Driven World January 2013 Issue

D RIVENWORLD

Jan 2013

After all...it’s a driven world!

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Contents ISSUE 36, January 2013 EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dustin Troyan

ART DIRECTOR

Connected Media Group LLC

COPY EDITORS Melena Gergen Heather Jederlinich Kathleen Troyan

Page 14

DESIGN

Connected Media Group

WEB DESIGN

Jeff Balbien

STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Jay Parille Jeffrey Brynan Tommy Mansuwan Danah Palmer

PHOTOGRAPHY Randall Cordero Greg Grudt Gabriel Sarkisian Jay Parille

Advertising/Marketing: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

818-516-5053 www.drivenworld.com www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com Page 24

Driven World Magazine is published twelve times per year by Connected Media Group LLC. It is distributed at upscale locations and events all over California. It is also available online and distributed electronically to high-net-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large.

All rights reserved. Driven World and Supercar Sunday are registered trademarks of Connected Media Group LLC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other materials or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. Driven World Magazine and Connected Media Group LLC, do not take responsibility for the claims provided herein.

Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein.

Connected Media Group LLC does not assume liability for any products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or editorial information.

On the Cover: The Aventador Photo: Randall Cordero Studios Page 6

2013

Happy New Year! I hope this past year was a success and that the new year brings you the best. The new year…how time flies! It seems like yesterday I was sitting at the same desk, typing on the same keyboard, wishing you the same. I suppose that is the cycle.

So what are you to do with another 365 days?

A year from now, will I be sitting here typing a similar message to you? Who knows? Probably. I guess it is just par for the course. How anti-climatic.

So what will I be writing a year from now?

Something intended to inspire not only myself but you?

Perhaps I’ll write about some moment in time that has me feeling sentimental or something that one of our car community friends has done. What does it matter?

It does matter. Every single day, every single moment matters. Those little minutes, those little seconds, they do mean something and they definitely add up. What do they add up to? I suppose it is a legacy—your legacy.

When you think of a legacy, you think of the Carnegies and the Rothschilds. You think of a great artist or an inventor and the legacy they leave. Perhaps you think of a concert hall with someone’s name on it or a library, a street, a hospital, or a scholarship fund. I think that society, or maybe the media, believes only wealthy people can leave a legacy. Like a celebrity, someone with a ton of money and a publicist. It always seems like it has to be some big shot. Or if you turn on the History Channel, it is always someone famous, someone visible, who leaves a legacy.

Well here is what I think…all those little seconds slipping by, each of those seconds is a chance for us

from the editor to build the foundations for our own legacies. I ask you: what do you want to be remembered for? Even if nobody remembers you, what would you want to remember?

That can be your legacy. Second by second, moment by moment, we each have a chance to carve out our own legacy. Every day we can do something to push ourselves to become who we want to be. And, if nobody knows or notices, we will know and notice ourselves. Our own legacy on our terms, because we can, because it is right, because it is our destiny.

The best and only reason to do something is because you want to—not because people are watching or you may get a pat on the back. Do it because you can, because you are alive, and because it is your duty.

I do believe that there is more to life than stuff. Yes, of course, I want it all. I want more than all and I want it on my terms. I do what I do and fight for it with the belief that the road I am on will take me where I want to go. But I also know that it is those precious little seconds slipping by that will get me there.

Who do you want to be? You know, nobody in school ever asked me that. They asked: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But the question should be: “Who do you want to be?” Well, I would like to be someone with a legacy—a legacy that I have defined, that makes sense to me, and that is all that it needs to be. Sure I could be a doctor or a lawyer or a cop or a mechanic but that would not be who I am, it would be what I did for a living. I believe that is not enough. I believe we need to do more. Why? Because we can, because we should, because we should illustrate to others what is right. Now,

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more so than ever before.

Driven World—I like that name. What is driving you? Are you even driving? Who is commanding your ship? Who picked the route? Where are you going?

When you are 100-years-old, will you have done what you meant to have done? Will you have gone further than you expected? Did you know you could go further? Did someone help you? Did you pass it on and help somebody else? What is your legacy?

I believe you matter. Each and everyone one of us matters. I believe we each have the power to make things better, to inspire, to achieve. I am sure that if you read these little notes in every issue, you may have gathered that. It is something that I believe is of paramount importance. I suppose the whole car culture is about pushing more than the norm—not being “stock,” customizing to add your own flavor or idea. Well, your life is no different. So I ask again, what is your legacy? You can have a legacy starting today. With this second, this moment, think about it. Who do you want to be? I beg of you, take your first step in creating your legacy. It is never too late or too early. It is a road, a path. It is an idea—let it grow inside of you and then take action, move, jump, scream, begin. Just start!

Your legacy—live it and when you are 100, whether anybody knows or not, you will know what you have created.

Happy new year and thank you, Dustin

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The Ninth Annual Motor4toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive

by Dustin Troyan Photos: Greg Grudt & Gabriel Sarkisian

The Ninth Annual Motor4toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive was another huge success. Generously presented for a second time by The Auto Gallery, it was a Who’s Who of the car world. Although the threat of rain did keep some away, car enthusiasts and Motor4toys supporters from all over California and beyond poured into the Anthem parking lot in Warner Center on December 2 to support this great event. This year, the thousands of toys collected went to the Los Angeles Fire Department ‘Spark of Love’ Holiday Toy Program.

They may have had no idea what to expect but they were amazed by the outpouring!

Leading up to the show, the weather was off and on—it was going to rain, it wasn’t going to rain, it was, it wasn’t. Enthusiasts on car forums and Facebook were going crazy with anticipation. Motor4toys is scheduled from 6:00 in the morning to noon so we only really needed a small window of four or five hours of dry weather. We crossed our fingers, held our breath, and, low and behold, we got dry weather! Although it had rained the day and night before, it was dry until just before noon in Woodland Hills on the big day.

As the sun rose that morning, our friends at LAPD were quick to get to the show. In what has become a Motor4toys tradition, they arrived not only in their airship but with all of their assets, including S.W.A.T. Bomb Squad, Senior Lead Officers, Captains, and just about everyone else.

Next The Auto Gallery, the event’s presenting sponsor, came with vehicles from each of their brands— some of the rarest and most exotic of cars—as well as their semi and trailer. Then the people started pouring in with their cars. What makes Motor4toys different from other shows is the diversity of cars that show up: from the Checkered Flag 200 Club led by world-renowned car aficionado and collector Bruce Meyer, to off-road clubs from Ventura, the Santa Barbara Porsche Club, hot rod clubs, Corvette clubs, Microcar clubs, Star Car Central, the Mini Club, the NSX Club, muscle car clubs, show cars, race cars, rat rods, motorcycles, busses, tractors and more. Boy, did some great cars come out!

We had approximately 50% turnout but that was still good enough to collect over 8,000 toys in under four hours. The LAFD’s Spark of Love had never received

such a large donation from any single event—let alone an event that was over in four hours!

Motor4toys Charitable Foundation had set a goal of collecting 40,000 items over the course of the holiday season. It is a lofty goal in any economy but, in the last few years, things have gotten a lot harder. It used to be that items for the raffle and silent auction would pour in. These items would then generate money, which in turn would be used to buy thousands of additional toys.

When the economy slowed down, so did the donations for the raffle and silent auction. Leading up to the week of the show, in fact, we had none. We scrambled to find items for the raffle but there were just no donations available. At our wits’ end, we called our presenting sponsor, The Auto Gallery, and told them the sad story. They had already written a very generous check for the event so they didn’t have to do anything; but, in the spirit of giving and in order to help the children, the Auto Gallery stepped up and provided an additional $15,000 worth of items and services to be raffled at the event! They had a mantra for Motor4toys, “It’s for the kids.” Their marketing department even went the distance—a full media

blitz, over 65,000 emails, Facebook campaigns, toy collection boxes at all their stores, and full support the day of the event.

No dealership has ever gone so far to help Motor4toys and the kids! Thank you to The Auto Gallery!

Likewise, Coastline Motorsports, the Platinum Sponsor for the second year in a row, took notice when they heard how hard the fundraising was going this year. They wrote the single largest check that Motor4toys has ever received simply because they knew: “It’s for the kids.” Thank you, Coastline!

Many of our other sponsors followed in suit. Auto Trixx, Supercharger Connection, HRE Wheels, Lavaggio, Scott Martin Auto Brokers, and many other people and businesses supported Motor4toys. Thank you! We could not do it without you and we count on you!

There were also countless volunteers who helped (you know who you are). This is a group of people who worked seamlessly together and went so very far—too far even!—to make sure the event happened. They are the unsung heroes who keep Motor4toys moving forward. They dropped every-

thing, pulled out all the stops, did the hard work, and, regardless of how tired they were, got the job done. Thank you to all the volunteers for your passion and dedication!

Nobody knows this but there is a gentleman who is the “Secret Santa” of Motor4toys. He asks for no recognition but he alone guarantees that the event will be back the following year. We cross our fingers every year that he will call and he does! You know who you are—you are a kind and generous man—and you deserve a special thank you for your years of consideration, trust, and generosity. Thank you!

Last but not least, there is the car community. You are Motor4toys! Each and every one of you is a hero to me.

Each and every one of you makes this event happen. You have done so much for so many kids and you show those around us what we can do together. You took the time, offered support, helped us set up, opened the doors, invited your friends and families, and spread the word. Without you, we are nothing; but with you, we are Motor4toys! Thank you so much for nine amazing years!

Continued next page

Motor4toys Continued- The Results

At the time of publication, we were still adding up the toys collected at Motor4toys, in our collection bins at businesses around town, and those purchased with donations and funds raised by the raffles and silent auctions. Even with the threat of rain at this year’s event, we have surpassed our goal of 40,000 toys and are still collecting! On behalf of the Motor4toys Charitable Foundation, I send you all a most sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart. For more info: www.motor4toys.com

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Collector Cars and the Law....

With the holiday season upon us and the spirit of giving, along with yearly tax planning concerns, many may consider the donation of a collector car to a worthy charity. While this may seem a simple concept there are serious and significant tax and other issues to be considered.

First and foremost of course is to find a legitimate charity that you wish to support and you should take great care to verify the credentials of the charity in question. A search can be made directly through the IRS, your local Better Business Bureau or city or state agencies requiring the registration of charities or such websites as Charity Navigator.

Besides the direct, clear and obvious downside and your distress in gifting a charity that is not qualified, there is then no tax deduction and write-off for your misplaced generosity, so be certain to confirm that the charity you have chosen is properly registered and otherwise in compliance and is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Once you have determined a charity you wish to make your gift too, make every effort to deal with them directly and not through intermediaries who often take a fee for their efforts, thereby reducing the value of the gift your chosen charity actually receives. To this end, also consider how you will deliver or transport the car to your chosen charity and who will absorb those costs.

Be certain to obtain a proper appraisal of your car from a qualified appraiser or auction house. This is critical so that you will have documentation and proof to support your donation should the IRS ever question the claimed deduction you have taken.

In transferring the car to the charity, you must treat this no different than had you sold the car, providing the necessary notices and releases to the Department of Motor Vehicles and to your insurance carrier and so that your responsibility and liability for the car does not continue.

You should also be certain to provide some documentation to the charity that the car is being provided in “as-is” condition without any warranties so that you are not held responsible for any consequences that may result from an accident or malfunction with the car after it leaves your hands. Again, do not allow your generosity to cause you to lose sight of the fact that you are transferring a car, no different than if you were selling it and all of the possible consequences that may arise with respect to title, transfer, release of liability, insurance and the safety and condition of the vehicle.

Be certain to also confer with your accountant or tax attorney as there are other issues to comply with such as when the charity might subsequently sell the car you gifted and they must provide certain IRS documentation to you confirming the sales price/value.

by Jeffrey Brynan

The tax credit to which you are entitled can also be affected by the manner in which your car is utilized by the charity you have gifted. Accordingly, you should be certain to confer with the charity as to how the gifted car will be used.

The donation of a collector car can be a wonderful gift for a worthy charity and an excellent source of tax planning and credit for you if done correctly but do not treat it lightly and, again, be certain to confer with your accountant, tax preparer, tax attorney or speak directly with the IRS before you take this step.

Happy holidays and the very best for the New Year!

Jeffrey Brynan

Jeffrey Brynan is a duly licensed attorney, practicing in Beverly Hills, California. The foregoing article is a general discussion and overview of the topics that are addressed and should not be relied upon in lieu of obtaining legal counsel for your specific circumstances, issues and facts.

M. JEFFREY BRYNAN ATTORNEY AT LAW

PETERSON & BRYNAN

~ Serving the Collector Car Community since 1976 ~

Golf Tips with Tommy

“Practice doesn’t make perfect but perfect practice makes perfect.” This is a statement I have heard many times over. It may sound like a cliché but many amateur golfers should take note. I often get questions from casual golfers about how many golf balls I hit on the driving range per day. Maybe they have been following Vijay Singh for so long that they think the only way to get better is to hit a thousand balls per day like he does. But that is just a myth. Tiger Woods said in his book that it is not how much time you spend practicing but how much focus and concentration you put into each practice shot. It is possible to do the same amount of work in thirty minutes as your friend does in a couple of hours if you hit every shot with a purpose.

If you mindlessly hit buckets of balls you are just wasting your time. Get a game plan together so you know what your intentions are when practicing. Before you head out to the driving range, have in mind what you want to work on. Once at the range, go through a warm up routine before you start working on your swing.

An important fact to remember is that the human mind can only focus on doing one thing at a time. Too many times I see golfers trying to work on multiple moves all at once. Break it down and pick one thing at a time to work on.

One good way to do this is to break up your practice balls in groups. For example, get one group of ten and one group of five. For every time you hit a ball in the group of ten, have only one thing you want to work on and focus on doing that all ten times. Whether it’s a feeling you are trying to achieve or a shot you are trying to develop, stay committed for every one of those shots no matter where the ball may go. Once you have completed the ten balls, hit the five balls in the other group with a regular swing. By doing this, you will slowly ingrain the new move you are working on into your normal swing. Obviously, it will take more than a few days to feel the improvement but remember that everything in golf is a slow process. After you see consistency and are comfortable with the new changes, you can move on to the next issue that needs fixing.

Feel it out for yourself and decide how you want to break up the balls into groups. Some may want to do twenty “focused” swings before five normal swings.

Others may go longer or shorter but that is for you to decide. It is also crucial to back

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away from a shot if you get distracted or an outside thought pops into your head.

While the challenge is to make improvements in your game, the real test is whether you are able to hit each and every one of those balls while staying focused on the same one thing. If you are able to do that, I can promise that your rate of improvement will be much quicker. It’s not the quantity of practice but rather the quality that will determine your success in this game. This method works for every aspect of the game so give it a try and feel free to adjust where needed.

Happy practicing!

Fleet Week In San Diego 2012

What could be better than racing my 1966 Shelby GT 350 in San Diego at the Coronado Naval Base? Nothing! Every year during Fleet Week, the US Navy shuts down two of its runways and allows the Historic Motor Sports Association to present a vintage race on a 2.2 mile road course.

Fleet Week is held at Naval Base Coronado.

It is the nation’s largest tribute to our military men and women who sacrifice their lives to defend our way of life and freedoms. In today’s world, you know how important our military is. The San Diego event was first held in 1997, modeled after Fleet Week San Francisco.

The organizers wanted to appeal to the local community to emphasize how important it is to have the Navy based in San Diego. Not only does the military help protect our liberties but it is also important to the community and helps feed the local economy.

Every year Fleet Week San Diego has grown.

At first it was held during the summer months. But in 2000 the event organizers decided to move it to October to tie in with the Marine Corps Miramar Air Show and the Coronado Speed Festival.

Talk about a busy week. First on the calendar was the Fleet Week Football Classic where the San Diego State Aztecs took on the Army Black Knights.

The rest of the week included tours on navy ships, submarines, and airplanes. There were military assist in-water demonstrations, welcoming ceremonies every day, military static displays (USN, USMC, USCG), food, and entertainment. Automotive vendors were also out in force and it was clear that car art is really gaining in popularity. A year never goes by when I don’t spend way too much money with Steve Foster, who makes wonderful paintings of cars and all things automotiverelated.

Have you ever taken a tour on a working US Navy aircraft carrier? Talk about breathtaking. These ships have a contingent of approximately 5,000 Navy personnel. That is the size of a small town! Imagine serving 15,000 to 16,000 meals a day! The hold where the planes are stored is 900 feet long and 75 high. The elevators that bring the planes to the flight deck take three seconds. How do I know that? Because they told my son, Connor, and my daughter, Shelby, and me to hang on! During our tour, a flight deck elevator operator flipped a button and a 30-ton lift shot up like a rocket being fired! I asked the elevator operator, “Why so fast?” He explained that during a crisis they need to get the planes up and out as fast as possible.

Story & Photos: Jay Parille

My favorite event during the week is the Coronado Speed Festival, which is the only automotive race in the world that is held on an active military base. During the 1950’s, General Curtis E. LeMay of the United States Air Force was a huge fan of car racing. He allowed the Sports Car Club of America to hold racing events on Air Force bases. This year’s speed event saw over 400 entrants with eleven different classes. If you think vintage racing is for the slalom crowd, you have another thing coming. These guys (and girls) are out for one thing: to win at almost any cost. Vintage racing is a double-edged sword—drivers want to win but they don’t want to cause any carnage on the way to the win.

Nobody wants to damage a 1964 Shelby Cobra!

I raced my 1966 Shelby GT 350 in race group 6. This group consists of other Shelbys, 60’s vintage Cobras, Corvettes, Porsches, Camaros, and Mustangs. All the cars in this class are five liters or under.

Remember, in vintage racing the cars must appear as originally manufactured. If they didn’t come standard with disc brakes, no disc brakes are allowed.

Saturday morning was warm-up. Your fastest lap in the morning sets your position for qualifying

Saturday afternoon. Out of 38 cars I qualified 28th. Not great, but at least I qualified without damage to my car or anyone else’s.

The afternoon qualifying session was intense with cars lined up side-by-side. During the first lap, drivers warmed up their tires behind the pace car.

When the cars were three quarters of the way around the track, the pace cars slowed down so the cars could be grouped together. The pace car then left the track, the green flag dropped, and we were off! The feeling was exhilarating. Thirty-eight cars, most with V-8s, took off toward the first turn. There was only room for two cars to make it through at the same time. This was where most of the damage occurred. Not only did I have to watch what was happening in front of me, but I had to be aware of what was happening on my left, right, and behind me. Anything could happen in less than one second! No time to second guess.

A Shelby and a Corvette tangled in front of me. I turned to the inside and missed the mayhem.

(The race was only ten seconds old and I already picked up two positions.) During the course of the race, the field spread out. The big blocks started to pick up the pace. The back straight-away was almost a mile long and three quarters of the way down, a tire chicane was erected to slow the cars down before coming into a second gear turn. As cars went through the chicane, some hit the edges of the tire barrier, pushing it to the outside. So, as the race progressed, the chicane got wider and wider and, before I knew it, the back straight turned into a straight-away.

The pace picked up. I play it conservatively.

The key was to finish. After 25 minutes, the checkered flag dropped. After finishing the cool down lap I headed for my pit area. Once I pulled in and parked the steed, it took a few minutes to “unwind”. My adrenaline was really pumping. My son picked up a time sheet to find I was in 22nd—I picked up six spots.

Sunday morning rolled around and practice was at 9:30 am. Jim Francies from MAECO Motorsport suggested I drop my tire pressure from 25 psi to 24 psi—a little more rubber on the track. I took the advice and practice went on with no complication. In fact, the car handled better with the lower tire pressure.

Sunday’s feature race for group 6 was at 3:20.

The car had been handling fairly neutral all weekend.

Connor and I decided not to change anything. We felt if I could keep my nose clean during the course of the first lap, I would be able to pick up a few positions.

Thirty-four cars answered the call to the grid. Connor gave me a thumbs-up and the cars headed on to track. The tire barrier was back together (only to be pushed out again during the course of the race). The green flag dropped and I picked up two positions on the inside before turn one. All of a sudden BANG, two original Cobras hit! I avoided both cars. The field started to spread out. My Shelby was handling good. Looking in my rearview mirror I saw Doug Manista in his ‘63 Corvette and his son Chad in his ‘70 Ford Mustang right on my tail. Behind them was a 911 Porsche followed by another ‘63 Vette. This was only lap two. All four cars behind me were in my group.

Talk about feeling the pressure. One missed shift and I would lose four spots. Twenty more minutes to go! Doug’s Vette is faster than my Shelby. Fortunately, the two straight-aways weren’t long enough

for him to make a clean pass. If I could just hold him off until the corner—reaching the redline, 7500 rpm—I did. We play this cat and mouse game 30 more times!

After 20 minutes the big bore cars (427 Cobras and 427 Corvettes) started to lap the field.

You have to let them pass. The only problem is when you let them pass, you have to make sure you close the door on the other cars behind you. If not, they will ride the coat tails of the faster cars and you’re done!

I managed to keep the four cars behind at bay. The checker flag dropped and the race was over. My car was still running and I avoided all of the “incidents” on the track. It was a great race. I headed back to the pits…exhausted. Connor ran to get a copy of the race results. I finished 16th overall, third in class. Not a bad day!

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Art Center Car Classic 2012: Inspired Design Bel Air’s Best Kept Secret: Moraga Vineyards

A vineyard in Bel Air? A sixteen-acre vineyard in Bel Air? Right off of the 405? Across from the Getty Center, you say? I say, yes! Yes, there is a sixteen-acre vineyard on the hills of Bel Air.

Tucked away in the Sepulveda pass is a magical place called Moraga Vineyards. It is the vision of Tom Jones, former CEO of Nothrop Corporation for thirty years, and his wife, Ruth. In 1959 the Jones family purchased a small horse ranch, which was originally built by Victor Fleming, director of Gone with the Wind and the Wizard of Oz. The property was situated in the Santa Monica Mountains about five miles from the Pacific Ocean. Here a vision became reality.

Tom, a world traveler and wine lover, notes the similarity between his property and that of the great European vineyards. The canyon in which Tom’s vineyard sits has a unique microclimate that creates the perfect environment for growing and the soil content is not dissimilar to that of the Bordeaux region in France. With a combination of almost twice the annual rainfall of some surrounding Los Angeles communities, nutrient-rich soils that were submerged under the Pacific Ocean for millions of years, and south-facing

Story & Photos by: Leo Mayorquin by: Dustin Troyan

slopes at 600 to 900 feet above sea level, Tom’s property is nearly ideal for the cultivation of perfect grapes. In fact, it was noted by Juan Crespi, a member of the Spanish expeditions to establish the California Missions, that grapes grew on this property as far back as 1769. According to Fr. Crespi’s diary, there were “profusions of wild grapes and Castilian roses in full bloom” in the canyon. For these reasons Tom and Ruth went forth and established the Moraga Vineyard in 1978.

Moraga offers two wines: a red and a white. The first Moraga Red Wine was produced in 1989 and the first Moraga White Wine in 1998. Their dedication to perfection called for a state-of-the-art winemaking facility on the property and a newly-excavated barrel cave, which was completed for the 2005 vintage. It was the first new commercial winery to be established in the city of Los Angeles since Prohibition.

Moraga Red matures in the finest French oak barrels for approximately 20 months before being put into Bordeaux-style bottles with an extra deep punt and aged for an additional two years prior to release. Moraga White is fermented in a combination of new French oak and stainless steel barrels

Moraga Vineyards is a wine growing estate in the Santa Monica Mountains at an elevation of 600 to 900 feet, five miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Los Angeles community of Bel Air. Owners and native Californians, Tom and Ruth Jones have lived on the 16-acre Moraga Canyon property since 1959, purchasing a small horse ranch originally built by Victor Fleming, director of Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.

Moraga continued before being aged for one year in the bottle prior to release.

The 2007 Moraga Red is a fine wine produced from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It is a magical blend that produces a rich taste with notes of dark fruits—blackberries, black cherries, and black currants. Hints of dark chocolate and tobacco add to the overall complexity of the flavor.

The 2010 Moraga White is always as fresh as the sea breeze that caresses the grapes on the vine. This Sauvignon Blanc is truly a fine California white wine. A small snap of acidity grabs your attention and clean citrus notes remind me of a lovely summer day spent on the coast. Honey and floral accents complement the flavor profile and produce an aromatic, delightful white wine that can be appreciated at any time.

Moraga Wines can be found at fine retail and dining establishments all over California. Some examples are: the Bel Air Hotel, Bel Air Bay Club, Hillcrest Country Club, Jonathan Club, Larsen’s Steakhouse, Leila’s Restaurant and Bar, the Montage Beverly Hills, Morton’s Steakhouse, Saddle Peak Lodge, Savory, The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Restaurant at the Getty Center, Toscana, and Villa Blanca.

For more information about where to find Moraga Wines, please visit: Moragavineyards.com.

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Leila’s Restaurant Review

by Danah Palmer

Leila’s Restaurant & Bar has been dedicated to providing fresh and eclectic food to Ventura County since 1999. It successfully produces food that is cutting edge, exciting, and embraces the seasons. Leila’s is also well known for a diverse wine list and staff who have great knowledge of food and wine pairings.

The restaurant was named after owner Peyman Afshar’s first daughter, Leila. Afshar comes from a family with a long history in the restaurant industry. He worked in restaurants in Beverly Hills and Portland before deciding to open one of his own in Oak Park. “I was told that Oak Park was a death sentence but I knew that I could give people a reason to stay close to home.” said Afshar. That is exactly what he did when opened the doors of Leila’s and started to provide food that drew on influences from around the world.

The restaurant’s style is based on appreciating good food, good wine, and a good atmosphere. The restaurant features a lot of farm-to-table foods, often basing their menu on what is fresh and in season. They also work closely with local farmers, like Tierra Rejada Family Farms, to establish relationships that allow them to get the freshest produce and out-of-the-ordinary ingredients.

“We let the ingredients and the seasons dictate the menu.” said Afshar.

Leila’s is well known for the quality, freshness, and consistency of their food. Their most popular dish has been on the menu since day one: the Six Hour Braised Beef. It is truly comfort food at its best. The beef is braised with a mix of vegetables, wine, stock, espresso, and a variety of herbs and spices.

It melts off the bone. They are also well known for their Crispy Lobster Tempura and Heirloom Tomato Stack. The most popular dish at the moment is the Oregon Chanterelle and Wild Mushroom Risotto, as the mushrooms are in season.

They often change two or three dishes every week depending on the ingredients. Leila’s has been described as a fusion-style restaurant because their menu is inspired by culinary influences throughout the world. The restaurant tries to stay cutting-edge and tends to draw ideas from restaurants in San Francisco and New York, which allows them to be innovative and exciting.

The executive chef, Richie DeMane, has been with Leila’s since the doors opened. He attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York and worked at Michael’s in Santa Monica prior to Leila’s. He started cooking when he was twelve and he truly loves to cook.

Leila’s embraces a wine philosophy in which they try to buy wines from boutique wineries, individuals, or families who make wine as their livelihood. They feature wines that are made with love and effort, domestic wines, and wines that are less well-known. The majority of the wine list includes choices from California, Oregon, and Washington. On January 23, 2013, they are presenting a wine dinner with Caliza Winery.

According to Afshar, Leila’s has been called an “upscale Cheers” because the staff makes an effort to get to know the customers, take a personal interest in them, and make them feel comfortable. The interior of the restaurant is also very warm and inviting with bright walls, leather chairs, and walls of wine.

The majority of the staff has been at Leila’s for a long period of time and they are integral in making decisions about the menu, wines, and pairings.

“We all love what we do and it comes through in the work we do.” said Afshar.

Leila’s Restaurant & Bar is open Tuesday-Sunday starting at 5:00pm. They are located at 706 Lindero Canyon Road #752 in Oak Park and can be reached for reservations at (818) 707-6939.

For more information, please see: www.leilasrestaurant.com.

Ferrari F12 Unveiling at The Auto Gallery

by Dustin Troyan Photos: Greg Grudt

I never get tired of a Ferrari unveiling and nobody does an event like this better than the Auto Gallery. Continuing their tradition of producing fine, inspired events for truly passionate Ferrari fans, the Auto Gallery’s unveiling of the 2013 F12 Berlinetta was a real treat for Ferrari owners and car enthusiasts alike.

Upon arriving, Ferraris littered the parking lot and street in front of the Auto Gallery Ferrari/Maserati dealership in Calabasas. Inside, some guests noshed on gourmet sandwiches and others sipped espresso while the dealership filled with an intimate crowd, all eager to see the F12. Excitement was in the air.

All this time, the F12 itself was hidden by a crimson cover that seductively hinted at the sexy body lines and aerodynamic details beneath without spoiling the surprise of the grand finale. Sure, we had all seen it in photos, but what would it look like in person?

Would it meet our expectations?

Then Alexandra DeCicco, Public Relations Director, called everyone around the car and welcomed the group on behalf of the Auto Gallery. Alexandra introduced Emile Bouret from Ferrari North America. Emile went on to explain the history, development, aerodynamics, displacement, and technologies that make the F12 a standout on all fronts.

The suspense was driving us crazy and so it was time. The car was slowly unveiled and the whole crowd was speechless. The F12- stunning!

The F12 is the fastest street car Ferrari has ever produced. The technology invested in this vehicle sets it apart from anything that came before it. Boasting over 730-horsepower, the F12 will get you from 0-60 mph in three seconds. It will also get you around the track at Fiorano faster than an Enzo, all while producing 30% less emissions than other Ferraris. Once again, Ferrari has raised the bar!

Thank you to everyone at the Auto Gallery for another great experience! For more information on the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, please visit the Auto Gallery in Calabasas or online at: www.theautogallery.com

Car Culture

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Mark Llewellyn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

History Of The Traffic Light On December 10, 1868, the first traffic lights were installed outside the British House of Parliament in London by railway engineer, J.P. Knight. They resembled railway signals, with semaphore arms and red and green gas lamps for night use. Unfortunately, it exploded on January 2, 1869, killing the policeman operating it.

Leons Transmission’s Cassie Stewart, a traffic stopper in her own right, displaying a newer LED traffic signal

4-way beacon

The modern electric traffic light is an American invention. In 1912, a Salt Lake City policeman, Lester Wire, invented the first red and green traffic light. The color of the traffic lights representing stop and go were derived from those used in maritime rules to govern right of way; port being red and starboard being green.

In the 1920’s another police officer, William L. Potts, took the idea even further.

Based on the concept of railroad signals, he adapted their use to create the world’s first four-way, three color traffic light. This new light was installed at the corner of Woodward and Michigan Avenues in Detroit.

Around the same time, Garrett Morgan of Cleveland Ohio, a gifted inventor, created an electric ‘automatic’ traffic light. He sold the patent for his traffic light to General Electric Corporation, thus beginning their monopoly of the traffic light business.

To learn more about traffic lights and see a large variety of models, I recommend visiting www.trafficsignalmuseum.com.

Single face traffic signal on display at Leons Transmission Car Corner at the Murphy Auto Museum www.LeonsTransmission.com

Single face traffic signal

4-way traffic signal

Photographer of the Month:

Randall Cordero

DT: Randy, you are one of the finest automotive and architectural photographers in the industry. How did you get your start?

RC: I met Robert Ross in 1990 on a photoshoot. Robert is one of the finest designers and art directors around.

We hit it off and the rest is history. We started working together on various projects and we still work together today. I have learned a great deal from him over the years.

DT: Were you professionally trained in the art of photography?

RC: Yes. I attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara.

DT: What made you focus on automotive and architectural photography?

RC: I guess it was a natural progression. I love great design—whether it is the lines of a beautiful car, a fine motorcycle, or incredible architecture.

DT: Do you have a favorite shoot?

RC: I would have to say no; I love the variety and challenges of each shoot.

DT: What magazines has your photography been a part of?

RC: Robb Report, duPont REGISTRY, Architectural Digest, and Florida Design to name a few.

DT: What doors has photography opened for you?

RC: Photography is not only my passion, but it’s my livelihood. Not many people get to wake up every day and do exactly what they want to do and make a living at it. I consider myself very lucky in this regard. I channel this into the work environment of my studio, where I try to mentor and advise my team about the ins and outs of the industry.

DT: What type of equipment do you use?

RC: Let’s see, I use 4x5, medium format, 35 digital—basically a little of everything, depending on what the shoot calls for.

DT: What would you tell the new photographers entering the car scene?

RC: There is more to the shot than the technical aspect.

What I mean is that they need to see the lines of the car from every possible angle and then transfer that view to the camera.

DT: If you had a dream car, what would it be?

RC: ‘32 Ford. Easy!

DT: Is there a particular moment that stands out in your mind while shooting?

RC: We were in a huge studio, late at night, about 3 to 4 years ago in Orange County. We were shooting the Icon A5 airplane (an incredible airplane). During a break, I Continued next page

saw a giant figure walk through the doors of this huge studio and straight towards the plane. It was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! For some reason he was at this studio at 11:00 at night and someone asked him if he would mind sitting in the plane to see if he would fit. He fit!

when I saw the trend starting to change in the digital world. Listen, trends happen. Trends change. There will be even more trends in the next 25 years and we as photographers have to evolve with them if we want to stay relevant.

DT: Do you expect to be shooting cars for the rest of your life?

RC: I hope so!

DT: What other types of shoots do you do besides automotive and architectural?

RC: Well, at Cordero Studios we really are the photographic jack-of-all-trades. One day we’re shooting video of the new Porsche 911 in Las Vegas, the next day we’re in South Carolina shooting real estate, and then we come back to a shoot of a custom motorcycle in the studio.

DT: As technology keeps evolving, have you had to evolve with the times? Do you do more than still photography?

RC: Yes, I started to shoot video about five years ago

DT: Are you available for private shoots?

RC: Absolutely. I love working with new people.

DT: Do you travel a lot depending on what the client needs for a shoot?

RC: We get to do our fair share of travel. We shoot all over the place in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean to name a few.

DT: Where do you see yourself in the future?

RC: Doing exactly what I’m doing now—video and photography—as long as we are having fun doing it!

Cordero Studios: www.corderostudios.com

Photo by: Nino Rakichevich

January Calendar of Events

Sunday 6th - World Famous SUPERCAR SUNDAY www.supercarsunday.com - Lakewood* - Classic Cruisers Association - Fuddrucker’s - 5229 Clark Ave. - 2PM - 6PM - Long Beach- Hi-Performacne Swap meet/Car Show- Veteran Stadium - San Diego- Vets Cruzin for a Cause Fundraiser Car Show 10am-3pm Tuesday-Thurs 8-10 - Scottsdale, AZ-Goodguys 4th Spring Nationals, Westworld, Season opener! Hot rods, customs, classics, trucks and muscle cars thru 1972 vintage. Vendor exhibits, swap meet & car corral, Goodguys AutoCross, All American Sunday, special awards and more. Goodguys (925) 838-9876 www.good-guys.com Saturday 12th - Oxnard- Mullin Automotive Museum 10am-3pm - Yucaipa- 2nd Annual Kickin’it Car Show and Boutique 10am-3pm Sunday 13th - World Famous SUPERCAR SUNDAY www.supercarsunday.com - Lakewood* - Classic Cruisers Association - Fuddrucker’s - 5229 Clark Ave. - 2PM - 6PM - Long Beach- Cycle Show and Swap Meet - Pamona- Pomona Swap Meet and Clasic Car Show at the Fairplex Tuesday-Thursday15-17 - Fort Worth TX-Goodguys 3rd Spring Lone Star Nationals, Texas Motor Speedway, Hot rods, customs, classics, trucks and muscle cars thru 1972 vintage.

Vendor exhibits, swap meet & car corral, Goodguys AutoCross, All American Sunday, special awards, track cruise and more. Goodguys (925) 838-9876 www. good-guys.com Saturday 19th - Buena Park- 5th Annual Jeff’s Fun Run 8:30am Sunday 20th - World Famous SUPERCAR SUNDAY www.supercarsunday.com - Buean park-Picker’s paradise Automotive Swap Meet- Elks Lodge Melrose - Lakewood* - Classic Cruisers Association - Fuddrucker’s - 5229 Clark Ave. - 2PM - 6PM Wedesday-Thursday 23 & 24 - Pleasonton, CA- Goodguys 31st All American Get-Together Presented by J. Rockcliff Realtors, Pleasanton Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA – Featuring all years of American made & powered show cars & trucks, vendor exhibits, swap meet & car corral, Goodguys AutoCross, special awards and more. Goodguys (925) 838-9876 www.good-guys.com 25-27 Fri-Sun - Pomona- Grand National Roaster Show Fairplex 26-27 Sat-Sun - Pomona- GNRS Grand Daddy Drive In Fairplex - Saturday 26th - Oxnard- Mullin Automotive Museum 10am-3pm Sunday 27 - World Famous SUPERCAR SUNDAY www.supercarsunday.com - Lakewood* - Classic Cruisers Association - Fuddrucker’s - 5229 Clark Ave. - 2PM - 6PM - Long Beach- Hi-Performacne Swap meet/Car Show- Veteran Stadium

Supercar Sunday Every Sunday 7-10am Supercarsunday.com

Please note: Supercar Sunday Marque Days are now the 1st Sunday of each month. www.supercarsunday.com

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