M Magazine 2022 Dec Morgan Hill

THINGS TO DO

November 30th –December

Little Shop of Horrors

24th

November 19 th – January 8 th

Aloha Downtown Skate Circle of Palms Plaza, San Jose New for the 2022-2023 season, Aloha brings roller skating to the Circle of Palms Plaza for the holidays. Join us for roller skating all season long. Check for specific operating hours and more information. Limited tickets will be available to purchase online, as well as in person. Follow @alohadowntownskate on Instagram.

November 26 th – January 1st

Blinky’s Holiday Drive Through Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose

Enjoy a fantastic light show programmed to music by Pentatonix, Michael Bublé, Luis Miguel, and more! Our 2022 drive through experience is guaranteed to create memories for all. And your ticket purchase helps fund the traditional Christmas in the Park downtown. As a non-profit, we appreciate your support! $30 per car. Purchase tickets online.

cultivates an otherworldly showstopper, a highly unusual plant.

December 1st – 18th

Elf the Musical Hillbarn Theatre, Foster City

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

December 2 nd – 11th

The Jungle Book:

Rudyard Revised

Hammer Theater, San Jose

10 th Carols in the California

The California Theatre, San Jose

A Family Holiday Tradition! Enjoy a traditional sing-along of your favorite carols with choir and brass ensemble and prepare to be dazzled by performances of classical works by members of Symphony San Jose and the SSJ Chorale all in the warm glow of the beautifully restored California Theatre. San Jose comes alive with the Holiday Season, with activities and memories for the entire family!

December 16th – 18th

The San Jose Nutcracker California Theatre, San Jose

November 30th

–December 24th Little Shop of Horrors

Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto TheatreWorks

Silicon Valley kicks off the holiday season with a riotous show for the holidays, Little Shop of Horrors, reset in San Francisco’s Chinatown. In this offbeat hit musical, narrated through doo-wop ditties by a trio of neighborhood girls, meek florist Seymour finds himself catapulted into instant celebrity when he

Your favorite foot-stomping adventure reclaimed, reimagined, and rewritten for our times. A beloved tale returns to its South Asian roots with EnActe's contemporary sparkle! Exquisite costumes, catchy songs, Kalaripayattu choreo - this family musical has it all! A riot of fun and theater for a cause - EnActe is partnered with The Centre for Wildlife Studies throughout the tour to uplift CWS's work on tiger conservancy. This high-tech, community-filled show is sure to leave its mark!

The San Jose Nutcracker is a classical holiday ballet unique to the local community. Presented in partnership with History San Jose, it tells the well-loved story of Clara and the Nutcracker, while featuring historical references to the heritage that has made Santa Clara Valley a center of innovation. The New Ballet Orchestra, a professional orchestra led by New Ballet Conductor Thomas Shoebotham accompanies performances of The San Jose Nutcracker.

17 th Songs of Linda Ronstadt

Tribute

Concert

Tabard Theatre, San Jose

Audiences will experience Ronstadt’s most beloved songs from the decade in which she became a star including “You’re No Good,” “Desperado,” and “Blue Bayou.” And then journey on with the band

to some of the star’s later reinventions of herself, including jazz standards and other musical forays. Vocalist Sony Holland’s powerful yet delicate voice brings the sound of Ronstadt to life on Tabard’s intimate cabaret stage, backed by her full band.

31st Celebration St. Francis Episcopal Church, San Jose

San José Chamber Orchestra presents Celebration. Glorious works to welcome the changing of the year with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and clarinetists Jon Manasse and (his son) Alec Manasse. Conductor Barbara Day Turner. Music by Chopin, Franz Krommer, Jessie Montgomery, Mozart, Prokofiev, George Gershwin and Michael Touchi.

January 7 The Three Kings Celebration

Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose Recognized widely by many cultures around the world, and observed in many Spanish-speaking countries, the Feast of the Three Kings honors the Epiphany. The day is traditionally celebrated with family, food, gift-giving, and a Rosca de Reyes (sweet bread or King’s Cake). Make and decorate a crown, enjoy lively and traditional Mariachi youth performers and folklórico dance, delight in gifts (chocolate coins) handed out by the kings, create a special Three Kings art activity, learn how to make real tortillas, and discover more about the holiday by watching a short video in the theatre.

January 21 The Snow Queen

Nineteen’s Big

Band

Tribute to Chaka Khan Tabard Theatre, San Jose

Last August, Nineteen brought one of the best in-concert R&B records of all time – Rufus and Chaka Khan’s double-album ‘Stompin’ At The Savoy’ — track for track, in its entirety, to the Tabard stage to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic standingroom only crowd. Now, for New Year’s Eve, they are back and bringing even more Chaka Khan songs, plus a bonus set of traditional big band songs to kick off the earlier part of the evening. The evening promises to be a night to remember as Nineteen Jazz Orchestra reunites with long-time collaborator Bay Area diva Juanita Harris to bring all the rhythm, soul and unrestrained energy of ‘Savoy’ back for a spectacular New Year’s Eve.

Mountain View Center for Performing Arts Join Gerda as she travels through the winter snow to save her friend Kai from the clutches of the Snow Queen. Find out if Gerda can melt the Snow Queen's heart in this exciting play based on the same Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale that inspired the movie "Frozen." This performance is 1 hour long with no intermission and is appropriate for all ages. Tickets & Information: 650-9036000 or mvcpa.com.

January 26 – February 25

Cashed Out

San Francisco Playhouse, San Francisco San Francisco Playhouse presents the World Premiere of Cashed Out by Native American playwright Claude Jackson, Jr. Winning the Native Voices at the Autry short play festival, Cashed Out shares the

December 31st - Celebration

story of three generations of women who live on the Arizona Gila River Indian Community reservation, illuminating their battles with addiction and upholding the traditions of their tribe. As Rocky seeks her big break at the casino and tries to live up to her legacy, her family struggles to cope with the ups and downs of her gambling addiction.

ONGOING

Bruce Munro: Light at Sensorio  Sensorio, Paso Robles

Holiday merrymakers can experience an ethereal outdoor light adventure at Sensorio in Paso Robles where this stunning light exhibition continues. A serene experience where friends and family can gather during the holidays, the exhibit includes Munro’s 15-acre Field of Light, an array of over 58,800 stemmed spheres lit by fiber-optics which gently illuminate the landscape in subtle blooms of morphing color, and Munro’s adjacent Light Towers, a maze of 69 towers composed of more than 17,000 wine bottles glowing with optic fibers modulating to a musical score. Sensorio enhances the experience with live entertainment by local musicians, and offers food and beverages including warm drinks, wine, beer, a selection of mixed cocktails, snacks, and meals. A VIP experience option is also available, which includes exclusive access to a terrace overlooking Field of Light, with an Airstream bar, private tables and fire pits, and other amenities. For a post- holiday present, shoppers can share the experience of a lifetime with gift certificates, providing recipients with a romantic getaway, a special family outing, or stunning “staycation” destination. For tickets and a full schedule, visit sensoriopaso.com.

Bruce Munro: Light at Sensorio

HAPPY

Buy these delicious pannetone by the dozen to give to neighbors, teachers, unexpected guests, and everyone else on your Christmas list. And make sure to buy some for yourself. This panettone is moist and fragrant with bits of candied fruits and bittersweet chocolate – it’s irresistible. A cozy treat with coffee or wine – yes, it’s the $29.90 at Eataly at Valley Fair.

Essie

With colors like to-Toe Mistletoe, Not So Silent Night, & Caviar, these luxurious shades are perfect for the holiday season! The 8-polish nail kit is the

Baby Sonogram Frame

Drizzle, Butter, and Tri-Flavor. Grab a holiday-themed

This frame makes a sweet gift for expecting or new parents. Fits standard 4" by 3" ultrasound photo with 3 unique and beautifully designed cutouts. $13.96 at keababies.com.

Here is a gift with serious WOW factor. Designer Dram lets you create a custom blend of top shelf whiskeys. The real fun your whiskey, year, and offer a short names, inside jokes, or commemorate beautiful dram (in an elegant gift box) that will find a prominent spot on the bar of the

designs. $249 at bellabeat.com.

relaxation tool, packaged in an attractive and compact design. The rechargeable wooden dome fits in the palm your hand and contains more than 200 customized audio sessions, including voice guided meditation sessions, nature sounds and calming music. We found the guided sessions incredibly effective and the music oh-so soothing! A unique gift for that someone who has everything.

TOYS TOYS TOYS!

Here are the hottest new toys for holiday gifting this season!

THE NORTH POLE GNOME

Move over, Elf on the Shelf! North Pole Gnomes are Santa’s newest helpers! These plush toys are the perfect Christmas tradition meant to be hugged for the holidays. Each kit comes with a hardcover storybook, which shares the magic and fun of these characters as they play tricks on Santa and the elves. A code to download and use the “naughty meter” on the app is also included in the kit. $34.99 at online retailers.

PAINT BY STICKER

Nibbles, whose character effect is literally "Do Nothing." The character names and artwork are adorable, the character effects are novel. All of these factors add up to laughter-filled game-play with just the right amount

science, technology, engineering, and math. $64.99 at surprisepowerz.com.

Both kids and parents will love these Paint by Sticker books! The kids will be utterly engaged trying to match the colorful stickers to the matching shapes, and Mom & Dad will love this quiet and mess-free activity! At the end of each project is a colorful picture, pretty enough to hang and admire! From $8 online or at local booksellers.

EEBOO MEMORY & MATCHING GAME

An exceptional line of useful, beautiful, and well-made educational games and gifts. Women-owned, motherrun, sustainable, and developed with educators, psychologists, writers and artists, the endless selection of puzzles, games and books is a no-brainer, yearround. $19.99 at eeboo.com, target. com or barnesandnoble.com.

SQUEEGEE ART

The iHeartArt Squeegee Art Paint kit includes enough supplies for, not just one project, but multiple projects. The kit comes with a large fold-out mat that allows young artists to take their paint all the way to the edge without fear of painting your table in the process. It also includes 5 vibrant colors of paint, 2 squeegees, 6 sheets of heavyweight paper, 2 sticker sheets, and 4 sheets of die-cut letters and shapes. This is a fun and creative indoor activity! We also love that iHeartArt donates 5% of profits to ArtFeeds International, a program that provides training and art materials to kids around the world. $29.99 at brightstripes.co.

CLIXO

Clixo was seriously one of the neatest toys we've recently play-tested! It's description as a unique combination of "origami and magnetic building toys" is spot-on and a great match for our kids' interests. The Rainbow pack is a great starter kid. It includes 42 pieces, enough to build little critters, a custom fidget spinner, and a fun ball! I can see our collection of Clixo growing over time – the only downside to this product was not having a bigger set and more pieces! From $15.99 at clixo.com/shop.

MINECRAFT EXPLORER KIT

With the 124-piece Minecraft Explorer Kit, my 10-year old daughter and her 2 friends -- all Minecraft fans -built a structure big enough to fit all of them! The Make-A-Fort site web site provides great ideas for what to build, but these girls went rogue with their own design. This was a great after-school, unplugged, activity involving collaborative and imaginative play. From $100 at makeafort.fun/ shop/minecraft-fort-kits/1mek

SHADOW PUPPET THEATER

It’s a beautifully designed shadow puppet set that’s perfect for developing narrative storytelling skills, and it’s just right for family time,” Randazza summarized in her glowing hottest toys roundup last year. Parenting, Parents’ Choice, Tillywig, PAL Award and The National Parenting Center also gave the remarkable light and shadow show two thumbs up. The industry’s top expert, The Toy Insider, most recently gave it its 2022 Top Summer Toy nod.

GIVE THIS BOOK AWAY

Give This Book Away by Darren Farrell and illustrated by Maya Tatsukawa is what giving is all about. This book makes the perfect holiday gift because it’s truly a gift that keeps on giving. The message in the book is all about giving; give a smile, give your time, give a hand…give your all! Then when you’ve finished reading this book, give the book away! This book introduces the concept of a random act of kindness – so sweet! $18 from local booksellers.

FORT

Soft pillow play is a must during the cold winter months! Featuring 12 super soft foam cushions that connect with magnets for hours of creative play time, FORT was recently named Best for Indoor Fun in PureWow’s 2022 Happy Kid Awards. We love all the different configuration possibilities from a couch and a “restaurant” fort to a slide and a bed, plus a ton of colors to choose from. Get on the waiting list for this super-hot seller! $399 at getthefort.com.

WINTER GETAWAY IN SANTA BARBARA

Santa Barbara is the perfect escape. It’s sophisticated but, relaxed, high-end but not stuffy, and there’s plenty to do. Now is a great time to visit. The weather remains moderate and there are virtually no crowds. If you want a break after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a couple of days in Santa Barbara makes for a great getaway.

Where to Stay

The Santa Barbara Inn is located on the quiet, east side of town, directly across from the beach – which is about as beachfront as you can get in Santa Barbara. Suites are spacious and tastefully decorated. The bathroom was large with a nice shower and an enormous whirlpool tub, double sinks, and a heated floor. I couldn’t figure out how to turn the floor heater on, so make sure to ask the bell person for instructions. Best of all was the view from the balcony of the beach across Cabrillo Blvd. This is a quieter area of town and the beach was devoid of the crowds found closer to the more touristy area of State Street. The view of the sunrise from here is magnificent. Other amenities include a pool, a hot tub, and an on-site restaurant.

Santa Barbara Inn 901 E Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara, CA 93103 santabarbarainn.com

Where to Eat

For Breakfast make a stop at The Shop on Milpas. There are a lot of tempting items on the menu but since we were anticipating a big lunch, we finally decided we would split The Melt . And good thing too because this monster of a sandwich came to the table loaded with juicy slabs of applewood smoke ham and melted Havarti cheese, sandwiched between eggy French toast, drizzled with buttery syrup. With fresh-sqeezed OJ, this was the perfect breakfast for two.

Lunch was at the renowned Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Being avid devotees of uni (the delectable gonads – yes, gonads! – of the sea urchin), we were excited to partake specifically of the highly prized Santa Barbara uni – said to be the best by sushi chefs and aficionados. Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is touted to serve some of the freshest uni and we wanted a taste. We also tried the uni shooters – uni in ponzu sauce with a raw quail egg – to be downed as you would a tequila shot. Indeed, the uni was delightfully fresh. This is a fun experience for seafood/ uni lovers. There are lots of seafood items on the menu and dining on the pier is a nice way to enjoy some seafood bites.

Later during the day, we had lunch again (because you’ll still be hungry after the uni) at The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach It was a beautiful day and the beach adjacent to the restaurant is beautiful and uncrowded. The restaurant is quite popular and there is usually a wait, but it’s a good opportunity to enjoy the beach while you wait for your table. This restaurant is highly recommended for lunch or early dinner (before sunset) so the view can be fully appreciated. Again, we ordered the uni, which was served on top of scallop ceviche and thin slices of blood orange. The uni was plump and creamy and the orange added just the right amount of acid and sweetness. We also sampled a variety of fresh raw oysters, which were very briny and sweet. We also shared the Ahi Poke: fresh raw tuna on top of seaweed salad to be scooped with crispy wonton chips. The lovely view and the fresh seafood make a meal here an incredible experience.

Convivo , located within the Santa Barbara Inn, benefits from the hotel’s prime location and is an easy dining choice while staying at the inn. If the

weather is nice, sit outside where you can enjoy the balmy Santa Barbara breeze and a view of the ocean across the street. The cocktail menu is intriguing with a good selection of cocktails with interesting flavor profiles. I tried The Amalfi which was pisco with flavors of citrus, mint, and vanilla – not too sweet and very refreshing. The octopus served with pork belly was an unexpected pairing, and the charcoal prawns were nicely charred and flavored with saffron and citrus; the generous serving of blistered peppers served alongside the prawns were an irresistibly snacky addition to the dish. You can expect a lot of little surprises on the Convivo menu. An excellent dining experience can be had at Bouchon in downtown. The restaurant is charming with a beautiful sidewalk set-up as well as a cozy dining room. The minute you walk in, you are warmly greeted by the hospitable staff. There is wine, there is bread, there is amazing food. The scallop trio, scallops prepared in three different and unexpected ways – one with chorizo and smoky black-eyed peas, another with cabbage and brussels sprouts, and lastly another with fennel, apple, and butternut squash – are all surprising flavor combinations and all delicious. The fresh Pacific fish, with pea puree and wild mushrooms, expertly married land and sea. The maple glazed duck was rich and savory. For dessert, the profiterole trio is three cream puffs each filled with different sweet creams including pistachios with honey, blood orange caramel, and rich chocolate and strawberries – as good as it sounds and a sweet ending to a lovely meal.

Things to Do

There are many enjoyable activities to do in this beautiful beach town, and of course, you can simply spend all of your time playing and relaxing on one of the many beautiful beaches, but there are so many other pleasant ways to spend your time in Santa Barbara. Traveling with just two adults on this trip, here are some of the outings we enjoyed:

Surprisingly, one of the coolest things we tried in Santa Barbara was a salt cave session in The Salt Room , the largest Himalayan salt cave in North America, located downtown on State Street. During a session, you recline in a room made entirely of floor-to-ceiling pink Himalayan salt; lights are dimmed and a mineral machine is turned on. You sit in the room for an hour, napping

(my husband) or meditating (me) and breathing in the minerals. At the end of the hour, you feel rested, and I found my respiration had improved.

Take a self-guided tour of Old Mission Santa Barbara The structure is said to be the most beautiful mission in California and, thus, is known as “Queen of the Missions.” Stroll through the cemetery, visit the church, and learn about the history of the mission and the surrounding area.

Visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens . Any time I travel, I try to visit the area’s botanic gardens. You can commune with nature and learn about the native foliage in the Santa Barbara area. Follow the paths and enjoy the peace and quiet. My favorite path is the one to the Redwoods.

Nearby the botanic gardens is the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History , the oldest museum in Santa Barbara. Explore the natural history of the region, including native flora and fauna, Chumash culture, and pygmy mammoth skeletons from the Channel Islands. Make sure to wander along the beautiful creek paths outside.

Go winetasting. There’s a cool area in Santa Barbara called the Funk Zone where there are tasting rooms, breweries, and restaurants. We popped into the Santa Barbara Winery tasting room and tried a nice variety of their wines. We ended up taking a few bottles home. And we plan to do a more thorough exploration of the wines in this area!

Spending time on the water is always a great way to see the coastline and enjoy

a sunset. Go sailing with Santa Barbara Sailing Center and enjoy a glass of wine with the beautiful views from the water. Tip: This is a romantic pastime judging from all of the cute couples on the boat.

Other fun activities to do in Santa Barbara:

● Santa Barbara BCycle – A new electric bike-share program; docking stations are

located throughout downtown and along the waterfront.

● Santa Barbara Maritime Museum –Located at Santa Barbara Harbor; learn about the history of seafaring in the area, as well as topics like surfing, diving and more.

● Santa Barbara Museum of Art – This newly renovated downtown art museum

has recently opened its expanded gallery spaces.

● Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center –Located on Stearns Wharf, the museum has new exhibits on the Santa Barbara Channel.

● Wheel Fun Rentals – Explore Santa Barbara via bikes, surreys and more.

● Santa Barbara Trolley Company – provides a tour of Santa Barbara, which is a great overview for firsttime visitors; check their operating schedule to make sure they are running.

For more ideas of where to go and what to do in Santa Barbara, visit SantaBarbaraCA.com

If you are planning a trip to Santa Barbara, book by January 31, 2023, and you can receive your third night free at participating hotels and resorts. Visit santabarbaraca.com/ places-to-stay/santa-barbara-savvy to learn more! ᯽

HOLIDAY BAKING

We love these recipes from the Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day cookbook by Gemma Stafford. These are perfect for the holiday season! The French Toast makes a great holiday brunch dish since it can be pre-assembled and then baked on Christmas morning. And the Pecan Pie Cobbler is pecan pie simplified – no crust, no fuss!

MAKE-AHEAD FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Being a professional chef, I was trained to be prepared (within an inch of my life!) to eliminate the chances of anything going wrong. Naturally, I now gravitate toward recipes like this make-ahead French toast casserole. I’m able to assemble it in advance, and then the only step I have to perform in the morning (besides brewing some coffee) is popping it into the oven. The benefits of this recipe? A warm and comforting casserole, hot from the oven, and a 100 percent stress-free breakfast

Makes 8 Servings

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (½ stick/ 57 grams) butter, softened 10 (1-inch-thick) slices brioche, store-bought or homemade

6 large eggs, at room temperature

2 ½ cups (600 milliliters) whole milk

½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream ¼ cup (57 grams) granulated sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

Grated zest of 1 large orange Berries and pure maple syrup, for serving

Preparation

1. Generously butter a 10-inch baking dish.

2. Spread the butter on one side of the bread slices. Cut the bread into large cubes, crust and all, and add them to the baking dish.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, salt, and orange zest.

4. Pour the mixture over the bread and press down gently to help the bread absorb the liquid. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

5. The next morning, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

6. Uncover and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until puffed, golden, and set in the center.

7. Serve warm, with berries and maple syrup. Store any leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 2 days.

From Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day by Gemma Stafford. Copyright © 2022 by Gemma Stafford. Photography © 2022 by Carla Choy. Reprinted by permission of Harvest, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

PECAN PIE COBBLER

My pecan pie cobbler tastes of the holidays in every bite, but I bake this all year round and make no apologies! This cobbler is packed with wonderful caramel flavors and sweet, crunchy, toasted pecans—it has all the tastes of a perfectly baked Thanksgiving pecan pie but without all the added fuss!

Makes One 9-Inch Cobbler (8 Servings) Ingredients

½ cup (1 stick/115 grams) butter, melted 1 ¼ cups (177 grams) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 ½ cups (213 grams) pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped

1 1/3 cups (227 grams) dark brown sugar

1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) boiling water

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Pour the melted butter into a 9-inch round baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt, then stir in the milk and vanilla until just combined.

3. Pour the batter into the baking dish on top of the melted butter, then evenly sprinkle with the pecans and brown sugar. Pour the boiling water over the whole thing and leave it without stirring.

4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool for 45 minutes (it will thicken slightly).

5. Serve warm, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Store leftovers,

From Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day by Gemma Stafford. Copyright © 2022 by Gemma Stafford. Photography © 2022 by Carla Choy. Reprinted by permission of Harvest, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

The California coast is dotted with beautiful beaches. From Mendocino and Monterey to Pismo Beach, and Malibu, all the way down south to San Diego, there are so many wellknown beaches and beach towns along the way. But have you heard of Mandalay Beach in Oxnard? For most of us, Oxnard is an agricultural town where our strawberries come from. Little did we know that Oxnard is also a charming beach town with a magnificent secret beach and a hidden gem of a resort!

Mandalay Beach is a seemingly endless stretch of sand dunes and miles-long span of sugary sand beach. Nearby is Oxnard Sate Beach Park which features BBQ grills, volleyball courts, a playground, and a palm tree lined skating, jogging and biking path. In fact, the scenic Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, which starts in Vancouver, British Columbia and ends in Imperial Beach, California is along this path.

The beach is surprisingly free of crowds and is one of the cleanest stretches of sand you’ll ever see along the California coast. It’s so quiet and serene, it’s almost like having your own private beach!

ZACHARI DUNES ON MANDALAY BEACH a

hidden gem in Oxnard

Where to Stay

With its enviable location directly on the beach, Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach is the very best to place to stay in Oxnard. Once upon a time, sugar mogul, Henry Oxnard, planned to use several acres of this beautiful coastline to grow and process sugar beets for his sugar empire. He had intended to name the area after the Greek word for sugar – zachari – thus the inspiration for the resort’s name. This beachfront location affords direct access to the beach from the hotel, a rare and precious coastline commodity.

The hotel, one of the newest additions to Hilton’s Curio Collection of upscale properties, is an all-suite resort with spacious accommodations, all of the suites featuring a comfortable seating area with a large flat screen television, a dining area including a refrigerator and microwave, two full bathrooms, one or two bedrooms, and a small patio. The resort resembles a sprawling Spanish hacienda with welcoming public spaces including an expansive outdoor area with a large pool and hot tub, a sitting area adjacent to an outdoor bar, a

large outdoor fire pit, a game lounge, an on-site store and rental shop, and its excellent restaurant, there’s hardly a reason to leave the resort. The resort is perfect for families and large groups since there are so many activities for all ages to enjoy. But once you’ve seen the sunset from here, you’ll see it’s also the perfect setting for a quiet getaway or a romantic escape.

What to Eat

Ox & Ocean is the onsite restaurant at the resort. As the name implies, Ox & Ocean marries fresh ingredients from the area’s rich agricultural farmlands with those from the sea. The chef’s enthusiasm for his craft is evident and it’s clear he takes great pleasure composing creative dishes and an exciting menu. For breakfast, the Fritter Benedict is a crisp corn fritter topped with perfectly poached eggs and housemade(!) bac on slathered in a chipotle hollandaise – truly a one-of-a-kind benedict. For lunch, the O&O Burger is a must; this massive burger is a masterpiece with its juicy angus beef patty, their housemade bacon, onion jam, heirloom tomato and Fresno chili aioli. The sweets are irresistible: there’s the fire roasted milkshake with bits of roasted banana and salted caramel sitting under a cloud of fire roasted meringue, and there is an unforgettable fried strawberry hand pie which is the epitome of sweet strawberries giftwrapped in the flakiest of crusts.

At each meal, we sampled dishes that showed the chef’s deftness with the bounty from both land and sea. We ate beautifully presented, thoughtfully prepared, and absolutely delicious dishes – roasted beets (a nod to Henry Oxnard’s sugar beets) with goat cheese in vinaigrette, embellished with edible flowers, it was almost too pretty to eat; fragrant, roasted squash with turmeric yogurt; perfectly seared steak with savory trumpet mushrooms; halibut, roasted to a golden hue and served in a silky hollandaise; simple and absolutely addictive roasted crispy potatoes. Absolutely everything on the menu is intriguing with a lot of i nteresting combinations of spices and techniques. Even the cocktails are out of the ordinary and are meant to elevate the dining adventure at Ox & Ocean .

During our stay, we were lucky enough to be treated to a wine pairing dinner which featured special items from the chef to be paired with wines selected by the resort’s third level sommelier. This dinner was an extravaganza of culinary delights with course after course of mouthwatering dishes including a vibrant strawberry salad, tangy ceviche, seared scallops in black squid ink sauce and hearty braised short ribs with pureed root vegetables. The dishes were so perfectly paired with the accompanying wines from rosés to deep reds, it was truly an over-the-top gourmet experience. The resort promises to create dining events like this wine pairing experience for its guests and it’s well worth scheduling a trip

and outdoor entertainment and recreational equipment from Henry’s Sundries & Gear Rental , the on-site store and rental shop. Whatever activity you have in mind, Henry’s can provide you with anything you need to start having fun now! Want to spend a day at the beach? Henry’s can supply you with beach chairs, volleyballs, surfboards, paddleboards, boogie boards, and more! Maybe you’re in the mood to listen to music old-school style. Henry’s can lend you vinyl records plus the turntable. You can rent bicycles, roller blades, longboards, waterproof camera’s, board games, Xbox and Oculus, and anything else you can think of. Because there were four of us, we opted to rent a surrey, a four-wheeled bicycle for four (complete with a fringed top!), to ride on the bike trail and explore the neighborhood of quirky beach houses. We made it back to the resort within our two-hour limit, but if you need more time, you can use the equipment for however long you need for a nominal fee.

If playing games are your thing, then make sure to head over to Dive , a very cool game spot for adults only! There are tons of board games, a dart board, shuffleboard, a basketball arcade game, and a pinball machine, not to mention several television screens where guests can watch a variety of sports. It was super cool that the arcade machines didn’t require any coins and it was really kinda cool that we were the only “kids” in the room, so we didn’t have to wait or share with any actual kids. Grown-

up time is so nice sometimes! And of course, there’s a bar that serves beer and some very creative cocktails. There is so much fun to be had at Dive , we spent at least two hours making the rounds, playing most of the games. We had such a great time that we planned on coming back to play a quiet game of Scrabble.

Nothing feels more like vacation than lounging around the pool. Spend all day reclining in a private cabana with a good book. Feeling peckish? Order lunch or snacks from Ox & Ocean and cocktails from Dive . Enjoy a leisurely float or swim a few laps in the huge swimming pool or relax in the hot tub. It’s the perfect vacation day.

For those who are fitness minded, the resort has a clean well-appointed fitness room with a nice array of machines and equipment. You can also request services like personal training and massages. The resort also offers ocean-view yoga classes on the lawn – the perfect way to start a vacation day with gentle stretches and peaceful meditation. If you do feel the need to explore away from the resort, here are some fun things to do in Oxnard:

 If you’re a history buff, visit Heritage Square (715 S A Street, Oxnard). The “square” consists of a collection of restored buildings where docents dressed in oldtimey garb lead tours and share the area’s history. You can even enjoy afternoon tea at the Rose Garden, if you’re so inclined. There are also a variety of shops and restaurants at Heritage Square to explore.

 Go winetasting. The climate in Ventura County makes this part of California a prime grape-growing region and



there are some good wines being produced here. Strey Cellars (951 N Rice Ave, Oxnard) offers a tasting of six wines for just $10, and if you purchase a bottle of wine, the tasting is free. If you’re in town on a Friday night, attend the After Dark event at Magnavino Cellars (961 N Rice Ave, Oxnard). Every Friday from 5pm to 8pm they hold a social event where guests can enjoy a glass of wine along with a tempting cheese tray and small plates of tasty bites. Other nearby wineries in the area include Herzog Wine Cellars and Rancho Ventavo Cellars.

The Channel Islands Harbor offers several leisurely activities. There are restaurants and cafes, a maritime museum, and a park with a picnic area and hiking and biking paths. From the harbor, you can charter a boat, go whale-watching, fishing, kayaking or rent diving equipment. You can even try paddleboard yoga! On Sundays, there’s a Farmers Market where you can pick up fresh produce, baked goods, or hand-crafted gifts. You can easily spend an entire day at the harbor.

If you’re pondering where to go on your next getaway, Mandalay Beach in Oxnard is truly a hidden treasure, and Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach is the perfect place to stay. Whether you’re planning for a trip with the kids or a relaxing grown-up getaway, this is the ideal secret spot to enjoy your next vacation! ᯽

Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach

2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, CA 93035 805.984.2500

EXPERIENCE Transformation at

A Visionary Salon

EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATION AT A VISIONARY SALON

Owner Sheleen Williams has curated an incredible team of talented stylists, lash artists, hair restoration specialists, a doctor and a nutritional specialist to provide you with a full spsectrum of luxury services and treatments all in one convenient location.

What Does This Mean for Your Hair?

At AVS we take a multi-theraputic approach to hair loss including cutting edge treatments and solutions designed to help kickstart growth in stubborn areas that have not shown progress. Our methods have been clinically proven to help regenerate and regrow hair for both men and women.

Map Your Health With A Few Strands of Hair

Did you know that if you are lacking vitamins, nutrients, or you are constantly eating foods and additives that are causing inflammation, our bodies will pull vital nutrients from our hair, skin and nails first in an attempt to help ‘’fix” whatever

struggles our bodies are having? This is why we have incorporated Epigenetic hair follicle testing. Through your own hair follicles, we can help identify your unique nutritional and immune system challenges. With as few as 4 strands of hair, this sophisticated technology maps the hair follicle and evaluates over 800 wellness indicators. We believe this is an important step in identifying possible causes of hair loss.

The test is simple and you will get a complete assessment, a 90 day nutrition plan and comprehensive consultation with our nutritional specialist.

In addition to these cutting edge technologies, we also offer a full array of custom hair addition solutions for the top of the head as well as several hair extension methods to add thickness and length to your hair. Pair that with excellent color, a smoothing keratin treatment, lash extensions or do a beautiful lash lift to complete your look.

A VISIONARY SALON

Your Bay Area Leader in Hair Loss Solutions, Low Level Laser Therapy, XTC Extreme Hair Therapy, World Renowned Growth Factors, Epigenetic hair testing, PRP, Microneedling, Healthy Hair Extensions, Eyelash Extensions, Eye Lash Lifts, Eye Brow Lamination, Specialized Blonding Techniques and All things beauty!

Let us make your hair dreams a reality!!

SHELEEN WILLIAMS

16270 Monterey Rd ste 100/160 Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Phone: 408.979.1195 avisionarysalon@yahoo.com

A journey filled with LOVE

Ol iver was only five months old when he came to Humane Societ y S ilicon Valley with large dee p w o unds across his back and rear l egs. Our Resc u e team, which travels to our partner shelt er s several times weekly to transport at-risk animals, brought in Oliver and 20 other dogs and puppies so they could receive the care they needed.

Oliver was just one of more than 3,500 animals transferred in through our Sue and John Diekman Regional Rescue Program in 2022 who received a second chance thanks to support from our incredible community.

Due to the extent of Oliver’s wounds, our Medical team put him under anesthesia before cleaning and disinfecting his wounds. They also found foxtails in his coat and embedded in his skin. Once his wounds were clean, the team decided he should be sent to a foster home that could help monitor the progress of his healing and keep his wounds clean while he recovered.

The first time Oliver’s foster mom Michelle met him, he was nervous and shied away from her touch. “His wound was so big, it even hurt me to look at it,” says Michelle. She was worried it would take Oliver a long time to bring him out of his shell.

Within days of bringing Oliver home, Michelle saw his true personality come to light. Once he was within the safety of her home, he became bouncy, wiggly, and thrilled to spend time near Michelle and her dogs.

Michelle and Oliver made frequent visits to our Medical Center to check on Oliver’s progress. “The

care he received was amazing,” says Michelle. “It really highlighted that fostering through HSSV is a team effort.”

Once Oliver had healed, it was time for him to find his forever home. The first time he met his new parents, Michelle says, was love at first sight. He spent that first meeting snuggled in his new mom’s arms and giving his new dad constant kisses.

We’ll never know what Oliver went through before he came to us. What we do know is that he has a bright, happy future ahead of him. With costs of animal care rising everywhere, giving to help animals like Oliver is more important than ever. Together with you, we can help so many animals get the second chance they deserve this holiday season. ᯽

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