santa Barbara counties. H
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COURTESY JOANNE DIBONA SANDIEGO.ORG
Coronado Bridge
w As bridges go, this pure steel and concrete bridge is just a youngin’. The bridge, which connects San Diego to Coronado, opened to traffic in 1969. Though it put ferry A mid-century marvel and a thrill to drive. drivers out of a job, it gave the San Diego landscape a stunning visual. Spanning 2.1 miles in length, this 20,000-tons-of-fun bridge has just the right angles and curves to make you feel a little like a daredevil on your drive from San Diego to the artsy, beachy-chill destination of Coronado.
Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge
w Getting there is half the fun. Though in this case, you’d have to define “fun.” This bridge is off the beaten path — smack dab in the middle of the expansive Anza Borrego Desert State Park. But if you have the stamina, the sunscreen and the sustenance to make this 16-mile trek to the trestle and back — through seven tunnels — you’ll be rewarded by a stunning sight of the world’s longest freestanding trestle bridge. Built in 1919, this redwood-beamed structure is 600 feet long and more than 180 feet high. And yes, per its namesake, it has goats nearby — bounding over boulders, stopping only long enough to bleat out “goat cheese” as you snap a photo. Oh, and there’s no cellphone service. Welcome to un-civilization. Worth the hike! Eight miles through seven tunnels to view the world’s longest freestanding bridge.
Santa Barbara County Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge
COURTESY OF VISIT SANTA BARBARA
w No trip to snazzy Santa Barbara would be complete without a visit to the nearby Cold Springs Canyon Bridge. Built in 1963, this fine example of civil engineering holds the distinction of being the largest steel-boxed, beamed-arch bridge in California. You'll get vertigo glancing over its 400-foot-high drop as you drive its 1,148-foot span — not to mention you’ll get teary-eyed gazing at the spectacular panoramic view of the Santa Ynez Valley. After your visit, be sure to stop by the popular 152-year-old Cold Spring Tavern. It’s rustic and kitschy with yummy down-home culinary faire that makes Yelpers yelp with glee. Two good reasons to take a drive up or down the coast and make the most of a gorgeous SoCal weekend. The largest steel-boxed bridge in California offers a spectacular view.
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The Shakespeare Bridge
w O bridge, O bridge, where art thou? In Los Angeles’ trendy Los Feliz neighborhood, to be exact. Compared to its stately cousin, the Colorado, in nearby Pasadena, this 91-year-old designated city landmark may be short in stature (30 feet wide by 260 feet long), but its Gothic architecture — replete with turrets and towers — makes it long on charm. Shakespeare would approve.
He doth not protest: A bridge “The Bard” would love.
Colorado Bridge
w Quaint and artsy Pasadena, where monied, blue-blooded Easterners once “summered” more than 100 years ago, is a historic-architecture-lovers’ delight. The stately Colorado Bridge is one of the finest examples of the American Beaux-Arts style (1880-1920). Completed in 1913, the 1,467½-foot bridge with its 11 towering spans is both a Historical Engineering Landmark as well as being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every other summer, the Pasadena Heritage hosts a huge block party on the bridge, complete with food, dancing and vintage cars. Beautiful, stately and befitting its Historical Landmark designation.
The Bridge to Nowhere
w Feel like you’re going nowhere fast? For a change of pace,
try going nowhere … slow. That would be the five- to sixhour, boulder-hopping hike to the unique concrete arch bridge aptly called the Bridge to Nowhere. Located north of Azusa in the San Gabriel Mountains, the bridge was built in 1936 to provide a passage to the mountain town of Wrightwood — until massive flooding derailed the project. The trade-off to this long, arduous hike to the bridge is no houses, power lines or noisy traffic — just the soothing sound of running water and swimming holes. If you go on a weekend, bungee outfitters are there to help you get somewhere fast by jumping off the bridge into the canyon below. ❖
Boulder-hop your way to this unique concrete arch bridge that ends at a mountain wall.
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MARCH/ APRIL
PASADENA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL March 16
BY JANINE GO LDBER G
pasadenafilmfestival.org
t The Festival is held throughout downtown Pasadena. Films will screen at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 and panels and presentations will take place at Vroman’s Bookstore and Lineage Performing Arts Center will serve as a nightly filmmakers lounge. This year’s theme is the Jazz Age.
POP ART DESIGN EXHIBITION IN ORANGE COUNTY Through April 2 ocma.net
t This is the first comprehensive exhibition examining the inspirations and cross-references between art and design that continue to shape our society today. The exhibition features approximately 50 works of art and 80 design objects from international museums.
week combined ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and WTA Premier professional tennis tournament in the world. It features the top men and women professionals and offers more than $10 million in prize money with each of the Champions earning a $1 million prize purse.
THE 37TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL March 11 stpatsparade.org
delicious food, wine and beer and presents the nation’s foremost contemporary artists.
LA QUINTA ARTS FESTIVAL March 2-5 lqaf.com t
This event raises funds for the Foundation’s nonprofit mission of promoting and cultivating the arts. This award-winning event features live entertainment,
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL March 4-5, 11-12 descansogardens.org t
The festival features two weekends of live music, origami, good food and beautiful blooms throughout the garden. Activities are free with admission unless otherwise noted. The flowering trees sell out early.
626 GOLDENSTREETS March 5 626goldenstreets.com
t #626GoldenStreets is a free, family-friendly event with open streets to walk, run, skate, bike, ride and explore the 626. There will be 17+ miles of open streets linking 6 Gold Line Stations and 7 San Gabriel Valley cities.
BNP PARIBAS OPEN March 6-19 bnpparibasopen.com t
This is the largest two-
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t This year’s parade will celebrate Women of the World. There will be live entertainment on two Stages and guests can enjoy Irish food and shop for all things Irish as well as visit a variey of craft vendors. Kids can enjoy rides, games, live music and dancing.
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL ORCHID SHOW March 17-19 sborchidshow.com
t Thousands of blooms in every imaginable shape, color, pattern and texture, will be showcased at one of the country’s largest and oldest celebrations of orchids. “Orchids Mystique,” pays homage to a family of
flowering plants that boast more than 25,000 species, among which beauty is ubiquitous and uniqueness is commonplace.
TRADITIONAL MISSION LIFE DAY IN LOMPOC March 18 explorelompoc.com
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Experience early mission life back in the 1820s with costumed docents. Tour the grounds and see demonstrations on tortilla making, candle making, bread baking, spinning and weaving, carpentry, pottery and blacksmithing.
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA’S GALA March 25 laco.org
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Bask in the glamour of all things Angeleno at All in LA. The Gala honors music director Jeffrey Kahane and former executive director Ruth Eliel. All in LA features a concert program of
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EASTER EGG HUNT IN HUNTINGTON BEACH March 26 huntingtonbeachevents.com
t The annual Easter Egg Hunt Held begins with a pancake breakfast and the Family Fun Day has a candy hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, game booths, displays, a live band, and classes.
LACO’s world-class musicians and special guests, fabulous California cuisine and live and silent auctions.
GIRLS IN THE GARAGE: ALL GIRL CAR SHOW & VINTAGE FASHION EXCHANGE March 25 automobiledrivingmuseum.org
t Calling all girls in the garage to come down to the ADM for an All-Girls Car show and Vintage Fashion Exchange. Any collector car, truck or motorcycle, any year/any condition is welcome. Vendor merchandise will include vintage clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories. Make-up artists and hair stylists will be on-site as well.
FINDING NEVERLAND IN ORANGE COUNTY March 21 – April 2 scfta.org t
Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful
widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever.
DOLE GREAT RACE AGOURA HILLS April 1 greatrace.run
t The Great Race has everything – music, food, inflatables, giveaways and more. The event has been voted the best “Post Race Party” for years. The race (1 mile, 5K and 10K) serves the local
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community, donating funds to Agoura Hills and Oak Park elementary schools’ and high schools’ athletic programs.
CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY BALL April 1 catalinaconservancy.org
t The Ball supports conservation, education and recreation programs on Catalina Island. Guests will enjoy the silent auction, dinner and dancing. This year’s theme is Taking Flight.
LA JOLLA CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE April 7-9 lajollaconcours.com
t The event features various types of fine automobile
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SANTA CLARITA COWBOY FESTIVAL April 19-23 cowboyfestival.org
FALLBROOK AVOCADO FESTIVAL
t This year’s Cowboy Festival will feature performances by more than 35 show-stopping acts, as well as trick ropers, gun spinners, living history exhibits and delicious cowboy cuisine. Nearly a week of events will lead up to the main two-day Cowboy Festival.
April 23 fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
t Since the 1960s, tens of thousands of avocado lovers converge in Fallbrook to sample avocados, check-out the crazy cooking contest entries, buy funky avocado-themed gifts and enjoy bands, live entertainment and friendly beer gardens.
EASTER CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH IN SAN DIEGO April 16 sandiego.org
t Celebrate Easter Sunday on board a Hornblower yacht. Enjoy ever-changing Bay views, free flowing champagne, a lavish brunch buffet, and award winning service. You can even have your family picture taken with the Easter Bunny.
gems. Past years have showcased horseless carriages, Italian marques, British marques, Woodies, 50’s classics, and American sports cars (with a salute to GM on their 100th anniversary). This year, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance will be Celebrating French Curves.
47TH ANNUAL CHICANO PARK DAY April 22 chicano-park.com
t
TOYOTA GRAND PRIX April 7-9 gplb.com t
This is a weekend filled with on and off-track activities for the entire family. The race itself takes place on the streets through downtown Long Beach and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone satisfied.
LOMPOC SPRING FESTIVAL April 21-23 SPRING FLING AT LOS ANGELES ZOO April 14-16 lazoo.org
t The annual Big Bunny Spring Fling has activities for youngsters including the opportunity to pet a bunny rabbit, face painting, crafts, photos with “Big Bunny” and children’s musical entertainment. All activities are free with paid Zoo admission (except “Big Bunny” photos, which are available for a nominal fee.
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explorelompoc.com
t The Festival is a weekend celebration, featuring live musical entertainment, a variety of exhibitors, food booths, carnival rides and games, a car show, a motorcycle show, and a BBQ Shoot Out.
The 47th annual celebration is a free family event that is open to the public. This year’s theme is Ramon Chunky Sanchez: El Corazon Del Pueblo. Visitors will experience traditional music and dance, including one of the most beautiful performances of Aztec Indigenous dance. The event will include performances by ballet folklórico live bands, a lowrider car show, and children’s arts workshops. Food, arts and crafts vendors will be available. ❖
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RESTAURANT RAVES
Nerano
UNION
O+O
*****
*****
*****
9960 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90212 www.NeranoBH.com
37 E. Union St. Pasadena, CA 91103 www.UnionPasadena.com
1705 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90401 www.OOSantaMonica.com
nerano is inspired by the beauty of the amalfi coast where the temperate climate influences the coastal cuisine, and the italian culture is welcoming to every guest. that virtuoso team of culinary and creative professionals fulfills a vision of a stunning contemporary space matched with exquisite dishes and hospitality reminiscent of the village of nerano. signatures include crudo di ricciola of Pacific Yellowtail tuna, tartufata Pizza, Pasta alla nerano & salmone neozelandese.
located in Pasadena, union plates the classic flavors of northern italy coupled with the bountiful seasonal produce and intrepid culinary attitude of california. driven by local markets, chef/owner Bruce kalman’s ingredient-driven Mediterranean fare puts forth rustic, elegant dishes culminating sustainable kitchen practices and an abundance of housemade components to deliver a personal and engaging meal. owner Marie Petulla oversees the business growth and development at the restaurant, creating a warm and intimate experience for each guest.
o+o brings modern sicilian cuisine with california flair to santa Monica. located at the corner of ocean ave. and olympic dr. near the santa Monica Pier, the menu features sicilian inspired dishes including pizzas, meatballs, salads, meats and fish made with local ingredients and is complemented by a full bar and wine list. the restaurant boasts a casual neighborhood vibe with a nighttime scene, happy hour and outdoor patio.
Lemonade
Obicà Mozzarella Bar, Pizza e Cucina
AR Cucina
*****
9531 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 www.ARCucina.com
*****
www.LemonadeLA.com
the acclaimed california fast casual restaurant is known for its fresh vegetable-based fare and has multiple locations throughout southern california. anchored by its fresh array of Marketplace salads, the cafeteriastyle setting invites guests to ‘eat colorfully’ by grabbing a tray and choosing from an array of hot and cold seasonal dishes that are designed to mix-and-match. sandwiches toasted to order, comforting mac n cheese, decadent desserts, and fresh lemonades are also on the menu. catering, online ordering, and take out available.
606 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 www.Obica.com
obicà Mozzarella Bar is a casual and contemporary italian restaurant that proposes a genuine italian dining experience centered on the freshest Mozzarella di Bufala campana doP. at 3pm, happy hour starts with special cocktails and the antipasto obica! at 7pm, dinner with a mouthwatering mozzarella, a pasta delicacy and a glass of italian rose’.
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*****
ar cucina offers rustic dishes drawn from akasha richmond’s nine-year cooking relationship with her first husband and his mother – both from a small village in sardinia – and her extended travel throughout italy’s many regions. the menus change with the seasons, highlighting local california ingredients and using domestic and imported artisan ingredients that are carefully and lovingly sourced. Many components of the dishes – mostarda, pickled produce and red onion jam – are created in-house.
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SOOO CAL
IT’S BY
SCOTT HARRIS
RAINING!
This morning I took a long, hot shower. I didn't do it to sweat out a cold or even to soothe sore muscles after a hard workout (which I guess would have first required a long workout). Why did I take such a luxurious shower? Because it felt good letting gallons of hot water pour over my body. Long after the "shower water collection bucket" was full and certainly well past the point where cleanliness was a motivating factor, I simply enjoyed hot water cascading over me for minutes on end. I threw conservation and guilt aside and just enjoyed. And for this, I offer no apology. Two years ago this month, I wrote in this column about the drought and the impact it was having on my, and perhaps all of our, lives. My wife and I tore out all of our grass, put in artificial turf and drought-resistant plants, took shorter showers, recycled gray water, and took a variety of other water-saving steps. But after a long dry spell (literally and figuratively), we've had some rain. Right here in Southern California. Beautiful, soothing, cleansing and very much needed rain. Break out the umbrellas, turn on the windshield wipers, run from your car to the house kind of rain. Clear the skies and trees, flush out the gutters, clog the drains kind of rain. Not as much as we need and certainly not enough to end the drought in Southern California — but, dang it,
enough so that a man can take a good shower. Now, we all have to continue to do our part, and it seems almost certain that the days of plentiful, cheap water in SoCal are gone forever. Saturdays spent washing the car with the hose running, huge grass-covered front lawns and kids having summer water fights with multiple hoses going full blast are probably all in our past — this generation’s version of drive-in theaters and dial-up internet. And maybe for good reason. We live in a desert, and much of the green we’ve grown up with has been a bit of an illusion. We’ve had a five-year drought, the driest five years on record in Southern California, and while we have had some rain (thankfully!) this season, we are nowhere near ending the drought. And so I applaud the conservation efforts that we in SoCal have embraced. I’ll adjust to seeing cactus instead of grass on so many front lawns, and I’ll carry buckets of gray water outside to water the fruit trees and roses. But, in the same way that someone on a strict diet needs an occasional piece of cheesecake or the most diligent of savers needs to go blow a few bucks on something frivolous and fun, every once in a while, I’m going to turn the water on full blast, make sure it’s very hot and settle in for a long, pleasant and, yes, even selfish, shower. ❖
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MY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
JEREMY ZEMA
TRAILS AT REAGAN LIBRARY, SIMI VALLEY
I was raised in Oak Park and now reside in Simi Valley. I am a senior at Oak Park High School taking advanced graphic design and photography classes. I found my way to church through a friend and now attend three times a week, sing in the high school choir and assist the youth groups. Photography has caught my interest and has
become my passion. I can’t wait to see where it takes me. E-mail: Jwzema@gmail.com | Instagram: Zemaphotography While people around the world may only associate Southern California with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood or the laid back attitude of sunny San Diego, SoCal has so much more to offer. Just outside of its celebrated urban centers, it is a rugged place, a place of extremes, with hot red rock deserts, cold-water pacific islands with wild kelp beds, and snow capped mountain peaks. At least, that’s how I see Southern California. How do you see it? We want to know! We at Southern California Life magazine are devoted to showing you all that it has to offer. We’ll close each issue showcasing the beauty of our region, with its landscapes, and landmarks. And we want you, our readers, to participate. For a chance to be published on our “My Southern California” photo page, follow us on Instagram (@socallifemag) and use these hashtags in your favorite photos of the landscapes, landmarks, and lifestyles that you think define our home:
#ThisIsMySoCal #SoCalLifeMagContest WWW.S O CA LL I FE MAG .CO M
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FIND YOUR FREEDOM LOCAL FLAVOR.
Breathtaking only begins to define the experience at this intimate, Bahamian island paradise. From the understated elegance of our award-winning Freedom restaurant For more information about The Cove, contact your Smartflyer and sushi bar. Newport@Smartflyer.com To the casually chic ambiance of the Gregory Town Grill and Travel Advisor, The Point Bar. The Cove invites you to indulge in three exquisite dining thecoveeleuthera.com venues. All in one mesmerizing location.
800.704.7682
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HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s17) The Walking Dead © 2017 AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserved. ©2017 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. 16-ADV-20409