Brentwood Focus February 2014 _ Life Renewal Issue

F OC U S

STYLE

DINING

FEBRUARY 2014 brentwoodfocus.com

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

KIDS

FREE ACTIVITIES

PERFORMANCE

ART

Mobile Dating

Best of *

BRENT WOOD *Our Pick of THE Best Places in Brentwood

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MINUTE YOGA

APPS

EVENTS

ADS

Make it easier for your customers to find and buy from you. Enable your customers, using their smartphones, to locate you, see your inventory, menu, promotions, make appointments etc.

We develop mobile apps for businesses.

Do you want to hold a corporate event or sponsor one of our neighborhood events?

Using local venues we can promote, host and cater your corporate or group events – and suggest sponsorship opportunities.

In need of digital or print ads during the course of your marketing promotions?

We design and produce ads for online and offline.

WEBSITES

SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILING

PR

When did you last update your website? Is it mobile friendly? Did you know 56% of the population now view websites on their smartphones?

We develop responsive websites for desktop and mobile, and can update your content monthly.

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Let us help you identify the influencers in the community so that you can target your promotions and find potential customers.

We provide analytics and software to help you find and communicate with your loyal followers.

Do you need help to communicate your news and promotions? We write content relevant to your business, on a regular basis, in the magazine and online. With the rollout of magazines to adjoining neighborhoods this year, we are in a unique position to communicate your message.

As a business you’re constantly trying to keep up – social media, mobile sites, apps – making your customers aware of your products or services.

At Focus, we understand that it’s a lot to consider, and that it can lead to inaction. Well, we are able to help you. A large part of what we do is communicate effectively – through storytelling, we make discoveries and connections. Through technical expertise we make things function.

We unite the neighborhood.

With our vast experience and the knowledge we have collectively accumulated, we are qualified to advise on one or all of your requirements. Together with our select partners we can offer you pretty much anything you need to connect yourself with your customers, both offline and online.

Best of all, we are a lean, extremely productive group so the services we provide are affordable and targeted to the neighborhood.

Please contact us, we’ll be delighted to hear from you.

Email us sales@focusmag.us for a free consultation. © The Focus Media Group

brentwoodfocus.com 3

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Insights into your neighborhood.

Editor/Creative Director Mark Castellino T: 310 869 7532 mark@brentwoodfocus.com Contributing Editors Andrew Waldman Jenna Atchison Staff Writers Cody Brooks Felicia Waldman Feature Writers Thomas Callaway Mona Cohen Danielle Cuccio Elaine Daneshrad Julianne Gabert Molly Lyda Paul Parminter Kaleigh Walker Focus (ISSN 2328-1359) is published monthly and distributed free to homes in Brentwood CA 90049. Please do not to reproduce any of the content without asking us first.

To distribute Brentwood Focus at your business please call 310 869 7532.

ADVERTISE

If you want the opportunity to promote your business to every home in Brentwood, (and who doesn’t?), our affordable rates start at $175. Please email us at info@brentwoodfocus.com or view the media kit at brentwoodfocus.com

Happy New Year! This issue is about Renewal. We highlight the three main themes of Love, Health and New Beginnings.

In time for Valentine’s Day we have a heartwarming story about a technologically challenged senior who discovered online dating, and we have a roundup of the new mobile dating apps.

There a piece on how to select a gym if you’re a beginner to yoga and also some yoga poses you can do in just one minute.

FACEBOOK brentwoodfocus INSTAGRAM brentwoodfocus TWITTER @brentwoodfocus

Starting a new year, we also have our list of the Best of Brentwood. We know some of you might not agree with our picks – so I invite you to email us your own choices or post them to our Facebook page, with a short note about why you chose them.

As always, I’m happy to hear from you if you have suggestions for future issues or if you want to contribute a post to the magazine or website.

FREE DESIGN

We offer a FREE design service when you book an Ad space, no matter the size. Just send us your logo and text. We’ll do the rest.

CONTACT US Write to us and send gifts to: 149 South Barrington Place #178, Los Angeles CA 90049 Email inquiries, news stories, promotions, suggestions, photos and compliments to: info@brentwoodfocus.com

CONTENTS

8 Best of

BRENT WOOD

Pearlessence

Christopher Young designs his jewelry with unusual and exquisite South Sea pearls.

14

People You May Know

1 Minute Poses

Danielle Cuccio tells you how to achieve perfect calm in just one minute.

Julianne Gabert takes up the Facebook challenge and agrees to meet a friend of a friend over a meal at M CafĂŠ de Chaya.

Page 22

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Winter Fashion

Elaine Daneshrad scours the shops for comfort clothes, should the weather turn cold again!

36 16

Never Too Late To Date Suzanne Brokaw, 68, discovers the iPad and online dating.

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20

Best of 2013

Best books and a few quirky lists to round off the year that was.

“I am hoping that we continue to capitalize on quality foreign buyers through our global outreach and that 2014 extends the strong rebound in residential real estate that we experienced in 2013.”

“I hope people realize that “giving feels better than getting” and will help those less fortunate in Brentwood and other parts of LA. As the Chair of the Brentwood Community Council, I thank all of you who give of your time and energy to make our community a wonderful place to call home.”

What Are You Hoping For In 2014?

Joseph R. Cilic Senior Vice President & Branch Manager Sotheby’s International Realty

“For the Bel Air Bar+Grill I wish for successful completion of the 405 construction project and improved traffic flow throughout Brentwood. Personally, as I have my whole life, I wish for Peace and Health for all.”

Susan Disney-Lord Bel Air Grill

Nancy Freedman Chair, Brentwood Community Council

“I’m hopeful that the strong real estate market will continue in the New Year.”

Michael Nourmand President, Nourmand & Associates

“I really like Sasha Cohen’s quote about health. I find it inspiring and balancing :) Follow your dreams, work hard, practice and persevere. Make sure you eat a variety of foods, get plenty of exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I always look for the best produce and superfoods I can get my hands so my guests feel healthy and strong as they leave the store.”

Ilan Mit Founder, Juice Crafters

“We hope that Brentwood continues to preserve its small town neighborhood feel as an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We’ve had Caffe Luxxe in Brentwood since 2008 and really love the genuine friendships we have developed with all of our neighbors who rely on us to help kick start their days.”

Gary Chau Co-owner, Luxxe Cafe

“I am hoping for continued good health and to remember to be present…not regretful of the past or anxious of the future. Just to be truly present and treasure every special moment.”

Jamara Ghalayini Pumpkinheads

“The Friends of the Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library will continue to support the library with volunteers and funds during 2014, which marks the 42nd year for our organization. The Friends will purchase additional supplies, materials, and books, including the “Hot Off the Press” best sellers collection; pay for three off-site staff parking spaces; organize and sponsor monthly adult programs and movie matinees for the community as well as pay for additional children and young adult programs; and continue to operate and staff daily the Friends Bookstore, where patrons can purchase at bargain prices and donate used books. The sales from the bookstore and the dues from our Friends members provide the funds that allow our continued support of the library. In 2013, we had 104 members. In 2014, we hope to increase our membership by 25%. Annual membership dues are only $10 for individuals, although many of our members choose to contribute more. JOIN US! Together we can have another helpful and productive year at our library.”

Mary Ann Garvey President, Friends of the Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library

What are your resolutions or hopes for 2014? Post them to facebook.com/brentwoodfocus

Pearl– ESSENCE Talented jewelry designer, Christopher Young, is making waves with his premier collection of pearl jewelry. He complements traditional white pearls with his unique designs, which feature gold, battleship-blue and ocean-grey South Sea ocean pearls, with unique textures and hues.

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How did you became a jewelry designer?

My introduction into this incredible world began when I was working Downtown in the Jewelry District as the Operations Manager of a luxury online watch dealer.

Being down there every day really exposed me to the whole wide world of Jewelry.

From fine Emeralds, Rubies, and Sapphires to semiprecious stones like quartz, aquamarine, and topaz, I have seen pretty much everything available in the market of gems and colored stones and I can attest that it is a really fascinating Industry. Even though I was working with high end watches my interest was starting to shift toward Diamonds and Pearls, I soon felt a strong desire to learn more about them and why they were drawing me in, especially the Pearls.

One day while walking to lunch I noticed several strands of pearls and a separate group of loose pearls that were completely oblong and radically shaped, I inquired about them and the dealer kindly explained that they were Baroque pearls and how they were naturally free formed. From that point on I was hooked, I visited all of the other dealers to do my research on Baroque’s, and soon after, I started sketching jewelry pieces incorporating these unique pearls. The next step in my journey was to enroll and study at the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) to further enhance my understanding of the more academic aspect of pearls and gems. As my knowledge and fascination increased, I started purchasing individual pearls and then I would design and make pieces that would showcase their natural beauty.

Style

CHRISTOPHER YOUNG DESIGNS | 02/2014

Why the fascination with pearls?

Pearls are one of the few organic precious gems that are coveted in fine jewelry pieces. I love all pearls, but have a stronger attraction to baroque pearls; therefore, I use them more frequently in my designs. The unique properties of baroque pearls come in all different types of free-form natural and non-symmetrical shapes.

Pearls naturally form in a wide spectrum of colors; including vivid gold and silver tones, hints of greens and grays hues, and capturing overtones of pink or blue. Unlike diamond and precious gem stone jewelry, pearls can be made into fine jewelry with their natural imperfect characteristics and that is their ultimate attraction. Whether I am working with round or Baroque Pearls, South Sea or Tahitian Pearls, I pride myself in the quality of pearls I place in my designs and hand pick every pearl I place in my showcase.

Has much changed since the 1950s pearls and twinsets?

You know it’s interesting that you mention the fifties as a prime time for pearls, as I think that era had a lot to do with all the men who served in the Navy in World War II. It was the first time Americans were truly exposed to the South East Asian culture, which is where most pearls originate. However, the Sixties were also a strong decade for Pearls as well, So many women related to Jackie Kennedy and her love of pearls.

Coincidentally there has been a real uptick in the interest of Pearls lately. I have a feeling it has to do with the huge popularity of the TV shows and movies that take an interest in the beauty of the classic era of Showtime, including “Mad Men” and “The Great Gatsby”. In terms of the jewelry I design, and the types of pearls I incorporate into my designs, their characteristics are different as well.

Pearls, like most coveted gems in jewelry, are worn in relation to the current fashion and the trends that change seasonally. One thing is for sure since the 1950’s, bigger is better. My clients generally love the larger look, the pearl strands I design for them are upwards of 12mm graduated and earrings are usually matched sets larger than

13mm. My goal as a designer is to strike a balance between classic and contemporary. I strive to add a slight twist, spin, and sparkle to classic ideas without going overboard. I work towards designing pieces that reinvent the pearl.

How do you go about creating your designs - what’s your inspiration?

As cliché as it sounds, each pearl has a story and this premise lays the foundation for all of my designs. Since I pick each pearl that goes into my finished pieces, I usually account for color, shape, and size. After I have determined how I want to use the pearl (as a necklace, earrings, bracelet, etc.), I will design a setting around the pearl using computer renderings and Photoshop programs to find out the best way to showcase the beauty of the pearl. I always make the pearl the showpiece of my jewelry. Adding gems and diamonds as flare in the background to enhance the pearl, but not overpower it. I get inspired by fantastically distinctive pearls with unique shapes and rare color tones. I love to work with materials that you don’t see a lot of in other jewelry stores and classic jewelry designs.

Could you help me custom design a piece – or are you able to revitalize my old jewelry?

Absolutely! Part of my business is designing collections with particular color and shape coordinated consistencies, but a large part of my work is special orders and jewelry creations for my clients. As a full service designer, I am versatile; whether it is designing pieces from scratch or clients wanting to recycle sentimental materials to create a one of a kind design. In fact, some of the greatest satisfaction I receive out of my business is working directly with clients to create pearl and diamond jewelry for themselves or their loved ones.

You’ve cultivated quite a following for a young designer, why do you think your designs are so popular?

I am greatly appreciative for my clients and their business. I think one reason that I have been

successful in designing pearl and diamond jewelry for people on the Westside is because of the sincere personal service I offer them.

Whether you are buying some simple Japanese Akoya pearl studs for your granddaughter or designing an elaborate South Sea or Tahitian pearl necklace strand

and earring combination for a red carpet event, I treat all my clients the same. I don’t believe purchase price should reflect the level of service I should dictate to my clients. Even though I am a relatively new designer, I always strive to exceed my customer’s expectations. Sometimes I am a little hard on myself, but I want every piece to be perfect.

What are your future plans?

Setting up my first jewelry showcase in my family’s existing business (HAVEN & CO.) was a great way to bring attention to my designs. I plan to expand the jewelry section of the store and add more showcases to include more of my collections. Eventually I would like to open my own Boutique possibly in Pasadena or Beverly Hills to service that side of the city, spending half my time in Brentwood and the other half over there. In addition, I plan to build my design collections further, by eventually adding more unique pearl/diamond/and precious stone creations.

Christopher Young Designs (Haven) 11965 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Phone: 818 800 6443 www.christopheryoungdesigns.com brentwoodfocus.com 9

Style&Gifts All Wrapped Up

T

weak The Original Giftery launched in January 2012. Owner and giftologist, Tara Riceberg, takes the chore out of gifting by curating the selection, offering only genius designs that are pre-wrapped in TSA-friendly cellophane. She also encourages playing with and touching everything. Customers are invited to put down their coffee and technology and discover the genius, quirky designs with both hands. “You have to engage product to love it,” Riceberg says. That’s why the store policy is “Explore the store! You must touch everything. If you don’t you will miss out on the fun. If you accidentally break something, you must say sorry. We believe in good manners.”

She encourages smelling and tasting, too. “I give customers experiences they can’t have online. I believe value isn’t spending less but getting more for your money. Where else can you “kill the lights”, play ping pong or sample artisanal honey while shopping?”

But, wait there’s more. Always kid friendly, there are hula hoops, a hopscotch court, an air hockey table and even a craft table for customers and their children to make their own gift cards. “Our elves have done the heavy lifting by pre-wrapping the gifts. It’s fun for customers to add their personal touch with the homemade cards.”

Plus, the store is designed with wide aisles for oversized strollers and everything is merchandised so that nothing is breakable at grab height. Riceberg believes, “Parents need to relax and not police while in the store. They’re encouraged to let their children do what comes naturally-discover, play and enjoy.”

Riceberg subscribes to the “less is more” concept of retailing—you don’t have to offer everything under the sun; you just have to offer the best! She hopes her customers come happy, but leave happier. Only then is her job done.

Tweak 8384 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 M-Sa 10:30-6:30ish Su 12-5 T: 323.653.6531 www.bestgiftstoreever.com

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Stella & Bow

Stella & Bow was created by Los Angeles natives, Lauren Brokaw and Lindsey Lerman. Since Stella & Bow’s inception in 2011, the duo sought to provide quality, on-trend pieces at affordable prices. Brokaw and Lerman take inspiration from pop-culture, their travels around the world and art, and then translate their perspective into a line of jewels that embodies the perfect marriage of edge and femininity.

Through the use of genuine stones and materials and handcrafted design, Stella & Bow has held onto their values and continues to offer consumers trendsetting jewelry without the steep price tag.

Stella and Bow has acquired an exciting and diverse fan base, with celebrity supporters such as: Chloe Grace Moretz, Kristen Bell, Shailene Woodley, Amber Heard, Ashley Benson, Saoirse Ronan, Natasha Bedingfield, Alexandra Daddario, Whitney Port.

Stella and Bow has been seen in Who What Wear, Nylon, The Hollywood Reporter, InStyle, Elle, Refinery 29, Teen Vogue, Racked LA, People, Lucky, Fashionista, New York Mag’s The Cut, Glamour, The Zoe Report, OK Magazine, Just Jared, E! Online, Time Out New York, Marie Claire, etc.

Stella & Bow www.stella-bow.squarespace.com

FASHION | 02/2014

The Stylish Guide to Surviving an

LA Winter

by Elaine Daneshrad

Ron Herman The best

thing about Ron Herman is that they have something for every occasion. Decided to go with a classy, yet trendy look with this fur vest, laced blue dress, gold chunky necklace and a fun skull beanie. One can easily transition this outfit from a casual day scenario with combat boots to a vamped up night outfit with heels.

And since the weather will probably be supreme, no stockings will be needed!

11677 San Vicente Blvd #105, Los Angeles, CA 90049 www.ronherman.com

IF THERE’S ONE THING LA IS KNOWN FOR, and blessed with, it’s the fabulous weather. Yet, with great weather comes great responsibility – as to what is deemed appropriate ‘winter wear’. When I think of a typical winter, I picture fur vests, stockings, turtle necks, and big woolly boots.

Since we’re graced with 75 degrees during the days, with a slight chance of a small chill as we head into the nights, Winter in LA becomes quite a challenge, and figuring out the best outfit to wear can become quite confusing. Always wishing I had someone to help me select the perfect ensembles for each season, I stopped at some of my favorite Brentwood stores, to guide you on how to survive stylishly in a LA winter. brentwoodfocus.com 11

SURVIVING AN LA WINTER | 02/20134/Elaine Daneshrad

Madison For the times when you

want to dress up for a quaint brunch with friends or colleagues or head out for a day of endless shopping, Madison has got you covered.

Layering a collared shirt with a light sweater and pairing it with blazing red leather pants, some studded Chloe booties, and a floppy hat to tie it all together, this look will definitely make you head out on the town in style.

11677 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 madisonlosangeles.com

BCBGMaxazria When I think

BCBG, I automatically think of their amazingly, beautiful array of dresses. This stunning white and navy blue, striped dress (that’s so comfy I could wear it all the time), would be absolutely perfect for any day or night. As the dress is the star of this whole ensemble, not much more is needed other than a simple, yet gorgeous silver necklace, their cutest fox clutch, and of course, some white ear muffs just in case of that 0.001% chance of snow.

11677 San Vicente Blvd #107, Los Angeles, CA 90049 bcbg.com

Free People Free People knows

how to perfectly channel everyone’s inner earthy and bohemian hipster chic. Having it be all about the little details which make their outfits different and unique, with the perfect long lace dress (that comes in endless amounts of colors), a not-sotypical leather jacket with patterned shoulder details, and practically knee high, leather combat boots with gold buckles that are to die for, one can easily channel and show off their inner hippie this winter.

13030 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 freepeople.com

About the Author: Elaine Daneshrad is an fashion blogger.

Check out her latest video from NYFW http://bit.ly/1fDDc2j www.fashionlaine.com elaine@fashionlaine.com Twitter: @fashionlaine Instagram: @iamfashionlaine Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashionlaine

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Velvet by Graham and Spencer

Simple yet chic, subtle yet statement worthy – Velvet

by Graham and Spencer creates timeless pieces that instantly become must-haves in every person’s wardrobes. As all Angelenos are constantly on the go, sometimes the most simple and easy breezy outfits are the ones that are needed to get us through a day of errands.

With the perfect plaid shirt, silky smooth leather pants, piercing red purse (that will perfectly fit any and everything you’ll need on the go), and obviously the biggest, goldest, and most stylish sunglasses a girl can find, any task would be handled flawlessly and efficiently.

13020 San Vicente Blvd, CA 90049

Q+A

SAMANTHA LLOYD-GORDON | 02/2014

Celebrity’s Choice Former actress Samantha LloydGordon is on the board of the Association of Celebrity Personal Assistants and also oversees the LA branch of very British, Quintessentially People

What led you to LA and how long have you been here? Uniquely, I moved out to LA to be an actress! But I quickly realized my passion and talent lay in organization and managing people. That’s when I decided to become a professional Executive and Personal Assistant which evolved into House/Estate Management.

I know you’re involved with the Association of Celebrity Personal Assistants, can you tell us about that? The organization has been around for over 20 years. The members are the gatekeepers to the Hollywood elite, VIPs, and captains of industry.

The assistants do everything from making sure there are only blue M&M’s in a bowl to coordinate with the office colors (yes, I did this), to reading lines with Oscar winning actors, and everything in between.

It has been an honor to get to know these hardworking assistants. I have served on the Board of Directors for the past six years and it’s been challenging but always worthwhile, and the relationships I have developed along the way as a PA/EM have been very rewarding.

Was that a factor in Quintessentially People asking you to head up their LA office? Yes, that was a factor. Quintessentially People, who have worked exclusively out of London and New York, were looking for someone to head up their new staffing and recruiting office in Los Angeles, someone who really knew the culture of L.A. and the families and individuals who require top-notch domestic assistance. My background was a great fit.

One of my specialities and passions was hiring staff in the homes I supported - from nannies and doulas to housekeepers and chefs to second assistants and butlers. I am really honored that they asked me to be a part of the QP family - it’s a respected, reputable and successful company.

What is Quintessentially People? The clients at QP range from numerous Royal families, politicians and international businessmen, through to high profile names in music, fashion, film and television - and we also look after a huge number of well-known businesses too, helping them to find candidates for their senior members of staff and international offices.

Quintessentially People is a modern agency with a modern vibe and a modern focus – we are very careful about the candidates we choose to represent and equally careful to ensure we work with clients who will treat our candidates with respect. Some of the positions we staff are: Personal and Executive Assistants, Nannies, Chefs, Housekeepers, Butlers, Chief of Staff, Chauffeurs, Tutors, Yacht Crews and other ad-hoc positions.

How does it differ from the other agencies?

Unlike other agencies, I have the hands-on experience of working as an Estate/House Manager and Personal Assistant in these homes so I absolutely understand the needs of the client. Quintessentially People has an extensive network of contacts which can help our candidates to be successful. We don’t abandon our candidates once they’ve been placed, we maintain contact and check-in with the client and the candidate to ensure their success. We want to work with these families for a long time - not just staff one member of the household. We’re creating a life-long relationship.

And if someone wants to use your services?

My office is located in West Hollywood so I am very local. Some clients prefer to meet me face to face (which I am happy to do) and some prefer to discuss their needs at length through email, Skype or calling me at the office. I can be reached by email at samantha@ quintessentiallypeople.com and by calling me at: 323-406-8564. I don’t keep “normal” hours which is a holdover from my EM/PA days - I am always available for my clients so they can reach me evenings and weekends.

FUN STUFF Do you have any funny stories as a celeb assistant? In order to entertain a 3 year old because his nanny was sick, I made up fun, silly songs singing them in my best Broadway voice (not so good really). The more he giggled, the sillier my lyrics and singing became. I even created a dance number. Right when I was in the middle of performing my version of Hakkuna Mattata from The Lion King, my employer, a Tony Award winning Broadway singer, walked in. I, of course, being totally embarrassed, stopped immediately, but my employer insisted that I finish. At the end of my number I did receive a standing ovation. From the 3 year old.

What do you love about LA? I love being able to go to the beach and hike in the mountains later that afternoon, seeing shows at the Geffen Playhouse, exploring the neighborhoods with my vintage Polaroid camera, and enjoying LA’s eclectic restaurant scene.

There’s so much about Los Angeles that I have grown to love from originally being a New Yorker. Angelenos are culturally diverse and hard working, and I am happy to count myself as one of them.

Samantha Lloyd-Gordon samantha@ quintessentiallypeople.com T: 323-406-8564. www.quintessentiallypeople. com brentwoodfocus.com 13

PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW | 02/2014 / by Julianne Gabert

by Julianne Gabert @ M CAFE DE CHAYA

MY NAME IS JULIANNE AND I AM A FACEBOOK-AHOLIC. You know that person who everyday shares Buzzfeed links, relevant semi-political rants and pictures of what I ate that day? That’s me. I have over 1,200 friends, and despite that number there are times when I feel I could use less friends on Facebook and more friends in real life. Instead of ignoring the “People You May Know” list that Facebook created to connect others, I decided to see who’s on there and if they would be willing to meet up with me.

I stumbled upon Andy Crete, who was a friend of my friend Nicole. Andy used an image of Cindy Crawford with children as his profile pic, which I thought was funny.

According to his profile, he seems like he knows quite a bit about filmmaking. I added him and sent a message asking if he’d like to meet for lunch sometime. I was a little nervous to see his response. I sure hoped he didn’t think I was hitting on him.

Making friends when you’re older is hard. Nowadays you have to consider things like what you actually have in common with this person, do their beliefs match with yours and if you live in LA, do they live within 5 miles of a drive? I remember my best friend Marcie and I meeting on the first of Kindergarten. I walked up to her and asked, “Will you be my friend?” and she said, “Yes”. We were inseparable from that point on. Even though I live in Brentwood and she lives in New York City we’re still very tight knit. I haven’t heard of it being that easy for an adult. “Will you be my friend?” could possibly get me punched in the face, depending on what part of LA I was in.

Andy messaged me back and said he’d love to meet up and talk. We met at the new M Café de Chaya, which is a Macrobiotic Restaurant on San Vicente Blvd to try some healthier food, as opposed to getting caloric cocktails or dealing with a noisy, hustle-bustle coffee shop. I loved the crisp, clean interior of the place and it’s fun to browse through the books they have on retail. Opposed to table service, it broke the ice for us to look at the yummy pastries and have the counter service explain what the Macrobitoic diet is all about. Then Andy and I hit the patio to get to know each other.

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Andy Crete Filmmaker, part-timer Lyft driver and former child supermodel.

JG: I noticed you have a lot of friends who seem to be privy to the filmmaking world. Do you use Facebook to network?

AC: I like networking through Facebook. I’ve met some cool Voice-

Over actors, people in Animation, people that I may consider doing work with.

Are you on Facebook a lot? I’ve been trying to spend less time on Facebook. I found myself kind of trolling and scrolling up and down on the newsfeed, and I’d lose about 40 minutes. So I’ve taken to installing the messenger app on my phone so I can just use that.

I decided to log myself out on my phone and my computer so if I wanted to check the newsfeed, I’d have to log in and that slight annoyance does keep me from doing it as often. I’m becoming more of a Twitter guy.

Are you an experimental person when it comes to food? It’s pretty rare for me to actually go to one of these places. I’m usually a carry-out kind of guy.

I’m loving my Bi-Bim Bop Whole-Grain Bowl. I’ve been living off cold pizza the past couple of days, so I feel like my body is saying “Thank you”. The salmon is also perfectly cooked, soft and buttery. What did you order? The Baja M Chopped Salad. It’s

delicious. All these flavors pair well together. I love the Mexican flavor to it – beans, tortilla strips and pico de gallo, blended with the creaminess of the avocado and the dressing.

Do you get out to Brentwood often? I’m taking a couple of internet

courses through UCLA, so I end up in Westwood quite a bit. My favorite spot is Extreme Pizza. They do bizarre pizzas, there’s a Korean BBQ pizza, a chicken Tandoori Indian pizza and they let me watch Pro. Wrestling on Monday nights. I’ll always support a restaurant willing to put my stupid game on for me.

So I noticed that an image of Cindy Crawford with little cowboy children is your profile image. What’s the story? I went to a dude

ranch every Summer with my family in the Rockies to ride horses for a week at a time. Cindy’s sister, Danielle, was a wrangler at the ranch.

So when Cindy said she wanted to do a horse theme for Italian Vogue, Danielle offered the Ranch she worked at. Cindy saw me and other kids riding horses and asked if we could pose with her.

Food I bet you got paid though! It wasn’t paid! But our parents didn’t

care and signed our lives away. They spent a half hour doing my hair and they ended up just putting me in a cowboy hat, which made me one angry kid. There wasn’t much interaction with Cindy though. It’s not like we went out for drinks after. Probably because I was only 9.

Do you have any films that are online? I have 2 mini web docs on George Lucas to view on my website (http://andycrete.com), George Lucas, The Early Years and George Lucas, Visionary Filmmaker. I was able to legally obtain footage from Star Wars, owned by Lucas Film and Disney.

Wow. I know other filmmakers that would kill to be able to use Star Wars footage. How did you make the rapport with Lucas Films? It was a unpaid job that I got through my Film Professor at

University of Pacific, who was a producer for the Modesto Historic Graffiti Cruise Route, an organization that made a 25 stop walk, where tourists can see locations from his film American Graffiti.

When George made American Graffiti, there was a loop the characters in the film would cruise. The walk also features places George Lucas spent time as a child. The locations have kiosks with

are currently developing a Western we’d like to sell. It’s a very compelling story. We’re also finalizing a 3rd draft on a Sci-Fi short and we want to get that into film festivals.

I’m from Sacramento and I saw that you’re from Lodi. How is it making films in Hollywood compared to a small city like Lodi?

Locations are a huge challenge. When I was making films in Lodi and Stockton, locations were extremely easy to come by, since I had so many friends and family in the area. Even filming in public locations was easy. If you’re filming on a street somewhere, people will be interested and will want to help if they can. In LA, if you’re impeding foot traffic on the street, the cops will pull up and you’ll be under arrest or slapped with a huge fine. In LA, even getting a coffee shop or a bar is a challenge.

Do you have an additional part-time job for when it slows down in production? Yes, I am a driver for the app Lyft. I’ve met some

cool people through being a Driver and it’s great because it’s flexible.

The freedom to set your own hours is really liberating and great. If a shoot were to cancel on me, I can go into Driver mode if I wanted to and make up the money lost on the cancellation.

I know Lyft is donation based, is there anything a customer could do that makes them more desirable to drive around?

When you get a request from a passenger who has no previous ratings and no picture – it makes you appear sketchy to the Driver.

Drivers get stiffed all the time and we do have to pay for gas and wear and tear on the car. It’s like getting extra-stiffed cause you gave that person the time.

Any tips on how customers can help keep the Lyft app going? I imagine something donation based would have to keep good Drivers to sustain. Passengers have to be

very careful with how they rate Drivers. It’s a 5 star system, and if Drivers get anything outside of a 5 star rating, it can dramatically affect them. Even a 4 information and there is a different web doc I made that plays kiosks 19 & 20. I collaborated on #22, and I will be submitting #2 for star rating can get someone kicked off the platform. Passengers think it’s like Yelp and a their approval soon. I was the most work I’d ever done, so I got the Star Wars tattoo on my arm. It’s the Rebel symbol. It was my way to Driver won’t be affected by a 4 star rating, but it can cripple them. Unless a Driver upsets you commemorate my time.

Unpaid work is tough. What was the payoff to do it? The payoff at badly, please support them with a 5 star rating. the end was to get some exposure, work with a lot of USC students, So… have you had to clean up any puke?

I have puke bags ready just in case. That’s happened to a lot of which is where I aspire to go for Graduate School. It was also the drivers, I’ve heard. Knock on wood. chance to meet George at the end, which we did.

Okay, that’s a worthy payoff. How did you meet him? I met Andy’s $10 off referral code – exclusive to Brentwood Focus him at the opening of the Cruise Route. They had all of old town readers: J38F2M Modesto shut down, they had over 1,200 old cars in attendance I Follow Andy and me on Twitter @AndyCrete, @JulianneGabert believe 30,000 people or so in the streets. Myself and other USC students who worked for the Cruise Route were granted press M Café de Chaya, 11678 San Vicente Blvd. CA 90049 passes. George was doing interviews with local press and shortly www.mcafedechaya.com came over to talk with us. He’s a very funny, normal guy – slightly awkward, in an endearing way. The press was staring daggers at us because he spent a lot more time with us than them.

About the Author: Julianne Gabert is an actress and blogger for “Girls on Food”.

I noticed you run a production company called Soggy Dog Productions – funny name by the way. Who do you work with and are there any projects coming up for 2014? Soggy Dog is

myself and my partner, actor and co-writer Kyle Gundlach. We

http://facebook.com/juliannegabertactress http://girlsonfood.net

brentwoodfocus.com 15

DATING | 02/20134

DATING

Never Too Late To Date by Felicia Waldman

Using a smart phone, tablet or computer for the first time is a challenge some would rather not face. LA resident Suzanne Brokaw decided she had waited long enough, and at 68 was finally ready to be a part of our high tech world that seemed to be at everyone’s fingertips but hers. Email, Google...Online dating? Being in touch was easy and fun.

Why did you decide to get an iPad? I wanted to get a little more connected to the technology world. I have a basic phone and wanted to be able to do emails more easily to my friends and family. My daughter and a close friend told me the iPad was an amazing new invention, and it would make it easy for someone like me to access the internet.

The iPad enabled you to discover online dating?

My daughter set up a JDate account for me without my knowledge!

She set up a profile for me and even began communicating with some of the members on my behalf…she eventually told me and taught me how to do it myself. I was skeptical at first but once I got the hang of it I gave it a try… In the beginning I had many dates, some better than others of course! Some looked nothing like their photos, one lived in Newport Beach and came all the way to LA for our date, sweet man but not for me. There was a dentist, and a man who said he was separated but was still married! it was a lot of effort and when I think about it I’m out of breath! The good news is, it works.

Was it easy to learn how to use it?

Yes! I’m not that tech savvy and had no real experience with computers or smart phones and I found it to be very easy. I actually went to the Apple store for a couple of lessons but learned easily on my own, by trial and error.

Are you now a fan of online dating?

Yeah! It’s fabulous! Take advantage! You know people will always say “Oh there are no good men, or there are no good women on there”. It’s like if you went out shopping, and I said here, pick out three things.

You have a selection of millions of people. C’mon, I think its fantastic.

Anyone that gives you that bunk, “I don’t do electronic dating”, good for them. Go into a bar, get introduced by a friend once a year. You have to be aggressive, and be proactive, and take charge of your own life. But now at this time in my life, no. It’s the only way to go... and even for younger people too! The good news is, it works. My last date was two years ago. I met a wonderful man on JDate and we are still together…. and for now both of our accounts are closed!

What do you enjoy using it for?

I use my iPad for email and I “Google” a lot. I’m very much into finding out things about people, places, things and events in the world, things happening in the theater and shows...you know, I really love the “Googling” – to just write something in the box and it tells you the answer!

3 Day

Rule

16 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

THREE DAY RULE is an exclusive online dating site that aims to provide a pool of quality bachelors and bachelorettes by submitting anyone applying to a review by their matchmakers. If you get in, matchmakers search their list and update you daily with suggested compatible matches. Once you get those matches it becomes a little more familiar: the matches’ profile can be read through, their pictures checked out, and you can send messages to one another. The service is fifty dollars a month and it’s only month-to-month — no wrangling you into a long term commitment. The matchmakers are available to chat about dating advice, and if you like, you can purchase help from a personal stylist who’ll meet with you to work on your wardrobe, a photographer if you’re looking for better profile pictures, or a profile analysis. www.threedayrule.com

DATING | 02/2014

App for That Smartphones are making it easier to date on the fly. These are some of the intriguing ones aiming to tempt you into the dating game. or shopping? The choice is yours. The app really does offer plastic surgery, jewelry, and a tank of gas, among other lesser gifts (like dinner or coffee), as standard options. www.carrotdating.com

TINDER The fastest-growing, locationbased mobile dating app.

The app is simple to use, is completely free, and best of all, it is anonymous. Users download the mobile app on their iPhone or Android phones, and can connect through Facebook to create a profile. You can upload up to six profile photos. Users scroll through potential matches nearby and click on the heart icon if they’re interested, or they can click on the ‘X’ icon if they’d like to take a pass. If there’s a mutual match, you’ll be instantly notified, and then you can start chatting in text message style, directly through the app. Tinder reports 400 million matches to date with approximately 4 million new matches per day. www.gotinder.com CARROT DATING The Carrot Dating app, from MIT grad Brandon Wade, cuts to the chase by bribing others to go out with you. Find someone you like?

Just dangle a carrot and you’re on a date.

Will it be dinner or dessert?

Flowers or chocolates? Travel

TWINE The pretty girl in your history class. The interesting guy on the bus to work. The friendly smile from someone cute in the elevator. We miss so many potentially interesting conversations and encounters every single day. Twine connects you with people nearby that share similar interests with you, and it gives you interesting things to chat about with them.

Think of Twine as your mobile wingman that knows what topics both of you would enjoy talking about. You remain anonymous

while you chat and get to know the other person. If you become interested, you can choose to reveal your identity and make a connection. There are even conversation kickstarter topics for breaking the ice with interesting strangers.

Note: Requires your Facebook Login. www.twine.me  SWOON Swoon finds cool people nearby who are interested in you and lets you connect if you like them, too. Swoon is smart and

anonymous, suggesting people you can secretly like or skip.

When you both like each other, Swoon lets you message each other in the app – what happens next is up to you. www.swoonapp.com TINGLE A mobile only iPhone dating app makes it easy and fun to discover people near you, and to safely communicate with people you’ve just met. You can talk on the phone and flirt via text messaging without revealing your phone number. And you won’t get hassled by constant texts from total strangers. And with RADAR, their location­based discovery tool, you’ll get notified when someone you’ll like is nearby, without the worry of them seeing where you are. www.tingle.com COFFEE MEETS BAGEL Every day at noon, Coffee Meets Bagel introduces you to one single who is a friend of a friend. You must LIKE or PASS your match (aka “Bagels”) within 24 hours. Mutual LIKE leads to a direct SMS connection on a private phone line that expires in 7 days. No browsing, no emailing – ­­just one simple connection a day. www.coffeemeetsbagel.com HOW ABOUT WE An offline dating service for both singles and couples. Their mobile app lets you view full screen photos and dates of people in your area. Their goal is to connect online and meet offline at user created events.

Members can sign up for free and post ideas for dates. This helps speed up the process, as often a member will have tickets for a specific concert or sporting event, and will list the date/time of the potential date.

Users will find more than just suggested beach walks from their busy and active members.

Members also receive real-time notifications when someone is intrigued by their date, or just

to send recommended dates.

To view your visitors, invite three friends for free to join the

site, or upgrade to the premium membership – from $8.99 to $34.99 per month. www.howaboutwe.com 

10 Most Hated Dating Cliches

1

“Looking to make friends”

2

“Hello, is it me you’re looking for?”

3

“Looking for my knight in shining armour”

4

“No baggage, please!”

5

“I don’t bite, unless you ask me to”

6

“I don’t take life too seriously”

7

“My children are everything to me”

8

“I’m bubbly”

9

10

“If you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best” “I work hard, play hard” Source: BBC News Magazine

brentwoodfocus.com 17

THE RIGHT FIT | 02/2014/ Kaleiigh Walker

THE RIGHT

FIT

by Kaleigh Walker

As we delve into a new year, we often have ambitious goals – especially when it comes to our health and exercise regimen. If there’s one workout I suggest you try or revisit in 2014, it’s yoga. Not only are the physical benefits amazing, but also the mental and spiritual aspects of the practice can truly change your life! The greatest part of yoga is that every person can benefit – age, skill level or ailments are not limiting factors. You just have to find the right class. In Brentwood alone, there are over 250 classes offered each week, so let’s explore what our neighborhood has to offer!

VARIETY

If you are looking for variety…try Corepower Yoga. From intro to advanced, to heated classes and yoga with weights, Corepower offers a multitude of class types and times to cater to most every person.

In addition to 2 spacious yoga rooms, the studio offers full locker room amenities for those on the go. A great perk for new students is a complimentary week pass to experience as many classes and instructors as they want!

RESTORATIVE

If you are looking for restorative classes…try The Hub. Are you stressed or running on empty? If so, check out the vast array of healing yoga classes and workshops offered at The Hub. The studio offers regular breathwork, meditation, soundbath, yoga therapy, chikung and restorative classes to help reinstate a sense of balance and peace of mind.

The Hub 2001 S. Barrington Ave., Suite 150, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Corepower Yoga 11819 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 www.thehub-la.com www.corepoweryoga.com TRENDING

If you are looking for the latest yoga trend…try Maha Yoga.

Celebrities, Entertainment Execs and every other beautiful person in LA flock to Maha for the fun music and laid back vibe. The bright studio and smiling teachers are very welcoming and leave you feeling happy and refreshed!

Most of the classes are catered to a stronger practitioner, but occasionally they do offer restorative yoga and chanting.

AMBIENCE

If you are looking for a gym atmosphere…try Equinox Westwood. If you enjoy cardio and strength training in addition to an excellent yoga class, Equinox is the perfect choice for you.

From personal trainers and innovative group fitness classes to luxurious locker rooms and a full-service spa, this gym offers the finest fitness amenities available.

Equinox 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024 www.equinox.com/clubs/westwood

Maha Yoga 13050 San Vicente Blvd.,Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90049 www.mahayoga.com FREE

If you are looking for complimentary yoga…try Lululemon, Brentwood. In addition to being the “go-to” place for workout gear, Lululemon offers complimentary in-store yoga classes every Wednesday and Sunday for the community. Each class features a different instructor from the area, so you have the opportunity to try out many different teaching styles to find what works best for you!

Lululemon 11920 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 www.lululemon.com/losangeles/ brentwood/events

18 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

About the Author: Kaleigh Walker is a certified Yoga Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Nutrition Coach in Los Angeles. She teaches regular yoga classes at Maha Yoga and Corepower Yoga and is available for private instruction. For more information, visit: www.kaleighwalker.com.

Health

AFAA | 02/2014

menu of credit awarding workshops and self study courses. Course content ranges from theory and research based topics in applied personal training standards and guidelines to the practical application of the latest dance fitness craze. The length and unit allocation ranges from a 4 to 8 page, 2 unit CE article in our American Fitness Magazine to a three day review workshop to culminate months of self study in the quest to achieve full certification.

AFAA requires a minimum of 15 CE units to be completed every two years to maintain a current certification status.

Certified AFAA was founded In 1983 by Linda Pfeffer and a board of experts with extensive and varied backgrounds within the fitness industry. AFAA is the leading certification organization for allied health and Fitness professionals with over 350,000 certifications issued in over 70 countries.

BENEFITS OF GETTING CERTIFICATION FROM AFAA AFAA is the only fitness certification organization to date to have earned dual accreditation on our certification and continuing education (CE) programs.

They are also one of the few certifications that require candidates to pass both a written and practical exam, in conjunction with having a valid CPR/AED card, to achieve certification status. The exams are statistically validated, administered and fully monitored by an outside proxy.

A TYPICAL COURSE Courses are subdivided into two main categories. These categories include certification courses and continuing education courses. They are further defined by their delivery method, topic and the CE units or credit awarded, which is based on the depth, breath and learning contact hours of each particular course.

Many of the certification programs and continuing ed courses are offered as both live host-site workshops, home study and online formats including their highly successful and proprietary online LQA system. AFAA is always developing new courses and updating existing ones, to meet the demands of the ever expanding fitness industry. Currently they provide five different nationally recognized Certification programs and a wide and large

COST AND LENGTH OF COURSES Each course varies in price ranging from $499.00 not including the textbook or practice test for an additional $60 to $100 for the personal training certification course, $299 for group exercise certification (with great discounting on all programs offered twice a year during the annual APEX event). CE courses range in price as well from $20 to several hundred. The cost of these courses is based on the unit value awarded.

ONGOING SUPPORT AFAA offers their certified members a variety of ways to maintain and further develop their training skills and overall professional goals. From the bimonthly trade magazine ‘American Fitness’, to their live and interactive online study courses and regularly scheduled study groups, there are numerous was to find support 24/7. A staff of customer service agents is available five days a week. Also, adjunct course instructors are available daily, to schedule multi-training online sessions or respond to emailed course specific questions in our distance education center.

As an accredited organization AFAA offers many membership discounts on important tools and requirements of the trade. We also ally with other accredited and educators to allow them to offer AFAA CE units on their approved programs. The goal of AFAA has always been, and will always be, to provide and facilitate affordable excellence in fitness education and certification.

Cardio Barre has a brand new studio in Brentwood and is currently offering an amazing promotion: 10 classes for $40.99.

137 S. Barrington Place Brentwood, CA 90049 310-472-4011 http://cardiobarre.com/ studios/brentwood-ca

www.afaa.com

brentwoodfocus.com 19

JUST 1 MINUTE / by Danielle Cuccio

1 JUST

FOR STRESS Child’s Pose This calming pose is naturally a resting posture so use this to ease stress and also to stretch out the back.

FOR THE KIDS Eagle Pose No, this one is not for the kids – for you, when you’re ready to run away from them! Eagle pose can be thought of as literally squeezing the tension and stress out of your body. You can’t think of much besides keeping your balance. When we concentrate on balance or simply focusing on one thing at a time, we naturally decompress. In yoga, we call this focal point our “drishti”.

What to do Take your arms to a “T” and place your right arm on top of the left and face the palms to touch.

Extend the elbows high. Bend your right knee towards your chest and try to wrap it around your standing left leg. Try and get the toes to tuck behind your left calf.

MINUTE

by Danielle Cuccio Photography: Brandon Hunt Our lives can be stressful. Between the kids, the dog, work, sleep, who has time to even take a breath, let alone relax?!

FOR TRAFFIC & LONG LINES Count Your Breath Standing in line at the airport this holiday season?

Too long of a line at Starbucks? Thinking, “GET ME OUT OF HERE!”? Well, being that I am a yoga instructor, I’d say, “Danielle, this isn’t very “Yogi” of you..” Guilty, LA traffic gets to me too!

What to do Take a deep breath in through the nose and count to 4. Exhale for 4 counts. This allows your mind to concentrate on something other than that traffic or never-ending line and instead, on your breath.

I get it.

Here’s what you can do in less than a minute to manage that stress and find a little calm while on your coffee break at work, (possibly while no one is looking!), at a park or at home.

I have you covered!

FOR ENERGY: Bridge Pose No matter how much sleep we get, sometimes we’re still tired. Call this The Caffeine Of Yoga if you will. In Bridge Pose, we are unlocking energy from the spine and nervous system, reducing anxiety, fatigue and relieving headaches and neck tension.

What to do Lie on your back, bend your knees and walk your feet about hand distance away from your hips.

Lift the hips off the floor and clasp the hands together behind the back while rotating the shoulders back. Lift the ribs, heart and hips up. Breathe deeply for five breaths.

This month, don’t let stress get the best of you. Try these quick and easy yoga poses to find a little more peace of mind.

About the author: Danielle Cuccio offers private yoga sessions, customized to your individual needs.

Join Danielle on her YouTube channel @ http://www.youtube.com/user/daniellecuccio or to book a private session with Danielle call (323) 863-5041 or e-mail danielle.cuccio@gmail.com.

Yoga DVD being released January, 2014! More info. at www.CuccioSomatology.com Blog: www.TheBeautyBlender.com Instagram: @daniellecuccio Photographer: Brandon Hunt www.whomami.tumblr.com 20 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

Health

Recovery Yoga

by Cody Brooks

Los Angeles, as much as it is ostentatious, is just as much a city of hidden things. There are positive hidden things like delicious bistros, negative hidden things like crumbling neighborhoods, and there are also hidden things in its residents: desires, worries, fears, loves, angers, and doubts. If there were a place that combined all of these aspects with a spin of positivity and hope, it would be the most authentically Los Angeles of all. Amazingly enough there is — and it involves, of course, yoga.

On a small street in West Hollywood, amongst houses and shiny businesses, it’s easy to overlook a small brown cottage obscured by trees and bushes. The Log Cabin, built by the international community service club Lions Clubs International, has many events and outreaches. Every Tuesday evening Pia Artesona opens the doors, lights candles, dims the overheads, and welcomes substance abusers and trauma victims to an hour and fifteen minutes of recovery yoga.

Recovery yoga isn’t anything particularly special, which is exactly what makes it so. The session begins with a participant commenting on one step of the 12-step program, then everyone readies themselves on their mats. The yoga positions are simple, Pia doesn’t scold people on bad form, and the hour moves calmly and slowly; you won’t break a sweat. Pia wants those who come to focus on themselves, their minds, their problems and addictions, and to “forgive yourself for any judgement”. While in a plank or happy baby position she strokes and coos the troubled minds of those who come with phrases like that. After nearly an hour of yogic meditation, the participants gather the candles into a cluster and sit down in a circle around it to share a minute of whatever is on their minds — whether it’s the British woman’s unfamiliar feeling of having a good day or the realization of the elderly woman that her struggle to rent out her apartment, while tiresome, isn’t the apocalypse.

The yoga aspect allows people to think about their woes while still having to vaguely focus on something else, allowing a sort of mental net so they don’t spiral downward in their thoughts. What may be the most important part is that they are doing their own thing and doing it alone, but they are all alone together, and the sense of knowing that other people are around, allows them to think about their problems productively and to accept themselves. “They have their space,” Pia says, “where no one can come in and mess with them, but they’re still part of a group.”

Pia is delightfully New Yorker, which works well with the nature of addiction recovery. She is kind, but firm and frank in her intentions, which hits those she helps with a disarming honesty. She had called a regular to ask about her positive experiences for the article. At first the regular was hesitant, her voice was shaky, and she asked several times “who wants to know?” In her Bronx accent Pia said bluntly “Me, I wanna know”. She opened right up and explained how great the yoga had been for her, saying that “feelings come up that I can process when I’m in session,” and that while doing the yoga “everything is where it’s supposed to be”.

Pia was once a substance abuser herself, but a combination of a 12-step program and yoga helped her to become sober. She started instructing her recovery yoga two years ago. She uses the ideas of the 12-step and also some of its tools, such as the Daily Reflections book written by A.A. members. She welcomes one and all to these sessions, and they are donation-based. The connection and reflection of recovery yoga soothes the souls of those who got a little too close to the sun with the aloe vera of optimism. And it all comes in yoga pants. What’s more LA than that?

For more info and class schedules please visit www.piaartesona.com

Create The Life You Want Molly Lyda, MA, MFT has a special approach to working with women. She helps them create the lives they really want and it starts by putting themselves first, above others. This may seem extreme or even selfish, but Molly knows from her personal experience that it is the key to creating the life any woman really wants.

Molly grew up in a large, loving, nurturing family.

She was taught to be thoughtful of others, to do for others, and to think of others first. Unfortunately this approach to life also led Molly to losing sight of herself, shutting down her own voice, disconnecting from her true heart’s desires and feeling she didn’t matter.

At age 23, and new to Los Angeles, she found she was a bottled up, unconfident, young adult, craving a different way to live. This quest for personal freedom set Molly on a journey of self-discovery that was ultimately life changing. Through therapy, she began living her life for herself. She found a new balance of honoring her own needs, while being mindful of others’ needs too.

This slight but subtle shift turned everything around for Molly. She is now a therapist and draws from her early life experience to help women break out of the similar rules she was programmed to follow.

Some version of this programming is present in the female clients who come to her office or enroll in her workshops. They are often unhappy with their lives, experiencing a lack of joy, passion, and satisfaction.

Molly teaches a number of tools to her clients, in support of putting themselves first, all while being mindful of others too, especially children, husbands, partners, and family in general. This is done in an 8 week workshop series called, Create the Life You Want: A Workshop for Women. Molly will be starting another workshop series on Wednesday February 5, 2014 in West LA. To learn more, visit www.femfile.com/shop.

As a result from their work with Molly, her clients are stepping into the lives they truly desire with strength, purpose, and grace. Her clients credit her for helping them find clarity in their lives. This has led some of them to ending relationships that weren’t serving them, carving out much needed alone time that they never had before, and pursuing dreams they had given up on.

In her personal experience and in the work with her clients, putting yourself first has proven to be one of the most helpful tools in effecting change. And the most exciting part for Molly is watching how everything else in their lives begins to fall into place, once they start honoring themselves in this new way. To learn more about Molly and her exciting work with women, go to www.MollyLyda.com. brentwoodfocus.com 21

BEST OF BRENTWOOD | 02/2014

Social Media

These Brentwood brands were the most posted on social media in 2013.

Source: Silo Labs

Best of BRENTWOOD Editor’s Picks RESTAURANTS: Best Organic Farmshop M Café de Chaya Roast Best Italian Toscana Vincenti Pizzicotto Best Sushi Sugarfish Katsuya Sushi Sasabune Best Fast Casual Lemonade Coral Tree Cafe Fridas Best Burger Bandera Burger Lounge Barneys

22 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

Best Coffee Caffe Luxxe Peets Starbucks (San Vicente)

Best Finance Etrade* City National Bank First Republic Bank

Best Childrens Shop Pumpkinheads JennyBec’s Poppy

Best Womens Fashion Velvet Jenni Kayne Paige

Best Realtors Partners Trust Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Sotheby’s International

Best for Gifts Haven Grace Home Furnishings Giannetti Interiors

Best Mens Fashion Union Made Z Clothing James Perse Best Beauty Drybar Juan Juan Salon Platinum Black Best Fitness Soul Cycle Burn 60 Velocity Sports Performance

Best for Kids Kidville Dance For Kids Coast Sports Best Sweet Stuff Sweet Crush Sweet Rose Creamery Suzie Cakes Best Museum/Gallery Hammer Museum The Getty Center Skirball Cultural Center

IT’S YOUR TURN! Email us your favorite places and things in Brentwood, with a note about why you chose them. We’ll publish a Reader’s Choice list in our Spring issue. info@brentwoodfocus.com

SILO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS | 02/2014 / by Cody Brooks

Small Business Needs Data Too SILO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS

Winning the battle of Brand Management is a multi-pronged effort, that starts and ends with effective use of Social Media.

“WHAT DO PEOPLE WANT?” That’s the eternal question of business, and one that is usually answered by massive companies with lots of money to throw into data collection and analysis. Silo Labs is purely a consumer data business, but it takes an interesting route: instead of focusing mainly on collecting consumer data by itself or purchasing from other companies and reselling, it taps into a vast, free, continually renewing resource — social media.

Observe, Analyze, Engage.

SOCIAL MEDIA CURATION Silo collects photos and videos uploaded to social media networks, (their main focus is Instagram), and aggregates them into a user interface that businesses can browse to see what people are uploading about their company, or other relevant posts. Silo works with a client to tailor a content stream specific to their requests using hashtags and IP locations and displays it in an easy web interface.

The service is accessed through the internet and creates several convenient shortcuts, foremost being commenting back to users en masse. You can also mass “like” posts, bookmark posts to look at later, refresh and view posts in real time, change viewing filters, follow (or unfollow) users, and share a post through your company’s social media account. The purpose of Silo is to give open-ended flexibility so you can interact how you choose with users.

Silo Market Intelligence Fully automated real time stream of rich user generated pictures sourced from geo located and hashtagged content delivered both visually and quantitatively

USER INTERACTION There are many ways Silo opens up creative interaction. Silo is not only for data analysis, nor is it only to show customers you appreciate them by sending positive comments. A clever use of Silo is to connect with social media users who enjoy a company’s product and offer them goodies in return for spreading the word about the company. It’s an attempt to further engage the free access to advertising: company posts often get lost in the deluge of posts from friends and other companies, and this strategy attempts to bypass that problem by enlisting those who people will actually listen to.

ANALYTICS Silo also offers analytics so that you can quantify what you’re looking at. The whole concept is an interesting, modern way to understand what consumers like and dislike. The best part is that it’s more revealing than surveys or questionnaires and provides more emotional depth than purchasing statistics (and hence more predictive quality). In those, people often don’t care or stretch the truth or can’t explain themselves, so their answers don’t reflect their dispositions; but what people post is for their friends to see, and what’s said between friends is more often a clear window. Other windows can be a little dusty.

Silo Direct A communication toolset that automates the process of engaging brands with select consumers by facilitating direct messaging capability with a single click Silo Data Metrics A robust package of data reports detailing all relevant metrics coming from the user generated photos as well as the caption and comments that accompany them. www.silolabsinc.com For a demo contact: sales@silolabsinc.com

Although providing a service on par with the big data companies, the cost of working with the Silo software is very small business friendly. It ranges anywhere from $300 to $5000 a month, depending on how much you want Silo Labs to do, and how far into the social world you want them to venture. It’s a service worth investigating. brentwoodfocus.com 23

FEBRUARY 2014

@

Abby Draper and Roarke Walker @abbydraper

@

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FEBRUARY 2014

Performance

Pinter’s Masterpiece Boasts a Stellar Cast.

Oscar winner William Friedkin attributes everything that he learned about dramatizing a scene to his time working with Harold Pinter.

Friedkin, who helmed such classics as The Exorcist and The French Connection, also directed the Pulitzer Prize winning Pinter’s film adaptation of his notorious play, The Birthday Party. Now 46 years later, Friedkin revisits this comedy of menace for the first time on stage at the Geffen Playhouse beginning February 4.

“The year I spent with Pinter was so important,” said Friedkin in a 2012 interview, “in the preparation of the screenplay, in the casting. I had him come by everyday and look at the dailies and sometimes he would even be on the set.”

The film was Friedkin’s first critical success. This time out he has gathered a powerhouse of British acting talent, many of whom are making their Los Angeles stage debuts.

Tim Roth, Oscar nominated for Rob Roy and known for his Tarantino films Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, stars as Stanley, a puzzled tenant of an English seaside boarding house. Bucolic country life is disturbed when menace arrives in the form of two imposing strangers. It is a darkly comic work where the audience is teased with not only what is said, but also what isn’t.

The heavies are portrayed by legendary thespians Steven Berkoff and David O’Hara. Berkoff ’s career as an actor, director and writer has been celebrated throughout the world, and movie fans will recognize him from works as varied as Octopussy, Beverly Hills Cop, The Tourist and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. David O’Hara made an impression on audiences as the mad Irishman in Braveheart as well as in the Oscar-caliber films Hotel Rwanda and The Departed.

Direct from a celebrated portrayal of Caesar in the all-female Donmar Warehouse production of Julius Caesar, the award-winning stage and screen veteran Frances Barber joins the cast. She has commanded leading roles in theater, film and TV in the UK, including seasons at the RSC, The National and London’s West End. Nick Ullett will be familiar to Los Angeles theater audiences, as he has graced stages across the Southland. His career has encompassed everything from The Ed Sullivan Show and improvisational theatre in LA, to Joe Orton’s Loot and creating the role of Gerald in the musical Me and My Girl on Broadway.

The comely and accomplished British born Katie Amess was recently named one of BAFTA LA’s Best Newcomers for 2013.

Like many of Pinter’s plays, the characters and actions are often ambiguous. The topsy-turvy nature of The Birthday Party is at once darkly comic and perplexing. What is true? Facts twist into half-truths and the night – a supposed celebration in honor of Stanley (or is it?) - unravels into a mix of the characters’ whimsical, eccentric, clownish and ultimately darkest desires. Considered one of Pinter’s classics, this “fantasia of fear and persecution” has puzzled and enthralled audiences for more than 50 years. In the hands of a craftsman like Friedkin and this skilled cast, Angelenos will be treated to an unconventional experience that is anything but expected and nothing less than extraordinary.

Performances: Tuesday, February 4 – Sunday, March 16, 2014 Tickets are available now in-person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at 310-208-5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com. Prices are $37-$77.

Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue, CA 90024 www.geffenplayhouse.com brentwoodfocus.com 25

Performance

FEBRUARY 2014

Music & Theater MUSIC 29 JANUARY

Reverend Shawn Amos

THEATER 22 FEBRUARY Megan Mullally $69-$120

Hilarious, musically gifted, and endlessly entertaining, Megan Mullally is a force of nature.

Combining legendary wit and expert musicality, the evening will feature Mullally in conversation about her illustrious career with comedian and pianist Seth Rudetsky. These two irrepressible friends will shoot the breeze, dish the dirt, and raise the roof with performances of a host of classic Broadway songs. Special appearance by a surprise guest star!

The Broad Stage. 1310 11th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401. www.thebroadstage.com/mullally

Multi-talented, Shawn Amos, is the son of Wally Amos, founder of the Famous Amos brand and the first African-American talent agent for the William Morris Agency. In 2007, Amos performed on and produced the Solomon Burke & Friends: Live in Nashville televised concert. During 2005-2006, Amos conceived and co-produced a remake of the Marvin Gaye album What’s Going On, performed by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band; conceived and executive produced a remix album of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass’ Whipped Cream and Other Delights; and joined with Alpert and Ozomatli for a performance of Love Potion No. 9 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in March of 2006. He ‘digs doughnuts’ and you can watch him as he ‘moonlights as blues singer’ at the Vibrato Grill later this month.

7.30pm and 9pm Vibrato Grill. 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077

T: 310 474-9400 www.vibrato.herbalpertpresents.com

THEATER 6 FEBRUARY

Mike Daisey: American Utopias

Mike Daisey is the preeminent monologist working in theater today, hailed by The New York Times as “the master storyteller” and called by many a modern-day Mark Twain.

In American Utopias he explores how we create public spaces where we act out our dreams of a better world.

Daisey takes us everywhere to pursue the story: from Disney World and its nostalgic theme park perfection, to the drug-fueled anarchic excesses of Burning Man, to Zuccotti Park, where in the unlikeliest place the Occupy movement is born. Gunplay, giant glittery dildos, raving animatronic presidents, and brutal police actions come together to paint the landscape of our American dream.

Tickets: $25-$45 8pm.

Royce Hall 340 Royce Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095 www.cap.ucla.edu

MUSIC 27 FEBRUARY

Lucinda Williams

Grammy Award-Winning singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams is certain to sparkle in her debut Canyon appearance. The critically acclaimed artist’s style fuses Rock, Blues, Country and Americana into one sweet sound. Among her many accolades, Ms. Williams was named “America’s Best Songwriter” by Time magazine.

Doors 6pm. Show 9:00pm $45.00 / $70.00 The Canyon 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura, CA 91301 T:(818) 879-5016 www.canyonclub.net

26 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

Art

FEBRUARY 2014

Current Exhibitions

TILL 8 FEBRUARY Lost Time: Jean Lowe TILL 23 FEBRUARY

Black Forest: Kelly Nipper

Kelly Nipper: Black Forest.

Installation at the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, December 21, 2013 – February 23, 2014.

Photo: Brian Forrest.

Los Angelesbased artist Kelly Nipper (b. 1971) has created an environment inspired in part by the Black Forest – a wooded mountain range in Germany that has spawned legends featuring sorcerers and witches but is perhaps best known for intricately decorative wood carving. The installation is a landscape of sorts, filled with a variety of objects arranged on tables, resting on the floor, and leaning against or pinned to the walls. There are carved wooden weaving tools rendered in an absurdly large scale; ceramics in the form of a globe; textile blankets; plaster figures with long articulated necks and torsos adorned with felted costumes; appliquéd sandbags; and drawings of patterns that reflect a grammar of the body’s motion.

As part of the exhibition, a series of performances will take place in the gallery. Featuring the dancer Marissa Ruazol, these performances are rooted in a system called Laban Movement Analysis. Laban’s method provides a vocabulary and a conceptual framework for investigating and considering time, space, and motion as primary materials. It describes and analyzes the movement of the body through space and can be understood more broadly as illuminating modes of communication. For Nipper, these fundamental bodily movements are thus importantly linked to language and technology, suggesting the ways in which technological innovations—from timekeepers like the clock to photography–measure, shape, and indeed expand our sense of time and space.

In her newest exhibition Jean Lowe continues her playful investigation of what separates the valueless from the rarified through an elevated presentation of ephemera. Here, in Lowe’s exhibition which is wrought with her usual humor and irony, the two East galleries are transformed into the suggestion of one of the most significant forces in which the worth of an object is formed: the auction house.

The main gallery features oversized “pages” from the catalogues of both an ephemera and manuscript auction. The second East gallery features various imagined catalogue covers.

While not without actual painting and sculpture, this new body of work is largely print based and text dependent. Collage, re-realized painting and sculpture, digitally generated imagery and found objects are stewed together on low boil.

In her representation of the auction arena, Lowe comments on today’s notion of value itself: what it is, how it is constructed, of what and by whom.

Rosamund Felsen Gallery Bergamot Station B4, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Tues - Sat 10 - 5:30 www.rosamundfelsen.com

Performance dates: 2/20, 7pm 2/21, 7pm www.hammer.ucla.edu

TILL 20 APRIL

To The Point: Posters by Dan Reisinger

Dan Reisinger (b. 1934) is one of Israel’s design pioneers, known internationally for his innovative use of symbols and vibrant visual language. This exhibition presents a selection of his iconic posters spanning the past fifty years, including posters of social and political protest (1963–1993), advertisements commissioned by the airline El Al (1968–1972), and a recent series focused on the changing architectural landscape of Tel Aviv (2012). Reisinger, who also created a fifty-meter-long wall relief for the Moshe Safdie–designed Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Israel, is known for producing work that conveys “maximum meaning” by “minimum means.” www.skirball.org

Monica Sicile, Designer of Custom Framing at Framestore and Monicolors Greeting Card Designer will be exhibiting her whimsical paintings at Brew ‘n’ Bean Cafe at 11911 San Vicente Blvd., around the corner from Framestore till 31 January.

Reception on Saturday 18, January, 2pm to 6 p.m. brentwoodfocus.com 27

Kids

FEBRUARY 2014

Cahnicles

The Adventures of the Cahn Family I’m Kim and I have lived in Los Angeles for over 15 years. I’ve never loved a neighborhood as much as I love Brentwood. I have 2 adorable little kids – Olive (3) and Buster (8 months). I’m a stay at home mom who rarely misses her old television producing job.

Ok….let’s get real. Sometimes I miss it a lot.

5 Things To Do 1 Till 2 February: 7pm

Jason and the Argonauts Ages: 8+ Costs: $25

Two actors and a handful of action figures recreate this classic Greek myth. Jason’s uncle has murdered the king and stolen the crown, and now no one dares stand up to him. After being banished, our wannabe hero returns to claim his rightful throne. Wallis Annenberg Center, 9390 N. Santa Monica

2

Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 www.thewallis.org

1 February: 6-9pm

A Night Aboard The Ark Ages: 6+ Costs: $55

A sleep over inside Noah’s Ark. Passengers of all ages will take part in hands-on activities, beastly bedtime stories, a tasty dinner, and more. Wake up the next morning to animal yoga and a continental breakfast. T: 877 722-4849 Skirball Cultural

We spend most of our days enjoying all that Los Angeles has to offer.

I’ve been to every park, museum, and kid friendly attraction in a 50 mile radius.

3

Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd www.skirball.org

9 February: 10am - 4.30pm

Play With Legos All Day All ages Costs: $5-$10

Lego-building with visiting Lego group LUGOLA. Spend the day constructing your own imaginative structures.

4

T: 877 722-4849 Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd www.skirball.org

15 February: 11am and 1pm

Stuart Little

Ages: 5+ Costs: $20-$35

An adopted mouse learns to survive in a world of humans while discovering the true meaning of family, loyalty, and friendship. The Broad Stage 11th St, Santa Monica, CA

I’m obsessed with food and I love trying new things. Luckily for my daughter – it usually involves ice cream or the newest cupcake shop!

5

90401 T:: 310 434 3200 www.thebroadstage.com

Till 23 February: 6-9pm

Alice and The Wonderful Tea Party Ages: 4-10 Costs: $10.50 - $12.50

Alice accepts a party invitation to return to the Wonderland of her youth. A set adorned with hundreds of red roses and giant playing cards adds to the merriment of this internationally acclaimed musical comedy.

Santa Monica Playhouse,1211 4th St., Santa Monica www.santamonicaplayhouse.com

I’ve always loved doing projects - so when we aren’t out and about the city streets, we are usually doing something crafty at home.

And when I’m not doing any of the above – I enjoy writing about all of our activities on my blog http://adventuresinincubation.blogspot.com. I’m very excited to share a few fun things to do with kids every month!

Watch this space for Kim Cahn’s family adventure next month!

28 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

FREE MUSEUM DAY JANUARY 25

Twenty venues around Southern California will offer free admission on January 25 as part of the annual Museums Free-for-All program.

Annenberg Space for Photography Armory Center for the Arts Autry National Center California African American Museum California Science Center Fowler Museum at UCLA Getty Center Getty Villa Hammer Museum Japanese American National Museum Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial (Hollywood and San Pedro) Museum of Contemporary Art Museum of Latin American Art Orange County Museum of Art Paley Center for Media Pasadena Museum of California Art Santa Monica Museum of Art Skirball Cultural Center USC Pacific Asia Museum

Tech

FEBRUARY 2014

BEST GADGETS AT CES 2014

The annual Consumer Electronics Show, (CES), is the showcase for major manufacturers to show off their forthcoming innovations.

IRobot Scooba

LG Life Band Touch

A robot that scrubs hard floors.

It automatically sweeps, pre-soaks, scrubs and then squeegees your floors, tackling stuck-on messes and washing away over 99.3% of bacteria.

A fitness tracker which reports steps taken, distance travelled, pace and even calories burned.

It also offers smartwatch features, including incoming call notifications and display.

Polaroid Socialmatic The polaroid comes of age. Take a picture and print it instantly onto a 3” x 2” card.

Mophie Space Pack Achieve up to 32MB more space by attaching this pack to your phone – effectively archiving the images and keeping your phone free for other stuff.

Startup Talk

with Michele Naftal and Michelle Isrow, of Undercover Tape.

What is Undercover Tape and why do we need it?

Undercover Tape is a hypo allergenic, latex-free self-adhesive comfort tape that acts as a barrier between you and your irritating seams/tags on clothing, hats, socks, or anything that keeps you from feeling your best. For a year we searched for solutions trying to find something soft and fabric like and at the same time, something fun and novel, like a bandage for clothing! We were on a mission to create comfort for all, and so...we developed Undercover Tape. Inspired by our own life experiences, we designed it to work with all types of clothing including sports jerseys, costumes, socks and underwear.

Undercover Tape as a company believes in a grass roots approach with all production done locally as well as supporting small and local businesses.

What were the stages you went through to get it from concept to product on shelf?

It has been a long process because Michele and I wanted to create a strong team to ensure the success of our company. We needed to find a local manufacturer(USA), a printer, a packaging company, research shipping options and a programer to build our website. We do all our own finances, sales, shipping and PR & Marketing. We are currently looking for a sales rep and a distributor.

Has it has been easy to get this far, and what advice would you give moms who also have a great idea?

It hasn’t been easy but we are very motivated to make Undercover Tape a success. We would advise other moms ....

As Nike says “ Just do it!” If you think something is a good idea, chances are others will too. Just be diligent and keep moving ahead. Nothing happens overnight.

What has the reaction been?

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. We will receive emails from parents thanking us for creating Undercover Tape.

It has helped their families in so many ways. Undercover Tape provides comfort to families while at school, sports, camp and just everyday life. We have found that kids with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder benefit from our product as well. Autism Speaks from Los Angeles and New York are big supporters of Undercover Tape.

Do you have other ideas or plans for the future?

We would like to add some more products to the line and grow Undercover Tape both domestically and internationally. We need more financial backing to do this. In 2013, we won the Kimberly Clark, Huggies Mom-Inspired Grant which gave us an opportunity to manufacture more Undercover Tape and get us in front of some big retailers. We recently applied for the Start up to Success, (for innovative start up companies), on the Today Show which would help us gain more exposure and provide us with more marketing and advertising opportunities. Fingers crossed that they choose Undercover Tape! We will keep seeking other opportunities to bring us closer to success.

www.undercovertape.com

brentwoodfocus.com 29

Free The best things in life are

Free

Here are some things you can do around your neighborhood this month, that won’t break the bank.

ACTIVITIES AND TALKS

22 January, 7.30pm – Hammer Lecture: Tacita Dean The acclaimed British artist Tacita Dean speaks about the medium of film, time, and other issues related to her latest film, JG (2013), inspired by her correspondence with the British author J. G. Ballard (1930–2009) regarding connections between his short story “The Voices of Time” (1960) and Robert Smithson’s iconic earthwork and film Spiral Jetty (both works, 1970).

Hammer Museum.10899 Wilshire Blvd, 90024. www.hammer.ucla.edu

Until Tue Apr 1 – Diane von Furstenberg: Journey of a Dress Diane von Furstenberg’s iconic wrap dress is turning 40, and to celebrate the dress’ big birthday, an exhibition of the history of the dress, which DVF designed at 26, with vintage and contemporary designs, photography, art and more.

Wilshire May Company Building, 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90036

30 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

FEBRUARY 2014

23 January, 7.30pm – Hammer Readings | KAREN HOLMBERG Karen Holmberg’s second book of poems, Axis Mundi, won the John Ciardi Prize. Her poetry and nonfiction have appeared in Southern Poetry Review, New England Review, Nimrod, West Branch, Cave Wall, Black Warrior Review, Poetry East, Indiana Review, and Cimarron Review. She teaches poetry writing in the MFA program at Oregon State University, which she currently directs.

Hammer Museum.10899 Wilshire Blvd, 90024. www.hammer.ucla.edu

Talk Back Tuesdays

Enjoy complimentary Peet’s Coffee & Tea before the show and dig deeper into plot, characters and themes with Geffen artists post-performance. It’s interactive, intellectual and thoughtprovoking.

Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue.

T: 310 208-5454 www.geffenplayhouse.com

Sunday Morning Yoga

Every Sunday, complimentary in-store yoga at Lululemon from 9:30 -10:30am. Take your yoga mat – and if you don’t have one, you can borrow one for the class.

Thursdays – Run Club

If you like company when you’re running, Lululemon have a great free running club for the Brentwood community on Thursday evenings at 6:15pm. Meet at the store (11920 San Vicente Blvd.) and run around the neighborhood. Lululemon 11920 San Vicente Blvd, T: 310 442-3563 brentwood-store@ lululemon.com

FILM

4 February, 1.30pm – The Crucible

Based on Arthur Miller’s acclaimed play, The Crucible centers around the Salem, Massachusetts, witch trials in the seventeenth century. When a group of young women is discovered dancing in the woods, the townspeople are thrown into hysteria and accuse them of witchcraft. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, and Paul Scofield.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner. (1996, 124 min. Rated PG-13.)

Skirball. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. www.skirball.org

BRENTWOOD LIBRARY EVENTS Monday, 3 February, 10:30am – A Special Children’s Storytime: Author Oliver Chin will read stories from his new book, The Year of the Horse: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac.

Saturday, 8 February, 2pm – Movie Matinee with refreshments. Call the library at 310-575-8273 for the title of the film.

Thursday, 13 February, 3:30pm – Teen Valentine Party, which will include a candy counting contest and the creation of some beautiful and tasty treats to take home.

Saturday, 15 February, 2pm - In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Friends will present There Is No They - Tales of Love and Loss, an afternoon of poetic monologues, written by Phoebe Dorin.

These poetic monologues will be movingly performed by seven award-winning actresses, ranging in age from 23 to 80 years. Each monologue represents a different period in time and is filled with a range of emotions that everyone will recognize and experience.

Health

FEBRUARY 2014

Health & Science It seems timely based on the bombardment by the media of this topic. But is there room for something new on the subject? This insurance is not the one that has made all the news, and is even less understood: Dental “Insurance”.

There is a difference between how health insurance and dental benefits work. As the cost of

by Dr. Paul Parminter, D.D.S. health care has increased, many employers dropped dental coverage or negotiated for lower cost dental coverage. With health insurance we pay into a pool against the risk of a catastrophic event happening to us sometime in the future. The benefits kick in once we have exceeded our plans deductible and help to differ costs of extensive care needs.

Dental “insurance”, contrary to common belief, works in almost the exactly opposite manner. We pay premiums for dental “insurance”, but the premiums are intended more for preventative care than for extensive care. In fact, maximum dental benefits tend to be capped at around $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 per year. Those are maximum levels of benefits, and they are restricted by individual plan coverage.

These maximum levels of benefits have remained the same for almost four decades now. The cost of living and the cost of providing quality dental care have risen over the same period, almost ten times.

Fewer than 6 out of 10 Americans were reported to have had dental benefits in 2010 according to a report released in late 2011 by the National Association of Dental Plans.

These dental plans vary widely, and choosing the right one can be tougher than you may think. This is because the role of dental benefits is sometimes unclear. The insurance industry uses jargon to describe benefits that often blurs the actual terms and of coverage. Recently the insurance companies have altered their terms even further by reducing the percentage of reimbursement to dentists and increasing the time between when the same procedure will be covered again.

To best plan for future dental expenditure it is best to know the benefits of ones individual policy and determine if it meets your needs. Dental insurance premiums can be more expensive than simply paying for routine check-ups and cleanings, if that is all you will ever need. Dental insurance can bring peace of mind, but it comes with restrictions too. When evaluating coverage here are a few things to consider.

• What type of dental coverage is being offered?

• Which procedures does your plan limit or exclude?

• Do certain procedures have waiting periods?

• How are benefits calculated?

• Can you go to any dentist that you choose?

• What are the plans annual maximum benefit levels?

• What procedures are covered by plan and at what percentage?

• Does your plan require pre-determination of benefits?

• Does your plan cover only the least expensive alternative treatment?

Do You Want To Know More About Insurance?

Read your benefits booklet. Know your options. Practice good oral hygiene.

About the author: Dr. Paul Parminter, D.D.S. has lectured and published on the topic of implant prsthodontics, and lectured internationally. he currently maintains a full-time private practice limited to implant and reconstructive dentistry located in Brentwood.

11980 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 501, CA 90049 T:(310) 820-9800

Tomato-Rich Diet Could Help Protect Against Breast Cancer

Tomatoes could help boost levels of a hormone that plays an important role in sugar and fat metabolism, potentially lowering the risk of breast cancer among women already at risk for the condition.

“The advantages of eating plenty of tomatoes and tomato-based products, even for a short period, were clearly evident in our findings,” study researcher Adana Llanos, Ph.D., MPH, an assistant professor at Rutgers University, said in a statement.

“Eating fruits and vegetables, which are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals such as lycopene, conveys significant benefits.”

She said, “Based on this data, we believe regular consumption of at least the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables would promote breast cancer prevention in an at-risk population”. www.huffingtonpost.com

Singing On Prescription

A study in the UK found that patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) benefited from belting out a tune when they were having breathing difficulties.

People with breathing problems tend to develop a lot of anxiety about the very process of inhaling. They tendency is to take short little breaths but his actually fills up the lungs without clearing them, making it even more difficult to breathe. In contrast, the techniques used in singing encourage people to breathe in a much deeper, more controlled manner. Over a 12 month period, the study showed that they not only appeared to halt the decline but people showed a small improvement.

Anna Lacey – www.bbc.co.uk

Drugs In Our Drinking Water

Hydrocodone, Ranitidine, Hydrochlorothiazide are readily found in our nation’s water supply — and in higher amounts than drug companies anticipated. Our bodies release them when we urinate or flush old drugs down the toilet. It’s well known that pharmaceuticals are affecting ocean life but the impact on human health is unclear. A recent study looked at samples from 50 large-size wastewater treatment plants nationwide and tested for 56 drugs including high-blood pressure medications, and over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen.

More than half the samples tested positive for at least 25 of the drugs monitored. High blood pressure medications appeared in the highest concentrations. One reason for the higher numbers is better technology but it’s also because we’re taking more drugs than ever. According to a Mayo Clinic study, nearly 70% of Americans take one prescription drug.

Dawn Fallik – www.mashable.com brentwoodfocus.com 31

Design

CROSS ROADS / by Tom Callaway

wallpapers into a successful agreement with one of the major textile companies in New York.

Three nice home design projects were completed and photographed for future publications and a good deal of my design work this past year, dealt with finding appropriate art and art photography for my client’s homes and offices. This led to a delightful playback of my early years as a painter and printmaker, both in college, and in Holland and Paris in my early 20’s.

This was when living in Europe as a starving artist somehow seemed romantically attractive to me. One glance at my waistline says I haven’t been starving for some time, and the word for romantic is clearly missing in my current vocabulary.

With a promising agenda for 2014 beginning to shape up, what will the New Year have in store for me, and will life, as I know it, be set on some unexpected course?

I

Cross Roads

don’t know if this New Year marks any kind of departure for you from business as usual, but I can’t help but feel I am at a crossroads where something new and different is just over the horizon. Of course I could be wrong, and each day of work, family, friends, etc. might continue to drift along on the same path I have been travelling over the years.

I am already in the deep end of my second career, and it’s hard to know if a third career is to be desired or needed in the 3rd act of my life. But it feels like things are definitely in flux. I can feel rumblings moving under foot like tectonic plates. My appetite for “doing more” is still, very much in play. I’m a hopeless creative sort. Not a day goes by, either at bedtime or rolling back and forth through some fidgety, sleepless hours in the blackness of lights out, or in the first hour or two upon morning’s waking, that my spinning mind isn’t dreaming of something to design, or to promote, or to decorate. No accomplishment ever seems to be enough to satisfy this voracious design beast lurking within. Yet, I’m happy to say that I can look back at the past years with a great degree of satisfaction. Virtually every past project has made me proud of my efforts. My most recent projects and experiences in 2013 were no different.

As I reflect on the year past, I am thrilled to recall some highlights, none more so than my speaking last Spring at a design conference in Berlin to 200 leading designers and architects about the unexpected twists and turns of my professional life. This occasion led to two others speaking engagements, in New York City and again in Los Angeles, giving encores of this well received and requested talk to two other design groups. I also was requested to fly to Paris to show a French textile company my newly developed designs for fabric, wall coverings and rugs. I enjoyed that delightful week in Paris last summer, but after a promising start, the hoped for agreement with the French company did not materialize. Another trip to New York, to attend a design conference there, with more textile meetings with other companies eventually brought my new line of fabrics and 32 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

2.

L

ike most overfed Americans, I start this year determined to reduce a several pounds, eat healthier food, and get in better shape to handle my endless dreams of projects to undertake. I ponder remodeling my home, plan to attend a design conference in Buenos Aires, and after nearly 25 years, possibly move my offices to a new location. I’d like to take more time away from Los Angeles, plan to see my textile and wall covering lines launch world wide next autumn, reunite with life long buddies next summer in Wisconsin, and, who knows, possibly start writing a book of my life’s helter skelter journey in the Arts. The Walter Mitty in me knows the list will grow and change as the months pass. Not knowing what the future holds is a human dilemma I doubt will ever change.

This is probably as it should be, and must be. But to dream of the “road less travelled” or, my still wanting to make footprints across an expanse of fresh snow, lets me know that my work here is not done… no slowing down for this determined, old bloke any time soon.

So here’s wishing each and every one of you only challenges that you can manage, the ability for you to carry whatever load you must, the chance to love the people and things that matter most, and for life to bring your way more pleasure than pain. Whether at a “cross roads” or continuing down the same familiar lane, keep your eyes peeled for all the details that make this world such a visual masterpiece. And may your days be filled with those kinds of moments worth remembering, when we’re thinking back on this year, next January.

About the author: Tom Callaway is an interior designer and architect, living in Brentwood. www.thomascallaway.com

Film

FEBRUARY 2014

Coming Soon...

ACTION

INDEPENDENT

ANIMATION

ROMANCE

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, The Monuments Men is an actionthriller focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1 - possibly hope to succeed? But as the Monuments Men, as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind’s greatest achievements.

Stars: George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Cate Blanchett Paul Giamatti, John Goodman Daniel Craig.

Director: George Clooney

True story of amateur opera singer and mobile-phone salesman Paul Potts, who was riddled by a streak of bad luck when, on a lark, he auditioned for “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2007.

His on-air performances ended up bowling over audiences and judges, including Simon Cowell.

He went on to win the show and become a media and YouTube sensation, eventually going on a global music tour and releasing an album.

Stars: James Corden, Colm Meaney, Mackenzie Crook Julie Walters Director: David Frankel

In The Wind Rises, Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world’s most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan’s plunge into war.

Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo. Writer and director Hayao Miyazaki pays tribute to engineer Jiro Horikoshi and author Tatsuo Hori in this epic tale of love, perseverance, and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.

Stars: The voices of GordonLevitt, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Martin Short, Stanley Tucci Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Set in a mythic New York City and spanning more than a century, Winter’s Tale is a story of miracles, crossed destinies, and the age-old battle between good and evil.

Set in 1916 and present-day Manhattan, Winter’s Tale follows the story of Peter Lake (Colin Farrell). Peter Lake is a thief who falls in love with Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a dying girl who occupies one of the houses he breaks into.

Lake is saved from the insane gangster Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe) and his gang of thugs

by Athansor, a mysterious white horse who becomes his guardian angel.

Based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Mark Helprin. Winter’s Tale is Akiva Goldsman’s debut as director of a feature film.

Stars: Russell Crowe, Jessica Brown Findlay, Will Smith, Colin Farrell, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly Director: Akiva Goldsman

The Monuments Men

One Chance

The Wind Rises

Winter’s Tale

brentwoodfocus.com 33

FEBRUARY 2014 REALTOR PROFILE

The Cohen Report Your Neighborhood Market Update As of January 2014 there are 37 active listings and 14 homes sales pending.

Most recent sales in the neighborhood:

Mona Cohen Mona Cohen has brought her 10 plus years of experience as an Independent Broker to Rodeo Realty in Brentwood.

Her knowledge of real estate ranges from probate court, to short sales, and of course the traditional standard sale.

Mona specializes in luxury real estate from Bel Air to Brentwood and the Pacific Palisades. Raised in Brentwood, Mona’s favorite activity is going to the Brentwood Farmer’s Market on Sunday’s. One of Mona’s passions is growing and tending to the passionfruit trees in her backyard. Her philosophy in life, which she applies to her real estate practices is: Do the best. Be the Best.

Being Second is not motivating!

T: 310 466-6675 mona@monacohen.com Rodeo Realty Brentwood 11940 San Vicente # 100 Los Angeles, CA 90049 www.monacohen.com

34 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

Address:

List Price

Sold Price

11313 Gladwin

$1,179,000

$1,125,000

3363 Mandeville

$1,295,000

$1,285,000

330 S. Saltair

$4,195,000

$4,120,000

1731 Reedvale

$2,895,000

$2,950,000

1269 N. Norman Pl $1,795,000

$1,767,000

124 N. Gunston

$5,500,00

$5,825,000

As you can see inventory is low and demand is high and there are buyers actively looking in the Brentwood area.

Are you curious about your home’s value? Thinking of moving? Call me today to schedule a FREE Market analysis.

Market your home with me and I will pay to have your home protected throughout the marketing period with a FREE Home Warranty!

Let’s Talk, Mona Cohen 310-466-6675

Real Estate

FEBRUARY 2014

The Most Expensive Homes FOR SALE

10 Biggest Sales of 2013 $74.5 Million

$29.6 Million

$41 Million

$28.8 Million

$32.75 Million

$28 Million

Oaktree Capital Management CEO Howard Marks sold his Malibu spread to Oakley founder Jim Jannard.

33064 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

$34,995,000

3100 MANDEVILLE CANYON RD, CA 90049 13 beds 8 baths 12,000 sq ft Lot: 48.05 acres Tennis court w/pavilion, separate guest houses and lake with waterfalls.

Listing Agent: John Woodward, Keller Williams T: 310 432-5747

Producer Jerry Weintraub sold his Malibu compound to fashion exec Serge Azria.

27740 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 Mohamed Hadid, sold his latest flip to Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, the daughter of Uzbekistan’s President.

904 North Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

$31.5 Million

Wealth manager Elliott Broidy sold this house to Fereydoon Mossanen.

440 Saint Cloud Road, Los Angeles, CA 90077

$30 Million

$13,000,000

144 WOODBURN DR., CA 90049 5 beds 6 baths Lot: 0.4 acres French Provincial estate. Wine cellar, screening room, 2 terraces and 6 car garage. Covered limestone veranda opens to a stunning pool, flanked by olive trees.

Listing Agent: Gary Gold, Hilton & Hyland T: 310 492-0738

Producer Megan Ellison bought this mansion from tech founder Eddy Aslanian.

1 Electra Court, Los Angeles, CA 90046

A Chinese-based real estate investor, picked up this place from Johnny Lopez in November.

918 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 News Corp head Rupert Murdoch bought Bel Air’s Moraga Vineyards property from ex-Northrop Grumman CEO Tom Jones.

1050 Moraga Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Producer David Zander sold his Pasadena spread to Guang Ren. 1145 Arden Road, Pasadena, CA 91106

$27.5 Million

Another former Northrop Grumman CEO Kent Kresa sold his spanish colonial to Saudi Arabian magnate Abdullah Al-Rushaid.

1146 Tower Road, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

$27 Million

TV Producer Burt Sugarman sold his place in Trousdale Estates to former Saudi Arabian official Mohammed Bin Salem Al-Marri.

400 Trousdale Place, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

SOLD

Listed in Brentwood Focus.

Congratulations Davina O’Donnell

T: 310 702-3563 Berkshire Hathaway Home Services www.davinaodonnell.bhhscalifornia.com

Contact us to discuss this inexpensive but highly effective way to list your property sales@focusmag.us Brentwood Focus 12/2013

brentwoodfocus.com 35

FEBRUARY 2014

Best of 2013 Things people Wanted To Learn in 2013

What Angelenos Googled in 2013

1. How to Tie a Tie

1. Paul Walker 2. How to File 2. Dodgers 3. How to Get a Passport 3. Cory Monteith 4. How to Blog 4. Christopher Dorner 5. Boston Marathon 5. How to Knit 6. Aaron Hernandez 6. How to Kiss 7. James Gandolfini 7. How to Flirt 8. Government 8. How to Whistle Shutdown 9. How to UnJailbreak 9. Amber Alert 10. Mayweather vs. Canelo 10. How to Vader

1000 Awesome Things Fixing electronics by smacking them

#41

Like The Fonz kicking the jukebox on Happy Days, Grandpa smacking the TV during Wheel of Fortune, or a bandana-clad mom shaking the washer when the heavy towel load gets it rocking, there is something great about fixing electronics by smacking them. www.1000awesomethings.com

Best Books of 2013

FICTION Me before You by Jojo Moyes The story of a quadriplegic man who lost everything after an accident left him helpless.

Me Before You is also the story of a woman who comes from nothing, lives in fear, and plays it safe.

As luck would have it, fate brings these two together when Louisa is hired to help care for and be a companion to the wheelchair-bound Will.

This book made me cry. I probably could have been sad or angry or frustrated but I wasn’t. I was just moved.

Stacia

THRILLER Inferno by Dan Brown Inferno, in my opinion has been Brown’s most thoughtful work yet. The topic most regarded in this book –overpopulation and its effects – will really make you stop and worry about the world and its future for a moment.

The whole book’s outer premise is inspired by Dante’s The Divine Comedy. In the first 120 pages or so, I doubted whether that was a good idea or not as I did not find myself getting involved in the story.

Anushka

Source: reviewers at www.goodreads.com

36 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

AUTOBIOGRAPHY I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban This was quite a story of both courage and fortitude by a young lady who managed to triumph over the antiquated and cruel judgements of religious fanatics. I loved the message it sent as to the value of education, something in this country which many do not prize as does Malala. It also shows that in some areas of the world, as much as we think we have evolved intellectually, there are still some countries where women are considered inferior, second class citizens. marialyce

NONFICTION David and Goliath

by Malcolm Gladwell This book is not about underdogs and giants in any conventional sense of these terms. Rather, the book is about the curious nature of advantages and disadvantages, and how each can (under certain circumstances) become its opposite.

AAron

FOOD It’s All Good: Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make You Look Good and Feel Great

by Gwyneth Paltrow I am not usually a fan of “celebrity” cookbooks but the is by far one of the best cookbooks out there for gluten and dairy free eating. The food philosophy from a combination of Gwyneth, her doctor, and food writer friend just makes sense. The photos are beautiful, the food is delicious, and she includes various 7 day eating plans in the back of the book if you are interested in detoxing, muscle building, going vegan, or just feeding your family.

Heidi

FEBRUARY 2014

2013 in Focus

DECEMBER 2013

NOVEMBER 2013

OCTOBER 2013

AUGUST 2013

READ ONLINE

Scan this QR Code to read any of the past issues online. http://brentwoodfocus.com/ online-issue

JULY 2013

JUNE 2013

MAY 2013

Articles You May Have Missed in 2013 Take A Hike

Blown Away

May 2013.

December 2013.

Nearby places off the beaten track, ideal for reflection.

An interview with Alli Webb, founder of Drybar

The Grass Fed Burger King

Fruits of Labor

October 2013.

October 2013.

An interview with Dean Loring, founder of Burger Lounge

How one organization is gathering excess fruit from local backyards and donating them to people in need.

brentwoodfocus.com 37

Offline/Online TWEAK GIFTERY

Owner, Tara Riceberg demonstrates how to wrap a gift. Page 10

Have an interactive experience with your magazine. The QR codes on this page are videos which accompany some of the featured articles. To find out more about a story first download the QRReader app to your smartphone, and hold your phone steady in front of the codes, till you link to the videos.

We’re Online

LUCINDA WILLIAMS Watch her live in Europe last year. Page 26

CES 2014

A recap of the best home appliances at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Page 29

Keep up to date with articles and stories from the Focus team. Although we publish the magazine monthly, we add articles and posts online all the time, some of which never make it to the printed magazine!

If you would like to contribute a story or tell us about your blog, please write to us info@brentwoodfocus. com www.brentwoodfocus.com

3100 MANDEVILLE CYN Take a tour of the most expensive home for sale in Brentwood. Page 35

38 FOCUS | F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

ARCHIVE: ANTIQUES/ File 00237STL

ART ANTIQUES A R T I FA C T S ACCESSORIES

Antique Navajo Blanket

2928 Nebraska Avenue Santa Monica, California 90404 Open daily by appointment Call 310 828-1030

ST L STUFF

TOM

LIKES

www.stufftomlikes.net Shop Stuff Tom Likes at www.1stdibs.com THE THOMAS CALLAWAY COLLECTION

LISA MANSFIELD

Realtor, NRT’s Top 1,000 Sales Associates

310.481.4313

lisa.mansfield@sothebyshomes.com www.lisamansfield.com

Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

BRENTWOOD BROKERAGE | 11911 SAN VICENTE BLVD SUITE 200 | LOS ANGELES | CA 90049

SELLER’S TESTIMONIAL

Top

2%

of Sales Associates Nationwide

“You guided me through the whole process superbly, with knowledge and confidence….You made the whole experience “stress free”.…from viewing, making an offer and the negotiations that followed, I felt informed and protected…. you were easy to contact, and responded to every inquiry quickly….I felt that I was your only client….your attention to detail and professionalism cannot be equaled. I have already, and will continue to recommend you as a Realtor.”

– Peter Hobday

DID YOU KNOW…?

“One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint!..(And) neutrals appeal to the greatest number of people…making your home more desirable.” HGTV

…CALL ME TO DISCUSS!

DIRECT: 310.481.4313 FOR SALE!!! FOR SALE!!!

LISA MANSFIELD

FOR SALE!!!

CELL: 310.993.2303 WHAT’S NEW...!

1425 Stanford St. #5 Asking $699,000

*NEW LISTING!!!

11342 Waterford St. *Just Sold!!!

11331 Homedale St. *Just Sold!!!

11343 Homedale St. *Just Sold!!!

11326 Homedale St. *Just Sold!!!

11350 Homedale St. *Just Sold!!!

16634 Oak View Dr. *Just Sold!!!

4812 Sancola Ave. *Just Sold!!!

2101 Hillsboro Ave. *Just Sold!!!

11420 Chenault St. *Just Leased!!!

3636 Sawtelle Blvd. *Just Leased!!!

1425 Stanford St. #5 2 Beds + Office + 2.5 Baths www.1425stanford5.com

Santa Monica, 90404 Beautifully Remodeled!

Asking Price: $699,000

Contact me to hear about my upcoming listings! – Lisa