Southern California Life_Sept.Oct2015

CONTENTS SEPT/OCT2015

Denise

“Wherever I g o people say, ‘I’ve exercised with you since I was a little girl.’ And now I’m doing that with my daug hter Katie. She’s following in my footsteps.”

62 Denise Austin

KATIE AND DENISE AUSTIN Photographed by Benny Haddad.

Location: Hermosa Beach, California.

Katie

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Nick Vujicic

Features + Profile

16 FOUND ANIMALS

™

Saving Pets and Enriching Lives

By MACKENZIE MILLER

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U.S. Women’s National Soccer Star Christen Press on Living Her Dream

By ROBYN FLANS

MOLLY RINGWALD From Child Superstar to Active Mom

By ROBYN FLANS

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54 MEET THE PRESS 62 DENISE AUSTIN Savvy, Spirited and Fabulously Fit

By ROBYN FLANS

NICK VUJICIC

From Life Without Limbs to Life Without Limits

By MONIQUE REIDY

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CONTENTS SEPT/OCT2015

Departments 12 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER/ EDITOR.IN.CHIEF 14 AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER

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Life Without Limbs Imagine Gala Event

15 AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER City Year #Instagallery

The Dia de los Muertos cultural festival will be celebrating its 16th anniversary at Hollywood Forever.

18 ENCHANTING ESCAPES Southern California Spa Escapes

By LINDA LANG

24 SIGNATURES & LANDMARKS Hollywoodland

By ERIKA THOMAS

30 SO CAL CULTURE

So Cal Automobile Culture: Car Shows and Car Museums

By IMAAN JALALI

34 TRENDING TALK

Coordinating Business Travel with School Commitments

By ESTHER C. BLEUEL, MA, MFT, MDR

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JOACHIM SPLICHAL

57 THE GOURMAND

36 FAB FINDS

Pretty in Pink

By NICOLE SCHMIDT

38 OFF THE BEATEN PATH Fun Fall Festivals and Fairs

By LINDA LANG

Chef Splichal Serves up the Savory Success of the Governors Ball at the 67th Annual Emmys

By IMAAN JALALI

68 FIVE FAVES

48 BUBBLES & BREWS

Southern California's Divine Fine Wine

By IMAAN JALALI

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CHEF

Where to Birdie, Bogie, Blast and Backswing in the Southland

By LINDSAY B.V. PINCUS

Manhattan Beach Pier, the oldest concrete pier in the state, is a state historic monument.

74 THE HOOD

Savoring South Bay's Beach Cities

By LINDA LANG

81 TO-DO-LIST

Taking Adrenaline to New Heights

By SCOTT HARRIS

86 FAMILY FUN

Ghouls, Goblins and Ghosts “Oh My!”

By LINDSAY B.V. PINCUS

90 PERFECT PICKS

Fall in Love with Shoes

By BRIDGET MARIE

ON THE COVER DENISE AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENNY HADDAD Styling by Ilene’s Boutique, Westlake Village Hair by Allison McGillicuddy Makeup by Kristina Goldberg

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93 ON THE CALENDAR 96 SOOO CAL Drive On Up!

By SCOTT HARRIS

98 MY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Beach Coastline in Santa Barbara, California

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MONIQUE REIDY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR CALENDAR OF EVENTS EDITOR COMMUNICATION AND ADVICE EDITOR ENTERTAINMENT AND PROFILES EDITOR LANDMARKS AND HISTORICAL FEATURES EDITOR SPORTS & "SOOO CAL” EDITOR STYLE AND BEAUTY EDITOR TRAVEL EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER WEBSITE DESIGN | DIGITAL SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT INTERNS

Antoni Pham Benny Haddad Imaan Jalali Janine Goldberg Esther Bleuel Robyn Flans Erika Thomas Scott Harris Nicole Schmidt Linda Lang Bridget Marie, MacKenzie Miller, Lindsay B.V. Pincus Erica Goddard, Griffin Joy Montgomery Jennifer Hurless Mike Kaiser, Karen Kaiser I www.searanchimages.com Molly Casca, Lindsay B.V. Pincus

PUBLISHED BY

PUBLISHER | PRESIDENT SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, SALES AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND CIRCULATION ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

BOOKKEEPER CIRCULATION CONSULTANT LEGAL COUNSEL ADVISORY BOARD

SUBSCRIPTIONS EDITORIAL ADVERTISING

Monique Reidy Cheryl Dalton Janine Goldberg Martin Albornoz Hilary Bateman, Vanessa Shapiro, Tonya McKenzie Connie Schuh Doug Bitto Edward Corey, Esq. Catherine Jayne, Ph.D, Steve Bardwil, Esq., Bill Bleuel, Ph.D, Patty Macmillan, Elena Nikitina, Doug Sylvester, Mary Wagstaff, Debbie Widerøe, Kelly Trevethan, Scott Harris Info@SoCalLifemag.com Editorial@SoCalLifemag.com Ads@SoCalLifemag.com

3625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 232 | Westlake Village | CA 91362 | (805) 777-0080 | 805-370-8181 fax | www.SoCalLifeMag.com /SoCalLifeMag /socallifemag

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Southern California Life magazine is published by Elysian Media Group, LLC. ©2015 Elysian Media Group, LLC. Southern California Life magazine is registered US Patent and Trademark Office. The opinions expressed in Southern California Life magazine are not to be considered official expressions of Elysian Media Group, LLC. Elysian Media Group, LLC does not accept any responsibility for the actions of its readers. The contents within Southern California Life magazine are for informational purposes only and should not be treated as health care or health management advice. The materials herein are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content in this magazine. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising matter. Publisher does not assume responsibility for errors, omissions, and/or changes in advertising or editorial material.

September/October 2015 Printed in the USA.

GRAYSON KEMP

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FROM THE PUBLISHER/

EDITOR .IN.CHIEF

Top:

Monique Reidy and Nick Vujicic BENNY HADDAD

Right:

Monique Reidy and Denise Austin

“PEOPLE MAY HEAR YOUR WORDS, BUT THEY FEEL YOUR ATTITUDE.” ! JO HN C .

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OST MAGAZINE EDITORS MAY CONSIDER SELECTING THE CONTENT TO FEATURE IN EACH ISSUE OF A MAGAZINE AS ONE OF THEIR MORE CREATIVE TASKS. THAT ASSIGNMENT SEEMS TO YIELD THE SAME GRATIFICATION AS A CHEF MIGHT GAIN ASSEMBLING A SPECIAL MENU. WHEN ALL THE ELEMENTS INTEGRATE TOGETHER TO PRODUCE A BEAUTIFUL AND INFORMATIVE PUBLICATION, IT’S A WONDERFUL SENSE OF SATISFACTION. But for me, the opportunity I have to meet extraordinary people is one of the most gratifying and I’ve had the honor of meeting two for this issue. It’s not often I meet someone and walk away completely invigorated, but I felt that way when I met Nick Vujicic and our cover celeb, Denise Austin.

I was introduced to Nick at the Roger Kemp and Company studio in Westlake Village as he rolled into their stylish offices to record his radio show. Entering through the spacious double doors with a flash, the fact that he’s missing four limbs and sits on a jazzed-up wheelchair wasn’t as distracting as that his presence commanded everyone’s attention.

Having read about his global exploits, I was immediately taken back by his youthfulness. I suddenly felt as though I’d wasted half my life on sheer irrelevance while this

gentleman in his early 30s, missing half his physical parts, has been helping transform lives and trouncing international pursuits. “Wow. I think I could be your mother. You’re probably younger than my youngest child,” was my first unfiltered comment, to which he replied, “Well then get over here and give me a hug.”

Our discussion proceeded with little effort on my part since I asked Nick one question and sat with my mouth hung open for the next 40 minutes as he outlined his life, his work and his vision. Articulate and wise beyond his years, his insights were sharp and deeply moving.

Clearly, arms and legs are not a prerequisite to accomplishing monumental feats; according to Nick, his faith in God and his determination to refuse to be angry about what he doesn’t have and thankful for what he does, is what he credits for his success.

The interview, which was actually intended for a different project, was so uplifting that I opted to feature it in this publication (yes, it’s that editor’s prerogative thing).

By stark contrast, bearing arms and legs that reveal a lifetime of commitment to physical training, our team was greeted by Denise Austin with a most energetic welcome as we arrived at her home for a photo shoot.

My first thought was she must be in a great mood. My second thought was ... good grief, I guess consistent exercise really does reap results – the woman is in amazing shape!

I realized hours later that Denise is a truly dynamic, kind, joyful, unassuming, and yes, abundantly energetic woman, and she is absolutely every bit as peppy as she appears in her acclaimed fitness shows.

While at her spectacular house, which sits on “The Strand” in Hermosa Beach, friends of hers and her daughter’s came in and out, cyclists along the famed “Strand” rode past shouting “hi Denise!” up

to her balcony and the afternoon was bustling with people and activity.

We walked to the beach, situated steps from her home, for the cover shot as more “hi Denise!” salutations were hurled and she replied with equal enthusiasm.

By the end of the day I asked her sister, Anne, who had spent the afternoon with us, if Denise is always that exuberant. “She’s been that way all her life,” she said. “Denise wakes up happy, she’s been that way since she was a little girl.” Anne explained that Denise was the one among the siblings who would cheer everyone up when they’d had a bad day and always chose to adopt the right attitude no matter what she faced.

Two exceptional people with two wholly different callings in life yet with glaring similarities: Nick Vujicic and Denise Austin both have strong convictions about their mission and their purpose. They have each made the choice to reject dwelling on negative forces and embrace gratitude.

Their lives reflect a deliberate choice to uphold a healthy attitude. They both demonstrate that making appropriate choices is the fundamental key to whether one lives a productive and fulfilling life or a miserable, defeated one. They have both profoundly inspired me and I hope their respective stories will inspire you as well.

In addition to theirs, this issue features other notable profiles, such as longtime Hollywood sweetheart Molly Ringwald and U.S. Women’s National Soccer star Christen Press.

And as always, we present the very best of Southern California for you to explore and enjoy. With all the special events and activities lined up this fall, you’ll want to be sure and take note so you don’t miss out!

Warmest wishes,

MONIQUE REIDY,

Publisher/Editor.in.Chief

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BY ERICA GODDARD / WWW.BOSSYBOSSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

The gala was hosted at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, CA

Nick and a mix of Life Without Limbs staff and family.

LIFE WITHOUT Nick and Bradon, his most recent personal caregiver.

Though Nick is highly independent, he has several rotating caregivers to allow more time for family and ministry matters.

LIMBS

IMAGINE GALA EVENT

Guest came from around the world to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Life Without Limbs worldwide ministry on May 31, 2015. Many staff and volunteers served behind the scenes to help make this event a great success. Nick Vujicic presented the official launch of the newest programs, Stand Strong Now and Honor Without Limits. Visit their website for more details: www.lifewithoutlimbs.org.

A young girl savors one of Nick’s signature hugs. Though Nick has no arms, many have said he gives the best hugs because he hugs with the heart.

Nick chats with one of LWL’s media vendors.

Nick giving his keynote speech.

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(From left to right) – Nick’s immediate family: Kiyoshi Vujicic (Nick’s son), Dushka Vujicic (Nick’s mother), Michele Vujicic (Nick’s younger sister), Nick Vujicic, Kanae Vujicic (Nick’s wife), Boris Vujicic (Nick’s father).

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Gallery attendees enjoyed appetizers from local caterer Urban Green.

More than 200 supporters attended City Year’s “pop-up” photography exhibit at De Re Gallery in the West Hollywood Design District.

CITY YEAR

Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson and RealD CEO & Founder and City Year Los Angeles Board Member Michael Lewis are among the nonprofit’s influential supporters in Hollywood.

#INSTAGALLERY

City Year Los Angeles hosted a “pop-up” photography exhibit on June 4 of photos offering an unfiltered look at everyday school life in inner-city Los Angeles. All photos at the #InstaGallery event were originally posted to Instagram by City Year AmeriCorps members to document their year of service in some of L.A.’s most disadvantaged schools.

Each year, 300 young people dedicate a year to full-time service with City Year to help at-risk students in L.A.’s lowest performing schools get on track to graduate.

Learn more about City Year's work in Los Angeles at www.cityyear.org/losangeles

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Long-time City Year Los Angeles Board Member Glenn Gritzner of Mercury Public Affairs (left) mingles with President Obama’s former deputy press secretary Bill Burton (right).

City Year AmeriCorps member Kaysee Murakami shows off her Instagram photo taken at Markham Middle School in Watts. Proceeds from the sale of her photo will support the school’s continued partnership with City Year Los Angeles.

Dad blogger Trevor Mulligan of @oneSAHD attended with his family.

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Rociel Pena, a City Year AmeriCorps member, stands by two of her photos that were featured at City Year Los Angeles' #InstaGallery exhibit at the De Re Gallery in West Hollywood on June 4. The photos were taken at John Muir Middle School in South Los Angeles.

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Saving Pets and Enriching Lives

By MacKenzie Miller

T

he mantra “save pets and enrich lives using innovation” is the theme that unites all Found Animals diverse programs, according to Executive Director Aimee Gilbreath.

Founder, Dr. Gary Michelson, is an amazing visionary, entrepreneur, orthopedic surgeon, and has the most patents of any doctor in any medical specialty with more than 900 patents worldwide.

Michelson started Found Animals in 2005 from his kitchen table, and has grown it over the years to a staff of 70, multiple programs ranging from local to international, and the foundation has saved more than a million pets worldwide.

Found Animals’ local programs consist of its Adopt & Shop locations, free microchip registry, and mobile spay and neuter units.

Adopt & Shop’s goal is to find a “happy forever home” for every sheltered pet. According to Gilbreath, Adopt & Shop locations focus on two main aspects, “Bringing shelter pets to people in a fun, bright, happy environment and capturing funds being spent on pet products, grooming, training and daycare in order to funnel it back to helping homeless pets.”

In addition to guaranteeing that 100 percent of funds raised goes back to saving pets, Found Animals also provides free microchip registration. “Most people microchip their pets, but don’t know that without it being updated, there is no way for a shelter or vet to reach you if your animal is lost.” Found Animals encourages those who do truly need a free option to use Found Animals to register their pet’s microchips.

In Southern California, there are many communities that lack access to affordable care for their pets. Found Animals helped found and fund a nonprofit, Spay-4LA, which has two mobile units that provide free spay and neuter clinics for dogs

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and cats. They focus on areas where many animals are going and dying in shelters.

Currently it covers around seven to eight zip codes in Southern Los Angeles and last year, with just one mobile unit, they spayed and neutered 6,000 pets. With this year’s addition of a second mobile unit, their surgeries performed should double.

Their primary international program, The Michelson Prize & Grants program, is working to help scientists find a non-surgical sterilant for cats and dogs. “If something like this did exist for pets, it would be much more affordable and much easier to deploy in neighborhoods where people most need population control,” says Gilbreath.

“In animal welfare there are so many groups doing good work but struggling to have enough funds to save as many pets as they can.” Gilbreath saw an opportunity and started the Saving Pets Challenge to get animal welfare groups to try crowdfunding.

Found Animals partnered with Crowdrise in 2014 and after raising 1.8 million dollars, continues to encourage charities to use Crowdrise as a tool to raise money in order to expand their own fundraising network.

Found Animals is a unique model in that some programs are traditionally philanthropic, like grants, and others are social enterprises like their Adopt & Shop stores. With these programs, Found Animals continues to break the mold of animal welfare worldwide. ❖

For more information about the organization visit www.foundanimals.org.

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ENCHANTING ESCAPES

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OOKING FOR A GETAWAY TO DE-STRESS WITH A COUPLE OF FRIENDS OR ESCAPE WITH THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE? WITH OUR HIGH-TECHDRIVEN LIVES, MULTITASKING SCHEDULES AND CONSTANT JUGGLING, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT MOST PROMINENT HOTELS AND RESORTS TODAY OFFER POSH LUXURY SPAS AND STATE-OFTHE-ART FITNESS CENTERS TO REJUVENATE AND NOURISH THE BODY AND PSYCHE. SPAS ARE NO LONGER JUST FOR LADIES. MOST NOW OFFER PROGRAMS AND AMENITIES FOR GUYS AS WELL AS CO-ED MASSAGES AND OTHER TOGETHER TREATMENTS.

Southern California has scores of resort spas. There are also destination spas such as the legendary Oaks at Ojai and Golden Door, which are renowned for their in-depth mind and body wellness programs that address weight, health issues, diet and fitness for those seeking significant lifestyle changes. ✒ BY

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alifornia Spa Escapes INDULGENT SPAS

BACARA RESORT & SPA

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Bacara Resort & Spa sits on the bluff and beach of the Gaviota coastline just minutes from the Santa Barbara airport.

Embodying the essence of Santa Barbara's American Riviera lifestyle, it offers 360 newly-renovated guestrooms and suites, four restaurants and lounges, three swimming pools, lighted tennis courts and a host of activities.

Its posh, award-winning four-story spa and wellness center offers 42,000 square feet of amenities, including 36 treatment rooms and a rooftop terrace where you can experience mud-based treatments, scrubs and enjoy a private European sunbathing area. Relaxed by gentle breezes and tranquil ocean views, you slow down, let go, celebrate your well being, and let your soul and body fill with the beauty of the moment while your cell phone remains safely resting in your locker.

Additional activities include world-class golf at three courses, hiking, nature walks, biking, lots of water sports, sightseeing, dining and shopping options. i

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1. Bacara Resort & Spa is Santa Barbara features expansive ocean views. 2. Flower-filled courtyards embrace the warm California sun.

3. The resort offers three heated pools and direct beach access.

4. The Spa at Bacara offers 42,000 square feet of pampering.

Courtesy of Bacara Resort & Spa

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OMNI RANCHO LAS PALMAS RESORT & SPA

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Located on Bob Hope Drive is the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, which dates back to the glamorous Palm Springs era of the '50s when the stars and international elite flocked to the storied Desert Air Hotel & Resort. Set on 320 acres with a private airstrip, the famous and not-so-famous lazed around the pool, partied and played polo. The lively Compass Room restaurant and bar was also a backdrop for the 1950s sitcom, “The Bob Cummings Show." In the late 1970s, the Desert Air gave way to today’s luxurious resort with Cary Grant, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Bob Hope attending the groundbreaking ceremony.

Today, the property's luxury desert lifestyle offers 444 guest rooms and 22 suites, multiple dining options, three pools including one for adults only, golf, tennis and lots of nearby sites, shops and restaurants to sample. The spa has more than 50 treatments ranging from mani-pedis and facials to massages and body wraps after which you can relax in the sauna, hot tub, pool and lounge in those luscious robes. i

www.omnihotels.com/hotels/palm-springs-rancho-las-palmas | 1.760.568.2727

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5. Well-appointed guest rooms in soothing tones of beige, sand and ivory reflect the Spanish Colonial style. 6. Entrance to the spa transfers you into a world where time is irrelevant. 7. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa offers 444 guest rooms and 22 luxury suites. 8. The spa offers more than 50 treatment options.

9. 27 holes of championship golf are offered at the resort.

Courtesy of Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

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THE RANCH AT LIVE OAK IN MALIBU

If you are looking for serious wellness, weight loss and nutritional lifestyle changes, check out The Ranch at Live Oak in Malibu, recipient of numerous accolades including World's Best Spas 2012 and 2013 by Travel + Leisure and Second World's Best Luxury Boot Camp by Lonely Planet.

In the mountains three miles above the Pacific, you are totally immersed in nature on film star Hopalong Cassidy's former working ranch. Surrounding the Spanish hacienda, exercise pavilion and organic farm are hiking trails with stunning mountain, canyon and ocean views.

Here you focus upon building physical endurance, shedding unwanted pounds, toning up and detoxifying mind and body with group fitness routines, daily hikes, core and ab work, weights, yoga sessions, and private massages. The dietary program excludes all alcohol, caffeine and processed sugars, and only the freshest organic ingredients are used to prepare vegetarian cuisine that is as pleasing to the eye as the palate. The program has also shown increases in metabolism and higher HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Cholesterol testing is also included. i

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10. Trainers hold workouts in the exercise room. 11. The inside dining room accommodates all the guests. 12. Each guest room offers maximum privacy. 13. Lots of hiking trails on the Ranch offer spectacular views. 14. The Great Room is where you gather to relax with other guests.

Courtesy of The Ranch at Live Oak

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ENCHANTING ESCAPES SPA MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH

INDULGENT SPAS

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15. The hotel offers panoramic views from almost every public room. 16. Surfset classes challenge the body in new ways. 17. The mosaic pool is in a postcard setting. 18. Yoga classes are part of the spa's Energize program. 19. The 248-room Montage Laguna Beach sits high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific.

Courtesy of Montage Laguna Beach

17 18 Seeking a soothing escape or serious health and beauty regimen? The Elements of Wellness program at the 20,000 square foot Spa Montage Laguna Beach offers you a litany of options for customizing your own program.

You receive six credits daily to use toward any combination of services from their extensive series of Indulge, Energize, Reconnect treatments and activities.

Indulge experiences focus on relaxation, stress relief and beautification. Energize programs include fitness activities, nature hikes and beach workouts. Reconnect is about inner well-being and reconnecting with one's self through and nature and activities such as guided meditation, art classes or a signature therapy treatment.

Montage Laguna Beach, itself, is a total immersion in 30 acres of oceanfront luxury. High on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, the 248-room craftsman-style resort offers casual and fine dining, three pools, fine art collection, and all the beach and water sports. In the heart of the famed Laguna Beach arts community, its ideal location also puts Del Mar Thoroughbred racing, great shopping, dining and wealth of activities within easy reach. i

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FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR

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i In San Diego is the Five Star, Five Diamond Fairmont Grand Del Mar which was named TripAdvisor's Number 1 Luxury Hotel in California in 2014 and a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star hotel for the fourth consecutive year. Its 21,000 square foot spa also received Five Stars in the 2015 Forbes Travel Guide.

Set in the Los PeĂąasquitos Canyon Preserve near the coast, Spanish and French influences are reflected throughout its colorful Mediterranean style.

Arched doorways, rotundas, beamed ceilings, ornate stone, elaborate tile and wrought-iron accents are found throughout the public rooms and elegantlyappointed 249 guestrooms, 31 suites and eight villas.

The six dining venues include Addison, which also has a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rating. You can golf on the 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed course, lounge around four swimming pools, test your skills on the tennis courts, and peruse boutique shopping outlets. The resort is just a short drive from La Jolla, Del Mar and major attractions including Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and San Diego's waterfront embarcadero, Maritime Museum, and other sites. â?–

www.fairmont.com/san-diego | 1.855.314.2030

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20. At the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, you can golf on the 18-hole course designed

by Tom Fazio. 21. You can relax in the spa's outdoor patio. 22. Entry to the spa is warm and welcoming. 23. The resort offers an adults-only relaxation pool.

24. The women's lounge offers a peaceful place for meditation and relaxation.

Courtesy of Fairmont Grand Del Mar

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SIGNATURES & LANDMARKS

HOL

COURTESY OF THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN TRUST AND HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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LLYWOODLAND The Venerable Old Sign Nestled above Beachwood Canyon in the Hollywood Hills Remains among the Most Recognized Landmarks in the World ✒ BY

ERIKA THOMAS

MORE THAN NINE DECADES AFTER ITS INCEPTION, THE SIGN THAT BEGAN AS A WAY TO ADVERTISE REAL ESTATE REMAINS AN ICON OF FAME AND POP-CULTURE, AND IS ARGUABLY THE MOST FAMOUS LANDMARK IN THE WORLD.

In the early 1900s, a burgeoning movie industry had ushered in a slue of wealthy and powerful residents to the area that would eventually become Hollywood. Film producers had been attracted to southern California for its versatile terrain and agreeable climate. By 1920, with upwards of 40 million Americans going to the movies each week, Tinsel Town had officially landed on the map.

Real estate investor and “Los Angeles Times” publisher Harry Chandler saw potential in investing in the quickly-populating area.

Chandler would fork over $21,000 (about $260,000 today) to construct a sign for his exclusive Hollywoodland Real Estate venture.

Dedicated on July 13, 1923, the massive advertisement contained 13 letters (the “Land” portion would be removed in 1949) and measured 30 feet wide by 43 feet tall — this was impressive, considering that each letter had to be dragged up to the precarious location via steep, unpaved dirt paths. The soon-to-be-famous sign boasted 4,000 light bulbs, 20 watts each. It was also reported in a Hollywoodland advertisement (in Chandler’s own LA Times) that “200 men were employed, 7 miles of road had been cut and 300,000 cubic yards of dirt had been moved.”

By day, the ominous letters marked Chandler’s vast real estate boom town; by night, the glamorous letters — which blinked “Holly” then “Wood” then “Land”— was becoming a CONTINUED

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death. She would go down in infamy as the “Hollywood Sign Girl.”

By the end of the 1940s, Harry Chandler’s real estate venture was defunct (a residual effect of the Great Depression) and the letters of the one-time billboard were now decaying. Albert Kothe, the sign’s caretaker didn’t help matters when he drove drunk one night and lost control of his vehicle, destroying the letter “H.” Though the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the city of Los Angeles to repair the façade in 1949, the sign would continue to deterio-

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Hugh Hefner, who’s been called “the sign’s number one fan,” stepped up by hosting a gala to auction off brand-new letters for $27,700 each. Some of the biggest names in the biz helped fund the effort, including Gene Autry, who purchased an “L,” Warner Bros. an “O” and singer Andy Williams, a “W.” Throughout the 1980s and 90s, efforts continued to

“TODAY, THE BILLBOARD THAT WAS ONLY MEANT TO LAST 18 MONTHS REMAINS AMONG THE MOST-VISITED LANDMARKS IN THE WORLD.” star in its own right. In 1930, Thomas Lee took his father’s (radio pioneer Don Lee) following to the smallscreen. Broadcasting news and other events from the Hollywood sign (the area around it had been dubbed “Mt. Lee”), the younger Lee brought a visual to the dayto-day glamour of L.A. life.

The sign would become the object of scandal in 1933 when New York stage actress Peg Entwistle plunged to her death from the letter “H.” Entwistle, who’d failed to succeed at the film career she’d so desperately wanted, would finally achieve fame in her

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rate over the next two decades.

If the first 20 years of its life were about promoting Hollywood real estate, the years to come would be about preserving its cultural and historic impact.

In the 1970s, recognizing the desperate need for restoration (the top of the first “O” had all but eroded and the second one had fallen off and tumbled down the hill, now reading “Hullywod”) the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce commissioned a quarter million dollar renovation.

revitalize sign, as well as the city of Hollywood continued.

Today, the billboard that was only meant to last 18 months remains among the most-visited landmarks in the world. It’s a destination for everyone from photographers, historians and film buffs, to outdoor and environmental enthusiasts. The sign that Hugh Hefner has called “Hollywood’s Eiffel Tower” remains a symbol of celebrity, glamour and fame — and has a mystique that can only be found in Hollywood. ❖

For information about visiting the Hollywood sign, go to www.hollywoodsign.org

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MOLLY RINGWALD FROM CHILD SUPERSTAR TO ACTIVE MOM SHE ADMITS SHE’S AN ANOMALY AND ONE OF A FEW CHILD/TEEN ACTORS TO ESCAPE THE HEADLINES OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRAMAS.

“I think it’s a combination of who I am and my great relationship with my parents. I was a priority for them.”

Because she has seen the statistics of young actors who have survived unscathed from her generation and subsequent generations, she won’t be allowing any of her three children to enter the business at a young age.

Theater will be acceptable, she says, which is where she began at age five.

“I was singing before I could talk,” says Ringwald, who sang with her dad’s band when she was three years old. “My parents didn’t know anything about Hollywood. Looking back, my mom says she would have made the same decision I’m making with my kids — not to let them do it.”

Nonetheless, the family moved to Southern California from the Sacramento area when Ringwald was about 10 and she landed a role in the first West Coast production of Annie.

After a part on “The Facts of Life’s” first season and her film debut in “Tempest” in 1984, a 16-year-old Ringwald was cast in “Sixteen Candles,” beginning a string of the era’s prominent

coming-of-age movies including “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.”

Three decades later, Ringwald is involved in another such movie called “Jem and the Holograms” — a live action musical version of the popular ‘80s animated series — out in October. This time the older Ringwald plays the aunt, Mrs. Bailey.

“I think the movie is very empowering for girls,” Ringwald says.

The message in her work is very important, particularly since Ringwald admits she was unhappy while working on “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”

“I didn’t agree with a lot of what it talked about. It got very weirdly conservative and there was an episode where the creator chose to bring in Bristol Palin to boost ratings and I thought it got ridiculous,” Ringwald said. “I loved some of the cast and I loved the guy who played my husband, but it was not a very nice experience for me,” she says.

While working on what she calls a “toxic set” from 2008-2013, she also wrote two books — a non-fiction, “Getting the Pretty Back: Friendship, Family, and Finding the Perfect Lipstick,” and

By Robyn Flans Photography by ColletteLash

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a novel called “When it Happens to You: A Novel in Stories.” In 2013, she recorded a jazz album called “Except Sometimes,” all while raising Adele, now 11, and her babies, Mathilda and Roman, now six.

A lifelong So Cal native, the couple has recently moved to upstate New York so Ringwald can take on more theatre and a new Canadian TV show and her husband can be closer to the publishing world. She says she’ll be going back to Southern California a lot because there are things she loves and will miss terribly.

Molly’s So Cal Craves 1. The scent of jasmine/honeysuckle and eucalyptus trees on warm summer nights.

It’s something that I associate with growing up in Southern California and instantly transports me back to being a teenager and sitting on the front porch with my friends trying to figure out something fun to do.

2. Shin Hair on Montana.

Shin is a genius at cutting hair. She’s worth being bicoastal for.

3. I love the strange mix of architecture. I’m especially fond of mid-century, and there are some wonderful gems hidden all over Los Angeles and her suburbs. ❖

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SO CAL AUTOMOBILE CULTURE: CAR SHOWS AND CAR MUSEUMS ✒ BY

IMAAN JALALI

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OWNING A CAR IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS VIRTUALLY A NECESSITY. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF DISTANCE MOST OF US HAVE TO COVER IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES, WE WANT TO BE FREE OF THE MERCILESSNESS AND VAGARIES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

That being said, car enthusiasts have an extra reason to be enthusiastic about cars beyond mere functionality in Southern California. The amenable weather and driving conditions provide the ideal region to flaunt the body, wheels, paint job and overall aesthetics of automobiles that shine spotlessly in the sun. From vintage cars that are a reminder of a time of the seminal industrial age, to ones of the luxury variety that vroom and glide effortlessly across the pavement, to the environmentally friendly green electric cars of the contemporary era, there are CONTINUED

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COURTESY COURTESY OF LOS ANGELES-AUTO SHOW

CARS CULTURE

Lexus Concept

sun beaming off their immaculate hoods. Amid the cars will also be a food court, alcohol, bands, and a shopping mall to traverse around while gawking at the automobile specimens of yesteryear.

carousels of cars to be admired at both car shows and car museums.

For those who frequent vintage and luxury car shows, there are a plethora of dates to consider between now and October, but here are some noteworthy ones:

“Cruisin' for a Cure: 2015”

“Classics on the Coast”

September 12th Main Street Between Palm and Fir Street Ventura, CA 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. classicsonthecoast@gmail.com gg You can register your car for

$45, or simply attend at no charge to watch vintage cars get picked for having the “most outrageous paint,” “most likely to get stopped by the police,” and the “mightiest muscle” to name a few of the competitive categories.

Moreover, Ray McClelland, from TV shows “Car Warriors” on SPEED and “Motor City Masters” on TruTV, will be the celebrity guest judge.

“Mad Madeline Car Show”

“The Pepboys Speed Shop: Cruise Nights”

September 13th 28464 Old Town Front Street Old Town Temecula, CA 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(760) 201-7851

September 17th and October 15th 2099 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA (805) 497-0089

gg An event in conjunction

gg This event, which can also

with Mad Madeline's Grill, participants and prospective onlookers will enjoy breakfast and free coffee at the restaurant, before taking in the luxury car show, which will include cars from the 1950s and 60s, replete with fenders and bumpers of the most silver sparkling variety.

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Orange County Car Show

be found at facebook.com/speedshop, has no entry fee, and welcomes all makes, models, and years of street rods, classics, muscle cars, imports, low-riders and motorcycles.

“Flashback Friday Cruise Nights”

September 25th and October 23rd Anaheim Market Place 1440 Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

(951) 371-5833 gg Ford Thunderbirds,

Mustangs, Volkswagen Beetles, Corvettes and more will be on display in their retro glory, the

September 26th OC Fair and Event Center 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(714) 549-0300 gg Sponsored by AAA and

every car and tire store you could think of, the 16th anniversary of this event will host hot rods, custom muscle cars, classics, trucks, Corvettes and other specialty vehicles.

The extravaganza, which also includes live music, will once again donate all proceeds to prostate cancer research.

“24th Mustang Madness Car Show”

October 18th 6211 Beach Blvd.

Buena Park, CA 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(714) 521-3110

gg An entry fee of $30 here

will allow participants to enter their mustang into the show of shows for its kind. Not to mention, each participant will receive a free shirt, and even get to perhaps compete for best license plate, best joke and best costume. Even better, fabulously ornate trophies will be handed out to the victors of each contest.

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Of course, while the local car shows will attract some of the most ardent car collectors, the biggest one, annually, in all of Southern California is the Los Angeles Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center [1201 S. Figueroa St., Rooms 508 & 509, (213) 765-4617)]. The exhibition will be open to the public between November 20 and 29 and will feature yet-to-beannounced car model debuts, “design challenges” for automotive design

Petersen Automotive Museum

teams, and test-drives for attendees. Furthermore, a showcase of American, Asian and European cars — and everything from interiors, exteriors, accessories, and motors — will be on hand in a spaciously square-footed arrangement.

And though car shows are exciting in their own right, often packaged with food, drinks, and camaraderie, the automobile admirer might want to revel in the splendor and pageantry of cars within the

confines of a tranquil and serene setting. Undoubtedly, car museums offer an almost meditative environment for the car-phile. Here are three worth visiting:

The Automobile Driving Museum 610 Lairport St. El Segundo, CA (310) 909-0950

gg Known for a very friendly

and knowledgeable staff, every car on display at this museum has the special distinction of being street-ready, and can be turned on and driven at a moment's notice.

The collection runs the gamut from vintage to concept, visually laying out an evolution of the vintage, luxury car.

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Petersen Automotive Museum

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The Automobile Driving Museum

Marconi Automotive Museum

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Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA (323) 930-2277

gg Arguably the best car

museum in Southern California, this regional treasure offers special exhibits throughout the year.

Additionally, it has a heartpounding hot wheels section, cars from well-known films (such as the original batmobile), and playrooms for the youngsters with toy cars to play with and climb into.

Souvenirs can also be purchased at the gift shop, commemorating the visit.

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Marconi Automotive Museum

1302 Industrial Dr. Tustin, CA (714) 258-3001

With only a $5 entry fee, one can take solace in knowing that not only will his or her passion for cars be satiated, but all proceeds will be forwarded to charity foundations for children. Furthermore, there are more than $30 million in automobiles to be gawked at, including Italian exotic cars like classic Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Corvettes and Mercedes Benzes. There is even a retro fire truck worth checking out that all children and adults will doubtlessly stare at with fascination and wonderment. ❖ gg

For more info visit socalcarculture.com and californiacarshows.org

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COORDINATING BUSINESS TRAVEL WITH SCHOOL COMMITMENTS ✒ BY

ESTHER C. BLEUEL, MA, MFT, MDR

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HE ARRIVAL OF FALL MEANS THAT SCHOOL IS IN SESSION. THIS CAN BE A TIME OF EXCITEMENT, WORRY, PREPARATION AND JITTERS. FOR PARENTS WHO TRAVEL FREQUENTLY FOR BUSINESS, GETTING ACCLIMATED TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR CAN REQUIRE AN EXTRA LAYER OF PLANNING. HOW BUSINESS TRIPS ARE HANDLED WITH CHILDREN AT HOME DEPENDS LARGELY UPON THE FREQUENCY AND LENGTH OF THE TRIPS AND THE AGES OF THE CHILDREN. PREPARATION AND STAYING IN TOUCH WHILE YOU ARE ON THE ROAD IS ESSENTIAL FOR EVERYONE.

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Planning Prepare a complete and easyto-read itinerary of your travel information: flights, airports, hotels, office location and contacts.

A map showing your route and where you will stay helps young children feel secure and included. You may want to include websites of hotels or places of interest.

Prepare an itinerary of activities (carpools, practices, games, baby-sitter hours, appointments, classes, play dates) and other pertinent information that your family may need. Maintaining a current list of primary contacts and doctors is important.

Have each child prepare a schedule of their plans (classes and after-school commitments) so you can stay current with their activities.

“WHEN YOU RETURN HOME, ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY DURING YOUR ABSENCE. WHILE YOU WERE AWAY, EVERYONE ELSE HAS BEEN IN A ROUTINE, SO DON’T UPSET THE APPLE CART.”

On the Road Technology is a great way to stay connected while you are on the road. Many parents call once a day. Follow your child’s lead. Do they like to text? Skype? Email or post on Facebook? Many smart phones have face time or video-conference options that are great for keeping current and it’s always fun to attach photos to texts or emails.

Children love to get mail, even if it arrives home after you do.

Postcards are a quick and easy way to let children know you are thinking about them.

their work and the other is happy to collaborate and feels appreciated, the children can adapt well to changes in routines. Parents who treat business travel as just another facet of life that needs to be managed usually do just fine.

Coming Home When you return home, acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of everyone in the family during your absence.

While you were away, everyone else has been in a routine, so don’t upset the apple cart.

Be patient and be present. Avoid emails and phone calls. Give freely of your time

A Few Other Thoughts Discuss and clarify everyone’s expectations about how things will go while you are traveling. What is planned? What is needed? What will happen upon your return?

Children are often quite capable and willing to be responsible for chores and activities when a parent travels for business. They feel important and understand that their contribution is necessary.

Attitudes about business travel matter a lot.

When one parent loves

and attention to listening and learning about what has happened while you were away.

Occasional little gifts and pictures show your children that you were thinking of them while you were traveling. ❖

Got a tough question or delicate dilemma you want Esther to help you solve? E-mail her at Ecbleuel@toughtalkcoach.com and she may address it in her Trending Talk column in an upcoming edition.

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WE HAVE ALL BEEN AFFECTED BY BREAST CANCER IN SOME WAY. WHETHER AS A SURVIVOR, SISTER, FRIEND, PARENT OR CHILD OF A WOMAN WITH BREAST CANCER, MOST OF US HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS THAT DEDICATE THEIR EFFORTS TO FINDING A CURE AND EDUCATING WOMEN ON PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND MANY COSMETIC COMPANIES HAVE DECIDED TO CHIP IN AND HELP RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS IN SUPPORT OF THIS CAUSE. HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVES.

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NICOLE SCHMIDT

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1. 100% of net profits go to breast cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. ($8) Evolutionofsmooth.com 2. $3.50 from every purchase of this Limited Edition Drink Up Hydrating lip balm in Berry Splash will be donated by Origins to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Origins.com 3. With each purchase of Lacquer Rouge in Dollface ($25), Shiseido will donate $5 to Cancer and Careers, an organization dedicated to helping women manage their cancer and careers. www.shiseido.com 4. 100% of the retail price of this feminine and earthy perfume oil compact will be given to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. ($50) EsteeLauder.com 5. Antica Farmacista will generously donate all proceeds from the sale of this beautiful peony, gardenia and rosa diffuser to Gilda's Club.

AnticaFarmacista.com 6. With the purchase of this cream and powder blush and bronzer palette, $2 will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Sephora.com 7. Aveda will donate $4 from each of these limited edition hand lotions to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. ($26) Aveda.com RESOURCES AND FOUNDATIONS: 1. www.nationalbreastcancer.org National Breast Cancer Foundation 2. www.bcrfcure.org Breast Cancer Research Foundation 3. www.cancerandcareers.org Cancer And Careers 4. www.gildasclubnyc.org Gilda’s Club New York City 5. www.mskcc.org Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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The petting zoo is one of several attractions in the Big Red Barn at The L.A. County Fair.

FUN FALL FESTIVALS AND FAIRS ✒ BY

LINDA LANG

ARTS, CRAFTS, SAND, CARS, BEER, WINE, APPLES, FILMS, MUSIC — YOU NAME IT, AND THERE'S PROBABLY A FESTIVAL FOR IT. WE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS LOVE TO CELEBRATE. PERHAPS IT'S OUR IDYLLIC YEAR-ROUND WEATHER THAT DRAWS US OUTSIDE TO MINGLE WITH THE CROWDS, EAT DEEP-FRIED TWINKIES, TAKE SELFIES AT THE PETTING ZOO, DANCE TO LIVE BANDS, AND SAMPLE FINE WINE OR A BREW OR TWO WHILE CHECKING OUT THE EXHIBITIONS AND SURVIVING THE CARNIVAL RIDES.

Yes, fairs and festivals offer a great escape from our daily high-tech, multi-tasking schedules.

Summer may be ebbing, but in true So Cal style, September and October have great events for every taste.

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COURTESY OF VISIT SANTA BARBARA/LINDA BLUE

24TH ANNUAL LEMON FESTIVAL: SEPT. 26-27 GIRSH PARK, GOLETA The Lemon Festival has been the biggest celebration in the Goleta area for more than two decades and is always a fun, informative and exciting event for kids of all ages. There are pie-eating contests, arts and crafts vendors, mini golf, pony rides and lots of bounce houses.

At Safety Street, the family can meet and mingle with those who help keep us safe and get an up-close look at their state-of-the-art vehicles and technologies. There's lots of great food, entertainment and funpacked activities that keep this event growing year after year. The weekend also includes the 10th Annual Goleta Fall Classic Car and Street Rod Show, with the awards ceremony held on stage Saturday. www.lemonfestival.com | 805-967-2500 i

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1. What lemon festival would be complete without a pie-eating contest? 2. Costumes and entertainment add to the festivities. 3. Kids of all ages enjoy fun food, rides, games and lots of good fun. 4. All things lemon will be celebrated at the Lemon Festival in September. 5. The Big Red Barn houses California's largest petting zoo and lots of demonstrations.

6. The L.A. County Fair features lots of rides, games, entertainment, food vendors, exhibits and more. 7. Luminasia, the Chinese lantern display, transforms a two-and-one-half-acre hillside into a wonderland of color.

ON THIS PAGE:

COURTESY OF FAIRPLEX / LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR

L.A. COUNTY FAIR: SEPT. 4-27 FAIRPLEX - 1101 W. MCKINLEY AVE., POMONA i The Los Angeles County Fair, one of largest in the U.S., celebrates its 93rd anniversary with more than 70 spectacular rides, 30 midway games and two Kiddie Carnivals for smaller thrill seekers.

Luminasia, the two-and-one-half acre Chinese lantern display, transforms the hill adjacent to the Midway into a wonderland of color. Competitions and tons of exhibits include textiles, arts and crafts, jewelry, needle art, pottery, and Popnology (pop culture meets technology).

You can visit The Farm, a year-round community resource and learning center that educates all ages about sustainability, healthy eating, and how food is grown, harvested and delivered.

There's the Big Red Barn offering milking demonstrations, California's largest petting zoo and lots more animals. And let's not forget the Toyota End of Summer Concert Series where you can sing, dance and hang out while catching great nightly performances by Trace Adkins & Kellie Pickler, Brothers Johnson, Los Lobos, Ke$ha, The Jacksons, Demi Lovato, Zendaya, Bad Company and more. www.lacountyfair.com | 1.909.623.3111

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ON THIS PAGE: 8. Oom Pah Pah bands and other music fill the festive air. 9. Toasting a good time is always an Oktoberfest tradition. 10. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume. 11. Bavarian dress is popular with both ladies and gents. 12. The Alpine Village Oktoberfest is packed with nightly entertainment.

13. Sampling German bier is always a festival highlight.

i What's fall without Oktoberfest? Bavarian fun, food, beer and Oom Pah Pah return to Alpine Village for the 48th year of Southern California's oldest, largest, authentic Oktoberfest celebration.

Every year, Southern Californians gather to celebrate traditional German fare, chilled steins of signature German bier, wine, bands, entertainment and lots of singing and camaraderie.

Tasty menu items include sausage plates and sandwiches, bratwurst, chicken schnitzel sandwich with sauerkraut, German bratkartoffeln and other potato dishes followed by Spaghetti Eis - German spaghetti-shaped ice cream. And of course, there are those mouthwatering giant pretzels with mustard for the traditionalists.

Costumes of all sorts are encouraged for selfies taken while sampling the brew in a giant stein which you can bring (as long as it is not glass or metal) or purchase there. Other merchandise includes boots, Oktoberfest felt and other hats, Viking helmets, blonde wigs and light-up braids, t-shirts, cow bells, bracelets and much more to complete your celebration in style. www.alpinevillagecenter.com/oktoberfest | 1.310.327.4384

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COURTESY OF ALPINE VILLAGE

ALPINE VILLAGE OKTOBERFEST: SEPT. 11- OCT. 31 833 W. TORRANCE BLVD., TORRANCE

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COURTESY OF ROUTE 66 CRUISIN' REUNION

ROUTE 66 CRUISIN’ REUNION: SEPT. 18 - 20 DOWNTOWN ONTARIO ALONG EUCLID AVENUE The streets of Ontario will once again welcome classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles and some 200,000 car enthusiasts during the 3rd Annual Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion. Free to the public, the event encompasses approximately 22 city blocks with cars and hot rods parking and cruising all around downtown.

This family-friendly event headquartered on historic Euclid Avenue near the Town Square, Ovitt Family Community Library, and City Hall features three days of activities, food, live music, entertainment and stars some 2,000 classic cars and vintage motorcycles. Bring your own classic car or just enjoy the up close view of these extraordinary vehicles. route66cruisinreunion.com | 1.800.867.8366 i

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14. Many cars with meticulous interiors and detailing will be set up as cruisers. 15. Some 200,000 are expected to attend the third annual Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion. 16. Highlights include the world largest neon cruise creating a dazzling light show on wheels. 17. World Master John Gowdy’s “Sandman Blues" was a big hit last year. 18. Celebs make great subjects for sand artists. 19. U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge returns to San Diego for the fourth year. 20. Patriotic themes are also crowd favorites.

COURTESY OF U.S. SAND SCULPTING CHALLENGE & 3D ART EXPO

ON THIS PAGE:

U.S. SAND SCULPTING CHALLENGE: SEPT. 4-7 B STREET PIER, SAN DIEGO i U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge, one of USA Today’s Top Ten, returns for the fourth year as a Labor Day tradition to San Diego's ‘B’ Street Pier.

One of the world’s major sculpting competitions, the event will be held on the built-for-the-occasion beach with more than 300 tons of sand dumped on the pier on San Diego’s Big Bay. Sculptors call it one of the world's most creative moments as stunning sand creations materialize, stretching nearly 1,000 feet into the bay.

World Masters Class sand artists from Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Latvia, Quebec and the best in the U.S. carve for four days to create their finest work with more than $60,000 in appearance, prize money and expenses at stake. The nine teams of three pros each comprising the Cool California Carvers Class will each sculpt for two days.

It's also great family fun with lots of live entertainment, more than 100 gourmet food trucks, kids' giant sandbox, rides and more. Kids can also learn how to build sandcastles from professional sculptors after which their parents can visit the beer gardens. www.ussandsculpting.com. ❖

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P R O F I L E

Nick Vujicic From

Life Without Limbs to Life Without Limits

By Monique Reidy Photography By Erica Goddard

When NICK VUJICIC appeared on Oprah’s show, she started the segment with an appeal to her worldwide audience: “Let

me just say to everyone watching … to anyone who has a complaint on the tip of your tongue … I want you to just shut your mouth and watch this.” She went on to introduce Vujicic as “one of the best examples of winning the hand you’re dealt.” H

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“If you don’t understand that your value is not determined by people’s opinion, you will be swayed...so me knowing my place as a child of God gives me a strong foundation and helps me understand the truth of my value.”

Nick Vujicic, president of Life Without Limbs, established in 2005

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Handsome and charismatic, when he rolls into a room, Vujicic makes a point to acknowledge everyone present, making sure not to miss a single person. His piercing blue eyes connect to those with whom he engages and he is big on physical contact, “get over here and give me a hug,” he says as he is introduced to his endearing fans. If one were not paying attention, his physical condition would be entirely concealed by his whopping personality.

“I REALIZED I HAD A CHOICE: BE ANGRY FOR WHAT I DON’T HAVE OR BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT I DO.” Born in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia without arms and legs, Vujicic spent the early years of his life struggling to find personal value and significance.

Three sonograms failed to reveal the rare disorder known as tetra-amelia syndrome, which is characterized by the absence of all four limbs. The lack of a medical explanation simply added to the young Vujicic’s personal torment, contributing to an early spiral of hopelessness and fear of the future.

“When I was 8-years-old I went into a depression, feeling that there was no purpose for my life,” he says, “I asked all the right questions and no one had any answers for me.”

Vujicic attempted suicide twice, “once at eight years of age and once when I was 10-yearsold in the family bathtub,” he says. “The reason I didn’t go through with it is that I didn’t want to leave my parents with that pain.”

His turning point came at age 13, when “I realized I had a choice: Be angry for what I

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don’t have or be thankful for what I do.

“My story is being thankful for what you have – not taking every day for granted, doing your best and letting God do the rest,” he says. “I’ve come to a point of realizing that you don’t always need a miracle to be a miracle for someone else.”

That moment set in motion what is now Vujicic’s international outreach, Life Without Limbs. South Africa, Cambodia, Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Urugua, Croatia, Japan, Singapore – he has taken his powerful, life-changing message to more than 60 countries on five continents and that count grows weekly.

According to Vujicic, the victory over his struggles, as well as his courage and passion for life today can be directly attributed to his faith in God. “If you don’t understand that your value is not determined by people’s opinion, you will be swayed,” he says, “so me knowing my place as a child of God gives me a strong foundation and helps me understand the truth of my value. That was foundational for me to change my life from one of life without limbs to one of life without limits.”

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Since his first speaking engagement at age 19, Vujicic has shared his story with millions in packed stadiums and he has spoken to countless audiences filled with students and prominent business professionals. He continues to visit prisons, orphanages, hospitals, churches and individuals around the globe. His radio show broadcasts on more than 500 stations worldwide.

Vujicic is an Kanae and Nick accomplished author, musician, speaker, actor, and in his spare time enjoys soccer, fishing, painting, swimming and surfing. In 2008 during an outreach in Hawaii, Nick took a surfing lesson from Bethany Hamilton who lost an arm in a shark attack.

Despite his physical disability, Vujicic has intently chosen to rise above his circumstances and live his life with determination

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and triumph. “I believe it’s worse being in a broken home than having no arms and no legs!

“The greatest healing exercise that I’ve gone through has been writing books about my past and my history,” he says. “I love how the Bible says that God will not waste any pain and that no pain is done in vain.”

Vujicic’s first book, “Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life” was published in 2010. His others include, “Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action,”“Love Without Limits: A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All” and “Stand Strong: You Can Overcome Bullying (and Other Stuff That Keeps You Down).”

He has a motivational DVD, “Life's Greater Purpose,” a short documentary that was filmed in 2005. He also distributes DVDs for young people titled, “Verve” and “Life’s Greater Purpose.”

Considering his vast catalog of accomplishments, one would do well to consider Oprah’s afore mentioned advice.

In 2007, Nick made the long journey from Australia to

Southern California where he now lives with wife Kanae and two young kids. He is the president of the international nonprofit ministry, Life Without Limbs, established in 2005.

Although the organization is based in Southern California, it has an expansive social media reach. More information can be found at lifewithoutlimbs.org.

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S DIVINE FINE WINE ✒ BY

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COURTESY MALIBU FAMILY WINES

COURTESY BERNARDO WINERY

COURTESY MALIBU FAMILY WINES

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N AGRICULTURAL PHENOMENON IN ITS OWN RIGHT, AND PART AND PARCEL OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION, WINE, WHICH HAS THUS BEEN SUITABLY TREATED AS AN ART FORM, IS USUALLY SWEPT INTO THE MOUTH WITH A TOUCH OF CLASS AND PRESTIGE, MARKED BY A REPUTATION FAR EXCEEDING MOST OTHER ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. WINE IS THE ONLY BEVERAGE THAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS OPULENT, ELEGANT, VELVETY, RUSTIC, SILKY, EVEN CRISP AND PERHAPS COMPLEX. IT’S CHARACTERIZED BY ITS AROMA, AFTERTASTE, BALANCE, ACIDITY, BITTERNESS, FRUITINESS, TASTE, SMELL AND SIGHT.

Granted, Northern California, particularly Napa and Sonoma, have been internationally renowned for their wineries, but the Southern California region is no pushover by a long shot, and has quite a few reputable wineries and vineyards of its own to boast about. These prominent areas include Malibu, Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Temecula and San Diego. H COURTESY BERNARDO WINERY

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Rosenthal: Malibu Estate Wines

18741 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265 (310) 456-1392 www.rosenthalestatewines.com x With vines covering more than 30 acres in the Malibu Newton Canyon, which is situated very close to the beach, wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Blends, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc are aged with care in barrels here before the blending process gives them form.

The Estate is open Wednesday through Sunday for tastings, and the cost is a reasonable $13 per person for four wine samples.

Malibu Family Wines

31740 Mulholland Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265 (818) 865-0605 www.malibufamilywines.com x With locations also in

Westlake Village, Los Olivos and Sunland, Malibu Family Wines has expanded its horizons to include comedy shows, movie nights, live music, yoga, an insightful blog, and a very extensive wine club. The latter gives the consumer ample flexibility to customize his or her shipment of wine to the finest detail without any hassles. The tasting room at the Malibu location is open seven days a week and is

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Palmina Wines

outdoors in the resplendent and refreshing Southern California sun.

1520 E. Chestnut Ct. Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 735-2030 www.palminawines.com

Santa Barbara Winery 202 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-3633 www.sbwinery.com

x Since being an integral part of Santa Barbara harkening back to 1962, this beautiful winery offers samples of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Grenache, Primitivo, and Sangiovese, among others. As splendid as the red wines are, the white wines are critically acclaimed, having been voted best in Santa Barbara by the city's COURTESY Independent MALIBU Weekly in FAMILY WINES 2014, and being the overall winner of the New York International Wine Competition in 2015. It is also open seven days a week.

Brewer-Clifton

329 North F St. Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 735-9184 www.brewerclifton.com x Inspired by a philosophy

that encapsulates both traditional and modern science, Brewer-Clifton is an example of disparate pieces coming together in one harmonious package. It began with its founding by two diametricallyopposed individuals — Steve,

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x Having recently celebrated

a former rock singer, and Greg, a former French professor.

They have taken great care of their vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, which are especially conducive to delectable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Every morning the grapes from these vineyards are carefully picked and transported to the winery.

Wine-tasters can expect to have their palettes reinvigorated between Friday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additionally, there is a private bottle lounge option, for up to six people, for $60 per individual. The perks of this arrangement also include gourmet bites in an upstairs living room area that provides stylish sight lines of the verdant land.

its 20th anniversary, Palmina prides itself on the passion of wine. It is the very fervor brought about by wine that united winemaker Steve Clifton, and Italian winemaker, Chrystal Seals, who helped bring his vision to fruition, and later became his wife. Thus, the Italian wines that characterize Palmina were born, seamlessly giving way to vineyards and a collection of wine choices for the taster.

(Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

San Antonio Winery

737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031 (323) 223-1401 www.sanantoniowinery.com x Sitting on its original loca-

tion on Lamar Street in Lincoln Heights just east of downtown L.A. since 1917, San Antonio Winery is a historic landmark H

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that produces award-winning wines. It remains the largest and longest- producing winery in L.A. with more than 98 years of winemaking under its belt. Visitors can enjoy a tasting and take a tour of the vast aging cellars filled with historical redwood tanks, modern fermenting tanks, and thousands of oak barrels. Located just minutes from Dodger stadium and Chinatown, the winery is open daily for lunch, tours, and tastings from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and until 8 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays.

cost for the “Vine to Wine Tour”). Better yet, for the ones who share an avid love of wine with their significant other, a wedding overlooking one of three Hilltop Garden Terraces is a viable option!

Bernardo Winery

13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte San Diego, CA 92128 (858) 487-1866 www.bernardowinery.com x Bernardo Winery has the

Bel Vino Winery

33515 Rancho California Rd. Temecula, CA 92591 (951) 676-6414 www.belvinowinery.com

COURTESY MIRAMONTE WINERY

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music and an onsite bistro, Bel Vino has the distinction of offering the most affordable price tag for “budget” wine tasting — $4.95 on weekdays.

The festivities transpire on more than 40 acres, accentuated by the glamorous taste of 40 types of wine. Moreover, wine club membership is free and tours are only $29.95 to $39.95 per person (the higher

Miramonte Winery

33410 Rancho California Rd. Temecula, CA 92591 (951) 506-5500 www.miramontewinery.com x At an elevation of 1,400 feet, entrepreneur Cane Vanderhoof established the winery in 2000. The winery offers a wine club, private

tours, tastings on the patio, and a tasting room that is open Sunday through Thursday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Friday to Saturday between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m..

The philosophy here is to allow the wine process to follow its natural flow, so to speak, without unnecessary intervention.

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most storied history and tradition on this list, having been established 126 years ago in 1889. It has since retained most of its original scenery and architecture in addition to 12 shops, including a coffee house, chocolate confectionery, black box theater, fullservice hair salon, café and art galleries. Of course, there are several wines to choose from such as Petite Sirah, Chablis, Merlot, White Zinfandel, along with sparkling choices like Orange Moscato and Moscato Rose. The tasting room is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for a discount price of $12 for five samples. ❖

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feel a little bit off.”

Unfortunately that’s often because of her other love -the game, which she began playing at the age of five.

By 14, she gave up track, softball and tennis when it became “more of a life choice,” she says.

“It consumed my life. My recollection of youth soccer is being in a carpool with my sister, my parents and the orange slices in the back, listening to TLC and driving two hours to the games -- the typical Southern California soccer experience.”

In high school her mother would drive, even after Press got her license, so she could do her homework in the passenger seat.

“I would be nowhere without my parents,” she says. “I would never have passed high school.”

At the end of high school her feelings for soccer began to change.

The more shallow pleasure of winning and celebration faded as the recruitment process filled her with pressure.

At Stanford, it only got worse.

“For four years I remember crying on the field,” recalls Press, who holds the all-time scoring record at Stanford. “Even if I had scored, or we were winning. I just never felt like it was enough.”

ess U.S. Women’s National Soccer Star Christen Press on Living Her Dream ✒ BY

ROBYN FLANS

Y WHEN U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER STAR CHRISTEN PRESS GETS A RARE MOMENT TO RETURN HOME TO PALOS VERDES FOR SOME R&R, SHE ENJOYS THREE OF HER GREATEST LOVES: HER FAMILY, HER TWO RESCUE DOGS AND THE AREA’S OCEAN. “I grew up here and the ocean feels like home when I look at it,” says the 26-year-old. “When I’m not by the water, I

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She never considered giving it up, though, because of everything everyone had invested in her. And luckily two lifechanging events occurred shortly after her rookie season. She moved to Sweden, thinking a deadline to make a national team had passed, which removed huge stress.

Simultaneously, she started yoga and meditation.

“I played with freedom and with joy,” Press says. “Living abroad helped me fall in love with life again.”

After two and a half years in Sweden, Press moved back to the United States to prepare for the World Cup and to play for the Chicago Red Stars, her current National team.

“The World Cup was an amazing experience.

Going to the stadiums, seeing the fans tailgating, waving their flags, chasing down the bus, was an experience that very few people ever get and one that I will treasure forever. The experience with my teammates, regardless of the results, was a positive one and we grew together a lot.”

Press says she only gets home about 75 days a year where she spends most of her free time hiking with the dogs. She says there’s no significant other because she’s on the road all the time, but for now, that’s okay.

“The job brings so many highs and so many moments that one can only dream about. We learn to balance the sacrifices that we make and decide what’s more important at the time in our life.” ❖

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BY ANDRES BRICCO/COURTESY OF PATINA RESTAURANT GROUP

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SPLICHAL SERVES UP THE SAVORY SUCCESS

OF THE GOVERNORS BALL AT THE 67TH ANNUAL EMMYS ✒ BY

IMAAN JALALI

x FOR EVEN THE MOST IMAGINATIVELY INCLINED, IT'S DIFFICULT TO PICTURE 4,000 GUESTS, 11,400 WINE GLASSES, 12,000 PIECES OF CHINA, 205 CHEFS, 600 SERVERS, 1000S OF POUNDS OF FOOD, AND 100 GALLONS OF RED WINE ALL IN ONE SETTING. Yet the annual Governors Ball at the Emmys, always comprised of

television’s top talent, is where the ordered chaos of ensuring every appetite is satisfied happens. And the unsung heroes, who collectively are the engine that successfully drive the Ball for the past 16 years now, is the Patina Restaurant Group led by renowned German-born Chef Joachim Splichal.

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No different than the creators onscreen are the artistic creators in the kitchen where, as Chef Splichal appropriately describes, “one tries to dazzle the client and make him or her excited about what they're about to eat.” Every year the menu ingredients are carefully culled from local farmers markets and though there is no set formula for the Chef, there is a keen eye for what harmonizes and complements components of a dish.

The three-course menu set for September 20 at the Governors Ball undoubtedly reflects the astute and arduously selected food and wine to be served. For instance, the first course will be a delicious amalgamation of wildflower honey poached pear salad with Sonoma goat cheese, figs, walnuts and quince vinaigrette. The entrée will delight with a filet of beef tenderloin, potato terrine, king trumpet mushrooms, yucca chips,

“HAVING GROWN THE PATINA GROUP SINCE 1989, WHICH NOW INCLUDES 80 RESTAURANTS AND 5,000 EMPLOYEES, I'VE MADE SURE TO LEAD EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE TOWARD A BETTER QUALITY [IN ANY FACET] EACH TIME.” roasted cherry tomatoes, red wine jus and béarnaise espuma. Lastly, the dessert — made up of Ghana brownie, Zephyr popcorn, cara crakine and Bourbon caramel — will please even the pickiest of sweettoothed guests.

Most impressive perhaps are the Penfolds Wines to be served in conjunction with the deliciously edible compositions. The first is the Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, which is the ultimate red wine, not only aged in American Oak barrels, but the epitome of how fruit and oak should interact in a wine glass before being enjoyed.

The second is the Penfolds Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay that originates from cool climates in Australia and is a master example of how white wine should be fermented, matured, and preserved without undermining its true fruity essence.

Beyond the top-notch food and wine, however, is the exceptional service; 690 staff members in all, who are responsible for navigating through the enormous undertaking of the event.

Chef Splichal realizes this more than anybody, espe-

cially with regard to exercising the right amount of social intelligence when being face-to-face with the celebrity clientèle, who are mingling rather than just eating or drinking.

“At the end of the day, it has less to do with cooking. We have done and will continue to do a splendid job of making sure that the customer is happy. This, along with our 30 executive chefs in Southern California, reflects the professionalism of our company [Patina Group]. As a company, we're only as good as our last meal served, and so it is important for us to positively reinvent ourselves, and be there everyday and to be present,” confides Chef Splichal.

The menu for this year's Governors Ball is moreover an indication and manifestation of a Chef and restaurant group that refuse to rest on their laurels, instead conCONTINUED

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BY MATT SAYLES / INVISION FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY

JOACHIM SPLICHAL

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WINES: Penfolds Wines is the official wine part-

ner of the 67th Emmy Awards Governors Ball.

The Governors Ball will feature Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz and Bin 311 Chardonnay to pair with the Ball’s three-course meal.

• Each Primetime Emmy Award winner will receive a bottle of Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz in a commemorative wooden box, specially engraved with their name.

DESIGN/PRODUCTION:

Sequoia Productions led by Cheryl Cecchetto – this is the 17th consecutive year they have produced the Ball.

FLOWERS: LA Premier will create 750 flo-

ral arrangements for the Ball featuring more than 8,500 flowers and 2,500 candles.

CATERING: This is the 20th

year Patina Catering has prepared the food for the Emmy Awards Governors Ball (1995-1997 and 1999-2015).

For the Governors Ball décor, more than 43,000 Swarovski crystals, totaling more than 650 pounds in weight, will be used.

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tinuing to challenge themselves for the betterment of the customer.

“Having grown the Patina Group since 1989, which now includes 80 restaurants and 5,000 employees, I've made sure to lead everything and everyone toward a better quality [in any facet] each time. Yes, we've made mistakes, and you can't always win, but it is our burden to do all that we can to strive for what is right,” remarks Splichal.

Consequently, it is the attention to every detail, nuance, and contingency for why Chef Splichal and his Patina Group are repeatedly asked to cater for the Governors Ball. It serves as a testament to the longevity of

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DESSERT COURSE

RECIPE

“NO MATTER HOW TALENTED A PAINTER IS, IF HE [OR SHE] CAN'T SELL HIS WARES, HE OR SHE CANNOT MAKE A LIVING OFF HIS [OR HER] PASSION.”

SINGLE ORIGIN GHANA BROWNIE, ZEPHYR POPCORN CHANTILLY, CARA CRAKINE, BABY BOURBON CARAMEL Serves 2-1/2 Dozen

Splichal, who is the rare chef who can balance his ingenuity in the kitchen with a business acumen and long-term vision for the future.

Chef Splichal brilliantly articulates the fundamental interplay between artistry and economics — “No matter how talented a painter is, if he [or she] can't sell his wares, he or she cannot make a living off his [or her] passion. More important than anything is being accepted by a community, and holding the attention of that community of clientèle.

We've been around [as a company] for 26 years, and have achieved what is most important in the restaurant business — longevity. ❖

• • • • • • • •

Dark Chocolate Brownie: 1-1/3 cups butter, softened 2-2/3 cups sugar 4 eggs 3 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup baking cocoa 1/2 teaspoon salt Confectioners' sugar, optional

• • • •

Baby Bourbon Caramel Sauce: 1 cup sugar (+ 1/4 cup water) ½ cup heavy cream 1 Tbsp Hudson Baby Bourbon Pinch of salt (optional)

For the Brownie: 1 In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2 Beat in eggs and vanilla.

3 Combine the flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.

4 Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan.

5 Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until the top is dry and the center is set. Cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

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For the Baby Bourbon Caramel Sauce: Simmer sugar and ¼ cup water on medium heat, swirling pan NOT stirring for about 15 minutes or until a deep amber color is reached. Watch closely as not to let it burn.

Turn off burner and remove from heat and slowly add cream while stirring.

Add pinch of salt and bourbon and place back on still-warm burner for another minute while stirring.

Transfer to a heat-safe dish or bottle and let cool. Store covered in the refrigerator.

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STYLING BY: ILENE’S BOUTIQUE, WESTLAKE VILLAGE HAIR BY: ALLISON McGILLICUDDY MAKEUP BY: KRISTINA GOLDBERG

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SAVVY, SPIRITED AND FABULOUSLY FIT

HELPING ENERGIZE A GENERATION OF WORKOUT BUFFS, FITNESS PIONEER DENISE AUSTIN SHARES HER BLUEPRINT FOR DYNAMIC AND ACTIVE LIVING AND TELLS HOW DAUGHTER KATIE IS FOLLOWING IN HER HEALTH-GIVING FOOTSTEPS.

BY ROBYN FLANS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENNY HADDAD

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Fitness guru Denise Austin recalls the turning point in her life in 1981 when, as a 24-year-old, she had the chutzpah to approach exercise icon Jack LaLanne with an offer at a Washington D.C. dinner.

“I said, ‘Oh my gosh, my grandpa has been exercising with you since I was a little girl,’” Austin remembers. “‘We love you in our household. I grew up with you and now I want to do fitness. I could come on your show, Jack, and do handstands and flips.’”

He said yes to the young woman who had been a gymnast as a child and had recently graduated from college. After they filmed the first show, LaLanne asked Austin to stay to film the remaining four shows of the day. After that, he asked if she would stay on to become the co-host with him.

“I was on his show for more than a year and then I got my own show on KABC in 1983,” says Austin, who remained close to LaLanne for the remainder of his life and was asked to give a speech at his Celebration of Life.

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hat same year, she met Jeff Austin at the West End Tennis Club in the South Bay and it was love at first sight. They married soon after, and a move to New York resulted in a new job as a fitness expert on the “Today Show,” where she remained for four years.

Austin went on to have her own shows on ESPN and on Lifetime Television, release many DVDs and served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

“When you are on TV for 24 years, every single day, you become a part of people’s family,” Austin says.

After 30 years away from the South Bay area, Austin and her husband moved back a few years ago when their two daughters,

you a chance to surprise your muscles to NEVER PLATEAU.” Katie and Kelly, were accepted into USC. She loves Hermosa Beach, a beach town area that suits their lifestyle and the outdoors, which she calls her gym.

“We get to ride bikes right on the Strand, we play beach volleyball, we go swimming, there’s so much activity,” Austin says. “I love it.”

Austin says among her favorite Hermosa Beach haunts is the Jackson Market and Green Store, “an old-fashioned corner store that makes the best sandwiches with fresh french bread

made every day, great wraps and even breakfasts.

“MB Post in Manhattan Beach is a great restaurant with awesome selections of red wines and the best brussel sprouts appetizer you’ve ever had. And one of my favorite organic meals here in Hermosa is called Hook and Plow,” Austin says. “If you want really fresh green juice, the Source Cafe is my favorite place for that. My favorite skinny marguerita is at Palmilla Cocina y Tequila on the pier in Hermosa which is a great Mexican restaurant. They make it with all fresh lime juice, no sugar.”

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Even though she says she’s a “foodie,” Austin maintains that 30 minutes of fitness a day is all she or anyone needs to make a healthy difference. In support of that premise, Austin now brings her presence to the internet on all platforms at www.deniseaustin.com with two fitness programs with the same vivacious energy she has always projected.

Her 10-week, 360 Plan is a guide for a daily work-out and menu plan. There are three different levels, depending on fitness capability.

“I make sure each week they get in some cardio, some toning, some yoga and different things,” says Austin, who uses the same program herself. “The variety of all the work-outs really matter because it gives you a chance to surprise your muscles to never plateau. Each week I concentrate on a different inspiration and motivation to be healthy, happy and fit.”

Austin says she is part of the online community chat which has been very supportive.

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er monthly subscription plan, All Access Denise, is for those requiring less supervision. Subscribers have access to the entire library of Austin’s television work-out history, as well as all her recipes.

“The only difference from the other program is the personalized day-to-day dashboard where I build their workout for 10 weeks,” Austin explains. “On this, they can pick and choose.”

Austin is proud of the work she does. “Wherever I go people say, ‘I’ve exercised with you since I was a little girl.’ And now I’m doing that with my daughter Katie. She’s following in my footsteps.”

Katie Austin, 21, a senior at USC is focusing her health and fitness efforts on teens and college girls with her own website: www.getfitwithkatie.com.

In June, she released an E-book called “Love Your Body, Love Your Life, 28 Days to a More Beautiful You.” “My whole emphasis is on self-love and confidence because that’s what teen girls struggle with so much,” Katie says. “I’m

average girl now Photoshops out her acne and makes herself skinnier, so perfection has become the goal. Girls look in the mirror and think they are not perfect compared to the images they see. I want to help girls across the country and the world one day realize that perfection is not what we are trying to accomplish.”

“My whole emphasis is on SELF-LOVE and CONFIDENCE trying to help them through fitness and it’s a little different from my mom because I focus a lot on the mental health.”

Katie says social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pressure young women across the world.

“Young women see perfect images of others,” she says. “It used to be that only magazine girls were Photoshopped, but the

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Katie says her mother has always been her inspiration.

“All my life I’ve seen people come up to my mom in grocery stores or airports saying, ‘Oh my goodness, Ms. Austin, you’ve changed my life, you literally are my hero,’ and that’s what inspires me because she inspires other people so much,” her daughter says. “I hope to do that.” ❖

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because that’s what teen girls struggle with so much.”

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FIVE FAVES

WHERE TO BIRDIE, BOGIE, BLAST AND BACKSWING IN THE SOUTHLAND

WITH COOL BREEZES AND CONSTANT SUNSHINE, SO CAL IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO TEE OFF FOR SOME GOLF FUN. WHETHER YOU ARE AN EXPERT OR JUST LOOKING FOR SOME CASUAL PLAY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFERS A VARIETY OF COURSES DESIGNED TO FLAG YOUR INTEREST AND KEEP YOU HOOKED.

✒ BY

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LINDSAY B.V. PINCUS

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COURTESY OF INDIAN WELLS GOLF RESORT

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INDIAN WELLS GOLF RESORT x Rolling

hills, dazzling landscapes and sunshine everyday of the year is guaranteed at this luxurious golf spot. This lush course will make anyone feel like an A-list star with both its Celebrity and Players Course. These par-72 courses were added to the resort in 2006 and 2007. The courses are flowing with excellent reviews because of the streams that drift throughout its entirety as well as the immaculate view of mountains. In addition, Indian Wells has been honored with a multitude of awards ranging from being Golf Incorporated Magazine’s “Clubhouse of the Year” in 2008 to being the only 36-hole public golf resort in Golfweek’s ranking of the top 20 places to play in the entire Golden State in 2008.

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COURTESY OF TORREY PINES

5 GREAT GOLF COURSES

TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE x William

P. Bell, a celebrated course architect, designed and started this renowned golf course while his son, William F. Bell, completed it in 1957.

There are two different 18-hole courses offered on the property, the North and South Course. The South Course offers lavish greenery with plush trees and rough sand for both viewing pleasure and an extra challenge while playing. This course also ranked third in Golfweek’s “America’s Best Municipal Courses” in 2009. The North Course drops lower to the ocean, which adds a more vast view of the coastline. In addition to the beautiful courses, Torrey Pines offers a variety of amenities that range from a restaurant, driving range and putting green. These courses are perfect for an individual looking for a stimulating game or for someone who just wants to enjoy the great weather and scenery.

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COURTESY OF PELICAN HILL

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PELICAN HILL GOLF CLUB x If

players are looking for a course with 13,525 yards of rich greenery including a pristine view of the glistening ocean, look no further than Pelican Hill. In addition to the exquisiteness of this area and view, there are two courses: The par-71 Ocean North Course and the par-70 Ocean South Course. They both offer different levels of play depending on whether the golfer is looking for a more traditional game or a more aggressive one. These courses offer a unique feature of five sets of tee boxes on every hole that vary from the challenging black tee to the easy yellow tee. This course attracts all ages and skill levels because of its versatility and beauty.

SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB x Sandpiper’s

history dates back to 1938 when it was used by ARCO for oil production. Ken Hunter purchased it in 1972 and transformed it from an oil refinery to a refined golf club. Now, it is an oceanside 18-hole course that is ranked on Golf Digest’s 2015 top 40 golf courses in California. In addition to its accolades, it has hosted prestigious golf tournaments such as The PGA Tour Tournament Player Series and The LPGA Tour Santa Barbara Women’s Open. This course has more than 7,000 yards of luxurious greenery where a cool, crisp breeze is always flowing because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

There is also a gourmet grill and a stay and play package for those who want to make a vacation out of their golf trip. The traditional greenery accompanied by an astounding view and many commodities will make game play relaxing and enjoyable.

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RIVER RIDGE GOLF CLUB x This

course caters to all age groups and skill levels with their Men’s Club, Senior’s Club, Ladies’ Club and teen and youth programs. Another way they tailor to all players is by providing custom fitted golf equipment to help all participants play their best game.

This Club offers two courses: The Vineyard Course and The Victoria Lakes Course. The Vineyard Course has a front par-35 and a back par37 course that overlooks the ocean at the highest point of elevation in Oxnard at the fifth hole. The Victoria Lakes Course is the newest addition with a par-36 course that runs on 7,081 yards of rich grass, Bermuda trees and is surrounded by a glimmering lake. This course is PGA length, which makes it necessary to have an “Amen Corner” on the 12th to 14th hole.

Translation: Once an individual finishes these holes they will most likely claim victory over their competitors. ❖

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Savoring South Bay's Beach Cities

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Manhattan Beach Pier, the oldest concrete pier in the state, is a state historic monument.

HE SOUTH BAY CITIES OF MANHATTAN BEACH, HERMOSA BEACH AND REDONDO BEACH CELEBRATE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S ENDLESS SUMMER MUCH OF THE YEAR. SITUATED SIDE-BYSIDE BETWEEN THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA AND EL SEGUNDO, THE THREE ARE RENOWNED FOR THEIR SPLENDID BEACHES, SURF, GLORIOUS SUNSETS AND SIGNATURE PLEASURE PIERS. IT'S HOME TO SURFERS, PADDLE BOARDERS, FISHERMEN, SWIMMERS AND OTHER BEACH AFICIONADOS WHO ENJOY BIKING, SKATING, JOGGING OR ROLLERBLADING ALONG THE SCENIC 27-MILE STRAND (AKA MARVIN BRAUDE BIKE TRAIL) THAT RUNS FROM SANTA MONICA THROUGH REDONDO BEACH. The cities draw millions of visitors, both near and far, to experience beach life on some of the most desirable, expensive real estate in the country. The beaches are edged with condos and hotels looking out on the white sand and crashing waves while bustling plazas, restaurants, shops and pier life are within strolling distance.

South Bay has also produced some of our most important musical groups including the Beach Boys who immortalized the endless summer and tall, sun-tanned

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THE SOUTH BAY

CLUBBING, ENTERTAINMENT, WINING AND DINING x Here,

too, is where L.A. nightlife blends with Southern California beach life. South Bay probably has more bars, dance clubs and entertainment than any other area in Los Angeles. A favorite of young singles in

Manhattan Beach is Baja Sharkeez, a lively cantina offering "iHappy Hour!� buy one drink - any size, get one for 25 cents.

Tempting bites include fresh guacamole, jalapeno bacon mac & cheese, fish tacos and other creative Mexican fare. If you want action in Hermosa Beach, you'll find millennials enjoying live music at the Lighthouse Cafe or The Comedy and Magic Club where you might see celebs like Bill Maher, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno or Arsenio Hall. For those just wanting to unwind, enjoy live entertainment and spectacular sunsets, there's Old Tony's on the pier in Redondo Beach.

The beach cities have it all - karaoke nights, live entertainment, music venues, martini lounges, pubs, and sports bars.

The area has also experienced a rebirth of fine dining. Chef David LeFevre's renowned Fishing With Dynamite restaurant in Manhattan Beach has an excellent raw fish bar as well as great seafood and other dishes that lure guest chefs from around the globe for its

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1. The Jennifer Leitham Trio is one of the favorites that have appeared at The Lighthouse Cafe. 2. Beach houses prepare for sunset. 3. Abigaile is one of the busiest seafood spots in Hermosa Beach. 4. Redondo Beach is filled with great shopping on the pier and ashore.

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blondes with California Girl, Surf's Up, Good Vibrations and other hits.

Others include Minutemen, Black Flag, Redd Kross, Descendents, Pennywise and Seahaven.

Redondo Beach is also where surfing was introduced to California. In 1907, local land baron Henry Huntington hired George Freeth, a skilled surfer from Hawaii, to come over and become a unique attraction to help Huntington boost real estate sales. Before long, Freeth was teaching the sport to others. Today, a memorial statue of Freeth on the Redondo Pier is often decorated with Hawaiian leis by surfers from around the world.

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ON THIS PAGE:

5. The Redondo Beach Pier and harbors have appeared in many movies and TV shows. 6. The piers are favorite year-round fishing spots.

7.Sunset on the Hermosa Pier offers spectacular views. 8. The Redondo Pier is filled with great restaurants and eclectic shops.

9. The Manhattan Beach Pier is a state historic landmark.

Culinary Masters Series.

In Hermosa Beach, executive chef Tin Vuong of Abigaile, offers a tasting menu as well as five-course menus featuring tasty creations such as escargot poppers with roasted garlic caper aioli, plancha baby octopus with Portuguese sausage, and a pig pop tart of smoked pork confit, 8

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bacon and gruyere in a pastry. Paciugo Gelato & Caffe, also in Hermosa Beach, creates some of the best house-made gelato in the South Bay resulting in traditional as well as new flavors like Strawberry Lavender, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Guinness and Chocolate Jalapeno.

Redondo Beach is home to upscale bistro Chez Melange, known for its ever-changing CalifornianAsianMediterranean menu featuring everything from sushi to pizza to foie gras. The restaurant also offers cooking classes and a wine club. For trendy Japanese, try Japonica Dining with screens between tables adding to the romantic ambience.

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piers in all three cities are integral to the local scene. Manhattan Beach Pier, the oldest West Coast concrete pier and a state historic landmark, extends out into the ocean. Minus shops and restaurants, it simply provides mesmerizing views,

romantic sunsets and is a favorite fishing spot. At the end is the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium where you can take the kids to see tanks of baby sharks, lobsters, 7

and colorful fish. While enjoying the view, don't forget to look down to see the Volleyball Walk of Fame that extends the length of the pier.

The Hermosa Beach Pier is shorter yet, like Manhattan Beach, is free of shops and restaurants.

The sole building houses public rest rooms, Los Angeles Life Guard Service and a branch of the Los Angeles County Public Library. It, too, is especially romantic at sunset and a fisherman's favorite.

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THE SOUTH BAY

ON THIS PAGE: 10. Waves along the South Bay beach cities attract surfers to morning rides and major competitions. 11. Tim Kelly Lifeguard Memorial watches over volleyball players in Hermosa Beach.

12. Volleyball is a popular past time on all South Bay Beaches.

13. Paddle boards can be rented from waterfront shops. 14.

Sightseeing and whale watching boat excursions depart regularly from Redondo Pier.

15. Lifeguards are positioned all along the beaches.

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Redondo Beach Pier and harbor have appeared in many movies and TV shows. Known for its unique horseshoe shape, the pier is lined with dining spots, bars and eclectic shops offering seashells, sportswear, island clothing, jewelry and collectibles. The four marinas offer water sports equipment rentals, boat and whale watching excursions as well as lots of shops and eateries.

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list of sports activities and competitions is endless.

Volleyball tournaments are played on all the beaches.

The International Surf Festival, co-sponsored by all three cities, Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and

BY JESSICA SHERMAN

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dleboard and swimming competitions, sand castle design and more.

The Manhattan Beach Open, granddaddy of all beach volleyball tournaments, just marked its 55th year in August. Hermosa Beach has the USA Volleyball Championships as well as the 25th Annual World Famous Pumpkin Race Festival on Sunday, October 25, for which you

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the Beach Cities Health District, is held every summer. Competitions in all locales include surfing and bodysurfing championships, paddle competitions, a two-mile beach run, fishing derby, pier-to-pier pad-

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To check out the cities, lodging, dining, activities and events calendars, go to www.manhattanbeachchamber.com, www.hermosabch.org and www.visitredondo.com.

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can purchase a pumpkin racecar kit.

Coming up in Redondo Beach is the Annual Chalk Art Festival on September 12, when the pier becomes a virtual canvas upon which all can create their own chalk art; the 11th Annual Rods, Rides & Relics Classic Car Show on September 28; and its 19th Lobster Festival October 25-27. â?–

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Taking Adrenaline to New Heights ✒ BY

SCOTT HARRIS

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA is nothing if it is not the land of adventure.

Whether your interests lie in the spiritual, the intellectual, the emotional, the physical or a combination of any of the above, we have something to pique your excitement.

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Let’s temporarily leave the gravity induced bonds of terra ferma and, for a short while, be at one with the Wright Brothers. So get ready, because the adventures to follow will most certainly get your adrenaline pumping (especially if you suffer from acrophobia, or feel a definite affinity with Icarus).

Let’s start with paragliding. You connect yourself to an impossibly small piece of fabric with suspension lines that are just as impossibly small, and then you voluntarily jump off of a perfectly good mountain.

You can do this alone or in tandem, and flights can be a few seconds and a few hundred feet, or multiple hours and many miles. Paragliding is available throughout Southern California, but Santa Barbara is most recommended since it has multiple paragliding schools and is home to the Santa Barbara Soaring Association.

Hang gliding is similar to paragliding, except hang gliders have a rigid structure supporting the sail fabric and paragliders do not.

However, you are still required to jump off of a perfectly good moun-

tain. If hang gliding sounds like the adventure for you, a number of places from the beaches to the mountains offer lessons. To get out of town while you hang glide, try High Adventure Hang Gliding in the San Bernardino Mountains.

If you prefer your gliding with a plane, head out to the Southern California Soaring Academy in Llano. Of course, these planes don’t have engines. You’ll be towed into the sky by a motorized plane, and you and your pilot will be cut loose to soar over the Angeles National Forest and the surrounding desert, before returning for a gentle landing at Crystalaire Airport.

Or, to combine airborne adventure with the ocean and the beauty of San Diego, head over to San Diego Parasail Adventures. You’ll start with a boat ride out into the Pacific Ocean, get harnessed into a parasail wing and get connected to the boat by a strong line, and be let out and up as if you are a kite.

When your flight, which can vary in height and length, depending on your finances and appetite for adventure, is over, you’ll be reeled

Paragliding is available throughout Southern California, but Santa Barbara is most recommended since it has multiple paragliding schools and is home to the Santa Barbara Soaring Association.

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back to the boat. You’ll then make a gentle landing on the specially built platform on the back of the boat.

Another aerial activity that has become quite popular is “zipping.”

Zip lines are made by attaching a cable to point A and attaching it again at point B at a lower elevation.

To ride a zip line, you connect to the cable with a harness, step off a platform and let gravity do the rest.

While zip lines are available throughout Southern California, you might consider spending a weekend at Catalina Island and doing the Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour, which features five separate zip lines, an elevation drop of 600 feet, a travel distance of almost 3/4 of a mile and top speeds close to 40 mph.

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The Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour, which features five separate zip lines, an elevation drop of 600 feet, a travel distance of almost 3/4 of a mile and top speeds close to 40 mph.

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Lake Elsinore is home to Skydive Elsinore and a great spot to give this a shot.

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And, if none of those ideas get your adrenaline going, how about a good old fashioned parachute jump? You take off in a perfectly good airplane, with every intention of jumping out of it. Lake Elsinore is home to Skydive Elsinore and a great spot to give this a shot.

With most of these adventures, you can sign up for a one-time “experience” ride or a full set of lessons. Often, a one-time ride will lead to lessons, but for many, it just makes for a great day and a chance to check off a bucket list item. Either way, if you’re looking for something different, enjoy the feel of adrenaline coursing through your veins, and either don’t have — or want to overcome — a fear of heights, endless opportunities abound.

On a personal note, I do suffer from a fear of heights (the most rational of phobias, in my opinion) and, at the same time, I have tried every one of the adventures listed above. In fairness, the appeal of these adventures has been so much more than simply physical. The spiritual side (Please God, don’t let me die!), the emotional side (Ahhh!!!!!!!!!) and the intellectual side (How did I get talked into this again?) have all been touched. And, I wouldn’t trade a moment of these experiences. ❖

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FAMILY FUN

HALLOWEEN HAS SNUCK UP ON US AGAIN AND IT’S TIME TO FIND THE PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE THIS HAIRRAISING HOLIDAY. WHILE TRICK-OR-TREATING AND COSTUME PARTIES ARE MORE TRADITIONAL CHOICES, SO CAL HAS A VARIETY OF ELECTRIFYING EVENTS RANGING FROM KID-FRIENDLY THRILLS TO BLOODCURDLING SCREAMS THAT ARE A BRIEF BROOMSTICK RIDE AWAY FROM HOME.

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BRICK-ORTREAT PARTY NIGHTS

Dates: October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 30; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 1 Legoland Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92008 i Legoland offers frightfully fun family events every weekend in October. Brickor-Treat is a Halloween activity for all ages that includes costume contests, treats, dancing and live entertainment. Some of the entertainment includes a scavenger hunt on the spooky Ghost Cruise, the Mail Order Monsters show at the Courtyard Theater, and stilt walkers, unicyclists and tap dancing skeletons that roam around the park. This year, the entire park is open for more thrills for the whole family. Legoland makes this a must-go-to family trip that everyone will enjoy.

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EEK! AT THE GREEK! Date: October 24; 7 p.m.

Address: 2700 North Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027

The front plaza at the Greek Theatre becomes a Trick-or-Treat Village before the musical show so kids of all ages can come to strut their costumes in a contest, get their faces painted and create some spooky arts and crafts.

Following all of these activities is Symphony in the Glen conducted by Arthur B. Rubinstein, performing festive and frightening Halloween favorites. Other performers such as dancers and musicians will take the stage for even more gripping shows that everyone will love. This event is perfect for any family looking for a musical, interactive experience for both children and adults.

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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Date: October 24; 12 p.m.-12 a.m.

Address: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038 Ticket price: $20/General Admission i The Dia de los Muertos cultural festival will be celebrating its 16th anniversary at Hollywood Forever. The theme for this year is the Shamanic Vision of the Huichol. The Huichol are claimed to be one of the last tribes in North America to preserve their preColombian traditions. The basis of their spirituality is living in harmony with nature and their traditions are being celebrated at this year’s event. This event is full of rich history and spirituality as people from all over Southern California gather together to celebrate. The festival features musical performances, altars crafted for loved ones and ancestors, a costume contest, children’s events and vendors. While this isn’t a Halloween event, it is a great October celebration for all ages.

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THE BASEMENT

Dates: Every Wednesday through Sunday at select times Address: 12909 Foothill Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342 Ticket price: $30 i THE BASEMENT: A Live Escape Room Experience brings movies like “Saw” and “The Cube” to life with its unique take on immersive entertainment. In this venue, up to 12 people are blindfolded, kidnapped and locked up in a room themed as a dilapidated basement. They have been put there by a fictional cannibalistic serial killer named Edward Tandy and have to solve clues to escape the room before their time is up and the murderer comes back to finish what he started. The clues and puzzles in each room vary from riddles to physical challenges to logic problems that all need to be solved in 45 minutes. They have a second experience titled “The Boiler Room,” where up to four people have to escape the small space using clues and keys before the 35 minutes are up. This activity is great for those horror movie fanatics who are up for the challenge.

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LOS ANGELES HAUNTED HAYRIDE

Dates: All of October, Friday & Saturday; 7 p.m. to midnight, Thursday & Sunday; 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Address: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027 Ticket price: $30/Hayride, $43/General Admission

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i This Hollywood hayride tradition is 25 minutes of pure chill because of the bonechilling presences that lure the grounds and bring terror to riders who cross them. After brave participants survive the horrific, Boogeyman themed hayride, there is the In-Between Dark Maze that was called the scariest maze in Los Angeles in 2012 and 2013. This maze is a complete blackout that is filled with creatures of the dark that will watch your every move throughout the twisted labyrinth. This year there are additional attractions such as the Trick-or-Treat sector and the House of Shadows for those who want to hit the last nail in the coffin for a final scare. For those looking for a truly frightful experience at a bargain price, this is the perfect scare.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

i If you are an adrenaline junkie who doesn’t mind being chased by zombies with chainsaws around an amusement park, this is the event for you. Halloween Horror nights at Universal Studios has become a staple, spine-chilling event in the south side. Every year, there are multiple mazes, a terror tram and scare zones that only the brave will endure. These are based on the latest and trendiest horror movies of the year. One maze is based on Guillermo del Toro’s horror flick “Crimson Peak,” which takes place in an eerie mansion full of secrets and horror that is not for the faint at heart. The entire venue is packed with terrifying creatures that will sneak up on you when you least expect it.

Halloween Horror Nights makes all of your nightmares a reality with its in-the-flesh re-creations of horror movie icons that will keep you up at night. ❖

SOCALLIFEMAG.COM

BY DAVID SPRAGUE

Dates: September 18 to November 1 (dates subject to change) Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

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PERFECT PICKS

1 FALL IN LOVE WITH SHOES

THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE ON THE RUNWAYS OF FUNKY, CLASSIC, ELEGANT OR DOWNRIGHT ARTISTIC CHOICES TO PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD. THINK FRINGE, FUR, PATCHWORK, SHINE TO NAME JUST A FEW OF THE TRENDS TO LIVE UP TO THE MOTTO THAT SHOES REALLY DO MAKE THE OUTFIT.

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✒ BY

BRIDGET MARIE

3

4 1. Go Higher

Heels are in and the higher the better. Whether it is a chunky or a slim stiletto heel, just reach high when choosing this season’s footwear.

2. Go Ahead & Shine

Metallic hasn’t lost any momentum and it is everywhere this fall. Whether it is the whole shoe or just small details (think even just on the underside of that high heel as an accent), you simply must shine.

3. On the Fringe

Fringe is everywhere. Like the metallic accents, it can be the whole shoe or just a hint of fringe.

4. Patch It Together

Multicolor and patchwork designs in bright colors highlight whatever you wear — and go ahead and mix colors of all shades and hues.

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5. Fur the Love of Shoes

What you wear on your feet will feature faux fur in all sorts of colors and styles.

And, since it is all about embellishments this fall, the shaggier, the better.

6. Oh Mary Jane

The Mary Jane is back … but was it ever really gone?

Always a classic, this look is everywhere for the fall, from shoes to boots and goes with every outfit.

7. Over Your Knee

Boots are hot, hot, hot. If you choose booties, then choose embellishments. But when you want to wear a true boot then make sure it is over the knee for a stylish look.

8. We Love Boys

Menswear is in! We know we said choose a high heel, but when you want to wear a flat, check your favorite guy’s closet and go find the same look. But, then again, you can show off the menswear look with a heel to add that flirty touch.

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september /october

California Avocado Festival October 2-4 800 Linden Ave www.avofest.com

Carpinteria will host the 29th annual celebration of avocados. The festival will “go green” both in food, and in the environment.

There will be live entertainment and plenty of avocado snacks and treats to enjoy.

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ON THE CALENDAR

Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival September 9-13 1583 Spinnaker Dr. www.venturaartfestival.com Street artists from all over converge at this free event to draw and paint on the sidewalk. Jewelers, painters and artists will show their wares as well.

Kaaboo September 18-20 Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds www.kaaboodelmar.com Come out to enjoy a weekend of music with seven stages and more than 100 artists. It’s a perfect weekend getaway.

Catalina Festival of Art September 18-20 www.catalinaartassociation.org This Juried art event is along the bayside front street featuring amazing oceans views and tranquil breezes.

Highlights include awards, music, entertainment, and a kids art show.

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San Diego Restaurant Week September 20-27 www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com Over a span of eight days, more than 180 restaurants in the San Diego area celebrate local dining with specially priced menus and unique dishes.

Fashion Week San Diego October 1-4 La Valencia Hotel www.fashionweeksd.com

Italian Feast of San Gennaro September 26 – 28 Jimmy Kimmel Live: backlot www.feastofla.org The event kicks off each year with hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla.

Proceeds benefit the San Gennaro Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at helping children and families in need.

California Gold Vintage Surf Auction September 26 Culver City Veterans Memorial Complex www.thevintagesurfauction.com This event will showcase boards and memorabilia with a California flair from the ’20s through the ’80s. Close to 50 prime vintage surfboards will be auctioned live along with hundreds of silent auction items. The event benefits the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Aloha Beach Festival September 26-27 Ventura www.alohabeachfestival.us Commemorating the Hawaiian culture, this event will showcase surfing, paddle boarding, Frisbee competitions, entertainment, music, food, and a beer garden.

october

Safety Harbor Kids 8th Annual Polo Fundraiser September 12 Will Rodgers Polo Grounds www.safetyharborkids.org This special luncheon benefits orphans, foster and homeless children.Set in a beautiful location, you will enjoy fivestar cuisine, music and a polo match.

Come dressed in white and wear your favorite hat.

Fashion Week San Diego is a traditional and industry recognized fashion week that showcases designers from all over the globe, not just from San Diego.

Twyla Tharp: 50th Anniversary Celebration October 1-3 The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts www.thewallis.org Tharp turns her decades of experience into living proof that time is her partner as she continues to deepen and expand the singular imagination which makes her one of the century’s most treasured artists.

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september/october Hollywood Horror Nights October 2-31 Universal Studios www.halloweenhorronights.com

La Jolla Art and Wine Festival October 10-11 www.ljawf.com One of the largest art and wine festivals in So Cal, guests will enjoy live music, entertainment and a family art center, in addition to great food and wine.

and Enrique Iglesias, reggaeton duo Zion y Lennox and the L.A.-based hip-hop group Far East movement.

Bike MS: Coastal Challenge October 10-11 www.bikecal.nationalmssociety.org The National MS Society hosts this biking event that will take riders from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara, all to raise money for MS. The masters of Hollywood create unimaginable fright for thrill seekers. The park will have creepiness all around with fear lurking right around the darkest corners of the park.

Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show October 2-4, Ventura October 9-11, Ontario www.harvestfestival.com The Harvest Festival features artisan treasures of stunning jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, oils, hand-turned wood, music, ceramics, eclectic art pieces, seasonal décor, and all kinds of entertainment.

Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival October 8-11 and 15-18 Avalon Casino www.jazztrax.com The Three Tenors — saxophonists Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Euge Groove — will be headlining the opening weekend of the 29th annual music event, and keyboardist/trombonist Brian Culbertson takes the closing weekend.

Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival October 9-11 Annenberg Theater www.pswomensjassfestival.com An all-women line up will be performing all weekend. A must see for jazz lovers.

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Closing Day of SB Polo October 11th www.sbpolo.com Come experience the best kept secret in Santa Barbara’s backyard. Plan to arrive at 1:30 in time for the 2:00 pony parade and exhibition match. As one of the only non USPA tournaments and featuring local players and teams, this day is a real treat. Admission is $10 and includes free valet, free wine tasting and access to the Boutique, Beauty Bar and Posh Polo Lounge.

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival October 18-19 Juan Bautista de Anza Park www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com The festival offers a live band, DJ dance zone, delicious food, pumpkin painting and carving, costume contests, parade and much more.

L Festival – Feria Cultural Latinoamericano October 24 and 25 Orange County Fair & Event Center www.lfestival.com The festival will showcase Latin music, food and art with a lineup that will include Latin pop starts Juan Gabrial

Redondo Beach Lobster Festival October 25-27 Seaside Lagoon ww.lobsterfestival.com This year's Lobster Festival will be rockin' with more food, great live entertainment, activities and more fun in the sun!

Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire October 25 Claremont Village Thevillageclaremont.com Shop at the Inland Empire’s largest autumn arts & crafts fair, hosted along the tree-lined streets of Claremont.

West Hollywood Halloween Carnival October 31 Santa Monica Blvd. www.visitwesthollywood.com The best Halloween party in town, this free event will have entertainment, food and drink. Be sure to wear your most creative costume in the hopes of being crowned Carnival Queen.

To feature your upcoming Southern California event in our "On the Calendar" section, e-mail: calendar@socallifemag.com

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(Electric Dust DriveIn in Los Angeles), drive-ups have become a pretty significant industry. With driveups, you can stay in the comfort of your home and have a variety of services brought right to you at your convenience. Mobile car washes, pet grooming, groceries, personal trainers and of course, pizzas, can now all be delivered to your home, saving you the trouble of actually having to drive to them.

But, it is the drivethru where Southern California sets itself apart. Opening in 1948, In-N-Out Burger claims to have been the first true drive-thru restaurant.

Jack in the Box quickly followed in 1951 with a drive-thru in San

DRIVE-THRUS

Drive On Up! ✒ BY

SCOTT HARRIS

IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CARS ARE KING.

In other, less-evolved, parts of the country, I have heard tales that cars are simply considered a means of transportation, a method of moving from one point to another. But here, cars are an extension of our personality and for many, part of their personal brand. Since

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we have such an expansive freeway system and many of us live in suburban homes that are not within convenient walking distances of stores, as well as a disdain for almost all forms of public transportation, we have also created an unusual “drive” lifestyle. We have drive-ins, drive-ups and drive-thrus.

Drive-ins are usually associated with restaurants and movies.

Very popular in the 1950s and 1960s, it was common to drive up to a restaurant, stay in your car and have your food delivered by a carhop, often by someone on roller skates. These have now been replaced by the modern version where you text your order, pull into a designated parking spot and your food is then brought to your car.

There was also a time, in almost any community, where you could drive to a large parking lot, hang a small speaker off of your window and

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIFE - SEPT.OCT2015

watch a movie (or movies –– this was in the days of double features) on a giant screen from the comfort of your car. Many a first kiss were stolen at the drive-in and since most drive-ins charged by the number of people in the car, more than a few people were smuggled in a trunk.

In 1961, televangelist Robert Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, even opened a drive-in church (also in Garden Grove) where he would preach on Sunday mornings to 500 carloads of worshippers.

As drive-ins have become either a memory or a novelty

Diego, including the famous (or infamous) clown head. While fast food and drive-thrus remain inseparable, the once popular drivethru bank (replaced by online banking and ATMs) is joining drive-ins as a distant memory. Drive-thru car washes remain popular and convenient, and are usually tied to gas stations –– the very first of all drive-thrus.

But, fear not for the future of drivethrus. You can start

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your day by going through a variety of drive-thru donut shops, including The Donut Hole in La Puente, or simply picking up coffee without ever leaving your car from hundreds, if not thousands, of Southern California locations.

We also have no shortage of drive-thru liquor stores, as well as pharmacies. Drivethru dairies remain popular. There are a variety of drive-thru nativity scenes scattered throughout Southern California every year and until recently, we even had a drive thru pastor in Tustin who operated from a converted photo booth (remember Fotomat?).

There is also a growing food truck fad in Southern California. The trendiest among the food trucks pick a new location and tweet their whereabouts daily. Then, their loyal customers jump in their cars and create a perfect storm of driveins, drive-ups and drive-thrus all at once.

While perhaps a bit disconcerting, it is convenient.

And, when your driving days have finally come to an end –– you’ve dropped the last french fry, spilled the last hot coffee on your lap, brushed off the final donut crumbs from your seat and made your “final deposit” — you can turn the tables and ask your loved ones to carry on your legacy by attending a drivethru memorial to pay their respects. The Robert L. Adams Funeral Home in Compton offers the convenience of a drive-thru, so mourners can view the body (through bullet-proof glass) without ever leaving their car. ❖

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My Southern California

Beach Coastline in Santa Barbara, California

BY GRIFFIN JOY MONTGOMERY, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

e Griffin Joy Montgomery, an L.A. Based Photographer, spends her sunny days shooting mostly lifestyle and editorial photography. Commonly shooting for agencies and E Commerce companies, Griffin travels up and down Southern California seeking adventure. Known for creative lighting and capturing that perfect moment, Griffin's free spirit connects with all her clients, creating a fun and easy-going environment. For more of Griffin's work, please visit Griffinjoyphotography.com.

While people around the world may only associate Southern California with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood or the laid back attitude of sunny San Diego, So Cal has so much more to offer. Just outside of its celebrated urban centers, it is a rugged place, a place of extremes, with hot red rock deserts, cold-water pacific islands with wild kelp beds, and snow capped mountain peaks.

At least, that’s how I see Southern California. How do you see it? We want to know! We at Southern California Life Magazine are devoted to showing you all that it has to offer. We’ll close each issue showcasing the beauty of our region, with its landscapes, and landmarks. And we want you, our readers to participate. For a chance to be published on our “My Southern California” photo page, follow us on Instagram (@socallifemag) and use these hashtags in your favorite photos of the landscapes, landmarks, and lifestyles that you think define our home: #ThisIsMySoCal #Socallifemagcontest.

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